Shoujo

Anime Expo 2026 Announcements for Gamer Girls, Otome Fans, and Shoujo/Josei Readers

Anime Expo 2026 came in swinging with the exact kind of chaos my backlog did not need:
otome sequels, visual novels, shoujo revivals, yuri licenses, fantasy manga, BL, CLAMP artbook bait,
and enough “coming in 2027” announcements to make my planner feel personally attacked.

This roundup is focused on the good stuff for gamer girls, otome players, visual novel fans,
shoujo and josei readers, yuri/BL enjoyers, and anyone who still gets emotionally damaged by pretty
anime boys and magical girls
. So not every huge AX announcement is here. This is the
“yes, but is it for my shelf, my Switch, my Steam wishlist, or my romantic damage pile?” edition. read more

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Love and Deepspace Valko Controversy Explained

Love and Deepspace Valko Controversy: Why the Canceled 6th Love Interest Became Bigger Than One Wolf Boy

Love and Deepspace has always been dramatic. We are talking tragic sci-fi romance, beautiful men, emotional damage, space-time mysteries, monster hunting, and gacha pulls that make my wallet hide under the bed.

But the Valko controversy? This escaped the otome fandom containment unit.

What started as a new love interest reveal for Love and Deepspace quickly became a massive fandom, gaming, business, and mainstream media story. Valko, also known as Ao Yin in the Chinese version, was announced as the game’s sixth love interest, promoted with werewolf imagery, EonCore Tech lore, and a July 9, 2026 debut planned for Version 6.0. Then, after intense backlash, Infold/Papergames canceled him entirely. read more

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Oshi No Ko Anime Review

Oh, where to begin with “Oshi no Ko”? The anime adaptation of this popular manga (personally I haven’t read it yet and since this series is not yet over I don’t want to spoil it for myself) but so far in just 11 episodes this anime took me on a breathtaking ride filled with emotions, artistry, and star-studded dreams. The story starts off with a feature-length premiere (almost two hours long!), setting the stage for a tale of two siblings reborn with past life memories and a mission to help their mother become an idol singer. read more

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How To Play Angelique Or Any Other Japanese Otome Game In English

I recently started playing Angelique Luminarise in English. The game was just released in May of 2021 in the Japanese Nintendo Eshop. It is not available in English. Not commercially – and not fan translated either. So how am I playing it in English?

Well it ain’t pretty, and it ain’t perfect but here’s how. Pretty simple really. The main thing you need is a smartphone with the free Google Translate app. I like to download the Japanese language pack for offline viewing too – but you don’t have to. read more

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Shining Nikki Review And Shining Nikki Redeem Codes

Hello, today I am reviewing the latest dressup game, Shining Nikki. This is the latest in a long-running series of dressup games from Chinese developer, Paper Games. In Nikki’s newest game, you can see Nikki modeling her outfits for the first time in 3D. Much of the game is still in 2D anime style too, so you’re not missing that anime aesthetic.

Before I get too far let me share with you some codes you can redeem in Shining Nikki for some nice perks:

First, download and install Shining Nikki from the app store: https://nikki4.playpapergames.com/m/home

Next after setting up the game, click the user profile in the top left and then click settings and Redeem Code. read more

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Alice Closet Anime Dressup Mobile Game Review

Title: Alice Closet

Cost: Free

Platform: IOS or Android

Genre: Anime Dressup Game

Release Date: 06/17/21

Language: English

Where To Download: https://www.alice-closet.com/

I recently shared news of the launch of Alice Closet, a new free mobile game with anime artwork by famed manga artist Arina Tanemura. Arina’s works include Full Moon Wo Sagashite, Phantom Thief Jeanne, and Time Stranger Kyoko, just to name a few popular shoujo manga by this artist.

I have been playing the game since launch and I am loving it so far. I did purchase some of the cash items admittedly, but the game is free to play and the cash items are totally optional. read more

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3 New Free Anime Dressup Games Coming This Summer In English

It’s a great time to be a girl gamer. We are seeing a huge influx of anime otome dressup games. These 3 are all coming in June and July of 2021. Be sure to Pre-register for amazing gifts.

