MangaGamer

MangaGamer
StatusActive
Founded2008 (2008)
FounderOverdrive, Tarte, Nexton, Circus
Country of originJapan[1]
DistributionWorldwide
Fiction genresVisual novel
Official websitewww.mangagamer.com

MangaGamer is a video game publisher specializing in the English localization and distribution of Japanese eroge and visual novels. It is run by Japanese-based company Japan Animation Contents.[2]

History

MangaGamer was originally envisioned as a company that would sell Japanese visual novels overseas by Hiroshi Takeuchi, also known under his alias Bamboo, president of Japanese eroge development company Overdrive. Due to the cost involved, he convinced several other Japanese eroge companies (Tarte, Nexton and Circus) to take part in a joint venture.[3]

Due to this setup, the initial lineup of titles consisted of titles produced by companies involved in MangaGamer's creation, with Navel soon joining with their first title, Shuffle!. These early titles were translated by native Japanese speakers involved with parent companies, which resulted in a subpar quality.

After complaints from fans,[4][5] it was announced that a complete re-translation of Edelweiss was in progress.[6] Starting with Soul Link, translation and editing is handled by an international team of native English speakers, resulting in an increased quality. The company itself is headed by a relative of Takeuchi, and a core Japanese staff is spread between the involved Japanese companies.[3]

At their panel at Otakon 2011, MangaGamer announced that they are expanding their business into digital distribution of erotic manga (by Japanese publisher Akane Shinsha) and anime (by Discovery).[7][8]

Relations with fan translators

MangaGamer has served as a mediator in talks between several fan translation groups and Japanese game companies that ended in deals made to officially release said translations through MangaGamer. Their games include Kara no Shōjo by Innocent Grey[9] and Ef: A Fairy Tale of the Two. by Minori.[10] MangaGamer also distributed for a time the Japanese versions of several games created by the dōjin circle 07th Expansion (Umineko no Naku Koro ni, Higanbana no Saku Yoru ni, Rose Guns Days) for explicit use of the respective English fan translations.[11]

Distribution

Originally, MangaGamer sold their titles exclusively via digital distribution, and it remains their primary release channel. During the Anime Expo 2010 and Otakon 2010 conventions, physical disks were sold with the first four games in the Higurashi When They Cry series and Kira Kira All-Ages. Those games were later sold by HimeyaShop and Hendane!.com.[12]

In January 2011, a collaboration was announced between Hendane!.com and MangaGamer resulting in the sale of physical copies of Da Capo Limited Edition through Hendane!.com.[13] In July 2011, J-List became the primary North American distributor of physical copies for all current MangaGamer titles, except Da Capo LE.[14] Around the same time, MangaGamer opened their own webshop for physical copies aimed at European customers.[15]

