this post was submitted on 12 Jan 2026
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I'm calling my otaku comrades to help me for this one.

My dormitory mate was bugging me for years to get me in anime-related stuff, which I'm not very keen on. I finally agree to try out his suggested visual novel games (do they really count as one?), and the first game he suggested me was Katawa Shoujo.

Now, afaiu this is a porn game involving high school students with disabilities. I'd shut this down without moving further normally but in online spaces people praise it to the skies.

I don't get what's the appeal with this one, so I'm asking your opinions in the case. Is this really worth trying, or my dormmate trying to set me?

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[–] mendiCAN@hexbear.net 5 points 17 hours ago

ey! hard to believe but this was my first ever VN and it's actually still one of my favorites. i still think about the artist who painted with her feet, and the deaf gals route was good outside of one moment ("comfort her" lol not like that?!)

[–] WokePalpatine@hexbear.net 7 points 19 hours ago

My only recommendation is that if you're going for a specific girl the first time without a guide you gotta' avoid a specific choice that locks you into one girl's route. Also, I think it has an option to turn off the sex scenes now if you don't want them? I know other VNs have them sometimes.

They're recommending Katawa Shoujo since that's a common one to recommend to westerners since it's pretty acceptable and in the style of bishoujo/nakige popularized by Key VNs/Clannad anime and stuff here.

[–] Jucha@hexbear.net 6 points 21 hours ago

Good game. I played it while recovering from an injury, helped me to process.

[–] Moidialectica@hexbear.net 10 points 1 day ago (1 children)

Good game, I didn't know it was a porn game I just knew that it was made by many people in 4chan concerning disabilities. Well, I didn't know it was porn until I checked settings and saw nudity as an option

Give it a shot, you'll realise sooner or later if it is for you, it actually takes a decent time commitment (4-5hr) to get through from my experience

[–] BeanisBrain@hexbear.net 6 points 20 hours ago

Trying to figure out what possessed a neo-Nazi forum to make a not-terrible game about disabled people

[–] BironyPoisoned@hexbear.net 9 points 1 day ago

Genuinely good game imo. Themes of self-improvement and love are good. The girls are actual characters and there's a nice friendship arc before the relationship. The game doesn't end with a confession and it actually shows how the relationship plays out. I don't think it's a "porn game" as you call it. There are certainly sex scenes but most of the writing is sincere not horny. You aren't going to have random tit shots or bikini armor if that's what you're worried about. It's also not a harem anime, you get a love interest and a friend in each route.

I'm not a person with disabilities so ymmv with that part but I thought it was respectful enough. All of the characters are fully formed with dreams and problems that don't just revolve around why they're at the school. It strikes a nice balance between highlighting their struggles while also showing them live complete, fulfilling lives.

It got me genuinely emotionally invested when I read it as a young adult. It can be cringe, but only in the way that every sincere attempt to display emotions are. Overall, a solid 8/10 if you're just passing by. An easy 9.5 if you vibe with the characters. Don't be put off by Kenji, he's probably the only stumbling block you'll come across. He's supposed to be a bit ridiculous. Also, use a guide since the point system will be arcane to a newbie.

Go for it, it's free and genuinely good.