This interview with Ai Yokoyama —illustrator and character designer from Yamaguchi Prefecture, Japan— was conducted during FicZone 2025. Yokoyama is known for her versatile work in animation, including character designs for Bayonetta: Bloody Fate under Mari Shimazaki’s supervision, as well as contributions to series such as Basilisk, Usukozakura – GARO the Movie, X-MEN, and Space Battleship Tiramisu. The interview explores her career trajectory from Madhouse to freelance work, her artistic influences, techniques, and approach to character design, animation, and collaboration with musicians. Additional topics include her experiences with shōnen projects, realistic illustration styles, and her perspective on evolving digital and analogue methods in anime production. The article also documents her participation in live drawing, fan interactions, and the celebration of Basilisk’s 20th anniversary at the Anime Expo 2025.Originally published in Spanish on CoolJapan.es
Andrés Domenech Alcaide (2025) studied this question.