interview

I found this at AC.net.. Thanks,Meru! :)
It's not really complete..but still enough for us to know something new from SE..


Nomura’s Interview

■Zack

-During the midway of CC’s story, Zack’s hairstyle changes, what was the intention behind it?

Nomura: The staff came up with the idea that on the way to the 1st(class SOLDIER)timeline from the 2nd (class SOLDIER)hairstyle, the transformation might bring a surprising effect.

-The SOLDIER uniform that Zack dons also had alterations to it right?

Nomura: In the original FF7, the 2nd class had red uniforms but a red Zack image doesn’t seem to fit, so in regards to that, changes were made from the original setting.

-Certainly, Zack in red clothes is hard to imagine isn’t it?

Nomura: Zack’s 1st and 2nd class uniform changes color accordingly. When it’s in 2nd (class) it’s blue-ish but with the 1st (class) it becomes black. Even to say that once the original version of Cloud he wears a somewhat blue-ish, however at first the image was black. During those times, there were considerations to change it(Cloud's uniform) to deep blue, this time(however) the 1st starts with black, in image of the original version, 2nd was made for the setting.

-As for the details on how Suzumura Kenichi got to be in charge of the voice?

Nomura: For this latest story it was decided that the lengthy time Zack had in the (FF7) story would be depicted, the span of his growth to adulthood is great. Occasionally, within that span of time, Zack considers choices, and I thought the “positive” part of it is what we would like to show. To set forth Zack’s cheerfulness/brightness, we’ve requested Suzumura-san for the part.

-How was the actual performance?

Nomura: Having already taken the role in AC, Zack’s 2nd class SOLDIER and boy-ish period was performed based on the character he had become as a 1st. I think Zack’s naïve image is portrayed with Suzumura-san’s voice.

-Zack is a heroic kind of character wasn’t he?

Nomura: During the original FF7, it’s a fact that the concept of Cloud being an unlikely hero is made, in contrast to that, a heroic-type character is aimed with Zack.

■Sephiroth

- Sephiroth, having been designed in FF7, has again been re-designed for CC, among other things, what have you paid attention to?

Nomura: Basically it hasn’t changed, but the length of the hair and the number of belts in his coat was increased from the original. With such arrangement, it doesn’t stray far from the original impression. I don’t think there is a sense of feeling out of place because of it.

- AC was used for the base of CC then?

Nomura: To see the big difference of the appearance we’ll take into account the number of belt fastener in his coat. In the original there was only one, in AC the coat had a lot of them.

- Considering Sephiroth, a 1st class is OK with wearing any kind of clothes aren’t they?

Nomura: When someone reaches 1st class they are given the liberty when it comes to what they wear. Sephiroth and Genesis both wear distinctive clothes, while the very serious Angeal wears the provisionary uniform, through this each of their personalities is displayed.

- What are the details behind Morikawa Toshiyuki-san’s voice?

Nomura: Sephiroth’s role was decided through an audition, however then we wanted a strong voice for him. We wanted a voice that could deliver something that was surpasses that of a normal human’s capacity and also something that’s charismatic in nature. We not only wanted something strong but something that was amorous as well. The acting isn’t the only thing that showed the seductiveness, we wanted someone who has the ツヤ(“gloss”? I dun exactly know what this mean sorry ;; ) in the voice itself. However it is was an absurd order, that hit Morikawa-san with a sense of discomfort. Though upon hearing Morikawa-san’s voice the decision was immediately made. This time, the period when Sephiroth was still a hero is portrayed flawlessly.

■Cloud

- Cloud in CC appears wearing an ordinary soldier’s uniform, was there a re-design done?

Nomura: For Cloud in CC there was no re-design made. The design of the ordinary Shinra soldiers in FF7 at that time was designed by me and was left that way. The CC’s ordinary soldier will appear as they were at that time.


-During FF7 there were somewhat a few “deformation”, as for the revisions done?

Nomura: Because Shinra’s soldiers appeared as an enemy, they were designed with a monster treatment. Because of this they were designed with proper body proportions. Because the details were drawn on the small parts too, we were able to use it as it is.

- How was Cloud’s design?

