Tag Archives: Famitsu

The YoRHa Musical and YoRHa Boys Stage Play, Interview by Famitsu

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<YoRHa Musical Ver.1.2>

－Today (January 4th) is the first meeting for the “YoRHa Musical Ver.1.2”, but as for actual practices…

Matsuda: Practices will start from tomorrow (January 5th). We plan on working on making the play over the course of the next month.

－After this meeting once everyone has had their first look at the script, do you ask the cast what they think about it?

Yoko: No… because I didn’t finish it until early this morning!

－Eh!?

Matsuda: I got his E-mail around 2:30 this morning and finished reading it around 6am. (haha)

－I understand there’s usually not much time to cover the play, but for the playwright to finish the script just before the first meeting…

Matsuda: It’s not all that unusual. Just, the play this time around is on a much larger scale… (voice trails off)

Yoko: Sorry for making you wait!

－So, you’re comment in the end of the year issue of Famitsu, where you said “I haven’t finished writing the script,” you weren’t joking… Since the “YoRHa Musical” is essentially the third run of the stage play, I assume that the fundamental story will remain untouched, but are there any details that have changed?

Yoko: For the previous plays, I wrote the original manuscript but Asakusa Kaoru write the script, but this time I took Asakusa’s script and made some edits to it to make it more my style. I ended up taking out a couple characters and creating a new character that Maria Yuriko will be playing.

－A new character!? Judging from her name, it seems like she’s a member of the Resistance.

Matsuda: Definitely watch out for that. As I read the script, by removing some of the characters, I think the relationship between characters is much clearer and more fleshed-out… I think it’s been improved a lot.

Yoko: The previous versions of the play were set up to be “Girls Theater” where a lot of young girls perform, but this time around, that wasn’t necessary any longer, so it wasn’t necessary to actively aim for a large cast. I think the number of cast members is appropriate this time.

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CC2’s “Future Vision” Likely to be Announced on February 1st!

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During the live broadcast on NicoNico tonight, Matsuyama-san announced that they will be releasing the “future vision” for CC2 in Famitsu magazine on February 1st.

He was very diligently writing something in his sketchbook long after the others finished writing their goal or mission for 2018.

Then finally when he revealed what he was drawing…

…a boob. He drew… a boob.

But that’s not all…!!

He announced that whatever “vision” CC2 has for the future will be announced in the issue of Famitsu magazine on February 1st. I wonder what it could be!!

Here’s the clip:

Famitsu Issue No.1494 – Translations

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The Introduction
Pages 126-127

“NieR:Automata” which became a huge topic of discussion in the first half of 2017, the shock of which continues to stick in our minds more than the number of sales. For those of you who are experiencing “NieR Withdrawl”, we hope these pages will help to fill that void in your hearts.

Special Feature Diagest: Beware of Spoilers!

Interviews with the cast and staff,
A look back with comments from fans,
The Memory of “NieR:Automata”

It’s been about five months since the release of “NieR:Automata”. Since then fans have been thoroughly emersed in playing the game, enjoying watching official live broadcasts, listening to the soundtrack, carefully reading through the source materials, going to the collaboration with the Square Enix Cafe, playing through the DLC and customizing the characters with the unique costumes; I think people have been widly grinning with excitement. We’ve also got additional merchandise, the novelization, and the music concerts in Taiwan yet to look forward to, but at the official “Memory of Dolls” concert in May, we were treated to one more stage that lead to the development of the “NieR:Automata” project. Maybe you feel like you’re in that lull after the storm, a sense of calm yet great sadness!? For those suffering from “NieR Withdrawl”, we’ve gathered together a bunch of information in diagest form including several interviews with the cast and staff members, the results of the questionnaire from our readers, and much more. In one of the interviews with the staff, we talked with illustratior Yoshida Akihiko about the key visual that was used for the cover of the game in Japan, and we learned of the goggle-less version among other facinating miracles. A B3-sized poster is included in this issue, so please check it out.

**Spoiler Warning**
There is a ton of spoilers throughout this special feature, so for anyone who has not yet completed the game at this time, it is recommended that you skip over these pages.

