Harukanaru Toki no Naka de 3
Encyclopedia
is a PlayStation 2
otome
adventure
game developed by Ruby Party and published by Koei. Harukanaru Toki no Naka de 3 is the third main entry in the Haruka series, and it is a part of Ruby Party's Neoromance label.
Two gaiden
games have been released that expand on the story of Harukanaru Toki no Naka de 3 - and .
at the end of the Heian period
, where the Minamoto clan
(Genji), led by Minamoto no Yoritomo (based on the historical Minamoto no Yoritomo
), is at war with the Taira clan
(Heike), led by Taira no Kiyomori (based on the historical Taira no Kiyomori
). The Heike hope to defeat the Genji by releasing vengeful spirits (onryō) to disturb the Earth's natural flow of energies and to terrorize the land. The boy that Nozomi met is revealed to be the human form of Hakuryū, the White Dragon God said to protect Kyō, whose powers have greatly weakened due to the presence of the onryō. Nozomi discovers that she has the power to seal the onryō as , and she allies herself with the Genji in order to seal the onryō, restore Hakuryū's powers, and return home to her own world.
PlayStation 2
The PlayStation 2 is a sixth-generation video game console manufactured by Sony as part of the PlayStation series. Its development was announced in March 1999 and it was first released on March 4, 2000, in Japan...
otome
Otome game
An is a video game that is targeted towards a female market, where one of the main goals, besides the plot goal, is to develop a romantic relationship between the female player character and one of several male characters. This genre is most established in Japan. The label includes both visual...
adventure
Adventure
An adventure is defined as an exciting or unusual experience; it may also be a bold, usually risky undertaking, with an uncertain outcome. The term is often used to refer to activities with some potential for physical danger, such as skydiving, mountain climbing and or participating in extreme sports...
game developed by Ruby Party and published by Koei. Harukanaru Toki no Naka de 3 is the third main entry in the Haruka series, and it is a part of Ruby Party's Neoromance label.
Two gaiden
Gaiden
is a Japanese-language word meaning "side story" or "tale", used to refer to an anecdote or supplementary biography of a person. This use of gaiden is commonly used in popular Japanese fiction to refer to a spin-off of a previously published work that is neither officially considered a sequel nor...
games have been released that expand on the story of Harukanaru Toki no Naka de 3 - and .
Story
One rainy day Nozomi Kasuga and her two friends encounter a strange boy at their high school, who sends them hurtling across time and space to a place in another world called Kyō. This place bears a strong resemblance to KyotoKyoto
is a city in the central part of the island of Honshū, Japan. It has a population close to 1.5 million. Formerly the imperial capital of Japan, it is now the capital of Kyoto Prefecture, as well as a major part of the Osaka-Kobe-Kyoto metropolitan area.-History:...
at the end of the Heian period
Heian period
The is the last division of classical Japanese history, running from 794 to 1185. The period is named after the capital city of Heian-kyō, or modern Kyōto. It is the period in Japanese history when Buddhism, Taoism and other Chinese influences were at their height...
, where the Minamoto clan
Minamoto clan
was one of the surnames bestowed by the Emperors of Japan upon members of the imperial family who were demoted into the ranks of the nobility. The practice was most prevalent during the Heian Period , although its last occurrence was during the Sengoku Era. The Taira were another such offshoot of...
(Genji), led by Minamoto no Yoritomo (based on the historical Minamoto no Yoritomo
Minamoto no Yoritomo
was the founder and the first shogun of the Kamakura Shogunate of Japan. He ruled from 1192 until 1199.-Early life and exile :Yoritomo was the third son of Minamoto no Yoshitomo, heir of the Minamoto clan, and his official wife, a daughter of Fujiwara no Suenori, who was a member of the...
), is at war with the Taira clan
Taira clan
The was a major Japanese clan of samurai in historical Japan.In reference to Japanese history, along with Minamoto, Taira was a hereditary clan name bestowed by the emperors of the Heian Period to certain ex-members of the imperial family when they became subjects...
(Heike), led by Taira no Kiyomori (based on the historical Taira no Kiyomori
Taira no Kiyomori
was a general of the late Heian period of Japan. He established the first samurai-dominated administrative government in the history of Japan.After the death of his father Taira no Tadamori in 1153, Kiyomori assumed control of the Taira clan and ambitiously entered the political realm in which he...
