The Decline of a Genre? - The History of Otome Games 1983-2022

How were otome games invented? How did they develop into what we now today? How was the development of otome games in Japan and in the West? Is the genre dying?
Interesting reads:
kotaku.com/how...
www.vice.com/e...
www.ign.com/ar...
/ how_japanese_otome_gam...
www.reddit.com...
yankeebanchou....
www.4gamer.net...
www.excite.co....
news.denfamini...
note.com/licca...
Sales numbers
w.atwiki.jp/gg...
mono-iki.com/g...
teitengame.com...
The Chinese perspective on the history and localisations
• [ENG sub] Japanese Oto...
About the first Angelique game
• Breaking💔Up Ep02: Ange...
• Looking Back at the Fi...
Shown games:
Angelique, Angelique Luminarise, Angelique Retoure, Harukanaru toki no naja de 7, Kiniro no Corda 4, Tokimemi memorial girl's side, Tokimemi memorial girl's side 4th heart, Tokimemi memorial girl's side 3rd story, Fushigi Yuugi, Hiiro no Kakera, Hakuouki, Wand of Fortune, Hanayaka Nari Waga Ichizoku, Clock Zero, Code Realize, Piofiore, Norn9, Heart no Kuni no Alice, Starry Sky in Spring, Uta no Prince sama, Diabolik Lovers Haunted Dark Bridal, Mystic Messenger, Yo Jin Bo, Period Cube, CollarxMalice, Sweet Fuse, CollarxMalice Unlimited, Amnesia Memories, Kissed by the baddest bidder, Ikemen Sengoku, Bad Apple Wars, Café Enchantée, Bustafellows, Cupid Parasite, Olympia Soirée, Tengoku Struggle, Radiant Tale, Hakuouki Shinkai: Tenun no Shou, Shuuen no Virche
Thumbnail and title support by QueenJokerAshe
Music:
Legends (AlexProductions), Adventure (Vadim Krakhmal), It's like a Romantic Movie (Cupid Parasite BGM), The Travelling Symphony (Savfk), I'm Free (Waroxe), Tengai ni Mau BGM, Gatekeeper (The Piano Says), Radiant Tale BGM, Fashion Saxophone (Infraction)
#otomegames #otome #otomegame
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docs.google.co...
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[@daniafable3970]

I hope Japan will recover their financial crisis not just otome but rather the whole entertainment industry, they need wider audience in the West to get more successful.

[@LinLinLavender]

That's such a good point! And there is in general the trend of less video games being produced, as production costs rise and micro transactions in old games are more profitable...

[@daniafable3970]

@@LinLinLavender fair enough. Let's just say that they are putting a lot quantity over quality mechanics because of how pandemic hits and the digital platform are becoming a thing. With how success Radiant Tale and Tengoku struggle on launch. That small success can lead to a more bigger success with more ways to make games for a different types of audience. Even then, it has some disadvantage like what happened to cendrillon pallika (idk the spelling) and other otome games that did not sell well. At the end of the day, it's their business no matter how fail or success the game is.

[@LinLinLavender]

@@daniafable3970 I also hope we will see more successes like these

[@daniafable3970]

@@LinLinLavender I agree 👍

[@npcimknot958]

actually opening Japan back up 100 would be a start.

[@matchamochi781]

I remember going on KZbin and seeing literally nothing for otome games it’s actually bizarre to see so much content now. I definitely think mystic messenger was the start of the giant boom on KZbin.

[@LinLinLavender]

I'm so glad I only joined recently so I never felt alone with otome games 😆

[@otome_family]

mystic messenger isn't an otome game, it's a josei muke. Otome game is female mc with the love interest is the boys. Josei muke can be mixed, otome can't. It's from Japan since 1994. Same as galge but male mc n love interest is the girls

[@otome_family]

if you know absolute deduction (絕對演繹), it's like that, they wouldn't dare mark themselves as otome. Also game like mahou tsukai, obey me(or other games with 2 mc or unknown mc) is also josei muke, bl gl also josei muke(even though idk why they don't make bl as dansei muke instead since there is no woman at all)

[@otome_family]

and sometimes kr company doesn't know what is otome than cn company. There is no such thing as otome bl game. Otome n bl meaning already opposite to each other

[@jeannecaelum5167]

Mystic Messenger really was my first Otome game, and then from then on I slipped into UtaPri, Amnesia, Diabolik Lovers, all of them I cherish and play nowadays on my beloved PSVita^^. I hope the genre is going to live on

[@LinLinLavender]

Oh one of the Mystic Messenger people 😆 I also love the vita even more with the otome games I'm also optimistic the Western market will be happy for quite some time and I also love so many of the new Switch releases!

[@Raynabananas]

I was always so disappointed to not be able to play so many otome games cus I can't read Japanese. I would only be able to watch reverse harem animes where it was based on an otome game like Uta no Prince & Corda D'oro and I just wanted to have a romance story with all the love interests hahaha. I was only able to play free dating games, with my earliest one being Re:Alistair. It's a great time to have a nintendo switch that's for sure! I hope more and more come out so I can finally play these games!

[@LinLinLavender]

I can imagine 😅 I also watched these anime before even knowing about the otome genre! Re: Alistair is also so famous for being a gateway game 😁 I hope so too!

[@coralia.i9702]

I WANT KAMIGAMI NO ASOBI TO BE LOCALIZED SO BAD I KNOW HOW IT FEELLSSS

[@simpingfor2d98]

@@coralia.i9702 OMG SAME. I WAS HOPEFUL AFTER AMNESIA BUT...AAAAAAAAAAA 😭😭

[@ryanmalik3378]

use textractor

[@webfleck4]

I got introduced to otome games back in 2013 because of Amnesia, and been hooked ever since. Otome is still one of my favorite genres. I hope Japan recovers from this crisis they are facing!

[@amnal3983]

What a great video! Utterly fascinating to watch. I had no idea otome sales were declining in Japan, ironically just as they’re going through a boom in the West!

[@LinLinLavender]

Thank you! It is indeed quite surprising, maybe we can save Japanese otome games by supporting them with localisations?

[@SteffiAkira]

I really really love otome games. I’m really happy that on switch more otome gets released than before on other consoles in the west. I hope they continue releasing them over here.

[@LinLinLavender]

Me too! 😍 Which was your first game?

[@SteffiAkira]

@@LinLinLavender I started pretty late with otome games. First I played some games on my Smartphone some otome from voltage and Ikémen Sengoku. But my first one on vita, was Collar x Malice, which is still one of my favourite Otome so far. 🥰 but better late than never I’d say.

[@snowyglaceon3847]

I remember the first Otome Games I ran into on youtube. Dandelion wishes brought to you. It has a unique play style and I fell in love with it. It opened the door for me to view other Otome Games too.

[@LinLinLavender]

Oh, that's wonderful! Also a very good gateway game, I think! Glad you fell into the rabbit hole afterwards

[@melaniey.5596]

This doesn’t exactly count as “otome” but I have been scratching my otome itch with games with romance options like Fire Emblem, Harvest Moon/Story of Seasons, and Rune Factory. I love visual novels, but sometimes just the text message is not entertaining enough for me. I think that’s why I liked Tokimeki Memorial Girls Side so much. The love interests were a little bland (compared to the ones in more modern games), but the I remember being kept from being bored with the minigames. Oh geesh that’s why I wish that action games with romance options with a plethora of waifus would let you choose playing as a female protagonist (coughPersonaCough). Thou I have not yet played Even if Tempest. Maybe it’s murder mystery minigames will be interesting.

[@LinLinLavender]

But these are really nice gateway games and cross overs! I also would love to see more dating elements in other games... Yes, I think Even if Tempest might be a good choice! Or JackJeanne with the rhythm mini games

[@henriettereines6273]

Even if Tempest is really good especially the MC she's almost as good as Cardia from Code Realize.

