While on my smutty manga caps adventure, I fell deeper into the world of otome games - particularly the more *ahem* risque ones. Along with my normal manga caps, I’ll be posting information on ones which I am adding English translations to through Visual Novel Reader (VNR) so that you may also join me on my adventures down the rabbit hole. The link provided there will take you to a tutorial, with download links, on how to install and run this program. I won’t lie, it is VERY finicky at times, but it definitely makes playing games in Japanese easier.
Our first game is a super steamy one: Yoshiwara Higanbana ( 吉原彼岸花 ), which is available on PS Vita, PC (soon to be on Steam), and Switch in Japanese. I am not the first person to start translating this game, so they are not ALL my translations and I do not take credit for the ones that aren’t mine.
Set in Yoshiwara during the Edo period, this medium-length otome by MariaCrown follows “Chihaya”, the top ranked oiran at Oukaya, as she tries to earn enough money to pay off her debt and return home to her parents in Suruga. Despite being imprisoned in and surrounded by the horrors of the red-light district, she takes pride in her work as a courtesan. ...until she learns what true love is.
This otome definitely has some darker elements and moments, but has some very sweet routes. If you know anything about the Yoshiwara district in Japan, you should have an idea of the themes in this visual novel. Although this story is about Oiran and Geishas, which have been romanticised by the West, it is, at the end of the day, about prostitution and all that is encompassed within that.
I am starting off with Akito’s route first.
As I was unable to find a walkthrough in English, I may also provide one at some point, but I make no promises. Furthermore, I will be up front and say that I may or may not finish this project, but I will do as much as I can and share with you what I do complete so that you can play the game too.
Don’t know where to buy the game or, like me, are broke and don’t have $70 to spend on it?
Get the game here. (if the link doesn’t work remove the https://href.li/? at the start of the web link in your search bar)
But remember, if you like the game and you are able to, support the creators by purchasing the game!
Added edit: I just wanted to share my favourite translated line so far:
“The sight of men gung-ho to challenge women, as if they would die if they didn't expel the semen in their sacs, was sometimes even pathetic.”
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