Exclusive drafts revealed! Interviewing Takuro Fuse, "Ace Attorney" Character Designer!

To celebrate this huge event, pixiv Zingaro (Nakano, Tokyo) is hosting an Ace Attorney Art Gallery (逆転裁判画廊). At the entrance of the venue, you'll be able to admire a huge signboard made by the character designer himself, Takuro Fuse. The exhibition also features brand new illustrations to celebrate the 15th anniversary of the series, together with magazines and event-only artworks.
We took the chance to interview Takuro Fuse and to ask him about character design. Please look forward to some exclusive drafts you'll only be able to see in this article!!
"I don't start drawing right away". Fuse's character design techniques




There's also something else that I'd like to try out, which is the complete opposite to fighting games: otome games! This is probably because I really like the settings of shoujo manga such as Aim for the Ace!, The Rose of Versailles and Haikara-san ga Tōru. I would also like to work with anime, one day.
Becoming "Ace Attorney" Character Designer

The one which brought me to work with the character design for Ace Attorney - Dual Destinies was a natural flow: the producer wanted to create this new title with a brand new team, so he asked me to work as art director and character designer. I was enthusiastic at first, but it was also the first title in the series coming out in 6 years, so as soon as I started working on it I realized it would have been quite the hard task.











About the two artworks for "Ace Attorney Art Gallery"



One of the ideas that I came up with was an illustration with the characters dressed in formal attire, but then I thought that an illustration depicting all the attorneys walking towards the fans would have more impact. I hope the signboard gives out a sense of movement and that the characters' line of sight is well expressed.


Maya Fey was supposed to wear a hakama!? Exclusive drafts!!

The first idea was for the signboard illustration, so it included office members and also the Wrights appearing after Ace Attorney - Dual Destinies. In the end, I chose different characters for this second illustration. The reason why I chose the characters from Ace Attorney 1, 2 and 3 is that the producer suggested me to draw Dick Gumshoe, Franziska von Karma and Godot, which I never drew officially before then.

We can call it "the typical Ace Attorney style", but usually characters like Wright and Justice are officially drawn in their "Objection!" pose. I wanted to keep the theme of "typicalness" in my illustration, and what's typical in a formal dress artwork? Suits for men and elegant dresses for women. I wanted to draw the characters in a way they've never been drawn before.

At first, when I thought what kind of formal clothing every character should wear, I thought that an hakama was appropriate for Maya, also thinking about her age.
pixivision Exclusive! Unpublished draft






In the second illustration, I created an artwork that resembles a memorial photo. I was careful to make it a bit more realistic and to use techniques such as strong contrast to make the wrinkles in the clothes stand out more than usual.

How was it?
If you want to know more about items on sale and venue-exclusive benefits, please visit Ace Attorney Art Gallery Official Website (Japanese only)! ※Items sold at the venue come in limited quantities.
The exhibition is open until April 25 (Tue), so don't miss your chance to attend this wonderful event in Nakano broadway!
■ Ace Attorney 15th Anniversary "Ace Attorney Art Gallery" (逆転裁判画廊)
Dates: 2017/4/6日(Thu)~4/25 (Tue) 12:00~19:00 ※Closed on Wednesdays
Location: pixiv Zingaro
Tickets: Free entrance
Management: Kaikai Kiki
Ace Attorney Art Gallery Official Website (Japanese only)
Win a limited postcard set signed by Takuro Fuse himself!! [Giveaway Campaign]
We're giving 3 lucky people the chance to win a set of 12 postcards (only available at the venue) signed by Takuro Fuse himself.
To apply, you only have to follow pixivision Official Twitter & retweet this tweet!
Applications last until 23:59 on May 3, 2017. We are looking forward to your entries!
※ The winners will be contacted through Twitter's direct message.