It’s been 800 years, jellyfish are walking naked—HELLO BUBS. Apologies for my absence from blogging; I’ve been on the road, and unfortunately, I got hit with COVID. After much struggle I finally managed to pull this post together! Here you’ll find full summaries of all the new games and ports announced at Dessert de Otomate. Additionally, there’s an exciting update on Hanakare that we MUST talk about plus a bunch of other news. Let’s get to it!
Jump to:
New games
Fuyuzono Sacrifice | Honey Vibes | Hakuouki Ibun
Otomate Graffiti ports
7’scarlet | Natsuzora no Monologue | Hiiro no Kakera
Cast announcements
Moeyo! Otome Doushi | Trouble Magia
Other news
Otomate’s new title: Fuyuzono Sacrifice
Otomate showcased 3 new titles during Dessert de Otomate, one of them was Fuyuzono Sacrifice.
From OtomateWeb’s X: “The frozen world sought a bride (sacrifice) / A poignant love x Western Fantasy”
✿ Release date: TBC
✿ Platform: Nintendo Switch™
✿ Language: Japanese (unlocalised)
✿ Producer: Fujisawa Tsunekiyo (Hakuouki Shinkai: Ten’un no Shou, Moeyo! Otome Doushi, Hakuouki Reimeiroku)
✿ Director: Shiina Atori (Lover Pretend as Syst. Dir., DIG-ROCK)
✿ Character design: Manuka Midou
✿ Scenario writer: Arino Sachi (Radiant Tale, Collar x Malice, Yunohana Spring!, Code: Realize)
Watch the trailer below; I also added rough translations of the text in the trailer underneath if you don’t know what’s going on!
Amidst the gently falling cold blessings—
Today, I become a bride to the gods.
A sacrifice.
There’s no need to fear. After all, you are
“A bride without blessings from anyone.”
In a world closed off by the Winter God’s wrath and covered in snow,
While everyone longs for a warm spring,
The suggested solution to appease the god’s anger is one –
To offer a certain girl as a bride.
Four men extend a helping hand to the girl who has fallen into deep despair.
Is he an enemy or an ally—
As the girl remains unaware of even the grandest truths,
She reaches out against the fate decreed by the gods.
In the frozen world that sought a bride (sacrifice).
Another new title: Honey Vibes
Here’s another new game from Otomate – Honey Vibes, set to release this year!
From OtomateWeb’s X: “In a tropical paradise where beasts (desire) and humans (reason) meld, a passionate & stimulating love awaits—/ kemomimi x suits x three factions /”
A bit more tea from B’s-LOG: “You, who have wandered into a tropical paradise inhabited by passionate beasts overflowing with desire and passion. There, the ‘Beast People’ from three factions start to move, seeking you → !? Enjoy a passionately intense love in this ADV game.”
✿ Release date: 2024
✿ Platform: Nintendo Switch™
✿ Language: Japanese (unlocalised)
✿ Producer: Terashima Momoko (Shiritsu Berubara Gakuen, Psychedelica series, Koibana Days as Dir.)
✿ Director: Saitou Asami (Charade Maniacs, Tokeijikake no Apocalypse)
✿ Character design: Kurage Ichi
✿ Sound: Yusuke Takahama
Watch the trailer below; see rough translations of the text in the trailer underneath if you can’t read Japanese!
Here is a sweet, passionate land
A southern paradise that melts you away
And.
At times dangerous, a place overflowing with desire and passion where formidable beasts reside.
The protagonist has stumbled upon a world of beastmen where black, white, and red forces compete for territory.
“Now, let the battle for the queen’s throne begin.”
Hakuouki spin off game revealed!
Otomate revealed Hakuouki spin off game – “Hakuouki Ibun: Berezinsky no Majou.”
From OtomateWeb’s X: “Making her both an angel and a demon; a story exploring the origin of the elixir for eternal youth.”
Additional brief info from B’s-LOG: “Approximately 50 years before the end of the Edo period, the stage is set in early 19th-century France. Amidst the turmoil of war and Napoleon’s invasion of Russia, a story begins to unfold, exploring the origin of the elixir for eternal youth. The spin-off tale of Hakuouki commences.”
