Jack Jeanne playthrough thread!

This will mostly be a summary with occasional TLs if I feel the need to. I'm probably going to end up playing through the demo multiple times to get all the stills available so far.

Anyway, let's begin!

Fun fact, the background on the title screen changes depending if it's day or night. The first screenshot of the game I posted has the night version, and it pans out over the entire city of Tamazaka.

Young Tachibana Kisa and Yonaga Souichirou are playing make believe with Kisa's older brother, Tsuki (Kisa calls him Tsuki-nii). Kisa and Yonaga (Sou-chan) Kisa and Yonaga are siblings fighting against the Moon King to save their father who's been turned into stone by Tsuki.

Tsuki boasts he's gonna use their father to decorate his palace, and he sprinkles moondust on Kisa and Yonaga to turn them into stone too.

Tsuki: Hahahahahaha! ......okay, that's enough for today.

(Tsuki's totally gonna be the big bad in JJ, I can already tell)

Tsuki stops since the sun is already setting to the kids' dismay. Kisa wishes there was a school where she could spend the entire day singing, acting and performing on stage instead of doing mundane schoolwork. And be able to attend it with Yonaga and Tsuki.

Flash forward a few years, Kisa is watching Tsuki perform at Univeil Revue Academy (not Univers, I checked the JJ site), from the Quartz class. He's got lots of fans, called the pride of the academy. Skilled at singing, dancing, acting, etc. The best.

Kisa wants to stand on that stage just like her brother. If only she could attend Univeil, but since she's not a boy...

Btw, the one on the left is Fumi. Same mole, and Tsuki's bio mentioned he performed with 1st year Fumi when he was in his 3rd year.

Some time later. Kisa is delivering lunches everyday for the local lunch vendor. She runs into her friend Akane Ao (Ao-chan) after finishing deliveries. Ao notes it must be difficult working everyday, but Kisa says it's fun, plus she gets a free lunch.

Ao is preparing for high school entrance exams. Her top choice is the school close to Tamazaka City, where Univeil is located, since she loves watching Univeil's revues. She won't be able to see Kisa as much, but Kisa reassures her they'll continue to meet.

Ao asks if Kisa really isn't going to keep going to school.

Ao: You've got a dream too, right Kisa?
Kisa: No, not really. My father's going through some trouble, so I need to help however I can. I have to go back to the lunch vendor soon. See ya!

(avoiding the topic, huh)

Ao: Ever since her brother disappeared, her family...seems to be going through hard times. I'm worried for you, Kisa-chan.

(My Tsuki-being-the-antagonist vibes are getting more justified. Did his ego get so big that he ditched his family?)

Kisa goes home, about to eat the lunch that auntie packed for her. She hears a noise and wonders if it's a debt collector. But it ends up being a weasel with a crescent-moon on its belly.

Kisa: Eh!? A cat...no, a tanuki? A weasel? In the middle of the city?

The weasel runs around and makes a mess in the closet before it runs away. Kisa ends up finding an album of her and Tsuki. She finds the one of Tsuki at Univeil, and remembers her dream of being on stage at Univeil. But it'll never come true.

Kisa finds a photo she doesn't remember of her, Tsuki and Yonaga playing make-believe at a shrine. Yonaga moved away before middle school so she hasn't seen him in ages. She ends up visiting the shrine, remembering how there was once three of them, but now she's alone.

Kisa: ...Univeil. Univeil Revue Academy is a place where revues are created by male students. Only boys are allowed to attend the school and stand onstage...lucky Tsuki-nii. I wanted to go to Univeil too...

A suspicious man: Ohoh, just what I was looking for.

Chuuza Shuuri, voiced by Koyasu Takehito (Dio, Takatsugi), the headmaster of Univeil. He recognizes Kisa right away as Tsuki's younger sister and tells her to enroll at Univeil, shocking Kisa.

He has to ask her to check the school site to prove he's not trying to scam her lol.

When asked why, Chuuza states Univeil and its predecessor, Tamazaka Revue Academy has a 200+ year history, 300+ years if the original traveling troupe "The Tamazaka Company" is included. Every year of its history performed by men only.

But Chuuza finds that tradition stale and wants to breathe some new life into the academy. Why do the same thing for ages when both men and women can have the talent? Kisa will be that new life. Follow Tsuki's footsteps to Univeil and test her strengths there.

There will be resistance against Kisa even if it's the headmaster who's allowing it, so he asks her to disguise herself as a boy. Kisa just needs to pass the entrance exam, and Chuuza will deal with the application.

The chances are high of her being discovered as a girl, and if she is, she will be expelled. If she passes, tuition and dorm fees will be covered and she'll get paid while performing on stage so she doesn't have to worry about her father's debts.

