#山形大学の広報誌 みどり樹 第67号【2016年春号】

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山形大学の広報誌 みどり樹 第67号【2016年春号】

Source: Yamagata University, Midorigi No.67, Spring 2016

This article/interview was published in the Yamagata University Quarterly Magazine "Midorigi", in the Spring 2016 issue. Yamagata is Togashi's hometown, where he also attended the local University.

Togashi-sensei smiles while holding "The Drifting Classroom", a manga that had an impact on him when he read it as a boy, and his own masterpiece, "HUNTER x HUNTER".

The result of dedication

What is Yamagata University for Togashi-san?

"It kindly watched over me. The university was like a mother to me." - 🐶 Yoshihiro Togashi

As the calm days spent in Yamagata were a source of vitality and growth, he continues to run at the forefront of the demanding world of manga.

Yoshihiro Togashi - manga artist

Yoshihiro Togashi, a boy who loved drawing by nature, has been drawing pictures in storyboard manga format since he was in the early grades of elementary school. At the beginning, he used to draw at home and school, inspired by his classmates who were better at drawing than him. Mr. Togashi liked the school environment and wanted to stay in school even after he grew up. So, with a simple idea in mind:

"A school teacher, and because I also like painting, I have no choice but to become an art teacher"

he aimed to become an art teacher and enrolled the Faculty of Education Department of Fine Arts (currently, the Faculty of Regional Education and Culture/ Plastic Arts Course). At first, Mr. Togashi and his parents envisioned his future as an art teacher at a junior high school. He was leading a peaceful college life.

However, during the subsequent teaching practice, he became keenly aware of how difficult and challenging the profession of a teacher was, and decided to give up his career as a teacher to become a manga artist.

In general, it seems that manga artists have more hurdles to overcome and it's a tougher road than that of a teacher, but it appears that Mr. Togashi could see the road beforehand. In his peaceful college life, he had plenty of time to draw manga. Students of the Art Department naturally belonged to the Art Study Group Circle. As an extension of the classes, he was doing things such as oil paintings and presentations, but on days when there were no circle activities, he went back to his apartment as soon as the classes were over, devoting himself to creating manga. Eventually, he began submitting his works to "Weekly Shounen Jump" manga awards, winning honorable mentions and awards in rapid succession. His dreams were steadily coming true.

T/N: In 1987, Togashi received a honorable mention in Shueisha's 24th Hop Step Award for "Jura no Mizuki" and the 34th Tezuka Award for "Buttobi Straight".

In the circle, he also got to know a friend who had won an award in a manga magazine, just like him. He recalls how much fun it was to have a drink and talk about trivial things such as Famicom (NES). Soon after, Mr. Togashi was assigned to an editor in charge as a Weekly Shounen Jump's promising talent. He made his debut as a manga artist with an one-shot (T/N: "Tonda Birthday Present", published in Shounen Jump 1987 Winter Special Edition) while he was still attending school. In addition, by the recommendation of the editor in charge, he moved to Tokyo when the serialization started. Although the timing was just before graduation, both his teachers and friends agreed to send him off. Even becoming a city dweller, Mr. Togashi's love for his hometown remains strong: "Level E" is set in Yamagata and he does not miss a homecoming twice a year.

"Looking back, it's because I spent my college days in Yamagata, where there were less upsets and temptations, that I was able to find what I wanted to do, and maybe because of something like growth and vitality accumulated back then, I'm able to do my best in the city now. Find out what you really want to do and what you like during your college years when you have more time to spare, and go to the city if necessary, still, it's not too late", says Togashi.

In recent years, he has been forced to take a break from the Hunter x Hunter serialization due to a back injury caused by weight gain, but he has succeeded in losing weight by walking and jogging, and is recovering well. Now, his hobby is running, which he started doing to overcome the back pain. As his 50th birthday approaches, his current goal is to try a full marathon in his 50s. He's looking forward to taking advantage of adversity.

"If you have many favorite things, you can change your course in a positive way even if you have to give up one thing. So, it's good to get in the habit of finding what you like."

The message sent by Mr. Togashi about what we should do during our college years is full of persuasive power, precisely because these are the words of a senior who has achieved his second "like".

Yoshihiro Togashi

Yoshihiro Togashi ● Born in Shinjo City, Yamagata Prefecture. He made his debut as a manga artist after receiving a manga award while attending the Faculty of Education Department of Fine Arts (currently the Faculty of Regional Education and Culture). His representative works are "Yu Yu Hakusho", "HUNTER × HUNTER", and "Level E", which have been made into anime.

In his atelier, Togashi-sensei concentrates on the manga work. This is where he creates the works that fascinate so many people.

T/N: It may be interesting to read Togashi's comments from the WSJ Table of Contents from 2016 (Hunter x Hunter serialization). He talks about his weight loss and exercise program. Even though he apparently succeeded in losing weight through running, it seems that his health issues are a little bit more complicated as the hiatuses continue due to health problems. Sensei, we wish you the best!