History VisualNovel / TogainuNoChi

* [[spoiler: DyingDeclarationOfLove: Subverted. Keisuke came close to confessing his feelings. Instead, he just tells Akira that he's sorry for all the trouble he caused]].

* StockholmSyndrome: Shiki's route. [[spoiler: Somewhere during this route, Shiki abducts Akira, takes him to his abandoned apartment, pierces his belly button as a sign of his ownership, and you know what comes next. In fact, [[spoiler: Akira tries to leave, but is unable to]]]].

* StockholmSyndrome: Shiki's route. [[spoiler: Somewhere during this route, Shiki abducts Akira, takes him to his abandoned apartment, pierces his belly button as a sign of his ownership, and you know what comes next. In fact, [[spoiler: Akira tries to leave, but is unable to]].

* AxCrazy:
[[spoiler: Keisuke]], after a massive dosage of Line.

* PurpleEyes: Nano; although they look blue throughout most of the game.

''Togainu no Chi'' is the first BoysLoveGame made by [[Creator/NitroPlus Nitro+CHiRAL]]; it is noteworthy for its violence and dark storyline. It was later ported to the UsefulNotes/PlayStation2 under the name ''Togainu no Chi: True Blood'' with the adult content taken out and some scenes censored, but containing more endings and a few new characters. One of the several manga adaptations (one which has no BoysLove content) is available in English from Creator/{{Tokyopop}}.

** [[spoiler:Nano]] carries an unconscious Akira like this in episode 10. Akira then carries Keisuke in the same way at the end of the same episode.

* AbusiveParents: [[spoiler:Akira's parents. Foster parents, even]].
** Apparently [[spoiler:Takeru's parents as well, if the memory about his sister says anything. Though in the game and manga, they are HappilyAdopted before extreme poverty drove his parents to their deaths]].

** Several members in the Igra; Takeru is a particular example of what could happen to you if you inject too much Line into your body.
** Also, [[spoiler: Keisuke]], after a massive dosage of Line.

** Akira goes through a lot of crap in the series and it officially started when Keisuke [[spoiler: injected Line]] and it seemed to have ended [[spoiler: when Keisuke went back to normal after drinking Akira's blood.]] However he might have [[DespairEventHorizon officially been broken]] when [[spoiler: Keisuke is killed by Shiki]].

** Also happens to Akira on [[spoiler:Shiki's]] route in the game. [[spoiler:It's not quite as sweet, though, considering the carrier had just claimed the carried as his property]].

* PsychopathicManchild: Gunji. Nano also has shades of this.
-->'''Nano:''' "Would you still hold my hand now that it's been drenched in so much blood?"
* PurpleEyes: Nano; although sometimes they look more blue.

* RoadCone: Par for the course, as in most visual novels. And as with most visual novel-based adaptations, the anime did a little bit of cut-and-paste work. The UnpleasableFanbase, of course, [[FanWank wanked]]. Then again, the way the anime adapted the plot of the game is pretty much shoddy, regardless of the fan's reactions to it.

* SexEqualsLove: Particularly guilty of this in most main routes.

* ShipSinking: In the anime [[spoiler: Keisuke/Akira was sunk when Shiki killed him. That saying, some fans had abandoned the Shiki/Akira pairing as a result]].
* ShipTease: The anime in particular seems to be hinting at the potential love interests of Akira. The anime seems to slide toward Keisuke/Akira though, especially in episode 9. [[spoiler: Happens again in episode 11 but the pairing has [[ShipSinking officially sunk]]]].

* SingleTargetSexuality: Keisuke to Akira, to the point fans call Keisuke 'Akirasexual'.
* SissyVillain: Arbitro swishes about in a feather boa, has a cleanliness fetish, collects statues of pretty boys....

* UncannyFamilyResemblance: In Rin's TimeSkip ending, [[spoiler:he's essentially Shiki with a PaletteSwap]]. While they're not exactly family, the resemblance between [[spoiler:Akira and Nano]] is also remarked upon cryptically by several characters.

* UsedToBeASweetKid: Akira, who looked a lot more affectionate and smiley when he was younger.

** In the anime, [[spoiler: after Shiki leaves Arbitro's room, Arbitro comments that Shiki needs to find some release]].

[[quoteright:350:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/tnc_cover.png]]

An anime adaptation by Creator/A1Pictures has been aired during the Fall 2010 anime season, the trailer for which can be seen [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=01OrEoLF1sY here]].

