====== Buying Visual Novels ======
This guide is written for players using a desktop operating system. This includes Windows and non-Windows operating systems, such as macOS and GNU/Linux. We briefly touch on [[visualnovel:buying#console_releases|acquiring console releases of visual novels at the end of this guide]].
This wiki contains no information on acquiring illegally-redistributed game files for visual novels. We encourage you to support visual novel developers—which are often small companies with a niche audience—by buying their games from one of the vendors listed on this page.
**WARNING:** Because many visual novels contain sexual content, a lot of the links on this page lead to NSFW content.
====== Before You Buy =====
===== Watch Out For DRM =====
"Digital Rights Management" (DRM) refers to technological restrictions designed to prevent customers from sharing copies of games without authorization. The restrictions that DRM implementations impose can cause issues for customers, so we strongly recommend avoiding DRM-encumbered releases—[[https://wiki.winehq.org/Copy_Protection|especially if you are playing on a non-Windows system using Wine]].
This page identifies publishers and vendors who sell DRM-free copies of visual novels and teaches you how to identify them yourself.
===== English or Japanese? =====
Do you want to read your visual novels in English or Japanese? It’s an important question to answer, because not all English localizations include the original Japanese script. You don't want to re-purchase a visual novel you bought in English if you one day decide to read it in Japanese.
Keep an eye out for dual-language releases, even if you only plan on reading it in English.
{{visualnovel:clannad-no-japanese-fs8.png|Interface and Subtitles columns lack a checkmark, indicating the game does not have Japanese support}}
Notice the **Interface** and **Subtitles** columns lack a checkmark, indicating this game does not have Japanese support.
===== Fan Translation Patches =====
Unofficial English fan translations exist for some Japanese visual novels, and sometimes the creators respond positively. In the late 2000s, Witch Hunt provided their fan translations as patches for Umineko no Naku Koro ni, and [[https://witch-hunt.com/letter.html|Ryukishi07, the creator of these games, officially endorsed this project]], going so far as to work the name of the translation team into the games.
While we don’t officially endorse fan translation projects, it’s hard to ignore how many people over the past 20 years were only able to become fans of the medium because of a passionate fan. They helped pave the way for the localization industry we have today. Mainstream game marketplaces like Steam now carry an impressive catalog of visual novels in English, though fan translation projects remain common for less popular games.
====== Buying Digital Releases ======
It’s very easy to obtain digital releases in English and Japanese, but beware that Japanese releases tend to be encumbered by DRM. Many localizers, including MangaGamer and JAST, publish their digital versions without DRM, so English releases are likely to be DRM-free.
If you’re not sure where to buy a visual novel you want, try [[https://vndb.org|vndb.org]]. Find the game’s page, scroll down to the Releases section, and click the relevant release. The release page will provide Links to vendors you can purchase the game from.
{{visualnovel:releases-170-arrow-web.png|Releases page with a giant arrow pointing to External Links.}}
The [[https://vndb.org/r37233|Higurashi releases page]] has a list of Links you can purchase the game from.
"Dual-Language" refers to visual novels with the option to change from Japanese to English text. Even if you're only interested in reading the English version now, you might later decide to read the Japanese version. If you have a Dual-Language game, you don't need to re-purchase a different release.
* [[#english-digital|English Vendors]]
* [[#japanese-digital|Japanese Vendors]]
===== English Vendors =====
There are two main categories of vendors you can buy the English editions of visual novels from—the localizer’s official site, and distribution platforms. You can often find the visual novel available at a lower price on the localizer’s official store compared to a distribution platform.
