#Like some other actor pairs I wasn't impressed with

[bookishforce]

the only thing I'm grateful to Only Friends about at this stage is introducing me to Force and Book ~~

I will finish it because I want to support them but the glossing over the trauma and not allowing the growth of their characters has actually made me so sad??

Manifesting an excellent series that they're the main couple in next year, they deserve better. I kind of don't rlly understand the hate on them tho? Lots of actors have shitty series & characters (which I don't think is the case with them) and they're still liked? make it make sense plez

[ofstarsandvibranium]

A Day in the Life...

Fandom: Marvel (Actor AU)

Pairing: Bucky Barnes x GN!Reader

Summary: You're hired to be famous actor, Bucky Barnes' social media manager. This is probably the best and worst job you've ever gotten because Bucky gives you free reign of his social media but also...you may or may not be crushing on Bucky aka your boss. Based off my imagine here.

A/N: this is 3,180 words because i refused to break it up into parts. anyway, ENJOY!

You press record and begin to narrate, "A Day in the Life of a Social Media Manager for a Super Big and Popular Actor *Working Title*"

You face the camera to you and continue to speak, "Bucky had some morning meetings but I wasn't allowed to film. So now here he is doing his daily workout."

You pan the camera to him and he says, "Hi," with a shy smile.

You snort, stopping the recording, "What?"

"This is..." he gestures to you and your work phone, "awkward."

"Then don't make it awkward! And hey, you said I had free reign! I asked your followers what they'd like to see and they say they want a glimpse of your daily life."

His brows furrow, "Didn't you just say this is a day in the life of a social media manager?"

You shrug, "The poll was tied to seeing your daily life and my daily life working for you. So I just decided to put the two together. Anyway, the title is a work in progress. We'll see how this does and go from there. Anyway, just ignore me. I'm not even here."

Bucky gets back to his work out. He has an outdoor and indoor set up. Because the weather was nice, he decided to do his workout outside...shirtless.

He goes to the lifting station, picking up some weights. You begin to narrate again, but this time in a Steve Irwin impression, "Right. Now watch as the esteemed actor gets ready to work out his arms in preparation for an awesome movie that I'm not allowed to mention."

Bucky lets out a chuckle, dropping the weights and looking back at you, "You filming a nature documentary now?" he rests his hands on his hips and smirks at you in a way that makes you want to melt.

You give a playful yet dramatic sigh, dropping your filming arm down, "Are you this difficult with your directors, Barnes?"

He shakes his head, "Nah. None of my directors have been as dorky as you."

You stick your tongue out at him, "Fine. I'll leave you to your workout."

"No, hey, I was joking! Don't leave me!"

You shake your head, "It's fine, Bucky. I'll leave you to it. I'll chalk up some other videos we could do. Also, the getty images from last night's premiere are up. Did you want to look through them before I post?"

He shakes his head, "I trust your judgement." he turns around, his bare back facing you. You stay and watch as he do a few arm curls and immediately rush back into his home.

"Get it together, Y/N," you mumble to yourself, leaving your boss to his workout.

________________________

During Bucky's fitting for New York's Fashion Week, you were allowed to take some behind the scenes pictures. You have a few candid ones of Bucky standing in front of a mirror, his stylist fixing his collar, and him looking at the different shoe options.

Then you included some goofy ones where he copies a pose of a mannequin, a selfie of you two showing of your shoe choices (his being very fancy and yours being your regular sneakers), and then a selfie of him wearing a pair of sunglasses without a lens.

You posted all of them after fashion week was over and his Instagram followers were LOVING it.

bbarnesfan: STAHP. he's so adorable.

xbucky-muncher: he went from serious to dork. get you a man who can do both.

notyouraveragebuckyfan: ok but him and his social media manager are so cute together???

bbarnesfan replies: they're literally bucky's employee. don't be weird.

notyouraveragebuckyfan replies: i'm just saying! they seem like they have great chemistry! have you seen the tiktoks and reels of them together?

"How come you put the candids and the selfies all in one post?" Bucky asks as he looks through the latest post you made.

You're scrolling through the analytics of the last tiktok you two made, one where he guesses if one of his characters said a specific line or it's made up.

You take note of the demographics, the comments, etc. to be mindful of for the next posts you make.

Without looking up from your laptop, you answer, "It shows people the different sides of you. How you take things seriously but you can also have fun with it."

He hums, "Lots of people think we look cute together." He says this in hopes of getting some sort of reaction from you.

You continue to work, not looking back at them, "Don't pay attention to those comments. The internet will make up all kinds of stuff."

Bucky's shoulders sag a bit as he replies, "Yeah. You're right."

You'd been working for him for almost a year now. He doesn't see you every day like he did when you first were hired on. Now you only come over twice a week to go over analytics with his team and to shoot some content. Most of the time, you work from your place and Bucky's been feeling more lonely ever since.

Your presence brightened his day and you provided a breath of fresh air on his busier days. He genuinely enjoyed your company and liked making content with you. He liked learning more about you, having meals together, and just being with you. He thought that maybe there was something there between you, but then he'd be reminded that you're his employee and he's your boss. It can't work out.

But there were some glimpsed of hope. You'd look at Bucky a certain way or make a comment that seemed a little more flirty. It had to mean something, right? But whenever Bucky tried to push a little more, you'd pull away and he hated it. It was so complicated.

He wanted you as more than an employee but his team clocked him on his feelings and told him not to fuck it up because you've helped Bucky's image immensely.

He can't fuck this up, not matter how much his heart yearns for more.

___________________________

"Hello, hello!" you greet Bucky, handing him his coffee as he lets you into his home. You've been working for him for over a year. It's one out of the two days you come over to do work with him.

His stylist, Michael, was nice enough to bring some clothes over for a TikTok video that you had which was "My Social Media Manager Picks Out My Next Event Outfit".

The next event that Bucky needs to make an appearance in is his friend, Nat's, movie premiere. The dress code is very formal so it's no surprise to see various kinds of formal wear.

What does surprise you is that you see a rack of clothes that you know wouldn't be for Bucky.

"Um...what's this?"

He grins widely at you, "Clothes for you to choose from."

Your brows shoot up in surprise, "Excuse me?"

"You said you've always wanted to go to one right? You're coming with me."

"As your social media manager?"

"You're not working the event. You're going as my plus one."

"Uuuuhhh..."

"You don't have to, but I was hoping to bring you as, ya know, a thank you for all the amazing work you've done for me this past year."

You can't help but snort, "Bucky, c'mon, did all of your usuals reject you or something?"

"You're the only person I've asked right now. Come on, Y/N, please?"

You want to. You really, really want to. But these past few months, you and Bucky have been toeing the line between a work relationship and something more. You're not sure if going as his plus one to the premiere is a good idea, especially since even more people have been commenting on your chemistry.

But Bucky's looking at you with those gorgeous blue eyes and he's pouting and he looks so cute, so how could you say no?

"I'll think about it," you reply and it seems to appease Bucky because he smiles again and says, "Okay. But I really do hope you'll go. It'll be fun, plus you've met Nat. She thinks you're cool."

You scoff, "There's no way Natasha Romanoff, the hottest and most popular actress right now, thinks I'm cool."

He shrugs, "Everyone thinks you're cool. It's hard to not like you, Y/N, trust me," he gives you a wink and it makes your cheeks warm up, "Anyway, so let's see what we got."

You wordlessly nod, going over to set up your work phone to begin filming.

________________________

You think you did really well with picking out Bucky's outfit. It was a royal blue velvet jacket with a black bow tie, and black slacks. Even Michael was impressed with your choice.

Even though you weren't working tonight, you still took some pictures and clips just in case. You took a video of the reveal of your look tonight and can't help but feel bubbly inside when Bucky wouldn't stop looking at you.

To distract yourself, you decided to take candids of Bucky getting his hair done after you were finished getting ready. He kept making funny faces at you, making you laugh.

After you both were ready, you took some mirror selfies, obviously, and sent them to Bucky afterwards.

You're in the car on the way to the premiere when you get a bunch of texts and notifications from people:

Wanda: I KNOW YOU SAID YOU WERE GOING TO THE PREMIERE BUT YOU DIDN'T SAY AS BUCKY'S DATE!

Pietro: good luck tonight! use protection! ;D

Carol: since when are you dating bucky barnes???

You unlock your phone but see a notification that Bucky tagged you in a post you didn't know he was going to make.

It was the mirror selfies you two took, with the caption: got the most gorgeous date on my arm tonight.

You immediately turn to Bucky, eyes narrowing, "James Buchanan Barnes."

"...I don't like how you just used my government name like that."

"Why would you post those selfies of us?!"

He shrugs, "Because we look great."

"And the caption?"

"It's true. You're gorgeous."

You groan and pinch the bridge of your nose, "Your publicist and manager are gonna kill me."

"No, they won't."

"They hired me to make sure your online presence is good and won't jeopardize your career."

"Nothing's gonna happen, Y/N."

"People already assume we're together because of how well we work together. It was fine to let them speculate because but that post will make things even worse."

"How?"

"People will think I'm a gold digger? That I got this job because we're sleeping together? I don't know! The internet makes up all kinds of fucked up reasons and I won't be able to get work ever again!"

"But is it so bad that people think we're together?"

"For you, it won't be bad. For me, it could be. So, please, Bucky, delete those photos before even more people see it."

Bucky's jaw clenches and mumbles out, "Fine. I'm sorry," he takes out his phone and you watch as he deletes the photos off his instagram. Tonight was supposed to be fun, but you're sure you just ruined it.

____________________

The entire night was awkward. Bucky did his best to still include you in conversations he had with friends and colleagues, but you felt the tension between you two. You did your best to enjoy it as much as you can. You saw Nat for a brief moment where you hugged her and congratulate her. She said she wanted to chat later but you didn't really expect much. This is her premiere and she has other priorities.

She proved you wrong, however, during the after party where she pulled you to an area for more privacy.

"Hey, how are you?"

"Um, good. A little overwhelmed, but, uh, tonight's been...fun."

She tilts her head and narrows her eyes at you, just like her character did in the movie, and you can't help but let the truth spill, "I freaked out on Bucky on the way here. He posted pictures of us that insinuate we're together and I don't want it to result in me getting fired and potentially never getting a job like this ever again."

"Yeah, I saw that before he deleted it. You guys looked cute. Also, are you two not dating?"

"What? No! He's literally my boss!"

She shrugs, "Could've fooled me. Anyway, there's something clearly going on between you two, right?"

"I, uh, I don't know what to say. Do I have feelings for him? Yes. But will I act on them? No. Again, he's my boss, I'm his employee. I really like this job too, so I can't risk anything."

"I feel like there's a 'but' coming."

"...but he's so amazingly funny, smart, hot, understanding, compassionate, and I just love spending time with him. It's so fucked, Nat.

She nods in understanding, "I know, hon. I'm gonna say the most cliche thing ever, but listen to your heart. I'm sure you'll find another job just as fun as this one, but to be with someone you click so well with? That doesn't come often."

"Hey, you okay?" Bucky comes up from behind, placing a hand on your hip and looking at you with concern.

Nat flashes him a smile, "Just wanted to catch up with them, but I've hogged up your date long enough, Barnes." she turns back to you, "Think about what I said, okay? Enjoy the rest of your night and thanks for coming," she hugs you and heads back out to the party.

Bucky nods to her and stands in front of you, "Did you want to stay longer or are you ready to go?"

"I think I'm ready to go for the night."

"Alright." you follow him out to the front where you wait for the driver to pick you guys up. He stands beside you with his hands in his pockets, wearing that gorgeous outfit you chose.

"I'm sorry again about the pictures."

"Thank you, I'm sorry I attacked you like that."

He shakes his head, "Don't be. I get why you did. But, um, we're good?"

You nod, "Yeah, Bucky, we're good."

"Good," he gives you a shy smile and then points at the upcoming car, "Our ride's here." As soon as the SUV pulls up, he opens the door for you and lets you go in first. He follows and the drive home is in silence.

_________________________

You're working in your little alcove at Bucky's when he approaches you, "Hey, I need to talk to you about something."

You turn in your chair and look up at him, "This doesn't sound good."

"It's good and bad."

"Um, okay?" you clasp your hands together in your lap in anxiousness.

"So...I'm hiring a different social media manager."

Your heart drops, "Wh-What? But-But I thought I was doing well. Your team said I was doing a good job. What happened?"

"You are, but lemme also add that there's another job already waiting for you."

"Bucky, I'm so confused right now. Are you firing me? Or contracting me to someone else?"

"I'm firing you because I can't date an employee."

You straighten up at his statement, "Excuse me?"

Bucky steps closer to you, reaching out and grabbing your hand, "It's just...shit, Y/N, you gotta know how I feel about you right?"

You bite your lip in nervousness, "Maybe."

He lets out a long sigh and run a hand through his cropped hair, "Listen, I like you. A lot. That's the real reason I wanted you to come with me to the premiere. I love spending time with you and I've been so much happier since you've started working for me. To be honest, I didn't know how much longer I could keep myself from wanting to be with you. So to still make sure your professionalism was in tact, I reached out to Nat to see if she was in need of an amazing social media manager and, luckily, she was."

"I'm gonna work for Nat? Nat wants me to work for her?"

Bucky nods, "She does. So you'll be working for her which means I'm not longer your boss. Which means...will you go on a date with me?"

Fuck it. Fuck it all. You held in your feelings for Bucky for so long and now you've been given a loophole to be with him.

"I like you too, Bucky. So much, I didn't say anything, obviously, because I wanted to remain professional, but fuck did you make it hard to not fall for you."

Bucky snickers with a smirk, "I can say the same thing about you." His thumb caresses the back of your hand and it feels so right.

"Have you actually hired someone to take over for me?"

"Not officially, but I have some applicants already. Why? Do you know someone?"

You nod, "I do. She just graduated college with a degree in communications with a concentration in social media. I can have her send in an application, but I one hundred percent vouch for her. She's done great work."

"Alright. I trust you, but I don't think I can find anyone who works as well as you do."

"I fucking hope not. Or else you might leave me for them!"

