After working with screenwriter Mari Okada for a number of years, producer Kenji Horikawa needed to learn to work with the artist in a different way, as she set out to make her directorial debut with Maquia: When the Promised Flower Blooms. An ambitious anime that conjures up a singular, fantastical world, the Oscar-shortlisted feature centers on Maquia, an immortal girl who takes a newborn baby boy out of dire circumstances, raising him as her own, and watching the relationship blossom into myriad complexities over the years.
Certainly, Maquia was an ambitious project for any director to take on, and particularly for a fledgling helmer. “It was such a big project that a lot of people weren’t sure that she could do it, so there was some resistance met there, and that was also a challenge to push through,” Horikawa reflects. “A lot of really amazing talents came together for this film,...
Certainly, Maquia was an ambitious project for any director to take on, and particularly for a fledgling helmer. “It was such a big project that a lot of people weren’t sure that she could do it, so there was some resistance met there, and that was also a challenge to push through,” Horikawa reflects. “A lot of really amazing talents came together for this film,...
- 12/12/2018
- by Matt Grobar
- Deadline Film + TV
As I have mentioned before, the spirit of Hayao Miyazaki is bound to be carried onwards in the anime industry for many years to come. Mari Okada in her directorial debut seems to have drawn from “Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind” for the base of a film that takes its basic premise much further, though.
“Maquia: When The Promised Flower Blooms” is part of the Asian selection at Fantasia International Film Festival
The Lolph are a race of weavers, which spend the centuries their lives last weaving their stories and their thoughts into a special cloth named Hibiol, in their secluded kingdom. One of the children among them is Maquia, an orphaned girl whose life is filled with sorrow for her lack of a family, and is best friends with Leilia, another girl who is the exact opposite of her in terms of character. One day, the neighboring...
“Maquia: When The Promised Flower Blooms” is part of the Asian selection at Fantasia International Film Festival
The Lolph are a race of weavers, which spend the centuries their lives last weaving their stories and their thoughts into a special cloth named Hibiol, in their secluded kingdom. One of the children among them is Maquia, an orphaned girl whose life is filled with sorrow for her lack of a family, and is best friends with Leilia, another girl who is the exact opposite of her in terms of character. One day, the neighboring...
- 7/29/2018
- by Panos Kotzathanasis
- AsianMoviePulse
Right after the announcement of Final Fantasy X/X-2 HD Remaster, my then-fiancee commented that if any game was due for an HD remake, it was Final Fantasy Xii. While the original Final Fantasy X is a beloved classic that heralded the series’ leap into (mostly) full 3D environments, the original version of Final Fantasy Xii — while generally acclaimed by critics — was found to be somewhat confusing at launch and had the misfortune of launching just before the holiday season where the PlayStation 3 went on sale. Largely reflected upon as a game ahead of its time, it makes perfect sense to bring the title back as Final Fantasy Xii: The Zodiac Age in an era where the concept of the “single-player Mmorpg” is not so foreign thanks to games like Xenoblade Chronicles… and my time with the game only reinforced how glad I am to see it with another chance to make its mark.
- 3/14/2017
- by Jowi Girard-Meli
- We Got This Covered
If you're a diehard Final Fantasy fan and eager to jump back into the world of Ivalice with the HD remake of Final Fantasy Xii, then this impressive looking Collector's Edition for The Zodiac Age might be exactly what you need. Come inside for all the details!
Final Fantasy, throughout it's impressive gaming history, has inspired an impressive fan following. The success of Final Fantasy Xv has only made it bigger/stronger as it pleased older fans while enticing new ones. As such, if you're looking to get your hands on the Final Fantasy Xii remake, The Zodiac Age, which will hit on July 11, 2017...the swanky Collector's Edition might be worth checking out.
Fans can soon return to the world of Ivalice, as Square Enix® revealed the Final Fantasy® Xii The Zodiac Age™ Collector’s Edition, Limited Edition and Digital Edition, releasing on July 11 for the PlayStation®4 computer entertainment system.
Final Fantasy, throughout it's impressive gaming history, has inspired an impressive fan following. The success of Final Fantasy Xv has only made it bigger/stronger as it pleased older fans while enticing new ones. As such, if you're looking to get your hands on the Final Fantasy Xii remake, The Zodiac Age, which will hit on July 11, 2017...the swanky Collector's Edition might be worth checking out.
Fans can soon return to the world of Ivalice, as Square Enix® revealed the Final Fantasy® Xii The Zodiac Age™ Collector’s Edition, Limited Edition and Digital Edition, releasing on July 11 for the PlayStation®4 computer entertainment system.
