Yasushi Koyama Interview
Featured in the September 2006 issue of VIZ Media's "Shonen Jump" was an interview with Yasushi Koyama -- the Producer of Naruto products at TOMY's head office in Japan. TOMY is the company behind the "Naruto: Gekito Ninja Taisen" ("Clash of Ninja"), and "Saikyuo Ninja Daikesshu" ("Ninja Council") video games.
Video Games
Second Generation
They’re coming! The next stage of Naruto games for your favorite Nintendo platforms: Naruto Clash of Ninja 2 for the Nintendo GameCube and Naruto: Ninja Council 2 for the Game Boy Advance. We know lots of stuff about ‘em. How do we know these things? We asked Yasushi Koyama, the Producer of Naruto products at TOMY’s head office in Japan.
SHONEN JUMP: Naruto: Clash of Ninja for the GameCube was very successful in North America. How different is Naruto: Clash of Ninja 2 from the first one?
YASUSHI KOYAMA: Clash 2 includes everything from Clash, but we’ve added even more features. In Clash of Ninja 2, up to four players can play at the same time. The game has tons more characters – 23 playable – and environments – 17 total. Clash 2 also has 14 different game-play modes apart from the shop and other non-playable modes!
SJ: Does Clash 2 feature any unlockable characters or locations?
YK: It features 13 total unlockable characters at two different levels of difficulty. There are also three completely new environments, and an additional eight unlockable environments to find!
SJ: Tell us about the Naruto: Ninja Council 2 for GBA that’s also coming out this fall.
YK: Naruto: Ninja Council 2 is also scrolling action, like the first Ninja Council game, but this time you can toggle between characters “on the fly” to take advantage of their special skills. It will also include an original boss character – a first in the U.S. game!
SJ: What special features and cool moves can players expect in Naruto: Ninja Council 2?
YK: Ninja Council 2 features all the characters’ special jutsu, like Naruto’s Uzumaki Barrage, Sasuke’s Lions Barrage, the Inner Sakura, as well as Bloodline traits like the Sharingan Eye. You’ll also be able to call upon your support characters to use all their signature jutsu!
SJ: What are the most interactive aspects of Clash 2 on the GameCube?
YK: Along with having the feeling of being in the “world of Naruto,” the new multi-player modes and additional characters allow you to go head-to-head with your rival, team up with Naruto, Sasuke and Sakura to face the enemy together, or just go at it in a four-player free-for-all.
SJ: What’s the best thing about making Naruto games?
YK: We worked really hard to preserve the spirit of the manga and anime in the video games. Our development teams are happy to do all the extra little things to create a great game because they love Naruto so much. We hope the Naruto fans in the U.S. will love playing Clash 2 and Ninja Council 2 as much as we have enjoyed making them!
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