1.) Shining Nikki

Finally, an English release of Shining Nikki! This is the 3D version of Love Nikki. It has been out in Asia for about 2 years already. I was beginning to wonder if we would ever see an English version. I played the Asian versions for a bit and it’s very fun to see Nikki in 3D and animated and moving. She’s even cuter now. Sign up now at https://nikki4.playpapergames.com/m/home Get ready to play Shining Nikki when it launches on July 8, 2021. read more

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Flipped In Love Anime Dressup Game Review

I think Flipped In Love, Project Star, and Starry Love are all the same game – but different! The gameplay in Flipped In Love (and possibly Project Star, I haven’t gotten far enough to unlock it yet) allows you to breed rare cats that get genetic markings and stats from their parents. Obviously, that’s not the main feature in Flipped In Love. But it’s probably my favorite feature in the game.

Flipped In Love is first and foremost an anime dressup game. You unlock rare outfits and accessories and dressup your avatar to compete in fashion battles. You recruit team members, join guilds, garden, cook, and as mentioned raise cats. But the other big chunk of the game is that it’s also an anime otome dating sim game. There’s 4 guys you can date from the childhood friend to the tsundere to the childlike one to the artistic one. These 4 stereotypes are featured in multiple similar games, Flipped in Love, Project Star, and Starry Love, as well as Wannabe Challenge and Mr Love Queen’s Choice… and probably many more games. read more

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Cencilia Fashion Fantasy Free Cute Anime Dressup Otome Mobile Game For Girls

Today I am reviewing Cencilia Fashion Fantasy for IOS Apple and Google Mobile Phones. I’ve had this wonderful game on my phone for awhile now, but unbelievably had never even played it until about an hour ago. So needless to say, I’m very early into this game.

This game is developed by Cocone. They have a bad track record in the United States which makes me wary of spending real life money on this game. I spent probably close to $100 on Pokemini before it shut down its US servers – and I had to start over on their Japanese game Pokecolo – without any of the items I purchased. So it left a bad taste in my mouth for this company…. Also not by this same company, but the same thing happened with Cocoppa Dolls – which broke my heart. read more

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Which 80s-90s Retro Anime Needs To Be Rereleased, Remastered, or Rebooted in 2020?

Anime got started back in the 1980s. 40 years ago! All that time ago many anime never left its home country of Japan. Or when it did get released in North America it was heavily edited – removing entire episodes and altering characters and stories – such as with the localization of Sailor Moon.

Sailor Moon was recently remade with Crystal, and an all new dub of the 90s version that was more faithful to the source material. This got me thinking… what long – almost forgotten – anime needs either a reboot – or just a release to DVD because it was never released or released and now impossible to find unless you’re willing to pay hundreds of dollars. read more

Which 80s-90s Retro Anime Needs To Be Rereleased, Remastered, or Rebooted in 2020? Read More »

Monthly Girl’s Nozaki-Kun Anime Review

I just finished watching all 12 episodes of Monthly Girl’s Nozaki-Kun. I can’t remember who recommended that I watch this, a year or more ago, and I just now got around to it.

My overall feeling is it’s a cute and short kind of mindless fun comedy anime, with a little bit of romance that never ever really ever goes anywhere.

It is left with a little bit of an open ending. This post might have spoilers.

Here’s a quick spoiler free score card before I dive into the reasons for my score. read more

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A3 Anime Otome Game

A3! Actor Training Game Review

I had previously played the Japanese version briefly of A3! Act, Actor, Addict, an otome simulation game that puts you in the role of a young woman looking for her father who went missing 8 years ago.

Cybrid has now released an English version of the game, which is good, because this one has almost no gameplay, and tons of reading (as most Otome and Visual novels). Which is why I only played the JP version very briefly, because I can’t read Japanese, and with little gameplay, and no story (since I couldn’t understand it) it became boring quickly. But now that it is in English, I’m enjoying it quite a bit. read more

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Mr. Love Queen’s Choice Mobile Game Review

I had downloaded this game, Mr. Love Queen’s Choice, months ago, and forgot all about it, until I saw someone on instagram sharing a video stream of the game, and I was like wow that game looks fun. Then I saw it was by Elex, makers of Love Nikki Dressup Queen, and I was like, I need to play this game. Since then, I’ve sunk probably 20 hours into the game and am really enjoying it so far.

Title: Mr Love Queen’s Choice

Genre: Simulation

Publisher: Elex

Platform: IOS and Android

Where To Get: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.elex.paper.lovegp

Release Date: I think I must have used Qoo App, because I am already playing the game, and it says Pre-register on the play store. Or maybe I got into beta? I am not sure, anyways, yes I am playing the game currently. You can check Qoo App, which is probably how I got it. And yes I’m playing it in English.