- 3/10/2017
- by feeds@cinelinx.com (Jordan Maison)
- Cinelinx
Square Enix announced that it’s working on a new RPG for Nintendo Switch, titled Project Octopath Traveler, at the latter company’s Jan. 12 presentation. Outside of the fact that it sports a most fantastically goofy and Square Enix-esque title, not much is known about the game, but a piece of concept art seems to indicate that frequent Final Fantasy artist Akihiko Yoshida will be involved.
That’s all we’ve really got to go on for now, but tell us, are you looking forward to this uniquely-named Jrpg? Let us know in the usual spot and stay tuned to We Got This Covered for the latest on Project Octopath Traveler and Nintendo Switch.
That’s all we’ve really got to go on for now, but tell us, are you looking forward to this uniquely-named Jrpg? Let us know in the usual spot and stay tuned to We Got This Covered for the latest on Project Octopath Traveler and Nintendo Switch.
- 1/13/2017
- by Jowi Girard-Meli
- We Got This Covered
This past weekend's Playstation Experience revealed the Us release date for one of the most highly-anticipated Square Enix games, NieR: Automata. Now, we get our first look at the collector's edition entitled the "Black Box Edition". Check out what it all entails below!
The Us premiere of Square Enix and PlatinumGames' Nier: Automata is just mere months from debuting. This past weekend's Playstation Experience trailer, above, only magnifies the fact that soon we'll be playing in that mechanized post-apocalyptic hell. The question is, which edition will you be purchasing?
Today, the Square Enix/PlatinumGames partnership has unveiled two versions of the game for fans to purchase prior or upon release, Day One Edition and Black Box Edition. Both are loaded with tons of content but only one has the content that will have collectible enthusiasts drooling.
Check out the NieR: Automata Black Box Edition:
“Black Box Edition” for PlayStation®4 system...
The Us premiere of Square Enix and PlatinumGames' Nier: Automata is just mere months from debuting. This past weekend's Playstation Experience trailer, above, only magnifies the fact that soon we'll be playing in that mechanized post-apocalyptic hell. The question is, which edition will you be purchasing?
Today, the Square Enix/PlatinumGames partnership has unveiled two versions of the game for fans to purchase prior or upon release, Day One Edition and Black Box Edition. Both are loaded with tons of content but only one has the content that will have collectible enthusiasts drooling.
Check out the NieR: Automata Black Box Edition:
“Black Box Edition” for PlayStation®4 system...
- 12/5/2016
- by feeds@cinelinx.com (Matt Malliaros)
- Cinelinx
After six years of delighting Japanese Final Fantasy fans, the successful Trading Card Game (Tcg) is finally making it's way to North America. If you're a fan of card games or Final Fantasy, it's time to prepare your wallets!
While I haven't had the chance to play any in a long while, cards games (Tcg and Ccg) have always enticed me. Something about the strategy elements and communal nature of the play appealed to me. As such, I was pretty excited to hear about Square Enix bringing over their Final Fantasy Tcg over to the West. The first set and initial cards decks will be available on October 28th. With 15 expansions already release in Japan, and undoubtedly making their way over here as well, you'd best get started saving your pennies now.
Following a six-year run in Japan with 15 expansions, 3.5 million booster packs sold and over 2,000 different cards to date,...
While I haven't had the chance to play any in a long while, cards games (Tcg and Ccg) have always enticed me. Something about the strategy elements and communal nature of the play appealed to me. As such, I was pretty excited to hear about Square Enix bringing over their Final Fantasy Tcg over to the West. The first set and initial cards decks will be available on October 28th. With 15 expansions already release in Japan, and undoubtedly making their way over here as well, you'd best get started saving your pennies now.
Following a six-year run in Japan with 15 expansions, 3.5 million booster packs sold and over 2,000 different cards to date,...
- 9/29/2016
- by feeds@cinelinx.com (Jordan Maison)
- Cinelinx
Square Enix today revealed its E3 2015 line-up, including new iterations of beloved franchises such as Just Cause 3, Deus Ex: Mankind Divided, games from the Final Fantasy franchise and Hitman – among others – on both consoles and mobile platforms. Check out some of the announcements below:
Consoles Final Fantasy Xiv: Heavensward
Platform: PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, Windows PC, Mac Os
Developer: Square Enix
Available: 23rd June 2015
Heavensward is the highly anticipated first expansion for the popular online title Final Fantasy Xiv that charts a new course for players with an increased level cap and brand new adventures. The expansion features an all-new storyline surrounding the Holy See of Ishgard and the thousand-year Dragonsong War, a brand-new playable race named the “Au Ra,” new jobs, and more. The expansion also continues cross-platform gameplay between the Windows PC, Mac Os and PlayStation 3 and Playstation 4 systems.
