Genre: VN.
Developer/publisher: Otomate.
Platform: Switch.
Official Site: https://www.otomate.jp/mononoke/
Official Site: https://www.otomate.jp/mononoke/
VNDB: https://vndb.org/v52266
Release date: 31-7-2025
Honestly I wasn't sure if I should get this but it did catch my attention
and I liked the setting so why the hell not? its also been a while that the
otome game lineup in japan has been so stacked like I wasn't even finished
with UtaChro FD, and this game came out! Sadly it seems barely anyone got this game
but it also didn't seem like it was going to be a heavy hitter with a lot of hype for it either.
I had mostly a good time with Mononoke Chigiri so it wasn't a bad otome game at all.
Pro's
- Decent but simple story that's not overly complicated with lots of funny situation.
- Great heroine and romance was with most LI was satisfying.
- Gorgeous art from sprites and backgrounds to CG's.
- BGM fits the setting and some have really nice relaxing vibe.
Con's
- Pretty long; the length can be a bit of a double edged sword.
- Some sub characters or enemies have no sprite, it would have more impact if they did.
- Not one but two attractive unromanceable side characters.
I liked the OP, it had the right kind of tone for a game with this setting, really good jam.
The lyrics of the OP already kinda spoil what kind of story its gonna be.
The ED was okay, I didn't skip it this time unlike UtaChro FD
and the animations for it were absolute adorable and feel good.
Art was gorgeous, it was done by Melo, I didn't even recognize it at first
but it really is them. The backgrounds were nice to look at too.
Music was alright it suited the scenes well, it certainly wasn't the worst i've heard.
I loved some of the BGM like one of those was so relaxing it made me melt.
I'm more wondering where the hell did otomate pull some of these composers from
cuz they seem really randomly picked but it mostly worked out so it wasn't a bad idea.
The UI was clean and it was easy to read the text as well.
Heroine/Plot.
The heroine Fujita Yuma is an onmyoji and she took her role seriously even if she's just an
apprentice she is trying! Yuma had her own sprite in the corner, I really miss this in some games.
In terms of heroines she is definitely out there, if you like proactive heroines she'll not disappoint.
The story was pretty simple and she had the goal of sealing the bakeneko whom's seal
was weakening and she befriended a bunch of youkai to help her do just that.
Its not a plot-focused otome game but rather one that focuses on the journey
which is slightly different depending whom you go for, the solution to the problem
was never the same and routes were more or less character focused.
This game didn't suffer from copypasta but I can see it being kind of repetitive.
Needless to say I've found most if not all routes worth doing.
This was not a serious otome game at all since it was a rom-com.
There were times the story was hilarious, the heroine was sometimes wearing her clown
pants unintendedly in the beginning however the game did know when to be more serious.
There was a common route which sets the stage and introduces the setting and story
but it was quite long, I could see people drop the game because of it
so this might not be for people who prefer shorter or more serious otome's.
I did love the overall vibe and I wanted to learn more about everything. So it wasn't off
to a bad start. I did think it was bit slow at times and took its sweet time
but it ended up being surprisingly well written in a way that suit the setting A LOT.
I also liked how the perspective would switch to the LI or Hayate&Satoru.
If you really like japanese folklore and youkai, this game is an easy recommendation.
The system was mostly standard VN stuff and each love interest had only two endings
a good end and bad ending which can be heartbreaking, i'm glad they made
the endings count so its quality over quantity.
However there was was a minigame but you only have to press a few buttons in order.
This kind of interactive game play wasn't that complicated. At first I thought
it was too fast but its an easy to memorize pattern and by route 2 I had it down.
Also you don't have to do it perfectly, completing the minigame
is fine with 5/7 so you don't have to get all seven button presses correct.
You can retry via the backlog and save before it, imo it wasn't a bad minigame.
I actually expected this minigame to be used more but it wasn't used as much at all
which was a relief for people that don't like this sort of stuff.
