01.19.2021 Nominated for the Crunchyroll Anime Awards!
12.11.2020 Kodaka will be on the stage of “BilibiliWorld”
12.01.2020 Collabo illust. by Komatsuzaki coming out!
Akudama DriveBroadcast Starting, Oct.8, 2020
World’s End ClubScheduled release, September 4,2020
Death Come TrueScheduled release, June 25, 2020
Tribe NineRelease Date (TBD)
"Akudama Drive" was nominated for the Crunchyroll Anime Awards!
The battle scene of the Brawler vs. Master of the 6th episode of "Akudama Drive" was nominated for the “BEST FIGHT SCENE” category of the anime award held every year by the American streaming company Crunchyroll.
https://www.crunchyroll.com/animeawards/vote/index.html
Kazutaka Kodaka will appear on "BilibiliWorld2020 Guangzhou x Japan Special Venue Live Broadcast Talk Stage" with the gorgeous voice actor and production team of "Akudama Drive"!
The gorgeous voice actor and production team including Kodaka of the popular anime “Akudama Drive”, which is being exclusively distributed on bilibili video in China, will appear on "BilibiliWorld2020 Guangzhou x Japan Special Venue Live Broadcast Talk Stage". We will talk about every bit of charm of the work, such as the highlights and the inside story of the production!
◆Stage Time：December 26(Sat.), 2020 12：15～12：45
◆Speakers：Kazutaka Kodaka(Original Story）, Tomohisa Taguchi(Director), Yuuichirou Umehara(The Courier)
◆Event Official Site：https://bw.bilibili.com/2020/index.html#/bwgz
The release of the “Akudama Drive” and “Danganronpa” collaboration illustration drawn by Komatsuzaki, will be coming out!
The release of the “Akudama Drive” and “Danganronpa” collaboration illustration drawn by Komatsuzaki, who was in charge of character drafts of “Akudama Drive” and character designs of “Danganronpa” will be coming out! This illustration will make the cover of the “Animedia January issue” released on December 10th.
Kazutaka Kodaka & Rui Komatsuzaki “Danganronpa” × Tomohisa Taguchi “Persona 4 the Golden Animation” × Studio Pierrot “Mr. Osomatsu” Original TV Anime “Akudama Drive” Broadcast Starts from today, October 8, 2020, every Thursday on BS Nippion/TOKYO MX and other!
Original TV Anime “Akudama Drive”, a story based on villains who carry out their self-esteem will be portrayed along with stylish images.
Original story and character drafts by the script writer and also the head of Too Kyo Games, Kazutaka Kodaka and the character designer, Rui Komatsuzaki. The 2 who joined forces in the game series “Danganronpa” will come together again for this anime. The director is Tomohisa Taguchi who filmed “Persona 4 the Golden Animation” and the film version of “Digimon Adventure LAST EVOLUTION KIZUNA”. Also, anime production by Studio Pierrot which produced “Mr. Osomatsu” and the series “Tokyo Ghoul”.
With these fulfilling staff, an original TV Anime is now under way!
◆Information of broadcasting/delivery！
Begin Broadcasting from today, October 8, 2020 every Thursday on BS Nippion/Tokyo MX and other!
Exclusive streaming on FOD!
BS Nippon 23:30～
Sun Television 24:00～
TOKYO MX 24:30～
KBS Kyoto 25:00～
AT-X 21:30～
*Repeat broadcast every Sat. 13:30～/every Tue. 29:30～
J:COM “Ani-obi” from Oct. 13, every Tue. 25:00～
FOD from October 8, every Thurs. 23:30～
Please look forward to the kick off of the “the story of villains carrying out their self-esteem”!
©Pierrot, TookyoGames/Akudama Drive Production Committee
Kazutaka Kodaka will appear as a guest on the 17th live streaming of “Tsuzukimi” today!
■ Program overview
While many animations are aired every broadcast season, there are many people who watch only “3 episodes" “1 episode” and even “checking only the title and not watching the story", or worse “not knowing there was a such work in the first place”.
Since 2016 "Tsuzukimi" has been held in order to eradicate "Zero Story Cut" from the world.
Let's enjoy the trailer of the new animation!
■ Delivery date and time
September 30(Wed.), 2020 18: 00-21: 00
* Scheduled to be broadcasting live on niconico Live, Bandai Channel, Mildom, etc.
* niconico Live will be time-shifted.
Kodaka will appear on Danganronpa series’ 10th anniversary commemoration live stream “Dangan TV: Hope Goes Forward!”!
