This is something I just came across, I suppose it qualifies as being a couple issues old now, but there's some points in it that I hadn't seen anyone bring up, so I felt it was worth adding here. They also make note that this is the first of two interview segments with Shirow(where he apparently discusses early ties with Gainax and CLAMP), with the latter showing up in July, so I'll be keeping my eyes out for that as well.
The issue also goes into some detail about the Appleseed CG movie, as its the cover story, and also has one half of an interview with its director, Shinji Aramaki, so you may want to go out and look for it, as it should be availible anywhere they keep back issues, or from Viz itself.
Some fictional visions of the future focus on the utopian ideal while others focus on the darker side. Appleseed is notable for its portrayal of both. What are the themes you are trying to exploring by showing both conflicting views of the future?
I feel there are many situations where the good side and the bad side of a concept are two views of the same thing, where neither side is absolutely correct, like in mathematics. Because of my viewpoint, that it is desirable if at all possible to be many-sided when people feel or think something(something that's easy to say,but is quite difficult), I intend to encourage minds to not be one-sided.
Do you see yourself continuing the Appleseed story in manga form in the future?
Currently there are no plans to publish. The situation is such that there are decidedly no plans or even intentions to produce [more].
What is your workshop setup? In particular, what computer and what graphics software do you use now?
My personal computer is mainly a single-processor [Apple Power] Machintosh G4. (I can't use [Mac] OS X and the G5 yet because of software and old accumulated data.) My software is a combination of [Aadobe] Photoshop for 2D, [NewTek] Lightwave for 3D modeling, and [MAXON] Cinema 4D for layout and rendering. I don't particularly use any unusual plugins or other tools.
You are very famous for footnoting almost every page of your manga works, how much research do you do for the storywriting, and how much research do you do as a personal hobby?
I feel that my research has been vast yet shallow. There are problems in accuracy and the amount of explanation, but I intend to do my best.
Do you have a message for your English-speaking audience?
This Appleseed CG anime is different from the original work content-wise, but it is the rare case where I personally feel happy - with the same affection I have for the original work - about points everywhere within it. (Every one of those points is not "my work" per se, but "the director's work.") In additiona, since it was made by staffers outside traditional cel anime industry in Japan except for the director, it is a work that succeeded in presenting many new possibilities and themes. Of course, there are many opinions for and against, but I will be happy if you watch and enjoy it.
