In this episode, we sit down with Monika Yosifova, creator and writer of Spell Candle, a promising otome visual novel built with genuine heart. Monika opens up about the deeply personal inspirations behind the game, its unique focus on grief and healing, and the soulful world that has already resonated with so many players.

We talk about the game’s myth-inspired love interests, its political–fantasy setting, and the emotional systems that shape every choice. Monika also shares how her team at Bottled Monster Inc. came together, the journey behind their successful Kickstarter campaign, and the honest hopes they have for players who will one day step into this story.

If you love visual novels with depth, warmth, and intention, this conversation offers an intimate look at the heart behind Spell Candle.

What happens when an Otome game starts with an execution instead of a meet-cute? In this episode, we sit down with Esha and Kohi to talk about building a romance story in the afterlife, crafting a found family of reapers, and asking whether a second chance at existence is really what you want.

We dive into Aina’s journey from death row to purgatory paperwork, the dynamics between Valafar, Zephon, Kaim, Seir, and Orias, the realities of running a huge VN project, and how their Kickstarter, DLC plans, and Rune’s upcoming ASMR all fit into the Salvus universe. Esha also shares exclusive cut content .

In this episode:

• Creating a “slice-of-death” Otome in a bureaucratic afterlife

• Character deep dives: Ina & the reaper squad

• Balancing romance, trauma, humor, and redemption

• Behind the scenes of the Salvus: Aries demo & Kickstarter

• Exclusive scrapped route + future game teases

🎧 Stick around if you love Otome, visual novels, cozy-but-haunting worlds, and unhinged dev stories and don’t forget to check the show notes to wishlist Salvus: Aries and follow the devs!

In this episode of The Otome Games Podcast, hosts Lover’s Lens and Morig sit down with Emma (artist) and Inês (writer) — the duo behind Whisper Wisteria Studio and their gothic visual novel At the Heart of Blackberry Manor. 🌹

What started as a simple school project soon became a haunting and emotional story about love, loss, and the secrets hidden within a fog-covered manor. Emma and Inês open up about their creative journey — from building an atmosphere of mystery and romance, to the challenges of indie game development and balancing art with narrative design.

💜 Play the demo now:
👉 https://otome.com/games/at-the-heart-of-blackberry-manor-demo/

🎙️ Topics include:

• How At the Heart of Blackberry Manor was created

• Writing gothic mystery and romance

• Designing immersive Victorian-inspired art

• Hidden symbolism and fan theories

• The passion behind indie storytelling

Emma and Inês prove that even small beginnings can lead to something magical — a heartfelt, atmospheric game that’s already capturing players’ imaginations.

In this episode, Lover’s Lens and Morig sit down with the amazing God’s Radio Dev Team — Skai, Jinn, and Pyr Ice — to talk about their heartfelt visual novel Meteor Shower. 🌠We dive into the story’s creative origins, its high school inspirations, the art and music process, character relationships (yes, we talk about Taylor 👀), and how vibes drive everything this team creates.From friendship and creative passion to relatable teenage chaos and coming-of-age romance — this episode captures it all. ✨

A fading god, a meaningful offering, and the people who turn duty into connection. Creator Cami Arnold-Carriedo dives into To Grant a Wish—you play Zephyr, a minor deity of the Breeze who must grant a wish to repay an offering. We cover character routes (Bells is always non-binary with masc/fem presentation; Leo/Callan or Sam/Lorelei), the D&D-born duo Bells & Chimes, sibling-to-caretaker tensions with Leo/Sam & Oscar, and the slow-burn pull of Callan/Lorelei.

In this interview, Anna (Lavinia) from Transparent Games talks about My Wife is a Spy — an otome visual novel set in a Renaissance-meets-medieval world. You play as Sofia, a reincarnated heroine tasked with spying on her new husband, Duke Zachary. Will you choose love… or villainy? Expect multiple endings, a suspicion system, striking Italy/Sweden-inspired visuals, and a story about resilience and hope.

You can find the related article here.

🌙 Everfall blends folklore, romance, and mystery into a visual novel experience full of choices and consequences. Whether you’re a fan of toxic love interests, fairy politics, or deep branching narratives, this interview gives you an insider’s look at the story, characters, and future of the game.

In this episode, we sit down with Espoir Du Vide, a beloved content creator and YouTuber known for her passion for otome games and visual novels. Together, we talk about the crisis caused by Visa and Mastercard’s restrictions, a wave of censorship that threatens indie developers, LGBTQ+ stories, and creative freedom across platforms like itch.io and Steam.From the struggles of indie devs facing shadowbans, to the broader fight against corporate overreach in gaming, Espoir shares her perspective, experiences, and hopes for the future of the otome community. Topics we cover:- How Visa & Mastercard are censoring indie games- Why LGBTQ+ and BL titles are especially at risk- The impact on creators, players, and communities- What devs are doing to fight back- Why there’s still hope for the future

In this episode we chat with Astro and Lovmura from Studio Reignbow about In My Orbit, the cosmic otome where space dread, dating apps, and chaotic group-chat banter collide. They share how the game grew from a jam project into a fan favorite, the inspirations behind its unforgettable cast, and what players can look forward to as the story expands.

Step into the glamour and grit of the 1920s with this special episode of Lover’s Lens & Morig! We’re joined by the creative minds behind the otome visual novel Let’s Misbehave: Alli (writer & director), Meg (background artist), and Skai2blue4u (sprite artist).Together, we explore the inspiration behind the story, the challenges of bringing the Jazz Age to life, and the unique personalities of the game’s characters — from the mysterious Nils, to the bold Angelo, to Hollywood’s golden boy Roy, and the unforgettable heroine Gilda Hart.

If you love otome games, jazz, red-flag love interests, and passionate indie dev stories, this episode is a must-listen!