Program name：Dangan TV: Hope Goes Forward Air Date: September 17th, 2020 from 21:00 - 22:00 JST
Guest on the final Dangan TV：Kazutaka Kodaka
Delivery method：By Periscope through Danganronpa's official twitter
Danganronpa Official Twitter: https://twitter.com/dangan_official
Archive：https://www.youtube.com/user/spikechunsoft
Kazutaka Kodaka & Rui Komatsuzaki “Danganronpa” × Tomohisa Taguchi “Persona 4 the Golden Animation” × Studio Pierrot “Mr. Osomatsu” Original TV Anime “Akudama Drive” Broadcast Starts from October 8, 2020, every Thursday on BS Nippion/TOKYO MX and other!
Original TV Anime “Akudama Drive”, a story based on villains who carry out their self-esteem will be portrayed along with stylish images.
Original story and character drafts by the script writer and also the head of Too Kyo Games, Kazutaka Kodaka and the character designer, Rui Komatsuzaki. The 2 who joined forces in the game series “Danganronpa” will come together again for this anime. The director is Tomohisa Taguchiwho filmed “Persona 4 the Golden Animation” and the film version of “Digimon Adventure LAST EVOLUTION KIZUNA”. Also, anime production by Studio Pierrot which produced “Mr. Osomatsu” and the series “Tokyo Ghoul”.
With these fulfilling staff, an original TV Anime is now under way!
◆Information on Disclosure of broadcasting/delivery！
Begin Broadcasting from October 8, 2020 every Thursday on BS Nippion/Tokyo MX and other!
Exclusive streaming on FOD!
BS Nippon 23:30～
Sun Television 24:00～
TOKYO MX 24:30～
KBS Kyoto 25:00～
AT-X 21:30～
*Repeat broadcast every Sat. 13:30～/every Tue. 29:30～
J:COM “Ani-obi” from Oct. 13, every Tue. 25:00～
FOD from October 8, every Thurs. 23:30～
Please look forward to the kick off of the “the story of villains carrying out their self-esteem”!
◆Second trailer release!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=41k3bjceNIU
Finally, curtain has been raised for the crime action of “Akudamas” from October 8, 2020!
Please look forward to it!
◆Disclosure of the theme song of opening and ending!
Opening theme song: “STEAL!!” by SPARK!!SOUND!!SHOW!!(susashi)
Ending theme song: “Ready” by Urashimasakatasen
◆Information Disclosure of Additional Casts!
The High Executioner：Akio Otsuka
The Executioner Apprentice：Yumiri Hanamori
ボス：Yoshiko Sakakibara
黒猫：Maaya Uchida
■Information of All Casts!
The Citizen: Tomoyo Kurosawa
The Courier: Yuuichirou Umehara
The Brawler: Shunsuke Takeuchi
The Hacker: Shun Horie
The Doctor: Megumi Ogata
The Punk: Subaru Kimura
The Killer: Takahiro Sakurai
The High Executioner：Akio Otsuka
The Executioner Apprentice: Yumiri Hanamori
ボス：Yoshiko Sakakibara
黒猫：Maaya Uchida
◆Release of The special interview of Yuuichirou Umehara, playing the role of The Courier!
Special interview of Mr. Yuuichirou Umehara, playing the role of The Courier is released! He talked at length about the highlights of this work and the episode at the post-recording site. Please check this out!
https://www.animatetimes.com/news/details.php?id=1599554328
◆Official Instagram Open!
Starting of the official Instagram of TV Anime, “Akudama Drive”!
In addition to characters and art settings, we will gradually release the report of production sites that can only be seen on Instagram.
Please follow us!
Account：@akudamadrive_anime
https://www.instagram.com/akudamadrive_anime
◆In commemoration to the new information release of the TV anime “Akudama Drive”! Twitter Account follow & Retweet Campaign, Now Live!
Commemorating the new information disclosure of TV anime “AKudama Drive”, participate in our Twitter account follow & retweet campaign and get a chance to win a key visual poster with hand-signed autographs by the main casts!
Don't miss the chance to get a gorgeous key visual poster with hand-signed 10 autographs by Tomoyo Kurosawa(The Citizen), Yuuichirou Umehara(The Courier), Shunsuke Takeuchi (The Brawler), Shun Horie(The Hacker), Megumi Ogata(The Doctor), Subaru Kimura(The Punk), Takahiro Sakurai(The Killer), Akio Otsuka(The High Executioner), Yumiri Hanamori(The Executioner Apprentice), Yoshiko Sakakibara(ボス), and Maaya Uchida(黒猫)!
