Visual Novel News:
Aniplex have announced that the English release of Witch on the Holy Night by Type-Moon will be coming to Steam on the 13th December, 2023. It is already available on Nintendo Switch and PlayStation 4. This was previously listed as coming to PC in a magazine, but little information followed regarding the PC version until the Aniplex Online Fest 2023, where this was revealed.
Experience a coming of age story set in the vibrant, bustling 1980s, which follows an innocent young man and two young “witches.” Updates added since the original release include long-awaited fully voiced characters as well as visuals remastered in full HD, bringing the experience to life with unparalleled quality and fidelity. Masterful manipulation of visual elements imbues combat scenes with nail-biting tension, but also breathes life into the characters’ everyday activities. Animated graphical elements bring an entirely new level of depth to the reading experience as well!
Shiravune have announced that Criminal Border 1st Offence (titled Liminal Border Part I on Steam) by Purple Software on the 14th November, 2023. It has writing by Kazuki Fumi, who has worked on titles including the 9-nine- series and Café Stella and the Reaper’s Butterflies. Shiravune confirmed that their release will use the Kirikiri engine.
No one cares if a geeky loser like me exists or not…Itsuki Ninomae spends his time creating tacky fan videos which require no particular skill to make. One day, through a combination of coincidences, he accidentally creates a “digital drug movie,” which has the power to stir sexual arousal in anyone who watches it. I wonder what’d happen if I showed it to the one who always looked down on me? A malicious urge possesses Itsuki. Itsuki succeeds in showing his video to Rin Akinashi, a girl he has known since his youth. However, he also learns the secret hidden behind the straight-A student’s mask. Rin puts forward a proposal: “A lucrative business using the digital drug.” Escort services, debauchery, murky legal waters… Itsuki finds himself being swept away into an underworld that should have had nothing to do with him.
In OELVN news, NekoNyan have announced that Cerulean Days will be released on the 12th September, 2023 following a successful Kickstarter. One of the NekoNyan staff confirmed that this is purely the work of the Cascade of Leaves development team and they are only acting as publisher. The version of Cerulean Days available to Kickstarter backers contains 18+ content. There currently isn’t an official answer to how or whether this will be available to those who purchase it on Steam or other potential storefronts.
On a seemingly idyllic island in the Atlantic Ocean, the internet is shut down. What will become of those unable to adapt?
Sekai Project have announced that Marshmallow Imouto Succubus by Orcsoft will be coming to Steam on 22nd September, 2023.
Tsukikawa Keisuke had a strange dream. That dream involved his innocent younger sister, Saki. Saki was a naïve girl who even believed that babies were made from just kissing. However in his dream, Saki’s innocence was replaced by eyes filled with lust as she creeps into Keisuke’s bed. The next day, Saki was her same innocent self to Keisuke’s relief. He was relieved that it was a merely a dream. However, he soon learns from his father that a succubus lurks within his little sister. Having to choose between his dear, innocent little sister and the allure of a lustful succubus, what will Keisuke do?
Frontwing USA have updated the Steam store page of GINKA to reveal a release date of 26th October, 2023. This visual novel is by a team that includes Asta Konno and Yusano, the duo behind “ATRI -My Dear Moments-“. You can watch the concept trailer to see more.
Five years ago, Aoba Ryusei’s childhood friend, Shinomiya Ginka, disappeared without a trace on the night of the summer festival. The superstitious islanders believed this to be an act of God, saying that she was “spirited away.” Now in high school, Ryusei decides to visit the island over summer break. He needs to know: Did Ginka ever come back? Could she be living a normal high school life? Sadly, his faint hopes are crushed when he learns that Ginka was never seen again after that night. He dejectedly prepares to depart, but then he meets a young girl who looks exactly like his missing childhood friend? Ginka. “Welcome back, Ryusei.” The girl doesn’t know her own name. All she knows is that she loves Ryusei. Where has she been? Why hasn’t she aged? Finally reunited with his long lost friend, Ryusei vows to have the best summer vacation ever on the tranquil little island of his childhood.
