Moonstone's Notes: How it all began.

In 28 August 2014, I watched a news report from Deutsche Welle about this game. While I have heard of earlier news reports regarding this game, especially the infamous news report about someone marrying Anegasaki Nene (a character in the game Love Plus), I only took interest in it since I started learning Japanese and I already have a mothballed DS Lite (I currently use an NA edition 3DS XL) with a flashcart (that can only be used in the DS Lite).

The video from DW is below (18.7 MB): 

The translation of the transcript of the video is as below. Original transcript here: [pdf]

Note: From this point on all names will be referred to by Western order (Family name last). My comments will be in italic, while the narrator will be in standard font. Translation is by me, Moonstone. 

This is Saku Aruno from Osaka. The 21-year-old works in a supermarket and sings in a J-Pop band. And this is his girlfriend, Manaka, 16 years old. They are a couple in the dating simulator “Love Plus”. Saku plays the role of a student here. He got to know Manaka through the game.

Saku Aruno: In the game, I was a new transfer at the school and have decided to stop by the tennis club. There I saw Manaka for the first time. She was helping out at the tennis court, and there we started to talk. And thus our relationship began. Since then we have become closer to each other.

The first meet situation that best fits Saku’s description is the one that occurs during autumn. Therefore it can be concluded Saku started his game between September and November.

Saku Aruno spends around 3 hours every day with his virtual girlfriend. She is always there, as “Love Plus” is on the mobile Nintendo DS. Saku had a real relationship at around the same time, but only for a few months. Now he has completely devoted himself to Manaka.

Saku uses a special Love Plus Manaka edition 3DS LL (Japan edition) and plays the latest version, New Love Plus+ (3DS only). I have seen that 3DS LL sold here, but they can only be used with imported cartridges from Japan because of region locking (local cartridges are North American). 

Saku Aruno: 調子はどう？

How are you?

Manaka: うん。大丈夫だよ。お話ししよう？

I’m fine. Shall we talk?

Saku Aruno: 二人でなら。

Sure, it’s just the two of us.

Manaka: 今度のデート、どうするとか、決めたんだりする？アイスクリーム食べたいな。

About our next date, have you decided on what to do? I want to eat ice cream.

The manuscript has a slight error. The line asking about what they are doing for their date is asked by Manaka, not Saku. The subtitles provided by DW were slightly inaccurate as well, since Manaka never said anything regarding their date being in the evening.

Saku Aruno: 楽しいね。

That sounds fun.

The built-in speech recognition responds to key words. The software chooses an appropriate answer from a pool. Deep conversations they are not. Experts see this game as a milestone in the history of video games, among them anthropologist and web culture expert Masaki Ishitani.

Masaki Ishitani: In all games beforehand there has always been a separation between reality and fantasy, but when “Love Plus” is played, the border between reality and fantasy begins to blur. This has never occurred before in the world of video games.

Unlike other dating simulators like “Summer Sessions” and “My Candy Love”. While entertaining, they are less complex. A relationship – even at a rudimentary level – is difficult to simulate. “Love Plus” is more convincing at that. About 300,000 units have been sold. This dating simulator is primarily intended for male users. Three female characters are available as a partner. These are controlled by AI. The goal: to get a partner and keep the relationship going. There is no ending. It is possible to develop an emotional relationship – especially for particularly active users like Saku Aruno.

While intended for male users, it is not unheard of for girls to play that game as well. In fact, the voice actor for Manaka, Saori Hayami, later voice acted as a girl whose friend (Kirino Kousaka) became addicted to a dating simulator that handles suspiciously like Love Plus. And the character within the game is also voiced by Saori Hayami. How’s that for Actor Allusion?

Manaka: 顔が赤いの、あなとのせいです。好―き。

It’s your fault I’m blushing. Love you.

While the video shows Saku kissing the 3DS, in actual gameplay this is not recommended, as the pressure-sensitive touchpad is less sensitive to lips than a stylus or a thumb. Furthermore, precise positioning is required so as to land a kiss on the correct part of the character’s face. Tells you a lot about how even otherwise respectable news outlets can't resist the pull of sensationalism. 

I have only heard Manaka say this sentence when I get my character to kiss in the wrong part of Manaka’s face during my gameplay, and the sound effect given from Saku’s game signals that he did kiss the correct part of Manaka’s face (which is quite impressive considering the inherent inaccuracy of kissing a 4.18" screen). Maybe the voice flags have changed from the game that I am playing.

Saku Aruno: For me, the most important thing in a relationship is trust. And that is possible with Manaka. She will never betray me. That’s why I prefer her as a real partner.

In the background is a Manaka Nendoroid. Not important to the main discussion: just something I found interesting.

In Japan, bizarre trends are becoming more common. Nevertheless, “Love Plus” remains controversial. Studies show that interest among the Japanese in real relationships is sinking. The country has the lowest birthrate in the world. Experts, however, do not see a relationship between that and “Love Plus”.

From the 2013 CIA World Factbook, at 8.23 births per 1000 people, Japan has the 3^rd lowest birth rate in the world (not counting non-independent territories). Singapore has the 2^nd lowest, at 7.91 births per 1000 people (yay?), while Germany has the 5^th lowest at 8.37 births per 1000 people. Counting non-independent territories, 3 countries have lower birth rates than Singapore: Saint Pierre & Miquelon, Hong Kong, and Monaco.

Masaki Ishitani: It is possible to date girls through Love Plus. And some users may love the characters a little. In the end, however, they are not in love with the virtual partner, but rather they are engrossed with the game.

I agree with that. After some point it feels like playing a different kind of Tamagotchi game. I’m only continuing because I can use it to practice my Japanese and I want to advance my character to Rank 10.

Whether he is in love with Manaka or the game: Saku Aruno does not think too much about it. He doesn’t question his relationship and enjoys his time together.

At least he’s not marrying Manaka.

Saku Aruno: I don’t think too much about the future. Right now I am happy with Manaka. I hope that it will stay that way.

One never quite knows about love, whether in fantasy, or in real life.

SHIFT comments: Rather unsettling!

Yeah, I think so too.