Volume 39

Next week I'm going to Koshien.

Volume 40

I saw a performance of Mozart on stage. The costumes were gorgeous.

Volume 41

I went to Enoshima for a daytrip. The seafood was delicious.

Volume 42

I got Hamanaka's autograph and shook hands with Akaboshi. I'm happy.

Volume 43

I had dinner with (Hiroki) Kokubo. It was fun.

Volume 44

I'm planning to go to Miyako Island. I wonder if the typhoon will be okay...

Volume 45

I watched Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. It was more heartfelt than I expected.

Volume 46

I went to Miyako Island. It was fun.

Volume 47

Congratulations to the Hanshin League champions! For the next two days I went to the Jingu Shrine to watch the game.

Volume 48

I'm drawing two pages in Spirits thats on sale right now.

Volume 49

The Shisa made in Miyako-jima has been fired and arrived.

Webmasters' Note: A Shisa is a ceramic lion dog.

Volume 50

I saw Sin City. It was great.

Volume 51

Game 5 of the Japan Series, which we were supposed to go to, turned out to be a mirage... Too bad!　Next year we'll get our revenge!

Volume 52

I bought a waterproof TV. Now I can enjoy long baths.

Volume 53

The day after I put up the kotatsu it got cold.

Young Sunday Volume 25

I'm still going to continue to draw.

Webmasters' Note: She gave a longer message about the 1000th issue, "Congratulations on the 1000th issue of this volume. The Gospel of a Pound is an epic (laugh) irregular series that has been running for more than 15 years. I'm still going to keep drawing it, so please do me a favor the next time it appears. Please give me a break with the pinup this time."

2006

Volume 1

Who is the person you most want to meet right now?
There are a lot of them, but it's okay, because I can watch them on TV.

Volume 2

What is the Christmas present you want this year?
Storage space, I guess.

Volume 3-4

How do you celebrate New Year's?
I stay home for New Year's.

Volume 5-6

What's the most interesting movie you've seen lately?
There were a lot of good movies last year, but lately I'd say it's Always: Sunset on Third Street.

Webmasters' Note: This film spawned two sequels and is based on the long running manga Sunset on Third Street (三丁目の夕日 夕焼けの詩) by Ryohei Saigan in Big Comic Original.

Volume 7

What kind of reforms would you make if you were Prime Minister?
Let's get rid of it! No taxes.

Volume 8

What is your cellphone’s ringtone?
Halcali’s Tandem.

Volume 9

What was your last big purchase?
I make a big CD purchase every month.

Volume 10

What have you done lately to benefit your health?
I'm not doing anything.

Volume 11

If the Earth came to an end tomorrow, what would you do?
I think I'll eat dinner and go to bed.

Volume 12

What is your favorite thing to eat with rice?
Hanakido Matsunoha Konbu.

Volume 13

What do you end up buying most often at convenience stores?
Occasionally, a toy that comes with food.

Volume 14

What would you like to try before you die?
A water slide.

Volume 15

What is your favorite sweet?
Pudding.

Volume 16

What made you laugh the most recently?
I laugh a lot when I watch comedy groups.

Volume 17

If you were to appear in a commercial, what would it be for?
Wagyu.

Webmasters' Note: Wagyu beef is highly revered for its vast fat deposits, commonly referred to as marbling. When examining Wagyu beef, it will appear rich in large fatty streaks throughout every cut. For beef to qualify as Wagyu, it must be graded as such. In Japan, this is done by the Japanese Meat Grading Association.

Volume 18

What memories do you have of your graduation ceremony?
It was a lot of fun because I was already creating manga while I was still in college.

Volume 19

If you could be immortal for a day, who would you choose as an opponent to fight?
Why do we have to fight?

Volume 20

What was on your favorite school lunch menu?
Kitsune udon.

Volume 21-22

What is something you couldn't throw away, even if you wanted to?
Foreign language comics.

Volume 23

What dish can you proudly serve to others?
I would show them to the door to find somewhere else to eat.

Volume 24

How do you fight off sleep?
I have no intention of fighting it.

Volume 25

What TV show have you been watching for a long time?
Downtown's We Aren't Errand Boys!! (ダウンタウンのガキの使いやあらへんで!!/Downtown no Gaki no Tsukai ya Arahende!!)

