- Game: Hanako’s Flower Shop
- Developer/Publisher: FantaJI Games
- Review Platform: Steam
- Release Date: 25th April 2025
Author’s Note: A Game Key for Hanako’s Flower Shop was kindly provided by The IndiEXP
Hanako’s Flower Shop is an upcoming visual novel simulation launching on 25th April 2025. This is the first game from FantaJI Games, and it’s shaping up to be a wholesome and heartwarming release!
During your time in the game, you’ll find yourself running a flower shop. Crafting a variety of different bouquets using the language of flowers. Take note of the stories customer’s tell and help shape Hanako’s journey as she struggles to know which direction to head in to help honour her Grandpa’s legacy.
Hanako’s Grandpa was a much respected and well known florist, however, she is overcome with worry that she’ll be good enough to uphold his reputation and greatness. With each and every bouquet she creates will showcase her understanding and connection with emotions and possibilities. It’s a way to help her connect with her customers to bring them comfort through flowers.
Hanako’s Flower Shop Features
While described as a visual novel with some simulation and resource management elements, the game still packs in plenty of features. From learning the language of flowers, a colourful cast of characters, a non-linear narrative, gorgeous Anime-inspired graphics and overall a heartwarming story about self discovery.
Now, let’s get into the game!
A Journey Told Through Flowers
Hanaoko’s Flower Shop is a game that’s had my interest for some time. A tale that takes you through a journey of upholding your family legacy, but one that takes you on a more personal journey of your own self development and discovery.
Upon starting this tale, you are greeted by a much younger Hanako and her Grandpa. Talking about dreams and how one day she wishes to be like her Grandpa. Running a flower shop and crafting flower bouquets. Fast-forward, and that dream becomes a reality.
Already from the get-go, you can see how much the relationship between Hanako and her Grandpa means to both of them. The admiration and respect they have is portrayed wonderfully through the opening moments of the game. While the game does touch on Hanako’s parents and what they do, the game provides additional story to explain why she decided to stay with her Grandpa as opposed to city life.
Even in the opening hour or so of the game, you’ll find yourself learning about how to create different bouquets, seeing which flowers match various emotions, collecting flowers and ensuring you have an ample amount of stock. In a way, it’s a tutorial on the go, and it’s done in such a way that it flows with the story itself. In no way is it overwhelming but eases you in nicely.
What surprised me, was what I would call a mini-game when Hanako is tasked to collect more flowers. Being able to freely walk around the field, to discover the various flowers you need except, you pick the ones you want based on its stats. It’s always handy to check your inventory first in case you need some specific. Simply by using the mouse to navigate around, you can quickly and easily fill up your basket with everything you need!
As well as ordering in more stock to come via a courier and heading out into the garden to plant seeds, and it does make for a unique experience within a visual novel game.
But what about crafting the bouquets?
Creating each bespoke bouquet is very easy, however, paying attention to the customer’s story and picking out the emotions is where you unlock the key to the perfect final product. It’s not too difficult to figure out what kind of flowers you’ll need. From the bouquets that I’ve made in the game so far, I’ve been able to fulfil the customer’s needs and create bouquets that replicate the emotions and possibilities that they’ve described in their stories.
If you get stuck on what themes/emotions you should be trying to convey through the floral arrangement, you can always use the Conversation Log or the Memo Pad to keep notes. These have come in handy for me a few times. However, don’t worry if you don’t quite get the right flowers first time around, as the game will advise you on an alternative option to ensure you create the best possible bouquet!
Even at this point in the game, I’ve been enjoying crafting a variety of different floral bouquets, as well as listening to the stories from various characters.
Speaking of characters, each one that I’ve met in the story has truly been a one of a kind character. Each with their on flair and personality, making each stand out from one another. No two characters seem alike, and it’s even left me wondering about how the recipients or others would feel about seeing the bouquets once they had been made.
Without going into the finer details of the story and spoiling parts of the narrative, it is a truly lovely story, very heartwarming and wholesome. I’ve really enjoyed it. Yes, it does touch on themes of loss, grief and death of a loved one and this is pre-warned at the start of the game, but it’s done in such a way that you see that in a different light. The conversations in general and on the themes just mentioned all help you shape Hanako’s journey. Help her discover herself, follow her dreams and use her passion of communicating through flowers.
It has certainly been an interesting journey, ensuring I’m choosing what I feel are the right options for Hanako’s journey. Picking the correct flowers, honouring Grandpa’s legacy. There’s no right or wrong answer, and that’s okay when it comes to choosing options during conversation moments. I did find myself wondering a couple of times if I had chosen the right options, however, it’s all part of the journey for Hanako for herself and as a florist.
In a way, you find yourself making connections with the various characters, relating to what they are saying, and I think that helps you as you help Hanako on her journey.
I think it’s safe to say, that if you are looking for a beautiful, cosy and relaxing visual novel to explore then Hanako’s Flower Shop is for you! With such gorgeous Anime inspired art-style, soothing soundtrack and a narrative that you can connect with, it’s the perfect game to add to your collection. Alternatively, if you are new to the visual novel genre, this would be a wonderful introduction to this style of game.
The time that I’ve spent with the game has been a truly wonderful gaming experience, and I can certainly see myself coming back to explore more options to help shape Hanako’s journey.
Hanako’s Flower Shop releases on Steam on 25th April 2025. You can wishlist the game now on Steam or take a look at the game’s demo. For full details, click here to check out the Steam Page for the game.
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