Close Menu
  • Login
  • Support Us
  • Newsletter
  • News
  • Features
  • Interviews
  • Reviews
    • Video Games
      • Previews
      • PC
      • PS5
      • Xbox Series X/S
      • Nintendo Switch
      • Xbox One
      • PS4
      • Tabletop
    • Film
    • TV
    • Anime
    • Comics
      • BOOM! Studios
      • Dark Horse Comics
      • DC Comics
      • IDW Publishing
      • Image Comics
      • Indie Comics
      • Marvel Comics
      • Oni-Lion Forge
      • Valiant Comics
      • Vault Comics
  • Podcast
  • More
    • Event Coverage
    • BWT Recommends
    • RSS Feeds
Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram
Support Us
But Why Tho?
RSS Facebook X (Twitter) YouTube
Trending:
  • Features
    Cosmic Spider-Man card details

    [EXCLUSIVE PREVIEW] The Spider-Man Set Gets A 5-Color Legendary Spider

    09/02/2025
    Lee Corso from College Football GameDay in EA Sports games

    EA Sports Always Understood Lee Corso’s Legacy

    09/01/2025
    Peacemaker Season 2 Episode 2 But Why Tho 10

    Spider-Man Is Coming To Magic And It’s Just Like The Comics

    08/29/2025
    Star Wars Visions Volume 3 Black

    ‘Black’ Sets The Tone For A Bold New Mixtape In ‘Star Wars Visions: Volume 3’

    08/28/2025
    Olivia Colman in The Roses

    ‘The Roses’ Is A Reimagining, Not A Remake, And That’s Why It Works So Well

    08/27/2025
  • Indie Games
  • K-Dramas
  • Netflix
  • Apple TV+
But Why Tho?
Home » Interviews » INTERVIEW: ‘RYUKO’ Manga Creator Eldo Yoshimizu

INTERVIEW: ‘RYUKO’ Manga Creator Eldo Yoshimizu

LaNeysha CampbellBy LaNeysha Campbell10/18/20194 Mins ReadUpdated:11/14/2021
Share
Facebook Twitter Pinterest Reddit WhatsApp Email

Eldo Yoshimizu Interview

Japanese sculptor and mangaka, Eldo Yoshimizu, recently had his first manga series, RYUKO, officially published in English for the first time. The two-part series, written and drawn by Yoshimizu, is a crime thriller manga that is filled with intrigue and conspiracy on almost every side that also dives into the complexities of morality.

Get BWT in your inbox!

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter and get the latest and greated in entertainment coverage.
Click Here

Get BWT in your inbox!

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter and get the latest and greated in entertainment coverage.
Click Here

The story centers on Ryuko, a powerful and formidable Yakuza princess, who took over her family’s gang after she killed her father and now seeks revenge for people that kidnapped her mother. While her kidnapped mother also serves to connect the plot as the narrative dives into the criminal underworld in the Middle East, China, and with an unknown terrorist organization. There’s plenty of action-packed shootouts, motorcycles, dramatic reveals along the way as Ryuko leaves a bloody trail through her enemies and to uncovering the truth. The series was also the first manga included in Titan Comics’ Hard Case Crime line, a brand that is focused on hard-hitting crime fiction.

Having reviewed and enjoyed the series, I was excited to have the opportunity to interview Eldo Yoshimizu to discuss his manga further.


But Why Tho?: Something I enjoyed about RYUKO was that it pays homage to classic gangster cinema. Where did your interest in that genre come from? And do you have a specific film or story in the genre that you like within it?

Yoshimizu: I liked the French 60’s movies starring Jean Gabin and Alain Delon. Recently, I like Korean crime movies most. My favorite movies are Les Aventuriers and HANA-BI. My favorite crime movie is Mélodie en sous-sol,  HEAT, The Yellow Sea (Korean), Sonatine.

But Why Tho?: This manga tackles the moral complexities of “good” and “evil” through a variety of characters such as Russian assassins, the Afghan war, Chinese triads, and Yakuza. What inspired you to create a story that explores the complexities of morality through the lens of different characters?

Yoshimizu: I like a multi-view story. I was influenced by these: Paul Haggis’ Crash and Alejandro González Iñárritu’s 21 Grams and Babel

But Why Tho?: Let’s talk about the titular character Ryuko. On the outside, when we first met her in Volume 1, she appears to be ruthless and cold Yakuza Boss. However, in Volume 2, as the story goes on, we see that she has a genuinely kind heart, carries years of guilt, and all while having to have an immensely strong will. What was it like writing a character like with Ryuko with different layers and depth?

