Ikemen Rensen: Taira no Kiyomori

About

Ikemen Rensen: Taira no Kiyomori is a mobile visual novel where you play a character who time jumps to 12th-century Japan with two coworkers. The story splits into three routes depending on which historical power figure you end up near, Taira no Kiyomori, Minamoto no Yoshitomi, or Emperor Go-Shirakawa. You’ll navigate romantic and political intrigue through dialogue choices and branching scenarios. Gameplay focuses on reading character interactions and selecting responses to influence relationships and outcomes. The game stands out for blending historical fiction with dating sim mechanics, letting players explore Japan’s past through stylized anime art and voice acting. Though released in 2011, its mix of education and romance remains niche but coherent for fans of period dramas. The mobile format keeps sessions short, though completion requires replaying for all endings.

Storyline

The story is about you and your two friends/coworkers who time travel to the Heian period after driving through a tunnel. You end up staying at either Taira no Kiyomori, Minamoto no Yoshitomi, or Emperor Go-Shirakawa’s place.