Nosgoth
Platform: Steam/Windows PC
Developer: Psyonix
Available: In Open Beta
Developed by Psyonix,...
Consoles Final Fantasy Xiv: Heavensward
Platform: PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, Windows PC, Mac Os
Developer: Square Enix
Available: 23rd June 2015
Heavensward is the highly anticipated first expansion for the popular online title Final Fantasy Xiv that charts a new course for players with an increased level cap and brand new adventures. The expansion features an all-new storyline surrounding the Holy See of Ishgard and the thousand-year Dragonsong War, a brand-new playable race named the “Au Ra,” new jobs, and more. The expansion also continues cross-platform gameplay between the Windows PC, Mac Os and PlayStation 3 and Playstation 4 systems.
Nosgoth
Platform: Steam/Windows PC
Developer: Psyonix
Available: In Open Beta
Developed by Psyonix,...
- 6/16/2015
- by Phil Wheat
- Nerdly
Feature Ryan Lambie 16 Dec 2013 - 16:55
Before it made Bravely Default, out now on the Nintendo 3Ds, Silicon Studio made the fabulous 3D Dot Game Heroes. Ryan takes a look back...
Think back to the games of 2010, and you may immediately come up with deservedly acclaimed titles like Red Dead Redemption, Mass Effect 2 or Alan Wake. If you're a Nintendo fan, you may fondly recall the magnificent Super Mario Galaxy 2. It's also just possible that you have happy memories of Silicon Studios' joy-filled action adventure, 3D Dot Game Heroes.
A relatively low-key success when compared to 2010's bigger releases, PS3-exclusive 3D Dot Game Heroes was nevertheless one of the most charming little games of the year - a retro-themed fantasy romp which freely heaped elements from classic adventure titles into its basket, while coming up with more than a few ideas of its own.
From the moment 3D Dot Game Heroes starts,...
Before it made Bravely Default, out now on the Nintendo 3Ds, Silicon Studio made the fabulous 3D Dot Game Heroes. Ryan takes a look back...
Think back to the games of 2010, and you may immediately come up with deservedly acclaimed titles like Red Dead Redemption, Mass Effect 2 or Alan Wake. If you're a Nintendo fan, you may fondly recall the magnificent Super Mario Galaxy 2. It's also just possible that you have happy memories of Silicon Studios' joy-filled action adventure, 3D Dot Game Heroes.
A relatively low-key success when compared to 2010's bigger releases, PS3-exclusive 3D Dot Game Heroes was nevertheless one of the most charming little games of the year - a retro-themed fantasy romp which freely heaped elements from classic adventure titles into its basket, while coming up with more than a few ideas of its own.
From the moment 3D Dot Game Heroes starts,...
- 12/16/2013
- by ryanlambie
- Den of Geek
Feature Ryan Lambie 3 Dec 2013 - 06:49
With the imminent release of Square Enix's Bravely Default, Ryan provides a profile of its talented artist, Akihiko Yoshida...
Although undoubtedly a collaborative process, a unique fusion of programming, design and music, a strong visual style is vital to the success of any videogame - and the RPG genre in particular. After all, it's an RPG's job to transport us to other realms, whether they're Tolkien-inspired and otherworldly or set on a far-away, distant planet.
It's difficult to imagine, for example, the Dragon Quest series without the artwork of Akira Toriyama behind it - all vivid colours and sharp lines - or the Final Fantasy franchise without the character designs of the legendary Yoshitaka Amano. RPGs create new landscapes and engaging characters, and a distinctive art style is a vital element in their ability to captivate us.
Akihiko Yoshida is among the most talented...
With the imminent release of Square Enix's Bravely Default, Ryan provides a profile of its talented artist, Akihiko Yoshida...
Although undoubtedly a collaborative process, a unique fusion of programming, design and music, a strong visual style is vital to the success of any videogame - and the RPG genre in particular. After all, it's an RPG's job to transport us to other realms, whether they're Tolkien-inspired and otherworldly or set on a far-away, distant planet.
It's difficult to imagine, for example, the Dragon Quest series without the artwork of Akira Toriyama behind it - all vivid colours and sharp lines - or the Final Fantasy franchise without the character designs of the legendary Yoshitaka Amano. RPGs create new landscapes and engaging characters, and a distinctive art style is a vital element in their ability to captivate us.
Akihiko Yoshida is among the most talented...
- 11/29/2013
- by ryanlambie
- Den of Geek
Trailer Ryan Lambie 29 Nov 2013 - 13:19
With the launch of Square Enix's 3Ds Bravely Default almost here, take a look at the Jrpg's latest shiny trailer...
