Published by Good Smile Company, Valkyrie Tune: Synthesis of Souls is the latest work of former Idolmaster series director Akihiro Ishihara. The title is currently in development for PC (Steam) and Switch, with a free demo set to launch on March 16.
Curiously, the upcoming “sci-fi romance suspense” visual novel is based on Good Smile Company’s original bishōjo plastic model franchise, which is likewise themed around music. To find out more about how the project came to be, AUTOMATON interviewed Ishihara, who shared some interesting insights into what players can expect from his new game.
Waking up to six girls calling you the Messiah
Valkyrie Tune: Synthesis of Souls is a story-driven title that places players in the role of Rei, a young man who awakens from years of cryosleep in the domed city of Initium with no memory of his past. Upon waking, he is greeted by a group of women who refer to him as the “Messiah.”
Seeking to recover his lost memories, Rei begins living alongside the six members of TUNED (Tactical Unit for Neutralization and Enhanced Defense), an all-female squad equipped with specialized “harmonic weapons.” As he adjusts to life in a world strictly governed by cryptic rules, he gradually forms bonds with the girls. However, beneath the calm of his everyday life, Rei feels that something is “amiss,” and slowly heads towards the revelation of hidden truths about both the world and his own role within it.
Deceptively cheery visuals
While Valkyrie Tune’s concept art and character designs give off an uplifting atmosphere, the game’s narrative will be more serious than the visuals let on, according to Ishihara.
“At first, it’s enough if players simply enjoy the characters and the vibrancy of the world. However, as the story progresses, it’s designed so that they gradually begin to question the nature of that world and of the girls themselves,” he explains.
“While the early chapters depict a relatively calm everyday life. It’s precisely because of that sense of security that the later developments leave a stronger impression. Questions such as ‘Is this world truly the future?’ and ‘Who are these girls, really?’ begin to surface, linking directly with the player’s own emotions.”
Heroines that aren’t merely objects to be consumed
In a unique departure from Ishihara’s past work, Valkyrie Tune is designed to “quietly and gradually build up a sense of unease about the world.” On the other hand, the new title will fully inherit the established style Ishihara is already known for, with an emphasis on creating deep psychological connection between the player and the heroines, as well as using music as an essential means of conveying emotion.
“What [Valkyrie Tune] shares with my other works is portraying characters not as objects to be consumed, but as beings with whom emotions are shared. However, rather than placing the player in a position of cheering the characters on, this work emphasizes a sense of sharing the same time with them, at a much closer distance. Because the period of hardship depicted within the game is so long, the feeling of going through both joy and suffering together may be even stronger than in any of my other previous works.”
Ishihara believes the visual novel will resonate with players interested in character-driven stories and ethical or philosophical themes.
Another highlight of the game is, as previously mentioned, music – with vocal and instrumental tracks composed by Shota Horie. Ishihara emphasizes that Valkyrie Tune’s music will be a means to visualize the protagonist’s inner state, rather than simply background ambiance.
Valkyrie Tune: Synthesis of Souls is set to launch in July 2026 for PC (Steam) and Switch. Good Smile Company will release a free demo on March 16, introducing the game’s themes and worldbuilding.