[@jerymarika]

Oh yes! I feel exactly the same. I loved the tokimeki girls side series, played it a lot. I also enjoy Fire Emblem, Persona and Rune factory and I also agree that just the text isn't as engaging as having a real game to actually play. I still LOOOVE the stories from modern otome games, but damn please ALSO give me some titles with actual gameplay x.x, I'm so tired of having to go to male media to get some romance + gameplay. I'm really more intrested in pretty boys than girls xD

[@KurosakiRuka]

Actually Persona 3 Portable has female character. I played the original as kid and played the persona 3 portable female character for the first time this summer and oh boy... It was so good, Akihiko and Shinjiro but also the other relationsships as the female prota were really something that had me filled with joy. I pray to the higher ups of atlus that the add the female route to persona 3 remake

[@henriettereines6273]

The Alice in the country of series was my first Japanese otome game that I ever played and it made me fall in love with the Otome genre

[@miicchanmee7639]

I preferred the story focused VN ( especially dark ones like BWS or Virsche ) with minimal choices since I always use walkthroughs every time I'm playing and I don't want the MC to suddenly "die" on common route. Simulation otome games are not really my type because the CGs are less and the MC's design is not really beautiful as it is a more self insert games. I also hope they release a kinetic visual novel otome too.

[@LinLinLavender]

Yes, me too! 🤝 I think I've heard about a kinetic otome... Btw would you be interested in joining my discord? Maybe we can convince you to also play some more non-otomate otome games ;)

[@miicchanmee7639]

@@LinLinLavender Sureeee what is your DC channel name?

[@LinLinLavender]

@@miicchanmee7639 discord.gg/p4ezKWWBHR

[@JayJay-qu4nw]

I'd rather pay one price for a FULL game. I need fabstyle in English lol such a pretty game.

[@prettysunshyngrl]

Ahhhh I've been waiting for this one! This was done so so well Lin! You did a great job researching this and I can tell you put in work. I actually feel optimistic about the future of otome. With Angelique and Tokimemo returning and selling super well it shows there's interest there. Then you have Rune Factory 5 selling like crazy. They clearly have an audience (especially globally) they just need to make games they would enjoy. I'm enjoying this time of going back to what built all of this and seeing all these localizations. I think it's a step in the right direction.

[@LinLinLavender]

Oh, are you Honey from the discord? Thanks 🥰 I also think that the return of the classics is a good sign and I think the Switch can be the next successful console for otoge Right, maybe there should be more cross over games like that? Changing up the genre as most people seem to like gameplay elements

[@prettysunshyngrl]

@@LinLinLavender yes it's me and I definitely think the Switch is headed there which is great because it's a much more stable console as far as the general public. If they make the upcoming successor backwards compatible we really will be cooking with oil. And honestly with all of these localizations I have a feeling it's going to become like the anime industry in where the fans outside of Japan start becoming explicit target demographics.

[@LinLinLavender]

@@prettysunshyngrl Exactly! That would be super awesome!

[@xXDalyladollyXx]

Great video! I didn't knew the story about this genre!

[@LinLinLavender]

I also had a loooot of fun researching and learned a lot! Glad you felt the same 🥰

[@lenabeyondgravity]

I fell in love with otome games just recently. My first one was Nightshade and currently I'm playing Olympia Soirée. ♡ Can't wait for the new releases coming out in 2023, especially Norn9! I think 2022 was a good year to start with otome games. :D

[@plutoschild134]

I remember watching Diabolik Lovers and when i searched it up there was art i had never seen which were from the games, you do not know that instant excitement of finding out there was more content. I was instantly hooked, I also watched other otome anime like dance with devils and amnesia then I would watch the gameplay or read whatever translations I could find. It was definitely an era. also PRAYING for the localization of diabolik lovers :p

[@LinLinLavender]

Oh, I can imagine! 🤩 I'm streaming DwD on Tuesdays if you're interested ;) Well we can hope ☺️

[@_invarskoe_3930]

Hi! So... I'm from Russia. And you know what? We have a "otome pandemic" right now to! If be onest, what happen with otome game in Russia today is a new "otome pandemic". First time it been in ≈ 2013 with "Amnesia: memories" or "Diabolical Lover's". But now we localised cult Japanese otome and create own otome game. And we have more otome game on English. That's quite cool and more friendly to players, because lot of people know English. So...I think it's a really good time to came from otome fandom.

[@LinLinLavender]

That's so interesting 🤯 thanks for sharing 💕 do you also have some Russian localisations?

[@_invarskoe_3930]

@@LinLinLavender yes, but it's fan localisation. if I remember correctly, there is not a single officially translated otome game into Russian

[@LinLinLavender]

@@_invarskoe_3930 I see, what a shame, but at least we get some English translations ☺️

[@sketchywolfgrl9564]

My first otome game was Obey Me and I've tried other mobile games. But a lot of the ways the games are set up I get easily bored or annoyed by the gameplay when there's gameplay beyond reading text and looking at pretty characters lol

[@LinLinLavender]

Oh right, Obey me also is huge! Are you still playing it? Especially on mobile it's had to find a solid game, isn't it?

[@sketchywolfgrl9564]

@@LinLinLavender Yeah, just a few days away from playing on it for a year and yeah it is especially when you're a picky player in general like I am lol

[@LinLinLavender]

@@sketchywolfgrl9564 Hey, congrats! Hope you celebrate with your boys 🥳 I think it's good to be picky!

[@minipiglets]

i’ve been into anime pretty much my whole life, and ended up watching otome-based animes in early 2010s such as utapri, arcana famiglia, dialovers, amnesia etc.. and was desperately looking to play them!!! Come 2016, i was definitely one of the mystic messenger fans + played lots of mobile otomes.. and as i know it happened for many - i got the switch for animal crossing in 2020… but stayed for the otome games 😭😭 i truly hope for the industry to flourish once again in japan and see even more success in the west as well 🥺😭😭😭

[@LinLinLavender]

I also used to watch reverse harem anime, but didn't know there were even better games! 😭🤯 Haha, first mobile, then Switch, then the rabbit hole - a perfect story 😍 I hope so to!

[@Riee138]

Love this video! I am always amazed how well your videos are structured, how much information they include while at the same time being so entertaining. Thank you for providing us with such great videos.

[@LinLinLavender]

Oh, thank you ❤️ so rare to see you comment over here (though I know you appreciate my videos, so don't worry ☺️) Thank you for your words 🥰 that makes me really happy to hear!!

[@gamewrit0058]

11:10 "Hakuoki will never die." 🥰 I got into Otome by stumbling across a random Nightshade video on yt, and then you, Lin, popped up in the recommendations and made me brave enough to learn more. Thanks! Oh, and Nightshade is on sale for 45% off ($26 USD) in the Nintendo Switch e-store in my region, so I finally bought it today! August 2024. I also bought a used copy of Birushana today, for about 50% off; looking forw to seeing it in my mailbox! I'm replaying Norn9 at the moment. 🥰👍

[@LinLinLavender]

@@gamewrit0058 it never will 🤣 Oh, that's a unique story! And happy it brought you to my channel! 💕 Awesome! Hope you enjoy all the historical games! Norn is also such a gem 😍

[@YuuTheBeetle]

I just wanna share that my first otome games were free ones that were downloadable or browser flash games and I had SUCH a blast.

[@FatimaNo.1]

I love that as tech advances so does the development and popularity of Otome games. So many easy ways to find out about it like on tiktok or on KZbin. (At least for the west) It makes it more accessible for people to find out about them. I hope they get more popularized because I'd like more Otome merch and translated games. They really only do that if it's a very popular games; that's why these games are the main reason i'm learning Japanese lol.

[@AnimeGirl4891]

I am very excited for all the new Otome games coming out soon. Especially Amnesia Memories. I have been waiting years to play it and I finally am. I do hope Otome games will continue to be a success in Japan again just like it did in the past.

