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The Visual Novel Database

vndb.org

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Spec score 7.2 #12 of 14 in Game Databases

What it is

The Visual Novel Database (VNDB) is a free resource for information about visual novels and eroge, available on the web and through an API. Its wiki lets people add and contribute information, including general details and practical coverage of releases, localisations and producers. Registered users can vote on visual novels and maintain lists of games they want to play or have finished. VNDB also aims to introduce visual novels to a broader audience across geographic and cultural differences. The Kana HTTPS API can query the database and manage user lists. Non-commercial API access costs nothing and is subject to limits: 200 requests per 5 minutes, one second of execution time per minute, and automatic abortion of requests exceeding three seconds. API availability is best-effort, with no guarantees about stability or applicability. It does not provide some site functions, including forums, database editing and account creation. Users can obtain API tokens from the Applications tab in My Profile, and a sandbox endpoint at beta.vndb.org/api/kana is available for testing and development. VNDB's first version went live in September 2007.

Spec sheet

Purpose
VNDB aims to be a comprehensive database for information about visual novels and eroge.Read 30 Sep 2026 · g.blicky.net
API
The Kana HTTPS API queries the VNDB database and manages user lists.Read 30 Sep 2026 · api.vndb.org
Founded
The first version of VNDB went live in September 2007.Read 30 Sep 2026 · g.blicky.net
API coverage
The API does not expose some site functions, including forums, database editing and account creation.Read 30 Sep 2026 · api.vndb.org
API status
The API is provided on a best-effort basis with no guarantees about stability or applicability.Read 30 Sep 2026 · api.vndb.org
Audience goal
VNDB also aims to promote visual novels to a broader audience regardless of geographical location or cultural differences.Read 30 Sep 2026 · g.blicky.net
Authentication
API tokens can be obtained from the My Profile form's Applications tab.Read 30 Sep 2026 · api.vndb.org
Development sandbox
A sandbox endpoint is available at beta.vndb.org/api/kana for testing and development.Read 30 Sep 2026 · g.blicky.net
Information scope
VNDB's goal includes general visual-novel information and practical information about releases, localisations and producers.Read 30 Sep 2026 · g.blicky.net
Personal lists
Registered users can keep track of a personal list of games they want to play or have finished.Read 30 Sep 2026 · g.blicky.net
Voting
Registered users can vote on all visual novels.Read 30 Sep 2026 · g.blicky.net
Wiki model
The website is built as a wiki so anyone can add and contribute information to the database.Read 30 Sep 2026 · g.blicky.net

Plans and prices

API (non-commercial) Free free for non-commercial use 200 requests per 5 minutes · 1 second execution time per minute · requests over 3 seconds aborted Read 30 Sep 2026 · api.vndb.org

Every The Visual Novel Database plan and price →

Strong points and limits

Strong points

  • Community wiki contributions cover releases and producers.
  • Registered users can vote and keep personal lists.
  • Kana API can query data and manage user lists.
  • A sandbox endpoint is available for development.

Limits

  • API access is best-effort, without stability guarantees.
  • API omits forums, editing and account creation.
  • Requests over three seconds are aborted.

Who it suits

VNDB suits visual novel readers who want to explore titles, contribute information, vote and keep personal lists. Developers can use the API to query database information or manage user lists, subject to its limits and exclusions.

Verdict

VNDB combines a community-maintained database with personal lists and voting. Its API is useful for queries and list management, but has stated limits and does not cover every site function.

Where Specifiction places it

Alternatives to The Visual Novel DatabaseAll alternatives →