B-PROJECT RYUSEI*FANTASIA is a idol management joseimuke visual novel developed by LOVE&ARTS and Mages Inc. and published in English by PQube for the Nintendo Switch and PC via Steam. B-Project is a cross media production revolving around the fictional virtual idol group that spans several anime series, manga, drama CDs, and more.
Become the representative of the famous B-Project in this unforgettable idol Visual Novel. Support a group of 14 idols from their humble beginnings through to stardom. Befriend them, influence their music and help them through their turbulent lives as they follow their dreams.
Game Details
- Genre: Idol Management | Joseimuke
- System: Nintendo Switch | Steam
- Rating: ESRB T
- Developer & Publisher: LOVE&ARTS and Mages Inc. and PQube
About B-PROJECT RYUSEI*FANTASIA
Put your headphones on and get swept away with this colourful, idol, visual novel experience.
Do you love boybands, JPop? Have you ever dreamed of being the driving force behind a successful idol group? Well now you can experience it in visual novel form!
Step into the hardworking role of A&R (Artist & Repertoire) to the talented idol group, B-Project. Take 14 young members under your wing, each with different personalities and struggles. It’s your job to support them, help them grow, and allow them to flourish!
Discover the beginnings of the different idol groups – Kitakore, MooNs, THRIVE and KiLLER KiNG. Learn about their trainee days and the struggles they faced on the path to success. Follow the story as they join together to become one group, B-Project, and stand on Japan’s brightest stage.
Meet the Members of B-PROJECT
B-PROJECT is a 14 member collaboration idol group comprised of the groups, Kitakore, MooNs, THRIVE and KiLLER KiNG.
- Kitakado Tomohisa
- Korekuni Ryuji
- Osari Hikaru
- Onzai Momotaro
- Sekimura Mikado
- Masunaga Kazuna
- Nome Tatsuhiro:
- Ashu Yuta
- Kaneshiro Goshi
- Aizome Kento
- Shingari Miroku
- Fudo Akane
- Teramitsu Yuduki
- Teramitsu Haruhi
B-PROJECT RYUSEI*FANTASIA Review
I’ll be honest, this is my first experience with B-PROJECT and I’m not super well versed on the idol/boy band fandom. I know next to nothing about idol groups—aside from that one time I accidentally walked into the UtaPri concert/movie at Otakon and a handful of episodes of IDOLISH7 I watched one weekend. So I went into B-PROJECT RYUSEI*FANTASIA as a complete newbie, which is perfect since our role in the game is that of a newbie A&R, navigating the highs and lows of managing the super popular mega group, B-PROJECT. We’re supposed to be a little confused!
Diving into B-PROJECT is a bit overwhelming to the uninitiated, such as myself, not only are there are 14 boys in the main group, but they all belong to one of four other idol groups: Kitakore, MooNs, THRIVE and KiLLER KiNG. Each group has their own unique style and music that sets them apart from the main group. So it’s a lot to wrap your mind around.
The game does kind of alleviate some of the confusion early on through a series of flashbacks that explain how Sumisora got her start in the entertainment business and her early days with each of the groups that make up B-PROJECT. From her not so great first meeting with Kitakore (read: Ryuji) to her impressing Goshi and the rest of Thrive with her musical knowledge to her noticing a potential health concern with Hikaru. While they may be brief, each flashback highlights the trust that Sumisora built with each and every member of B-PROJECT.
Usually flashbacks feel like a lazy way for writers to dump a lot of info on you without having to create a more natural way to reveal the same information via the story. But, in this case, its a quick (and extremely helpful) way to get you acclimated to the world of B-PROJECT without bogging down the rest of the story with constant info dumps.
There’s a fast paced energy to B-PROJECT, that mimics how I would imagine it would be in the actual entertainment business. Sumisora is the heart of B-PROJECT, taking care of all their needs, both professionally and personally, while also juggling her own insecurities and issues. One minute we’re helping KiraKin decide on a demo track for their next single. The next you’re planning an ice cream party to celebrate finishing up a good show. And, don’t get me started on the individual drama the boys have going on.
Sumisora wears many hats, at times she is a manager, babysitter, confidant, support, friend, and even bona fide secret 15th member of B-PROJECT. While the bulk of her time is spent wrangling the boys, the game does focus on her own insecurities and struggles to come into her own as within the industry. Sumisora is hard working and while she has the skills and instincts to do her job well, she is prone to self-doubt, which keeps her from fully expressing herself. But, as the story progresses, she becomes much more confident and in turn a more effective manager for the group.
