What does Nc5xb3 means? (Hanako Route)

[OtakuNinja]

The fact that I had a Lilly look-a-like sitting next to me didn't help.

Where do you live and what direction is it? I'll bring cookies!~

North. Way up north. Sadly, she's already got a boyfriend.

This is how my Iranian friend described them:
"She's kind, soft and smiling, like a girl should be. He's a cactus."

[FoxtrotZero]

I used to be a human tank like you.

Until I took a feels to the heart.



But in all honesty, don't look at her as Hanako. Look at her as HER. There's a time and place for Katawa Shoujo, putting a fake waifu in place of a real waifu is not one.
Analyzing a relationship using morals and lessons from the game is possibly a time for Katawa Shoujo, though.

I don't think he meant it quite as literally as that...

5'3 over here. Maybe taller now, last measured a couple years ago. Haven't weighed myself since '99 but I'm overweight.

Ohgodherecomesthebackstory.

Yeah, this is about right. I don't see her as Hanako, but nonetheless, similarities (I think half the reason I like Hanako so much is simply a thing for shy girls). Nonetheless, I'd rather drop that subject, because I still don't even have a common friendship with her.

Yeah, I myself am overweight, and I expect to be losing some soon simply because I've stopped eating the large portions I used to. I'm in this awkward point where my brain says "this seems like the right amount" and halfway through my stomach is like "ENGINEERING: ALL BACK EMERGENCY". So while I don't want to give anyone the impression that I'm 270lbs of rock hard muscle, I'm not a blob either. I had a picture around here somewhere, but I should take a new one to show off my improved facial hair. *shrug*

[Shadowyeclipse]

I used to be a human tank like you.

Until I took a feels to the heart.



But in all honesty, don't look at her as Hanako. Look at her as HER. There's a time and place for Katawa Shoujo, putting a fake waifu in place of a real waifu is not one.
Analyzing a relationship using morals and lessons from the game is possibly a time for Katawa Shoujo, though.

I don't think he meant it quite as literally as that...

5'3 over here. Maybe taller now, last measured a couple years ago. Haven't weighed myself since '99 but I'm overweight.

Ohgodherecomesthebackstory.

Yeah, this is about right. I don't see her as Hanako, but nonetheless, similarities (I think half the reason I like Hanako so much is simply a thing for shy girls). Nonetheless, I'd rather drop that subject, because I still don't even have a common friendship with her.

Yeah, I myself am overweight, and I expect to be losing some soon simply because I've stopped eating the large portions I used to. I'm in this awkward point where my brain says "this seems like the right amount" and halfway through my stomach is like "ENGINEERING: ALL BACK EMERGENCY". So while I don't want to give anyone the impression that I'm 270lbs of rock hard muscle, I'm not a blob either. I had a picture around here somewhere, but I should take a new one to show off my improved facial hair. *shrug*

Well, on the shy girls thing, I can pretty much be sure that anyone who has played Katawa Shoujo has a thing for shy girls. This is the universal introvert/loner niche we have going here, and the reason we are probably so attracted to shy girls is because we were all like that at one point in time.

Yeah, I don't eat much to be honest, yet I am still flabby. I used to be a freakin' shape you could kick like a kickball, so I think I improved.

[FoxtrotZero]

Ohgodherecomesthebackstory.

Yeah, this is about right. I don't see her as Hanako, but nonetheless, similarities (I think half the reason I like Hanako so much is simply a thing for shy girls). Nonetheless, I'd rather drop that subject, because I still don't even have a common friendship with her.

Yeah, I myself am overweight, and I expect to be losing some soon simply because I've stopped eating the large portions I used to. I'm in this awkward point where my brain says "this seems like the right amount" and halfway through my stomach is like "ENGINEERING: ALL BACK EMERGENCY". So while I don't want to give anyone the impression that I'm 270lbs of rock hard muscle, I'm not a blob either. I had a picture around here somewhere, but I should take a new one to show off my improved facial hair. *shrug*

Well, on the shy girls thing, I can pretty much be sure that anyone who has played Katawa Shoujo has a thing for shy girls. This is the universal introvert/loner niche we have going here, and the reason we are probably so attracted to shy girls is because we were all like that at one point in time.

