Hideki Kawabata's Renders, Part 2 - Shenmue I Characters Deep Dive

In this continuation of our review of the renders by AM2 developer Hideki Kawabata (if you haven't yet read the introductory post, go here for the overview), we will look at several Shenmue I characters that are of particular interest - as well as some early unused characters.

Former Student of the Yūki Dojo: Masayuki Fukuhara

Fuku-san's character render sheet contains a table of information relating to the model which is similar to the one found on the other characters in the collection. This includes key information such as:

• Character Name:  Fuku-san / Masayuki Fukuhara
• Filename: FUK_M
• Skeleton type for the model: OHS
• Polygon count: 1200
• Fingers sway: Completed - this may refer to a checklist task to ensure finger movement animations are provided for the character
• Swaying objects: Belt - items that require special information, in this case the belt on his gi
• Submission date: 27th October 1998 - approximately one year before the Japan release

Render dated 27th October 1998

Interestingly, we can see written on Fuku-san's gi in the above image the dojo name of "Yūki" (結城), suggesting that even at this somewhat late point in the development process, the renaming of the protagonist from Akira Yūki to Ryo Hazuki had not yet occurred.

Also included in the set of renders is one showing Fuku-san in casual clothes - complete with "Fuk-san" embroidered on the breast of his jacket! The model information specifies that the "skirt" (hem) of his jacket is something that should sway as he moves.

Render dated 20th May 1999

The above image of Fuku-san is the one that was revealed at a live-stream event promoting the release of Shenmue I & II at the Tokyo Game Show in September 2018. The news that Fuku-san had originally been planned as the Mad Angels kidnapping victim came as quite a surprise at the time, followed by an amusing comment from a member of the development team: "When Yu-san saw it, he said, 'No one would want to save this guy!'"

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Poll Result: Patrons' Choice Topic for August 2025

Every month Phantom River Stone holds a poll among our patrons to choose a topic for the blog in the coming month. After tallying the votes (including any accumulated from previous months), the winning topic this time is:

Sacred Spot Guide Map - Shenmue The Animation (English Version)

The superb Shenmue Sacred Spot Guide Map is a multi-page tourist pamphlet highlighting locations of interest to Shenmue fans around Yokosuka, created through a collaborative effort between Yokosuka City and SEGA.

The guide map was first released at the end of 2017, impressing fans with its high quality and thoughtful detail.

Original version (Japanese)

An updated version of the map followed in 2018 at the Tokyo Game Show, featuring a new cover and other small changes to commemorate the release of Shenmue I & II.

Shenmue I & II version (Japanese)

The updates didn't stop there - another revision was released in June 2022, themed around the new anime that had premiered earlier that year: Shenmue The Animation.

Shenmue The Animation version (Japanese)

Not only that, but versions were produced in both Japanese and English, catering to a wide range of tourists and fans visiting the area.

The most recent version is the Shenmue The Animation English version, printed some time after the Japanese edition and its existence is perhaps not as widely known.

In this post, we'll summarize the differences between the three versions - along with download links - so you can find them all in one handy place.

Coming soon to the blog!

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An Archive Unearthed: Hideki Kawabata's 3D Renders

Earlier in the year, a discovery was made of a stash of online Shenmue content: an archive containing over 120 3D rendered images from the development of the first two Shenmue games. These images were posted on a personal webpage belonging to one of the 3D Character Main Designers for the original titles.

Some of the many newly-found renders

The webpage was first archived by the Wayback Machine in February 2022, which suggests that access may have changed - perhaps unintentionally - from private to public around that time.

How the Website Was Discovered

This year, a large collection of original Shenmue development artworks and design documents was acquired at auction by a small group of dedicated fans. These materials were generously made available to the wider community. While reviewing the contents, one name appeared repeatedly: Hideki Kawabata. Further investigation into his background led to the discovery of a historical page on his personal website - and it is here that an entirely separate treasure trove of 3D character and promotional renders from the Shenmue development era was found.

This series of posts will focus specifically on these images, as posted on Kawabata’s website, rather than the extensive auction-sourced materials housed on the Shenmue Dojo which will be a separate future topic.

The collection on Kawabata's page includes a wide range of 3D renders featuring main characters, NPCs, and a small number of locations. While many of these designs appear in the first two released games, others do not. This hints that some may have been cut during development, or potentially, they may even provide glimpses of content planned for Shenmue IV and beyond.

In this blog post, we will give an overview of what the collection contains, and subsequent posts will take a closer look at some of its most interesting and surprising items.

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Weekly AM2 Volume 14 - Shenmue Theme Ringtone #3 | 14th March 2000

Vol. 14: 14th March 2000

Hello, Takuan here!

Last week, the main image on the Shenmue.com homepage was changed to one featuring Ryo and Guizhang.

When I checked the BBS, I was surprised at the response we had!

Please keep sending in your thoughts and feedback via email or on the BBS.

I’ll keep doing my best, so thank you for your continued support!