Nomura: During the recollection scene in the beginning of AC, Cloud appears for a moment, and this time that was used as the basis. The (spike)hair of Cloud in AC was facing to the rear, during FF7 Cloud’s hair was facing to the front. Because CC is a past story, it’s expected that Cloud’s hair properly fits as it was before.

- What sentiment might the direction of Cloud’s hair want to express?

Nomura: There’s no deep intention there. (laughs)
It was simply when the hair of Cloud in AC was made to face backward it fitted him well.
But when the recollection scene was included, of course the Cloud of that time should be the one there and can only be shown unless the hair was turned to the front.

-With Cloud’s boyhood, does the image of voice adjust to that sort of impression?

Nomura: Of course, as the same voice behind AC, Sakurai Takahiro-san was requested once again, and he really does it well. While being different from the Cloud in AC, he was able to do it properly. Sakurai-san had played the original FF7 and because he understood the content he was able to deliver smoothly. At the end of CC, there’s a little surprise for Cloud’s fans, please look forward to it!

■Aerith

-CC Aerith’s dress resembles closely that of BC doesn’t it?

Nomura: Up until now Aerith has appeared in BC and in Kingdom Hearts, but each time I’m always troubled by her clothes. At one point, there was a likelihood of an underpants-style or a mini-skirt-style of clothes every time I think of ideas, however it’s hard see that way don’t you think? (laughs)

-That image is certainly hard to see.

Nomura: So I always get around to thinking what I’ll do about the same pattern, this time “white” was the basis.

-The pink image of Aerith in FF7 is a strong one don’t you think?

Nomura: In Aerith’s case, she continually has the “flower” image all through-out the series. That was also the case in BC. This time I took a little deviation by making it in the image of the sky and the clouds, white and blue was also employed. I accentuated flowers around her feet.

-How was Sakamoto Maaya-san who was in charge of the voice?

Nomura: In regards to Aerith’s voice there was no need for any instruction.
“Tongue is coiled” as with this case, she was truly wonderful.
During the recording AC, Sakamoto-san said a single word and Kazushige Nojima, the one in charge of scenario, exclaimed “Wonderful!” and clamored about it. (laughs) However, this time too, Sakamoto-san was truly amazing.

- Aerith’s lines seem fairly unique and difficult doesn’t it?

Nomura: Sakamoto-san plays that part well. Occasionally there were difficult orders however she’ll only say “I understand. I’ll try to do that.”
She put the effort in showing the delicate undulations of feelings, her timing was perfect too.

- In CC, was Aerith’s relationship with Zack firmly depicted?

Nomura: Those two had sufficient conversations. Zack when requesting healing or when something comes up he goes to the church immediately (laughs) Although it’s a tragic story, but when Aerith faintly talks about Zack in her conversation, she’s able to feel relieved. Please look forward to those two’s negotiation.

■Other things

-In CC there appeared many new characters, however how was the image design of Zack’s senior Angeal?

Nomura: At first, the order regaarding Angeal was to make him a man with delicate features. A beauty in the same sense as that of Cloud. But I felt that image doesn’t seem to fit Angeal, finally I change it to make him look sort of like an unrefined man. So when I read the plot at that time, the image was more fitting you see. Zack serves as Cloud’s senior, and because he(Angeal) serves as Zack’s senior he was likened to the stoic soldier represented by Seki in “Annals of the 3 Kingdoms”. Because FF7 doesn’t have that type of SOLDIER, I think they didn’t become such nice characters.

- Genesis having appeared in DC is also in CC, can you give details regarding this?

Nomura: Tabata-san, BC’s director and also for the CC latest entry in the “Compilation” which aimed to gather and summarize, considered introducing a character that appeared from the “Aftermath”. That’s why we’ve decided to introduce Genesis in CC who appeared in DC. The mystery behind Genesis which was left in DC will be cleared this time.

