# Studio Élan

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American video game developer and publisher

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Studio Élan Type Private Industry Video games Founded 2017; 9 years ago (2017) Founders Josh Kaplan Headquarters U.S. Website vnstudioelan.com

**Studio Élan** is an [independent video game developer](/source/Independent_video_game_developer) and publisher founded in 2017 by Josh Kaplan.[1] They specialised in [*yuri*](/source/Yuri_(genre)) [visual novels](/source/Visual_novel) and are best known for their first two titles, *[Highway Blossoms](/source/Highway_Blossoms)* and *[Heart of the Woods](/source/Heart_of_the_Woods)*.

## History

Studio Élan first began as an amateur game development group under the name Alienwork. Between working on another project within Alienwork, Syon Santeria pitched fellow member Josh Kaplan on creating a yuri visual novel as a smaller side project, the idea interested Kaplan and the pair began development of [Highway Blossoms](/source/Highway_Blossoms).[2] [Sekai Project](/source/Sekai_Project) announced the game at Anime Weekend Atlanta on September 26, 2015,[3] and in 2016 opened a [Steam Greenlight](/source/Steam_Greenlight) page for the game.[4] *Highway Blossoms* was initially released without any voice acting and its sound was limited to an acoustic soundtrack. An adult content patch was made freely available.[5][6] The developer later released a remastered version of the game featuring voice-overs for the characters.[7]

*Highway Blossoms* received positive reviews for its visuals, story, and soundtrack.[8][9][10][11] Kaplan also noted that the game "ended up being unexpectedly successful," stating that "it found an audience of primarily [LGBT](/source/LGBT) readers who appreciated what they felt was a more realistic approach to same-sex relationships."[12] Due to the game's success, Kaplan went on to found Studio Élan in February 2017.[1][12] In October, *Highway Blossoms*'s publisher [Sekai Project](/source/Sekai_Project) announced that Élan would be working on two further visual novels.[13] One of these was *Heart of the Woods*,[13] which would be released in 2019.[14] The studio's work would go on to garner a reputation for commonly featuring LGBTQ+ and [sapphic](/source/Terminology_of_homosexuality#Sapphism) themes.[15] In a 2018 interview, the head of the studio stated that "the majority" of studio members are LGBT women.[16]

In 2019, the studio announced *Lock and Key*, a [magical girl](/source/Magical_girl) *yuri* visual novel.[17] In February 2020, Studio Élan announced that they would begin publishing visual novels under their newly formed "Bellhouse" label, with *First Snow* as their first title.[18] They further released *Highway Blossoms: Next Exit*, [downloadable content](/source/Downloadable_content) (DLC) for *Highway Blossoms* in 2020.[19] Also in February, the release a trailer for *Summer At the Edge of the Universe*, which was set for release in 2021.[20][21] In April 2021, Studio Elan announced plans for a console port of *Highway Blossoms*.[22]

In October 2022, the studio merged with Studio Coattails.[23] In November, the studio released *Please Be Happy*.[24] In April 2023, *Heart of the Woods* received a limited physical release.[25] Later in October, the studio published *Twofold*, a visual novel following non-binary college student Olive Penn.[26]

## Games

### Games developed

Title Platform(s) Publication date Ref Highway Blossoms Windows, MacOS, Linux June 17, 2016 [27] The Waters Above: Prelude Windows, MacOS, Linux June 27, 2018 [28] Heart of the Woods Windows, MacOS, Linux, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Switch, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S February 15, 2019 [29] Please Be Happy Windows, MacOS, Linux, PlayStation 4, PlayStation5, Nintendo Switch, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S November 21, 2022 [30] A Tithe in Blood Windows, MacOS, Linux June 16, 2025 [31] Upwards, Rain! The Post Office of Farewells Windows, MacOS, Linux July 1, 2025 [32] Lock and Key: A Magical Girl Mystery Windows, MacOS, Linux September 30, 2025 [33] Witch You Want Windows, MacOS, Linux February 14, 2026 [34] Summer At the Edge of the Universe Windows, MacOS, Linux TBA [35] Our Home, My Keeper Windows, MacOS, Linux TBA [36]

