Katawa Shoujo
So you've seen a load of Japanese eroge but what about eroge developed outside of Japan?
Jacob at Fakku has a QA with one of the developers of an up n coming game called Katawa Shoujo.
Some nitty gritty about the game taken from the official site below.
Katawa Shoujo is a bishoujo-style visual novel set in the fictional Yamaku High School for disabled children, located somewhere in modern Japan. Hisao Nakai, a normal boy living a normal life, has his life turned upside down when a congenital heart defect forces him to move to a new school after a long hospitalization. Despite his difficulties, Hisao is able to find friends—and perhaps love, if he plays his cards right. There are five main paths corresponding to the 5 main female characters, each path following the storyline pertaining to that character.
The story is told through the perspective of the main character, using a first person narrative. This game uses a traditional text and sprite-based visual novel model with an ADV text box. Katawa Shoujo contains adult content, and is created using the Ren'Py scripting system.
Katawa Shoujo is under development by an international team of amateur developers, and will be released free of charge under the Creative Commons BY-NC-ND License. There is currently no release date set.
Not sure if there is any ero in it though.
In Japanese, the word "Katawa" is a derogatory term used to refer to handicapped folks and is a word prohibited from broadcast on Japanese TV and radio.
According to the Japanese Wikipedia entry for Katawa shoujo, the staff current making the game said that they didn't have any ill intentions when they choose the naming "Katawa" and apologize for any misunderstandings caused.
I too had similar bashings from the Japanese community when I used "jap" instead of "jpn" in the url for the language variable. I got a huge bashing from 2ch saying that I was a racist when I only chose "jap" because it was short for "jap-anese."
So now you know - never refer to the Japanese language or people as "jap." I also usually delete any comments and banish members if I see continued uses.
Screenshots from the game below.
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Full Time Time-Waster
I finished the demo doing the Lilly route. Blind moe is the best moe! Can't wait for the real release with the h-scenes.
Blogger Looking For Employment
http://www.theandysan.com
Judging from the screenshots, I'm liking Hanako the best. I'll download the demo here in a bit to see what goes on...
College Freshmen
I finished everybody but the girl with no legs and the Shizune's translator. Happy little sister types aren't really my thing and I don't think you can get the translator. I like Shizune the best. I heard it's like 58% of the game though.
High School Student
I finished Lilly and Hanako's route. Gonna finish the rest. I might turn the H-scenes off in the full game. I am mainly attracted to this game by the story. ^_^;
Very impressive. The character's personalities are very unique and even stylish as I might say. The artwork isn't bad either. I recommend that everyone give it a try.
三年せいとオタク
That game is pretty awesome ^^/ Finished playing it a couple a days ago although I only manged to get a 94% ;.; Can't wait for the full release.
Jaina Solo Fan-boy! umm...Frozen food mangaer
http://jediwannabe24.wordpress.com/
Honestly, I don't like this game.
Student/Prospective Anime Maker
http://thenightsshadow.animeblogger.net/
Different strokes for different folks. For me, I don't really have a pull towards visual novels that much anymore, though I appreciate their input towards my style of expressing myself.
Scientist, unemployed.
http://fmphoenixhawk.livejournal.com
Same here. Storyline really isn't my style. But hey, if it does well, then good for them.
BioResearch Assistant
Are there any plans for making a DC-based eroge? A lot of material can be pulled from Tenrou's scenarios and I'm more than sure that the community can come up with some amazing scenes and flagged events (>^^)>
Student/Prospective Anime Maker
http://thenightsshadow.animeblogger.net/
If that's true, I know I'll be willing to help out. Definitely.
former Emperor of Britannia
http://reflectiarx.wordpress.com/
Seconded that!
I'd be willing to provide my assistance in CG, Illustration and animation.
流浪人
But my scenarios are too sweet and innocent to be in an eroge... >^.^<
former Emperor of Britannia
http://reflectiarx.wordpress.com/
Played the game and for random individuals teaming up for a project like this, all i can say is that they did a splendid job.
Looking forward to the complete release of their game.
studying comp studies, planning to look for part time job
http://bruneian-otaku.blogspot.com
sorry for being out of topic Danny, I send a message at your Facebook. Can you read it for a moment? I know you're busy so you can read it if you have free time. I only can contact you via Facebook since I dunno the email of this site for help.
studying comp studies, planning to look for part time job
http://bruneian-otaku.blogspot.com
and btw you can either reply me back at yamada25[at]live[dot]com
studying comp studies, planning to look for part time job
http://bruneian-otaku.blogspot.com
does it mean starting today I'm relieved from duty?
