Finally Released as a graphic novel! (Though not much has changed) - Why Female Otakus Relate So Well with Fujoshi no Tsuzui-san
“Fujoshi”: a term to describe females who find elegance in male characters having great fun and “whoop whoop”-ing together.*
Fujoshi have recently appeared in many kinds of media, but other than what they’re known as, it seems very little is really understood about them.
We heard that the autobiographical comic diary, Fujoshi no Tsuzui-san which details the daily life of Fujoshis has been gaining popularity on “pixiv Essay”!
The author, Tsuzui, refers to herself as “just a Fujoshi.” Let’s take a peek into her life...!
The joys and sorrows of Fujoshi, as drawn by Tsuzui
Fujoshi no Tsuzui-san is about the main character and author, Tsuzui, along with her friends, as they “ship” males together, and shows how their imaginations get wildly “creative” for the purposes of their hobby.
One example is how they used masking tape to mark the heights of her favorite characters on the wall to get a real sense of their height difference (at 4 A.M.)
▲ Tsuzui, Fujoshi no Tsuzui-san (pixiv Essay), Chapter 1
Or when she hears that a semi-double bed size is the common choice for a male living alone, and buys just that (She is a female living alone).
▲ Tsuzui, Fujoshi no Tsuzui-san (pixiv Essay), Chapter 5
And then, there’s a moment when, overwhelmed by her adoration for a favorite character, she expresses her gratitude toward everything up to and including the mysteries of the universe...
▲ Tsuzui, Fujoshi no Tsuzui-san (pixiv Essay), Chapter 1
Fujoshi no Tsuzui-san, in showing examples of what gives them happiness, and their love that has no borders, is sure to hit home for many Fujoshi.
On top of that, there are moments when its surrealism and quirky dialogue are what make it so addictive, making for a page-turner even though the stories are not necessarily interconnected.
So who is Tsuzui, really? We got a chance to ask that question after much late-night searching through her works!
The inspiration for the comic diary comes from her journals as a child
The interview was conducted through the messaging app “LINE.” Tsuzui communicated using LINE stamp emoticons she designed herself!
- We’ll be doing a LINE interview this time, so feel free to use your own LINE stamps as much as you’d like!
▲ Tsuzui’s comments (as seen below)
- To start off, how did you start writing Fujoshi no Tsuzui-san?
It’s an extension of the picture diaries we drew as kids. I’ve always loved drawing. My diary entries tended to have lots of drawings in them.
When I went back home, I was mortified to find out my mother had been using those old diaries as memo pads.
- What did you write in them?
Just what happened that day... Nothing extraordinary, really.
- How do you come up with material now?
I just draw things that actually happened! So if nothing interesting happens, then there’s nothing to write about... (nervous sweat)
- It seems like your everyday life is a wealth of material...!
When I meet my friends,* something fun usually happens, but we’re so busy we almost never get to meet, and so I run out of things to write about... (crying)
* Tsuzui’s friends in the manga (M-chan, Okazaki, Zofuda) are her real life Fujoshi companions.
- I see... We’ve been wondering, but did you originally want to become a manga artist?
Not at all! Drawing manga is just a hobby, and I was working towards other professions. I’m just a regular working member of society even now.
- You do work on other manga besides your comic diary; is there anything you’d like to work on in the future?
I’d like to make a collection of short story comics!
It still hasn’t really sunk in yet, I still get nervous seeing it at the bookstore.
Favorite characters having fun and “whoop whoop”-ing together
- Amazing...! We certainly don’t have three days, but is it possible for you to tell us more briefly...?
- They really are convenient! Lastly, tell us some highlights from the next volume that’s coming out in September.
Got hired, and released a comic (but not much has changed)
Tsuzui’s illustrated stories, derived from her own experiences, will likely resonate with many Fujoshi and female otaku by how real and down-to-earth they are.
And the comic, even after she gets a job, which promises “not to change,” continues to appeal based on that very premise of being written by “just a Fujoshi.”
Of course, the comic will certainly entertain those who aren’t Fujoshi, by its bizarre, off-the-wall storytelling and the oddball Tsuzui herself, which will get a chuckle from all readers alike!
Fujoshi no Tsuzui-san, currently serialized in “pixiv Essay”!
As well, Volume 2 of the comic goes on sale Friday, September 23 at bookstores all over Japan.
- Tsuzui
- Just a Fujoshi. Runner-up in pixiv’s “Up-and-coming Manga Awards 2015” in the Web Comic category with her autobiographical comic diary, Fujoshi no Tsuzui-san. Comic released as a graphic novel, with Volume 1 released in February 2016; currently also in serialization on “pixiv Essay”.