Tag: Japanese Otome Game

Him, the Smile & Bloom – Tenya Minami Route ~ Plot & Character Analysis

novelotome

I started out really invested in this route. Unfortunately, my excitement waned the longer the route went on.

For me, the miscommunication trope took over the route.

And while the miscommunication was rooted in the characters’ personalities and insecurities (so it does make perfect sense), for me, it just dragged on for too long.

This wasn’t a bad route. It just wasn’t for me.

And that’s okay.

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

Continue reading “Him, the Smile & Bloom – Tenya Minami Route ~ Plot & Character Analysis” →

Him, the Smile & Bloom – Wataru Tori Route ~ Plot & Character Analysis

novelotome

I really wanted to love this route, but I just couldn’t get invested.

This isn’t a bad route, per se. So, I don’t feel right belaboring such a wholesome, sincere, and lovable route. There were just key components that I didn’t connect with, which overall gave me an impression that skewed more neutral.

Wataru’s route wasn’t for me.

And that’s okay.

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

Continue reading “Him, the Smile & Bloom – Wataru Tori Route ~ Plot & Character Analysis” →

Him, the Smile & Bloom – Hokuto Ichige Route ~ Plot & Character Analysis

novelotome

I can honestly say that I’ve rarely read a route more tailored to my interests! I love the slice-of-life vibe, the characters, the story troupes, the voice acting, and how flowers feature within the story!

But most of all,

I love how our hero and heroine have weaknesses and faults!

Yes, really!

Weaknesses and faults are the fertile soil in which well-written character development and character arcs can flourish! And my favorite part of this route is how Hokuto and Fuuka are written as good people, who are still allowed to have flaws that lead them to do questionable and selfish things.

No unattainable perfection…and I am here for it!  

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

Continue reading “Him, the Smile & Bloom – Hokuto Ichige Route ~ Plot & Character Analysis” →

Otoko Yuukaku – Kagerou ~ Plot & Character Analysis

novelotome

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!

Continue reading “Otoko Yuukaku – Kagerou ~ Plot & Character Analysis” →

Hakuouki: SSL – Heisuke Todo ~ Plot & Character Analysis

novelotome

To wrap up my playthrough of Hakuoki: SSL, I saved one of my favorite characters for last! And when combined with one of my favorite story troupes, Heisuke’s route had my FAVORITE RELATIONSHIP OF THE GAME!

Out of Chizuru’s twelve bachelors, her relationship with Heisuke is my favorite! I simply adore these two as a couple and I believe they have the best chemistry!  

Be prepared for unabashed gushing!

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

Continue reading “Hakuouki: SSL – Heisuke Todo ~ Plot & Character Analysis” →

Hakuouki: SSL – Toshizo Hijikata ~ Plot & Character Analysis

novelotome

As the one who is the “Hijikata” of their family, I have to say that historical Hijikata is not my favorite character in the Hakuouki universe (except for the final chapter of his Edo Blossoms route, where he becomes absolutely swoon-worthy!). So, honestly, I just kept delaying Hijikata’s SSL route. I wasn’t looking forward to it.

However, I am happy to say, this has become my favorite version of Hijikata! The writers took the Hijikata I adore from the last chapter of Edo Blossoms and used this version for an entire route!

PRAISE!

I don’t like the power dynamic between Hijikata and Chizuru in SSL, but I can’t deny that I did enjoy seeing a less high-strung, stressed-out Hijikata!

Historical Hijikata is intimidating, yet somehow manages to be frustrating at the same time.

21st Century Hijikata is dreamy beyond all measure!

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

Continue reading “Hakuouki: SSL – Toshizo Hijikata ~ Plot & Character Analysis” →

Hakuouki: SSL – Keisuke Sannan ~ Plot & Character Analysis

novelotome

I love Keisuke Sannan!

Due to not being a member of the Original Six (Hijikata, Okita, Saito, Harada, Heisuke, and Kazama), Sannan never got his happily ever after with Chizuru in the original historical game. And while I don’t like the dynamic between Sannan and Chizuru in Hakuouki: SSL, I did enjoy seeing the foundation of their relationship that redeems Sannan in the historical game remakes: Kyoto Winds and Edo Blossoms.

I love me an intelligent, morally gray hero! And Sannan is as smart, and unpredictable, as they come!

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.

Continue reading “Hakuouki: SSL – Keisuke Sannan ~ Plot & Character Analysis” →

Hakuouki: SSL – Chikage Kazama ~ Plot & Character Analysis

novelotome

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.

Continue reading “Hakuouki: SSL – Chikage Kazama ~ Plot & Character Analysis” →

Hakuouki: SSL – Hajime Saito ~ Plot & Character Analysis

novelotome

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.

Continue reading “Hakuouki: SSL – Hajime Saito ~ Plot & Character Analysis” →

Hakuouki: SSL – Shinpachi Nagakura ~ Plot & Character Analysis

novelotome

I love Shinpachi Nagakura! In fact, along with the rest of the baka trio: Harada and Heisuke, these three are my favorite characters from Hakuouki. I simply adore them!

While an important side character in the original historical game, Shinpachi was not a member of the Original Six (Hijikata, Saito, Okita, Harada, Heisuke, and Kazuma). So, of course, I am really grateful the writers decided to give Shinpachi his own route in the Kyoto Winds and Edo Blossoms remake! And while, I didn’t love his route or his relationship development with Chizuru, I did think the writers took Shinpachi’s character development to some interesting places.

Now, SSL doesn’t go anywhere as deep as Edo Blossoms, but you can see the foundation for Shinpachi and Chizuru’s relationship in this game.

And you can decide…if that’s for better or for 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.

Continue reading “Hakuouki: SSL – Shinpachi Nagakura ~ Plot & Character Analysis” →