Shinkyoku Sōkai Polyphonica

Infobox animanga/Header
name = Shinkyoku Sōkai Polyphonica


caption = Logo from the opening theme
ja_name = 神曲奏界ポリフォニカ
ja_name_trans =
genre = Adventure, Fantasy, RomanceInfobox animanga/Game
title =
developer = Ocelot
publisher =
released = Episodes 1&2 April 28 2006 (PC)
Spring 2007 (PS2) Episodes 3&4 May 25 2007 (PC)
genre = Visual novel
ratings = All-ages
platforms = PC, PlayStation 2Infobox animanga/Game
title = Shinkyoku Sōkai Polyphonica THE BLACK
developer = Ocelot, KuroCo
publisher =
released = Episodes 1&2 June 29 2007 (PC)
genre = Visual novel
ratings = All-ages
platforms = PCInfobox animanga/Game
title = Shinkyoku Sōkai Polyphonica Memories White
developer = Ocelot, AMEDEO
publisher =
released = First Emotion June 29 2007 (PC)
Endless Aria July 13 2007 (PC)
genre = Visual novel
ratings = All-ages
platforms = PCInfobox animanga/Novel
light = yes
title =
author = Ichirō Sakaki (Crimson)
Junichi Ōsako (Black)
Madoka Takadono (White)
Toshihiko Tsukiji (Blue)

illustrator =
publisher = flagicon|Japan GA Bunko
demographic = Male
first = January 2006
last =
volumes = 4 (Crimson), 4 (Black), 3 (White),
1 (Blue), 1 (Compilation)Infobox animanga/Manga
author = Ichirō Sakaki, Ocelot
publisher =
demographic = Shōnen
magazine =
first = March 1 2007
last =
volumes = Infobox animanga/Anime
title =
director = Junichi Watanabe, Masami Shimoda
studio = flagicon|Japan T.O Entertainment, Inc.
network = flagicon|Japan CBC, MBS, TBS
first = April 3 2007
last = June 19 2007
episodes = 12

Nihongo|"Shinkyoku Sōkai Polyphonica"|神曲奏界ポリフォニカ, also known as simply "Polyphonica", is an all-age Japanese visual novel created by Ocelot and first released on the PC on April 28 2006. Aside from the game, light novels have been created, and a manga adaptation started in March 2007. An anime adaptation started airing in Japan on April 3 2007.The original game, Crimson series, will start its second installment, covering the third and fourth story. The Black and White "Polyphonica" series are planned to be adapted from a printed novel to visual novel media in spring 2007, respectively titled "Shinkyoku Sōkai Polyphonica THE BLACK" and "Shinkyoku Sōkai Polyphonica Memories White".

Plot

In the continent of Polyphonica, spirits materialize in the world, surviving on the music that is played by humans, and live together with them. While the spirits don't appear often, some spirits have enough power to materialize in human or animal forms and live together with humans.

Dantists, who play special music called "Commandia," are widely respected in this world. They also usually are in contract with powerful spirits. The story of Shinkyoku Sōkai Polyphonica revolves around the new Dantist, Phoron Tatara, the spirit that he made contract with, Corticarte Apa Lagranges, and their friends, in their daily life and work.

In the anime, episode 1 to 10 explored the relationship between humans and spirits in the world of Polyphonica. This is shown either from Dantist like Phoron, or Direnn. The last two episodes focus on the Commandia that connects both kind of creatures. [http://www.polyphonica.tv/blog/2007/06/post_31.html Polyphonica blog June 7th 2007 entry] ]

Characters

:Main|List of Shinkyoku Sōkai Polyphonica characters

Terms

; Nihongo|Belst|聖獣|Seijū:Belst are spirits' animal-like form. Their Human forms are called Humanubic. Some spirits can have both Humanubic and Belst forms. The literal meaning for "聖獣" is "sacred/holy beast".

;Nihongo|Commandia|神曲|Shinkyoku:Music played by Dantists to show the his gesture to the spirits. With the music, spirits that make contract with the Dantist can use their true power; but all spirits enjoy a good song. Commandia is the expression of the Dantist's soul, and it will change according with their development, whether it is for better or worse.:Although listening to Commandia will strengthen a covenant spirit as well as bring them joy, Commandia could work like drugs. Fairies who knows the joy from Commandia could become crazy if they are separated from Commandia for too long. So, even among the spirits, there are those who think it's better if they never knows humans at all. The literal meaning for "神曲" is "Divine Song".

;Nihongo|Dantist|神曲楽士|Shinkyoku Gakushi:Music players who are able to play divine music, or Commandia. They usually have a One-Man Orchestra, which can be disguised as a suitcase, or in Phoron's case, a motorbike. But a Dantist does not actually depend on these instruments. In the timeline of the White series, Dantists plays Commandia using conventional instruments. The literal meaning for "神曲楽士" is "Divine Song Musician/Player".

;Nihongo|Humanubic|フマヌビック|Fumanubikku:These are spirits' human-like form. Animal forms are called "Belst". There is also the Licanthro form, in which a Spirit possesses both a human and animal form. Examples are Yardio and Blanca.

;Nihongo|One-Man Orchestra|単身楽団|Tanshin Gakudan:One-Man Orchestras are instruments used by Dantists in the present Polyphonica continent. They are similar to the usual musical instruments, but often more elaborate and equipped with a computerized system. These instruments are meant to allow Dantists to play music on a larger scale, like an orchestra, alone.:As technology grows more advanced, the miniaturization of these devices is improving. Renbart's saxophone or Eufinley's violin are not so different in size compared to conventional instruments, but the Phoron's organ at school is already the size of a backpack.:His motorbike-shaped One-Man Orchestra is an exception though.

