Tag: Nightshade

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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Top 10 Otome Love Interests ~ Year 1

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Well, I’ve been officially blogging for a year! To commemorate my one-year anniversary, I thought it would be fun to make a Top 10 favorite Love Interest ranking with my “Final Thoughts” paragraphs for each guy! Mostly, this allowed me to go back and revisit my favorite heroes from this past year!

Every one of these Love Interests was in my “Great” ranking, of which I had exactly ten for the year! I omitted all the guys from Hakuouki; SSL. The game was so short and my love for them all was established in the games Kyoto Winds and Edo Blossoms, which I did not play this year.

This is all meant in good fun, and obviously just my personal favorites!

Okay! Here we go!

Character and plot spoilers after the cut!

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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!

Continue reading “Nightshade – Ishikawa Goemon ~ Plot & Character Analysis” →