Tag: Idea Factory International

Sympathy Kiss – Secret Route #2 ~ Plot & Character Analysis

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After reading approximately 178 otome routes, I am thrilled to say that Secret Route #2, my final route of Sympathy Kiss, was a completely new experience for me!

Seriously!

If you are burned out of the stereotypical otome troupes and you want to experience something new, give this route a shot!

I can’t promise you’ll like it.

But I can promise it will be different!

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

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Sympathy Kiss – Kohei Minato ~ Plot & Character Analysis

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Well, this was a marvelously average route!

And I don’t mean that in a bad way.

This route was fine. And while it didn’t really make an impact on me, there were things about the route that I really liked!

So, this is what I’m going to focus on in this article. I’m going to write about the things that stood out to me and what I enjoyed most about Kohei. With only a slight mention of the things that didn’t work for me.

We’re going to, overall, stay positive about this route!  

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

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Sympathy Kiss – Shuya Usui ~ Plot & Character Analysis

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Okay, so honestly, I am probably older than about 85% of all the otome heroes I’ve read about.

And, yes, I have read Pub Encounter…

So, for me, it was a real treat to read about a love interest who is still a good decade older than me!

Like, what did I do to deserve this?

Usui is swoon-worthy! I found myself giggling, blushing, and smiling my way through Usui’s route! He is so charming and smooth, yet insecure and I was damn invested in that combination!

And while I found the endings to be disappointingly rushed, I can’t deny that I thoroughly enjoyed 95% of Usui’s route!

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

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Sympathy Kiss – Secret Route #1 ~ Plot & Character Analysis

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I did not enjoy this route in a typical sense. I did not find this route romantic and I didn’t like the “secret” hero as a love interest. My interest in this route and in our hero was strictly from an analytical viewpoint.

So, even while recognizing our hero’s actions where highly problematic, I can honestly appreciate that he, and his route, were well written. And that is what I enjoyed about his route.

I really only have one complaint:

Our secret hero really needs to see a…licensed therapist.

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

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Sympathy Kiss – Yoji Kobase ~ Plot & Character Analysis

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In Nancy Meyers’s The Holiday, Eli Wallach’s Arthur gives Kate Winslet’s Iris a much-needed pep talk.

For years, Iris had struggled through an on-and-off again romantic relationship with a co-worker. Well, the co-worker had recently announced his engagement to another woman, yet still wanted to keep in contact with Iris. Understandably, Iris had a difficult time coming to terms with what it meant to say good-bye to this selfish, entitled co-worker for good.

One evening during a lovely dinner, Arthur, a retired Hollywood screenwriter, tells Iris that in movies there are the leading ladies and there are the best friends. He tells Iris that she is a leading lady, but is behaving like the best friend.

Having an epiphany, Iris realizes that Arthur was right! You’re supposed to be the leading lady of your own life!

The same goes for otome games and our heroes.

A hero is supposed to be the leading man of his own route.

However, poor Yoji was relegated to the role of best friend in his route.

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

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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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