The Long Wait is Over: AIR Officially Releases in English
A Shocking, Unbelievable Surprise
Imagine my utter shock, surprise, and amazement when I clicked to start exploring a Steam queue—and there it was.
I had heard nothing about its release, and just days or weeks ago, I was literally chatting with a friend about how I wished they would finally bring this game to English. I nearly lost it with overwhelming excitement and happiness.
I never thought we would get this game. Ever. In English.
This is further proof that 2025 is the best year for gamer girls EVER! The only thing that could make it better? If Konami would finally give us an official release of all the Tokimeki Memorial Girl’s Side games in English. (A girl can dream, right?)
A Game I Have Loved My Entire Life
After decades of waiting, the legendary visual novel AIR is finally available in English. This is a moment I never thought would come, and yet here we are. As someone who first played AIR with a fan translation nearly 20 years ago, this release means everything to me.
I’ve loved AIR since the first time I experienced its hauntingly beautiful story—one of oppressive sadness, desperation, and longing. Unlike Clannad, which has a much lighter tone and warmth, AIR pulls you into an entirely different atmosphere of sorrow and fleeting happiness. That’s exactly why I prefer it over Clannad. If you’re looking for a visual novel that will break your heart and stay with you forever, AIR is it.
And now, it’s finally accessible in English, no workarounds required!
My Journey with AIR: A Lifetime of Trying to Play It
I’ve spent years chasing ways to experience AIR again and again, despite the language barrier.
• First, I played the fan translation nearly 20 years ago.
• Then, I bought the Japanese version on the Nintendo eShop and tried using my phone to translate it.
• I even attempted to use a video capture card to feed text into my PC for AI-assisted translations.
That’s how much I love this game. And now, after all these years, I finally have an official English release installed on my PC, ready to play after work today.
The AIR Anime: A Heart-Wrenching Adaptation
My love for AIR doesn’t stop with the game—the anime adaptation is just as powerful, emotional, and utterly devastating. Kyoto Animation brought AIR to life with breathtaking visuals, an unforgettable soundtrack, and some of the most emotionally charged voice acting I have ever heard.
One scene that completely broke me was Misuzu Kamio’s heartbreaking moment when she throws herself onto her bed, sobbing, believing that Yukito Kunisaki has left her. The sheer desperation and sorrow in her voice hit so hard that I couldn’t help but cry too. That performance was beyond powerful—it was raw, painful, and unforgettable.
If you haven’t watched the AIR anime yet, it’s a must-watch, especially if you love tearjerkers like Clannad: After Story or AnoHana. But fair warning: it will wreck you emotionally.
Why You Should Play AIR
If you love deeply emotional visual novels with stunning art and an unforgettable soundtrack, AIR is a must-play. It’s Key’s most poetic and melancholic work, filled with themes of memory, loss, and the fleeting nature of happiness.
• A uniquely sorrowful and oppressive atmosphere – Unlike Clannad, AIR doesn’t hold back on its weighty emotions.
• Beautiful art and character designs – Key’s signature aesthetic is in full display.
• An iconic soundtrack that will move you – The music is just as heartbreaking as the story itself.
• Finally in English! – No more struggling with fan translations or workarounds.
If you’re new to visual novels, or if you’ve played Clannad but never experienced AIR, now is the perfect time to dive in.
Where to Buy AIR
You can finally get AIR in English on Steam:
As of now, AIR is not available on the North American Nintendo eShop, but I’ll update this post if that changes.
My Final Thoughts
This is a dream come true. After so many years of waiting, I finally get to experience AIR in English, without barriers, and share it with a whole new generation of players. If you love emotional, heart-wrenching stories, you need to play this.
I’ll be starting my playthrough tonight—what about you? Will this be your first time playing AIR, or have you been waiting just as long as I have? Let’s talk in the comments!
