_{You can read part 1 here.}

Welcome to Part 2 of my 2023 Round-Up post series. We’ve finally reached the last day of 2023! This year seems to have sprinted through the calendar so fast. I still remember getting excited about Winter’s Wish’s release last May, and it seems like only yesterday that its OP song, “Yure Yurare,” got stuck in my head for days on end. I loved that theme, by the way! And, wow, fast forward, here I am looking at all the games that I’ve played this year, all the LIs I’ve brainrotted over, all the MCs that I’ve adopted, and all the merch I’ve collected.

2023 was such a blissful year for Otome fans in the West. There were so many games to choose from, so many announcements to get excited about, so many backlogs to tackle, and so many new experiences to look forward to. It’s been quite fun in our little safe nook.

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✔️ There were 17 (localized) Otome Games released for the Switch console this year.

Twelve of these titles are Nintendo Switch exclusives, two are PC ports, and three are mobile ports. It’s also important to note that Benibana and the three Voltage mobile ports have been released on PC as well this year. Additionally, Hana Awase is expected to come to Steam next year.

I have included Norn9 Var Commons in the Switch exclusive list because, even though it was originally a PS Vita port, the translations for this game were updated (kudos to Aksys for that!) So, this title feels almost like a new game fresh out of QA!

✔️ 7 Switch-Exclusive Otome Game titles have been announced for localization in 2024-2025.

1. Sympathy Kiss (February 27, 2024)
2. Tengoku Struggle -strayside- (April 2024)
3. Cupid Parasite Sweet and Spicy Darling (TBA 2024)
4. Project Code: Neon Mafia (TBA 2024)
5. Project Code: Kaleido Tower (TBA 2024)
6. Project Code: Vampire Hunter (TBA 2025)
7. Steam Prison Beyond the Steam (TBA 2024)

✔️ Quality Voiced Mobile Otome Games are tapping into the Global Market

After the successes of Mr. Love and Tears of Themis in the West, more high-quality Chinese mobile games are launching global servers. This year, Love Brush Chronicles by NetEase Games opened its first global server and has received tremendous positive responses from audiences around the world.

Papergames, the developers of MLQC and Shining Nikki, also announced their new next-gen 3D otome game, Love and Deepspace, which is set to launch globally on January 18, 2024. They have also conducted a Closed Beta Test for the game, which ran for 6 days (from Dec. 15 -21). I was part of the game’s CBT, and I must admit, this title is one of the best I’ve played this year in terms of quality.

✔️ A few R18 Games are heading our way next year.

We may have some R18 otome games in store for us next year! Hime no Rakuen, and Tsuki no Onna, Kawa no Tenshi, Kami Meku Toki (all on PC) will soon be translated into English by DLSite’s Garumani. Regarding the release date, no follow-ups have been confirmed yet, but it’s good to know that it’s definitely happening nonetheless.

Although it’s not an R18 game, Club Suicide will soon be available in English thanks to Garumani (DLSite). It’s unfortunate that the developers MORPATH are halting operations (til further notice),💔 but on the bright side, English fans will soon have the chance to enjoy one of their amazing titles.

✔️ More Otome Game Announcements await us in 2024.

Obviously, being shocked about this isn’t even a thing anymore.😂 We all know there’s more to come soon, and I am very glad to see our community consistently showing strong support for the genre, making sure it continues to thrive for more and more years in the West. It’s really amazing how far we’ve come.

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• Motivation Corner – While a lot of folks come here for the walkthroughs, I’ve also noticed a growing number who come regularly for the reviews. 🥺Thank you so much! This corner is added as a way to gauge readership, so frequent visitors of the blog can help me choose which games from my backlog they would like me to review next, as well as occasionally suggest a title you’d think I’d probably enjoy. This section can be found just at the top of my newsletter button on the homepage. P.S. It’s not clickable atm, but I’ll open it by January. 🙇‍♀️

• As usual, I will continue writing walkthroughs and reviews for the majority of localized console otome games set to release in 2024. Among the console releases, I’m particularly excited about CupiPara’s FD and Tengoku Struggle next year.