"Never," Bucky replies confidently with a softness in his voice and adoration in his eyes.

"So...about that date..."

_______________________

"Come with me to work for a popular actor!" Kamala narrates her latest TikTok.

"So Bucky is working on a new movie with Natasha Romanoff so for promo we're filming a bunch of different content!" Nat and Bucky wave at the camera.

"After filming all of that, they're off to a photoshoot. Here are some of the potential outfits they can wear." the camera pans to several racks of clothing.

"There's a lunch break and here's my lunch versus Bucky's lunch," Kamala's plate is pasta while Bucky's roast chicken, "The boss needs to bulk up for another role so he needs a lot of protein."

"And that's all that I can show you for today. Until next time, bye!"

You scroll to the comments and they're immediately flooded with"

you're not y/n???

wait, did y/n quit?! did bucky fire them?! no!

what happened to y/n?!

and so on.

You snort and show Bucky, who was cuddling you from behind, "I told you people would notice."

He peers over your shoulder to look at your phone, "Kamala actually had an idea for that."

_________________

"A Day in the Life of an Actor's Social Media Manager. Part...whatever. So we're doing more promo stuff for Bucky and Nat's new movie. But this time I'm also working with Nat's social media manager, Y/N! We're doing a What's in the Box Challenge and here's a clip of Bucky freaking out."

"IT'S MOVING! WHY IS IT MOVING?!"

"Also look at Bucky and Y/N. They're so cute together. And yes, guys, they're totally dating now which is why Y/N no longer works for Bucky. ANYWAY..."

[mirai-e-jump]

Bakuage Sentai Boonboomger Character Book Final Ignition: Best Bakuage Graffiti Main Cast & Voice Actor Interviews (translations below, long post)

Publication: February 7, 2025

Iuchi Haruhi x Hayama Yuki

"Please tell us about your first impressions of each other, including how they've changed."

Hayama: When we met at the audition, Haruhi and I were seated next to each other, and I thought his voice was so quiet since I couldn't really understand what he was saying (laughs). At that time, the judges started talking to us about our outfits, and then we'd each take turns presenting our fashion points.

Iuchi: Yeah, that happened.

Hayama: When Haruhi was presenting, there was some dust on his left arm (laughs). I wasn't sure what to do, but I thought I'd make a good impression there if I brushed it off for him (laughs), so that's what I did. At the time, I had the impression that Haruhi was a very innocent kid, however…

Iuchi: However?

Hayama: My impression after passing the audition together and him filming as Taiya Hando for a year was that in his private life, he's the youngest who has a gentle, airheaded and healing personality, but once he entered the set and became Taiya, he was someone you could rely on. Throughout the year, I think I finally understood why Haruhi was picked to play the role of Taiya. I also think he's an actor who's careful about when to "switch on and off." I have nothing but respect for that. There are so many things that I've learned from Haruhi!

Iuchi: We had a really good time. I also remember the audition, and I had the impression that Yuki-kun was a "cool looking slender guy." I also felt that he maintained his personal space and seemed abit scary. During the audition, he was really good at playing a cool character, and I thought that was the kind of person he actually was, but…well, he turned out to be the complete opposite (laughs).

Hayama: In other words, you didn't have a good first impression of me, but then it gradually got better?

Iuchi: Yeah (laughs). What I gradually came to understand is that he's someone who loves his role, and would think about various different things he could do for it. Without any hesitation, he'll say, "I love Ishiro," which I think is a wonderful thing.

"Next, let's talk about your roles…generally speaking, both Taiya and Ishiro can be classified as cool types. Did you have meetings or share opinions with each other on how to differentiate between the two?"

Hayama: We never discussed how to make a difference like that.

Iuchi: We didn't. When we were acting on set, we'd talk about things like, "I want to do this scene like this, can we try it?," but we never talked about how to make sure our characters didn't resemble each other.

Hayama: At a glance, both Taiya and Ishiro look cool, but Taiya's the charismatic type who moves forward and says, "Follow me." Ishiro however isn't the type to try and lead the Boonboomger members by himself, but is the type to just pull along those who are behind him, he's instead more interested in supporting Taiya Hando, the person who fell in love with him. The coolness of being his right hand man, or rather, the quality of his coolness is different. I'm sorry for talking about Taiya like this for my own gain, but that's what I think.

"Taiya and Ishiro are a pair that have had alot of dialogue together, but which scenes in particular were most memorable?"

Iuchi: The flashback scene from when Taiya and Ishiro first met. There was a small one in Bakuage 2, with the proper one being depicted in Bakuage 29, but since they hadn't become friends yet at that time, I was conscious of my gaze and voice so that he wouldn't look like the usual Taiya. Ishiro also had eyes that didn't trust him at all. Aside from that scene, the only person Taiya sees before him is his friend Ishiro, so it felt pretty rare. In that sense, it left a lasting impression on me.

Hayama: It'd probably be the last scene in Bakuage 37, when we're on the rooftop. The exchange of, "As expected, the one I fell in love with never fails me," and "Cranked up, isn't it?" It was very fitting. Director Hayama's direction was stylish. The Director was grinning when he told us, "(whispering) Let's go in a sweet direction" (laughs). Also, I got goosebumps in this episode when Taiya was talking with the "fake Ishiro." He didn't make eye contact with him even once.

Iuchi: Yeah, they were completely out of sync.

Hayama: I was impressed by the detailed setup. When fake Ishiro touches the computer console to activate the system, Haruhi kept looking down. I thought, "He's angry~" (laughs). Still, when I looked at the footage, I could see that although he looks like Ishiro, he perceives him as a stranger, and I learned alot from the way he used those expressions. Also in Bakuage 37, there was something that Haruhi suggested to me. For the "I trust him (shinjiteru)" line between Taiya and Ishiro, we say it at the same time towards the end, but in the script it was originally "I trust in him (shinjiteiru)." It's not an unnatural word for these two to say, but I thought it'd be more appropriate if the "i" was left out, and since Haruhi thought the same thing, we decided to change it to "I trust him." That also left an impression on me. (*it's the same meaning, but the one they went with is casual while the original is formal speech)

"In Bakuage 43, Ishiro betrayed them, and in Bakuage 47, it was revealed that it was a plan to defeat Waruido Spindo. How did you feel about that kind of development happening towards the very end of the show?"

Iuchi: I thought it was interesting. It's good when the story advances without a hitch, but since Super Sentai is a team hero production, it's exciting when the story has the team fall apart atleast once, and then has them overcome their differences in order to strengthen the bonds between them. I thought it'd be exciting for the viewers to see that happen in the final stages of the story, and we were also excited to perform it.

"What were you mindful of with that development?"

Hayama: Before filming began, Director Nakazawa told me to "trust Taiya 100%," so I continued to perform with that same unchanging trust. No matter what words Ishiro uses, Taiya's able to fully grasp what he says, so I wasn't concerned about trying to include any hidden meanings.

Iuchi: What I was conscious of was to make sure that the viewers wouldn't figure it out. Taiya knows what Ishiro's trying to do, but if he doesn't go along with things, the enemy will find out. It was difficult trying to find the right balance there. One way of putting it is I had to trust my friend while simultaneously looking into the eyes of the enemy…I was curious to see how Ishiro would act since there were so many characters involved. Then, when I saw the footage during the recording session, I saw the expression on Ishiro's face and thought it was really good. Because of Bakuage 37's "I trust him" line, I thought, "It's alright, Ishiro won't betray us," but he had a really evil look on his face, so I started to have some concerns. After the truth was revealed in Bakuage 47, I wanted to rewatch Bakuage 43 to see the expression on Ishiro's face, and I hope that all the viewers do so as well.

"Are there any scenes that you'll never forget due to them being difficult or painful?"

Iuchi: In the very beginning, I had a hard time making Taiya look mature. The age of Taiya's character is older than I actually am, and even Director Nakazawa, who directed Bakuage 1-3, told me to be more mature. As the story progressed, it was Bakuage 45 and 46. It's right after Ishiro betrays him and Boonboom is taken out. I wondered how I would present Taiya, who's now totally different from before after unleashing his raw emotions, and how far I should let him "fall." He hasn't fallen to the dark side, but he's being consumed by dark feelings. Still, I thought that if I expressed things too negatively, it would stray too far from Taiya, and with such positive lines like, "I have no regrets" and "I trust him," I had to keep the passion burning. On set, there were some parts that required many takes, so it was still difficult.

Hayama: I had alot of trouble with Bakuage 14's aquarium episode. I remember it took me awhile to understand Ishiro's feelings during the first flashback scene, and the scene in the beginning where he's watching the sea lion show. I know I shouldn't be judgmental, but normal people don't cry when they see fish, right?

Iuchi: Well, yeah, that's true (laughs).

Hayama: At the time of Bakuage 14, Ishiro's foundation had yet to be completely solidified and was still being explored, and then the setting of him crying at the aquarium was added. I was confused with, "What do you mean by crying?"

"As a spy, Ishiro must've had a tough life up to that point, so much so that it'd be hard for those with normal perspectives to grasp it. In the flashback scene, he was covered with scars."

Hayama: Yeah, his body jolts from the slightest sounds. I felt pressure because I knew that I couldn't compromise this scene, as it would lead to the present day Ishiro. I was incredibly nervous right up until the start of filming. No, I wasn't nervous, I was scared. I felt that if things didn't go well here, it would affect the future of the show. He's usually cool, but feels relaxed when looking at fish, however, if he laughs too much, then that's not Ishiro. I had alot of trouble making adjustments. One more thing I'd like to mention is the scenes with Horibe Keisuke-san's Tokoyari Eiichiro, which started to increase around Bakuage 29. It was a valuable and rewarding experience for me to work with a veteran actor, but the pressure almost overwhelmed me. However, if I was overcome by Horibe-san's presence, the footage would look as if Ishiro was intimidated by Tokoyari. At the same time, it wouldn't be good if I were overly confident. Making those adjustments was also difficult.

"In this character book, the six Boonboomger members are divided into three pairs, and each pair will be asked to talk about another pair. We'd like to ask you about Suzuki Miu-san and Saito Ryu-san. It can be about your impressions of them in their private lives or as actors."

Hayama: I was impressed with how quick of a learner Ryu was with action. He practiced diligently, but he was able to handle it well from the very beginning. In his private life however, he's the youngest just like Haruhi, so his smile is absolutely adorable. There are all sorts of gaps with him. From the point of view of someone the same age, what do you think?

Iuchi: Him just being there brightened up the set. I'd talk when I had to, but there were also times where I'd just sit around without talking (laughs). With Ryu however, he'd always be talking with a smile on his face.

Hayama: He'd talk right up until the "get ready!" yell to start filming was heard. I'd occasionally get angry at him for that (laughs). But that's also one of Ryu's specialties, as it makes everyone around him feel at ease.

Iuchi: Miu-chan has…a broad perspective.

Hayama: She really does, doesn't she? She's always looking at her surroundings.

Iuchi: She tells us what she notices and will bring everyone together. Thanks to her, I feel that I've enjoyed my work.

Hayama: This is just my assumption, as she never said anything like this to us, but among the six Boonboomger cast members, she's the only female member. I think the five of us were able to consult with each other because we were all male, while on the opposite end, I'm sure that there may have been things that Miu-chan wanted to consult with us about but couldn't. However, she'd never show any signs like that and would always keep the set in harmony. She's a tolerant and incredible person. And, she's the same as Mira too, don't you think?

Iuchi: She really is.

Hayama: If you asked me, "Which part of her?," I'd say it's everything.

Iuchi: Ryu and Jou also have some parts that overlap between them, but Miu-chan seems to be Mira herself.

"You've been working with these friends to create this production, but what did you learn from your role throughout the year? In addition, how do you feel you've grown as actors?"

Hayama: I was tasked with a role that I would continue to play for a year, and it's an experience that I may not be able to replicate in the future, where I can take the time to develop my role. I was also able to perform action scenes and learned alot of things that can only be learned on a set like this, such as the unique way tokusatsu productions are filmed. More specifically, there's a Director, Cameraman, lighting crew, sound team, costume designers, makeup team, artists, and so on…I'm embarrassed to say that I now have a better understanding for the reason why these types of work are divided up. I want to continue to be an actor, and for that reason I learned some valuable basics. Honestly, I don't know if my acting has improved. That's for the people around me to judge. However, I have grown in the sense that I've learned the basics and gained a real feel for what acting is like.

Iuchi: Since this was my first time filming a drama, I didn't know how to ask questions or express my opinions even if I had questions or didn't understand something. To begin with, I thought anything I'd say would be wrong. However, the Director would ask me what I thought, and I learned that it was okay to look at all my costars and voice my opinion. I learned the basics of how to act on a set, and it was a fulfilling year for me.

"This book will be released before the final episode. What are some highlights of the final episode and your message to the fans who have supported the show for the past year?"

Hayama: There's the final battle with the Hashiriyan boss, Waruido Spindo…or rather, that's the main thing, as the battle scenes are a bigger highlight, but I think you'll enjoy it even more if you pay attention to how each character spends the final episode, or rather, how they're portrayed. And! There's also some highlights for BoonBlue, played by myself and Suit Actor Yoneoka Takahiro-san, so I hope that you'll pay attention to that.

Iuchi: Thank you for loving Bakuage Sentai Boonboomger and all of us in the cast. The Super Sentai series will continue into the future, so I hope you'll enjoy that as well. I also hope that you'll be interested in the actors of Boonboomger's cast and continue to support us. I'd be grateful if you'd keep an eye on us and see how we progress. _

Suzuki Miu x Saito Ryu

"What were your first impressions of each other?"

Suzuki: Ryu-kun was sitting near me during the final audition…I think Haruhi-kun, Yuki-kun and Satorun were also there, right?

Saito: Yeah

Suzuki: Out of everyone, Ryu-kun in particular left an impression on me. This is because I had fun doing our performance together. We played the roles of Mira and Jou respectively, but Ryu-kun was beyond perfect for a role like Jou. My first impression was that this person would without a doubt be selected. In addition, he talked about how confident he was in his muscles at the audition, and someone had to stop him when he suddenly said, "Can I take my clothes off?!" (laughs). I was also impressed by his eager attitude, which still hasn't changed.

