History Creator / KeyVisualArts

* ''The Day I Became a God'' (2020): An upcoming AnimeFirst project.

Most of its games have been adapted into animation. They seem to have had overlapping deals with Creator/ToeiAnimation and Creator/KyotoAnimation, as both studios have adapted the same works. In 2002, Toei made a [[TwelveEpisodeAnime 13-episode anime]] of ''VisualNovel/{{Kanon}}''; four years later, [=KyoAni=] made their (much better received) 26-episode series. Toei's theatrical version of ''VisualNovel/{{Air}}'' – which cut out many of the characters and changed the dynamic to a more overtly romantic story, but was directed by anime legend Creator/OsamuDezaki – came out in early 2005 while [=KyoAni's=] TwelveEpisodeAnime was running on TV. In Fall 2007, Toei's ''VisualNovel/{{Clannad}}'' movie – again directed by Dezaki, in what would turn out to be his final project – premiered less than three weeks before [=KyoAni's=] highly-praised TV series[[note]] (directed by Tatsuya Ishihara, the same guy who directed ''Air'' and ''Kanon''… and also ''LightNovel/HaruhiSuzumiya'')[[/note]] hit television. In general, Toei's versions are {{compressed adaptation}}s that aim to [[AdaptationDistillation alter plot elements to focus on a single plot]], while [=KyoAni=] cuts less out and is much more faithful to the games' stories. The [[FanNickname KeyAni]] partnership seems to be over for now, as Creator/PAWorks did the animation for ''Anime/AngelBeats'' in 2010, and the ''VisualNovel/LittleBusters'' adaption was made under the direction of Creator/JCStaff.

* ''VisualNovel/{{Kanon}}'' (Adapted into two TV series, light novels, and a manga.)
* ''VisualNovel/{{AIR}}'' (Adapted into ''AIR'' and ''AIR in Summer'', as well as a movie and a manga; the setting was used for the ''Kanon''/''AIR'' {{crossover}} manga, ''Kanon & AIR Sky''.)
* ''VisualNovel/{{CLANNAD}}'' (Adapted into ''CLANNAD'' and ''CLANNAD ~[=after story=]~'', as well as a movie, manga, and 2 AlternateUniverse bonus episodes following Tomoyo and Kyou's routes.)
** ''Tomoyo after: It's a Wonderful Life'' (Adapted into a manga called ''CLANNAD ~ Tomoyo After: Dear Shining Memories''.)
* ''[[VisualNovel/{{Planetarian}} Planetarian ~the reverie of a little planet~]]''
* ''VisualNovel/LittleBusters'' (Adapted into manga and an anime.)
** ''Kud Wafter'' (Like ''Tomoyo After'', it's a spinoff sequel based on a minor heroine.)
* ''VisualNovel/{{Rewrite}}'' (Adapted into a manga with an anime adaption set to air during Summer 2016.)
** Rewrite: Harvest Festa (A Fan Disc set after the events of the first game. Similar to ''Tomoyo After'', but each girl has a story instead of the game focusing on just one.)
* ''Anime/AngelBeats'' (AnimeFirst, but it was later announced that there would be a VisualNovel adaption of the anime split into six volumes. The first volume was released on June 26, 2015 as ''Angel Beats! -1st beat-''.)
* ''Anime/{{Charlotte}}'' (An AnimeFirst project.)
* ''VisualNovel/{{Harmonia}}'' ([[MilestoneCelebration 15th anniversary project]].)
* ''VisualNovel/SummerPockets''

Key is also known for its seasonal imagery in its more famous works. ''Kanon'' makes full use of SnowMeansLove and [[TropeCodifier may have defined]] the modern [[ProneToTears Sad Girl In Snow]]; ''AIR'' does the same for Summer, and ''CLANNAD'' for Spring, though [[SnowMeansDeath snow appears and plays a darker role]]. They're not limited to seasonal settings, though; ''planetarian'' was set in a {{Dystopia}} where robots had taken over the world and one good RobotGirl without a purpose hid in a planetarium with a refugee, and ''Anime/AngelBeats!'' is set in what appears to be a world where no one can die (affectionately dubbed as Purgatory).

* ''Anime/AngelBeats'' (Originally an AnimeFirst, but it was later announced that there would be a VisualNovel adaption of the anime split into six volumes. The first volume was released on June 26, 2015 as ''Angel Beats! -1st beat-''.)

