Hinoseseragi (Free Video Game) - Introduction, Impressions, and Analysis

This is an introduction and review article for "Hinoseseragi," an entry in "VIPRPG Kohaku 2023."
It is characterized by its three-chapter structure and its meticulously and carefully crafted storytelling.
While there are some emotionally difficult moments, this is a heartwarming story with many touching scenes.

The completion time was approximately 3 and a half hours.

A superficial overview of the game (hopefully no spoilers)

Chapter 1 begins with a boy named Luca, who gets separated from his mother in a forest inhabited by demons, and is cared for by a demon named Kuon.
Chapter 1 depicts the interaction between Luca and Kuon, Chapter 2 tells a story from the past, and Chapter 3 continues from where Chapter 1 left off.

Techniques are used to make 2D images appear 3D, giving the graphics a sense of three-dimensional depth.
The interspersed battle scenes add depth and make for a compelling viewing experience.

However, since the game contains heavy themes and depictions of bloodshed, it's best to play it when you're in a stable mental state.

Thoughts and analysis (contains spoilers)

The following contains spoilers.
If you haven't finished playing the game, we recommend you don't read this.

I thoroughly enjoyed playing "Hinoseseragi" all the way to the end.
My general impression of each chapter is:
Chapter 1 → Heartwarming (A different impression after completing it)
Chapter 2 → Don't people have hearts?
Chapter 3 → hurtful.
That's how it felt.

I liked the horror-like direction in Chapter 1, which gradually made the story scarier.
What started as a heartwarming interaction with a demon turned into a horror story, but on the surface, it seemed like Luca's kindness melted the demon's heart.
In a folktale or picture book, this would have been the end of the story.

Every time Kuon laughs with a "Nfufu," it comes to mind.General OukiHis face flashed through my mind.

Chapter 2 was about the past, and it was a very disturbing development (and I mean that as a compliment).
I kept reading, wondering how everything would connect, and in the end, I understood how it all came together.
I can only say that I feel sorry for Rei and Hitsurugi.
I thought Ray's strength, which was occasionally on display, was really cool (his visit to the village chief's house at night, the scene where he maintains his composure after Hitsurugi's death, the scene where he makes a brilliant deduction, etc.).

Chapter 3 had many exciting battle scenes.
The fight scene with the soldiers at the beginning was particularly spectacular, and I was able to fully enjoy the thrill of watching a game.
The initial scene where the soldier's shadow is seen moving behind him was amazing; it gave a great sense of depth.
It was a satisfying ending, the kind that makes you think, "Of course, it was going to end like this."

Discussions, etc.

My honest impression is that Quon is manipulating Luca into going after him for revenge.
First of all, Kuon recognizes that it would be difficult to attack the village alone.
Even so, the fact that he went to the village suggests that, as a fundamental premise, he had a desire to die (as the author also wrote in the afterword).
Furthermore, while it appears that Luca is given the freedom to choose whether or not to take revenge, it seems that the option of not seeking revenge is effectively unavailable.

It was quite clear that Kuon was deliberately creating events to increase Luca's favorability towards him, with the intention of guiding him to choose revenge of his own free will after his death.

First of all, regarding how to make Luca an adult, even though it's said that it's possible with just a small exchange of bodily fluids, they deliberately choose a method that deepens feelings of love.
It's impossible to interpret this as Kuon being unable to control her emotions towards Luca, who resembles her husband, and resorting to this method; therefore, I feel that she chose this approach with a specific intention.

Secondly, the same applies to the case of the herb that causes paralysis of the lower body.
Given how meticulous Kuon is, even going so far as to hide mirrors throughout the house beforehand, would she really leave medicinal herbs and illustrated books within Luca's line of sight?
I can't help but think that incident was a clever trick to provoke Luca into questioning him, and then deepen his trust by meekly apologizing afterward.
When Luca pointed it out during a meal, she didn't seem upset, but rather said "Oh," and even seemed pleased that he noticed.
Her subsequent line, "I'm going to remake the dish, so please watch from behind me," came across as an overly exaggerated attempt to prove that she wouldn't lie anymore.

First of all, the forest is designed to be difficult to escape from due to miasma and illusionary spells, so it's unlikely that using medicinal herbs to hold them back was truly necessary.
The fact that they resorted to this measure suggests there was a reason other than preventing escape.
For example, perhaps his plan was to provoke Luca into questioning him, and then increase his trustworthiness by answering honestly.
She might have simply been trying to increase Luca's favorability towards her by diligently nursing him back to health.

Regarding the mirror, the fact that they left just one in that room, and that they went to the trouble of bringing back the soldier's armor, makes me feel like it's a deliberate setup to create a narrative like, "It wasn't a dream or anything, Luca did kill the soldier, but I made him do it, so don't worry about it" → "He's such an honest person to tell us that properly!"
The fact that the herb incident was discovered first was purely coincidental; it might not have mattered whether the mirror incident or the herb incident was discovered first.

While claiming to be free, Kuon understands Luca's kindness, so there's no way he wouldn't be able to predict what actions she'll take if he dies.
There's no need to lie to Luca while he's sleeping, so whether consciously or unconsciously, it feels like you're deceiving yourself.

Over the course of eight years, did the desire to go to his family (to die) grow stronger and eventually overcome his desire for revenge?
It doesn't sound like his desire for revenge has faded at all; rather, his desire to die has become stronger, so it sounds like he's saying he's leaving the rest to Luca.

If you truly wanted them to live happily without thinking about revenge, you wouldn't write something like, "I'm probably ugly right now," in the note; instead, you'd probably write something like, "Please live happily and never think about revenge."
Perhaps I'm just making things up because I'm convinced that "Kuon is manipulating Luca into seeking revenge."
However, even taking a step back and considering the situation objectively, it seemed difficult to say that there was absolutely no motivation for revenge.

I think Ray's thinking is fairly similar to Quon's, but there might be some discrepancies in their perception of the situation.
I think that when Ray handed Luca over to Quon, he was prepared for him to be turned into a puppet and for his revenge to be achieved.
However, I interpret the fact that Quon came alone as simply meaning, "I've decided to stop using Luca as a tool for revenge."
Therefore, I think Ray probably died feeling relatively satisfied.
I don't think they realized at the time that Luca would seek revenge.

I don't know which is right: the village chief who sacrifices others without regard for the consequences to protect his own child, or Kuon who sacrifices a child for his own revenge (even though Kuon is not Luca's parent).
However, given the way the story was presented, it was naturally impossible to side with the village chief.

While the village chief's son was the root cause of everything, it was Kuro who set the stage for what happened afterward, and it was Kuon who paved the way for Luca to become a vengeful demon.
It somehow felt like it was meant to be that those two would have what was essentially their final battle.

If the "hi" in "hinoseseragi" is indeed "scarlet," as seen in Kuro's incantation, then it might represent how emotions like revenge are passed down to the child like blood.
And as a result, I felt it also depicted the scene of the village being drenched in blood.
You could interpret it as "wrong," and think of the mistakes you've made as flowing endlessly.
The title, written in hiragana, looks cute, but in reality, it's a suspenseful revenge drama.