Saito: The only impression I had of Miu-chan was ramen (laughs). When the topic of liking ramen came up during the audition, Miu-chan told the Producer that she "likes well arranged and beautiful looking ramen," but the Producer, who liked hearty ramen with tons of ingredients, replied to her with, "That doesn't sit well with me" (laughs). Still, I thought she had good communication skills, as she was able to skillfully respond to them and their conversation went on naturally. After that, when we were both selected to appear and were set to meet for the first time, Miu-chan arrived alittle late.

Suzuki: Yeah, I was.

Saito: All four of us guys were there, and as we were all thinking, "I wonder who this last person is?," Miu-chan arrived and I was like, "It's the ramen person!" (laughs).

Suzuki: That's how you remembered me? (laughs).

Saito: I think this happened after that, during costume fitting. Miu-chan came to our dressing room and asked, "Should we go out for a meal together?" Up to that point, us four guys hadn't been communicating well, as we had just been glancing at each other to see things would play out, but thanks to Miu-chan, we all started talking to each other. People tend to say that the Boonboomger cast get along well with each other, and I believe it's thanks to Miu-chan.

Suzuki: That makes me happy!

"It may be similar to her relationships depicted in the show. Mira treats everyone equally and doesn't distance herself from any of the other members."

Suzuki: I don't think that Mira and myself are as similar as people say, but after listening to what Ryu-kun said, I guess I might be abit like Mira. I definitely thought that I approached everyone pretty aggressively (laughs).

Saito: Still, I was really grateful for that personally. Haruhi's the same age as me, so I felt somewhat at ease with him. Satoru-kun's eight years older than me, while Yuki-kun's three years older than me, so I wasn't sure how I should treat them. Well, as you can see, we're now talking to each other on a first name basis.

"Soma-san and Miyazawa-san said that they were constantly teased by the younger members."

Suzuki: It's because of the tolerance those two have. It was helpful.

Saito: I went to Satoru-kun's place yesterday and ate some oden.

"Didn't you visit him just the other day?"

Saito: At that time, I did muscle training at my place and then went to Satoru-kun's place for a meal. He had asked me, "I've got some extra food, do you want to come over?" I don't have to worry about who I'm with now that I've gotten along so well with everyone.

"Both Mira and Jou are neither wealthy nor aliens, they're both ordinary people who share a common perspective, but did you ever feel that your characters were similar to each other?"

Saito: They're similar in that they both have an honest way of thinking. Another similarity would be that they don't know anything (laughs). They both didn't know the secrets that everyone else shared or sensed.

Suzuki: Neither of them ever made deductions (laughs). Also, they're similar in the way they expressed their feelings in a straightforward manner. However, since Jou's a police officer, I think he had a greater sense of responsibility as a member of society compared to Mira, and I think he's a character who had the belief of "I'm a police officer" at his core.

"Because of that, his decision to quit being a police officer in Bakuage 46 carried alot of weight."

Suzuki: He said, "If I can't help those who are screaming, then I'll quit being a police officer." Since the viewers saw how things unfolded up to that point, they know what he did wasn't a reckless decision.

Saito: Quitting being a police officer is a big decision for Jou, so I consulted with Director Hayama and thought about it as I performed. But then there was the line, "I don't have to be a police officer to protect those who need protecting." It's true, being a police officer is just a profession, and you can quit and still protect citizens. I felt like that line represented Jou's growth.

"Can you tell us what you think is great about each other as actors?"

Suzuki: Ryu-kun's honesty and pureness overlaps with Jou's passion, which is very emotionally appealing. The episodes with scenes of Jou being emotionally charged are all excellent. I thought the Keytarou episode (Bakuage 15) in particular was a divine episode. I cried.

Saito: What I admire about Miu-chan is her ability to instantly change the atmosphere of the scene. In the scene where Boon-chan talks about his past at the Deliverer's garage, and the scene where everyone talks after Boon-chan is defeated by Spindo, the atmosphere instantly changed when Mira said her lines. When Miu-chan spoke, it tugged at my heartstrings. The atmosphere changing also made it easier for me to perform.

Suzuki: I'm glad. Alright, here's one more wonderful thing about Ryu-kun. Expressing your emotions is naturally important, but since this is a hero production, I think it's important to look like a hero in the footage and to learn how to use your body for that purpose. In the beginning, Suit Actor and Action Director Jun-san taught me how to stand like a hero, and told me to learn how to use my body throughout the year. People have said that my movements look stiff (bitter smile), but Ryu-kun uses his body well, and his movements are sharp and cool. When you look at the footage, he's able to do movements that'll make you think, "Ah, he's a hero!" without even realizing it. That's why I consulted with Ryu-kun when I was set to get up from a crawling position after being attacked by an enemy. I'd ask him how I should angle my legs so that they don't look awkward, and how to stand up so that I look like a hero. He's like my nearby Action Director.

Saito: It's not that big of a deal, but I've loved heroes since I was little and used to play pretend. It may be ingrained in my body.

Suzuki: You've been practicing alot of action moves lately. You even did a forward somersault.

Saito: I practiced under the teachings of all the Action Team members, but they were good at giving me compliments. They'd give advice like, "That was good! But, you could do it abit more like this." I felt motivated by their encouragement.

Suzuki: His motivation is amazing! It doesn't matter what it's for. I know he's probably thinking that it could be useful in the future, but he practices action all the time, even after filming finishes, so I respect him for that.

Saito: Miu-chan would ask the Director detailed questions during postrecording. Things like, "What kind of CG effects will be used?" and, "What kind of attack will be shown that knocks me down?" As a professional, she never left out any details. I tended to act based on whatever came to my imagination, but Miu-chan listened to what the Director said, and she thoroughly incorporated it into her work as set tasks.

Suzuki: That makes me happy. I wish we could hold these kinds of "mutual praise meetings" atleast once a month (laughs).

Saito: They'd really increase our motivation! (laughs).

"Please list some memorable scenes of each other's character. We got the impression that Mira and Jou were often together at the Deliverer's garage. When Boonboom Marine and Boonboom Safari were activated in Bakuage 13, Mira said, "Let's see who can get the approval first," to which Jou agreed."

Suzuki: There were definitely alot of scenes like that.

Saito: We were given alot of freedom, as the Director's instructions were sometimes as simple as, "They're both really excited" (laughs). Then we'd talk about what we were going to do and act it out.

Suzuki: The beginning of Bakuage 25 left an impression on me. After Jou said, "The firework festival is finally tonight" we were instructed to "make it look like they're both having fun," so we did some cheering and went, "Boom boom" (laughs).

Saito: Another memorable scene was when Mira's tears fell onto Nicola's pendant in the warehouse during Bakuage 45. I couldn't see Miu-chan's face from where I was standing, but I knew that she was crying the moment she started speaking. And, when they got the take, I saw that she had real tears in her eyes. I had a really hard time trying to cry during the Keytarou episode. Miu-chan however was able to cry immediately.

Suzuki: No, it was because we shot that scene atleast 3 times. The first time we shot it, I still hadn't sorted out my emotions, so I thought that I wouldn't cry, but the instant they got the final take, Ryu-kun turned to me to check my face (laughs). I felt that Ryu-kun was acting pretty childish (laughs).

Saito: I'm sorry. I was just so curious.

Suzuki: At that time, Mira was looking at Taiya, but due to the angle, Taiya wasn't in frame, so the scene was just of me. Haruhi-kun was still there performing with me, and he gave me some great facial expressions. Without him there, I'm sure that I wouldn't have been able to cry.

"In this book, we'll also have you talk about the pairs featured in the other interviews. We'd like to ask you about your impressions of Soma Satoru-san and Miyazawa Yu-san as actors, along with some behind the scenes stories about filming. First, please start with Soma-san."

Suzuki: Satorun positioned himself as the silly one, making us laugh with his ridiculous jokes, but when we'd borrow his scripts to check his lines, he wrote detailed notes on every page, stuff like, "I think this is what Genba's feeling at this moment." During the time he took on the appearance of Genbard in Bakuage 27, he was watching the monitor closely as Suit Actor Ono-san performed as BoonOrange after transforming. He was trying to get into character as Ono-san did his role so that they'd overlap. An attitude like that is something I want to emulate as an actor.

Saito: Well then, I'll tell you about his private life. His room is very clean (laughs). He doesn't have much stuff. He's a good cook, and he has his own particular way of thinking, which he's uncompromising and thorough about. I think that comes out in his acting. That being said, he's usually calm and kind.

Suzuki: He's in the top three of kindest people I've ever met in my life.

"What about Miyazawa-san?"

Suzuki: I guess you could say that Zawa-kun's a level headed person. He treats both his superiors and those younger than him with the same attitude. When we'd go out for a meal after filming finished, he'd give us advice like, "For that scene, it would've been good if it was done like this, don't you think?"

Saito: He's a big bro you can count on. When I was alone with Zawa-nii, he'd never tell me what he thought of my performance, but when I requested it by saying, "Tell me what you thought," he'd give his opinion with, "That part was good, but I think this part could've been better…" I can tell that he's doing this job because he loves acting, as what he says is always precise.

Suzuki: It's easily understandable, isn't it?

Saito: It's like he's "Google" Sensei (laughs). He's able to teach me anything. Also, he's really good at making keema curry (laughs).

Suzuki: I can't imagine him doing detailed work like that (laughs).

Saito: That's why I had jokingly said to him, "You can't make meals that look like this" (laughs).

"And now finally, please tell us about the highlights of Bakuage 48's final episode, as well as a message to the fans who have supported you for the past year."

Saito: The part in Bakuage 47 where they stop Mira and Spindo's wedding deeply moved me. The scene is like a homage to Bakuage 1, but in Bakuage 1, only Taiya showed up at the wedding hall, in Bakuage 47 however, all of her friends rush in. I think it once again depicted how the Boonboomgers have grown over the past year and what kind of team they've become. From there, the final episode will be about how they'll defeat Spindo. I think many people are wondering what'll happen to the Sanseaters, and of course what'll happen to the Boonboomgers, so I hope that you'll watch and see where each and everyone one of them ends up. It's meant to be the next episode after Mira's wedding was stopped…but even though it's the final episode, I think of it as the second episode, or the beginning of a season 2.

Suzuki: I have a message for all the fans. Thank you so much for your support over the past year. When I first heard the title Bakuage Sentai Boonboomger, I thought it'd be a happy, cheerful, and energetic Super Sentai, and it definitely was just that. But that's not all, as I think that the viewers enjoyed things such as what each character had been carrying on their backs and the type of justice they wanted to uphold, as well as the depiction of the human drama, one which you wouldn't expect based off the show's title. And…(she turns to Saito), is there anything else you'd like to say?

Saito: Tons of people came to the events, and it became a hot topic on SNS, with words related to Boonboomger trending after each broadcast, so there were alot of people who liked it. I'm glad that I was able to be apart of such a production. Or rather, that's what Miu-chan wanted to say (laughs).

Suzuki: (laughs). I'm happy that this production was so well loved. _

Soma Satoru x Miyazawa Yu

"What were your first impressions of each other?"

Soma: That he was "the most intimidating guy" (laughs). His appearance left an impression on me, and I think the other members felt that way too, but still, I thought he looked scary.

Miyazawa: Did you think I was gonna yell at you? (laughs).

Soma: However, my impression changed when I actually got to know him, as he was overflowing with kindness and consideration for others.

Miyazawa: Thank you (laughs). When I first met Satoru, I thought he was a "fluffy" person. My first impression of him was that he "seemed kind and had some soft vibes," and that still hasn't changed. It's like he's Buddha. He's always smiling.

Soma: Thank you.

"You two are the oldest out of the main cast members, so did you take on the role of being their big brothers on set?"

Miyazawa: They knew we were the oldest, and yet they mistreated us, isn't that right?

Soma: (he immediately takes over) That's right. I think we were the top two when it came to being teased. Well, I do think it's good that the younger cast members were able to be so carefree.

"If it's just between the two of you, who's the funny guy and who's the straight man?"

Miyazawa: I'm totally the funny guy, right? (laughs).

Soma: It's either hit or miss with you (laughs).

Miyazawa: The two of us are together quite often, wouldn't you say? We go to bathhouses together. We're easy going people. On days when we finished filming in the morning and had free time in the afternoon, we'd go to an onsen and enjoy the ganbanyoku.

"Now then, we'd like to ask about your impressions of each other as actors."

Soma: When it was time to screw around, Zawa-kun would screw around. When it was time to perform, he was completely focused. There was a clear contrast between the two, which made me feel like I had to act the same. He has alot of experience, is passionate about acting, and has a wide range of skills, so there was much to learn from him. When I saw Zawa-kun's performance, I thought, "I see, so that's how he expresses it. If that's the case, then I'll do it like this," and from there, I begin to think about things more thoroughly.

Miyazawa: The atmosphere changed tremendously when it was revealed that Genba was an alien and left Boonboomger in Bakuage 27. What I felt most at that time was that Satoru was thinking deeply about the role of Genba Bureki, and how to convey the character of Genba to the viewers. He would discuss things with the Director, including how to express himself, and wrote alot of notes in the script. Those around him were inspired by that, and it caused them to bring out the best in their own performance, so I'm very grateful to him for that. Being able to work together with him made me happy.

"We got the impression that Genba had alot of scenes with Sakito during his withdrawal, but when filming scenes with just the two of you, would you discuss things beforehand?"

Miyazawa: We'd talk about what we were going to say, but we didn't want to force it. We didn't talk about specifics like, "I want to take it in this direction, so here's what I'm going to do," but rather, how I would respond to the Genba that Satoru had in mind. I wondered what kind of expressions he'd use and how I'd respond to them.

Soma: That kind of attitude was very important to me. When I spoke my lines, I'd carefully watch how Zawa-kun responded to them, and if he responded to them in "this way," then I'd "go with this." We made it a point to express exactly what we were feeling while acting.

