School Days (video game)

File:Schooldayshqcscreen.jpg

School Days follows the typical visual novel gameplay format of scenes interspersed with player choice. These choices determine plot and romantic outcomes, as the game keeps track of the protagonist's relationships with his love interests.{{cite web|url=http://schooldays.0verflow.com/html/scdspec.html|title=School Days: Spec|publisher=0verflow|location=Kanda, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo|access-date=2012-01-02|language=ja|archive-date=2013-05-17|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130517121058/http://schooldays.0verflow.com/html/scdspec.html|url-status=dead}} The game has pornographic elements. While characters' genitalia are pixelated in the original Japanese releases, the Western release of School Days HQ does not contain censored scenes.{{cite web|url=http://www.getchu.com/soft.phtml?id=196481&gc=gc|title=Getchu.com: School Days|publisher=Getchu.com|access-date=2020-10-23|language=ja|archive-date=2013-06-02|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130602220615/http://www.getchu.com/soft.phtml?id=196481|url-status=live}} The Playstation 2 and PSP ports do not contain these scenes.

Player choices can result in either 'good' or 'bad' endings. School Days's bad ends, in which characters die, have become the most notorious part of the game.{{cite web|url=https://www.giantbomb.com/profile/hailinel/blog/school-days-lessons-in-bad-endings-through-anime-a/106807/|title=School Days: Lessons in Bad Endings Through Anime Adaptation|publisher=Giant Bomb|date=2014-08-10|author=Hailinel|access-date=2020-10-11|archive-date=2022-06-23|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220623125619/https://www.giantbomb.com/profile/hailinel/blog/school-days-lessons-in-bad-endings-through-anime-a/106807/|url-status=live}} Many of these endings feature the character Kotonoha Katsura either dying or killing other characters{{cite video game|title=School Days|developer=0verflow|publisher=Stack|date=2005-04-28|platform=Windows|scene={{nihongo|Eienni|永遠に||extra2="Forever"}}|language=ja}} The good endings, by contrast, show the characters having normal relationships, and frequently have erotic elements. Different endings portray the protagonist in relationships with different combinations of his love interests.{{cite web|url=https://electrastreet.net/2019/11/what-are-visual-novels/|title=What are Visual Novels?|publisher=Electra Street|author=Julián Carrera|date=17 November 2019|access-date=2020-10-11|archive-date=2020-09-20|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200920174923/https://electrastreet.net/2019/11/what-are-visual-novels/|url-status=live}}

Unlike traditional visual novels that consist of static characters with subtitled dialogue, School Days was unusual for its time in that it incorporated animation and voice-acting. Cinematics naturally play on their own, and players are afforded the ability to pause, fast-forward, and even skip those they've seen before. Male and female voices can be muted, subtitles can be turned on or off and the game can be played from a window or fullscreen ratio. Progress can be saved at any time in up to 100 slots and loaded from either the main menu or during play.

{{See also|List of School Days characters{{!}}List of School Days characters}}

School Days focuses on the life of Makoto Itou, a first-year high school student{{cite web|url=https://schooldays.us/characters.html|title=School Days Characters|publisher=STACK, JAST USA|access-date=2020-10-11|archive-date=2020-10-14|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201014095801/https://schooldays.us/characters.html|url-status=live}} living with his divorced mother in the fictional city of Haramihama. During his second term, he becomes infatuated with Kotonoha Katsura, a shy schoolmate who rides the train to and from school. When the classroom seating plan of his class is rearranged, he meets with Sekai Saionji, an upbeat girl who becomes invested in his relationship with Kotonoha.{{cite web|url=https://schooldays.us/story.html|title=School Days Story|publisher=STACK, JAST USA|access-date=2020-10-11|archive-date=2020-10-16|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201016163517/https://schooldays.us/story.html|url-status=live}} Sekai, however, becomes jealous of the new couple, having developed feelings for Makoto herself.

School Days was 0verflow's tenth game.{{cite web|url=https://0verflow.com/products.html|title=製品情報|publisher=0verflow|access-date=2021-12-27|language=ja|archive-date=2021-12-27|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211227060917/https://0verflow.com/products.html|url-status=live}} School Days was first announced on October 5, 2004, when 0verflow posted links on their official website to both the game's website and the game's dev log.{{cite web|url=http://www.0verflow.com/html/top.html|title=0verflow blog: Public School Days Special Page|publisher=0verflow|location=Kanda, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo|access-date=2012-01-07|language=ja|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20041009164803/http://www.0verflow.com/html/|archive-date=2004-10-09 }} 0verflow revealed in their blog that School Days had been in pre-production for roughly two years and would be a fully animated game. Updates on the development of the game were scheduled for Tuesdays and Fridays, and the company encouraged fans to attend Dream Party 2004, an upcoming anime convention at Tokyo Big Sight in Ariake, on October 11, where they made the first public showcase of the game{{cite web|url=http://schooldays.0verflow.com/html/scdays_0410.html|title=Development blog: October 2004|publisher=0verflow|location=Kanda, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo|access-date=2012-01-08|language=ja|archive-date=2013-09-21|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130921054532/http://schooldays.0verflow.com/html/scdays_0410.html|url-status=dead}} A follow-up of the venue was made on October 15. On October 26, 0verflow posted that new information about School Days would be in the November issue of Tech Gian, an adult magazine published by Enterbrain.{{cite web|url=http://www.techgian.jp/official/tg201202/|title=Tech Gian official website|publisher=Enterbrain|location=Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo|access-date=2012-01-08|language=ja|archive-date=2013-07-08|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130708052623/http://www.techgian.jp/official/tg201202/|url-status=dead}}

In a November 6 development post, 0verflow announced that it was planning a public screening of new game material, but was experiencing difficulty acquiring space for it. The company had initially chosen to have the venue in Akihabara but was unable to find a retailer willing to host it, prompting a visit to Osaka the following week.{{cite web|url=http://schooldays.0verflow.com/html/scdays_0411.html|title=Development blog: November 2004|publisher=0verflow|location=Kanda, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo|access-date=2012-01-08|language=ja|archive-date=2013-09-21|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130921054526/http://schooldays.0verflow.com/html/scdays_0411.html|url-status=dead}} News that the game would contain music by artists such as Minami Kuribayashi, Haruko Momoi, Yozuca* and YURIA was posted on November 30, along with a release date change to February 25, 2005.

