A lot of official otome items can be pricey, especially like fanservice-y things like seiyuu CDs, art books, and illustrations. Games themselves, too, are pricey and it's hard to get something that comes with fast shipping from official stores because they ship from Japan or Korea and sometimes it's a pre-order, etc.

I may not play every since otome game out there, but I don't need official merch to be happy. What I mean is, I think even if you don't get something official for your friend, if it looks really nice and cute, I'd be happy with the thought that you got me something you usually wouldn't buy yourself. Sometimes fanmade things from storenvy or tictail can fit around your budget and are really cute!

Just as many people have said here, etsy and amazon are good choices to search for some merchandise, but before ordering, be sure to check how long shipping will take to you. Read reviews too, just in case the seller says they ship within 2 weeks, but some people get it 4 weeks later.

If you're willing to sacrifice a few more bucks, here are some gift ideas that (in my opinion) aren't that pricey, but I'd love to have/already do have:

Free! Rin shirt

Free! drawstring bag

Fire Emblem Fates Game Skin for Nintendo 3DS Console

Free! Haru figurine

Free! Haru themed necklace

Free! animal buttons set

Free! character buttons set

a bunch of otome buttons/stickers in order from least to greatest

Mystic Messenger notebook

Nameless Poster

707 Mystic Messenger Mug

some Hakuoki merch

some Fire Emblem shirts

some Norn9 merch

some Hakuoki merch from least to greatest

some Hatoful Boyfriend merch (for laughs and giggles)

*some Starry Sky merch

And that's all I can try finding around your budget. Sorry if some links have keychains and stuff, it's hard to exclude them. Hopefully this gives you some ideas on what to get your friend. It can be like a bunch of buttons and stickers, or like maybe one big thing.

Good luck! c:

If you're wanting to dive into more in-depth stories for Otome, then I'd recommend investing in a PS Vita ! Although there aren't a lot of localization for JP released Otome to ENG, the neat thing about PS Vita is that it's region-free ! You'd need to change the system for it to read the game's content, as well as make a JP PlayStation Store account.

But even so ! There are plenty of localized Otome games via PSV, and some of the older ones on PSP have been ported to the PS Vita through the Store for a digital download ! I actually bought mine from Amazon. It's a tad bit more expensive than what I had bought it, but still worth it. They also give free shipping which is always a bonus ! Though, when buying just be careful which model you're getting. If you don't plan to play 5 Otome games at once, then I'd just recommend start without a SD card ( unless you plan to buy non-otome games for the PS Vita as well ). It's nice to have an SD Card, but if you plan just to buy one game for now, just go without it. You can always buy it later when needed. As far as other console, depending what region you're in, the Switch doesn't really have a lot of localized games aside from Breathe of The Wild being the biggest. If you really want to indulge in Otome games, then I'd suggest just getting a PSV as most Otome games are released excursively for the PSV only. PC released games aren't that popular in Japan, so it'd be worth to have your hands on a PSV for future games being released.

In terms which model to get, I believe for most people it's just preferences. The older PSV model's screen looks better to other users, or vise-versa where people like the weight of the newer PSV model. All about preferences, but they both play Otome games ( older or just released games ).

I don't want to go too detailed as it could get long for me, but if you want to read about the differences in the PSV models, then you can read the post on my Otome Amino to get a full in-depth of models comparison, as well as other information that you could find useful lol I'll eventually post it all here- though they're quite lengthy. then again this post is pretty lengthy as well orz

But ! If you need any help with anything, feel free to message me ! I'd love to help in anything or questions.

I wouldn't call myself a vegetarian but I don't eat red meat and tend to eat plant-based meals 4-5x a week. I also hate salads unless they're greek-style (feta + cucumbers + tomatoes, that whole deal).

I'm not a creative person in the cooking department so the best thing for me was to buy a few reference books. I use this, this, and a book I can't remember that I found at a used bookstore haha. The Complete Vegetarian one is an amazing resource but very dense and many recipes take longer than 45 min. so I mostly use it as a reference for how to prep vegetables. Also don't discount vegan cookbooks! Vegans get a lot of flak on the internet but a lot of the recipes are really good. I also frequent /r/1200isplenty and /r/vegan1200isplenty where lots of easy, low-calorie high veggie dishes are posted.

Lately I'm big on little variety platters (like a plate with a mix of vegetables, cheese, and crackers lol) but I make a lot of soups too. Couscous is amazing. One of my favorite summer dishes is a penne pasta mixed with oven-baked corn, zucchini, and cherry tomatoes. A lot of people like to use spaghetti squash or a spiralizer to make fake noodles which can be used as a substitute for regular noodles in stir-fry or bakes. I've also turned around and fallen in love with tofu. I really love this crispy tofu recipe. The key to crispy tofu is to use firm or extra firm and let it drain for an adequate amount of time (impatient me wants it NOW so it used to end up soggy lol). Hope that helps a bit!

Miscellaneous: Similar Non-VN Games

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Questions about other game genres with dating elements where you can play as a female protagonist seem to pop up at a regular interval, so I’ve listed some of the most common recommendations for those here.

