The newest issue of the renowned UK gaming magazine EDGE has hit the stands, and in Issue 407, readers will discover an exclusive interview with the talented Star Fox artist Takaya Imamura. In this insightful conversation, Imamura shares intriguing details about the character design process, particularly the choice of animals that embody the game's iconic heroes. Surprisingly, the original concept didn't feature animals at all; it was initially aimed at a more conventional sci-fi atmosphere akin to the beloved F-Zero. Here's what Imamura had to say about these memorable characters:
“Fox McCloud reflects Miyamoto’s essence, while Peppy Hare takes after director Katsuya Eguchi. Falco Lombardi? He was based on graphics team member Tsuyoshi Watanabe, whose prominent nose gave Imamura the idea for a bird. And Slippy Toad came from assistant director Yoichi Yamada, who happened to be a frog fan.” – Takaya Imamura, EDGE magazine Issue 407