WIXOSS [a] (pronounced whii-kros) is a Japanese Gacha strategy Trading Card Game created by Hobby Japan along with lead game designer Shouta Yasooka, and first published by Takara Tomy on April 2014 in Japan and on November 2021 for English audiences. [1]
The game has spawned a multimedia franchise produced as a collaboration between Takara Tomy, J.C.Staff, and Warner Bros. Entertainment Japan. The stories in multimedia revolves around the eponymous trading card game and follows girls known as Selectors who battle against each other in order to have their wishes granted.
An anime television series by J.C.Staff, titled selector infected WIXOSS, aired in Japan between April and June 2014, with a second season, selector spread WIXOSS, airing between October and December 2014. A compilation film, titled selector destructed WIXOSS, was released on February 13, 2016. A sequel anime television series, titled Lostorage incited WIXOSS, aired from October to December 2016, with its second season, Lostorage conflated WIXOSS, airing from April to June 2018. Another anime television series, titled WIXOSS Diva(A)Live, aired from January to March 2021. Several manga spin-offs, a novelization, and a smartphone app have also been produced.
WIXOSS is a strategy trading card game in which players take control and battle against each other with fighters known as LRIGs (ルリグ, Rurigu, "girl" spelled backwards) separated into three linear lanes, using main deck SIGNI to support them.
Deck composition is made up two decks, Main and LRIG decks:
Before play, players may look at the top five cards in their Main deck and determine which cards are worth keeping and which are worth shuffling and replacing (i.e. shuffle two hand cards, then replace with two new cards from the top of the deck). The cards from the replacement draw are what are kept regardless of satisfaction.
Afterward, both players take seven cards from the top of their main deck, without knowing what they are, and lay them down as their Life Cloth, acting as a shield for the player oneself.
Players lay down three LV-0 LRIGs of choice, face down on the back row of a 2x3 grid. Once the preparations are complete on both sides, both players play a chance based microgame (Coin flip, rock paper scissors, "even or odd" dice roll, ect) to determine the first player, then both proclaim "OPEN!" to formally start the game, reveal their LRIGs, with the first player starting by drawing one card, of which all turns after default to two cards.
After the draw phase, a player may discard one SIGNI of choice from their the hand or field to the Ener Zone. The first turn player cannot attack until their second turn. If a player has any more than 6 cards by the end of their commanding turn, they must trash cards until they only have 6.
The core mechanic of the game is the ability to grow your Main LRIGs from levels zero to three. The higher the level of the Main LRIG, the higher the level of the SIGNI that enter the field are allowed. Also, the higher the combined LRIG team's SIGNI LIMIT becomes, allowing more SIGNI to be on the field at a higher combined level (i.e. SIGNI LIMITs 1+6+1 from your LRIGs will allow SIGNI levels that count to 8 in total or less, becoming a resource that pays and restricts SIGNI levels allowed on the field like allowing no more SIGNI levels that above the number 8 on the field, i.e. SIGNI at levels 2,3,3 would be the SIGNI team composition because they do not count above the limit of 8, nor does a SIGNI team composition of Levels 2,2,1). This allows more stronger SIGNI that use their abilities and effects to poke holes onto your opponent's SIGNI zones and defenses to attack their "Life Cloth", represented by the seven randomized face down cards pulled from the top of the deck at the start of the game.
If luck strikes, a Life Cloth card lost activates a Life Burst ✱ effect from the SIGNI revealed, which will allow the revealing player, unless willingly ignored and discarded the effect, to cast a spell-like effect on the field before leaving to the "Ener Zone".
SIGNI of a higher damage value on the field can vanish a weaker SIGNI to the Ener Zone by shifting the card horizontally to attack. The inverse dynamic does no damage or changes to either player. Cards that are horizontal are considered "Downed", as in they can no longer fight until it is UP'ed at phase the beginning of the acting player's next turn, assuming the Frozen status by an opponent's effect isn't applied to a targeted card for that opening of the turn. Main LRIGs are always capable to attacking directly, ignoring SIGNI (and of course, LRIGs) that stand in the way, and can only be negated by Servant #, the only card in the game with a guard ability.
