Chiaki J. Konaka
{{short description|Japanese writer and novelist (born 1961)}}
{{Infobox writer
| image =
| name = Chiaki J. Konaka
| native_name = 小中 千昭
| native_name_lang = ja
| birth_name = Chiaki Konaka
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1961|04|04|mf=y}}
| birth_place = Tokyo, Japan
| occupation = Screenwriter, novelist
| spouse =
| years_active = 1988–present
| relatives = Kazuya Konaka (younger brother)
| notable_works = {{ubl|Ultraman Tiga (1996-97)|Serial Experiments Lain (1998)|Devil Lady (1998-99)|The Big O (1999-2003)|Digimon Tamers (2001-02)|Hellsing (2001-02)|Texhnolyze (2003)|Ayakashi: Samurai Horror Tales (2006)}}
| alma_mater = Seijo University{{cite web |url=http://eigabigakkou.com/lecturer/ls/686/ |title=映画美学校 小中千昭 |author= |date= |website= |publisher= |access-date=2023-06-26 |quote= |archive-date=2020-02-10 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200210204635/http://eigabigakkou.com/lecturer/ls/686/ |url-status=dead }}
}}
{{nihongo|Chiaki J. Konaka|小中 千昭|Konaka Chiaki|born April 4, 1961}} is a Japanese writer and novelist. He was the head writer of anime series such as Serial Experiments Lain (1998), The Big O (1999-2003), Digimon Tamers (2001-02), Hellsing (2001-02), and Texhnolyze (2003), as well as the television drama Ultraman Tiga (1996-97).
Personal life
Konaka was born in Tokyo, Japan on 4 April 1961. His interest in filmmaking began at the age of 10, influenced by his parents' love for movies and the wide range of film genres he experienced as a child.
Konaka gave himself the middle initial "J", evoking the Christian name "John", due to him being born to parents who were members of the Anglican Church, but he does not identify as Christian. He began using the middle initial at the age of 12, when he started making 8 mm films, patterning the style after Western names such as Charles M. Schulz.{{cite web |last1=Seraphita |first1=Nicole |title=Interview with Screenwriter Chiaki J. Konaka |url=http://apgnation.com/articles/2015/06/23/17832/interview-with-screenwriter-chiaki-j-konaka |website=APGNation |access-date=January 11, 2019 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20150624035108/http://apgnation.com/articles/2015/06/23/17832/interview-with-screenwriter-chiaki-j-konaka |archive-date=June 24, 2015 |date=June 23, 2015 |url-status=dead}} Following this, he received a camera of his own, and by middle school finished a film called Invader.{{cite web|url=http://fjmovie.la.coocan.jp/interview/2000/konaka/konaka1.htm|title=小中千昭さんインタビュー(1)|access-date=2023-06-26|archive-date=2023-06-26|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230626174531/http://fjmovie.la.coocan.jp/interview/2000/konaka/konaka1.htm|url-status=live}}
Upon entering {{ill|Seikei High School|ja|成蹊中学校・高等学校}}, Konaka joined the school's film club where he met Makoto Tezuka who was his senior. His films during this period adopted largely science-fiction themes, and it wasn't until watching The Exorcist and The Legend of Hell House that he began to garner an interest in horror.
While working in special effects after graduating college, Konaka was offered his first scriptwriting job on Teruyoshi Ishii's 1988 Japanese horror film {{ill|Jaganrei|ja|邪願霊}}. This served as a starting point for working on future projects.{{cite web|url=http://fjmovie.la.coocan.jp/interview/2000/konaka/konaka2.htm|title=小中千昭さんインタビュー(2)|access-date=2023-06-26|archive-date=2023-06-26|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230626174532/http://fjmovie.la.coocan.jp/interview/2000/konaka/konaka2.htm|url-status=live}}
He has previously worked as a screenwriting instructor at {{ill|The Film School of Tokyo|ja|映画美学校}}.
