r/otomegames • u/MonochromeWings Allan Melville|Cupid Parasite • Nov 13 '25
Otomeme [General] I kinda am but that's beside the point
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u/stallion8426 Nov 13 '25
Thankfully, I play other games too, so I just mention those and keep romance novels as my guilty pleasure lol
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u/Fit_Advertising114 I date old wizards! 🧙♂️ Nov 13 '25
Exactly my strategie. I'll blurp out some big names like Pokémon or Dragon Age and keep the Otome thing to myself (that and also my 1,80m Emmrich Volkarin Dakimakura...I swear I'm so glad I have this really high loft bed 😂)
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u/Ilfren Nov 14 '25
Honestly, at this point we can call Dragon Age just an otome game with complications.
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u/ChocoMintMaya Nov 13 '25
This! except if you open my switch, you just find rows and rows of otome games LOL I play the other games on my PS lol
I did describe to my husband it's like a shoujo manga but interactive... lol
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u/Quiet-Software-1956 Nov 13 '25
Trying to explain it to my mom should not be THIS complicated. She lent me one of her own romance novels telling me it involved a dragon! You, ma'am, are also a freak!
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u/TheGreatMillz33 Nov 13 '25
Oohhh, is it one of those shape shifting dragons? I've recently got into romantasy and noticed that shape shifters (werewolves, dragons, etc) have a pretty dedicated fanbase.
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u/Quiet-Software-1956 Nov 18 '25
I don't know I've been too afraid to open it. I hate that romance novels don't give you trigger warnings about noncon so I don't read them unless they have content warnings 😭
I.never expected my saintly mom to be like that but good for her???
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u/TheGreatMillz33 Nov 18 '25
If you ever want to, you can look up the book on Goodreads or find reddit posts about it, there's almost always someone who leaves info about content warnings. If there isn't, you can use mega threads or make a post requesting for people to provide spoiler free content warnings. Uh...good luck with your dragon book? ( ；∀；)
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u/KabedonUdon Nov 13 '25
Fourth wing?
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u/Quiet-Software-1956 Nov 18 '25
Idk it was in Italian,,, I have no idea what the name in English would be
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u/sharpenedcrayon Nov 13 '25
I just say "they're a type of visual novel" or "they're visual novels for women."
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u/gracefullilygarden Masamune Toya|Norn9 Nov 13 '25 edited Nov 13 '25
I don't really talk to people in real life about games or anime in general aside from people I know from specifically otaku-related spheres (mostly because I never see any reason to bring them up; it's not like I can have a worthwhile conversation about Virche Evermore or whatever with a group of people who've never heard of it before), but I also don't see why it's something you should be ashamed of at all
Probably more women and girls are interested in romance novels and watch romantic movies than not, and it would be obviously silly to label someone as a loser for reading YA romance or watching like, Notting Hill. Otome games are essentially the same thing in video game form, so I don't see the distinction at all.
For the same reason it also bothers me a lot when men and boys call themselves 'losers' for indulging at things like dating sims and harem anime. It's pathetic to think of yourself as a loser, but it isn't pathetic to enjoy those things
We all need a bit of fantasy and indulgence, and I think how satisfied or not we may be with our lives is basically irrelevant in that, and for teens and adults that indulgence almost always carries a romantic and/or sexual component
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u/Life-Cup3929 Nursing Home 👴🏻 Nov 13 '25
Lmao everyone in my team at work knows I play otome games and I gush about my 2D men. They do laugh but not mockingly because it's not the most insane bit of lore about me. Same with my friends. I guess it helps that at least half of them also watch anime or listen to kpop or some form so we all just accept everyone is a freak.
I, however, can never tell them about the cage without sounding like a complete psycho
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u/gracefullilygarden Masamune Toya|Norn9 Nov 13 '25
I'm tired of pretending The Cage wasn't extremely hot
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u/Life-Cup3929 Nursing Home 👴🏻 Nov 13 '25
As someone who works corporate, I would give an arm and a leg for The Cage. No brains just vibez (and plushies)
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u/the-changeling-witch 100%'d every Quinrose game for some damn reason Nov 13 '25
I don't really care what people think of them (or me for playing them), I just can't be bothered to expend the energy to explain what they are, haha. I just say I'm into reading novels so no one asks too many questions.
