Before we begin, just want to say: I haven't been on this site in ages, and I'm basically doing this on a whim since the idea just kind of struck me out of the blue today, so unfortunately, I don't really have any kind of fancy formatting or overly detailed premise as of yet. As such, this is just a basic preliminary check to see if anyone would actually be interested in trying out the idea before I go to the trouble of developing it further. After all, if people are interested, we can probably work through worldbuilding and the like as we go to accommodate everyone's desired characters. And, if they aren't, then not going all out on an interest check will save me time.

So, having gotten all that out of the way, let's get right to it. I'm sure pretty much anyone who bothered to click on this thread is probably familiar with the fifty bajillion manga and light novels out there with this same stupid premise - some poor schmuck reincarnates/is summoned/transmigrates/whatever into the fantasy world of a romance game aimed at women and is caught up in all sorts of political conspiracies, good old-fashioned Machiavellian scheming, comedies of manners, bizarre trope-bashing shenanigans, or some combination thereof, usually with the stated end goal of avoiding some horrible "bad ending." Scumbag princes, tsundere villainess noble girls, two-faced heroines, broken engagements - you name it, we've got it! Most of them go so far into deconstructing the initial premise that by the end of it, they don't resemble an actual otome game at all, but who cares? If you're like me, you'll probably keep coming back for more anyway, because there's something weirdly fun about the interplay of having people trying to play a role expected of them by society, while also dealing with their role as a character in a story, while also having a personality completely different from either of the roles they've been forced into - leading to a bizarre combination of in-universe plot and meta-plot and all the fun of an off-the-rails retelling of a familiar story without any of the foreknowledge of what you're actually getting into.

So, that strangely TV-infomercial-esque summary aside - don't ask me why I wrote it that way, it's 5:30 AM on a weekday and I'm sitting here writing an interest check about otome game isekai, you seriously think I know what I'm doing? - basically, my questions come down to the following.

1: How many people are interested in the overall genre, and would like to try a roleplay based on the concept?

2: If you are interested, how serious would you like the roleplay to be?

3: If you were to join, what kind of basic role in the "game" plot - like Male lead, villainess noble girl, heroine, heroine's best friend, etc. - would you be most interested in playing, and would you rather be a reincarnator or not?

4: If you're playing a major character in the "game" plot - like a male lead, for example - how much of the plot of your character's "route" would you prefer to come up with yourself, and how much would you expect me as GM to provide for you?

5: Would you rather do the RP through this site, or through Discord?

Ideally speaking, I'd like to have around four people playing characters in the game acting according to their roles initially - with at least two, if not more of those being male leads - and at least two reincarnators to throw things off the rails. I'd likely be playing an unaware game character myself, to help set up the initial conditions for the plot so other people can destroy it in either a dramatic or humorous fashion, depending on peoples' preferences.

As far as ideas for the setting are concerned, I'll probably do some kind of medieval fantasy with rare superpowers - blessings from the fairies, elemental magic, something of that sort. Gotta make our various assorted bishies special, after all. Could go the generic route and have some kind of academy setup to justify an anachronistic high school in a medieval european setting, but I dunno about that yet. All I know is that it must obviously be aristocratic in nature and have plenty of opportunities for miscommunication, unwanted engagements, forbidden love, and possibly political assassinations and the ever-looming threat of war if we want to tell a more serious story.

Anyway, since I still don't even know if anyone will be interested in this, better keep it brief, so that's all for now. If you're interested, I look forward to hearing from you! Thanks for reading!

P.S.: I would like to request that if anyone reincarnates as the heroine, please don't just psychotically recite lines trying for the harem end. I know this entire genre is built on cliches and all, but seriously, enough is enough. We don't need any more evil heroines. I dunno, be a male college fratboy reincarnated as a Disney princess instead. Throw me a curveball here. I want to watch the world burn.

1. Can't speak too much for others, but I'm pretty interested in this general area, given that the group doesn't get too large.
2. Semi-serious? Not so much as to throw all jokes and bullshittery out but enough to enforce some measure of quality/schedule
3. I am leaning towards one of the side characters, but I don't have particularily strong preferances one way or the other
4. I would mostly depend on the GM to provide the plot, but I would want to build a character arc for myself. That being said, collaboration between the two is pretty important so the whole thing doesn't feel contrived.
5. I often see people keep OOC on Discord and the actual RP on the site, and I think it works well enough for me.

1: How many people are interested in the overall genre, and would like to try a roleplay based on the concept?

You've got one here.

2: If you are interested, how serious would you like the roleplay to be?

I think I would really prefer a comedic streak, I feel that would work best for this kind of plot, and I like light-hearted RPs in general. This doesn't mean there can't be seriousness of course, especially as the plot escalates and character arcs are dealt with, just that I would prefer a general comedic tone.

3: If you were to join, what kind of basic role in the "game" plot - like Male lead, villainess noble girl, heroine, heroine's best friend, etc. - would you be most interested in playing, and would you rather be a reincarnator or not?

