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Tragically orphaned by an automobile accident, the Kasugano twins travel to their grandparent’s countryside residence via railcar, hoping to reconstruct the shards of a shattered life. Future uncertain, Haruka Kasugano clings to memories of the past, hoping to find the strength he needs to safeguard his ailing sister. With a destiny irrevocably tied to that of another, Sora Kasugano clings to moments of the present, drawing comfort and security from the company of her brother. Two lonely souls so physically alike, yet spiritually divergent, unaware of the challenges these conflicting expectations will unveil in the days to come.
Yosuga no Sora (ヨスガノソラ) is a drama eroge published by Sphere in 2008. The title is supplemented by several drama CD’s made available to preorder customers.
When it comes to ero, I religiously abide an unbreakable empirical truth: Twincest is Best. This glorious teaching is commonly embodied in two forms of perfection. The first is my personal favorite: when identical sisters share a lover simultaneously, harboring erotic desires for each other as well. Such wondrously unique pleasures can only be found in sexing twins, which simply are not the same when performed between siblings who are not. Seriously. Who can say no to nymphomaniac twins? The second incarnation of twincest, which arguably better defines the portmanteaux, is when identical siblings are a brother and sister sexually involved between themselves. Although this particular pairing is not as motivating to the common male ego, since it fails to result in an awesome threesome experience, it provides a wealth of emotional and cultural taboo for story material. Playing on the spiritual and media stereotype that twins share an unbreakable connection, its incest taken to the furthest extremes; the evil of a forbidden relationship multiplied by shared appearance… and in some cultures, two halves of the same soul. It even appalls Science, spitting in the face of Darwinism by throwing the virtues of genetic diversity out the window. Interested? Damn right you are!
The foundation of Yosuga no Sora is built on a solid, though cliché premise: shortly before the start of the story, the parents of Haruka and Sora were killed in a tragic car accident. Still shaken by the loss and unable to maintain their lifestyle in the city, the twins travel to an old childhood vacation home in the rural countryside, awaiting the outcome of further guardianship and inheritance proceedings. Despite this decision being a mutually agreed affair, the difference of anticipation is obviously evident in the siblings’ mannerism. For Haruka, the player controlled protagonist, there are memories of fondness and friendship; feelings strong enough to ease the recent lost he has suffered. In Sora the return draws bitterness and brooding – more so than usual for the tsundere – for reasons that elude her brother. Moments after arriving at the rustic destination, an old acquaintance of the siblings stumbles across the pair during their sojourn from the train station. In one twin swells emotions of compassion and delight; in the other stirs sentiments of contempt and apprehension. As time passes day by day, Haruka befriends more of the community, eventually considering the serious possibility of making their stay permanent. Of course, Sora will have none of this crazy talk.
Yosuga no Sora is surprisingly short. Barring a few odds and ends, all routes follow the same introductory chapters, during which the player is presented four “choose your answer” opportunities. The combination of these choices determines which scenario is provided, more or less unfolding on autopilot. Four possible paths are available from the onset, with a fifth and presumably canon (your twin sister’s) unlocked after seeing an ending at least once. From a generalized standpoint, the writer fundamentally constrained everything within two story arcs. The tales for Nao and Sora are closely intertwined, so much that understanding their full scope requires competition of both routes. This flipside of the same coin presentation provides a wealth of melodramatic rivalry. The individualized routes for Akira and Kazuha (which Motoka lightly intrudes upon) are similar intersected, although from a noticeably different tone. Whereas the relationship between Nao and Sora is an unreciprocated discord, theirs reflects an amicable camaraderie. This is further tempered by the initial lack of intimate familiarity with the protagonist, which the sibling and childhood sweetheart possess from the onset. Yet under no circumstance should player discouragement arise, as Akira and Kazuha share a special flare of fan service from their affectionate bond.