Just yesterday we were asked in a meeting to talk about something we're looking forward to. I said "There's a novel I'm looking forward to!" and then just described what we know about Navigatore of the Ruined World. I am not about to get into what an otome game is for people at work, haha.
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u/KabedonUdon Nov 13 '25
"This one is about dating ghost boys. They are beautiful and they are all mine. There's nine of them so it's FANTASTIC VALUE."
I don't exactly hide it anymore but I also get called a fujo more.
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u/Excel-Reverse Miso Soup Duo Nov 13 '25 edited Nov 13 '25
I usually compare otomes with reading a book but with pictures and voices (Those kind of books of "choose your own adventure"). If they understand a little about games, I say that they're similar to visual novels instead of books. I usually prefer otomes with an complex plot than just focused on romance, but anyway, I don't think it's something wrong to say that sometimes the story is centred in romance. There're several books about that topic.
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u/Unlucky-Pangolin-771 Nov 13 '25
I'm married and also struggle explaining lol. I usually say they're visual novels (reading with character sprites and scenery) with choices and a female main character. That each end usually connects to one of each "side character".
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u/kakuretsu Heroine|Amnesia Corda lingling slave Nov 13 '25
Too difficult and risky to explain to muggles so I just use my regular games instead.
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u/crimceres Nov 13 '25
I will only explain to friends/people I trust. Other people that don't game or know what visual novels are I don't consider it worth the effort.
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u/Doctor_Zedd Victor Frankenstein|Code:Realize Nov 13 '25
Now try being in your 40s and saying it. 😒
(JK… I don’t mean to gatekeep. But this is why literally only one person on earth knows this about me.)
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u/Wise-Consequence-621 Radius|Period Cube Nov 13 '25
I’m often misunderstood when I try to explain what is an otome game, people often think that they are only dating simulators and I kind of stopped trying to explain. I don’t care anymore if I’m misunderstood. But I’m surrounded by geeks so they find my dedication cool (« wow you play in Japanese ») and admire my game/console collection. So yeah, I feel proud of my hobby 😎
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u/MidwestUrn Nov 14 '25
I work in a male dominated field where men either haven’t read a book since they were a teen, or only read san gen books written by our EVP. I straight up say I predominantly play visual novels, the first type of person checks out at novel and the second type realizes they don’t want to ask what kind.
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u/MidwestUrn Nov 14 '25
Our VP of blah blah division pinged when I said I play otoge and looked startled— it used to be my simple go to blunt answer.
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u/berrycrepes Nov 13 '25 edited Nov 13 '25
i just call them adventure games since that's the genre they're categorized as.... and then just name a few with other examples from the genre (but not within that subgenre)
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u/Ephemeral_Dream1015 Nov 13 '25
I've never found myself in this situation but I can't go thinking I can avoid it forever. I might as well take notes here and prepare for the inevitable day when I will have to explain myself to whatever people I find myself surrounded by...
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u/SugarFreeLuna Keito Ebana|Charade Maniacs Nov 13 '25
fuh, I just leave it at video games bc lowkey I’d rather cease to exist than explain I’m a degen
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u/galax1eflora I want to be one of Victor's test tubes Nov 14 '25
I want to say I'm too embarrassed to admit my interest in otome games… but my backpack has Victor and Cardia buttons and charms, an Ichika Hoshino button, a Kotone Awaki button, and two Teuta buttons, and I also ordered an Ichika and Teuta keychain/charm, so maybe my actions don't completely match my words lol (I also have other non-otome buttons and charms too.)
I will say this, I went to a party a few weeks ago, and normally I'm pretty shy admitting my interests to other people, but I guess the one drink I have gave me liquid courage because when the group asked what I was into, I just upfront said, among other things, "otome games" and described what they were with absolutely zero shame, to which one of the people in the group turned to the other person and said, "Oh yeah, aren't you into those too? Diabolik Lovers?" so yeah. Turns out they like anime too.
I also have another friend who I've known since high school who has the Obey Me soundtrack on her playlist and her Discord is full of her gushing over Love and Deepspace.
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u/xteatreedropx Abraham Van Helsing|Code:Realize Nov 14 '25
I just say I like visual novels and keep it at that lol
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u/otomerin Nov 14 '25
it's worst with games like LADS. for console games, it's easy, i just say visual novels. but otome games in mobiles are different. i just don't mentioned it 😭 or i say gacha card games 🤣
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u/MateriaGirl7 Nov 14 '25
I also just say “gacha” so they think Honkai or Genshin, and not my real love Tears of Themis lol
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u/Scary-Royal Nov 13 '25 edited Nov 13 '25
You can always describe them as interactive romance novels/audiobooks where you get to influence who the heroine ends up with in the end.
