{{Short description|Japanese visual novel}} {{Infobox animanga/Header | name = True Tears | image = True tears box.jpg | caption = Cover art of the regular edition of the original visual novel. | genre = Drama, Romance }} {{Infobox animanga/Game | developer = La'cryma | publisher = La'cryma (Windows)<br />Sweets (PS2) | genre = Visual novel | platforms = Windows, PlayStation 2 | released = March 31, 2006 (Windows)<br />August 7, 2008 (PS2) }} {{Infobox animanga/Print | type = manga | author = La'cryma | illustrator = Asaki | publisher = Flex Comix | magazine = Comi Digi ''(former)'' <br> Comi Digi + | first = December 10, 2005 | last = August 21, 2006 | volumes = 1 | volume_list = }} {{Infobox animanga/Video | type = live film | director = Kazuya Hatazawa | producer = | writer = | music = | studio = | released = December 22, 2006 | runtime = }} {{Infobox animanga/Other | title = Anime television series | content = *''True Tears'' }} {{Infobox animanga/Footer}}
'''''True Tears''''' (stylized as '''''true tears''''') is a Japanese visual novel developed by La'cryma, a collaboration between Broccoli, Circus, GameCrab and Rei Izumi,<ref name="ttsite_products">{{cite web|url=http://www.lacryma.info/truetears/products/index.html|access-date=April 28, 2008|language=Japanese|title=Product info of the game ''True Tears''|publisher=La'cryma|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://archive.today/20071116144906/http://www.lacryma.info/truetears/products/index.html|archive-date=November 16, 2007}}</ref> and was originally released on March 31, 2006, for the Windows as a DVD in Japan rated for everyone, followed by a Hong Kong and Taiwanese release on March 31, 2007. A PlayStation 2 version was first announced to be released on March 13, 2008, but was later delayed for an August 7, 2008 release. The gameplay in ''True Tears'' follows a linear plot line, which offers pre-determined scenarios and courses of interaction, and focuses on the appeal of the five female main characters.
''True Tears'' has made several transitions to other media. A manga adaptation illustrated by Japanese artist Asaki was first serialized in the Japanese magazine ''Comi Digi'' (later ''Comi Digi +'') between December 10, 2005, and August 21, 2006. A thirteen-episode anime was created by P.A. Works and aired in Japan between January 6, 2008, and March 30, 2008, but has little in common with the visual novel other than the name. Two Internet radio shows, two drama CDs, and a live action drama adaptation have also been produced.
==Gameplay== thumb|left|A conversation in ''True Tears'' depicting the main character talking to Katsura. The gameplay in ''True Tears'' requires little player interaction as much time is spent on reading the text that appears on the lower portion of the screen, representing either dialogue between characters, or the inner thoughts of the protagonist. Before the beginning of every week in the game's storyline, the player is given the option to plan a schedule, and is allowed to pick and view any three days of the given week.<ref name="tt_intro">{{cite web|url=http://www.lacryma.info/truetears/game/index.html|title=Game introduction at ''True Tears'' official website|access-date=April 28, 2008|publisher=La'cryma|language=Japanese|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080505061239/http://lacryma.info/truetears/game/index.html|archive-date=May 5, 2008}}</ref> Different events occur depending on the days that the player chooses. Every so often, the player will come to a "decision point" where he or she is given the chance to choose from options that are displayed on the screen, typically two to three at a time. Depending on which choice the player makes, the "tear points" of the heroine associated with the events of the day would either increase, decrease, or remains the same. "Tear points" act as a system notifying the player how well he or she is treating a certain character. If a character's tear points exceed the maximum amount of eight, her ending is rendered inaccessible during that specific playthrough. There are multiple plot lines that the player will have the chance to experience. To view all of the plot lines, the player will need to replay the game multiple times and make different schedules and choices during decision points to progress the plot in an alternate direction.
