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spyxslayer · 17 days ago

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Mikasa After Eren: A Deep Dive Into Why I Don't Think She Married (And Why That's Beautiful)

Look, I know this is probably going to be controversial, but I've been thinking A LOT about Attack on Titan's ending lately, particularly about Mikasa's story after Eren's death. The series didn't give us a simple "happily ever after" ending - and it wasn't meant to. At its core, Attack on Titan shows us that while the cycle of hatred will inevitably continue, there will also be times of peace. But it's also about something even more personal: the freedom to choose your own path.

While scrolling through forums and social media, I've seen countless debates about whether Mikasa married Jean and had a family or chose to remain single. Both sides want what's best for Mikasa, and after diving deep into the evidence, I've become convinced that she likely didn't remarry - and that this was her choosing her own path to happiness.

Why I'm Writing This

First off, I want to be clear: this isn't about bashing the "Mikasa married Jean" theory. If that interpretation makes you happy, that's valid! Isayama deliberately left things ambiguous enough for fans to find their own meaning. But I've noticed some really interesting details that point to a different reading of the ending, one that I think actually fits better with Mikasa's character arc and the themes of the series.

The Promise She Refused to Make (And Why That's SO Important)

Let's start with what I think is one of the most powerful moments: the cabin scene. But here's something crucial that often gets overlooked - this wasn't the first promise between them that got broken. Remember, Mikasa had already broken her promise "not to talk about that stuff" when she brought up wanting to live out Eren's last four years peacefully together. It was this broken promise that prompted Eren to ask for one final, different promise - to throw away the scarf, forget him, and find freedom.

And what does Mikasa do? She tightens the scarf instead. I get chills thinking about this moment because it shows exactly who Mikasa is. She's not just defying Eren; she's choosing her own definition of freedom.

This is so perfectly Mikasa, especially as an Ackerman. Her bloodline literally exists to resist the Founding Titan's control, and here she is, refusing to let even Eren dictate how she should live or remember him. Throughout the rest of her life, we see her wearing that scarf and visiting his grave. She made her choice, and she stuck to it.

But here's what really gets me: her defiance of Eren's request isn't just about the scarf. It's about her entire approach to life after his death. When Eren tells her to forget him and move on, he's essentially trying to write her story for her. But Mikasa has always been about making her own choices, hasn't she? Even her love for Eren wasn't because of her Ackerman blood - it was her choice, her truth.

Let's Talk About Visual Evidence

One thing that really stands out to me is how the anime handles these post-time skip scenes. The time lapse sequence showing Mikasa's visits to Eren's grave uses some interesting artistic choices that seem deliberately crafted to maintain ambiguity. All the scenes are shown from a distance, with figures drawn without detailed features, often from behind or from far away perspectives.

Those "Family Scenes"

Look at how these moments are depicted:

Every scene is shown from a distance

Character features are kept minimal and undefined

Faces are often turned away or obscured

The positioning of figures seems carefully planned and meaningful

The artistic style emphasizes silhouettes over detail

These artistic choices feel intentional - creating just enough ambiguity to let viewers draw their own conclusions rather than definitively showing Mikasa with a new family.

The Grave Visits and Family Positioning

Okay, let's break down that scene with the "family" at the grave, because the positioning tells us SO much:

On the Front Left (Near the Heart):

The grown figure who stands behind Mikasa on the left? I believe this is her adopted child from the earlier scenes, now grown (honoring her “Papa”).

This positioning on the left suggests they're directly connected to Mikasa's heart.

At funerals or memorials, family members of the deceased are positioned at the left and toward the front near the deceased (or their portrait) in several cultures.

They (or she) appear to have their own child now too!

On the Right and Back Right (Supporting Roles):

Friends of the deceased are often positioned at the right and in the back during funerals/memorials.

The man standing directly to Mikasa's right (and behind Mikasa in the manga)? That's likely Jean in his continued supportive role.

Further back on the right, I think we're seeing Armin with his grandchild.

Notice how Jean's potential daughter (maybe with Pieck?) might be standing near Armin with her children.

One of those children has dark hair similar to Pieck's while the other’s hair color resembles Jean’s - another subtle detail!

Why This Makes Sense:

The positioning mirrors the relationships: chosen family closer to the heart, supporting friends on the right.

It shows multiple generations coming to honor Eren's memory.

Some characters (like Annie, Pieck, and others) might have passed away by this point, explaining their absence.

It feels like a collective decision to show the next generation Eren's legacy.

Think about it: what could be more meaningful than all of them bringing their grandchildren to understand the sacrifice that made their peaceful lives possible?

Let's Talk About Jean (And Why This Matters)

I know what you're thinking - what about that man we see with Mikasa at Eren's grave? A lot of fans assume it's Jean and that they're married, but let me break down why I think there's more to this story:

The Chemistry (or Lack Thereof)

Let's really break down why the Jean-Mikasa romance theory doesn't hold up when we look at their actual interactions:

Training Days Interactions

Remember how their dynamic played out during training? Jean would try to talk to Mikasa, and she would:

Consistently look past him to check on Eren

Walk away mid-conversation if she thought Eren needed her

Respond with polite but minimal answers before returning her attention to Eren

Show zero interest in Jean's attempts at deeper conversation

There's this one telling moment during training when Jean tried to compliment Mikasa's hair, and she immediately turned the conversation to asking about Eren's whereabouts. Classic Mikasa!

The Reality vs. Jean's Imagination

Jean's crush on Mikasa reveals a lot about how he sees an idealized version of her rather than who she really is.

What Jean Imagines:

A refined, sophisticated woman interested in literature and culture

Someone who would enjoy quiet, intellectual conversations

A traditionally feminine personality who'd appreciate his gallant gestures

Someone who would want a conventional family life

Who Mikasa Actually Is:

Straightforward and action-oriented

Focused on practical matters over intellectual pursuits

Someone who expresses care through protection rather than words

A person whose emotional world revolves around her chosen family (primarily Eren)

Their Actual Interactions

Throughout the series, look at how they actually interact:

Mikasa rarely initiates conversations with Jean

Her responses to him are typically brief and practical

She's never shown seeking his company or opinion specifically

Even in group settings, she gravitates toward Eren or Armin

Remember that scene where Jean tries to engage Mikasa in a discussion about military strategy? Her response is to simply state she'll do whatever helps protect Eren. It's a perfect example of how they're fundamentally misaligned in their priorities and ways of thinking.

The Emotional Investment Contrast

The difference in their emotional investment is stark:

Jean blushes and gets flustered around Mikasa

Mikasa remains completely unaffected by his presence

Her emotional reactions are saved exclusively for Eren

Even when Jean actively tries to help or protect her, she rarely acknowledges it beyond basic courtesy

Their interactions consistently show a one-sided attraction where Jean projects his ideals onto someone who, while respectful of him as a comrade, has never shown any hint of reciprocating his romantic interest.

Jean's Evolution (This Makes So Much More Sense)

Here's what I think really happened with Jean:

He was there at the grave as a supportive friend, not a husband.

At some point, seeing Mikasa's unwavering devotion to Eren might have been his wake-up call.

He probably realized he loved the idea of being in love with her more than who she actually was.

This understanding likely helped him move on emotionally while maintaining their friendship.

Supporting her visits to Eren's grave shows his maturity, his care for her, and the depth of their platonic bond.

The Political Reality

Here's something that often gets overlooked in the "Mikasa married Jean" theory - the political situation in Paradis. Let's break this down:

Jean was a known anti-Yeagerist.

Living permanently in Paradis would be incredibly dangerous for him.

Even with Historia's protection, his safety couldn't be guaranteed long-term.

At best, he might manage occasional visits under Historia's protection.

The logistics of a marriage under these circumstances seem highly improbable.

Jean's Dream Sequence (This Is FASCINATING)

Remember that scene where we see Jean's dream of domestic life? Let's break it down because the details are WILD:

He's sitting OUTSIDE on the porch, looking in through a closed window at a woman with dark hair and a baby.

There's literal physical separation between him and this family scene.

Windows in storytelling often symbolizes something desired but out of reach.

Even in his own dream, he can't fully be part of this scenario - isn't that telling?

