I translated a series of tweets that was talked about on Nijimen about how otome games are “doomed to failure” in America (the West? Is America all of the West?) It brings up some things I agree with as a whole on otome games but also some I don’t so I thought it was interesting and wanted to share it.

The tweeter is someone who works as a mangaka, writer and translator.

Since I can’t put source link: the original article is here!

“According to my friend that previously worked at a company looking for a market for otome games in America, the cultural differences (between Japan and America) are too obvious, which makes it difficult. Firstly, to be promote the otome game, it was necessary to change the heroine. The fundamental problem was that the heroine was weak and not independent. This is fatal to its success in America. Long story short, the heroine seemed like a tragedy and was too masochistic. Regarding this, Americans want strong heroines. Additionally, all the men surrounding the heroine were either too nasty, cold or egotistical, in a few words they were too much of a jerk. As a romance game, both the men and women have too little charm…As such they said it was fundamentally improbable to open up a market in America. He played multiple otome games as part of his job, and apparently, was greatly troubled. (One of the games which was) popular in Japan, featured a heroine who was ordered to do house work and treated like a slave. She realises that her husband was cheating on her and then has her own affair with handsome men to get revenge and satisfy her loneliness. Though this doesnt seem like it’d sell at all in America. First of all, no one would accept this heroine. 1) Marrying a man like that is too stupid 2) In America, once the affair is known the only paths are divorce or sue for damages. All the men were douches as well. An easy example of the kind of heroine & romance that Americans would accept would be Wonder Woman (movie), though any girl who admires that kind of romance probably wouldn’t be playing otome games.”

Some of the reactions:



“(Otome games) aren’t a genre which is supposed to be accepted by everyone, so isn’t it fine they have contents which aren’t accepted by everyone?” “Aren’t there even less games with weak heroines who aren’t independent lately though? I can’t empathise with those heroines so I don’t get hooked either.” “If you play otome games in America then won’t it end up becoming a hunting game? (lol)” “Even Japanese people like physically strong heroines you know!!!!” “My followers said that Otomate’s heroines were independent.” “So things like Sailor Moon which had strong heroines were popular because of that huh?…But, even though I’m Japanese, sometimes even I wonder about the heroine’s personality…” “I think there’s a difference between being able to fight and a weak personality" "I feel like this person has a point, but only that one point. To begin with, even if Japanese games have a lot of useless men, the people who they are obtainable for aren’t people who are troubled by useless men. Ultimately, its just fiction for people who can enjoy those characters or the atmosphere of the world. Otome games werent even made for everyone to enjoy in the first place; they were made to experience romance in games, so they are much more niche than movies. Of course they probably couldn’t become mainstream in America, but to decide that there aren’t Americans who would enjoy it is rather short sighted….” “Independence aside, I feel like there really aren’t many assertive heroines. Is it because both hesitant and forceful types are no good, that there are a lot of smart, strong-minded, but obedient and doesn’t say anything unnecessary types I wonder?” “I wonder if they’ve only played those free games aimed at house wives?” “I think that strong independent heroines would end up feeling like she can’t read the situation and is insensitive to a fair few people. It wouldn’t be popular in the foreign mainstream, but there are quite a lot of people overseas who like things like Haruka, UtaPri and Hakuouki. Otome games weren’t made for everyone in the first place, so trying to create a major hit would be difficult even in Japan. Speaking of otome game heroines…Then in that case are galge also no popular overseas I wonder?” “This person’s opinion sounds like someone who doesn’t play otome games so I find it hard to agree. It gives the impression that they made these statements based on bias. The example they gave wasn’t a popular game in Japan either. If you talk about otome game heroines, if there are physically strong heroines there are also mentally strong heroines. Games with weak heroines and jerks as obtainable chars (I can’t think of many though) are made for people who enjoy that kind of thing.

The kind of ikemen that people overseas like and the kind that Japanese people like are different so they wouldn’t like it if (the game) were just carried over as is is obvious in my opinion.

On an unrelated note, I don’t understand those who don’t know otome games well but are badmouthing otome games based on this person’s words…”

I translated a lot of the highly rated comments and whatever was in the post that I thought was worthwhile sharing.

For the most part, I think the OP was trying to say “mentally strong” heroine rather than “physically strong” heroine, the latter seemed to be the main interpretation.

Okay I got tired of translating and the FGO live stream is on.