Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Ash Kohari. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Hi Ash, thanks for joining us today. Can you talk to us about a project that’s meant a lot to you?

Without a doubt, 9mm Girls is the most meaningful project I’ve worked on. It’s not just a story—it’s a piece of me. The idea came to life during a time when I was juggling personal challenges and trying to find my voice as a creator. I wanted to write something that wasn’t just action-packed but also had layers of emotion, characters you could root for, and themes that stuck with people.

At its core, 9mm Girls is about finding strength in unlikely bonds, navigating chaos, and discovering what it means to survive and thrive. A big part of why this project matters to me is the representation of queer characters in a way that feels authentic—where their sexuality doesn’t define them or dictate their choices. I wanted them to exist as fully realized individuals, not tropes.

But 9mm Girls isn’t the only project that holds a piece of my heart. My other story, Moonlit Paradox, is just as special to me. It’s a deeply emotional tale that blends mystery, romance, and a touch of the surreal. If 9mm Girls is a gritty exploration of chaos and survival, Moonlit Paradox is a dive into the strange and beautiful ways people connect through time and circumstance. Both stories represent my passion for crafting worlds and characters that feel raw, real, and resonant.

It’s been a labor of love—I’ve poured countless hours into the art, the writing, and building worlds that feel alive. Seeing these stories resonate with readers and hearing their feedback has made all the blood, sweat, and midnight sketching sessions worth it.

Ash, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

My first job was as a 2D animator on Season 2 of the French show WAKFU. I got lucky—one of the animators came to my school for a workshop, and on a whim, I applied for a position midway through the term, not expecting anything. To my surprise, I got the job and ended up quitting school to jump straight into the industry.

From there, I worked on several animated shows, but over time, I realized that animation, as much as I respected it, wasn’t my passion. I wasn’t great at it, and studio work didn’t feel like the right fit for me. What I truly loved—and still do—is storytelling. I wanted to tell my stories, not just contribute to someone else’s vision.

That realization changed everything. I found a side job teaching and started focusing entirely on making comics. It hasn’t been an easy road—it’s been full of bumps, frustrations, and even moments where people have tried to take advantage. I have plenty of unfinished or failed projects behind me, but those setbacks shaped who I am today. They built my determination and solidified my love for this craft.

Despite everything, I wouldn’t change this path for the world. Storytelling feels like something I can’t stop doing, and 9mm Girls is the story I’ve poured so much of my heart into. It’s my way of sharing my world, and I hope others enjoy it as much as I love creating it.

Is there mission driving your creative journey?

For me, a big part of my creative mission is to provide the kind of representation I rarely see in media: stories where queer characters are treated as naturally and normally as their heterosexual counterparts. I wanted to create characters who are unapologetically themselves, where their sexuality isn’t their defining trait or a source of constant drama.

With 9mm Girls and Moonlit Paradox, I’ve aimed to tell a story where LGBTQ+ characters exist in a world of action, camaraderie, and chaos without their identities being reduced to stereotypes or token roles. Their relationships and identities are just one part of their lives—like anyone else’s—allowing them to exist as fully realized people.

This approach comes from my personal desire for more stories where queer characters can simply be. They can have depth, adventure, flaws, and victories, all without their sexuality dictating their narrative arc. It’s about showing that diversity belongs everywhere—even in gritty, action-packed worlds filled with demons and intrigue.

For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?

The most rewarding aspect of being a creative, for me, is the ability to tell my own stories—the kind of stories I’ve always wanted to read but rarely get to see. It’s incredibly satisfying to take ideas that live in my head, shape them into characters and worlds, and watch them come alive on the page. Through projects like 9mm Girls and Moonlit Paradox, I can craft narratives that reflect my passions and values, stories that feel authentic to me and hopefully resonate with others.

Another incredibly rewarding aspect has been meeting like-minded creatives who share my values and approach to storytelling. Collaborating with them, whether as an artist or sharing ideas, has been a source of inspiration and growth. It’s amazing to work with people who understand and align with my creative vision—it reminds me that I’m not alone in wanting to create stories that matter. Those connections are just as fulfilling as the stories I tell.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://9mmgirls.crd.co/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kohariash?igsh=ampra3E0NDlrbWU5&utm_source=qr
• Twitter: https://x.com/kohariash?s=21&t=-zwEpOV9e48x8VLWz1vi1g
• Other: My Kickstarter prelaunch page for 9mm Girls : https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1517120946/9mm-girls-gritty-urban-fantasy-action