- How were the voices of these two characters?
Nomura: Because it’s Angeal’s first appearance, we were troubled with the selection of the voice. Among some people’s nomination, Inoue Kazuhiko’s name was brought up. He played Prince Eric from Little Mermaid in KH. At one time, we were looking for a handsome boy-type voice, on another time I think we wanted to a シブイ(shibui?) type.
Angeal has an aging person’s face, however he’s 25 years old in the setting, Inoue-san uses a manly yet gentle voice even though it may seem it doesn’t fit Angeal.
Gackt voiced Genesis. He tried various attempt and he tackled the troubles that he came across with. Gackt-san was very impressive, his way of thinking is all through music. “Is it ok or not if I already raise my pitch a little?” he says, through the feeling of the voice even when he acts, at that time I admired the music in that.

-The compilation work connect things in a sense, with exception to Genesis, Cissnei who appeared in BC is here as well, was she re-designed?

Nomura: I didn’t re-design Cissnei. The design in BC was the one used. However it’s the first time we’re recording her voice.

-Who was the one in charge of Cissnei’s voice?

Nomura: Cissnei was performed by Nakata Asumi. Nakata-san came from the time of the KH audition and her peculiar voiced left an impression to me. Because then there was no character that fitted for her, we didn’t have the opportunity to request for her. This time with Cissnei, there weren’t many character that appeared like her although I got into thinking about the impression that Nakata-san’s voice left me, we requested her for the part.

-Tseng was the first to appear from the Turks and so what kind of role will they be doing here?

Nomura: In CC, of course all of the Turks will be appearing too. Although in FF7 they were depicted as minor villains, they became what they are because of the purpose and the intention they were made to do. However being a higher-level in Shinra, they handle orders coming from the company, as depicted in BC too, though it doesn’t mean they like what they are doing.

-In a sense, they can be likened to salary-men(white-collar workers) then?

Nomura: Certainly they did bad things in FF7 however you can’t directly call them evil specially when considering the significance of human nature. That area was shown in BC but it was stressed upon in CC. Covert missions are carried out by the Turks led by Shinra, I think I understand the relation and discrepancies. Because they are not an organization which is commanded for war battles, the human aspect remains. That area of conflict too is firmly depicted. I think when they know how Zack feels, the Turk’s viewpoint also changes.

-Asides from the character design, you’ve also contributed in other aspects of CC haven’t you?

Nomura: Yes. Kitase and Tabata wanted to try a PSP related FF7 title and consulted me about it, one day I considered about a SOLDIER’s story and that’s when I proposed that it should be about Zack. That’s when the planning started.

-And as for the original idea of DMW which came from you?

Nomura: With the DMW, even though the war situation doesn’t necessarily change, the state of the player changes from one thing to another and there is also a feeling of stress in that. In addition, an event scene occasionally turns up when a pattern comes close to being assembled. The DMW when it’s close to being assembled, it cannot be seen yet in the viewpoint of the story, but when the picture flows I thought the user might be delighted by it. However, the DMW’s existence is at its most significant in the last battle. When I thought of this idea, I thought there was no other that used so much persuasive power this way. Inside the company, when I hear someone saying “I finally get the significance of the DMW!” it makes me glad.

- During FF7 there were portions that weren’t depicted, however they will be clearly shown this time around right?

Nomura: I think people have their own different interpretations regarding that part, I see CC as the reply of the producer’s side with regards to that portion.

- Nomura-san please tell us what particular event would you recommend we pay attention to.

Nomura: “As a SOLDIER I should be fighting!” that’s the scene where Zack gets angry. I also like Zack’s trivial reaction after.

- The fact that Zack is the main protagonist, does that mean this story will have a sad conclusion?

Nomura: For me, it’s an ending that has hope. To have a last look and give an understanding, whether or not it’s able to, is what I think this person’s side is aimed to do.

■Kitase-san’s Interview

-What are the details behind the development of CC?

Kitase: The opportunity to make something for the PSP came and then the planning was made, you see. During those times, I felt many people weren’t able to play BC because it only used the DoCoMo cellphone and so I consulted about it with Tabata who made BC. I thought an extention to BC can be done. Before I realized it we were already creating an entirely different game. (laughs)

-While being developed, were there any sort of trial and error done?