It's a sad fact that, no matter how good they are, not all Japanese RPGs make it to Europe or the United States. But thankfully, Square Enix's Bravely Default, originally released in Japan last October to glowing reviews and brisk sales, is out in Europe and Australia in December.
With some lavish character designs from Akihiko Yoshida and equally sumptuous music from Japanese band Revo, Bravely Default is a game very much in the tradition of the Final Fantasy series, and its designers have described it as a spiritual sequel to The 4 Heroes Of Light. The turn-based combat and random encounters are present and correct, and there's a job system which alters the way characters look and fight.
The game certainly looks and sounds fantastic,...
With the launch of Square Enix's 3Ds Bravely Default almost here, take a look at the Jrpg's latest shiny trailer...
It's a sad fact that, no matter how good they are, not all Japanese RPGs make it to Europe or the United States. But thankfully, Square Enix's Bravely Default, originally released in Japan last October to glowing reviews and brisk sales, is out in Europe and Australia in December.
With some lavish character designs from Akihiko Yoshida and equally sumptuous music from Japanese band Revo, Bravely Default is a game very much in the tradition of the Final Fantasy series, and its designers have described it as a spiritual sequel to The 4 Heroes Of Light. The turn-based combat and random encounters are present and correct, and there's a job system which alters the way characters look and fight.
The game certainly looks and sounds fantastic,...
- 11/29/2013
- by ryanlambie
- Den of Geek
Feature Ryan Lambie 29 Nov 2013 - 12:47
Ahead of Bravely Default's UK launch on the Nintendo 3Ds, we explain why the handheld console has long been the perfect venue for RPGs...
In its early days, handheld gaming was considered to be the preserve of the long train journey or 10-minute tea break. Find yourself at a loose end for a few minutes in the early 90s, and you could reach for your slab of a first-gen Game Boy and enjoy a quick go on Tetris or Super Mario Land.
Even in today, with handheld gaming no longer the preserve of dedicated systems like the 3Ds or Vita, it's titles like Candy Crush, Angry Birds or Cut The Rope that are most commonly associated with the portable medium: bite-sized games that can be slotted in neatly between other, more important tasks.
Yet even in the relatively early days of the Game Boy...
Ahead of Bravely Default's UK launch on the Nintendo 3Ds, we explain why the handheld console has long been the perfect venue for RPGs...
In its early days, handheld gaming was considered to be the preserve of the long train journey or 10-minute tea break. Find yourself at a loose end for a few minutes in the early 90s, and you could reach for your slab of a first-gen Game Boy and enjoy a quick go on Tetris or Super Mario Land.
Even in today, with handheld gaming no longer the preserve of dedicated systems like the 3Ds or Vita, it's titles like Candy Crush, Angry Birds or Cut The Rope that are most commonly associated with the portable medium: bite-sized games that can be slotted in neatly between other, more important tasks.
Yet even in the relatively early days of the Game Boy...
- 11/29/2013
- by ryanlambie
- Den of Geek
Experience an original story set in an all-new world created by the team behind the Nintendo DS versions of Final Fantasy III and Final Fantasy IV.
Akihiko Yoshida (Final Fantasy III DS, Final Fantasy Xii) provides world-class art direction, lending the game’s cast and environments a charming picture-book style and with a simple Touchscreen interface the game offers easy access to the extensive arsenal of physical, magical and summoning abilities, meaning that players can forget about the controls and focus on the enemy.
Thanks to the game’s Crown System, characters can now switch their class at the drop of a hat or, more accurately, the change of a hat. Simply by changing the crown a character is wearing, players can assign them different abilities, and with over 20 crowns to discover (including Black Mage, White Mage and Ranger crowns), the strategic options are practically limitless. Using DS Wireless Play,...
Akihiko Yoshida (Final Fantasy III DS, Final Fantasy Xii) provides world-class art direction, lending the game’s cast and environments a charming picture-book style and with a simple Touchscreen interface the game offers easy access to the extensive arsenal of physical, magical and summoning abilities, meaning that players can forget about the controls and focus on the enemy.
Thanks to the game’s Crown System, characters can now switch their class at the drop of a hat or, more accurately, the change of a hat. Simply by changing the crown a character is wearing, players can assign them different abilities, and with over 20 crowns to discover (including Black Mage, White Mage and Ranger crowns), the strategic options are practically limitless. Using DS Wireless Play,...
- 10/7/2010
- by Kat
- Nerdly
Final Fantasy: The 4 Heroes of Light is the latest Final Fantasy game for the Nintendo DS by the team behind the DS versions of Final Fantasy III and Final Fantasy IV and follows the story of four young heroes embarking on an grand adventure filled with dragons, kings, princesses and witches.
