《薄櫻鬼異聞 別列津斯基的魔女 》(Hakuoki Gaiden: The Witch of Berezinsky )是知名女性向遊戲系列 薄櫻鬼系列 的全新外傳作品，由 Otomate 推出。一改過往以日本幕末為舞台的設定，轉而深入探討系列核心要素「變若水」的起源，並帶來截然不同的世界觀體驗。

預計於 2026 年 8 月 27 日在 Nintendo Switch 與 Nintendo Switch Lite 平台發售，目前公開資訊顯示僅支援日文。製作陣容方面，由系列導演 藤澤經清 擔任總監，角色設計與插畫則由曾參與《Wand of Fortune》的 薄葉カゲロー 負責，整體美術風格呈現出唯美且帶有奇幻色彩的新氣象。

故事背景設定在 19 世紀初的東歐，時間點約為 拿破崙入侵俄羅斯 時期，比《薄櫻鬼》本傳的年代更早約半個世紀。劇情圍繞著「變若水」的起源，以及別列津斯基領地中流傳的吸血鬼傳說展開。

故事從一場殘酷的儀式揭開序幕。為了在戰亂中求得庇護，人們遵循古老的盟約，將少女莎拉・杜德內獻為「活祭品」，送往統治領地的神祕領主之城。在那裡，她與五位繼承 弗拉德三世 血脈的吸血鬼領主相遇，並展開共同生活。玩家將在故事中面臨關鍵抉擇：是飲下吸血鬼之血與他們並肩作戰，還是將自身之血奉獻出去承擔罪孽，而這些選擇將最終決定她走向「天使」或「惡魔」的命運。

最大的特色在於題材創新。從原本的和風歷史劇轉變為帶有濃厚黑暗浪漫色彩的東歐奇幻，不僅拓展了系列世界觀，也讓老玩家能感受到全新的故事氛圍。視覺表現同樣是亮點之一，薄葉カゲロー細膩而夢幻的畫風為角色與場景注入強烈魅力。

角色魅力方面，五位吸血鬼領主分別由多位知名聲優詮釋，包括 前野智昭、鈴木崚汰、八代拓、岡本信彥 與 古川慎，為劇情增添豐富的情感層次與表現力。

在產品內容方面，一般版與下載版售價為 8,580 日圓（含稅），特裝版為 10,780 日圓，內含設定小冊子、角色透明卡與廣播劇 CD 等特典。此外，首批購買還附贈數位聲優廣播劇「prequel：前日談」，補完主線劇情之前的故事。

整體而言，《薄櫻鬼異聞 別列津斯基的魔女 》是一款在世界觀與題材上大膽突破的作品，在保留系列戀愛與角色刻畫優勢的同時，融入更濃厚的奇幻與黑暗敘事風格，為《薄櫻鬼》系列帶來全新的發展方向。

Hakuoki Gaiden: The Witch of Berezinsky is a brand-new spin-off in the long-running Hakuoki series, developed under the Otomate label. Unlike previous entries set during Japan’s late Edo period, this title shifts its setting entirely, focusing instead on the origin of the series’ iconic element, “Ochimizu.”

The game is scheduled for release on the Nintendo Switch and Nintendo Switch Lite on August 27, 2026. Based on currently available information, it will support Japanese language only. The project is led by series director Tsunezumi Fujisawa as general director, with character design and illustrations handled by Kagero Usuba, known for her work on Wand of Fortune.

The story takes place in early 19th-century Eastern Europe, during the time of Napoleon's invasion of Russia—roughly fifty years before the events typically depicted in the Hakuoki series. At the center of the narrative is the mysterious origin of “Ochimizu,” intertwined with vampire legends surrounding the Berezinsky territory.

The plot begins with a grim ritual born out of war-driven fear. Following an ancient pact, the people offer a living sacrifice—a young girl named Sara Dudney—to a mysterious lord who governs the land. Inside his castle, Sara encounters five vampire lords who inherit the bloodline of Vlad the Impaler. As she lives among them, the player must make critical choices: whether to drink vampire blood and fight alongside them, or offer her own blood and bear their sins. These decisions ultimately determine whether she becomes an “angel” or a “demon.”

One of the game’s most notable aspects is its thematic departure. By abandoning the traditional Japanese Bakumatsu setting in favor of a dark, romantic Eastern European fantasy, it offers a fresh experience even for long-time fans. The visual presentation is another major highlight, with Kagero Usuba’s ethereal art style bringing a new aesthetic identity to the series.

Character appeal also plays a central role, with the five vampire lords voiced by prominent actors including Tomoaki Maeno, Ryota Suzuki, Taku Yashiro, Nobuhiko Okamoto, and Makoto Furukawa, adding strong performance value to the narrative.

In terms of product details, the standard and digital editions are priced at 8,580 yen (tax included), while a limited edition priced at 10,780 yen includes bonus items such as an art booklet, character acrylic cards, and a drama CD. Early purchase bonuses also feature a digital voice drama titled “prequel,” offering additional story content that expands on events prior to the main narrative.

Overall, Hakuoki Gaiden: The Witch of Berezinsky represents a bold evolution for the franchise, combining its signature romance elements with a darker, more fantastical setting, while maintaining the emotional depth and character-driven storytelling that fans expect.