• I recently bought a Steam Deck, and a ROG Ally, so now I can play (and perhaps review) more PC games without it feeling like I’m doing overtime, lol.🤣

• Every game deserves a second chance, so I’ll do my best to revisit the games I’ve dropped this year. 🥲

• More unboxings on my YT channel! This year I’ve been so swamped with work that I couldn’t find any time to unbox anything anymore. Boxes in my room would pile up like a tower for months before I could get to them.😓 I’ll make an effort to be more proactive about it in the coming year.

• Besides unboxings, I’ll also be doing more merch reviews and showcases, and no I’m not referring to Otomt’s winter/summer market and Stellaworth standees, lol. Instead, I’ll be featuring rare and limited Otome-related goods like figures, collab make-ups, shoes, apparel, gadgets, and more. Please look forward to it!🙇‍♀️

• Expect occasional video reviews on my YT channel. To be perfectly honest, I love doing in-depth video reviews, but my main challenge lies in finding enough time due to my work. The struggles of adulting!🙄

• Regarding Social Media: I made a Tiktok account and completely forgot about it.😂 I am really awful at socmed I swear, I can’t seem to keep up with the times. I am also in and out on Twt, if you’re trying to contact me and it’s important, please shoot me an email instead.

• Love and Deepspace is the game that I am highly anticipating this January and NGL, I am probably going to be hyperfixated on this title for a while. That means I can’t really focus on any otome games on the console right now. So what’s left of Hana Awase may need to wait for a bit. I’m sorry Karakurenai-senpai, you can save those grabby groping hands for later!

• Regarding Group Orders & Merch Sales: I’ll be including updates and news for these in my January newsletter!

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Personal Updates

Two weeks ago, I recently underwent minor surgery. I am A-okay, though, and it’s nothing serious, so all is good! I guess the good thing about it is that I got to take a week off from work to rest and recover. My job always works me to the bone, so having time off for being hospitalized almost feels like a blessing in disguise. 🙃 The only downside was having to eat mush with a straw for five days straight. Ugh.😫

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I opened up my end-of-the-year survey this year initially for the purpose of improving the content of this site along with getting some feedback on the articles I have put out over the years. I never anticipated that so many people would leave such positive comments in the free space section Huh?? I am still stupidly on pikachuface.jpg! I feel so fuzzy, Idk if I deserve this;🤧 I’m so used to being treated like sh*t at work, lol so this is honestly something I’m kind of alien to. I’m pretty overwhelmed by all the words of encouragement, and appreciation. I was actually sniffling in the hospital while reading some of the comments, and my nurse got a tad worried, and asked, “Are you nervous? Everything’s going to be fine; you won’t feel a thing.” LOL. 😂😂😂 (I was too embarrassed to tell him why I was tearing up, so I ended up just saying “yes, I’m nervous”, lmao).😂 

Everyone who left such positivity, thank you!! You all made my year. Your words of gratitude have been such an amazing payoff for the dedication and effort I’ve invested this year. I really mean it—thank you all so much!

I made a digital scrapbook out of all your positive comments! …And out of all the things I made and posted for this blog this year, this scrapbook is my favorite! 🥰

To everyone who donated catnips this year thank you very much! Your generous support plays a big role in maintaining this website. I would also like to thank everyone who sent gifts and holiday cards and everyone who bought treats and trinkets on my wishlist! THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU!🥹🥺🙇‍♀️ Also, a shout-out to all those who regularly visit to read my reviews and share their comments. Your positive interactions really mean a lot to me. The range of engagement from the funny reactions to varying opinions, Fr!! I enjoyed reading them all!🥹

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Thank you for your continued support for Otome Kitten over the years! I promise to give my very best again next year!🙇‍♀️

I hope everyone is enjoying New Year’s Eve and its festivities! I wish you all good vibes only for 2024! Here’s to more games, more time of leisure to play them, more handsome 2Ds, and an overflow of happiness, because you absolutely deserve it! Happy New Year, everyone!