#Japan’s Big Three Ghost Stories

[moonmausoleum]

Banchō Sarayashiki — the Ghost of Okiku

One of the more well known ghost stories in Japan is of the poor servant Okiku in the ghost story Banchō Sarayashiki has become the very image of a Japanese ghost story. The girl that died in the well and comes back, forever counting the plates.

One of the more well known ghost stories in Japan is of the poor servant Okiku in the ghost story Banchō Sarayashiki has become the very image of a Japanese ghost story. The girl that died in the well and comes back, forever counting the plates of her master, hoping that one time, she won’t be missing any. Okiku Well: by Katsushika Hokusai, most known for making the The Great Wave off Kanagawa,…

[levi-4uckerman]

: ̗̀➛ satoru gojo x reader // like ghosts in the snow // chapter five pt II

╰┈➤ what goes up, or whatever they say..｡.:*♡

: ̗̀➛ Words: 5.0k : ̗̀➛ TW: pregnancy tests and lots of mentions, nausea/possible emetophobia triggers, light angst, jealousy, breakups

⇘ previous chapter⇙ •┈••✦ ❤ ✦••┈• ⇘  story timeline ⇙

⌦ Tokyo, Japan | March, 2015..｡.:*♡

Days, weeks, a month passed by in a blur. Council meetings, calls from the higher ups interrupting your workday, stifled moans behind closed doors as strong hands gripped and pulled at you desperately. Your life was certainly interesting, and the rhythm you’d fallen into with Satoru was a confusing addition. It felt like the sweetest poison. It coated your tongue and throat with nectar, but left behind a trail of dread as it traveled down to your stomach.

─── ･ ｡ﾟ☆: *.☽ .* :☆ﾟ. ───

⌦ Tokyo, Japan | April, 2015..｡.:*♡

Two months now-- gone. Exhaustion clung to you like a second skin, dragging your every step as you crossed the empty corridors of Jujutsu High. The echo of your boots barely registered, your mind clouded with overlapping thoughts and tension. You had been summoned for a meeting this morning, one that you positively could not miss, or so an advisor had assured you.

Your stomach churned—a queasiness gnawing at your gut. Skipped meals and sleepless nights, you told yourself. You couldn’t keep anything down lately, pushing yourself harder than usual, chasing fragments of cursed energy and twisting whispers of fate into something coherent for those who demanded answers.

Headaches had plagued you for weeks now, blooming into a relentless pressure behind your eyes. It swelled alongside your technique, sometimes so intense you feared that you may faint.

The signs were becoming harder to dismiss. The nausea, the overwhelming fatigue, the strange taste in your mouth that never seemed to fade... Something deeper was wrong. Something you couldn’t yet name.

Around you, Council members discussed their favorite topic of the week: what are the three big clans up to? It had been on their minds, especially with the youngest Zenin and Kamo sorcerers beginning their terms at Jujutsu High within the coming years. You tried to focus, to latch onto their words, but your mind kept drifting, the strange heaviness in your body pulling you inward. Closing you off.

You caught snippets— mentions of alliances, lingering disputes, family squabbles— nothing concrete. It wasn’t until the tail end of one of the many voices sounding off that their words pierced through your haze.

“…And with the Gojo clan’s recent announcement of Satoru’s engagement, we can likely assume that new heirs will follow…”

Your breath caught and you struggled not to choke on your own saliva. The world around you sharpened into painful clarity. The councilman’s words echoed in your mind, sharp and cutting, as though the speaker had driven them straight into your chest and impaled you with them. Engagement. Satoru’s engagement.

You blinked rapidly, your pulse thundering in your ears as the room seemed to tilt around you. For a moment, you were sure that you’d misheard. But the murmurs of agreement around the chamber confirmed your fears— the Gojo clan sought to secure its future through its most powerful member. Satoru Gojo was getting married.

And he hadn’t told you.

The nausea twisted violently in your stomach, and you weren’t sure if it was from the strain of your body or the sudden weight of the news you now carried. Your grip tightened on the folder in your hands, your knuckles white as you fought to keep your expression neutral.

Someone else was speaking now, their voice low and clipped, discussing the implications for the balance of power. You couldn’t make out the details. All you could hear was the echo of those two words. Engagement. Satoru’s engagement.

“…Myoji?”

A voice, louder than the rest, cut through the fog of your mind and pulled your attention back to the room. All eyes were on you now, the Council members staring expectantly. You blinked, your mouth dry as you scrambled to remember what had been asked of you, to piece together the threads of conversation that you hadn’t really been listening to.

“The implications,” the voice clarified, impatient as ever. “What do you see?”

“Oh, yes,” you started, your voice soft but gaining strength. “I see… the balance of power continuing to shift. Slowly. Deliberately. But not without conflict.”

Your response was vague at best—you knew that. The Council seemed to pity you, however, quickly moving on around you. Please let this end soon, you prayed, letting out a slow breath and trying to pull yourself together.

─── ･ ｡ﾟ☆: *.☽ .* :☆ﾟ. ───

The meeting adjourned with its usual drone of formalities and farewells. You barely registered the words, your feet moving on autopilot as you stepped into the hallway. The cool air did nothing to ease the grueling sickness in your stomach.

“Satoru’s engagement… new heirs will follow…” The phrase looped relentlessly in your mind, digging in like a splinter. You gripped the wall for balance, shallow gasps breaking through the haze of panic rising in your chest.

Would he? The unbidden thought sent bile surging up your throat. Unsteady steps carried you to the restroom, where you barely made it to the sink before gagging, your body trembling as it emptied what little you had in your stomach.

The sound echoed in the small space, mingling with the hum of overhead lights. Cold water splashed on your face, but it couldn’t wash away the pale, haunted reflection staring back at you in the mirror. Your hands trembled against the porcelain, knuckles white as questions swirled in your mind.

Why didn’t I see this? You were the Oracle, prized for your ability to see the future, yet this had slipped past you. The trust you’d placed in Satoru stung now. Despite your defenses, he always had a way of making you feel… safe.

The thought of him tightened your chest painfully, his piercing blue eyes and infuriating grin filling your mind. Had he known? The possibility gnawed at you.

A sharp knock jolted you from your thoughts. "Myoji-san?" A hesitant voice—one of the first years. "Are you all right?"

You straightened, swallowing the lump in your throat. "I’m fine," you managed, voice steadier than you expected. "I’ll be out in a moment."

The footsteps faded, and you exhaled shakily, loosening your grip on the sink. Falling apart here wasn’t an option. But the weight of the meeting, of Satoru’s name tied to someone else’s future, pressed down on you like a vice.

Why didn’t he tell me?

You pressed your lips together. Whatever the answer, you’d find out soon enough. Satoru Gojo owed you that much.

─── ･ ｡ﾟ☆: *.☽ .* :☆ﾟ. ───

Looking back, you’d ignored the signs. Things with Satoru had shifted—less caution, more reckless. The pull between you had grown stronger, impossible to resist. When you were together, nothing else mattered.

You’d convinced yourself it was fine. Your technique had always been your safety net, guiding you through every risk. But this time, there was nothing—no whispers, no warnings. Just… silence.

You took that silence as a reprieve, a break from the weight of constant consequences. You never imagined it meant you were walking into a storm unprepared.

But now, with your churning stomach and the ache of exhaustion pulling at you, you couldn’t help but wonder if your technique hadn’t been silent after all—if it had simply allowed you to make your choice, to walk the path it already knew you’d take.

The thought lingered in the back of your mind as you carried on with your day, feeling as if your body were made of lead. Every step felt heavier, every word spoken to you sounded distant, muffled by the storm raging quietly inside you. You told yourself to push it down, to bury it for now. You had responsibilities. The Council. The students. There was no time to dwell on what might be.

“Satoru. Engagement. New heirs.”

And yet, you should have known the day wouldn’t let you avoid him. Fate had always been cruel like that.

The moment you turned the corner, your heart sank. There he was, strolling down the hallway with his usual careless ease, his white hair catching the light with every step. He was mid-conversation with Ijichi, but the moment his eyes landed on you, he stopped, his grin widening as if he’d been waiting all day for this moment.

“Shi-chan!” Satoru called out, waving like the sight of you could brighten his entire day.

You froze. Your breath caught in your throat, and there was no escape. Not here, not with him staring at you with that infuriating mix of teasing and warmth that you hated how much you missed.

Fate had always been cruel. And now, locking eyes with him, you realized how cruel it could be.

He waved Ijichi off with a casual flick of his hand and closed the distance between you in long, unhurried strides. Your posture stiffened, and you knew he’d notice. Could he see the tension in your shoulders? The faint tremble in your hands?

More than that, could he sense it? Your cursed energy was frayed, spilling through the cracks of your composure like sand. You knew he could read it as easily as the air around him. Would he say anything? Would he press?

“Satoru,” you said, forcing the word out, your mouth dry and voice rough. Another wave of nausea rolled through you, and you fought a grimace. You swallowed it down, keeping your eyes locked on him as he stopped in front of you.

He tilted his head, his grin maddeningly casual. “Shi-chan,” he said, his voice warm, like nothing had changed. Like everything was fine.

But it wasn’t. You couldn’t muster a smile. For the first time, you felt like you didn’t know the man standing in front of you. Or maybe you never had.

You didn’t know the warmth in his grin, or the way his blue eyes sparked with quiet amusement, as intimately as you once believed. Or maybe you’d never really known him at all.

His eyes flicked over you, perceptive as always, but he didn’t comment. Instead, he waved a hand lazily in front of your face. “You okay there?” he teased lightly. “You look like you’ve seen a ghost.”

Your nails bit into your palms as you fought to steady your voice. “I’m fine,” you replied, though the words felt hollow.

His grin faltered, just barely. For a moment, the silence between you felt unbearable, heavy with all the things you couldn’t say.

He didn’t call out your lie. He rarely did, knowing when you were hiding something but letting you keep it buried. Instead, he got straight to the point, bluntness softened by charm. “I’ve got a break in about an hour,” he said casually, as though he hadn’t just cornered you in a hallway.

