Gen Urobuchi

Gen Urobuchi
BornWada (first name unknown)
(1972-12-20) December 20, 1972 (age 51)
Tokyo, Japan
OccupationWriter, scriptwriter
EducationWakō University
GenreDark Fantasy, horror, thriller, sci-fi, tragedy[1]
Notable worksPuella Magi Madoka Magica
Fate/Zero
Psycho-Pass
Saya no Uta
Kamen Rider Gaim
Notable awards1st Newtype Anime Awards - Screenwriter Prize
11th Tokyo Anime Award for Best Screenplay
RelativesTsunashirō Wada [ja] (Great-grandfather)
Sunao Ōtsubo [ja] (Grandfather)
Shū Wada [ja] (Father)
Natsuko Sebata [ja] (Mother)

Gen Urobuchi (Japanese: 虚淵 玄, Hepburn: Urobuchi Gen, born December 20, 1972) is a Japanese novelist, visual novel writer and anime screenwriter. He is known for being the co-creator of the highly acclaimed and commercially successful anime series Puella Magi Madoka Magica, which earned him the Tokyo Anime Award for Best Scriptwriter, as well as the writer of the 2003 visual novel Saya no Uta, the 2012 anime Psycho-Pass, the light novel and anime Fate/Zero, and the 2013–2014 tokusatsu show Kamen Rider Gaim. He currently works at Nitroplus and Nitro+chiral. Anime written by Urobuchi that have won the Newtype Anime Awards have been Puella Magi Madoka Magica in 2011, Fate/Zero in 2012 and Psycho-Pass: The Movie in 2015.

History

Urobuchi graduated from Wako University with a degree in History.[2] He aspired to become a novelist and after seeing Shizuku and Kizuato by Leaf, he felt confident about the range of expression that games have.[3][4] He then started working at Nitroplus and worked on Phantom of Inferno as his debut series. As of 2024, Urobuchi is the vice-president of Nitroplus.[5]

Writing style

In choosing names for the characters he develops, Urobuchi has stated that he shies away from selecting generic names that would match their personalities and instead opts for more unusual names that he believes would eliminate noise when fans try finding information on the characters with search engines. In a discussion with Urobuchi, manga writer Kazuo Koike contrasted this decision with the naming style in his own works, which emphasized more forthright names that were easier to remember. However, he found that Urobuchi's method could be effective for allowing viewers to "involve themselves deeper into the story and actively work to understand the characters."[6] Urobuchi also said he attempts to keep at least one trait in common between each individual character and himself so that he can always identify with them on some level.[7]

Work

Visual novels

Year Title Developer Platform(s) Notes
2000 Phantom of Inferno Nitroplus Windows, Mac, DVD-PG, PS2, Xbox 360 Also director. Scenario and voice supervisor in latter ports.
2001 Vampirdzhija Vjedogonia (吸血殲鬼(ヴァンピルズィージャ)ヴェドゴニア) Windows Also director and planner.
2002 Kikokugai: The Cyber Slayer (鬼哭街) Windows, Mac Also director and planner.
"Hello, world." Windows Handled the original concept, planning and debug. Did not write scenario.
2003 Deus Machina Demonbane (斬魔大聖デモンベイン) Windows, PS2 Directed the original version, supervised. Did not write scenario.
Jōka no Monshō (浄火の紋章, Emblem of the Sacred Flame) Eerged Windows Takes place in the setting of Equilibrium, created by Kurt Wimmer.
Saya no Uta (沙耶の唄) Nitroplus Windows, Android Also director, supervisor.
2005 Togainu no Chi (咎狗の血) Nitro+chiral Windows, PS2, PSP, Android, iOS Handled direction and supervision. Did not write scenario.
Jingai Makyō (塵骸魔京) Nitroplus Windows Credited with "supervision". Did not write scenario.
2006 Kishin Hishou Demonbane (斬魔大聖デモンベイン) Windows Only wrote the lyrics of the second opening theme. Did not write scenario.
Lamento -BEYOND THE VOID- Nitro+chiral Windows Credited with "game composition assistance". Did not write scenario.
2007 Tre Donne Crudeli (続・殺戮のジャンゴ ─地獄の賞金首─, Zoku Satsuriku no Django -Jigoku no Shoukinkubi-) Nitroplus Windows Also handled planning.
2008 sweet pool Nitro+chiral Windows, PS Vita Credited as advisor. Did not write scenario.
2015 Psycho-Pass: Mandatory Happiness (サイコパス 選択なき幸福) 5pb. Xbox One, PS4, PS Vita, Windows Handled project planning and supervision.[8] Did not write scenario.

