#死/// Bonds.

[inun4ki]

✾ Bedhead Morning Kiss?

[beyourselfchulanmaria]

LOL

oops! No wonder I meet so many people who always tell lies for this reason. 🤣🤭

Lan~*

“If you tell someone you’re divorced, they don’t even blink, but tell them you’ve never been married and they wonder what’s wrong with you.”

— Stephanie Bond, I Think I Love You

[bnhaobservation]

Did Enji atone to Touya (and his family) and stepped up on his role as a father?

Boku no Hero Academia has a grave 'flaw'. The fact that's strongly tied to Japanese culture and Buddhism makes it a very interesting work but also makes it a hardly international work because way too many cultural things are left unexplained because they're assumed to be a given. Only they're not when the work is read by foreign readers. And this lead to confusion.

The Todoroki plotline is an example of this.

In the west many feel Enji did nothing for Touya or did too little because the little he did is a given in the west. The point is... it's not a given in Japan. In Japan is a BIG DEAL. So let's go though it.

First, the fact that he doesn't want to kill Touya even though he's a criminal

Todoroki Enji ‘Ore wa ikinobite mo... ENDEAVOR wa shinda. Tairyō satsujinsha (read: musuko) to tatakaenai.’ 轟炎司「俺は生き延びても...エンデヴァーは死んだ。大量殺人者（むすこ）と戦えない。」 Todoroki Enji “Even if I survived... Endeavor is dead. I can't fight against a mass murderer (read: my son).”

Let's compare it to these two scenes of "Death Note" and see how Yagami Soichiro, a policeman, is taking the idea his son might be a killer and how, although Misa protests, the story doesn't present it as him being crazy but as it being his duty.

That's why Hawks doesn't want to send Enji, who's on an atonement path, to face Dabi, because Enji might end up in a situation in which he would have to kill his son and he would refuse... which is more or less what happens.

Second, Enji acknowledges that what Touya said is true, Touya is his son and Enji did what he did. In such a situation many would lie. Dabi's video proves nothing. He is a Villain, they had a doctor in the team who could create Nomu, the paternity test could be fake, even if Dabi were to provide a sample of his blood or skin they could insist that's fake.

Society didn't want the truth, they don't want Enji to confess, they wanted him to reassure them, they even commented he should have lied because yes, that's what's done often.

Basically he put his honor on the chopping block. A public apology like this one is a BIG DEAL in Japan. It's much more serious than in western countries and he does it when he could have spared himself and say Dabi lied but that would have meant to deny his son.

Third, it connects to the first in a way. While Enji is unwilling to kill Touya, he's willing to die with him. It's ‘shinjū’ (心中 Lit. “Mind/heart center/inside” but more likely means “oneness of hearts”, probably reflecting a psychological link between the participants) and it’s a word used in common parlance to refer to any group suicide of two or more individuals bound by love, typically lovers, parents and children, and even whole families. People who commit shinjū believe that they would be united again in heaven, a view supported by feudal teaching in Edo period Japan, which taught that the bond between loved ones would continue into the next world, and by the teaching of Pure Land Buddhism wherein it is believed that through shinjū, one can approach rebirth in the Pure Land. By volunteering to die with him, Enji is basically agreeing to remain with him in their next reincarnation.

For us it's crazy, it's Enji giving up on saving him. In Japan it sounds like 'I love you and I want to be with you'.

Forth, he'll apologize to Touya. As said before it's a BIG DEAL, especially since Enji is the family head and, although for us most of what he did is wrong, in Japan most of what he did is well within what he can do. Marrying a woman you don't love in a combined marriage to expect the child who'll be born from it will fulfill your ambitions and not really bothering to raise it because that's a mother job, well, things are changing in Japan but none of the above is a crime. In a not so distant past it was actually the norm. Yet Enji apologizes even though normally a family head wouldn't.

Fifth it's a bit in the first point and in the second but it'll drag on through all the story, Enji won't reject Touya. He's the only one (except Fuyumi who however doesn't get to say much) who never calls him Dabi after the reveal, and he won't strike him out of the family register but will keep on considering him his son.

Look at the Tobitas instead and at how they kick their son out.

Don't think Hawks is cutting strings with his parents solely because they were abusive, the Tobitas show us how you should just cut strings with a criminal. Same as the Togas.

Have "Theseus no fune" in which a man accused to be a murderer, send a birthday gift to his son and watch the reaction of his wife.

They don't want to keep contact with a criminal. It's scary because they'll be mistreated if they are discovered to be related to him.

And, in this vein, the fact he wants to go see him, that he'll keep on seeing him till the end instead than turning his back on him, is seen as important. It's seen as him being his father.

To many of us it seems as if he's forcing his presence upon Touya. Actually, from a Japanese perspective he's instead not abandoning him like many others would.

And since Touya is dying, very likely the talking will be the talking that's done in a Buddhist culture when someone is dying. Death should occur in a calm and peaceful environment, with close friends and family in attendance. Together they should reflect on the good deeds the dying person has done throughout their life, in the hopes it will help them in their next reincarnation. Additionally, family and friends can perform good deeds on behalf of them, which they believe will be of merit to the deceased.

So, since Touya is dying he won't get a scolding like Chisaki, they'll all only tell him nice and soothing things so he'll die peacefully.

Now... in the west all this is absolutely way too little, and in some points even feels wrong. Dying together instead than insisting in trying to save him? Deciding unilaterally to show up every day? Not our thing...

We can totally say 'thanks, I hate it' because we grew up with Darth Vader who instead gave his life to SAVE his son. All this accepting that Touya instead is going to die so Enji can at best die with him or keep him company until he does... well, it's mostly not our cup of cultural tea.

In in Japan though, all Enji does is important. Enji is doing something for Touya as a father, something important many fathers wouln't do for their sons.

Does it would satisfy a Japanese audience? They'll get the message better than us... but things are changing and anyway it can still feel too little. "Death Note" is dated 2005/2006 and back in it Misa was already questioning the idea of a father killing his son and then killing himself. BNHA is more innovative as Enji doesn't think to kill Touya but he still goes for the 'let's die together' route... and Horikoshi subtly criticizes it by having the rest of the family decising they'll try to stop the fire before just giving up. They're willing to die, but not before trying.

Enji represents plenty of old theories after all, which Horikoshi acknowledges were moved out of wrong beliefs, not moved by mean intents... which, is possible, would still not be enough for Japanese readers either because among teenagers, the target audience, there's an increasing number of teen who, in Japan, are forced to leave home (the Toyoko Kids) and often ends up committing crimes to survive and the league seems to be based on all the kind of homeless people Japan has.

While for a kid at home with a loving family being told that your father will die with him if he messes up instead than just dumping him might be comforting... for a kid that was abused and forced to leave home this might feel not enough.

People want to be saved, being told it's too late to save them, might be a lesson for those who hadn't done anything wrong yet so that they won't do it, but it's surely not a hopeful message for who instead got himself into troubles.

But well, that's something for the Japanese audience to ponder.

There's also to point out that, even though the message is not hopeful, Horikoshi is seeing the homeless people and acknowledging they should be helped.

Japan in regard to the Toyoko kids is mostly like the old woman who pretended not to see Tenko but that, in the end, helps that new boy.

I think Horikoshi's message desperately wants to be hopeful even for them, that he wants BNHA be like Midoriya's final stand, something that will push people to acknowledge they exist and reach out to help them.

It just that... it gets lost in what I'll call the 'litteral translation'.

No one explains us how we should jusge the scenes and, since we lack the cultural background, to us they are perceived differently because to us things work differently.

And, personally, even when I think I figured out the author's intent and can see the positivity of it, the cultural filter is still too tick and the picture gets blurried.

It's like being beginner at speaking a foreign language and having to constantly translate it in your head. The message loses its natural beauty, get simplified and not fully grasped.

I think I understand how Enji's atonement work in regard to Touya... it still doesn't feel fulfilling to me. But enough about Touya.

'Now,' you might rightfully say, 'fine, I'll bite, let's assume what Enji has is an atonement arc for Touya. It doesn't work at all in the west but let's give it a pass. What about his other kids?'

Natsuo and Fuyumi's wishes are in conflict.

Fuyumi wants the five of them to be a family (at the time she doesn't know Touya is alive), Natsuo doesn't want to be part of a family with Enji.

Enji's solution is giving Fuyumi a house in which she can welcome her mother and live with Natsuo (and Shouto when he comes home), while he removes himself from the equation. The solution fulfills Natsuo's wish of not seeing Enji because it makes him feel bad. It only partly fulfil Fuyumi's wish because it'll allow her to have her mother back (Rei couldn't bear meeting Enji either) and to stay with her siblings... but Enji takes responsibility for it, he doesn't tell her it's due to Natsuo that he can't live with them, so, in theory, it won't be Natsuo the one who's stressed to be at home when Enji is there and the one who has to leave home because he can't stand the sight of Enji.

There are many things I can say on how this is not a good solution (it doesn't make Natsuo feel better, it just stops him from feeling worse), but there are two points to consider. The first is that Enji is getting old and it would be his children's duty, due to filial pity, to take care of him, instead he's basically giving them the means to leave and take his wife with them.

Actually, since Natsuo is now the oldest MALE, it should fall on him specifically. Yes, Enji always intended to have Shouto inherit his mantle but this doesn't free Natsuo from his duties. Instead Enji is letting all his children free.

Even with Shouto, he doesn't insist anymore for Shouto to learn Flashfire Fist as his heir but just as an intern.

I take this is big in Japan.

Here again, not so much, especially in the countries in the west that think kids should leave their parents' home as soon as possible and we don't think our children are obliged to inherit our mantles.

Note how the story implies that this was meant to be the end for the Natsuo/Enji arc.

Natsuo made clear he didn't want to meet Enji again, he does it solely because they've to stop Touya and, once they've stopped Touya, he makes clear he doesn't want to see him again.

If we want though, the fact he's leaving the family can be seen as a concession in a way.

Since apparently Rei wants to stay with Enji (and likely their old house was devasted because that's what happens to relative of criminals) Enji can now move with Fuyumi and Rei and Natsuo won't have to see him because he'll leave home... to make his own home.

As for Shouto... Horikoshi answered his request by basically showing him Enji being a father for Touya and then promising he would protect them from the fiery fallout, which Horikoshi doesn't show at all because it's another thing that's a given in Japanese culture, it'll be hell for Enji to protect them, but not for us.

Just to get an idea of the fiery fallout here are some images from "Theseus no fune" again showing you how bad is this sort of thing.

Back to Enji, Horikoshi gives us verbal confirmation that Enji is now being a father by being willing to do this, by having Natsuo, who never called him as such, calling him father for the first time.

For Horikoshi that's Enji being a father.

Again, we've no idea of which hell Enji will suffer because that's not part of our culture. I've posted above screencaps of "Theseus no fune", that's how the fallout should be so not pretty at all.

So the fact that Enji will try to protect them from it is, again, BIG.

So yeah, Enji did do BIG things to atone and keeps on doing them and if he'll ultimately get forgiven by Natsuo (the rest of his family wanted to forgive him way before he were to do something), that's up to Natsuo... Horikoshi likely left this as open ending because he wanted to let it up to readers so as not to make them feel they were forced to forgive Enji.

In the general hopeful theme of the manga and with Natsuo acknowledging him as a cool father I guess his idea is that Natsuo too will eventually forgive him because he's kind.

I don't want to say that Natsuo forgiving Enji would be a culture clash because there's people even here that forgive their horrible parents and that's valid. Forgiving is a personal choice and one has the right to make it even if said horrible parent did nothing to deserve it.

It's up to you.

But sure is, if again we take the story at face value and not in its cultural contest, we can't see what Enji does to atone, because for us is nothing big.

It's even made worse by how Horikoshi doesn't show at all the hell Enji will go through (as for him is a given) so for us IT DOESN'T EXIST. We see Enji as having it easy, talking big but not having to face anything at all.

Honestly though... I think this is a bit of a flaw of the manga as a whole.

Way too often it prefers to focus on the good than on the bad so that the bad gets sidelined to much to the point people forget it.

There were horrible Heroes who committed crimes and had no intention to repent or stop... and we never met them. Nagant killed them off but we never met them.

Mountain Lady, who became a Hero for money and fame, then sticks to the job even when it's bad. Desugoro, who left the job when it turned bad, then came back to help. Enji is on an atonement path and, anyway, on work he was always a good Hero.

In the same way Horikoshi prefers not to show Enji's hardship but focus on how he'll have the support of his sidekicks, driver and Hawks... partly also because it ties in so well with the general message of everyone reaching out.

The result is that the Midoriya plotline of everyone reaching out becomes more important of the Enji atonement arc and overshadows it.

Enji's atonement arc ends in 426, chap 430 doesn't feel the need to tell us if Enji is keeping up with it despite the hardship, nor how his family is doing. It feels the need to reassure us that people will reach out for him even if he's in hell, that even if he had to give up on his family, he now as a new found family.

It's thematically consistent with the theme of reaching out but... the fact it overwrites the atonement arc honestly FOR ME doesn't work so great.

I think it's an overall problem of the 'reaching out message'.

While in itself is beautiful... it saves nothing I was lead to care about.

In Enji's case I was interested in his atonement arc, in how he could help his kids. I wanted more of that, partly because his atonement arc is so far from my culture, partly because it touched characters I cared about, I wanted to be reassured he would keep on working on it and that his family would be well.

Yes, he should be in hell, but the story didn't really work hard on trying to make me worry for him as it established already a support network for him. The story made me worry for the kids, for Touya, who was dying, for Fuyumi, who wanted back her family and won't have it, for Natsuo, who's marrying an unknown character so young, for Shouto, who has to cope with the loss of the brother with whom he wanted to connect.

I don't really care Burnin, Onima, Kido and Hawks are willing to continue to protect Enji, to reach out to help him, I knew they would, I wanted to be reassured Enji's kids are safe, well and protected. I wanted to see ENJI reach out and help them.

