Chrono
Crusade, the tale of the quest of Chrono and Rosette, is based in the
exotic, past world of...1920's New England. It's a departure from the
run of manga settings, and was a deliberate decision by Daisuke
Moriyama, the manga's creator. "From my perspective, the 19th century
in New England was a very dark place," Moriyama said at a Pacific Media
Expo interview session. "Those times were very fascinating, and that's
why I used them in my story line. I think the fans like the comic
because there are few or no comics based in this time period." Chrono
Crusade was set in U.S. because of H.P. Lovecraft, the famed writer
whose work redefined horror. "When I was little, I read a novel by
Lovecraft, and that inspired me to write this. It didn't necessarily
have to be Chrono Crusade, but I always wanted to write a story in this
time period.
It
was Moriyama's decision to make Rosette, the lead character, look like
a nun - but like a fighting nun. "I found an opening in my favorite
fashion items and incorporated that into the characters," he said. "I
had an image im my mind that I wanted her to look like a nun, but I
wanted her also to look like a fighter. By adding in her pouch, she
could look more like a soldier." While Rosette has a cute and appealing
appearance, there's no doubt that she's a fighter. "For Rosette, the
most important thing in her life is to find her family. It's something
she has to do, even if she has to sacrifice herself and shorten her
life. That's what she must do, and that creates conflict in her life."
The outfit which looks like a nun's habit also helps to highlight the
humans-versus-demons part of the manga storyline.
Moriyama
also used Christian trappings in Chrono Crusade as a way of emphasizing
his view of a battle between humans, gods and devils. The story means
Moriyama has to draw lots of cute girls, handsome guys and monsters.
"It's easier for me to draw guys, but most of the readers buy it for
the girls - so i have to be more careful abut how I draw the girls."
His favorite Chrono Crusade character is Yoshua: "This character is
sickly, but he has big dreams. That blocks his way toward his dreams,
but by trying to pursue his dream, I can feel for him." For those who
noted Moriyama's appreciation of Lovecraft, you also might want to
consider that he said, without prompting, that his favorite animated
series when he young was the all-American Tom and Jerry. "In my comics,
I like to relive my childhood and bring in those funny little fights,"
said Moriyama. "I like to bring out the best in my characters."
Chrono
Crusade, the tale of the quest of Chrono and Rosette, is based in the
exotic, past world of...1920's New England. It's a departure from the
run of manga settings, and was a deliberate decision by Daisuke
Moriyama, the manga's creator. "From my perspective, the 19th century
in New England was a very dark place," Moriyama said at a Pacific Media
Expo interview session. "Those times were very fascinating, and that's
why I used them in my story line. I think the fans like the comic
because there are few or no comics based in this time period." Chrono
Crusade was set in U.S. because of H.P. Lovecraft, the famed writer
whose work redefined horror. "When I was little, I read a novel by
Lovecraft, and that inspired me to write this. It didn't necessarily
have to be Chrono Crusade, but I always wanted to write a story in this
time period.
It
was Moriyama's decision to make Rosette, the lead character, look like
a nun - but like a fighting nun. "I found an opening in my favorite
fashion items and incorporated that into the characters," he said. "I
had an image im my mind that I wanted her to look like a nun, but I
wanted her also to look like a fighter. By adding in her pouch, she
could look more like a soldier." While Rosette has a cute and appealing
appearance, there's no doubt that she's a fighter. "For Rosette, the
most important thing in her life is to find her family. It's something
she has to do, even if she has to sacrifice herself and shorten her
life. That's what she must do, and that creates conflict in her life."
The outfit which looks like a nun's habit also helps to highlight the
humans-versus-demons part of the manga storyline.
Moriyama
also used Christian trappings in Chrono Crusade as a way of emphasizing
his view of a battle between humans, gods and devils. The story means
Moriyama has to draw lots of cute girls, handsome guys and monsters.
"It's easier for me to draw guys, but most of the readers buy it for
the girls - so i have to be more careful abut how I draw the girls."
His favorite Chrono Crusade character is Yoshua: "This character is
sickly, but he has big dreams. That blocks his way toward his dreams,
but by trying to pursue his dream, I can feel for him." For those who
noted Moriyama's appreciation of Lovecraft, you also might want to
consider that he said, without prompting, that his favorite animated
series when he young was the all-American Tom and Jerry. "In my comics,
I like to relive my childhood and bring in those funny little fights,"
said Moriyama. "I like to bring out the best in my characters."
