Final month, I had an opportunity to speak with Too Kyo Video games’ Kazutaka Kodaka about The Hundred Line -Final Protection Academy-. 2025 was a landmark 12 months for Too Kyo Video games with The Hundred Line lastly launching worldwide, and I requested Kazutaka Kodaka about future plans for the IP, how he want to strategy DLC, working with Kotaro Uchikoshi (who made a particular look on the finish of the interview), his favourite characters, platform selections, a possible Swap 2 improve, merchandise, plans for 2026, and much more.
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RPG Website: How was it working with Uchikoshi-san on this challenge?
Kazutaka Kodaka:
I used to be reminded as soon as once more that he actually writes attention-grabbing situations. I had by no means skilled having him carry to life characters that I created, so it left a robust impression on me. I’d like to learn one other “Uchikoshi-style” Hundred Line state of affairs within the DLC.RPG Website: So much has been stated already about the way you needed to take a mortgage to complete The Hundred Line -Final Protection Academy-. How has the sport been doing post-launch as extra folks performed it and evaluations began showing on-line.
Kazutaka Kodaka:
I consider the sport has acquired extraordinarily excessive reward. It presents a story expertise that may solely be discovered on this title, and I believe folks have embraced that uniqueness. It’s a recreation that may’t get replaced by the rest, so I’m glad I went into debt to make it. I hope Hundred Line continues to promote for a very long time.
RPG Website: I am curious in regards to the enable you had from Aniplex and XSEED Video games on this launch past simply publishing. Are you able to go into element for once you determined to work with each publishers and the way the expertise has been?
Kazutaka Kodaka:
We entrusted Aniplex with all promotion and publishing, and every put up half the funding, forming a robust partnership. In addition they dealt with communication with abroad publishers. We selected them as a result of they understood our model and tried to unfold it broadly.RPG Website: Talking of Aniplex, are there any plans to do an anime for the sport? I do know you’ve got stated you may have many extra tales to inform on this world and I am curious if which means extra by different types of media.
Kazutaka Kodaka:
In fact, I wish to pursue extra multimedia expansions and broaden the world by DLC and different codecs.
RPG Website: At any level throughout the improvement, did everybody else engaged on the sport attempt to let you know to chop down scope or make the sport smaller?
Kazutaka Kodaka:
Sure, some folks at Too Kyo Video games prompt it early on, however in addition they acknowledged that the quantity was a part of the enchantment.Commercial. Preserve scrolling for extra
RPG Website: You might be very lively on social media replying to followers and answering questions. Since you’re straight concerned with this, how do you’re feeling in regards to the suggestions to the sport on-line?
Kazutaka Kodaka:
It’s all a part of making an attempt to promote even yet one more copy. Whereas I work together with followers usually, I don’t incorporate their opinions straight into the video games.RPG Website: When beginning work on a brand new IP like this and even Grasp Detective Archives: Rain Code, do you are concerned about participant expectations for individuals who simply need extra Danganronpa?
Kazutaka Kodaka:
No, I see them as separate works. Danganronpa continues by itself, whereas I tackle new challenges. Some stylistic similarities naturally happen.
RPG Website: When taking a look at Hundred Line and your previous work, my three favourite characters are Ibuki Mioda, Miu Iruma, and Darumi Amemiya. I am curious who your high 3 characters are from video games you’ve got created.
Kazutaka Kodaka:
I’m hooked up to all of them, however Monokuma is undeniably nice. Sumino was the primary Hundred Line character idea that solidified, so I’m keen on him.RPG Website: Talking of Darumi, I like how she retains poking enjoyable on the killing recreation trope and all her dialogue basically. Did you all the time wish to have somebody maintain pushing this to play with participant expectations?
Kazutaka Kodaka:
She’d be too troublesome in Danganronpa, however she suits completely on this recreation, which solely seems like a loss of life recreation.RPG Website: You’ve got talked about DLC earlier than on social and whereas nothing has been formally introduced, would you favor doing particular person route DLC with different authors?
Kazutaka Kodaka:
Routes increasing lore or including characters, and even collaborations with different writers. Hundred Line’s construction permits limitless prospects.RPG Website: Within the Archipel interview (linked above), Uchikoshi-san stated one thing like “at any time when Kodaka-san has his thoughts set on one thing, he’ll do it”. Has that all the time been your philosophy with video games?
Kazutaka Kodaka:
My philosophy is to make the very best recreation doable. I follow what’s wanted, however overturn selections if wanted for high quality.RPG Website: A pal of mine was not too long ago in Japan for a vacation and he purchased lots of The Hundred Line -Final Protection Academy- merchandise. I see a few of it on Amazon Japan as properly. This is not a query per-say, however I hope you and the workforce take into account doing a correct artbook and soundtrack launch sooner or later. The licensed tune may trigger some issues, however I hope we see the remainder of the soundtrack launched.
Kazutaka Kodaka:
Understood. We’ll take into account it positively!RPG Website: It made sense to prioritize Swap and Steam for this one. Are there any plans for a Nintendo Swap 2 Version improve like we simply noticed for Shuten Order? I ask this as a result of the sport is a bit tough on Swap in comparison with PC and it will profit loads from sooner loading with higher visuals and efficiency on Swap 2.
Kazutaka Kodaka:
We’d like to think about that as properly.Commercial. Preserve scrolling for extra
RPG Website: Once I performed The Hundred Line -Final Protection Academy- on PC and Swap pre-release, I used to be very impressed with the PC port. I am presently nonetheless taking part in it on Steam Deck making an attempt to get all of the endings. How do you’re feeling in regards to the worldwide Steam launch as your final main title launched solely on Nintendo Swap with Rain Code.
Kazutaka Kodaka:
The market is dominated by PC now. Releasing worldwide on Steam is important.RPG Website: Talking of platforms, I do know you may have talked about it earlier than, however has there been any motion on potential PS5 or Xbox ports?
Kazutaka Kodaka:
Not contemplating something for the time being.RPG Website: What have you ever been taking part in this 12 months that you simply loved?
Kazutaka Kodaka:
Ghost of Yotei.RPG Website: What are your aspirations for 2026?
Kazutaka Kodaka:
2025 was thrilling, however in 2026 I wish to focus calmly on recreation improvement.
RPG Website: How do you want your espresso? Go into as a lot element as doable. In case you don’t love espresso, what’s your favourite beverage?
Kazutaka Kodaka:
I like iced espresso, even in winter. If I wish to heat up, I drink sizzling espresso.Kotaro Uchikoshi: “Rattling it, why cannot we get a lead on the suspect…” I grumble, then chug a paper cup of black espresso, mash the cup flat like a UFO shot down over Roswell, and chuck it into the trash with all of the grace of a toddler throwing a tantrum. That arduous-boiled-detective act is strictly how I wish to drink my espresso.
[Editor’s Note: Stay tuned for a special feature going up later in the year to find out why I included Kotaro Uchikoshi’s response here.]