RapeLay
Encyclopedia
is a 3D
eroge
video game made by Illusion
, released on April 21, 2006 in Japan. Compared to Illusion's previous games, the main story is shorter, it features an improved 3D engine, and is mainly played through mouse control. The game centers on a male character who stalks and rapes a mother and her two daughters. Three years after its initial release, the game garnered international attention and controversy for its content.
and subsequently rape
s the Kiryuu family (a mother and her two daughters).
The player can choose from a variety of sexual positions, and controls the action by making movements with the mouse or by scrolling the mouse wheel. It features a realistic sexual simulator which allows the player to grope and undress the characters on a crowded train. Later, the player may have forced intercourse with all three women at his leisure. The player has a variety of sexual positions to choose from such as woman on top
, forced fellatio
(irrumatio
), and threesomes. RapeLay also has a "nakadashi" (internal ejaculation
) counter, which carries a danger of pregnancy
.
After completing the storyline and "breaking" the girls, there are six modes of gameplay.
The story begins with Kimura being arrested for groping
Aoi on a subway train
. His father is an important politician, and manages to get his son released from jail. The next day, Kimura waits outside the Kiryuu family house and listens to their conversation. He follows Manaka, the youngest, to the subway and gropes her on the train. After getting off the train, he traps her in a public bathroom and rapes her, taking pictures of her semen-covered naked body with his cell phone. Kimura instructs Manaka to feign sickness the next day, and stay in her room.
The next day he follows Yuuko, the mother, from her house to the train station where he fondles her on the train. Kimura follows her to the city park, when Manaka calls Yuuko on her cell phone. As per his plan, Manaka tells her that she is in the bushes at the park, and when Yuuko walks towards the bushes, Kimura ambushes her and ties her up. He then rapes her in the park, and takes pictures of her semen-covered naked body before handing her over to his gang of helpers on the side, who detain her for him.
The third day he follows Aoi, the oldest daughter, to the train station and shows her the photo of her tied up mother. Shocked, she can only follow his orders as he gropes her on the train. After getting off the train, she asks Kimura why he is doing this, at which point she remembers he is the chikan who was arrested for molesting her. Getting on a vehicle, he and his helpers take Aoi to a hotel which his family owns, and rapes her, again taking photos.
After having his way with Aoi, Yuuko and Manaka are taken into the room via a secret door. With all 3 captured, he reveals his plans to make them his sex slaves. Of course, Yuuko tries to cover for her daughters, but breaks down in the end, Manaka breaks next, and finally Aoi as well.
In the "Red ending" just before breaking Aoi, the character under cowgirl position will shift onto a scene, where Aoi would take a knife and stab the character many times. The scene will shift into black, where a voiceover of Aoi can be heard.
and Honest Gamers express horror at the basis for the game. Critics of violent game imagery, such as British Member of Parliament Keith Vaz
, have cited games involving rape as an example of why video game content needs to be more strictly regulated.
Citing RapeLay as an example, U.S. Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito
, in his concurring opinion vis-à-vis the case Brown v. Entertainment Merchants Association wrote, "It...appears that there is no antisocial theme too base for some in the video-game industry to exploit."
RapeLay in particular had come into Vaz's attention as being one of the rape games purchasable on Amazon.com
, and he vowed to bring the issue into the British Parliament to prevent the game from being sold. Amazon subsequently removed the game from its website. Equality Now
followed up on the game, urging activists to write to Illusion and Japanese Prime Minister Taro Aso
in protest, arguing the game breaches Japan's obligations under the 1985 Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women
. These actions have culminated in the restriction of the sale and production of RapeLay by the Ethics Organization of Computer Software (EOCS), an independent Japanese ratings organization for adult games, making the purchase of the game impossible.
The distribution of RapeLay has been banned in Australia due to a campaign run by Women's Forum Australia, under the Directorship of Melinda Tankard Reist
. Minister for Broadband Stephen Conroy
(also behind the Australian Labor Party
's internet filter
plans) wanted Google Australia to censor search results for downloads of the game, but this did not eventuate.
