Disney Twisted-Wonderland (ディズニー ツイステッドワンダーランド, Dizunī Tsuisuteddo Wandārando)[1] is a Japanese mobile game created by Aniplex and Walt Disney Japan. Yana Toboso, creator of Black Butler, is in charge of the original plan, main script, and character design,[2] which are inspired by Disney Villains from various franchises. An official English localization was released on January 20, 2022 in United States and Canada.[3]
| Disney Twisted-Wonderland | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Developer(s) | f4samurai |
| Publisher(s) | |
| Designer(s) | Yana Toboso |
| Artist(s) | Wataru Osakabe ATELIER MUSA |
| Composer(s) | Takumi Ozawa Half HP Studio |
| Platform(s) | Android, iOS |
| Release | |
| Genre(s) | Adventure, rhythm |
| Mode(s) | Single-player |
Gameplay
editThe genre of Disney Twisted-Wonderland is described as a "Villains Academy ADV (adventure game)".[4] It is described to have a "basic gameplay system" consisting of three main elements: Lessons, Stories, and Tests.[5]
Twisted Wonderland operates a gacha game model that allows players to obtain random new characters by spending the in-game currency of Magic Gems.[6] The characters players obtain can be leveled by having them attend "Lessons.".[5] Players are able to test the strength of their characters through tests (available daily), or exams (available periodically).[6] Players place their characters in battle to score points depending on their team's strength. Players then achieve a rank depending on their point score, with higher ranks giving higher rewards.[5]
A new system function was introduced to the Japanese version of the game on May 30, 2022, called the Guest Room.[7] It allows players to freely customize and enjoy the "Guest Room" of the Ramshackle dorm, while inviting their favorite characters to come visit.
Plot
editYuu, whose name can also be chosen by the player, is summoned to another world by a magic mirror and arrives at a magical school, Night Raven College. The main character is taken in by the school's headmaster and becomes acquainted with the school's top students, each in seven different dormitories (each based on a different Disney villain), while searching for a way home.[8]
Prologue: Welcome to the Villains' world
editThe player is summoned to another world by a magic mirror and arrives at the magic training school, Night Raven College. The player has no recollection of how they were summoned there and is unable to be sent back to their original world. Through the antics of a fire breathing magic cat monster named Grim, the player receives a small demonstration of the abilities some people in this new world possess.
Due to having no where else to go, the player is forced to stay at Night Raven College and act as an errand boy until the head of the school, Headmaster Crowley, can find a way to send them home. Headmaster Crowley graciously allows them to live in the haunted and run-down dormitory on the edge of campus, now called the Ramshackle Dorm.
Grim and the player encounter troublemakers Ace Trappola, and Deuce Spade, and break an expensive magical chandelier during a fight, resulting in them being told to leave the school. However, they are told that if they go on a quest to retrieve a replacement magic source for the chandelier in order to fix their mistake, their ban would be rescinded. They visit an abandoned mine to find one, and are attacked by a monster covered in an ink-like substance called "Overblot."
The four fight the monster, and the player discovers that they are able to get normally uncooperative students to work together. As these talents would be of a huge help to Night Raven College, filled with headstrong students unwilling to work in teams, Crowley asks the player to become a joint-student of the school, sharing their enrolment spot with Grim.
Book 1: The Rose-Red Tyrant
editOn the night that the player and Grim are admitted to the school, Ace arrives with a magic-sealing collar on his neck, asking to stay the night. When asked about the situation, Ace replies that he angered his Housewarden, Riddle Rosehearts, by eating tarts that were meant for an unknown event, and that as punishment, he was collared. He complains about the long list of rules they must follow in his dorm, most of which seem to be unreasonable. He promises to apologize to his Housewarden the next day and heads to the Heartslabyul dormitory.
