Alice in the Country of Hearts

Alice in the Country of Hearts

Heart no Kuni no Alice original visual novel cover.
ハートの国のアリス ～Wonderful Wonder World～
(Hāto no Kuni no Arisu ~Wonderful Wonder World~)
Genre Adventure, Comedy, Harem, Fantasy, Romance
Game
Developer Quin Rose
Publisher Quin Rose (PC)
Prototype (PS2/PSP)
Genre Adventure, Otome game, Visual novel
Platform PC, PlayStation 2, PlayStation Portable
Released
  • JP February 14, 2007 (PC)
  • JP September 18, 2008 (PS2)
  • JP July 30, 2009 (PSP)
Manga
Heart no Kuni no Alice
Written by Quin Rose
Illustrated by Soumei Hoshino
Published by Mag Garden
English publisher
Demographic Shōjo
Magazine Monthly Comic Avarus
Original run October 2007 – October 2010
Volumes 6
Game
Clover no Kuni no Alice:
Wonderful Wonder World
Developer Quin Rose
Publisher Quin Rose (PC/PSP)
Prototype (PS2)
Genre Adventure, Otome game, Visual novel
Platform PC, PlayStation 2, PlayStation Portable
Released
  • JP December 25, 2007 (PC)
  • JP April 15, 2010 (PS2)
  • JP March 31, 2011 (PSP)
Game
Joker no Kuni no Alice:
Wonderful Wonder World
Developer Quin Rose
Publisher Quin Rose
Genre Adventure, Otome game, Visual novel
Platform PC, PlayStation Portable
Released
  • JP October 31, 2009 (PC)
  • JP October 27, 2011 (PSP)
Game
Anniversary no Kuni no Alice:
Wonderful Wonder World
Developer Quin Rose
Publisher Quin Rose
Genre Adventure, Otome game, Visual novel
Platform PC
PlayStation Portable
Released
  • JP March 14, 2010 (PC)
  • JP July 28, 2011 (PSP)
Manga
Joker no Kuni no Alice:
Circus to Usotsuki Game
Written by Quin Rose
Illustrated by Mamenosuke Fujimaru
Published by Ichijinsha
English publisher
Demographic Josei
Magazine Comic Zero Sum
Original run June 2011 – present
Volumes 7
Anime film
Alice in the Country of Hearts:
Wonderful Wonder World
Directed by Hideaki Ōba
Written by Kou Ishizuki
Music by Mari
Studio Asahi Production
Released July 30, 2011
Runtime 84 minutes
Game
Omochabako no Kuni no Alice:
Wonderful Wonder World
Developer Quin Rose
Publisher Quin Rose
Genre Adventure, Otome game, Visual novel
Platform PlayStation Portable
Released
  • JP December 22, 2011
Game
Diamond no Kuni no Alice:
Wonderful Wonder World
Developer Quin Rose
Publisher Quin Rose
Genre Adventure, Otome game, Visual novel
Platform PlayStation Portable
Released
  • JP December 20, 2012
Game
Diamond no Kuni no Alice:
Wonderful Mirror World
Developer Quin Rose
Publisher Quin Rose
Genre Adventure, Otome game, Visual novel
Platform PlayStation Portable
Released
  • JP July 25, 2013
Game
Heart no Kuni no Alice:
Wonderful Twin World
Developer Quin Rose
Publisher Quin Rose
Genre Adventure, Otome game, Visual novel
Platform PlayStation Portable
Released
  • JP May 29, 2014

Alice in the Country of Hearts (ハートの国のアリス ～Wonderful Wonder World～ Hāto no Kuni no Arisu ~Wandafuru Wandā Wārudo~) is a Japanese female-oriented romance adventure visual novel developed by Quin Rose. The game is a re-imagining of Lewis Carroll's classic Alice's Adventures in Wonderland. There were multiple sequel games, as well as multiple manga series, licensed in North America originally by Tokyopop and later by Yen Press and Seven Seas Entertainment. An original video animation adaptation was announced for release in November 2008, but was later delayed. An anime film adaptation produced by Asahi Production was released in Japanese theaters in July 2011.