Chuuza: There's no need to give up on your dreams.
Kisa: ...!!!

He leaves so Kisa can think it over.

(Will continue updating later!)

Entrance exam day at Univeil. Almost 2k applicants this year. 4 classes called Quartz, Onyx, Rhodonite and Amber. But each class contains only 15 students, making a total of 60. Kisa is determined to make it in.

Kisa: (I have to be careful so that no one finds out I'm a girl...)

Insert Suzu who's singing off pitch but projects his voice well. And yes, his track jacket really says PUTA looool. My Spanish sucks but even I know what that means

Also warms up with a baritone. I'm sorry, this is too funny combined with his unamused face, thank you for this gem Uchida Yuuma

Suzu: Hm?
Kisa: ...huh? He's approaching me...?

Su: A girl! Amazing!
Ki: ...!
Su: A girl no matter how I look at it...so it's guys like you that come to Univeil. ...ah, sorry for being so out of the blue!
Ki: Ah, it's okay...
Su: You're applying too, huh? Aiming to be a Jeanne, I bet?
Ki: Jeanne?

At Univeil, the male role is called Jack, and the female role Jeanne. So it's not rare for feminine-looking students to aim for the female roles.

Su: I'm Orimaki Suzu, applicant no. 800, goal is to be a Jack!
Ki: I'm Tachibana Kisa, no. 796.

Su: Wow, even your way of talking's like a Jeanne. You always use 'watashi' to refer to yourself? (Suzu uses 'ore')
Ki: Ah...y-yes. I always have.
Su: C'mon, we're the same age. Quit it with the polite talk. Or maybe you're the secret exam for Univeil?

Ki: I'm not...ah, no. I'm not.
Su: Haha, I see.

The examiner asks everyone to gather to start the exam. Suzu wishes Kisa luck.

Kisa is in the dance room for the exam. But someone is sitting in the room...

Merely sitting, but captures her eyes for some reason.

The examiner begins the dance portion of the exam, where the applicants must watch current students do a demonstration and follow along.

The model is Takashina Sarafumi.

Fumi is annoyed since the school isn't paying him enough for him to be worth dancing for hours on end. But someone will come by to replace him soon.

Fu: Fine, fine, I get it. But as Quartz's Aljeanne, I ain't gonna be cheap.

Not only is Fumi Aljeanne, the top Jeanne, but he's been one ever since 1st year.

(Btw Fumi is voiced by Kondou Takayuki, Hirako's VA!)

Kisa notes Fumi dances dynamically, with control over his entire body up to his fingertips.

Kisa and the other applicants are exhausted after the dance exam. Next is the singing portion which they will have to wait in the hall for.

Kisa: (I have to go to the hall...uh, where is that again?)
???: ...it's that way.
Kisa: ?
???: The hall.

Quartz's Jackace (the top Jack), Mutsumi Kai. VA Kasama Jun. Pretty quiet overall.

Su: Hey, Tachibana! How was the dance portion? I think I might've screwed up...
Ki: Ah, thank you for showing me where the hall is!
Kai: ...hm? Sure...

Suzu notes how cool Kai looks, and that they got a chance to see Quartz's Aljeanne and Jackace in person. Quartz, that Tsuki was also part of.

Su: Hey Tachibana. We're gonna get in!
Ki: ...yeah!

In the dance room...

Ka: Fumi.
Fu: Huh, so you're replacing me? The Aljeanne and Jackace coming in on their days off, Quartz must have a lot of free time on their hands.
Ka: ...that applicant with the red hair just now, he'd make for a good Jack.

Fu: Ah, no. 800? He was pretty bad. Bunch of squirts flailing around for Obon would dance better than him.
Ka: Everyone's got to start from somewhere.
Fu: Convincing coming from you. He certainly stands out from everyone. For better or for worse.
Ka: ...there was one more too.

Fu: Yeah...no. 796. Now that you mention it, that kid...
Ka: Looks just like Tachibana-senpai.
Fu: Yeah.
Ka: His name?
Fu: Dunno. Why don't you ask Enishi-san?
Ka: Alright.
Fu: ...hey, Kai.
Ka: Hm...?

Fu: About that kid. Don't you think it'd be fun if he got into Quartz?
Ka: ...it would.

(Lol I'm enjoying their dynamic. I'll continue updating tomorrow!)

I'm back!

1 month later. Day 4.5 in the VN. Kisa is at Univeil and excited she passed the entrance exam. She runs into long-lost Yonaga who's also been accepted. He's shocked that Kisa is attending too, but before she can explain Suzu joins them, introduces one each other.

