School Days

***School Days*** (スクールデイズ, *Sukūru Deizu*) is a Japanese visual novel developed by 0verflow, released on April 28, 2005, for Windows as an adult game. It was later ported as a DVD game and for the PlayStation 2 (PS2) and PlayStation Portable (PSP). The story, a dramatic slice-of-life, follows Makoto Ito, a high school student who becomes the ambivalent love interest of several girls during his second term, and the effects this has on himself and his relationships with other characters. Though the game requires little interaction from users, *School Days* engages the player through a plot that they are given opportunities to change the course of during play. The game concludes with an ending specific to the outcome of the story, some of which became notorious for their graphic violence.

0verflow announced work on *School Days* in October 2004 and marketed it through public venues that showcased the game's innovative use of anime-like cinematics and voice. The game ranked as the best-selling visual novel in Japan for the time of its release, continuing to chart in the national top 50 for nearly five months afterward. 0verflow would then go on to produce multiple sequels including a spin-off of the original story called *Summer Days*, and a parallel story called *Cross Days*. Another spin-off, *Island Days*, has been developed by Klon for the Nintendo 3DS. *School Days* was remastered as *School Days HQ* on October 8, 2010, and localized in North America on June 27, 2012. The original game was officially discontinued on April 21, 2011.

Following the game's release, *School Days* made several transitions into other media. The original story was adapted into a manga and serialized in the Kadokawa Shoten magazine *Comp Ace*; it was later published into two volumes. Comic anthologies, light novels and art books were also published, as were audio dramas and several albums of music. An animated television series, two direct-to-video (OVA) single releases and a concert film were also produced, the first of which became a precursor for an internet meme when its finale was pulled from broadcast.

## Synopsis

Makoto Ito is a young Japanese high school student beginning his second term at the fictional Sakakino Academy. During his daily train rides to and from school, he becomes infatuated with fellow student Kotonoha Katsura; a girl that also commutes. When a new classmate acquaintance of his, Sekai Saionji, discovers his secret crush on Kotonoha, she helps introduce both of them to each other and over time they grow closer and agree to date. However in spite of her proud and triumphant matchmaking efforts, Sekai inadvertently becomes jealous of the new couple, having also developed feelings toward Makoto.

The following afternoon on her way home at the nearby train station in front of the school, Sekai finds Makoto waiting for Kotonoha to rendezvous for a date. He sits with her and reiterates his appreciation for her help, and feeling heavily indebted, offers repayment anyway he can. Though she believes he is overreacting, Sekai decides to redeem her obligation by placing a kiss on his lips as her train pulls in; quickly rushing into an open passenger car and happily bidding a dumbstruck Makoto luck on his date.

## MAL Info:

Score:5.74

Ranked:#8819

Popularity:#211

Studios: TNK

Source:Visual novel

Duration:25 min. per ep

Rating:R+ - Mild Nudity

Producers:Avex Entertainment, Marvelous, Lantis, Pony Canyon