I think I would prefer to play a female in-game character. I would be willing, should supply not meet demand, to play a reincarnator instead, however, but I wouldn't be willing to switch to a male character. (to clarify, I would prefer to play a character that is not a reincarnator, but if not enough people want to be the reincarnator I am willing to bite the bullet).

4: If you're playing a major character in the "game" plot - like a male lead, for example - how much of the plot of your character's "route" would you prefer to come up with yourself, and how much would you expect me as GM to provide for you?

For my character's "cannon" route, I would prefer to come up with as much with it myself as possible. That said, I think this sort of RP would work best with strong coordination not just between players and GM but between the players as well.

5: Would you rather do the RP through this site, or through Discord?

I would rather RP on this site, I don't like RPing through discord. Discord OOCs are good though.

Okay! It seems like I've gotten some positive responses so far, which is nice. I'm a tad confused since some people have left thumbs-up reactions without actually saying whether they'd join one way or the other, but it seems like this hopefully might be able to get off the ground as a full-scale RP - or failing that, at least do something interesting as a small group.

What I'm getting from this, though, is that most people would be more interested in playing side characters than any of the "leads" of the story, and that it seems like people aren't particularly keen on actually being reincarnators either. So, that being said, though it's a fun concept for more scripted stories, do you guys think it would be better to do away with the reincarnation element entirely, and instead just do a straightforward RP set in an Otome-kai inspired setting, potentially with other, in-universe justifications if we want people to know things they otherwise wouldn't be able to?

EDIT: Okay, update, I now know at least one person who'd be willing to be an isekai protagonist, so we can now afford to be picky, since we're good on that possibility too.

1: How many people are interested in the overall genre, and would like to try a roleplay based on the concept?

What the heck, I'm down.

2: If you are interested, how serious would you like the roleplay to be?

While I'd be game for whatever the majority decided, I'd personally aim for a healthy balance between shenanigans and seriousness myself.

3: If you were to join, what kind of basic role in the "game" plot - like Male lead, villainess noble girl, heroine, heroine's best friend, etc. - would you be most interested in playing, and would you rather be a reincarnator or not?

As of now I'm vibing off the idea of being a male lead who exists to be a straight man to the shenanigans or a skeevy reincarnator out to game the system as much as he can for his own benefit. Either or sounds like a fun time to me.

4: If you're playing a major character in the "game" plot - like a male lead, for example - how much of the plot of your character's "route" would you prefer to come up with yourself, and how much would you expect me as GM to provide for you?

I'd probably just discuss it with you on Discord or something to brainstorm some ideas. I'm admittedly not the best at coming up with everything wholesale. The back and forth helps.

5: Would you rather do the RP through this site, or through Discord?

Whatever works with the group works with me. As long as we're not roleplaying through email or something like that.

how many cgs and does it have a scene replay

1: How many people are interested in the overall genre, and would like to try a roleplay based on the concept?

The Bakarina-ing commences.

2: If you are interested, how serious would you like the roleplay to be?

As serious as it needs to be. Lighthearted when stuff ain’t happening, serious business when bad stuff goes on. A comedic tone through our works fine too tho.

3: If you were to join, what kind of basic role in the "game" plot - like Male lead, villainess noble girl, heroine, heroine's best friend, etc. - would you be most interested in playing, and would you rather be a reincarnator or not?

The most hilarious idea would be a female or male lead with a reincarnated spirit pushing them toward the heroine. Maybe, if we do something related to Arthurian legend or something, a character from that revived in their mind and has some control over their actions but not really, and is trying to get them to hook up with the main character. Would also be funny if the lead was a game character and the spirit was a reincarnated person who played the game or something.

4: If you're playing a major character in the "game" plot - like a male lead, for example - how much of the plot of your character's "route" would you prefer to come up with yourself, and how much would you expect me as GM to provide for you?

Either or. Probably most would be discussed between the GM and I tho.

5: Would you rather do the RP through this site, or through Discord?

Anywhere is fine, as long as it’s being RPed

how many cgs and does it have a scene replay

as many CGs as I can make by modding waifu-builder H-games, and perhaps

1: How many people are interested in the overall genre, and would like to try a roleplay based on the concept?

I dunno, like maybe five or six, my dude.

2: If you are interested, how serious would you like the roleplay to be?

I'd prefer it if it had bits of both. Like another said, SoL until like plot stuffs happen, then we can pursue to drama, edge, etc.

3: If you were to join, what kind of basic role in the "game" plot - like Male lead, villainess noble girl, heroine, heroine's best friend, etc. - would you be most interested in playing, and would you rather be a reincarnator or not?

I'm partial to playing a male lead, reincarnator, or that little fat kid from Accel World if need be.

4: If you're playing a major character in the "game" plot - like a male lead, for example - how much of the plot of your character's "route" would you prefer to come up with yourself, and how much would you expect me as GM to provide for you?

Talking about it would be great. When I do plots, I come up with like 6 billion meme ideas and then over the course of the character's life, kinda narrow it down. But I'd also love to collaborate and meme together. Especially with you, qt.

5: Would you rather do the RP through this site, or through Discord?

>Discord RPs
Lmaoing @ ur life kiddo

1: How many people are interested in the overall genre, and would like to try a roleplay based on the concept?

