Orange Pocket
Encyclopedia
is an adult
Japanese visual novel
developed by Hooksoft which was released on June 13, 2003 playable on the PC
as a CD
. Subsequent enhanced ports to the Dreamcast as Orange Pocket: Cornet and to the PlayStation 2
as Orange Pocket: Root were released. Both ports feature their own exclusive characters and new scenarios not in the original PC release. Limited editions of these versions were also released which contained a drama CD and a booklet with sketches and artwork of the girls in the game. The gameplay
in Orange Pocket follows a plot line which offers pre-determined scenarios with courses of interaction, and focuses on the appeal of the female main characters. The story revolves around Hideaki Eda, who is enjoying a life in the country somewhere in Japan. His childhood friend moves from the city he used to live in to where he lives now and starts attending his school. She adapts to a rural life quickly and soon things start to become noisier as Hideaki begins to hang out with more girls from his school.
Other versions of the game followed, which were playable as a DVD TV game
, and on FOMA
mobile phone
s. The PC version has been updated several times, ending with version 1.10 on September 29, 2006. Three light novel
s based on Orange Pocket were released between October 2003 and April 2004 written by Jōji Kamio
.
between the various characters, or the inner thoughts of the protagonist. Every so often, the player will come to a "decision point" where he or she is given the chance to choose from options that are displayed on the screen, typically two to three at a time. During these times, gameplay pauses until a choice is made that furthers the plot in a specific direction, depending on which choice the player makes.
There are ten main plot lines that the player will have the chance to experience, one for each of the heroines in the story. Eight heroines are from the original game, and the last two come from the console versions, though both versions only get one of those two heroines; therefore, there are nine heroines in the Dreamcast and PlayStation 2 versions. In order to view the plot lines to their entirety, the player will have to replay the game multiple times and choose different choices during the decision points in order to further the plot in an alternate direction.
PC for 8,800 yen
(~$US
76.63) without tax. Two consumor console versions for the Dreamcast and PlayStation 2 with adult
content removed were developed by Pionesoft
and released on April 28, 2004 in limited and regular edition versions. The DC version was called Orange Pocket: Cornet, and the PS2 version was called Orange Pocket: Root. The limited edition versions for Cornet and Root came bundled with an original drama CD and an artbook
corresponding to either version, and retailed for 7,800 yen (~US$67.56) without tax; the regular editions retailed for 6,800 yen (~$US58.90). A version playable as a DVD TV game
entitled Orange Pocket DVDPG was released on July 14, 2005 and retailed for 5,800 yen (~US$50.24) before tax. A portable version, playable on FOMA
cellular phones
, was produced by NTT DoCoMo
on August 4, 2006, selling for 840 yen (~US$7.29). Various patches
were released as free downloads to update the original game ranging between version 1.02 to version 1.07. The latest version, 1.10, was released on September 29, 2006 retailing for 5,800 yen before tax.
s based on the game written by Japanese
author Jōji Kamio
and illustrated by Hirokō Buda, published by Softgarage. The novels contain adult
material not suitable for children. The first novel covers Eru, the second covers Nazuna, and the third is a general novel entitled Omnibus. The first novel was released on October 20, 2003, followed by the second on January 15, 2004, and finally the third on April 15, 2004.
on October 22, 2003 and contained twenty-nine tracks. Another album called Orange Pocket Arrange & Drama was released on January 21, 2004 as a two-disc set: disc one contained eighteen arrange
versions of background music
from the game's original soundtrack, and disk two contained seven drama tracks.
Eroge
An or Ero-ga is a Japanese video or computer game that features erotic content, usually in the form of anime-style artwork. Eroge originated from galge, but unlike galge, they feature erotic/pornographic content.-History:...
