Anime Expo 2017 was this past weekend. There were so many new (visual novel) titles announced by different publishers that you might’ve lost count. This roundup post is meant as a complete list of all the newly announced visual novels that are coming to the west, or are currently being developed in the west.
Titles are grouped by publisher:
Sekai Project
Dracu-Riot! (Source)
Dracu-Riot is a visual novel that you’ve probably heard about before. This game by Yuzusoft was released in Japan in 2012 and it didn’t take long for a fan-translation project to start for this game. However, it was never finished. Now, you’ll finally get your chance to play this anticipated game in English.
The story takes place in an island city where vampires and humans co-exist. Protagonist Yuuto ends up being turned into a vampire, which means that he won’t be able to leave the island anymore. An interesting story enfolds from thereon, one that’s definitely worth a read!
A release date for Dracu-Riot has not been released. It’ll at least get an 18+ version release through the help of publishing partner Denpasoft.
Senren ＊ Banka (Source)
To stay in Yuzusoft spirits, another title announced at Anime Expo 2017 is Senren ＊ Banka. A more recent title by the Japanese company (2016) which did not yet have its own fan-translation project.
Senren ＊ Banka is a visual novel set in a secluded mountain village that seems to be stuck in the past. Yet, even though it’s almost unreachable by public transport, it’s still a popular tourist hot-spot for people that want to enjoy a hot spring. Your story as protagonist Masaomi starts when he breaks the legendary sword embedded in the stone.
Just as with Dracu-Riot, Senren ＊ Banka does not have a release date yet, but will have an 18+ version available through Denpasoft.
Nanairo Reincarnation
Moving on from Yuzusoft, Nanairo Reincarnation will be the first Silky’s Plus visual novel to receive an English translation. This 2014 release brings you the story of a boy who inherit’s his grandfather’s property, only to find that there are already two young ladies occupying the place. Even stranger is the fact that they are only visible to him.
Nanairo Reincarnation will be coming to as both an all-ages release on Steam, as well as an 18+ edition through Denpasoft.
Narkarma EngineA (Source) (RPG?)
Narkarma EngineA is the latest title by Novectacle, the developer that brought you Fata morgana no Yakata (House of Fata Morgana). It’s a brand new announcement which means that it has not even been released in Japanese yet.
Narkarma EngineA story from the Sekai Project newsletter:
Deep beneath the crust dwells a race of humanoid machines and in the strata dividing them, dreams of the dead conjure up phantoms of eras long lost to time. Traversing these forgotten realms, beast and machine cross paths, bringing upon both the threat of extinction. But only one will make it through alive.
Note: RPG is explicitly mentioned in the description of this game, so it might not even be a VN. I decided to list it anyway because there’s still too many uncertainties around this release.
Eternal
Not exactly an Anime Expo 2017 announcement because it was hinted at already in the days leading up the expo. Still worth mentioning however, is Eternal. A visual novel that aims to be more of a “cinematic” visual novel.
In the story, Mario Chou aims to destroy the church created with the help of the power of God by Father Thompson. Mario vows to destroy Thompson’s Guiding Light with the power of friendship. The stalker. The occultist. The detective. The blessed one. These maidens of the real shall become magical girls!
A website is available here and a preview has been released on Youtube.
Ninja Girl and the Mysterious Army of Urban Legend Monsters
~Hunt of the Headless Horseman~ (Source)
A game with a lengthy title, Ninja Girl and the Mysterious Army of Urban Legend Monsters will be the latest visual novel by code:jp. The same developer that brought you the Japanese School Life visual novel. This new game will feature two beautiful girls names Kiri Hattori and Mary. They run a cafe during the day but turn into ninja hunters during the night. One of those nights, they provide shelter to a stranded girl named Lily when the Headless Horseman strolls into town.
More information is sure to follow, but the website is already available here.
Island Diary (Source)
Island Diary is the debut visual novel by Watakubi. With the game being a personal project by artist Saji Sasai you can surely expect recognizable art. The story will take place on an isolated island, where you’ll play as Ryou. A young man washed ashore with no memories other than his name.
More information is yet to follow but since Denpasoft is also involved, an 18+ release is also among the possibilities.
Other Sekai Project updates:
- Rewrite+ is coming to the west. More information to follow later.
- Alienworks’ yuri game Highway Blossoms is getting a voice patch.
- Koi ga Saku Koro Sakura Doki will be coming out in Fall.
- Baldr Sky Dive1 and Baldr Sky Dive2 will be released as a single package, possibly in early 2018.
- Steam summer sales are still going on for a lot of Sekai Project titles.
Denpasoft
Other than the titles announced by Sekai Project, publisher Denpasoft also had some announcements of their own. A whole summary is available here, but be wary (or overjoyed), there are many NSFW images underneath that hyperlink.
Miko no Kanata: Curious Tale from the Shrine -Chapter Rin-
Miko no Kanata Chapter Rin will bring us the first chapter of developer Fan-na’s most recent visual novel title. It’s also the first announcement of a translation for one of their games.
In the story you play as Kiryu Yuya, a young man who meets a mysterious shrine maiden who repeatedly appears in his dreams. It appears however that she is no longer of this world. And so begins a tragic tale of a young woman’s love which surpasses the infinite bounds of a millennium.
The Rin Chapter is expected to be released later this year.
