Q&A With Bofuri Creator Yuumikan!

A little while ago, we asked fans on social media for questions to ask Yuumikan, the author of the Bofuri: I Don't Want to Get Hurt, so I'll Max Out My Defense. light novels. We're now happy share with you all Yuumikan's answers. Check out this fun Q&A session as we get to know more about Yuumikan and the creation of one of the year's most highly-anticipated light novel releases!

Q: Thank you for all your hard work creating Bofuri! How did you take a common light novel theme and come up with such an original, delightful story?

Yuumkian: I just looked at things I like that other people like and tried to put those in the story. The response was much better than I’d anticipated, and I’m still surprised.

How long does it take to finish writing a volume?

Yuumikan: Maybe fifty hours? That may not be accurate.

Many light novels that deal with gaming feature male protagonists. What made you decide to give Bofuri a female protagonist?

Yuumikan: That’s just what I wanted to write.

Bofuri has a lot of comedic moments. How were you able to add those funny parts in so smoothly? And how do you come up with these silly approaches to such an overpowered protagonist? Maple exceeds expectations in some of the most creative and hilarious ways!

Yuumikan: The comedy mostly comes from Maple. I think that’s the natural result of her unexpected ideas for how to win battles. But her approaches are always unorthodox, and there’s any number of more typical routes to get ahead. I try to maintain balance by making it clear that following conventional strategies would get you to the same place. I am glad you think her abilities are hilarious, though; I always hope people will laugh at the same things I do.

Do you have a favorite Bofuri character?

Yuumikan: Unsurprisingly, Maple and Sally are my favorites. They’re the main characters, after all!

Is there any specific reason you chose the name “Maple”?

Yuumikan: No real story to it. Nothing beyond “Maple” being a translation of her real name, “Kaede.”

Which of Maple’s abilities is your favorite?

Yuumikan: That’s a tough question. They’re all irreplaceable, so I’d have to go with ‘all of them.’

How did you make me fall in love with a 2D turtle?

Yuumikan: I think a big part of this is definitely how appealing the voice acting was.

Is Bofuri based on the kind of game you would like to play, or is it styled after games you already have experience with? Do you have a favorite game?

Yuumikan: Certainly, my own gaming experience has been an influence…but when it came to writing this story, I tried to imagine what sort of game Maple and Sally would want to play and ended up with this. The story required it to be this kind of game. I’m hoping that the ending will make that clear.

Do you have any favorite hobbies or things you enjoy doing?

Yuumikan: I read a fair bit and try to get my exercise in as well. I enjoy basketball in particular.

Do you like to travel? Is there any place you’d like to visit?

Yuumikan: I would like to, but I always seem to end up not traveling for one reason or another. I do like traveling, though! Whether alone or in groups.

How is your day?

Yuumikan: I usually play some games, read a bit. And then I take that as input and churn out a productive output—then rinse and repeat.

Were you surprised by the anime’s popularity? Are you pleased with how the anime adapted your story?

Yuumikan: Thoroughly satisfied. I think the novels, manga, and anime each have an appeal of their own, and the anime made a few tweaks that really resulted in impressive payouts. I could never have done that on my own, so I’m constantly astonished by the power of the anime staff.

How did you and Oimoto Jirou meet? Did you know them before they were chosen to draw the manga? And did you choose them, or was it decided by someone else?

Yuumikan: I was introduced by the editors during discussions about the manga adaption. I had them draw a few pictures of the characters and felt they really captured Maple and Sally.

Do you know how you’d like the Bofuri series to end? Are you planning on keeping it going for a while?

Yuumikan: I do have a plan for the ending. I’d like it to end in proper Bofuri style.

Were you excited for your novel and its manga adaptation to get an English-language release?

Yuumikan: Of course! If nobody reads a novel, then it belongs only to the author. The more new readers it reaches and entertains, the better!

Do you have any advice for aspiring light novel writers?

Yuumikan: Start writing whenever you get the chance! The results will be your story, something only you can write. Take that first step and go on to do something better than I ever could.

Big thanks to Yuumikan for answering these questions and letting us get to know you more! And big thanks to all the fans who provided such fun questions! Be sure to check out Bofuri: I Don't Want to Get Hurt, so I'll Max Out My Defense, Vol. 1 (light novel), available on 4/6.

For more fun with the Yuumikan Q&A, check out these videos we made in which Megan Shipman, the voice actress of Maple from Funimation's English dub, and Ivan Liang, the Yen On editor of the Bofuri light novels, read off Yuumikan's answers!