![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
not_krysThis guy... oh this guy...
He was a whirlwind from start to finish. A thrill ride that I seriously wasn't expecting, since this was my first route in Collar x Malice.
Those that follow me on twitter can attest to how much emotional turmoil this guy put me through, from when I started live-tweeting the game, to the end of his route, which I'm still scratching my head at.
For previous Baes in Review, check out my profile for a full list of games I have played, previously and currently. There, you can check out links to my previous reviews on tumblr, as well as links to current Bae in Reviews available on DW.
Remember, spoilers down below~
------------
Oh god, where do I even begin with this guy...
He started off like a dog that kept following Ichika around, seemingly harmless, maybe even a tiny bit cute because he napped on her shoulder and walked her home; slept in the oddest places, giving him a hapless appearance (he's got a sleeping mask in his pocket, for goodness sake).
Yet, with all of his seemingly harmless behavior, I just couldn't help but feel this underlying mistrust. We knew subconsciously that he wasn't watching over Yanagi and his group because 'they needed protection', especially during this troubling time of Adonis's tyranny, where more important people needed protection rather than a bunch of former cops. It's specifically Okazaki's job to protect those higher ups, being an SP officer. In a sense, he's like an impersonal bodyguard that protects visiting dignitaries and such that the city provides in addition to their own bodyguards.
Despite this, I still had fun on his route. He grew on me as his route progressed, despite how much I dug my heels into the ground at his offers of friendship.
I just have a soft spot for guys that hold your hand and walk you home at night.
It's terrible, I know.
And, boy, does Okazaki try to make nice with everyone, Ichika included, despite the suspicion surrounding him. But when his trust is betrayed... hoo boy.
This boy can be ice cold when he wants to be, once he realizes that you can be a potential threat.
When he inevitably discovers Ichika's involvement with Adonis, it's like a switch is flipped inside of him, and his once friendly demeanor vanishes and he points his gun at her, demanding answers.
It's quite terrifying in hindsight.
However, once Ichika shows her determination in solving the X-Day crimes, that she's not afraid of the possibility of getting hurt that Okazaki comes around again. He sees something special in Ichika that he wants to protect, enough so that he's willing to risk his own life on. Quite literally.
This boy is quite ready and willing to give his life up at a moment's notice. Not even considering the fact that it is his job to step into the line of fire for someone else, he's ready at the slightest provocation. We learn from his past that he has only hesitated once to step in for someone else, and his senior officer and mentor payed the price for it. Since then, his goal in life is that he dies with meaning, protecting someone else important. Ichika becomes his important person after she shows her dedication and that she's scared to stand up to Adonis and set things right again.
And boy, does he fall hard and fast after that, resuming his puppy-like behavior in following her around and doing more romantic gestures like giving her flowers and having a Christmas movie-date (much to Ichika's dismay, as all he has are horror movies, and she is most definitely NOT a horror fan, lol.)
But that good ending tho, oh, the good ending…
Dear God did that ending nearly give me a heart attack.
Some context: I was playing the route, quick saving every now and then, as you do, in case you get an answer wrong or whatever, normal stuff.
I could have sworn I got every indication that I was filling up Okazaki’s affection meter. Yet, several times after I checked, I still only had three boxes filled. Trust meter had every box filled when I completed the earning trust stage of the route.
When I was getting closer and closer to end of his route, I was getting nervous as not all of his affection boxes weren’t completely filled. This wasn’t helped because I had already gotten my first bad ending, where we stupidly chase after Sanjou in the park and end up getting Okazaki killed and breaking my heart in the process.
The puppy had grown on me. I was feeling things for him. Sucks whenever that happens, doesn't it?
So, I had a grim outlook as the ending drew ever closer, not all the affection boxes filled and one bad ending under my belt enough to put the fear of God in me.
Things took a turn for the worse when Ichika pushed Okazaki out of the way and was shot.
If I didn’t have any self-composure, I’m sure I would have screamed.
My worst fear was coming true. My very first route in this game that I had taken by complete accident and I was getting my second bad ending. I didn’t know what I had done and where I had gone wrong, I was panicking. My nerves aren’t helped by Ichika saying she loves Okazaki with her dying breath, Okazaki screaming at her to not die, everything hurts and I wanna cry.
And then…
The ending credits roll.
I stop, confused.
So… not a Bad End?
Maybe it’s a Normal End, because my affection wasn’t completely filled, for some reason?
It wouldn’t be the first time I got the normal ending before the good ending by accident (See: Lupin from Code: Realize. At least Saint G and Sisi are good friends ._.)
The ending credits seem pretty cheery, showing the normal stuff after completing a route, all the cute moments between bae and heroine. I’m still holding my breath, trying to figure out if this was a normal ending or a good ending.
