Misao: Lore Guide

A guide to Misao's lore containing information left out of Misao: Definitive Edition and explaining its ties to Mad Father.

Introduction

As of 02/12/23, I have finally completed this guide!

I made this guide to summarise the link between Mad Father and Misao, and also some extra trivia for anyone who isn't already aware. I hope it'll be informative and helpful!

Differences through versions of Misao

Gameplay

One of the most notable changes in the remake, is surprisingly, the lack of typical horror elements. For example, instead of collecting Misao's possessions (her cellphone, blazer, hair tie, etc.) in the original version you were to collect her body parts. Meanwhile, Kudoh behind crushed to death behind a curtain in the remake is tasteful when compared to him being ran over by a car...

Yoshino's death scene is already plenty disturbing; you hear her dying screams while hiding inside a bear... 'costume'. Though, this is rather tame compared to the original version, where it was explicitly stated the protagonist hid inside a human corpse.
Based on the rec room, it can be speculated that this scene is likely to have been inspired by the adult animated series Happy Tree Friends, wherein a character hides inside a corpse to avoid death.

Characters

Misao: Definitive Edition has given the characters a brand new uniform! Notably, a blazer is added. I will always prefer the original one The teacher's name (previously Hideki Sohta) is also changed to Mr Kurata.

Links Between Misao and Mad Father

*THIS SECTION CONTAINS SPOILERS FOR MAD FATHER*
If you haven't played Mad Father, I'd highly recommend you do so! It's best to play it beforehand, but playing it after won't make a huge difference.

Miss Library is Aya Drevis

Well... sort of.

If you collect all 21 gems, after the game ends you are shown a special scene. Ogre has upheld his promise of allowing Alfred to research to his heart's content, and he creates a clone of Aya. With Ogre saying "She shall come into my world as well." it is heavily implied she is the Miss Library we see in Misao.

Onigawara is Ogre

If you've played both Misao and Mad father, it's fairly obvious they're the same person! Ogre is just his younger self.

Parallels

Here's a video I made with all of the parallels I could find. If I've missed anything, please let me know so I can add it here!

Rec Room Part 1

What is the Rec Room?

The Rec Room (or simply just the bonus room) was a bonus area in the original version of Misao, only visitable after completion of the game. It contains information on characters and other things that are not stated in the original story, instead coming from Sen directly. Sadly, this fun little secret was not included in Misao: Definitive Edition.

Characters

Onigawara
"Ah, yes. What will it be?"

About Onigawara: Onigawara is a real mystery. Maybe the truth on him will never fully come to light. He's certainly not human, we can say that. Some of Misao's parts (i.e her torso) didn't need to be found because Onigawara sacrificed them in advance. ...So goes the rumor.

Onigawara Design Secrets: Initially, I simply made Onigawara because I needed a save point. I agonized over whether to make him chairman of the board or student council president. His original name was "Onizuka." I made it "Onigawara" to be a little more unusual. I just wanted to have "Oni" in there. *laughs*

『　　』: Hoho, well noticed. As a reward, I shall show you these scrapped face sprites.



Kurata/Sohta
"Listen carefully to my lectures!"

About Sohta: A mysterious, suave teacher. But he's really a murderer with a dark past... Sohta was suspicious from the start. Maybe lots of people predicted he was bad news. Yeah... yeah, probably. This doesn't really impact the story, but Sohta wasn't ever attacked because the evil spirits were too scared to come near. And that's because Misao feared Sohta. Misao and the spirits are linked in a sense. Not completely one and the same, as they attack people she has nothing against. Aki killing Sohta was unexpected to Misao. Maybe Misao thought sacrificing Tohma would make for a happier outcome. By killing Tohma, he'd be hers forever. But killing Sohta puts him in a grave forever. Either way, Misao's spirit is saved. However, sacrificing Tohma, it's likely Misao's spirit would never move on.

Sohta Design Secrets: Making the teacher a villain was planned from the start. He was just plain kind from the outset, but soon took on a mysterious air. To be honest, his hair is designed like a young detective from some foreign TV drama.

Library
"Please be my friend!"

About Library: Similar to Onigawara, Library is a mystery. She's not human, either. She seems to be Onigawara's servant. She has a fear of humans and only listened to Aki because she smelled like her. Huh, maybe Aki's not human...?

