BS Ihatovo Monogatari

About

BS Ihatovo Monogatari is a role-playing game released in 1997 for the Satellaview. It follows the adventures of characters inspired by the stories of Kenji Miyazawa, blending traditional Japanese folklore with family-friendly storytelling. The game was designed as a follow up to an earlier SNES title and served as a tribute to the author’s centennial. Each session unfolds with turn based combat and narrative driven quests all tied to weekly broadcasts that provided additional audio content. What sets it apart is its use of the Satellaview’s Soundlink service. Every episode began with a voiced performance of Miyazawa’s poetry performed by actors chosen through a magazine poll. The system also delivered sound effects and hints during gameplay creating a layered experience. The game aired in two separate runs between March and May 1997 featuring contributions from voice talent like Kikuko Inoue and Kouichi Yamadera. Though niche it remains a cultural curiosity for its blend of literature and interactive media.