Akane Maniax
Encyclopedia
is an adventure game
released for the PC by âge
. It is a prequel of sorts to Muv-Luv
and side story to Kimi ga Nozomu Eien
, and features Suzumiya Akane from Kimi ga Nozomu Eien
as its main heroine. Like Muv-Luv
Extra and unlike Kimi ga Nozomu Eien
, it focuses more on comedy than drama.
The game starts several weeks after the end of Kimi ga Nozomu Eien and ends a day before Muv-Luv Extra starts. Most of the main characters from Muv-Luv can be seen in the game (the only notable exception would be Mitsurugi Meiya, who is seen in the Original Video Animation
(OVA). It was originally released in parts with Tech GIAN without voice acting, but was later released as a game with full voice acting for members of âge's official fanclub.
There is also a three episode OVA roughly based on the game, with the first DVD released on November 25, 2004. The first two episodes were done by Media Factory
, while the last was done by Bandai Visual
. Many characters in the game parody Tekkaman
and Tekkaman Blade
. The OVA mainly parodies robot shows such as Mazinger Z
. Akane Maniax marked the first appearance of Gouda Jouji, who would later become a recurring gag character in âge's games. He has since appeared in the Kimi ga Nozomu Eien and Muv-Luv fandiscs.
to her on the spot. The two characters conflict with each other greatly, but Jouji never gives up and would do anything to express his love towards Akane. Although his attempts to win Akane's love at first do nothing but anger Akane, he gradually starts to make an impression on her, inspiring Akane to be more honest about her own feelings.
There are two possible endings. In the good ending, Akane admits she might have developed feelings for Jouji—but confesses that she might be using him as a rebound guy since he reminds her of her sister's ex-boyfriend. He then finds a new true love in the form of Muv-Luv
s Sumika, only to have his heart broken about a minute later when she goes running after Takeru. In the true ending, Jouji transforms into a hero called Dimension Knight Tekkumen (時空の騎士テックメン, "Jikuu no Kishi Tekkumen") and fights aliens and is not afraid of anything. Either way, he is said to have transferred out of the school after being scouted for a baseball team in Muv-Luv Extra. Kouduki suggests that this might have been Meiya's doing in Muv-Luv Extra, and we see that this is indeed the fact in the Akane Maniax OAV, which suggests that the true ending is actually not the true ending.
: A Hakuryou student who looks like a fat nerd, but is in fact the robot Takesu. Student in class 3-D. Only seen in the game.
Adventure game
An adventure game is a video game in which the player assumes the role of protagonist in an interactive story driven by exploration and puzzle-solving instead of physical challenge. The genre's focus on story allows it to draw heavily from other narrative-based media such as literature and film,...
released for the PC by âge
Âge
Âge is a division of Acid Co., Ltd., a Japanese publisher of adult video games and visual novels. Âge was formerly known as Relic and developed video games for consoles. It gained fame following the release of its 2001 adult visual novel Kimi ga Nozomu Eien. It was founded by Hirohiko Yoshida,...
. It is a prequel of sorts to Muv-Luv
Muv-Luv
is a Japanese visual novel developed by âge, which was originally released as an adult game for the PC in February 28, 2003. Subsequent versions with the adult content removed were sold for the PC and Xbox 360...
and side story to Kimi ga Nozomu Eien
Kimi ga Nozomu Eien
, abbreviated as Kimibou or Kiminozo, is a Japanese visual novel adventure game created by âge. It was first released in 2001 for the PC and was later ported to the Dreamcast and PlayStation 2 under the title Rumbling Hearts as all-age versions...
, and features Suzumiya Akane from Kimi ga Nozomu Eien
Kimi ga Nozomu Eien
, abbreviated as Kimibou or Kiminozo, is a Japanese visual novel adventure game created by âge. It was first released in 2001 for the PC and was later ported to the Dreamcast and PlayStation 2 under the title Rumbling Hearts as all-age versions...
as its main heroine. Like Muv-Luv
Muv-Luv
is a Japanese visual novel developed by âge, which was originally released as an adult game for the PC in February 28, 2003. Subsequent versions with the adult content removed were sold for the PC and Xbox 360...
