Two decades ago today, 0verflow released School Days, a visual novel that would forever change the way people viewed high school romance stories—and not exactly in a heartwarming way. What began as a seemingly typical love triangle blossomed (or rather, unraveled) into one of the most shocking and unforgettable narratives in visual novel history.
First released on April 28, 2005, School Days quickly built a reputation for its branching storylines, fully animated cutscenes, and endings that ranged from sweet… to absolutely devastating.
📚 What Is “School Days”?
At its core, School Days follows high school student Makoto Itou, who finds himself caught between his feelings for his shy crush Katsura Kotonoha and his outgoing classmate Sekai Saionji. But this isn’t just a “choose the right girl” kind of game.
Depending on your decisions, relationships can spiral into love, betrayal, obsession—and in the worst cases, tragedy. Some of the game’s infamous “Bad Endings” are so brutal that School Days became legendary even outside of visual novel circles.
🎬 Anime Adaptation: A Trainwreck You Couldn’t Look Away From
In 2007, School Days received a 12-episode anime adaptation produced by TNK. Faithful to the spirit of the original, the anime didn’t shy away from the darker aspects of the story—and in fact, became even more notorious after its explosive, unexpected ending aired.
The anime’s finale was so controversial that its airing was delayed following a real-life tragedy in Japan, adding even more infamy to its reputation.
🎉 Why It Still Matters 20 Years Later
Love it or hate it, School Days made waves because it dared to break the mold. In a sea of cheerful dating sims and feel-good romances, it asked:
👉 What happens when selfishness, miscommunication, and impulsiveness run unchecked?
👉 How far can teenage emotions spiral when no one acts responsibly?
Its bold storytelling, fully animated presentation (rare for its time), and infamous reputation have secured School Days a spot in visual novel—and anime—history.
💬 Final Thoughts
Twenty years later, School Days remains one of the most talked-about, memed, and analyzed visual novels ever made. Whether you view it as a cautionary tale, a dark masterpiece, or simply a chaotic disaster, one thing’s certain: you’ll never forget it.
👉 Ready to scroll back into the world of anime and manga?
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