CEO MIrai Inc
http://www.dannychoo.com/profile/eng/
not sure what happened - clear cookies and force refresh cache?
大废柴 / ダメ人間 / NEET
Crashed into their dev blog accidentally few days ago. Looks they are recruiting people to translate scenarios into Japanese... Are they planning to release it in Japan or something?
BioResearch Assistant
What picture did you make that avatar from? It has interested me. (-oo)-
大废柴 / ダメ人間 / NEET
www.nekobanana.com
Student, Otaku, She-Geek(Sheek lol)
http://meimi132.wordpress.com/
I really like it, can't wait for the full game.
Saw the member news bout it last week I think. I'd never seen the bottom pick before then lol, the original illustrations on 4chan arn't they?
college student
I finished the demo a while ago and was surprised that the game was well done
-1
http://necrophadian.blogspot.com/
i liked the demo. The premise doesn'y bother me at all (then again, aside from furries, nothing else does). The concept art reminds me of Oyari Ashito's works.
こうこうせい
http://stickymochi.blogspot.com
Interesting game concept... and the artwork looks nice :D
Hmm never knew that about the abbreviation for Japan... now I know though. :)
Sysadmin
http://coolandspicy.net
Hmmm, Japanese lecturing on racism? Something about that does not seem right...
流浪人
Why not? The U.S. lectures on racism all the time, and we still have it running rampant in our country... ^^;
Sysadmin
http://coolandspicy.net
Sure, racism exists in every country, but some exhibit it more than others.
Japan still has serious issues with foreigners or "gaijin" as they say.
For example, Japan is currently trying to force out of the country as many foreign workers as it can even as it's native workforce is aging and the country is facing massive retirements in the near future. They're actually paying some people to leave and never come back.
Hey, I like Japan, but the Japanese really need to get over their isolationism and xenophobia.
university film student | ecchikid | the Archivist
http://www.vimeo.com/longhim
Hmm, point taken. Yeah, the U.S. may still have racism, and I certainly can't speak for it when I haven't been there, but I'm pretty sure Japan's the only developed country where racism is actually encouraged.
Again, not as a whole - I'm generalizing here, and I realize that.
broke GUNPLA, FSN, and K-ON! enthusiast
http://blu-107.blogspot.com/
yup, I finished the demo and I can't wait for the release... but IMO it would be really better if it's just a Visual Novel, not eroge... I think, something with this great concept should focus on the story and character, not the h-scenes... but it's up to the creators to decide...
and I salute their hard work to make this game come true!
???Confused???
The art is nice and story line looks good...
Student
http://hongkim11.wordpress.com/
I played the demo and it's really fun, altho I don't have much to compare it to since I can't read Japanese which means I can't understand what's going on.
Avid figma collector
http://yuuichikun.wordpress.com/
There are some dating sims and H visual novels that have been translated into english. A good place to find them is the NSFW JList.com website. I've ordered several visual novels from them and they are great. Most of them even include the original japanese voices as well! =D
mahou kishi
http://www.animedia.com.mx
I herd that some japanese fans, wants to translate it to japanese, is fun to hear this, because most time we are the ones who search for translations :D
Illustrator
That's really good to hear they're interested in works overseas. :D
university film student | ecchikid | the Archivist
http://www.vimeo.com/longhim
Oh, the irony. xD
NEET part-time - Technical Support Officer - Network security engineer
http://burugureibi.blogspot.com/
MANLY PICNIC
Medical student
http://www.protocolsnow.com
Wow DannyChoo didn't know about the racist Japanese word? Pretty big mistake to make!
http://yuuwaku.wordpress.com
i'm down with this
it's pretty cool that people outside of Japan of all people decided to make a game based off Raita's designs of a dream game. I'm sure he'd be a pretty happy guy to play the final version lol
Student
http://anime.scripts.mit.edu/miteiru/
Ranted on Katawa Shoujo for similar reasons once. Ok maybe slightly different, but the concept of the game being seemingly derogatory is all the same.
I've heard so many critiques on the artwork lol. But oh well it's alright overall.
Hetalayer
I actually really liked the game. Played through a couple times to get 100% in the demo version.
I've never really played any eroge, though... I just wanted to check it out. I liked the characters and the artwork. I really liked the music and the story though. When you dump the girls at the end, you get an almost yaoi scene turned bad end. I got Emi on my first play-through, but I liked Rin the best.
