#Kojima heaven

[sea-bunniez]

heaven moodboard ⁠✷

[isobelleposts]

Is There Life After Death? – 'Heaven' by Mieko Kawakami

by Isobelle Cruz [October 20, 2022]

ABOVE: Cover Photograph of Mieko Kawakami's "Heaven"

A quarter into Kawakami’s “Breasts and Eggs” and having just finished “Heaven”, which I have for so long been eyeing and wanting to check out, I could already say with complete confidence that the Japanese writer has to be one of my favorite contemporary authors at the moment. Every day, I try my best to bring myself closer and be more knowledgeable about Asian literature, and deciding to read Mieko Kawakami’s books turned out to be one of the most intimate experiences I’ve had with written texts.

Heaven is a story that follows the perspective of a fourteen-year-old boy who is subjected to bullying and relentless torment and seeks an understanding companion in Kojima, another subject to oppression, in his class. Through their friendship that is almost exclusively lived through handwritten letters that are exchanged in secret, away from anyone else to witness and make a fuss over, the readers are led through the heavy baggage of the protagonist’s thoughts and questions regarding life’s ways and reasons, which had me taking breaks in between chapters and leaving time for my own pondering.

Then it hit me: dying is just like sleeping. You only know you’re sleeping when you wake up the next day, but if morning never comes, you sleep forever. That must be what death is like.

Page 104 of “Heaven”

Although I do not particularly relate to the protagonist’s sufferings of excessive pain or violence, Kawakami has a way of capturing the sense of leaving your own body; providing glimpses of what it feels like and has you pondering so much that thought is all you have left inside, floating in the air and staring straight back at your suddenly hollow shell of skin.

Most forms of media tackling the root of life’s conflicts such as Everything Everywhere All at Once dir. by Daniel Kwan and Scheinert often ends with the conclusion that life has no definite meaning or reason, which is something I agree on.

"None of this has any meaning. Everyone just does what they want. They have these urges, so they try to satisfy them. Nothing’s good or bad. There was something they wanted to do, and they had the chance to do it. Same goes for you. "

Page 114 of “Heaven”

It is inevitable to sometimes wonder in the depth about one’s life and question every little thing’s existence, especially when given enough silence or time. Why this? Why that? No one has a definite answer, though it is always interesting for me to read my thoughts on paper as though the author had plucked them straight out of my brain.

Listen, if there’s hell, we’re in it. And if there's heaven, we’re already there. This is it. None of that matters. And you know what? I think that’s fucking great.

Page 120 of “Heaven”

Whatever the reason is that I’m being put through this heaven or hell doesn’t really matter as long as I learn to live the most out of it. Because, after all, we can’t be totally sure whether we get another chance at feeling after death. Whether there is heaven or not.

With just under 200 pages worth of words, Mieko Kawakami succeeds in putting me in a trance through the eyes of her unnamed protagonist. To break your reading block, "Heaven" is a short yet unsettling coming-of-age story that leaves you bitterly heart wrenched by the end.

Lots of thanks to Enzo for giving me the opportunity to read this book ♡

[trulyunpleasant]

You might be physically taking part in battle, but you're not really there. Something's missing. I'm sure the same goes for your comrades too. You kill enemies right in front of your own eyes yet you never feel the accompanying emotions or reactions. You wonder whether the intent to kill was ever really yours. You start to doubt whether you can take ownership of the deaths that you cause."

Project Itoh, Genocidal Organ

[detco-hell]

[movie 5 - Countdown to Heaven]

[honorsnake]

"Relativism"

Relativism is the key word to understand MGSV.

As the game itself tells us "there are no facts, there are only interpretations":

this story doesn't have a completely defined narrative, it is up to us to fill in what is not clearly stated and to interpret what happens.

We choose the shape, the color and the weight of the pieces that form the final figure.

That is why Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain is unique in its genre.

It is neither a roleplay-like story nor a strictly linear movie-like story; the decision of what to belive is yours, and yours alone within a pre-existing solid narrative, the one of MGS.

[etude-in-citrine]

Detective Conan Drama CD: A Written Challenge from the Detective Boys

So I've noticed this drama CD has been out for more than ten years (October 2011) but the most I've seen are tidbits of it, especially regarding a.. certain scene. (￢_￢) No one has really translated the whole thing though and after taking that mantle it myself, I see why... If anyone is interested in matching this to the drama CD video, be my guest but I ask of you just to ask and credit me. ( ﾟ∀ﾟ)

So heads up before we start (warning: super long), I translate most of the terms to English but kept some Japanese terms like most honorific like -kun, -san, etc. I sometimes would switch between Professor/Prof. and hakase but they're both the same. However I have switched meitantei to great detective since it's a smoother transition in translation and it has a nice ring to it.

I also kept classic Conan phrases like oi oi, arere, barou because they're too iconic not to. (*´∀`)♪

I decided to differentiate Kaito and Kaitou Kid because Yamaguchi has a specific way of voicing them, just like how he does with Kid and Shinichi.

Italics are thoughts

Bold is codes/ciphers

*(word)* are actions

TN is translation notes to clarify riddles/codes/jokes that get lost in translation.

And I have loads of side comments in forms of SN(side notes) so apologies if it ruins your experience.

Also to make this a more amusing read, I litter face emojis in some of the dialogue, mostly those with strong reactions.

Watch out for this face specifically (◕∇◕) because that means Conan is speaking in his cute childish voice.

Now with all that mumble jumble out of the way, enjoy!

*Watching Detective Red Jacket*

Ayumi: It was so interesting!

Genta: Detective Red Jacket was so cool!

Mitsuhiko: Yeah! The action and story were perfect! It's the best movie I've watched! Number 1!

Ayumi: Yup! There's no doubt about that, right Conan-kun?

Conan: You think so?

Ayumi: Eh?

Conan: I figured out the killer in 5 minutes.

Haibara: Is that so?

Conan: And also- Ah.

Ayumi: What's wrong Conan-kun? You suddenly turned around.

Conan: Nah. It felt like someone was watching me..

Kaito: Shoot this is bad! To think these guys were watching the same movie as me. And it just had to be the seats right in front of me...

Conan: Was it my imagination?

Haibara: Well, what were you planning on saying?

Conan: Well the protagonist Sannomiya Kazunori's acting wasn't very good.

