#FUN COLORS!! IT POPS!!! BEAUTIFUL ART OP

[ishamaroo]

Strike a Pose: 10 Creative Selfie Photo Booth Ideas That Will Steal the Show

In the era of social media and smartphone photography, the selfie has become an indispensable part of our lives. From casual outings to momentous occasions, capturing the perfect selfie has become an art form. Enter the world of creative selfie photo booths, where innovation meets technology to create unforgettable memories. If you're planning an event or celebration and want to add a touch of magic to your photo ops, "Smile on Click" brings you 10 incredible and creative selfie photo booth ideas that will steal the show and leave your guests in awe.

Enchanted Garden Wonderland

Transport your guests to an enchanting garden wonderland with a floral-inspired selfie photo booth. Adorn the booth with blooming flowers, lush greenery, and whimsical fairy lights. Include props like floral crowns, butterfly wings, and wooden frames covered in ivy. As guests strike a pose amidst the blooming beauty, they'll capture selfies that are nothing short of magical.

Vintage Glamour Extravaganza

Step back in time with a vintage glamour selfie photo booth that exudes old-world charm. Set the scene with antique furniture, vintage suitcases, and a backdrop reminiscent of classic Hollywood. Provide guests with retro accessories such as feather boas, pearls, and fedoras for a touch of sophistication. Watch as your attendees channel their inner Gatsby and create timeless selfies.

Galactic Adventure Escape

For a cosmic experience, transform your selfie photo booth into a galactic adventure escape. Deck out the booth with twinkling fairy lights, glow-in-the-dark stars, and space-themed backdrops. Offer an array of futuristic props like astronaut helmets, laser swords, and alien masks. Your guests will feel like they're exploring the far reaches of the universe, capturing cosmic selfies to share with friends and followers.

Carnival Carnival Funhouse

Bring the excitement of the carnival to your event with a vibrant carnival funhouse selfie photo booth. Use bold, colorful backdrops, and set up a mini popcorn stand and cotton candy cart nearby. Props like clown noses, oversized sunglasses, and wacky hats will add a touch of hilarity to your guests' selfies. The atmosphere will be filled with laughter and joy as everyone immerses themselves in the carnival spirit.

Nautical Dreamscape

Take your guests on a nautical adventure with a dreamscape selfie photo booth inspired by the high seas. Decorate the booth with maritime elements like ship wheels, anchors, and fishing nets. Offer sailor hats, mermaid tails, and pirate accessories as props, allowing your attendees to capture seafaring selfies that are full of whimsy and delight.

Neon Lights Party Zone

For a high-energy and vibrant atmosphere, set up a neon lights party zone selfie photo booth. Use neon signs and fluorescent backdrops to create an electrifying ambiance. Provide glow sticks, neon sunglasses, and LED accessories for guests to amp up their selfies with an exciting pop of color.

Timeless Black and White Elegance

Evoke classic elegance with a black and white-themed selfie photo booth. Design a sophisticated setting with monochrome decorations, such as black and white balloons and drapery. Encourage guests to wear chic black and white attire and offer vintage props like feather fans and top hats. The resulting selfies will exude timeless grace and charm.

Futuristic Sci-Fi Spectacle

Embrace the future with a futuristic sci-fi spectacle selfie photo booth that combines technology and imagination. Set up a holographic backdrop and provide augmented reality glasses and futuristic gadgets as props. Guests will have a blast capturing selfies that appear to be from another dimension.

Wild Wild West Saloon

Create a wild west saloon experience with a selfie photo booth that channels the spirit of the frontier. Design the booth with rustic wooden elements, cowboy hats, and sheriff badges. Guests can have fun posing with their favorite wild west props, creating selfies that embody the adventurous spirit of the west.

Tropical Paradise Escape

Finally, whisk your guests away to a tropical paradise escape with a beach-themed selfie photo booth. Decorate the booth with bamboo, seashells, and vibrant tropical flowers. Provide sunglasses, flower leis, and straw hats as props for that perfect island-inspired selfie.

Conclusion

Incorporating a creative selfie photo booth into your event or celebration is an excellent way to add fun and excitement. With "Smile on Click's" 10 unique and creative selfie photo booth ideas, your guests will have a blast capturing unforgettable moments. From enchanting garden wonderlands to futuristic sci-fi spectacles, these selfie photo booths will undoubtedly steal the show and leave everyone with cherished memories to treasure. So, strike a pose and let the magic unfold!

[costellos]

tell me who you’d take on a date and where you would go! — CLOSED

@thisbloghasnoaesthetic​ asked: Id love to take Jotaro on a date. Just something chill. Like getting some good food. Or just sitting together doing nothing. I'd love to just read a book with my head on his shoulder. Just enjoying eachothers quiet comfort :)

omg that sounds like a great date for Jotaro! he definitely seems like the type to want a chill date. he’d probably opt for something that offers takeout if you’re referencing Part 3!Joot, somewhere a little nicer but just as casual if you’re referencing Part 4!Joot. and while you’re reading, you might just catch a teeny, tiny smile on his lips. but don’t say anything or you’ll ruin the moment 🤭💕

anonymous asked: i would wanna take kakyoin out to an indoor roller rink so we could rollerskate together 🥺 it’s one of the things i like to do most and i’d wanna skate around w him while holding hands! also cause he’s tall, i feel like it’d be hard for him to keep balance and prevent himself from falling lolll. but we could go out to an ice cream place nearby afterwards and watch the sun set (if the time is right) 💗

how cute!! sharing something you love with the one you love most... I dig it. Kakyoin would be soooo embarrassed, though! he just wants to impress you but his center of gravity is absolutely awful. rip. at the end of the day, however, he’d be so appreciative that you shared something so personal with him. ❤️ let him pay for the ice cream, it’s the least he can do!! and maybe hold your hand while you watch the sunset 🌅

@lavaicerinkk​ asked: I would ask mista, probably to like a concert or something like that. We'd probably go as homies, then when we get home id be like "what if we kissed haha" and hed be like 😳😳 ok, and then we live happily ever after

LMAAAAOOOOO. I feel like this is v in character for Mista.... he’d be caught so off guard by it! esp since he probably would’ve accepted that you were just friends. not that he’d say no, tho 👀 he’d just be like, “wait, for real?” and waste no time kissing you after you gave him permission. what a happy ending. 💕

@murcx04​ asked: Take someone on a date huh hmmmmm- Josuke is my bet HAHA Hed be so refreshing to be with óuò. And we'd go shopping kfbfjfn And that where- he'll just show his pleading eyes and want you to buy the shoes he wants oh boy-

I agree, he would be a very refreshing plus one! I think a shopping date would be v traditional with him. I’m imagining you both at the mall, where he cackles at all the weird sex stuff at Spencer’s and shares his food court soft pretzel with you. 🥨 he probably wouldn’t explicitly say that he wants new shoes, but he’d nudge you and be like, “hey. if you wanna know what to get me for my birthday...” and point to the Air Force 1′s on display. so subtle. 🙄

anonymous asked: tbh i think i'd like to take kira out to dinner and go on a walk. i know its a simple date but i think he's really neat and i don't really like big or flashy events and i don't think he would either kjfnksnjks. its just sumn that would suit both of us nice

ooo interesting choice, nonnie! I 100% agree with you on this one. Kira would probably take you to one of those restaurants that have private rooms. I think some ritzier places are like that? anyway, he’d want to focus this date all on you. no mindless chatter from other patrons, no screaming children — the more noise he can minimize, the better. and during your walk, I can see him allowing you to take the reins on the conversation. he just finds everything you say so fascinating! 🌷💗

@catnymous​ asked: I'd take Fugo first to just a simple lil cafe then to the park :3

Cat!! I missed you!! you should come into the askbox more often, I always enjoy your replies. in the meantime, Fugo probably overthinks a lot so this date would be casual enough for him to relax. he would probably opt for some coffee and a slice of cake that he can share with you 🍰❤️ and a stroll through the park would be the perfect way to walk off the calories! (plus when you get to a fountain he’ll probably make some corny wish about getting to spend more days with you like this a;sdfkjl)

anonymous asked: Idk if you’re familiar with part 7... but I would bring Johnny to the planetarium; it’s a place that I love, and bringing him to a place special to me would mean a lot, I think. I’d tell him all of my favorite things about space. And, it’s a little mushy, but I’d remind him that just because you can’t always see the stars doesn’t mean they’re not there; every one is special and the same is for people. And of course, it would be a fun day out to appreciate the beautiful things in the world

unfortunately, I’m not familiar with Part 7... :( but thank you so much for sharing nonetheless! this is such a heart-warming confession 💕 I wish there was more I could say; I love that you’d share all your favorite things about space, and how everything and everyone is special. 💫 such a beautiful confession. 

@serenityblaze44​ asked: I would take Bruno and/or Abbacchio to a conservatory or garden, maybe bring a picnic. Nothing too exciting, just time to relax and spend time together. Then go home for cuddles.

por que no los dos? ahaha nah I’m joking... unless 👀 no but for real, this sounds ideal for both of them! ❤️ they would both appreciate the time to unwind. I could see Abbacchio prepping all the food, while Bucciarati handles everything else (packing the blanket, utensils, alcohol, etc.). they’d probably opt for somewhere outside of Naples since it’s far too crowded in the city. afterwards, be prepared for a gr8 nap between two warm, loving boys!!

anonymous asked: I'd take Kakyoin on a date! I think it would be really fun to go somewhere like an amusement park or arcade so we could just kinda be stupid together and forget our problems. Id go on the Ferris wheel and try to kiss him at the top but he'd probably shake the cart the whole time to freak me out 😂😂 After everything he's gone through, he deserves to have a lot of fun and id love to see him smile 🥰😍

aw friend, this is such a sweet scenario! hopefully the Ferris wheel doesn’t give him too many bad memories of Death Thirteen though ope,, anyway, what a lovely way to forget about all the stuff he’s endured! he’d playfully challenge you to some arcade games (and I’m using “playfully” lightly here) and then destroy you. 🙄 but it’s okay, any tickets he gets will immediately go to a cute stuffed animal just for you 🧸

@hadesaedes​ asked: OOOH I’d have to go with either Yukako or Koichi (even tho i have like TWO hands either is fine). Yukako is a very passionate and strong lover which I LOVE cause im shy with affection so being bold with it is MWUAH. While Koichi is also passionate I like to think he enjoys more simple and low key dates which is my type of thing. Having to just bask in each other’s company without having to fill the silence is GREAT. THEY ARE BOTH GREAT!!! In this essay I will-

AHHH A+ CHOICES, FRIEND. Yukako and Koichi would spoil you so much!! they’d handle any date expenses (movie tickets, food, etc.) and would adore having any opportunity to hold your hand 😊 Yukako would probably be more physically affectionate; she’ll either have her hand on top of yours or her feet wrapped between yours when sitting. Koichi would opt for compliments, praising you on how cool and smart you are! wow, what a supportive pair 🤝

anonymous asked: It's very hard to choose, but I'd go on a date with Bruno. Idk I'm just very gay for him. He knows a lot of nice and fancy places in Naples, but since that's not really my world, I'd take him to a small coffee shop or something. Nothing fancy or expensive but still very enjoyable. Maybe some ice cream. Walking through the city and going to a restaurant in the evening. Maybe something fancy this time, or just a simple pizza

how lovely!! Bucciarati would honestly be open to try anything, but I think a small coffee shop would be v enjoyable for him. there’s so much you can learn about someone over a cup of joe. ☕ since he’s been living in / around Naples his whole life, he’d probably share some neat facts about the city while on your stroll! “the Amalfi Coast is best known for its limoncello liqueur. I know a great place to try it if you’re interested.” 🍋

@moloko-tyan​ asked: Hello, little bird💫sending you rays of love and positive energy! This new event is so much fun. Several hours I wondered with who I wanted to go out, ahah. And I think it would be Erina. She deserves to have fun especially after all those awful events in her life. We would go to atelier. We could go through fabrics to choose which fits the best. We would look at lovely laces, buttons, jewels and we would argue about models of dresses and evening gowns. I want her to feel safe🌻 thank u so much!

friend! I always get so excited when you pop into my askbox!! ty for participating 💕 Erina is such a great choice imo. and this is such a creative date! she’d have so much fun running her fingers over all the interesting fabrics. Erina would take the most beautiful dresses and hold them up against you, saying how lovely the color suits you. 👗 although she’d be too shy to try those dresses on herself, she would have so much fun spending the day with you!!

anonymous asked: I hope it's okay to send this (I honestly don't want you to get overwhelmed)! But if it's okay: I would love to take Fugo on a date! I love this boy with all my heart and I would love to travel with him to my country to a town next to the sea and give him a tour of its history (and visit the local art and history museums there)! And later grab some ice cream and walk along the seafront in the evening where there are less people and just enjoy the walk together as the sun sets. -Turtle Anon🐢

oooohh, Turtle Anon!! thank you for your concern. you’re all good, don’t worry! anywho, that’s a wonderful date for Fugo. he would have an absolute blast reading about all the art and history your country has to offer 🏛️ you might have to push him along though, he’s the type to absorb everything n really slow down when reading... but at the end of the day, as you’re walking along the beach, he’d thank you for sharing a part of yourself with him. he’d be so honored! ☀️

anonymous asked: tbh i'd love to take narancia on a super spontaneous date... only the date and time are set, the entire day is just going around town and doing whatever stupid fun random things,, eating street food and going into shops to try on random fits and running around laughing, mayhaps go to an arcade, or do some karaoke. and then wind down at like a mcdonalds late at night, tired but happy and satisfied.. hhh nara is v fun i just wanna hang out w him honestly 🤕😔🤕😔

yeeeess this is the perfect date for Narancia!! he loves spontaneous stuff like this. he’d have so much fun gorging himself on street food and playing around with weird fits. he’d probably put on the stupidest things he can find, like this. and if you go to karaoke, be ready to screech some absolute bangers. he will not take anything less than confident (yet bad), loud (yet joyous) singing. 🎤 n while he might be falling nodding off at the McDonald’s, he’d sleepily tell you how amazing the day was and how he wants to do this again 💕

@tomomi012​ asked: I'm going to share another ideal date idea, but with Kakyoin. I'd like us to go to one of those cat cafes in Japan. I mean, cats, coffee and a cute Japanese boy, is this heaven? and I would tell him: "Nori, today I am in heaven"

ofc, share all you want! omg... I love this idea..... Kakyoin would be so soft anytime a cat approaches him. he’d do a little “pspsps” and hold out his finger for them to smell. and once a cat actually nudges him, he’d just melt! he wouldn’t show it outwardly, but you can see it in how bright his eyes get. I think Kakyoin would be the type to either attract a ton of cats or cats hate him, there’s no in between. 😭❤️ both make for some gr8 scenarios, though! 

