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Which are visual novels a niche media even amongst weebs?

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Sep 18, 2023 1:22 PM
#1

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Aug 2020
8894
Visual novels aren't played by the majority of people, that's obvious. However, why is it such a niche even in anime community? Is it due to the time spent on them? Or maybe because of the dragged pace of some VNs?

Sep 18, 2023 1:44 PM
#2

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Nov 2008
27806
Lots of reading involved, however they are gaining a lot of popularity (with the exception of 18+ VNs, this is only part of the genre that is dying).


Sep 18, 2023 2:02 PM
#3
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Jul 2018
561867
It does require a lots of reading and as well if the story it's more complex and it has interactive stuff involved, it can be overwhelming a bit, since some of them might last longer than expected. As well there are many side endings that you need to reach before the main(s) one...
Sep 18, 2023 2:30 PM
#4

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Jun 2015
1040
For a lot of people, reading isn't fun, so even if a visual novel has pictures and music and voice acting, the fact that it's basically a book turns a lot of people away from it. Some people don't even enjoy manga, they only like anime, but that's rarer.
Sep 18, 2023 3:02 PM
#5

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Feb 2016
14973
A big problem outside Japan is translations, though that has gotten better over the years. Another problem is marketing. It seems anime fans are the only ones who know visual novels even exist. As visual novels are not anime, they are bound to appeal to different sorts of people. I got into visual novels through console gaming, and only because I've always enjoyed reading. They're not like the games I grew up with.
LucifrostSep 18, 2023 3:05 PM
その目だれの目?
Sep 18, 2023 3:09 PM
#6

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Sep 2018
14390
VNs are not easily accessible like Anime or even the niche form of manga. VNs can't be played on smartphones generally, and not much people like myself want to sit down and play them on a PC. I do like some Vns though.
Sep 18, 2023 3:16 PM
#7

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Feb 2016
14973
Reply to rohan121
VNs are not easily accessible like Anime or even the niche form of manga. VNs can't be played on smartphones generally, and not much people like myself want to sit down and play them on a PC. I do like some Vns though.
rohan121 said:
VNs can't be played on smartphones generally, and not much people like myself want to sit down and play them on a PC.

I too would rather use a smartphone over a computer. I should have mentioned the dearth of ports as a reason visual novels are not popular. Even when a port exists in Japan, it might not be sold elsewhere.
その目だれの目?
Sep 18, 2023 6:47 PM
#8
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Jul 2018
561867
Agreed.

A majority of VNs not being on smartphones is one of the major things holding the medium back to this day. They have the general hallmark of books in that they are long bodies of related texts that can take dozen of hours to complete, but require being on a computer in order to access. They are books that essentially need a power source, and I have not seen too many people carrying kindles around. At the same time, light novels are pretty popular and they are basically just books.

I think the major distributors from what I have seen are Steam for both western made and translated ports, alongside some more niche ones like Jlist or Nutaku. Ya know, the official ones

I think another thing is that they are difficult to monetize like a long running series; it is inherent to the complexity of the creation, so for many people it might be more worthwhile to simply adapt many of these story ideas to technologically easier mediums like light novels or books unless you really need that trait of being able to influence the narrative, for voice acting and sound, or any other considerations.

I am a bit curious as to how VNs are distributed in Japan. I know in the West, we can access all sorts of things through torrents, but business wise Steam has really relaxed its policies on pornographic content, and it is not hard to patch censored games anyway. Is there a similar way that VNs are released in Japan via retailers or is that not how the market works?
removed-userSep 18, 2023 6:51 PM
Sep 18, 2023 10:27 PM
#9

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Oct 2022
1184
Lots of reading and the problem of "I could be playing [other games name]". I play a lot of gatcha games and many feel like VN with a lot of text after text, it is not a bad thing and it allows them to create some really good alternatives, however, many times i dont advance on its story because I know i will have to stick to my phone for 45 minutes reading and reading and if i quit or just do something else, the game will log out and I will have to start all over again
Oct 6, 2023 10:56 AM

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Jul 2013
2489
The only "visual novels" that I care about is Sakura Wars, but also Baldr Force. All the others are ultra weeb stuff and Steins;Gate is overrated.

