Makai Station

Hey everyone, I just got home from 5 days of Anime Expo and I am dead tired. NIS America had their panel today in which they discussed how their games are localized and all the processes/hell they go through to finish it. They basically talked about things like how long it takes to translate and edit text, text limitations, debugging, and they even addressed how they think the Ar Tonelico 2 bug got past not only them, but Sony's final master debugging which takes place before the game is finalized. They also discussed their feelings about working for NIS America and how fun it is. They did this because one of their script editors, Phoenix Spaulding, will be leaving the company to pursue other interests, and they want to find a new script editor. For those who are interested and live in the Southern California, please read the guidelines or contact NIS America at support@nisamerica.com

They didn't really discuss many games, but Marketing Head, Jack Niida did go into detail about Sakura Wars. The game will feature dual audio/English-Japanese tracks. Also, he stated that the dual audio could not fit on one disc. To deal with that NIS America will be releasing Sakura Wars in two discs: One with English language, the other with Japanese language. This is the first time I've seen a company do this and I am quite happy and surprised. The attendees were also very ecstatic about the announcement. This applies to both the PS2 and Wii versions of the game. Lastly, although no footage was shown, Jack Niida confirmed to the whole audience that Atelier Annie is indeed coming to the United States and might see a Fall 09 release.

I was randomly searching random people's names online and I stumbled on upon this interview The-O Network Online had with Mr. Harada at Anime Expo 2008. It's about a month old, but worthwhile to read nonetheless. Enjoy!

Source: http://www.t-ono.net/Anime-Expo-2008/Takehito-Harada-Interview.html

T-ono: Could you please discuss your signature character, Pleinair, especially regarding Usagi-san (rabbit) and Same-san (shark)?

Harada: Pleinair was first drawn as a combination with a rabbit and a shark. Later on I wanted to make them sidekicks, so I kept them with her.

T-ono: So originally Pleinair was the entire art piece as one, the rabbit, shark, and the girl?

Harada: Yes, yes that’s correct.

T-ono:  I know that the Japanese Limited Edition version of Disgaea came with a mini art book, and that recently the Disgaea 3 Digital art book went on sale in Japan, but are there any plans for releasing a full printed Disgaea 3 art book soon?

Harada: We are still planning an art book and still working on character designs but the artbook is going to be release a little later.

T-ono: Who is your favorite character from the Disgaea franchise, besides Pleinair?

Harada: I like red devil Flonne because I really like bunny girls [laughing].

T-ono: Which character was the most difficult to draw or design? Why?

Harada: I really like to draw Rozalin, but it takes a really long time to draw.

T-ono: How do you choose the colors? For example, why is Flonne white, blue, blonde, etc.?

Harada: I choose the color that fit the characters personality. Not always, just most of the time.

T-ono: What is your involvement in the games you design characters for using the recent Disgaea 3 as an example. Do you actually create the characters from scratch, or does someone else in the company ahead of time decide on names, personalities, etc.

Harada: I do in fact decide all the character’s personalities, and names. I also design the costume. I then give my concepts to NIS and sometimes they may make some changes or reject some ideas.

T-ono: In a previous interview, you mentioned that Laharl was first design with a coat, but then you decided to change it to a cape. But for the Disgaea 3 character, Mao, you used a coat that the character wears like a cape. Are there any correlations?

Harada: For Disgaea 3 the game’s setting is in a school, and in Japan all bad boys have a coat in school. I wanted the main charterer to look like a badass so I designed Mao with the coat on his shoulders.

T-ono: Asagi has been seen in Disgaea, Makai Kingdom, and various other NIS games only as a secret character. Can you please tell us a little more about Asagi, and her role in  Disgaea 3?

Harada: I actually first wanted to make Asagi as the main character for a game a long time ago, but NIS didn’t approve of the charter. I really liked her so I tried to put her in all the games I work on and as for  Disgaea 3, she must be feeling really sad in the game [laughing].

T-ono: Which game was she rejected for as the main character?

Harada-san: Um… [pause] That’s a secret!

T-ono: What do you use to make your art work? For example, do you use paper with copic markers, watercolors, pastels, etc.?

Harada: I do all my work on on the computer mainly using Photoshop.

T-ono: I see, so I assume you use a tablet?

Harada-san: Ah, yes, a tablet.

T-ono:  Do you work in a studio at NIS or at home and what does your typical schedule look like?

Harada: I do all my work at my home. When I start working on a project, I first work on character design for about four months. I then work on the cut scenes and dialogue. I then send my work to NIS and they work on the background for the cut scenes which takes about half a year. I then work on ads and publishing art, so in total it takes about a year to complete.

T-ono: On behalf of T-ono.net, I'd like to thank you, and the NIS team for this interview

Harada:  Thank you!

We would also like to thank Jack Niida (NISA Marketing Manager) who arranged for the interview, the charming Nao Zook ( NISA Marketing Coordinator) who was acting as the translator, and again the rest of the NIS America staff.