This week's contents:

• New Content Coming to Shenmue Passport
• Daytona USA 2 featured on B'z's new album! [not translated]
• White Day Special: Wallpaper Download
• Just Two Days Until Hazuki Ishigaki's Internet Show Appearance!
• Last Chance to Enter! Win Tickets to See Hazuki Ishigaki on Anime Donburi
• Call for Shenmue Illustrations and 4-Panel Comics!
• Ringtone #3: Continent and Sea

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Poll Result: Patrons' Choice Topic for July 2025

Every month Phantom River Stone holds a poll among our patrons to choose a topic for the blog in the coming month. After tallying the votes (including accumulated votes from previous months), the winning topic that has been voted this time is:

Famitsu.com article: 25th Anniversary Shenmue Reunion with Key Former Developers

To celebrate the 25th anniversary of Shenmue's release on the Dreamcast in Japan, Famitsu.com invited several former project members to reminisce over dinner about their experience of working to create the masterpiece that is Shenmue and reflect on the game's legacy.

Left to right: Takeshi Hirai, Eigo Kasahara, Makoto Wada, Keiji Okayasu, Kenji Miyawaki, Takashi Matsuda, Toshiyuki Kurooka

The participants consisted of key members from the original Shenmue development team:

• Eigo Kasahara, who served as Planning Director for Shenmue I and II, and also worked on the Shenmue Passport and the PS4 remaster.
• Makoto Wada, a programmer on Shenmue I and lead programmer on II.
• Takeshi Hirai, the main system programmer on Shenmue I.
• Keiji Okayasu, the Assistant Director on Shenmue I, II, and III.
• Toshiyuki Kurooka, a programmer on Shenmue I, who focused on events around the Hazuki residence & the basement. 
• Takashi Matsuda, a CG designer on Shenmue I and II who created many of the game's NPCs. 
• Kenji Miyawaki, a graphic designer responsible for character designs and UI across the series.

The discussion is full of fun stories and inside jokes, while at the same time revealing just how intense the work environment was at the time, and the immense dedication shown by the development team to bringing the games to life. Not to mention the startling revelation that a PS2 port of Shenmue I was developed internally but never released...

"I didn't go home for two months." - one of the dinner participants.

"This isn't that kind of game!" - Yu Suzuki, upon discovering that the developers had implemented boob jiggle physics.

"We created Yokosuka from scratch in just one year - after the game's announcement (at the Shenmue Premiere)" - Takeshi Hirai.

Coming soon to the blog!

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Shenmue Content Discovered in Dreamcast Email Software "DreamFlyer"

After all these years, it's only now - through a news item in our recent translation of Weekly AM2 Vol. 13 - that I've learned Shenmue's graphical content was available for Dreamcast owners to use back in the day, inside a software program called DreamFlyer.

What Is DreamFlyer?

DreamFlyer is a software program that was designed to allow for easy sending of multimedia emails between Dreamcast users who had an internet connection. 

The cover of DreamFlyer for the Dreamcast

Here's how it was described in a press release at the time (November 1999). As noted, it was also possible to send the emails to users of PCs and Macs with the use of viewer software:

"DreamFlyer allows users to send stylish, graphical emails simply by selecting one of over 150 card designs, entering text, and adding an email address.

The software also includes over 1,000 different stamps with phrases like "Perfect!" and "Looking good!", making it easy to express your feelings even without writing a full message. Animated stamps are also available, and you can even create your own custom stamps.

Additionally, DreamFlyer features a "UkeMelo" editor that lets you create original sound effects to attach to your emails. When the recipient opens your email, they'll hear the custom sound you’ve designed.

Even if the recipient doesn't have DreamFlyer, they can still receive emails using Dream Passport 2. Plus, Windows and Mac users can download a viewer program to display DreamFlyer's visual emails, making it accessible across platforms.

DreamFlyer will be available for 2,800 yen".

 

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Weekly AM2 Volume 13 [7th March 2000] - DreamFlyer Announcement

Vol. 13: 7th March 2000

Hello! Recently, I started my second playthrough of Shenmue, and I've been spending most of my time practicing the Elbow Assault move.

I'm actually about to reach the advanced level.

My Ryo's days are filled with endless Elbow Assault practice - and plenty of time spent turning the dial on capsule toy machines. Elbow Assault, capsule toys, Elbow Assault, capsule toys...

I'm sure he'll end up both strong and with a massive collection of capsule toys!

Okay then, let's get started!

This week's contents:

• Shenmue Director Mr. Okayasu's TV Appearance Information
• Chance to Win Tickets to Watch the TBS Radio Show Anime Donburi Recording [not translated]
• DreamFlyer Download Announcement
• Hazuki-chan's Internet Show Appearance Information!
• Virtua Fighter National Tournament Announcement [not translated]
• Special Interview to Celebrate the Release of Virtua Cop 2 for Dreamcast [not translated]

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Poll Result: Patrons' Choice Topic for June 2025

Every month Phantom River Stone holds a poll among our patrons to choose a topic for the blog in the coming month. After tallying the votes (including accumulated votes from previous months), the winning topic that has been voted this time is:

What's on the Menu in Dobuita: Yamaji Soba Noodles restaurant

Dobuita's many restaurants have been crafted in realistic detail, offering a variety of different cuisine and dishes, despite not being critical to the game's story. We have previously examined the many dishes available at Manpukuken Ramen, and this time will be visiting Yamaji Soba Noodles.

With its calm, traditional interior, Yamaji Soba Noodles provides the perfect place to workers in the district to stop in for a quick lunch or a meal before returning home.

Susumu Aketagawa preparing fresh soba noodles

What particular dishes do they serve here? We'll be checking out what's on offer.

Coming soon to the blog!

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