Yosuga no Sora is propelled by its captivating cast, excellent voice acting, and polished visuals. Each character is a wealth of moe individuality, handled with surgical precision to squeeze maximum adoration. Haruka’s twin sister is more than a tsundere: she’s also socially inept, physically weak, and emotionally vulnerable. Akira is no mere fun loving miko: she’s also an energetic yet innocent troublemaker, unable to maintain a serious expression on her face, and prone to forget the little details of a daily routine (like wearing a bra). These exemplified traits are flawlessly brought to life by a collection of actresses who often put the competition to shame. Not a single role sounds out of place, with everyone genuinely enjoying the characters they’ve assumed. The artwork excellence is immediately evident in the luscious character designs, without a single individual regulated as a dud concept. In the case of many eroge, paper dolls and environment backgrounds visually clash from distinctive differences in their illustrative styles: they literally have a “cut and paste” appearance. For Yosuga no Sora this problem is nonexistent, with the layers seamlessly blending together as if drawn by the same artist. Event illustrations are simply breathtaking, showcasing smooth and elegant presentation, colorized through a soft airbrush likened technique. Even the insignificant text box and menu buttons appear to fluidly glide into everything.
Much of the dissatisfaction found within Yosuga no Sora, owes from the aforementioned abbreviated scenarios. With notable exception to Sora and Nao, who’ve spent significant time with Haruka, a measure of belief suspension must be applied to the romances, given how easily and quickly the heroines are willing to sacrifice their virginity after a few weeks of quixotic companionship. Admittedly seasonal true love is a common theme in bishoujo, yet this particular ero would have greatly benefited from a more gradual approach. There is also the underlying sense that Yosuga no Sora was intended to be grandiose. Several plot hooks are left unexplored, especially in the case of Kuranaga Kozue and Ifukube Yahiro, who are unwinnable despite all appearances they should be: a notion expanded material in the preorder artbook and drama CD especially call attention towards. The omission is principally bothersome for anyone not fond of loose strings or “isn’t it sad Sacchin” teasing. When all is said and done, each of the provided scenarios can be completed within three to four hours – far less if text is skipped – regulating the title’s lifetime to a few days. This is obviously not a problem for anyone seeking a short and easy eroge of course. Despite the brief duration of each route, a total of fifteen sex scenes are contained. Not through one session of course (no harems or menage de trois), but divided somewhat equally between the five, typically consisting of six to eight variant images per erotica.
Saccharine and melodramatic, in addition to casual and noncommittal, Yosuga no Sora makes a strong addition to any similar themed collection. Despite evidence this eroge is incomplete, it rests on a wellspring of quality presentation and motivating (not to mention attractive) heroines. Of utmost importance, the twincest story is very well conceived, outlaying a plausible situation in which the taboo could mature and flourish. Indeed it puts forth a far superior effort than Boku wa Imōto ni Koi o Suru, a manga that’s often cited as the best known of the subgenre (at least in Japan), which ultimately subverted the full incestuous immersion. As the first commercial release from Sphere, Yosuga no Sora does the studio proud, making this gamer quite happy in the end.
