Shinkyoku Sokai Polyphonica
Encyclopedia
, 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 novel
s 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. 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.
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.
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).
s being released, with 3 different series.
Polyphonica Crimson series
Polyphonica Black series
Polyphonica White series
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
Polyphonica Black series
Polyphonica White series
Polyphonica Blue series
Compilation
series adaptation entitled began serialization as a web comic on March 2007 in FlexComix Blood
. The series was picked up for an English release by CMX Manga, with the first volume slated for May 2010. Tomo Hirokawa designed a New Year
's nengajō for 2008.
Additionally, the Black series was adapted into a manga series as a web comic and began serialization in December 2008 in Flex Comix Blood.
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. Broadcasted on TBS
, the series premiered on April 3, 2007 and aired weekly until its conclusion on June 19, 2007. 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. is performed by kukui
as the ending theme.
Diomedea 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. 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. The series premiered on TVK and TVS
on March 4, 2009 and is currently broadcasting weekly. The series was also broadcasted on AT-X
, Gifu Broadcasting, MBS
, and Mie TV. 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. is performed by Haruka Tomatsu
as ending theme.
The first anime adaption has been picked up for release in North America by Sentai Filmworks, will be distributed by the new company, Section23 Films
. The complete collection will be released on November 17, 2009.
, and uses the Standard RPG System
. The campaign setting
is based mainly on Polyphonica Crimson series.
Theme song: "Crimson Calling" by Rita (Ep 1 & 2)
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: by Eri Kitamura
Novels and Manga
Anime
Visual novel
A is an interactive fiction game featuring mostly static graphics, usually with anime-style art, or occasionally live-action stills or video footage...
created by Ocelot and first released on the PC
Personal computer
A personal computer is any general-purpose computer whose size, capabilities, and original sales price make it useful for individuals, and which is intended to be operated directly by an end-user with no intervening computer operator...
on April 28, 2006. Aside from the game, multiple series of light novel
Light novel
A is a style of Japanese novel primarily targeting junior high and high school students . The term "light novel" is a wasei-eigo, or a Japanese term formed from words in the English language. Light novels are often called or for short...
s have been created, and a manga
Manga
Manga is the Japanese word for "comics" and consists of comics and print cartoons . In the West, the term "manga" has been appropriated to refer specifically to comics created in Japan, or by Japanese authors, in the Japanese language and conforming to the style developed in Japan in the late 19th...
adaptation started in March 2007. An anime
Anime
is the Japanese abbreviated pronunciation of "animation". The definition sometimes changes depending on the context. In English-speaking countries, the term most commonly refers to Japanese animated cartoons....
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. 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.
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.
Characters
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
- A van of immense and prominent quality showcased in episode seven. Is known to, from time to time, have a shark or dolphin riding it.
- 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".
- Music played by Dantists to show the his gesture to the spirits. With the music, spirits that make contract with the 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 could work like drugs. Fairies who knows the joy from Commandia could become crazy if they are separated from Commandia for too long. So, even among the spirits, there are those who think it's better if they never knows humans at all. The literal meaning for "神曲" is "Divine Song".
- Music players who are able to play divine music, or Commandia. They usually have 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 plays Commandia using conventional instruments. The literal meaning for "神曲楽士" is "Divine Song Musician/Player".
- 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 Orchestras are instruments used by Dantists in the present Polyphonica continent. They are similar to the usual musical instruments, but often more elaborate and equipped with a computerized system. These instruments are meant to allow Dantists to play music on a larger scale, like an orchestra, alone.
- 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 already the size of a backpack.
- His motorbike-shaped One-Man Orchestra is an exception though.
- 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 novelVisual novel
A is an interactive fiction game featuring mostly static graphics, usually with anime-style art, or occasionally live-action stills or video footage...
s 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
Light novel
After the game, the Polyphonica series expanded into a light novelLight novel
A is a style of Japanese novel primarily targeting junior high and high school students . The term "light novel" is a wasei-eigo, or a Japanese term formed from words in the English language. Light novels are often called or for short...
series. The stories are loosely connected in a shared universe
Shared universe
A shared universe is a fictional universe to which more than one writer contributes. Work set in a shared universe share characters and other elements with varying degrees of consistency. Shared universes are contrasted with collaborative writing, in which multiple authors work on a single story....
setting. The novels are published by GA Bunko
GA Bunko
is a publishing label affiliated with the Japanese publishing company Soft Bank Creative. It was established in January 2006 and is a light novel label. The label is aimed at males in their teens to their twenties.-0–9:-A:-B:-C:-D:-E:-F:-G:...
