Kumatanchi
Encyclopedia
is a life simulation video game
for the Nintendo DS
co-developed by Vanillaware
and dōjin
game studio Ashinaga Oji-san and published by Dimple Entertainment. Released exclusively in Japan in September 2008, the game features animals made to resemble young girls
designed by Vanillaware character artist Shigatake, creator of the Japanese mascot character Habanero-tan
, who at one time worked with Ashinaga Oji-san on the similar fan-game Hanbanero-tan House.
style living in a city zoo. Players assume the role of a caretaker who must look after Kuma-tan, a bear girl, by playing mini-games to increase certain parameters such as her mood, hunger, and popularity. The game uses a real-time clock which counts down a period of two weeks, during which time the player must interact with Kuma-tan as much as possible in order to raise her standing with the rest of the zoo in time for its major renovation. During this period, the player may take pictures, help her perform in the "Kuma-tan Show", arrange furniture in her house, take art lessons, and interact with other animals. Bonuses such as art work are awarded based on the player's performance.
Kuma-tan's mood and hunger levels are divided into five stages each, and can be maintained by feeding and interacting with her regularly. While players can give positive reinforcement to her with a , too much can make her become cocky, and may be balanced with a . Players may also interact with other animals in the zoo, allowing Kuma-tan's mood to become better by taking part in conversations and activities, as well as purchase food from the zoo's shop.
magazine after Vanillaware had previously announced that they were working on an undisclosed project for the Nintendo DS
. The game's development was a collaboration between the company and dōjin game studio , which includes Vanillaware character artist Shigatake as one of its members. Vanillaware modeled the game on Ashinaga Oji-san's own life simulation video game , based on the character Habanero-tan
, whom Shigatake had created as an unofficial Japanese mascot for Bōkun Habanero
pepper-flavored snack foods.
The game's music was composed by Kimihiro Abe and Mitsuhiro Kaneda, two members of Basiscape, the sound company responsible for both of Vanillaware's earlier works, Odin Sphere
and GrimGrimoire
. An official soundtrack was released in December 2009 by Basiscape Records, and features the opening theme and ending theme , both performed by Ryouki Ruou. A radio drama
album featuring voice actors from the game titled Kuma Dora: Kumatanchi Drama CD: Kuma-tan no Sagashimono was originally sold to attendees of the Comic Market 75
comic book fair, and later by Dimple Entertainment on their website in December 2008.
magazine, with individual scores of 4, 7, 7, and 6. The game sold 3,500 copies in its debut week, becoming the 4th highest-selling Nintendo DS game during that period. Joystiq
commented on the game's visual style, which they felt was a departure from previous Vanillaware titles, stating that "That's not to say Kumatanchi looks bad (which, in turn, is not to say it looks good), but it's a lot more cutesy than what we were expecting."
Life simulation game
Life simulation games is a sub-genre of simulation video games in which the player lives or controls one or more virtual lifeforms...
for the Nintendo DS
Nintendo DS
The is a portable game console produced by Nintendo, first released on November 21, 2004. A distinctive feature of the system is the presence of two separate LCD screens, the lower of which is a touchscreen, encompassed within a clamshell design, similar to the Game Boy Advance SP...
co-developed by Vanillaware
Vanillaware
is a Japanese video game company development studio. Previously, they were known as Puraguru from 2002 until 2004, when they renamed as Vanillaware. The studio's past projects have specialized in 2D, or sprite-based, game design. They have garnered positive attention from fans and game media alike...
and dōjin
Dojin
, often romanized as doujin, is a general Japanese term for a group of people or friends who share an interest, activity, hobbies, or achievement...
game studio Ashinaga Oji-san and published by Dimple Entertainment. Released exclusively in Japan in September 2008, the game features animals made to resemble young girls
Moé anthropomorphism
is a form of anthropomorphism where moe qualities are given to non-human beings, objects, concepts, or phenomena. In addition to moe features, moe anthropomorphisms are also characterized by their accessories, which serve to emphasize their original forms before anthropomorphosis...
designed by Vanillaware character artist Shigatake, creator of the Japanese mascot character Habanero-tan
Habanero-tan
Habanero-tan is the unofficial mascot of Bōkun Habanero, the habanero pepper-flavored snacks produced by Tohato. Habanero-tan and her companions with names like "Jalapeño-san" are spices designed to look like cute young girls...
, who at one time worked with Ashinaga Oji-san on the similar fan-game Hanbanero-tan House.
Gameplay
Kumatanchi is a life-simulation adventure game featuring animals depicted as young girls in moe anthropomorphicMoé anthropomorphism
is a form of anthropomorphism where moe qualities are given to non-human beings, objects, concepts, or phenomena. In addition to moe features, moe anthropomorphisms are also characterized by their accessories, which serve to emphasize their original forms before anthropomorphosis...
style living in a city zoo. Players assume the role of a caretaker who must look after Kuma-tan, a bear girl, by playing mini-games to increase certain parameters such as her mood, hunger, and popularity. The game uses a real-time clock which counts down a period of two weeks, during which time the player must interact with Kuma-tan as much as possible in order to raise her standing with the rest of the zoo in time for its major renovation. During this period, the player may take pictures, help her perform in the "Kuma-tan Show", arrange furniture in her house, take art lessons, and interact with other animals. Bonuses such as art work are awarded based on the player's performance.
