Lynn Okamoto, creator of Elfen Lied, took to Twitter/X on October 29, 2023, in a viral thread that many saw as the iconic figure lamenting the failure of his career . He realized that despite writing well-received works such as Elfen Lied, Nononono, Brynhildr in the Darkness, Kimi wa Midara na Boku no Joo and Parallel Paradise, he had not yet become a master artist.
He also revealed a criticism that has haunted him since his days as a budding mangaka artist:
“I submitted my work to Young Jump for the first time, and although I didn’t have a particular experience of being ripped apart, it was harsh.” heard at the time was’Everyone whose goal is to become a manga artist loves to draw and has been drawing every day since middle school. Okamoto-kun, you’re different, right? That’s why you’re bad at it.’I’ve been lectured about that since I was in middle school.’
Parallel paradise © Lynn Okamoto・KODANSHA
Okamoto’s successful Elfen Lied helped Okamoto become one of the few financially independent mangakas. However, he left advice for any mangaka who wants to become a mangaka to not be as successful as he did. “Even though I have been a manga artist for over 20 years and have lived drawing manga long enough to have raised babies into adults instead of just since middle school, I have not yet become a level-headed artist. teacher. The important thing to improve your drawing skills is not the amount of time you draw but whether you enjoy drawing or not. Therefore, people who want to become master painters but think that painting is a hassle will never become master painters. Including myself. I used to see my assistants who were incredibly good at drawing, doodling in their sketchbooks during their off hours, and thought there was no way I could beat the kind of weirdo who drew even during their off hours. .“
Lynn Okamoto’s Elfen Lied manga was serialized from June 2002 to August 2005 in Shueisha’s Weekly Young Jump magazine and was licensed by Dark for release in North American Horse Comics. This manga series has published 12 volumes and has been adapted into a famous anime. Revolving around the main character Lucy, Elfen Lied received praise for its exploration of dark themes but was also criticized for its nudity and graphic violence. Okamoto’s latest work, Parallel Paradise, serialized in Kodansha’s Weekly Young Magazine, has sold more than 3 million copies.
Seven Seas Entertainment licensed Parallel Paradise in North America and released the official synopsis:
An ordinary day at school suddenly turns strange for Tada Yota when a strange figure pushes him out a third-floor window. He wakes up in a fantasy world unlike any other. Not only do dragons and knights exist, but every resident of this world is a sexy babe! No man has been seen in the kingdom for thousands of years, so Yota is about to get very, very lucky. Whether Yota is truly dead or transported to this place for mysterious, unknown reasons… either way, it’s his version of Heaven!
Source: Official X
© Lynn Okamoto, KODANSHA/Elfen Lied Anime Production Committee