@pommmejuice​​ asked: for your post about taking a character on a date :,) i think i’d like to take abba to art museums/cultural centers ,, i’d love to talk to him about my culture and what life is like (if he’d be interested;; lol) n maybe afterwards while we get italian food he can talk to me about what italian culture is like, the parts that aren’t shown in the media 🥺 so uh a date where we’re both learning new things about each other hehe

n maybeeeee take fugo to a café where we can study together n talk about our favorite things in our lives/culture.... n maybe hold hands on the table and maybe stare into his eyes tenderly ... you know because he’s my BFF (Best Friend Forever) .. you know how best friends do.. 😳

ooo Ireeene I figured you’d say Abbacchio :3c but that’s such a cute date for him! ofc he’d be interested in learning more about you!! you wouldn’t see it, but every time you share something you that you love about your culture, Abbacchio’s gaze on you would be so loving... 💖 he adores that you’re sharing so personal with him (of all people!!). and he’d get a kick out of telling you misconceptions about Italy. don’t get him started on how much he hates the Mario Bros.

as for Fugo, he would react similarly. I could see him ask more questions about your culture, while Abbacchio lets you go on and on. he’s so interested in everything about you!! and the moment you hold his hand... wow... get ready to see some intense blushing... he wouldn’t pull away, but his attention would turn to something else and his stutter would be apparent. pull yourself together, Fugo! 😤

anonymous asked: I'd take Rohan on a date, I'm a lil gay for that trash man. Tbh, it would either be an amazing date or a total disaster. I think we'd plan something fun and relaxing, like going to an art gallery or seeing a movie, but we'd end up in an adventure because that's what keeps happening to Rohan for some reason. At the end of the day we'd go to a restaurant to put a normal ending to that strange day

HAHAHA omggg friend this is a pretty accurate description of Rohan’s life. I think he’d be really annoyed that the day ended up this way, but he’s glad that he got to spend it with someone he tolerates. 💕 Rohan would try to push past those feelings once you go to the restaurant. this date is still salvageable!! he might complain a lil, but ultimately, he’d try to focus on you and what you enjoyed 🥰

@xxbluejayxx​ asked: For the Jojo date thing, I'd take Abbacchio. Well not really picky about the kind of date, I feel a nice quiet one at home would be best. It could be a homemade dinner, a movie night, or both. When it comes down to it, for me anytime spent with someone I love is time well spent, and that is something I will willingly admit

this is such a peaceful date for Abbacchio! I agree, a quiet date at home would be best. 😊❤️ as I mentioned in other scenarios, he’d likely take over kitchen duties. no need to worry about anything, just tell him what you want and he’d whip it up for you! and when it comes time to watch the movie, he’d tell you to sit a lil closer to him... he’s not very good with verbalizing affection, but he loves when he can feel your skin against his.

anonymous asked: I reeally wanna take Polnareff on a date. He deserves it sooo much. He's such a handsome sweetie. Id turn on the charm for him for once, like he always does. I have a beautiful image in my head of an outdoor patio restaurant with hundreds of strings of lights. We both dress up and have a lovely meal under the stars and magical lights, and then our favorite song plays and we have a dance beneath the lights. I think it would be goofy and romantic, stepping on toes as we attempt to dance around 😍

ahhh Polnareff would be so flattered to have you flirt with him! he’d probably get a lil flustered since this is nicer than what he’s used to, but seeing you dressed to the nines would make make him go 🥵 likewise, he’d push himself through the situation by just focusing on you. and when you start dancing... wow!! he’d lose himself laughing and being absolutely miserable at showing his moves. but it doesn’t matter, because he’s here with you and everything is okay ⭐

@rat-makes-stuff asked: Ok so I would take Giorno back to my home state of Michigan. Mafia boss has got to be tired as hell, so what's better than walking through the woods and collecting rocks at Lake Huron (I'm biased that's my favorite lake no CAP). We would watch the sun set and then look at the stars when they come out. Wildflower picking, trying to see how many deer we can find, and picnics by the lake? Yes pleaseee

before I start, Tumblr wasn’t letting me tag you in this!! so I hope you still see my response :( anyway, this is such a relaxing date! Don Giorno would love to unwind in nature. he’d probably take some stones he found near Lake Huron and turn them into a bouquet of flowers for you! ���and since he’s probably never seen the sky without light pollution, he’d be astonished at how beautiful the sky is. he wouldn’t be able to say anything, just pull you close to him and thank you for taking him out here 🌠

[recentanimenews]

FEATURE: The Top 10 Anime EDs of 2020 According to YOU!

  “Never skip the OP” is a phrase utilized by anime fans just as often, if not more than, the contemptuous brief summarization of a collective's hard work born of time, sweat, and soul as “it was mid.” Yet our fandom has no such parlance for EDs. Whether that is meant as a tacit, unspoken approval of such a terrible act, even in a medium which makes such judicious practice of including post-credit scenes, or EDs are simply so beneath notice as to not even engender sufficient attention to create such a coded permission remains unknown.

  But fortunately, people DO watch them, otherwise, I wouldn’t be writing this article. While judges and fans are hard at work determining which of this year’s quality EDs deserves the coveted “ED of the Year,” I’m breaking down the best by viewership on the Crunchyroll Collection YouTube Channel, weighting each video at its views by 30 days so no advantages for appearing early. What follows is the Top 10 EDs of the Year as determined by YOU!

  10. HAIKYU!! TO THE TOP Ending 2 - "One Day" by SPYAIR

    With the sheer power of SEO linking the volleyball boys to the likes of Ike, UZ, Momiken, and, of course, Kenta Sasabe, it’s no surprise that this ED would appear on this list. At 150k views in its first 30 days, what may be most surprising is "One Day" isn’t even higher with SPYAIR’s past contributions to Haikyu!! Like "Imagination" and "I’m a Believer." Hell, it even sounds like an OP.

  9. BURN THE WITCH - "Blowing" by NiL 

    Deprived of an OP, it’s great to see BURN THE WITCH secure a spot among the most popular EDs. NiL’s super chill "Blowing" drew 170k viewers in its first 30 days. Despite its relaxed feel, it’s hard not to get hyped watching it both for Colorido’s dynamic adaptation of BURN THE WITCH or just the excitement about the approaching return of Tite Kubo’s Bleach.

  8. Black Clover - "New Page" by INTERSECTION

    Another laid-back guitar serenade on this list from INTERSECTION, "New Page" features Black Clover’s fan-favorite Secre right after her big reveal with some spectacular atmosphere and environment art for an ED. "New Page" earned 275k views in its first month and has since crossed half a million. If that seems like too few, then know that you have the power to change that.

  7. Boruto - "Maybe I" by Seven Billion Dots

    Boruto’s 13th ED was a change of pace for the series with a surprising romp of an ED reminiscent of Naruto Shippuden’s OP 10 "Newsong" by tacica with some goofy dance moves and Team 7 showing up in themed kigurumis (animal pajamas). "Maybe I" cleared 280k in its first 30 days but has proven that it can withstand the test of time and now stands at a surprising 1.3 million lifetime views, tying it for the Number 2 spot in lifetime views on this list!

  6. Rent-a-Girlfriend Rika Special Ending - "First Drop" by halca

    Possibly one of the coolest utilizations of an ED I’ve seen in anime, Rent-a-Girlfriend brought back halca for a one-time special ED to cover Rika’s backstory with panels from the manga portraying her tragic backstory to fill in the narrative gaps by transitioning directly out of and then BACK INTO a post-credit scene to paint a complete picture. The special ED grabbed 340k views in its first 30 days which is especially impressive since it was there and gone in a flash on the anime. halca’s "First Drop" is also every bit as good as ...

  5. Rent-a-Girlfriend - "Kokuhaku Bungee Jumping" by halca

    "Kokuhaku Bungee Jumping" by halca is a fun song set to maybe the most risque ED since High School DXD. Like the special ED described above it makes liberal use of manga art and, uh, metaphors. "Kokuhaku Bungee Jumping" collected 390k views in its first day and sits at Number 3 in the list of lifetime views at 1.2 million.

  4. The God of High School - "WIN" by CIX

    For a series with so much adrenaline, a cooldown ED was absolutely necessary and K-pop group CIX’s "WIN" was just that. MAPPA brought in a relaxed cool-colored photograph format visuals to accompany the smooth music. It’s no secret The God of High School packed a lot into its 13-episode run, so spending some extra time with the series' central trio just hanging out was appreciated. CIX grabbed 450k views in its first 30 days.

  3. Re:ZERO Season 2 - "Memento" by Nonoc

    Nonoc knocked it out of the park with an absolutely beautiful third ED for Re:ZERO -Starting Life in Another World- reminiscent of the series first ED with a splash of color and subbing butterflies for snowflakes. "Memento" had 570k views by the end of its first 30 days and sits tied for second at lifetime views with 1.3 million, although honestly, it may not count since at least half of those were me.

  2. Boruto - "CENTRAL" by Ami Sakaguchi

    The directorial debut of one of Boruto’s brightest animators, Kana Ito, is absolutely spectacular. Inspired to get into animation by watching Naruto, she’s been delivering slick animation cuts to the series for years, and her taking the control with an ED back by Ami Sakaguchi’s "CENTRAL" provides an audiovisual experience every bit as good as a Boruto OP, rivaling even its own legendary "Lonely Go!." "CENTRAL" collected 800k views in its first month and already sits at just over 1 million lifetime views.

  1. JUJUTSU KAISEN - "Lost in Paradise" ft AKLO by ALI

    It’s almost unheard of for an ED to overtake an OP in popularity, much less an OP directed by a legend like Shingo Yamashita. "Lost in Paradise" achieved the rare feat of clearing 1 million views in under a month and shows no signs of slowing down, now sitting at 1.7 to give it the highest total views despite coming in at the end of the year!

  Some of the best cooldown content is goofy, slice of life moments, and combining that with some slick dance moves and excellent fashion packaged in yet another simply styled and brightly colored ED was not only perfect on its own but ideal material for fan content. In that, the similarities between "Lost in Paradise" and "Easy Breezy" are unmistakable in both their aesthetic and fan reaction.

  Now there’s only one more category I’d like to cover. One much more difficult to dissect by raw viewership but that I will nonetheless attempt to categorize based on fan eyeballs alone. The best fight scenes of the year ...

  Which was YOUR favorite ED of 2020? Tell us in the comments and come back tomorrow for the best fight scenes according to YouTube views!

        Peter Fobian is an Associate Producer at Crunchyroll, writer for Anime Academy and Anime in America, and an editor at Anime Feminist. You can follow him on Twitter @PeterFobian.

  Do you love writing? Do you love anime? If you have an idea for a features story, pitch it to Crunchyroll Features!

By: Peter Fobian

[thicceon]

My Final Views on Pokémon Sword & Shield

There’s my Trainer! Isn’t she lovely? Anyways, this is a game I had so many strong feelings about, so I feel like jotting this down so I can give it a lil’ bit of closure.

The National Dex

This was perhaps the game’s greatest controversy leading up to release, so I want to give my thoughts on this first. I don’t mind the absence of the National Dex as long as it improves the game all around. I think it’s an okay decision moving forward. However, in these games you can tell half the existing Pokémon were cut just to save time in order to meet a holiday release, not to actually improve the game.

