PODCAST
Final Fantasy is more than a success, it is a phenomenon. Since its launch in the late 1980s by the Square Enix studio, the saga has won generations of gamers. A success which is explained in particular by the visual universe of the game. A unique, dark and fantastic leg that we owe to a Japanese artist: Yoshitaka Amano. This is what journalist Jean-François Morisse recalls in episode 2 of "GAMERS", the new podcast of Europe 1 Studio on the secret stories of cult video games. But did you know that Square Enix originally thought of entrusting the graphic world of Final Fantasy to a French illustrator?
Mœbius, a superstar in Japan
The designer in question is a star for comic book lovers in general, and Blueberry or L'Incal in particular: Jean Giraud alias Mœbius. "The man is a touch to everything, a curious whose style could perfectly suit the game that Hironobu Sakaguchi, the director of the studio, had in mind," says Jean-François Morisse.
Moebius was very popular in Japan at the time. His style, which contrasts radically with American comics or Japanese manga, has also influenced many Japanese artists.
Lively debates
But distance and the language barrier are obstacles for Square Enix. "The debates were lively at Square Enix. At the time, the studio was on the verge of bankruptcy and the choice of illustrator could have very serious consequences", continues the journalist. The director of the studio finally decides to change gear. Especially since in the meantime, he flashed on the work of a Japanese artist then unknown to the general public. A man whose name is today very famous in the world of video games: Yoshitaka Amano.
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