Sukisho

Suki na Mono wa Suki Dakara Shōganai! (好きなものは好きだからしょうがない!!), also known as Sukisho! is a light novel that has since expanded into a BL-anime-style video game, an anime series and OVA. The title translates into English as "I like what I like, so it can`t be helped", or "I like what I like, so there!" The best known of the versions is the BL game, which features shonen-ai and, in some versions, yaoi.

Plot
Sora Hashiba has been hospitalized as a result of a fall from the school building. Upon his return to the school dormitory, his first night is spent recovering from an unexpected sexual assault by another male in the room; though Sora pushes the attacker off, he doesn't entirely dismiss the fact that he had enjoyed the situation. The next day, he encounters his attacker, Sunao Fujimori (From this point on, known as Nao), who is sleeping in the other bed in the room. Sora then encounters childhood friend and dorm manager Matsuri Honjo, who informs Sora that not only is Sunao Sora's new roommate, but the three are childhood friends, something that Sora does not remember. In fact, Sora can not remember much of anything regarding his past, and a major part of the series is the regaining of his memory.

Sora then confronts Nao, demanding to know what he thought he was doing the previous night, but Sunao doesn't remember, because Sunao had become possessed by an alter ego, Ran. However, while Sora is unaware of it, he is possessed by an alter ego as well, a persona named Yoru. Yoru and Ran fall in love, so every time Sora and Nao get possessed, they always find themselves in embarrassing situations which are almost always sexual. The tale itself however, isn't centered around the romance between Yoru and Ran, but around Sora and Nao's romance which blossoms from a friendship the two piece together.

Characters
Sora Hashiba: The main character of Sukisho. Sora fell out of a three story building some time ago. While his injuries weren't severe, he had lost a part of his memory, mainly his childhood. Because of that incident, he cannot recall Sunao to have ever been his friend. Unbeknownst to him, Sora has an alter ego by the name of Yoru. Sora is usually easy going and loves to eat. He is usually the dominant male. (However, there are instances in the game where he becomes the uke instead) He didn't like Sunao in the beginning, but he progressively becomes more and more close to Sunao. Normally, he refers to Sunao by his last name, Fujimori. Sora has blue hair and matching blue eyes. (Seiyuu: Midorikawa Hikaru)

Sunao Fujimori: Sunao moved into the dorms around the same time Sora was released from the hospital. He is Sora's childhood friend, but Sora cannot remember the past he shared with Sunao. Easily angered, he isn't above punching anyone who makes him lose his temper, especially Sora. At first, he claims he hates Sora, but he becomes closer to Sora with each game/episode. Just as Sora calls Sunao by his last name, Sunao refers to Sora as Hashiba. He also has an alter ego by the name of Ran. Sunao has pink hair with matching pink eyes. (Seiyuu: Hoshi Souichirou)

Yoru: Sora's alter ego. Unlike Sora, Yoru is both shrewd and flirtatious. Yoru loves Ran, but he isn't above flirting with anyone else. (in the games, he has been seen flirting with Sunao, Nanami, Sei, Hiromu, and even Sora) Nonetheless, he loves Ran and will often show it when in bed with him (which embarrasses Sora and Sunao in the aftermath). However, Yoru will protect Sora when he feels there is need to. In the game, he also like to joke around with Sora by placing images of Sora's friends in odd positions (These include Sunao and Ran, Hiromu, Nanami, and oddly enough Yoru himself). Yoru can be distinguished from Sora by his slightly darker hair, tall body, deeper voice, and the glowing amber left eye. He is also usually seen with a long white piece of cloth tied to his right arm. (Seiyuu: Koyasu Takehito)

Ran: Just as Sora has Yoru, Sunao has an alter ego by the name of Ran. In contrast to Sunao, Ran is more whiny, and in some cases more feminine. Ran loves Yoru and will obsess over him. He will occasionally flirt with Sora only to bring out Yoru. Ran can be distinguished from Sunao by his slightly brighter pink hair color (only in the game), higher voice, and ruby red eyes. Note that Kappei Yamaguchi is the voice actor for Ran in the Drama CD and games. However, the voice actor changes to Hoshi Souichirou (the voice actor of Sunao) in the anime. (Seiyuu: Game: Yamaguchi Kappei / Anime: Hoshi Souichirou)

Matsuri Honjou: The manager of the dorm, the Jack of All Trades (in the anime), and best friend of both Sora and Sunao since they were children. Matsuri is a very upbeat person who loves coming up with plans and teasing his friends. Most of his plans usually revolve around getting Sora and Sunao together. Sora and Sunao rarely like any of Matsuri's ideas, but they go along with them. He always bring with him a photo camera, just for fun. Matsuri has long blond hair and green eyes. Note that the Jack-of-All-Trades club that Matsuri establishes in the anime does not exist in the games. (Seiyuu: Chiba Susumu)

