Gen Urobuchi
Gen Urobuchi (Japanese: 虚淵 玄, Hepburn: Urobuchi Gen, born December 20, 1972) is a Japanese novelist, visual novel writer and anime screenwriter. He is known for being the co-creator of the highly acclaimed and commercially successful anime series Madoka Magica, which earned him the Tokyo Anime Award for Best Scriptwriter, as well as the writer of the 2003 visual novel Saya no Uta, the 2012 anime Psycho-Pass, the light novel and anime Fate/Zero, and the 2013–2014 tokusatsu show Kamen Rider Gaim. He currently works at Nitroplus and Nitro+chiral. Urobuchi is one of the most renowned and prolific writers in the anime industry.
Gen Urobuchi | |
|---|---|
| Born | December 20, 1972 Tokyo, Japan |
| Occupation | Writer, scriptwriter |
| Education | Wakō University |
| Genre | Dark Fantasy, Horror, Thriller, Sci-fi, Tragedy[1] |
| Notable works | Puella Magi Madoka Magica Fate/Zero Psycho-Pass Saya no Uta Kamen Rider Gaim |
| Notable awards | 2011 Newtype Anime Awards - Screenwriter Prize 11th Tokyo Anime Award for Best Screenplay |
| Relatives | Natsuko Sebata (mother) Shū Wada (father) Sunao Ohtsubo (paternal grandfather) Tsunashirō Wada (paternal great-grandfather) Gibi Wada (paternal great-uncle)[2] |
Urobuchi's works often contain dark and nihilistic themes, tragic plot twists, and heavy usage of gore, for which he earned the nickname "Urobutcher" with fans. Anime written by Urobuchi that have won the Newtype Anime Award have been Puella Magi Madoka Magica in 2011, Fate/Zero in 2012 and Psycho-Pass: The Movie in 2015.
History
Urobuchi graduated from Wako University.[3] He aspired to become a novelist and after seeing Shizuku and Kizuato by Leaf, he felt confident about the range of expression that games have.[4][5] He then started working at Nitroplus and worked on Phantom of Inferno as his debut series.
Writing style
In choosing names for the characters he develops, Urobuchi has stated that he shies away from selecting generic names that would match their personalities and instead opts for more unusual names that he believes would eliminate noise when fans try finding information on the characters with search engines. In a discussion with Urobuchi, manga writer Kazuo Koike contrasted this decision with the naming style in his own works, which emphasized more forthright names that were easier to remember. However, he found that Urobuchi's method could be effective for allowing viewers to "involve themselves deeper into the story and actively work to understand the characters."[6] Urobuchi also said he attempts to keep at least one trait in common between each individual character and himself so that he can always identify with them on some level.[7]
Work
Visual novels
| Year | Title | Developer | Platform(s) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000 | Phantom of Inferno | Nitroplus | Windows, Mac, DVD-PG, PS2, Xbox 360 | Also director. Was scenario and voice supervisor in latter ports. |
| 2001 | Vampirdzhija Vjedogonia ( |
Windows | Also director and planner. | |
| 2002 | Kikokugai: The Cyber Slayer (鬼哭街) | Windows, Mac | Also director and planner. | |
| "Hello, world." | Windows | Handled the original concept, planning and debug. Did not write scenario. | ||
| 2003 | Deus Machina Demonbane (斬魔大聖デモンベイン) | Windows, PS2 | Directed the original version, supervised. Did not write scenario. | |
| Jōka no Monshō (浄火の紋章, Emblem of the Sacred Flame) | Eerged | Windows | Takes place in the setting of Equilibrium, created by Kurt Wimmer. | |
| Saya no Uta (沙耶の唄) | Nitroplus | Windows, Android | Also director, supervisor. | |
| 2005 | Togainu no Chi (咎狗の血) | Nitro+chiral | Windows, PS2, PSP, Android, iOS | Handled direction and supervision. Did not write scenario. |