On December 28, 2004,{{cite web|url=http://schooldays.0verflow.com/html/scdays_0412.html|title=Development blog: December 2004|publisher=0verflow|location=Kanda, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo, Japan|access-date=2012-01-08|language=ja|archive-date=2013-09-21|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130921054043/http://schooldays.0verflow.com/html/scdays_0412.html|url-status=dead}} 0verflow released a public trial of School Days. They attended Comiket 67 at Tokyo Big Sight from December 29 to 30, and handed out phonecards to the first 50 visitors to their booth.{{cite web|url=http://schooldays.0verflow.com/html/scdevent.html|title=Event information: Comiket 67|publisher=0verflow|location=Kanda, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo|access-date=2012-01-07|language=ja|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20041230234007/http://schooldays.0verflow.com/html/scdevent.html|archive-date=2004-12-30}} Two months later, on February 2, 2005, the company announced that the game had been postponed again to April 28.{{cite web|title= GAME『School Days』 ヴォーカルアルバム |url=https://www.lantis.jp/release-item/LACA-5370.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211019030734/https://www.lantis.jp/release-item/LACA-5370.html|archive-date=2021-10-19|url-status=live |website=Lantis |access-date=October 19, 2021}}{{cite web|url=http://schooldays.0verflow.com/html/scdays_0502.html|title=Development blog: February 2005|publisher=0verflow|location=Kanda, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo, Japan|access-date=2012-01-13|language=ja|archive-date=2013-09-21|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130921054704/http://schooldays.0verflow.com/html/scdays_0502.html|url-status=dead}} From April 5 to April 8, 0verflow concluded their development log with comments from Soyogi Tōno, Kaname Yuzuki, Tatsuya Hirai, Yuki Matsunaga, Hikaru Isshiki and Hana Yamamoto, the respective voices of Kotonoha, Sekai, Makoto, Otome, Hikari and Setsuna.{{cite web|url=http://schooldays.0verflow.com/html/scdays.html|title=Development blog: April 2004|publisher=0verflow|location=Kanda, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo, Japan|access-date=2012-01-13|language=ja|archive-date=2013-09-21|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130921054222/http://schooldays.0verflow.com/html/scdays.html|url-status=dead}} To address bugs that were later found in the game, 0verflow released a patch to bring School Days to a stable build of 1.11.{{cite web|url=http://schooldays.0verflow.com/html/scddownload.html|title=School Days downloads|publisher=0verflow|location=Kanda, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo|access-date=2012-01-13|language=ja|archive-date=2005-04-29|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050429032448/http://schooldays.0verflow.com/html/scddownload.html|url-status=dead}} From June 26, 2007 to March 28, 2008, 0verflow and Lantis-net radio aired the internet radio drama Radio School Days.{{cite web|url=http://0verflow.com/html/diary/2007/20070626_diary.html|title=Radio School Days begins today!|publisher=0verflow|location=Kanda, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo|access-date=2012-01-13|language=ja|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20041009164803/http://0verflow.com/html/diary/2007/20070626_diary.html|archive-date=2004-10-09 }} On April 21, 2011,{{cite web|url=http://www.0verflow.com/web/|title=Overflow: Information|publisher=0verflow|location=Kanda, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo|access-date=2012-01-07|language=ja|archive-date=2012-12-01|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121201051938/http://www.0verflow.com/web/|url-status=dead}} 0verflow announced via their blog that support for School Days was being discontinued.{{cite web|url=http://www.0verflow.com/web/schooldayslotup|title=School Days discontinued|location=Kanda, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo, Japan|publisher=0verflow|access-date=2012-01-07|language=ja|archive-date=2012-11-23|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121123015923/http://www.0verflow.com/web/schooldayslotup|url-status=dead}}

School Days was ported to three other platforms. It was first released by interactive movie developer AICherry on September 28, 2007, as a four disc DVD game.{{cite web|url=http://www.aicherry.com/aicherry/AICDV-0143/AICDV-0143.html|title=School Days DVD Players Game|publisher=AiCherry|access-date=2012-01-10|language=ja|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080330030433/http://www.aicherry.com/aicherry/AICDV-0143/AICDV-0143.html|archive-date=2008-03-30}} That same year, on August 31,{{cite web|url=http://www.interchannel.co.jp/|title=Interchannel Holon Inc.|publisher=Interchannel|access-date=2012-01-10|language=ja|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071010125850/http://www.interchannel.co.jp/|archive-date=2007-10-10|url-status=dead}} Interchannel posted a link on their blog to the official website of School Days L×H, a PlayStation 2 (PS2) port in development by Guyzware,{{cite web|url=http://www.guyzware.jp/works/|title=School Days L×H at Guyzware|location=Tokyo, Japan|publisher=Guyzware|access-date=2012-06-11|language=ja|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110824214711/http://www.guyzware.jp/works/|archive-date=2011-08-24}} that would be edited of explicit sexual content and fanservice. The game was released on January 17, 2008{{cite web|url=http://www.interchannel.jp/game/SDLH/index.html|title=School Days L × H on sale today!|publisher=Interchannel|access-date=2012-01-11|language=ja|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080120195524/http://www.interchannel.jp/game/SDLH/index.html|archive-date=2008-01-20}} and assessed by the Computer Entertainment Rating Organization (CERO), Japan's primary video game content rating system, receiving a 15-years-or-older "C" rating for sexual themes and profanity.{{cite web|url=http://www.cero.gr.jp/search/search.cgi?chkRT=C&chkPF=PS2&name=%A5%B9%A5%AF%A1%BC%A5%EB%A5%C7%A5%A4%A5%BA&txtCP=&sort=4|title=School Days L×H ratings|location=Kanda, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo|publisher=CERO|access-date=2012-01-13|language=ja|archive-date=2015-04-11|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150411071552/http://www.cero.gr.jp/search/search.cgi?chkRT=C&chkPF=PS2&name=%A5%B9%A5%AF%A1%BC%A5%EB%A5%C7%A5%A4%A5%BA&txtCP=&sort=4|url-status=live}} The third and final port was developed by PalaceGame for the PlayStation Portable (PSP). After postponing the game on May 11, it was released as four UMDs on June 30, 2010.{{cite web|url=http://www.palacegame.cc/detail.php?id=0009|title=「SchoolDays」UMD-PG Edition|publisher=PalaceGame|access-date=2012-01-13|language=ja|archive-date=2012-11-07|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121107095548/http://www.palacegame.cc/detail.php?id=0009|url-status=live}}

0verflow opened what would become the homepage for the remaster School Days HQ on May 21, 2010.{{cite web|url=http://schooldayshq.0verflow.com/|title=School Days HQ: Coming soon|publisher=0verflow|location=Kanda, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo|access-date=2012-01-07|language=ja|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100524144906/http://schooldayshq.0verflow.com/|archive-date=2010-05-24}} The site was finished June 3, and on July 16, the game was postponed to September 24. A trial was publicly released for download on August 7, and from August 20 to September 28, 0verflow promoted the game.{{cite web|url=http://schooldayshq.0verflow.com/|title=School Days HQ: What's New|location=Kanda, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo|publisher=0verflow|access-date=2012-01-13|language=ja|archive-date=2010-05-24|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100524144906/http://schooldayshq.0verflow.com/|url-status=live}} Customers who had purchased the original School Days would be given the opportunity to upgrade to HQ for a fee until October 11, by either mailing in their game disc or visiting stores in Akihabara, Osaka or Nagoya.{{cite web|url=http://schooldayshq.0verflow.com/topics_upgrade.html|title=School Days HQ upgrade campaign information|publisher=0verflow|location=Kanda, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo|access-date=2012-01-13|language=ja|archive-date=2012-11-23|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121123020929/http://schooldayshq.0verflow.com/topics_upgrade.html|url-status=live}} Distributors offered collectable phonecards for reservations,{{cite web|url=http://schooldayshq.0verflow.com/topics_tenpo_tokuten.html|title=Store reservation phonecards|publisher=0verflow|location=Kanda, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo|access-date=2012-01-13|language=ja|archive-date=2012-07-23|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120723101812/http://schooldayshq.0verflow.com/topics_tenpo_tokuten.html|url-status=live}} and after a second date change on September 10, the game was released October 8.

On March 3, 2011, 0verflow acknowledged Sekai Project, an unofficial fan translation group, who had reportedly begun localizing School Days in April 2006.{{cite web|url=http://www.sekaiproject.net/news/200703/|title=Welcome to the Sekai Project website|publisher=Sekai Project|access-date=2012-01-03|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070524094108/http://www.sekaiproject.net/news/200703/|archive-date=2007-05-24}} Partnering with American distributor JAST USA, School Days HQ, uncensored in English, was announced for a North American release on March 11, 2011.{{cite news|url=https://jastusa.com/2011/school-days-is-coming-in-english|title=School Days is coming in English!|newspaper=JAST USA|date=2011-03-01|access-date=2020-09-13|archive-date=2021-05-14|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210514150335/https://jastusa.com/2011/school-days-is-coming-in-english|url-status=live}} Development instead continued into 2012, and on May 18, JAST announced that the company had begun taking pre-orders for the Collector's Edition, a bundled release of the game packaged with a keychain and mousepad.{{cite web|url=https://schooldays.us/buy.html|title=School Days HQ is available|publisher=JAST USA|access-date=2020-10-12|archive-date=2020-10-12|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201012234214/https://schooldays.us/buy.html|url-status=live}} The company announced weeks later on June 1 that School Days HQ had gone gold.{{cite web|url=https://www.otakustudy.com/visual-novel/2012/06/school-days-hq-has-gone-golden-master-jast-usa-say-game-only-mere-weeks-away/|title=School Days HQ Goes Golden Master|publisher=JAST USA|date=2012-06-01|access-date=2020-10-12|archive-date=2019-09-25|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190925004255/http://www.otakustudy.com/visual-novel/2012/06/school-days-hq-has-gone-golden-master-jast-usa-say-game-only-mere-weeks-away/|url-status=live}} Following news on June 26 that the company would exhibit the game at Anime Expo 2012,{{cite web|url=http://jastusa.com/blog/2012/06/26/jast-panel-at-anime-expo-2012/|title=JAST Panel at Anime Expo 2012|publisher=JAST USA|date=2012-06-26|access-date=2012-06-27|archive-date=2013-01-19|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130119033059/http://jastusa.com/blog/2012/06/26/jast-panel-at-anime-expo-2012/|url-status=live}} JAST made an update to the June 1 announcement that School Days HQ had begun shipping. The downloadable version of the game was later released on August 6.{{cite web|url=http://jastusa.com/blog/2012/08/06/school-days-hq-available-for-download/|title=School Days HQ Available for Download|publisher=JAST USA|date=2012-08-06|access-date=2012-10-09|archive-date=2012-12-14|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121214124314/http://jastusa.com/blog/2012/08/06/school-days-hq-available-for-download/|url-status=live}}

