Underbar Summer
Encyclopedia
is an adult
Japan
ese visual novel
developed by Hooksoft which was released on July 15, 2005, playable on the PC
as a CD
; a PlayStation 2
consumer console port called _Summer## followed on August 24, 2006, by GN Software
. An updated version of the original game, called , which is compatible up to Windows Vista
and is playable on a PC as a DVD, was released on December 21, 2007. _Summer is self-described as a , according to Hooksoft. The gameplay
in _Summer follows a plot line which offers pre-determined scenarios with courses of interaction, and focuses on the appeal of the six female main characters. The story revolves around Takumi Kaizu, who after years of making good friends, many of whom are female, is asked by his best male friend Osamu Funada if he likes anyone. With his last summer in high school quickly approaching, Takumi decides to find someone to like by the end of summer vacation.
Four character light novel
s have been written based on the original game written by Jōji Kamio
. A two-episode original video animation
was produced; the two DVD
s were released on October 27, 2006, and January 26, 2007. Three drama CDs were released based on the game, and a fourth was later released as a prologue to the OVA.
The gameplay requires little interaction from the player as most of the duration of the game is spent on simply reading the text that will appear on the screen; this text represents either dialogue
between the various characters, or the inner thoughts of the protagonist. Every so often, the player will come to a "decision point" where he or she is given the chance to choose from options that are displayed on the screen, typically two to three at a time.
During these times, gameplay pauses until a choice is made that furthers the plot in a specific direction, depending on which choice the player makes. There are six main plot lines that the player will have the chance to experience, one for each of the heroines in the story. In order to view the six plot lines to their entirety, the player will have to replay the game multiple times and choose different choices during the decision points in order to further the plot in an alternate direction.
playable on a Microsoft Windows
PC
. A version for the PlayStation 2
with adult
content removed, called , was developed by GN Software
and released in Japan on August 24, 2006, in limited and regular editions. The limited edition PS2 release came bundled with a drama CD, a cell phone strap
featuring Konami Hatano, and a double-sided hug pillowcase
, also featuring Konami. The PS2 version was re-released at a cheaper price on October 4, 2007. An updated version of the original game, called , which is compatible up to Windows Vista
and is playable on a PC as a DVD, was released on December 21, 2007.
character light novel
s based on the game written by Japanese
author Jōji Kamio
and illustrated by Araiguma, published by Softgarage. The first novel covers Konami, the second covers both Chiwa and Sana, the third covers Shino and Wakana, and the fourth is a general novel entitled Omnibus. The first novel was released on October 14, 2005, and the final novel was released on September 25, 2006.
based on the series produced by two companies. The first set contains three CDs entitled _Summer: Everblue Days released between December 29, 2005, and April 21, 2006, by Marine Entertainment. The last CD was released on September 29, 2006 by Softgarage as a prologue
to the OVA series.
(OVA) was released on October 27, 2006, by the animation studio Rikuentai; the second episode was released on January 26, 2007. After the ending credits of each episode, there was a short, humorous bonus
episode.
, and the ending theme from the game is by YuNa; "Important Person" was also used as an insert song. The game's original soundtrack was released by Lantis
on November 23, 2005, and contained thirty-one tracks. A maxi single
containing the opening and ending themes of the OVA was released on September 29, 2006. The OVA's opening theme is by Yuma Kosaka, and the OVA's ending theme is "_Summer", also by Yuma Kosaka.
Eroge
An or Ero-ga is a Japanese video or computer game that features erotic content, usually in the form of anime-style artwork. Eroge originated from galge, but unlike galge, they feature erotic/pornographic content.-History:...
Japan
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
ese visual novel
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...
developed by Hooksoft which was released on July 15, 2005, playable 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...
as a CD
CD-ROM
A CD-ROM is a pre-pressed compact disc that contains data accessible to, but not writable by, a computer for data storage and music playback. The 1985 “Yellow Book” standard developed by Sony and Philips adapted the format to hold any form of binary data....