Real Life Plus Ver. Kaname Komatsuzaki
Have you ever wanted to experience a complete story about growing up with your childhood friend? Then this other title by developer Fan-na might just be the thing for you. In Real Life Plus you grow up together with Kaname, and explore your relationship with her depending on the choices that you make.
This release is also expected later in 2017.
Other Denpasoft updates:
- Yuzusoft’s Tenshin Ranman is officially getting an 18+ release.
- Same goes for Maitetsu, it’ll be getting an 18+ release (source)
- Alpha’s Adventures goodies, including print-your-own dakimakura designs, are now available through Backerkit.
Mangagamer
Magical Marriage Lunatics!!
Keeping up with their Moonstone releases, Mangagamer has announced an upcoming release for 2013 Moonstone visual novel Magical Marriage Lunatics!! Another romantic comedy title by the same developer that brought you Princess Evangile.
Yuuta’s life takes an unexpected turn when a house suddenly appears in his backyard. Soon after that, several girls from other worlds appear that all claim to be his fiancée. He doesn’t remember these promises, but he does remember being spirited away at various points in his life…
A release date is currently unknown, but a special website has been opened here.
Evenicle
Totally in line with their other releases games by Alicesoft, Evenicle is yet another one of these. With its original release in 2015, Evenicle’s artstyle differs somewhat from the art-style of the popular Rance series. But nonetheless plays very similar. You play as a young man named Asterisk who one day sets out to become a knight.
You see, in the world of Evenicle, knights are allowed to have more than one wife. Who wouldn’t want something like that!?
A special page for Evenicle has been opened here.
The Most Forbidden Love in the World
One of the more unexpected announcements of Anime Expo 2017 if I may say. The Most Forbidden Love in the World is a visual novel title originally released by a somewhat unknown brand named Hermit. The game’s original title is Sekai de Ichiban Dame na Koi and it was released in 2007 in Japan.
Featuring an unlucky protagonist, the game definitely comes with a lot of comedy. Through circumstances you’ll find yourself in a run-down boarding house with your life suddenly surrounded by four beautiful women. Will your life finally take a turn for the better?
The Most Forbidden Love in the World also does not yet have a release date. A page has been opened here.
Space Live
Space Live is a brand new game being developed by Japanese brand Circus (Da Capo, Dal Segno). It’s set 200 years in the future when humanity has abandoned reality and chosen to upload themselves into Net Space. The digital world is divided into several factions surrounding different idols who compete every four years to win followers to their side.
It’s mentioned to be tailored towards fans of (anime/game/manga) series like iDOLM@STER and Love Live.
Have a look at the special page available here.
Other Mangagamer updates:
- Princess Evangile W Happiness pre-orders have opened. Release on July 28.
- Umineko When They Cry chapters 1-4 physical edition will be released on August 18. Now accepting pre-orders.
- Mangagamer also still has Steam summer sales going on.
- Last but not least, Mangagamer is also entering the development world themselves. Together with Itaru Hinoue they’ll be working on a title named Koropokkur.
Jast USA
Majikoi! Love me Seriously! (Source)
Suddenly there it was. The first title in this visual novel hit series by Minato Soft is getting an official release. Known for it’s extensive list of likable characters, comedic yet intense story writing, a world with ridiculous physics, and a typical art style, this is a game loved by many visual novel fans.
More information about this release is surely yet to follow.
Other Jast USA updates:
- Machine Child is a new raising sim with art by Oyari Ashito.
- Flowers -Summer- is about 60% translated, due for a winter 2017 release.
- Jast USA also has a Steam summer sale happening.
(Update) Frontwing
Momoiro Closet (Source)
Momoiro closet has been teased for a little bit now. But it’s still a newly announced title that is now in the works by Frontwing. Other than an image of the main characters and some sketches we haven’t seen much more than that. So there’s nothing story wise that I can tell you. Hell I don’t even know if this is going to be a VN or something else.
They did mention that the title was going to be more adult orientated. Whether this means that Momoiro Closet will be a nukige or not, we’ll have to see. They are currently aiming for a Q1 or Q2 2018 release.
Wonderful Everyday
Wonderful Everyday, or if we go by the original Japanese title Subarashiki Hibi, is a visual novel translation that they announced previously. At Anime Expo 2017 they had some more information to share on that. Including a mention that the first chapter, Wonderful Everyday ~Down The Rabbit-Hole~, will be released on Steam. Target date for that is August this year.
At the same time, an 18+ patch will be made available to add in the rest of the game. The Steam release will feature censorship while the 18+ patch will feature full uncensored content, including removal of the original mosaics.
Other Frontwing updates:
- Island has been pushed back to 2018 to coordinate it with the upcoming anime adaption. Progress wise translating is at 100%, editing is at about 40 to 50%.
- Re-translation has been started for Sharin no Kuni, progress is about 20%. They are still working on towards their August target, but can’t make any promises.
- They have 2 other secret projects going on which they unfortunately couldn’t announce just yet. One of the projects is similar to a game that was announced by someone else at last year’s Anime Expo.
Rounding up
That’s about it from this convention. All in all though it’s a very extensive list of new titles and updates that have been announced. Good times ahead for visual novel fans.
Updates:
(07/04) Added in Frontwing announcements
(07/05) Added Denpasoft news about Maitetsu 18+ release
(07/29) Updated the link to the Denpasoft announcement page
