Dive headfirst into a bloody, neon-soaked nightmare. Indie developer Mango Factory has just revealed the full voice cast for its upcoming Danganronpa-inspired title, Kumitantei: Old School Slaughter, along with the release of a brand-new playable demo for Steam Next Fest.
Following a successful Kickstarter campaign in 2024, the studio is now gearing up for an Early Access launch this fall, and it’s bringing a full cast of eccentric, fully voiced characters with it—including actress and singer Elsie Lovelock (Hazbin Hotel, Murder Drones), who performs the game’s stylish city pop theme.
🎙️ Meet the Cast of Madness
Set in a dystopian 1986 Empire of Japan, Kumitantei: Old School Slaughter traps 16 uniquely talented Absolute Students in a rotting nuclear bunker, all pawns in a twisted “Apathy Experiment” run by a deranged, two-faced cat named Nyanus.
Players step into the role of Himari Sanada, a shy barista turned reluctant detective, forced to earn the trust of classmates, investigate grisly murders, and uncover the killer hiding among them—all while surviving the psychological toll of the Clinical Trial, the game’s climactic card-based debates.
The newly announced voice cast includes:
- 🎤 Mia Paige (Fatal Fury: City of the Wolves) as protagonist Himari
- 🎤 Joshua Waters (Honkai: Star Rail) as brooding ally Moichiro
- 🎤 Jordan Dash Cruz (Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End) as the sinister Nyanus
- 🎶 Elsie Lovelock providing vocals for the game’s ’80s-inspired city pop soundtrack
🎴 Murder, Memory, and Card Battles
Kumitantei isn’t just a visual novel—it’s a full-fledged card battler built around deduction, trust, and debate. Your social choices matter: spending time with fellow students and giving them thoughtful gifts can unlock new Talent Cards and give you an edge in confrontations.
Key mechanics include:
- 🔍 Debate Cards: Attack your opponent’s logic in heated 1v1 card battles.
- 🧠 Trust System: Build bonds to strengthen your deck and uncover secrets.
- 🃏 The Final Word: Deliver the decisive blow with evidence you’ve gathered.
- 🎮 Mini-Games: Enjoy retro challenges like Merlite, inspired by Donkey Kong.
🧪 What’s in the Demo?
Now live for Steam Next Fest, the Kumitantei demo includes:
- 🗣️ A fully voiced Prologue to set the stage.
- 🎴 A customizable Card Battle Debate featuring four distinct characters.
- 🎮 The Merlite minigame, a retro platformer callback with a dark twist.
Players can experience the tension, the style, and the storytelling before the game’s Early Access Episode 1 arrives later this year.
🔍 Episode 1 Highlights (Early Access Coming Fall 2025)
- Solve your first high-stakes murder case in the chilling Apathy Experiment.
- Meet and interact with 16 fully voiced Absolute Students.
- Investigate detailed crime scenes and unlock unique dialogue paths.
- Boost Trust levels for gameplay bonuses and new Talent Cards.
- Engage in dramatic card battle showdowns during the Clinical Trial.
- Enjoy the game’s distinct retro anime aesthetic, drenched in blood and nostalgia.
🎮 Wishlist Now, Join the Trial Later
Kumitantei: Old School Slaughter will launch in Early Access on Steam in Fall 2025. Until then, get involved by playing the demo, wishlisting the game, and joining the community.
📌 Steam Page: Wishlist Now
📲 Follow Mango Factory for More
Visit Mango Factory’s socials for more updates.