Here's the thing about Jean's dream that I find really important: it's not that Jean can't or won't ever have a wife and kids. He absolutely can and deserves that happiness! But this specific dream, with (potentially) Mikasa and her baby? That's what's out of reach. I think this scene could actually foreshadow Mikasa with her adopted child, with Jean wishing he could be the husband and father but knowing he can't be - even if he stays close to them and considers them family in a different way.

(And who knows? Maybe his dream wife will be someone else we know. ;)

A Better Match for Jean

You know who I think would actually be a better match for Jean? Pieck! Let me break down why their chemistry actually makes so much more sense:

Personality Alignment

Think about what Jean actually wants in a partner:

Someone intellectually curious who loves books and history.

A strategic thinker who can match his analytical mind.

A person who can engage in deep conversations.

Someone who balances practicality with idealism.

Now look at Pieck:

She's consistently shown to be highly intelligent and analytical.

Her strategic thinking saved the Cart unit multiple times.

She demonstrates both wit and wisdom in her conversations.

She shares Jean's ability to see both the bigger picture and immediate practical concerns.

Their Actual Interactions

We see hints of their compatibility in their interactions:

During the alliance formation, they show mutual respect for each other's tactical thinking.

They work well together in combat situations, complementing each other's strengths.

Their conversations, though limited, show an easy understanding of each other's thought processes.

Both demonstrate similar values about protecting their comrades while thinking strategically.

Shared Perspectives

They align on so many levels:

Both are pragmatic idealists who want to fight for a better world.

They share similar views about the complexity of the conflict.

Neither is blindly loyal - they both think critically about their allegiances.

They both value intelligence and strategic thinking over raw power.

Political Alignment

Unlike the complications with Jean and Mikasa:

They're on the same side politically after the war

Neither would have to compromise their beliefs or safety to be together

They could live freely without fear of persecution

They share similar hopes for the future of both Paradis and Marley

Communication Styles

Their way of interacting just fits:

Both are capable of witty, intelligent banter.

They share a similar dry sense of humor.

They can be serious when needed but also lighten the mood.

Their communication styles complement rather than clash.

Consider how Pieck typically analyzes situations with careful consideration - just like Jean does. They both take time to think things through, unlike the more impulsive characters in the series. This similarity in approach suggests they'd understand each other's decision-making process in a way that other potential pairings might not.

When you look at all these factors together, doesn't it make so much more sense for Jean to find happiness with someone who actually matches his intellectual and emotional needs? Someone who can engage with him on the level he's always wanted? Pieck fits that role perfectly, while still allowing him to maintain his meaningful friendship with Mikasa.

(also…maybe the woman of Jean’s dreams IS actually Pieck! ;) )

The Adoption Theory (Which I Love)

Now, about that child we see... What if Mikasa adopted? The more I think about it, the more perfect this feels.

Why Adoption Makes Sense:

Mikasa's Own Experience:

She was adopted by the Yeagers.

She knows firsthand how powerful chosen family can be.

It would be a beautiful way to honor Carla's memory.

Character Consistency:

Allows her to protect and nurture someone.

Creates family bonds without needing to "move on" romantically.

Fits with her understanding that family isn't about blood.

The Visual Evidence:

Her Ackerman mark stays covered in the manga.

The family scenes are deliberately drawn at a distance.

The positioning of figures in these scenes feels meaningful.

The Timeline Doesn't Add Up

Here's something that's been on my mind about the "Mikasa got married" theory, specifically about that scene with the baby at Eren's grave. People often say this happened at the 10-year mark because of Eren's comment about wanting Mikasa to "not get over him for at least 10 years" before even considering another guy. But let's actually break down this timeline:

If that scene really shows Mikasa and, in my opinion, Jean, married with their biological child, the math does not seem to work alongside that specific 10-year theory. Think about it:

They would need time to develop a relationship

Then get married

Then conceive and carry a child (9-10 months in Japanese counting)

So either:

Mikasa started developing feelings for Jean before the 10-year mark (going against Eren's wish that she clearly respected, whether she knew about this or not)

She somehow fell in love with Jean instantly right at the 10-year mark, got married (or got together) immediately, and got pregnant right away

OR if she waited the full 10 years before even considering Jean, that scene with the baby would have to be at least 11 years after Eren's death

None of these scenarios really fit with what we know about Mikasa's devotion to honoring Eren's memory, do they?

However, if that baby is adopted? The timeline makes perfect sense. Mikasa could have waited the full 10 years, processed her grief, and then chosen to create family through adoption - all while staying true to both Eren's wishes and her own heart.

Those Final Scenes (Let's Get Into the Details)

The Ackerman Mark and A Mother's Request

Before we dive into those final scenes, we need to talk about something significant: the Ackerman mark. Mikasa's mother made her promise to pass down this crest when she had children of her own.

But in the manga, we see that mark stayed covered until the end. Why?

I think there are several powerful reasons:

If she adopted rather than had biological children, there was no crest to pass down.

With the Titans gone, the burden of the Ackerman bloodline no longer needed to be carried forward.

Keeping it covered became her personal reminder that she makes her own choices.

Most importantly, it symbolizes her refusal to be a slave to anyone or anything - not the Founding Titan, not even Eren's wishes.

That "Wedding Ring" Debate

The anime's final scene has sparked so much discussion about whether there's a ring visible through the flowers. Here's my take:

This detail wasn't in the manga at all.

If there was meant to be a literal wedding ring, why hide it behind flowers?

The ambiguity feels purposeful.

What if it's not actually a ring at all, but the shadows and flowers create that impression for symbolism?

I believe this was an artistic choice, a stylistic depiction, meant to symbolize her eternal bond with Eren rather than showing a physical wedding ring

(Also, in Japan, wedding rings are commonly gold, whereas "commitment rings" are often silver.)

I believe the ring's appearance is a visual metaphor meant solely for the audience's understanding, similar to other symbolic elements in anime. We see this technique used in other moments, like when Mikasa envisions her younger self and child Eren at the grave. Another example would be how Demon Slayer depicts elemental effects around swords - these visual flourishes exist to convey meaning to viewers while not being literally visible to the characters within the story world.

And here's something interesting to consider: if Mikasa did marry someone else, why would she choose to be buried with Eren? Now, I know some will say "but people who remarry sometimes choose to be buried with their first spouse!" And that's absolutely true! But combined with everything else we've discussed - the scarf, the covered mark, the ambiguous ring - doesn't it make more sense that she remained single while creating her own kind of family?

The Itterashai Connection: A Beautiful Confirmation

Okay, can we talk about that Japanese exclusive ending song "Itterashai" for a minute? Released in 2023, this ending provides what I think is some of the strongest evidence for Mikasa's eternal connection to Eren. Here's why it's so significant:

Shows elderly Mikasa at Eren's grave.

As she's placed in water, she returns to her younger self.

Birds appear throughout (a constant symbol of Eren in the series).

She finally reunites with Eren in what appears to be the afterlife.

The title "Itterashai" means "see you later" - exactly what Mikasa always said to Eren.

Think about it: why would they release this Japanese-exclusive ending that so beautifully depicts Mikasa's reunion with Eren if we were meant to believe she found her true happiness with someone else?

The Final Resting Place

The gravestone details are incredibly moving and telling. It reads exactly: "here forever, rest, peacefully, most beloved, my dear, 854". This sounds more like a message from a widow to her eternal love than from someone who moved on to a new marriage, doesn't it?

Even in death, Mikasa chose to be buried with Eren, still wearing his scarf. Yes, some might argue that people who remarry sometimes choose to be buried with their first spouse. But combined with everything else - the covered mark, the ambiguous ring, the consistent devotion throughout her life - doesn't it paint a picture of someone who never truly wanted or needed another romantic relationship?

The Last Visit (This Part Gets Me Emotional)

The way Mikasa's story ends is so powerful:

She's buried with Eren's scarf

The gravestone reads "here forever, rest, peacefully, most beloved, my dear"

She kept her promise to herself, not to Eren's request

She lived life on her own terms while honoring her love

Here's Why This Matters So Much

I think this interpretation shows something really beautiful about love and loss:

Moving forward doesn't mean replacing what you lost

There are many ways to build a family

Choosing your own path to happiness takes courage

Sometimes the most powerful love stories don't follow conventional patterns

What's Actually Tragic Here?