The game is very risque, but I think the turn-out went well. I look forward to the release of the full version.
Student
http://otakuinvancouver.wordpress.com/
Dunno, no problems with the game name but the whole gimmick of the game is kinda creepy. Gotta give them points for originality though?
COMPENG/SWENG Student
http://ryan2006.deviantart.com
Aaaah. I keep forgetting to install the demo.
Student
I really enjoyed the demo, just hope there's a Misha route in the final version.
NENDOROIDer
http://ameblo.jp/akidu-shima/
To friends here, please dont use the word "katawa" in Japan. Its not equal to the disabled.
CEO MIrai Inc
http://www.dannychoo.com/profile/eng/
サンキュベルさん、
英語で説明しておきました。
NENDOROIDer
http://ameblo.jp/akidu-shima/
どういたしまして！
Welcome！
I work at the hangar beside the airport
then its equal to what..
I work at the hangar beside the airport
so whats is the rite word
Student/Part-timer
Finished the demo a while back and I was extremely surprised at the quality of it, as it was pretty much put together by a band of Anons. I went through all the routes, but I must say that Hinako is the most superior of all the girls! :D
Can't wait til the full game comes out with the h-scenes. XD
Illustrator
The game, its concept is very sensitive to make into eroge. It looks very interesting.
And to comment on the japanese wording, I've studied enough to understand where it was originated, so I've always kept in mind to remind friends, relatives, and those I know not to use it at all whether typing or speaking.
Danny.. *GASP*! ^^;
Graphic Designer
cool im going to check the game now :)
Multimedia Designer/Developer
http://www.mcmonagle-interphase.com/
I can see how it would be easy to make such a mistake with the title, but considering they're making a game that's set in Japan, about Japanese people, using a Japanese animation style, they might have considered checking with someone who's fluent in the language before going ahead with naming it.
As for "Jap" being an offensive word, I'm surprised people take it that way. I suppose it stems from old WWII usage, but other than that, I can't see any reason why the first three letters of your language would be offensive, especially in the context of a website URL. We use ENG for English, so why not JAP for Japanese?
There's no such thing as a racist word, only racist people, and Danny is so obviously NOT a racist that it shouldn't matter what he uses for website variables.
Student
its a process of appeasement, you can't force "racist" people as you coined them, to just suddenly be tolerant.
i still see alot of university students who take japanese classes to call their subject "jap", "oh i have a jap test this afternoon"etc
its not so harmful from our point of view, but its good to play safe, i use jp now when typing and if i were to say it in real life i would go to the "trouble" of saying the whole word, Japanese
2 extra syllables
theres a few other words not to be used besides katawa
Student/Busboy/Otaku
http://moosebro.wordpress.com/
I always make sure to say "Japanese" and never jap or any other shortened version. I'd rather say the whole word since the shortened, and now I know harmful, version just doesn't sound right when used in a sentence.
vendor
http://www.friendster.com
Um...the graphic looks nice epecially for some characters...try to play new Eroge..
Student
http://miri.textcube.com/
The soundtrack is just amazing. That is all, apart from... GIANT MISHA CRAB - HIT IT FOR MASSIVE DAMAGE!
Eroge blogger
http://omochikaeri.wordpress.com/
I'm intrigued at eroge/VNs being made outside of Japan rather than just being translated. While this particular title does not interest me one bit, I hope that this increases awareness for this genre of games, which is quite misunderstood in the West.
Regarding the usage of that word, if others think it's offensive, then one should respect that feeling and avoid using it. I don't see a problem with using JA/JP/JPN instead. That's not saying that people must be 'racist' for using the term though, they might just not know of certain connotations or how others perceive it.
I.T. Student
http://twitter.com/imaginarywall
I saw this posted on Fakku the first time around, and it seems really interesting, but I didn't take time to look at it, until I saw my friend playing it, and the effects and storyline are really good~
University Student
never knew that referring to the japanese people by the first three was considered racist to them. Thanks danny for the heads up, I usually refer to them that way too, but will not do it again. Will use the JPN instead from now on.
The game looks interesting will give it a try, will be looking forward to the announced release date and the official release itself.
NEET
http://blog.animeinstrumentality.net/
Enjoyable game that is fairly respectful as to the disabilities part of it. Got all of the girls' endings and I'm looking forwards to seeing how the full version is going to go.
maintenence
http://joey1058.wordpress.com
I commented in the J-List blogs about derogetory words recently. Here in the States, about the only time I've heard the term "Jap" was back from old WWII vets. Obviously it was used in a demeaning manner. It seems that America and Japan are so culturely intertwined today by current trends that old words never come into play. Most Otaku here seem to respect the Japanese wishes to never talk about the old days. As for me, we live in a global community now. I couldn't keep up with negative aspects of a society even if I wanted to. Which is just as well.
