Hmm... I don't think there's much information out about Drastic Killer. I initially thought the character design was a bit... generic...but the illustrations in the last B's Log (July 2008 issue) caught my eye and I read about it...and the plot's rather...intriguing XD So I thought I'd write a little blurble about that today :)

Drastic Killer started out as a PS2 otome game by Banpresto. Bandai Namco bought up Banpresto in May of 2006 and was fully consolidated into Bandai Namco in April of 2008...which is why B's Log had Drastic Killer as a Banpresto game for a few issues. The character design is by Kuro and the scenario/script is written by Madoka/Youko Matsumoto. The release date is set for 7.31.2008.

The Story

"It was out of the blue.

After living abroad for a few years, Touko Tachibana (user may select any name), returns to the town she used to live in. On the night of her 16th birthday, she fell asleep with her heart full of hopes about her new school. When she next opened her eyes, what she saw was...

There was a strange man in strange clothing. He smiles and extends a hand to the bewildered girl, "I have come to welcome you...my lady."

Confused yet curious, she takes his hand. What awaited her was unbelievable...

She arrived at a different world, Inoraado (Inorad?).

The man that brought her here, Gryuudo, suddently proclaims that she has connections with this world of Inorad and that hidden within her is a power that normal humans do not posses. All this is due to her mother and thus she must declare herself a candidate to become the Queen of Inorad. As though hiding everything, Gyuudo does not try to explain anything to the girl who is surprised by his sudden proclamation.

Why does she, and her mother, have a connection to another world? Why a candidate to become Queen? In an instant her existance is veiled in mystery. Gryuudo tells her that she does not know now, but the time will come when she will understand all. "If I take action as a candidate to become Queen will something become apparent...," she wonders and decides to strengthen her ties to Inorad.

However, to that end as one of the tasks of a candidate to become Queen she must increase her magical powers, and completely awaken her true self.

The powers hidden within her are unknown. Even Gryuudo does not know of them. However, the moment when those powers awaken, is the moment when she will first be connected with her magic. When the time comes you will intuitively know. So states Gryuudo.

"What changes will come over me...," with uncertainty and anticipation in her heart, her days begin. What awaits her at school are many new meetings, strange experiences...and the sense of discomfort she begins to feel towards her body. The ability to steal love that begins to awaken as her powers awaken. She delves into them, shouldering her corruption..."

Wow. That was a pretty ...provocative sentence, wasn't it?

The System

Moving...around is accomplished with a map window. There are different maps, one for school and one for town. The places within these maps will change by night and day. Shadows indicate locations where someone is. As you love steal, the shadows will become more solid.

Conversing...various events will come to pass as you move. Your conversations alone with someone will start when the bar appears in the bottom right. Talking about things they like and agree with will make the atmosphere change. Ignoring people's greetings will cause them to think worse of you.

Acting...successful conversations will reveal the person's likes and dislikes. It's important to answer keeping their inclinations in mind. Even with the same sentences, your expressions and emotions will change depending on which of the "action decision branches" you select:

*Angel
*Normal
*Devil

Choose the attitude that the person likes the best.

Stealing...a heart beat is the signal that you may begin to Love Steal. You may also choose not to steal from them, but to increase your powers you must sneak inside their heart and steal from them. Press the confirmation button the instant the two pictures overlapp into one and you will be in Love Steal mode. You will find yourself in their hearts. When you see the "Rolling" mark at the botom right, continue to turn the analog stick and your magical power gauge will begin to fill. They might cry out...

Advancing..."Fragments of Memories" according to you magical power level, and the number of times you have accomplished a Love Steal. These Fragments of Memories are things in their hearts that they don't want to remember. By uncovering these memories you will be able to accept them for who they are and thus become closer to them.

Extras...Glasses Mode. After you've fulfilled certain prerequisites you will be able to put on and take off glasses off of people at will.

Okay, the glasses thing is wierd. I guess there are a lot of Megane-Moe people in Japan? The Love Steal is where the pretty CGs appear *blush* I guess they may "cry out" like in Duel Love here OxO! So she's pretty much some kind of succubus. Whoa. Hmm...since this is Bandai Namco, maybe they'll do some merchandising :) Chibi cell charms!