, a division of Softbank Creative
SoftBank Creative
is a Japanese publishing company and a subsidiary of the SoftBank telecommunications company. It was founded in 1981 and is headquartered in Tokyo, Japan.-External links:* *...
. 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 / Illustration: Noboru Kannatsuki
- Wayward Crimson - January 15, 2006 (ISBN 978479733443-6)
- Romantic Crimson - May 15, 2006 (ISBN 978479733582-3)
- Spurting Crimson - September 15, 2006 (ISBN 978479733718-4)
- Struggle Crimson - October 15, 2006 (ISBN 978479733780-X)
- Beginning Crimson - May 15, 2007 (ISBN 978479734061-7)
Polyphonica Black series
- Story: Junichi Ōsako / Illustration: BUNBUN
- Inspector Black - June 15, 2006 (ISBN 978479733614-5)
- Silent Black - August 15, 2006 (ISBN 978479733714-1)
- Player Black - December 15, 2006 (ISBN 978479733899-7)
- Triangle Black - March 15, 2007 (ISBN 978479734054-9)
Polyphonica White series
- Story: Madoka Takadono / Illustration: Kinako Hiro
- Eternal White - July 15, 2006 (ISBN 978479733673-0)
- Infinity White - November 15, 2006 (ISBN 978479733782-6)
- Missing White - April 15, 2007 (ISBN 978479734056-3)
Polyphonica Blue series
- Story: Toshihiko Tsukiji / Illustration: Eiji UsatsukaEiji Usatsukais a Japanese light novel illustrator. He is notable for the illustration for the series Zero no Tsukaima. He illustrates insert images for many novels....
- Excite Blue - February 15, 2007 (ISBN 978479734053-3)
- Fugitive Blue - June 15, 2007 (ISBN 978479734162-1)
Compilation
-
- Marble January 15, 2007 (ISBN 978479733900-4)
Manga
Written by Ichiro Sakaki and illustrated by Tomo Hirokawa, a mangaManga
Manga is the Japanese word for "comics" and consists of comics and print cartoons . In the West, the term "manga" has been appropriated to refer specifically to comics created in Japan, or by Japanese authors, in the Japanese language and conforming to the style developed in Japan in the late 19th...
series adaptation entitled began serialization as a web comic on March 2007 in FlexComix Blood
Flex Comix
is a Japanese company specializing in the sale of manga magazines, and goods related to the anime and manga industry in Japan. Flex Comix is affiliated with Asian Groove and Soft Bank BB, forming the Movida Holdings joint-investment company. The company publishes two magazines: Comi Digi +, and...
. The series was picked up for an English release by CMX Manga, with the first volume slated for May 2010. Tomo Hirokawa designed a New Year
New Year
The New Year is the day that marks the time of the beginning of a new calendar year, and is the day on which the year count of the specific calendar used is incremented. For many cultures, the event is celebrated in some manner....
's nengajō for 2008.
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
T.O EntertainmentT.O Entertainment
is a Japanese publisher, anime, tokusatsu and film production company, and sales agent. Founded on April 1, 2003 by Takeichi Honda, its main office is currently located in Ebisu, Tokyo. T.O Entertainment also has offices located in Los Angeles, CA , Seoul , Singapore, and St...
adapted Shinkyoku Sōkai Polyphonica into a twelve episode anime
Anime
is the Japanese abbreviated pronunciation of "animation". The definition sometimes changes depending on the context. In English-speaking countries, the term most commonly refers to Japanese animated cartoons....
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. Broadcasted on TBS
Tokyo Broadcasting System
, TBS Holdings, Inc. or TBSHD, is a stockholding company in Tokyo, Japan. It is a parent company of a television network named and radio network named ....
, the series premiered on April 3, 2007 and aired weekly until its conclusion on June 19, 2007. The music was composed by Hikaru Nanase. Two pieces of theme music were used for the anime. "Apocrypha" is performed by eufonius
Eufonius
Eufonius is a Japanese progressive rock music group which debuted on October 11, 2003 with the release of their first album Eufonius which was also an independent release. The band has produced songs for various anime and video games, such as Kashimashi: Girl Meets Girl, Himawari!, Noein, True...
as the opening theme. is performed by kukui
Kukui (band)
Kukui is a Japanese band consisting of Haruka Shimotsuki and Myu . They have produced songs for anime and games, most notably the Rozen Maiden anime series.-History:...
as the ending theme.