Pokemon master
http://thecococafe.wordpress.com/
Ahh I forgot to include this in my eroge post. I am definitely playing this since I've been watching the developments from afar for some time.
Webmaster, DJ, Consumer Advocate, keitai otaku,
http://www.animenews.biz
Being disabled myself, I'm quite impressed with the level of accuracy the game employs with medical and physical conditions. They should keep the version without H-scenes so that everyone can play it and see what a good visual novel can be.
Purchasing Manager, Marketing & Design + Biker Scout of the Imperial Forces
http://www.igeektrooper.com
the only game i ever played were SNOW DROP and DO YOU LIKE HORN-E BUNNIES?
been over 5 years since I last played one. humm...
i would give it a try again to make myself laugh, but mrs. geektrooper might throw me out the window of our home.
Orz
research student
http://osakacchi.blogspot.com/
i like the design, looks awesome. but the character scares me... x_x
Student, part-time slave
http://yakuri.wordpress.com/
The demo was great; the perspective of the main character has quite a personality and the girls are very interesting too, it specially shows in the dialogues. Music is very nice to listen to, and the art is pretty good for a free eroge (I believe it's going to be free?)
I would play this game even if they didn't put any eroge content in it. The great story and the characters are enough to pull me in.
Retailerz
so where is this game made? Me and my friend wanted to make our own eroge/renai game Her art is amazing all we need is a person for programming and coloring
Student
lol, you have the denizens of 4chan to thank for this. I still hav some pics of the concept art from way back , when we were still thinking this up, lol
They made this game with the Ren'Py VN engine. www.renpy.org
Student
This games pretty interesting, haven't finished Act 1 though, can't find the time to finish it off >.>
Can't wait for the release on the rest of the acts, looks pretty promising.
http://animaticfigmation.com/
not sure what I think of it yet, haven't seen the demo. interesting idea but how come they couldn't just change the name after realizing the mistake?
Student, otaku
Interesting...... will download the demo
Pseudo-Graphic Designer, 触手 wrangler, H-Man
http://lightningsabre.blogspot.com/
Have the demo, but haven't installed/tried it yet. Been wanting to though, out of curiosity.
I do cringe a little when someone just type the first three letters of "Japanese" too... I found a really good shorthand for it at one time but I forgot what it is now... Just "Jp" perhaps? I dunno >_<
freelancer, Spanglish speaker
http://www.changolion.com
the demo was great, has a good art, the music is fine and kinda relaxing, and the most important, thing has a great story and well-developed Characters.
Monster Hunter and Amateur Figure Photographer
http://www.flickr.com/photos/peshmerga/
This looks really well-done, will get.
Danny, rather surprised that you were not aware about the offensive "j*p" term. Considering that you were raised in England, one of the Allied nations in WWII. The negative connotations for that ethnic slur stems way back, more than 60 years ago, popularized during World War II.
Lazy Student
http://blackblitzclan.clangrid.com
The demo came out like last week Danny, It's a good quality game regardless of its origins.
"Not sure if there is any ero in it though."
They confirmed ero scenes for the later acts...
frills addict
http://www.flickr.com/photos/annaneko/
I dun wanna play this... but I feel so bad for the girl with the burnt scar marks ;_;
Student
http://shockerz.wordpress.com/
I don't know about you guys but I don't have the taste to play this kind of game.
USMC
http://okinawaperson.blogspot.com/
Tis a great game! I fell in love with the demo and can hardly wait for the full version. Shizune is best! Haha! i saw a few people giving her props here and I just wanted to add my little "YAY for Shizune!" Though some prefer blind moe, I have to go with the def moe. Besides, Shizune is tsundere. Can't go wrong there.
Student
http://johnyo.wordpress.com/
Haven't tried the demo, but it does look interesting.
One man company, visual UI / icon designer.
http://blog.cocoia.com
Wow, looking at the picture posted before the last makes it seem these characters have no shadows. Vampires? ;)
Catgirl Trainer.
http://www.phenie.com
I started the game briefly, but decided to wait for the full version, as I would hate to redo stuff again when thee full version is released.
I was very impressed with the quality of the first 15-20 min though, the writing style is very impressive for a fan-made game, and the music was catchy. Will definitely give the full version a play.
