Shinkyoku Sōkai Polyphonica
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Shinkyoku Sōkai Polyphonica | |
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Logo from the opening theme
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神曲奏界ポリフォニカ | |
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Genre | Adventure, Fantasy, Romance |
Game | |
Developer | Ocelot |
Publisher | Ocelot (PC) Prototype (PS2, PSP) |
Genre | Visual novel |
Platform | PC, PlayStation 2, PlayStation Portable |
Released | PC April 28, 2006 (Episodes 1&2) May 25, 2007 (Episodes 3&4) PlayStation 2 April 26, 2007 (Episodes 1&2) December 27, 2007 (Episodes 3&4) April 10, 2008 (Episodes 0-4 Full Pack) PlayStation Portable June 26, 2008 (Episodes 0-4 Full Pack) |
Game | |
Shinkyoku Sōkai Polyphonica THE BLACK | |
Developer | Ocelot, KuroCo |
Publisher | Ocelot (PC) Prototype (PS2) |
Genre | Visual novel |
Platform | PC, PlayStation 2 |
Released | June 29, 2007 (PC) January 15, 2009 (PS2) |
Game | |
Shinkyoku Sōkai Polyphonica Memories White | |
Developer | Ocelot, AMEDEO |
Publisher | Ocelot |
Genre | Visual novel |
Platform | PC |
Released | June 29, 2007 (First Emotion) July 13, 2007 (Endless Aria) |
Light novel | |
Written by | Ichirō Sakaki (Crimson) Junichi Ōsako (Black) Madoka Takadono (White) Toshihiko Tsukiji (Blue) |
Published by | Softbank Creative |
Demographic | Male |
Original run | January 2006 – present |
Volumes | 4 (Crimson), 4 (Black), 3 (White), 1 (Blue), 1 (Compilation) |
Manga | |
Cardinal Crimson | |
Written by | Ichirō Sakaki, Ocelot |
Demographic | Shōnen |
Original run | March 1, 2007 – present |
Anime television series | |
Directed by | Junichi Watanabe Masami Shimoda |
Written by | Ichiro Sasaki |
Music by | Hikaru Nanase |
Studio | Ginga-ya |
Network | CBC, MBS, TBS |
English network | |
Original run | April 3, 2007 – June 19, 2007 |
Episodes | 12 |
Anime television series | |
Polyphonica Crimson S | |
Directed by | Toshimasa Suzuki |
Written by | Kenichi Kanemaki |
Music by | Hikaru Nanase |
Studio | Diomedéa |
Network | AT-X, MBS |
English network | |
Original run | April 4, 2009 – June 20, 2009 |
Episodes | 12 |
Game | |
Shinkyoku Sōkai Polyphonica: After School | |
Developer | Ocelot |
Publisher | Ocelot (PC) Prototype (PS2, PSP) |
Genre | Visual novel |
Platform | PC, PlayStation 2, PlayStation Portable |
Released | December 25, 2009 (PC) November 11, 2010 (PS2) February 17, 2011 (PSP) |
Game | |
Shinkyoku Sōkai Polyphonica Plus | |
Developer | Ocelot |
Publisher | Ocelot |
Genre | Visual novel |
Platform | PC |
Released | July 22, 2011 |
Shinkyoku Sōkai Polyphonica (神曲奏界ポリフォニカ?), also known as simply Polyphonica, is an all-age Japanese visual novel created by Ocelot and first released on the PC on April 28, 2006. Aside from the game, multiple series of light novels have been created, and a manga adaptation started in March 2007. An anime adaptation started airing in Japan on April 3, 2007. Another anime adaption aired from April to June 2009, and was a prequel of the events in the first anime.
The original game, the Crimson series, will start its second installment, covering the third and fourth story.[timeframe?] The Black and White Polyphonica series were adapted from a printed novel to visual novel media in spring 2007, respectively titled Shinkyoku Sōkai Polyphonica THE BLACK and Shinkyoku Sōkai Polyphonica Memories White.
Contents
Plot
In the continent of Polyphonica, spirits materialize in the world, surviving on the music that is played by humans, and live together with them. While the spirits don't appear often, some spirits have enough power to materialize in human or animal forms and live together with humans.