The Characters

The characters from Earth:

Aki Sakurai - Masaru Suzuki ( 鈴木賢 )
...is the eldest son of the Sakura family and is a 3rd year student at Kamiya* Academy High School Department. He's a flawless (or so he thinks), genius, elite.　Though his personality is flawed, a lot of people watch out for him because he makes people unconciously consent to his leadership with his objectivity and accuracy in the way he sees things. He's the ****president of the high school division which he and his brothers attend.

Nagi Sakurai- Keisuke Koumoto ( 河本啓佑 )
...is the fourth son of the Sakura family and is a 1st year student at Kamiya* Academy High School Department. He's a year younger than Riku, but is in the same grade. He doesn't speak much and when he does, it's hard to know what he's thinking. He isn't very interested in anything and is often alone. He's branded as strange but this doesn't bother him at all.

Sou Sakurai - Jyunichi Miyake ( 三宅淳一 )
...is the second son of the Sakura family and is a 2nd year student at Kamiya* Academy High School Department. His gentle manner and quiet personality is practically the opposite of his older brother's. Because he usually takes a conservative attitude, he stands out when he's with his more flamboyant brothers. He likes his princess cut hair****

Riku Sakurai - Hiroshi Okamoto ( 岡本寛志 )
...is the third son of the Sakura family and is a 1rst year student at Kamiya* Academy High School Department. He has a bright and good humoured attitude and is proficient at sports. He's popular in his c.lass because he does everything perfectly. Because he's a quick witted and takes action, people flock to him quickly.

Ren Satsuki - Jyunichi Suwabe ( 諏訪部順一 )
...is the director of Kamiya Academy, the school Touko is to attend. He always has a quiet manner and never loses his gentlemanly attitude. His neat and tidy butler's outfit and glasses give him an intellectual air.

Arisa Mano - (not announced)
...is a girl who transfers to Kamiya at the same time as Touko. Her words are on the sharp side but her attitude completely changes around guys?! She's acquainted and friendly with the Sakurai brothers.

Eva - Kouta Nemoto ( 根本 幸多 )
He looks cool, but sometimes he gets hot. He's a strong fighter, a lone wolf that has the qualities of a leader, and his friends seem to rely on him.

Kaito Tachibana - Daisuke Oono ( 小野 大輔 )
...is Touko's older brother who's attending graduate school. At first glance he seems like a nice, fresh-faced youth, but he also has a curt side. Surpisingly his special skill is cooking and he teaches his little sister cooking every once in a while. He cares for his family and is kind at heart.

Shigure Suou - (not announced)
...is Toukou's childhood friend and lives next door. Right now he's also her c.lassmate. His father is the board chairman of Kamiya Academy and he, who's very honest, is a ****representative.

The characters from Inorad:

Sein Doruaajyuu - Hiroshi Kamiya ( 神谷浩史 )
...is also Inoraado royalty and is the son from a distinguished family that governs light. He's positive and hopeful attitude overwhelms those around him. Even Karura can't oppose him?!

Karura Vaideruniusu - Masaru Suzuki ( 鈴木賢 )
...is the eldest son of the Vaideruniusu Family, the royal line of Inoraado. He is entrusted with the rule of the northern district. He doesn't think well of Aashu, because he schemes to be the next King. His name in the world of humans is "Sakurai, Aki."

Rafaera Vaideruniusu - Jyunichi Miyake ( 三宅淳一 )
...is the second son of the Vaideruniusu Family. He is entrusted with the rule of the southern district. He love nature and peace and often acts as a buffer between his brothers, who don't get along. His name in the world of humans is "Sakurai, Sou."

Earu Vaideruniusu - Keisuke Koumoto ( 河本啓佑 )
...is the fourth son of the Vaideruniusu Family. He is entrusted with the rule of the western district. Because he has no interest in governing, monsters appear in the ruined western district. His name in the world of humans is "Sakurai, Nagi."

