[150th Episode Commemoration] Interview with Author Jet Inoue
The 4-panel comic "Inagi Nashinosuke Goes" published in the Inagi Newsletter on the 1st of every month.
To commemorate reaching the 150th episode on January 1, 2026, we conducted an interview with the author, Mr. Jet Inoue!
Please enjoy the passionate thoughts shared on November 5, 2023, at the Inagi Communication Base Pair Terrace!
About Mr. Inoue Jet
Profile
Active as a multi-creator involved in game design and planning, animation production, character design, and more.
Responsible for the artwork of Inagi City's official image characters "Inagi Nashinosuke" and "Onekan Warrior Inagi Pedalion," designed by mechanical designer Kunio Okawara.
I have been responsible for the illustrations and manga of Inagi Nashinosuke for 12 years.
Q: Please tell us about your pen name.
A: It carries the meaning of wanting to be someone who, like a jet plane with powerful thrust, carries everyone forward. I think you can understand this when you fly on an airplane; when taking off, you can feel, "Jet engines are this powerful!" A jet plane uses a jet engine as its power source and takes you from where you are to many fun places. When I participate in creative activities, I chose this pen name with the hope of being a creator who can push projects forward like a jet engine.
I have been using it for many years since I started my creator activities. It was even before I became involved with Inagi City. One reason is that my real name is written with ateji (phonetic kanji) and is not a name that everyone can immediately read correctly at a glance, so I wanted a pen name that would be easy to understand at first sight.
Q: What is your relationship with Mr. Kunio Okawara?
A: Of course, I am a huge fan of Mr. Okawara. When I was a child, I watched Gundam, Dougram, the Time Bokan series, and others on TV, and I was captivated by Okawara’s mechanical designs, which combine playfulness with elegant curves.
After finishing school, I first joined a game company, where I was in charge of game planning and cinematic scenes (movie-like scenes within games). Back then, CG software was very expensive, and because I was at a game company, I was able to work on CG movie projects. Later, I became involved in the production project of the anime "SD Gundam Force" at Sunrise Inc. (now Bandai Namco Filmworks Inc.), a company famous for producing Gundam animations, where I was able to direct CG animation. Subsequently, while working on various Sunrise-related projects, I had the opportunity to work with Mr. Okawara. He was truly someone I admired, and then he approached me saying, "We’re going to create a yuru-chara (mascot character), so I’d like your help." I was very surprised. There was no greater honor, so I responded that I would definitely help, and that’s how I became involved with "Inagi Nashinosuke."
The request from Mr. Okawara to me during the creation of Nashinosuke was to draw "Nashinosuke in various poses" based on the design sketches of Nashinosuke that he had newly drawn. I was very happy and thought, "I can’t believe I’m being entrusted with such an important task," so I worked hard on the illustrations. Although Mr. Okawara told me, "A few patterns are fine," I ended up drawing and submitting about 10 patterns. Later, when the information was released from Inagi City that "the city’s official character has been created," the magazine page actually featured the illustrations I had submitted to Mr. Okawara. I was completely surprised. "It’s not the teacher’s design sketches, but my illustrations that are published?!" I thought that perhaps Mr. Okawara submitted them to Inagi City without saying anything, and the city officials at the time might have published the illustrations without knowing that I was the one who drew them.
After that, the teacher said, "Let's continue creating Nashinosuke together," so I have been working with him ever since. I have never lost the feelings of gratitude and excitement for being able to be involved in the "Mechanic Designer Kunio Okawara Project" together with him.
Q What other responsibilities have you had in the "Mechanic Designer Kunio Okawara Project" besides illustrating Nashinosuke?
A I have been in charge of the project’s logo design and the illustration of "Onekan Warrior Inagi Pedalion," the city’s original character symbolizing "Inagi, the Bicycle Town," which appeared in 2021. Since FY2023, I have also served as a judge for submissions to the "Mecha Design Contest" and as an instructor for a mecha design workshop that provides tips for contest applicants.
