Putting the D in the double D.

Preview: Kara no Shoujo 2


Innocent Grey has garnered quite a reputation for producing complex, psychological murder mysteries set in an atmospheric post-war Japan. Having played the Kara no Shoujo 2 trial, I am delighted to say that Innocent Grey’s latest installment looks to offer all that and more.

Upon starting the game, the first thing that stands out is the incredible production value we have come to expect from Innocent Grey. If you’ve played Cartagra, Caucasus, or Kara no Shoujo, you’ll immediately recognize the highly-polished user interface which is largely unchanged. That being said, compared to Innocent Grey’s previous games Kara no Shoujo 2 pushes the envelope even further with its artwork.


We start out in the shoes of Masaki Tomoyuki, a troubled art collector who is undergoing psychiatric treatment at the Kuchiki Pathological Research Institute due to trauma he experienced during the war. Masaki’s treatment proceeds uneventfully until one day in April when he visits the Kuchiki Institute, only to discover that his doctor has been apprehended for murder and the institute is on the verge of being shut down. Despite the many patients who transferred in light of this scandal, Masaki decides to continue his treatment at the Kuchiki Institute simply because transferring would be too much trouble.

Our murder mystery begins shortly after Masaki leaves the Kuchiki Institute, having been prescribed some extra-strength sleeping pills. Masaki’s 25-year-old nurse, Mayu Kamizono, notices that Masaki has left his wallet at the clinic and decides to deliver it to his apartment. Upon arrival, Mayu returns the wallet and also decides on a whim to question Masaki about a photo of her mom’s which bears an uncanny resemblance to him. Masaki’s response is unfavorable to say the least, and he forcefully kicks her out of his apartment after denying any affiliation with the man in the photo.

Distraught over how she should handle this falling-out with Masaki, Mayu returns to her home in tears. Shortly after, she hears a knock on the door and opens it, thinking Masaki has visited to apologize. Disaster ensues.


One thing I’ve always loved about Innocent Grey’s murder scenes is how, by assuming the culprit’s PoV and detailing his deranged yet often logical thought processes throughout the act, they allow the reader to truly get inside the head of a murderer. More than once, I’ve found myself empathizing with the culprit since his actions make perfect sense — within his twisted frame of mind, of course. Luckily, Kara no Shoujo 2 is no slouch in this regard.


After the deed is done, we assume the role of Reiji Tokisaka, our old detective friend from Kara no Shoujo. After meeting up with police chief Yaginuma and coroner Natsume (again, familiar faces for those of you who have played Kara no Shoujo), we enter the crime scene and begin our investigation.


For those who are familiar with this investigation system from other Innocent Grey games, you’ll be happy to hear that it has been improved and you will no longer need to click the same area multiple times to complete the scene, among other things. If you’re new to the series, the investigation scene is one of the game’s core mechanics through which information and physical items are gathered in order to be used as evidence later on.

All in all, Kara no Shoujo 2 appears to be a worthy successor to the original, and should answer some of the burning questions readers were left with after finishing Kara no Shoujo (what exactly happened to Toko anyway?). Although Kara no Shoujo 2 can be enjoyed without having played Cartagra or Kara no Shoujo, for the best experience I would suggest playing both first. As an added incentive, Kara no Shoujo 2 seems to be filled with subtle references to the two prequels which might otherwise go unnoticed.

Cartagra fans should appreciate this reference


Kara no Shoujo 2 is scheduled for release this Fall, and should be available for preorder shortly from MangaGamer. If you love well-written murder mysteries with relatable characters, enjoy top-notch music and artwork, and aren’t afraid of guro (I’m serious here), this VN should be at the top of your list. In the meantime, if you haven’t played Kara no Shoujo or Cartagra, now’s the perfect time to catch up!

Obligatory Fanservice


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