In other Shiravune news, the next wave of titles has been released on JAST, MangaGamer, and Kagura Games that were previously exclusive to Johren. One of these is Tamayura Mirai, which we recommended in our review of the visual novel.
The new wave of titles are:
- Meteor World Actor: Badge and Dagger
- Ninki Seiyuu: How to Make a Pop Voice Actress
- HimeYoku: A Sacrifice of Lust and Grace
- Master Magistrate
- Tamayura Mirai (MangaGamer and Kagura Games only)
- Yukiiro Sign (Chinese only)
Find the full list of Shiravune titles on JAST Store here
More Visual Novel News
- Aquapolis of Sins a mystery/thriller visual novel by the developer of Cerulean Days is currently running a Kickstarter
- National Park Girls – Episode 5: Eternal Evergreen Part 2 by Studio Elan has now been released
- Spirit Hunter: Death Mark II will be released in late-February 2024 by Aksys Games on PC, Nintendo Switch, and PlayStation 4
- Horror visual novel Slay the Princess will be released on 20th October, 2023
- Sakura MMO Extra will be released on PlayStation 4/5 and Nintendo Switch on 15th September, 2023
- Guidelicious has been released on Steam for free
Gaming News:
After the incredible success of The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom, you’d assume Nintendo has been working on post-launch DLC for the title. Surprisingly, that’s not the case. Series producer Eiji Aonuma stated that they don’t plan to release any additional content at this time because they feel they’ve done all they can to create fun in the game’s world. While this may be disappointing, no one can argue the game as a whole was already a complete package at its initial release.
Regarding a game that actually is getting post-game support, the next DLC pack for One Piece Pirate Warriors 4 got a ton of updates! Along with Onigashima Battle Luffy with a Gear 5th transformation, Bandai Namco confirmed that DLC pack 4 will also include Yamato and Hybrid Form Kaido. They also confirmed that there are three extra DLC episodes in the works; the first of which revolves around Yamato.
DLC pack 4 for One Piece Pirate Warriors 4 releases in Japan on September 14th.
Watch the Yamato trailer for One Piece Pirate Warriors 4
After the announcement that Charles Martinet is no longer playing the role of Super Mario, Nintendo released a video discussing the future role Charles will have as Mario Ambassador. The video showcases Charles recounting his time playing the character, along with a segment featuring the creator of Mario, Shigeru Miyamoto.
Anime News:
After a successful release in Japan, Studio Ghibli’s latest film from famed director Hayao Miyazaki is coming to the West! It was believed that we’d have the same lack of promotion for The Boy and the Heron, but that isn’t the case, as we finally have a proper trailer for the film.
The Boy and the Heron releases in US theaters on December 8th.
Watch the trailer for The Boy and the Heron
Almost five years after its first season, the long-awaited second season of Goblin Slayer finally has a release date! The date was revealed with a brand new piece of key art ahead of the season’s release.
Goblin Slayer season 2 premieres on October 6th.
Upcoming Releases:
To celebrate the 40th anniversary of one of gaming’s oldest characters, a new Bomberman game is releasing this week! Super Bomberman R 2 has a ton of modes to play, such as a story mode, both offline and online multiplayer, and even a stage editor.
Super Bomberman R 2 launches for PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, and PC on September 13th.
Two well-known Gamecube RPGs are getting re-released in one collection this week! Baten Kaitos I & II HD Remaster packages the original two games while enhancing their visuals and even adding new options to adjust the gameplay.
Baten Kaitos I & II HD Remaster releases exclusively for Nintendo Switch on September 14th.
An anime/gaming aficionado, experienced content creator and lovable goofball. Name a game genre and Seamus has likely played it… yes, even that one. Follow him @TrueStorySeamus