大学生
http://justaskeikaku.net23.net
lol is that kasane teto with the twin drills?
Nekophilia
My thoughts exactly when I first saw her some time ago! ^^
http://www.stefkov.com/
I haven't played the demo yet. The concept is different, for sure.
Creator of possibility spaces and giver of opinions to simulations
http://www.beemoh.co.uk/
On the matter of what TLA we should be using for the Japanese, UK anime-centric magazine "Neo" got into trouble for making the same mistake early in its life.
i say "trouble", a few fans made a polite email and all was well, nobody got sued or anything, but still.
desperate because my old login was eaten
I already played the demo and sure i can't imagine that game will have H-scenes !!
SOS Brigade Leader
Looks really good , hopefully it would sell in Malaysia ^^
Retailerz
Were they going to sell this at C76?
university student
completed all the girls routes but cant seem to find rins route for some reason without getting myself killed thanks to kenji.....
the whole game i have to say is one of the best eroge i played so far.....having played a total of 5......it surpasses all of them......looking foreward to the second act
Video Reviewer of Anime Figures, Mecha and Merch (youtube.com/user/Actar576295)
http://actar.wordpress.com
A fantastic game that takes a new and inclusive spin on the eroge scene. Great for everyone and really ingenious concept. Nice to see that not many have a negative aspect to this game.
Video Reviewer of Anime Figures, Mecha and Merch (youtube.com/user/Actar576295)
http://actar.wordpress.com
Ah, yes. Also wanted to say that it is great that people can understand that you don't need to be perfect to be beautiful.
Student, Uncle & hopfully a good husband..
This could be a game i could have time to play...been a while since i touched a new visual novel...
Rocketman
I've seen a lot about it. Haven't tried it yet, might try later today though.
Is it weird that disabled girls dont appeal to me?
For 8 weeks im a NEET
looks good. does it came out in english.
Student, health worker
http://www.bitterbrownieprince.deviantart.com
Working on Hanako's route now ;D! I keep getting distracted and drawing them hahaha, so gameplaying is going slow n.n.
There will be eroge in the full version, I believe.
Student, health worker
http://www.bitterbrownieprince.deviantart.com
Ack, meant ero, not eroge, hahaha ^^;
There is ero as far as I know,an d I can't wait to play the full game - It will b great!
Student
http://foxkey.blog126.fc2.com/
This project started long ago, nabbed the demo first day it came out and gunned straight for Hanako route, so moe. THen for Rin as i've heard plenty of good things from that line.
Can't wait for the full version to come out.
Student trying to get BS in Comp Sci
awesome demo waiting for full game
Med student
this is a good idea. going to check out the gome right now!
Design Student. Occasional Retailor of Delicious Toubed Meats.
I think this is a fantastic idea. I know it's probably intended for a certain kind of kink (not that there's anything wrong with that ;)), but this actually looks like a fun and classy way to get regular folks to think about issues that face the (hesitate to use the euphemism) "Differently Abled". I'm always amazed at how Japanese ero usually seems to be able to put a compelling story in between the squelchy noises.
Great great great! ^_^
Music composer
http://www.chromatic-lab.com
Its really bad that they used the word KATAWA for their game...
They do know its really bad taste even they do like they didnt want to make peoples inconfortable by using it..
they know its bad and they used it to get EASY PUBLICITY like you are doing here by talking about that game....
i hope no one will buy it.
Student
http://www.facebook.com/editapps.php?ref=mb#/profile.php?id=742123162&ref=name
They are not selling the game.
so no one will buy it....
Great demo waiting for the full game!
Otaku Programmer/Gamer/Artist/Photographer
http://argylebolivar.wordpress.com
Looks interesting I would love to check this out ^^
Just someone..
Lol i saw lelouch when the character entered the classroom....wonder what disability he has....
anime + games collector
might get the demo but where do i get it from, can some one tell me?
university film student | ecchikid | the Archivist
http://www.vimeo.com/longhim
For some reason, the lines sound so much more cheesy and cringe-inducing when they're in English... ><
Med student
Haaaaaaaaaah. Just finished 98% of the game. Took me so long due to exams.
Just loved the Hanako route.
Waiting for the full version.
Student
I finished all routes and got at 100%. when i first heard of this game i never knew that the creators were users from 4chan
Core Analyst
http://tuanvo.jimdo.com/
I guess it is becoming an addiction for me, wished I didn't even start until the full version is released. Shizune is exactly what I want in a SO. Kenji ruins the entire experience of KS, lol.