Shopping Guide
Passion that Overcomes Conflict Between Video Games and Anime
TOM: Can you describe what the atmosphere of your meetings was like?
Inafune: After hearing about the concept of RED ASH, Ms. Tanaka told me that she was interested. We then went on and decided to have STUDIO4℃ involved in the planning phase of the project as well, since it was still very early and nothing was solid yet. While the genre of video games differs from that of anime, I thought that working together on the characters and on the world of the project could allow us to make something that would work well for both genres. However, when we actually started working, we found ourselves running in different directions, and had to stop many times to replan and rethink. The process that led to what we announced about RED ASH was a whole lot tougher than I expected!
Tanaka: It sure was. We were all over the place!
Inafune: Because the project involved two separate companies, some troubles and mistakes did occur between team members. But everytime I met with Ms. Tanaka, I was relieved by her strong passion towards the project, and was not too worried about how things would turn out.
Tanaka: The power that Mr. Inafune had over the project was consistent throughout the process as well! Even though we did have a few issues, when we came together, the problems became simple, and just like that we were able to solve them with ease.
Inafune: I think that our steady and strong passion towards the project makes it possible for us to solve any problems that come up. Ms. Tanaka is someone who is very straightforward, and I feel like I have become more capable of communicating effectively with her.
TOM: I see. It seems like the two of you have been running a good three-legged race for the past six months!
Tanaka: It sure is a relief to have finally reached this point, though! The difficulty with three-legged races is that you have to match your step and your pace with your partner, and because most of the projects that STUDIO4℃ has taken on were completed within the studio, the difficulty really struck us hard.
Inafune: There are producers and directors in both the team that I work with and Ms. Tanaka’s anime team as well. Because we are all creators, we often push our ideas forward, and sometimes we push a little too hard. Ms. Tanaka is really capable of respecting and balancing the ideas from both sides effectively, so she currently coordinates work in both the game and the anime team. I think her position is the toughest of them all, and I feel like I have placed a tremendous amount of stress on her.
Tanaka: My insufficient literacy and background in games really came around to bite me this time. Because I am not very involved in games, I was unable to come up with anything to respond to the anticipation of the gaming community by myself. The RED ASH project provided me with the perfect opportunity to learn from Mr. Inafune. Having said that, I think that my job is to provide fans with the best animation that RED ASH can be, so it might not be a good idea for me to become too deeply involved in the methods of game production. Both of us want to create masterpieces, and our journey of trial and error will continue.
RED ASH Official Page:http://redashgame.com/
Kickstarter Page (Game)：https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/mightyno9/red-ash-the-indelible-legend
Kickstarter Page (Anime)：https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/mightyno9/red-ash-magicicada-by-studio4c
comcept Official Page: http://comcept.co.jp/en/
STUDIO4℃ Official Page:http://www.studio4c.co.jp/english/
STUDIO4℃ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/studio4c
STUDIO4℃ Twitter: https://twitter.com/STUDIO4C
STUDIO4℃ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/portstudio4c