About the 4-panel comic "Inagi Nashinosuke Goes"
Q What was the trigger for starting the series?
A I enjoyed drawing 4-panel comics as a hobby. When Nashinosuke was created, I wanted to post 4-panel comics of Nashinosuke on my own website and social media as a hobby, so I tried making about seven 4-panel comics. I contacted a staff member from the Policy and Planning Division, who was in charge of Nashinosuke-related matters at the time, to get permission to publish them. It seems that the mayor even saw those comics, and the city suggested, "Why not publish them in the public relations magazine?" and it was decided. I thought, "If they are going to publish it, I need to make it properly," so I redid it and that became the first episode.
For the first episode, since there was already a monument (a clock tower donated by the International Soroptimist) at Yanokuchi Station, I thought it would be interesting to make the reason why the monument is there the theme, so I drew it. Nashinosuke's catchphrase was listed as "Yellow Comet" on the website, so I included that as well. This illustration looks just like a meteorite though (laughs). If Nashinosuke was born as the Yellow Comet in Yanokuchi, that would explain why the monument is there. The nickname of Char Aznable, a character from the anime series "Mobile Suit Gundam," is the "Red Comet," so I believe the city at that time consciously gave Nashinosuke the catchphrase "Yellow Comet."
Q: Please tell us about "Nachinochuke (Nacchi)".
A: I thought a character to talk with Inagi Nashinosuke was needed in the manga, so I introduced Nacchi with the setting of a pear fairy born from a pear orchard somewhere in the city. She is small and friendly, isn't she?
You can see Nacchi during the annual "Yanokuchi Station Front Kirakira Festa" held at Yanokuchi Station. Are you aware of it?
The Nashinosuke clock tower installed at Yanokuchi Station, like those at other stations, features Nashinosuke alone, but during the illumination period, Nacchi makes an appearance. I believe it is created by the executive committee (Yanokuchi Station Front Kirakira Festa Executive Committee). They also seem to make and dress Nacchi in different costumes every year, which I find very touching.
I was deeply moved by it and included it in the manga as well (Episode 104). In the manga, it appears as a hat commemorating the 50th anniversary of Inagi's city status enforcement and the 10th anniversary of Inagi Nashinosuke's birth. I confirmed with the executive committee, asking, "Is it okay to feature this in the manga?"
Since Nashinosuke is the city's official character, we can't let him do anything too sneaky. So, Nacchi takes care of the wild antics instead (laughs).
Anecdote
Nacchi seems to like money, and I have received feedback that this is a good trait. This originated from the idea that Inagi City (as a municipality) is operated with taxes, so I wanted to depict stories about taxes. However, since tax topics can become very complicated, I created several stories themed around "money" as something close to taxes. Since this is a great opportunity, I hope to occasionally include material that can broaden readers' awareness in some way. I try to balance the storytelling so it doesn’t become boring with only difficult topics.
[City Employee] The topic in the previous issue (December 2025 issue, episode 149) was also a tough theme: "human rights." The question "Do robots have human rights?" really makes you think. Previously, there was also a story about "robots rust and can't go into the pool" (episode 144), and it was interesting how Nashinosuke being a robot was used as the punchline.
Since Nashinosuke is a robot, he cannot operate when it rains on event days. I wanted to be able to express that. In fact, shortly after Nashinosuke was created, the city’s website also mentioned this, along with the fact that he is not good at rock-paper-scissors.
Recently, we have been receiving more event information from City Hall as material, which is enjoyable. For example, the “Children’s Experience Workshop ‘Let’s Experience a Musical!’ (Episode 143),” which was based on information provided earlier, featured the “Inagi Children’s Musical,” a group that has been active in Inagi for a long time. I had been personally interested in them and wanted to go see their performances. Although I hadn’t had the chance to visit before, I thought it was a good opportunity to feature them in the manga. The content was just barely acceptable, though (laughs).