Distributed at the 2nd Nier:Automata collaboration with the Square Enix Cafe in April, we’ve included a product code on p.210 to download the “Pod Skin: Retro Gray”! Additionally, you are able to purchase digital copies of past issues of Famitsu magazine that feature NieR:Automata. Not only are introductory articles are included but also past articles, too. Items related to NieR have been compiled into a really nice digest format that would go well with this special feature on NieR:Automata. Check it out!

The “Pod Skin: Retro Gray” product code can be found in the download contents envelope.
Also check out the digital articles about NieR:Automata you can read on your iOS or Android!

CONTENTS

  • 2B’s Voice Actor: Interview with Ishikawa Yui (2 pages)
  • 9S’s Voice Actor: Interview with Hanae Natsuke (2 pages)
  • A2’s Voice Actor: Interview with Suwa Ayaka (2 pages)
  • Rabid Dogs of NieR’s World: A Conversation with Yasumoto Hiroki & Yuki Aoi (4 pages)
  • The Inspiration for “NieR:Automata” (2 pages)
  • Report: Questionaire Results (4 pages)
  • Messages from the Fans (2 pages)
  • Message and Cosplay from Yui (2 pages)
  • Taking a Look Back at “NieR:Automata” — Discussion with the Main Staff (3 pages)
  • Present for the Readers

Famitsu Issue No.1494 – Questionnaire

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Earlier in June, Famitsu asked its readers to participate in a questionnaire regarding our thoughts and opinions on NieR:Automata. The results were just published in this week’s issue of Famitsu Magazine, Issue No. 1494, as part of their 26-page feature on the game. The Questionnaire portion spans a total of 4 pages.

The magazine also published a short description related to each question as well as consolidating many users’ personal responses, of which I think they edited to save on space and clarity (Comments highlighted below may have been selected and used for this issuel). There’s also a few additional tid-bits of information that was answered in the Q&A segment with Yoko Taro from the official NieR:Automata Strategy Guide.

The following are the results of the 15 questions only. My answers are listed in red (Please note that many questions allowed for up to three answers). I’ll also include my own comments that I had written.

 

Q1: Who is your favorite character?

  • #1: 2B (2072)
  • #2: 9S (1303)
  • #3: A2 (1126)
  • #4: Emil (584)
  • #5: Pod042 (548)
  • #6: Devola / Popola (368)
  • #7: Pascal (327)
  • #8: Operator 6O (313)
  • #9: Eve (262)
  • #10: Operator 21O (185)
  • —– The Red Girls

Rekka’s Comment:
▶︎ A2: 舞台「ヨルハ」Ver.1.0とVer.1.1を実際観に行ってからずっと２号を気に入ったのです。またいつか出会うかしらと思って、やっとオートマタで再開しました。何より嬉しかったですけど、もうちょっとA2でプレイしたかったです。No2 has been my favorite character ever since I went to see both versions of the “YoRHa” stage play. I always wondered if we might see her again, and then we finally got to see her again in Automata. It was great that she returned, but it would have been nice to play as her longer in the game.
▶︎ Emil: 今回はエミールがサブキャラクターとなったんですけど、前作の愛情が変わりませんでした。どんだけエミールの存在が悲しく思ってます。Even though Emil only played a minor role as a sub-character in Automata, my fondness for him from the previous game has not changed. Emil’s very existence is so tragic.
▶︎ The Red Girls: この子達も舞台「ヨルハ」以来から嫌いな存在だと思ったけど…最後に「気が変わった」と言う事で、混乱の中で再評価が必要ですね。最後は悪い奴らじゃないかと… ん〜 分からないが、興味深いですね。After seeing the “YoRHa” play, I thoroughly hated these girls, but I was really confused when they seemed to have “changed their minds” at the end of the game. Maybe we needed to reassess their motives…? Hmmm, I really don’t know what to think, but it’s pretty interesting.

Q2: What is your favorite weapon?