T/N: The romaji for “Berezinsky” is not confirmed, but there’s a place called Berezinsky Biosphere Reserve in Belarus, and also a local midsummer festival which includes a tradition of looking for fern flowers, believed to have the ability to grant eternal youth (cred: @lukevynland).
Also in B’s-LOG it says it’s set in France (舞台は19世紀初頭のフランス), but the trailer says it’s set in Eastern Europe (舞台は19世紀初頭の東欧). Last time I checked France is in Western Europe… did I make a mistake somewhere or is this a history thing perhaps?
See some key information about the game below!
✿ Release date: TBC
✿ Platform: Nintendo Switch™
✿ Language: Japanese (unlocalised)
✿ Director: Fujisawa Tsunekiyo (Hakuouki Shinkai: Ten’un no Shou and Hakuouki Reimeiroku as Prod.)
✿ Character design: Shiki Sakigumi (main) (Kurenai no Homura, Hakuouki SSL, Shinsengumi Kitan and Shinkai: Tsukikage no Shou), Usuba Kageroo (guest) (Radiant Tale, Reine des Fleurs, VariBari)
Watch the trailer below; with rough translations of the text in the trailer underneath!
This is the tale of xxx known as the Elixir of Eternal Youth.
Set in Eastern Europe in the early 19th century,
about 50 years before the era known as the end of the Bakumatsu period in Japan.
On the opposite side of the Earth,
with France at its core,
Europe is entangled in the chaos of war,
as Napoleon’s invasion of Russia unfolds,
the story begins to take shape.
The key to the stage lies in the lords who dwell in darkness.
A girl, bound to them through a peculiar destiny,
as their fates intertwine,
an ancient contract is unleashed.
Final Otomate Graffiti port titles revealed
In addition to the three previously announced Otomate Graffiti titles (Kurenai no Homura, Moujuu-tachi to Ohime-sama, and Hakuouki Yuugiroku Taishitachi no Daienkai), Otomate has revealed three more games in their “classics” collection that will be ported to Nintendo Switch.
✤ 7’scarlet
7’scarlet is a mystery-themed otome game set in a fictional modern day Japanese countryside. It was originally released for PS Vita in 2016 and received an English localisation in 2018. A PC (Steam) localised version was later released in 2019.
The Nintendo Switch port is unlocalised (Japanese text only).
From OtomateWeb’s X: “The moonlight illuminates the truth of this town. / Mystery x Incident /”
Here are some basic facts about the game followed by the synopsis, shortened from vndb.
✿ Release date: 2024
✿ Platform: Nintendo Switch™ (note: localised ver. available on Steam and PS Vita)
✿ Language: Japanese (note: English only on Steam and PS Vita)
✿ Director: Kanazawa Tomio (Side Kicks! as Asst. Prod.)
✿ Character design: Kurahana Chinatsu (UtaPri, Gossip Girl)
✿ Scenario writer: Kanazawa Tomio, Kano Shizuki
The summer in Okunezato, a town steeped in nature, carries the weight of a year-old mystery. Hanamaki Ichiko, a university student, receives an invitation from her childhood friend Kagutsuchi Hino to explore the disappearance of her brother. Drawn into the enigmatic “Forbidden Okunezato Club,” they join others at Fuurin Hotel, where a series of mysterious events unfold. As they delve into the “Legend of the Dead” and the forbidden grounds, uncovering the truth reveals a surprising and unexpected conclusion.
The voice cast of the main characters includes Shimazaki Nobunaga, Kakihara Tetsuya, Morikubo Showtaro, Sawashiro Chiharu, and Miki Shin’ichiro.
The game also has unique features, including dynamically moving game screens (movie sequences) and the 108 tips scattered throughout the game which reveals behind-the-scenes stories and background settings of characters that are not told in the narrative.
✤ Natsuzora no Monologue
Natsuzora no Monologue is a slice-of-life otome game set in modern-day Japan. It features an amnesiac heroine and a time loop plotline.
From OtomateWeb’s X: “We see a [dream] in the summer sky. / Summer-colored Time Loop AVG / Time loop x Summer x Science Club / New CGs and scenarios planned to be included!”
Here are some basic facts about the game followed by the synopsis, taken from vndb.
