Kino no Tabi:Volume9 Author's Notes

Afterword

Good day, everyone. This is the author, Keiichi Sigsawa.

I truly thank you for grabbing a copy of this new volume of Kino no Tabi! And as my personal motto is that the afterword should not contain any spoilers from the text, rest assured, you readers who read the author’s notes before the main text inside the bookstore, read on.

—

Two related events happened during this year of my writing of Kino no Tabi.

The first one is when I met, by chance, the people behind an anime that I liked very much in the past.

It was an anime that I loved back in high school, a work I bought the videos for when it was first released, whose movie version I fell in love with, and a world I got immersed in. Those people, whose names I know by heart, right before me! They were invited by the editorial department to a drinking party at an establishment that makes a delicious Szechuan eggplant dish.

The moment I saw them, I immediately stood up out of nervousness. I stood at attention and saluted! —Well, actually I didn’t salute… (laughs).

I had the privilege of greeting them, but I was too happy I didn’t know what to say. I may have caused them trouble because of that. I apologize if I had come off as impolite. I am also truly grateful to receive their parting greetings.

And the other one was completely the opposite.

Written in the afterword of a story by Mr. Mashima that debuted in Dengeki Bunko this year were, ‘A certain author came to the editorial department, whom I had the honor to meet and talk to.’ When I read that, I thought, ‘Was that me? Now that I think about it, I did have a chat with an author who just debuted.’ I confirmed it when I talked to his editor (by the way, I didn’t think him rude at all).

It’s such a mysterious feeling.

In the past, I admired various works, and harboured both respect and envy for their creators, such as the ones I mentioned earlier. Amidst those feelings, I grew up with some sort of wild daydream—to create this kind of story if I managed to become a creator myself. In particular those dreams occurred to me at school, especially during class.

Now, I could use the imaginative power (Note: The ability to conjure ideas. Sigsawa believes that the more you use it, the more you learn, just like muscles) that I have been training back then. And as a professional author, I am now in a position where I can present my work to the world.

As I found myself completely embracing this way of life, in the midst of chasing deadlines,

“Where did I come from? What kind of person am I? Where will I go?”

Unexpectedly, I was able to re-evaluate and see such things in a new light.

From here on, I will dream my dreams, and hope to continue becoming the person I hope to be— With those thoughts in mind, I finished this volume.

Now then, I would like to borrow this space to give my thanks to various people.

First to Mr. Kouhaku Kuroboshi who has always been drawing wonderful illustrations for this book. During interviews in various places, I would answer, ‘First I was considering a dramatic comic strip.’ I will leave it to luck to decide as to what I would have become if I insisted on taking that route.

To my editor, who has, from the start guided this newbie who didn’t know left from right, and who continues to look after me up to now. For granting the opportunity to write the next volume to me, who was already content with two volumes, thank you. To be frank, Kino would never have been born without this person.

To Mr. Kamabe, who especially boosted the appeal of this book with his designs. You have assisted greatly for the first volume, as well as for the ‘Allison’ and ‘Lillia and Treize’ series.

To everyone involved in revision, sales, production, publishing, distribution and marketing. The books had been released because you carried out your jobs without fail, and especially because you would occasionally go beyond what is required of you. Thank you very much.

And— To all the readers.

I haven’t properly expressed my gratitude until now, but, I truly thank you.

“The ones who brings a book to its completion are the people who flips through its pages—the readers.”

Sigsawa believes so.

Last year in the Entama event held at Makuhari Messe, and this year, during the screening of the Kino anime in the United Cinema Toshimaen. To everyone who came for the autograph and handshake sessions and gave me words of encouragement, I am truly honored to have met you in person. —As an aside, the best encouragement I received was, ‘Good luck on your afterword.’

I would also like to send my heartfelt gratitude to those people whom unfortunately, I could not meet during that time.

To everyone who had been sending me fan letters and presents, which, because of my work I couldn’t answer, rest assured that I have accepted and read all of them. Thank you very much.

From here on too, I will work hard to present you with even better work.

Looking forward to seeing you again, I end my afterword here.

Year 2005

With much thanks.
Keiichi Sigsawa