Japanese visual novel
Visual novel
A is an interactive fiction game featuring mostly static graphics, usually with anime-style art, or occasionally live-action stills or video footage...
developed by Hooksoft which was released on June 13, 2003 playable on the PC
Personal computer
A personal computer is any general-purpose computer whose size, capabilities, and original sales price make it useful for individuals, and which is intended to be operated directly by an end-user with no intervening computer operator...
as a CD
CD-ROM
A CD-ROM is a pre-pressed compact disc that contains data accessible to, but not writable by, a computer for data storage and music playback. The 1985 “Yellow Book” standard developed by Sony and Philips adapted the format to hold any form of binary data....
. Subsequent enhanced ports to the Dreamcast as Orange Pocket: Cornet and to the PlayStation 2
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...
as Orange Pocket: Root were released. Both ports feature their own exclusive characters and new scenarios not in the original PC release. Limited editions of these versions were also released which contained a drama CD and a booklet with sketches and artwork of the girls in the game. The gameplay
Gameplay
Gameplay is the specific way in which players interact with a game, and in particular with video games. Gameplay is the pattern defined through the game rules, connection between player and the game, challenges and overcoming them, plot and player's connection with it...
in Orange Pocket follows a plot line which offers pre-determined scenarios with courses of interaction, and focuses on the appeal of the female main characters. The story revolves around Hideaki Eda, who is enjoying a life in the country somewhere in Japan. His childhood friend moves from the city he used to live in to where he lives now and starts attending his school. She adapts to a rural life quickly and soon things start to become noisier as Hideaki begins to hang out with more girls from his school.
Other versions of the game followed, which were playable as a DVD TV game
DVD TV game
A DVD TV game is a standalone game that can be played on a set-top DVD player. The game takes advantage of technology built into the DVD format to create an interactive gaming environment compatible with most DVD players without requiring additional hardware...
, and on FOMA
Freedom of Mobile Multimedia Access
Freedom of Mobile Multimedia Access is the brand name of the W-CDMA-based 3G telecommunications services being offered by the Japanese telecommunications service provider NTT DoCoMo...
mobile phone
Mobile phone
A mobile phone is a device which can make and receive telephone calls over a radio link whilst moving around a wide geographic area. It does so by connecting to a cellular network provided by a mobile network operator...
s. The PC version has been updated several times, ending with version 1.10 on September 29, 2006. Three light novel
Light novel
A is a style of Japanese novel primarily targeting junior high and high school students . The term "light novel" is a wasei-eigo, or a Japanese term formed from words in the English language. Light novels are often called or for short...
s based on Orange Pocket were released between October 2003 and April 2004 written by Jōji Kamio
Joji Kamio
is a male Japanese author who has written many erotic novels based from adult Japanese visual novels. He has been writing such novels since 2001. He has notably written novels for the past four visual novels by Hooksoft: Orange Pocket, Like Life, _Summer, and...
.
Gameplay
The gameplay requires little interaction from the player as most of the duration of the game is spent on simply reading the text that will appear on the screen; this text represents either dialogueDialogue
Dialogue is a literary and theatrical form consisting of a written or spoken conversational exchange between two or more people....
between the various characters, or the inner thoughts of the protagonist. Every so often, the player will come to a "decision point" where he or she is given the chance to choose from options that are displayed on the screen, typically two to three at a time. During these times, gameplay pauses until a choice is made that furthers the plot in a specific direction, depending on which choice the player makes.
Release history
Orange Pocket was first introduced in Japan on June 13, 2003 as a CD-ROM playable on a Microsoft WindowsMicrosoft Windows
Microsoft Windows is a series of operating systems produced by Microsoft.Microsoft introduced an operating environment named Windows on November 20, 1985 as an add-on to MS-DOS in response to the growing interest in graphical user interfaces . Microsoft Windows came to dominate the world's personal...
PC for 8,800 yen
Japanese yen
The is the official currency of Japan. It is the third most traded currency in the foreign exchange market after the United States dollar and the euro. It is also widely used as a reserve currency after the U.S. dollar, the euro and the pound sterling...
