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Visual novels for the world... It's funny, isn't it? Fuwanovel's infamous mission statement...ya know, sometimes I stop and think to myself just how powerful those words really are. To some, they are just words plastered on a page to make it look good, but to others they have a much deeper meaning. When I first discovered this website a few months ago, I too like many of you came here for a purpose, a purpose that may have had little to no meaning whatsoever. Perhaps I came here to download a visual novel, or maybe I just wanted to read about the release date of some translation. It wasn't until I stopped to really read the purpose of this community that I started to realize what Aaeru was trying to create. Those 5 words...to me, no, to everyone, those words speak something. They aren't there for show, but rather they are there to remind us that this community is in itself the representation of many cultures from around the world. We form relationships with those around us no matter our differences and interests and unite under one banner to show everyone on the outside that we are brothers and sisters in arms. To us, those words speak a truth, and it is because of them that we continue pushing forward like we do. You may ask yourself, why am I writing this post? I am not running this show as a staff member, nor am I really of any importance seeing as I am just another cog in the wheel, so why bother? To answer that, let me ask you a question instead: why do you come here? For some, we may answer something as simple as "I love visual novels," but when you really stop and think about it, it's more than that. We are family, and Fuwanovel is a home to many of us. No matter our interest, no matter our race, no matter our language, we come here because we separate useless boundaries and unite as one collective mind. Sure, we have some pretty strict parents (the staff) and some rascal children in the bunch, but in the end what we share as a group is far greater than anything I have ever seen. We may not all come here for the same reason, but we come here because to all of us, this is and always will be considered home. People come and people go as the winds of change are constantly blowing. Still, I want to remind everyone that Fuwanovel is and always will be a home for you. The main reason I posted this was to remember who we are, and what this community is. It may seem mundane and sort of useless to state, but take a second and really read these words; remember why you joined Fuwanovel in the first place. The moment you posted something as simple as the word "hello" in the Introduction Forums, you made yourself a part of the family. No matter where life takes you, no matter what happens, this is a place that will always welcome you back. We may be faces hidden behind a computer screen, but we are faces that care. No matter where you come from, no matter what language you speak, no matter what you love, Fuwanovel's doors will always be open, something I am sure the staff and founding members will always agree upon. From the lolicons, to the tsunderes, to the senpais, we are a family. No matter what you love, you are always welcome. Aaeru got it right. She gave us a building block that we as members and staff continue to build upon. There are always trials and tribulations to overcome, but in the end, we as a community and we as a family push through it. For me, that will always bring a smile to my face, as I hope it does the same for you. I just felt like reminding that to everyone...

How about instead of "Cumming inside!" we use "Depth Discharge!!"

Nah, you're doing it right, I'm a slow reader myself. However, I never, ever read 2 or more routes simultaneously. It will take away the immersion of focusing on one plot, and jumping in between tends to make you occasionally overlook the other or even forget about it. Try this: Whenever you feel enough for the day, try to stop before hitting a resolution or within moments of tension and create a cliffhanger for yourself. It'll be quite difficult, but you'll be compelled to continue sooner or later and you'll have a jump start next time you read. Not into philosophy then.

Rejoice, my subjects. Your voices of pleads has reached the great Kosuna-sama, and he and his partner has decided to co-work on Miyako's route, and are determined to finish it in less than 60 days. Now, celebrate! (So yeah, no progress on Agave for now, but we're pretty sure to get Miyako in less than 2 months.)