;Nihongo|Tsuge Divine Music Player Office|ツゲ神曲楽士派遣事務所|Tsuge Shinkyoku Gakushi Haken Jimusho:The office where Phoron, Renbart, Perserte, and Prinesca work. Eufinley is the chief of this office.

Theme songs

Anime

;Opening theme: "Apocrypha" by eufonius;Ending theme: Nihongo|"Concordia"|コンコルディア|Konkorudia by kukui

Game

Crimson Series

;Theme song: "Crimson Calling" by Rita (Ep 1 & 2):"Crimson Calling (Ending Ver.)" by Rita (Ep 3 & 4);Insert song: "Song of Wave" by Yuiko (Ep 3&4);Ending theme: "Crimson Reason" by Rita (Ep 3 & 4)

Black Series

;Theme song: "Hurting Heart" by fripSide

White Series

;Theme song: Nihongo|"Until I Forget You"|僕がきみを忘れるまで|Boku ga Kimi o Wasureru Made by Eri Kitamura

Episodes

Other media

Light novel

After the game, the "Polyphonica" series expanded into a light novel series. The stories are loosely connected in a shared universe setting. The novels are published by "GA Bunko", a division of "Softbank Creative". Currently, there are four series running, each uniquely identified with colors. The Black series happens in the same timeline as the Crimson series, which follows the main characters of the game. The White series appears to take place in the distant past.

;Polyphonica Crimson series:Story: Ichirō Sakaki / Illustration: Noboru Kannatsuki:#"Wayward Crimson" - January 15 2006 (ISBN 9784797334436):#"Romantic Crimson" - May 15 2006 (ISBN 9784797335823):#"Spurting Crimson" - September 15 2006 (ISBN 9784797337184):#"Struggle Crimson" - October 15 2006 (ISBN 978479733780X):#"Beginning Crimson" - May 15 2007 (ISBN 9784797340617) ;Polyphonica Black series:Story: Junichi Ōsako / Illustration: BUNBUN:#"Inspector Black" - June 15 2006 (ISBN 9784797336145):#"Silent Black" - August 15 2006 (ISBN 9784797337141):#"Player Black" - December 15 2006 (ISBN 9784797338997):#"Triangle Black" - March 15 2007 (ISBN 9784797340549)

;Polyphonica White series:Story: Madoka Takadono / Illustration: Kinako Hiro:#"Eternal White" - July 15 2006 (ISBN 9784797336730):#"Infinity White" - November 15 2006 (ISBN 9784797337826):#"Missing White" - April 15 2007 (ISBN 9784797340563) ;Polyphonica Blue series:Story: Toshihiko Tsukiji / Illustration: Eiji Usatsuka:#"Excite Blue" - February 15 2007 (ISBN 9784797340533):#"Fugitive Blue" - June 15 2007 (ISBN 9784797341621) ;Compilation:#"Marble" January 15 2007 (ISBN 9784797339004)

Web Comic

In March 2007, the web comic of Polyphonica, titled Cardinal Crimson began serialization in Flex Comic Blood, an online comic division of Blood Comic.

Music

:Opening Single: "Apocrypha" by eufonius - April 25 2007:Ending Single: Nihongo|"Concordia"|コンコルディア|Konkorudia by kukui - May 23 2007:Game Original Soundtrack: May 25 2007:Anime Original Soundtrack - Atmosphere: June 27 2007, composed by Hikaru Nanase

Kinetic Novel

There are 5 Shinkyoku Sōkai Polyphonica kinetic novels being released, with 3 different series.

;Polyphonica Crimson series:Shinkyoku Sōkai Polyphonica ~Episode 1&2 Box Edition~ - April 28 2006:Shinkyoku Sōkai Polyphonica ~Episode 3&4 Box Edition~ - May 25 2007

;Polyphonica Black series:Shinkyoku Sōkai Polyphonica THE BLACK ~Episode 1&2 Box Edition~ - August 10 2007

;Polyphonica White series:Shinkyoku Sōkai Polyphonica Memories White ~First Emotion~ June 29 2007:Shinkyoku Sōkai Polyphonica Memories White ~Endless Aria~ July 13 2007

References and Sources

External links

* [http://ocelot.product.co.jp/ Ocelot official website] jp icon
* [http://b-team.product.co.jp/kuroco/ KuroCo official website] jp icon
* [http://kur-mar-ter.product.co.jp/amedeo/index.html AMEDEO official website] jp icon
* [http://ocelot.product.co.jp/products/poli1/polyphonica.htm Official Polyphonica Crimson Episode 1&2 game website] jp icon
* [http://ocelot.product.co.jp/products/poli2/main.htm Official Polyphonica Crimson Episode 3&4 game website] jp icon
* [http://b-team.product.co.jp/kuroco/ Official Polyphonica Black Series game website] jp icon
* [http://kur-mar-ter.product.co.jp/amedeo/porishiro/index.html Official Polyphonica White Series game website] jp icon
* [http://www.polyphonica.tv/ Official Polyphonica TV website] jp icon
* [http://www.tbs.co.jp/anime/polyphonica/ Polyphonica @ TBS] jp icon
*ann anime|id=7479