[cite web | url=http://comics.shogakukan.co.jp/mangasho/rist.html | title=小学館漫画賞：歴代受賞者 | publisher=Shogakukan | language=Japanese | accessdate=2007-08-19] ]Quotes
* "I love B movies. I love the way they make me think 'What the hell is this?! That's crazy!' yet still draw me in so that I watch the whole thing. I really like that feeling, and I like to bring a little of that kind of over-the-top flavor to my own manga." (Hiromu Arakawa, 2002)
* Interviewer: Which do you prefer, Japanese food or Western food? Which dish is your favorite? Arakawa: "Japanese! And my favorite food is ramen! Hokkaido's ramen is really good." (Hiromu Arakawa, 2003)
* Interviewer: If you had to choose a favorite episode, which one would it be? Arakawa:"It would be the side story "Dog of the Military." It was really easy to draw. From a recent episode, I would have to say volume 7, the end of chapter 27. The interaction of "Who the hell are you!?" "I'm a housewife!!!!!" That's a scene that I wanted to do for a long time." (Perfect Guidebook 1; Fullmetal Alchemist Profiles) {on a side note apart from the scene being in Chapter 27 (towards the end, page 42) she also did a similar scene in Chapter 83 (page 24) of FMA}
* Interviewer: Okay, what would you like to say to your fans today? Arakawa: Love!! (Perfect Guidebook 1; Fullmetal Alchemist Profiles)
* "I always draw ridiculous looking self-portraits for this series, so I have a really hard time when I need to draw one for other magazines. It's regrettable how they always use the "underwear" picture from volume one. Really regrettable." (Hiromu Arakawa, 2004)
*"I've been very touched by letters from young boys and girls in the hospital, or even from adults who tell me that they felt better after reading Fullmetal Alchemist," she says. "Reading manga gave me hope as a kid, and it makes me so happy to think that now I've been able to cheer people up with my own manga! It's such an honour, it really is." (Newtype USA January 2006)
Quotes from the Fullmetal Alchemist Manga, (coverslip flap for various volumes):
*I like B movies. I take a look at this and that, while thinking, “What the hell is this!? This makes no sense!” till the end. I like that sort of feeling. So an alchemy manga was born because I wanted to have that kind of feeling in my manga. Thanks to everyone who bought it. While getting into it and thinking, “What is alchemy supposed to be like this?” Please enjoy it.
*I left home, and I wasn’t going back until I could make a living on manga. I’m happy that my wish was granted and that I’ve gotten a series, but now I’m busy and have no time to go home. I’m kind of happy and kind of sad.
*“I love reading manga!!” “I really, really love drawing them too!!” “I draw therefore I am!!” “This is proof that I exist!! I’m satisfied with just that!!!” The point is I’m a manga idiot.
*What do I look forward to in a volume? That would be drawing the omake pages. I don’t care if there are 180 pages, as long as I have my omake.
*My neighbour’s daughter (3 years old) knew that I was drawing manga, asked me with sparkly eyes, “You can draw princesses right?” I’m sorry missy, I can only draw useless old geezers.
*After starting to draw manga, a lot of unexpected things happened, leaving me quite stunned. But it is these sudden events that make life interesting.
*The self-portraits that I draw here are usually not up to scratch, so when magazines do author profiles, it becomes quite a hassle. Repeatedly using the “Fighting Panties” from Volume 1 makes me feel regretful. Very regretful.
*A few friends that also drew manga gathered at the pub regardless of the fact did we drink any alcohol, we would talk excitedly about manga. We will get so preoccupied with the topic, that we always miss the last train. Although we all have the feeling, “We’re so old already, why are we still mucking around like this?” But whenever we hear something like “I want to draw this!!”, the passion from everybody, our spirits are refreshed with new enthusiasm. This time I even got Moritaishi Sensei to draw the omake for me. Wah!! (Happy)
*The cover for Volume 9 seems to be very well liked. I received many letters discussing their opinions regarding it. “Follow me! That’s what it is trying to convey!!” or “Men speak with their backs!!” or “It’s like saying everybody’s fate is resting upon my back, what a great cover!!” and stuff like that. ... Can’t bear to say “It’s because drawing the colonel’s face is really troublesome” ... Can’t say it ...
*This happened when I went for a massage after finishing the drafts for the manga. Because I was really sleepy, I was thinking drowsily about “How should the next chapter develop?”, when the massager suddenly commented: “Your right shoulder is really tight.” I unwittingly answered “That’s because it’s automail.” Getting confused between the manga and reality…!!
References
External links
* [http://www.mobuta.com/arakawa Manga Moosings] : A collection of Arakawa's works, inteviews, and a timeline.
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