Part 8: Debrief

Chapter 2 debrief

Chapter 2 is done! With that we’ve been introduced to quite a few characters and locations, and I’ll post character art/3D models, location notes, and last but not least, music!

Character Art/3D Models:
Lydie OA (Yuugen)
Lydie 3D Model
Sue OA (NOCO)
Sue 3D Model
Lucia OA (Yuugen)
Lucia 3D Model
Ilmeria OA (Yuugen)
Ilmeria 3D Model
Roger OA (NOCO)
Mireille OA (NOCO)
Hagel OA (NOCO)
Pamela OA (NOCO)
This is actually the same as her OA from Firis; Gust saw no need to have NOCO draw her another OA for Lydie & Suelle, I guess.
Grace 3D Model (Yuugen)
For whatever reason Koei Tecmo only posted Grace’s 3D model, and no official art, on the game’s website

You’ve probably noticed after watching a few of the videos that the audio is in Japanese. That’s because there is no dub, a first for the Atelier series! For Lydie & Suelle, Koei Tecmo ditched acttil (who localized Ayesha through Firis) for a new firm based in Tokyo, and uh, they weren’t gonna provide the budget to fly in the actors we know and love out of LAX to do the voice-over jobs.

The game gave a montage of who voices the major characters in the avant opening from Part 1-3. As far as I can tell, quite a few of them, like Maria Naganawa (Lydie), Hikaru Akao (Sue), Kaede Hondo (Firis), Takuma Nagatsuka (Alt) and Reina Ueda (Lucia), begin their voice acting careers within the past 3-6 years; maybe some among you would know what they’ve been in. I think Hondo’s been in Hinamatsuri and Ueda’s been in Pokemon Sun/Moon? Others like Takehito Koyasu (Roger, also the voice of Rufus from Atelier Meruru and Dio from JoJo among many others) and Yoko Hikasa (Mireille, also Mio from K-On and Kyoko from Dangan Ronpa among many others) have been in the business for decades. Fumihiko Tachiki, in addition to reprising his longstanding role as Hagel, also voiced Kenpachi from Bleach.

Moving on, location notes! And memos from Lydie.

Location Notes and Memos:
Merveille

This is the atelier where we live. It looks nice at first glance, but it’s pretty run down. I’m tired of all the heavy breezes and constant leaks.


This is our friend Lucia’s atelier. It’s one of Merveille’s older ateliers, and unfortunately, it’s always busy. I’m jealous…


This is Ilmeria’s atelier. It suits her perfectly, with a simple yet capable design. Except the corners of the rooms…


This is the entrance to Merveille Castle. It also serves as the center of government for the capital, so there are always many people visiting.


This is Hagel the mighty blacksmith’s shop. It’s quite convenient, just be sure to squint when you visit! The reason’s a secret…


I can’t tell you anything about the church as an entity in Adalet or the Mysterious world at large, except that it’s just sort of there and Pamela and Grace are part of it.
This is the most famous church in all Adelet. It’s also a popular tourist attraction! However, the sisters lament that few people actually go there to pray.


Lune Street and Soleil Street are Merveille’s two biggest streets. Behind them is Teil Beach, so it’s a good place to take a quick swim.


This is a large street opposite Lune Street. It used to be that Lune Street was more prosperous, but it’s the other way around recently.


This is a plaza in front of Merveille Castle. Its most notable feature is the Notice Board in the center. Many people gather there in the morning to look for the highest-paying requests.


This is a garden at the capital’s entrance. The people of Merveille are allowed to take as many flowers as they like, within reason of course. It’s important not to be greedy.


This place gives you a great view of the ocean. It’s popular with tourists due to its picturesque setting. However, be careful you don’t fall into the ocean!

Outskirts

This is a peaceful forest near the capital. There are no dangerous monsters, so people from the capital like to rest here. I often come here to relax.


It is merely an average forest, but there’s a reason for that. It’s supposedly a training ground for the next king, which is why it was given this name. I wonder if it’s true…

I like the Encyclopedia notes because they give more chances for characters’ personalities to shine through. Lydie, bookworm that she is, also gives us memos that flesh out the setting and tell us about Merveille and Adelet. More zingers from the twins don’t hurt either!

