BASCH, A STUDY IN FASHION DISASTER When Yoshitaka Amano wants to add detail--
he layers watercolors to create an infinite amount of texture and vibrancy.
When Akihiko Yoshida wants to add detail--
he uses geometric and organic designs embedded in subtle color shifts that are both elegant and deep.
When Tetsuya Nomura wants to add detail--
HE DRINKS PAINT AND DECIDES TO GIVE THEM MORE BELTS.
... the moral of the story, is.
What happened here, class? Akihiko Yoshida's style-- as reflected by both Vagrant
Story and Final Fantasy Tactics-- tends to deal in subtle patterns, influences of
medieval fantasy, a love of unusual keyholes, and a significant lack of PANTS.
Regurgitating a paint palette à la Nomura is certainly a different artistic approach.
Though, to be fair, Akihiko Yoshida has addressed the question of Nomura reflection on
his designs; namely, that the color tendencies are brighter to tie in Final Fantasy XII to
the previous installments. But regardless of whether pink is new and strange territory for
him, we'd like a report on our desk Monday morning about the defensive capabilities of
leather thongs.
However, amidst some of the scandalously gorgeous designs of Final Fantasy XII, one
cannot help but wonder if Basch's unfortunate life circumstances are curiously reflected
in his wardrobe. Ingenious use of storytelling, critics rave.
... and at least Basch's designs never translated into Prince Larsa's green
bootstockings and his best red high-heeled Sunday pumps.
CASE STUDY #1: GENERAL BASCH
We are first presented to General Basch of the Dalmascan army. In such
circumstances, we feel obliged to be just and make note that duty comes with a
required uniform. Regardless, outfitting a moving target in neon orange battleshorts is
criminal. Unless they happen to be assless.
To that, we are still trying to reconcile.
Please observe that a HAPPYFACE EMOTICON does not necessarily reflect a person's
mood. Because, current mood: :(
However, one needs to be content with the apparel status of general, as it could be
worse. For example, you could be a soldier fighting
under General Basch; in which
case, you get a MILITARY ISSUED LEATHER SPORTSBRA. This is Vaan's brother
being totally comfortable with his sexuality:
CASE STUDY #2: BASCH AS YOUR LORD AND SAVIOR
Once again, fairness must take stand as the captive Basch can be held little
responsible for his emulation of Jesus wear. We hear that caged bondage play is
particularly fashionable in the streets of Archadia this time of year.
... at least he's wearing pants!
CASE STUDY #3: THONG OF +7 PRISON ESCAPE
After our intrepid heroes liberate Basch from confinement, there is little in the way of
clothestuffs in the creepy zombified undercities. Fortunately, after a brief stint in
shirtless fisticuffs, Basch comes upon deceased soldierwear and takes up the cause of
wearing pants with a great deal of enthusiasm. However, we immediately are faced with
the emphasis that Archadian soldiers place upon the protection of their sensitive bits.
Vaan wonders if Basch is naturally gifted, or just happy to see him.
OH AKIHIKO YOSHIDA YOU CRAZY DUDE. Once again, our character designer
sneaks in the battle wedgies he loves so much-- he must've been just
waiting for video
game innovations in the field of graphics to get
this good, for this one moment. The
following pictures are something that poor camerawork will never be able to fully
capture.
CASE STUDY #4: THE LIBERATION FRONT DRESSPHERE
This is the outfit that one sees Basch regularly sport in promotional material and the
variety of official art that is available to the public. When presented in gloriously
rendered CG stills, it looks pretty damn neat; it is also not all that eyesearing from a bit
away. For the record of kicking ass, two (2):
Ah ha! you cry, there's Akihiko Yoshida doing that manly sexy keyhole everywhere thing
he likes so much! And then as your eyes fixate upon that curve of exposed skin, you
notice--? Sadly, we cannot explain; we can only document for the sake of posterity.
I DON'T KNOW. I JUST DON'T KNOW. IT'S LIKE HIS MOM'S POT HOLDER WENT
AND DIED ON HIS CHEST.CASE STUDY #5: THIS SMELLS LIKE MY BROTHER
Basch seems to pick up dead Archadian soldierwear like it's going out of business-- I
hope he washed Gabranth's sticky bits out first! Boys tend to get excited when they
play at war.
This concludes our tour.
![Hemog[L0] Avatar](http://i90.photobucket.com/albums/k274/Aetheryn/NahmanFail_zpsc8353a7e.png)