In the small kingdom of Horne, Brandt awakes on the morning of his fourteenth birthday. Today is the day he becomes an adult, and the custom of the realm says that he must go to the castle to present himself to the king. Yet when he arrives at the castle he finds the kind distraught and the youngest princess missing, abducted by the Witch of the North. With no one else to turn to, the king makes a shocking request: will Brandt save the princess? And thus Brandt’s adventure begins…
Eventually he is joined by three other brave young souls.
In the small kingdom of Horne, Brandt awakes on the morning of his fourteenth birthday. Today is the day he becomes an adult, and the custom of the realm says that he must go to the castle to present himself to the king. Yet when he arrives at the castle he finds the kind distraught and the youngest princess missing, abducted by the Witch of the North. With no one else to turn to, the king makes a shocking request: will Brandt save the princess? And thus Brandt’s adventure begins…
Eventually he is joined by three other brave young souls.
- 10/4/2010
- by Kat
- Nerdly
Square Enix has today announced the forthcoming European release of Tactics Ogre: Let Us Cling Together, a PSP reinvention of the classic Japanese strategy RPG.
The original Tactics Ogre is one of the most beloved strategy RPG titles of all time, with the game being the only one to place in the Japanese gaming magazine Weekly Famitsu’s “Top 20 Games voted by readers” for 14 years running. Sadly, the original version of the game was never officially published in Europe, however, that is about to be rectified in spectacular fashion. From the press release:
Having also worked on such hit titles as Final Fantasy Tactics, Vagrant Story and Final Fantasy Xii, key members of the original Tactics Ogre development team have reformed to deliver the ultimate version of this definitive strategy RPG experience. Hiroshi Minagawa (Director), Akihiko Yoshida (Character Design), Yasumi Matsuno (Game Design), Hitoshi Sakimoto and Masaharu Iwata (Composers) are...
The original Tactics Ogre is one of the most beloved strategy RPG titles of all time, with the game being the only one to place in the Japanese gaming magazine Weekly Famitsu’s “Top 20 Games voted by readers” for 14 years running. Sadly, the original version of the game was never officially published in Europe, however, that is about to be rectified in spectacular fashion. From the press release:
Having also worked on such hit titles as Final Fantasy Tactics, Vagrant Story and Final Fantasy Xii, key members of the original Tactics Ogre development team have reformed to deliver the ultimate version of this definitive strategy RPG experience. Hiroshi Minagawa (Director), Akihiko Yoshida (Character Design), Yasumi Matsuno (Game Design), Hitoshi Sakimoto and Masaharu Iwata (Composers) are...
- 7/26/2010
- by Phil
- Nerdly
Square Enix have announced a brand new Final Fantasy game coming exclusively to the Nintendo DS – Final Fantasy: The 4 Heroes of Light, which will be released in Autumn 2010.
Final Fantasy: The 4 Heroes of Light is a brand new Final Fantasy game for the Nintendo DS boasting beautiful picture book visuals and an easy to control battle system that will appeal to both old and new fans of the series. Designed with the concept of a traditional RPG brought up-to-date with the best of today’s technology, the game goes back to the basics and origins of the Final Fantasy series, with a classic story of four young heroes embarking on an unforgettable adventure; a tale of dragons, kings, princesses and witches.
In the small kingdom of Horne, Brandt awakes on the morning of his fourteenth birthday. Today is the day he becomes an adult, and the custom of the realm...
Final Fantasy: The 4 Heroes of Light is a brand new Final Fantasy game for the Nintendo DS boasting beautiful picture book visuals and an easy to control battle system that will appeal to both old and new fans of the series. Designed with the concept of a traditional RPG brought up-to-date with the best of today’s technology, the game goes back to the basics and origins of the Final Fantasy series, with a classic story of four young heroes embarking on an unforgettable adventure; a tale of dragons, kings, princesses and witches.
In the small kingdom of Horne, Brandt awakes on the morning of his fourteenth birthday. Today is the day he becomes an adult, and the custom of the realm...
- 5/27/2010
- by Phil
- Nerdly
Square's upcoming mystery project has been revealed to be a new handheld Final Fantasy game, according to Japanese gaming magazine Jump. Titled Four Warriors Of Light: Final Fantasy Gaiden, the new title sees players controlling a 14-year-old boy on a quest to save his kingdom's princess. The game allows players to control a party of four customisable characters created by Akihiko Yoshida, the man (more)...
- 7/6/2009
- by By Liam Martin
- Digital Spy
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