Kindred Spirits on the Roof
| Kindred Spirits on the Roof | |
 Kindred Spirits on the Roof Logo | |
| 屋上の百合霊さん (Okujou no Yurirei-san) | |
|---|---|
| Genre | Romance, Yuri |
| Game | |
| Developer | Liar-soft |
| Publisher | MangaGamer |
| Genre | Visual novel |
| Platform | Windows |
| Released |
|
| Audio drama | |
| Original run | January 24, 2014 – January 30, 2015 |
| Episodes | 4 |
| Manga | |
| Written by | Hachi Itō, Toi Tentsu |
| Illustrated by | Hachi Itō, Aya Fumio |
| Published by | Hirari Comics |
| English publisher | |
| Published | April 30, 2015 |
| Volumes | 2 |
Kindred Spirits on the Roof (屋上の百合霊さん Okujou no Yurirei-san) is a Japanese adult yuri visual novel developed by Liar-soft. It was released on March 30, 2012. The game was licensed by MangaGamer, who released it in English on February 12, 2016.[1] Kindred Spirits on the Roof is a visual novel, so the majority of the gameplay consists of the player reading the game's story.
Plot
Schoolgirl Toomi Yuna encounters two ghost girls on the roof of her school, who are bound to the building site, and unable to leave. The two ghosts, Enoki Sachi and Nagatani Megumi are in love with each other, and want to experience their first time together so that their spirits can be at peace, and pass on. The problem is, neither one of them knows how to do it. The two ghosts persuade Yuna to help them create other yuri couples at school, so that they may observe them, and gain the necessary knowledge to consummate their relationship.[2] The story takes place over eight months of a school year, following sixteen different characters, and their relationships.[3]
Characters
Main characters
- Toomi Yuna
- Voiced by: Kawashima Rino
- The protagonist of the story. A schoolgirl who encounters the two ghosts at her school one day and ends up helping them. She enjoys cooking and is quite good at it.
- Enoki Sachi
- Voiced by: Takaido Shizuku
- One of the two ghosts haunting the school. She died in an accident 80 years ago. She has a calm and mature personality.
- Nagatani Megumi
- Voiced by: Kusayanagi Junko
- The second ghost haunting the school. She died from pneumonia 30 years ago. She gets jealous easily, and doesn't like when Yuna gets close to Sachi.
Other characters
- Maki Seina: A Freshman girl who falls in love at first sight with her senior Miki. She is very strong, despite her small size. (Voiced by: Oukawa Mio)
- Aihara Miki: A kind third year student who is always helping other people. She is the vice president of the school beautification committee. (Voiced by: Misumi Nanaho)
- Miyama Nena: A second year student in the broadcasting club. She is always tired and wanting to sleep, but gets dragged around by her friends to various things anyway. (Voiced by: Notsuki Mahiru)
- Ichiki Umi: A second year student in the broadcasting club. She is very honest, and enjoys nothing more than spending time with her friends Nene and Sasa. (Voiced by: Kanade Mahiru)
- Futano Sasa: A second year student in the broadcasting club. A somewhat goth girl who outwardly appears cold, but deep down does cherish her friends a great deal. (Voiced by: Haruna Ren)
- Tsurugimine Kiri: A second year student, and the only member of the math club. She is in love with Sonou-sensei, who she lovingly calls "Tsukuyo-chan." (Voiced by: Haruna Ren)
- Sonou Tsukuyo: A classical literature teacher, and also the adviser of the math club. She is very popular among students due to her kindness and cute appearance. (Voiced by: Kusayanagi Junko)
- Koba Youka: A second year student, and rock musician in a band. She is in love with Aki from the disciplinary committee. She frequently comes to school late. (Voiced by: Rita)
- Ariu Aki: A second year student on the disciplinary committee. She takes tardiness very seriously. (Voiced by: Togashi Kei)
- Amishima Matsuri: A third year student and captain of the track and field team. She has been in a relationship with Miyu for several years. She is the more spontaneous of the two. (Voiced by: Oukawa Mio)
- Inamoto Miyu: A third year student and vice captain of the track and field team. Unlike Matsuri, she is more serious, and always plans ahead. (Voiced by: Notsuki Mahiru)
- Komano Hina: A first year student on the track and field team. She is Yuna's neighbor and childhood friend. She loves Yuna's cooking, which she eats regularly.(Voiced by: Kanade Mahiru)
- Ano Fuji: One of Yuna's friends who helps her whenever she can. She is very forgetful, and is constantly borrowing things from Yuna. (Voiced by: Togashi Kei)
Release history
Kindred Spirits on the Roof was initially released in Japan on March 30, 2012. An English version published by MangaGamer was released on February 12, 2016.[4]
Adaptations
Drama CDs
A four-part drama CD sequel was published after the game's release. The CDs are set after the events of the visual novel, and tell after stories for the characters. The drama CDs were also licensed by MangaGamer who released them with English subtitles in 2016.[5]
| Vol | Title | Japanese release date | English release date |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Playing Girlfriends | January 24, 2014[6] | April 26, 2016[7] |
| 2 | Friendship Plans | April 25, 2014[8] | May 27, 2016[9] |
| 3 | Rain Kick | August 15, 2014[10] | June 17, 2016[11] |
| 4 | Kyuusei Radio | January 30, 2015[12] | August 5, 2016[13] |
Manga
A 2 volume manga spin off published by Hirari Comics was released on April 30, 2015. Volume 1 is written and illustrated by Hachi Itō. Volume 2 is written by Toi Tentsu and illustrated by Aya Fumio. The manga has been licensed by Seven Seas Entertainment who will release it in English as a single omnibus volume on January 31, 2017.[14] The Manga focuses on new characters that were not in the visual novel, but the original visual novel characters also return as side characters.
