Tokyo-based FantaJI Games have given their new visual novel, Hanako’s Flower Shop, a Steam release window for April. Hanako’s Flower Shop is a coming-of-age story of a young woman at a crossroads. Hanako takes on the challenge of running her grandfather’s beloved flower shop in this cross between a management sim and a visual novel. Every flower tells a story, and every bouquet has the power to heal. Hanako’s grandfather, a renowned florist, is known for his unparalleled skill and compassion. Hanako is determined to uphold his legacy but she has pretty big shoes to fill and worries she may fall just short of his greatness. Does Hanako have what it takes? We’ll find out come April.
At her shop, Hanako will meet new customers each with unique stories, dreams, and struggles of their own. Each flower represents emotions and possibilities. Promising a coming-of-age story about more than just flowers, but growth, both hers and others. Help shape Hanako’s story by the choices you make, the relationships you build, and the lessons you learn. The developer, FantajI, is primarily made up of solo developer Vsevolod Metelsky from Ukraine. Finally ready for release, the development of Hanako’s Flower Shop initially began in 2019 with all the struggles that have come along with developing video games in a country currently at war. There’s something beautiful about a game with such a positive outlook and a lovely concept coming from a region full of strife. Developer Vsevolod Metelsky had this to say about the game:
Getting ‘Hanako’s Flower Shop’ so close to release is both exhilarating and daunting, years of hard work and dedication have gone into crafting this game, and every word of its story is infused with heartfelt emotion. We sincerely hope it offers you a spectrum of feelings—joy, reflection, and comfort—especially during life’s tougher moments. This game has been my dream to release, and through all of the delays from events outside of my control, finally getting to release this game and seeing people play and enjoy it will fill my heart with joy.
A beautiful and heartfelt statement, contributing to the overall impact of the story in Hanako’s Flower Shop, no doubt. Visual Novels run the gamut from simple kinetic stories with little input to games like this one where player input is crucial to the outcome and varies based on gameplay. Including bouquet-building mechanics should add a little engagement beyond telling a story.
Hanako’s Flower Shop Key Features
- The Languages of Flowers – Master a unique bouquet-building mechanic that lets you craft arrangements based on the symbolic meanings of flowers.
- Non-Linear Narrative – Shape Hanako’s journey through your decisions. Build relationships, uncover secrets, and decide how she grows into her role as both florist and individual.
- A Vibrant Cast of Characters – Meet a variety of townsfolk, each with their quirks, challenges, and stories to share. From the eccentric artist to the shy teenager, every customer brings something new to the shop—and to Hanako’s life.
- Stunning Anime-Inspired Visuals – Immerse yourself in a world of lush, hand-drawn art and charming animations that bring Hanako’s story and the beauty of flowers to life.
- A Story About Growth – Experience a heartfelt tale of self-discovery as Hanako grapples with her fears, aspirations, and the weight of her grandpa’s legacy.
While no official date is given, the culmination of six years of work is coming together to be released sometime in April. A demo is available and you can wishlist the game on Hanako’s Flower Shop Steam page.