They help a senior, Cater, paint some white roses red to match the rules of the dorm. He reveals that since they haven't come with an apology tart, a rule they were unaware of, they're still not allowed back in the dorm. They encounter other issues as Ace gets himself in trouble with Riddle once again during lunch and is now stuck with the collar for a longer period. They receive help from another member of the dorm, Trey, a childhood friend of Riddle's and a talented baker. He helps them bake a chestnut apology tart.
The player, Grim, Ace, Deuce, Cater and Trey all help taking the large tart to Riddle, and it's revealed that the party the original tarts Ace ate were meant for was the now-happening unbirthday Party. They present the tart to Riddle, who angrily declares that they've broken rule 562 of the dorm - "never bring a chestnut tart to an unbirthday party." Riddle then collars Deuce and Grim as well, and they are once again thrown out of the dorm. Ace decides to challenge Riddle for the position of dorm leader, and loses. Riddle's excessive use of magic-blocking collars then causes several of his dorm members to speak out against his harsh punishments.
Out of frustration of people not following the rules of his dorm, Riddle uses too much magic and becomes an Overblot monster, like the one the player encountered in the mines during the prologue. Crowley explains that this is what happens to mages when they use too much magic and the leftover waste product, blot, gathers in excess, and the player character has to defeat Riddle before he destroys the dorm.
Riddle apologises for being so uptight about the rules, and admits he doesn't really want to follow them himself. They throw a second unbirthday party at Ace's request, and the player, Grim and the Heartslabyul students paint the rest of the white roses red together, and Riddle decides not to follow all of the dorm's rules as rigidly as he has been previously.
Book 2: The Usurper from the Wilds
editThe player learns that a televised inter-dorm tournament for the sport of "Magical Shift" (renamed to "Spelldrive" in the English version) will be held at the school. Grim wishes to participate, but the sport requires a team of seven and Ramshackle's dorm only has three. A series of mysterious 'accidents' causing injuries to exceptional players at the sport, including Trey and a near-miss on Riddle, cause the two, along with Ace, Deuce and Cater, to investigate.
They visit Savanaclaw dorm to warn Jack Howl, a skilled Magical Shift player, that he may be a target for an 'accident,' but he refuses help and the group is forced into a round of the sport by the Housewarden, Leona Kingscholar, which they lose. That night, Jack realises it's Leona and Ruggie causing the accidents using Ruggie's ability to force people to mirror his own actions. He criticises Leona for his dishonesty. Meanwhile, the player meets a Diasomnia student with horns outside Ramshackle, who leaves without introducing himself. Grim names him 'Hornton.' The next day, the group realises that the injuries are caused by Ruggie's magic. Jack joins the group in confronting him, deciding he wants to help.
At the tournament, Ruggie causes a stampede using his ability in an attempt to remove Malleus Draconia, the Diasomnia Housewarden and the most skilled player in Night Raven, from the competition. However, he is caught out using a trick from Cater and the pre-warned Diasomnia students. Leona gives up and refuses to play for his dorm, claiming that him playing is useless if Malleus is involved, as they're bound to lose anyway. Continued taunting on his weak will causes Leona to overblot, and the player and the Heartslabyul students work together to defeat him.
The tournament goes ahead, with all of the dorms insisting that Savanaclaw still be allowed to participate despite their cheating so they can try and get revenge through the game. The player, Grim, Ace, Deuce, Jack and the Ramshackle dorm ghosts all play a special exhibition match against Savanaclaw. The tournament is ultimately won by Diasomnia, and the Savanaclaw students resolve to try harder and play fairly next year.
Book 3: The Merchant from the Depths
editEnd-of-term exam scores are announced, with the player and Jack skeptical of how the trio of Grim, Ace, and Deuce all got decent results despite their laziness. At that moment, sea anemones spring out from the top of the three's heads, as well as from other students around, and everyone is dragged away. Following the three, the player and Jack arrive at the Octavinelle Dormitory. It's revealed that all of them have made magically-binding deals with Azul Ashengrotto, the Housewarden, for extremely useful revision guides with the condition that if they failed to get above a certain rank in the school-wide results using them, then they would be forced to work for free in the dorm's café, Monstro Lounge. The player signs a contract of their own with Azul to free their friends in exchange for a picture of Prince Riel from the museum in the Coral Sea, and is forced to offer Ramshackle dorm as collateral. This leaves them homeless, and they are taken in by Savanaclaw, who in turn help them defeat Azul.
