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 (1972-12-20) December 20, 1972
Tokyo, Japan
OccupationWriter, scriptwriter
EducationWakō University
GenreDark Fantasy, Horror, Thriller, Sci-fi, Tragedy[1]
Notable worksPuella Magi Madoka Magica
Fate/Zero
Psycho-Pass
Saya no Uta
Kamen Rider Gaim
Notable awards2011 Newtype Anime Awards - Screenwriter Prize
11th Tokyo Anime Award for Best Screenplay
RelativesNatsuko 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 (吸血殲鬼 (ヴァンピルズィージャ)ヴェドゴニア) 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

TitleIllustratorPublisherVolumesISBNRelease date
Kikokugai: The Cyber Slayer (鬼哭街)Higashiguchi ChūōKadokawa 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 volume4-902138-02-6 (1st edition)
4-061388-24-X (2nd edition)
December 29, 2004 (1st edition)
March 15, 2012 (2nd edition)
Fate/ZeroTakashi TakeuchiType-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 HiroeGagaga Bunko2
  "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 ChūōGagaga Bunko2978-4-09-451146-8
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 KōgaSai Zen Sen Fictions (Star Seas)single volume4-06-138802-9April 14, 2011

Series

YearSeriesStudioRoleEpisodesScriptsGenre
2008BlassreiterGonzoSeries Composition, Script248 (10-12, 15-17, 22-23)Action, Science fiction
2009Phantom: Requiem for the PhantomBee TrainOriginal Scenario, Script263 (6, 18, 25)Action, Romance, Tragedy
2011Puella Magi Madoka MagicaShaftOriginal Creator, Series Composition, Script1212Dark fantasy, Drama, Horror
2011Fate/ZeroUfotableOriginal Creator, Script Supervision13Action, Fantasy, Horror, Thriller
2012Fate/Zero 2nd SeasonUfotableOriginal Creator12Action, Fantasy, Horror, Thriller
2012Psycho-Pass[9]Production I.GStory Concept, Series Composition, Script2221 (all but episode 12)Cyberpunk, Dystopian, Science fiction, Crime thriller
2013Gargantia on the Verdurous PlanetProduction I.GStory Concept, Series Composition, Script132 (1, 13)Adventure, Science fiction, Mecha
2014Aldnoah.ZeroA-1 Pictures
Troyca
Original Creator, Script123 (1-3)Action, Mecha, Science fiction
2014Psycho-Pass 2Tatsunoko ProductionPlanning Supervision, Story Concept11Cyberpunk, Dystopian, Science Fiction, Crime Thriller
2015Aldnoah.Zero 2nd SeasonA-1 Pictures
Troyca
Original Creator12Action, Mecha, Science fiction
2015Gunslinger Stratos: The AnimationA-1 PicturesOriginal Scenario12Action, Science Fiction
2015Chaos DragonSilver Link
Connect
Original Creator12Action, Fantasy
2015Wooser's Hand-to-Mouth Life: Phantasmagoric ArcSanzigenScript131 (13)Comedy
2016Concrete Revolutio: The Last SongBonesScript111 (20)Superhero, Science Fiction, Fantasy
2019Obsolete[10]BuemonOriginal Creator, Series Composition, Script127 (1-4, 7, 9-10)Mecha

Movies

YearSeriesStudioGenre
2012Puella Magi Madoka Magica the Movie Part 1: BeginningsShaftDark fantasy, Drama, Horror
2012Puella Magi Madoka Magica the Movie Part 2: EternalShaftDark fantasy, Drama, Horror
2013Puella Magi Madoka Magica the Movie Part 3: RebellionShaftDark fantasy, Drama, Horror
2014Expelled from Paradise[11]GraphinicaMecha, Science fiction
2015Psycho-Pass: The Movie[12]Production I.GCyberpunk, Dystopian, Science fiction, Crime thriller
2016Garm Wars: The Last Druid[13]Production I.GScience fiction, Adventure
2017Godzilla: Planet of the Monsters[14]Polygon PicturesKaiju, Science fiction, Drama
2018Godzilla: City on the Edge of Battle[15]Polygon PicturesKaiju, Drama, Science fiction
2018Godzilla: The Planet EaterPolygon PicturesKaiju, 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

Other

YearSeriesStudioRoleEpisodesScriptsGenre
2016Thunderbolt FantasyPILIOriginal Creator, Chief Supervision, Script2626Action, 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

  1. https://issuu.com/insanechronos/docs/volume_1
  2. 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.
  3. "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.
  4. 金の瞳と鉄の剣 (in Japanese). 4 April 2011.
  5. 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.
  6. Ransom, Ko (January 29, 2012). "Report: Kazuo Koike and Gen Urobuchi Chat". Anime News Network. Retrieved May 5, 2012.
  7. Sevakis, Justin (July 27, 2012). "Gen Urobuchi Focus panel". Anime News Network. Retrieved May 8, 2014.
  8. "Psycho-Pass Anime Gets Xbox One Game by 5pb". Anime News Network. Anime News Network. 2014-05-27. Retrieved August 19, 2016.
  9. "Updated Psycho-Pass Promo Video Previews Song". Anime News Network. Anime News Network. 2012-09-13. Retrieved September 14, 2012.
  10. "Gen Urobuchi Writes Robotic Mecha 3D CG Anime 'OBSOLETE'". Anime News Network. Anime News Network. September 24, 2019. Retrieved November 24, 2019.
  11. "Expelled From Paradise Art Posted by Toei, Nitro+, Urobuchi, FMA's Mizushima". Anime News Network. 2012-09-20. Retrieved 2012-09-20.
  12. "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.
  13. "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.
  14. "2017 Godzilla Anime Film Penned by Gen Urobuchi". Anime News Network. Anime News Network. 2016-08-19. Retrieved August 19, 2016.
  15. Jonathon Barkan (July 5, 2018). "GODZILLA: CITY ON THE EDGE OF BATTLE Coming to Netflix Very, Very Soon". Dread Central. Retrieved July 7, 2018.
  16. "Madoka Magica Gets PSP Game with Gen Urobuchi". Anime News Network. Anime News Network. 2011-08-09. Retrieved March 27, 2012.
  17. http://www.crunchyroll.com/anime-news/2012/10/10/three-new-teams-revealed-for-fatezero-hanafuda-epic-battle
  18. https://news.fate-go.jp/2018/sin/
  19. "1st Minute From Mamoru Oshii's Pilot for Garm Wars Streamed". Anime News Network.
  20. "Mamoru Oshii's Garm Wars Film to Open in Japan on May 20". Anime News Network.
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