  • #1: Virtuous Contract (1311)
  • #2: Emil Heads (591)
  • #3: Iron Pipe (566)
  • #4: Virtuous Treaty (557)
  • #5: Engine Blade (375)
  • #6: Cruel Oath (273)
  • #7: Type-4O Sword (245)
  • #8: Iron Will (188)
  • #9: Virtuous Dignity (187)
  • #10: Cypress Stick (185)

Rekka’s Comment:
▶︎ Iron Pipe: もちろん前作に繋ぐ武器ですので好きです。懐かしく思い出します。I liked this weapon because of its connection to the previous game. It was quite nostalgic.
▶︎ Emil Heads: こちらのウェポンストーリーはかなり興味深いでした。オートマタより未来に起こってるから面白かったです。その時にもエミールが生きてますね。それは呪いか罰か… I thought the weapon story was really interesting, how it supposedly takes place further into the future after Automata. Is this a curse or some sort of punishment…!
▶︎ Virtuous Contract: デザインが凄く綺麗いで本物の模造刀が欲しくなりますね。The design of the sword is really beautiful; I want my own real replica.

Q3: What’s your favorite fish / junk item?

  • #1: Mackerel (1020)
  • #2: Machine Lifeform Head (377)
  • #3: Killfish (329)
  • #4: Oil Sardine (254)
  • #5: Beetle Fish (236)
  • #6: Basking Shark (227)
  • #7: Broken Firearm (226)
  • #8: Tire (220)
  • #9: Water Flea (211)
  • #10: Killfish Machine (184)

Rekka’s Comments:
▶︎ Mackerel: Aji wo [K]utta
スクエニカフェで食べたら本当に死ぬかと思った、骨がいっぱいあったから…ww I tried the mackerel at the Square Enix Cafe and thought I was going to die. There were waaaaaay too many bones… haha
▶︎ Machine Lifeform Head: 初めて出て来た時の驚いた気持ちが今でもよく覚えてます。I can still remember how surprised I was when I first fished that thing. Shocked.
▶︎ Tire: 一番くだらないゴミだから好きかも。よく分かりませんww I thought this was the least interesting of things to fish out of the sewer or wherever, but that’s partially why I liked it. I dunno. haha

Q4: How satisfied were you with the shooting segments?

  • It was very “NieR-like”. (1555)
  • I grew to like shooters. (398)
  • Knock it off with the shooting segments, please. (777)

Rekka’s Comments:
▶︎ シューティングがあまり興味ないですけど、ニーアらしく思ってるからよかったです。I don’t really like shooters very much, but it wouldn’t be NieR without it, so it’s all good.

Q5: Did you enjoy the hacking system?

  • Yes. (2312)
  • No. (449)

Q6: What is your favorite ending?

  • #1: the [E]nd of YoRHa (1847)
  • #2: flowers for m[A]chines (1004)
  • #3: aji wo [K]utta (935)
  • #4: meaningless [C]ode (595)
  • #5: childhoo[D]’s end (582)
  • #6: or not to [B]e (343)
  • #7: [L]one wolf (237)
  • #8: head[Y] battle (195)
  • #9: hun[G]ry for knowledge (101)
  • #10: deb[U]nked (84)

Rekka’s Comments:
▶︎ E: 発売してから一週間で全部がクリアしたので、どっちのエンディングはどっちかはよく覚えてないので、全部面白かったですけど、特にEエンドは一番よかったと思います。実況プレイして、最後のシューティングでたくさん泣きました。その悲しさや希望の願いを混ざった気持ちがすごかったです。素晴らしいエンドだと思いました。I completed the game within about a week, so trying to remember which ending was which is kinda hard for me, but I liked them all. Most especially E. I was streaming live through the credits portion and you can entirely hear me sobbing. I think it was amazing how my feelings of sadness and despair merged with the feeling of hope and camaraderie. It was truly a perfect ending.
▶︎ C: Cエンドでかなり泣きました、A2の最後のセリフで… 悲しいエンディングが好きかもしれない… ヨコオらしいですから。I cried a ton during the C ending, especially with A2’s final line. I tend to like sad endings the most… maybe Yoko does, too.
▶︎ Y: エミールのセリフが凄く悲しかったです。本当は殺して安らかにしてあげたかったです。ニーアやカイネの再開をしてあげたかったです。Emil’s lines were really sad. I wanted to kill him so he could finally be at rest… I wanted him to finally be with Nier and Kaine again…

Q7: What’s your favorite song?

