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AI: The Somnium Files Wiki
For the titular event featured in the game, see here.

AI: THE SOMNIUM FILES - nirvanA Initative (アイ:ソムニウムファイル ニルヴァーナ イニシアチブ, AI: Somuniumu Fairu Niruvaana Inishiachibu) is a sequel to AI: THE SOMNIUM FILES directed by Akira Okada, written by Kotaro Uchikoshi, and developed by Spike Chunsoft. Its release date is June 24th, 2022 (JP), June 24th, 2022 (NA), and July 8th, 2022 (EU) for Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X/S, Xbox One, and Steam. The story follows two pairs of protagonists—an older Mizuki partnered with the returning Aiba, and the rookie Kuruto Ryuki partnered with the new AI-Ball unit Tama—investigating the mysterious case of the Half Body Serial Killings.

The game was initially teased by the Spike Chunsoft Twitter account on June 28th, 2021, under the hashtag #NineEyesTV, linking to a website with various puzzles centered around 9 eyes. Solving all the puzzles revealed the password "Nirvanainitiative", which led to a countdown for June 30th. At 5 PM PDT, the website changed and the announcement trailer for AI: THE SOMNIUM FILES - nirvanA Initiative was revealed.

On September 23rd, the exclusive GoodSmile figure for the Collector's Edition was revealed, featuring Aiba in both her human and hamster form. On November 24th, the cover art for AI: THE SOMNIUM FILES - nirvanA Initiative was revealed, featuring brand new and returning characters. On January 25th of 2022, new information was revealed regarding the main protagonists of the game, revealing the identities of the main leads Kuruto Ryuki and Tama. Just two days later, on January 27th, the first story trailer for the game was released, showcasing many new and returning characters and revealing the release date as June 24th, 2022. On March 10th, Weekly Famitsu released an article featuring new information on the game and an interview with Uchikoshi and Okada; the article featured an in-game image with a QR code, which fans discovered led to the mysterious video "Fray to Free." The gameplay trailer for the game was released on April 5th, showcasing the new mechanics introduced in the Famitsu article.

On May 9th, the European and Australian copies of the console versions were delayed to July 8th due to manufacturing delays and global shipping slowdowns.[1]

Story[]

Six years ago, the right half of a corpse was discovered. The left half was never found…until six years later, completely fresh with no signs of decay. Now, Special Agents Mizuki and Ryuki, along with their AI partners Aiba and Tama, are tasked to solve the bizarre Half Body serial killings while unveiling the mysterious plot known only as the Nirvana Initiative

The story of AI: THE SOMNIUM FILES - nirvanA Initiative is split into two separate halves, following two different pairs of protagonists. In "Side: Ryuki," protagonists Kuruto Ryuki and his AI-Ball Tama of ABIS begin their investigation three months after the events of AI: THE SOMNIUM FILES when the right half of a body appears during a quiz show. "Side: Mizuki" follows returning characters Mizuki and Aiba, beginning six years later, when the body's matching left half is found in a stadium with no sign of decay.

Chapters[]

The game is divided into different chapters, categorized under February 10th to 15th, and also known as "Chapter 0-5". With exception of Chapter 0, each day contains up to 3 subchapters, typically including one Somnium. When the story diverges again after the end of the first Somnium, a suffix such as "R1", "R2", "M2", "M3", etc. will be added after Chapter according to the branch. All subchapters will be divided into two parts: 6 Years Ago and Present.

The events of each "Chapter" change depending on the choices made in previous subchapters and the current branch of the story. There are 48 subchapters in the game, and between 15 to 19 subchapters in a given route (only 8 subchapters in a hidden route). The game's subchapters are listed below, split into their respective routes:

閭。陜カ荵句、「邱ィ END Komeji and Shoma END Explosion END Resolution END Gen and Amame END Kizuna and Lien END
2/10
A Strange Tale
New Investigation
2/10
Dispossessed

2/11
Anyone Imagines
Nefarious Institute
Ought to Know
2/10
Alone

2/11
Pass Mildly Away
Nostalgic Idol
End Where I Begun
2/11
遐エ邯サ逋セ蜃コ
2/12
Nothing to Be Done
Naixatloz's Intentions
Go