*crunch*

Ayumi: Huh? What's wrong Ai-chan? You're crushing the pamphlet very tightly.

Haibara: Uh.. a-ah-

Mitsuhiko: I know!! Why don't we all go to Mitsubo shop? If I remember correctly, the Detective Red Jacket special edition is being released today!

Genta: Let's go then!!

Ayumi/Mitsuhiko: Yeah!!

Conan: You guys seriously like it that much? Sorry but I'll head back first. See you guys!

Genta: What's with Conan? Always saying stuff and being a wet blanket just when everyone is so enthusiastic.

Haibara: I'm going to buy another new pamphlet.

Ayumi: Sure..

Genta: Let's hurry up and go!

Mitsuhiko: It'd be bad if it sold out! Especially since it comes with a special poster of the protagonist Sannomiya Kazunori as a bonus.

Ayumi: Oh, Ai-chan came back.

Haibara: Tsuburaya-kun, is that true?

Mitsuhiko: Uh yeah.

Kaito: It's true that Detective Red Jacket is super cool! A far cry compared to certain midget detective.. (SN: (≖_≖ ))

*theme song playing*

Conan: Detective Conan Drama CD A Written Challenge from the Detective Boys

Agasa: So in the end, you weren't able to buy the Detective Red whatjamacallit's book.

Ayumi: Yup that's right!

Mitsuhiko: A middle aged man with a weird hat bought the last book in stock!

Genta: That's definitely harassment!

Mitsuhiko: Right!!

Genta: Because no way an old man would be a fan of Detective Red Jacket!!

Kaito: *old man voice* Well turns out he was a fan~ Hehe. Sorry about that but I'll partake myself with the last book in stock~ (SN: childish.. (￢_￢;))

Agasa: That certainly is a bummer. *ahem* Now here comes a question!

Detective Boys: Ehhh?!?!

Genta: Another of Prof's pun quiz??

Mitsuhiko: It's so sudden as always.

Agasa: Sorry about that.

Which martial arts is most suitable for you guys today?

A) judo 受動

B) kendo 剣道

C) karate 空手

Ayumi: Eh? Ayumi has never done any of them before.

Mitsuhiko: Me too.. I'm bad at martial arts after all.

Genta: Ran-neechan would be karate though.

Haibara: The answer is A) judo

Agasa: Eh? Your reasoning behind it?

Haibara: Kendo and karate have thrusts ( 「突き(つき)」(tsuki)) but judo doesn't have any. In other words, it means we're unlucky (TN: phrase: 「月(つき) がない」(tsuki ga nai):not having luck on your side) right?

Agasa: Bravo!! That's the correct answer!!

Mitsuhiko: I see. We have no luck, huh? That's true..

Genta: But that's all Conan's fault right?

Agasa: Huh? What do you mean?

Genta: Because even though everyone was so hyped up in the movie, Conan kept saying stuff that spoiled the mood!

Mitsuhiko: But I don't think that has anything to do with not being able to buy the Detective Red Ja-

Haibara: It's related, don't you think?

Mitsuhiko/Ayumi: Eh?

Haibara: They say "Once you start finding faults, your luck/moon will leave you". I think there's some truth to that.

Genta: *whisper* Don't you think Haibara is somehow scary?

Mitsuhiko: She's probably angry because Conan-kun badmouthed Sannomiya Kazunori.

Genta: Ehhh??? Does that mean Haibara is a fan of Sannomiya?

Haibara: (ʘ言ʘ╬)

Mitsuhiko: *shriek*

Genta: W-w-what?

Mitsuhiko: Haibara is glaring at us with scary eyes..

Genta: Huh-Waahhh! Her eyes are a little..Ahhh.. I might have leaked a little...

Mitsuhiko: But that kind of expression is also quite lovely. (SN:(￢_￢;) Is Mitsuhiko an m??) But now that you mention it, Conan has just been talking down on us.

Genta: Sometimes I want Conan to be (surprised and) speechless.

Ayumi: Well then, let's all challenge Conan-kun then!

Genta: Challenge Conan?

Ayumi: Yup, let's all prepare super difficult problems and let Conan solve it.

Mitsuhiko: Ahh... but don't you think the riddles we think of will be solved very easily?

Ayumi: To make up for that, we'll have Prof. Agasa and Ai-chan to participate with us, right?

Agasa: Sure.

Haibara: That sounds interesting.

Agasa: Now that we've settled on it, let's start the plan.

Haibara: First the words for the cipher.

Genta: Hmm you're right. Okay Haibara, we'll leave you to a really difficult one!

Ayumi: No Genta! We're all going to think for it!

Genta: You're right.

Mitsuhiko: To start off..

Kaito: A challenge to the great detective huh? It's gotten interesting! I was wondering what was up so I'm glad I made the right choice to place the miniature microphon- DAAAHHHH!!!! Y-you idiot! Go over there!! I'm not a telephone pole!! \(º □ º l|l)/

(SN: I think some birds pooped on him. Poor guy, I thought you knew how to deal with them considering you own doves..)

Conan: So what business do you have with me?

Ayumi: We Detective Boys are sending a challenge to Edogawa Conan-kun!

Conan: Ha?

Mitsuhiko: In other words, it's like this. We're going to send four codes for you to solve from here on out and have you find the treasure that's somewhere around this city.

Genta: The time limit is until 5 in the evening! So you have 2 hours!

Conan: Oi wait just a minS

Ayumi: If you can solve all the codes and find the treasure until then, it's Conan-kun's win!!

Haibara: But if you can't find it, it's Edogawa-kun's loss.

Ayumi: Here! The first code is in this envelope!

Conan: No, like I sai-

Genta: *gibberish sounds* You can't open it yet until 5 minutes passed. You got that?

Mitsuhiko: Well then, let's hurry to our designated spots!

Genta/Ayumi: Yeahhh!!!

Conan: Oiiii you guys!!! *Detective Boys run away* It's not like I agreed to this and they ran away.. Haibara, what's the meaning of this?

Haibara: Who knows? Isn't it because you don't normally treat them nicely?

Conan: Huh?

Haibara: So, what are you going to do?

Conan: Even if you tell me what to d-

Haibara: A great detective will accept any challenge, wouldn't you agree?

Conan: What's with you? You've been quite snarky today.

Haibara: You think? Isn't that your imagination? Ah, 5 minutes passed.