You know what's interesting? Some people see Mikasa not remarrying as tragic, but I see it as triumphant. She:

Chose her own path

Created family on her own terms

Remained true to herself

Found happiness without compromising who she was

The Broader Themes: Why This Matters

Before we go deeper into the evidence, I think it's important to understand why this interpretation of Mikasa's ending matters so much in the context of Attack on Titan's broader themes.

The Cycle of Violence and Peace

Attack on Titan shows us something profound about human nature - that while cycles of hatred and violence may be inevitable, they're always interrupted by periods of peace. We see this play out in Mikasa's story too. After all the violence and loss, she finds her own kind of peace - not by following others' expectations of moving on through marriage, but living life her own way, paved by the sacrifice of Eren and so many others she cared for.

True Freedom

The series constantly asks us: what is true freedom? Is it what others tell us freedom should look like, or is it the ability to choose our own path, even if that path isn't what others, or even we, expect? Mikasa's choice - to honor her love for Eren while still living fully - represents perhaps the purest form of freedom in the series. She's not bound by:

Others' expectations of how to move on.

Traditional ideas of what happiness should look like.

Even Eren's own wishes for her future.

The Path Forward

What's beautiful about this interpretation is how it shows there are many ways to move forward after loss:

You can honor past love while still living fully.

Creating family doesn't always mean marriage and biological children.

Supporting friends can be family without romantic attachment.

Peace can be found in choosing your own definition of happiness.

Breaking Free from Expectations

In a way, Mikasa's choice mirrors the series' central conflict about breaking free from predetermined paths. Just as humanity had to break free from the walls that contained them, Mikasa breaks free from societal expectations about how she should find happiness after loss. By choosing to:

Adopt rather than have biological children.

Maintain her love for Eren while still living fully.

Create family through chosen bonds rather than marriage.

Define freedom on her own terms.

She demonstrates exactly what Attack on Titan has been telling us all along – despite the inevitable cycle of hatred and war, true freedom comes from making your own choices, even when they go against what others think is best for you.

Read "A Second Chance: The Modern Day Connection" HERE!

A Final Thought

You know what really gets me about this whole thing? The way Mikasa's story challenges our assumptions about what a "happy ending" looks like. She didn't need a new romance to have a fulfilled life. She chose her own path, created her own family, and lived authentically. And isn't that what freedom - a core theme of Attack on Titan - is really about?

What Do You Think?

I'm really curious to hear other perspectives on this. Maybe you've noticed details I missed, or maybe you see these same details differently. That's what I love about Attack on Titan - there's always more to discuss and discover.

One thing's for sure though: Mikasa's story shows us that there are many ways to live a fulfilling life after loss. Sometimes the bravest choice is staying true to yourself, even when others think you should choose differently.

#atack on titan #aot #mikasa ackerman #mikasa aot #eren x mikasa #eren jaeger #eren yeager #jean kirstein #pieck finger #attack on school castes #the rumbling #paradis #historia #armin arlert #mikasa x eren

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asphyxiatedredherring · 1 year ago

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Ok, so the Stone triplets, I have a lot to say.

Jacob Stone was raised by their biological father Isaac Stone. Stone being all of their original last names (I'll get to the name changes later). I think their biological mom died which is what caused the separation of the brothers. I'd say this happened at an age in which they remember their mom and growing up together, but still young enough to have spent some of their childhood apart. Isaac Stone is known to be an alcoholic and deadbeat, I'd also argue abusive so he separated the twins, keeping only Jacob, the most agreeable of the three who he thinks he can make carry on the family business.

Alex was taken in by his uncle Danny as stated in s1e7. Danny says his folks couldn't take care of him anymore and left Alex with him. Alex was subsequently raised in a life of crime, lying, cheating, and stealing. I think Danny is their mom's brother and Isaac dumped Alex off onto him and Alex changed his last name to Walker to match Uncle Danny's.

Although Eliot says he was dropped at a hopital as a baby and then adopted by Billy, I think this is a lie and Eliot came to them when he was older after the death of his biological mother. I believe the Spencer's found Eliot in the hospital in Oklahoma, where both the Stones and Billy lived and took him in from there. Eliot then changed his name to his adoptive parents. We can assume the house in Oklahoma City that Eliot visits and doesn't get an answer at in The Low Low Price Job is Billy's. In The Bucket Job, Eliot has a contact in his phone labeled Dad (Billy) and "J." He is shown to text J so it can be assumed that Eliot and Jacob have had a little bit of contact, but Eliot says that he hasn't had contact with his Dad since he was 18. Now we don't actually know that Spencer is Billy's last name. It could be an alias Eliot used after leaving the military and becomes a little less than legal in his activities. Billy's last name could be Carson (Eliot is seen wearing a Carson Hardware shirt, and we know Billy had a hardware store). This could make Eliot's legal last name Carson.

(Sorry, there is a lot more)

When Eliot was 18, he enlisted in the military and left. I think this is what stopped the contact between him and Jacob, and contact between Alex and the other two decreased and eventually stopped as Alex was with Uncle Danny.

In the Miracle Job Eliot mentions having a nephew. This could imply another sibling whither biological or adoptive, or that Evelyn Walker is trans and Eliot didn't know.

Eliot goes through his time in the military, then as a hitter and retrieval expert, his time with Moreau, and then eventually with Leverage. Alex gets married and has a daughter, becomes a well known DEA agent and eventually divorced and ends up in the Philippines. Alex works for Isaac Stone for a bit while amassing secret degrees eventually leaving the family business under the guise of working a similar job somewhere else when he is working for The Library.

Eliot hears about Alex's DEA fame through the crime grapevine and Alex catches wind of the notorious Eliot Spencer whom he suspects is his brother but can't seem to ever find enough information on to confirm. They however do not have contact. Eliot finds out about Jacob working for the Metropolitan Library as an art historian after Jacob gains the confidence to publish under his own name through Sophie who admires his work and would love to con him. This prompts the first contact since they were 18 from Eliot (with the help of Hardison's computer skills but Eliot asked Hardison not to ask questions). Eliot also establishes Jacob off limits as a mark for Sophie with no context.

Eve Baird knows about DEA legend Alex Walker. As previously mentioned, Sophie knows about Jacob Stone as an art historian. Sophie and Maggie die and pester Eliot once they find out he knows thee Jacob Stone, Dr Oliver Thompson, and all the other aliases Jacob has published under. Read more in another wonderful Stone Triplets post here.

Now, there are options about how this reconnection could go. A combo of a con and clippings book quest in the Philippines leading to Alex. Or a vacation in Portland for our Filipino friends where they and the LITs end up in the Portland brew pub (since that's where the annex is). Or they finally decide to reach out to each other.

I'm team Eliot decides he wants to reach out, especially after reconnecting with Billy and texting a bit with Jacob. So they all meet in a neutral location. Obviously, they bring their found families with them. And oh dear, it's Bisexual Disaster Polycule³. Kai and Ernesto are terrified to find out there are two more Alex's but they are actually cool, they are however trying to actively ignore the not quite legal business Alex's gruff looking brother Eliot seems to have going on. They've heard stories about The Eliot Spencer, but Alex trusts him, so they will too. Mostly. Ezekiel can not believe he is meeting THE Parker. And it's stealing for a good cause! He wants to work with Leverage immediately. Cassandra is so excited to meet Jacob's family (especially since meeting Isaac didn't go very well). She and Hardison are stoked to pick each other's brains. Jacob assures Eve that it's ok to tell his brothers the truth. Parker, Breanna, and Hardison both die a little upon finding out about the existence of magic. They all three have a billion and one questions and Breanna practically begs for an apprenticeship under Jenkins, wanting to learn more about the back door and his other inventions. (Jenkins decided best not to share his true identity for avoidance of the endless questions bound to erupt). The Filipino trio try not to think too hard about the magic stuff. Jacob is lightly concerned about the art theft, but he Sophie and Maggie immediately set up a brunch. Jacob and Ernesto talk martial arts, and Eliot compliments both of their styles. Alex and Parker talk about being raised in crime. Alex is amazed that he's the one who was raised in lying and stealing, but it's the other two brothers who do that now. Jacob is very offended and insists he is not a thief and that retrieving dangerous artifacts is not theft. When they part ways and Alex goes back to his gift shop, he is surprised to find out from Corey that rent has been paid for several months in advance. Also, upon meeting, it was noted of the stark similarity between Harry and Flynn only to find out that Flynn is Harry's estranged, eccentric cousin. What a small world.