Articles in defence have also been written, many noting that rape is a lesser crime compared to murder, yet there are thousands of legal video games in which the goal is to kill enemies. Illusion's response to the controversy was one of bewilderment and a reiteration that the game passed Japanese laws and it is not sold outside Japan. Illusion later removed references to the game from their website and ceased distribution of the game, citing concerns over the impact on the industry
.
3D computer graphics
3D computer graphics are graphics that use a three-dimensional representation of geometric data that is stored in the computer for the purposes of performing calculations and rendering 2D images...
eroge
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:...
video game made by Illusion
Illusion Soft
is a company from Yokohama, Japan famous for developing 3D eroge such as the Biko series, Battle Raper, Des Blood series, Artificial Girl and Sexy Beach....
, released on April 21, 2006 in Japan. Compared to Illusion's previous games, the main story is shorter, it features an improved 3D engine, and is mainly played through mouse control. The game centers on a male character who stalks and rapes a mother and her two daughters. Three years after its initial release, the game garnered international attention and controversy for its content.
Gameplay
RapeLay is played from the perspective of a chikan named Kimura Masaya, who stalksStalking
Stalking is a term commonly used to refer to unwanted and obsessive attention by an individual or group to another person. Stalking behaviors are related to harassment and intimidation and may include following the victim in person and/or monitoring them via the internet...
and subsequently rape
Rape
Rape is a type of sexual assault usually involving sexual intercourse, which is initiated by one or more persons against another person without that person's consent. The act may be carried out by physical force, coercion, abuse of authority or with a person who is incapable of valid consent. The...
s the Kiryuu family (a mother and her two daughters).
The player can choose from a variety of sexual positions, and controls the action by making movements with the mouse or by scrolling the mouse wheel. It features a realistic sexual simulator which allows the player to grope and undress the characters on a crowded train. Later, the player may have forced intercourse with all three women at his leisure. The player has a variety of sexual positions to choose from such as woman on top
Woman on Top
Woman on Top is a 2000 fantasy romantic comedy film directed by Fina Torres. It is set in Salvador, Brazil and San Francisco, United States. The film stars Penélope Cruz, Murilo Benício, Harold Perrineau Jr. and Mark Feuerstein. It was screened in the Un Certain Regard section at the 2000 Cannes...
, forced fellatio
Fellatio
Fellatio is an act of oral stimulation of a male's penis by a sexual partner. It involves the stimulation of the penis by the use of the mouth, tongue, or throat. The person who performs fellatio can be referred to as the giving partner, and the other person is the receiving partner...
(irrumatio
Irrumatio
Irrumatio, also called irrumation, is a type of sexual intercourse performed by actively thrusting one's penis into a partner's mouth and throat. It may also be the thrusting of the penis between the legs, breasts, feet, upper thighs , or between the abdomens of two partners."Latin erotic...
), and threesomes. RapeLay also has a "nakadashi" (internal ejaculation
Creampie (sexual act)
Creampie, also known as internal ejaculation, internal cum shot and, in gay contexts, as breeding, is a term used in pornography to describe when a male ejaculates inside his partner's anus or vagina. The term also refers to the visible seeping or dripping of semen from the vagina...
) counter, which carries a danger of pregnancy
Pregnancy
Pregnancy refers to the fertilization and development of one or more offspring, known as a fetus or embryo, in a woman's uterus. In a pregnancy, there can be multiple gestations, as in the case of twins or triplets...
.
After completing the storyline and "breaking" the girls, there are six modes of gameplay.
- Nozoki mode, where the player watches the girl wait in the subway station, and upon saying a prayer, can blow their skirts up with the wind, exposing their underwear. After certain achievements have been made, the player has the option of removing the girl's clothing as well as inserting vibrators, but no touching is involved.
- Chikan mode is similar to Nozoki mode, except the player goes into the train with the girl and fondles them with the ability to remove their clothing.
- Two player or "2P" mode, in this option, the player can have sex with any one of the three girls. The main character is in danger of being killed under certain circumstances, but there are no level restrictions. There is also an option of different sex positions including oral sex.
- Five player or "5P" mode, where the player is restricted to one sex position, with three other males raping one girl during group sex. The level restrictions for this mode include locations with small space.
- Shippo, also known as "3P" or "4P" mode. In this mode, the main character is able to have sex with two or three of the girls at once.
