Cygames Calendar February 2022: Setsubun Theme
Liven up your PC or smartphone with the Cygames Calendar! We have one of our illustrators create a uniquely themed image each month and ask them to tell us about their creative process. February’s theme is the Japanese seasonal event of “Setsubun.”
(Setsubun is a Japanese seasonal event celebrated in early February that marks the beginning of spring in the old calendar. During this event, people throw soybeans at a demon called an “Oni,” which is meant to represent misfortune. Doing so is said to cleanse evil spirits and usher in good fortune for the coming year.)
Let this month’s image bring some good fortune to your PC or smartphone!
Click here for this month’s calendar image.
- Illustration TeamSatoshi
- Satoshi studied Industrial Design at university, and now creates and edits character illustrations for Cygames. He specializes in drawing mechas and illustrations which feature sci-fi elements.
A fierce battle between a human and a demon
“Fill the screen with action”
Why did you decide to go with Setsubun as the theme for February’s image?
- Satoshi
- I wanted to draw a picture that featured a lot of motion. I searched for “Events in February,” and the main results I got were “Valentine’s Day,” “Setsubun,” and “Tax Returns.” Of those 3, I figured Setsubun would result in the most action-packed illustration.
The image depicts a fierce battle between a human and a demon. However, the girl isn’t using a gun or sword as her weapon of chioce—she’s using soybeans. That felt more appropriate for Setsubun.
- Satoshi
- I decided from the start that I wanted to use soybeans—it’s Setsubun after all. I made a rough sketch of a gun that shoots beans, but after considering the dimensions of both PC and phone screens, I decided to go for a different concept. I instead filled up the whole image with action and closed the gap between the characters.
Sounds like you were a bit unsure what to do with the composition.
- Satoshi
- Yeah. I found myself racing to get the second half done and ended up regretting putting in two different characters. (Laughs) It was fun getting the image as close as possible to the one in my head, though.
Could you tell us about these characters’ personalities?
- Satoshi
- Well, I saw them both as pretty mischievous. They’re fighting, but I wanted to give the impression that they’re both enjoying themselves.
You’re currently working on creating and editing game character designs. I was wondering if you were able to draw on that experience when putting together this image?
- Satoshi
- One aspect would be the use of dramatic lighting instead of intricate shadows to bring out a three-dimensional sense of depth. For example, the schoolgirl’s top half is cloaked in shadow, whereas her left thigh is in the light.
What did you study at university?
- Satoshi
- I studied industrial design, specifically with regards to industrial product development. In high school, I had a vague idea that I wanted to have a job where I could actually make things, and I was leaning towards a future in industrial design, so I ended up taking that path.
So what prompted you to make the transition into game illustration?
- Satoshi
- The main reason would be that I love both games and drawing. I wasn’t sure if I could make a living from drawing, but then mobile games became super popular while I was at university, so that really helped me envision a future for myself in illustration.
What is the best part about being an illustrator?
- Satoshi
- Definitely when I’m able to draw all the stuff I pictured in my head.
On a final note, do you have a message for the readers?
- Satoshi
- When I’m drawing, I always think about the image or emotion I want to convey. But rather than simply hoping everyone experiences exactly what I intended, I’m actually more curious about what else people are getting out of my illustrations. While some viewers react how I was expecting, others focus on details I didn’t anticipate. Hearing all these different reactions really motivates me.
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