Miyazawa: Our characters didn't exactly have a close relationship with each other, so I think we had to explore them even more.

"When it comes to memorable scenes involving Genba and Sakito…"

Miyazawa: It's the sumo match during Bakuage 32.

Soma: Yeah. I'm sure some of the viewers watching may have been thinking, "Why sumo here?" (laughs). It was hot during that shoot, and we had to use every muscle in our body when performing, so it was difficult, but it also brought out more emotion in us, which made it easier to get into it.

Miyazawa: We got so into it that we ended up getting brain fog (laughs).

Soma: We were like, "What do we do next again?" (laughs).

Miyazawa: We were both sweating so much, that we could squeeze out the sweat that had soaked into our clothes. It was really hot, in part because we were standing on concrete. Still, even after Genba left Boonboomger, Sakito would often show up in front of him just to mess with him, so that sumo match left a strong impression on me due to the fact that it was the only time they both seriously discussed their feelings with each other. Up to that point, Sakito had been saying some nuanced things in order to get him to return to Boonboomger, but Genba wouldn't listen. Then, Nijino Akira appeared and they decided to wrestle, and he was finally able to express his true feelings in a straightforward way.

Soma: It's because Sakito kept digging into him that Genba was also able to vent his frustrations. He left Boonboomger to not get them involved in his plans for revenge, and even though he wanted to go back, he couldn't let himself do it. But when Sakito, whose sense of distance is different compared to the other four told him, "Quit being stubborn and just go back to them," he was able to once again validate his feelings. I think it was a big deal for Genba, as he was able to do it once he truly spoke his mind.

"Speaking of, Soma-san was told from the beginning that Genba was an alien, right?"

Soma: Yeah. Still, all they said to me was, "We want you to be aware of it, but we don't want to make it obvious, so we may make small mentions of it in future lines." In the beginning, they apparently hadn't decided on the development of his withdrawal, and I wasn't informed of his Burekiian form until shortly before it was set to happen. Then he was removed from the opening credits…

Miyazawa: Seems like it was pretty intricate.

"Another time the two of you were featured together was in Bakuage 41's soccer episode."

Miyazawa: We were very grateful for that. I was happy that there was an episode where the two of us were the main characters. Since we're both experienced soccer players, we were invited to participate in a collaboration event with Shimizu S-Pulse in September 2024. After that, Producer Kuji-san said to us, "We can probably include a soccer episode somewhere."

Soma: I had the opportunity to meet head character designer Shimamoto-san, and at that time I told him how I'd "like to do a soccer episode." At that time, I was just talking about my desires, but then it became a reality.

Miyazawa: During filming, we had our first experience with napalm explosions in the scene where flames rise up from behind us while we were dribbling the ball. We kicked the ball in the shoes of the Boonboomger suit, which are usually worn by the Suit Actors.

Soma: It was hard to kick with them (laughs).

Miyazawa: The top of the shoes are large, which made it difficult to catch the ball. However, as expected of Satoru, he was able to do "keepy uppies."

Soma: No, no, it was still difficult with the napalm.

Miyazawa: The path also had quite abit of gravel.

Soma: I was worried that the ball would bounce and that our dribbling would become out of sync, but we managed to pull it off somehow. If I was going to be involved in a tokusatsu production, I wanted to experience napalm, so it was a good experience for me.

"What's the most memorable scene that doesn't involve Genba and Sakito together?"

Soma: In Bakuage 18, when Taiya says, "I can hear Sakito's screams" Sakito responds with, "I hate it. Guys like you who sugarcoat crap." Him being able to express his true feelings left an impression on me. I love that scene. I'll often rewatch it just to see Sakito's expression.

Miyazawa: I liked the scene in Bakuage 33, where Genba goes to the Deliverer's garage while everyone else is away and stares at the Champion Jacket that Shirabe-san hands him. But, the best scene was the last scene in Bakuage 26, where he confronts Disrace and jumps at him. Genba exploded with the emotions that he had kept bottled up, and it left a huge impact on me, as the impression I had of his character changed all at once in that scene. The atmosphere Satoru created was completely different from the previous scenes.

"When you feel that kind of change, the atmosphere of the cast members around you also changes, right?"

Miyazawa: Yes. What I thought was amazing about everyone is that when it came to scenes that were important to someone else, or scenes that depicted strong emotions, they'd think about the actor who would be performing in those scenes.

Soma: We all create an atmosphere where we could concentrate, right?

Miyazawa: It was a truly wonderful set.

"We'd like to ask you about your role in the scene where you jump at Disrace."

Soma: Genba had never really shown his emotions up until that point, but after hearing about the appearance of Disrace, his destined rival, I wanted to show a contrast in his personality. This is why I was conscious of having more fun performing in the episodes that had comedic elements, such as in Bakuage 21, in which he calls himself the "candy detective."

"Were there any scenes that were difficult for you to perform, or that you felt helped you grasp your role better?"

Miyazawa: Sakito's a character who tends to be loud and childish, but he's also quite sensitive, so I found those parts of my role as a good challenge. However, I think that how he understood people's emotions and how he expressed what he was feeling was a theme I struggled with until the very end. Like in the scenes that involved Genba, or towards the end of the show, when everyone was in shock over Ishiro's betrayal, only Sakito expressed his anger. I tried to be conscious of that when performing.

Soma: I wasn't able to express my emotions until about halfway through the show, so I sometimes wondered whether it'd be better to suppress my expressions "here" or not, but if I suppressed them too much, nothing would be conveyed, so I guess you could say I struggled with that. However, after separating from his friends and coming back, I changed it to show alittle more emotion. The turning point of the story also became a switch to change up my performance.

Miyazawa: Can I add one more thing? Rather than myself, there's a scene where I felt that Sakito had grown. It's the scene in episode 45, where he's harshly critical towards the citizens. When Bundorio was defeated and everyone looked down on the Boonboomgers as the enemies of Earth, he shouts, "Didn't the Boonboomgers save you?" and, "I won't tolerate you guys calling them villains!" If it had been Sakito from around Bakuage 18, he would've never said that. He left Earth once, but now he loves his Boonboomger friends who he met on Earth, which is the reason why he spoke so sharply against the citizens. That was really passionate.

"Since you've brought up the topic of character growth, do you feel that you yourself have grown over the past year?"

Soma: I feel that I have. It's not often that you get to work on the same production for a whole year, so it was great to be able to experience that. In the past, I was often led by my seniors, but in this production, I was working with people who were younger than me, so I felt that I had to be more reliable, and I think I've grown in that I've become more aware of the need to lead others.

Miyazawa: I learned alot in the very beginning, such as how to behave towards cast members on set, and I think it'll definitely be to my advantage on the next set I participate in. As for my performance, I only joined midway through, but even so, it was a rare experience to play the same role for more than half a year, so I felt that I've gained alot from it, and that I'll make use of it in my next job.

"This book will feature interviews between three pairs. We'd like you to talk about the changes you've seen in the Iuchi Haruhi-san and Hayama Yuki-san pair over the past year. What do you think?"

Soma: First, Haruhi became more responsible as Red as the show progressed, and he consulted with the Director more frequently about his performance, so I could tell that his confidence was improving. In the beginning, I had the impression that he was timid, but in a good way, he started insisting on doing things his own way, and in the latter half of the show, the number of times he asked for advice increased, which made me happy.

Miyazawa: Well then, I'll talk about Blue's Yuki. He was always thinking about the role of Ishiro Meita, and he would perfectly embody that role on set. He made us realize just what kind of person Ishiro is. That's what I like about him. On the other hand, in private, he's got abit of a junior like quality to him, which makes me want to look after him (laughs). Still, he's got his own opinions, and could say what he needed to say to his seniors. That's the kind of thing that helped us out too. I'm confident that he'll continue to absorb alot of things from now on and become a wonderful actor.

"This book will be released just before the final episode airs. What are some highlights of the final episode and your message to the fans who have supported you over the past year?"

Miyazawa: The highlight will be the final battle of course, but also what'll happen with the Big Bang Grand Prix, which Taiya and the others have been aiming for, and what'll happen to Sakito. All I can say is that it's gonna be hot! I think it's because he became friends with the Boonboomgers and spent time with everyone that this is what happens. I hope you'll look forward to it.

Soma: Yes, that's exactly right (laughs). Now that all the highlights have been said, I have a message. Tons of people have watched the show and visited our events over the past year. Multiple people commented on SNS, which made me realize every day that this show was loved by so many people, and I can only be grateful for the happiness I felt. After the final episode airs, I hope you'll be immersed in a sense of Boonboomger loss…although, it's strange to wish for loss (laughs).

Hashiyasume Atsuko

"There's only one episode left in the story, but please tell us again what your impressions were when it was decided that you'd play the role of Saibu Shirabe, as well as some of the things you discussed with the Directors and Producers about your character's image."

Hashiyasume: I don't think there were many requests for me to "do things like this." When I first received the script and read it, the impression I got was that she seemed cool and cold, but as I read further, I learned about her interesting parts and unexpected side, and realized that she was a woman with an incredible gap in her personality. I had a feeling she'd become more involved with all the Boonboomgers in the future, so I decided to keep her cool image during the beginning, but as the story progressed, I played the role with the hope that she'd slowly warm up to everyone and that tensions would gradually melt away like ice.

"That kind of gap was wonderful for Shirabe, don't you think? How did you decide to act out the cute part of her that radiates love for Boonboom?"

Hashiyasume: Every time I'd go to the set, I had my own image in mind of what I wanted to do, but when I actually did it, the Director would give me advice like, "Wouldn't it be cuter if you did it alittle more like this?" (laughs). I think this part is where I got the most advice on my performance.

"Can you give us some examples of the advice you received?"

Hashiyasume: The Director himself gave form to these ideas by saying things like, "I think you should act more head over heels with Boon-sama" or, "Move your body more like this!" (laughs). The direction was that it was "fine to make it more exaggerated" than what I had in mind. The Director also suggested the scene where I become excited with Boon-sama and spin around while saying, "Alright!," and so, Boon-sama and Shirabe spun around in circles together (laughs). This was how new ideas like that were created on set.

"Was there anything memorable regarding your performance with Boonboom?"

Hashiyasume: In the film "Promise the Circuit," there's a scene where Shirabe's leaning against Boon-sama underneath the shade of a tree, but I think I wanted to be embraced by him more softly…(laughs). No, he was naturally embracing me with his gentle heart!

"Hashiyasume-san, have your feelings toward Boonboom changed over the year?"

Hashiyasume: Shirabe was smitten with Boon-sama from the moment they met, so I personally didn't stop loving him throughout the year. Of course, it was Boon-sama who was on my phone background, Boon-sama who I talked to the most, and I was even jealous of Belora (laughs). From beginning to end, I've always loved Boon-sama, and my feelings haven't changed for the past year!

"This is Hashiyasume-san's first time taking on the challenge of working on a tokusatsu production. We guess you haven't had much opportunity to get involved with tokusatsu up until now…"

Hashiyasume: I naturally knew about the Super Sentai series, but I never thought I'd be cast for it, so I was very surprised.

"But since this was your first time participating in a tokusatsu production, we're sure you must've been surprised by tons of things, no?"

Hashiyasume: That's true. I was surprised to see more CG than I was expecting. In Bakuage 39, there's a scene where Shirabe gets into the Boonboom Car by herself to deliver the Changer to Taiya, and it was only then that I finally learned that the back of the Boonboom Cars were CG (laughs). Shirabe was often at the ISA headquarters or Taiya's house, so I'd often find out when something irregular was done, and there were many moments when I thought, "This was CG too! Modern technology is amazing!"

"It seems like you noticed something every time you filmed."

Hashiyasume: Everything felt fresh. This is exactly why I was so surprised when I learned of the existence of Suit Actors, because at first, I really thought it was the actors themselves who were fighting. I have no doubt that this was obvious to all the fans, but there were so many things that I didn't know about. I had no idea that so many people were involved in the making of this, so I was deeply moved by each and every one of them.

"How was the response from those around you when your appearance in the Super Sentai series was announced?"

Hashiyasume: I received many comments from those I worked with on variety programs saying, "I'll watch Boonboomger." I've had comedians, artists, actors, and so many others mention Boonboomger to me. In addition, people who were accompanied by their children would often say things like, "My son's watching Boonboomger. Look, it's Shirabe!" (laughs). Through Boonboomger, I realized that I had made myself known to a wide variety of people. When I appeared on variety shows, people not only responded to me as "Former BiSH member Hashiyasume," but they'd also say on SNS, "Shirabe-san's appearing on a variety show!," so it was very refreshing for me that people knew me from my role. I realized that I was receiving support from a new demographic of people, and I was again surprised by the power Boonboomger's show had.

"When people actually called out to you, it must've also given off a real sensation of "this child is watching me," huh?"

Hashiyasume: It did. Even during filming of the movie, small children would call out to us during the middle of filming with, "Wow! It's the Boonboomgers!" Unlike live performances, you don't know what kind of response you'll get from video work until it airs, so I would sometimes wonder if it would be properly received by the viewers…When I got to meet viewers like that, it made me happy knowing that there really was a wide age range of people watching.

"Once again, if you had to pick the most memorable scene you appeared in among the ones that have aired so far, which episode would it be from?"

Hashiyasume: The scene that I knew would receive alot of feedback was the one in Bakuage 39, where Shirabe rushes to the scene in the Boonboom Car without wearing a Boonboom suit. From the moment I read the script, I had a feeling that this would be a very important episode for Shirabe. I thought I had been recognized as a member of Boonboomger…it may be an exaggeration to say that, but I thought it was a scene where I had become one with everyone. Actually, after the broadcast, I received very warm words, and I felt as if Shirabe was recognized, which personally gave me a boost of confidence. This episode once again made me feel very happy to have been able to appear in Boonboomger.

"We became overwhelmed with emotion the moment Shirabe rushed to the Boonboomers without any hesitation. We also got the impression that Taiya and the others were surprised and happy to see her."

Hashiyasume: That's right. In the scene where Taiya catches Shirabe after collapsing, we talked alot about how I should fall over. We discussed it with, "How do people collapse when they lose their strength?," and then went into filming.