I want to stress that, B-PROJECT RYUSEI*FANTASIA is not an otome game. There are no romance routes (and I mean with 14 boys would you really want that?!) and while most of the interactions are within a group setting you do get to spend ample time with each of the boys. Each of the guys have such distinctive personalities and you just can’t help but fall in love with them all!
There are several side stories and even epilogues that give you even more one-on-one time with each member of the group. I liked having a chance to just sit and really spend quality time with the boys, because it can be overwhelming when everyone is on screen together. I STILL have trouble remembering who’s who, so the intimate moments with the boys did help me get to know them a bit better.
But, even amidst my confusion trying to remember everyone’s names (and faces), there is an unmistakable familial bond between Sumisora and the boys. Sure they have a good report on stage, but when they’re away from the cameras, the boys are genuinely good friends. They hang out together during their downtime and when one of them is struggling they all come together to support them. They don’t tear each other down, rather, they build each other up, because they know that B-PROJECT is at their strongest together!
I do have my personal favorites. Tsundere Goshi has my WHOLE heart, it’s so cute to see a usually grumpy puss like him turn into a blushing sputtering mess around Sumisora. Oh, and Tomohisa has this soothing princely aura that has me swooning! Then there’s Tatsuhiro a stoic looking man who gets nervous around women! But there are so many boys, there is bound to be more than a few that’ll catch your eye!
B-PROJECT RYUSEI*FANTASIA boasts a stellar voice cast, everyone including Sumisora speaks in this game and while I expected all the boys to have voiced lines it’s a welcome treat that the MC has a VA. And yes, they do sing! The music in the game is so good! Which is to be expected, this is a story about a musical group—if the music was trash we’d probably all riot! There are tracks from each of the individual groups and B-PROJECT, and they’re all bops. I spent WAY too much time than I’d care to admit replaying the tracks…
One thing that is a bit hit or miss for me is the sprite animations. It’s that 2D live animation, so the sprites move around as they talk, blink, and there are even arm movements. While I think it’s cool in concept, some of the sprites for the more hyperactive members of the group can look a bit jerky and uncanny and it is a little terrifying. But, overall I do like it, because it makes the characters feel more real and alive. They’re not just static images on a screen, they’re a living, breathing idol group.
There are also some really fun in-game features that really add to the immersion. You can interact with the boys via text messages a voiced phone calls and messages. Throughout the game the boys will reach out to you by sending texts, which you can respond to in-lieu of traditional in-game choices. Your responses will rank as either, excellent, great, or good. Depending on how well received the messages are it can expand the conversation longer and even unlock special character specific extra stories.
Some of the convos are hilarious, Hikaru likes to send jokes and silly messages; while others will message you to hang out or work on things one-on-one.
The translation and localization is fine. Honestly I have not had any complaints regarding PQube’s localizations in the past and there really wasn’t anything that stood out as being “bad”. However, I am not as young as I used to be, so my eyesight has taken a bit of a hit over the years. Text needs to be a standard 11 point font. And, there were times when the text would shrink to accommodate more words and it was MADDENING! Like, that was unreadable and I was not about to strain my eyes to read a WALL of tiny text. Y’all tried it. If you find you can’t fit all the text within the confines of the text box; either make the box bigger or let me scroll to read the rest of the text… please!
Is B-PROJECT RYUSEI*FANTASIA Worth Playing?
B-PROJECT RYUSEI*FANTASIA pulls back the curtain on the high energy world of the entertainment industry, giving players a chance to experience the ups and downs of managing an idol group. The late night sessions, the fun wholesome family vibes, and of course the AMAZING music! The game feels less like a game and more like watching an anime, as you ride the highs and lows of B-PROJECT’s rise to the top of the charts. While the journey won’t be easy, you will fall in love with each of the 14 members of the group and Sumisora, actively rooting for their success!
Whether you’re a veteran in the idol fandom or a newbie like me, B-PROJECT RYUSEI*FANTASIA is a must play, if not for the promise of all the hotties in neon, then do it for the music!
Thanks to PQube for providing a copy of B-PROJECT Ryusei*Fantasia for this review!