Book 4: Schemer of the Scalding Sands
editAs the holidays begin, the students of Night Raven College are returning home for the winter break. With no place to return to, the player and Grim remain at the school where Crowley asks them to watch over the school's heating system. One day, attracted by the delicious smell coming from the school's kitchen, the player finds Jamil, the Vice-Warden of the Scarabia dormitory, cooking. Jamil tells the player and Grim that the Scarabia dormitory received bad results on the final exams and thus, was remaining at school during the holidays to study. Jamil invites the player to come to Scarabia, where they are met with tensions between the Housewarden and Vice-Warden.
Book 5: A Beautiful Tyrant
editThe new semester has begun and the player, who has gotten used to their daily life, is surprised that the National Arcane Academy Culture Fair is happening at the school. Students were encouraged to audition for the fair's main event, the "Vocal & Dance Championship", and Ace, Deuce, and Grim were determined to be chosen with the aim of the grand prize. They were taught how to dance by Kalim and Jamil, and passed the audition held at Pomefiore. Together with Vil and the others, they partake intensive training to win the championship.
Book 6: Keeper of the Underworld
editThe player is attacked by Grim, who suddenly went out of control, and consults with Ace and Deuce to look for him together. A few days later, the members who participated in the VDC are gathered by Vil at Ramshackle dorm. Vil apologizes to Ace and the others for what happened at VDC and compensates them. Meanwhile, a mysterious armed group invades the school and kidnaps Vil, Jamil, Riddle, Leona, Azul, Crowley, and Grim. It turns out that the armed group is a special magical security force called "Charon" owned by the mysterious non-governmental organization "STYX", and Idia, who was the heir to the Shroud family, is the acting director of STYX.
Book 7: Ruler of the Abyss
editIt's time for the third years to decide their final path. This choosing ceremony has led the third years to find out that Lilia is dropping from Night Raven College due to his lack of magic. This truth leaves Malleus devastated. Even so, Lilia proposes that he shall have a leaving party to cheer everyone up before he goes.
The player has had dreams of the strange person known as Mickey. They convey this information to their first year friends, Ortho Shroud joining the group as of recent events. Ortho is able to decipher the possibility of Mickey's appearance in the mirror of the player's room and they gain a lead on the matter. They decide to try catching Mickey and plan it out later at night. While this interaction takes place, Malleus unconsciously uses his magic while speaking with Lilia about his leaving party.
