The following section of artwork and renders presents an alternative early version of what would eventually become Ryo’s slight love interest in Shenmue 1. Nozomi Harasaki, a fan favorite in the Shenmue community, has actually been altered on multiple occasions. PhantomRiverStone.com shared insight into how the model of Izumi (from Shenmue 2‘s Tomato Convenience Store and Duck Racing fame) was one of the planned models to be used for Nozomi.
You can read more about this here:
https://www.phantomriverstone.com/2020/05/izumi-takano-was-once-considered-for.html
Below, you can see the profile of the original Nozomi Harasaki and what was originally planned as her model. The 3D renders, in particular, are interesting, as it is not certain that they represent the same character. However, the consistency in dress and facial features leads us to believe that these are part of the evolution of Nozomi’s design.
Nozomi Harasaki – Character Order Sheet
Description:
VF・RPG Character Order Sheet
Request Date: February 25, 1999
Originator: 脇野 (Wakino)
Supervisor: 田中 (Tanaka)
Creator: [Blank]
Chapter 1: Yokosuka
Character Name: Nozomi Harasaki (原崎望)
No. 01-239
<Order Details>
• Name: Nozomi Harasaki
• Gender: Female
• Age: 18 years old
• Height: 164 cm
• Weight: 47 kg
• Blood Type: AB
• Appearance Location: Residential area
• Nationality: Japanese
• Hometown: Yokosuka
• Auto or FREE: [Blank]
• Clothing: [Blank]
• Role: [Blank]
• Main Behavior: [Blank]
• Bone Structure: SYP
<Personality> (Based on face, expression, and speech patterns)
• In general, appears to be a responsible person.
• On the surface, she pretends not to worry about Ryo, but deep down, she cares about him.
<Other>
• She has known Ryo since their middle school days.
<Notes>
• [Blank]
• Model Name: NZM
Nozomi Harasaki – Character Illustration
A full-body character illustration of Nozomi Harasaki. She is depicted wearing a red coat with a white inner lining, a black turtleneck sweater, a black skirt, and brown ankle boots. Her short black hair is neatly styled, and she has a gentle, friendly expression. The character’s posture is relaxed, with one hand slightly extended outward.
Text:
No. 01-239
原崎望 (Nozomi Harasaki)
基本的にはしんけん者 (Basically a serious person)
涼に口癖で注意するが、本当は涼のことを気にしてる
(She often scolds Ryo out of habit, but in reality, she cares about him).
- NOTE: Fans might remember seeing this character design in early footage of the game. This version of Nozomi was actually present during the What’s Shenmue VHS footage that was released in 1998 prior to Shenmue 1’s launch of the SEGA Dreamcast! You can see this breifly in action in the clip below and also on BlueMue’s subtitled What’s Shenmue VHS video found here: https://youtu.be/AxbQ1U1SwNw?t=749
Nozomi Harasaki – 3D Model Render
A 3D-rendered image of Nozomi Harasaki. She wears a red coat with a white lapel, a dark turtleneck, a black skirt, and ankle boots. Her short black hair is styled neatly, and she has a soft smile. She stands in a relaxed pose
Nozomi Harasaki – 3D Head Render
A 3D-rendered image featuring two close-up portraits of Nozomi Harasaki against a green background.
Nozomi Harasaki – 3D Render 1
A close-up image of Nozomi Harasaki with dark hair and soft fringe, wearing a blue see-through halter dress with a textured fabric. The background is a solid green color.
Nozomi Harasaki – 3D Render 2
Nozomi Harasaki wearing a shimmering see-through blue halter dress. The image is taken from a high-angle perspective, and the background is a simple green color.
Nozomi Harasaki – 3D Render 3
Whilst the above 3D Render initially could be miscontrued to be that of a different character, looking closely, the same shimmering see-through blue halter dress is present, and a very similar face structure of eye shape, eye brow, nose and lips. The main difference is that she now appears to have long flowing dark black hair. The background features a pastel-colored sky with soft clouds.
Potential Early Nozomi Harasaki – 3D Render (Close-up)
A young woman, appearing to be the same model as the previous render is seen with long dark hair and a soft fringe in a close-up, side-profile view. She is wearing a similar shimmering blue halter dress with a textured fabric, however this version of the dress is no longer see-through. The background features a softly blurred, cool-toned outdoor setting with hints of trees and a lamp post.
Potential Early Nozomi Harasaki – 3D Render
A more profile shot of the same 3D Render. Again, she is wearing a similar shimmering blue halter dress with a textured fabric, however this version of the dress is no longer see-through, as previously seen. The background features a softly blurred, cool-toned outdoor setting with hints of trees and a lamp post.
Potential Early Nozomi Harasaki – 3 Close-Up 3D Renders
Description:
A young woman with long, dark hair and a soft fringe is shown in a three-quarter view. She wears a strapless, slightly see-through pastel blue dress that has a soft, slightly sheer texture. The background is a pale, muted green.
Potential Early Nozomi Harasaki – Upper Torso 3D Render
A close-up of a young woman with long, dark hair and a soft fringe, wearing a strapless, pastel blue dress. She gazes to the side with a subtle smile. The background is a muted pink.
Potential Early Nozomi Harasaki – Promotional Design 3D Render 1
Description:
A close-up of a young woman with long, dark hair and a soft fringe, wearing a strapless, pastel blue dress. She gazes to the side with a subtle smile. The background is a muted pink, and there is truncated text with Greek and Latin characters along the left and right edges of the image.
Potential Early Nozomi Harasaki – Promotional Design 3D Render 2
Description:
A close-up of a young woman with long, dark hair and a soft fringe, wearing a strapless, pastel blue dress. She gazes to the side with a subtle smile. The background is a muted pink.
Text:
Left Side Text (partially distorted):
“Hi-BaseModel (Prot Type)”
“Feb 99 version.”
“Main Target is use and check for shader.”
“Test created by Takashi Ito.”
Right Side Vertical Text:
“ITOH. Public Home Page. 3D and 2D works. Click this image.”
Horizontal Black Bar (Partially readable text):
“Image Create. Media Design and Art in….” (partially cut off).
