Earlier today Nitro+CHiRAL finally announced more details about the upcoming Chiral Night event, which will focus on Slow Damage! The event will take place on August 28 at Omiya Sonic City in Tokyo and will be about four hours long. In addition to live performances of songs featured in the game, a new fully voiced drama segment written by Kabura Fuchii will also be presented. The event will also be streamed, so even if you can't attend you can still watch the livestream!
The event's story
A dream that only lasts a single night, unveiled by a black moon. That day, when Towa stops by his usual bar, "Roost," a different scent than usual tickles his nose. When Towa asks the bar manager about the smell, he only gives a vague, mysterious answer. Is what Towa is seeing a dream or illusion? A dreamlike tale that exists for only a single night begins.
Similar to previous Chiral Night events, this event will also feature songs from past Nitro+CHiRAL works, such as Togainu no Chi, Lamento, sweet pool, and DRAMAtical Murder! The voice actors of Slow Damage's main cast will also be present. This will be the first big Chiral Night event in over ten years, as the last major event was THE CHiRal NIGHT Dive Into Dmmd, which took place in 2013. They also organized two smaller events, which were the CHiRAL LIVE x Slow Damage event in 2022 and the Chiral Night pre-event which took place today. For more details about the ticket prices please check the official website! Lottery applications have already started, though for now it's only through ePlus.
Artists
ARKTA, Anna Evans Golden Folks, Itou Kanako, VERTUEUX, Kimura Seiji, KiRi, GOATBED, THE ANDS, Watanabe Kazuhiro
Voice actors
Hiiragi Santa (Towa), Munakata Jin (Taku), Tanaka Ichirou (Rei), Ichinose Subaru (Madarame), Miyabi Shou (Fujieda), Ayano Ayato (Kotarou), Do Re Mi Fa So La O (Mayu), Hiruumi Daikichi (Eiji), Yaso Hajime (Roost Manager), Ii Kinniku (Baku), Tsuyu Tomoya (Shiro).
New BL game releases and announcements (2026 edition)
Because last year’s blog post is now a bit outdated, I wanted to create a new list of BL games that have either been recently released or are scheduled to be released in the future! Some of the titles mentioned here may overlap with those I covered in my 2025 blog post, but I added a bit of extra information. Since there aren’t many new titles, I also decided to include games released in December last year, as well as a number of new doujin games.
This time I also included links to the social media accounts of the developers, as well as their VNDB pages for those who are interested in learning more about these games. I usually put these lists together for myself so I can easily keep track of development progress, but I figured I might as well share it here too! I might also add some more games to this list later.
Now available ↓
Suito wa Hakumei (水都は薄明)
Developer: HolicWorks
Release date: January 30th, 2026
Links: VNDB, Twitter, DLsite
A new 18+ Holicworks title about a city which is permanently enveloped in twilight. The story focuses on protagonist Mahora who’s a member of the Special Security Guards (Yonomori) who are tasked to kill the demons that suddenly started appearing in the city.
Chuki Chuki Eroriiman/Love Love Sexy Salaryman
Developer: MadaLabo/MadaKubo
Release date: May 2026
Links: VNDB, Ci-en, Twitter
New 18+ BL game by MadaLabo, which was originally teased in 2022. According to their blog posts this will be a more light-hearted game compared their previous works (Hadaka Shitsuji and Kanja S no Kyuusai) and focuses on only 2 main characters. Like usual, the protagonist will be the top. This game is available in both Japanese and English!
DRAMAtical Murder re:code (Nintendo Switch)
Developer: NITRO CHiRAL
Release date: December 25th, 2025
Links: VNDB, Nintendo store
This is the 15+ rated version of the game that was originally released on the PSvita in 2014. The 18+ scenes were censored/modified to fit the age rating, but it does have a new route which focuses on the character Mizuki. Note that it’s only available in the Japanese Nintendo store, so you might need a Japanese Nintendo gift card to purchase it. It also only has Japanese language options.
Ani Asobi (兄遊び)
Developer: Tennenouji
Release date: December 12th, 2025
Links: VNDB, Twitter, DLsite
A short new game by Tennenouji which focuses on two brothers. This isn’t really a story-focused game but more of an interactive 18+ game. I recommend checking the DLsite website for more details as almost all of the game’s images are nsfw lol.
Tsuitou (終灯)
Developer: Studio Shirafune
Release date: January 12th, 2026
Links: VNDB, Twitter, Booth, Website
A short doujin BL visual novel based on Edogawa Ranpo's "The Demon of the Lonely Island". You can download this game for free on Booth. In a recent blog update they also mentioned that they are working on a new Showa era type of game, though they haven't released much information yet so I will probably add this later when we know more about it.
Hen'ai Necromanticism (偏愛ネクロマンチシズム)
Developer: Aikawa Nemu
Release date: February 27th, 2026
Links: VNDB, Twitter, DLsite, Website
18+ rated doujin BL game about a tale connecting humans and vampires, taking place in modern day Tokyo. You can download this game for free on DLsite.