Presentation

The game makes a powerful first impression. The campaign’s strongest moments are probably the first couple hours. The narrative really caught my attention in the beginning and I felt SUPER hyped for my first few gym battles. The story’s climax is also pretty exciting. Game Freak did step up to the plate where it counted most, fortunately. 

Gameplay

The game is bare, short, and vapid. Halfway through it’s REALLY apparent how rushed the game is. You end up zooming through tiny routes that feel more like hallways than anything, and only have a couple Trainers in them. Most “cities” are smaller than the ones in Red & Blue. There is a town that’s literally just a corridor with a Pokémon Center and outdoor gym. This is also one of the coolest cities in the game, so seeing that wasted potential is very frustrating. 

The NPCs feel lifeless and have nothing interesting to say. I don’t see anyone else talking about this! The NPCs in BW, XY, and SM actually had some very entertaining dialogue once the tutorial stuff was out of the way, whether it was hilarious, straight-up weird, or genuinely thought-provoking and insightful. Everyone feels so...boring.

The Wild Area is...rough. It looks horrid. However, it’s still where I had the most fun in the game. It’s a great concept and I think Game Freak had a decent first go at creating an open world Pokémon experience. It wasn’t a particularly fun place to explore per se, but it was enthralling just to be able to control the camera and go where I please. Being able to see glimpses of other players here is also a wonderful addition, and something I’ve wanted from the series for a while. All in all, this area has a delightful MMO feel to it. Raids are also very fun! It’s great to have a co-op feature to play with friends, and the rewards and rarity of Gigantamax forms gives you a good reason to do them!

There are many wonderful QoL features in this game. Pokémon’s UI experience has never been smoother. There's one rather large caveat though, which is the online experience. It’s nonsensical not to include a friends list for easy trading and battling with your pals, and most of the time the stamp system just doesn’t work. It’s extremely frustrating, but sigh it’s workable.

I also must say that I hate the Exp. All being baked into the game. The feature itself is not the problem, it’s the fact that I have literally no way of turning it off, despite previous games allowing you to. This was borderline game ruining for me, as it killed any sense of satisfaction I felt leveling my Pokémon. It genuinely felt like the game was raising my Pokémon for me. Yeah, not for me.

The post-game is practically non-existent. There’s a lifeless husk that qualifies as a Battle Tower of sorts, but that’s all you’ll find, Champ. But of course, this has become standard for modern Pokémon games.

Graphics 

The Wild Area looks very shoddy, however, the rest of the game looks genuinely beautiful! The overworld textures are poor, and this is not a high-fidelity game by any means, but the general art direction and colors are gorgeous. The new Pokémon have nice models, and the older ones have greatly improved textures. The cities all look distinct and lovely. However, the pop-in of NPCs is very apparent and feels jarring. I can tolerate a little pop-in, but this draw distance is short enough where I will just about hit NPCs that appear before my eyes while biking.

Pokémon still lack battle animations that are even comparable to the Stadium games. _That’s _the type of stuff that should be improved by cutting Pokémon.

Soundtrack

The soundtrack is decent and has its own flare. There are a few standout tracks, my favorite being the Slumbering Weald at the beginning. Gym battles have a great chanting effect that really adds to the atmosphere. My biggest complaints are that a few of the city themes are weak, and theres a real lack of route themes. 

Story

It feels rushed and empty, like everything else in the game. Conceptually I think it’s pretty strong, and as I said before, the climax is great. However, the story beats leading up to the climax are hilariously rushed and character’s actions begin to make zero sense. You also visit areas that were so obviously meant to be dungeons, but were condensed into single rooms. One significant scene didn’t even get a proper cutscene and was instead told via a slideshow that looked like screenshots of the models painted over. 

As for the characters, I’m extremely disappointed with how underdeveloped the main villain was, despite him having an intriguing, and surprisingly contemporary motive. I was also bummed out that Marnie, a rival advertised as being significant, had practically no story relevance whatsoever. Team Yell also was very underutilized. 

Hop was okay; decently developed. Bede is probably my favorite rival in the series since Cheren. I’m one of those people that’s been complaining for a decade about how we haven’t had a jerkass rival since Johto, and I’m very pleased to finally have one again. His arc is also solid, though a bit under-explored.

Leon was good. It’s rare for the series to tell us who the Champion we’re fighting is before it’s time to tango with them. It was nice to see him have a presence throughout the entire game, and it was interesting to see the types of responsibilities a Champion has, such as protecting the region and...signing endorsement deals.

Closing

Yeah, the game is okay. It’s not a masterpiece. It’s not a train wreck. Just okay. It’s very apparent that it was meant to be so much more though, and that’s frustrating. It feels like even 6 more months could’ve made a world of a difference. I don’t believe Game Freak is lazy. I don’t believe they’re incompetent. However, I do think the yearly release schedule of Pokémon games really hampers the potential of not only the games, but the developers.

But perhaps that’s just what we have to accept from such a juggernaut IP. Sword & Shield is about the quality you’d expect from most MCU movies, or those live-action Disney remakes. It’s solid, and it’s the standard fun you’d expect from the property, but it lacks any depth. 

But I can’t really bring myself to call it a step back for the series. It does its fair share of things better than XY and SM, even if if those two games are much fuller experiences. Right, this is a decent first real entry for the main series into the home console market. However, it’s still nothing compared to the sheer breadth of content available in the GBA or DS games.

But this game signified to me that the “golden age” of Pokémon is really gone for good. Sword & Shield was never concerned about living up to those titles though. Gaming has changed. Gamers have changed. And thus, Pokémon has changed. Most games aren’t intended to last you the better part of a year now, unless they’re a live multiplayer service with consistent updates.

As a veteran superfan that's been absolutely enamored by the franchise since before I could even read, I’ll admit that I find it a bit of a challenge to judge Pokémon games on their own individual merit, rather than against the now substantial catalogue that makes up the legacy of the series. Sword & Shield isn’t worried about living up to the past, it’s a step towards the future, clumsy as it may be. However, that future is still going to need some more substance to it before I can consider it a bright one.

[flandesuka]

Yo you should answer all of these scene questions👀👀

:OOO

you think so lad???? shit dawg i was thinkin just a few at a time but if that what u want my dear nonnie i will supply

1. wats ur scene name?

i was thinkin maybe ‘gods mistake’ would be a good one but then. i found a way to make it both danganronpa related, and, even better, a fucking pun as well. ‘kamukura kamukura jasqueen’, or just ‘kamukura jasqueen’ for short is good k thxxx

2. describe ur dream outfit!

oooo gosh this ones trickyy!! there are so many good outfits out there, especially in the scene community!! but it’d have to have a few tiny elements of dr cosplay to add a lil of my dangan-weeb culture in there ofc! more specifically, id really love to get one of kazuichis jumpsuit and just wig out and add shit like this just because i could:

(id just rlly love going out in all those glowy/shiny things at night like all that haha..and yes the shoes would probably kill me/my fuckin feet if i tried to walk in them but shut up i love them theyre cute as fuck)

3. describe ur dream haircut!

oo another tricky one!! i do like my regular hair, and honestly id be lying if i said i didnt love ibuki’s hairdo too but id defs have to go with something like this!!

yaaaassss, so pretty and spikeeeey! maybe id dye my natural hair colour black and/or add some funky colours if i ever actually got this style down!

4. describe ur dream room!

i have a lot of ideas for dream bedrooms actually, but heres a visual image of one of them i found!!!

MIKU ROOM MIKU ROOM MIKU ROOM MIKU ROOM

(this specific idea arose mainly just for the aesthetic but i also find it super cute and a good environment to be in general hhhnnggg)

5. if u could make anything out of kandi, wat would u make?

oh you mean those colourful beads and bracelet things??? i love those man!!! theyre so visually appealing to me aaaaa…id probably just make a fuck-ton of those and most probably use the little letter beads to say random words/phrases like ‘aubergine’ and ‘despacito’ knowing my shitposter self lmaooo! id definitely make a sansmaeda themed one too thoo fr

6. wat would u write on ur shoez?

it’d probably range from things like a simple kaomoji doodle to something randum and stupid like ‘seesaw’ bc yes asjnd

7. wat kinda piercingz/tattooz do u hav/want?

i dont think i rlly want any real piercings (at least not atm) but id totally go for those fake stick-on gemstone lookin’ ones! and as for tattoos, i cant rlly see myself gettin one of those rn either, but id want something like a mario power-up, preferably the bell one/cat suit powerup!!! its my favorite powerup and its sooo cute!!!

8. fave genrez?

i dont rlly have a specific genre, i like most kinds of music, but i rlly like energetic music that i can dance tooo!!! >w

9. fave bandz?

im a big fan of gorillaz and botdf!!! i like p!atd as well but havent listened to it in a while.. gatta catch up loool

10. fave songz?

my favs alternate a lot, but atm im super into ‘slow dancing in the dark’ by joji!!! so much emotiooon quq…also rlly hooked on botdf and jefree star’s ‘sexting’ tooo lmaooo

11. fave lyricz?

‘The world keeps spinning Among this sinning Oh what a cruel and disgusting place The purest moonlight Is bloodied by plight And screaming resonants But somehow I know That it’s all for show The world will reveal it’s true beauty soon And we’ll all reach towards the moon ‘

its so deep but its from a fucking kaito momota fansong and i love that asnkjdnefe

12. hav u evr been to a concert?

not in a damn long while my lad,, rip australians not havin many artists they like from other countries tour there ;-;

13. do u wanna be in a band?

ive always thought thatd be pretty cool ngl!!! tourin around with ur bandmate friends, makin awesome fuckin tunes, people lovin u and ur music, just livin the dream in general,, nice

14. wats da best soda/energy drink flavour?

havent rlly had any as of rn  my lad so i wouldnt know :/

15. wat do u miss most abt old internet?

i loved that we could all just be ourselves and act like the kids we are inside without bein reprimanded at all.. it aint rlly that much of an issue for me but i still think itd be a lot nicer if it was like that again sometimes,,

16. wats da best old meme?

ooohhh there are so many i still miss man! numa numa ermagerd and doge still remind me of the glory days…when old animeme was good and you could still haz ur cheezburgers in peace. also rage comics! rage comics were good what happened

17. best place 2 buy clothez?

i dont think theres any hot topics in australia but if there is. i will hunt it down you hear me

18. wat r ur fave accessoriez?

OH THERES SO MANY GOOD ONES??? as i stated b4 i rly love kandi bracelets and other glowy/led things!!! also rlly love ties with cute and fun patterns and long colourful and/or ripped socks like ibuki’s too hehe

19. wats ur best tip fr ppl that just got into scenecore?

im not rlly the best at advice, but my main point would be-just hav fun here dudes!!! dont let anyone else bulli u abt it, we’re supportive people, u can talk to me or anyone else whos willin to listen an/or help for reassurance ofc

20. opinion on furbiez?

oOH MY GOD YES. FURBIES. MY BABIES I WANT 10 OF THESE CHILDREN…I ACTUALLY HAVE A FURBY HE LIKES SLEEPING IN HIS SPECIAL DRAWER AND HIS NAME IS TINGLE I ADORE HIM I’LL POST A OF PICTURE LATER MAYBE

21. opinion on funko popz?

i like em and ive seen lots at eb games, but i dont buy em much..i do have a megaman pop with a broken arm tho loool

22. wats ur fave pattern? (zebra/leopard print etc)

i looove a lot of patterns but not gonna lie im always a sucker for rainbow checkerboard patterns yknow hehe!

23. fave color combo?

i dont have one rlly…soooo many possible comboooos…cx

24. sumthing u liked as a kid dat u still like?

im still going on girlsgogames and recently, ive finally mastered sues beauty machine!!!! its so good and fun all of ya’ll should try it my dudeeees

25. wats ur most used emoticon? 0w0

as most of ya’ll probs alredy know i spam ‘:O’ a lot, but one of my bigger favs is actually ‘x3′ and my fav kaomoji is ‘ଘ(੭ˊ꒳​ˋ)੭✧’ (both of them are so kyooot >w

26. wats ur fav typin quirk?

i luv talkin like dis, but i dont rly do it that often loool…i awso wuv tawking in ‘owo’ speak wike dis >//w//>

27. do u wish ur fllwrz talked 2 u moar?

hellz yeaaa!!! i luv followr interaction my dudee! it makes me super happi when u all talk to me heehee! x3c

28. tag ur fave scene blawgz!

:O !!! oh gawd!!! i dont know many atm but heeereee!

@xxadam-antidotexx (op of the ask meme)

@glitchkichi (not sure if this counts but their stuff’s rlly cool >v

@otonashi-banana (scene boyf…wuv im more than anythin >///w///>

29. wat got u into scenecore?

i dont remember exactly how it happened but i’d always sorta wanted to go back to the glory days that was the old web and the scene era, and that, coupled with a bright, colourful aesthetic that i could really enjoy, drew me in like a moth to a neon colored flame ig looollll

30. how long hav u been scene?

i’ve only been officially apart of the community for about a few months now (at time of writing) i reckon so some things are still a lil new to me ig ^^;;

31. wats da best thing abt being scene?

the freedom of bein able to express myself 4 one thing, and its just so fun being so ‘out-there’ yknow???? it feels so great really

32. do u hav a fursona?

i…actually used to but ive moved on from the furry fandom and ive grown more attached to my human sona anyway sooo :/

33. r u in sum “cringy” fandomz?