“Satoru. Engagement. New heirs.”

“Maybe sooner, if something urgent comes up.” His eyes sparkled with a familiar playfulness, the kind that told you exactly what he had in mind. A lazy afternoon in his office, maybe, or a walk through the grounds where no one would bother you. He’d slip his arm around your waist, tug you closer, make you laugh the way he always did.

You’d have jumped at the opportunity any other day. Hell, you’d have jumped at it if he’d asked you three hours ago. But now, standing here, seeing him in front of you, hearing his voice… hurt.

It hurt in ways you hadn’t expected.

You realized then, with a clarity that took your breath away, that what the Council had let slip wasn’t something you were ever supposed to know. It was a secret. A carefully constructed, deliberate omission. One that Satoru had no intention of sharing with you.

And that hurt more than anything else.

You swallowed hard, your mouth dry, the sickness from earlier threatening to resurface. “I can’t,” you said, your voice quieter than you’d intended. You averted your eyes, fixing them on the wooden floor. “I’ve got too much on my plate today.”

Satoru tilted his head, a flicker of something unreadable crossing his face. “Really?” he asked, his tone light, but the teasing edge had softened. “Too much for me, huh?”

You nodded stiffly in confirmation. “Yeah. Too much for you.”

The silence stretched between you, heavy and suffocating, until he finally stepped back with a lazy shrug. “All right, Shi-chan. Rain check?”

The smile he gave you didn’t reach his eyes. And for once, you didn’t feel guilty for letting it linger unanswered.

─── ･ ｡ﾟ☆: *.☽ .* :☆ﾟ. ───

You went home early that day. You didn’t care if Satoru found out. You didn’t care if anyone found out. The nausea had become unbearable, your stomach twisting with every step as though your body was rebelling against the weight of your own thoughts. Your phone buzzed incessantly in your bag, executives firing off email after email demanding predictions, timelines, answers. You silenced it without a second glance.

It wasn’t like you to take sick leave, and you knew word would spread quickly—Myoji Shiori, the Council’s prized Oracle, walking out mid-shift.

Was it horrible that part of you wanted it to? That you wanted someone to see the cracks in your composure, to wonder if you’d been pushed too far?

Your first stop wasn’t home. It wasn’t the quiet solace of your favorite corner of the city. It was a shadowy little shop squeezed between a crumbling pachinko parlor and an izakaya with faded lanterns, far from the orderly streets surrounding the school. The sign overhead flickered erratically, half the kanji obscured by grime, and the dingy interior smelled faintly of mildew and old cardboard. The buzz of fluorescent lights overhead mixed with the muffled sounds of drunken laughter filtering in from the street outside, making the place feel both suffocating and strangely anonymous. It was exactly what you needed—somewhere no one would think to find you.

You weaved between rows of brightly colored labels and neatly stacked boxes. The section you were looking for wasn’t hard to find, tucked near the shelves of feminine hygiene products, as if hoping to go unnoticed. When you stopped in front of it, your chest tightened.

The shelves were lined with choices—digital, early detection, two-pack, five-pack, bold promises of “99% accuracy” printed in crisp Japanese characters. Your fingers hovered uncertainly before you finally reached out, plucking one box off the shelf. Then another. And another. Soon, your arms were full, trembling under the weight of flimsy cardboard packaging that somehow felt heavier than anything you’d ever carried.

Ten. You’d grabbed ten, your mind too clouded to think about whether that was too much or not enough. Each box seemed to scream at you with its branding, demanding answers you weren’t sure you were ready to face. The packaging looked familiar enough, even if the brands weren’t, but the uniform neatness of the display made the moment feel oddly clinical.

You glanced around, your gaze flicking to the nearby aisles. The store clerk at the counter was busy scanning a customer’s items, their attention elsewhere, but the thought of being seen still made your stomach twist. You dumped the tests into your basket in a rush, the motion awkward and frantic, as though speed might somehow make the moment less real. The weight of the basket in your hand felt impossibly heavy, each step toward the register adding to the tightness in your chest.

The automatic doors slid open with a hiss as you stepped out into the cool afternoon air. The neon lights from nearby signs flickered against the wet pavement, and the faint scent of rain lingered in the air. You clutched the bag tighter, letting the distant hum of traffic drown out your thoughts as you headed toward the nearest train station, the test burning in your pocket like a question you couldn’t ignore.

You’d taken a step. A tiny, terrifying step toward an answer. But the question loomed larger than ever: Did you even want to know?

When you tried to use your technique, it was like grasping at smoke.

Your chest tightened as you tried again and again, each fruitless attempt making your head spin faster, faster. The threads flickered before you, weaving in and out of sight, but each time you reached for them, they slipped away. They felt tangled, obscured, as if they were deliberately hiding from you.

You opened your eyes, your breath uneven. Maybe it was stress. Maybe it was the fatigue that had been weighing you down for weeks now, stealing your focus and muddling your thoughts. Or maybe… maybe your technique wasn’t meant for this.

The thought hit you harder than you expected, a sharp pang of frustration and fear twisting in your chest. You’d relied on your clairvoyance for so long, trusted it to guide you, to protect you from mistakes. And now, when you needed it most, it was silent.

─── ･ ｡ﾟ☆: *.☽ .* :☆ﾟ. ───

When you reached your apartment, you bolted the door behind you. Your fingers moving on autopilot as you activated a barrier—a simple but effective wall of cursed energy that ensured no one, not even Satoru, could cross without your permission. It was obvious, he would see it from miles away, but at least he couldn’t sneak up on you.

You leaned back against the door, your chest rising and falling as you tried to steady your breathing. You couldn’t let him see you like this. Not yet. Not until you knew for sure.

The thin boxes rustled faintly in your bag, a reminder of the decision you’d made, the answers you needed.

Before you could confront him, before you could even think about it, you had to know. This wasn’t about him. Not yet.

This was about you. About the fragile, terrifying truth that might be waiting just beneath the surface.

─── ･ ｡ﾟ☆: *.☽ .* :☆ﾟ. ───

You took all ten tests.

When the first one came back positive, you froze. Your breath caught, and for a moment, the world around you seemed to blur. It wasn’t real—it couldn’t be real. Your shaking hands reached for another test, fumbling with the flimsy packaging as your pulse pounded in your ears. You told yourself it was a mistake, a fluke. The test was wrong. It had to be.

But the second one came back the same.

And the third.

By the fourth, your legs were weak, and you sank onto the cold bathroom floor, the edges of the tile pressing into your skin as you opened another box. Your hands trembled so badly that the cheap plastic nearly slipped through your shaking fingers, and you struggled to steady it, whispering under your breath, Please, no. Please, just let this one be negative.

The minutes stretched endlessly as you stared at the sink, where the first three sat like silent witnesses. The fourth joined them, its result stark and undeniable.

Positive. Always positive.

You kept going. Five. Six. Seven. Each one delivered the same verdict, and each time, your chest tightened a little more. By the eighth, tears blurred your vision, and you struggled to read the result through the haze.

You finally stopped at number ten, your hands falling limply to your sides as the final proof stared back at you. A jumble of pink and blue lines, tiny plastic windows blinking Pregnant, sat in a messy pile on the sink.

Your breath came in shallow, shaky gasps as you stared at them, your mind racing through an endless reel of questions you couldn’t answer. How had this happened? You’d been careful… No—you hadn’t. Not with him. Not with Satoru. Careful had never been part of what you shared with him.

Your head pounded as emotions swirled inside you, one crashing into the next before you could even name them. Disbelief, sharp and cold, settled first. This wasn’t real. It couldn’t be real.

But it was.

Dread came next, clawing its way up your throat, twisting your stomach into knots. This would change everything. Your life, your work, the fragile balance you’d fought so hard to maintain.

Then there was anger. At him, at yourself, at the universe for letting this happen. For taking something so complicated, so fragile, and making it even harder to hold together.

And beneath it all, buried deep, was something softer. Something you didn’t want to name but couldn’t ignore. Joy. It was faint, like the first light of morning, but it was there, warming the edges of your fear and leaving you breathless in its wake.

You pressed your hands against your knees, trying to steady the trembling in your body as you stared at the pile of tests. Ten. Ten confirmations of the truth you couldn’t escape.

You were pregnant.

And nothing in your life would ever be the same.

Your phone buzzed angrily in your pocket, the vibration slicing through the suffocating stillness of the bathroom like a knife. It startled you, dragging your focus away from the pile of pregnancy tests scattered on the sink—the undeniable, irrefutable truth staring back at you.

You fumbled for your phone, heart dropping as you glanced at the screen.

Satoru.

For a moment, you hesitated, frozen as his name glared at you, demanding your attention. Then, with trembling fingers, you hit decline, the sound of it cutting off abruptly.

You sagged back against the wall, your breaths shallow and uneven. But the relief was short-lived.

The phone buzzed again, his name lighting up the screen almost immediately. The audacity of it made your jaw clench. You declined again, but the vibrations resumed before you could even lower the phone. He wasn’t giving up. Of course, he wasn’t.

Your hands shook as you stared at the device, your thoughts spiraling. Why now? Did he sense something? Did he know? Or was this just another one of his perfectly-timed interruptions, the kind that always left you teetering on the edge of losing control?

You started to lower your guard when it vibrated again—a text this time.

Shi-chan, I’m outside.

Your breath hitched.

You opened the message, your thumb trembling as you read the next line:

Answer your phone, or I’m coming in. Barrier or not.

The weight of those words crashed over you, your chest tightening as you reread them. The threat wasn’t empty. You knew him well enough to understand that. If he was outside, he wouldn’t wait much longer.

Your fingers curled tightly around the phone, and for a moment, you debated letting him try. Let him destroy the barrier, let him walk into this mess you hadn’t asked for, let him see what you couldn’t bring yourself to say.

But you couldn’t. You wouldn’t.

