#❝ a movie called life // ikuto stories.

[aspiring-holistic-otaku]

Season 2 Ramble#7 - All About Art

As the title suggests and as you probably guessed, this month's episode is all about art. I'm talking dancing, singing, modeling, drawing, whatever. You name it and surprisingly enough there's probably a manga for it. You can listen in with the link above or check the link in my bio for your preferred platform 🥂

Given the ever growing forms of art, its heavily subjective nature + my very limited perception and so on, I invite my friend Jen onto the show so I don't pigeonhole you all into my views and preferences via my reads.

So how this episode goes down is that the first segment is the usual listicle type beat, alternating between me and Jen, with the usual split of stuff read this month and stuff read before but since it's the two of us I thought I'd save y'all the long talking and have us only give details on the top 1s and kinda just summarize the other stuff we mention. Then for the second segment we'll have a little back and forth interview type beat in place of the usual rambles and then some outtakes from our test calls leading up to the episode to wrap up the whole thing.

Things read this month:

Top 1(me)

Shiori Experience(story & art by Yuuko Osada, ongoing with 66 chapters)

The main premise is that plain Jane highschool teacher Shiori, gets her life flip twisted upside down, when one day she's possessed by the ghost of legendary guitarist Jimi Hendrix. Pretty sweet deal tbh, especially if you're a music fan, which she is, but ofc there's a catch. If she doesn't become a legend before 27 she dies.

Great cast, pretty solid story and the two intersect really well as the main plot is driven by her trying to scrounge up and then develop a band. So it's been pretty balanced so far in that as different members join we get to see them develop individually as well together as a band. Pretty solid story as I said, it draws a pretty good range of emotions out of you but what pushed it to number 1 was definitely the phenomenal art, specifically their illustration of sound. Going from a gentle wave, to an explosive eruption it's really cool to see the different sounds of different bands or even the different songs of the same band. Cannot recommend this manga enough, it truly is an amazing experience.

Two Honourable Mentions:

Blue Giant

Basically this kid wants to be the greatest jazz player in the world, he plays a mean sax and you can maybe kinda think of it as equal but opposite to the movie whiplash. As in yh they both have dudes trying to do the virtually impossible, both facing their fair share of hardships and so on but blue giant just has this super contagious uplifting vibe, especially the main character dai. he's a real one fr.

Smile Down The Runway

This is about fashion and the story revolves around 2 folks, chiyuki a model that's too short and ikuto, a designer that's too broke. Both have dreams of one day making it to the Paris fashion week runway (which starts next month irl btw). Read this pretty late in the month but it was so good I pretty much just blazed through it. Won't say much but the art was amazing and the designs were actually flames.

a manga that was surprisingly good:

Wandance

As the name suggests it's about dancing, largely of the hip hop based variety, they make a lot of cool references to modern artists from dj cream to Freddy Gibbs to Kendrick and basically it's about a dude who finds it hard to speak finding joy in being able to express himself through dance. On that note I gotta mention this month apparently makes 50 years of hip hop, shout out the genre and its offshoots fr but let the record show it all started right here in Jamaica. (It was surprising because for me the art style reminded me of a ton of manga I just didn't like)

a manga I didn't get to but looks cool:

Paradise Kiss

Another fashion manga and that's all I can say

[unfortunately Jen had a lot of emergencies at work and didn't type up anything so I had to just summarize her stuff but you can listen in to hear what she had to say in detail]

Top 1(Jen) - Blue period

Two Honourable Mentions - Sounds of life and PPPPPP

Things read before this month:

Top 1(me)

Blue Period (story & art by tsubasa yamaguchi, ongoing with 61 chapters out in English)

Highschool delinquent yatora makes the last minute and arguably terrible career choice to become an artist. can't fight him though as clinging to a long life unable to be authentic to yourself reeks of misery. In any case the story so far follows him from high school to college, and we take a pretty indepth look at art, what it is and what it means to be good at it. Pretty bold move of the author to be honest.

Also want to mention the author has a self titled 4 chapter collection of short stories that you can check out as well, literally just found out and read earlier today, pretty neat read

Two Honourable Mentions:

Bakuman

Spoke on this last episode so I won't say much but it's a manga about making manga and it was the top one of its section last month

Akane Banashi

Something that was an honourable mention last month, really really good and would have been top 1 in its section of not for bakuman. It's about a traditional Japanese art called rakugo which is basically a one man play, because it's in the honourable mention slot I don't speak much on it but honestly really really really good

[Jen hadn't really read much art stuff before this month but she did mention Barakamon and Rakugo Shinjuu ]

Thanks for listening/reading so far and you can listen in for the little interview and outtakes 🍻

[flightfoot]

Yes she was fifth grader and don't worry most people at least the one I know doesn't even remember that detail, Shugo Chara just happened to be my comfort manga when I was younger that it stay in my head even after decade pases.

