Shakugan no Shana, also known simply as Shana, is a Japanese light novel series written by Yashichiro Takahashi with illustrations by Noizi Ito. ASCII Media Works published 26 novels from November 2002 to November 2012 under their Dengeki Bunko imprint. The story focuses on Yuji Sakai, a high school boy who inadvertently becomes involved in an age-old conflict between forces of balance and imbalance in existence. In the process, he befriends a fighter for the balancing force and names her "Shana". The series incorporates fantasy and slice of life elements into its tale.
Two manga adaptations were published by ASCII Media Works in Dengeki Daioh and Dengeki Maoh. Between 2005 and 2012, the series was adapted by J.C.Staff into three 24-episode anime television series, a four-episode original video animation (OVA) series, an animated film and an additional stand alone OVA episode. A PlayStation 2 video game was released in March 2006, and it was ported to the Nintendo DS in March 2007.
STORY:
Shakugan no Shana details an age-old conflict between those who inhabit the Crimson Realm, a parallel universe to the human world. The Crimson Realm is populated by Crimson Denizens who are able to manipulate Power of Existence (???? Sonzai no Chikara?), a fundamental power within any biological entity and functions as "fuel" for one's existence. Denizens whose power stands out among their peers are known as Lords of the Crimson Realm, and Lords that are even more powerful are known as Gods.
Denizens who do not care about the balance between the Crimson Realm and the human world collect Power of Existence from humans to use for their own purposes. Some Lords contract with humans to become a Flame Haze, whose duty is to maintain the two worlds' balance by destroying any Denizens disrupting it. Denizens and Flame Haze fight with the use of powerful magic spells called Powers of Unrestraint, also known as Unrestricted Spells or Unrestricted Methods. One such spell is the Seal, which creates a space where the Crimson Realm and the human world intermingle and time stops.
VIDEO GAME:
An action RPG visual novel titled Shakugan no Shana, developed by Vridge and published by MediaWorks, was released on March 23, 2006 for the PlayStation 2 (PS2). A 36-page A4-sized art book titled Hono featuring illustrations by Ito was available to those who pre-ordered the game. The game was re-released as a "Best" version on February 7, 2008. The story was written by Yashichiro Takahashi, and features character designs by Noizi Ito. The opening theme song is "Exist" by Rie Kugimiya, which was released on volume one of the Assorted Shana albums. The player assumes the role of Yuji Sakai during the visual novel aspect, where much of the game's duration is spent on reading the text that appears on the screen, which represents the story's narrative and dialogue.
The game follows a branching plot line through eight chapters with five possible endings, and depending on the decisions that the player makes during the game, the plot will progress in a specific direction. Every so often, the player will come to a point where he or she is given the chance to choose from multiple options. Text progression pauses at these points until a choice is made. To view all plot lines in their entirety, the player will have to replay the game multiple times and choose different choices to further the plot to an alternate direction. Sometimes during text progression, an "active countdown" minigame appears, which requires the player to press the game buttons in a specific order in a set time limit. Success or failure in these minigames influence which endings are viewed. During the turn-based battle sequences, the player assumes the role of Shana. The player uses a combination of fire, powers of unrestraint, and treasure tools to battle Crimson Denizens; and Shana is also able to use a special attack and defend.
MANUFACTURER'S DESCRIPTION:
Popular anime "Shakugan no Shana" is, and burning + Moe = became battle adventure! And adventure part to enjoy life with Shana and friends to become a Yuji, completely original story of all Chapter 8 is deployed in battle part you become Shana fight "doers of Beniyo". While victory to attack coming "doers of Beniyo" and enjoy the romance with Shana and Yoshida Kazumi.
FEATURES:
- Third person perspective.
- 2D graphics
- Cartoon graphics
- Fantasy & Anime themes.
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