is a Japanese erotic visual novel developed by Pinpai and published by Pink Pineapple, released on September 22, 1999 for Windows. It was adapted into a four-episode animated series by the company from October 27, 2000 to January 25, 2002; the first two of which were localized in North America as Angels in the Court by NuTech Digital.
Gameplay
Being a visual novel, Court no Naka no Tenshi-tachi has characteristically minimal gameplay; it does however incorporate elements similar to a simulation game.
Each girl is equipped with four stats: fitness, technique, tactics and combination. Periodically between scenes, the player is given the chance to coach a specific girl; the offer can, however, be declined. One-on-one coaching increases a specific character's stats while, usually at the end of certain scenes, the player trains the entire team at once.
Scenes are composed of sequential story and character interactions which flow consecutively until the player is presented with actions or responses to choose from. As choices are intricately linked to alternating routes of plot, the direction of the story is changed, leading to erotic scenes between characters and ultimately one of various endings. In order for the player to watch all the possible endings in this regard, he or she will have to effectively replay through the game several times, all the while making different selections.
Plot
Ou Motoura is a Japanese, former national men's volleyball player and celebrity, single, independent, and employed at the fictional as a coach for the boys' volleyball team. When a member is expelled for fighting, the group dissolves, leaving Motoura to transfer to the girls' team instead. The exchange a sullen, unwanted one, with his reputation as a sportsman on the line, Motoura swallows his pride and takes up their training. It is only afterward, however, that he begins to develop feelings for them.
Characters
The main protagonist of the series, Oh Motoura is a twenty-seven-year-old, former volleyball star, semi-retired, and working at Aota Academy as a coach. A fit and handsome bachelor, his life takes an unusual turn when he is reassigned to train the girls' volleyball division, a change he is discontent with. Though his initial impression is an indifferent one, over the course of their training, Motoura is enamored by his new students, such that he becomes romantically involved with them. Of his most interesting features, Motoura is almost never seen without his sunglasses on. In the series, he has spikey silver blue hair and dark grey eyes.
Shou is a student and member of the girls' volleyball team, regarded as the group's leader, best attacker, and who plays left-front. A modest, down-to-earth character, Shou is affectionate, athletic, playful, responsible and spirited. Unlike the rest of the girls, she takes an immediate liking to Motoura, welcoming him as her trainer and being the first to have a crush on him.
Kumi is Shou's capricious sister, also a student and member of the volleyball team who plays front-center as their designated setter. Unlike in the animated series, where she is very much like her sibling, Kumi's incarnation in the game is that of a strict, brash, self-righteous girl with a quick, often loud temper. In spite of her difficult attitude, and much to her denial and vex, Kumi is easily the most sensitive of the group, prone to fits of emotion and grief. 'Voiced by Shayla LaVeaux (anime) Stern and cocksure, Nao is a fellow student and team member who plays front-right. The notably more matured of the group, Nao is outwardly assertive, determined, voluptuous, and unafraid of speaking her mind. Considered one of the better players, coupled with a firm commandment, Nao is the second most admired and respected member behind Shou.
A somewhat nondescript individual, Mayumi is a student who plays back-center. She is noticeably the only nonwhite member of the team and while cheerful, is for the most part an uninvolved character. Mayumi has a hobby of collecting dolls and is good friends with Mio Matsuda.
Kuzuha is a student who plays back-left to center. The most soft-spoken of the team, Kuzuha habitually keeps to herself and generally says very little, although on the court she is noted as a competent player. Sexually abused as a child, at the hands of an undisclosed man, Kuzuha is an obstinate though heterosexual misandrist; a paradox that comes to haunt her when she finds herself attracted to Motoura!