Q About the Fake Nashinosuke
A You know about the "Fake Nashinosuke," huh? The Fake Nashinosuke does not appear in "Nashinosuke Goes." Since it’s an impostor, it’s not supposed to appear in the spotlight (though you might see it on some parts of social media). The Fake Nashinosuke does quite a few questionable things, so if Inagi City were to officially reference it, I think it would cause a stir (laughs). The character and manga were created with the idea of doing things that Inagi Nashinosuke can’t do, to introduce Inagi and Nashinosuke, and it has become very popular with some people—I also really like it myself.
It is unofficial, but please try looking for it if you like.
"Fake Nashinosuke" admires Inagi Nashinosuke and apparently supports Nashinosuke behind the scenes.
Q What are your honest thoughts on the manga reaching 150 episodes?
A Although it is just one four-panel comic per month, that single piece carries significant weight. I often find myself struggling with what content would be best, but my gratitude for being able to serialize this for approximately 150 months outweighs those concerns.
Q What is the process until the manga is completed?
A As the deadline at the end of each month approaches, I look at the Inagi Newsletter from a year ago to think about what upcoming events there might be in Inagi City as ideas for the story. Sometimes, the people of Inagi City provide topics and ideas as well. Then, after much trial and error, I first create a rough draft (name). The rough draft is checked by the person in charge at Inagi City, and if there are no issues, I proceed with inking and coloring to complete the manuscript for submission.
Q Do you have a favorite story?
A I like the stories where the giant monster Inagiras appears in Inagi City (episodes 8, 9, etc.) and the stories where Nashinosuke combines into the giant robot "Super Nashinosuke Robo" (episodes 10, 26, etc.). The Super Nashinosuke Robo was designed by Mr. Okawara. When I showed Mr. Okawara a rough sketch saying, "I wanted to turn Nashinosuke into a giant robot, so I drew this design; what do you think?" he sent me a design drawing saying, "I drew it properly." I was surprised and thought, "Wow! He actually drew it!" (laughs). So I want to have it appear again (it appears in the January 1, 2026 issue).
Super Nashinosuke Robo has been turned into 3DCG by fans, and some have even made plastic models of it.
Also, I like the story where the City Hall of Inagi City transforms into a robot (Episode 34), as well as stories where other characters make guest appearances.
Episode 16, which featured "Sorakkii" from Ozora Town, a Sister City of Inagi City in Hokkaido, and "Tsukutsuku Okhotsk-kun," a PR character from Okhotsk, is a memorable story because it involved the extra step of requesting permission for character use from the other party. At that time, I personally coordinated the usage permissions for the characters, but some permissions were confirmed through the City Hall's Policy and Planning Division, which was in charge of Nashinosuke-related projects back then. "Verdy-kun," the honorary mascot of Tokyo Verdy, is also one of them (Episodes 12, 23, etc.). Around 2012 to 2015, Verdy-kun was often teased about his sagging belly, so I thought it might be good to use that as a theme. It was approved without issue (laughs).
I also like Episode 29, which featured the Digital Agency's My Number PR character, "Mai-chan." It made me think that a new system (the My Number system) had come about. We properly obtained permission from the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications to use Mai-chan.
[City Employee] When Maina-chan appeared and started a competition with Nashinosuke, I thought it was quite a bold storyline. Nashis were not issued My Number Cards, though (laughs).
I believe Nashinosuke is a character created to help people outside the city get to know Inagi and its residents. In "Nashinosuke Goes," Nashinosuke and Nacchi are depicted, but the true protagonists of Inagi are the people of Inagi City, and Nashinosuke and the others serve to convey everyone’s achievements.
In the manga, I also want to focus on the "people" within the city.
[City Employee]Although not about "people," Episode 129 is also unique and impressive. A character designed by a member of the public, who was a winner of the current flagship project "Mechanical Designer Kunio Okawara Project" and the "Mecha Design Contest," appeared in the manga.
