Throwback Thursday: Miki Wallenberg

Moving forward to wrap up 2021 and maybe a little bit into the start of 2022. I'd like to do these fun little throwback Thursday posts for anyone who has joined the Patreon more recently. Think of it as a bit of a behind the scenes and learning more about your favorite characters!

When we first started up the project back in late 2019, we didn't have the assets anywhere near where they are today. We can see this with the main image preview above, seeing the transformation that Miki underwent from the very first time we saw her in early versions of the game and how she looks today.

Fun fact #1: Did you know? Originally all students at the academy were going to have their own uniform? Mainly their bow tie and skirt colors would've been different, but maybe if we went down this route in development. We would've maybe saw more unique subtle differences, like having Miki wear a cutesy carrying bag around her skirt.

Looking at the 2nd image preview, we can see our very first sketch preview of how Miki would look in 2d. (Looks like she's a tiny bit grumpy! :P )

Fun fact #2: Did you know? Originally Miki's eye design would've gave off a completely different impression of her character? If you look at the 3rd image preview we can see that her eye's had a bit of a different look compared to what they look like today. While it does show her in a more angry expression in the example, if seen for her more happy expressions, it would've maybe gave off a more serious tone to her.


[Design concept]

The concept for Miki since the very start had the intentions of her having autism, but I knew even then that I'd have to be careful with how I approach this concept. I know autism affects those with it differently, so I knew trying to appeal her to everyone would be impossible. Not many know this little fact, but one of my best friends has autism and much of how Miki acts is pulled from little things that my friend would do over the years.

It's hard to really describe her in one word or two, but I'd say... Mentality draining. ^^" Not her fault, but I'm more of a introverted person and so after being out or around others for too long. I just have to retreat and have alone time to recover, but a few things between my friend and Miki.

My friend is very much energetic and would often come off as clumsy, finding new ways to hurt herself by accident. When it comes to talking, she's the type to go on and on about something, sort of lacks the awareness in that aspect and very easily jumps from random topic to topic. There's been sort of secondhand embarrassing moments with how unaware of how loud she's talking about stuff too. Pretty much Miki's autism traits and personality is based on my best friend.

With the exception of how the two look and there's still some differences in personality between the two, but my friend is aware of Miki being loosely based on her and if anything she's happy and hoped it'd help shed more light on autism in general even if it won't line up exactly with everyone else with it or those who know someone, etc.

Anyways, Miki has evolved over the course of the early concept ideas for her in other ways. When thinking and putting myself in her shoes, I figured she'd be more playful, random and finding herself getting in trouble at times from her fun ideas.

This would evolve into her love to play board games, but more so making up her own games even if they're confusing or based on existing games. Generally when she's roaming around the academy on her own or with others, you can bet she's causing trouble for others around her unintentionally. :P

One interesting fact with the evolving character of Miki is the magical girl stuff. It wasn't originally something planned for her character at all, but it felt like something random enough to touch on with her at times. I believe it started out as a little random joke and part of her made up games, but it would pop up at times that were fitting. One thing I want to make sure of though is that it isn't the spotlight quality about Miki, as we'll see more random fun moments in the future from her that don't link to her dress up.

Overall... It's been a blast to write for Miki's moments throughout the project and I can't wait for everyone to see how her personal route story unfolds!