Katawa Shoujo

Katawa Shoujo (Disability/Cripple Girl) is a visual novel that's been in the works for a few years now by the lovely people of /a/ & /jp/ (though it's much more than a "4chan project"). I've been following it every now and then since I heard about it awhile back. I was extremely pleased to learn that Chapter1 and (seemingly) all its routes have been released.

http://www.katawa-shoujo.com/

That's their site, where you can learn everything you wish to know about it and download Chapter1. I played it today (took about 2 hours, with fast text speed and near non-stop playing on my part), and I LOVED every moment of it. For those of you who have no idea or are too lazy to read the site, it's a VN about a boy who gets a dangerous heart condition and has to attend a school for people with disabilities/special needs. He meets several unique girls and can build relationships with them depending on the choices you make for him. It's a Japanese-style VN through-and-through, but you can feel the Western influence behind it (and it's done in English text, of course).

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Aaaand now I need to talk about my experience/thoughts. Like I said, I thoroughly enjoyed it and I could see this becoming an amazing VN when it's finished. Chapter1 had me hooked like no other and had my mind swarming with possibilities/fantasies. I have a fetish for disabilities myself, so maybe that's why I found this so enjoyable...but whatever. It's great even if you're not into that. It has a LOT of hilarious scenes and really good humor too. Kenji and Rin's scenes are especially LOLriots, I guarantee. The characters are very well drawn, the backgrounds are awesome, the music is good and the sounds are pretty decent too. The only downside is that there isn't any voice acting. Oh well. The story is well thought out, and the text is well done, proper and neatly presented.

Going into the game, I had a strong desire to try steering the protagonist (Hisao) towards Hanako (severely burned at a young age and is covered in scars). Thankfully, it seems I was quite good at choosing the decisions that I thought would lead to her. I definitely got much closer to her and started down her route by the end of the Chapter1 (woot). However, once I completed Chapter1 and could look at my Extras, I realized how many scenes there were left to unlock. I'm tempted to go back and try going down the other routes.

I definitely plan to stick with Hanako, but I'm quite interested in Lilly (completely blind) and Shizune+Misha (deaf/mute girl + her "translator" companion). Oh the fantasies I can foresee... I love Hanako because she's extremely shy and self-conscious because of her extreme scarring. I want to be the one close to her and love her and tell her she's still beautiful. ;_; But it's also quite tempting to win over Lilly, who is very sweet and charming. There has to be an extra strong bond of trust, since she's blind...which you know could be delicious. And with Shizune+Misha, who are inseparable, you'd have to win them both over... One is strong-willed and loves competition, while the other is crazy and outgoing. Can you imagine the threesome? Oh god.


Anywaaaay... Definitely check it out. It's well worth your time. It also promises to turn into one of my favorite romance VNs ever. I've heard there's to be h-scenes by the end, too. And maybe even a possible harem end.

Oh how I can not wait...

I expect some of you guys to play this now, too, so that we can discuss it. DO IT, F'AGS.

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 ALL FINAL THOUGHTS; BRACE YOURSELF

Conclusion/Summaries/Final Opinions of Katawa Shoujo after 100% completion:

 Hanako

My favorite girl from the beginning and still my favorite girl after the end. However, I grew to love some of the other girls very much too--almost as much as Hanako.

Hanako's route is fairly straight forward. She's much different than the other girls and keeps to herself extremely. To start Hanako's route, make sure you say you think she's cute (or ask Misha/Shizune about the library).

By saying you think Hanako is cute, you'll later feel bad about scaring her off during your first meeting in the library. You'll be prompted to go talk with Hanako during class. If you choose to, you're basically deciding you do, indeed, want to pursue either Hanako or Lilly. If you want to back off those girls, do so now and choose to read your book instead (or wait for Misha/Shizune to come a decision if you chose to play aggressively earlier). By talking with Hanako, you'll end up going to have tea with Lilly and Hanako for lunch. It really bonds you much closer to both girls, though Hanako is still very shy.

