Ryukishi07 has long been a staple in the visual novel industry, captivating audiences with his unique blend of horror, mystery, and deep narrative storytelling. With the upcoming Western release of Rose Guns Days, I had the privilege to sit down with him and discuss his journey, the evolution of visual novels, and what fans can look forward to in the future. Our conversation touched on everything from his early days in the industry to his thoughts on the global reach of his work and his exciting collaborations with major studios like Konami.
Azario Lopez: As someone who has been in the visual novel market for over 20 years, do you feel like there’s been an evolution from then until now? What stands out most to you in that evolution?
Ryukishi07: It depends on how you define evolution, but I can say that 20 years ago, the Japanese internet environment was still in its infancy, so there weren’t many places to showcase works. Nowadays, there are many platforms where aspiring authors can upload their works. This evolution has made it easier for authors to showcase their creations, but it also means there are more rivals, making it much more competitive.
Azario Lopez: While the Western fan base may call any text adventure a visual novel, your works seem to gravitate toward the sound aspect of storytelling. What do you think is the most important aspect when getting compositions for your partners, and how does it impact the player experience?
Ryukishi07: Reading text alone doesn’t convey much, but adding music and sounds can enhance the experience. In manga, you have text bubbles and drawings, but in visual games, the combination of text and music can create an experience similar to anime, but at a much lower cost. Sound novels bridge the gap between manga and anime, allowing us to create a rich, immersive experience.
Azario Lopez: You release games in episodic formats, as with Rose Guns Days. How much of the concept do you have from the beginning, and does it ever change drastically while writing and releasing episodes?
Ryukishi07: I usually plan for a four-episode series. With Rose Guns Days, the concept was crafted for the Japanese audience and later localized for the Western audience. The story portrays my feelings from visiting outside Japan, which can be a bit embarrassing to see translated back.
Azario Lopez: How does it feel to have your work resonate with a global audience, spanning from young teens to people in their eighties?
Ryukishi07: It’s quite fascinating and makes me happy that such a wide range of audiences can relate to the project. Even in Japan, we’ve received fan letters from people in their eighties to young children. It’s a bizarre yet fulfilling experience.
Azario Lopez: I feel like you knew this question was coming, but is there any update on Ciconia 2?
Ryukishi07: Without spoiling much, there are two potential approaches for Ciconia 2: portraying the opposite team’s view from the first one or continuing the first story. Both methods are being considered.
Azario Lopez: Higurashi has recently been adapted into a theater production. How has that been for you to see it played out on stage?
Ryukishi07: Initially, I declined the offer for a theatrical version ten years ago, thinking it would be difficult. However, seeing the successful adaptations of other works, I gave it a chance, and it has been great. They did a wonderful job with the stage adaptation.
Azario Lopez: Do you have any favorite murder mystery novels or authors?
Ryukishi07: Murder mystery in Japanese is more like a suspense thriller. I’ve read many works over the years, including Agatha Christie. For Japanese works, I enjoy those by Seishi Yokomizo.
Azario Lopez: Would you ever consider writing just a romance story, without horror or mystery elements?
Ryukishi07: I would like to create a story not related to horror or mystery, just a regular romance novel. However, if I release something like that, people might expect it to turn dark, given my previous works. They may even get upset with me when the credits roll and no one dies.
Azario Lopez: You’ve written many titles with horror elements. How has that experience influenced your work with Konami on Silent Hill?
Ryukishi07: It was very honoring to be approached by Konami. Initially, I thought they wanted me to write a short story, but they wanted me to create an entire new project. It has been a very fun and engaging experience.
Azario Lopez: For fans looking forward to Rose Guns Days and your future works, do you have anything you want to share with them?
Ryukishi07: There are many works I haven’t officially announced yet, but please look forward to them. I have a lot in my mind that I haven’t revealed yet, so stay tuned. Thank you for your support.
Thanks, i was hoping he would give more informations about ciconia phase 2.