Senran Kagura
Senran Kagura | |
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Developer(s) | Tamsoft, Marvelous, Meteorise, Honey Parade Games |
Publisher(s) | Marvelous |
Creator(s) | Kenichiro Takaki |
Platform(s) | Nintendo 3DS, iOS, Android, PlayStation Vita, PlayStation 4, Microsoft Windows, Nintendo Switch |
First release | Senran Kagura: Skirting Shadows September 22, 2011 |
Latest release | Neptunia × Senran Kagura: Ninja Wars September 16, 2021 |
Senran Kagura (Japanese: 閃乱カグラ) is a video game series created by Kenichiro Takaki, produced by Marvelous and mostly developed by Tamsoft. It follows a group of female ninjas, and has received manga and anime adaptations.[1] The anime has been licensed by Crunchyroll LLC in North America.
By August 2017, worldwide sales for the games in the series had surpassed 1.65 million copies.[2]
Video games
[edit]Senran Kagura: Shōjo-tachi no Shin'ei and Senran Kagura Burst
[edit]The first game in the series, Senran Kagura: Shōjo-tachi no Shin'ei (閃乱カグラ -少女達の真影-, Senran Kagura: Skirting Shadows), is a side scrolling action game with playable ninja characters that was released in Japan for the Nintendo 3DS on September 22, 2011. The sequel, Senran Kagura Burst (閃乱カグラ Burst), consists of the original game and an extra storyline. It was released in Japan for Nintendo 3DS on August 30, 2012 and was later released digitally on the Nintendo eShop on January 10, 2013.[3][4]
Senran Kagura: New Wave
[edit]Senran Kagura: New Wave is a card battling game available on Android and iOS devices in Japan. The game's popularity resulted in a crossover promotion with DrawGirls, a Korean picture discovery mobile game in which the player draws a cursor across the screen to reveal pieces of a picture.[5][6]
Senran Kagura Shinovi Versus
[edit]Senran Kagura Shinovi Versus: Shōjo-tachi no Shōmei (閃乱カグラ SHINOVI VERSUS -少女達の証明-) is the sequel to Senran Kagura Burst.[7] The gameplay transitions to a third-person action game with full 3D graphics, with the game itself featuring an expanded playable character roster,[citation needed] as well as an online multiplayer mode.[8] The game was released in Japan for the PlayStation Vita on February 28, 2013, in North America on October 14, 2014, and in Europe on October 15, 2014.[8]
Senran Kagura: Bon Appétit!
[edit]Senran Kagura: Bon Appétit! is a rhythm cooking game available for the PlayStation Vita, in which the goal is to win a cooking competition.[9] The game was released on the PlayStation Store on November 11, 2014 for North America,[10] and on November 12, 2014 for Europe.[11]
Senran Kagura 2: Deep Crimson
[edit]Senran Kagura 2: Deep Crimson is a 2.5D side-scrolling action game made for the 3DS, and was developed by the same team which created Senran Kagura Burst.[12][13][14][15] Senran Kagura 2: Deep Crimson was released in Japan on August 7, 2014, for Nintendo 3DS.[citation needed] The game was released in North America, Europe, and Australia via digital and limited physical copies in August through September 2015.[16]
Gameplay
[edit]New gameplay is included in the form of pair battles, which allows a second character, to which the player can give commands, to fight alongside the player's character.[citation needed]
The playable characters in the game are customizable. Outfits, accessory size and position, and hair color can be changed to the player's liking.[17] Augmented reality functionality was also included in the game, allowing players to pose the playable characters against a real-life background.[17]
Development
[edit]The sequel improved on the original, by enhancing breast physics and clothing destruction, introducing the first playable male character, and allowing for pair battles.[citation needed] Daidouji and Rin, two characters that had originally appeared in Senran Kagura: Shinovi Versus as downloadable content, were part of the regular playable character roster in the game.[citation needed]
Senran Kagura 2: Deep Crimson was part of a cross-promotion deal with Umaibo ("delicious stick" in Japanese), a Japanese brand of corn puff snacks, in which the game's playable characters appeared on the brand's product packaging.[18]
Senran Kagura: Estival Versus
[edit]Senran Kagura: Estival Versus was released on March 26, 2015 in Japan.[citation needed] The game was released in North America on March 15, 2016 and Europe on March 18, 2016.