- Neko-Kappa mode is not playable, and can be only viewed in the Botuplay Extra CD. But the original idea is that Neko-Kappa mode allows the player to have one or two girls tied up in bondageBondage (BDSM)Bondage is the use of restraints for the sexual pleasure of the parties involved. It may be used in its own right, as in the case of rope bondage and breast bondage, or as part of sexual activity or BDSM activity.- Private bondage :...
.
Characters
- Masaya is a chikan who stalks and subsequently rapeRapeRape is a type of sexual assault usually involving sexual intercourse, which is initiated by one or more persons against another person without that person's consent. The act may be carried out by physical force, coercion, abuse of authority or with a person who is incapable of valid consent. The...
s the Kiryū family.
- Manaka is Aoi's younger sister; a girl with short black hair who wears a blue dress. The player can make her wear cat earsCatgirlA catgirl is a female character with cat traits, such as cat ears, a cat tail, or other feline characteristics on an otherwise human body. Catgirls are found in various fiction genres, and in particular Japanese anime and manga where they are more commonly referred to as Neko or Nekomimi , in...
so she can meow and/or produce cat noises. - 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...
: Natsumi YanaseNatsumi Yanaseis a Japanese voice actress from Tokyo, Japan. She also goes by the name when voicing adult games.-Anime:*D.C. II: Da Capo II *Debutante Detective Corps *Ef: A Tale of Memories....
- Aoi is Manaka's older sister; a brunette girl with long hair who wears a school girl uniform. The player may choose to have her hair in a ponytail or down and free-flowing.
- Seiyū: Mao Enokizu
- Yuuko is Manaka's and Aoi's mother; a brown-haired woman with short hair who wears a green shirt. Yuuko also has the largest breasts, and optionally can wear glasses to make her produce virgin/nerd sound effects.
- Seiyū: Unknown, credited only as "Kaori"
Story
In story mode, the player rapes the three girls in the order of Manaka, Yuuko, and Aoi. The player starts off in the train station. Upon entering the train, the main character commits chikan on the female the main character is currently in the train with. After the main character finishes raping all three girls, the players has the option of free play scenes.The story begins with Kimura being arrested for groping
Frotteurism
Frotteurism refers to a paraphilic interest in rubbing, usually one's pelvis or erect penis, against a non-consenting person for sexual gratification. It may involve touching any part of the body including the genital area. A person who practices frotteurism is known as a frotteur...
Aoi on a subway train
Rapid transit
A rapid transit, underground, subway, elevated railway, metro or metropolitan railway system is an electric passenger railway in an urban area with a high capacity and frequency, and grade separation from other traffic. Rapid transit systems are typically located either in underground tunnels or on...
. His father is an important politician, and manages to get his son released from jail. The next day, Kimura waits outside the Kiryuu family house and listens to their conversation. He follows Manaka, the youngest, to the subway and gropes her on the train. After getting off the train, he traps her in a public bathroom and rapes her, taking pictures of her semen-covered naked body with his cell phone. Kimura instructs Manaka to feign sickness the next day, and stay in her room.
The third day he follows Aoi, the oldest daughter, to the train station and shows her the photo of her tied up mother. Shocked, she can only follow his orders as he gropes her on the train. After getting off the train, she asks Kimura why he is doing this, at which point she remembers he is the chikan who was arrested for molesting her. Getting on a vehicle, he and his helpers take Aoi to a hotel which his family owns, and rapes her, again taking photos.
After having his way with Aoi, Yuuko and Manaka are taken into the room via a secret door. With all 3 captured, he reveals his plans to make them his sex slaves. Of course, Yuuko tries to cover for her daughters, but breaks down in the end, Manaka breaks next, and finally Aoi as well.
Endings
Despite being an open-ended game, there are two possible negative outcomes to the game. In the "Black ending" the main character impregnates one of the girls and decides to keep the child. The result is having the main character fall onto the train tracks after a certain number of days afterwards.In the "Red ending" just before breaking Aoi, the character under cowgirl position will shift onto a scene, where Aoi would take a knife and stab the character many times. The scene will shift into black, where a voiceover of Aoi can be heard.