). The Heike hope to defeat the Genji by releasing vengeful spirits (onryō) to disturb the Earth's natural flow of energies and to terrorize the land. The boy that Nozomi met is revealed to be the human form of Hakuryū, the White Dragon God said to protect Kyō, whose powers have greatly weakened due to the presence of the onryō. Nozomi discovers that she has the power to seal the onryō as , and she allies herself with the Genji in order to seal the onryō, restore Hakuryū's powers, and return home to her own world.
Main characters
-
- SeiyūSeiyuVoice 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...
:
- Seiyū
- The main character. A girl in her second year of high school. Chosen by the god called Hakuryū (White Dragon) to be his priestess, she is brought to a strange world where the Genji and the Heike wage war with one another. In order to return home, she must fight alongside the Genji against the Heike. Having obtained the power to cross time, she is determined to save those friends she loses in battle. She grew up with the Arikawa brothers, and until recently the three of them have virtually always been together. In the anime, she harbours feelings for Masaomi.
-
- Seiyū:
- . Nozomi's childhood friend and classmate, and Yuzuru's older brother. A charismatically bold and reliable young man. He is separated from Nozomi and Yuzuru when they are sent across time and space, and the only contact Nozomi has with him is through her dreams. When they finally meet again, Nozomi discovers that Masaomi arrived in this new world three years before them. Unknown to Nozomi and most of the other (Genji-allied) Hachiyō, he is actually in league with the Heike clan and is better known as the fearsome general Kaeri naifu (還内府). Masaomi and Nozomi have mutual feelings for one another, though they do not show it. Masaomi cares about Nozomi, when he gives her a gift (a musical antique watch) because she likes it, when they were in the human world.
-
- Seiyū:
- . A general of the Genji army. Called "Kurō" (rather than "Yoshitsune"). He initially opposes Nozomi's wish to fight, believing that women should not be exposed to the dangers of the battlefield, but readily accepts her when she can prove herself in battle. He is easily misjudged due to his blunt way of speaking, but in fact he takes very good care of his men and of other people. Kurō is an extremely hard worker, and because he deeply esteems his older brother, Minamoto no YoritomoMinamoto no Yoritomowas the founder and the first shogun of the Kamakura Shogunate of Japan. He ruled from 1192 until 1199.-Early life and exile :Yoritomo was the third son of Minamoto no Yoshitomo, heir of the Minamoto clan, and his official wife, a daughter of Fujiwara no Suenori, who was a member of the...
, he strives wholeheartedly to do everything he can for the Genji clan. He is based on the historical Minamoto no YoshitsuneMinamoto no Yoshitsunewas a general of the Minamoto clan of Japan in the late Heian and early Kamakura period. Yoshitsune was the ninth son of Minamoto no Yoshitomo, and the third and final son and child that Yoshitomo would father with Tokiwa Gozen. Yoshitsune's older brother Minamoto no Yoritomo founded the Kamakura...
.
-
- Seiyū:
- . Mysterious young man who appears without reason during Nozomi's stay in Kumano. Seems to be a part of the Kumano navy. Bright, fearless, and easygoing. Though he is young, no matter what the situation he always has levelheadedness to spare. Hinoe likes to flirt with girls, and upon learning that Nozomi is Miko, he seems to take an interest in her and goes out of his way to see her.
-
- Seiyū:
- . Kurō's confidant and military tactician, well informed in many areas of knowledge. A seemingly calm-mannered young man. Originally a fighting monkSoheiwere Buddhist warrior monks of feudal Japan. At certain points of history they held considerable power, obliging the imperial and military governments to collaborate....
from Mt. Hiei, he left the temple to be an herbalist. He helps the confused protagonist upon her arrival in the strange world. Benkei has sociable manners, but at his essence, cannot help but to tease girls like Nozomi. He is based on the historical Musashibō BenkeiSaito Musashibo Benkei, popularly called Benkei, was a Japanese warrior monk who served Minamoto no Yoshitsune. He is commonly depicted as a man of great strength and loyalty, and a popular subject of Japanese folklore.-Biography:...
.
-
- Seiyū:
- . Nozomi's childhood friend and one year her junior. Younger brother of Masaomi, the Ten no Seiryū. Though only a first-year in high school, he is very mature. He is a perfectly behaved honors student who likes archery. Yuzuru suffers from unrequited love for Nozomi and is unable to tell her his feelings. He worries and fusses a lot, but he has a soft spot for her.
-
- Seiyū:
- . Showy and frivolous, the army magistrate and a military commander of the Genji. Confidant of Kurō's older brother, Minamoto no YoritomoMinamoto no Yoritomowas the founder and the first shogun of the Kamakura Shogunate of Japan. He ruled from 1192 until 1199.-Early life and exile :Yoritomo was the third son of Minamoto no Yoshitomo, heir of the Minamoto clan, and his official wife, a daughter of Fujiwara no Suenori, who was a member of the...
