[kokoro-cafe]

All images are © Kokoro Cafe

What do you guys think of the new concept art?

We wanted to make each character a little more unique and not have the same faces so we changed up the style to make it look less anime-ish.  Sound off your opinion.

Do you like it? Hate it? Prefer the more anime version? Let us know! Be honest too.

Original Concept Art:




New Concept Art:










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Linkback: https://kokoro-cafe.net/index.php?topic=844.0

[Aiwethryne]

When I was glancing at all of the poll results a few hours ago, I was amazed how like-minded people are.

I think that they can still look distinct, even if they don't have semi-realistic noses. I actually like the new style much more because of the hair, but neither this, nor the former ever struck me as overtly "anime-styled." The jawline of the guy in the second row of the new version actually looks awkward to me because I like the more angular forms that anime people have, though it might also be because his mouth is really long. Putting my fingers over the sides of his mouth makes him look more likable for me.

I liked the old concept's ass-man head, but the rest of the old version does not appeal to me much at all. It also depends on how this is going to be colored. The top looks more fit for hard cell shading. The bottom looks more like it should be softer. I like softer coloring. Still, these ARE still concepts. Their clothing looks like they should be really snazzy if it were the newer ones. The former outfits just look plain.

[kokoro-cafe]

Yup these are just concept images so far.  And keep in mind the original image is lined and the new images haven't been lined yet so there's still a difference.  I would have asked Bix707 to line them last night but it was getting pretty late and I still had to prep to post the images onto the forum by today.  Personally though I'm not that surprised by how the poll is going so far.  I knew Bix707 has been tweaking the characters for the last couple of months because she's not been very satisfied with them and she told me she was trying a different style that was less anime which I wasn't so sure about since I know how Voltage America's localized version went over with the forum (although this is less extreme) but hey this is our first game and it's our chance to gauge the reaction of different things before we settle on what we will do.

We definitely never aimed for overtly anime styled if by overtly you mean the big eyes the sharp chin etc, we were aiming more for BMP-ish at the beginning but with our own twist.  The thing with this new style though as I understand it is the face shapes.  That's what I think Bix707 wanted to emphasize.  If you look at BMP and all the other big named anime-styled otome games out so far for the mobile they pretty much have the same exact face shape.  Yeah they make it unique with different hairstyles, eye color, expression, etc, etc but essentially you are staring at the same face. With that said though, I quite honestly liked the old stuff more than the new when I first saw the images but I'm not sure if it's because it's a style that people on the forum might like more and I'm more comfy with that look or because I like it more.  Also, I found that the more I stared at it the more agreeable it became to me. I'm slowly starting to warm up to it mainly because that anime style is still there but it's also stands out compared to other otome games.  I don't know, right now I'm pretty torn between what to vote for so I'll leave it up to the forum.  It's just another option for everyone.

As for the hair, no matter which concept we go with the hair is an entirely different thing on it's own. Don't vote that you like this new style because of the hair because the other polls going on right now will decide which hairstyle will be used no matter what art style will be used in the future.  Same goes for clothes, we haven't even begun touching on that topic yet.  The clothes in the original image were just quick mock ups.

[minagirl27]

This concept art is beautiful! The men look believable and like real men! It is this kind of art that helped me appreciate the styles that are available in the world of otome. I'm not saying I'm the be-all-end-all, however I can appreciate good art when it is posted and presented to the public. Also, anime men can be... predictable and uncharismatic. They tend to be flat with nothing to offer the players of these games. Their emotional range is that of tea spoon. It is either "I love you. I want you. Be with me" or "I hate you, you scum of the Earth. Go back to the seventh circle of hell that you crawled out of."