The digital retail game received very positive reviews on PC via Steam worldwide.[1] It sold 44,548 physical retail copies on the PlayStation Vita in addition to 30,247 physical copies on the PlayStation 4 within the first week of release in Japan.[19]
Senran Kagura: Peach Beach Splash
[edit]Senran Kagura: Peach Beach Splash is a water gun third-person shooter for the PlayStation 4 and Microsoft Windows. It features over 30 girls who play on teams.[20] Peach Beach Splash was released in Japan on March 16, 2017. The game released in North America on September 26, 2017 and in Europe on September 22, 2017 for the PlayStation 4, and later worldwide on March 7, 2018 for the PC.[21]
Senran Kagura: Reflexions
[edit]A spin-off title for the Nintendo Switch, an ecchi dating sim game called Shinobi Refle: Senran Kagura (Japanese: シノビリフレ -SENRAN KAGURA-, Hepburn: Shinobi rifure) was released in Japan on November 23, 2017. The game takes advantage of the Joy-Con's "HD Rumble" feature, allowing players to receive feedback from jiggle physics.[22] It was published by Xseed Games on the European and North American eShop under the title Senran Kagura: Reflexions[23] on September 13, 2018.[24]
Shinobi Master Senran Kagura: New Link
[edit]Shinobi Master Senran Kagura: New Link is a mobile game for iOS and Android smartphones devices in Japan. New Link also includes guest-starring characters from other series, such as Dead or Alive (in addition of Kasumi and Tamaki), Ikki Tousen (in addition of Cho’un Shinryu and Sonken Chūbou), SNK series (Mai Shiranui, Athena Asamiya, Leona Heidern and Kula Diamond), Queen's Blade (Leina, Airi, Elina, Tomoe, Shizuka and Alleyne), High School DxD (Rias Gremory, Akeno Himejima, Koneko Toujou, Rossweisse, Xenovia and Irina), Hyakka Ryōran: Samurai Girls (Jūbei Yagyū, Kanetsugu Naoe, Sen Tokugawa and Yukimura Sanada), To Love Ru (Lala, Yami, Momo, Yui Kotegawa and Mea), DanMachi (Hestia, Ais & Ryū) and Neptunia series (Purple Heart and White Heart). It was created by GigaMedia.
Senran Kagura Burst Re:Newal
[edit]Senran Kagura Burst Re:Newal is a remake of the first game in the series in the same gameplay style as Shinovi Versus and Estival Versus.[25] It was released in 2019 for PC Steam.[2]
Senran Kagura: Peach Ball
[edit]A second spin-off game for the Nintendo Switch and Steam, an ecchi pinball game called Peach Ball: Senran Kagura (Japanese: PEACH BALL 閃乱カグラ) was announced in 2017.[26] The game was released in Japan on December 13, 2018, and scheduled for release in North America, Europe, and Australia on July 9, 2019.[27] It features a mode similar to Senran Kagura Reflexions that takes advantage of the Joy-Con's "HD Rumble" feature.[28]
Neptunia × Senran Kagura: Ninja Wars
[edit]Originally titled Senran Nin Nin Ninja Taisen Neptune: Shoujo-tachi no Kyouen,[29] Neptunia × Senran Kagura: Ninja Wars is a crossover game with the Hyperdimension Neptunia series, released on September 16, 2021 in Japan and October 26, 2021 in North America for the PlayStation 4, as well as PC Steam on 12 May 2022 around the world.[30][3]
Controversy
[edit]In 2014, Official Nintendo Magazine wrote a preview about Senran Kagura 2: Deep Crimson (misnaming it as Senran Kagura Burst 2), labeling the game as "filth" and describing it as sexual objectification with breasts and buttocks. This elicited a response from Hatsuu, the Production Coordinator at Xseed Games, to unofficially reply, criticizing the writer's views as superficial and ignorant to the game's characters, story and actual gameplay. She also mentioned that a writer for Official Nintendo Magazine unsuccessfully attempted to boycott the game without having any knowledge, and that the writer made inappropriate jokes such as describing large breasts as "smuggling fleshy watermelons".[31]
Other media
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Manga
[edit]There are various manga series based on the franchise. The main adaptation, written by Kenichirō Takaki and illustrated by Amami Takatsume, began serialization in Media Factory's Monthly Comic Alive magazine from August 27, 2011. Seven Seas Entertainment began releasing the series in North America in November 2013 as Senran Kagura: Skirting Shadows.[33] Senran Kagura: Guren no Uroboros, illustrated by Manabu Aoi, began serialization in Ichijinsha's Comic Rex magazine from September 27, 2011. Senran Kagura Spark! was published in Enterbrain's Famitsu Comic Clear between August 19, 2011 and February 17, 2012, followed by Senran Kagura: Senshi Bankō no Haruka and Senran Enji Kyonyū-gumi, both published between September 7, 2012 and February 1, 2013.
