This is a quick look at the 8th Livestream @STORIA that was broadcast on NicoNico and YouTube tonight!
I’m trying to work as fast as I can here but still be as thorough as possible… But I’m going to have to break this up into two parts. It’s already 2am and I need to get up early to do some serious work on a gaming project that’s due next week…
The livestream first began with the very nostalgic NieR:Automata “MOVIE 119450310” promotional video:
The broadcast then leads into an introduction with Saito Yosuke being all cheeky as he begins to talk as though this is a livestream for Astral Chain. Taura Takahisa, who was sitting just at the adjacent table responds briefly with a “nope, nope”. xD
Yoko began the livestream already off stage.
The conversation seemed to revolve around the announcement of Taura’s first directorial role with Astral Chain, so Yoko made up a funky dance/chant…
Yoko: ASTRAL…. CHAIN!
Shortly thereafter, they raised their glasses in a round of cheers — Yoko was off camera, drinking his usual highball (whiskey soda).
Next, Taura mentioned how these past two years seemed to go by so quickly:
Taura: The time went by really fast with lots of events and concerts…
Then Saito mentioned that they had a big surprise for everyone who uses LINE. They’ve already released a set of NieR:Automata LINE stamps of Adam and Eve… but this time character designer Yoshida Akihiko illustrated some really cute stamps of 2B! The stamps seem to be a Japan only item, though…
Next, they talked more about the goodies that come with the GOTY version. First up was a look at the new themes, one featuring 2B and 9S while the other features only A2:
There’s also a BGM track from the game that accompanies this theme. Some additional items you receive include 16 avatars that were previously only available to those who purchased the online video of the NieR:Automata Memory of Dolls concert on the PSN (I believe that’s correct, if my memory serves me right!).
The package version of the GOTY comes with a reversible cover that depicts the main trio without their “goggles” or blindfolds. The back cover of this is an image of the Amusement Park, an image that was actually used for the “Scenario Selection” menu screen on the NieR:Automata Memory of Dolls Blu-ray. The package version also comes with a couple adhesive stickers of Email and more.
The next segment featured mainly Yoko, Okabe, and Saito as they began discussing the up-coming collaboration between SINoALICE and NieR Replicant. They began with showing the first PV for this collab:
This is when they brought up the previous recruitment for a new Yoko-related project, which I covered here. As it turns out, this project was for the collaboration with SINoALICE all along!
During this segment, Yoko mentions how he felt like he really had to power through working on this, that he felt this took a lot out of him… So, maybe we can expect some major feels from this seemingly minor collaboration…!?
Then they went a little more in depth about the collaboration.
Next Saito brought up the subject of when they opened up recruiting for a new Yoko-themed project…
This should look familiar because I applied to this position. haha
Saito: We call them the “Yoko Group”.
Yoko: No, they’re called the “Saito Yorokobasu Boys” = SYB.
At some point, someone suggested the actual meaning of this was “Sadistic Yoko Boys”. I… somehow believe it’s the later… 😡
The lead scenario writer, pictured in the center with the YoRHa parka, was originally from Famitsu but switched over to Square Enix, Matsuo-san.
The other boys were all 25 or 26 years old; a pretty young group of guys to help forge this project along with Yoko.
Yoko: While the others are so young, Matsuo sort of becomes the father figure of the group.
Okabe: Not brother but father figure?
Yoko: Yes, father. He’s their Papa.
Next, they introduced the lead scenario writer for the SINoALICE x NieR Replicant collaboration. I couldn’t clearly hear his name (I heard “Iwara” but that’s likely incorrect), however, so I’ll have to update this post later once I figure out who he is! (sorry!)
The remaining three guys weren’t introduced at this event, but Yoko said that he hoped to get that chance a little further down the road to showcase their work on the project.
Next, the discussion shifted over to the NieR:Orchestra Concert and explained the details of the release.
The blu-ray, which will be released on February 27, comes with a limited edition script book that contains the recitation dramas performed by Kadowaki Mai as Emil and Ishikawa Yui as 2B, as well as the text that appeared on the screen on stage during the musical performances. Since the text on the screen was so small, and my seats at the concert were pretty far back in the auditorium, I wasn’t able to read well it then… so it will be really nice read through it!
Next we have another announcement of the theatrical screening of the NieR:Orchestra Concert blu-ray plus talk session, which is coming up quickly next week! I’ll be going to the one on Monday in Shinjuku, so please look forward to more notes from that event!