Ener Zones act as the game's faux-graveyard by also being its main source of restoring Ener, short for energy, allowing for more complex SIGNI effects or higher LRIG growths to be performed by consuming a certain amount of the same or approved Ener color requirements to activate it, with the used card moved to the "trash" deck. Ener can be manually restored by playing cards that list Ener Charge in their effects if their conditions, if any, are satisfied.
If a player runs out of Main Deck cards, they must pay 1 life cloth in order to refresh their trash into a newly shuffled deck and continue playing. The used card is not checked for life bursts or stored for Ener, instead it is immediately discarded to trash.
The first player to take an eighth naked final blow oneself, either from a direct SIGNI or LRIG attack, after their Life Cloth exhausts will be declared the loser.
Other older formats exist where LRIG levels can go higher or require unique mechanics to that format, but are currently not in competitive play, with Diva Selection being the only format released and regularly updated for English audiences.
Such formats include:
The game initially debuted its Japanese release on April 26, 2014. [2] On July 13, 2021, Takara Tomy announced that an English version of the game would begin release from November 2021 based on the newly introduced "WiXoss Diva" format, beginning with the Interlude Diva set based on the WIXOSS Diva(A)Live anime series. Interlude Diva set was released November 6, 2021. Diva Debut Decks and the Glowing Diva set were released December 17, 2021. [3] The Changing Diva set WxDi-P02 was released March 18, 2022. [4] Since then, the game has since collabed with other franchises such as V-tuber agency Nijisanji (CP-01), multimedia music project Den-On-Bu (WXDi-P14) and RTS gacha game Blue Archive (CP-02).
Selector infected WiXoss | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Genre | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Created by |
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Anime television series | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
selector infected WIXOSS | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Directed by | Takuya Satō | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Written by | Mari Okada | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Music by | Maiko Iuchi | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Studio | J.C.Staff | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Licensed by | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Original network | MBS,Tokyo MX,TVA,AT-X,BS11 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Original run | April 3,2014 – June 19,2014 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Episodes | 12 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
The main selector anime series follows a girl named Ruko Kominato, who becomes a Selector after receiving an LRIG that she names Tama. As she and various other Selectors battle it out for the sake of their wish, Ruko finds herself drawn into the dark, sinister world of WIXOSS, discovering that, win or lose, there is always a price to pay. [10] Certain LRIGs are able to communicate with their owners, and the girls chosen to wield them are known as "Selectors" (セレクター, Serekutā). Selectors are given the chance to have any wish granted by winning battles against other Selectors, but should they lose three times, their wish will be reversed into a curse instead.
In the Lostorage, set following the events of selector, Suzuko Homura, a girl who had just returned to her hometown, finds herself drawn into new kind of Selector battle alongside her LRIG Riru. In these battles, which now include male Selectors, players must wager coins representing their memories, and should they lose them all, they will lose all of their memories and effectively disappear.
In WIXOSS Diva(A)Live, which is set in a different universe from the previous two series, WIXOSS battles take place in a virtual world, in which players become Divas and battle in teams of three against other Divas. Hirana Asu forms the team No Limit alongside Rei Sakigake and Akino Onko and aspires to rise to the ranks of Top Diva.