Product list

Marketed title Japanese title Japanese developer Release date Notes
Edelweiss Ēderuwaisu (エーデルワイス) Overdrive July 10, 2008 Re-released on September 2, 2011 with a new and improved translation
Which girl should I choose? Hinatabokko (ひなたぼっこ) Tarte July 10, 2008
My sex slave is a classmate Boku no Mesu Hisho wa Doukyuusei (僕の牝秘書は同級生) Liquid July 24, 2008 Removed from MangaGamer's website on June 4, 2009, restored on October 30, 2009
Tasty Shafts Oishii Bō ga 2-hon (美味しい棒が2本) Psycho December 10, 2008
Shera, My Witch Sakkyuba☆Soon! (さっきゅば☆SOON!) Score December 20, 2008
Da Capo D.C. ~Da・Kāpo~ (D.C.～ダ・カーポ～) Circus December 25, 2008 Limited edition hard copy published on March 29, 2011
Suika A.S+ Suika A.S＋~SUIKA~ (水夏A.S＋~SUIKA~) Circus & Moonstone April 25, 2009
Kira Kira Kira☆Kira (キラ☆キラ) Overdrive June 24, 2009
Shuffle! Shuffle! Navel August 15, 2009
Suck my dick or die! Ryoujoku Gerira Gari (凌辱ゲリラ狩り) Liquid October 30, 2009 Removed from MangaGamer's website on June 4, 2009, restored and released on October 30, 2009
Higurashi When They Cry Higurashi no Naku Koro ni (ひぐらしのなく頃に) 07th Expansion December 15, 2009 Contains the first four games in the series
Soul Link Souru Rinku (ソウルリンク) Navel December 28, 2009
Sandwiched by my wife and her sister Shimai Don ~Shirudaku de~ (姉妹丼～汁だくで～) Psycho January 20, 2010
Kira Kira All-Ages Version Kira☆Kira (キラ☆キラ) Overdrive January 31, 2010 Translation used in iOS version published by Mtrix
Cosplay Alien Kosutte Eirian -Yūwaku no Kosupure H- (コスってエイリアン -誘惑のコスプレH-) Score February 20, 2010
Higurashi When They Cry Kai "Meakashi" Higurashi no Naku Koro ni Kai Maekashi-hen (ひぐらしのなく頃に解 目明し編) 07th Expansion February 28, 2010
Edelweiss Eiden Fantasia Ēderuwaisu Eiden Fantajia (エーデルワイス 詠伝ファンタジア) Overdrive March 20, 2010 Edelweiss fandisc
Higurashi When They Cry Kai "Tsumihoroboshi" Higurashi no Naku Koro ni Kai Tsumihoroboshi-hen (ひぐらしのなく頃に解 罪滅し編) 07th Expansion April 15, 2010
Kira Kira Curtain Call Kira☆Kira Kātenkōru (キラ☆キラ カーテンコール) Overdrive April 30, 2010 Kira Kira sequel and fandisc
Higurashi When They Cry Kai "Minagoroshi" Higurashi no Naku Koro ni Kai Minagoroshi-hen (ひぐらしのなく頃に解 皆殺し編) 07th Expansion May 31, 2010
Higurashi When They Cry Kai "Matsuribayashi" Higurashi no Naku Koro ni Kai Matsuribayashi-hen (ひぐらしのなく頃に解 祭囃し編) 07th Expansion July 15, 2010
Da Capo Innocent Finale D.C.I.F. ~Da・Kāpo~ Inosento Fināre (D.C.I.F.～ダ・カーポ～イノセントフィナーレ) Circus November 30, 2010 Da Capo "alternative version" with the focus on Kotori Shirakawa
Da Capo 2 D.C.II ~Da・KāpoII~ (D.C.II ～ダ・カーポII～) Circus December 24, 2010 Limited edition hard copy published on July 1, 2011
Higurashi When They Cry Kai Bundle Pack Higurashi no Naku Koro ni Kai (ひぐらしのなく頃に解) 07th Expansion February 10, 2011 Last four games bundled
Koihime Musou: A Heart-Throbbing, Maidenly Romance of the Three Kingdoms Koihime † Musō ~Doki ☆ Otome Darake no Sangokushi Engi~ (恋姫†無双～ドキッ☆乙女だらけの三国志演義～) BaseSon February 28, 2011 Released without voices, but after 2,000 sold copies, an update to add voices was announced
Guilty: The SiN Zaishuu-The SiN- (罪囚-The SiN-) Tactics March 14, 2011
Kotori Love Ex P Kotori Love Ex P (ことり Love Ex P) Circus April 29, 2011 Da Capo fan disc, a bundle of various chapters from across the franchise that focuses on Kotori Shirakawa
