A Metaphor in Fantasy - Katsura Hashino, Shigenori Soejima & Shoji Meguro

[@kevinr7216]

“I put the best of my efforts into making the most ideal RPG” Your efforts were not in vein my friend. You have accomplished that several times over. Wish I could thank him forreal 🙏

[@bestgamer-1st73]

The more I learn about Katsura Hashino, the more I respect him and his mind. Same goes for Soejima And Meguro. It’s sad to see so many people love Persona/SMT/Metaphor but not know the talented minds behind it. I hope more people get to know him, and I’d love to meet him personally someday to ask him questions about various philosophies.

[@BoostedMonkey05]

I really disliked the marketing for the game here in the west because the trio have done a lot together and apart from each other that isn't just P3,4,and 5. I also hated Persona twitter for wanting more of the same/expecting more of the same from Metaphor which wasn't helped by the god awful marketing. I was expecting a game that would fail commercially and critically because it wasn't the game everyone else was expecting. Meanwhile I and many others were looking forward to something special and we saw the influences of the things we love about MegaTen as a whole in Metaphor. Engaging turn based combat, thought provoking story, entertaining characters and stories. I was excited. and I am happy that despite my initial cynicism towards everyone else who just saw this game and thought it was just Fantasy Persona, the game became a critical and financial success. Though I doubt the game will stick in the minds of the masses the marketing tried to appeal to, I know everyone who love this game for what it is and what it is meant to represent are going to place this among the best RPGs that Atlus has put out throughout their lifetime.

[@koffeeasika]

Tbh I know enough about Hashino and his blatant sexism and lgbtphobia. Tbh I wish more people noticed that. At least Soejima tries to be a better person, now HE got my respect.

[@checkmate3735]

@@koffeeasikatrust me, enough people know about that. Plus, Metaphor seems to completely avoid those tropes

[@ch1slu]

you can see clearly it's not "just another game" for them, they love and care so much about what they do, truly inspiring. Metaphor is amazing, its been a while since i had enjoyed a game this much

[@diandre2530]

The most interesting part for me in metaphor is the art direction. There's an article discussing the inspiration for the menu design in the game and it takes a lot of ideas from leonardo davinci paintings and traditional japanese paintings. This game is a big work of art

[@vladik87]

A lot of the character costumes look like they were inspired by 60’s fashion too.

[@ArchipelDocumentaries]

English subtitles are available under the "CC" menu. Thank you for following Archipel!

[@Kael-n5m]

🤗

[@KoOk-h1d]

Thank you for the video.

[@ayupank2067]

Always amazing work.

[@Shehan_74]

Metaphor Refantazio was an absolutely phenomenal experience, I still can't stop thinking about it ever since I beat it a week ago. It is one of my favorite games of all time now. Thank you Katsura Hashino, Shigenori Soejima, Shoji Meguro and everyone at Atlus and Studio Zero for making this wonderful game. And of course, thank you Archipel for this amazing documentory. You guys continue to produce some of best content KZbin has to offer.

[@ArchipelDocumentaries]

Thanks a lot for the kind word!

[@FazPersona]

Didn't expect it at all, but it's really cool to see the early hulkenberg design in game 32:25

[@Aurange]

And you were playing as her. It would have been more interesting to see how things changed and evolved over time but alas.

[@freak3d]

Real footage of hulkenburg trying to find the prince before the game starts

[@sssspnl8699]

Also the Joker animations and the P5 calendar on the top left xD

[@TommyCollins93]

@@sssspnl8699 they literally did P5 re-skin, that must be very early concept to see how their vision would look like before starting to work on this game

[@Jay-9120]

I *really* love how they literally and figuratively deconstructed the idea of ‘fantasy.’ Favorite game of theirs, along with Persona 3, by far I can’t wait for the trio’s next work!

[@FulMetallalchemist]

I could listen to these gentlemen talk about their craft all day. What a remarkable team.

[@OroborOSX11]

I had no clue Metaphor was a thing. Randomly, I saw a video of it on KZbin. Then another. Then more… At first I didn’t plan to get it. I just wanted to watch my fav streamers play it. But after seeing them play the demo, I downloaded it. And it hooked me so hard. I love when a game like this comes into my life when I had absolutely no clue that it was coming.

[@GMRcris]

I loved Metaphor and this documentary opened my eyes to just how imaginative and talented the people at Atlus are, thank you for sharing this video.

[@ArchipelDocumentaries]

Thanks for watching!

