Paradigm Paradox Information (UNOFFICIAL)
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Paradigm Paradox
Which will you choose: justice or evil?
——The year is 25XX.
The setting: a world where humanity can only live in isolated colonies.
The protagonist was bored of the unchanging daily life that moved on as she attended school.
As the days passed, neither rumors of the battles between “Heroes”, forces of justice, versus the “Vermin,” humanity’s enemies, nor the school’s good-looking boys could interest her.
One day, she slipped out of her dorm and encountered a “Vermin” that had trespassed into the colony, ending up in a life-threatening crisis!!
However, four young girls appeared in the nick of time, repelling the “Vermin” using mysterious powers.
Through this incident, the protagonist begins to work as a hero and busies herself every day through a normal school life and as a force of justice.
And for some reason, the school’s good-looking boys begin talking to her more and more…?
What is her/his secret…?
And what are the villains’ true identities……?
Director: Seki Masao
Character Designer / Artist: Natsuo
Scenario Writer: Tachibana Yuzuki, Ogi Saya, Fujitani Toko
Main Characters’ voice actors: 8P
Nicknamed: “Para2” (パラツー)
Protagonist - Takanashi Yuuki
[First name can be changed. If you play the game with the default name, the characters will say it voiced.]
“By partner, you mean… Wait, you’re not saying that I’ll be a hero alongside them, right…?”
A 16 year old enrolled in the 2nd-year A class of the high school division.
A completely normal high schooler, bored with everyday life, one you could find anywhere.
Breaking the rule to not leave in the middle of the night, she comes face-to-face with the “Vermin” monster that she’d only heard about in rumors. As a result of that, she becomes a Hero.
Link to reveal trailer.
Side HERO
Takato Tokio (CV: Yashiro Taku)
Genius x Oddity x Stubborn
Route Keyword: “Awakening Emotions”
“Hurry up and come over here. It’ll definitely feel better than being in the classroom…… probably.”
A 17 year old enrolled in the 2nd-year C class of the high school division.
A genius who holds the best grades within the colony.
He has a borrowed room in the academy to pursue his personal research, but he prioritizes spending time on his research only. Thus, he always sleeps in class.
Childhood friends with the student council president Mamiya Ayumu, who often watches out for him.
Code name: Kaori (CV: Miyashita Saki)
“Mm. Pretty good work, considering it’s your first time.”
A girl affiliated with “Blooms.”
Promptly and briskly, she leads the team with precise instructions.
Her characteristic ability is “Mind Operate” [Hypnotism], which can overwrite the opposing party’s consciousness.
Saibara Kamui (CV: Kosaka Atsushi)
Playboy x Earnest x Common Sense
Route Keyword: “Fear of Losing __ __”
“Wanna have a seat next to me now that we’re here today? You won’t regret it, ‘kay?”
A 17 year old enrolled in the 3rd-year B class of the high school division.
The most flirty playboy in the school, constantly surrounded by girls.
Instead of just being an all-around flirt, he has a casual kindness and takes people’s feelings into account. He can get along with anyone, regardless of gender.
He believes he can’t compare to his grandfather, who raised him.
Code name: Sena (CV: Yuina Mizuki)
“I do have an interest in love…… However, these operations take priority.”
A girl affiliated with “Blooms.”
Puts on an act of being a rich lady who’s “harsh on outside, soft on inside”, but she’s actually honest and kind.
Her characteristic ability is “Life Lot” [Premonition]. Can predict the vermin’s movements or their precise movements a few moments ahead of time. The furthest she can see into the future is, at most, a day.
Araki Mihaya (CV: Enoki Junya)
Tsundere x Cheeky x Hates Losing
Route Keyword: “Hope for the Future”
“……Senpai, you were working hard, so I couldn’t possibly leave you by yourself.”
A 15 year old enrolled in the 1st-year A class of the high school division.
Always spends his time quietly reading books in the library.
Due to a certain incident that happened in his past, he can’t really trust people, so he now prefers to be on his own.
When he deems it necessary, he’ll speak harshly and rudely.
Code name: Moka (CV: Inoue Haruno)
“Eh~? No way I’d flub like that.”
A girl affiliated with “Blooms.”
Though she speaks in an easygoing way using Kansai dialect, she jumps right into the conflict when fighting to defeat the enemy.
Her characteristic ability is “Gift Ability” [Present], which can steal the opponent’s ability for herself.
