The official website for AOKANA: Four Rhythm Across the Blue has announced that visual novel developer sprite will be ceasing operations. Operations will halt following the release of the Perfect Edition/4th Anniversary Box of AOKANA: Four Rhythm Across the Blue on November 30. A declining industry of 15% per year and situations surrounding current projects were cited as reasons for the decision.
Work on Ao no Kanata no Four Rhythm Extra 2 and Ao no Kanata no Four Rhythm Zwei is indefinitely put on hold and the sprite store will close in Spring 2019. Original merchandise will still be available for sale for the “sprite Summer Vacation” event in the summer. There are no concrete plans to continue operations.
Sprite developed Koi to Senkyo to Chocolate and released the visual novel in October 2010 for PC in Japan. The visual novel received an TV anime from AIC Build which aired from July 2012 to September 2012.
AOKANA: Four Rhythm Across the Blue was released in November 2014 for PC in Japan. The visual novel was ported to Nintendo Switch on March 29, 2018. This too received a TV anime, this time produced by Gonzo. The TV anime ran from January 2016 to March 2016.
SOURCES: AOKANA Official Website, ANN