Music:
Waltz Do You Want?
The entrance hall of the castle in most games tends to have a grand, formal atmosphere, but in the Atelier series it is a place to accept quests and other jobs, making it more like an office or agency in its function. This track blends together these two images of the castle entrance. But this title… That’s pretty corny. (Achiwa)

Twin Birds Playing in the Fields
The main setting for the adventures in this title are divided into two categories: the standard field maps and the worlds inside the paintings. I was primarily involved in the former. This title has a particularly strong fairy tale vibe, even for the “Mysterious” series, and the protagonists are both very young, so I tried to make sure the overall feel is charming and optimistic. (Achiwa)

Twin Birds Playing in the FIelds -Night-
This is a typical example of the “Mysterious” series’ nighttime arrangements. There are times when we begin with a plan for how we will arrange a piece to create a night version, and others when we make the daytime version without any consideration of its nighttime equivalent. There have even been tragic cases in the past in which the nighttime arrangement just hasn’t worked, and everything has to be started from scratch. (Achiwa)

Twin Birds Singing in the Forest
The forests that appear in anime and games tend to feature trees at convenient intervals allowing an idyllic space in which to enjoy a stroll. I used to love stories of adventure, and growing up in the countryside, I found myself the nearest forest, and set off for what I hoped would be a thrilling journey… (continues) (Achiwa)

Twin Birds Singing in the Forest -Night-
(Continued from previous) But when I entered the forest, I found the foliage was so think that I could barely walk! Forcing my way through the scrub would only result in scrapes and scratches, not to mention the mosquitoes! I remember dragging my sorry body home, and realizing that untouched nature is no fit setting for any tale of adventure. (Achiwa)

Hydrangea -Part 1-
This is Lydie’s standard battle music for the first part of the game. I was given the difficult task of incorporating the melody used in the opening theme within this piece. I was quite proud that this was a rare piece for me in four-four time, but as HIROTOMO, our bassist, pointed out, I break the time signature in the introduction. He has a point. The piece also features Miyoshi on guitar and TAM on the violin! (Yano)

Sunflower -Part 1-
This is Sue’s battle music for the game’s opening section. My task was to pick out the Sue-related phrases from the opening theme, and mix them in. It was a lot easier said than done. I asked Ono to play the violin parts. He always does such a fantastic job. (Yanagawa)

Not That I Care…
The protagonists’ heartless rival, from a famous family. I kind of like fitting little categories for each character to fit into. In fact, when you put each character into these stereotypical categories, it just serves to accentuate the ways in which they differ and are unique. In the end, it is these differences which wind up being the most important factors in the drama of the story. (Achiwa)

I’m Counting on You Both!
The responsible older girl. What’s more, it seems there is more to her than just being the receptionist. I also like the shift in balance as the game progresses, from the player characters relying on her to her beginning to rely on the player characters. Being able to savor that satisfaction of helping others out really is one of the great attractions of the Atelier series. (Achiwa)

I’m Not Even Trying (Lydie & Suelle Ver.)
Ilmeria’s theme returns. The original track played up her youth, but in this title she is the responsible teacher who provides support to our protagonists. To reflect this, I have arranged the track as a serene, composed waltz. It’s really nice for fans of the series to see these favorites from previous titles returning as more grown-up, responsible versions of themselves. (Achiwa)

Ghost Girl (Lydie & Suelle Ver.)
The familiar Pamela. This is probably the single character theme that has gone through more incarnations than any other. Appearing firstly in Atelier Judie, it has made subsequent rearranged appearances in Atelier Viorate, Atelier Iris 3: Grand Phantasm, Mana Khemia, Atelier Rorona, Atelier Meruru, Atelier Sophie, and finally this title. How many have you heard? (Achiwa)
Thank you, Achiwa, for absolving me of having to detail Pamela’s extensive footprint in the series

With Your Hand on Mine
This is a melancholy piece, but I did intend to include elements of warmth as well. I made sure to try and keep my own feelings melancholy as I wrote by thinking of sad things. Unusually for me that evening, I ended up drinking alone. (Yanagawa)