Volume 26

Who do you feel lucky to have met lately?
I won a digital camera at the year end party someone had a digital camera and got to shake hands with The Touch.

Webmasters' Note: The Touch are a Japanese comedy duo.

Volume 27

What kind of ramen do you like?
Ton Ton Noodles.

Volume 28

What would you shout if you were participating in a shouting contest?
Luuuuuuuck!

Volume 29

Share a memory from a school trip!
The cup noodles we all shared on school trips were really delicious.

Volume 30

What's your favorite hairstyle on the opposite sex?
Like Yabe's from Nainai.

Webmasters' Note: Nainai is the nickname of the comedy duo Ninety-Nine. Yabe is Hiroyuki Yabe.

Volume 31

Who are your nostalgic heroes?
Joe from Ashita no Joe.

Volume 32

What would you like to tell your past self?
I would tell myself before 2002 that Hanshin will win again and again.

Volume 33

What did you consider to be the "hottest" summer for you?
The first summer after my debut serialization was extremely hot, so I bought a cooler.

Volume 34

How do you deal with summer fatigue?
Sleep.

Volume 35

What is your favorite memory of a summer festival?
Peppermint pipes.

Webmasters' Note: Peppermint pipes (ハッカパイプ) are strange "toys" that is shaped like a famous character, (think Pez dispenser) but is a pipe that is filled with a flavored powder like peppermint instead of tobacco so you taste the flavored powder and it looks like you are smoking.

Volume 36-37

What entertainer is on TV everytime you turn it on lately?
I feel lucky when I see Kanji Tsuda.

Volume 38

What is your favorite drink when you're tired?
Iemon (伊右衛門).

Webmasters' Note: Iemon, spelled with an I instead of an L, is a lemon flavored drink from Suntory.

Volume 39

What is the fifth most important thing in life?
Life is all about important things.

Volume 40

When was the last time you felt cheated?
When I bought some takoyaki and there was no octopus in it.

Volume 41

What was your favorite event at Sports Day?
It was best for me to sit on the sidelines and support everyone else.

Volume 42

What was the strangest dream you ever had?
I often dream of being a player for the Tigers.

Volume 43

If you had a different pen name for just one work, what would it be?
Mitsuru Adachi.

Volume 44

What did your teacher often warn you about when you were young?
That I wasn't paying attention before I even realized it.

Volume 45

What simple question have you been thinking about lately?
What’s wrong with the Carp’s mascot, Slyly?

Volume 46

What was your favorite toy when you were in elementary school?
Plasticine.

Volume 47

What is a moment you can't help but grin about?
Still, whenever Hanshin wins.

Volume 48

Who do you consider an eternal idol?
All the Hanshin players.

Volume 49

What is your favorite phrase?
It's not a character, so it doesn't exist.

Volume 50

What's the first thing you do when you wake up in the morning?
Turn on the TV.

Volume 51

What was your favorite snack as a child?
Morinaga's Angel Pie.

Volume 52

What is an experience that made you say, "I saw something I shouldn't have!"?
Definitely when I step on the scale.

Young Sunday Volume 52

What kind of qualification or license would you like to obtain one day?
A librarian. I still regret failing to get that qualification in college.

Young Sunday Volume 53

What was the most painful thing (both physically and mentally) that you experienced recently?
Hanshin, I was disappointed they weren't able to win at the Nagoya Dome.

2007

Volume 1

What was the first CD you ever bought?
The first LP I ever bought was a record of an Italian film’s soundtrack.

Volume 2-3

What's your number one memory of this past year that makes you smile?
The last bit of catching up.

Volume 4-5

What is your favorite New Year's dish?
Radish (daikon).

Volume 6

Tell us about the moment you felt that you had become an adult?
When I finally began to think that radishes were delicious.

Volume 7

What is an absurdity of the world that you felt recently?
Commenting “this is it?” after eating. Excuse me.

Volume 8

What are your favorite cold-weather goods?
A kotatsu.

Volume 9

If you had to cosplay at least once in your life, who would dress as?
I once cosplayed as a policeman. But never again.

