| Popotan | |
 Front cover of the DVD-ROM version of Popotan | |
| ぽぽたん | |
|---|---|
| Genre | Fantasy comedy,[1] harem[2] |
| Novel series | |
| Written by | Sassami Yachiruda |
| Published by | Softgarage |
| Original run | June 20, 2002 – August 22, 2002 |
| Volumes | 2 |
| Video game | |
| Developer |
|
| Genre | Eroge, Visual novel |
| Platform | Microsoft Windows |
| Released | December 13, 2002 (limited ed.) August 1, 2003 (Popotan Po! DVD-ROM) |
| Audio drama | |
| Station | Osaka Radio, TBS Radio |
| Original run | April 2003 – December 2003 |
| Video game | |
| Popotan Fan Disc: Issho ni A SO BO | |
| Developer |
|
| Genre | Eroge, Visual novel |
| Platform | Microsoft Windows |
| Released | July 7, 2003 |
| Anime television series | |
| Directed by | Shinichiro Kimura |
| Produced by |
|
| Written by | Jukki Hanada |
| Music by | Osamu Tezuka |
| Studio | Shaft |
| Licensed by | |
| Original network | BS-i |
| Original run | July 18, 2003 – October 3, 2003 |
| Episodes | 12 |
| Manga | |
| Written by | Yūjiro Izumi |
| Published by | Kodansha |
| Magazine | Magazine Z |
| Demographic | Seinen |
| Original run | December 12, 2003 – August 23, 2004 |
| Volumes | 2 |
| Video game | |
| Oshiete! Popotan | |
| Developer |
|
| Publisher |
|
| Genre | Visual novel |
| Platform | PlayStation 2 |
| Released | March 11, 2004 |
Popotan (Japanese: ぽぽたん) is a Japanese adult visual novel developed by Petit Ferret with character designs by Akio Watanabe under the alias Poyoyon Rock. It was originally released as a PC game for CD-ROM on December 13, 2002, and subsequently re-released on DVD-ROM and for the PlayStation 2 with certain scenes removed. The title Popotan is a nonsensical word meant to reflect the prominence of dandelions, spelled tanpopo (たんぽぽ) in Japanese;[n 1][3][4][5] Petit Ferret also produced a fan disc shortly before the DVD-ROM re-release. Popotan has been adapted to other media, including a novel series (Popotan～ Himitsu no Jumon～ Kōhen) by Sassami Yachiruda; a manga series by Yūjiro Izumi; a twelve episode anime television series directed by Shinichiro Kimura, animated by Shaft, and licensed in North America by Geneon USA and later, Sentai Filmworks; a radio drama (Poporaji); and several art and reference books.
Gameplay in Popotan follows a semi-predetermined plot; major events remain the same, but personal storylines can diverge from the player's choices. The game focuses on protagonist Chris, a drifter who meets three girls, the youngest of whom is 11 years old, and their maid in a mansion near the ruins of Tokyo in the distant future.
- ^ Oppliger, John (May 8, 2009). "Ask John: What Are Some Good Ecchi Comedies?". AnimeNation. Archived from the original on April 5, 2010. Retrieved June 22, 2020.
The 2003 Popotan television series just can't seem to catch a break. The show has gorgeous character designs by Poyoyon Rock (Akio Watanabe) and an affecting story depth that even its critics concede. But due to its prominent nudity and origin as an erotic PC game, this wonderful, humorous fantasy never got the respect or success in America that it deserved.
- ^ Berman, Jennifer. "Popotan". T.H.E.M. Anime Reviews. Retrieved June 22, 2020.
- ^ Beveridge, Chris (2004-11-16). "Popotan Vol. #1 (of 3)". Mania: Beyond Entertainment. Archived from the original on 2009-03-28. Retrieved 2008-09-12.
- ^ Thomas, Mark (2007-08-14). "Popotan Complete Collection (of 1)". Mania: Beyond Entertainment. Archived from the original on 2009-02-20. Retrieved 2008-09-12.
- ^ Santos, Carlo (2005-04-27). "Popotan - DVD 2: Engima". Review. Anime News Network. Retrieved 2009-03-20.
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