The Islands

This article is about the Japanese Zen Garden theme from the original LittleBigPlanet. For the first sistering Japan theme, see Japanese Akihabara. For the second sistering Japan theme, see Japanese Tsukiji Market. For additional guidance, see Japanese (disambiguation).

The Islands
Game:	LittleBigPlanet
Creator:	Grandmaster Sensei
Levels:	6
Prizes:	152
Theme Chronology The Metropolis The Temples

“	Peaceful gardens and crazy Ninjas from the land of Zen.	„
— Unseen theme description

The Islands is the sixth theme of the original LittleBigPlanet and the creation of Grandmaster Sensei. The theme is based on traditional and historical elements of Japanese culture.

Overview

The Islands introduces precise and fast-paced platforming in its levels, challenging the players' quick-thinking skills.

Plot overview

At the recommendation of Ze Dude, Sackboy travels to the Islands to train under Grandmaster Sensei. Sensei runs her student through her dojo to train for battle against the Terrible Oni. Before traveling to the Terrible Oni's volcano, Sensei sends Sackboy up into her lost castle to save her flame-throwing cat from an evil sumo. Sackboy succeeds, and Sensei's flame-throwing cat joins him in killing the Terrible Oni. Sensei, impressed with Sackboy's skills, suggests he purchase a flame-throwing cat of his own in the Temples.

Creator curator

Main article: Grandmaster Sensei.

Grandmaster Sensei is the Islands' creator curator. She trains Sackboy's skills as a warrior and oversees his journey to defeat the Terrible Oni.

Levels

Main Path (3) Endurance Dojo Sensei's Lost Castle The Terrible Oni's Volcano Endurance Dojo Sensei's Lost Castle The Terrible Oni's Volcano Score Challenges (2) Daruma San Roller Castle Daruma San Roller Castle Survival Challenge Wheel of Misfortune Wheel of Misfortune

Costumes

History

Development

Two players in the Japanese demo level.

The Islands, known internally as Japanese Zen Garden, was one of multiple Japanese themes designed for LittleBigPlanet, with roughly two other themes receiving any form of extensive development. Among these other themes were Japanese Akihabara District and Japanese Tsukiji Market, which would both explore aspects of Japan's metropolitan areas. Assets exist for both themes but were largely cut down and unused in the final game, with many of Japanese Akihabara District's stickers and materials being inherited by the Islands and Metropolis.

Contents of Japanese Zen Garden's theme were shown off extensively in 2007, featured in screenshots and demo videos. The level included in this media showcased an equal quantity of assets cut and released in the final game. Certain aspects of the demo level would be carried over to story levels shipped with LittleBigPlanet - namely, Endurance Dojo. The demo level bared a closer resemblance to certain pieces of concept art, including a lush bamboo forest background and modeled temples.

Towards later development, LittleBigPlanet's Japanese themes were reduced down to solely the Japanese Zen Garden, which would come represent the entirety of Japan in the final story mode. Other alterations were made before release, such as the removal of multiple previously showcased assets, and a minor expansion to the Islands' background, which previously encompassed only the courtyard area.

Post-release

Content from the Islands would appear as one of multiple legacy content packs released for LittleBigPlanet PSP, sold as the Islands Theme Pack. The pack featured overhauled versions of the Islands' assets, largely compressed to work with the PlayStation Portable's hardware. Included in the Islands Theme Pack were the Dojo and Suki costumes, the theme's stickers, background, and a linear version of the Islands' interactive music. The Islands made its most recent appearance in the LittleBigPlanet 3 challenge level, Sensei's Speed Run. The level takes inspiration from multiple sections of Endurance Dojo and Sensei's Lost Castle, with Toggle serving as the challenge's main gimmick. Visually, the level is identical to the Islands' original appearance but largely updated to standards set by LittleBigPlanet 3.

Along with the rest of the story modes from the original LittleBigPlanet 1 and 2, the Islands theme would have been playable in LittleBigPlanet HUB prior to its cancellation; users would have to own a copy of the original LittleBigPlanet or purchase the individual theme to access it.

Screenshots

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Renders

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Concept art

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Quotes

“	Ze Dude acknowledges you as a greater warrior than he, and offers you the use of his private jet, so you can fly out to The Islands and train under his teacher – Grandmaster Sensei. But upon arrival, it once again seems like your help is needed to save the day.	„
— Theme description from LittleBigPlanet.com

Related achievements

Main article: LittleBigPlanet (PlayStation 3)/Trophies.

The Islands Complete all levels in The Islands

Play Complete all Story levels without dying, with the exception of those levels that only end when you die

Just Beginning Complete all the main path story levels

Booty Master Collect all the prize bubbles on the story levels

Forager Collect 25% of the prize bubbles on the story levels

Sticky Fingers Collect 50% of the prize bubbles on the story levels

Treasure Hunter Collect 75% of the prize bubbles on the story levels