Mamiya Ayumu (CV: Chiba Shoya)
Perfect x Siscon x Hates Humans
Route Keyword: “Release from the Curse”
“Hm…… Who knew there would be someone to talk back against me?”
A 17 year old enrolled in the 2nd-year C class of the high school division.
A subject of admiration among the girls in the academy as the student council president.
He flawlessly deals with everyone and makes no slip-ups, watching over happenings with a detached view. His heart opens to no one, save for his childhood friend Takato Tokio and his younger sister. Has a sister complex so bad that no one can help him.
Code name: Haruka (CV: Takahashi Rie)
“…………Burn.”
A girl affiliated with “Blooms.”
Rarely speaking, she fulfills the missions indifferently.
It seems she’s childhood friends with Kaori. Her characteristic ability is “Affliction Flame.” She shows no mercy or restraint on those she deems to be an enemy.
Side VILLAIN
Ibuki (CV: Nogami Sho)
Mysterious x Bystander x Airheaded
Route Keyword: “Another Side to the Occurrences”
“Mystery……? Yeah. Fufu. You’re right. I’ll never be able to solve this mystery.”
A mysterious young man who shows up from time to time in front of the protagonist and asks her cryptic questions.
He has serene mannerisms and behaves in ways that somehow contain an air of composure. His calmness seems unfitting of his appearance and age.
He has answers to something.
Code name: Moravia (CV: Ito Shizuka)
“You still don’t know anything, do you?”
A mysterious girl who appears before the protagonist.
Leading the vermin alongside Hyuga and Yukinami, she arrives in Theta.
The atmosphere around her is rather detached from the physical world.
Tomitsuka Ryo (CV: Masuyama Takeaki)
Realistic x ??? x Wise in Worldly Views
Route Keyword: “__ __’s Anguish”
“You don’t need to hold back. This is my job, after all.”
A forwarding agent who enters the school.
Because the students rarely see him around, there’s a myth regarding him that “Good things will happen if you see him.”
He’s also capable of entering the research area as he pleases and has a connection with a certain group.
Hyuga (CV: Lounsbery Arthur)
Berserker x Straight-Laced x Hard Worker
Route Keyword: “Hatred’s Spearhead”
“What are you, an idiot? Did you really think you could escape me?”
A mysterious young man whom the protagonist meets in the commerce area.
He works alongside Yukinami, who drags him around with wild abandon.
It’s in his nature to watch over others.
He despises humans as a race due to a certain incident.
Yukinami (CV: Hatanaka Tasuku)
Naïve x Wants to be Loved x Cruel
Route Keyword: “Affection Towards Others”
“I’m gonna bring you along, ‘cuz it sounds interesting! Plus, you look like you're hating it ♪”
A mysterious young man whom the protagonist encounters.
He works alongside Hyuga. When he discovers unfamiliar or pretty things, he becomes reckless and foolhardy, dragging Hyuga around wildly without even realizing.
Because of the environment he was raised in, he and common sense don’t see eye-to-eye. His range of emotions is like that of a child’s.
Side Characters
Kuramori Masaki (CV: Komada Wataru)
Encountered Routes: Common & Justice & Evil
“You and your aptitude were the whole shebang~. Whew~, I sure am glad there’s someone new joining our side!”
A chemistry teacher at Kankai Academy’s high school division.
He’s actually the commander of the special group “Blooms” under the direct control of the research area.
With an attitude that always seems to mess with the person he’s talking with, the “Blooms” members look at him with cold eyes, but he doesn’t let it bother him.
Shinonome Lise (CV: Orikasa Fumiko)
Encountered Routes: Common & Justice & Evil
“Bingo~♪ I made muffins this morning! Let’s eat them together during lunch~”
A 16 year old enrolled in the 2nd-year A class of the high school division.
The protagonist’s best friend, a quarter-foreign girl who’s bright and energetic.
She’s skilled at cooking and often makes pastries.
Saibara Zenji (CV: Naka Hiroshi)
Encountered Routes: Kamui Route
“You’re finally here! You haven’t shown your face around at all. You’re not stirring up any mischief over there, now are you?”
Kamui’s grandfather on his paternal side.
Works part-time as an employee in Theta’s lifeline maintenance department.
Has a humorous personality and cherishes his grandson, though he won’t say it to Kamui’s face.
Mamiya Ritsu (CV: Ueda Reina)
Encountered Routes: Ayumu Route
“I’m overjoyed to hear you speak of my elder brother in that way.”
