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It’s already the end of December: this year is ending soon, and everyone is looking back at the happenings of the lasts months, while taking resolutions for 2018.

I didn’t expect 2017 to be so harsh for me, I remember myself thinking it would probably be a quiet year, without great problems or changes in my life.

Well, it wasn’t.

I won’t talk about my personal problems here, all my close friends know what I’m talking about.

But I’m getting over it, I’m accepting and moving on, that’s the most important thing.

Let’s only talk about good events!

• I’ve studied Japanese properly, without procrastinating as I used to.

  From April to August, I focused a lot on my talking skills, which were terrible; the results weren’t amazing, but I improved and I was able to have decent conversations.

• I’ve been to Japan again.

  My second trip was way better than the first, maybe because I could communicate with people, which helped me to solve a lot of problems. Also, the weather was perfect, we were lucky!

• I’ve made a lot of good friends on twitter, who encouraged me through hard times and helped me to overcome my fears.

• I’ve been able to run this blog without dropping, which is an accomplishment I’m quite proud of.

I don’t think I made other resolutions last year, I didn’t set many goals.

But this time, I’m changing… I wanna aim higher! (well, at least I can dream)

In 2018, I want to:

• Be positive. I want to wake up in the morning and feel happy just for being alive, instead of sighing and complaining all the time.

• Find a better job.

  My contract with this awful office expires on May and I’m not going to renew it. The hell I’m going to spend one more day with those people, I’d rather starve!

  When I’m done, I’ll take a break: I need some time to recharge myself, if this pressure doesn’t kill me before that date. I’ll think about myself for once, and what I want to do with my life, instead of just worrying about my family and their expectations.

  It won’t be easy, but I’m sure I’ll become an happier person!

• Study more Japanese.

  I don’t plan on traveling to Japan again soon, not next year for sure; but I’ll go back someday and I want to be prepared!

• Learn Finnish.

  I’ve been wanting to learn this language for years, I love how it sounds. This summer will probably be a good moment to finally start! and who knows, maybe I’ll take a trip there soon.

• Improve my blog.

  I’ve made great changes recently, but it was just the start; I’m going to improve it a lot next year! At least, I’ll do my best and I hope you’ll enjoy it! I’ll try to change my writing style, add more guest reviews, polls and different kind of articles otome related.

• Write on another blog.

  I’ve been asked to collaborate with a new blog about anime, games and Japan in general.

  This project has not officially started yet, but I’m going to write a few articles to share my experiences and my opinions too. I hope you’ll come to check it out!

That’s all for now, but who knows what’s going to happen in the next months?

I’ll work hard for these plans to come true, and I’m ready to accept other challenges that will come!

Have you made your resolutions already?

If you have ever read my blog, you’ve probably noticed all the changes I’m making lately.

I’m trying my best to make it look more organized, neater and also easier to read!

But this is just the beginning: it’s going to change a lot next year, I have many ideas and I want to improve it as much as I can. I hope you’ll enjoy it more, too!

The first thing you can see is the different placement if reviews: they used to be on the right bar, in alphabetical order, but I was running out of space and it was impossible to continue like that.

Now you can find them in Otome games reviews, where there’s a complete list of all the games I’ve played in my life; most of them have been reviewed, the others are maybe too old or they’ll be reviewed in the future.

On the right bar, you can see also my “Top 10” and “Drama CD reviews”, which didn’t even have a proper tag until now; while I was reorganizing, I found old articles I even forgot about!

I also moved my “Recommended games” and all the articles in the top bar there.

My Tokyo trips related posts have been included in one article with the links, so if someone is interested, can find everything Tokyo related easily.

I created new tags for Otome games awards (since I plan to write it every year) and Questions/Challenges (I had fun taking one last month, I’ll do it again for sure).

I’ve also created a separate section for “Guest Reviews”, since I’m going to bother my friends or boyfriend again; I honestly wish I could do a series about it, I enjoy a lot hearing outsider’s opinions.

This is all for my blog in general, but there’s still more!

Now every post has a “SHARE” button and also a “LIKE/DISLIKE” button, so you can make it clear which kind of posts you appreciate more and you’d like to read again in the future.

I’m probably going to do otoge related polls if you enjoy them, I could even make them monthly and write an article if I can.

I’d like to make this blog more interactive, instead of just writing reviews…. but it’s all up to you, now you can anonymously say your opinion and I’ll think about it!

I don’t think I’ll complete other games before the year ends, but I’m silently working on this blog to make it better: I want you to enjoy it as much as I enjoy writing, so stay tuned for more changes!

Hello and welcome, my dear readers!

If you’re here, I guess you’re curious about the person behind this blog, so here’s something about me:

My name’s Ilaria, I’m Italian and I’ve been playing otome games since 2013.