Conan: *sigh* Fine! If you're going to go that far, then I'll participate. *rips envelope* Is this the cipher?

"A comedian hates octopus(お笑い芸人はタコが嫌い)"?

Haibara: If you go to the location this code indicates, you'll be able to get the next code.

Conan: An octopus huh? If we're talking places that have octopus, the first things that you would think of is a fish market, a sushi restaurant, or an octopus ball(takoyaki) stall.... Ha! As if!! It's not even worth trying to deduce! Such an easy riddle! Just to add onto this, it's not just comedians, exam students hate octopus too.

Haibara: Heh...

Conan: Something a comedian and exam student both hate is failing/falling (滑る(suberu)). In other words, the location this code is pointing at is a sliding (also すべる(suberu)) octopus. If you put it that way, there's only one place like that in this town.

Conan: So, why are you coming with me? Aren't you Genta and the others' side?

Haibara: I'm here as your observer.

Conan: Ha! With such easy riddles, I'm not going to stoop so low and cheat.

Haibara: Not that! I'm here to see if you're going run away in the middle of this challenge.

Conan: Run away? Yeah right! Look, we've arrived. It's here.

A sliding octopus means that, the octopus playground slide.

Random girl: Mister, hurry up and slide down already!

Mitsuhiko: Ah, I'm sorry. I'll slide right away. *slides down* As expected of Conan-kun, to think you arrived here already.

Conan: This is only park to have a octopus slide in this town after all.

Mitsuhiko: But! This is only the beginning! Here. This is the second code.

Conan: Oi, I'm telling you in advance. I'll be able to solve codes of this level in a heartbeat.

Mitsuhiko: Muhuhuhuhu. The next code is going to be even more difficult. Well then, I'll be waiting at the location of the treasure!

Conan: Good grief. So what's the next riddle?

"Economy at Siberia(エコノミーでシベリアへ)"?

Economy...Siberia?

Haibara: What's wrong? Weren't you going to solve it in a heartbeat?

Conan: Shaddap!

Haibara: Don't hold yourself back meitantei-san!~

Conan: *huff* Like I thought, Haibara seems to be in a bad mood. I don't know what happened, but spare me from your venting.

Travel agency saleswoman: A travel ticket to overseas is currently discounted in this campaign at the moment!

Conan: It seems Ayumi and the others aren't around. It seems a travel agency would be too straightforward as expected.

Haibara: A~rere~ It can't be that with economy and Siberia as keywords, you would think it's a travel agency right?

Conan: Hufufufufufu! I was only coincidentally passing by!

Haibara: You're right! A great detective like yourself wouldn't make such a childish deduction like that right?~

Conan: Hmph, shaddap with all the nitpicking. Just you wait! I'll solve it for you right now!! (*｀□´)

Economy and Siberia, there should be a different meaning to them. First economy, other transliterations have meanings such as 「経済(keizai)」: economy/finance, 「節約(setsuyaku)」: economy/savings, 「景気(keiki)」: economic activity/marketing. Hm? Mm?? 「けいき(keiki)」? 「ケーキ(keiki)」:cake.. Siberia... Siberia cake.... I see! I figured it out! It's this way Haibara! Follow me!!

Haibara: Ah!

*opens door*

Pastry waitress: Welcome!

Haibara: Isn't this a pastry shop? Why?

Conan: Don't play dumb with me. Well whatever! I'll explain it to you right now.*in the cutest childish Conan voice* Excuse me, do you have Siberia cake? (◕∇◕)

Pastry waitress: Yes! It's right at the far end of that case!

Conan: Thank you!!~ (◕∇◕)

Hehe! This is it! A Siberia cake is sweet bean jelly sandwiched between the Castella cake. It was popular between the Taisho and Showa Era. But nowadays, you barely see it around anymore so this is the only shop in town where you can buy this fabled cake. I can't imagine Ayumi and the others to be aware of this so I bet Prof. suggested this.

Haibara: pachi pachi pachi (TN: it means clap but pachi sounds cute so I kept it)

(¬へ¬) Hmph. As expected. It was a perfect deduction, although it's very fustrating. Yoshida-san, you can come out now.

Ayumi: Okay.. Aww you found out. Here, this is the next code.

Conan: Sure, thank yo- Oi oi! We're still doing this?

Ayumi: Obviously!! This is our challenge after all!! (｀ｴ´) Don't flake out until the very end! See you! *goes out the shop*

Conan-kun is amazing as expected! We might not be able to win even with Professor's and Ai-chan's help. Ah! *bumps*

Kaito: Oops! Are you okay? Are you hurt anywhere?

Ayumi: I'm okay! I'm sorry! *runs away*

Kaitou Kid: Now then, I guess it's about my time to shine.

Conan: Hah... what's next? *rips envelope*

The panda shop is a fruits parlor without fruits (パンダのお店はフルーツがないフルーツパーラー).

Haibara: This one is simple. You can just check all the fruits parlors in town.

Conan: You're one to talk. Judging from all the previous riddles, you can at least tell that it won't point towards the location the code writes word for word..

Hm? Word for word? I see!! It is supposed to be seen word for word!

Genta: *badge beeps* Is that Ayumi? Eehhh?!?!?! Conan already cleared it?! Are you for real?! An hour hasn't even passed yet!... Okay I got it! Wait for me at the final place! See you! *beeps* So does that mean Conan will be able to arrive here quickly then? Ooohhh!! Is that Conan?.. Hah, wrong person... AAHH!! OVER THERE IS-

Agasa: Genta-kun.

Genta: Yes?! You scared me.. What is it? It's just Prof. Don't scare me like that!

Agasa: Haha.. sorry about that.

Genta: Anyways why are you here? Aahh! Did you come here to play pachinko?

Agasa: Of course not! I came here to trade places with you.

Genta: Huh? Trade?

Agasa: That's right. When you think about it, it's not proper to have an elementary schooler constantly wait in front of a pachinko (gambling) parlor. We're talking about Conan-kun. He'll arrive here momentarily. Leave this place to me and you should head to final destination.

Genta: I see! That's smart Prof! Okay I got it! This is the riddle! *hands envelope* Then I leave this place to you Prof!

Agasa: Sure!

Kaitou Kid: Leave it to me.

Haibara: How did you figure out it was a pachinko parlor?