Extra and unlike Kimi ga Nozomu Eien
Kimi ga Nozomu Eien
, abbreviated as Kimibou or Kiminozo, is a Japanese visual novel adventure game created by âge. It was first released in 2001 for the PC and was later ported to the Dreamcast and PlayStation 2 under the title Rumbling Hearts as all-age versions...
, it focuses more on comedy than drama.
The game starts several weeks after the end of Kimi ga Nozomu Eien and ends a day before Muv-Luv Extra starts. Most of the main characters from Muv-Luv can be seen in the game (the only notable exception would be Mitsurugi Meiya, who is seen in the Original Video Animation
Original video animation
, abbreviated as media , are animated films and series made specially for release in home-video formats. The term originated in relation to Japanese animation...
(OVA). It was originally released in parts with Tech GIAN without voice acting, but was later released as a game with full voice acting for members of âge's official fanclub.
There is also a three episode OVA roughly based on the game, with the first DVD released on November 25, 2004. The first two episodes were done by 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...
, while the last was done by Bandai Visual
Bandai Visual
, is a Japanese anime, film production and distribution enterprise, established by Bandai Co., Ltd. and a subsidiary of Namco Bandai Holdings, Inc., which is based in Minato, Tokyo, Japan. Since the reorganisation of Namco Bandai Holdings in 2006, Bandai Visual now heads the group's Visual and...
. Many characters in the game parody Tekkaman
Tekkaman
Tekkaman may refer to*Tekkaman: The Space Knight, an anime produced by Tatsunoko Productions in 1975.*Tekkaman Blade, the reboot of the original anime series, released in 1992....
and Tekkaman Blade
Tekkaman Blade
or Teknoman is an anime series, released in 1992 and 1995 in both Japanese and English language versions.-Plot:During the year 2300 AD , otherwise known as United Earth Year 192, the Earth is under attack from an extraterrestrial enemy known as the Radam...
. The OVA mainly parodies robot shows such as Mazinger Z
Mazinger Z
, known briefly as Tranzor Z in United States, is a Super Robot manga and anime series created by Go Nagai. The first manga version was serialized in Shueisha Weekly Shōnen Jump from October 1972 to August 1973, and it later continued in Kodansha TV Magazine from October 1973 to September 1974. In...
. Akane Maniax marked the first appearance of Gouda Jouji, who would later become a recurring gag character in âge's games. He has since appeared in the Kimi ga Nozomu Eien and Muv-Luv fandiscs.
Plot
Jouji Gouda is a new transfer student at Hakuryo High School. On his first day of class, he fell in love at first sight for Akane Suzumiya and boldly proposedProposal of marriage
A marriage proposal is an event where one person in a relationship asks for the other's hand in marriage. If accepted, it marks the initiation of engagement. It often has a ritual quality, sometimes involving the presentation of an engagement ring and a formalized asking of a question such as "Will...
to her on the spot. The two characters conflict with each other greatly, but Jouji never gives up and would do anything to express his love towards Akane. Although his attempts to win Akane's love at first do nothing but anger Akane, he gradually starts to make an impression on her, inspiring Akane to be more honest about her own feelings.
There are two possible endings. In the good ending, Akane admits she might have developed feelings for Jouji—but confesses that she might be using him as a rebound guy since he reminds her of her sister's ex-boyfriend. He then finds a new true love in the form of Muv-Luv
Muv-Luv
is a Japanese visual novel developed by âge, which was originally released as an adult game for the PC in February 28, 2003. Subsequent versions with the adult content removed were sold for the PC and Xbox 360...
s Sumika, only to have his heart broken about a minute later when she goes running after Takeru. In the true ending, Jouji transforms into a hero called Dimension Knight Tekkumen (時空の騎士テックメン, "Jikuu no Kishi Tekkumen") and fights aliens and is not afraid of anything. Either way, he is said to have transferred out of the school after being scouted for a baseball team in Muv-Luv Extra. Kouduki suggests that this might have been Meiya's doing in Muv-Luv Extra, and we see that this is indeed the fact in the Akane Maniax OAV, which suggests that the true ending is actually not the true ending.
