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

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

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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Hakuouki: SSL – Heisuke Todo ~ Plot & Character Analysis

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.

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Hakuouki: SSL – Toshizo Hijikata ~ Plot & Character Analysis

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.

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Sympathy Kiss – Shuya Usui ~ Plot & Character Analysis

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

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

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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Hakuouki: SSL – Keisuke Sannan ~ Plot & Character Analysis

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.

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Sympathy Kiss – Nori Tainaka ~ Plot & Character Analysis

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

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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