Personal otome biases
Hello! In this page I just want to ramble about my preferences – specifically what I tend to like and hate in otome games.
Below are a few elements in otome games that really matter to me.
❶ Art
I am quite picky when it comes to art style. Since I grew up reading a lot of shoujo mangas (and I still do sometimes), I am more drawn towards the feminine, anime eyes type of art. Boring, I know. My favourite illustrator is Yuuya!
I appreciate hyperrealistic art style, but do not usually gravitate towards them especially for consuming otome (though I don’t mind the art style used in Toraware no Palm and Love and Deepspace!). I also can’t enjoy otome with a very “Western cartoon” type of art style.
❷ Music
Since otome games involve a fair bit of reading, I realise that having a good background music is a make or break for me. It can really enhance the story or completely ruin the vibe. Sometimes even if the music fits, but aren’t memorable, I tend to find the game less enjoyable as well.
❸ Genre
I am a sucker for steamy otome games. I honestly don’t really care what genre, if they are steamy – instant buy, and instant brownie point! I also tend to prefer more balanced or romance-heavy games versus story-heavy games.
It’s difficult to pinpoint a specific genre, but I do find it easier to get into crime & murder type of stories, and those with really dark & effed up stories. I also love slice-of-life, though it really depends on how it’s done (some I just find way too dull).
In terms of character tropes, my favourites are kuuderes and yanderes. I find flirts a bit of a hit and miss – but if done tastefully, I usually end up loving them! Though the character I end up falling for do not always fall into these categories.
❹ Trope
Trope is always fun to talk about. Firstly I must admit. I…enjoy brother-themed routes VERY MUCH, and I don’t mind step-sibling or cousin inc*st. Please let me clarify that I do not 100% support that ish irl. I have very good grasp between fiction & reality, thank you! I also love fake dating and living together trope, and the childhood encounter x adulthood reunion trope.
Tropes I can’t stand are NTR and bestiality, and maybe misunderstanding trope (depending on the degree).
❺ Voice acting
With otome games, I find myself gravitate towards voiced games than not, no matter how good people say the unvoiced ones are. I am also more likely to buy games if they have seiyuus that I like. My guess is that this experience is quite universal?
My favourite seiyuus are Furukawa Makoto, Maeno Tomoaki, Tachibana Shinnosuke, Sugiyama Noriaki, and Suzuki Ryota. I also really like Masuda Tosshiki, Tomokazu Sugita, Toriumi Kousuke, and Shimono Hiro.
What about you guys? What are your otome preferences and biases? These things are so personal and unique to each individual, so I always love to hear what people think. The comment section in this page is open so feel free to share yours – and I promise this is a safe space!
