Tag: D3 Publisher

Nightshade – Hanzo ~ Plot & Character Analysis

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To me, Hanzo and Enju’s story is not a romance.

And I’ll be upfront. I didn’t start enjoying Hanzo and Enju’s relationship until I realized it was essentially a mentor/mentee type of story.

You know the trope:

Yoda & Luke Skywalker

Mr. Miyagi & Daniel

Mickey Goldmill & Rocky

Herb Brooks & the entire 1980 U.S. Men’s Olympic Hockey Team

Philoctetes & Hercules

Hanzo & Enju

You get the picture.

And once I realized this, I was actually invested in this story…until Chapter 11.

Damn you, Chapter 11.

That is when the narrative and Enju’s character arc fell apart.

And why, do you ask?

Let’s discuss!

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

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Otoko Yuukaku – Kagerou ~ Plot & Character Analysis

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I honestly delayed coming back and playing Otoko Yuukaku for ten months because Kagerou’s personality was so off-putting to me. And yet, somehow, this arrogant, cynical teenager won me over…mostly.

Kagerou’s character arc centers around his stubborn pride, which makes sense for a young man struggling to assert himself. But, unfortunately, what could have been a compelling coming of age story was undercut by writing decisions that ultimately hindered Kagerou from developing the personal autonomy needed for character growth.

All that said, in the end, I enjoyed this route…mostly.  

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

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Otoko Yuukaku – Tokiwa ~ Plot & Character Analysis

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Remember those teenage boy characters from the ‘80s and ’90s teen shows? You know. The ones that are mischievous and reckless but with a good heart? The ones that pull “harmless” pranks on the principal (or other authority figures), with no thought to the consequences. Yet somehow, they seem to avoid the worst possible consequence due to their charming personality.

I could go as far as to label this troupe the “bad boy with a heart of gold.” Only, the boys I’m talking about aren’t necessarily committing serious crimes. These boys have an itch to make mischief and are reckless enough they don’t think about the consequences. Yet, they don’t have a malicious bone in their body.  They just do stupid stuff because it seems like a good idea at the time.  

These boys make you scratch your head and say, “Really? That’s the solution you’re going to go with?” You question how they’ve made it this far in life, and why things just seem to work out for them. And while you find their immaturity unattractive, you can’t deny that these boys are never boring!

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

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Otoko Yuukaku – Kagura ~ Plot & Character Analysis

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As an introvert, I do feel a love and a fondness for a good kuudere. Heroes like Akaza from Olympia Soiree, Dante from Piofiore, Axel from OZMAFIA!!, and Yoritomo from Birushana are some of my top favorite otome love interests.

But I am coming to begrudgingly recognize that there is a subset of kuuderes who take their stoicism to a higher level. And when this higher level of stoicism is combined with a lack of people skills, these heroes cross the line from being endearing kuuderes to just plain…boring.

Now let me say, Kagura isn’t a bad character. He just didn’t appeal to me.

And that’s okay.

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

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Otoko Yuukaku – Takao ~ Plot & Character Analysis

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To be honest, sometimes I don’t want to sit through hours of plot. Sometimes I want an otome game that focuses solely on the romantic development between the hero and heroine. I want to focus on the emotional connection between two characters, and witness how this romantic relationship changes these characters. I want something character and (most importantly) romance driven.

And while I definitely swoon over chaste love stories with awkward hand-holding and nothing more than a chaste kiss at the end, sometimes I want more. Sometimes, I want an abundance of hugs, kisses, and (gasp!) the steamy times that can accompany all the aforementioned kissing. Because I love physical romance driven stories, too…of the Cero D or “M” rating variety (I’m not into explicit R-18 otome games).   

And is spite of how melodramatic and contrived Takao’s route in Otoko Yuukaku is, I shamelessly enjoyed it!

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

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Otoko Yuukaku – Misao Hidetomi ~ Heroine Character Analysis

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So, this started off normally enough. I was going to do a regular character and plot thoughts article, centering around Takao’s route in Otoko Yuukaku.

But as I wrote, I realized I had a lot to say about Misao’s character. I had written seven pages just about her, and if I continued at that current pace, this article would have been well over ten, maybe 15, pages long. So, I decided to break the article up!

This article will solely be about Otoko Yuukaku’s heroine: Misao! 

Yeah. I’m surprised, too.

As always, character analysis and spoilers after the cut! There will also be spoilers for Takao’s route.

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Nightshade – Kuroyuki ~ Plot & Character Analysis

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It’s been a long time since an otome route hero triggered my “mom” instincts (I’m looking at you, Orlok), and it wasn’t too far into the common route for my heart to hurt for Kuroyuki. This route made me feel things. I cried, and I haven’t done that with an otome game since I finished Hakuouki. And maybe this is some of my own childhood peeking through, but all I could see was a young, hurting boy who needed someone to help him.

I didn’t come to adore Kuroyuki as a romantic “Love Interest.” I came to care for the young boy who had been put through so much crap that he never asked for. This is a hero I love as a son, and I want to help him figure out his life.

This boy needs a loving hug.

And a licensed therapist.

As always, character and plot analysis and spoilers after the cut! There will also be plot a few spoilers for Goemon and Chojiro’s routes as well.

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Nightshade – Chojiro ~ Plot & Character Analysis

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Well, for my second playthrough of Nightshade, I decided to just get through a character I didn’t really think I would like. Knock him out and continue on with characters I was more interested in. I have to say, Nightshade’s Saito Hajime Chojiro surprised me.

I didn’t dislike him.

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

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Nightshade – Ishikawa Goemon ~ Plot & Character Analysis

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So, after a couple years of knowing this game existed but always passing it by, I decided to try Nightshade. I began my journey with a man I had a hunch I would enjoy. He’s kind, intelligent, strategic, charming, brave, and observant. Who is this all-around perfect guy? Meet the Sengoku Era’s own, the charming gentleman thief Arsene Lupin!

Okay. Not Lupin.

The man’s name is Ishikawa Goemon. But if you put a top hat on his head, he’s essentially the same as his Victorian Era counterpart.  

And I love him.

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

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