After Adelta announced the international Switch version of Hashihime of the Old Book Town coming this winter, it’s HolicWorks’ turn to surprise us: they partnered with Moonchime Localization to bring its 2014 BL game Tokyo Onmyoji to English speakers!
Moonchime Localization is a -fairly- new company that licenses Otome, BL and “female-oriented” (joseimuke) games for English speakers. Their first localization was “I Love You!”, a short, free wholesome Otome game released back in March 2021 which you can grab on itchio. Tokyo Onmyoji marks their first full-length, commercial project and makes Moonchime the third company alongside Mangagamer and Jast USA to localize BL games.
Game synopsis:
The year is 2014. Shinjuku, Tokyo.
Japan, where “onmyoji” is a recognized profession. Here lies the city of Tokyo, unscathed by major air raids for the entirety of World War II.The era is a mixture of both the old days and the new. In the midst of what appears to be peaceful, everyday life, there are many incidents of people being harmed by demons. Having been previously banned at the close of the war, the practice of onmyoji is now used solely as a countermeasure for those incidents.
The world is on the brink of chaos. Tokyo is home to hollow, wandering souls. It is now known that most of the demons who cause harm were formerly humans. Why do humans transform into demons? What is the true nature of the darkness lurking at the root of all this? A mystery lies in this place of intersecting emotions.
You can find more information and character profile in Moonchime’s announcement. Tokyo Onmyoji is set to be released towards the end of 2021, but the date may be subject to change.
Also worth noting: HolicWorks is the parent company of several BL game circles that are behind a number of titles such as the critically acclaimed Taisho Mebiusline, the decadent Fukushuu Teikoku and the more recent Tokyo 24-Ku. They also have a couple 18+ Otome games in Sanzen Sekai Yuugi and Princess Britania if that’s up your alley.
The fact that HolicWorks finally got one of i’s title licensed is excellent news and makes me hopeful for the future of BL game localizations.
