Install the app
How to install the app on iOS

Follow along with the video below to see how to install our site as a web app on your home screen.

Note: This feature may not be available in some browsers.

Do you self-insert while playing otomes?

Do you see yourself as the heroine or a separate character?

  • Myself

    Votes: 35 30.7%
  • Separate character

    Votes: 85 74.6%

  • Total voters
    114
depends :O
I like to see how the story develops between the MC and the LI
I have some MCxLI ships that aren't necessarily self inserting but I still like them, like FranCardia. They're one of the cutest couples I've read :)
and then there's Ankou
I 100% yume Ankou ☺️☺️☺️
 
I think that used to happen to me when I was much younger; now, since most of the themes are school-related or very fantastical, I rarely feel a connection. I see the MC as just another character.
 
I do all the time. That's the whole point of an otome for me personally. Like why would I spend hours of my life watching the guys I like loving another woman? lol couldn't be me, I'm not built to be a wall/third person pov player. If I wanted to be a passive observer I'd just grab literally any romance book or read shojo manga.
Honestly just wanted to say that I love there are a lot of players like this, I personally do not self-insert but I remember a time where it was deemed to be "cringe" if you were playing as a self-insert. I thought it was very messed up, I don't think that is the kind of thought anymore nowadays since yumeshipping is popular, but I remembered a small moment of my life where that was a fad to just look down on self-insert players.
 
Honestly just wanted to say that I love there are a lot of players like this, I personally do not self-insert but I remember a time where it was deemed to be "cringe" if you were playing as a self-insert. I thought it was very messed up, I don't think that is the kind of thought anymore nowadays since yumeshipping is popular, but I remembered a small moment of my life where that was a fad to just look down on self-insert players.
Tbh the general feel I get in most otome fandom spaces still finds it cringe, strangely enough. Like lowkey there's a lot of people who passive-agressively look down on self-inserters when that's like... The whole point of a dating simulator, to immerse yourself in the... dating simulation lmao. In Yume-specific communities it's obviously fine, but other than that...?

General fandom of anything goes: if you want to self-insert go play otome games!!
Then otome game fandoms tend to go: these games are NOT for self-inserts because the heroines have set designs and default names, which are VOICED, and they have THEIR OWN personality! So they are NOT for self-inserts! Maybe go try amare indies even if they might not be what you're looking for though. THAT'S where you belong!

↑ Exaggerating up here but that's the vibe I get a lot of the time tbh. Like they're lowkey trying to claim otome games as "not for those other cringe, self-insert girls". There's like no way to win other than saying yolo and ignoring those people.
 
  • Like
  • Love
Reactions: enren and noch
I lean more on the dont self-insert but I think it depends on the game. Like if you constantly seeing MC in the game I will be seeing her as the main heroine. From the top of my head, I have 2 games where I hardly see the MC and I end up self-inserting.
 
Nope, I don't self-insert; I see the MC as an independent character. I only influence the decisions she makes (。・ω・。)
 
Tbh the general feel I get in most otome fandom spaces still finds it cringe, strangely enough. Like lowkey there's a lot of people who passive-agressively look down on self-inserters when that's like... The whole point of a dating simulator, to immerse yourself in the... dating simulation lmao. In Yume-specific communities it's obviously fine, but other than that...?

General fandom of anything goes: if you want to self-insert go play otome games!!
Then otome game fandoms tend to go: these games are NOT for self-inserts because the heroines have set designs and default names, which are VOICED, and they have THEIR OWN personality! So they are NOT for self-inserts! Maybe go try amare indies even if they might not be what you're looking for though. THAT'S where you belong!

↑ Exaggerating up here but that's the vibe I get a lot of the time tbh. Like they're lowkey trying to claim otome games as "not for those other cringe, self-insert girls". There's like no way to win other than saying yolo and ignoring those people.
I'm so sorry that there's still such a disconnect with that. It really must suck. ):

I really don't understand people who are so against self-inserting, like in what way is that disturbing anyone? Like yeah people can think its cringe but going to say such weird stuff to people because of it? This is where I truly find that people are out of touch realistically when they go out of their ways to put others down for the sake of pixels. I've been utilizing the blocking features more frequently online for people who are too aggressive like that. Because it is never THAT deep.

I feel like those people really project too much, because yeah it should never be that serious. I usually see people who turn bitter when it comes to things like this because they were bullied before for similar reasons.
 
  • Love
Reactions: orionsbestie
I don't self-insert into the heroine.
And I'm too embarrassed to play using my real name either… lol
Sometimes I even feel a little jealous of people who can self-insert, because I wonder if they're able to enjoy games more than I can.
 
I never self-insert. I prefer seeing the MC as her own character in her own story, it's more enjoyable for me that way. Plus I just like it more when the MC has a set personality rather than a blank-canvas you're supposed to self insert into.
 
I would say seperate character but i still use my real name because i like when my favorite character call my name.
 
Honestly was not expecting that poll result! I like to self-insert into stories as it makes it slightly emotionally easier to engage, and imagining myself stepping into the world the writers craft feels magical. If I want to read about characters on their own, I usually just pick up a book.
 
  • Like
Reactions: enren
It depends on the situation, not necessarily. Sometimes I see myself as the female lead, and other times as an independent character. As the female protagonist, you can immerse yourself in the game world, while as an independent character, you can view the game as a story.
 
Definitely play otome game as a seperate character, it is hard to insert myself to MC anyway. Happy to find the MC has strong character and natural storyline with their guys.
 
I don't self-insert, so I see myself as a separate character watching her story. But if the heroine is well-written, I can deeply empathize with her and her struggles.
 
Wow I thought more ppl would insert themselves as MC.
I def try to insert myself so I feel involved, rather than just watching someone else's story.
And I think otome games appeal more than novels to me bc I can self insert.
Altho I love novels too as they often have stronger character & story.
 
  • Like
Reactions: enren
I usually self-insert into games, especially if there's the option to have certain personalities, but if the MC's personality is already pre-set, then I do it as if it were one of my OCs with a mix of self-insert. It's fun to think about what I would do in certain situations. ٩(ˊᗜˋ*)و ♡

But if the game already has an MC with a visible image, then it's harder for me to get the full immersion. I normally don't play these games for this reason... ( ꩜ ᯅ ꩜;) 
 
I prefer to be an observer and support Heroine, appreciating her interactions with other characters. Therefore, if I don't like Heroine's performance in one route, I'm very likely won't like the hero in that route either.
 
most of the times i don't because i see the MC as their own character, but when i do it's because i *really really* like the LI 🙂↕️