Plot and characters

Alice Liddell is an insecure girl who is overshadowed by her sister's beauty and grace. During one of their outings, Alice's sister goes to get a deck of cards for a game while Alice falls asleep. When a white rabbit comes and encourages her to chase him, Alice assumes she is dreaming and tries to go back to napping until the rabbit turns into a man with white rabbit ears and carries her off. Peter White (the White Rabbit) throws Alice into a hole that appears in her yard and jumps in after her. When they land in a strange, open area, Peter starts confessing his undying love for her. He tells her to drink a 'medicine' but when she refuses, he simply pours the liquid into his mouth and then kisses her, forcing her to drink it. It is later revealed that whoever drinks this medicine, participates in a game, so says Peter. Alice learns that she is in Wonderland and the only way she might be able to return to her world is to interact and spend time with the strange people in Wonderland, which slowly refills the vial. However, Wonderland is going through violent times—everyone is reckless and uncaring as to who lives or dies, and with a civil war going on everyone in the strange world finds it hard to trust each other with an instinct to kill.

Wonderland is split into various countries, with most of the action taking place in the 'Country of Hearts'. It is divided into three main territories: The Castle of Hearts, ruled by Vivaldi (the Queen of Hearts), with assistance from Peter White who serves as Prime Minister, and Ace (the Knight of Hearts), the most skilled swordsman in the Wonderland, who has a terrible sense of direction; Hatter Mansion, home of Wonderland's Mafia, The Hatters, led by Blood Dupre (The Hatter), with help from his second-in-command Elliot March (the March Hare) and the gatekeepers, Tweedledee and Tweedledum (Tweedle Dee and Tweedle Dum); and the Amusement Park, run by the marquis Mary Gowland (the Duke) with help from a punkish cat, Boris Airay (the Cheshire Cat). All three territories are at war with each other, with the only neutral area being the Clock Tower Plaza in the centre of the Country of Hearts. Alice moves into the Tower and ends up living and helping Julius Monrey, whose job it is to repair clocks, which work as the hearts of the inhabitants of Wonderland. As a result, he is considered Wonderland's mortician and he gives life to new residents once the Clocks are repaired. Also appearing in the series is the sickly Nightmare Gottschalk (the Caterpillar), a dream demon who is the embodiment of bad dreams and ruler of the neighbouring 'Country of Clover'.

Media

Visual novels

Heart no Kuni no Alice: Wonderful Wonder World is a female-oriented visual novel developed by Quin Rose and released on February 14, 2007 playable on a Microsoft Windows PC.[1] The game is a re-imagining of Lewis Carroll's classic Alice's Adventures in Wonderland.[2] Prototype ported the game to the PlayStation 2 (PS2) on September 18, 2008,[3] and the PlayStation Portable (PSP) on July 30, 2009.[4] An English version of the game, under the title Alice in the Heart: Wonderful Wonder World, was released for iOS and Android devices, with the translation done by Artmove.[5]

Quin Rose released a sequel to Heart no Kuni no Alice titled Clover no Kuni no Alice: Wonderful Wonder World on December 25, 2007 playable on a Windows PC. Prototype ported the game to the PS2 on April 15, 2010 and the PSP on March 31, 2011. It follows the first game under the assumption that Alice did not fall in love with anyone, maintaining only friendships with the major characters. She remains in Wonderland as a result and the setting moves from the Country of Heart to the Country of Clover. Clover no Kuni no Alice replaces Julius Monrey and Mary Gowland with Pierce Villiers, the representation of the Dormouse, and Gray Ringmarc, Nightmare's right-hand man who works more in the capacity of a nanny to his master. Heart and Clover were accompanied by a third game, the fan-disc Joker no Kuni no Alice: Wonderful Wonder World developed by Quin Rose and released on October 31, 2009 playable on a Windows PC. Joker no Kuni no Alice is a side-story to the first two games and reintroduces Julius Monrey and Mary Gowland.