2/13
Farewell
Need Info
2/12
Traveler
Necessary Intervention
Left Behind

2/13
The Expense of Spirit
Neurotic Inception
2/13
Joy for Anguish

2/14
I Found Me

Nested Insecurities
2/13
Smiles for Tears

2/14
Well-Known

Nearly Interesting
2/13
Hell

2/14
Visions

Nonentity Incognito
2/13
All Living Things

2/14
Of Arms and Of Man

Novel Ingress
2/15
All This Happened, More or Less
2/14
Past Its Ken
2/14
The Mind of God

2/15
Not All A Dream
Nemesis Identified

She Was the Universe
2/14
In Truth

2/15
Births

Nightmare Irreconcilable

The End of Craving
2/14
Who's There

2/15
All That We Are
2/14
Bid the Soldiers Shoot

2/15
Sweet Silent Thought
2/22
Braver Than All Flowers

Characters[]

The story of AI: THE SOMNIUM FILES - nirvanA Initiative follows two protagonists and their respective AI partners, totalling 4 playable characters. The protagonists are:

  • Mizuki NI transparent
    Special Agent Mizuki Date (VA: Corina Boettger EN, Tomoyo Kurosawa JP): The main protagonist of AI: THE SOMNIUM FILES - nirvanA Initiative. She appears as the protagonist of "Side: Mizuki" in the present (18 years old), and as a supporting character in "Side: Ryuki" 6 years in the past (12 years old). She's ABIS's new Special Agent. A Psyncer who uses the Psync Machine to infiltrate the brains of suspects and key witnesses. Mizuki lost her left eye and is now fitted with a replacement eye equipped with advanced artificial intelligence (the AI-Ball "Aiba"). Despite still being a high school student, her strong physical abilities and clever mind have earned her a special accommodation in ABIS. A returning character from AI: THE SOMNIUM FILES.
  • Aiba NI transparent
    Aiba (VA: Erika Harlacher EN, Akari Kito JP): The main deuteragonist of AI: THE SOMNIUM FILES - nirvanA Initiative and an assistant investigator. She appears as the deuteragonist of "Side: Mizuki" set 6 years in the future (11 years old). Aiba is an autonomous artificial intelligence that usually takes the form of an eyeball residing inside Mizuki's left eye socket. Her job is to assist Mizuki during investigations by connecting to networks to gather information and using special functions such as X-ray and thermographs. Because she has been working as an assistant investigator for a long time, she is adept at reading human psychology and emotional states. A returning character from AI: THE SOMNIUM FILES, where she was previously the partner to Special Agent Kaname Date.
  • Ryuki transparent
    Special Agent Kuruto Ryuki (VA: Stephen Fu EN, Atsushi Tamaru JP): The secondary protagonist of AI: THE SOMNIUM FILES - nirvanA Initiative. He appears as the protagonist of "Side: Ryuki" set 6 years in the past (23 years old), and as a main character in "Side: Mizuki" 6 years in the future (29 years old). He's ABIS's new Special Agent. A rookie investigator with a strong sense of justice. However, he is not the hot-blooded type; he has a reserved and gentle nature. He is a well-educated young man. Unfortunately, both his parents and his brother have passed away... Fighting through his painful past, he aims to solve difficult cases with his partner, Tama, who is implanted in his left eye socket.
  • Tama transparent
    Tama (VA: Anairis Quiñones EN, Ai Kakuma JP): The secondary deuteragonist of AI: THE SOMNIUM FILES - nirvanA Initiative and an assistant investigator. She appears as the deuteragonist of "Side: Ryuki" set 6 years in the past. Like Aiba, she is an AI-Ball equipped with advanced artificial intelligence. She is usually found in Ryuki's left eye socket and supports him in his work. She has a motherly quality to her, being both stern and kind (although she is 90% stern...). She inspires Ryuki by whipping his ass into shape. Purely coincidentally, she is also a sadistic character who literally enjoys whipping ass.

In addition to that, a whole slate of characters appear in AI: THE SOMNIUM FILES - nirvanA Initiative. Some are returning, and some are brand new.