* EscapeFromTheCrazyPlace

* {{Expy}}: Admit it, you thought Gwen was PhoenixWright when you first saw him.

* OnlyOneName: ''Everyone''. [[spoiler: And Nicole Premier doesn't count, because it's not even Nano's real name in the first place]].

* TrademarkFavoriteFood: TheStoic, tough Akira is implied to like omelette-rice flavoured solid. Since omelette rice is usually a kids' favorite, he doesn't like it when people mention it.

* EvenEvilHasStandards: While it's probably more of personal taste then a sense of morality, Shiki is disgusted by the [[BodyHorror "modifications"]] Arbitro makes to the boys in his collections.

[[quoteright:350:http://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/togainu_cover.jpg]]

When Akira is accused of murder and sent to jail, he is approached by a mysterious one-armed woman named Emma. Emma has a deal for him; in exchange for his freedom, he will participate in a BloodSport competition taking place in the city of Toshima called Igra. The rules are simple; collect dog tags from other competitors by beating them in brawls. The one who collects the right tags gets to face off against Il-Re, the supposed undefeated champion of Toshima.

* InterplayOfSexAndViolence

* SituationalSexuality

''Togainu no Chi'' is the first BoysLoveGame made by [=Nitro+CHiRAL=]; it is noteworthy for its violence and dark storyline. It was later ported to the UsefulNotes/PlayStation2 under the name ''Togainu no Chi: True Blood'' with the adult content taken out and some scenes censored, but containing more endings and a few new characters. One of the several manga adaptations (one which has no BoysLove content) is available in English from Tokyopop.

* {{Poker}}: Turned [[DeadlyGame deadly]].

* BrownEyes: Keisuke and Motomi.

When Akira is accused of murder and sent to jail, he is approached by a mysterious one-armed woman named Emma. Emma has a deal for him; in exchange for his freedom, he will participate in a BloodSport competition taking place in the city of Toshima called Igura. The rules are simple; collect dog tags from other competitors by beating them in brawls. The one who collects the right tags gets to face off against Il-Re, the supposed undefeated champion of Toshima.

However, things aren't going to be easy for Akira; the people in the Igura are extremely brutal and not above murder in order to get what they want. There are also rumors of a mysterious black-haired man who has been killing off Igura participants seemingly at random, a man who seems to be [[ImplacableMan almost invincible]]. To top it all, Akira's best friend Keisuke has followed him to Toshima out of worry, and Keisuke is nowhere near ready to take on the dangers of Igura...

** In the game, Akira had to travel to Igura by foot, making it possible for Keisuke to follow him but in the anime it was changed to Akira being driven there. This was {{lampshade|Hanging}}d in the [[OnTheNext next episode trailer]] with Akira asking Keisuke how he mangaged to get to Igura and [[HandWave Keisuke replying that he was in a daze]].

* AnOfferYouCantRefuse: Akira chose participation in Igura over a life stuck in jail for obvious reasons.

** Several members in the Igura; Takeru is a particular example of what could happen to you if you inject too much Line into your body.

* BlackAndGrayMorality: At first, the story appears to be the ExcusePlot of Akira being sent to Igura to kill Il-Re, while violence and sex ensues. Later, we find out that the factions involved (the Military, Vishico and some individuals) are at battle with each other, over Line and [[spoiler: its source, Nano]], and every side has questionable motives which do not take the protagonist or other individuals into consideration.

* CastFullOfPrettyBoys: All Igura participants are male. ''All'' of them. In fact, the city of Toshima seems to have no female inhabitants. The only female present in the series is Emma, and she is a relatively minor character. Of course, it's unsurprising considering the original media is BoysLove.

* DeadlyGame: Igura.

** Averted in the game and manga where Akira can curb-stomp normal Igura participants, stand his own against [[spoiler: line-addicted Takeru and Keisuke]] and only has trouble against [[PsychopathicManchild Gunji]], [[BloodKnight Kiriwar]], and [[ImplacableMan Shiki]].

** Although Igura participants aren't allowed the usage of firearms, their knives really can't do much against Shiki's katana.

[[quoteright:350: http://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/promob-Togainu_no_Chi.jpg]]

* HoYay: [[invoked]]
** In practically every episode of the anime. In fact, certain scenes in the anime are even more {{Ho Yay}}tastic than their ''R18 PC [[YaoiGenre BL]] game counterpart'', probably as compensation for not including certain other scenes.