"The progression of Shirabe becoming the Boonboomger's friend is also a highlight, and one of the reasons for this is Bakuage 39."

Hashiyasume: That's true. Up to that point, Sakito would call her "Shirabe-chan," but after Bakuage 39 it became "Nee-san." It was as if the way they looked at Shirabe changed, or rather, everyone's consciousness changed from thinking she was "that ISA person," to "Shirabe-san (ISA)." While the Boonboomgers and ISA are two different entities, Bakuage 39 was like Saibu Shirabe had become a member of Boonboomger.

"As an ISA member who was there to investigate and monitor their situation, we're sure Shirabe herself must've felt conflicted about it, no?"

Hashiyasume: With her gradually becoming more suspicious of the ISA, Shirabe was always thinking about what she could do in the moment. Even with her position at the ISA, I think she was able to maintain a good balance while dealing with various conflicts. Her first priority was to protect the peace for the sake of Earth. And, I believe that she had thought, "Someday, I'll fight together with the Boobboomgers."

"In Bakuage 46, there was a line where she said, "I'm also a member of Boonboomger." It was a very moving line."

Hashiyasume: That scene was the moment when Shirabe made a big decision, and I said it with the thought of, "This might be the last time…" From the time I read the script, I knew it would take alot of commitment to say that one statement. Uttering those words in the midst of the Boonboomger's critical situation, all while each and every event that had happened so far flashed before her eyes, made me put all the feelings that Shirabe had felt up to that point into it.

"When you think back on past days, were there any parts that made you think, "That really happened"?"

Hashiyasume: It'd be something from the beginning, like when I started things off by grabbing Jou by his chin~ (laughs). Her role at the ISA was to eliminate the Boonboomgers, so that was the kind of determination she had. Looking back to the beginning, things have really changed.

"Shirabe has a cool side, but when she's in front of Boonboom, she shows her cute side, causing this gap to make her a memorable character. Still, we gradually got a glimpse of her passionate side, which made us think that she was a wonderful person."

Hashiyasume: We were just talking about progression, but when I played the role of Shirabe, I imagined that she would gradually become a member of Boonboomger, so in the beginning, I didn't try to get to know the other Boonboomger performers that well. I thought that'd be a better relationship to perform in. I thought it'd be wrong to get too friendly with everyone from the beginning, so just like the ISA and Boonboomgers, I kept a certain distance from them. As the story progressed, I felt that Shirabe and the Boonboomgers had gradually become one, so the seven of us would go out to eat together. From that point on, I was able to perform with the feeling that I really fit in as a member of Boonboomger.

"What are your impressions of the actors playing the Boonboomgers, and what was the atmosphere like when you interacted with them?"

Hashiyasume: From the very beginning, the impression I got was that they were really close. The five, and eventually six of them, always looked like they were having fun while talking. They were so close all the time, that you'd think they were siblings, and the things they'd discuss were things that young boys tend to talk about (laughs), it was so cute.

"What would they talk to Hashiyasume-san about?"

Hashiyasume: An example would be with Mira-chan, who consulted with me for advice by saying, "Isn't it difficult doing variety shows?," and we also talked about work. Jou-kun once suddenly asked me, "Wanna play a card game?" (laughs). In his role, he's a mature and dependable older brother! Behind the scenes however, I often got to see the boyish side of him. All of the fans would say, "The Boonboomgers are so cool!" and, "They're heroes of justice!" but in reality, they're all quite cute……sorry for thinking out loud (laughs).

"Hashiyasume-san's birthday was also celebrated on set."

Hashiyasume: It was a great celebration! I was very happy and thought, "When you end up doing this for a year, these kinds of things happen~"

"It must've been a rare experience to play the same role for a year, so looking back, what were your days like?"

Hashiyasume: Shirabe was a character that didn't appear every week, so there were times when I wouldn't film for about a month. When the time did come, I had to remind myself what kind of voice I used when performing. Shirabe's tone is slightly lower than my natural voice, so trying to fine tune it for filming was difficult. It was the same for my appearance too, as before we started filming, we always had to do things like adjust the length of my bangs and the shape of my eyebrows in order to make it to "Shirabe's specifications." It was only after being prepared by the makeup artist did I think, "My eyebrows weren't Shirabe's until now!" (laughs). After a month had passed, my eyebrows would go back to their natural shape. It was a strange year for me, as I returned to being Shirabe every time I went to filming. It's been a really long year…is what I want to say, but it went by so quickly that I thought, "Huh? It's over already?" When I heard about the end date, I couldn't help but say, "I thought we had atleast another 6 months!" It all happened so quickly.

"And now we're approaching the final episode. Finally, please give a message to the fans who have supported you over the past year."

Hashiyasume: First off, I'd like to thank you for your support of Boonboomger over the past year. In the beginning, some of you may have had a bad impression of Shirabe, or thought she was terrible. It was the Boonboomgers and Boon-sama who softened Shirabe's harsh side. More than anything, it's because of all the little and big friends out there who've supported Shirabe up to this point and shown her so much love that she's been able to become this kind. I don't think things would've changed this much if it was just Shirabe on her own. I'm sure we can win if everyone supports us, so I hope you'll support us to the very end. And, please don't forget about the Boonboomgers or the ISA's Shirabe. I'll also fight until the very end, with the feeling that I was the seventh Boonboomger member. _

Suwabe Junichi x Mizuki Nana x Morohoshi Sumire

"Everyone, this was your first regular appearance in a Super Sentai series. Please tell us how you felt when you were chosen to appear."

Suwabe: Before I received an official offer, Screenwriter Tomioka Atsuhiro-san told me something like, "I've been asked to work on Super Sentai, but I have a role I want you to play." I had voiced minor characters in past series, but I had never been cast as a regular, so I immediately said, "Absolutely!" I've been familiar with the Super Sentai series since I was a child, so I have a strong emotional attachment to it. I was very happy that what I wanted to do most became a reality.

Mizuki: I had previously been involved as minor characters, but I had dreamed of one day being a regular, so I was very happy. I'm secretly into cars (laughs), and many of my fans who support me are also motor sports enthusiasts, with some of them even coming to my live venues in their own decorated cars. Furthermore, I have a cat, so I personally felt that it was fate to play a character named Itasha with a cat motif (laughs).

Morohoshi: I was also very happy when I was first requested to play the role. I was also informed that I'd be playing something of a bad guy or enemy, and since I didn't have much experience playing roles of characters on that side, I thought it'd be a new and fresh challenge for me. My family lineage is female oriented, or in other words, I haven't had much of an opportunity to experience the Super Sentai series being mainly surrounded by girls, but a few years ago, my cousin gave birth to a boy. I was excited in many ways, as I was hoping to enjoy it together with him. The other day, I brought a Boonboom Killer Robo toy to my cousin's child to play with, and he seemed to be into it.

"How much was explained to you about the characters you'd be playing once you were chosen for the role? Please also tell us your thoughts when you were shown their designs."

Suwabe: The initial description of the Sanseaters was, "They're bad guys who aren't the capable type. They're the antagonists of the main characters, but they're a pitiful group that you just can't hate" (laughs). We saw the character designs in the documents we were given when we received our formal offers. They were more rough looking than I was expecting, but I was excited once I learned that they were designed by Shimamoto Kazuhiko-san.

Mizuki: At the time I was approached for the role, they told me the general setup they were aiming for were "enemies you can't hate, and to make them charming villains who, even if they fail, will spin their wheels with all their might." When I was shown the design drawings at the time, I thought they were "cute," and as I read through the script, I found them to be even more adorable (laughs). I was excited about the fact that there was alot of freedom in how we could portray these characters, and that we'd be able to try out alot of different things.

Morohoshi: When I saw the design drawings, I was told, "His voice should give off the impression of being babyish, and he's normally small enough for the other two to hold in their hands." I had almost no experience playing villains, so I wondered how I'd play the role, but I remember thinking that I could do it. After that, they contacted me and said, "We want you to send us some samples of your intimidating voice." They said, "We'd like a voice for if Yarucar is taken over by a bad guy named Madrex. Madrex is a rough man and head commander, so that's the kind of voice we want." I wondered what was going on (laughs).

Suwabe: This setting doesn't appear in the show.

Morohoshi: Yeah. I recorded multiple patterns and sent it to them, and they decided on the direction to take by saying, "Please use the most intimidating voice you can make." At that stage, I couldn't imagine what kind of character I was going to become, but on the flip side, I was still looking forward to it.

"When Yarucar inhaled Gyahsoline and entered into his reckless state, his voice becomes intimidating. So, with the take over setting being removed, it was used here instead? Does that mean you had trouble doing that voice every episode…?"

Morohoshi: No. It was a voice I don't normally make, and I was surprised at how frequently I went into that mode once recording began, but I wouldn't consider it something I struggled with. I had fun.

"Did Suwabe-san and Mizuki-san also receive instructions to be more intimidating?"

Suwabe: According to what Tomioka-san had told me beforehand, Decotrade was a character with pretentious vibes, but when I read the script that I received for Bakuage 1, he was totally different (laughs). I also took the impression his appearance gave off into account as I adjusted the direction I'd go in. I was glad that the performance plan I prepared was able to get an OK from the production side so easily.

Mizuki: Itasha always takes her job seriously, but things don't always go smoothly. Even if she made a cool entrance, her true colors would immediately be found out, and her distinct personality would be revealed (laughs). I was hoping that I could bring out that kind of funny contrast. It seems that my image and the Directors image matched up, as I remember that they immediately gave me the OK.

"We'd like to know if you had been influenced in any way from each other's performance."

Mizuki: Every time we'd watch the footage at the recording set, we'd see Decotrade's Suit Actor Ogura-san and Itasha's Miyazawa-san doing moves that weren't in the script…

Suwabe: They really did, huh? (laughs)

Mizuki: We'd check it out in surprise, thinking, "What is this scene?!," and then we'd do our actual performance immediately after the test, so our reflexes were tested every time. Suwabe-san would take the lead every time, and then Itasha and Yarucar…

Morohoshi: Would interrupt him (laughs).

Mizuki: That was the kind of balance they had. In Bakuage 38, it was revealed that Decotrade had asked Itasha and Yarucar if they "wanted to run together," and pulled them along, but it was also us actors who were being pulled along by Suwabe-san (laughs).

Morohoshi: We'd just sorta followed him (laughs).

Suwabe: No, no (laughs). I was always inspired by the characters that you both played so wonderfully. Well, I thought it was my role to throw in some comedic adlibs (laughs).

Mizuki: He even included puns that weren't in the script (laughs). I thought he was way too good at coming up with ideas after just one look at the footage!

Suwabe: When we'd watch the footage at the recording set, it wasn't uncommon to see people doing things differently from the scripts we were given in advance (laughs). They were more interesting, adorable, and lively in their movements. We thought this was a challenge from the Suit Actors, and so we, the Voice Actors, did our best to bring out the appeal of our characters.

"The "Ka-click" part in "Ka-click, Ignition" when Itasha inserts a key to create a Kurumaju was also a line that wasn't in the script, right?"

Mizuki: That's right. There was a short pause before I said, "Ignition." I thought that music and sound effects would be added for the broadcast, but I also thought that these were the type of guys to say the sound effects themselves (laughs). So when I added the "Ka-click!" and it was accepted, it then became standard.

"Moving on now, we'd like to know who your favorite characters are."

Suwabe: Mine are the Sanseaters. I naturally like Decotrade himself, but I'd like to support the Sanseaters as a set. I was moved to tears when Yarucar abandoned the road to becoming a super elite and returned to Itasha and Decotrade.

Mizuki: In that episode, the scene where Decotrade and Itasha declare that the "Sanseaters are disbanding" really hit me. I could really feel how much they cared about each other.

"Who was Mizuki-san's favorite?"

Mizuki: I also like the Sanseaters. I had the impression that we spent the year raising them, so I have a strong emotional attachment to them. All three of them were always positive. Even when things didn't go their way, they never gave up. Even though they're villains, they had cores similar to heroes. They cherish their bonds. I love them…I really do.

"Will Morohoshi-san also choose the Sanseaters?"

Morohoshi: That's right. They're villains, but you just can't hate them, and that's not all, as watching them made me feel energized, and I loved how positive and honest they all were. I also liked how direct they were in expressing their beliefs. The fact that they understood each other and balanced each other out well was wonderful, and I can feel the bond between them. Also, I really liked Ita-san's motherly side (laughs). I felt that she was very patient with Yaru-chan. And above all else, she's a young lady, so she's cute.

Mizuki: That makes me happy.

Morohoshi: Deco-san was also a very passionate man. He made alot of mistakes (laughs), but at his core, he had more passion and stronger feelings than anyone else, which I respect. Other than the Sanseaters, I was interested in Weiwei Yarucar, who appeared in Bakuage 38. I was surprised that he and Yaru-chan were of the same race, and I wanted to see the other Yarucars. He was a character I would've liked to have seen explored alittle deeper.

"Including Bakuage 38, which episode left the strongest impression on you?"

Suwabe: I'll mention one that's not connected to the Sanseaters, that being Bakuage 15. That episode between Jou and Kaseki Grumer made me cry. It was incredibly sad and memorable.

"What about Mizuki-san? As a viewer, Bakuage 42 left a strong impression on us."

Mizuki: I didn't expect to sing in such a serious way either (laughs). I was informed beforehand that, "There's going to come a time when Itasha will be in the spotlight, and it'll be like a musical," but I thought I'd just adlib and do some humming. But then I was surprised to find out that Itasha's singing part was fairly long.

Suwabe: Basically, when we'd record, we only watched footage of scenes where our own characters appeared. I wasn't able to record that episode with Mizuki-san, so I was surprised when I saw the broadcast. I didn't expect it to be a real musical (laughs).

Morohoshi: It was sung properly, don't you think?