Development
editAniplex announced they were producing the game in collaboration with Walt Disney Japan at Anime Japan 2019.[9] Yana Toboso, the creator of Black Butler, was credited for the concept, scenario, and character designs.[2]
Disney Twisted-Wonderland was officially released for play on Android and iOS in Japan on March 18, 2020.[10][11] The game's opening movie is animated by Troyca and the theme song, "Piece of my world", was performed by Night Ravens.[12][13]
Other media
edit| Disney Twisted-Wonderland | |
| ディズニー ツイステッドワンダーラン (Dizunī Tsuisuteddo Wandārando) | |
|---|---|
| Manga | |
| Disney Twisted-Wonderland the Comic: Episode of Heartslabyul | |
| Written by | Wakana Hazuki |
| Illustrated by | Sumire Kowono |
| Published by | Square Enix |
| English publisher | |
| Magazine | Monthly G Fantasy |
| Demographic | Shōnen |
| Original run | March 18, 2021 – October 18, 2022 |
| Volumes | 4 |
| Manga | |
| Disney Twisted-Wonderland the Comic: Episode of Savanaclaw | |
| Written by | Suzuka Oda |
| Published by | Square Enix |
| Magazine | Monthly G Fantasy |
| Demographic | Shōnen |
| Original run | December 18, 2022 – present |
| Volumes | 2 |
| Manga | |
| Disney Twisted-Wonderland the Comic: Episode of Octavinelle | |
| Written by | Wakana Hazuki |
| Illustrated by | Sumire Kowono |
| Published by | Square Enix |
| Magazine | Monthly G Fantasy |
| Demographic | Shōnen |
| Original run | August 18, 2023 – present |
| Volumes | 2 |
| Original net animation | |
| Disney Twisted-Wonderland the Animation | |
| Directed by |
|
| Written by |
|
| Studio | |
| Licensed by | Disney Platform Distribution |
| Released | October 2025 – scheduled |
Manga
editA manga adaptation, titled Disney Twisted-Wonderland the Comic: Episode of Heartslabyul, written by Wakana Hazuki and illustrated by Sumire Kowono, was serialized in Square Enix's Monthly G Fantasy magazine from March 18, 2021,[14] to October 18, 2022.[15] It was collected in four tankōbon volumes from September 2021 to December 2022.[16][17] The manga is licensed in English by Viz Media.[18]
A second manga adaptation, titled Disney Twisted-Wonderland the Comic: Episode of Savanaclaw, written and illustrated by Suzuka Oda, began serialization in the same magazine on December 18, 2022.[19]
A third manga adaptation, titled Disney Twisted-Wonderland the Comic: Episode of Octavinelle, again written by Hazuki and illustrated by Kowono began serialization in Monthly G Fantasy on August 18, 2023.[20]
Episode of Heartslabyul
edit| No. | Original release date | Original ISBN | English release date | English ISBN |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | September 27, 2021[16] | 978-4-75-757496-0 | July 11, 2023[18] | 978-1-9747-3914-1 |
| 2 | March 18, 2022[21] | 978-4-75-757823-4 | November 14, 2023[22] | 978-1-9747-4135-9 |
| 3 | July 27, 2022[23] | 978-4-75-758047-3 | March 12, 2024[24] | 978-1-9747-4144-1 |
| 4 | December 27, 2022[17] | 978-4-75-758326-9 | July 9, 2024[25] | 978-1-9747-4146-5 |
Episode of Savanaclaw
edit| No. | Original release date | Original ISBN | English release date | English ISBN |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | July 27, 2023[26] | 978-4-75-758705-2 | — | — |
| 2 | July 26, 2024[27] | 978-4-75-759320-6 | — | — |
Episode of Octavinelle
edit| No. | Original release date | Original ISBN | English release date | English ISBN |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | January 26, 2024[28] | 978-4-75-759022-9 | — | — |
| 2 | August 27, 2024[29] | 978-4-75-759382-4 | — | — |
Novel
editThe first novel adaptation, Disney Twisted-Wonderland: Rose-Red Tyrant (ディズニー ツイステッドワンダーランド EPISODE1 真紅の暴君, Disney Twisted-Wonderland Episode 1: Shinku no Bōkun), written by Jun Hioki, was released on March 18, 2022.[30] The novel is also licensed in English by Viz Media.[31]
The second adaptation, Disney Twisted-Wonderland Episode 2: Kōya no gyaku-sha (The Usurper from the Wilds) also written by Jun Hioki, was released on August 25, 2023.[32]
Anime
editIn October 2021, an anime adaptation was announced.[33][34] The original net animation (ONA) series, titled Disney Twisted-Wonderland the Animation, will be produced by Yumeta Company and Graphinica and directed by Shin Katagai, with Takahiro Natori serving as chief director and overseeing series scripts, Yoichi Kato writing the scripts, and Hanaka Nakano and Akane Satō designing the characters. It will consist of three seasons adapting the manga series and streaming on Disney+, with the first one premiering in October 2025.[35]
Reception
editApproximately 1 million users downloaded the game upon release.[10]
See also
edit- Psychic Detective Yakumo, a novel series whose second manga adaptation was illustrated by Suzuka Oda
- Pretty Boy Detective Club, a novel series whose manga adaptation was illustrated by Suzuka Oda
References
edit- ^ "Official english website of Disney Twisted-Wonderland". Official english website of Disney Twisted-Wonderland. Archived from the original on January 7, 2023. Retrieved January 16, 2023.
