Anime Corner had the opportunity to briefly chat with author Yomu Mishima about the novel Trapped in a Dating Sim: The World of Otome Games for Mobs (aka MobSeka). The story revolves around Leon, who is reincarnated into the strange and wacky world of an otome game. He is intended to be an NPC, who does not participate in any of the main character’s work. Reveal: his plan fails. The novel, which features illustrations by Monda, was adapted into an anime last year and a second season has been announced.
Q: What inspired you to write the story of Trapped in a Dating Sim: Is the Otome game world difficult for crowds?
Answer: I started writing stories for women on a novel submission site I used, as ‘villain stories’ were becoming more popular and more prominent.
I read them and found them interesting so I thought writing stories for men would also be interesting. so I started creating a plot.
Question: Do you personally play otome games? What other games do you play?
Answer: I plan to play an otome game. However, I gave up when I discovered that ‘villains don’t appear often in otome games’. Regarding games, I’ve been playing crafting games lately.
Question: If you could choose, would you rather be the main character or an NPC?
D: Depends on the job, but I assume I’ll be an NPC.
Question: Many people now believe that we are living in a simulation, do you agree or disagree?
D: In the current lack of clear evidence, I would have to take the opposite view.
Leon and the Otome game “true heroine” Olivia
Q: Your main character, Leon, is a rather controversial antihero type character in the story. How did you develop him? What do you like most and least about him?
Answer: I want Leon to finally escape his anti-hero status and become a hero. To achieve this, I portrayed his spiritual growth in the story. As an author, what I like most about Leon is that he always takes action when making decisions. What I don’t like is that it’s difficult to write romantic scenes with the female lead because Leon is not a character suitable for a harem.
Q: If you went to the same school as Leon, would you become his friend or despise him?
A: When creating the character Leon, my priority was that he would be an interesting guy to have as a friend. So I want to be friends with him.
Q: If you could be reincarnated in another world, what would that world be like?
Answer: I would be happy if it was a world similar to the real world but more peaceful.
Leon and his sister.
Q: You love it anime, manga, Or any light novels?
D: Recently, my favorite is the manga Versus, originally by ONE.
Ask: What determines whether a story is good or bad?
D: What matters is whether the reader likes it or not.
Q: Do you think artificial intelligence, such as ChatGPT, will influence storytelling in this industry?
Yomu Mishima: I think artificial intelligence will have an impact. However, I also expect that when artificial intelligence begins writing novels, it will favor works that generally please a wide audience. So our future work might be to write novels for the few readers who are not satisfied with novels about artificial intelligence.
Q: What advice would you give to new aspiring writers?
Answer: Write before you study. Let’s learn while writing, okay?
Yomu Mishima is also known by the pen name Wai which he previously used. In addition to Trapped in a Dating Sim: The World of Otome Games is Tough for Mobs, he is also known for The Seventh, I Am the Evil Lord of the Intergalactic Empire! and more.
Thank you very much Mishima-san for agreeing to participate in this interview! We can’t wait to see where MobSeka goes in the future. Make sure to follow the author above Twitter/X.
© Yomu Mishima/Micro Magazine
