Software:Kana: Little Sister

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Short description: 1999 video game
Kana: Little Sister
Developer(s)D.O.
Publisher(s)
  • NA: G-Collections (ja)
Director(s)Takahiro Yatabe
Producer(s)Ryūichirō Fujisawa
Designer(s)Takahiro Yatabe
Tomoyuki Iguchi
Programmer(s)Takahide Kojima
Writer(s)Romeo Tanaka (under pseudonym Hajime Yamada)
Composer(s)Hechima
Hideki Takahashi
Platform(s)Microsoft Windows, Mac OS, PlayStation Portable
ReleaseMicrosoft Windows
  • JP: June 25, 1999
  • NA: August 7, 2002
Mac OS
  • JP: June 30, 2000
  • NA: August 7, 2002
PlayStation Portable
  • JP: October 7, 2010
Genre(s)Eroge, visual novel
Mode(s)Single player

Kana: Little Sister (加奈～いもうと～, Kana～Imōto～), is a Japanese visual novel originally developed and released by D.O. in 1999. G-Collections (ja) translated and published the English version in 2002.[1]

Kana: Little Sister has received widespread attention from the eroge player community. The plot was well-received by critics. However, reactions to the endings and the relationship between Takamichi and Kana were mixed.

Gameplay

Kana: Little Sister is a visual novel,[2][3] which falls into the subgenre of "nakige".[4][5][6] The player assumes the role of Takamichi Toudou.[7] Most of the gameplay is spent reading text, representing the story's dialogue.[8] In the PSP version, the text is accompanied by character sprites, which represent who Takamichi is talking to, over background art.[8] Throughout the game, the player encounters CG artwork in the story.[8]

Kana: Little Sister follows a branching plot line with multiple endings, and depending on the decisions that the player makes during the game, the plot will progress in a specific direction.[1][9] Being an erotic visual novel, relationships between characters become sexual; this include the sexual relationship between Takamichi and his younger sister Kana Toudou.[1][7] The game has six different endings.[3][1]

Plot

Kana Toudou (藤堂 加奈, Tōdō Kana) suffers a chronic kidney disease that requires her to be hospitalized for long periods of time.[10] Although her older brother Takamichi Toudou (藤堂 隆道, Tōdō Takamichi) resents the resulting diversion of attention from their parents,[11] he changes his attitude towards Kana during a family trip; Kana and her family are separated, so Takamichi must find her in the forest. During the searching process he makes a promise to always will protect Kana no matter what.

Takamichi falls in love with his classmate Yumi Kashima (鹿島 夕美, Kashima Yumi) while studying in Year 5, so he writes her a love letter and leaves it on her desk. However, other classmates know about his feelings towards Kashima and start teasing him the next day. He believes that Kashima deliberately showed the love letter to everyone,[10] stops communicating with her until he graduates from high school, and concentrates on looking after his younger sister. Kana relies on her brother for emotional support as she rarely goes back to school.[11]

Kana develops romantic feelings for Takamichi when he graduates from high school. During that same period, Kashima confesses her feelings for Takamichi. At this time, however, Kana's condition deteriorates, and she is given a few months left to live at most. Takamichi begins a relationship with Kashima while studying at university. However, his feelings for Kana begin to bother him, and he becomes aware of the fact that Kana is not related to him by blood. After this, the plot will unfold differently depending on the player's previous choices, and Kana dies in most endings.[12]: 111 

Development and release

Kana: Little Sister is the first visual novel developed by D.O.,[2] and was released for Windows on June 25, 1999.[2][4] The game's First Press Limited Edition included a Kana-themed mobile phone charm.[13] The novel marked Hajime Yamada's debut as a scenario writer.[4][6] Yamada continued to work for D.O. after the game's release, going on to write the scenario for the visual novels Hoshizora ☆ Planet and Family Project. Alongside Kana: Little Sister, these three works became known as "Hajime Yamada Trilogy" by D.O staff.[5]

The development team stated in an interview that, despite the "novel-like game" moniker, they still consider Kana: Little Sister a proper game because it allows the player to unravel the story's contents, as other video games do. They also regard games in the visual novel genre as sharing the same advantages as a novel, including the use of an interesting writing style and the involvement of the player's imagination when self-inserting as the protagonist. The team prioritized these aspects of the genre when developing Kana: Little Sister.[13] According to Japanese magazines BugBug and Tech Gian, the novel portrays a feeling of caring for each other that goes beyond "love" or "physical attraction."[2][14] The team also stated that the game has a gentle atmosphere.[13]