They chat, they catch up on eachothers lives, and they agree to keep in touch. For real this time. They plan to spend holidays together, combining the three found families into a chaotic but loving mess.

It should also be noted that I haven't seen Angel yet, but Lindsay is a cousin. They also have a weird cousin from Texas named Lee Webb. Back to when I mentioned that we don't know that Spender is Billy's last name. Eliot could have taken inspiration from a family member with the last name Spencer. (It could be his mom if she and her brother Danny Walker have different last names or another family member). Thereby connecting Shawn Spencer to be a cousin. The thought of him at a family reunion with Eliot, Jacob, and Alex is too funny to ignore. Especially when you remember Parker's thing about psychics and how much Sophie would absolutely adore the long con game on the SBPD.

#stone triplets #leverage #leverage redemption #eliot spencer #the librairans #jacob stone #almost paradise #alex walker #ckane triplets #christian kane #shawn spencer #lee webb #if this is confusing sorry but i didnt read through it all in order after typing it out in my notes app a while ago before pasting it here

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amimuu · 2 months ago

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Ok so after reading everything that is out for the Vow to Ash AU i have allot of thoughts and i don't think i can just sit on them and wait so here you go. -Firstly it's very interesting to see an AU that takes the sacrifice route and runs with it. There are plenty of COTL AUs that i love but not many put Narinder in the crowned position and its fascinating to see what happens then. -Secondly, The Lamb while taking a massive hit to there psyche with the betrayal and the dying and the revival has taken this as well as one could hope. They do seem tired and more angry but they also are mortal again with all the problems that entails so you know that's fair. -Thirdly, I'm not one for slow burns into oblivion, I may be guilty of reading one too many sub-par romance fics but unless the story shows me the characters care about each other in more ways then " oh these two are in love just watch" im not buying it. But here we see the Lamb and Narinder act like people, people who are hurt and in a kinda fucked up power dynamic but they find ways to show they care. Narinder giving the Lamb the space they need to after dropping the bomb of " turns out a godly plot of revenge has some long term consequences and your the only person i can trust so i broke our promise" i mean Narinder didn't say it in the best way but what the hell were they supposed to do. Then we have the Lamb knowing about Narinder's arm problem even back in their crusading days and seeing it hasn't gone away so they go off on there own freshly out of resurrection and finds medicine that will find him specifically, Yes your a god buddy but you have a mortal body again so maybe check if something is edible first before relying on it to help a long term injury. and most importantly for this point, they talk like two people who know each other far too well would, the bicker and tease and yell and worry and go out of there way to be close to one another, mutual pining with genuine care and respect for one another, perfect chef kiss Finally, you given us teases of things to come and while i love a fixed perspective of a person learning a growing, i love seeing how a group sees the same events very differently. from what i can tell from the snippets yous posted and some guess work Team Death God has two groups off on the hunt, The Lamb and Narinder dealing with their problems, Sylvie, Pamner, and Baal covering more ground on there own adventure, and then Aym and Dipal trying to figure out why this is happening and more about magic through searching through tomes and history. Then we have Leshy and Miyu, i'm assuming Leshy is found rather fast and that brings up the fact that the bishops are back thus putting a bigger clock on the crown hunt before something else breaks. we don't have allot of info on Miyu but it seems the two of them will be calming presences to each other which they both seem to need. It's good to see Kallimar off on a quest and being a more active player in a story, and a badass bodyguard go up against our protagonists, kinda hoping that those two get the upper hand on Narinder and the Lamb to show how important teamwork is in a hunt like this. Lastly there is the missing siblings Heket and Shamura who im assuming are together until we get more said about them, Heket i've always seen as having the closest bond with Narinder but she's much more brawn to his magic. Shamura is always a wild card in any story, with the domain of War and Wisdom once held i picture him switching from fragile old man to prophetic visions and the most terrifying thing to see on the battlefield. you've shown off the next owner of the Purple Crown but will they learn how to use it before others track them down and try to take it from them.

Needless to say i can't wait for more and sorry for the long post i just can't help myself when i get sucked into a story. hope to see more in the future and have fun writing

Buddy. I need you to know that this ask made me smile SO WIDE.

I love when ppl speculate abt my au...it makes me so happy!!! Im glad you are enjoying it this much :D love the analisis you did on Lamb and Nari's relationship so far!! I wanted to take an approach of "I'm very mad at you. But yes, I'd be there to hold you as you cry." because lets face it, you just dont let go of feelings so deep just like that, do you?

As for the rest of the siblings....Heket and Shamura havent come into frame tbh because im still figuring out how to draw them EWJROIEJRFEW BUT THEY ARE THERE. THEY WILL BE (I also agree on Heket being the closest to Narinder, it just makes sense!)

Ill eventually develop all these storylines, some in bigger ways than the others but i can assure that they all have a story to tell :) Until then!! Thank you!!

#ami answers!#cult of the lamb #vows to ash au #man I REALLY need to continue the au...

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rjalker · 1 month ago

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anyways. I somehow accidentally skipped the second half of the episode where Dinobot died without realizing it, and then I was just like "Wow he must be on vacation or something somewhere because he hasn't shown up in forever". which would be weird for Dinobot but not for this show considering Tigertron(? Tigatron?) and Airazor kept disappearing for episodes at a time.

that's really disappointing, he was the most interesting character. And with the coolest design.

also when we were watching this the first time I was under the impression that he was Starscream but using a different name, what with Megatron and Optimus Primal (AKA Megatron and Optimus Jr. as I am calling them to avoid confusion because they're not actually the earlier two, they're their descendants apparently.) and what with him immediately challenging Megatron Jr. for leadership.

then Actual Starscream showed up because he's back to being a ghost for some reason. That's sad. I'd hoped he was off having fun somewhere after he got his body back. But I guess it has been a while, so it's reasonable for him to have died again in the intervening years, I guess? IDK what these people's lifespans are.

also, Dinobot's death was really abrupt and....anticlimactic.

and they really should have bothered to specify that they've gone back in time somehow to land on ancient Earth like, in the first episode or whatever. it's really weird to just suddenly be acting like we should already know that. And I could actually hear what they were saying this time.

And no the planet randomly having cheetahs and rhinos and blah blah doesn't make it "obviously" ancient Earth because I've watched and read too much scifi and fantasy to take people's conception of how alien life works at face value.

So many people still think that life can only evolve on a planet that's got the exact same air an water compositions as Earth.

#Rjalker watches Transformers Beast Wars #Rjalker watches Transformers #Beast Wars spoilers #Transformers spoilers #Maccadam spoilers #????#idk #Transformers Beast Wars spoilers #ask to tag???#idk what tags people use lol #Dinobot Beast Wars #Dinobot BW #?????#Dinobot #what a confusing name for him to have when the Dinobots also exist lol #Starscream #Starscream Beast Wars

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runawaycarouselhorse · 1 year ago

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[CW: character death (animal and human), mention of natural disasters and firearms, major spoilers [this is basically a synopsis until the end?], etc. + Unico and Chirin no Suzu tags are only there because tonally, very similar to Unico and visually, very similar to Chirin!! I think fans of those would enjoy this, but don't read this whole post, it spoils it.]

"To the little fox, the place where he could see the deep red camellias, was the same as being in his mother's warm embrace."

And in the first few minutes, we see a red camella "behead" itself (they're considered omens of short life, but noble death, because of this)--his mother sacrifices herself to a hunting dog and Gon's view of her is obscured by the flowers and butterflies. But he hears the gunshot.