Library Design Secrets: Library was made to give out hints. I couldn't think of a good name, so I let the player decide. (Note from vgperson: [TL: "Novella was my idea.]) She was going to murder Tohma initially. There's traces of that in Tohma ending up in the library. And if you play the boy... If you haven't seen it, I hope you enjoy it when you do. (It's just a minor thing, don't get your hopes up!)

Yoshino
"W-why yooou! When I get outta here, I'll...!"

About Yoshino: Yoshino is really just a coward. She only bullies those weaker than her. That's why Saotome, with more friends and charm, is exempt from her wrath. Seemed to like Tohma despite his girlfriend. She has an unexpectedly earnest side.

Yoshino Design Secrets: Being a bully was set from the start, so she looks like a mean character. I think she looks more a delinquent than a bully. Originally named "Sasayama". Her art was designed on her sprites, so that was pretty easy. Actually, most characters were designed from sprites.

Tohma
"It ain't my fault!"

About Tohma: Tohma is a trendy guy. He looks bad, but he brings in the ladies. But inside, he's the ultimate klutz. Even Aki is astounded at times. It must be the good looks that she didn't ditch him... Eh, maybe. He's left in the other world in the true ending, but I leave it up to the players to imagine if he ever made it back or what. He was utterly toying with Misao. He thought Saotome was a good girl too, but it's unlikely he was serious about her. Just like Ayaka says! He's nothing but a seducer! Seems he tried to seduce Library while in the library. (This becomes evident in the boy route.) See for yourself how that turns out...

Tohma Design Secrets: I made a guy who's putting on an act inside and out. He's a bad boy, but as someone who Misao falls for, he couldn't look too scary. Bam, cool dude! His original name was "Keita". Seemed too ordinary, so this is what you got. It's a very dazzling name... *laughs*


Kudoh
"MISAOOOOOOOOOO!!"

About Kudoh: Kudoh is a character who's never rewarded. But in the true ending, his feelings save him. But was that last Misao real...? Or just another illusion...? I'll let the players decide that one. Anyway, Kudoh was like a big brother to Misao. No love involved. So no, Misao didn't hate Kudoh. But Kudoh's love was never requited. Kudoh looks like a nice guy, but he's not so nice in personality. He's gloomy, and I bet he makes posts badmouthing people on the internet.
(Bonus: Kudoh's Hate-Rank) 1. Tohma 2. Yoshino 3.Himself

Kudoh Design Secrets: Originally named Kawamura. Way too stupid, so I thought of something more serious, and Kudoh was born. He's made to contrast Tohma on the inside and outside. Just looks like this weird boy now... *laughs*


Ayaka
"Mr Sohta's as suave as ever!"

About Ayaka: Aki's best friend. Natural stalker. A fad-follower and thus total doofus. She's the one character who's not two-faced. Revived in the true ending by Onigawara. She's fond of him, so she'll likely begin a new life of stalking in the other world...

Ayaka Design Secrets: A character created to reinforce Sohta's... yeah. Plus, the protagonist seemed sorta friendless, so she's Aki's best friend to boot. She's the one I regretted killing most. That's why I revived her in the true ending. *laughs*

Rec Room Part 2

Saotome
"Yaaah! I'm scaaared!"

About Saotome: Popular with many friends thanks to her good girl act. She certainly looks the part. She doesn't really hate Misao. Posting the texts was just a joke, but dating Tohma she couldn't forgive. She might seem like a flighty broad, but she really seemed to like Tohma.

Saotome Design Secrets: As soon as I knew Tohma would have a girlfriend, there she was, gold ponytail and big breasts. Name and nickname were decided from the start. I'm rather fond of Saotome's face sprite. Her clothes make her look like a secretary, though... *laughs*


Misao
"Thank you for finding me..."

About Misao: The tragic heroine, Misao. Friendless, and far away from family. She lived a lonely life. She fell for a man her polar opposite. She longed for Tohma, and maybe the feelings were mutual. She's an obedient girl, but hides a tricky personality inside. That said, she definitely wouldn't wish unhappiness on anyone when alive. She's likely the nicest of all the characters.