Kara no Shoujo Kara no Shōjo (殻ノ少女) Innocent Grey June 29, 2011 Originally released without voices (released later as a new version or upgrade patch)
We Love Master! Goshujin-sama Dāisuki (ご主人様だーいすき) Score August 1, 2011
Go! Go! Nippon! ~My First Trip to Japan~ Go! Go! Nippon! (ゴー！ゴー！日本！) Overdrive September 30, 2011 Originally written for the English market
Conquering the Queen Mashō no Nie (魔将の贄) Liquid October 28, 2011
Harem Party Hāremu☆Pātī (ハーレム☆パーティー) Tactics November 25, 2011
Deardrops Deadoroppusu (ディアドロップス) Overdrive March 2, 2012
Magical Teacher: My Teacher's a Mage? Majikaru Tīchā Sensei wa Majo? (まじかるティーチャー　先生は魔女?) Score April 13, 2012
EVE burst error EVE burst error C's Ware April 27, 2012
Dengeki Stryker Dengeki Sutoraikā (電激ストライカー) Overdrive June 22, 2012
Ef: The First Tale. Ef: The First Tale. Minori July 27, 2012
Sexy Demon Transformation Kozukuri Youkai H Henka ~Otome o Okasu Hyoui Gattai~ (子作り妖怪H変化～乙女を犯す憑依合体～) Softhouse-Seal September 14, 2012
Boob Wars: Big Boobs vs Flat Chests Oppai Sensō - Kyonyū VS Hinnyū - (おっぱい戦争 -巨乳VS貧乳-) Softhouse-Seal October 19, 2012
Otoboku - Maidens Are Falling for Me! Otome wa Boku ni Koishiteru (処女はお姉さまに恋してる) Caramel Box November 23, 2012
Slave Witch April ~Sexy Magic Training~ Reizoku no Majo April ~Injoku no Mahou Choukyou~ (隷属の魔女エイプリル～淫辱の魔法調教～) Aconite December 21, 2012
SSSS: Super Secret Sexy Spy Nakadashi Spy no Sounyū Sousa -Shikyū no Heiwa wa Ore ga Mamoru!- (中出しスパイの挿入捜査 -子宮の平和は俺が守る!-) Softhouse-Seal April 3, 2013
Tick! Tack! Tick! Tack! Navel April 26, 2013
Orion Heart Orion Hāto ~Injoku no Suku Mizu Sailor Senshi~ (オリオンハート～淫辱のスク水セーラー戦士～) Portion May 24, 2013
Throb! The Greatest Inventions of the Sexy Era! ~Second Science Club–A Secret Society of Love, Rage, and Sorrow~ Todoroke Seiki no Daihatsumei Ai to Okori to Kanashimi no Himitsu Kessha Dai Ni Kagakubu (轟け性紀の大発明 愛と怒りと悲しみの秘密結社第二科学部) Softhouse-Seal June 21, 2013
Harukoi Otome ~Greetings from the Maidens' Garden~ Harukoi Otome ~Otome no Sono de Gokigenyō~ (春恋＊乙女～乙女の園でごきげんよう。～) BaseSon August 9, 2013
Eroge! Sex and Games Make Sexy Games Eroge! ~H mo Gēmu mo Kaihatsu Zanmai~ (えろげー！～Hもゲームも開発三昧～) CLOCKUP September 13, 2013
Umineko no Naku Koro ni Umineko no Naku Koro ni (うみねこのなく頃に) 07th Expansion October 4, 2013 Japanese version
Umineko no Naku Koro ni Chiru Umineko no Naku Koro ni Chiru (うみねこのなく頃に散) 07th Expansion October 4, 2013 Japanese version
Cum on! Bukkake Ranch! ~Rear Elementals Into Wet, Horny Girls!~ Sēeki! Bukkake Bokujō! ~Oshiru Ippai, Seirei-tachi o H ni Shiiku!~ (セーエキ！ぶっかけ牧場！ ～お汁いっぱい、精霊達をHに飼イク！～) Softhouse-Seal October 18, 2013
Ruby Striker Ruby Striker (ルビーストライカー) MorningStar October 25, 2013
Demon Master Chris Daemon Masutā Kurisu (デーモンマスタークリス) Nyaatrap October 31, 2013
Touma Kojirou's Detective File -Murder at the Opera House- Touma Kojirou no Tantei File ~Opera Za no Kaijin Satsujin Jiken~ (冬馬小次郎の探偵FILE ～オペラ座の怪人殺人事件～) Softhouse-Seal November 28, 2013
Warrior Princess Asuka Touki Reijou Asuka ~Bakunyuu Oujo ni Karamitsuku Shokushu to Slime (闘姫隷嬢　アスカ　～爆乳王女に絡みつく触手とスライム) MorningStar November 29, 2013
Ef: The Latter Tale. Ef: The Latter Tale. Minori December 20, 2013
Valkyrie Svia Ikusa Otome Suvia (戦乙女スヴィア) Black Lilith January 24, 2014
Rose Guns Days Rōzu Ganzu Deizu (ローズガンズデイズ) 07th Expansion February 7, 2014 Japanese version[11]