✿ Release date: 2024
✿ Platform: Nintendo Switch™
✿ Language: Japanese (unlocalised)
✿ Director: Ninomae Joe (Café Enchanté, Code: Realize)
✿ Character design: Hanamura Mai (Collar x Malice, AMNESIA) and Rokumaru (main), Sakura Takuto (chibi) (Hakuouki SSL, Moujuutsukai to Ohime-sama)
✿ Scenario writer: Nishimura Yuu (Code: Realize [sub], Hiiro no Kakera, Kaminaru Kimi to)
In a small town near the sea called Tokijima the protagonist Ogawa Aoi lives life as she always has.
In the middle of that normal town scenery is a great tower called the ‘Tree’.
It suddenly appeared thirty years ago and excited the whole country, but now it is just a deserted tourist spot.
One day, it is decided that the science club Aoi belongs to is going to be closed.
On July 29th, the day before the closure of the science club, all the members go to visit the ‘Tree’ together.
On that day, at that time, at that moment–
‘Tree’ starts to sing.
And on July 29th, a loop starts.
The love interests are voiced by Abe Atsushi, Inoue Kazuhiko, Okamoto Nobuhiko, Takahashi Naozumi, Takahashi Shin’ya and Yonaga Tsubasa.
Here is the teaser site – make sure to check the interactive map to read about various places featured in the game!
✤ Hiiro no Kakera
Hiiro no Kakera is a Japanese mythology-themed otome game. It was first released in 2006 for PS2 and received a 13-episode anime adaptation in 2012.
This Switch port, “Hiiro no Kakera ~Omoi Iro no Kioku~,” was originally released for PS Vita in 2017. It contains the first installment “Hiiro no Kakera,” the fan disc “Hiiro no Kakera ~Ano Sora no Shita de~” and additional scenarios, short stories, as well as game modes from past series. It also includes all the downloadable content from the PS3 version “Hiiro no Kakera Aizouban ~Akane Iro no Tsuioku~.”
From OtomateWeb’s X: “Once again, with you by my side… / Sword x Guardian x Seal”
Here are some basic facts about the game followed by the synopsis, taken from vndb and Wikipedia.
✿ Release date: 20 June 2024
✿ Platform: Nintendo Switch™
✿ Language: Japanese (unlocalised)
✿ Character design: Kazuki Yone (Hakuouki series, Fushigi Yuugi Genbu Kaiden Gaiden)
✿ Scenario writer: Nishimura Yuu (Code: Realize [sub], Hiiro no Kakera, Kaminaru Kimi to)
The protagonist is a teenage girl (Tamaki) who revisits a small village she remembers from her childhood and gets caught up in her family’s history and the supernatural dangers surrounding it.
While walking along the hillsides waiting for the person who her grandmother sent to fetch Tamaki to the village, Tamaki comes across a small, white round object which has sticks for limbs and can talk. It runs off soon after with Tamaki chasing after it. Soon Tamaki finds herself in a place where “it does not feel like the world I came from.” She gets attacked by three slime creatures, and a mysterious man comes charging in to save her by clamping his hands around her body and mouth then telling her to be quiet.
After the young man (Takuma) saves her he walks her to the village where her grandmother is staying. Soon after her arrival she meets with her grandmother. It’s later explained that she has to continue the role of ancestor princess (Tamayori), to seal the sword Onikirimaru with the help of her five guardians.
The love interests are voiced by Hirakawa Daisuke, Namikawa Daisuke, Sugita Tomokazu, Shimowada Hiroki, Nomiya Kazunori and Okano Kousuke.
I found the pace of the anime a little too slow and never got around to finishing it, but I might pick up the port to see for myself why it’s such a well-loved franchise!
Buy Hiiro no Kakera
*Check their official website for shop-specific bonus details (int’l buyers will need to use proxy).
Moeyo! Otome Doushi cast announced!
Moeyo! Otome Doushi ~Kayu Koigatari~ follows the story of Shunlin, an apprentice Taoist who is currently seeking a lover.
From OtomateWeb’s X: “Maidens are busy with love! / Battle! x Romantic Comedy ♥ x Manga! /”
More from B’s-LOG: “Due to unforeseen circumstances, she finds herself tasked with protecting the nation! As she faces challenges, she discovers love. A comedy filled with laughter, emotions, and action begins!”
