Urakata Hakuouki - Character Intro and Interview
Info on the new PSP game, from Dengeki Girl's Style this month.
Scans by Toudou-san: part 1, part 2, part 3.
New characters:
1. Takasugi Shinsaku, voiced by Sugita Tomokazu.
"There are things that can't be done without my own hands."
Young leader in remorse of his deceased teacher.
Decided to fight so he won't lost something dear to him again.
Connection with Harada: through Shiranui.
2. Katsura Kogoro, voiced by KENN.
"It's not our wish to start a war."
"Run away with a reason."
To win without a fight. That's his style.
Connection with Saitou: one is Joi side and one is Shogunate side. Fated to be enemies.
3. Okada Izou, voiced by Suzumura Ken'ichi.
"Either way, I only have my sword."
Sad killer following his teacher's orders.
Merely kill to make himself known.
Connection with Okita: two insane swords shining in battlefield.
4. Thomas Blake Glover, voiced by Sakurai Takahiro.
"I can't let a lady jump into battle by herself."
Mysterious weapon merchant.
Gentleman from a far away land. His true colors hidden.
Connection with Toudou: an invisible line links them.
5. Protagonist: 霧島梓 Kirishima ????? (no official pronunciation given).
Since her parents died when she was young, with her older brother, the siblings run the dojo their father left them. However, her peaceful life was shattered by an intruder - a white-haired monster wearing asagiiro haori. To avenge for her brother, who died protecting her, she picked up her sword. Where will her determination lead her in this upheaval era?
Character design & illustration: 狛宮沙代.
Image visual: Nakajima Atsuko.
Director: Otomate.
Key points in the interview:
Personal comments:
"If" story. Ouch! Last time we saw "if" stories for Hakuouki were those alternate throw real history behind routes in Bakumatsu Musouroku.
No wonder I see comments like "Otomate call this a new series? What's the standard of new? I guess "not remake, not fandisk" is new enough for them." "I'd love to see a game on Joi side unrelated to Hakuouki."
The director kept emphasizing Shinsengumi is the core of Hakuouki. IMO, Urakata Hakuouki is a spin-off, rather than "brand new" like they advertised. (And it's closer to Bakumatsu Musouroku than to Reimeiroku.)
Scans by Toudou-san: part 1, part 2, part 3.
New characters:
1. Takasugi Shinsaku, voiced by Sugita Tomokazu.
"There are things that can't be done without my own hands."
Young leader in remorse of his deceased teacher.
Decided to fight so he won't lost something dear to him again.
Connection with Harada: through Shiranui.
2. Katsura Kogoro, voiced by KENN.
"It's not our wish to start a war."
"Run away with a reason."
To win without a fight. That's his style.
Connection with Saitou: one is Joi side and one is Shogunate side. Fated to be enemies.
3. Okada Izou, voiced by Suzumura Ken'ichi.
"Either way, I only have my sword."
Sad killer following his teacher's orders.
Merely kill to make himself known.
Connection with Okita: two insane swords shining in battlefield.
4. Thomas Blake Glover, voiced by Sakurai Takahiro.
"I can't let a lady jump into battle by herself."
Mysterious weapon merchant.
Gentleman from a far away land. His true colors hidden.
Connection with Toudou: an invisible line links them.
5. Protagonist: 霧島梓 Kirishima ????? (no official pronunciation given).
Since her parents died when she was young, with her older brother, the siblings run the dojo their father left them. However, her peaceful life was shattered by an intruder - a white-haired monster wearing asagiiro haori. To avenge for her brother, who died protecting her, she picked up her sword. Where will her determination lead her in this upheaval era?
Character design & illustration: 狛宮沙代.
Image visual: Nakajima Atsuko.
Director: Otomate.
Key points in the interview:
- Hakuoki series is a production focused on Shinsengumi.
- As the title "Urakata" (meaning "inside story") hints, this time the spotlight is on Joi and Ishin side, which are in an opposite position with Shinsengumi, the main characters of Hakuoki. And we'll look at the world of Hakuoki from a different point of view.
- After leaving the dojo, the protagonist meets the characters of this game, learns different aspects and points of view, and develop her own accordingly. Like the old saying, "so many men, so many minds." Since the romanceable characters are all individualistic, through each route it'll become 4 unique stories.
- Like Hakuouki, this story takes place in Kyoto during Bakumatsu Era. (What about Choshu Expedition? ><)
- Key factors like Ochimizu and Rasetsu are still there.
- Urakata Hakuoki is an "if" story of Hakuoki.
- Hijikata, as the center of the story, will be deeply involved with the main plot and the protagonist.
Personal comments:
"If" story. Ouch! Last time we saw "if" stories for Hakuouki were those alternate throw real history behind routes in Bakumatsu Musouroku.
No wonder I see comments like "Otomate call this a new series? What's the standard of new? I guess "not remake, not fandisk" is new enough for them." "I'd love to see a game on Joi side unrelated to Hakuouki."
The director kept emphasizing Shinsengumi is the core of Hakuouki. IMO, Urakata Hakuouki is a spin-off, rather than "brand new" like they advertised. (And it's closer to Bakumatsu Musouroku than to Reimeiroku.)