Mizuki: Yes. My lines were recorded at the usual record, while the singing part was recorded in a recording studio, but just like in regular recording sessions, they placed a screen in front of me and I sang along with the actors movements. I was also impressed by the scene depicting the three's love for Madrex-sama. Madrex-sama became a star in Bakuage 33, and while the three of them don't know this, they decide to carry out what Madrex-sama left unfinished. That scene was sad and made me teary eyed. I could also feel Madrex-sama's manliness in the fact that he was about to self destruct, but flew into space alone, and I realized that this is why the three of them adored him so much.

"What impressed Morohoshi-san the most?"

Morohoshi: It has to be Bakuage 38. Yaru-chan's emotions were intense, and I felt like I was able to play a more profound role than I had ever played before. For the scene where he decides to take on the challenge of becoming an elite and is driving on the highway, but then remembers the past and hesitates, they adjusted the length of the footage on the spot. It's a scene that was recorded carefully and over a long period of time to make it easier to perform so that Yaru-chan's feelings would be conveyed more clearly. I was able to put so much emotion into it, that tears ran down my face as I performed, so it's stayed with me ever since. I also like the sports episodes (laughs).

Suwabe: Bakuage 23's baseball episode and Bakuage 41's soccer episode, right?

Morohoshi: That chaotic feeling, or rather, the feeling that anything was possible and went beyond your imagination was typical in Boonboomger. I laughed during the baseball episode, like when Yaru-chan drove recklessly (laughs).

"And now finally…Morohoshi-san, please give us your thoughts on the past year. It seems that you were confused by your first villain role."

Morohoshi: Looking back on it now, I don't have the impression that I had a hard time because I enjoyed every recording. Whenever I was shown the footage at the recording, it always exceeded my imagination. It was inspiring to see all the cast members and Suit Actors doing their best to match up with the others acting and movements, and being able to experience Suwabe-san and Mizuki-san's acting up close made me feel increasingly excited both as a viewer and as a fan of the Sanseaters. I'm really sad to see it come to an end, but I'm happy to have been apart of a production that never stalled and kept going at a high speed until the very end.

"Mizuki-san, what are the highlights of the final episode?"

Mizuki: I can't talk about specifics if we wanna avoid spoilers…(laughs). The conclusion for both the Boonboomgers and Sanseaters will be a hot development. The final lap of show, including the final episode, was full of many serious developments that included a variety of complicated speculation, such as the collusion between the Hashiriyans and those on Earth's side, and while it felt exciting to see the foreshadowing resolved, it's not aimed at being some kind of warning for modern society, but it wasn't just a refreshing story either. It wasn't just passionate and fun, as I think that this is what made it unique to Boonboomger, and will remain in the hearts of everyone who enjoyed it over the past year, especially children. Your children may not understand everything now, but someday when they look back, even if they have a passion for something, it can be difficult to do it alone, so it's important to keep running and not give up, and to find friends you can trust to help you do it. I hope that people will be able to rediscover the message we wanted to convey through this show. Make sure that even after you've become an adult, you'll rewatch it through discs or a streaming service (laughs).

"Suwabe-san please give a message to the fans who have supported you over the past year."

Suwabe: The Super Sentai series is a "path" that many Japanese children walk across…I personally believe it should be a required school subject. The time I spent as Decotrade was a wonderful memory that'll stay with me for life. The recurring phrase that appeared in this show was to "take control of your own wheel." In the current age of being overwhelmed with information and being easily influenced by others, I think it's a very important saying. I hope that the Boonboomger's passionate message has left a lasting impression on you that'll enrich your life for years to come. Unless Earth is destroyed, the Super Sentai series will continue to be available for viewing in some form or another. The characters will live on in these productions. The Sanseaters will also keep running towards the top that they're aiming for. That said, I'd like to ask for your continued support of Bakuage Sentai Boonboomger. And once again, thank you so very much for your support over the past year. Thanks for watching, and good work Sanseaters!!

[nouvxllev]

Hi, just wanna say I love your stuff! I was wondering if you’d do a Jenna x reader who is the daughter of Winona Ryder and Jenna meets her on the set of Beetlejuice 2. Winona acting as a wing woman for Jenna.

head over heels, your hand over mine

Pairing: Jenna Ortega x Fem!Reader

Summary: ^ request!

Words: 5.0k

Warnings: longer than i intended it to be

a/n: first of all... tysm!!! and second of all, thank you for the request!! means alot to me and i wrote it to the best of my abilities, hope you'll like it!!!

seq. || masterlist

Shit, shit, shit...

Jenna cursed under her breath as she practically hammered down the first-floor button as if that was going to make it go faster.

She glanced over to the indicator right above the door, the numbers slowly inching towards the ground floor. Her foot kept directing her side to side in the elevator, a stressed back-and-forth pace she caught herself on all while she gripped the Beetlejuice 2 script right in her hands, the paper almost being punctured with holes and such.

Jenna could almost blame herself for this.

Actually, she does. She damned herself so much she wouldn't be surprised if she got hit by a bus, really.

It wasn't any other day you'd get a role in Beetlejuice, 2, might she add, and even landing the role of the daughter of Winona Ryder who is possibly one of the most outstanding actresses out there and a 90s icon.

And now she's just slightly fucking it up with first impressions with how she's atleast 10 minutes late to their set because she spent her entire night in reading and rereading the script over and over until she perfected her lines to the point it's probably better if she'd just make Beetlejuice herself.

When the doors slid open, Jenna bolted out until she made her way to the entrance, her hand tightly clutching that damn script and her other gripping the strap of her bag.

Fumbling with her phone to call an Uber, she couldn't help but grimace at the thousands upon thousands of texts saying that she was late and her alarm clocks repeatedly being turned on to snooze just minutes before.

Of course, this day of all days just so happened to be the day that the universe decided that it had a grudge on Jenna for whatever reason because all Ubers were somehow booked and it would probably take atleast 30 minutes for another one.

So, like the hardworking actress she is determined to get a first impression even with punctuality falling behind her, she ran.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------

It wasn't long, thank-fucking-god, till Jenna got to set. She slowed her pace a little when she saw the cameras and people surrounding a particular area.

She took a moment to compose herself as she approached them, smoothing down her pants and fixing her hair all while she tried to catch her breath before possibly collapsing on the ground. The crew members spared her a glance, how comforting, even if they all had concerned looks on their faces.

Jenna always worked with such talented actors and directors, and now here she was working with Winona Ryder meanwhile she was looking like she ran a marathon on the side while going to set.

"You're here!" Winona called out, lowering the script in her hands while she offered a warm smile. "We almost thought there were some complications in your schedule."

The young actress offered a sheepish smile, embarrassment flowing in her mind as she offered a weak hand gesture. "I'm so sorry, all Ubers were somehow booked and I woke up late." She admitted before introducing herself. "I'm Jenna. Ortega." She added.

Winona chuckled, "No worries. The tech team is sorting out some equipment issues, so it's a bit of free time right now." She explained, offering a handshake. "Winona Ryder. Your mother. Well, on-screen." She joked while Jenna laughed with it.

"God, sorry if I look worn out. I really admire your work, it's all so amazing." Jenna took her hand, reciprocating the gesture. She was almost going to add something until a figure approached Winona, looking like a split-perfect resemblance of her. And oh how she did the fastest double-take in her whole life.

"Oh, right!" Winona pulled, possibly the most prettiest and gorgeous, girl Jenna has laid eyes on in her 21 years of continuous breathing by the shoulders and pushed her in front of the young actress. Now life without you suddenly looks like something she just completely wasted her precious time on.

Just by looking at Winona and how excitement reflected in her eyes, Jenna could tell how much she beamed with pride for her daughter; it made her heart swell.

"Meet my daughter, Y/n."

There were things Jenna should do when she meets someone. She introduces herself in a calm manner and maybe engage in some friendly talk with them whether if it's the most awkward-est thing in her life or one of the moments she'd like to spend forever in.

What she shouldn't do is slowly have a mid-introduction nosebleed, completely throw out the knowledge that she has the ability to speak and say words while her mouth is half-agape and her eyes wide and never blinking. This rule seems to be more strict when she's convinced she has met the love of your life.

It's safe to say that Jenna checked all the boxes on the latter.

Jenna met your gaze, and oh how that was the stupidest decision she had ever made in her entire life. She felt a blush creep up her cheeks, breath caught in her throat, she tried to speak for a second but nothing came. It was like she was drowning but in the best way possible. And also falling head over heels in the worst way possible.

It's concerning how she almost wants to drop down and marry you on the spot; she's already rehearsing her vows inside her brain.

Jenna raised her hand, a shaky one at that, to offer a handshake. "I'm Jenny," she managed to squeak out, her cheeks burning with embarrassment at fumbling her own damn name. "I mean, Jenna! Sorry, not Jenny. I'm Jenna. Jenna Ortega." Oh, fuck, please just slit my throat already.

In every bad and awkward introduction, there's always someone from the other line slightly concerned but plays with it.

Your eyes crinkled, a bright sight to see that would put all sunrises to shame, and your lips parted like how the clouds part after a gloomy day, letting out a laugh that calmed Jenna's heart almost immediately. It was still running and skipping a fuck ton of beats per second, but your laugh seemed to warm it all.

"I'm Y/n, of course." You held Jenna's faltering eye contact as you reciprocated her gesture, "I'm really only here to accompany my mom," you explained. Please stay here forever. Better yet, be with me. Jenna almost said.

You shook her hand in the most softest way possible, her palm fitting right into yours. "Can't believe I met you, honestly." Jenna heard you mutter under your breath, a squeal following it.

Oh, if falling head over heels over you was a sin, she'd gladly be the epitome of something so mortal.

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And that was only a week ago. Just imagine how much internal panic she goes through whenever she sees you now.

Jenna repeatedly cursed under her breath, staring at the reflection of herself in the mirror as she gripped the cold parts of the sink, glaring at herself in complete thought.

Almost so serious as if her mind wasn't battling with something so completely stupid she'd rather drown in self-pity and misery.

Jenna Ortega, deemed as America's #1 IT girl who practically swooned all seven continents by now, almost had a near anaphylactic shock when her hand grazed over yours and how you gave her possibly the most sweetest and soul-crushing smile with that stupidest crinkle in your eye to ever exist on this damned earth, holy fuck.

Why should she be so head over heels for you?

She lowered her head in defeat, a heavy sigh escaping her as the same image of your smile flickered in her mind, and now a stupid grin from your stupid image graced her lips.

It was only a week in being on the Beetlejuice set, and she damn near lost her mind.

You were always there, well of course you were there since you were Winona Ryder's daughter, but she didn't expect to be so obsessed with you to the point she needs to go to the bathroom to silently scream whenever she hears or sees your intoxicating smile.

It's sweet. Almost endearing to her.

As if she even has the right to even think about you in that way.

Jenna stepped outside, patting her hands dry by the hem of her shirt. her name already being called out by the directors, their voices only getting louder and louder until it dwindled down to nothing and she could only assume that Winona stopped them, it was still her break after all. She was almost like a real mother to her, a comforting one at that.

She started to take a pattern in her steps before she saw you sitting on the railings of the trailer. More importantly, Jenna's trailer.

Okay, she shouldn't have seen this as a sign from the universe that you liked her back, but she did and that was all the hope that the fate or whatever deity could do because she was too desperate and too drunk on the lack of attention and attraction you were giving her.

But how could she not do that when you look so perfect just being... you? Being everything she wanted? Needed? Just being so damn perfect almost feels like Jenna could die.

"You like my daughter, don't you."

Jenna looked behind her, the sudden voice that crept being Winona, the mother of the daughter she had been smitten for, a noticeable faint smile on her lips. It was more of a statement than a question. A fact, really.

Jenna could almost deny it if it wasn't so accurate. But what was she supposed to say? "Yes, I do like your daughter, in fact, I love her so much I would absolutely give up my very career to buy her the most expensive wedding ring to ever be created from the hands of a human, or even a Greek God perhaps, to show that she owns my entire heart, body, and soul."

Panic was evident, Winona could clearly tell by the way Jenna looked like was scramming to think up of a half-assed excuse.

"Yes—I mean, not like like. I love her, really. She's talented, hardworking, and passionate in the things she talks about. But that's really it; I love Y/n, in a friendly way." Jenna stammered. Even if she was spouting complete lies and nonsense about how she doesn't have a massive crush on you, her gaze was stuck on, of course, you yourself.

Winona arched an eyebrow, "Jenna, I know when someone is horribly in love with my daughter and who’s not."

"The both of you were always somehow joined together, even if none of you were talking. You’re always finding a reason to bring her up in a conversation even if no one was even talking about her. Also, everyone takes notice of how your gaze was always focused on Y/n. Even on scene, you couldn’t take your eyes off of her for a second."

Yeah, that seems about right.

Jenna sighed, her line of sight never laying off of you. It's amazing how you still haven't noticed she and your mother was staring at you like a bunch of stalkers.

"Y/n deserves someone like her, someone in her league," she turned around, now walking in the opposite direction to her original one. She almost sounded like a teenage boy who realized they couldn't get with the popular girl. "She looks like someone even from the heavens above couldn’t fathom they created her from their own mind and hands."

Winona's expression softened as she caught up to Jenna, now walking beside her. "If you, The Jenna Ortega, fail to get her attention and love then it's all over for us." She never heard someone talk so romantic about her daughter, it's truly unfair how the ones who love the most always fall short.

Jenna's steps slowed, her body slumping against the fall as her gaze was fixed on the ground. God, why was she acting like this over you?

The young actress nodded, her hands going up to her face and sliding them down as she spoke, "She's like this incredible and unattainable dream you want to continue after you wake up, Winona." She mumbled through her hands, "Y/n's gorgeous, gentle, charming, and just… perfect." She let go of her face, her hands now on her sides. "It's intimidating just by looking at her, knowing she's the essence of beauty and perfection. Like, how do you compete with that? Overall be someone who she wants to stick by her side?"

The actress observed the young one, Jenna's head down and fidgeting with her rings. Winona could almost say that this was the most vulnerable sight she ever saw from her. "You don't have to match her perfection, let alone measure yourself up to that; you just need to be the missing piece she didn't know she needed. "

Jenna took a deep breath, her head slowly rising, "I just don't want to mess it up. She deserves someone as awesome as her, and if she ever likes me back, I'm afraid of waking up and realizing I'm not enough for her to be someone she loves."

