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Ah, Neoromance!
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Haruka: Beyond the Stream of Time’s storytelling is different from that of other manga serialized in Shojo Beat because it originated as a videogame. That game, Harukanaru Toki no Naka de, hails from a genre of Japanese dating sims called “neoromance.” Created by girls for girls, neoromance is based on the premise of a young heroine surrounded by cute guys. Each guy is a potential conquest for the heroine and embodies a different “type,” giving the player a variety of appealing options to pursue.
So how does Haruka’s guy-harem game origin influence the manga? The most obvious effect is that a LOT of main characters are introduced in the first few chapters. Also, the Neoromance structure encourages the main story to take its time and give equal attention to the development of each of Akane’s potential boyfriends. The setting may be an empire in peril, but the aim of the story is to get to know these guys and imagine what it would be like to date one of them. As such, the story serves as a backdrop for Akane’s emotional journey, rather than a destination unto itself.
In other words, sit back, relax and enjoy the eye candy!
Angelique
Created by Ruby Party, who also came up with the concept for Haruka, the Angelique series is built around a Queen who rules the Cosmos with the help of several male Guardians. Since the Queen and her Guardians’ powers fade over time, successors must be chosen. The game’s protagonist is 17-year-old Angelique, one of two candidates to become the next Queen.
Each candidate is given land, and whoever populates her land first will become the next Queen. This is done with the help of the Guardians, who use their powers either to raise the morale of the people or to hinder their rival’s progress. Along the way, the player can befriend her appointed Guardians and eventually fall in love with them. If the player chooses love, she forfeits her chance to become Queen, but she does live happily ever after!
La Corda d’Oro
La Corda d’Oro’s heroine is Kahoko, a General Education student at a school that has a separate, elite program for Music students. One day, Kahoko discovers a fairy who gives her a magic violin that enables her to play any piece as long as she knows the tune, and a place in the school's annual music competition, which generally only accepts Music students. In the weeks that follow, Kahoko develops feelings for some of the guys she’s competing with.
The game’s competition is split into four rounds. Before each round, Kahoko combs the school for information on the musical piece she’s chosen, then practices the piece. She can also practice in front of the guy in whom she’s interested if she thinks he’ll be impressed! Each round ranks Kahoko on how well she practices and how well her selection relates to the round’s theme. As her overall ranking climbs, her rivalry with the other contestants becomes tougher—and their attraction to her grows stronger!
Harukanaru Toki no Naka de
As you may have guessed, Harukanaru Toki no Naka de casts the player as Akane, a girl who is not only surrounded by attractive young men but must work with them to fight evil.
During the game, Akane and the Eight Guardians search the Capital City for various items. Most areas of the city are haunted by vengeful spirits that must be expelled before Akane and her team can enter. Akane can attack and defend, as well as rely on her spells, items and ability to encourage her Guardians. Most of all, Akane’s success depends on the Eight Guardians’ morale: the greater a Guardian’s rapport with Akane, the more effective he is in battle!
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"Ah, Neoromance!" has been edited for shojobeat.com;
the complete article appears in the April 2008 issue of Shojo Beat Magazine. |
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