Tag Archives: Japanese Media

Jutland Azure Revolution Valkyria

New Valkyria Azure Revolution Media/Info – Making-of for Songs, More Battle System Details

Sega has produced a new webpage on their Valkyria Azure Revolution website detailing some of the information recently made available on the demo for the game being included alongside Valkyria Chronicles Remaster’s release in Japan. We’ll focus on what’s not been previously covered in our most recent article on Azure Revolution.

First, some additional pieces of information on Maxim, the new character that opposes the kingdom of Jutland and the protagonists. Besides  as having a rather direct personality. We also have a full body official artwork piece of the character, which you can view below:

Valkyria Azure Revolution MaximNext, the kingdom of Jutland. This article’s featured image is of the lovely land itself. The main characters are from Jutland and fight on its behalf against the Rus Empire. It is structured as a constitutional monarchy (it has a king) and it is ruled by the father of Ophelia, who is the game’s heroine. However, the king is more of a puppet with little real influence. This influence belongs to the House of Lords and the House of Representatives seem to have more direct administrative sway on the country’s affairs.

Jutland has a mostly warm climate which lends itself well to agricultural development, and overtime the country has developed a citizenry well-known for its artisanal skills. However, unlike Gallia from Valkyria Chronicles, Jutland severely lacks for Ragnite. As a multi-purpose resource and a prime energy tool, a deficiency of readily accessible Ragnite is difficult for Jutland. Magic Arts industrial production has fallen off, and the “Azure Light” has disappeared. What the Azure Light is specifically and what it means for the plot of Azure Revolution, we’ll learn later.

In the year 1852, four countries formed the BRuFH Alliance, with the Rus Empire at the Alliance’s core. The congregation decided upon obstructing Jutland’s ability to import Ragnite, perhaps as an attempt to weaken Jutland to such a state where it could be conquered and repurposed/occupied to Rus’s liking. This decision, which resulted in an impoverished Jutland, triggers the war that the story of Valkyria Azure Revolution revolves around.

Mission Briefing Azure Revolution ValkyriaSega’s also released some more information on the demo and on the battle system. First – Briefing screens are back! It’s a nice touch from previous Valkyria games. They appear after you select a mission. In the battle demo that will accompany Valkyria Chronicles Remaster’s release, there will be two missions; the first one is described as a tutorial, and the second one is a “real mission.”

Morale Bar Azure Revolution ValkyriaAt the top of the screen, there will be a morale measurement bar that is mutually exclusive between both sides. The HUD for missions when you’re on the field reminds me of Dragon Ball Z: The Legend for the Playstation…anyway, Sega also mentions that mission ranking is a function of clear time and the number of enemies defeated. Rather interesting direction – depending on how the battle system turns out, achieving the highest rank may be very difficult.

Reactions Valkyria Azure Revolution

In our previous writeup about the new information unveiled for the battle system, we learned about preemptive attacking a mob of enemies and how they provide advantages for the player. Sega offers some additional detail by talking about Reactions – which are noticeable on the map prior to engaging in Close Combat. Surprise is a state of shock which lasts for a couple of seconds, and is a chance to gain an advantage in Close Combat. Impatience denotes being in an disadvantageous situation; this is good when the enemy is afflicted with Impatience, because the ability to act is hindered when in this state. Anger increases offensive ability and decreases defensive ability. There is some risk to this Reaction. And lastly, Determined increases defensive stats.

Concluding this deluge of information, Sega released a couple of new videos for Valkyria Azure Revolution. Two of them are for important songs in the game: a making-of for Aoki Kakumei, and another making-of for Eternal Rest (both featuring the talents of Yasunori Mitsuda, the Tokyo Symphony Orchestra, and Sarah Alainn.) The last trailer is an extended preview trailer. Check them out!

Aoki Kakumei Making-of, featuring Yasunori Mitsuda:

『蒼き革命のヴァルキュリア』メインテーマ「蒼き革命」 試聴&メイキング映像

Eternal Rest Making-of, featuring Yasunori Mitsuda and Sarah Alainn:

『蒼き革命のヴァルキュリア』メインテーマ「蒼き革命」 試聴&メイキング映像

Extended Teaser Trailer:

『蒼き革命のヴァルキュリア』ティザートレーラー映像 完全版

Credit for the images goes to the Sega website linked at the article’s beginning. Credit for additional information belongs to this Gematsu article.