** In Episode 6, it seemed, [[spoiler:Keisuke was going to get what he wanted, but that didn't pan out, either.]].
* {{Hypocrite}}: Akira becomes this at the end of the anime series. [[spoiler: When he saves Rin from Shiki, he tells Rin to forget about killing Shiki because it's not worth it. Later on, Shiki kills Keisuke and Akira tries to kill him. [[IronicEcho Rin tells him the same thing.]] Akira doesn't listen to him at the end and returns to Toshima to kill Shiki.]]

* IChooseToStay: In [[spoiler: Shiki's]] route, despite hating[[spoiler: Shiki, Akira]] stays with him even when he had many chances to[[spoiler: escape]].
* IDidntMeanToTurnYouOn: Akira to [[spoiler: Motomi]]
* IHaveTheHighGround: Shiki and n.

** Akira is supposedly a good fighter, but in the anime he is more often than not getting his ass kicked.
** Then again, most of the people he goes up against are REALLY tough and use Line. So [[CurbStompBattle ass-kicking is imminent.]]
** Averted in the game and manga where Akira can curb-stomp normal Igura participants, stand his own against [[spoiler: line-addicted Takeru and Keisuke]] and only has trouble against Gunji, Kiriwar, and Shiki.

* IronicEcho: In episode 10, Akira saves Rin [[spoiler: after he is almost killed by Shiki and tells him that killing Shiki isn't worth it and he must continue living.]] Come episode 12, [[spoiler: Shiki kills Keisuke and Akira tries to kill him. Rin stops him and says that killing Shiki isn't worth it.]]
* ItsAllMyFault: Akira blames himself for [[spoiler: Keisuke's death.]] So much that he [[spoiler: somewhat accepts the treatment Shiki gives him because he believes it's punishment.]]
* ItAlwaysRainsAtFunerals:
** Happens whenever it rains in the PC game, however the only exception to this is[[spoiler: Keisuke's good ending in which he survives Akira's blood.]] Examples:
** [[spoiler: Emma and Gwen get killed after they reveal the truth as to why they really wanted Akira to come to Toshima.]]
** [[spoiler: Though Keisuke survives the first round of 'there will be death rain' he doesn't survive it a second time in Nano's ending.]]
* IWantMyBelovedToBeHappy: In Keisuke's good ending, he [[spoiler: snaps out of his line-induced insanity and when he remembers everything he did-including raping Akira-he says he will go away if Akira doesn't want to see him again.]] Thankfully, Akira doesn't want him to [[spoiler: leave]].
** Also on Shiki's good ending, as he and Akira are [[spoiler: leaving Toshima, he tells Akira to go where he wants since he knows what's going to happen to him.]]
* KarmaHoudini: [[spoiler: Shiki at the end of the anime. Despite the fact that Akira comes to kill him, Shiki has already injected too much Line into his body making him super powerful so any hope of killing him is out the drain especially since he was able to critically injure Nano.]]

** [[spoiler:Akira at the end of the anime now sports a Katana as well.]]
* KillTheCutie: Poor [[spoiler: [[YanktheDogsChain Keisuke.]]]]
* LaserGuidedAmnesia: [[spoiler: All the children subjected to experimentation during Project Nicole, including Akira and Keisuke.]]

* LeParkour: Rin in Episode 4.

* LighterAndSofter: Arguably, some of the Drama [=CDs=], which feature more comedic situations.
* LoveMartyr: Keisuke starts out looking like one in regards to Akira. [[spoiler:Eventually the dynamic gets flipflopped once he starts taking Line and becomes Kurosuke.]]

* MercyKill: Attempted [[spoiler: by Emma to Nano, on the assumption he will be forced to undergo painful experiments if captured by the government. Instead, he kills her.]]
* MurderersAreRapists: The Executioners play this straight. Shiki and [[spoiler: Keisuke]] subvert this since [[spoiler: Akira is the only person they rape.]]
* [[spoiler: [[MyGirlIsASlut My Boy Is a Slut]]: In one of the Shiki's route finals, Akira seduces men when Shiki is out, and when he's back, Shiki kills them and doesn't blame Akira for his nymphomania.]]
* MyGodWhatHaveIDone: Akira in episode 8 concerning [[spoiler:Keisuke's fate.]]

