After its release, "Blanket Man" received unanimous praise from players:
"Blanket Man is the best galgame I've played this year. It might even be in the top three of all the galgames I've ever played so far.
Seriously, "Blanket Man" is definitely a game worth playing."
"Blanket Man far exceeded my expectations. I originally thought that after Pokeni lost a galgame master like Kogahara Tsubakiaki, it would be quite good if the remaining Gen Urobuchi and Ishino Mika could just reach a passing standard.
I didn't expect that not only did Ishino Mika achieve that, but she did it exceptionally well.
"The Witcher," produced by Mikami Shinji in collaboration with Gen Urobuchi, is already quite excellent, even making many players look forward to it inheriting Kogahara Tsubakiaki's legacy to some extent.
At least we can feel from it—
Shinji Mikami's control over game quality, combined with innovative gameplay and Gen Urobuchi's script, can rival Old Thief Kohara.
However, there has always been a slight shortcoming.
This shortcoming lies in the fact that even though "The Witcher" is quite excellent, it is not on the same track as the galgames that P-set excels at.
It is hard to say for sure whether Pokeni is still capable of producing works of the same level, or even surpassing those of Kogahara Tsubakiaki, after his departure.
Until now, having finished experiencing "Blanket Man," I want to say that the new pairing of Mika Ishino and Jun Majima has perfectly inherited the aspirations of Kogahara Tsubakiaki.
They have even done better.
The imaginative plot structure, dreamlike game art style, and cute character designs deeply attracted me the moment I first played this game.
Then came a series of heartwarming daily life sequences, which made one feel the rare and commendable qualities of Pokeni's new producers—
Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication.
They truly managed to tell profound stories through simple ones; even the most ordinary daily processes never made one feel bored or uncomfortable.
It is precisely these heartwarming, small daily routines that truly succeed in being interesting to the player while simultaneously being deeply touching in every moment.
This level of skill is quite remarkable.
I feel that even if Kogahara Tsubakiaki were still here, he might not have been able to achieve this.
And the plot in the mid-to-late game takes a sharp turn, one could even call it running wild. The way the triple-hitter plot unfolded really caught me off guard; I was completely devastated by the emotional blows.
How could a human even write a plot like this?
What surprised me the most is—
Even with such a massive shift between the first and second half, and the sudden, relentless triple emotional blows, it never felt the slightest bit jarring from start to finish.
The transition between the different parts of the plot was incredibly natural.
So natural, in fact, that you wouldn't even notice it. This level of craftsmanship is already quite extraordinary.
It even makes one start to wonder—
Is it possible that Kogahara Tsubakiaki didn't actually leave Pokeni, but rather quietly moved behind the scenes as a game director?
If this conjecture is true, then I can only say it is truly the players' good fortune.
If they were able to achieve this independently without Kogahara Tsubakiaki's support from behind the scenes, then Ishino Mika is also a hero in my heart.
"If this conjecture is true, then I can only say it's truly the players' good fortune.
If they could achieve this on their own without Guyuan Chunqiu's support behind the scenes, then Ishino Mika is also a hero in my heart."
"I love 'Blanket Man' so much! This game is currently my favorite galgame.
Although there are no passionate battles, not much suspense, and no grand slogans shouted, even the abilities acquired by several of the characters are quite useless:
Blanket Man's ability is just growing a comforter. Rather than calling it a superpower, it's more of a burden; it not only increases the physical load but also almost caused him to drown in the water.
The biggest advantage of the comforter is probably that it can provide a warm and comfortable environment in winter, and perhaps play a tiny, insignificant role during a fire in the final moments.
If the floor were higher and the fire larger, Blanket Man wouldn't have been able to play any role at all.
And what about the heroine, Hedgehog Girl's ability? She's covered in thorns, with very limited lethality, and in many cases, this is the main reason that caused the heroine to feel inferior and even once want to commit suicide.
Besides that, there is also the [Angel] who cannot fly, and the [Fireworks Girl] who can only release fireworks at the cost of her life to please others.
Among these [Disqualified], even the strongest one, Kohi, has multi-organ damage due to the side effects of her ability."
Such useless character designs—aside from Pokeni, I can't think of any other company that would do this.
In fact, if I were in the company's management, it would be very difficult for me to approve such a design proposal.
Except for Pokeni, I can't think of any other company that would create such a useless, chicken-rib character design.
Even if I were in the company's management, I would find it hard to approve such a design proposal.
Just think, whether it's Marvel or DC, all their superheroes, even the mutants, don't they all possess powerful combat abilities?
A character like Blanket Man probably wouldn't survive the first episode among them.
