Katsu's "Hoe Hoe Game" Speech: Episode 251 "I Went to the 'Different Winters, Us' Exhibition at Ikebukuro PARCO"

Note: the original Japanese article can be found at:
https://www.4gamer.net/games/326/G032635/20251016067/

Writer: Yui | 2025/10/18 03:00 (UTC)

Image Gallery No. 001 thumbnail / Yui’s Howling Game Speech, Episode 251: “I Visited the ‘Different Winters, Us’ Exhibition at Ikebukuro PARCO”

Image Gallery No. 002 thumbnail / Yui’s Howling Game Speech, Episode 251: “I Visited the ‘Different Winters, Us’ Exhibition at Ikebukuro PARCO”

Hello! This is Yui, a performer currently active in the entertainment industry.

I was invited to the preview event of the ongoing exhibition “Different Winters, Us” at Ikebukuro PARCO. As this marks the first-ever showcase for both “Different Winters, Us” and “Different Stars, Us,” I had been eager to attend—so when PARCO GAMES extended an invitation, I was absolutely thrilled.

So I went!

Typically, such events center around fun aspects like purchasing new merchandise or enjoying artwork and visuals. But this exhibition took me far deeper than that… I’ll say it right away: I highly recommend this exhibit. While fans of the game will naturally love it, personally I believe it’s a must-see for anyone who wants to become a creator—or simply has an interest in game development.

Why? Because this exhibition features the original game proposal documents submitted to Shogakukan Game Creators Lab. What makes these proposals extraordinary is that they include nearly every element: concept, gameplay mechanics, story, and even the creators’ intentions.

I was stunned by their level of completeness—I couldn’t help but ask two people present at the preview (the creator, Tokoro Yori, and Shogakukan Game Lab’s Hiroyuki Katayama), “Are games really this fully realized from day one?” They said it’s actually quite rare. The more I read, the more I was struck by how well-crafted these documents were as standalone reading material—I ended up reading every single page carefully.

When I came across a line where the creator wrote, “I’m terrified that someone else might discover this idea and release a game first—making my work feel like a second-rate copy,” I nearly cried.

Image Gallery No. 004 thumbnail / Yui’s Howling Game Speech, Episode 251: “I Visited the ‘Different Winters, Us’ Exhibition at Ikebukuro PARCO”

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On a personal note, I’ve long dreamed of publishing a book centered around a certain theme related to games. Since becoming freelance, I’ve been preparing seriously for publication—but lately, I’ve been consumed by anxiety: what if someone else beats me to it with the same idea?

I felt embarrassed about this sense of urgency in myself—until reading Tokoro Yori’s proposal completely changed my perspective. This kind of bright, sparkling ambition exists—and seeing that made me realize how truly cool it is to express your passion so directly. And what’s more: he turned his proposal into a full game release within just one year! It gave me chills.

Another highlight was the recreated workspace and bookshelf display from Tokoro Yori’s game development setup. There’s something genuinely enjoyable about seeing someone else’s personal bookshelf—like peeking into a friend’s home, you can’t help but stare at their books with curiosity.

Image Gallery No. 005 thumbnail / Yui’s Howling Game Speech, Episode 251: “I Visited the ‘Different Winters, Us’ Exhibition at Ikebukuro PARCO”

Image Gallery No. 014 thumbnail / Yui’s Howling Game Speech, Episode 251: “I Visited the ‘Different Winters, Us’ Exhibition at Ikebukuro PARCO”

On the top shelf stood Goodbye, Mr. Despair by Kōji Kumeta—whose artwork is featured in this game—and Osamu Tezuka’s Fire Bird. I smiled instantly upon realizing their thematic connection to both the revival arc and main story of the game. Among classic Japanese literature and plays, I was thrilled to spot my favorite manga, Mafia & Lure by TAGRO-sensei—so excited that I couldn’t help but shout out loud! Seeing a beloved game creator’s personal bookshelf like this is truly delightful.

The more you look around, the more it feels like peering into the mind of the creator himself—an absolute treat for fans. The merchandise selection is also rich and varied. In particular, the scenario booklet included as a special gift with purchases was outstanding—compact enough to fit in your palm, with high-quality paper that makes it feel like a treasure.

Image Gallery No. 013 thumbnail / Yui’s Howling Game Speech, Episode 251: “I Visited the ‘Different Winters, Us’ Exhibition at Ikebukuro PARCO”

The “Different Winters, Us” exhibition is currently on display at the special venue of Ikebukuro PARCO from October 10 to November 3, 2025. Please do come and visit!

Most photos in this article are taken from this event report—which also features interviews with Tokoro Yori, Hiroyuki Katayama, and Shota Ishii of PARCO GAMES. Image Gallery No. 010 thumbnail / Yui’s Howling Game Speech, Episode 251: “I Visited the ‘Different Winters, Us’ Exhibition at Ikebukuro PARCO”

■■Yui (Actress & Talent) ■■
Currently active as an actress and talent. Multiple awards for Best Actress at domestic film festivals. Her lifelong love of games led her to host numerous game-related programs, affectionately known by fans as “Itokichi.”

Official Website: http://yui-monogatari.com/
Official X: https://x.com/xxxjyururixxx
NicoNico Channel “Yui Channel”: http://ch.nicovideo.jp/yuichannel
YouTube Channel “Yui-chūbu!”: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCNwmczTygyPzEnouz9tR_Fg/

OTHERS Interview Event

The “Different Winters, Us” Exhibition Is Now Open at Ikebukuro PARCO. We Asked Tokoro Yori and the Teams Behind the Project—PARCO GAMES & Shogakukan Game Lab—About Its Highlights

The exhibition “Different Winters, Us,” themed around the two-player-only games Different Winters, Us and Different Stars, Us, created by Tokoro Yori, is currently on display at Ikebukuro PARCO. Prior to opening, we attended a preview event and spoke with the organizers—PARCO GAMES and Shogakukan Game Lab—as well as Tokoro Yori himself about what makes this exhibit special.

[October 11, 2025, 3:30 PM]