YEA man!! i dont rlly think dr is inherently considered ‘cringey’ but undertale is and im in that one for sure!!! i also kinda technically never left the skylanders fandom(?) so theres that too ig??? oh yeah and who wants to let me draw my old moshi monsters characters COWARDS

34. do u liek plushiez?

YASSSS QUEEEN!!!! i have HEAPS of them in my room on my desk with my gonta shrine

35. do u liek stickerz?

also a big yaaassss from me dawggg!!! i love them and i love those ones that you stick on your fase like this!

its so cuuute!!!

36. do u hav a friendproject?

i dont, not at the moment a least, actually! didnt even know what it was til recently but it looks kewl haha

37. do u hav any other scene account?

well, i haz this one, and i also have an emowire account for shuichi if that counts!!

38. do u make art? (drawingz, blingeez, etc.)

YES!!! i love to draw and i also make blingee edits sometimes!!! ITS SO FUN XD !!!

39. wats da most scene thing? (anything!)

hmmm, weeell…i think the most stereotyped thing would be that kewl, suuuper big hair like this;

its really prettyyyy, and i love all that colouuur!!!

40. ask ur own randum question!!

hm, oh wowie, since the anon didnt specifically ask this one…POTATOES!!! X3

phew, finally done, that was a lot of typing! this was so fun to do though, so thank u nonnie!!! :3

[pridefulrobin]

Okay, my good OP, be prepared for an absolute downpour of recommendations. I'm unsure of the niche status of all of these artists, just that I've never seen them blow up (I am a blind and easily distracted queer so that might not being saying much but they're cool artists). In the tags we have:

Rock, Alt Rock, Lofi, EDM, Metal, Synthwave, Chill, Very Not Chill, Good Rap, Bad Rap, Hip Hop, Pop, Vocals With Barely any Music, Beautiful Singing, Stupid Singing, Emotional Music, Vibey Music, Fun Music, Hard Music, Soft Music, & More. I cannot answer what I love most, there is so much amazing art and music and so many things make me feel so much when I listen

EDIT: IT GOT RID OF THE TAGS I HAD

LISTING ARTISTS HERE AS WELL:

Two Door Cinema Club

Coyote Theory

Color Theory

Dance With The Dead

Rxbyn

Ekoh

Good Kid

WOODKID

Eyemèr

the pillows

Saib

Wild Party

Disasterpeace

Ryan Cassata

Casey Edwards

Les Friction

Em Beihold

mc bess

Coda

Ryan Caraveo

Mega Mango

mxmtoon

In Love With A Ghost

Chevy

p4rker

The Longest Johns

Softwilly

Snail's House

Rick Montgomery

Naethan Apollo

Zomboy

TIN

Hidden Citizens

Confetti

The Score

Bohnes

Cosmo Sheldrake

Unlike Pluto

Poor Man's Poison

The Decemberists

Porter Robinson

liana flores

OFK

Puppet

RIOT

Devon Cole

Dragonforce

Sullivan King

Lincoln

Delaney Bailey

The People's Thieves

Kupla

Glass Animals

Kai Wachi

Aimer

Park Bird

Softwilly

The Orion Experience

Powfu

REVENGEOFPARIS

IDKHOW

Harley Poe

Geoxor

khai dreams

Robert Grace

chloe moriondo

Forrest.

limbo

Cryst

Egg

Ofc not a comprehensive list of the music I love but gotta stop somewhere

Please please please reblog this and put in the tags your music recommendations. I’m not talking about big artists and bands either— what’s a niche group, band, or artist that you can’t get enough of? What song or album do you enjoy the most? Why?

[yoshi4sushi]

(purupurupuru) (purupurupuru) (gocha!) (coo!) (coo!)

 Happy 2019! We are deeply, deeply sorry for the long hiatus. Flu season is getting around, and the crew are still sick, plus I’ve been majorly busy with loads of work now that spring is coming and job hunting season/ visa renewal season for me. But to make up for the long absence, the crew gathered everything everyone missed even while being sick so I will lay out everything. First off, the chapter will resume this week I think as last time, it was left where Zoro gets acquainted with his new friend, Yasu as he brought him to a town of smiles and suffrage, Ebisu town. Everyone was all smile despite the hunger, pain, and illness going around, they still keep a big happy face. Zoro thought it was strange, but understood the hardship they are w/standing. One of the villagers mentioned to Yasu that a Robin-hood hero pass by the village again. Supposedly, this hero brings them food and water to ease the hunger of the villagers. Who could this stranger be? They call him ox-free. Back at Onigashima, MAJOR trouble stirred up! Big Mom showed up to get Zeus back, and brought her whole crew with them. It was chaos! They steer the mother ship towards the water fall almost reaching to the top, but King, one of the big honchos, used his devil fruit, the dragon-dragon fruit, pteranodon style. He turned into a dinosaur, pterodactyl. Anyway, King knock the ship down as Big Mom sinks into the ocean. At the end, Sanji, Franky, Ussop, and Law are heading for the hills to avoid getting caught. Law tells the guys that if they caught, they must not reveal their plans, and to not pick a fight as it would ruined their chance to fight for real. Sanji then hears screaming from the village, and it was none other than Page. Demanding for Sanji to show up, he destroys the soba stand, and hurting the villagers. Suddenly, Sanji kicks Page to the curb. He tells the guys to go on ahead as he pulls out the weapon that Niji left for him back at WCI. Sanji then pulls out his weapon and BAM! The dark knight, Soba Mask, appears! Black suit, family hair do, shades, rocket shoes, I mean the whole enchilada. Apparently, this new suit really is useful and beating Page. At the end, a surprise got washed up ashore. Chopper takes a stroll with Tama, Kiku, and Momo and they spot Big Mom. However, when she woke up, she doesn’t know her where she is nor who she is. EH?! AMNESIA? Will it last? What’s gonna happen if regains her memory? Big time yonkou will clash! What fate will hold for the kingdome of Wano?! GAH! So many mysteries and questions! Guess we’ll have to leave it up to the big man. Let’s be surprised. Also, if you want to read official manga, please use official websites. Do not go around revealing spoilers on any media such as FB, TW, or any other to everyone who are patiently waiting for the official released. It’s rude and messed up. Be considerate. Next, totally behind on the anime, but we’ll wrap it up in one. We finally see Luffy catching up to Katakuri’s level and getting the respect after finding out that Flampe pulled a dirty trick and put that brat in her place. This past weekend’s episode was a major throw down! We finally see Luffy’ new awesome gear 4th move, SNAKE MAN, which it increased his speed of his attacks. Katakuri however was still one step ahead thanks to his awesome observation haki. Both warriors are going all out majorly. The guys pulled their final move into a huge impact of haki!! Meanwhile, Sanji and Pudding wait in an alley. Pudding hesitates to say goodbye to Sanji, but approached him for a final request. At the end, the fight is over. The victor is…none other than our fellow rubber champ, Luffy-kun! Katakuri stands up and asked him if he will beat Big Mom. He vowed to come back and do so. Katakuri finally passed out defeated for the first time. At the end, Luffy leaves his hat on his face as show of his respect and Pekoms shows up. It’s 5 until 1 am. Next time, Pekoms helps Luffy by awakening his sulong form, but will it save our hero? DON’T MISS IT! Thank you, Katakuri for putting up a major fight. We hope to see you down the road. Now on with the goods! First, we received a telegram from Tongari-san as he caught the flu, but will get better in no time. He says that in March, the tower will be celebrating its 4th anniversary, and loads of fun events will be happening. The anniversary week will start from March 13th to the 16th. There will be a special live performance from Kitadani Hiroshi and Ostuki Maki. Details of events and special live will be announced soon. Moreover, check out the new theme for the 4th anniversary. It’s an Alice in Wonderland theme. They’ll be selling new buttons of the Straw Hats including, Ace, Sabo, and Law. The tower will also be having a stamp rally event so more details will be announced soon. The spring event and buttons will be available on March 1st. Next, the tower is celebrating the beautiful Nico Robin’s birthday. Her bday is on Feb.6th. To celebrate, the stores will be selling Robin’s birthday button and key chain, another bday button, art board, tote bag, & postcard set. Also, they’ll be giving out a bromide card if you visit the park, & a free poster if you purchase over 3000 yen. The café will be serving her Flower-Flower Soybean milk pudding. It will come w/ an edible flower w/ a bit of drizzled berry sauce. Delish! The café will also celebrate Vivi’s birthday. They’ll serve her royal white curry udon noodle with some blue jelly and an edible flower. If you order either, you’ll receive a free birthday card. Also, if there are those in the mood to celebrate Valentine, the café will be serving this limited time Mr. Prince’s aka Sanji’s Love choco banana waffle served a glasses sweet crisp shape. Available until Feb.14th. Anyone have a sweet tooth? Well, now you can buy your own character chocolate piece. Deco chocolate are selling cubes of any of your favorite characters. You can make your own box of chocos. You pick a box, pick the characters, and done! You’re ready to check out. You can buy 3, 5, 10 pieces for one box. It’s a perfect gift for friends, family, or if you are the lovey dovey type, it would be a great Valentine or White day gift or some other special occasion. If you want to buy a whole box of one character, that is possible too. I bought one box.  Next, the store is also selling these limited ed. café goods of Sanji such as a button set, a can of candy, a box of waffle cookies w/ a free random sticker, and an acrylic key holder. It’s still in stock.  Last, but not least, the store is still selling the New Year gift pack that comes with an acrylic stand, long towel, and button set. Next, FIGURINES! Majorly awesome new ones! First, if you are in the arcade, be sure to win yourself these World Figure Colosseum Treasure Cruise figurines of Luffy, Nami, and Zoro in their cowboy look. They’ll also be stocking this awesome Grandista figurine of Sanji as well so get those coins ready to beat the crane. Next, stores will be selling this awesome new Figure Arts Zero figurine of Luffy in Snake Man mode. It will be released in May. POP will also release figurine of Luffy in Snake Man mode as well. It will be released in August. They’ll also be accepting reservations for this new POP figurine of Hina. It will be released in July. Last, but not least, this adorable POP figurine of Chopper ver. OT. It will be released in May. Next, new stuff! First, the popular brand, Graff Art are selling these cute goods of East Blue such as acrylic key holders (6 random), pass cases, a pouch, 3 memo pads, and a pencil case. Next, the stores will also be celebrating Robin’s b-day. To celebrate, they’ll sell her bday button and acrylic stand. If you purchase over 1000 yen, you’ll get a free mini poster of her. Next, a new flower pot of Chopper will be sold soon. It will come an engraved box with Chopper in it. It’s a perfect for friend or someone. Next, this year, Mugi Mugi will be having new plushies from East Blue. This month, they’ll be selling mugi mugi of Shanks, Luffy, and Coby. Very adorbs! Next, in March, they’ll be selling memo pad stands of Luffy, Zoro, Sanji, Nami, & Keita-san. Next, new phone covers with all the Straw Hats individually or in group. Next, this week, stores will be these cute tote bags in gold and silver color. Possible to make an ita bag. Stores are also selling these new smartphone pocket of the gang, and these awesome plastic gold & silver tote purses with the OP logo on it. Next, anyone likes Valentine? More luck. The stores will be selling imprinted Valentine and White day cookies. Girls are now in stock. Great gifts. Looks so colorful to eat. They’re also selling these JUMP stickers available at JUMP Shops and Mugi stores according to its location: Tokyo, Osaka, & Fukuoka w/ differ designs. Stores are still selling these New Year goodie bags. Both bags have hand towels & Luffy mugi mugi mini pillow. Red bag will have button set of Luffy, Sanji, & Katakuri. Blue bag will have button set of Luffy, Zoro, & Law. Get them while they last. They’re also selling these adorable New Year mugi mugi of Luffy & Chopper in their kimono, these neat socks of Luffy, Zoro, Sanji, & Chopper, this adorable mugi mugi purse perfect to store them, and hat with the anniversary design on the inside. Next, the Hello! OP exhibition will be holding it in Fukuoka region from April 20th to May 12th. They’re selling new goods such as a ticket mini folder, mini art stands, new mug of Nami, Sabo, & Shanks, folder, poster, tote bag, motto long towels of Luffy & Zoro, t-shirt, and a goodie bag. Next, big events happening: Hong Kong will host a marathon; registration is full, and a big shiop event going in Yokohama bay to celebrate 20th anniversary of the anime. They’ll have an OP café. More details will be announced later. More new stuff at the stores. They’ll be selling these adorable winter designs of Chopper’s hometown mascots including hiking bear. They’ll have masking tapes, pen, and a small notebook I think. It will be in pink or blue color. Next, stores will be selling these mini RUN! RUN! acrylic mini stands of the Straw Hats, Law, Ace, & Sabo in kid and adult versions. Adult versions will be available on Feb.16th. They’re also selling these mini stickers, new vivre cards of Robin, Shirahoshi, Blackbeard, and Hordy Jones. Coming very soon, these new acrylic straps and big & small pixel stickers of many various characters and t-shirts of Katakuri & Zoro. Next, stores are selling these new adorable Chopper goods such as this t-shirt, small pillows, shiny folder, and acrylic stands wearing differ hats from various characters. They’ll also be selling this Zoro sleeping mask and various new hand towels and long towels. Next, YO HO HO HO! Music! Coming soon, new stores will be selling this golden album of OP Music Material of BGM. It will be available on Feb.22nd. Next, month, they’ll be selling the OP 20th anniversary Best Album of all the songs throughout the 20 years including the hit song, WE ARE! It will be available on March 27th. If you haven’t purchased, be sure to purchase of the new single of V6 for OP’s theme, SUPER POWERS! This CD will have the songs with its animation cover of the boys w/ the Straw Hats. Other CD will have songs and DVD with the MV making. Next, if you haven’t purchased it, be sure to get your copy of the new OP magazine vol.5. It will have Zoro’s wanted poster. Also, the Kumamoto x Tokyo Girls Collection will be accepting votes for a postcard to be included in the next issue which will be available on May 24th. It will have Nami’s wanted poster. Also, Tsuruya dept. store will be having the collaboration of OP with TGC. They’ll have a café selling delish dishes of the girls, desserts, and drinks. They’ll be giving out free random coaster of the Straw Hats if you purchase a drink. For goods, they’ll be selling a folder, acrylic straps & buttons of Nami, Robin, Chopper, Hancock, Perona, Tashigi, and Big Mom, postcards, a tote bag, and acrylic stands of Nami, Robin, and Hancock. Next, new info for the upcoming OP movie, STAMPEDE! On March 1st, all movie theaters in Japan will be selling advanced tickets to the movie, and if you purchase it, you’ll be given a free 10 button set of the gang’s new look including a new jolly roger. Its limited time so be sure to check out your local theater at a town near you. YOWZA! Finally, here’s the new DVD cover of vol.18 of WCI that has the awesome Katakuri. You can find on the JP site of amazon. Phew! That is whole thing we cover for the January and this month’s news. We are truly sorry for falling behind. We won’t make a bad habit of it. We promise. That’s all we got. Be sure to tune in for more news next time. Boys! Job damn well done! Let’s call it a night.