==== Distribution Platforms ====
^Platform ^Dual-Language ^Notes ^
|[[https://store.steampowered.com/tag/en/Visual%20novel/?l=english|Steam]]|Some|The most popular marketplace to obtain visual novels from. Adult content is generally not allowed in visual novels on Steam, but it is sometimes available as a separate patch on the publisher’s website. Steam's [[visualnovel:vnsonlinux#steam_play_proton|Proton feature]] allows users to play Windows games on GNU/Linux. \\ \\ Visual novels sold on Steam may be encumbered by the Steamworks DRM, possibly combined with others, and **this will not be indicated on the store page.**|
|[[https://www.gog.com/en/games?tags=visual-novel|GOG]] |Some|All releases are DRM-free. GOG gives you just an archive with the game files ready to launch, but you can optionally use their GOG Galaxy client on Windows. |
|[[https://jlist.com/shop/visual-novels|JList]] |None|Sells primarily adult titles. |
|[[https://sekaiproject.com/shop/games/|Denpasoft]] |None|Sells adult titles. |
|[[https://www.johren.games|Johren]] |None|Johren publishes the releases of several companies, such as those from Shiravune and Medibang. Carries adult titles. \\ \\ [[https://www.johren.net/support/faq/03009/|Johren encumbers their releases with a form of DRM]] that only allows you to ‘activate’ the game three times. There is a process for revoking activations so they can be moved around computers. |
|[[https://itch.io/games/genre-visual-novel|itch.io]] |Rarely|Usually DRM-free. Sells primarily Native English visual novels, predominantly developed by indie developers. A small number of Japanese developers also publish on itch.io, such as [[https://npckc.itch.io|npckc]] with [[https://npckc.itch.io/a-year-of-springs|A Year of Springs]]. |
==== Localizer Stores ====
^Vendor ^Dual-Language ^Notes ^
|[[https://www.mangagamer.com/r18|MangaGamer]] |Some|All releases are DRM-free. |
|[[https://jastusa.com|JAST USA]] |Some|Founded in 1998 and has a firm stance against DRM since 2010. Publishes games from several other localizers. [[https://jast.freshdesk.com/support/solutions/articles/5000551507-v-mate-drm|Offers DRM-removal patches for their pre-2010 games]].|
|[[https://sekaiproject.com/shop/games/|Sekai Project]]|Unknown|No official statement on DRM. Some of their releases can also be found on JAST USA. |
===== Japanese Vendors =====
Looking to read visual novels in Japanese? We recommend buying a dual-language release from a vendor listed in the English Vendors section if possible. If the visual novel you want isn't available in Japanese from a localizer, you can get them directly from the land of the rising sun:
^Vendor ^Notes ^
|**DLsite** \\ [[https://www.dlsite.com/soft/|All-Ages]] \\ [[https://www.dlsite.com/pro/|Adult-Only Games For Men]] \\ [[https://www.dlsite.com/girls-pro/|Adult-Only Games For Women]]|Some releases are DRM-free, some are encumbered with PlayDRM, and some are encumbered with SoftDenchi. The product page makes it very apparent if the game is encumbered by DRM, highlighting the text in a bright green box in the product description. For DRM compatibility with GNU/Linux, see [[visualnovel:problems#drm_and_region_restrictions|this page.]] \\ \\ If you’re using Windows 10, [[https://cs.dlsite.com/hc/en-us/articles/4401855931417|you may need to change various settings to Japan/Japanese for the game to function correctly]]. You can change the language on the website to English, but all games are in Japanese. 注意してください！ |
|[[https://novelgame.jp|NovelGame]] |Free visual novels in 日本語! You can support the creators with コイン, but all visual novels on this site are free-of-charge. NovelGame usually offers a Windows build or the option to play the game in your browser, which will work on any operating system. |
|**DMM** \\ [[https://www.dmm.com/en/|DMM Games (For General Audiences)]] \\ [[https://dlsoft.dmm.co.jp|FANZA (Adult-Only Games)]] |All DMM/FANZA releases are encumbered by some form of DRM. The DRM encumberments we know of are SoftDenchi, DMM Game Launcher, and Buddy Launcher. \\ \\ To confirm a product is encumbered by DRM, check the product page closely for this wording: ID認証形式. In this section, there will be an advisory like this: 本商品を利用するためには、最新版のソフト電池ランタイムが必要です。You may need a Japanese IP address at some point, either to make the purchase, or to satisfy the DRM check. For DRM compatibility with GNU/Linux, see [[visualnovel:problems#drm_and_region_restrictions|this page.]]|
[[visualnovel:readinjp|Don’t know Japanese yet? ファイト！！]]
====== Buying Physical Releases ======
Physical releases of visual novels are far less likely to include DRM. As a bonus, they look nice on your shelf, and they usually come with lots of nice stuff, like artbooks and the soundtrack! Physical releases ship on discs, so you’ll need a disc drive to read them.
