Another of these requests I’ve been meaning to do, though not for as long as the last one. The Rockman ZX Arranged Soundtrack “ZX Tunes” came out in 2006 and sported 8 different CD title cards, each with a unique cover created by an artist who worked with the Rockman series. Apparently images of these covers are hard to find now, and since Google Images let me down, I went ahead and scanned them for my friends over at Capcom Unity.
First is the standard cover used for most press and media. It was designed by Inti Creates’ own ZX series artist and scenario writer Makoto Yabe.
(Click images for larger version)
How did Aile know Model X could be used as a CD player? Biometal is totally retro-chic.
Yabe also designed this alternate cover as well. Vent and Giro make a stand back to back and saber to saber, with female leads Aile and Prairie in the background. The scene may be impossible in terms of the story, but the image captures Vent and Giro’s indomitable fighting spirit, Aile’s playfulness, and Prairie’s devout support rather well.
Up next, Inti Creates artist Hidetaka Katsuki puts forth a cover that truly goes green. This otherworldly image portrays Model X in what at first appears to be a forest, but upon further inspection its “trees” are actually metallic structures covered in developing vegetation. This merger of ancient machines with biological life works as a metaphor for the converging nature of humans and reploids in the series. Is Model X being overrun by plants, or in this serene setting, have they actually achieved a kind of equilibrium? A fascinating piece to reflect upon.
Inti Creates’ Rie Ohnishi took a cuter approach, showing off heartthrob idol Girouette in all of his cartoonish glory. Hip and adorable!
No Inti Creates cover party would be complete without Toru Nakayama, designer of the original Zero series look. He’s since left Inti Creates to do freelance work, but he’s still had a hand in various areas of art production for all the Zero and ZX games. I like to think this piece represents the energy, determination and style from Zero, passed on to our new protagonists.
They didn’t just stick to Inti Creates, however. Hideki Ishikawa, who was a Capcom artist for several Rockman titles but is also now freelancing, came up with this colorful and incredible cover that’s exudes motion and music. Starring a hipster Aile who’s grooving to the CD’s heavy sounds, with cameo appearances by Canis the replidog from Area C and several older Inti Creates arranged album covers. Certainly one of my favorites!
Rockman manga artists were also able to get in on the fun! Hitoshi Ariga, of Mega Man Megamix fame, produced this watercolor-esque cover starring a stoic but ready for action Model ZX with nemeses Prometheus and Pandora in the backdrop. Psychologically dark and moody, with a tinge of suspense!
Last but not least, Yoshihiro Iwamoto of the Rockman X series manga put together this action-packed scene. You get a good sense of Model ZX plowing through its enemies, nicely capturing the rush of invincibility feeling you get from being empowered by our two legendary X series heroes. Unstoppable!
That’s all 8 covers! Which one do you like best?
I wasn’t even aware that most of these images existed. 😮 (I was lucky enough to stumble across the Ishikawa one years back) Thanks for scanning!
Wow, The only ones I was aware of were the default, the Hidetaka Katsuki one, and the Ishikawa one.
Damn, those Ariga and Iwamoto ones rock. Always loved iwamoto’s stuff. I always wonder what happened that the X4 manga was left incomplete, with only a summarized ending in the re release…
but I digress. kick ass. I always dug the model X one. Im guessing thats where he was found.
I wasn’t aware that Ariga had made a cover, but as soon as I saw the picture, without reading the text, it was all too obvious. That’d be my favorite too, not because of the artist himself, but for the bright, glowing colors and the apparent depth they give to the picture.
This is the first time that I read about the main artist change between the Zero and ZX series. Both have such a similar style that I assumed there were no main change in-between.
I’ve seen all the covers years ago, but I was never able to find them again after my old hard drive broke down. Many thanks for scanning the images; Katsuki’s cover is very fascinating, although the Ishikawa and Iwamoto covers are my favorites. Ever since I saw Ishikawa’s cover, I wondered if ZX characters ever take off those black suits. Is there any info on the matter?
And since you’ve been mentioning requests lately, I need to ask: are you still accepting those? If not, what are the ones still pending?
@Doc: A lot of these same artists did work on both series, many of them starting with Zero 2. That’s why you thought it transitioned smoothly, I’m sure!
@Oakie: I’m always taking requests! I do tend to take my sweet time in filling them, though. Right now I have a lot of things lined up that I want to do and not enough time to do them all, but requests that are simple I can generally get that out of the way faster. Ask away!
(But I’m afraid I don’t know whether they ever take off those bodysuit things. Sorry!)
That’s so awesome, I had no idea the CD had alternate covers, let alone this many!
Thanks a bunch for posting these, I think my favorite is Ishikawa’s, haha 😀
OMG! Thanks! I never knew these existed! I like making my own custom labels and covers so these will come in very handy. 🙂 The one with Model X gives me an idea for a fan fic, that I’ve thinking of writing.