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Harvest Moon / Story of Seasons franchise

Genre: Farming Simulator

Platform(s): GameBoy Advance, GameCube, Nintendo DS, Nintendo 3DS, Nintendo Wii, PlayStation Portable, PlayStation Vita

Additional Notes: Harvest Moon is a huge franchise spanning more than two decades’ worth of games over a bunch of different platforms. Only those released from 2003 onward feature gameplay as a female protagonist, however.

Which one should I start with? It doesn’t matter; Harvest Moon isn’t chronological and most entries in the franchise are standalone games. (Some have cross-references to each other or character cameos, but none of these are particularly relevant to the game plot.) Just choose whatever platform is most suitable for you and get started :)

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Stardew Valley

Genre: Farming Simulator

Platform(s): PC, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch

Additional Notes: Stardew Valley is essentially a Western indie revival of retro Harvest Moon with improved gameplay mechanics and new additions, such as same-sex marriage, adoption, support for mods, etc.

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Rune Factory 4

Genre: Farming Simulator, RPG

Platform(s): Nintendo 3DS

Additional Notes: Rune Factory is a spinoff from the Harvest Moon franchise and is set in a fantasy setting with RPG-like elements such as monster battling alongside the usual farming, fishing, mining, and interacting with local villagers. Only the fourth game allows you to play as a girl, however.

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Shin Megami Tensei: Persona 3 Portable

Genre: JRPG

Platform(s): PlayStation Portable

Additional Notes: Often called “a cross between The Sims and a JRPG”, Persona features both slice-of-life simulation in a high school setting and typical fantasy JRPG gameplay. Out of the games in the franchise, Persona 3 Portable is the only one that features a female protagonist, however.

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Fire Emblem: Awakening & Fates

Genre: JRPG

Platform(s): Nintendo 3DS

Additional Notes: A series of tactical RPGs similar to Final Fantasy Tactics, but with the possibility of building relationships/romance between characters -- including, but not limited to, one's protagonist. (Only Awakening and Fates have a female MC, however.) Note that there are three different versions of Fire Emblem: Fates -- Conquest, Birthright, and Revelation, which all feature different casts respectively. Newcomers to the franchise are generally recommended to start with Fire Emblem Fates: Birthright, or Fire Emblem: Awakening (of which there is only one version).

() = These romances are reportedly less in-depth than those in the other games listed in this category, but the Fire Emblem series still remains a popular recommendation for those looking for RPGs with dating elements.

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Dragon Age series

Genre: Western RPG

Platform(s): PC, PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, Xbox 360, Xbox One

Additional Notes: Although it’s recommended to play in a chronological order of release (Dragon Age: Origins > Dragon Age 2 > Dragon Age: Inquisition) to get the most out of the overarching plot, it’s not necessary as each game has a standalone protagonist and story. DA:O is recommended for those comfortable with a more retro Western RPG feel; DA2 for those who prefer more of a JRPG feel; and DA:I for those completely new to RPGs or who prefer action RPGs.

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1931: Scheherazade at the Library of Pergamum

Genre: Indie RPG with VN elements

Platform(s): PC

Additional Notes: The stat-raising part of this game is notoriously difficult, and some reviewers suggest to further read up on the obstacle level system beyond what is explained in-game. Newcomers to stat-raisers are recommended to play on easy. Despite being labeled as an RPG, Scheherazade has no "traditional" RPG gameplay elements, such as battles or world exploration.

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Loren: The Amazon Princess

Genre: Indie RPG with VN elements

Platform(s): PC

Additional Notes: Made by the same studio (Winter Wolves) who created C14 Dating. Despite its claim of advanced tactical combat, Loren is known to have a fairly simple combat/skill system. Recommended to those who are looking for an RPG with more visual novel elements rather than your “regular” RPG.

Honestly I wouldn't listen to dumb boys and their Japanese elitism, which is likely to be the bulk of people around there. There are just as many bad Japanese VNs as there are good ones. The only reason we don't hear about the bad ones is because, well, they were bad. There's actually even Japanese term to address really bad games, which is "kusoge" or "shitty game" in English. Here, have an amazing example of a commercial Vita game published by D3Publisher, which everyone is more than happy to refer to as a kusoge. It was so bad that it's selling for almost 70% off...as a new copy.

Okay but see, you're comparing indies to commercial stuff. I never suggested comparing to big name visual production houses in Japan like Otomate or Rejet haha. I suggested comparison to indie works in japan, like The Second Reproduction, oooor I guess Higurashi no Naku Koro Ni, if we're going for stuff that isn't just otome but original indie.

I think the fact that we still call this genre 'otome' even in English, shows the lingering attachment to Japanese, as opposed to breaking free of the stereotype.

I don't believe there are actually any real big time commercial visual novels being produced in the west, which is a sign it still hasn't quite caught on. I want to say Zero Time Dilemma, the 3rd installment from the Zero Escape series is close, but it is still primarily developed in Japan (albeit the production company has stated clearly its promotional focus shift to the west, where the game found a better niche audience - it never did well in Japan). And with the shift in ZTD to focus on Western audience, they actually moved away from visual novel format and went for FMV. It's just a sign that VNs are still the niche and the industry bigs are afraid of it.