Norn's Dine
Developer: HIC*
Release date: 2025 (first release), 2026 (update patch)
Links: VNDB, Steam, Website
18+ BL game that focuses on protagonist Asahi who inherited his grandmother's restaurant ''Norn's Dine'' where he uses his skill as a cook to create a wide variety of dishes for his customers every day. The game has 4 different routes, but 4 additional routes are still scheduled to be released as a DLC. Other than Japanese, this game's also available in English and Chinese.
Ariki Taride Gudonna Boku ni Okuru Monogatari (ありきたりで愚鈍な僕に贈る物語)
Developer: Pamme Patale
Release date: February 2026
Links: VNDB, Booth
Fully voiced 18+ doujin BL game by creator Pamme Pattale. It focuses on protagonist Yuto is a model student who grew up with overly strict parents who always expected him to be a ''good boy''.
After noticing the unrequited love he has for his teachr, a young man named Hikari who only Yuto can see for some reason, starts talking to him and teases him.
Kami no Na o Musunde (神の名を結んで)
Developer: Haruto Sakata
Release date: May 3rd 2026.
Links: VNDB, Twitter, Novelgame
A free all-ages BL game about a boy that is rumored to be the Grim Reaper, and a boy who always stays by his side. You can download this game on their novelgame page now!
Upcoming releases ↓
Tokyo Gentou/ Tokyo Phantasmagoria (東京幻燈)
Developer: Procyon (new BL branch of Orbit/CORE)
Release date: 2026
Links: VNDB, Twitter
New 18+ BL game project by Procyon. The story of this game takes place in a future in which humans live together with different lifeforms, who started appearing after a certain incident in 1996. The artist is Carnelian who's known for other 18+ BLVN titles such as Messiah and Fanatica. Their official Twitter account was still active this month, so I hope we will get more details about the release date soon!
This Game Is Not Real.
Developer: Viv
Release date: Late May 2026
Links: VNDB, Twitter, Website, Booth
Not a visual novel, but an 18+ rated doujin game advertised as 'the worst BL game ever' about two obsessive game creators. It's made by Viv who also created the horror adventure game Saihate Eki. Unfortunately it got removed from Steam because of the age rating, but right now you can pre-order it on other websites such as DLsite & Booth (you might need a VPN to access the DLsite page).
Shinso no Yamai (深窓の病)
Developer: Tedopoyo
Release date: 2026
Links: VNDB, Twitter
Focuses on the characters Hiwana and Yayo who get lost in a dream world. An exploration-type game which also has BL elements. Like most of the creator's games, this one will also have darker themes.
Haitai Kaisei (胚胎回生)
Developer: Tedopoyo
Release date: Unknown
Links: VNDB, Twitter
This game is connected to Boku no Saiai no which is another doujin game with BL elements and features the same characters. The age rating is 15+. Because of Tumblr's 30 image per post limit I can't add a preview image for this one, but you can check the VNDB page to see what the characters look like!
Sayonara Junsei, Mata Kite Seishun (さよなら純青、またきて青春)
Developer: Nenaico
Release date: 2026
Links: VNDB, Twitter, Website
18+ BL game by doujin group Nenaico. This game focuses on the protagonist Kazuya, who understands the pain of losing someone all too well. In his daily life, he has learned to appreciate the normal life he’s living. However, in doing so, he has ignored the lingering feelings of regret deep in his heart. His life begins to change after he stumbles upon the October issue of the Literature Club’s magazine, Hanaikada. The writer and artist have also created an all-ages BL game in 2019 called Narisokonai no Yosuga.
Yuushuu no Mahoutsukai (幽囚の魔法使い)
Developer: Samezaki
Release date: 2027
Links: VNDB, Twitter, Booth, Steam
A doujin BL game that explores the bond between master and apprentice. It focuses on protagonist Amon, who's devoting himself to his studies at the Academy of Magic. One day, he receives the news that he will become the apprentice of famous magician Lucio Lofocale, who Amon has looked up to since he was a kid. However, on his way there, he gets caught in a storm and ends up shipwrecked on an abandoned island. By chance he ends up on the island where his new master lives, though something about this situation feels strange... The trial version of this game was recently released in April and I thought it was really interesting! The creator described the relationship between the characters as ''tragic'' so even though the game seems light-hearted at first, I recommend playing until the very end of the trial version.
Tomare Miyo (とまれ見よ)
Developer: Ayama Team
Release date: 2027
Links: VNDB, Twitter, Website
18+ doujin BL game which focuses on the frustrations, regrets and love in the afterlife. This developer has released 2 other BL doujin games in the past called Ore no ○ Yasumi and Yonin no Hanayome. The developer frequently posts updates on their Twitter account, so I recommend following that for more information.