Kai Nanami: The school nurse and somewhat of a foster mother for Sora. Nanami is possibly the most feminine character in Sukisho (second most feminine would probably be Ran). The perfect housewife, Nanami cooks and cleans with a smile on his face. He lives with Shinichirou, whom he apparently has affection for. He is very nice and easy to talk to. There is hardly any difference between the games and the anime when concerning Nanami, but he tends to be slightly more high strung (he can and WILL punch Shinichirou when he feels the need for it). Nanami has brown shoulder length hair (may be slightly longer) and blue eyes. (Seiyuu: Ishida Akira)

Shinichirou Minato: The school math teacher and pretty much Sora's foster father. He loves Nanami and cares very much for Sora and Sunao (who often refer to him as 'nii-chan'or "brother" though they are not blood related). Usually, Shinichirou is very easy going and somewhat immature, though caring. He will occasionally flirt with Nanami, but most of the time in a playful way. However, he has another side of him often referred to as 'Minato' or 'Minato-sensei'. As Minato, he is very flirtatious and will attempt to force people into sex (oftens times Sora or Nanami). Usually, Nanami just has to mess up Minato's hair on punch him to bring back Shinichirou. In White Flower, Minato acts more evil and becomes Aizawa's slave. Shinichirou has black spiky hair and blue eyes. As Minato, his hair is a lot more tidy and sometimes his eyes are pitch black. (Seiyuu: Miki Shinichirou)

Gaku Ichikawa: Sora's friend, he is a year younger than him. He has a crush on Nagase Kai, manager of the Chemistry labs. He seems to be always happy, and he tries to help his friend any way he can. A sincere boy of pure feelings, Sora says that "He expresses four times more his feelings than the majority of the people" In the game Mou Matte, Gaku is given the position of main character and must choose to either continue his relationship with Nagase (as the uke, or bottom) or start a new one with Shiina (as the seme, or top). (Seiyuu: Atsushi Kisaichi)

Kai Nagase: The chemistry lab manager. A quiet, serious and mysterious man, yet he is very intelligent and has gotten his thesis printed in numerous science magazines. Gaku is in love with him, admires him and always is praising him whenever he can. Nagase knows this, and takes advantage of this when needed. He is Professor Aizawa's son. (Seiyuu: Okiayu Ryoutarou)

Sei (Hashiba), Ren Shiina, and Fuuta Kitamura (aka the Chibis): Three children who have become attached to Sora, Sunao, and the rest. It is unknown if Sei and Shiina have parents, but Kitamura has become Hano Yoshihiro's half brother (which he resents in the anime). Sei resembles Sora while Shiina resembles a young Nanami. Kitamura does not really resemble anyone, but fans have said he somewhat resembles Sunao due to his hot pink hair. After episode 3, they are never seen apart and seem to act identical for most of the series (except episode 13, the OVA). In the games, their personalites are a lot more diverse and ironically are mirror images of Sora, Sunao, and Matsuri. Sei acts the most immature of three (Sora), Kitamura comes up with various plans and likes to joke around (Matsuri), and Shiina is usually very wary of those plans (Sunao). They also live together in the same dorms in the games and their teacher is Sora. Although not exactly related, Sei is sometimes seen as Sora and Sunao's child. In the games, Shiina also has a crush on Gaku and whether or not he ends up with Gaku depends on the player's choice (in both White Flower and Mou Matte). In the game Sei is Sora's clone. He cannot speak first, but starts to trust Sunao and Sora after a while. After White Flower the three of them are like a family. (Seiyuu: Sei: Kouki Miyata. Ren Shiina: Anime: Chiro Kanzaki / OVA: Motoki Takagi. Fuuta Kitamura: Anime: Yu Kobayashi / OVA: Takahiro Sakurai)

Kano-kun: The adopted child of Ayano, probably Aizawa's son. He is really shy and unexpressive, seems to be a chibi-Gaku as Sei-kun to Sora (chibi-Sora). The first time he smiled was when Ayano used his favourite plushie (a pink rabbit) for talking to him. Since then, Ayano always brings it with him. (Seiyuu: Michiru Yamazaki)

Soushi Asaka: Occasionally appears in the game and makes brief appearances in the anime. Soushi is a lawyer who loves to flirt with Nanami. Most of the time, he playfully flirts with Nanami just to anger Shinichirou. Compared to most of the character, he acts a lot more refined, but he will occasionally get mad (especially if children are making too much noise). In the games, there are scenes where he and Sora have sex (depending on the choices the player makes). The PS2 game and the Drama CDs show that Soushi and Matsuri could become a couple. (Seiyuu: Yuji Ueda)

Ryouya Kozuki (aka Ayano-chan): Shinichirou's and Soushi's older brother. He has a psychiatric clinic and he does double-personalities-analysis to Sora and to Sunao (with Soushi's and Nanami's approval). He brings always with him a pink rabbit and does ventriloquism with it to his adopted child, Kano-kun (seemingly a bit unexpressive and shy enough). Smiles often and loves children. In the games, he originally worked for Aizawa. (Seiyuu: Toshiyuki Morikawa)

Hiromu Sakura: A young boy who loves Sora (later on he loves Sunao in the game). He gets into an accident that puts him into the hospital. He then becomes a wandering spirit, but what he does differs between the anime and the games. In the anime, Hiromu haunts the halls of the school to find Sora. In the games, he possesses Sunao and tries to spend time with Sora (this is indicated by Sunao's sudden hair color change to white and the playful tune in the background). Hiromu acts very innocent and playful. Eventually, his spirit returns to his body. In First Limit, Sora can end up with Hiromu if the players makes the right choices. (Seiyuu: Daisuke Sakaguchi)

Games
Currently, there are four games and one spin-off in the Sukisho series. The games were originally point-and-click visual novels released for PC, containing sexual content, though certain body parts are censored (as is all pornographic material in Japan).

