Project Hikari - Manga in VR

Recently, we reported on different ways to create a Book or even a graphic novel in virtual reality to implement. Another exciting example and again a different approach is currently being developed by the game company Square Enix. With „Project Hikari“ they combine traditional mangas, Japanese comics, with the modern possibilities of technology. A fusion that sounds promising.

To follow the story, the reader does not simply sit in front of a virtual comic, but can enter it through individual panels (pictures in comic books). For example, we find ourselves in the protagonist's room, where he walks up and down, lies down on the bed and tells us about his childhood love. The whole thing is in Japanese, but if you lower your gaze, you find English subtitles in front of you. This limits the possibility to look around freely at any time if the viewer wants to follow the narration, but does not greatly hinder the experience. To illustrate what is being said, more panels open up, some with artwork from the original manga, some with moving scenery. 3D and 2D content are mixed, creating an extraordinary mix. Particularly extraordinary also because of the decision, true to the typical black-and-white print in manga, to design the environment entirely in shades of grey.

„Project Hikari“ soll wohl auch nicht das einzige auf seinem Gebiet bleiben. Wärend zuerst nur ein kleines Team aus zehn Leuten daran arbeitet, dient dieses Projekt auch als Prototyp für ein weiteres Umsetzen von Mangas in VR. Da Square Enix ebenfalls Mangas herstellt, besitzt die Firma sogar die Rechte an einigen interessanten Titeln, die möglicherweise ebenfalls auf diese Weise eine virtuelle Version bekommen könnten. Fans von Titeln wie Fullmetal Alchemist und Soul Eater können schon mal gespannt sein.

Sources: Square Enix, Roadtovr, Uploadvr