Higanbana no Saku Yoru ni Higanbana no Saku Yoru ni (彼岸花の咲く夜に) 07th Expansion February 7, 2014 Japanese version[11]
Ultimate☆Boob Wars!! ~Big Breasts vs Flat Chests~ Zettai Saikyou ☆ Oppai Sensou!! ~Kyonyuu Oukoku vs Hinnyuu Oukoku~ (ぜったい最胸☆おっぱい戦争!! ～巨乳王国vs貧乳王国～) Softhouse-Seal GRANDEE February 21, 2014
Chou Dengeki Stryker Chou Dengeki Sutoraikā (超電激ストライカー) Overdrive March 28, 2014
Milles, Knight of Anal Tyranny ~Impregnated by Lusty Tentacles at the Ends of Oblivion~ Kougyaku no Kishi Miles -Boukyaku no Hate, Inshoku Jutai- (肛虐の騎士ミレス -忘却の果て、淫触受胎-) Devil-Seal April 25, 2014
Lapis Gunner Rapisu Gannā (ラピスガンナー) MorningStar May 9, 2014
Really? Really! Really? Really! Navel June 6, 2014
Hypno-training My Mother and Sister Oyako Saiin Chiiku ~ Konna Ore ni Uzuite Modaero! (母妹催淫恥育 ～こんな俺に疼いて悶えろ!) Ame no Murakumo June 20, 2014
Armored Warrior Iris Soukou Kijo Iris (装甲騎女イリス) Black Lilith July 18, 2014
Imouto Paradise! Imouto Paradise! ~Onii-chan to Go nin no Imouto no Ecchi Shimakuri na Mainichi~ (妹ぱらだいす！～お兄ちゃんと5人の妹のエッチしまくりな毎日～) Moonstone Cherry August 22, 2014
Obscene Medical Records of a Married Nurse Hitozuma Nurse no Inraku Karte (人妻ナースの淫落カルテ) Ame no Murakumo September 5, 2014
d2b VS DEARDROPS -Cross the Future- d2b VS DEARDROPS -Cross the Future- Overdrive September 26, 2014
Cartagra ~Affliction of the Soul~ Cartagra ~Tsuki kurui no Yamai~ (カルタグラ～ツキ狂イノ病～) Innocent Grey October 31, 2014
Royal Guard Melissa Kokou Kishi Melissa ~Hangyaku Onna Kishi Ishukan Kanraku~ (孤高騎士メリッサ～反逆女騎士異種姦陥落～) MorningStar November 14, 2014
Secret Sorrow of the Siblings Kyoudai Hiai ~Iya na no ni, Kanjichau~ (兄妹秘哀 ～イヤなのに、カンじちゃう～) Appetite November 28, 2014
Space Pirate Sara Uchuu Kaizoku Sara (宇宙海賊サラ) Black Lilith December 26, 2014
Eden* They Were Only Two, On The Planet Eden* They Were Only Two, On The Planet Minori January 30, 2015
No, Thank You!!! No, Thank You!!! parade February 27, 2015
Princess Evangile Purinsesu Evanjīru (プリンセスエヴァンジール) Moonstone March 27, 2015
Amber Breaker Anbā Bureikā (アンバーブレイカー) MorningStar April 17, 2015
Forbidden Love with My Wife’s Sister Yome no Imouto to no Inai ~Tsuma ni Kakurete Majiwaru Otto to Gimai~ (嫁の妹との淫愛～妻に隠れて交わる夫と義妹～) Appetite May 29, 2015
Free Friends Furifure (フリフレ) Noesis June 26, 2015
Sweet Sweat in Summer Natsuiro Mikan ~Ecchi na Shōjo to Shitataru Nioi~ (夏色蜜汗 ～えっちな少女としたたる匂い～) Ammolite July 31, 2015
Asuka Final Chapter Touki Reijou Asuka Saihuu Shou Owarinaki Oyako Shujuu Kaizou Sanran Jigoku (闘姫隷嬢アスカ最終章　終わりなき母娘主従改造産卵地獄) MorningStar August 28, 2015
Kiss for the Petals|A Kiss for the Petals - Remember How We Met Sono Hanabira ni Kuchizuke o - Deatta Koro no Omoide ni (その花びらにくちづけを　出逢った頃の思い出に) St. Michael Girls' School September 25, 2015
Go! Go! Nippon! ver.2015 Go! Go! Nippon! ver.2015 (ゴー！ゴー！日本！ ver.2015) Overdrive October 16, 2015
Kara no Shoujo: The Second Episode Kara no Shōjo (虚ノ少女) Innocent Grey October 30, 2015
Euphoria Yūforia (ユーフォリア) CLOCKUP November 27, 2015
Gahkthun of the Golden Lightning -What a radiant brave- Ourai no Gahkthun -What a shining braves- (黄雷のガクトゥーン -What a shining braves-) Liar-soft December 23, 2015
Free Friends 2 Furifure 2 (フリフレ2) Noesis January 26, 2016
Kindred Spirits on the Roof Okujou no Yurirei-san (屋上の百合霊さん) Liar-soft February 12, 2016
Beat Blades Haruka Chōkō Sennin Haruka (超昂閃忍ハルカ) AliceSoft March 1, 2016