Winona tilted her head, crossing her arms, "Tell you what, I don't know much about my daughter now. She's not closed off, but she isn't open either." She could see how Jenna flicked her head upwards, listening attentively. "But I do know that she's been watching all of your movies and shows up to this point."

Jenna's eyes widened in surprise. She doesn't wanna take any risks, but she doesn't wanna lose any chances either. "She... she has?"

Winona nodded, a soft and warm smile playing on her lips, just like the one you always have if not more comforting.

"I could never hear the end of it. She says you have this genuine charm whenever you speak, you're calm but you're also being true to yourself. Y/n admires you so much, I almost get sick of it," she laughed that pulled a chuckle from Jenna. "You're perfect in her eyes, but that's not what she likes about you. She likes you because you're authentic, yourself." She reached out for Jenna's shoulders, giving it a reassuring squeeze, "I'll be your wingman. I'm sure you're the perfect girl for my daughter."

------------------------------------------------------------------------------

And that was maybe two to three months ago.

Now Jenna's thinking that you might be the most oblivious person to ever roam this entire globe. She's been dropping hints everywhere you go and you still wouldn't catch up that she has feelings for you!

Ever since Jenna got into Winona's wing, she knew everything that makes you happy. Your music taste, what type of flowers you like, what type of outings you like, clothes, scents, foods, colors, even legos, just basically everything under the sun she gave to you within a heartbeat.

Jenna gives you flowers everyday, hell even bouquets if she's feeling fancy. Reads and writes you letters, and ever since Winona gave her your number, she's been sending you voicemails of your favorite songs every morning as some goodmorning text. She's been nothing but romantic to you! Was she just missing something?

The only thing that really progressed was something of strangers to friends. The two of you were as close as ever to the point if one of you were needed, somebody probably would need to surgically remove both of you.

But that was it! No nothing, just friends. It was selfish for Jenna to want something more when she has the love of her life close to her as a friend, sure, but she needed just a little bit more before she mentally goes insane.

"I mean, come on!" Jenna complained to Winona, sitting across from the other chair just right beside her trailer, script in her hands but she was paying more attention to Jenna. "Flowers, letters, voicemails… I'm practically screaming 'I like you' at this point." She slumped over the table, "or maybe she's just really ignoring them."

"I think you're thinking too deeply, Jenna," Winona stated, looking over to somewhere far, "maybe you should confess. She's right there."

Jenna was about to stand up and say it all out and die in a hole if she gets rejected until she realized you were wearing something so... fucking gorgeous? stunning? breathtaking? ethereal? She needed a stronger word than all words combined.

It wasn't your everyday casual wear, in fact, it was something you'd wear to go on a date. A date that meant something, a date that you'd go with another person and to confess their love.

Oh, don't fucking tell her she was too slow to confess and some random dude confessed earlier.

"I don't..." Jenna stammered, she could sense that agonizing feeling of her heart sinking, a stinging pain but it was mixed with immense pressure, like she was almost drowning. "I don't really think it's the right time."

Winona let out a sympathetic sigh, "she did tell me that she was going somewhere important." She waved in your direction, grabbing your attention. "Y/n!"

Jenna didn't know it was possible to drown without having any bodies of water near you, now she was fully experiencing it by how her heart sank even further as she heard Winona's words.

She shouldn't be surprised, after all, somebody actually had the guts and mindset to actually confess to you personally without having to hide behind a facade and without having to drop a fuck ton of hints instead of saying it out loud.

It stung. Thinking that someone out there was that one for you. And how that someone was never Jenna. But it was sweet. She winced.

Jenna couldn't shake the pang and sting of disappointment as she watched to walk over to Winona, a smile on your lips like you've met the most wonderful person to ever be in your life. She couldn't read if it was real, and she hoped to God it was fake.

"What's with the get-up?" Winona asked, standing up while giving Jenna the look.

"Going on a date with this guy, he asked me." You smiled, yet again, but it was even brighter.

Yeah, she figured. When did she even assume that you liked women anyway?

"Can I borrow your car, mom, please?" You asked of her, your puppy eyes going in action while you mentally crossed your fingers.

Jenna wasn't the one to brag, but she could drive a car! Not that idiot guy who couldn't even take whatever vehicle to fetch her as a nice gesture. Hell, it was a date for godsakes!

Winona sighed, glancing between Jenna and you. "Sure, you can borrow the car," she stated before digging into her pockets and fetching her car keys, plotting it down to your hands, "but make sure to bring it back in one piece."

Jenna bit her lip, suppressing the urge to completely pull herself out of her chair and scream 'I love you so goddamn much, Y/n! Can't you see I'm the one for you and not some guy who couldn't even go the mile to drive you to the damn date!?' But no. Instead, she stayed in her seat, nodded as a goodbye, and forced yet another smile.

"Thanks for the flowers by the way, Jenna! I should really pay you back sometime." You chuckled, before hugging her head as your way of goodbye. "I'll tell you all about it when I get home."

"Don't worry about the flowers. No need to pay me back," Jenna replied, doing her damn best to keep her tone light and her knuckles not so light. As you hugged her, Jenna couldn't help but savor the moment, imagining that it wasn't a goodbye to go off on some date with some random dude but rather a lovely gesture. "I'll be waiting to hear all about it."

------------------------------------------------------------------------------

That was atleast three to five hours ago.

Jenna never knew how a 2$ caesar salad bought from a suspicious vendor on the sidewalks could be so depressing but still mock her on how she just lost the love of her life to someone who actually had the guts to confess until she actually experienced it.

It was a slow day on set. Probably because it was already so late at night. There were still some scenes being recorded, but most of it was Winona's.

So along those hours when Jenna wasn't with you or she couldn't text you through the phone, all she could really do was stare from afar and hope that you'd magically have some miraculous change of mind mid-date and maybe you'll soon believe and realize Jenna was the one for you after all.

Of course, life wasn't like a damn movie and that damn date was still going to happen no matter what she does.

Winona sat beside Jenna, offering a sympathetic look at how Jenna was poking around her lettuce. "You know that's her quote-on-quote I don't really give two shits outfit but I still need to look good for a requirement that is people's feelings."

Jenna let go of her fork, damn even it looked sad. "But she looks beautiful."

Winona could almost roll her eyes if not for the young actress wallowing in her own thoughts. "It's because you're head over heels for her, Jenna. She could wear some obnoxious color-clashing clothes and she'd still look like a goddess for you."

Jenna sighed, picking up her fork again and halfheartedly stabbing a folded lettuce leaf. "I mean, don't you?" she asked, glancing at Winona. "You're her mother."

Winona shrugged, "Her clothes, her choice, but I still absolutely would not." She laughed, and her smile brightened when Jenna allowed a smile to crack through her lips.

Jenna could almost face-plant herself into the salad bowl if not for a notification pinging in Winona's phone. A notification that Winona only applied for you.

"...Or you could tell her that she's much better off with you rather than some guy that stood her up." Winona showed the phone to Jenna, your message illuminating on the screen.

y/n

mom can u pick me up? karaoke room 217 stood up on me lol come quick, pls. thx

Jenna would've been lying if she said she wasn't jumping, screaming, throwing up in literal joy.

Well, of course, she was mad that you of all people were stood up, but she was semi-glad that you were.

Jenna's urgency was visible as she scrambled to get out of her seat, grabbing her bag with such hast and making a sudden beeline for the exit.

"Tell her that you can't go! I wanna surprise her," She yelled to Winona, her excitement in her voice echoing through the room. It's almost weird and insane how happy she was about how you were stood up.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------

You waited for 2 hours.

It wasn't disappointing. You already knew it was just some sort of dare or a prank that one of his friends pulled, but you showed up anyway. Not like because you wanted to play with his feelings; you couldn't do that if you didn't have any.

In fact, you had feelings for Jenna.

Ever since she showed up on your screen, she was the only actress you could ever think about. She was charming, alluring, the only person who could make the daylight so dark if her smile was out of place.

You didn't know her, personally then, but you loved her. You were willing to start wars with the world, may it be against you or may all odds and fate oppose you, you’d do everything for her even if it kills you to be someone who would take all her hidden suffering and plead for tears with your palms locked and thrown away.

And now that you were working with her on set, you couldn't help but be someone you're not. All thanks to you and your mother on reluctantly giving up on the idea of not bringing you to set. You wanted to confess, you really did. It was just a silly little crush like you'd always have but this one with Jenna seemed real and your life would've ended if your feelings were rejected.

Though, even after all that, Jenna was the one you wanted to be with. The one you hoped would walk through that damn door and hug you until your worries and thoughts all disappeared, only met with her voice and her comforting arms.

That would've been a fleeting memory, wishful thinking. That is until the very girl that made you go insane rushed into the room.

What the fuck.

She was exhausted, you could tell by her chest rising and falling as she caught her breath, you couldn't help but smile at the sight of her; looking like she had gone the extra mile and maybe even drove a car on the way instead of running, just to be there with you. You could almost start laughing and be that snarky person you've always been to her if not for everything else fading into the background until Jenna was the only one left.

Without hesitation, she pulled you into a tight embrace, wrapping her arms around your body as she tightened the hug as if you'd die if she ever let go of your body. The warmth of her touch, the comfort in her soul, and her very being brought something so grand as you hugged her back. You feared that letting go would mean losing her forever, and she thought the same way.

"I love you." She murmured on your shoulders, closing her eyes. You notice how her voice cracked with vulnerability and almost sorrow as you tightened your hold on her.

"I love you," she whispered yet again, as if you didn't hear her the firs time. "I love you, I love you, I just love you." She dug her head under your neck, her breath warm on your skin as you waited for her to finish.

You could feel Jenna's heartbeat against your chest, fast and beating while it synced with your own. "I love you, Y/n. You don’t know how many lifetimes I would kill myself for you to look into my soul, everything beneath, and even the darkest parts of my heart so then you’ll see how I perceive you to be everything I look for. I can't understand how you don't understand how much you mean to me. How much your laughter was something I didn't know would be the cure to whatever terminal illness I had in life, your actions being my motivation, your soul being my guiding light, and your smile being something so bright that not even the sun could beat its glory."

Jenna slowly pulled away from you, her eyes searching yours for a reaction. The room was always so silent, but it never felt like it was the funeral of sound itself.

"I'm sorry—That—That wasn't... I didn't—" she stammered, her body already getting up and pulling away from you.

Gently, you reached out and cupped her face with your hands, your thumbs brushing away the newly formed tears that had welled up in her eyes and dripped from her cheeks. You could feel the warmth of her skin beneath your touch, her freckles, and everything that made Jenna her was right beneath your palm. You want nothing but to cherish it.

You couldn't think of a reply. You could, but it would never beat the confession Jenna had for you. It was more than a mere confession, but something out of a book that would put every writer to shame.

"Is this okay?" Your eyes searched for Jenna's consent in hers as you leaned in ever so slightly, her breath lingering on your skin until Jenna's lips met yours in a hesitant, gentle kiss. The touch of her soft lips against yours sent a shiver down your spine, her hands coming up to cradle your face as she melted into you while your own hands found their way to her waist, pulling her closer as the kiss deepened.

Life felt like something you wasted without her lips touching yours. How you felt everything and how you were everything under her soft touch, her presence. It was if every moment before her had been leading to this one. Every heartbeat, every breath, every time you've experienced something happy, sad, or even something conflicted was building up to the moment your lips finally met hers. You felt whole, alive, reassured, and comforted.

Her touch felt like a warm embrace from something so indestructible, a star so far away that only you could see it shine from afar but yet you could feel every inch of its presence.

Then it stopped. The both of you pulled back.

But your heart never did.

"You know I asked for your mom to be my wingman."

"Please don't destroy this moment we have by mentioning my mom, Jenna. I'm serious."

Jenna chuckled, her eyes twinkling, "give her some credit. I never would've confessed to you without her."

You couldn't help but smile, realizing she was still the Jenna you fell in love with. "I guess, but I don't really want to talk about my mom after I just got stood up and then kissed the girl I love."

Jenna's chuckle turned into a soft giggle, her hand finding it's way to your palm as she intertwined her fingers with yours. "Also, for the record, that guy was an idiot."

You nodded after shared laughter. With everything that's going around between the two of you, you almost miss how Winona arrived just in time. Standing by the door with a smile on her face.

But even with Jenna's hand over yours, she'd still fall head over heels for you.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------

just some fuckass aftermath dialogues:

W: "You finally confessed." J: "Did she tell you?" W: "Well for one she's been awfully cheery and gave me a questioning I love you mom and offered me to go shopping with her."

[mclennonlgbt]

Midas Man review (with spoilers!)

Yesterday I had the unique opportunity to watch a biopic about Brian Epstein. Although the film is currently only available in certain countries, @pauls1967moustache organized a watch party, which I joined. Thank you!!!

"Midas Man" has many advantages. The main one is the leading male role: Jacob Fortune-Lloyd did a great job. He perfectly portrayed Brian's complex personality. He was able to convincingly present both his uncertainty and tremors, as well as his perseverance in promoting the Beatles. Eppy said with full confidence that his boys would be bigger than Elvis - clearly he believed it deeply, even when higher-ups in the music industry laughed in his face. Fortune-Lloyd also convincingly played Brian's emotions related to his sexuality. On the one hand, Epstein did not want to run away from his nature, but on the other - he was well aware that sex between men was a crime and could expose him to blackmail. In one scene, Brian's parents pressure him to be more careful because revealing his sexual orientation in the newspapers could discredit the family business and end the careers of the Beatles and other artists he manages. Brian, filled with guilt, apologizes to his parents for "causing them pain." I have been following this thread with interest and I am glad that it has not been omitted or trivialized.

Unfortunately, the love story disappointed me. It was very cliché. Brian met someone he quickly began to care about. Tex did not reciprocate his feelings, he just wanted to have fun and benefit from Epstein's influence. Ultimately, he left without saying goodbye, stealing money and documents. I know the real Brian dated some shady guys, but it wasn't portrayed very convincingly in the movie. Perhaps Edward Speleers, the actor playing Tex, failed.

