Publisher Aniplex and developer ACQUIRE have announced hookah lounge visual novel Hookah Haze for Switch and PC (Steam). It will launch digitally in 2024 with English, Japanese, and Simplified Chinese language support.
Here is an overview of the game, via its Steam page:
■ About
It’s the year 2xxx. The inexperienced Toru Sumiki lands a job managing Hookah Haze, a new hookah lounge on the outskirts of Akihabara, where he meets three eccentric girls. The story unfolds as the girls gradually open up to him, connecting through their fondness for hookah…
■ Introduction
It’s the year 2xxx. On the outskirts of Akihabara, a new hookah lounge opens its doors to customers. Welcome to Hookah Haze!
Before long, the rookie manager Toru Sumiki notices that socializing with the lounge’s peculiar clientele has begun to change him.
Tobacco flavor recommendations on social media affect who visits the lounge, weaving the twists of the story nudged in this or that direction by the choices the protagonist makes in the course of relaxed late-night conversations with his customers.
■ Story
“Anything you want to try doing?”
The protagonist, Toru Sumiki, loses the will to live after being diagnosed with a fatal illness. Toru’s doctor insists he should make the most of the little time he has left, and he signs on as a temporary manager of a hookah lounge.
Through his new job, Toru meets three very unusual girls. Although cheerful at a glance, they’re battling with work problems or past trauma, searching for a place to belong. As Toru begins to bond with them through hookah, what will he find once the girls fully open up to him?
■ Characters
Amu Aigami
“Don’t skimp on praise for me, I deserve it!”
Birthday: November 11. 23 years old. Blood type: B.
Novelty cafe employee at Akihabara. Thirsty for attention, loves to be spoiled. Absolutely loves herself.
Meigetsuin Kokoro
“Ever thought being alive was overrated?”
Birthday: June 21. 27 years old. Blood type: A.
Store clerk. Polite, intelligent and usually optimistic, but hides past trauma.
Kurumi Komori
“Nuts!”
Birthday: July 22. 21 years old. Blood type: B.
A doll-maker employed by a big business. Comes off as willful. Not a great communicator.
Toru Sumiki
“I’d like to connect with someone through my interests.”
25 years old. Blood type: AB
Hookah Haze’s temporary manager. Has a tendency to give up on his own desires and put others before himself. Loves hookah and fish tanks.
■ Staff
- Planning and Development: ACQUIRE
- Sales: Aniplex
Watch the teaser trailer below. View the first screenshots at the gallery. Visit the official website here.