Kitase: The scenario and setting wasn’t changed from the beginning, although in regards to the development we encountered some considerable problems. As a matter of fact, I felt a little anxious concerning the DMW in particular. Even though the battle is operated by 1 person, the DMW makes things interesting. When I tried the almost complete game back then I was hit with a sense of enjoyment, which made me feel relieved. Through the DMW, Zack’s status changes one after another, consequently this changes the player’s behavior too. With this メリハリ(merihari?) is effective, and the system becomes increasingly fun.

Original:Dengeki Mao October issue

What do you think?

Oh,if this already posted just delete it away.. :)

Ooo, awesome interview. Thank you mucho for sharing, sha!! :huggle:

:fangirl:
Now I'm really beginning to think that the surprise ending takes place where/when FFVII starts. I may be wrong, but that's my idea now. It would be really cool if it was. x)

Right now I can't reply to the rest of cool things in the interview, but all I can say is that Zack's story seems really interesting already. God I can't wait. :D

So Nomura has been secretly wanting to make Aerith dress... uh... sexier? XD

Oooh! I always wondered on Nomura's basis for Aerith's CC dress! Sky and clouds, huh? Interesting! Of course, Aerith is not Aerith without a bit of pink. :lol:

:huggle: You're welcome, True Serenity!

Yeah, me think that too.. But it would be cooooler if it ends at Cloud first meet Aerith.. :D .. OR.. End of Advent Children(I mean,Calling) :D .. No,no,I'm kidding... Wishfull thinking, yuss..

:whistle: repeat:Nomura: In Aerith’s case, she continually has the “flower” image all through-out the series. That was also the case in BC. This time I took a little deviation by making it in the image of the sky and the clouds, white and blue was also employed. I accentuated flowers around her feet. :whistle:
:cleris:

Oh god, Nomura. GOD. Mini skirts are cool sometimes, but not all of your female characters need to dress the same way.

She's allowed because she lost her love. :fangirl: [/insidejoke]

And since Aerith's clothes are symbolistic of the sky and clouds, does she relate to the title graphic at all?


And I wanna know what this Cloud surprise is. Ugh, gawdz.

God, I always knew why I hate this guy *shudders at the idea*. Screwing up with poor Tifa was bad enough but that he STILL isn't over those notions gives me the creeps.

Tonight I'll be having a nightmare about a FFVII remake where Aeris wears Rikkus (X-2) clothes... :puke:

sky and clouds huh... :whistle: underpants...uhm...never heard of it...I don't know what underpants are... someone tell me!!!
I can't wait for the Cloudie surprise... >_<

Aerith in a mini-skirt? Thank god that never came to, my poor Aerith. Its great to hear that once again Maaya was able to pull off Aerith perfectly again, she's a voice acting goddess.

I do think that the Cloud surprise maybe where FFVII begins, or at least during the Cloud/Zack flashback in the game where Zack was killed and Cloud looked upon Midgar.

And involvement of Aerith's design of being the "sky and the clouds, with the flowers being at her feet" does hint some Cleris-ness :cleris:

As per Wikipedia: "Undergarments, also called "underwear", "underpants," "lingerie", or "panties" (undergarments for women), or sometimes "intimate clothing", and "pants" or "knickers" in British English, are clothes worn next to the skin, usually under other clothes."

Hope that helps! :whistle:

:lmao:

Yeah that's what I thought :lmao: I seriously hope Nomura got his words/meaning mixed up not cause if not ... WTF :sweat:

Maybe he meant something else like half length jeans/trousers/pants or really short length shorts :sweat:

I mean Aerith running around in a pair of knickers ... this game isn't R18 Nomura! :nono:

Aerith walking around the ruined church with Wonder Woman panties, eh?

Um... glad Nomura didn't tread that road. Yuna is bad enough, thank yous.

I think he means something like wearing pants/leggings underneath a skirt. :mellow:

:cleris:

With the first bolded bit, I would like to point this out to those CloTi fans who continually deny that Aerith is symbolized by flowers (yes, someone actually told me they encountered a fan who denied this). :whistle:

I think that "little surprise" may have something to do with Hojo's lines at the end of "Last Order". The whole deal with Cloud being "an interesting specimen".

WHY NOT!!!