(~$US
United States dollar
The United States dollar , also referred to as the American dollar, is the official currency of the United States of America. It is divided into 100 smaller units called cents or pennies....
76.63) without tax. Two consumor console versions for the Dreamcast and PlayStation 2 with adult
Hentai
is a Japanese word that, in the West, is used when referring to sexually explicit or pornographic comics and animation, particularly those of Japanese origin such as anime, manga, and computer games. The word hentai is a kanji compound of 変 and 態...
content removed were developed by Pionesoft
Pionesoft
Pionesoft is a Japanese video game developer mainly associated with dating simulations.-Games:*Angel Wish: Kimi no Egao ni Chu! *After... ~Wasureemu Kizuna~ *Orange Pocket: Cornet...
and released on April 28, 2004 in limited and regular edition versions. The DC version was called Orange Pocket: Cornet, and the PS2 version was called Orange Pocket: Root. The limited edition versions for Cornet and Root came bundled with an original drama CD and an artbook
Artbook
An art book may mean a conventional book on art or art history, or an artist's book, which is a work of art in the form of a book, usually produced in a small limited edition, often not just using normal printing techniques. The term might also cover graphic novels, books of anime and other types...
corresponding to either version, and retailed for 7,800 yen (~US$67.56) without tax; the regular editions retailed for 6,800 yen (~$US58.90). A version playable as a DVD TV game
DVD TV game
A DVD TV game is a standalone game that can be played on a set-top DVD player. The game takes advantage of technology built into the DVD format to create an interactive gaming environment compatible with most DVD players without requiring additional hardware...
entitled Orange Pocket DVDPG was released on July 14, 2005 and retailed for 5,800 yen (~US$50.24) before tax. A portable version, playable on FOMA
Freedom of Mobile Multimedia Access
Freedom of Mobile Multimedia Access is the brand name of the W-CDMA-based 3G telecommunications services being offered by the Japanese telecommunications service provider NTT DoCoMo...
cellular phones
Mobile phone
A mobile phone is a device which can make and receive telephone calls over a radio link whilst moving around a wide geographic area. It does so by connecting to a cellular network provided by a mobile network operator...
, was produced by NTT DoCoMo
NTT DoCoMo
is the predominant mobile phone operator in Japan. The name is officially an abbreviation of the phrase, "do communications over the mobile network", and is also from a compound word dokomo, meaning "everywhere" in Japanese. Docomo provides phone, video phone , i-mode , and mail services...
on August 4, 2006, selling for 840 yen (~US$7.29). Various patches
Patch (computing)
A patch is a piece of software designed to fix problems with, or update a computer program or its supporting data. This includes fixing security vulnerabilities and other bugs, and improving the usability or performance...
were released as free downloads to update the original game ranging between version 1.02 to version 1.07. The latest version, 1.10, was released on September 29, 2006 retailing for 5,800 yen before tax.
Story
Orange Pockets story takes place in a rural area in Japan near a large mountain and river. The protagonist, Hideaki Eda, is attending and is experiencing an enjoyable life. One day, Hideaki's childhood friend Nazuna Ayase returns from the city and starts attending his school. She adapts to a rural life quickly and soon things start to become noisier as Hideaki begins to hang out with more girls from his school.Main characters
- Hideaki is the protagonist of the story, and is the person the player assumes. As a child, he lived in the city, which is where he met Nazuna Ayase. His parents were transferred due to their jobs, and he had to leave the city for a rural area. Soon after moving, he becomes close friends with Kazan, Madoka, Eru, and Sakino. After moving, Hideaki became very carefree due to his new friends and the laid-back nature of the town.
- Voiced by: Minami HokutoHitomi (voice actress), is a Japanese voice actress from Osaka, Japan. She also has also done voice work, especially in eroge, under the name . As of July 2009, she has been in over 400 works...