  • #1: Amusement Park (781)
  • #2: Emil’s Shop (741)
  • #3: Weight of the World / the End of YoRHa (701)
  • #4: Weight of the World / 壊レタ世界ノ歌 (486)
  • #5: Song of the Ancients / Atonement (447)
  • #6: Vague Hope / Cold Rain (317)
  • #7: A Beautiful Song (299)
  • #8: Pascal (279)
  • #9: Weight of the World (English Version) (261)
  • #10: City Ruins / Rays of Light (251)
  • —– Memory of Dust

Rekka’s Comments:
▶︎ Weight of the World (English Version): J’Niqueさんの歌声がすごい！J’Nique’s voice is amazing!
▶︎ Memories of Dust: J’Niqueさんの歌声がすごい！生で聞いたら鳥肌になりました！J’Nique’s voice is amazing! Hearing her perform these songs live gave me chills!
▶︎ Weight of the World / the End of YoRHa: この曲も何回聴いても泣きます。This song never fails to make me cry no matter how many times I listen to it (I often have to skip it whenever it starts playing in my play list).

Q8: What aspect of the DLC did you enjoy the most?

  • The costumes. (1080)
  • Being able to play as the machines in battle. (287)
  • The fights with the company bosses. (230)
  • Other. (266)

Rekka’s Comments:
▶︎ Other: 全体的にこのDLCはよかったと思いますが、もっともっと欲しくなりますので… A2のプレイ時間は少ないので、もうちょっとストーリーや何でもやりたかったです。それから、amazarashiのエンドで…どんだけ泣かされて… そのPVで何回観てもどうしようもなく泣きますので… わぁ〜 I think the entirety of the DLC was good but I really hope for more…and MORE! We didn’t get the chance to play as A2 very much of the game, so I’d love for a story DLC or anything, really. And the amazarashi ending… I honestly cannot watch that video without crying. It really gets to me no matter how many times I watch. Ahhh~~!

Q9: Which soundtrack do you like more, the original NieR Replicant/Gestalt soundtrack or the NieR:Automata soundtrack?

  • The NieR:Automata soundtrack. (1789)
  • The NieR Replicant/Gestalt soundtrack. (1148)

Q10: Did you watch the NieR:Automata “Memories of the Dolls” music concert?

  • No. (1524)
  • Yes. (1148)

Q11: Are you interested in seeing another concert?

  • Yes. (2461)
  • No. (199)

Rekka’s Comments:
▶︎ Yes: 当然。何でもやってくれたら参加したいです。だから、どんどんニーアの世界やヨコオワールドをやってください！Of course. I want to go to any event that you might set up, so please expand further on the world of NieR and the World of Yoko Taro!

Q12: Did you… do that?

  • I did it once. (757)
  • I haven’t done it yet. (723)
  • I can’t say it loud, but I backed it up first then did it. (506)
  • I don’t plan to do it. (292)
  • I did it more than three times. (284)
  • I did it twice. (180)

Q13: Question from Director Yoko Taro: “It’s a hobby of mine to cut out the magazine articles about “NieR”, but it’s such a taxing job, I can’t stand it.  But if such a thing could be manufactured and sold in about half a year, I always thought it would be nice if Famitsu gathered up all their NieR related articles and cross-reviews and offer it for sale on demand as an e-book or online for 780yen or so. Additionally, this is completely off topic, but…  Producers have that image as though they have a lover, don’t they?”

  • Yes. (2111)
  • No. (602)

Rekka’s Comments:
▶︎ Yes: ヨコオさんの作品何でも買いますので、ご安心してください。やったら私は必ず買います。忘れないでください。やったら必ず買いますので。やって、買う！I will buy anything Yoko makes, so there’s no need to worry there. If you make it, I will buy it. Don’t forget. Do it and I will buy!

Q14: Have you played the previous installment in the NieR series?

  • Yes. (1496)
  • I may play it later? (846)
  • I haven’t played it. (355)
  • I don’t plan on playing it. (47)

Q15: Are you playing “SINoALICE”?

  • Yes, I’m playing it. (1765)
  • I’m not playing it. (410)
  • I plan on playing it. (356)
  • I don’t plan on playing it. (235)

Rekka’s Comments:
▶︎ 当然！今の頃はいろんなサーバー問題がいっぱいあるけど、それがあっても楽しくプレイしてますよ！Of course! There’s a ton of problems with the server right now, but even through that, I’m having fun playing it!