Conan: Hm? I just followed it literally. It's because it's a 'fruits parlor without fruits'. Without the fruits, you remove the fruits from fruits parlor and it just becomes parlor. And then, you can call a pachinko by its other name parlor. Oops! *ding dong* Excuse me! We're getting off!! (◕∇◕)

*getting off the stop*

Haibara: So then, what about the panda shop?

Conan: It's the name. The pandas in the zoo further down at moment is named Lily and Xinxin. Hey Haibara, read the pachinko's name on the signboard.

Haibara: Parlor Lily...

Conan: There you have it!

*enters parlor*

Agasa: I've been waiting for you Conan-kun. You have such good timing!

Conan: Professor! That paper bag...

Agasa: Well, since I was free, I wanted to kill some time. It kept on coming out one after another nonstop! (SN:じゃんじゃんバリバリ,(janjan baribari)(￣∇￣*) Reminds me when Kaito disguised as Subaru in the New Years opening) It's a big fever dream!

Conan: 'Continuously nonstop' you say? Huh? *opens bag* it's all candies....

Haibara: Professor. What do you plan on doing with those candies? (・∀・#)

Agasa: What's this? Do you want it? Then take as much as you want! I can't eat it all by myself after all.

*realization hits*

Haibara: Is that so? You're going to eat it...

Conan: You're... not Agasa-hakase are you?

Agasa: Hm?

Conan: Haibara strictly monitors Professor's meals and nutrition. For you to talk about eating candy so casually in front of Haibara... The real professor would be trembling to his bones and would definitely never dare say something like that.

Haibara: Saying trembling was unnecessary.

Conan: I'm sorry...

Agasa: As expected of the great detective..

Kaitou Kid: Hmph, it seems you've figured it out!

Conan/Haibara: Kaitou Kid?! Σ(ﾟДﾟ)

Kaitou Kid: Well then well then~ What I have produced here is a single red rose. There are no tricks or contraptions. One two three *poof* Wow how mysterious~♡ The red rose swapped places and became a challenge notice~

Conan: Wow how mysterious~ What do you mean by challenge notice?（￢へ￢）

Kaitou Kid: Nah~ I just happened to coincidentally witness a scene of some innocent little boys and girls that wanted to make Conan-kun speechless. It looked interesting so I decided to partake myself as a contestant. (SN: Sure Kaito.. I'm sure no listening devices were involved when you happened to hear them right? (;￢_￢))

Conan: What?! (　ﾟ皿ﾟ)

Kaitou Kid: You'll naturally accept my challenge right oh great detective!? *throws a flash bomb*

Conan: So bright! Y-You bastard!! He disappeared...

Haibara: Kudou-kun, open the envelope!

Conan: S-Sure.. *rips open the envelope*

To my beloved great detective,

I will be appearing at one of the following jewelry stores at 5 in the evening today.

イ(i): Niaoka Jewelry

ウ(u): Jewel Yuki

エ(e): Crystal Gem

Now to figure out where I'll appear, try your hand at deciphering the next code.

Orion's children all know this. Four of the sons love taking a walk. Three of the sons gaze at the sky. Five of the sons are left-handed. (オリオンの子供たちは知っている。四つの息子は散布好き、三つの息子は空をみやげ五つの息子は左利き)

The end. I wish you the best of luck,

Kaitou Kid

Haibara: If it's 5pm, we have less than 30 minutes. For now, let's contact Inspector Nakamori and have the police guard all three stores.

Conan: S-Sure... *dials* *uses Shinichi's voice*

Shinichi: Hello is this Inspector Nakamori? This is the detective Kudo Shinichi. I've just received a challenge letter from Kaitou Kid.

Haibara: It means we won't be answering to Kid's challenge but it can't be helped... This isn't a game after all.

Shinichi: Yes. The place where Kid will appear? That is... I will definitely figure it out within 30 minutes. So can you please stay on standby until then?

Haibara: Kudo-kun?!

Conan: Heh.. Haibara. You told me this right? A great detective will accept any challenge.

Haibara: Hmph. You idiot.

Conan: Now that that's settled, the Detective Boy's treasure hunt will have to be put on hold. We don't have time.

Orion's children all know this. Four of the sons love taking a walk. Three of the sons gaze at the sky. Five of the sons are left-handed.

Haibara: Show me the first page.

To my beloved great detective,

I will be appearing at one of the following jewelry store at 5 in the evening today.

イ(i): Niaoka Jewelry

ウ(u): Jewel Yuki

エ(e): Crystal Gem

Isn't this a little strange?

Conan: Hm?

Haibara: Normally, the order of the katakana is generally either ア(a)イ(i)ウ(u) or イ(i)ロ(ro)ハ(ha).

Conan: Right...

Haibara: But what's written here is イ(i)ウ(u)エ(e). Why didn't he start from ア(a)?

Conan: Hm.. there must be a reason behind that. But, let's decipher the code first.

Haibara: Then let's start from Orion's children. What is the meaning behind it?

Conan: Hmmmm... Kid is aware of Ayumi and the others challenging me with riddles. If he took advantage of that opportunity, then this code is like theirs. There's no doubt it's guiding us to a specific location.

Haibara: And that's where we'll get the hint about the jewelry store.

Conan: Yeah.. now that you mention it, if I remember correctly, back then there was a movie theater called Orion Seat right? But it's already been demolished and became a plot of land.

Haibara: If we consider any other areas with the term Orion, myth「神話(shinwa)」, Beltegese 「ベテルギウス」, Orion's belt「三星(mitsuboshi)」: Three Stars).. Hm? Ah! Mitsubo shop!

Conan: That's it!

Haibara: Then what about the children part?

Conan: I'm not sure. But let's go there first. We might be able to figure something out when we're there.

Haibara: You're right. Okay.

Conan: Mitsubo shop. There should be a clue to which jewelry store Kid is aiming at inside this shop.

Haibara: The Detective Red Jacket will come out again soon. Please look-... Look....Look.........

Conan: Hey Haibara- SCARY!!! W-What's wrong Haibara? You have such a scary look on your face. Σ(Дﾟ;/)/

Haibara: I-It's nothing.

Conan: Hm? An automatic eclipse machine...(TN: it was really difficult to hear so I'm not entirely sure if this is accurate. Please correct me if I'm wrong.)

Haibara: Orion's... children!

