Haruka
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Series: Harukanaru Toki no Naka de Description: Haruka is set in ancient Japan about 1000 years ago and the heroine is transported to the past across time and space (hence the title which means "In a Distant Time"), to become the legendary Ryuujin no Miko. Unlike Angelique, Haruka is more of a novel game than a love simulation. There is a fixed storyline with key events that the heroine must undergo while at the same time, trigger love events to get the love target of your choice at the end. Repetitive events are limited to simple battles and side games to raise character attributes. From Haruka 3 onwards, you can replay the game with the same characters to collect all the endings so there's even less levelling up required. Series Background: Like Angelique, Haruka had lots of drama CDs and vocal albums produced for the games, but its manga series remained based on the original game. Two OVA series were also produced, based on Haruka 1 and Haruka 2, but neither did much to promote the series. Haruka's popularity really increased in 2004 when the manga series was adapted for anime, the first anime TV series Koei produced, and the Haruka 3 was released. Haruka 3 was so popular that 2 sequels were released for it too. In 2006, an anime movie was produced, based on an original story set in the first game, Maihitoyo. It was significant only because it added Sakurai Takahiro to Haruka's already A-list cast. Then, the story was adapted to a stage show, which has since gained a popularity of its own. Story: The Haruka games pretty much stand alone as far as story is concerned, but underlying the stories is the legend of the Ryuujin no Miko and her protectors, the Hachiyou. This was never fully explained in the various media until Haruka 4. The Heian Period Main character: Motomiya Akane The Heian Period was supposed to be a time of peace in Japan in the Imperial capital of Kyou. However, the spiritual energies that protect the land are breaking down and peace is threatened by the Oni and evil spirits. Akane must summon the Ryuujin that protects the land and defeat Akuram. The In vs Tei ConflictMain character: Takakura Karin About 100 years after the end of Haruka 1, Kyou was torn by conflict within the imperial family between the incumbent emperor (tei) and the retired emperor (in). Disaster and calamity has befallen the imperial capital and once again, the Ryuujin no Miko, Karin is summoned to save the land. The Genpei Wars Main character: Kasuga Nozomi Near the end of the Heian Period, two military families rose in power and vied for control of Japan. The Minamoto (Genji) were based in Kamakura under Minamoto no Yoshitomo. In Kyou, the Taira (Heike) attempt to strengthen their hold by raising the dead to add to their forces. The spiritual energy of the land deteriorates to the point where the Ryuujin has lost its powers. Nozomi must cleanse the land and lay the dead to rest, stop the Heike and restore the Ryuujin's powers. Haruka 3 had two sequels which continue with the same characters. The Mythical Toyoashihara Main character: Ashihara Chihiro Unlike the previous games, Haruka 4 takes the story far into the past during the period of myths and legends in Japan. It tells the origin of the Ryuujin legends as well as the destiny of the first 8 Hachiyou Ashihara Chihiro thought that she was an ordinary high school student, but she was really the last surviving princess of Nakatsu Kuni, a country in another world known as Toyoashihara. Nakatsu Kuni was the Ryuujin's land, but it had been destroyed by Tokoyo no Kuni in a war 5 years ago. Chihiro must restore the mystical powers of the land and its spirits, and face the war against Tokoyo no Kuni.
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| Last Updated ( Sunday, 12 October 2008 13:05 ) |