I'm not 100% sure, but you might be able to buy the LE from Amazon US since Amazon still has it in stock. I used a random UK address, and the order total was ~51 USD for the PS4 version and ~64 USD for the Vita version, and that includes import & shipping fees.

If you have an Amazon UK account, you should be able to use that same login information for Amazon US. And during checkout, it's usually cheaper if you pay for the order in USD & and let your credit card calculate the exchange rate to GBP, rather than paying in GBP using Amazon's Currency Converter. The amount you can save depends on what sort of non-sterling transaction fees your credit card charges, but even after accounting for any fees, your credit card will typically offer a better rate than Amazon.

Same here! Toma's tied with Ukyo for my favorite in Amnesia, hehe. :D (I like how I have a Kent flair as I write this...)

I'd love to see pictures if you have some! (And feel comfortable sharing, of course!) There's definitely not nearly enough HB cosplay in general, and definitely not enough of best birb. ;D

Here's a link to it on Amazon - I think you might need a Kindle to read it but I felt like it was very much worth it, even though it's a bit short.

Edit: Just saw your edit - thank you! :D

Sadly, most of it is PS3 only. The mobile version is a port of the PSP version and DOES have the tea ceremony event plus the individual character stories related to autumn. The autumn stories were purchasable as dlc for the ps3 version, but I didn't see them in the store on Vita.

I'm trying to find out what's in the treasure boxes for vita, but no luck yet. Sounds like the KW box at least doesn't have extra CGs, so it's nothing big. It's advertised as never before seen so I do think it's new and unique to the vita version.

All that said, the geisha infiltration is covered in the Hakuouki anime OVAs, memory of snow flowers. Worth watching for sure. It takes place somewhere in the middle of KW storyline wise, iirc. I also recall watching the cat chase too, but have forgotten where. I think it may have been an ova short I found on youtube? There are a few shorts that have no official english release.

You can easily get them through Amazon here. This is what they look like, though you can easily find some for less than ten bucks. I wholeheartedly recommend them - you just stick them in the microwave for a minute or two and they stay warm for a long time.

For what's it's worth, if the soundtrack that they have listed is the same JP soundtrack that has the corresponding cover, then it doesn't have many songs on it. It'd be this one: https://www.amazon.co.jp/%E8%8B%B1%E5%9B%BD%E6%8E%A2%E5%81%B5%E3%83%9F%E3%82%B9%E3%83%86%E3%83%AA%E3%82%A2TheCrown%E3%83%9F%E3%83%8B%E3%82%A2%E3%83%AB%E3%83%90%E3%83%A0%E3%80%8C%E3%82%B6%E3%83%BB%E3%83%9F%E3%83%A5%E3%83%BC%E3%82%B8%E3%83%83%E3%82%AF%E3%83%BB%E3%82%AF%E3%83%A9%E3%82%A6%E3%83%B3%E3%80%8D-%E9%88%B4%E8%91%89%E3%83%A6%E3%83%9F/dp/B018VAPQD6/ref=sr_1_12?keywords=%E8%8B%B1%E5%9B%BD%E6%8E%A2%E5%81%B5%E3%83%9F%E3%82%B9%E3%83%86%E3%83%AA%E3%82%A2&qid=1558634370&s=gateway&sr=8-12

Regardless, even if it is that one, that album is usually pretty expensive ($20+), so the bundle isn't a bad deal. I also have the album (again, assuming it's the same one), and the songs are good, so I would recommend.

I think it might be out of stock in most stores. I found one on amazon but it is pretty pricey: https://www.amazon.com/BLACK-WOLVES-SAGA-Bloody-Nightmare-Japan/dp/B00714RJIE
You can try amazon japan to see if they have it for a cheaper price. Also check out ebay they sometimes have it.

It seems like the preorder link is up on amazon here

I see that Hakuoki: Kyoto Winds is up for preorder on Amazon - do you guys think there's a chance for a Limited Edition popping up later? Did the other games have one?

For anyone who was waiting for Amnesia to go on sale again, Amazon has a download code for US$3 right now:

https://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B0159ET4JO/ref=nosim/cheapassgam08-20

The tweet was advertising an exclusive illustration (the thumbnail) and the OST cover in that issue of B's Log magazine.

Normally those would be compiled in a fanbook/artbook of sorts but I don't see one for Period:Cube, on passing glance.

Amnesia is $2.99 on Amazon digital downloads. Link EDIT: This is the same price. I missed that OP was in CAD.

Ozmafia's at a historical low.

That Diabolik Lovers game is just More Blood. Here is the link to the first one:

http://www.amazon.com/DIABOLIK-LOVERS-LIMITED-EDITION-PlayStation-Vita/dp/B00F4Q3HSC/ref=pd_bxgy_63_3?ie=UTF8&refRID=0ZD98CSCT1CTNNYMBJ8H

Haunted Dark Bridal is the first one. More Blood is a fan disk to Haunted Dark Bridal. I own them both.
(Edited for bad formatting)