Then, the after credits scene, showing us a hospital room.
BABY GIRL ICHIKA IS STILL ALIVE, THANK GOODNESS! ALL OF THAT HAD GIVEN ME A HEART ATTACK!
Okazaki is understandably pissed at her, but now they are free to be cute and grow old together, ending with a kiss cg.
It was entirely too long and sweet to be a normal ending, plus I got a trophy for completion and his short story, so, yeah, it was the Good Ending.
I'm still mad I had to do his situations twice so that I could get the game completion trophy.
Only not completely as I had to do Yanagi's again too, so I'm not gonna complain too much.
Pros and Cons
He was an accidental whirlwind from start to finish. He wouldn't have been my first choice if I had a choice in the matter, but he just came in, swept me off my feet with cute emojis and I haven't looked back since. The unwavering devotion and his sweet moments make up the majority of the score, but the boy dragged me through hell and back by the hand and I'm still trying to catch my breath.
He's got some yandere tendencies (I don't know if he's offfically been labeled as 'the yandere' of the group, but I wouldn't be surprised if he was), and though that's not normally a character type I go for, it's not something that can completely ruin a route or a character for me. Okazaki presented a well-told story, well thought out thoughts and reasons he does things the way he does, and moments that are genuinely heartwarming or heartbreaking. It's not always the tropes or cliches that can make or break a route or character for me, it's the way those tropes or cliches are presented and told. If a story can make me feel sympathetic (or even like) a yandere character, they're doing something good with that character.
Remember, the most up-to-date list of games and routes I’ve completed thus far is listed on my profile page. Once I complete updating my reviews from tumblr, I'll start making new reviews, and maybe start taking requests for Bae in Reviews.
Have a good day, lovelies, and remember to touch all the butts.
He was a whirlwind from start to finish. A thrill ride that I seriously wasn't expecting, since this was my first route in Collar x Malice.
Those that follow me on twitter can attest to how much emotional turmoil this guy put me through, from when I started live-tweeting the game, to the end of his route, which I'm still scratching my head at.
For previous Baes in Review, check out my profile for a full list of games I have played, previously and currently. There, you can check out links to my previous reviews on tumblr, as well as links to current Bae in Reviews available on DW.
Remember, spoilers down below~
------------
Oh god, where do I even begin with this guy...
He started off like a dog that kept following Ichika around, seemingly harmless, maybe even a tiny bit cute because he napped on her shoulder and walked her home; slept in the oddest places, giving him a hapless appearance (he's got a sleeping mask in his pocket, for goodness sake).
Yet, with all of his seemingly harmless behavior, I just couldn't help but feel this underlying mistrust. We knew subconsciously that he wasn't watching over Yanagi and his group because 'they needed protection', especially during this troubling time of Adonis's tyranny, where more important people needed protection rather than a bunch of former cops. It's specifically Okazaki's job to protect those higher ups, being an SP officer. In a sense, he's like an impersonal bodyguard that protects visiting dignitaries and such that the city provides in addition to their own bodyguards.
Despite this, I still had fun on his route. He grew on me as his route progressed, despite how much I dug my heels into the ground at his offers of friendship.
I just have a soft spot for guys that hold your hand and walk you home at night.
It's terrible, I know.
And, boy, does Okazaki try to make nice with everyone, Ichika included, despite the suspicion surrounding him. But when his trust is betrayed... hoo boy.
This boy can be ice cold when he wants to be, once he realizes that you can be a potential threat.
When he inevitably discovers Ichika's involvement with Adonis, it's like a switch is flipped inside of him, and his once friendly demeanor vanishes and he points his gun at her, demanding answers.
It's quite terrifying in hindsight.
However, once Ichika shows her determination in solving the X-Day crimes, that she's not afraid of the possibility of getting hurt that Okazaki comes around again. He sees something special in Ichika that he wants to protect, enough so that he's willing to risk his own life on. Quite literally.
This boy is quite ready and willing to give his life up at a moment's notice. Not even considering the fact that it is his job to step into the line of fire for someone else, he's ready at the slightest provocation. We learn from his past that he has only hesitated once to step in for someone else, and his senior officer and mentor payed the price for it. Since then, his goal in life is that he dies with meaning, protecting someone else important. Ichika becomes his important person after she shows her dedication and that she's scared to stand up to Adonis and set things right again.
And boy, does he fall hard and fast after that, resuming his puppy-like behavior in following her around and doing more romantic gestures like giving her flowers and having a Christmas movie-date (much to Ichika's dismay, as all he has are horror movies, and she is most definitely NOT a horror fan, lol.)
But that good ending tho, oh, the good ending…
Dear God did that ending nearly give me a heart attack.
