Much like America has its independent comic scene so does Japan,
though in Japan it extends past just independent comics to other venues
such as games and they gather at massive conventions to promote their
work. Into this environment one creator only known as Ryukishi07 created
a software title with his group 07thExpansion that has multiplied far
beyond just the small circles in which many of these groups operate. The
title has become a big enough smash to have crossed over into other
territory with an anime series, a manga series, a pair of live action
movies as well as novels and games on the Playstation 2 and DS in
addition to two sequel PC games. The rural town of
Hinamizawa is located in a valley in a remote part of Japan. It is a
small town where most of the residents have grown up there and the
entire town knows each other’s names and faces. The narrator of the
first three stories has been interjected into this tranquil setting as
Keiichi Maebara’s father has relocated his family here to assist him in
creating his art. Keiichi makes friends with four of the girls (Rena
Ryugu, Mion Sonozaki, Satoko Houjou and Rika Furude) who also attend the
one room classroom in the town and joins their game club. As laid back
as the girls seem at times, game time is serious business where high
penalty stakes await the loser of these games. It is a quiet little area
where Keiichi and his friends seem to be able to just take the tranquil
days with ease other than that which they put on themselves.
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