The main characters pivotal to the plot are:

  • AINI Amame Render Fullres
    Amame Doi (VA: Faye Mata EN; Risa Kubota JP): A returning character from AI: THE SOMNIUM FILES. A Sekiba High Senior and "Mermaid" at Sunfish Pocket, appearing at 18 years old in the past.[2] She has a sharp tongue, but is never really malicious. She's in the school dance club with Iris and Kizuna and is friends with Mizuki and Ota. A regular at Brahman and close with Gen.[3][4]
  • AINI Gen Render Fullres
    Gen Ishiyagane (VA: SungWon Cho EN; Yasumichi Kushida JP): A man who runs a restaurant called Brahman World Cuisine (無国籍料理ブラフマン, Mukokusekiryōri Burafuman) in Golden Yokocho in the past and the present. Always wears a mask for some reason. His cooking is excellent. The restaurant is frequented by members of ABIS, such as Mizuki and Ryuki.[4]
  • Komeji clean fullbody
    Andes Komeji (VA: Brent Mukai EN; Shinobu Matsumoto JP) — A former "Quiz King" turned comedian, appearing at 46 years old in the past. He has made some TV appearances but isn’t very successful. He was the host of the game show when the right half of a body suddenly appeared in the studio during the webcast. The appearance of the half body marked the beginning of the Half Body serial killings case.[5][3]
  • AINI Shoma Render Fullres
    Shoma Enda (VA: Greg Vinciguerra EN; Hiromi Igarashi JP): A 6th grader and Komeji’s son, appearing at 12 years old in the past. His parents are divorced. He lives with his poor comedian dad, but despises him. In the same grade as Mizuki, but doesn't seem to have much contact with her.[4]
  • Kizuna clean fullbody
    Kizuna Chieda (VA: AmaLee EN; Emiri Suyama JP) — The daughter of the uber-rich Chieda family, appearing at 18 years old in the past. A senior at Sekiba High, she is a member of the same dance club as Iris: she's even won a contest before. Kizuna is good friends with Iris. Through Iris she is also friends with Mizuki.[5][3]
  • Lien render temp
    Lien Twining (VA: Y. Chang EN; Hidenori Takahashi JP): A locksmith, appearing at 22 years old in the past. A young man who frequents Matsushita Diner, Lien was there when Ryuki went to the diner as part of his investigation. He had recently lost his job, and was alone at the diner, mourning his loss, but found love at first sight with Kizuna and proposed to her on the spot.[6]
  • Tokiko render temp
    Tokiko Shigure (VA: Laura Post EN; Yoko Soumi JP): The President of NAIXATLOZ Japan Branch, appearing at 53 years old in the past. A believer in Simulation Theory, she sincerely believes that the world she lives in is fake and was created by someone. According to her, the purpose of Naix is to find a "seam" that should exist somewhere in this world, to bring down the false world, and to lead people to liberation.[6]
  • Masked Woman render temp
    Masked Woman: A masked assailant that attacks Mizuki at the stadium. She appears to be female based on body shape.[7][3]
  • Date NI holding a porno mag
    Kaname Date (VA: Greg Chun EN; Tarusuke Shingaki JP): the original protagonist of AI: THE SOMNIUM FILES. Date is a Special Agent at ABIS, and Aiba's former partner/host. However, Aiba is no longer in his left eye socket, and instead an eyepatch rests where she once resided. He is stated to play an important role in the story.[8][7][3]
  • Tearer: A mysterious person wearing an iron mask. Claimed to be the culprit of the HB Case.