Artistry and themes
Konaka's serious works generally have a dark, psychological tone. As a Cthulhu Mythos writer, he tends to add Lovecraftian elements to his works.{{cite book |title= Asian Horror Encyclopedia |last= Bush |first= Laurence |year= 2001 |publisher= Writers Club Press |isbn= 0-595-20181-4|pages= 101–102}}{{cite web |url= https://www.animenation.net/blog/ask-john-is-there-any-lovecraftian-anime/ |title= Ask John: Is There Any Lovecraftian Anime? |date= 2002-08-13 |access-date= 2008-01-01 |publisher= AnimeNation |url-status= live|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20050107063603/http://www.animenation.net/news/askjohn.php?id=546 |archive-date= 2005-01-07 }} He has cited Ghost Hound as his favorite screenwriting project.
The story-line of the early episodes of Digimon Tamers was based on one of the original scripts by Chiaki and Kazuya Konaka for Gamera: Guardian of the Universe in 1995 before the final draft by Kazunori Itō. Konaka brothers' plot was later used for Digimon Tamers and Gamera the Brave in 2006.Eiga Hiho (映画秘宝), 2021, Vol.AprilHeisei Gamera Perfection (平成ガメラ パーフェクション), 2014, KADOKAWA/ASCII Media WorksChiaki J. Konaka, 2018, [https://twitter.com/yamaki_nyx/status/975012785389109249 という事をここに書いているのは、以前にも書いたけれど、テイマーズの1～3話は設定などは全然違うものの、小中兄弟版ガメラのエッセンスが濃厚に入っている。だからもしこの映画が成立していたら、テイマーズは生まれなかったとも言える。] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211016074117/https://twitter.com/yamaki_nyx/status/975012785389109249 |date=2021-10-16 }}, Twitter
=Controversy=
{{Undue weight section|date=April 2025}}
In 2021, Konaka wrote a stage drama for Digimon Tamers' 20th anniversary that was performed at DigiFes 2021, an official Digimon event held annually on August 1. The drama featured the cast of the show being confronted by a physical manifestation of "political correctness" that uses "cancel culture" as an attack. This brought attention to his blog meant for retrospective commentary on Digimon Tamers, in which he also discussed conspiracy theories, and sparked international controversy among Internet Digimon circles.{{cite news | first=Kim | last=Morissy | url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/interest/2021-08-04/digimon-tamers-20th-anniversary-stage-show-features-cancel-culture-villain/.175872 | title=Digimon Tamers 20th Anniversary Stage Show Features 'Cancel Culture' Villain | work=Anime News Network | date=2021-08-04 | accessdate=2021-08-04 | archive-date=2023-04-08 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230408161459/https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/interest/2021-08-04/digimon-tamers-20th-anniversary-stage-show-features-cancel-culture-villain/.175872 | url-status=live }} In response, Konaka posted a statement in English addressed to his overseas fans on August 8, 2021, to explain his circumstances{{cite news | first=Kim | last=Morissy | url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/interest/2021-08-09/digimon-tamers-writer-chiaki-j-konaka-responds-to-overseas-backlash-over-20th-anniversary-stage-play/.176064 | title=Digimon Tamers Writer Chiaki J. Konaka Responds to Overseas Backlash Over 20th Anniversary Stage Play | work=Anime News Network | date=2021-08-09 | accessdate=2021-08-09 | archive-date=2022-11-20 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221120173731/https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/interest/2021-08-09/digimon-tamers-writer-chiaki-j-konaka-responds-to-overseas-backlash-over-20th-anniversary-stage-play/.176064 | url-status=live }} and to apologize for triggering a divide among the fandom.{{cite web |last1=Konaka |first1=Chiaki |title="Digimon Tamers 2021" Announcement to Overseas Fans |url=https://cjkinnyx.fc2.net/blog-entry-1.html |website=Chiaki J. Konaka in Nyx |access-date=16 August 2021 |archive-date=20 May 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230520064805/https://cjkinnyx.fc2.net/blog-entry-1.html |url-status=live }}
List of works
= Anime =
- Air Gear: Series composition, script{{cite web |title=Air Gear DVD 1 - Review |url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/review/air-gear/dvd-1 |website=Anime News Network |access-date=January 11, 2019 |archive-date=January 11, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190111180952/https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/review/air-gear/dvd-1 |url-status=live }}
