Potentially Work Unsafe

Two things sell: sex and violence. As such, folks who wish to sell more are often wont to work a little of one or the other (or both) into their product promotions. In violence's case, Nintendo gives Kirby angry eyes for his North American releases. In sex's case, Muramasa: The Demon Blade character Momohime will be wrasslin' some sticky octupus arms all over the cover of Play Magazine's September '09 issue.

The new art was painted by Vanillaware's lead artist and president George Kamitani, specifically for the purposes of promoting the game in North America, according Shane Bettenhausen of publisher Ignition Entertainment. Viewed alongside the decision to go subtitles-only with the game, it seems clear exactly who Ignition's North American target audience is: ME.

Writing about the cover story on his 1up blog, Bettenhausen noted that the piece, conceived entirely by Kamitani without direction from Ignition, seemed to be a nod to the ukiyo-e print "Dream of the Fisherman's Wife," which is perhaps the earliest known depiction of woman-octopus pairing. Personally, I'd also add that the piece also references Momohime's epic legs and Muramasa's prodigious level of thigh-exposure. 

Vanillaware games are hardly restrained when it comes to hot 2D T&A. The trouser-fires ignited by the ladies (and lads) of Odin Sphere were dampened only by the game's framerate issues. Play Magazine is also no stranger to the sexy times, being the publisher of Girls of Gaming. It's actually funny, since this is almost a role-reversal from when western developer Gaijin Entertainment decided to tart up the box art on the Japanese edition of X-Blades.

But enough of that. Hit the gallery to see the piece (hint: it's the one with octopus arms in it), along with other evidence that without a doubt proves that Muramasa will be a great game for folks who like sexy anime thighs.