I thought it might be interesting to feature the award-winning works from the Mecha Design Contest in the manga. I was able to meet the designer in person at the award ceremony, so I consulted with them about publishing it on the spot. Later, through the city, the manuscript was reviewed and permission was obtained, leading to its publication.
[City Staff]Is there a possibility that entries from the Mecha Design Contest will continue to appear in the manga?
I cannot make any promises, and it also depends on whether the design is easy to feature as a story element, but if the creator agrees, I would personally like to draw it.
I want to depict as many unique stories of Inagi as possible. I've heard the story that "there are horses in Inagi," and I've really wanted to go see them (Note: Kiso horses in the Hirao area). Also, why and who installed the kappa stone statue in Shiroyama Park (Koyodai area, upstream of the waterway inside Shiroyama Park)? ... If there are local stories from other districts, I would like to know about them as well. I also want to feature fields and farms. There are still many topics I want to cover. We also welcome the provision of photos and materials! When the Goat Rangers who eat weeds appeared in Wakabadai, I conducted on-site research, reached the manager, obtained permission, and was able to turn it into a manga.
Q Was there a story that was particularly difficult to produce?
A I don’t remember anything being difficult because recalling tough moments makes it painful (laughs).
...But if I had to pick one, it would be when I casually decided to walk to see the "Inagi Nagamine Verdy Field" in the Nagamine District for research, and it turned out to be much farther than I expected, which was tough... I’ve also walked to the "Clean Center Tamagawa" (Inagi City’s waste incineration facility), and that was quite a distance on foot as well (laughs). This place was once used as Ultraman’s base. So from here, I also introduced Nashinosuke coming from the same place as Ultraman (Episode 87).
Q: Have there been any unexpected expansions of characters like Nashinosuke or Nacchi during the serialization?
A: Not really… (laughs)
[City Official] Is that so!?
Since Nashinosuke is an official character, I’ve been hesitant to expand his character too much. As mentioned earlier, the standard setup is "Nacchi joking around and Nashinosuke scolding her with an 'Oi, oi.'"
[City Staff] While there is a standard setup, during the popularity vote commemorating the 150th manga episode, there were also comments sent to Jet-sensei saying, "Push the boundaries more!"
Is that so? We're already pushing the limits quite a bit! We've even turned City Hall into a robot (Episode 34).
Personal Off-Time and More
Q What are your ways to refresh and hobbies other than creating?
A As for hobbies other than creating, recently I enjoy making works using generative AI (artificial intelligence and its technology that generates images, audio, program code, etc. based on training data)... oh, that was actually creating. My hobbies that also serve as ways to refresh are traveling, taking baths, marine sports, and meeting friends.
Creating works with generative AI is somewhat like research for anime-related work. While the voices are provided by voice actors (humans), the images are all produced by AI, and we are conducting an experiment to see if an anime can be realized this way by also making short animations. In another hobby anime project, the voices are also generated by AI.
When I drew episode 112 in 2022, even using AI, I could only do about this much (see panels 2 and 3). Although the capabilities were more limited than now, I was still surprised when it appeared. The accuracy of generative AI has improved dramatically since then.
Regarding marine sports, I have been swimming for a long time, so I want to take up surfing as a hobby. However, there is no sea in the area where I was born and raised, nor in Inagi, so I haven't been able to do it much... I wonder if being in a mountain environment makes me want to go to the sea. I'm lacking in marine sports (laughs).
Q What is your secret to maintaining motivation despite being busy with various requests from Inagi City?
A I believe that being able to make a living through creative work such as manga and design is a valuable opportunity, and I am very grateful to receive such requests.
The main characters of Inagi City are Inagi City itself and, above all, the residents and workers of Inagi. I hope to be of some help, even if only a little, in promoting the good points and achievements of Inagi City and its citizens. This feeling of needing to cherish these things continues to be my motivation.
Q What works have influenced you?
