NIS America has officially confirmed that it will bring Nippon Ichi Software's dark fantasy side-scrolling adventure game The Grimm Reapress and the Drearytale Monster (Shinigami Hime to Ishokan no Kaibutsu) to Western audiences on May 13, 2027. The title is scheduled to launch across Nintendo Switch, Nintendo Switch 2, PlayStation 5, and PC via Steam, following its Japanese debut on April 30.
Dark Fairy Tale Journey
The game presents a distinctive picture book aesthetic combined with a harrowing narrative. Players step into the shoes of Mono, voiced by Rena Motomura, a young girl living in the attic of an opera house who is abused by her family and sustained only by the kindness of her older sister, voiced by Reina Kondo. Tragedy strikes when the sister contracts Paper Mortis, a virulent affliction that transforms teenage girls into illustrated picture books and ultimately terrifying paper monsters. Confined to a bleak Asylum Library, the sister becomes the catalyst for Mono's perilous journey.
As Mono ventures into the mysterious facility, she encounters distorted realities born from the traumatic memories of infected patients. She forms an uneasy alliance with Mär, a legendary paper monster voiced by Makoto Koichi, who harbors a bitter vendetta against humanity but nonetheless aids Mono in her desperate quest for a cure.
Acclaimed Creative Talent
The development team features notable industry veterans recognized for crafting atmospheric fantasy titles. Kento Jobana, known for work on Phantom Brave: The Lost Hero and Disgaea 7, serves as the director and writer. Character designs and illustrations are crafted by Sayaka Oda, celebrated for visual work on The Cruel King and the Great Hero and The Liar Princess and the Blind Prince.
Musical composition is handled by Takeshi Matsumoto, while renowned artist Akiko Shikata, famous for contributions to the Ar Tonelico series, performs the atmospheric theme song, rounding out an experienced creative pedigree.