Win a key visual poster signed by (Tomoyo Kurosawa, Yuuichirou Umehara, Shunsuke Takeuchi, Shun Horie, Megumi Ogata, Subaru Kimura, Takahiro Sakurai, Akio Otsuka, Yumiri Hanamori(The Executioner Apprentice), Yoshiko Sakakibara, and Maaya Uchida! ) !
Three winners will be selected!
*B2 size poster(vertical)/Not for sale/Signed by 10 casts
【Application period】
Ends: September 30, 2020 23:59(JST)
【How to enter】
After follow the official Twitter account (@akudamadrive) of the TV anime "Akudama Drive", we will give a poster with hand-signed autographs by casts to among those who RT the application tweet posted by the official Akudama Drive Twitter around 20 o'clock on September 10 (Thursday)
Please read the notes below to apply.
【Notes on applying for the gift campaign】
A Twitter account is required to apply for this gift campaign. If the account is frozen or deleted at the time of the drawing, or if this account is unfollowed, it will not be eligible. Application is limited to one account per person. Please note that we will invalidate the application from multiple accounts by one person.
Winners will be notified via Twitter direct message. Please note that we will not contact anyone other than the winner.
Applying and delivery limited only domestically in Japan.
The prize will be shipped by Front Works Co., Ltd.
The prizes will be shipped from December 2020 onwards.
We will pay close attention to the packaging, but please note that we cannot accept returns or exchanges in case of damage due to an accident during shipping.
The personal information provided will not be used for any purpose other than to send the prize.
TV anime “AKudama Drive” Official Twitter account：https://twitter.com/akudamadrive
©Pierrot, TookyoGames/Akudama Drive Production Committee
Today on Apple Arcade℠, there was a surprise release of World’s End Club! The title change and the release of Switch version Spring 2021 were revealed in the teaser movie today!
IzanagiGames Inc. announced today World’s End Club, Creative Director Kazutaka Kodaka, Story by Kotaro Uchikoshi has been released on Apple Arcade℠. It was announced on teaser movie released today that Death March Club change its title to World’s End Club and in addition, Nintendo Switch™ version coming out Spring 2021.
◆Game Summary
Title/World's End Club
Genre/Suspense Puzzle Action
Release Date/September 4, 2020(Scheduled release for Nintendo Switch™ Spring of 2021.)
Platform/Apple Arcade℠, Nintendo Switch™
Produce & Publishing/IzanagiGames, Inc.
Scenario & Direction/Too Kyo Games
Development/Grounding Inc.
Executive Producer/Shinsuke Umeda
Creative Director/Kazutaka Kodaka
Scenario & Direction/Kotaro Uchikoshi
Director/Takumi Nakazawa
Scenario Assistant/Yoichiro Koizumi
Character Design/Take
Development Producer/Yukio Futatsugi
Art Director/Kentaro Yoshida
Copyright Notation/(c)IzanagiGames, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
◆The New Game Teaser Movie URL
https://youtu.be/orHx-T6WbG0
◆About World's End Club
A suspense puzzle action game, story and directed by Too Kyo Games led by Kazutaka Kodaka and developed by Grounding Inc., Yukio Futatsugi (known for Panzer Dragoon series etc.) who is the key person of the company. Character design by Take (known for Zaregoto Series, Pokémon Sun and Moon etc.). Produced by Shinsuke Umeda and published by IzanagiGames Inc..
・World’s End Club Official Site
https://www.deathmarchclub.com/
・World’s End Club Official Twitter
https://twitter.com/d_m_club
Takada and Fukuda will appear on Danganronpa series’ 10th anniversary commemoration live stream “Dangan TV: Hope Goes Forward!”!
Program name: Dangan TV: Hope Goes Forward
Air Date: August 20th, 2020 from 21:00 - 22:00 JST
Guest: Masafumi Takada, Jun Fukuda
Theme: Your favorite Danganronpa music
Delivery method: By Periscope through Danganronpa's official twitter
Danganronpa Official Twitter: https://twitter.com/dangan_official
Archive：https://www.youtube.com/user/spikechunsoft
Original TV Anime “Akudama Drive” is now available in Comic!
TV Anime “Akudama Drive”, original story by Kodaka and character drafts by Komatsuzaki is now available in comic. Exclusive delivery starts today, Tuesday, July 7th on “Renta Comics” a comic label of a digital book rental service “Renta!”.
Art by Mr. Rokurou Ogaki who has also worked on“THE UNLIMITED Kyosuke Hyobu”the spin off anime of “Psychic Squad”and“Tougen Ranbu the movie”.