Taking a closer look at the package, Yoko mentions that there are lines on the back which are part of the overall design… and said not to return it because of that. It’s intentional, not a misprint. xD Also, the Lunar Tears on the cover are a bit luminescent, so they sort of shimmer.
As a little teaser, they played a short clip of the song “Sound of the End”, composed by Hoashi Keigo.
Shortly after this, they played another clip of Emi Evans singing “Kaine – Salvation” along to a sort of behind-the-scenes look at the actual production line for the blu-ray. Pretty interesting. xD
Next up, they brought in the first of the special guests, FFXIV Producer / Director, Yoshida Naoki.
This is where they discussed more about the collaboration with NieR:Automata in what they’re calling “YoRHa:Dark Apocalypse”. But Yoko mentioned that it’s not really a “collaboration” but is actually part of the [FF] story. Your guess is as good as mine whatever he means by this. I know absolutely nothing about FFXIV, so I can’t even begin to imagine what this could mean.
During their discussion they mentioned Koji Fox, the main member in charge of the localization, but I was beginning to drift off during this segment, so I’m not too positive about the details.
As far as new people getting into FFXIV for the NieR:Automata collaboration, they said that you won’t need to grind all that much to experience the collab. They specifically made it in such a way that would be somewhat easier for those of us who are hard-working people with lives and work outside of gaming. Saito mentioned that he was able to level up to Lv50 pretty quickly. The conversation remained on that topic for a while with everybody trying to coax Yoko into trying the game, telling him how to play and how to use a Healer on his team, etc.
Okabe may also compose new NieR:Automata arrangement for this collaboration!!
The next bit, they went into more detail about the Version 5.0 Shadowbringers upgrade, which is played to be released on July 2! YoRHa:Dark Apocalypse should be released about 3-4 months later, which would make it either October or November!
In the meanwhile, there’s a trial version of the game that allows you to play up to Level 35 for free, on PS4, Windows, or Mac. This might be a good chance to try out the game to see if you like it… or to maybe just dab your feet into the FFXIV waters if only in preparation for the collaboration with NieR:Automata…
The next segment I’m not too positive on, but apparently Yoko might be becoming a YouTuber? xD
I couldn’t quite tell if he was just joking around or being dead serious, but he said that he plans on streaming Astral Chain when it’s released…?? But then segwayed into discussing a weekly streaming channel on NicoNico Live…???
This is a live broadcast that’s streamed weekly on Tuesdays at 8:00pm on NicoNico: JAM GEM JUMP VRadio. I don’t really know much more than that or even what this really has to do with Yoko. 😛
Next, we were introduced to the new Emil parkas and sweatpants that are currently on sale.
There are two color variations, a darker and lighter gray style.
Then they showed the new YoRHa shoes…
Then after this segment, Okabe and Taura left the stage to make room for more guests!
From Left to Right:
- 2B: Ishikawa Yui
- Pod042 / Zinnia: Yasumoto Hiroki
- 9S: Hanae Natsuki
- Pascal: Yuki Aoi
This was a pretty long segment that looked back at the history of NieR:Automata through a really nice slideshow, starting with the first announcement trailer from E3 in 2015.
Someone on the panel asked why isn’t she wearing her googles in this shot, but… it was pretty much just a teaser video anyway, so I suppose little things like that can be overlooked.
Then they showed this slide:
USB Taura!! hahaha Ultimate Sexy Beast. This was a nickname given to him sometime in 2015.
Then they went into talking about the NieR Music Concert & Talk Live in April 2016.
The above photo is a shot from the Blu-ray that shows Ishikawa Yui during her monologue as 2B.
This was also the same event where we were first introduced to the main trio.
After that, Yasumoto began reading some questions that were submitted by those who applied attend the Livestream at STORIA this evening. There was a comment directed toward Hanae and all the screaming he had to do as 9S. They mentioned that it was somewhat reminiscent of Kaneki-kun from Tokyo Ghoul, but he replied:
Hanae: I didn’t think I could ever scream again after playing the role of 9S…
Then they talked about the presentation at TGS in 2016 where they introduced the Black Box Edition… and also when Yoko’s Emil mask perished.
Oh, what a sad way to end this post, but alas, it must be so! I’ll continue with the second half of the recap tomorrow!