* [[#english-physical|English Vendors]]
* [[#japanese-physical|Japanese Vendors]]
===== English Vendors =====
Localizers sometimes release a physical edition of the visual novel:
^Vendor ^Notes ^
|[[https://www.mangagamer.com/r18/product_list.php?goods_type=3&page=1|MangaGamer]] |All releases are currently DRM-free. |
|[[https://jlist.com/shop/visual-novels|JList]] |Sells primarily adult titles, and a small number of physical editions.|
|[[http://www.rightstufanime.com/category/Computer-Games?order=displayname:asc|RightStuf]]|Sells a small number of releases. |
===== Japanese Vendors =====
Check your local laws before importing products from Japan. You are responsible for importing any products that are illegal in your country.
There are a number of vendors carrying physical releases of Japanese visual novels. These are some of the most popular:
^Vendor ^Notes ^
|[[https://www.amazon.co.jp|Amazon.co.jp]] |Not primarily a visual novel store, but has a large catalogue. If you’re looking for 18+ visual novels, you may need to search the [[https://www.amazon.co.jp/b/?node=927712|Adult PC Games category]]. Some sellers ship internationally, but if they don’t—or if the shipping costs are overly expensive—you may need a forwarding service or a proxy shipping service. |
|[[https://www.getchu.com/pc/|Getchu]] |A popular store for physical and digital editions of visual novels. Does not ship internationally but accepts foreign credit cards. You can use a forwarding service’s address (([[https://www.getchu.com/info/tenso.html|Getchu recommends Tenso]])) or buy through a proxy shipping service to ship internationally. |
|[[https://www.amiami.com/eng/c/mature/?tab=3|AmiAmi]] |Some newer visual novels are available. Also offers visual novels on pre-order with pre-order bonuses. Does not re-stock items, so there is a limited quantity. Ships internationally. |
|**Toranoana** \\ [[https://ec.toranoana.jp/tora_r/ec/mdv/|Adult-Only Games For Men]] \\ [[https://ec.toranoana.jp/joshi_r/ec/|Adult-Only Games For Women]] |Some visual novels are available for pre-order with pre-order bonuses. Does not re-stock items, so there is a limited quantity. Does not ship internationally but accepts foreign credit cards. You can use a forwarding service (([[https://www.toranoana.jp/info/shop/tenso/english.html|Toranoana recommends Tenso]])) or buy through a proxy shipping service to ship internationally. |
|[[https://a.sofmap.com/product_list.aspx?gid=002210010|Akiba Sofmap]] |Sells new and second-hand games, anime, and other hobby products. Does not ship internationally but accepts foreign credit cards. You can use a forwarding service’s address or buy through a proxy shipping service to ship internationally. ((Sofmap provides information about shipping internationally with their site [[https://www.sofmap.com/contents/?id=crossb&sid=translation_e|here]]. Any forwarding/proxy service should work with Sofmap, but they recommend WorldShipping and directly integrate with it.)). |
|**Surugaya** \\ [[https://www.suruga-ya.jp/search?category=652042222&search_word=&adult_s=3|Japanese Site]] \\ [[https://www.suruga-ya.com/en/category/600|English Site]]|Chain of stores for new and second-hand goods and more games than Mandarake. All products are sold directly from Surugaya, rather than going through a third-party seller. The English site carries only all-ages releases and ships to a [[https://www.suruga-ya.com/en/qa-detail/45|limited number of countries]]. The Japanese site has more items, but requires a proxy shipping service((Surugaya only officially deals with credit cards issued in Japan, but their system //does// allow you to use a foreign credit card. There is a risk they may cancel your order, so bear this in mind.)) as it does not accept foreign credit cards.((See [[https://www.suruga-ya.jp/man/customer_guide/shiharai.html#shiharai2|this section]] on what payment methods Surugaya JP accepts.))|
|**TRADER / TRADER AKIBA** \\ [[http://www.trader.co.jp/shopbrand/a_top/|New Games]] \\ [[http://www.chuko-tsuhan.com/shopbrand/a_top|Second-hand Games]]|Sells both new and second-hand games. TRADER doesn't ship internationally, but they accept foreign credit cards, so you can use a forwarding service or proxy shipping service.|