### Games published

Title Developer Platform(s) Publication date Ref National Park Girls Studio Coattails Windows, MacOS, Linux March 14, 2019 [37] Without A Voice L³ Windows, MacOS, Linux March 20, 2020 [38] First Snow Salty Salty Studios Windows, MacOS, Linux August 19, 2020 [39] Who Is The Red Queen? 4noki Windows, MacOS, Linux August 15, 2022 [40] Twofold Salty Salty Studios Windows, MacOS, Linux October 27, 2023 [41] Love In a Bottle lovelandisle Windows TBA [42]

## References

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-Gematsu_1-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-Gematsu_1-1) ["Studio Elan"](https://www.gematsu.com/companies/studio-elan). *Gematsu*. 28 January 2022. Retrieved April 11, 2023.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-2)** ["Preparing for a Yuri Road Trip: An Interview With Highway Blossoms Developer, J. Kaplan"](https://yuriempire.wordpress.com/2016/06/03/preparing-for-a-yuri-road-trip-an-interview-with-highway-blossoms-developer-j-kaplan/). *Yuri Empire*. June 3, 2016. Retrieved July 7, 2023.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-3)** ["Sekai Project Adds Wagamama High Spec, Darekoi, More Visual Novels"](https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2015-09-26/sekai-project-adds-wagamama-high-spec-darekoi-more-visual-novels/.93424). *Anime News Network*. Retrieved April 11, 2023.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-Estrada_4-0)** Estrada, Marcus (February 17, 2016). ["Take a Yuri Road Trip with Highway Blossoms"](https://hardcoregamer.com/news/take-a-yuri-road-trip-with-highway-blossoms/193415/). *Hardcore Gamer*. Retrieved April 9, 2023.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-:12_5-0)** [Friedman, Erica](/source/Erica_Friedman) (June 20, 2016). ["Yuri Visual Novel: Highway Blossoms (English)"](https://okazu.yuricon.com/2016/06/20/yuri-visual-novel-highway-blossoms-english/). *Okazu*. Retrieved April 11, 2023.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-6)** Tarason, Dominic (September 17, 2018). ["Steam's first sexually explicit Adult Only games are out now, but not in every region"](https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/steam-adult-only-regional-restriction). *[Rock Paper Shotgun](/source/Rock_Paper_Shotgun)*. Retrieved April 9, 2023.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-7)** Manente, Kristina (March 26, 2019). ["Nerdy Jobs: The voices behind dating sims and visual novels"](https://www.syfy.com/syfy-wire/nerdy-jobs-the-voices-behind-dating-sims-and-visual-novels). [Syfy](/source/Syfy). Retrieved April 9, 2023.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-8)** Jones, Rebecca; Gremillion, Mexi (January 1, 2023). ["The 10 best visual novels on PC in 2023"](https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/the-10-best-visual-novels-on-pc). *[Rock Paper Shotgun](/source/Rock_Paper_Shotgun)*. Retrieved April 9, 2023.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-9)** Valens, Ana (May 20, 2021) [October 26, 2019]. ["Eroge, visual novels, and hentai: Your guide to adult visual novels"](https://www.dailydot.com/irl/visual-novel-eroge-hentai-games/). *[The Daily Dot](/source/The_Daily_Dot)*. Retrieved April 9, 2023.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-Terese_10-0)** Terese, Tyler (May 22, 2018). ["15 PC Visual Novels That Every Gamer Should Play"](https://www.gamerevolution.com/originals/390241-15-pc-visual-novels-that-every-gamer-should-play). *[GameRevolution](/source/GameRevolution)*. Retrieved April 9, 2023.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-11)** Ahlbrand, Maddison (February 9, 2023). ["9 Best LGBTQ+ Visual Novel Games"](https://www.thegamer.com/best-lgbtq-visual-novel-games/#our-life-beginnings-amp-always). *TheGamer*. Retrieved April 9, 2023.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-Rowe3_12-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-Rowe3_12-1) Rowe, Willa (February 21, 2023). ["Studio Élan on Doing Romance Right in Video Games: "Fans Want Nuanced, In-Depth Stories""](https://www.inverse.com/gaming/studio-elan-romance-video-games). *[Inverse](/source/Inverse_(website))*. Retrieved April 9, 2023.