After various teases, Aniplex and Acquire have announced Hookah Haze, a “hookah lounge visual novel” for Nintendo Switch and PC via Steam. The new title will launch in 2024 with English, Japanese, and Simplified Chinese language options according to the newly launched Steam page.
Acquire and Aniplex’s new game was initially teased through a new Twitter account (@amuamu_usagi) during the BitSummit Let’s Go!! Acquire president Takuma Endo confirmed that more details were coming this winter. Just a few months later, the INDIE Live Expo Winter 2023 event hosted an official reveal for this new title.
Aniplex and Acquire’s Hookah Haze
Hookah Haze is set in the year “2XXX” on the outskirts of Akihabara. A new hookah lounge opens for the first time, and rookie manager Toru Sumiki begins to experience some changes while socializing with the lounge’s regulars. The story takes its own twists and turns based on the decisions the protagonists makes with these customers.
Here’s an overview of the game’s story and characters, via Steam:
“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.
Announcement Trailer
Lastly, watch the new trailer below.
Final Weapon is an official media partner of INDIE Live Expo 2023.