Five minutes, Shi-chan. Then I’m coming in. And I’d hate to piss off your neighbors.

You groaned, pressing the phone against your forehead as your legs threatened to give out beneath you. Of course, he wouldn’t leave it alone. Satoru Gojo didn’t leave anything alone.

You shoved the tests back into the bag, your hands shaking as you crammed the jumble of plastic sticks and cardboard boxes beneath the sink. The cabinet door banged shut with a hollow sound that seemed to echo in the cramped bathroom. You leaned against it for a moment, closing your eyes and drawing in a long, shuddering breath.

Keep it to yourself, you told yourself firmly. For now.

The weight of the decision settled uneasily on your chest, but you pushed it down. This thing—whatever it was—you couldn’t face it yet. And you couldn’t face him with it, either. Not now.

But something was becoming increasingly clear to you. “Satoru. Engagement. New heirs.”

Your hands found the edges of the sink as you pulled yourself to your feet. You dried your face on a hand towel, forcing your eyes up to meet your own reflection. They were still red, still puffy, but clear enough to hold resolve.

This thing we have together needs to stop.

The thought echoed louder than you’d expected, sharper this time. It wasn’t just about the Council or the rumors of his engagement. It wasn’t even about the weight of the tests hidden beneath the sink. It was about everything that had led to this moment—the tangled mess of your feelings for him and the undeniable truth that you were too far in, too vulnerable to keep going without breaking.

You pressed your hands flat against the counter, staring into your own tired eyes. You would confront him about the engagement. You’d ask him for answers, demand the truth. That would be enough to explain your sudden departure, the barrier you’d thrown up as soon as you got home, the tear tracks still drying on your face.

It had to be.

─── ･ ｡ﾟ☆: *.☽ .* :☆ﾟ. ───

As you stepped out of the bathroom, your chest tightened. Doubt clawed up your spine, relentless and unforgiving.

When you faced Satoru, would he see it? Would those Six Eyes strip away the walls you’d built, revealing everything you were desperate to hide?

You’d read about it once, the abilities of his cursed technique. How it saw cursed energy at an atomic level, down to the finest thread. Could it see the thing growing inside of you? Could it see the blood pumping through its fragile, half-formed heart, the life you hadn’t yet come to terms with?

Your trembling hand gripped the doorknob. If he could see it, would he speak it aloud? Would he force the truth into the open before you were ready to hear it?

You drew in a shaky breath. The barrier dissolved with a flicker of cursed energy, and the air grew heavier, dense with his presence.

When the door opened, he was there. No smirk, no teasing glint in his eye. His expression was sharp, serious, and the way his gaze searched yours made your chest ache.

You froze, hand clutching the doorknob, as his cursed energy brushed over you—steady, deliberate, stripped of its usual chaotic edge. For once, he didn’t try to charm his way past your defenses.

"We need to stop." The words tumbled out, rushed and trembling but resolute. Tears pricked your waterline, and you hated how close you felt to breaking.

Satoru sighed, the sound low and weary. “Shi-chan, again? Listen, I know you’re stressed—”

“Are you engaged, Satoru?”

The question sliced through his sentence like a blade, sharp and unforgiving. Your tone wasn’t curious—it was knowing. It froze his words mid-thought, demanding an answer he wasn’t ready to give.

His eyes widened—not in shock, but recognition. The fluster in his expression, the way his mouth opened and closed as if searching for words, the blush creeping to his cheeks—it was all you needed to see.

“Shiori,” he began, his voice softer now, cautious. But you didn’t let him finish.

“Don’t.” Your voice cut through the air between you. “Don’t explain it away. Just tell me if it’s true.”

He ran a hand through his hair, gaze darting between yours and the floor. His silence spoke louder than words.

“It’s not… not true—” he began, stumbling, his usual confidence replaced with something raw.

“I need real answers, Gojo,” you snapped, spitting his surname like a curse. “Real answers, or I will never speak to you again.”

The silence that followed was deafening. His shoulders sagged slightly, tension betraying the storm behind his eyes. “It’s not what you think,” he said quietly, almost pleading.

“Then tell me what it is,” you demanded, voice trembling. Tears threatened, but you held them back.

For a moment, his mask slipped—regret, fear, desperation flickered across his face. But it passed too quickly, replaced by his infuriating charm, now a defense more than a weapon.

“You don’t understand,” he said, words faltering. “It’s just a stupid clan thing, Shi-chan. It doesn’t mean anything.”

“It doesn’t mean anything?” Disbelief laced your voice. “They announced your engagement, and that doesn’t mean anything?”

“I didn’t let them—” he started, his voice rising, but you cut him off.

“Then what did you do, Satoru?” Your voice cracked as you took a step closer, the weight of your emotions crashing over you. “Because from where I’m standing, it looks a lot like you kept it from me. Like you lied.”

“I didn’t lie,” he said, desperate. “I was trying to fix it, okay? I just—I needed more time.”

The tears spilled over. “You don’t get to decide that, Satoru. You don’t get to keep me in the dark and expect me to be okay with it!”

His hands twitched, like he wanted to reach for you but didn’t know if he should. His lips parted, but no words came, leaving the silence to stretch between you.

“I don’t even care if it’s true or not,” you confessed, your voice trembling as the lines of his perfect fucking face blurred through your tears. “I can’t keep doing this with you. Not anymore.”

He flinched, just barely. But you pressed on.

“You need to figure your shit out,” you spat, anger and grief lacing your words. “Go marry a sorceress from a prestigious clan who will give you strong heirs. That’s what they want, right?”

His jaw tightened, yet he said nothing.

“They won’t stop breathing down your neck until you give it to them, Satoru,” you continued, your voice breaking on his name. “So just… just go. This has gone on long enough.”

The silence that followed was broken only by your uneven breaths. You couldn’t look at him, couldn’t bear to see whatever expression he wore.

But you felt it—the weight of his gaze, heavy and unrelenting. It burned through the space between you, thick with unsaid words.

“Shi-chan—” he started, his voice quieter now, but you cut him off.

“Don’t,” you said, shaking your head as more tears slipped down your cheeks. “Don’t try to make this better. You can’t.”

You took a shaky step back, your arms wrapping around yourself as if to hold yourself together. “Just go, Satoru.”

His cursed energy flickered around him, unsettled and restless, but he didn’t move. He just stood there, staring at you with those impossibly blue eyes, his expression torn between defiance and something you couldn’t name.

For a moment, you thought he might argue, might fight you on this like he always did. But then he sighed, a sound that carried the weight of a thousand unsaid words, and turned toward the door.

And when it closed behind him, the silence that followed was worse than anything he could have said.

─── ･ ｡ﾟ☆: *.☽ .* :☆ﾟ. ───

See my listing on AO3 for a short short bonus chapter ft. angsty teen Megumi! (´ω｀*) perhaps leave a kudos or comment maybe idk haha >_>

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This is Chapter 5 of a multi-chapter fic to be crossposted to AO3. Taglist below as requested. @starlightglimmersworld @mccookiemonster @leilakaro @certainduckanchor @itsbellablue-blog @shokosbunny @megumisthirdog @thegh0stwife @54fangirl @misslovingpearl @idkuluka @bitchycloudstrawberry @pinkpunkdynamite @theclassbookworm @okaywitheverything @7ds4ever

[fanfictionstuff]

Amaimon x reader soulmate AU - part one

I don't know how to format this on tumblr. I just wanted to write a short Amaimon soulmate AU. Obviously, I got a little carried about because it'll be at least two, maybe three chapters.

“Big brother, what’s this?” Amaimon questions, holding up his left hand. Upon his arrival in Assiah, an odd red string has materialized on his little finger, and it doesn’t have a physical presence. Each time Amaimon attempts to touch it, his hand passes through. It hangs around sixteen centimeters from his finger before vanishing in thin air, leaving the demon confused.

Mephisto raises a brow. “I don’t see anything. What is it?”

“You don’t see the red string?”

The King of Time swiftly turns away from the younger demon, suppressing a smile. "A red string? I'm afraid I don't see it. Perhaps it's just an illness until your body adjusts to life in Assiah?" He lies through his teeth. I can’t wait to see how this plays out.

The following day, Amaimon slams a book down on Mephisto's desk. "This book claims that a red string of fate connects soulmates. But mine is severed. Does this mean she's dead?" He asks, gazing at the frayed string in his hand. However, he doesn't seem too concerned about the possibility of her death. Mephisto shrugs nonchalantly, "I can't say for sure. I don't have a string myself, and it's becoming increasingly rare for people in the human world to have one. It's possible that your soulmate could have died hundreds or even thousands of years ago.

“Oh. Okay.”

And with that, Amaimon ignores the odd string on his finger. Instead, his attention turns to exploring Japan.

------

“Rin, you think the spirit of a little boy is evil?” You give Rin a look of disapproval as he attempts to keep Shiemi and you safe. “____, is right, Rin.” You nod. “I’m always right when it involves him.”

Rin stammers through his response, explaining that he wants to keep both of you safe and advising you to listen to him. "Hey! Are either of you even listening to me?" Rin's expression turns stern as he notices you and Shiemi engrossed in your phone. "He's been like this since we were kids; I've learned just to ignore him." You remark to Shiemi, not bothering to look up at Rin. Watching a video compilation of the ghost's appearances gives you some clues about its possible location in the amusement park. Shiemi timidly suggests, "Perhaps it would be easier if we split up? We can each take a different area to search for him." She looks between you and Rin nervously, hoping it’s a good idea the two of you will approve of. 

You nod. “Great idea, Shiemi. It’ll save us a lot of time; which area do you want to go to?”

You watch her as she makes her way to the funhouse. “Shiemi has never been to an amusement park before. Do you think she’ll be okay in the funhouse?” You grin at Rin. “Remember the first time you went in one? You busted your nose after running into the glass in the maze.”  The memory of five-year-old Rin with a bloody nose flashes through your mind; he was so angry. “I hope she doesn’t rush into a mirror or something while chasing him.”

