"Honestly, Watsuki does not disapprove of parallel stories. Maybe it’s because I’m an avid reader of..."

“Honestly, Watsuki does not disapprove of parallel stories. Maybe it’s because I’m an avid reader of American comics where parallel worlds are common, but also because to me, anime, games, novels, and live-action film adaptions are all parallels.
A parallel is “another” or “a separate” story and not a fake. I consider it as a pleasant gimmick that allows you to enjoy a piece of work in a different form. One thing you can’t do it change the character’s foundation. If you do, that would make it a fake. And fake is not okay.
Parallels are okay as long as the characters remain fascinating. Kenshin and the other characters could be in school or fight dragons in a fantasy world and it would still be okay. (Although it would be very difficult.) Perhaps there is no parallel that will top in the original, in this case Rurouni Kenshin: Meiji Swordsman Romantic Story. But it’d be a shame to reject all parallels outright. I think it’s great to passionately love the original, but refusing to recognize anything else is a shame. Please enjoy a parallel world that is not possible in reality, and beautiful trick only made possible through creativity.”

-

Watsuki Nobuhiro, Rurouni Kenshin: Restoration

All I’m hearing is “yes, write your fanfics.”

(via somethinginreturn)