Its only the first four minutes and now I already know we have at least two more characters dying. This is gonna hurt. ;__;

Before the last flower falls, lightning destroys Gon's home and burns the camellia. His home is gone and Gon fully understands his mother will never return.

He tries, unsucessfully, to hunt, and nearly drowns (although it's all animated very sweetly and brightly, with light music, so it doesn't feel too distressing)--the river carries him to a human village, where he steals from a kind farmer (Hyoju) with a sickly old mother.

Gon is happier and well-fed in the village and farmer Hyoju names him Gon, thinking he has kind eyes (although Gon scratched his face in fright when he found him eating from his crops!), and pities him for losing his mother young.

Gon, on the other hand, feels bitter that someone as big as Hyoju keep saying "ma, ma, ma" because he lost his own mother and has to be strong all on his own so little.

Young Gon mimics the humans, he has no foxes to learn from. His mimicry is also his way of playing little pranks on people. He mimics a blacksmith, a pregnant woman, and others… while the mimicking a big belly story amused the other villagers when Yasuke (the pregnant woman's husband) retells it, he's quite angry because his wife nearly miscarried from fright… Yasuke wants to kill the fox!

Gentle Hyoju and the other villagers try to calm Yasuke down. It's the annual festival, forgive him, he's only a child! Yasuke relents, but insults Hyoju, blaming this for why he hasn't married yet (in reality, Hyoju is putting off marriage to care for his sick mother...) saying Hyoju's father would lament to see his son like this. Hyoju's father is never shown and is presumably dead, as only he cares for his ailing mother.

(We never saw the hunter who shot Gon's mother...)

Gon continues his days and it's fun watching him mimic and steal bits of food.

One of my favourite parts is when he tries chilli peppers for the first time, eating too many at once, before the spice kicks in, and then, he rushes to water. He's shocked humans can eat such things and the fox declares humans must be bakemono (monsters, literally: changed beings... much like the transforming kitsune in folklore!)

But one day, he sees a red spider lily (red amaryliss, higanbana, the red funeral flower and symbol of death and rebirth), pauses because it's a red flower (like the tsubaki/camillias that surrounded his home, which he associated with his mother's care)... a lightning storm happens and when lightning strikes and causes a fire, this triggers a flashback and Gon sees the shadow of butterflies and his dead mother... so he had seen her, but perhaps repressed the memory until now. ;_;

Gon's screaming and then trying, desperately, to cheer himself up by singing and dancing as he saw the humans do at the festival, with his voice cracking, was so sad...

Later, Hyoju is fishing and captures an eel for his mother. This was her only wish and the eel is believed to grant vitality.

... Gon steals the eel and the normally gentle Hyoju becomes quite insistent and persistent in chasing Gon, but still calls him "Gon."

Gon escapes, but as it kept twining around his neck, he didn't want anything to do with the eel anymore and threw it on the ground, where it died.

... Hyoju's mother also died.

Gon wonders where all the people have gone, initially thinking they might be at some festival where he might find food, but realizes when he finds the villagers at Hyoju's home... that his mother had died. He comes to realize the eel was for his sick mother and blames himself.

Gon's conscience torments him and he decides to atone by bringing Hyoju food in secret, although he causes trouble for him the first time by stealing fish from a merchant. After that, he only picks mushrooms and shells chestnuts for him, pricking his paws with the spikes in the process. Hyoju doesn't know who keeps bringing him chestnuts, but while discussing it with another villager, they decide it's a blessing because of his care for his mother.

(Gon is a little annoyed not to get any credit for it, but he keeps doing it in secret anyway!)

One day, Yasuke (the one who keeps insulting Hyoju for his gentle nature) brings Hyoju a gift: an eel! It's hard to get, so he gets offended, understandably, when Hyoju becomes suddenly very angry and irate and tells him he hates eel and to take it away, but it's still very selfish and self-centered of Yasuke to get angry and then, in yet another low blow, insult Hyoju ("You call yourself the son of a hunter?!"), never considering Hyoju's feelings and only mocking him for them, when his gift triggered him. He doesn't know, most likely, about Hyoju's mother's final wish, but I just don't like Yasuke's character... the eel and Yasuke's words have both pushed the ordinarily gentle Hyoju to the brink and he goes for his father's weapon.

The next time he sees Gon, quietly sneaking around (unbeknownst to Hyoju, bringing him more chestnuts...), Hyoju aims and fires.

The red spider lilies' petals scatter, blown into the air. Gon falls. We watch children swipe at the red spider lilies and play and dance around, but their voices and sounds are silenced, before they all go out of view.

Hyoju approaches Gon, already regretting killing him, the words from the festival, his words and the other villagers, trying to reason with Yasuke to prevent him from killing the young fox, play back in his mind...

And then, Hyoju sees the chestnuts, and realizes it was Gon who was bringing him food all along.

So, while the colours were beautiful and the natural scenery and the village were all so beautiful (even in this faded transfer, but if we had it somehow restored to its original colours, I'm sure it would be even more beautiful!)... the middle is genuinely enchanting, funny, and sweet (it'd easily captivate small children, I think!), but with a sad beginning and a heartbreaking ending, and with its heavier themes, might be better suited for older kids. Either way, it was lovely.

#Gongitsune #Gon the Little Fox #kodomo #Chirin no Suzu #Unico #classic anime #mini review #except not really #this wound up summing up the whole thing #long post #character death #insects *#gif *#fish *#long post *#body image * ?#it's cartoony though...

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ripgray-moved · 1 year ago

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Peter's Room ;

I'm not so much gonna talk about symbolism ( yes, I understand thematically why the telescope is covered, yada yada yada, etc ) but instead his interests and stuff he likes/his habits as a character so that I can get a better understanding of him as a person. Under a read more 'cause I feel this is gonna get long!

Firstly, he's a bit of a messy dude, but the mess is all superficial and is not dirt. It's clutter. There's no leftover food or grime. Clothes he hasn't bothered to put in the laundry basket; jackets hung haphazardly around the room rather than hanging them up in the closet; his work spaces being chaotic; his bed sheets being disorganised. That kind of thing.

He also has a lot of lamps dotted around the room as opposed to one overhead light. I'm not actually sure what this is meant to suggest. Perhaps he just prefers the ambience of lamps lmao. Nevertheless, I find it interesting that it's so apparent in most shots.

He also has a LOT of spare blankets on his bed! I've counted up to three at a time in one shot, though the entirety of his bed is not visible so there could even be a couple more. I could absolutely be reading into this too deep, but to me, it seems they're trying to convey the theme of regression, which Peter goes through while dealing with his PTSD from Charlie's death ( his other ""childish"" behaviours include crying and, in the scene where Joan attempts to 'expel him' from his body, drinking milk, which is often associated with babies ). Could also be hinting at the fact that a lot of Peter's sense of comfort comes from external sources. He can't rely on his family to make him feel safe, the same way he can't rely on himself to open up and be honest about the way he's feeling in order to attain the understanding/empathy that he seeks.

And now onto specific items I can find:

Telescope: Points to an interest in astronomy, or at the very least things like constellations. This could also be why he sleeps with the curtains open. There is of course the explanation that it's to keep an eye on Charlie from his bedroom but I honestly don't think so. In several shots, Peter is shown to be able to see the treehouse fine from his bed, nevermind his window; he has no real need for a lens. His jacket being hung over it could mean it was a past hobby, but I honestly don't think so as in the scene where he's smoking in his room, the telescope is out and directed at the window.

Sport: There's a basketball hoop hooked onto his door and a pair of dartboards beneath it. I could be wrong about this as the picture isn't particularly clear, but there also appear to be baseball caps hung up a little ways away from his bed, almost like collectibles. Granted, the former items look like things you'd get when you're a child, plastic and small, but he's a young man now and still held onto them— probably because they reflect his interests despite him outgrowing the toys themselves.

Record player: Peter appears to have an appreciation for music, considering records aren't really from his 'time'. Like I know vinyl is still a thing and whatnot but it's commonly associated with hipsters and people trying hard to be cool. However, the next thing I'm gonna talk about suggests that he really does just care about music/the quality of what he's listening to because...