Dantists, who play special music called "Commandia," are widely respected in this world. They are usually in contract with powerful spirits. The story of Shinkyoku Sōkai Polyphonica revolves around the new Dantist, Phoron Tatara, the spirit that he made contract with, Corticarte Apa Lagranges, and their friends, in their daily life and work. It also revolves around the feelings of the protagonist (Phoron Tatara) and his contract spirit (Corticarte Apa Lagranges)
In the anime, episode 1 to 10 explored the relationship between humans and spirits in the world of Polyphonica. This is shown either from Dantist like Phoron, or Dirrane. The last two episodes focus on the Commandia that connects both kind of creatures.[1]
Characters
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Characters working in the Tsuge Divine Music Player Office include Phoron (the protagonist), Corticarte (his contract spirit), Prinesca and Perserte (the twins), Renbart (another co-worker), Eufinley (their boss), and Yardio (contracted to Eufinley).
Terms
- Belst (聖獣 Seijū?)
- Belst are spirits' animal-like form. Their Human forms are called Humanubic. Some spirits can have both Humanubic and Belst forms. The literal meaning for "聖獣" is "sacred/holy beast".
- Commandia (神曲 Shinkyoku?)
- Divine music played by Dantists. With this music, spirits that have made a contract with a Dantist can use their true power; but all spirits enjoy a good song. Commandia is the expression of the Dantist's soul, and it will change according with their development, whether it is for better or worse.
- Although listening to Commandia will strengthen a covenant spirit as well as bring them joy, Commandia can have adverse effects. Fairies who have known the joy of Commandia can become crazy if they are separated from Commandia for too long. Therefore there are spirits who think it's better if they never interact with humans at all. The literal meaning for "神曲" is "Divine Song".
- Dantist (神曲楽士 Shinkyoku Gakushi?)
- Musicians who are able to play divine music, or Commandia. They are usually in possession of a One-Man Orchestra, which can be disguised as a suitcase, or in Phoron's case, a motorbike. But a Dantist does not actually depend on these instruments. In the timeline of the White series, Dantists can play Commandia using conventional instruments. The literal meaning for "神曲楽士" is "Divine Song Musician/Player".
- Humanubic (フマヌビック Fumanubikku?)
- These are spirits' human-like form. Animal forms are called "Belst". There is also the Licanthro form, in which a Spirit possesses both a human and animal form. Examples are Yadio and Blanca.
- One-Man Orchestra (単身楽団 Tanshin Gakudan?)
- One-Man Orchestras are instruments used by Dantists. They are similar to ordinary musical instruments, but are often more elaborate and equipped with a computer. These instruments allow solitary Dantists to play music on a larger scale, equivalent to an orchestra.
- As technology grows more advanced, the miniaturization of these devices is improving. Renbart's saxophone or Eufinley's violin are not so different in size compared to conventional instruments, but the Phoron's organ at school is only the size of a backpack.
- His motorbike-shaped One-Man Orchestra is an exception.
- Tsuge Divine Music Player Office (ツゲ神曲楽士派遣事務所 Tsuge Shinkyoku Gakushi Haken Jimusho?)
- The office where Phoron, Corti, Renbart, Yadio, Perserte, and Prinesca work. Eufinley is the chief of this office.
Release history
There are 5 Shinkyoku Sōkai Polyphonica visual novels being released, with 3 different series.
- Polyphonica Crimson series
- Shinkyoku Sōkai Polyphonica ~Episode 1&2 Box Edition~ - April 28, 2006
- Shinkyoku Sōkai Polyphonica ~Episode 3&4 Box Edition~ - May 25, 2007
- Polyphonica Black series
- Shinkyoku Sōkai Polyphonica THE BLACK ~Episode 1&2 Box Edition~ - August 10, 2007
- Polyphonica White series
- Shinkyoku Sōkai Polyphonica Memories White ~First Emotion~ June 29, 2007
- Shinkyoku Sōkai Polyphonica Memories White ~Endless Aria~ July 13, 2007
Adaptations
Light novel
After the game, the Polyphonica series expanded into a light novel series. The stories are loosely connected in a shared universe setting. The novels are published by GA Bunko, a division of Softbank Creative. Currently, there are four series running, each uniquely identified with colors. The Black series happens in the same timeline as the Crimson series, which follows the main characters of the game. The White series appears to take place in the distant past.