[@LinLinLavender]

Me too! It's such a good otome era 😁

[@AnimeGirl4891]

😊. Do you think the game Sweet Fuse at your Side will make it to the Switch since other Vita and PSP games are? Like Norn9 and Code Realize.

[@LinLinLavender]

@@AnimeGirl4891 Hm ..good question...I think it might be too old and wasn't even ported to the Vita, so I'm not super optimistic about that Have you played it?

[@AnimeGirl4891]

Yes. It was one of the first Otome games I ever played. And I think it was the first time I heard voice actor Junichi Suwabe. He was the Fortune Teller with the long orange hair.

[@LinLinLavender]

@@AnimeGirl4891 How nostalgic 😍 And he's your favourite VA ever since?

[@MadLionGoGo]

This was so informative in just 12 minutes, thank you so much! I started out playing TokiMemo GS1 after picking it up out of curiosity and never looked back. Just last year I started playing Angelique Retour and it's taken over my life, so I was SO happy to see the background story for the series! I feel like there will always be a market for otome games even if it's not consistently booming, just like there has always been a market for shojo manga, romance novels, etc. We cannot be stopped :)

[@LinLinLavender]

You're welcome! I'm glad you enjoyed the video! I also want to play Angelique retour someday! That's true ☺️

[@jordanwardle5503]

I knew otome games existed for a long while, though discovering VNDB and getting Steam allowed me to see how many games were available to me as an English-speaker and almost-exclusive PC user. In 2019 or 2020 I decided to put in my specifications on VNDB and play through all that are available to me. I've barely scratched the surface (especially with decades-old games being released in English as of recent), so it'll certainly be a long journey of discovery!

[@posiipeachy]

The Cybird Ikemen games have literally fueled me since 2017

[@thatcursedpoet0825]

I really really hope UtaPri gets a localisation,, so many of us in the fandom are hoping for it to happen 😢

[@LinLinLavender]

True! I really wonder why they never took the chance...

[@ChalleFenChalle20]

thank you so much for 10:00 I don't know how I missed the news that Norn9 was finally getting the fandisk localized after like a decade

[@rinri6963]

My first entry was Diabolik Lovers anime (not beginner friendly), then I watch Brother conflict and Uta no prince sama, after that I found out what reverse harem and otome game are. I played hakouki and amnesia when they first localized and in app store, now I have hakouki kyoto and edo (I only finished 1 route) and other localized otome games on steam that i need to finish

[@LinLinLavender]

I wish I also knew there are otome games when I watched these anime 10 years ago 😅 Hope you have fun will all the games in your backlog 🥰

[@chibicandyart]

I always loved otome games and I got into them cause I grew up watching anime (half the time it was in Japanese and I didnt even understand) ,but when I found out about em there were two big issues. main one I cant read Japanese and I was super young so I couldn't really research more into them. Its weird seeing them be mentioned so much on youtube now,mainly because of the switch and people buying psp/vita. I love this video, I never knew about how these games started and would have never guessed sales decling and the genre seen as dying in Japan! It makes me sad and I hope it manages to stay alive and grow now that I'm able to purchase them and play them

[@LinLinLavender]

That's cool you knew about them so early and at the same time sad you couldn't play them... I also love that the genre is so big in the west now! Guess we have to make up for the decline in the Japanese market and buy all the otome games

[@healedkyber]

I got into Otome games only last month. Thank you for making this video so I can learn more.

[@enelpenel6915]

Back when I first got into otome I had my iPod Touch for the first time. Since I only had a flip phone when I was a teenager. This was the only way for me to play apps games. And I remember My Forge Wedding being suggested to me. I was a big fan of visual novel type games, so I thought I download it and give it a try. I got so obsessed with it lol and wanted to play more.

[@LinLinLavender]

Sounds amazing 🥰 what are you playing these days?

[@enelpenel6915]

@@LinLinLavender A lot lol I try to get my hands on any English Otome game that's out there.

[@RowleyFan2]

Awesome vid! I agree that while otome mobile games are not the best (sometimes downright greedy), they're still the gateway drug for many new players, since they're at the basic level, free to play.

[@LinLinLavender]

Thank you 💕 Exactly and they are not all bad, sometimes console players can be a bit snobby 🤣 but they still are a threat to the console market I think 😬

[@cel9294]

What I want, is for more otome games to be on either PC/Mobile. There are a lot of otome games on those platforms, but there are some I'm really interested in, only available on the Nintendo Switch or the PlayStation. So I'm praying for that

[@heynae2016]

I found out about otome through the harem tag in general and began further delving into it when I came across an upcoming visual novel called sunny day jack as well as a plethora other yandere visual novels. I looked into the genre and its origins and by extension found out about otomes. I'm now trying to play as much as I can.

[@LinLinLavender]

That's awesome! Welcome 🤗

[@MoonPrincess28]

I'm an old lady on the internet. I remember as a teen, searching for otome games to play that I could read and were in English. They were practically non-existent. I ended up getting my fill with the mobile market much later and with Amnesia. (And an attempt at reading a walkthrough with Diabolik lovers. I wish they'd localize it 😢) Along with English patches of the Tokimeki Girl's Side DS games 1 + 2 These days, I'm not as interested in otome games. Just when they exploded in popularity too. I was born too early!!

[@LinLinLavender]

What a sad timing 😖 Maybe you could give them another go? I don't know what you mean by old lady, but the channel Food4Dogs is also enjoying them! Or I hope you enjoy the other stuff you're doing and playing now!

[@pogCibi]

I got into otome thanks to "My Horse Prince" and no I am not ashamed lmao

[@LinLinLavender]

Oh really? 🤣 How did you survive?

[@pogCibi]

@@LinLinLavender I started playing it bc one of my friends was playing it and it looked too hilarious but I actually liked it and then moved to MysticMessenger. First non-mobile otome game I played was Hakuoki tho. And I still haven’t found anyone I like more than Sanan lol

[@LinLinLavender]

@@pogCibi Hilarious 🤣 well thanks to your friend!

[@kamveng453]

Nice! But you missed out the Chinese side. The CN fans are crazy rich. there was a time where the fans of Love&Producer rented a $32K led building to greet Li Zeyan(love interest) a happy birthday. The fans also put a Chinese drone show for one of the male interest(Bai Qi).

[@LinLinLavender]

Thanks! Sadly I don't know much about the Chinese market, but one video in the description talks about that (though not about modern releases)

[@bananapancake5809]

Have you ever tried tears of Themis, it sure have ace attorney elements on it. It's really add a new spin of the otome games. Plus the MC was kinda fruity to the point we want to date the mc instead of the men.

[@takoholic]

You did such amazing job on this video! ❤️

[@LinLinLavender]

Oh thank you so much 💕💖

[@fanniszathmary2266]

This was a great video too! I felt a little old because my first real otome game was indeed Yo-Jin-Bo I didn't know that it was literally the first game coming to the west... On the other hand you can say I'm a true OG XD By the way I think that game is good even with today's standards

[@LinLinLavender]

Thank you so much! Haha, you're a true fan and everybody's idol! Oh really? I've been wondering as it really looks dated and not very romantic? But thanks for the recommendation!

[@fanniszathmary2266]

@@LinLinLavender There were very romatic scenes but it's true that it's more story heavy. I liked it way more then Hakuoki that was too story focused even for me. This is more romantic. :)

[@LinLinLavender]

@@fanniszathmary2266 Interesting, thanks! 😍

[@doseofotome]

Thank you for the video! Yes Hakuoki was my first otome and I never looked back since. I thought what was missing is about the rise of Chinese made otome mobile gacha games in recent years too such as Tears of Themis, Love and Producer/Mr Love and most recently Love and Deep Space.

