is a Japanese

visual novel A visual novel (VN) is a form of digital interactive fiction. Visual novels are often associated with the medium of video games, but are not always labeled as such themselves. They combine a textual narrative with static or animated illustratio ...

studio known for the production of

adult An adult is an animal that has reached full growth. The biological definition of the word means an animal reaching sexual maturity and thus capable of reproduction. In the human context, the term ''adult'' has meanings associated with social an ...

'' bishōjo games''. Its main office is located in Taitō,

Tokyo Tokyo, officially the Tokyo Metropolis, is the capital of Japan, capital and List of cities in Japan, most populous city in Japan. With a population of over 14 million in the city proper in 2023, it is List of largest cities, one of the most ...

. The representative producer and president is Ryūichirō Yamakawa. “Frontwing” is the company's main brand, but it has also released games under affiliated brands “Survive” (サヴァイブ), “Hotchkiss” (ホチキス), and “b-wing.” These brands have all since merged to become “Frontwing.” Frontwing's games cover a diverse range of genres, from school love life stories to hardcore adult games, and also games that utilize 3D computer graphics. The 3D content production team, ''Polygon Mura'' (ポリゴン村), is closely involved in the games’ production by seeking ways to incorporate 3D graphics into essentially 2D projects. Several of their games, originally produced for PC, have been ported to consoles. The development of the ported versions is generally done in-house. The company is also active in many other fields, including the development of the dance 3D software ''Dance X Mixer'', taking part in the bi-annual Comic Market, and Niconico live broadcasts. Since the company's founding in 1999 as a ''bishōjo'' games developer and the release of Frontwing's first title, ''Canary (Canaria: Kono Omoi o Uta ni Nosete)'' in August 2000, it has published over 20 titles in the visual novel genre. The studio's flagship games include the ''Netherworld Angel Djibril'' series, and the '' Grisaia'' trilogy which spawned an animated series in 2015. In regards to the '' Djibril'' series, writer Naoki Miyamoto, author of the book ''"Adult Games: Introduction to Cultural Studies”'', has pointed out why there is a big demand for such works: “If the one to fight is a beautiful heroine, the risks she takes stimulate people's erotic imagination.” In 2011, the first installment of the ''Grisaia'' series, '' The Fruit of Grisaia'', won first place in the Moe Game Award. The second installment, ''The Labyrinth of Grisaia'', won second place in 2012. Frontwing marked its first venture into the overseas market May 29, 2015, with the English release of ''The Fruit of Grisaia'' on

Steam Steam is water vapor, often mixed with air or an aerosol of liquid water droplets. This may occur due to evaporation or due to boiling, where heat is applied until water reaches the enthalpy of vaporization. Saturated or superheated steam is inv ...

. The company has since established its own in-house translation team, which made its debut with the English release of ''The Leisure of Grisaia'' on May 18, 2016. On March 16, 2021, Frontwing announced that

Bushiroad is a Japanese entertainment company, producer of collectible card games and trading cards, and publisher of mobile apps and games, which was founded in 2007 by Takaaki Kidani and is headquartered in Tokyo. Bushiroad created and owns various med ...

had acquired a 50.625% controlling stake of the company, with Frontwing becoming a subsidiary of Bushiroad.

List of visual novels

Listed by brand, in chronological order. Frontwing

Survive

Hotchkiss

b-wing

Incidents

* Green Green High-Cost, Miscommunication and Copyright Dispute Case

References

External links

* * (English) * * {{Authority control Amusement companies of Japan Bushiroad Hentai companies Video game companies of Japan Video game development companies Video game companies established in 2000 Japanese companies established in 2000