Translation of (a Short) Interview with Akari Funato from the Lunar SSS 
100% Newtype Artbook


SPECIAL THANKS  -  AKARI FUNATO
Expressing a Different Perspective on the World of Lunar

We spoke about the charm of Lunar with the woman who expressed a
perspective on its world different from those of the game and novels.

Question: How were you introduced to Lunar?

Akari Funato: I bought it, along with a Mega CD unit, the day it was 
released.  I was just a mere fan then.  I got a job on Lunar through an 
acquaintance.

Q: How are the story, the designs, etc. for the manga decided upon?

AF: For "Younenki no Owari", I had said that I wanted to draw Xenobia, so 
I consulted with Shigema-san, and the matter was settled.  The basic story
was Shigema-san's, but I ended up being able to draw it whatever way I 
liked.
As for "Confissao", I was left to my own devices to draw it my own way.  I 
asked Hajime Satou-san for the cool airship design.

Q: Funato-san, what input did you contribute to this new Saturn version  -
what continuity sheets did you work on, etc.?

AF: I contributed ideas for certain scenarios  -  the goddess's 
reincarnation scene, Ghaleon vs. Arhes [Alex], Arhes & Luhna's [Luna's] 
conversations, Ghaleon's thoughts...
Visually, I had a hand in Faithia [Phacia] and Rouyce's [Royce's] 
character designs and the original pictures [genga] for Mia's 
introduction.  I also got all the bromides except for Luhna's drawn into 
the storyboards.

Q: Funato-san, which character do you like the most?

AF: Ghaleon, I suppose.  I think that from the moment Dain [Dyne] left 
him, his heart lost its anchor, and he sank into deep loneliness.  Because 
of that, he felt he couldn't define himself except through that which was 
recognized as "strength" and "power".  I guess he was a child after all...
I like that kind of guy.

Q: Do you have to take any special considerations into account in drawing
the Lunar characters? 

AF: For starters, I have to increase the size of the characters' heads in
proportion to their bodies and cut down on the number of the lines I 
normally use in drawing.  The drawing style is different from mine, so I 
work hard to try to match it and not slip up, but I wonder how much I 
succeed...  I apologize to those who don't like my illustrations.

Q: Funato-san, what would you say would be Lunar's charm?

AF: Its "innocence", I think.  Its optimism even in the worst of times,
and the wonder of first love being able to end up lasting a lifetime.  Its
relentless optimism and the idea that first love can overcome anything.  
The heroes' earnest persistence and pureness of heart, their timeless 
free-spiritedness and good-heartedness, are what everyone aspires to, but 
what no one can attain, I think.  So, I think this might possibly be what 
charms the fans.
Since I'm interested in the drama generated between people, I like telling
my bosses that I have a life  -  lots of them.

Q: In closing, please share with us your hopes for the future of Lunar.

AF: Now that players are developing their own interpretations [of the 
official works] separate from those the creators intended, I think the
existing body of official works is still not yet enough.  From now on, 
I'd like to see darker, more serious games that don't settle for such a 
sentimental appraisal of things.  
In the future, though, it looks like what's to come for the Lunar series 
will be really fun RPG-wise, and that makes me, as a player, very happy.


Translation by RACapowski@worldnet.att.net; please don't repost this 
document without permission.  Lunar is the property of Game Arts, JAM,
Working Designs, and/or Sega; the Newtype 100% book was produced by
Newtype; the translator and translation are mavericks workin' their own
beat and not associated with any of the suits above, man.