No, that's not a trench coat: The Gaia Gensoki Art

[CloseFriend]

So, to get on with the opening pleasantries: don't let the new name fool you; a lifetime ago, when I was a fat little drama-bent teenager, I made a website that existed only to stagnate before I eventually shut it down while calling the Caves of Narshe's webmaster a dirty name.

Well, today, I am on Cloud Nine, because LOOKY WHAT I GOT...



Hey, wait a minute...



What the hell is THAT?! Whatever it is, I sure don't remember seeing it when Freedan had five life units, and I just played this to that point last night!

So I saw that we were looking for some art from the international editions. In fact, the reason I bought this particular game is because I wanted closure. I wanted to know what Moto Hagio's original character designs looked like. Was Will's flute originally pink; did he steal it from band camp? How did Seth get that badass trench coat? What does Lance's hair style really look like?

Ladies, gentlemen, I hope you like disappointment. I give you... CLOSURE.



How the hell did Erik come out looking like Ronald McDonald? Did Seth get swallowed by a sea monster or a clocktower? Where's the lovable bulldyke Lilly? Lance with his slicked-back hair?

I don't get it. I really don't.

For those wondering, the manual also contains factual information on all of the historical places you visit, as well as a story page. But that weird skeleton thing on the back cover makes no appearance on the manual or in the original Japanese game (as far as I've found). In fact, SHADOW doesn't even appear in the manual; it's like Quintet considered him a spoiler or something.

And no, there's no complete walkthrough in the back with the Strategy General's warning, either.

[inferiare]

Ironically, I just found fanart of this game. It's few and far between, but it's definitely out there. But hell if I remember someone named Morris in the game. I guess they renamed him.

[CloseFriend]

Ironically, I just found fanart of this game. It's few and far between, but it's definitely out there. But hell if I remember someone named Morris in the game. I guess they renamed him.

Yes, Tim became Will, Karen became Kara, Rob became Lance, Morris became Seth, Lilly became Lilly, and Erik became Erik. Also, the Jackal was originally the Black Panther and Riverson is a mis-Romanization of leviathan. I think Neil had a different name too, but I'm not sure.

[Jason Tandro]

Hmmmm... every guy in that one picture is a flaming homo. And Lily is an ugly girl. The only one who looks semi-decent is Kara.

And yes, what the hell is that skull?! That'd be kikas id you could actually use it.

[Miss Prime Blue]

I have the japanese versions (box and manuals, of course, since i'm a collector) of Gaia Gensouki and Terranigma.

I always found the original box art really nice, but the illustrations in the booklet are a little strange. Lol.

[tay120n64]

OHH EMM GEE...

Wtf is that supposed to be? It's like I died and went to Illusion of Gaia heaven, only to find that it totally sucks.

I mean seriously... How untalented is this character designer?

[Miss Prime Blue]

OHH EMM GEE...

Wtf is that supposed to be? It's like I died and went to Illusion of Gaia heaven, only to find that it totally sucks.

I mean seriously... How untalented is this character designer?

The artwork is a bit odd, but I don't think it's that bad, lol.

[Hydra.7]

Oh dear god. That character art.... oh oh *death* I thought the american intruction book art was bad but-but this. this is too much oh *dies again*

CIRCUS OF GAIA! They all look like clowns. D8



I will redraw them. I will take in consideration their sprites, attitudes, living conditions, all the factors! YES! I will save them! (even though I won't do that much better)

.... when I have time...

[Freedan]

Wow. That character art is some kind of awful. Seth looks like a hunchbacked stork, Erik looks like a clown, and Lily... what the hell is she doing?

Lance seems ok, Will... nothing particularly offensive. I guess Kara's the best picture of the bunch, even if her hair is black in the game.

I just realized where I've seen Erik before:






Separated at birth, or what?

[tay120n64]

lol. nice.

Actually, I recently looked up the character designer for IoG, and it turned out to be one of the pioneers of Shojo art. Apparently, her artwork is a big deal in the Shojo community. I don't know if you could call her the "Akira Toriyama" of Shojo, but that was sort of the impression I got from reading her bio.

Taking that into consideration, the artwork offends me slightly less, but I still don't like it. (Shojo artwork itself offends me, you know)

*Shojo, for the uninformed, is a Japanese word referring to young girls, or, in this case, a comic book art style targeted to young girls.

[Hydra.7]

Young girls would have nightmares looking at these character designs. I knew she was a Shoujo artist, but I still had hopes that the designs would be better... e___e


I never liked Shoujo or Shounen. I've always liked the styles that appeal to both... (that statement could sound really bad if you think about it...)


This is the north american guide version just in case anyone cares to compaire:


I posted it in the gallery here too.

[tay120n64]

Will still looks a little fruity, but I have to say I like it alot better. Plus, Kara is actually attractive in this one. (I'm trying not to think about their age. Just gonna move on to the next thread.)

[inferiare]

Old school shoujo art, especially if the artist drew a lot of popular manga in the late 70's early 80's = definitely going to look like that. Then again, this game was made in the early 90's, so... can't complain too much about the art, I guess.

[Mantaray]

that art is weird... but i cant stop staring at it o_o
i guess i do still have a soft spot for old school, then.

still...

[Yet One More Idiot]

Kara and Will look good in the official arts for both versions of the game guide, imho. Will could do to look a bit manlier in both, but overall not too shabby.

The rest of them though....o dear, MY EYES! THE GOGGLES - THEY DO NOTHING!