#“you're the audience” yoshida says.

[iridescentscarecrow]

thinking about how the yoshiden theatre scene

mirrors makima and denji's date from part one, in that it ends with an affirmation of normality. of humanity from yoshida: "is this what it's like to be normal? / yeah. it is.",

only that it's less one sided than the makima conversation about denji having a heart ever was because it's more participatory in a sense. yoshida's the same, the wording: "think skipping school to hang out would make us regular high schoolers?" how he uses "we" so much, so much i

think about fujimoto's character triad of reze, yoshida and togata. how togata and reze are tied to finding themselves in the main character and how yoshida (?? the we is telling.). thinking about the togata movie scene. thinking about the togata movie scene. thinking abou

thinking about the devil under the movie screen. its corpse under the movie they're watching play out. it's resemblance to a squid. seafood. octopus. something. it's intentional. "all that's left is to remove the body." thinking about

"you aren't the protagonist. the world won't end without you."

[arkadiaasks]

Interesting so you complain about Go Rush (a show that asks the audience to use critical thinking skills) but support VRAINS (a show that asks the audience to revel in misogyny, racism, and ableism).

Sigh I really shouldn't answer these kind of questions...

I criticize Go Rush!! because Rovian is an incomprehensible beatnik slam poet who mumbles out nonsense cheered on by her lesbian wife.

Why am I supposed to care about her motivations if the show does not articulate them to me. "Show Don't Tell" is an overrated mechanism especially for children's TV.

It's also pretty clear the last 4 or 5 episodes of the Space Treasure arc got dinged because Mr. Lounsbery got COVID resulting in the back end being scrambled as they did Whacky Nonsense running around with the YudiaSheet.

It's the onus of the show to explain to me why Rovian is at all concerned about The Lugh. And why I should care about her ultimately.

This isn't asking critical thinking it's called the motivations of characters got scrambled or dropped in a trash can (and worsened due to a dialogue gimmick) and much of the end of its second arc got severely mishandled in my opinion, when an actor got severely sick.

I "support" VRAINS because its writing and story is clearly explained by its staff lead by Mr. Yoshida.

Even if you think it portrays Misogyny, Racism and Ableism (I don't think it does more than any other utterly bland Centrist Liberalism based work, and I honestly think you're reaching beyond reasonable belief), the story is still inherently better communicated to the audience as well as its themes and motifs.

And if you're arguing me liking VRAINS (I think it's my third least-liked Yu-Gi-Oh! with DM and ARC-V beneath it) says something about my moral character, that's insane black-white moralism that doesn't understand how humans function.

One can find a lot of value in a highly flawed work (VRAINS or the works of H.P. Lovecraft) and still be a good human being in their day-to-day life and believe women are equal to men, and that racism is idiotic.

I think a lot of Go Rush!! is good, especially with Yudias and Zuwijo's motivations, but I can still think it did itself dirty with an antagonist turned ally's motivations being articulated and fucked up its second arc's landing.

As much as I also can think VRAINS was heavily worsened by Link era Dueling Rules, realism to the actual game, was kind of honestly boring and the entire Mirror Link VRAINS arc was nails on a chalkboard, but still think its themes and motifs and ideas were some of the strongest in Yu-Gi-Oh! despite a lack luster execution.

If someone not batshit insane can articulate Rovian's motivations to me, I'd love to hear them.

[namitomoon]

This. The Yu-Gi-Oh! anime has always been, even back from the Toei era, a commercial for the card game. An elaborated, flashy, enjoyable and overall pretty good commercial. Both in dub AND sub.

The only real difference in approach is that the sub is a shonen anime targeted to teenagers mainly while the dub is focused on a much younger audience (both in the 4Kids and Konami Cross Media eras) precisely to promote the card game among them, hence the dubious "honor" of being one of the last remaining anime franchises to keep using the 4Kids handbook (despite the ironic fact that Yu-Gi-Oh is pretty much the main reason 4Kids went bankrupt) thus the censorship and the added cornyness.

Personally, I'm a sub purist but I can also acknowledge (with reservations) that the dub also has its merits and in *enjoyment* sometimes it's better than the sub. If you're able to look past the sub's inherent "commercial" raison-de-être because of Shin Yoshida sometimes adding a cool narrative esoteric element or Kenichi Hara making an amazing fluid sakuga sequence I think it's also reasonable to look past the dub's reason to be censored and acknowledge some merits there and there (some VA performances for example). And I say this as someone who made a (deleted) criticizing the dub for being precisely more "commercial".

