Norn9: Var Commons Review

Storyline:
You initially start out as Sorata, a 12-year-old boy on a field trip when he suddenly hears a voice singing. Suddenly everything goes black, and he wakes up in the middle of the street in an odd place. After asking countless people, he runs into a girl who could not remember her own name, it turns out he traveled back in time to the year 1919. Having nowhere else to turn, she offered him to travel with her. Honestly, at this point, I was convinced that I was playing a boy's visual novel- but it's not, I promise! 

They end up going onto a giant space looking thingy called The World (keep in mind this is the year 1919). When you board, you meet 11 others who all have some sort of secret superpowers. At one point, you have to choose which of the three girl characters you will accompany- this is essentially your character selection screen. Take note that each girl has three love interests that you can pursue, so pick the girl based on which guy you want. While you are accompanying the girl, the ship gets attacked by people with futuristic technology.

'The World' Ship

While investigating an explosion, they realize that the explosion occurred from within The Wolrd. Not only this, but there are 9 rooms and 11 people with 'powers' onboard, so someone must be an intruder. However, due to a prior agreement that no one has to tell their background or their power to anyone, they split off into teams to keep an eye on everyone- this is your route selection point. In every storyline, you learn a bit of the truth of the function of 'The World' and why the characters have powers. There is more to this world's time functionality than what meets the eye.

Review:
Initially, the unique function that this game had left me in a bit of confusion of whether I really bought an Otome or not. However, in the end, this ended up being one of my most favorite things about this game- you not only have three different characters but three options of personalities and backstories. This consists of the generic innocent-cheerful type (Koharu), the tsundere type (Mikoto), and the emotionless-seeming type (Nanami). Having the ability to switch between the three characters allowed the game not to feel redundant- especially when bindging the game.

I really loved learning the truth behind 'The World' and realizing why time seemed strange. Honestly, it left me speechless. This made Sorata a really cool addition to the game that I came to appreciate later on. So at the end on the route, not only do I feel satisfied with the romance, but also feel the excitement to learn what is really happening behind-the-scenes~ I give it five stars out of five stars on story-line originality. Not only this, but this an obvious highly funded otome with an amazing art style and music track as well. It is also a relatively long game too, which can be an upside or downside depending on what type of person you are. Overall, I'd recommend it. As of right now, this game is only available on the PlayStation Vita, but if you own one- place this game on your 'to play' list!

The Men of Yoshiwara: Kikuya Review

I'll give you a bit of a forewarning, this game is technically rated 18+, but there is no actual graphic content, just things that are hinted at. Also, the Vita version for this game and the Steam version.

Storyline:
You live in a small island in historical Japan, where there are very little males. Because of this, boys at a young age are brought to the city of Yoshiwara and are not allowed to leave until they pay off their 'debt'- yes, a debt for being born male. Essentially, Yoshiwara is known for being the red light district, so all the love interests are essentially male prostitutes. In the beginning of the game, you see a young couple in love, but they couldn't officially be together because he was a courtesan. Your character sees this and offers to help them flee to the mainland (because her family owns a shipping company). The couple then gives you many valuable items in their gratitude to her (helping them makes her a criminal) and she hides the items at home to keep them secret. 

One day, your mother sends you to town or in other words, Yoshiwara, on an errand and you see beautiful men (I can't believe I just said that...), due to this you let your curiosity take over you and you walk into a store called Kikuya. When you walk in you met the guys who work/live there and are mistaken as the daughter of a rich family. Iroha (the manager) then asks you which male you want buy for the night, which brings you to the character selection.

Review:
Honestly, I probably enjoyed playing this game more than I should've. The development and pacing between the characters were written nicely and it overall had a forbidden love type feel. I honestly am a sucker for anything that takes place in a historical setting as well. 

However, when considering the price... it is actually pretty lacking in some areas. Compared to the other otomes that I've paid $30 on, the Men of Yoshiwara storyline isn't all that deep, the routes are rather short (can play a character is a few hours), and you don't feel that push to play every character. I have no actual complaints about the game itself, just it's price really. Money is money, and I could've spent this $30 on a game like 7'Scarlet or Amnesia: Memories where it takes me a day or two to play a character, has a more in-depth and deep storyline, cool openings and CG's, voice acting, and the mystery and push of wanting to learn more. 

This also being said, this game was originally a mobile game and you can definitely feel that. The lack of voice acting, shorter routes, the 'storyline' being more of a 'theme' than something that's supposed to be in-depth, while still maintaining good development between the characters- these are all things that mobile otomes generally consist of. As someone who played many Voltage Inc. games back in the day, I was still able to enjoy this game a lot. If you're a seasoned otome player and want to use that $30 on a bigger title, it's probably a wiser choice- but, if you are used to mobile otomes, you probably would enjoy this more than if you push yourself into a heavy storyline and long otome. 

Character Options and their Walkthroughs:
Kagerou- Tsundere Youngest
Kagura- Serious/Studious Type
Takao- Womanizer
Tokiwa
Iroha
Hayabusa- Childhood Friend/Older Brother Type

Purrfectly Ever After

This is an Otome... wait to be more precise, it is "an original English language visual novel (OELVN) for girls" or in other words it is made by an English company (which is called Weeeu) and is in any other way, an Otome. I know what you're thinking, "But wait, didn't you promise only the official kinds of Otomes" well, I think this is one of the top quality English ones yet, they have hired Japanese voice actors, have them sing character songs, and have an opening video just as any other Otome. 