In a national sales ranking of bishōjo games in PCNEWS, a now-defunct Japanese online magazine, School Days premiered as the number one game sold for the second half of April 2005,{{cite web|url=http://www.peakspub.co.jp/ranking/rank170.html|title=TOP50 PC NEWS No.170（4/16〜4/30）|location=Kanda, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo|publisher=Peaks, Inc.|access-date=2012-01-03|language=ja|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20051227194657/http://www.peakspub.co.jp/ranking/rank170.html|archive-date=2005-12-27}} the second and seventeenth for the first and second halves of May,{{cite web|url=http://www.peakspub.co.jp/ranking/rank171.html|title=TOP50 PC NEWS No.171（5/01〜5/15）|location=Kanda, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo|publisher=Peaks, Inc.|access-date=2012-01-03|language=ja|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20051218034042/http://www.peakspub.co.jp/ranking/rank171.html|archive-date=2005-12-18}}{{cite web|url=http://www.peakspub.co.jp/ranking/rank172.html|title=TOP50 PC NEWS No.172（5/16〜5/31）|location=Kanda, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo|publisher=Peaks, Inc.|access-date=2012-01-03|language=ja|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20051218032756/http://www.peakspub.co.jp/ranking/rank172.html|archive-date=2005-12-18}} the fifth and twenty-sixth for the first and second halves of June,{{cite web|url=http://www.peakspub.co.jp/ranking/rank173.html|title=TOP50 PC NEWS No.173（6/01〜6/15）|location=Kanda, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo|publisher=Peaks, Inc.|access-date=2012-01-03|language=ja|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20051218042907/http://www.peakspub.co.jp/ranking/rank173.html|archive-date=2005-12-18}}{{cite web|url=http://www.peakspub.co.jp/ranking/rank174.html|title=TOP50 PC NEWS No.174（6/16〜6/30）|location=Kanda, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo|publisher=Peaks, Inc.|access-date=2012-01-03|language=ja|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20051218032042/http://www.peakspub.co.jp/ranking/rank174.html|archive-date=2005-12-18}} and twenty-seventh for the first half of July.{{cite web|url=http://www.peakspub.co.jp/ranking/rank175.html|title=TOP50 PC NEWS No.175（7/01〜7/15）|location=Kanda, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo|publisher=Peaks, Inc.|access-date=2012-01-03|language=ja|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20051218044929/http://www.peakspub.co.jp/ranking/rank175.html|archive-date=2005-12-18}} The School Days renewal edition, released a week after the previous ranking, continued to chart on behalf of the game; it ranked as the thirty-third most sold game for the second half of July,{{cite web|url=http://www.peakspub.co.jp/ranking/rank176.html|title=TOP50 PC NEWS No.176（7/16〜7/31）|location=Kanda, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo|publisher=Peaks, Inc.|access-date=2012-01-03|language=ja|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20051218044929/http://www.peakspub.co.jp/ranking/rank176.html|archive-date=2005-12-18}} before ending as the thirty-fifth and forty-ninth for the first and second halves of August.{{cite web|url=http://www.peakspub.co.jp/ranking/rank177.html|title=TOP50 PC NEWS No.177（8/1〜8/15）|location=Kanda, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo|publisher=Peaks, Inc.|access-date=2012-01-03|language=ja|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20051222033753/http://www.peakspub.co.jp/ranking/rank177.html|archive-date=2005-12-22}}{{cite web|url=http://www.peakspub.co.jp/ranking/rank178.html|title=TOP50 PC NEWS No.178（8/16〜8/31）|location=Kanda, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo|publisher=Peaks, Inc.|access-date=2012-01-03|language=ja|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20051222051119/http://www.peakspub.co.jp/ranking/rank178.html|archive-date=2005-12-22}}

Getchu.com, a major distributor of visual novels and domestic anime products, recorded similar sales. School Days for Windows premiered as the number one game sold for the month of its release,{{cite web|url=http://www.getchu.com/pc/salesranking200504.html|title=April 2005 sales rankings!|publisher=Getchu.com|access-date=2012-01-03|language=ja|archive-date=2012-12-19|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121219190651/http://www.getchu.com/pc/salesranking200504.html|url-status=live}} and seventh most for May,{{cite web|url=http://www.getchu.com/pc/salesranking200505.html|title=June 2005 sales rankings!|publisher=Getchu.com|access-date=2012-01-03|language=ja|archive-date=2012-12-19|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121219190659/http://www.getchu.com/pc/salesranking200505.html|url-status=live}} ranking as the number one game sold for the first half of 2005{{cite web|url=http://www.getchu.com/pc/2005-1salesranking.html|title=First half of 2005 sales rankings!|publisher=Getchu.com|access-date=2012-01-03|language=ja|archive-date=2012-12-17|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121217074759/http://www.getchu.com/pc/2005-1salesranking.html|url-status=live}} and ninth for the year.{{cite web|url=http://www.getchu.com/pc/salesranking2005.html|title=2005 sales rankings!|publisher=Getchu.com|access-date=2012-01-03|language=ja|archive-date=2006-01-14|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060114064933/http://www.getchu.com/pc/salesranking2005.html|url-status=live}} The following year, the School Days renewal edition charted as the twentieth most sold game for July 2007,{{cite web|url=http://www.getchu.com/pc/salesranking200707.html|title=July 2007 sales rankings!|publisher=Getchu.com|access-date=2012-01-03|language=ja|archive-date=2012-12-20|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121220105920/http://www.getchu.com/pc/salesranking200707.html|url-status=live}} dropping to thirtieth from August to October.{{cite web|url=http://www.getchu.com/pc/salesranking200708.html|title=August 2007 sales rankings!|publisher=Getchu.com|access-date=2012-01-03|language=ja|archive-date=2018-12-16|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181216031329/http://www.getchu.com/pc/salesranking200708.html|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=http://www.getchu.com/pc/salesranking200709.html|title=September 2007 sales rankings!|publisher=Getchu.com|access-date=2012-01-03|language=ja|archive-date=2012-12-20|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121220111759/http://www.getchu.com/pc/salesranking200709.html|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=http://www.getchu.com/pc/salesranking200710.html|title=October 2007 sales rankings!|publisher=Getchu.com|access-date=2012-01-03|language=ja|archive-date=2012-12-20|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121220105924/http://www.getchu.com/pc/salesranking200710.html|url-status=live}} School Days HQ ranked as the sixth most sold game for October 2010{{cite web|url=http://www.getchu.com/pc/salesranking201010.html|title=October 2010 sales rankings!|publisher=Getchu.com|access-date=2012-01-03|language=ja|archive-date=2012-10-19|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121019203103/http://www.getchu.com/php/attestation.html?aurl=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.getchu.com%2Fpc%2Fsalesranking201010.html|url-status=live}} but failed to chart thereafter.