Playtime might depend on your reading speed, I feel like my speed is normal
or slightly slower because I sometimes pause. If you're a fast reader
then this game could feel a bit shorter then I make it out to be.
This game took me a good two weeks to get through, I feel more satisfied with
Mononoke Chigiri than I did with Fuyuzono Sacrifice as well.
I didn't full focus on this game and took breaks, I think I could have finished it
sooner but there were times I wasn't ready to jump into the next route.
In terms of characters I didn't think I would like Akihito as much as I did
but I absolutely adored him by the end of his route! so that was a pleasant surprise.
I did Chiaki second but... I don't really like him. I got weird vibes and thought he was creepy
but I can't deny he was very much like a fox so it all checked out. He was just too much for me.💀
I generally liked Gaku but he was a bit stiff at times, you can see he means well
especially at the start of the route where he expressed some of his thoughts.
I think his route accomplished more with the setting and story overall.
Sakichi's route was downright hilarious and a true rom-com, I enjoyed it the most
and may have left the strongest impression on me cuz some stuff you don't see everyday.
I enjoyed Sousuke's route as well and I think it was one of the best routes in the game
next to Sakichi and Akihito, Due being locked its a good route to end the game with.
I do have some complaints but not a lot. Some side characters have portraits, there's
nothing for really minor characters or enemies which made the game lack in impact
especially with their being some fight scenes so you had to use your imagination.
Its hilarious how Hayate and Satoru's were really handsome like
if Mononoke Chigiri got a FD they will definitely have routes.
The bakaneko I didn't find very threatening except... near the end of a route
and overall the game can get a bit repetitive but the individual characterswere all great and the way the problem was solved each route was unique.
So I can't complain too much. I almost ran out of steam at the final route
but it managed to get its grip on me and I still progressed at a steady pace.
TL;DR
This game made me love the whole otome genre all over again.
Its had a decent enough plot but I thought it was more focused on SoL, interaction
with the LI which lead to all sorts of fun situations, sealing the bakeneko
was merely goal but I think the journey with the LI mattered more here.
There wasn't any extreme content which could be disappointing for some but games
like this can be nice in their own way, there's enough shit happening in the world.
It was quite long as well especially the first time through, had it been shorter
there would not nearly be enough time so I think the overall length is just right.
At its core it may be quite a simple story... but it was still enjoyable
like sometimes you just want something that's not too complicated
while chasing 2d men and Mononoke Chigiri really delivered with this.
I also really love animals and I liked how there were some cute scenes with the guys in
their youkai form, they kept it light and fun it reminded me of beastmaster & prince.
Overall pretty decent otome game that shined on building a connection with the LI!
it takes its time with everything and it took its own setting serious, it had a potentially
bittersweet setup that became really obvious near the end of some route
but this wasn't a tear jerker, I think you're more likely to cry tears of joy
from laughing over something stupid that just transpired.
8.5/10
I recommend it if you like more simple otome games focused on japanese folklore.
However if you prefer shorter otome games or don't like comedies, i'd probably
not recommend it since this is a rom-com of decent length.
I'm not sure how much chance this game will be brought over, but I don't see why not.
If aksys is gonna bring over lighthearted and comedic type of games now...
I see no reason they or others couldn't pick this up especially considering
this is like the lovechild of Beastmaster&Prince and Radiant Tale.
Its worth a look if you like stuff such as Cupid Parasite as well.
My Play order: Akihito > Chiaki > Gaku > Sakichi > Sousuke.
There was a lock on Sousuke's route so I did him last. None of the initial route
had any big spoilers except maybe Gaku they all hint a little at things
and my own play order flowed surprisingly well. There's apparently an official
order but I don't think it matters too much Akihito and Chiaki share a plot line
so doing one hints at the other. Same for Gaku and Sakichi. I think Sakichi
should be done before Sousuke though but that's my opinion.
Character rambles after the jump so if you don't want spoilers just stop reading here.
I share a few of my fav CG's as well but not all of them.