Fishball’s My Giant Nerd Boyfriend webtoon is one of the platform’s most beloved titles. Providing an intimate view into her and her husband’s often comedic endeavors, it also explores complex themes like insecurities and loss, giving a rather rare level of access into this tight-knit family unit. It’s currently the most-liked ongoing series on WEBTOON US, with 73 million likes, and just passed Lore Olympus as the platform’s most-liked title of all time. It was the first on the US platform to receive an animated series and recently passed the milestone of 1000 episodes earlier this year. She now has another massive and fast-approaching target in her sights. In this exclusive interview with Anime Corner, Fishball looks back on her career and forward to new and fruitful experiences, like her in-person appearance at MCM x EGX in London later this month.
Q: You’ll be surrounded by many creatives at the Artist Alley at this year’s MCM x EGX. What do you feel about being in that setting alongside other creators, be it competition or community?
Fishball: Community, of course! It’ll be a blast getting to hang out and discover other creators and their works/stories! I can’t wait to be there!
Q: With your work being online and intimate in a sense, what do you feel your fans are seeking from you in person at these events? What are you seeking from them?
Fishball: It’s probably in the same vein as meeting up with an old friend who has lived very far away! I am very excited to meet those fans staying in this part of the world. I’ve had readers tell me that meeting me at comic conventions feels like seeing an old friend, and from my point of view it’s in the same vein of meeting a pen pal! Seeing different people from all walks of life, reading and relating to my own life stories itself, is a wonderful experience.
Q: Let’s say there’s a lost lamb attending these physical events looking for something new. How do you connect with them, and in turn, connect them with your story?
Fishball: Strike up a conversation, show them my prints and merchandise to get them interested in the characters, and send them a link to the webcomic site!
Q: What are the panels and events at MCM x EGX you’re most looking forward to?
Fishball: Oh, there are so many! Indie publishing 101, Storytelling in Non-Traditional media with the McElroys, Speculative Young Adult Fiction — there are too many cool events going on! The voice cast of Baldur’s Gate is here too, I hope we can catch a glimpse of them!
Q: What do you think draws people so much to My Giant Nerd Boyfriend?
Fishball: I think it’s because it’s easy to read? The episodes started off at 4 to 5 panels per episode, which slowly grew to about 15 to 20 panels, but it won’t take up too much time to read one. My content is also fairly light-hearted (most of the time!) and relatable to daily life, maybe that’s why people find the stories entertaining and endearing.
Q: The bite-sized chapters have been a big hit with fans, was that a format you chose specifically for an intended impact/effect?
Fishball: My Giant Nerd Boyfriend was originally created for myself, as a way of recording snippets of my daily life, with images and a bit of text attached. I guess that’s where it slowly evolved into little comic strips! Sometimes I do tell stories that are a little longer, which are split into a few chapters.
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Q: The series is autobiographical, but are there any differences between the webtoon and real versions of you and your partner?
Fishball: MGNB is made up of 70% reality and 30% others (Alternate universe, fantasy, etc.) The height difference is definitely real, for sure! Though, sometimes it’s a little exaggerated for laughs.
Q: Very early on (Chapter 21), you did an episode where you showcased the differences between your and your husband’s art styles to explain why the latter wouldn’t be the ideal choice for your webtoon. What stylistic choices do you personally make to best convey your life and the messages you wish to express?
Fishball: My husband’s art style is a little more on the realistic side, and while I think it’s beautiful, it’s just way too time consuming for a webcomic series that updates 3 times per week! I’ve kept my art style simple and concise to be able to keep up with the deadline, and write down ideas whenever I can so that I can refer to them later.
Q: How does it feel to cross 1000 episodes, and how is it a testament to efforts on your side, be it changes in your planning, working arrangements, support systems etc.? How have you managed to keep consistent for so long?
Fishball: It does feel unreal to have made so many episodes! I have never expected MGNB to have lasted this long, and still have new readers after so many years. It wouldn’t have been possible without the reader’s comments and encouragement, and I am truly grateful to them.
Q: Is 1 billion views the next milestone you’re looking at or do you actually just not worry about those sorts of things?
Fishball: It’ll be nice to hit the 1 billion milestone! There will be celebrations for sure!
Q: The series has gone through multiple evolutions in a sense, not least the ‘unofficial’ name changes of the webtoon itself. What would you describe as the biggest changes?
Fishball: I think one of the more noticeable changes happened after my father passed away. I used to make more serious/somber stories before his passing, but after that, they seem to carry a bit more weight in them? Especially when I reminisce on little stories about him.
What motivated the different art style and paneling in more recent chapters?
Fishball: I have always experimented with storytelling/paneling with MGNB actually! It’s been over a thousand episodes, after all. I think my readers would appreciate something new and fresh once in a while as I do enjoy trying out new art styles/paneling in MGNB! (While still being relevant to the series, of course.)
Q: Some might think of WEBTOON titles and think of longer, more plot-driven stories. Do you agree with that view? Was it a challenge to carve out your own space when you first started?
Fishball: I wouldn’t disagree, as there’s a certain truth to that assumption, but there ARE a handful of short strips like mine on WEBTOON too! A few of my favorites are Safely Endangered, Bluechair, and Adventures of God!
Q: Are there any fellow webcomics that you’d love to see an animated or live-action adaptation for?
Fishball: Oh, I’d love to see Hooky (by Míriam Bonastre Tur) being animated! Her world-building is fantastic and her characters are really lovable!
Q: What’s your most memorable experience at a physical event?
Fishball: When people from very very far away came to an event just to see me! It’s very very touching, I almost felt undeserving of that. All I can do to give back is to make better stories!
Q: With MCM x EGX being in England’s capital, is there anything about the city you’re most looking forward to?
Fishball: We are searching for the best English breakfast spot in the city! And if time permits, visit a few museums, maybe even a stroll in Hyde Park. I heard it’s beautiful in Autumn! Oh, and also grab a bite at Borough Market! I am open to recommendations on what to do in London as well!
Q: Now that you’re in your eighth year of serialization, what were some things you wished you could do in 2017 that you can do now? Are there any things you wish you could do now, that you hope to do in the future?
Fishball: It’s been eight years huh! Time does fly when you are busy with work. I am currently happy with what I’m doing right now, making comics and joining comic conventions to meet new people and fans. However, I do hope to have a chance to tell different stories in the future!
I’d like to thank Fishball for the interview opportunity — You can check out My Giant Nerd Boyfriend on WEBTOON and follow her on X/Twitter and Instagram. As Fishball said, she is looking for recommendations for her time in London.
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