* NeverTrustATrailer: The final anime is completely different from the trailer. And not in a good way.

* OneDegreeOfSeparation: [[spoiler: Akira and Keisuke were both from the same orphanage because they were both part of the same experiment that produced Nano. Working on that experiment was Emma, who sent Akira to Toshima. Her fellow researchers included Motomi and Arbitro. Arbitro pretty much runs Vischio, which distributes the Nano-produced drug Line, but the official boss, Il Re, is actually Shiki, who is Rin's brother.]]

* PetTheDog: Shiki's route contains a few of these. [[spoiler: After the last sex scene, Shiki surprises Akira by kissing him. Afterwards, he asks for Akira's name.]]

* PsychoSerum: Line, which casuses increased strength and speed along with occasional raving homicidal insanity. Self-limiting, as the higher the concentration percentage, the more likely it will kill the user.
* PsychopathicManchild: Gunji. n also has shades of this. "Would you still hold my hand now that it's been drenched in so much blood?"

* RapeIsLove: Averted on [[spoiler: Keisuke's]] route. [[spoiler: Akira figures out his feelings because-for the first time-he is completely separated from Keisuke. Also, the scene later implies he is still traumatized by what happened before.]]

* {{Revenge}}:

** This is also [[spoiler: Rin's reason for coming to Toshima; to avenge his fallen team mates by killing Shiki.]]
* ReflectiveEyes: In the first episode of the anime, there are two seperate shots where Shiki and Akira's eyes are reflected in the other's.
* RoadCone: Par for the course, as in most visual novels. And as with most visual novel-based adaptations, the anime did a little bit of cut-and-paste work. The UnpleasableFanbase, of course, [[FanWank wanked]].
* SadisticChoice: If Akira [[spoiler: lets go of Takeru's hand and goes right, he'll run into Kiriwar, get raped, and killed. Going left will result in a run-in with Gunji who will do the same thing. Pick your poison.]]
* {{Scandalgate}}: Somehow, this series got caught up in "LightNovel/{{Oreimo}}gate", as it was temporarily pulled off of ANN's servers as a result of the leakage of Episode 2 of Oreimo.

* SexSlave: Arbitro likes to produce these. Also, [[spoiler: Akira to Shiki in one of the latter's route.]]
* ShipSinking: In the anime [[spoiler: Keisuke/Akira was sunk when Shiki killed him. That saying, some fans had abandoned the Shiki/Akira pairing as a result.]]
* ShipTease: The anime in particular seems to be hinting at the potential love interests of Akira. The anime seems to slide toward Keisuke/Akira though especially in Episode 9. [[spoiler: Happens again in episode 11 but the pairing has [[ShipSinking officially sunk.]]]]
* ShutUpHannibal: At the end of the first drama CD, [[spoiler: Shiki delivers one to Nano.]]
* SinglePaletteTown: Toshima is very very gray.

* SnowMeansDeath: In episode 12, snow starts falling. [[spoiler: Later, it shows all the dead bodies in Toshima including Nano.]]

** [[spoiler: Rin and Shiki are shown back to back. Which pretty much suggests that they have a connection with each other possibly in the past.]]
** [[spoiler: Shows Keisuke's reflection on a line vial and the blade of a katana and also shows him falling down on the same scene. Which pretty much spells Keisuke's destiny.]]
* StartOfDarkness: [[spoiler:[[KickTheDog Akira's]] WhatTheHellHero / TheReasonYouSuckSpeech to Keisuke in episode 5 is what pushes Keisuke over the edge. Enter Episode 6 with him massacring a whole bar of people within the ''first five minutes.'']]

** Keisuke has shades of this in Episode 5 where he smiles at Akira despite it being clear he is disturbed by what Akira had done. Naturally, Akira [[TheReasonYouSuckSpeech calls him out on it.]]
** [[spoiler: Rin could count as a Type A, though instead of depression he mainly wants to kill Shiki out of vengence.]]
* StockholmSyndrome:
** Shiki's route. [[spoiler: Somewhere during this route, Shiki abducts Akira, takes him to his abandoned apartment, pierces his belly button as a sign of his ownership, and I think you know where this is going...]]
** And later [[spoiler: Akira tries to leave, but is unable to.]]
* {{Stripperific}}: Inu/Kau's outfit.