Some context: I was playing the route, quick saving every now and then, as you do, in case you get an answer wrong or whatever, normal stuff.
I could have sworn I got every indication that I was filling up Okazaki’s affection meter. Yet, several times after I checked, I still only had three boxes filled. Trust meter had every box filled when I completed the earning trust stage of the route.
When I was getting closer and closer to end of his route, I was getting nervous as not all of his affection boxes weren’t completely filled. This wasn’t helped because I had already gotten my first bad ending, where we stupidly chase after Sanjou in the park and end up getting Okazaki killed and breaking my heart in the process.
The puppy had grown on me. I was feeling things for him. Sucks whenever that happens, doesn't it?
So, I had a grim outlook as the ending drew ever closer, not all the affection boxes filled and one bad ending under my belt enough to put the fear of God in me.
Things took a turn for the worse when Ichika pushed Okazaki out of the way and was shot.
If I didn’t have any self-composure, I’m sure I would have screamed.
My worst fear was coming true. My very first route in this game that I had taken by complete accident and I was getting my second bad ending. I didn’t know what I had done and where I had gone wrong, I was panicking. My nerves aren’t helped by Ichika saying she loves Okazaki with her dying breath, Okazaki screaming at her to not die, everything hurts and I wanna cry.
And then…
The ending credits roll.
I stop, confused.
So… not a Bad End?
Maybe it’s a Normal End, because my affection wasn’t completely filled, for some reason?
It wouldn’t be the first time I got the normal ending before the good ending by accident (See: Lupin from Code: Realize. At least Saint G and Sisi are good friends ._.)
The ending credits seem pretty cheery, showing the normal stuff after completing a route, all the cute moments between bae and heroine. I’m still holding my breath, trying to figure out if this was a normal ending or a good ending.
Then, the after credits scene, showing us a hospital room.
BABY GIRL ICHIKA IS STILL ALIVE, THANK GOODNESS! ALL OF THAT HAD GIVEN ME A HEART ATTACK!
Okazaki is understandably pissed at her, but now they are free to be cute and grow old together, ending with a kiss cg.
It was entirely too long and sweet to be a normal ending, plus I got a trophy for completion and his short story, so, yeah, it was the Good Ending.
I'm still mad I had to do his situations twice so that I could get the game completion trophy.
Only not completely as I had to do Yanagi's again too, so I'm not gonna complain too much.
Pros and Cons
PRO: This boy loves his physical affection. He loves holding hands, hugs, and cuddling in general.
CON: Once he has a hold of you, be prepared to be dragged everywhere kicking and screaming. And I do mean literally EVERYWHERE by the hand.
PRO: He will protect you, no matter what.
CON: He will literally die in a fire for you, probably from your own stupidity. Good job.
PRO: He's good at sports and activities that can be useful in protecting someone, like Kendo and Jujitsu.
CON: He's pretty useless for anything else. Especially domestic activities like cooking or cleaning. His roomba ran away from home, after all.
PRO: He likes movies and novels, and loves movie dates at home.
CON: His entire DVD and book collection consists of horror and only horror. If it's not your thing, you might want to bring your own movies.
PRO: He's a great info source on calming methods for relaxing and sleeping
CON: This guy can fall asleep in about 3 seconds. And he can sleep just about anywhere, including but not limited to public parks, back alleyways, and your living room floor. (He'll steal your pillows too, the fiend.)
PRO: He likes to be honest with himself as well as you being honest with him and yourself.
CON: I had to sit through his situations twice to get the completion story (because the first time I did it, it didn't register for some reason), so I had to sit through him calling me fat, twice. Jerk.
He was an accidental whirlwind from start to finish. He wouldn't have been my first choice if I had a choice in the matter, but he just came in, swept me off my feet with cute emojis and I haven't looked back since. The unwavering devotion and his sweet moments make up the majority of the score, but the boy dragged me through hell and back by the hand and I'm still trying to catch my breath.
He's got some yandere tendencies (I don't know if he's offfically been labeled as 'the yandere' of the group, but I wouldn't be surprised if he was), and though that's not normally a character type I go for, it's not something that can completely ruin a route or a character for me. Okazaki presented a well-told story, well thought out thoughts and reasons he does things the way he does, and moments that are genuinely heartwarming or heartbreaking. It's not always the tropes or cliches that can make or break a route or character for me, it's the way those tropes or cliches are presented and told. If a story can make me feel sympathetic (or even like) a yandere character, they're doing something good with that character.
Remember, the most up-to-date list of games and routes I’ve completed thus far is listed on my profile page. Once I complete updating my reviews from tumblr, I'll start making new reviews, and maybe start taking requests for Bae in Reviews.
Have a good day, lovelies, and remember to touch all the butts.