 TGC: http://www.tsuruya-dept.co.jp/tgc/cafe/index.html

OP movie: http://www.onepiece-movie.jp/

[uclaradio]

Interview with City Girl

Interviewed by Jennifer Liaw

album art for Time Falls Like Moonlight, by vickisigh

City Girl is a rising LA-based lo-fi/chillhop producer that incorporates a lot of soft piano and guitar intertwined with electronic beats and vocals. Starting out on Bandcamp and Soundcloud only 10 months ago, they now have three albums out on Spotify, the latest being Time Falls Like Moonlight, released in April.

Tell us a bit about yourself. Where did you grow up? What was growing up in that city like?

I grew up in California close to LA. To be honest once I found music I never really went outside. Before that I was just playing video games and watching cartoons. I guess the internet was more of where I grew up, as opposed to any geographical place.

What music did you listen to a lot growing up? What were your favorite artists back in like middle school, for example?

In middle school it was John Frusciante, all day everyday. Something about his guitar playing really inspired me. It was soulful and beautiful and just felt perfect, like every note was exactly where it should be. In high school my music taste exploded, but John Frusciante was the majority of the first music I learned and played.

Tell us a little about how City Girl first got started.

I uploaded on the train somewhere between my apartment and you 10 months ago on Soundcloud and just emailed a bunch of Youtube channels that were taking submissions. Aurarian music accepted that first release and put it out on Youtube and got the ball rolling so City Girl could get some attention back when it was only 10-20 followers.

How did you come up with the name City Girl?

To be honest, its in honor of “City Girl” by Kevin Shields from the Lost In Translation soundtrack. I’m a huge My Bloody Valentine fan and that song of his is just so amazing.

When did you first start making music? How did you get into it, and how did you first learn how to produce a beat?

I got into guitar playing when I was 12 or so. I just played because my older brother had a guitar. I took it and just Googled how to play guitar and taught myself songs and chords. It was the most fun I’d ever had. It felt so special. I didn’t start producing for like another seven years though. I would just record onto a Tascam tape recorder and jam with friends in garages. I had friends who made lofi beats waay back when it was like CULP and Simo and Onra and john wayne and stuff, but I never got into it, I was more focused on improvising and expanding my musical repertoire in a more performance-focused way.

Are there any instruments that you would like to try out incorporating into your music that you haven't tried yet?

I want live drums but I live in an apartment. If I could record drums that would be so cool, since I play drums too and I miss it badly.

Where do you usually record your music? Describe your studio space to us.

It’s about five feet no joke from my bed haha. It’s a desk and a midi keyboard and some guitars and other little instruments like the melodica. I have speakers and an old mic. It’s super cozy, my bedroom at my apartment is just covered with vickisigh’s art, like everywhere you look it’s just cute sexy ladies in pastel colors, I love it.

vickisigh’s (Vicki Tsai) artwork, from her instagram

How would you describe the lo-fi/chillhop genre and subculture to someone who’s never been exposed to it?

It’s just a bunch of people who love making music on their computers, and to be honest only one percent is unique and actually worth your time, but the same goes for all genres, 99 percent of it is just not that good. I would be more specific but at this point lofi stands for so so much that you can’t really go much further than that.

What do you think of the lo-fi hip hop/chillhop genre in general? It's really popular right now what with the YouTube 24hr lo-fi hip hop studying beats stream and the Spotify lo-fi hip hop studying beats playlists as well... There's literally probably thousands of really similar chillhop producers on SoundCloud... does that ever make you feel swallowed up, in a sense? Or does it feel more like a really large community? How do you try to stand out as an artist among all these other producers?

It’s a tough question to answer, because you can go from quickly, quickly to in love with a ghost and still call it lofi if you want to. These artists share playlists together and Youtube mixes. Who’s to say quickly, quickly isn’t just jazz? Who’s to say in love with a ghost isn’t just electronic music? It’s not so much a genre as it is a movement of instrumental music becoming the focus itself rather than the singer/rapper. Staying unique seems simple to me as I grew up playing and learning music by ear, so I just follow my interests/inspiration and play whatever seems cool.

Which artists would you say are your biggest inspirations or that you're just blown away by and really admire within your genre? How about outside of your genre?

Well in love with a ghost stands out, like most peeps I found them on Youtube. All the tracks from Let’s Go and Healing by them are amazing. Just super cool textures and melodies, really lovely and creative music. Kupla is amazing too, he’s an amazing piano player, all of his music is great. Outside of my genre I’d say Sheena Ringo, especially her album Kalk Samen Kuri no Hana - it’s pretty much game over, this album does everything better in every regard imaginable than any other music I’ve heard. Don’t know if you can get access to it in US tho, the copyright lawyers are hard at work on this one.

What artist outside of the lo-fi hip hop genre would you really really love to collaborate with? Can you describe the kind of track you'd want to make with them?

With anyone, well shit Beyoncé right? I mean she’s the best vocalist alive next to Frank Ocean. I would just want to make something really beautiful, some In Rainbows type stuff.

Being an artist based out of Bandcamp/Soundcloud in this day means a lot of your career is kind of born out of the internet. What are your favorite and least favorite parts about the internet and spending so much time on the internet/interacting with people on the internet/sharing yourself through the internet?

I love the internet because I can share whatever I want when I want. I don’t feel a lot of pressure because I don’t have any personal accounts on social media and never have, I always just read a lot of books and listened to records and stuff. I’m sure some people think it’s mysterious or whatever that I never cared for social media, instead opting to just read Sartre or watch old movies, but nowadays all I do is make music and play Skyrim so it’s all good. The internet gives me access to all that goodness so I can find it offline.

What are your top five favorite artists right now?

Tom Misch, Swell, quickly quickly, in love with a ghost, and Sam Gellaitry

What are your top five favorite female artists?

Sheena Ringo, Beyoncé, Aivi Tran, MISO (from club eskimo - a collective including Crush, Dean, offonoff, 2xxx!, millic, and more), and tiffi.

Do you have a favorite spot in LA that you wouldn't want to share with anyone else?

Wherever YAYAYI and JALENTUNA happen to be any given saturday night in k-town is a pretty special vibe that honestly can’t be shared even if I wanted it to be. God there was this $5 flat pho place on Western Ave. that was run by this old couple but it closed like 5 years ago, that was the best place ever and it straight up was ALWAYS empty, no one ate there. I think it was like Pho 36 haha one of those LA pho places that has a random number after it.

What are some things that you really enjoy doing for yourself? When you need to take a day for yourself, what are things that you'll usually do?

Skyrim is a go-to. It’s usually video games but a lot of times it’s just making music. You gotta understand music is like an addiction to me. I never stop thinking about sounds and I feel uneasy not making music.

So we know you like video games… what are some of your favorite video games of all time? Do you have any funny anecdotes from playing games online with strangers?

Favorite of all time is Psychonauts. Such a creative game and Scott Campbell’s art is the absolute bee’s knees. Right now my favorite is Skyrim as mentioned. I love RPG and adventure games, the immersion gets me good. I loved games growing up, played anything. I have a lot of anecdotes about gaming but I honestly can’t think of just one. Haha well when Xbox Live came out online gaming was brand new and I remember my dad getting on the headset asking people not to cuss (since I was just a kid) and THEY STOPPED. They were like “Oh sorry dude we didn’t know there were kids playing we will keep the cursing to a minimum.” Can you imagine that nowadays? It would never happen. That shit still blows my mind.

Do you play Fortnite? If so, what are your thoughts on it?

I played Fortnite with Chance, thrash, and Maru the other night and I hate it so much lol. The vibe is so terrible, the aesthetic makes me want to barf it’s so ugly. That was the only time I’ve really played it and it hasn’t been on my mind, the itch isn’t there so I guess no hype for me.

What are your favorite K-Pop bands or members?

SNSD was the OG. That old video of Sooyoung going “OP-EHHHH! OP-EH EH EH EH EH” lol that shit is so funny. I don’t follow it much anymore but MISO is the queen right now, she’s the best. I watched all of Jessica and Krystal when it came out too, that’s good stuff.

Ok I also saw on Twitter that you have a cat... tell us about your cat!

Ah yes, Seymour, the Russian Blue. He is a very handsome and beautiful man. He is a shadow in the night. Every part of him is gray except his lil tongue which is pink and his eyes which are green. He lives at my parents house so I don’t see him except at holidays, but he is my good soft boy. I think of him very often.

art from Snow Rose, by vickisigh

What would you say is your favorite track that you've produced?

“Anything Like Her” with tiffi is prob my fav. Tiffi is so cool and that song is really different sounding from other City Girl songs so I think it’s cool.

What is your favorite track off of Time Falls Like Moonlight?

“Sunset Lullaby” is probably my favorite. The second half with the acoustic and electric guitar just feels really special.

What was your inspiration for Time Falls Like Moonlight?

I make so much music, the inspiration doesn’t really ever make sense, I am inspired by everything in each moment, I am inspired by my own passion to make music. Not understanding what is going on is really important to how I work, it makes things exciting. I just want the music to make people feel loved and understood for who they are, that there is a purpose for them, a life they can live and be loved in.

When you make songs, are they ever about specific things, people, or events in your life?

Not really, it’s just all my emotions sort of bleeding into the computer. I don’t know if I could write about any particular thing, but I do enjoy imagining lots of people and situations to my music after I made it. Like oh this sounds like Moonlight Hill (from Kingdom Hearts) or this sounds like a tender look from someone or this sounds like a lonely plaza in the middle of some city. It’s all free and open to interpretation.

“Winter Fields” is one of my favorite tracks of yours... mostly because of the lovely violin part by mklachu. It's so dreamy and kind of reminds me of some of my favorite Ryuichi Sakamoto pieces, too. Can you tell us a little about this track?

It’s random but the track started as a like, flex? I was watching Joji’s Youtube aliases and god they are just awful I mean like him fucking with people and being super lewd and nasty I hate it but I was watching it anyway to like fry my brain and I thought it would be fun to make a nasty trap beat that would fit with his videos and I made “Winter Fields” (I know it doesn’t make sense at all). The song slowly got more romantic as I added piano layers the next day and then mklachu tweeted at me out of nowhere and I asked her to play over it and yeah it’s just what happens when you work on music all the time, everything going on makes it into the song.