Daguza SMT IV Final

Shin Megami Tensei IV Final Character Video Series – Daguza

Atlus of Japan’s YouTube account will be periodically posting character videos for Shin Megami Tensei IV Final on the way to its February 10 release date. Today’s video is for Daguza. Daguza revives the protagonist and bestows him with the power to control demons. Daguza is likely not so charitable for its own sake – and in the occasional pieces of promotional images we see that Daguza is likely affiliated with the Polytheistic Alliance (Daguza makes mention of Krishna a few times near the video’s end), a group comprised of deities who unsuccessfully attempt to lobby Merkabah and Lucifer to their side. This was all in a gambit to subjugate humanity through a massive coalition of godlike beings, instead of gods warring against each other and then one victor subjugating humanity. To that end, the protagonist may be a helpful tool to the Alliance’s goal. Or he may not be…it’s up to you!

It’s rather long, at about 2:30 minutes, and the extended monologue and sprite animation is a rather unexpected direction. I rather like how Daguza is animated here. But be warned, the same revival sequence that you see once is repeated about half a dozen times, so if you don’t know Japanese you’ll have to learn to love the animation of Daguza floating around.

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Maria Windbreaker

More Sakura Wars Cycling Gear! Featuring Maria Tachibana

After creating cycling gear pieces for Sakura Shinguji and Sumire Kanzaki, it appears Sega and Momoclover are continuing to memorialize other Imperial Assault Force members. Momoclover recently announced the production of Maria Tachibana-themed cycling gear.

Maria Tachibana directly commanded the Imperial Assault Force prior to the arrival of Ichiro Ohgami. The latter would eventually succeed her as the group’s leader, but not without some initial skepticism from the battle-hardened and emotionally cool Maria. She’s another one of my favorites, right up there with Sumire.

It’s worth noting that it seems the character-themed gloves aren’t being offered for any of the Imperial Assault Force members. You may recall the gloves if you visited our other articles on cycling gear for Sakura and Sumire. The other five items (windbreaker, bib shorts, long sleeve jersey, high-function jersey, quick dry jersey) will still be purchasable.

The prices and size offerings are otherwise the same. Click here to check out the Sakura Wars category of the Momoclover shop. If you’re interested in buying any of these items and don’t reside in Japan, you’ll need to check out this English Momoclover Facebook app.

Ryu Ga Gotoku 10th

Yakuza 10th Anniversary Commemorative Book To be Released in Japan

December 2015 marked the 10th anniversary of the Yakuza franchise’s lifetime in Japan. While the celebrations are already underway in the form of Yakuza Kiwami (a remake of the game that started the franchise) and Kiryu and Majima figmas, a new commemorative 10th anniversary Yakuza book is also in development. It will feature interviews with many development figures and various insights into the world-building and concept art pieces of the Yakuza games, also taking a look at the history of the series thus far.

It will cost ¥2,916 and is set to release on January 21st. The book is being published by Enterbrain.

Credit for the featured image goes to this post from the Japanese Yakuza Twitter account.

Yakuza Kiwami Shinohara

Yakuza Kiwami: Shinichi Shinohara Short Interview Video

The Japanese YouTube channel for the Yakuza series uploaded a new brief interview with Shinichi Shinohara, the judo talent who is set to make a guest appearance as a character inspired by himself in Yakuza Kiwami. For those who are unaware, Shinohara’s character is from out-of-town and Kiryu will at times show him around Kamuro-cho, but under special circumstances Kiryu will also be able to fight him in an underground fight club.

The interview is about two minutes long, and in it Shinichi Shinohara answers a few questions. You also get some looks into the model design and face capture for Shinohara’s character, and Shinohara himself recording lines. It is a fun watch.