You can visit the teaser site here.
Here are the voice actor cast for this game. T/N: I cannot guarantee the accuracy of the romaji version of the characters’ names. I initially adopted them from vndb when I was preparing my Otomate Party post but they’ve now been removed… but let’s just use it for now!
Haoran
✤ Childhood friend x big brother.
CV. Sakata Shōgo
“If you call for me, then it’s worth joining.”
Yuhan
✤ Same age x mischief-maker.
CV. Ura Kazuki
“Shut up, you idiot!”
Ronlei
✤ Gentleman x elite.
CV. Shimazaki Nobunaga
“Ojou-san, are you hurt?”
Xiaowu
✤ Lone wolf x fearless.
CV. Matsuoka Yoshitsugu
“You’re in the way!”
Trouble Magia cast revealed!
Trouble Magia ~Wakeari Shoujo wa Mirai o Kachitoru Tame ni Ikoku no Mahou Gakkou e Ryuugaku Shimasu~ is a magic and school-themed otome game. That long ass title is canon btw!
From OtomateWeb’s X: “A year of magic and youth begins to grasp the future! / Magic x Animals x Student Council /”
A more extensive summary from B’s-LOG: “The protagonist harbours a secret ‘curse’ that causes her to transform into animals suddenly. Despite aspiring to be a magic knight, securing a decent job is hopeless due to the ‘curse.’ To avoid future complications, she decides to study at the prestigious Reaver (T/N: unsure!) Magic Academy in the western magical realm, in search of clues to break the ‘curse.’ However, unexpected events lead to being monitored by the student council, forcing her to navigate school life while concealing the ‘curse.’ As she faces various troubles involving her own ‘curse’ and incidents at the magic school… The story of a peculiar girl unfolds on the stage of a magical school in a foreign land!”
Lucia Yuan (MC)
✤ Trying to break the animal transformation curse.
CV. N/A
Status: Adopted by a Baron’s Family
Course: Knight Magic
Elemental Aptitude: Water
Isaiah Klein
✤ A dependable childhood friend.
CV. Maeno Tomoaki
Status: Heir to a Major Trading Company
Course: Tool Magic
Elemental Aptitude: Wind
Lars Klotz
✤ A sharp-tongued recluse.
CV. Abe Atsushi
Status: Son of an Earl’s Family
Course: Magical Creatures
Elemental Aptitude: Earth
Ricardo Sante
✤ A spirited and self-assured individual.
CV. Ōsaka Ryōta
Status: Son of a Former Knight Commander
Course: Knight Magic
Elemental Aptitude: Fire
Alexei Eldiel
✤ A sociable feminist.
CV. Uemura Yūto
Status: Second Prince of the Kingdom
Course: Magic History
Elemental Aptitude: Light
Sion Caldo
✤ A disciplined student council president.
CV. Okitsu Kazuyuki
Status: Son of a Duke’s Family
Course: Medicine & Pharmacy Magics
Elemental Aptitude: Darkness
We’ll have FOUR heroines in Hanakare to & bloom!
MintLip has released the first game teaser for Hanakare to & bloom, which includes information about the staff. Here is the summary of all the key information.
✿ Release date: Summer 2024
✿ Platform: Nintendo Switch™
✿ Language: Japanese (unlocalised)
✿ Director: Arai Natsumi
✿ Character design: Y at (9 R.I.P., Cupid Parasite, Jakou no Lyla)
✿ Scenario writer: Asai Yuzuko (DYNAMIC CHORD, Starry Sky) and Amemiya Uta (Charade Maniacs, TsuiTsui)
They also revealed that the game will have four heroines, one for each of the love interests! Here are some translated information about them.
Aoki Serina
✤ Pair: Tori Wataru (CV. Kimura Ryohei)
✤ Flower: Tweedia
Working at the flower shop ‘Fill Flower,’ she is 26 years old. She’s a caring and reliable individual. She has a strong affection for flowers and actively engages in her duties. As Ginnosuke’s peer, she takes on the role of guiding Wataru, who joined as a part-timer. She’s a bit shy when it comes to romance.