In this vein I don't really care the old grandmother saved a nameless abused kid, or, at least, not as much as I cared for Tomura to be saved. It's nice she saved him, it's nice he gets to live the life Tomura was denied but honestly, he's a mob character with a super tragic backstory created deliberately to force us to emotionally connect to him.

The message he now will be saved is good, but my emotional investment to him is too little.

The same applies to Uraraka's Quirk counsueling program, we knew next to nothing about the Quirk consueling previous program beyond that it didn't work (a real problem in Japan as they have a school consueling program that didn't work... and changes are in progress) and that now it supposedly does.

To how Shouji now solves peacefully plenty of conflicts caused by Heteromorph discrimination, which Horikoshi tossed in later and never really showed how to solve (and, don't take me wrong, it's not solved even by Shouji, he just solves peacefully the conflicts, how is up to everyone's speculation).

Long story short, I think Horikoshi worked really hard for BNHA to have an optimist, hopeful message... but part of it goes lost in cultural differences and part of it goes lost in how the story didn't try to get me invested in the things it's now saving.

So yeah, I'm still sad for this little panel in chap 430

I guess I'll eventually get over it. Today though, it's not that day.

On a positive note... if we count the pages of all the chapters that should go in vol 42 they're only 132. The chapters that were meant to go into Vol 39 had 165 (which yes, Horikoshi further expanded once the volume was released).

So yeah, unless Vol 42 will be slimmer than usual or that he'll add to it some sidestory or extra story, it's possible we'll get more plot in terms of epilogue. We'll see.

(also yes, I'm not touching Rei in this post. Rei is another can of worm entirely and one, I fear, Horikoshi doesn't care about. The poor woman doesn't even get a profile while Ikoma Komari does. And really, I do think Rei is much more important than Ikoma Komari)

Last, but not least, since someone seems to get the wrong idea, in case it wasn't clear enough, I'm not Japanese. I research on this. Through books, through the net and yeah, since I like to read manga and anime also through them which I often use as a source of comparison because they're easy, accessible to many and represent the same kind of media BNHA is so they more or less move according to the same or similar rules. I might have messed up somewhere. I encourage you to also research on the topic and take everything with a grain or two of salt.

[danieyells]

Upcoming Units And Stuff

Seems like next chapter will be Obscuary again! The butler units that have previews in the Google Play store will be avaliable--although as far as I know we haven't seen Lyca's.

The Obscuary ghouls will also get sprites for their casual outfits which is cool.

Episode 10 is called "Tea With A Twist Of Murder"(jp: 「惨劇は紅茶と共に」 - "Tragedy With Tea")

But tomorrow is Episode 9 so everything for that is out and I'll touch on the upcoming units and things for that! I even have access to the whole script since they accidentally put out the chats early lmao

Upcoming units:

Halloween Zenji - "Philosophia Morbida" (jp: 「屍者のフィロソフィア」 - "Living Corpse Philosophia")

Unique Skill: "Cloak of the Undead" (jp: 「不死者の仮装」 - "Undead Costume")

Maxed Skill: "Fraternal Affection" (jp: 「弟想い」 - "Thinking Of His Younger Brother")

Halloween Jiro - "Bloody Deviant" (jp: 「血染めの畏怖」 - "Bloodstained Dread")

Unique Skill: "Numb To Fear" (jp: 「麻痺した恐怖心」 - "Numb To Fear")

Maxed Skill: "Crimson Pillow" (jp: 「赤い寝所」 - "Red Bedroom")

Halloween Romeo - "Impassive Undertaker" (jp: 「黒曜の葬送人」 - "Obsidian Undertaker")

Unique Skill: "Elegant Gravekeeping" (jp: 「高貴な墓守」 - "High Class Gravekeeper")

Maxed Skill: "True Victorian" (jp: 「真のヴィクトリアン」 - "True Victorian")

Halloween Kaito - "Eternal Slumber" (jp: 「今宵は静かな屍人形」 - "Tonight, A Dead-Quiet Doll")

Unique Skill: "Play Dead" (jp: 「死んだフリ」 - "Play Dead")

Maxed Skill: "Enthusiastic Escape" (jp: 「一流の逃げ足」 - "First Rate Escape")

Upcoming warding cards:

"Spooked" (jp: 「"ゴースト・サプライズ」 - "Ghost Surprise")

"A Little Too Convincing" (jp: 「本物の迫力」 - "Impressively Real")

"Eagle Eyes" (jp: 「標的を狙う眼光」 - "The Shine In His Eye While Aiming At The Target")

"Clever Hands" (jp: 「器用な手先」 - "Skillful Fingers")

"Unsung Hero" (jp: 「縁の下の力持ち」 - "Unsung Hero")

"Soundless Threat" (jp: 「音も無い威圧」 - "Soundless Intimidation")

"Fist To Fist" (jp: 「ステゴロのタイマン」 - "One-On-One Bare Knuckle Brawl")

Upcoming Cosmic Bonds:

"Varied Judgment" (jp: 「それぞれの裁き」 - "Respective Judgements")

"Kindred Spirits" (jp: 「今夜は二人で人で無し」 - "Tonight They're Both Beasts")

"Lively Even After Death" (jp: 「黄泉の国でも賑やかに」 - "Lively Despite Being In The Land Of The Dead")

"Graveyard Smash" (jp: 「夜は墓場でミックス部隊」 - "The Mixed Group In The Cemetery At Night")

As usual, spending money on gacha games is bad, cards have all rerun so far so don't go crazy spending if you can't get the one you want, take my Japanese translations with a grain of salt, i don't have any way of knowing who the cosmic bonds are or of seeing the units before they're in the game. . .i think that's my usual closing in a nutshell. It's 3am lol OH NO MY DAILIES.

[bloodraynebeast]

We’re back to talk about Yashiki / Mashita as a pairing once again. Quick note, I’ve heard the less than positive feedback on the translation from players who played the Japanese version and I’ve tried searching for any translations that can help add to the context. Unfortunately the only context we’re using in this analysis is the official English version and fan translation for one of the DLCs. Thank you all so much for the interest and support on the first part! I knew I wanted to make another as it serves to archive their moments as well as analyse each scene. I’ll be going chronologically through the chapters so it's easier to follow. This is a long one! As always MAJOR SPOILERS for Death Mark 2 (And DM1) below.

All Links: Part 1 / Part 2 / Part 3 <-

Updated AO3 Version <-

Starting out with a small tangent, the theme of Death Mark 2 or Shibito Magire (死噛) with The Departed brings up a subject that seems to be a pattern within this series, no matter the universe.

Something that reoccurs in the games and extra content is Yashiki’s negative experiences with women and being forced into some form of marriage. I’m wondering if it's an address on the pressures Yashiki must have felt as Masamune or still feels being the heir and sole survivor of the Kujou bloodline. You notice in Death Mark that Yashiki wasn’t particularly on the best terms with women, namely Christie and Hiroo, but they both did warm up to him and seemed good friends during Death Mark 2.

In the Red Riding Hood DLC, Hiroo is a target and becomes possessed in an attempt to seduce Yashiki, where the bad choices are a result of not trying to pull her out of it. Death Mark 2 has The Departed declaring Yashiki as their future husband, displaying intense possessiveness and jealousy over his close relationships with the Mark Bearers, while also repeating that they will exchange vows and be bound.

In Chapter 3 with Kashima, Yashiki has to pretend to be the beloved teacher of a besotted student - again - and reciprocate their feelings with the flower sketches in order to save them. The two girls Douryou and Kinukawa, cursed and possessed by The Departed make him increasingly uncomfortable with their advances and forcefulness in the game, also trying to entice him. Yashiki has to constantly reassure everyone around him that there is nothing going on and harbours no feelings other than that of a teacher and an adult watching out for the safety of the young students. Because of that, the teacher and head of Academic affairs, Sakamoto, is begrudged to help him in the investigations and holds hostility towards him. Enough to withhold information that would help the case and save the student body. Yashiki also has to inhabit the role of the groom in the final fight against The Departed and apply the ink to complete the ceremony.

Even in the “Blue End” CD Drama, Yashiki becomes possessed by the entity known as the “Master Of The Mark”, who aims to make Mary and later Rose when she tries to intervene, as their consorts, exclaiming that they must exchange vows.

All this in mind, it’s no surprise why many question Yashiki’s preferences (he’s also just a morally good man) and gravitate towards Yashiki and Mashita’s relationship. Their bond is natural and grounded, it’s not aggressively forced upon Yashiki or us as the player. He tends to have more chemistry with the male characters in general, to what feels to us as his closest relationships, specifically Mashita and Daimon. Now onto the game itself.

Death Mark 2 begins with Chapter 1 and Chapter 2 revolving around Hanako Of The Toilet and the relationship between her and her best friend Horikoshi when she was still alive. Although they are ultimately killed off, the introduction of Akai and Horikoshi’s romantic love feels like an important detail. Namely, a love that grew between two best friends. Where one was more confident, rough and unapologetically blunt, the other was more gentle, kind and reserved. That sounds familiar. It also introduces how with Izumi blackmailing Horikoshi, that it likely wouldn't have been accepted at the school due to the prestigiousness and more likely because of the time period. Still, with the first appearance of a queer couple in the series, could this potentially be a stepping stone towards exploring Yashiki and Mashita’s relationship in a similar direction? Foreshadowing of another love forming between two best friends? The chance of this happening definitely seems more possible now.

However, Yashiki still wondering about the nature of their feelings between the two girls despite uncovering their diary entries and sensing it while singing the song lyrics, gives an impression that he would be oblivious to any developed feelings from Mashita if it happened. Also if a relationship did happen, it would likely be kept a secret, at least for as long as possible.

In Chapter 3 Yashiki reunites with Shou, who asks where Mashita is since this investigation involves spirits, practically calling them inseparable. Unlike other Mark Bearers, Mashita receives his own introductory CG. While this could just be something for the fans as Mashita is the most popular character and he was not present in the scene, it’s something to see Shou describing them as a package deal right before Mashita is singled out in the character introductions with his own dramatic CG, looking wistful in the rain. You’d be forgiven for thinking Yashiki is daydreaming about this man, here. Though I’m wondering if this is meant to be Yashiki’s perspective from a memory. Then Yashiki informs us that they were on a phone call the night before, but surprisingly we don’t get to see nor hear that conversation, besides that Mashita is currently indisposed and unable to join the others just yet.

There’s also a tiny detail in the character file that you unlock as more characters join the investigations. The other Mark Bearers are described as becoming friends with the protagonist after he saved their life during the Mary incident, then you read Mashita’s to find he’s formed a “deep bond” with the protagonist due to the number of cases they’ve worked on together. In the previous game there were dropped hints of how their specific relationship stood out among the rest and it applies even more so in the sequel. Although, I’ve heard in the Japanese release they were referred to as “nakama=friends” in the file, which is curious how and why it was translated to “deep bond' in the English version. 

Mashita makes his first appearance in Chapter 5, asked to aid Yashiki by Yasuoka like in Red Riding Hood and tries to treat it as just a job. Yashiki is surprised but relieved by his arrival, placing a lot of trust and confidence in his capabilities and methods that he’s quick to jump on his help. At this point Yashiki was isolating himself from the Mark Bearers over fear of losing them after what happened with Ai, Shou, Daimon and now potentially Hiroo, and while displaying the same worry, he knows he can’t afford to turn away Mashita. He does however plead with Mashita to not draw attention while investigating, where the detective responds with a mischievous grin and no promises. In their first interactions, Mashita is shown to be comfortable with teasing Yashiki, even proceeding to call him Mr.Yashiki or “Yashiki-sensei”, much to the man's displeasure. He is not enjoying his time as a temporary teacher. 

This can be taken with a grain of salt due to translation, but certain dialogues and dialogue options showed some influence from the other. For example, Yashiki’s dialogue options can sometimes grow very blunt and curt. The one for Suzu in the hospital made me laugh due to hearing Mashita’s voice so clearly. Another is at the conclusion of Kokkuri where if you partner up with Mashita and head to Fox Forest to return the laccata, Mashita comments on Yashiki empathising with the spirits again, but then addresses the late teacher as well, stating he’ll report everything to the police, make sure the investigation reopens and to wait until then. A similar reassurance that Yashiki is known for, hoping to give closure. Whereas if you bring Hiroo, Yashiki takes the role and reassures the spirit instead. It feels as though the purpose of that dialogue was to show Yashiki has rubbed off on him somewhat through working together. Mashita also reminds him there won’t always be someone around to save him when he gets too wrapped up in a spirit’s suffering, heavily implying Mashita’s referring to saving Yashiki’s life in the finale of Red Riding Hood.

Once again, Mashita half surprises us all by sneaking another gun to Yashiki, no longer his own, but instead pulls something behind the scenes to get his hands on another just so he has protection. The man is risking a lot of potential jail time again and being very hypocritical for someone still straight-edge with the law, only to keep tossing it out the window to ensure Yashiki’s safety. Particularly when in the same chapter, he chastises Hiroo for trying to obtain the petri dish for research purposes and plans to confiscate it from her. This seems to be the most effective method he thinks to protect Yashiki, only it’s more reckless this second time as the safety has been removed! Just another display of Mashita’s unhinged actions when focused on Yashiki. Also while this could be a simple gag and more on the type of person Mashita is, literature studies I’ve written in the past have made it difficult for me to not see the topic of guns in their scenes as euphemisms and symbolism.

For example, Mashita is always the one to supply the gun - Someone who feels more comfortable or enlightened to their sexuality, a popular fanon theory in the fandom. Meanwhile Yashiki always takes the gun with hesitance, then returns it - Someone still discovering that part of themselves after having everything about them essentially wiped. Additionally in Death Mark, Yashiki doesn’t use the gun but instead entrusts Mashita with it, whereas he uses a gun alongside Mashita in Death Mark 2 on three occasions. 

