Visual novels (VNs) are quite popular on Reddit, with several dedicated communities that focus on discussing, recommending, and even developing visual novels on reddit. Here’s a breakdown of their presence and popularity:
1. Dedicated Subreddits
– r/visualnovels: This is the largest and most active subreddit for visual novels on reddit, with over 250,000 members as of 2024. Users discuss a wide range of topics here, including recommendations, upcoming releases, reviews, and fan translations. The community often shares insights about lesser-known titles and supports both newcomers and seasoned VN fans.
– r/vnsuggestions: This subreddit is smaller but serves a specific purpose for users seeking visual novel recommendations based on their tastes and preferences.
– r/fuwanovel: Originally based on the Fuwanovel community site, this subreddit focuses on fan translations, mods, and general discussion about both mainstream and indie VNs.
– r/otomegames: A more niche subreddit for visual novels on reddit with a romantic focus, particularly aimed at female audiences. The otome genre has gained significant popularity in recent years.
2. Popular Discussion Types
– Game Recommendations and Reviews: Many posts on these subreddits revolve around discovering new VNs, with users frequently seeking recommendations or offering detailed reviews of recent or classic titles.
– Translation and Localization Updates: Visual novels are popular worldwide, and many titles are only available in Japanese. Therefore, localization news, fan translations, and English releases generate considerable interest.
– Fanart and Cosplay: Fans often share visual novel-related artwork, character designs, and even cosplay, which generates a lot of engagement.
– Indie Development and Ren’Py: There’s a rising interest in indie VN creation, with subreddits like r/visualnoveldev focusing on game development, especially with tools like Ren’Py, a popular engine for creating visual novels on reddit.
3. Crossover Appeal
– Many VN fans overlap with communities dedicated to anime, JRPGs, and manga. Games like Steins;Gate, Doki Doki Literature Club, Fate/stay night, and Clannad are frequently discussed in broader anime or gaming subreddits, adding to their visibility.
– Story-rich games or interactive novels are also talked about in communities like r/interactivefiction or r/storygames.
4. Engagement
– Posts in these subreddits often receive high engagement, with discussions spanning from several comments to hundreds, depending on the topic. Popular VNs, particularly those with strong narratives or emotional depth, tend to spark long, thoughtful discussions.
Overall, visual novels on reddit have carved out a niche but thriving space on Reddit. Although they may not be as mainstream as other gaming genres, the dedicated communities have shown consistent growth and engagement.
Are there a lot of groups of visual novels on reddit?
Yes, there are several dedicated groups (subreddits) on Reddit that focus on different aspects of visual novels, from general discussion to niche interests like specific genres, platforms, or even development. Here’s an overview of some of the key visual novel communities and their themes:
1. General Visual Novel Communities
– r/visualnovels (250k+ members): This is the main subreddit for everything related to visual novels on reddit. It covers a wide range of topics, including reviews, recommendations, discussions about upcoming releases, fan art, and more. This subreddit is the largest and most active space for VN fans on Reddit.
– r/vnsuggestions (20k+ members): This community is dedicated specifically to VN recommendations. Users post what they’re looking for, and other members suggest games that fit their preferences. It’s a great resource for those new to VNs or anyone looking to explore more niche or lesser-known titles.
2. Genre-Specific Subreddits
– r/otomegames (38k+ members): Focused on otome games, which are visual novels on reddit targeted at a female audience, often involving romance. The community discusses new releases, translations, and shares fan art and character discussions.
– r/boyslove (24k+ members): Although not exclusively focused on visual novels, this community covers a lot of BL (Boys’ Love) VNs. Discussions here revolve around BL games, visual novels, manga, and anime.
– r/yurivisualnovels: A smaller community dedicated to discussing yuri (girls’ love) visual novels on reddit. This group is great for those interested in romantic VNs focused on female/female relationships.
3. Platform-Specific Communities
– r/steamvisualnovels: A community for discussions about visual novels available on Steam, the largest digital distribution platform for PC gaming. Members share recommendations, sales, and news about visual novels on reddit on the platform.
– r/AndroidVisualNovels: This subreddit is focused on visual novels that are available on Android devices, which often includes free or mobile versions of popular VNs. It’s helpful for fans who prefer to play on the go.
4. Development-Focused Communities
– r/visualnoveldev (20k+ members): This subreddit is dedicated to the creation and development of visual novels on reddit. Aspiring and professional developers share tips, advice, tools, and experiences, particularly using engines like Ren’Py and Unity. It’s a supportive space for indie creators.
– r/RenPy: This community revolves around Ren’Py, one of the most popular engines used to develop visual novels. People share questions, troubleshooting tips, and resources for using the engine effectively.
5. Specific Visual Novel Titles or Franchises
– r/DokiDokiLiteratureClub (240k+ members): Focused on the viral visual novel Doki Doki Literature Club, this subreddit is dedicated to discussions about the game, fan theories, mods, and fan art.
– r/FateStayNight: While not exclusively a visual novel subreddit, this group discusses the broader Fate franchise, including the original Fate/stay night visual novel. It’s a very active community due to the popularity of the Fate series.
– r/SteinsGate: Another popular subreddit for a specific visual novel, focusing on Steins;Gate, a science-fiction VN that has a large fanbase, especially after its successful anime adaptation.
6. Translation and Fan Sub Communities
– r/fuwanovel (5k+ members): Originally tied to the Fuwanovel website, this community focuses on fan translations and localization of Japanese visual novels. Users discuss and share fan translations, patches, and related tools.
– r/visualnoveltranslations: This subreddit is a space for people interested in translation projects, both fan-driven and official. It’s where fans gather to discuss which VNs need translation or where to find them.
7. Other Niche or Smaller VN Communities
– r/lewdgames: A more adult-focused subreddit, often discussing VNs with more mature or erotic content (including eroge). This is for fans of VNs with 18+ content.
– r/VN_Review: A smaller subreddit where users post detailed reviews of the visual novels on reddit they’ve played. It’s a great resource for in-depth analysis of lesser-known games.
– r/EVN: Dedicated to English Visual Novels (EVNs), this subreddit focuses on visual novels created outside of Japan, particularly indie titles.
Conclusion
Reddit hosts a wide variety of groups dedicated to visual novels, with communities catering to general discussions, specific genres, and even fan-created content. Whether you’re looking for recommendations, want to dive into a specific niche like otome or BL, or are interested in developing your own visual novel, Reddit has a vibrant and active community for you to join.