* BromanticFoil: It's usual for protagonists to have just one male friend, almost always a ButtMonkey, whose plot relevance is somewhere between moderate and very low.

* CoitusEnsues: Don't expect a Key game sex scene to impact the plot in any way, with the notable exception of the sex scene where the distant ancestor of [[spoiler: Kunisaki Yukito]] is conceived in Medieval Japan to carry on the legacy of [[spoiler: saving Kanna’s soul from an eternity of reincarnation into lives of sadness.]]
* ColourCodedForYourConvenience: Key seems to have a colouring scheme to determine what year a character is in. Green is freshman, red is junior, and blue is senior.[[note]] Japanese high schools are always three-year; they therefore lack sophomores (or juniors, if one translates "Year Two" more literally).[[/note]] Appears in ''VisualNovel/{{Kanon}}'' and "Little Busters" in the form of ties on the uniforms (though in LB! its rather Pinker than red) and in ''VisualNovel/{{Clannad}}'' as a patch on the uniform.
* DarkerAndEdgier: ''VisualNovel/{{Rewrite}}''. Full-stop. Having Romeo Tanaka and Ryukishi07 on staff (In addition to Yuto Tonokawa) probably contributed to that.

* DeadpanSnarker: The male leads are usually this.

* DisneyDeath (usually reserved for minor heroines, although [[spoiler:Ayu from ''VisualNovel/{{Kanon}}'' and Nagisa from ''VisualNovel/{{Clannad}}'']] got one each too, and in ''VisualNovel/LittleBusters'' [[spoiler:everyone ''except'' the protagonist and main girl undergoes one in ''Refrain''.]])

* DulcineaEffect: Extremely visible in ''Clannad'' with [[CoolLoser antisocial]] Tomoya becoming obsessed with helping [[IntelligenceEqualsIsolation Kotomi]], [[IllGirl Nagisa]], [[StudentCouncilPresident Tomoyo]], [[IAmYourOpponent Yukine]], and [[CuteGhostGirl Fuko]]. Also with [[VisualNovel/{{Kanon}} Yuuichi's]] [[TooDumbToLive unhealthy interest]] in [[ActionGirl Mai]].

* IllGirl: In most of their games, at least one girl

* JerkWithAHeartOfGold: Most of the protagonists, with the main pairings tending to have the troll-and-derp dynamic. Strangely enough, in ''Angel Beats!'', Otonashi isn't the jerk, it's Yuri.

* MagicRealism: Very, ''very'' present in their works, as while the focal points of their stories are character interactions and school life, the framing for the story usually ends up being something supernatural. Depending on how much {{foreshadowing}} leads up to the eventual reveal, the magical element is used to either greatly explain or {{handwave}} many of the story developments. [[AWizardDidIt How the magic itself works is rarely explained]].
** Rewrite takes this trope and runs wild with it to the point where it becomes a straight-up UrbanFantasy.
* MundaneFantastic: [[spoiler:Misuzu is the reincarnation of a cursed girl. Makoto is a fox spirit. Ayu is an AstralProjection of a girl in a coma. So is Fuko.]] Meh.

* OnlySixFaces: Or less of the characters in the same game, especially girls. The arts change each game, but this trope does not.

* {{Tearjerker}}: Key specializes in [[{{Utsuge}} Utsuges]], so all of its works are well known for their tearjerkers.
* ThemeTwinNaming: [[VisualNovel/{{Clannad}} Ryou and Kyou Fujibayashi]], [[VisualNovel/{{Kanon}} Shiori and Kaori Misaka]] (although they're not twins), [[VisualNovel/LittleBusters Haruka and Kanata]], [[Anime/AngelBeats Ayato and Hayato Naoi]], [[Anime/{{Charlotte}} Misa and Yusa Kurobane]], and [[VisualNovel/SummerPockets Ao and Ai Sorakado]].
* ThereAreNoPsychologists: A number of characters – male leads ''and'' the girls – have significant mental issues and should probably be in therapy at least, or on meds. Note that this is par for the course in real-life Japan, where a longstanding culture of stoicism and not involving outsiders in "family" problems prevails. Psychology is not looked kindly upon there, is what we're saying.