Yoshimizu: Ryuko is protecting the baby from the first scene. Sometimes violent and ferocious behavior is based on her beliefs. I didn’t want RYUKO to be a typical revenge story. However, expressing her growth was difficult and fun for me.  RYUKO has grown, and I have grown.

But Why Tho?: Something that has stood out to me about this manga is your ability to make objects and characters feel like they are full of life and move fluidly on the page. What’s your process for capturing fluidity in your illustrations?

Yoshimizu: The idea is similar to the cubism drawn by Picasso and Georges Braque. In a real battle, various things happen simultaneously. I wanted to express it on one page.

But Why Tho?: RYUKO was your first manga, and now that it has come to an end, do you have any interest in doing another one any time soon?

Yoshimizu: Currently, I am drawing a new work. The title is Gamma Draconis. The story is written by Benoist  Simmat. It will be published by Lezard Noir in France in the spring of 2020. After that, I plan to draw my own story.

But Why Tho?: What is one thing you’d want readers to take away from RYUKO after they finish reading it?

Yoshimizu: Live with belief.

RYUKO Volume 1 and Volume 2 by mangaka Eldo Yoshimizu are now available. 

Share. Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn WhatsApp Reddit Email
Previous ArticleREVIEW: ‘Creepshow,’ Episode 4 – “The Companion/Lydia Layne’s Better Half”
Next Article 13 Best Horror Movie Opening Scenes
LaNeysha Campbell
  • X (Twitter)
  • Instagram

Just a blerdy girl trying to get through my ever-growing list of anime, TV shows, books, and movies.

Related Posts

Final Fantasy XIV Dawntrail

Final Fantasy’s Naoki Yoshida Looks Back To Look Forward

09/03/2025
The Comic Shop

Cheyenne Ewulu’s ‘The Comic Shop’ Is The Sitcom Fandom Deserves

08/30/2025
Star Wars Visions Volume 3 BLACK Directed by Shinya Ohira

Shinya Ohira Explores Pain, Sacrifice, And Storytelling In ‘Black’ For ‘Visions Volume 3’

08/29/2025
Star Wars Visions Volume 3 James Waugh But Why Tho

James Waugh Believes Unique Expression Is The Heart Of ‘Star Wars: Visions Volume 3’

08/28/2025
Chip 'n Claws vs Brainioids promotional game still from Snapshot Games

Snapshot Games Devs Talk About How They Found Joy Developing Chip ‘N Claws

08/28/2025
Daniel Marin as Namor in Marvel Rivals

Namor’s Latinidad Is Personal For ‘Marvel Rivals’ Voice Actor Daniel Marín

08/23/2025

Get BWT in your inbox!

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter and get the latest and greated in entertainment coverage.
Click Here
TRENDING POSTS
Cosmic Spider-Man card details Features

[EXCLUSIVE PREVIEW] The Spider-Man Set Gets A 5-Color Legendary Spider

By Kate Sánchez09/02/2025Updated:09/02/2025

An exclusive look at a new 5-Color Spider entering Magic: The Gathering’s Spider-Man set, and Cosmic Spider-Man is going to be a tough one to take on.

Hololive EN at Radio City Music Hall Events

Hololive EN At Radio City Music Hall Was A Pure Expression Of Fandom

By Adrian Ruiz08/31/2025Updated:09/03/2025

Hololive EN turned Radio City in New York City into the pure expression of fandom: chants, penlights, and community in perfect sync.

Karl Anthony Towns in NBA 2k26 But Why Tho
8.5
PS5

REVIEW: ‘NBA 2K26’ Brings Basketball To Life

By Kyle Foley09/03/2025

NBA 2K26 combines improved visuals with some important tweaks to keep the series feeling fresh in the latest yearly release.

Cronos: The New Dawn Nest
8.0
PC

REVIEW: ‘Cronos: The New Dawn’ Does Post-Apocalyptic Psychological Horror Right

By Mick Abrahamson09/03/2025Updated:09/03/2025

While not particularly sacry, Cronos: The New Dawn is a lot of fun as a survival horror that puts you in the futuristic armor of the Traveler.

But Why Tho?
Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram Pinterest RSS YouTube Twitch
  • CONTACT US
  • ABOUT US
  • PRIVACY POLICY
  • SUBSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLETTER
  • Review Score Guide
Sometimes we include links to online retail stores. If you click on one and make a purchase we may receive a small contribution.
Written Content is Copyright © 2025 But Why Tho? A Geek Community

Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.

But Why Tho Logo

Support Us!

We're able to keep making content thanks to readers like YOU!
Support independent media today with
Click Here