Btw, most shonen anime are also very commercial in nature. Yu-Gi-Oh is just way more evident. But don't deny that MHA or Demon Slayer are also looking to sell you merchandise in the form of figures, posters, plushies, THE MANGA VOLUMES THEMSELVES, etc.

a really crazy thing i see people say sometimes in criticism of the yugioh dubs is that they're "just a big commercial" for the card game

which is not untrue but i've been watching go rush as it airs on tv tokyo every week for almost a year and there are literally NO commercials aired during the yugioh block except those for the ocg. it's just back to back yugioh card game tins/box sets/card pack ads. and occasionally a stray ad for a yugioh videogame

you can't pretend it hasn't always been Please Buy Our Merch all the way down like i promise you that it is. and that doesn't take away from it being a good story! that's just what a hobbyani is!

[kationella]

To Be A Sun

This is me ranting about the symbolism of the Sun Arcana characters in Persona. Ok, thanks.

As of Persona 5, our Sun characters have been Tatsuya Suou, Akinari Kamiki, Yumi Ozawa, Ayane Matsunaga, Sho Minazuki and Toranosuke Yoshida. Unlike the Justice characters, the Suns seem to be completely different characters with no similarities. At least, at first glance.

The themes of this rant will be the following:

1. Loyalty

2. Solar Eclipse

3. Center of the Solar System

4. Supernova

5. So...

Loyalty

I will begin with a trait that the Suns have in common: Loyalty; although they don't have the same brand. Whether its loyalty for a certain person or their personal ideals, the Suns will stick by them to the end of times.

Coincidentally, this also means that it will be extremely difficult to change their mind about the object of their loyalty. Stubborness is a side effect of this.

Let's review.

Tatsuya's loyalty lies with his friends, especially Maya and Jun. The latter tried to kill him and Tatsuya forgave him the same day. Not to mention that Tatsuya stubbornly clinged at the memory of his friends even though it meant the possible destruction of Earth.

Though we meet Akinari near the end of his life, we get a glimpse of his loyalty to the protagonist in the way he was always waiting for him each Sunday afternoon and how he strived to say goodbye to the protag even after his death.

Yumi's loyalty is towards her mother, getting angry at her father on her behalf and forsaking her role in the school play to help her.

Ayane is an example of the other type of loyalty; the one dedicated to their ideals and beliefs. Even though she develops it late in her Social Link, she learns to stick by what she wants for herself.

Meanwhile, Sho and Minazuki are devoted to one another. The entire plot of P4AU is them trying to be alone together.

Old Man Tora shows the two types of loyalty. The first one towards his firm ideals and the other one towards the people he means to serve. This is what makes him the only politician I believe in.

A Sun Arcana is one of the best friends you could ever get. The ride or die type of friend. The problem with this is that, in their effort to stick by their object of loyalty, they forget to take care of themselves. It would be extremely dangerous for them to align their loyalty with a toxic person or dangerous belief. More on this later.

The Suns need to find their inner source of happiness so they can properly shine. Something no outside force can take away. And talking about external threats...

Solar Eclipse

The Suns already start with a distinct shine of their own. Something they were born with. However, when we met them there is always one external influence that blocks their sunlight.

And so, we have the Solar Eclipse effect, where a character from the Sun Arcana feels inadequate due to factors outside their control, not realizing they are perfect the way they are.

It's common for a Sun to have a certain individual related to those problems who serves as their blocker.

Whether it's some dimensional game you're a piece of (Nyarlathotep and Philemon), your parents' dispute (Yumi's father), a lost opportunity to show your worth (Original Trombone Player), experiments made on you (Ikutsuki) or a scandal you were wrongly accused of (Kuromoto).

The only one without a certain person would be Akinari, but to be fair it's hard to blame someone else for a genetic terminal illness. Ironically, his last days were spent talking with someone who had a piece of Death inside him. Who knows. Maybe if Akinari had known that Minato was related to Death itself...

Especially if we consider that almost all of the Suns had an amiable relationship with their blocker at one point or another.