| Jingai Makyō (塵骸魔京) | Nitroplus | Windows | Credited with "supervision". Did not write scenario. | |
| 2006 | Kishin Hishou Demonbane (斬魔大聖デモンベイン) | Windows | Only wrote the lyrics of the second opening theme. Did not write scenario. | |
| Lamento -BEYOND THE VOID- | Nitro+chiral | Windows | Credited with "game composition assistance". Did not write scenario. | |
| 2007 | Tre Donne Crudeli (続・殺戮のジャンゴ ─地獄の賞金首─, Zoku Satsuriku no Django -Jigoku no Shoukinkubi-) | Nitroplus | Windows | Also handled planning. |
| 2008 | sweet pool | Nitro+chiral | Windows, PS Vita | Credited as advisor. Did not write scenario. |
| 2015 | Psycho-Pass: Mandatory Happiness (サイコパス 選択なき幸福) | 5pb. | Xbox One, PS4, PS Vita, Windows | Handled project planning and supervision.[8] Did not write scenario. |
Manga
- Vampirdzhija Vjedogonia (with Tetsuya Sakata). Serialized in Comic Dragon, 2 volumes published by Dragon Comics (Kadokawa Shoten). August 2001, February 2002. ISBN 4049261774 ISBN 4049261936
- Ancient Misty (with Tetsuya Nakamura). Serialized in Dengeki Comic Gao!, 1 volume published by Dengeki Comics (MediaWorks). August 27, 2007. ISBN 978-4840240178
Light novels
| Title | Illustrator | Publisher | Volumes | ISBN | Release date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kikokugai: The Cyber Slayer (鬼哭街) | Higashiguchi Chūō | Kadokawa Sneaker Bunko (1st editions) Sai Zen Sen Fictions (Star Seas) (2nd edition) | 2 "Violet Lightning Palm" (紫電掌) "Demon-Eyed Beauty" (鬼眼麗人) single volume (2nd edition) | 4-04-427809-1 (vol 1) 4-04-427810-5 (vol 2) 978-4-06-138955-7 (2nd edition) | December 25, 2004 (vol 1) February 2005 (vol 2) December 11, 2013 (2nd edition) |
| Hakubō no Dendōshi (白貌の伝道師) | kamiwata (1st edition) Akira Yasuda (2nd edition) | Nitroplus Books (1st edition) Sai Zen Sen Fictions (Star Seas) (2nd edition) | single volume | 4-902138-02-6 (1st edition) 4-061388-24-X (2nd edition) | December 29, 2004 (1st edition) March 15, 2012 (2nd edition) |
| Fate/Zero | Takashi Takeuchi | Type-Moon Books (1st edition) Sai Zen Sen Fictions (Star Seas) (2nd edition) | 4 (1st edition) "The Untold Story of the Fourth Holy Grail War" (第四次聖杯戦争秘話) "The Mad Feast of Kings" (王たちの狂宴) "The Scattered Ones" (散りゆく者たち) "Flames of Purgatory" (煉獄の炎) 6 (2nd edition) vol 2 - "The Gathering of Spirits" (英霊参集) vol 5 - "The Quickening of Darkness" (闇の胎動) | 978-4-06-138903-8 978-4-06-138904-5 978-4-06-138906-9 978-4-06-138908-3 978-4-06-138910-6 978-4-06-138912-0 (2nd edition) | 1st edition: December 29, 2006 March 31, 2007 July 27, 2007 December 29, 2007 2nd edition: January 11, 2011 February 9, 2011 March 10, 2011 April 7, 2011 May 11, 2011 June 10, 2011 |
| Black Lagoon (ブラック・ラグーン) | Rei Hiroe | Gagaga Bunko | 2 "Shaitane Badi" (シェイターネ・バーディ) "Ballad of the Sinful Wizard" (罪深き魔術師の哀歌) | 4-09-451079-6 4-09-451249-7 | July 18, 2008 (vol 1) January 18, 2011 (vol 2) |
| Eisen Flügel (アイゼンフリューゲル) | Higashiguchi Chūō | Gagaga Bunko | 2 | 978-4-09-451146-8 978-4-09-451180-2 | July 17, 2009 (vol 1) December 18, 2009 (vol 2) |
| Kin no Hitomi to Tetsu no Ken (金の瞳と鉄の剣) | Yun Kōga | Sai Zen Sen Fictions (Star Seas) | single volume | 4-06-138802-9 | April 14, 2011 |
Series
| Year | Series | Studio | Role | Episodes | Scripts | Genre |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2008 | Blassreiter | Gonzo | Series Composition, Script | 24 | 8 (10-12, 15-17, 22-23) | Action, Science fiction |
| 2009 | Phantom: Requiem for the Phantom | Bee Train | Original Scenario, Script | 26 | 3 (6, 18, 25) | Action, Romance, Tragedy |
