Square Enix’s acclaimed horror-mystery visual novel, PARANORMASIGHT: The Seven Mysteries of Honjo, has inspired a new spinoff manga titled PARANORMASIGHT: File 25 – Reikan Shōjō Kurosuzu Mio no Kaigō (PARANORMASIGHT: File 25 – The Chance Encounter of Psychic Girl Mio Kurosuzu). The series, by Hinase Momoyama, officially launched on Square Enix’s Manga UP! platform on Sunday, November 2.
An Original Story Set in the World of Curses
The new manga offers an original narrative, unfolding shortly after the events of the game within Tokyo’s Sumida ward. It centers on two young girls who become entangled in a mysterious legend haunting northern Tokyo. Notably, the staff from the original game are involved in crafting this new story, ensuring continuity and thematic consistency. The spin-off focuses on the character Mio Kurosuzu, a psychic girl who transfers into a new class after a supernatural encounter, using her abilities to aid law enforcement in paranormal cases. Returning characters also include the Storyteller and police officers Tsutsumi and Erio.
Diving Deeper into Honjo’s Mysteries
The original PARANORMASIGHT: The Seven Mysteries of Honjo game, released on Nintendo Switch, PC via Steam, and mobile devices in March 2023, immersed players in a multi-layered collection of chilling ghost stories. Set during the Showa Period (1926-89) in Tokyo’s Sumida City, Honjo, the visual novel features several protagonists who possess the “power of curses”.
The Game’s Gripping Premise
Players navigate the game from the perspective of various cursed characters, investigating the notorious Seven Mysteries of Honjo. By day, they explore mysterious urban areas, solve puzzles, and uncover clues to unravel the origins of these deadly curses. As night falls, the stakes escalate, with players either hunting or being hunted by other curse bearers. The ultimate goal for these curse bearers is to gather enough “Curse Stones” to perform the Rite of Resurrection, which promises to bring a loved one back from the dead. This involves a deadly battle royale where individuals with supernatural powers, often linked to the urban legends, must eliminate others to charge their stones.
Gameplay and Critical Reception
PARANORMASIGHT is a visual novel that blends deep plot exploration with brief investigation segments and quizzes. A flow chart allows players to navigate between character storylines and perspectives, with choices and actions sometimes leading to premature endings, requiring players to deduce alternative paths. The game has been praised for its smart puzzles, hard-hitting horror scares, and subversive approach to visual novel tropes. It received positive reviews from critics and was recognized with an “Award of Excellence” at the Japan Game Awards in 2023. Many reviewers highlighted its engaging narrative, intertwining character motivations, and atmospheric setting.