— Central Characters —
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Kasugano Haruka Height: 170 cm Blood Type: O Birthdate: February 5 With a gentle appearance and slim profile, in many ways Haruka is the spitting image of his sister, as befits identical twins of the opposite sex. Personable and honest, he forges lasting friendships with remarkable ease. Haruka copes with the loss of his parents with a stout heart, burdened with the knowledge that the future of his delicate sister is dependant to his own. Yet to grasp success he believes one must acknowledge the past, and to that end searches for answers to his plight. |
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Kasugano Sora Height: 152 cm Blood Type: O Birthdate: February 5 Cursed with illness and frailty since birth, Sora is denied a life of independence than many take for granted. Due to her poor health, she’s likened to delicate porcelain dolls, yet this angelic appearance belies a troublesome personality that’s prone to withdrawn laziness and detestation to conversation. In all honesty, Sora could careless of what other think, and would rather surf the Internet and eat instant foods, so long as Haruka is always at her side. |
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Torihime Nao Height: 163 cm Blood Type: AB Birthdate: October 7 Beautiful, intellectual and an amazing swimmer, Nao has an open attraction towards Haruka. As a close and trusted childhood friend, Nao was sincerely devastated when it seemed she would never see the two siblings again. Nao’s compassion and maturity projects an ambiance of sisterly love unto others, though for Haruka there is an intimately deeper and sensual emotion. Sora harbors great resentment towards the popular student, never taking an effort to explain the reasons why. |
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Amatsume Akira Height: 153 cm Blood Type: A Birthdate: August 3 Daughter of a devout family, the ever cheerful Akira lives alone on the property of a small yet sacred Shinto shrine. Akira’s energetic liveliness is contagious to those around her, with an innocent personality that makes befriending the girl second nature. Due to her residence, Akira spends much of her time practicing the habits and traditions of a miko shrine maiden, including performance of requisite ceremonies and holiday festivals. |
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Migawa Kazuha Height: 164 cm Blood Type: A Birthdate: August 3 The stunning daughter of an influential magnate, Kazuha lives a cultured life that some might compare to modern princesses. Sharp minded and attentive to detail, as a result of her parent’s constant travels and long distance liaisons, she learned self sufficient independence from a young age. Nonetheless Kazuha does not consider herself superior to others, with a modest nature that’s ever ready to take a subordinate role in teamwork and friendship. |
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Nogisaka Motoka Height: 160 cm Blood Type: O Birthdate: December 23 Motoka is a college student struggling to make ends meet, working as a maid in the Nogisaka Household to pay the expenses of tuition. While not ideally suited for household chores, her warm compassion and captivating personality offset these deficiencies. She is best friends with Ifukube Yahiro, a notorious drinker, which makes Motoka’s low tolerance to alcohol a particularly hazardous social issue. Especially since she has a particular fondness for the taste of sake. |
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Kuranaga Kozue Height: 158 cm Blood Type: A Birthdate: June 1 Chairman of the Student Body, a position of serious responsibility and important functions, Kozue is often seen as a stick in the mud by her peers. She nevertheless cares for them, only nagging to mitigate the potential community damage. This often proves to be a full time job however. |
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Ifukube Yahiro Height: 165 cm Blood Type: B Birthdate: January 10 Best friend to Nogisaka Motoka and proprietor of a family owned candy store, the rouge looking Yahiro would prefer spending her time sleeping and drinking. In truth, the ill tempered and sardonic mannerisms hide Yahiro’s true personality: a woman whose past is a field littered with the shattered glass of lost dreams, forgotten promises, and broken romances. |
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Nakazato Ryouhei Height: 175 cm Blood Type: B Birthdate: September 25 For all his faults and freakish behavior, Ryouhei is the kind of person you can always count on. Carefree and spontaneous, he brands himself as the ultimate ladies man, applying cheesy pickup lines whenever a pretty face draws near. Yet when the situation call for it, Ryouhei can offer profoundly sound advice, with an eye that quickly identifies the root of a problem. |
— Scored Summary —
Scenario: 40 out of 50. Five individual routes, each averaging two or three hours at the most. Four from the onset, a fifth requiring at least one finished scenario. Somewhat weakened for progressing too rapidly, they’re nonetheless entertaining and well written, although the stories for Nao and Sora are stronger than others. To much chagrin, Kozue and Yahiro are not actually winnable. Very regrettable. This is because all the heroines, achievable or not, are moe filled enchantresses that desperately need to be loved.
Visual: 20 out of 20. No proverbial expense was spared in the artwork department, as presentation qualities are of the highest standards. Beautiful character designs that are immediately endearing. Paper doll libraries lavished with differing body postures, facial expressions, and clothing attire. Background illustrations that compliment – not standout – against foreground images. Needless to say: ideal cinematic illustrations. Not even menu windows were overlooked.