Also thank you for being level headed and understanding while providing the answer. People I saw in internet usually doesn't want to view amu and ikuto's relationship as a fan service and usually people didn't even read or read way past the first few chapters before making a judgement, especially people who keep saying that Ikuto is abusive and forcing himself to Amu even though he wasn't and there's always a reason behind his "problematic" act. So your honest opinion make me really glad that I decided to have this talk with you.

Me however feel defensive because I kind of expecting another whole debate about it because that's what I've been experienced for years and I'm sorry if my ask come out like that.

Hope you enjoy the manga. Cheers! -Shugo Chara Anon. (Because it's easier to call me that way lol 🤣)

Yeah I mean... the whole thing between Amu and Ikuto would have a plethora of issues in the real world, but from a fictional perspective, it makes sense why it's there. The whole manga's pretty fanservicey for Amu anyway, with how many people get crushes on her. Kairi and Nadeshiko/Nagihiko, for instance (though only the relationships with Tadase and Ikuto go anywhere). Even the cases where Ikuto's a little overly forceful make sense, it's part of the "well I'm not allowed to desire this, but this other person made me" thing that also explains why rape fantasies are common, even though most of the people who have those would never want it to happen in real life. It's one of the cases where you can really tell that Shugo Chara is aimed at tween girls and is meant to cater to them specifically. It also shows just how much Ikuto's attracted to Amu, which I mean, the idea that a hot bad boy high school student would be that into you as a tween girl can be a gratifying idea. Like this is the kind of thing I could see kids that age writing stories about, kind of like what happened in Turning Red, if you've seen that movie.

Actually it reminds me of Tokyo Mew Mew, which was the first manga I ever owned. Ikuto's a lot nicer than Kish is at least.

Also I actually finished the manga, I'd reread volume 1 earlier, and the library was missing two volumes so I skipped those (like I've said, I HAVE read it before, it's just been many years).

Plus I mean, I like plenty of "problematic" manga. The first anime I ever saw and at least one of the first manga I ever read was Cardcaptor Sakura. Beautiful art, great story, fantastic characters... but I wouldn't actually hand the manga to a kid in the target audience's age range because of the relationship between Mr. Terada and Rika (ew). Very glad they changed that to being a one-sided crush on Rika's part in the anime.

I don't necessarily LIKE when shows and manga have stuff that's squicky, but I'm also gonna look at why that stuff was included, and even in cases where I really think it shouldn't have been there, I might still enjoy the show/book for the other aspects of the story.

[sternenkrone-blog]

 The violet Alpha isn’t at all what Sanha envisioned.  There’s a preconceived idea about what he is supposed to look like, or, at least, rumors that spread like wildfire. A lot of his fellow students have heard about Denki branching out to Seoul. Nobody’s seen their Alpha yet, but they speculate all the same. Tall and dark and brooding, with a temper like the power he possesses -- not explosive, but lightning-fast, shocking. A force to be reckoned with.  In reality, Ikuto smiles at him like he couldn’t hurt a fly even if he had to.