[@Otomebai]

I had no idea of the origin of otomes! Thank you for the information :D

[@LinLinLavender]

You're welcome 🥰 have fun with the videos 😁

[@clark6798]

Great vid! I'd love to see more like this. Maybe like a more indepth look at the history of otome games for each console generation. I do want to know more about Starry Sky almost getting a localisation. ?_? When it comes to the future of otome games, i hope there will always be room for glossy visual novels, but i think the trend towards mobile gaming is where we're heading. It's more accessable, cheaper (if you avoid gacha's ^_^;) and gives a higher feeling of involvement for the player as you have more to do in the game than just pressing the a button. Just look at the popularity of games like Obey Me.

[@LinLinLavender]

Thank you! If you look in the description there is a Chinese (with Eng subs) video talking about every single release until 2002 I believe Starry Sky localisation had a Kickstarter, but they didn't reach the 150.000$ goal... I also like the VN style, so I'm happy, but agree they should make them more engaging and gameplay heavy if they don't want the genre to die...

[@gilliantoh4658]

Starry sky basically got a C&D when ppl started working on it.

[@lilygardner4035]

i've always been super into otome games and am permanently thirsty for new, localized options :' )) i do prefer more story-driven ones, but i love the ones that have some type of unique gameplay to pull the player in aside from just ... hitting a button to advance the text. bustafellows was very well done, and i loved collar x malice's slight twist on this, too. would love for more mobile ones, just because they tend to be more accessible for folks, but as long as it's good content, i'm down for most platforms!

[@user-yp3lf3ks2y]

Back in year 2000s ,in 2005-2016-i started playing otome game because my classmate were introducing to me and at first i didn't like Japanese animation art or the media adaptation,i only enjoy romance and imagining on my Dolls-like,playing toys with doll,and those girl would do,i even don't have a phone or any internet tools,just music listening on the radio and on the cup phone thing,it kinda feel happy.i mean Call them dolls or imaginary friends but i enjoy before even the wjole internet even make me addicted,and my friends were really into those hot boyfriend type,so i tried playing the game angelicque on the pc version after modern technology,it was so with cool art,great anime, I've watched it,and i really enjoy those game,but after they went reduced for the ideas of making game,then i guess you're not wrong, especially about The otome game when it's being like simulation and affer done playing ,you got bored and gave to others to play,and maybe ,might ended up like woody,i mean if you're bored,then i guess there are a lot of ideas,or even stop playing online "screen"-you can even feel free or i guess you can just even do games you have more fun to enjoy,or just stop playing it ,i mean i don't know on answer to those addiction or death or those thing about question about rating in rl and game ,but uh....just stay healthy 😅😅

[@kikilovely9100]

I started playing otome games at the start of my first year of middle school and with my first own cellphone. I miss voltage games😭🥺 (but i'm still searching for new/old titles to play)

[@LinLinLavender]

That sounds like fun 🥰 which game was it? and have you been addicted ever since?

[@kikilovely9100]

@@LinLinLavender My first was Butlers at midnight, I guess it was called like that! Then it was the turn of Be My Princess (Party) and then the black hole of otome games started. Yes, I've been addicted ever since and I don't plan to stop anytime soon💖🥺✌🏻

[@LinLinLavender]

@@kikilovely9100 Sadly I don't know any of them 😔 But that's good to hear! Me neither 😁

[@kikilovely9100]

@@LinLinLavender Don't worry!

[@hisjak]

That was me with the Shall We Date games. 😥 I miss being able to play my favorite characters and titles for the nostalgic factor. Hope you could experience their content on the switch or find anything in general!

[@SweetBunnyPrincess]

I hope that they finally localize uta no prince, if they do I would cry tears of happiness!

[@LinLinLavender]

I know so many comments here are wishing for it 😅

[@misfresitalinda]

Last year I bought Diabolik lovers Chaos lineage for the switch my 1st touch with the saga was haunted dark bridal on my psp ( because it was the only one with a dedicated translation blog on tumblr) after that I studied japanese for a few years and can pretty much understand everything ( with some help on reading some kanjis from a dictionary) and it has been a blast being able to go through the switch catalogue and finally playing all those tittles i yearned for since I was a teen I hope the future of otome games will be bright and filled with creativity +localizations since many people outside of Japan find them enjoyable

[@LinLinLavender]

What a lovely story 😍 and congrats on learning Japanese! 🎉 I also hope otome games will continue to strive!

[@torara_ch]

What a great video! It is so insightful for me as a person who just got into Otome Game since the Pandemic. I first play an Otome Game through my friends recommendation which called as Memories Interactive Stories on my Smartphone and as soon i play one of its story such as Red White Cinderella i got hooked with Otome Games. Since that i tried other Otome Games such as Mystic Messenger and Tears of Themis. I just bought a switch just to play Code Realize and Amnesia XD Curious on how the experience of the classic otome games that you have mention in the video. Looking forward to play it XD

[@LinLinLavender]

Thank you! See, mobile games are so nice to get into the genre 😁 I hope you enjoy the Switch games!!

[@prettiboyee1436]

despite not actually able to play the games itself because as a idk 13 to 14 yrs old kid I was reluctant to ask for anything to my parents (pls I even had a psp I really could've played games if I could) and yet despite that otome games anime adaptations was my childhood and even the very thing that kickstart my anime obsession. altho I've changed over the years and had lost interest through otome games since BL took over me, it feels nice to learn about the genre that started everything for me.

[@LinLinLavender]

That's so sweet to hear that otome started your obsession! 🥰 Always good to lock back at the things that made us become who we are today

[@tanisha2659]

My first otome was Secret Scandal Returns 2 lolol, I still remember how my cousin snatched my blackberry and was so disturbed about the content I was consuming. Masato Shii is still my first.

[@Rose_Areblue]

I'm a otome mobile player because i don't have any console so on mobile its more accessible for me (and i like the game play) but even before i was familiar with console otome through the anime adaptation of some games like norn9 /amnesia / uta prince etc. And fan translation of those games. Back then it what pretty difficult to found content about them. It's was interesting to see the evolution.

[@Anuyushi]

My first games were the Shall We Date Mobile Game series in 2014. I deeply wish for a localization for the Kamigami No Asobi series though.

[@SorarikoMotone]

omg another kamiaso lover! man i wish they one day localize it....

[@Anuyushi]

@@SorarikoMotone Oh my gosh another person that even knows about it?!

[@magnetdance]

Great video! Angelique will always be my one and only💕 Lots of fun memories chasing after Randy… who didn’t like me because I’m a cancerian?? 🙃

[@LinLinLavender]

Thank you! The first otome is really something special 💕

[@SorarikoMotone]

aaaah, this was a nice vid to watch... my first otome was... sweet fuse, when i was still a teen, and no joke - that was probably the only otome game where i was more interested in the overarching story than in LI's, LMAO. Then there was kamiaso (localization doko), diabolik lovers (never again, that was a pure torture), nise no chigiri, shinobi koi utsu tsu (LOCALIZATION DOKO), kenka bancho otome, kamiaso infinite..... and then i just... stopped playing them till very recently? i still have ozmafia and amnesia memories sitting in my backlog (along with dmmd and togainu no chi, but shhhhhh), but never actually sat and play them properly - instead i've been playing Touken Ranbu, GBF, a lot of non-romance games, a lot of romance non-otome games.... and then the fact that a lot of otome games nowadays that come out on mobile (and joseimuke in general) are SO predatory in their mechanics (i am looking at you, obey me), that it actually turned me off from otome games for a while, even if its actually one of the proper otome games on pc. localization problems in many of them also dont help the situation..... it is getting better but it still not there, imo....

[@LinLinLavender]

Thanks 🥰 What a nice selection! How did you like Nise no Chigiri and KBO (localisation doko)? And which otome games brought you back to the genre?