Musical instruments/apparatus: Peter has several music related things in his bedroom. For starters, there's the keyboard propped up against his wardrobe. It's also revealed in the scene where his dad says goodnight to him that he also owns a guitar. There's also what appears to be an amp tucked under the table there. This goes in line with my whole 'he becomes a live performer in the future'. And what look like speakers too. Seems he's very music focused as an individual. It's also worth noting that if you look at the first two screenshots provided as reference for Peter's room, the keyboard is in a different position; the second is on the night whereas the first is in the morning, meaning he used it that day. It's an active interest and something he, presumably, finds fun.

TV: Quick little thing that the script makes note of the fact that Peter is watching 'an old cartoon'. This makes me think that he likes animated stuff and gravitates towards that style of media. Not that he doesn't like live action at all, but he definitely seems more drawn to art, given the kind of hobbies he has.

Desk: Given the state of his desk, it's safe to assume he actually does study. Not only is it covered in books, folders and papers, he has an up-to-date corkboard and uses post-it notes to set himself school-related reminders. Also, in the zoom in of his computer, though he's looking at Bridget's pictures in the foreground, he's also reading up on careers in another tab. Alex himself also described Peter as someone who 'smokes so much weed in order to stabilise himself enough to do what he needs to do', going on to say that what he felt he needed to do was get out of his traumatic household. This shows his commitment to doing that, even if he's also grappling with addiction and trauma.

Books: Peter seems to own books that have nothing to do with schoolwork, hinting that he likes to read outside of that. He has a few in the underneath-shelf of his bedside table, and a lot packed in the cabinet on the opposite end of his room ( we never get a clear shot of this like we do Charlie's, unfortunately, so I can't really see what any of them are specifically save for the ones on his desk, which I'm sure are more to do with school ).

#𖤐 ⸻ headcanons. ❜#[ PLEASE i spent so long on this i'm about to DIE!!!! ]

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alonelystargazer · 6 months ago

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fave ships and why???

hi thank you for sending an ask! hopefully you had or will have a great day! :)

so I'm guessing you mean my fave ships from jjk? I'll answer for that with ItaFushi, HaiNana, and InuOkko! I know this is gonna be a long response, so I put it all under a read more

itafushi

From the first day they met, they showed that they cared about a stranger and wanted to make sure they would be safe, and from then on have shown their devotion to each other, even if it meant risking their own lives. Yuji being tied up and interrogated by Gojo but asking about 'Fushiguro', and Megumi asking Gojo to spare Yuji from his execution and saying his feelings were personal. On that note, I would like to say that while fans like to clown on him for this, like haha gay boy or whatever, I also think this is a good example of Megumi's philoosphy of "I save people unequally". He saw a good person who he believed didn't deserve his punishment and wanted to spare him, and that's not something he would do for everyone. Yuji is kinda the opposite in that way because he's empathetic and wants to save everyone, but at the same time, he has learned that it's not possible, and not everyone will get the death they deserve. BUT he still hasn't given up on Megumi, and he's literally doing everything he can to save him from falling further into the abyss. I guess in that respect, it's a selfish act on Yuji's part because so many lives have been lost already, or are close to the edge, but Yuji won't stop until he can reach out to Megumi. Basically, what I like most about their dynamic is that they are both self-sacrificing and devoted to each other.

HaiNana

I don't know how popular this ship is in this fandom, but I adore it so much! (not that a ship needs to be popular for me to like it) I like to think of them as the "right person, not enough time" ship. Since we don't get to see much of them together in Hidden Inventory, most of what I like about them is based on speculation and headcanons, but that doesn't mean it makes a ship bad. Anyway, I like to think Nanami felt like an outcast when he first joined Jujutsu High since he didn't come from an elite sorcerer family, and growing up, he had no one to guide him. Then he meets Haibara, and at first, he just wants to keep to himself, but Haibara is persistent and wants to be friends with him, and they both share a love of food and bond over it and that's how their friendship develops. We know that Nanami has a more reserved personality, but something about Haibara's optimism and cheerfulness gets him to open up to him, and by extension, with their classmates. And well, I guess I like tragic ships, not that I specifically look out for them, but most of my ships always end in tragedy lol, and this one is no exception. Hence, the biggest reason why I like this ship so much is that Nanami never got over the loss of Haibara, his closest friend, his classmate, his colleauge. It's what made him run away from the world of sorcery, it's the reason why he's so protective of student sorcerers, and the fact that he had a vision of Haibara just before accepting his death is wild to me oughhh!!

InuOkko

To be honest, I didn't get the vision for this ship until I read/watched JJK 0, that's what changed it for me. Yuta being this shy, awkward kid who tends to speak too much as a countermeasure, in contrast to Toge who's perceived as an intimidating and mysterious person because he can't speak. They both have issues with communication but they somehow find a way to understand each other, which is something they don't really have with their other classmates. Plus, they make a good team in battle. And not to mention that one instance where Toge speaks Yuta's name to tell him to run away, even though he was exhausted and on the brink of passing out. Also also, the only reason Yuta gave the higher ups as to why he wanted to kill Yuji being that he cut off Toge's arm, and not for something on a grander scale like the destruction of Shibuya or the hundreds of deaths. They are very defensive of the other.

#answered #wow this took like an hour to write

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gamesception · 2 years ago

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lets read rgu, chapter 22

Just kissed, eh? I wasn't sure if the next chapter would imply that more had happened between Utena and Akio that night. And here's Utena dreaming fitfully about it, while Anthy just sits up awake in bed watching her. I don't have much to say about it other than the whole situations just kind of sad.

But Anthy doesn't just sit up and watch utena, she gets out of bed and goes to her while utena is sleeping, lying with her and crying quietly. It's a very tender, intimate moment.

And in that moment, Utena stops thinking about Akio, and instead only thinks about how she wants to protect Anthy.

Which calls to mind the anime's version of young Utena meeting the prince. First we see that she was grieving her parents death, and the prince appeared to her and made her feel better and inspired her to become a prince herself so that she could help others the way he had helped her. But then later on we get the further reveal that she hadn't just been grieving her parents, she was experiencing an existential crisis in the face of their death, that if everything ends and everyone dies then she couldn't see the value of living at all, and that young Saionji and Touga had found her and tried to cheer her up, as the prince had in the earlier version, but they had failed because they couldn't show her something 'eternal', so the prince can't have just comforted her, he must have shown her something as well. And finally we get the reveal that the eternal thing that Akio/Dios had shown Utena was Anthy herself, as the rose bride, suffering eternally. Utena had shaken off her grief and committed to becoming a prince not just to save girls in general, but to save Anthy specifically. Retroactively everything anime Utena had done was for Anthy's sake, even before she met her at the school, that her inspiration had never really been Akio/Dios, but rather Anthy the whole time, even if she had forgotten.

Kind of a funny case because this is the 90s, so the show can't be too overtly gay - sad tragic lesbians like Juri, sure, but not main protagonists who get the girl and the happy ending. Utena could never just say flat out "I love you, I want to be your girlfriend, lets go make out about it", so instead it's "You are everything to me, I have literally lived my entire life for your sake," which is way, way more gay.

The manga can't do the same reveal, due to the change to the childhood story. There's too much detail in the manga version to go back and retcon everything with new details the same way, but this moment, showing how Anthy's presence drives all thoughts of Akio from Utena's head, leaving her with just the desire to save Anthy, or the earlier bit from when Utena told Wakaba that being around Anthy made her feel calm & at peace, it goes a long way towards conveying that feeling & motivation, it gets across the idea that for all the attention put on Utena and Touga or Utena and Akio, the person she really wants to be with is Anthy, even if she hasn't fully realized that herself yet, & even if the story isn't allowed to say that in as many words.

The next day Anthy's mask is back on, but Utena is blushing just looking at her. Look how cute they are. Akio needs to go to jail so they can just be happy together.

Imagine if he had been caught on security camera setting the fire at Wakaba's dorm. Akio goes to jail, the whole Dios ritual just... doesn't happen. Utena and Anthy move in together, Touga becomes their butler, happy endings for everybody.

But inevitably Utena's thoughts drift back to Akio. I do kind of love how all her previous antagonists in the Student Council just sort of follow her around like ducklings now. Have I mentioned that already? Probably, but it's still funny. The anime couldn't really do that, because they had to stay at arms length in order to repeat and deepen their conflicts with Utena for the second and third arcs of the show, but it would have been fun to see.

