Friendships through visual novels

[InvertMouse]

Let's get chummy everyone .

 

The thing I enjoy most about visual novels (and other fandom) is not just the great artwork, music or writing. Rather, it is the people these games have allowed me to meet.

 

Narcissu was the first visual novel I read. I loved the experience so much and desperately wanted to discuss it with other people. At the time, I had trouble finding a Western community I could chat about the game with. I ended up on a Japanese message board and met a guy who loved the game as much as I did. We started talking via email. It is tons of fun to ramble on about something you are obsessed with.

 

For a long time, we had talked about going on a road trip to visit the sites from Narcissu. I was in university at the time, so it was impossible for me to fly to Japan for financial reasons. Many years after I graduated, I had a chance to visit Kyoto, and at last, we got to meet in person and geek out over the game that allowed us to crossed paths.

 

That is all! Just wanted to share that and see if anyone else have a story they would like to share. Always cool to read about those. I have more if anyone is interested, haha XD. Thanks .

[zoom909]

Narcissu was the first visual novel I read. I loved the experience so much and desperately wanted to discuss it with other people. At the time, I had trouble finding a Western community I could chat about the game with. I ended up on a Japanese message board and met a guy who loved the game as much as I did. We started talking via email. It is tons of fun to ramble on about something you are obsessed with.

 

Which Japanese message board?  Was it a well known site or just something you found by googling for Narcissu?

I'd kind of like to try this...

[crunchytaco]

Hmm I thought you meant friendships inside visual novels. I've made tons of them in that case. 

 

I talk a lot but I'm pretty shy. So no friends. 

[InvertMouse]

Which Japanese message board?  Was it a well known site or just something you found by googling for Narcissu?

I'd kind of like to try this...

 

This was back in like 2005 so I can no longer recall. Sorry (>-<)~

[Clephas]

The more niche a genre or medium is, the more likely you'll stumble on kindred spirits.  Since I've been dumped into the middle of niche communities for most of my life for my hobbies, I'm more or less used to it... and occasionally I want to grasp my head and roll around on the ground in embarrassment when I find someone saying the kind of things I would have said five to ten years ago...  but overall, niche communities are a lot more fun than the  massive ones.

[Kaguya]

Oh, I've got a few friends because of VNs, if you can call them that. There are some companions I met at fuwa who are a blast to talk to~

 

Your story is pretty nice, though. So sweet <3

[Okami]

The more niche a genre or medium is, the more likely you'll stumble on kindred spirits.  Since I've been dumped into the middle of niche communities for most of my life for my hobbies, I'm more or less used to it... and occasionally I want to grasp my head and roll around on the ground in embarrassment when I find someone saying the kind of things I would have said five to ten years ago...  but overall, niche communities are a lot more fun than the  massive ones.

 

Absolutely true, the smaller the community is the kinder people tend to be, and the bigger it gets the ruder it becomes.

 

Back on the topic I have made friend via VNs only online as in my country nobody even watches Anime much less reads VNs and I have no means of traveling to another country.

[BookwormOtaku]

The more niche a genre or medium is, the more likely you'll stumble on kindred spirits. Since I've been dumped into the middle of niche communities for most of my life for my hobbies, I'm more or less used to it... and occasionally I want to grasp my head and roll around on the ground in embarrassment when I find someone saying the kind of things I would have said five to ten years ago... but overall, niche communities are a lot more fun than the massive ones.

They also usually have better manners than the mainstream communities.

As for me I remember getting a couple friends from my college's anime into VNs, one of them really enjoyed the Shuffle! anime and was interested in there being different storylines aside from what he watched. The other guy I remember was a big horror fan so I introduced him to the Higurashi anime (and at the time I was unaware of the game) and we both ended up discovering Ryukishi07 together from there, during which I introduced him to Type Moon when I pointed out a certain tribute character, and at some point after he introduced me to the bizarre world of Touhou...

Absolutely true, the smaller the community is the kinder people tend to be, and the bigger it gets the ruder it becomes.

That's certainly true, I still miss the days when Bioware's forums weren't troll infested and you could discuss elements of the stories in peace

[Tenkuru]

Totally agree with what Clephas said. I've always been into things that my family and friends frown upon, such as VNs and LNs. So that's probably why I find that the people I meet online are nicer people, and much more intelligent too. When trying to discuss something with my friends IRL, they're always quick to judge things and will never look at what's beneath the surface.

 

I did try to get my friends into VNs, but of course it didn't turn out well. They find it to be utterly boring to just read hours of text and more text. It was actually expected, as they're the type of people that think SAO is the best thing ever and Clannad is boring cause there's no action involved. And please do share more of your experience. As you said, it's always cool to read about those.