An email application featuring Kana, where the user was prompted by Kana on-screen when an email was sent, was released on March 17, 2000.[4] On that same day, a remastered Windows edition of the game was released under the title Kana... Okaeri‼ (加奈⋯おかえり！！; Kana… Welcome Home!!). This new version retains the original story line but features new character designs and full voice acting.[4] A Mac OS version was subsequently published on June 30, 2000.[15] In 2003, Panther Software announced plans to release an Xbox port,[16] which was ultimately cancelled.[4]

As reported by GNN News and Game Watch in July 2010, Cyber Front announced that the game would be ported to the PlayStation Portable in two different editions, Regular Edition and Limited Edition. The latter was to be bundled with the game's soundtrack and art book.[17][18] The PSP version of the game featured the character designs and artwork from the original PC version of the game, although with re-recorded voices and artwork created specifically for it.[4][8] Cyber Front released two demo videos in July and August 2010.[19][20] Both editions were released on October 7 2010.[4] An English translation of Kana... Okaeri!! was released in 2015 by JAST USA.[citation needed]

Reception

Kana: Little Sister has received widespread attention from the eroge player community. Some players have registered as bone marrow donors after playing the game.[4] However, Kazuya Haneda's comment on Bishōjo Games Maniacs indicated that the game has received mixed reviews from players.[12]: 110  When the game was released, it quickly became a hot topic on the Internet,[4] with most online reviews focused on the plot and artwork; other online reviews have accused the game of sexualising minors because of Kana's appearance.[7] In her Introduction to Cultural Studies on Adult Games, Naoki Miyamoto stated that Kana: Little Sister was considered, along with other games developed by Key, as masterpieces of "nakige" genre during the late 1990s.[5]

The plot of Kana: Little Sister was well-received by critics, who felt that it deals with themes such as love, life and family.[1][3][21] Au Yeung Yu Leung of IGN Japan voted the game as the best video game of 1999,[6] comparing it to Air, and praised the game for its emotional portrayal of the relationship between Takamichi and Kana, as well as its ability to make one realize the value of life.[21] In Complete Work on the History of PC Bishōjo Games this feeling was attributed to all players in general.[3] The game is known for its "depressing" and "touching" story line.[1][3][21] Pasokon bishōjo gēmu rekishi taizen: 1982-2000 specifically commented that the development of Takamichi and Kana's romantic relationship under their "tragic encounter" was "touching".[3] In addition to the character's encounters, The Escapist's Leigh Alexander also found "simple empathy" for "well-drawn individuals".[1] Haneda, on the other hand, criticized its setting as "too common", but also praised it for its unexpected mid-to-late development.[12]: 110–111 

Another aspect of Kana: Little Sister that was commended includes the player's empathy. According to Pasokon bishōjo gēmu rekishi taizen: 1982-2000, the player would experience the same psychological pain as Takamichi.[3] Au Yeung felt that Kana was her real-life younger sister while playing, and attributed this to the plot's focus on Kana.[21] In Boku-tachi no bishōjo gēmu Kuronikuru 2, Hiroyuki Maeda surmised that the player's empathy came from the text, especially the psychological description of the characters.[4]

Critics' responses to the endings and the relationship between Takamichi and Kana were mixed. Alexander said the incest was "handled delicately" in regards to Takamichi and his younger sister's relationship, which distinguishes it from other eroge.[1] Au Yeung criticized the team for setting Kana as an adopted younger sister due to public's perception.[21] Regarding the endings, Haneda mentioned the "Recollection" ending as the most touching, and felt that the ending where Kana survives became meaningful only after completing the other endings.[12]: 111  Au Yeung, however, criticized the latter, calling it "unnatural" compared to the other endings as there's no explanation of Kana's miraculous recovery.[21]

See also

  • Autumn in My Heart, a South Korean romantic television drama with a similar theme to Kana: Little Sister.

