Hanami
The Hanami is a magic horse breed that is available in Star Stable Online.
Timeline
| Date | Development |
|---|---|
| February 24, 2022 | A teaser image of the Hanami is released on SSO's social media accounts.[1] |
| March 9, 2022 | A release date of March 16, 2022 is given for the Hanami on SSO's News page.[2] |
| March 10, 2022 | A Trailer of the Hanami is dropped on SSO's Social Media.[3] |
| March 15, 2022 | The Hanami's release date is reiterated on SSO's news page.[4] |
| March 16, 2022 | The Hanami is released for a limited time of three weeks. It is sold for 900 SC.[5] |
| November 2, 2022 | The Hanami is released for a limited time of five weeks.[6] |
| February 28, 2023 | The Hanami is released for a limited time of five weeks.[7] |
| January 24, 2024 | The Hanami is added permanently to the game for a reduced price of 450 SC through progression in the Path of Terra in Hollow Woods.[8][9] |
Description
"Jorvegian folklore abounds with tales of tree spirits appearing as horses and nearly every tree has its own story.
The Hanami belong to cherry trees and are a symbol of rebirth and herald of spring. Like blossoms, they are a reminder to treasure the beauty of today for it may be wilted and gone tomorrow, but will return again.
Word of Jon Jarl spread all the way to Japan. As a gift of friendship the Emperor sent cherry trees, which were planted in the long-since overgrown gardens of Doyle’s Abbey. The journey was difficult on the trees and it seemed they did not survive the winter, yet when spring came a few pink buds appeared.
With careful tending the trees lived. The garden was a favorite place to celebrate friendship. But the sakura eventually succumbed to the wilderness, the original trees dying until only one was left, and once more it did not seem to survive the winter.Yet when spring came the final tree produced one last giant bud that held a foal of blossoms and bark inside. The foal grew quickly but disappeared when the last cherry blossoms withered away, only to return the following year, happy in the garden.
In modern times, cherry blossom trees on Jorvik are few and far between, but the legend of the Hanami and the gifted sakura saplings lives on.
To the untrained eye, the Hanami appear as a regular Percheron working horse, but to those who are magically inclined, their flowing flowery manes and bark-like coat are a sight to behold.
Depending on their mood they can appear in their natural cherry tree color or as an ordinary horse. They are calm, happy to stop and smell the flowers and take in the natural beauty around them.
As companions they are steadfast and fearless, taking their rider into whatever adventures await."
Unique Features
Color Changing
The Hanami is a magical horse with the special ability to change colors. When the player presses the "h" key or the magic horse icon on the horse's character sheet, the horse will change from its neutral colors to its natural (magic) colors and vice versa. The horse will not change colors during races or while the player is unmounted.
The Moose Walk
Note: The horse must reach level 7 to perform this gait.
While most breeds in SSO only have five gaits, the Hanami has six. This special gait is called the "Moose Walk," a gait derived from the Percheron's high stepping extended walk. To make your horse do the Moose Walk, the horse must be walking. The player then must hold down the shift key and then simultaneously hit either the up arrow or the 'w' key. The Hanami will then begin to perform the special gait. During the Moose Walk, the horse cannot move to a faster gait or jump. To stop the Moose Walk, simply slow your horse down like you would with any other.
Colors, Pricing, and Location
The Hanami is sold for 450 SC. It can only be purchased after completing the quest from the "Birkir and Hanami's Destiny" node in the Path of Terra. After earning its trust, it can be purchased in Valedale Village.
- Natural Color: Cherry tree wood textured body with Cherry tree blossom mane and tail
- Neutral Color: Bay Dun Brindle
Trivia
- The Hanami uses the Percheron model.
- The Hanami was released as a pair with Birkir.
- The Hanami, like most other Magic Horses, cannot have its hairstyle changed.
- The name "Hanami" comes from from the Japanese word 花見 (hanami) meaning "flower view" or "blossom view" combining 花 (hana) meaning "flower" and 見 (mi) which actually means "view, see, viewing." [10]
- It may also be a reference to the Japanese tradition of "Hanami" or flower viewing parties, where the Japanese have picnics and enjoy the flowers blooming from cherry and plum trees. More often than not it is the Japanese Cherry (Prunus serrulata) being viewed. This is a type of flowering (not fruit bearing) tree.[11][12]
- The Hanami is inspired by one of the Barkharts. A one-time-only, magical horse who will not be returning to Jorvik in the future, as they were exclusive for a specific period of time.[5]
- This decision to make a similar horse was most likely made as a compromise for both the players who missed out on the Barkharts and those who did buy the one-time-only breed.
References
- ↑ Star Stable Online, “Jorvegian folklore abounds with tales of tree spirits appearing as horses and nearly every tree has its own story.” Instagram, February 24, 2022, accessed October 25, 2022, https://www.instagram.com/p/CaXPzPjsbhM/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link.
- ↑ "Old friends and tons of bridles!" Star Stable. Star Stable Entertainment, March 9, 2022. https://www.starstable.com/en/article/11642.
- ↑ Star Stable, "Meet Birkir & Hanami!🍃🌸 | Star Stable Magic Horses ✨,” March 10, 2022, Trailer, https://youtu.be/s6VDYw_n94I.
- ↑ "Next up in Jorvik!" Star Stable. Star Stable Entertainment, March 15, 2022. https://www.starstable.com/en/article/11658.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 "Meet Birkir and Hanami!" Star Stable. Star Stable Entertainment, March 16, 2022. https://www.starstable.com/en/article/11672.
- ↑ "The end of Galloper’s story…for now." Star Stable. Star Stable Entertainment, November 2, 2022. https://www.starstable.com/en/article/12872.
- ↑ "Prancing Ponies Promenading!" Star Stable. Star Stable Entertainment, February 28, 2023. https://www.starstable.com/article/13207.
- ↑ "The Path of Terra" Star Stable. Star Stable Entertainment, January 24, 2024. https://www.starstable.com/article/the-path-of-terra.
- ↑ @starstableonline. “The magic is flourishing in Hollow Woods. Are you ready to garden and craft? 👀🌱” Instagram video, January 23, 2024. Accessed January 24, 2024. https://www.instagram.com/reel/C2cfx6ItNCD/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link.
- ↑ Mike Campbell, “Hanami,” Behind the Name, last modified March 19, 2019, https://www.behindthename.com/name/hanami/submitted.
- ↑ Wikipedia, s.v. “Hanami,” last modified September 2, 2022, 01:19, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hanami.
- ↑ Wikipedia, s.v. “Prunus serrulata,” last modified September 22, 2022, 19:57, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prunus_serrulata.