Quartz's theme is "transparency" where many inexperienced performers who haven't specialized yet tend to go.
Onyx = Jacks whose forte is dance.
Rhodonite = Jeannes who specialize in song.
Amber is where talented and unique students gather.

Suzu theorizes Kisa would be in Rhodonite because of her appearance, himself in Onyx because his physical abilities make him more suitable for dancing than singing or acting. Yonaga would like to be in Quartz.

Yo: Quartz...would be nice.
Su: I get what you mean!
Yo: Huh?

Su: Tbh I enrolled in Univeil cause I really admire Tachibana Tsuki, the legendary Jackace of Quartz!
Ki: ...!
Su: That's why I wanna be in the same class as Tachibana Tsuki...come to think of it, your last names are the same.

Ki: (If people find out I'm related to Tsuki-nii, it might make it even easier for them to discover my identity...! But it might be better than lying poorly...)
Ki: It's true. It's the same (nonchalantly)
Yo: ......
Su: Maybe you guys are distant relatives!
Ki: *nervous laughter*

Yonaga cuts in and says they should go check which class they're in. Kisa thanks Yonaga for the save. Their year is the 78th class of Univeil. All 3 are in Quartz.

Kisa gets called to the headmaster's office.

Chuuza congratulates her and informs her about her admission. The only ones who know that Kisa is a girl is him, Quartz's homeroom teacher Enishi Rokurou, and now Yonaga, Kisa's childhood friend. Chuuza is surprised that someone who knew about Kisa enrolled in the school.

But if anyone else finds out that she's a girl, expulsion. But since a lot of students are feminine, she won't have to go out of her way to act and dress like a boy. He reminds her to build trust with the rest of the students, and aim to become a lead and aim for the top.

Kisa arrives to Quartz's homeroom late.

??: Yes, yes, come right in.
Ki: (The teacher...? But he's in a student uniform.)

??: You were called in quite loudly during the school announcements. Did you run into any issues on the first day? Theft, robbery, manslaughter, extortion, coercion, or a bank robbery, perhaps...?

(Can you tell he and Furuta share the same VA? )

Fu: No one like that would be in our school, Kuro.
??: But wouldn't be great to have such a plucky 1st year around, Fuumin! All the world's a stage!
Fu: And, if the cops came?
??: I concede! Law is what keeps society together.
Ka: ...you two are bothering the 1st years.

Kisa finds a seat by Suzu and Yonaga.

Neji Kokuto (3rd year, 76th class of Univeil) welcomes the 1st year students to Univeil and Quartz. Class leader-slash-scriptwriter-slash-director-slash...all kinds of other things! He provides an info-dump about Univeil for us.

5 performances in total: Rookie, Summer, Fall, Winter, and Univeil Exhibitions. The Rookie Exhibition is where the 1st years take the lead roles, which is going to be held May 30th. Today is April 5th, so less than 2 months remain. Most viewers will watch over them warmly,

but others will be more strict, like journal reporters, critics and avid Univeil fans. Neji will write a script to allow even novices like them to shine on stage. Casting will be announced mid-April. Upper years are also participating and support the 1st years.

Ne: If you have any questions, all you need is to ask. I'm sure all our seniors here will be more than happy to help you.
??: What, no way.
Ne: With some exceptions of course! Mwahaha. Mikki's a 2nd year now, you can be a little nice to your juniors, hm?
??: ...

Kisa notes he looks cute like a doll. Shirota Mitsuki, noted for his singing. He catches Kisa staring at him, and she apologizes.

Neji asks if anyone has any questions. You're given 3 options: 1) How casting is determined, 2) Type of training to be done, 3) No questions.

Casting is based on Neji's subjective judgment. Everything from how they're doing in lessons, campus life, the way they walk, talk, physique, voice, facial expressions. Essentially based on his intuition, which he uses to find gemstones in the rough.

Training I'll explain later, there's gameplay related to it.

Neji finishes his spiel and passes it on to Quartz's homeroom teacher, Enishi. Pretty low energy. Lessons start tomorrow. Class is dismissed.

Suzu meets Kisa outside the Quartz dorms and asks if she's ready to introduce herself to the other students. He notes it's hard to find people since Univeil is so large. They chat for a bit, Suzu asks Kisa to call him by his first name, so Suzu-kun it is.

Inside Yonaga's dorm. He's finished unpacking, though he's still yet to put away his books (on theatre). He asks how Kisa got into Univeil, and she explains what happened. Yonaga says he'll help Kisa to make sure she stays at Univeil. He's glad that Kisa is here with him.

