Hoshino Katsura talks about Laboratory 6 members!
I decided to use the Second Exorcist Program to show readers the Order’s cruel side. But I didn’t want to depict the people involved with the Program as horrible people. That’s why I tried to give them as much individuality as I could and I made sure to make them look humane by giving them amiable faces and things like that.
The Chang Clan: Bak (age 20), Twi (age 39) and Edgar (age 45)
I already had a vague idea of how I wanted Bak’s parents to be right from the beginning: his mother as a Spartan and his father being completely whipped. Because of this, deciding on their designs for their debut in Night #190 was really easy. Twi was difficult to approach for Bak…. She’s a strong-minded woman like Renny. Because I think Bak’s youthful face is definitely hereditary, I made Edgar look way younger than 45. It was really fun to draw Edgar, but sadly he didn’t become popular at all (smiles wryly). I guess it can’t be helped considering he died right away…
The Epstain Family: Renny (age 21) & Sahlins (age 51)
The Epstain Family has magical abilities like the Chang Clan but the Epstains seems to lack flexibility, don’t they? (laughs) The Epstains weren’t in the spotlight right from the start; they are a family that preserved their authority through much effort. The Epstains contributed less than the Changs to the Order considering the Chang Clan used their magic skills for the Second Exorcists’ regenerative powers. That’s why, when the Chang Clan refused further cooperating to the Artificial Apostles Program, the Epstains began cozying up to Central and Sahlins got a post in Central’s management. The Clang Clan remained as sole Asian Branch Head. I’ve always drawn them while keeping that relationship between the two families in mind. Renny hates Bak, but admires Twi. That’s why Renny and Twi have a similar air.
Marie (age 19)
As an exorcist, Marie had already been face to face with death several times when he lost his eyesight. That’s why I wanted to portray him a person who had no hopes or dreams and who was already at death’s door. I wanted him to look young but.. maybe because of his inner self… he looks old in spite of my efforts (smiles wryly). Please think of him as a trustworthy 19-year-old (laughs).
That Person
What kind of person should the woman that Kanda loves be…? I racked my brain with that question. I decided to not make her a stunning beauty, but rather give her a pure and innocent image. Because she’s a Exorcist from 20 years ago, I did her hair up ungraciously and gave her an out-of-date look. I also secretly made her sidelocks the same length as those of Alma.