Steins;Gate had basic plot like 80s JRPGs also having a cast of teenagers which always go around messing things up. That's why it'll never be in my top 90 anime.

The only thing Type Moon that I think is magnus opus material is Tsukihime.
Oct 6, 2023 12:10 PM

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Oct 2013
546
For me, most of what I like about anime doesn't translate well to text-centric media, and given that VNs tend to lean pretty hard into anime tropes, I can find it tiring to sit through them. What I would like out of a VN is a serious attempt at literature, which are few and far between compared to something like moeges (which despite my love for slice of life anime, I find to be a complete waste of time).

I think VNs have tons of potential, but in my experience they tend to be marketed mostly towards an already niche demographic. Also, I find that editing standards for prose are fairly lax compared to the West, which is a turn off for me. Certainly, translations play a large role in that, but when it comes to fluff and repetitive information, that stuff stands out like a sore thumb (I chose to go with the Umineko manga over the VN because I kept seeing people say how long-winded it is).

A society which fails to uphold empathy as its foremost guiding principle is doomed to ignore or even defend the exploitation of its most vulnerable members.
Oct 6, 2023 12:20 PM

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Sep 2018
14390
A lot of VNs get censored, or never get a official English release. This means you must also be technically savy knowing how to patch your games. You must also accept sketchy download links pop ups, and sus websites to find said VNs. A lot force you to download in many parts wasting time.
Oct 6, 2023 3:53 PM
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Jul 2018
561867
You have to be an anime fan whilst also having a tolerance for reading novels.
That's also paired with the fact that there aren't a huge amount of visual novels to begin with. Most are eroge or dating sims which turns most normies and anime fans off. Even heavy hitters like Steins;Gate still have a very high weeb entry level due to the sheer amount of otaku culture prevalent in the story. Higurashi and Umineko also come to mind - they have some interesting concepts but ultimately you need high weeb tolerance to enjoy them.

So the prerequisites are:
(1) Be into anime
(2) Prefer longer stories to shorter, more curated anime series.
(3) Have a tolerance for reading long stories with questionable translations.
(4) Have high weeb tolerance since 99% of visual novels have references and settings that only appeal to otaku.
(5) Be distanced enough from normie culture to not cringe at the sheer weeb-factor of things like Umineko or Steins;Gate.

It's no wonder that visual novels are a niche, because most visual novels cater to a very specific niche of weebs. In order to expand the genre there needs to be more visual novels that relate to western audiences with more profound stories that aren't dating sims or porn games.
removed-userOct 6, 2023 3:58 PM
Oct 6, 2023 8:06 PM

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Feb 2016
14973
Reply to removed-user
You have to be an anime fan whilst also having a tolerance for reading novels.
That's also paired with the fact that there aren't a huge amount of visual novels to begin with. Most are eroge or dating sims which turns most normies and anime fans off. Even heavy hitters like Steins;Gate still have a very high weeb entry level due to the sheer amount of otaku culture prevalent in the story. Higurashi and Umineko also come to mind - they have some interesting concepts but ultimately you need high weeb tolerance to enjoy them.

So the prerequisites are:
(1) Be into anime
(2) Prefer longer stories to shorter, more curated anime series.
(3) Have a tolerance for reading long stories with questionable translations.
(4) Have high weeb tolerance since 99% of visual novels have references and settings that only appeal to otaku.
(5) Be distanced enough from normie culture to not cringe at the sheer weeb-factor of things like Umineko or Steins;Gate.

