JRPG Producer Links Anime Character Design Trends to Economic Conditions

Atelier series producer Junzo Hosoi suggests that economic downturns influence the popularity of curvier anime characters in games.

Junzo Hosoi, producer of the Atelier series, believes economic conditions shape the design trends of anime characters in JRPGs.
Hosoi argues that during economic recessions, audiences gravitate toward characters with fuller figures and nurturing traits.
The design of Ryza, the protagonist of the Atelier Ryza trilogy, was reportedly influenced by these perceived trends.
Hosoi noted that the upcoming Atelier Yumia protagonist will move away from Ryza's curvier design to align with global trends.
This perspective has sparked discussions on how market forces and cultural contexts influence character design in gaming.