Post-Bath – The Author’s Booth

Nice to meet you. I’m Nagaharu Hibihana. How did you enjoy Mixed Bathing in Another World Volume 1: The Hero of the Unlimited Bath?

Since you’re here, allow me to tell you a behind-the-scenes story. It takes place back when the only thing I knew was that this would be a story about a modern guy getting summoned into a fantasy world. I hadn’t even decided on the title. When I read about how medieval Europe, the main model for Western-style fantasy worlds, was less sanitary than our modern age, a question popped into my mind. Would a modern person be able to withstand living in a world that has much lower sanitation standards than ours?

Since this is fantasy, I could have just explained it with magic. But when I looked at this aspect, which people might usually ignore, I thought: “Well then, why don’t I give my character an ability that will help him live his life?” That’s where the idea for the Unlimited Bath came from.

An idea alone isn’t enough, though. The important thing was what my main character Touya was going to do with his power.

“Okay then! Mixed bathing!” That was the first thing I thought of – the first newborn cries of Mixed Bathing in Another Dimension.

No, really. That’s exactly how it went. And Masakage Hagiya-sensei is the one who drew this fantasy world of swords, sorcery, bubbles, skin, and mixed bathing. When I saw the illustrations that kept coming, I swallowed down my joy, wondering if it was really okay to include all these great illustrations with my work.

I’d also like to thank my editor, K-sama, who gave me a lot of advice, the editing department at Overlap, and everyone who was involved with the publishing and sales. I really owe you all a lot. Also, I’d like to send out a big thank you to everyone who’s been reading my work and supporting me since my web serialization days. I was only able to deliver Mixed Bathing in Another Dimension to everyone thanks to you. And finally, to everyone who was kind enough to pick up and read this book: Thank you from the bottom of my heart.

Thank you so much.

Late February, 2015 – Nagaharu Hibihana