Takada Akemi is one of those anime superstars. Everyone loves at least one show she's been involved with. A generation of Japanese grew up with CREAMY MAMI. And a large group of animation fans fell in love with KIMAGURE ORANGE ROAD. And, of course, there's always the critical and commercial success of PATLABOR which is another measure of Ms. Takada's talents.
But perhaps what is most striking about Ms. Takada is that, for someone who is practically worshipped by legions of fans, she's very easygoing. In fact, during the course of the interview she got up several times, got herself some tea, or threw something away, and casually sat back down to resume the conversation. This was less like an interview and more like a free-flowing conversation, but it still reveals something about this extraordinary woman and her creativity.
At Anime Expo 2000, a special exhibit of Ms. Takada's work was presented for her American fans. This was the first exhibit of her work in North America, and fans had lined up to get a look at the originals of some of their favorite illustrations from ORANGE ROAD, PATLABOR, and the like. Ms. Takada was so pleased with the response to the exhibit that she even made a special appearance in the exhibit room, briefly addressed the attendees, and held an impromptu autograph session. And all of it was done with a lot of class and a touch of fun, which is probably the best way to describe this illustrator.

EX: What do you think of American fan's reception of your work?

Takada Akemi: It's very reassuring. I've also done similar events in France and Taiwan, and I was greeted with a similar reaction as here. But truly, I think it's amazing to be invited to all of these places outside of Japan.

EX: What do you do when you visit these other countries?

TA: Well, I like to travel in the first place. I like talking to people and getting acquainted with another culture. Of course, the work aspect of my travels also provides me with a different level of communication.

EX: Tell us about the ANGELS Exhibit. [The special exhibition of artwork that was presented at AX2000.]

TA: Since this is my first exhibit here in the United States, it's not as large as what I would do in Japan. For that reason, I really tried to choose pictures that were either new or were ones that I was very satisfied with. Of course, the ORANGE ROAD stuff is all older, and there's only one CREAMY MAMI image in the exhibit. So I feel that this exhibit is geared more for an American audience. Japanese exhibits are usually more specific and feature one title per exhibit. And since the people at Studio Pierrot liked LA and this event, we will probably do more exhibits here in the future.

EX: Let's shift gears a little. Can you tell us how HEADGEAR, the studio that created PATLABOR, was formed?

TA: Basically, it started because we needed to talk about when we went on a trip to the hot springs. (laughs) It's a very interesting group. And all the people involved are very character-driven. If they hadn't been, this combination would probably not have worked out.

EX: How do you come up with characters?

TA: Well, I just lie around for a while. Then, I'll start feeling threatened by the deadline and the lack of time, and I'll speed up. I'll draw something, and decide that I don't like it. I'll leave it alone for a couple of days. Then I'll repeat this process until I come up with something I like.

EX: Do you use models when you're doing designs?

TA: Not for main characters, no. But sometimes, for side characters I do.

EX: What was the hardest character you've had to design?

TA: I honestly don't know. I've been doing this for twenty years, so I try to forget about problems and things like that. I just don't remember.

EX: Okay, then which was the easiest?

TA: Mami, probably. It went back and forth for a while, but I still think she's the easiest.. She's more my original work than anything else. Every time I design an illustration for a package or something, I think, "this is it." But then, maybe a few months later, I think maybe it's something else.

EX: When you think back on your work, are you happy with the way things have gone?

TA: Yes, for the most part. I think I did a good job on what I worked on. And people seem to love it even after all these years.