The Glimmer of a Blade Running Through the Darkness (Free Visual Novel) - Introduction and Review

This is an introduction and review article for the visual novel "The Gleam of the Blade Running Through the Darkness" by the circle "Kageboshi".
This work is a visual novel that was distributed for a fee (1000 yen) in 2011.
Since 10 years had passed since its release, it became available for free download as a game in January 2022.
I first learned about this game on "Freem!" and was intrigued, so I played it.
I started playing this game casually, thinking it would be a good deal since it was originally a paid title but was now available to play for free. However, it turned out to be a very interesting and impactful game.

The completion time was approximately 9 hours.

Game Overview and Impressions (No Spoilers)

This game is a visual novel game where the story progresses by reading text.
Basically, there are no choices to make; the story is meant to be enjoyed by reading through the text, graphics, and music.

This is the second work by the circle "Kageboshi," and it is said to be a prequel to their 2008 release, "On the Flowing Melody."
Although this is the second work in the series, chronologically, "The Glimmer of the Blade Running Through the Darkness" is the first, so if you're unsure which to read first, it's recommended to play this one first (according to the Freeware description).

The story begins when Shigezo Katakura, a poor young samurai, proposes to Hotaru Nakamura, the daughter of a merchant family, upon their first meeting.
Juzou's sudden proposal and attempts to woo Hotaru are certainly something, but Hotaru's acceptance of it is equally something else.
This story centers around two unique individuals and the events that unfold around them and the people around them.

In terms of content, some episodes have the exhilarating feel of Mito Komon, while others feature supernatural powers and phenomena.
What they all have in common is that each episode features battle scenes, big or small, and every battle is depicted in a way that keeps you on the edge of your seat.
By effectively using still images and effects, the images are presented in a way that conveys a sense of movement, even though they are static images.
The official website describes the work as a "picture story show with illustrations and music."

The background music consists of songs arranged for each scene, centered around the main theme melody.
While some arrangements make the songs sound like completely different tracks, the recurring melodic themes create a sense of unity and make them memorable.

The story consists of four episodes (plus a bonus), and time progresses naturally with each episode.
As time passes, the surrounding circumstances change, and the characters themselves also change.
The story progresses at a good pace, and explanations are written as dialogue rather than relying too much on narrative, making it easy to read without being tedious.

There are many central elements in this work, but what I found particularly unusual was that it depicts the relationship between a married couple.
While there are many works that depict the process leading up to a couple becoming lovers, I haven't read many that depict the relationship after they've become husband and wife, so I found it refreshing.
Also, since the setting is the end of the Edo period and not modern times, I imagine it would be difficult to depict it without it feeling unnatural, but I was impressed that I was able to read it without feeling any discomfort.
Since it's a fictional world that differs from historical fact, I don't expect strict realism from works like this.
However, I would have felt uncomfortable if there were too many instances of language or descriptions that didn't fit the historical setting, but that wasn't the case here.
If I had to choose between realism and readability in this work, I'd say the balance leans slightly towards readability.

The work incorporates various entertainment elements, including the end of the Edo period, battles, rags-to-riches stories, fantasy, and supernatural powers.
While reading it, I found it very enjoyable and exhilarating, but the impact upon finishing it was quite bitter. I felt it was a work with significant ups and downs.

Each episode is self-contained and easy to read through, so I recommend that anyone interested at least read the first episode.

Review (contains spoilers)

This section contains my thoughts and impressions of the film, including spoilers.
If you're planning to play the game, please note that you might enjoy it more if you skip this section.

Episode 1: The victors write the history.
As befits a first episode, it depicted the personalities and relationships of the main characters, leaving me wanting to read on.

I was a little skeptical that a cautious man like Yasui would present such a precious certificate in the final climax.
However, he was also intoxicated by power and alcohol, and therefore not entirely rational, so it's not entirely impossible that he was like that.
(I wrote this comment at the end of the first episode, but then in the third episode, Yasui himself said that he's not good at holding his liquor, so that made sense and I was relieved.)
Juzo's impressive combat abilities are finally revealed in the latter half of the story, establishing him as a fairly reliable and strong protagonist.

Episode 2: Softness overcomes hardness
This episode focused on the four dojo masters and Hotaru's circumstances.
At the end of the first episode, we got a glimpse of Juzo's battle, but it was mostly a surprise attack, so his true strength hasn't been revealed yet.
However, the opening match to determine the successor effectively showcased the strengths and types of each member, and I was satisfied with the battle aspect.

With the appearance of Kikuko's supernatural ability, I realized that this work also features supernatural-like abilities.
I didn't feel that Kikuko's supernatural ability itself was particularly amazing in combat; I think its main role was to explain why she was so lonely.

