Mitakihara Original is predominantly set in the Japanese city of Mitakihara, located along the country’s eastern coast. Established as a planned community near the large and verdurous Mt. Oremine, Mitakihara has developed into a centre of business, culture and technology over the last 30 years. Spouting from a series of generous investments during the bubble economy of the 1980’s, the city now features countless landmarks and an eclectic skyline mixing together various contemporary styles of architecture. As a city of opportunity, Mitakihara became a hideaway for the wealthy and the wicked, making it a particularly popular hunting grounds for Witches and the site of many a conflict between territorial Puellae Magi.

Everything changed, however, when the city was struck by a ferocious storm — unbeknownst to its citizens actually an attack by the immensely powerful Witch, Walpurgisnacht. With a stretch of the city ranging from Minato ward in the west to the once-booming industrial district in the northeast reduced to rubble and around 10 per cent of its population killed, injured, missing or homeless, Mitakihara turned from a prosperous megalopolis into a stain on its country’s record. While one regiment of JSDF (Japan Self-Defense Force) after another was rushed in to help get the city back on track, reconstruction and relief efforts were tangled in the red tape of what turned out to be an irreparably corrupt municipal government, and various criminal organizations started vying for power in the vacuum left behind by a mysterious syndicate known only as the Conductors.

Four years later, Mitakihara is a city still licking its wounds, constantly on edge for the next inexplicable disaster headed its way. After local television managed to capture footage of

Inekari

The only place in Mitakihara where one can find the space to breathe, Inekari ward is located on the far northern edge of the city and is named after the rice paddies that used to pervade its hilly landscape. Nowadays, this scenery houses those wealthy enough to be able to escape the city’s bustle, which is easily a 30-minute drive away. For this reason, Inekari has a high school of its own. It is also known for its characteristic riverbed, lined with cherry blossom trees that remind its citizens of life in the countryside.

Sabita

None but the few handfuls of factory workers remaining in Mitakihara will find much to do in Sabita. Once home to several modern factories and power plants, gradual deindustrialization, and staunch competition from neighboring countries have left the former industrial district to rust. Abandoned after the city’s economic downfall, its small alleys and warehouses, have become a save haven for homeless people, squatters and drug addicts, and a no-go zone for the JSDF troops otherwise swarming Mitakihara’s streets.

Kinbachi

Kinbachi is a relatively dull and uneventful suburban district, consisting mostly of apartment blocks of a few storeys high. It provides relatively affordable housing compared to fancier districts like Inekari and Minami.

Nishisaka

Mitakihara’s dullest and drabbest residential district, Nishisaka used to offer housing for both the low-income factory workers of Sabita and the overworked salarymen of Shinmachi, and little else. Consisting of little more than rows upon rows of identical apartment blocks, filled with rooms no bigger than a few tatami mats, Nishikata became a new home for many of the citizens who lost their home during the Walpurgisnacht attack, including Koharu Shirahara and her family.

Shinmachi

The beating heart of Mitakihara is the part of the city that never sleeps, stuffed to the brim with high rise buildings and architectural grandstanding. Subject to constant hustle and bustle, Shinmachi houses shopping opportunities and large company headquarters alike, while the northwestern neighborhoods bordering Sabita are known for housing various cultural venues and more unsavory kinds of business. Or, in case of the Conductors’ former opera house, both.

Minato

The eastern district of Mitakihara is best known for a small port for business, industry and the occasional yacht. Though once essential to the city’s booming economy, it was heavily damaged during Walpurgisnacht’s attack. As a result, the many shipyards — as well as the small family beach — have been abandoned for several years. Nowadays, most activity in Minato is centred around the newly-built military base, a first attempt at returning the city to its former architectural glory.

Amakusa

Known for its diversity in architecture above all, tourists exploring Amakusa may find themselves forgetting where the skyscrapers ended and the terrace houses began. As a result, the district is populated by people from all walks of life, as shown also by the wide variety of eye-catching fashions and lifestyles promoted by its many stores and shopping centres. While the northeastern blocks are known for stores peddling manga, anime and video games, the area surrounding Mitakihara High School offers affordable food to hungry students.

Ino

Ino encompasses most of the area surrounding the various faculties of the University of Mitakihara, and as a result has become synonymous with the institution and its students. Consisting mostly of campus buildings, student housings, dorms, and small businesses set up by graduates who don’t want to leave yet, it’s also the place to be to experience Mitakihara’s vibrant nightlife scene, featuring various clubs, bars and hip restaurants.

Minami

The southern residential district of Mitakihara, also known as the commuter’s ward, is a suburban area housing the newlywed, middle-class families affluent enough to afford a home larger than a few tatami mats. It is mockingly nicknamed puchibuchi-ku, or “district of the petit bourgeois” by inner-city Mitakiharans. Nevertheless, Minami features a number of the city’s hotspots, including the city’s only Catholic cathedral and a Yasuhara Stadium, home of the Mitakihara Pioneers.

Mountains

Mitakihara is surrounded by a range of verdurous mountains. The humid air and lush nature makes them a popular hiking spot, though one must be careful not to get lost. At the foot of the mountain lies Mitakihara’s only cemetery, while deep within the woods lie Kamitsuki Dojo and the mysterious Lake Lacrima.