Three of the games have been released on the Sony PlayStation 2. The PS2 versions have been heavily edited and many new CG scenes have been added. In addition, they feature the voice acting from the Drama CD cast, which were absent in the PC release. As of yet, these games do not have an official English translation.

First Limit: The first game in the series. Sora Hashiba was put into the hospital for quite some time after falling from one of the school buildings. He didn't receive any major injuries, but he has lost some of his memories in the process. However, he continually sees a vision of him being carried through several dark corridors and the voice of someone calling out to him. After being released from the hospital, Sora heads back to the dorms to find that a new boy by the name of Sunao Fujimori, who will now be his roommate. He is told that Sunao is his childhood friend, but he cannot recall spending his childhood with Sunao. As he spends time with Sunao, he notices some strange things about him, including his transformation into the alter ego Ran. On top of that, the spirit of a hospitalized schoolmate possesses Sunao and confesses his love for him. Depending on the player's decisions, Sora can either end up with Sunao, Hiromu, Ran, or Minato.

Target Nights: After spending some time in Shinichirou and Namami's place, Sora and Sunao come across a mysterious cosplaying bandit known only by the number 416. He claims that he has come to take away something precious from Sora. Meanwhile, Sora and Sunao meet Chris, who works at the nearby church. While he seems harmless, he begins to spend more time with Sora. To top it all off, Sora begins to realize that there are times when he and Sunao are mysteriously in bed together. He already knows about Sunao's connection with his alter ego Ran, but could that mean he has his own alter ego as well? Depending on the choices of the player, Sora will either end up with Sunao, Chris, Ran, Matsuri, or Minato. Also, obtaining all the CGs rewards the player with a special ending involving bandits 416, 773, and most recently 848.

Rain: Possibly the turning point in the series. Sora and Sunao continue their life in school. All seems normal until Sora notices a child that looks very similar to himself. Also, some of his schoolmates are beginning to act a little strange. Even Sora begins to notice that something odd about his connection to Sunao and the relationship between their alter egos Yoru and Ran. Depending on the choices of the player, Sora may end up with Sunao, Shinichirou, Matsuri, Soushi, or Minato. Collecting all the CGs allows the player to access secret endings that involve Sora, Sunao, Matsuri, Shinichirou, and Nanami banding together as cosplaying bandits 848, 370, 332, 416, and 773.

Sukisho cast's status before White Flower:

Sora: Working as a teacher in the nearby school (which is no longer an all boy's school). Sunao: Has been missing since Rain. Said to be working for Aizawa. Matsuri: Working in an animal shelter (needs to be confirmed). Shinichirou: Has been missing since Rain. Nanami: Still working as school nurse Sei, Kitamura, and Shiina: Students in Sora's class Gaku: Still working with Nagase in the chemistry labs, but no longer as a student Nagase: Still chemistry lab manager Hiromu: Working as a model with Kirito Nakahara Chris: Still working at the nearby church Soushi: Still working as a lawyer. Professor Aizawa: Has been missing since Rain. Said to have taken Sunao and Shinichirou with him.

White Flower: The final game in the series. Taking place a couple of years after Rain, many changes have been made to the school. Not only is it no longer an all boys school, several of the former students are now working as teachers while others move onto other jobs. Sora is one of those former students and his life has been fairly normal as he takes Minato's place as teacher. However, he realizes that it won't stay normal for long when he sees that Sunao, who he has not seen since the events in Rain, reappears in one of the halls. This game finally wraps up the story between Sora and Sunao and ends their conflict with Professor Aizawa. Depending on the player's choices, Sora can either end up with Sunao, Nanami, Hiromu, Matsuri, Soushi, or Minato. There are two hidden endings in this game. The Yoru/Ran ending is received when achieving the true ending, while the Kaito ending is obtained when all the CGs are collected.

Mou Matte: A spin off of the Sukisho games. Takes place some time after White Flower. The player now controls Gaku Ichikawa, one of Sora's friends who worked in the Chemistry Lab. Gaku must now choose whether to continue his relationship with Kai Nagase or start a new one with Ren Shiina. Depending on the player's choice, Gaku may end up with Shiina, Nagase, or Kitamura. Most of the main cast from the previous Sukisho games are visibly absent, including Sora and Sunao. Of the original cast, only Gaku, Nagase, Shiina, Kitamura, Nanami, and Hano make appearances.