Yeah, I don't eat much to be honest, yet I am still flabby. I used to be a freakin' shape you could kick like a kickball, so I think I improved.

I don't think that's a given. Yeah, there's an introverted-nerd niche that we all fill as KS fans, but that doesn't mean we're necessarily into shy girls. Statements like "opposites attract" simply don't apply in things so complex as romance, every individual is quite different.

Yeah, I'm a bit of an introvert, but when I open up to certain people I have a confident, larger-than-life personality that is more likely to fit my gentle-giant apperance. I have a thing for shy girls (and from the begining I liked Hanako because I was able to see the girl inside of her - I think she would be really sweet once she learned to be a bit more comfortable around people. Case in point, my avatar doesn't seem like something Hanako would actually do, but I'd like to imagine her doing it - and that's why I'm kinda dissapointed that the story ended immediately after the resolution in the park), but that's just me.

Likewise, I guarantee you could find KS players that have different opinions. And that's proven by the fact that we have deep running favorites among the cast of heroines (I kinda like that phrase, I picked it up from the .pdf that came with the VN). And I guarantee you that the people who love Misha or Shizune more than Lilly or Hanako are probably considerably less likely to have a preference for shy girls - because I do not classify either of those two as shy.

[Reksho]

Well, on the shy girls thing, I can pretty much be sure that anyone who has played Katawa Shoujo has a thing for shy girls.

Not at all. In fact, I absolutely cannot stand shy girls, especially if it's specifically done for the moe-factor (which largely isn't the case in KS). I'm more of the tomboyish happy-go-lucky girls, bonus points if there is a back story with depth (like Emi's). Maybe it's because I used to be shy in the past and Hanako resembling that part of my life. Still, even back then I didn't like shy girls in media.

I'm playing the Hanako route for the first time right now and am in the middle of act 3. Still didn't connect with her emotionally but I'm willing to go through the whole thing.

[Shadowyeclipse]

Well, on the shy girls thing, I can pretty much be sure that anyone who has played Katawa Shoujo has a thing for shy girls.

Not at all. In fact, I absolutely cannot stand shy girls, especially if it's specifically done for the moe-factor (which largely isn't the case in KS). I'm more of the tomboyish happy-go-lucky girls, bonus points if there is a back story with depth (like Emi's). Maybe it's because I used to be shy in the past and Hanako resembling that part of my life. Still, even back then I didn't like shy girls in media.

I'm playing the Hanako route for the first time right now and am in the middle of act 3. Still didn't connect with her emotionally but I'm willing to go through the whole thing.

That actually does confuse me somewhat. All of the routes are really well written, and I managed to connect with every single one of the characters. Though some of them are far from my favorite and I don't like some of their routes, it is still really great storytelling.

How do you NOT get attached to any of the characters in some way?

[Reksho]

Well, on the shy girls thing, I can pretty much be sure that anyone who has played Katawa Shoujo has a thing for shy girls.

Not at all. In fact, I absolutely cannot stand shy girls, especially if it's specifically done for the moe-factor (which largely isn't the case in KS). I'm more of the tomboyish happy-go-lucky girls, bonus points if there is a back story with depth (like Emi's). Maybe it's because I used to be shy in the past and Hanako resembling that part of my life. Still, even back then I didn't like shy girls in media.

I'm playing the Hanako route for the first time right now and am in the middle of act 3. Still didn't connect with her emotionally but I'm willing to go through the whole thing.

That actually does confuse me somewhat. All of the routes are really well written, and I managed to connect with every single one of the characters. Though some of them are far from my favorite and I don't like some of their routes, it is still really great storytelling.

How do you NOT get attached to any of the characters in some way?

Maybe I should rephrase it a bit: I don't connect as strongly with her emotionally as with the other characters.

If I think of the other routes, I have very clear scenes in my head that made lasting impressions on me. With the Hanako route, this seems to be lacking in my case. I also found that there isn't much happening in the route as of where I am now (mid act 3), feels a bit drawn-out. And there is a lot of reflection about things that may or may not be true. Basically, they are talking about ''what-ifs'' a lot while there is little ''this is''. Of course, this stems from the fact that Hanako is a bit shy so everyone is just trying to guess what's happening in her head. I also noticed that many words are being repeated, which wouldn't be a problem if the words weren't so characteristic (the word 'gingerly' for example is repeated a lot while it has many synonyms). I'm also somewhat bored by the dialogue of this route as many sentences feel so standard. Again, this is because of the characters involved in this route.