After this, your life will basically revolve completely around Hanako and Lilly. You'll still meet the other girls and spend some time with them, but you won't get close to any of them. Hanako will wonder where Lilly is and you'll accompany her to the blind classroom. Then you'll help Lilly out by helping Kenji finish his banner along with Hanako. Much more glorious bonding is had.

The next major thing in this route is going to town with Lilly. You'll have a great time and bond with her while you help her shop. It's very sweet. After a random encounter with Rin, Lilly will become concerned about your heavy breathing. By telling her you're not in very good condition, she'll learn of your heart problem and become very adorably concerned about you. Don't be afraid to admit you're not in good condition; avoiding this matter will not be pretty.

Next comes the big decision: When you're in class the next day, you have to figure out how to kill some time. Head to town and meet with Lilly? Or follow Hanako to the library? It's obvious what to do here. Want Lilly? Go to town? Want Hanako? Go to the library. By following Hanako to the library, you'll end up reading together and sharing an awkwardly cute bonding moment. This is all you'll need to achieve the quickly approaching Hanako end.

On the final day, at the festival, you'll meet Lilly attending her class' booth. You'll order some food and chat with her. She'll wonder where Hanako is, but she'll be too busy to leave the stand. You'll then go and look for Hanako by yourself. Sure enough, you find her in the library (what a rebel ;_. After some chatting, you end up going to a private room to spend some time with her. On your way there, you see Hanako walking kind of funny. She reveals a silly little game she plays with herself when she's walking alone: She avoids the darker colored parts of the floors (d'awwww). When you get to the room, she suggests playing chess. The Hanako Chapter 1 route comes to an end after one game of chess and deciding to play another!

<3

 Lilly

Lilly's Chapter 1 route doesn't differ very much from Hanako's. Read the above spoiler for much more information. I'll just add the unique parts here.

Be sure to take Lilly's side during the argument between Lilly and Shizune!

When deciding what to do to kill time on the day before the festival, choosing to go to town will result in you finding Lilly inside the tea cafe (Shanghai). Inside, you'll meet Akira, Lilly's sister. Akira dresses and looks very male-ish (she's delicious, I promise). After sitting and listening to them chat, Akira will leave and you'll chat with Lilly for a while. This will be all you need to achieve the quickly approaching Lilly end.

On the final day, at the festival, you'll meet Lilly at her class' booth and order some food. However, this time, she will be able to find some help to take over for her. She will accompany you in your search for Hanako. After finding Hanako in the library, you, Lilly and Hanako will watch the beautiful fireworks at the festival's closing. Lilly is happy and sad the festival is coming to an end, but you comfort her by placing your hand on her shoulder. Much d'awwwing is had as you look forward to having tea with Hanako and Lilly every day from now on.

<3

 Shizune

I didn't like Shizune at all at first, as she comes off really bossy/stuck up. However, Misha is sexy (although kinda wacky and slow) and is always around Shizune, so that's cool. I did grow to like Shizune more after experiencing her Chapter 1 route, too.

You first meet Shizune and Misha on your first day of class. Blah blah. You eat lunch together. They ask you questions. Blah blah. They bring up the idea of you joining student council. They pick on you. Blah blah. After playing a game of Risk with them, you tell them you'll think about joining--maybe. Make sure you play aggressively during Risk to keep their interest in you growing.

The next day in class Shizune and Misha will be arguing about where to eat. If you decide to wait for them to decide, you'll end up going with them to the tea cafe (Shanghai) for lunch. Much fun is had as Misha and Shizune reveal their trickery in getting you to skip class, nearly forcing you to join the student council to get out of the future trouble!

After class, you help the girls get some items for their festival work. After meeting the rest of the girls and lots of random stuff, the next day brings a conflict between Lilly and Shizune. Be sure to care only about yourself and not bother defending Lilly too. Since you said you're a capable guy, Shizune and Misha will trap you into helping them build booths for the festival for the rest of the day. Once it's night and you're all done, you'll agree to join the student council!

The next morning, Misha and Shizune will come to your dorm to pick you up (more like prevent you from running away) and invade your room. Oh noes. Be sure to just try dodging the subject when they ask you about your heart meds. Do not kick them out! After helping the girls finish up festival stuff, the day goes pretty quiet and night comes quickly.

