Anime Vice News

Yotsuba&! Creator: A Yotsuba Anime Would Be Hard

Azuma Kiyohiko, creator of Azumanga Daioh and Yotsuba&!, speaks about the possibility of a Yotsuba&! anime...or lack of such.

Yotsuba&!
Yotsuba&!
Kiyohiko Azuma has once again posted to his personal blog talking about the people who want an anime adaptation of Yotsuba&!. Actually, he opens by talking about people who say they’ve heard that Azuma didn’t enjoy the process of Azumanga Daioh’s adaptation to anime, and that’s why he won’t do an anime again. Azuma says he mostly ignores such questions, but he’s been getting a lot of them lately, so he is officially pronouncing: it’s not true.

He goes on to talk about his feelings on the matter, such as fans who seem to think that manga is simply a stepping stone to anime—he says that as a mangaka, he thinks that manga is manga, and not something that you make only because you want it to be animated.

As to Yotsuba&! Specifically, he says it would be very difficult to animate the series, and that if he thought it was doable he’d go for it…but it’s probably not. I’m not 100% clear on the rest of what he says, but I gather that he thinks too many very short scenes or bits would have to be cut that he feels are important.

So if the lack of a Yotsuba&! anime thus far wasn’t enough to convince you, Azuma assures us that such an anime is probably not going to happen.

I think American anime fans would probably feel better about it if we were actually getting the manga regularly again…

Sigueon Dec. 4, 2008 at 7:07 p.m.
I'm crying right now.
Kuroon Dec. 4, 2008 at 7:13 p.m.
I really do want a Yotsuba& anime.
oslapedoon Dec. 4, 2008 at 8:33 p.m.
I need to read Yotsuba still.
omoon Dec. 4, 2008 at 9:01 p.m.
It'll happen sooner or later.
darkjester74on Dec. 5, 2008 at 6:11 a.m.
Dude what?  Azumanga Daioh is one of my fav animes of all time!  If this is anything like it it would be awesome!
giaon Dec. 5, 2008 at 7:30 a.m.
darkjester, I think that's what a LOT of people think, and Yotsuba&! definitely has Azuma's zany humor style-- but it's combined with the powerful force of a charmingly zany little kid. On the other hand, I can understand Azuma's concern that some of the charm would have to get lost in the translation to animation.

Maybe they should work it out as an OVA instead of a TV series, or even an Internet OVA. Then they can make it as many episodes as they want and whatever length they want. If only~
Joshon Dec. 5, 2008 at 8:04 a.m.
I respect Azuma a great deal, but in this, he's wrong. I want a Yotsubato anime. I don't care if he doesn't think it would work. The Azumanga Daioh anime is quite possibly the best manga to anime adaptation of  I've ever seen, and I don't see why Yotsubato wouldn't be just as brilliant, assuming the same people work on it that did AD.
Chibi_Kajion Dec. 5, 2008 at 12:07 p.m.
That a little sad to hear. I'm really hoping he changes his mind sometime.
MoonStormon Dec. 5, 2008 at 4:40 p.m.
Well, not everything need to be an anime, but it is kind disappointing. Lets see how long it will stay like that tell some one put up enough  money.
TheBigNon Dec. 5, 2008 at 8:15 p.m.
I agree with omo. It just depends on who handles it, and if they can work with it's sorta-unique-but-not-really pace and style.
Lunarmothon Dec. 5, 2008 at 8:55 p.m.
I love Yotsuba&! it is one of my favorite manga series I have read so far. With many of you I agree it  would make a good anime. But, I am glad Azuma is being careful in jumping on the idea. I think we will be more likely to see a anime when the manga work has been completed and Azuma has confidence the anime series wouldn't be pressure to go out of his control going a different direction.
ziojinmarkon Oct. 1, 2009 at 11:52 a.m.


I think it would look and be great as an anime, mabe if he sells the rights someday, which would make him a billionare, but I respect his idea that his manga should be a manga and nothing more. Its fine but I just wish it had color. That is my only wish for this series really.    

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