[@corruptedteka]

I had been waiting patiently for this one ! Thank you so so so much. I'm currently in the end portion of the game, and the themes are resonating with my very soul. That's what it feels like. I feel like the whole world could learn from what Metaphor says about our lives in society. And this impact is thanks, in no small art, to the beautiful artistry and sound backing the message. A fantasy painted into reality, and the magic written in music. Thank you to the team at Studio Zero, and all the people who helped, for this wonderful game. And thank you Archipel for the wonderful documentary !

[@ArchipelDocumentaries]

Thanks for watching, glad you enjoyed!

[@corruptedteka]

​@@ArchipelDocumentaries Of course ! Always thank YOU for making it ! These documentaries are always a blessing, thank you !!

[@Straw.bri_7141]

This made me emotional. But while watching and learning the inspiration for each core element in the game I can clearly see it executed SO well. From the style to the music, everything is so well thought out. The end where they are talking about traveling made me remember how much I use video games as a form of escapism and I truly feel like I am traveling that world. This was a great short documentary 👏👏

[@ArchipelDocumentaries]

Glad you enjoyed, thank you.

[@Kanomera]

Beautiful video. I learned ton of things, it's always interesting to see their inspiration and the inside of the game you love. Metaphor is my goty of this year, a new IP that resonated in me, so much to say of it.

[@ArchipelDocumentaries]

Thank you! Glad you enjoyed!

[@sponsje]

I loved Metaphor, definitely my GOTY and one my favourite JRPGS of all time. Excellent documentary, thank you for the English CC. I'm glad the team moved on from Persona and is trying new things. It worked out wonderfully and I'm hopeful we'll see more

[@ArchipelDocumentaries]

Thanks for the kind word!

[@nankyokusensei]

このゲームと目黒さんと出会えて大変光栄でした！！またご縁あれば嬉しいです！

[@camelemonglass]

このチャンネルの作品は、その時代のクリエイターの人達がどんな思想や信念で作品を制作してるのか知れるので、とても面白いです

[@ArchipelDocumentaries]

ありがとうございます。 これからもよろしくお願いします！

[@matheusiuryborba8539]

Amo esse canal, tem muita profundidade. Sou do Brasil, vou compartilhar pra muitas pessoas da comunidade game Br.

[@Xero026]

Man, the atmosphere and quality of your videos is amazing. The editing, shots, tempo and music... I love to watch at night. So calming and relaxed. Being transported to far away Japan yet so close to my own imagination. Keep it up.

[@petershamarkoujj]

This is undeniably one of best youtube chanels out there, thank you for giving thoughtful value to the work and lives of artists.

[@ArchipelDocumentaries]

Thanks for the kind word!

[@marktheshark5733]

Your production quality continues to amaze me, very well shot and edited video

[@ArchipelDocumentaries]

Thank you!

[@aurelienbayonne2967]

Very good, as usual. I really like the angles, how you film people, everything. And soothing music too. A very good documentary!

[@zizzi9806]

Incredible.... Metaphor is a work of pure, passionate art and emotion and love.. And to not even speak of how it speaks to the very soul and really does affect your perceptions of this real world we live in, and how we can improve ours and everyone's situation if we really strive for it, it's seriously beautiful. The very questions towards what is fantasy really makes every character feel real and immerses me in Metaphors world like no other. Thank you for this experience that makes life very much worth living and pushing onward. (In-game & out)

[@Locomotion94]

They should've kept the MCs outfit from 0:24 It looks way cooler than what we got in the final release.

[@kdoggdracul]

Loved this as much as I loved my 90+ hours with the game! Thank you for making this video!

[@skyFxd]

Thank you so much for this, it's great to listen to the brilliant minds behind modern Persona how they made Metaphor. I really love this game

[@ArchipelDocumentaries]

Thanks for watching!

[@نونيم-ي4ح]

Finished metaphor today and it’s by far one of the most impactful stories I have ever experienced, Katsura hoshino and his team are legends and deserve way more popularity than they already have.

[@evertonsoutolima]

Surprises this type of content even exist on KZbin. Good job recommendation algorithm.

[@ArchipelDocumentaries]

As a fully self-funded team, we're as surprised as you are :)

[@joshuahdz3214]

Inspiración absoluta poder ver el proceso de estos creativos. Muchas gracias por este video :'D

[@ArchipelDocumentaries]

Gracias por ver!

[@HeyTails]

I HAVE BEEN WAITING FOR THIS

[@ArchipelDocumentaries]

Hope you like it!