Audio: 17 out of 20. The voice performance is simple perfection, each actress and actor flawlessly suited to the role being played, with all characters except Haruka enacted. The soundtrack is almost as impressionable, but unfortunately hindered by two or three songs that slightly fall short of excellence. This somewhat extends to the vocalized intro and outro melodies, which are appropriate, but rather anticlimactic as a whole.
Erotica: 6 out of 10. Fifteen scenes, more or less divided equally between the five winnable girls, averaging at least six (often more) variant images each. The superior artwork and voice acting gives a slight quality boost to the standardized quantity.
Mechanics: 0 point neutrality. The typical “choose your response” menu system that most eroge share.
Final Score: 83 out of 100. For anyone searching for an incest title that doesn’t use an adopted or stepsibling copout, Yosuga no Sora is a candidate worthy of consideration. Even individuals not interested in incest can find something to enjoy: although twincest makes a significant aspect of the ero’s mystique, its not the only material that provided. Though Yosuga no Sora has its share of misses, there’s a massive variety of inherent charm other titles entirely lack. Recommended for purchase.
February 16th, 2009 at 9:14 pm
When you have artists as awesome as Takashi Hashimoto and Hiro Suzuhira, EVERY GAME CG costs you quite a lot of money. From what you’ve written it seems that the actresses hired to make “erotic noises” cost a lot too. Not to mention the fact that I hear individual stores(!) had differing pre-order bonuses for this game. Could be the reason why the stories were sadly hobbled; perhaps a fandisk could fix things up.
I’m glad that you finally reviewed this game, but is there any way I could contact you so you could explain how the stories work in detail in this game? It’d be nice if Peach Princess translated this one, but that’s extremely unlikely. Akira and Sora definitely got the most of your attention, and it shows in this review. Maybe you’ll be more willing to explain the story (without spoiling it for others) over e-mail or the like.
And I thought Kazuha was the tsundere; what with her kicking Ryouhei across the room in at least 2 CGs and how she seems flustered every time Haruka shows up, how could she not be?
Thanks again for your efforts.
February 17th, 2009 at 3:42 am
A game with twincest! Moreover, it’s the protagonist’s own twin… that makes this game worth trying
Just a side question though, is the whole emotional issue handled well in that route?
…another side note… you have to finish at least one other route before you can play the imouto route… it annoys me when they do this thing :/ Finish A to open B, finish B to open C…
February 17th, 2009 at 10:48 am
I’ll have to admit, this is probably one of those games I’d really want to play once I can actually read the damned language, if only for the awesome art and actual twincest. It is the best, after all.
February 18th, 2009 at 12:20 pm
@Mazryonh: Now that you mention it, looking deeper reveals this ero has a duality nature with scenarios. There’s the obvious Sora + Nao. Then we have the adorable Akira + Kazuha. Motoka is clearly tied to Yahiro, and Yahiro has “half a scenario” running for her. Kozue is the only heroine untied to another girl… and devoid of greater character development. However as Ryouhei comments during the swimming pool lessons, Kozue is a hidden beauty – perhaps she was also meant to be a hidden route. This is all speculation of course.
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And you are totally correct: Kazuha is the classic tsundere. I just think Sora is one too.
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@Sharakael: Oh yes, the twincest route is very emotional. There’s romantic build up, rivalry tension, the actual forbidden taboo, and discovery repercussions. Not to mention that Sora is sooooo damn adorable!
March 10th, 2009 at 7:45 pm
In case you’re looking for more twincest, I hear that Cartagra is FINALLY getting an anime adaptation from MS-Pictures. The website can be found here:
http://www.ms-pictures.com/label/milky/products/karuta/20090425_karuta.html
The first episode is slated for release on April 25, 2009. Maybe you’ll have a complete review of the game ready before then?
March 11th, 2009 at 3:42 pm
More twincest can be found with Asanagi no Aquanauts from Fizz. In that one, the male lead and his older sister are the twins.