** Akira has shades of this though he mainly falls under NotSoStoic.
** Don't forget Nano!

* TasteTheRainbow: As with most BL games. Akira's the sane guy/audience surrogate, Keisuke's the nice guy, Rin the young energetic guy, Motomi the old sensible one, Shiki the BastardBoyfriend, the Executioners who are brutal, Arbitro with his weird fetishes and Nano the quiet one with HiddenDepths.

* TermsOfEndangerment: Gunji has nicknames for practically everyone; Ji-ji (old man) for Kiriwar, Papa for Arbitro, and Shikiti for Shiki. However, the best example of this trope is when he starts calling Akira neko-chan (kitty or kitten).

* TrademarkFavoriteFood: TheStoic, tough Akira is implied to like omelette-rice flavoured solid. Since omelette rice is usually a kids favorite, he doesn't like it when people mention it.

** [[spoiler: Akira, but only to Line users, though apparently, [[FridgeLogic Keisuke]] is an exception.]]
** [[spoiler: Nano]] is another example as he carries the [[spoiler: pure source of Line; the Nicole virus.]]
* UncannyFamilyResemblance: In Rin's TimeSkip ending, [[spoiler:he's essentially Shiki with a PaletteSwap]]. While they're not exactly family, the resemblance between [[spoiler:Akira and n]] is also remarked upon cryptically by several characters.
* UnusualEuphemism: On the [[ExactlyWhatItSaysOnTheTin obvious]] side and probably not too [[{{Narm}} narmy]], but in any of the PC H-scenes expect to see a lot of 'protrusion', 'male', 'meat lump', 'nectar' etc. being thrown around.

** Shiki likes Akira's eyes as well, but for [[YouGotSpunk completely different reasons.]]
* WhiteShirtOfDeath: [[spoiler: Poor Keisuke.]]

* WoobieDestroyerOfWorlds: [[spoiler:Nano]] especially in Shiki's route.
* WorldOfCardboardSpeech: Akira to [[spoiler: Keisuke during their last confrontation, admitting he took their friendship for granted and he wants both of them to leave Toshima together.]] It doesn't work, unfortunately.

* {{Yandere}}: [[spoiler:Keisuke as a result of not having his feelings toward Akira being acknowledged as well as the effects of Line making him insane. Whether he snaps out of it or not depends on the route. In the anime though, he snaps out of it and reverts back to his normal self.]]
* YankTheDogsChain:
** [[spoiler:Right when Akira gets Keisuke back, Rin decides to go crazy on him.]]
** [[spoiler: Right after Keisuke saves Akira from getting shot to death, Shiki shows up and wants Akira, Keisuke tries to save Akira, but gets killed by Shiki.]]
** Something similar to the above happens in [[spoiler: Nano's]] route. [[spoiler: Instead of Shiki, it's a soldier who tries to shoot Akira while Keisuke-who has gone back to normal-takes the bullet for him instead.]]

* YouGotSpunk: Shiki becomes interested in Akira when he doesn't run, scream, or beg for his life like other participants. [[spoiler: On his route, [[RapeIsLove this doesn't end well for Akira.]]]]

** In the anime, [[spoiler: after Shiki leaves Arbitro's room, Arbitro comments that Shiki needs to find some release.]]
** In the game, [[spoiler: Motomi also teases Akira about never having a serious relationship.]]
* YourHeadAsplode: [[spoiler: Keisuke to Takeru, as well as many others.]]

* AbusiveParents: [[spoiler:Akira. Foster parents, even.]]
** Apparently [[spoiler:Takeru's parents as well, if the memory about his sister says anything. Though in the game and manga, they are HappilyAdopted before extreme poverty drove his parents to their deaths.]]

* AloofOlderBrother: [[spoiler:Shiki to Rin.]]

** In the game, Akira had to travel to Igura by foot making it possible for Keisuke to follow him but in the anime it was changed to Akira being driven there. This was {{lampshade|Hanging}}d in the [[OnTheNext next episode trailer]] with Akira asking Keisuke how he mangaged to get to Igura and [[HandWave Keisuke replying that he was in a daze]].
** In the game, a phone is given to Akira so that he can keep contact with Emma [[spoiler: while it serves as a transmitting device so he-and hopefully Nano-can be found.]] However, nothing like that is given to him in the anime so [[spoiler: how did Emma and Gwen find him?]]

