#ggmiscqanda

Guilty Gear Strive, a fighting game for PS5, PS4, and PC was released on June 11th, 2021, and the latest title of the popular series 'Guilty Gear' by ARC System Works which features a game system that sets it apart from previous series and elaborately made 3D CG graphics.

Among the features, the Story Mode is drawn with full 3DCG animation and fully voiced, so you can enjoy the scenario for more than 5 hours.

In this article, after watching the story mode, we (Famitsu) interviewed the developers, Mr. Ishiwatari and Mr. Katano, about what they were worried about and wondered. In addition, they answered in a Q&A format from select questions taken from regular 'Guilty Gear' readers.

The written content is intended for those who have completely played this work, so please be careful not to read if you don't want SPOILERS!

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Daisuke Ishiwatari [DI]> Series Creator:

Key man who developed Guilty Gear and is widely involved with the game design, scenarios, illustrations, and Music.

Akira Katano [AK]> Director who oversees the contents of the game in a tag-team with Mr. Ishiwatari. As a director, he was also in charge of the 'Xrd' Series (Xrd Sign, Xrd Revelator, and Xrd Rev2).

[Happy Chaos and I-No, what is their purpose?]

---In Guilty Gear Strive, the story of the series that has been going on for many years has come to an end. In the story, there was an event where Sol's power was extracted by Asuka R. Kreutz ("That Man"), but did Sol return to being a Human?

[DI]: Just losing something close to the so-called 'Divine Power', the Gear-Cells themselves are not completely removed from his body.

---So that's it. So is Sol's own fighting ability lost?

[DI]: While it is extremely low compared to the past, that doesn't mean his fighting ability has disappeared.

---The person (calling himself) Happy Chaos who appeared in the story was a character that shocked me in many ways. I have a lot to ask about him... First of all, why was he inside Ariels (The Merciless Apocalypse/Universal Will)?

[DI]: First of all, the existence of I-No was born as a bug in the Backyard. After that, I-No and the Original Man came in to contact, but at that time, the Original Man removed everything "equivalent" to I-No's emotions.

---Is that because I-No was a dangerous existence?

[DI]: That's right. Only half of I-No became an 'empty human', but still achieved miraculous growth in the shape she now takes. Emotions or "desires" extracted from I-No were managed by the Backyard. After that, a situation was created in which the Merciless Apocalypse confronted the Original Man. However, since the Merciless "Revelator" is like a 'robot', it is bound by the 'three laws of Robotics' rule (Read: Isaac Asimov), 'Do not Harm Humans'. The Merciless Revelator 'instilled' (injected) this "desire" (from I-No) in to the Original Man in order to get past that rule.

---Why is that?

[DI]: The Original Man, was driven to a state of Insanity where his Humanity collapsed because he was implanted with that "desire".

---If that happens, even the Merciless Revelator could harm him. (i.e. because he was no longer human by definition)

[DI]: After that, the Original Man wandered around the Backyard in a mad state. In the meantime, the Merciless Apocalypse finally reached the stage of fighting against Sol Badguy, but understood that she did NOT understand human beings or anything 'resembling humans', and her inability to fight Sol increased. But then Ariels remembered that the Original Man had something 'resembling a human', and in order to get it, she pulled the Original Man (Happy Chaos) out of the Backyard and put him inside herself. That's the synopsis of events.

---So, the Merciless Apocalypse, after Happy Chaos was pulled out, lost something like 'emotions'?

[DI]: However, human desires were so strong that both Ariels and Happy Chaos became such exciting characters.

(GP's note: desire/fear/hope is something like 'food' to a Youkai, so beings born from the Backyard would also be nourished by that 'desire/fear'.)

---In the story, there was a conversation that Asuka was trying to make Happy Chaos, but what does his existence have to do with it?

[DI]: Originally, "Happy Chaos" (Happy Chaos Valentine) was the name of another Jack-O' that Asuka was trying to make. One is a unit to turn Aria in to a human, and the other is a unit to turn I-No in to a human. However, the name 'Happy Chaos' had already appeared in the conversation between Raven and Jack-O' in GGXrdRev2, and came to the (Original Man's) ears in this film (so he named himself Happy Chaos). The name is interesting to him, so he just piggybacks it on to himself.

