As I was off having fun in Japan last week, we missed the regular weekly news roundup, so it’s time to catch up. And there’s certainly some big news to catch up on. Sadly, illness has swept the team, so we’re limiting this week to the visual novel news rather than our normal wider update of anime and gaming news too.
Visual Novel News:
Perhaps the biggest recent news in visual novel updates is the official localization of ToHeart. Shiravune has announced that they will be releasing this remake of the classic title by Aquaplus on June 25th, 2025, simultaneously with the Japanese release. This release includes 3D scenes and animations, full HD resolution, and the choice between the original cast or all-new voiceovers. The English version is coming to Steam. At this time, there is no news of the Nintendo Switch release including English.
Spring is almost here! Strolling down a street paved with pastel tiles, the sun warms my back as pigeons flock by the roadside. Amid this everyday scenery, it’s another ordinary morning, with just a soft whisper of spring on the wind. “It’s a little warmer again today, huh?” Akari pipes up as she turns her eyes to me, her bangs swaying gently in the breeze. “I guess winter’s over.” “I guess it is,” I answer offhandedly, and Akari giggles. I don’t know why. ToHeart is a “heartful,” heartfelt, and comedic multiple-ending visual novel. The protagonist is an utterly ordinary young man, but his friends Akari, Masashi, and Shiho make every day a happy one. As winter turns to spring and March turns to April, the wind also carries a whisper of love.
In other news from Shiravune, they’ve announced the upcoming release of Real Hentai Situation! DT (also known as Real Anime Situation! DT and Real Eroge Situation! DT) by Jitaku Studio will be released on March 18th, 2025. While connected, it stars a different cast of characters than Real Anime Situation 2 which we previously reviewed.
First kiss, first date, first real relationship… Sex isn’t the only V-card that’s a once-in-a-lifetime event. When you love someone, it’s only human to want to take their whole romance virginity, too. My name is Shun, and I’m in a real un-hentai situation. I can’t stop raising romance flags only to crush them—in real life! My eroge-loving sister Mio even calls it Flag Crush Syndrome. “I’m gonna take all of your firsts. Your romance virginity is mine!” Then my classmate Ena drops this bombshell on me. I tried to warn her, but she suggested we test the curse out and see how far we can go. Then she slowly pushed me to the floor…
MangaGamer has announced that Rance 03 – The Fall of Leazas will be released on 27th March, 2025 with pre-orders open now. This is the remake version, which features updated visuals and full voice acting.
The Kingdom of Leazas finds itself suddenly under siege from within by the elite forces of Helman and their terrifying allies – the fiends! As the kingdom falls, Princess Lia sends her most trusted servant to find the only man who can save her kingdom – the raunchy adventurer, Rance! With the remnants of Leazas’ forces and the Free City Alliance uniting against Helman’s aggression, Rance delivers the army its first victory and becomes the Supreme Commander of the liberation! Many unusual tactics and unsavory methods will be deployed in their quest to free the brainwashed soldiers of Leazas and liberate the kingdom and its captive princess!
Frontwing and Bushiroad have announced Perennial Dusk -Kinsenka- for an upcoming 2025 release on Steam. It features a script by Yukito Urushibara who worked on Irotoridori no Sekai and notes that the male protagonist will be voiced, which is often not the case in visual novels.
“Perennial Dusk -Kinsenka-” is a kinetic novel about how the human heart endures relentless violence and limitless cruelty. In a world where the living and the dead mingle, a group of exorcists-in-training faces horrific beings known as Maledicts. Though doomed to be mangled, gutted, and desolated by grief, they strive for whatever happiness they can find beneath the unwaning sunset.
JAST USA have announced via their Discord server that Mojika: Truth Rears It’s Ugly Head has been delayed. While it was intended to release at the end of February 2025, they are now aiming for the end of March 2025.
A dark visual novel from Nitro Origin about bullying, revenge, and the thoughts we hide deep inside. A hideously ugly boy with the power to read thoughts is pushed too far by the girls who bully him, and decides to use his ability to enact revenge.
Japanese indie developer 1000-REKA have launched a Kickstarter to localize their yuri visual novel Black Lily’s Tale into English. The Japanese version is already on Steam. They have confirmed that the localization will be led by Anthony Morgan who has worked on titles including Final Fantasy Brave Exvius, TEPPEN, and Granblue Fantasy Versus: Rising.
The project has already been funded and the last updated noted that they are considering stretch goals. If you are only hoping for a copy of the game, it is worth noting that it’s currently on sale on Steam for a significantly lower price than backing on Kickstarter for a Steam key, with a few hours left at the time this article was published.
Eighteen years have passed since the containment of the threatening virus CLII, which decimated over half of the minors in the population. Although people have returned to their normal lives, a mark was left on society. Hana Sasamori is a third-year student at the Naeshiro Private High School in Sapporo. She is a rather quiet girl, but inside, she feels restless. Just before graduation, Hana finds herself reliving the same day over and over. “That’s right… I’m in love with her.” More than anything, Hana wishes for the happiness of Itsuki, who came to her help in the past. There is little she wouldn’t do for her. Hana thinks… “She probably doesn’t want me to hold onto such a feeling…” Being an adolescent, she thought it was just a phase that deserved to be suppressed. Nevertheless, together with that realization came a curse. This is a story of love and malediction, of persistence and sorrow, a story set in the meandering space between two people looking for each other.
Sister Position has launched a demo of the upcoming A Sex-obsessed Older Brother in the Country, and his Traditional, Sickly Little Sister (also known as Country Siblings or Ecchi de Ichizu na Doinaka Nii-sama to, Koshikiyukashii Byoujaku Imouto). The demo is only available to those who click the button in the top-right (フォローする) to follow on the creator page, then visit the unlocked article. While this process is only in Japanese, the demo does include English.
This is from the same director as Onii♥Kiss: Onii-chan, Where’s My Kiss? While it is being self-published, it has been confirmed that they have hired a translator, unlike the developer’s previous title Desperate Virgin Brother & Rebellious Little Sister which was translated by DLSite’s AI service.
A gamer since the days of Amstrad and DOS and someone who has dabbled in a variety of professions. He enjoys a wide variety of genres, but has been focusing on visual novels and virtual reality in recent years. Head Editor of NookGaming. Follow him and the website on @NookSite.