- Armitage III: Screenplay{{cite web|title=Armitage III Perfect Collection - Review|url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/review/armitage-iii-perfect-collection|website=Anime News Network|access-date=January 11, 2019|archive-date=January 19, 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070119234632/http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/review/armitage-iii-perfect-collection|url-status=live}}
- Astro Boy (2003): Script (eps 1-3, 14){{cite web|title=Astro Boy [2003] - Review|url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/review/astro-boy-2003|website=Anime News Network|access-date=January 11, 2019|archive-date=February 23, 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070223062503/http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/review/astro-boy-2003|url-status=live}}
- The Big O: Screenplay, script{{cite web|title=The Big O - Review|url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/review/the-big-o|website=Anime News Network|access-date=January 11, 2019|archive-date=July 12, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190712224300/https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/review/the-big-o|url-status=live}}
- Birdy the Mighty: Screenplay{{cite web|title=Birdy the Mighty VHS 1 - Double Trouble - Review|url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/review/birdy-the-mighty/vhs-1-double-trouble|website=Anime News Network|access-date=January 11, 2019|archive-date=March 5, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190305043224/https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/review/birdy-the-mighty/vhs-1-double-trouble|url-status=live}}
- Bubblegum Crisis Tokyo 2040: Screenplay{{cite web|title=Bubblegum Crisis: Tokyo 2040 - Complete Collection|url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/review/bubblegum-crisis-2040/dvd|website=Anime News Network|access-date=January 11, 2019|archive-date=January 11, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190111232523/https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/review/bubblegum-crisis-2040/dvd|url-status=live}}
- Catnapped!: Screenplay{{cite web |title=The Mike Toole Show -The Other 100 Best Anime Movies of All Time, Part 1|url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/the-mike-toole-show/2017-03–19/.113010|website=Anime News Network |access-date=January 11, 2019}}
- Despera: Script{{cite web |title=Yoshitoshi ABe's Despera Project is Moving Forward With New Director|url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2015-01–10/yoshitoshi-abe-despera-project-is-moving-forward-with-new-director/.83127|website=Anime News Network|date=January 10, 2015 |access-date=January 11, 2019}}
- Devil Lady: Script (episodes 1–5, 8, 12, 18, 25–26), series composition{{cite web|script-title=ja:デビルマンレディー|url=https://www.tms-e.co.jp/alltitles/1990s/588101.html|publisher=TMS Entertainment|language=ja|access-date=January 11, 2019|archive-date=August 10, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200810160757/https://www.tms-e.co.jp/alltitles/1990s/588101.html|url-status=live}}
- Digimon Adventure 02: Scenario (episode 13){{cite web |title=CJK's Profile |url=http://www.konaka.com/alice6/cjkprof.html |website=Konaka |access-date=January 11, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170215134907/http://www.konaka.com/alice6/cjkprof.html |archive-date=February 15, 2017 |language=ja}}
- Digimon Tamers: Series composition,{{cite web |title="Digimon Tamers" Blu-ray Box to Include Newly-Recorded Special Drama |url=https://www.crunchyroll.com/anime-news/2017/10/02/digimon-tamers-blu-ray-box-to-include-newly-recorded-special-drama |website=Crunchyroll |access-date=January 11, 2019 |date=October 2, 2017 |archive-date=January 11, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190111175529/https://www.crunchyroll.com/anime-news/2017/10/02/digimon-tamers-blu-ray-box-to-include-newly-recorded-special-drama |url-status=live }} script (episodes 1–3, 7, 13–14, 23–24, 34–35, 41, 44–45, 49–51){{cite web |title=デジモンテイマーズ感想 |url=http://www.interq.or.jp/saturn/eswat/anime/tv/dejimontamerz.htm |access-date=January 11, 2019 |language=ja |archive-date=September 10, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150910070328/http://www.interq.or.jp/saturn/eswat/anime/tv/dejimontamerz.htm |url-status=live }}
