| Starry☆Sky | |
Cover art for the Windows CD Starry Sky ~After Spring~ |
|
| Genre | Romance, slice-of-life |
|---|---|
| Game | |
| Developer | Windows Honeybee PlayStation Portable HuneX |
| Publisher | Windows Honeybee PlayStation Portable Asgard |
| Genre | Role-playing video game, life simulation game, visual novel, otome game |
| Rating | PlayStation Portable
|
| Platform | Windows, PlayStation Portable |
| Released | Windows
|
| TV anime | |
| Directed by | Kiyoko Sayama |
| Studio | Frontier Works |
| Network | Animate.tv |
| Original run | December 23, 2010 – June 16, 2011 |
| Episodes | 26 |
Starry☆Sky (スターリースカイ Sutārī Sukai), known as Sta☆Ska (スタ☆スカ Suta Suka) for short in Japan, is a series of Japanese otome game visual novels created and developed by the software company Honeybee. It was separated into four games, the first released in in 2009, with three love interests in each, making a total of twelve possible love interests. It was well-received in Japan, having Drama CD's, countless manga adaptations and a 26 episode anime adaptation.[1]
Contents |
The player takes control of Tsukiko Yahisa, the heroine of the Starry☆Sky games, although her name can be changed by the player. The games are primarily told in visual novel format, where the player's decisions inadvertently affects the relationships she has with potential love interests in the game.
Tsukiko Yahisa is the first female student to enroll at Seigatsu Academy, a former all-boys school specializing in astronomy. She is closely watched over by her childhood friends, Kanata Nanami and Suzuya Tohzuki, who often protect her from the male student body. Throughout the games, she befriends other young men whose personalities are based on the Western zodiac constellations.
In the first game, Starry☆Sky~in Spring~, not long after Tsukiko transfers to Seigatsu Academy, a half-French boy named Yoh Tomoe follows suit to pursue her. This action stirs up emotions from Kanata and Suzuya, both of whom had long loved Tsukiko.[2]
In the second game, Starry☆Sky~in Summer~, Tsukiko has joined the academy's archery club. As she practices for the summer competition, she simultaneously solves the problems between her teammates (Homare Kanakubo, Ryunosuke Miyaji, and Azusa Kinose).[3]
In the third game, Starry☆Sky~in Autumn~, Tsukiko becomes involved with three teachers at her school (Iku Mizushima, Naoshi Haruki, and Kotarou Hoshizuki).[4]
The last game, Starry☆Sky~in Winter~, details Tsukiko's involvement with the student council, which includes Tsubasa Amaha, Kazuki Shiranui, and Hayato Aozora.[5]
Represents the Ophiuchus, the 13th constellation. Special "13th Character" that was introduced in the 13th secret date CD. Not much information is given. His Greek name translates to “serpent-bearer” and he is often seen holding an albino snake in many official illustrations. In the fourth game Starry Sky in Winter it's mentioned that he has greater strange power than Kazuki Shiranui.
All character designs, covers, and background art were digitally painted by Kazuaki. However, in October 2010, Japanese netizens accused her of using copyrighted stock images as references without permission. As a result, both Honeybee and Kazuaki issued formal apologies on their websites and the release of the first spinoff game, Starry☆Sky~After Spring~, was pushed back.[6][7]
Starry☆Sky was separated into four games, each one taking place in a different season with three possible love interests, for the PC. The first game, Starry☆Sky~in Spring~, was released on March 27, 2009. The opening theme song was titled Starry Sky and was performed by Hikaru Midorikawa, the voice of Yoh Tomoe.[8] Following its release, the second installment, Starry☆Sky~in Summer~ was released on June 26, 2009. The opening theme song was titled Shoot High and was performed by Hiroshi Kamiya, the voice of Ryunosuke Miyaji.[9] The third game, Starry☆Sky~in Autumn~, was released on September 25, 2009, and its theme song was Lies, Truth, and Our Destiny performed by Daisuke Kishio, the voice of Naoshi Haruki.[10] The last game, Starry☆Sky~in Winter~, was released on December 25, 2009, and the opening theme song was Grayed Out performed by Yuichi Nakamura, the voice of Kazuki Shiranui.[11] Starting in 2010, all four games were ported onto the PlayStation Portable.
The original games were followed by a spin-off, which takes place between the epilogue and the original time of the game. Starry☆Sky~After Spring~ was the first of the spin-off games to release onto the PC, but its release was postponed from November 26, 2010 to December 10, 2010 due to accusations of character art designer Kazuaki plagiarizing.[6]
The limited edition of all the games were bundled with a CD with the full version of the opening theme and a separate drama CD featuring the male characters in the game.[12] A full-length drama CD for the spring characters was released on August 28, 2009.[12] In addition, a soundtrack for the game's music was released on September 25, 2009.[12]
Throughout 2009, twelve date CDs were released monthly, starting with Yoh Tomoe (the Capricorn) on January 30, 2009, to Azusa Kinose (the Sagittarius) on December 25, 2009.[12] The date CDs feature the voice actors for each of the twelve possible love interests in the game and simulate a date and a romance between the listener and the character. Each CD came with a special coupon. If the coupons from all twelve CDs were submitted to Honeybee at the end of the year, one would receive a secret date CD featuring a 13th character, Shiki Kagurazaka (voiced by Mamoru Miyano), who represents the Ophiuchus, the 13th constellation.