According to Gamasutra, a video gaming news site, School Days L×H ranked as the number one PlayStation 2 game sold for January 2008.{{cite web|url=http://www.gamasutra.com/php-bin/news_index.php?story=16979|title=Saling The World: U.S. Wii Owners Shift Attention to Budget Releases|publisher=Gamasutra|author=Danny Cowan|date=2008-01-18|access-date=2012-01-19|archive-date=2013-01-23|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130123190642/http://www.gamasutra.com/php-bin/news_index.php?story=16979|url-status=dead}}

0verflow developed several visual novels related to School Days, sharing the same universe. Prior to the development of School Days, 0verflow developed the Radish Vacation visual novel series. The first is Snow Radish Vacation released on December 28, 2001, followed by Summer Radish Vacation on April 1, 2003, and finally Summer Radish Vacation 2 on August 13, 2004.{{cite web|url=http://www.getchu.com/soft.phtml?id=85961|title=サマー・ラディッシュ・バケーション!! 2|website=Getchu.com|access-date=2021-12-17|language=ja|archive-date=2012-07-18|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120718021359/http://www.getchu.com/soft.phtml?id=85961|url-status=live}}

A prequel titled Summer Days, was released on June 23, 2006, retelling the original game during summer vacation and from the perspective of Setsuna Kiyoura.{{cite web|url=http://schooldays.0verflow.com/html/scfdfaq.html|title=Summer Days: FAQ|location=Kanda, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo, Japan|publisher=0verflow|access-date=2012-12-26|language=ja|archive-date=2012-07-18|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120718021359/http://schooldays.0verflow.com/html/scfdfaq.html|url-status=dead}} Unlike its predecessor, however, Summer Days was almost universally panned for its heavily bugged state,{{cite web|url=http://www.0verflow.com/html/topics/060628_apology.html|title=Apology for Summer Days|location=Kanda, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo, Japan|publisher=0verflow|access-date=2012-01-13|language=ja|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20080731070845/http://www.0verflow.com/html/topics/060628_apology.html |archive-date=2008-07-31}} loads of patches,{{cite web|url=http://www.0verflow.com/html/topic/060628_patchinst.html|title=Summer Days patches|location=Kanda, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo, Japan|publisher=0verflow|access-date=2012-01-13|language=ja|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061104073011/http://www.0verflow.com/html/topic/060628_patchinst.html|archive-date= 2006-11-04}} and recall.{{cite web|url=http://www.0verflow.com/html/topic/060707_recovery.html|title=Apology and notice of recall for Limited Edition Summer Days|location=Kanda, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo, Japan|publisher=0verflow|access-date=2012-01-13|language=ja|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060714031603/http://www.0verflow.com/html/topic/060707_recovery.html|archive-date= 2006-07-14}} Another spin-off titled Cross Days was released on March 19, 2010. Set in the same continuity as School Days, Cross Days follows the life of another protagonist, Yuuki Ashikaga, a high school freshman who also finds himself caught between the affection of two girls, Roka Kitsuregawa and Kotonoha Katsura, during his second term at Sakakino Academy. The game also features yaoi scenarios, during which Yuuki cross-dresses as a maid.{{cite web|url=http://crossdays.0verflow.com/story.html|title=Cross Days: Story|publisher=0verflow|location=Kanda, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo, Japan|access-date=2012-01-13|language=ja|archive-date=2012-12-15|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121215084818/http://crossdays.0verflow.com/story.html|url-status=dead}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.0verflow.com/products/crossdays/|title=Overflow｜Cross Days|work=0verflow|access-date=2020-12-02|language=ja|archive-date=2020-08-12|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200812083824/https://0verflow.com/products/crossdays/|url-status=live}} 0verflow released Shiny Days on February 2, 2012, which is a remastered version of Summer Days with a new heroine and higher quality animations. A spin-off, Island Days, was developed for the Nintendo 3DS and was released in Japan on July 3, 2014. The game, developed by Klon, focuses on Makoto and the girls becoming trapped on a remote island and includes tower defense elements.{{cite web|url=https://www.siliconera.com/island-days-coming-nintendo-3ds-may/|title=Island Days Is Coming To Nintendo 3DS In May|publisher=Siliconera|date=January 10, 2014|access-date=2020-12-10|archive-date=2020-11-11|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201111191105/https://www.siliconera.com/island-days-coming-nintendo-3ds-may/|url-status=live}}

Based on the story of the original game, School Days was reimagined as a manga, illustrated by Homare Sakazuki and serialized in the Kadokawa Shoten magazine Comp Ace from May 26, 2006{{cite web|url=http://www.comptiq.com/release/ace/2006_07.html|title=Comp Ace June 2006 Volume 7|publisher=Kadokawa Shoten|access-date=2012-01-13|language=ja|archive-date=2006-10-28|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061028132003/http://www.comptiq.com/release/ace/2006_07.html|url-status=live}} to September 26, 2007.{{cite web|url=http://www.comptiq.com/ace/index.php?%CB%DC%BB%EF%2F2007%C7%AF%2FVOL.19|title=Comp Ace November 2007 Volume 19|publisher=Kadokawa Shoten|access-date=2012-01-13|language=ja|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120723015933/http://www.comptiq.com/ace/index.php?%CB%DC%BB%EF/2007%C7%AF/VOL.19|archive-date=2012-07-23}} On July 12, 2007,{{cite web|url=http://www.0verflow.com/html/topics/index.html|title=School Days Comic Volume １ Release Announcement|publisher=0verflow|access-date=2012-01-09|language=ja|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070720081356/http://www.0verflow.com/html/topics/index.html|archive-date=2007-07-20}} 0verflow announced that the manga had been collected into its first volume, comprising five chapters set to be released on July 24.{{cite web|url=http://www.kadokawa.co.jp/comic/bk_detail.php?pcd=200704000118|title=School Days (1)|publisher=Kadokawa Shoten|language=ja|access-date=2020-10-25|archive-date=2012-11-03|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121103090958/http://www.kadokawa.co.jp/comic/bk_detail.php?pcd=200704000118|url-status=live}} Later that year, the second and final volume, comprising the remaining seven chapters, was released on November 21.{{cite web|url=http://www.kadokawa.co.jp/comic/bk_detail.php?pcd=200704000119|title=School Days (2)|publisher=Kadokawa Shoten|language=ja|access-date=2020-10-25|archive-date=2012-11-06|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121106034200/http://www.kadokawa.co.jp/comic/bk_detail.php?pcd=200704000119|url-status=live}}

{{Graphic novel list/header

| OneLanguage = yes

| Width =

}}

{{Graphic novel list

| VolumeNumber = 1

| RelDate = July 26, 2007

| ISBN = 978-4-04-713946-6

| ChapterListCol1 =

{{Numbered list|start=1

|{{Nihongo|"Confession"|告白|"Kokuhaku"|extra2= ～boys & girls～}}

|{{Nihongo|"The Couple's Distance"|二人の距離|"Futari no Kyori"|extra2= ～distance～}}

|{{Nihongo|"First Kiss"|ファーストキッス|"Fāsuto Kissu"|extra2= ～step for skip～}}

}}

| ChapterListCol2 =

{{Numbered list|start=4

|{{Nihongo|"Another Good Luck Charm"|もうひとつのおまじない|"Mō Hitotsu no Omajinai"|extra2= ～wish & pain～}}

|{{Nihongo|"And the Story Begins"|そして始まる物語|"Soshite Hajimaru Monogatari"|extra2= ～decide～}}

