Over the recent years, anime and Asian culture has become increasingly popular. More and more things related to Asian popular culture, including Asian snacks and drinks, the Hallyu Wave, Asian movies (with the rise of Crazy Rich Asians (2018)), have all taken a spot in American society. However, one thing that hasn't come up quite as popular as the other things mentioned above is visual novels and VR apps/games. These have come into popularity very narrowly, because it is heavily dominated by an "otaku" fanbase (or a fanbase filled with anime, manga, etc/Japanese culture enthusiasts). Because of the limited fanbase, people outside of the term of being an "otaku," has not come to realize that these things do exist and are actually quite fun!
As someone who is an "otaku" myself, I have figured out how there is a fine line between "liking and enjoying Japanese and other Asian culture" and only having heard about it. When a person likes and becomes enamored with Japanese and Asian culture, it also causes them to become more educated and more interested in what the popular culture has to offer. But this falls short when there is a limited amount of people outside of these particular "otaku" fandoms that may actually know and be interested in these things, whether it is the games or the snacks, or the food.
This is also why visual novel apps/games have grown a large fanbase over the years. Because it isn't heavily restricted to stereotypical "otaku" things, such as cosplay or merchandise, it has become easier for people to find something in it that they can relate to (considering the person was not an "otaku" to begin with). These visual novel apps bring a variety of real-life scenarios and circumstances into the comfort of an easily accessible app on your phone or a tablet. Unlike many generic "otaku" things that may include anime or cosplay that heavily deal with fantasy and mythological/supernatural genres, there are many visual novel apps that bring a more "slice of life" feeling to the plot and storyline. Topics such as "one-night stands," being reunited with a first love, life as a woman working in a predominantly male field, are sympathized from the touch of a click of a button. Here are some of the games to help get you started on uncovering the mystery of these visual novel apps:
Kings of Paradise-This visual novel has you play the role of somebody who has been recently divorced and looking to move on from the painful memories of an ex-husband with a potential suitor. Similar to other visual novel romance apps, this title has you choose between 5 individuals. Each route of the individual you choose provides its own storyline and plot authentic to the character/individual you have chosen.
My Forged Wedding-Although this is more of an older app/title compared to many of the other ones that have become popular recently, this one never fails to captivate and empathize with real-life happenings. This title is centered on a plot where you get to play the role of someone who is being forced into a "fake" marriage by your uncle. This "fake" marriage is with one of the potential playable suitors/routes and includes the realistic aspects of living together and includes sub stories with having children and starting a family.
Our Two Bedroom Story-This title has probably one of the more "slice of life" feel to it, compared to some other titles. It has you play the role of an office worker who realizes that they are being offered to live in the same home as a co-worker. The plot thickens as romantic feelings start to develop between you and the suitor/route you choose to play.