Short manga stories about the characters of each game have been collected into anthologies by DNA Media Comics. Starry☆Sky~in Spring~ Comic Anthology was released on October 24, 2009, and features all the characters from the spring game. Similarly, Starry☆Sky~in Summer~ Comic Anthology was released on December 25, 2009.
An anime adaptation is currently running and is being distributed through Animate.tv's website and Sun Tv. It is directed by Kiyoko Sayama.[1]
There are currently 26 episodes announced (11 minute for each episode), as of January 2011. First airing of the episodes was on Animate.tv in late December 2010. In February 2011, Sun TV started also simulcasting this series, airing two parts episodes of this series as a whole episode (meaning 13 episodes by 22 minutes each). They are done in an episodic format, with each episode (or two parts of the episode) focusing on one character or subset of characters from the storyline.
| No. | Title | Original airdate |
|---|---|---|
| 01 | "Dakara, Boku wa Are Kara Itsumo Sora o Nagameru. Tōku Hanareta Kimi o Omoinagara" (だから、僕はあれからいつも空を眺める。遠く離れた君を思いながら) | December 23, 2010[13] |
| Yoh meets Tsukiko as a small child when he drops his telescope. In the present, he no longer is living in Japan. His father, an astronomer, is pitching a lecture series to an American college, and plans to travel there with his wife and son. Yoh asks if, before the lecture circuit is approved, if he can spend time back in Japan. His father realizes that this about the girl that Yoh had met long ago, and grants his approval and support to find his own "first evening star." Yoh goes to a school focusing on astronomy, where he quickly meets Tsukiko again, who is the only female student at the school | ||
| 02 | "Merci. Je l'aime" | December 30, 2010[13] |
| After a time skip of one month, Yoh is seen, having become friends (and rivals for Tsukiko's affections) with Kanata Nanami and Suzuya Tohzuki. He talks to his father on the phone, who tells him that the lecture circuit has been approved, and they will be going to America in a few weeks, where Yoh is expected to join them. Yoh is a little sad, but decides that his time in Japan has been well spent, kissing Tsukiko on the cheek, and playfully fighting with Kanata. | ||
| 03 | "Daijina Shunkan wa...Hitomi no Oku ni Gyutto Tojikomete Oku. Wasurenai Yōni......Tebanasanai Yōni" (大事な瞬間は…瞳の奥にぎゅっと閉じ込めておく。 忘れないように……手放さないように) | January 6, 2011[13] |
| We are introduced to Tsubasa, the "Aquarius," who has a unique laugh that made him self-conscious when he was a boy. He was taken in by his grandpa when he was a child, but everyone around him always called him a nuisance, which left emotional scars. A skilled inventor, he has been making machines since a very young age. When he arrives at school, he meets up with his first friend and gets forcibly drafted onto the Student Body Council by the eccentric President Kazuka. (Tsukiko is secretary.), and pretty soon they become friends. | ||
| 04 | "Ore wa Tanoshiinda. Minna de Sugosu, Kono Jikanga" (俺は楽しいんだ。みんなで過ごす、この時間が) | January 13, 2011[14] |
| Tsubasa is banned from inventing in the student council room after one of his inventions explode. He is unhappy, and the tensions grow thicker when the other members of the student council decide to implement a surprise lab in the student council room. | ||
| 05 | "Mamoritakattanda. Kono te de, Daijina aitsu-ra o" (守りたかったんだ。この手で、大事なあいつらを) | January 20, 2011[14] |
| This episode reflects on Kanata's past with Tsukiko & Suzuya. Kanata has always been friends with them since he was little. As he grows up with them he developed feelings for Tsukiko. He has always had a weak body and feels that he can not protect them. He continues to fight because it makes him feel alive and not weak. Tsukiko and Suzuya dislike when he over does his fighting habits, even though they are unsure of his reason. | ||
| 06 | "Naki Yamu Made, Soba Niite Yaruyo" (泣きやむまで、そばにいてやるよ) | January 27, 2011[14] |
