Nook News – 2/21/2021

Greetings and salutations my fellow Nookians! …not sure if that will stick, but no harm in trying, right? Anyways, on to this week’s news:

Visual Novel News:

NekoNyan caused some confusion online by announcing that they were launching a Kickstarter for Kinkoi: Golden Loveriche, which has almost finished localization. It was clarified that the Kickstarter was to fund physical goods, though digital copies of the game are still one of the tiers. Goods available includes physical copies of the game, badges, posters, and more.

For those who have been following us for a while, you may remember that Kinkoi: Golden Loveriche was named on our most anticipated visual novels for 2021 list. The Kickstarter has already raised several times the initial goal of €5,000.

Whether interested in a digital copy or physical copy of the game, NekoNyan has stated that they will release a demo over the next couple of weeks so that fans can get to know the characters before pledging for items such as a poster of them. They have also announced that the game is currently scheduled to release in May 2021.

Nintendo announced during their Direct that they will be releasing modernized remakes of Famicom Detective Club: The Missing Heir and Famicom Detective Club: The Girl Who Stands Behind on May 14th, 2021. The original titles were released in Japan only on the Famicom Disk System in the late 1980s and have seen re-releases on the Game Boy Advance and Nintendo Wii Virtual Console. The third title in the series, BS Detective Club: Lost Memories in the Snow, has not been announced.

Watch the announcement here.

Indie visual novel, Gloom and Doom has launched on Steam. Describing itself as a visual novel throwback to 90s slacker movies – complete with the solitude and sarcastic retorts – but with a supernatural twist, it’s not the typical anime style or inspired type of game.

This is the first game under the @NeoTegoelGames brand. We have our reviewer Nicholas working on a review, so check back soon for that. Want to ask him how it’s coming along? Why not join our Discord?

Voltage announced that otome visual novel Ayakashi: Romance Reborn Dawn Chapter & Twilight Chapter will be released on the 4th of May on Nintendo Switch. They summarise the story like the following:

After finding an ancient bell wand one day, the heroine of this tale discovers she possesses magical Onmyoji powers. Soon after, a series of Ayakashi spirits straight out of legends appear, telling her of their bonds in a past life. A tragic tale 1,000 years in the making comes to life.

The Nintendo Switch version brings exclusive new romance sonnets and ending movies.

Watch the announcement here.

Gaming News:

Unless you were living under a rock or a rock that Kirby transformed into, Nintendo broadcasted their first Nintendo Direct for 2021. The number of announcements is almost too numerous to compress, but here are some of the big ones:

Pyra and Mythra from Xenoblade Chronicles 2 were confirmed to be the 4th character for Smash Bros. Ultimate‘s second Fighter Pass. The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword HD was announced as an updated version of the original Wii title, with an option to play the game without motion controls. From the developers of Octopath Traveler, Project Triangle Fantasy (Working Title) was announced and looks to be a spiritual successor to Final Fantasy Tactics. Samurai Warriors 5 was announced and is going for a cel-shaded art style. Mario Golf Super Rush brings back the classic Mario sports title with off-the-wall mechanics like Speed Golf. And last, but not least, Splatoon 3 was revealed and has a 2022 release window.

Watch the full February 17th, 2021 Nintendo Direct

As a follow-up to last week’s story, CyberConnect2’s (CC2) Kimetsu no Yaiba (Demon Slayer) Hinokami Keppuutan has finally unveiled gameplay footage. Judging from the footage, it seems to play very similarly to CC2’s previous fighting game franchise, Naruto Ultimate Ninja Storm.

Kimetsu No Yaiba: Ninokami Kepputan will launch on PS5, Xbox Series X, PS4, Xbox One and PC via Steam in 2021.

Watch the recently released footage for Kimetsu no Yaiba Hinokami Keppuutan

CrossCode is getting a brand new expansion with some new DLC dubbed “A New Home.” It’s packed with new content and of course, new story-related sections as well.

CrossCode‘s A New Home DLC is set to launch on February 26th for PC and consoles this Summer. If you’d like to learn more about the game, you can read our review here.

Watch the CrossCode DLC announcement trailer

Anime News:

The influence of V-Tubers is more prevalent than ever! Arguably the most well-known group of them is hololive. Recently, the official hololive accounts have teased a brand new project called hololive Alternative. It’s not exactly clear what this project is, but they claim to want to create an alternate work through a “variety of works.” To promote this, they released a beautifully animated promotional video announcing the project.

Watch the hololive Aternative trailer

Some of Shonen Jump’s most popular series are returning to television later this year. My Hero Academia from Studio Bones is returning for its fifth season and released a brand new piece of key art promoting the season. On top of that, Ufotable’s Kimetsu no Yaiba (Demon Slayer) has confirmed a second season. It’s set to take place after the events of the recently released film, which has yet to receive a western release.

My Hero Academia‘s fifth season is set to air on March 27th.

Kimetsu no Yaiba‘s second season is currently scheduled to release in 2021.

While we’re still waiting for more news on Miss Kobayashi’s Dragon Maid, another series from the same creators of the original manga is getting animated: Peach Boy Riverside! Initially announced last August, it takes a fantasy road trip twist of the tale of Momotaro, a Japanese folktale. Asashi Production is behind the anime adaptation and has released a brand new key visual for the series!

Watch the initial teaser for Peach Boy Riverside

We’re getting an anime adaptation of the Rui Tsukiyo’s light novel series: The World’s Finest Assassin Gets Reincarnated in Another World as an Aristocrat! Much like a lot of recent light novels, this story is an isekai, but the unique twist is its premise. The protagonist trying to kill a superhero from another world! Production is being handled by SILVER LINK and Studio Palette and various members of staff have also been revealed.

The World’s Finest Assassin Gets Reincarnated in Another World as an Aristocrat is set to premiere this July.

B: The Beginning is getting a second season called B: The Beginning Succession exclusively on Netflix. The cast from the season is reprising their roles, with director duties being given to Itsuro Kawasaki for this second season. An English dubbed trailer for the season was also released, along with a new piece of key art.

B: The Beginning Succession premieres exclusively on Netflix on March 18th.

Watch the English dubbed trailer for B: The Beginning Succession

Upcoming Releases:

Persona fans had to wait a whole year, but Persona 5 Strikers is finally releasing in the west this week! Join the Phantom Thieves’ road trip across Japan with a mixture of P-Studios’ well-known RPG mechanics and Omega Force’s hack and slash combat system.

Persona 5 Strikers releases on February 23rd for PS4, Switch, and PC (Steam.)

Read our full review for Persona 5 Strikers

Fans of more classic JRPGs will be happy to know that after endless demos, Bravely Default 2 will also be launching this week! It brings back the universally praised Brave mechanic that allows you to stack turns in combat. It also brings back the in-depth character class system, offering you the chance to make fully custom character builds.

Bravely Default 2 launches exclusively for Nintendo Switch on February 26th.