Mitsuru Sangou is a Japanese BL (boys’ love) manga artist known primarily for her hit series Mask Danshi: This Shouldn’t Lead to Love. She appeared as a guest at Otakon 2026, and Fandom Spotlite had the honor of interviewing her!
Fandom Spotlite: Did you come here directly from Japan, or were you already in the United States?
Mitsuru Sangou: Yes, from Japan.[I flew directly] from Japan.
FS: How was your flight?
Sangou: My hips hurt! After the flight, my back hurts.
FS: How long was your flight?
Sangou: About 12 hours.
FS: Oh my goodness. Well we’re very glad to have you here! Is this your first time being a guest at a convention in the United States?
Sangou: This is my first time being in the United States as well, and first time coming to convention as a guest.
FS: Oh my gosh, welcome! That’s so exciting!
FS: Do you remember the first BL manga or anime that you read or watched?
Sangou: It’s a BL novel? Probably Honou no Mirage (Mirage [of Blaze]), the novel.
FS: Are there any mangaka that inspire you?
Sangou: Does it have to be BL manga?
FS: No.
Sangou: There’s so many mangas I love… There’s too many! Ah, Kaori Monchi!
FS: What are some examples of their work?
Sangou: Seitokaichou ni Chukoku. Oh, Hey, Class President!, that’s the English title.
FS: What do you like to do to relax when you’re not writing or drawing?
Sangou: I’m reading! Also watching anime too.
FS: All books, all the time! Books and anime.
FS: If you could go back in time and tell your 10-year-old self that one day you would be writing BL for a living, what do you think your younger self would say?
Sangou: I think I would be extremely happy. I knew about BL when I was 11, and I also loved to draw and read manga, so I would be super excited.
FS: Could you share a memorable interaction that you’ve had with a fan, whether in person or online?
Sangou: I get very happy every time I come to an autograph session. I get to meet actual fans and to learn about how much they love the work.
FS: Can you think of one fan that was just so excited, or even just said something really really nice, that you really remember?
Sangou: I love every interaction I have with every fan, but I remember a fan that cried from meeting me. So that’s very memorable.
FS: That’s so cute!
FS: How big do you think your fanbase is here in the United States?
Sangou: Before I come here, I couldn’t really imagine there are fans abroad, or if they are real, but now I’m here doing panels, interviews, different sessions, and I get to meet different people, fans, and I’m so happy that fans are loving my work.
FS: Can you tell us about anything you’re working on right now?
Sangou: This is a title that I’m currently working on and it’s not translated yet, but there’s a title called Ikigami to Ikenie (Cursed God and A Sacrifice To God [or] Living God and a Sacrifice).
FS: Is the relationship between the god and the human sacrifice?
Sangou: Yes! Not heavy. There’s, what is it… Like octopus.
FS: Tentacles?
Sangou: Tentacles, yes. There are tentacles.
FS: Is there anything else you would like to say to your fans, especially your fans here in the United States?
Sangou: I’m very grateful for everyone because without the fans and people reading I won’t be here. Please continue to love my work.
Many thanks to Kanna Inoshita for serving as an interpreter during the interview, and to Animate International for their hospitality!
