Can you believe that Christmas is less than a month away? I sure can’t. I swear, only yesterday I was making plans to go see Caravan Palace in Mexico City. Yet somehow, those were plans I made in March. But despite my struggles with time agnosia, the cold breeze and clear blue sky are all I need to know that the year is ending. With the end of the year comes one of humanity’s most loved holidays — Christmas. And with Christmas comes the annual gift-buying panic. But this year, you can avoid that panic by gifting the anime fan in your life one of these stellar visual novels.
Best of all, thanks to our extended Black Friday Sale, if you pick up one of these visual novels, you’ll save a few quid! So if the person you’re buying a Christmas gift for already owns a Switch, check out our visual novel recommendations! Unless you’re buying for someone who’s an ultra-niche otaku who only likes VNs that sold like seven copies, this recommendation list covers the main bases. Trust us when it comes to light novels, we know a thing or two.
The Quintessential Quintuplets ∬ : Summer Memories Also Come in Five
Suppose the anime fan you’re buying a visual novel for is a rom-com fan. In that case, I’d wager a doujin that they like The Quintessential Quintuplets. Or at the very least, they were until their favorite girl lost.
Unfortunately, apart from sending mean messages to mangaka, there’s little anime fans can do to vent their frustration at unwanted developments. That’s where self-insert visual novels like The Quintessential Quintuplets ∬ : Summer Memories Also Come in Five come in. When you gift this visual novel to someone, you’re not only giving them a game — you’re giving them a chance to self-insert!
The Quintessential Quintuplets ∬ allows players to live Fuu-kun’s life as he fraternizes with the Nakano sisters and explores over 15 different endings! The story takes place at the Nakano’s private island, where a three-day trip turns into a two-week affair due to inclement weather. Players act as the franchise’s male lead as he works toward keeping the Nakano sisters safe and comfortable during their private island trials (MUST … RESIST …. EPSTEIN … JOKE….).
The MAGES. Inc. visual novel includes plenty of kawaii and sexy Quintuplet art that’s sure to make a fan of the franchise happy. During our Black Friday Sale, this region-free Switch visual novel retails for $58.50. The Quintessential Quintuplets ∬ is rated T by the ESRB.
Is It Wrong to Try to Pick Up Girls in a Dungeon? Familia Myth – Fulland of Water and Light
But what if the person you’re buying something for doesn’t like romantic comedies? What if they don’t like the decision-making aspect of visual novels and instead like action-packed games? In that case, the Is It Wrong to Try to Pick Up Girls in a Dungeon? Familia Myth – Fulland of Water and Light game is a far better recommendation!
Based on the DanMachi franchise, Fulland of Water and Light is an honest, single-player action/fantasy RPG. Fulland of Water and Light takes place in a sunken version of the franchise’s city of heroes, Orario. The game allows players to control either Bell Cranel or his crush, Ai Wallensomething, as they retrace the legendary hero’s steps.
Fulland of Water and Light retails for $45.25 and features English and Japanese text. The T-rated game was developed by Racjin and published by Bushiroad. You can purchase it here!
The Grisaia Trilogy Is One of the Best Visual Novels Out There
If you want to gift that otaku friend of yours a top-tier drama visual novel, the Grisaia Trilogy should be your first choice.
It’s always fascinated me that a story that’s so forlorn can be so captivating. This visual novel makes people fawn over kawaii waifus one moment and gives them an existential crisis two scenes later. The Grisaia franchise excels at drama. And since this trilogy includes all three games (Grisaia no Kajitsu, Grisaia no Meikyu, and Grisaia no Rakuen) and a score of additional content, this is a gift that truly keeps on giving. In fact, the Grisaia Trilogy visual novel includes all of the following extra content:
- The Fruit of Grisaia
- The Cocoon of Caprice
- The Seed of Blanc Aile
- Prologue
- After Stories (All 5 Stories)
- Short Stories (All 29 Stories)
- The Leisure of Grisaia
- The Afterglow of Grisaia
- The Melody of Grisaia
The Grisaia trilogy follows Yuuji Kazami, the sole male student at Mihama Private Academy, a mysterious school where the only other students are five kawaii waifus. After becoming disgruntled with life and enrolling at Mihama, Yuuji befriends his fellow classmates as they slowly creep toward a brighter future. But their past isn’t easily escaped, and the darkness it casts over them has long permeated their lives. Will they escape?
This in-stock, region-free, visual novel retails for $62.40 during our extended Black Friday Sale. Frontwing developed the Grisaia trilogy. It’s published by Prototype. The Grisaia trilogy includes a lot of violence, drug use, partial nudity, and crude humor, so if you’re giving this to someone on the younger side, note it’s rated M.
Which Visual Novel Would You Like for Christmas?
Have you ever gotten a visual novel as a Christmas gift? If not, would you like to get one? Why not let us know? Share your visual novel thoughts in the comments!
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It’s a very special celebration for the U.S., and J-List is getting into the proper spirit with a big July 4 Sale. Celebrate with 15% off all in-stock products shipping from Japan through Monday, July 6. Start browsing here!
