Gift (visual novel)

Infobox animanga/Header
name = Gift


caption = "Gift" logo.
ja_name = ギフト
ja_name_trans =
genre = Drama, Harem, FantasyInfobox animanga/Game
developer = Moonstone
publisher = Moonstone (PC), Sweets (PS2)
released = May 27 2005 (PC, limited ed.)
June 10 2005 (PC, regular ed.)
October 19 2006 (PS2)
August 9 2007 (PS2 re-release)
genre = ADV, Eroge, Visual novel
ratings = 18+ (PC), 12+ (PS2)
platforms = PC, PlayStation 2Infobox animanga/Novel
light = yes
author = Mako Komao
illustrator = Mugi Komeda, Mitha, Koma Miyama, Mamoru Naruse
publisher = flagicon|Japan Harvest
first = December 25 2005
last = May 1 2006
volumes = 5Infobox animanga/Manga
title = Gift ~under the rainbow~
author = Yukiwo
publisher = flagicon|Japan Kadokawa Shoten
demographic = Seinen
magazine = Comptiq
first = January 10 2006
last = February 10 2007
volumes = 2Infobox animanga/Game
title = Gift Rainbow-colored Stories
developer = Moonstone
publisher = Moonstone
released = January 26 2006
genre = ADV, Eroge, Visual novel
ratings = 18+
platforms = PCInfobox animanga/Anime
title = Gift ~eternal rainbow~
director = Shigeru Kimiya
studio = flagicon|Japan Oriental Light and Magic
network = Tokyo MX TV, TVK
first = October 6 2006
last = December 22 2006
episodes = 12
episode_list = #EpisodesInfobox animanga/OVA
title = Gift ~eternal rainbow~
director = Shigeru Kimiya
studio = flagicon|Japan Oriental Light and Magic
episodes = 1
released = June 22 2007
runtime = 24 minutes

Nihongo|"Gift"|ギフト|Gifuto is an adult Japanese visual novel developed by Moonstone which was released as a limited edition version on May 27 2005 playable on the PC as a DVD; a regular edition followed on June 10 2005. The original game was a collaboration project where the company Circus helped to produce it, though Moonstone did the majority of the work involved. "Gift" is Moonstone's fourth title, and was followed up with a fandisc called "Gift Rainbow-colored Stories" released on January 27 2006 for the PC. A Playstation 2 version named "Gift -Prism-" was released on October 19 2006 by Sweets with adult content removed. The gameplay in HoneyComing follows a plot line which offers pre-determined scenarios with courses of interaction, and focuses on the appeal of the five female main characters. The story revolves around Haruhiko Amami, a male high school student living in a town where a rainbow is always seen in the sky.

A set of five drama CDs, one for each heroine, was released by Lantis between September 2005 and February 2006. There have been five light novels written, two Internet radio shows produced, along with a manga series serialized in Kadokawa Shoten's seinen magazine "Comptiq" between January 2006 and February 2007. An anime adaptation, produced by Oriental Light and Magic, aired in Japan between October 2006 and December 2006, containing twelve episodes.

Visual novel

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 dialogue 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 five main plot lines that the player will have the chance to experience, one for each of the heroines in the story. In order to view the five 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.

Release history

"Gift" was first introduced to the public in Japan as a limited edition version on May 27 2005 as a DVD playable on a Microsoft Windows PC. The regular edition was released on June 10 2005, also as a DVD, and then another version was released on December 16 2005 as a CD-ROM; all three versions retailed for 8,800 yen (~$US76.63) without tax.citeweb|url=http://www.getchu.com/php/list_per_brand.phtml?brand_id=7482|title=Moonstone-related product listing at Getchu.com|accessdate=2007-09-23|language=Japanese] A fandisc called called Nihongo|"Gift Rainbow-colored Stories"|ギフト にじいろストーリーズ|Gifuto Nijiiro Sutōrīzu was released on January 27 2006 as a CD-ROM retailing for 6,300 yen (~US$54.83) without tax. A version for the PlayStation 2 with adult content removed, called "Gift -Prism-", was developed by Sweets and released in Japan on October 19 2006 in limited and regular editions. The limited edition PS2 game retailed for 8,800 yen, while the regular edition retailed for 6,800 yen (~US$59.17) and featured a different cover than the limited edition; both prices are before tax. [citeweb|url=http://www.getchu.com/php/list_per_reference.phtml?ref_id=211021|title=Gift-related product listing at Getchu.com|accessdate=2007-09-23|language=Japanese] The PS2 game was re-released on August 9 2007 at the lower price of 2,800 yen (~US$24.35) without tax. [citeweb|url=http://www.amazon.co.jp/Gift-prism-Sweets-So-Sweet/dp/B000RSSADE/ref=pd_bbs_sr_2/250-8998283-5133856?ie=UTF8&s=videogames&qid=1190615588&sr=8-2|title=Amazon.co.jp page on the PS2 re-release|accessdate=2007-09-23|language=Japanese]

Plot

tory

"Gift" is a story that revolves around high school student Haruhiko Amami and his strong connection to "Gift"'s mysterious power. The town of Narasakicho, where "Gift"'s story takes place, has two distinguishing characteristics: a rainbow that seems permanently fixed in the sky no matter the weather, and an ability known as "Gift" possessed by all its inhabitants. "Gift"'s power can only be evoked by each person once in a lifetime, and is able to grant a single miracle. To be successful, a "Gift" must reflect the shared feelings of both the giver and the receiver. If the feelings are not mutual, the "Gift" is distorted and has the ability to wreak havoc on the surrounding area. When this happens, a black streak appears in the rainbow above town until "Gift" is used correctly. The story begins as Haruhiko's younger sister, Riko Fukimine, returns home after several years away. Beginning with her appearance, Haruhiko's life starts to change very quickly and feelings of the past begin to surface once more.

