Isamu Kamikokuryo
Isamu Kamikokuryo | |
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![]() Kamikokuryo in 2010 | |
Born | Kagoshima Prefecture, Japan | July 31, 1970
Occupation | Video game artist |
Years active | 1999–present |
Isamu Kamikokuryo (上国料 勇, Kamikokuryō Isamu, born July 31, 1970) is a Japanese
Kamikokuryo had initially planned to become an
Biography and career
Kamikokuryo was born on July 31, 1970.
Kamikokuryo started working at the company back in 1999, beginning with concept art for Final Fantasy X. Kamikokuryo's first assignment was directing the background art for Final Fantasy X.[3][5] In July 2001, he joined the Final Fantasy XII project team and took a high fantasy approach to creating the game's fictional world.[6][7] Kamikokuryo designed large cities with varied architectural styles as he wanted to convey the feeling of walking through a real-life metropolis.[7] His early illustrations for the game were based heavily on the concept of floating continents but could not be fully realized during development. However, they eventually wound up as the principal setting for the Nintendo DS sequel Final Fantasy XII: Revenant Wings whose art was also supervised by Kamikokuryo.[2]
For Final Fantasy XIII, he again assumed the role of art director. Kamikokuryo and his team spent almost one year on pre-production for the game.[8] While he was still working on Final Fantasy XIII, he was asked to create illustrations for The 3rd Birthday. He accepted the offer because Aya Brea was one of his favorite characters and he wished to participate in the revival of the Parasite Eve series. Kamikokuryo eventually became the game's art director and went through a long period of trial and error while trying to conceive a unique graphical style.[9] The visuals started to come together once he had drawn an illustration of a monster hive centered around the concepts of "fear" and "sensuality".[9][10] While Kamikokuryo did not personally design the characters' costumes, he gave specific instructions to the artist in charge of them.[11]
Afterwards, Kamikokuryo worked as art director on
For Lightning Returns: Final Fantasy XIII, the conclusion of the trilogy started with Final Fantasy XIII, Kamikokuryo again was the art director. For the game's art style, he suggested a blend between mechanical designs, fantasy elements and gothic art. As such, he and his team used 19th century gadgets and London at the time of the Industrial Revolution as visual references.[16] Kamikokuryo designed two of Lightning's costumes, among them the "Nocturne" garb.[17]
Kamikokuryo resigned from Square Enix on March 31, 2017.[18] His last game at the company was Final Fantasy XV, on which he served as art director.[18] He thanked Square Enix for giving him so many opportunities to both work with great people, as well as deploy his skills. Kamikokuryo now aims to start writing again in addition to doing freelance art and diction work.[18] In 2019 Kamikokuryo joined the development team making the PlayStation 4 game Gungrave G.O.R.E.[19]
Style and personal life
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/7/79/Final_Fantasy_XIII_Launch.jpg/220px-Final_Fantasy_XIII_Launch.jpg)
Before he joined the game industry, Kamikokuryo had created
Kamikokuryo lives in
Works
Year | Game | Role(s) | Ref. |
---|---|---|---|
2001 | Final Fantasy X | Gadget art designer, background art director | [3][5] |
2006 | Final Fantasy XII | Art director | [6] |
2007 | Final Fantasy XII: Revenant Wings | Art supervisor | [2] |
2009 | Final Fantasy XIII | Art director | [8] |
2010 | The 3rd Birthday | Art director | [9] |
2011 | Final Fantasy XIII-2 | Art director, character designer | [14] |
2013 | Lightning Returns: Final Fantasy XIII | Art director | [16] |
2016 | Final Fantasy XV | Art director | [18] |
2017 | Final Fantasy XII: The Zodiac Age
|
Promotional illustrator | [21] |
2020 | Paper Mario: The Origami King | Art director | [22] |
2022 | The Diofield Chronicle | Character designer, concept art | [23] |
2022 | Harvestella | Concept art | [24] |
References
- ^ a b c d Kamikokuryo, Isamu (2007). "Info". Archived from the original on 2009-01-01.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k Winkler, Chris (2006-11-15). "RPGFan Exclusive Interview: Isamu Kamikokuryou, Art Director, Square Enix". RPGFan. Archived from the original on 2016-03-03. Retrieved 2011-04-06.