Philemon was Tatsuya's guide through his journey.

Yumi felt gratitude towards her father for bringing her to the world.

Ayane did return the trombone solo to the original player.

Ikutsuki was the closest thing Sho had to a father figure.

Kuromoto was Yoshida's old mentor.

Once that blocker moved on with their fate, the Suns started to shine again. And what to do now that the heavens are their own again?

Center of the Solar System

The most basic fact about the Sun (besides the fact that it's hot) it's that it is the center of the Solar System. Every other planet rotates around them. The Sun stays firm, with a shinning light for the rest of the system.

In the same way as that, the Sun Arcana characters have the potential of becoming leaders and the protagonists of their own stories, setting an example for the rest of their acquaintances.

Tatsuya is the most obvious example. He is the main protagonist of his own game. Nothing to say that isn't already known.

Akinari writes a storybook that would become the inspiration of a new generation of children, if Nanako's love for it is anything to go by.

The whole point of theatre is to lead the audience through a story and create emotions in them through a character. Something Yumi excels at.

Ayane's Social Link is about being more selfish and grasping the opportunities presented to her.

Yoshida is the most literal example, being a politician and all.

Sho still has to find that *something* that will end up making him an example to others but he is on the way.

A fully developed Sun will be able to be a charismatic leader, who earns the loyalty of their team through kindness and generosity. Sunlight is meant to help others see the world around them, in the same way Suns will help others see their potential and own inspiration. You just can't take your eyes off them since you literally gravitate towards them.

This is the main point that separates a Sun from a Star. Those with the Star Arcana need to learn they can shine brightly for themselves, while the Suns learn that they can shine for others as well. They all start with low self-esteem, but their pride will keep developing as time goes on.

Suns have a natural talent for initiative. Through their stories we helped them realize their own potential but now its up to them to do the rest.

Supernova

As we all know, fire needs fuel to burn, but what happens when you allow your inner fire to burn you from the inside out and leave nothing behind?

You get the case of King Leo, the Reverse Sun.

So far we have only one Reverse Sun character but we can determine a lot from him. Basically, Reverse Arcanas are the "corrupt" version of their original personalities, so what happens when a Sun becomes corrupted? Well...

See, King Leo or Sudou fits all the criteria that defines a Sun.

He is extremely loyal to both Kashihara and Joker. However, this loyalty only brought him misery when both abandoned him. Sudou poured so much in them that when they disappeared, he had nothing left.

Sudou thought his Solar Eclipse was caused by Tatsuya and Maya, when in reality it came to be thanks to Nyarlathotep and his father. A life of hallucinations and misery caused by these two.

Sudou's position as an executive in the Masked Circle shows his leadership aptitude and potential to become the center of his own system.

Sudou spent so much time eclipsed that, in his desire to shine as bright as he could to break free, he ended up burning everything in his path. He literally exploded in a fiery rage and collapsed.

At that point it became mercy for Tatsuya to kill him.

His is a sad case, especially when comparing him to the other Suns and realizing his lost potential.

A similar case outside of Persona where the "Inner Fire Burns All" applies would be Azula from Avatar. Now that I think about it, she would make a good Reverse Sun Arcana... hmm.

So...

The Sun Arcana is such an interesting card. By all accounts, it symbolizes happiness and joy. A common mistake is to think these are given. No, a true Sun Arcana *fights* to achieve that happy ending. Once they reach it, their victory will be the sweetest of all.

Celestial Arcanas in general have the tendency to be a guiding light to everyone else (although some of them do it unintentionally).

There is also the matter of the writing parallels between the Suns and their Moon counterparts, but that is a theme for another time.

And now you'll ask me: "Kationella, what was the point of this analysis?"

Well, it all comes down to one question that has been plaguing me for days:

Would it be ironic for Suns to wear sunglasses?

[ao3feed-nhie]

by fantasize

"Now that she thinks about it, she remembers the ridiculous amount of times she’d compared her time with Paxton with her time with Ben, even when she first started dating him. Whenever she would be doing anything with Paxton even remotely similar to something she’d done with Ben, her mind would throw past memories at her, hurl them at her as she tried to dodge them feverishly.

