Tayutama: Kiss on my Deity
Encyclopedia
is a Japanese visual novel
developed by Lump of Sugar. It was first released as an adult game
for the PC
on July 11, 2008 in both limited and regular editions, and is followed by an all-ages release for the Xbox 360
. Tayutama is Lump of Sugar's third title along with their previous titles Nursery Rhyme and Itsuka, Todoku, Ano Sora ni.. The gameplay in Tayutama follows a linear plot line which offers pre-determined scenarios and courses of interaction, and focuses on the appeal of the four female main characters.
Tayutama has since then received a spin-off
title, Tayutama: It's Happy Days, and has received several transitions to other media: a manga
adaptation, illustrated by Japanese illustrator
Yukiwo
and serialized in the manga magazine Comp Ace
; an anime
series was produced by the animation studio Silver Link, and began its broadcast in Japan on April 5, 2009; a drama CD
adaptation; and an Internet radio
show to promote the anime adaptation.
The gameplay
in Tayutama requires little interaction from the player, as most of the duration of the game is only spent on reading the text that appears on the lower portion of the screen, representing either dialogue
between 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 multiple options. The time between these points varies and can occur anywhere from a minute to much longer. Text progression pauses at these points and depending on the choices that the player makes, the plot will progress in a specific direction. There are four main plot lines in the original release that the player will have the chance to experience, one for each of the heroines in the story. This is increased to five plot lines in the Xbox 360
version with the extended scenario for Nue. To view all of the plot lines, the player will have to replay the game multiple times and make different decisions to progress the plot in an alternate direction.
; and a recently added coeducation department named . The campus grounds are separated into two parts which houses the two separate departments. Students attending the Flawless department lives in a dormitory
across from the school building, which is separated from Slightly's school building and schoolyard by a small forest.
The supernatural is a recurring theme in Tayutama. The mythological race is worshiped by the Yachimata Shrine, and is able to take shape in various forms such as humans. Various characters also possess supernatural abilities, such as Yuuri who excels in shinto
studies, and Mashiro who is a Tayutai. Yumina gains wings which enables her to fly, and Ameri can also command a Tayutai. Mifuyu is favored by Nue, a Tayutai, and is physically powerful enough to engage a Tayutai in battle.
practices. He takes an interest in automobile maintenance, and also aspires to be an auto mechanic
or designer. , the main heroine of Tayutama, is a Tayutai girl who is the materialization of the goddess . She falls in love with Yuuri soon after being left in his care, to the extent that she wishes to marry him. She has a high understanding of spiritual powers, and strives to create a world where both humans and Tayutai can coexist together.
Several characters also become involved in Yuuri and Mashiro's attempt. , another heroine, is Yuuri's energetic and outgoing childhood friend. She frequently carries around candies which she often shares with others, and actually has a slight crush towards Yuuri, but is unable to carry her feelings further. , also a heroine, is Yuuri's stepsister who resided with his family until his mother's death. She is often shy and quiet in front of others, and takes an interest in activities such as drawing and cooking. Yumina transfers into the Flawless department early in the story, and often voluntarily takes care of the household chores for Yuuri's family. , the last of Tayutama heroines, is an honor student from the Flawless department. She is calm and intelligent, and is skilled in various activities such as kenjutsu
.
, Yuuri and his friends Ameri and Sankurou discover a wooden relic which bears mysterious symbols in the school's woods. The relic turns out to host the Tayutai race which the shrine worships, but is deemed to be insignificant for preservation by the school, and will be demolished to allow the school grounds' expansion. Yuuri later sneaks into the school to transfer the relic's spirits, after coming to the conclusion that destroying the relic may be harmful. As he performs the ritual, he accidentally summons Kikuramikami no Hime, a Tayutai goddess who explains the belligerent relationship between humans and Tayutai, and materializes as a young girl, hoping to maintain a mutual relationship with humans. The relic is then destroyed after an accident caused by Ameri, which accidentally releases the entire Tayutai race, among whom are Nue and Oryu, two other influential Tayutai who hold humans in low regard.