==Plot and characters== thumb|The main female characters from ''True Tears'': Honoka (top-left), Io (top-center), Katsura (top-right), Yuzuko (bottom-left), and Rui (bottom-right). The story of ''True Tears'' revolves around the protagonist {{Nihongo|Tetsuya Mizuno|水野 哲也|Mizuno Tetsuya}}, a third year high school student whose role the player assumes, and his interactions with his schoolmates during the second half of his final year attending {{nihongo|Mizuho Academy|瑞鳳学園|Mizuho Gakuen}}, in which the main part of the story takes place. Tetsuya meets {{Nihongo|Yuzuko Sanada|真田 柚子|Sanada Yuzuko|''Voiced by:'' Yūna Inamura}}, a heroine and a childhood friend whom he nicknamed Yuzu one day on his way to school. Yuzuko actually has a crush on Tetsuya. To her advantage, she is skilled at cooking and homemaking, but has a timid personality.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.lacryma.info/truetears/chara/yuzuko/index.html|title=Yuzuko Sanada's character profile at ''True Tears''{{'}} official website|publisher=La'cryma|language=Japanese|access-date=June 6, 2008|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://archive.today/20080419011909/http://www.lacryma.info/truetears/chara/yuzuko/index.html|archive-date=April 19, 2008}}</ref> He later also meets {{Nihongo|Rui Nakane|仲根 るい|Rui Nakane|''Voiced by:'' Yui Itsuki}} at the pool after running errands for {{Nihongo|Asumi Akiyama|秋山 飛美|Akiyama Asumi|''Voiced by:'' Kyōko Hikami}}, his cousin who is also the school nurse.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.lacryma.info/truetears/chara/asumi/index.html|title=Asumi Akiyama's character profile at ''True Tears''{{'}} official website|publisher=La'cryma|language=Japanese|access-date=June 6, 2008|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://archive.today/20071113144538/http://www.lacryma.info/truetears/chara/asumi/index.html|archive-date=November 13, 2007}}</ref> Rui is the main heroine in the story, who holds vast knowledge, and is very affectionate towards animals to the extent where her aim is to become a veterinarian.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.lacryma.info/truetears/chara/rui/index.html|title=Rui Nakane's character profile at ''True Tears''{{'}} official website|publisher=La'cryma|language=Japanese|access-date=June 6, 2008|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://archive.today/20071116144902/http://www.lacryma.info/truetears/chara/rui/index.html|archive-date=November 16, 2007}}</ref> Despite her love toward animals, she has a severe fear of touching cats due to a past incident.
thumb|left|Example of the schedule system used in ''True Tears''. Tetsuya is later confronted by {{Nihongo|Katsura Yukishiro|雪代 かつら|Yukishiro Katsura|''Voiced by:'' Rina Satō}}, another heroine. Katsura is the student council president of the school. She is intelligent, and often places herself at the top of academic rankings.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.lacryma.info/truetears/chara/katsura/index.html|title=Katsura Yukishiro's character profile at ''True Tears''{{'}} official website|publisher=La'cryma|language=Japanese|access-date=June 6, 2008|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://archive.today/20090209071341/http://www.lacryma.info/truetears/chara/katsura/index.html|archive-date=February 9, 2009}}</ref> Despite being a third year student like Tetsuya, she is actually one year older than he is, taking a year off due to her father's suicide in the past. Tetsuya later also meets {{Nihongo|Honoka Uehara|上原 穂香|Uehara Honoka|''Voiced by:'' Erina Nakayama}}, also a heroine who attends his class. Honoka shows great interest in literature but is really shy and timid.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.lacryma.info/truetears/chara/honoka/index.html|title=Honoka Uehara's character profile at ''True Tears''{{'}} official website|publisher=La'cryma|language=Japanese|access-date=June 6, 2008|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://archive.today/20090209071508/http://www.lacryma.info/truetears/chara/honoka/index.html|archive-date=February 9, 2009}}</ref> She is in fact a net idol, and goes by the handle Asumi, named after Tetsuya's cousin Asumi, whom she admires. Tetsuya also meets {{Nihongo|Io Sakuragawa|桜川 依緒|Sakuragawa Io|''Voiced by:'' Sakura Nogawa}}, ''True Tears''{{'}} last main heroine, after breaking up a fight between her and her brother. Io is an energetic second year student who is actually a voice actress.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.lacryma.info/truetears/chara/io/index.html|title=Io Sakuragawa's character profile at ''True Tears''{{'}} official website|publisher=La'cryma|language=Japanese|access-date=June 6, 2008|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080619100501/http://lacryma.info/truetears/chara/io/index.html|archive-date=June 19, 2008}}</ref> She often uses her acting skills, such as faking her tears, to tip the situation in her favor.