; a PlayStation 2
PlayStation 2
The PlayStation 2 is a sixth-generation video game console manufactured by Sony as part of the PlayStation series. Its development was announced in March 1999 and it was first released on March 4, 2000, in Japan...
consumer console port called _Summer## followed on August 24, 2006, by GN Software
GN Software
GN Software is a Japanese video game developer and publisher of consumer console games, mainly for the PlayStation 2. GN Software is under the parent company Good Navigate, which is also what GN stands for.-Games produced:2003*Ren'ai CHU! Happy Perfect...
. An updated version of the original game, called , which is compatible up to Windows Vista
Windows Vista
Windows Vista is an operating system released in several variations developed by Microsoft for use on personal computers, including home and business desktops, laptops, tablet PCs, and media center PCs...
and is playable on a PC as a DVD, was released on December 21, 2007. _Summer is self-described as a , according to Hooksoft. The gameplay
Gameplay
Gameplay is the specific way in which players interact with a game, and in particular with video games. Gameplay is the pattern defined through the game rules, connection between player and the game, challenges and overcoming them, plot and player's connection with it...
in _Summer follows a plot line which offers pre-determined scenarios with courses of interaction, and focuses on the appeal of the six female main characters. The story revolves around Takumi Kaizu, who after years of making good friends, many of whom are female, is asked by his best male friend Osamu Funada if he likes anyone. With his last summer in high school quickly approaching, Takumi decides to find someone to like by the end of summer vacation.
Four character 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 written based on the original game written by Jōji Kamio
Joji Kamio
is a male Japanese author who has written many erotic novels based from adult Japanese visual novels. He has been writing such novels since 2001. He has notably written novels for the past four visual novels by Hooksoft: Orange Pocket, Like Life, _Summer, and...
. A two-episode original video animation
Original video animation
, abbreviated as media , are animated films and series made specially for release in home-video formats. The term originated in relation to Japanese animation...
was produced; the two DVD
DVD
A DVD is an optical disc storage media format, invented and developed by Philips, Sony, Toshiba, and Panasonic in 1995. DVDs offer higher storage capacity than Compact Discs while having the same dimensions....
s were released on October 27, 2006, and January 26, 2007. Three drama CDs were released based on the game, and a fourth was later released as a prologue to the OVA.
Gameplay
Dialogue
Dialogue is a literary and theatrical form consisting of a written or spoken conversational exchange between two or more people....
between the various characters, or the inner thoughts of the protagonist. Every so often, the player will come to a "decision point" where he or she is given the chance to choose from options that are displayed on the screen, typically two to three at a time.
During these times, gameplay pauses until a choice is made that furthers the plot in a specific direction, depending on which choice the player makes. There are six main plot lines that the player will have the chance to experience, one for each of the heroines in the story. In order to view the six plot lines to their entirety, the player will have to replay the game multiple times and choose different choices during the decision points in order to further the plot in an alternate direction.
Story
Takumi Kaizu is a normal high school student enjoying his final year in school with the rest of his friends. Over the years, he has made good memories with these friends of his, most of whom are girls, though apparently still have no overt feelings of attraction towards any of them. When asked by his best male friend Osamu Funada if he likes anyone, Takumi starts to think about it though is still confused on what to do next. With his last summer in high school quickly approaching, Takumi decides to find someone to like by the end of summer vacation.Characters
- Voiced by: Takashi KondoTakashi Kondois a Japanese voice actor represented by Vi-vo.-Anime roles:Lead roles are in bold.*Beyblade - Miguel*Bleach - Di Roy Linker, Findor Carias, Narunosuke*Captain Tsubasa - Pepe*Chocotto Sister - Awara in episode 3*Fairy Tail - Hibiki...
(OVA) - Takumi is the protagonist of the story. He is a high school student who enjoys the time he's been spending with his close friends and wants it to last as long as it can. Despite having many beautiful girls as good friends, Takumi still has no attractionInterpersonal attractionInterpersonal attraction is the attraction between people which leads to friendships and romantic relationships. Interpersonal attraction, the process, is distinct from perceptions of physical attractiveness which involves views of what is and is not considered beautiful or attractive.The study of...
towards any of them, though when his friend Osamu Funade asks him if there's anyone he likes, he decides to try to find an answer to that question by the end of the next summer vacation which is right around the corner.
- (game/OVA)
- Konami is the main heroine who usually has a quiet, timid personality, though is also very helping. She is the childhood friend of Takumi and even goes as far as to go over to Takumi's house every morning and make him breakfast.