Tokyo Babel Toukyou Baberu (東京バベル) Propeller March 31, 2016
Ozmafia!! Ozmafia!! Poni-Pachet April 29, 2016
The House in Fata Morgana Fata morgana no Yakata (ファタモルガーナの館) Novectacle May 13, 2016
My Boss' Wife is My Ex Joushi no Tsuma wa, Motokano Deshita ~Iyagari Nagaramo, Makura Eigyō ni Oborete Iku After 5~ (上司の妻は、元カノでした ～嫌がりながらも、枕営業に溺れていくアフター5～) Appetite May 31, 2016
Supipara - Alice the magical conductor. Chapter #01 - Spring Has Come! Supipara (すぴぱら) Minori July 29, 2016
Myth Myth Circletempo October 28, 2016
Himawari -Pebble in the Sky- Himawari -Pebble in the Sky- (ひまわり -Pebble in the Sky-) Blank Note December 9, 2016
Da Capo 3 R D.C. III R ~Da Capo III R~ (D.C.III R ～ダ・カーポIIIアール～) Circus January 20, 2017
Da Capo 3 R X-Rated D.C. III R ~Da Capo III R~ X-rated (D.C.III R ～ダ・カーポIIIアール～X-rated) Circus January 20, 2017
Kuroinu - Chapter 1 Kuroinu ~Kedakaki Seijo wa Hakudaku ni Somaru~ (黒獣～気高き聖女は白濁に染まる～) Liquid March 31, 2017
The Shadows of Pygmalion Negai no Kakera to Hakugin no Agureemento (願いの欠片と白銀の契約者) Propeller February 24, 2017
Princess Evangile W Happiness Purinsesu Evanjīru W Hapinesu (プリンセスエヴァンジールWハピネス) Moonstone July 28, 2017
Hadaka Shitsuji - Naked Butlers Hadaka Shitsuji (裸執事) Mada Labo October 27, 2017
Kuroinu - Chapter 2 Kuroinu ~Kedakaki Seijo wa Hakudaku ni Somaru~ (黒獣～気高き聖女は白濁に染まる～) Liquid November 17, 2017
Imouto Paradise 2 Imouto Paradise! 2: Onii-chan to Go nin no Imouto no Motto! Ecchi Shimakuri na Mainichi (妹ぱらだいす！2 ～お兄ちゃんと5人の妹のも～っと！エッチしまくりな毎日～) Moonstone Cherry December 22, 2017
Kuroinu - Chapter 3 Kuroinu ~Kedakaki Seijo wa Hakudaku ni Somaru~ (黒獣～気高き聖女は白濁に染まる～) Liquid May 31, 2018
Evenicle Ibunikuru (イブニクル) AliceSoft June 28, 2018
Trinoline Torino Line (トリノライン) Minori April 18, 2019
The Expression Amrilato Kotonoha Amurirāto (ことのはアムリラート) SukeraSparo June 13, 2019
Hashihime of the Old Book Town Koshotengai no Hashihime (古書店街の橋姫) ADELTA September 26, 2019
Bokuten – Why I Became an Angel Boku ga Tenshi ni Natta Wake (僕が天使になった理由) Overdrive December 21, 2019
OshiRabu: Waifus Over Husbandos Oshi no Love yori Koi no Love (推しのラブより恋のラブ) SukeraSomero February 28, 2020
Making＊Lovers Making＊Lovers SMEE April 4, 2020
Beat Angel Escalayer R Chōkō Tenshi Esukareiyā Ribūto (超昂天使エスカレイヤー・リブート) AliceSoft June 11, 2020
Room No. 9 Room No. 9 parade August 6, 2020
OshiRabu: Waifus Over Husbandos～Love or die～ Oshi no Love yori Koi no Love ~Love or Die~ (推しのラブより恋のラブ ～ラブ・オア・ダイ～) SukeraSparo July 30, 2021
Love Sweets Love Sweets Moonstone October 28, 2021
Evenicle 2 Evenicle 2 (イブニクル2) AliceSoft February 23, 2022
Erovoice Ero Voice! H na Voice de Icha Love Success ♪ (えろぼいす！ Hなボイスでいちゃラブサクセス♪) CLOCKUP February 24, 2022
UUUltraC Uuultra C (ウウウルトラC) ADELTA March 24, 2022
Seventh Lair Seventh Coat (セブンスコート) Novect March 31, 2022
The Patient S Remedy Kanja S no Kyuusai (患者Ｓの救済) Mada Labo June 24, 2022
The Future Radio and the Artificial Pigeons Mirai Radio to Jinkou-bato (未来ラジオと人工鳩) Laplacian February 17, 2023
Nightmare x Onmyoji Nightmare x Onmyoji ~Kindan no Paradox~ (Nightmare×Onmyoji～禁断のパラドックス～) Guilty Nightmare Project March 23, 2023
Sona-Nyl of the Violet Shadows Nightmare x Onmyoji ~Kindan no Paradox~ (紫影のソナーニル　～What a beautiful memorie～) Liar-soft December 7, 2023
Lkyt. Lkyt. parade April 20, 2023
Luckylog1 Luckydog1 Tennenouji TBA