It's no wonder that visual novels are a niche, because most visual novels cater to a very specific niche of weebs. In order to expand the genre there needs to be more visual novels that relate to western audiences with more profound stories that aren't dating sims or porn games.
WelcomeNyaster said:
In order to expand the genre there needs to be more visual novels that relate to western audiences with more profound stories that aren't dating sims or porn games.

Those games already exist, but they're a minority. There also exist a great many shorter visual novels that never receive any hype.
その目だれの目?
Oct 7, 2023 12:24 AM

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May 2013
8271
Reply to removed-user
You have to be an anime fan whilst also having a tolerance for reading novels.
That's also paired with the fact that there aren't a huge amount of visual novels to begin with. Most are eroge or dating sims which turns most normies and anime fans off. Even heavy hitters like Steins;Gate still have a very high weeb entry level due to the sheer amount of otaku culture prevalent in the story. Higurashi and Umineko also come to mind - they have some interesting concepts but ultimately you need high weeb tolerance to enjoy them.

So the prerequisites are:
(1) Be into anime
(2) Prefer longer stories to shorter, more curated anime series.
(3) Have a tolerance for reading long stories with questionable translations.
(4) Have high weeb tolerance since 99% of visual novels have references and settings that only appeal to otaku.
(5) Be distanced enough from normie culture to not cringe at the sheer weeb-factor of things like Umineko or Steins;Gate.

It's no wonder that visual novels are a niche, because most visual novels cater to a very specific niche of weebs. In order to expand the genre there needs to be more visual novels that relate to western audiences with more profound stories that aren't dating sims or porn games.
@WelcomeNyaster

Lol, which way western man?

Weeb anime VNs or Gay Furry western VNs?

Legit the only western VNs I can think of that are worth a damn are gay furry ones lol.



♡ Harder Daddy ♡
Oct 7, 2023 1:52 AM

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Mar 2008
53417
They dont even do that well in Japan these days ive heard. Why would there be a lot of visual novel fans in the short attention span inpatient West of today?

It would help if there was more available for tablets and phones both Android and iOS/iPadOS. I mean dont most people like to read laying in bed? ...well among other things from bed while playing. Also allows for on the go use. Yet they still are mainly aiming at PCs and consoles (though sometimes handheld)
traedOct 7, 2023 1:57 AM
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Oct 7, 2023 10:17 AM

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Feb 2016
14973
Reply to Nette
@WelcomeNyaster

Lol, which way western man?

Weeb anime VNs or Gay Furry western VNs?

Legit the only western VNs I can think of that are worth a damn are gay furry ones lol.
_Nette_ said:
Legit the only western VNs I can think of that are worth a damn are gay furry ones lol.

You mean you don't like Hanako Games?
その目だれの目?
Oct 7, 2023 10:17 AM

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Feb 2016
14973
Reply to traed
They dont even do that well in Japan these days ive heard. Why would there be a lot of visual novel fans in the short attention span inpatient West of today?

It would help if there was more available for tablets and phones both Android and iOS/iPadOS. I mean dont most people like to read laying in bed? ...well among other things from bed while playing. Also allows for on the go use. Yet they still are mainly aiming at PCs and consoles (though sometimes handheld)
traed said:
It would help if there was more available for tablets and phones both Android and iOS/iPadOS. I mean dont most people like to read laying in bed?

Not to mention, most people have phones...
その目だれの目?
Oct 7, 2023 4:20 PM

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Mar 2008
53417
Reply to Lucifrost
traed said:
It would help if there was more available for tablets and phones both Android and iOS/iPadOS. I mean dont most people like to read laying in bed?

Not to mention, most people have phones...
@Lucifrost
I'm not sure on that. I don't know what percentage of Japan has smart phones these days and that is who these are mainly marketed at. I mean it would seem weird for Japanese companies of Japanese people making VNs that their friends won't get to play. They only adopted smartphones relatively recently to the point you don't even see smartphones depicted in anime till a couple years ago.
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Oct 7, 2023 11:40 PM

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Reply to Lucifrost
_Nette_ said:
Legit the only western VNs I can think of that are worth a damn are gay furry ones lol.

