Pixel x Pixel Episode 85

Episode 85 is a slightly tighter episode than our usual Pixel x Pixel fare, but that doesn’t mean we’ve skimped on our usual awesome content! In this episode, Marcus discusses his new Checking the Score article on the F-Zero X soundtrack and Anne has revived her Tumblr account for all her important Art Content. Plus, Marcus is still stressed about Sheridan’s state in Passions, and Anne is excited to talk about the sweet pool stage play!

09:00 – Media Minutes: sweet pool stage play, Jujitsu Kaisen 0, Turning Red, X, Passions Preamble (Sheridan grave drama)
36:00 – Notable News: Monster Hunter Rise: Sunbreak release date, New Game Plus Expo, Dragalia Lost shutting down, Testament added to Guilty Gear Strive, Slow Damage being edited for Steam, UUUltraC out now

♫ “Willie Lomans,” “5 minutes pleasure,” and “6 pence and moon” from Alphabet Planet by Hiroki Kikuta

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Pixel x Pixel Episode 84

3 / 16 / 223 / 16 / 22

Awooga! Pixel x Pixel is back for another bi-weekly dose of geek media goodness! In this episode, Marcus and Anne realize they already saw the infamous Euphoria penis episode (much to their chagrin), Marcus digs into the new BL visual novel Tokyo Onmyoji and tests out a new Razer keyboard, and Anne is knee-deep in more work she can’t talk about publically (yet!). Plus, Passions Preamble and Marcus Gets Steamed return, and even Anne gets steamed about some news of her own!

8:00 – Media Minutes: Elden Ring, Euphoria update, Turning Red, Passions Preamble
37:00 – Notable News: Funimation and Wakanim moving to Crunchyroll, Seventh Lair and Doukyuusei: Bangin’ Summer Steam issues, GSC/Koei Tecmo and more companies condemn Russia and support Ukraine, Itch.io bundle for Ukraine

♫ “Willie Lomans,” “5 minutes pleasure,” and “6 pence and moon” from Alphabet Planet by Hiroki Kikuta

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Pixel x Pixel Episode 79

1 / 7 / 221 / 7 / 22

Pixel x Pixel episode 79 rings in the new year with a live show recorded on December 31st US time / January 1st Australia time! Since this was an extra-special episode, we did things a little bit differently than usual, with Media Minutes coming first, no news, and a whole section dedicated to the media we enjoyed most in 2021, from films to video games (and even a manga special mention!)

If you’d prefer to watch the video version which includes our lovely faces, you can do so at over on Anne’s YouTube channel.

49:00 – Media Minutes: Garage: Bad Dream Adventure, Snowmance, Jingle all the Way, Single All the Way, The Princess Switch, Hush, Gerald’s Game, The Head Hunter, Pink Flamingos

Marcus’ favorite media of 2021: Yentl (1983), Edge of Seventeen (1998), Ms. 45 (1981), Titane (2021), Shiva Baby (2020), Garage: Bad Dream Adventure, Bustafellows, DJMax Respect V

Anne’s favorite media of 2021: X-Files, The Terror, Beastars, Thunderbolt Fantasy season 3, Candyman (1992), Monster Hunter Rise, Resident Evil Village, Olympia Soiree, Raging Loop, Garage: Bad Dream Adventure, DRAMAtical Murder

♫ “Willie Lomans,” “5 minutes pleasure,” and “6 pence and moon” from Alphabet Planet by Hiroki Kikuta

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Tokyo Onmyoji BL Game and My Dear Frankenstein Localizations Announced

6 / 12 / 216 / 12 / 21

Moonchime Studios announced today that they are localizing two new Japanese indie games for PC, the 18+ BL title Tokyo Onmyoji -The Tale of Rei Tengenjibashi- (Japanese title 東京陰陽師) and the point and click adventure game My Dear Frankenstein (Japanese title 愛しのフランケンシュタイン). Tokyo Onmyoji is scheduled to release for PC on JAST USA and other unannounced platforms in Q4 2021, and My Dear Frankenstein will release for PC and Mac on Steam this summer (winter if you’re in the southern hemisphere).

Both titles look really fun, but I’m particularly excited to see another publisher releasing BL games in English, and this is Moonchime‘s first foray into the genre after their first localization, the otome game I Love You!, released for PC for free in late 2020. Tokyo Onmyoji by Holicworks was originally released in Japan in 2014 and centers on Rei Tengenjibashi, an onmyoji for hire who exterminates demons. There are four romanceable characters, gorgeous art by Akira Sakamoto and fully-voiced characters. For more information on the story and cast, see Moonchime’s official announcement.

My Dear Frankenstein has a lovely fairytale-like art style and features a story inspired by Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein. Players control Adam, a newly-created monster who must explore the City of Shipberry for pieces of his heart that were scattered throughout. Players who like point-and-click adventure games and moving narratives should keep an eye out for a release date in the upcoming months! You can read more about My Dear Frankenstein on Moonchime’s announcement page.

Both of these games look right up my alley, so I’m really excited to check them out when they’re released! Moonchime Studios is shaping up to be a publisher to follow closely if you like visual novels and alternative indie Japanese games. I can’t wait to see what titles get added to their lineup in the future!

Pixel x Pixel Special: DRAMAtical Murder

4 / 20 / 214 / 19 / 21

Now that DRAMAtical Murder is finally available officially in English, Marcus and Anne are ready to share their thoughts on every nook and cranny of the game in this spoiler-filled extravaganza! The first half features general info and spoiler-free impressions, followed by a full breakdown of each route along with Marcus and Anne’s number one best boy nominees.

This episode has a content warning for discussions of rape, drug use, violence, torture and gore.

Anne’s DRAMAtical Murder review
Marcus’ Checking the Score: Dramatical Murder article

Spoilers start at 20 minutes in!

♫ “A.I. Catch” by GOATBED, DMMd BGM19 by GOATBED

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DRAMAtical Murder Review

4 / 8 / 214 / 8 / 21

DRAMAtical Murder may very well be the most well-known BL (boys’ love) game in Japan – it’s even inspired an anime adaptation and stage play! The third game from developer Nitro+CHiRAL, DRAMAtical Murder was originally released in 2012 and received a fan disc as well as a PS Vita port that removed the graphic 18+ content. Now, the game is finally available to purchase in English thanks to JAST BLUE as part of their ongoing endeavor to localize Nitro+CHiRAL’s complete game catalog.

Since I’d never played the Japanese release beyond the first few hours of the PS Vita version, I couldn’t wait to see if DRAMAtical Murder lived up to all of the praise!

Room No. 9 Review

8 / 30 / 20

2020 has been a great year for boys’ love (BL) game localizations so far. First, we had Togainu no Chi ~Lost Blood~ from JAST Blue, and now MangaGamer is following with Room No. 9. Room No. 9 is significant as developer parade’s latest BL title, following No, Thank You!!!, which, when MangaGamer released the English version five years ago, it was the first major BL game localization since Enzai: Falsely Accused back in 2006. Seeing as No, Thank You!!! was a very enjoyable title, I’ve been very interested to see what parade’s next game would be like.