Characters
- The main character of Akane Maniax. After being kicked out of his last school's baseball club, he transfers to Hakuryou with the intention of getting to the KoshienKoshienKōshien is a district of Nishinomiya, Hyōgo, Japan.Kōshien also refers to:*Koshien Stadium, a baseball stadium in Nishinomiya, Hyōgo, which is the venue of the annual high school baseball tournaments:...
, paying no heed to the fact that he is a third-year student (i.e., he would never have another chance). He has a tendency to lose himself in his imagination, and is a bit of an idiot. He grows infatuated with Akane at first sight, and does whatever he can to get her attention. His character is a parody of Minami Jouji from Uchuu no Kishi TekkamanTekkamanTekkaman may refer to*Tekkaman: The Space Knight, an anime produced by Tatsunoko Productions in 1975.*Tekkaman Blade, the reboot of the original anime series, released in 1992....
, and in one of the endings he transforms into a parody of Tekkaman named Jikuu no Kishi Tekkumen. He first joins class 3-D, but is later dumped into class 3-B.
- From Kimi ga Nozomu Eien. The main heroine. In Akane Maniax, she starts off with the personality she had in Kimi ga Nozomu EienKimi ga Nozomu Eien, abbreviated as Kimibou or Kiminozo, is a Japanese visual novel adventure game created by âge. It was first released in 2001 for the PC and was later ported to the Dreamcast and PlayStation 2 under the title Rumbling Hearts as all-age versions...
, but gradually softens up to become the Akane seen in Muv-Luv. Student in class 3-D.
- A gym teacher sporting a yellow afro who is actually an alien. Has a mutant living in his afro. Based on Andlau (also pronounced Andorō) Umeda from TekkamanTekkamanTekkaman may refer to*Tekkaman: The Space Knight, an anime produced by Tatsunoko Productions in 1975.*Tekkaman Blade, the reboot of the original anime series, released in 1992....
. Only seen in the game.
: A Hakuryou student who looks like a fat nerd, but is in fact the robot Takesu. Student in class 3-D. Only seen in the game.
- From Muv-Luv. Akane's friend and rival. Student of class 3-B.
- From Muv-Luv. Class 3-D's form teacher.
- From Muv-Luv. Class 3-B's form teacher.
- From Muv-Luv. Student in class 3-B. Jouji calls her "Psychic Gal".
- From Muv-LuvMuv-Luvis a Japanese visual novel developed by âge, which was originally released as an adult game for the PC in February 28, 2003. Subsequent versions with the adult content removed were sold for the PC and Xbox 360...
. Student in class 3-B. Jouji calls her "Ambassador of the Animal Kingdom".
- From Muv-Luv. Student in class 3-B. Jouji calls him "Gaia's Messenger", or sometimes just Gaia. They seem to get along pretty well, but it does not take very long for Mikoto to forget who he is after he transfers out (in Muv-Luv Extra).
- Muv-Luvs main heroine. Student in class 3-B.
- The protagonist of Muv-Luv. Student in class 3-B.
- From Kimi ga Nozomu Eien. Akane's older sister. Only seen in the OVA.
- From Muv-Luv. Only seen in the OVA.
- From Muv-Luv. Only seen in the OVA.
- Jouji after transforming via Tekku Setup. Looks like a cross between Tekkaman and a Gyan.
- Takeo's true form, that of a robot. Based on Pegasu from Tekkaman BladeTekkaman Bladeor Teknoman is an anime series, released in 1992 and 1995 in both Japanese and English language versions.-Plot:During the year 2300 AD , otherwise known as United Earth Year 192, the Earth is under attack from an extraterrestrial enemy known as the Radam...
