In a recent interview, Yuji Kaku, the mastermind behind the popular manga Hell’s Paradise, dropped some fascinating insights into his creative process. And trust us, it’s not what you’d expect!
Kaku’s characters aren’t just figments of his imagination; they’re living, breathing entities with minds of their own. “When they do things not even I expect, I feel like they are their own person and that they’re alive,” Kaku reveals. This approach, he says, makes his characters more real and interesting.

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But how does this work in practice? Kaku compares it to building a Rube Goldberg machine: “You prepare the environment, but where the ball goes depends on the ball.” It’s a hands-off approach that lets the characters dictate the story, leading to unexpected twists and turns that even surprise the creator himself!
And it’s not just about the characters. Kaku also shared his thoughts on the importance of being honest in his work. “Because I really can create a world under my complete control, I want something unexpected to occur, and I can believe in those moments. That’s something I want to hold onto,” he says.
This unique approach to storytelling is just one of the many gems Kaku shared in his interview. Want to know more about his influences, his journey to becoming a manga artist, and the creation of Hell’s Paradise? Head over to the full interview here for all the juicy details!
So, next time you’re engrossed in a manga, remember: those characters might just be leading their own lives, surprising even their creators with their actions!
Source – Crunchyroll