** In the anime, [[spoiler: Takeru bit the dust first via Keisuke and later, Gwen is killed by Emma, and Emma killed by Nano. Keisuke seems to subvert this trope often despite the fact he has the lowest of surviving.]]
** [[spoiler: Keisuke is no longer immune to this trope. As episode 11, he is killed by Shiki when he tries to protect Akira.]]
** [[spoiler: As of episode 12, Nano is dead. The only survivors are Akira, Rin, Motomi and Shiki. Arbito and his thugs are unknown as the last time we see them, they were still stuck in Toshima.]]

* ArmorPiercingSlap: Akira gives one to [[spoiler: Rin]] in episode 10. During his route [[spoiler: Motomi]] gives a good one to Akira when the latter refuses to recover after his [[spoiler: final fight with Keisuke]].
* AssShove: Happens to poor, poor [[spoiler: Akira.]] With screwdrivers. [[NightmareFuel Yeesh.]]

** Also, [[spoiler: Keisuke]], also after a massive dosage of Line.
* BecauseYouWereNiceToMe: Nano towards Akira.
* BewareTheNiceOnes: [[spoiler: Keisuke.]]

* BioAugmentation: The Nicole Virus, more commonly known as [[spoiler: Line]], is the result of augumenting a human to become a supersoldier.

** [[spoiler: In one ending of Shiki's route, he successfully defeats Nano with his katana, but then loses all motivation to live and ends up like a doll. Akira decides to stay with Shiki despite this and protects him from all the people who wants him dead]] and that's the ''GoodEnding''.
** [[spoiler: Possibly subverted. The end of the Drama CD implies that Shiki is starting to regain consciousness.]]

* BlackAndGrayMorality: At first, the story appears to be the ExcusePlot of Akira being sent to Igura to kill Il Re, while violence and sex ensues. Later, we find out factions involved (the Military, Vishico and some individuals) are at battle with each other, over Line and [[spoiler: its source, Nano]], and every side has questionable motives which do not take the protagonist or other individuals into consideration.

** The [=PS2=] port is cleaned up considerably, and the Suguro Chayamachi manga version is so thoroughly de-sexed that it's not identifiable as a BoysLove work at all.
** Same happened to the anime to the point that entire sequences completely lost any sort of coherence. [[spoiler: Apparently, Keisuke beat and kidnapped Akira just to have a nice conversation with him.]]

* BoxedCrook: This is the proposal Emma offers to Akira, although [[spoiler:it's later revealed that she was the one who planted the false evidence to send Akira to jail in the first place.]]
* BoysLove: The PC Visual Novel. Some adaptations remove elements of BL.
* BrainwashedAndCrazy: [[spoiler: Akira in Arbitro's BadEnd, where he becomes a second Kau. Remember, kids: don't accept food from crazy masked men with weird fetishes.]]

** Akira goes through a lot of crap in the series and it officially started when Keisuke [[spoiler: injected Line]] and it seemed to have ended [[spoiler: when Keisuke went back to normal after drinking Akira's blood.]] However he might have [[DespairEventHorizon officially been broken]] when [[spoiler: Keisuke is killed by Shiki.]]
** Also what mainly happens on [[spoiler: Shiki's]] route, intentionally.

** [[spoiler:Nano]] carries an unconscious Akira like this in Episode 10. Akira then carries Keisuke in the same way at the end of the same episode.
** Also happens to Akira on [[spoiler:Shiki's]] route in the game. [[spoiler:It's not quite as sweet, though, considering the carrier had just claimed the carried as his property.]]

* CainAndAbel: Rin's Cain to [[spoiler:Shiki's]] Abel. Unfortunately for Rin, it's [[CurbStompBattle not working out so well...]]

* ChekhovsGun: Before going into Toshima, Akira is given a phone so he can keep in contact with Emma. [[spoiler: Turns out there's a tracking device in it.]]

* ChildhoodFriendRomance: Unlucky Keisuke, usually.
** Unless you play on his route, in which case he becomes a Victorious Childhood Friend.