}}

| Summary =

}}

{{Graphic novel list

| VolumeNumber = 2

| RelDate = November 26, 2007

| ISBN = 978-4-04-713965-7

| ChapterListCol1 =

{{Numbered list|start=6

|{{Nihongo|"Right and Left Hand"|右手と左手|"Migite to Hidarite"|extra2= ～unbalance～}}

|{{Nihongo|"Warmth"|ぬくもり|"Nukumori"|extra2= ～sign～}}

|{{Nihongo|"The Couple's Feelings"|二人の想い|"Futari no Omoi"|extra2= ～ripple mind～}}

|{{Nihongo|"Mask"|仮面|"Kamen"|extra2= ～innocent～}}

}}

| ChapterListCol2 =

{{Numbered list|start=10

|{{Nihongo|"Two People and One Person"|フタリとヒトリ|"Futari to Hitori"|extra2= ～fall down～}}

|{{Nihongo|"Slanted Words"|歪むコトバ|"Hizumu Kotoba"|extra2= ～period～}}

|{{Nihongo|"The Couple's World"|二人のセカイ|"Futari no Sekai"|extra2= ～world's end～}}

}}

| Summary =

}}

{{Graphic novel list/footer}}

Various artists also produced short manga of School Days that were compiled into two comic anthologies. The "School Days Comic Anthology" was released by Ohzora Publishing on October 25, 2005,{{Cite web|url=https://0verflow.com/related.html|title=関連商品 ≫ 本・コミックス|work=0verflow|access-date=2020-10-25|language=ja|archive-date=2020-10-20|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201020182641/https://0verflow.com/related.html|url-status=live}} under their P-mate Comics imprint, containing nine short manga by individual artists.{{cite web|url=http://www.0verflow.com/web/goods_comic|title=0verflow: Books and Comics|location=Kanda, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo|publisher=0verflow|access-date=2012-01-10|language=ja|archive-date=2013-02-16|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130216144735/http://www.0verflow.com/web/goods_comic|url-status=dead}} On February 25, 2008, Ichijinsha printed the "School Days Kotonoha Anthology" under their DNA Media Comics imprint, a collection of manga primarily featuring the character Kotonoha Katsura.{{cite web|url=http://data.ichijinsha.co.jp/book/booksearch/booksearch_detail.php?i=75800428&TITLE=School+Days&WRITER=&ISBN=&CATEGORY=&SALEY=&SALEM=&WORD=&TYPE=like|title=School Days Kotonoha Anthology|publisher=Ichijinsha|access-date=2020-10-25|language=ja|archive-date=2019-11-24|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191124205150/http://data.ichijinsha.co.jp/book/booksearch/booksearch_detail.php?i=75800428|url-status=live}}

In addition to the manga, School Days was adapted into other print media. The first of these was the "School Days Visual Guide Book" published by Jive on September 16, 2005,{{cite web|url=http://www.jive-ltd.co.jp/catalog/4861762227.html|title=Jive: School Days Visual Guidebook|location=Shinjuku, Tokyo|publisher=Jive|access-date=2012-01-10|language=ja|archive-date=2013-06-17|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130617162153/http://www.jive-ltd.co.jp/catalog/4861762227.html|url-status=live}} an artbook of character illustrations, model sheets, screenplay, storyboards and a visual hierarchy of the choices and corresponding scenes in the game.{{cite web|url=http://schooldays.0verflow.com/html/scdvisualguidebook.html|title=School Days Visual Guide Book|location=Kanda, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo|publisher=0verflow|date=2007-09-19|access-date=2012-01-10|language=ja|archive-date=2013-01-21|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130121143822/http://schooldays.0verflow.com/html/scdvisualguidebook.html|url-status=live}} Separate editions for the anime television series and Playstation 2 game were also published, on December 1, 2007{{cite web|url=http://www.jive-ltd.co.jp/catalog/4861764622.html|title=Jive: School Days -TV Anime- Visual Guide Book|location=Shinjuku, Tokyo|publisher=Jive|access-date=2012-01-11|language=ja|archive-date=2012-05-14|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120514184645/http://www.jive-ltd.co.jp/catalog/4861764622.html|url-status=live}} and March 21, 2008, respectively.{{cite web|url=http://www.jive-ltd.co.jp/catalog/4861765049.html|title=Jive: School Days L×H Visual Guide Book|location=Shinjuku, Tokyo|publisher=Jive|access-date=2012-01-11|language=ja|archive-date=2012-05-14|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120514213514/http://www.jive-ltd.co.jp/catalog/4861765049.html|url-status=live}} Collections of production work from the Windows game such as character and environment art, screenplay, artist commentaries and all manufactured promotional items were collected in the {{nihongo|"School Days Official Visual Art Works"|School Days 公式ビジュアル・アートワークス|School Days Koushiki Bijuaru Atowa Kusu}} on December 16, 2005{{cite web|url=http://www.jive-ltd.co.jp/catalog/4861762634.html|title=Jive: School Official Days Visual Art Works|location=Shinjuku, Tokyo|publisher=Jive|access-date=2012-01-11|language=ja|archive-date=2012-05-14|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120514215742/http://www.jive-ltd.co.jp/catalog/4861762634.html|url-status=live}} and also featured in the "SummerDays {{sic}} & School Days Visual Collection" on August 31, 2006.{{cite web|url=http://www.jive-ltd.co.jp/catalog/4861763304.html|title=Jive: SummerDays & School Days Visual Collection|location=Shinjuku, Tokyo|publisher=Jive|access-date=2012-01-11|language=ja|archive-date=2012-10-14|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121014110917/http://www.jive-ltd.co.jp/catalog/4861763304.html|url-status=live}}

The first of four light novels, all illustrated by Junji Goto, was written by Ryuna Okada and printed by Harvest Publishing under their Harvest Novels imprint.{{cite web|url=http://www.harvest-inc.jp/label_harvest/kikan.html?2,14,0|title=Harvest Novels search: Overflow|publisher=Harvest Publishing|access-date=2012-01-10|language=ja|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121103144123/http://www.harvest-inc.jp/label_harvest/kikan.html?2,14,0|archive-date=2012-11-03|url-status=dead}} Released on December 1, 2005,{{cite web|url=https://0verflow.com/related.html|title=関連商品≫ 本・コミックス|work=0verflow|access-date=2020-12-05|language=ja|archive-date=2020-12-24|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201224132449/https://0verflow.com/related.html|url-status=live}} {{nihongo|"School Days: Sekai Hen"|School Days 世界編}} retells the original story from the perspective of Sekai. Okada would follow up the book with {{nihongo|"School Days: Kotonoha Hen"|School Days 言葉編}} on January 1, 2006, switching to the perspective of Kotonoha. Two light novels were also published by Jive, the first of which was written by Takuya Baba, {{nihongo|"School Days: Kimi to Iru, Sora"|School Days 君といる、空}} and printed on December 16, 2005,{{cite web|url=http://www.jive-ltd.co.jp/catalog/4861762456.html|title=Jive: School Days: Kimi to Iru, Sora|location=Shinjuku, Tokyo|publisher=Jive|access-date=2012-01-11|language=ja|archive-date=2013-04-10|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130410223828/http://www.jive-ltd.co.jp/catalog/4861762456.html|url-status=dead}} and a second by Hiro Akiduki, "School Days: Innocent Blue", released on April 28.{{cite web|url=http://www.jive-ltd.co.jp/catalog/4861765056.html|title=Jive: -TV Anime- School Days Innocent Blue|location=Shinjuku, Tokyo|publisher=Jive|access-date=2012-01-11|language=ja|archive-date=2012-05-14|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120514203839/http://www.jive-ltd.co.jp/catalog/4861765056.html|url-status=dead}}