- Futari Ecchi: Script{{cite web|title=Step Up Love Story Sub.DVD 2 - Review|url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/review/step-up-love-story/sub.dvd-2|website=Anime News Network|access-date=January 11, 2019|archive-date=January 11, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190111232538/https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/review/step-up-love-story/sub.dvd-2|url-status=live}}
- Gasaraki: Script{{Cite web|title=Gasaraki (TV) - Anime News Network|url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/encyclopedia/anime.php?id=264|access-date=2021-02-24|website=www.animenewsnetwork.com|archive-date=2021-01-26|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210126025117/https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/encyclopedia/anime.php?id=264|url-status=live}}
- GeGeGe no Kitarō (1996): Script (Episode 89 only){{Cite web|title=Chiaki J. KONAKA|url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/encyclopedia/people.php?id=3612|access-date=2021-10-26|website=www.animenewsnetwork.com|archive-date=2021-03-24|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210324181442/https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/encyclopedia/people.php?id=3612|url-status=live}}
- Ghost Hound: Series composition, screenplay{{cite web|title=Ghost Hound Blu-Ray - Review|url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/review/ghost-hound/blu-ray-complete-collection|website=Anime News Network|access-date=January 11, 2019|archive-date=January 11, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190111232526/https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/review/ghost-hound/blu-ray-complete-collection|url-status=live}}
- GR: Giant Robo: Series composition{{cite web |title=GR ジャイアントロボ プラチナセット(DVD＋CD＋爆裂造形フィギュア応募券) Vol.3 【DVD】 |url=https://item.rakuten.co.jp/es-toys/10745487/ |publisher=Rakuten |access-date=January 11, 2019 |language=ja |archive-date=July 27, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200727214010/https://item.rakuten.co.jp/es-toys/10745487/ |url-status=live }}
- Hellsing: Series composition, script (episodes 1–6, 8–9, 11–13){{cite web |title=Chiaki J. Konaka & Junichi Fujisaku double interview (1) |url=http://www.production-ig.com/contents/works_sp/60_/s08_/000840.html |publisher=Production I.G. |access-date=January 11, 2019 |archive-date=January 11, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190111175731/http://www.production-ig.com/contents/works_sp/60_/s08_/000840.html |url-status=live }}
- Magic User's Club: Script (eps 2–6), novelization (1,2,5,6)
- Malice@Doll: Script, original story{{cite web|title=Done with Computers - The Mike Toole Show|url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/the-mike-toole-show/2012-08-26|website=Anime News Network|access-date=January 11, 2019|archive-date=2019-01-11|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190111181006/https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/the-mike-toole-show/2012-08-26|url-status=live}}
- Mononoke: Script {{cite web |last=Planty |first=Blake |title=ESSAY: Stranger in a Stranger Land — How Chiaki J. Konaka Made Aughties Anime Terrifying |url=https://www.crunchyroll.com/news/deep-dives/2020/10/31/essay-stranger-in-a-stranger-land-how-chiaki-j-konaka-made-aughties-anime-terrifying |website=www.crunchyroll.com |access-date=8 August 2023 |archive-date=10 August 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230810230121/https://www.crunchyroll.com/news/deep-dives/2020/10/31/essay-stranger-in-a-stranger-land-how-chiaki-j-konaka-made-aughties-anime-terrifying |url-status=live }}{{cite news |last=Egan |first=Toussaint |title=Cult classic anime Mononoke returns with a new film next summer |url=https://www.polygon.com/2023/8/4/23819984/mononoke-movie-trailer-summer-2024-announcement |access-date=8 August 2023 |work=Polygon |date=4 August 2023 |archive-date=5 August 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230805135747/https://www.polygon.com/2023/8/4/23819984/mononoke-movie-trailer-summer-2024-announcement |url-status=live }}
