Good evening, everyone. According to the Japanese calendar, we’re at the “grain rain” period, and the end of spring is here. However, I’m still wearing my winter clothes at home. I mean, it’s still kind of cold…

It’s that time of year again: golden week. Some people who have long ones may get to enjoy nine days off. Right now, I’m very torn as to whether I should use this precious break as a way to refresh myself or to focus on my personal work.

Now then, it’s time for another monthly Penny Blood project report. Last month, I stated that we were working VERY hard on the walkthrough version, and this is still the case. We search out ways to fix problems at every weekly meeting, try to implement new approaches and fixes, but we still have yet to make any great strides, and now golden week is here. I have no intention to give up here, though. I’m going to do everything I can to boost the quality somehow.

Meanwhile, I’ve charged into the second half of the story overview, and it’s almost time to wrap up all the subplots and create the exciting climax. Hmm… But I’m not sure what to do. No matter how much time I spend thinking, I can’t come up with the perfect final scene. I just writhe in agony and murmur with Monaka-chan on the floor. Why on the floor? Because it’s heated.

After lots of squinting, Kato-san finally solved the difficult equation of (wild + steampunk + purple skin with studs) x glimmer of intelligence – Ma**nger-esque elements and finished drawing the new Goliath. I was sure Goliath would end up as a really dumb-looking joke character, but he’s now been reborn and possesses a reliable atmosphere as well as the cloudless eyes of a hero. Now I can’t put “dacchi” or “zura” at the end of his lines… I’ll have to go with “gowasu.”

Hanya-san is still designing guest characters, and is currently  drawing Owen Madden, a gangster who will interact with Matthew and co. starting in the prologue, just like Hoover from the BOI. Hanya-san succeeded in completing another ridiculous request from Machida and drew Owen with a frightening amount of accuracy. Once you see the art, you’ll immediately understand what the ‘accuracy’ refers to, as he’s modeled after a great movie director I love.

Watanabe-san, our image board artist, spent the last month drawing the outer visuals for a fortress that will serve as a dungeon, and is now working on the interior for this month. Younger people may not be familiar with this, but it’s based on a residential district that used to exist in Hong Kong and was sort of a “den of evil.” The cramped, cluttered atmosphere is coming along quite nicely. I can’t wait to walk through it once it’s in 3D.

It also seems like Hirota-san, our sound leader, is once again planning something fun for everyone…and there may be a hint toward what it is in his message.

…That concludes the update information for this month. I hope you all have a fun golden week.

Matsuzo Machida