[@PLANTBAT]

I love this, thank you.

[@ArchipelDocumentaries]

Thanks for watching!

[@senshai1267]

One of my favorite channels on KZbin is back !! Thank you!😊

[@ArchipelDocumentaries]

Hope you enjoy! More projects in the works!

[@silentobserver888]

Oh we have been blessed today! Update: I love this work and their approach to it. It inspires me as I work on my on fantasy universe as I continue to write, draw and world build. I just want to produce quality works and share them with the world. Congrats to the team on winning best art direction they deserved it!

[@EzaHazami]

Soejima we love you so much!!! Thank you for the hard work 🥰

[@foxtrotfunky]

Archipel keeps making the best documentaries on artistry. Each time I watch Archipel videos, I feel I've been taken on a journey, then plopped right back into reality. Archipel, these videos you've made are art. It's incredible work.

[@ArchipelDocumentaries]

Thanks a lot for the kind word!

[@prodnuven]

Thanks for making all this documentaries, its really dope! Keep moving.

[@lordkresnik2776]

I've been waiting for this! Thank you!

[@ArchipelDocumentaries]

Thank you! Hope you’ll enjoy.

[@feliiiciiiano]

God I love this so much. Thank you, Katsura Hashino, Shigenori Soejima & Shoji Meguro for this one in a million kind of game.

[@toys_addicted]

What a talented group you are. Please don't let us wait a lot for the next video 🙂

[@kanzatoeiji81]

Such a great and inspiring content TYSM archipel

[@ArchipelDocumentaries]

Thanks for watching!

[@acxe212]

Such a beautifull masterpiece, atlus dont miss, excited to see what is in stock for us in the unknow

[@ExistentialistBread]

A beautiful video and a beautiful game. Well done Archipel! Well some Atlus! As they talked about what they wanted player’s experiences and impressions to be, I kept thinking “it worked! That IS what I thought!”

[@ArchipelDocumentaries]

Thanks for watching and for the kind word!

[@Larrue]

This was good! Thanks for sharing some info that we wouldn't have gotten otherwise

[@ArchipelDocumentaries]

Thank you 🙏

[@MrTate66]

I finished the game the same time this video came out😂 I just wanna say that out of all games that i play, this one touched me the most❤

[@PaladinAldwin]

Wow, what an incredible documentary! I really enjoy the behind-the-scenes content related to video games and movies. I'm truly amazed by how Katsura Hashino, Shoji Meguro, and Shigenori Soejima approach their crafts. In the end, their combined efforts resulted in an outstanding game. There's so much love and care put into it. You have gained a new subscriber to your channel, Cheers🍻

[@theguudknight]

Beautiful. Just a beautiful documentary as always. GREAT JOB!

[@ArchipelDocumentaries]

Thank you 🙏

[@joshelstro7581]

You know the design team is passionate about paying attention to detail when the making of documentary has a whole segment on inspiration of the characters fashion hair and makeup.

[@Ironwill_Games]

Amazing as always. Thanks for sharing!

[@sbebiwan]

Thanks for this wonderful video about wonderful people.

[@youpsychotic]

Merci ❤, un jeu et un univers incroyable. C'est une réussite totale, merci de nous avoir partagé ce petit making of. Cela permet encore plus de se rendre compte que rien n'est laissé au hasard dans vos productions 👍🏻.

[@ArchipelDocumentaries]

Merci de nous suivre.

[@flamuralaj3302]

A really fun watch, and great videography in this one as per usual, guys. When there's another Metaphor, I'd love to watch another video on it to see how things changed from ReFantazio.

[@ArchipelDocumentaries]

Thanks for the kind word!

[@CrystronHalq]

They pretty much redefined the concept of Fantasy within videogaming with this project. Its an actual Fantasy videogame with a clear consistent vision and message that give meaning and value in why youre playing a Fantasy videogame.