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-Estrada-17_13-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-Estrada-17_13-1) Estrada, Marcus (October 3, 2017). ["Studio Élan Creating Two New Yuri Visual Novels"](https://hardcoregamer.com/news/studio-elan-creating-two-new-yuri-visual-novels/274352/). *Hardcore Gamer*. Retrieved April 11, 2023.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-14)** Romano, Sal (June 12, 2021). ["Heart of the Woods launches July 8 for Switch, in August for PS5, Xbox Series, PS4, and Xbox One"](https://www.gematsu.com/2021/06/heart-of-the-woods-launches-july-8-for-switch-in-august-for-ps5-xbox-series-ps4-and-xbox-one). *Gematsu*. Retrieved July 9, 2023.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-15)** King, Jade (June 29, 2022). ["Pride Month Picks: Studio Elan Is The Master Of Sapphic Visual Novels"](https://www.thegamer.com/pride-month-picks-studio-elan-gay-visual-novels/). *TheGamer*. Retrieved January 4, 2024.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-16)** Jay, Mitch (September 6, 2018). ["Studio Élan Interview – Visual Novels, Yuri, Steam and More"](https://ricedigital.co.uk/studio-elan-interview-visual-novels-yuri-steam/). *Rice Digital*. Retrieved May 11, 2024.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-17)** Hart, Aimee (December 9, 2019). ["Lock and Key, a yuri visual novel that includes magical girls, is announced"](https://gaymingmag.com/2019/12/lock-and-key-a-yuri-visual-novel-that-includes-magical-girls-is-announced/). *[Gayming Magazine](/source/Gayming_Magazine)*. Retrieved May 11, 2024.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-18)** ["Branching Out: Bellhouse"](https://vnstudioelan.com/publishing/announcement/). *Studio Élan*. February 29, 2020. Retrieved July 7, 2023.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-19)** ["Behind the Scenes with Studio Élan"](https://old.vngameden.com/behind-the-scenes-with-studio-elan/3094/). *VN Game Den*. April 7, 2021. Retrieved April 11, 2023.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-20)** ["Studio Élan Unveils New Solarpunk Visual Novel Summer at the Edge of the Universe"](https://hardcoregamer.com/news/studio-elan-unveils-new-solarpunk-visual-novel-summer-at-the-edge-of-the-universe/367578/). *Hardcore Gamer*. February 12, 2020. Retrieved April 11, 2023.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-21)** Hart, Aimee (February 13, 2020). ["Studio Élan announces Summer at the Edge of the Universe, a lesbian visual novel"](https://gaymingmag.com/2020/02/studio-elan-announces-summer-at-the-edge-of-the-universe-a-lesbian-visual-novel/). *[Gayming Magazine](/source/Gayming_Magazine)*. Retrieved May 11, 2024.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-:02_22-0)** Hart, Aimee (21 June 2021). ["Studio Élan reveals popular lesbian game Highway Blossoms is coming to console - Gayming Magazine"](https://gaymingmag.com/2021/06/studio-elan-reveals-popular-lesbian-game-highway-blossoms-is-coming-to-console/). *[Gayming Magazine](/source/Gayming_Magazine)*. Retrieved April 11, 2023.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-23)** @vnstudioelan (October 31, 2022). ["Happy Halloween everyone! We've got several announcements for today 🎃✨ Studio Élan is growing bigger with our merger with Studio Coattails! They're the co-developers of Highway Blossoms and we've worked closely with them for years- and now, we're joining forces"](https://twitter.com/vnstudioelan/status/1587187901481328641) ([Tweet](/source/Tweet_(social_media))). Retrieved April 11, 2023 – via [Twitter](/source/Twitter).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-24)** Hart, Aimee (November 23, 2022). ["Please Be Happy is Studio Élan's new lesbian visual novel"](https://gaymingmag.com/2022/11/please-be-happy-is-studio-elans-new-lesbian-visual-novel/). *[Gayming Magazine](/source/Gayming_Magazine)*. Retrieved April 11, 2023.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-25)** ["Yuri visual novel Heart of the Woods to receive limited physical edition"](https://gaymingmag.com/2023/04/yuri-visual-novel-heart-of-the-woods-to-receive-limited-physical-edition/). *[Gayming Magazine](/source/Gayming_Magazine)*. April 6, 2023. Retrieved January 4, 2024.