Yet, despite being such a strange-looking game, "Blanket Man" has a powerful ability to touch people's hearts.
The "Disqualified" have kind and tender hearts. The parts of them that have been stripped of their humanity are both their abilities and their weaknesses, and at the same time, the very things that draw them to each other.
Small people, chicken-rib abilities, gathering together because they have lost their human identity—such a group of people, kind and lovely. When playing the game, one can truly experience their friendship and warm daily life; it's a kind of happiness.
No one is a world hero, and no one has to save the world. Even if I am a loser in everyone else's eyes, I still want to live for one person.
If I can become that person's only, exclusive hero, then this world is worth it.
The human world is worth it.
The warmth I couldn't feel in real life, I felt in "Blanket Man."
It's truly wonderful to have encountered such a game!
I, too, long to meet my own "Hedgehog Girl" in reality.
And I also hope that I can become someone's exclusive "Blanket Man."
If such a day truly comes, it will surely be the greatest stroke of luck in my life.
"The character design in 'Blanket Man' is truly excellent. Small people, big emotions, exclusive heroes.
Every character has their own unique features, as well as their own distinct personalities.
Everyone is unique in this world.
Within the dreamlike visuals of the game, the characters shine brightly, each radiating their own special charm.
They are truly no less than Superman or Spider-Man...
Seeing them give their all to live for themselves and for each other, striving to find the meaning of their existence, my heart feels like it contains an entire ocean, surging and tumultuous.
This game is not a 'game you can only play once in a lifetime' in the traditional sense of P Corporation,
But it is certainly a 'game you must play once in a lifetime,' inheriting P Corporation's tradition.
No one is a hero of the world, and no one is obligated to save the world. Even if I am a loser in the eyes of others, I must still live for one person.
If I can be this person's only one, their exclusive hero, then this world is worth it.
Life is worth living.
It can give you infinite power.
Even in the most desperate moments of life, think of Blanket Man, think of Hedgehog Girl, think of the little sparks and the fireworks..."
It can give you endless power.
Even in the most desperate moments of life, just think of Blanket Man, Hedgehog Girl, Kohi, and Fireworks...
As long as I think about how they strive to live even after losing their human qualifications, and how they are getting better and better, my heart is filled with endless motivation!"
"Megumi Hayashibara is worthy of being the queen of voice acting in my heart; her voice acting makes the image of Hedgehog Girl instantly three-dimensional and full, and not only can you feel her 'prickliness,' but it also doesn't make people dislike her.
The character of Hedgehog Girl let me see myself. In reality, I am the same; I often say cynical things, mock others, and reject their kindness, just like a hedgehog.
But I know deep down that all of this actually stems from my inferiority and fear.
The less secure I feel, the less I want to get close to others.
The more afraid I am of getting hurt, the harder it is to trust others.
I'm even afraid of hurting others, so I'm unwilling to get close to them.
I am very conflicted, so I have been single until now. After rejecting several boys in elementary school, I lost confidence in love.
After playing "Blanket Man," I saw myself in the hedgehog, and I realized—
In reality, all of this requires one's own effort to pursue.
You might not necessarily encounter your own "blanket" in life.
So, I need to be more like the hedgehog and muster up the courage.
Inner strength is the courage that allows us to survive and persevere to the end.
After playing "Blanket Man," I understood a truth—
Life can involve waiting, but it is even more about pursuing.
Born a hedgehog, one must have the courage to face others, and the courage to face oneself.
If I don't encounter my "Blanket Man," then I should be more proactive and go look for my own "Blanket Man."
Blanket, here I come."
"Blanket Man" may seem to be about the predicaments and lives of the "Disqualified," and the process of getting to know, becoming familiar with, and falling in love with one another.
But in reality, it is telling the story of each and every one of you and me.
Just like what Minami Hyuga says in the game: Everyone is an island.
This quote comes from the work "No Man Is an Island" by the seventeenth-century English metaphysical poet John Donne.
No man is an island.
Entire of itself. Each is a piece of the continent.
Part of the whole. If the sea washes away a piece, then that person becomes an island.
It is said that everyone needs to connect with others, that we are all part of a social whole, and that we cannot live without it.
Yet, the "island" has become a true reflection of the lives of many people today.
During the day, due to our various roles in reality, we are forced to interact and communicate with others; it is only in the dead of night that we truly belong to ourselves, free to immerse ourselves in our own worlds and do only what we want to do.
In this modern era, where the rates of staying up late and hair loss among young people are soaring, if you ask what drives them to stay up late, many might answer: "Only late at night do I truly belong to myself."
We seem to be alone all along—born alone, growing up alone, and departing alone.
