Unfortunately in 2021, I did not read too many VNs. However, I did try my hand at a different array of media and so I’ll be detailing some of that as well! I definitely had a blast sampling different stuff and getting back into stuff I put aside for so many years.

Sousaku Kanojo no Ren’ai Koushiki

SouKano was a VN I was excited to read after reading the trial. It has an interesting idea, being that of what it means to create something, and explores that idea pretty well through most of its run. The common route was the highlight for me, seeing how the various heroines dealt with their worries and issues in relation to what it meant to create something.

The routes, however, are the weakest part of the story, ranging from uninspired to strange in terms of its quality. Kiriha had the best route, but she did not have much competition in the first place. Aisa’s route, which deals with her death, does not really make sense in the grand scheme of things nor does the story try to make her decision to die seem like the logical one by any stretch of the imagination. It seemed like the author had a certain in place and just didn’t have the right pieces to put it all together seamlessly.

Regardless, the characters were good and grew on me as each chapter passed. I enjoyed Yuuma in particular as a side character and Kiriha is my (devilish) angel. There were also a few moments that reminded me of reading Maruto, complete with the melodic flow and lingering emotion. And while there are no stand-out moments that make the story stick in my mind, the core ideas and character have permeated into my brain and will be something I shall carry through my reading experience.

Koinoha

Koinoha is the premier comfy romcom for me and everything right to appeal to me on a romantically satisfying level. Each character is charming and has their own quirks that fit so well with each other. Whether it’s the twerpy Akira, the sisterly Kanata or the cheerful Makoto, I just love each one of them. They all have amazing chemistry with each other, which makes the dialogue stand out when it ful to the brim with personality and charm.

Koinoha is a story about people coming together and learning to connect with each other. All of the character’s arcs represent them learning through each and growing into better people because, whether it is Akira opening up to others or Makoto deciding her path for the future. The protagonist, Iori, even has an arc of his own where he tries to be something who can connect with people better.

The story itself is fast paced, which I think only helps to make the story of Koinoha better. There’s just enough to convey impactful and emotional scenes, without needing to drag out.

Also, being a moenukige, the nukige aspects of Koinoha are top notch. The animations are actually so smooth for a VN and the positions and framing of most scenes are enticing. Overall, I had plenty of fun with Koinoha, in many different respects.

Kami no Ue no Mahoutsukai

KamiMaho surprised me in so many ways. I had initially dropped it, but I wanted to give it a second chance. And wow, did the second chance deliver in spades. I was enthralled for practically the whole story. It’s enticing and knew how to grip me during the right moments.

The best way I can describe KamiMaho is that it’s a fairy tale in the true sense of the word. Each chapter is a fleeting dilemma he characters have to deal with, as they grow bit by bit from each one. The prose themselves feel very floaty, emulating a lot of what fairy tales feel like, never forthright in how they present themselves. Seeing the different tales told or the narration of Chrysoberyl’s actions, for example, is such a treat because of how expressive they feel.

The core idea of finding happiness is well explored throughout each of the chapters, with each chapter highlighting a different aspect of that idea. Seeing how the characters act and react in different situations when facing these challenges was satisfying to say the least. The core of that happiness is Yoruko, who is the story’s main character 100%. Seeing this idea play out was an emotional rollercoaster, especially in moments like the end of Chapter 7 where Ruri sees Rio and Kisaki revived in book form.

The major characters were a treat to read through. Kanata and Yoruko were amazing, with Kanata being Ruri’s first love and her entire arc being trying to reclaim that love as something else to behold. Yoruko’s slow descent into madness followed by her acceptance is such a great arc and seeing everything be pieced together bit by bit made everything worth it.

However, the true end was a mess, to say the least. To me, it reverses all the growth that Yoruko goes through in the story since the story is building up for her to realize that she should not abandon reality. By making the true end be the end where Yoruko chooses to not abandon the books, it makes it anti-thematic and a betrayal of sorts. Nonetheless, KamiMaho is an experience I will not regret and will remember.

The Great Ace Attorney Chronicles

Overall, I had my fair share of fun with TGAAC. The story was uneven and sometimes did not build itself properly, but it has a lot of heart and charm.

The story is mostly episodic, with small threads here and there tying everything together. The overall narrative was intriguing, but kind of felt overshadowed by the weaker moment-to-moment scenes. For episodic stories to really connect with me, there has to be a clear overall narrative thread and distinct character progression. TGAAC falls just short of that, but it still feels pleasant to read through the various character interactions.

The characters are all colourful in their right and bounce off each so well. Whether it is Sherlock’s audaciousness, Gina’s frank nature or Van Zieks towering demeanor, it is nice to see the energy they talk with one another. Outside of that, their own personal growth is also a treat with Gina becoming an inspector and Van Zieks learning to loosen a bit being the stars of the show for me.

The eighth case was the best case, delivering on so many moments and and was the moment everything started to click into place. However, the final two cases felt like a bit of letdown. It does not really raise the stakes and stays too true to the established formula, so the story does not end on an epic finale, instead feeling more of whimper. However, the overall experience was pretty satisfying, even if a bit mystifying, and not in a good way.