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 1.7 Alexander, Leigh (July 31, 2007). "Heart-wrenching Hentai" (in en). The Escapist (108). http://www.escapistmagazine.com/articles/view/issues/issue_108/1315-Heart-wrenching-Hentai. Retrieved January 24, 2023. 
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 (in ja)BugBug 58: 106. June 1, 1999. "本作は、"好き"や"愛してる"という感情以上にお互いを大切に思う、強い気持ちを描いたD.O.の新作。". 
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 3.5 3.6 (in ja) Pasokon bishōjo gēmu rekishi taizen: 1982-2000 (1st ed.). Fungasha. October 10, 2000. p. 45. ISBN 4-8211-0717-1. 
  4. ↑ 4.00 4.01 4.02 4.03 4.04 4.05 4.06 4.07 4.08 4.09 4.10 Maeda, Hiroyuki (July 28, 2016). "加奈 〜いもうと〜" (in ja). Boku-tachi no bishōjo gēmu Kuronikuru 2. オークス. p. 13. ISBN 978-4799008560. 
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 宮本直毅 (2013). "シナリオライター• 山田一の三部作、泣きゲーのうねり" (in ja). 総合科学出版. ISBN 978-4-88181-829-9. 
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 (in ja)IGN Japan. May 14, 2018. https://jp.ign.com/rekidai-goty/24628/feature/goty1999. Retrieved January 21, 2023. 
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 Martinez, Michelle; Manolovitz, Tyler (2010). "Pornography of Gaming". in Riha, Daniel (in en). Videogame Cultures and the Future of Interactive Entertainment. Inter-Disciplinary Press. pp. 65–74. ISBN 978-1-84888-040-5. 
  8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 8.2 8.3 (in ja)MANTANWEB. July 8, 2010. https://mantan-web.jp/article/20100707dog00m200058000c.html. Retrieved January 23, 2023. 
  9. ↑ Galbraith, Patrick W. (2017). "Adult Computer Games and the Ethics of Imaginary Violence: Responding to Gamergate from Japan" (in en). U.S.-Japan Women's Journal 52 (52): 67–88. doi:10.1353/jwj.2017.0012. https://muse.jhu.edu/article/686355. 
  10. ↑ 10.0 10.1 Taylor, Emily (2007). "Dating-Simulation Games:Leisure and Gaming of Japanese Youth Culture" (in en). Southeast Review of Asian Studies 29: 192–208. 
  11. ↑ 11.0 11.1 touge (July 8, 2010). (in ja)4Gamer.net. https://www.4gamer.net/games/115/G011544/20100706039/. Retrieved January 21, 2022. 
  12. ↑ 12.0 12.1 12.2 12.3 羽田一弥 (September 10, 2000). "加奈 〜いもうと〜" (in ja). キルタイムコミュニケーション. 
  13. ↑ 13.0 13.1 13.2 "D.O." (in ja). Tech Gian (32): 133. June 1, 1999. 
  14. ↑ (in ja)Tech Gian (32): 86. May 1, 1999. 
  15. ↑ "Error: no |title= specified when using {{Cite web}}" (in ja). Moepedia. https://moepedia.net/game/19361/. 
  16. ↑ (in zh)GNN新聞. December 2, 2003. https://gnn.gamer.com.tw/detail.php?sn=12791. Retrieved January 24, 2023. 
  17. ↑ (in zh)GNN新聞. July 8, 2010. https://gnn.gamer.com.tw/detail.php?sn=45385. Retrieved January 24, 2023. 
  18. ↑ (in ja)Game Watch. July 8, 2010. https://game.watch.impress.co.jp/docs/news/379203.html. Retrieved January 24, 2023. 
  19. ↑ (in ja)4Gamer.net. July 26, 2010. https://www.4gamer.net/games/115/G011544/20100726033/. Retrieved January 24, 2023. 
  20. ↑ (in ja)4Gamer.net. August 8, 2010. https://www.4gamer.net/games/115/G011544/20100802039/. Retrieved January 24, 2023. 
  21. ↑ 21.0 21.1 21.2 21.3 21.4 21.5 Au Yeung Yu Leung (July 4, 2017). (in ja)IGN Japan. https://jp.ign.com/hkgirlgamer/12612/feature/11. Retrieved January 21, 2023. 
  • G-Collections.com - developers of the English-language translation
  • MobyGames is a commercial database website that catalogs information on video games and the people and companies behind them via crowdsourcing. This includes over 300,000 games for hundreds of platforms.[1] Founded in 1999, ownership of the site has changed hands several times. It has been owned by Atari SA since 2022.

Features

Edits and submissions to the site (including screenshots, box art, developer information, game summaries, and more) go through a verification process of fact-checking by volunteer "approvers".[2] This approval process after submission can range from minutes to days or months.[3] The most commonly used sources are the video game's website, packaging, and credit screens. There is a published standard for game information and copy-editing.[4] A ranking system allows users to earn points for contributing accurate information.[5]

Registered users can rate and review games. Users can create private or public "have" and "want" lists, which can generate a list of games available for trade with other registered users. The site contains an integrated forum. Each listed game can have its own sub-forum.

History

Logo used until March 2014

MobyGames was founded on March 1, 1999, by Jim Leonard and Brian Hirt, and joined by David Berk 18 months later, the three of which had been friends since high school.[6][7] Leonard had the idea of sharing information about computer games with a larger audience. The database began with information about games for IBM PC compatibles, relying on the founders' personal collections. Eventually, the site was opened up to allow general users to contribute information.[5] In a 2003 interview, Berk emphasized MobyGames' dedication to taking video games more seriously than broader society and to preserving games for their important cultural influence.[5]