selector infected WIXOSS, produced by J.C.Staff, is directed by Takuya Satō and written by Mari Okada, with character designs by Kyuta Sakai and music by Maiko Iuchi of I've Sound. The first season aired on MBS between April 3 and June 19, 2014, and was simulcast by Funimation in North America [11] and Crunchyroll in other territories outside Japan. [12] The opening theme is "killy killy JOKER" by Kanon Wakeshima [13] and the ending theme is "realize -Yume no Matsu Basho-" (realize -夢の待つ場所-, realize -Where Our Dreams Are Waiting-) by Cyua. A second season, title selector spread WIXOSS aired between October 4 and December 20, 2014. The opening theme is "world's end, girl's rondo" by Wakeshima, whilst the ending theme is "Undo -Ashita e no Kioku-" (Undo -明日への記憶-, Undo -A Memory For Tomorrow) by Cyua. An animated film, selector destructed WIXOSS, was released in Japanese theaters by Warner Bros. Pictures on February 13, 2016. [14]
A new anime project featuring new characters, titled Lostorage incited WIXOSS, aired from October 7 to December 23, 2016, and was simulcast by Crunchyroll. [15] Katsushi Sakurabi is directing the new anime, with Michihiro Tsuchiya writing the scripts, Takamitsu Satou designing the characters, Maiko Iuchi composing the music, and J.C.Staff returning to produce the animation. [16] The opening theme is "Lostorage" by Yuka Iguchi while the ending theme is "undeletable" by Cyua. Another season, Lostorage conflated WIXOSS [17] aired from April 6 to June 22, 2018. The first episode was released as an original video animation bundled with the SP-32 Selector Collection trading card set on December 14, 2017. The opening theme is "Unlock" by Iguchi while the ending theme is "I" by Cyua. [18] [19] [20]
A new television series was announced on March 26, 2020, which was originally set to premiere in 2020. [21] Titled WIXOSS Diva(A)Live, it aired from January 9 to March 27, 2021. [22] Masato Matsune is directing the new anime, with Gō Tamai writing the scripts, Ui Shigure designing the characters, Maiko Iuchi composing the music, and J.C.Staff returning to produce the animation. [23] Crunchyroll licensed the series. [24]
An animated PV celebrating the original anime's 10th anniversary, titled selector loth WIXOSS, was released on YouTube on April 26, 2024. [25]
Four manga spin-off series, written by Okada, are being produced. selector infected WIXOSS -peeping analyze-, illustrated by Manatsu Suzuki, was serialized in Shueisha's Ultra Jump magazine between July 19, 2014, and May 19, 2015. selector infected WIXOSS: Maya no Oheya (selector infected WIXOSS 〜まゆのおへや〜, selector infected WIXOSS: Maya's Room), illustrated by Nini, began serialization in Ultra Jump from August 2014. selector infected WIXOSS -Re/Verse-, illustrated by Meki Meki, was serialized in Square Enix's Monthly Big Gangan magazine between August 25, 2014 and October 24, 2015. selector stirred WIXOSS, illustrated by Monaco Sena, began publication in Hobby Japan's WIXOSS Magazine from April 25, 2015. [26]
A novel written by Madoka Madoka and illustrated by Meiji, titled WIXOSS: Twin Wing, was released in Japan on September 30, 2015. [27] A smartphone game, selector battle with WIXOSS, was released in Japan for Android and iOS on March 31, 2015, and June 8, 2015, respectively. [28] A HTML5 game, titled WIXOSS Multiverse, was launched on the G123 game platform in 2022. [29]
The Yu-Gi-Oh! Trading Card Game is a collectible card game developed and published by Konami. It is based on the fictional game of Duel Monsters created by manga artist Kazuki Takahashi, which appears in portions of the manga franchise Yu-Gi-Oh! and is the central plot device throughout its various anime adaptations and spinoff series.
The Duel Masters Trading Card Game is a two-player or two vs. two team collectible card game (CCG) jointly developed by Wizards of the Coast and Takara Tomy. The card game is part of the Duel Masters franchise.
Duel Masters is a multimedia franchise consisting of multiple manga and anime series, a trading card game, and several video games. It began as a manga adaptation of Magic: The Gathering before branching off in 2002.
Tomy Company, Ltd. is a Japanese toy company. It was established in 1924 by Eiichirō Tomiyama as Tomiyama Toy Manufacturing Company (富山玩具製作所), became known for creating popular toys like the B-29 friction toy and luck-based game Pop-up Pirate. In 2006, Tomy merged with another toy manufacturer, Takara, and although the English company name remained the same, it became Takara Tomy in Asia. It has its headquarters in Katsushika, Tokyo.
Takuya Satō is a Japanese anime screenwriter and director.
Alteil is a story-driven, Flash-based online collectible card game produced by Japanese studio Dex Entertainment and published by Media Blasters. It was released in Japan in 2004, and released in English in 2008. Alteil claims to be the most popular online card game in its home country). The images on the online cards were designed by a team of Japanese fantasy artists, and the playing style is different from many other traditional card games. The game is no longer managed by Dex Entertainment, but is currently managed by GP Core Edge. Recently, this game has been re-released to North America by the company Apocoplay as of October 6, 2012.
