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In 1988 Tokyo, a Chinese exam-failer and a Japanese dropout share a station job, facing money worries and a language barrier.
Released 02 Jan 2020
Take a job that requires you to live inside an aging train station, sharing the space with a stranger who does not speak your language.
Follow conversations in which both people keep speaking in their own language, leading to arguments and misunderstandings—and, at times, letting them express things they might otherwise hold back.
Watch the visual novel’s composition shift around its scenes, with text and images moving on screen rather than remaining in a fixed dialogue-box layout.
It is the year 1988. Japan is in the midst of the bubble economy. New buildings are sprouting up everywhere, and the people are ecstatic. This is a story of people who live for one year... in such a little corner of the city.
Developed by Koraku · Published by Nekoneko Soft
Set in Tokyo during Japan’s bubble economy, this visual novel follows Jing, a young Chinese man who leaves his job after failing university entrance exams, and Kanna, a Japanese teenager who leaves school and moves to the city. Both seek work at an old, run-down train station, where their employer arranges for them to live and work together.
The story unfolds across chapters, following the pair and the people around them through a year of work, financial strain, and everyday life. Because Jing and Kanna do not speak each other’s language, conversations often become misunderstandings; their growing familiarity is shown through those awkward exchanges and the small ways they help one another.
The novel also follows supporting characters and their circumstances, set against a city changing rapidly around them. Illustrated scenes use shifting layouts and animated presentation, with Chinese and Japanese voice performances and music. Separate additional stories expand on characters and events beyond the central narrative.
Players who enjoy the game often point to its grounded, emotionally affecting story, quiet atmosphere, and portrayal of companionship across a language barrier. The art and scene presentation, along with the music and voice performances, also receive frequent praise. Several reviewers particularly value the darker Peace Apocalypse DLC, though opinions on the main story and its pacing vary, and some find its character decisions or ending unconvincing.
— An encounter in Tokuo
— that nothing about love
Visual Novel
It is the year 1988. Japan is in the midst of the bubble economy.
New buildings are sprouting up everywhere, and the people are ecstatic.
The old disappears and the new is born,
but there are some people, some places, some things, that nobody notices...
or perhaps nobody chooses to notice them.
This is a story of people who live for one year...
in such a little corner of the city.
Kanna is a first-year high school student
who's involved in a traffic accident during the summer.
She finds herself unable to stay in her hometown any longer.
Jing fails his university entrance exams in China.
He spends a year or so working at a job he doesn't like.
Both of them hear of the incredible opportunities presenting themselves
in the bubble economy of Tokyo.
Therefore, Kanna drops out of high school and goes to Tokyo.
Jing quits his job and goes to Japan.
The job both of them set their eyes on,
would have them simply living in an old, run-down train station.
Although the job only pays a measly 400 yen per hour, it runs for 24 hours a day,
so it really isn't that bad.
They wouldn't have to pay rent, heating, or electricity.
Kanna is a bit awkward around people, and Jing doesn't speak Japanese.
The employer only wants one person.
Neither wants to give up on this job, so Sakura, the woman in charge of hiring them,
recommends that they simply do it together.
Age 19 → 20
"I have a goal."
He failed his university entrance exams in China and went to Japan.
What surprises him the most during his time there is the cost of living.
A day of part-time work in Japan earns more than a month of salaried work in China.
Age 15 → 16
"I was unlucky... That's what I decided to think."
She dropped out of high school and moved to Tokyo because of the bubble economy.
She's a little introverted.
She enjoys eating sunflower seeds.
Height 159cm, Measurements 81/62/87
Age 7 → 8
"Sis, buy me ice cream! Ice cream!"
She follows her sister to the big city.
She's bubbly and upbeat, but never afraid.
She's still a child, so she doesn't really understand what's going on.
Height 128cm
Age 21 → 22
"Many people still have a lot to deal with. Like you and me."
She grew up in Tokyo. Her family is involved in the real estate business.
She employs both main characters.
She's nice and approachable, but she can put her foot down when needs be.
Height 165cm, Measurements 89/60/90
Age 37 → 38
"I don't do stuff that doesn't earn money."
He came to Japan twenty years earlier from China.
For various reasons, he keeps trying to push dangerous jobs on Jing.
Most of his business is in nightclubs and land speculation.
Age ???
A black cat.
He lives in the old station building.
He seems friendly, but runs away if you try to catch him.
Original Story · Scenario: Tomo Kataoka
Concept Art: Werkbau
Character Art: Werkbau, Ringo, Takehiko Akino, Yatumi Suzuame
Scene Art: Ringo, forfreedo, Kyarumii
Cast: M.N.H, Hiroko Taguchi, Kaori Nazuka, Yuko Goto, Jin Li, Tomoe Tamiyasu
Music: bermei.inazawa
OP Vocal: Annabel
BGM Vocal · Chorus: lasah, Raheem "Mega Ran" Jarbo, Mari Yura, Annabel, Shouichi Taguchi, Mashiro Shirakami
LOGO Design: Nachi Kio (KOME WORKS)
UI Design: Mu Xia
Visual Design: C.I.C, Mu Xia
Movie: C.I.C, Yazi
Performance · Script: 2B, Koraku
Program: Xiao Ai 363
Operation · PR: Xue Han
Web Design: Yume Amamiya, Shi Jiu
Planner · Director · Producer: Koraku
Translation: Holm Hinners
Editing: tyabann
Script Insertion: Alice Davidson
Image Editing: Liew Shan Yuan
Quality Assurance: R. Stuart
Project Manager: John Baumlin, PMP
General Manager: Koji Hotta
Beta Testers: Dizzy Valiel, arccun, Cassandra Hockaday
| Platforms | Windows |
|---|---|
| Achievements | 1 |
| Age ratings |
|
| Controller required | No |
| Demo | 先行体験版 |
| DLC / extras | 3 listed on Steam |
