Note: Thanks to Hikari Kaitou for the corrections. I'm not sure why the location is given as the office, even with a question mark, as they're clearly at Gourd Lake.
Episode 4 — December 2004 Issue
Takushuu Column — About Ace Attorney
August 2000.
The project called "Detective Line (provisional)" had begun. It would be another 10 months before "Ace Attorney" was complete.
I thought I would never completely forget that densely packed year.
But looking back, there's one more thing that's not so clear... I don't know if it's because I'm forgetful or what.
My dream for the games industry was for a new sleuth character. Being handed this chance, and on top of that, being given a wonderful team... honestly, I think it was a happy year.
Anyway, the impression that was left in my heart was that we were working while having fun.
Even so, as far as the script was concerned, each time it was an unpleasant experience. Perhaps it might seem to be an enjoyable job, but it's actually quite hard.
In any case, the impression that freezes my heart even now was that we were working while suffering.
We slogged through with the series, all 13 stories.
I can own up to this now, but we had to complete some of the episodes under terrible conditions. First 1, then 2, it was one episode at a time...
"Turnabout Samurai".
That was my first experience of utter carnage.
No matter how much I wrote and wrote, nothing came to me, time was running out, I was rushing to the point of wrecking my health. "I can't take this anymore. I've had enough!"
I ended up on a doctor's bed, on the verge of tears.
At that time, I was getting agitated by this turn of direction. Having calmed myself down, I tried giving the script a re-read, and it wasn't as terrible as I thought, but... somehow when I'd written it, it seemed I wasn't in my normal state of mind.
Well then. Next time, I plan to show you some memories of working on AA2.
Well, see you next month!
Outtake Theatre
Prosecutor Godot vs Phoenix Wright compilation
This time, we'll show you exchanges cut from the courtroom. Enjoy this lesson in "offence and defence"! (—Takumi)
[Note: in Japanese, 9 can be read as "ku" and 6 as "ro". 96 therefore is "kuro", which means black. 4 can be read as "shi", so 46 is read as "shiro", meaning white.]
Godot: Objection! This new "counter-evidence"... You're just trying to look clever.
Judge: W-What do you mean?
Godot: 71+25 is always 96. No matter how many times you do the sum, the answer is always the same.
Maya: ...Why 71+25 though?
Phoenix: But can't you also read 96 as "black"?
Maya: Oooooh... that was a terrible joke.
Phoenix: (I'm sorry to say it, Godot... Perhaps if you add them, you get 96. But if you subtract 25 from 71, you get 46, which becomes "white"!)
Maya: Nick, you don't want to make a rebuttal at the same level as him.
Letters Corner
• The serialisation has started, and I'm so happy! By the way, when the Nintendo DS version of the game was launched, I was concerned about whether or not it would be a completely new game or not. (Kiriseishou (?), Shizuoka Prefecture)
~ The hard launch is set for 02/12, so keep a watchful eye on the DS! Info on Ace Attorney will be announced in this corner, so keep an eye out!
• Last issue's Outtake Theatre was funny. I ended up laughing (T.S, Hyougo Prefecture)
~ With this issue's Outtake Theatre, it seems even Capcom's PR staff ended up bursting out with a "naruhodo!", but I wonder how you said it?
• This is the most anxiously awaited serialisation since RIBON magazine. (seto, Miyagi Prefecture)
~ Who would have thought that RIBON magazine and Dorimaga would have this in common (a surprise!)?
Reminiscence 1 — At the Wright & Co. Law Offices?
The image of winter is strong throughout the Ace Attorney series. Now we're in the cold season once more, what's the place that Phoenix has a yearning to visit? And this time, here's the appearance of the person you've all been waiting for!
Maya: What's the matter? You just said "I want to see the lake!" out of nowhere.
Phoenix: Court starts at 10, right? I thought we could stop here for a bit before then.
Maya: Gourd Lake... Oh! This is where Edgeworth's incident happened.
Phoenix: Well, that too, but... how can I put it? It's a place of memories, I suppose.
Maya: What? You shot someone here, too?!
Phoenix: No, no. When it gets to this time of year, I just feel like coming here. I don't really know why.
Ooooh... I have a feeling it's something "romantic"!
Phoenix: This was the first place I visited when I moved to this neighbourhood.
Maya: What? You're not originally from here?
Phoenix: No, I moved here when I got the job at the Fey & Co. Law Offices.
Maya: Oh... Is that right?
Phoenix: When I was still getting used to this place, I remember that Mia would sit with me on a bench and we'd eat steamed buns together.
Maya: ...Huh? There's someone else there lost in reminiscence, too.
Phoenix: You're right. And he's eating steamed buns...
Maya: That frilly chest reminds me of... Oh! He looked this way!
Don't panic and look away, and don't run away, either.
Hiiiiiii! Prosecutor Edgewoooooooooorth! Over here! Over here!
Edgeworth: Oh. You've found me?
Maya: What's up? You didn't get another letter, did you?
Edgeworth: No, it's not that. When it gets to this time of year, I just feel like visiting here. I don't really know why.
Phoenix: Of course, because of that case, right?
Maya: If that's it, we completely resolved that case, didn't we?
...I'm ...much obliged to you for your help.... I mean that truly.
Maya: But from the look on your face, you'd think we hadn't solved it at all.
And as usual, there's that crack appearing on his brow.
... I don't suppose you would say "wrinkle" for me?
Maya: Speaking of wrinkles, there isn't even a single wrinkle on your suit today, Mr Edgeworth!
Phoenix: And as usual, there's that wrinkle appearing on his brow.
Edgeworth: ...When one is a prosecutor, there are times when one loses one's composure.
Maya: Oh yeah, yeah! That's always happening to Nick!
Edgeworth: At such times, I deliberately take my time when dressing. I get the feeling that I can calm myself down by making sure that everything is perfectly refined and in its proper place.
Maya: Nick is full of refinement today, too. Aren't you, Nick?
Phoenix: Oh shut up, you. I was busy this morning.
Oh my gosh, Nick! You don't have your attorney's badge on!
Damn it! I must have left it in the office!
Maya: Oh don't tell me your shirt is inside out!
Phoenix: Oh that's it! I was thinking it was so hard to fold my collar today.
Maya: Oh your shoes, your shoes! You have two rights on!
Phoenix: Whoa! Where am I supposed to buy a similar pair?
Maya: First Nick, worry about your trousers!
Phoenix: Oh man, how could I have forgotten to put on my trousers?!
...You clearly haven't.
Maya: ... ... ... Aww, you're no fun, Mr Edgeworth!
Phoenix: Well, he's always like that.
Edgeworth: ... Well... it's about time to leave.
Phoenix: Ahh... well, later.
Edgeworth: Hmph... See you in court.