Important Importables Mini: Valentine’s Day in Japan

Valentines Day is slightly different in Japan, than it is here. Fans of import video games, or of manga and anime, probably know all about the concept of Valentines Day and White Day. On February 14, girls give chocolate to the guys they know and like. Home-made, special chocolates, referred to as honmei choco, is given to the people girls love. There is also giri chocolate, which is most likely store-bought, that girls give to their friends, co-workers, male relatives and men that are important, but not number one.

So how does this factor into video games? Well, mainly you’ll see this special kind of Valentines Day celebrated in dating sim games. Simulation games that tend to go day by day have the concept of Valentines Day and White Day appear most. For example, both the Tokimeki Memorial Girl’s Side DS games have characters buy or making chocolate for the male characters on February 14, and then receiving White Day gifts in return on March 14. The recent Vampire Knight DS release also has players giving Valentines chocolate to one of the six vampire characters on February 14.

Some game companies in Japan also try to capitalize on these two holidays. For example, Tokimeki Memorial: Girl’s Side 1st Love for the DS was release March 15, the day after White Day, and the revised version of that game, Tokimeki Memorial: Girl’s Side 1st Love Plus is coming out March 12, 2009. The second game, Tokimeki Memorial: Girl’s Side 2nd Season was released on Valentines Day 2008. Karin is also releasing the PC game Exorcism of Maria on February 13, 2009.

Quite a few other companies are releasing otome games throughout February and March, hoping to provide a romantic atmosphere, and also possible White Day gift ideas. Harukanaru Toki no Naka de (PS2), Vampire Kishi DS/Vampire Knight DS (DS), Exorcism of Maria (PC), Kin’iro no Corda 2 forte(PSP), Your Memories Off Girl’s Style (PSP), Harukanaru Toki no Naka de 3 and Izayoiki Aizouban (PSP), Ouran Koukou Host Club/Ouran High School Host Club (DS), Will O’Wisp (DS/PSP), Vitamin Z (PS2) and Garnet Cradle (PC) will all be out in Japan by the end of March 2009.

Be sure to stop by Gamertell this Friday (February 13, 2009) for a review of the DS game Vampire Knight DS, aka Vampire Kishi DS.

Read [J-List side blog] Also Read [St. Valentines Day]