Da Capo (video game)
Da Capo | |
〜ダ・カーポ〜 (Da Kāpo) | |
---|---|
Genre | Harem, romantic comedy[1] |
Game | |
Developer | Circus (Circus Northern) |
Publisher | Circus (Windows) Kadokawa Shoten (PS2 Plus Situation, PS2 Four Seasons, PSP I & II Plus Situation Portable) Sweets (PS2 The Origin, PS2 Innocent Finale) Idea Factory (PSP Girl's Symphony Pocket)
|
Genre | Eroge, visual novel |
Platform | Windows, PlayStation 2, PlayStation Portable |
Released | June 28, 2002 (CD) |
Manga | |
Written by | Circus |
Illustrated by | Natsuki Tanihara |
Published by | Kadokawa Shoten |
Magazine | Comptiq |
Demographic | Seinen |
Original run | February 10, 2003 – April 10, 2004 |
Volumes | 2 |
Anime television series | |
Directed by | Nagisa Miyazaki (season 1) TV Saitama |
Original run | July 11, 2003 – December 24, 2005 |
Episodes | 52 |
Manga | |
Da Capo: Second Graduation | |
Written by | Circus |
Illustrated by | Cherish |
Published by | Kadokawa Shoten |
Magazine | Comptiq |
Demographic | Seinen |
Original run | August 10, 2004 – July 10, 2006 |
Volumes | 3 |
Original video animation | |
Da Capo: If | |
Directed by | Kenichiro Komaya |
Written by | Masashi Suzuki |
Studio | Zexcs |
Released | December 25, 2008 – March 25, 2009 |
Runtime | 24 minutes each |
Episodes | 2 |
Game sequels | |
Da Capo (〜ダ・カーポ〜, Da Kāpo, commonly abbreviated as D.C.) is a Japanese
Circus described Da Capo as a "ticklish school romance adventure" (こそばゆい学園恋愛アドベンチャー, kosobayui gakuen renai adobenchā). A
musical term meaning "from the beginning", and the game was such named with parts of the storyline looping before approaching the true end.There have been numerous adaptations into other media. Two
Gameplay
Da Capo's gameplay requires little interaction from the player, as it is a classic visual novel: most of the duration of the game is spent simply reading the text that appears on the screen which represents either dialogue between the various characters or the inner thoughts of the protagonist. Every so often, the player will come to a point where he or she is given the chance to choose from multiple locations to spend time at. The time between these points is variable and can occur anywhere from a minute to much longer. Gameplay pauses at these points and depending on which choice the player makes, the plot will progress in a specific direction. There are seven main plot lines that the player will have the chance to experience, one for each of the heroines in the story. To view all seven plot lines, the player will have to replay the game multiple times and make different decisions to progress the plot in an alternate direction. Throughout gameplay, the player enables the viewing of sex scenes depicting the protagonist, Jun'ichi, and one of the seven heroines having sex.
Plot
Da Capo centers around Jun'ichi Asakura, who lives with his adopted sister Nemu on Hatsune, a fictional crescent-shaped island where
Development
Da Capo was Circus's sixth game, but was the fourth game developed by the development group Circus Northern who had also produced their second title
Release history
Da Capo was first released in Japan as an adult game for Windows on June 28, 2002 as a CD-ROM in limited and regular editions.[2] A version as a DVD-ROM followed on July 26, 2002 in limited and regular editions,[2] and a package containing both CD- and DVD-ROM versions was released on September 26, 2003.[3] A version of the original game was ported to the PlayStation 2 titled Da Capo: The Origin (〜ダ・カーポ〜 ジ オリジン〜) on February 14, 2008. A limited and regular edition of an extended version with updated storylines and characters, but with the adult content removed, was released on the PlayStation 2 on October 30, 2003 titled Da Capo: Plus Situation (〜ダ・カーポ プラスシチュエーション〜). A "best" version was released of D.C.P.S. on July 14, 2005. Circus released an adult version of D.C.P.S. on May 28, 2004 named Da Capo: Plus Communication (〜ダ・カーポ〜 プラスコミュニケーション) as a limited edition playable as a CD- and DVD-ROM for Windows.[4] The regular edition of the game followed on June 4, 2004.[4] This game was again re-released on December 16, 2005 as a "gratitude pack",[5] and again on June 29, 2007 updated for Windows Vista.[6]
