Draft:Kara no Shōjo - The Second Episode

Kara no Shōjo - The Second Episode (虚ノ少女) is an adult visual novel/adventure game video game sequel to Kara no Shōjo by Innocent Grey for Windows. It was released in Japan on February 8, 2013, and by MangaGamer for English-speaking markets on October 30, 2015. The game will be rereleased for Steam by Shiravune under the name The Shell Part II. Set in both pre and post-war Japan, the game resolves around returning protagonist Reiji Tokisaka and his new assistant Tomoyuki Masaki as they investigate a new series of murders (supposedly from an ancient curse instigated by a village deity) in Tokyo and the remote mountain settlement of Hitogata.

Gameplay
The Second Episode's gameplay, similarily to its predecessor, primarily revolves around reading dialogue with other characters and making choices that affect the outcome of the game.

At certain points in the game, one of the player characters (Reiji) is tasked with investigating crime scenes. During these investigation sequences, the player must examine these scenes to uncover evidence. Later, the player must put the evidence together during inference sequences, in which Reiji must find the best answer from the clues obtained during the game and answer questions about the case.

The game also features a travel system, through which the player can traverse between different locations in Tokyo (this system is unavailable in the Hitogata Settlement) and encounter different character's from the game (which can impact which ending the player will obtain). The player can only use this a limited number of times per day, and only on certain days.

Plot
The game's plot is divided into two sections, the pre-war section (which acts as a prologue and features no interactivity) set entirely in the Hitogata Settlement and the post-war section (which makes up the majority of the game) set predominantly in Tokyo with a small portion taking place in Hitogata. Reiji Tokisaka returns as protagonist along with a new protagonist called Tomoyuki Masaki who acts his assistant.

Pre-war
The pre-war section serves as a prologue introducing the Hitogata Settlement's customs and people which are later explained in further detail and are developed in the post-war section.

Post-war (1957)
The post-war story follows on the first game and sees Reiji Tokisaka continuing to search of Toko Kuchiki after her abduction by Shin Katsuragi.

Hinagami Family

 * Hideomi Hinagami (雛神 秀臣)


 * Mariko Hinagami (雛神 真理子)


 * Shizuru Hinagami (雛神 秋弦)


 * Ayato 'Rihito' Hinagami (雛神 'リヒト' 理人)


 * Karen 'Ohina' Hinagami (雛神 'オヒナ' 花恋)

Shigusa Family

 * Yoshimitsu Shigusa (祠草 由光)


 * Rioko Shigusa (祠草 理緒子)


 * Kensei Shigusa (祠草 賢静)


 * Miya Shigusa (祠草 未夜)


 * Saya Shigusa (祠草 小夜)


 * Yayoi Shigusa (祠草 夜宵)

Kuroya Family

 * So Kuroya (黒矢 創)


 * Yuzuru Kuroya (黒矢 弓弦)


 * Naori 'Nao-chan' Kuroya (黒矢 'ナオちゃん' 尚織)

Others

 * Satsuki 'Sacchan' ('サっちゃん' 砂月)


 * Nanako Sawashiro (沢城 菜々子)


 * Meguri 'Guriko' Takamiya (嵩宮 'グリコ' めぐり)


 * Yuka Kirimura (桐村 由果)


 * Bunji Inui (戌亥 文治)


 * Yu 'Young Mistress' Futami (二見 憂)


 * Yoshie Futami (二見 良絵)


 * Shinobu Takayama (高山 志信)


 * Saizo Kuki (九鬼 犀造)

Tokyo

 * Reiji Tokisaka (時坂 玲人)


 * Yukari Tokisaka (時坂 紫)


 * Toko Kuchiki (朽木 冬子)


 * Kyoko Hazuki (葉月 杏子)


 * Chizuru Kuchiki (朽木 千鶴)


 * Fumiya Kuchiki (朽木 文弥)


 * Makoto Rokushiki (六識 命)


 * Ayumu Sato (佐東 歩)


 * Natsume Takashiro (高城 夏目)


 * Ryoichi Yaginuma (八木沼 了一)


 * Koharu Yamanouchi (山ノ内 小春)

Development
Kara no Shōjo - The Second Episode is developed by Innocent Grey. The scenario was written by Miki Sugina

Release History
Kara no Shōjo - The Second Episode released its first demo on November 31, 2012 with the full version releasing on February 8, 2013.

An English-language version of the game was released on October 30, 2015, by MangaGamer. The game can be purchased and downloaded from the MangaGamer website. Following the release of The Shell Part I (Kara no Shōjo) on July 28, 2023, The Second Episode will be rereleased outside of Japan by Shiravune under the title The Shell Part II: Purgatorio on Johren and Steam. It will feature featuring a Chinese translation along with a new English translation by John Hooper.

The game was rereleased in Japan on August 28, 2020 with different voices for the two main characters, Reiji Tokisaka and Masaki Tomoyuki.

Music
The music for the game is composed Manyo. The first opening theme to Kara no Shōjo, named "Tsuki no Uro" (瑠璃の鳥 lit. Emptiness of the Moon) and the ending theme "Solenoid", were performed by Haruka Shimotsuki with the second opening theme "Hisui no Miu" being sung by Suzuyu.