Shadow of the Colossus official artbook and guidebook

Official Artbook and Guidebook
The front of the artbook with its cover sleeve on
Published by	Enterbrain, Inc.
Pages	207
Released	January 16, 2006 (Japan only)
Dimensions	26.1 x 21.7 x 1.8 cm
ISBN	978-4757725805

The Shadow of the Colossus Official Artbook and Guidebook is a collection of artwork (both conceptual and in-game) from Shadow of the Colossus. It doubles as a detailed, visual walkthrough of the game, includes a large collection of early concept colossi, and includes a lengthy interview with Team ICO.

The artbook was not released outside Japan.

Secret Snapshots

It is a colossus that we called Roc.

From illustrations to inside the game. There are colossal beings that were given life but couldn't make it into the game for various reasons. Mr. Ueda will explain each one while fully unveiling the secret snapshots.

Initial state of the 16th colossus.

Second snapshot of the 16th colossus.

Initial snapshot of the 13th colossus.

Initial shot of the 13th colossus, likewise.

Snapshot of the colossus that was called "Spider."

The strategy was to lure it from the water to the land.

Attacking its weak spots on the legs could destabilize its stance.

On top of the Spider's head.

It's a snapshot of Sirius.

Wander's costume was initially blue.

It's the second snapshot of Sirius.

Snapshot of the colossus we called "Phoenix".

Snapshot of Griffin.

Another snapshot of Griffin.

Snapshot of Devil.

Devil's battle was designed to be intense.

The strategy was hide in the grass and jump on its back.

Roc. It was defeated by shooting it down with a bow.

It's a snapshot of Dormin's early stage.

Ending notes

The last pages of the book contain an interview with the development team concerning an alternate ending for the game that was scrapped, as well as an explanation for many of the aspects in the final version of the ending.

"The voice of a girl that can be heard after defeating the colossus, she says something that seems to hold Wander back. At first, it's just her breathing, but as the girl regains consciousness, she starts speaking to Wander. From the black band that pierces Wander's body after defeating the colossus, there's no escape. This fact cannot be changed, and it's sad. Actually, I had thought of a happier ending. However, considering the use of resurrection in the story, a happy ending seemed unlikely. I also considered that the ending would change slightly if there was a save data from "ICO," but I decided against it. Another idea was that the girl would be the one to come back to life first. While Emon and the others were torturing Wander, the girl would be revived through the use of resurrection, becoming something beyond human, and her body would glow. One of the guards would try to kill her with a sword, but it would be deflected and the sword would end up stuck in the ground. Emon and the others would panic and escape, sealing this land once again, leaving Wander and the girl to live together. Originally, Wander was supposed to undergo significant transformations each time he defeated a colossus, and in the end, I wanted it to be like "Beauty and the Beast." The awakened girl still couldn't see, so she would search for Wander blindly. However, Wander's appearance would have changed.

The staff roll begins as they ride off together on Agro, with birds flying and Agro coming out of the shrine's exit. Then, they both come out supporting each other. Wander's sacrifice is his transformed appearance, which cannot be undone. In the early stages of production, Wander had horns on his head, which is a remnant of that. Now, looking back, there are parts that could have been better for the ending. If "ICO" didn't exist, the ending might have been different, but in the end, many in the team thought the current ending was good. In the staff roll, the remains of the colossi are shown one by one, and I wanted to include flashback scenes there. When the girl touches Agro, Agro's memories would flow into her, and she would understand. Since Agro's leg was broken, it's possible that she couldn't bear her weight and die. But surviving with just one injured leg after falling from such a place is a miracle, isn't it? Furthermore, the ending continues from the opening. Birds fly in the sky, the weather turns into thunder, and then the moon appears, returning to the first scene. The ancient land is unsealed by Wander's arrival, and time starts moving again.

Dormin has a power beyond human understanding and is a threatening entity that was sealed due to some forbidden act in the past. The ancient land is also a dreadful place, but it is necessary for the people. If the bridge had been dropped and completely sealed from the beginning, this wouldn't have happened, but there is a reason why the bridge is there. Initially, I mentioned that the colossi are idols, objects of idol worship. Sacrifices and idol worship are absurd, right? They have been passed down as traditions for a long time, but I don't think there is a legitimate reason for it. When Wander defeats the colossi, the black belt piercing him symbolizes the released power of Dormin entering Wander's body. The black shadow surrounding Wander with thorns is a part of Dormin. The colossi constitute the bones and muscles that form the body, and that shadow represents the concept of flowing blood. So, when they all combine, they become Dormin. After defeating the colossi, the shadow surrounding Wander and looking down on him is like, "I wish you would defeat them all quickly" (laughs). Even after the body becomes Dormin, it is still half Wander, and they can control it because their consciousness remains. The poor response of the controls is because it's only half. Afterwards, Wander is drawn into the pool and purified, but the element of the horn remains without complete purification. Even as a baby, that is still Wander."

Links

• The artbook on the Shadow of the Colossus Art Book page
• A translation of the official artbook and guidebook by GlitterBerri