Favourite character(s) and/or route(s)? (SPOILERS up ahead!!!)

[NessaRae88]

This is a beautiful visual novel, and is so well crafted, from the great story line with unexpected twists, to the characters who move you, to its stunning visuals. One of those rare games where I find myself genuinely caring for all the characters, even those whose personalities I typically would not care for.. Which characters/routes did you enjoy the most? How would you rank them?

[NessaRae88]

Here is my current ranking, which was not easy to decide upon:

(1) Hikage (His route made me cry so hard, and to me, it felt most like what would be considered the canon route, alongside the best ending and Monshiro's route. Also his part in the overall story was completely unexpected to me, I really enjoyed the extra dimension it brought to the story line. It was a plot twist I didn't expect at all, and I never saw coming. I really enjoyed delving into the reasons as to why Hikage became so twisted as a character and his reasons for relentlessly pursuing the completion of the kaleidoscope. I enjoyed Beniyuri’s interactions with Usagi in the earlier half of the route, as the light-hearted tone balanced with the later angst of his story. His route also isn’t as romantic as the others, as it has a greater focus on explaining the plot and fleshing out Hikage’s character. And seeing how the plot unfolded as well as the explanations was heart-breaking and very satisfying.)
(2) Monshiro (Loved his character from the get-go! He is so endearing as a character, and in how much he clung to Beniyuri. It was understandable as to why, because of his immense loneliness from years of residing in darkness and without any human interaction. I view his story to be one of the canon routes of the game, alongside the best ending and Hikage’s route due to the nature and length of it. I really enjoyed the twist and revelation of his real identity, as the build up and suspense for it was well written. I was very surprised and I didn’t expect it at all, yet at the same time it also made perfect sense.)
(3) Yamato (Typically not a fan of this type of character, but Yamato won me over, and I found him to be a beautifully fleshed out, flawed, very human character.)
(4) Kagiha (Loved him in the game, and his gentle character. Kagiha really got the short end of the stick in almost all departments, especially in his character route. Initially, I was quite surprised when his route ended because it all happened so quickly, and I thought to myself ‘No way, that’s it?’ To my dismay, that really was it. Although I was initially disappointed by how abruptly his story ended, after thinking it over I really enjoyed the direction the writers decided to take with it.)
(5) Karasuba (The incorrigible flirt, a character type I again typically do not care overly much for. He often appears not to take anything seriously, but is using this partly as a facade, to hide things behind a smile, he is surprisingly cynical, pessimistic, and has a cunning and perceptive mind. Another character I, to my surprise, found myself caring about as well, but not enough to take the place ranking of the other characters, partly due to how inconsistent his personality was, and despite the reasons used to justify his actions, as well as the nature of his past, this did little to redeem his actions in my eyes.)
(6) Beniyuri (I found I didn't really connect with this character at times, and she made choices or did things that I didn't agree with, but still really enjoyed her character, and her VA really enhanced the character, gave her depth, strengthened your attachment to her as a character, and added to the overall game experience.)


Overall, wonderful, compelling, relatable characters with great depth to them. Going through the common route gives you initial answers, while digging deeper into good and bad endings with the different characters, at times offers as much insight into situations as they do connections with characters.

My recommended route order after completing the true ending, would be: Kagiha → Yamato → Monshiro → Karasuba → Hikage.

[ｚｏｍｂｉ★ｄｅｓｕ]

I'd probably rank my faves as...

Monshiro > Yamato > Kagiha > Hikage > Karasuba.

Karasuba I could tell from the get go I'd dislike. He never got better for me, and the fact that I can't seem to unlock his or Yamato's good endings despite unlocking everything else isn't helping. His design is ??????, and his behavior is Ugh. 0/10. Would leave in the Abyss forever.