“Do you think we should warn her?” A panicked look crosses Rin’s face. He remembers how much it hurt and doesn’t want Shiemi to have to go through something similar. “Nah, if she does, it’ll be a funny story for her to share.”

“But-“

“No buts- just go look by the rollercoaster. I’ll check out the game stalls.” You nudge him in the direction of the rollercoaster before turning to leave.

The first stall that catches your eye has a goldfish scooping game inside. You can't help but frown at the sight of the fish, some floating lifelessly at the top. How long have they been stuck in the park without being cared for? When was the last time someone fed them?Although you should be searching for the ghost, you feel compelled to clean up the little pool. Maybe it will attract the spirit's attention? Fortunately, there is a freshwater hose nearby. You can drain and refill the small pool holding the fish. You spot a large white bucket that could hold all of the fish while you clean up their pool. It couldn't make things any worse, right? Lost in thought about the neglected fish, you begin cleaning when your main focus should be finding the missing boy. There’s enough of you guys in the park. Taking a moment to care for the fish shouldn't be a big deal.

As the pool starts to fill, the lights suddenly flicker on, and the rollercoaster roars to life. Who turned on the electricity? Wait Rin, he’s at the rollercoaster, right? Your thoughts are confirmed when you see a burst of blue flames. What is Rin doing? It’s a tiny ghost child. There’s no way a ghost has caused this much trouble. So, what is Rin attacking?

What do I do? On the one hand, Rin is your best friend. On the other hand, you’ll be completely useless and might even get in the way. Yukio surely has noticed and is probably on his way there. It’s probably best for me to stay out of the way. 

You frown. “What happened?!” Rin is on his knees, looking distressed and battered. “Rin, we’re only supposed to find the ghost! What were you doing? Was there a fight? What happened?” You motion to his beaten body. “And your tail, why is it visible? You need to hide it.”

——-

“Big Brother.” Mephisto frowns at the young demon crawling through his window. “Amaimon, use the door.”

Amaimon ignores the comment. Instead, he lifts his left hand, his eyes following the new length of his string. “It’s longer.” His gaze follows it out the window, though it does seem to disappear at some point. Farther away, much farther. “Oh? Maybe your soulmate has just been born.” Mephisto rubs his chin in thought. He can’t truly say what it means. It’s rare enough for humans to have soulmates. He’s never come across a demon who has a red string. “In that case, you’ll have to wait at least eighteen years.” He shrugs nonchalantly. 

Amaimon squats down, biting on his right thumbnail while lifting his left little finger to his eyes. “I want to find her.”

“I don’t think that’s a wise decision.” He tells Amaimon with a tired glance. Just this morning, Amaimon didn’t care about the idea of his soulmate possibly being deceased. Is it because the red string is now most likely connecting them that Amaimon suddenly feels more attached to her? 

Mephisto’s words fall on deaf ears as Amaimon disappears just as quickly as he appeared.

As you listen to Rin’s story, you settle comfortably on his bed. “A demon king?” You raise a brow. “And your sword was taken by Yamada, who isn’t really a student; they’re that woman with red and yellow hair, whose real name is Shura?” 

“Yes.”

“Aw, I should’ve gone to see for myself. I stayed back because I didn’t want to get in the way, but now I’m really curious. Tell me, what did he look like? He’s a king, you said Demon King of Earth? Was he like some kind of massive stone demon?" You imagine a gross-looking demon that might fit. “What? No. He looked more human than that. I don’t know- I wasn’t exactly focused on his appearance. He definitely looked strange; he had green hair and was dressed really weirdly.” Rin leans back in his chair and gazes up at the ceiling. “Why do you care what he looks like anyway?”

You shrug. “Just curious. You said he’s a demon king. So, I couldn’t help but wonder what a demon king looks like. Anyway, from what you said, it’s amazing you’re still alive. Pretty sure the rest of us wouldn’t have survived that.” You quickly bite your tongue, not wanting to inflate his ego too much with compliments. If you do, he’ll probably be insufferably proud for the next week.

———- 

You let out a heavy sigh and run your hand down your face. Today has been exhausting. Wait. Suddenly, you sit up straight in the bed, noticing something different about your left hand. “IT’S LONG! RIN IT’S LONG!” Excitement rushes through you as you jump off the bed and shove your little finger in Rin’s face, forgetting for a moment that he can’t see it. “What is- wait, are you talking about your string?” You nod, excitedly. The string had been there your whole life, though cut off and only around fifteen centimeters long. Why has it been extended now? “Yes! It’s long, but I don’t know how long.” You nudge him gently to the side so you can see it leading out the window, “It’s really long. Oh my god, what do I do?”

Rin follows your gaze, even though he can’t see the string. “Does that mean you have a soulmate?” Your excitement starts to twist with nervousness. “I guess? But who could it be? And why did it show up now.” A curious look crosses Rin’s face. “Huh, maybe they were just born?” 

“No! Don’t say that. I’m eighteen.” You slap his shoulder. “Anyway, should I try to follow it? I kind of want to try to follow it.” You grin brightly. 

“Follow it?” 

“Yes? What else am I supposed to do? Just stare at the now extended string?”

“So, it just suddenly became longer, in this moment?” Rin questions.

“Actually, I don’t know.” 

“What? How do you not notice a long red string as soon as it appears?!” 

You shove Rin back. “I don’t know, I never pay attention to it, and it’s really thin so I didn’t notice it on the ground. It’s like a string of thread.” Even now you wouldn’t have noticed if you hadn’t really focused on it. “Would it be weird if I start to follow it now?” 

“The sun is about to set _____, demon activity will be higher.” Rin reminds. 

“You gonna go with me to protect me?” You joke. However, Rin misses the joke, and his ego inflates. “Yes.” He puffs out his chest. “I’ll even protect you from your soulmate if needed.” 

“Never mind, I’ll look by myself.” 

“____!”

As you step out into the dimming light of the evening, you follow the red string with growing anticipation. Rin stays close behind, a mix of protectiveness and curiosity evident in his demeanor. The string leads you through the streets, twisting and turning in unexpected directions that make you wonder where it might ultimately lead.

After what feels like hours of following the string, you find yourself standing in front of a streetlight. Your eyes widen as you glance up, then quickly snap back to Rin. “Hey Rin, could you grab something in that shop? I’m kind of hungry.” 

“You can’t go yourself?” 

“You know what I like here, get something for yourself too.” You shove some money in his hands when you’re sure he’s in the shop; you lift your hand, eyes slowly following the string on your finger to the finger of the figure sitting on top of the streetlight. Your soulmate. “Is it safe to assume you’re the demon that fought Rin today?” Even with Rin’s poor description. This demon above you fits what he said. With his choice in style, it’s hard to focus on one part: his long burgundy jacket, odd forest green arm warmers, and shorts with tights? His red striped shirt with a beige vest and tie matched his shirt. It’s a lot to take in. “Yes, I went to play with him, but he was no fun.” His tone is childish and blunt. “So, you’re my soulmate, right?” He questions, waving his hand in the air. The light reflects in his golden eyes, making them almost seem to glow. “You smell odd.” The demon jumps from the light, landing just centimeters from you, nearly nose to nose. Odd? You take a step back, embarrassment washing over you. This demon, your soulmate, thinks you smell odd. “I like it.” At his words, calmness washes away the embarrassment. “What’s your name?” As he speaks, he reaches for your left hand, observing the string that connects you. 

[konjaku]

現の証拠|験の証拠[Gennoshōko] Geranium thunbergii

現[Gen] : Actuality

験[Gen] : Effectiveness

の[No] : Of

証拠[Shōko] : Proof, evidence

The name means "the real proof". It has long been used as a stomachic and is one of the three major folk medicines of Japan. Another name is 神輿草[Mikoshigusa]. 神輿[Mikoshi] means portable shrine.

The following is part of a comical story set in the Edo period written by Yamamoto Shūgorō. And this includes a passage written in the original usage of 現の証拠.

ここに到って、前紙屑買いは叫びだした。 「あっしゃあ云うでやす、人間は生きてるうちのこった、あの世を頼みに歯をくいしばっていたって、あの世にも決していいことはねえ、なにもかにも、生きてるうちのこってやす。悪辣な野郎とわかってる者を旦那とたてちゃあいけねえ、非道な御政治に眼をつぶっちゃあいけねえ、ただ正直なだけではだめだ、弱い者は強くなり、貧乏人でも女房子の仕合せは護らなくちゃあいけねえ、生きてるうちにそうしなくちゃあならねえでやす、生きてるうちにでがす」そして彼は額の瘤を撫でた、「現の証拠はこのとおり、ゆうれいになってもあっしのような男はこのとおりでやす、見ておくんなさい、このでけえ瘤を、もうたくさんでやす、ほほほほ、たくさんでやす」

Listen from 1:01:56 to 1:03:06 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YxYVzXaH7jg&t=3716s At this point, the paper scrap buying man before his death began to shout. "I'm going to tell you now. Human beings are everything while they are alive. Even if you live with suffering in this world with your hopes pinned on the next life, it will never be good even in the next life, either. Everything is only while you are alive. Don't keep a guy you know to be villainous in countenance as the master of a house. Don't tolerate outrageous politics. You can't just be honest. The weak must be strong and the poor must protect the happiness of their wives and children. You must do so while you are alive, while you are alive." And he patted the bump on his cheek. "The proof is, you see, this. A man like me is like this even as a ghost. Look at this big bump. I've had enough of this. Ha ha ha ha, I've had enough." From ゆうれい貸屋[Yūrei kashi-ya](The ghost rental store) Source: https://www.aozora.gr.jp/cards/001869/files/57766_72830.html

[chikaarisilver]

MEET MY PARTY!

PJO Ocs Edition

So I had the silly idea of introducing the main characters of Immortal Legacy, the PJO based rp campaing I've been playing with my friends since 2019! After so many years, we've done a lot of adventures together and this story has a very special place in my heart <3

P.D.: these are old artworks (2023 I think?), as I am currently working on updated individual character sheets :3

> Silver "Chi"

My character (aka the sona I made when I was 13 lmao)!