But I'm trying to be careful not to judge it too much beforehand as I'm guessing this all could also be a build-up towards the climax. The shock Hanako experienced in the classroom and being escorted outside was memorable. I also like that Hanako sometimes speaks about something completely unexpected (like asking what Hisao did with Lilly when they went birthday shopping).

[FoxtrotZero]

Not at all. In fact, I absolutely cannot stand shy girls, especially if it's specifically done for the moe-factor (which largely isn't the case in KS). I'm more of the tomboyish happy-go-lucky girls, bonus points if there is a back story with depth (like Emi's). Maybe it's because I used to be shy in the past and Hanako resembling that part of my life. Still, even back then I didn't like shy girls in media.

I'm playing the Hanako route for the first time right now and am in the middle of act 3. Still didn't connect with her emotionally but I'm willing to go through the whole thing.

That actually does confuse me somewhat. All of the routes are really well written, and I managed to connect with every single one of the characters. Though some of them are far from my favorite and I don't like some of their routes, it is still really great storytelling.

How do you NOT get attached to any of the characters in some way?

Maybe I should rephrase it a bit: I don't connect as strongly with her emotionally as with the other characters.

If I think of the other routes, I have very clear scenes in my head that made lasting impressions on me. With the Hanako route, this seems to be lacking in my case. I also found that there isn't much happening in the route as of where I am now (mid act 3), feels a bit drawn-out. And there is a lot of reflection about things that may or may not be true. Basically, they are talking about ''what-ifs'' a lot while there is little ''this is''. Of course, this stems from the fact that Hanako is a bit shy so everyone is just trying to guess what's happening in her head. I also noticed that many words are being repeated, which wouldn't be a problem if the words weren't so characteristic (the word 'gingerly' for example is repeated a lot while it has many synonyms). I'm also somewhat bored by the dialogue of this route as many sentences feel so standard. Again, this is because of the characters involved in this route.

But I'm trying to be careful not to judge it too much beforehand as I'm guessing this all could also be a build-up towards the climax. The shock Hanako experienced in the classroom and being escorted outside was memorable. I also like that Hanako sometimes speaks about something completely unexpected (like asking what Hisao did with Lilly when they went birthday shopping).

I think it's fair to say, Hanako's storyline isn't for everyone. Part of that is why I am still frustrated with the ending of her arc.

Much like Hisao himself, the people who are going to be taken with Hanako's arc are going to be those who can see her for the sweet girl she is, locked in an emotional prison of her own design, or else for the troubled girl she is that could use a hand. Throughout her story arc, one of these two is going to be taken to the extreme; he's either going to be the guy who is always there for her and see her for who she is on the inside, or he's going to try so very hard to stand up for her and bring her into the world some more. One of these ends well, and one of them doesn't, and while I'm sure you know which is which, I won't actually say in the interest of spoiler prevention.

The thing is, a lot of people look at Hanako and just kinda brush her off. She's not the most outstanding of characters, particularly when her introduction is overshadowed by that of Lilly, Shizune, and Misha. My first playthrough I became quite attached to Lilly, and by proximity I had an interest in Hanako, which probably influenced my decision in romancing her as my next storyline. There's also the simple fact that some people don't like shy girls - I'm not a huge fan of pushy taskmaster girls, and so that's why I initially dodged Shizune, though outside sources convinced me she is also a nice person worth giving a shot.

But the thing about Hanako's storyline, even if you get the good ending with the tearjerker resolution and a D'AWWWWW ending scene, most of her story is about trying to build a relationship with her, and savoring the few moments when she's willing to open up. Compare to Lilly, where there was a fair amount of time just being in a relationship with her before the whole Scotland thing reared it's ugly head (though, as is understandable, it couldn't have been more than half an act). I think an excellent example of this is Hankao's single intimate scene, which I found to be cripplingly awkward. Which was, I guess, sort of a plot device, but while I find it frustrating I love few things as much as the shot of her smiling on the pillow afterwards..