Controversy
Reviews by Something AwfulSomething Awful
Something Awful, often abbreviated to SA, is a comedy website housing a variety of content, including blog entries, forums, feature articles, digitally edited pictures, and humorous media reviews. It was created by Richard "Lowtax" Kyanka in 1999 as a largely personal website, but as it grew, so...
and Honest Gamers express horror at the basis for the game. Critics of violent game imagery, such as British Member of Parliament Keith Vaz
Keith Vaz
Nigel Keith Anthony Standish Vaz, known as Keith Vaz, was born 26 November 1956 in Aden, Yemen.Keith Vaz is a British Labour Party politician and a Member of Parliament for Leicester East, He is the longest serving Asian MP and has been the Chairman of the Home Affairs Select Committee since July...
, have cited games involving rape as an example of why video game content needs to be more strictly regulated.
Citing RapeLay as an example, U.S. Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito
Samuel Alito
Samuel Anthony Alito, Jr. is an Associate Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court. He was nominated by President George W. Bush and has served on the court since January 31, 2006....
, in his concurring opinion vis-à-vis the case Brown v. Entertainment Merchants Association wrote, "It...appears that there is no antisocial theme too base for some in the video-game industry to exploit."
RapeLay in particular had come into Vaz's attention as being one of the rape games purchasable on Amazon.com
Amazon.com
Amazon.com, Inc. is a multinational electronic commerce company headquartered in Seattle, Washington, United States. It is the world's largest online retailer. Amazon has separate websites for the following countries: United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Germany, France, Italy, Spain, Japan, and...
, and he vowed to bring the issue into the British Parliament to prevent the game from being sold. Amazon subsequently removed the game from its website. Equality Now
Equality Now
Equality Now is a non-governmental organization founded in 1992 whose stated purpose is to protect the human rights of women around the world. The group provides an international framework for spreading awareness of issues and providing support to local grassroots groups working to address issues...
followed up on the game, urging activists to write to Illusion and Japanese Prime Minister Taro Aso
Taro Aso
was the 92nd Prime Minister of Japan serving from September 2008 to September 2009, and was defeated in the August 2009 election.He has served in the House of Representatives since 1979. He was Minister for Foreign Affairs from 2005 to 2007, and was Secretary-General of the LDP briefly in 2007 and...
in protest, arguing the game breaches Japan's obligations under the 1985 Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women
Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women
The Convention on the Elimination of all Forms of Discrimination against Women is an international convention adopted in 1979 by the United Nations General Assembly....
. These actions have culminated in the restriction of the sale and production of RapeLay by the Ethics Organization of Computer Software (EOCS), an independent Japanese ratings organization for adult games, making the purchase of the game impossible.
The distribution of RapeLay has been banned in Australia due to a campaign run by Women's Forum Australia, under the Directorship of Melinda Tankard Reist
Melinda Tankard Reist
Melinda Tankard Reist is an Australian author and blogger, notable for her activism against abortionand her stance against the sexualisation of modern pop culture....
. Minister for Broadband Stephen Conroy
Stephen Conroy
Stephen Michael Conroy is an Australian politician and the current Minister for Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy in the Gillard Ministry...
(also behind the Australian Labor Party
Australian Labor Party
The Australian Labor Party is an Australian political party. It has been the governing party of the Commonwealth of Australia since the 2007 federal election. Julia Gillard is the party's federal parliamentary leader and Prime Minister of Australia...
's internet filter
Internet censorship in Australia
Internet censorship in Australia currently consists of a regulatory regime under which the Australian Communications and Media Authority has the power to enforce content restrictions on Internet content hosted within Australia, and maintain a "black-list" of overseas websites which is then...
plans) wanted Google Australia to censor search results for downloads of the game, but this did not eventuate.
Articles in defence have also been written, many noting that rape is a lesser crime compared to murder, yet there are thousands of legal video games in which the goal is to kill enemies. Illusion's response to the controversy was one of bewilderment and a reiteration that the game passed Japanese laws and it is not sold outside Japan. Illusion later removed references to the game from their website and ceased distribution of the game, citing concerns over the impact on the industry
Censorship in Japan
In Japan, Article 21 of the Japanese Constitution guarantees freedom of expression and prohibits formal censorship. What censorship does exist is often carried out through Article 175 of the Criminal Code of Japan...
.