Ah, I heart Maaya. She's too talented for her own good. I don't care however big her "popularity" is--her voice is simply one of the most beautiful things I ever did hear! :blush:

My only concern is Mena Suvari. ~cringe~ She was much, much better in Advent Children compared to her KH2 performance... I was impressed. But if Nomura thought that the lines would be difficult for Maaya, I wonder how Mena will handle them. In AC she had this echoey effect added to her voice, and although it may not make much difference, I cannot help but be haunted by KH2!Aerith. ^^;

OOO~ I've heard that prediction before, and it's a very cool possibility! (; But I wonder what Nomura is getting at when he says that the ending has hope. That idea could be it, though. I'm excited. :3

Hmm... I wonder what goes on in Nomura's mind. o.O Being inside for one hour would probably be even funner than Disneyland, I bet. Bring it!

But seriously--church. Flowers. MINI-SKIRT. Very...complementary...I guess... >.> If Nomura went along with that idea, Aerith would probably look like she was in pajamas or something. I don't know, I just get that kind of idea.

I'm so overjoyed by her official CC outfit though! SHE LOOKZ AWESOME. And I love how Nomura designed it to make her look like a flower... the colors are lovely. The description is beautiful. It goes in-depth with her character, imho. Finally something nice, light, simple and unique instead of belts and all that! ^_^ Not to mention long-skirt innocence, tehe. Fresh Final Fantasy.


I didn't want to get into this, but for those who still worry about Zerisness:
For my two cents, if all depends on what Nomura says, I say that he doesn't feel ZackxAeris is as important as CloudxAeris in FFVII. He only states that "those two have sufficient conversations." I definitely agree--it's sweet! x) But if they were so meant to be together and all that (though MoTP has already done that job), my guess is that Nomura would have mentioned implying a deep message between them instead of describing them briefly by their conversations. He doesn't say much on Zack's part.

People who think that Zeris is NOW canon after all that's been presented probably think so because they are following the direction S-E is presenting in. You know:
Final Fantasy VII-->Last Order-->Advent Children-->Dirge of Cerberus-->Crisis Core
(I'm not 100% sure 'bout the order, sorry!)

I just think they disregard that Crisis Core is in the past, enough, whereas Nomura knows it's important to keep in mind of the order, as they mention Cloud being a grunt but later will save the world.

Crisis Core/Last Order --> FFVII --> AC --> DoC

That's the correct one. The shown events of CC is before FFVII.

Oh yeah, I know. ^^; I was just trying to put the timeline in which S-E's games came out. Sorry, my wording's retarded. >.< ~should get shot~

Ah I see. :lol: Nevermind then. ^_^

I love Maaya's voice so much!! I think she did convey Aerith's delightfulness in CC/AC!! (ps: that't why i love the song "Yubiwa" a lot~ it's Maaya's song and some Clerith member used to make it a fanvid...plz check upon Media board~)

TS :

Seriously, TS, these line makes me laugh big!! hahaha :D

TS :

Why make these words mini-sized? You should say it out loud in maximum size!! :lmao:
I used to worry'bout Zeris before, but kinda ffeeling released recently. IMO, Nomura wouldn't suddenly define his position toward Zerith since no special couples being cannoned in FF7 series and they've said "love interest" never be one their main themes to discuss. Nomura's saying that Zack will visit the Church whenver he's in troubled mind; to me that simply parallels Cloud's behavior in Ac, both Z&C have deep feeling for Aerith, but MotP already tells us which one she cares most :P. What I hate most is some Clotis reckon "Zerith=Clotis"! :mad: I mean, everyone has their freedom choosing which couple they praise most, but equalizing them is such a silly thread to me <_< .


"Final Fantasy VII-->Last Order-->Advent Children-->Dirge of Cerberus-->Crisis Core"?
errm....I'm not pretty sure about LO, but it's very true that many Zerith get to know FF7 from CC, and alas, we can do nothing'bout it but shout "Oh please play the damn Game!!" :puke:

Sorry, this is just edited interview, with proper & complete translation by Vilaeth.. :D


Nomura Interview

ZACK

- Was Zack's change of hair style during the game something you'd planned from the start?