My initial impression of Hotaru's father changed drastically after this story ended.
I had the image of him being a sheltered young woman who would be forced into political marriages for his own selfish gain, but I grew to like him because he was a rational merchant, a master swordsman, and the type of person who followed the rules he set for himself.
Having both the power of a merchant and being one of the strongest swordsmen is just too cool and impressive.
He jokingly says that the reason he came to bring Hotaru back was because his wife slapped him, but as Juzou says, I think it's just an embarrassment to hide his weakness for his wife.

The scene where Nakamura is defeated by a kick is incredibly satisfying, but what's interesting is that, upon reflection after completing the game, it takes on a completely different meaning.
At this point, we don't know what's going on in Hakuan and Tetsuya's minds.

Episode 3: The future is uncertain.
When Juzo begins to seriously try to make a name for himself as a merchant, I can clearly see this as the turning point in the story's structure.
It feels like the story is progressing as each of the Four Heavenly Kings is starting to see the path they will take.
I thought there wouldn't be much fighting since the story would mainly focus on his life as a businessman, but then, unexpectedly, I got to face Yasui again.

Yasui wasn't explored in depth in the first episode, but this time, he was given more depth, which changed my perspective on him a little.
I initially found Yasui to be a hateful character, but I came to see him as one of the possible futures for Juzo.

Episode 4: Kindness is not just for others' sake.
This episode serves as the culmination of the series, and the supernatural elements begin to become seriously involved.
I like how Shigezo has a child, and how his stepfather Nakamura, while still looking tough like Professor Kaihara from Oishinbo, has become a kind grandfather.

I think I can somewhat understand why Kana rejected Zenkuro.
I can certainly understand why you might feel that there's something lacking in Zenkuro as a person, something you can't imagine him getting angry or crying.
If Zenkuro is a cold and ruthless person by nature, then there would be no gap between his outward appearance and his true character.
However, it is precisely because Zenkuro appears gentle and approachable that his consistent rationality comes across as unsettling.
Hotaru's father, Nakamura, appears strict on the outside and is the epitome of rationality in his words and actions, but he seems to be quite compassionate on the inside, which is quite the opposite of what you might expect.

I personally liked how the farewell with Hotaru was depicted in a surprisingly straightforward way, without becoming overly sentimental.
If the main theme of the work were "separation from a loved one," then it would be fine to depict it that way. However, for a work like this that deals with various themes, I feel that this balance of emphasis was just right.

The show culminated in a fairytale-like scene, and I, along with the other spectators, became incredibly excited.
I think it was good that my son's crying reminded me of what I needed to protect, which led to me helping Yayoi.
Seeing the fireflies out of season, I thought it was a beautiful and happy ending.

・Episode

I don't think any player who has read this far would choose "no," but this episode was the kind that would make you regret choosing "yes."

Indeed, there were a few things that bothered me after the fourth episode ended.
One point of contention is that, despite Tetsuya being ill at the beginning, what happened to him afterward is not depicted.
The question is, what was the true identity of the mendicant monk who touched the fireflies?
Those two points were what I was concerned about.
I wasn't particularly interested in who Hotaru's original fiancé was; I just assumed he was some kind of background character unrelated to the main story.
Therefore, I was quite shocked when I found out that Tetsuya was the one involved.

Furthermore, he learns that the house Zenkuro gave to Shigezo was the home of Zenkuro's parents, whom he had unknowingly driven to suicide, and that he was responsible for all of the reasons why Hakuan ran away, leading to profound despair.
While Zenkuro's way of thinking is certainly rational, I think this lack of sensitivity is the flaw that Kana pointed out.
And Tetsuya himself probably harbored feelings of jealousy towards Juzo, who easily surpassed him in everything (like Straybow in "Live A Live").

In his final moments, Tetsuya seems satisfied with the fact that Shigezo had directed his anger towards him.
Perhaps he found satisfaction in the fact that Juzo, who had always succeeded by only doing things the right way, had to get his hands dirty by killing his best friend, him.
Perhaps Shigezo felt that he had ended up in the same place as Tetsuya by making the choice to bring others down while being aware of his own malice.
It's unclear exactly what Tetsuya was trying to say in his final moments.
The line was something like, "If you had forgiven me, then I would really... owe you..."
He was satisfied that Juzo didn't forgive him, so he must have been dissatisfied if he had forgiven him.
Therefore, I suspect that the line meant something along the lines of, "That was the moment I truly hated you."

For now, I'd like to try playing the predecessor to this game, "On the Flowing Melody," in the future.

It appears that supplementary books related to this work and its predecessor are being sold on DLsite.
(As of May 2022, 1100 yen)
The image is a link.