Volume 10

What was your favorite side dish in your bento box when you were a child?
Baked ginger and tamagoyaki.

Volume 11

In the event of an earthquake, what would you grab and run away with?
My character products.

Volume 12

What is your favorite smell?
The smell of freesia.

Volume 13

What song have you been humming recently?
Amazing Grace.

Volume 14

What experience made you realize how unlucky you were?
I often hit the headboard of the bed.

Volume 15

What would you like to graduate from soon?
Being a carnivore. I would like to stop being a glutton.

Volume 16

What is your earliest childhood memory?
I was nursing my mother and my brother came in from another room.

Volume 17

What meal do you remember made you say "that was delicious!"?
Cold Chinese noodles.

Volume 18

It is the season for admissions and promotions. Please tell me an interesting anecdote.
Thanks to everyone I was able to reach the 500th chapter. Thank you very much.

Volume 19

Please tell us what you would go to a three-day monk retreat for!
I can’t stop binge eating and drinking!!

Volume 20

What's the biggest lie you've ever told?
I’ve never had a problem like this!

Volume 21-22

What did you collect as a child?
I preferred to make things rather than collect things.

Volume 23

When you think of your hometown, what comes to mind?
The green sea in the summer. And also snow.

Volume 24

What moment made you feel most threatened?
A few years ago when I couldn't make a name in two days due to another magazine's schedule.

Webmasters' Note: A "name" is the first draft, or sketched pages of a chapter of manga.

Volume 25

Sensei, if you could go back to your childhood what would you do?
Sleep.

Volume 26

What was the most perfect excuse you've ever given?
In an era before fax machines, I used to say “I have seven pages of the name done!”

Webmasters' Note: A "name" is the first draft, or sketched pages of a chapter of manga.

Volume 27

Tell us about a memorable time you were scolded by your parents.
When I was four they scolded me for throwing something onto the lit eye of the stove.

Volume 28

What is Sensei's most memorable TV drama?
Becoming a mangaka is the most dramatic thing.

Volume 29

What question would you like to hear someone answer?
I really want to know the true identity of Hiroshima's Slyly. Someone tell me!

Webmassters' Note: Slyly is the mascot for the Hiroshima Toyo Carp. He looks like the Phillie Phanatic and was created by the same advertising firm.

Volume 30

What memory do you have of being the most nervous in your whole life?
Trying to be number one here again and again.

Volume 31

What was the most recent experience that made you cry?
I don't remember crying recently...

Volume 32

What is an item that you think only you may own?
VHD. Do you guys know what that is? I forgot.

Volume 33

What is your favorite ice cream?
Coolish.

Webmasters' Note: Coolish is a drinkable ice cream made by Lotte, that comes in a squeeze pouch.

Volume 34

What was your favorite nickname as a child?
Ru.

Volume 35

What was your favorite festival night stall?
Peppermint Pipe.

Webmasters' Note: Peppermint pipes (ハッカパイプ) are strange "toys" that is shaped like a famous character, (think Pez dispenser) but is a pipe that is filled with a flavored powder like peppermint instead of tobacco so you taste the flavored powder and it looks like you are smoking.

Volume 36-37

What did you enjoy most about summer vacation as a child?
Swimming.

Volume 38

If you were to compare yourself to an animal, what would it be?
I wonder if it would be a cow?

Volume 39

What words have made you the happiest in life?
“This is interesting.” From Kazuo Koike.

Volume 40

If you had to imitate someone, who or what would it be?
Masuo's copy of Can X Can.

Volume 41

When you're worried about names, what is your stress reliever?
I turn off the TV.

Volume 42

What occupation would you like to have if you were reborn?
I would still like to be a manga artist.

Volume 43

If you could have a one-night conversation with a historical figure, who would it be with and what would it be about?
I would talk to Cao Cao about the war.

Volume 44

What is a memorable book that you’ve read over the last year?
It’s always interesting to read Edogawa Ranpo.

Volume 45

If there was a restaurant that made any kind of food, what would you order?
Manga meat.

Volume 46

What was the first part time job you ever had?
Handing out flyers at a department store.

Volume 47

What song would you like to make into a manga?
Boku ga Tsukuta Ai no Uta ~Itoshi no Emily~ by Tulip.

