At the end of each year, the Japanese gaming news website “4Gamer” interviews Japanese game creators from a wide variety of companies: from major companies like Square Enix and Capcom to even minor game studios. In these interviews, the creators are asked about things they considered influential from this year, and discuss their aspirations for the next year.

This year, three members of Too Kyo Games: Kazutaka Kodaka, Takumi Nakazawa, and Kotaro Uchikoshi– were featured in this year’s 4Gamer interviews. I have translated their interviews and featured them in this post for those curious.

 

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Kazutaka Kodaka

Representative work(s): Danganronpa series

1. What was the most admirable (or shocking) game released in 2018?

God of War.
One cuts thrived in 2018. One Cut of the Dead, a zombie-themed movie, was one of them.
For games, that one cut would be this game.
I recommend playing it while paying attention to see if it really is a one cut.

 

2. What media released in 2018 left the deepest impression on you?

One Cut of the Dead.
It makes me bitter to say this, but I have to give it to this movie, including its popularity.
The reason why I’m bitter is because I also once dreamed of being an independent movie director.
When I learned that this movie which was made almost like an indie movie had become such a hit, I wondered what the look on the face of the me who gave up on that dream would be like.

 

3. Which person attracted the most attention from you in 2018?

Tenshin Nasukawa
The first hero I’ve seen in a long time in all my decades of watching martial arts.
His stance when he challenges gives me the chills. I’d like to see him fight Takeru [Segawa] in 2019.

 

4. Please give a message about your aspirations for 2019 and for 4Gamer readers.

In 2018, we presented the formation of Too Kyo Games.
It is quite challenging for us to do with no backing, but I wanted to take on creating works with no protection whatsoever.
Whatever becomes of the company, we will create content the likes of which the world has never seen before.
Please look forward to it.

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Takumi Nakazawa

Representative work(s): Root Double -Before Crime * After Days-, Ever17 -the out of infinity-, Punchline

1. What was the most admirable (or shocking) game released in 2018?

God of War.
I was rendered weak in the knees from the constant stream of super-dreadnought level production from the opening battle onward, the likes of which I’d never seen before.

 

2. What media released in 2018 left the deepest impression on you?

Coco.
I cried twice when I saw it in the theater.

 

3. Which person attracted the most attention from you in 2018?

Yuusaku Maezawa
He attracted my attention in all sorts of ways (though I think it was the same for everyone).
It’s a shame they changed the Zozosuit from the initial model. I had been looking forward it.

 

4. Please give a message about your aspirations for 2019 and for 4Gamer readers.

This year, I transferred to a new studio known as Too Kyo Games.
We’re already working on multiple projects, but one of them, Death March Club, has already been announced.
I’ve been working on it with my fellow Too Kyo coworkers Kazutaka Kodaka and Kotaro Uchikoshi, along with other superb staff members. By putting our talents together, we are creating a very fun game.
The release is still a ways off in 2020, but we plan to start full-fledged promotion next year and gradually convey its appeal to everyone. Please look forward to it and put some pressure on us.

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Kotaro Uchikoshi

Representative work(s): Ever17 -the out of infinity-, 999: Nine Hours, Nine Doors, Nine Persons, Zero Escape: Virtue’s Last Reward

1. What was the most admirable (or shocking) game released in 2018?

Detroit: Become Human.
To put it in a single phrase, it was a game that left me feeling “envious.” Its structure was a kind any visual novel game creator has envisioned at least once, but usually never seriously considered presenting when faced with the generally expected costs. And what particularly surprised me was that this game barely reused any backgrounds. It was a once-in-a-lifetime experience. And industry-wise, it fulfilled several conditions for a “concept that is difficult to pull off.” Despite that, writer/director David Cage succeeded. It was a very shocking game in the sense of “what sort of presentation skills are needed to pull off this concept?” And the story was very interesting too, of course!

 

2. What media released in 2018 left the deepest impression on you?

For anime, it would be Pop Team Epic. It had been a long time since I’d seen an anime this insane. “Bob Epic Team” was particularly crazy. It even made me want to make something as breakthrough as this… Eisai Haramasukoi! For movies, it would be Baahubali. I saw both The Beginning and The Conclusion. All the theatrical elocution was wack but cool, and I found myself so mesmerized I was taking notes. Perhaps it resonated with Japanese subculture with its alluring beauty of form aspects. Baahubali! Baahubali!

 

3. Which person attracted the most attention from you in 2018?

Rou-sama
I thought NieR:Automata (it came out last year but I played it this year) was to die for.

Chiaki Mayumura
I think she’s probably a genius.

Daniels
“Arita Generation” was hilarious.

Yuriyan Retriever
“Documental” was hilarious.

Charlie Brooker
Producer and screenwriter for Black Mirror. Personally, I find Black Mirror to be really amusing. Looking forward to season 5!

 

4. Please give a message about your aspirations for 2019 and for 4Gamer readers.

June 2018. I lost my wallet in Kabukicho, but it was returned to the police with everything still intact. July. I left my tablet PC in my airplane seat, but safely recovered it through the efforts of several people. September. My iPhone disappeared in Shibuya, and I thought it had been stolen, but the next day, I miraculously found it lying in a bush. December. I forgot my bag at a meeting hall, but through the cooperation of the organizer, it was safely returned to me… So my resolution for 2019 is “don’t lose anything!”
Incidentally, 2019 is the year AI: The Somnium Files will be released. I created it for visual novel fans. If you like visual novels, then I think you’ll enjoy this for sure! I am also eagerly working on Death March Club. This one is also to die for! In addition, I am also carefully toiling on titles I can’t announce yet. I hope they can be announced next year, so keep an eye out for them!