People come and go, forming all kinds of connections with us, staying by our sides for longer or shorter periods, but eventually, they all leave.
Loneliness is a lifelong companion, or perhaps something innate.
Especially in the world today.
But even if we are islands, there are times when we need others, and times when we are needed by them.
Loneliness is a lifelong companion, or perhaps something innate.
Especially in today's world.
However, even on a lonely island, there are times when we need others and are needed by them.
Playing "Blanket Man" intensified my sense of loneliness, but at the same time, it ignited courage within me.
This courage is the strength to face life, to face my own loneliness, and simultaneously, the courage to trust others and reveal my vulnerability and solitude to them.
"Blanket Man" is truly a game one needs to play at least once in their life.
It not only encompasses joys and sorrows, but also provides strength and food for thought.
"When I reached the very last moment, seeing the Hedgehog cry out in surprise, 'Blanket, your blanket!'
I felt like I wanted to kill the producer and the scriptwriter.
What?
It ends just like this?
That's it?
How can it stop right there?
What happened to Blanket later? Did he and the Hedgehog go on to live happily together? What about the other little friends—Kohi, Angel—what became of them? None of it was explained; it just stopped abruptly.
That feeling was really agonizing.
But, after calming down, and after spending more than half an hour reviewing and thinking about the plot...
What I felt more than anything was gratitude.
P Corp's galgames haven't gone down the tragic path since "Your Name," have they?
I'm grateful to Pokeni for giving us such a beautiful ending, grateful to Ishino Mika for sparing us, and grateful to the scriptwriter, Jun Majima, for showing mercy.
Thank you, 'Blanket Man'."
Because there was such a game, I found the courage to confess my feelings.
Although I don't know if I will succeed, I feel that at least I must take this step.
"Because of this game, I've found the courage to confess my feelings. Although I don't know if I'll succeed, I feel like I at least have to take this step.
I hope to become her 'Blanket Man'.
I also hope to gain her approval.
Anyway, good luck to me."
"Although it's an open ending, just like many fairy tales, this is the best ending possible.
The prince and princess got married and lived happily ever after.
That's the standard fairy tale ending.
But what fairy tales don't tell you is—
After they get married, the princess has to face the persecution of the wicked queen, and it doesn't tell you that after having children, there are a whole bunch of troublesome things.
The children will grow up, fight each other, and vie for power.
And then continue the next cycle of the prince and princess story.
These are the things that fairy tales don't write about, it's better to end it here.
I can only say that Ishino Mika is truly too kind; she was afraid that if it continued, the feeling it gave everyone wouldn't be beautiful, so it was better to just cut it off here.
The most beautiful moment is eternal.
Ishino Mika is truly the greatest galgame producer after Kogahara Tsubakiaki.
Looking forward to her next work!"
"Thank you to 'Blanket Man' for giving a relatively HE (Happy Ending), thank you to Ishino Mika for her mercy, and thank you to Pokeni.
Thank you!"
***
"Hmm? Why is that?"
Hayao Miyazaki thought highly of Blanket Man, but after seeing the reviews from magazines and players, he was still filled with confusion.
"Why thank Ishino Mika for sparing them? Isn't a happy ending quite common?"
No, no.
That's just because you know nothing about Pokeni's real games.
Toshio Suzuki wanted to explain something, but when the words reached his lips, he chose to give up.
If some peculiar game were to affect the judgment of Miyazaki-hamster, leading to all future Studio Ghibli animations having tragic endings, that wouldn't be good.
As it stands, it's fortunate that Blanket Man has a comedy ending; otherwise, Princess Mononoke, which is currently in production, might have been influenced.
At the very least, Suzuki himself had once felt that if Princess Mononoke had a tragic ending, it might have been more shocking and impactful.
For example, the male protagonist choosing to sacrifice himself to balance the conflict between humans and nature.
Or perhaps the three core characters all perishing together...
These would all be more shocking than the ending currently discussed, but they wouldn't necessarily be the best answer.
Toshio Suzuki quite likes the current version of the Princess Mononoke ending. It seems as if nothing has been resolved, but the major contradictions and conflicts have already erupted, followed by a stalemate and a state of balance—a state of being unresolved.
But this state is actually more in line with reality.
It is easier to make people think.
***
However...
Although Toshio Suzuki hadn't really played Pokeni's games, he still had a vague feeling—
Just how heart-wrenching were Pokeni's previous games?
Take "Blanket Man"—the ending and the storyline alone emotionally destroyed half the people, and there were so many tear-jerking moments in between. Yet, despite that, players were still grateful, saying that Mika Ishino was too kind.
So what must Kogahara Tsubakiaki be like?
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