[@SorarikoMotone]

nise no chigiri is bittersweet in a lot of its endings and story overall, tho in a very satisfying way, with Shuya ending up being my fave.... but also - Rurimaru is my son and i would forever protect this lil monkey boy with my life if necessary. KBO was honestly whacky and fun, but thats how all kenka bancho games are (and i LOVE kenka bancho - beating up people is FUN), this one just also has benefit of being an otome game lol. i honestly liked almost all LI's here except for Hooh - idk, his route was kinda..... eh? tho it was sweet in a couple of moments. and the game's mechanics made the whole experience quite unique, in all honesty, so overall i very much enjoyed playing that one. beating up spicy and handsome boys apparently is mega fun, as well, lol. for last question..... despite how bad the game turned up to be - What in Hell is Bad. The hype for it for months before it release kinda gave me a push to actually start ozmafia finally, tho currently its back in the backlog because i gotta finish code vein and the great ace attorney playthroughs first. ah, the eternal pain of endless backlog... @@LinLinLavender

[@LinLinLavender]

@@SorarikoMotone thanks for making me interested in Nise no Chigiri 🤣 KBO is indeed a bit all over the place even? The common route is my favourite common route of all time, but the romance was lacking in most of the routes for me... Totally see how Hooh was disappointing, he was so plot driven My favourite actually were Totomaru and unexpectedly Mirako! What in Hell is bad? Is that a game? Never heard of that Backlog means a hopeful future 😁

[@SorarikoMotone]

mmm, yeah, kbo definitely felt a little bit like that, specifically in Hooh route for me, because they just tried to ham-fist so much lore into it without that much leading up to it, when the other li's routes didnt try to take themselves THAT much serious, you know? sweet fuse imo had a similar thing with its secret LI's route, but to a lesser extent from what i remember of it, because the game itself is more story focused than romance, so aside from romance with the secret li - the route doesnt feel as off as Hooh's, still hate that he's a romanceable option in the first place in sweet fuse. And its very sad that the feeling is even stronger in the second kba game and the fan disk.... bweh. oh well, at least the game was still fun, between romancing the rest of the cast and beating the living lights out of people, lol. what in hell is bad or whb for short is... well, an nsfw otome for phones from the creators of Love Unholyc. basically same deal as obey me, but spicier. way spicier. and way more demons. but the gacha is so baaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaad i wonder why so many mobile joseimuke and otome games use such terrible ways to utilize these monetization methods... like not even most of the gacha games with all-female cast make people suffer that much... @@LinLinLavender

[@saenekokun2723]

I was smiling and giggling throughout this video, and even more when I saw Mystic Messenger and Diabolik Lover :) My first introduction to otome is due to my friend in middle school who won't shut the f up about utapri. Everyday everytime is utapri moment, that she even made me draw them! I'm not complaining, because I love Quartet Night (she is NOT happy with that www). After that I got into Diabolic Lovers and Dance with the Devil, I never knew they are from games at the time so I only watched the anime. My first otome game is Mystic Messenger in 2017, after I got my first phone after I passed my entrance test for university. In my opinion regarding modern otome, my only problem is mostly about newer generation ONLY wanting the mc to going through happy and non-toxic relationship. My another complaint is when every player always wants to feel the need to want a female love interest, and got mad when said love interest was not well accepted. Lastly, maybe it's just me, but ever since the whole Mystic Messenger craze, recent otome games feels more like Mystic Messenger copy-paste. It's like they are trying to imitate the game style instead of creating their own and be original. I especially hate this kind of trend where when new craze explode, everyone wants to be like it. Everyone wants to create IT. It's very uncreative and unoriginal.

[@LinLinLavender]

What lovely story 😍 I also watched the anime before I knew about the genre at all! What weird complaints.. But yes the perfect otome game is not always around the corner, it's rather rare to find a game you genuinely love

[@saenekokun2723]

@@LinLinLavender yeah, it's more of a complaint regarding majority of twitter users, but other than that I wish otome will continue to strive

[@animelly]

Been a long time fan of otome games since Hakuoki was first released in English on the PSP back in 2012. Watched the anime as it was airing in 2010. I still am a fan of that game and so glad more otome games are getting localized outside of Japan. With Amnesia coming out soon for the Switch (and so closely to my birthday), I'm excited to play it again!

[@LinLinLavender]

I'm also excited to finally play Amnesia honestly 🤩

[@mbuszka5295]

To sum up all what I think, but keep it pretty simple... 🤔 1. I think, *Japanese genre dies* because of no efford, while arrising *CHINESE INFLUENCE* , which if play right, most likely can be it's future. 🤷🏻‍♀️ Like I started with Hakuoki and TokiMemo(which SENTIMENT is big part of 4th sales, I am sure)... But what You said about simpler game style, bring us to point 2: CN has really amazing plot, more complicated, sometimes involving little RPG game mechanics, but as not they just are topping our attention all with GRAPH QUALITY. Like I said many times about MLQC: I get broke each event, as this mobile game, if not careful, can RUIN YOU... Yet You keep playing. 🤷🏻‍♀️ But overlooking sentiment for Japanese classics, their plot in comparition is pretty SIMPLE and their CG... are much lesser quality. And even handheld don't You carry EVERYWHERE. Unlike phones. 🤷🏻‍♀️ So more-entertaining, cheeper and easier to carry games, with men giving phone calls to important events in Your true live, became obviously more desired. 🤷🏻‍♀️ When appeared, MLQC practically rulled West market of mobile otome games. When MLQC on West lost many fans due to Jonah incident, it soon got replaced for mobile phones with another CN, Tears of Themis, which for me is not part as good, but it appeared on time, where many needed new game after MLQC heartbreak. 🤷🏻‍♀️ There was also those Sultan games attempt. But being forced pine, unwillingly, over Sultan, while dating-like and interested in others... Did not worked much. 🤷🏻‍♀️ 3. Japan NEEDS TO STEP UP THEIR GAME. 🤷🏻‍♀️ Like You said, market got FLOWED by otome games, but it only is obviously making us, players, MORE PICKY. 🤷🏻‍♀️ Especially trait-brand-otome IFI/OTOMATE, just got lazy, pulling games like Cendrilion Palika(forgot how to write that game😅), with dosen of plot holes, covered by glittery graph. 🤷🏻‍♀️ Quantity overruled QUALITY. 🤷🏻‍♀️ And it is NOT WORKING, because:. 4. AUDIENCE IS GETTING OLDER 🤷🏻‍♀️ Also, worthy of consideration will be making OTOMATE+18 brand, where fans can get something... Less innocent. I don't mean INDECENT things, but lets be honest. If someone started in 2012, or 2015, they are ADULTS now. So biggest OTOME fans are ADULT, very often, women. And games like, sorry to say it... I even forgot that name. Anyway, one with godness aiming lost date cases. Or some others. It is too unrealistic for 'older' (25-30)women, that still are part of market. Due to ADULT women forced to step, yet again, into teen shoes, otome games only make us more and more FRUSTRATED with time. 🤷🏻‍♀️ As we can overlook AMNESIA, or HAKUOKI mc dimness, as we WERE 'their age', so we were more forgiving then and now, it connect to sentiment we have to our first otomes... But playing 30th otome, where YOU want to SLAP(at least) mc out of it... Is other thing. 🤷🏻‍♀️ Also, games like that bi-oriented newest AKSYS translation I saw, where we date guys changing to magical girls... Any +25 years old hetero woman WILL pass it. Like... WTF? 😬 And, again, plot is rated rather medicore. 🤷🏻‍♀️ They often get good ideas, like with Olimpia Soiree... But it ends done pretty sloppy, not focused, where it should. 🤷🏻‍♀️ Like, I PREbought OliSoi moment it appeared, curious of world... But it much rather focused on rather superficial look at plot, more focusing on mouse by our side, than world or heroine development. Just was squiky, not too complicated, but with ever flashbacks. 🤷🏻‍♀️ And this is moment to get to final point, 5. Which is: STOP BEING LIKE NOWADAYS ANIME : As they DON'T seperate girls and women market, it only ends on adult(again, as those who remember FIRST GAMES will not be too happy forced to highschool THOUSAND TIMES NOW) women LOSING INTEREST. 🤷🏻‍♀️ Especially, when CN market currently just done almost flesh-looking guys, that will keep even 15 years old girl more interested, than pretty cartoon guy with horns, or so. Japan started it. But VOLTAGE INC shows, little efford and You CAN BE DOING GREAT OTOME with Even if Tempest. 🤷🏻‍♀️ Instead, OTOMATE concludes, as I think: if less girls buy games, doing MORE GAMES will rise gains. 🤷🏻‍♀️

[@LinLinLavender]

Thanks so much for your detailed thoughts, they were really interesting to read! I'm also amazed how well Japanese games are doing in China and they get so many more localisations Interesting you agree that Otomate put quantity over quality. I personally like most otomate games and am happy with the overall quality, except for some bad examples 😅 Yes, mobile games are indeed dangerous And ToT really was the next big hit, you're right! I wonder how the industry will react to all these trends and developments

[@LinLinLavender]

Oh right, about the age: I agree that the aging played base could also be a reason, but shouldn't there be new players joining instead? I really like the idea of having Shoujo and Josei otome games though! That would be so great!