Anime
[edit]An anime television adaptation animated by Artland aired in Japan between January 6, 2013 and March 24, 2013. The series is directed by Takashi Watanabe with scripts by Takao Yoshioka and character designs by Takashi Torii.[34] The opening theme, "Break Your World", was performed by Sayaka Sasaki; the ending themes include "Fighting Dreamer" (episode 1–3 and 8) by Hitomi Harada, Asami Imai, Yū Kobayashi, Kaori Mizuhashi and Yuka Iguchi, "Yamiyo wa Otome wo Hana ni Suru" (闇夜は乙女を花にする, The Flowers of the Girls of the Night) (episode 4-6 and 9) by Eri Kitamura, Ai Kayano, Ryōko Shiraishi, Saori Gotō and Megumi Toyoguchi, and "Shissōron" (疾走論, Theory Sprint) (episode 7 and 10-12) by Hitomi Harada.[citation needed] The anime is licensed in North America by Funimation Entertainment, who streamed it as it aired and released it on home video in 2014.[35][36]
A second season of the anime series was announced in August 2017.[37] The season, titled Senran Kagura Shinovi Master -Tokyo Yōma-hen-, is directed by Tetsuya Yanagisawa and animated by TNK, with scripts written by Yukinori Kitajima and character designs handled by Junji Goto.[38] The season premiered from October 12 to December 28, 2018 on AT-X, Tokyo MX, and BS11.[39] The opening theme, "Scarlet Master", is performed by Sayaka Sasaki, while the ending theme, "Junsei Erotic", is performed by Mia Regina.[40] Crunchyroll streams the series with Funimation streaming the simuldub.[41]
References
[edit]- ^ "Senran Kagura TV Anime "In the Works"". Anime News Network. April 17, 2018. Archived from the original on April 18, 2012. Retrieved July 29, 2018.
- ^ "Senran Kagura series worldwide sales top 1.65 million". Gematsu. August 13, 2017. Archived from the original on August 15, 2017. Retrieved August 15, 2017.
- ^ "Senran Kagura Burst 3DS Game Sells 100,000+ Copies". Anime News Network. June 27, 2013. Archived from the original on October 2, 2013. Retrieved July 1, 2013.
- ^ Ponce, Tony (October 28, 2012). "Info dump for Senran Kagura: Shinovi Versus on PS Vita". Destructoid. Archived from the original on October 27, 2014. Retrieved October 27, 2014.
- ^ Eugene (August 10, 2014). "Senran Kagura's Ninja Girls Getting Crossover With DrawGirls". Siliconera. Archived from the original on October 29, 2014. Retrieved October 28, 2014.
- ^ Vincent, Brittany (August 9, 2014). "'Draw' the Senran Kagura girls in this strange crossover". Destructoid. Archived from the original on October 27, 2014. Retrieved October 27, 2014.
- ^ Nunnely, Stephanie (May 8, 2014). "Senran Kagura: Shinovi Versus heads west this fall for PS Vita". VG247. Archived from the original on October 27, 2014. Retrieved October 27, 2014.