The secondary supporting cast for the game includes:

  • Chikara render temp
    Chikara Horadori (VA: Frank Todaro EN; Mitsuru Ogata JP): The Director of the Horadori Institute of Genetics, appearing at 60 years old in the past. A brilliant scientist who established the Horadori Institute of Genetics at a young age. The institute mainly researches DNA treatment and gene therapy. As the investigation of the Half Body serial killings progresses, the Institute's involvement with the mysterious "Bats490" video, suspected to be related to the case, emerges. As the director of the institute Horadori also becomes a target of ABIS's investigation.[6]
  • Tama in Boss's boobs

    Boss, with Tama on her boobs

    Boss (VA: Allegra Clark EN; Yuko Kaida JP): A returning character from AI: THE SOMNIUM FILES. ABIS's Commander, appearing at 43 years old in the past and at 49 years old in the present. She is present during the investigations of both halves of Jin Furue's body.[7]
  • Pewter (VA: Sean Chiplock EN; Hiroki Goto JP): A returning character from AI: THE SOMNIUM FILES. ABIS’s engineer and a brilliant mechanic, appearing at 37 years old in the past and 43 years old in the present. He manages and operates the Psync Machine for both Ryuki and Mizuki.[3]
  • Iris NI clean fullbody
    Iris Sagan (VA: Jackie Lastra EN; Nao Shiraki JP): A returning character from AI: THE SOMNIUM FILES. An internet idol affiliated with the talent agency Lemniscate, appearing at 18 years old in the past. Her idol name is A-set, but her fans call her Tesa. She loves the occult and urban legends. Iris is a senior at Sekiba High, and a member of the dance club. Iris and Mizuki were present at the studio when the right half of a body suddenly appeared during the webcast of a game show.[5]
  • Mama (VA: unknown EN; Kenta Miyake JP): A returning character from AI: THE SOMNIUM FILES. Owner of the bar Marble in Golden Yokocho, Shinjuku, appearing at 36 years old in the past. She also works as an information broker in the criminal underworld, and has taken up fortune-telling as a side business.[8][3]
  • Riichi Chieda: Kizuna's father, appearing at 54 years old in the past. Founder of the Chieda Foundation and Aioen Orphanage, and shareholder of Horadori Institute of Genetics.
  • The Half Body victim

    Jin Furue's body

    Jin Furue: The president of Music Food and the first victim of the Half Body Serial Killings, seemingly killed 6 years ago. His right half was found at Studio Dvaita, where his body is caught in an explosion, witnessed by the 12-year-old Mizuki. However, in present day, his left half was found in an empty sports stadium by the 18-year-old Mizuki.[7]

Minor characters who are mentioned or make occasional appearances include:

  • Ota Matsushita (VA: Zach Aguilar EN; Natsumi Fujiwara JP): A returning character from AI: THE SOMNIUM FILES. A Net Idol otaku, NEET, and enthusiastic follower of Iris, appearing at 24 years old in the past. He has taken up in managing the newly reopened Matsushita Diner.[8][3]
  • Moma Kumakura (VA: Kaiji Tang EN; Wataru Takagi JP): A returning character from AI: THE SOMNIUM FILES. The chairman of the Kumakura Family, appearing at 48 years old in the past. He attends a gameshow with Chinpei Wagai, Iris Sagan, and Mizuki Date, where the right half of Jin Furue's body is found.[8]
  • Hitomi Sagan: A returning character from AI: THE SOMNIUM FILES. Iris's mother, appearing at 37 years old in the past. Her right arm was injured in an incident in the past, so she cannot move it.[3]
  • So Sejima: A returning character from AI: THE SOMNIUM FILES. A former congressman, a member of the post-war generation, appearing at 61 years old in the past. He retired from politics after the Cyclops Serial Killings, but remains a huge influence in society.
  • Detective Mikoto Ushidera: An investigator present at both crime scenes, attempting to solve and understand the mystery of Jin Furue's murder, appearing at 42 years old in the past and at 48 years old in the present.
  • Chinpei Wagai: A returning character from AI: THE SOMNIUM FILES. A former member of the Kumakura Family, appearing at 24 years old in the past. He attends a gameshow with Moma Kumakura, Iris Sagan, and Mizuki Date, where the right half of Jin Furue's body is found.[3]
  • Taxi Driver: A returning character from AI: THE SOMNIUM FILES. A taxi driver who specializes in driving celebrities and entertainers, appearing at 55 years old in the past.

Gameplay[]

Much like the previous game, players take the role of Special Agents Mizuki and Ryuki as they explore Tokyo in search of clues, witnesses, and suspects. The gameplay is split between investigation in the real world and investigation of dream worlds, or Somnia.