Truthfully this is not out quite yet (as of December 14th, 2015), however, it is supposed to come out in between the time of Friday, January 1st to Thursday, March 21st 2016. Click here to watch the trailer. Now, I don't know if it is going to be any good, but I am always wanting to try out a new Otome! It will be released on Steam (Windows and Mac), Android, and iOS.

As far as I know, the story revolves around the heroine (who is a cat) who wishes to be human because she dislikes having to steal food from other to survive. A Fairy Godfather came and told her that he could grant this wish under one condition that she could never steal again. I don't know anything other than this, but the animation and everything else seems good, so I'm looking forward to it!

Dance with Devils Review

First episode: time in 0 minutes- *random singing in the background* "Wow this song seems cool, this might be a really interesting reverse harem!"

First episode: time in 7 minutes- *The girl is walking to school and starts singing, "Is this the opening song?"

First episode: time in 15 minutes- *Girl gets called to student council and the student council starts sings* "Is this the opening song????? Wait... WTF?! Is this a musical?!"


If you can't already tell... This is a musical... (those were both me and my friend's reaction). Just a heads up before you look it up, as of right now (2015) this anime has not been completed (in other words it's also only available subbed). I have to say, at first, I found all the singing annoying, especially at the fight scenes (Rem: "You call that fire?" *Whips out blue flame* and right when things seem good, he starts singing... xD). Just imagine a Disney princess movie with a bunch of narcissistic Devils and Rem as the prince (sorry Lindo, you almost had me with your backstory...). This should really be called "Singing with Devils" and this about sums the whole thing up.

Ex-Angel Shiki (Aka. My Ex.Boyfriend... -_-)

The story revolves around a girl named, Ritsuka (who is just like any other Heroine). She is just a "normal girl" (and she even sings about this). She gets called to the student council office (who are made up of devils and no one has seemed to have noticed... -_-). When she gets home from school, her mom is laying on the floor and these strange men (vampires) are going through her house looking for the Grimoire (they need it to survive). And so her mom is kidnapped and Rem saves her right before the Vampires get to her. In all the story revolves around everyone using this poor girl because they all want the Grimoire to take over the world (her family supposedly has it). Her brother comes even comes home to 'help her find her mother' (I think Rem is the only one even looking for her mother... -_-).

The guys in this anime are quite odd, but I will summarize them the best I can (at first glance I liked Shiki the best, but no. Just no. I really am bad a judging a person's character...).

Rem- The Cold Prince
Shiki- Sadist
Mage- Mr. Manly Man
Urie- The Womanizer
Lindo- Clutchy Older Brother Figure

Amnesia (Anime): Review + Overview

Ok, I watched this as a beginner anime, so of course I loved it the first time I watched it (13 years old?) and I've rewatched it recently (due to the Otome game being released on Steam). I have to say though, it's still good even after all this time (which is pretty rare... typically after re-watching a reverse harem you see how stupid it really is...)! This anime really needs more recognition in my opinion. 

The story takes place with a girl who wakes up with, you guessed it, amnesia. It has a really strange beginning that had a mysterious feeling to it (and the soundtrack is beautiful!!!). When she wakes up there is this strange looking young boy who claims to be a spirit (his name is Orion), and he has bumped into her soul causing her amnesia. He tells her not to tell anyone about it and that she needs to remember it herself. What's so different about this story from other reverse harems is that (in a way), you get to see everyone's endings. It also has a twist to it that you would never expect, and at some points it can cross into a little darkness (*cough* Ukyo *cough*).

So here are the male characters:
Shin- The tsundere childhood friend
Toma- The older brother figure/childhood friend (hmmm...)
Kent- the super smart guy (I don't know what else to say xD)
Ikki- The misunderstood womanizer (I guess all girls have their preferences...)
Ukyo- hehe~ you will have to find out for yourself~

I also highly recommend checking out the game/otome version of this anime! If you are interested, then check out below:

To see the Amnesia: Memories otome on Steam, Click Here
To read my Amnesia: Memories otome review, Click Here

Makura no Danshi (Pillow Boys) Review

Ok, I have to say this is one of the weirdest reverse harems I have ever watched. I know what you're thinking, "Then why did you watch it?" Well, visitor 23, I've heard about it and wanted to watch it for myself.                                                                                                                                               Well let me explain, the English translation for this is literally, "Pillow Boys".  They talk to you, and ask you things like "How are you?" and they pause long enough for you to answer (I watched this with a friend because it would be awkward to sit there and respond to them while alone. I guess it's awkward responding to them in the first place xD). And if you don't like the guy then you can just skip to the next episode! They have the guy who for some reason stays at your house all day while you work your butt off (Cat Guy) to the little 6-year-old who doesn't want to take a nap! Oh... you're not into lazy guys and you're not a pedophile... Hm... You can choose the guy plays the violin for you (he's just so good you can't hear it!) I'm sorry I just can't take this anime seriously                                                                                                                                                             Overall though, I have to say that the animation is good and as well as the voice acting. I guess this mostly is determined by preferences though (I mean this was technically created to "heal tired hearts" with a "sleeping side-by-side" experience). Truthfully this was kinda hard to find subbed on some streaming websites (and I don't like to use Hulu due to so many ads...), I do recommend you watch this for the kicks-and-giggles (as my good friend says), I mean the episodes are only about 4 to 5 minutes long.