Kanraku Prison (陥落プリズン)
Developer: Ritomo
Release date: Undecided
Links: Twitter
R15 rated BL doujin game in which the protagonist is sentenced to 100 years in prison, but escapes within 7 days after flattering the prison guards. The release date is currently unknown but the creator posts about the game pretty often on their Twitter account.
Kikai Densen (奇怪伝染)
Developer: Kikyudo
Release date: Undecided
Links: VNDB, Twitter
18+ Mystery x BL novel game project by doujin group Kikyudo. The story focuses on honor student Seiji who takes out his daily frustrations on his classmate Toshiyuki. As a result of the bullying, Toshiyuki decides to end his own life. He however returns as some kind of supernatural being and decides to make Seiji's life a living hell. It was advertised as a ''male ryona'' game (a game in which the character is subject to physical/psychological abuse) so it's already confirmed that it will include dark themes. You can follow their Twitter account for updates, though they haven't been active since July 2025.
OUROBOROS if: CRAZY FOR YOU
Developer: saiaku_exe
Release date: Undecided
Links: Twitter, Steam
A doujin BL game by saiaku_exe. The protagonist, Chuni, suddenly gets trapped in the world of a gal game and is trying to find his way out. ''If I ignore all the heroines in this game and focus only on my childhood friend (boy) Mayumu, I should be able to return to my original world.'' The official Twitter page is still frequently updated.
Shinokemono (シノケモノ)
Developer: RainEnd
Release date: Undecided
Links: VNDB, Twitter, Website
18+ doujin BL game which focuses on yokai and a world between the living and the death. This project was announced in 2023 and the website sometimes gets updated, but because it's made by a small team they mentioned that they're working on it at their own pace. Last time they updated their social media was in 2025.
Dear Dish
Developer: Le:tec:Le
Release date: Undecided (Possibly 2026 now)
Links: VNDB, Twitter, Website
Dark mystery 18+ BL game which focuses on protagonist Jack, whose brother mysteriously disappeared along with half of the village's children on the night of the harvest festival. Seven years later, he's about to find out more about what exactly happened that night. In March 2026 their official Twitter account posted that the production of the game was about 50% complete, so they are still actively working on it.
Psychic Eclipse code:green
Developer: C-Garden NEXT-B
Release date: Undecided
Links: VNDB, Twitter
A sequel of the original Psychic Eclipse game which was released in 2021. The story takes place in a world in which humans developed psychic abilities and most of the world is controlled by an AI network called Polaris. At the end of 2024, they announced that the release of the game would be postponed in order to further improve the quality of the game. They haven't announced a new release date, but they do still update their Twitter account occasionally.
Projects of which the status is currently unknown ↓
Love it Hunter! (ラビットハンター)
Developer: Equal Life Laboratory
Release date: Unknown
Links: VNDB, Twitter, Website
A futuristic biopunk 18+ BL game in which humanity was saved by new technological developments while on the verge of extinction. A trial version of the game was released in 2021 which did seem promising, but their social media account has not posted any updates since April 2024.
Cage -Remake-
Developer: LOVE&DESTROY
Release date: Unknown
Links: VNDB, Twitter, Blog
A complete remake of the 18+ BL games CAGE OPEN and CAGE CLOSE. In these games, protagonist Konno is forced to play a mysterious “game” together with 8 other participants. Two years ago they announced the hiatus of one of the writers and they haven't really posted anything since then. This project was crowdfunded, so I do hope it will get released one day.
Caricature Camera
Developer: LOVE&DESTROY
Release date: Unknown
Links: VNDB, Twitter, Blog
New 18+ LOVE&DESTROY title that I was thinking of adding to my cancelled BL game list, though officially the project is on hold according to a blog post from several years ago. The story focuses on protagonist Shinobu Kamo, who receives a job offer from a mysterious person after recently losing his job.
Akechi to Iu Otoko - A Danshaku-tei Satsujin Jiken (明智と謂ふ男 A男爵邸殺人事件)
Developer: HolicWorks
Release date: Unknown
Links: VNDB, Animate
New Holicworks project which was supposed to be a collaboration with Animate Games. I decided to include this but I'm not sure if it's really BL because the original announcement didn't mention it. It's still promoted on the Animate Games website but they haven't posted new information ever since its original announcement in 2022.
Kaeriji no Hana (還り路の花)
Developer: Afflatus
Release date: Unknown
Links: Twitter, Website
18+ doujin game project set in modern day Tokyo. Protagonist Kanda Sakaki loses his job and has no choice but to move back to his family home. One day he meets four men, and together they end up walking down a path filled with resentment. Last year it was announced that development is currently suspended, but they hope to return to the project some day.
FANTASTICS＊TRANS―MaguKare― (マグカレ)
Developer: Tonleiter
Release date: Unknown
Links: VNDB, Twitter, Official blog, Website
18+ BL game in which most of the characters are creatures who live in an aquarium. The last update on their social media was in 2023, so it's uncertain if they are still working on this project. They did release a side story which could be purchased at Comiket which they also sold on their Booth page in 2022.