- (game/OVA)
- Shino is Konami's closest female friend who has a tough personality. She often acts in ways to defend Konami or react strongly on her behalf when she will not speak up over certain matters. She has shown herself to have a temper and often will get angry at Osamu's repeated perverted actions, which often earns him a beating on Shino's behalf.
- (game/OVA)
- Sana is Takumi's younger step-sister by one year who lives with him, though there is no blood relation between them. She most often has an active personality when awake, though still has problems getting up for school during the week despite now being in high school. Her best friend is Chiwa Amano who hangs out with her constantly.
- Voiced by: HitomiHitomi (voice actress), is a Japanese voice actress from Osaka, Japan. She also has also done voice work, especially in eroge, under the name . As of July 2009, she has been in over 400 works...
(game/OVA) - Chiwa is Sana's best friend who has an odd personality. She always speaks with a silent tone and will often point the obvious during times relating to something perverted that either Takumi or Osamu have done. She will usually do certain things that give her a creepy visage and is known to be unpredictable.
- (game/OVA)
- Wakana is a very beautiful girl who is one year above Takumi. She seems to have a crushLimerenceLimerence is a term coined c. 1977 by the psychologist Dorothy Tennov to describe an involuntary state of mind which seems to result from a romantic attraction to another person combined with an overwhelming, obsessive need to have one's feelings reciprocated...
on Takumi, of which he is unaware of. At school, Yuno Kawakami will often follow her around either helping her out with simple things or by fending off pushy guys with a wooden sword.
- (game/OVA)
- Hinako is Takumi's homeroom teacher. She is apparently hooked on buying strange and often useless mail-order products with the money she earns in her job. Since most of her money is spent in this fashion, she is usually found wandering the halls of the student cafeteria during lunchtime in hopes of getting free food.
- (game/OVA)
- Yuno is a second-year girl who will follow Wakana around school, protecting her with a wooden sword from pushy guys or just helping her with simple things like purchasing meal tickets at the cafeteria. She has a forceful personality which helps whenever she is protecting Wakana, whom she addresses while adding the Japanese honorific to the end of her name as a sign of intense respect.
- (game/OVA)
- Osamu is Takumi's best male friend who has a bold personality, often not turning up the chance to peek at a girl changing her clothes or is otherwise partially or completely naked. Shino will attempt to beat him to persuade him otherwise, though despite this he still finds some way to get around her onslaughts. Due to this personality, it can be said that he has perhaps a higher than average liking to the opposite sex, something Takumi himself has noted. His nickname is Funamushi, meaning sea slater.
Release history
_Summer was first introduced to the public in Japan on July 15, 2005, as a CD-ROMCD-ROM
A CD-ROM is a pre-pressed compact disc that contains data accessible to, but not writable by, a computer for data storage and music playback. The 1985 “Yellow Book” standard developed by Sony and Philips adapted the format to hold any form of binary data....
playable on a Microsoft Windows
Microsoft Windows
Microsoft Windows is a series of operating systems produced by Microsoft.Microsoft introduced an operating environment named Windows on November 20, 1985 as an add-on to MS-DOS in response to the growing interest in graphical user interfaces . Microsoft Windows came to dominate the world's personal...
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...
. A version for the PlayStation 2
PlayStation 2
The PlayStation 2 is a sixth-generation video game console manufactured by Sony as part of the PlayStation series. Its development was announced in March 1999 and it was first released on March 4, 2000, in Japan...
with adult
Hentai
is a Japanese word that, in the West, is used when referring to sexually explicit or pornographic comics and animation, particularly those of Japanese origin such as anime, manga, and computer games. The word hentai is a kanji compound of 変 and 態...
content removed, called , was developed by GN Software
GN Software
GN Software is a Japanese video game developer and publisher of consumer console games, mainly for the PlayStation 2. GN Software is under the parent company Good Navigate, which is also what GN stands for.-Games produced:2003*Ren'ai CHU! Happy Perfect...
and released in Japan on August 24, 2006, in limited and regular editions. The limited edition PS2 release came bundled with a drama CD, a cell phone strap
Phone strap
A phone strap, cell phone strap, or mobile phone strap, was originally a string or loop to help the user hold their cell phone, which was invented and became popular in Japan where they are known as in Japanese...
featuring Konami Hatano, and a double-sided hug pillowcase
Dakimakura
A ' is a type of large pillow from Japan. The word is often translated in English simply as "hug pillow". From a semantic standpoint, dakimakura are no different from Western orthopedic body pillows, and are commonly used by Japanese youth as "security objects"...