TGAAC feels like Takumi Shuu taking his ideas from the original Phoenix Wright game and polishing it to the extreme and for that I greatly respect this game and what it brings to the table.

Fire Emblem: Heroes of Light and Shadow

After years of perpetual stalling, I finally finished this. Fire Emblem is a series that is dear to my heart and it feels great to finally have the monkey of not finishing FE:12 off my back.

The story and characters are standard Fire Emblem fare, it’s nothing special and honestly even compared to other entries in the series, it’s fairly bland. It has some interesting tidbits with the world building and lore, but they’re just that, tidbits. Caeda has some cool support and I love her character overall. However, what makes FE:12 one of my favorites in the series is the gameplay.

Compared to most other entries, there’s a diverse amount of characters to experiment with and while some of them forgettable and feel samey (looking at you Robert, Belf and Leiden), the variety is so much fun to experiment with. The maps are fun and provide just enough challenge in the right way. Chapters 15, 17, and 20 are some of my absolute favorite chapters in Fire Emblem period. Each of those chapters have an epic flow to them and really feels like the player is pit against such devastating odds. Smart enemy placement, neatly designed spaces, interesting bosses and bombardment from reinforcements all come together to create something that is fun and has a lot of replay value. Along with the variety of units and avatar creation, there’s just so many ways to experiment. My team at the end was: Marth, My Unit, Julian, Sirius, Minerva, Merric, Malicia, Feena, Caeda, Ryan, Cain and Palla, though if I do future playthroughs, I will definitely try to rotate with different units to get a feel for most of them.

Legend of Heroes: Trials in the Sky FC

The Legend of Heroes series has always been on my radar and so far, this first entry has impressed me quite a bit. It’s fun and addicting without feeling too draining to play. I’ll definitely check out the rest of the series eventually.

The different areas of Libel are a treat to explore, and while each locale might not stand out too much from each other, seeing the different people and places breathes a lot of life into the world. I didn’t exactly interact with everyone nor did I try to explore every single place, but the people I did meet felt vibrant enough.

The story is nothing special until the very last scene. Otherwise, it feels like a slice of life anime in a fantasy world as Estelle and Joshua go about completing different tasks and errands until they run into a larger conspiracy before them. It unfolds very much like typical shounen and plays out like one too. The twists and turns might not exactly be all that unique or engaging, but I do like seeing where Estelle and Joshua’s journey takes them. The final reveal of the Ouroboros organization and Joshua fleeing from Estelle is the highpoint of the story and the perfect way to cap off a journey like this.

That being said, Trails is a game very focused on its primary characters. Estelle and Joshua are the standout characters, of course. No one from the main cast really left that huge of an impression on me. However, the relationship dynamic between Estelle and Joshua is perfect and seeing grow with and because of each is simply delightful. The gradual realization of their feelings for each other was sweet, with the final scene being the culmination of all that.

The gameplay is fun and requires some tinkering to really understand the system and really rewards those who understand all those different elements. It was rewarding combining arts with attacks and chaining them together for a combo and what not. Thankfully, it’s nothing too deep or hard and I was able to have a lot of fun messing around with the character's orbal list.

Overall, I very much enjoyed my time and am looking forward to playing the sequels one day!

Sono Bisque Doll wa Koi wo Suru

Bisque Doll is a sweet manga and appealed to me on an emotional level. Marin is a gyaru that hits every button for me. She is spunky and spontaneous, without a care in the world with how the world thinks about her. Her confidence that she passes onto Wakana also rubs off on me. She really is infectious in her attitude and it makes me want to throw my passions face forward and pursue them wholeheartedly.

Seeing the intricacies of cosplay is pretty neat and seeing the tricks at play is something that just makes me respect cosplayers that much more. Seeing Wakana being validated for his work, which was something he was always shy about, is so rewarding and his slow realization that maybe he does have value is wonderful characterization.

Their relationship is definitely a very slow burn, but I am here all the way to see it through to the end!

Fruits Basket (Reboot)

So much care has been put into the reboot to make it as best as possible. Fruits Basket is about the power of connections and the anime is polished in every aspect to display this idea as powerfully as possible.

What I love about Fruits Basket is the mutual healing each character goes through from their mental scars from the love and friendship they receive from others. Each character has their own journeys as they navigate the complex maze of life. And while the core of Fruits BAsket is very much slice-of-life orientated, the later seasons definitely ramp up the drama to a max, extracting as much as possible from each character’s anguish until that joyous conclusion is finally reached.

Redemption is a core idea permeating through each story beat and character arc. Tied down by the weight of their past, Fruits Basket shows that it is okay to move on and uses the characters as vessels to demonstrate that mutual healing. Tohru overcoming the weight of her parent’s death and Kyou overcoming the years of self-hate are two journeys that stood out to me, and through the power of mutual healing, those two journeys become one as Tohru and Kyou heal each other from their scars and shows that the past should not define how someone wants to move themselves forward.