- ^ a b Campbell, Evan (September 19, 2014). "Senran Kagura Shinovi Versus Release Date Revealed". IGN. Archived from the original on October 26, 2014. Retrieved October 26, 2014.
- ^ MacGregor, Kyle (June 30, 2014). "Senran Kagura Bon Appétit rating suggests EU release". Destructoid. Archived from the original on October 27, 2014. Retrieved October 27, 2014.
- ^ Tarry, Steven (October 21, 2014). "Senran Kagura Bon Appetit! Hits Vita Exclusively on 11/11". Sony Computer Entertainment America. Archived from the original on October 26, 2014. Retrieved October 26, 2014.
- ^ MacGregor, Kyle (October 21, 2014). "Senran Kagura Bon Appétit hits Vita on November 11". Destructoid. Archived from the original on October 27, 2014. Retrieved October 27, 2014.
- ^ Aziz, Hamza (January 8, 2014). "Dekamari Senran Kagura is a rhythm cooking battle game". Destructoid. Archived from the original on October 15, 2014. Retrieved October 27, 2014.
- ^ "VIDEO: "Senran Kagura 2: Deep Crimson" Bounces into Action". Crunchyroll. January 9, 2014. Archived from the original on January 15, 2020. Retrieved January 9, 2020.
- ^ ""Senran Kagura 2" Screens Display Some Dynamic 3D Angles". Crunchyroll. January 15, 2014. Archived from the original on January 15, 2020. Retrieved January 15, 2020.
- ^ "A Few More Senran Kagura 2: Deep Crimson Screenshots To Gawk At". Crunchyroll. January 13, 2014. Archived from the original on January 15, 2020. Retrieved January 15, 2020.
- ^ 2015-03-10, Senran Kagura 2: Deep Crimson Localization Announcement Archived March 12, 2015, at the Wayback Machine, Gematsu
- ^ a b Romano, Sal (June 6, 2014). "Senran Kagura 2 video introduces changing room, AR photos". Gematsu. Retrieved February 23, 2024.
- ^ Vincent, Brittany (August 1, 2014). "This Senran Kagura 2 corn puff snack promotion is just as risque as you'd expect". Destructoid. Archived from the original on October 27, 2014. Retrieved October 27, 2014.
- ^ "Media Create Sales: 3/23/15 – 3/29/15". Gematsu. April 1, 2015. Archived from the original on April 2, 2015. Retrieved April 1, 2015.
- ^ "Senran Kagura Peach Beach Splash PS4 Game's Opening Anime Streamed". Anime News Network. Archived from the original on October 31, 2016. Retrieved November 1, 2016.
- ^ Romano, Sal (February 16, 2018). "Senran Kagura: Peach Beach Splash coming to PC on March 7". Gematsu. Archived from the original on February 17, 2018. Retrieved February 16, 2018.
- ^ Sato (April 12, 2017). "New Senran Kagura Game Is Headed To Switch, Uses HD Rumble For "This And That"". Siliconera. Archived from the original on May 15, 2017. Retrieved May 4, 2017.
- ^ Romano, Sal (April 11, 2018). "Senran Kagura Reflexions coming west this summer". Gematsu. Archived from the original on April 12, 2018. Retrieved April 11, 2018.
- ^ Craddock, Ryan (August 24, 2018). "Switch-Exclusive Senran Kagura Reflexions Will "Deliver Exciting Sensations" This September". Nintendo Life. Archived from the original on August 24, 2018. Retrieved August 24, 2018.
- ^ "Bring Re:Newed Life to your Hometown this January with SENRAN KAGURA Burst Re:Newal". Marvelous Europe. Archived from the original on August 4, 2021. Retrieved August 4, 2021.
- ^ McFerran, Damien (August 2, 2017). "Peach Ball: Senran Kagura Is The Pinball Game Kenichiro Takaki Has "Always Wanted To Do"". Nintendo Life. Archived from the original on August 18, 2018. Retrieved August 18, 2018.
- ^ Craddock, Ryan (June 18, 2019). "Senran Kagura Peach Ball Gets Down And Dirty On Switch This July". Nintendo Life. Archived from the original on June 18, 2019. Retrieved June 19, 2019.