In March 2010, Anniversary no Kuni no Alice: Wonderful Wonder World (アニバーサリーの国のアリス ~Wonderful Wonder World~) was released for Windows as a remake of Heart no Kuni no Alice featuring redrawn CGs and new character routes. A version for the PSP was released in July 2011. The game was followed by Omochabako no Kuni no Alice: Wonderful Wonder World (おもちゃ箱の国のアリス ~Wonderful Wonder World~) as another fan disc for the PSP in December 2011 that involves 26 different story arcs. Diamond no Kuni no Alice: Wonderful Wonder World (ダイヤの国のアリス ～Wonderful Wonder World～) was released on December 20, 2012 for the PSP as the sequel to Clover no Kuni no Alice and introduced new characters and a new region in Wonderland. A sequel to Diamond titled Diamond no Kuni no Alice: Wonderful Mirror World (ダイヤの国のアリス ～Wonderful Mirror World～) was released July 25, 2013 for the PSP. On May 29, 2014, a sequel to Heart no Kuni no Alice and its fan disc was released titled Heart no Kuni no Alice: Wonderful Twin World.

Manga

A manga adaptation illustrated by Soumei Hoshino was serialized in Mag Garden's Monthly Comic Avarus between the October 2007 and October 2010 issues.[6] Six tankōbon volumes were published by Mag Garden between July 10, 2008 and December 15, 2010.[7][8] The manga was licensed in North America by Tokyopop, who had published five volumes before the license reverted to the owners.[9][10][11] At New York Anime Festival 2011, Yen Press announced that it will re-release the manga.[12] Alice in the Country of Hearts is also licensed in Taiwan by Tong Li Publishing,[13] in Italy by GP Publishing[14] and in Poland by Studio JG.[15]

A second manga adaptation illustrated by Mamenosuke Fujimaru and titled Joker no Kuni no Alice: Circus to Usotsuki Game began serialization in the June 2011 issue of Ichijinsha's Comic Zero Sum.[16] An alternate retelling of the story titled Alice in the Country of Hearts: My Fanatic Rabbit (ハートの国のアリス ―My Fanatic Rabbit―), written by Owl Shinotsuki and illustrated by Delico Psyche, was serialized between 2010 and 2011 in Monthly Comic Avarus. Two volumes were released in Japan: the first on December 15, 2010 and the second on August 12, 2011. Yen Press publishes My Fanatic Rabbit in North America.[17][18]

Novels

Kodansha published nine novels written by Yukiko Uozumi between February 2008 and March 2011. The first three novels are based on the original Heart no Kuni no Alice game, the next three are based on Clover no Kuni no Alice, and the last three are based on Joker no Kuni no Alice.[19] Ichijinsha published six light novels written by three different authors, but all illustrated by Nana Fumizuki. The first novel is written by Momoko Komaki and was published in July 2008 based on the original Heart no Kuni no Alice game.[20] Two novels are written by Midori Tateyama: the first is based on Heart no Kuni no Alice and was released in December 2008, and the second is based on Clover no Kuni no Alice and was published in June 2009.[21][22] Three novels are written by Sana Shirakawa: two are based on Clover no Kuni no Alice and were released in February and March 2010, and the third is based on Joker no Kuni no Alice and was published in December 2010.[23][24][25]

Anime

An original video animation anime adaptation was announced for release in November 2008, but QuinRose announced on its production blog that the release was delayed until further notice.[2][26] An anime film adaptation titled Alice in the Country of Hearts: Wonderful Wonder World premiered in Japanese theaters on July 30, 2011.[27] The film is produced by Asahi Production and directed by Hideaki Ōba.