Mushoku Tensei

I relate to the show’s main theme and core ideas a lot. The core of Mushoku Tensei is one of change, second chances and the salvation that can come from having the willingness to recognize that need for change.

Rudeus Greyrat is someone who was broken in every sense of the word and the opportunity given before him is a journey to give him a resolution to the crappy life he led before. Sometimes he makes progress and sometimes he regresses, but that is the journey of life. Each arc is a lesson for Rudeus and can either take it in stride and learn from his past or let the weight bury him further into his hole. Second chances do not come easy and Rudeus is the first one aware of that. He works his damnedest to try and change and even if the world wants to suffocate him back to his pit of worthiness, his newfound mentality eventually brings him back up to a path of hope and determination. It’s subtle growth like this that makes me respect Mushoku Tensei a lot. Change does not always come immediately and it can take time for new habits to form.

I love both of the main heroines thus far. Roxy’s episode that focused on her visiting her parents again hit me hard. Even if she is in a world where she is the odd one out, there is still salvation awaiting her, her parents lioing her all the same. Eris’s haughtiness-turned-fierce-spirit was something that cultivated through their journey. The first two seasons are dedicated to showing her formative years and how the experiences in the world opened her eyes to her own futility and her desire to become someone who can support Rudeus. Even characters like Paul are great, seeing how they try to redeem themselves in a world that tries to get them down.

The story itself is exciting in all the right ways. The world gripped me from the get go, its vast set pieces and intricate lore creating a living, breathing setting. The narrative is split into their own arcs, with each one focusing on a new aspect of the world, while adding onto the overall mystery. In the end, Rudeus is able to learn a new lesson about him and slowly grow into the best version of himself. Overall, I am stoked to continue with the series, I will be checking out the light novel from here on out!

Calliope Mori: End of a Life

VTubers, wow. I don’t watch streams at all since they don’t entertain me, but I do enjoy quite a bit of their more “streamlined” content, Calli’s music being one of them.

Each of Calli’s raps have a certain message behind them and End of a Life is no different. The lyrics in the song talk about the bygone past and saying farewell to those times for opportunities in the present. And while those opportunities may be full of idealism, it can be grueling to navigate and oftentimes not as glamorous as what's usually depicted. However, the song ends off with a bittersweet message on not regretting the choices you have made and looking back on the past with a wistfulness as you look toward the future chasing those opportunities.

The lyrics really speak to me and the situation I find myself in. A lot of my doubts and fears were brought up in this song and seeing how Calli had her own answer for these questions makes me want to find my own path and live my life without any regrets. And there’s also the fact that Calli’s voice fits really for these nostalgic types of song, her roughness really portraying a broken yet hopeful character really well.

Phil Lam: 高山低谷

I’ve listened to a lot of music, but this one stuck out the most to me and the melody spoke to me like no other songs could.

The song title translates to “High Mountain, Low Valley” and is a song detailing unrequited love and the struggles associated with it. There are a lot of opposites at play, as the song notes that pain associated with seeing the one you love seem so happy while you are suffering not being able to be with them. Hence the title, as you are stuck on a low valley while the one you love is all high and mighty from atop the mountains.

This song in particular reminds me of the Cantopop ballads of old, such as the ones from Danny Chan and Hacken Lee. I’m very glad to have discovered this song and it is definitely at the top of my playlist.

The Last Hours

Cassandra Clare outdid herself with this series. Specifically, I read both Chain of Gold and Chain of Iron back to back. Seeing the amazing old cast of the Infernal Devices along with the charming new cast is just splendid. Will and Tessa, even in their older age, are as charming as ever. Their chemistry just oozes so much passion.

The author really demonstrates her ability to write compelling characters and relationships with this series. The main romantic throughline between James and Cordelia was satisfying and quite the journey. From the moment they were introduced, I could feel the sparks and where the blossom of love could lead to. Cordelia in particular is such a great character, her quiet strength being something I am in awe of. She has own worries and her resignation to her belief that James will never love is heartbreaking. And James, seeing him overcome the power of the ring through his love for Cordelia was nothing short of powerful, seeing the strength of the bonds they have forged. I can only hope that both of them have a happy ending. And I shouldn’t forget Lucie and Jesse too who have such a unique dynamic.

Seeing the other characters, such as Matthew and Thomas, have their own struggles as well and seeing how they get through them is so good. Cassie knows exactly how to handle character in this way by developing through their relationships with each other. It’s a complex web of relations and honestly it rivals that of Maruto, as an example.

And while the actual plot became a little too over the top for my tastes by Chain of Iron with the introduction of all these different dimensions and thinly connecting mystery, the characters are the ones that carry this series. The Shadowhunter series has alway been about its characters and just like in the Infernal Devices, the character drama is the highlight of what makes the story click. The character cliffhanger in Chain of Iron with Cordelia fleeing with Matthew as James tries to chase her is heart wrenching and makes me eager to see how the trilogy concludes.