Chaos;Head & Steins;Gate: Science Adventure Series Maniacs/Interviews with the Creators

Staff Interview I
The top runner for the staff interview is, of course, Mr. Chiyomaru Shikura, the most important person in the Science Adventure Series. In his unique and smart way of speaking, he will talk to us about not only production secrets, but also his stance on work and his view of life.

#01

 * ——Could you tell us once again about the story of the establishment of the Science Adventure (hereafter “SciADV”) Series, which started with CHAOS;HEAD (hereafter “CHAOS”) then continued with STEINS;GATE (hereafter “SG”) ?


 * Shikura: (to be translated, japanese text below in commentary when editing)

#02

 * ——The SciADV Series is characterized by systems such as “triggers” that are not optional. What about the usage of the Delusion Trigger in CHAOS and the Phone Trigger in SG?


 * Shikura: (to be translated, japanese text below in commentary when editing)

#03

 * ——The Kurisu Route in SG was quite difficult, though (laughs) .


 * Shikura: (to be translated, japanese text below in commentary when editing)

#10

 * ——Next, let me ask you about SG itself. First of all, for how long have you had the original idea?


 * Shikura: (to be translated, japanese text below in commentary when editing)

#11

 * ——I see. So the somewhat maniacal “John Titor” material and so forth were also picked up along with such a conception. In fact, SG could be said to have been conceived more than 20 years ago, right?


 * Shikura: (to be translated, japanese text below in commentary when editing)

#12

 * ——What steps do you take when creating a draft or plan?


 * Shikura: (to be translated, japanese text below in commentary when editing)

#13

 * ——How do you write a draft plot?


 * Shikura: (to be translated, japanese text below in commentary when editing)

#14

 * ——What was the initial idea for SG?


 * Shikura: (to be translated, japanese text below in commentary when editing)

#15

 * ——Speaking of design, the appointment of huke-san was also a hot topic.


 * Shikura: (to be translated, japanese text below in commentary when editing)

#16

 * ——In terms of structure, SG differs from CHAOS in having a single unified point of view.


 * Shikura: (to be translated, japanese text below in commentary when editing)

#17

 * ——I understand that you had the structure up to about Chapter 3 of the story in mind at the beginning, but how did you go about putting together the second half of the story? I heard that you (Shikura-san) wanted to give the story a twist, not just to save Mayuri.


 * Shikura: (to be translated, japanese text below in commentary when editing)

#18

 * ——So that was the expression of the “choice between the two” that Kurisu comes to the scales, and by extension, the weight of choice, right? There is a catharsis in the flow of showing the irreversibility of determined cause and effect and the coolness of the absolute reason of the world through the inevitable sacrifice, and then breaking through it further.


 * Shikura: (to be translated, japanese text below in commentary when editing)

#19

 * ——From now, I would like to ask you about things outside of your works. What do you think was the key to SG receiving high acclaim, such as winning the “Famitsu Award 2009” for excellence and being a hit when it was released for the PC?


 * Shikura: (to be translated, japanese text below in commentary when editing)

#20

 * ——What do you think about the rise in fan activities and doujinshi?


 * Shikura: (to be translated, japanese text below in commentary when editing)

#21

 * ——What do you think of the development of CHAOS and SG hereafter?


 * Shikura: (to be translated, japanese text below in commentary when editing)

#22

 * ——By the way, do you have any plans to commercialize RaiNet AccessBattlers?


 * Shikura: (to be translated, japanese text below in commentary when editing)

#23

 * ——Finally, I would like to ask you about the common theme of both works. In CHAOS, Takumi's loneliness, which causes him to not experience life in relation to reality, and his salvation through Rimi's presence thereafter, and in SG, Okabe's loneliness over the world lines and his bond with the lab mems who save him, are common points. In CHAOS;HEAD Love Chuchu!, similar themes are expressed in the theme song “Let’s Synchro!”. In other words, I feel that the works that you are involved with often have the theme of people overcoming loneliness and understanding each other......?


 * Shikura: (to be translated, japanese text below in commentary when editing)

#24

 * ——If we translate that into “bond”, then the spreading of that bond is also in line with the content of SG.


 * Shikura: (to be translated, japanese text below in commentary when editing)