Godly parent: Hades

Pronouns: she/ her

Age: 15 at the beggining of rp, 16 now

Fatal flaw: trustfullness

Weapon: styxian sword

Powers: shadow travel and necromancy (good control), geokinesis, osteokinesis, umbrakinesis... (medium control), ferrokinesis (little control), cryokinesis (no control, only fueled by strong negative emotions).

Personality: really shy at first. Stubborn, sarcastic and impulsive, but also loyal and caring for her friends.

When her mortal mother passed away, Hades took custody of her. Silver left to live in the underworld without saying anything, leaving her mortal little brother behind. In the years that Silver spent in the Underworld, she was being trained by Achilles' ghost and met her best friend Lea, a boy who was being tutored by Medea!

After so many years missing in the Underworld, no authorities were able to find her, so she was presumed dead. Her goal is to find her mortal brother, who is somewhere in NY, but the fates may have other plans...

> Leandro/ Kleanthes "Lea"

Godly parent: Hekate

Pronouns: he/him

Age: 15 at the beggining of rp, 16 now

Fatal flaw: hubris

Weapon: a magic crosier

Powers: very lots of magic. Not only control over the Mist, but real witchy levels of magic. Very skilled in the majority of it, he's considered one of the most powerfull descendants of Hekate.

Personality: friendly, funny and always supportive, but also highly competitive. Can be ruthless and proud sometimes, but that's not something you should worry about as long as you're on his side.

Hekate took Lea with her to the Underworld when the Fates announced a great future for him, even tho he was still a baby. Since then, Lea has been studying magic from different tutors. First from Pasiphaë, then from Medea. When he was 14 he traveled to Eea, as Circe's new apprentice. There he met the only person who was able to match his magic: Millicent, a daugther of Bacchus and his most hated academical rival. After graduating at Circe's Lea returned to New York, looking for Chi.

> Yu-Shin "Yu"

Godly parent: Nemesis

Pronouns: he/him

Age: 19 at the beggining of rp, 20 now

Fatal flaw: loyalty

Weapon: katana

Powers: Energy balance: when in disadvantage, his stats can boost to match his opponent. The boost increases if the source of his reason is vengance.

Personality: sincere, responsible, friendly and protective! Definitely the big brother anyone would want.

Moved out from Japan with his father to New York, where he lived a no-so-lethal childhood. Started to attend Camp Half-Blood at the age of 11 every summer and, eventually, moved there all year round. He's actually captain of cabin 16 and the sword teacher of younger demigods.

These three have a siblings dinamic that makes me so emotional, found family has and always be my favorite trope. THIS is my GOLDEN TRIO. Seriously, I can't spend a day without thinking about them 😭😭😭 Feel free to ask anything about them! If you ask vía question box in my profile I'll happily answer with some doodles :3

You'll probably see me posting more Immortal Legacy content as I'm adapting ALL 6 years of roleplay into a comic!!

[olderthannetfic]

what is the name of the chinese genre with pentagrams and dragons/serpents and stuff

--

*cackling*

Okay, other people are welcome to weigh in here, but to the best of my knowledge, the three big fantasy genres from China that we tend to be exposed to are Xianxia, Wuxia, and Xuanhuan.

Here are the definitions from one of my favorite glossaries:

Novel Categories

Wuxia (武俠 wǔxiá) – literally means “Martial Heroes”. Fictional stories about regular humans who can achieve supernatural fighting ability through Chinese martial arts training and internal energy cultivation. Themes of chivalry, tragedy, revenge & romance are common.

Xianxia (仙侠 xiānxiá) – literally means “Immortal Heroes”. Fictional stories featuring magic, demons, ghosts, immortals, and a great deal of Chinese folklore/mythology. Protagonists (usually) attempt to cultivate to Immortality, seeking eternal life and the pinnacle of strength. Heavily inspired by Daoism.Comparison: If Wuxia is “low fantasy”, then Xianxia is “high fantasy”.

Xuanhuan (玄幻 xuánhuàn) – literally means “Mysterious Fantasy”. A broad genre of fictional stories which remixes Chinese folklore/mythology with foreign elements & settings.Xuanhuan and Xianxia novels may sometimes seem similar on the surface. Look for the presence of Daoist elements (the Dao, Yin and Yang, Immortals, etc…) in the novel to easily distinguish the two – if they aren’t present, then it’s probably a Xuanhuan novel.

...

However, as far as I know, none of these is typified by pentagrams. I guess you might see something like this when people are discussing the five phases/elements, but as far as I know, it isn't specifically a symbol of the genres:

--

You know who does have pentagrams? Abe no Seimei.

Anon, have you perchance been watching any of the Yin-Yang Master adaptations lately? Because the latest two adaptations may have been made in China, but the stories are still set in Japan, and the genre is...

... whatever the fuck onmyouji canons are.

Is there even a name for this? They're all things with Abe no Seimei at the bottom of them, largely derived from Yumemakura Baku's novel series.

[dxfiedfxte]

Unprompted Asks || Always Accepting

@caramialunaestelle (Mikan) sent: Mikan is curled up on Minato’s bed, her chest rising and falling steadily with each sleepy breath. She’s trying to stay awake, she’s trying so hard, but she just finished a double shift at the clinic and despite promising to stay up and watch the new season premiere of his show she’s finding it difficult to stay awake.

“I hope the ghosts aren’t too mean…” she mumbles through a yawn.

With the new season all wrapped up and set to air, the Paranormal Quest season release, like how it went with every successful closing of each season, it was time for the crew's three-month break, which gave them, a lot of time to go back and spent time with their loves ones. While he and the crew had arrived back in Japan, the production staff at The Travel and Adventure Network headquarters had put together a successful congratulations party on completing season 6 and the first episode was premiering tonight in a few hours

The party was fun, but Minato only stayed for an hour and didn't want to stay and watch it with them like he usually did, he told his manager he wanted to go home to see his girl, his show was ranked the number one best Ghost Hunting show in the world, so the seasons were starting to get longer and longer. What would normally be a three or four-month trip, had now become a six-month trip, Minato understood the demand for more, and would still continue to pursue this career that he had now been doing for just over half a decade. Minato would stay committed to his job, but at the same time, he felt awful for his girlfriend, having to be away from her longer now was difficult.

Every single night in those different hotel rooms and occasional overnight lockdown, before bed, Minato would always start thinking about her every single night. It didn't feel the same without her lying next to him, it felt, very lonely. The manager could see how much he longed to be with her, so he let Minato leave early. Saying goodbye to his two Co-investigators Takashi and Zero, thanking them both for their hard work, he's out the door and in his car.

As soon as he peeled out onto the road, on his way home he went, he couldn't wait to see her again, it had been much too long since he had last seen her, and now that he was on break, he was gonna make the most of it with her. It only took him about over ten minutes to get back home, parking his car in the driveway, he powers the car off, and out he steps out.

Quietly he sneaks inside the house after unlocking the door with his key, and creeps inside, closing and locking their bedroom, the closer he gets, the more he can hear his own voice on the television.

"This is our story, this is our, Paranormal Quest." With that, the total card appeared, and the show began. As the tired nurse watched on, Minato's heart warmed, she really was dedicated. He waited until she was distracted with the first witness interview. Spotting his moment, he moved in. Finally, when he made it to the bed, he slowly rose up to his feet then gently pulled her close to him as he got in bed next to her.

[{ 🦋 }] - "Room for one more?" He softly says, wearing a big smile as she turns to face him, leaning in to lick lips with her into a long overdue kiss, it feels magical, moving to cuddle with her after the kiss gently breaks.

[{ 🦋 }] - "I missed you a lot in these past six months, babe~"

[dramalets]

2024 watch list part 4

3 will be free - Like I’ve found with all Jojo’s stuff this is a superb concept that feels somewhat too big for what it had to be constrained too. Which means it gets a little lost in the finer details. The big picture however? Sublime. The performances pulled out of the whole cast are top tier and the commentary on poverty, feminism and trans politics are superbly weaved through. 4/5 (28/5/24)

Living with him - A soft, cosy little delight of a thing. Kazuhito and Ryota’s journey to love is a slow, gentle one with very little dramatics just a lot of not using their words. Very sweet little watch. 3 ½ /5 (30/5/24)

Only Boo! - I didn’t hate this but I also wasn’t raving about it. I thought the young pups did a great job with their first series and I liked this conceptually a lot. It just needed something a little more. 3/5 (23/6/24))

Marahuyo Project - Stunning. Going to be thinking about this one for a long while and it’ll definitely be something I revisit. 5/5 (30/6/24)

We Are - Honestly I was excited for this one right out the gate. I loved all the pairings and I know what great work P'New can do with a solid ensemble cast. This delivered every single week for me and I'll be rewatching it forever. If you enjoy strong slice of life with queer platonic friendships then you'll love this. 5/5 (17/7/24)

I told sunset about you -This just wasn’t for me. If we were going on acting alone then it would be a five but we’re not so it’s a three. I don’t like melodrama for all the reasons that make this some people’s favourite. Silly twists and overlong shots of snotty crying faces are just not my thing. 3/5 (20/7/24)

Wandee Goodday - I loved elements of this and other stuff got a little lost. Its bones were good but it started threads it didn’t tie and some things were frustrating. Overall though I had a great time watching this and I thought the things this show did well, particularly found family and LGBTQIA+ issues, it did very very well. 3 ½/5 (20/7/24)

The man who defies the world of BL (s3) - The main issues I had with this were the same ones I had for first two seasons. Too short and ending on cliff hangers in infuriating. This is still firmly a ‘it’s for you or it’s not’ show and it really is for me. 4/5 (23/7/24)

The Boyfriend - Japan’s first gay dating show. This was incredibly lovely and very cute. The edit was a lot and would have liked to have seen more of their day to day in the house. But I did have fun with this and, as with most reality shows, there was a lot of fun in picking it apart with friends. 3/5 (30/7/24)

