Why Square Enix Chose the Doll Aesthetic for the Dragon Quest VII Remake

Dragon Quest VII Reimagined takes center stage as our current cover feature. To bring this story to life, we journeyed to the heart of Tokyo, visiting Square Enix’s Shibuya headquarters for an exclusive hands-on session. Beyond simply playing the game and speaking with the developers, we were granted rare access to the physical dolls that define the remake’s distinctive visual identity. We’ve captured high-definition footage of these meticulously crafted models, offering an intimate look at the core party: the Hero, Maribel, Kiefer, Ruff, Aishe, and Sir Mervyn.

Crafting a Handcrafted World

During our visit, we sat down with director Masato Yagi to discuss the creative shift toward a doll-like, diorama-inspired aesthetic for the world of Estard. To achieve this specific look, the development team collaborated with Studio Nova, a renowned Japanese doll-making house, to create physical reference models.

According to Yagi, the inspiration for this handcrafted style stems directly from Akira Toriyama’s original character illustrations. “When analyzing Toriyama-san’s designs for Dragon Quest VII specifically, the characters are illustrated with shorter proportions compared to other entries in the franchise,” Yagi explained. “We felt this ‘chibi’ scale harmonized perfectly with the game’s unique narrative structure. The tactile, doll-like appearance naturally complements the storytelling.”

Yagi further noted that the game’s progression—where players gradually uncover and restore isolated islands—naturally lends itself to a diorama motif. “The way the world expands as the protagonists explore and reveal new territories fits seamlessly with the miniature aesthetic we wanted to evoke.”

Dragon Quest VII Reimagined is set to launch on February 5. The title will be available across PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, PC, and both the original Nintendo Switch and its successor.

To dive deeper into the creation of this remake, explore our full digital issue featuring an extensive history of the series as told by creator Yuji Horii, along with in-depth gameplay impressions and exclusive interviews.

What are your thoughts on this new visual direction? Does the miniature diorama style capture the spirit of the original? Share your opinions in the comments!

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