Further with the guns as symbolism is during the confrontation in The Departed’s Wedding. As the spirit focuses their attacks on Mashita, in order to survive the scene Yashiki must use the gun given by Mashita and shoot The Departed, framed in a way to show rejection as the spirit becomes upset and repeats the word “liar”. After wrapping up the story of Kokkuri, Mashita demands the gun back, although jokes that Yashiki can keep it if he so wishes. You’re given the option to be cheeky with him by attempting to keep it, but Mashita doesn’t allow it, saying you have seconds to hand it over.

In the opening of Chapter 6 while in the infirmary, you can access a voicemail left by Shou. He expresses frustration that Mashita was adamant in keeping him away for his own safety, unless the worst should happen to the two of them. However he believes he won’t have to get involved and views Yashiki and Mashita in such high regards that he practically calls them unstoppable as a team, something I’m sure Yashiki needed to hear. Shou’s comment brings up a point that really highlights itself in Death Mark 2.

Yashiki and Mashita cover each other’s flaws and weaknesses. Yashiki is not as objective and too trusting so there were signs he would miss, like the amount of coincidences surrounding Douryou and Kinukawa and how they misled him. He’s also not confrontational. Yashiki’s issue was that he was very tunnel visioned on the victim in each notice and the spirit tied to it, hardly given the time to investigate The Departed between everything that was happening. He is the compassionate and emotional half that focuses on uncovering the dead’s grudge, their regrets and desires in order to appease them, which in turn saves the lives of those affected, whereas Mashita is the more direct, tactical and logical half. Mashita from years in the profession is tenacious and prioritises getting information and results, allowing for less emotion to get in the way. Not just for a lack of spiritual power, but he would not be as attune to clearing a spirits resentment, nor possibly the patience. But he immediately noticed that Yashiki was being led around to get distracted, rather than focusing on the source and even figured out The Departed’s identity. This brings us back to what happened in Death Mark with the Mary reveal, but the stakes were higher as Yashiki was directly affected and on borrowed time.

The Departed case would have come to a close much sooner if Yashiki and Mashita had teamed up from the beginning, which is possibly why Mashita was absent for most of the story. While I don’t believe Yashiki lacks the skills and intelligence on his own, though he can sometimes be endearingly dense, he does get stuck in conflict with his head and his heart often. It makes me curious about all the various cases they’ve worked on together. In short, if it weren’t for Mashita arriving and voicing his suspicions of the two girls and directing Yashiki to investigate Kinukawa’s room to paint a clearer picture, Yashiki would still have been manipulated down the wrong path.

It seems Mashita’s role in Death Mark 2 is putting pieces together where Yashiki fell flat, steering him in the right direction and confirming what the player has already deduced. It takes Mashita’s appearance in the two chapters to get Yashiki to start suspecting the two students especially. Mashita's shown as protective over Yashiki and is a very reliable character at a crucial point in his state of mind, despite the latter’s perception that Douryou and Kinukawa are deemed trustworthy.

He states he could care less if Yashiki gets closer to the girls for the sake of gathering information, but tells him to watch his step from doing anything else, implicates Kinukawa as the culprit immediately after the man confesses to a very serious crime, then mildly threatens Douryou on her equally suspicious behaviour towards Yashiki. Volunteering himself instead of Yashiki to investigate inside the remains of a shrine on the verge of collapsing - with Yashiki immediately worrying when Mashita cries out when he merely smacked his hand. Mashita being the one to suggest the two separate while fleeing The Departed as he is the target, so Yashiki has a chance of escaping. He constantly reminds Yashiki to stay on track of his original goal, drags him back when he gets too deep in his thoughts, tells him to stop blaming himself for the incidents that were out of his control and even comforts him in his own way. At this stage, perceived as romantic or not, Mashita has made it very apparent that he is ride or die with Yashiki.

Also it’s not often we see Mashita address Yashiki by his full name -

In Chapter 7, Mashita is the partner that is taken to the wedding grounds of where the wedding ceremony took place and where The Departed’s resentment began. Seeing the unfortunate fate of Sakamoto in the Good Ending, Yashiki  begins despairing, blaming himself for her death, to which Mashita steps in to shut down quickly. He then pauses to console him that he did save her at the end, as she regained a sense of self and shared one final clue for them. 

Learning about the origin of The Departed’s grudge, the spirit suddenly appears. Yashiki desperately tries to get answers but Mashita snaps his attention back before he can get sucked in. This is where Mashita sees The Departed for the first time in their grotesque, final transformation with the appearance of a spider - which we’ve seen previously in Death Mark’s DLC. An infamous symbol of sex and fertility. And he wastes no time hurling insults at it for trying to appear attractive to Yashiki. While The Departed has displayed a pattern of abducting the Mark Bearers to feast upon, still giving Yashiki an opportunity to save them and announcing so, there is instead murderous intent with Mashita immediately and begins attacking. Potentially due to the spirit gradually becoming more unstable through its transformation as the game progresses and the location, but to suddenly become enraged at Mashita standing beside Yashiki while they’ve had less issue with characters like Ai or Hiroo standing too close, it’s interesting. A literal or symbolic sense. Standing next to each other as partners? As equals? As lovers? The Departed is thought to observe and learn Yashiki’s closest connections, so it’s left a guess how their relationship might have been interpreted.

When the two part with Mashita luring away The Departed, Yashiki assumes the worst and feels hopelessness and loss, lingering on Mashita while escaping Fox Forest. Returning to the infirmary, Yasuoka comforts him that Mashita always lived life to his own rules and recklessness and to not hold himself responsible. There’s even a moment where Yashiki steers himself and vows to do what he can to finish the case, for Mashita’s sake. It’s a touching, little moment.

I think it’s also worth pointing out that Yashiki’s presumably closest relationships at this moment are “removed” all the way up to the final confrontation. Even if previous Mark Bearers have survived or died, it doesn’t change the outcome of Daimon collapsing into a coma from a curse and Mashita being attacked and chased down by The Departed themselves. There’s no mercy for these particular men. After escaping The Departed, the first person Mashita thinks to contact is Yashiki because he knows he’s in a fragile state. The self-sacrificial man’s resolve has been tested throughout the entire game and he must not give in at the final hurdle. 

In the Good Ending, breaking the news that he’s alive while passing a comment at Yashiki not sounding as relieved as he should be is laughable when Mashita didn’t even say a word and is currently using a public phone. He attempts to cheer him up, saying he should be proud of himself for saving The Departed, and assuring that no one thinks differently of him for what he must’ve had to do. Mashita may never approve of Yashiki’s methods but he understands the physical and mental toll it takes on him.

At the end of it all in the True Ending, Yashiki and Mashita are destined to go for drinks with Hiroo and Daimon, thanks to the latter giving an invitation, which is a fun disaster of a scene I’d very much like to see. Undoubtedly a lot more snark compared to the outing with Ai, Shou and Hiroo. Though I’m sure Mashita will not be pleased to hear Douryou and Kinukawa barged into the mansion and regained their memories, being not the best at dealing with “brats”.

In one of the games DLC “Mary’s Makeover / New Colour” only available in Japan, but fan-translated by Generic Weeb Content, Moe, Eita and Suzu aid Yashiki in searching the mansion for a number combination, where one of the rooms available is the investigation room. Yashiki comments that this is where the Mark Bearers usually meet for spiritual investigations, so a few of their belongings are scattered around. Only two of them are of note. One is the small shrine Moe brought for protection and the other is the large green coat belonging to Mashita hanging on a coat rack. That’s been there the entire game and now we know. According to Yashiki, Mashita had forgotten it one time and it’s remained ever since. He speculates he must keep multiple, similar coats.

This immediately raises questions and shows a lot without telling. One important implication being how frequently Mashita visits the mansion, which we get an idea of from a certain coffee making Voice Drama - and yet according to the game in those four months prior, Yashiki has never once set foot in Mashita’s office. I’m very sceptical that someone observant like Mashita can forget they’re not wearing an oversized coat weighing on their shoulders. Furthermore, it’s a very plausible theory that the coat belonged to Mashita’s late senior as it is oversized and hangs loosely on every art sprite. Then there’s the inclusion of it on a singular panel from the manga where Mashita talks about him. Given he still carries the old lighter, he is at least somewhat of a sentimental person, so it's entirely possible he would keep it also as a memento. In other words, something treasured that he wouldn’t misplace. And why is it still there? Yashiki must have contacted him about it, so perhaps Mashita shrugged it off and never bothered to collect it. If we want to dive deeper, it sounds vaguely like the behaviour of leaving more and more belongings behind one does with a partner until they’ve practically moved in, leaving his mark on the mansion so to speak. Or it’s because Mashita views the Kujou mansion as another place to call home. Either way, Mashita is very casual about it and Yashiki allows it.

The DLC ends on a final scene with Yashiki and Mashita on the phone discussing Mary and the Death Parade. Parallel to the first game’s DLC, Mashita parts with some advice, warning him to be cautious around Mary and to watch out for himself. Yashiki reassures and thanks him, to which Mashita responds in the way one expects. After the call however, Yashiki addresses that while Mary is obsessed with him, he feels obsessed with her in return. In both instances in the DLCs, Mashita expresses open concern for Yashiki’s wellbeing and has the last word, setting up to be the voice of reason to pull Yashiki back from the brink. Knowing him too well that he needs to make him realise how dangerously empathetic he is and will be if Mary awakens or pulls some strings. Not to diminish the other friendships Yashiki has, as they are also important, but the devs specifically show in moments like these how much of an important piece Mashita is in Yashiki’s life. The balance that he needs. This ominous ending could be hinting at a build up to where Mashita saves Yashiki similar to Red Riding Hood or Yashiki’s mental state deteriorating, that everyone bands together to pull him out of that darkness.

Overall, I think this game perfectly demonstrates why they would work well as a couple. Canonical wise, it’s clear the two men have grown closer between the events of the games and keep in regular contact. They continue to have chemistry, address each other more casually, openly joke with one another, have wacky moments like hissing at a rock and shooting guns in the forest whilst on a mushroom trip, and are even called inseparable and unbeatable as a duo. Which leads into a moment in the Kokkuri case, where Mashita mentions again that Yashiki would make a good detective. Whether a praise or a jab, it’s another nod at his business proposal as partners from the previous game. They’ve already crossed the line of being partners in these cases, and even more so in NG, so that might end up being inevitable. Especially from Death Mark 2’s ending where Yashiki discovers what his role will be from now on and his motivations behind pursuing further spiritual cases.

It bears repeating that this isn’t meant to take away from their friendship, but the subtle (or less than subtle) implications of something romantic are all there in a lot of ways in Death Mark 2 - despite the overarching theme of thrusting Yashiki into a teacher-student romance scenario. There’s even more of an influx of art and fanfictions of the two men from old and new fans introduced to the series, as a result. And with the addition of LGBT+ characters - minus the doomed, buried trope - it could be seen as something positive for where their relationship could go. It certainly opens up the possibility.

If a sequel is in the works or if they are testing interest with the latest DLC, it’ll be interesting to see where they take these two in the next installment. One thing is for certain, if there was ever a decision to plan a Yashiki and Mashita spin off series or something that centered on them as protagonists, it is guaranteed a large audience. Next part we’ll be looking at CD Voice Dramas currently available and fan translated by amazing people in the fandom, including “Blue End” and more. If I’ve missed anything from the game, please do feel free to add! Thank you so much for reading!

[ikemen-fanboy]

That part where Jiyan and male rover finished the fight and Lv 50 ??? Releases shock wave and a small dinosaur (?) from rover's hand come out to block it....

After that part, they both look at the pet(?) and Jiyan said 这个。。。 （Is this ...)

The way camera decided to show both surprised men at the same time from down view ... And tired me with my mouth, at that moment, decided to say ' 是我们的孩子，将军 ' (is our love child, general) it just make so much sense with that moment

🤣🤣🤣

And also the part where they show everyone and Jiyan and male rover hold hands and lift in the air and the soldiers below cheers... And my crack mouth started its own tale.

Jiyan : "通过幸苦和困难， 我们赢了。 我也赢了他的爱， 从今天开始，他终于是我的妻子!!军队们请！"

(Not gonna translate bec some ppl will find this offensive. Some people can't stand a random ppl with 2 followers shipping fictional characters in a deserted site)

Soldiers : "Yay!!"

🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

So tired from that long fight that my mind short circuited and make random tales 🤣 真笑死

What's better than a bond found by life and death situation 🥺❤️

(edit: someone actually think the same as me and managed to get a pic. Crd to Yizarr H Haruto from facebook for the pic. I will delete if it's not allowed.)

[aworldforastage]

A Totally Subjective List of Favorite Danmei Novels I Read in 2023

Joyful Reunion :: 相见欢 by 非天夜翔

Governor's Illness :: 督主有病 by 杨溯

The Return of Cambrian Period :: 寒武再临

The Plays of Lips and Teeth :: 唇齿之戏 by 张佩奇

Blazing Armor :: 火焰戎装 by 水千丞

After the Disabled God of War Became My Concubine :: 残疾战神嫁我为妾后 by 刘狗花

Wilderness Vegetation :: 荒野植被 by 麦香鸡呢

In Name Only :: 有名 by 木更木更

Placid Chang’an :: 太平长安 by 盐盐 Yany

Eternities Still Unsaid Till You Love Me :: 欲言难止 by 麦香鸡呢

Joyful Reunion :: 相见欢 by 非天夜翔

“相见欢，原本是我们的曲子。” "'Joyful Reunion' originally belonged to my people."

[action, political intrigue, coming of age] -- At its heart, Joyful Reunion is a young man's coming-of-age, as he grows up in a war-torn world and decides on the type of man and leader he wants to become. This novel isn't easy to read with it pacing and length, but its reputation as an iconic historical political danmei is well-deserved. There are no "good people" and "bad people", just humans trying to survive in a harsh world and live their own truths. The main romantic arc is fairly light, while the most controversial (i.e. beloved) "second male lead" in all of danmei is lurking in the background. But I love that Duan Ling finds someone who supports him through his worst days, and they give each other strength and hope to stay true to their best selves.