- Nazuna is a childhood friend of Hideaki and at the beginning of the story transfers schools and comes to attend the same school as him. Her appearance, since she grew up in the city, gives her a contrast to those who grew up in the rural area where the story takes place, but she is very sociable and cheerful. After meeting Hideaki's circle of friends for the first time, she easily is able to blend in with them and gets along smoothly. She has excellent reflexes and always gets above-average grades in school.
- Minori is in a grade below Hideaki, and is a close friend to Eru Kurosaki. She is very gentle and quiet, liking to do things at her own pace. She has the special skill to go to sleep anywhere, so she always carries around her favorite pillow. She often rests after school in the school library. Despite her small build, she has the largest breasts of any of the heroines in the game.
- Madoka is Hideaki's friend, and is one of his classmates. She has a bright, active personality, and is able to set the mood wherever she goes. She is an only child and is very well known around the area where she lives. She has good reflexes, but does not do very well in academic studies. While Madoka appears at ease on the outside, internally she has various insecurities and is unhappy. She is childhood friends with Sakino, and is very close with her.
- Eru is in a grade below Hideaki, and acts like his younger sister. Whenever his parents are not home, Eru, who lives in the same neighborhood, comes over to perform domestic chores like cooking and cleaning. She has an obedient and generally quiet personality, but likes to joke with her friends. She is close friends with Minori Nanao, who is the same age as her.
- Sakino is Hideaki's friend, and another ones of his classmates. She is childhood friends with Madoka, and is very close with her. She has a serious personality, wears glassesMeganekkois a Japanese word which translates to "glasses girl"....
, and constantly tries to get Madoka to settle down and do her work. Sakino dislikes physical exercise, unlike Madoka. She sometimes is a shy person, but is able to become more sociable, though still generally dislikes speaking to others. This gives her a gloomy appearance, but she is just constantly thinking about things.
- Kiriko is one of Hideaki's classmates, though she does not appear in the beginning of the story. This is due to her liking to be alone and thus gives her a cool type of personality. She does have some friends at school, but she is basically alone most of the time. Kiriko enjoys photography, and often carries around her camera. Her grandfather owns a watch store which she lives above and works at as a part timePart timeA part-time job is a form of employment that carries fewer hours per week than a full-time job. Workers are considered to be part time if they commonly work fewer than 30 or 35 hours per week...
job.
- Haya is an upperclassmanSenpaiand are an essential element of Japanese seniority-based status relationships, similar to the way that family and other relationships are decided based on age, with even twins being divided into elder and younger sibling...
at Hideaki's school. She has a short build which is in contrast to her otherwise strong personality, though she has been known to act timidly at times. She is actually very lonely, and she acts childishly. Haya is a typical tsundereTsundereis a Japanese character development process that describes a person who is initially cold and even hostile towards another person before gradually showing their warm side over time. The word is derived from the terms , meaning to turn away in disgust, and meaning to become 'lovey dovey'...
character.
- Yūki is a younger girl living next door to Hideaki. She often refers to Hideaki as .
- Arika is another upperclassmanSenpaiand are an essential element of Japanese seniority-based status relationships, similar to the way that family and other relationships are decided based on age, with even twins being divided into elder and younger sibling...
at Hideaki's school. She is a close friend of Haya's, and is a serious, level-headed type of person. Arika looks after both Haya and Hideaki as an older-sister would. She hides the fact that she plays the guitar, likes to sing songs as she plays, and wants to become a professional musician. She was a minor character in the original game, but was given a scenario in the PlayStation 2 version.
- Korune is in a grade below Hideaki. Her parents own a bakery in town. She generally has a cheerful personality, though when around men she will act like she is in a hurry and will attempt to run away quickly. She only makes an appearance in the Dreamcast version of the game.
