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[markbandanawitts]

A Full English Translation of Mine Yoshizaki’s 47 Question QnA 🔥🔥

— Near the end of the 11.5 Guidebook, Yoshizaki sat down for an exclusive interview with Shonen Ace (The magazine that serialized Keroro Gunso), where he answered some personalized questions about himself

I’ve translated all of them along with giving some context to certain media references in this w attached links. he’s talks exactly how you’d expect lmao

Q1: Yoshizaki-sensei, people often seem to think you’re a woman.

I guess it’s because my name reads as “Mine.” When I chose it, I only had the image of Ryuta Mine in my head. But judging by Keroro’s behavior, I think it’s pretty clear I’m not a woman (laugh)

Q2: What was the first manga you bought?

I had my uncle buy me one copy each of Kiteretsu Encyclopedia and Obake Q-Taro. I used to borrow Doraemon from a rental bookstore.

Q3: Do you still have them?

Nah, even if I did, they’d be unreadable by now. I reread them so much they fell apart.

Q4: Do you have a favorite place to read?

I haven’t been reading too much lately, but I love to in a quiet, cozy café.

Q5: Has anything recently made you feel like you’ve been tricked?

Actually, yeah. Not too long ago, a friend took me on a small trip. We hopped on the highway and drove quite a bit, and I had no idea why we were going where we were; but it was fun, so I didn’t think much of it. Later, when I got home and watched the episode of Kamen Rider Hibiki that I’d recorded that morning, I realized the episode was filmed in the exact spot we had visited! My friend hadn’t said a word! It caught me completely off guard, but honestly, it kind of made me pretty happy too.

Q6: Is there a character you look up to?

Oh, definitely Saeki-san (laugh)

Q7: Keroro’s gotten really popular. Anything about that make you happy?

Hearing that everyone involved with Keroro is having fun working on it is what makes me happy.

Q8: On the flip side, anything tough about it?

It seems like working on Keroro is also kind of exhausting (laugh)

Q9: If you could be any character in Keroro, who would you choose?

Maybe Poyon-chan. She seems so nice and fluffy.

Q10: Who would you like to live with?

I’d say the new characters, Alisa-chan and Nevula.

Q11: Why them in particular?

I feel like we could have a nice, quiet time in an old Western-style mansion.

Q12: Is there any invention from Kururu that you’d want?

Oh, definitely that one thing for making Gundam models!

Q13: What’s your favorite part of the manga drawing process?

Definitely when it’s finally completed (laugh)

Q14: What’s the toughest part?

Getting started (laugh)

Q15: What do you think of the illustrations in the first volume of Keroro?

What do I think? Well, it was my best effort seven years ago. There's something beyond just thinking "it's bad." Especially for Keroro, since I challenged myself to break my previous style and start from scratch, so there are definitely some awkward parts in there.

Q16: When do you draw the cover illustrations? At the beginning, in the middle, or at the end?

The inking is random, so it varies every time.

Q17: Do you pay attention to differentiating characters?

Sometimes I intentionally try not to differentiate them visually. I make their personalities distinct, so that can create a sense of difference. I’ve even tried going against silhouette theory a bit, which is directly reflected in characters like Keroro.

Q18: Which is more fun to draw, Keronians or Earthlings?

Keronians’ round eyes are a hassle, and Earthlings have too many lines... It’s a toss-up (laugh)

Q19: What about secondary characters? Which ones are fun to draw?

Every character becomes lively as soon as I draw them, so it's fun. To me, they’re all waiting in line to be drawn!

Q20: Any tips for drawing something you’ve never seen before?

Draw with your eyes closed!

Q21: Do you do anything to improve your drawing skills?

Since I started working, not really. I draw every day, so whatever I’m bad at stays bad, which can be a bit of an issue.

Q22: When creating a manga, do you start with the characters, story, or setting?

The theme. Something that instinctively feels like "that's it!" The rest comes after that.

Q23: When do you come up with story ideas?

I thrash my ideas around, trying to come up with something, and eventually, once I reach the mandatory state of resignation, it comes to me (laugh)

Q24: Which takes more time, storyboarding or drawing?

Storyboarding!

Q25: If you had to sum up the feeling of struggling to come up with storyboards in one word?

Ugh.

Q26: What’s something essential while you work?

Coffee, probably.

Q27: You’ve never taken a break from publishing, but do you ever want to? If so, when?

I always feel like I want to! Every single time, no matter what!

