You might wonder who I am. I'm one of the guys behind the scenes who takes care of a lot of piro's servers, and various technical issues. I finally decided that I need to take some time and spin some text about a new visual novel demo that's just been released. Katawa Shoujo (literally, 'Disability Girl'), is a visual novel that's in production by a team of amateur creators that originally started on 4chan when someone translated and uploaded some art by Raita of the circle ZETTAI SHOUJO. (Caution, Raita's site may include some mature content) This was right after New Years 2007, and it's been a work-in-progress since.

There's a number of groups that have translated Japanese visual novels into English, both with and without the permission of the authors. There are a lot fewer VN (Visual Novels) that are originally English, and in general, most of them have been lacking in either quality of production, actual content, or releases. Four Leaf Studios has done what I consider to be an excellent job, with quality writing first and foremost, as well as lovely art and most amazing, proper English grammar and even spelling!

Katawa Shoujo is the story of Hisao Nakai and his experiences at a new school, one where disabled and otherwise challenged kids go to learn in a safe environment. He meets a number of new classmates along the way, both male and female, and this is the story of his life alongside them. Hisao has recently been hospitalized for a few months after a bout of heart problems, and he has a number of problems of his own to deal with, as well as those troubles presented to any teenage boy in highschool. Since this is a visual novel, its content will certainly turn to love eventually, and it would be sure to explore what challenges there might be in dealing with a girl who is perhaps blind, deaf, or even a double amputee. Don't write this off as some grotesque ploy to show you a bunch of less than tasteful art. Katawa Shoujo handles everyone's maladies with real sincerity and realism, in order to show you that even if a girl has no legs, she's certainly not helpless.

Sadly, this release is only Act 1 of the story, a taste of its offerings to give you a tease of what is to come, and to let you see what you can look forward to in the future when it's all complete. It's an amateur offering, but with real near-professional quality in a lot of the art, and certainly in the writing. Those of you who expect a game with voices will be disappointed, however, as it will not be voiced. I think if you can overlook that, then you will enjoy a story that will keep you interested for as long as it takes for you to finish exploring it.