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-26)** Hart, Aimee (October 27, 2023). ["Studio Élan releases Twofold, a visual novel featuring a non-binary protagonist, today"](https://gaymingmag.com/2023/10/studio-elan-releases-twofold-a-visual-novel-featuring-a-non-binary-protagonist-today/). *[Gayming Magazine](/source/Gayming_Magazine)*. Retrieved January 4, 2024.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-27)** ["Highway Blossoms on Steam"](https://store.steampowered.com/app/451760). [Valve](/source/Valve_Corporation). Retrieved July 7, 2023.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-28)** ["The Waters Above: Prelude on Steam"](https://store.steampowered.com/app/885650). [Valve](/source/Valve_Corporation). Retrieved July 7, 2023.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-29)** ["Heart of the Woods on Steam"](https://store.steampowered.com/app/844660). [Valve](/source/Valve_Corporation). Retrieved July 7, 2023.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-30)** ["Please Be Happy on Steam"](https://store.steampowered.com/app/844670). [Valve](/source/Valve_Corporation). Retrieved July 7, 2023.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-31)** ["A Tithe in Blood on Steam"](https://store.steampowered.com/app/2989270). [Valve](/source/Valve_Corporation). Retrieved June 22, 2025.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-32)** ["Upwards, Rain! The Post Office of Farewells on Steam"](https://store.steampowered.com/app/3449030/Upwards_Rain_The_Post_Office_of_Farewells/). [Valve](/source/Valve_Corporation). Retrieved 2026-02-12.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-33)** ["Lock & Key: A Magical Girl Mystery on Steam"](https://store.steampowered.com/app/1803850/Lock__Key_A_Magical_Girl_Mystery). [Valve](/source/Valve_Corporation). Retrieved July 7, 2023.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-34)** ["Witch You Want - Witch You Want releasing on Valentine's Day! - Steam News"](https://store.steampowered.com/news/app/4253760/view/521988948159891180). [Valve](/source/Valve_Corporation). 2026-02-03. Retrieved 2026-02-12.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-35)** ["Summer at the Edge of the Universe"](https://vnstudioelan.com/games/summer/). Studio Élan. Retrieved July 9, 2023.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-36)** ["Our Home, My Keeper"](https://vnstudioelan.com/games/our-home-my-keeper/). Studio Élan. Retrieved July 9, 2023.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-37)** ["National Park Girls on Steam"](https://store.steampowered.com/app/1036580). [Valve](/source/Valve_Corporation). Retrieved July 7, 2023.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-38)** ["Without A Voice on Steam"](https://store.steampowered.com/app/1262190). [Valve](/source/Valve_Corporation). Retrieved July 7, 2023.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-39)** ["First Snow on Steam"](https://store.steampowered.com/app/1259430). [Valve](/source/Valve_Corporation). Retrieved July 7, 2023.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-40)** ["Who Is The Red Queen? on Steam"](https://store.steampowered.com/app/1930440). [Valve](/source/Valve_Corporation). Retrieved July 7, 2023.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-41)** ["Twofold on Steam"](https://store.steampowered.com/app/1749770/Twofold/). [Valve](/source/Valve_Corporation). Retrieved July 7, 2023.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-42)** ["Love In a Bottle on Steam"](https://store.steampowered.com/app/1947030/Love_In_a_Bottle/). [Valve](/source/Valve_Corporation). Retrieved July 7, 2023.

## External links

- [Studio Élan](https://vndb.org/p7226) at [The Visual Novel Database](/source/The_Visual_Novel_Database)

---
Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Studio Élan](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Studio_%C3%89lan) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Studio_%C3%89lan?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.