My favorites are the darker ones, with a deep and creepy plot (like Black wolves saga or Kokuchou psychedelica), but sometimes I enjoy comedy ones too (like Glass heart princess). If you’re interested, I’ve made an otoge recommendation post to explain why I consider those games amazing!

I’ve always wanted to write reviews, since I love sharing my opinions, but it took me a few years before I decided to open this blog on November 2016: I hope you’ll find it interesting and useful, if you’re looking for advices!

I’ve traveled to Japan twice and it was an amazing experience: it’s a magical place, it feels like another world, different from any other country. Obviously, being there as a tourist or living there, is a completely different matter. But if you’re curious to know how Ikebukuro or Akihabara look like, take a look at my posts! I’ve also showed the merch I bought and explained the prices, so you can be prepared when you go there.

I’ve been in love with Japanese culture since my teenage days (which feel like ages ago, since I’m an adult now…. well, I’m still young at heart, but not for the outside word!), and I’ve started studying that beautiful language around 2009.

When I found out about otome games, I decided it was time to stop procrastinating, and learn for real! I’m not perfect at all, but at least I can play whatever I want; I wrote a post about my whole experience, with some advices for beginners who want to learn too, I hope it can inspire someone else!

Recently, I’ve started posting about another beloved hobby of mine, kpop.

I used to be a huge Super Junior, BigBang and Exo fan back in 2013 and I still love this genre now, even through good and bad times: it makes me feel excited, I always anticipate comebacks and debuts, they make my day.

I used to enjoy this hobby on my own, but recently I decided to share here my opinions about groups and songs too, so I hope I can give you good recommendations.

Well, that’s all.

This blog is basically just me writing my opinions, sharing my experiences and trying to make some friends through my hobbies.

If you want to become friends, don’t hesitate to comment or send me messages! Enjoy! 🙂

HAPPY ONE YEAR ANNIVERSARY!

When I started this blog I had many ideas and hopes, but deep down I was doubtful.

I asked myself: “will I be able to update it often? Or will I get tired soon and forget about it?”.

I’m glad I can write this post now, it means I still enjoy running this blog and sharing my love for otoge with my dear friends!

In one year, I wrote 42 otome games reviews, 3 drama CD reviews (only?? and I have so many… I’ll work more on this next year, I promise), 5 TOP 10 and also various articles about my Tokyo trips and my experience while studying japanese.

I wish I could update it more often, but real life makes me busy and I can’t write detailed reviews… I’m sorry! I didn’t even try, because I know there are many friends who already do this perfectly and faster than I could ever be. I admire them a lot, this is an hard and time consuming task!

I created this blog because I love writing and sharing my opinions with my friends, it would be nice if it could be helpful to someone else too… I hope I reached my goal somehow!

I’ve played 21 games so far this year, but only one of them was released in 2017, so I don’t know if I should write an “otome games award” post including everything… maybe I should?

When December comes, I like to think about the games I’ve played and live once more those feelings; I always have fun when I read those “end of the year” posts on my favorite blogs, so I may write mine as well. Sorry if it’s not that interesting, but it’s just my gaming experience!

Anyway, thank you to everyone who spent their time reading my reviews or my random posts, thank you to my friends who keep reading and supporting me, but also to strangers who read from time to time (don’t be afraid to say hi, I don’t bite!)… see you next year!

As promised, here I am showing you the merch I’ve bought while I was in Japan!

When I was there, everything happened so fast, I didn’t even realize what I was buying and how much I was actually spending: at night, I just went to the hotel to drop things and sleep, without having time to look at them properly.

Most of the stuff was just packed immediately to make space in the room, so I ended up forgetting about it immediately; when I came home, opening the packages was almost a surprise!

This is what I saw, when I unpacked my luggage…. and wow, did I buy all of this?

Let’s look at it closely, so I can explain the prices and why I’m not as crazy as I seem to be.

I mean, if I’d imported all this merch, my poor bank account should be bleeding by now… but I was in Japan, and I love smart shopping, so it’s not bad as it seems.

Let’s start with the games.

Why did I buy an old PS2 Hakuouki? The answer is simple: I got it for 250 yen.

How could I leave it there? I had no physical copies of Hakuouki, since I downloaded it from the PSstore and played it on my PS3, so I thought it would be nice, having something I could show too.

I got Project Diva because it was cheap, too: only 900 yen.

I’ve never played this game, and if I can still use my old PS3, why not!

Now, let’s take a look at otome games.

I bought Shinobi koi utsutsu FD on the release day in a Trader, and I spent about 5300 yen.

On the same day, I also bought Utsusemi, even if I’m probably going to regret it: 4630 yen is still too much, I know it’s not worth it…. but it’s still less expensive than importing.

I’ve bought Yunohana Spring and its FD, because they were 2^nd hand and quite cheap (as you can see, less than 2800 yen each): I’m sure I’m going to have fun, it seems a bright game and I miss hearing KENN’s voice.