In mid-2010, MobyGames was purchased by GameFly for an undisclosed amount.[8] This was announced to the community post factum , and the site's interface was given an unpopular redesign.[7] A few major contributors left, refusing to do volunteer work for a commercial website.{{Citation needed|date=June 2025} On December 18, 2013, MobyGames was acquired by Jeremiah Freyholtz, owner of Blue Flame Labs (a San Francisco-based game and web development company) and VGBoxArt (a site for fan-made video game box art).[9] Blue Flame Labs reverted MobyGames' interface to its pre-overhaul look and feel,[10] and for the next eight years, the site was run by Freyholtz and Independent Games Festival organizer Simon Carless.[7]

On November 24, 2021, Atari SA announced a potential deal with Blue Flame Labs to purchase MobyGames for $1.5 million.[11] The purchase was completed on 8 March 2022, with Freyholtz remaining as general manager.[12][13][14] Over the next year, the financial boost given by Atari led to a rework of the site being built from scratch with a new backend codebase, as well as updates improving the mobile and desktop user interface.[1] This was accomplished by investing in full-time development of the site instead of its previously part-time development.[15]

In 2024, MobyGames began offering a paid "Pro" membership option for the site to generate additional revenue.[16] Previously, the site had generated income exclusively through banner ads and (from March 2014 onward) a small number of patrons via the Patreon website.[17]

On February 13, 2025, Freyholtz stepped down as the site lead to move onto new projects, leaving operations to Tracy Poff, a veteran coder on the site, and Atari staff.[18]

See also

  • IGDB – game database used by Twitch for its search and discovery functions

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 Sheehan, Gavin (2023-02-22). "Atari Relaunches The Fully Rebuilt & Optimized MobyGames Website". https://bleedingcool.com/games/atari-relaunches-the-fully-rebuilt-optimized-mobygames-website/. 
  2. ↑ Litchfield, Ted (2021-11-26). "Zombie company Atari to devour MobyGames". https://www.pcgamer.com/zombie-company-atari-to-devour-mobygames/. 
  3. ↑ "MobyGames FAQ: Emails Answered § When will my submission be approved?". Blue Flame Labs. 30 March 2014. http://www.mobygames.com/info/faq7#g1. 
  4. ↑ "The MobyGames Standards and Practices". Blue Flame Labs. 6 January 2016. http://www.mobygames.com/info/standards. 
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 Miller, Stanley A. (2003-04-22). "People's choice awards honor favorite Web sites". Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. 
  6. ↑ "20 Years of MobyGames" (in en). 2019-02-28. https://trixter.oldskool.org/2019/02/28/20-years-of-mobygames/. 
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 Plunkett, Luke (2022-03-10). "Atari Buys MobyGames For $1.5 Million". https://kotaku.com/mobygames-retro-credits-database-imdb-atari-freyholtz-b-1848638521. 
  8. ↑ "Report: MobyGames Acquired By GameFly Media". Gamasutra. 2011-02-07. https://www.gamedeveloper.com/game-platforms/report-mobygames-acquired-by-gamefly-media. 
  9. ↑ Corriea, Alexa Ray (December 31, 2013). "MobyGames purchased from GameFly, improvements planned". http://www.polygon.com/2013/12/31/5261414/mobygames-purchased-from-gamefly-improvements-planned. 
  10. ↑ Wawro, Alex (31 December 2013). "Game dev database MobyGames getting some TLC under new owner". Gamasutra. https://www.gamedeveloper.com/business/game-dev-database-mobygames-getting-some-tlc-under-new-owner. 
  11. ↑ "Atari invests in Anstream, may buy MobyGames". November 24, 2021. https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2021-11-24-atari-invests-in-anstream-may-buy-mobygames. 
  12. ↑ Rousseau, Jeffrey (2022-03-09). "Atari purchases Moby Games". https://www.gamesindustry.biz/atari-purchases-moby-games. 
  13. ↑ "Atari Completes MobyGames Acquisition, Details Plans for the Site's Continued Support". March 8, 2022. https://www.atari.com/atari-completes-mobygames-acquisition-details-plans-for-the-sites-continued-support/. 
  14. ↑ "Atari has acquired game database MobyGames for $1.5 million" (in en-GB). 2022-03-09. https://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/atari-has-acquired-game-database-mobygames-for-1-5-million/. 
  15. ↑ Stanton, Rich (2022-03-10). "Atari buys videogame database MobyGames for $1.5 million". https://www.pcgamer.com/atari-buys-videogame-database-mobygames-for-dollar15-million/. 
  16. ↑ Harris, John (2024-03-09). "MobyGames Offering “Pro” Membership". https://setsideb.com/mobygames-offering-pro-membership/. 
  17. ↑ "MobyGames on Patreon". http://www.patreon.com/mobygames. 
  18. ↑ "An update on MobyGames leadership". 2025-02-13. https://www.mobygames.com/forum/3/thread/269628/an-update-on-mobygames-leadership/#post-269628. 
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