Tamaki cited as specific influences Ashita no Joe for its plots and Rumiko Takahashi's Urusei Yatsura for its characters. Tamaki claimed that, as a result of doing research for the series, her favorite model became Ai Tominaga, and that she was flattered when Tominaga wrote, in an endorsement for the first volume of the Japanese edition, that there were things she had in common with Michiko. Tamaki stated that her intent with the story is not just depicting Michiko "growing up and becoming independent", but also to highlight Michiko's romances. I developed the story of the heroine Michiko overcoming her inferiority complex about being tall and rising to become a top model." The "butterfly" in the title is intended both to be a metaphor for a growing girl and to represent a beautiful model, while "walkin'" came from the images of a model walking down a modeling runway and of a struggling Michiko walking instead of flying. Development Īccording to Chihiro Tamaki in an interview printed in the North American edition of volume one, the story came about because she had an editor who liked to look at models, but she thought that a story just about the fashion industry as a business would be boring: "So the first thing I did was to decide upon a girl as a protagonist who would have average, ordinary characteristics-nothing outstanding, like celebrities who are known for extremely good or bad characteristics. He was also the one that introduces her to Ryo Tago. A somewhat mysterious character that shows interest in Michiko. Isao Samejima ( 鮫島 いさお, Samejima Isao) Portrayed by: Yasuto Kosuda Director/Producer. Michiko frequently calls her "Old Bat." Early in volume three, Tago is hospitalized with alcohol poisoning, saying she's quitting the industry entirely, which renews Michiko's determination to becoming a model. Despite her cynicism, she decides to give Michiko a chance as a model. She was once a top model, but now the temperamental, alcoholic president of what appears to be a failing modeling agency. Ryo Tago ( 多湖 涼, Tago Ryō) Portrayed by: Maho Toyota Michiko's agent. Manly and kind, he is everything she dreams of in a boyfriend, but unfortunately he only thinks of her as a little sister. Kenichirou Nishikino ( 錦野 健一郎, Nishikino Kenichirō) Portrayed by: Eiki Kitamura A former upper-classman of Michiko's she admired, and also her first love. He is stubborn and principled, and eventually refuses an offer with a top fashion company because it would require him to compromise his vision. However, unlike the others, Mihara was able to see the ugly insecurities lurking within her and tells her that she can never become a model as she is. Kou Mihara ( 三原 航, Mihara Kō) Portrayed by: Jun Toba The fashion designer whose show Michiko stumbles into when she is mistaken as one of his models. In the live-action drama, she was portrayed by real-life model Aoi Nakabeppu. However, a brief encounter with the fashion industry leaves Michiko yearning for a place on the long-legged catwalk and a way to find herself as a woman. Because of this Michiko ends up becoming entangled in the world of modeling and noticed by a fashion designer who tells her that until she truly sees herself, she will never be a true model.Ĭharacters Michiko Torayasu ( 寅安ミチコ, Torayasu Michiko) Portrayed by: Aoi Nakabeppu A young woman who is very insecure about her outward appearance due to her unusual height (180 cm). During a delivery at a fashion show Michiko is mistaken for a model and forced out onto the runway. Because of this and her job as a pizza delivery person, Michiko is filled with insecurities and doubts. Each track is a collaboration with a different artist.Walkin' Butterfly follows the character of Michiko, a young woman with above average height for a Japanese woman. It was released in two versions: a limited CD+DVD edition and a regular CD-only edition. Maika - Video Clip-ĭ.N.A is the debut solo album released by miCKun. Album Cover Artist miCKun Album D.N.A Released 2011.01.12 Catalog Number UPCH-9617 (Limited Edition) UPCH-1822 (Regular Edition) Price ¥3,000 (Limited Edition) ¥2,500 (Regular Edition) CD Tracklist