Nomura: "During production some of the staff seem have been under the impression that his hair would stay the same as it was when he was a 2nd Class when he made it to 1st, so they might have been surprised at the change."

- Zack's SOLDIER outfit seems different too.

Nomura: "In the original FFVII SOLDIER 2nd Class had red uniforms. But I couldn't really imagine Zack in red, so got them to be let me make that detail different from the original."

- I can't really imagine Zack in a red uniform either...

Nomura: "So I changed the colours of Zack's 1st and 2nd uniforms. The 2nd uniform is more blue, while the 1st uniform is black. Cloud wore a bluish uniform in FFVII, but originally it was going to be black. At the time due to circumstance it was changed to a deep blue, so now we've made the 1st uniform black like they were originally intended to be, and used the original game's design for 2nd Class."

- How did you decide on Ken'ichi Suzumura to provide the voice of Zack?

Nomura: "Since the story shows Zack for a long period of time, there's a wide scope for growth. When thinking about which aspect of Zack out of that scope to pick up on, I wanted to bring out the 'yang'. We decided to go with Mr. Suzumura to project Zack's cheerfulness. "

- And what were your thoughts when he got down to playing the part?

Nomura: "He played the role in AC as well, so based on the knowledge of what kind of character he'll be when he's in 1st Class, we had him play the boyish 2nd Class Zack. I feel that Mr. Suzumura's voice fits Zack's innocent, childlike image."

- Zack does seem like a leading man.

Nomura: "With FFVII Cloud was created out of the concept on a character who wasn't like a 'leading man', but on the other end of the scale with Zack we were going for for a character who is."


SEPHIROTH

- Sephiroth seem to have been redesigned for CC compared with his original FFVII design. Are there any points that you took special care over?

Nomura: "It's basically the same design, but compared to the original his hair is longer and there's more belts, that's pretty much it. I tried not to stray too far from the impression from the original game, while making minor adjustments like that. So I don't think the changes will feel out of place."

- Sephiroth certainly doesn't seem too different from how he looked in FFVII.

Nomura: "The CC version of Sephiroth is based on AC's design. We decided to use the AC one since it's more expressive than the original's, but basically there's no major differences between the original and AC's designs.

- So CC uses AC as a basis.

Nomura: "The biggest difference as far as his appearance goes is the number of buckles on the belts for his coat. In the original game there was one, but in AC there was a lot."

- In 1st Class they can wear whatever they like, then?

Nomura: "When you're promoted to 1st, you're free to choose your outfit. Sephiroth and Genesis wear unique outfits, and Angeal is a serious man so he wears the standard issue uniform. Their outfits reflect their individual personalities."

- How did Tomoyuki Morikawa get the role of Sephiroth?

Nomura: "We held auditions for the role of Sephiroth, but what we were looking for in Sephiroth's voice was strength. We wanted the voice as well to convey that this is a man who has abilities and charisma far beyond that of an average person. And not only strength, but it also has terror and sensuality in his voice. But we weren't looking for someone who could bring out that sensuality through acting, but rather someone who's voice itself has that lustre to it. It's a rather excessive demand, but Mr. Morikawa fits it to a T. So after hearing Mr. Morikawa's voice, we decided on him straight away. Even in CC, he's perfect in the role of Sephiroth when he was still a hero."

CLOUD

- Cloud appears in CC wearing a regular grunt's uniform, but did you redesign this as well?

Nomura: "Cloud hasn't been redesigned for CC. I did the deigns for Shinra's regular army uniforms back for the original FFVII, so rather I used that original design as it was. So that original design for the regular soldiers has been reproduced without change in CC."

- Some of the designs used in FFVII were slightly stylised, so did you have to touch up the design?

Nomura: "Shinra troops appeared as enemies, so they were designs as monsters [enemy characters]. So the designs I did back then used proper proportions. I had drawn them down to the little details, so I was able to use it as is."

- What about the design of Cloud himself?

Nomura: "In the flashback scenes at the beginning of AC the old Cloud appears for just a moment, so we used that as a base. In AC the spike in Cloud's hair faces backwards, but in FFVII it was facing forward. Since CC takes place in the past, his spike should be facing firmly forward."