---Happy Chaos that Asuka was trying to make and "Happy Chaos" that appeared in this work are different people.

[DI]: That's right.

---So, is there any reason why Happy Chaos has a 'Black Halo' Ring like Jack-O's?

[DI]: I didn't explain it in the work, but there is a reason why they have the same design of angel rings. The reason is a SECRET. (!!!!!!)

---There is 'some' reason. So what is the real reason Happy Chaos caused turmoil in Guilty Gear Strive? Or is it true that, as he says, 'I want to see DRAMA'?

[DI]: Simply put, there is no mistake. He himself loves the emotional part of today's immature human culture. Human beings pursue efficiency, but when it arrives, it becomes mechanical and loses its ability to emote/convey. For Happy Chaos, I think the future ahead is very boring. He didn't like the future, so it looks like he's on the side of I-No who seems to be able to manage it.

(GP's comment: 'Immature Human Culture'?... Are you trying to critique modern human society there, Ishiwatari?)

---From the beginning, it doesn't mean he was (entirely) harmful to humankind?

[DI]: He doesn't want humans to give an 'answer'. If you give an answer, you lose emo (emotional value). He always wants to stir it, and doesn't want it to harden. So he himself caused trouble.

---This time, it was I-No who was able to create that trouble, so he sided with her.

[DI]: From the beginning, he wasn't on I-No's side, but actually Sol's and the side of humankind.

---It's a topic that follows, but I-No herself didn't specify her purpose in this work. What on earth did she want to do?

[DI]: When you grow up, you can no longer enjoy what you enjoyed as a child. In such a state, she wanted to deny it and continue to play as a violent human being. "I used to try and get it back, but no matter what I do, it doesn't come back. What kind of method was there, what kind of answer is there? I thought that if there were all human beings who became the same as me, I would get an answer."

(GP's note: I-No was lonely and upset/scared and forgot she had friends.)

---I-No was trying to gain omnipotent power to achieve that purpose. By the way, as an aside, although Axl Low has the same power as I-No, it was a big success in the story of 'Guilty Gear Strive'. However, there was a description that if you use the same power as I-No too much, you will not be able to return to the original world, but what does Axl think about that?

[DI]: As mentioned in the story of the past work, he (Axl Low) himself knows how to return to his original timeline. However, he also knew doing that would affect the current world (the world where Sol and the others exist). Axl also loved the present world with Sol, so he gave up on returning to his original world so as not to bother this world. However, as you all know, Axl is a super-positive guy, so he is STILL looking for a way to live in this world without looking back on the past.

---It's so like Axl, isn't it? Super positive!

[DI]: I was worried at the beginning of the story, but Axl decided how to live in this world by receiving advice from an Uncle selling fruit, just before the arrival of Happy Chaos and I-No.

---On the next topic, there was a scene where Ky used Dragon Install like Sol to hit I-No, who had omnipotent power. I think that was a shock to the fans, but is it okay to interpret that Ky had the power of the "Scales of Juno"?

[DI]: That's right. That Ky is in a state where he exerts a part of the Scales of Juno.

---I'm imagining that Ky exchanged his eyes with Sin, and thinking that his body is being eroded by the power of the Gears.

[DI]: I can't mention details here... There is no doubt that the relationship between Dizzy and Ky had an effect. Please forgive me for not revealing any more (laughs).

(GP's comment: Ishiwatari being secretive again... and we still don't know Dizzy's true origins... ugh...)

---In addition to this, it's a small story... In the ending scene of the story, Sol was depicted living with Jack-O'. That Jack-O' is not Aria, but Jack-O' herself, right?

[DI]: She is Jack-O'. It's Aria and Jack-O', but if anything it's still Jack-O'.

---So that's it. Sol was constructing a Space Shuttle at the ending, but is he going to meet Asuka?

