Nippon Ichi Software Reveals Shinigami Hime to Ishokan no Kaibutsu
Nippon Ichi Software announced new “picture book”-style adventure title Shinigami Hime to Ishokan no Kaibutsu. The game is a spiritual follow-up to The Liar Princess and the Blind Prince and The Cruel King and the Great Hero. As with the previous titles, the character and world designs are done by Sayaka Oda, with Kento Jobana (Disgaea 7: Vows of the Virtueless) joining as scenario writer. The game is planned to release in Japan for PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch, and Nintendo Switch 2 on April 30, 2026.
Shinigami Hime to Ishokan no Kaibutsu follows a young girl called Mono. A descendant of famous opera singers, she is abandoned by her parents and lives in the attic of a theatre, but is frequently visited by her older sister Anciel, who teaches her opera and dance. After her sister suddenly stops visiting, Mono discovers that she is in an isolated facility for those afflicted by the “Shinigami Disease”. This disease turns those affected into a picture book, from which a monster eventually emerges.
While the populace at large has given up on finding a cure, Mono forms a deal with legendary monster Melhendia, nicknamed Mel, which sees Mel protecting Mono as she dives into the picture books of humans afflicted by the disease. Mel is currently cursed by a collar within the facility as punishment for harming a human, but has the ability to grow stronger by consuming other monsters, including those created by the Shinigami Disease. Other characters include Birdler, a bird monster who acts as Mono’s butler after being saved by Mono and Mel, and a shepherd’s daughter, who has transformed into a sheep-like monster known as the “Ookami Princess” and is the first picture book that Mono ventures into.
The facility where her sister is held acts as Mono’s base of operations for the game. The picture book worlds that Mono enters appear to be monochrome, representing the disease sufferers’ traumas. Each book has its own gimmicks that players must overcome; as they progress, players earn Memory Bookmarks and learn more of their stories before they take on the “Shinigami Princess” and can save the victim.
Players can interfere with the picture books to progress. One of the ways is by using Mel’s ability to eat paper, which includes monsters and obstacles in the way. Eating paper causes changes in Mel; eventually he transforms into a larger version that can consume larger monsters. However, if he eats too much, he will go berserk and start ignoring Mono, putting her in danger. Mono also learns various skills, such as one that lets her manipulate parts of the world Mel cannot eat, such as turning over a piece of scenery to reveal a path hidden behind it or to hide in the shadows.
Source: Gematsu
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