You mean you don't like Hanako Games?
@Lucifrost

I actually own a couple of their games but haven't played them because Steam is an endless black hole. Lol.



♡ Harder Daddy ♡
Oct 8, 2023 6:30 AM

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Reply to Nette
@Lucifrost

I actually own a couple of their games but haven't played them because Steam is an endless black hole. Lol.
@_Nette_
You don't have to buy them through Steam.
https://hanakogames.itch.io
その目だれの目?
Oct 8, 2023 7:18 AM
因果導体

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VN is considered a reading medium and not everyone like reading. Taking this site as an example:
  • the most popular Anime - AOT has 3.8M members
  • the most popular Manga - Berserk has only 650k members
  • the most popular LN - Hako Mari has only 100k members
Oct 8, 2023 9:27 AM

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14973
Reply to kizumi91
VN is considered a reading medium and not everyone like reading. Taking this site as an example:
  • the most popular Anime - AOT has 3.8M members
  • the most popular Manga - Berserk has only 650k members
  • the most popular LN - Hako Mari has only 100k members
@kizumi91
I had no idea that novel has so many members. I've not once seen it mentioned outside MAL.
その目だれの目?
Oct 8, 2023 9:38 AM
因果導体

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1621
Reply to Lucifrost
@kizumi91
I had no idea that novel has so many members. I've not once seen it mentioned outside MAL.
@Lucifrost It was hyped and has gained its status back then, I guess that's why: https://web.archive.org/web/20160301053319/https://myanimelist.net/manga/55215/Utsuro_no_Hako_to_Zero_no_Maria
Oct 8, 2023 10:01 AM

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Feb 2016
14973
Reply to kizumi91
@kizumi91
That would explain why not as many people have actually read it compared to Jobless Reincarnation. Both have more votes than Song of Saya, the most popular entry on VNDB. Saya's not even a story with mainstream appeal...
その目だれの目?
Oct 8, 2023 8:50 PM

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May 2013
8271
Reply to Lucifrost
@_Nette_
You don't have to buy them through Steam.
https://hanakogames.itch.io
@Lucifrost

I was more referencing I have tons of games on Steam I am desperately trying to get through with no end in sight. I think I played the princess raising one and got a bad ending in 10 minutes and got mad and quit. Was not in the mood for it but maybe I should return to that one.

I also own Science Girls so maybe I will sit through that one someday once I stop playing furry/scalie games like a degenerate.



♡ Harder Daddy ♡
Oct 9, 2023 12:45 PM

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Jan 2018
111
Because they require you to read, not just stare at pictures with dialogue bubbles. There are other reasons of course, like a lot of them being incredibly fucked up and complex story-wise for an average MAL normie. Obviously, I am only talking about Japanese works, Western VNs are garbage and not even worth mentioning.
Oct 9, 2023 2:15 PM

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Jan 2009
16000
Lack of advertising and general availability through local stores, I would say. Unlike Manga in a regular book store, you probably won't find any VNs in any shop in a Western country (not including Japan itself), but much rather just J-RPGs or J-RPG-hybrids

While there are more and more official releases digitally, there are still lots which are not translated or only fan-translated without an official puplisher and those require some configuration to change your regional settings to Japanese or additional applications like AppLocale.
Oct 10, 2023 8:18 AM

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Feb 2020
8685
For me it's just tons of reading... (at least with the ones I've played). Like I'm still trying to finish Maitetsu Pure Station after starting it about 3 years ago now, and even though I absolutely love it... there's pretty much nothing to do other than read. And even though I like reading, sometimes it makes me feeling like reading an actual book or play something else instead.
Oct 12, 2023 11:29 PM

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Oct 2023
61
i think vns aren't popular because there isn't as much interactivity like other games. but i see them getting popular with writers and indie devs for being a little easier to make and develop.
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