Governor's Illness :: 督主有病 by 杨溯

“去吧，”沈玦道，“你生，我去找你。你死，我去陪你。” “Go,” Shen Jue says, “If you live, I’ll come find you. If you die, I’ll go with you.”

[wuxia, secrets and conspiracies, revenge plot] -- The powerful Governor of the Eastern Depot has a massive bounty on the head of an infamous assassin. Who knew it's because they are childhood friends who want to find each other? Despite a tiny bit of palace intrigue, this is mostly a wuxia story, focusing on the complicated bonds between masters and disciples, and far too many blood debts and sect secrets. The first part of the novel is brutal. I love plot-heavy stories but I intentionally ignore parts of this one during re-reads because it is just so heartbreaking (unrelated to the romance arc). But Xiahou Lian never stops seeing the best in Shen Jue and Shen Jue never stops wanting the best for Xiahou Lian. And that strong bond gives them -- and readers like me -- some hope and comfort as secrets and enemies from the ghosts of Xiahou Lian's past continue to launch them into one action-packed challenge after another. (My review here)

The Return of Cambrian Period :: 寒武再临 by 水千丞

这就是末世，个人的悲伤在全世界的悲伤面前，渺小无比。 This is the apocalypse, and the grief of an individual is utterly insignificant compared to all the grief in the world right now.

[apocalypse, action/adventure, superpowers/mutations] -- I don't know how to summarize 1.7 million words briefly so here's a much lengthier review. It's an action-adventure with super-powered humans and mutant "monsters of the week". It's a mystery and heroic epic trying to solve and conquer the cause of the apocalypse. It's a social commentary sketching out what humanity keeps and saves and becomes when modern society crumbles. It's a love story -- many love stories, romantic and familial and platonic and more-- that reminds you what gives humans the courage, purpose, and determination to stand up in face of overwhelming adversity is love for and from the people we keep in our hearts.

The Plays of Lips and Teeth :: 唇齿之戏 by 张佩奇

周辰瑜回到舞台中央，说：“这出《乌龙院》，我和贺辰烽常说，不过这还是我头一回演阎惜娇。” 说着，他转过身，对身旁的晏朝说：“人家第一次都给你了，你要对我负责。” 晏朝：“……” Zhou Chenyu returns to the center stage, and says, "I have performed 'Wu Long Yuan' many times with He Chenfeng, but this is my first time playing Yan Xijiao." He turns to Yan Zhao, who is standing beside him, "I'm giving you my first time, you need to take responsibility." Yan Zhao: "..."

[ celebrities, comedy, traditional arts] -- This is a novel for when you want stories about celebrities, with all the fun of "CP fans" and Weibo drama, but also a break from actors and idols. A TV host and a Xiangsheng actor meet in a reality show that teaches them about each other's careers. While they are expected to provide some fan service to boost ratings, they also develop genuine respect and fondness for each other. With a comedian as a main character, this novel kept me laughing with xiangsheng performances and the main couple's funny antics. There is a bit of angst when the main characters struggle with their careers and their relationships with their respective families, but luckily, they find each other and a path forward together.

Blazing Armor :: 火焰戎装 by 水千丞

可那个"孩子"，他又天真又残忍。 But that "child", he is so innocent and cruel.

[mystery/procedural, romance, firefighters] -- A departure from the norm in the 188 Boys Club, this novel is a plot-heavy slow-burn romance, following the work of fire captain Ren Yi and police officer Gong Yingxian. I got really drawn into the "cases" (fires) that Ren Yi deals with, and learned so much about fire trucks, rescue protocols, and fire risks of various materials. Gong Yingxian is a traumatized genius orphan with a large inheritance, weird hobbies, and no social skills. He repeatedly hurts Ren Yi's feelings and betrays his trust, for reasons ranging from uninformed callousness to intentional manipulation, but technically none of that is about their romantic relationship. I don't want to downplay the seriousness of his actions, but there is something precious about the guy who confesses his feelings with the bones of his dead pet lizard, and gets frustrated because Ren Yi can't decipher the romantic symbolism of the lizard's heart-shaped tail bone.

After the Disabled God of War Became My Concubine :: 残疾战神嫁我为妾后 by 刘狗花

“瞧好了，他，靖王，我是他的妾，他是我夫君。” "Look carefully! Him, the Prince Jin, I am his secondary concubine, he is my lord husband."

[transmigration, romance, political intrigue] -- History professor Jiang Suizhou fails a student paper for using unofficial records, and ends up transmigrating into the wild events chronicled in the paper. Like any decent protagonist of a transmigration novel, Suizhou saves himself from a gruesome fate, falls in love with the coolest person in their universe, and change the world for the better. Despite the setting, the political plot is kept light and simple. A great treat for when you want sugar-pie feel-good comfort read with a tiny bit of plot.

Wilderness Vegetation :: 荒野植被 by 麦香鸡呢

如果可以，谁不想体体面面的，体面地爱人，体面地被爱。 If given the option, who wouldn't want dignity? To love with dignity, and be loved with dignity.

[scum gong crematorium, reconciliation, mental illness] -- My favorite HE crematorium novel! Xu Yan dumps emotionally abusive boyfriend Shen Zhi whom he has loved and tolerated for years, and starts a new life and career with supportive friends and family. This is finally a sane universe where no one retcons or minimizes or excuses Shen Zhi's actions, even if there were genuine misunderstandings and he genuinely loved Xu Yan. During the crematorium phase, Shen Zhi respects Xu Yan's boundaries and refusals (though he does repeatedly return to ask again). It takes time, but he works hard to grow as a person, to think and behave differently, and eventually lets Xu Yan go out of love and respect. When Xu Yan initiates the reconciliation, it feels like they have a chance this time because they have both changed and grown in meaningful ways.

In Name Only :: 有名 by 木更木更

“当他落在了我这儿，我这儿就是春天。” "When he lands where I am, where I am becomes spring time. "

[actors/celebrities, fake relationship, mature characters] -- Two award-winning actors fake a relationship to quash a scandalous rumor. They gradually get to know the real person behind the other's accomplished career and polished public persona, and fall in love. The tone of the story veers is mostly sweet and funny, with a splash of angst that they conquer with their own strength and each other's support. It's so comforting and relaxing to read about the love story of "mature men" in their early 30s who know how to communicate productively, take care of the people they like, and really accept and empathize with each other's imperfections. (I wrote about the novel here.)

Placid Chang’an :: 太平长安 by 盐盐 Yany

“你既然选择了大理寺，查找真相、还原真相就是你的事，而我身为摄政亲王，稳定朝局，制衡天下是我的事。你做你该做的，剩下的我来处理。” “Since you have chosen to join the Court of Judicial Review, investigating and uncovering the truth is now your duty; I am the Prince Regent, so stabilizing the court and governing the nation is my duty. Do your duty, and I will handle the rest.”

[mystery/procedural, court politics] -- The newest Zhuangyuan Su Cen has a sharp mind and keen eye for solving mysterious. As a high-profile rookie official, he is soon swept into the factional rivalries at court -- and the Prince Regent's bed at night. The plot is mainly driven by a series of cases Su Cen investigates for his work and at the behest of people around him, and many mysteries point back to a few old cold cases and a secret organization. The grand finale feels a bit underwhelming compared to the set up, and the side characters are somewhat flat, but the individual cases and the main couple are engaging. The relationship arc is a sweet but measured exploration into the charms and woes of a relationship with large gaps in power and age (40-ish vs early 20s). They are both capable but not overpowered, leaving the story with believable suspense throughout.

Eternities Still Unsaid Till You Love Me :: 欲言难止 by 麦香鸡呢

其实他知道不应该用‘等’来形容。许则像只风筝，没有人握着线，风筝在高空被吹得飘摇不定，但还是竭尽全力地留在原地，不是等谁来牵那根线，只是希望能再看某个人一眼。 Actually, he knows it shouldn't be called "waiting." Xu Ze is like a kite with no one holding the string. The kite wobbles as it flies high in the sky, but it still tries so hard to stay in place, not waiting for anyone to pick up that string, but just hoping to see that certain someone on more time.

[ABO, Alpha/Alpha, (temporarily) unrequited pining, amnesia] -- Scholarship kid Xu Ze has harbored a secret crush on Golden Boy and fellow Alpha Lu Heyang for years. They eventually begin a secret relationship in high school, but it ends after Lu Heyang gets amnesia, and they don't meet again until years later. The pining in this story is absolutely suffocating. Xu Ze has always prepared for his feelings to remain unrequited, and Lu Heyang is far from forthcoming and reassuring about his own feelings and commitment during their high school relationship. After adult Lu Heyang risks everything to recover his memory of their relationship, it's devastating to see Xu Ze break down in Lu Heyang's arms, finally coming to terms with how desparately he has wanted and waited for this reunion, and finally getting his Lu Heyang back. (I wrote more about this novel here)

[cursedvibes]

Cursedvibes, what are your favorite Kenjin fanfics/art/comics or just what is your favorite JJK fanfics/art in general

I don't actually read that much jjk fanfiction and most of what I read isn't JinKen, but I still have a few faves I'd like to recommend.

theft of witness by iamsomebody One of the first jjk & Kenjaku fics I ever read and I absolutely loved it. It follows Kenjaku through their transition from Kaori to Geto and gives brief glimpses into their experiences. Partially inspired me to write my own stuff. I absolutely love the writing style and the confrontation scene between Kaorijaku and Wasuke is my favourite. Might be responsible for why I like their dynamic so much. Also, you should check out the art that's linked in the fic notes, it's one of my favourite.

死的静观 by Innersol Jin/Kamojaku, background Jin/Toji (don't ship it, but it also didn't bother me much), sort of a Gothic Modern AU It's in Chinese, but I think with a translator you can still follow very well what's happening and not too much of the prose is lost. Jin is a medical student in his 20s aiming for doctor and Kenjaku (Kamo Noritoshi) is financing his studies, eventually inviting him to live at their house to collaborate at times with their research. It's not specified what exactly Noritoshi does, but you find out that some Death Painting-esque experiment is going on in the background. Since this is a ship fic, Jin and Kenjaku eventually go from studying to fucking. It's not too heavy on the feelings, but Jin does get attached and curious about Kenjaku and over time the same happens to Kenjaku, with them developing a strong wish to have a child with Jin, eventhough that's physically impossible for them in this AU. There's also some brainfuckery going on at some point, Jin just can't keep his fingers to himself. Really love this one for the creepy vibe and because I'm just happy to see more of Kamojaku.

Innersol is also a great artist with some exceptional jjk fanart. You can find them here @karama08 and on Twitter

Complicity by SenZen_Travers My favourite MahiKen fic. Characterization is on point, the atmosphere is calm but also so intense at the same time. I always get a bit dizzy when reading it. The smut is really juicy too and feels natural (I'm always a bit bothered when Kenjaku is shown as overly dominant, and Mahito as this dainty submissive bottom. That's not the case here, they're just having a fun time together)

King's Ascent by Anonymous (registered users only) A SukUme fic with ace Uraume. It takes place during the Nara period and details Sukuna and Uraume's first meeting and how they grew to be partners. The world building here is really good with lots of details to flesh out the setting as well as the characters. Really well written too and the best SukUme fic I've read so far. It has 5 chapters so far, I'm really hoping the author will continue it at some point.

light of a new morning by flyfreebird (@urostakako on tumblr) A Tsumiki Lives AU, mainly revolving around Tsumiki and Yuuji bonding over their past trauma and relationship with Megumi. It's so well written, I want to insert it directly into my brain. Tsumiki's struggle of loving her brother, but also being angry at him for how ignorant he has been of her and her emotions all her life is so well depicted here, makes me wish it were canon. This is the Tsumiki I wanted to see. It feels so satisfying to read this after the disappointment I felt over how her character was handled in canon.

Kissing Strangers by magrealism_conspirology Jin/Kenjaku, fanart not fanfic but since it was posted on AO3 I thought it would make for a good transition to other artists Always love it when Jin interacts with Kenjaku's brain and the pose here makes it look especially good. Very tender, as if he's just giving them a kiss on the cheek (but juicier).

For fanart recommendation, I'm gonna shout out

@trung-roi Currently creating a lot of TenKen art that makes me go absolutely insane. Can also recommend him for Mahito and Sukuna/Uraume fans. His art always manages to make even gore look beautiful and enthralling. I particularly like this Pixiv album. It has a lot of my faves. Kenjaku and Tengen playing Mario, Kenjaku swallowing Tengen, them holding hands, Edo era meeting, Tengen holding Kenjaku's brain (I particularly like this surreal style here) and a Barbie meme.

Twitter Pixiv

Warlock1000 or 1000YEAH Already love this artist for drawing all incarnations of Kenny. I rarely see this much EdoKen and Kamojaku in one place. They also really nail Kenjaku's personality, from the grotesque to silly. Just can't emphasize enough how amazing their art is. You should really check them out. Also have a lot on Sukuna and Uraume.

Lofter weibo

(My two strongest arguments for why you should go check them out right now. I also wanted to give you a glimpse of their art here because I know weibo links in particular can sometimes be difficult to open from overseas or on the phone and I want to encourage you try to seek them out regardless)

reynis var emrace I recently recommended her Kaorijaku (& Geto) art, so here is my call again to give her some more attention. She does a lot of stsg stuff too. What drew me to her was intense gory art. And I mean real gore, guts hanging out and everything. Every time I look at her art, I feel like I can actually smell the blood. Especially for a character like Kenjaku that is very fitting. Not gonna lie, the art where Kenjaku is licking Gojo's ripped out eyeball inspired me quite a lot. I like this one a lot as well.

Most of her older stuff you can find on vk

planetsandmagic I think if you're looking around the fandom here, you will have inevitably come across them, but I still wanted to highlight them. They draw pretty much anything jjk and every piece looks fantastic. Their art often has this melancholic, dark and eery vibe I really like. Recently I fell absolutely in love with their TenKen art (predictable as I am).