The next morning they invade your dorm again (!) and get you to come have tea with them another time. After spending some time with them there and engaging in a battle of wits with Shizune, you'll be forced to find your way back to school alone...only to end up working more when you get back. You spend all day bonding and helping again. Your reward: take out food! YES. Oh yeah, and because you lost the battle earlier, you had to agree to attend the festival tomorrow!

On the final day, the girls will pick you up and take you to the festival. You spend the entire day eating food, chatting and playing games. You win Shizune a cute kitty doll, even! Aww. Shizune's Chapter 1 route ends atop the roof, watching the fireworks and realizing you are starting to love her.

<3

 Emi

Emi is veeery short and extremely cute. However, I didn't like her much at first because I knew she was the athletic one. I changed my mind after experiencing her route, as well. Isn't it crazy how lovable all the women are?

Your first encounter with Emi is always her running into you and causing you to almost die. f3 You'll see her again after finally listening to the Nurse and going running with Emi in the morning. After a failtacular performance, you'll wonder why the hell you'd want to keep running! But if you promise the Nurse you'll keep at it, you'll go running with Emi a second time. You can either choose to be a MAN and race Emi or back off. If you race her, you will trigger a minor heart attack and nearly die (lolfail). Emi will be super scared and take you to the Nurse. After a dual-scolding, Emi promises to treat you to lunch atop the roof later.

You can end up having lunch with Emi and Rin atop the roof in a number of ways, but you won't be able to stay on Emi's route unless you proved your merit by racing her. So be sure to almost kill yourself for her!

The next notable experience with Emi comes during a state of boredom, wondering what you should do. Emi intercepts you and makes you help her and Rin paint. You go with Emi to get some supplies from the art classroom. When you get back, Rin demands some Prussian Blue! You and Emi head back up to get it, and then she confronts you with her plan for your well-being! She makes you agree to run with her every morning from now on and stay on a strict meal plan. Her concern is so cute.

On the final day, at the festival, Emi basically rapes all your fun and prevents you from eating any good food. ;_; Emi's Chapter 1 route ends VERY boringly by you agreeing to run with her in the morning...so you head off to bed early.

COME ON...I mean...<3

 Rin

I didn't know how to feel about Rin in the beginning. I learned she's frickin' crazy, which is cool...but she's like REALLY mellow and lives in her own world. But after experiencing her route, I think she's actually just hiding a lot of love inside her.

You first meet Rin when Misha (or Misha/Shizune, depending) gets you to fetch some supplies from the art room. Rin is all alone inside, eating a meal during the afternoon. A hilarious conversation ensues where you learn she likes knowing about people's disabilities. You also discover she's crazy right away. Awesome.

If you wanna get on Rin's route, make sure you never get close to any other girl. Don't show any interest in the library or Shizune, don't think Hanako is cute, play defensively in Risk, avoid going to lunch with any other girls, don't stick up for Lilly during the conflict and don't race Emi. However, make sure you tell Lilly about your heart condition (you don't wanna be a complete douchebag). Since you haven't gotten even kinda close to any girl besides Emi and Lilly, when helping Emi and Rin paint, you won't accompany Emi up to fetch Prussian Blue. You'll stay with Rin and watch her paint. This is the true beginning of the Rin story. Yeah, it's the hardest to get to. What a picky woman.

After watching Rin paint for a while, the art teacher, Nomiya, will show up and ask you what the hell you're doing (basically, lol). Make sure you express your interest in the art club if you wish to be with Rin! If you're a f'ag this late in the game, bad things will happen. Nomiya is happy, Rin doesn't care...and then you spend the entire day watching Rin paint. You also learn she's on her period. I'm not even kidding.

On the final day, at the festival, you meet Rin at her now finished (and incredible) mural. Her legs are seriously hurt from painting all day, so she can't really move and just chills there. You decide to just...chill there with her...all day. Yeah. You just stand there. Chilling. A little bit of pointless discussion, and then you fall asleep. You wake up to the sound of fireworks and Rin sleeping on you (aww). After a bit she wakes up too and you share an insightful conversation. You part ways kinda wondering what just happened, but hopeful for your future with Rin and the art club, nonetheless.