[@mbuszka5295]

@@LinLinLavender Yes and no. When it STARTED, there was couple, so, as said: we jumped EVERYTHING. Now even new otome players face DOZEN titles, so they don't need to buy EVERY ONE OF THEM, like we earlier did, as there was so little of them. Now You can chose from tens of english and thousands of Japanese titles. 🤷🏻‍♀️

[@LinLinLavender]

@@mbuszka5295 That's also what I thought, but also the sales per game declined and the number of published games per year

[@gilliantoh4658]

Jp games wise have been declining even before cn games have come on the scene. Various shutdowns of companies and spoiled ventures, combined with streamlining of a single style of vn story type around the vita era plunged it, and the move to switch cost some too bc its a hell lot more bulky and mobile gaming stole a lot of audience. Any new players will choose mobile bc everybody has it and you don't have to buy a whole new console. Commercial brands choose not to have r18 because it will look bad for their image, as simple as that, and it will shrink the market bc r18 can only be on PC, another worse dying market in jp. That's why all the r18 stuff is underground.

[@IndieOtome]

I am wondering where the information of international independent and corporate games is in the history and impact of otome games?

[@mas-daym]

Thank you for your research about otome games history and sharing them with us ❤ I've been interested in otome games since 2014, but before that I only knew the shoujo genre in manga or anime. Slowly, after I learned that there were other ways for girls to read romantic stories that were more interactive and immersive, then I got to know about otome games. I was have a dream to be a comic artist for girls genre. Now I aiming to make otome games. I'm still looking forward to playing more otome games :3

[@LinLinLavender]

You're welcome! That's such a long time! Which was your first otome game then? I wished I had known about otome games earlier 😆 That's awesome! Good luck!!

[@moonbug7252]

Oh yeah boy just the video I needed

[@octopiedinoraptor327]

We've gotten quite a few new releases with the Switch, I'm not a fan of mobile Otome as most seem lackluster (Voltage has a few on Switch I've bough but they aren't exactly the most interesting but are something quick and fun and I would only play them on sale) and small compared to full games (plus paywalls for a lot of options). I also enjoy the less gameplay approach, I want to basically just read my story and insert myself on the MC, it's an easy game that doesn't take so much "gaming" and is relaxing. I don't really think it's dying here so much, one of the biggest issues I've always seen is the localization, we can't read it so we can't play. Some consoles had patches, etc but that could be a pain. That said a lot of Otome port to computer too, even some of the bigger titles, and with the Steam deck and their sales I'm hoping we see an uptick. I'm just grateful we've gotten as much as we have compared to other consoles!

[@LinLinLavender]

I also prefer console and non gameplay games Exactly in the West otome games are booming! So you think more games should be on PC do be more easily accessible?

[@octopiedinoraptor327]

@@LinLinLavender I think computer or even Switch. The screens are big enough and it's simpler mechanics to port over since a lot of it is just translation patches. Heck, they could make digital trasnlation packages so we could but the games in Japanese and just buy the digital translator (kind of like the Alice game on Switch, I forget the name lol). With the Steam Deck making mobile an easy option too, porting things to computer, better sales, and more options for those who don't have phones or Switches or Decks that can handle the big files. Because a lot of these games are just too big to leave on the phone comfortably. PC or translators patches are the way to go imo, and it's been growing here in the West, so hopefully we see more!

[@LinLinLavender]

@@octopiedinoraptor327 They should hire you! I also would love to be able to buy the translation more often than always having to buy the whole game, exactly like TaishoxAlice did

[@vananh8241]

Great video, I didn't know all of these informations before watching your!! For console, I think Otomate is still dominating the market in this genre (at least in localizing) so it's like either you (the players) playing their games or staying with fewer selections. One thing about localiztion, I think it's because of the difference between culture of the West and East. Honestly, I was scared when Birushana Senki was announced to localize in NA/EU because (spoiler from here) it has some incest elements. Thanks goodness that I haven't see any complain from people playing it ☺️ I read someone's comment about Diabolik Lover that the series is still sold well in Japan so they continue milking the games instead of thinking about localization 🤔 Honestly, I wish there are more mobile games having big hit to people like Mystic Messenger back then. Obey me or Tear of Themis are more like joseimuke game than otome game but they are viral too! And I'm still feeling sad with the shut down of Ikemen Revolution in Japanese server 😭

[@LinLinLavender]

Thank you 🥰 Yes, Otomate is definitely the biggest otome company That's an interesting thought! But I also haven't seen complaints 🤔 More games are always better 😆 Yes, the shut down was a huge surprise!

[@bunnysbunss4601]

Oh remember how badly I wanted to play heart no Kuni no Alice series 😢 I only read the manga or watched others play online with fan translation.

[@fricia8646]

I saw princess debut! It's my first otome game. I used to go home early from school just to play it. qwq

[@emmat2276]

If there was a mock LOTR or Middle Earth otome with how many elves there are in existence I would play the shit out of it. Hot elf bois FTW. Obey Me is the current otome I'm invested in and honestly the most rewarding one with how the developers treat their players and the story is constructed well with memorable characters and lots of events with fun themes . Hatoful boyfriend is another unappreciated otome parody. I will support the otome genre so long as there is a solid story with character development that isn't off-putting. I'm a hit and miss with Diabolik Lovers since a lot of messed up stuff is going on but realistically that is what you should expect from actual monsters being the love interests and not humans. I think it was the heroine that was really the problem for some people because the short anime to reach a bigger audience didn't help, it just made her look pathetic when in the game she's stronger but not as much. Strangely the anime had an English dub but it was not received well. Honestly I think Diabolik Lovers didn't help the otome genre as much as others when it came out, the original CD drama was first and not as cringe worthy as the game. But there are a few boys who aren't so bad but still questionable. Sadly us western folks are sensitive to how predators treat their prey so Diabolik lovers will never be translated into English for the games because that target audience is strongly into the masochistic tendencies which was the appeal to the Japanese girls it was made for. I own a few of the CDS and would love the opportunity to play the game at least once to fully understand that draw because despite the hate it got Diabolik lovers was really successful with how much merchandise there is. Watching others play it with script translations isn't the same.

[@LinLinLavender]

Sounds like a fun idea 😆 Good to hear Obey Me is still delivering! I also couldn't get into DL, it's just not for everyone 😅 but agree it's always different when you play for yourself

[@emmat2276]

@@LinLinLavender Black Wolves was another game the DL crew made that honestly is tame enough it could be liked out west but they said for all their games they won't do out of country port to avoid backlash since these are heavy fetish games with a lot of violence and questionable situations that some may find in bad taste. But my DL bois are Azusa, Subaru, and Reiji because they tend to be nicer. Azusa and Reiji got a CD together that I haven't gotten yet 😭. Reiji is actually really nice to Azusa more than he is to his own brothers which is hilarious.