In real-world investigations, the player moves the cursor to select objects and people in order to interact with them. Aiba and Tama come with unique AI Sight functions, such as the returning Zoom, X-ray, and Thermo. A new mechanic called "Virtual Reality" has been added, in which the protagonists explore a virtual recreation of a crime scene, and the additional "Truth Reenactment" sees them piece together what happened there and recreate the sequence of events. Another new mechanic is Wink Psync, a simplified form of Psyncing that allows a quick six-second peek into a character's thoughts to determine if they may be lying or withholding information.

In Somnium investigations, the player must complete puzzles within a six minute time limit, and interacting with objects consumes a set amount of time. Taking certain actions may cause the story to branch in different directions, but running out of time will result in a game over. The TIMIE mechanic and progression through Mental Locks return, but quality of life improvements are introduced, such as toggling the flowchart on or off, toggling the TIMIEs to be visible, and icons signaling what objects to interact with. Movement in Somnia is expanded with the addition of swimming underwater and flying through the air. NirvanA Initiative features a new "Key" system, in which hints about the rules of a character's Somnium are gradually revealed through further investigation. Once all branches of a Somnium have been completed, it is possible to replay it in "Unlimited Psync" mode, which removes the time limit entirely.

Additionally, the game features several difficulty modes that affect time usage in Somnium, as well as the difficulty of quick time events.

Bonus features include Eyeballie, a digital pet-raising game, and Aiba/Tama's room, where the player can receive counseling from the current protagonist's AI-Ball or dress them up in unlockable costumes.

Version Differences[]

Depending on the region and console, different versions of the game will include different audio tracks and/or text options. Below is a chart that lays out all the available options for each region and console:

Audio Tracks Text Options
EN JP EN JP CT CS
NA/EU Switch Yes Yes Yes No No No
PS4 Yes Yes Yes No No No
JP/Asia Switch No Yes No Yes Yes Yes
PS4 No Yes No Yes Yes Yes
Global Steam Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Xbox Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Windows Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes

Editions[]

The game is planned to release in at two separate editions on consoles: a Standard Edition and a Collector's Edition. To compensate, the Steam release also includes a Deluxe Edition with its own set of bonuses.

Standard Edition[]

AI Nirvana Initiative Standard Edition New

Standard Edition

The Standard Edition is the version of the game that will be available on all regions. It will be sold at the starting price of $59.99 USD, the standard price for all console video games. It comes with the game itself within the standard box. This version will be available on Nintendo Switch, Playstation 4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, and Steam, with physical versions for the Switch, PS4, and Xbox One being confirmed so far. It is planned to release on June 24th, 2022.

Collector's Edition[]

The Collector's Edition is an upgraded edition of the game, featuring many bonus materials and collectibles. It will be sold at $119.99 USD and is currently only announced for North America. This edition will be sold for the Nintendo Switch, Playstation 4, and Xbox One.

The Collector's Edition comes with:

  • A Collector's Edition outer box featuring an original box artwork design by Yūsuke Kozaki
  • Physical copy of AI: THE SOMNIUM FILES - nirvanA Initiative
  • SECRET OF THE WORLD: THE DEFIniTIVE ART BOOK: collection of concept art and illustrations by Yūsuke Kozaki
  • HARMOniOUS DISCORD: official soundtrack by returning composer Keisuke Ito
  • An exclusive Good Smile Company POP UP PARADE ~170mm PVC figure of the beautiful AI-Ball “Aiba”

Deluxe Edition[]

AINI Deluxe Edition

The Deluxe Edition is a special Steam-only bundle of the game, featuring downloadable content which is discounted at 21%, at $70.26 USD. The contents are as follows:

  • Digital download of AI: THE SOMNIUM FILES - nirvanA Initiative — $59.99 USD
  • Digital download of AI: THE SOMNIUM FILES —nirvanA Initiative— Complete Soundtrack — $19.99 USD
  • Three sets of downloadable content — $2.99 USD each, collectively $8.97 USD:
    • AI: THE SOMNIUM FILES - nirvanA Initiative DLC Kimono Set: includes special Kimono costumes for Aiba and Tama.
    • AI: THE SOMNIUM FILES - nirvanA Initiative DLC Monochrome Set: includes a special black palette swap costume for Aiba and a white palette swap costume for Tama.
    • AI: THE SOMNIUM FILES - nirvanA Initiative DLC B-Movie Horror Set: includes three special pairs of costumes for Aiba and Tama, one pair of zombie makeup, one pair of gas masks (based on the Zero mask from the Zero Escape series), and one pair of shark headgear.

