Oniguisama – Short Visual Novel Review

Beginning with my October 31, 2020 review of a visual novel called Bad End, I have made a small tradition of reviewing visual novels that are plausibly in the spirit of Halloween. I continue the tradition in 2026, starting today with my review of Oniguisama, a very short freeware Japanese visual novel written in Ren’Py by a two-person team under the banner of Chubby Cat Games. Oniguisama touts itself as a “simple, short horror novel game.” It puts the player in the shoes of a young girl who is struggling with bullying. Unable to go to school, she ventures to a shrine based on rumors that it hosted a god who would answer any question. Since this novel is quite short, let us jump straight into the review proper. Oniguisama Details Oniguisama was developed by Chubby Cat Games, which describes itself on its website as “a small group made of two people.” Oniguisama splash screen showing Chubby Cat Games logo. The visual novel was built in Ren’Py, a free and open source visual novel engine…