{{see also|List of School Days episodes{{!}}List of School Days episodes}}

School Days was adapted into a twelve-episode anime television series by TNK.{{cite web|url=http://www.e-tnk.net/anime/anime_top.html|title=TNK list of previous works|publisher=TNK|language=ja|access-date=2012-01-09|archive-date=2012-08-03|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120803034025/http://www.e-tnk.net/anime/anime_top.html|url-status=live}} Concrete news of this first appeared on June 1, 2007,{{cite web|url=http://www.0verflow.com/html/topics/index.html|title=Updates: June 1 ~ November 12, 2007|location=Kanda, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo|publisher=0verflow|date=2007-06-01|access-date=2012-01-07|language=ja|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080217125225/http://www.0verflow.com/html/topics/index.html|archive-date=2008-02-17 }} when 0verflow announced via its blog that the show's official website had gone live.{{cite web|url=http://0verflow.com/html/diary/2007/20070601_diary.html|title=TV animation news|location=Kanda, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo|publisher=0verflow|date=2007-06-01|access-date=2012-01-07|language=ja|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070629192745/http://www.0verflow.com/html/diary/2007/20070601_diary.html|archive-date=2007-06-29 }} Stations participating in the broadcast included TV Kanagawa, Chiba TV, TV Aichi, TV Osaka, TV Saitama and AT-X, the premiere of which would air on TV Kanagawa on July 3.{{cite web|url=http://www.schooldays-anime.com/index.html|title=School Days anime homepage|publisher=0verflow|access-date=2012-01-10|language=ja|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090318190728/http://www.schooldays-anime.com/index.html|archive-date=2009-03-18}} The anime was aired until September 27 and finished its broadcast on AT-X.{{cite web|url=http://www.schooldays-anime.com/news/index.html|title=School Days TV anime broadcasting in July 2007!!|publisher=0verflow|access-date=2012-01-10|language=ja|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090227023432/http://www.schooldays-anime.com/news/index.html|archive-date=2009-02-27 }} From September 26, 2007, to February 27, 2008, the series was compiled into six limited and regular edition DVDs.{{cite web|url=http://0verflow.com/html/topics/070626_schooldays_dvd.html|title=School Days TV Anime DVD Information|publisher=0verflow|access-date=2012-01-10|language=ja|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080222185102/http://0verflow.com/html/topics/070626_schooldays_dvd.html|archive-date=2008-02-22}}

TNK also produced two direct-to-video (OVA) episodes of School Days. The first, titled "Valentine Days", was bundled with limited edition copies of School Days L×H, and features an unrelated comedic romp through Valentine's Day as Kotonoha, Sekai, and Otome try to give Makoto giri chocos.{{cite web|url=http://www.interchannel.jp/game/SDLH/gaiyou_tokuten1.html|title=PlayStation 2 "School Days L × H" Limited Edition: Bonus Bundle|publisher=Interchannel|access-date=2012-01-13|language=ja|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080110230851/http://www.interchannel.jp/game/SDLH/gaiyou_tokuten1.html|archive-date=2008-01-10}} The second, "Magical Heart Kokoro-chan", jaunts the series into magical girl territory, portraying Kokoro Katsura as the superheroine Magical Heart; it was released on March 26, 2008.{{cite web|url=http://www.0verflow.com/html/topics/080121_magical_cocolo.html|title=School Days OVA Special: Magical Heart Kokoro-chan|publisher=0verflow|access-date=2012-01-13|language=ja|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080123073327/http://www.0verflow.com/html/topics/080121_magical_cocolo.html|archive-date=2008-01-23}}

Discotek Media acquired both the television series and the "Magical Heart Kokoro-chan" OVA, and released them on DVD on June 24, 2014, with English subtitles.{{cite web|url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2014-02-26/discotek-licenses-school-days-magical-heart-kokoro-chan|title=Discotek Licenses School Days, Magical Heart Kokoro-chan|publisher=Anime News Network|date=February 26, 2014|access-date=February 27, 2014|archive-date=February 28, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140228082645/http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2014-02-26/discotek-licenses-school-days-magical-heart-kokoro-chan|url-status=live}}

File:Schooldaysniceboat.jpg as it appeared in the original compilation footage. The "Nice boat." comment and subsequent meme would derive from this.]]

On September 17, 2007, the day before the twelfth and final episode of the televised anime was to air on TV Kanagawa, a sixteen-year-old girl murdered her forty-five-year-old father in their Kyoto home with an axe. TV Kanagawa promptly cancelled the Tuesday airing of the finale for its similarly violent content, replacing it instead with a thirty-minute video compilation of scenery footage from Europe including Norway, played to August Wilhelmj's "Air on the G String". Newspapers such as The Japan Times and Mainichi Shimbun reported on the killing and episode preempt on September 19.{{cite web|url=http://mainichi.jp/enta/mantan/anime/archive/news/2007/09/20070919mog00m200002000c.html|title=Schoolgirl murders father, defers final broadcast of School Days|publisher=Mainichi Shimbun|access-date=2012-01-10|language=ja|date=2007-09-19|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071015145502/http://mainichi.jp/enta/mantan/anime/archive/news/2007/09/20070919mog00m200002000c.html|archive-date=2007-10-15}}{{cite web|url=http://www.japantimes.co.jp/text/nn20070919a6.html|title=Teenage girl admits killing dad with ax|publisher=The Japan Times|access-date=2012-01-10|date=2007-09-19|archive-date=2012-11-30|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121130074021/http://www.japantimes.co.jp/text/nn20070919a6.html|url-status=live}} According to Mainichi Shimbun, Chiba TV and TV Aichi had also cancelled their airings, with AT-X the only station remaining indecisive. 0verflow issued an apology through their blog the same day, asking viewers to stay tuned for updates.{{cite web|url=http://www.0verflow.com/html/topics/070919_schooldays_12.html|title=About the School Days episode 12 broadcast|location=Kanda, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo|publisher=0verflow|date=2007-09-19|access-date=2012-01-10|language=ja|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080217130238/http://www.0verflow.com/html/topics/070919_schooldays_12.html|archive-date=2008-02-17 }} In the following week, 0verflow announced that it had arranged for two screenings of the edited finale at the Akihabara 3D Theater on September 27. Those wishing to attend would be required to register a seat by email, be at least 18 years old with photo ID, and bring a Windows copy of School Days or Summer Days.{{cite web|url=http://12.0verflow.com/|title=School Days TV anime sign-up|location=Kanda, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo|publisher=0verflow|access-date=2012-01-13|language=ja|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071014001708/http://12.0verflow.com/|archive-date=2007-10-14}} That same day AT-X announced that it had decided to air the unedited finale on September 27 and October 1.{{cite web|url=http://www.at-x.com/whats_new/detail.html/1291|title=School Days episode 12 broadcast information|publisher=AT-X|date=2007-09-26|language=ja|access-date=2012-01-13|archive-date=2012-06-29|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120629160131/http://www.at-x.com/whats_new/detail/1291|url-status=live}}

In the wake of the broadcast change, a screen capture of the Norwegian ferry MS Skagastøl,{{cite web|url=http://www.fjord1.no/en/default.asp?page=1556&pagesub=0|title=Fjord1: Vessels|publisher=Fjord1 Fylkesbaatane|location=Florø, Norway|access-date=2012-01-10|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120526082137/http://www.fjord1.no/en/default.asp?page=1556|archive-date=2012-05-26}} at the time belonging to Fjord1 Fylkesbaatane, from the slideshow surfaced on 4chan alongside the caption "Nice boat.", a phrase which gained popularity in Japan.{{cite web|url=http://www.new-akiba.com/archives/2007/09/nice_boat.html|title="Nice boat." meme born from discontinued broadcast of School Days anime|publisher=new-akiba.com|location=Akihabara, Tokyo|access-date=2012-05-07|language=ja|archive-date=2012-11-08|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121108205519/http://www.new-akiba.com/archives/2007/09/nice_boat.html|url-status=live}} Google Trends recorded a spike in "Nice Boat" searches around the third quarter of 2007{{cite web|url=https://www.google.com/trends/?q=nice+boat|title=Google Trends: Nice boat.|location=Mountain View, California|access-date=2012-01-10}} while Yomiuri Shimbun, a Japanese newspaper, reported that "Nice boat" was the tenth most popular Yahoo! Japan search from September 17 to September 23.{{cite news|last=Fukuda|first=Jun|title=Henken Jochōsuru Kajō Hannō Unzari |script-title=ja:偏見助長する過剰反応うんざり |trans-title=Fed Up With the Encouraging Overreaction Bias|publisher=Yomiuri Shimbun|date=2007-09-26}}