Supporting characters
- Kazan is Hideaki's best male friend. He comes from an old family, and is an only child. He has an honest and diligent personality and will always show courtesy to others. He had respect for his grandfather while he was still alive; he was a martial arts master. His grandfather had taught him this skill, which gave him a roughneck label at one point. After Hideaki initially moved, Kazan and him were at odds with each other, but gradually they became good friends. Hiiragi Tachibana is his fiancéEngagementAn engagement or betrothal is a promise to marry, and also the period of time between proposal and marriage which may be lengthy or trivial. During this period, a couple is said to be betrothed, affianced, engaged to be married, or simply engaged...
, and he loves her dearly.
- Hiiragi is one of Hideaki's friends, and is Kazan's future wife-to-be. Like Kazan, she too comes from an old family and has adopted an older way of thinking about the world. She takes great pride that she is Kazan's fiancé, and does not hesitate to profess this fact. She is generally gentle and quiet, but she too has learned the same martial arts style as Kazan, and it is hinted at that she is better than he is at the art.
- Tomika is a young teacher at the school Hideaki attends, and is his homeroom teacher. She has a bright personality and will always help her students with problems. She is popular with the students, who will often refer to her as "Tomika-chan" as a term of endearmentTerm of endearmentA term of endearment is a word or phrase used to address and/or describe a person, animal or inanimate object for which the speaker feels love or affection...
.
- Shōzan was Kazan's late grandfather. He was the head of Kazan's family, and was a martial arts master, along with being intellectual. He had a great influence on Kazan's character as he grew up. In his last years of life, he wrote a novel under the pen namePen nameA pen name, nom de plume, or literary double, is a pseudonym adopted by an author. A pen name may be used to make the author's name more distinctive, to disguise his or her gender, to distance an author from some or all of his or her works, to protect the author from retribution for his or her...
.
Light novels
There have been three character light novelLight novel
A is a style of Japanese novel primarily targeting junior high and high school students . The term "light novel" is a wasei-eigo, or a Japanese term formed from words in the English language. Light novels are often called or for short...
s based on the game written by Japanese
Japanese people
The are an ethnic group originating in the Japanese archipelago and are the predominant ethnic group of Japan. Worldwide, approximately 130 million people are of Japanese descent; of these, approximately 127 million are residents of Japan. People of Japanese ancestry who live in other countries...
author Jōji Kamio
Joji Kamio
is a male Japanese author who has written many erotic novels based from adult Japanese visual novels. He has been writing such novels since 2001. He has notably written novels for the past four visual novels by Hooksoft: Orange Pocket, Like Life, _Summer, and...
and illustrated by Hirokō Buda, published by Softgarage. The novels contain adult
Hentai
is a Japanese word that, in the West, is used when referring to sexually explicit or pornographic comics and animation, particularly those of Japanese origin such as anime, manga, and computer games. The word hentai is a kanji compound of 変 and 態...
material not suitable for children. The first novel covers Eru, the second covers Nazuna, and the third is a general novel entitled Omnibus. The first novel was released on October 20, 2003, followed by the second on January 15, 2004, and finally the third on April 15, 2004.
Music and audio CDs
Orange Pockets opening theme is "OrangePocket", and the ending theme is , both by Maki Yuzuki. The game's original soundtrack, entitled Sound Pocket, was released by LantisLantis (company)
is a Japanese company that specializes as a music publisher label for Japanese musicians, anime soundtracks and video game soundtracks. It was established on November 26, 1999, and in May 2006, it was bought by, and became a subsidiary of, Bandai Visual...
on October 22, 2003 and contained twenty-nine tracks. Another album called Orange Pocket Arrange & Drama was released on January 21, 2004 as a two-disc set: disc one contained eighteen arrange
Arrangement
The American Federation of Musicians defines arranging as "the art of preparing and adapting an already written composition for presentation in other than its original form. An arrangement may include reharmonization, paraphrasing, and/or development of a composition, so that it fully represents...
versions of background music
Background music
Although background music was by the end of the 20th century generally identified with Muzak or elevator music, there are several stages in the development of this concept.-Antecedents:...
from the game's original soundtrack, and disk two contained seven drama tracks.