I've been going through Otome Isekais for a while now, and would certainly be interested in an RP of it.

2: If you are interested, how serious would you like the roleplay to be?

Half-and-half is fine... or something like that.

3: If you were to join, what kind of basic role in the "game" plot - like Male lead, villainess noble girl, heroine, heroine's best friend, etc. - would you be most interested in playing, and would you rather be a reincarnator or not?

Although I'd prefer a reincarnator, an in-game is fine as well. As such the villainess or an associate of hers (servant, the "Bad ending" husband, etc.) would be interesting.

4: If you're playing a major character in the "game" plot - like a male lead, for example - how much of the plot of your character's "route" would you prefer to come up with yourself, and how much would you expect me as GM to provide for you?

I think it would be best to discuss it together with the group. I've read enough otome isekai manga to know the tropes/flags/cliches inside out, but I don't want to step on toes.

5: Would you rather do the RP through this site, or through Discord?

Site, definitely site. I'm fine with discord OOC, though.

As far as ideas for the setting are concerned, I'll probably do some kind of medieval fantasy with rare superpowers - blessings from the fairies, elemental magic, something of that sort. Gotta make our various assorted bishies special, after all. Could go the generic route and have some kind of academy setup to justify an anachronistic high school in a medieval european setting, but I dunno about that yet. All I know is that it must obviously be aristocratic in nature and have plenty of opportunities for miscommunication, unwanted engagements, forbidden love, and possibly political assassinations and the ever-looming threat of war if we want to tell a more serious story.

Anyway, since I still don't even know if anyone will be interested in this, better keep it brief, so that's all for now. If you're interested, I look forward to hearing from you! Thanks for reading!

P.S.: I would like to request that if anyone reincarnates as the heroine, please don't just psychotically recite lines trying for the harem end. I know this entire genre is built on cliches and all, but seriously, enough is enough. We don't need any more evil heroines. I dunno, be a male college fratboy reincarnated as a Disney princess instead. Throw me a curveball here. I want to watch the world burn.

Well, if you want something new, I don't think I've seen an Otome Isekai with a jester before, so I could be one, for example.

Or, if the setting feels cliched, you could try space opera. Or add some RPG elements. Or... well, we can come up with something in the OOC. There's so many options.

Ooh! We got one! We got a villainess! :D

That makes two people willing to play male leads, and one person willing to play either a villainess or someone associated with them. I'll likely be playing a second villainess myself (because of course I am, do you have any idea how many of these I've been reading?) Aside from that, everyone else seems mostly flexible, with a few people wanting specifically to do side characters and at least one also willing to be a reincarnator.

To be honest, things are looking pretty good! About the only major character we'd be missing is the Heroine, and if nobody wants to play her we could always just have her be an NPC connecting everybody with control bouncing between the various players collectively.

I've also begun fleshing out the plot and setting some more, but it's getting late, so I don't have time to write up a detailed summary right now, so details to follow tomorrow, potentially along with an official OOC and a Discord server.

I'm glad to see so many people jumping aboard! Looking forward to having fun with y'all! :D

Update! I've created a discord server for this RP. I've decided to hold off on creating an official OOC until we've planned things out a little further, since I don't want to decide on any major setting details until we've all had a chance to discuss them and work in the things we want to see.

As such, I've also made an official Brainstorming channel on the Discord for us to use in planning out the core details of our characters and their respective places in the game world. And, if you have any secret twists or the like you want to have included, you can consult me either by PM on this site, or on Discord.

As we add more, I can also create additional channels to catalogue lore and route synposes - things like that. That way, we can keep everything conveniently in one place so that it doesn't get too confusing.

Anyway, Hope to see you all there!

discord.gg/QuvS5A

1: How many people are interested in the overall genre, and would like to try a roleplay based on the concept?

Uh, i mean, I'm interested... do you want me to do a headcount? :P

2: If you are interested, how serious would you like the roleplay to be?

I'd rather play something comedic and lighthearted. doesn't mean it can't get serious but nothing too dark please.

3: If you were to join, what kind of basic role in the "game" plot - like Male lead, villainess noble girl, heroine, heroine's best friend, etc. - would you be most interested in playing, and would you rather be a reincarnator or not?

I really want to play a shiny blond prince, no memories, who's pursuing his fiance (villainess). if he's lucky in these romantic pursuits, well, we'll have to see. either way, he is a Man in Love. but uhh since it looks like we've got a few male lead takers already, i hope you have room for one more.... it might be neat to play a heroine, though, if you really need one.

4: If you're playing a major character in the "game" plot - like a male lead, for example - how much of the plot of your character's "route" would you prefer to come up with yourself, and how much would you expect me as GM to provide for you?

A healthy mix of both. My biggest question is, where does the rp start? at childhood, or enter into highschool, or what? once that's established, you can tell me a bit about the setting and what the "good end" is for my character, and i can figure out the rest... provided we stay on track, of course.

5: Would you rather do the RP through this site, or through Discord?

Here, please! I'm not a big fan of discord, i always end up feeling left out n stuff. I'll pop over there to ask some questions, but don't expect me to be super active or anything...