Akashi Ami
✤ Pair: Sugawa Ginnosuke (CV. Suzuki Ryota)
✤ Flower: Mimosa
Working at an interior design firm, she is 23 years old. She’s spirited and, despite being clumsy, approaches everything with unwavering dedication. A hard worker inspired by the work ethic of the “flower shop guy” she met during her rookie days, she holds him in high esteem. She tends to be a bit of a workaholic.
Haruyoshi Fūka
✤ Pair: Ichige Hokuto (CV. Furukawa Makoto)
✤ Flower: Anemone
Working at a major trading company, she is 23 years old. The most frequent customer at Fill Flower, she is cheerful, lively, and adept at being affectionate. While she is an ace among her workplace peers, she has harboured an unrequited love for Hokuto, her older childhood friend living next door, for many years, causing her distress in their relationship.
Yukihira Miku
✤ Pair: Minami Tenya (CV. Tamaru Atsushi)
✤ Flower: Nandina
Love and Deepspace events
The banner for Zayne’s Limited SSR “Medical Rescue” starts at 5 am on February 21 to 4.59 am on February 29 (server time). Zayne girlies and SSR collectors, I hope you got some gems saved. Best of luck!
Their Oracle of Star event also starts on February 21 (5 am) and ends on March 10 (4.59 am, server time). You can get Limited 4-Star Memories [Xavier: Starry Witness], [Zayne: End Of Depths], and [Rafayel: Fiery Undercurrents]. You can also obtain exclusive headwear “Fluffy Ears” and exclusive earrings “Hyperspace Signal” and “Silver Ears.”
Also beware that from February 21 until February 29, the drop rewards from Bounty Hunt stages will be doubled, so it’s a good time to farm materials and upgrade your cards.
Refer to this tweet for full information!
Love and Deepspace | Server Maintenance
— Love and Deepspace (@Love_Deepspace) February 20, 2024
■ Maintenance Duration on February 21st
The server will undergo maintenance from 04:50 to 08:00 (UTC+8) on Feb. 21. During the maintenance, access to Linkon City will be temporarily unavailable. The server opening time may vary based on… pic.twitter.com/Q4GZ8MZHqV
Miscellaneous
✤ Amnesia Nendoroid
Kent’s and Ukyo’s Nendoroids are now available for pre-order!
Kent’s face plates include expressionless face, blushing face and smiling face. Optional parts include glasses, cake box, math puzzles (loool), Ace of clovers card, plus other optional parts for different poses.
As for Ukyo, his face plates include smiling face, happy face, and other Ukyo face. Optional parts are hat, camera, knife, joker card, and other optional parts for different poses.
You can pre-oder Kent’s Nendoroid on GSC, and here’s the link for Ukyo’s!
✤ Collar x Malice
You can now purchase Collar x Malice -deep cover- on Blu-ray (JPY 13,200) and DVD BOX (JPY 12,100). I’ve attached some links so you can check the different bonuses from various stores and the shortcut link to all the different stores.
In the latest edition of B’s-LOG, they also revealed Aiji’s and Sasazuka’s “with sweets” illustrations. I’m sure it’ll turn into merch soon, so keep an eye out. I am also still waiting for Seiya and Kouyou “with sweets” merch to drop!
Buy Collar x Malice -deep cover-:
Thank you for reading this far! Since January 18, my life has been completely taken over by Love and Deepspace; it’s actually insane. But Dessert de Otomate got me back to my humble beginnings, that is, console otome games. I mean, I still play console games when I’ve run out of things to do in Love and Deepspace. My latest console game obsession is Angelique Luminarise; in fact, pre-Love and Deepspace, this game had me up till morning because I got so addicted to it. But there’s just something about Love and Deepspace that’s really struck all the right chords for me, and it is absolutely wrecking my wallet (gacha is my enemy for real). I really want to write a review post to ramble about it; hopefully, I’ll be able to get to it soon!
Anyway, we got more new games, but the one that went up my instant pre-order list is Hanakare. Those MCs are stunning, plus I am completely obsessed with anything to do with Suzuki Ryota lately. Which game are you most excited about?
Love you always, hope to see you next time!