Volume 48

Please tell us about a fun time you had going out recently!
I'm glad I went to the Oriental Hotel.

Volume 49

What is the only thing you can't give up on?
Soy sauce on fried eggs.

Volume 50

When you win against your rival, what would your catchphrase be?
Good job today.

Volume 51

What’s the most shocking thing you lost in your life?
I once lost my house key.

Volume 52

What is your troublesome habit?
I couldn’t guess.

Young Sunday Volume 1

Who would you like to give some promotion to?
Taiki Nakabayashi who plays Godai in the Maison Ikkoku drama... PR for the aforementioned.

Young Sunday Volume 2

What is your most highly recommended work of 2006?
Memories of Matsuko (嫌われ松子の一生, Kiraware Matsuko no Isshō) and Rikidozan: A Hero Extraordinary on DVD.

Webmasters' Note: The Rikidozan film was originally released in South Korea in 2004, but in Japan in 2006.

Young Sunday Volume 3-4

Let's make the cold winter hot! What spicy food do you recommend?
Thank you for reading. Have a Happy New Year next year!!

Webmasters' Note: Takahashi ignores the question as this is the final chapter of One-Pound Gospel.

2008

Volume 1

Even as artists what do you struggle with drawing?
Drawing every week is hard.

Volume 2-3

People may not understand, but do you have a favorite type of B-grade food you like?
Apart from the usual, I don’t.

Volume 4-5

If you could take lessons today, what lessons would you take?
Ukulele.

Volume 6

What would you like to achieve this year?
Rebuild the house.

Volume 7

Who is the person you're most interested in right now?
Kenichi Matsuyama.

Volume 8

Have you ever seen a scene or some scenery that moved you?
The first time I saw the sunrise from the fourth story window of my work space.

Volume 9

If you could keep any animal as a pet what would it be?
Shiba Inu.

Volume 10

What books have you read over and over?
Ayako Sono's Absent Room (不在の部屋).

Volume 11

What qualifications or license would you like to obtain?
A manga artists license.

Volume 12

Do you remember the earliest character that you drew?
Songo from Songo-kun.

Editors Note: Iori Tabasa who draws Kunai-den answered: I think it was Lum!

Volume 13

It’s the time of exams. What is a test that made an impression on you?
I wasn’t good at English and math.

Volume 14

When do you feel afraid?
When my wallet is almost empty.

Volume 15

What's the best place to relax?
My house.

Volume 16

What character from all the years of Shonen Sunday would you like to be for a day?
Perman.

Volume 17

What is something from now or in the past that you can't change but would like to?
The time I met the bookstore owner and got nervous.

Volume 18

If you could move somewhere? Where would it be?
Next to a convience store.

Volume 19

What is the best movie of the last two or three years?
Dororo and Sin City. More recently, Elizabeth: The Golden Age.

Volume 20

Sensei, what is one of your "small pleasures"?
When I'm not working, I like to watch TV and read.

Volume 21-22

Please tell us what has inspired you recently?
I saw Houbekki (aka Saraba, waga Ai Haoubekki or Farewell My Concubine) recently. Yukio Ninagawa is awesome.

Volume 23

If a museum had an exhibition on any subject, what would you want it to be about?
I would probably like to see something about mammoths.

Volume 24

If you could make one law, what would it be?
Probably something to make people grow their own food and be self-sufficient.

Volume 25

Could you tell us what is a book that has made you cry?
The volume of Inusenryuu where his pet dog died.

Volume 26

Sensei, who is one of your idols?
Hanshin's Akahoshi.

Also, this issue is a tribute to Mitsuru Adachi for selling 200 million copies of his works throughout his career. Various artists congratulate him and here's what Takahashi, who listed her favorite series as "Cross Game" and "Touch" had to say... "Congratulations on selling 200 million copies. That's very impressive, Adachi-sensei. We've both been working together here at Sunday since the same era, which has always been encouraging to me, and is a fact I'm very proud of. As you pass 200 million, please take care of your health and keep drawing more manga. I'll do my best to keep up.

Volume 27

What would you like most right now?
NHK's "Shin Hakkenden" complete DVD set (since I never see it).