Kuma-tan's mood and hunger levels are divided into five stages each, and can be maintained by feeding and interacting with her regularly. While players can give positive reinforcement to her with a , too much can make her become cocky, and may be balanced with a . Players may also interact with other animals in the zoo, allowing Kuma-tan's mood to become better by taking part in conversations and activities, as well as purchase food from the zoo's shop.
Development
Kumatanchi was first revealed in a June 2008 issue of Weekly FamitsuFamitsu
is a line of Japanese video game magazines published by Enterbrain, Inc. and Tokuma. Currently, there are five Famitsū magazines: Shūkan Famitsū, Famitsū PS3 + PSP, Famitsū Xbox 360, Famitsū Wii+DS, and Famitsū Wave DVD...
magazine after Vanillaware had previously announced that they were working on an undisclosed project for the Nintendo DS
Nintendo DS
The is a portable game console produced by Nintendo, first released on November 21, 2004. A distinctive feature of the system is the presence of two separate LCD screens, the lower of which is a touchscreen, encompassed within a clamshell design, similar to the Game Boy Advance SP...
. The game's development was a collaboration between the company and dōjin game studio , which includes Vanillaware character artist Shigatake as one of its members. Vanillaware modeled the game on Ashinaga Oji-san's own life simulation video game , based on the character Habanero-tan
Habanero-tan
Habanero-tan is the unofficial mascot of Bōkun Habanero, the habanero pepper-flavored snacks produced by Tohato. Habanero-tan and her companions with names like "Jalapeño-san" are spices designed to look like cute young girls...
, whom Shigatake had created as an unofficial Japanese mascot for Bōkun Habanero
Bokun Habanero
Bōkun Habanero is a Japanese snack food. The name means "Tyrant Habanero", where habanero is the name of one of the world's hottest chili peppers...
pepper-flavored snack foods.
The game's music was composed by Kimihiro Abe and Mitsuhiro Kaneda, two members of Basiscape, the sound company responsible for both of Vanillaware's earlier works, Odin Sphere
Odin Sphere
is a 2D fantasy action RPG video game. Developed by Vanillaware and localized and published by Atlus for the PlayStation 2 in 2007, it tells the interlocking stories of five different protagonists. Odin Sphere is considered a spiritual successor to an Atlus game titled Princess Crown and takes some...
and GrimGrimoire
GrimGrimoire
is a real-time strategy video game from Vanillaware and Nippon Ichi for the PlayStation 2.-Plot:Lillet Blan is a young magician admitted to a prestigious magic school, the Tower of Silver Star. Though she attends normal classes for the first four days and meets the various professors and students,...
. An official soundtrack was released in December 2009 by Basiscape Records, and features the opening theme and ending theme , both performed by Ryouki Ruou. A radio drama
Radio drama
Radio drama is a dramatized, purely acoustic performance, broadcast on radio or published on audio media, such as tape or CD. With no visual component, radio drama depends on dialogue, music and sound effects to help the listener imagine the characters and story...
album featuring voice actors from the game titled Kuma Dora: Kumatanchi Drama CD: Kuma-tan no Sagashimono was originally sold to attendees of the Comic Market 75
Comiket
, otherwise known as the , is the world's largest self-published comic book fair, held twice a year in Tokyo, Japan. The first Comiket was held on December 21, 1975, with only about 32 participating circles and an estimated 600 attendees. Attendance has since swelled to over a half million people....
comic book fair, and later by Dimple Entertainment on their website in December 2008.
Reception
Kumatanchi received a 24 out of 40 possible score from Japanese Weekly FamitsuFamitsu
is a line of Japanese video game magazines published by Enterbrain, Inc. and Tokuma. Currently, there are five Famitsū magazines: Shūkan Famitsū, Famitsū PS3 + PSP, Famitsū Xbox 360, Famitsū Wii+DS, and Famitsū Wave DVD...
magazine, with individual scores of 4, 7, 7, and 6. The game sold 3,500 copies in its debut week, becoming the 4th highest-selling Nintendo DS game during that period. Joystiq
Joystiq
Joystiq is a video gaming blog founded in June 2004 that has since become one of the most successful sites within the Weblogs, Inc. family of weblogs. It is the centerpiece of WIN's own network of video gaming blogs, which also includes a blog dealing specifically with the popular MMORPG World of...
commented on the game's visual style, which they felt was a departure from previous Vanillaware titles, stating that "That's not to say Kumatanchi looks bad (which, in turn, is not to say it looks good), but it's a lot more cutesy than what we were expecting."