, also featuring Konami. The PS2 version was re-released at a cheaper price on October 4, 2007. An updated version of the original game, called , which is compatible up to Windows Vista
Windows Vista
Windows Vista is an operating system released in several variations developed by Microsoft for use on personal computers, including home and business desktops, laptops, tablet PCs, and media center PCs...
and is playable on a PC as a DVD, was released on December 21, 2007.
Adaptations
Light novels
There have been four eroticErotica
Erotica are works of art, including literature, photography, film, sculpture and painting, that deal substantively with erotically stimulating or sexually arousing descriptions...
character 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 based on the game written by Japanese
Japanese people
The are an ethnic group originating in the Japanese archipelago and are the predominant ethnic group of Japan. Worldwide, approximately 130 million people are of Japanese descent; of these, approximately 127 million are residents of Japan. People of Japanese ancestry who live in other countries...
author Jōji Kamio
Joji Kamio
is a male Japanese author who has written many erotic novels based from adult Japanese visual novels. He has been writing such novels since 2001. He has notably written novels for the past four visual novels by Hooksoft: Orange Pocket, Like Life, _Summer, and...
and illustrated by Araiguma, published by Softgarage. The first novel covers Konami, the second covers both Chiwa and Sana, the third covers Shino and Wakana, and the fourth is a general novel entitled Omnibus. The first novel was released on October 14, 2005, and the final novel was released on September 25, 2006.
Drama CDs
There are four drama CDsRadio drama in Japan
Radio drama in Japan has a history as long as that of radio broadcasting in that country, which began in 1925. Some consider the first Japanese radio drama to have been "" which was a radio broadcast of a stage play. Others consider the Japanese translation of Richard Hughes's "Danger" or to be...
based on the series produced by two companies. The first set contains three CDs entitled _Summer: Everblue Days released between December 29, 2005, and April 21, 2006, by Marine Entertainment. The last CD was released on September 29, 2006 by Softgarage as a prologue
Prologue
A prologue is an opening to a story that establishes the setting and gives background details, often some earlier story that ties into the main one, and other miscellaneous information. The Greek prologos included the modern meaning of prologue, but was of wider significance...
to the OVA series.
OVAs
The first episode of the _Summer original video animationOriginal video animation
, abbreviated as media , are animated films and series made specially for release in home-video formats. The term originated in relation to Japanese animation...
(OVA) was released on October 27, 2006, by the animation studio Rikuentai; the second episode was released on January 26, 2007. After the ending credits of each episode, there was a short, humorous bonus
Omake
means extra in Japanese. Its primary meaning is general and widespread. It is used as an anime and manga fandom term to mean "extra or bonus". In USA, the term is most often used in a narrow sense by anime fans to describe special features on DVD releases: deleted scenes, interviews with the...
episode.
Episodes
| # | Title | Original sale date | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
Music
_Summers opening theme from the game is sung by Miyuki HashimotoMiyuki Hashimoto
is a Japanese female singer from Saitama Prefecture. She is signed to Lantis, a label which contribute songs to anime and video games.- Singles :* Koko ni Iru kara... # Koko ni Iru kara.....
, and the ending theme from the game is by YuNa; "Important Person" was also used as an insert song. The game's original soundtrack was released by Lantis
Lantis (company)
is a Japanese company that specializes as a music publisher label for Japanese musicians, anime soundtracks and video game soundtracks. It was established on November 26, 1999, and in May 2006, it was bought by, and became a subsidiary of, Bandai Visual...
on November 23, 2005, and contained thirty-one tracks. A maxi single
Maxi single
A maxi single or maxi-single is a music single release with more than the usual two tracks of an a-side song and a b-side song.-The first maxi singles:...
containing the opening and ending themes of the OVA was released on September 29, 2006. The OVA's opening theme is by Yuma Kosaka, and the OVA's ending theme is "_Summer", also by Yuma Kosaka.