Another one of my favorites is “Chateau Fountain.” I love the slow buildup, and then the talking portion that kind of just emerges and goes into like an acoustic drop... ahhhh.. I was wondering where that talking portion is from actually. The guy is like, "Take the flowers," and the girl is like "I’m all right!" and it sounds like an uncomfortable struggle...a common pattern in society where... men force women to do things regardless of their autonomy or feelings (ha ha). Does it have any significance to the meaning behind the track? What were your reasons for choosing to put that particular snippet in this track? It's interesting because for me, I think I'm more sensitive than the average person to these kind of power dynamics or like...oppression against women in all aspects of daily interactions or media that I consume, so when I listen to this track it's like a soft buildup to this point of conflict that is kind of grating, but then evolves back into a calming acoustic melody. That's personal, of course, but it's interesting.

DUDE YOU HAVEN’T SEEN ATONEMENT? Omg that movie is so incredible. It’s James McAvoy talking to Kiera Knightley and they have all this tension because they love each other but they can’t be together and ooooooooooooooooooh it’s so good. Their love is so beautiful and honest but it’s injected with all this tension and conflict from society and politics. I felt that snippet fit so perfectly into the emotions of the song, it’s one of the few few times I’ve used movie snippets because I felt it actually added to the track in a creative way.

How do you think you've evolved from the first songs you put out on Bandcamp/Soundcloud, and your first album Loveless Shadows, to now?

I know a lot more about mixing, especially with bass and drums. I try to make more upbeat stuff now, but honestly I still end up making a lot of downtempo stuff. I know a lot more jazz piano than I did before so that’s nice too.

What are some artists that you think are really underrated that you'd like to give a shoutout to and encourage people to check out?

frenesi is criminally underrated.

What are your goals for City Girl for the next few years?

Just put out an incredible amount of music and keep building the world of City Girl. I want people to feel relaxed and loved and understood when they listen to City Girl. Honestly I just want to expand the harmonic and melodic depth of City Girl, I want people to head bump and cry in the same track, I want to find that fusion of beautiful and funky that all great music has for me.

I know you just released an album, but besides that, do you have any upcoming events or projects your fans should be looking forward to?

I have another album finished already, but with the way vickisigh (I won’t put out something without her art on it) works it won’t be out until probably another two-three months. So by the time that comes out I’ll have another album done and so on the process repeats. So just look forward to a new album every two-three months for as long as I’m rockin in the free world.

art from Loveless Shadows, by vickisigh

Check out City Girl’s latest album, Time Falls Like Moonlight, out on Spotify, Soundcloud, and Bandcamp! They also have two other albums, Snow Rose from December, and Loveless Shadows from August that are equally as beautiful. Follow them on Soundcloud for all their music updates and on Twitter for all their promo updates!

[journeydb]

March 4 2020 Marrakech

This morning we gathered on the rooftop for breakfast, which was much the same as yesterday’s, but today we also had HOT CHOCOLATE!  We chatted and I got to know the women better.  Monica, next to Ruth, lives in L.A. and she learned about Jan through Adele, Jan’s best friend,  dressed all in white across from Ruth, .  Adele has an online art coaching seminar called “Art with Adele”.  Monica is a professional artist and she posts a lot of art on Instagram so I began “following” her and was really impressed with her work.  Donna, next to Jan, is Belgian and lives in a suburb of Brussels.  She has been involved with art as a career, and also science.  She learned about this retreat from Adele when she joined “Art with Adele”.

After breakfast we began today’s artistic expression by making bookmarks.  It was so much fun to channel the inspiration of all the colors and textures we had seen yesterday in the medina, like those in the composite photo above, onto paper with crayons, some of which I smudged in a gorgeous way, paint, colored pencils, and bits of fabric Adele had cut into strips from old saris.  I made several to give as gifts when I get home.

After the exercise, we left the riad and walked through the medina to lunch at Le Jardin.  Along the way we stopped at an herbalist and perused the herbs outside and inside the shop.

While I waited for everyone buying herbs, I took this photo at the shop across the street.  The owner came out to scold me for taking photos, the first time this has happened to me in Morocco.  I couldn’t understand her irritation at me talking photos of signs in her shop.  Then I noticed that one of them was the “No Photos” sign at the top, which I thought was just another sign for sale but was actually there to keep people from taking photos!

The herbalist spent a LOT of time with everybody and was friendly and helpful.  I hoped that they bought enough herbs to make it worth his time.

I continued to be impressed by the colors and designs on the simplest things, including this wall, door, and the bags hanging in front of the door.  I’ve been to Morocco before and, while I liked it, I realize now that I have a different and greater appreciation for the art and culture here than I had before.

Le Jardin restaurant was, of course, set in a lovely garden and the ambiance was marvelous.  The food was exquisite!  I had harira soup and shared hummus dishes with Caitlin, Katie, and Gintare, who are also vegetarians.

After lunch we went upstairs to see the shop up there and several of the women went in to try on clothes but I just wanted to “window shop”.

While we waited I talked to Katie about how she met Jan.  It’s a fascinating story.  Katie had never actually met Jan before this retreat.  She found out about her by reading Jan’s  “A Month on the Run”, a journal which Katie found while on a private personal retreat at a B&B in Joshua Tree, California.  The owner of the B&B didn’t know how it arrived there and offered to let her keep it.  Talk about SERENDIPITY!  Katie lives in Jacksonville, Florida, where she works for the Mayo Clinic in client services and support, designing systems and publicity for them.  She got married two years ago and she and her husband have two very cute bulldogs.

When everyone was done at the shop at Le Jardin, we went to Max & Jan’s, one of Jan’s favorite boutiques in Marrakech.

While I waited for the others to browse and shop, I went outside and made a short video of what was happening in the street.  A young man who probably had been hired by the carpet cooperative across the street, engaged me in conversation about where I’m from and other chit-chat.  

He was respectful and kind and eventually suggested I might want to pop into the co-op, which I gladly did.  I found a bright red pillow cover perfect for our couch in our apartment in Barcelona and paid the reasonable price the salesman asked for, without bartering.

When I returned to Max & Jan’s no one in our group was there and I thought they hadn’t noticed that I was gone and had left me.  I walked through all the rooms and couldn’t find anyone, even after calling their names.  So I called Jan’s cell phone just as she appeared around the corner.  I was so relieved to see her!  There was another part of the boutique I hadn’t noticed and everyone else was in there!

Jan and I thought this sweatshirt was perfect for what had just happened to me, although I wasn’t really lost in the medina, I was only lost in a boutique!

We wandered through the medina for a while and then visited the Musee des Conferences, a beautiful old palace with exquisite detailing in its simple design, which had been converted to retail space. 

Our destination was the cafe, because most of the women in the group are coffee drinkers and Natasha and her husband own a coffee shop.  Caitlin often travels specifically to find great coffee shops and this was certainly one of them.

While everyone else drank coffee, I enjoyed a refreshing raspberry lemonade and we all munched on cookies and snacks which Jan bought in the cafe’s shop.

Gintare is Lithuanian but has been in the U.S. since she was fourteen, and she is a U.S. citizen.  Her parents are divorced and she only sees her dad, who still lives in Lithuania, when she and her brother, who lives in Australia, visit him together, or he shows up for a family wedding or other occasion.  Gintare lives in Los Angeles and is an artist, as so many of these women are.  She Jan through one of her entrepreneurial seminars.  I had a hard time remembering Gintare’s name at first so I thought of the phrase “gin and tonic”, hoping that would help.  It didn’t ,so I decided to just call her Toni, which she kind of liked.  We also started calling Katie “Jack” because that is her nickname, since her middle name is Jaclyn.  They, in turn, began calling me by my nickname, Joni.  

Our next stop was at a very upscale carpet shop with staged living rooms showing off the beauty and versatility of the carpets.

I watched a couple from Ibiza haggle with the salesman and choose two carpets for their home there.  I thought the prices seemed very reasonable so I couldn’t understand why they would try to get such a bargain but they all seemed happy at the end so I guess maybe it was expected by both sides of the negotiation.

The design of the store seemed more like a home than a retail space. I particularly liked the euphorbia on the wall at the other side of the pool, which made the space feel very relaxing and unlike any carpet shop I had ever visited.

On the way back to the riad Natasha found this really unique hat in a shop and we all though she looked amazing in it so she bought it.  When we got to Nomad for dinner, we were surprised that there were hats there for all of us to wear.

The hat I’m wearing is one that our friend, Carolyn, left at our apartment in Barcelona when she visited us.  Luckily it’s adjustable because I have a head the size of a six year old’s!

While we watched the sun set we listened to the hauntingly, bizarrely beautiful call to evening prayer reverberate around us and throughout the city.

The food just seems to be getting better every day.  We gorged ourselves on scrumptious tagines and salads and chatted for hours.  On the way home through the alleys of the medina we dodged motorcycles and carts drawn by donkeys. It was another night where I was almost asleep before my head touched the pillow.

[gamebrocorey-blog]

Travis Strikes Again: No More Heroes Gameplay Reaction

   Today at GDC 2018, Travis Strikes Again: No More Heroes has been shown and gameplay footage has been uploaded to YouTube! I wanted to give my impressions of the trailer, as a sort of follow-up to my reaction from the 3.8.2018 Nintendo Direct. The gameplay I am watching was uploaded by the kind folks at GameXplain, and I’d suggest giving them a subscribe for awesome Nintendo content! When I initially saw the first gameplay trailer for Travis Strikes Again, I was a little disappointed. I wanted to see a more traditional No More Heroes over-the-shoulder style game, but now I realize I am wrong. This isn’t No More Heroes 3, this is a spin-off of the series and I should appreciate what I get. Suda51 is hard at work with this game and many other projects, and I am actually glad we are getting ANYTHING No More Heroes related! So instead of whining, this time around I wanna point out all the things I like about this game!

   The gameplay trailer runs you through what I assume is the first level of the game, and I LOVED EVERY SINGLE SECOND OF IT!!! The instant you’re dropped into that beautiful, wacky Suda51 video game world is like a rush to me! Stylized as hell, AS HELL, with a nice 8-bit, retro gaming look! There were so many colors on every screen, and the neon looked like something out of a Tron rave. I LIKE THE STYLE! OH MY GOD I’M HYPE! And the opening cutscene of the game puts the Suda51 charm right in your face. The writing for the story and the npcs sprinkled throughout the level was incredible. I was laughing  out loud through most of the trailer! The game is an overhead beat-em up, and the combat looked good and fun! Travis and Badman seemed to have a variety of special moves, and I’m not one hundred percent positive but they looked unique to them. Bashing the waves of enemies seemed easy to pick up and play while still being enjoyable. The demo seemed to be early in the game, so there wasn’t too much variety with types of baddies. The game also has many throwbacks to the original game, like sound bits as well as popping a nice steaming save right before the boss. The boss was also REALLY COOL TOO! With funny writing, cool design, and a varied moveset, it’s no surprise to No More Heroes fans that the bosses are one of the best parts of the game! 

   My final thoughts... I WANT THIS GAME RIGHT NOW! Forgive me my fellow No More Heroes-ites, I thought this game was not my thing, BUT I WAS WRONG! This trailer sold me HARD on this game, and I can’t wait to get my hands on it! I’m also really intrigued by the co-op mode too! I might try and playthrough with a friend to play as Badman, as he seemed just as fun to use as Travis! Travis Strikes Again: No More Heroes launches later this year, but I need my No More Heroes fix NOW! I’m thinking a replay of the original game may be in order! Hell, I was looking up pics of the game and listening to the sound track while writing this blog! I’m gonna go drop a steaming safe and continue to look up fan art! See yah!

[peinde]

((yeah

- What is your Full name? Include any maiden names, aliases, or nicknames. 3B| My name is Feferi Peixes-Pyrope. Nicknames include Fef...T)(e Princess of Fas)(ion...and...Feffy-Weffy... - When is your birthday? Do you know where you were born and at what time? June 26t)(! I was )(atc)(ed on Alternia, but I don’t know w)(en. - What is your star sign? Do you know your Chinese Zodiac too? I am a Cancer! I’m year of t)(e Rooster. - What is your earliest memory that you can remember? I don’t like t)(inking about my memories, t)(anks. - Where was your childhood home? Was it more urban or rural? I guess you cod say it was rural? Nobody else lived near me, and t)(e only friend t)(at ever came to visit )(ad to fly over. - How was your childhood in general? Did your parents treat you well? Did you have a lot of friends? My lusus treated me reel well! I didn’t really )(ave lots of friends at all. - How was/is school? What is your favorite and least favorite subjects? What were your grades on average? Sc)(ool sucked. - Did you have a best friend growing up? What was their name? Are you still in touch? Vriska 38)! We’re still best fronds and we always will be. - Were you in any cliques? I guess? I )(ave a circle of friends w)(o are pretty stubborn and won’t leave me alone. - Best childhood memory you can recall? ??? - Worst childhood memory you can recall? All of it? - Name an event in your childhood that has shaped you into the person you are today ...I glubbing died. - What is the dumbest thing you have ever done to impress someone? Were they impressed or was it all for naught? I do dumb stuff to impress people all t)(e tide! T)(ere’s a long list, really. - Did you ever have any sweethearts or lovers? Do you have a boy/girlfriend? I’m married and )(ave t)(ree mates. I also )(ave two lovers. - Are you a virgin?