[@LinLinLavender]

@@emmat2276 Interesting! BWS is another game that might be too violent for me 😅 Oh no, that sounds lovely 😍

[@japai4323]

I used to play otome games ten years ago but most of them were on PSvita and I didn't have it T-T, so I let it go for years... But I recently acquired a switch and the happiness when I discovered all the otome games available T-T (tears of joy this time) I am back !!

[@LinLinLavender]

Welcome back 🤗🥰

[@teenietinytony]

i started with mystic messenger, but got me more into the genre was obey me. though i also really loved cinderella phenomenon and twisted wonderland.

[@Zen-zt4uk]

As someone who only knew about the word from a conversation bout games and then dating sims came up. I thank you, since i dont know where to read on this

[@LinLinLavender]

Welcome then 🤗 I hope you find some game recommendations on my channel or just ask me 🥰

[@aino-kaisav5504]

8:31 *sigh* Okay, I have grown highly emotionally attached to IkeSen, just seeing a glimpse of it on screen brought a smile to my face. My first otome game ever. Hideyoshi is still my fave otome husbando.

[@LinLinLavender]

That's so sweet ☺️ maybe I should try it someday

[@aino-kaisav5504]

@@LinLinLavender Can recommend, it has one of the most entertaining main characters I have ever seen in an otome game.

[@LinLinLavender]

@@aino-kaisav5504 Thank you! 🥰

[@undertakerevi6644]

I really hope too get classic here like the Black Wolve Saga, DB, Uta Sama, Kamigami no Asobi and so on xD I get the feeling that the japanese market finally understands that they have many fans over the big sea :D Also fun fact not only Otome but some other games were saved because of the interest from the west. Some nintendo gems like Fire Emblem (also has a little bit romance dating sim options ^^), Dragon Quest and when I remember correctly Rune Factory :)

[@LinLinLavender]

I hope so too! And Ace Attorney, I think 🤯

[@undertakerevi6644]

@@LinLinLavender yeah this one too sadly there were no hope for Professor Layton this one was also very great like Ace Attorney :D

[@Yithiru]

My first Otome game was Yo jin Bo. I was into visual novel and dating games already and when I saw there was one aimed at women I just had to check it out. It was quite disapointing tbh. I sometimes played the dating games by pacthesis on deviantart and replayed Tokimeki Memorial 1 & 2 as well as Love Revo over and over until last year I discovered otome games in the switch online store. And then my obsession started T-T. I hope the Otome genre will stay alive and well! I still need Brother's Conflict and DiaLovers for my switch :D But imagine I spent the time on replaying the same game over and over again on studying japanese instead... then I wouldn't have to wwait for translations anymore ahaha...

[@Yithiru]

Oh and Lin, your voice is super adorable >o

[@LinLinLavender]

Oh wow, the very first English otome! Back then it was a tough market for fans 😅 Pacthesis is also so famous! Oh yes, the obsession with the Switch otome games 💕 Hey, it's never to late to start learning Japanese ;)

[@LinLinLavender]

@@Yithiru Oh, thank you 🥰

[@MeowMyselfandI]

Yojinbo~ Man, that's a title I haven't heard mentioned in forever. Would love to replay it sometime since I honestly don't remember much other than I loved it lol For the future, I'd love it if we got a rise in gameplay games again and less focus on predatory mobile games (some are fine, some are very not *cough*ssum*cough*). I don't necessarily expect that to happen since companies tend to favour quick, easy money but at least we got stuff like JackJeanne so there's some hope

[@LinLinLavender]

Are you around since the first localisation?? Yes, apparently gameplay games are more popular so they should make more of those I don't think the mobile trend will cease any time soon though... That's true! And JJ also was super successful, though I forgot the exact numbers...

[@MeowMyselfandI]

@@LinLinLavender haha not quite I think but almost? I'm not sure when exactly I discovered otoge but it was probably 2010-ish. There wasn't much (and I wasn't perfect at English still) so the interest faded until 2019 when I rediscovered them ^^ Sadly I think gameplay games take more effort to make? So it's easier to just make visual novels, but they sell well from what I've seen so hopefully we will always have some

[@LinLinLavender]

@@MeowMyselfandI What was your first game again? 🧐 Right, I remember that! Probably yes ..I hope so too ☺️

[@MeowMyselfandI]

@@LinLinLavender Honestly I don't remember? It's been so long lol I know I'd played Yojinbo and some bishoujo games (cuz otome was scarce) and then some probably english flash games online. It was very the time of flash game sites xD I hadn't even done Hakuoki though, I didn't hear about that until 2015 or so. I think I even played mobile games before Hakuoki, good old Shall We Date series. I can tell you it was Akash that got me back into them! My sister was gonna buy me a switch game for my bday, we were randomly scrolling the switch store and both went like oh my god do you remember all those dating games we played as kids? Then the MC's default name is Aurora so my sister was like "it's fate, I'm buying it for you!" and I got sucked back in, realizing all the games that have come out since I stopped paying attention ^^ What was your first game? You've probably mentioned but I forget lol

[@LinLinLavender]

@@MeowMyselfandI Oh wow, quite a journey! That's such a cute story 😍 thanks to your sister and the Switch store! Ephemeral 😁

[@Nagutama]

I just want more of Hakuouki 😭😭

[@QuintrellDemary]

I love the history of video game companies from japan how they started I never knew about otomen companies to munch

[@LinLinLavender]

I also had a lot of fun researching and learned so much!

[@reo483]

I only started playing them this year so I don't know much but I like playing them

[@LinLinLavender]

That's all that counts! Which game brought you into the genre?

[@reo483]

@@LinLinLavender tears of themis

[@Crepe30]

tokimeki memorial GS finally returned ;-;.

[@LinLinLavender]

And 100.000 other people had the same thought 🥰 hope they continue with this series!

[@Kitten_Maru]

I've been playing otome games almost full-time for the last 4 years, but I never heard of almost any of the games you mentioned.... I'm playing on a smartphone and I only play free to play games (but I did end up spending a lot of money on them anyway). I'd love to read them all, but apparently I'd need to become an immortal millionaire to do that XD

[@LinLinLavender]

My history mainly focused on console games, I guess that's why ☺️

[@s_sanny]

The one game I've wanted to play all my life that seems like alot of people dont know it is glass heart princess. I waa probably like 10 when i saw it and i still wish it would be put in english

[@LinLinLavender]

Omg, such a classic 😁 I also hope they'll port it someday or I'll have to get the PSP game How did you come across it?

[@jotarokujo-kun2131]

I was also introduced to otome games by Mystic Messenger. And then when i have an extra money i always support otome games in switch specially the physical releases. My first otome game that i bought is Piofiore (also the reason why i bought a switch). Maybe I have bought almost 10 physical copies of games now and counting 😊

[@LinLinLavender]

Another Mystic Messenger fellow 🤗 Piofiore was also my first big otome 😍 love it to peaces! Best reason to buy a Switch 😁

[@eudoravia7082]

It’s getting annoying (on phone) when they require a lot of gachas and a lot of daily missions. It’s super nice when we only pay once and get it all (on consoles other than phone). I personally will go to rpg if i aim for gameplay, So I kinda agree to have otoge with more story and less grinding mechanics 😬 Edit: played a bunch of unpopular otoges like always remember me, the second reproduction, dot kareshi, and many more that I forget the titles, since 14+ years ago. I’d play suikoden, FF, .hack//, Atelier series, even Tomba or digimon world if I wanted to enjoy the gameplay too, it’s not that they’re specifically made for boys. I mean, somehow I enjoyed otoge as an alternative of novel/manga/anime, where we can decide where the story goes, but the supposedly “mini games” are becoming “*maxi games” these days 🫠 *On phones (no grind / no gacha, no unlocked story)

[@gilliantoh4658]

Phone is still the most popular device of use in the otome games' country of origin. Its flexible for those who want to grind and those who do not can take their time. If you want more fast food pay at one go there's other options to fit your lifestyle.