＊【This service is limited only in Japan.】
©Pierrot,TooKyoGames/Akudama Drive Production Committee
Too Kyo Games’ launch off work!【Death Come True】released today!
“Death Come True” scenario and directed by Kazutaka Kodaka is now available from June 25, 2020. “Death Come True” is the new live action interactive movie that is the first work of founding Too Kyo Games.
■ “Death Come True” is out first for Nintendo Switch/iOS/Android. Price is 1,960 JPY(with tax).
For purchase: https://bit.ly/dctstorelink
“Death Come True” Release Date has been Announced!
“Death Come True” scheduled for release on June 25th, 2020. It launches first for Nintendo Switch, iOS, and Android. Price is 1,960JPY, confirmed.
Release dates for PS4 and PC(steam) will be announced later.
Original TV Anime “Akudama Drive” will be available in Comic Announced!
TV Anime “Akudama Drive”, original story by Kodaka and character drafts by Komatsuzaki will be available in comic, has been announced. Exclusive delivery starts on July 7th(Tue.) on “Renta Comics” a comic label of a digital book rental service “Renta!”.
Art by Mr. Rokurou Ogaki who has also worked on “THE UNLIMITED Kyosuke Hyobu” the spin off anime of “Psychic Squad” “Tougen Ranbu the movie”. ＊【This service is limited only in Japan.】
©Pierrot,TooKyoGames/Akudama Drive Production Committee
Uchikoshi’s interview is featured on the video game news website, “Gamereactor”!
Uchikoshi’s interview is featured on Gamereactor, the video game news website operating in UK, Germany, Spain, France, Italy, Portugal, Poland, Denmark, Sweden, Norway, Finland, China, and Indonesia. Please check this out!
Gamereactor UK：https://www.gamereactor.eu/too-kyo-too-crazy-an-interview-with-kotaro-uchikoshi/
Original TV Anime, “Akudama Drive” A special live broadcast with the staff & the cast!
A special live program airing on Abema TV with the staff and the cast on Saturday March 21st from 2:15pm(JST), in commemoration of “Akudama Drive” beginning broadcasting in October!
New information about the Original TV anime “Akudama Drive” will unveil. Don’t miss it!
Name of program: TV Anime “Akudama Drive” special live program
Broadcasting date: Saturday March 21st 2:15pm ～3:00pm(JST)
Cast：Mr. Kazutaka Kodaka(original story), Mr. Tomohisa Taguchi(director), Mr. Sadahiko Tominaga(producer), Ms.Tomoyo Kurosawa(Role of The Citizen), Mr. Yuuichirou Umehara(Role of The Courier), and Takahiro Sakurai(Role of The Killer)
Program URL：https://abema.tv/channels/abema-anime-2/slots/DAXtFx9rCqM8ST
※Free viewing available for one week after the broadcast.
Kazutaka Kodaka & Rui Komatsuzaki “Danganronpa” × Tomohisa Taguchi “Persona 4 the Golden Animation” × Studio Pierrot “Mr. Osomatsu” Original TV Anime “Akudama Drive” will launch! 7 major information is delivered, information like broadcasting date October 2020!!
Original TV Anime “Akudama Drive”, a story based on villains who carry out their self-esteem will be portrayed along with stylish images.
Original story and character drafts by the script writer and also the head of Too Kyo Games, Kazutaka Kodaka and the character designer, Rui Komatsuzaki. The 2 who joined forces in the game series “Danganronpa” will come together again for this anime. The director is Tomohisa Taguchi who filmed “Persona 4 the Golden Animation”and the film version of“Digimon Adventure LAST EVOLUTION KIZUNA”. Also, anime production by Studio Pierrot which produced “Mr. Osomatsu”and the series“Tokyo Ghoul”.
With these fulfilling staff, an original TV Anime is now under way!
◆Original TV Anime “Akudama Drive” will launch!
Begin Broadcasting October 2020!
Look forward to the kick off of the “the story of villains carrying out their self-esteem”!
【Synopsis】
ZEN・IN・AKU・DAMA (EVERY・ONE・BAD・PEOPLE)
The curtain will be raised for the criminals “AKUDAMA” in the new crime action!
Long ago, the world was torn because of a war between KANTO and KANSAI. KANSAI came under the rule of KANTO and became independently developed. However, the political power and the force of the police are declining which led to making a crime-infested area. These criminals are known as “AKUDA”.