Even in Japan, VNs have only really exploded beyond ero-fans in the past decade and a half. In previous decades, 'serious' VNs were a rarity. However, the relatively recent (the last fourteen to fifteen years) expansion of the plot-focused side of the industry is slowly altering the way they are seen, both over here and over there. As the thread author states in the video, VNs will never be other than niche, precisely because more people are functionally illiterate (they can't sit down and read a book and feel that it is enjoyable) than ever before. Anime fans that never get beyond dubs are classic examples of this type of person... they don't want to read subs, so they live with sub-par English voices instead. You have to be introduced to reading for fun pretty early, if you want to be able to enjoy it. With more and more kids raised by their televisions, I doubt this trend will reverse itself anytime soon. (incidentally, studies have shown that the human brain's cognitive functions develop faster the more you actually read, rather than watching videos or listening to lectures) I started out as a speed-reading bibliophile... and so becoming a VN-lover was just a natural step, once I was introduced to them. I've watched the fanbase and market for VNs expand rapidly over the last five years here in the West, but I've yet to meet a person who started their otaku life as a VN fan, who was born in the West. Almost everyone enters into otakudom through role-playing games, anime, or manga. So, it is only natural that VNs would be the weakest branch of the otaku tree here. Like the author says, the biggest barrier besides the reading aspect (which is ultimately the biggest one), is the sexual aspects. One of the most ironic things about the VN industry is that better than 90% of the best VN plots come out of the eroge (VNs with erotic content) part of the VN medium. This sometimes gets me to thinking about whether good writers just want to write about sex... or good writers are using the sex to get people to pay attention to their writing. Another barrier is that, unlike manga and anime, there are relatively few VNs that appeal to both genders. Otome games are basically unplayable to the average guy, outside of a few truly excellent entries, and only the best male-oriented VNs are enjoyable to both sexes. For the otome game side of things, the issue is really, really simple... DIDS (Damsel-in-Distress-Syndrome). Almost every otomege I've tried has had this fatal flaw, where the protagonist spends most of her time either afraid of the guys, looking to be saved by the guys, and/or actually being rescued by the guys. Since I grew up respecting women as equals, this pisses me off when I have to deal with it - especially when the female protagonist is otherwise capable and strong-willed. The reason behind this seems to be that otome games get the same treatment as romance novels as a genre over there. Who takes romance novels seriously as a genre here? There is a reason why most of them sell for less than the other genres, whether in paperback or hardcover. Another problem blocking growth of the market is translator burn-out. Fantranslation is an incredibly thankless job. If you do badly as a group, people bash you for your horrible translations, and if you do well, you get other translators nitpicking about your mistakes. Not only that, but you are basically giving up dozens of hours of your time for free. Volunteer spirit only takes you so far, and the appreciation of the community starts to feel empty after a surprisingly short time. Even passion eventually burns out entirely. In my case, what was left when all of the above occurred was the simple fact that I want people to be able to see what I've been seeing for the past five years, as I've delved into the depths of the VN abyss. I don't like people... but even I want to be able to share my passions on occasion. Since I've spent most of my free time on niche hobbies for the past twenty-two years, that's definitely been lacking overall, but with untranslated VNs, it has gone to another level. Now that I've ranted, a few serious thoughts. VNs in the US will ALWAYS be balanced on the precipice, for several reasons. 1. Erotic content: A society influenced by Christianity or Islam is inevitably going to be prudish... and democratic political parties are always looking for the next social lever to use at the bully pulpit 2. Piracy: The entire medium's growth in the West beyond nukige is due to fantranslators making patches, thus resulting in mass piracy. Since game piracy is seen as a big issue and the government is always looking for a new criminal issue to distract people, all fantranslators are taking a risk to a greater or lesser extent by working on such projects. 3. Niches tend to narrow when times are hard 4. For those who aren't in the last stages of Otakuitis (the disease that causes one to become an otaku and grows worse as one indulges the accompanying impulses), VNs are difficult to get into. As such, if there was a movement to get VNs out of Western markets, there is a good chance no significant opposition would even be put up by the otaku community. 5. Most bibliophiles, those most likely to enjoy VNs, would rather read actual pure-text literature. These define both the limits and dangers that will always keep the medium on the precipice in the West.