on July 11, 2008 in both limited and regular editions. The limited edition contained the game itself, a vocal collection CD, an official fan book, character portraits, and a phone strap; the regular edition did not contain the aforementioned extras. A spin-off
title of Tayutama, titled Tayutama: It's Happy Days, was released on May 29, 2009 in both limited and regular editions. The limited edition of the spin-off contained the game itself and a visual fan book with short summaries of the game's characters, illustrations, conception materials, and an interview with the game's development team. An all-ages version for the Xbox 360
published by 5pb.
was originally announced for a release date of July 30, 2009, but was later delayed for a release date of November 5, 2009. The Xbox 360 version contains remastered graphics
, additional music, and additional scenarios for Nue, a supporting female character being promoted to a heroine. It was released in both limited and regular editions, and the limited edition contains the game itself, a phone strap, and a drama CD adaptation.
series drawn by Japanese illustrator
Yukiwo
, who is also known for his previous manga adaptations of the visual novels Gift
and Clear
. The manga began its serialization in the manga magazine Comp Ace
January 2009 issue, first published on November 26, 2008 by Kadokawa Shoten
.
adaptation was first announced in Enterbrain
's Tech Gian magazine on December 20, 2008. The anime series was produced by Silver Link, directed by Keitaro Motonaga and written by Makoto Ueda. The anime was first exhibited as a video at Media Factory
's Spring Anime Festival in the Ryōgoku KFC Hall in Tokyo, on March 29, 2009. The exhibition featured a public showing of the anime's first episode along with Phantom: Requiem for the Phantom and Queen's Blade respective episodes, and also talk show
s featuring voice actors
from the three series. The anime began its televised broadcast in Japan on April 5, 2009 on the Chiba TV
broadcasting network. The anime has been picked up for release in North America by Sentai Filmworks, and will be distributed by Section23 Films
. The complete collection will be released on March 16, 2010.
, while the second opening theme and the insert song were sung by Kicco. There are also four additional insert songs, one for each heroine and was sung by their respective voice actresses. The insert song for Mashiro is "Marital Vows"; the insert song for Ameri is ; the insert song for Yumina is "Flower Doll"; and lastly, the insert song for Mifuyu is "Rainy Pain".
The first music album release was a maxi single
entitled "Shunkan Suparain". The single contains the theme songs "Instantaneous Spline" and "Cherry", and was released on June 27, 2008. The game's original soundtrack was released on July 9, 2008. Of the thirty-one tracks collected in the album, two are the theme songs "Through the Spring Sky" and "A Rainbow-like Color". Another maxi single, titled "The Fine Every Day", was released on April 22, 2009. The single contains the opening theme for the anime, "The Fine Every Day", and the opening theme for Tayutama: It's Happy Days, , both sung by Kicco.
, and was also the sixth most widely sold game of the year. The game was also the twenty-seventh most widely sold game on the website for the month of April 2009. The game received two awards from the 2008 Bishōjo Game Awards panel, a Silver Prize for graphics, coming behind Akabeisoft2's G Senjō no Maō
, and a Gold Prize for character designs. Tadamoto Ōsawa, the lead editor of the Japanese bishōjo
magazine BugBug, praised Moekibara for his appealing character designs for heroines, and cited Mashiro as a character appropriate for the award.
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 Lump of Sugar. It was first released as an adult game
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:...
for 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 July 11, 2008 in both limited and regular editions, and is followed by an all-ages release for the Xbox 360
Xbox 360
The Xbox 360 is the second video game console produced by Microsoft and the successor to the Xbox. The Xbox 360 competes with Sony's PlayStation 3 and Nintendo's Wii as part of the seventh generation of video game consoles...