[Heizei_koukousei]

Bl3u and I are good friends in the real world.

We both started here on Fuwanovel on the same day (earlier this week) to stay connected because we were finally getting serious about visual novels.

He started with Katawa Shoujo, I started with Sono Hanabira. So I would say we compliment each other well. We always waste time rewatching our favorite anime or well both be playing a vn on our respective computers.

 

We might be the only two people in our town of nearly 10,000 who play visual novels on a regular basis. The town is filled with rednecks and loggers.

Us real fans have to stick together!

[Okami]

Totally agree with what Clephas said. I've always been into things that my family and friends frown upon, such as VNs and LNs. So that's probably why I find that the people I meet online are nicer people, and much more intelligent too. When trying to discuss something with my friends IRL, they're always quick to judge things and will never look at what's beneath the surface.

 

I did try to get my friends into VNs, but of course it didn't turn out well. They find it to be utterly boring to just read hours of text and more text. It was actually expected, as they're the type of people that think SAO is the best thing ever and Clannad is boring cause there's no action involved. And please do share more of your experience. As you said, it's always cool to read about those.

 

That just means they dislike slow moving and romance stories they still might like some action VNs, when you recommend things to people you should take into account their tastes.

 

And by the way I my self love SAO and many people here love it too.

[Tenkuru]

That just means they dislike slow moving and romance stories they still might like some action VNs, when you recommend things to people you should take into account their tastes.

 

And by the way I my self love SAO and many people here love it too.

Hmm, maybe you're right, but it's really hard for me to even do that. There already is common consensus that VNs are just porn games or "just another weird Japanese thing". This, coupled with the fact that they have a very low attention span, makes it really difficult for me to recommend them anything. As I've mentioned before, they seem to dislike reading walls of text and are quick to judge things. I couldn't possibly recommend them to read something like FSN or Rewrite. 

[InvertMouse]

Thanks for all the responses! Yes, I think small communities tend to be friendly, perhaps because we appreciate one another more. Though we always want the things we love to grow, in truth, there is a worry within us that jerks might come in and ruin things for everyone.

 

Heizei_koukousei, it is so awesome how you have a real life VN friend who happens to be on these forums as well!

 

Sure, Tenkuru, let me share another one, then . I grew up playing the Sakura Taisen series. They could very much count as VNs, I suppose. Eventually, the Sakura Taisen craze settled, and my little mind became occupied by new games.

 

Many years later, in 2011, I got lost during my trip in Hong Kong. I walked around a shopping mall and stumbled upon a tiny anime shop. All the other stores sold food and clothes, so it was a truly random find. What got my attention was that the front glass showed many copies of the games from the Sakura Taisen series. The memories came flooding back. I wanted to check out the store, but it was closed, so I told myself to come by again later.

 

The following day, I checked out the opened store. The owner was friendly and kept asking if I needed any help. At first, I shyly said, "It's okay. I'm just looking ." My Cantonese was average so I acted a bit timid there, heheh . Anyway, he persisted, and soon I opened up as well. Turned out he grew up loving anything anime, including Sakura Taisen. It was a tiny store with no room to stand, yet we stood for hours and hours chatting about those good old days.

 

Unfortunately, he spoke little to no English, and my Chinese writing skills is poor. That meant there was no way for us to really stay in touch online. He was also an old school kind of guy and used no social media of any sort. Nonetheless, I think sometimes, it is not about spending time with someone day in and day out. Though it might have been a short meeting, if we connect and had a great time talking, then I think we can continue to be pals even though I am now back here in Australia .

 

I ended up buying all the Sakura Taisen games he had on sale. Now, when I look at them on my shelf, not only do I own those games, I also remember the aforementioned memories. He also showed me a few other games he had on sale. During the process, he was very honest, telling me which games he thought actually kind of sucked. Just a really likable person.

 

Surrounded by non related stores, the store owner admitted business was a struggle. There is a high chance that the next time I visit, the store will no longer be there. In that case, that would have been our only meeting. Sadly, that is just the way things are planned out for us sometimes.

 

This store was actually only a few minutes' walk from my hotel. Yet, if I had not gotten lost on that day, I never would have found it. Life has pretty cool plans for us and we think about it that way, I think .

 

Hope you enjoyed that one !

[Tenkuru]

Thanks for all the responses! Yes, I think small communities tend to be friendly, perhaps because we appreciate one another more. Though we always want the things we love to grow, in truth, there is a worry within us that jerks might come in and ruin things for everyone.

 

Heizei_koukousei, it is so awesome how you have a real life VN friend who happens to be on these forums as well!