Reception

The Heart no Kuni no Alice manga was ranked 27th on the Tohan charts between January 13–19, 2009.[28] The third volume of the manga was ranked 25th on the Tohan charts between June 8—14, 2009.[29] Japanator's God Len comments on the "lots of kissing and/or yaoi-centric scenes because this one is made for a more female audience."[30]

The first volume of Tokyopop's English translation of Alice in the Country of Hearts was part of the New York Times Manga Best Seller List for seven weeks before dropping off the charts, but re-entered a few weeks later for another two weeks on the chart; the volume peaked at No. 5. The first volume again re-entered the chart at No. 5 during the week of July 18–24, 2010.[31][32][33][34][35][36][37][38][39][40] The second volume was on the charts for four weeks, peaking at No. 6, before falling out of the rankings.[35][36][37][41] The third volume was eighth place in its first week, rose to seventh in its second week, but fell to tenth place in its third week, where it stayed for its fourth week.[42][43][44][45]

Ed Sizemore enjoyed the "pretty-boy" artwork and enjoyed Alice's characterization, but felt that the rest of the cast's "psychotic" characterisation made it uncomfortable to read.[46] Zack Davisson enjoyed the "suggestion that Alice is creating the fantasy world from her subconscious, and that the rules set are her own", and enjoyed the manga's treatment of the game's story.[47] Carlo Santos thought that the manga could be read as a satire on reverse harems, but felt the first volume lacked plot.[48] Reading the second volume, he felt the plot was still "aimless", but enjoyed the exploration of "non-canon" ideas about Wonderland, such as what happens to a Wonderland character after they die.[49]

Yen Press' English release of volume one of Alice in the Country of Hearts: My Fanatic Rabbit stayed on the New York Times Manga Best Seller List for six weeks, debuting at No. 7,[50] and rising to No. 3[51] before falling to No. 9.[52]