Twitter

There are like a dozen more I can think of , plus individual art pieces, but I'm trying to contain it to a manageable list

[yoga-onion]

Legends and myths about trees

Celtic beliefs in trees (14)

S for Saille (willow) - April 15th - May 12th

April 23 Saint George's Day 

May 1st Beltane (Gaelic May Day festival)

“Magical and witchcraft tree - Fifth month of the Celtic tree calendar (Ref)”

colour: silver; Gem: moonstone; Gender: female; Patrons: Persephone, Hekate, Ereshkigal, Artemis, Selene, Diana, Luna, Athena, Ceridwen, Orpheus, Baal, Yahweh; Symbols: dream + intuition, prophecy + divination, healing + magic, love

For the ancient Celts, the willow was a magical and mystical tree, as well as a feminine tree subject to the lunar rule, and was also thought to work subconsciously. The Celts believed that being near willow trees increased their spiritual powers and intuition, and as a result, the dreams they had were more realistic and detailed.

The wands used by the druids to ward off evil were made from the branches of the goat willow. The silvery hairs of the catkins hanging from this young male willow may have appeared to the ancients as if they were seeing magic as they were pollinated and transformed into a golden colour. The way the flowers spiralled open must have been astonishing. The source of art and creativity is still to be found in willow, and the thin, strong drawing charcoal used by artists is made from willow.

Willow has long been used in mourning rituals. Planting willow trees in cemeteries facilitated the passage of the souls of the dead, and the ancient Celts believed that the souls of the dead would enter and grow in young willow trees, and that the spirits would dwell in the trees intact.

The willow, which has a deep bond with water, tells you to cry with honesty if you are sad. If you are happy, you should rejoice from your heart. The willow teaches you that sometimes you need to leave reason and sense behind and weep to your heart's content.

木にまつわる伝説・神話

ケルト人の樹木の信仰 (14)

SはSaille (ﾔﾅｷﾞ) - 4月15日～5月12日

4月23日・聖ジョージの日

5月01日・ベルティネ祭

『魔法の木、妖術の木 〜 ケルトの木の暦（参照）の第5月』

色: 銀; ���石: 月長石; 性: 女性; 守護神: ぺルセポネ、ヘカテ、エレシュキガル、アルテミス、セレネ、ディアナ、ルナ、アテナ、ゲリドウェン、オルフェウス、バアル、ヤハウェ; シンボル: 夢＋直感、予言＋占い、癒し＋魔法、愛

古代ケルト人にとってヤナギは魔法や神秘の木であるとともに、月の支配を受ける女性の木でもあり、また、意識下に働きかけるとも考えられていた。ヤナギのそばにいると霊力や直感が高まり、その結果、見る夢はよりリアルに、詳細なものになるとケルト人は信じていた。男女を問わず、詩人や、音楽家や、司祭たちがヤナギの林にこもって瞑想をすれば、霊感が高まり、雑念から開放されると考えていた。こうしてケルト人は、聖なる林にこもって内なる世界に向き合い、木の頂から霊感を得ていた。

ドルイドたちが、魔除けに使っていた杖は、ヤマネコヤナギ (ﾊﾞｯｺﾔﾅｷﾞ) の枝からつくられた。この若い雄木に垂れ下がった尾状花序の銀色にひかる和毛が、受粉して黄金色に変身していく様は、古代人には魔法を見ているように見えたのかもしれない。螺旋模様を描きながら花が開いていく様子にも、驚かされたことだろう。ヤナギに芸術や創造性の源を見て取ることは今も変わらず、芸術家が使う細くて丈夫なデッサン用の炭はヤナギからつくられている。

ヤナギは昔から弔いの儀式にもよく使われる。墓地にヤナギを植えると死者の魂が通りやすくなると言い、古代ケルト人は、死者の魂は若いヤナギの木に入り、育っていくと信じ、霊がそのまま木に宿ると信じていた。

水と深い絆で結ばれているヤナギは、悲しいことがあれば素直に泣きなさい、嬉しいことがあれば、心から喜びなさいという。時には理性も分別もを捨てて、心ゆくまで泣くことも必要だと、ヤナギは教えてくれる。

[chouhatsumimi]

Words from Noragami, ch. 45

Words in bold are particularly relevant to the story, and words in italics seem like they’d be worth remembering outside the context of the manga. Bold and italic together means they’ve probably appeared somewhere in Noragami more than once. [Though it's been a kajillion years (okay three actual years) since I read it so I can't promise I can highlight them well anymore...]

暇, 閑, 遑 ひま, いとま, ヒマ spare time, free time, leisure, time (e.g. time it takes to do something), time off, day off, vacation, holiday, leave, quitting (one's job), firing someone, divorcing (one's spouse), (being) inactive, (of one's business) slow, leaving, departing / tiempo libre 果報者 かほうもの lucky fellow / persona dichosa, persona afortunada 父君 ふくん, ちちぎみ father / padre 経, 歴 ふ to pass, to elapse, to go by, to pass through, to go through, to experience, to go through 穿る ほじる, ほじくる to dig up, to dig out, to pick (nose, teeth, etc.), to clean (ears), to pry into, to examine closely, to dredge up / escarbar, hurgar, rebuscar ひん剥く, 引ん剥く, ひん剝く, 引ん剝く ひんむく to strip, to peel, to tear off / pelar, mondar, descortezar 尻子玉 しりこだま, しりごだま mythical ball inside the anus that is sought after by kappa 無作法, 不作法 ぶさほう ill-mannered, rude 逸らかす はぐらかす to dodge (e.g. a question), to evade, to sidestep, to give (someone) the slip / esquivar, evadir, escabullir 幼気 いたいけ young and sweet, adorable, cute, tender, innocent, pitiful, touching, pathetic, helpless 童 わらべ, わらんべ, わらわ, わっぱ child / niño, crío, bebé 手管 てくだ wiles, trick, artifice, coquetry, lover (male) (esp. of a prostitute) 使い魔 つかいま familiar (spirit or otherwise magical creature which aids a magician or sorcerer), familiar spirit 斯う こう in this way, thus, such, uh… / de esta manera, así, tal, pausa verbal 縛め いましめ bonds, bondage, binding / atadura, amarradura, ligadura 斯 シ / か, こう, か.く, この, これ, ここに this, thus, such, verbal pause [this is written as 'saku' in the manga] 死に際, 死にぎわ, 死際 しにぎわ verge of death, brink of death / postrimerías, últimos momentos de la vida 溺れる おぼれる to struggle in the water, to sink below the surface and become unable to breathe, to (nearly) drown, to indulge in, to lose one's head over something, to be addicted, to wallow in / ahogarse, zozobrar, abandonarse

- Ch. 44 || Ch. 46 -

[inun4ki]

[flowerfairyboi]

西の魔女が死んだ [Nishi no majo ga shinda] - The Witch of the West is Dead by Kaho Nashiki (1994)

Book recommendation: cottagecore, cozy, simple life, witchcore, nature, green witch, slice of life, heartwarming, Japanese literature

For plot and review scroll down :)

"To obtain the things that are most valuable to you, the things you desire most, you may have to overcome the most difficult trials."

Synopsis:

Mai is 13 years old and no longer wants to go to school. Her worried mother decides to send her to stay with her grandmother for a while, in a beautiful little house in the Japanese countryside on the edge of the mountains. The grandmother is a widowed English lady who came to Japan many years earlier and stayed there for love. Both Mai and her mother refer to her as the "Witch of the West," but the moment the grandmother reveals to her that she really possesses magical powers, Mai is incredulous and distrustful. However, when she proposes to her niece to take on the harsh witch training, Mai accepts without hesitation. Immersed in the unspoiled wilderness of remote Japan, grandmother and granddaughter spend wonderful weeks together in recollection, away from the hustle and bustle of city life, working in the garden, gathering wild herbs and cooking, as well as devoting themselves, of course, to the basic rudiments of witchcraft. Over the years, the author has added three short stories to this cathartic and revelatory story, which echo its character and setting.

[source]

Review:

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

This is a great short slice-of-life story. The vibes are immaculate: it's peaceful, tender, spiritual, witchy, and very nature-centred. As someone who had a strong bond with my grandmother, I loved this book and it was great reading about a loving and nurturing grandmother-grandchild relationship. I love Mai's character arc: even if it isn't something drastic, you can feel her development throughout the story as she absorbs her grandmother's teaching and makes them hers. To be honest, I needed to hear some of the things that the grandmother tells Mai and I think I learnt some life lessons from this book, too. I don't think the author wanted to do that per se, but I did learn from it. The focus on nature and the descriptions of it are also very well executed and I almost had the impression of being there at times.

All in all, I think this is a great cozy book for when you feel down, or when you want to unwind, or simply if you like nostalgic and heartwarming stories.

I'll finish with one last quote:

"The right desires, those that are in line with the course of things, will guide you and turn into reality."

PS: At the moment there is no version in English(?), So I would like to either do one myself or find something on the internet. If I do and you're interested, I will post the link here. There are currently versions in Italian, French, and Japanese (maybe more but I'm not sure). The book was adapted into a movie though (if you watch it tell me what you think).

[demonslayerscript]

Episode 18 : A Forged Bond / 第十八話『偽物の絆(Nisemonono Kizuna)』

*Green colored words are only in anime, not in original manga, and we usually call them “ani-ori(anime-original)".

胡蝶しのぶ「どなたかお知り合いでもいましたか？この辺りに生存者はいないようですね。知らせでは、新人の癸(みずのと)の隊士も数名、新たに入山したようですけど…もう死んでるかもしれませんね」

Kocho Shinobu “Donataka oshiriai-demo imashitaka? Kono atarini seizonshawa  inai-yo-desune. Shirase-dewa, shinjinno mizunotono taishimo su-mei, aratani nyuzan shita yo-desu-kedo… Mo shinderu-kamo shire-masenne.”

Shinobu Kocho “Were you acquainted with any of them? There don’t seem to be any survivors around here. We were advised that several rookie Mizunoto had joined the battle, but they might be dead by now, don’t you think?”

冨岡義勇「行くぞ」

Tomioka Giyu “Yukuzo.”

Giyu Tomioka “Let’s go.”

しのぶ「月が綺麗ですねぇ。せっかく一緒の任務なんですから、仲良くしましょうよ」

Shinobu “Tsukiga kirei desunee. Sekkaku isshono ninmu nandesu-kara, naka-yoku shimasho-yo.”

Shinobu “Isn’t the Moon lovely? Since we’ve been given this joint mission, let’s try to get along.”

義勇「俺は鬼を斬りに来ただけだ」

Giyu “Orewa onio kirini kita dakeda.”

Giyu “I’m only here to slay some demons.”

しのぶ「つれないですねぇ。では、この辺で二手に分かれましょう。私は西から回ります」

Shinobu “Tsurenai desunee. Dewa, kono hende futa-teni wakare-masho. Watashiwa nishi-kara mawari-masu.”

Shinobu “How callous of you! All right, then, let’s split up here. I shall proceed from the west.”

義勇「承知した」

Giyu “Shochi shita.”

Giyu “Agreed.”

―――――――――――――――――――――――――――――――

父蜘蛛「シャアアア！」

Chichi-Gumo “Shaaaa!”

伊之助「ぐっ。何だあ！」

Inosuke “Gu. Nandaa!”

父蜘蛛「オ゛レの、家族に゛、近づく、な゛!!」

Chichi-Gumo “Oreno kazokuni, chikazuku, na!!”

Father Spider Demon “Don’t come near my family! Stay away!”

伊之助「ウオーッ、ううっ」

Inosuke “Uooo, uu.”

父蜘蛛「シャアアア！」

Chichi-Gumo “Shaaaa!”

炭治郎「水の呼吸・弐ノ型���水車！うおおおお～！」

Tanjiro “Mizuno Kokyu, Nino Kata. Mizu-Guruma! Uooooooo!”

Tanjiro “Water Breathing, Second Form! Water Wheel!”

―――――――――――――――――――――――――――――――

父蜘蛛「ウウウ…」

Chichi-Gumo “Uuu…”

炭治郎「駄目だ…刃が通らない!!」

Tanjiro “Dameda… Haga toora-nai!!”

Tanjiro “It’s no good! The blade won’t go through!”

父蜘蛛「ウウウ…」

Chichi-Gumo “Uuu…”

炭治郎「あっ」

Tanjiro “A.”

伊之助「クソが！か…硬えええ!!」

Inosuke “Kusoga! Ka…Kateeee!!”

Inosuke “So hard!”

父蜘蛛「グオオオオ！」

Chichi-Gumo “Guooooo!”

炭治郎「うわっ！型を使っても切れない!! どうする…どうする…!?」

Tanjiro “Uwa! Katao tsukattemo kire-nai!! Dosuru… Dosuru…!?”

Tanjiro “I can’t slash him even if I use an attack! What should I do? What should I do?”

父蜘蛛「ウウウ…オ゛レの、家族に゛ィィィ、近づくな゛ァア゛アア゛!!」

Chichi-Gumo “Uuu…Oreno, kazokuniiii, chikazukunaaaaa!!”

Father Spider Demon “Don’t come near my family! Stay away!”

父蜘蛛「グアアア！」

Chichi-Gumo “Guaaa!”

伊之助「どこ見てる？こっちだ！そりゃあ！！」

Inosuke “Doko miteru? Kocchida! Soryaa!!”

Inosuke “What are you looking at? I’m over here! Curse you!”

父蜘蛛「グアアア」

Chichi-Gumo “Guaaa.”

伊之助「ぶわっ！いってぇぇぇ!! 腕に当たっただけで、この威力!! 駄目だ、力が乗り切ってねえ。おまけに出血でふらつく…」

Inosuke “Buwa! Itteeee!! Udeni atatta-dakede, kono iryoku!! Dameda, chikaraga nori-kitte-nee. Omakeni shukketsude furatsuku…”

Inosuke “Ouch! All that force with just one swipe of its arm! It’s no good! I’m not at full power! Not to mention, the bleeding’s making me stumble!”

父蜘蛛「ウガアアア！」

Chichi-Gumo “Ugaaaa!”