Editors Note: Takahashi last discussed "Shin Hakkenden" way back in 1994 volume 17.

Volume 28

Of all the presents you've gotten up until now, what is the most memorable?
My first fan letter (even now I think it's delightful).

Volume 29

Tell us about a good store that is near your home.
I want to thank you for continuing to read Inuyasha for such a long time. I was able to do it because of your support. Thank you.

Editors Note: Takahashi didn't answer the question, instead choosing to thank the fans for their support of Inuyasha, who's final chapter was published this week.

Volume 30

What song raises your spirits when you hear it?
Rumiko Takahashi did not appear in this issue.

Volume 31

What's your favorite fairy tale?
Rumiko Takahashi did not appear in this issue.

Volume 32

If you had the chance to work with anyone, who would it be?
Rumiko Takahashi did not appear in this issue.

Volume 33

Do you have a specialty dish that you cook?
Rumiko Takahashi did not appear in this issue.

Volume 34

What song do you play as BGM when you read your manga?
Rumiko Takahashi did not appear in this issue.

Volume 35

What's your favorite saying and the reason why its your favorite?
Rumiko Takahashi did not appear in this issue.

Volume 36-37

What catchphrase from a TV commercial or advertisement
Rumiko Takahashi did not appear in this issue.

Volume 38

What is your ringtone?
Rumiko Takahashi did not appear in this issue.

Volume 39

What's the longest running accomplishment or lesson?
Rumiko Takahashi did not appear in this issue.

Volume 40

What magazines do you read other than manga?
Rumiko Takahashi did not appear in this issue.

Volume 41

What food do you most associate with autumn?
Rumiko Takahashi did not appear in this issue.

Volume 42

Please tell us something that recently made you think "that's new!"
Rumiko Takahashi did not appear in this issue.

Volume 43

Do you have any memories of a sports match, play or concert?
Rumiko Takahashi did not appear in this issue.

Volume 44

What have you been lucky enough to do recently?
Rumiko Takahashi did not appear in this issue.

Volume 45

What would you do if you won the lottery?
Rumiko Takahashi did not appear in this issue.

Volume 46

If you could open a store, what kind would it be?
Rumiko Takahashi did not appear in this issue.

Volume 47

Is there something you've had since childhood that you've never thrown away?
Rumiko Takahashi did not appear in this issue.

Volume 48

Please tell us who you think is the strongest person in the world?
Rumiko Takahashi did not appear in this issue.

Volume 49

What's your go-to karaoke song?
Rumiko Takahashi did not appear in this issue.

Volume 50

Is there something you've always wanted to do but haven't done yet?
Rumiko Takahashi did not appear in this issue.

Volume 51

What's the best or most rare thing you've ever eaten?
Rumiko Takahashi did not appear in this issue.

Volume 52

What jinx do you believe in?
Rumiko Takahashi did not appear in this issue.

2009

Volume 1

Up until now, what is your biggest impulse buy?
Rumiko Takahashi did not appear in this issue.

Volume 2-3

What's something that you find it hard to make it through winter without?
Rumiko Takahashi did not appear in this issue.

Volume 4-5

What's the longest you've ever stayed awake for, and why?
Rumiko Takahashi did not appear in this issue.

Volume 6

What's gives you the best feeling?
Rumiko Takahashi did not appear in this issue.

Volume 7

What is your earliest memory?
Rumiko Takahashi did not appear in this issue.

Volume 8

What's something you want to disappear before the 22nd century?
Rumiko Takahashi did not appear in this issue.

Volume 9

What's your most memorable scene from an anime?
Rumiko Takahashi did not appear in this issue.

Volume 10

What question would you want to be asked by someone who has never met you before?
Rumiko Takahashi did not appear in this issue.

Volume 11

What's your favorite line from an anime?
Rumiko Takahashi did not appear in this issue.

Volume 12

What's something you can't stop doing once you start?
Rumiko Takahashi did not appear in this issue.

Volume 13

If you were a producer what would you produce?
Rumiko Takahashi did not appear in this issue.

Volume 14

What's your favorite sight?
Rumiko Takahashi did not appear in this issue.

Volume 15

Is there a piece of music that makes you think "I can't help but cry when I hear this"?
Rumiko Takahashi did not appear in this issue.