Store-Exclusive Pre-order Bonuses (Japanese exclusive)[]

Exclusive to Japan, special retailers will include their own exclusive items available when pre-ordering the game at their stores. The retailers and rewards in question are:

  • Amazon JP Store: Exclusive Tama PC wallpaper and Aiba smartphone wallpaper (it is unclear if there's alternating wallpapers for the characters)
  • Otakara Hajime-ko (お宝創庫, lit. "Treasure House") stores: Exclusive Aiba button badge in her AI-Ball form
  • Rakuten stores: Two exclusive Aiba and Tama acrylic stands, one per each character and both appearing in their AI-Ball forms

Downloadable Content[]

The game will feature special downloadable content, 3 sets available for $2.99 USD, and 2 special sets available for free for a limited time during the first 3 weeks of the game's launch. The costumes included are:

  • Hot Dog Costume Set (Free) — A full-body hot dog costume that cover everything but their faces and limbs. The ketchup and mustard trails make an interlocking twisting design similar to a strand of DNA, a common theme in nirvanA Initiative.
  • 3 Pattern T-Shirt Set (Free) — Three white T-shirts with different designs at the front. Both Aiba and Tama wear these shirts on top of their normal clothing, with their skirts peeking out the bottom of the shirts. The designs are:
    • The word 熱海 Atami in both Japanese and English.
    • An image of Aiba or Tama (depending on who wears it) with a galactic background behind them.
    • An art design of Kaname Date, Boss, Pewter, and Araya Kagami all facing towards the left side of the image as they scream out in glee.
  • Kimono Set ($2.99 USD) — A special purple kimono for Aiba and a special orange-to-red kimono for Tama, both adorned with special floral designs and floral headgear.
  • Monochrome Set ($2.99 USD) — Palette swap costumes for Aiba and Tama, black for Aiba and white for Tama.
  • B-Movie Horror Set ($2.99 USD) — Three special costume options for Aiba and Tama:
    • Zombie makeup: special makeup for Aiba and Tama that make them look like zombies.
    • Special gas mask: a special headgear designed like the gas mask worn by the villain Zero from the Zero Escape series.
    • Shark costume: a special headgear where Aiba and Tama have a shark doll biting onto their heads.

Full summary[]

TBA

Videos[]

AI-_THE_SOMNIUM_FILES_-_nirvanA_Initiative_-_Announcement_Trailer

AI- THE SOMNIUM FILES - nirvanA Initiative - Announcement Trailer

AI-_THE_SOMNIUM_FILES_-_nirvanA_Initiative_Story_Trailer

AI- THE SOMNIUM FILES - nirvanA Initiative Story Trailer

AI-_THE_SOMNIUM_FILES_-_nirvanA_Initiative_Gameplay_Trailer

AI- THE SOMNIUM FILES - nirvanA Initiative Gameplay Trailer

AI-_THE_SOMNIUM_FILES_-_nirvanA_Initiative_Character_Trailer

AI- THE SOMNIUM FILES - nirvanA Initiative Character Trailer

Articles and Interviews[]

Here's a list of listed articles and interviews in relation to the game:

Gallery[]

Official promotional images for AI: THE SOMNIUM FILES - nirvanA Initiative:

The first batch promotional images from the official website and January Press Release:

Second batch of promotional images from Weekly Famitsu's March article. Some images are currently only in Japanese:

Third batch of promotional images from Spike Chunsoft's April Press Release:

Fourth batch of promotional images from Weekly Famitsu's April issue and Spike Chunsoft's May Press Release:

Fifth batch of promotional images from the Playstation Store, exclusively available in Asian countries:

Sixth batch of promotional images released alongside the Character Trailer:

Seventh batch of promotional images released for the May 2022 Somnium Elements Press Release:

Eighth batch of promotional images released for the June 2022 Characters Press Release:

Trivia[]

Etymology[]

  • Much like in the previous entry, the name AI: THE SOMNIUM FILES covers various meanings, with AI meaning "artificial intelligence," the words "eye," "I," and "愛 (Ai)", and an upside down VI (6), and Somnium Files referring to "dreams" and "case files".
  • The sub-subtitle, nirvanA Initiative, holds its own significance:
    • The letters A and I are the only ones capitalized in the title, placed at the end and beginning of each word, separated by a space. It's in reference to the main title, "AI," as well as the Half Body serial killings, in which the bodies are found separated, vertically cut in half.
    • The standard initials, N and I, stand in for the Japanese number "二, ni" (two (2)), in reference to this being the second game in the AI: THE SOMNIUM FILES series.
      • The character "二" is repeated three times in the game's title, twice in just the nirvanA Initiative subtitle.
    • The Nirvana Initiative is "a mysterious plot" that Mizuki and Ryuki must investigate over the course of the game.
  • The series title for AI: THE SOMNIUM FILES in Japanese is different in this game than in the previous entry. Before, the JP title was "AI:ソムニウムファイル", but in nirvanA Initiavite it's now "アイ:ソムニウムファイル", making the "AI" no longer romanized. This may have been changed due to confusions on the JP spelling of the name in the game's cover, which originally only included "ソムニウムファイル" below the English words.

General[]

  • In the game's announcement trailer, Mizuki is seen playing on a portable console, of which it holds various significance:
    • The console itself seems reminiscent of either a Playstation Vita or a Nintendo Switch, although the joystick and button layout does not match either.
    • The console is adorned with an Adorabbit sticker. Adorabbit is Mizuki's favorite mascot from her time in AI: THE SOMNIUM FILES.
    • The game Mizuki is seen playing is the HD remake of Zero Escape: Nine Hours Nine Persons Nine Doors, featured in the Zero Escape: The Nonary Games collection. Kotaro Uchikoshi, series creator and scenario writer for nirvanA Initiative, is also the creator of the Zero Escape series, which is his most popular work in the West.
    • Mizuki plays her game atop the Okiura Fishery Cold Storage Warehouse, located in the Harbor Warehouse District. In AI: THE SOMNIUM FILES, the Warehouse is owned by her father, and various incidents occur in or near the warehouse throughout the original game.
  • According to Kotaro Uchikoshi:
    • He finished writing the game's entire scenario by November, presumably 2020, 8 months prior to the game's announcement.[9]
    • nirvanA Initiative contains "almost no spoilers" to the events of AI: THE SOMNIUM FILES, which he exclaims is due to "a little gimmick in the game.[10]
  • On January 3rd, 2020, one and a half years before nirvanA Initiative was revealed, Kotaro Uchikoshi asked on Twitter if fans would be interested in playing a sequel to the original AI. The tweet obtained nearly 500 Likes, more than 100 retweets, and over 100 replies with an overabundant request for a sequel. This tweet most likely factored heavily into nirvanA Initiative getting green-lit into production.[11]
  • Visual Novel director and scenario writer Takumi Nakazawa has stated that he assisted in nirvanA Initiative's development. Nakazawa debuted in the video game industry alongside Kotaro Uchikoshi and have developed many games as a director/writer pair, partiuclarly the Infinity series and World's End Club. Nakazawa and Uchikoshi currently both work at Tookyo Games while assisting in development for nirvanA Initiative.[12]
  • The four free DLC costumes are based off popular memes, some tied to AI: THE SOMNIUM FILES:
    • The Hot Dog costume is based off a "Weenie Man" meme song,[13] which became popular in the AI fandom from a meme focused around the culprit of the original game (WARNING: spoilers for the original game).[14]
    • The White T-shirt with Atami on it is based off the Date's Atami Date Route from the original game, which became a popular joke among the fandom.
    • The White T-shirt with the images of Tama or Aiba with a galaxy background is based off the "Cat Transcendence"/"The Prophecy Is True Cat" meme, where cat exaggeratedly reacts to a flower in a video.[15]
    • The White T-shirt with the images of Date, Boss, Pewter, and Kagami yelling excitedly is based off the "Reaction Guys"/"Gaijin 4-koma" meme, where 4 guys are excitedly reacting to something off screen towards the left, all sitting on a couch.[16]