伊之助「クソッ！」

Inosuke “Kuso!”

炭治郎（水の呼吸、弐ノ型・改、横水車!!）

Tanjiro (Mizuno Kokyu, Nino Kata, Kai! Yoko-Mizu-Guruma!!)

Tanjiro (Water Breathing, Second Form… Improved, Lateral Water Wheel!)

伊之助「ん？うわあ！」

Inosuke “N? Uwaa!”

伊之助「なんだ？どうなってんだ？」

Inosuke “Nanda? Do nattenda?”

Inosuke “What was that? What’s going on?”

炭治郎「伊之助！大丈夫か？」

Tanjiro “Inosuke! Daijobuka?”

Tanjiro “Inosuke! You okay?”

伊之助「ハッ！」（おっ…アイツがやったのか!? やるなクソーッ！）

Inosuke “Ha!” (O… Aitsuga yatta-noka!? Yaruna, kusooo!)

Inosuke (He did that? That was some move, dammit!)

父蜘蛛「グボアア…」

Chichi-Gumo “Guboaa…”

炭治郎（よし、これなら硬い首も斬れるはず！水の呼吸、最後にして最強の型！）

Tanjiro (Yoshi, kore-nara katai kubimo kireru-hazu! Mizuno Kokyu, saigoni shite saikyono kata!)

Tanjiro (All right! I should be able to chop off that tough neck now! Water Breathing… The final and most powerful form!)

伊之助（うっ、気配が変わった…アイツ、何かとんでもねえことをする気だぜ…！）

Inosuke (U, kehaiga kawatta… Aitsu, nanika tondemo-nee-koto’o suru-ki daze…!)

Inosuke (He’s got a different air about him now. He’s about to do something totally mind-blowing!)

炭治郎（これで決める！全集中！水の呼吸・拾の型!!）

Tanjiro (Korede kimeru! Zen-Shuchu! Mizuno Kokyu, Juno Kata!!)

Tanjiro (Now I’ll finish him off! Total Concentration… Water Breathing… Tenth Form!)

父蜘蛛「グオオオ！」

Chichi-Gumo “Guooo!”

炭治郎「うっ！」

Tanjiro “U!”

父蜘蛛「グオオオ！」

Chichi-Gumo “Guooo!”

炭治郎「ううう…」

Tanjiro “Uuu…”

伊之助「あっ、危ねえ！」

Inosuke “A, abunee!”

Inosuke “L-Look out!”

父蜘蛛「グオオオオ！」

Chichi-Gumo “Guoooo!”

炭治郎「うわあ！」

Tanjiro “Uwaa!”

伊之助「健太郎―――っ！」

Inosuke “Kentarooooooo!”

Inosuke “Kentaro!”

炭治郎「い…伊之助！俺が戻るまで死ぬな!! そいつは十二鬼月だ!! 死ぬな!! 死ぬな!! 絶対に死ぬな～！」

Tanjiro “I…Inosuke! Orega modoru-made shinuna!! Soitsuwa Juni-Kizukida!! Shinuna!! Shinuna!! Zettaini shinunaaa!”

Tanjiro “I-Inosuke! Don’t die until I get back! That’s one of the Twelve Kizuki! Don’t die! Don’t die! Whatever you do, don’t die!”

伊之助「あっ、うう…うっ」

Inosuke “A, uu…u.”

父蜘蛛「グオオオ…アアアア！」

Chichi-Gumo “Guooo…Aaaa!”

伊之助「やべえ！」

Inosuke “Yabee!”

Inosuke “Oh, crap!”

―――――――――――――――――――――――――――――――

我妻善逸（うまく呼吸ができなく…なってきた…もう…手足の感覚が…何もない…）

Agatsuma Zen’itsu (Umaku kokyuga deki-naku…natte-kita…mo…teashino kankakuga…nanimo nai…)

Zenitsu Agatsuma (It’s getting really hard to breathe now. I have no feeling in my arms and legs anymore.)

善逸（禰豆子ちゃん…ごめん…）

Zen’itsu (Nezuko-chan… Gomen…)

Zenitsu (Nezuko… I’m sorry.)

桑島（善逸の師匠）「諦めるな。…諦めるな。諦めるな！」

Kuwajima (Zen’itsuno Shisho) “Akirameruna. Akirameruna. Akirameruna!”

Kuwajima (Zenitsu’s Master) “Don’t give up! Don’t give up! Don’t give up!”

善逸（あきら…めるな…）

Zen’itsu (Akira…meruna…)

Zenitsu (Don’t… give up!)

善逸（誰…だ？）

Zen’itsu (Dare…da?)

Zenitsu (Who are you?)

しのぶ「もしも～し、大丈夫ですか？」

Shinobu “Moshi-moooshi, daijobu desuka?”

Shinobu “Yoo-hoo! Are you all right?”

善逸「ううっ…」

Zen’itsu “Uu…”

―――――――――――――――――――――――――――――――

炭治郎「水の呼吸・弐ノ型。水車！うっ！」（なんとか着地できたぞ…）

Tanjiro “Mizuno Kokyu, Nino Kata. Mizu-Guruma! U!” (Nantoka chakuchi dekitazo…)

Tanjiro “Water Breathing, Second Form! Water Wheel!” (I managed to land somehow!)

姉蜘蛛「キャアアア！」

Ane-Gumo “Kyaaaa!”

炭治郎「はっ！」

Tanjiro “Ha!”

姉蜘蛛「お願いだからやめて！ああ！ううっ…」

Ane-Gumo “Onegai dakara yamete! Aa! Uu…”

Big Sister Spider Demon “I beg of you! Please stop!”

炭治郎「ハッ！」

Tanjiro “Ha!”

姉蜘蛛「ううっ…うう…」

Ane-Gumo “Uu…uu…”

累「何見てるの？見せ物じゃないんだけど」

Rui “Nani miteruno? Mise-monoja nain-dakedo.”

Rui “What are you looking at? This isn’t some show, you know.”

炭治郎「あっ…な…何してるんだ…!! 君たちは仲間同士じゃないのか？」

Tanjiro “A…Na…Nani shiterunda…!! Kimi-tachiwa nakama-doshija nai-noka?”

Tanjiro “Wh-What are you doing? Aren’t you two allies?”

累「仲間？そんな薄っぺらなものと同じにするな。僕たちは家族だ。強い絆で結ばれているんだ。それにこれは…僕と姉さんの問題だよ。余計な口出しするなら…刻むから」

Rui “Nakama? Sonna usupperana monoto onajini suruna. Boku-tachiwa kazokuda. Tsuyoi kizunade musubarete-irunda. Soreni korewa… bokuto neesanno mondai-dayo. Yokeina kuchi-dashi suru-nara…kizamu-kara.”

Rui “Allies? Don’t put us in the same category as something that flimsy. We’re family. We’re joined by a powerful bond. And besides, this is between me and my sister. So don’t interfere. Or, I’ll carve you up.”

炭治郎「ハッ。違う。家族も仲間も、強い絆で結ばれていれば、どちらも同じように尊い。血の繋がりが無ければ薄っぺらだなんて、そんなことはない!!」

Tanjiro “Ha. Chigau. Kazokumo nakamamo, tsuyoi kizunade musubarete-ireba, dochiramo onaji-yoni totoi. Chino tsunagariga nakereba usuppera da-nante, sonna kotowa nai!!”

Tanjiro “You’re wrong! Whether it’s your family or an ally, if you have a strong bond between you, then either one should be just as precious! Calling it flimsy if you’re not related by blood… That’s not true at all!”

炭治郎「それに、強い絆で結ばれている者には、信頼の匂いがする。だけどお前たちからは、恐怖と憎しみと嫌悪の匂いしかしない！」

Tanjiro “Soreni, tsuyoi kizunade musubarete-iru mono-niwa, shinraino nioiga suru. Dakedo omae-tachi-karawa, kyofuto nikushimito ken’ono nioi-shika shinai!”

Tanjiro “Not only that, but those who have a strong bond give off the scent of trust! But all I’m picking up from you two is the scent of terror, hatred and repulsion!”

炭治郎「こんなものを絆とは言わない！紛い物…偽物だ!!」

Tanjiro “Konna mono’o kizuna-towa iwanai! Magai-mono…nisemonoda!!”

Tanjiro “That’s not what you call a bond! It’s counterfeit! It’s forged!”

姉蜘蛛「ハッ…」

Ane-Gumo “Ha…”

累「ああ…」

Rui “Aa…”

炭治郎「くっ…」

Tanjiro “Ku…”

累「お前…」

Rui “Omae…”

Rui “You…”

鬼殺隊員（サイコロステーキ先輩）「お、丁度いいくらいの鬼がいるじゃねぇか。こんな��キの鬼なら俺でも殺(や)れるぜ」

Kisatsu-Taiin (Saikoro Stēki Senpai) “O, chodo ii-kuraino oniga iruja neeka. Konna gakino oni-nara ore-demo yareruze.”

Demon Slayer (Daiced Steak Senpai) “Hey! Look at that, a demon that’s just the right size. Even I can take down a kid demon like this one.”

炭治郎「ちょっと待ってください！」

Tanjiro “Chotto matte kudasai!”

Tanjiro “Hold up a second please!”

鬼殺隊員（サイコロステーキ先輩）「お前はひっこんでろ。俺は安全に出世したいんだよ。出世すりゃあ、上から支給される金も多くなるからなあ。俺の隊はほとんど全滅状態だが、とりあえず俺はそこそこの鬼一匹倒して下山するぜ。おらあ！」

Kisatsu-Taiin (Saikoro Stēki Senpai) “Omaewa hikkondero. Orewa anzenni shusse shitain-dayo. Shusse suryaa, ue-kara shikyu sareru kanemo ooku naru-kara-naa. Oreno taiwa hotondo zenmetsu-jotai-daga, toriaezu orewa soko-sokono oni ippiki taoshite gezan suruze. Oraa!”

Demon Slayer (Daiced Steak Senpai) “You can just back off! I want to take the safe route up the ladder. Since once you move up, you get more money from the top guys. My unit’s practically been wiped out, but I’ll slay myself a decent-sized demon and head down the mountain. Take this!”

炭治郎「だめだ、よせ!!」

Tanjiro “Dameda, yose!!”

Tanjiro “Don’t do it! Stop!”

鬼殺隊員（サイコロステーキ先輩）「はっ…」

Kisatsu-Taiin “Ha…”

炭治郎（一瞬でバラバラに…っ、どうなってる？）

Tanjiro (Isshunde bara-barani… Do natteru?)

Tanjiro (Shattered to pieces in an instant! But how did he…)

累「ねえ、何て言ったの？」

Rui “Nee, nante ittano?”

Rui “Hey, what did you say?”

炭治郎「ハッ！くっ。」

Tanjiro “Ha! Ku.”

累「お前、いま何て言ったの？」

Rui “Omae, ima nante ittano?”

Rui “Look, you… What was it that you just said?”

炭治郎（うっ…すごい威圧感だ。空気が重く、濃くなった。伊之助、ごめん。頑張ってくれ、もう少し。この鬼を倒したらすぐに行くから。必ず助けに行くから！）

Tanjiro (U… Sugoi iatsu-kanda. Kukiga omoku, koku-natta. Inosuke, gomen. Ganbatte-kure, mo-sukoshi. Kono onio taoshitara suguni iku-kara. Kanarazu tasukeni iku-kara!)

Tanjiro (Just look at that intimidation factor! The air just got heavy and denser! Inosuke, I’m sorry! Hang in there, okay? Just a little longer! I’ll be there as soon as I defeat this demon! I’ll come save you no matter what!”

累「お前、今言ったこと、もう一度言ってみて。ねえ、言ってよ」

Rui “Omae, ima itta-koto, mo-ichido itte-mite. Nee, itteyo.”

Rui “Hey, you… What you said just now… Let’s hear you say it again. Come on. Say it, will you?”

炭治郎「ああ、何度でも言ってやる。お前の絆は偽物だ!!」

Tanjiro “Aa, nando-demo itte-yaru. Omaeno kizunawa nisemonoda!!”

Tanjiro “Sure! I’ll repeat it as many times as you want! Your bond is forged!”

―――――――――――――――――――――――――――――――

父蜘蛛「シャアアア……シャハハハ」

Chichi-Gumo “Shaaaa… Shahahaha.”

伊之助（や、やべえ）

Inosuke (Ya, Yabee.)

Inosuke (O-Oh, crap!)

―――――――――――――――――――――――――――――――

父蜘蛛「グアアア…」

Chichi-Gumo “Guaaa…”

伊之助（クソッ、こんな所で隠れてるなんて情けねェぜ！でも、考えねぇと…太刀の通らない奴を斬る方法…！どうする…どうする…！どうすれば斬れる？考えろ、考えろ考えろ考え…）

Inosuke (Kuso, konna tokorode kakureteru-nante nasake-neeze! Demo, kangae-neeto… Tachino toora-nai yatsuo kiru hoho! Do-suru… Do-suru…! Do-sureba kireru? Kangaero, kangaero kangaero kangae…)

Inosuke (Dammit! Hiding myself in a place like this… How pathetic is that? Still, I gotta come up with a way. How do you slash someone who’s sword-proof? What should I do? What should I do? Just how do I slash it? Think! Think! Think! Think―”

伊之助「クソ～！」

Inosuke “Kusooo!”

Inosuke “Whoa!”

伊之助（やべえ…やべえぜ！アイツが…アイツが戻るまで何とか……）

Inosuke (Yabee…Yabeeze! Aitsuga… Aitsuga modoru-made nantoka……)

Inosuke (This is bad! This is really bad! Until… Until he gets back, I gotta somehow…)

伊之助「なんじゃああ、その考え方ァ!!!」

Inosuke “Nanjaaa, sono kangae-kataa!!!”

Inosuke “What the hell kind of attitude is that?”

父蜘蛛「ウガッ！」

Chichi-Gumo “Uga!”

