EX: You haven't limited yourself to any one media, and in fact, you've served as a designer on the most successful video game franchise in history. Did you have any idea that FINAL FANTASY would turn out to be such a phenomenon?

AY: No, I had no idea.

EX: How do you begin to create a world and characters for a video game? Is this process different from that of any other story?

AY: In the beginning, there are two sides—the video screen, and the original art. I create the original art as I move the art on the video screen around; and I play [the game] as I create the art. It is a process similar to drawing cuts for novels, or collaborating with a prose writer.

EX: Are there any freedoms or limitations that the video game genre imposes on artists?

AY: There aren't many [freedoms or limitations] in terms of designs. In video games, one can shift things around with his own will.

EX: Can you tell us anything about FINAL FANTASY IX at this point?

AY: I am, in fact, in the process of creation right now, chased by deadlines. In a short while, you will see the result.

EX: You also have another project that will be released at the end of October, the new SANDMAN story. We know that Mr. Gaiman asked you to work on this after he saw the Sandman Tenth Anniversary poster you did. Please tell us how you began coming up with the characters and the artistic style for the story.

AY: SANDMAN has freedom in terms of place and time. Until the Sandman appears, I drew characters that fitted the time-frame of the story without taking the Sandman into account. Of course, there are rules to follow for SANDMAN, but I was able to draw my own interpretations of SANDMAN.

EX: What was the most challenging thing about working on this project?

AY: It was difficult to determine how deep to pursue historical events in the story, because Neil [Gaiman] was truly knowledgeable [about the historical setting].

EX: What is your favorite illustration from this work?

AY: The art on page 59. I drew it as a mental landscape, an image that had no connection to the story.

EX: Let's talk about the creative process for a little while. Each artist seems to have an approach that works best for them. How do you create characters?

AY: I read the story, and impulsively draw what springs to mind. I draw the images that form in my head.

EX: What medium are you most comfortable working in?

AY: Watercolor and India ink (monochrome).

EX: Your art has been used not only by itself, but also as art for novels (VAMPIRE HUNTER D, SORYUDEN), character designs and/or conceptual designs for video games (FINAL FANTASY, REBUS/KARTIA), music CD jackets (RAPHAEL), and even "comic" graphic novels. Is there yet another genre/art field that you would like to draw for?

AY: Things like fashion, body painting, and drawing along to music as part of a live performance. I want to try them all for fun. I don't want to do any of them seriously.

EX: Of all the characters that you have created designs for, which character was the easiest? Which was the hardest?

AY: The easiest was Mog (FINAL FANTASY VI). Heroes and Heroines [in games] have set rules, so I get to draw villains more freely. I have been able to do something about every character, so none of them were difficult.

EX: Do you have a favorite character you've drawn?

AY: It is hard for me to think of my favorite. However, I like beautiful characters and cute characters. Of course, handsome ones, too.

EX: Have any of your works/characters been based on you or people you have known?

AY: No, there aren't any.

EX: What are your hobbies?

AY: To have fun while eating delicious food and drinking wine.

EX: What did you think of your reception at San Diego Comic Con this year? What do you think of American fans?

AY: I was delighted. I had known about the convention from when I was young, and everyone I knew had gone to the convention yet this was my first time there. I felt that I was lucky because I could go promote the book that was coming out in the United States, and not just because I was invited as a guest. I hope that when I have a new work, I can visit again and present the new work [at the convention].

EX: What would you like to do next?

AY: Right now, I am secretly creating plans for TAKO-MAN, an aspiring American hero. I am also drawing for an original book for HERO, as another step towards a motion picture.