Yosuga no Sora (Visual Novel)

Yosuga no Sora (ヨスガノソラ) is a visual novel,^[1] and the source material for the wider Yosuga no Sora franchise. Developed by CUFFS/Sphere,^[2] it follows the romantic life of series protagonist Haruka Kasugano. A fan disc^[3] was later released to expand the story.

Synopsis[]

Twins Haruka and Sora are going back to their grandparents' house.

The two remember their many visits to the house when they were kids. A while ago, they lost their parents in a car accident prompting the move to their grandparents' house. Nao, their old friend, Ryouhei, Haruka's classmate, Akira, a miko at a neighboring shrine, Kazuha, Akira's close friend, and Kozue, the class rep, welcome them.

Nothing has changed. Good memories and a silent atmosphere heal the sadness. However, the peaceful life gradually changes. A secret promise made a long time ago. A lost treasure. The real reason for moving to the village. Feelings long kept a secret. The story now starts under the summer sun…

Release[]

It was released physically on December 5, 2008 (though the regular edition only came out on October 29, 2010^[4]), then digitally on June 5, 2015 for DMM.^[5] The limited edition of the physical release came with a bonus CD.^[6] Pre-orders from Messe Sanoh came with an exclusive drama CD, and pre-orders from Sofmap came with another exclusive drama CD. Pre-orders would also include dakimakura covers, stickers, and illustrated phone cards depending on the store.^[7] Unlike Haruka no Sora, the limited edition (SPH-001) does not share the same artworks as the regular edition (SPH-006).

On August 17, 2017, a bundle containing both visual novels was released digitally on DMM. DLSite eventually released both games and a bundle on June 9, 2023, a few months after their release of an audio drama entitled Kasugano Sora no Iru Seikatsu. The DLSite bundle includes an exclusive digital reissue of the Haruka na Sora limited compilation CD and pre-order bonus drama CD.

Translations[]

English Translation[]

Main article: TRJR (English Translation Project)

A fan-made English translation of the game began shortly after release on TLWiki. The translation was finished in April 2020, and editing is currently ongoing.

Other Translations[]

Main article: Translations Into Other Languages

Teams from all around the world are also dedicated to translating the Yosuga no Sora franchise into other languages.^[8]

Trials[]

A trial version of the game was distributed both physically and digitally^[9] in November 2008. It lets the player test the game all the way up to the last branching choice (Kazuha's route).

Another trial version with a specific title screen was included on a DVD compilation distributed with the January 2009 issue of the magazine TECH GIAN.^[10] This version is much shorter and only contains an exclusive short story featuring Yahiro Ifukube, Akira Amatsume, Motoka Nogisaka, and Yamanashi-san.

Trivia[]

The fictional location the story takes place in was inspired by areas around Kabasaki-cho (Tochigi Prefecture), where character designer Takashi Hashimoto used to visit relatives.^[11]
The subtitle of the game (In solitude, where we are least alone.) is taken from Lord Byron's Childe Harold's Pilgrimage (canto III, stanza XC).^[12]

Gallery[]

References[]

[1] Yosuga no Sora (Wikipedia)

[2] Sphere (vndb)

[3] Haruka na Sora (vndb)

[4] スペック (CUFFS)

[5] Yosuga no Sora (vndb)

[6] Yosuga no Sora - First Press Limited Edition (vndb)

[7] 店舗様特典イラスト一覧 (CUFFS)

[8] Yosuga no Sora Translation Projects in Other Languages (Help Wanted) (TRJR)

[9] ダウンロード (CUFFS)

[10] 売り上げ部数No.1美少女ゲーム情報誌テックジャイアン (Wayback Machine)

[11] アニメ・コミック・フィギュア・製作裏話【舞台】 (Wayback Machine)

[12] Childe Harold's Pilgrimage (Gutenberg)

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