Hikage.. his story's really sad. And he's generally the sort of character I really like? Apart from the super outdated gender roles stuff, and then he started acting like Junko from Danganronpa. My feelings on him overall are just. mixed. I wanted to like him, but he's also got so much going against him that I'm just not sure how I feel at the end. I guess he's pretty well fleshed out? but. Sigh.

Kagiha - I thought he'd be my fave. He seems so sweet, almost too good to be true? And.. he disappointed me. ;_; I wish he could live in a happier game? yeah.

Yamoto - I started out really disliking him. His main design is blegh with the two watches, flip flops, and so much.. stuff. Once he transformed and moved out though? I started really liking him. The monster look was really well done and creative imho. + he started feeling more like a person and less like a grumpy tryhard. He'd probably be my fave except...

Monshiro - This boi is literally the cutest boi I have ever come across in an otome to date. Everything he does is too cute when you actually get to meet him and he's not just 'masked mystery man in the distance'. I literally do not know if he or Usagi is cuter, and I just love him. + He isn't just cute he's.. surprisingly mature, even if he's really clingy. Give this pure boi hugs and a kitten and don't let him be alone again.

[Nyanime]

1. Hikage by a lonnnng mile. The main reason being that his character feels like a breath of fresh air considering he is the game's posterboy. I found it incredibly genius how the writers took advantage of that position to mislead the readers. Ever since his reveal, I immediately wanted to play his route. (I also have a favouritism towards complex character development since untangling the plot is the most fun thing in a visual novel). His route was a legit roller coaster while he was switching between his personas and despite how different they are, it doesn't feel out of place! The dynamic between him and Beniyuri may seem a little rushed (like the majority of the romances in this game) I loved how he was the only bachelor that did not fall for her on sight and the contrast of his beliefs made me want more of his content! Beniyuri still clings onto the good left in Hikage and seeing her heal his heart was just very touching.

2. Yamato. I thought he would be my favourite but his route did not disappoint! I could already predict he was the tough guy tsundere trope but when they revealed his backstory and guilt of his past I couldn't help but feel for him. Yamato is a flawed character but thats what makes him feel realistic. The similarities of their guilt with Beniyuri x Yamato is what makes their relationship more convincing.

3. Monshiro. First impression: cinnamon roll. Final impression: cinnamon roll. I thought he was going to be associated with the master of the mansion (in a way he was) but I felt no malice from him. My favourite moments were the sidestories involving the rest of the group (When he asked if nibbling ears were yummy LMAOOOO) and although I'm not fond of the innocent and clingy tropes, his character was pretty entertaining.

4. Karasuba. I felt very neutral towards him for the majority of his route but the reason why he's placed 4th is probably because of all the sexual harassment (I'd be real pissed irl if I was Beniyuri but I'm more lenient when its fiction). Putting that aside, I enjoyed the Real World ending where he called out on Yamato and Beniyuri being stuck in the past. Most reviews I read dislike him for doing that but there was alot of sense which made me respect him a little more. I also really love the smart and easygoing types like when he snuck in the subject of Hikage being the villain while asking about girls. JUST HOLD BACK THE THIRST JEEZ

5. Kagiha. Everything was mostly one dimensional with him. I felt he would get along with Beniyuri the most but their development wasn't as deep as Yamato's or juicy like Hikage's. That scene when he entered Beiyuri's room and comforted her crying just felt awkward because they were strangers. Later I found out he was aware of the whole situation INCLUDING the master's identity which gave more depth to his character and how love corrupted him but it just felt so last minute that there wasn't much impact. I don't dislike Kagiha and I still think his concept is interesting but not as nearly as the others

[Enchanted]

The characters I liked in order:
Yamato > Hikage > Monshiro >Kaigha > Karasuba

Routes:
Hikage > Yamato > Monshiro > Karasuba > Kaigha

There was so much more to Hikage's route and once we dive into his past my hate for him was gone. It's so heartbreaking what he and Usagi have gone through. I just love their sibling bond, same with Yamato's and Minshiro's (Kazuya/Takuya).