A fandisc titled Da Capo: White Season (〜ダ・カーポ ホワイトシーズン〜) was released for Windows on December 13, 2002 as a Christmas limited edition; the regular edition followed on January 24, 2003 in CD- and DVD-ROM editions.[7] A renewal package edition of White Season playable as a DVD was released on February 25, 2005.[7] Another fandisc followed for Windows on August 27, 2004 as a limited edition titled Da Capo: Summer Vacation (〜ダ・カーポ サマーバケーション〜).[8] The regular edition of Summer Vacation followed on September 3, 2004,[9] and a CD-ROM version was released on August 5, 2005.[10] Another version for the PlayStation 2 was released on December 15, 2005 in limited and regular editions called Da Capo: Four Seasons (〜ダ・カーポ〜 フォーシーズンズ). A Windows version of Four Seasons was released by Circus on June 27, 2008 with added adult content called Da Capo: After Seasons (〜ダ・カーポ〜 アフターシーズンズ).[11]
An adult fandisc titled Circus Disc: Christmas Days (〜サーカスディスク クリスマスデイズ〜) was released by Circus for Windows as a limited edition DVD on December 22, 2006, and as a regular edition on January 1, 2007. Three
Adaptations
Novels
Many novels have been written based on Da Capo and its updated versions. The first series of novels based on the original Da Capo game was a series of six novels written by Tasuku Saika between December 2002 and February 2004.[14] Saika also wrote a series of six novels between October 2004 and May 2005 based on Plus Communication.[14] Four more novels based on Plus Communication were written by Izumi Okazaki, illustrated by Mikeō, and were published by Enterbrain between February 2005 and September 30, 2006. Two novels based on the manga adaptation Second Graduation were written by Miyuki Gotō and released in October 2005 and January 2006. A single novel based on Four Seasons and written by Circus, Chiruda Sasamiya, and Masashi Suzuki with illustrations by Cherish was published on March 25, 2006.
Drama CDs
Many
Manga
There have been two manga adaptations of Da Capo. The first Da Capo manga was illustrated by Natsuki Tanihara and was serialized in Kadokawa Shoten's Comptiq magazine between February 10, 2003 and April 10, 2004.[17][18] Two bound volumes were released for the first manga. The second manga, titled Da Capo: Second Graduation, was illustrated by Cherish and was serialized in Comptiq between August 10, 2004 and July 10, 2006.[19][20] Three volumes were released for the second manga. Many manga anthologies have also been produced over the years.
Anime
There have been two anime series and one original video animation based on Da Capo. The first anime series was produced by the Japanese animation studio Zexcs and directed by Nagisa Miyazaki. It aired in Japan between July 11, 2003 to December 27, 2003, and spanned 26 episodes. The first seven episodes of the series aired with image songs performed by the Japanese voice actresses who voiced main female characters, while episodes eight through 14 and 16 through 21 were aired with side episodes, with episode 22 onwards aired in full-length, lasting about 24 minutes. The second anime series, Da Capo: Second Season, was produced by Feel and directed by Munenori Nawa. The series also spanned 26 episodes and aired in Japan between July 2, 2005 to December 24, 2005. A two-episode OVA series titled Da Capo: If, produced by Zexcs and featuring Kotori Shirakawa as the main character was released with two DVD box-sets containing the first and second anime series.[21] The first DVD box-set, containing the first anime series and the first OVA episode was released on December 25, 2008. The second DVD box-set, containing the second anime series and the second OVA episode was released on March 25, 2009.
The first anime series had four pieces of theme music, one opening theme and three ending themes. The opening theme is "Sakura Saku Mirai Koi Yume" (サクラサクミライコイユメ, lit, "Love Dream of the Future Where the Sakura Bloom") sung by
The second anime series had three pieces of theme music, one opening theme and two ending themes. The opening theme is "Sakurairo no Kisetsu" (サクライロノキセツ, lit. "The Cherry Blossom-colored Season") by Yozuca*, though the first episode's version does not use vocals. The first ending theme is "Akatsuki ni Saku Uta" (暁に咲く詩, lit. "The Verse Blooming in Dawn") by CooRie and was used in episodes one through 23, and in the final episode. The second ending theme is "Kioku Love Letter" (記憶ラブレター, lit. "Remembrance Love Letter") by CooRie which was used in episodes 24 and 25.
Radio shows
Two radios shows have been produced for the anime adaptations of Da Capo. The first show named Da Capo: Hatsunejima Hōsōgyoku (〜ダ・カーポ〜 初音島放送局) aired between October 4, 2003 and June 25, 2005 on
Music
The original visual novel of Da Capo has four pieces of theme music, one opening theme, two ending themes, and one insert song. The opening theme is "Da Capo: Dai 2 Button no Chikai" (ダ・カーポ 〜第2ボタンの誓い〜) which is written and
The Da Capo Complete Original Soundtrack was released by Lantis on September 25, 2002 containing two discs with 33 tracks.