I/O VNDB Summary April 26th, 2032 A.D. - Megalopolis Tokyo - 00:12 in the morning A total lunar eclipse occurs for the first time in 3 years. Even though it's supposed to be a simple astronomical phenomenon, it soon sets off a series of unexpected events. Unexplainable mysteries, terrorist incidents, and network crime surge as if in unison. The truth mixes with lies, as if the world is awake but still sleeping. Something has begun. Somewhere no one can see. Something no one knows about. This is a story of the chance meeting and tragic parting of the young men and women living in this world. Players get to play the game from 4 different points of view: Route A - Hinata, a youth who has lost his sister and himself. Route B - Ishtar, a freelance programmer and leader of a hacker team. Route C - Ishtar, but seems a bit different from the Ishtar in Route B.... Route D - He, a man completely shrouded in mystery. And thus.. "The beginning is the end, and the end is the beginning" Ending Guideline / Suggested Route Order Every time you complete a route, bits of the Defrag system (Defrag System info below) will be "recovered" and you will unlock further content. If you're aiming for 100% then you'll have to replay all routes from the beginning after completing the whole visual novel. That's why I recommended you save on every choice you encounter. Expected Route Order: Route A: Ver. 0.1 -> Route B: Ver. 0.1 -> Route C: Ver. 0.1 -> Route D: Ver. 0.1 Route A: Ver 0.1 = Unlocks Route D: Ver 1.0 Route B: Ver 0.1 = Unlocks Route C: Ver 1.0 Route C: Ver 0.1 = Unlocks Route A: Ver 1.0 Route D: Ver 0.1 = Unlocks Route B: Ver 1.0 After you complete the four 0.1 routes above, you can start Route E to get Bad End 2/Solitude since you can only encounter this ending before completing any of the 1.0 Routes. You can go back to it using the Defrag system though so this is optional. If you choose to continue completing without Route E: Bad End 2/Solitude then start the 1.0 routes: ・ Route A: Ver. 1.0 - End/Sunset ・ Route B: Ver. 1.0 - End/Nether world ・ Route E: Bad End 3/"Marduk" (Optional; complete before completing Route C: Ver. 1.0/Overlap, or get back to it using Defrag System afterwards) ・ Route C: Ver. 1.0 - End/Overlap ・ Route D: Ver. 1.0 - End/"Enigma" ・ Route E: End/Lead Out Then you can continue onto Route E/Lead Out. When you complete Route E/Lead Out then you can continue onto the ' routes which are the true endings. It's recommended you play in the reversed order D' -> C' -> B' -> A' while leaving Route E for last again. ・ Route D': End/Dilmun ・ Route C': End/Beginning of legend ・ Route B': End/True End: O ・ Route A': End/True End: I ・ Route E': End/True End: I/O WARNING: REMEMBER TO COMPLETE ALL AVAILABLE BAD ENDINGS BEFORE COMPLETEING THE ACTUAL ENDING FOR ALL 1.0 ROUTES. If you complete the normal ending before completing the BAD ENDs, then it will reset the "Route Value". So if you complete Route A 1.0's normal ending and finish the BAD END after that, you'll never be able to reach Route E because Route A's "Route Value" is resetted. The DEFRAG SYSTEM: -If you want to find out if your "Route Value" is resetted or not, you can refer to the defrag system. If the value of the Route isn't zero but one, then you're fine. -If you're curous as to what the "X" on your defrag system means; It means that either there are material still have yet to be unlocked, or your "Route Value" is resetted. -This system is very important and is required if you want to complete Route E 100%. Certain conditions have to be met regarding the "Route Value" for certain scenes to appear. (but if you follow the recommended route order, then this won't apply) Complete Recommended Route Order: Route A: Ver. 0.1 - END/Clover Route B: Ver. 0.1 - END/Ishtar Route C: Ver. 0.1 - END/"He" Route D: Ver. 0.1 - END/Conclusion Route E: - Bad End 2/Solitude Route A: Ver. 1.0 - End/Sunset Route B: Ver. 1.0 - End/Nether world Route E: - Bad End 3/"Marduk" Route C: Ver. 1.0 - End/Overlap Route D: Ver. 1.0 - End/"Enigma" Route E: - End/Lead Out Route D': - End/Dilmun Route C': - End/Beginning of legend Route B': - End/True End: O Route A': - End/True End: I Route E': - End/True End: I/O Route Guideline Hinata Route A: Ver. 0.1 Route A: Ver. 1.0 Route A' Ishtar Route B: Ver. 0.1 Route B: Ver. 1.0 Route B' Ishtar Route C: Ver. 0.1 Route C: Ver. 1.0 Route C' {HE} Route D: Ver. 0.1 Route D: Ver. 1.0 Route D' True Route Route E Route E' 100% Scene Recovery: Up to this point, the leftovers hindering 100% would be messages/key words. They are not important, so the rest is up to yourselves if you want everyone complete! Good luck! Attribution This walkthrough is based on info attained on desertrain.sakura.ne.jp and from lemniscatranslations's I/O Guide with major adjustments made by me.