Characters

Main characters

;Nihongo|Haruhiko Amami|天海春彦|Amami Haruhiko:"Voiced by:" Takuo Kawamura (PC), Yūki Tai (PS2/anime):Haruhiko is the main protagonist of "Gift". He is a childhood friend of Kirino and the older brother of Riko, though they are not related by blood. He tends to be blunt in his mannerisms and likes to tease Kirino constantly. Whenever Gift is concerned, he is adamant that it is a helpful and worthwhile power to possess, for he claims that he owes his own life to it. His mother died many years ago, soon after his birth.

;Nihongo|Riko Fukamine|深峰莉子|Fukamine Riko:"Voiced by:" Rino Sakura (PC), Ai Shimizu (PS2/anime):Riko is Haruhiko's younger sister in name, although they are the same age and are in the same class together in school after she enrolls. In third grade, she joined Haruhiko's family due to family circumstances and Haruhiko immediately treated her as if she really were his little sister. When they were younger, she left for several years, only to appear again one day out of the blue years later.

;Nihongo|Kirino Konosaka|木之坂霧乃|Konosaka Kirino:"Voiced by:" Yui Sakakibara (PC), Ui Miyazaki (PS2/anime):Kirino is Haruhiko's childhood friend and next door neighbor. They are such good friends that she often comes over to his house in the mornings before school to not only wake him up, but also to make him breakfast. She tends to be the unfortunate receiver of much of Haruhiko's teasing due to her timid nature, though she does not mind it much, as she is in love with Haruhiko.

;Nihongo|Chisa Fujimiya|藤宮千紗|Fujimiya Chisa:"Voiced by:" Ayaka Kimura (PC), Ryoko Shintani (PS2/anime):Chisa is Kirino's best friend. Unknown to everyone, though, she is in fact a witch that often flies around town on her broomstick. She has a small crow familiar named Jinta.

;Nihongo|Rinka Hokazono|外薗綸花|Hokazono Rinka:"Voiced by:" Rina Misaki (PC), Shiho Kawaragi (PS2/anime):Rinka is a very tough but beautiful girl who is able to defend herself without even breaking a sweat. She is a master at the Ousō style of swordsmanship and was even a teacher of the kendo club in junior high school. She has a series of special training devices near the gym which are dangerous to nearly anyone except for her.

;Nihongo|Yukari Kamishiro|神代縁|Kamishiro Yukari:"Voiced by:" Nana Nozaki (PC), Ami Koshimizu (PS2/anime):Yukari, or "Yukarin" as she is known by her friends, is another student at the school, and she also works as a maid at Chisa's house. She acts older than her age and is skilled at treating injuries. She tends to speak with a quiet voice.

upporting characters

;Nihongo|Masaki "Maki" Edo|江戸真紀　（マキ）|Edo Masaki (Maki):"Voiced by:" Toshiya Aranami (PC), Kazutoshi Hatano (PS2/anime):Masaki, known as Maki to his friends, is one of Haruhiko's good friends who is obsessed with things having to do with science. He will often invent outrageous devices that eventually go out of control.

;Nihongo|Nami Satō|里緒奈美|Satō Nami:"Voiced by:" Oto Agumi (PC), Yukiko Iwai (PS2/anime):Nami is a girl who has been seen clinging to Rinka ever since Rinka saved her in the past. She is very enthusiastic when it comes to anything concerning Rinka, which often causes her to rave about how amazing Rinka is. She has shown herself to be jealous of others who may seem to be more than just friends with Rinka, which could be because she is in love with her.

Adaptations

Drama CDs

There are five drama CDs based on the series published by Lantis. Each of the CDs covers one of the five heroines starting with Riko, and going through with Kirino, Chisa, Rinka, and Yukari, in that order. The first CD was released on September 22 2005, and the final CD was released on February 22 2006.

Internet radio shows

Lantis Net Radio has hosted two "Gift"-related shows: "Gift Rainbow Station" (aired from October 11 2005 to May 23 2006), and "Gift Rainbow Homeroom" (aired from July 14 2006 to December 29 2006). The two radio shows feature different on-air personalities.

Light novels

There have been five light novels based on the series published by Harvest. Each of the novels covers one of the five heroines starting with Riko, and going through with Kirino, Rinka, Chisa, and Yukari, in that order. The first novel was released on December 25 2005, and the final novel was released on May 1 2006. The novels were written by Japanese author Mako Komao, with accompanied illustrations provided by Mugi Komeda, Mitha, Koma Miyama, and Mamoru Naruse.

Manga

"Gift"'s manga adaptation, illustrated by Yukiwo and entitled "Gift ~under the rainbow~", was serialized in Kadokawa's seinen "Comptiq" magazine between January 10 2006 and February 10 2007. Two bound volumes were released for the thirteen chapters produced.

Anime

The anime adaptation, entitled Nihongo|"Gift ~eternal rainbow~"|ギフト～エターナルレインボー～|Gifuto ~etānaru reinbō~ aired in Japan between October 6 2006 and December 22 2006, containing twelve episodes. An extra episode was released as a DVD-exclusive original video animation on June 22 2007.

Episodes

OVA

Theme songs

;Opening theme: "Nijiiro Sentimental" by Miyuki Hashimoto;Ending theme: "Kokoro Niji o Kakete" by Misato Fujiya

References

External links

* [http://www.moon-stone.jp/gift/g_index.html Gift official website] jp icon
* [http://sweets-games.com/gift/ Official website for the PS2 game] jp icon
* [http://lantis-net.com/gift/ Lantis Net Radio's Gift website] jp icon
* [http://www.gift-er.com/ Official anime website] jp icon
*ann anime|id=6824|title=Gift ~eternal rainbow~