Yakuza: Like a Dragon Director Ryōsuke Horii tweeted out a couple of pictures today of the original concept art for Ono Michio.
Proving you don’t have to be an amazing artist to come up with iconic characters!
First up is his original design concept art:
小野ミチオプロトタイプだよ。 pic.twitter.com/nEseyXMVW1
— 堀井亮佑＠龍が如く7ディレクター (@RyosukeHorii) December 14, 2020
As you can see his design was slightly different with his Chest Waders, 2 fish, and WW2 style cap (Presumably as the town of Onomichi built ships during the war). Seems like his charming hassaku face was always going to be part of the design right from the start.
復職記念に堀井がデザインさんにかつて提出した、小野ミチオのイメージ絵初稿をおすそわけ。
完成形と細かいところは違いますが、かなり近くしていただけました。うちのキャラ班さんは凄いですね。また機会があればこういうキャラを描いてみたいな。
未プレイの方はぜひ龍が如く6でご確認を！ pic.twitter.com/ORn8A4KH06— 堀井亮佑＠龍が如く7ディレクター (@RyosukeHorii) February 12, 2017
The second is the final draft of the character that was his approved design. Even then you can notice the changes when the character was finally created in the Dragon Engine. Notable his fish pouch and sash are missing. Along with his shirt saying OMC instead of his classic catch phrase “ONO”.
Update: This version was added to the list!
小野ミチオ自主没バージョンその１ pic.twitter.com/nkUU2wFbuo
— 堀井亮佑＠龍が如く7ディレクター (@RyosukeHorii) December 15, 2020
Love seeing early concept art! His final design is a masterpiece.