. Tayutama is Lump of Sugar's third title along with their previous titles Nursery Rhyme and Itsuka, Todoku, Ano Sora ni.. The gameplay in Tayutama follows a linear plot line which offers pre-determined scenarios and courses of interaction, and focuses on the appeal of the four female main characters.
Tayutama has since then received a spin-off
Fan disc
A fan disc is an expanded-content game disc, usually released by a game company after the game's first successful launch. The content adds new images, music, minigames, character information, demos, etc. It usually extends the game's time line by adding in a new shorter game; however, they are not...
title, Tayutama: It's Happy Days, and has received several transitions to other media: 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, illustrated by Japanese illustrator
Mangaka
is the Japanese word for a comic artist or cartoonist. Outside of Japan, manga usually refers to a Japanese comic book and mangaka refers to the author of the manga, who is usually Japanese...
Yukiwo
Yukiwo
is a Japanese manga author who has illustrated the manga adaptations to two visual novels developed by Moonstone: Gift, and Clear.-External links:*...
and serialized in the manga magazine Comp Ace
Comp Ace
is a Japanese computer game and manga magazine published by Kadokawa Shoten. Comp Ace began as a special edition version of another one of Kadokawa Shoten's magazines, Comptiq. The first issue was released on March 26, 2005, and was published quarterly for the first three volumes which had cover...
; 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....
series was produced by the animation studio Silver Link, and began its broadcast in Japan on April 5, 2009; a drama CD
Radio 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...
adaptation; and an Internet radio
Internet radio
Internet radio is an audio service transmitted via the Internet...
show to promote the anime adaptation.
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 Tayutama requires little interaction from the player, as most of the duration of the game is only spent on reading the text that appears on the lower portion of the screen, representing either dialogue
Dialogue
Dialogue is a literary and theatrical form consisting of a written or spoken conversational exchange between two or more people....
between 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 multiple options. The time between these points varies and can occur anywhere from a minute to much longer. Text progression pauses at these points and depending on the choices that the player makes, the plot will progress in a specific direction. There are four main plot lines in the original release that the player will have the chance to experience, one for each of the heroines in the story. This is increased to five plot lines in the Xbox 360
Xbox 360
The Xbox 360 is the second video game console produced by Microsoft and the successor to the Xbox. The Xbox 360 competes with Sony's PlayStation 3 and Nintendo's Wii as part of the seventh generation of video game consoles...
version with the extended scenario for Nue. To view all of the plot lines, the player will have to replay the game multiple times and make different decisions to progress the plot in an alternate direction.
Plot
Setting and themes
The main part of Tayutama takes place in a town called , which houses various landmarks such as the which the main characters attend, and the . Sousei Academy consists of two departments: a notorious all-girls department named , which stems its roots from the Sousei Girls' Academy established during the Meiji periodMeiji period
The , also known as the Meiji era, is a Japanese era which extended from September 1868 through July 1912. This period represents the first half of the Empire of Japan.- Meiji Restoration and the emperor :...
; and a recently added coeducation department named . The campus grounds are separated into two parts which houses the two separate departments. Students attending the Flawless department lives in a dormitory
Dormitory
A dormitory, often shortened to dorm, in the United States is a residence hall consisting of sleeping quarters or entire buildings primarily providing sleeping and residential quarters for large numbers of people, often boarding school, college or university students...
across from the school building, which is separated from Slightly's school building and schoolyard by a small forest.
The supernatural is a recurring theme in Tayutama. The mythological race is worshiped by the Yachimata Shrine, and is able to take shape in various forms such as humans. Various characters also possess supernatural abilities, such as Yuuri who excels in shinto
Shinto
or Shintoism, also kami-no-michi, is the indigenous spirituality of Japan and the Japanese people. It is a set of practices, to be carried out diligently, to establish a connection between present day Japan and its ancient past. Shinto practices were first recorded and codified in the written...
studies, and Mashiro who is a Tayutai. Yumina gains wings which enables her to fly, and Ameri can also command a Tayutai. Mifuyu is favored by Nue, a Tayutai, and is physically powerful enough to engage a Tayutai in battle.