- Polyphonica Crimson series
- Story: Ichirō Sakaki / Illustrations: Noboru Kannatsuki
- Wayward Crimson - January 15, 2006
- Romantic Crimson - May 15, 2006
- Spurting Crimson - September 15, 2006
- Struggle Crimson - October 15, 2006
- Beginning Crimson - May 15, 2007
- Jealous Crimson - July 15, 2008
- Aiding Crimson - September 15, 2008
- Chasing Crimson - April 15, 2009
- Nostalgic Crimson - October 16, 2010
- Lookback Crimson - July 16, 2011
- Deciding Crimson - November 15, 2012
- Final Rising Crimson - June 15, 2013
- Polyphonica Crimson S series
- Story: Ichirō Sakaki / Illustrations: Noboru Kannatsuki
- Crimson S (1) - November 15, 2008
- Crimson S (2) - January 15, 2009
- Crimson S (3) - March 15, 2009
- Crimson S (4) - June 15, 2009
- Crimson S (5) - September 15, 2009
- Crimson S (6) - March 16, 2010
- Polyphonica After School series
- Story: Ichirō Sakaki / Illustrations: Noboru Kannatsuki
- After School 1 - July 17, 2012
- After School 2 - October 17, 2012
- After School 3 - March 16, 2013
- Polyphonica Black series
- Story: Junichi Ōsako / Illustrations: BUNBUN
- Inspector Black - June 15, 2006
- Silent Black - August 15, 2006
- Player Black - December 15, 2006
- Triangle Black - March 15, 2007
- Resolution Black - July 15, 2007
- Patient Black - October 12, 2007
- Memo Wars Black - February 15, 2008
- Reliance Black - July 15, 2008
- Isolation Black - October 15, 2008
- Liberation Black - January 15, 2009
- Addration Black - May 15, 2009
- Promist Black - August 15, 2009
- Advent Black - November 15, 2009
- InterLude Black - October 16, 2010
- Polyphonica Leon series
- Story: Junichi Ōsako / Illustrations: Shinobu Shoryu
- Leon the Resurrector 1 - November 30, 2007
- Leon the Resurrector 2 - May 15, 2008
- Leon the Resurrector 3 - November 15, 2008
- Leon the Resurrector 4 - April 15, 2009
- Polyphonica Gold series
- Story: Junichi Ōsako / Illustrations: Shinobu Shoryu
- Leon the Gold - October 15, 2009
- Polyphonica White series
- Story: Madoka Takadono / Illustrations: Kinako Hiro
- Eternal White - July 15, 2006
- Infinity White - November 15, 2006
- Missing White - April 15, 2007
- Anniversary White - September 15, 2007
- Ancient White - September 11, 2008
- Spiral White - December 15, 2008
- Marginal White - March 15, 2009
- Memories White - June 15, 2009
- Purely White - February 15, 2010
- Reunion White - July 15, 2010
- Regret White - November 15, 2010
- Wizout White - May 15, 2011
- Never Ending White - November 15, 2011
- Polyphonica Blue series
- Story: Toshihiko Tsukiji / Illustrations: Eiji Usatsuka
- Excite Blue - February 15, 2007
- Fugitive Blue - June 15, 2007
- Confusion Blue - August 15, 2009
- Polyphonica Dan Sariel series
- Story: Toshihiko Tsukiji / Illustrations: Kazuaki
- Compilation
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- Marble January 15, 2007
Manga
Written by Ichiro Sakaki and illustrated by Tomo Hirokawa, a manga series adaptation entitled Cardinal Crimson (カーディナル・クリムゾン Kādinaru Kurimuzon?) began serialization as a web comic on March 2007 in FlexComix Blood.[citation needed] The series was picked up for an English release by CMX Manga, with the first volume slated for May 2010.[2] Tomo Hirokawa designed a New Year's nengajō for 2008.[3]
Additionally, the Black series was adapted into a manga series as a web comic and began serialization in December 2008 in Flex Comix Blood.
Anime
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T.O Entertainment adapted Shinkyoku Sōkai Polyphonica into a twelve episode anime series directed by Junichi Watanabe and Masami Shimoda and written by Ichiro Sakaki. On February 6, 2007, one month after the first manga adaptation was announced, the anime adaptation was announced.[4] Broadcast on TBS, the series premiered on April 3, 2007 and aired weekly until its conclusion on June 19, 2007.[5][6][7] The music was composed by Hikaru Nanase. Two pieces of theme music were used for the anime. "Apocrypha" is performed by eufonius as the opening theme. "Concordia" (コンコルディア Konkorudia?) is performed by kukui as the ending theme.
