#Kazuhiko's Theme

[animebackgroundmusic]

"Kazuhiko's Theme" by: Kotaro Nakagawa from: BIRDIE WING -Golf Girls' Story-

[mewmewchann]

Hope’s Chains character themes but it’s musicals (redone)

So I suddenly remembered that I did this a while back and felt like redoing it since I felt there needed to be some updates to it. Some of them are still the same, but there have been quite a lot of changes =3 might make a video for this at some point in the future, who knows

Hope you all enjoy!

Katsumi Akira - My Grand Plan (The Lightning Thief)

Hideyoshi Tsuchiya - Waving Through a Window (Dear Evan Hansen)

Hotaru Tachibana - Charming (The Great Comet of 1812)

Daisuke Ito - Evermore (Beauty and the Beast)

Azami Chitose - Come to Your Senses (Tick, Tick...Boom!)

Kazuhiko Ueda - You Gotta Die Sometime (Falsettos)

Naoki Sato - Noel’s Lament (Ride the Cyclone)

Takeo Taigen - Your Eyes (Rent)

Hana Mari - What I Did For Love (A Chorus Line)

Itsuru Kitagawa - One Perfect Moment (Bring it On)

Eren Yoshida - Corner of the Sky (Pippin)

Keiko Kameko - What the World Needs (Ride the Cyclone)

Callas the Mighty - Put You In Your Place (The Lightning Thief)

Seira Suzuki - Anything Goes (Anything Goes)

Saki Miyuki - My New Philosophy (You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown)

Pyuko - Naughty (Matilda)

Monochan - Learn to Do it (Anastasia)

Hikaru Ayana - Popular (Wicked)

Usagi Tomoe - After All (Ever After)

[dailyfgmusic]

7-14-2024

Bloodstained Lineage

Guilty Gear X

Happy International Non-Binary People's Day! Today I'm posting Testament's theme, composed by Daisuke Ishiwatari and arranged by Kazuhiko Tomizuka.

Though officially revealed to be Non-Binary for their release in Guilty Gear Strive, Testament has been an androgynous gear since their debut as a sub boss in Guilty Gear 1.

This theme goes hard. That mysterious opening, the hard as fuck guitars, the piano and strings in the background, the organ solo at the end... this is absolutely boss music for an extremely powerful being.

[ygozexalarchive]

Glass Astral sculpture by Kazuhiko Yakushiji (薬師寺一彦) (artist profile; Instagram; Twitter)

The Astral was sculpted in inspiration of Kazuki Takahashi's illustration of Astral portrayed with a marine tail and displayed in a mini Yu-Gi-Oh! Art exhibition in 2014 (Toshima Manufacturing Messe)

Kazuhiko Yakushiji was a good friend of Kazuki Takahashi and has great interest in marine life, especially dolphins, and has previously made many other sculptures depicting such marine mammals as well as Blue-Eyes White Dragon and Kisara (As well as Emperor Key themed trophies)

[rifki16]

Tadaima, Okaeri Episode Six Review :)

Photo Credit: Tadaima, Okaeri Promotional Twitter Account

A gutsy reality-check soup chicken

This episode served to clarify most of Masaki's history. I have to be quite frank, I really did not think that Masaki had a troubling or traumatic childhood or upbringing. During the final minutes of episode five, when Masaki invited Hiromu to meet/visit Ma-chan's uncle, I thought it was just like another troublesome boring trip you take to your relatives, ya know? Boy, was I wrong.

I know I don't do this for my recap essay for Tadaima, Okaeri, however I think I need to use my BL review practice for this episode, so here it goes, I have two themes I want to talk about for this episode.

Masaki's Childhood

Let me first outright say, What in Sweet Home Alabama was happening that Ma-chan was engaged to Kazuhiko Ogiwara? Kazu-chan is Ma-chan's cousin.

Now that's out of the way. This was my understanding before I watched this episode: a). Ma-chan was born as an omega from beta heterosexual parents, b). Ma-chan was always pitied by anyone who encountered him when he was a kid because of his status as an omega. c). Ma-chan's parents are utterly apologetic to the extent that they often apologize to Ma-chan for letting him be born as an omega.

I never really processed that Masaki's childhood was painful, excruciating, to him.

I think what I could infer from the episode was that my B point - to what extent Ma-chan's parents are willing to protect their son - goes way beyond just maybe making Masaki a bubble boy 2.0. It even went as far as practically imprisoning Masaki.