The Boy Foretold by The Stars - This is a Filipino movie. Filipino stuff often hits for me and this hit. It’s sweet and romantic and, as I often find with Fillo stuff, it manages to blend religion and being young and gay in an interesting way. Definitely a good pick if you want something sweet. 4/5 (6/9/24)

Knock Knock, Boys! - I think the trailer for this made it seem like it was going to be a sex fest and it’s really not that. It’s just a really nice friends to lovers. This was also really trying new things with the way it talked openly about sex. Super enjoyable and I fell in love with the whole cast. 4/5 (8/9/24)

Love Sea - FortPeat are lovely because they always are. The writing stinks and there’s barely a ghost of a story. You like MAME or you don’t and I’m a hater. The first three episodes are good enough but it loses what little plot it had after that. 2 ½/5 (12/9/24)

[anhed-nia]

BLOGTOBER 10/22/2024: THE GRUDGE (2020)

I had no idea that this movie even existed when I stumbled upon it one night and figured it would be an OK waste of time. The film's invisibility is explained by the fact that it was released right at the beginning of 2020, which was a lousy time to do anything, but that doesn't clarify for me why everyone hated it so much. I have a few theories, the main one of which is GRUDGE burnout. Various factors make it hard to describe how many GRUDGE movies there actually are, but let's generously say there are 7 original Japanese features, 2 Japanese reboot films, the SADAKO VS. KAYAKO movie, then there are 3 American remakes and this reboot. The present film is the only one I like.

I was a total sucker for J Horror when it hit the states, but even at the height of my mania, I didn't get anything in the extended JU-ON franchise. None of them have the depth or convincing dread of RINGU or KAIRO or any of the other allegories for festering trauma and alienation. They all just seem extremely silly to me; oooh, a spooky cat, oooh, a spooky child. Every time the ghosts start making that noise, it's almost impossible for me to stop myself from also making the noise. It's a noise you learn to make as a little kid to be annoying. It makes me think of this every time:

The 2020 version, on the other hand, really works for me. Not that it's never silly, but considering that it's built on a foundation that is so fundamentally ridiculous, it's pretty accomplished. It's intensely atmospheric, effectively scary, and it has an absolutely stacked cast; with all that in mind, I find the de rigueur silliness pretty forgivable.

Andrea Riseborough (yesss) is a recently widowed cop whose first case in a new town involves a string of seemingly-unrelated deaths tied to a certain house. As per GRUDGE tradition, the asynchronous story unfolds over three years, during which: - A grudge-infected woman returns from Japan to kill her family and herself in the house. - A pair of husband-wife realtors, who are expecting a potentially-severely disabled child, contract the grudge as they try to sell the house, resulting in a murder-suicide. - An aging couple moves in, and they temporarily host a woman who performs assisted suicides, hoping she will help the wife, who suffers from advanced dementia. Soon, they all start to see the angry spirits of the first family.

I really enjoy the way that this story is layered, with a character who recently experienced a death; a couple who are seeking death (Lin Shaye and Frankie Faison); and a couple who struggle to decide whether their baby will live or die (Betty Gilpin and John Cho). It's a lot to pack into a 94-minute movie, but the cast is so strong, and the atmosphere is so well-developed that nothing feels half-baked. I especially enjoy Jacki Weaver (of PICNIC AT HANGING ROCK among many other things) as the assisted suicide professional who brings a touch of Tangina to her segment, without going over the top. This is certainly Lin Shaye's finest moment; I've always been a fan, but in this role she balances tragedy and terror very successfully. She's someone who has that Robert Englund quality where she just really knows how to be in front of the camera, she knows what her angles are and has an excellent sense of timing, but here she also gets to do a bit of proper drama. It's nice.

All that aside, I just find this movie really appealing materially. It has a couple of the best movie corpses I've ever seen, and it has an interesting way of presenting haunted houses. One of the few things that I like about the other GRUDGE movies is how they tackle the challenge of making a new, cheaply constructed house look scary. The big old Victorian that the movie centralizes is an easy one, but Andrea Riseborough's suburban ranch-style place is a less obvious candidate, and they still manage to spookify it pretty well. I used to think about what makes a new building disturbing when I would see images of Jeffrey Dahmer's parents' place, which was so ordinary in most ways, though it was also shoved back into the shadows of the trees...I always wondered whether I was just projecting that it looked sort of grim. I also think about my in-laws' suburban home, which I don't personally find spooky--perhaps due to comfort and familiarity--but it crazily doesn't get any light at all, from any angle. It's perpetually cold inside because of this, and I always ask myself if I would find the place frightening if I were a stranger there.

William Sadler FTW!!!

Anyway, that's enough about me. I can pick out things about this movie that don't work as well (like I find Demian Bichir deeply ridiculous although I don't exactly blame him, I think it's just the way he is), but I don't find that the problems stand out farther than the virtues, and I think that makes this a success. I did browse through some of the negative reviews just to see what I might be missing, and I found that the vast majority of them said things that I just didn't think were true; I think it's objectively not true that the performances are shallow, I think it's objectively not true that it's overly predictable and cliched. I think that sometimes people preemptively tell themselves what a movie will probably be like--especially horror movies, and most especially an American reboot of a remake of a Japanese horror movie--and then when they see the movie, they only see what they told themselves they would. Of course I can't prove that that's what happened, it's just what I think, because almost no negative review made me feel like we had even seen the same thing. I'm here to tell you not to be afraid of THE GRUDGE (2020). Go ahead and see what you think, without all the baggage. If you really don't like it, it can be my fault.

[heatwa-ves]

Mmmmmmm tell me about an izuleo au you have (or multiple). I lowkey want to write more for them (ignoring my other large project wips here 🙈🙈) and would love to know what ideas you have :3

answering this month's late oopsies but here's a few concepts I have :]

my knights (mostly izuleo) bad end au. this is the most fleshed out idea on this list it's like a child to me I surprise myself with my own genius tbh. the basic idea of the au is what if leo never came back to yumenosaki after checkmate and it's kind of a future au the main plot happens when leo and izumi are about 24/25? long story short leo never comes back knights decides to disband after izumi graduates he then goes on to leave japan quit his idol career and work solely on modelling I can talk more about this one if you want to hear

ghost leo au. this one is very inspired by one of my favorite fics of all time which I read a few years ago and it changed me as a person forever. basic plot is it's a non idol au so they're just at regular high school there's a rumor of a ghost in one of the music room izumi goes to check it out because his beloved yuukun was scared and he meets leo there and they slowly become friends and meet almost every night to talk, leo died at the school (how? that's for me to know and you to never find out because there's a minute chance I'll ever write this) and was given x amount of days to compose x amount of songs by idk the grim reaper or whatevers there after death because he died so unfairly. it ends on a bittersweet note of leo having to pass on because his times up and they never really had a proper goodbye but he leaves a song he composed for izumi a la lionheart

genei ap: empty heart au. just play the game. please I beg it's so good and the music is incredible and most importantly it's free and takes like an hour tops to completely play and it's soooo izuleo coded I'm sick. I think izumi spica and leo mikage makes the most sense but personally I'm partial to leo spica izumi mikage...

au where they never met in high school and meet for the first time because they take the same train for their commute so they see eachother for like fifteen minutes a day and move from strangers to Train Strangers to acquaintances to friends .. their first meeting would be leo asking izumi what he's listening to because music and all and izumi (who isn't listening to anything but wears headphones so people won't talk to him and it's Not Working) is annoyed but leo keeps talking to him every day and eventually grows fond of him and idk it goes on from here there's drama there's mental illness

finally here's one that actually takes place in the canon universe. I want izumi and leo to have a big fight and instead of taking it out izumi decides the best option is to run off and not say where he's going and so he impulsively takes the first train to paris and shows up on shus doorstep and there's izumi shu bonding and idk I just think about the parallels between them a lot and I really want them to be closer friends. they talk and stuff and izumi stays for like two or three days has some realisations and the conclusion would be him returning to Florence and I guess being honest for once with leo and genuinely apologising and idk. but this is izumi sena so I don't know if he'd fucking do that. whatever it's my au and if I want an emotional scene of genuine honesty I will fucking have one

[suzuran777]

New Holicworks game: Tokyo Satsujinki Gakkou no Kaidan

Last month Holicworks announced their new 18+ BL visual novel, Tokyo Satsujinki Gakkou no Kaidan! The scenario writer (Nakajo Rosa) and director (Kouji Mio) also worked on the company's previous titles (Tokyo 24ku, Taisho Mebiusline and Beniiro Tenjou Ayakashi Kitan). This time the artist will be Asahi Miyabi, who I couldn't really find any information about, but the art looks very good so far.

Synopsis Amaterasu has existed since ancient times, as Japan's supreme deity. Aramatsuri, on the other hand, symbolizes the evil powers that also exists in this world. Good and evil, happiness and misfortune, life and death, all of it was derived from Amaterasu and Aramatsuri. Aramatsuri sometimes materializes and causes disruptions to the world, which can also affect humans.

The main character, Yuzuru Kurotori, is a civil servant working for the Tokyo Metropolitan Government. He belongs to the Aramatsuri Countermeasure Division, located on the 7th floor of the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building. The department gathers individuals who are able to see Aramatsuri. There are various methods to test this ability, but in the end, they have to be able to see a huge flower on top of the clock tower in Yoyogi (which can also be seen in the picture above). It has been three years since Yuzuru joined, but Aramatsuri can still be sensed in Tokyo.

I definitely recommend checking out the official website, the main visual you can see above is actually animated! I hope the game will have animated CGs too, something I really enjoyed while playing some of their older games like Taisho Mebiusline and Tokyo Onmyouji. I’m a big fan of the protagonist’s design, especially the high heels, black nails and black sword! The website also introduces a couple of other new characters, which are probably going to be the love interests. Tendou Taki (the one with the glasses) is Kurotori’s senior who works for the same organization. He’s from a family that specialists in magic and divination (Onmyoudou). If you’ve played Tokyo Onmyouji, you might be familiar with these themes!