Misao Design Secrets: Horribly bullied. You know, tragic heroine and all. Forgive me for that, Misao, but I had a story to write... Since it's said she never stood out, I gave her a very simple design, but I was surprised by the response of her being seen as cute. Misao being bullied by her classmates was there from the beginning, but most of the ending stuff was decided much later. Even I did not think this would end up being a game that struggled to claim "15 and up"... *laughs*


Aki
"We're friends, aren't we?!"

About Aki: The story's protagonist. An ordinary (?) high school girl and problem child. Lives alone and off-campus, unlike many other students. Tends to focus on one thing and ignore the rest. That aspect is the main reason she goes to certain lengths for Misao. The "I'll be the sacrifice" line?Well, that was no joke. She really would be ready to die for Misao. That honest personality of hers might have been stopped in its tracks by Onigawara's glare.

Aki Design Secrets: Aki's designed like an old shoujou manga heroine. She was more normal to begin with. I like ridiculous, surreal gags, so I put lots of such jokes in the game. That part of her has no real meaning, it's just for fun. Part of her personality not being too distinct is I didn't want her to stand out too much. I considered a silent protagonist at first. I agonized over whether I should write her name with the character for "demon", hinting at a half-demon, half-human situation. If I make a sequel, and it reveals her secrets, I think I'd like to do that with her name. Oops, I just spoiled it... *laughs* (I have no plans at all, sorry.)


Aki (M)/Akito
"I'll always protect you!"

About Aki (M): Had the same personality as Aki at first, but is a little more serious in the new version.

Aki (M) Design Secrets: It was boring having an identical second playthrough, so I made him. Was going to make his default name "Akito".


Maho
"Me and Miho are always together!"

A girl only mentioned by name in the bad end. I actually had plans for a sequel with her once. More honest than Aki.


Miho
"Without Maho, I'll be all alone again!"

A girl in the bad end. Changed her graphics in Version 2. Maho is a vigorous girl. Miho is feeble, and thus clings to Maho. The two get along like twins.

Rec Room Part 3

Miscellaneous

Bloody Aki
Thank you for playing Misao! It was loaded with silly traps, but still, did you enjoy it?


Zombie
Gehehe... The first version was made for fun in the author's spare time. It's rough around the edges, but look at the big picture. Geheh...


Skeleton
Even here, Onigawara's hidin' something. Look for it if you like. Can't believe that scoundrel, though. Pretending to be student council president? What a brat!


Salt Mandrake
For the characters, some inspiration was taken from Revelations: Pers... I mean, from my head. I like that lonely atmosphere.


Actions
They're passionately kissing... (Get a room!)

How many times are you gonna fall, lady...?

No one accepts me...

Did you know there's a place to dodge between the boulders?

She's hiding somewhere. Look for her if you never found her!

The most quickly-offed character.

After killing Sohta, his corpse is hidden. Look for it, please.

HURK!!

Forgive me, Misao!

Don't touch my Tohma!

Straight out of a B-movie.

Friends...


Objects
This game was based on the concept of "finding scattered parts of a girl," with characters and story then added. The author watched a lot of B-movie horror flicks, so there's some influence there. There's something the author wishes to tell everyone through this game. And that is...

WATCH OUT FOR CREEPER TEACHERS!!

The concept of hiding in a corpse actually comes from a foreign cartoon...

Novel

The novelisation gives the characters full names! These are as follows:

Aki is Aki Narukami
Misao is Misao Furukawa
Ayaka is Ayaka Kisaragi
Tohma is Tohma Yuuki
Yoshino is Kazuki Yoshino (which makes Yoshino her surname)
Kudoh is Mamoru Kudoh (Kudoh is the surname)
Saotome, aka Otome, is Haruna Saotome (Again, Saotome is the surname)

Credit goes to pinkuboa on Tumblr.[pinkuboa.tumblr.com]

Here's a translation[femme-malewife.tumblr.com] I found on Tumblr of the novel. I'm not able to verify the accuracy, but it's an interesting read!

Other

Thank you for reading my guide! I hope I was able to share my love Sen's games (and RPG Makers as a whole) with you



Here are some adorable pixels of Misao holding the cat as thanks!

[Nelaime]

for some reason, Kurata remember me about Yoshikage Kira