[DI]: That's right. 'I'm not trying to start a fight, but my friend is alone in space, so I feel like going to see them as a surprise' (laughs).

---Asuka was depicted as a person who caused confusion in the world so much that he was called the 'Demon King' (Maoh). However, is it okay to think that Asuka himself did not actually intend to do anything wrong?

[DI]: Justice' rebellion was caused by the Merciless Apocalypse, not Asuka's own fault. The conversion of Sol in to a Gear was also intended to keep Aria alive until her illness was cured. "I did my best to do my best, but as a result, I was resented by various people."

(GP's comment: I feel ya, Asuka.)

[Previous 'Guilty Gear' and Future 'Guilty Gear']

---Thank you for answering the detailed questions about the story. From here, I would like to invite Mr. Katano to participate in the interview.

[AK]: Thank you for your consideration.

---It was so popular that it was released in June 2021 and sold 500,000 copies early, but how are you feeling now?

[DI]: This time, I was worried about changing the game completely, but I'm glad that the users are enjoying the 'fun of the game' that we intended.

[AK]: The season pass is still in progress, and fighting games will continue to be a hot topic over a long span, so I think we have to do our best from now on.

---What kind of issues are you thinking about?

[AK]: The biggest difference in the past series is the number of English-speaking users has increased significantly since the release. So far, we have mainly seen Japanese customers, but in this work, we received a great deal of feedback from overseas customers. I think it is necessary to change the way of thinking and consciousness, including the content of the game, in to a form that adapts worldwide.

---For Mr. Ishiwatari, I think you have a long relationship with Sol, but I think this work completes the story of Sol, and I think there is something deeply moving.

[DI]: At the stage of launching the 'Guilty Gear Strive' project, it was quite shaken whether or not the story should be completed at this timing.

---There was a possibility that the story would be completed after the next work.

[DI]: The story has a lot of volume. I calculated the volume of the story in about 5 hours, but I was worried that even this long story could be expressed. However, rather than just continuing to talk redundantly, I decided that I should set a break in this work, and the end is like this time. I could say what Sol himself wanted to say and what he was fighting against, so for the time being, I can let my heart down.

---It was quite a shocking development that the Original Man was Happy Chaos himself, but was such a setting decided from the beginning?

[DI]: I had a vague image of the details of who would be, but from the time of the first work, it was decided that such a story would end. It's been a long time since the first release was released.

(GP's note: as of this Interview, 23 years.)

[AK]: As Ishiwatari said earlier, the name 'Happy Chaos' had already appeared in Raven's Arcade Episode during 'GGXrdRev2'. So, from the perspective of core fans, his appearance might have been a surprising development.

[DI]: I've put in a little bit of something like this kind of small gimmick. It is often said that Ramlethal's favor with Leo 'suddenly emerged' (in Strive)... Actually, in the story of the past work, I made the reaction of Ramlethal, who was given a kind word from Leo, a slightly different expression from that of the usual 'girlfriend' trope.

---The reason why Ramlethal liked Leo Whitefang was already present.

[AK]: There are quite a few such stories. It's secretly included, so it would be interesting to have a look back at the story so far.

[DI]: However, if there are too many settings and explanations, the story will require a huge volume just to tell it, so if I want to make something next, I want to make it simpler (laughs).

[AK]: I wanted to make this work enjoyable as entertainment even if I watched the story from this work, so it was hard on everyone to think about how much to explain the settings up from the previous work.

---The story of the 'Guilty Gear' has come to an end, but as a fan, I think it is hoped that the series will continue in the future. What do you think about it?

[DI]: Hmmm~ maybe I won't do it.

(GP's comment: Ishiwatari you TROLL!!)

---Do you mean that you will not make the 'Guilty Gear Series' anymore?

[DI]: No, that's not the case. Probably, I will not play a central role in making a new work of 'Guilty Gear' like this work. There is basically a desire for younger generation developers to create fighting games or 'Guilty Gear' with new sensibilities. The world of Guilty Gear is swelling in my head, but so far I haven't made any plans to get it out. However, please note that it is not absolute, just thinking about it now. While saying this, I might make the next work somewhere (laughs).

