Utsuro no Hako:Interview

F-Rank no Boukun

Welcome to the 74th issue of "Spot the DENGEKI BUNKO" — a place where we conduct interviews with various authors under the Dengeki Bunko label. This time, we have interviewed Mikage Eiji who wrote F-Rank no Boukun 1 - Ochita Tensai no Gaisen (The F-Ranked Tyrant - Return of a Fallen Genius).

His new series takes place at the renown private school "Nanahoshi" — also known as the school of the fittest — where wits clash as the protagonist works his way up to power. The Nanahoshi school is famous for its incredibly skillful students and their nationwide achievements in various club activities. At the very core of this system, however, is a strict ranking system that is used to manage the students and digitizes their abilities, from their intelligence to their looks.

There is an absolute ruler at this school — a girl called Erika Kagurasaka, leader of the "Urban Lion" faction and holder of the title of "Pride". With the risky ambition of defeating her and ascending the throne as a tyrant, Kana Fujishiro starts his quest from the lowest place possible...

We interviewed Mikage-sensei and had him tell us more about his new series and his quirks while writing. If you like, you can read a few pages on the details page of his new series.

Dengeki: What has motivated you to write this novel?

Mikage: While writing a character called Daiya Oomine for my other series, Utsuro no Hako to Zero no Maria, I felt like writing a novel with a smart and overall "cool" protagonist. After I had made a list of several story settings that would allow me to do that, my editor and I went through them and selected the good ones.

Dengeki: What do you think are the parts where your new series shines?

Mikage: The story that keeps betraying your expectations, and the battle of wits in which the protagonist tricks and corners his enemies. Ah, and not to forget: Erika's tea-drenched socks.

Dengeki: What has posed the most difficulties during the writing process?

Mikage: I always have trouble judging where it gets off-putting for the reader.

Dengeki: How long did it take you to write the novel at hand?

Mikage: About half a year because I'm also writing Utsuro no Hako to Zero no Maria at the same time.

Dengeki: Please tell us something about the writing process of the protagonist and the heroine.

Mikage: When I actually got down to work, the personalities of the protagonist and Nanami, the heroine, just wouldn't go well together, forcing me to rewrite those passages over and over. The matter has been settled by now: Nanami comes out on the short end at all events in their interactions.

Dengeki: Where do make some extra effort when writing a novel?

Mikage: The placement of text. I try to make the text easier to read by making important passages stand out.

Dengeki: What do you do when you want to concentrate or come up with fresh ideas?

Mikage: I take a stroll whenever I lose focus.

Dengeki: Was there a piece of work or a person that particularly influenced you when you were in high school?

Mikage: I think the movie "Memento" has influenced me when it comes to writing.

Dengeki: Which author / piece of work are you currently paying attention?

Mikage: I'm looking forward to the Dangan Ronpa anime.

Dengeki: What's you addicted to right now?

Mikage: I really love the band "the mirraz."

Dengeki: Is there a game that you are playing intensively at the moment?

Mikage: I plan on getting addicted to Fate/Extra CCC (it's in my backlog).

Dengeki: Finally, do you have a message for your readers?

Mikage: People who love De*th N*te or Ka*ji might also enjoy this series! Have fun watching Kanna's "tyrannical" personality!