This new style looks like it allows for personality growth... individualism. The men look like they can grow old with you and will enjoy every minute of it. These men, particularly the second character, look like you can  actually meet them. Men who will have depth, fun, range of emotion, and will want to know more about YOU. These men could be real. I kind of wish they were... :)

[Lancergirl]

I think the concept art is terrific too! It is nice for a change that their face and eye shapes differ from each other, verses other romance sim games.
The original giant-eyed manga characters are that way because the artist can easily show emotion with eyes, anger...passion...happiness, etc. When the eyes are drawn so large, just the slightest change in shape or an extra boost in color or shine given to them accentuates to the reader what the character is feeling. That is a huge help since the author is limited in words to tell you every emotion going on- the eyes do most of the talking.

I'm interested in this game! I do get bored I guess of thinking I am interacting with the exact same man on Voltage games.
I think your artists did a great job. Can't wait to see how these guys progress.

Can I submit a name suggestion or two? Rory and Dane.

[kokoro-cafe]

Can I submit a name suggestion or two? Rory and Dane.

Is there a specific character you want the names for?

[draikel]

Im a lil late to the party,  but I prefer the old concept, through n through. The art (particularly the noses),  rubs me in an odd way. Not a bad way, because I do like the new art. It just doesnt hold a candle to the old.

[Hazel-Bun]

I personally love the new style. Distinct features and they're over all much more handsome and anatomically correct then the old ones. The aggressive guys giraffe neck has been tamed some haha (I kid!)

Neither struck me as very anime-ish at all. The first was like a western cartoon and the second more action hero oriented western cartoon. That's just me though. Keep up the great work ^^

[KuroCandy41319]

I like the new art concept better than the old one. I can't say that the old one looks anime-ish cuz it looks too cartoonish for an otome game. On the other hand, the new concept looks just right for me, its not exactly my type, but its a good one. I prefer details and it looks like you hit the right spot. As I can see, there's no issue of too much details here which was lacking in the previous concept.
One thing though, guy#2 is supposed to be flirty right? To me, he looks more kiddy innocent like than fun flirty type. I think it because of his wide smile that makes him look more innocent. Unless you're going for the innocent look flirty attitude underneath concept, its fine I guess. And I think guy#3 would look better with a little but smaller/narrower/sharper (don't know which word fits right here) eyes to fit him.and yeah, the noses aren't that much appealing to me, especially the line below it above the mouth, but its not too bad either. Just saying.
Thanks, can't wait for this!!!! ^-^

-- Fri Mar 28, 2014 6:01 am --

Sorry, had to add this  
I think it'll also look better if the lines for the hair are finer to give that soft feel so it would look less cartoonish. Kinda like the ones on your draft. That look.

[FiammaJoule]

I absolutely love the new concept art! It's much more distinct and fine for each character, portraying them in exactly the way you intended, according to their personalities.

Maybe the difference in votes comes from the difference in age of the players? I showed the old concept art and new concept art to my 11 year old cousin and 13 year old cousin, and both girls liked the old concept art because the guys were "cute". Then I showed the old and new concept art to my three best friends (we're all 19) and they loooved the new concept art over the old because the men are "handsome". It's just my theory, of course, but younger girls will go with the cute, usually, and older girls will go with the handsome - usually. Nonetheless, your artwork is great! I already know that I'd be choosing Guy#1in a heartbeat. Especially with that wonderful hair? Heck YES.

@KuroCandy41319 Guy#2 slightly reminds me of Radwan from Arabian Nights: Desert Heat Love, and he's a suuuuper flirtatious guy with the most innocent face on the planet xD It's good to get out of the norm a bit, I think (:

[S.Sumire]

The jawline of the guy in the second row of the new version actually looks awkward to me because I like the more angular forms that anime people have, though it might also be because his mouth is really long.

I think, the jaw of the guy on the 2nd row is a bit round 'cuz, maybe, he's a bit chubby? Not chubby tummy but face chubby...(if there is such a thing *3*)..well like him. He has round jaw and long mouth but looks cute CX (btw the anime is also entertaining lol)

And about the art, It look better that the old one, altho I like the one standing on the right side of the old concept pretty charming :3