The World Ends With You is serious about Shibuya
by Chris Greenhough 
{ Mar 17th 2008 at 4:00PM }
We've always known that The World Ends With You is steeped in Shibuya youth culture, but we weren't aware that the game actually includes real-life landmarks from the reputably trendy Tokyo ward.However, thanks to Siliconera's Spencer Yip, we now know that the statue to the right is a famous tribute (situated outside Shibuya station) to a real-life dog known as "Hachiko," and that it appears in Square Enix's ARPG -- here, to be precise. Yip also reveals that Shibuya's "Scramble Crossing" has made it in to the game, as well as popular department store "109" (both here -- though 109 is known as "104" in the game).
All of which was news to us, primarily because we're paid far too little to fly to Tokyo. The World Ends With You is far from the first game to feature real-life landmarks (in terms of games on Nintendo systems, Pilotwings 64 had Mount Rushmore, Illusion of Gaia features the Great Wall of China and Angkor Wat, amongst others, Super Dodgeball Brawlers has the Eiffel Tower, and feel free to name more in the comments) but it's still pretty interesting reading up on references that would have otherwise eluded us.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
ssuk @ Mar 17th 2008 4:21PM
Congratulations. IGN has had images of these buildings up since Japanese launch.
Reeve @ Mar 17th 2008 4:33PM
The main thing I took away from this comparison is that the game isn't being "Americanized" and the Shibuya setting is being kept intact; note that the comparison screenshots used are recent ones from the English-language version. Definitely a good sign, IMO.
RachelKat @ Mar 17th 2008 6:04PM
Any folks who wants to familiarize themselves with Shibuya and Tokyo teen lifestyle while waiting for the game should check out the live-action TV series Sh15uya (a/k/a Shibuya 15) and Ikebukuro West Gate Park. Check out d-addicts.com or jdorama.com for details.
Ikebukuro, by the way, has an owl statue outside the JR station that functions as a meeting/hangout place much like the Hachiko statue.
Jenni @ Mar 18th 2008 12:50AM
You seriously didn't know?
The inclusion of Hachiko was one of the most remarked upon parts of the game, especially since one mission in the game specifically remarks on the statue and its significance as a meeting place for people in Shibuya. Its been remarked upon at the Gamefaqs forum for the game and other websites and previews discussing it.