i don't even know what to say tbh.............. i'm gonna start by my visceral reaction when i read this:
YOUR ARTSTYLE AND YOUR CHARACTERS ARE NOT A PROBLEM !!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
this is probably very hard to believe and i think a lot of us indies tend to put the blame in ourselves or in the passion we pour into things but it's simply not true. your creative vision is not a problem. it is literally your strength. you're not doing anything wrong.
i personally believe that you've made a name for yourself in the indie scene, even if it may not feel like it. your artstyle is easily recognizable, which is something many artists strive for. your stories are strong, well-crafted, and you said it yourself -- they brought a small community of passionate fans who LOVE your stuff. and i DOUBT people are annoyed at you for drawing genzou, because they LOVE your stuff. they love YOU, as a creator. and if something makes you happy, it will make them too.
i'm sorry for your multiple rejections (even if steam didn't directly "reject" you, it buried your game so it kinda feels like the same). and i'm gonna tell your feelings of hopelessness are very valid. i really hope you're taking good care of yourself even if this year hasn't been the kindest to you (i feel that too, personally). i just want to say that it's not the end, ok? it only ends when it's over. and you're still alive and you don't know what the future might bring -- and we often tend to think it's gonna be worse, but maybe it can be good too? very good? you don't know. i think life works in mysterious ways and success sometimes isn't a big break. sometimes succes comes very slowly, in baby steps. and you have to be a little patient with it, patient with yourself. and that sucks lolllllllllllllllllll but i guess it's the only way.
i hope you can find some rest in everything. you did very well and i'm proud of you for putting yourself out there, for trying, even if it didn't work out this time. but really it sounds like a lot so yeah. yeah keep that rest going king. and i hope learning german isn't beating your ass too much.
sending lots of love to you !!!!!!!!!!!!!! take care !!!!!!!!!!