FANTASTICS＊TRANS―Herbaria Darling― (ハーバリアダーリン)
Developer: Tonleiter
Release date: Unknown
Links: VNDB, Twitter, Official blog, Website
18+ BL game from the same series as MaguKare, though in this game all of the characters are creatures who live in a botanical garden. If you recognize the art style, it's drawn by the same artist who did the art for Tokyo Onmyouji and the scenario writer is also the same! Just like MaguKare, it's uncertain if they are still working on this game because it has been a few years since they've posted any updates.
JEWEL OF SABER
Developer: Lavi SOFT
Release date: Unknown
Links: Youtube, Twitter, Website
I've been wanting to talk about this one for a while because I saw this doujin game promoted in one of the Game Pierce issues from 2002, which means it was announced at least 24 years ago (!). I was wondering what happened to it, but they were still posting updates on their Twitter account in 2022 and they also released a teaser video in 2019. Their website still works too, though it doesn't really have any information other than the trailer video.
I was originally going to post this a bit earlier in January, but maybe it's good I had to postpone it because we got a few new announcements recently from some well-known BL game developers (Parade and Tennenouji). The release date of Ooe part 2 was also revealed and the game is scheduled to be released at the end of next month, so I think there are quite some new things to look forward to this year.
I also decided to include some more doujin game titles this time, as well as some games which are still in development, but the status is currently unknown. Sadly BL game magazine Cool-B has ended its publication, so I hope that the game developers will continue updating their own social media pages and blogs instead.
Now available ↓
Re;quartz Reido Nintendo Switch version (Re;quartz零度)
Publisher: B-cluster
Release date: February 27, 2025 (available now!)
Fully voiced Switch port of Re;quartz Reido, which was originally released in 2020. This plot focuses on a time loop murder mystery story, in which an organization tries to hunt down people with supernatural powers. The original game was already all-ages, so unlike most BL game Switch ports I don't think any of the content was cut. The Switch version also updated the background art and added some new after-scenarios that are not in the original game. Sadly the English localization of the PC version was cancelled, so you will not be able to play any version of this in English.
Friendly Lab Unlock () ; English version
Publisher: Tennenouji
Release date: March 14, 2025 (available now!)
I was surprised to suddenly see this, but the English version of Friendly Lab which was announced in May 2023 was released today! You play the role of a researcher who’s conducting a gentle experiment on two test subjects, who both experience memory loss. It's available on DLsite, which is also the company that localized the game. I hope that the English version of Tennenouji's other game, Luckydog1, will also be released at some point, though that one's being localized by MangaGamer.
2025 release date ↓
Ooe part 2 (大穢後編)
Publisher: Adelta
Release date: April 19, 2025
Second half of the 18+ BL game Ooe which was released in October 2024. Closed circle murder mystery story which takes place during Japan’s post-war era (1955). The new blog post mentions that if you already purchased part 1, you can download the complete edition for free once part 2 releases, which includes all routes. It's also already confirmed that this game will be translated, though there is currently no information who's in charge of the localization.
Tokyo Gentou/ Tokyo Phantasmagoria (東京幻燈)
Publisher: Procyon (new BL branch of Orbit/CORE)
Release date: (Updated) 2026
The story takes place in a future in which humans live together with different lifeforms, who started appearing after a certain incident in 1996. The artist is Carnelian who's known for other BLVN titles such as Messiah and Fanatica. It has been 17 years since they last worked on a BLVN project (Messiah's fandisc) so I am really happy to see them working on a new project! The game's age rating is also 18+.
Ani Asobi (兄遊び)
Publisher: Tennenouji
Release date: (Updated) 2026
Tennenouji's new 18+ BL project which was first announced in the final issue of Cool-B which was released in January. This game focuses on two main characters, a younger brother (whose face is covered in the official art for some reason), and an older brother. In the Cool-B interview Yura mentions that this game won't have any comedic scenes, so it looks like the plot will be quite serious. The theme of the game focuses on ''humillation''.
lesson
Publisher: Parade
Release date: July 25th, 2025
Parade also announced their new project earlier this year, which is their fourth game "lesson". They also already launched the official website on Valentine's Day. The story focuses on protagonist Kento, who's struggling to stay out of trouble after growing up in a harsh environment. One day he gets caught in a motorcycle accident and he wakes up in the hospital, where he meets a man called Takafumi. The website mentions is that most of the 18+ scenes are consensual, but the story itself does include heavy themes. It looks like it's going to have quite some branching routes/endings too.
Suito wa Hakumei (水都は薄明)
Publisher: Holicworks
Release date: (Updated) January 2026
A new 18+ Holicworks title about a city which is permanently enveloped in twilight. Recently it was announced that this project is still alive, though they did replace the lead artist and re-drew the CGs and sprites which were initially shown. I also wrote a short blog post about this one if you want to read more about it. They recently announced that the game will be released on the 30th of January 2026 and also uploaded the opening movie.