. Looks like a cross between Pegasu and a Zaku IIMS-06 Zaku IIThe MS-06 Zaku II is a mobile suit from the Mobile Suit Gundam metaverse. It is redesigned by Kunio Okawara based upon the earlier draft by the series director Yoshiyuki Tomino, in which only the name was kept. The Zaku II has seen various redesigns and variants for hundreds of pieces of...
. Serves as a mount for Tekkumen.
Kimi ga Nozomu Eien ~special FanDisk~
Jouji, Umeda, Takeo/Takesu and the alien in Umeda's afro return in the Kimi ga Nozomu Eien ~special FanDisk~ short story, "True Lies", based on a radio drama broadcasted on Kiminozo Radio. In it, Jouji transforms into a new version of Tekkumen, Tekkumen Blade (which parodies Tekkaman Blade).Muv-Luv supplement
Jouji returns in Muv-Luv Duelist as a Rumbling Angel duelist. His deck focuses mainly on attacking the enemy with characters non-stop, and requires almost no strategy to use, reflecting his character.OVA episodes
| # | Title | Original airdate |
|---|---|---|
Game
- True route ending theme
- Tekkumen no Uta (テックメンの歌)
- Singer: Miyauchi TakayukiTakayuki Miyauchi', born Kayuki Uchita Miyabi, is a Japanese vocalist best known for his work on theme songs for tokusatsu and anime. A resident of Ibaraki Prefecture, he began his career as founding member and lead vocalist of the band "WHY" in 1981 before making his solo debut in 1984, singing the opening theme...
- Singer: Miyauchi Takayuki
- Tekkumen no Uta (テックメンの歌)
- Normal route ending theme
- Muv-LuvMuv-Luvis a Japanese visual novel developed by âge, which was originally released as an adult game for the PC in February 28, 2003. Subsequent versions with the adult content removed were sold for the PC and Xbox 360...
(マブラヴ)- Singer: Kuribayashi MinamiMinami Kuribayashiis a Japanese singer-songwriter and voice actress from Shizuoka prefecture.Her involvement in the game and anime Kimi ga Nozomu Eien, where she voiced the role of one of the characters, Haruka Suzumiya and performed and penned the theme songs and other songs relating to the series, has brought her...
- Singer: Kuribayashi Minami
- Muv-Luv
OVA
- Opening theme
- beginning
- Singer: Kuribayashi MinamiMinami Kuribayashiis a Japanese singer-songwriter and voice actress from Shizuoka prefecture.Her involvement in the game and anime Kimi ga Nozomu Eien, where she voiced the role of one of the characters, Haruka Suzumiya and performed and penned the theme songs and other songs relating to the series, has brought her...
- Singer: Kuribayashi Minami
- beginning
- Ending theme (episodes 1, 2)
- Arigato... (ありがと...)
- Singer: Mizuhashi KaoriKaori Mizuhashiis a Japanese voice actress who is employed by Arts Vision. Her debut was in 1998 with the game First Kiss Story.-TV anime:*Ai Yori Aoshi *Ai Yori Aoshi ~Enishi~ *Angelic Layer...
- Singer: Mizuhashi Kaori
- Arigato... (ありがと...)
- Ending theme (episode 3)
- Muv-LuvMuv-Luvis a Japanese visual novel developed by âge, which was originally released as an adult game for the PC in February 28, 2003. Subsequent versions with the adult content removed were sold for the PC and Xbox 360...
(マブラヴ)- Singer: Kuribayashi MinamiMinami Kuribayashiis a Japanese singer-songwriter and voice actress from Shizuoka prefecture.Her involvement in the game and anime Kimi ga Nozomu Eien, where she voiced the role of one of the characters, Haruka Suzumiya and performed and penned the theme songs and other songs relating to the series, has brought her...
- Singer: Kuribayashi Minami
- Muv-Luv