References

  1. ^ MangaGamer.com. "MangaGamer - About Us". Archived from the original on March 29, 2015. Retrieved March 26, 2015.
  2. ^ "日本アニメコンテンツ株式会社" [Japan Anime Contents Co., Ltd.] (in Japanese). Retrieved March 26, 2015.
  3. ^ a b Brad Rice (January 19, 2011). "Interview: MangaGamer says adult content is just a bonus". Japanator. Retrieved August 11, 2011.
  4. ^ "MangaGamer rereleases Edelweiss". Encubed. September 20, 2008. Archived from the original on March 10, 2012. Retrieved August 9, 2011.
  5. ^ "MangaGamer releases Da Capo for Christmas". Encubed. December 25, 2008. Archived from the original on December 26, 2011. Retrieved August 9, 2011.
  6. ^ "This week at MangaGamer..." MangaGamer. October 8, 2010. Retrieved August 9, 2011.
  7. ^ "MangaGamer announces games, anime, manga at Otakon". Encubed. August 2, 2011. Archived from the original on February 22, 2013. Retrieved August 9, 2011.
  8. ^ "ディスカバリー DISCOVERY 公式サイト" [Discovery Official Site] (in Japanese). Discovery. Retrieved August 9, 2011.
  9. ^ "MangaGamer announces Kara no Shoujo". Encubed. May 16, 2011. Archived from the original on October 3, 2011. Retrieved August 9, 2011.
  10. ^ "a fairy tale of the three". Encubed. September 26, 2010. Archived from the original on November 6, 2012. Retrieved August 9, 2011.
  11. ^ a b c "New Releases from 07th Expansion!". MangaGamer Staff Blog. February 7, 2014. Retrieved December 28, 2014.
  12. ^ "MangaGamer hard copies available for order". Encubed. September 22, 2010. Archived from the original on November 6, 2012. Retrieved August 9, 2011.
  13. ^ "Da Capo concreto". Encubed. January 27, 2011. Archived from the original on October 16, 2011. Retrieved August 9, 2011.
  14. ^ "MangaGamer partners with J-List for hardcopy distribution". Encubed. July 20, 2011. Archived from the original on August 16, 2011. Retrieved August 9, 2011.
  15. ^ "EU Hard Copy Sales Now Open". MangaGamer. June 9, 2011. Retrieved August 9, 2011.