References

  1. ↑ "Heart no Kuni no Alice". GameFAQs. Retrieved December 5, 2009.
  2. 1 2 "Heart no Kuni no Alice Game Gets Anime Video Project". Anime News Network. June 10, 2008. Archived from the original on 24 November 2009. Retrieved November 27, 2009.
  3. ↑ "Heart no Kuni no Alice". GameFAQs. Retrieved December 5, 2009.
  4. ↑ "Heart no Kuni no Alice". GameFAQs. Retrieved December 5, 2009.
  5. ↑ "Quinrose's Alice in the Country of Hearts Game Released in English". Anime News Network. August 10, 2014. Retrieved August 11, 2014.
  6. ↑ "Alice in the Country of Hearts, PPoi! Manga End". Anime News Network. September 3, 2010. Retrieved March 18, 2011.
  7. ↑ ハートの国のアリス 1 [Alice in the Country of Hearts 1] (in Japanese). Mag Garden. Retrieved June 18, 2010.
  8. ↑ ハートの国のアリス 6 [Alice in the Country of Hearts 6] (in Japanese). Mag Garden. Retrieved March 18, 2011.
  9. ↑ "Tokyopop: Japanese Manga Licenses to Revert to Owners". Anime News Network. May 24, 2011. Retrieved May 30, 2011.
  10. ↑ "M and N, Heart no Kuni no Alice Listed by Amazon.ca". Anime News Network. 2009-05-30. Retrieved 2009-12-05.
  11. ↑ "Manga + Comics : Alice in the Country of Hearts 5". Tokyopop. Archived from the original on November 29, 2010. Retrieved March 18, 2011.
  12. ↑ "Yen Press Adds Madoka Magica, Soul Eater Not, Yuki-chan". Anime News Network. October 14, 2011. Retrieved October 14, 2011.
  13. ↑ 心之國的愛麗絲 (in Chinese). Tong Li Publishing. Retrieved December 1, 2009.
  14. ↑ "Alice in Heartland n°1". GPManga (in Italian). GP Publishing. Retrieved February 29, 2012.
  15. ↑ GoNik (December 18, 2011). "Alicja w Krainie Serc". Tanuki.pl (in Polish) (Małgorzata Kaczarowska) 2300. ISSN 1898-8296. Retrieved February 29, 2012.
  16. ↑ "Alice in the Country of Hearts Game Gets Anime Film". Anime News Network. March 18, 2011. Retrieved March 18, 2011.
  17. ↑ "Alice in the Country of Hearts: My Fanatic Rabbit". Yen Press. Retrieved April 14, 2013.
  18. ↑ Silverman, Rebecca (January 19, 2013). "Alice in the Country of Hearts: My Fanatic Rabbit GN 1 - Review". Anime News Network. Retrieved April 15, 2013.
  19. ↑ ハートの国のアリス ~The Scent of Roses~ [Heart no Kuni no Alice: The Scent of Roses] (in Japanese). Kodansha. ISBN 4062865149.
    ハートの国のアリス ~The Wind of Midnight~ [Heart no Kuni no Alice: The Wind of Midnight] (in Japanese). Kodansha. ISBN 4062865572.
    ハートの国のアリス ~Memories of the Clock~ [Heart no Kuni no Alice: Memories of the Clock] (in Japanese). Kodansha. ISBN 406286567X.
    クローバーの国のアリス ~Sweet Pain, Bitter Love~ [Clover no Kuni no Alice: Sweet Pain, Bitter Love] (in Japanese). Kodansha. ISBN 4062865904.
    クローバーの国のアリス ~A Little Orange Kiss~ [Clover no Kuni no Alice: A Little Orange Kiss] (in Japanese). Kodansha. ISBN 4062866137.
    クローバーの国のアリス ~The Daydream Lover~ [Clover no Kuni no Alice: The Daydream Lover] (in Japanese). Kodansha. ISBN 4062866269.
    ジョーカーの国のアリス　~Mask　of　the　Circus~ [Joker no Kuni no Alice: Mask of the Circus] (in Japanese). Kodansha. ISBN 4062866455.
    ジョーカーの国のアリス　~Sugary　Love　Stories~ [Joker no Kuni no Alice: Sugary Love Stories] (in Japanese). Kodansha. ISBN 4062866552.
    ジョーカーの国のアリス　~My　Honey　Children~ [Joker no Kuni no Alice: My Honey Children] (in Japanese). Kodansha. ISBN 4062866714.
  20. ↑ ハートの国のアリス―時計仕掛けの騎士 [Heart no Kuni no Alice: Tokeijikake no Kishi] (in Japanese). Ichijinsha. ISBN 4758040176.
  21. ↑ ハートの国のアリス~ローズ・ティーパーティ [Heart no Kuni no Alice: Rose Tea Party] (in Japanese). Ichijinsha. ISBN 4758040494.
  22. ↑ クローバーの国のアリス―ガーディアン・ゲーム [Clover no Kuni no Alice: Guardian Game] (in Japanese). Ichijinsha. ISBN 4758040788.
  23. ↑ クローバーの国のアリス―ホワイト・コーリング [Clover no Kuni no Alice: White Calling] (in Japanese). Ichijinsha. ISBN 4758041407.
  24. ↑ クローバーの国のアリス―プロミス・レッド [Clover no Kuni no Alice: Promise Red] (in Japanese). Ichijinsha. ISBN 4758041458.
  25. ↑ ジョーカーの国のアリス~シーズン・オブ・ローズ~ [Joker no Kuni no Alice: Season of Rose] (in Japanese). Ichijinsha. ISBN 4758041997.
