Manga Artist Masakazu Ishiguro Explains "Heavenly Delusion" Details, Gets Asked "Did You Confirm With The Author?" — His Reply: "I AM THE AUTHOR..."

(Heads up! This article contains minor spoilers, so proceed with caution.)

Manga artist Masakazu Ishiguro, renowned for his meticulous attention to detail, recently sparked a lively discussion by sharing some behind-the-scenes insights into his hit series "Heavenly Delusion." But what really got people talking was a hilarious mishap that unfolded on X (formerly Twitter).

Ishiguro-sensei's "Heavenly Delusion" plunges readers into a post-apocalyptic Japan, 15 years after a catastrophic event, following characters on their journey through a desolate world. The series is celebrated for its intricate visual details and clever foreshadowing, with many fans constantly unearthing clues related to character psychology or plot developments hidden within the panels.
Recently, Ishiguro-sensei took to X to explain a "detail that's fine even if you don't notice it" from Volume 12 of "Heavenly Delusion." He pointed out a specific scene where Kiruko is face-to-face with another character, and because Kiruko doesn't trust them, they aren't actually sitting on the seat cushion.

Ishiguro-sensei elaborated that this seemingly minor detail serves multiple purposes: it prevents Kiruko from being tripped up if they need to leap backward, and it also allows them to quickly grab the cushion to use as a makeshift shield or throw it. Kiruko keeps the cushion within arm's reach on their left, all while checking their gun, and even positions their bag with the strap facing up for an easy grab.

This author-provided insight into such intricate details had many netizens praising how, while not essential for plot comprehension, noticing them deepens the understanding of a character's personality and the underlying tension of a scene.

Amidst the discussion, a truly priceless moment occurred: a netizen replied, "That's a fascinating analysis, but did you confirm it with the author first?" Given that the explanation came directly from Ishiguro-sensei himself, he couldn't help but quip back, "I AM THE AUTHOR."

Other netizens collectively facepalmed, pointing out that one should at least glance at an account's profile before replying. Some even sarcastically jabbed, "You didn't confirm anything yourself, but you're asking others if they did?"

Despite the hilarious exchange, Ishiguro-sensei's explanation once again highlights his incredible attention to detail in character actions, psychological states, and panel composition. Still, asking the author himself if he "confirmed with the author" is definitely a bit of a laugh!

via: X 石黒正数@masakazuishi