- So is it like, the direction of the spike reflect Cloud's state of mind?

Nomura: "I didn't think that deeply into it (laughs). It was simply that when was I making AC Cloud, having the spike facing backward looked cool. But when we were adding the flashback scene, it really had to be the old Cloud, so the spike had to be forward."

- Since this is Cloud during his boyhood days, did you try to make the impression of the voice match that?

Nomura: "Of course we got Takahiko Sakurai, who played the role in AC, to provide the voice, but he really is talented. While playing it different to AC Cloud, he's still definitely Cloud. Mr. Sakurai played the original FFVII and understands the subject matter, so he had no trouble with the role. At the end of CC there's a bit of a surprise, so any Cloud fans might want to look forward to that."

AERITH

- Aerith's CC outfit is similar to her BC one, isn't it.

Nomura: "Aerith has appeared before in BC and Kingdom Hearts, but each time I stress over her outfit. Each time I consider the possibility of having trousers or a mini-skirt, but I just can't see it (laughs)

- It certainly is hard to imagine.

Nomura: "But I wasn't big on following the same pattern every time, so this time I designed it using white as a foundation."

- Colour-wise, the pink from FFVII left a big impression, didn't it?

Nomura: "With Aerith, 'flowers' has been her image throughout the series. BC was the same. But this time I wanted to take a little risk at something different, and used white and blue to bring to mind the sky and clouds. Although she still has flowers on the designs of her shoes."

- How about Maaya Sakamoto, who provides her voice?

Nomura: "As far Aerith's voice goes, I've got nothing to say. Being speechless says it all, she really is that good. When we were recording AC, every time Ms. Sakamoto said a line the scenario writer Kazushige Nojima would make a noise about it and carry on about 'how great' she was (laughs). CC was no exception, Ms. Sakamoto truly is amazing."

- Aerith's elocution is rather unique, and looks tricky to play.

Nomura: "Ms. Sakamoto play that for us well. Sometimes we give her some difficult demands, but she just replies with an "alright, I'll give it a shot" and pulls it off. She adds the subtle changes of emotion with such skill, and she puts in the pauses perfectly as well."

- Will you be protraying the relationship between Zack and Aerith in detail in CC?

Nomura: "They do have a lot of conversations together. Whenever something comes up Zack heads straight to the church, as if maybe he's looking to be healed (laughs). It's a brutal story, but Zack and Aerith's conversations are somewhat heart-warming, and offer a bit of respite. I hope people will look forward to watching their scenes together."

OTHERS

- There are also a lot of characters showing up for the first time in CC but first off what kind of image did you have in mind when designing Angeal, who is like an older brother to Zack?

Nomura: "The original request for Angeal called for a more sensitive, delicate type. A man with attractive features, who resembled Cloud. But the Angeal I envisioned was slightly different from that, and ultimately he ended up the rugged man he is today. That's nearer to the image I had when I read the plot. Zack is like an older brother to Cloud, and for the 'older brother' to Zack, to use the Records of Three Kingdoms as an example, I pictured a stoic warrior type like Guan Yu. FFVII didn't have any SOLDIER characters like that, so I thought it might make for a good character.

- What's the story behind Genesis, who appeared in DC, also appearing in CC?

Nomura: "Tabata, who was also the director of BC, apparently wanted CC to bring the Compilation together, so was considering putting a character from a later point chronologically. So we decided to have Genesis from DC also appear in CC. The mysteries about Genesis left by DC will be cleared up in CC."

- What about the voices for Angeal and Genesis?

Nomuta: "This is Angeal's first appearance so I was fretting about who to get to play him, but among the list of applicants was Kazuhiko Inoue's name. He had played Prince Eric from the Little Mermaid in KH. For that role he used a 'handsome youth' type voice, but I wanted him to play a cool, refined character some day. Even though Angeal looks old he's only 25, and I thought that Mr. Inoue's voice, masculine but sensitive, would be perfect.