A 13 year old enrolled in the 2nd-year A class of Oto Academy’s junior high division.
Ayumu’s younger sister and in the junior high’s student council, just like him.
While worrying about being unable to make friends, she meets the protagonist in a chance encounter.
Godo Yashima (CV: Miyamoto Mitsuru)
Encountered Routes: Common & Justice & Evil
“I pray that you may meet someone you can trust from the bottom of your heart.”
A man who lives in a certain colony that’s been reduced to ruins.
He is actually the protagonist’s guardian and discusses things with her through email.
Otomate Pickup Information
Side:HERO
Genius x Oddity x Stubborn
Takato Tokio (CV: Yashiro Taku)
A prodigy boy who borrows a room in the school for his own research.
He doesn’t pay attention to anything aside from the “research” that he’s interested in: anytime he’s not pursuing it, he’s sleeping, so he constantly gives off an impression of being sleepy.
He can only think things through logically, but he’s then sent on a two-person mission with the protagonist!?
Playboy x Earnest x Common Sense
Saibara Kamui (CV: Kosaka Atsushi)
The only upperclassman of the protagonist’s, well-known within the academy as the number one flirt. He’s actually someone with a kind personality who worries for others.
He, who prioritizes the people around him, begins to think of the protagonist as someone he has to look after.
Without realizing, they begin to spend more time together, not just during the missions. Even during their personal time, they start going to the same places together.
One day, he tells the protagonist that he wants to introduce someone to her——.
Tsundere x Cheeky x Hates Losing
Araki Mihaya (CV: Enoki Junya)
At his core, he’s someone who never lets his guard down around others and stays isolated.
He doesn’t give in to the opinions of people around him, even if they’re older. The type of person to have a response to any malicious rumors directed at him on the spot.
He has a gloomy desire regarding death, due to a certain incident that he wound up in the past. The route following shows that, despite it, he overcomes it and begins a relationship with the protagonist, his “hope for the future.”
On top of hating to lose, he has a little bit of a jealous side as well.
Perfect x Siscon x Hates Humans
Mamiya Ayumu (CV: Chiba Shoya)
He treasures his little sister above all else. However, he doesn’t show that side to anyone aside from his childhood friend Tokio.
He acts like the ideal student council president and elder brother, who does everything flawlessly.
“Why he continues to protect his sister” and “how he’s lived up until now” will become the key to unlocking a relationship with him.
Depending on his interactions with the protagonist, who comes with no holds barred on her feelings, the mask of his “perfection” will break. The process of getting closer to his true self is a must-see!
Side:VILLAIN
Mysterious x Bystander x Airheaded
Ibuki (CV: Nogami Sho)
Wrapped in a mysterious air, he understands anything that’s happening, even if it’s about the protagonist or about the vermin.
While he’s quite the airhead, you might recognize a difference between that and his composed atmosphere.
When the protagonist is with him, she begins to think about “another side to the occurrences” that she wouldn’t have seen in just “Blooms’” position.
Within that, Ibuki poses a certain choice to the protagonist. And the choice she picks is——.
Realistic x ??? x Wise in Worldly Views
Tomitsuka Ryo (CV: Masuyama Takeaki)
On one hand, a forwarding agent for the school. On the other, a member of logistics support for the pretty-girl squadron. His true identity is…
As the oldest of the main characters, he treats the protagonist like a child. There’s a side to him that acts teasingly, making her heart skip a beat.
The protagonist then comes to learn of a deep secret that Ryo holds, which could possibly shake the world as they know it.
Although Ryo pushes her away, her feelings of wanting to see him again for some reason become even stronger...
Berserker x Straight-Laced x Hard Worker
Hyuga (CV: Lounsbery Arthur)
He perceives humans with intense hostility, but contrary to that, he watches over others and does all the housework on the vermin’s side.
One day, he hears that they’ll be attacking the colony that the protagonist was living in before. He gets worried and accompanies her.
During a conversation along the way, the protagonist asks about the reason why he hates humans more than that of the other vermin.
And the shocking truth he talks about is——.
Naïve x Wants to be Loved x Cruel
Yukinami (CV: Hatanaka Tasuku)
He expresses his emotions directly, with a range of emotions like that of a child’s. He has a strong desire to be loved by others.
As they spend more time together, the protagonist sees his crueler side. She begins to fear him, thinking there’s something missing in his feelings of good or evil.
Through a certain incident, she comes to realize that he doesn’t know what it means to be loved and strives to teach him how to express his affection.