She’s spent the past two years trying to push those thoughts to the back of her head, ignoring them and letting them conglomerate until it eats up her entire brain. She knows that eventually, she will have to confront those thoughts, and that time is now. She can’t continue pretending like everything is fine, that her heart doesn’t skip a beat every time Ben smiles at her, that she doesn’t think about him whenever she closes her eyes, that she doesn’t feel a thrill in her body every time he touches her, and that she doesn’t enjoy spending time with him, or bickering with him."

[in simpler words: after a one week fling with ben in sophomore year, devi chose to date paxton. now in senior year, she's starting to realize that what she thinks she wants isn't what she actually desires]

Words: 8333, Chapters: 1/3, Language: English

Fandoms: Never Have I Ever (TV)

Rating: Teen And Up Audiences

Warnings: Creator Chose Not To Use Archive Warnings, No Archive Warnings Apply

Categories: F/M, Multi

Characters: Devi Vishwakumar, Ben Gross, Paxton Hall-Yoshida, Fabiola Torres, Eleanor Wong, Nalini Vishwakumar, Rebecca Hall-Yoshida, Trent Harrison, Mr. Shapiro (Never Have I Ever), Kamala (Never Have I Ever)

Relationships: Ben Gross & Devi Vishwakumar, Ben Gross/Devi Vishwakumar, Paxton Hall-Yoshida/Devi Vishwakumar, Ben Gross/Other(s), Eve (Never Have I Ever)/Fabiola Torres, Eleanor Wong/Oliver Martinez

Additional Tags: lots of, Pining, slowburn, Hurt, Confusion, i tried not to make either of the boys seem like 'bad guys' if you know what i mean, bc i genuinely do like both paxton and ben, but i just dont think dexton would work out, Enemies to Lovers, Enemies to friends to lovers to strangers to friends to lovers, this wasn't orignally supposed to be this long, devi reflecting on her grief, yes devi does get mad easily that's just canon, Canon Compliant, Post-Canon, there is dexton but benvi endgame

[frozenoverblackballoon]

Yoshida was dead! Yes, they missed a lot with Isaak's character that should have been in the manga and anime. A lot should have been in the manga and anime, but it wasn't one because a lot in the light novels wasn't good. The manga skips RAM because those are nowhere near as good as ROM. With the anime only glossing over them. Two Yoshida passed away! He left very little information of his characters' motivations or what their ultimate end would be. The manga and anime creators had to make up stuff and improve upon what was left behind in order to make a good story and sell it at the same time.

Also, the demography changed. The books where crud male fantasies. But the manga, especially the anime was more female inclusive if not aimed to a female audience altogether.

I'm not saying you're wrong. There's a lot I wished they had done with Isaak's character. A lot I wished they had brought into the manga and anime. But there is obvious reason they didn't.

How Trinity Blood manga and anime missed a huge chunk of Isaak's character

Yes, I am talking about Isaak Fernand von Kampfer, this guy.

The differences between Trinity Blood manga, Trinity Blood anime and Trinity Blood light novel is very big, even when the manga tried its best to follow the light novel, the complexity of Isaak's character still gets chipped and shrunk.

In the light novel, there are several chapters that combine to give a larger picture of Isaak's personality, aside from the cold, mechanical cruelty: RAM 4 Lady Guilty, RAM 5 Radiohead, the Overcount scene that should be in RAM 6, ROM 4 Clan of the Fang.

In RAM 4 Lady Guilty, Isaak has a conversation with Dietrich while feeding his pet Undynes. The way these two talk show a certain understanding in between them.

A huge portion of Isaak and Dietrich's synergy is then described in RAM 5 Radiohead, as the two of them boarded the "Bachelor's Pride" cruise from Londinium to Germanicus and the whole show happened on it.

Then in Overcount scene, when Isaak got bombarded by Tres, Leon and Abel, Dietrich came to assist Isaak's retreat.

In ROM 4 Clan of the Fang, after Guderian finished fighting with Monica and had his right eye gouged out, Isaak complimented him for his hard work and said he can rest now. In the manga, Isaak simply said they have seen everything and can make their exit now.

My point is both anime and manga cut off some important character-development chapters of Isaak, for reason (manga only goes with ROM), or alternating/adding new scenes to showcase Isaak's cruelty (the scene with Dietrich in Empress of the Night arc) causes many impressive sides of Isaak to be lost.