|[[http://order.mandarake.co.jp/order/|Mandarake]] |Large chain of stores for second-hand goods, like visual novels. All products are sold directly from Mandarake, rather than going through a third-party seller. Ships internationally (make sure to select the English language option to enable international shipping). Does not support undervaluing shipments. |
|[[https://shop.lashinbang.com/products/list?cat=%E3%82%B2%E3%83%BC%E3%83%A0&subcat=PC%E3%82%B2%E3%83%BC%E3%83%A0|Lashinbang]]|Popular chain of stores that sell second-hand products, such as PC games. Accepts foreign credit cards, so you can ship internationally with a forwarding service or proxy shipping service.|
|[[https://auctions.yahoo.co.jp/|Yahoo! Auctions]] |Marketplace for second-hand goods. **All products are sold from a third-party seller who lists their items on the site.** This site is similar to eBay in concept and popularity for Japanese customers. Requires a proxy service to ship internationally. |
|[[https://jp.mercari.com/|Mercari]] |Marketplace for second-hand goods. **All products are sold from a third-party seller who lists their items on the site.** Requires a proxy service to ship internationally; some proxy shipping services will refuse to buy from this site due to a larger risk of scams as compared to Yahoo! Auctions. |
For more information about importing physical releases from Japan, see [[#importing|Importing]].
==== DRM in Physical Releases ====
Most physical English releases are not encumbered with DRM today, but this wasn't always the case. For example, JAST USA historically encumbered their older releases with V-MATE, but [[https://help.jastusa.com/en/knowledgebase/article/v-mate-drm|have since provided patches to remove the DRM from these games]].
For Japanese releases, the situation is different. Most Japanese publishers do not inform customers whether the physical release is encumbered by DRM. A significant number of physical releases aren’t, but you will usually only find out after you buy it. VNDB can now tell you whether a release is encumbered with DRM, but this feature is still new, so please [[visualnovel:problems#drm_and_region_restriction|help them]].
[[https://seiya-saiga.com/game/kouryaku.html|Seiya-Saiga.com]] will list with whether a visual novel can be played "ディスクレス"((ディスクレス means "Diskless"; referring to whether you need to have the disk inserted when starting up or installing the game to satisfy a DRM check.)) or not. If the answer is "可", then the game most likely does not have DRM, or the publisher may have provided a DRM-removal patch, as [[https://seiya-saiga.com/game/august/eustia.html|in the case of August with Aiyoku no Eustia]]. The answer you want to look out for is "初回のみ不可" and similar, which means it performs a DRM check to ensure the disk is in the drive on first startup.
The most common DRM implementation for physical releases since the 2000s has been AlphaROM, or Alpha-DISC. It requires you to have the disc in the disc drive the first time you launch the game to confirm you own it. This check will occasionally fail—for example, if the version of Windows is too new. SETTEC, the company behind AlphaROM, [[http://www.settec.jp/patch/search.asp|provides a method of bypassing the check by entering the serial number that came with the box in exchange for a file you must place in the game directory when it starts]].
While AlphaROM is the most common, there are many other less common types, including the Siglus engine's built-in DRM, which requires a Japanese version of Windows. If you’ve encountered a DRM encumberment not listed here, consider expanding this section with your experience. For DRM compatibility with GNU/Linux, see [[visualnovel:problems#drm_and_region_restrictions|this page.]]
====== Console Releases ======
While the vast majority of visual novels are released for desktop operating systems, it is common for publishers to release console-exclusive visual novels that are part of a larger franchise with exclusive art or voiced lines not present in the original. The //Higurashi// and //Umineko// franchises are good examples of this. Other games, like //Phoenix Wright//, are only available on console.
The section below briefly covers acquiring console releases. The last section provides guidance for players interested in emulating console releases on a desktop operating system.