Q28: When do you usually draw your manga—morning, afternoon, or night?

My schedule is all over the place. I live on a 25-26 hour cycle, so when my timing is off, it tends to mess things up for a lot of people. It makes planning pretty difficult too.

Q29: What’s your favorite manga that you’ve drawn so far?

Definitely Keroro Gunso.

Q30: Do you think you’re better suited for one-shot manga or long series?

Considering the amount of ideas on my brain when working on Keroro storyboards, I think I’m better suited for long series.

Q31: Are you currently thinking about your next manga project?

Ideas come and go, honestly. Right now, I’m putting all my effort into Keroro!

Q32: Do you like your own manga?

When it comes to Keroro, I like it without hesitation.

Q33: If you were an editor, what would you tell yourself?

“You can take a three month break if you want.”

Q34: Are you comfortable with drawing manga in front of people?

I’m totally fine with it! But in reality, I usually work alone, holed up in my workspace.

Q35: Do you do anything for your health?

Not really… It’s bad… I feel like I’ve been sending out SOS signals lately (laugh)

Q36: Do you have any stress relief methods?

I never considered myself to be stressed, but recently my eye started twitching, and apparently, that’s a sign of stress. I was kind of surprised when I found that out!

Q31: There are 24 hours in a day, but how many hours would you really want?

48 hours would be great!!

Q38: Is there anything that influences your manga drawing?

I’m most influenced by the general atmosphere of the world around me.

Q39: How would you describe the feeling of racing through Okutama on your bike?

Yahoo!

Q40: Anything that’s stuck with you or left a strong impression recently?

The insurance commercial with soccer commentator Matsuki has really stuck with me… As for things, I’m obsessed with the NSF100 motorcycle— I want it so bad!

Q41: A memorable quote that’s stuck with you?

“Ramen is long and delicious!” (I have literally no idea what he’s referencing here my bad guys)

Q42: Since getting your cat, Mac, has your life changed?

My lifestyle hasn’t really changed, but it feels like my heart’s OS has been upgraded by about three versions!

Q46: Do you like traveling?

I like it, but I haven’t gone anywhere recently. If I could, I’d love to go with all my friends.

Q43: What’s the most wasteful thing you’ve ever spent royalties on?

Royalties, huh... (laugh) The other day, I saw a Keroro bath towel in a UFO catcher machine, and I had to get it. I ended up blowing ¥2,000* and still didn’t win it. I wonder if my royalties will cover that…

*this is like $14 😭

Q45: What are the things you love the most?

The Earth, my wife, and Mac (my cat).

Q46: What’s the most shocking thing you’ve experienced?

When I first moved to Tokyo, I saw an elementary school kid at Yotsuya Station wearing a backpack and smoking a cigarette. I thought, “Wow, Tokyo’s scary. Maybe I should just go home.” But I’m glad I didn’t because I became a manga artist (laugh)

Q47: What does drawing manga mean to you?

It’s about making people happy. That concept hasn’t changed since I was a kid making hand-drawn manga for my friends in elementary school.

Anddd heres my impressively terrible scans of those pages just in case anyone wanted the source

[markbandanawitts]

I HAVENT BEEN ABLE TO DRAW IN DAYS!!! I WAS GOING THROUGH WITHDRAWALS!!! and i also rewatched 326 last night sooo you’re getting his corny ass glass container. so sorry

i can’t defend him at all on this rating. in fact as his number 1 fan i’m putting my hands up and walking away entirely

[markbandanawitts]

Keroro Files No.088 - No.101

(the final english translated files for the characters in "Keroro Gunso the Super Movie: Gekishin Dragon Warriors de arimasu!")

these files have the main 3 parents, some more kirurus, the clones, and some characters that are exclusive to this game

Some Additional Notes:

i’ve actually had these translated for a couple days but it’s just been sitting in drafts, my sincerest apologies. but also !!! yay!!!! the final set !!!!! now i have to look at what i want to spend time translating next. my Ibis Paint is telling me that I spent 52 hours on this in total but i think it’s lying to me

File No.89: YMO-104 is a space species of potato monster

File No.90: Keroro named Kiruru. “Mash(u)” and that’s why he’s referring to him as that here

File No.99 - File No.100: are a character exclusive to this game (which this game plays with the plot of the 4th movie loosely)

— Soroaxas’ final plug!! I got all of the original Japanese files from their bonus video‼️

[markbandanawitts]

kururu day 🐬🎀💞 rate the party hat peak out of peak

what do you mean making this was an excuse to not work on homework or translating. clearly this drawing was made with love and appreciation to my favorite bromance ……

[markbandanawitts]

Keroro Files No.067 - No.087

(more english translated files for the characters in "Keroro Gunso the Super Movie: Gekishin Dragon Warriors de arimasu!")