Manga

  • Vampirdzhija Vjedogonia (with Tetsuya Sakata). Serialized in Comic Dragon, 2 volumes published by Dragon Comics (Kadokawa Shoten). August 2001, February 2002. ISBN 4049261774 ISBN 4049261936
  • Ancient Misty (with Tetsuya Nakamura). Serialized in Dengeki Comic Gao!, 1 volume published by Dengeki Comics (MediaWorks). August 27, 2007. ISBN 978-4840240178

Light novels

Title Illustrator Publisher Volumes ISBN Release date
Kikokugai: The Cyber Slayer (鬼哭街) Higashiguchi Chūō Kadokawa Sneaker Bunko (1st editions)
Sai Zen Sen Fictions (Star Seas) (2nd edition)		 2
  "Violet Lightning Palm" (紫電掌)
  "Demon-Eyed Beauty" (鬼眼麗人)
Single volume (2nd edition)		 4-04-427809-1 (vol 1)
4-04-427810-5 (vol 2)
978-4-06-138955-7 (2nd edition)		 December 25, 2004 (vol 1)
February 2005 (vol 2)
December 11, 2013 (2nd edition)
Hakubō no Dendōshi [ja] (白貌の伝道師) kamiwata (1st edition)
Akira Yasuda (2nd edition)		 Nitroplus Books (1st edition)
Sai Zen Sen Fictions (Star Seas) (2nd edition)		 Single volume 4-902138-02-6 (1st edition)
4-061388-24-X (2nd edition)		 December 29, 2004 (1st edition)
March 15, 2012 (2nd edition)
Fate/Zero Takashi Takeuchi Type-Moon Books (1st edition)
Sai Zen Sen Fictions (Star Seas) (2nd edition)		 4 (1st edition)
  "The Untold Story of the Fourth Holy Grail War" (第四次聖杯戦争秘話)
  "The Mad Feast of Kings" (王たちの狂宴)
  "The Scattered Ones" (散りゆく者たち)
  "Flames of Purgatory" (煉獄の炎)
6 (2nd edition)
  vol 2 - "The Gathering of Spirits" (英霊参集)
  vol 5 - "The Quickening of Darkness" (闇の胎動)		 978-4-06-138903-8
978-4-06-138904-5
978-4-06-138906-9
978-4-06-138908-3
978-4-06-138910-6
978-4-06-138912-0
(2nd edition)		 1st edition:
  December 29, 2006
  March 31, 2007
  July 27, 2007
  December 29, 2007
2nd edition:
  January 11, 2011
  February 9, 2011
  March 10, 2011
  April 7, 2011
  May 11, 2011
  June 10, 2011
Black Lagoon (ブラック・ラグーン) Rei Hiroe Gagaga Bunko 2
  "Shaitane Badi" (シェイターネ・バーディ)
  "Ballad of the Sinful Wizard" (罪深き魔術師の哀歌)		 4-09-451079-6
4-09-451249-7		 July 18, 2008 (vol 1)
January 18, 2011 (vol 2)
Eisen Flügel (アイゼンフリューゲル) Higashiguchi Chūō Gagaga Bunko 2 978-4-09-451146-8
978-4-09-451180-2		 July 17, 2009 (vol 1)
December 18, 2009 (vol 2)
Kin no Hitomi to Tetsu no Ken (金の瞳と鉄の剣) Yun Kōga Sai Zen Sen Fictions (Star Seas) Single volume 4-06-138802-9 April 14, 2011

Anime

Series

Year Series Studio Role Episodes Scripts
2008 Blassreiter Gonzo Series composition, script 24 8 (10–12, 15–17, 22–23)
2009 Phantom: Requiem for the Phantom Bee Train Original scenario, script 26 3 (6, 18, 25)
2011 Puella Magi Madoka Magica Shaft Original creator, series composition, script 12 12
2011 Fate/Zero Ufotable Original creator, script supervision 13 —
2012 Fate/Zero (second season) Ufotable Original creator 12 —
2012 Psycho-Pass Production I.G Story concept, series composition, script 22 21 (all but episode 12)
2013 Gargantia on the Verdurous Planet Production I.G Story concept, series composition, script 13 2 (1, 13)
2014 Aldnoah.Zero A-1 Pictures
Troyca		 Original creator, script 12 3 (1–3)
2014 Psycho-Pass 2 Tatsunoko Production Planning supervision, story concept 11 —
2015 Aldnoah.Zero (second season) A-1 Pictures
Troyca		 Original creator 12 —
2015 Gunslinger Stratos: The Animation A-1 Pictures Original scenario 12 —
2015 Chaos Dragon Silver Link
Connect		 Original creator 12 —
2015 Wooser's Hand-to-Mouth Life: Phantasmagoric Arc Sanzigen Script 13 1 (13)
2016 Concrete Revolutio: The Last Song Bones Script 11 1 (20)
2019 Obsolete [ja][9] Buemon Original creator, series composition, script 12 7 (1–4, 7, 9–10)
2022 RWBY: Ice Queendom Shaft Animation concept 12 —
2023 Revenger Ajia-do Animation Works Original scenario, series composition, script 12 7 (1–6, 8)