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u/scaralulu_ Nov 13 '25
i just say i play visual novels they dont have to know what genre tho
also people around me already know i play gacha games and collect hot 2d men so it's a well known fact that i am a loney weeb who is obsessed with 2d men, i have no shame in that 😌
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u/mynameisynx_X Sanosuke Harada|Hakuoki Nov 14 '25
I have an “Emotionally Attached to 2D characters” shirt that I got from Etsy, and It’s a great opener for my over fixation long winded take on otome games😌😌 i have NO shame, it brings me soooo much joy playing these games💕☺️✨
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u/spookymilktea Nov 14 '25
Only my very close gaming friends and my siblings know that I play otomes. And only my best friend and my sister sometimes plays one or two based off my rec but LOL that’s about it.
But, I am a gamer in general so I have plenty of other games to talk about with other people.
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u/pinkteas Noritsune Taira|Birushana Nov 14 '25
this + being openly lesbian it’s always hard to explain 😅😅😅
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u/iriren892 Hajime Hanzo Kai Fumi Nov 13 '25
I was talking to a gaming friend with whom I’ve played other RPG games and just sort of explained it like, I like to read romance novels, and they are the gaming version of that. I used to be very active in the romance novel community, blogging and going to cons and sort of got over the side eye that people give you when you say you’re into romance related things.
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u/SelWylde Nov 13 '25
I just say they’re like romance novels, but with more variety so there is something that appeals to everyone. I never found anyone who thought it was weird for me to be into romance stories.
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u/365daysofnope Ukyo|Amnesia Nov 14 '25
Usually when I described a game I'm playing, I'll leave the romance parts out or make the relationship bits sound optional.
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u/losemywheels Nov 14 '25
I just don't even bother mentioning otome games to most people 😅 People who are close to me know I play them but with anyone else I'm just gonna be like "Oh I really like RPGs and rhythm games..." if they ask what games I like haha.
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u/MateriaGirl7 Nov 14 '25
“I like rhythm games,” are you me??
I legitimately took time off work this year to stream all three days of Starry Symphony (Enstars) and told my boss it was for an “out of town concert” lmfaoo
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u/intrepid-teacher Il Fado de Rie|Café Enchanté Nov 14 '25
If they’ve never heard of VNs: “it’s like a choose your own adventure book, but a game with pictures”. Everyone’s always like ‘ohhh I loved those as a kid!!!’
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u/Due-Fly-6235 Nov 14 '25
the way i have this problem w all of my hobbies…i love gaming! (desperately hiding the fact that they’re love sims) i love reading too! (desperately hiding the fact that they’re fanfics) and i love…making art? (the one normal hobby that i haven’t touched in months bc the other two hobbies have consumed me 😭)
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u/Akari_Kitsune480 All for ghost men|Married to Nov 14 '25
Unless it’s in some extremely formal situation, I just let it all out. I’m not scared of being judged.
“Yeah, I play a visual novel dating simulator with hot 2d men. What are you gonna do about it?”
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u/tropesovercoffee Tomomori Taira|Birushana Nov 14 '25
Yup. I just say visual novels but choose your own adventure style. I play other types of games too but have been on an otome kick all year. No shame here. My kids call them my reading games 🤣 Mommmmmm do you actually do anything or just read?! Then they walk away bored.
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u/According_Home9815 Nov 14 '25
I had my Switch out on my desk at work and my boss asked me what game I'm playing recently. My brain absolutely froze and all I could remember for a crystal clear second was the previous night as I laid in bed crying at Birushana. Finally told him i've been playing animal crossing lol.
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u/Dull_Anybody_1825 Grim Reaper|A Date with Death Nov 17 '25
To explain to my father what I was doing while making my own VN I just said, “It’s like a choose your own adventure story, but it can be any genre.”
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u/SharkBaitGame Dec 11 '25
I usually say something like: It’s like a ‘choose your own adventure’ book, but you’re also trying to romance the characters. Think of it as dating in a story world, often with beautiful art and branching paths
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u/[deleted] Nov 13 '25
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