Hey everyone! 
So, I have been wanting to have a 'side project' for some time, and I've finally got around to pinning one down.
So, I have been wanting to have a 'side project' for some time, and I've finally got around to pinning one down.
'Unshackled' is a fan visual novel based on Bleach. (The title and logo may change.)
The main purpose of this visual novel will be so as I can test out features, and learn more advanced stuff on Renpy, without worrying about it on a 'real' game.
Areas I want to practice:The main purpose of this visual novel will be so as I can test out features, and learn more advanced stuff on Renpy, without worrying about it on a 'real' game.
- To test out coding, so I can see it in action in a real game, not just in my stick figure test game!
- So I can practice character creation and how it will apply to CGs and tranferring it to other games in an episodic format.
- Practice complex relationships- There are so many characters in Bleach it's perfect for working out how to seamlessly blend complexity within relationships into the story (both friendly and romantic).
- Find out the best way of transferring data from one game to another in an episodic format (which this visual novel will be).
- The characters and settings are already there, so that means I can focus on the stuff I want to practice and have fun with.
I hope people who play it will be kind enough to give feedback on what they thought, and any suggestions on the code and things I want to practice.
Why Bleach?
Why not?
I know a lot of people don't like it or have moved onto to new stuff, but I recently got back into watching the anime after a long time away and I've refound my love for it. The manga got a bit stale for me, though apparently it's picked up recently.
The Transfer Student (Teenager in the World of the Living)
Having moved to town recently due to your Aunt having got a new job, you're having to find your feet in this unfamiliar town. On your first day of school, you're greeted by a sea of strangers, a few who seem to take an odd interest in you. Surviving each day as it comes is your focus for now- until you come face-to-masked face with a shrieking monster who seems to think you're next on its dinner menu.
After that encounter, your life takes a turn you're not sure you could ever have expected.
The Shinigami (Adult in Soul Society)
Having been pulled out of the academy on your first day, you were assigned to First Division to work directly with Captain Yamamoto. At first you thought it was an honour, but the novelty soon wears off when you're treated with disdain by most around you for not having any real skills, and for the apparent special treatment you've been given.
It's not until one fateful and traumatic encounter with a hollow, that the truth of your situation begins to come to light.
The main story will be the same for both characters, but obviously have variations. Though, a lot of episode 1 will be completely different for the characters.
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Love Interests
The two characters will have different love interests avaliable to them, mostly because I felt uncomfortable writing the teenage girl in a romance with the older characters!Love interests for the Transfer Student: Ichigo, Ishida, Sado, Orihime, Renji, Rukia.
Love interests for the Shinigami: Byakuya, Kyoraku, Ukitake, Renji, Hisagi, Ikkaku, Urahara, Gin(Pre-existing relationship only), Tosen(Pre-existing relationship only)
I am open to adding other love interests if people are interested and if it's feasible with the storyline.
The story takes place after the Soul Society Arc, but before the Arrancar arc. The story will follow eventually the events of the Arrancar arc.
Episode 1 will mostly focus on the origin of your character, setting up the story, and starting to build relationships.
Episode 2 will focus more on training, beginning to look at building the type of power you want, as well as acquiring your zanpakuto.
Episode 3 will be the real start of using everything you've developed, plus really starting to cement relationships and for them to start having an influence on the story, your character, and others.
Episode 4 will possibly begin linking into the events of the anime.
Romance will be a heavy feature in this VN.
The points system I plan to implement has 3 different types of points:
Friendship
Respect
Romance
Friendship and respect will play out in different ways. For example, someone who respects you may not come to your aid in a fight because they know you can handle it, but a friend will come to your aid anyway because, well, you're friends!
Why is it a complex system?
The plan is to have it so the relationships feel natural and interweave together. For example, say you choose to have a pre-existing relationship with Gin, but fall for Renji, I don't want you to just have to choose one or the other. Matters of the heart and of friendship are complicated, so I want to replicate that as best I can in this VN.
Maybe you're friends with someone who disapproves of your romance choice- if you're good enough friends the they might actually talk to you about it, if you're just merely friends, they must just grumble about it instead.
Maybe your have a respectful relationship with someone, but you suddenly realise you like them more than that- the relationship start will be a lot different than if you were friends with them already.
These are just some examples, and I might not be able to get this all in. But, it's something I really want to shoot for.
Love triangles will be possible, but unfortunately I am not confident enough to write polyamorous relationships for this (that much complexity is a bit too far for me!
).Power Development
Your character will have a special type of power in this story, but I won't go into detail about it because of spoilers!
You can develop your skills in other ways though:
Zanjutsu- swordsmanship
Hoho- Speed and agility
Kido- Destructive/Binding/Healing
Hakuda- hand to hand
The way you develop your character, and what they choose to focus on will have an impact on the story.
Zanpakuto
Your character's zanpakuto will vary depending on the way you develop your character's skill. Hopefully it will be suited to the way you've chosen to make your character fight. Each type of zanpakuto will have a different 'personality'.
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I'm still planning a lot of this, but I have most everything planned out.
Progress on this will be slow, mainly due to the fact my focus is mostly on my main VN, also the fact that I have to draw so many sprites and backgrounds for this VN. Once I get a new laptop in the far future, progress will probably be completed quicker.
I plan to release the first episode and see how it goes, before diving any further into this.
Mainly though this VN is simply for fun and practice (and a bit of self-indulgence for myself), so I hope it will be fun for you too!
(This visual novel won't use things such as -chan or -sama. I just don't have the heart to butcher the Japanese language with my ignorance of it! Though some things I will stick to, such as Shinigami, as it sounds so much better than Soul Reaper.)
2. Would you be willing to give feedback on things I try out in this VN, such as different types of coding, after playing it?
3. Is there anything you would like to see in this VN that I haven't mentioned? Any ideas?
4. Are there any particular characters you would like to be avaliable for romance? (I'm open to most, but some I might not be able to due to story reasons and the like.)
If you have any questions, please let me know by leaving a comment in this thread or PM'ing me!
This will obviously be a free visual novel and made just for fun of it and the fans!
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Art Examples
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Art Examples
I love Bleach! The anime was awesome and I would like a continuation, since I'm bad at reading manga. I am so very happy. Thank you for making my dream come true. I have always wanted to play a fanmade Bleach GxB visual novel. 
). Bad choices and dark endings are always nice. 
). 
