Sympathy Kiss – Nori Tainaka ~ Plot & Character Analysis

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Nori, Nori, Nori.

How do I count the ways I disliked this route?

Yes, it had a “happy” ending. Yes, there was some character growth. And, in some ways, Nori ended the route in a healthier emotional and mental state than when he started the route.

However, Chapters 1-5 thoroughly disgusted me and, more importantly, there were unhealthy behaviors from these chapters that were never properly addressed.

This man needs the help of a licensed therapist. I know this is an otome game and not reality. However. This man needs the emotional and mental help that only a licensed therapist can provide…not a girlfriend.

As always, character and plot analysis and spoilers after the cut!

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Sympathy Kiss – Mitsuki Saotome ~ Plot & Character Analysis

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I simply can’t deny this natural affinity I have for Otomate red-heads! Harada, Akaza, Impey, Gilbert Redford, Kazuma Kamikubo, Harumi Makino (pinkish hair…it’s still a part of the red family), and Ignis Carbunculus are all characters that I really enjoy!

So, well done, Otomate! You’ve crafted another red-haired hero that I just simply adore!

And while pacing of Mitsuki’s route wasn’t my favorite, I did enjoy his character’s development and growth towards emotional maturity.

As always, character and plot analysis and spoilers after the cut!

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Sympathy Kiss – Rokuro Yoshioka ~ Plot & Character Analysis

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So, my husband gifted me the Sympathy Kiss Limited Edition for Mother’s Day. And let me just say, as someone who’s never really been into limited editions before, I absolutely LOVED everything included! Like really…the tumbler is fantastic and kept my coffee hot for hours!

The office setting of Sympathy Kiss never really excited me, but I was intrigued by the fact that there are no bad endings in the game. I honestly loved the idea of being able to select whatever choices or emotions I wanted and not be penalized by a bad ending.

So, while playing Sympathy Kiss, I did something for the very first time. I played without a walkthrough and made whatever choice or emotion selections I wanted. And I found I LOVED this no “bad” ending experience!

Now, by sheer chance, I got the Perfect Ending on my first playthrough. However, in another first, I played the “Work” and “Love” Endings. And I found I actually preferred the Love Ending to the Perfect Ending, though all three endings are perfectly good!

So long story, short…I loved Rokuro! I loved his route! And I loved this game!  

Be prepared for unbridled gushing after the cut!

As always, character and plot analysis and spoilers after the cut!

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Bustafellows – Scarecrow ~ Plot & Character Analysis

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There are just some otome love interests that I enjoy as secondary characters. And, for me, Scarecrow is one of these love interests. He’s not a bad character, he really is sweet and endearing, but we just didn’t click in his route.

And that’s okay.

Character and plot analysis and light spoilers after the cut! Per the game developer’s request, I will keep this article focused on my thoughts of this route.

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Hakuouki: SSL – Chikage Kazama ~ Plot & Character Analysis

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Well, I was wrong.

I was sure that the most cringey and problematic routes in Hakuouki: SSL were going to be Hijikata, Harada, Nagakura, and Sannan’s routes. You know…the teacher routes.

I stand corrected.

Somehow Kazama managed to make me cringe and shake my head more than any other character in SSL. And, honestly, I should have known better considering Kazama’s main goal from the historical game, Kyoto Winds.

Kyoto Winds Kazama is…well… Kyoto Winds Kazama. And in the case of SSL, it is definitely for the worse.

As always, character and plot analysis and spoilers after the cut! There will also be a few spoilers for Hakuouki: Kyoto Winds and Hakuouki: Edo Blossoms and, well…essentially all other possible Hakuouki content in general.

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Bustafellows – Helvetica Orsted ~ Plot & Character Analysis

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This route was…something.

And by something, I mean this route was…a lot.

And by a lot, I mean this route was…too much.

Character and plot analysis and light spoilers after the cut! Per the game developer’s request, I will keep this article focused on my thoughts of this route.

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Hakuouki: SSL – Hajime Saito ~ Plot & Character Analysis

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My favorite Hakuouki characters are the members of the baka trio! And in comparison, to the baka trio, Saito is commandingly capable, but he’s also hard to communicate with. So, I went into SSL with indifferent expectations towards Saito.

And let me say, I was pleasantly surprised!

Everything I found exasperating about Saito from the historical games, was tweaked by the writers for this more contemporary setting!

And I get it now.

SSL Saito is the perfect, if-you’re-looking-for-the-shy-introverted-type, guy!

As always, character and plot analysis and spoilers after the cut! There will also be a few spoilers for Hakuouki: Kyoto Winds and Hakuouki: Edo Blossoms and, well…essentially all other possible Hakuouki content in general.

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Bustafellows – Shu Lyn O’Keefe ~ Plot & Character Analysis

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Okay, so after avoiding this game because I’d heard it was comparable to Collar X Malice, which is my most hated (*cough*) strongly disliked otome game of all time, I finally caved when Bustafellows was available on the Nintendo e-shop for $10. I mean, even I can take a risk for $10.

And I’m so happy I did! I absolutely LOVED Shu! And to my absolute surprise, he and his route sky-rocketed to the top 5 of my favorite otome heroes and routes of all time!

In my opinion, this game is nothing like Collar X Malice, which works in Bustafellows favor in every way!    

Character and plot analysis and light spoilers after the cut! Per the game developer’s request, I will keep this article focused on my thoughts of this route.

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Dairoku: Agents of Sakuratani – Finale ~ Plot & Character Analysis

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Well, I did it! After, I’m-not-sure-how-many-months, I finished Dairoku: Agents of Sakuratani! I started this game last spring (maybe?), finishing Shiratsuki, Akuroou, and Hira’s routes long before I started doing write-ups for this blog (and maybe someday, I’ll get around to writing about these characters!).

I have to say, I genuinely enjoyed this game! It was such a pleasant surprise and I’m really glad I gave it a chance. The characters are delightful and the world of Sakuratani is interesting. I especially loved all the voice actors’ performances and I would recommend this game to anyone who is looking for a slice-of-life, Japanese mythology influenced otome game!

Dairoku ends with a “heroine-focused/friendship” finale route, where Shino doesn’t end up with any of the love interests. And while I can understand why this route exists, I can’t say it was my favorite.

As always, character and plot analysis and spoilers after the cut!

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Dairoku: Agents of Sakuratani – Shu ~ Plot & Character Analysis

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Well, this route was a pleasant surprise!

I’ll be honest. Nothing about Shu struck me as “my” type. He’s a young-looking, bratty, immature hero, who arrogantly looks down on those around him for seemingly no good reason.

I had actually planned on never playing his route, but since I dropped a couple of English localized otome games, I’m down to very few options to play in English. And since I like the world of Dairoku, I decided to give this route a shot.

And I’m so glad I did!

As always, character and plot analysis and spoilers after the cut!

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