- ^ a b "Staff". Disney: Twisted Wonderland. Aniplex. Archived from the original on September 22, 2022. Retrieved November 30, 2021.
- ^ Mateo, Alex (December 20, 2021). "Disney Twisted-Wonderland Smartphone Game Launches in U.S., Canada on January 20". Anime News Network. Archived from the original on December 22, 2021. Retrieved December 22, 2021.
- ^ "Disney: Twisted Wonderland". 【公式】ディズニー ツイステッドワンダーランド（ツイステ） (in Japanese). Aniplex. Archived from the original on November 3, 2022. Retrieved November 30, 2021.
- ^ a b c "Twisted Wonderland Gameplay System". 【公式】ディズニー ツイステッドワンダーランド（ツイステ） (in Japanese). Aniplex. Archived from the original on December 3, 2022. Retrieved November 30, 2021.
- ^ a b スクウェア・エニックス [Square Enix] (September 2020). ディズニーツイステッドワンダーランド 公式ガイド＋設定資料集 Magical Archives (in Japanese). Japan: スクウェア・エニックス [Square Enix]. ISBN 9784757567818.
- ^ Aetas, Inc. "「ディズニー ツイステッドワンダーランド」に新機能"ゲストルーム"を5月30日に実装予定。記念キャンペーンも". 4Gamer.net (in Japanese). Archived from the original on December 3, 2022. Retrieved December 5, 2022.
- ^ Pineda, Rafael Antonio (March 25, 2019). "Disney Twisted-Wonderland Game App Features Story, Designs by Black Butler Creator". Anime News Network. Archived from the original on September 10, 2020. Retrieved March 19, 2020.
- ^ "「AnimeJapan 2019」制作発表ステージをアーカイブ配信いたします。". Disney: Twisted Wonderland. Aniplex. March 23, 2019. Archived from the original on November 30, 2021. Retrieved November 30, 2021.
- ^ a b Sagasan (March 18, 2020). "「ディズニー ツイステッドワンダーランド」の正式サービスがスタート。ここで描かれる"悪役たち"の真の姿とは". 4gamer (in Japanese). Archived from the original on February 5, 2023. Retrieved March 19, 2020.
- ^ @twst_JP. "【お知らせ】 AppStoreとGooglePlayにて、『ディズニー ツイステッドワンダーランド』がダウンロード可能です。 現在アプリを起動頂いても、メンテナンスの状態となっております。 正式サービス開始は、2020年3月18日を予定しております。 正式サービスのご案内まで、どうぞ楽しみにお待ちください。". Twitter (in Japanese). Archived from the original on November 30, 2021. Retrieved November 30, 2021.
- ^ Hodgkins, Crystalyn (March 1, 2020). "Disney Twisted-Wonderland Game App Launches in March". Anime News Network. Archived from the original on March 17, 2020. Retrieved March 19, 2020.
- ^ "ナイトレイブンズがディズニーゲーム主題歌" [Night Ravens perform Disney game's theme song]. Sports Hochi (in Japanese). March 19, 2020. Archived from the original on July 13, 2020. Retrieved March 19, 2020.
- ^ Pineda, Rafael Antonio (February 19, 2021). "Disney: Twisted-Wonderland Game's Main Story Gets 1st Manga Series". Anime News Network. Archived from the original on June 5, 2021. Retrieved February 19, 2021.
- ^ Pineda, Rafael Antonio (September 20, 2022). "Disney Twisted-Wonderland The Comic: Episode of Heartslabyul Manga Ends in Next Chapter". Anime News Network. Archived from the original on September 20, 2022. Retrieved September 20, 2022.