The SC kind of gossip about Utena a bit, and Juri mentions that she had been spending time with Akio, which Touga reacts to. Does Touga know who Akio is? That seems like the kind of information that a good butler/squire/servant/acolyte would have shared earlier if he did know.

Utena catches sight of Akio's car but before she can run off looking for him Touga grabs her aside, demanding to know if Akio has 'done something' to her.

I'm sorry, but... what about this situation called for a forced kiss? What was that even supposed to accomplish? Like, it feels like such a non-sequitur that I'm not even questioning the character here, I'm questioning the author. What was the point of this?

And after that, he just tells her about Akio? Which, like, I still don't get why he thought it was a good idea to forcibly kiss her first, and also why he didn't tell her this, like, a while ago.

And Utena has this big crashing realization, as Touga talks about how he was manipulated, and Utena realizes her feelings for Akio were probably just manipulation too, but then her thoughts again turn to Anthy.

We haven't had the chance to see Anthy's motivations and feelings so much yet, but I do appreciate the repeated emphasis on Utenas feelings for Anthy.

That night Akio & Anthy show up in his car...

Akio invites Utena to get in, and tells Anthy to leave. Utena tells Anthy to stay, but Akio drives off without her.

So Akio admits to being world's end, and organizing the duels, manipulating everyone, even flat out being evil.

But he insists that he hasn't forced Anthy to do anything, that she wants to be the Rose Bride.

Utena knows he's lying, but he just keeps talking, and driving, and...

And you'd think all of this would put Utena off, like convince her that he's a monster and she needs to get away from him, or fight him. That she needs to save Anthy specifically from Akio and stop furthering his plans, but....

I guess grooming is a hell of a drug.

Kind of feels awkward for Utena to be going along with Akio after finding out he's the self-admitted villain, but that's what we're doing.

#rgu #revolutionary girl utena #sception reads rgu

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daz4i · 2 years ago

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your last line in the theory ask got me thinking (the "why else are we following his story like this?")

do you think there's a reason atsushi, the protagonist, is kept so passive (until recently, someone was pretty much always there to help/save him in different ways), and dazai, arguably a secondary protagonist, is kept at the center?

a theory i saw is that atsushi being in the spotlight/not in the spotlight aligns with when the book is in the spotlight/not in the spotlight, and he'll be the center piece to actually locating the book

it's always fascinated me how we're repeatedly being Told he's the protagonist, but very rarely shown it past the first chapters/first season of the anime. it's a relationship between story and protagonist i've not really seen anywhere else.

OH THIS IS SO INTERESTING TBH

so. i have a few thoughts abt this lemme number them bc it's just easier for me to organize them this way hehe

1. oooooooh love that theory abt atsushi being more in the spotlight for locating the book (and after it will be found i assume :?). it does make sense! but then it's still strange just how long it took to get there, given we're over 100 chapters, technically 5 seasons of the anime, and multiple light novels into the story and not there yet. i wonder if the story/its formatting will change to accommodate that somehow :0

2. this is more abt the last part of your ask, and this concept in general! i think something that changes bsd and the context and role of atsushi in it is to see him more as a narrator (albeit an active one) rather than the actual main character whom the story is about, like. i wanna say nick in the great gatsby (<- hasn't actually read it so don't take my word on that one specifically, but like. it's been done before is what i wanna say! just mainly in books. but that does work with bsd at the end of the day! if any manga would mimic the style of books it'd be bsd hehe), and then the main character is dazai

this does align with the light novels more, imo. while he's not the main character of most of them, he is definitely present and moving the story along, same as he is in the main story. despite that, we never see his thoughts or read anything from his pov (i've seen people describe him as "a force" bc of that before, which is interesting, but i find it sort of... dehumanizing? and therefore kinda missing the point of his arc, imo). reading bsd with this thought in mind - that the main character is actually dazai - changes the context of things a lot

[ok this next part is a very crackheaded theory on why that may be that i wrote with the expectation to later add another theory. and then i couldn't come up with another theory to fit the topic i was talking about. so i'm just gonna make it indented and if the grammar/syntax(?) doesn't make a lot of sense. this is why. sorry]

it might've been done as a vague sort of homage to no longer human and the way it's written - the novel opens and closes with the pov of another character, who found yozo's journals years after he wrote them, likely after his death too. right from the start, our view of yozo can be distorted by the way he's described by this unnamed character. in a way, they are the narrator of his story. yes, we read most of it from his own pov, but we step in and out of it through an external view of him. the way we approach him, and the way we leave him, is affected both by the "narrator" and the inn owner who knew him in his life.

if we consider dazai to be the main character of bsd, it's not that out of the question that elements of no longer human will affect it beyond dazai's character alone, and that it might slip into the meta level as well. we view dazai from an outsider's perspective - not just atsushi's, but in the light novels as well - like we technically do with yozo.

it is a bit of a stretch lol i don't know if i actually fully believe that, but it's interesting to think about it that way imo :3

3. it puts a bigger focus on the generational trauma theme of bsd. the story was dazai's, and we're just watching as atsushi "inherits" it. so the light novels describe the background of our current story - the past generation, in a sense - and the manga is the new generation, building upon what's laid out already. but, like in real life, non-metaphorical generations, just because there's a new one doesn't mean the previous gen is dead yet. you can view it as dazai being like a father and atsushi as a son, in a way. just because somehow has a kid doesn't mean their life or their own stories stop, so we get to see it. and since atsushi is like a metaphorical kid, he can't do that much yet, and still has to learn how the world works before he can

yeah i have no idea if that makes sense or if that analogy is clear or not askdjfglkh i'm sorry. this post also ended up being more messy than i thought. hope you enjoyed it anyway tho!

#dan rambles #and my god what a ramble this is #most of this is like. just food for thought. not a clear cut answer to the question. bc i truly don't know! :0 but i think it's interesting #heck maybe asagiri just thought it's an interesting way to write a story or simply got attached to dazai as he wrote more. who knows #i'd love to hear more ideas for this concept. like. the ''why'' behind this choice. if anyone has any c:

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cbrownjc · 2 years ago

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That post about Lestat turning Daniel... I also think it's going to be this way but I have the craziest theory about this: the groan in the penthouse is actually Lestat. He's living there as a hostage. one day, Daniel decides to follow the groan and discovers the prisoner. Lestat somehow convinces Daniel to help him out but Lestat is super hungry and feeds himself from Daniel and escape. Armand decides to turn Daniel to avoid his death.

Hi Anon!

I'm 100% with you on "the groan" being Lestat. However, I don't think Lestat is currently conscious or awake. I think he's asleep/in a coma and creating "the groan" unconsciously. Kind of a spin on him/his body protecting itself when he was in his post-Memnoch the Devil coma.

And yes, I, too, can see Lestat attacking Daniel at the end of S2 after he wakes up, in a kind of shout-out to the end of the 1994 movie.

However, I think Daniel will get saved or something without needing to be turned by Armand, Louis, or even Lestat. Simply because I don't think the show is going to make Daniel a vampire that soon, i.e., at the end of S2.

Daniel has just begun to fulfill his story role as the ordinary human among these fantastical, supernatural characters. Even outside of what's been adapted so far, Daniel has yet to be changed enough over the course of the story of the show to be fully brought into that world just yet.

Plus, audiences who haven't read the books have no idea about Daniel's deeper - i.e., Devil's Minion - connection to all of this, just like Daniel doesn't at the moment. And there isn't time to tell that whole story in just 7-8 eps in S2, not with everything else S2 also has to cover.

The dramatic stakes are significantly lowered if Daniel is turned before he learns everything that took place regarding these things if he is turned before he learns it.

Also, I don't think Daniel would help Lestat out if he was in trouble. Like, not at all. Even if Daniel remembers having maybe met Lestat before in the 80s or something, he still barely knows the guy now, except for what he's heard and been told about by Louis. And what Louis has told him hasn't been all that good, to say the least.