Vamwolf cross was a mistake, I know: but where else can I buy an otoge for 1280 yen?! Even if it’s a kusoge, I’m not going bankrupt for that price, so let’s try!

I don’t remember clearly how much I spent for Hana Oboro, if I remember correctly it was about 3500 yen… but I wanted it, it looks interesting, so it seemed a good deal.

I’ve been looking for Norn9 Last Era since last year, but I couldn’t find a cheap copy: I’m not a great fan of this series, so I wasn’t going to pay full price for it; 2880 yen it’s ok!

Lastly, Bad Apple wars. I remember seeing a 3000 yen copy last year, and thinking: “nah, it’s not worth it!”. But I saw a 1780 copy in a Trader this time, and since it’s going to be localized soon, I guess I’ll give it a try.

When will I play all these? Who knows.

Now, let’s talk about other merch.

Isn’t this cute? I’ve spent about 1000 yen, but I love it! Sakuya is my favorite Norn9 character, he deserves all the happiness in this world!

I also got a Norn9 bag, which I decorated with my badges.

This is the first bag I make, it’s not perfect but I did my best, be kind please!

Thinking about it… why I got so much Norn9 stuff? I guess it’s because the hype in Japan is dying, and they are selling the remaining merch at low prices; I’ve spent 1000 yen for the bag and that giant Sakuya badge was about 50 yen.

I haven’t much to say about the magazines, I just wanted to buy the new DGS while I was there; same goes for Voice stars, I saw Aoi Shota on the cover and KENN, it was enough.

If you want me to show you what’s inside, just ask!

I don’t know if some of you is an Arashi fan as me, but I bought a few old albums in a Mandarake and their newest single. (I spent 750 yen for the album, 100 for the single, 200 for the book).

I’m not a drama cd fan, so I only got this Bad Medicine one, because it was just 100 yen; for the same low price I got God’s star single, which I actually really wanted, because it’s the theme song of my trip: me and my friend wanted to sing it at karaoke like crazy, since the first time we heard it!

Let’s talk about tapestries and posters then.

In Ikebukuro there were many stores who sold similar merch, but with terribly high prices; usually, the cheapest are around 3000 yen.

But since I’m a poor person, I looked in everyone of them, until I found a store with reasonable prices: here I bought these, for 1000 yen each:

Let me take a second to appreciate the ikemen shop assistant, if I remember correctly he worked in the Otome road kbooks: he looked like an idol, so I randomly went there to ask him about merch (using my terrible Japanese of course)! Sorry, I’m a shallow person.

One last thing I’m really proud of, because finding BWS merch is not easy:

That’s all, no action figures this year.

Before leaving, I told myself: “don’t buy too many otoge! Go for rare items you can’t purchase from Italy!” but I ended up buying too many as usual.

I can’t help it, I’m not a person who buys high priced merch without feeling guilty, I’m more the type of person who buys lots of stuff because I can’t resist sales and cheap prices.

I honestly don’t care if something is 2^nd hand, (as long as it’s in good conditions, of course), so all those Stellaworth sets and limited gadget didn’t interest me… why should I spend 10000 yen for a game, if I can have 5 instead? What matters to me it’s the game itself, not the cover.

Of course, I’d like signed stuff too, but spending lots of money for something I can’t even use it’s not for me; most of the badges I’ve put on my bag costs 100 yen, with a few exceptions, while I’ve seen ultra rare ones sold for almost 30000 yen. (I swear, I’m not writing wrongly).

Just look at this:

I get it, it’s signed, but….

Anyway, this is how all the shops looked; this pic come from a Trader in Akihabara, my favorite one.

Look at the otome section, it was amazing!

If you want me to show something more, or if you have questions, feel free to ask everything!

Otopa is officially over, let me take a break from fangirling to actually write a wrap up post!

1- As many of us hoped, Collar Malice is going to get a sequel! This isn’t actually a huge surprise, this title is very popular and some kind of announcement was expected. But still, an amazing news!

2- Nil admirari anime will air in spring 2018!

I admit it’sooner that I expected, we already have a first trailer.

3- Shiro to Kuro Alice is getting a new game

4- New game (kind of) 真紅の焔 真田忍法帳 Kurenai no Homura Sanada Ninpou Chou

illustrated by: Shiki Sakigumi

Cast: Suwabe, Sugita, Okitsu, Suzumura, Hoshi

Well, this was actually already announced last year, but then it disappeared immediately (like Variable barricade), so it’s still somehow new!

5- Diabolik lovers Haunted dark bridal + More Blood PS4 Port.

As many of us already expected, Otomate is going to port their most popular titles on PS4; we all thought Amnesia was going to be announced, but it’s actually Diabolik Lovers!

6- Varriable barricade still exists!

