Anima Mundi: Dark Alchemist is a Japanese gothic horror visual novel developed by Karin Entertainment and distributed by Hirameki International in the United States. The game has elements of shōnen-ai. Further information: Game classification Video games are categorized into genres based on their gameplay interaction. ... The gothic novel is an English literary genre, which can be said to have been born with The Castle of Otranto (1764) by Horace Walpole. ... For other uses, see Fantasy (disambiguation). ... A romance novel is a literary genre developed in Western culture, mainly in English-speaking countries. ... A visual novel is an interactive fiction game featuring mostly static graphics, usually with anime-style art. ... The gothic novel is an English literary genre, which can be said to have been born with The Castle of Otranto (1764) by Horace Walpole. ... A visual novel is an interactive fiction game featuring mostly static graphics, usually with anime-style art. ... Hirameki International Group Inc. ... “Boys Love” redirects here. ...

Story

Many years have passed since Count Georik Zaberisk, once famed as the brilliant Royal Physician of the King of Hardland, relinquished his title and moved to the country to care for his frail sister, Lillith. His life since that time has been that of a normal aristocrat, with little out of the ordinary befalling him. So when one day the King offers Georik a new position as doctor in the capital, he jumps at the chance. However, while he is away from his manor, things take a horrifying turn for his sister when the villagers suspect her of witchcraft and as a result behead her and burn her body. Devastated by the death of his sister, Georik is grief-stricken until he realizes with shock that Lillith's severed head is still alive. Knowing that she cannot live like this forever, Georik tries to restore Lillith's body by transplanting the head from one body to the next, but despite his medical genius, he cannot make her whole again. In the depths of desperation, he stumbles across the secrets of alchemy, secrets long ago forbidden. Seeing no other way to save his sister, Georik has no choice but to start his journey down this dark and dangerous path... Witch redirects here. ... For other uses, see Alchemy (disambiguation). ...

Characters

Count Georik Zaberisk (ゲオリク ザベリスク 伯爵, Georiku Zaberisuku hakushaku^?)

Seiyuu: Ryotaro Okiayu For the article about the company named Seiyu, see Seiyu Group. ... Ryotaro Okiayu (置鮎 龍太郎 Okiayu Ryōtarō, born November 17, 1969) is a seiyū who was born in Fukuoka. ...

The main character of the game. He makes a contract with the devil Mephistopheles in order to save his sister. A former royal physician and an aristocrat who must resort to using the knowledge in alchemy to restore his sister's body. He later works under Bruno.

Lillith Zaberisk (リリス ザベリスク, Ririsu Zaberisuku^?)

Seiyuu: Yui Horie Yui Horie , born September 20, 1976) is a popular singer and voice actress in Japan. ...

The sister of the protagonist. Before she was beheaded, she had an affinity for animals and collected goth dresses. She practiced devil summoning spells at home, which causes the town people to hunt her as a witch. Although she was beheaded, her head was still alive, for Georik once had contracted with Mephisto, who resurrected her when she was almost dead not too long ago. Georik has chosen to hide her head in the basement, where she longs to interact with him again. This article is about the subculture. ...

Count St. Germant (サン ジエルムン 伯爵, San Jeruman hakushaku^?)

Seiyuu: Akira Ishida For the professional Go player, see Akira Ishida (Go). ...

Hardland's greatest inventor and the Secretary of Science and Technology, he is devastated upon news of Lillith's demise, as he was her fiancé before her death. He is a close friend of Georik.

Viscount Mikhail Ramphet (ミハエル ランフト 子爵, Mihaeru Ranfuto shishaku^?)

Seiyuu: Hikaru Midorikawa Hikaru Midorikawa ) (born May 2, 1968, in Tochigi) is a popular voice actor (seiyū) in Japan. ...

Another good friend of Georik; loyal and religious. He is the Captain of the Royal Guard.

Bruno Glening (ブルノ グレーニング, Buruno Gurēningu^?)

Seiyuu: Takehito Koyasu Takehito Koyasu , born May 5, 1967 in Yokohama, Kanagawa, Japan) is a very popular and prolific seiyū (voice actor). ...

A lunatic alchemist who worships devil and yearns to contract with Mephistopheles, who has no interest in his spirit. He is a foreigner, but nonetheless, with his great knowledge in alchemy, he became the royal physician after Georik quit the job.

Mephistopheles (メフィストフェレス, Mefisutoferesu^?)

Seiyuu: Hiroki Yasumoto Hiroki Yasumoto (安元洋貴 Yasumoto Hiroki, born March 16, 1977 in Yamaguchi Prefecture) is a male seiyu. ...

Devil who was attracted by Georik's noble spirit. He contracts with Georik and so treats Georik as his master.

Jan Van Ruthberg (ヤン ファン リュースブルグ, Yan Fan Ryūsuburugu^?)

Seiyuu: Megumi Ogata Megumi Ogata (緒方 恵美 Ogata Megumi, born June 6, 1965, making her a Gemini. ...

A mysterious fortuneteller and medium, he runs the equally mysterious Golden Goose shop which, for a select few, deals in the tools and equipment of magic and alchemy. He is also skilled in the art of exorcism.

Francis Dashwood (フランシス ダッシュウッド, Furanshisu Dasshuudo^?)

Seiyuu: Jun'ichi Suwabe Junichi Suwabe (諏訪部 順一 Suwabe Junichi) is a seiyu who was born on March 29, 1972 in Tokyo. ...

A broker who trades organs or stolen goods and sells fresh dead bodies in black market. He is also the member of the 'secret society' The Hell-Fire Club (worships devil in some sense).

Reception

As has been the case with most visual novels released in America, Animamundi did not attract much attention in the mainstream gaming press, thanks in part to its fairly limited distribution. Several female-focused gaming websites reviewed the novel and were generally supportive, but not everyone was pleased with the fact that some of the artwork from the game had been edited or replaced; primarily the gore and soft yaoi. To atone, Hirameki released some copies of the Japanese official game book, but did not re-release an unrated unedited version of the game. Another well-received factor for the game is that it had only one known bug; a text error that could be activated by clicking a particular series of events in a specific order. Cover of Selfish Love by Naduki Koujima. ...

In its review, GrrlGamer.com noted the "beautiful artwork, great musical score composed of symphony and chorus, [and] superb voice acting," as well as the elaborate storyline and dialogue. The review also had kind words for the English language adaptation, noting that "aside from a couple of minor typos here and there... Hirameki has truly done an outstanding professional job in this title."^[1] GamerGirlsUnite.com gave the novel as 75% rating, praised the voice acting with particular notice given to Yui Horie's performance as Lillith, and concluded that "... if you want to explore a new gaming genre, you're fond of reading stories and not afraid of getting into a gothic horror adventure, this is the game you need to experience. You won't regret it!^[2]

References

External links

• Anima Mundi Index
• Official page (japanese)
• Complete Game Walkthrough
• Complete List of Game Items