| Kanata reflects on Tsukiko and how she never lets anyone see her struggles. He and Suzuya vow to always be by her side and to protect her, because that's all they can do. It is revealed that Kanata's greatest wish is that others will see him as a "natural person." | ||
| 07 | "Jibun ni Chikazuku Mono wa, Fukō ni Naru??" (自分に近づく者は、不幸になる??) | February 3, 2011[14] |
| 08 | "Sō, Kore Gaore no Mamoritai Mono" (そう、これが俺の守りたいもの) | February 10, 2011[15] |
| 09 | "――Bokuwa, Puresshā ni Yowai" (――僕は、プレッシャーに弱い) | February 17, 2011[15] |
| It begins with Homare and Kazuki in the office of the student council drinking tea and talking about how they are going to graduate that year, later Oushirou appears and join them. After that it shows Homare in his first year practising archery but having bad results because of the pressure. He was about to quit but Kazuki appeared and cheered him up. | ||
| 10 | "Yumiwa, Jibun no Tame ni Kiku Mono" (弓は、自分のために引くもの) | February 24, 2011[15] |
| Again in the student council room it is Kazuki, Homare and Oushirou talking about how is Tsukiko doing in the archery club, then a flashback begins showing when Tsukiko entered the club and how hard-working she is. After a hard day she falls at sleep and Homare finds her, when she wakes up he tells her that she shouldn´t force herself so much, what he said made her start to cry and confess that she was feeling bad because she was treating different because of her gender that made Homare see that she was really trying to improve and in the end her consoled her. There ends the flashback. After that the three of them went to see where was Tsukiko. At the end of the episode it shows Homare Azusa and Tsukiko showing up late at the archery room and Miyaji scolding Azusa. | ||
| 11 | "Junsuide Kirei na Mono Hodo......Yogoshitaku Narunda" (純粋で綺麗(きれい)な物ほど……汚したくなるんだ) | March 3, 2011[15] |
| 12 | "Arifureta Deai no Hitotsu ni Suginaito - Sō Omotte Itanda" (ありふれた出会いの一つに過ぎないと――そう思っていたんだ) | March 10, 2011[16] |
| 13 | "Ore niwa, Mamoritai Mono ga Aru――" (俺には、守りたいものがある――) | March 17, 2011[16] |
| 14 | "Tonari ni Irareru Dakede Yoi. Sō Omotsu Tetakedo――" (隣にいられるだけで良い。そう思ってたけど――) | March 24, 2011[16] |
| 15 | "Kono Shigoto ga, Ore wa Daisukida" (この仕事が、オレは大好きだ) | March 31, 2011[16] |
| 16 | "Ano himade, Seishun Nante Zutto Kudaranai to Omotsu Teta" (あの日まで、青春なんてずっとくだらないと思ってた) | April 7, 2011[16] |
| 17 | "That Time, My Life Has Greatly Begun to Change" "Boku no Jinsei ga Ōkiku Kawari Hajimeta no Wa, Anotoki" (僕の人生が大きく変わり始めたのは、あのとき) |
April 14, 2011[17] |
| 18 | "Namae o Yoba Reru Ureshisa o Shitte Shimattara, Yoba Renai Kanashimi ni wa, Mōtae Raresō ni nai" (名前を呼ばれる嬉しさを知ってしまったら、呼ばれない悲しみには、もう耐えられそうにない) | April 21, 2011[17] |
| 19 | "Donna Tsurai Kioku de mo, Ore Nitotte wa Hōmotsuna nda" (どんな辛い記憶でも、俺にとっては宝物なんだ) | April 28, 2011[17] |
| 20 | "Itoshii to Omou Jikan Hodo, Ore wa Wshinatte iku" (愛おしいと思う時間ほど、俺は失っていく) | May 5, 2011[17] |
| 21 | "I Want to Meet a Hard-Working Specialist" "Ore wa, Doryoku no Supesharisutodearitai" (俺は、努力のスペシャリストでありたい) |
May 12, 2011[18] |
| 22 | "Ore wa Shiranakatta. Kō Yatte Nakama to Nani ka o Kyōyū Suru Yorokobi. Tomoni Doryoku Suru Tanoshi-sa o..." (オレは知らなかった。こうやって仲間と何かを共有する喜び。共に努力する楽しさを…) | May 19, 2011[18] |
| The archery club´s competition is coming up and everybody can feel the pression in the training especially Homare, anyway in the end they don´t win. A new boy, Azusa get in the archery club but Miyaji doesn´t seem to like him very much. Miyaji and Tsukiko start being rivals in the practice, but in the end of the episode the rivalry of Miyaji becomes love. | ||
| 23 | "Something Like Being a Genius Doesn't Matter to Me" "Tensai Toka, Sonna no wa dō demoii" (天才とか、そんなのはどうでもいい) |
May 26, 2011[18] |
| 24 | "I Didn't Know Something Like a Strongly Shining Color Exists" "Boku wa Shiranakatta. Konnani Tsuyoku Kagayaku iro ga aru toyuu koto o" (僕は知らなかった。 こんなに強く輝く色があるというコトを) |
June 2, 2011[18] |
| 25 | "Mirai ga Tomatta. Unmei ga Mirai o Mienaku sa Seta" (未来が止まった。 運命が未来を見えなくさせた) | June 9, 2011[18] |
| 26 | "Kisetsu wa Meguru. Samazamana Omoi o Nosete" (季節は巡る。 様々な思いをのせて) | June 16, 2011[19] |
The game was well-received upon its release in Japan. The Spring game was featured in magazines such as Dengeki Girls'Style.[20]