- Parasite Dolls: Script{{cite web|last=MacLean|first=Nicole|url=http://www.themanime.org/viewreview.php?id=1454|title=THEM Anime Reviews 4.0 - Parasite Dolls|work=themanime.org|access-date=January 11, 2019|archive-date=January 11, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190111175346/http://www.themanime.org/viewreview.php?id=1454|url-status=live}}
- Princess Tutu: Script (4, 9, 22, 23){{cite web|title=Princess Tutu - Review|url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/review/princess-tutu|website=Anime News Network|access-date=January 11, 2019|archive-date=November 11, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131111045002/http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/review/princess-tutu|url-status=live}}
- RahXephon: Screenplay (episodes 11–12, 17–18, 24–25){{cite web |title=RahXephon DVD 1|url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/review/rahxephon/dvd-1|website=Anime News Network |access-date=January 11, 2019}}
- RahXephon: Pluralitas Concentio: Screenplay{{cite web |title=Rahxephon: Pluralitas Concentio DVD - Review|url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/review/rahxephon-pluralitas-concentio/dvd|website=Anime News Network |access-date=January 11, 2019}}
- Serial Experiments Lain: Miniseries composition, script
- Shadow Star: Series composition, script (eps 1–3, 12–13){{cite web |title=なるたるアニメ版逐話読解 |url=http://www.geocities.jp/kassouki/naru-ani.htm |publisher=Yahoo! GeoCities |access-date=January 11, 2019 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20190111084245/http://www.geocities.jp/kassouki/naru-ani.htm |archive-date=January 11, 2019 |language=ja |url-status=dead}}
- Texhnolyze: Series composition, script, scenario{{cite web|title=Texhnolyze DVD 1 - Review|url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/review/texhnolyze/dvd-1|website=Anime News Network|access-date=January 11, 2019|archive-date=July 25, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220725063742/https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/review/texhnolyze/dvd-1|url-status=live}} (episodes 1–4, 6, 12, 20–22)
- Undead Girl Murder Farce: Script (eps 5-8){{cite web |title=Undead Murder Farce (TV)|url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/encyclopedia/anime.php?id=27569|website=Anime News Network |access-date=August 26, 2023}}
- Vampire Princess Miyu: Script (ep 20)
=Television dramas=
- Ultraman: Towards the Future: Original story (episodes 4, 11)
- Ultraman Tiga: Screenplay (eps 3, 5-6, 9, 19-20, 25, 34-35, 43-44, 50-52)
- Ultraman Gaia: Series composition, screenplay (eps 1-3, 5, 10, 18, 26, 40, 42, 50-51)
- Ultra Q: Dark Fantasy: Screenplay (episodes 7, 24-25)
- Ultraman Max: Screenplay (eps 27, 29-30, 38-39)
= Cthulhu Mythos =
- Cthulhu's Strange Record
- Insumasu wo Oou Kage (a Japanese television adaptation of The Shadow Over Innsmouth)
- "Terror Rate", a short story included in Volume 2 of the Lairs of the Hidden Gods anthology (Kurodahan Press: {{ISBN|4-902075-12-1}})
= Novel =
- Marebito (also screenplay of 2004 feature film)
= Video games =
- Serial Experiments Lain
- Kowloon's Curse {{cite web |title=Kowloon's Curse Launches Kickstarter Campaign, Adds Serial Experiments Lain Writer, Character Designer|url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/press-release/2021-03-23/kowloon-curse-launches-kickstarter-campaign-adds-serial-experiments-lain-writer-character-designer/.170980|website=Anime News Network |access-date=October 20, 2022}}
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
- {{Official website|http://www.konaka.com}}
- {{Official website|http://www.bear-bros.sakura.ne.jp|Bear Brothers Ltd.}}
- {{Official website|http://b-o-maruyama.jugem.jp|Blog by the lecturers of the Screenwriting Course at Eigabi School}}
- {{Isfdb name|id=137737|name=Chiaki Konaka}}
{{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Konaka, Chiaki J.}}
Category:Cthulhu Mythos writers
Category:Japanese screenwriters
Category:Japanese horror writers
Category:Japanese former Christians