Akihiro Ishihara, a producer for the upcoming bishojou game Valkyrie Tune: Synthesis of Souls has told players that the upcoming game wouldn’t “water down” it’s character design and aesthetic for international audiences.
In a discussion with AUTOMATON, Ishihara explained his thoughts on the game’s character design and how it may be received by an international audience.
“Even with overseas expansion in mind, we wouldn’t deliberately ‘water down’ the game’s Japanese expression. Rather, I believe this game can offer a fresh experience to overseas players precisely because it is based on Japanese aesthetics and character presentation,”
Japanese media has come under fire in recent years for unapologetic fanservice and sexual content. Japanese artists and content creators have been attacked by international figures on both the public and private fronts.
In 2024, the United Nations accused Japanese entertainment of contributing towards violence against women. Meanwhile payment processors continue to enact censorship by threatening online platforms and retailers who provide products they morally disagree with.
Valkyrie Tune: Synthesis of Souls is an upcoming game developed by Frontwing and set in the Valkyrie Tune universe. Valkyrie Tune is an original model figure line created by Good Smile Company.
Players will meet six women who are members of TUNED (Tactical Unit for Neutralization and Enhanced Defense). Together, they wield powerful weapons and refer to the player character as their “messiah”.
Valkyrie Tune: Synthesis of Souls is expected to release this Summer on Windows PC (via Steam) and Nintendo Switch.