The point I entered with was, as soon as you have a stable relationship and have gotten past most of the stigma and shyness, the story ends, and we're forced to take our feels into non-canon sources. Some people would tell you that this is a preferable sort of ending, leaving the happy times to our imaginations, but Mass Effect 3 tried it and all they got was my disdain. Nonetheless, this very fact simply means that Hanako's arc isn't for all types of person, and I believe there will be people with which it just doesn't "resonate".

Katawa Shoujo. Making lonely nerds ask "why does it have to end?" since January 2012.

[Guest Poster]

The point I entered with was, as soon as you have a stable relationship and have gotten past most of the stigma and shyness, the story ends, and we're forced to take our feels into non-canon sources. Some people would tell you that this is a preferable sort of ending, leaving the happy times to our imaginations, but Mass Effect 3 tried it and all they got was my disdain.

From a storytelling POV, this makes sense because the main conflict is solved and epilogues can only be a scene or two long before so-called ending fatigue starts setting in. I myself have absolutely no idea how to sum up those happy days in one or two scenes after Hanako's DAWWWW-worthy ending and not have readers feel short-changed. The post-conflict scenes in Emi's and Lilly's arcs worked because the reader has already seen nearly an entire act detailing their every-day dating life with Hisao. Hanako would need at least one more act (and a secondary conflict) in order to do what you suggested justice. In the absence of that, I sincerely think ending the arc the way it did was really the best thing for the devs to do.

That said, if you are not averse to 1) non-canon sources and 2) shameless plugs, you might want to consider reading the story the signature beneath this post links to. It's essentially a non-canon Act 5 for Hanako's route, is a finished story and received a lot of praise from people who, like you, felt Hanako's route ended too soon.

[Brogurt]

That said, if you are not averse to 1) non-canon sources and 2) shameless plugs, you might want to consider reading the story the signature beneath this post links to. It's essentially a non-canon Act 5 for Hanako's route, is a finished story and received a lot of praise from people who, like you, felt Hanako's route ended too soon.

Someone's letting the attention get to their head

[Shadowyeclipse]

That said, if you are not averse to 1) non-canon sources and 2) shameless plugs, you might want to consider reading the story the signature beneath this post links to. It's essentially a non-canon Act 5 for Hanako's route, is a finished story and received a lot of praise from people who, like you, felt Hanako's route ended too soon.

Someone's letting the attention get to their head

Well, if I never heard about it it's new to me.

To be honest, if I had something like that that made me reputable to some degree, I'd run that fame into the ground.

[FoxtrotZero]

The point I entered with was, as soon as you have a stable relationship and have gotten past most of the stigma and shyness, the story ends, and we're forced to take our feels into non-canon sources. Some people would tell you that this is a preferable sort of ending, leaving the happy times to our imaginations, but Mass Effect 3 tried it and all they got was my disdain.

From a storytelling POV, this makes sense because the main conflict is solved and epilogues can only be a scene or two long before so-called ending fatigue starts setting in. I myself have absolutely no idea how to sum up those happy days in one or two scenes after Hanako's DAWWWW-worthy ending and not have readers feel short-changed. The post-conflict scenes in Emi's and Lilly's arcs worked because the reader has already seen nearly an entire act detailing their every-day dating life with Hisao. Hanako would need at least one more act (and a secondary conflict) in order to do what you suggested justice. In the absence of that, I sincerely think ending the arc the way it did was really the best thing for the devs to do.

That said, if you are not averse to 1) non-canon sources and 2) shameless plugs, you might want to consider reading the story the signature beneath this post links to. It's essentially a non-canon Act 5 for Hanako's route, is a finished story and received a lot of praise from people who, like you, felt Hanako's route ended too soon.

No, I understand completely. Half of the reason it's so beautiful is because of where your imagination can take it, and I'm quite aware of the problems that can arise with "ending fatigue". I think it would have been nice if the epilogue was a little longer, but it has to end sometime, and the best place to do that is on a happy note where your imagination can run wild with the moe.

But yeah, I'll consider reading that. Part of me doesn't care about the authorship of the Hisao/Hanako relationship (an analogy would be "yeah, sure Bungie didn't make Halo 4, but it's still Halo," even though my opinions regarding that are quite different) because the one it really cares about is the one between Hanako and a KS version of me. *shrug*

"We live our fantasies and suffer our realities."