During the confrontation scene between Kazu-chan and Masaki, Kazuhiko said,

"You haven't come home once, since the stuff with your parents?"

I was confused. Did Masaki have a huge falling-out scene with his parents? But then I remembered the conversation between Masaki and Yuki about what happened between Masaki and his parents. It seemed that Masaki just jetted out of his old folks' house to attend university and get his degree. What was his parents' plan for Masaki exactly? I don't quite understand what omegas are supposed to do in the omegaverse, but it's weird that the parents would just let Masaki be a house mouse or something? Why would they predestine omega people like that? It's still puzzling and I need to understand more about omegaverse.

At first, I was confused as to what the point of Kazu-chan's meeting with Hiromu and Masaki was. Then, when Kazu-chan stormed out of the room and berated Masaki, I got even more confused. Bro, did you really fall that hard for Masaki that you got this mad that he has a husband and a family? I really doubt that Kazu-chan even liked Masaki because Ma-chan kept saying about how Kazuhiko was that mean to Masaki. However, Kazuhiko's rant and Hiromu's late, in my opinion, defense of Masaki really crystallized the tension between Kazu-chan, Masaki's parents-family, and Masaki.

Masaki's parents-family's overprotective behaviors against Masaki were done to protect Masaki. They believed that Masaki was really frail to the point that the whole world was going to harm him. They designated Kazuhiko as Masaki's protector. Hence, during Kazu-chan's rant, he kept insisting, on something to the effect of

"You chose to live in the hostile world, and then you came back with [mate] mark..."

Hiromu's counter-argument about how Masaki's parents-family overemphasis on Masaki's status is the thing that harmed Masaki the most.

I really love that Yuki was ready to throw some hands during the rant haha.

It still confused me as to why omegas are discriminated against or prejudged to that extent. However, I understand the idea of being underestimated or left - laughed - out of the equation just because of your status, because of the lack of your supposed destined talents.

I'm sending all my love to Masaki, love you boo ^^

Mating in the Omegaverse

I only have read three omegaverse mangas to completion, my favorite one, The Marriage of a Doting Alpha and a Stray Omega I think explained it well about this theme. When Goro and Ichi got married, Ichi was trying his best to put the idea of "mating" away from his head because he thought that Goro only married him for Ichi's protection. They seemed to picture being mates as something more permanent and profound compared to being married. I remember a scene in which Ichi met one of his unhoused acquaintances? and she noticed the absence of a mating mark on the lower neck part of Ichi's body. Of course, in the end, Ichi and Goro eventually became mates.

I think I really need to understand the mechanism more. Masaki and Hiromu are mates, great for them. I need to know how Masaki and Hiromu got to the point of agreeing to become mates. I frankly want to see how the action of becoming mates is. How can it leave a very distinct lasting mark?

It was such a great reality-check episode for me. Watch it yall :D

[satoshi-mochida]

Dessert de Otomate 2024 announcements roundup – Fuyuzono Sacrifice, Honey Vibes, Hakuoki Ibun: Berezinskii no Majo, more

From Gematsu

Idea Factory‘s Otomate brand announced new titles, updates on existing titles, and ports during its Dessert de Otomate 2024 event in Tokyo today.

Get the full roundup of announcements below.

New Titles

Fuyuzono Sacrifice

Platform: Switch

Genre: Otome romance visual novel

Tagline: A wish for a bride (sacrifice) in a frozen world.

Keywords: Heartrending Love, Western-Style Fantasy

Staff: Tsunekiyo Fujisawa (producer), Atori Shiina (director), Manuka Midou (character design), Sachi Arino (scenario writer)

Honey Vibes

Platform: Switch

Release Date: 2024

Genre: Otome romance visual novel

Tagline: In a tropical land where beasts (lust) and humans (reason) mesh, a hot and exciting love story awaits you.

Keywords: Beast Ears, Suits, and Three Factions

Staff: Kurage Ichi (character design), Yusuke Takahama (sound), Momoko Terashima (producer), Asami Saitou (director)

Hakuoki Ibun: Berezinskii no Majo

Platform: Switch

Genre: Otome dramatic visual novel

Tagline: “That” makes her both an angel and a demon.