A I have been influenced by many things, so it’s difficult to single out any particular one, but I suppose it would be the anime series "Mobile Suit Gundam." My favorite series is "Z (Zeta) Gundam." I vaguely remember watching "Fang of the Sun Dougram" and "Mobile Suit Gundam" when I was a child. "Dougram" has a complex story, and as an adult, I thought, "How did I watch such a complicated story as a kid?" The story of "Gundam" is also not exactly aimed at children. So even if we adults feel, "This might be a difficult story," I realized that it still reaches children properly. From this experience, when creating works aimed at children, I don’t think in terms of "dumbing it down" or anything like that; I want to face them sincerely and believe that "what we want to say will be understood." In that sense, the influence from the "Gundam" series and Sunrise productions has been significant for me.
[Municipal Staff]The difficult tax topics you mentioned earlier can also be turned into four-panel comics, which is a clever way to help a wide range of people understand them.
Every December, the city's financial situation is published in the Inagi Newsletter, right? I wanted to feature that as a four-panel comic topic, so I created a story involving a pocket money ledger. If children like Nacchi develop the habit of thinking about their own financial situation from an early age, I think the number of people who struggle with money will decrease. Also, I have been greatly influenced by both Fujiko Fujio masters. In episode 47, the golf story is drawn in a style that pays homage to Fujiko Fujio A's "Pro Golfer Saru." Then, in episode 51, which features Yasumitsu Sato, the lifetime Kisei titleholder in shogi, the drawing style is influenced by Master A. I wanted to express the fighting spirit of shogi through the artwork.
I also like the story about the time machine shaped like Inagi City Hall (Episode 57) (laughs).
[City Employee]Inagi City Hall travels to various places, doesn’t it? Like space (Episode 107).
Inagi City Hall has a great shape! I think it's very stylish. It looks like a rocket.
[City Staff]Indeed, there are protrusions on both sides. Since I go to work there regularly, I had gotten used to seeing it.
I added the cockpit on my own, but this is the shape of City Hall.
[City Employee]Even in the LINE stickers, City Hall is trying to go somewhere, right?
That's right (laughs). The fire station also has an interesting shape, though.
[City Employee] 8The one that looks like it's about to be attacked in the story is also City Hall, right?
That's right (laughs).
[City Employee]You can also see City Hall in the background of the first panel of episode 9. The "Friendly Beam" that appeared in this story is a peaceful and wonderful idea.
That's right. Nashinosuke believes it's wrong to defeat someone.
Anecdote
Speaking of which, when Nashinosuke was just born and in the early days, he was sometimes brought out to events by staff members and would occasionally strike a pose with his left hand raised and right hand lowered. When I saw that, I thought he was making the "Inagi no I" pose. So I asked the staff about it, and they actually responded, "Oh, really?" (laughs). It seems they hadn’t really thought about it. But since that’s how I saw it, I wanted to make it a bit of a trend, so I’ve been using the term "Inagi no I" occasionally ever since.
[City Employee]So Jet-sensei was the originator of the "Inagi no I" pose. It has really caught on! Even now, Nashinosuke often strikes this pose at events and such.
Feelings for the City and a Message to Everyone
Q Please tell us your thoughts about Inagi City.
A I believe that the people of Inagi City are full of towns and individuals who, as stated in the Citizen Charter of Inagi City, for example, have a sense of responsibility as citizens and can help each other.
I hope that they have been and will continue to be the kind of towns and people described in the Citizen Charter.
Q Please give a message to the readers.
A Thank you for reading about Nashinosuke and Nashinosuke's manga.
The main characters of Inagi City are the people of Inagi City. I hope Nashinosuke can be an opportunity to share the good points of Inagi City and everyone's activities.
If you have any good topics, please be sure to inform the Tourism Division.
Thank you very much for today!
Thank you very much, Jet-sensei, for participating in the interview!
Dear readers, please continue to look forward to "Nashinosuke Goes"!
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