Akai Ito is a Japanese horror adventure game by Success Corporation, released exclusively for the PlayStation 2 in Japan on October 21, 2004. A reduced price "popular edition," included in developer and publisher SUCCESS' SuperLite 2000 Series, was released on October 27, 2005. The title refers to the mythical red string of fate. Akai Ito has not been officially released outside of Japan, but there has been a fan effort to translate it, similar to the popular dojin game Tsukihime.
STORY:
To arrange the inheritance because of the loss of her mother, Kei Hato heads for her father's house in Hemizuka. In the train on the way there, Kei has a mysterious dream of a huge tree and a woman who seems to be lost in sadness. In Hemizuka, Kei learns the secret concealed in her own blood through various meeting with an Oni Slayer, a friend of her late mother, a young girl accompanied by a white fox, and even the mysterious girl from her dreams. Throughout the story Kei is antagonized by the twin oni Nozomi and Mikage. Akai Ito's story varies greatly based upon the player's decisions, which not only affect the flow of the story but also the ending the player receives (several of which suggest romantic feelings among the female characters).
CHARACTERS:
- Kei Hato: The main character of the story, Kei is a rather careless person, which is quite ironic considering her favourite phrase is "always be prepared".
- Yumei: The mysterious girl from Kei's dreams.
- Uzuki Senba: The Oni Slayer Kei meets at the train station, her sword is the very bane of the oni.
- Tsuzura Wakasugi: A girl half Kei's age, accompanied by a white fox. Kei meets her in her father's now abandoned house.
- Sakuya Asama: A friend of Kei's deceased mother. She goes by the nickname "West".
- Nozomi , Mikage: Twin oni and the antagonists of the story.
- Kei: A mysterious male, later known as Kei's brother called Hakuka.
- Mayumi Hato
- Yoko Nara
- Rin Togo
Typical of this type of game, you progress by selecting paths through conversation sequences, leading up to one of thirty different endings. A scenario map lets you see visually how the story is branching off as you play. The game's title, "akai ito," translates to "red thread." The Japanese first-run issue includes an anthology comic.
Akai Ito has also received several manga adaptations: a one-shot by Muttri Moony published in the July 2004 issue of Yuri Shimai, by the name "Swear"; and a short manga published in the May and June 2007 issues of Monthly Comic Rush. A special anthology was created for a limited edition version Akai Ito, the anthology featured various stories from different artists.
MANUFACTURER'S DESCRIPTION:
Japanese legendary horror adventure destined to face hero Katsura and youkai build a bond of blood, blood of her own cause. Through the girl and both the monster and hero, new elements spiritual exchange and friendship of girls, and subtle love is full. Recording to Help and cheats "bifurcation diagram" and "Glossary". Or spell, from being spun in spinning wheel of fate, or bonds? Or ... ?
FEATURES:
- First person perspective.
- 2D graphics
- Cartoon graphics
- Fantasy, Horror & Romance themes.
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