"Eternal Yugure," an original TV anime produced by PAWORKS, the animation production company behind "true tears" and "SHIROBAKO," is currently airing on the late-night anime slot "Super Animeism TURBO" on MBS and TBS. It is a full-fledged love story set in a future world where AI technology has advanced. The protagonist, Himegami Akira, who has pledged his love to his beloved lover, Ou Maki Towasa, wakes up from years of cold sleep to find a city devastated by war. An android named Yugure, who bears a striking resemblance to Towasa, appears before Akira, and they embark on a journey together, believing that they will be reunited with Towasa, who is believed to be alive somewhere in the world. We spoke to character designer Tayama Aoi about the behind-the-scenes production.
◇Quite freely
-What were you responsible for in this work?
I came up with the basic appearances for the main characters and some of the supporting characters. I also came up with a rough image of what the people living in the world of this work would look like, their facial features, physiques, and clothing.
-What is your impression of the work?
The story of a love affair with an android and a journey to find a lover from 200 years ago is right up my alley. It's a story I couldn't write myself even if I wanted to, so I'm really grateful to have been able to be involved in it as the original character designer.
--This is your first time working on an anime, so what are the challenges and fun aspects of working on an anime?
It was difficult to decide the level of decoration and how much detail to add. However, since it was my first job, I didn't have to worry about it overlapping with designs I had done in the past, and I was able to think straight about the design I liked, so I found it more enjoyable than difficult.
--You commented that "I've incorporated my own hobbies and preferences." What exactly do you mean by "hobbies" and "preferences"?
I incorporated my own tastes into the androids, especially Yugure, with their long straight hair, ponytails, cropped clothes, high necks, tight skirts, leotards, and high heels. I like drawing bodies, so I tend to dress them in clothes that show off their body lines.
-What instructions did the director and staff give you?
First, the director gave me materials summarizing the image of hair, eyes, and race, and shared his impressions of each character. However, he said, "You don't have to be bound by the materials," so I think I ended up being able to draw quite freely. The specific details are a bit hazy as it was two years ago, but I do remember the order to "make Amor's breasts big" (laughs).
◇Images of the future and nostalgia
-What were you trying to express with the characters, taking into account the setting of the work?
For the near-present future, I tried to avoid emphasizing the futuristic feel too much, with the feeling that fashions will have changed from now. The setting is a devastated world 200 years from now, with a huge gap in living standards, and the further away from cities you go, the more primitive your lifestyle becomes. Using my own image of the future and fashion from around 1900 to 1960 as references, I wanted to express a character that feels nostalgic but not bound by a sense of the era, yet is also appealing from a modern perspective.
--Akira is a character with excellent grades and good looks. What did you pay particular attention to in the design?
If you only hear that he has excellent grades and is good-looking, you might get the impression that he is cool and unapproachable. However, Akira is a kind and brave young man who is a typical protagonist, so I drew him with the image of a friendly, handsome man who would be liked by children and the elderly. As for his clothing, I focused more on his protagonist-like qualities that would appeal to my otaku heart than on whether they were fashionable or not.
--Yugure and Towasa are set to be very similar. How did you try to express the similarities between the two?
I drew the facial structure and hairstyle the same, so if it weren't for the colors, they would look identical. That being said, I was worried whether people would think they looked alike when their hair colors, eyes, and expressions are different. But Akira says they look alike, so that should be enough to get the point across...! I believe that.
What was the challenge in this work?
It was a challenge to come up with a character that I had never drawn before. It was very refreshing to draw a big, muscular man like Oboro. However, the most difficult character was one that was quite old.
-Finally, please give us a message.
I think this is a work that is full of the unpredictable charm that only original anime can offer. Akira meets many different characters during his journey. I hope you find your favorite character!
