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This article is about a Japanese video game series and its adaptations. For the musical texture, see Polyphony.

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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, multiple series of light novels have been created, and a manga adaptation started in March 2007. An anime adaptation started airing in Japan on April 3, 2007. Another anime adaption aired from April to June 2009, and was a prequel of the events in the first anime.

The original game, the Crimson series, will start its second installment, covering the third and fourth story. The Black and White Polyphonica series were 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 are usually 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. It also revolves around the feelings of the protagonist (Phoron Tatara) and his contract spirit (Corticarte Apa Lagranges)

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 Dirrane. The last two episodes focus on the Commandia that connects both kind of creatures.[1]

Characters[]

Characters working in the Tsuge Divine Music Player Office include Phoron (the protagonist), Corticarte (his contract spirit), Prinesca and Perserte (the twins), Renbart (another co-worker), Eufinley (their boss), and Yardio (contracted to Eufinley).

Terms[]

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".
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".
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".
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.
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.
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.

Release history[]

There are 5 Shinkyoku Sōkai Polyphonica visual 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

Adaptations[]

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
  1. Wayward Crimson - January 15, 2006 (ISBN 978479733443-6)
  2. Romantic Crimson - May 15, 2006 (ISBN 978479733582-3)
  3. Spurting Crimson - September 15, 2006 (ISBN 978479733718-4)
  4. Struggle Crimson - October 15, 2006 (ISBN 978479733780-X)
  5. Beginning Crimson - May 15, 2007 (ISBN 978479734061-7)
Polyphonica Black series
Story: Junichi Ōsako / Illustration: BUNBUN
  1. Inspector Black - June 15, 2006 (ISBN 978479733614-5)
  2. Silent Black - August 15, 2006 (ISBN 978479733714-1)
  3. Player Black - December 15, 2006 (ISBN 978479733899-7)
  4. Triangle Black - March 15, 2007 (ISBN 978479734054-9)
Polyphonica White series
Story: Madoka Takadono / Illustration: Kinako Hiro
  1. Eternal White - July 15, 2006 (ISBN 978479733673-0)
  2. Infinity White - November 15, 2006 (ISBN 978479733782-6)
  3. Missing White - April 15, 2007 (ISBN 978479734056-3)
Polyphonica Blue series
Story: Toshihiko Tsukiji / Illustration: Eiji Usatsuka
  1. Excite Blue - February 15, 2007 (ISBN 978479734053-3)
  2. Fugitive Blue - June 15, 2007 (ISBN 978479734162-1)
Compilation
  1. Marble January 15, 2007 (ISBN 978479733900-4)

Manga[]

Written by Ichiro Sakaki and illustrated by Tomo Hirokawa, a manga series adaptation entitled Cardinal Crimson (カーディナル・クリムゾン Kādinaru Kurimuzon?) began serialization as a web comic on March 2007 in FlexComix Blood.[citation needed] The series was picked up for an English release by CMX Manga, with the first volume slated for May 2010.[2] Tomo Hirokawa designed a New Year's nengajō for 2008.[3]

Additionally, the Black series was adapted into a manga series as a web comic and began serialization in December 2008 in Flex Comix Blood.

Anime[]

T.O Entertainment adapted Shinkyoku Sōkai Polyphonica into a twelve episode anime series directed by Junichi Watanabe and Masami Shimoda and written by Ichiro Sakaki. On February 6, 2007, one month after the first manga adaptation was announced, the anime adaptation was announced.[4] Broadcasted on TBS, the series premiered on April 3, 2007 and aired weekly until its conclusion on June 19, 2007.[5][6][7] The music was composed by Hikaru Nanase. Two pieces of theme music were used for the anime. "Apocrypha" is performed by eufonius as the opening theme. "Concordia" (コンコルディア Konkorudia?) is performed by kukui as the ending theme.

Diomedea adapted the series into another season entitled Shinkyoku Sōkai Polyphonica Crimson S, directed by Toshimasa Suzuki and written by Ken'ichi Kanemaki, that is not a continuation of the first and will tie into Ichiro Sakaki and Noboru Kannatsuki's light novel adaptation of the same name.[8] The official website was launched on November 11, 2008 and began streaming a promotional video on March 23, 2009 featuring the anime's opening theme but contained no actual anime footage.[8][9] The series premiered on TVK and TVS on March 4, 2009 and is currently broadcasting weekly.[citation needed] The series was also broadcasted on AT-X, Gifu Broadcasting, MBS, and Mie TV.[10] The music is directed by Jin Aketagawa and composed by Magic Capsule. Two pieces of theme music were used for the anime. "Phosphorous" is performed by eufonius as the opening theme. Koi no Uta (こいのうた?) is performed by Haruka Tomatsu as ending theme.

The first anime adaption has been picked up for release in North America by Sentai Filmworks, will be distributed by the new company, Section23 Films. The complete collection will be released on November 17, 2009.[11]

Role-playing game[]

A Shinkyoku Sōkai Polyphonica RPG, published by GA Bunko, went on sale in Japan in August 2008. The game is designed by Takashi Osada and FarEast Amusement Research, and uses the Standard RPG System. The campaign setting is based mainly on Polyphonica Crimson series.

Music[]

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: "Until I Forget You" (僕がきみを忘れるまで Boku ga Kimi o Wasureru Made?) by Eri Kitamura

CDs[]

Opening Single: "Apocrypha" by eufonius - April 25, 2007
Ending Single: "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

References[]

  1. Polyphonica blog June 7th 2007 entry
  2. "CMX Manga - Anime Expo 2009". Anime News Network. July 3, 2009. Retrieved July 6, 2009. 
  3. "Quantcast New Year's Greetings — Anime Style (Update 16)". Anime News Network. January 1, 2008. Retrieved May 10, 2009. 
  4. "Shinkyoku Soukai Polyphonica Anime Announced". Anime News Network. February 6, 2007. Retrieved May 10, 2009. 
  5. "NEWS: TBS Anime Festival 2007 'Shinkyoku Soukai Polyphonica' Announcement" (in Japanese). Tokyo Broadcasting System Television. 2007.04.03. Retrieved May 10, 2009.  Check date values in: |date= (help)
  6. "news" (in Japanese). Tokyo Broadcasting System Television. Retrieved May 10, 2009. 
  7. "STORY" (in Japanese). Tokyo Broadcasting System Television. Retrieved May 10, 2009. 
  8. 8.0 8.1 "Shinkyoku Sōkai Polyphonica crimson S Anime Confirmed". Anime News Network. November 11, 2008. Retrieved May 10, 2009. 
  9. "Shinkyoku Sōkai Polyphonica crimson S Promo Streamed". Anime News Network. March 23, 2009. Retrieved May 9, 2009. 
  10. "O.A. Information" (in Japanese). Tokyo Broadcasting System Television. Retrieved May 10, 2009. 
  11. "Section23 Films Announces November Releases". Anime News Network. September 2, 2009. 

External links[]

Games
Novels and Manga
Anime

tl:Shinkyoku Sōkai Polyphonica zh:神曲奏界

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