Emo Lisa

Emo Lisa is a training game focused on recognising emotions through facial expressions. It draws on the Japanese idea of kuuki wo yomu (空気を読む), which refers to picking up on the mood and non-verbal cues of a person or group regardless of what is actually being said. The game covers eight fundamental human emotions and the facial expressions associated with each.

The structure follows a step-by-step approach. Players first study the characteristics of the eight emotions, then practise identifying them in daily sessions of at least five minutes. The game is intended to be used alongside real-world observation, with players encouraged to apply what they have learned to people they meet and adjust their communication to the emotional atmosphere around them.

Beyond recognition, Emo Lisa presents two further applications for the skills it teaches. One is detecting deception by noticing a mismatch between spoken words and displayed emotion, such as someone claiming to be pleased while showing boredom, anger, contempt or disgust. The other is assessing relationships, with the game citing expert views that frequent and prolonged expressions of contempt or disgust are markers of an unhealthy relationship. The game has moved from development to full release.