[@Janosevic80]

Redefined the concept of fantasy? Really? How? Nier did it better and more subtly, in my opinion. The companions were less interesting than Persona's. The best thing about Metaphor was the mixing of archetypes, but just as it starts to get interesting and you get more variety, the game ends. It does not feel like a $70 game. I jumped from FF16 to Metaphore and the fidelity contrast was just too jarring. They purposefully used the anime format to avoid motion capture, animating and modeling scenes. It feels cheap to me from Atlas who by now is drowning in Persona money

[@reeodd2112]

​@@Janosevic80 Nier was also a great game in the sci-fi / fantasy genre, so I understand where you're coming from. Not sure about OP but for me the way they introduced rules specific to the fantasy world and is consistent from beginning to end (e.g. King's Magic, Magla), but also twisting it to a fresh concept in a fantasy genre about introducing democratic polling and how it ties to each characters' goals, is something truly new to me. If you compare the party members and their personalities between this game to Persona 3, I agree that their dynamics are relatively not as good. Persona 3's main selling point is how they explored negative interactions between party members (Mitsuru vs. Yukari, Ken vs. Shinjiro, Junpei vs. MC). But I think Metaphor's characters really explored how each character has done something wrong in the past, how this event affects their lack of confidence today, and how they work through it with the MC - and this is the main theme in the game (facing anxieties). There's 14 Base Archetypes and 46 overall. How many more do you think the game needs? And I wonder if you feel that Persona's battle system is also a letdown, given that it is the simplest battle system in the Metaphor/SMT/Persona genre. You can dislike a game but reading your comment, it sounds like you're just pulling different things together and make it sound like it's one big narrative ("companions less interesting", "Nier did it better", "the game ends before I mix and match archetypes", "it doesn't feel $70", "different from FF16", "no motion capture"). You can still criticize without being a massive troll.

[@dopaminecloud]

This sounds less like praise for this game and more like a fantastical misunderstanding of this genre and the titles that appear in it. There are a great many works that are obviously "actual fantasy" games with a purpose for being one. Maybe this game spelled it out in an easier way.

[@CrystronHalq]

​​​@@reeodd2112Its a game that actually wants to surpass reality while also reflecting upon reality in a meticulous way. It brings meaning to why we like Fantasy games due to its incredible message and vision. I think at this point we take the Fantasy videogame genre for granted. We see alot of them afterall. They give us a Fantasy game, throw us into the world and then you just gotta deal with the struggles. And thats pretty much to the extent it usually goes. But Metaphor ReFantazio for me felt meaningful the whole way through. It isnt just there to let you do your own thing, but there to also make you a wiser and better/lighter person and remind you that Fantasy is something very powerful that resonates with many people across the world. It definetely breathes new life into the genre. Reinvigorating it.

[@Janosevic80]

@@reeodd2112 You have some good points. Didn't have the time or the energy to elaborate every one of my comments. So they were just cliffs notes

[@ВасилийМихайлов-й6ь]

Thank you for another great video! These legends are incredibly inspiring

[@ArchipelDocumentaries]

Thanks for watching 🙏

[@tomaszniemiec]

Phenomenal work lads. Thank you.

[@ArchipelDocumentaries]

Thanks for the kind word.

[@cicciodemarco6736]

thank you Archipel for such great content !!!

[@ArchipelDocumentaries]

Thanks for watching!

[@y0rgos_]

It was a great experience, thank you!

[@ZengetsuFR]

the results of your interviews are always of high quality ✨

[@ArchipelDocumentaries]

Merci!

[@KoOk-h1d]

Thank you for the vidro. It honestly feels weird seeing metaphor inspiration and the devs' thoughts on the games themselves.

[@ArchipelDocumentaries]

Thank you.

[@Treemike1000]

It’s nice to know the inspiration. 😊

[@MrChearlie2]

Thank you so much💛!!!!

[@Pamoo_1]

This is not just a medieval fantasy, it's the melting of the senses of the present age and that makes this game special.

[@robin6416]

I love these three mastermind stay on the "fantasy" topic but also somehow go a little off-topic in their own style. Katsura Hashino think about making fantasy game, but what he actually done is discuss with us about "what is fantasy?". Shigenori Soejima think about sword and magic, but end up looking for old 70s fasion. Shoji Meguro think about classic orchestra, but also bring us some east asia religion element.

[@bass2126]

Man its so mesmerizing seeing the devs going through their thoughts after creating all these masterworks, one thing is, I'd love to see an interview with Kaneko, maybe he could tell us about his past in Atlus & his personal thoughts on it currently, considering he was a major part in shaping what Atlus is today. Anyway thank you so much Archipel for giving us a window into this wonderful Industry.

[@ArchipelDocumentaries]

Thanks for watching!

[@ChromeColossus]

Thank you so much for creating this!

[@ArchipelDocumentaries]

Thanks for watching.

[@AMEMORYSAY0]

So amazing, Thank you so much for making this !!