April 10th, 2009 at 10:45 am
Did you hear? This game is now getting a fandisc. Will you be reviewing that as well?
April 14th, 2009 at 5:01 pm
@Mazryonh: I heard the good news too. The fandisc will feature routes for Kozue and Yahiro, which further substantiate my opinion that they were “cut” from the original release. Budget? Time? Lack of love? I guess it doesn’t really matter… just that we get more! I think the fandisc will also include a side story or two for the other girls. I’ll see about doing a reviewing after the release.
June 2nd, 2009 at 6:04 pm
Narg,
Apparently the “Fun Disk” now has a release date. It should be released on September 25th, called “Haruka No Sora,” and apparently contains expanded materials for Kozue, Yahiro, and everybody’s favourite (for some odd reason), Sora.
The URL is here:
http://www.cuffs-sphere.jp/haruka/index.html?PHPSESSID=pl2srkbob1uflqc4867eosqc28tvvh35
Will the FBI be on your case for this game given how loli Akira looks, though?
June 4th, 2009 at 12:55 pm
@Mazryonh: I’m looking forward to that expansion (more for Sora than anything else). As for lolicon… according to the Law it’s not the depiction of drawn sex that makes something obscene, but what the drawing itself depicts. Two 16 year old high school students in a consensual drama packed true love romance like Yosuga no Sora? Absolutely safe. Dozens of nameless children being senselessly raped by some otherworldly tentacle rape beast, for the sole reason of being raped by said inhuman monster? Your legal mileage will definitely vary, on how much your defense team is costing you.
June 6th, 2009 at 11:58 pm
Is that last comment a hint that you’ll review Cartagra after all?
I’m looking at the official web page of Yosuga No Sora and can’t find Akira’s age. From her design she might as well be a loli who wears a bra. How old is she in the game? And are you going to do a blow-by-blow review of that game later?
Hope you’ll enjoy Yahiro’s and Kozue’s routes.
November 29th, 2009 at 11:16 am
Really nice review dude.
March 8th, 2010 at 9:42 pm
Nice review, but “identical twins of the opposite sex” made me laugh so hard. You do know, don’t you, that such a thing doesn’t exist? If the opposite sex, they’re fraternal twins (different eggs/sperm) and are absolutely no different than any other siblings. They just happened to be in the womb together.
March 10th, 2010 at 12:44 pm
@Gambit: Actually it’s possible, though super incredibly rare, and the Human Genome Project has a documented case of it happening (although that one resulted in hermaphroditism). Search their website for “semi-identical twins” if you’re interested. A lot of things that people used to think was possible and impossible for twins, has been debunked by the DNA project. Of course the siblings won’t be truly identical because of their different genders, but they can otherwise be so genetically alike, they’re identical for all practical medical purposes outside of those factors. As taken from a medical expert:
Monozygotic (one egg) fertilization can permit even opposite-gender twins to be almost as close, genetically, as true identical twins. This is an inexpressibly unlikely occurrence, however, with two possible means of occurring.
1. For a brother and sister (or other non-identical twins) to be nearly as similar as identical twins, one fertilized egg must split to make them. The female half must reject the previously shared Y, leaving the siblings with identically activated X’s that determine most characteristics.
2. Or else an egg must split into two identical halves before a Y and an X (for example) enter separate parts of its genetically identical halves. This is less likely than method 1 to result in nearly-identical twins, as the girl ovum must activate the same X chromosome parts as the male possesses, but she has a whole other X to choose from.
Either way means the twins must have the exact same parts of their shared X chromosome activated. Then, they must both develop within the same protective embryonic sac in the womb, and gain equivalent nourishment from a shared placenta.
August 8th, 2010 at 12:56 am
This is the best overview I’ve seen thus far by just typing in the title in google. I’ve become interested in it after learning that an anime adaptation is in the making. Thanks for all these info.