Seraphim Spiral -Shounen no Ori- Re-master
Publisher: B Works
Release date: 2025
Fully voiced remaster of Seraphim Spiral, an all-ages BL game which was originally released in 2001. Story focuses on protagonist Kugami Akito, a transfer student who had to drop out of his previous school after a certain incident. I've played a lot of older BL visual novels but I haven't actually played this one, so maybe I'll get a chance to play it now!
Nie no Machi Iromusubi Switch/Steam version (贄の町-いろむすび-)
Developer: Zombilica
Release date: May 22, 2025
This is the fandisc of the game Nie no Machi, which was ported to the Nintendo Switch and Steam last year. The original game is 18+, but the console versions are usually all-ages or 17+, so if you want the full experience the PC version might be better. Heads up that the Steam version is the same as the Switch version, so that version won't include the 18+ scenes either. I do hope the PC version of the first game and fandisc will get localized some day, as right now only the ''sfw'' version is translated.
Kawatare no Youyuu (彼誰の溶融)
Developer: Tedopoyo
Release date: 2025
BL game by doujin game creator Tedopoyo, who has released two other BL projects in the past (Boku no Saiai no and Shuuen Ouse). Focuses on protagonist Atori who's described to have violent tendencies. We don't know a lot about the game yet, but you can follow the developer for any updates.
Collision x Collision
Developer: Gintou
Release date: 2025
18+ visual novel by doujin group Gintou. They've released a lot of all-ages BL titles in the past, but recently they also started making 18+ works. I don't know super much about this game developer, but you can check updates here on their Twitter account.
Hen'ai Necromanticism (偏愛ネクロマンチシズム)
Developer: Aikawa Nemu
Release date: (Updated) December 2025
18+ BL game about vampires in modern day Tokyo. This one caught my attention because the theme song is sung by Itou Kanako, and Watanabe Kazuhiro is credited for the ending song. Both are well-known in the BL visual novel industry as they also sung the opening/ending songs for many of the Nitro Chiral games. You can check out the opening PV here! Apparently you can choose if you want the characters to be a top/bottom/switch which is something you don't often see in BL visual novels anymore, so I think this could be interesting.
Norn's Dine
Publisher: HIC*
Release date: 2025
Protagonist Asasi inherited his grandmother's restaurant ''Norn's Dine'' where he uses his skill as a cook to create a wide variety of dishes for his customers every day. Through these encounters with different people, his daily life starts changing little by little, and the concept of ''fate'' also starts to change. This one also has a Steam page.
New projects of which the release date is currently unknown ↓
New MadaLabo 18+ project
Developer: MadaLabo/MadaKubo
Release date: Unknown
A teaser for this was originally posted on Togo Mito's Twitter account (who's the writer and artist) in 2022, but a few new illustrations were posted on the MadaLabo account and in Cool-B recently. Not a lot of information is known about this game yet, but the protagonist is once again a top. In the final issue of Cool-B Togo Mito also mentioned how some might think his games are ''repetitive'' because the themes are often similar, but he will keep creating things he likes. In the past he created games like Hadaka Shitsuji and Kanja S no Kyuusai (or Patient S).
18+ Mystery x BL novel game project. The story focuses on honor student Seiji who takes out his daily frustrations on his classmate Toshiyuki. As a result of the bullying, Toshiyuki decides to end his own life, however he returns as some kind of supernatural being. Now a monster, he decides to make Seiji's life a living hell. Promoted as a ''male ryona'' game, it's aready confirmed that it will include some heavy themes such as gore/rape. You can follow any updates on their Twitter account.
OUROBOROS if: CRAZY FOR YOU
Developer: saiaku_exe
Release date: Unknown
Protagonist Chuni suddenly gets trapped in the world of a gal game and is trying to find his way out. ''If I ignore all the heroines in this game and focus only on my childhood friend (boy) Mayumu, I should be able to return to my original world.'' The official page mentions that you can experience the despair of being surrounded by cute girls, but you can only romance the other boy character lol. This one also already has a Steam page which you can check out here.
Love it Hunter!
Publisher: Equal Life Laboratory
Release date: Was 2023 but currently unknown
Futuristic biopunk 18+ BL game in which humanity was saved by new technological developments while on the verge of extinction. There haven't been many updates recently, but they did publish a new illustration in Cool-B in January, so I think the project is still alive. A trial version of it was released in 2021 which seemed promising, but their social media account has not posted any updates since last year.
A doujin BL game which focuses on yokai and a world between the living and the death. This project was announced in 2023 and the website sometimes gets updated, but because it's made by a small team they mentioned that they're working on it at their own pace. They do have a Twitter account and an official website.