** The anime. Trying to squish plot elements from multiple routes into twelve episodes rarely works out well (especially when all your budget seems to be going towards paying for a new ending song for each episode), and Shiki's fans in particular seem to be unhappy with the his lack of appearances and [[spoiler:eventual vilification]].
** PragmaticAdaptation: So as not to neglect any of the boys, the anime follows Keisuke's route [[spoiler:to its bad end]] with a few important scenes from Rin and Motomi's routes tossed in. The last few episodes also append [[spoiler:a particular flashback from n's route and one of Shiki's bad ends]], with an original (and poorly-received) epilogue.
* CorruptTheCutie: [[spoiler:Keisuke, thanks to [[KickTheDog Akira's]] [[TheReasonYouSuckSpeech rejection]] and [[PsychoSerum Line.]]]]
* CrapsackWorld: Courtesy of the [[WorldWarIII Third Division]]
* CreateYourOwnVillain: [[spoiler:Nice going, Akira.]]
* CryCute: Rin. [[spoiler: And Akira.]]

** Nano [[spoiler: was used as a test subject.]]
* ADateWithRosiePalms: Shiki's route. [[spoiler:After "marking" Akira as his property, Shiki notices that the pain (from a wound on the left palm) turns Akira on. So he tells Akira to "comfort yourself with your own hand".]]

* DeathByNewberyMedal: [[spoiler:Keisuke's death in the anime feels like this especially after Akira's nifty speech at the end.]]
* DeathSeeker: [[spoiler: Rin after [[CurbStompBattle he is humiliated by Shiki.]] Akira [[ArmorPiercingSlap snaps him out of it.]]]]
* DespairEventHorizon:
** Experienced by various characters.
** Akira after [[spoiler: Keisuke dies]]

** Rin after humiliation by [[spoiler: Shiki]]
* DiedInYourArmsTonight: [[spoiler: Keisuke dies in Akira's arms after Shiki almost cuts him in half.]]
* {{Did Not Get the G|irl}}uy: Akira ends up with nobody at the end of the anime. [[spoiler: Although, Akira's feelings for Keisuke is to be questioned especially at the end.]]
* DoggedNiceGuy: Keisuke [[spoiler:until he injects Line into himself and goes FromNobodyToNightmare.]]
* DubInducedPlotHole: Somewere between volumes 4 and 5 of the Tokyopop edition of the manga, the translators noticed that the character they'd been calling "Nicole Prumier" was actually supposed to be "Nicole Premier". Since this was [[MeaningfulName plot-relevant]], they had to change it mid-story.

* [[spoiler: DyingDeclarationOfLove: Subverted. Keisuke came close to confessing his feelings. Instead, he just tells Akira that he's sorry for all the trouble he caused.]]

** Keisuke's route. [[spoiler: Because there are multiple bad endings with him and choosing other routes will mean his death, the only GoodEnding is when they escape Toshima and things go back to normal for them except the two are dating.]]
** Considering there is a ratio of seven official bad endings (two of them are YMMV, though) to five official good endings, this trope applies to the entire game.

* EtTuBrute: [[spoiler: Emma to Gwen.]]

* FateWorseThanDeath: [[spoiler: In the short novel, ''Kawaita Mizu'', and Shiki's Drama CD, Akira tells Shiki to kill him when Shiki was having his way with him.]]

* FauxlosophicNarration: Courtesy of n in the anime.

* GetAholdOfYourselfMan: Akira does this to [[spoiler: Rin]] after he saves him from [[spoiler: being killed by Shiki.]]

* GoneHorriblyRight: Nano
* GoodEyesEvilEyes:
** [[spoiler:Keisuke, who had big puppy dog eyes for the first five episodes, now has narrower, crazier eyes after his {{corru|ptTheCutie}}[[StartOfDarkness ption.]]]]
** [[spoiler: But he got better after Episode 9.]]
* HannibalLecture: Nano does this to Shiki. [[spoiler: In the game, whether Shiki accepts Nano's challenge or not-and conversely what kind of ending the player gets-depends of if Akira reminds him of his original goal. Near the end of the drama CD following the good ending, Shiki delivers a ShutUpHannibal to Nano.]]
* HappinessInSlavery: Apparently Kau to Arbitro. Also, [[spoiler: Akira to Arbitro in Arbitro's]] route.
** [[spoiler: Arguably, Akira in Shiki's route, at least toward the end.]]

* HiddenDepths: Most of the characters appear to have a simple yet sound reason behind their actions. However, the motivations of individual characters are explored in more detail in their individual routes, including their pasts and previous experiences with Project Nicole and the war.

* {{Kuudere}}: Akira has shades of this. Sometimes turns into a full-on {{Tsundere}} with Keisuke.