Interview: Ubisoft’s Watch Dogs Comes to Tokyo!
Interview by Troy-Jeffrey Allen
Originally released by Japanese publisher Shinchosha and adapted for the U.S. by TokyoPop, Watch Dogs Tokyo promises the same anti-authoritarian thrills that made the Ubisoft franchise so unique.
PREVIEWSworld talked with writer Seiichi Shirato to find out more.
So, what is Watch Dogs: Tokyo?
This Tokyo story arc takes place between Watch Dogs 2 and 3.
The members of DedSec Tokyo, including SSB, have some sort of collaborative relationship with the San Francisco branch, but they’re each doing their own thing.
How did you get involved with this franchise?
Ubisoft approached [Japanese publisher] Shinchosha with a proposal to make a manga for Watch Dogs. I’m a fan of the series, so I asked to create a Watch Dogs story set in Tokyo.
Watch Dogs is a global story, but what makes this installment uniquely Japanese?
I believe that the mass surveillance state shown in Watch Dogs is becoming a reality here in Japan. I came up with this story because I thought it would be interesting for a group like DedSec to be actively working against the surveillance state in Tokyo.
How has it been working with artist Shuuhei Kamo?
It’s been great working with them. They have an amazing way of illustrating action sequences that really draws you in, and the character designs for SSB and Goda are really compelling.
Will fans of the games get any easter eggs?
There are some, here and there. For example, I named the fixer Yamanoi, who first appeared in volume 2, after Jin Yamanoi, who did the Japanese voice for Jordi Chin.
Looking forward, what can readers expect from Watch Dogs: Tokyo?
I’m honored to have the chance to be a part of the Watch Dogs franchise. If the readers like what they see, I’d love to come up with more adventures for Goda, SSB, and the rest of DedSec Tokyo.
Watch Dogs: Tokyo is available now at your local comic shop.
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Troy-Jeffrey Allen is the producer and co-host of PREVIEWSworld Weekly. His comics work includes MF DOOM: All Caps, Public Enemy’s Apocalypse ’91, Fight of the Century, the Harvey Award-nominated District Comics, and the Ringo Awards-nominated Magic Bullet.