Dark mystery BL game made by doujin group The:tec:The. Their official Twitter account can be found here and is still being updated.
Kaeriji no Hana
Publisher: Afflatus
Release date: Unknown
Modern day fantasy BL game set in Tokyo, Japan. The protagonist Kanda Sakaki loses his job and has no choice but to move back to his family home. One day he meets four men, and together they end up walking down a path filled with resentment. It was announced that development is currently on hold but that they have not abandoned the project yet, but you can check their Twitter account for any updates.
Psychic Eclipse code:green
Publisher: C-Garden NEXT-B
Release date: Was 2024 but currently unknown
A sequel of the original Psychic Eclipse game released in 2021. Takes place in a world in which humans developed psychic abilities. I liked the first game so I’m curious how they will continue the story. The official account is still actively posting updates, so I hope they will be able to release it this year.
Projects of which the status is currently unknown ↓
This will be a complete remake of two older 18+ BL games (CAGE OPEN & CAGE CLOSE). Protagonist Konno is forced to play a mysterious “game” together with 8 other participants. They haven't really posted any updates for some time now, and a year ago they announced the hiatus of one of the writers, so since then there haven't been any updates. This project was crowdfunded so I do hope it will get released one day.
Caricature Camera
Publisher: LOVE&DESTROY
Release date: Unknown
New 18+ LOVE&DESTROY title, though they haven't updated the website for a couple of years now (I think they were busy working on the CAGE remake and its crowdfunding). The story focuses on protagonist Shinobu Kamo, who receives a job offer from a mysterious person after recently losing his previous job.
Akechi to Iu Otoko - A Danshaku-tei Satsujin Jiken (明智と謂ふ男 A男爵邸殺人事件)
Publisher: Holicworks
Release date: Unknown
New Holicworks project which is a collaboration with Animate Games. I decided to include this but I'm not sure if it's really BL because the original announcement didn't mention it, but I do think it's rated all-ages. Other than releasing the original teaser video and some extra images, they haven't posted any other information about it since their original announcement in 2022.
Since I've been slowly replaying Lamento, I wanted to create my own glossary to link back to my Lamento Expiatio translation posts! I'm sure there's already a lot of information online about Lamento's worldbuilding and the terms they use in the game, however since some pages of the wikia are a bit empty and I'm having trouble finding some older Tumblr blog posts, I decided to make one too.
Most of this is translated directly from the official website, the World Guidebook, and Lamento Green Notes. I tried to keep it consistent with some of the commonly used fan-translation terms, but I also included the Japanese words in case anyone's curious what the original term in the game is.
Shisa/Sisa (祇沙): An island nation surrounded by a yellow ocean. Blocked by coral reefs, the inhabitants of Shisa don't interact a lot with surrounding nations. Officially, the nation's leader is the lord of Ransen, but each village has a strong sense of autonomy. According to the legend, Shisa's sun fell into the sea a long time ago, which dyed the ocean a yellow color.
Moon of Light (陽の月) and Moon of Shadow (陰の月) : The Moon of Light rises during daytime, while the Moon of Shadow rises at night. Both moons generate almost no heat, that's why it's said that Shisa's weather feels like spring all year round.
Ribika (リビカ): The inhabitants of Shisa, characterized by their cat ears and tails. They can be divided into two different species, large species and small species. While larger species have stronger bodies and have great fighting abilities, smaller species are more flexible and agile. Smaller species usually have larger ears and longer tails compared to bigger species. Even though Ribika don't have the best eyesight, they have excellent hearing abilities and can rotate their ears to determine the location where sound is coming from. When they get angry or excited, their pupils become thin and narrow. Their sense of smell is also very strong. Not only do their tails help them with balance, it's also possible to guess what emotions they're feeling by looking at the movement of their tails. They are natural hunters, therefore their staple food is mostly meat, but they also eat fruits and nuts (such as the Kuim fruit). Most Ribika aren't super interested in food and can easily last several days without eating.
✧General terms✧
Two Canes/Futatsuzue (二つ杖): A race that according to Shisa's legends, once inhabited Shisa. They left their civilization behind, and many can only speculate why they disappeared. It is believed that Two Canes were in fact the humans Razel talked about.
Touga (闘牙): Touga is a term used to describe skilled fighters. They often work together with Sanga as a pair. Unlike Sanga who are born with their abilities, anyone can become a Touga if they train hard enough. A Touga without a Sanga has no chance of beating a Touga and Sanga pair in battle.
Sanga (賛牙): Sanga are born with a special ability to support others with the power of song, boosting the other person's fighting ability. A Sanga doesn't actually use their voice to sing, as the "song" is just a melody one can hear when they activate their powers. Because of their special abilities, they are highly sought after.
Sangachou (賛牙長): Literally translates to "Chief Sanga". They are guardian cats who serve the families of Shisa's feudal lords. Sanga are often requested to play a supporting role in the country's national affairs and are sometimes in charge of politics on behalf of their feudal lords.