Overall: 65/80 81% B- “Very Good Game For Girls”

Geeky: 3/5 – Basically just a card collecting game, but with a twist, you manage a TV studio and produce various korean tv shows and commercials. The cards have different skills such as if they’re good at drama or news or gourmet cooking shows, as well as stats for things such as affinity, decision, creativity, and other skills that you would expect an idol to need to have to be successful. Some cards are more rare than others. You can also level the cards up. But nothing too complex here, definitely a casual game.

Sweetie: 5/5 – there are otome aspects, sometimes the guys will call you, and it is partially voiced in English. The artwork is beautiful, the voice acting is pretty good, and the whole Kdrama Producer thing really speaks to anyone who loves simulation games.

Overview: 10/10 Mr Love Queen’s Choice lets you run a TV studio and recruit idols, as mentioned, with various specialties and stats. The main draw of the game is collecting idols, progressing through the story, and dating the idols. I think it is a unique concept, there’s a lot of idol producer games, but not too many that take a TV Studio theme.

Gameplay: 10/10 Gameplay is pretty simple, and if you’ve played Love Nikki you will be instantly familiar with the user interface as it seems to just be reskinned and given a new theme. No, this one is not a dressup game, but the way you progress through various levels, and the achievement system and basic interface are very similar. I give full marks to Gameplay because I’m really enjoying the simulation aspects of this game, casting idols based on their strengths as to who will perform best at various assignments. You also can experience otome game elements by choosing how to respond to various parts of the story. I am not sure how much consequence your choices carry – if any at all. But it is a nice touch.

Story: 10/10 – Actually for a mobile game, I’m really enjoying the story. First of all, yes I love korean dramas, and the thought of a game that lets you simulate your own Kdrama production studio, is a huge draw, but that’s not the only thing the story offers. You are daughter of a famous Producer who has passed away and left the studio to you, but it is struggling to stay afloat. As you struggle to step out of your Father’s shadow, and take the company to new heights, you also have recurring dreams about an accident that happened when you were a child. You narrowly escaped death and now your thoughts turn to trying to remember the face of the man who saved you all those years ago. As you’re occupied in your thoughts one day, you find yourself again in a similar situation and rescued by a mysterious man. Could it be the same man from your past? And why do these men keep appearing around you? One such man tells you that you are an Evolver, and that you do not know it yet, but you will soon awaken to your true powers. Leaving you (both as the character and the person playing the game) completely confused as to what he meant. Strange things also begin happening around town – could this be related to your supposed powers? The story offers a lot of mystery, intrigue, romance, and suspense. I have not fast forwarded or skipped a single screen.

Characters: 5/10 – I’m giving 5 out of 10 here. I do like the characters, and I appreciate they have a strong tie to the story, but there just aren’t enough characters to collect for an idol simulation game. I hope they continue to add new characters in the future!

Music: 5/10 – Kinda average, I don’t have strong feelings either way. I usually play mobile games on silent while other people are watching movies or something else anyways.

Voice Acting: 7/10 – I do like that they have voice acting in the game. It is in English, and some of the actors are really good… But some of them are not as good… I’d say overall though the acting is better than expected for a mobile game.

Graphics: 10/10 – I love the artwork of this game.

Overall: 65/80 81% B- “Very Good Game For Girls”

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English Edition Of Revue Starlight Re LIVE Idol Simulation Game Comes To North America

Revue Starlight Re LIVE is an idol simulation game based on the popular anime Revue Starlight. The game uses Live 2D technology to bring the anime characters to life. You can pre-register now for the English release at the Pre-Registration website at https://www.en.revuestarlight-relive.com/preregistration/

They are running an event for Pre-Registration where they will give out rare girls based on the number of users who pre-register. So get all of your friends to join so we can all benefit from more Waifus.

The game and anime story follows a group of 9 girls all competing for the center stage, the shining star, lead performer role. The girls who were once friends now find themselves as rivals.

Not many details are available on the pre-registration site, but I expect an experience similar to Love Live School Idol, Bang! Dream Girl’s Band Party, or Idol M@ster.

A game where you collect cute girls, level them up, add them to your team, and play a rhythm game in solo or multiplayer game modes while enjoying a simple slice of life story.

Although the gameplay may be simple, the allure of collecting rare and time-limited girls will keep players coming back.

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