)(A)(A)(A)(A)(A)(A)(A)(A)(A)(A)(A)(A!

- Do you ever plan on getting married in your life? Do you want kids? I am married, but I will N-EV-ER )(ave c)(ildren. - Would you rather have your own kids or adopt? How many kids would you want? Wtf? I said no kids??? - Do you think you'd be a protective parent or a relaxed parent? I’d be a “reverse my c)(ildren’s aging so t)(ey Benjamin Button t)(e fuck out of existence” kind of parent. - How would you prefer to pass away? Surrounded by loved ones and at peace, or while doing something heroic? Just obliterate me. - Generally, how healthy are you? Do you get sick or injured easily or are you fit? Due to my powers, I’m in perfect )(ealt)(! - Have you ever been badly injured before? W)(o )(asn’t? - What is the worst injury you have ever gotten? What was it and how did it happen? Were you ever close to death? I mean I’ve died before, does t)(at count? - How many times have you been to the hospital/doctor's? Never? - Have you ever had a concussion or brain injury? Have you ever had amnesia? Of course! amnesia’s a coin flip on t)(e fun scale. Sometimes you spend t)(e entire day finding cute fins you leave lying around, Ot)(er times you wind up in t)(e desert wit)( no p)(one service. - What was the worst illness you ever contacted? Do you know what it was? How long were you sick? I’ve never been sick in my life. - Ever had any extended hospital stays? What for? Nope! - Have you ever had to give yourself or someone else emergency first aid? What happened? O)( yes! It was awful. Vriska was bleeding from 3 big wounds! It only took a bit of )(ealing, but t)(e clean-up took FOR-EV-ER! Plus, it got on my s)(oes. T)(ose were SATIN, Vriska!!! - Are you employed? Where do you work and who do you work for? What do you do? I’m a model. - Are you happy with your current job? O)( yes! - Did you have any previous jobs? What were they and what did you do? ... - Most dangerous thing you have ever done? Anyfin I do is dangerous. - Do you consider yourself a more active person or a more relaxed person? Active. Relaxing’s for squares. - What is your dream come true? How about your worst nightmare? My dream come true is Zi-Zi. My worst nig)(tmare is losing Zi-Zi. - What is the biggest and most important goal you have set for yourself? To make my wife )(appy, no matter t)(e cost. - How persistent would you say you are? How much does it take to get you to give up on a task? I’ll never give up. You could kill me, and I’d still come back! - Would you surrender yourself to your enemies or fight to the very end? Fig)(t until t)(e end. --Enemies only kill you anyway. T)(ere’s no point in begging for mercy. - When do you usually do your shopping? What is currently on your shopping list? I s)(op w)(enever I want! I don’t )(ave a specific list, but I always )(ave a general idea of w)(at to get. - Top three things on your wishlist? I don’t )(ave a wis)(list. - Currently, what is something you want but do not need? Most of t)(e t)(ings I own. - Do you like shopping? What is your favorite thing to shop for? Y-ES I DO! I like s)(opping for clot)(es! - What is the most expensive thing you have purchased? Was it worth it? T)(at’s a toug)( one, but it usually is wort)( it. - What would you do if you were suddenly given one billion dollars out of the blue? Give it back. W)(y t)(e fuck would I need someone else’s money w)(en I )(ave my own? - What would you describe your style of clothing as? Simple, conservative, minimalist. - Do you have any hobbies? Name all of them if you can. Cooking, baking and gardening! - Do you like and appreciate art? What is your favorite piece of artwork? Art is cool, but it’s just not my t)(ing. I do )(ave an original Dali in my guest wing t)(oug)(. - Do you like music? What is your favorite style of music? )(eavy metal is pretty good, but I also really like dance and pop music! - Have you ever seen any musicals? What is your favorite? I t)(ink Roxy took me to sea Cats once. I wasn’t paying attention. - What are your top three favorite animals? What would you say your "Patronus" or "Spirit Animal" is? All of t)(e ones in t)(e sea. - What are your top three favorite colors? Blus)(, lilac, baby blue - What is your favorite season? Do you prefer hotter or colder weather? Do you like snow at all? Summer, )(ot, and s)(ell no. - What kind of flavors do you prefer: Sweet, Sour, Bitter, Spicy, Dry, or Umami (savory meat taste)? Umami, or moby spicy. - Can you cook at all? Yup! - What is your favorite dish? Can you prepare it? Do you have the recipe handy? )(and-blowtorc)(-seared sliced blowfis)(. I can prepare it, and I’ve t)(e recipe memorized. - What is your favorite fruit and vegetable? I really like lettuce. - What is your favorite dessert? What is your favorite type of candy/treat? I don’t like sweet t)(ings. - What is the best thing you have ever had the opportunity to eat? What is the worst? I once managed to eat an entire )(otdog. It was plain and bunless, but very eye-opening. T)(e worst fin I’ve ever eaten was a c)(ocolate bar. - Do you like to drink tea or coffee? Any favorite flavors? Tea! I prefer green, but I’m pretty partial to orange pekoe and pink tea. - Describe your sense of humor. Spongebob Squarepants and dicks. - What is one thing you are justly proud of? My career. I’ve worked )(ard on it. - Do you have any religious beliefs? If not, have you ever been to a church service? ---Ew, no. - What would you say is the worst thing someone has done to you? What is the meanest thing someone has ever said to you? ... - What is the worst thing you have done to someone? What is the meanest thing you have said to anyone? ... - Share the latest entry in your diary/journal. I don’t )(ave one. - What is the most precious thing you own? Is it valuable at all? Somefin given to me by my wife. It’s more valuable t)(an anyone could ever know. - Talk about someone you know. It can be someone you either like or dislike. My wife! S)(e’s beautiful, smart, articulate, cunning, considerate, compassionate, funny, talented and t)(e most perfect person you could ever meet! S)(e’s got t)(e most beautiful body, all squis)(y and curvy wit)( lovely folds. A smile t)(at bot)( terrifies and delig)(ts. ---Eyes t)(at burn wit)( joie de vivre and dept)(. A devilis)( cackle t)(at rings t)(roug)( my ears like music. S)(e’s got t)(e sensibility and wisdom of a monk, wit)( t)(e revenge streak of an assassin gone rogue. S)(e’s stuck wit)( me t)(roug)( all my bulls)(it, and is t)(e only reason I’m alive. I love )(er so very muc)(. - FREE QUESTION ???

[robinpfeifer]

As published by midwestliving.com

Countdown to Super Bowl LII! Here are 10 ways to sample the best of the area’s red-hot art scene, thriving local businesses and eccentric outdoor activities. Zip up that parka and see what it means to be a part of the “Bold North.”

In the days leading up to Super Bowl LII, tens of thousands of visitors are expected to be in Minneapolis. For some, this will be their first interaction with the area’s distinct cultural traits and its unique attitude toward winter. Others will be Minnesotans looking for new ways to experience the Twin Cities. Whether you’re a first-timer or a life-long Minnesota resident, here are 10 ways to have a Bold North experience:

1. ‘Sota Pop

Photo ops abound in ‘Sota Pop’s interactive art gallery just steps away from the heart of Super Bowl LIVE action along Nicollet Mall. Check out the work of local designers who’ve transformed the ground floor of the Renaissance Building into vibrant exhibits based on iconic Minnesota characters. Jan. 26-Feb. 4, exploreminnesota.com

  2. The Luminary Loppet

Here’s a bold statement: The Luminary Loppet single-handedly defines the magic of winter in Minnesota. See Lake of the Isles glow in the soft light of 1,200 candlelight luminaries. Ski, walk or snowshoe past ice pyramids and through an enchanted ice forest. Wrap up the evening with a live ice concert and a free pint in the Surly Beer Garden. Feb. 3, loppet.org/luminary-loppet

  3. North Local Market

Nearly 40 local vendors are popping up at the North Local Market inside Minneapolis’ City Center. Meet the makers of the area’s most beloved brands, including Leather Works Minnesota, Sanborn Canoe Co., Still Kickin and Worker B. Jan. 26-Feb. 4, facebook.com/events/1429003067209912

  4. The Bold North Zip Line

Only in Minnesota does the idea of soaring 800 feet over the icy waters of the Mississippi River sound so appealing. In fact, tickets for the Bold North Zip Line’s entire 10-day run sold out in two days. Witness the spectacle from the base of the launch tower located on Nicollet Island. Jan. 26-Feb. 4, mnsuperbowl.com/zipline

  5. Saint Paul Super Slide 

Missed the opportunity to ride the Bold North Zip Line? Snag a similar thrill on the 140-foot long, 40-foot high snow slide inside CHS Field. A $10 ticket buys unlimited rides during a one-hour time slot. Afterwards, go fishing for trout in the outfield. (It’s a real thing.) Jan. 25-Feb. 10, http://saintsbaseball.com/fun/super-slide

  6. Mia Ice Maze

Buried deep within the icy labyrinth of Mia’s Ice Maze are images from their upcoming exhibition, Power and Beauty in China’s Last Dynasty. Those who manage to find their way out will be rewarded with hot cocoa and a visit to one of the best gift shops in town. Feb. 1-4, new.artsmia.org/event/mia-ice-maze

  7. Art Shanty Projects

Explore a temporary village of tiny structures transformed into interactive art exhibits. Participants are encouraged to swing, sing and hamster wheel their way across the frozen surface of Lake Harriet. Just try explaining this one to the people back home. Jan. 20-Feb. 11, artshantyprojects.org

  8. Hai Hai

Bamboo lamps, teal blue walls and lush greenery inside this new Northeast eatery offer a balmy oasis for those looking to temporarily escape from the cold. Inventive Southeast Asian fare and a sophisticated tropical cocktail list will also do wonders to combat the SADs. Be sure to ask about the inside joke behind their name. haihaimpls.com

  9. CRAVE’s Ice Lounge

CRAVE American Kitchen & Sushi Bar is transforming their Rooftop Patio into the hottest ice bar in town. Pull up an ice chair and sip a cup of their signature hot mulled cider. Admire intricate works of ice art. Give ice fishing a whirl. The sky’s the limit in this urban winter wonderland. Jan. 31-Feb. 4, craveicelounge.com

  10. Super Bold Winter Flower Show

Those seeking a nature experience in a climate-controlled environment should visit the McNeely Conservatory in St. Paul’s Como Zoo. This year’s Winter Flower Show features the color palette of the “Bold North.” Leave the coat in the car and stroll through a sea of unfrozen plant life in shades of purple, white and silver. Jan. 13-March 11, comozooconservatory.org

Here are 10 ways to sample the best of the Twin Cities this Super Bowl weekend. As published by midwestliving.com Countdown to Super Bowl LII! Here are 10 ways to sample the best of the area's red-hot art scene, thriving local businesses and eccentric outdoor activities.

[yoshi4sushi]

(purupurupuru) (purupurupuru) (gocha!) (coo!) (coo!)