- ^ a b Disney Twisted-Wonderland The Comic Episode of Heartslabyul 1. Square Enix. Archived from the original on March 25, 2023. Retrieved March 25, 2023.
- ^ a b Disney Twisted-Wonderland The Comic Episode of Heartslabyul 4(完). Square Enix. Archived from the original on March 25, 2023. Retrieved March 25, 2023.
- ^ a b "Disney Twisted-Wonderland, Vol. 1". Viz Media. Archived from the original on March 25, 2023. Retrieved March 25, 2023.
- ^ Pineda, Rafael Antonio (October 18, 2022). "Disney Twisted-Wonderland Gets 2nd Manga Series on December 18". Anime News Network. Archived from the original on October 18, 2022. Retrieved October 18, 2022.
- ^ Cayanan, Joanna (July 18, 2023). "Disney Twisted-Wonderland Game Gets 3rd Manga Adaptation". Anime News Network. Archived from the original on July 18, 2023. Retrieved July 18, 2023.
- ^ Disney Twisted-Wonderland The Comic Episode of Heartslabyul 2. Square Enix. Archived from the original on March 29, 2023. Retrieved March 25, 2023.
- ^ "Disney Twisted-Wonderland, Vol. 2". Viz Media. Archived from the original on August 1, 2023. Retrieved August 1, 2023.
- ^ Disney Twisted-Wonderland The Comic Episode of Heartslabyul 3. Square Enix. Archived from the original on April 1, 2023. Retrieved March 25, 2023.
- ^ "Disney Twisted-Wonderland, Vol. 3". Viz Media. Archived from the original on November 23, 2023. Retrieved November 23, 2023.
- ^ "Disney Twisted-Wonderland, Vol. 4". Viz Media. Retrieved March 29, 2024.
- ^ Disney Twisted-Wonderland The Comic Episode of Savanaclaw 1. Square Enix. Archived from the original on June 29, 2023. Retrieved June 29, 2023.
- ^ Disney Twisted-Wonderland The Comic Episode of Savanaclaw 2. Square Enix. Retrieved June 25, 2024.
- ^ Disney Twisted-Wonderland The Comic Episode of Octavinelle 1. Square Enix. Archived from the original on January 6, 2024. Retrieved January 6, 2024.
- ^ Disney Twisted-Wonderland The Comic Episode of Octavinelle 2. Square Enix. Retrieved July 29, 2024.
- ^ Mateo, Alex (January 17, 2022). "Disney Twisted-Wonderland Smartphone Game Gets Novel". Anime News Network. Archived from the original on December 3, 2022. Retrieved December 3, 2022.
- ^ Mateo, Alex (October 13, 2023). "Viz Media Licenses Battle Royale: Enforcers, Naruto: Konoha's/Sasuke's Story, Star Wars: Visions, More Manga". Anime News Network. Archived from the original on October 13, 2023. Retrieved October 16, 2023.
- ^ "小説「ツイステ」の第2弾「荒野の反逆者」が8月に発売、枢やな描き下ろしのレオナ登場". Comic Natalie (in Japanese). Natasha, Inc. Archived from the original on September 3, 2023. Retrieved September 3, 2023.
- ^ Pineda, Rafael Antonio (October 14, 2021). "Disney Twisted-Wonderland Smartphone Game Gets Anime Project". Anime News Network. Archived from the original on October 14, 2021. Retrieved October 14, 2021.
- ^ Pedersen, Erik (October 13, 2021). "Disney+ Slate Of Asia-Pacific Fare Includes Series Led By K-Pop Star Kang Daniel". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on October 14, 2021. Retrieved October 14, 2021.
- ^ Loo, Egan (November 20, 2024). "Twisted Wonderland Anime Unveils Staff, 3-Season Run, October 2025 Debut". Anime News Network. Retrieved November 21, 2024.