Gosho Aoyama Admits Pressure from Editor Almost Ended Manga Series 'DETECTIVE CONAN'

Kapanlagi.com - Written by Angelia Leony Van Augista

In his recent interview with Bunshun, Gosho Aoyama revealed that he almost ended the manga series DETECTIVE CONAN due to continuous pressure from the editorial department. This statement came after Aoyama's latest feature in the documentary film NHK Professional: SHINGOTO NO RYUUGI which highlights his creativity as a manga illustrator.

Aoyama made his debut as a manga artist with CHOTTO MATTETE published in Weekly Shonen Sunday in 1987. Shortly after, he created MAGIC KAITO and released it in the same magazine.

Read more information below.

1. Treated Badly by the Editor

Whiteboard Journal

In the Gosho Aoyama 30th Anniversary Book published in 2017, he tells of a bad experience he had during the serialization of YAIBA (1988-1993).

An editor criticized the facial expressions of the characters. Aoyama then asked the editor to show him the desired expression. The editor responded by crumpling up the storyboard paper, setting it on fire, and throwing it at Aoyama.

This made Aoyama feel pressured to the point where he felt unable to continue his career.

2. Demands from the Editorial Department

Gosho Aoyama talks about the journey before DETECTIVE CONAN was adapted into an animated film in 1997, he almost quit the serialization in Weekly Shonen Sunday. The constant pressure and demands from the editorial department every week had pushed him to his limits.

“It's very difficult to come up with new cases every week, isn't it? And on top of that, the higher-ups in the editorial department constantly tell me to do this or that, which I really hate. So, I decided to take a break with my assistants and we all went to Las Vegas,” he concluded. He took a break from his career and eventually decided to end the serialization of DETECTIVE CONAN.

3. Approved DETECTIVE CONAN Animation Film

X/conan_movie

Aoyama has a great interest in films, especially animation films. Upon returning from Las Vegas, Aoyama firmly decides to end the manga series DETECTIVE CONAN. However, an important phone call from the editorial department while he is still in Las Vegas changes everything. This development revives Aoyama's enthusiasm for DETECTIVE CONAN that he is working on.

(kpl/ony)