Portraits of Champions

With the Gamefound campaign for Champions of Rokugan live, Monolith have been revealing more and more of the art and miniatures from the game. We thought it would be a great time to look at some of this amazing art, with commentary on how it came to be from some of those who worked on the game, and who know Legend of the Five Rings best.

Fabled Champions

“Monolith has done an incredible job creating new depictions of beloved characters – both named heroes, as well as adversaries,” says Andy Christensen, Visual Director for Franchise Development on L5R. “One example, featured front and center on the cover of the box, is Shiba Tsukune. Illustrated by artist Mauro Dal Bo, she stands determined and defiant, fully suited in glorious Phoenix armor in the heat of battle – literally, with Phoenix elementalists casting firestorms at her flank. We’ve never seen her represented visually like this before, and she stands as a powerfully iconic symbol of so much that is Legend of the Five Rings.”

Art in 3D

Alongside new illustrations of these iconic characters, Champions of Rokugan brings many of them to life in miniature for the first time. “It was an absolute joy seeing Monolith’s expert sculptors bringing both new and classic L5R artwork to life in 3D,” says Andy. “One favorite example of mine would be Asahina Takako. Based on the original artwork by Anna Christenson, it depicts the Crane shindōshi among the wind and waves, robes and hair stirred by her elemental magic, wonderfully dynamic from all sides.”

“Akuma no Oni is another – and stunningly terrifying – example”, says Andy. “Monolith has taken the dark, expressionistic illustration by Calvin Chua of this most iconic oni lord from the Shadowlands and created an imposing sculpture that will loom over the heroes on the gaming table with terrifying presence and detail.”

Classic Inspiration

While the art and miniatures are modern takes, one key element in the design for Champions of Rokugan was a determination to stay true to many of L5R’s original inspirations, according to Justin Walsh, Creative Concept Consultant on the project. Justin worked previously as an Art Director on the CCG with AEG, and won the L5R tournament at Gen Con in 2000.

“For Champions of Rokugan, we looked toward cultural touchstones, in particular the samurai films of Kurosawa Akira, which greatly influenced L5R from the beginning, and toward films made in the West, that are set in East Asian countries, and which enjoyed great success there.”

“In re-imagining these beloved characters from the 90s, we returned to their original inspirations. Toku has much in common with Kikuchiyo from Seven Samurai, for example, though we chose to emphasize a youthful playfulness over the heroic bravery he later grows into. By looking toward how peoples view themselves, and now with better information and tools, we can try to create games and experiences that bring joy, and repair the shortcomings of the past.”

Inhabitants of Rokugan

Notably, it isn’t only the Great Clans or the hordes of the Shadowlands brought to life in Champions of Rokugan. A number of other inhabitants of Rokugan – some of whom have mostly been lurking in the shadows of late – figure prominently.

“It’s been especially exciting to see some notable characters of the non-human species of Rokugan re-emerge in Champions of Rokugan,” says Andy. “It’s been a long while since we’ve spotted the red-eyed, black-furred Tchickchuk in Rokugan. He’s back and powerfully reimagined in new art by Mauro Dal Bo, standing tall – well, as tall as possible for a Nezumi – and determined to lead the Tattered Ear Tribe with strength and cunning.”

Like the Nezumi, the Naga have slithered in and out of Legend of the Five Rings over recent years. Champions of Rokugan sees the return of several legendary Naga heroes. “I especially love the new depiction of the Isha, coiled around a twisted tree trunk in concealed attack,” says Andy. “The sculpt creates a stunning composition from all angles, emphasizing the Isha’s precision focus on the target of his arrow.”

Another non-human favorite of Andy’s is P’an Ku, the mad dragon. “Both the artwork by Johann Bodin and the tremendous 3D sculpt portray the writhing madness and corruption that befell P’an Ku,” he says. “Even its spiraling body seems to defy gravity, overall feeling like a perfect expression of a mind in chaotic turmoil, trapped within itself – and the Void, in his case – poised to violently lash out at everything around it.”

Worthy of Champions

The exceptional design doesn’t stop there. The evocative artwork and beautifully crafted miniatures are further complemented on the gaming table by incredible environments depicted in the board art. Artist Alexia Cadou has crafted the boards with extraordinary detail,” says Andy. “They feel thoroughly lived-in and believable, and rendered with a painterly style that emphasizes the impression of magic coursing throughout the world of Rokugan.”

All of these elements come together to make Champions of Rokugan one of the most complete and immersive L5R experiences ever, allowing players to take part in adventures throughout Rokugan, and into the twisted realm of the Shadowlands beyond.

The campaign runs until July 2 and you can pledge on Gamefound right now.