The US awaits the release of Collar x Malice

Aside from Code: Realize ~ Future Blessings ~ otome fans can also look forward to the upcoming release of the otome game, Collar x Malice. Collar x Malice is a love, suspense, and adventure visual novel devolved by Otomate and Design Factory for the PS Vita. The game’s initial release was in Japan on August 18 and during the most recent Anime Expo Aksys revealed that they would release the game for English speaking audiences in 2017. Collar x Malice is an otome visual novel with attributes of murder mystery and action-adventure. The player assumes the role of the protagonist, a rookie police officer not to be underestimated. Collar x Malice is similar to previous Otomate visual novels in that it allow the player to alter the protagonist default name – Hoshino Ichika – to a name of their choosing.

The story revolves around the female police officer, Hoshino Ichika, who works in Shinkuku. In this fictitious plot, Shinjukua is a hazardous city in quarantine due to a significant event:  the X-Day Incident. One crucial result of the quarantine of Shinjuka was the removal of laws authorising the possession of firearms and swords. One night, while working relentlessly to keep the citizens of Shinjuku safe, an ambiguous person attacks Hoshino and puts a poisonous collar around her neck. Shortly after the attack, five men appear before her and claim that they have worked in the police force. They explain to her that they are currently inquiring into the X-Day Incident independently. Though hesitant at first, in order to remove the collar and keep Shinkuku safe, she agrees to cooperate with Ex-Inspector, Yanagi Aiji; Security Police Officer, Okazaki Kei; Former Riot Police Officer, Enomoto Mineo; Former Cyber Crime Investigator, Sasazuka Takeru, and Forensic Researcher, Shirashi Kageyuki.