However, an aspiring screenwriter by the name of Wakaba is convinced that Ein did not truly betray the princess, a view that she wishes to incorporate into a play. Her chance to realize her dream comes when her childhood friend Cero needs to take Coco, a Doll that lives with him, for maintenance; she and her younger brother Light travel with him in hopes of finding people to star in her play. Along the way, the three run into an aspiring actress named Angelina, a very human-like Doll with one wing named Belle, and a pair of travelers by the names of Tonino and Silvia.
Katahane is a 2007 Eroge made by Tarte and split into two sections: the Shirohane (White Wing) Chapter deals with Wakaba and her friends forming their play while the Kurohane (Black Wing) Chapter deals with the events leading up to Ein's betrayal.
The game has been fully translated into English; the patch can be found here
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This game provides examples of:
- Alternate Character Interpretation: In-Universe: Wakaba's play is written around the idea that Ein, one of the most hated traitors in history, was actually nothing of the sort and a hero.
- Awesome, but Impractical: In-Universe it is noted that Dolls have amazing military potential, but that even greater than their potential is their cost. They're simply too expensive to justify their use on a battlefield.
- Chekhov's Gun: The Memory of Dorn in the true ending.
- Evil Cannot Comprehend Good: Valery sees in Ein a man as talented and capable as himself, so he assumes he must be plotting for power. But Ein is entirely loyal. It's also inverted in that Ein cannot understand Valery even after the man's death.
- Everyone Can See It: Cero and Wakaba. By the end of the game, Angelina and Belle join their ranks.
- Foregone Conclusion: Kurohane chapter proceeds inevitably towards the conclusion of the vilification of Ein, the end of the White Country's dynasty and the disappearance of the Sister close to Christina.
- Fun Size: Belle's miniature doll friends, who live in a wicker basket.
- Genre Shift: Kurohane is a political drama with a side helping of lesbian angst; the Shirohane segments are a much more typical themed romance.
- Horrible Judge of Character: It's actually noted outright that Valery always has a smug, condescending and villainous attitude, meaning the audience are not the only ones to see it. Yet he has no difficulty manipulating Jussi or the supposedly clever Hans.
- Incompatible Orientation: Early on, when Light has a crush on Angelina, she lets him down by explaining this.
- I Never Said It Was Poison: Dua tricks Hans into revealing a real dagger was supposed to replace a stage prop by making it seem like she was pressing him about receiving a gift of wine.
- Love You and Everybody: Pulled on Dua at least twice, both as 'you' and as 'everyone.'
- Mean Character, Nice Actor: The role of Lord Jussi ends up being played by a very nice banker.
- Naked People Are Funny: Cero accidentally walks in on Wakaba in the shower, and good times are had by all.
- The Nicknamer: Coco. For example, Wakaba becomes Kaba by simply using the last part of the name and Light becomes Lie by using the first part.
- No Plans, No Prototype, No Backup: Coco, who was made using a new technique and whose creator died not long after she reached the White Kingdom.
- One-Steve Limit: Subverted with the name "Ein Ronberg"
- Porn with Plot: The H-scenes are actually quite few for an Eroge and a greater emphasis is placed on the story and Character Development.
- Shipper on Deck: Light seems to be rooting for his sister and Cero to hook up. Christina ships Ein and Dua.
- Too Dumb to Live: Hans, Hans, Hans, you should know better than accepting a drink from Valery.
- Tsundere: Dua as a type B cool behavior tsundere. She's always pretty stoic, but is always slightly combative towards Ein, towards whom she nurses an obvious attraction. She softens up considerably around Coco.
- Uncanny Valley: In-Universe, Jussi and some other characters think the dolls fall into this category.
- You Have Outlived Your Usefulness: After Jussi dies in an accident, Valery more or less just shrugs and thinks to himself that he would have had him killed off soon anyway. Also pulled soon after on the Red assassin and then on Hans.