Hi everyone! A little over a week ago I made a video on Youtube outlining some of my thoughts about what the future of visuals outside Japan might be like. I thought it would be interesting to hear what everyone here thinks about how the industry is going to develop as well, and if you agree/disagree with my thoughts so I figured I might as well post it here too. Here is the video, if you're interested in watching it:

Hey all, So I wanted to make some signature badges for the Cocoro@Function! stream viewers, and I need the community's help to do this. I was hoping someone could assist me in creating something that reflects the VN's game style in a unique way, and marks me and everyone else as a fellow stream follower. If anyone is willing to create something of this caliber, please let me know. To give you an idea how I want this done, here are some guidelines to follow: You are creating a small badge that is able to be used in a signature. When I say the term badge, I mean a small signature icon of sorts that is easily attachable to another signature without the hassle of changing it entirely. It shouldn't be larger than a normal signature in terms of height but should still be easily identifiable The badge itself should reflect the colors and theme of the game. If you are confused as to the style used in the game, check some screenshots on Google or simply ask me There should be a total of 3 unique badges: one for myself, one for Mephisto, and one for every other stream viewer. For my badge, feel free to make it slightly different than the others, but the main difference I want on mine is for it to label me as the "Entertainer." In Mephisto's badge case, he would be the "Translator." The rest of the badge design is completely up to you Needless to say, not everyone will want to use these badges, and I'm okay with that. Still, if you want to help out I would be greatly appreciative of your time in the matter. Thanks again guys!

95% of people here don't have a first one and 50% don't have a second one, and thats prety much the key to finding enough time for other of thouse things.

Some people just want to watch the world burn. Start putting Mayo on all of your meals okay.

Don't like it. Always prefered ketchup

I see what you did there. I'm happy to see someone else appreciating this game as much as I do! It was one of my favorites of last year but it really seems to split readers. Many people consider it meh or even outright bad. Now go read Muramasa, chop chop.

especially me huh

Im glad that he didnt post the song. But im not that nice though http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8N_tupPBtWQ

I cry every time.

Yup...love Kansai very much. and i red ad onani master kurosawa too. very good psychological randomness n i love it who he got end with.

Loving this thread.....worst thing about it? All the japanese ones where i have no idea whats going on. AND ones from VNs where i know wont be translated for forever!!!! Rance 9 Nursery Ryme Hanairo Heptagram ............ >_<

I came here because I found visual novels. I stayed because I found family. For every wonderful plot and character I discovered in a visual novel, I get ridiculed by a friend, as if reminding me that it comes with a price. Fuwanovel was my escape from having nobody understand me, yet here I am now, nothing short of a cog in the community. However isolated or inclusive you feel, there is always someone, somewhere out there, who understands you--and this place is how we connect.

Told ya Totono was good shit. Welcome to the club.

Thank ye! *runs away happy*

Like so?

Major, I hate to do this now, but can you change just a few things? I know, I'm terrible, but can you change the title to "The Entertainer" and the last text bit to "I am the original." Feels more appropriate. <3

One quick change on the badge I see in your signature. Underneath the Cocoro@Function! text, put the word "Stream" - we want others to know what the purpose of making these are. The font choice is completely up to you otherwise. Also, here is my badge: Username: OriginalRen Title: Entertainer Custom Text: "From my hair to my panties, I am Ibuki-chan." And image: Yes, the top hat is needed.

Yes, yes, and yes.

study grammar -> play VN -> learn vocabulary from VN -> study more grammar -> play VN -> profit!?!?

So I thought I would go for Aoi's route in totono and... and... I see how it is now. I see what the VN is about now.... Oh god. That ending I thought was sweet before? I hate it now. So much. It was turned inside out so easily, and I've seen it so many times... ugh. It's safe to say I'm stuck now - though I couldn't stop laughing at that secret (?) scene after the credits, that might've broken the 4th wall more than anything else in that VN so far, and that's quite something. EDIT: Finally found the choice I overlooked, how did I forget that? What continued after that though... that's it. This VN is already 10/10 from me, unless it gets really horrible from here. This is too good, seriously. Everyone who likes VNs should play this, it's pure genius. Enjoy the ride, you have a lot in front of you!

Be sure to read the above post, and then check this out. Ren does recaps, Mephisto provides high grade translations. Meph & Ren's stream everyone! https://soundcloud.com/musicuser25/mephisto-engrish

These made my day. Please, these are perfect, though I would love it if you were able to round off those edges some so its not just a square image. Other than that, I like the 1st one for a more serious thing.

14/7 Because it's French.

This is why Neptunia MK2 is my favorite in the series lol Also anyone else think that this satanic statue looks badass? I'm not a satanist but it looks really cool lol. Wonder how the real bronze product will turn out like. Hard to believe they raised over $28,000 for this too.

Actually I will have pants on. I have some comfy batman pajama bottoms.

is this ok too?