YKK Forum

Elkevation: 1m

It sounds like Alpha is teaching Makki what it's like to be a robot-person. I guess if I wanted to use a machine well, who would be a better teacher?

What she says about driving the bike could describe an AI coming to terms with its body.

- steven
Tuesday, June 8, 2004

I suspect it describes Ashinano riding his motorcycle.

- dn
Wednesday, June 9, 2004

Ashinano must be a motorcyclist. I'm one, too. I have three. When Makki is waving her hands to get the blood flowing into them, I've known that feeling. When it's all going right, the motorcycle really does disappear. Or more accurately, you become the motorcycle. I've been riding since 1982, and I've had some very memorable rides. I ride year round, regardless of weather. I don't even own a car. If you've ever thought about it, do it.

Thanks for posting this up. It's the first issue of Afternoon I've missed in two years, so I was curious to know what happened.

- martialstax
Wednesday, June 9, 2004

Howdy,

Ashinano mentioned in an interview that a lot of YKK was inspired by his motorcycle trips here and there when he was younger. He also lamented that he doesn't have much time to takes such trips now.

Best,

Dave

- dDave
Wednesday, June 9, 2004

That would explain the freeform of this manga, it feels as though Ashinano is drawing a manga of several trips/experiences that Alpha has throughout a course of time.

- Roy Zhou
Wednesday, June 9, 2004

Makki wants to drive the scooter without a copilot. She wants her own scooter.

Makki wants it all. She wants it now. She wants it bad.

In the end, she pauses. She realizes she is being impractical. This is a really cute story.

- Loran
Wednesday, June 9, 2004

The way Ashinano describes losing one's self while driving and attaining a kind of bodiless flying seems a lot like Alpha's other flying experiences. Her reactions to Sensei's test flight of Misago and her flight with Nai come to mind.

Perhaps one of the recorded sensations that went into creating the early prototypes involved flying. That would explain why flying resonates so strongly with our Alpha.

- K.D.
Thursday, June 24, 2004

Most Japanese men not living in major cities would probably have owned at least a scooter. I suspect Asahino probably grew up in a place just like Alpha's town and thus owned his own bike like most young men.

- JC
Thursday, June 24, 2004

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