The story takes place in a highly-developed but twisted society. In this society, AKUDAMAs try to live truly to themselves leading an authentic life. All the AKUDAMAs gather together, to fight for their aesthetics.
HP：https://akudama-drive.com/
Twitter：https://twitter.com/akudamadrive
◆The 7 main characters
“The Citizen”, “The Courier”, “The Brawler”, “The Hacker”, “The Doctor”, “The Punk”, and “The Killer”
all together on teaser visual is released!
◆Information Disclosure of Main Staff!
Original Concept: Pierrot・TooKyoGames
Original Story: Kazutaka Kodaka
Character Drafts: Rui Komatsuzaki
Director: Tomohisa Taguchi
Assistant Director: Yoshifumi Sasahara
Series Composition: Norimitsu Kaiho
Character Design: Cindy H. Yamauchi
Mechanical Design: Sho Yamamoto, Haruo Miyagawa, Shinobu Tsuneki
Art Director: Yohio Tanioka
Art Setting: Kaoru Aoki
Color Design: Saori Aida
Editing: Akinori Mishima
Director of Photography: Kazuhiro Yamada
CG Director: Hidenori Fujitani
Audio Director: Yukio Nagasaki
Audio Production: Delfi Sound
Music: Shigekazu Aida
Animation Production: studio pierrot
◆A special round-table talk with the main staff is shown!
The main staff of TV anime “Akudama Drive”, Kazutaka Kodaka(original story), × Tomohisa Taguchi(director) × Sadahiko Tominaga(producer) getting together at a special round-table talk is released!
Find out the behind the scene story of the making of this original anime!
URL:https://www.animatetimes.com/news/details.php?id=1583977278
◆Information Disclosure of Main Casts!
The Citizen: Tomoyo Kurosawa
The Courier: Yuuichirou Umehara
The Brawler: Shunsuke Takeuchi
The Hacker: Shun Horie
The Doctor: Megumi Ogata
The Punk: Subaru Kimura
The Killer: Takahiro Sakurai
◆First trailer release!
The first trailer of TV anime “Akudama Drive” is being released!
URL:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j2N3QpM4bOA
◆A special live broadcast with the staff & the cast!
A special live program airing on Abema TV with the staff and the cast on Saturday March 21st from 2:15pm(JST), in commemoration of “Akudama Drive” beginning broadcasting in October! Expected cast and staff on the show are Mr. Kazutaka Kodaka, Mr. Tomohisa Taguchi, Mr. Sadahiko Tominaga, Ms. Tomoyo Kurosawa, Mr. Yuuichirou Umehara, and Mr. Takahiro Sakurai!
New information about the Original TV anime “Akudama drive” will unveil. Don’t miss it!
Name of program:
TV Anime “Akudama Drive” special live program
Broadcasting date: Saturday March 21 2:15pm ～ 3:00pm(JST)
Cast：Mr. Kazutaka Kodaka (original story), Mr. Tomohisa Taguchi(director), Mr. Sadahiko Tominaga (producer), Ms. Tomoyo Kurosawa (Role of The Citizen), Mr. Yuuichirou Umehara (Role of The Courier), and Takahiro Sakurai(Role of The Killer)
Program URL：https://abema.tv/channels/abema-anime-2/slots/DAXtFx9rCqM8ST
※Free viewing available for one week after the broadcast.
◆In commemoration to the broadcasting of the TV anime “Akudama Drive” beginning in October!
Twitter Account follow & Retweet Campaign, Now Live!
Commemorating the beginning of TV anime “AKudama Drive” in October, participate in our Twitter account follow & retweet campaign and get a chance to win a teaser visual poster with hand-signed autographs by the staff and cast!
Applying and delivery limited only domestically in Japan.
Check out more on TV anime “AKudama Drive” Official Twitter account:
https://twitter.com/akudamadrive
©Pierrot,TookyoGames/Akudama Drive Production Committee
An interview is aired on TV TOKYO〝TSUZUKieeeee! DENNO HUMAN"!
Kazutaka Kodaka's interview is broadcasted on TV TOKYO〝TSUZUKieeeee! DENNO HUMAN"!
Airing on Sunday, March 8th, 22:48～22:54
TV TOKYO Official Website
https://www.tv-tokyo.co.jp/
Akatsuki×Too Kyo Games New IP project〝TRIBE NINE" Notice of the beginning of production, opening of the Teaser Website, and Concept Trailer
Too Kyo Games announced we have started working together with Akatsuki Inc., on a new IP project〝TRIBE NINE". Along with this, a teaser website opens today.
