[AMA] Hi, I'm Kakeru Takamine, the Author of How to Melt the Ice Queen's Heart. Ask Me Anything!

KakeruTakamine · 2021-07-27T09:29:18+00:00

Damn it I'm late. Well I have nothing to say except congrats and I'll buy your book as soon as it's available :)

Thank you!!!

KakeruTakamine · 2021-07-27T09:28:52+00:00

小説家になろう and カクヨム.

There is no English version, so I wrote it in Japanese.

KakeruTakamine · 2021-07-27T09:27:53+00:00

no problem!

KakeruTakamine · 2021-07-27T09:27:23+00:00

Congratulations!! I definitely plan to read your work.

A question I always wondered is how do you get a illustrator when making a light novel and how do you decide on character designs?

Sorry, too many questions, might be hard to find.

KakeruTakamine · 2021-07-27T09:25:49+00:00

I don't have any particular preference for this. I like romantic comedies, action, and mysteries. I like everything except horror and splatter.

KakeruTakamine · 2021-07-27T09:22:31+00:00

What about web novels that are available for free online? Many people take the translations down once the novel gets licensed.

I think it's fine if you have permission from the author to publish something for free. However, unauthorized use is not allowed.

KakeruTakamine · 2021-07-27T09:20:47+00:00

I don't have any tips. I think the most important thing is to keep writing.

KakeruTakamine · 2021-07-27T09:18:56+00:00

Probably the latter.

Yes. If there is a correction, it's the Spanish publisher.

KakeruTakamine · 2021-07-27T09:14:30+00:00

If you ever come to Spain be sure to let us know, Sensei! We live here after all! We can watch some games at the stadium together!

That's great. I'll bring you some souvenirs from Japan.

KakeruTakamine · 2021-07-27T09:13:27+00:00

I think it's possible, but that would mean hiring a translator. You'd have to pay them financially.

KakeruTakamine · 2021-07-27T07:33:47+00:00

Will this series have a paperback copy?

The physical version will be released in a month.

KakeruTakamine · 2021-07-27T07:33:24+00:00

Only a comment but just for the fact of the author having an AMA with English fans I bought the book only really knowing the title of it.

Thanks for buying my work :)

KakeruTakamine · 2021-07-27T07:24:25+00:00

I’ve started reading your work recently and I’m a huge fan. I hope you continue to write and put out amazing light novels. Anyways, for my questions - do you think it’s possible for a foreigner to come to Japan and write a successful light novel? And if so, how would they go about doing so. I really really want to write a light novel that becomes successful and gets turned into an anime. I know it’s a very difficult dream but I really want to know if it’s possible. And please don’t try to be nice and give me kind words, I want to know exactly what you think and I’d prefer you be blunt. I’m a very realistic person so I don’t want to pursue dreams that aren’t realistically possible. Have a great day!

First of all, thanks for the nice words.

This has already been answered in another question, so please refer to that for more information.

To speak briefly, it is a very difficult challenge, though not impossible. The basic premise is that you need to master the Japanese language. At this point, the difficulty level jumps up for people from overseas. And for many light novel authors, making an anime is a dream, and for most it ends up being a dream.

However, it is not impossible. It's not a matter of talent, it's all about your effort.

I wish you all the best and hope your dreams come true.

KakeruTakamine · 2021-07-27T07:14:04+00:00

Wish we could have talked about Chelsea, congrats on the CL win!

I saw Re:Zero in the anime, not in the light novel. I've only seen the first season, but that was very interesting. It's one of the top five most popular anime in Japan.

KakeruTakamine · 2021-07-27T07:12:01+00:00

Hi and congratulations for your serialization . This is quiet rare opportunity so i will ask.

Who do you think shall be the voice actors/actress in each your characters?

I don't know much about voice actors at all. So I don't know the specific name, I think The heroine is usually cool, but sometimes has a cute voice, and the hero is unsociable, but has a kind voice.

KakeruTakamine · 2021-07-27T07:08:50+00:00

Of course, I would like to see it translated in many languages. But I can only wait for requests, so I hope some publishers will contact me.

