Part 34: Okami Artbook 1
Kamiki Village - 100 years ago
Characters
Sapling Sprite Shakuya
"The sprite residing in the sapling of Konohana is Shakuya, the infant form of Sakuya. In one hundred years' time, the sapling grows to become a magnificent and divine tree."
Peoni and Peony
"These two, who stood before the Konohana sapling one hundred years ago, are ancestors of Camille and Camellia. This is where their long journey begins."
Nazo, his Mother, and his dog
"Ancestors of Mushi's household, Nazo - who somehow captured a UFO* - and his mother, are both quite ferocious, and if you stand around them too long without saying anything, they might mistake you for Shiranui and attack you."
*Yep, that's a Dogū head.
Village Elders - Mr and Mrs Grapefruit
"Ancestors of Mr and Mrs Orange. They put their hearts into helping take care of a particular sapling, their only real hope for peace.
Nami
"An ancestor of Kushi, Nami is also a brewer. One hundred years ago, on the night of the full moon, she was summoned to be the living sacrifice to Orochi. She went bravely, having complete faith in Nagi's ability to destroy Orochi."
The Great Swordsman (Self-proclaimed) - Nagi
"This ancestor of Susano was also a little lazy, but because he carried the legendary sword, Tsukuyomi, on his back - and because he trained very hard for his confrontation with Orochi - he was a little more reliable than Susano."
Enemies
Nagi
Clay Soldier
"The clay figure has been possessed by the angry spirit of a soldir who was forced to commit suicide in oder to honour his fallen master. Crushing the figure will release the spirit, granting it peaceful rest at last."
Clay Samurai
"The clay figure has been possessed by the spirit of a warrior who had a deep, buring passion for battle. Watching this warrior desperately continue his fight even after death, fills one with pity. To put an end to this warrior's battle and calm its bloodlust, one must destroy the weapon he wields."
Clay Drummer
"This formerly dormant clay figure was affected by the wave of dark energies released by Orochi, and became a violent demon. He burrows through the earth, confusing all that see the dirt's movement. As with most other clay figures, crushing the figure's body is enough to exorcise it."
Clay Piper
"As Orochi's dark energies spread through the air, they infected this clay figure until it became a demon that flies through the air with a kite on its back, dropping glowing spheres of dark energy upon its unsuspecting victims."
Clay Shōgun
"A valient Shōgun's spirit was twisted by Orochi's dark energies, and trapped within this clay figure. Though his prime days of destruction and carnage are behind him, his following of clay figures is reminiscent of the days when he led a vast number of loyal soldiers."
Dogu
"A strange clay figure speculated to have come from the moon. Dogu are known as protectors, yet while some are controlled by good, others are under the influence of evil. One legend tells of a Dogu that laid siege to various villages.
A small tribe of people shunned by those very villages, banded together and defeated the Dogu using the powers of love and courage."
Bull Charger
"As the warden of Hell, the Bull Charger oversees the torment of those souls who find themselves in his domain. Though he may look like a giant spider, his head is shaped like a bull's."
True Orochi
"The name 'Orochi' refers to the peak of a mountain charaged with spiritual energy. Appropriately, then, the true form of the monster that threatend Kamiki village, 100 years ago, is massive.
The golden aura surrounding him deflects any, and all attacks. By masquerading as a female sacrifice, the hero, Nagi, was able to intoxicate Orochi with the '8 Purifiation Sake'. Once the sake had robbed Orochi of his powers, Nagi was able to chop off each mammoth head, one by one."
Concept Art
Nami
Artist's Notes posted:
Nami was designed to look like a priestess. Since she is to be a sacrifice, she is wearing something like a ceremonial cord. The "8 Purification Sake" is o her head. There are two arrows [in it], but I can't remember why I just made it two...I probably wasn't thinking at that point...yeah.
Nagi
Artist's Notes posted:
[Nagi] look like [Susano] but is more impressive, so I gave him some ancient style armour. I used the same colours as with Amaterasu to give him a holy feel. The hilt of Tsukuyomi is based on some moon crests.
Nagi as Nami.
I can't not post this.
Dogu
For some reason, the Dogu figures have no info in the concept art section. But they're covered in Silver Falcon's beastiary and mythology discussions.
Clay Soldiers
Artist's Notes posted:
These guys are my favourite demons. They are so very cute, and I'm proud of my work.
It all started when Kamiya asked me to design a demon with an "outer-worldly feel". I took the clay figurines from ancient Japan and gave them an outer space vibe.
Bull Charger
Artist's Notes posted:
There was a lot of things that went into Okami's planning. For example, all the game's enemies started out as merely a long list of names with some explanatory text scratched in, and this list was handed to the designers. Armed with only this haphazard list, Takeyasu went through hours of research to flesh out each demon. This Bull Charger design is one product of his hard work.
Helmetless version
Artist's Notes posted:
The weaker form of the Bull Charger has a very scary face.
True Orochi
Artist's Notes posted:
Trying to design an ultimate version of the already "final boss"-like Orochi is enough to make a grown designer cry. I gave it a Kinkakuji theme [a famous golden temple in Japan].