Shizune's storyline

A forum for general discussion of the game: Open to all punters


Wakagana
Posts: 26
Joined: Sat Mar 03, 2012 9:04 pm

Shizune's storyline

Post by Wakagana »

In all honesty, I sort've hated it...I tried to get my self interested in her as a character after finishing both Emi and Hanako's story lines.

But because I don't want to spoil it for anyone, I'd like to see some other peoples thoughts, maybe I just missed something huge. But this is how I feel :

The storyline its self made no sense to me. Hiaso arrives at the school, and is pestered by these two girls to join the Student Council, eventually he gives in and joins, whether It was because of him wanting Misha to shut up, or him actually wanting to spend more time with Shizune, I don't really know, nor can I relate. I feel like in this plot line Hiaso forms into a much...douchey-er character. Going to the extent to learning sign language just so he can communicate with this witch of a controlling, and manipulative ego-maniac.

Through out the whole story, I felt almost bored and didn't even see the point of reading on. The only interesting things about Shizune's story was her father, and Kenji's appearances throughout it. Perhaps it is just personal dislike, but...


In my eyes

Misha was a much more diverse and interesting character, she deserved a story of her own.
Shizune turned out to be an ego-maniac who wanted to be the best at everything, which is a total turn-off, to -most- people. Who really likes one-upers?
Shizune was no where near as 'affectionate' to even call Hiaso her boyfriend, nor was Hiaso affectionate at all. If anything they seemed like butt-buddies who had to deal with a lot of student council work
.

Ugh, I sort've had to vent. But, Is anyone else extreamly upset by the end of both of Shizune's paths? I felt almost happier when Hiaso left her on the side of the steps on my second play through from the point I saved where I had to choose between comforting Misha. I just feel like the story its self had no real bulk to it, and it just involved some manipulative deaf chick who always got what she wanted :\

This is my first post on the forums here, and I don't want to look standoffish, but..I can't possibly imagine how anyone could really -like- Shizune or Hiaso as characters in this branch. Any thoughts? >.<
User avatar
FlyingPiranha
Posts: 21
Joined: Fri Feb 24, 2012 4:10 am

Re: Shizune's storyline

Post by FlyingPiranha »

Shizune's storyline is possibly the most disliked, so no, you're not alone.
Obligatory "Order in Which I Beat the Routes" Signature:
Emi - Rin - Shizune - Lilly - Hanako


Currently struggling my way through writing my first fan fiction (or any fiction for that matter) in years.
User avatar
alien.marksman
Posts: 126
Joined: Sun Jan 29, 2012 4:34 am
Location: Shizune Fan Club, Australia

Re: Shizune's storyline

Post by alien.marksman »

There's a thread covering this very topic here:
http://ks.renai.us/viewtopic.php?f=13&t=4788

Knock Yourself out.
Image
For Queen and Country
Synthus
Posts: 153
Joined: Tue Jan 31, 2012 8:20 am

Re: Shizune's storyline

Post by Synthus »

Read into it more. The route is probably the hardest to 'get' next to RIn's, which might explain why so many people give up on enjoying it. It's also one of the less feely routes, so it tends to wrongfoot those expecting Hanako/Lilly Round 2.

This thread (and the one posted above) may give you something to think about:

http://ks.renai.us/viewtopic.php?f=13&t=5251

There's also scattered bits of discussion on these forums and the KS subreddit about Shizune's route, and they're worth reading IMO. In my view, it's also the path that's best improved by good fanfiction (check out Weekend at Hisao's).
User avatar
Raburesu
Posts: 57
Joined: Sun Jan 29, 2012 5:53 pm
Location: Worry Tree

Re: Shizune's storyline

Post by Raburesu »

In order to really confirm your feelings on the matter, you must first compartmentalise Shizune from her storyline. If you hate her as a character and hate her path, then there's nothing you can do. Her path is probably disliked for not being a tale of constant romance between you and her, or saving a broken girl from her indelible pain; rather, it's a slice-of-life romp through the trails and tribulations of a high school's student counsel with the occasional sudden sex and teen drama.

As for Shizune as a character, I thought she was... fantastic? She grew competitive as a result of becoming aware that the abilities of those around her had impressed her, inspiring her to want to challenge and best them to vindicate her own existence, and could only feel truly alive when combating a worthy adversary. How can there be anyone among you who can't empathise with that? It's akin to some of us seeing 4LS's completed work and becoming inspired to make a visual novel of our own on the spot, even though we might be completely ignorant of just what it is we would be getting ourselves into.

What stuck me right away as odd was that Shizune was very intelligent, yet she claimed to have no plans for her future. Not very student counsel president-like. Now I realise that becoming enveloped in attempting to defeat everyone else around you would have that effect; what else can you see before you but your next victory?
"So artists can't find romance, their favorite TV shows are canceled, or they die young because of an unspecified disease. It's a deep and mysterious law of the universe." - Rin
Wakagana
Posts: 26
Joined: Sat Mar 03, 2012 9:04 pm

Re: Shizune's storyline

Post by Wakagana »

I'm not sure really.

Looking back at it, I feel like the storyline is to...anti-climactic. You are certainly right about it being based more so around

"it's a slice-of-life romp through the trails and tribulations of a high school's student counsel with the occasional sudden sex and teen drama."