Conan: Let's go check it out!

*runs*

Haibara: If that's the case then the next line is

Four of the sons love taking a walk. Three of the sons gaze at the sky. Five of the sons are left-handed.

But is it referring to three siblings?

Conan: Oh about that, don't you think it's strange then? If they were siblings, then isn't it more natural to refer them as 5th, 4th, and 3rd and follow them by age? (TN: the way 五つ(itsutsu), 四つ(yotsu), 三つ(mitsu) is used is either by numeric counters (ex:I would like 3 of these please) or comparing ages(ex: He's the 3rd child of the family))

Haibara: You have a point. It's quite strange to order it by fourth, third, and fifth.

Conan: Which means those numbers doesn't mean age. It's referring to the amount. Let's first find stuff that comes in four.

Haibara: Things that come in four? *bumps into child* Ah!

Random lady: Ah! I'm sorry. Are you hurt anywhere?

Haibara: I'm okay.

Random lady: Jeez! Cut it out already! I told you it's dangerous to run around the bookcases already!!

Haibara: Bookcases? Look Kudo-kun! There's four bookcases!

Conan: There's.. four! Then what's the three referring to? There should be some type of rule that contains three. And that hint is most likely within 'taking a walk', 'sky', 'left-handed'. I see! I figured it out! 'Love taking a walk' means to walk! It's four so that means you have to walk to the fourth shelf!

Haibara: Then what does 'Three of the sons gaze at the sky' mean?

Conan: It's 'gaze' so you count from the bottom. It's three so it's the third row!

Haibara: The third row is... the children's literature!

Conan: 'Five of the sons are left-handed.' So counting from the left is the 5th book!

Haibara: One.. two.. three.. four five. *picks out the book* This? This book is.. Sans Famille 「家なき子(ie nakiko)」!

Conan: Sans Famille「家なき子(ie nakiko)」?... I see! So that's what it means! *realization* I figured it out which jewelry store Kid is aiming for!

Conan: The store Kid is aiming for is Jewel Yuki!

Haibara: There's only 7 minutes until 5pm! I'll notify Inspector Nakamori!

Conan: Sure! I'll go ahead and head towards the store!

Conan: I won't make it if I just run! Guess I'll go retrieve my skateboard then! *opens door* I'm home Ran-neechan!! Ran-neechan, I'm leaving! *door closes* TURBO ENGINE FULL POWER!!!! 🎵

Just you wait Kaitou Kid!!!

Conan: Where are you?! Show yourself Kid!!

Kaitou Kid: As expected of the great detective. Impressive that you figured out it was this place.

Conan: It took quite some time to arrive at finding Sans Famille「家なき子(ie nakiko)」 but everything fell into place after that. The biggest indication was the three options. Instead of using ア(a), イ(i), ウ(u) nor イ(i), ロ(ro), ハ(ha), you opted for イ(i), ウ(u), エ(e). (TN: I'll be utilizing the Japanese translation of the book title rather than the original because it would only make sense with this cipher)

「家なき子(ie nakiko)」. There is no イ(i)エ(e) 「いえがない(ie ga nai)」. In other words, you remove the イ(i) and エ(e). Therefore the answer is ウ(u)'s Jewel Yuki. (TN: To further explain this, the hiragana for 家 is いえ(ie). なき(naki) can mean lacking or non-existing so Kid used this word play of removing the いえ(ie) literally with his options)

Kaitou Kid: Right on the mark! Hehe, maybe it was a little too simple. (SN: For a guy who was planning alongside the rest by himself, I'm pretty sure Conan appreciates your 'easy' riddles more than what the Detective Boys and Agasa planned together. Also there's a transition to Kaito in voice here but I'll be using Kid because that's how Conan perceives him.)

Oh? They're as punctual as always. Guess I'll take my leave for today. Besides, I already got my hands on today's loot. *poof*

Conan: Eh? Is that.. Detective Red Jacket special edition? You're going to stoop so low to steal something like that?! (＃ﾟДﾟ)ﾉ

Kaitou Kid: *splurts in offended* So rude!!! Of course not!!!! Σ(｀Д´#)

Conan: Hah?

Kaitou Kid: I bought it with my own money obviously! (SN: as a 'law-abiding' citizen *coughcough*)

Conan: BOUGHT IT?!?!?!?!?!?!??!!?!!! YOU?!?!?!?! Σ(○ﾛ○￢)

Kaitou Kid: Yeah...

Conan: A PHANTOM THIEF?!?!?!!?!?

Kaitou Kid: Nngh..

Conan: THE DETECTIVE RED JACKET SPECIAL EDITION?!?!?!!?!

Kaitou Kid: *speechless as he tries to regain his poker face* ...Doesn't matter. You wouldn't mind if a phantom thief came to like detectives, would you? (σゝω・)σ (SN:(￢_￢;)........)

Conan: Eh? (ﾟﾛﾟ) (*Conan's turn to be speechless*)

Kaitou Kid: SEE YOU!! *escapes*

Officer #1: Kid is running away!!

Officer #2: After him!! We're definitely going to catch him!!!!

*police sirens blaring*

Conan: Huh.... Ah? Another envelope. The seal is open. *opens envelope* It's Ayumi and the others' fourth riddle. Hmmm? Kid's message seems to be included in this. 'I deciphered it for you as a bonus. The answer is the bathhouse.' Barou, it's already past the time limit.

Haibara: He's arrived.

Genta: Ooohhh!! He's here he's here!!

Ayumi: Conan-kun!!!

Conan: Yo!

Mitsuhiko: As expected of Conan-kun to be able to solve all the codes. BUT UNFORTUNATELY-

Detective Boys: TIME'S UP!!!!!

Conan: I know...

Ayumo: Then you'll obediently admit defeat right?

Conan: Yeah...

Ayumi: Hmmm? I can't hear you~

Conan: It's my loss.

Detective Boys: Huh?

Conan: Like I said, it's my loss.

Genta: What did you say?

Mitsuhiko: We couldn't hear you.

Genta: Yeah not at all.

Conan: *sigh* It is my loss!

Detective Boys: YESSS!!! o(^o^)o

Ayumi: We made Conan-kun admit it!!

Mitsuhiko: We did it!!!

Genta: Now that we're here, let's all take a dip here!

Mitsuhiko: That's a great idea!