This section is pretty random, considering it goes over the platoon’s Warrior Kero/Sengoku Ran forms along with a bunch of one-time characters & very side ones

Some Additional Notes:

This is totally late but I got sick and didn’t want to try translating while running on 2% brainpower 😞 i’m feeling better now though so let me cook❗️

The next post about this will be the last one, considering there’s only 101 files [un]fortunately

File No.70: Musha basically means “(samurai) warrior”

File No.71: The word used was “足軽兵” (ashigaru hei) which basically were low-ranking foot soldiers specifically

File No.72: A “ronin” was a samurai that didn’t have a master

File No.73: A quack is a fraudulent/untrustworthy doctor. I feel like a lot of people might not know that because I totally didn’t before this

File No.74: Here’s the mandatory Gundam reference I’m sure all of you were leaning forward in your seats to hear. A Gogg is basically just a mech for water use

File No.80: “Plamo” is basically slang for having plastic modeling as a hobby. It’s kinda like how “Gundam Plastic Models” just turned into “gunpla”

File No.87: “Bright” is talking about “Bright Noa” from Gundam and Ramba Ral is also a Gundam ref

— And as always another plug to Soroaxas since I got all of the original files from their bonus video‼️

[markbandanawitts]

Keroro Files No.046 - No.066

(more english translated files for the characters in "Keroro Gunso the Super Movie: Gekishin Dragon Warriors de arimasu!")

This section goes over the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th movie along with Chibi Kero episodes (so perhaps a spoiler warning if that’s any important)

Some Additional Notes:

We’re getting into the more niche criteria here with movie-specific ones; I promise if you guys don’t know who the majority of the characters on here are it doesn’t matter whatsoever. There’s 101 files in total so there will probably be about two more posts of this…. only gets more niche from here ❤️

File No.51: Keroro just saying it’s sad that dkeroro doesn’t know what gundam is is INSANE 😭😭

File No.53: “Red Daruma” is a nickname for Giroro which is basically just a red wishing doll (along with keroro racially stereotyping keronians as always)

File No.54: MSV stands for “Mobile Suit Variation.” it was a design series unsurprisingly

File No.56 Bahamut and Salamander are NOT Gundam references (shocking, I know). They’re just mythical creatures/dragons

File No.61: Since this game came out a little before the 4th movie dropped, Terara’s existence was still kinda just “????” + marketing strat by keeping it spoiler safe

File No.62: Another Gundam reference but I cannot emphasize enough how much Keroro is NOT Amuro Ray 😭🙏

File No.65: This sounds INSANE without any real context; Keroro is leaving out the fact that it was an accident with the keroball and that it was HIS fault

—And as always another plug to Soroaxas since I got all of the original files from their bonus video‼️

[markbandanawitts]

Translated Keroro Files No.023 - No.045

(more english translated files for the characters in "Keroro Gunso the Super Movie: Gekishin Dragon Warriors de arimasu!")

Numbers 23-55 go over the Garuru Platoon, Shurara Corps, and first movie appearances

Some Additional Notes:

File No.28: I would not agree that keronians don’t like the syringe…

File No. 37: Gundam brainrot is INSANE. he’s basically comparing Gyororo to a type of gundam (used by the Zeon army primarily) that’s used for spying and surveillance. hence reconnaissance

File No. 40: ANOTHER Gundam reference. “Char” here is “Char Aznable,” from the universal century timeline. This file makes zero sense if you’re not gundam rotted

File No.41: I think you can guess what franchise this could possibly referencing. The Zanscare Empire from Mobile Suit Victory Gundam is an antag

File No.42: Start clapping, people, this one is NOT a Gundam reference. He’s yapping about Piccolo from Dragon Ball Z now 😭

— And finally another plug to Soroaxas since I got all of the original files from their bonus video‼️

[markbandanawitts]

Translated Keroro Files No.001 - No.022

these are the "files" for the characters written from keroro's perspective in the game "Keroro Gunso the Super Movie: Gekishin Dragon Warriors de arimasu!" that's on the DS and released in 2009 a little before the fourth movie came out

i've seen segments of these translated but never all of them or in order, so hopefully if i finish these they’ll be semi-organized. or maybe they’re all translated sitting somewhere and i just don’t know about it yet

i would like to say these are all of the main 5's files but it's not 😭 there's a few more way later down the line. after this is garuru's platoon and stuff which i'll get started on......eventually......