- ^ Sato (August 1, 2018). "Peach Ball: Senran Kagura Hits Switch In Japan On December 13". Siliconera. Archived from the original on August 18, 2018. Retrieved August 18, 2018.
- ^ "Neptunia x Senran Kagura: Ninja Wars coming west in 2021". Gematsu. July 28, 2021. Archived from the original on August 4, 2021. Retrieved August 4, 2021.
- ^ Lada, Jenny (September 8, 2021). "Neptunia x Senran Kagura: Ninja Wars Release Date Falls in October". Siliconera. Archived from the original on October 29, 2021. Retrieved October 29, 2021.
- ^ "Official Nintendo Magazine UK Calls Senran Kagura 2 "Filth;" XSeed Production Coordinator Responds in Kind". June 23, 2014. Archived from the original on November 5, 2019. Retrieved December 8, 2019.
- ^ "Anime Spotlight Winter 2013 - The List". Anime News Network. Archived from the original on July 14, 2019. Retrieved September 4, 2019.
- ^ "Seven Seas Adds Senran Kagura: Skirting Shadows Manga". Anime News Network. June 27, 2013. Archived from the original on June 8, 2013. Retrieved July 1, 2013.
- ^ "Senran Kagura TV Anime's Ad Aired". Anime News Network. June 27, 2013. Archived from the original on February 1, 2013. Retrieved July 1, 2013.
- ^ "Funimation to Stream Senran Kagura TV Anime". Anime News Network. June 27, 2013. Archived from the original on October 3, 2013. Retrieved July 1, 2013.
- ^ "Funimation Offers 5th Hetalia Series, Senran Kagura, Devil Is a Part-Timer on Home Video". Anime News Network. December 14, 2013. Archived from the original on January 18, 2014. Retrieved January 27, 2014.
- ^ "Senran Kagura Games Get 2nd TV Anime Season". Anime News Network. August 1, 2017. Archived from the original on August 2, 2017. Retrieved August 1, 2017.
- ^ "Senran Kagura Anime's 2nd Season Reveals Video, Visual, Staff, October Premiere". Anime News Network. August 2, 2018. Archived from the original on August 3, 2018. Retrieved August 2, 2018.
- ^ "Senran Kagura Shinovi Master Anime Reveals Main Visual, October 12 Premiere". Anime News Network. September 14, 2018. Archived from the original on September 14, 2018. Retrieved September 14, 2018.
- ^ "Senran Kagura Shinovi Master Anime's 2nd Promo Video Previews Opening Theme". Anime News Network. October 1, 2018. Archived from the original on October 2, 2018. Retrieved October 1, 2018.
- ^ "Funimation Adds Ulysses, Goblin Slayer, Senran Kagura, Radiant Anime to Fall Season Dub Lineup". Anime News Network. September 25, 2018. Archived from the original on September 26, 2018. Retrieved September 25, 2018.
External links
[edit]- Official website
- Senran Kagura (anime) at Anime News Network's encyclopedia
- 2013 anime television series debuts
- 2015 anime OVAs
- 2018 anime television series debuts
- Senran Kagura
- 2011 manga
- 2012 manga
- 2013 Japanese television series endings
- Action anime and manga
- Action games
- Android (operating system) games
- Anime television series based on video games
- Artland (company)
- Crunchyroll anime
- Enterbrain manga
- Funimation
- Hack and slash games
- Hoods Entertainment
- Ichijinsha manga
- IOS games
- Kadokawa Dwango franchises
- Manga based on video games
- Marvelous Entertainment franchises
- Media Factory manga
- Ninja in anime and manga
- Video games about ninja
- Nintendo 3DS games
- Nintendo 3DS eShop games
- Nintendo Network games
- PlayStation 4 games
- PlayStation Vita games
- Seinen manga
- Seven Seas Entertainment titles
- Side-scrolling video games
- TNK (company)
- Video game franchises
- Video games featuring female protagonists
- Windows games
- Yuri (genre) anime and manga
- Yuri (genre) video games