Nice Boat had become so well known that it was used in other media. The meme appeared as an Easter egg in the first episode of Ef: A Tale of Memories.,{{Cite episode|title=Eve|episode-link=List of Ef episodes|series=Ef: A Tale of Memories.|series-link=Ef: A Fairy Tale of the Two.|network=Chiba Television Broadcasting|station=CTC|airdate=2007-10-07|number=1|minutes=7:06|language=ja}} and was parodied on February 13, 2009, when the Kadokawa Pictures YouTube channel uploaded a short montage of sailboats instead of the previously scheduled premiere of The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya.{{cite news|url=http://www.japanator.com/that-s-it-i-give-up-first-episode-of-haruhi-chan-not-finished-viewers-get-half-decent-boat-instead-9306.phtml|title=That's it, I give up: First episode of Haruhi-chan not finished, viewers get half-decent boat instead|newspaper=Japanator|date=2009-02-13|author=Brad Rice|access-date=2012-01-13|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130512034544/http://www.japanator.com/that-s-it-i-give-up-first-episode-of-haruhi-chan-not-finished-viewers-get-half-decent-boat-instead-9306.phtml|archive-date=2013-05-12}} 0verflow capitalized on the popularity of the phrase, naming their booth at Comiket 73 "Nice boat." and selling meme-inspired merchandise.{{cite web|url=http://niceboat.0verflow.com/|title=0verflow: Comiket Market 73 information|location=Kanda, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo|publisher=0verflow|access-date=2012-01-10|language=ja|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071224183710/http://niceboat.0verflow.com/|archive-date=2007-12-24}} TNK also paid homage to the meme in "Magical Heart Kokoro-chan", a special direct-to-video episode of the animated series.{{Cite episode|title=School Days: Magical Heart Kokoro-chan|episode-link=List of School Days episodes|series=School Days|airdate=2007-10-07|number=1|minutes=23:00|language=ja}}

Besides the video releases of the School Days anime, a concert film, the School Days Secret Live DVD, was also produced by HOBiRECORDS.{{cite web|url=http://www.hobirecords.com/shohin_info/?hbr_scldvd|title=HOBiRECORDS: School Days Secret Live DVD|publisher=HOBiRECORDS|access-date=2012-04-13|language=ja|archive-date=2012-11-25|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121125073331/http://www.hobirecords.com/shohin_info/?hbr_scldvd|url-status=live}} Released on June 26, 2006, in conjunction with Summer Days,{{cite web|url=http://www.0verflow.com/html/topic/060617_goto_event.html|title=Junji Goto autograph session commemorating release of Summer Days|publisher=0verflow|location=Kanda, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo|access-date=2012-04-13|language=ja|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060626164323/http://www.0verflow.com/html/topic/060617_goto_event.html|archive-date=2006-06-26}} the film contains footage of a concert held on June 15, 2005{{cite web|url=http://www.0verflow.com/web/goods_dvd|title=0verflow: DVDs|location=Kanda, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo|publisher=0verflow|access-date=2012-04-13|language=ja|archive-date=2012-11-16|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121116235234/http://www.0verflow.com/web/goods_dvd|url-status=live}} featuring the performances of Miyuki Hashimoto, YURIA, rino, yozuca* and Minami Kuribayashi.

From 2005 to 2010, Lantis published six albums of School Days music. The "School Days Vocal Album", a compilation featuring all nine of the game's closing themes, as performed by artists Kiriko, Yozuca*, Miyuki Hashimoto, Yuria, Halko Momoi, Minami Kuribayashi, Rino, and Kanako Ito{{cite web|url=http://www.lantis.jp/new-release/data.php?id=53ce03375ed26d0b57897d58235fc51b|title=Lantis: School Days Vocal Album|publisher=Lantis|location=Shibuya, Tokyo|access-date=2012-01-11|language=ja|archive-date=2013-03-14|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130314213159/http://www.lantis.jp/release-item.php?id=53ce03375ed26d0b57897d58235fc51b|url-status=live}} was the first to be distributed, sharing its April 28, 2005, date with the release of the game itself. The remaining twenty-eight background scores, composed by KIRIKO/HIKO Sound, were released on July 21, officially completing the game's soundtrack.{{cite web|url=http://www.lantis.jp/new-release/data.php?id=315428a0a07e3002ddfae77efb62d4fc|title=Lantis: School Days Original Sound Track|publisher=Lantis|location=Shibuya, Tokyo|access-date=2012-01-11|language=ja|archive-date=2013-03-15|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130315085639/http://lantis.jp/release-item.php?id=315428a0a07e3002ddfae77efb62d4fc|url-status=live}} Another compilation, the "School Days Vocal Complete Album{{sic}}" featuring songs from Summer Days and Cross Days, was released on October 8, 2010.{{cite web|url=http://www.lantis.jp/new-release/data.php?id=97ac26d616c1d6f8d36ea29ee26fe4f8|title=Lantis: School Days Vocal Complete Album|publisher=Lantis|location=Shibuya, Tokyo|access-date=2012-01-12|language=ja|archive-date=2012-10-25|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121025081025/http://www.lantis.jp/release-item.php?id=97ac26d616c1d6f8d36ea29ee26fe4f8|url-status=live}}

Three weeks after the premiere of the televised anime on July 25, 2007, Lantis published the single "Innocent Blue" by DeviceHigh, a four-track disc featuring the anime opening of the same name, a disco-inspired song called Dancin' Joker, and their instrumentals.{{cite web|url=http://www.lantis.jp/new-release/data.php?id=39dc67f121b6a4c1fd2e0860c86b4423|title=Lantis: Innocent Blue by DeviceHigh|publisher=Lantis|location=Shibuya, Tokyo|access-date=2012-01-12|language=ja|archive-date=2012-07-13|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120713135248/http://www.lantis.jp/release-item.php?id=39dc67f121b6a4c1fd2e0860c86b4423|url-status=live}} Lantis followed with "School Days: Ending Theme+" on August 22, a sixteen-track disc containing all of the show's closing themes and background scores on September 26.{{cite web|url=http://www.lantis.jp/new-release/data.php?id=3319273b1fd6e85c758c5d95c1d9e5d1|title=Lantis: School Days TV Original Sound Track|publisher=Lantis|location=Shibuya, Tokyo|access-date=2012-01-12|language=ja|archive-date=2012-07-16|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120716230741/http://www.lantis.jp/release-item.php?id=3319273b1fd6e85c758c5d95c1d9e5d1|url-status=live}}