Weiß Schwarz is a Japanese collectible card game created by Bushiroad. The game is separated into Weiß-side and Schwarz-side. "Weiß" and "Schwarz" are German for white and black, respectively.
Pretty Rhythm is a Japanese multimedia franchise produced by Syn Sophia and Takara Tomy Arts aimed at girls in elementary school. The Pretty Rhythm franchise was first launched in July 2010 with the rhythm and dress-up arcade game Pretty Rhythm: Mini Skirt. After the original Pretty Rhythm games ended service in July 2014, Takara Tomy began publishing the PriPara spin-off series from 2014 to 2018. It was then followed up by Kiratto Pri Chan in 2018, with all series grouped under the collective name Pretty Series. A spinoff media franchise, King of Prism, was launched in 2016 focusing on the male characters featured in the 2013 anime Pretty Rhythm: Rainbow Live, which was aimed at an older female audience.
Cardfight!! Vanguard is a Japanese multimedia franchise jointly created by Akira Itō, Satoshi Nakamura, Mitsuhisa Tamura, and Bushiroad president Takaaki Kidani. It currently consists of multiple anime television series, an official trading card game, a manga series, and an anime/live action film.
PriPara is a Japanese arcade game by Takara Tomy and the successor of the Pretty Rhythm series of arcade games, as well as the second entry in the Pretty Series. An anime television series adaptation by Tatsunoko Production and DongWoo A&E, comprising three seasons, aired from 2014 to 2017. A second animation adaption, Idol Time PriPara, premiered in 2017 to 2018. A mobile game, Idol Land PriPara, was released in 2023 along with a web series. There were also four animated films produced.
Chinami Hashimoto is a Japanese voice actress from Nagano Prefecture affiliated with VIMS.
"Love Your Enemies" is the ninth single released by Japanese singer and cellist Kanon Wakeshima. The song was used as an ending theme for the film Selector Destructed WIXOSS. The song peaked at number 24 on the Oricon Singles Chart and stayed on the chart for five weeks.
Schoolgirl Strikers is a Japanese social network game developed and published by Square Enix.
Yu-Gi-Oh! VRAINS is a Japanese anime series animated by Gallop. It is the fifth anime spin-off in the Yu-Gi-Oh! franchise. The series aired in Japan on TV Tokyo from May 10, 2017 to September 25, 2019. It was simulcast outside of Asia by Crunchyroll courtesy of Konami Cross Media NY. It premiered in the United States on November 3, 2020 on Pluto TV. The term 'VRAINS' derives from 'Virtual Reality' (VR), 'Artificial Intelligence' (AI), 'Network System' (NS). The series revolves around the exploits of the protagonist Yusaku within the virtual world named VRAINS. In addition to featuring previous summoning mechanics, VRAINS introduces the new "Link Summon" mechanic.
Snack World is a Japanese multimedia franchise created and developed by Level-5. Its consists video games, manga adaptations, a CGI anime series, and a toy line by Takara Tomy.
Pretty Rhythm: All Star Selection is a 2014 Japanese media project produced by Tatsunoko Production and Avex Pictures in cooperation with Takara Tomy and Syn Sophia. The series is part of the Pretty Rhythm franchise and its fourth animated series, focusing on a group of Japanese idols known as "Prism Stars" that combine song and dance with fashion and figure skating.
Shinkansen Henkei Robo Shinkalion is a Japanese toy franchise created by Takara Tomy, in association with the Japan Railways Group. It is a spin-off of the long-running Plarail model train franchise, with the toys first launched back at March 16, 2015. An anime adaptation by OLM aired in all JNN stations in Japan from January 2018 to June 2019. A second anime titled Shinkansen Henkei Robo Shinkalion Z aired from April 2021 to March 2022 on TV Tokyo. A third anime by Signal.MD and Production I.G titled Shinkalion: Change the World premiered in April 2024.
Yu-Gi-Oh! Sevens, stylized as Yu-Gi-Oh! SEVENƧ, is a Japanese anime series animated by Bridge that aired in Japan on TV Tokyo from April 4, 2020, to March 27, 2022. It is the sixth spin-off anime series in the Yu-Gi-Oh! franchise, following Yu-Gi-Oh! VRAINS and commemorates the 20th anniversary of the Yu-Gi-Oh! Duel Monsters anime series.