Trying to remember the name of a shmup

[thrillrida]

Ok so not so much remember as just to know the name because it was completely in Japanese and I didn't know what any of the text said so I can only describe it

-Looked like and played like a mid 90's shmup but could be wrong, not an expert
-ARCADE game (though dunno if it received a console port)
-Probably wasn't a bullet hell though it was fast paced
-Vertical scrolling (4:3 aspect ratio?)
-Backdrop in stage 1 looked like a city at NIGHT. Beautiful art.
-You controlled flying human or humanoid characters that had an anime aesthetic, more than 1 to choose from but not sure if there were more than 2

Just have fond memories of playing this one years ago in the arcades, they had a large import shmup selection but this one was my favorite so I hope I can put a name to it

[BeruBeru]

Could it be Esprade? it is a bullet-hell but fits most of your description
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JmXhk2lg6zE

or Shikigami no Shiro
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F1ZYGz8u9ts

[thrillrida]

No, wasn't either of those. It was definitely sprite-based, definitely had more of a night back-drop to it as if you were flying through the starry night sky above a shining, possibly futuristic city

edit: also definitely had a female character and probably a male counterpart character, not sure if there were any other characters

[spikehead]

Although not sprite based... Soukygurentai ?

[TodayIsForgotten]

Night Raid? nevermind just read his last bullet point.

[RNGmaster]

Sure it's not Ra.De? This stage looks more like what you described.

[Nick420]

Shikigami no shiro 2 or castle of shikigami 2?

[Emuser]

Do you remember anything about the stage 1 or 2 bosses?

[thrillrida]

Do you remember anything about the stage 1 or 2 bosses?

This was 6 or 7 years ago and I was terrible at shmups back then, never even made it to the first boss

The closest thing posted so far is probably Soukygurentai but I don't think it had such a serious sci-fi vibe. It wasn't a cute-em-up either but probably something in between. Pretty sure the enemies were mech-likes and the young girl character attacked them with magic powers but at this point my memory can't be trusted, maybe it wasn't even a good game but I still feel strangely compelled to track it down

[MathU]

That really does sound like ESP Ra.De.

[lewisit]

GUNBIRD 2 had (at random) a city at night in stage 1 - everything else also fits your description...

[MathU]

Gunbird 2 is probably closer actually.

[doctorx0079]

I'm actually thinking Batrider.

[RNGmaster]

I'm actually thinking Batrider.

Nope, Stage 1 occurs during the day, and the characters don't fly. Both big strikes against it.

[doctorx0079]

Maybe he just thought they fly. It kind of looks like they're flying.

[mesh control]

Shikigami no shiro 2 or castle of shikigami 2?

Maybe

[thrillrida]

Nah, not Gunbird or Batrider either. I want to say it gave me more of a Galaxy Express vibe art-wise but I'm passed the point where I can say anything for certain.

[Obiwanshinobi]

Dragon Blaze?

It was definitely sprite-based, definitely had more of a night back-drop to it as if you were flying through the starry night sky above a shining, possibly futuristic city

If it was a vertical scroller (with the city presumably scrolling underneath the playable character), how could you tell the sky was starry? Reflections in water perhaps?

[dpful]

Shikigami 1(?)

[8 1/2]

I'm going to guess Segoku Ace/Samurai Aces. Anime style, fits the era.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E5TpfXOxTWM

[BPzeBanshee]

Gekrindan?

Had anime faces at ship selection and end of level I think. Probably wrong.

RayStorm's a bit unlikely but maybe YouTube it and see what stages it had.

LOL I know jack diddley for variety. Sorry I couldnt help you more.