The single containing the first anime season's opening and ending themes titled "Sakura Saku Mirai Koi Yume" (サクラサクミライコイユメ) was released by Lantis on July 24, 2003.
The single containing the second anime season's opening theme titled "Sakurairo no Kisetsu" (サクライロノキセツ) was released by Lantis on July 21, 2005.
Reception
According to a national ranking of how well bishōjo games sold nationally in Japan, the original Da Capo release for Windows achieved its highest rank at number one in the ranking.[48] In the October 2007 issue of Dengeki G's Magazine, poll results for the 50 best bishōjo games were released. Out of 249 titles, Da Capo ranked sixth with 61 votes.[49]
On reviewing the English version of the visual novel, Daniel Joseph of NookGaming described Da Capo as "average" after summing up the good and bad points. The music was noted as particularly strong, while the writing was mentioned as a weak point, citing issues such as the dialogue being "full of non-sequiturs and unnatural conversation".[50]
References
- ^ Lau, Enoch. "Da Capo". T.H.E.M. Anime Reviews. Retrieved June 22, 2020.
- ^ a b c "Information section at the original visual novel's official website" (in Japanese). Circus. Retrieved July 9, 2008.
- ^ "Da Capo "gratitude pack" official website" (in Japanese). Circus. Archived from the original on May 24, 2008. Retrieved July 9, 2008.
- ^ a b "Da Capo: Plus Communication official website" (in Japanese). Circus. Archived from the original on May 2, 2008. Retrieved July 9, 2008.
- ^ "Da Capo Plus Communication "gratitude pack" official website" (in Japanese). Circus. Retrieved July 9, 2008.
- ^ "Da Capo Plus Communication Vista version official website" (in Japanese). Circus. Archived from the original on May 19, 2008. Retrieved July 9, 2008.
- ^ a b "Da Capo: White Season official website" (in Japanese). Circus. Retrieved July 9, 2008.
- ^ "Da Capo: Summer Vacation limited edition official website" (in Japanese). Circus. Archived from the original on April 26, 2008. Retrieved July 9, 2008.
- ^ "Da Capo: Summer Vacation regular edition official website" (in Japanese). Circus. Archived from the original on April 26, 2008. Retrieved July 9, 2008.
- ^ "Da Capo: Summer Vacation CD-ROM version official website" (in Japanese). Circus. Archived from the original on April 25, 2008. Retrieved July 9, 2008.
- ^ "Da Capo: After Seasons product information" (in Japanese). Circus. Archived from the original on May 16, 2008. Retrieved July 9, 2008.
- ^ "Da Capo Poker about section" (in Japanese). Circus. Archived from the original on September 13, 2008. Retrieved July 9, 2008.
- ^ "Da Capo English release". MangaGamer. Retrieved February 9, 2009.
- ^ a b "Novels section at Da Capo's official website" (in Japanese). Circus. Archived from the original on May 19, 2008. Retrieved July 9, 2008.
- ^ "Shunshoku no Shima drama CD official listing" (in Japanese). Lantis. Archived from the original on December 16, 2008. Retrieved July 10, 2008.
- ^ a b c d "Da Capo CDs released by Lantis" (in Japanese). Lantis. Retrieved 2008-07-10.
- ^ "Comptiq March 2003 issue" (in Japanese). Kadokawa Shoten. Archived from the original on May 17, 2008. Retrieved July 9, 2008.
- ^ "Comptiq May 2004 issue" (in Japanese). Kadokawa Shoten. Archived from the original on May 17, 2008. Retrieved July 9, 2008.
- ^ "Comptiq September 2004 issue" (in Japanese). Kadokawa Shoten. Archived from the original on June 30, 2006. Retrieved July 9, 2008.
- ^ "Comptiq August 2006 issue" (in Japanese). Kadokawa Shoten. Archived from the original on May 17, 2008. Retrieved July 9, 2008.
- ^ "D.C.I.F. Da Capo If Part I OVA Announced". Anime News Network. September 6, 2008. Retrieved September 30, 2008.
- ^ "Personality section at the radio show's official website" (in Japanese). Da Capo Production Committee. Archived from the original on April 15, 2008. Retrieved July 10, 2008.
- ^ ""Da Capo: Dai 2 Button no Chikai" single official listing" (in Japanese). Lantis. Archived from the original on December 16, 2008. Retrieved July 10, 2008.
- ^ "Da Capo Complete Original Soundtrack official listing" (in Japanese). Lantis. Archived from the original on December 16, 2008. Retrieved July 10, 2008.