伊之助「ふざけんじゃねーぞォ!! うおおおお���オォオ！クソがァア!! ぐうっ！」

Inosuke “Fuzakenja neezoo!! Uoooo! Ooo! Kusogaaa!! Guu!”

Inosuke “Don’t mess around, dammit! Curse you!”

伊之助「豚太郎のバイ菌に汚染されたぜ！ふざけやがって！危ねぇ所だったァァ！考える俺なんて！俺じゃねぇぇえぇ!!」

Inosuke “Tontarono baikinni osen saretaze! Fuzake-yagatte! Abunee tokoro dattaaa! Kangaeru ore-nante! Oreja neeeee!!”

Inosuke “Looks like I got infected by Tontaro’s germs! Missing around like that… That was way too close a call! Using my head? That’s so not me!”

父蜘蛛「ウガアア…」

Chichi-Gumo “Ugaaa…”

伊之助「しゃァア！斬れたァア!!」

Inosuke “Shaaa! Kiretaaa!!”

Inosuke “All right! Slashed you!”

父蜘蛛「ウウウ…」

Chichi-Gumo “Uuu…”

伊之助「簡単なことなんだよ。一本で斬れないなら、その刀をぶっ叩いて斬ればいいんだよ！だって俺、刀二本持ってるもん！ニハハハハハハ!! 俺って最強!!」

Inosuke “Kantanna koto nan-dayo. Ipponde kirenai-nara, sono katanao buttataite kireba iin-dayo! Datte ore, katana ni-hon motteru-mon! Nihahahahahaha!! Orette saikyo!!”

Inosuke “It’s really simple. If you can’t slash something with one sword, all you gotta do is pound it with another sword! I mean, look! I have two swords! I’m the almighty!”

父蜘蛛「ウウ…」

Chichi-Gumo “Uu…”

伊之助「は？」

Inosuke “Ha?”

伊之助「何逃げてんだコラァアア!! コラア！待ちやがれ！」

Inosuke “Nani nigetenda koraaaa!! Koraa! Machi-yagare!”

Inosuke “Are you running away on me? Hey you! Come back here, dammit!”

―――――――――――――――――――――――――――――――

累「言っとくけど、お前は一息では殺さないからね。うんとズタズタにした後で刻んでやる」

Rui “Ittoku-kedo, omaewa hito-iki-dewa korosa-nai-karane. Unto zuta-zutani shita atode kizande-yaru.”

Rui “I just want to let you know… I won’t kill you in one blow. After ripping you to shreds, I’ll carve you up.”

累「でも、さっきの言葉を取り消せば、一息で殺してあげるよ」

Rui “Demo, sakkino kotobao tori-keseba, hito-ikide koroshite ageruyo.”

Rui “But… If you take back what you said just now, I’ll do a favor and kill you at once.”

炭治郎「取り消さない！俺の言ったことは間違っていない!! おかしいのは、お前だ！」

Tanjiro “Torikesa-nai! Oreno itta kotowa machigatte-inai!! Okashii-nowa, omaeda!”

Tanjiro “I won’t take it back! What I said was the truth! You know who’s not making any sense? It’s you!”

炭治郎「間違っているのはお前だ!!」

Tanjiro “Machigatte-iru-nowa omaeda!!”

Tanjiro “You’re the one who’s mistaken!”

―――――――――――――――――――――――――――――――

伊之助「くっそォ、あの野郎どこ行きやがった！クソッ！うぐっ！こんなの…痛くねえ！痛くねえもんは痛くねえ！こうなったら絶対に見つけ出す…はあああ…」

Inosuke “Kussoo, ano yaro doko iki-yagatta! Kuso! Ugu! Konnano… Itaku-nee! Itaku-nee-monwa itaku-nee! Ko-nattara zettaini mitsuke-dasu! Haaaa…”

Inosuke “Damn! That bastard… Where the hell did he go, dammit? I’m telling ya, this doesn’t hurt! What doesn’t hurt doesn’t hurt! Now that it’s come to this, I’ll sniff it out for sure!”

伊之助「もう、ウギィイ゛!! ハッ、そこかァアア！このクソバカタレェ！どこまで登っとんじゃ!!」

Inosuke “Mo, ugiii!! Ha, sokokaaaa! Kono kuso-bakataree! Doko-made nobottonja!!”

Inosuke “So, there you are! You idiot piece of crap! How high did you climb up?”

伊之助（野郎…まだ俺に頭を使わせようって魂胆だな。そうは行くか！）

Inosuke (Yaro…Mada oreni atamao tsukawase-yotte kontan dana. Sowa ikuka!)

Inosuke (Damn you! So, you’re plotting to make me use my head again, huh? In your dreams!)

父蜘蛛「ガアアア…」

Chichi-Gumo “Gaaaa…”

伊之助「なんだ？そうかそうか、この俺に恐れをなして震えてやがるのか！ハハハハハ…！今さら遅いぜ！」

Inosuke “Nanda? Soka soka, kono oreni osoreo nashite furuete-yagaru-noka! Hahahahaha…! Ima-sara osoize!

Inosuke “What the… Oh, I get it! He’s trembling with fear and dread at the sight of me, huh? Well, it’s a little too late for that!”

父蜘蛛「ウガアアア…」

Chichi-Gumo “Ugaaaa…”

伊之助「なんじゃ、今度は！」

Inosuke “Nanja, kondowa!”

Inosuke “What the… Now what?”

父蜘蛛「ギイイ…」

Chichi-Gumo “Gii…”

伊之助「だ…脱皮しやがった!!」

Inosuke “Da…Dappi shiyagatta!!”

Inosuke “D-Did it just shed its skin?”

父蜘蛛「シャアアア！グアアア…」

Chichi-Gumo “Shaaaa! Guaaa…”

伊之助（いや、いくら何でもデカくなり過ぎだろ…やべぇぞこれは…敵からこれほどの‘圧’を今まで感じたことがない！圧だけで潰される…！）

Inosuke (Iya, ikura nan-demo dekaku nari-sugi-daro… Yabeezo korewa… Teki-kara kore-hodono ‘atsu’o ima-made kanjita kotoga nai! Atsu dakede tsubusareru…!)

Inosuke (Jeez. Come on, that’s bulking up way too much! This is looking really bad for me! I’ve never sensed this much force from an opponent before! I’ll get crushed just by his force!)

父蜘蛛「ガアアア…」

Chichi-Gumo “Gaaaa…”

伊之助（うっ…だめだ、勝てねぇ…）

Inosuke (U… Dameda, kate-nee…)

Inosuke (It’s no good. I can’t win.)

父蜘蛛「グアアア…」

Chichi-Gumo “Guaaa…”

伊之助（俺は死ぬ。殺される…）

Inosuke (Orewa shinu. Korosareru…)

Inosuke (I’m gonna die. I’m gonna be killed.)

炭治郎「死ぬな！」

Tanjiro “Shinuna!”

Tanjiro “Don’t die!”

伊之助（えっ？）

Inosuke (E?)

炭治郎「俺が戻るまで死ぬな！」

Tanjiro “Orega modoru-made shinuna!”

Tanjiro “Don’t die until I get back!”

ひさ「どのような時でも、誇り高く生きて下さいませ。ご武運を…」

Hisa “Dono-yona toki-demo, hokori takaku ikite kudasai-mase. Go-buun’o…”

Hisa “Always live your lives with great pride. I wish you luck in battle!”

伊之助（くっ…負けねぇ、絶対に負けねぇ！）

Inosuke (Ku… Make-nee. Zettaini make-nee!)

Inosuke (I’m not gonna lose! No way am I gonna lose!)

伊之助「俺は鬼殺隊の！嘴平伊之助だ!! かかって来やがれゴミクソが!!」

Inosuke “Orewa Kisatsu-Taino! Hashibira Inosuke da!! Kakatte kiyagare Gomi-kusoga!!”

Inosuke “I’m Inosuke Hashibira of the Demon Slayer Corps! Just bring it on, you dirtbag!”

伊之助（速い!! 見えねえ!!）

Inosuke (Hayai!! Mie-nee!!)

Inosuke (So fast! I can’t see it!)

伊之助「どわっ！…獣の呼吸・参ノ牙。喰い裂き！折れっ…ぐわっ！ゴフッ。」

Inosuke “Dowa! …Kedamonono Kokyu, Sanno Kiba. Kui-Zaki! Ore… Guwa! Gofu.”

Inosuke “Beast Breathing… Fang Three, Devour! It snapped!”

伊之助（しまった、呼吸で受け身を取り損ねた）

Inosuke (Shimatta, kokyude ukemio tori-sokoneta.)

Inosuke (Oh, crap! I failed to go on the defensive with my breath attack!)

父蜘蛛「オ゛レの、家族に゛、近づくな゛アァア!!」

Chichi-Gumo “Oreno, kazokuni, chikazukunaaaa!!”

Father Spider Demon “Don’t come near my family! Stay away!”

伊之助「ぐうう…俺は死なねええぇぇえ!!」（獣の呼吸・壱ノ牙…）「喰らえ！穿ち抜き!!」

Inosuke “Guuu… Orewa shina-neeeeee!!” (Kedamonono Kokyu, Ichino Kiba…) “Kurae! Ugachi-Nuki!!”

Inosuke “I’m not gonna die!” (Beast Breathing Fang one…) “Take this! Pierce!”

父蜘蛛「グア…」

Chichi-Gumo “Gua…”

伊之助（刺さった…刺さったけど…なんだコイツ、びくともしねえぞ…）

Inosuke (Sasatta… Sasatta-kedo… Nanda koitsu, biku-tomo shineezo…)

Inosuke (They’re in! They’re in, but… what the hell? This thing isn’t even flinching!)

伊之助「うぐっ。がっ、あああ…」

Inosuke “Ugu. Ga, aaa…”

母「ごめんね。ごめんね、伊之助…」

Haha “Gomenne. Gomenne, Inosuke…”

Mother “I’m sorry. I’m sorry, Inosuke.”

母「お前だけは生き延びて。伊之助…」

Haha “Omae-dakewa iki-nobite. Inosuke…”

Mother “I want at least you to survive, Inosuke.”

伊之助「だ…誰だ…？ぐはっ！」

Inosuke “Da…Dareda…? Guha!”

Inosuke “Wh-Who are you?”

父蜘蛛「ギャウ！」

Chichi-Gumo “Gyau!”

伊之助（うぐっ…な…なんだ？斬ったのか？アイツが？な…何者だ？いったい…）

Inosuke (Ugu…Na…Nanda? Kittanoka? Aitsuga? Na…Nani-monoda? Ittai…)

Inosuke (Wh-What was that? Did he slash it? That guy? Wh-Who is that? Who on earth…)

父蜘蛛「ガアアア…グアアア！」

Chichi-Gumo “Gaaaa…Guaaa!”

伊之助（速ェッ…）

Inosuke (Haee…)

Inosuke (That’s fast!)

義勇（水の呼吸・肆ノ型。打ち潮！）

Giyu (Mizuno Kokyu, Shino Kata. Uchi-Shio!)

Giyu (Water Breathing, Fourth Form… Striking Tide!)

父蜘蛛「ヒイッ、ウガ…」

Chichi-Gumo “Hii, uga…”

伊之助（す…すげえ。こ…こんなすげえヤツ初めて…見た）

Inosuke (Su…Sugee. Ko…Konna sugee yatsu hajimete…mita.)

Inosuke (H-Holy crap! I-I’ve never seen anyone… as incredible as this guy!)

―――――――――――――――――――――――――――――――

炭治郎（わかる!! 刺激臭も薄まってきた。糸の匂いもわかるぞ！これなら戦える！）

Tanjiro (Wakaru!! Shigeki-shumo usumatte-kita. Itono nioimo wakaruzo! Kore-nara tatakaeru!)

Tanjiro (Got it! The acrid odor’s starting to fade, so now I can detect the scent of the threads! I can take him on now!)

累（フン、思ったより頭が回る奴だ。恐怖に怯まない。まあ、関係ないけどね）

Rui (Fun, omotta-yori atamaga mawaru yatsuda. Kyofuni hiruma-nai. Maa, kankei-nai-kedone.)

Rui (He’s smarter than I thought. He doesn’t flinch back in fear. Well, not that it matters anyway.)

炭治郎（水の呼吸・壱ノ型。水面斬り！えっ？）

Tanjiro (Mizuno Kokyu, Ichino Kata. Minamo-Giri! E?)

Tanjiro (Water Breathing, First Form… Water Surface Slash!)

―――――――――――――――――――――――――――――――

大正コソコソ噂話　―Taisho Secret―

伊之助「おりゃあ！すげえすげえ、あの鬼を一瞬で倒しやがった！何者だお前！紋次郎と同じ技使ってやがったが、仲間なのか？」

Inosuke “Oryaa! Sugee sugee, ano onio isshunde taoshi-yagatta! Nani-monoda omae! Monjiroto onaji waza tsukatte-yagattaga, nakama nanoka?”

Inosuke “That was impressive! You took that demon out in a flash! Who are you, anyway? I saw you using the same technique as Monjiro! You his friend?

伊之助「俺に気づいてねえのか？こっちを見やがれ！おら！おらおら！おら！おら！これでどうだ！おい！むき～っ！」

Inosuke “Oreni kizuite-nee-noka? Kocchio miyagare! Ora! Ora ora! Ora! Ora! Korede doda! Oi! Mukiii!”

Inosuke “Don’t you notice me? Look here! Hey! Hey! Hey! Hey! What do you say to this?”

伊之助「じゃあとっておきの話を聞かせてやるよ。炭治郎の奴は梅昆布の握り飯が、善逸は鮭の握り飯が好きらしいぜ」

Inosuke “Jaa totte-okino hanashio kikasete yaruyo. Tanjirono yatsuwa ume-konbuno nigiri-meshiga, Zen’itsuwa shakeno nigiri-meshiga suki rashiize.”

Inosuke “Okay, then, I’ll let you in on a secret! I hear that Tanjiro’s favorite rice ball flavor is plum seaweed, and Zenitsu really digs salmon!”