Yo: Kisa-chan, about Tsuki-kun...
Ki: I can't get in touch with Tsuki-nii, but I'm sure he's doing fine wherever he is.
Yo: I see. Yeah, I'm sure he is.

(Isn't that sketchy? Maybe he turned into that weasel with the moon on its belly lol)

Kisa begins her search for the Quartz students. At the Univeil courtyard, Kisa hears Mitsuki singing.

"With this chest of mine I dance, the rhythm of possibilities"

Ki: (I'd heard he was lauded for his singing, but he really has a beautiful voice...the lyrics paint the scene in my head.)
Mi: ...could you not stare at me like that? It's uncomfortable.
Ki: Oh, I'm sorry!
Mi: Oh, you again. The 1st year who came in late.

Ki: Yes. My name is Tachibana Kisa. It's a pleasure to meet you.
Mi: Huh...you've got a face like a girl.
Ki: Eh? Y-yes, I suppose so.
Mi: A high-pitch voice. A delicate figure. And a Jeanne at that. At least be aware of your own features.
Ki: I-I'm sorry.

He sighs and introduces himself. 2nd year, 77th class of Univeil. A Jeanne and a tresor (songstress/diva) of Quartz. VA is Kajiwara Gakuto (Asta). Kisa compliments him on his singing.

Mi: So you were eavesdropping.
Ki: I-I'm sorry.

Mi: Well, not like I care either way. Later.
Ki: He left...I guess he doesn't really like interacting with people. But his voice really was beautiful.

(If I had to describe Mitsuki's tone, it would be similar to Kenma, but a bit more antisocial lol)

Kisa finds Kai in the forest, seemingly concentrating on something. She decides to come back later, but Kai notices her.

Ka: ...? Quartz's 1st year?
Ki: Yes! I'm Tachibana Kisa.
Ka: I see, you're...
Ki: Yes!

(awkward silence between the two)

Ka: Mutsumi Kai, 76th class of Univeil. I'm a 3rd year.
Ki: So I should call you Mutsumi-senpai!
Ka: Kai is fine. You can call me that around other people too.
Ki: But...
Ka: ...
Ki: ...(agrees)
Ka: ...
Ki: T-then, I'll call you Kai-san!
Ka: Okay.

Kisa notes Kai is the Jackace of Quartz. And since Tsuki was also the Jackace, that means he must be talented too.

Ka: I'm a vessel meant to garnish the Aljeanne. Nothing more, nothing less.

Kisa is confused by his statement. Convo ends.

Kisa runs into Neji next in the hallways. He enters a room then promptly comes back out.

Ne: Welcome!
Ki: Ah!
Ne: What're you doing in a place like this?
Ki: I'm going around introducing myself to everyone in Quartz.

Neji invites her into his workroom where he writes his scripts and plans his staging. But he also performs on stage, any male or female role, from a shining prince/princess to old grannies/gramps.

He's currently working on the script for Quartz, but he won't reveal it just yet. Kisa asks if the other class leaders write the scripts like he does, but Neji is a special case, who screenwrites, directs and performs.

Ne: Once you get carried away, you can't see what's going on around you. What we do has no end to it. Acting, dancing, singing, they're fields that you can pursue for a lifetime. You could reach the stars, or merely end up as a master of none. No matter how much time,

it will never be enough. It's a terrifying world out there. That's why it's so engrossing. The stage is a colossal device. The Jacks and Jeannes make up the gears, and I am the craftsman who pieces them together. Let's create a fantastic stage together, Tachibana-kun!

Neji must continue writing, and wishes Kisa the best for the Rookie Exhibition.

(Neji definitely talks the most out of the main cast lol. And fast too, talks a mile a minute and tone varies hugely)

Kisa finds Fumi standing languidly in the middle of the dance room, taking deep breaths before beginning to dance. A Japanese-style dance where his movements are gentle, beautiful and brilliant. He comments on Kisa staring intently at him, just like during the entrance exam.

Kisa is surprised that Fumi remembered, despite the number of applicants.

Fu: I remember you and the red-haired guy well cause you two danced so terribly.
Ki: Oh...
Fu: I'm just kidding. Though the red-haired guy really did suck.

Kisa introduces herself, and Fumi pauses at hearing the name Tachibana.

3rd year Takashina Sarafumi, 76th class of Univeil, but he prefers being called Fumi, no senpai honorific attached. Kisa ends up calling him Fumi-san.

Fu: Let's have fun, Kisa. (leaves)
Ki: It's overwhelming seeing him up close. So that's the power of an Aljeanne.

Kisa goes to her room excited for her new life at Univeil and retires for the night for her 1st day of classes tmrw.

(end of the day)