Gin'Iro Haruka (Ginharu), a visual novel by tone work's , offers an experience akin to their more popular title, Hoshi Ori Yume Mirai, albeit in a different setting. Set in Hororo, a snow-covered town in Japan's far north (resembling Sapporo in Hokkaido), it centers on Niimi Yukito, an honor student, exploring his life and relationships with five romanceable heroines: Bethly, Momiji, Hinata, Yuzuki, and Mizuha. Each route unfolds into a pure-love story across three life stages: middle school, high school, and college.
Tone work's is renowned as the master of Slice of Life. While their unique experience is unmatched elsewhere, all their games share a similar structure with long routes, pure romance, and great after-stories. For those seeking a cozy, heartwarming romantic tale, Ginharu consistently delivers.
For fans of tone work's, exploring their other translated titles is a straightforward recommendation (Hatsukoi 1/1, Hoshi Ori Yume Mirai) . But there are notable games from other developers too. ToHeart2 by AQUAPLUS is an older but similar high school romance to Ginharu. For a more contemporary choice, try Wagamama High Spec from Madosoft, another high school romance with an intriguing plot. Additionally, Amakano by Azarashi Soft, a fan-favorite with a setting and premise akin to Ginharu and excellent production quality, is worth checking out. However, it's important to note that Amakano currently lacks an English translation.
Snow is not an uncommon sight in April in one of the northernmost towns of the country. Yukito is a well-known honor student at the local school, unable to leave those alone that need his help. As a second year student the new spring will bring him new feelings in his teenage life. Feelings that will soon turn into beautiful realisation.
In this game there are five heroines, first there’s the transfer student from Canada, Bethly. She loves to paint but only knew the very basics of Japanese before she came to Japan. Next up there’s Hinata, a junior at school who also can’t leave someone alone when they need help. Momiji is Yukito’s classmate and sits next to him in class. She wants to make it onto the big stage of theater plays.
Also aiming for the top is figure skater Mizuha, Yukito’s childhood friend. He gets to meet her again after 2 years abroad. Last of the heroines is his step sister Yuzuki, who somehow feels far away. But maybe that’s because it’s only been one year since she and her mother moved in with them.
From here the story will only have one goal. After so many years, Yukito’s life will take a big turn in just 3 seasons. This is a story of love–
Birthday: November 25
A honor student with good reputation in the school.
He has a personality that makes him get along well with people, is very caring and attentive. Yukito can't leave people in trouble and will take on the work others don't want to do.
Often told by his surroundings that he's too good of a person.
Birthday: August 8
Height and Weight: 158cm and 48kg
Three Sizes (BHP): 85-56-86 cm
Blood Type: AB
Protagonist's one year younger junior who won't hesitate help anyone in trouble. There is absolutely no limit to how good she is at making friends, she sticks her head right in into any kinds of trouble and events.
Hinata has many dreams that can be considered her future dream job and all of them give off impression of a "gal's". She loves animals, especially dogs.
Birthday: December 28
Height and Weight: 160cm and 48kg
Three Sizes (BHP): 90-58-89 cm
Blood Type: A
A transfer student who has come from Canada. Her long blonde, straight hair and clear blue eyes leave a strong impression on people.
She is calm and doesn't show her emotions too much. Because she's still learning Japanese, Bethly talks using only the absolute minimum of words which makes her leave a cool and emotionless impression.
But her actual personality is the opposite of her cold appearance, she is very delicate and kind. Bethly is great at drawing.
Birthday: January 25
Height and Weight: 161cm and 52kg
Three Sizes (BHP): 89-55-91 cm
Blood Type: O
A figure skater who aims to become the world champion. She is the protagonist's childhood friend with whom he has reunited after spending two years abroad training figure skating.
She's not only famous, but also gives off a cool and mature impression which makes people treat her as an "aloof and cool woman". However, when one gets closer to her they would learn that she's tolerant, accepting and gentle girl.
Birthday: October 21
Height and Weight: 153cm and 50kg
Three Sizes (BHP): 85-59-86 cm
Blood Type: AB
A classmate sitting next to the protagonist. Momiji is very interested in theater drama, after school she reads her favorite books aloud like it was script to practice.
Normally she appears to be absent-minded and a little clumsy, but is capable of completely surprising the surroundings with something she suddenly says. Her image completely changes when she stands on the stage, she appears very bold and dashing.
Momiji uses her favorite hair tie instead of a bookmarker.
Birthday: February 14
Height and Weight: 147cm and 46kg
Three Sizes (BHP): 77-54-79 cm
Blood Type: AB
The little step sister of the protagonist, the two are having a hard time grasping the distance in their relationship. She's a very reserved girl. The protagonist's father and her mother have remarried, and they have come to live together a year before the story starts.
The two still haven't completely opened their hearts to each other and she has yet to call him "onii-chan". However, as the two spend their time together, she gradually opens herself to him and grows attached to him, acting spoiled like a puppy.
Although she's meek, the core of her personality is strong and she's the type to work hard towards a goal. Yuzuki loves sweets.
A music college student who becomes a trainee teacher in the middle school the protagonist is attending. Very serious and working hard to become an educator... is what she pretends to be like. She's a rascal who only puts up appearances.
She loves anything that will benefit her and wants to have the best results with the least effort. Momoka finds doing anything really bothersome. Having to prepare for adult life, she thinks of getting a teachers' license just in case. Nicknamed "Momo-chan".
The protagonist's real mother, a pro pianist who mainly works within hokkaido. She has a childish and innocent personality, there's always a smile on her face. Maria loves her son a lot and showers him with affection.
She has divorced with her husband as she chose to pursue music and now lives in her aunt's home. Since her home is a cafeteria called "hololo", she helps out there when she's done with practice.
A figure skater from the same generation as Mizuha and the top athlete who is said to carry Russia in figure skating.
Unlike her small stature, Alyssa's personality is very ambitious and she does not spare any effort in getting better.
In the past, she has lost to Mizuha just once and since then, she has been treating Mizuha as her rival.
The president of the drama club who's in the same year as the protagonist and Momiji, and who is very serious about drama plays. Has very strong sense of responsibility.
Akane has a very strict, rigorous personality and does act like a male friend towards the protagonist. She doesn't like to be treated like a girl, but will get angry if treated like a guy which makes it a bit of a pain for her friends.
A veterinarian working in Hororo City. Normally he appears to be absentminded and unmotivated, but whenever he does something related to animals or is in front of animal patients, he turns into a "capable man". He is also a first class veterinarian.
Reiji is trusted well by the pet owners who come to his animal clinic and is very popular among all kinds of people.
To use the translation, first install the patch onto the game and then apply the update.
The patch includes fully translated and edited routes for Mizuha, Momiji, Bethly, and Hinata. It also has edited openings, translated backgrounds, and images. We tried adding a translated version of Mizuha's ending, but the engine didn't let us.
The update applies QA edits for the Mizuha route, however, it does not fully translate some videos and images, those will be added in the final Yuzuki patch.
