What do the new MOTHER 3 enemies feature?

Aoki: There are many types of enemies that are completely unique in comparison to enemies one might encounter in a standard RPG. 

Are there really that many different enemy types?

Aoki: There are. For example, there’s the four legged Kraken and flying enemies. You know, I think there will be more enemies than MOTHER 2. This is a concept art collection of MOTHER 3 enemies I haven’t shown anyone yet. It’s a pretty good collection; there’s a lot of weird stuff in here. 

Are there any interesting enemies in here that haven’t been announced yet?

Aoki: Yes, there are. But it’s still a secret. However, I would like to let you know that even the types of species that appear will be much more advanced than the previous game. This is the first time I’ve drawn creatures with such a fleshed out background.

I can’t wait to see what you do with it. Taking a peek at it, I can see how it’s very unique (A glimpse at the concept art shows not only the enemy’s location, but the size of its body and method of attack).

Aoki: Yes indeed. Benimaru-san (Lead Art Director, Benimaru Itoh) himself is in charge of the game’s locations. Without a location, it’s difficult to visualize what the enemies might be. Once I have some simple background details, then I start trying to draw the enemy.

Does Itoi-san ever give you any detailed orders?

Aoki: Yeah, he does. Sometimes he might say, “the head should look like this” and so on. But for smaller enemies, I’m allowed to draw them freely.

So you’re left completely in charge of everything then?

Aoki: Well, I still don’t know if I would say I’m in charge or not (laughs). Basically, in that case I start designing enemies without even thinking about the small details. There are many enemies I’ve made for MOTHER 3 that might not fit and be rejected (laughs).

Do you ever create enemies to match the story and locations?

Aoki: Yes, I do. Although I started designing enemies before the scenario was even finished. So I guess, at the beginning I created enemies without even having a specific place in mind for them. Sometime down the road I was told something along the lines of, “There will be a swamp” that would appear in the game, so I then drew some enemies to match that swamp. 

You’ve drawn a lot of enemies, but where do these ideas come from?

Aoki: Oh, let’s see…I really have a “monster spring” inside of my mind.

Is it going to flow outside of you (laughs)?

Aoki: I wonder where it comes from. I wasn’t really inspired by anything, even as a child I wasn’t really into monsters like these, but…

There’s also the work in bringing these enemies to life in 3D on a computer, isn’t there?

Aoki: That’s right. But the process of creating it in 3D isn’t done by me alone, but rather with a group of several people. We’ll decide on the enemy, and then we animate how it moves. The rest goes on from there until we finally see it on the game screen.

Lastly Aoki-san, you are involved with MOTHER 3 as a freelance artist. What other work do you do?

Aoki: Besides games, I also do art direction for TV programs. I am in charge of the visuals for a Saturday morning NHK program called “Nandemo Q”, so please check it out. It’s on very early in the morning. 

I’ll make sure to watch it. Thank you very much for your time today.