Making her debut appearance to the U.S. as a guest of honor at this year’s YaoiCon 2017, Psyche Delico is a popular yaoi mangaka with over 15 published works and is known for her exceptional stories, artwork, and provocatively detailed eroticism that has helped carve herself a permanent spot in the yaoi world. Her immense talent, love for boys love (BL), and heart of pure smut made her one of this year’s main attractions as fans eagerly lined up for her Q&A panel with palpable excitement exuding all around.
Once seated inside, the first thing you saw was sensei in all of her j-rock inspired glory sitting beside her translator, ready to answer fans’ questions with the openness and care she shared throughout the weekend during her signings. It was only a few minutes later when the Q&A panel began.
Q: How did you get started in doing yaoi manga?
A: I have done a lot of doujinshis. One of my Prince of Tennis works was noticed at Comiket and it was then I was asked to do it professionally.
Q: How did you get your pen name?
A: When I was doing doujinshis, I used the name Saike Deriko. After I debuted professionally, it became Psyche Delico. The ‘Psyche’ part of my name was inspired by j-rock guitarist and artist, Hide.
Q: Were you surprised by your popularity here in the U.S.?
A: I originally didn’t expect the response I received. I was very happy that people would come see me again and again.
Q: What was Choco Strawberry Vanilla’s inspiration?
A: First of all, I wanted to draw about 3P (a three-person relationship). I wanted it to involve strangers that love each other with emotions that are somewhere in-between love. These characters have a deep affection for each other, but it’s not brotherly love. It’s a love beyond that.
Q: Will you start any new projects or will you continue to write BL?
A: I will continue to write BL. I’m currently drawing Tourou no Ori (Mantis Cage). It’s about the Showa period and involves people who are in a very deeply complex relationship.
Q: Out of your current list of works, which is your favorite?
A: I like all of them. However, if I had to pick, it would be the one I’m currently working on, Tourou no Ori. I truly think you’ll enjoy it here in the U.S. (when it becomes available). I enjoy complicated relationships and composing stories with these kinds of complexities.
Q: Do you design your stories with an end in mind or as you go?
A: Most of the time, I have an ending in mind, and then I build up in that direction. I rarely do it the other way around.
Q: What was the first BL manga you made?
A: It was a doujinshi. My friend was the one who drew it, however.
Q: When a pose is complicated, what do you use as a reference? What’s your favorite pose?
A: I prefer sex scenes. I usually research all of the poses on the internet or use posing reference books.
Q: What are some of your favorite works by other artists?
A: Those by Harada-Sensei, Sakira-Sensei, and Nekota Yonezou-Sensei (to name a few). I have a lot of favorites. Usually, the publisher gives me magazines and that’s when I see other artists’ work and go, “Oh, I like this.”
Q: What did you think of Yaoi Bingo and Bishounen Auction?
A: They were a lot of fun.
Q: Who’s your favorite bishounen?
Psyche Delico: Gale. He’s so cute.
Translator: Sensei tipped the captain too. We couldn’t even catch her doing it. We had to play the moment back on the phone and see it- she ran and threw the money! She was so quick and shy!
Q: Have you been enjoying your time here at YaoiCon so far?
Psyche Delico: Yes.
Translator: Especially the artist alley. I’m not kidding. We looped around 4-5 times non-stop every day.
Q: Favorite seme and uke type?
A: Before, I used to prefer it was the younger boy who would be the seme, but now I’ve graduated into liking the older one as the seme instead. For ukes, I like different types. I like a lot of different combinations.
Q: Do you have a preference in genre?
A: I enjoy different types of genre. Dark-themed works are a nice challenge. Comedic works are easier, but are still challenging as well.
Q: What is your favorite part of a man’s body?
A: The calves.
Q: What do you tell friends and family regarding what you do?
A: My family knows I’m a mangaka. When it comes to other people I know, however, it depends on who’s asking.
Q: Is there anything memorable that has happened during your career?
A: Usually, right before a deadline, I tend to fall asleep then wake up and draw before falling asleep again. It’s a repeat cycle. It’s no fun.
Q: Have you ever thought about quitting and doing something else instead?
A: No, I’ve never thought about quitting. I sometimes reach physical limitations and have to take a break, but this is the industry I love.
Q: Would you ever consider turning your work into an animated feature?
A: I’ve never thought about it. But I would prefer a live-action adaption over an anime.
Q: Do you have any favorite characters from your own manga?
A: Tarou from Jun Ai Ero Ki (Pure Love’s Sexy Time) maybe. I like a lot of the characters I’ve made.
Q: Any favorite anime?
A: Fate/Zero. I’ll play it over and over again. I really like it.
Q: How many pages do you have to do for each deadline?
A: Almost every month, I have to turn in 13 pages. Like right now, every two months it’s 13 pages. It’s slower than before- other artists have more to do.
Q: Do you prefer to work traditionally or digitally?
A: When I compose the sketches, I use paper and pen. When it comes to the final production of it, I use PC.
Q: What program on PC do you use?
A: I use Comic Studio and one of those big tablets you draw directly on.
Q: Are there any hobbies you have outside of manga?
A: I’m a huge j-rock fan, so I go to concerts when I have time. Buck-Tick is one of my favorite groups. I also go to musical theatrical features.
Q: What’s one of the musicals you’ve attended?
A: Prince of Tennis.
Q: How do you come up with the compositions for each page?
A: The most important scene is placed in the upper right-hand corner and is usually the most important panel. This is where most of the ecchi material goes. There are normally only 4-6 panels on each page so it’s easier for the reader. If an important scene is coming up on the next page, it’s designed so as soon as you turn to it you discover the answer right away. Readability and the flow of the story are very important in keeping a reader’s attention. It’s usually visual hierarchy.
Q: When you’re stuck, how do you keep yourself motivated?
A: I’ll usually be sneaky and I’ll try not to do any of the work needed until the last minute when I have no other choice but to take action.
Q: What’s the first thing you think about when designing a character?
A: I usually begin by thinking about what they’ll look like and what my type of guy is. Then I figure out their personality. I’ll sometimes change the hair later on to make drawing them more enjoyable.
Q: Did you have culture shock when you came here to America?
A: I’ve been surrounded by Japanese speakers the whole time, so it’s not too much of a shock. Next time, I want to speak English on my own. What did manage to shock me though were the food portion sizes here. I ordered chocolate cake last night and it was five times bigger than what I’d normally get in Japan. It felt too big.
(She and Sakira both referenced food in their panels because they went to the same restaurant together.)
Q: Would you want to come back?
A: I’d really like to come back. This was like a luxury tour for me.
Last message to fans:
Thank you for coming to see me!
Want to read some of Psyche Delico-Sensei’s work? Visit junemanga.com and get yourself digital copies of her available stories today! You can also visit her on Twitter @_dlc_psyche or on her pixiv or personal website to view more of her captivating work now!
View this article as a pdf by going here!
©Psyche Delico/ Digital Manga, Inc. All rights reserved.
Anime Go PLUS+ 
Leave a comment