Other characters include {{Nihongo|Hikari Ogasawara|小笠原 光里|Ogasawara Hikari|''Voiced by:'' Ami Koshimizu}}, a friend of Yuzuko's, and {{Nihongo|Mako Momose|百瀬 真子|Momose Mako|''Voiced by:'' Akeno Watanabe}}, Io's fellow broadcasting club member who strives to be a comedian.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.lacryma.info/truetears/chara/mako/index.html|title=Mako Momose's character profile at ''True Tears''{{'}} official website|publisher=La'cryma|language=Japanese|access-date=June 6, 2008|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080531044220/http://lacryma.info/truetears/chara/mako/index.html|archive-date=May 31, 2008}}</ref> The two often appears together as supporting characters, but in addition to Asumi Akiyama, the two are also side-heroines. {{Nihongo|Keigo Sakuragawa|桜川 圭悟|Sakuragawa Keigo|''Voiced by:'' Hideki Tasaka}} is Io's stubborn elder brother.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.lacryma.info/truetears/chara/keigo/index.html|archive-url=https://archive.today/20080319140503/http://www.lacryma.info/truetears/chara/keigo/index.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=March 19, 2008|title=Keigo Sakuragawa's character profile at ''True Tears''{{'}} official website|publisher=La'cryma|language=Japanese|access-date=June 6, 2008}}</ref> Despite usually arguing with his sister over her ideals, he is actually quite fond of her and sometimes gets overprotective, to her dismay. {{Nihongo|Riku Morioka|森岡 陸|Morioka Riku|''Voiced by:'' Masahito Yabe}} is a friend of Mizuno. He is often depicted as a comic relief character, but also accompanies the protagonist on events like the school's festival. {{Nihongo|Gion Inoue|井上 祇園|Inoue Gion|''Voiced by:'' Yukari Fukui}} is a girl whose childish appearance resembles a grade school student.<ref name="tt_chara_gion">{{cite web|url=http://www.lacryma.info/truetears/chara/gion/index.html|title=Gion Inoue's character profile at ''True Tears''{{'}} official website|publisher=La'cryma|language=Japanese|access-date=June 6, 2008|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080531044453/http://lacryma.info/truetears/chara/gion/index.html|archive-date=May 31, 2008}}</ref> She constantly mixes in onomatopoeia phrases in her speeches.<ref name="tt_chara_gion" />
==Development== ''True Tears'' was first announced on May 4, 2005, at the Dream Party convention hosted at the Tokyo Big Sight.<ref>{{cite web|publisher=Game Watch|url=http://watch.impress.co.jp/game/docs/20050506/tears.htm|title=An announcement of the game ''True Tears''|access-date=May 14, 2008|language=Japanese|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080504100253/http://www.watch.impress.co.jp/game/docs/20050506/tears.htm|archive-date=May 4, 2008}}</ref> It was announced as the first project by the visual novel studio La'cryma, a collaboration among visual novel studios Broccoli, Circus, GameCrab, and Japanese artist Rei Izumi.<ref name="ttsite_products" /> The executive producers for the visual novel were Takaaki Kitani from Broccoli, and Tororo from Circus.<ref name="insani_tt">{{cite web|url=http://www.insani.org/truetears.html|title=Information on the Windows release of ''True Tears''|publisher=Insani|access-date=May 19, 2008}}</ref> While their respective companies also led the planning, the scenario is worked on by Nonoka Maihama and GameCrab.<ref name="insani_tt" /><ref>{{cite web|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090209015933/http://erogamescape.ddo.jp/~ap2/ero/toukei_kaiseki/creater.php?creater=4069|archive-date=February 9, 2009|url=http://erogamescape.ddo.jp/~ap2/ero/toukei_kaiseki/creater.php?creater=4069|title=A list of Maihama's work on ErogameScape|publisher=ErogameScape|language=Japanese|access-date=December 28, 2014}}</ref> Art direction was headed by Rei Izumi, known for her work on ''Hibiki's Magic'' and ''.hack//Legend of the Twilight'', who also provided character designs.<ref name="ttsite_products" /><ref name="insani_tt" /> Music from the game was composed entirely by Kometto Nekono, who had also provided music for the ''Da Capo'' series.<ref>{{cite web|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090209020627/http://erogamescape.ddo.jp/~ap2/ero/toukei_kaiseki/creater.php?creater=2578|archive-date=February 9, 2009|url=http://erogamescape.ddo.jp/~ap2/ero/toukei_kaiseki/creater.php?creater=2578|title=A list of Nekono's work on ErogameScape|publisher=ErogameScape|language=Japanese|access-date=December 28, 2014}}</ref>
