Katawa Shoujo

Katawa Shoujo: Visual Novel for Disabled High School Students

A 2012 visual novel by Four Leaf Studios, following Hisao Nakai's journey as he attends a school for disabled students and forms connections with several girls who are differently abled.

What is Katawa Shoujo?

Katawa Shoujo is a bishoujo-style visual novel developed by Four Leaf Studios in 2012. The story follows Hisao Nakai, a boy who has a congenital heart defect and ends up transferring to Yamaku High School for disabled children after a long hospitalization. The game depicts Hisao's experiences at his new school and examines his relationships with five female classmates: Emi Ibarazaki, who lost her legs and is an enthusiastic runner; Hanako Ikezawa, a burn victim with extreme social anxiety; Lilly Satou, a congenitally blind girl who is ladylike and eager to help those in need; Rin Tezuka, an armless artist with a strange, abstract way of thinking about the world; and Shizune Hakamichi, the deaf-mute, brusque class representative who spends much of her time with her friend and interpreter, Misha.

While initially overwhelmed by how different everything and everyone at Yamaku is, Hisao comes to appreciate his new surroundings as he grows closer with some of his classmates. The game explores disability, relationships, sexuality, art and mental health in a down-to-earth, relatable way. There are good and bad endings based on the choices the player makes over the course of the 30+ hour long visual novel. Katawa Shoujo deals with sensitive subjects in a sincere, empathetic and non-fetishistic way.

Katawa Shoujo Features

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