Full interview below, curtesy of GameDaily.com.

GD: OK, I'll start with my questions for Tanaka-san. The first thing I noticed is that the US version of One Piece features 16 playable characters. However, the Japanese games in the Grand Battle series feature 20 or more characters. Are there any plans to bring the other One Piece: Grand Battle games to the US to give fans of the series the full treatment?

Tanaka: Basically, we are releasing Grand Battle this fall, and it is completely for the US market. It's not just a localization, so that is why we have to match the TV schedule in the US. So that is why the first one only has sixteen characters. Of course, we address adding more to the next version.

GD: I noticed there are quite a few One Piece fans who prefer the original Japanese character names and voices. Will there be an option for the original Japanese voices and character names in this game, or in future One Piece titles in the US?

Tanaka: I'm sorry, it's impossible. Basically, the game was built only for the US market, so that means the Japanese voiceovers and characters don't exist.

GD: So what's included with voice and character names matches up closer to the anime show that's in the US?

Tanaka: Yes.

GD: There's another game called Fighting For One Piece which is going to be released in Japan next month for the PS2. Is it possible that we'll see this game in the US if this first One Piece release does well?
Tanaka: We are thinking about the possibility. With Fighting For One Piece, it's a different concept from the Grand Battle. Grand Battle is more like an easy pick-up game for every generation. But in Japan, the One Piece brand has a long history. In the beginning as we entered the business, the kids were just kids. And they have been growing up. So, the fighting shifts for a higher user. So I think we have to concentrate on the US market with Grand Battle. After Grand Battle, it's kind of the next step, but we're still thinking about that.

GD: It seems that the One Piece games, both Grand Battle and Japan's Fighting game, are perfect for online play. Is there any chance in a One Piece product we'll see any kind of online play?

Tanaka: Of course, we are thinking about the online feature. We always think about what kind of generation and people will want this game. At first, we have to concentrate on the kids. Most of the kids don't have a way to get online, so we have to think about that.

GD: Most of the One Piece console games available in Japan fall into the fighting game genre. Now with the deep storyline surrounding the anime show, is there a chance we'll see it expand into some kind of role-playing/adventure game?

Tanaka: We had an RPG for One Piece in Japan three years ago, and then we figured out that One Piece is good for fighting games. However, in the US market, we really want to see about adding a role-playing/adventure mode, in the future.

GD: If this title is a success in the US, further chapters can come down the line. Are there any sort of next-generation plans for One Piece, or are you currently just focusing on this title?

Tanaka: We really want as many kids as possible to play this title. We really have confidence that any kids can enjoy it. Yeah, we have thought about the next generation, but we prefer which consoles we have just now. Maybe, one to three years from now, we'll have to concentrate on a console. Eventually, be it PS3 or Xbox 360 being sold to the kids, it'll be time to think about One Piece on a next generation console.

GD: Do you have any final comments on the game?

Tanaka: This game is developed by Ganbarion. We just really loved One Piece and making a good game, so that is why it's really fun and enjoyable and exciting. We really want as many kids as possible to play this game.

GD: Thank you for your time. And now some questions for you, Laura. You want to talk to us a little bit about the games offered on the floor?

Laura: All of the games that we have- Zatch Bell!, One Piece, D.I.C.E., Inuyasha, Gundam Seed, Ghost In the Shell, and Legend of Heroes. All of them are based on anime properties, all on TV either on the Cartoon Network/Adult Swim or 4Kids TV block on Saturday mornings, except Legend of Heroes.

GD: I noticed one product missing at the show from here that I played a little while back, based on the Cowboy Bebop license. What's going on with that game?

Laura: It's still in the works. I don't have any information on that at the moment, but as soon as we have it, we'll let you know.

GD: But it has not been cancelled.

Laura: No.

GD: My next question is regarding the Bandai/Namco deal. How will this relationship between Bandai and Namco affect Bandai software releases here in the US and in Japan? Will it have any affect at all?