===Release history=== ''True Tears'' was first released for Windows on March 31, 2006, as both a limited edition and a regular edition.<ref name="insani_tt" /> The limited edition contained the game itself, a handkerchief, and a calendar; the regular edition did not contain the aforementioned extras.<ref name="ttsite_products" /> It was then followed by a Hong Kong and Taiwanese release on March 31, 2007, published by T-Time Technology.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://ttime-s8.myweb.hinet.net/ttime/products/products_5.htm|title=List of romance video games published by T-Time Technology|publisher=T-Time Technology|access-date=May 7, 2008|language=Chinese |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20080415223648/http://ttime-s8.myweb.hinet.net/ttime/products/products_5.htm |archive-date = April 15, 2008}}</ref> A PlayStation 2 version published by Sweets was announced to be released on March 13, 2008,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.lacryma.info/tt_ps2/|title=Official website of the PS2 version of ''True Tears''|publisher=La'cryma|language=Japanese|access-date=May 18, 2008|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://archive.today/20080810153845/http://www.lacryma.info/tt_ps2/|archive-date=August 10, 2008}}</ref> but was later delayed for an August 7, 2008 release.<ref name="ttps2_product">{{cite web|url=http://www.lacryma.info/tt_ps2/product.html|archive-url=https://archive.today/20080101060528/http://www.lacryma.info/tt_ps2/product.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=January 1, 2008|title=Product Information on the PS2 version of ''True Tears''|publisher=La'cryma|language=Japanese|access-date=April 28, 2008}}</ref> The PS2 game contained the game itself, a drama CD and an illustration booklet.<ref name="ttps2_product" />
==Related media==
===Internet radio shows=== There were two Internet radio shows based on ''True Tears''. The first radio show was titled {{nihongo|''Radio True Tears: Rui and Honoka's Mizuho Academy Broadcasting Club''|ラジオトゥルーティアーズ るいと穂香の瑞鳳学園放送部(T_T)|Radio True Tears: Rui to Honoka no Mizuho Gakuen hōsō bu}}, and was hosted by Yui Itsuki, Erina Nakayama, and Yukari Fukui. It began broadcasting on November 4, 2005, on Radio Kansai,<ref name="ttradio_archive1">{{cite web|url=http://www.lacryma.info/truetears/radio/index.html|archive-url=https://archive.today/20080323063101/http://www.lacryma.info/truetears/radio/index.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=March 23, 2008|title=Information on the radio shows at True Tears's official website|publisher=La'cryma|language=Japanese|access-date=May 17, 2008}}</ref> followed by an online stream every Wednesday,<ref name="ttradio_archive1" /> and continued to broadcast every Friday until March 31, 2006. It was followed by a second radio show titled {{nihongo|''Yui and Sakura's Tear Radio: Special''|ゆいとさくらの てぃあらじ 番外編|Yui to Sakura no Tia Raji: Bangai-hen}} hosted by Yui Itsuki and Sakura Nogawa. It was first streamed online on June 8, 2006, with a new episode streamed online on every second and fourth Sunday of the month. It was retitled {{nihongo|''Yūna and Erina's Tear Radio: Pure Album''|優奈と恵里奈の てぃあらじ 〜pure album〜|Yūna to Erina no Tia Raji: Pure Album}} on November 10, 2006, after the host was changed to Yūna Inamura and Erina Nakayama, and continued to be streamed under that title until September 28, 2007.
left|thumb|170px|The cover of the ''True Tears'' manga volume.
===Manga=== A manga adaptation by Japanese artist Asaki began serialization in the bi-monthly seinen manga magazine ''Comi Digi'' published by Broccoli on December 10, 2005. It was later transferred to ''Comi Digi +'' on April 21, 2006, after the magazine was renamed, and ended serialization on August 21, 2006, spanning a total of five chapters. It was collected into a single bound volume, containing an extra chapter, and was released on December 21, 2006.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://shop.broccoli.co.jp/item_detail.php?product_id=944|title=''True Tears'' volume one on Gamers online store|publisher=Broccoli|language=Japanese|access-date=May 19, 2008|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081225133734/http://shop.broccoli.co.jp/item_detail.php?product_id=944|archive-date=December 25, 2008}}</ref>
===Audio CDs=== Two pieces of theme music were used in the visual novel. Noriyatsu Agematsu, who has previously also provided composition for ''Galaxy Angel'', wrote the opening and ending themes,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.elements-garden.com/creators/agematsu.html|title=Agematsu's profile on Elements Garden|publisher=Elements Garden|language=Japanese|access-date=April 29, 2008 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20071013021407/http://www.elements-garden.com/creators/agematsu.html |archive-date = October 13, 2007}}</ref> "Tears in Snow", sung by Hiromi Satō, and {{Nihongo|"On Towards Tomorrow with You"|君とあしたへ|Kimi to Ashita e}}, sung by Yozuca*. Tororo, who had previously provided composition and lyrics for the ''Da Capo'' series, written the lyrics for the songs. Two singles were released containing the two theme songs. The first, a maxi single titled "Tears in Snow", was released on December 23, 2005, containing both the opening theme, and the opening theme used in the first radio show, titled "Melody".<ref name="tt_related" /> The second single, titled "Kimi to Ashita e", was released on April 26, 2006, containing the ending theme and remixed versions of the song.<ref name="tt_related" />
