Project Itoh, 1974-2009

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Marc
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Project Itoh, 1974-2009

Post by Marc »

I have some very sad news to pass on. Some of you will be familiar with Itoh Keikaku, better known as Project Itoh, a web designer and author (the MGS4 novel among his works) who was also a fan and friend of Kojima. Kojima once said that Itoh understood him and what he tries to do with his games better than anyone else.

Well, and I'm sorry I only heard about this now, but Itoh passed away on March 20th at age 34 after a long battle with cancer.

After we made the progress announcement in February 2007, Itoh sent us an email saying, among other things, that he "just [couldn't] wait" to play the translation. Check out his Twitter page to see what a big fan of the game he was. I'm terribly sorry he didn't that chance. I will be thinking about him in the work that remains.

I did, however, get a chance to send him the translation I did of his essay on Policenauts that we are planning on posting, along with other translations, on the website down the road. And what an insightful work it is. As he usually did, he discusses aspects to the setting, story, and characters that never even occurred to me.

We stay in touched through email every now and then, and he was a one of a kind. He insisted on writing me in English for the practice each time. He said for him to be lazy and write me in Japanese was the Devil whispering in his ear.

Here are the two podcasts that were posted in remembrance.

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87th
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Favorite Game: MetalGear 2: Solid Snake
Kojima games owned: METALGEAR SERIES
MetalGear (MSX2) [European]
MetalGear (NES) [European]
MetalGear (Famicom) [Japanese]
MetalGear 2: Solid Snake (MSX2) [Japanese]
Snake's Revenge (NES) [European]
MetalGear Solid (PlayStation) [European]
MetalGear Solid: Premium Pack (PlayStation) [European]
MetalGear Solid: Integral (PlayStation) [Japanese]
MetalGear: Ghost Babel (Gameboy Color) [European]
MetalGear: Ghost Babel (Gameboy Color) [European]
MetalGear Solid 2: Sons Of Liberty (PlayStation 2) [European]
MetalGear Solid 2: Substance (PlayStation 2) [Japanese]
MetalGear Solid 2: Substance + The Document of MGS2 (PlayStation 2) [European]
MetalGear Solid 2: Substance (Xbox) [European]
MetalGear Solid 2: Substance (PC) [European]
MetalGear AC!D (PSP) [European]
MetalGear Solid 3: Snake Eater (PlayStation 2) [European]
MetalGear Solid 3: Snake Eater - Premium Pack (PlayStation 2) [Japanese]
MetalGear AC!D2 (PSP) [European]
MetalGear Solid 3: Subsistence - 1st Edition (PlayStation 2) [Japanese]
MetalGear Solid 3: Subsistence - Promo copy (PlayStation 2) [European]
MetalGear Solid 3: Subsistence - 1st Edition (PlayStation 2) [European]
MetalGear Solid: Digital Graphic Novel (PSP) [European]
MetalGear Solid: Portable Ops (PSP) [American]
MetalGear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots - Limited Edition (+ Bonus Disc, Soundtrack and 6" Old Snake Action Figure) [European]

SNATCHER SERIES
Snatcher (Mega CD) [European]
Snatcher (Saturn) [Japanese]

POLICENAUTS SERIES
Policenauts Pilot Disk (3DO) [Japanese]
Policenauts (3DO) [Japanese]
Policenauts (PlayStation) [Japanese]
Policenauts (Saturn) [Japanese]
Policenauts (Saturn) [Japanese]

ZONE OF THE ENDERS SERIES
Zone Of the Enders (PlayStation 2) [European]
Zone Of the Enders: The Second Runner - Special Edition (PlayStation 2) [European]

BOKTAI SERIES
boktai: The Sun Is In Your Hand! (Gameboy Advance) [European]
boktai 2: Solar Boy Django (Gameboy Advance) [European]

OTHER SERIES
Penguin Adventure (MSX) [European]
Kabushiki Baibai Trainer Kabutore (DS) [Japanese]

KOJIMA-RELATED GAMES
Konami Krazy Racers (Gameboy Advance) [European]
Super Smash Bros. Brawl (Wii) [American]
PSN: eighty7th
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Re: Project Itoh, 1974-2009

Post by 87th »

I remember some of the fantastic fanart Itoh drew for MetalGear.net, years ago. I was really impressed by his talent, and he was one of the main reasons I visited the site. I became something of a fan of his, and always remembered his artwork fondly whenever I saw his name mentioned on the internet.

I had no idea he was suffering, so I'm deeply saddened to hear of his passing. My condolences are with those who knew and loved him.
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Henry Spencer
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Favorite Game: Shenmue I, MGS, Snatcher, Zelda: Ocarina Of Time.
Kojima games owned: Metal Gear (NES)
Metal Gear: Ghost Babel (GB)
Metal Gear Solid (PSX)
Metal Gear Solid 2: Substance (PS2)
Metal Gear Solid 3: Subsistence (PS2)
Policenauts (Saturn/PSX/3DO)
Snatcher (PC Engine/Mega CD)
Zone Of The Enders (PS2)
Zone Of The Enders 2: Special Edition (PS2)
Super Smash Bros. Brawl; it counts, right? ;P
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Re: Project Itoh, 1974-2009

Post by Henry Spencer »

Aw man, how sad. I didn't even know Itoh had cancer. He really was one of a kind, I still remember his artwork being the stuff of legend back in the day. He was only 34 as well, life really is too short. He sounded like a nice guy as well. My condolences to those that cared for him and that he cared for in return.

“As a well spent day brings happy sleep, so a life well spent brings happy death.”
Leonardo da Vinci

I hope Itoh at least had a peaceful death. :(
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Hacker Alias
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Favorite Game: Super Metroid
Kojima games owned: Zone of the Enders
Metal Gear Solid
Metal Gear Solid Integral
Metal Gear Solid 2 Sons of Liberty
Metal Gear Solid 2 Substance
Metal Gear Solid 3 Subsistence (including disc 2 which has Metal Gear and Metal Gear 2)
Snatcher

Re: Project Itoh, 1974-2009

Post by Hacker Alias »

So....not to be morbid or anything but....the Policenauts translation was his last project? That's a hell of a legacy to leave you guys with. I'm saddened to hear that he died, his work was always incredible.
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Jack
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Re: Project Itoh, 1974-2009

Post by Jack »

Rest in peace, Itoh-san. :(
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Newtype
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Re: Project Itoh, 1974-2009

Post by Newtype »

It's so sad. Only 34 years old... Rest in peace, Mr. Itoh.
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nickdaring
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Re: Project Itoh, 1974-2009

Post by nickdaring »

I just found this post and was wondering if the translation of Itoh's Policenauts essay mentioned in the first post got posted somewhere. I'd love to read it and better understand some of his ideas on the game.

Nick
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