. Although a soldier, Kagetoki also uses a gun-like tool to effect Onmyōji arts. He appears to be showing off, but he is careful and attentive to people's relationships. He is the thoughtful and protective older brother of Kajiwara Saku, the . He is based on the historical Kajiwara KagetokiKajiwara Kagetokiwas a spy for Minamoto no Yoritomo in the Genpei War, and a warrior against the Taira. He came to be known for his greed and treachery.Originally from Suruga province, Kajiwara entered the Genpei War fighting under Oba Kagechika, against the Minamoto. After the Taira victory at Ishibashiyama in...
.
-
- Seiyū:
- . A young nobleman of the enemy Heike clan. Nozomi finds him collapsed from his wounds on the battlefield and takes him in. A young man of few words, he refrains from associating much with other people. Atsumori joins Nozomi for the sake of helping purify and absolve the suffering onryō, but having to fight against his own clan pains him greatly. He is skilled at the flute. He is based on the historical Taira no AtsumoriTaira no Atsumori' was a samurai famous for his early death in single combat. At the Battle of Ichi-no-Tani, Atsumori engaged Kumagai Naozane, an ally of the Minamoto, and was killed. Kumagai had a son the same age as Atsumori...
.
-
- Seiyū:
- . Nozomi and Kurō's sword instructor. Sometimes called a tenguTenguare a class of supernatural creatures found in Japanese folklore, art, theater, and literature. They are one of the best known yōkai and are sometimes worshipped as Shinto kami...
of Mt. Kurama. He gives off a silent, dark, cold impression, but he is in fact very gentle and kind. Because he is a descendant of the Oni Clan -- the same clan that long ago plagued Heian Kyō with crises -- he possesses special powers, such as the ability to teleport. He watches over Nozomi, and guides her in ways that are at times gentle and at others, harsh. Nozomi and Kurō call him "SenseiSensei' is a Japanese word that basically means "person born before another." In general usage, it means "master" or "teacher," and the word is used as a title to refer to or address teachers, professors, professionals such as lawyers, CPA and doctors, politicians, clergymen, and other figures of authority...
", and Saku and the other Hachiyou affectionately call him "Rid-sensei". Ridvan's character is loosely based on the tenguTenguare a class of supernatural creatures found in Japanese folklore, art, theater, and literature. They are one of the best known yōkai and are sometimes worshipped as Shinto kami...
that folktales say taught Minamoto no YoshitsuneMinamoto no Yoshitsunewas a general of the Minamoto clan of Japan in the late Heian and early Kamakura period. Yoshitsune was the ninth son of Minamoto no Yoshitomo, and the third and final son and child that Yoshitomo would father with Tokiwa Gozen. Yoshitsune's older brother Minamoto no Yoritomo founded the Kamakura...
his swordsmanship.
-
- Seiyū:
- Younger sister of Kagetoki and only a year older than Nozomi, yet very mature. She is the . She is romantically involved with Kokuryū until the day he mysteriously disappears. She is very fond of Nozomi, whom she calls her 'twin'. She is an excellent dancer and later imparts her knowledge in that area to Nozomi, giving her a fan to practice her performance.
-
- Seiyū: (adult form), (child form)
- The Ryūjin who summoned Nozomi and the Arikawa brothers through time and space to a foreign world. Having lost all his powers, he first appeared in the form of a child when Nozomi met him. He deeply trusts Nozomi and is saddened by his powerlessness. Gradually as he gains more power, he takes the form of an adult (surprising Nozomi and the others) but he still retains his child-like innocence.
Genji Clan
-
- Seiyū:
- Leader of the Genji clan, older brother of Minamoto no Kurou Yoshitsune, the Chi no Seiryuu, and master of Kajiwara Kagetoki, the Chi no Byakko. He holds the title Kamakura-dono. He is a cool-headed and severe man who wields great political and military power. He is based on the historical Minamoto no YoritomoMinamoto no Yoritomowas the founder and the first shogun of the Kamakura Shogunate of Japan. He ruled from 1192 until 1199.-Early life and exile :Yoritomo was the third son of Minamoto no Yoshitomo, heir of the Minamoto clan, and his official wife, a daughter of Fujiwara no Suenori, who was a member of the...
.