 Hey! Hey! Hey nakama! How are you all doing? The heat is on! Literally! Be sure to wear plenty of sunscreen, drink loads of fresh water or fruit juice, and avoid heat stroke at all cost. Don’t be a fool of trying to get major sun tan just to look cool. Well, we did our duty to warn you so please take heed of it. With that said and done, let’s get done to business. We got loads and loads of stuff to share with you. You know the drill. First off, last week’s chapter started off with trouble. We first see Nekomamushi has finally found Marco who is now a doctor and guardian of a village that was home to Whitebeard. Yea, the idea was to find him and see if he can give a little hand to Luffy to take down Kaido. Well, Marco gave him an honest good reason why he can’t leave. He tells Nekomamushi that after he was defeated by Blackbeard, everyone went their wait to who knows where. Marco returned to Whitebeard’s homeland to protect it since throughout the years, he was keep it safe from invaders. Because of this, Marco felt a lot of sentiment to protect what was dear to WB. (sniff) (sniff) So touching qne very reasonable. We then finally move the place we all have been waiting for. The land of grace and honor: Wano Kingdom. Totally going back to the Edo period. We all see Zoro and the gang hiding among the crowd since Kinemon told them that they gotta stay low for now until they can gather enough sources and help to overthrow Kaido. For now, they all must take a new name and jobs. Franky is working as a carpenter, Ussop is working as a street salesman, and Robin is working as a geisha. She looked very, very beautiful in her geisha look. At the end, we see Zoro in court taking his punishment for having the shisui sword that was given by the late samurai Ryoma, the zombie he fought at Thriller Park. The court members were all behaving so selfish and greedy. They sentenced him to death by seppuku while one of the officials would strike him at the same to make sure he’s dead. But you know Zoro, too proud to accept cruel fate, he cut down the official along with the courthouse with only the seppuku knife. Off to a bad start! What’s gonna happen? Will Kaido respond to this trouble? Let’s see how it goes this week. Next, this past weekend’s episode was intense! The castle was coming down with all the rubble that would crush the village, but thanks to Streussen’s quick thinking, he was able to turn the whole place into soft cake and cream. Everyone was safe including our heroes. Ceasar finally got his heart back, and Luffy and Bege went their separate ways. At the end, as the family members are ready to go after the gang, death is chasing them. Big Mom is in her sugar mode demanding the wedding cake. YIKES! I steer clear if I were them. Next time, the gang escape to the forest and runs into some familiar homies while Germa are protecting their territory. Will they succeed? Don’t miss it! Now on with the goods. First off, we have a telegram from our tower friend, Tongari-san! With this hot weather, we told him it better off to send a telegram so he won’t risk his health from heat stroke. So he says loads and loads of fun stuff are heating up at the tower. First, more birthday goods of Nami. They’re selling her birthday acrylic key strap that’s good hang with the other key straps of Luffy and Perona. They’re also selling her birthday button as well. If you purchase more than 3000 yen of goods, you’ll get a free birthday poster of her or Corazon. You can only choose one. Be quick cuz they run out very fast. Next, new delish menu at the café. They have Law’s chicken wrap, Perona’s black burger with ghost French fries, Sabo’s tasty parfait, and Luffy’s colorful berry drink. YOWZA! Tasty summer meal! Also, if you order either of Nami or Corazon’s birthday menu, they’ll give you a free birthday card of them. You can order both to get the cards. Next, more birthday goods of Nami. They’ll sell a bromide card set, a tote bag, and a folder. They Straw Hat stores at other locations and Jump Shops will also have them. Finally, Omni 7, 7/11 store will be taking ticket reservations for the tower, and if you purchase a ticket from this website, you’ll be given a free limited Tokyo Tower mug of the Straw Hats. If you take this mug with you at Franky’s Cola Bar, you’ll be given a free drink of your choice. Reservation tickets start next Monday until Aug.30th. Next, FIGURINES! FIGURINES! This Tuesday, all arcades will be stocking this awesome WCF mini figurines of Mugiwara 56 of Luffy, Zoro, Robin, Chopper, and the logo wearing Germa suits from the colorspread page. TOTALLY RAD DUDES!! Get your coin ready…. & WIN!!! Next, POP Bikini will be taking reservations for figurines of Vivi and Rebecca together. Rebecca’s helmet will be included. It will be released in October. I’ll leave a link for those interested. Next, Figure Arts Zero will released this new figurine of Luffy in gear 4th doing his gum gum bazooka attack. Pre-order link will be announced later. It will be released in November. Next, more Nami’s birthday goods are in stock at Straw Hat stores. They’ll sell two stylish long towels, acrylic key chains, acrylic frames, stickers, and mirrors. If you purchase any of them over 1000 yen, you’ll get a free birthday bromide card of her. And we got some new YAKARA buttons! The new theme is MUSIC!!! ROCK N ROLL, DUDES!!!! They’ll have 30 characters including Apoo, Katakuri, Reiju, Ussop, Franky, Moria, and many more. Limited ed. button is the king of rock himself, Soul King Brook! YEAH! They will be released next Saturday. Next, stores will be selling three notebooks good for school. They have three differ covers: Luffy & Shanks, Marines, and Iva-chan with Bon-chan. Each has phrase. You can also find them at stationary stores such as Loft, Tokyu Hands, or any other local store. Next, Hikari Sports will be selling funky fun swim suits. They’ll sell this short speedos for men that has the Straw Hats in summer themed. They’ll also sell other kinds of swim suits for both men in women. Both will have jolly rogers decorated all over. For men, they’ll have in green, black, & blue designs. For women, they’ll have one-piece suits in hot pink, black, and blue designs. They’ll also sell swim caps (different colors), towels of Luffy & Chopper, & OP logo in different colors as well. I’ll leave a link for those interested. Rakuten & Yahoo shop will have them available for pre-order. If you need, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us. Next, new WCI t-shirts will be in stock soon such as these black t-shirts of Luffy and Katakuri with Big Mom. They’ll be released sometime this month or next month.  Next, here are the collaboration goods they’ll have the Yokohama baseball game. They’ll sell Chopper goods with different team brands. They’ll sell mugs, key chains, smart phone covers, fans, t-shirts, towels, sticker, small string purses, t-shirts and much more. Last, but not least, OP app game, Thousand Store, will have short campaign of Hancock so you can use her a playable character. Win enough levels and you’ll receive her along with a free image gift good for wallpaper on your phone. PHEW! All this talking is making and typing is making us sweat so much. PHEW! I think we covered everything. Well, that’s all we got for now. Tune in next week for more news and upcoming events. We will see Tongari-san at the tower for the anniversary event. Keep the telegram coming, my friend. Kikko! Momon! Excellent job as always, boys. Let’s stop for now. Heat is getting intense.

 Swimsuits: https://www.rakuten.ne.jp/gold/hikarisp/

Figurines: http://megatreshop.shop40.makeshop.jp/shopdetail/000000000600/

Free mug: http://7net.omni7.jp/general/005105/000000onepiecetower

[arplis]

Arplis - News: Prove your worthiness with these dungeon crawlers on Apple Arcade

Have Apple Arcade but looking for a good dungeon crawler style game? Here are a few of our favorites so far. Apple Arcade is Apple's gaming subscription service that is available on iPhone, iPad, Apple TV, and macOS. For a low, flat rate of $4.99 a month or $49.99 a year, you get access to over 100 games, some of which are exclusive to Apple Arcade, and Family Sharing is included in the cost so that you can share a single subscription with up to six Apple IDs. With Apple Arcade, there is a little bit of everything sprinkled throughout, so everyone is sure to find a game that they'll enjoy. Here's a roundup of all of the dungeon crawler style games on Apple Arcade. All you can game Apple Arcade From $5 a month at Apple Apple Arcade offers over 100 games for everyone to enjoy. The cost includes unlimited access to all games in the library and Family Sharing, so one subscription can be used among up to six people. THE BEST Cat Quest II Studio: The Gentlebros. Age rating: 9+ Gamepad: Yes Isn't the world just better when cats and dogs rule it? Cat Quest II is the sequel to the original Cat Quest, and it continues the tradition of a beautiful 2D, open-world action RPG where cats and dogs are in charge. While war brews between the cats of Felingard and the dogs of the Lupus Empire, a larger threat looms in the distance. The kings of both kingdoms must unite together and restore peace and reclaim their thrones. In Cat Quest II, players can play as both cat and dog, and there is even two-player co-op for a grand time. Cat Quest II has a gorgeous open world that players can freely explore to their heart's content. Equip your cat or dog character with various melee or ranged weapons and cast magical spells to vanquish the forces of evil that stand in your way. Defeating your enemies will net you experience points, and there is plenty of loot to be found. There are also plenty more weapons, spells, and abilities to make your quest more manageable, and trust me, you'll need everything you can get to take on some of the more challenging areas. See at Apple Arcade The Pinball Wizard Studio: Frosty Pop Age rating: 4+ Gamepad: Yes The Pinball Wizard is a unique dungeon crawler title because it is unlike anything you've played before. If you like pinball, as well as dungeon crawlers, then this is right up your alley. In The Pinball Wizard, you'll find a tower that is full of useful knowledge and wisdom at the very top. But to reach it, you must clear each floor and make your way to the top. After all, wisdom and knowledge are earned, not given. You'll take control of a little wizard character, and you must help them get to the top of the tower by propelling them with... pinball flippers. These flippers basically serve as the entrance into each floor, and your goal is to survive, collect treasures, and outlasting the enemies, at least until the door to the next floor opens. You only have so much health to last you, and the enemies only get more challenging as you ascend. Fortunately, you can get items like health potions to aid you. See at Apple Arcade Roundguard Studio: Wonderbelly Games Age rating: 9+ Gamepad: Yes Did you enjoy that one classic puzzle game, Peggle? Now imagine it with elements of RPG dungeon crawling, and you end up with Roundguard. It's basically the love child of Peggle and RPGs. You can choose from three different hero classes in Roundguard: Warrior, Rogue, and Wizard. The Warrior specializes in powerful melee attacks, the Rogue deals in precision hits, and the Wizard can nuke enemies from far away. Each class offers up a different play style, so you'll want to experiment with them all to see which one fits you best. In Roundguard, you essentially "shoot" your hero out of a cannon at the top of the screen, and they will bounce off of pegs on the stage. The pegs are a mix of pots that need to be cracked to get through, and there are enemies as well as potions to restore your health and mana. You attack enemies by bouncing off them, but they will hit you back! To clear a stage and move to the next area, you'll have to clear out all enemies from the level. You get bonus points for bouncing longer, and make sure you don't fall off the screen because you only have a limited amount of lives. You gain experience points and can level up and learn new abilities and find new gear, so take advantage of that. Roundguard is also a roguelike, so if you run out of health and die, then you'll have to start from the beginning on the next run. The game is harder than it looks, and you'll need to spend a good amount of time practicing and learning the play style of each if you want to succeed. See at Apple Arcade THE REST Card of Darkness Studio: Zach Gage Age rating: 9+ Gamepad: No Like Pinball Wizard, Card of Darkness is not your typical dungeon crawler. In Card of Darkness, you will embark on a hand-animated adventure by the fantastic Zach Gage, the mind behind other great iOS games like SpellTower and Sage Solitaire. In Card of Darkness, you'll face off against many hordes of monsters that you can best by casting powerful spells and discover ancient secrets — as long as you pick up the right cards. Think of Card of Darkness as a hybrid of dungeon crawler and solitaire. Each level has a grid of several card stacks, and you can only see the top card of each stack, with the rest beneath a complete mystery. But if you take a card from a stack, you must eventually take all of the cards in that stack. The card stacks will have anything from fun weapons to spells to enemies that must be defeated before they kill you. Getting to the end of each level will be easier said than done. Card of Darkness is a challenging game, and while it doesn't follow the traditional dungeon crawler formula, it's fresh and worth taking a look. See at Apple Arcade Grindstone Studio: Capybara Games Age rating: 12+ Gamepad: Yes If you enjoy some match-three RPG action, then Grindstone is a great hidden gem that's worth your consideration. In Grindstone, you take on the role of a muscly barbarian type warrior, who must make his way through Grindstone Mountain to the peak, where fortune and glory await, naturally. But along the way, there are large swarms of Creeps that will do anything to prevent you from reaching your goal. The only solution? Hack and slash your way through them, of course! You'll be drawing lines to connect similarly colored Creeps together so you can cut them down. There will be helpful items to aid you, but there are several different types of Creeps, too, with many of the tougher ones requiring longer chains to defeat. So you'll need all of your puzzle-solving skills and the best items to carve your way through to the exit of each stage — all 150 of them. Do you have what it takes to get to the top of Grindstone Mountain? See at Apple Arcade Bleak Sword Studio: Devolver Age rating: 12+ Gamepad: Yes Bleak Sword is a more along the lines of a dark fantasy action game like Dark Souls, but we think it can fit here as well. The coolest thing about Bleak Sword is the pixel art that is rendered in 3D diorama battlefields, which gives it a distinctive aesthetic. There are nine chapters in Bleak Sword, and each one will test your skill and strength. The goal of the game is to lift the curse from the legendary Bleak Sword by striking down and vanquishing every creature in the forest, swamp, castle, and dungeons along the way. You'll have access to powerful magical spells, loot, and items, and your character levels up and has stats that you can distribute and unlock your full potential. To lift the curse of the Bleak Sword, you'll have to be fast on your feet and resourceful, because this game can be rather unforgiving. Are you up to the task? See at Apple Arcade Legend of the Skyfish 2 Studio: Crescent Moon Games Age rating: 9+ Gamepad: Yes This is the sequel to the popular game, Legend of the Skyfish. In this followup, you play as a Red Hook guardian, one of the followers of the original Little Red Hook from the original game, which took place 100 years ago. In Legend of the Skyfish 2, you'll use the Combat Fishing Pole to grapple your way through obstacles and enemies alike, and it serves as your most trusty weapon. The battle system is similar to that of a hack-n-slash style, but you need to master the three different weapon types (sword, hammer, and scythe) to get far. The game is split up into different worlds, and you need to clear each stage before you're able to move on. There are boss fights and puzzles to solve, so the game has plenty of content to keep you entertained. And of course, there are plenty of materials to craft your own weapons and armors, and items to find. The real magic of the game is the unique grappling hook mechanics — master them because it's your best friend in the game. See at Apple Arcade Prove yourself worthy Apple Arcade may not have a ton of true dungeon crawlers in its library right now, but we can only expect the number of titles for the genre to grow over time. For now, these are some of the closest ones that we've found, and they're all quite enjoyable. What are your favorite dungeon crawlers on Apple Arcade? Let us know in the comments! Apple Arcade: The Ultimate Guide Apple Arcade: Everything you need to know Game on! Apple Arcade $4.99 per month from Apple Unlimited games, one price Apple Arcade has over a hundred premium games with more added regularly each week. There is something here for everyone, and it only costs $5 a month for all you can game!

Arplis - News source https://arplis.com/blogs/news/prove-your-worthiness-with-these-dungeon-crawlers-on-apple-arcade