---If the younger Generation continues it, I want them to continue.

[DI]: I also think that it doesn't have to be 'Guilty Gear'.

(GP's comment: heck it could be Guilty Gear versus BlazBlue~!)

---I feel like it's a pretty bomb statement.

[DI]: (Laughs) Maybe so.

---How about Mr. Katano in response to this?

[AK]: I don't know how Ishiwatari will be involved, but I'm wondering if ARC System Works will stop making fighting games.

[DI]: 'Guilty Gear' for better or worse, came from my one-man ego, so there were many parts of what I couldn't do without my permission. First of all, I want to change that. I'm not thinking of ending the IP (intellectual property) that ARC System Works has created so far, not just 'Guilty Gear', at the same time as the story. I would like to continue in some way.

---I would be happy if you could continue 'Guilty Gear' as a fan.

[DI]: Of course, 'Guilty Gear' is over with this work! It does not literally mean that. I don't know if it's a game or some other form, but I'd like to continue to output it in some way.

---Finally, do you have a message for the fans who are reading this article?

[DI]: I'm glad that this work was released because it succeeded in acquiring a new layer. After this work, I feel that the number of people who come in to contact with fighting games and 'Guilty Gear' has increased significantly. Since there are many people who have just started the game, if you play now, I think there will be many battles between beginners, so I think you can enjoy the incandescent battle. If you are interested, please pick it up and play it, and feel the fun of the fighting game.

[AK]: Thankfully, sales are growing steadily, but with the release of the Season Pass, it's not the end. We will continue to update and make every effort to make everyone more enjoyable, so please continue to support the 'Guilty Gear' series.

[Ishiwatari answers questions from readers!]

At Famitsu.com we asked readers to ask questions about the 'Guilty Gear' series in conjunction with this interview. The answer to this question hit Mr. Ishiwatari directly. It's important to pay attention to the answers that will be revealed for the first time here.

From Tobi-san: Q: I would like to know why Faust looks strange?

[DI]: Faust forgave the principal cause, Chronus, who had fallen himself. Rather than relieving his resentment, he sought the Atonement from Chronus. Faust himself also decided to live as a Dark Doctor rather than judge himself for his past mistakes. However, unconsciously, he continued to have the feeling that he should be judged somewhere. It can be said that he lived searching for a place to die.

It is an episode that is not currently depicted in the main story, but at one point there will be a tense moment when Faust's subconsciousness gets in the way (of his intent) to save people. Faust desperately tries to remember his original intentions as a doctor. As a result, Faust has become a complex overlap of his past self.

From Agomam: Q: Does Axl Low after the ending still have his power as a Causal-Interfering body?

[DI]: That power remains.

From Sweet Pepper: Q: What is the name of the Bounty Man who appeared in the early part of the story?

[DI]: Malcom Myers. Named by Yankee Asano, who was in charge of the design.

(GP's note: he had a pretty neat transforming spear weapon.)

From Biden: Q: Can Axl Low 'pull the moon closer' if he wanted to?

[DI]: He can. However, even if he tried to do it, he couldn't do it immediately. Everything you do requires the knowledge to do it. Compared to I-No, Axl has no magical or physical knowledge, so he needs to learn them first to do advanced things. Still, strangely enough, Axl managed things by intuition. Even if he can't explain it, it seems he can still do things.

From Gahan: Q: What happened to Happy Chaos at the end of the story?

[DI]: To put it simply, Happy Chaos is alive. Where and how isn't the stage to talk about yet, but in his words, something needs him.

From Myn: Q: Why did Ky's Electric Shock change color from blue to yellow?

[DI]: The change in color of Lightning conforms to the setting that there is a change in his body. However, the color selection is set with an emphasis on the visibility of the game.

From Secular: Q: Why did Ky become able to use Dragon Install?

[DI]: Dizzy's Gear Cells got mixed in to Ky's body. One day, I may explain why this happened, but it's probably a surprising process.

