Landmark Visual Novel Marks 30 Years with First Fan Translation

On Monday, a dedicated group of fan translators commemorated the inception of the visual novel genre by releasing an English patch for the iconic 1996 Japanese PC-98 title, Shizuku. This game, developed by the then-nascent studio Leaf—known at the time primarily for a strip mahjong game and an adult JRPG—initiated their ‘Visual Novel Series,’ which included three adult-themed games, starting with Shizuku. Leaf’s distinctive approach to adventure games would soon capture the attention of many.

While it may be an exaggeration to claim that Leaf was the originator of the visual novel format, it is undeniable that the studio popularized the term. As explored in detail by a YouTube content creator, Shizuku drew significant influence from Chunsoft’s ‘sound novels’ on the Super Nintendo, such as Otogirisō, which were essentially straightforward visual novels. Chunsoft’s games combined text with static images and allowed players to make choices at crucial plot points, mirroring other adventure titles dating back to the 1980s. The audio elements added depth to the storytelling, despite the limitations of the graphics.

Leaf’s principal ‘innovation’ lay in its emphasis on character depiction, a logical choice given the game’s adult content. Furthermore, Shizuku was preceded by the immensely successful dating simulator Tokimeki Memorial, which also prioritized graphics for a similar impact. Nevertheless, the term ‘visual novel’ proved to be catchy enough to endure for three decades, becoming the standard label for nearly any adventure game that emphasizes narrative over gameplay interaction.

Although Shizuku achieved only moderate success, the subsequent title in the Visual Novel Series, To Heart, became a significant hit, establishing Leaf as a key player in the realm of adult adventure gaming in the following years. Last year, a remake of To Heart was released on Steam, featuring an English translation and omitting adult content.

Currently, Leaf’s parent company, Aquaplus, which specializes in non-adult games, continues to thrive and is notably recognized for the Utawarerumono beat ’em up series. The latest installment of this series was launched on Steam in December 2025.

I had the opportunity to try out the new English translation of Shizuku for a couple of hours last night. While the font isn’t my favorite choice, the script itself flows nicely. I wouldn’t suggest Shizuku for a general audience due to its explicit content, but it is undeniably intriguing to experience this historically significant visual novel in English.

For those captivated by the evolution of visual novels, Shizuku may not offer much in terms of modern gameplay appeal. However, if you are interested in its history, you can find a copy on the Internet Archive and run it with the English patch applied using the PC-98 emulator Neko Project 21/W.

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