Keywords: Rejuvenating Water, Hakuoki, Napoleon

Staff: Tsunekiyo Fujisawa (director), Sakigumi Shiki (character design), Kagero Usuba (guest designer)

Updates

Moeyo! Otome Doushi: Kayu Koigatari

Platform: Switch

Release Date: 2024

Genre: Otome romance visual novel

Keywords: Battle, Love Comedy, Manga

Staff: Tsunekiyo Fujisawa (producer), Chouko Tsuyuri (director), Ayu Nekoi (original design), Maro Sasaki (scenario), Ririka Yoshimura (scenario), and Satomi Nakayama (scenario)

Voice Cast: Shogo Sakata, Kazuki Ura, Nobunaga Shimazaki, Yoshitsugu Matsuoka, etc.

Official Website: otomate.jp

Trouble Magia: Wakeari Shoujo wa Mirai o Kachitoru Tame ni Ikoku no Mahou Gakkou e Ryougaku Shimasu

Platform: Switch

Genre: Magic academy visual novel full of trouble

Tagline: Girl meets boy in this adolescent tale of magic. Your year to seize the future is about to begin!

Keywords: Magic, Animals, Student Council

Staff: Suzunosuke (original design), Akira Natsuno (scenario writer), and Akira Ouse (director)

Voice Cast: Tomoaki Maeno, Atsushi Abe, Ryouta Oosaka, Yuuto Uemura, Kazuyuki Okitsu, etc.

Official Website: otomate.jp

Otomate Graffit: New Titles

Hiiro no Kakera Tamayori-hime Kitan: Omoi Iro no Kioku for Nintendo Switch

Platform: Switch

Release Date: June 20, 2024

Genre: Otome romance visual novel

Tagline: Destiny is with you once again…

Keyword: Swords, Guardians, Seals

Staff: Tsunekiyo Fujisawa (producer)

Voice Cast: Tomokazu Sugita, Kousuke Okano, Daisuke Namikawa, Daisuke Hirakawa, Hiroki Shimowada, Kazunori Nomiya, etc.

Official Website: otomate.jp

7’scarlet for Nintendo Switch

Platform: Switch

Release Date: 2024

Genre: Otome romance visual novel

Tagline: The truth of this town is illuminated by the moonlight.

Keyword: Mystery, Incidents

Staff: Chinatsu Kurahana (character design)

Voice Cast: Nobunaga Shimazaki, Tetsuya Kakihara, Showtaro Morikubo, Chiharu Sawashiro, Shinichiro Miki, etc.

Official Website: otomate.jp

Natsuzora no Monologue: Another Memory

Platform: Switch

Release Date: 2024

Genre: Summer-themed time loop visual novel

Tagline: We see “dreams” in the summer sky.

Staff: Ijou (director), Yuu Nishimura (scenario writer), Rokumaru (original design)

Voice Cast: Atsushi Abe, Naozumi Takahashi, Shinya Takahashi, Tsubasa Yonaga, Kazuhiko Inoue, Nobuhiko Okamoto, etc.

Official Website: otomate.jp

Altergear: New Titles

Hypnosis Mic: Alternative Rap Battle – 1st Period / Hypnosis Mic: Alternative Rap Battle – 2nd Period

Platform: Switch

Genre: Rhythm and visual novel game

Tagline: This time the battle of right and wrong comes to Nintendo Switch!

Keywords: Rhythm Game, Hypnosis Mic, Rap

Staff: Kazui (character design and original draft), Otomate, King Records (original work), Evil Line Records (original world)

Voice Cast: Subaru Kimura, Haruki Ishiya, Kouhei Amasaki, Shintarou Asanuma, Wataru Komada, Shinichiro Kamio, Yuusuke Shirai, Soma Saito, Yukihiro Nozuyama, Show Hayami, Ryuichi Kijima, Kento Itou, Ryota Iwasaki, Kengo Kawanishi, Takaya Kuroda, Shota Hayama, Yuki Sakakihara, Eiji Takeuchi, etc.

Official Website: otomate.jp

Altergear: Updates

Rashomon of Shinjuku

Platform: Switch

Release Date: August 8, 2024

Genre: A bakumatsu reincarnation story visual novel refreshed for the modern age.

Tagline: Sever the everlasting karma on the road to carnage.

Staff: Sonoe Kazenomiya (planning, original draft, producer, script), Kanna Natsumi (script), Karin Entertainment (work), Jirou Suzuki (character design)

Voice Cast: Hiromu Mineta, Yukari Shimotsuki, Junichi Yanagita, Kouji Okino, Kouhei Amasaki, Chikahiro Kobayashi, Sho Karino, Atsushi Abe, Kentaro Kumagai, Kenta Nobe, Rowa Kamiie, Takeo Otsuka, Yoshitaka Yamaya, etc.

