Very soon after deciding on the contemporary Japanese setting, I had the idea to offer a dual heroine system in 2016: the player and the game’s heroine.
(And no, I hadn’t watched Sword Art Online or Konosuba at that time, although I caught up in 2017. I wasn’t exposed to the isekai trend yet…)

This allowed me to justify behavioral differences in the scenario and explore the duality between a strategic player and the innocent heroine in their approach to romantic relationships.
While in 2016, my heroines were mainly there to play a specific role and bring comic situations; in 2025, they had evolved to become distinct characters in their own right with their own personality and life.

[insert 2016 proto-Kyoko sketch]

Kyoko - the real-world player

My obsession with buns quickly made me change her initial appearance.
She was meant to be neglected despite her orderly side, which is why she ended up with an adorable panda pajama (because it’s cute).
From a funny character, she became the heart of the game Another Story.
Her flaws make her a more nuanced character than one might think, but you still have to be ready to venture off the beaten path, especially when the good ending is at stake.

[insert 2016 proto-Hana sketch]

Hana - the heroine of the game Doki Doki 5

She is the embodiment of the heroine who must be perfect to attract the attention of the different suitors.
She was meant to look softer than Kyoko. In the end, I decided to have her wear a black top to contrast with the player’s white pajama and also because Hana is not a perfect heroine.
Even though Another Story allows Kyoko’s consciousness to take over at times, following Hana’s original adventures in Doki Doki 5 allows you to know her better beyond the cliché.

Who between Kyoko or Hana will become your favorite heroine? Both maybe?
Anyway, they are waiting for you to explore the different facets of their character!
For my part, I can only remind you that Kyoko is not me haha.
Please don’t put me in the same basket as this slightly wild young lady to whom I wish to find happiness… or at least avoid bad ends.

(It hurts to have started creating this game with these characters older than me at the time, only to end up being older than everyone ;_;)