In this continuation of our review of the renders by AM2 developer Hideki Kawabata (if you haven't yet read the introductory post, go here for the overview), we will look at several Shenmue I characters that are of particular interest - as well as some early unused characters.
Former Student of the Yūki Dojo: Masayuki Fukuhara
Fuku-san's character render sheet contains a table of information relating to the model which is similar to the one found on the other characters in the collection. This includes key information such as:
- Character Name: Fuku-san / Masayuki Fukuhara
- Filename: FUK_M
- Skeleton type for the model: OHS
- Polygon count: 1200
- Fingers sway: Completed - this may refer to a checklist task to ensure finger movement animations are provided for the character
- Swaying objects: Belt - items that require special information, in this case the belt on his gi
- Submission date: 27th October 1998 - approximately one year before the Japan release
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| Render dated 27th October 1998 |
Interestingly, we can see written on Fuku-san's gi in the above image the dojo name of "Yūki" (結城), suggesting that even at this somewhat late point in the development process, the renaming of the protagonist from Akira Yūki to Ryo Hazuki had not yet occurred.
Also included in the set of renders is one showing Fuku-san in casual clothes - complete with "Fuk-san" embroidered on the breast of his jacket! The model information specifies that the "skirt" (hem) of his jacket is something that should sway as he moves.
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| Render dated 20th May 1999 |
The above image of Fuku-san is the one that was revealed at a live-stream event promoting the release of Shenmue I & II at the Tokyo Game Show in September 2018. The news that Fuku-san had originally been planned as the Mad Angels kidnapping victim came as quite a surprise at the time, followed by an amusing comment from a member of the development team: "When Yu-san saw it, he said, 'No one would want to save this guy!'"
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