Official Website: otomate.jp

[yamayuandadu]

How high are the chances that Ōtakemaru (大嶽丸) will appear in the Touhou Project? He is one of the original three greatest yokai in Japan. Kishin (鬼神) has already been introduced in the Wild and Horned Hermit manga, with Suiki (水鬼) as one of them, though I also hope for more of Fujiawara Chikata's Onis in the series.

I don’t have any uncles or other relatives customarily said to relay such info working for Team Shanghai Alice so I couldn’t in good faith claim I have any real idea what are the odds that ZUN will base a character on him. As for whether I think it would work, you can find out under the cut.

Before Urumi no oni actually shown in the games was based on anyone other than Shuten Dōji’s underlings but it seems safe to say nothing’s off limits now, between her and Zanmu, whose counterpart wasn’t even regarded as an oni (at best you could make a case for tengu since Razan Hayashi considered his Buddhist opponents tengu and this category sort of kind of includes Zanmu since he’s mentioned in one of his tirades against Tenkai).

ZUN’s definition of kishin is basically made up, so I am not sure if it has any impact on who might plausibly show up. There is a real term for oni and oni-adjacent figures shown in scenes of hell, kisotsu (鬼卒) or gokusotsu (獄卒), but I don’t really see much overlap in use with kishin, which is ultimately a label I’ve actually mostly seen in onmyōdō context. Also, the concept of “three greatest yokai” is an entirely modern invention. On top of that, Kazuhiko Komatsu coined it entirely based on the fact that the three stories whose antagonists he refers to with this moniker end with their remains placed in the treasure house of Uji. I’m not sure where the similar grouping with Sutoku listed instead of Ōtakemaru alongside Tamamo no Mae and Shuten Dōji originates, but I find it to be more representative, both because it makes the group into a genuine quintessence of all major medieval fears, and because there is a solid case to be made that these three are the big names with the most reinterpretations.  I have nothing against Ōtakemaru, but his historical popularity seems more limited. He’s somewhere between Kidōmaru and completely z listers like idk. Kugamimi no Mikasa in terms of notoriety and I feel like you could make a case for the likes of Zegaibō, Tarōbō or even Tesso over him as “greatest yokai” and whatnot.

Perhaps an argument can be made that Ōtakemaru’s relative lack of actual notoriety makes him more suitable for Touhou. That’s a point I can’t refute. However, in practical terms, I am not sure what a character based on him would offer that Suika couldn’t do better - all that sets him apart from just being a budget Shuten Dōji is the location he lived in and his opponent, and neither of these would really matter in Touhou most likely. Tbh I’m not even sure if there’s any real benefit to going with Ōtakemaru over Suzuka Gozen, frankly. Not even being the character with most potential in own story seems like a problem.

As far as other oni go, I’m not sure if I’d go with Fujiwara no Chikata’s minions either, they are pretty bland themselves; they work well in Megaten but that’s about it. Not like Suiki is a character in the proper sense in Touhou - I’ve seen people not even realizing this is a given name and I can't blame them. As far as oni who would be fun to see go, Momiji instantly comes to mind (the story is even set in the right province lol), but there are many good candidates. Off the top of my head: the oni Ki no Haseo encountered (I feel like you could do a lot with the body parts patchwork woman from that story. Dr. Frankenstein themed oni?), the oni of Rashomon version from the Minamoto no Hiromasa legend which makes him a reincarnation of a master craftsman from India, or Abe no Nakamaro (my personal favorite, I have a character based on him).

[uchuukaijugundan]

Makeine: Too Many Losing Heroines

負けヒロインが多すぎる

(Anime)

Romcom by A-1 Pictures

Era: 2020s

Rating: A

Plot: Light novel enthusiast, tap water sommelier and self-professed background character Kazuhiko Nukumizu is approached by popular girl Anna Yanami after they cross eyes in a restaurant moments after she was rejected by her crush. She is a "losing heroine", a girl who in spite of her popularity, looks and personality still finds herself losing at love.

Length: 12 episodes

Review: Well, come for how incredible it all looks, stay for the really well grounded show about young love and friendship, I guess. The three main heroines are the typical love interests you'd see in such a romcom: the popular Anna (resident gremlin and glutton extraordinare), the athletic Lemon (who reeeeaaaaaally doesn't know how to handle the rom part of this) and the extremely introverted Chika. There's also Kaju, the genre savvy younger sister who is very invested in his brother's life, but thankfully things don't get weird. And this is a running theme on Makeine - things get awkward, sure, but never go on the five layers of misunderstandings that make you want to stop watching it for a second as you want to crawl into a hole in behalf of the characters. Because it doesn't insist on this, it becomes more about the friendship these characters develop with each other (even if it's spying on one another) and doesn't get too heavy and clogged down with baggage between the main characters, it's one guy and three girls who end commiserating in the lit club (one of them maaaybe liking his company a but more) and occasionally their friends.

Going back to the start, I've mentioned how good it looks and it's not a stretch to say it might be one of the better looking anime out there. Plays well with color and shadow and is not afraid of losing the characters in the background.

Recommended to: anyone looking for a different kind of romcom

Plus:

For a something about heartbreak, it still gives plenty of sweet moments, and somehow has less cringy drama than your average love triangle show.

Movie-quality art and scene composing, surprising for a manga that is a bit on the plain side other than the character's expressions.

Minus:

What's the deal with those bows

[jehanjetaime]

"Dr. Benedict Alzer and fashion icon Kazuhiko Chikamatsu spotted in Tokyo's Shibuya Scramble Crossing hours before the launch of Chikamatsu's new aquatic themed line of unisex tops and jackets, 'Sage Waters.' "Here, Dr. Alzer is seen wearing some of the collection, giving a not-so-subtle credit to the designer. The two are known for their odd friendship and shared taste for fashion."

"Odd friendship? What is that supposed to mean?"

"Who cares! Look how hot we are!"

This magazine-spread post has been in my head for aaaages. Here's the picture itself!

[brokentoys]

The Riddler level themes in Batman: The Animated Series games (Super Nintendo Entertainment System & Sega CD)

[musicalueion]

Mario Party 2 - Title Theme

Artist: Hironao Yamamoto, Shohei Bando, Kazuhiko Sawaguchi

[sukkigorri]

Aoi Honō creator also designs the enemies in latest show, Bakuage Sentai Boonboomger Starting in 1974 with Himitsu Sentai Gorenger, the Super Sentai franchise has become an institution in Japan with 49 different teams with various themes. When a beloved figure in the entertainment industry appears in an episode, it's often fun and puts them in some sort of danger. This was the case for manga creator Kazuhiko Shimamoto (Aoi Honō, Anime Tenchō, The Skull Man remake) in the latest Super Sentai series Bakuage Sentai Boonboomger. (Shimamoto also happens to design the enemies in this series.) Image via x.comphoto: ©テレビ朝日・東映AG・東映The 27th episode of Boomboomger aired on September 1 and featured a new recurring villain, Disrace (voiced by Showtaro Morikubo). While the plans of Disrace are still a mystery, his plan to undermine the Boomboomgers in the episode involved a carpet monster attacking Shimamoto during an autograph event. During the attack, the villainous Itasha (voiced by Nana Mizuki) tells the creator in a somewhat sultry voice he's attractive, to which he thanks her. Image via x.comphoto: ©島本和彦 characters: ©テレビ朝日・東映AG・東映Shimamoto reposted several X (formerly Twitter) posts on September 1 regarding his appearance in Boomboomgers, but didn't post anything himself until September 2. In his post the creator wrote, “I was just wrapped up in a carpet and thrashing around from the neck up the whole time!! Thank you to all the Boomboomgers!!” So, it appears the creator had a fun time on set. サイン会&トークショーをの最中にカーペットグルマーに襲われて‼︎イターシャ様に踏みつけられて‼︎未来に助けられて‼︎とても充実した時間を過ごさせて頂きました‼︎私はずっと簀巻きにされたまま首から上だけジタバタしてた��けですが‼︎ブンブンジャーの皆さんありがとう‼︎イターシャ様にも… pic.twitter.com/uWH3Y7a4Ot— 漫画家島本和彦 (@simakazu) September 2, 2024 During an autograph signing and talk show, I was attacked by a carpet Guruma!! I was trampled by Itasha-sama!! I was saved by Mirai!! I had a very fulfilling time!! I was just wrapped up in a carpet and thrashing around from the neck up the whole time!! Thank you to all the Boomboomgers!! And thank you to Itasha-sama (lol)!?!? Surprisingly, the (fictional) fate of Shimamoto wasn't addressed before his episode ended. It's implied the creator was saved, and if so, it happened off screen. Even so, Shimamoto's appearance in the series is a fun little treat for parents and fans of the creator. Hopefully Shimamoto being captured becomes a small running joke in the series going forward, as it's fun for all. Sources: Kazuhiko Shimamoto's X/Twitter account, Comic Natalie's X/Twitter account, Comic Natalie #Manga #Creator #Kazuhiko #Shimamoto #Plays #Super #Sentai #Cameo #Interest

[gillymorio]

Aoi Honō creator also designs the enemies in latest show, Bakuage Sentai Boonboomger Starting in 1974 with Himitsu Sentai Gorenger, the Super Sentai franchise has become an institution in Japan with 49 different teams with various themes. When a beloved figure in the entertainment industry appears in an episode, it's often fun and puts them in some sort of danger. This was the case for manga creator Kazuhiko Shimamoto (Aoi Honō, Anime Tenchō, The Skull Man remake) in the latest Super Sentai series Bakuage Sentai Boonboomger. (Shimamoto also happens to design the enemies in this series.) Image via x.comphoto: ©テレビ朝日・東映AG・東映The 27th episode of Boomboomger aired on September 1 and featured a new recurring villain, Disrace (voiced by Showtaro Morikubo). While the plans of Disrace are still a mystery, his plan to undermine the Boomboomgers in the episode involved a carpet monster attacking Shimamoto during an autograph event. During the attack, the villainous Itasha (voiced by Nana Mizuki) tells the creator in a somewhat sultry voice he's attractive, to which he thanks her. Image via x.comphoto: ©島本和彦 characters: ©テレビ朝日・東映AG・東映Shimamoto reposted several X (formerly Twitter) posts on September 1 regarding his appearance in Boomboomgers, but didn't post anything himself until September 2. In his post the creator wrote, “I was just wrapped up in a carpet and thrashing around from the neck up the whole time!! Thank you to all the Boomboomgers!!” So, it appears the creator had a fun time on set. サイン会&トークショーをの最中にカーペットグルマーに襲われて‼︎イターシャ様に踏みつけられて‼︎未来に助けられて‼︎とても充実した時間を過ごさせて頂きました‼︎私はずっと簀巻きにされたまま首から上だけジタバタしてただけですが‼︎ブンブンジャーの皆さんありがとう‼︎イターシャ様にも… pic.twitter.com/uWH3Y7a4Ot— 漫画家島本和彦 (@simakazu) September 2, 2024 During an autograph signing and talk show, I was attacked by a carpet Guruma!! I was trampled by Itasha-sama!! I was saved by Mirai!! I had a very fulfilling time!! I was just wrapped up in a carpet and thrashing around from the neck up the whole time!! Thank you to all the Boomboomgers!! And thank you to Itasha-sama (lol)!?!? Surprisingly, the (fictional) fate of Shimamoto wasn't addressed before his episode ended. It's implied the creator was saved, and if so, it happened off screen. Even so, Shimamoto's appearance in the series is a fun little treat for parents and fans of the creator. Hopefully Shimamoto being captured becomes a small running joke in the series going forward, as it's fun for all. Sources: Kazuhiko Shimamoto's X/Twitter account, Comic Natalie's X/Twitter account, Comic Natalie #Manga #Creator #Kazuhiko #Shimamoto #Plays #Super #Sentai #Cameo #Interest

[ygozexalarchive]

Emperor Key Trophies by Kazuhiko Yakushiji (薬師寺一彦) (artist profile; Instagram; Twitter)

The glass trophies were sculpted in 2014 to be given out at the Jump Victory Carnival (1st place sculpture is blue, 2nd red, 3rd and 4th clear/white) and later displayed in a mini Yu-Gi-Oh! Art exhibition, also in 2014. He has also made Pendulum themed trophies depicting Yuya's pendulum, as well as a glass sculpture of Astral

[rifki16]

Tadaima, Okaeri Episode Eight Recap :)

Photo Credit: Tadaima, Okaeri Promotional Twitter Account

I think the episode managed to bring all of the existing subplots to a satisfying ending. I don't have anything that I'd like to deeply analyze from the episode. However, I want to bring up three interesting subplots.

[Cont.] Can You Really Escape the Cycle?

In the last episode, as I also have noted in my recap article, Masaki was soothed by Hiromu on his worry that he might not have grown and escaped from the cycle of having a problem and needing to flee away from said problems. The way Hiromu soothed his husband was by reminding Masaki of all the things that made him smiled every time he fell – and be caught by Hiro-san afterward. From that point, Masaki usually has the standing to get back up, be braver, and face the problems head-on again.

My problem with that narrative was whether the behaviour was a manifestation of co-dependency or not. Or maybe, I’m the one who has the hyper-/toxic-independence mindset – as my psychologist and I were doing works on that.

As Masaki and his family headed back to his uncle’s inn, Masaki and his husband got a chance to be alone – *cue the sexy music*. Masaki then said:

“All the things, I never thought would happen when I got together with you, are becoming a reality…, it’s a strange feeling”

Hiromu then answered:

“It’s because you worked so hard”

I know that the context of things in the conversation is not Masaki’s state of mental health. However, I think it’s a good acknowledgment of Masaki’s work. I think it’s a good sign that Masaki and Hiromu are helping each other becoming better people. I hope that Hikari and Hinata can take pride and example of their parents.

To resent or to let go

Just as Masaki and his family arrived at his uncle’s inn, Kazuhiko arrived at the inn as he was invited by his father to meet, officially I suppose, Masaki’s new family as well as straightening out the kerfuffle he made with them. As they were having polite chit-chat in the living room, Hikari suggested to the group that they went outside to see the beautiful leaves – I suppose they set the episode in autumn. However, Hiromu decided not to go out, because it was time for Hinata to take an afternoon nap, and hence He and his daughter preferred to sit near the window as they watched Hiromu’s uncle-in-law, Hikari, Masaki, and Kazuhiko raking leaves.

However, Kazuhiko decided to talk to Hiromu privately before heading outside and helped out raking leaves. Kazuhiko brought a photo album with him as he approached and tried to talk with Hiromu. Side note: his uncle, Kazuhiko, and even Hiromu all pointed out that Hinata really looks like Masaki when he was little, it’s so cute.

They then talked about how it was like when Masaki was a kid, and how he behave during family reunions, just like the one they were having in the episode. Yea, it’s a little bit of a flashback to one of the themes I brought up in episode six or five; Masaki was a sick boy, and he couldn’t really participate playing in the yard with the other cousins.

I know that the scene-setting paragraphs are a little bit long, but we’re now at the reason I’m talking about this theme. Kazuhiko, out of nowhere, asked Hiromu:

“How did you feel about coming here, sir?”

Hiromu then answered:

“This is where Masaki grew up, but it’s also a source of great pain for him”.

Kazuhiko: “I do feel sorry for lecturing you the way I did, but while things may be better on the surface, the fundamental problems remain.”

[…]

Hiromu: “You could say the same things about him being with me. You were right that he [has] suffered a lot because of me, too. Don’t get the wrong idea. We’re not trying to hold grudges about the past. We’re trying to protect those we care about in the present. That’s all. We understand that you have things you won’t compromise on. So[,] we don’t want apologies. Not from you, [or] your father”.

I think it was beautiful to watch the couple, through Hiromu, was trying to move on from the problems of Masaki’s unaccepting family. I think it’s a problem that I, and many ambitious and high-achieving people, have been suffering. It’s very hard to see imperfections, and go along with what is happening and what works. I don’t know exactly how Hiromu and Masaki could eventually adopt this perspective, but I do hope that it can be explained in future. I mean, I have countless sessions with my psychologist, and numerous supposed mental-health experts’ shorts on Instagram and YouTube, yet, it’s so hard for me to let go, especially letting go my idealistic perspectives on any events, and trying to mould any phenomena into what is supposed to be. Perhaps, it is simply because that I have been raised this way which makes it extremely difficult to adopt the letting go attitude.

Parenting 101 with Hiromu

I think Hiromu was getting his fair share of the limelight in this episode. We usually only get to see Masaki most of the times, so I’m happy to see him more in this episodes, and I hope we will see him more in future episodes.

The happy family got a new neighbour, and this lovely new neighbour of an all-female couple owns a dog named Ran-kun. Hikari loves Ran-kun so much as he kept giving his own hand-written letters to Ran every day. However, Hikari was afraid of Ran because Ran was bigger compared to his tiny body. The episode started with Hika-chan being unable to give the letter himself because he was still afraid of the dog. Afterwards, he became quite sterned and looked quite pensive because of what just had happened in the day. Hiromu just arrived home, and he tried to soothe his first-born about his fear of the big dog.

Hiromu, after meandering on about what he feared, asked Hikari why he was afraid of Ran-kun. Hikari said that he was just simply scared of, proportionally, large dogs. Hiromu then answered with the most beautiful answer:

“I don’t think it’s bad or uncool to be scared of things”.

I mean, positive masculinity for the win, I suppose. Hiromu then tried to explain logically to Hikari why, even though Ran-kun is large compared to him, Ran-kun is not a threat or something to be afraid of, after telling Hikari all the good things he could do if he had overcome his fear of Ran-kun. The next day, even though that Hikari was afraid of Ran-kun so much, he managed to pet and even slept next to Ran-kun.

I think it’s a good way of unpacking and taking steps in facing your fears. I’m not a psychologist, however, I think it’s a good perspective in not making fears or worries as something that we avoid outright, but something that we as humans naturally feel, and we as humans have a choice in how we can, healthily, face these fears. I hope that my first encounter with one of my fears could go as well as what Hikari was experiencing, I’m so happy of him and proud of Hiromu. I mean, maybe, had things been different in how I processed my first fear, I suppose I could have handled my worries better now at this stage of my life. It’s a lot of work, but I know that rewiring a lot of horrible imbedded perspectives is doable and something that I know deserves to happen to me.

Watch the episode yall, it’s a very good episode.

[curried-mermaid]

A Review: The Yakuza's Guide to Babysitting Vol. 1

Author: Tsukiya Illustrator: Tsukiya Publishers: Kaiten Books  Age Group: Teen Genre: slice-of-life, comedy Type: Manga

Content Warnings: prepare for cuteness, motherhood illness

Spoilers ahead

Plot

Kirishima Tooru is the right-hand man of the Sakuragi crime family. For him, the job is a perfect excuse to let his violent instincts run wild, earning him the nickname “the Demon of Sakuragi”. It seems like nothing will stand in the way of his vicious nature. But then one day, he receives an assignment like never before from the boss—babysitting his daughter! This is the heartwarming (or is it bloodcurdling?) Story of a little girl and her yakuza caretaker! 

Character Development

Tooru is what you’d expect from someone called “the Demon of Sakuragi”. He’s a chill dude but prefers violence as it gets answers quicker than being diplomatic. His character changes as he interacts with Yaeka. He doesn’t want her to see any violence and by having the responsibility to care for her, he needs to think more about how to handle things so it doesn’t blow back. 

Yaeka is a reserved little girl about the age of 5. She doesn’t like to ask for anything if it’ll put someone out, or if they can’t make it to events. 

Kazuhiko is a reserved yakuza boss. He doesn’t talk a lot but when he does you need to listen. He’s very kind and caring. He tries to hide his depression well, but he misses his wife who’s in a coma in the hospital. Kazuhiko loves his daughter dearly. 

Sugihara is a laid back sweet guy. He tries to handle things with diplomacy but will follow Tooru’s way of doing things. He’s patient and puts up with a lot including letting Tooru practice hairstyling his long hair so he can do a good job on Yaeka’s hair. 

Kanami is Yaeka’s aunt on her mother’s side. She’s taken care of her since her mother fell into a coma when she was very little. She runs a little food shop that’s a hole in the wall. Kanami is like a second mother to Yaeka. She understands how Yaeka’s mind works and helps Tooru when he needs some advice. 

World-building

The world is a contemporary setting that revolves around the inside of a traditional Japanese home, community, and Yaeka’s school. The world-building mostly focuses on the characters rather than the setting. The developing relationship between Yaeka and Tooru creates a cute dynamic as they become family to each other. 

Themes

Connection makes family. Tooru and Yaeka both change each other as they learn to communicate and trust each other. Family is more than just blood, it can be those that you vibe with. This is a great theme that’s classic to mafia-type families. I like that this theme is brought about in a new way. 

Observations & Predictions

My prediction is that Tooru and Yaeka will get closer and develop a great parent/child relationship. One thing that I wouldn’t be surprised about is if somethin from Tooru’s past comes back to affect Yaeka. He’ll need to deal with it and think about future problems from previous actions. He’ll also need to figure out a plan on how to deal with them if they happen in the future. 

Yaeka may become more extroverted around Tooru as she learns to trust him.

If you like feel-good manga this one is definitely something to read.  

Recommendations

The Way of the Househusband By: Kousuke Oono

Sakamoto Days By: Yuuto Suzuki

Mr. Villain’s Day Off By: Yuu Morikawa