Devil (悪魔): Ribika aren't the only inhabitants of Shisa, there are also more dangerous beings such as monsters and devils. Devils can be recognized by their horns and tails. It's said that they can make any wish come true, as long as you give them what they want.
The Void/Utsuro (虚ろ): A mysterious phenomenon which has been slowly affecting different areas of Shisa. It consumes all living beings, and the spread of it has made it difficult to hunt for food, often leading to food shortages and starvation.
The Sickness/Shikku (失躯): A deadly disease which leads to pain, fever and the sudden loss of limbs and other body parts. Female Ribika are much more likely to get the disease, which is why they have become very rare.
Black cats: Black cats are considered a symbol of misfortune. It's said that when many black cats are spotted in Shisa, abnormal weather conditions and natural disasters become more common. Because of this stigma, Ribika from villages like Kira do not interact with the outside world.
✧Locations✧
Ransen (藍閃): Shisa's capital, located in the center of the country. This city was built on top of the ruins of the Two Canes, and is characterized by its square-shaped buildings. Ransen is also the city where the country's most important individuals live, such as the feudal lords and their Sanga. The library is also located here, which was the legacy of the Two Canes. It has a large collection of books that describe the history and legends of Shisa. Under normal circumstances, entry is prohibited, but on the last day of winter it becomes a venue for a costume ball and anyone participating can enter the building. Big festivals also take place in this city which attract visitors from all over the country, such as the spring festival and the dark winter festival.
Karou (火楼): A small village located in the southwestern part of Shisa, and also the place where Konoe's house is located. The town is inhabited by a very cautious race of warriors, who learn combat techniques at an early age. They are not very fond of strangers and people rarely leave their houses. It's one of the villages where isolation has become a serious problem due to the Void, and in recent years the extreme food shortages gave them no choice but to resort to cannibalism.
Kira (吉良): A village located deep inside of the secluded valley. A cursed tribe is rumored to live here, whose ears and tails are black, and their bodies covered in strange markings. As a result of these rumors and its hard to find location, even merchants avoid Kira.
Meigi (冥戲): Kira's rival tribe. Its inhabitants are known to be devil worshippers and because of this, they are even more infamous than those who live in Kira.
Setsura (刹羅): A village located in the northern part of Ransen, where large species of Ribika live. Because of their strength and great fighting abilities, many of them become bodyguards or bounty hunters.
Lost Forest/Mayoi no Mori (迷いの森): A vast forest located between Ransen and Karou. The thick branches of the trees and leaves block most of the light, making it an easy place to get lost, even during daytime. Some merchants developed special techniques to navigate the forest, which is why Tokino can travel to Karou without getting lost. Recently, the Void has affected large parts of the forest, eroding its surroundings at an abnormally fast rate, which is why some also refer to it as the Void Forest.
Secluded Valley/Yukoku no Tani (幽刻の谷): Located somewhere inside the Lost Forest. A place covered in a dark, thick fog, where plants and trees wither. It's rumored that the village of Kira is located somewhere in this valley. Most living beings, including animals, avoid this place.
Mirror Lake/Kagami-ko (カガミ湖): A mysterious lake located northeast of Ransen, which is considered one of the biggest mysteries of Shisa. Even though the sound of waves can be heard when approaching the lake, the surface appears to be calm, resembling a mirror. For some reason the surface of the lake is impenetrable, so even walking on it is possible. There is also a cave near the lake, but it cannot be entered under normal circumstances.
✧Mythology✧
Song of the Beginning: According to the legends, Ribika was a goddess and also the wife of Two Canes/Futatsuzue. It is said that she created Shisa after laying a rainbow egg that fell to the earth and shattered, which awakened life. The song Ribika sang is referred to as "The Song of the Beginning".
Ribika (god): To protect life of those who inhabited Shisa, she took the form of a cat and lived among them. However, in this form she was not able to support the sun any longer, which fell into the sea. She then split the moon into two, the moon of light and the moon of shadow.
Some extra fun facts I wasn't sure where to add in this list:
Konoe and Asato would be considered small species of cats even though Asato's the same height as Bardo, so appearance-wise it seems like only the ears and tails look different.
I think it's pretty obvious that Bardo's supposed to be a tiger and for Rai's a snow leopard, but they just describe Konoe's design as ''milk tea color''.
The books mentions that Ribika are covered in a thin layer of invisible hair which they like to keep clean, which is why they groom themselves, and yes their tongues are similar to real cats.
The reason why Ribika (the species) refer to themselves as ''cats'' is because the cats that appeared in old literature shared the same traits as them (ears and a tail).
For some reason, there are no remaining pictures of what Two Canes looked like, though Razel does confirm they were in fact the same as humans. It's pretty much unknown where humanity went and why all traces of them in the books were erased.
The webcomic has shown some things that were only mentioned in text before in the game, such as designs of what the monsters look like (they kind of look like feline creatures with horns) and human Razel.