Kind of <3, I guess.

 BAD END (Kenji)

Yeah, this game does have a BAD END, believe it or not.

If you're a complete and total douche to every girl every chance you get, you'll achieve this terrible (but absolutely hilarious) ending with Kenji. It's quite easy to achieve and can be done with many different answers. However, just make sure you're a douche where it matters and you're crystal.

On the final day, you agree to meet Kenji atop the roof to have a MANLY PICNIC. This of course means a picnic between men...with whiskey. Lots of it. You two discuss how women are evil while getting trashed. It all comes to a crashing halt when you fall off the roof in your drunken stupor and die.

Yep, say hello to the beautiful and bloody SPLAT BAD END of Katawa Shoujo. Enjoy being a dead douchebag, you f'ag.

</3

Obviously I left a TON of stuff out, but those summaries were just to give you the main idea and key events during all girl's Chapter 1 route end. Be sure to play them all if you want to experience every detail. If I left anything important out that you feel should be added, let me know. And if I made any mistakes, definitely let me know.

 tl;dr summaries of all endings

Hanako = read books and play chess with Hanako away from everyone else during the festival. Very cute ending, though lacks the power the others do. It will be insanely boring to anyone who doesn't like Hanako. I really liked it, but I guess honestly all it achieves is setting up Hanako route for Chapter 2.

Lilly = meet her sister (Akira), search for Hanako together and watch the fireworks as you look forward to spending more time with her. Very sweet ending, but mainly sets up Lilly route for Chapter 2.

Shizune = join student council, do a buttload of helping for festival, spend festival playing games and eating, finish the day by watching fireworks with Shizune and realizing you love her. Most powerful ending. I would say the best ending because it did much more than just set up the Shizune Chapter 2 route.

Emi = agree to run with her every morning and eat healthy foods, festival ends early because you agree to get up early and run with her. Worst ending by far. Lacks any power, just sets up Emi route for Chapter 2.

Rin = watch her paint, meet art teacher (Nomiya), join art club, spend festival with her standing by her mural, watch fireworks together. Interesting end, though kind of boring. Mainly sets up Rin route for Chapter 2.

BAD END = you die, alone and a douchebag. Need I say more?

 Easy Modo Route Map

Thanks to the Anon that posted/made it.

By choosing those answers to questions, you are guaranteed to achieve your desired girl's ending. However, keep in mind not all questions are vital to staying on a girl's route. You can answer differently to some and it won't matter. Just use your brain and pick answers you know your girl will like, and you should be golden.

 Rare Character Appearances (Akira and Nomiya)

The first one is Lilly's sister, Akira. You will only see her if you achieve the Lilly ending. The second one is the art teacher, Nomiya. You only see him if you achieve the Rin ending. They're characters that have a VERY small role in Chapter 1, so I thought I'd show put them here for easy access.

 100% Completion Image

That's the final image in the Extras' Gallery. You will earn it by getting 100% completion and viewing the Akira scene (only on the Lilly route).

Closing remarks: Incredible visual novel. After just Chapter 1, I can safely say it's one of the best VNs I've ever played. It may not have the absolutely professional quality of mainstream Japanese VNs, but it's an amazing work, especially considering it was started as a project on /a/. I will DEFINITELY play the game again when the full version is released. And I will achieve 100% in EVERY chapter, no matter what. It's so worth it.

There are many unique ways to achieve the endings, and it's very fun to see how answering different to the multitude of questions affects the dialogue and the appearance of the numerous scenes. Have fun and be sure to get that 100% completion. It's absolutely worth it!

10/10.

 Two confirmed glitches I found

The Akira/Lilly tea cafe scene does NOT register/save in the Extras' Library for some reason, so it doesn't count towards 100% completion. However, it is still required to unlock the final image.

The Lilly ending scene is unlocked and registered in the Library simply by achieving Hanako's ending. So you'll get both endings by doing just Hanako's. And while it may count towards the 100% completion without having to actually do it, you still have to do Lilly's route to view the Akira scene.

 My Complete Route Map

If you find it helpful, cool. Probably confusing though...