- ^ "Songs from Da Capo album official listing" (in Japanese). Lantis. Archived from the original on December 16, 2008. Retrieved July 10, 2008.
- ^ "D.C.P.S.C.S.1 official album listing" (in Japanese). Lantis. Archived from the original on December 16, 2008. Retrieved July 10, 2008.
- ^ "D.C.P.S.C.S.2 official album listing" (in Japanese). Lantis. Archived from the original on December 16, 2008. Retrieved July 10, 2008.
- ^ "D.C.F.S.: Da Capo Four Seasons official album listing" (in Japanese). Lantis. Archived from the original on December 16, 2008. Retrieved July 10, 2008.
- ^ ""Sakura Saku Mirai Koi Yume" single official listing" (in Japanese). Lantis. Archived from the original on December 16, 2008. Retrieved July 10, 2008.
- ^ "Nemu and Yoriko image song album official listing" (in Japanese). Lantis. Archived from the original on December 16, 2008. Retrieved July 10, 2008.
- ^ "Sakura, Moe, and Mako image song album official listing" (in Japanese). Lantis. Archived from the original on December 16, 2008. Retrieved July 10, 2008.
- ^ "Kotori and Miharu image song album official listing" (in Japanese). Lantis. Archived from the original on December 16, 2008. Retrieved July 10, 2008.
- ^ "Dolce album official listing" (in Japanese). Lantis. Archived from the original on December 16, 2008. Retrieved July 10, 2008.
- ^ "Ribbons&Candies album official listing" (in Japanese). Lantis. Archived from the original on December 16, 2008. Retrieved July 10, 2008.
- ^ "My Little Wish album official listing" (in Japanese). Lantis. Archived from the original on December 16, 2008. Retrieved July 10, 2008.
- ^ "Happy Days album official listing" (in Japanese). Lantis. Archived from the original on December 16, 2008. Retrieved July 10, 2008.
- ^ "Hatsunejima Best Da Capo Best Selection album official listing" (in Japanese). Lantis. Archived from the original on June 22, 2008. Retrieved July 10, 2008.
- ^ "Amoroso album official listing" (in Japanese). Lantis. Archived from the original on December 16, 2008. Retrieved July 10, 2008.
- ^ "Brillante album official listing" (in Japanese). Lantis. Archived from the original on December 16, 2008. Retrieved July 10, 2008.
- ^ ""Sakurairo no Kisetsu" single official listing" (in Japanese). Lantis. Archived from the original on December 16, 2008. Retrieved July 10, 2008.
- ^ ""Akatsuki ni Saku Uta" single official listing" (in Japanese). Lantis. Archived from the original on December 16, 2008. Retrieved July 10, 2008.
- ^ "Aisia image song single official listing" (in Japanese). Lantis. Archived from the original on December 16, 2008. Retrieved July 10, 2008.
- ^ "D.C.S.S. vocal album volume 1 official listing" (in Japanese). Lantis. Archived from the original on December 16, 2008. Retrieved July 10, 2008.
- ^ "'D.C.S.S. vocal album volume 2 official listing" (in Japanese). Lantis. Archived from the original on December 16, 2008. Retrieved July 10, 2008.
- ^ "Dolce2 album official listing" (in Japanese). Lantis. Archived from the original on December 16, 2008. Retrieved July 10, 2008.
- ^ "D.C.S.S. Original Soundtrack Vol. 1 official listing" (in Japanese). Lantis. Archived from the original on December 16, 2008. Retrieved July 10, 2008.
- ^ "D.C.S.S. Original Soundtrack Vol. 2 official listing" (in Japanese). Lantis. Archived from the original on December 16, 2008. Retrieved July 10, 2008.
- ^ "PEAKS PCnewsWEB" (in Japanese). Peakspub. Archived from the original on December 27, 2005. Retrieved March 30, 2014.
- ^ "読者が選ぶ MY BEST ギャルゲーランキング 電撃G'smagazine.com" [Reader Chosen MY BEST Girl Game Ranking Dengeki G's magazine.com] (in Japanese). ASCII Media Works. Archived from the original on October 11, 2007. Retrieved March 30, 2014.
- ^ Joseph, Daniel. "Da Capo – Review". NookGaming. Retrieved 24 March 2024.
External links
- Circus's official Da Capo website (in Japanese)
- MangaGamer's official Da Capo website
- Anime's official website Archived 2015-07-20 at the Wayback Machine (in Japanese)
- Da Capo (anime) at Anime News Network's encyclopedia
- Da Capo at The Visual Novel Database