| 2011 | Puella Magi Madoka Magica | Shaft | Original Creator, Series Composition, Script | 12 | 12 | Dark fantasy, Drama, Horror |
| 2011 | Fate/Zero | Ufotable | Original Creator, Script Supervision | 13 | — | Action, Fantasy, Horror, Thriller |
| 2012 | Fate/Zero 2nd Season | Ufotable | Original Creator | 12 | — | Action, Fantasy, Horror, Thriller |
| 2012 | Psycho-Pass[9] | Production I.G | Story Concept, Series Composition, Script | 22 | 21 (all but episode 12) | Cyberpunk, Dystopian, Science fiction, Crime thriller |
| 2013 | Gargantia on the Verdurous Planet | Production I.G | Story Concept, Series Composition, Script | 13 | 2 (1, 13) | Adventure, Science fiction, Mecha |
| 2014 | Aldnoah.Zero | A-1 Pictures Troyca | Original Creator, Script | 12 | 3 (1-3) | Action, Mecha, Science fiction |
| 2014 | Psycho-Pass 2 | Tatsunoko Production | Planning Supervision, Story Concept | 11 | — | Cyberpunk, Dystopian, Science Fiction, Crime Thriller |
| 2015 | Aldnoah.Zero 2nd Season | A-1 Pictures Troyca | Original Creator | 12 | — | Action, Mecha, Science fiction |
| 2015 | Gunslinger Stratos: The Animation | A-1 Pictures | Original Scenario | 12 | — | Action, Science Fiction |
| 2015 | Chaos Dragon | Silver Link Connect | Original Creator | 12 | — | Action, Fantasy |
| 2015 | Wooser's Hand-to-Mouth Life: Phantasmagoric Arc | Sanzigen | Script | 13 | 1 (13) | Comedy |
| 2016 | Concrete Revolutio: The Last Song | Bones | Script | 11 | 1 (20) | Superhero, Science Fiction, Fantasy |
| 2019 | Obsolete[10] | Buemon | Original Creator, Series Composition, Script | 12 | 7 (1-4, 7, 9-10) | Mecha |
Movies
| Year | Series | Studio | Genre |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 | Puella Magi Madoka Magica the Movie Part 1: Beginnings | Shaft | Dark fantasy, Drama, Horror |
| 2012 | Puella Magi Madoka Magica the Movie Part 2: Eternal | Shaft | Dark fantasy, Drama, Horror |
| 2013 | Puella Magi Madoka Magica the Movie Part 3: Rebellion | Shaft | Dark fantasy, Drama, Horror |
| 2014 | Expelled from Paradise[11] | Graphinica | Mecha, Science fiction |
| 2015 | Psycho-Pass: The Movie[12] | Production I.G | Cyberpunk, Dystopian, Science fiction, Crime thriller |
| 2016 | Garm Wars: The Last Druid[13] | Production I.G | Science fiction, Adventure |
| 2017 | Godzilla: Planet of the Monsters[14] | Polygon Pictures | Kaiju, Science fiction, Drama |
| 2018 | Godzilla: City on the Edge of Battle[15] | Polygon Pictures | Kaiju, Drama, Science fiction |
| 2018 | Godzilla: The Planet Eater | Polygon Pictures | Kaiju, Science fiction, Horror, Drama |
Sound dramas
- Kikokugai: The Cyber Slayer (2004) - Script
- Fate/Zero (2008-2013) - Original creator, script (BD boxsets bonus)
Video games
| Year | Title | Developer | Platform(s) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 | Puella Magi Madoka Magica Portable | Bandai Namco | PSP | Handled project planning and supervision.[16] Did not write scenario. |
| 2012-2016 | Gunslinger Stratos series | Byking, Taito | Arcade, Windows | Only wrote original scenario. |
| 2012 | Take Off! Super Dimensional Trouble Hanafuda Epic Battle (とびたて！超時空トラぶる花札大作戦) | Type-Moon | PSP | Only wrote the Despicable Victories Husband (卑劣必勝ハズバンド) and Elegance and Pleasure Club (優雅なる愉悦倶楽部) teams. Fate/stay night Réalta Nua downloadable bonus;[17] Urobuchi is listed under "special thanks" in the original release of the game. |
| 2016 | Fate/Grand Order | Delightworks | Android, iOS | "Fate/Accel Zero Order" event, "Lostbelt 3: Sin" Scenario Writer[18] |
Tokusatsu
- Kamen Rider Gaim (2013–2014) - Series Composition, Script. 47 episodes, 44 (all but 30, 37, 47)
- Kamen Rider Gaim: Great Soccer Battle! Golden Fruits Cup! (2014) - Original Creator, Script Supervision.
