This page is dedicated to my interview with the creator of the Mystic Guardians, Cassandra Jewell.  I asked her a bunch of questions about the series, and then posted the answers here.  Remember, I'm doing this for your understanding.  It's not too long, so read and enjoy!  These questions are generally pretty basic.
 

     Seraph Janus:  Hi Cassy!  Can I interview you for the Nearly Official Mystic Guardians Web Page I'm making?

     Cassandra Jewell:  Sure you can.  Oh, this is just too cute!  I have never been interviewed for a page before.  This is such a cute idea!

     Seraph Janus:  Yeah... well, on with the interview!  First question, how'd you come up with the Mystic Guardians?

     Cassandra Jewell:  Everything began with a short story I was writing called "When the Black Winds Blow."  I originally intended it to only be five chapters, but as I was writing it I really became attached to the characters.  I drastically changed the story line of that book, and it became quite long.  In fact, there was so much I wanted to do with it that I decided to make it an entire series.

     Seraph Janus:  Cool.  Okay, so your story changed a lot.  What were your biggest influences with the Mystic Guardians?

     Cassandra Jewell:  The biggest influence on how the Mystic Guardians story developed into what it is has to be Magic Girl Stories, mostly Sailor Moon.  If you compare the Mystic Guardians to Sailor Moon, you can see there are many similarities.  The majority of these are the traditional elements of the Magic Girl series, which are young heroes with magic powers, transformations, and talking pets.  Also, like Sailor Moon, it has times where the story is very light and funny, as well as times where it is harshly serious.  Joseph Campbell's hero cycle is also an influencing factor in the Mystic Guardians saga.  The stories clearly follow the birth, death, rebirth cycle.  Supernatural aid is clearly present with the influence of the Goddess Brigitte, though they never bring back a treasure when they return from their battles.  Like in all Magic Girl stories, they are out to preserve the world, not necessarily improve it.

     Seraph Janus:  You keep saying that the Mystic Guardians is like a Magic Girl story, but it's not really a Magic Girl story, right?

     Cassandra Jewell:  That is true.  Unlike a Magic Girl story, the main character is male, as are several of the Guardians.  It is true that the majority of the heroes are female, but in a true Magic Girl story they all are.  Also, most true Magic Girl series are shoujo, but the Mystic Guardians is a little bit shougen as well.  Since it is made by a girl, I would still say it has a feminine touch, but nothing that will alienate men.  Another factor that makes it an unorthodox Magic Girl series is that when the characters transform they are still recognizable.  Also I believe it is much more violent and graphic than a typical magic Girl series.  That is why I decided to call it a "Magic Persons" series.  The name is similar, but yet different, just like the Mystic Guardians.

     Seraph Janus: Okay, I guess that explains things.  Third question time.  How do you come up with the characters?

     Cassandra Jewell:  That question is hard to answer, because the process I go through can not be easily put into words.  Essentially I just let an idea come to me.  When I sense that a new character is ready to be created, I simply draw them.  Usually I never have to refine a drawing, because I immediately know what they character should look like.  If the character looks wrong, then I know as I draw it, and can correct the drawing easily.  As far as the character's story goes, usually that comes to me as easily as the appearance.

     Seraph Janus:  Um... okay.  The next question will be easier to answer (I hope!), which characters are your favorite?

     Cassandra Jewell:  I really like Janus.  Deep down he's so sweet, and he is really just misunderstood.  It should be clear that he would be my favorite, after all, I let him be the star.  He has quite an intriguing personality.  He truly is all opposites combined, and that makes him extremely fun to write about.  He also has a really cute look about him.  Next to Janus one of my favorite characters has to be Lebauer.  She is very powerful, and has a lot of interesting skills.  She is usually a very brash person, but she has a softer side which doesn't show through too often.  I like the way her hair is too.  Finally, I really like Lit.  He's so cute and small!  He is not particularly bright, but he can handle himself.  He has a lot of charm to him too, in my opinion.

     Seraph Janus:  Okay.  That's settled then.  On the flip side of things, are there any of your characters that you just hate?

     Cassandra Jewell:  I do not know if I hate any of my characters, but one in particular comes close.  That is Quinto Kamilkali.  He is horrible!  He is basically a pervert, and a womanizer.  I can not think of anything good about him.  Basically he is just a thief who constantly treats women poorly.  It is clear that I am not fond of him when you see how he gets treated in the Mystic Guardians stories.

     Seraph Janus:  all right, well I guess that almost covers everything.  Well, do you have any ideas for other stories in the works?

     Cassandra Jewell:  Actually, yes I do have one in mind.  This one will be quite different from the Mystic Guardians, and my other past stories.  This story is entitled "Kitsune Marionette."  In it a boy named Scott, who is rather unpopular, receives a fox puppet from his Aunt when she returns from Japan.  She is rather senile, and tells him that this puppet is the answer to all his problems.  As it turns out the fox puppet is more than just a toy, but is in fact a young female kitsune.  She takes the form of a human girl, and claims to be a foreign exchange student.  She stays at Scott's house, and attends his school, generally causing him all kinds of troubles.

     Seraph Janus: Sounds interesting.  Well, that's all the questions I have.  Thanks for letting me interview you.

     Cassandra Jewell:  No, thank you for the interview.  I enjoyed it!  If you need me to do anything else, just ask.