The second new character is Inami You (left), a man who’s originally from Okinawa. Although he’s a temporary employee of the Aramatsuri Countermeasure Division, he has the longest history with the department and knows the most. Due to the complexity of his career, most people don’t know much about him. He’s able to use Amaterasu’s power. Next is Tsubaki Isuzu (middle). He’s an entertainer who works as a stuntman and an idol, and doesn’t seem to be connected to the organization the other characters are part of. The final new main character is Isshiki Seimei (right), a bartender who owns a bar in Shinjuku Sanchome. He’s technically also an Onmyouji, but because Onmyoudou has been on a decline recently he gave up on making this his career. Although it’s not his official job, he can still use some of his spells.

I really hope they will show some of the CGs soon, but I’m surprised they revealed so much information already! I am curious what kind of form the ‘’Aramatsuri’’ takes, right now I have no idea what the battles will look like or what the flower on top of the building even symbolizes. The second part of the game's title literally translates to ''school ghost stories'' but none of the main characters seem to be in school. I'm guessing the plot also focuses on murders, because that’s also in the game’s title... Either way, I’ll be patient and hope they release more info about the game later this year! 

[canmom]

L'aventure de Canmom à Annecy: Vendredi 3: Kaina of the Great Snow Sea

For Friday I spent my reservation walking right back into Bonlieu Grand Salle, on the premiere of Kaina of the Great Snow Sea: Star Sage. This film was not even out in Japan - I was one of the first people in the world to see it outside the studio that made it! Even though I knew absolutely nothing about the film, I was like, sounds sick, let's go.

It turns out that it's based on a story for TV by the great Tsutomu Nihei (accompanied by a manga, but it seems first conceived as a TV show). I love Nihei's work, but that comes with a wrinkle: this is another adaptation by Polygon Pictures in CGI, the same studio that adapted Blame! as a film and Knights of Sidonia as a TV show. These adaptations are... controversial I suppose, I know people who enjoy them, but I would say generally they are not loved by fans of Nihei's manga. That said, I haven't seen their take on Blame!, and I watched Sidonia so many years ago that I was basically a different person, so I resolved to give them a fair shot.

Also the director and producer came on the stage, both of them holding bottles of beer, and were really fun and energetic, getting us to cheer the film with three segments of the audience going か, い, な (I was in the 'い' group), so in general the energy in the theatre was pretty enthusiastic...

...which means it's truly a shame that the film ended up disappointing.

It turns out Star Sage is actually a sequel film to a TV series that aired in 2022. I did not realise this going in, but it explains a lot: we seem to be starting in the middle of the story, with a lot that happened beforehand. It was easy enough to pick up on the character relationships - most are quite archetypal - but I think it would probably work a lot better on the back of the TV show.

What I really liked about it was the imaginative setting. The 'Snow Sea' only loosely resembles snow; it is akin to a slow-moving fluid, transparent if you sink into it. Floatation is possible only with 'snowfoil sticks' harvested from the animals that live in the snow sea, which are used to create special boats that travel across the surface. There are some cool setpieces with this, such as a huge cliff where the surface of the 'snow' becomes vertical. This whole world is covered by an enormous solid canopy supported by 'orbital spire trees', with city-states built at their bases, surviving on the water that rises up through the trees.

The main characters of our story are Kaina, your standard heroic boy with the Nihei-standard long fringe, and Ririha, the princess of a certain nation. At the outset of the film, they have defeated a nation of invaders in a war by supernatural (or rather magitech) intervention, and they are now setting sail along with Amelothee, a defector from the invaders, on an expedition to the 'Great Spire Tree' where abundant water might be found.

Their mission successfully gets them to the tree, but there they find a technologically advanced nation led by a dictatorial young man Byōzan who enslaves the expedition. Amelothee and her people seem to defect and side with him. Kaina and Ririha attempt to infiltrate the project, and discover that Byōzan intends to find something called the 'Authorised User's Suit' with which he can order the big ancient robots to cut down the spire trees, believing this will save the world. They're captured; Ririha is taken to Byōzan, who needs her connection to the tech-spirits, while Kaina is sent underground to the mines where the workers are searching for the Authorised User's Suit.

Ririha is introduced to Byōzan's mother, who drops some of his backstory, and underlines that he has totally the wrong idea and is in part running on resentment at not being able to see the spirit anymore. Meanwhile, Kaina is for whatever reason immune to the ghosts guarding the old ruins, and finds the Suit, along with the big reveal: this whole thing is in fact a massive terraforming system, and it's basically finished, it just needs two people to give the instruction to complete terraforming to the spirit/AI governing the project (for some reason).

Kaina emerges with the suit, and the workers stage a rebellion against Byōzan. Amelothee was actually only pretending to defect, but despite everything, Byōzan gets the suit back and commands his robots to cut down the tree, but Kaina manages to climb up after him, rescue Ririha, and save the world. The humans start farming, and ever after is lived happily.

The influence of Nausicaa is very strong, if more so the movie than the manga. For example, we have a fantastical ecosystem (complete with bugs) that is actually a terraforming system; a vague prophecy; Amelothee is basically Kushana; Kaina carries a rifle not so different from Nausicaa's. I love Nausicaa, and I think there is a ton of potential in this film; sadly I just don't feel like it's realised. If I would compare it with anything it's actually a fairly obscure scifi anime film called Gin'iro no Kami no Agito, which has a cool setting of overgrown post-apocalyptic ruins but ultimately falls down to a massive ancient scifi machine that needs to be turned off by the right kind of boy.

So yeah partly this is because, for all the imaginative setting, this is just a standard 'boy saves the world' type of plot. Certain elements, such as the terraforming system requiring a final voice command, feel needlessly contrived. But that said, there's plenty here that I like. And the Nausicaa film is not so different.

So is it the visuals? Maybe. And that's probably worth examining...

I will preface this to say that I absolutely do not believe that is impossible to make good CG anime with present day tech. In fact earlier in the festival I watched The First Slam Dunk which was genuinely one of the best looking animated films I've ever seen. Even without the unique watercolour-like shader tech they used in that film, Studio Orange have been doing cel-shaded CGI like their Houseki no Kuni and that looks great, and from what I've seen of Trigun Stampede, it works pretty well there too.

CG should also be a pretty natural fit for the sort of grand scifi spectacle this film is going for. But it left me cold here. So why?

Partly we can look at technical stuff. For example, there is a lack of cloth and hair physics. One of the things that really sold Slam Dunk's CGI was that the characters' loose clothes swung and folded and generally moved naturally. In contrast, the characters in Kaina in their bulky snow outfits look decent enough in stills, but when they move, they move mostly as rigid dolls.

But also it's the way characters move in general. It is hard to really nail down where the problems lie without watching the film again, but it felt like there is a lack of weight, a lack of real impact, as well as a lack of emotion conveyed by the animated acting. The face rigs seem to be quite limited in how far they can really push their expressions, the body language just as much. And the camera is constantly in motion, too much so - which means that a lot of the tools of framing become unavailable.

Likewise, the lighting and composite tends not to use the powerful negative space and contrast that Nihei's manga is so good at. In this case since it's anime-first there's not a manga to compare with, but this is a setting that truly depends on selling a feeling of vast scale, and it just never quite sold it.

(Also... it's a small complaint but the particle effect used when the boats move through the snow sea, which consists of small spherical balls thrown up, just plain looks so bad, it bothered me so much. Like I don't know how this ever got to be the final effect used - it looks like a placeholder.)

All in all it felt sadly lacking in ambition. It's just too conventional; the setting ends up feeling less interesting for the big reveals. What I really like about manga like Blame! is how vast and bleak they feel; by contrast this movie felt small, this big strange scifi world just a backdrop for the usual hero story. I would have been much more interested in a smaller-scale narrative about how people survive in this Great Snow Sea than half-baked spiritualism and magic words that fix everything.

So that was a shame! Still, fun to attend a premiere all the same, and most of the audience seemed to enjoy it more than I did. The team from the studio were actually interviewing people at the exit to the theatre, but I missed the chance to tell them (more politely than the above lol) what I thought. Probably for the best though, they don't really need the advice of some British girl with no industry experience lmao.

After that I made my way back to my hotel to try and get an earlier night. Not a lot of food places were open, especially places doing decent vegetarian food, so I ended up getting a pizza, which was a huge mistake because I know too much cheese makes me feel ill. Next year I gotta make sure to eat earlier.

Saturday was a good end to the festival - besides Barry JC Purves, who I posted about already, I got to see Rintaro! But more on that in a bit~

[2n2n]

This theory popped into my head and even though it's quite unlikely to be true, I wanted to talk about it with someone 😅. There are currently three generations of Hanako-kun in the school (in the pilot chapter) there are theories that Sakura was the second generation, but we don't know anything about the first. What if the first generation was Yashiro's ancestor 🤔. I know this is baseless, but I was just thinking because to me it looks like she made it out of school

I'm not particularly partial to this kind of theory … many things in the pilot are 'to the left', and it feels designed to function as a contained short story. Nene-chan is herself quite different in the pilot, Hanako is sorta more subdued and not quite as narsty … I think Iro-sensei may have structured things different for a shortform VS longform narrative... I don't really know if they'd have put a big spoiler/reveal/major plot point in the pilot? It feels more likely to have been retooled/reworked.