Principal characters
The player assumes the role of , the protagonist of Tayutama. Yuuri comes from a family that presides over the Yachimata Shrine, and holds a vast knowledge in shintoShinto
or Shintoism, also kami-no-michi, is the indigenous spirituality of Japan and the Japanese people. It is a set of practices, to be carried out diligently, to establish a connection between present day Japan and its ancient past. Shinto practices were first recorded and codified in the written...
practices. He takes an interest in automobile maintenance, and also aspires to be an auto mechanic
Auto mechanic
An auto mechanic is a mechanic with a variety of car makes or either in a specific area or in a specific make of car. In repairing cars, their main role is to diagnose the problem accurately and quickly...
or designer. , the main heroine of Tayutama, is a Tayutai girl who is the materialization of the goddess . She falls in love with Yuuri soon after being left in his care, to the extent that she wishes to marry him. She has a high understanding of spiritual powers, and strives to create a world where both humans and Tayutai can coexist together.
Several characters also become involved in Yuuri and Mashiro's attempt. , another heroine, is Yuuri's energetic and outgoing childhood friend. She frequently carries around candies which she often shares with others, and actually has a slight crush towards Yuuri, but is unable to carry her feelings further. , also a heroine, is Yuuri's stepsister who resided with his family until his mother's death. She is often shy and quiet in front of others, and takes an interest in activities such as drawing and cooking. Yumina transfers into the Flawless department early in the story, and often voluntarily takes care of the household chores for Yuuri's family. , the last of Tayutama heroines, is an honor student from the Flawless department. She is calm and intelligent, and is skilled in various activities such as kenjutsu
Kenjutsu
, meaning "the method, or technique, of the sword." This is opposed to kendo, which means the way of the sword. Kenjutsu is the umbrella term for all traditional schools of Japanese swordsmanship, in particular those that predate the Meiji Restoration...
.
Story
The story of Tayutama revolves around the male protagonist Yuuri Mito, a third year high school student who is a descendant of the Mito family of the Yachimata Shrine. One day during spring breakSpring break
Spring break – also known as March break, Study week or Reading week in the United Kingdom and some parts of Canada – is a recess in early spring at universities and schools in the United States, Canada, mainland China, Korea, Japan, Taiwan, Mexico, the Dominican Republic, the United...
, Yuuri and his friends Ameri and Sankurou discover a wooden relic which bears mysterious symbols in the school's woods. The relic turns out to host the Tayutai race which the shrine worships, but is deemed to be insignificant for preservation by the school, and will be demolished to allow the school grounds' expansion. Yuuri later sneaks into the school to transfer the relic's spirits, after coming to the conclusion that destroying the relic may be harmful. As he performs the ritual, he accidentally summons Kikuramikami no Hime, a Tayutai goddess who explains the belligerent relationship between humans and Tayutai, and materializes as a young girl, hoping to maintain a mutual relationship with humans. The relic is then destroyed after an accident caused by Ameri, which accidentally releases the entire Tayutai race, among whom are Nue and Oryu, two other influential Tayutai who hold humans in low regard.
Development
Tayutama is the third title developed by Lump of Sugar, after their previous titles such as Nursery Rhyme. The producer for the visual novel is Kawauso, who has also been the producer for Itsuka, Todoku, Ano Sora ni.. Scenario for Tayutama was worked on by Chihiro Fumikata, which is the writer's first work on a visual novel. Art direction for the visual novel was provided by Fumitake Moekibara, while the music was composed entirely by Shigenobu Ōkawa. The entire development team, with the exception of Fumikata, has worked on Lump of Sugar's previous title Itsuka, Todoku, Ano Sora ni., while Moekibara and Ōkawa have also worked on Nursery Rhyme.Release history
Tayutama was first released for the PCPersonal 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 July 11, 2008 in both limited and regular editions. The limited edition contained the game itself, a vocal collection CD, an official fan book, character portraits, and a phone strap; the regular edition did not contain the aforementioned extras. A spin-off
Spin-off (media)
In media, a spin-off is a radio program, television program, video game, or any narrative work, derived from one or more already existing works, that focuses, in particular, in more detail on one aspect of that original work...