 

Sure, Tenkuru, let me share another one, then . I grew up playing the Sakura Taisen series. They could very much count as VNs, I suppose. Eventually, the Sakura Taisen craze settled, and my little mind became occupied by new games.

 

Many years later, in 2011, I got lost during my trip in Hong Kong. I walked around a shopping mall and stumbled upon a tiny anime shop. All the other stores sold food and clothes, so it was a truly random find. What got my attention was that the front glass showed many copies of the games from the Sakura Taisen series. The memories came flooding back. I wanted to check out the store, but it was closed, so I told myself to come by again later.

 

The following day, I checked out the opened store. The owner was friendly and kept asking if I needed any help. At first, I shyly said, "It's okay. I'm just looking ." My Cantonese was average so I acted a bit timid there, heheh . Anyway, he persisted, and soon I opened up as well. Turned out he grew up loving anything anime, including Sakura Taisen. It was a tiny store with no room to stand, yet we stood for hours and hours chatting about those good old days.

 

Unfortunately, he spoke little to no English, and my Chinese writing skills is poor. That meant there was no way for us to really stay in touch online. He was also an old school kind of guy and used no social media of any sort. Nonetheless, I think sometimes, it is not about spending time with someone day in and day out. Though it might have been a short meeting, if we connect and had a great time talking, then I think we can continue to be pals even though I am now back here in Australia .

 

I ended up buying all the Sakura Taisen games he had on sale. Now, when I look at them on my shelf, not only do I own those games, I also remember the aforementioned memories. He also showed me a few other games he had on sale. During the process, he was very honest, telling me which games he thought actually kind of sucked. Just a really likable person.

 

Surrounded by non related stores, the store owner admitted business was a struggle. There is a high chance that the next time I visit, the store will no longer be there. In that case, that would have been our only meeting. Sadly, that is just the way things are planned out for us sometimes.

 

This store was actually only a few minutes' walk from my hotel. Yet, if I had not gotten lost on that day, I never would have found it. Life has pretty cool plans for us and we think about it that way, I think .

 

Hope you enjoyed that one !

That was an interesting read!  I've been to many otaku shops, but all of the shopkeepers there looked really gloomy and know nothing at all about they stuff they're selling. It's really nice how we can overcome communication barriers such as language differences when talking about stuff we're passionate about!

[Mephisto]

VNs made me lose "friends" 

 

Insert grisaia quote about hobbies. 

[OriginalRen]

VNs made me lose "friends" 

 

Insert grisaia quote about hobbies. 

 

I see what you did there.

[Chronopolis]

VNs made me lose "friends" 

 

Insert grisaia quote about hobbies. 

The next topic is going to be "Making your point through Visual novels."

[Flutterz]

I've been in a couple of fandoms and there have been people that were friendly, but the friendships never really lasted, sadly. I guess I just suck at friends. >.>

[Life]

I haven't really made friends through VN's except here. You guys are my friends <3... right guys?

[Hooves]

Well, one of my friends did get me into VNs so I have to thank him for that. While I do agree with what people said about the community being nice. It's usually the case when it's a small community. Now I'm trying to get two of my friends into VNs. Fun twist to things.

[InvertMouse]

That was an interesting read!  I've been to many otaku shops, but all of the shopkeepers there looked really gloomy and know nothing at all about they stuff they're selling. It's really nice how we can overcome communication barriers such as language differences when talking about stuff we're passionate about!

 

Thank you ! Yeah, I get the gloomy storekeeper thing. I found that the otaku shopkeepers in Hong Kong tended to know what they are talking about. Also, once you get a conversation going, they are really passionate, so I had a great time there.

 

Of course we're pals Life (^U^)<3~

[HMN]

wish i had someone to talk to about visual novels in real life too bad their existence isn't even recognized here,the only place i could talk about VNs is with the people on this forum 

[Scars Unseen]

Yeah, I know what you mean.  I try talking to friends of mine that have similar tastes in games and anime as me, but as soon as I start going into VNs, they kind of just nod and give non-committal un-words of disinterest. 

[Life]

Of course we're pals Life (^U^)<3~

Yay! Thanks.  *Hugs

 

Yeah, I know what you mean.  I try talking to friends of mine that have similar tastes in games and anime as me, but as soon as I start going into VNs, they kind of just nod and give non-committal un-words of disinterest. 

That feeling. However it's not really disinterest in my case. They listen and nod but they just don't know what to say. Then in most cases the conversation just goes into silence for a minute or two.

[HMN]

Yay! Thanks.  *Hugs

 

That feeling. However it's not really disinterest in my case. They listen and nod but they just don't know what to say. Then in most cases the conversation just goes into silence for a minute or two.

the worst thing for me is that look in my friends eyes when i talk about them the whole concept is just alien to them