Visual novels are well-known for their ability to enamor audiences with deep world-building and complex characters, all while holding a more intense narrative. However, while famous additions like the Fate series are far more popular overseas, few worlds have enamored audiences as much as the world of Utawarerumono.
With fascinating fantasy-like elements and incredibly suspenseful twists, the world of the Utawarerumono visual novels has built something of a cult following. That said, as is often the case of video games that stray through different types of media, many fans are confused about the order that they should play the games and watch the accompanying anime.
What Is Utawarerumono?
The Utawarerumono series was created back in 2002 by Leaf. Naturally, the series has a variety of entries, with most falling into the visual novel-RPG genre. Among these entries, there have also been several different types of alternate media to enjoy the story of Utawarerumono. Here's the right order to experience them in, in order to get the full story.
Game Order
Without a doubt, the Utawarerumono games are the more popular media in the series. As visual novels with RPG gameplay, the Utawarerumono video games are perfect for viewers that want an interactive experience. At the current moment, there are three main games in the Utawarerumono series, with two additional side series hack and slash games that offer a different way to enjoy the series' storyline.
Prelude of the Fallen
The Utawarerumono series has two main protagonists: Hakuowlo and Haku. The first game in the series, Utawareru: Prelude of the Fallen, tells the story of Hakuowlo. Canonically, this is the first game to occur in the series' timeline, so players should start here if they want to start at the very beginning.
The story of Utawarerumono's first installment focuses on Hakuowlo, a mysterious amnesiac man found unconscious in the forest, and Eruruu, the animal-like girl that nurses him back to health. Together, the two will learn about the world around them, as well as the mysteries of the mask glued to Hakuowlo's face.
Mask of Deception
After the first game, the series changes protagonists. This time, Utawarerumono: Mask of Deception tells the story of Haku and Kuon. If players want to go in chronological order, they should opt to play Mask of Deception after they play Utawarerumono. That said, either can be played and enjoyed as stand-alone stories.
Mask of Deception marks the first appearance of Haku, another amnesiac man, who is found by the daughter of a nearby village named Kuon. Little does Haku know, he is crucial to the legends of the world. Meanwhile, his partner Kuon has more to her than meets the eyes.
Mask of Truth
The final installment of the Utawarerumono trilogy, Utawarerumono: Mask of Truth marks the dramatic conclusion of Haku and Kuon's story after Mask of Deception. That said, Utawarerumono: Mask of Truth is not really a stand-alone game that can be played without any context, at least not for players that enjoy a conclusive plot. In order to have a full grasp of everything occurring in the game, players are recommended to play Utawarerumono: Mask of Deception before they pick up the sequel.
Utawarerumono: Zan Side Games
Of the two side games currently in the series, Utawarerumono: Zan was the first to be released back in 2018. Unlike the visual novels that make up the core games in the series, Utawarerumono: Zan is a hack-and-slash game filled with thrilling gameplay; players that didn't enjoy the visual novel elements of the other games may enjoy Utawarerumono: Zan more. For players looking to play Zan instead of the main series games, it adapts the events of Utawarerumono: Mask of Deception.
Much like its predecessor, Utawarerumono: Zan 2 takes to telling the story of another one of the main series games in a different medium. In this case, it's a hack-and-slash retelling of the events in Utawarerumono: Mask of Truth. Overall, the experience of these two side games may be better for fans that enjoy action more than strategy.
Monochrome Moebius: Toki no Taika
Unlike the other entries in the series, Monochrome Moebius: Toki no Taika has yet to be released. Still in development, the game is expected to release sometime during 2022. Fans of the Utawarerumono series should keep an eye out, as Monochrome Moebius is expected to set a precedent for the series moving forward.
Anime Order
In addition to the games, Utawarerumono also has had multiple anime adaptations: an original made in 2006, Utawarerumono: The False Faces in 2015, and Utawarerumono: Mask of Truth set to release in July 2022.
Utawarerumono adapts the first game in the series, Prelude of the Fallen. Utawarerumono: The False Faces, though the name may suggest a different story entirely, adapts the second entry in the series, Mask of Deception. Naturally, Utawarerumono: Mask of Truth adapts its namesake, the final installment in the series.
Altogether, fans do not need to watch the anime series to fully grasp the plot of the games, nor vice versa. Instead, viewers can choose whichever medium suits their tastes better: an interactive video game series, a laid-back anime series, or perhaps both.
Manga and Other Media
In addition to the video game series and the subsequent anime adaptation, there have also been two manga releases for the Utawarerumono series, both focused on the characters found Prelude of the Fallen. That said, for an English-speaking audience, these adaptations maybe a little bit more difficult to get a hold of than the video games or anime. Nonetheless, should fans manage to get ahold of the Utawarerumono, they will find a more lighthearted set of stories, which can be read separately from the main series' plotline.
In addition to the manga adaptations of Utawarerumono, the series also released a variety of drama CDs and other forms of distributed media. Characters from the series also made an appearance in Aquaplus's Aquapazza: Aquaplus Dream Match fighting game along with characters from various other Leaf games.
Utawarerumono: Mask of Truth is available on PS3, PS4, PS Vita, and Microsoft Windows.