Volume 16

Please let me know if there's a website you frequently check out.
Rumiko Takahashi did not appear in this issue.

Webmasters' Note: Rumiko Takahashi published My Sweet Sunday in this issue but did not take part in the questionnaire.

Volume 17

Please tell us something that is improbable but that you still believe.
Rumiko Takahashi did not appear in this issue.

Volume 18

Were there some cheap sweets that you liked as a child?
Rumiko Takahashi did not appear in this issue.

Volume 19

Please tell us about a recent design which you think is cool.
Rumiko Takahashi did not appear in this issue.

Volume 20

When extraterrestrials arrive, where would you take them to show them what represents Japan?
Rumiko Takahashi did not appear in this issue.

Volume 21-22

Out of manga, anime and film, please tell us a character that you like.
Hello everyone, it's been awhile. I'll do my best with the new serialization and ask for your support!

Editors Note: Takahashi didn't answer the question, and instead commented on the beginning of her series Kyokai no RINNE.

Volume 23

Is there a show you'd like to see brought back to television?
"Gebageba 90 Bun!" and "The Best 10" (Za Besuto Ten).

Volume 24

Up to now, what's the best thing you've done for your parents?
Making a living through my manga.

Volume 25

Was there something or someone that you yearned for when you were a kid?
I wanted a canopy bed.

Volume 26

What is a food that you associate with your mother?
Fried eggs.

Volume 27

Please tell us about something you've recently discovered.
Even though it's late, Kamen Rider Den-o (仮面ライダー電王).

Volume 28

Is there a piece of furniture you'd like to see evolve and why?
The personal computer. Even though I don't have one.

Volume 29

Please tell us who you think the funniest celebrities in showbiz are.
Taka and Toshi are still funny.

Volume 30

What manga character's ability would you like to have?
Pa-man's ability to fly.

Volume 31

What's a messy or cute thing you've seen recently?
A cat I saw on TV.

Volume 32

Is there a television show you would like to appear on?
None.

Volume 33

If you could learn just one talent, what would it be?
Playing musical instruments.

Volume 34

Please tell us your most favorite manga, drama or anime.
The Karasawa version of Shiroi Ooatama.

Volume 35

When have you felt the most Japanese in your life?
Every year on New Year’s Day.

Volume 36

Has there been a word whose name you don’t understand?
The formal name of puchipuchi (Japanese for bubble wrap).

Volume 37

What’s the most amazing place in your neighborhood?
A local gourmet restaurant called “Italian”.

Volume 38

What is one thing you’d like to see before you die?
I’d like to see the aurora.

Volume 39

What is something that’s been an impulse buy?
Work related books.

Volume 40

What do you think are some of the true evolutions that will be made in the 21st century?
Probably the DVD.

Volume 41

What’s one place you’d like to go at some point in your life?
Hawaii.

Volume 42-43

What is one advanced function you’d like added to cell phones?
They’re fine as is.

Volume 44

When you were a kid, what was your favorite giant monster?
Mothra.

Volume 45

Please tell me if there are any sweets you recommend.
Blueberry pie at the Imperial Hotel.

Volume 46

If asked by a foreigner what a typical Japanese gag is, what would you tell them?
Atari maeda no cracker (This is a pun based on “Atari mae da.” or “Naturally.” “Maeda no Cracker” is a brand of crackers in Japan).

Volume 47

Do you have an embarrassing childhood memory that you can’t forget?
When I was in kindergarten it rained and I fell into the gutter. My chest got all wet.

Volume 48

When you go to sleep, what’s a dream that you can remember having?
I’m faraway from home somehow and I have no money and I’m running out of time to get back.

Volume 49

What’s a film that you might say “is a difficult film to understand, but it’s one of my favorites!”?
Marie Antoinette.

Volume 50

Please tell us your favorite kanji character and the reason.
The kanji for "tora" (tiger). We'll do it next year!

Editors Note: Takahashi is referencing her favorite baseball team the Hanshin Tigers.

Volume 51

Assuming you could take a ride in a time machine, what era would you go to?
I can only ride it one time?

Volume 52

What sort of background image do you have on your cell phone?
Inuyasha.