Translation: Rio
(K=Kishimoto, O=Oda)
Q: When did you two first meet?
K: When... I think it's when I was still a newbie mangaka. In the Jump new year event.
O: Is that so?
K: Maybe. (laugh) At the time, my impression on him was like he's a great and famous sensei.
O: What're you saying... (wry smile) (Oda was saying 'you're making fun of me' friendly.)
K: Nah... Because Oda-san started the serial run of his manga two years earlier than me. I really thought a super sugoi man had appeared. Later, I addressed him as Oda-sensei, but he said (like begging) that I must not use such a honorific.
O: I took that for granted cos we're at the same age. Why would I listen to your sensei when you're talking to me...
K: Though we're not performers, I think people who stepped into an industry earlier are admirable. (laugh)
O: I'm always aware of Kishimoto's presense when he was a newbie. He can draw very well. To some extent, I felt we may have the same style.
K: What style... (embarrassing smile)
O: It's like the feeling of why you also have the gi of Kamesenryu (Master Roshi from DB). (laugh) From the beginning I've prepared with offensive state. (Oda wanted to win against Kishimoto.)
K: I see, you had that determination back then. (laugh)
O: Because we're both at the stance of manga, eventually there'll be a winner and a loser. However, after I've met with him personally, I found he's really a nice and kind man. It suddenly made me think the result didnt matter. I couldnt compete with a man like him. That's what I thought.
K: I think that's because we both understand each other's hard work.
O: Very pleasing to hear you say that. When you're working hard, it's important to know who said what about you and your work. I sense you, who has the same standpoint as me, really understand how I truly feel, good to know.
K: Yes I do. (laugh) But I think I'm the one who has less pressure. Oda-san, you're always at your peak. Your hard work and that pain must be abnormal (that normal people cannot bear). If I were you, I guess I would have gastrointestinal perforation due to huge pressure.
O: It's wonderful having Naruto as an opponent. The luckiest thing was you didnt let me get complete victory. Actually, I didnt have complete victory in weekly serialization, besides and most importantly, Naruto is more popular than OP in foreign countries. Though a part of me was not reconciled to that turth, at the same time, I'm grateful. Cos the existence of such a piece of work, is one and only in the world.
K: Same goes for me. Instead of saying OP is my target, I'd rather say I always want to beat it. Seriously, I always think that.
The rest of this interview is included in the new Naruto book called "Michi''. The two of them has talked for 4 hours, the whole interview is about 13-page long...