title of Tayutama, titled Tayutama: It's Happy Days, was released on May 29, 2009 in both limited and regular editions. The limited edition of the spin-off contained the game itself and a visual fan book with short summaries of the game's characters, illustrations, conception materials, and an interview with the game's development team. An all-ages version for the Xbox 360
Xbox 360
The Xbox 360 is the second video game console produced by Microsoft and the successor to the Xbox. The Xbox 360 competes with Sony's PlayStation 3 and Nintendo's Wii as part of the seventh generation of video game consoles...
published by 5pb.
5pb.
is a Japanese video game manufacturer and record label for video game and anime music. 5pb. formed on April 6, 2005 after Chiyomaru Shikura left Scitron to begin the company as its executive director, the position he still holds. The company name is derived from the phrase "The Five powered &...
was originally announced for a release date of July 30, 2009, but was later delayed for a release date of November 5, 2009. The Xbox 360 version contains remastered graphics
Computer graphics
Computer graphics are graphics created using computers and, more generally, the representation and manipulation of image data by a computer with help from specialized software and hardware....
, additional music, and additional scenarios for Nue, a supporting female character being promoted to a heroine. It was released in both limited and regular editions, and the limited edition contains the game itself, a phone strap, and a drama CD adaptation.
Manga
Tayutama was first adapted into 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 drawn by Japanese illustrator
Mangaka
is the Japanese word for a comic artist or cartoonist. Outside of Japan, manga usually refers to a Japanese comic book and mangaka refers to the author of the manga, who is usually Japanese...
Yukiwo
Yukiwo
is a Japanese manga author who has illustrated the manga adaptations to two visual novels developed by Moonstone: Gift, and Clear.-External links:*...
, who is also known for his previous manga adaptations of the visual novels Gift
Gift (visual novel)
is an adult Japanese visual novel developed by Moonstone which was released as a limited edition version on May 27, 2005 playable on the PC as a DVD; a regular edition followed on June 10, 2005. The original game was a collaboration project where the company Circus helped to produce it, though...
and Clear
Clear (visual novel)
is an adult Japanese visual novel developed by Moonstone which was released on August 24, 2007 playable on the PC as a DVD. An all ages version of Clear, published by Sweets, was released on February 19, 2009 for the PlayStation 2. Clear is Moonstone's sixth game; Moonstone has also developed Gift...
. The manga began its serialization in the manga magazine Comp Ace
Comp Ace
is a Japanese computer game and manga magazine published by Kadokawa Shoten. Comp Ace began as a special edition version of another one of Kadokawa Shoten's magazines, Comptiq. The first issue was released on March 26, 2005, and was published quarterly for the first three volumes which had cover...
January 2009 issue, first published on November 26, 2008 by Kadokawa Shoten
Kadokawa Shoten
is a well-known Japanese publishing company based in Tokyo, Japan. Kadokawa has published both manga novels and magazines, such as Newtype magazine...
.
Anime
A Tayutama animeAnime
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 was first announced in Enterbrain
Enterbrain
is a Japanese magazine publisher established on April 1, 2000. Enterbrain magazines are generally focused on video games and computer entertainment as well as video game and strategy guides. In addition, the company publishes a small selection of anime artbooks. Enterbrain is based in Tokyo, Japan...
's Tech Gian magazine on December 20, 2008. The anime series was produced by Silver Link, directed by Keitaro Motonaga and written by Makoto Ueda. The anime was first exhibited as a video at Media Factory
Media Factory
is a Japanese publisher. It was founded on December 1, 1986, and its headquarters are situated in Shibuya, Tokyo. It is a subsidiary of Recruit Co., Ltd...
