2020 in Review – Looking Back on the Year at Blerdy Otome

What better way to start this post than by saying thank you. Whether you’re new here or you’ve been here since the beginning I want to thank you dear readers for all of your love, support, and kind words. Blerdy Otome is what it is because of YOU and I can’t begin to tell you all how much it means to me that people don’t just read my content, but that they connect with what I write. So, whether you’re here for the reviews, the game recommendations, the interviews, or just looking to make a friend–I hope that I have made Blerdy Otome a space where you can find just what you need! So with 2021 literally a few hours away, I wanted to look back on the year and share what I’ve been up to in 2020.

Games I’ve Played in 2020

I played and reviewed over 40 games! Some were great and some were real stinkers, but with each new game I play I manage to slowly whittle away at my impossibly long gaming backlog. So, lets look at the games I played this year:

Outside of Blerdy Otome

I’ve mostly stuck to just written content–and it’s been pretty limiting. Words can only get so much across, so this year I stepped out of my comfort zone did some things outside of just blogging and it was lowkey terrifying, but also really exciting too! I’m still awkward as heck, but once you get me talking there’s no stopping me (sorry, not sorry).

Being able to actually talk about my hobbies has been super fun and I definitely have plans to do more of it in 2021. But, for now, here are the podcasts and things I’ve participated in this year:

• Manga Mavericks invited me to participate in a roundtable discussion about representation in anime and manga with the Black Manga Critic, an anime/manga Youtuber,  Eunice Ibama, the founder of BlackGirlsAnime, and mecha enthusist Ash, also known as TheMacabreChap.  Honestly, this was one of the best experiences I had all year–we swapped stories about growing up Black and nerdy, discussed representation, and just had fun. Definitely give the episode a listen if you have the chance: http://all-comic.com/MM133.mp3.
• This year I started hosting Fangirl Trashcan Podcast, a monthy podcast with some long time blogging buddies, Lita Kino from Lita Kino Anime Corner and Ani-Youtuber, Shay Taree. So far we have two episode out, but if you’re in the mood for fun discussions about anime, manga, and of course games definitely give us a listen over on Anchor: https://anchor.fm/fangirltrashcan.
• Lisa, the host of the Wonder of Anime podcast invited me to join her for an episode and now we’re besties. We had a blast chatting and I may or may not have turned her on to some games… Definitely check out the episode when you have the chance: https://soundcloud.com/user-67326780/blerdy-otome-ft-naja-b
• I did an interview with the ladies over at Solcial Dreamers and I still don’t think I’m cool enough to be interviewed… but I had a lot of fun answering their questions and if you haven’t already, definitely check them out!

So What’s Next in 2021

I am terrible at making plans, I’m more of a go with the flow kinda gal. But, there are a few things that I have in the works for 2021 that I’m excited about!

More Otome Game Reviews

The name of the site is Blerdy Otome and yet, I am ridiculously behind on my otome games backlog. And now that we’re getting a steady stream of new otome releases here in the west it’s high time kicked my butt into gear and started getting back on my otome grind! So in 2021 I am going to commit to playing through all of the otome games I own (the localizations anyway) and I will try to get reviews for the upcoming 2021 otome localizations done within a month of the release.

Otome Games Coming in 2021

• Variable Barricade
• Dairoku: Ayakashimori
• Olympia Soiree
• Bustafellows

Streaming on Twitch

Okay, so I’ve been dragging my feet because I’m lowkey super nervous about streaming online–but, I will start streaming some of my game playthroughs on Twitch. I work during the week, so I’ll probably stick to an hour or two on Saturday and Sunday and see where we go from there. If you want to get ahead of the game, you can find me here: twitch.tv/blerdyotomegames

Video Reviews on YouTube

I ran a poll on Twitter and you guys voted for short video reviews, so that’s what I’ll do! So in 2021 I will start posting video reviews in addition to my written reviews. I won’t do video reviews for every game I play, but I do plan on having you guys vote on which games get video reviews. The first planned review is Cafe Enchante… and I’m going to shoot for having the review out sometime in January/ Early February.

I also want to use YT for my Otome Fans React series, but I’m still working out the logistics on that front.

---

2020 has been an insane ride and here’s to hoping that things get better in the new year! To everyone that has been on this journey with me these past 5 years thank you so much for the love and the support. You have seen me grow so much as a blogger and I hope that you stay with me into the future!

For those of you that are new to the party, thank you for popping in and I hope you’ll stick around too and don’t be a stranger, drop me a line and say hey! I promise I don’t bite… much…

Thank you to everyone that has stopped by my little corner of the internet! I’ll keep bringing you more fun content in 2021 and hope to see you all again in the new year!!

Follow Blerdy Otome! 

Twitter | Instagram | Etsy | Tumblr | Otome Amino | Ko-fi