 “You are Sanha, correct?” he asks in perfect Korean, the slightest twang of an accent curled around the syllables. Sanha gapes and nods, mouth hanging open. Behind Ikuto, Seokhyun snorts. Because of course he does.  Ikuto offers his hand. Sanha takes it with a few seconds delay. The handshake is gentle, Ikuto’s hand pleasantly warm. Hard calluses and a plethora of little scars line his palm. This, at least, is more like the rumors.  “It’s, uh, very nice to meet you.” Sanha makes to bow, but Ikuto stops him with a simple shake of his head.  “No, none of that. It’s all right. We’re equal here.”  The notion brings a smile to Sanha’s face. He’d been anticipating meeting Ikuto, equal parts worried and excited. Becoming part of a Coterie, no matter how small, is a commitment he couldn’t see himself entering just a year ago. The fact that he stands here now in the middle of the Denki headquarters’ lobby, shaking Kawahara Ikuto’s hand, awes him.  A lot has changed, hasn’t it?  Change, contrary to what Sanha used to believe, isn’t always awful. Moving to Seoul was one of his best decisions so far. Taking the plunge of confessing to Ichigo belongs on that same list, right at the top. If his track record stays this positive, joining Denki will be great. For more than one reason.  “Sorry, I kinda thought -- you know what? Never mind. I oughta wipe those rumors I’ve heard about you from my memory.”  Ikuto inclines his head. Not surprised, but knowing. He probably has to deal with those exact rumors and a slew of others on a daily basis. Sanha doesn’t envy it.  Instead of addressing Sanha’s words, Ikuto asks, “Shall we go find a more private spot? I’ve a few things to speak to you about first. Then we’ll see to your initiation.”  “We’ll be… somewhere,” Seokhyun says with a flourish aimed at the door. The young man Ikuto had arrived with joins him, albeit a touch hesitantly. Sanha almost forgot about him, slight and silent as he is. It’s hard to tell why he’d come along, considering he’s kept to himself since he entered, but he must be someone important. Ikuto’s second in command, perhaps. But he didn’t introduce himself, and Ikuto hasn’t made an effort to do it for him yet, either. How odd.  He shares a look with Ikuto that has him flash a thin smile before he trails after Seokhyun like a puppy.  “Well then. Follow me.”  They settle down in Seokhyun’s office, Sanha closing the door behind himself with a gentle click. Ikuto motions him to sit, so he does.  “I believe Seokhyun has already given you a brief rundown of what we do and what we stand for?” Ikuto still wears a smile, but there’s sobriety in his eyes now, more business-like. It matches the way he’s dressed, a dark grey three-piece suit and shiny dress shoes. It’s likely he’s in Seoul for more than Sanha’s initiation. Dressing up only for it makes little sense. It’s not the type of person Ikuto is. If he’d wanted to impress him, he could have chosen a million other methods.  “Uh, yeah.” Sanha furrows his brows. “I know you guys are mostly in charge for import and export things, and that your turf in Tokyo’s the harbor. Oh, and the lightning thing, of course.”  Ikuto hums, folding his hands neatly in his lap. “As you can imagine, our influence here isn’t nearly as great as the one we have back home. Our territory is, for now, these headquarters. I’m in talks with a few government officials with the help of Aurora, but it will be a lengthy process until we’re granted any kind of authority.” His smile widens. “This is why new members are important. The more we grow here, the easier it’ll be to have something to show for. I can’t demand anything when my coterie here consists of only one person, now can I?”  “Sure, yeah. So… I’m helping?”  “Of course you are.”  Sanha had thought joining Denki was only a big deal for him, not for their Alpha. But there is much more that goes into it. Much more that he hadn’t considered for the simple fact that it made little sense to him to be meaningful. His heart jumpstarts. It’s so much pressure. He’ll be a vital part of Denki gaining traction, a vital part of them establishing themselves in Seoul. Meaning something in the big picture fills him with giddiness.  “At the end of the day,” Ikuto continues, “our influence isn’t all that makes us who we are. We were a business, once, but priorities have changed. When I was elected Alpha, I had a vision for Denki. I wanted us to be a safe haven more than a means to make money. As you can imagine, I’ve lost quite a few of my people when I made that clear.”  Despite his smile, his voice is heavy. Ikuto averts his eyes to his hands, still folded in his lap. For a moment, his knuckles go white.  “You can… leave a coterie? Just like that?”  Ikuto nods. “This isn’t a binding contract. It’s encouraged to stay within a coterie all your life, but I’ve never been fond of enforcing it. I see no reason to keep someone with me when their heart tells them to go.”  The sigh Sanha exhales is riddled with relief. Ikuto notices it, too, judging by his softening features. Sanha shoots him an apologetic look, but there is no use denying that this hadn’t been a concern. A part of why he’d rejected the idea of joining all those months ago was that being bound to something would be hell for him. Sanha needs to be free to be happy. He needs to have a choice. It’s what he’s worked for so, so hard, and he wouldn’t give it up for anyone or anything.  “But what happens when you leave? It can’t be this easy.”  Ikuto leans back in his seat. “You’re stripped of your powers, first. They’re a privilege that comes with being part of a coterie, and it’s been long established that, should someone leave, under whichever circumstances, they need to return to the way they were before they joined. It isn’t… I mislike the process. Drawing the powers out of someone is like robbing the air from their lungs. Your body gets used to them, you see. So once you lose that, there’ll be… a void. Furthermore, you are forbidden to join another coterie. Another Alpha will know whether or not you have been part of one before.”  How grim. Not that Sanha plans on leaving once he’s committed, but having the option still soothes his nerves. A way out should he ever need it. He nods in understanding. “I can’t see myself wanting to do any of that. I wanna join ‘cause I think it’ll be good for me. I’m not a quitter. You’re not gonna get rid of me that easily.”  “Good for you?” Ikuto looks at him with genuine curiosity.  “Well, yeah. Like… Seokhyun-hyung talks a lot about how you guys are a family. How you’re supportive. I have friends who are just like that for me, but… “  “It’s different.”  “Yeah! Yeah, it’s… I’m not sure how to say it.”  Slowly, Ikuto leans forward again to touch his fingers to Sanha’s wrist. He’s warm.  “As long as it makes sense for you, there is no need to explain yourself. All I need you to do is be certain you want to do this.”  Sanha bites his lower lip. He’s thought about it long enough. Put off by the idea at first, becoming friends with it over the course of almost a year, considering it in earnest the moment he ran into Seokhyun in Seoul again. Ikuto’s fingers still rest on his wrist, gentle but solid. Secure. Sanha nods. “I wanna do it.”  They migrate to the headquarters’ common room. Ikuto tells him that initiation is not something he does in seclusion. He’d considered taking him to Japan for it, but it felt right to do it in Seoul, even if the majority of Denki isn’t there to watch. He calls Seokhyun and the other young man back, and they arrive a good ten minutes later.  It’s a quick affair, then. Ikuto has him kneel on the ground before him and offering him his right arm. This is much more like what he’d imagined was going to happen. Ceremonious in a way, Seokhyun and, who he now knows is called Nathaniel, watching with rapt attention. Ikuto presses two fingers to Sanha’s pulse point and closes his eyes.  “This might smart a little.”  “Smart” is an understatement. The moment Ikuto applies pressure, a bolt of electricity shoots through Sanha’s entire body. It has him paralyzed and gasping for air, spreading into his chest, his stomach, the very tips of his fingers and toes. It worms itself into his veins, skittering through his blood until he’s hot all over. Sanha wrangles out a cry, but it’s strangely muffled to his own ears. Like something swallowed him up whole, isolating his senses from the rest of the world. He’s acutely aware of every fiber of his being, every beat his heart takes, pounding like a war drum. He gapes up at Ikuto, whose eyes are still closed, brows furrowed to the point of creasing the skin between them.  Everything stops.  Ikuto lets go of him. Sanha collapses on the ground. His lungs expand, greedy for every breath he sucks in. Where his entire body was hot just seconds ago, he freezes now, goose-flesh lining his arms. He picks himself up into a sitting position, straining to keep upright. His fingertips tingle, so do his palms and the soles of his feet.  Something stings at his neck.  Sanha gasps, bringing his hand up right to the spot underneath his earlobe. Under his fingers develops a searing pain, traveling a slow, jagged path. First down, then up again, then across. Sanha gasps, fully expecting his hand to come away bloody when he removes it. But it’s clean, the same as before. He rubs at the spot on his neck again. It’s tender now, akin to a fresh bruise or a cut.  “Your insignia,” Ikuto explains without him having to ask. He drops into a crouch, grasping Sanha’s hand to inspect his neck, himself. The smile he gives him this time is overwhelmingly warm and proud. “You’re part of us now, Sanha. Do you want to see it?”  “See… ? I… “ Sanha looks toward Seokhyun, who smiles at him, too, a little cheeky and bright. But there’s pride in it, too. He nods at him as though to encourage.  Ikuto helps him up, and though he’s wobbly on his feet, he makes it into the bathroom without losing balance.  Bracing his hands on the sink, he stares at his reflection in the mirror. The spot underneath his earlobe is red, irritated. He leans in close, tilting his head. In the middle of the redness, a lightning bolt brands his skin, deep violet in color. A tattoo. Denki’s insignia. “Holy shit,” Sanha whispers at the mirror. It’s real, now. Done.  He rejoins the others, still in a bit of a daze. Ikuto approaches him to envelop him in a fatherly hug, which Sanha doesn’t think about twice reciprocating. When they part, Seokhyun is right there, too, patting his back.  “Congratulations,” he says, cheeky smile still in place. “You’ve made it.”  Sanha returns the smile with a grin of his own.