・Teaser Website
https://tribenine.tokyo/
■About the project
This work is a new IP project co-produced by Akatsuki and Too Kyo Games.
The story takes place in fictional 23 wards in central Tokyo where outlaw groups existing in each ward use〝Xtream baseball", based on baseball, battle together staking their prestige on the line. This is the worldview of the product that is now being thought out.
We expect to update new information accordingly as the project progresses.
■Teaser Site
A new teaser website launches today. The project's concept trailer, production staff, and recruitment information for the new development member can be found on this site.
©Akatsuki Inc.
【Death Come True】 Product presentation taking place!
【Death Come True】a new live action interactive movie written and directed by Kazutaka Kodaka, will hold a product presentation on Feb.6,2020 at Shinjyuku Wald 9.
The cast members, Kanata Hongo, Chiaki Kuriyama, Win Morisaki, Yuki Kaji, and Chihiro Yamamoto will appear on the stage. It will be broadcasted on Izanagi Games Official Channel on YouTube and Famitsu YouTube & Niconico Live from 20:30(JST). Don't miss it!
New live action movie game, scenario and directed by Kazutaka Kodaka "Death come true" , a mysterious count down website is released by Izanagi Games!
Izanagi Games has launched the countdown site about “Death come true“, live action movie game, scenario and directed by Kazutaka Kodaka on December 9th at 17:00. Who is the starring actor that is going to be revealed in 24 hours?
Not many things have been revealed so far about Death Come true. The only things we know now are that this live action game's scenario and game directed by Kazutaka Kodaka and produced by Shinsuke Umeda, Izanagi Games CEO. The silhouette of actors' identities will be revealed within a certain amount of time. In 24 hours the identity of the starring actor will be disclosed! Don't miss it December 10th 2019, at 5 pm!
・Death Come True Countdown site
https://deathcometrue.com
・Death Come True Twitter account
https://twitter.com/DeathComeTrue
Live Twitch Interview
The interview of Kodaka, Uchikoshi, and Nakazawa is broadcasted on June 2nd, from 13:50 to 14:10 on the Twitch. Please check out the following link, https://www.twitch.tv/bitsummitinterview !
link, https://www.twitch.tv/bitsummitinterview !
Kodaka, Uchikoshi, and Nakazawa give a keynote talk at BitSummit
We’ll give an update on where we are at our second year as an indie dev. It’s both scary and awesome to have complete freedom as a developer and we’ll give you the inside scoop!
Date: June 2nd, at 1pm
Place: MIYAKO MESSE 3rd Exhibition Hall, 3rd Floor
Kyoto Industrial Promotion Center Corp
9-1 Okazaki Seishōjichō, Sakyō-ku, Kyoto, 606-8343
https://bitsummit.org/en/schedule-2/
Initial report of "Death March Club" on Weekly Famitsu
Initial report of "Death March Club" that is engaged in the death game by elementary students is featured on Weekly Famitsu.
Simultaneously, official website and twitter account of Death March Club have been launched.
Official Website: https://www.deathmarchclub.com/
Official Twitter Account: https://twitter.com/d_m_club
Interview article on Weekly Famitsu
The Weekly Famitsu, published by GzBrain, posted an article based on an interview with Kazutaka Kodaka, Masafumi Takada, and Kotaro Uchikoshi.
Much is discussed on how the company came to be established, and what their future ambitions are. It's definitely worth checking out!
Interview article on Famitsu.com
An interview with Kazutaka Kodaka, Masafumi Takada, and Kotaro Uchikoshi is posted on Famitsu.com
https://www.famitsu.com/news/201809/12163849.html
Too Kyo Games Establishment Memorial program live-stream
The Too Kyo Games establishment memorial program is broadcasted.
A sense of Fiction wiping out Reality.
With the mission to change the perception of reality for all those that come in contact, Too Kyo Games is born.
- Kazutaka Kodaka
- Kotaro Uchikoshi
- Takumi Nakazawa
- Yoichiro Koizumi
- Rui Komatsuzaki
- Shimadoriru
- Masafumi Takada
- Jun Fukuda
Mr. Hiroshi Matsuyama (CyberConnect2 Co., Ltd., President/CEO)
Mr. YOKO TARO (BUKKORO Inc., President)
All the Danganronpa team at Spike Chunsoft Co., Ltd.