Ayumi: Ayumi loves the bathhouse!

Haibara: Good work Kudo-kun.

Conan: Haha shddap....

Genta: What are you doing Conan?!

Ayumi: Ai-chan hurry up!!

Haibara: I'll be there.

Conan: I mean, not only was I forced to run around the whole town, the true identity of the treasure is just a bathhouse called Yuu Treasure. (TN: Unless I see the kanji for yuu, I'm unable to translate it) That's it?! That's all my hard work amounted to?! It's probably one of Agasa-hakase's ideas again.. Jeez he has no taste, not even a shred of it!

Haibara: This place.. was actually my idea though. (#ﾟ∇ﾟ)

Conan: Ehh? ((ﾟ□ﾟ;))

Genta: Aahhh that hits the spot. It feels so good.

Mitsuhiko: Yeah...Bathhouses are really nice once in a while.

Genta: Right? Oh yeah Conan. Since you lost, wash my back later.

Conan: Don't joke with me. I never signed up for that.

Kaitou Kid: Stop being a sore loser.

Conan: Aahhhh!! Where the hell did you come from?! Σ(°Дﾟ/)/

Kaitou Kid: I suggest you should gracefully *wash face* do what they tell you.

Genta/Mitsuhiko: Kaitou Kid?!?!?!?!

Conan: *speaking underwater* Why the hell are you here?

Kaitou Kid: Hehehe... Magicians are elusive. *sirens blaring in the background* Nah~ The policemen were so persistent you know?

Conan: You know... if you're taking a bath, you should at the very least remove your silk hat.

(SN: What the honest... what the hell are you doing taking a bath with your hat (and possibly your monocle) Kaito? Did you even remove your costume? (￢_￢;) Bruh Kid, you're sullying your dad's outfit)

Genta: You need to put more strength in it Conan!

Conan: Sure SURE!

Genta: As gratitude for us everyday.

Conan: For who?

Genta: Don't say everyone.

Conan: *huff*

Genta: Oh yeah Conan. Haibara was mad at you all day right?

Conan: Yeah... What was that? Did I do something?

Genta: ?!

Mitsuhiko: Conan-kun you didn't realize?

Conan: Heh? 'Didn't realize'... so I did do something?

Mitsuhiko: Aahh... Conan-kun really doesn't understand a woman's heart.

Genta: Right?

Mitsuhiko: You ready? Haibara-san is actually Sannomiya Kazunori's closet fan. But despite that, you decided to badmouth him in front of her!

Conan: Eeeeehhhhh?!?!?!?!? Haibara is Sannomiya Kazunori's fa-

Mitsuhiko: Ssshhhhh!!! Your voice is too loud!!!

Conan: Pah! If I remember correctly, Sannomiya Kazunori is one of the members in the Fubuki Idol group right? That Haibara?! There's no way she's a fan of such a popular idol!!! Haha!! Ahahhaha! That's a lie!! Ahahaha!

(SN: Conan is willing to dig his grave super early apparently ((( ；ﾟДﾟ))) )

(In the girl's bath)

Haibara: ( º言º╬╬)

Ayumi: Ai-chan? Where are you going with your bath towel wrapped around you? E-Eeehhh? That's the boy's bath- Hiiiieeeeee!!! Ai-chan's face.. is so scary!! ((( ；ﾟДﾟ)))

(In the boy's bath)

Conan: Kyahahaha! Because this is Haibara we're talking about! You know, Haibara! For Haibara to be an idol fan, that's impossible. No way that's happening!

Genta: Hey stop that!

Conan: Huh? Why? There's no way she's an (idol) enthusiast after all.

Mitsuhiko: Idiot!

Conan: Huh?

Mitsuhiko: Conan-kun!

Conan: What is it?

Mitsuhiko: Behind behind behind behind behind behind-

Conan: Cow? Moo moo~ (TN: Mitsuhiko is stuttering the word 後ろ(ushiro):behind and Conan stupidly mistakes it as 牛(ushi):cow.

ε-(ｰдｰ) And I thought Kaito was the insensitive one.)

Mitsuhiko: Behin-behind you.

Conan: Behind me? What's behind m- Uop-!!!

Haibara: (╬ಠิ益ಠิ) Sorry about being an ENTHUSIAST!! *SLAPS*

Conan: Ooowww!!

Kaitou Kid: Heh. The tongue is the root of calamities, great detective. (TN: A proverb meaning the more you speak, the more you'll put your foot in your mouth.

Wise words you should follow as well, our fellow magician (￢_￢;))

[maureen-corpse]

Trying out a new method of giving characters placeholder names in which I use REAL and PLAUSIBLE names but the meanings of the names are related to some surface-level trait to help me keep track of who they are because I haven't gotten to know them

[cocksuki2]

heaven by mieko kawakami poses such an intricate question about bullying and about human free will. it addresses the complexities of adolescence and the complexities of social (and occasionally physical) cruelty through such a sensitive but unflinching lens that it is physically unnerving. 

the main character, a bullied 14 year old boy called “eyes” by his classmates on account of his lazy eye, meets kojima, a bullied 14 year old girl in the same class. 

kojima, attempting to find meaning in her suffering, befriends “eyes” (whose name we never learn in the novel) and searches for the reason and purpose behind the bullying. she explains to the protagonist that there’s meaning in “letting it happen”, that there’s meaning in his eye being lazy, and that there is meaning in her dirty appearance (which she does to feel closer to the time she spent poor and with her dad). she poses their experiences at the hands of their classmates as a form of resistance and as something that makes them strong, rather than just a cruelty done to them by others. 

her philosophy is essentially that of “everything has meaning”.

on the other hand, “eyes” has an encounter with momose, one of his bullies. momose, however, differs from the others in the sense that he always seems indifferent to the bullying and rarely ever takes the lead when “eyes” is being tormented. during their encounter, the protagonist questions momose as to why they do it and momose simply responds with “because we want to”. it’s a simple enough answer and he details to “eyes” that nothing really has meaning, that people are free to do what they want, and that the concept of doing “good” and “bad” doesn’t matter anyway. they have a lengthy discussion in which a victim confronts a perpetrator and receives answers for his treatment which completely rival the meaning kojima had been searching for through the previous half of the book. 

momose details that it’s not because of his lazy eye that he gets bullied, but by a series of coincidences that ultimately led to where they are, with “eyes” being victim and momose’s friend group being perpetrators. not because the protagonist is different but simply because they want to and they can. 

momose’s philosophy, however cruel, is that “nothing has meaning”. 

the book poses these two opposite philosophies as valid explanations for kojima and the protagonist’s experiences, juxtaposing them as the viewpoint of both victim and perpetrator. while kojima searches for meaning in their suffering, momose offers that there is none. while kojima states that their complacency and kindness is their way of fighting, momose poses that the only way to escape is to do the same thing back. 

meanwhile, “eyes” is caught between these two conflicting philosophies, one in which everything has meaning and cruelty has just as much weight as kindness, and another in which neither kindness nor cruelty have any meaning and we are simply choosing to do what we want, when we want to. both, however cruel or not they may seem, are valid explanations. neither is discredited and neither is posed as the correct answer. 

the novel poses these philosophies really startlingly. reading momose’s conversation with “eyes” after watching kojima (and the protagonist) struggle to find solace in meaning, is both jarring and somehow sensible. that’s not to say momose is right, nor to say that kojima is. the novel simply poses these two philosophies as equally factual and equally realistic. 

do bad things happen to good people because it means something or are we simply at the mercy of our own whims and the whims of others? does doing good have meaning? does doing bad have meaning? or is everything, the cruel and the kind, equally as inconsequential? is kojima right because she believes in a greater meaning for their experiences or is momose right in his belief that because nothing matters, people are free to do whatever they want, including “eyes” and kojima? 

both are equally as valid in the story, carrying a similar weight with the protagonist. it’s a really heartbreaking look at bullying from both perspectives, without a real acknowledgement of which philosophy is right and which is wrong. while the actions may be right and wrong, there is no right way to think about them except through our own personal interpretations. 

it makes the ending of the book, in which “eyes” has a surgery done to fix his lazy eye, against kojima’s (who insists that him being the way he is has meaning and suffered a mental breakdown at the climax of the story) adamant protests, all the more meaningful. 

upon losing kojima as a friend and suffering a traumatic experience—upon the ending of his first real friendship and his seemingly single point of “real” human connection (if that sort of trauma bond can be considered so)—he removes the bandage from his eyes and marvels at the beauty of the world, now containing depth. 

“everything i could see was beautiful. i cried and cried, standing there, surrounded by that beauty, even though i wasn’t standing anywhere. i could hear the sound of my own tears. everything was beautiful. not that there was anyone to share it with, anyone to tell. just the beauty.” 

he is freed from the thing he once considered a shackle and is now indifferent to for the first time, but never acknowledges the good or the bad. he is alone, standing in the street, seeing the beauty of the world. without a friend, without peers, without anyone. there’s no right or wrong. there’s no good or bad. just the beauty. 

[randomrichards]

LONE WOLF & CUB:

WHITE HEAVEN IN HELL

The final showdown

With the clan of killers

Blood in snow hills

[kittykat-pikachu]

list of things about mussed up houses

house of leaves by mark z. danielewski

skinamarink by kyle edward ball

the house in the ocean by mister manticore

myhouse.wad by veddge

this house has people in it by alan resnick (possible? its more like the people are the strange thing)

monster house by gil kenan (maybe not messed up in the right way for this list)

burning down the house by the talking heads (only in passing)

additions:

the haunting of hill house by shirley jackson (book)

the haunting of hill house by mike flanagan (tv adaptation of the book)

rose red by stephen king

vivarium by lorcan finnegan

changing planes by ursula k. le guin (not a house, but thematically close)

charlotte markham and the house of darkling by michael boccacino

slade house by dave mitchell

little, big by john crowley

the inner room by robert aickman

phantom architecture by phillip wilkinson

bite size terrors: erobos heaven by anoverthinker (seems like possibly the house isnt whats strange? but i dont know for sure i havent played it)

anatomy by kitty horrorshow

childhood homes (and why we hate them) by qrowscant

the house next door by annie rivers siddon

white is for witching by helen oyeyemi

haunted by poe (album counterpart to house of leaves??? holny crap)

the house with a clock in its walls by john bellairs (also has a movie adaptation)

p.t. by hideo kojima

coraline by neil gaiman (more like the creature is making the house messed up but yeah ill count it)(EDIT: okay yeah that house IS just messed up. forgot the beldam didn't make the other house)

starling house by alix harrow

the witch's house by fummy

house (hausu) by nobuhiko obayashi

the house is alive and the house is hungry by the paper chase

my house walk-through by nana825763

control by sam lake

house of bones by jeffery scott lando

lungbarrow by marc platt

if anyone knows of other things that fit this niche, any type of media, feel free to add on. i'll edit and add it to the original post. i just really like this specific niche

thank you to @bas-fish, @eggmixercortex, @ohiotpke, @posteriorpeasantpresents, @hadoom, @dougielombax, @lite-weaver, @mimillion, @elvriskastello, @apotheoseity, @hauntedhousez, @sophiewooloo, @jumbledthemes for contributing :3

i should sort this + add links putting that on my to-do list

[snakethegamer]

"When heavens divide Time will come to softly lay me down"  Thanks for watching!

[toskarinfr]

THE WAY OF THE SWORD [Trivial: Success] — You should just post it again.

ME — What?

THE WAY OF THE SWORD — The Kojima Games joke. You should post it again, no changes.

LA SEULE MAGIE [Formidable: Success] — absolutely not.

THE WAY OF THE SWORD — It's what Mido would do.

MASQUE DE LA MAGE ROUGE [Trivial: Success] — it is what the main would do...

LA SEULE MAGIE — the reason she does it and it gets notes is because she's working off of years-long inertia and a captive audience, both of which we do not have. unlike toskarin we do not provide anything of value. no trusses, no direction, no nothing.

THE WAY OF THE SWORD [Godly: Success] — The reason we started this account was to piggyback off of that inertia. Even if we are bad at it, it is not our Way to back off from challenging heaven.

TRADEMARK TECHNIQUE [Trivial: Failure] — Actually, the reason we started this account was to play smokescreen for the fact that tumblr user "toskarin" is a french ex-ballerino currently on the run from the authorities for 27 counts of murder. We cashed a check and everything. This is not a joke.

THE WAY OF THE SWORD — Regardless, we must commit. Once more into the breach.

[The Way of the Sword - Medium 11] Oh, you get it...?

CHECK FAILURE

BULLET LIGER [Godly: Success] — Nope. It doesn't feel right when you make it, and it doesn't feel that great when it inevitably flops too.

-1 MORALE

BULLET LIGER — Did you really think you could force a joke like that just because you were male and the store manager?

[willgrahamscock]

I also have a life size mads mikkelsen cutout in my room thats what I kneel in front of will I go to heaven

Nice try Hideo Kojima .

[sylvansylvain]

You spend the first 15 years of your life obsessed with post-apocalyptic media. You can't get enough of it.

The dirt, the grime, the constant pressure to survive, the push-pull between whatever forces are still alive... But still, you grow out of it once you're older.

For the next five years of your life, you briefly lose your very intense passion. It's still there, but you don't have time for it. You're busy with work, school, girls, boys, drugs, booze.

You've discovered videogames. You're not very keen with computers, but they're a good pass time. You never hear about triple-A games like Skyrim or Metal Gear. But you've found a favorite in Bloons Tower Defense.

It's perfect for your busy lifestyle, play a few minutes and you're done. But in the next coming ten years, it becomes insufficient. You yearn for the post-apocalyptic spin you once ate up like candy. Rather than seeing if there is an offering to fit this thirst, you decide your recent work in a tech-adjacent industry probably gave you the skills to turn your favorite game into something Perfect for you. You labor away, tirelessly.

You rehaul the gameplay, drastically. Your character is now human, with an inventory, and needs. You need to drink water, eat food, cloth yourself... And you can move too! It's a massive world, with rich lore and masterful storytelling.

At least you think. Other people in the industry are quick to tell you that you did not Create a game, you've only Modified one. And even worse, they tell you what you've made is a cheap rip-off of something else, something they say achieves your goals more efficiently and immensely more enjoyably. They tell you this game is called Fallout.

You dig your heels in. What you've made is a masterpiece, and its only a fraction as amazing as Bloons Tower Defense is. After all, you've proven any game you could ever want can be made within its confines!

The next 20 years of your life, you dedicate to a crusade. You're well aware that there only needs to be one true game, one pillar of a game that all others will be built on, and you know what that game is. You spend these 20 years to evangelizing people to the side of the best game ever made, the... world's best game, we'll call it.

And oh, are you successful. The videogame industry has been irreparably changed. There's no rooms for these artistic minds like Hideo Kojima or Arkane. Their work can be emulated perfectly within Bloons Tower Defense, so they no longer need to make games. They can just be modules you slot onto Bloons Tower Defense, instead.

Of course, every game looks and plays very similarly... But why wouldn't they? There only needs to be one, and all of those dirty games you've never heard of like Mario or Heaven Will Be Mine never need to even be thought about. Nothing could ever need different gameplay, because we've already created the perfect game for all possible concepts!

Huh, can anyone figure out why this is tagged Dungeons and Dragons...?

[fingermosaic]

!!SPOILERS!!

okay okay so in Heaven by Mieko Kawakami it is very clear that Kojima and Momose represented the two different views on morality/meaning of suffering/power dynamics that the main character was caught between. and when Kojima was taken away, the main character made the decision that aligned with Momose’s view, meaning that he decided on that belief. (i think). (also Momose’s beliefs are EXTREMELY similar to Nietzsche’s)

BUT. the picture that was Heaven for Kojima, the main character never got to see it. i think this is because to Kojima, it represented two people who made it through the suffering and were able to live in harmony. And the main character never actually got to see the picture because in Kojima’s view, he didn’t get through the suffering, he just found a way to get out of it. In doing so, he left Kojima behind, meaning that the picture of two people wasn’t applicable to them anymore.

i need more opinions/thoughts on this gosh darn book because there are some parts of it that i am not understanding and i’m so interested in the messages it’s trying to get across

[dizzyhslightlyvoided]

honestly, not that it's probably a surprise that Metal Gear Solid Delta is a shot-for-shot remake, and like honestly it's kind of a relief insofar as it's not a "contempt for the original and/or the players thereof" remake or a "completely missed the boat" remake. but good lord in Outer Heaven that "overview" was so soulless.

like the absolute best-case scenario here is that when Konami said "hey, remake MGS3", they were saying it to a bunch of creatives who stayed behind after Hideo Kojima left Konami and they didn't feel confident about living up to Kojima's Creative Vision,™ so they didn't want to mess with the existing stuff, and it was the marketing-wonks who chose to make the "overview" what it was. but the sum total of what I know about Metal Gear Delta is that it's the kind of "remake" which is just a port with extra steps, and that this was explained in an "Advertisement For Metal Gear Solid Delta Snake Eater, Featuring Advertiser David Hayter Who Did The Voice Of Solid Snake And Big Boss (as portrayed by actor David Hayter, also known for doing the voice of Solid Snake and Big Boss)". the worst case is that Konami said "no changes except Making It More Modern" and nobody was allowed to say no. Probably a mix of the two, really, or somewhere in between. and even if it is completely the creatives' own decision, I'd say it's a bad decision. I really don't feel like "there's a modern third-person shooter mode, and the graphics are More Advanced so you can see the individual hairs on Naked Snake's beard and tits really justifies this port's existence to me. A bad remake/sequel/adaptation is far and away better than a boring one. Just look at the fact that we're still talking about Sonic 2006 to this day!

What I think Metal Gear Delta should instead do is, they should do the self-aware bait-and-switch-pseudo-sequel thing that's all the rage these days. Just go full FF7R, make "it's a remake" part of the plot and have things go off the rails. If there was ever a video game series for which that specific brand of obnoxiously-meta fuckery would be appropriate, it would be Metal Gear, which had a character say "Turn off the game console right now!" in dialogue to Solid Snake in the very first game in 1987, let alone the "player 2 controller" thing MGS1 did eleven years later.

Of course, that isn't incompatible with The Sequel To Rereleasing for the first couple three installments; lull the fans into a false sense of security by going "it'll be The Same". But things should start to diverge, and at least hint at changes as early as the first game, even if the plots are largely the same and happen for the same reasons. the Metal Gear Solid 4 remake should end completely differently. women are treated much better. the Metal Gear 1 and 2 remake should be called "Metal Gear Solid 6". Raiden comes out as a trans woman onscreen or fully transitions offscreen between two installments, no in-between.