* WhiteAndGreyMorality[=/=]GoodVersusGood: Many of the Key works rarely feature villains. If any of the works have any antagonists, they are usually JerkWithAHeartOfGold or WellIntentionedExtremist at worst. And even if there are villains in some of their works, the only role they play establishing tragic backstories for the protagonists. Many of the novels highlight the positives qualities of some of their less sympathetic characters while highlighting the character flaws of some of their "good" characters. The exception is ''VisualNovel/{{Rewrite}}'', where [[GreyAndGrayMorality both sides of the conflict]] have [[WellIntentionedExtremist good intentions]] and [[TokenGoodTeammate a few good people]] but the war works out largely to EvilVersusOblivion [[spoiler:and the true end means Kotarou has to play both sides and win with the neutral path]].

* WhiteAndGrayMorality[=/=]GoodVersusGood: Many of the Key works rarely feature villains. If any of the works have any antagonists, they are usually JerkWithAHeartOfGold or WellIntentionedExtremist at worst. And even if there are villains in some of their works, the only role they play establishing tragic backstories for the protagonists. Many of the novels highlight the positives qualities of some of their less sympathetic characters while highlighting the character flaws of some of their "good" characters. The exception is ''VisualNovel/{{Rewrite}}'', where [[GreyAndGrayMorality both sides of the conflict]] have [[WellIntentionedExtremist good intentions]] and [[TokenGoodTeammate a few good people]] but the war works out largely to EvilVersusOblivion [[spoiler:and the true end means Kotarou has to play both sides and win with the neutral path]].

Key is also known for its seasonal imagery in its more famous works. ''Kanon'' makes full use of SnowMeansLove and [[TropeCodifier may have defined]] the modern [[FragileFlower Sad Girl In Snow]]; ''AIR'' does the same for Summer, and ''CLANNAD'' for Spring, though [[SnowMeansDeath snow appears and plays a darker role]]. They're not limited to seasonal settings, though; ''planetarian'' was set in a {{Dystopia}} where robots had taken over the world and one good RobotGirl without a purpose hid in a planetarium with a refugee, and ''Anime/AngelBeats!'' is set in what appears to be a world where no one can die (affectionately dubbed as Purgatory).

* EarnYourHappyEnding: It will be hard, you'll be put through Hell, but when you get there, [[CrowningMomentOfHeartwarming it WILL be worth it]].

* CoitusEnsues: Don't expect a Key game sex scene to impact the plot in any way.

* WhiteAndGrayMorality[=/=]GoodVersusGood: Many of the Key works rarely feature villains. If any of the works have any antagonists, they are usually JerkWithAHeartOfGold or WellIntentionedExtremist at worst. And even if there are villains in some of their works, the only role they play establishing tragic backstories for the protagonists. Many of the novels highlight the positives qualities of some of their less sympathetic characters while highlighting the character flaws of some of their "good" characters.

* ThemeTwinNaming: [[VisualNovel/{{Clannad}} Ryou and Kyou Fujibayashi]], [[VisualNovel/{{Kanon}} Shiori and Kaori Misaka]] (although they're not twins), [[VisualNovel/LittleBusters Haruka and Kanata]], [[Anime/AngelBeats Ayato and Hayato Naoi]], and now [[Anime/{{Charlotte}} Misa and Yusa Kurobane]].

* BittersweetEnding

Key/Visual Arts is a VisualNovel developer, usually in the {{Romance}} genre, whose works have become very popular in recent years. They are especially well-known for creating heartbreaking stories that appear perfectly normal at first but always contain some thread of the supernatural from the beginning, which becomes more obvious as time goes on.

* NoAntagonist: Generally speaking, none of their works contain an antagonist in some retrospect and even their work does, it's usually very minor and doesn't play a big part into the plot. Anime/{{AngelBeats}} ''does'' have an antagonist, but it's a [[HeroAntagonist different kind]] of antagonist.

* NoAntagonist: Generally speaking, none of their works contain an antagonist in some retrospect and even their work does, it's usually very minor and doesn't play a big part into the plot.