In addition to music albums, six audio dramas were also produced. "School Days Little Promise", a chronicle of Sekai and Setsuna's childhoods, was the first. Featuring music by Kiriko/Hiko Sound and Kanako Ito, Hobirecords published "Little Promise" as a two-disc set, which 0verflow scheduled for release January 27, 2006.{{cite web|url=http://schooldays.0verflow.com/html/scddoramacd.html|title=School Days Little Promise: January 27, 2006 release|publisher=0verflow|access-date=2012-01-12|language=ja|date=2007-09-19|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20051211114735/http://schooldays.0verflow.com/html/scddoramacd.html|archive-date=2005-12-11}} Pre-releases were sold at Comiket 69 from December 29 to 30, 2005.{{cite web|url=http://schooldays.0verflow.com/html/scdevent.html|title=Event information: Comiket 69|publisher=0verflow|location=Kanda, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo, Japan|access-date=2012-01-12|language=ja|archive-date=2004-12-30|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20041230234007/http://schooldays.0verflow.com/html/scdevent.html|url-status=live}} Sometime afterward however, 0verflow announced that pre-released copies of Little Promise were defective, and asked customers to mail in their discs for replacements. The release was also postponed to February 24.{{cite web|url=http://www.0verflow.com/html/top.html|title=School Days Little Promise: February 24 date change|publisher=0verflow|access-date=2012-01-12|language=ja|date=2007-09-19|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060212012259/http://www.0verflow.com/html/top.html|archive-date=2006-02-12}} Lantis released the remaining five dramas. "School Days Drama CD Vol. 1 Himitsu Hanazono" (ヒ・ミ・ツの花園), a merrymaking of the series six main girls, was released on August 8, 2007.{{cite web|url=http://www.lantis.jp/new-release/data.php?id=fc57ae479be35a9e59ad7f8dea021f00|title=Lantis: School Days Drama CD Vol. 1|publisher=Lantis|location=Shibuya, Tokyo|access-date=2012-01-12|language=ja|archive-date=2013-03-15|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130315084312/http://lantis.jp/release-item.php?id=fc57ae479be35a9e59ad7f8dea021f00|url-status=live}} A second, "School Days Drama CD Vol 2. Koi no Nou-hau" (恋のノ・ウ・ハ・ウ), was released October 24, 2007.{{cite web|url=http://www.lantis.jp/new-release/data.php?id=b83eafd19f9690156797ed09f06c0fef|title=Lantis: School Days Drama CD Vol. 2|publisher=Lantis|location=Shibuya, Tokyo|access-date=2012-01-12|language=ja|archive-date=2013-03-15|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130315082346/http://lantis.jp/release-item.php?id=b83eafd19f9690156797ed09f06c0fef|url-status=live}} Radio School Days was compiled into three separate albums: {{nihongo|"Futakumidake no Taiikusai"|二組だけの体育祭}} was released on November 21, 2007,{{cite web|url=http://www.lantis.jp/new-release/data.php?id=fd0155735dd89a063923dd131eea92ea|title=Lantis: Radio School Days Volume 1: Futakumidake no Taiikusai|publisher=Lantis|location=Shibuya, Tokyo|access-date=2012-01-12|language=ja|archive-date=2013-03-15|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130315082529/http://lantis.jp/release-item.php?id=fd0155735dd89a063923dd131eea92ea|url-status=live}} {{nihongo|"Futakumidake no Shakaika Kengaku"|二組だけの社会科見学}} on February 6, 2008,{{cite web|url=http://www.lantis.jp/new-release/data.php?id=540e45156f9f46d365f45cea711d085d|title=Lantis: Radio School Days Volume 2: Futakumidake no Shakaika Kengaku|publisher=Lantis|location=Shibuya, Tokyo|access-date=2012-01-12|language=ja|archive-date=2013-03-15|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130315120256/http://lantis.jp/release-item.php?id=540e45156f9f46d365f45cea711d085d|url-status=live}} and {{nihongo|"Futakumi Ijou no Rakkasan Butai"|二組以上の落下傘部隊}} on June 21.{{cite web|url=http://www.lantis.jp/new-release/data.php?id=cba95d517d6e0adafbf76ad7528940b0|title=Lantis: Radio School Days Volume 3: Futakumi Ijou no Rakkasan Butai|publisher=Lantis|location=Shibuya, Tokyo|access-date=2012-01-12|language=ja|archive-date=2013-03-15|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130315115711/http://lantis.jp/release-item.php?id=cba95d517d6e0adafbf76ad7528940b0|url-status=live}}

Considerable effort was made to market and promote School Days before and after its release, including the sale of brand merchandise and use of incentives. Through public venues and through the company's online store, 0verflow sold brand keystraps, mousepads, phonecards, book covers, mugs, t-shirts,{{cite web|url=http://www.0verflow.com/web/goods_goods2|title=0verflow: Goods (2)|location=Kanda, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo|publisher=0verflow|access-date=2012-01-12|language=ja|archive-date=2013-12-04|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131204202548/http://www.0verflow.com/web/goods_goods2|url-status=live}} dakimakura cases, PVC figures,{{cite web|url=http://www.0verflow.com/web/goods_goods|title=0verflow: Goods (1)|location=Kanda, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo|publisher=0verflow|access-date=2012-01-12|language=ja|archive-date=2012-11-16|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121116235620/http://www.0verflow.com/web/goods_goods|url-status=live}} lanyards, business card holders and cosplay material such as the girls' school uniforms and plastic dōzuki.{{cite book|title=School Days Official Visual Art Works|year=2005 |publisher=Jive|isbn=978-4-86176-263-5|page=95}}

The anime series won the Hisashi Maeda Award in the 2007 Japanese Otaku Awards.{{Cite web |last=Loo |first=Egan |date=January 9, 2008 |title=Japanese Otaku Awards' 2007 Winners Announced |url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2008-01-09/japanese-otaku-awards-2007-winners-announced |access-date=June 23, 2022 |website=Anime News Network |language=en |archive-date=April 24, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190424114758/https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2008-01-09/japanese-otaku-awards-2007-winners-announced |url-status=live }}

Anime News Network's Theron Martin enjoyed the anime series and gave it a B+, saying "Despite its efforts to analyze and reinterpret harem series, School Days probably would have sunk into anime obscurity if not for the nature of its final episode and the circumstances surrounding it not airing. However, those analytical efforts give it a value beyond its sensationalism. If viewers find Makoto unlikable, it is because he was meant to be an object lesson, not someone that they should want to relate to. That the actions of him and the others progressively push the series away from what's expected of harem series holds a fascination akin to watching a train wreck play out in very slow motion".{{Cite web |last=Martin |first=Theron |date=July 13, 2014 |title=School Days Sub DVD - Complete Collection |url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/review/school-days/sub.dvd-complete-collection/.76385 |access-date=June 23, 2022 |website=Anime News Network |language=en |archive-date=August 3, 2014 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20140803122657/http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/review/school-days/sub.dvd-complete-collection/.76385 |url-status=live }} UK Anime Network, a British online anime and manga magazine, gave the television series a 7 out of 10, summarizing it as "An utter subversion of the high school romance genre, which is disturbing and unsettling... yet oddly compelling in its own way."{{Cite web |author=Hanley, Andy |url=http://www.uk-anime.net/anime/School_Days.html |title=Anime Review: School Days |work=UK Anime Network |date=June 8, 2009 |access-date=August 26, 2016 |archive-date=February 22, 2013 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130222081339/http://www.uk-anime.net/anime/School_Days.html |url-status=live }} Takato of the French website Manga News gave the anime series 17 out of 20, and describes the series as "School Days is not a joyful romance but rather oppressive, destabilizing and unhealthy because of the behavior of the characters. We are certainly shocked, but this is precisely what makes the strength of this unique series. School Days is certainly a series to watch to be amazed, or to be amused by all these humiliations if you are sadistic."{{Cite web |last=TAKATO |date=April 1, 2011 |title=Critique du DVD School Days - Anime Dvd |url=https://www.manga-news.com/index.php/volume_dvd/critique/School-Days/ |access-date=June 23, 2022 |website=Manga News |language=fr |archive-date=June 23, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220623125620/https://www.manga-news.com/index.php/volume_dvd/critique/School-Days/ |url-status=live }} THEM Anime Reviews, a website devoted to the review of anime, gave the series a less favorable 1 out of 5 stars, citing "overblown, shallow, and flat" characters and that although "School Days looks fascinating when you see screenshots of it and read episode guides", the reviewer found it to be "annoying, stupid, mean-spirited, and full of some of the biggest idiots [he had] seen in an anime in a long time."{{Cite web |author=Jones, Tim |url=http://www.themanime.org/viewreview.php?id=1185 |title=School Days |work=THEM Anime Reviews |date=March 25, 2010 |access-date=August 26, 2016 |archive-date=September 11, 2012 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120911194537/http://www.themanime.org/viewreview.php?id=1185 |url-status=live }}

On June 12, 2015, the Chinese Ministry of Culture listed School Days among 38 anime and manga titles banned in China.{{cite web |url=http://www.sbs.com.au/popasia/blog/2015/06/12/china-bans-38-japanese-anime-manga-titles-including-attack-titan |title=China bans 38 anime & manga titles including Attack on Titan |publisher=Special Broadcasting Service |date=June 12, 2015 |access-date=August 31, 2018 |archive-date=August 31, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180831174910/https://www.sbs.com.au/popasia/blog/2015/06/12/china-bans-38-japanese-anime-manga-titles-including-attack-titan |url-status=live }}

{{reflist|30em}}

• {{Cite news|author=Chris Beveridge|url=http://www.fandompost.com/2012/05/09/school-days-complete-series-anime-review/|title=School Days Complete Series Anime Review|work=The Fandom Post|date=May 9, 2012}}

• [http://schooldays.us/ School Days HQ English website]
• [https://0verflow.com/products/schooldayshq/ School Days HQ visual novel] at 0verflow {{in lang|ja}}
• [https://web.archive.org/web/20100208202055/http://www.sekaiproject.net/ Sekai Project]
• {{ann|anime|7815|School Days}}
• {{vndb|14|title=School Days}}

{{School Days|state=expanded}}

{{Comp Ace}}

{{TNK}}

{{Good article}}

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