Aashu Vaideruniusu - Hiroshi Okamoto ( 岡本寛志 )
...is the third son of the Vaideruniusu Family, and was nomitated to be the next King 10 years ago. He acts as his father's advisor in the central district, where the palace is. He's a bit moody. His name in the world of humans is "Sakurai, Riku."

Gryuudo - Jyunichi Suwabe ( 諏訪部順一 )
...is the personage who ties Touko and the world of Inoraado together. He also serves the royal family as a caretaker of the 4 brothers, who are also princes of Inoraado. Touko sets foot in Inoraado by taking Gryuudo's hand. He and Sein are close friends. His name in the world of humans is "Satsuki, Ren."

* These kanji may also be read as "Hanamiyabi" but I choose the reading Kamiya because it sounds like "biter" which is kind of what a vampire does, right? I haven't seen an official reading. I'll have to go look through my B's Logs later...I haven't any English spellings of their names so I'm leaving them as Romaji! I like Sein! Sein! Sein! I'm not sure he's capture-able, though *tears* Gryuudo's pretty nice, too...

I took the character information from B's Log (Feb -July 2008) and the site...some days I was too lazy to fish out my B's Logs and some days I was too lazy to translate the longer bios from the sites. Hey, at least I'm honest about it, eh?

The Excellent Box

I like merchandising. Actually, I love merchandising, so maybe some of you do, too. Here's some information about the Excellent Box (which I'm definately going to pre-order). The Excellent Box includes:

* An Illustrated Box with a Custom Illustration
* Premium Illustration Booklet
* Special Drama CD "Tachibana Kaito no Tomadoi"
* PS2 "drastic Killer" software

So nothing new or really special. It seems like a standard limited edition box. Still, I think I'll get it because I like drama CDs (which I used to think were useless), and illustration booklets.

The Pre-Order Bonuses

Messe Sanoh
Drama CD "Otona no Shakaikengaku" - The four siblings have begun to accustom themselves to the world of humans. They hadn't been out together in a while and so they decided to go where Ren told them not to go, a club at night! Eva yells at them but has to give up as they do whatever they like in the dark building. Things calm down when Ren arrives, but now they're fighting over Touko, who just got there?!

Cast: Nagi Sakurai (Keisuke Koumoto), Sou Sakurai (Jyunichi Miyake), Riku Sakurai (Hiroshi Okamoto), Ren Satsuki (Jyunichi Suwabe), Eva (Kouta Nemoto)

Animate
Drama CD "4Kyoudai Rainichi Kouza" - The 4 Vaideruniusu princes must study in the world of humans as per their father the king. They hold a cram session about the human world, taught by Gyuudo, who is in charge of their care. They are taught common sense and not common sense, manners, coaching regarding their positions and even how to dress! Sein joins the princes who do whatever they want and...

Cast: Karura (Masaru Suzuk), Rafaera (Jyunichi Miyake), Aashu (Hiroshi Okamoto), Earu (Keisuke Koumoto), Gryuudo (Jyunichi Suwabe), Sein (Hiroshi Kamiya)

Sofmap
Drama CD "Sein's Onayami **** ~Suki na Hito ga Irundesho Hen~" - Sein will show you lost sheep the way! One day the Vaideruniusu princes call Sein, who gets involved in some kind of strange counseling, without knowing what's going on...? Sein runs wild in front of the princes, who don't go for the ordinary. Can Gryuudo who runs to their rescue stop Sein?!

Cast: Karura (Masaru Suzuk), Rafaera (Jyunichi Miyake), Aashu (Hiroshi Okamoto), Earu (Keisuke Koumoto), Gryuudo (Jyunichi Suwabe), Sein (Hiroshi Kamiya)

Amazon
Illustrated Clear File

Hmm...the Messe Sanoh Drama CD sounds the funniest, but then the Sofmap and Animate ones have Sein in it...the clearfile from Amazon is nice, too...Hmm...I can't decide which one I want *tears* Maybe the Sofmap one because it sounds like Sein's the main character in that one?