  26. ↑ "Game-Inspired Heart no Kuni no Alice OVA Delayed". Anime News Network. November 15, 2008. Archived from the original on 24 November 2009. Retrieved November 27, 2009.
  27. ↑ "Nura, Alice in the Country of Hearts, Mardock Scramble, Nekogami Promos Streamed". Anime News Network. June 4, 2011. Retrieved July 7, 2011.
  28. ↑ "Japanese Comic Ranking, January 13–19". Anime News Network. January 21, 2009. Retrieved December 5, 2009.
  29. ↑ "Japanese Comic Ranking, June 8–14". Anime News Network. June 17, 2009. Archived from the original on 24 November 2009. Retrieved December 5, 2009.
  30. ↑ Len, God (December 6, 2008). "Bishies gone wild: Heart no Kuni no Alice ~Wonderful Wonder World~ gets an OVA". Japanator. Retrieved December 5, 2009.
  31. ↑ "New York Times Manga Best Seller List, January 31-February 6". Anime News Network. February 12, 2010. Retrieved June 18, 2010.
  32. ↑ "New York Times Manga Best Seller List, February 7–13". Anime News Network. February 19, 2010. Retrieved June 18, 2010.
  33. ↑ "New York Times Manga Best Seller List, February 14–20". Anime News Network. February 26, 2010. Retrieved June 18, 2010.
  34. ↑ "New York Times Manga Best Seller List, February 21–27". Anime News Network. March 5, 2010. Retrieved June 18, 2010.
  35. 1 2 "New York Times Manga Best Seller List, February 27-March 5". Anime News Network. March 12, 2010. Retrieved June 18, 2010.
  36. 1 2 "New York Times Manga Best Seller List, March 6–12". Anime News Network. March 13, 2010. Retrieved June 18, 2010.
  37. 1 2 "New York Times Manga Best Seller List, March 14–20". Anime News Network. March 26, 2010. Archived from the original on 29 July 2010. Retrieved June 18, 2010.
  38. ↑ "New York Times Manga Best Seller List, March 28-April 3". Anime News Network. April 9, 2010. Retrieved June 18, 2010.
  39. ↑ "New York Times Manga Best Seller List, April 18–24". Anime News Network. April 30, 2010. Archived from the original on 29 July 2010. Retrieved June 18, 2010.
  40. ↑ "New York Times Manga Best Seller List, July 18–24". Anime News Network. July 30, 2010. Retrieved October 18, 2011.
  41. ↑ "New York Times Manga Best Seller List, March 21–27". Anime News Network. April 2, 2010. Retrieved June 18, 2010.
  42. ↑ "New York Times Manga Best Seller List, May 30-June 5". Anime News Network. June 11, 2010. Archived from the original on 14 June 2010. Retrieved June 18, 2010.
  43. ↑ "New York Times Manga Best Seller List, June 6–12". Anime News Network. June 18, 2010. Archived from the original on 19 June 2010. Retrieved June 18, 2010.
  44. ↑ "New York Times Manga Best Seller List, June 13–19". Anime News Network. June 25, 2010. Archived from the original on 26 June 2010. Retrieved June 25, 2010.
  45. ↑ "New York Times Manga Best Seller List, June 20–26". Anime News Network. July 2, 2010. Archived from the original on 4 July 2010. Retrieved July 2, 2010.
  46. ↑ "Tokyopop Chibis: .hack 4koma, Alice in the Country of Hearts, Red Hot Chili Samurai, Mugen Spiral". Comics Worth Reading. March 29, 2010. Retrieved June 18, 2010.
  47. ↑ Davisson, Zack (March 2010). "Alice in the Country Hearts v1 Review". Manga Life. Silver Bullet Comics. Archived from the original on 2010-02-18. Retrieved June 18, 2010 – via Japan Reviewed (Zac Davisson's review site).
  48. ↑ "Naruto in Wonderland - RIGHT TURN ONLY!!". Anime News Network. February 2, 2010. Retrieved June 18, 2010.
  49. ↑ "Alice in the Country of Hearts GN 2 - Review". Anime News Network. March 26, 2010. Retrieved June 18, 2010.
  50. ↑ "New York Times Manga Best Seller List, December 23–29". Anime News Network. January 4, 2013. Retrieved April 15, 2013.
  51. ↑ "New York Times Manga Best Seller List, December 30-January 5". Anime News Network. January 11, 2013. Retrieved April 15, 2013.
  52. ↑ "New York Times Manga Best Seller List, January 20–26". Anime News Network. February 1, 2013. Retrieved April 15, 2013.

Further reading

External links

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