A decade ago I visited a really interesting company at their headquarters in Akihabara to discuss us licensing their visual novels, which were famous for having dark, edgy stories laced with beautifully stylized violence and sexual themes. Also a heavy dose of H.P. Lovecraft.
This was the start of a great relationship in which JAST USA was able to bring many excellent products to our customers. These have included great games like Song of Saya, Steins;Gate and SoniComi: Communication with Sonico, along with the long-awaited release of their boy’s love titles on the JAST BLUE label, starting with sweet pool.
We’re having a 20% sale on all Nitroplus-related products through Sept. 11. Browse and buy all these great games and figures now!
Nitroplus 20th Anniversary
https://twitter.com/jlist/status/1168801255885398016
To celebrate 20 years of creating amazing works that are loved by fans, Nitroplus held a huge concert, something that we’ve attended at various times in the past several times.
The concert was fantastic, 3+ hours of endless performances by famous singers banging out all the music from popular Nitroplus and Nitro+Chiral games plus anime series that the company worked on. The fans were amazing, too, hardcore and dedicated as they rocked to all the songs. Thanks to Nitroplus for inviting us, and thanks for twenty years of making some of the boldest stories found in anime and anime.
Since one of the themes of the concert was going over all the works the company had produced in the 20 years they’ve been operating, I thought I’d pick up some of their major works and introduce them to you in a blog post.
The 16 of the most famous games, anime and other works by Nitroplus are:
Thunderbolt Fantasy (2016)
An innovative tie-up between Nitroplus, Good Smile Company and Taiwanese puppet production studio Pili International, Thunderbolt Fantasy is a sword-fighting drama performed with awesome puppetry. The puppets are similar to classical Japanese Bunraku puppets, and the performances are amazing.
Touken Ranbu (2015)
A browser game produced by Nitroplus and DMM that came about when some very smart person said, “Hey, what if we repurpose Kantai Collection into a game about famous swords from Japanese history?” Tapping the huge number if rekijo or female history otakus who are deeply interested in the iconic historical figures in Japan’s past, the game has been a smash hit, creating a new genre of fandom called katana joshi or “sword girls.”
Expelled from Paradise (2014)
A thoughtful sci-fi production film created by Nitroplus and their star writer Urobuchi Gen. While I am decidedly not a fan of the “cell look CGI process” it was made with, it’s good that they’re trying new things, and telling bold stories.
Gakkou Gurashi! (2015)
Called School Live! in English, this is a cute moe show about girls who live in their school for some reason. Actually, it’s an outstanding zombie anime about how girls deal with the reality of everything that’s going on around them. Some of the best writing you can find in anime. Go watch it now!
Suisei no Gargantia (2013)
A great sci-fi anime, Gargantia of the Verdurous Planet is about a soldier from an intergalactic war who lands on a water-world populated by people who live on ships, with plenty of cute girls. Very high-quality animation, plus belly dancing!
DRAMAtical Murder (2012)
Also known as “the boy’s love game the casual fans in your school might know,” DoraMada is set in the near future, following the story of protagonist Aoba Seragaki as he makes his way through a complex world.
Psycho-Pass (2012)
A cool cyberpunk sci-fi story about a future where a complex computer called the Sibyl System can predict whether you’re going to commit a crime in the future.
Puella Magi Madoka Magica (2011)
The magical anime that broke the mold and made every other magical girl anime creators say, “Fuck! How do we ever top this?” A race of creatures called Incubators travels through the universe, asking girls to sign a contract with him to become a magical girl. If they do, they’ll get one wish granted…but will face utter destruction. Also written by Urobuchi Gen.
Fate/Zero (2011)
Based on a light novel written by Urobuchi Gen, the anime is a prequel to the general Fate-o-verse. It’s great!
Super Sonico (2011)
There are two halves to Nitroplus: writers who create the edgiest hardcore stories, and the moe-moe cutesy side that are responsible for things like Super Sonico. Originally created as the official mascot for Nitroplus’s music arm, she’s become famous all over the world, and her English game that we published has been very warmly received. We also work cosplayer and seiyu Jessica Nigri to make sure our version was perfect, with the option to choose English or Japanese voice for Sonico. See all of Sonico’s sexy figures and more here.
Steins;Gate (2009)
What can I say about Steins;Gate? It’s one of the most fascinating stories ever told. A group of young scientists accidentally invent a way to send messages into the past, and end up screwing over the future, leading to World War III and the deaths of millions. The anime is great, but we think the game is better because there are seven different endings, for example one in which Okabe decides to ignore the future and choose to be happy with Faris. If you haven’t played this gem, we’ve got it right here, via digital or physical package.
sweet pool (2008)
A popular boy’s love visual novel that has a hard-hitting story, sweet pool is a real gem. And we’re overjoyed that we’ve been able to bring you the game in English, completely uncensored! (Or censored, if you pick up the Steam version). The engine was totally revamped and the graphics updated to 1280×960 for our modern release. Find the game here in digital or physical package, or pick up the gorgeous premium edition!
Jingai Makyou (2005)
A beautiful visual novel that hasn’t been translated to English yet (in part because its engine isn’t compatible with modern Windows, and also because the story itself isn’t finished). If you know of this game, you probably know it through the figures, which were hugely popular.
Deus Machina Demonbane (2003)
Another game with mind-blowingly beautiful art, Demonbane is closely tied to the Cthulhu Mythos universe, so fans of Lovecraft will enjoy the game a lot. Fantastic graphics, amazing characters, and super sexy fun times for all. Find the game here.
Saya no Uta (2003)
Without a doubt, the most famous game by Nitroplus, and the work that put Urobuchi Gen on the map internationally. It’s the story of a man who gets experimental brain surgery which causes him to perceive the world as a hellscape populated by Lovecraftian monsters… all except for one girl.
The updated HD remaster of Saya no Uta can be purchased digitally from JAST USA or in package form from J-List.
Phantom of Inferno (2000)
The hard-hitting visual novel that laid the groundwork for everything that would come later. It actually got an English release but as a DVD-based game, by the long-gone Hiramekiya. If you’re a collector, try to find a copy! The 2009 Phantom: Requiem for the Phantom anime based on the game was also fantastic.
Remember, we’re having a huge 20% sale on all Nitroplus related products, including all their great games, figures and more, through Sept. 11!
