Koutarichou Jin'youtan: Mayoigo no Shou

About

Koutarichou Jin'youtan: Mayoigo no Shou is a visual novel following Ousaka Chise, a young woman trained to banish demons but uncertain of her own strength. After years of isolation, she journeys to Koutarichou, a decaying town where the living and the supernatural collide. Guided by her Housoushi companion Midori, Chise encounters enigmatic figures like the smiling outsider Ten'yuu and the fearful ayakashi Hakua. The story unfolds through dialogue and choice, blending personal struggles with eerie folklore as Chise confronts her doubts and the town's secrets. Set in a world where boundaries blur, the game leans into quiet tension and layered character dynamics. Its episodic narrative and morally gray relationships have earned praise among fans of atmospheric slice-of-life tales. As the first entry in MIO’s three-part series, it establishes a haunting tone that lingers, with players often noting its nuanced take on loneliness and belonging. The PC release remains a niche favorite for its deliberate pacing and eerie charm.

Storyline

Ousaka Chise is the future leader of the famous Ousaka family of "Taimashi", who are noted for being able to subdue demons called "Housoushi". Having lead a sheltered life, Chise is doubtful and concerned about her worthiness of succeeding the house since she has never seen a Taima (banishment of malicious spirits) take place. One day, Chise's senior apprentice, Miyuki Akari, invites her to go to "Koutarichou" with him, saying that it will be the ideal place for her to resolve her worries. "Koutarichou"- a place between the mortal world (Shigan) and nirvana (Higan) in which strange things occur every night. It is a ruined town where humans with special circumstances and ayakashi drift and wash ashore. Chise and her Housoushi, Midori, venture towards Koutarichou. There, they meet "Mukoujima Ten'yuu", a young man with a smile through which his true intentions cannot be discerned, and "Hakua", an ayakashi who always faces downwards as though she were afraid of something. They also meet many other humans and ayakashi whose various hopes and wishes live within their hearts. Though perplexed by the town's strange occurrences, Chise faces her own doubts head-on. This is a story spun by a young girl in a mysterious town about the doubts of humans and ayakashi.