's Spring Anime Festival in the Ryōgoku KFC Hall in Tokyo, on March 29, 2009. The exhibition featured a public showing of the anime's first episode along with Phantom: Requiem for the Phantom and Queen's Blade respective episodes, and also talk show
Talk show
A talk show or chat show is a television program or radio program where one person discuss various topics put forth by a talk show host....
s featuring voice actors
Seiyu
Voice acting in Japan has far greater prominence than in most other countries. Japan's large animation industry produces 60% of the animated series in the world; as a result, Japanese voice actors, or , are able to achieve fame on a national and international level.Besides acting as narrators and...
from the three series. The anime began its televised broadcast in Japan on April 5, 2009 on the Chiba TV
Chiba TV
, doing business as , is a Japanese commercial terrestrial television broadcasting company headquartered at 11-25 Miyako-chō 1-chōme, Chūō-ku, Chiba serving Chiba Prefecture but spill-over is received in the neibouring prefectures. It is a member of the Japanese Association of Independent...
broadcasting network. The anime has been picked up for release in North America by Sentai Filmworks, and will be distributed by 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 March 16, 2010.
Music
The visual novel Tayutama has four main theme songs, the first opening theme , the second opening theme , the ending theme , and an insert song "Cherry". Both the first opening and the ending themes were sung by Haruka ShimotsukiHaruka Shimotsuki
is a Japanese singer and dōjin music composer known for her vocal themes in the Atelier Iris and Ar tonelico series. She also wrote the lyrics and sang the ending themes to the two seasons of Rozen Maiden as well as the OVA under the name Kukui, with Myu. Shimotsuki's original music mainly consists...
, while the second opening theme and the insert song were sung by Kicco. There are also four additional insert songs, one for each heroine and was sung by their respective voice actresses. The insert song for Mashiro is "Marital Vows"; the insert song for Ameri is ; the insert song for Yumina is "Flower Doll"; and lastly, the insert song for Mifuyu is "Rainy Pain".
The first music album release was 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:...
entitled "Shunkan Suparain". The single contains the theme songs "Instantaneous Spline" and "Cherry", and was released on June 27, 2008. The game's original soundtrack was released on July 9, 2008. Of the thirty-one tracks collected in the album, two are the theme songs "Through the Spring Sky" and "A Rainbow-like Color". Another maxi single, titled "The Fine Every Day", was released on April 22, 2009. The single contains the opening theme for the anime, "The Fine Every Day", and the opening theme for Tayutama: It's Happy Days, , both sung by Kicco.
Reception
Tayutama: Kiss on my Deity was the second most widely sold game on Getchu.com for July 2008, only falling behind Little Busters! EcstasyLittle Busters!
is a Japanese visual novel developed by Key which was originally released, rated for everyone as a limited edition version, on July 27, 2007 playable on a Windows PC; a regular edition, also rated for everyone, followed on September 28, 2007. Little Busters! is Key's sixth game, along with other...
, and was also the sixth most widely sold game of the year. The game was also the twenty-seventh most widely sold game on the website for the month of April 2009. The game received two awards from the 2008 Bishōjo Game Awards panel, a Silver Prize for graphics, coming behind Akabeisoft2's G Senjō no Maō
G Senjo no Mao
is a Japanese adult visual novel developed by Akabeisoft2 and first released for the PC as a DVD on May 29, 2008 in limited and regular editions after many delays. The gameplay in G Senjō no Maō follows a plotline which offers pre-determined scenarios with courses of interaction, and focuses on the...
, and a Gold Prize for character designs. Tadamoto Ōsawa, the lead editor of the Japanese bishōjo
Bishojo
is a Japanese term used to refer to young and pretty girls, usually below university age. Bishōjo is not listed as a word in the prominent Japanese dictionary Kōjien...
magazine BugBug, praised Moekibara for his appealing character designs for heroines, and cited Mashiro as a character appropriate for the award.