Mr. Keiichiro Toyama (Sony Interactive Entertainment LLC)
Mr. Katsura Hashino (Atlus Co., Ltd., Video game director/Producer )
Yosuke Saito (SQUARE ENIX CO., LTD., Director)
Mr. Mitsutoshi Sakurai (Spike Chunsoft Co., Ltd., President & CEO)
Mr. Suda51 (GRASSHOPPER MANUFACTURE INC., Managing Director)
Yasumi Matsuno (Algebra Factory Inc., President/Game Designer)
Congratulation on establishing your new company, Too Kyo Games!
Mr. Kodaka has creative talent like none other, as he has displayed through the multitude of hit games he has created as represented by the Danganronpa games.
With Mr. Kodaka expanding his area of activity to not only games, but also novels and anime, I can't help but watch Mr. Kodaka in anticipation, both as a peer in the game industry, and as a fan!
What does he have up his sleeve this time?
Really, I'm so excited!
In any case, congratulations!
I look forward to your continued success.
Mr. Shinji Mikami (Tango Gameworks, Executive Producer)
Congratulations on the establishment of Too Kyo Games.
Working with Mr. Takada on God Hand remains as a good memory.
I look forward to seeing this new studio giving birth to new exciting games and contents.
Shirow Miwa (Manga Artist, Illustrator)
Congratulations on establishing your new company!
With the amazing talent that have gathered for this company, I can't wait to hear about your outstanding performance!
Ms. Yooko Nihonbashi (Manga Artist, Shoujo Fight serialized in Koudansha Evening)
In my mind, the value of entertainment should be measured by what the player receives, not by what the creators gain.
It is truly a joy for me to know that I can once again get my fix of contents that stirs the human primal instincts through playing with destruction and creation, all while never compromising for nothing.
As a gamer that was saved by titles created by Mr. Komatsuzaki and Mr. Kodaka, it is truly a pleasure to celebrate the establishment of Too Kyo Games.
Mr. Akihiro Hino (Level-5 Inc., CEO)
Congratulations on the establishment of your new company!
The scenario by Mr. Kodaka and Mr. Uchikoshi, music by Mr. Takada, and art by Mr. Komatsuzaki…I look forward to seeing the top quality games created by these top quality creators.
Since I am the scenario writer for the Layton series, I would love to talk about crime and mysteries, so it would be a pleasure to sit down and have drinks.
The best of wishes for Too Kyo Games.
Mr. Jun Matsunaga (Sega Interactive Co., Ltd., Chief Director)
Congratulations on establishing your new company!
I was thrilled to hear the news, this makes the games industry more interesting than it already is.
I cannot wait to see the type of games will be announced.
I can already see myself saying ""I see!?,"" ""You got me!!,"" or ""What!?"" in response to the surprises this team constantly delivers to the world.
Mr. Masahiro Sakurai (Sora Ltd., President)
Congratulations on establishing Too Kyo Games!!
I have worked with Mr. Takada on Smash Brothers, and I've always enjoy the games created by Mr. Kodaka's team.
Looking back on the games that each of these people have created, there is no doubt in my mind that this group will create something extraordinary.
There may be moments of pressure until this group announce their new title, but then again, I am sure this group will overcome anything with their easygoing spirit.
Good luck, I can't wait to see your new game!!
Mr. Chiyomaru Shikura (DWANGO Co., Ltd., Board Director; MAGES Inc., Executive Chairman; Chiyomaru Studio Inc., CEO)
"What were you thinking? Open those eyes and take a good look at what is around. There are so many people in this vast universe with entertaining ideas, yet you still think you are special and unique. If there's any hope, it's in the possibility that you may possibly create a end up creating an interestingly eccentric piece that only a misguided fool like you would come up with." With those wry words, Chiyomaru Shikura praised their resolve. This is the beginning of their success story--Congratulations on establishing your new company!
Mr. Ryohgo Narita (Writer)
Congratulations on establishing Too Kyo Games LLC!
As a gamer, I am the type that likes to play ""innovative games that no one has ever seen before"" on certain days, and on other days I like to play ""the golden-oldie, classic games."" In essence, you could say I am quite the self-centered gamer.
After hearing about the amazing talent that have gathered to create this new studio, there was no room in my mind to make selfish remarks. I was genuinely thrilled to imagine the innovative games this group would create.
In my mind, the thrill I am feeling feels like the prologue to their new game. It is my sincere hope that this feeling is not an illusion, and I wish the best of luck for this amazing group.
Mr. Jiro Ishii (Story Telling Inc., CEO)
What!? Kazutaka Kodaka, Rui Komatsuzaki, Masafumi Takada from Danganronpa, Kotaro Uchikoshi and Takumi Nakazawa from Ever17 are all getting together to establish their own company?
I gotta crush these guys. Before they dominate the world of games and anime.