Soundtrack
The game's opening song is Girl's Spirit -Otome no Kimochi- (Girl's Spirit -オトメノキモチ-), and the ending song is A new day. Both are composed by Blueberry&Yogurt, and performed by Rita.[15] The soundtrack was released bundled with volume 4 of the drama CD.[16]
Reception
Prior to its English release, Kindred Spirits on the Roof received positive media attention when MangaGamer announced that it would be released on Steam with no content censored or removed.[17][18][19] Previously, Steam would require all games with adult content to be censored,[20][21] which makes Kindred Spirits on the Roof potentially the first adult title to be released on Steam with no censorship whatsoever.[22] Anime News Network quoted MangaGamer's head translator saying, "This is monumental news for the industry as a whole...Seeing frank depictions of same-sex relationships welcomed on such a major gaming platform is a true testament to the open-mindedness of our society and the growing desire for mature entertainment that people of all walks of life can enjoy."[23] PC Gamer commented that "It may also indicate the 'guns good/boobs bad' thinking that's guided game ratings for decades is finally starting to change."[24]
Kindred Spirits on the Roof has been well received by critics. Marcus Estrada from Hardcore Gamer gave it a 4/5 rating saying, "Kindred Spirits on the Roof is an excellent visual novel, yuri romance focused or otherwise. Every character is imbued with a fantastic personality and the story is both light and heavy in proper measure. Reading through the main storyline — and the 'extra' scenes — is an absolute joy."[25] Erica Friedman gave the game a 9/10 rating, citing the game's likable characters and how, "In every single scenario, the characters go through actual development...when crises pop up and are resolved, the characters change and grow."[26]
References
- ↑ "Kindred Spirits on the Roof––Now Available!". MangaGamer. February 12, 2016. Retrieved February 12, 2016.
- ↑ "Steam To Get Steamy With an Uncensored Yuri Game". The Escapist. September 3, 2015. Retrieved September 3, 2015.
- ↑ "MangaGamer Announces New Acquisitions at Otakon". Anime News Network. July 27, 2015. Retrieved September 2, 2015.
- ↑ "Yuri Visual Novel Kindred Spirits on the Roof Out Now". Hardcore Gamer. February 12, 2016. Retrieved March 26, 2016.
- ↑ "Kindred Spirits on the Roof Drama CDs on the Way". Hardcore Gamer. March 25, 2016. Retrieved March 26, 2016.
- ↑ "屋上の百合霊さんドラマCD「恋人ごっこ」再販版" (in Japanese). Amazon.co.jp. Retrieved March 31, 2016.
- ↑ "Kindred Spirits on the Roof Drama CD Vol.1 on Steam". Valve Corporation. April 26, 2016. Retrieved April 27, 2016.
- ↑ "屋上の百合霊さんドラマCD「友情プラン」" (in Japanese). Amazon.co.jp. Retrieved April 23, 2016.
- ↑ "Kindred Spirits on the Roof Drama CD Vol.2 on Steam". Valve Corporation. May 26, 2016. Retrieved May 27, 2016.
- ↑ "屋上の百合霊さんドラマCD第3弾「夕立キック」" (in Japanese). Amazon.co.jp. Retrieved April 23, 2016.
- ↑ "Kindred Spirits on the Roof Drama CD Vol.3 on Steam". Valve Corporation. June 9, 2016. Retrieved June 10, 2016.
- ↑ "屋上の百合霊さんドラマCD「九星ラジオ」" (in Japanese). Amazon.co.jp. Retrieved February 16, 2016.
- ↑ "Kindred Spirits on the Roof Drama CD Vol.4 on Steam". Valve Corporation. July 29, 2016. Retrieved July 29, 2016.
- ↑ "Seven Seas Licenses Kindred Spirits on the Roof Yuri Manga". Anime News Network. June 1, 2016. Retrieved June 2, 2016.
- ↑ "Kindred Spirits Opening Movie". MangaGamer. July 24, 2015. Retrieved September 3, 2015.
- ↑ "Kindred Spirits Drama CD Vol. 1 Available for Pre-order!". MangaGamer. April 22, 2016. Retrieved April 23, 2016.
- ↑ "Sexy lesbian ghost game comes to Steam uncensored". Destructoid. September 2, 2015. Retrieved September 3, 2015.
- ↑ "Sex game Kindred Spirits on the Roof "completely uncensored" on Steam". VG247. September 2, 2015. Retrieved September 2, 2015.
- ↑ "MangaGamer Offers Kindred Spirits Uncensored on Steam". Anime News Network. September 1, 2015. Retrieved September 2, 2015.
- ↑ "The Sex Games That Steam Censors". Kotaku. January 21, 2015. Retrieved April 22, 2015.
- ↑ "Uncut Version of 'Kindred Spirits on the Roof' Approved for Steam Release". Hardcore Gamer. September 2, 2015. Retrieved September 3, 2015.
- ↑ "Steam Is Getting An Uncensored Sex Game". Kotaku. September 1, 2015. Retrieved September 2, 2015.
- ↑ "Valve and MangaGamer Breaking Down Barriers With The Uncensored Steam Release of Kindred Spirits on the Roof". Anime News Network. September 1, 2015. Retrieved September 2, 2015.
- ↑ "Kindred Spirits on the Roof is bringing "frank depictions" of sex to Steam". PC Gamer. September 1, 2015. Retrieved September 2, 2015.
- ↑ "Review: Kindred Spirits on the Roof". Hardcore Gamer. February 22, 2016. Retrieved February 23, 2016.
- ↑ Erica Friedman (February 25, 2016). "Yuri Visual Novel: Kindred Spirits". okazu.yuricon.com. Retrieved February 26, 2016.
External links
- Official website
- "Kindred Spirits on the Roof". The Visual Novel Database.