Many of their anime titles and anime adaptations traditionally get English dubs at Houston with Creator/SentaiFilmworks and Creator/ADVFilms (''VisualNovel/{{AIR}}'', ''VisualNovel/{{Kanon}}'', ''VisualNovel/{{Clannad}}'', ''Anime/AngelBeats'', and ''VisualNovel/LittleBusters''). ''Anime/{{Charlotte}}'' is the only exception to this rule, as it is first title that is dubbed by Creator/BangZoomEntertainment, but that is mainly because it was licensed by Creator/AniplexUSA instead of Creator/SentaiFilmworks. [[note]]It should noted that Key/Visual Arts and Aniplex USA have close business ties together.[[/note]]

* DarkerAndEdgier: {{Rewrite}}. Full-stop. Having Romeo Tanaka and Ryukishi07 on staff (In addition to Yuto Tonokawa) probably contributed to that.

Most of its games have been adapted into animation. They seem to have had overlapping deals with Creator/ToeiAnimation and Creator/KyotoAnimation, as both studios have adapted the same works. In 2002, Toei made a [[TwelveEpisodeAnime 13-episode anime]] of ''VisualNovel/{{Kanon}}''; four years later, [=KyoAni=] made their (much better received) 26-episode series. Toei's theatrical version of ''VisualNovel/{{Air}}'' – which cut out many of the characters and changed the dynamic to a more overtly romantic story, but was directed by anime legend Creator/OsamuDezaki – came out in early 2005 while [=KyoAni's=] TwelveEpisodeAnime was running on TV. In Fall 2007, Toei's ''VisualNovel/{{Clannad}}'' movie – again directed by Dezaki, in what would turn out to be his final project – premiered less than three weeks before [=KyoAni's=] highly-praised TV series[[labelnote:†]] (directed by Tatsuya Ishihara, the same guy who directed ''Air'' and ''Kanon''… and also ''LightNovel/HaruhiSuzumiya'')[[/labelnote]] hit television. In general, Toei's versions are {{compressed adaptation}}s that aim to [[AdaptationDistillation alter plot elements to focus on a single plot]], while [=KyoAni=] cuts less out and is much more faithful to the games' stories. The [[FanNickname KeyAni]] partnership seems to be over for now, as Creator/PAWorks did the animation for ''Anime/AngelBeats'' in 2010, and the ''VisualNovel/LittleBusters'' adaption was made under the direction of Creator/JCStaff.

* CoitusEnsues: Don't expect a ''Key'' game sex scene to impact the plot in any way.

* BaseballEpisode: Key seems to have [[AuthorAppeal a thing]] for baseball. ''Little Busters!'' centres around it, a story arc in ''CLANNAD'' shows the main cast playing baseball, in ''Angel Beats!'' one character's backstory heavily features baseball and the characters play it on occasion, and a ''Kanon'' drama CD references baseball often as well.

Most of the anime adaptations of the Key Visual Arts works have their OP songs sung by JPop artist Lia (true in ''VisualNovel/{{AIR}}'', ''VisualNovel/{{Clannad}}'', ''Anime/AngelBeats'', and ''Anime/{{Charlotte}}''). Many of their anime titles and anime adaptations traditionally get English dubs at Houston with Creator/SentaiFilmworks and Creator/ADVFilms (''VisualNovel/{{AIR}}'', ''VisualNovel/{{Kanon}}'', ''VisualNovel/{{Clannad}}'', ''Anime/AngelBeats'', and ''VisualNovel/LittleBusters''). ''Anime/{{Charlotte}}'' is the first title that is dubbed by Creator/BangZoomEntertainment, but that is mainly because it was licensed by Creator/AniplexUSA instead of Creator/SentaiFilmworks. [[note]]It should noted that Key/Visual Arts and Aniplex USA have close business ties together.[[/note]]

Most of the anime adaptations of the Key Visual Arts works have their OP songs sung by JPop artist Lia (true in ''VisualNovel/{{AIR}}'', ''VisualNovel/{{Clannad}}'', ''Anime/AngelBeats'', and ''Anime/{{Charlotte}}'').

Most of the anime adaptations of the Key Visual Arts works have their OP songs sung by JPop artist Lia (true in ''VisualNovel/{{AIR}}'', ''VisualNovel/{{Clannad}}'', and ''Anime/AngelBeats'').

* StrawNihilist: ''VisualNovel/{{AIR}}'' and ''VisualNovel/{{CLANNAD}}'' have drawn criticism for their endings being overly nihilistic and cynical.