Diomedéa adapted the series into another season entitled Shinkyoku Sōkai Polyphonica Crimson S, directed by Toshimasa Suzuki and written by Ken'ichi Kanemaki, that is not a continuation of the first and will tie into Ichiro Sakaki and Noboru Kannatsuki's light novel adaptation of the same name.[8] The official website was launched on November 11, 2008 and began streaming a promotional video on March 23, 2009 featuring the anime's opening theme but contained no actual anime footage.[8][9] The series premiered on TVK and TVS on March 4, 2009 and is currently broadcasting weekly.[citation needed] The series was also broadcast on AT-X, Gifu Broadcasting, MBS, and Mie TV.[10] The music is directed by Jin Aketagawa and composed by Magic Capsule. Two pieces of theme music were used for the anime. "Phosphorous" is performed by eufonius as the opening theme. Koi no Uta (こいのうた?) is performed by Haruka Tomatsu as ending theme.
North American releases
The Shinkyoku Sōkai Polyphonica anime series was licensed for distribution in North America by Sentai Filmworks. A DVD collection of all 12 episodes, in Japanese language with English subtitles, titled Polyphonica, was released on November 17, 2009.[11] The second season prequel series Shinkyoku Sōkai Polyphonica Crimson S was licensed for distribution in North America by Maiden Japan. A complete DVD collection titled Polyphonica Crimson S, containing all 12 episodes, in Japanese language with English subtitles, was released on April 3, 2012.[12] Both seasons of the anime series have been posted on the Anime Network website for online streaming.
Role-playing game
A Shinkyoku Sōkai Polyphonica RPG, published by GA Bunko, went on sale in Japan in August 2008. The game is designed by Takashi Osada and FarEast Amusement Research, and uses the Standard RPG System. The campaign setting is based mainly on Polyphonica Crimson series.
Music
- Crimson Series
Theme song: "Crimson Calling" by Rita (Ep 1 & 2)
- "Crimson Calling (Ending Ver.)" by Rita (Ep 3 & 4)
Insert song: "Song of Wave" by Yuiko (Ep 3&4)
Ending theme: "Crimson Reason" by Rita (Ep 3 & 4)
- Black Series
Theme song: "Hurting Heart" by fripSide
- White Series
Theme song: "Until I Forget You" (僕がきみを忘れるまで Boku ga Kimi o Wasureru Made?) by Eri Kitamura
CDs
- Opening Single: "Apocrypha" by eufonius - April 25, 2007
- Ending Single: "Concordia" (コンコルディア Konkorudia?) by kukui - May 23, 2007
- Game Original Soundtrack: May 25, 2007
- Anime Original Soundtrack - Atmosphere: June 27, 2007, composed by Hikaru Nanase
References
- ↑ Polyphonica blog June 7th 2007 entry
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External links
- Games
- Official Polyphonica Crimson Episode 1&2 game website (Japanese)
- Official Polyphonica Crimson Episode 3&4 game website (Japanese)
- Official Polyphonica Black Series game website (Japanese)
- Official Polyphonica White Series game website (Japanese)
- Shinkyoku Sōkai Polyphonica RPG official site (Japanese)
- Novels and Manga
- Anime
- Anime Network - Watch - Polyphonica
- Anime Network - Watch - Polyphonica Crimson S
- Polyphonica (TV) (anime) at Anime News Network's encyclopedia
- Polyphonica Crimson S (TV) (anime) at Anime News Network's encyclopedia
- Polyphonica @ TBS (Japanese)
- Official Polyphonica Crimson S TV website (Japanese)
- Pages with broken file links
- Articles containing Japanese-language text
- Anime and manga articles using obsolete and incorrect infobox parameters
- Manga series
- 2007 manga
- 2007 anime television series
- 2009 anime television series
- Articles with unsourced statements from May 2009
- Articles with Japanese-language external links
- 2006 video games
- 2007 video games
- Animated series based on video games
- Diomedea (studio)
- Fantasy anime and manga
- GA Bunko
- Ichirō Sakaki
- Japan-exclusive video games
- Light novels
- Maiden Japan
- Mainichi Broadcasting System shows
- Music-themed anime and manga
- PlayStation 2 games
- PlayStation Portable games
- Romance anime and manga
- Romance video games
- Shōnen manga
- Sentai Filmworks
- Tokyo Broadcasting System shows
- Visual novels
- Windows games