That is partly why I strongly feel Daniel - while still human - will be the one interviewing Lestat in S3 when the show adapts The Vampire Lestat.

First, we already know the show's name isn't going to change in S3, Rolin Jones already said so in an interview. The show will still be called Interview with the Vampire in S3. And you've already got Daniel right there, you don't need to try and introduce another different character and set them up to do the interview for Lestat's life story, that's just wasting time. Also, Lestat just telling the story to himself as he writes it down, or something, is just boring visually. No way are they going to do it that way. The dynamics of a back-and-forth interview, as we've seen in just S1, are much more engaging.

And secondly, I'm pretty sure Daniel will have a low opinion of Lestat and his actions going into such an interview at the start, just like I bet many in the audience will (particularly, again, those who haven't read the books). But, the journalist that Daniel is, he'll still be curious to hear Lestat's side of everything and, therefore, will do the interview.

Daniel will push and ask questions that many watching, especially those who don't know the story, would want to ask. And I expect Daniel's opinions of Lestat will change over the course of the interview with him and learning what he does of Lestat's story and side of things, probably for the better in some significant regards.

But right now? Naw. Daniel wouldn't help Lestat, even if he somehow found him awake and in chains or something. That said, I do kinda think Daniel will either discover or be taken by Armand, Louis, or both and be shown the source of the "the groan" which will be a coma-sleeping Lestat.

As for who finally does turn Daniel, which I think will happen a few seasons from now (like S5 or so)? I could be wrong, and it really could still be Armand. I really do think Armand has Dr. Fareed doing something wrt the levodopa Daniel was given. My mom had Parkinson's, and the only time she was given an IV drip of levodopa was when she was in the hospital. Otherwise, she took her levodopa in pill form. So I think Armand has Dr. Fareed doing something to try and stay Daniel's Parkinson's. Because while I still think Armand is dead set against ever turning someone himself, I don't think he wants Daniel to die, and is looking for other ways to preserve his life.

That's why, IMO, Armand gave Louis that look when Louis offered to turn Daniel in EP6. Armand might have asked Louis to turn Daniel in the past, during the show's version of The Devil's Minion, and Louis refused. (And unlike with Madeline in the books, and possibly what will also happen on the show, Armand didn't try to mentally manipulate Louis into doing so this time.)

In the end, though, as in the books, Armand's hand might finally be forced to realize there is no way to stop Daniel from dying a natural death, and he's just going to have to make a choice to offer to turn him.

The real question is, though, would Daniel accept the offer? And, at the moment, I'm just feeling "no." Because Daniel is in a different place than he was almost 50 years ago. He basically alluded to it himself in EP6.

Unlike when he was in his 20s, being immortal now would now mean watching his daughters grow old and die.

So if Daniel continues to refuse the offer of the Dark Gift, even knowing he's dying (and I think he will), then the only way he's getting turned is if someone turns him against his will. And I just don't know if Armand would ever do that. I, personally, don't think he would.

However, I think Lestat would. And so would Marius.

Marius would do it because he's a controlling ass, and would do it for the same reason he turned Sybelle and Benji in the books IMO.

Lestat, OTOH, I think, would do it for the same reason he forcibly turned David Talbot. Which is that he just wanted to. (And, he didn't want to lose David, which he felt he had when David got his new body, along with a host of other things Lestat thinks about himself at that point, but that's a whole other thing I don't want to go into right now.) Anyway, as far as the show goes, I think Daniel and Lestat might end up having the same kind of friendship and love that book-Lestat and David had.

I know I'm not alone in thinking David Talbot's character has been cut from the show. (I feel more sure of it since Aaron Lightner was cut from The Mayfair Witches series too.) And I think one of the new things that will result in that is that Lestat and Daniel will grow to have an affectionate relationship between them like the one Lestat had with David in the books.

Whether Daniel gets David's body-swapping plot remains to be seen (and could open up a whole other can-of-worms, which I'll refrain from going into here.) Needless to say, I've said elsewhere that the four main characters of the show are Louis, Lestat, Armand, and Daniel, all of whom will have complicated relationships with each other; and I think the way they are going to go into building something between Lestat and Daniel is to pull from the relationship Lestat has with human-David in the books. An older man, who has a long life experience under him, and finds Lestat fascinating while not interested in being turned either, so the relationship develops rather equally.

And ends up with Lestat eventually turning him. And I can fully see the same happening with Daniel.

Damn, can I ever answer an ask without writing an essay in response? I guess not, when I have so many thoughts about this show in my head . . .

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phantomoftheorpheum · 2 years ago

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I thought it was so weird how simon said that someone must've died down there since they can talk to each other, when they know that maddie died there??? like what?

I think that Simon was referring to that specific room (if I understood the basement layout correctly, they went through a door from the room/area where Maddie died into some kind of nuclear fallout shelter in the school). Since Simon couldn't see Maddie just from stepping out of Ms. Fields' room and into the hall, I think he meant that someone else (besides Maddie) must have died in the room next to the one she died in because he could still see her. The thing that initially made me suspicious of Simon (and hasn't entirely left) is how he seems to have a lot of unrequited feelings for Maddie, and he's shown irritation/suspicion of others who get close to her (like, maybe I read it wrong, but it was odd to me that he seemed initially more upset that Maddie didn't call him when she had her accident, than a real fear the Mr. Anderson's behavior was predatory in some way, which seemed like a weird detail to focus on), and his initial grief in the first episode read like potential guilt to me, but that being said, there's a lot of stuff he's done while following Maddie's instructions that would make him look potentially more guilty for her murder, so if he is trying to cover things up, I don't understand why he would do any of that. I don't think it's impossible for him to be the murderer (I actually think it could be a really interesting twist, depending on how it's executed), but I would definitely need a solid explanation for some of his behavior to make sense.

All that being said, I do think the show has been pretty unclear on the boundaries of death and how it interacts with the spaces where Maddie is visible. We know Simon can see her in Mr. Anderson's classroom and Ms. Fields' classroom because those were once the guidance counselor's offices (where Rhonda died). He can see her at the football stadium (tbh I was a little unclear on how much of the stadium that encompassed) because of Wally's death. He can see her in the cafeteria because of Charley. Presumably he can see her in the theater (though I'm not sure we've had a scene with them together in the theater?) because of the girl who died from the falling light. I'm not totally sure about the bus stop? Is that because of the band kids? We also know that he can see her in that shop room where the car is, and I don't think we've gotten an explanation of who died there (unless they're counting the rat, but like... if we're counting animals, you'd think that would cover a lot of ground, so I assume we're not counting the rat)? They also talked in that outdoor/concrete area (covered outdoor basketball court, maybe?) with the picnic tables in episode 2- no clue who died there. And, unless I missed it, we don't know where on campus Mr. Martin, Dawn, or the other two kids who are always around, but never say anything, died yet. You'd think that might be something Maddie would have asked people, because she knows those are the only places she can talk to Simon. It would be nice to understand the rules of the boundaries caused by the deaths. Rhonda died in a room that was divided into two rooms, but both of those rooms still allow Simon to see Maddie, but the moment he steps into the hall, he can't. But then Wally died on the actual football field, but Simon I think could still see Maddie in the stands? I would love some clarification on how that all works.

Anyway, sorry for this incredibly long response- I just really enjoy thinking through the logic/rules of a world, and that one is an interesting one. I am currently on team "Simon is not my #1 suspect, but he is definitely not off the board entirely" atm, because even though I do actually like him, just liking a character is far from enough to clear them.

EDIT: Also, if Simon had killed Maddie, that would be a bit of an explanation as to why he can see her, when no one else seems to have been able to make contact on either side. So far, the only thing they've come up with is like how strong his connection is to her? But why did Mr. Figueroa never see Charley? Why did Wally's mom never see him? We don't know a ton about those relationships (and arguably Wally's mom had a poor connection to him), but it would be an explanation as to why Simon and Maddie are different from those other relationships where the those characters were on school grounds repeatedly and didn't see a lost loved one. But 🤷‍♀️ I could probably talk myself into being suspicious of almost anyone.

#school spirits #school spirits spoilers #school spirits theories #ask #answered #anon #if anyone has any insights then i'd love to hear them!#long post #td

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