Please enjoy the process of him coming to understand “affection towards others,” which he had never thought about until now!
Won’t get swept away! A protagonist who does things with all her might!
Takanashi Yuuki (*First name can be changed)
A female high school student who thinks that talking with friends is more fun than pursuing romantic relationships.
A certain incident is the cause of her being chased by the monster vermin and ending up getting saved by the pretty-girl squadron. She unlocks the same strange power as the girls, and her destiny begins to change in ways too drastic for the eye to see——.
She thoroughly decides to see things through for herself: what will she choose, “justice” or “evil”!?
The school’s rumored good-looking boys are the pretty-girl squadron!?
The special force “Blooms” that the protagonist ends up becoming a part of.
The girls who make full use of their powerful supernatural abilities are boys who become female because of a side-effect from using their powers.
After transforming, their forms and voices change, but their personalities don’t: their hearts are the same as their male forms.
They have their own individual reasons for the vocal tics and personality change for when they transform.
Those reasons will be brought to light in the 46 mini-scenarios that can be unlocked in-game, so make sure you don’t miss it!
Recommended Points
1. A story you can enjoy from two positions: justice side and evil side
In the game itself, you can enjoy the “Hero” story where you battle the vermin as a member of the special forces; enjoying a double-layered school life as a student and supernatural ability user; and chase after the secret behind the enemies.
OR
You can enjoy the “Evil’s Justice” story, where the protagonist awakens to her abilities but hesitates when it comes to fighting. Through a particular incident, she works alongside the evil team, coming to know of the vermin’s true identity. You can learn of the story from two positions!
2. Each and every one of the characters has an unexpected side!?
Through interacting with the main characters, you’ll come to see an unexpected side from them.
They’re scattered around in the story itself, other characters’ routes, and the mini-scenario’s “REPORT”, so it’s a must-see!
3. The true route where all the secrets are revealed is a must!
Why was the world closed off? Why were the vermin created?
Why could people use supernatural abilities?
Will the nine of them, the protagonist included, be able to grab ahold of happiness——
The truth behind everything will be revealed in the group end.
Promotional Movie Information
“Someone who’s truly unkind wouldn’t worry about it as much as you do.” / “I used my ability, ‘Mind Operate.’”
“C’mon, don’t look so upset. I guess I made you put up your guard because I talked to you so suddenly?” / “Very well. Let us make use of your plan.”
“Weren’t you looking for a seat? That one’s open.” / “Eh~? No way I’d flub like that.”
“I’m sure I told you that it had nothing to do with you, or did you not hear me?” / “You work alongside us in Blooms, but your relationship only amounts to that.”
“You’re becoming interested in me. I’m glad to hear that.” / “I did say that we’d meet again, didn’t I?”
“There’s no guarantee that you’d be happy after coming to learn about it.”
“Shut it. I don’t remember making you sympathize with me.”
“Now that things are all like this now, do you really think you can keep staying in Theta?”
Opening Theme
“Course of my fate”
Lyricist: Miyajima Junko
Composer: Iwano Michihiro
Arranger: ANCHOR
Sung by: 8P (Hatanaka Tasuku, Nogami Sho, Yashiro Taku, Enoki Junya, Lounsbery Arthur, Kosaka Atsushi, Masuyama Takeaki, Chiba Shoya)
Depending on the ending, you’ll get different ending themes performed by the respective half of 8P.
Ending Theme - Hero Side
“Owaranai Blooming” (Endless Blooming)
Lyricist: Miyajima Junko
Composer / Arranger: Kamada Mizuki
Sung by: Yashiro Taku, Kosaka Atsushi, Enoki Junya, Chiba Shoya
Ending Theme - Villain Side
“FROM THIS PLACE”
Lyricist: Masaki Erica
Composer / Arranger: Iwano Michihiro
Sung by: Nogami Sho, Masuyama Takeaki, Lounsbery Arthur, Hatanaka Tasuku
“...That will be... when the day comes for you to understand..."
Gameplay + REPORT
The game will begin at “Common Route 1,” and depending on your parameters after “Common Route 2,” you’ll be split into either “Common Justice” or “Common Evil’s Justice” routes.
Through fulfilling certain endings, you’ll be able to choose the final choice, “Group Route”.
Within the “Common Justice” route, you can choose to go with Tokio, Kamui, Mihaya, or Ayumu’s routes. As the protagonist becomes discouraged over a certain incident, the capture targets’ ways of dealing with her depends on the story.
