An interesting new interview with creator Tetsuya Takahashi from CHOCO's new book KOS-MOSFIX has been translated properly by Lugalbanda. What is particularly interesting about this interview is that it answers a lot about Takahashi's thought process behind the design of KOS-MOS, why he went with something "fan-servy" rather than something more serious and appropriate to the more mature and dark setting of the original Xenosaga vision. It makes so much more sense that he originally wanted something more niche, inspired by artist Hans Bellmer, which would have given KOS-MOS a creepier vibe reminiscent of Deus in its initial form (something comparably creepy never ended up appearing in Xenosaga, though the Archetype version of KOS-MOS and certain aspects of Gnosis came close). Xenosaga: Episode I still had the creepiest, most moody atmosphere out of all the Xeno games thus far. Takahashi's various niche interests was always what made him interesting as a creator, and I think that it would be so much more interesting if Takahashi attempted some way of re-making Xenogears or Xenosaga in a medium that would be less expensive and can embrace a more niche audience and result in less compromises like this.
Here are some images of Bellmer's dolls.
The information revealed in this interview has, as usual, compelled me to yet again update the History of Xenosaga article, adding some of the new information and quotes. It kind of contradicts his earlier comment in the ODM where he said that "Mugitani-san [CHOCO] thought a sexual impression [for KOS-MOS] would be good, or so he said, and so he also researched underwear." - which ascribed the thought process behind KOS-MOS's design mainly to CHOCO. These sometimes confusing and contradictory statements are what made the history articles hard to write, and why inserting new info that puts a different light on something said previously isn't always very simple or easy.
