How 4Channers Built an Infamous Game That is Finally Releasing on Steam, 15 Years Later

The online message board 4chan has garnered a reputation as one of the most infamous corners of the internet. Its strong adherence to anonymity has created an environment where extreme views, cyberbullying, and harmful ideologies proliferate. Despite sporadic moderation efforts, 4chan remains a breeding ground for hate speech, conspiracy theories, and illicit activities, solidifying its notoriety globally.

Against this backdrop, in 2007, a group of 4chan users collaborated to create one of the most iconic visual novels of all time. The game, titled Katawa Shoujo, translates roughly to "Disability Girls," though this interpretation does not fully capture the depth of its controversy, but more on that later.

Katawa Shoujo tells a story about Hisao Nakai, a teenager adjusting to life at a high school for students with disabilities after being diagnosed with a heart condition. The game explores themes of acceptance and personal growth through its diverse cast of characters.

These characters include Emi Ibarazaki, a spirited athlete with prosthetic legs; Hanako Ikezawa, a shy and introverted girl with severe burns; Lilly Satou, a refined and independent student who is blind; Rin Tezuka, an eccentric artist born without arms; and Shizune Hakamichi, a determined and competitive student council president who is deaf.

Seems pretty meek right? Especially for a game that originated from 4chan. Well hold your horses, there’s more. Much more.