Diomedea 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. 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. The series premiered on TVK and TVS
Television Saitama
abbreviated TVS, doing business as is a Japanese fee-free terrestrial commercial television broadcasting company headquartered in Urawa-ku, Saitama City, Saitama Prefecture, Japan. Its intended coverage is Saitama Prefecture but with some spill-overs in surrounding prefectures...
on March 4, 2009 and is currently broadcasting weekly. The series was also broadcasted on AT-X
AT-X (company)
is a Japanese anime television network owned by . AT-X, Inc. was founded on June 26, 2000 as a subsidiary of TV Tokyo Medianet, which, in turn, is a subsidiary of TV Tokyo. Its headquarters are in Minato, Tokyo. AT-X network broadcasts anime via satellite and cable since December 24, 1997.AT-X is...
, Gifu Broadcasting, MBS
MBS
MBS may stand for:* Maha Bodhi School, a school in Singapore* Mainichi Broadcasting System, television and radio broadcaster in Osaka, Japan* Manchester Business School, business school at the University of Manchester...
, and Mie TV. 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
Eufonius
Eufonius is a Japanese progressive rock music group which debuted on October 11, 2003 with the release of their first album Eufonius which was also an independent release. The band has produced songs for various anime and video games, such as Kashimashi: Girl Meets Girl, Himawari!, Noein, True...
as the opening theme. is performed by Haruka Tomatsu
Haruka Tomatsu
is a Japanese voice actress and singer, employed by Music Ray'n .-Summary:Haruka debuted as voice actress in 2007, starring in Shinkyoku Sōkai Polyphonica as Corticarte Apa Lagranges...
as ending theme.
The first anime adaption has been picked up for release in North America by Sentai Filmworks, will be distributed by the new company, Section23 Films
Section23 Films
Section23 Films is an American home video distribution company specializing in anime and Japanese films. The company is one of five successors to ADV Films, as well as the distributor of titles from Sentai Filmworks and Switchblade Films. ADV had announced that it had sold its assets to a group of...
. The complete collection will be released on November 17, 2009.
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 ResearchFarEast Amusement Research
FarEast Amusement Research is a Japanese company founded in 1993 by the current president Tarou Suzufuki, which produces role-playing games, board games and light novels. F.E.A.R. has a subsidiary publishing company named Game Field. Game Field publishes bimonthly RPG magazine Gamers Field since...
, and uses the Standard RPG System
Standard RPG System
The Standard RPG System is Japanese role-playing game system developed by FarEast Amusement Research and used in Alshard, Tenra War, Kaze no Stigma RPG, Shinkyoku Sōkai Polyphonica RPG and so on...
. The campaign setting
Campaign setting
A campaign setting is usually a fictional world which serves as a setting for a role-playing game or wargame campaign. A campaign is a series of individual adventures, and a campaign setting is the world in which such adventures and campaigns take place...
is based mainly on Polyphonica Crimson series.
Music
Crimson SeriesTheme 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
FripSide
FripSide a Japanese trance and pop duo, originally formed by composer Sat and singer Nao in February 2002.In a 2008 interview, Sat said that he was a fan of TM Network and its member Tetsuya Komuro in his elementary and junior high school days and began to produce his music at the age of 14.When...
White Series
Theme song: by Eri Kitamura
Eri Kitamura
is a Japanese voice actress and singer, who was born on August 16, 1987 in Tokyo, Japan. She is primarily known for her role in Blood+ as Saya Otonashi and singing the third ending for the anime series Konjiki No Gash Bell . She is also known to be an amateur manga artist in Japan in her spare time...
CDs
- Opening Single: "Apocrypha" by eufonius - April 25, 2007
- Ending Single: by kukuiKukui (band)Kukui is a Japanese band consisting of Haruka Shimotsuki and Myu . They have produced songs for anime and games, most notably the Rozen Maiden anime series.-History:...
- May 23, 2007 - Game Original Soundtrack: May 25, 2007
- Anime Original Soundtrack - Atmosphere: June 27, 2007, composed by Hikaru Nanase
External links
Games- Ocelot official website
- KuroCo official website
- AMEDEO official website
- Official Polyphonica Crimson Episode 1&2 game website
- Official Polyphonica Crimson Episode 3&4 game website
- Official Polyphonica Black Series game website
- Official Polyphonica White Series game website
- Shinkyoku Sōkai Polyphonica RPG official site
Novels and Manga
Anime