Other
- Garm Wars: The Last Druid (2014) - Scriptwriter (Japanese)[19][20]
| Year | Series | Studio | Role | Episodes | Scripts | Genre |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 | Thunderbolt Fantasy | PILI | Original Creator, Chief Supervision, Script | 26 | 26 | Action, Fantasy |
Awards
| Year | Award | Category | Work | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2011 | Newtype Anime Award | Best Screenplay | Puella Magi Madoka Magica | Won |
| 2012 | Tokyo Anime Award | Won | ||
| 2015 | Newtype Anime Award | Psycho-Pass: The Movie | Won |
References
- https://issuu.com/insanechronos/docs/volume_1
- Kusaka, Sanzō, ed. (July 27, 2013). The Complete Works of Sunao Ohtsubo Volume 4 [零人 (大坪砂男全集4)] (in Japanese). Tokyo Sogensha. p. 601. ISBN 978-4-488-42514-2.
- "萌え系だけど過酷 アニメ「まどか☆マギカ」の型破り 制作者が語るヒットの秘密" (in Japanese). The Nikkei. 11 August 2011. Retrieved 30 April 2017.
- 金の瞳と鉄の剣 (in Japanese). 4 April 2011.
- Urobuchi, Gen (24 May 2010). "続編の構想もあった――Xbox 360版『ファントム』虚淵玄さんインタビュー" (Interview) (in Japanese). Japan: Dengeki Online. Retrieved 30 April 2017.
- Ransom, Ko (January 29, 2012). "Report: Kazuo Koike and Gen Urobuchi Chat". Anime News Network. Retrieved May 5, 2012.
- Sevakis, Justin (July 27, 2012). "Gen Urobuchi Focus panel". Anime News Network. Retrieved May 8, 2014.
- "Psycho-Pass Anime Gets Xbox One Game by 5pb". Anime News Network. Anime News Network. 2014-05-27. Retrieved August 19, 2016.
- "Updated Psycho-Pass Promo Video Previews Song". Anime News Network. Anime News Network. 2012-09-13. Retrieved September 14, 2012.
- "Gen Urobuchi Writes Robotic Mecha 3D CG Anime 'OBSOLETE'". Anime News Network. Anime News Network. September 24, 2019. Retrieved November 24, 2019.
- "Expelled From Paradise Art Posted by Toei, Nitro+, Urobuchi, FMA's Mizushima". Anime News Network. 2012-09-20. Retrieved 2012-09-20.
- "Psycho-Pass Film Slated for January 9 With Gen Urobuchi, Makoto Fukami". Anime News Network. Anime News Network. 2014-09-26. Retrieved October 10, 2014.
- "Mamoru Oshii's Garm Wars Film to Open in Japan on May 20". Anime News Network. Anime News Network. 2016-01-28. Retrieved May 10, 2020.
- "2017 Godzilla Anime Film Penned by Gen Urobuchi". Anime News Network. Anime News Network. 2016-08-19. Retrieved August 19, 2016.
- Jonathon Barkan (July 5, 2018). "GODZILLA: CITY ON THE EDGE OF BATTLE Coming to Netflix Very, Very Soon". Dread Central. Retrieved July 7, 2018.
- "Madoka Magica Gets PSP Game with Gen Urobuchi". Anime News Network. Anime News Network. 2011-08-09. Retrieved March 27, 2012.
- http://www.crunchyroll.com/anime-news/2012/10/10/three-new-teams-revealed-for-fatezero-hanafuda-epic-battle
- https://news.fate-go.jp/2018/sin/
- "1st Minute From Mamoru Oshii's Pilot for Garm Wars Streamed". Anime News Network.
- "Mamoru Oshii's Garm Wars Film to Open in Japan on May 20". Anime News Network.
External links
- Gen Urobuchi at Anime News Network's encyclopedia
- Gen Urobuchi at IMDb
- Gen Urobuchi on Twitter
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