-
- Seiyū:
- Wife of Minamoto no Yoritomo. She deeply adores Yoritomo and as his proxy does everything in her power to support him. While she appears gentle and kind, always speaking sweetly and respectfully, she actually hides a more sinister power. She is based on the historical Hojo MasakoHojo Masakowas the eldest child of Hōjō Tokimasa by his wife Hōjō no Maki, the first shikken, or regent, of the Kamakura shogunate. She was the sister of Hōjō Yoshitoki, and was married to Minamoto no Yoritomo, the first shogun of the Kamakura period...
.
Heike Clan
-
- Seiyū:
- A commander of the Heike clan who exhibits little concern towards conventional moral guidelines. While educated and cultured, he loves the exhilaration of battle and is fiercely attracted to Nozomi's swordsmanship skills and determination. He is the son of Taira no Kiyomori. He is based on the historical Taira no TomomoriTaira no Tomomori' was the son of Taira no Kiyomori, and one of the Taira Clan's chief commanders in the Genpei War at the end of the Heian period of Japanese history....
.
-
- Seiyū: Eiji Hanawa
- A commander of the Heike clan and the beloved older brother of Taira no Atsumori, the Ten no Genbu. Tsunemasa carries an air of nobility and believes in avoiding fighting when possible. He is gentle and refined and is a gifted biwaBiwaThe is a Japanese short-necked fretted lute, often used in narrative storytelling. The biwa is the chosen instrument of Benten, goddess of music, eloquence, poetry, and education in Japanese Shinto....
player. A man with a soft external appearance, he is also a close aide of Kaerinaifu. He is based on the historical Taira no Tsunemasa.
-
- Seiyū:
- Also a Heike commander. He has a pretty face and carries himself elegantly, unlike the wild Tomomori. He believes that destruction and chaos are beautiful, and has no hesitation in using cruelty in his methods. He is based on the historical Taira no KoremoriTaira no Koremori' was one of the Taira clan's commanders in the Genpei War of the late Heian period of Japanese history.He was the eldest son of Taira no Shigemori, who was the eldest son and heir of Taira no Kiyomori....
.
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- Seiyū:
- Leader of the Heike clan and father of Taira no Tomomori. He had died as an old man but was revived as an onryou in the form of a boy. He took in a lost and starving 17-year-old Masaomi because he resembled his late beloved son, Taira no Shigemori. He is based on the historical Taira no KiyomoriTaira no Kiyomoriwas a general of the late Heian period of Japan. He established the first samurai-dominated administrative government in the history of Japan.After the death of his father Taira no Tadamori in 1153, Kiyomori assumed control of the Taira clan and ambitiously entered the political realm in which he...
.
Others
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- Seiyū:
- A character that first appeared in the Izayoiki fan discFan discA 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...
. An elegant and refined young man with no memories of his past, Shirogane is the loyal retainer of Fujiwara no YasuhiraFujiwara no Yasuhirawas the fourth ruler of Northern Fujiwara in Mutsu Province, Japan, the second son of Hidehira. Against his father's will, he first hid Yoshitsune in escape but later killed him, fearing the possibility of Yoritomo's intervention...
and serves Nozomi thoughtfully and faithfully according to his orders. A mysterious warrior with a striking physical resemblance to Taira no Tomomori. He is eventually discovered to be Taira no Shigehira, Tomomori's younger brother and son of Taira no Kiyomori. He is based on the historical Taira no ShigehiraTaira no Shigehira' was one of the sons of Taira no Kiyomori, and one of the Taira Clan's chief commanders during the Heian period of the 12th century of Japan...
.
-
- Seiyū:
- Also a character that first appeared in the Izayoiki fan discFan discA 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...
. Shirogane's master, the eldest son of the leader of Hiraizumi, Fujiwara no HidehiraFujiwara no Hidehirawas the third ruler of Northern Fujiwara in Mutsu Province, Japan, the grandson of Fujiwara no Kiyohira. During the Genpei War, he controlled his territory independently of the central government; however, he was the official imperial governor for Mutsu Province as of 1181. He offered shelter to...
, and an old acquaintance of Kurou, who had lived in Hiraizumi under Hidehira's care as a youth. Discerning, rational, and clever, Yasuhira treats Nozomi, the Hakuryū no Miko, with courtesy, but there are times when a cruel smile surfaces... He manages Hiraizumi's military forces and has a deep knowledge of sorcery and onmyōji arts. He is based on the historical Fujiwara no YasuhiraFujiwara no Yasuhirawas the fourth ruler of Northern Fujiwara in Mutsu Province, Japan, the second son of Hidehira. Against his father's will, he first hid Yoshitsune in escape but later killed him, fearing the possibility of Yoritomo's intervention...
.