Mr. Yojiro Ogawa (LIONSHIP STUDIO)
Wooooooooooooow!
Congratulations.
This calls for a celebration!! Who's ready for some chicken dinner?
There is a saying that ""an entrepreneur is someone who will jump off a cliff and assemble an airplane on the way down."" I can only imagine the ups and downs, all the hardships that were overcome to get this far. I am completely confident that this group of amazing creators will soar the skies while assembling a crazy aircraft like no one has ever seen.
Mr. George Kamitani (VANILLAWARE Ltd., president and director)
Mr. Kinoko Nasu (TYPE-MOON)
Finally. I've been waiting for this moment ever since Danganronpa V3.
I am a core gamer, especially for the games this group creates, but I am also a creator that is inspired by their work.
It goes without saying that this group of creators take pride in their unparalleled taste for mischief, and high level of expressiveness in the Japanese games scene.
Danganronpa was a game that perfected the ""death game"" theme.
Danganronpa 2 stared directly down the face of the negative emotions created in Danganronpa and displayed the notion of ""hope.""
The creators showed their conviction with Danganronpa V3 in the form of a response to gamers that enjoyed the ""death game"" in the previous franchise titles.
After every new installment, gamers of the franchise must have thought ""This game was so much fun. There's no way this game could get better,"" yet these guys have constantly gone over and beyond.
I am truly grateful to be able to experience the same impact again, and at the same time it is terrifying. It’s truly an honor to have been born in the same era as these guys.
Congratulations on establishing Too Kyo Games. Now show us what you're really capable of doing.
Mr. Takashi Takeuchi (TYPE-MOON)
Congratulations on establishing your new brand, Too Kyo Games.
For me, the impact of Danganronpa, created with Mr. Kodaka, Mr. Komatsuzaki, and Mr. Takada as core members, has not faded.
First, I was caught unaware, second I was outsmarted, and third I was stunned.
I am sure I am not the only curious to find out what scheme these non-conformist creators have up their sleeve.
Regardless of the type of game they have in the planning, there is no doubt that their game will be considered an industry wide phenomenon.
I personally plan to wait for ""that day,"" in excitement and anxiety.
Mr. Gen Urobuchi (Scenario Writer)
I would like to contribute this message as one of the many gamers that were moved by Danganronpa V3.
In the first installment of the franchise, what made the game so epoch-making was the sense of immorality rooted in the excitement caused by the decadence of ""young geniuses with bright futures thrown into the dark abyss of death and despair."" However, as the title became a franchise, the epoch-making elements became a standard. In each installment, the young geniuses all routinely fall in despair, and accept their death. The surprise and excitement were a treasure found only in the first play. As this experience becomes predictable, it becomes a luxury good the player uses to relive this stimulation through the newly created neural network in the players' brain.
However, what lasting contents struggle with as an inevitable problematic structure, V3 employed as a trick. The cathartic buzz of a truth being raveled, or the awkwardness and chill of staring at a freak of nature were both emotions that made the players regress back to the original Danganronpa. The closing makes a full circle back to the origin, this was the beauty of this story.
Despair, the terrifying darkness of Monokuma was seen not only in the screen. This darkness also manifests itself in the hearts of the audience. The ending which presents the players with the fact that ""the audience has taken a seat to indulge in immorality"" is a theme that numerous forerunners have tried to illustrate. This has proven to be quite difficult. The player of V3 must have thought ""there is no way this story would go down that route,"" but the creators took the audience by surprise. The creators knew this would mean staking everything they had built, and yet chose this all-or-nothing strategy. Since I also make a living in the entertainment industry, this was truly a power play that made my blood run cold.
The creators could have chosen to continue to commodify the death and despair they had cultivated into a drug like stimulant. Yet, as tried and tested entertainers, they valued entertainment that explodes in a split second, like fireworks, rather than provide a persistent performance. To do this, these men created a bomb and completely destroyed the refinement and distribution system they had worked so hard to build with ease. For them, the spectators that let out a screech must have been part of ""the show.""
""That is a drug. Not some simple luxury good. Don't get addicted"" This is the type of firm sense of ethics they employed to give advice to the spectators. Because of this faith, the creators were able to determine what immorality truly is, and distill it into a poisonous liquor with a rich, addictive aroma.
A brand that is exquisite yet devilish, that can be counted on every single time has been born thanks to these guys becoming independent and making a name for themselves. All we can do now is hold our breath, and wait . For Too Kyo Games is sure to feeds us a surprise beyond our wildest dreams.