義勇��次回、第十九話『ヒノカミ』」

Giyu “Jikai, dai jukyu-wa, ‘Hinokami.’”

Giyu “Next, Episode 19, ‘Hinokami,’”

伊之助「喋れるんじゃねえか！」

Inosuke “Shabere-runja neeka!”

Inosuke “Hey, so you can talk!”

*Orange-colored sentences are my translation, since I couldn’t find real ones in You Tube.

(Continue to episode 19)

[psychologicalpaletteknife]

兔死狐悲 ⇆ When the rabbit dies, the fox grieves

The rabbit and fox are both considered to be smart and resourceful, so the saying "When the rabbit dies, the fox grieves" describes the bond between opponents who are also kindred spirits.

【Purple Culture】

The moment Will and Hannibal fall off the cliff symbolizes their confrontation with their identities, marking the realization that they are irrevocably transformed by their bond. The cliff is the point of no return, where the lines between the fox and rabbit blur, culminating in a confrontation with their darkest selves.

Like Hector facing Achilles, their plunge represents surrendering to the chaos that has defined their relationship. The act serves as both an ending and a transformation; they are thrust into a chasm where their true selves are laid bare.

[six-sticks]

english translation of zhou shen’s 四大名著 medley! I put a basic summary of each novel in the upper right hand corner when their corresponding song starts, if anyone’s unfamiliar with them

detailed notes under the cut, just for fun

disclaimer: I’m not fluent in mandarin and my classical education is... extremely lacking. I tried my best on the songs with classical chinese and asked someone who actually read these books for context, but feel free to point out any mistakes!

Dream of the Red Chamber

枉凝眉 is one of the original twelve songs that correspond to the twelve beauties. This one is about Lin Daiyu and her relationship with Jia Baoyu, the protagonist. 枉凝眉 literally means something like “brow furrowed in vain,” but according to my friend who read the book, Lin Daiyu furrows her brow when she writes poetry and she and Jia Baoyu write poetry together, so it’s a metaphor for their relationship

Lin Daiyu and Jia Baoyu have a special bond, but their relationship isn’t considered fated because another character, Xue Baochai, has a gold pendant with an inscription that matches the inscription on a piece of jade Jia Baoyu had in his mouth when he was born

Jia Baoyu and Xue Baochai eventually get married at the end and Lin Daiyu dies

(Fun fact, the “Bao” in “Jia Baoyu” and “Xue Baochai” is the same character, while the “Yu” is the same in “Jiao Baoyu” and “Lin Daiyu.”)

Lin Daiyu was a divine herb in her past life. What I translated as “divine,” 阆苑, refers to the home of the immortals in the novel

In his past life, Jia Baoyu watered Lin Daiyu, so in this life she’s destined to shed tears for him

Romance of the Three Kindgoms

I don’t have much to add for this one. All you really need to know is that the three kingdoms era lasted 60–90ish years and territory between the three states was kind of always shifting

Journey to the West

aka the only one I’ve actually read! I have fond childhood memories of watching the 1986 live action reruns with my cousins

“White Dragon Horse” is what they call Tang Sanzang/Tripitaka’s horse. He’s actually a dragon who’s shapeshifted as a horse because he ate the original (normal) horse

Tripitaka’s name in chinese is Tang Sanzang, but I think he’s more commonly known as Tripitaka in english because it’s basically the sanskrit equivalent, and I guess most buddhist terms tend to be translated/transcribed in sanskrit

The “81 tribulations” are the 81 obstacles Tripitaka had to go through before he could get the scriptures

The 72 earthly transformations are an ability of Sun Wukong, one of Tripitaka’s disciples. He basically gets 72 magic powers. IIRC a few other characters can also do this, but he’s the one famous for it

The song says they work together to defeat their enemies, but 90% of the time it’s just Sun Wukong. The other 10% is when Guanyin or the Buddha have to step in

Water Margin

The 108 outlaws later get un-outlawed and the emperor gets them to fight invaders, which eventually leads to them disbanding. I originally included this in the book summary, but I felt like it didn’t really fit the vibe of the song

生死之交 means something like “handing over your life and death” eg. trusting someone with your life. “shield brothers” is a little too viking-y for my taste, but I didn’t want to make the line too long

According to my friend, “we all have some” because the characters steal from rich people and redistribute their wealth

and that’s about it! if you’ve gotten this far, thanks for reading my assorted thoughts/translation notes/book context... it really wasn’t meant to be this long or disjointed haha

[craftercat]

BQS09.1, Biography of Empress Lou of Shenwu

(Wife of Shenwu and mother of Wenxiang, Wenxuan, Xiaozhao and Wucheng. Wucheng was a very unfilial son)

The Divine, Martial and Brilliant Empress was of the Lou [1] clan, taboo Zhaojun, daughter of the bestowed Minister of Instruction Neigan. At a young age was intelligent and enlightened, powerful clans frequently wanted to marry [her], [she] did not at all agree.

神武明皇后婁氏，諱昭君，贈司徒內干之女也。少明悟，強族多聘之，並不肯行。

When she saw Shenwu [2] in the city serving in his post, [she] was surprised, and said:

"Here clearly is my husband."

Thus dispatched servant girls to transmit [her] desire, furthermore frequently sent private wealth, dispatched so as to marry him, [her] parents had no choice but to agree as well.

及見神武於城上執役，驚曰：「此真吾夫也。」乃使婢通意，又數致私財，使以聘己，父母不得已而許焉。

Shenwu already had understanding of his will, poured out his products so as to bond with heroes, in conspiring secret plans, the empress regularly participated.

神武既有澄清之志，傾產以結英豪，密謀秘策，后恒參預。

When appointed as Princess of Bohai, the matters of the women's living quarters were all decided there.

及拜渤海王妃，閫闈之事悉決焉。

The empress was outstandingly intelligent and majestic in judgement, graceful, respectful and economical. Coming and going outside the home, her attendants were no more than ten. Her character was generous, not jealous, treated all of Shenwu's concubines with much kindness.

后高明嚴斷，雅遵儉約，往來外舍，侍從不過十人。性寬厚，不妒忌，神武姬侍，咸加恩待。

Shenwu attempted to command a military expedition to punish the west, the empress at night gave birth to twins [3], one male and one female, attendants regarded [this] as critical, asked to seek and tell Shenwu.

神武嘗將西討出師，後夜孿生一男一女，左右以危急，請追告神武。

The empress did not listen and said:

"The prince [Shenwu] has come out to command the army, how can I hence leave the encampment frivolously? Life and death is fate, why come back?"

Shenwu heard this, and he lamented and praised her for a long time.

后弗聽曰：「王出統大兵，何得以我故輕離軍幕。死生命也，來復何為！」神武聞之，嗟歎良久。

After the defeat at Shayuan, Hou Jing frequently said that if he requested 20,000 fine cavalry, [they would] certainly be able to capture him [Yuwen Tai].

沙苑敗後，侯景屢言請精騎二萬，必能取之.

Shenwu was pleased, and told the empress. The empress said:

"If it is in accordance with these words, how can [his] return be logical? Obtaining Ta [Yuwen Tai] and losing [Hou] Jing, what benefit does this have."

Thus stopped [this plan].

沙苑敗後，侯景屢言請精騎二萬，必能取之。神武悅，以告于后。后曰：「若如其言，豈有還理，得獺失景，亦有何利。」乃止。

Shenwu was compelled by Rouran, his desire to marry its daughter was undecided. The empress said:

"[In] the country's big plans, I am willing without doubt."

When the Rouran princess arrived, the empress left to her original living quarters.

神武逼於茹茹，欲娶其女而未決。后曰：「國家大計，願不疑也。」及茹茹公主至，后避正室處之。

Shenwu was ashamed and gave his respects, said:

"The other [the princess of Rouran] will have knowledge, vow to disappear and do not attend [to me]."

[She] showed affection to all [of Shenwu]'s sons, did not distinguish whether they were borne by her [or not], spin and sew herself, people bestowed her a robe and a [pair of] trousers.

神武愧而拜謝焉，曰：「彼將有覺，願絕勿顧。」慈愛諸子，不異己出，躬自紡績，人賜一袍一袴。

[She] would sew military attire by hand, so as to help the commanders. [Her] younger brother Zhao, because of achievements was naturally accomplished, the rest of [their] family members did not attempt to ask for noble positions.

手縫戎服，以帥左右。弟昭，以功名自達，其餘親屬，未嘗為請爵位。

Every word [she said] was treated and used with talent, righteously did not selfishly disrupt the public. Wenxiang [4] succeeded, advanced to Princess Dowager.

每言有材當用，義不以私亂公。文襄嗣位，進為太妃。

Wenxuan [5] requested to receive Wei's abdication, the empress persistently did not allow, the emperor as a result suspended [the abdication]. At the beginning of Tianbao, honoured as Empress Dowager, and the palace was called Xuanxun.

文宣將受魏禪，后固執不許，帝所以中止。天保初，尊為皇太后，宮曰宣訓。

The Prince of Ji'nan [6] succeeded to the throne, honoured as Grand Empress Dowager. Commander of Documents Yang Yin and so on received a posthumous edict to assist governance, and remove and prohibit all princes. The Grand Empress Dowager with Xiaozhao and various generals secretly determined a scheme to attack them and command the deposition and establishment [of Ji'nan and Xiaozhao].

濟南即位，尊為太皇太后。尚書令楊愔等受遺詔輔政，疏忌諸王。太皇太后密與孝昭及諸大將定策誅之，下令廢立。

Xiaozhao [7] succeeded to the throne, again became Empress Dowager. Emperor Xiaozhao died, the Empress Dowager again handed an edict to establish Emperor Wucheng [8].

孝昭即位，復為皇太后。孝昭帝崩，太后又下詔立武成帝。

In spring of the second year of Daning (an era name), the Empress Dowager gradually became ill, neglected to hold up her clothes herself, used female sorcerers words' to change her family name to Shi. In xinchou of the fourth year, died in the North Palace, at that time was sixty-three years old [in East Asian age reckoning]. In jiashen of the fifth month, was jointly interred in Ping Mausoleum.

大寧二年春，太后寢疾，衣忽自舉，用巫媼言改姓石氏。四月辛丑，崩於北宮，時年六十二。五月甲申，合葬義平陵。

The Empress Dowager was in total pregnant with six males and two females, in all perceived dreams. When pregnant with Wenxiang, then dreamt of a severed dragon; when pregnant with Wenxuan, dreamt of a large dragon, head and tail joined together heaven and earth, started speaking and moving its eyes, the power of its condition was astonishing; when pregnant with Xiaozhao, dreamt of a wriggling dragon on earth; when pregnant with Wucheng, dreamt of a dragon soaring and diving in the sea [9]; when pregnant with the two Empresses of Wei both times dreamt of the moon entering [her] bosom [10]; when pregnant with the two princes of Xiangcheng and Boling dreamt of rodents entering under her clothes [11].

太后凡孕六男二女，皆感夢：孕文襄則夢一斷龍；孕文宣則夢大龍，首尾屬天地，張口動目，勢狀驚人；孕孝昭則夢蠕龍於地；孕武成則夢龍浴於海；孕魏二后並夢月入懷；孕襄城、博陵二王夢鼠入衣下。

The empress had not yet died, there was a nursery rhyme that said:

"When the mother of the ninth dragon dies, there will be no acts of filial piety."

When the empress died, Wucheng [12] did not change to funerary clothes, and wore his red robes as before.

后未崩，有童謠曰「九龍母死不作孝」。及后崩，武成不改服，緋袍如故。

Soon, he ascended to the three terraces, where he held banquets and made himself merry. The emperor's daughter entered with white robes, and threw them all under the terrace. He Shikai asked to stop the music, the emperor was furious and hit him. The emperor in Kunji lodged with many goods, covering up his fulfillment.

未幾，登三臺，置酒作樂。帝女進白��，帝怒，投諸臺下。和士開請止樂，帝大怒，撻之。帝於昆季次實九，蓋其徵驗也。

1 The Lou clan's original name was likely Pilou. Under the reforms of Emperor Xiaowen, the Pilou clan shortened their names. However, as this takes place after the reforms, her clan name would have been Lou.

2. Gao Huan, posthumously honoured as Emperor Shenwu of Northern Qi. De facto founder of the dynasty. Known for his capabilities as a general and rivalry with Yuwen Tai.

3. Given the timing of this, it is suggested the male twin could have been Gao Zhan, as the expedition was in 537 and Gao Zhan was born in 537.

4. Gao Cheng, posthumously honoured as Emperor Wenxiang. Succeeded Gao Huan as de facto emperor, and was known for being capable but cruel, but was assassinated in 549 by his cook, only ruling for two years.

5. Gao Yang, Emperor Wenxuan of Northern Qi. In his early reign a militarily capable ruler who could measure to his father. There was little corruption, but that was because in his late reign he had violent homicidal outbursts when drunk, so everyone was afraid of him.

6. Gao Yin, Emperor Fei of Northern Qi. 14 when he succeeded the throne, he was kind but weak-willed and dominated by Gao Yang's ministers. He was overthrown and assassinated by his uncle Gao Yan.

7. Gao Yan, Emperor XIaozhao of Northern Qi. Despite only reigning for a year, proved to be a capable emperor, but due to his early death could not do much. He was the last capable ruler of Northern Qi.

8. Gao Zhan, Emperor Wucheng of Northern Qi. Generally considered to be an incompetent and cruel emperor. He was fond of torturing his relatives and favoured corrupt ministers, but was able to defend against Northern Zhou attacks.

9. This symbolises that Wenxiang, Wenxuan, Xiaozhao and Wucheng would become emperors.

10. Lou Zhaojun's two daughters married emperors of Northern or Eastern Wei. This dream symbolises that they would become empresses.

11. This dream symbolises that these two princes would not amount to anything substantial, not becoming emperors.

12. Wucheng/Gao Zhan was the ninth son of Shenwu/Gao Huan.