From Mitarashi Dango: Q: Do Sol, Dizzy, and Sin, know that Ky is mixed with the Power of the Scales of Juno?

[DI]: Dizzy knows everything, including how it happened. Frederick understands the situation, but does not mention Ky. Sin knows, but doesn't really understand it.

(GP's comment: lol Sin couldn't understand MATH!)

From 3rd Grade Brown Swordfighter: Q: Is there any reason why Jack-O's hair color is inverted from GGXrd Series?

[DI]: As Jack-O' absorbed the soul of Aria, her hair should have returned to its original color. However, due to the unstable spirit of Aria, a problem occurred, and as a result, it became the current color.

From Taiga: Q: Is Millia Rage's Forbidden Beast (Angra) still a threat to her to awaken/go berserk?

[DI]: There is no sign of rebellion, but the price to gain that power is still eroding her. There is another complicated setting for this, so I hope I have a chance to talk about it somewhere.

From Boy: Q: Testament appeared behind Ky and Dizzy in the ending, what is he doing now?

[DI]: Now he is living with the old couple who were Dizzy's foster parents. Testament (at first) avoided contact with them, but when the Dizzy subjugation team was watching to harm the couple, they seemed to accept each other in a natural way. He is no longer hostile to humans and works as a calm young man. Testament often goes to visit Johnny.

From Mr. Brolly: Q: Nagoriyuki was sealed under a building, I want to know the reason.

[DI]: During the Crusades, Happy Chaos discovered and contained Nagoriyuki. It's more accurate to say that he 'saved him'. Happy Chaos loves Nagoriyuki's fighting ability and spirit, as well as the fact he knows Happy Chaos' weaknesses. However, in fact, there is another part that is most important. It's a hidden characteristic of a subhuman like a Vampire, but I hope I can introduce that story in the future.

From Tako: Q: When does the Arcade Mode Story take place in comparison to the timeline of Story Mode?

[DI]: Basically it takes place after Story Mode. Depending on the character, it may be treated as parallel to Story Mode.

From RSei: Q: Was Zappa exiled?

[DI]: Zappa remains obsessed with finding S-Ko. However, by correctly understanding what had happened to him, he was able to accept S-Ko and other ghosts/spirits. He is no longer fighting himself, but if there is a need, he will help.

From SDF: Q: I would like to know how Sol and Jack-O' spend their days at the time of the ending.

[DI]: Frederick enjoys his free time and hobbies. In a life where he doesn't actively enjoy the outdoors, he will silently make shuttles and dubious mechas, and at night drink while listening to the Radio and Jack-O'. It seems that when they are close to each other, they feel calm, and there is less conversation (between them) than in the main story. However, Frederick seems to be careful not to enter too much in to his 'own world' from lessons in the past from time he spent with Aria. Frederick seems to be more accustomed to housework, and Jack-O' is taught a lot because of his interests.

From Mr. Solley: Q: Where and what is Bridget doing? Is he still a Bounty Hunter?

Asuka R. Kreutz:

---He Merged with the Tome of Origin, but after the events that occurred, we don't really know what he's doing now. Did he really use Tir na Nog to go in to Space? Is he running a Space Radio Station?

Heck, what kind of music would Asuka play on his Radio Station?

Has Mankind forgiven him for his past? Does Baiken still hold a grudge against him?

Sol Badguy/Frederick Bulsara:

---"Sol" stated that even with the Flame of Corruption Divine Seed removed from his body... he wasn't entirely human... so what does that ACTUALLY mean? Is he still immortal? And what exactly did Asuka DO with the Seed once it was extracted? We don't even know.

---"Sol" still seems to be in contact with Ky, so it's obvious that even if he's living in Iseo (Illyria), he's probably got a cosey job as a Scientist/Engineer for his "Jazz" Junkshop.

Jack-O'Valentine/Aria Hale:

---Jack-O' tried to use up her power to stop I-No's powers, but we don't really know what happened to the Scales of Juno in the process... I-No said the "Scales" were "gone", but we don't really know what happened exactly.