- ^ a b c d e Balistrieri, Emily (2008-02-22). "GDC 08: FFXIII Art Behind Closed Doors: Bungie Interviews Square Enix". RipTen. Archived from the original on 2014-02-02. Retrieved 2014-01-18.
- ^ Yoon, Andrew (2008-02-22). "GDC08: Final Fantasy, beautiful men, and fighting the uncanny valley". Joystiq. Archived from the original on 2010-02-13. Retrieved 2011-04-06.
- ^ a b "アートディレクター、上国料勇氏の『ファイナルファンタジー』美術の時間 GDC 2008". Famitsu. 2008-02-23. Archived from the original on 2016-05-08. Retrieved 2014-01-18.
- ^ ISBN 4-7575-1696-7.
- ^ a b Final Fantasy XII Collector's Edition Bonus Disc. Square Enix. 2006-10-31. Archived from the original on 2016-05-10. Retrieved 2016-11-29.
- ^ a b c Admin (2008-03-25). "The Art of Final Fantasy". PlayStation Universe. Archived from the original on 2013-11-17. Retrieved 2011-04-06.
- ^ a b c Kamikokuryo, Isamu (2010-11-08). "クリエイターズ メッセージ vol.2". Square Enix. Archived from the original on 2010-11-24. Retrieved 2014-01-18.
- ^ Gantayat, Anoop (2010-08-13). "The 3rd Birthday Shower Scene Update Coming Tonight". Andriasang. Archived from the original on 2010-10-18. Retrieved 2014-01-18.
- ^ Gantayat, Anoop (2010-12-22). "Little Bits and Pieces About The 3rd Birthday". Andriasang. Archived from the original on 2010-12-28. Retrieved 2014-01-18.
- ^ a b c McNeice, Kiera (2011-06-24). "Final Fantasy XIII-2 Tidbits From Japan". IGN. Archived from the original on 2014-02-23. Retrieved 2014-01-18.
- ^ "FFXIII-2 Interview". Final Fantasy Brasil. 2012-03-10. Archived from the original on 2014-02-02. Retrieved 2014-01-18.
- ^ a b c d e f "Final Fantasy XIII-2 Special Interview: Art Director Mr. Isamu Kamikokuryo". Microsoft. 2011-12-22. Archived from the original on 2015-05-10. Retrieved 2014-01-18.
- ^ Gantayat, Anoop (2011-02-01). "Hey Mr. Tetsuya Nomura, Whatchu Up To?". Andriasang. Archived from the original on 2011-02-06. Retrieved 2011-03-22.
- ^ a b Ashcraft, Brian (2012-11-10). "Square Enix On Bringing Lightning Returns To Life". Kotaku. Archived from the original on 2016-04-13. Retrieved 2014-01-18.
- Dengeki. 2013-11-16. Archivedfrom the original on 2016-03-04. Retrieved 2014-01-18.
- ^ a b c d Romano, Sal (2017-04-01). "Final Fantasy XII, XIII, and XV art director Isamu Kamikokuryo leaves Square Enix". Gematsu. Archived from the original on 2017-04-01. Retrieved 2017-04-01.
- ^ Sato (2019-10-11). "Former Square Enix Artist Isamu Kamikokuryo Joins Gungrave G.O.R.E Team". Siliconera. Retrieved 2020-06-13.
- ^ a b Kamikokuryo, Isamu (2002-01-17). "Info". Archived from the original on 2002-12-20.
- ^ Nunneley, Stephany (May 26, 2017). "Final Fantasy 12: The Zodiac Age – get acquainted with the Gambit System in this new trailer". VG247. Retrieved June 17, 2020.
- ^ "Paper Mario The Origami King - Ending/Final". YouTube.
- ^ "Square Enix Announces The Diofield Chronicle". March 9, 2022.
- ^ Castillo, Gio (2022-06-28). "Harvestella is Square Enix's Colorful New Life Sim, Coming November 4th to Switch and Steam". RPGFan. Retrieved 2022-07-01.