Movies

Year Series Studio
2012 Puella Magi Madoka Magica the Movie Part 1: Beginnings Shaft
2012 Puella Magi Madoka Magica the Movie Part 2: Eternal Shaft
2013 Puella Magi Madoka Magica the Movie Part 3: Rebellion Shaft
2014 Expelled from Paradise Graphinica
2015 Psycho-Pass: The Movie Production I.G
2016 Garm Wars: The Last Druid Production I.G
2017 Godzilla: Planet of the Monsters Polygon Pictures
2018 Godzilla: City on the Edge of Battle Polygon Pictures
2018 Godzilla: The Planet Eater Polygon Pictures
2022 Bubble Wit Studio
2025 Puella Magi Madoka Magica the Movie: Walpurgisnacht: Rising Shaft

Sound dramas

  • Kikokugai: The Cyber Slayer (2004) — Script
  • Fate/Zero (2008–2013) — Original creator, script (BD boxsets bonus)

Other video games

Year Title Developer Platform(s) Notes
2012 Puella Magi Madoka Magica Portable Bandai Namco PSP Handled project planning and supervision.[10] Did not write scenario.
2012-2016 Gunslinger Stratos series Byking, Taito Arcade, Windows Only wrote original scenario.
2012 Take Off! Super Dimensional Trouble Hanafuda Epic Battle (とびたて！超時空トラぶる花札大作戦) Type-Moon PSP Only wrote the Despicable Victories Husband (卑劣必勝ハズバンド) and Elegance and Pleasure Club (優雅なる愉悦倶楽部) teams. Fate/stay night Réalta Nua downloadable bonus;[11] Urobuchi is listed under "special thanks" in the original release of the game.
2016 Fate/Grand Order Delightworks Android, iOS "Fate/Accel Zero Order" event, "Lostbelt 3: Sin" scenario writer.[12]
2025 Rusty Rabbit Nitroplus PS5, Windows Original Concept/Script[13]

Other

Series

Year Series Studio Role Episodes Scripts
2013 Kamen Rider Gaim Toei Series composition, script 47 44 (all but 30, 37, 47)
2016 Thunderbolt Fantasy (season 1) PILI Original creator, chief supervision, script 13 13
2018 Thunderbolt Fantasy (season 2) PILI Original creator, chief supervision, script 13 13
2021 Thunderbolt Fantasy (season 3) PILI Original creator, chief supervision, script 13 13

Movies

Year Series Studio Role
2014 Kamen Rider Gaim: Great Soccer Battle! Golden Fruits Cup! Toei Original creator, script supervision
2014 Garm Wars: The Last Druid Production I.G Japanese script
2017 Thunderbolt Fantasy: The Sword of Life and Death PILI Original creator, chief supervision, script
2019 Thunderbolt Fantasy: Bewitching Melody of the West PILI Original creator, chief supervision, script

Awards

Year Award Category Work Result
2011 1st Newtype Anime Awards Best Screenplay Puella Magi Madoka Magica Won
2012 11th Tokyo Anime Awards
2015 5th Newtype Anime Awards Psycho-Pass: The Movie

References

  1. ^ "[ Fate / Zero ] Volume 1".
  2. ^ "萌え系だけど過酷 アニメ「まどか☆マギカ」の型破り 制作者が語るヒットの秘密" (in Japanese). The Nikkei. August 11, 2011. Retrieved April 30, 2017.
  3. ^ 金の瞳と鉄の剣 (in Japanese). April 4, 2011.
  4. ^ Urobuchi, Gen (May 24, 2010). "続編の構想もあった――Xbox 360版『ファントム』虚淵玄さんインタビュー" (Interview) (in Japanese). Japan: Dengeki Online. Retrieved April 30, 2017.
  5. ^ サイバーエージェントグループ参画のお知らせ [Announcement of Participation in CyberAgent Group]. Nitroplus (in Japanese). June 26, 2024. Retrieved June 26, 2024.
  6. ^ Ransom, Ko (January 29, 2012). "Report: Kazuo Koike and Gen Urobuchi Chat". Anime News Network. Retrieved May 5, 2012.
  7. ^ Sevakis, Justin (July 27, 2012). "Gen Urobuchi Focus panel". Anime News Network. Retrieved May 8, 2014.
  8. ^ "Psycho-Pass Anime Gets Xbox One Game by 5pb". Anime News Network. Anime News Network. May 27, 2014. Retrieved August 19, 2016.
  9. ^ "Gen Urobuchi Writes Robotic Mecha 3D CG Anime 'OBSOLETE'". Anime News Network. Anime News Network. September 24, 2019. Retrieved November 24, 2019.
  10. ^ "Madoka Magica Gets PSP Game with Gen Urobuchi". Anime News Network. Anime News Network. August 9, 2011. Retrieved March 27, 2012.
  11. ^ "Three New Teams Revealed for "Fate/Zero" Hanafuda Epic Battle".
  12. ^ "第2部 第3章「Lostbelt No.3 人智統合真国 シン 紅の月下美人」開幕！".
  13. ^ Cryer, Hirun (November 27, 2023). "One tweet about a mecha Sylvanian Family doll inspired an acclaimed anime writer to make a Metroidvania starring a 'sh**ty father' rabbit". GamesRadar+. Retrieved August 6, 2024.