[@setmefree3448]

I understand you need money but why so many ads...

[@saskiawussler9324]

i have been playing for a while. my biggest wish is for utapri to come to the west.

[@LinLinLavender]

You're already like the third comment saying that 🤣 when will the listen??

[@audiem.7353]

Since the Switch has gotten ports of a lot of the PS Vita titles, I hope we finally get those localized and that more publishers localize otomes games. I try to get the games I really want on day 1, and those I might like a bit less when they are on sale. I want more games!!!

[@LinLinLavender]

Oh yes, I hope so too 💖

[@PanicoCalico]

Tokimemo is my fav otome saga, I wish Konami translate the 4 series q.q

[@LinLinLavender]

I also hope they do, but I'm not too optimistic about it

[@WolfShenda]

I feel like while I dabbled beforehand, it was MysMe that really catapulted me into the otome genre as a whole. Then Obey Me! followed, and now I murder my wallet regularly for IkeSen and IkePri lol. I kinda dig the Ikemen series more than OM, since they're not aaaas much gacha-based and there's just a ton of solid writing overall to enjoy, the event/gacha FOMO in OM became too nerve-consuming for me at some point. Tears of Themis was enjoyable too, but holy phone memory batman... Thank you for the overview! Honestly I didn't know the first otome game dates back to only 1994, thought the genre is older than that!

[@LinLinLavender]

Amazing how indeed for many people Mystic Messenger was the game they didn't know they needed 😆 You're welcome! Glad you liked the video 🥰

[@ichi_san]

I am so amazed that otome games originated from Koei Tecmo, and Keiko is an absolute legend hiring women and using awesome concepts for the first otome games

[@LinLinLavender]

Right, she's so awesome!

[@whatthehecktye]

I played mobile otome games out of boredom during high school, and always gave the mc stupid names. Mystic Messenger was one of the few games that genuinely impressed me with it’s story telling and gameplay though. It made me respect the otome game genre as a whole lot more.

[@ForTheNextGate]

Tokimeki and stormlover kai are my favorite type of otome. Kind of simulation where you do your daily stuff go where you want talk etc. Then date. It's so nice. Even if sometimes repetitve. This kind of otome is the beeest. So sad that there are not many like these ... :'((( If someone has other with these features, please suggest me !! :)

[@LinLinLavender]

I haven't heard much about storm lover Kai! Hm, I guess you've already played BroCon, maybe Angelique? But it's true, gameplay otome games are rare (maybe someone in my discord has some more recommendations, if you feel like joining)

[@Italsik]

Villainess story there 👁️👄👁️

[@guuchan101]

Me still praying for a starry sky localisation….😂 like that’s ever gonna happen my first otome games were on iOS with stuff like Ninja Love and Heian Love in the early 2010s , but also plenty of free ones made with the renpy engine! Even tho otomes are expensive on switch i still buy them to show my support for the genre, i need more moooore!!!

[@LinLinLavender]

Probably not 🤣 Those games sounds cute ☺️ Yes, thanks for supporting the genre 🎊

[@YoosungsMoon]

Oh hello!!! I'm here to share my story (very short one but alright...) Well, the first and only game of this genre I played is Mystic Messenger and I absolutely love it. I'd love to play more, but I'm poor and can't afford costy games or other consoles apart from phone. I've also played The Ssum, another otome that the MysMe creators have made... being completely honest here but that was one of the most boring games I have played in my entire life. I hope most other games aren't like that one...

[@LinLinLavender]

Hi! 🤗 So you're one of the Mystic Messenger guys ;) have you tried Tears of Themis, Obey me and the Ikemen Series? Cinderella Phenomenon on PC? Also check out my videos on free otome games! I hope you can find some not boring games ☺️

[@YoosungsMoon]

@@LinLinLavender Hi! Sorry for being so late! I will definitely check those out!! Thanks so much!!

[@forswan1503]

I bought a PS Vita 1 year ago together with Dance with Devils XD Currently trying to study Japanese...

[@LinLinLavender]

Congrats! How is it going? I love Dance with Devils quite a bit! 😍

[@forswan1503]

@@LinLinLavender Well university is keeping me busy but I'm on my way to study Katakana!

[@forswan1503]

@@LinLinLavender Dance with Devils is awesome, great storyline but it sucks that I can't read it grrh

[@LinLinLavender]

@@forswan1503 You'll get there soon enough! Just keep trying! 💪

[@ALittleSnowFairySaga]

My first otome was Hakuoki. Soooo good! I had been a fan of VN’s since I first played a fan-translated Muv-Luv in 2005.

[@delfinamarquez5182]

personally I hope Japan tries something new with their otomes 😬 I haven't been a big fan of the latest games that have been officialy released in english, I've been feeling like the romance is always second to the story :/ (and I'm a bit tired of the million bad endings and one or two normal/happy endings lol) I'll still play them if they catch my eye bu lately I've been enjoying visual novels more than otomes

[@LinLinLavender]

I also wonder which direction the genre will take! Didn't you like Cupid Parasite or Variable Barricade or Dairoku? At least you got the VNs to rescue you 😁

[@delfinamarquez5182]

@@LinLinLavender Haven't played Dairoku! Does it focus more on the romance? About Cupid Parasite, I found it fun but the wonky translations on certain routes bothered me a bit and half of the guys weren't my type 😅that's ofc a me problem tho BUT I did had lots of fun playing Variable Barricade ❤

[@LinLinLavender]

@@delfinamarquez5182 I don't know about Dairoku's romance, I just know it's focused on the characters and has no plot 😆 Ok, glad you enjoyed these games at least 🥰 maybe you'll also like Lover Pretend then!

[@star_cupid43]

@@delfinamarquez5182 About Cupid Parasite, they have released a patch to fix the translations!

[@felisa0912]

Well, otome games that I play is just Obey Me and Ayakashi Romance Reborn. Since my device can't handle such a weight so it's kinda painful that I can't reach my hand to the other games though. :(((((

[@LinLinLavender]

But these are very good games, what I've heard and have a lot of content 😊 Have you tried looking for PC otome games? Maybe that would work?

[@kotakata1432]

Otome for me is from the novel where villainess fight back. Hehehehe that the best 👌

[@rosieposie7930]

Tears of themis is also an otome game however it's a Chinese app so I can understand why you didn't include that one. I really love tears of themis a lot however I dropped it for a while because the gacha rates are so bad and the stories are too long for me that it drains up my batrery and another problem is that it crashes too much for me. I try to clean up my storage multiple times but still not working. I saw multiple otome games however i didn't play them at the time because I was quite young at the time and thought they'd be cringe. Now I'm a bit older and i sort of play some gacha dating sims but what makes me lose my brain cells is that sometimes it's rated 12+ when in terms of age it'd usually be 16-17+ or it's just me. I would also love to play mr love prince's choice and blood and roses also ikmen vampire but unfortunately I'm stuck with other gacha games. Also this video of the history of otome games was very good. Keep it up!

[@LinLinLavender]

I also thought about including that, as it really had a huge impact! But more on the mobile market and not the market overall I think Oh no that sounds troublesome 😔 Good otome games are just rare, hope you find something you like soon! And thank you 🥰

[@JadestonePony]

Hmm why would it being a Chinese app mean that it shouldn't be included though? Is it because it's not Japanese? But Mystic Messenger is also not Japanese either. Am I missing something here?

[@rosieposie7930]

@@JadestonePony Ah, no my bad. It is also an otome game but it's not Japanese. Sorry for the confusion😅

[@JadestonePony]

@@rosieposie7930 Ah I see, no worries! :)

[@rosieposie7930]

@@JadestonePony Also I forgot that mystic messenger isn't Japanese either. It's when I see anything anime styled, I always assume it's made in Japan but it's not just Japan