We all wondered if it just silently disappeared, but finally the cast has been announced: Umehara Yuuichirou, Okamoto Nobuhiko, Nojima Kenji, Shimono Hiro.

7- A new game with mafia/Italy/island theme, illustrated by RiRi.

The cast is: Kimura Ryouhei, Ishikawa Kaito, Toyonaga Toshiyuki, Morikubo Shoutarou, Okamoto Nobuhiko.

(let me LOL at this because I’m Italian and I expect a lot of Italian cringe stuff!)

I’ve read the newspapers behind the characters, the italian is actually almost decent so: “It’s a land controlled by 3 organizations. The main character, Lily, has a mysterious stone with a stamp on her chest (sorry, the phrasing is weird). I’ve been raised in a monastery in that city and my mind is alive (I guess they mean she’s not corrupted by mafia) even if mafia controls the city. Lily lives in a neutral zone. Why is she aimed at? why is she protected? there’s pressure on the city and it’s a dense zone.”

8- A new game about Roses of Versailles.

9- New game with a Cinderella theme.

Cast: Hino, Uchida, Hanae, Okitsu, Sugiyama, Toriumi, Namikawa.

10- A new game illustrated by Teita

11- Tengai ni mau, Iki na hana

12- A PC project in 3 games

I’ve never thought I’d see otomate going for PC releases, maybe they’re trying to branch out since they still don’t know what’s the future of otome games after Psvita.

Most of the releases I’ve listed are going to be for PsVita, while others are going to have a dual release, also for PS4. I’m surprised to see there are no mobage, but I’m also relieved.

I hoped to see any kind of announcement about Psychedelica, but I guess it’s still too early for a 3rd game; I also hoped for a Collar malice anime, since it’s so popular.

Anyway, I don’t complain at all, this year’s Otomate party was really exciting and better than last year’s , there were more announcements and most of them seem promising!

Disclaimer: I haven’t been at the event myself, all the info I wrote here and in my previous posts come from various reports I’ve read and translated from twitter and otomate’s official site. Check it out to know more http://www.otomate.jp/event/party/newtitle/

The day session of Otomate party day 2 just ended, and there were some interesting announcements:

1- Nil Admirari anime will air in spring 2018!

I admit it’sooner that I expected, we already have a first trailer.

2- Shiro to Kuro Alice is getting a new game (still don’t know if it’s a sequel or FD).

(I’ve barely completed my first route, but I like it so far, so I’m happy!)

3- New game with a Cinderella theme.

Cast: Hino, Uchida, Hanae, Okitsu, Sugiyama, Toriumi, Namikawa.

4- New game: 真紅の焔 真田忍法帳 Kurenai no Homura Sanada Ninpou Chou

illustrated by: Shiki Sakigumi

Cast: Suwabe, Sugita, Okitsu, Suzumura, Hoshi

Well, this was actually already announced last year, but then it disappeared immediately (like Variable barricade), so it’s still somehow new!

I hoped to see any kind of news about Clock zero, I’m a bit disappointed… anyway, let’s wait for the last session, since they are obviously revealing the most exciting stuff on the last event!

Edit: I’ve been asked to credit with my sources, but I honestly don’t have a specific one, it’s just what I’ve read here and there on twitter.

Anyway, the account I rely to the most is: @kinako1137 if you want to check out the news for yourself!

Otomate party day 1 is over, let’s take a look at today’s announcements!

1- Diabolik lovers Haunted dark bridal + More Blood PS4 Port.

As many of us already expected, Otomate is going to port their most popular titles on PS4; we all thought Amnesia was going to be announced, but it’s actually Diabolik Lovers!

2- Diabolik lovers new game

This series still seems to be really loved in Japan, despite many fans probably getting tired of the unending sequels and FD… but it seems like we are not going to get rid of it soon!

(I have mixed feelings about this, since I still have to play Lost Eden… also, why wasn’t it announced at Rejet’s event? Iwasaki was like “no more new games, we have no money”… I guess Otomate now is in charge of everything about this series.)

3- Varriable barricade still exists!

We all wondered if it just silently disappeared, but finally the cast has been announced: Umehara Yuuichirou, Okamoto Nobuhiko, Nojima Kenji, Shimono Hiro.

4- A new game with mafia/Italy/island theme, illustrated by RiRi.

The cast is: Kimura Ryouhei, Ishikawa Kaito, Toyonaga Toshiyuki, Morikubo Shoutarou, Okamoto Nobuhiko.

(let me LOL at this because I’m Italian and I expect a lot of Italian cringe stuff!)

5- A new game about Roses of Versailles.

These are just the 1^st day announcements and there are still no PV so far, but they are going to be available tomorrow for sure. Don’t be disappointed if your favorite game didn’t get a sequel/FD yet, there’s still tomorrow and the best announcements are still to come!

We all know Collar Malice is going to get a sequel for sure………….