Buuut more importantlyyy…. I am not sure about the 'Hanako' mythos functioning in that way… the actual 'Hanako-san' ghost story, in Japan, began around the 1950s; Sakura has been around much longer that it. It's entirely possible Iro-sensei would decide to just do whatever with the mythos and make it more than that, especially when various other established mythos are being built around and extrapolated on… but I dunno! That date is quite close to Yugi Amane's lifetime…? It feels like, ah it can't be a coincidence this ghost story manifests in JP culture so close to Yugi's existence… ? It simply feels like the most adjacent applicable ghost story by the time Amane is there…

That said, Nene-chan and Sakura sharing some aspect, ancestor, blood, soul quality, or Nene-chan meant to sortof take over a mantle … ? both being enchanted ... ? blessed with powers .... ? is something I think about a lot… Sakura herself seems to believe it would be actually best for Nene-chan to be trapped or suffer some other fate-- who knows, maybe she was/is meant to become the 'next' in the line of overseeing the mysteries, or something? Whatever it is Sakura was meant to do... Always interested in what it means that Sakura is '7' and Nene-chan is '8', in naming conventions. 'Next in line'? Perhaps Sakura does not want to perpetuate it any longer?

I like to think she's being honest...

Sakura definitely has something inside her that makes her wish to mitigate suffering … and she has the practical nature, to see it for what it is, regardless of its dark surface impression.

and deep down, I think maybe that's why she wants to see the world ended. It's as cruel and absolute as it is altruistic, maybe. For humans and kaii, there is just so much to suffer... there is no agency.

Maybe it's best for the system to be dismantled, Nene-chan dead or frozen before meeting her possible other fate, and nobody else to have to do any of this any more?

I like the idea of Sakura's role/fate having more to do with Nene-chan than Hanako ...

We'll just have to wait and see!

[ask-the-equestrians]

Alt. Title: 牡丹燈籠の幽霊:お露 Hello everyone, Welcome to another Yokai Bijinga artwork. Today we are taking a look at a Yokai name Otsuyu. Otsuyu translated as "dew" as a ghost apparition or Yokai from  Botan dōrō or "Peony Lantern." Otsuyu is known as one of "Nihon san dai kaidan" of Japan's Big Three Ghost Stories along with Oiwa and Okiku. The story of Otsuyu has more to do with romance rather than revenge. In one of the stories of Otsuyu, the Yokai came to visit a widower who has recently lost his wife. Otsuyu were said to travel along side her servant carrying lanterns filled with peony flowers. It's a small summary of Otsuyu I like to encourage my view to do a bit more research in to this Yokai if you're interested to read more about her. In the meantime, here is my rendition of Otsuyu and her servant. Till next time everyone. Otsuyu Axel Doi Website

[whirling-fangs]

(lmao jk). [ mint ]  when did you start your blog? what made you start it? [ olive ]  what gives you the most inspiration for your muse(s)? [ cerulean ]  what is your favorite ( type of ) character to write? [ lemon ]  do you believe in ghosts? how about aliens? [ bumblebee ]  where have you always wanted to travel to?

―  𝑪𝑶𝑳𝑶𝑼𝑹𝑭𝑼𝑳 𝑰𝑵𝑻𝑬𝑹𝑽𝑰𝑬𝑾.

[ mint ]  when did you start your blog? what made you start it?

I think it was around last August! I can't for the life of me remember whether it was last year or the year before though. Time is fake and I am immune to its passage.

I'd been RPing Inosuke on twitter for a while, out of laziness to make a new blog, but tumblr has always been my favored platform for writing so once I finally got proper vacation, I sat down and made the blog. And I don't regret it at all ;w;

[ olive ]  what gives you the most inspiration for your muse(s)?

I simply feel this irrepressible urge to write every single day and I do not decide how it comes and goes, but if I don't act upon it I will explode :')

I honestly can't really pin actual sources of inspiration. Perhaps I'm always a bit influenced by whatever other show I might be obsessed with at the moment, or what kind of feelings I'm experiencing irl. That's why I write a lot of angst

[ cerulean ]  what is your favorite ( type of ) character to write?

The brash one with no self-preservation, lots of determination, little social skills but a big heart and plenty of ways to improve. It more or less applies to the only three muses I've ever written :')

[ lemon ]  do you believe in ghosts? how about aliens?

I like science to fault, so I lean towards no and yes. It's statistically impossible that there isn't another inhabited planet out there in the infinity of space, but maybe I'm not spiritual enough to want to believe in ghosts. Though I did use to have a roommate who told me some very convincing paranormal stories she allegedly experienced, so perhaps I just need to experience it all by myself before I believe it :')

[ bumblebee ]  where have you always wanted to travel to?

The Japanese countryside. I am a massive weeb but all those pretty anime shows/movies have me yearning for those landscapes so bad. I've been to Tokyo for a few days before, but I would love to go back to Japan and explore it a lot more in depth.

[lastchancevillagegreen]

Top Ten Favorite Graphic Novels of 2024:

I read less graphic novels this year than ever before.  Usually I read 50 to 60 and this year?  19.  I have a Top Nine and then one of them…well, you’ll see. 

#1:

Feeding Ghosts: A Graphic Memoir (2024) Tessa Hulls

First time author and self taught artist (?!!) Tessa Hulls delivers one of the greatest novels I’ve read, graphic or otherwise.  Tracing her grandmother Sun Yi’s escape from Shanghai in 1949, this books recounts how memories, flawed or otherwise, can taint a person.  We get three generations of people here: Hulls, her fractured relationship with her mother and her mother’s tainted relationship with Sun Yi.  The historical aspects are incredible, the insight Hull has into her own emotional issues, Feeding Ghosts is every bit as good as Maus.  Seriously. 

#2

My Last Summer With Cass (2021) Mark Crilley

Mark Crilley is an American who lives in Japan (part of the year) who write and draws manga or kid’s picture books.  This is his first non-manga graphic novel and it is an absolute jewel about the importance of art, friendship and forgiveness.  The two lead characters, aspiring artists, Megan and Cassandra are captivating and infuriating.  Damned if they don’t act just like real people.

#3

Okinawa (2023) Susumu Higa

This is a series of short stories all surrounding the island and surrounding territories of Okinawa beginning with the Japanese defending the island during WWII and subsequent relationships with Americans following the war.  The best stories have little to do with the war but deal with the people.  One of the best stories features a group of Japanese students trying to save sacred ancient texts while another concerns an American returning to the country to meet with the children he taught baseball to almost 40 years later.  Lengthy and beautifully touching with superb artwork.

#4

I’m So Glad We Had This Time Together (2024) Maurice Vellekoop

This autobiographical graphic novel documents Vellekoop’s early life in Canada in an ultra-conservative family to his career as a graphic artist.  Vellekoop is gay and it caused any number of problems in his family.  His stern father didn’t see it was a big deal and his loving mother was devastated.  Vellekoop had an amazing career and now this, his first foray into graphic novels is a tome worth reading (his therapy sessions are incredible) as he is unflinching about his life.

#5

My Favorite Thing Is Monsters Book One (2017) Emil Ferris

My Favorite Thing Is Monsters Book Two (2024) Emil Ferris

The first book is an all time classic graphic novel.  The second one?  Not so much (storywise, the artwork, predominantly drawn with a Bic pen, is flawless).  There are zero resolutions in Book Two and there are so many more questions that it will drive you over the bend to learn there is never going to be a third installment.  There will be a prequel no one wants, but we must know what happens to these people, no one wants to learn from where they came (except Anka but it seems that will never be resolved either).   Karen Reyes thinks she is a werewolf, her brother may have murdered someone.  Anka, the beloved Jewish neighbor, who dies has her story left open ended.  We learn the secret of Karen’s father, but that still raises more questions.  It is hard to separate the second volume from the madness that surrounded the book (the Panama Canal seizure, West Nile Virus, Fantagraphics lawsuit against Ferris) and how much all of this effected the book.  It is worth googling to understand the complications surrounding this series. 

#6

Miki Falls Book 1: Spring (2007) Mark Crilley

Miki Falls Book 2: Summer (2007) Mark Crilley

Miki Falls Book 3: Autumn (2007) Mark Crilley

Miki Falls Book 4: Winter (2007) Mark Crilley

I loved My Last Summer With Cass so much I had to venture into Crilley’s manga work and the four book series Miki Falls did not disappoint.  Ostensibly a love story, it involves an otherworldly concept: what if someone were in charge of taking the last remnants of love in a dying relationship and tried to save it before it was completely extinguished.  By saving the tiny flame of love and delivering it to a more worthy person, perhaps love can be saved, otherwise, it is just more love loss in a world that is very hateful. 

#7

Belonging: A German Reckons With History and Home (2018) Nora Krug

Krug reflects on what it means to be a German in the 21st century and can a German ever escape their country’s horrid history? At the end of WWII some Germans had to register in one of five categories: Major Offender, Offender, Lesser Offender, Follower and Exonerated Person.  Krug discovers her beloved uncle had to register and it cause her endless grief.  I doubt we ever get great graphic novels like this about the Age of Oligarchy we are currently living through. 

#8

Marry Me A Little (2023) Rob Kirby

Is the concept of marriage a truly heterosexual construct?  Rob Kirby recounts his eventual marriage to his partner in an era when it was illegal to the changes in our nation’s laws and how it affected him.  He also talks about what it means to be a gay person in the Age of Felon 45. 

#9

Funny Things: A Comic Strip Biography of Charles M Schulz (2023) Luca Debus and Francesco Matteuzzi

Telling the life story of cartoon strip artist Charles M Schulz as if it were a Peanuts strip is a bold move (and to mimic the Fantagraphic series of reissuing Peanuts books is equally bold since that company did not publish this book).  You really need to understand the pacing and dynamics of Peanuts but Debus and Matteuzzi do a fantastic job of capturing a life and rendering in classic comic strip panache. 

And then there is:

The Complete Maus (1997) Art Spiegelman

The classic graphic novel.  Yes, it should be Number One, but I’ve read it about three times and I decided it was important to give full authority to Feeding Ghosts as #1.  We all know Maus is a classic of the genre.

Plenty of Missing In Action titles that didn't get photos of their spines: Okinawa (2023) Susumu Higa, I’m So Glad We Had This Time Together (2024) Maurice Vellekoop, The Miki Falls Mark Crilley and Belonging: A German Reckons With History and Home (2018) Nora Krug,