Genesis is played by Gackt. He tried a lot of different ideas for how he thought he should do things, and was meticulous with how he handle the role. What left the biggest mark about Gackt was how he related everything to music. I was really impressed at how his frame of mind is based in music even when doing his voice work, like how he'd say things such as, "should I raise the pitch a little bit more?"

- On the point of connecting the Compilation titles, Cissnei from BC appears in addition to Genesis. Have you given her a new design?

Nomura: "Cissnei hasn't had a new design. I used her design straight from BC. But this is the first time she's being voiced, so that has been newly recorded."

- Who provides Cissnei's voice?

Nomura: "Cissnei is played by Asumi Nakata. Ms. Nakata has been coming to auditions since the production of KH, and I was struck by her distinctive voice. Until now we haven't had a character her voice would suit, so we haven't had the opportunity to use her. Cissnei doesn't appear that often in this game, but I thought that with Ms. Nakata's voice she could leave her mark even in such a short time and hired her for the role".

- The Turks such as Tseng also appear, but what kind of role will they have?

Nomura: "The members of Turks are of course going to show up in CC. In FFVII the Turks were portrayed kind of like minor villains, but they acted based on their own will and philosophy. However, as long as they're with the Shinra Company, they'll carry out the orders given to them. That aspect of them was covered in BC as well, but it's not that they do evil things because that's what they want to do."

- So in a sense, they're just like ordinary employees in a company?

Nomura: "It's true that in FFVII they did some evil things, but as far as their humanity goes you can't just say that they're evil people. That was shown in BC, and it's emphasised even more in CC. I think you'll be able to grasp the relationship and differences between the Turks who carry out the covert assignments, and Shinra who controls them. The Turks as an organization aren't as tightly controlled as the military, so they still have some humanity left. We're aiming to go into the conflict that arises from that. I think once you understand how they view Zack, it'll change how people look at the Turks."

- I heard that you not only handled the character designs but were also involved with many facets of CC?

Nomura: "Yeah. I was approached by Kitase and Tabata with the idea of making a FFVII title on the PSP, so I thought about it for a day and suggested doing a story about SOLDIER, with Zack as the lead. That was where the project started from."

- I also heard that the original idea for the DMW was yours too?

Nomura: "With the DMW, it's not the tactical situation that changes but the player's situation that continuously changes, so there's a feeling of tension. And when the character portraits are about to line up sometimes a cutscene will play. I thought that the players might enjoy this sense of anticipation that the DMW could be about to line up something, and being able to see scenes you can't see during the main story. But the biggest reason for the DMW being there lies in the final battle. When I thought of this idea, I didn't think there was more compelling use of it than this. Even from the in-house impressions of the game, I was happy to hear people say that they understood the meaning of the DMW."

- Will the parts that FFVII didn't really go into deeply be shown in CC in more detail?

Nomura: "I think there might be parts where people's interpretations differ, but in regards to these parts I think CC will be the creator's answers to them."

- What scenes in the game would you recommend that people should watch out for?

Nomura: "The scene where an angry Zack says 'I'm a SOLDIER, I should fight.' Also I like Zack's little reactions."

- With Zack as the lead, won't the story have a sad ending?

Nomura: "I think there's hope in the ending. Maybe people will understand what we were trying to do when they watch the final scenes."



Kitase Interview

- What's the story on CC's development?

Kitase: "It started when a project to make something for the PSP was brought up. I thought it would be nice to let more users have the chance to play BC, which at the time was only available for mobile phones on the DoCoMo network, so I had a chat with Tabata who had made BC. So I personally was thinking of making a game that would be an extension of BC. But before I knew it, it had turned into a completely different game (laughs)"

- Did you have to figure anything out by trial and error during development?

Kitase: "The scenario, and world and character building didn't change from the day one, but the team seemed to have a rough time with the development. The DMW in particular, which I was also apprehensive about actually. I wasn't sure if the DMW would make the game fun while only having one playable character during battle. But after playing an early build my mind was put at ease. I got really into it and enjoyed it. With the DMW Zack's status continuously changes, and the player's actions will also change in accordance with that. This makes it an entertaining system with a good sense of variety."

OMG! I love Maaya's voice too.. Her voice's so perfect for Aerith.. :fangirl: