Miku's Character Design: Difference between revisions
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As the main character of [[Fatal Frame]], Miku's character design is important in establishing the game's mood and approach to horror. The CG artist Jin Hasegawa mentioned that it was challenging to design a character who didn't fight in the traditonal way, with weapons or magic. Developers went through several designs, aiming to find a design that was neither too ordinary nor too fantastical. They wished to create a character who would appear vulnerable with a core of strength: Miku looks younger than her years, with a slim physique so she wouldn't look physically imposing, and large, expressive eyes to show her sensitivity to the supernatural. Her outfit was designed without much regard for the game's 1986 setting, but close attention was paid to how the colour scheme would look in the dark environment of [[Himuro Mansion]]. As such, developers aimed for an outfit with strong contrasts of light and dark. "Miku" is written with characters meaning "deep crimson", which is also her image colour, and is used as a highlight in her design. Her red necktie offers a splash of colour that stands out in the darkness, and is suggestive of the game's horror motif of ropes and blood, while her red [[Miku's Hairclip|hair accessory]] links her to her mother and [[Mikoto Munakata]]. She and Mafuyu both wear black chokers as a point of visual connection between them, which also foreshadows the [[Strangling Ritual|ritual]] at the heart of the story.<ref name=>''Zero Anthology #2 - Miku and Mafuyu'', [http://www.tecmo.co.jp/product/zero/zero_staff_an2.htm Fatal Frame Official Site] (Japanese). ([http://fftranslations.atspace.co.uk/ff/anthology2.html English translation])</ref> | |||
==Fatal Frame Changes== | ==Fatal Frame Changes== | ||
When [[Fatal Frame]] was released in America, one of the major regional changes made (besides English language and voice acting) was to [[Miku]]'s character design and default costume. These differences in Miku's form and costume were aimed at making her more appealing to western audiences. The game's chapter panel artwork was also changed to reflect the new, more westernized, design. While the original costume is only available in the PS2 Japanese version (and Fatal Frame III), the Japanese costume is still considered Miku's 'official' costume, and when she appears in other games she is always wearing it. The other [[Fatal Frame Costumes|special costumes]], which are simply edited and recoloured versions of the costume, were not changed. When the game was released on the Xbox, more costumes were added that complemented the new design. | When [[Fatal Frame]] was released in America, one of the major regional changes made (besides English language and voice acting) was to [[Miku]]'s character design and default costume. These differences in Miku's form and costume were aimed at making her more appealing to western audiences. The game's chapter panel artwork was also changed to reflect the new, more westernized, design. While the original costume is only available in the PS2 Japanese version (and Fatal Frame III), the Japanese costume is still considered Miku's 'official' costume, and when she appears in other games she is always wearing it. The other [[Fatal Frame Costumes|special costumes]], which are simply edited and recoloured versions of the costume, were not changed. When the game was released on the Xbox, more costumes were added that complemented the new design. Although the new design changes several aspects, it keeps the overall high-contrast monochromatic colour scheme and the splash of deep red. | ||
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<td valigh="top" align="center">[[Image:Japanesemiku2.jpg|200px]]</td> | <td valigh="top" align="center">[[Image:Japanesemiku2.jpg|200px]]</td> | ||
<td valign="top" align="center">[[Image:Japanesemiku.jpg]]<br> | <td valign="top" align="center">[[Image:Japanesemiku.jpg]]<br> | ||
[[File:Flag of Japan.png|25px]] [[Default Miku Costume | [[File:Flag of Japan.png|25px]] [[Default Japanese Miku Costume (FF1)|Default Miku]] | ||
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[[Image:Japanesemikuhead.jpg]]<br> | [[Image:Japanesemikuhead.jpg]]<br> | ||
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<td valign="top" align="center">[[Image:Americanmiku.jpg]]<br> | <td valign="top" align="center">[[Image:Americanmiku.jpg]]<br> | ||
[[ | [[File:Flag of the United States.png|25px]] Default Miku Costume (FF1)|Default Miku]] | ||
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[[Image:Americanmikuhead.jpg]]<br> | [[Image:Americanmikuhead.jpg]]<br> | ||
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<td valigh="top" align="center">[[Image:Americanmiku2.jpg|200px]]</td> | <td valigh="top" align="center">[[Image:Americanmiku2.jpg|200px]]</td> | ||
</tr></table></center> | </tr></table></center> | ||
[[File:TPM Vol 18 Page 20.jpg|right|250px|thumb|TPM (Tecmo Player's Mag) feature highlighting Miku as an example of a costume that would be easy to cosplay using everyday clothes]] | |||
===Changes Included=== | ===Changes Included=== | ||
* Miku's hair colour - went from dark brown to a more auburn colour. | * Miku's hair colour - went from dark brown to a more auburn colour. | ||
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* The Xbox version of the game uses the new Miku design in all regions, and the original version of the outfit is not present. | * The Xbox version of the game uses the new Miku design in all regions, and the original version of the outfit is not present. | ||
* Miku's age (canonically) remains at 17 (aging two years to 19 in [[Fatal Frame III]]). | * Miku's age (canonically) remains at 17 (aging two years to 19 in [[Fatal Frame III]]). | ||
* Miku's original Japanese costume is [[Zero Costume(FF3)|unlockable]] in Fatal Frame III, and is not replaced with the alternative design in overseas releases. | * Miku's original Japanese costume is [[Zero Costume (FF3)|unlockable]] in Fatal Frame III, and is not replaced with the alternative design in overseas releases. | ||
==Fatal Frame III== | ==Fatal Frame III== | ||
This time, [[Default Miku Costume(FF3)|Miku's outfit]] remains the same in all regions. Early concept artwork and depictions in the Zero | This time, [[Default Miku Costume (FF3)|Miku's outfit]] remains the same in all regions. Early concept artwork and depictions in the [[Zero Shisei no Koe Comic Anthology]] suggest that her costume was originally going to have more of a midriff top. Her design was modelled on her original outfit, with a Japanese-style flavour to it,<ref name="site">''Column #3 - 28 July 2005'', [http://www.tecmo.co.jp/product/zero3/z60c03.htm Official site]. [http://fftranslations.atspace.co.uk/ff3/ff3column3.html (English translation)]</ref> and she still wears her [[Mikoto Munakata|grandmother's]] [[Miku's Hairclip|hairclip]]. At night she wears pink pyjamas, which were based on a design by [[Makoto Shibata]].<ref name="site"/> | ||
==Fatal Frame V== | |||
In [[Fatal Frame V]], Miku maintains the core features of her design (white shirt, dark skirt, red highlights). Her skirt is slightly longer than in previous games, and her blouse has a more flowing silhouette. She still wears the black choker, a detail she now shares with [[Miu Hinasaki|Miu]]. She also wears her hairclip, though it is upside-down compared to previous games. | |||
==Other Game Appearances== | ==Other Game Appearances== | ||
* Miku's original Japanese costume appears in [[Monster Rancher IV]]. | * Miku's original Japanese costume appears in [[Cross title content#Monster Rancher 4|Monster Rancher IV]]. | ||
* In Fatal Frame II, one of the unlockable costumes for Mio and Mayu is similar to Miku's original costume in colour scheme. | * In Fatal Frame II, one of the unlockable costumes for Mio and Mayu is similar to Miku's original costume in colour scheme. | ||
* Miku's original costume is an unlockable in [[Super Swing Golf]]. | * Miku's original costume is an unlockable in [[Cross title content#Super Swing Golf|Super Swing Golf]]. | ||
* Miku's default FF1 costumes (both Japanese and global) and FF3 costume are unlockable costumes for [[Miu Hinasaki|Miu]] with the Deluxe Edition of [[Fatal Frame V]]. | |||
==References== | ==References== | ||
Latest revision as of 20:48, 13 December 2025
As the main character of Fatal Frame, Miku's character design is important in establishing the game's mood and approach to horror. The CG artist Jin Hasegawa mentioned that it was challenging to design a character who didn't fight in the traditonal way, with weapons or magic. Developers went through several designs, aiming to find a design that was neither too ordinary nor too fantastical. They wished to create a character who would appear vulnerable with a core of strength: Miku looks younger than her years, with a slim physique so she wouldn't look physically imposing, and large, expressive eyes to show her sensitivity to the supernatural. Her outfit was designed without much regard for the game's 1986 setting, but close attention was paid to how the colour scheme would look in the dark environment of Himuro Mansion. As such, developers aimed for an outfit with strong contrasts of light and dark. "Miku" is written with characters meaning "deep crimson", which is also her image colour, and is used as a highlight in her design. Her red necktie offers a splash of colour that stands out in the darkness, and is suggestive of the game's horror motif of ropes and blood, while her red hair accessory links her to her mother and Mikoto Munakata. She and Mafuyu both wear black chokers as a point of visual connection between them, which also foreshadows the ritual at the heart of the story.[1]
Fatal Frame Changes
When Fatal Frame was released in America, one of the major regional changes made (besides English language and voice acting) was to Miku's character design and default costume. These differences in Miku's form and costume were aimed at making her more appealing to western audiences. The game's chapter panel artwork was also changed to reflect the new, more westernized, design. While the original costume is only available in the PS2 Japanese version (and Fatal Frame III), the Japanese costume is still considered Miku's 'official' costume, and when she appears in other games she is always wearing it. The other special costumes, which are simply edited and recoloured versions of the costume, were not changed. When the game was released on the Xbox, more costumes were added that complemented the new design. Although the new design changes several aspects, it keeps the overall high-contrast monochromatic colour scheme and the splash of deep red.
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Changes Included
- Miku's hair colour - went from dark brown to a more auburn colour.
- Skin tone - went from pale white to a more pinkish colour.
- Height - the new design is a few inches taller than the original.
- Skirt - went from a layered design to a solid skirt.
- Body - gained more curves.
- Shirt - she has a scarf tied around her collar, which was switched to a golden clip with four symbols on it.
- Choker - went from black to gold.
Misc Info
- The Xbox version of the game uses the new Miku design in all regions, and the original version of the outfit is not present.
- Miku's age (canonically) remains at 17 (aging two years to 19 in Fatal Frame III).
- Miku's original Japanese costume is unlockable in Fatal Frame III, and is not replaced with the alternative design in overseas releases.
Fatal Frame III
This time, Miku's outfit remains the same in all regions. Early concept artwork and depictions in the Zero Shisei no Koe Comic Anthology suggest that her costume was originally going to have more of a midriff top. Her design was modelled on her original outfit, with a Japanese-style flavour to it,[2] and she still wears her grandmother's hairclip. At night she wears pink pyjamas, which were based on a design by Makoto Shibata.[2]
Fatal Frame V
In Fatal Frame V, Miku maintains the core features of her design (white shirt, dark skirt, red highlights). Her skirt is slightly longer than in previous games, and her blouse has a more flowing silhouette. She still wears the black choker, a detail she now shares with Miu. She also wears her hairclip, though it is upside-down compared to previous games.
Other Game Appearances
- Miku's original Japanese costume appears in Monster Rancher IV.
- In Fatal Frame II, one of the unlockable costumes for Mio and Mayu is similar to Miku's original costume in colour scheme.
- Miku's original costume is an unlockable in Super Swing Golf.
- Miku's default FF1 costumes (both Japanese and global) and FF3 costume are unlockable costumes for Miu with the Deluxe Edition of Fatal Frame V.
References
- ↑ Zero Anthology #2 - Miku and Mafuyu, Fatal Frame Official Site (Japanese). (English translation)
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Column #3 - 28 July 2005, Official site. (English translation)