In the interviews they mention that they were inspired by Celtic culture and music, specifically Ireland. Shisa isn't supposed to be an existing country, but you do see some inspirations in the game like the Celtic knot patterns.
Just one more day left until the live performances of the Lamento stageplay start! The stageplay was of course already announced last year, but as they finally started tweeting the countdown pictures, I wanted to write a blog post about the visuals and information they've released so far, comparing some of the stageplay visuals to the official game illustrations!
Similar to the DRAMAtical Murder (DMMd) and sweet pool stageplays, the Lamento stageplay will also have different routes for each main character, Asato, Bardo and Rai. I'm going to assume that the first half of the stageplay will be some kind of common route, while the second half focuses on the route of each different character. Something that is new is that this time the stageplay will have "musical elements" as well, so I'm not sure if I should call it a stageplay or a musical (I'm just using "stageplay" this time as the official account also seems to call it that). Even though in the game Konoe's song is just a melody, the actors did tweet about singing, so I am curious what they will do!
Ohyama Yoh, who composed 19 of the 37 songs of the Lamento original soundtrack also tweeted that there will be 11 new songs (+ addictional background music). I think it's super cool that they're working together with the original composer again to create new songs for the stageplay! I remember the DMMd stageplay also had a new song by GOATBED, which they even performed live a few times at the end of the show. The previous stageplays were about two hours long, but this time they mentioned it will be at least 3 hours, which makes sense because Lamento is a lot longer than sweet pool and DMMd.
I'm really impressed by the costumes and wigs so far, the ears and tails also look so fluffy... I really wonder what they will look like in motion and what the battle scenes will look like. Most of the visuals of the individual characters they've released so far seem to be based on the in-game sprites, but what I found interesting is that Rai's, Asato's and Bardo's pictures seem to have the same pose as the Kotobukiya figurines! You can see the comparison below, the pictures of the figurines are from the Kotobukiya official website.
Another new visual which was released quite recently seems to resemble another official illustration, which I've seen in the artbooks before and which was also the cover of magazine B's Log, specifically the December 2006 issue. Some of the details are a bit different, for example Konoe is not holding Leaks' mask in his hand anymore, and this time they added Shui to the illustration as well, but some other things such as Bardo's pose make it quite obvious this picture was their inspiration. The way Shui and Leaks stand next to each other kind of reminds me of the Rhapsody to the Past drama CD as well? One thing I noticed is that they're not really trying to hide Leaks' face this time, which was actually quite a big reveal in the game.
Next are some of the other illustrations they recently showed us during a short livestream which was available on Twitter for a limited time. Luckily they also posted the pictures on the official account! These won't be sold as merchandise, but they're given away as a bonus for those who attend all three versions of the show. I guess one thing I never noticed before is how little promotional/extra art Bardo got back then, so in this case they had to use one of his in-game CGs. For the other characters they mostly seem to use some of the extra/promotional art. Anyway, you can see a comparison below! I think it's fun to see how they re-created the pictures with the actors.
The last picture they recently showed during the Twitter livestream uses the cover illustration of the official world guidebook! Unfortunately no Bardo in this one either. This is one of the items they are selling as merchandise, it seems to be some kind of booklet (they call it a "pamphlet" but it's 32 pages long). I really wish they would sell the merchandise online, but for now it's only accessible for those who have a ticket and who buy it inside the venue. Maybe if they have any extra stock they might sell it online?
Update: The stageplay will also be livestreamed on DMM TV! The ticket to watch all three routes is 10000 yen (about 66 USD, which is cheaper than the in-person tickets at least!) which also gives you some special bonus videos to watch. First is Bardo's route on February 24th, followed by Asato's and Rai's routes on February 25th. Be aware that it is region locked and not all VPNs work, so unfortunately I can't help much with that! For any further updates you can check the official Twitter account!
DLsite’s English Twitter account announced that the upcoming R18 PC port of Tennenouji’s mobile game, Friendly Lab, will also be available in English! The release date for this version is still unknown, but it will have new 18+ scenes that were not in the mobile version, which was released early last year.
Synopsis
A small room with only a clock, a locked door which can’t be opened, two subjects who have lost their memory. It is up to you, the experimenter, what will happen to them from now on. The purpose of this experiment is to record the degree of influence of the experimenter's interference with the subjects. However, the experiment should be safe and secure, without any abuse or torture. The experiment is automatically recorded and cannot be re-done. Please enjoy the experiment to your heart's content!
This is the first game Tennenouji has released after the Luckydog1 series and like all their other games, it’s illustrated by Yura. What also interested me is that they brought back Saitou Iri as scenario writer, who previously worked on one of Tennenouji’s older titles, Miracle No-ton. I personally have not finished the mobile version because I’ve been waiting for the PC port, but I think it’s a nice surprise that this game’s also getting an English release!