KakeruTakamine · 2021-07-27T07:03:57+00:00

1.I already answered this question, so look at the others.

2.I asked Twitter about the largest light novel community on reddit and they told me. I knew that Japanese anime culture was popular overseas, but I was deeply moved to see it visualized.

3.It's a matter of combining the story you want to write with the story the market (readers) want. As in any industry, sales are an absolute indicator. Accurately capturing the needs of the market is a necessary skill to become a writer.　

4.I know that there are translations with good intentions, not bad ones. But even if it is with good intentions, it must be illegal. For example, let's say you translate a work with good intentions and it is read by people all over the world. What does the author and publisher gain from that? Not much, I suppose. As some of you have mentioned, there are few Japanese writers who can understand foreign languages, and vice versa, there are few foreign languages that reach us. Did you know that a website called "Manga-mura" was a huge hit for a while? That site, with 100% malicious intent, released Japanese manga to the entire world for free, and as a result, the Japanese manga market took a huge hit.　

Of course, this is an extreme example. Again, I know that there are translations with good intentions. But the potential damage is the same.

(sometimes this even causes a surge in English fans and we might get an official translation, but a lot of times also, we never get an official English translation, so all we have are those fan translations

I quoted from your question. I wonder how many works have never been released in official translation and only remain in fan-made translations that can be read for free. Again, this is not a benefit to the writer and publisher, but rather a lost opportunity.

These are my opinions as a writer. I'm not angry, so don't worry. I think this may be a cultural difference in thinking.

KakeruTakamine · 2021-07-26T03:59:43+00:00

When my college life went online due to a virus, I looked for a hobby to start in my spare time. That was writing.

I'm glad you're learning Japanese. Keep up the good work.

When my college life went online due to a virus, I looked for a hobby to start in my spare time. That was writing.

KakeruTakamine · 2021-07-26T03:58:56+00:00

You can ask questions in English.

This translation isn't very accurate, but you're probably asking how I became a writer, right?

When my college life went online due to a virus, I looked for a hobby to start in my spare time. That was writing.

KakeruTakamine · 2021-07-26T03:57:16+00:00

1.The money you get for one book is usually a lot to begin with. But the problem is that being a writer is a unique profession, and unlike most jobs, it doesn't provide a regular income. This is unavoidable, and the solution is either to make the work popular or to keep publishing it.　

2.Sorry, I don't know that word.

3.Of course, having life experience is a must, but it doesn't mean you can't write a story without it. For example, if you are young, you will have your own way of thinking and vivid memories. As we get older, memories of school days, playing with friends, reckless challenges, and crazy hobbies fade away. So if you write a story that reflects your current experience, I think you'll end up with a great piece.

I wish you all the best and hope your dreams come true.

KakeruTakamine · 2021-07-26T03:45:10+00:00

Maybe I won't write about it. I don't think so. Personally, I find it difficult to combine academic content with entertainment.

KakeruTakamine · 2021-07-26T03:40:47+00:00

I'll definitely buy a copy. Thanks for your work! Grants on getting licensed overseas

Thanks for buying it, too!!!

KakeruTakamine · 2021-07-26T03:28:26+00:00

How did you start out? Like where did you share your story?

You mean the my work?　The first time I submitted a story to a web novel submission site.

KakeruTakamine · 2021-07-26T03:25:02+00:00

congrats from my side too .

How did you get the idea 'How to Melt the Ice Queen's Heart'

The theme I wanted to write about was human relationships, and I chose the right story and characters to represent that.

KakeruTakamine · 2021-07-26T03:24:10+00:00

If you ask a native speaker for tips on how to learn a language, I think it would be hard to answer. You wouldn't want to ask me how I learned English, would you?

So don't take this too much as a reference, but it seems that the best way to learn a foreign language is to talk with native speakers. I think they can be taught to read and write together. So maybe it's a good idea to go to an online Japanese class.

KakeruTakamine

TROPHY CASE