『龍が如く 極』篠原信一スペシャルインタビュー

SMT IV Final protag

Shin Megami Tensei IV Final: New Three Minute Promotional Video

Atlus uploaded a new promotional video for Shin Megami Tensei IV: Final to their Japanese YouTube account earlier this week. There’s a lot on display – some new music from the game (sounding nice, in my opinion,) new animated sequences, new dungeons and environments, and even some old faces if you manage to spot them. Brief cuts of the seven partner characters are also shown off, alongside battles and demon fusion.

Continue reading to check out the trailer. Shin Megami Tensei IV: Final is set to release on the 10th of February in Japan, but there’s no word on localization outside of Japan as of yet.

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Kiryu Figma 2015

Kazuma Kiryu Figma Preview Pictures

Over at figsoku.net, we can see a couple of new preview screenshots for the Kazuma Kiryu figma that is being worked on. Coloring and replaceable parts are featured in the above photo. The Figsoku post also contains a preview picture posted to Masayoshi Yokoyama’s (Yakuza series producer) Twitter account.

It’s a nice way to cap Yakuza’s 10-year anniversary in Japan; the first game released on December 8, 2005 for PS2. Ten years later and Yakuza is one of Sega’s more well known living franchises. I think Yakuza also merits distinction for being an enduring franchise – many have come and gone or otherwise still lay dormant, but Yakuza remains. With Yakuza 5 being released in the West and Yakuza 0’s localization announced, here’s to more Yakuza for as many people in the world as possible.

Once the Kiryu figma releases we’re sure to learn more about the Goro Majima figure that is planned for development.

Famitsu Christmas 2015 SMT IV Final

Shin Megami Tensei IV Final: New Partner Characters Introduced

The most recent issue of Weekly Famitsu introduced more Partner characters for Shin Megami Tensei IV Final. Gaston, the new guy wearing lots of white, represents the Eastern Kingdom of Mikado’s Samurai legion (just like many of the characters in the first Shin Megami Tensei IV game.) The young man sporting grey hair and a black and yellow outfit is Hallelujah of Ashura-kai, an organization that had attempted to “coexist” with demons using some very alarming methods. And the purple and black figure with the Japanese demon mask is Toki of the Cult of Gaia. They oppose the Ashura-kai’s philosophy and espouse maximal liberty and “Rule by the Strong.”

This is a great collection of people who probably disagree heavily with each other! Gaston certainly doesn’t seem the type to play nice.

This collection of different personalities might be how one takes advantage of the multiple endings that this game is purported to offer. In any case, we’ll find out more when the game releases in Japan in February. No word on localizations yet.

Continue reading to check out some dialogue scenes featuring the characters that were introduced this week.

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Duo Arts Genei Ibun Roku #FE

Genei Ibun Roku #FE – Extra Skills, New Character and Enemies!

This has been another big week for Genei Ibun Roku #FE news, and it stands to reason because in one week from now the game will be released in Japan!

First, this week’s edition of Weekly Famitsu unveiled a new character named Chikaomi Tsurugi. He has a rather ominous look to him. Nintendo has given him a short profile on the Genei Ibun Roku #FE official website’s sub character section. If you haven’t already done so, check out the larger profiles for the  main characters too.

The official website also saw a few other updates. I’ll draw your attention to this Enemy section which features six major Mirage enemies, all themed after one of six colors: green, blue, purple, orange, pink, and red. They’re also named after Fire Emblem characters – from left to right, top to bottom, it’s: Abel, Lon’qu, Aversa, Gangrel, Garrick, and Excellus.

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Valkyria PS4 remaster JPn boxart

Valkyria Chronicles PS4 Remaster Japan Retailer Preorder Bonuses

Sega has revealed an assortment of retailer-specific preorder bonuses for Valkyria Chronicles Remaster’s release, set for February in Japan. The official Valkyria portal was updated with a list of participating retailers and the accompanying bonuses.

Suffice it to say, this is a rather large undertaking with outreach to many outlets in Japan. It speaks well to Sega’s efforts for Valkyria in this region! There’s been no localization announced for either Valkyria Azure Revolution or the Valkyria Chronicles Remaster, but after the strong sales of the PC port of the first Valkyria Chronicles game (and because I particularly like this franchise,) I hope to see more of this franchise in the West.

Gematsu captured an image of all 15 of the preorder bonus packages with translated retailer names above the preview images, reproduced for your browsing after the break.

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