Two drama CDs based on ''True Tears'' was also produced. The first drama CD, titled ''X'mas Party'', first available to the public on December 29, 2005, as part of a set of ''True Tears'' related products sold during Comiket 69.<ref name="tt_related">{{cite web|url=http://www.lacryma.info/truetears/goods/index.html|title=Information on ''True Tears'' related products at its official website|publisher=La'cryma|access-date=May 20, 2008|language=Japanese|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080601122946/http://lacryma.info/truetears/goods/index.html|archive-date=June 1, 2008}}</ref> It was followed by a second drama CD, titled {{Nihongo|Mizuho Academy High School Department Cultural Festival|瑞鳳学園高等部文化祭|Mizuho Gakuen Kōtōbu Bunkasai}}, released as an extra to those who have pre-ordered the original game.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.getchu.com/soft.phtml?id=222545|title=''True Tears''{{'}} page at Getchu.com|publisher=Getchu|access-date=June 21, 2008|language=Japanese}}</ref> A third drama CD was included with the PlayStation 2 game, on August 7, 2008.<ref name="ttps2_product" />
===Live action movie=== ''True Tears'' was also adapted into a 35-minute live action film entitled ''True Tears: Pure Album''. The film was released on December 22, 2006, as a direct-to-video release.<ref name="tt_related" /> It was directed by Kazuya Hatazawa, and starred Azusa Takeda as Rui Nakane, Arisa Suzuki as Yuzuko Sanada, Makoto Kawahara as Katsura Yukishiro, Miki Tachibana as Honoka Uehara, and Hikari Kajiwara as Io Sakuragawa. Yūna Inamura and Erina Nakayama, who voiced Yuzuko Sanada and Honoka Uehara in the visual novel respectively, also appeared in the film.<ref name="tt_related" />
===Anime=== {{main|True Tears (TV series)|List of True Tears episodes}} A thirteen-episode anime also named ''True Tears'' aired on TV Kanagawa between January 6, 2008, and March 29, 2008. Despite sharing the same title, the anime series otherwise shares no relation with the original game, using a different storyline featuring different characters. The anime series was produced by P.A. Works and was directed by Junji Nishimura, with screenplay written by Mari Okada, while La'cryma is still credited for creating the original work.<ref name="staffpage">{{cite web|date=December 10, 2007|url=http://www.truetears.jp/staff/|title=Staff page of the official website of the anime adaption of ''True Tears''|publisher=P.A. Works|language=Japanese|access-date=January 5, 2008}}</ref>
==Reception and sales== Unlike ''Da Capo II'', one of the two games that often appeared alongside ''True Tears'' in advertising campaigns,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://watch.impress.co.jp/game%2Fdocs/20060208/true.htm|title=True Tears announcement, Kitani discusses development. Anime adaptation confirmed.|publisher=Game Watch|access-date=May 19, 2008|language=Japanese}}</ref> the game did not enjoy as high of a sales record, ranking forty-first out of fifty on the national ranking of bishōjo games based on amount sold in Japan during the last two weeks of March 2006,<ref>{{cite web|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070418045800/http://peakspub.co.jp/ranking/rank192.html|archive-date=April 18, 2007|title=PC News ranking for bishōjo games; ''True Tears'' placed at forty-first place|url=http://www.peakspub.co.jp/ranking/rank192.html|language=Japanese|access-date=May 17, 2008}}</ref> compared to ''D.C. II'''s first place debut on the same chart two months later.<ref>{{cite web|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060823122444/http://www.peakspub.co.jp/ranking/rank196.html|archive-date=August 23, 2006|title=PC News ranking for bishōjo games; ''Da Capo II'' placed at first place|url=http://www.peakspub.co.jp/ranking/rank196.html|language=Japanese|access-date=May 17, 2008}}</ref>
==Notes and references== {{reflist|30em}}
==External links== *[https://archive.today/20071227163449/http://www.lacryma.info/truetears/ Visual novel's official website] {{in lang|ja}} *[http://www.truetears.jp/index.html Anime's official website] {{in lang|ja}} *{{anime News Network|anime|6257}} *{{Vndb|79||true tears}}
Category:2006 video games Category:2005 manga Category:Comi Digi + manga Category:Japan-exclusive video games Category:Japanese drama films Category:Manga based on video games Category:PlayStation 2 games Category:Romance anime and manga Category:Romance video games Category:Seinen manga Category:Video games developed in Japan Category:Visual novels Category:Windows games