When you decided to become a character designer? What was the main source of inspiration that made you think "I want to do this work"?
Well, it was not such a linear thing, but remember when as a child I saw for the first time of Japanese cartoons airing on television, I felt a strong emotion and thought it to be great I wanted to do just that stuff there. It was 1978, and I was about eight. As a natural evolution, growing up, I started drawing comics, because it is one of those forms of art that can be molded with a few simple materials, you can just a pen and some paper to tell a story ... Of course, in my heart I wanted to become an animator, but then in my country there was this kind of culture and did not know any Italian animator.
twenties became, fate and some fortuitous coincidence would have it, following the realization of a comic I could win a scholarship to Japan (I have to thank the publishing house Kodansha, specifically the Takenaka Ms), thanks to which I could study a few months in the drafting of the Morning magazine.
Following the publication of two of my illustrations, right on Morning, I received a call in the newsroom by Mr. Ippei Kuri, director of Tatsunoko Production, who told me he was interested in my work and wanted me to work for his company. I do not have jumped at the chance and decided to embark on this adventure. Back in Italy, I got the visa at the Japanese Embassy and returned to Japan with a regular work visa. It was February 1997.
Times change, and too dumb with them; slowly I began to feel a deep interest in video games, not so much as a gaming experience, but as a chance to create new original worlds. Mind you, even in animation that is possible, but I began to consider 3D as the near future, as even the animation world was evolving in the same direction.
In 2001 I left the Tatsunoko and switched to the NAMCO. Subsequently, in 2006, I tried to get into that that of all the production companies of video games considered to be the top in the industry for its easy recognition. Of course I am talking of SQUARE ENIX.
What is the franchise on which you have preferred to work in the course of your career? And why?
I really think both the Final Fantasy XV, not because it came out recently, but because I finally was able to work with Mr. Nomura in an important and leading role. With Mr. Nomura I felt respected artistically, and it was the first time since I live in this country. I sensed his deep confidence in myself and in my ability. It's hard to explain, but before then I felt just exploited.
Do you consider yourself a gamer? What are your favorite games? You still have some free time in which you dedicate yourself to play for inspiration?
I have never been nor will ever become a player, I did not really have time ... But I am always informed about new releases and not lose a single PV. Being an industry increasingly look at the technical side of things that I see, and if my game I like for the sets, there is another that I like instead for innovations, techniques and so on solutions.
There is some series or franchise on which you like to work? Something you love?
I'd like to work on Kingdom Hearts because it has no realistic graphics.
We look at the character of the historic design FINAL FANTASY series. Personally, I prefer deformed style, that more souls such as FINAL FANTASY VII and FINAL FANTASY IX, or something more realistic like Final Fantasy VIII and Final Fantasy X?
I like all these titles listed because they are recognizable. I can only reiterate that I do not like things too realistic, especially the characters, because when it pursues realism the result is, many times, a product of which there are many, and this is to the detriment of originality. Certainly that's a pretty sight, but I prefer a product that is identifiable at first glance.
It's very different working in a company like Tatsunoko, specializing in animation, rather than in the games industry? What will change in terms of production?
It's very different. The first approach to the world of video games has been impressive; I thought they were very disorganized. For a project of a video game move an innumerable amount of people and operated the first gear, slowly, over time things are settling. What struck me most is that we move even before he catalyzed the story. During construction then, many things are changing, and changing characters are lost, stage and so on. In the animation, because of the tight deadlines, you do not have all this luxury ... I really can say that they are necessarily more organized.
It is now quite a lot 'of time that you moved to Japan to realize your dream. In all this time, have you ever missed Italy in some way, such as for food or some special places?
I miss my family, of course, the sea and the Tyrrhenian coast. See the sun set over the Mediterranean Sea is very rasserenerante and warms the soul. Not that here in Japan there are just as charming places, but since I've been in Tokyo I do is work ... I miss that constructive and stimulating free time I had in Italy.
Many Italians would like to move to Japan to live and work, but some of these have abandoned the dream of moving to the place they love. What would you suggest to your younger compatriots who are seeking career in Rising Sun? Is it really possible for Italians become the industry of Japan as you did?
When you have a dream to realize you can not waver, and we can not look back. Certainly live abroad is not a simple thing, but one must look inward to decide calmly what you want to truly get from their lives. The difficulties have never been higher than my dream.
After ten years of development, at last Final Fantasy XV was released worldwide. What would you say to the Italian players who are playing there or that we will play?
Well, do not overdo it, I was in the team from May of 2010 to the end of 2013. To all those who will begin to play with FFXV let me say this: if you during your adventure you ever run into an ambiguous and sinister figure, say maybe most Italian of all the characters (it will be because it is my creature?) I do not trust him, please!
Seriously, all the staff gave the best of themselves, and I firmly believe that you can live a fantastic adventure accompagnado Prince Noctis to maturity of his own conscience.