---The "Aria" that was inside Jack-O' was only a fragment/copy of Aria's memories and apparently it had no emotions, and yet Sol chose to accept it anyway... but what about the "fragment" that was Justice? Does that piece still exist in some way?

---Up to that point, Jack-O' was working as a Bounty Hunter with Sol... but are they fully retired/on permanent vacation?

Faust:

---After Revelator's events it was suggested he was going to find a cure for the Japanese' Ki Overflow Syndrome, but it was never once addressed in Strive... only that he was still hanging out with Chronus (former Conclave member)... exactly what does his journey entail? Will he perhaps run in to Happy Chaos along the way?

Chipp Zanuff:

---He seems to be training May to use Dodomezaki as her training partner... we don't know how far that relationship will go... but it's possible May will learn some form of Ninjutsu later on.

---We still don't know his connection with Bedman's sister Delilah or how he gained that information (unless it was through Answer's information network).

---It seems that Anji Mito is now "working" for Chipp at this point as a subordinate, though we don't know how that came to be.

---Chipp seems to want to recruit Nagoriyuki to his cause, though we don't know what will come of that.

Gold-Lewis Dickinson:

---To clarify, he isn't the same as the Burger Sheriff we first saw in Xrd Sign (though he does end up eating a burger from Danny Missiles).

---Apparently he 'knows the weakness' of the being inside the coffin he carries around, which causes it to obey every command he gives it? He claims it's NOT an Alien, even if everyone else considers it an Extra-Terrestrial.

Potemkin:

---The mechanical suit he was piloting towards the end of the story was apparently called the Vidia... but does it have any connection with the woman named Viidia in Guilty Gear Begin?

Ky Kiske:

---It seems that Ky is under observation by the Newly Reformed Conclave, though we don't know who they are or their origins. They still appear to be connected to both the United Nations and the Postwar Administration Bureau.

---Side note: King Daryl apparently utilized Director Millia Rage as head of the new PWAB as his new "information network". They seem to have access to intelligence that suggests that Illyria's technology was responsible for building Project Tir na Nog (the White House). Just what other secrets is PWAB responsible for?

---King Leo still hasn't "gone back home" to his purview yet... and we have yet to meet his Sister!

---Ky has yet to announce his 'family' in G4's proceedings, so hopefully that will go well.

I-No/Megumi Saito/Axl Low/Will Bruce Rose

---We've established that these two have a connected history, but the real mystery (while mostly resolved) still hasn't explained what will happen to Axl and Megumi moving forward. Does Axl still have his powers? Does Megumi have powers now? Just what will happen to them from now on? Southern Autonomous Oceanic Federation/Chinese Federation

---We know next to nothing about this region of the world or their intentions.

---It's said that Australia is known as a Gear nature preserve of sorts, but that's still something that has yet to be fully explained.

---Side note: Faust is rumored to have origins in China, but his full story has never delved in to that side of his history.

Happy Chaos/Happy Chaos Valentine

---According to what we are led to understand, he gave I-No back her powers in full, but he still seemed to "exist" despite the risk that Asuka warned him about (that he could disappear).

So just what are his intentions from here on out? Where will he go from here?

---His goal appears to be to maintain humanity's sense of humility and powerlessness as 'humans', though what that means in the end stage, is entirely unknown.

---Happy Chaos Valentine was originally Asuka's construct, but 'she' was never completed, and meant to merge with I-No... so does she look like Megumi Saito at this point? Will she ever 'exist'?

---Related note: Dizzy is still a 'replica' of Justice for all intents and purposes... her power still poses a technical threat if anyone were to take advantage of it against her will... even someone like Happy Chaos could manipulate Dizzy if he wanted to. Hopefully things won't come to that.

Universal Will/Merciless Revelator/Merciless Apocalypse

---Ariels appears to have had her personality completely altered upon purging Happy Chaos from her body... but just what is she at this point now? A Valentine? A Gear? What will humanity do with her now, especially given her powers?

Of course, there's much more to consider, but I wanted to list my current thoughts and things I'm focusing on in the future aspects of the story going forwards.