External Links[]

Navigation[]

AI: THE SOMNIUM FILES - nirvanA Initiative
Media
AI: THE SOMNIUM FILES - nirvanA InitiativeHARMOniOUS DISCORD SoundtrackSECRET OF THE WORLD: THE DEFIniTIVE ART BOOK
Characters
Mizuki DateAibaKuruto RyukiTamaMasked Woman (True Identity) • Amame DoiGen IshiyaganeKizuna ChiedaLien TwiningAndes KomejiShoma EndaTokiko ShigureTearerKaname Date
Chikara HoradoriBossPewterMamaIris SaganOta MatsushitaMoma KumakuraJin FurueRiichi Chieda
So SejimaHitomi SaganUru SomezukiMarcoDetectiveInspectorMamoru BodaiNurseChinpei WagaiDokuta YoganoReceptionistTaxi DriverHoradori ResearchersNaix MembersForeign MercenariesPolicemenSpecial Assault Team
Locations
Tokyo

Chiyoda District: Police Headquarters (Boss's Office, Psync Room, Interrogation Room) • Sunfish PocketSekiba High
Chuo District: Horadori Institute of Genetics (Underground, Hostage Room) • Naixatloz Japan Branch (President's Office, Cathedral)
Koto District: Harbor Warehouse DistrictDate Residence
Minato District: Studio DvaitaAioen OrphanageIkume ShrineKumakura OfficeSejima ResidenceCentral Hospital
Shibuya District: Lemniscate Entertainment OfficesYoyagi Park
Shinagawa/Kabasaki District: Matsushita DinerSagan ResidenceEnda ResidenceKabasaki Chemical Plant
Shinjuku District: Golden Yokocho (Marble, Brahman World Cuisine) • Misetan Department StoreTokyo National Stadium

Somnia
New Investigation (Spoiler)
Nefarious Institute (Spoiler) • Naixatloz's Intentions (Spoiler)
Need Info (Spoiler) • Nested Insecurities (Spoiler)
Nearly Interesting (Spoiler) • Nemesis Identified (Spoiler)
Nostalgic Idol (Spoiler) • Necessary Intervention (Spoiler)
Neurotic Inception (Spoiler) • Nonentity Incognito (Spoiler)
Novel Ingress (Spoiler) • Nightmare Irreconcilable (Spoiler)
Chapters
Converge Chapter: A Strange Tale

Side Ryuki:
DispossessedAnyone ImaginesOught to KnowNothing to Be DoneGoFarewell
Komeji and Shoma Route: Joy for AnguishI Found MePast Its Ken
Explosion Route: Smiles for TearsWell-KnownThe Mind of GodNot All A DreamShe Was the Universe
閭。陜カ荵句、「邱ィ Route: 遐エ邯サ逋セ蜃コAll This Happened, More or Less
Side Mizuki:
AlonePass Mildly AwayEnd Where I BegunTravelerLeft BehindThe Expense of Spirit
Gen and Amame Route: All Living ThingsOf Arms and Of ManWho's ThereAll That We Are
Kizuna and Lien Route: Bid the Soldiers ShootSweet Silent Thought
Resolution Route: HellVisionsIn TruthBirthsThe End of CravingBraver Than All Flowers

Organizations
Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department (Advanced Brain Investigation Squad) • AMABIE-TVChieda FamilyHoradori Institute of GeneticsNaixatlozOrder of %
Items
Psync MachineWadjet System • Mizuki's enhanced pipe • EvolverEvolver MC
Bats490Fray to FreeNirvana TrialNirvana XTC-PERGE
Mizuki's ScooterRyuki's Limousine
RobotaRoboji
Events
Half Body Serial KillingsNirvana Initiative
Full List of Events

References[]

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