===== Buying Console Releases in Japanese =====
We assume the reader is resourceful enough to acquire console releases in English, so we only discuss Japanese vendors.
* [[#console-physical|Physical Console Releases]]
* [[#console-digital|Digital Console Releases]]
==== Physical Console Releases ====
^Vendor ^Notes ^
|[[https://www.amazon.co.jp|Amazon.co.jp]] |Not primarily a visual novel store, but has a large catalogue. Some sellers ship internationally, but if they don’t—or if the shipping costs are overly expensive—you may need a forwarding service or a proxy shipping service. |
|[[https://play-asia.com/|PlayAsia]] |Carries many Japanese products and sells Japanese gift cards for console stores. More expensive than buying directly from a Japanese store, but offers an English interface and ships to most countries. |
|[[https://www.cdjapan.co.jp/games/|CDJapan]] |Carries many Japanese products. However, it also lists “proxy items” alongside normal items. “Proxy items” use CDJapan’s proxy shipping service, so be aware of this when browsing. |
|**Surugaya** \\ [[https://www.suruga-ya.com/en/category/2|English Site]] \\ [[https://www.suruga-ya.jp/game.html|Japanese Site]] |Chain of stores for new and second-hand games and other products. All products are sold directly from Surugaya, rather than going through a third-party seller. The English site carries only all-ages releases and ships to a [[https://www.suruga-ya.com/en/qa-detail/45|limited number of countries]]. If the English site doesn’t ship to your country, you may need to buy from the Japanese site with a proxy shipping service.((Surugaya only officially deals with credit cards issued in Japan, but their system //does// allow you to use a foreign credit card. There is a risk they may cancel your order, so bear this in mind.))((See [[https://www.suruga-ya.jp/man/customer_guide/shiharai.html#shiharai2|this section]] on what payment methods Surugaya JP accepts.))|
|**TRADER / TRADER AKIBA** \\ [[http://www.trader.co.jp/shopbrand/trader_tvgame/|New Games]] \\ [[http://www.chuko-tsuhan.com/|Second-hand Games]]|Sells both new and second-hand games. TRADER doesn't ship internationally, but they accept foreign credit cards, so you can use a forwarding service or proxy shipping service.|
|[[https://shop.lashinbang.com/products/list?cat=%E3%82%B2%E3%83%BC%E3%83%A0&subcat=TV%E3%82%B2%E3%83%BC%E3%83%A0%E3%82%BD%E3%83%95%E3%83%88|Lashinbang]]|Popular chain of stores that sell second-hand products, such as console games. Accepts foreign credit cards, so you can ship internationally with a forwarding service or proxy shipping service.|
|[[https://a.sofmap.com/product_list.aspx?gid=002110|Akiba Sofmap]]|Sells new and second-hand games, anime, and hobby projects. Does not ship internationally but accepts foreign credit cards. You can use a forwarding service’s address or buy through a proxy shipping service to ship internationally. ((Sofmap provides information about shipping internationally with their site [[https://www.sofmap.com/contents/?id=crossb&sid=translation_e|here]]. Any forwarding/proxy service should work with Sofmap, but they recommend WorldShipping and directly integrate with it.)). |
|[[https://ec.geo-online.co.jp/shop/c/c11|GEO]] |Sells both new and second hand games. Requires a proxy shipping service. |
|[[https://netmall.hardoff.co.jp/cate/000100120003/|HARD-OFF]] |Sells second hand items like games, but is usually more expensive than other options. GEO doesn’t carry many games for consoles older than the Wii, but HARD-OFF carries games for almost any console. Requires a proxy shipping service to ship internationally. |
|[[https://auctions.yahoo.co.jp/list4/27727-category.html|Yahoo! Auctions]] |Marketplace for second-hand goods. **All products are sold from a third-party seller who lists their items on the site.** This site is similar to eBay in concept and popularity for Japanese customers. Requires a proxy service to ship internationally. |
|[[https://jp.mercari.com/search?category_id=76|Mercari]] |Marketplace for second-hand goods. **All products are sold from a third-party seller who lists their items on the site.** Requires a proxy service to ship internationally; some proxy shipping services will refuse to buy from this site due to a larger risk of scams as compared to Yahoo! Auctions. |
For more information about importing physical releases from Japan, see [[#importing|Importing]].