Some Additional Notes:

File No. 1: Look up “Zaku Gundam” you will not be disappointed

File No. 9 & No. 12: Remember when Kogoro got to be an actor with Lavie? That’s this; “tokusatsu” is just a Japanese genre that’s based around superhero’s and special effects. Also I’m 99% sure Keroro’s name is parodying Mazinkaiser

File No. 10: Dangale is the fictional knockoff version of Gundam in this franchise; supposedly the lore goes that it sucks so bad that it auctions for a ton of money since they didn’t make many

File No. 13: I grew up with this Tamama being “Comrade Führer” but I suppose this is a substantially less offensive title

File No. 16: I don’t have anything important to say; I just want to make it known that I’m very uncomfortable with the fact he doesn’t look like a tadpole in this

File No. 19: Keroro is a fucking liar Giroro did NOT enjoy being sash pulled in the 2nd movie. For context an “obi” is the traditional sash worn with a kimono, and it’s a trope to yank it hard enough to make the (typically) girl spin around

— I got the screenshots for this from the youtuber Soroaxas, who did a full playthrough on the game. I’d totally recommend checking out their completed run through if interested they seem pretty cool

[markbandanawitts]

i’ve noticed most people think saburo’s radio show is only listened to by teenage girls….. i am here to say this is NOT true !!!!

i am setting the record straight about this man’s dorky ass show !!!!!!!! along with a little doodle of the webpage about him since i think that’s funny and crazy as hell if you really think abt it

everyone listens to 623 whether they admit it or not, and it’s actually established pretty early on; keroro, dororo, koyuki, aki, aki’s coworkers, giroro, and a ton of others are shown listening to him or trying to get advice from him

he frequently lands headlines in newspapers and people are CONSTANTLY trying to figure out his identity, especially in the later seasons of the anime where even tamama and keroro try to figure out who he is (and going through extreme lengths to do so)

he’s liked because of his interesting/outlandish stories (like how he became best friends with an alien orrrr that he’s venusian) along with how he delivers news/poetry. so everyone tunes in to his show; it’s just usually girls that go to his live events ‘cause of stan culture and his absolute soft boy persona i’m guessing . i think the anime emphasizes that his target audience is teenage girls more so than the manga does

also bonus: natsumi’s phone screen is 623 at a live show and it’s shown in ep309 . super awesome right. we love a parasocial freak ❤️❤️❤️💞💖 what level do you gotta be at to set your celebrity crush as your home screen unironically

[markbandanawitts]

this drawing is super old by now but i’ve just never had the excuse to post it

he has a radio in his tent and he frequently listens to 623. do not forget this !!!!!!!!! in fact it’s canon that a part of his personality is in love with him but i’m not ready for that conversation

[markbandanawitts]

day 50 ⁉️⁉️

everybody step back….. i used color correctly today….

THIS IS GONNA BE MY LAST DAILY DAY !! THE MARKBANDANAWITTS IS REBRANDING!!! i’m still gonna be drawing saburo a ton but it’s not gonna be everyday; i’ve been posting here for 50 days but i’ve actually been doing it for 130 lmao

i enjoy drawing him as much as i do BUT not doing it everyday will probably remove any art block/clutter drawings and give me more time to draw other characters as well . very proficient and rational see guys

[markbandanawitts]

day 49

i have so many questions about this saburo variant and none of them will be answered. ever

[markbandanawitts]

day 48

we got kikaka fanart before gta 6 😭😭🙏🙏🙏

[markbandanawitts]

day 47

tthis is another lazy day considering i took a three hour long nap while drawing this

yknow we’ve never seen saburo backpack him. that’s because saburo usually just lets him chill on him but still . buy a backpack gang

[markbandanawitts]

day 46

sannojou my absolute rbf king

ITS BEEN SO LONG SINCE IVE DRAWN HIM

i don’t know if i like him or mutsuzou more. i love them both equally they both suck

[markbandanawitts]

day 45

she’s going to cry her eyes out once she hits the ending but i suppose makoto dies more peacefully than saburo tried to 😭😭

[markbandanawitts]

day 44

this is just a doodle of his fugly little cat since i don’t have a lot of time to spend on anything today