Yanoman and Japan Art Media (JAM) have launched a crowdfunding campaign dedicated to reviving the Aretha JRPG series. Hosted via Campfire, it will run until August 31, 11:59 PM JST. The campaign has several goals, each of which unlocks new Aretha-related projects.
In terms of merchandise, a new manga booklet featuring original artwork by renowned manga artist Yoshitoo Asari will be created and published when the campaign reaches 1 million JPY (roughly $6.2K USD). Several Aretha-themed puzzles and an official Aretha artbook are also planned. These will be produced if the campaign hits 10 million JPY ($62K USD).
Once the campaign reaches 30 million JPY ($185K USD), ports of the first three games (Aretha, Aretha II, and Aretha III) will be made for the Nintendo Switch (other platforms are also being considered). The collection is tentatively titled “Aretha Collection 1990–1992” (not to be confused with the upcoming Aretha Collection 1993-1995 set to release on July 30 for Nintendo Switch and PlayStation 4 and 5).
While the series’ narrative is complete for the most part, gaps in the story will be co-created and filled with fan lore. Both the in-game lore and fan-made content will be collected on an official reference webpage called “Aretha World Core.” Backers of a specific tier and upward can provide input to the webpage’s contents, as well as have their names posted on a list for readers to see. The Aretha World Core project will be unlocked once the campaign goal hits 80 million JPY ($493k USD).
The more expensive stretch goals are for a new Aretha OVA, drama CD, and a YouTube anime series, which will be produced once campaign funding has reached 50 million (for the OVA and drama CD) and 80 million JPY (for the YouTube series, alongside the Aretha World Core webpage), respectively. Provided the campaign reaches its final 100 million JPY ($617K USD) goal, a new game in the franchise for modern platforms will be developed.
Though details on the new title are scarce, this isn’t the first time Yanoman and JAM have collaborated on an Aretha-related project. Aside from working on the aforementioned Aretha Collection 1993-1995, they have planned an orchestra concert and several pieces of merchandise (including prints and soundtrack collections) as parts of the Aretha Reunion Project ~I Want to Meet You Again~ – an initiative dedicated to renewing interest in the series. All of these projects have been successful, which seems to be why this new campaign will be all-in, meaning backers will receive their full rewards regardless of whether the target goal is reached.