Within the “Common Evil’s Justice” route, you can choose to go with Ibuki, Ryo, Hyuga, or Yukinami’s routes. The protagonist, chased by her choices after a certain incident, decides to work alongside them.
Ibuki and Ryo have a capture condition and cannot be captured starting at the beginning.
The individual endings will have <Happy>, <Bad>, and <Normal> endings.
REPORT -
While proceeding through the game, you’ll see an icon pop up in the upper left, which means you’ve obtained a “REPORT”. “REPORT”s are contents that allow you to see what happens during the intermissions between the story proper, or their daily lives.
// (And here ends the official content! I want a place to stick my thoughts about the game somewhere, so please feel free to leave here if you don’t wanna read someone’s opinions!)
So. 8P. Pronounced 8-Piece.
The voice actors part of this collaboration between FrontierWorks and Otomate. They’re all associated with colors:
Red - Hatanaka Tasuku
Pink - Nogami Sho
Yellow - Yashiro Taku
Green - Enoki Junya
Light blue - Lounsbery Arthur
Blue - Kosaka Atsushi
Purple - Masuyama Takeaki
White - Chiba Shoya
Known as a “wakate” (young) voice actor group who perform a number of various actions to improve their voice-acting ability… whatever that means.
(They call into question what makes them “young,” considering more than half of them are in their thirties now…)
Said actions include EXTREMELY hyped-up variations of rock-paper-scissors, complete with screaming, yelling, and turning into a beast; whacking each other over the head with pool noodles; playing werewolf game; and singing and drama cds. You know, perfectly normal voice acting stuff.
Despite the fooling around, they actually do proper things, and they all seem comfortable around each other, some of them even claiming 8P to be like another home to them in magazine articles.
In an early episode, they were asked “What would you like 8P to do together?” and one of them answered “To make [us] into an otome game.”
Though he meant it as in “We’re the characters to be captured and other voice actors voice us,” leaving the others to wonder... Then why are we even voice actors in the first place? The sentiment still got through, and four years later, we’re here now.
(BTW, someone else replied with an anime adaptation. With Project Scard: Praeter no Kizu having aired, they’re one step closer to finishing the bucket list.)
Anyway, I have a few thoughts on this project that can be summed up with:
- Holy Shit
- Uhh
- Whatever!
Holy Shit: I say this because I never would’ve dreamt that I’d be able to enjoy content with a voice actor group I oshi/stan/whatever, as like… a reward to myself!
(This, coupled with the fact that the reveal teaser was released on SideM anniversary 2020, during/immediately after the stream I stayed up at 3am to watch… Needless to say, my brain was absolutely FRIED.)
The artist, Natsuo-sensei, draws for one of my biggest interests, TSUKIPRO, and also for one of my favorite branches, VAZZROCK! How would I not love this!? The designs are impeccable (/unfortunately, my fave is voicing my favorite design so it’s like… why are you perfect i hate you), the way their colors also represent their 8P colors… It’s great. Except…
Uhh: I’m not comfortable with genderbending that much… I mean, the girls’ designs are absolutely adorable. I love them, their voices, and I know I’ll eventually be at peace with the game. Just the concept makes me strange :woozy_face: but I’ll bear with it for the potential this game holds.
Whatever!: Regardless of my thoughts, it’s happening anyway. The protagonist looks sooo cute, I laughed my ass off watching the 19-minute free airing of the episode with them playing it. Taku naming the protagonist “Kujukuri” (a place in Chiba prefecture) solely because of Chibasho, his partner for the session, and wanting to make theirs unique, was both head empty and head full many thoughts at the same time.
But no matter how you slice it, the artist being Natsuo is just so exciting for me! I’d always wanted Natsuo to draw for 8P when I saw Goalous5’s drama CD character designs for Mission Goalous… and it happened! (/Time to imagine some of the voice actors covering VAZZROCK songs…) Their anime-style and not the extra-detailed "every strand of hair is animated" you usually see from otome games art is unexpected, but it gives a splash of color imo! It matches with the vibrant and near-future kinda theme, where everything seems to pop out while also seeming rather artificial… I watched other otome game promotional movies and opening themes in prep for this, but none of them are as colorful and cheesy as this. It’s right up my alley.
I especially like the idea that the protagonist doesn’t really care about love and prefers to pursue friendships instead. I have never played an otome game before this, BTW. Everything’s gonna be completely new, and I’m gonna enjoy it with all I’ve got!