Fairy Tail was born from the loneliness of its author

In one of the most emotional surprises of the recent New York Comic Con, the famous mangaka Hiro Mashima revealed that his best-known work, "Fairy Tail", arose from a deep feeling of loneliness. During a Q&A session on the convention panel, Mashima shared that the thrust of her story about friendship was inspired by her own lack of friends in real life. "To be honest, I wrote the story because I didn't have any friends. My loneliness is what they are seeing in Fairy Tail," confessed the author, leaving the audience moved.

Mashima, known for his debut with "Rave Master" in 1999 and his biggest hit with "Fairy Tail" in 2006, was the center of attention at the event. The Fairy Tail series was adapted into an anime in 2009 and has continued into the sequel Fairy Tail: 100 Years Quest, currently illustrated by Atsuo Ueda, while its anime adaptation, produced by J.C.STAFF, premiered in July 2024. Mashima remained quiet about whether the characters will make it through the 100 Years Quest, but noted that he's still in charge of the overall story and storyboard, surprising even Ueda himself with the direction events take.

During the talk, Mashima also acknowledged the influence that Akira Toriyama's "Dragon Ball" had on his career, paying tribute to the late mangaka. Despite the creation of the hit 100 Years Quest, Mashima revealed that the idea of making a sequel was not his, but a corporate decision. However, he clarified that it is still a job in which he puts all his effort.

The panel also touched on his other works, such as Eden Zero, Rave Master and his most recent work, DEAD ROCK, where he highlighted his interest in exploring darker and more mature themes. When asked if he would like to continue the anime adaptation of Rave Master, Mashima admitted that while he is humbled by the affection of fans, he is currently more focused on his new projects.

The event wasn't just focused on the melancholy behind Fairy Tail. Mashima greeted his fans in New York with enthusiasm, highlighting his pride in being the author of the series. In addition, the mangaka surprised the audience with the creation of two live drawings, unleashing screams of excitement every time his characters took shape.

Mashima also spoke about the importance of empathy in the artistic process, encouraging creators to be in touch with the world and not just focus on technical skills. "One of the most important elements as an artist is to be receptive to the world around you," he said.

Source: Anime News Network