[@ArchipelDocumentaries]

Glad you enjoyed, thanks for watching!

[@jb0258jr]

The original outfit for the protagonist, is so clean looking. It would have been cool to get it in game as an alternate look

[@falsoabuelo1405]

Wonderful documentary piece! Its return was eagerly awaited. 素晴らしいドキュメンタリー作品です！その復帰が待ち望まれていました。

[@ArchipelDocumentaries]

Thank you!

[@Seacle14]

Good to see. Will watch this when I have played the game.

[@Pipesalmarti2]

Gracias por el tremendo contenido. Felicidades.

[@ilikestuff9250]

As thankful as ever for such excellent documentation of japanese media. Metaphor has been incredible.

[@ArchipelDocumentaries]

Thanks for the kind word!

[@luroc]

thank you for this. exceptionally directed and planned. well done. metaphor is now one of my all time favorite games and a lot of the reasons for that are because of what these core developers have used as their primary influences: travel, a broader sense of what defines fantasy, fashion etc. it’s a special game and i hope people see it for what it is: something beyond just a “fantasy persona”.

[@john_7000]

Yeah and it okay if people call it fantasy persona, it made by those wonderful people ❤️ these people using there knowledge of what they do best into there new game.

[@ArchipelDocumentaries]

Thank for the kind word!

[@AleksandrStrizhevskiy]

Just beat the game yesterday. So happy to see this!

[@dafire9634]

Thank you Archipel

[@ChefKyroo]

Great video! Been waiting for this one

[@ArchipelDocumentaries]

Thanks for watching.

[@Shijishoutmon]

Wow this is so perfect right here

[@justhomashere]

Very inspiring. Thank you for this game. I look forward to studying it soon

[@abyjohan200]

I initially thought Black Myth Wukong will be my GOTY, but after playing Metaphor, it changed. It's beautifully written and got amazing directions. Kudos to Atlus & the team involved!

[@lightlegion_]

It’s lovely to meet you!

[@NeSyyv]

Thanks you for this incredible game

[@v4l324]

Amazing video

[@nafihanasar5271]

I might’ve cried a little by the end of this video. Gosh I love this trio. I love Atlus. I love video games.

[@ArchipelDocumentaries]

Thanks for watching 🙏

[@Lxx00Jxx00]

really nice video! About atlus, hope to see Kaneko and Soejima working together on new designs on Studio Zero. All the success, excited for the eventual Metaphor: ReFantazio Golden!

[@ArchipelDocumentaries]

Thanks for watching!

[@jeffreyhoungbadji]

It's really amazing ! Thank you!

[@ArchipelDocumentaries]

Thank you 🙏

[@JVH35]

I just finished the game while traveling (doing a world tour, in New Zealand rn), I feel like it definitly got more impact.

[@iceclkeyheart3060]

At the final dungeon currently this game has stated an itch I've had ever since the intro of smt4. I wanted a full Altus title set within a fantasy setting. Definitely my game of the year

[@thanatosdv4369]

They sure a dream team, all their games always deliver

[@grapes9h5]

Absolute legends and Kings 👑

[@murdockgamingsv]

Wow, I loved this, I was looking for siilver and found GOLD

[@ArchipelDocumentaries]

Thank you, glad you enjoyed!

[@aaronjohnson1286]

Amazing truly amazing

[@ArchipelDocumentaries]

Thank you 🙏

[@dpcaw]

superb as always!:)

[@ArchipelDocumentaries]

Thank you!

[@nohalftimeAT2am]

Just finished the game yesterday. Perfect timing.

[@RandyMayCrazy]

thank you for the video!

[@ArchipelDocumentaries]

Thanks for watching 🙏

[@potatoprsk]

Beautiful work

[@ArchipelDocumentaries]

Thank you 🙏

[@hamiwiremu7154]

Young man. YOUNG MAN!

[@hachi-hachi]

アカデメイアの曲、好きだなあ

[@askkbrow5729]

32:28 Wow, so that was the first idea behind the game, like the first artwork

[@liamwong]

Art.

[@gabrielnunez02]

Great movie. Thank you

[@xerontokyo]

I can't wait if you guys will do Persona 6 someday now with a different team/trio which are Kazuhisa Wada, Hanako Oribe and Atsushi Kitajoh to make give more exposure to not well known veteran staff.

[@fayte0618]

70 hrs in. I’m glad how this game prides itself as a metaphor to real world political and social issues. I hope people would take the lessons learned in this game and apply it to their actual lives