I suppose it just didn't give a good taste after finishing Emi and Hanako's storyline. Regardless, thank you for the input everyone. :)
User avatar
alien.marksman
Posts: 126
Joined: Sun Jan 29, 2012 4:34 am
Location: Shizune Fan Club, Australia

Re: Shizune's storyline

Post by alien.marksman »

Regarding the 'Good End' of Shizune's route.
Just look at the last CG and think of this:
@42sec.
Image
For Queen and Country
Wakagana
Posts: 26
Joined: Sat Mar 03, 2012 9:04 pm

Re: Shizune's storyline

Post by Wakagana »

I almost fell out of my chair laughing. Almost.
Megumeru
Posts: 1259
Joined: Wed Feb 08, 2012 10:17 am
Location: Land of the Rising Sun

Re: Shizune's storyline

Post by Megumeru »

Shizune's storyline is the best in subtleties.
There's a lot of points, romance, hints, and 'feel' moments that were buried deep within the text. Not many can actually find it, mind you, and not everyone did I believe. It's like Rin's, but a lot more subtle and a lot less confusing.


Unlike most of the other arcs, Shizune's storyline is a haven for over-analyzers (like me). Sometimes reading it twice will get you the idea of what was going on behind the scenes--remember, Shizune is the dominant one in the arc and most decisions are made by her and not by Hisao; the only decision he has to make is when Shizune is not around. You've seen how Hisao's decision affects the other characters in other arcs, now let's see if you can feel the same being put in their shoes while someone else call the shots.

but that's my 2cents
Image
They say they hate Shizune? What is this? BLASPHEMY!

SHII-HAEL!
Shizune>Rin>Emi>Hanako>Lilly
"A writer is a light that reveals the world of his story from darkness. Shapes it from nothingness. If the writer stops, the world dies with it." - Alan Wake
Yes, I write stories. Currently working on: The Haunting: A Love Story
User avatar
Bigbishounen
Posts: 148
Joined: Fri Feb 17, 2012 1:55 pm

Re: Shizune's storyline

Post by Bigbishounen »

Heh. All I gotta say is...
11458 - hakamichi_shizune katawa_shoujo Hatersgonnahate.jpg
11458 - hakamichi_shizune katawa_shoujo Hatersgonnahate.jpg (110.25 KiB) Viewed 8425 times
OK. In all seriousness, I think it's just the somewhat non-romantic ending that got you. It really needs an epilogue to bring the story back full circle.

I've posted this other places, but it's so good I'll attach it for you too. It's a fan made epilogue that really closes the story out nicely. I didn't write it, but I like it so much I keep it handy just for the Shizune dislike threads. It's a .docx file, so you'll need Word 2007 or higher to read it. (I also have a plain text version if you want.) Enjoy!
Attachments
Katawa Shoujo, Shizune Epilogue.docx
(18.26 KiB) Downloaded 387 times
Hisao: You want to know who I am? I'm the boy with the broken heart.
Wakagana
Posts: 26
Joined: Sat Mar 03, 2012 9:04 pm

Re: Shizune's storyline

Post by Wakagana »

The color of Shizune's name is a little off. BUT, I laughed. I think that was the major fault of me not enjoying it. It felt more like the storyline was based -just- around Shizune and not much else. Hiaso's personality even changed drastically to accommodate Shizune's story compared to the other plot lines.

He was easier to annoy, and didn't seem all that nice to anyone besides Shizune and Misha.

Regardless, I'm a bit of an over-analyzer my self, and I guess Shizune just slipped between the cracks for me to really find any interest in her. I can't stand people like her in real life. Then again, I'm very passive and submissive about most things, I don't like getting all rilled up and competitive over nothing. -shrug-

Also.

http://i1.kym-cdn.com/photos/images/ori ... 05/40b.gif

Might tickle your humorous!
Synthus
Posts: 153
Joined: Tue Jan 31, 2012 8:20 am

Re: Shizune's storyline

Post by Synthus »

Huh. I always thought that Hisao develops the most as a character in Shizune's path. Clearly, YMMV.
User avatar
metalangel
Posts: 842
Joined: Thu Jan 19, 2012 5:58 pm

Re: Shizune's storyline

Post by metalangel »

To the OP: Read Weekend At Hisao's, to have Shizune and Hisao's relationship without constant WAHAHA interference:
http://ks.renai.us/viewtopic.php?f=52&t=5361
Astyanax
Posts: 6
Joined: Mon May 18, 2009 1:25 am

Re: Shizune's storyline

Post by Astyanax »

Or read the Shizune's epilogue link in ^ signature... :p

It takes place after some years, and does a good job giving closure to those who want it.
User avatar
Mysterious Stranger
Posts: 340
Joined: Wed Feb 15, 2012 11:57 pm
Location: Washington, D.C.

Re: Shizune's storyline

Post by Mysterious Stranger »

Shizune's route probably has the most intricacies to it out of any of the others I've finished (which is to say all of them except Rin's). It's definitely focused on her character more than anything else, but I would agree that Misha is way more awesome and deserved her own story, QQ NO MISHA ROUTE QQ, etc.

When it comes down to it, Shizune's path just doesn't have the "feels" that the others do. Doesn't necessarily mean that it's bad storytelling, it's just not as emotional. Which isn't to say it's not emotional, because it most certainly is at points ("I wasn't thinking that it would be better if Hicchan had never come to this school. I was thinking... wouldn't it be better if I just died?" - OH GOOD GOD NO)... just not as much as, say, Lilly or Hanako's.
| Can you see what I see? | To the end of the Waltz... | First stop, Nagoya! | Oh, come, lovely child! | To the World of Dreams | Pray to become starry sky tomorrow... | Please... forget about me... | No music, no future |
Post Reply