==== Buying Console Releases Digitally ====
If the game you're looking for is not made available for purchase on western storefronts, or the localized version does not include a Japanese language option, it's possible to purchase the game from a Japanese vendor's digital store with a Japanese account. Some consoles are region-locked, meaning you'll need to purchase a Japanese console first. There are plenty of guides on how to set up a Japanese account on your console of choice, and they are all specific to the console, so we will leave this as an exercise for the reader.
Digital marketplaces for consoles usually do not accept credit cards from regions different from your account's region, so you will need to purchase gift cards to use instead. PlayAsia is a reliable place to purchase gift cards from, but can be more expensive since you're paying a middle man. Amazon.co.jp offers gift cards at a cheaper price, but requires you to set your Shipping Address to somewhere in Japan.
**Warning:** Some users have had their account temporarily or permanently locked for suspicious behavior when purchasing gift cards from Amazon, but we aren't aware of how frequent these cases are or what triggers this response from Amazon.
===== Emulation =====
Console releases are often never brought to the desktop, but that doesn’t mean you can’t play them on your desktop.
Emulation and Emulators are legal in the US and other countries. It is illegal to distribute copyrighted material you do not own or have permission to distribute, including a visual novel’s game files. It doesn’t matter how old the game is, or whether the copyright holder is around anymore; unless the game has been specifically released to you under a license that grants redistribution rights or has fallen into the [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Public_domain|public domain]], you //cannot// distribute it. This is copyright infringement.
However, it is legal to purchase a console game, create a personal backup, and run that personal backup inside of an emulator, so long as you are not circumventing an ‘access control’ to do so, regardless of //why// you are circumventing it [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dmca#Anti-circumvention_exemptions|(with some exceptions)]], [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dmca#Anti-circumvention|as outlined by the Digital Milennium Copyright Act]]. The methods of archival vary among different consoles, and most methods require owning the console the game was released for.
For more information on console emulation, visit the [[https://emulation.gametechwiki.com/index.php/Main_Page|Emulation General Wiki]].
====== Importing ======
If the seller requires a physical Japanese address or a Japanese credit card, you will need to use a forwarding service or proxy shipping service. This is usually costly because you need to pay the shipping fees twice, on top of the handling fees the company charges you, so prefer international shipping when available. However, if international shipping fees seem high for a certain product, try a forwarding service, as it may be cheaper.
===== What is a Forwarding Service? =====
A forwarding service provides you an address you can purchase and ship items to, and they can then ship the package internationally to you. This is only possible with vendors that accept foreign credit cards; if they don't, you'll need to use a proxy shipping service. With a forwarding service, you make the purchase using their address, whereas a proxy shipping service is the one who makes the purchase.
The advantage to a forwarding service is you can make the purchase immediately, which is important for limited-time items and high-demand items likely to go out of stock. A proxy shipping service may have already reserved an order for a customer, but not gotten around to fulfilling the request yet. There is no delay when using a forwarding service, as they only give you an address to ship to. Fees are generally lower than proxy shipping, but it's worth comparing.
Proxy shipping services may be easier to use if you have a lower level of Japanese compared to navigating one of these stores, setting up an account, and completing the checkout process.
===== What is Proxy Shipping? =====
A proxy shipper is a company that will purchase a product from a website that requires a physical Japanese address and a Japanese credit card in your stead. The seller will ship it to their warehouse in Japan, and the proxy shipper will ship it internationally to you.
Proxy shipping services can be used without any understanding of Japanese, but it will be easier to find the items you're looking for if you do understand some Japanese and are able to use the Japanese word in your search query. It's your only option when purchasing from one of the sites above that don't accept foreign credit cards, however.
If the site accepts foreign credit cards, we recommend a forwarding service in most circumstances, but proxy shipping can work out cheaper in other situations. This will depend on what you're buying and the fees the particular company charges. We don’t recommend a particular proxy shipping service, but there are plenty around.