How did the Beatles fare? Not bad, but... nothing more. I must praise Blake Richardson, who played Paul - his facial expressions were very reminiscent of McCartney's. Blake was very authentic, I felt like I was looking at Paul. I also liked Wallace Campbell as Ringo. Unfortunately, the remaining Beatles were exaggerated. I'm thinking specifically about George (played by Leo Harvey Elledge). John, on the other hand, lacked depth. I had the impression that he was just a cheeky kid who thought he was entitled to everything. The young Lennon had a more complex personality. Besides, Jonah Lees who played him almost didn't look like him at all xD Speaking of which, the wigs looked terrible in most scenes. I guess there wasn't enough budget for it.

I was surprised (in a negative sense) by the complete omission of an important thread in the history of the Beatles: Brian's infatuation with John. Whether or not Lennon reciprocated the feeling, it was largely Epstein's motivation to pursue the band. When we jumped from 1963 to 1964 and there was no mention of the trip to Barcelona, ​​I was confused. Instead, the creators decided to focus on a fictional romance between Brian and Tex.

The advantage of the biopic is that viewers have the opportunity to meet other artists that Epstein managed. In one scene, Brian proudly introduces us to Billy J. Kramer, Tommy Quickly and... Cilla Black (Darci Shaw). Brian and Cilla's relationship is definitely one of the most touching and adorable elements of the entire film. It is clear that the singer is Epstein's favorite, and not only in professional terms. They are simply a pair of devoted friends. From what I understood, Cilla knew about Brian's orientation and fully accepted it.

"Midas Man" is a decent movie, better than I expected. However, these are not the heights of cinematography. I had the impression that Brian was presented somewhat sweetly, as a person without flaws (perhaps his family took part in consulting the script?). I think a rating of 7/10 would be fair.

[ineffable-opinions]

GMMTV 2025

This year I had discussed two of my greatest peeves with GMMTV:

Lack of BL literacy and harrowing learning curve

Khujin paradox – it is their asset and liability

here & here

Having seen what GMMTV plans to offer in the year 2025, I have to admit that they might be on the right track.

Ticket To Heaven – I didn’t expect this. What percent of Thailand’s population is Christian? (Thailand has significant and influential Christian population.) Many frames and scenes in this one looks they were from the Japanese BL movie from 2007 Boys Love – School Boy Crush. Serendipitously, it is so similar to Jijo Kuriakose’s autobiographical queer film — Velipaadu (വെളിപ്പാട്) which also has seminarian main characters. But since the characters are Orthodox/Jacobite Christians but not Catholics there is additional compulsory heterosexuality.

Memoir of Rati – Most Beautiful Count colorism debacle has tarnished my love for Thai historical setting. This is one series where I really wish GMMTV did not stick to the nenja/wakashu style pairing. Yaoi revolution did not happen all those years ago for this to manifest in 2024-25. These aesthetic choices are something GMMTV and Change 2561 (among others) will learn to overcome. Eventually.

Me and Thee – I am not impressed by the choice of khujin for this role. The comedy is not working for me and I think that's probably because there is not enough gap moe between the actor playing the mafia boss and the mafia boss playing the actor. However, fans of this khujin might enjoy it immensely for the very reason. Love guru set up is underplayed, so I am expecting tonal shift half way through the series where the drama will play into the soap opera it is supposed be parodying. Some kidnapping and bloodshed maybe. Odo (royal road progression) is odo for a reason. Unintended consequence of the series was to remind me of my dearest wish to see unabridged version of Breath, the story of TulHin from Love By Chance 2) with shibari and all.

A Dog and a Plane - feels like a nice mix of Japanese BL Ossan’s Love: LOVE or DEAD and Ossan's Love: In the Sky and Cornered Mouse Dreams of Cheese. Since I thoroughly enjoyed both, I'm looking forward to this one. It also promises a lot of "wife-chasing" (My Stand-in's influence?) complete with a grand, lives-saving, heart-winning gesture. 

Magic of Prophecy - Fortune telling as a reason for forced proximity in provincial Thailand seems nice but I'm afraid the series is going to go where The Sign went with superstitious local folks (as opposed to rational main characters, except it was a fantasy show hinging on those very local people's faith and festival) and gun violence. BL being a vehicle for Thaification is kind of inevitable but I wish it wasn't so and we would get more provincial shows like Love Poison. For a country that dared to give us Tropical Malady (2004) directed by Apichatpong Weerasethakul and Malila: The Farewell Flower (2017) directed by Anucha Boonyawatana (director of Not Me), their BL needs to do better. 

Boys in Love - honor student x diliquent is a beloved pairing but this neurotypical honor student is not sitting well with me at the moment thanks to Iwashiro from Outsider Communication by Natsume Tsuno overwhelming my brain. But that is a me problem. The other pairs are cool and is in line with the saccharine sweetness GMMTV is known for.

Cat for Cash - this is for that khujin's fans as well as for cat lovers. Surrealist comedy with glittering, sputtering succulents in Love is Like A Poison has raised my tolerance for this brand of romantic dramedy. 

Mu-Te-Luv - I am intrigued because it gives me the kind of feeling that I got when I watched the trailer for Hello Mummy. I wonder how Thai audience will receive this series' take on the non-romantic themes it deals with. So, I'm equally apprehensive and excited. 

Love You Teacher - surprisingly it is Thailand that managed to get this show going. De-aging is a popular trope in BL and fan-fiction. Given the taboo nature of de-aging as a set up it is hard to pull off. But, if anyone can do that it is Thailand. This is resourceful side of khujin - they can't take the jado (evil road) narrative progression. No twisted moe. Yet, it leaves space for deception. Faking or automatic de-aging to cope with repressed stress and anxiety, like selective mutism and amnesia. It will be about character growth and unconditional love. Otherwise, the price GMMTV would have to pay would be too steep.

Melody of Secrets - wow, a dark take on amnesia trope! Seems like GMMTV finally figured out how to tease a jado progression within an odo plot - by employing a (faux)-look-alike so as not to upset khujin fans' worldview while offering them a thrilling experience. But it is clear that GMMTV won't be able top commit to a proper jado plot. That not their brand. It will not help with branding and advertising. There's no helping it. The violin scene reminded me of the Japanese BL with numerous adaptations Fujimi Orchestra. Also, the mind-forgot-but-body-remembers trope?! 

My Romance Scammer - gold digging, getting ONESELF trapped in the love trap that one laid and marry-first-regret-later tied with the friction of getting a divorce. I want it to have first ever remarriage of the same pair in a live action BL.

That Summer - how does Thailand keep getting casting net wrong? At least it is better than diving with the net we're got in love sea. Prince? Who was assaulted?  Found at a Thai beach? Reminds me of princess Latifa bint Mohammed Al Maktoum debacle.

Only Friends: Dream On - I like this set up more than the one for season 1. I wasn't happy about it and thought they could do better. I'm looking forward to this season. And for khujin fans, isn't it a good chance to enjoy netorare and stalking horse tropes since the Love Dodecahedron will anyway resolve into khujin pairings?

Burnout Syndrome - super pretty, shonen ai style art! Look at the nude he drew! Isn't it giving early BL vibes, from before the donkey dicks took over the BL manga scene thanks to Korea? Isn't it a beacon (please forgive the pun) of hope in the strange, new world of uncensored smut scenes in BL manhwa? Khujin's gonna khujin and stalking horse gonna stalking horse. I'm truly intrigued. 

Head 2 Head - fine old wine, new bottle. Let's see if the wine (rivalry to romance, unrequited to required, college campus setting) can be as intoxicating when drunk from the new bottle.

Dare You To Death - Channel V style drama with khujin boarding together for reasons.  Unfortunately, it did not moe for me. Maybe because I'm still trying to get over Zheng Bei x Jiang XiaoHai ship from The First Shot 雪迷宫 that paled in comparison to Zheng Bei x Gu YiRan ship. Honestly, I started watching just to listen to Huang Jingyu say heroin (hailouyin) and accidental got too invested in the cop x kingpin ship. 

I wonder who suggested GMMTV to add so much of occult and fortune-telling in their series. Also, I am a little worried after seeing this post by @guzhufuren and this post by @alwaysthepessimist - there is opposition to BL in East Asian countries led by certain groups of feminists based on the disproportionate benefit accruing to men (especially actors, voice actors, creators and production companies' executives), declining presence of women in entertainment and advertising as well as shifting purchasing power from women to men through consumption of BL.

In this video, BL scholar Kim Hyojin talks about Boys Love in an Era of Feminism: Online Discourse on “Leaving BL” in Late 2010s Korea.

[folcanta]

i was having Election Sickness so after putting it off for like 10 years i finally agreed to rewatch escaflowne with anka because they've never seen it.

to contextualise this, i feel like i have to write a timeline of escaflowne in my life because i was orbsessed with the film and to a lesser degree the series— all interest orbited folken. i dyed my hair blue and painted his little teardrop on my face in 7th/8th grade until my mom got me a ... i don't know what it was. some kind of temporary tattoo... paint? i had to scrub it off with alcohol pads each day. yeah. first kintype. i saved up $300 in high school (2006/2007) by selling off entire sketchbooks to buy a cosplay of him that i've never worn because the maker referenced colours from one of the prominent scans online, which skew far warmer than the blue in the film. HUGE L.

following escaflowne, i made a dramatic 200pg comic when i was 12-13 about guys with wings living on a floating fortress, and brother drama. but the series never held my attention in the same way. i have theories...

full disclosure i'm 100 years old, and i've seen the series many times... i own the special box sets of the bandai version of the show & film. the show had a grip on me for years, but i'm pretty sure that even at the time i couldn't tell you why. many things about it rubbed me the wrong way— i was clearly drawn to it, and reacting strongly to something about it, but at the time i wasn't love with it.

i always prefered the film for its gorgeous, stunning actually, handling of colour and light. like there is such a lusciousness to it. it is an unbelievably beautiful work of art and i recommend watching it even just as something to look at, like, everyone's skills are on full display. i also really genuinely adore adaptations— as a concept, especially if in as direct conversation with the source as this film is.

when i got into escaflowne as a kid, it was at the exact time i was also watching/reading Berserk, Akira, Cowboy Bebop, Boogiepop Phantom, the Animatrix... Memories and Paranoia Agent would follow soon after. and i was enjoying the emotional realism of those series, paired with more naturalistic art.

but escaflowne's incongruous packaging fooled me. it is exactly as brutal and emotional as those other series, but you have to peer through the shojo veneer and see that the shojo tropes are actually threads being followed to their often uncomfortable conclusions— they're being given gravity, rather than being left at a surface level of importance. it isn't cliche, it's examining cliche, and setting a new standard in doing so. on rewatch it's really interesting to see that sincerity in something that could easily be written off as a "shojo love triangle." instead, these so-called tropes coexist with the gruesome, dark, despairing, uncomfortable. and it's completely different from the type of "shojo/moe but GRIMDARK... moe but GURO, are you TRIGGERED? i'm SUBVERTING the GENRE"

escaflowne isn't doing Cute But Edgy. it's neither cute nor edgy. it's edgy if Berserk is edgy, and i don't consider Berserk edgy at all— to me it doesn't intend to provoke from that immature place. it's earnest, and difficult, and really sad. and as i rewatch escaflowne, i'm impressed by what lies beneath. there's so much i missed when i saw it as a kid. and stuff i missed even in the last time i watched it as an adult. but i can also see very clearly what i didn't miss, and what kept it in rotation, remembering scenes and songs for the rest of my life, and citing the pacing in my approach to comics.

escaflowne has really interesting cinematic qualities that i associate with live action. i'm wholly convinced by long shots that likely, partially, exist for economical reasons— but they make sense in the flow of the narrative, and they're framed such that you can rasily imagine, without even trying, how it would 100% work shot for shot with actors and sets. i do not want this, of course. i'm just saying they set it up with filmic sensibility.

really smart strange pacing, mood shifts, and a level of uncompromising brutality more associated with shonen, a level of heartwrenching that only the right combo of hope and hopeless can evoke, and emotional discomfort with a maturity— an observed perspective— that i associate with something like chainsaw man.

it's just weird with the art. i understand why it's paired that way: it's intentional trickery. i just wish the style was a bit more like nobuteru yuki's other (contemporary) work. like the layouts and moods add to such a lifelike quality... the film maintains so much more realism in its figures and approach, BUT, watching the film, you do get the unequivocal impression this is what it was always supposed to be. even just citing simple examples, the background/environment paintings and atmospheric colour are as tasteful, the heaving, slow weight of the mecha was always intentional... so much of what's there already appears. but you really have to forgive the oddness of the faces to see it! which is frustrating!

so. everyone i think agrees, even without ever seeing it, that the escaflowne OST is on beast mode. it is undeniably hardcore. but in watching it, the series rewards you by doing something i don't immediately associate with most anime— creating an unsettling mood by, for example, pairing hopeful music with distressing scenes, and vice-versa. escaflowne does a Lot of showing rather than telling, using cues like this to create an atmosphere of discomfort and wonder. i've said it 100 times, but one of my favourite moments in FILM (like all of film, lol) is when/where "i can't stop loving you" plays in rintaro's Metropolis. which is almost actually literally the same as Araki titling the last chapter of Stone Ocean "what a wonderful world." this type of editing and combination of themes is heartbreaking to me, and i think escaflowne succeeds at this, interweaving it throughout the series.

the tv anime also spares time and attention for strangely lifelike movements, which are mostly absent in the film because everything in the film is allowed such lushness and fluidity that these small, subtle, characterising movements and emotionally affecting timing/cuts that elevate a 20-min episode aren't the same type of crucial in a more broad, epic presentation. however, the 20-min episodes of escaflowne— as the series progreses, like specifically in the back half— FEEL like epics on their own. so much gets packed into each but the timing, how information is dispersed, is like... insane. i can't describe it. because if i were to say it feels longer, that'd almost imply it were dragging— which is rarely the case. it is a VERY tight show where everything is relevant yet there's no pre-existing lore with which to be weighed down; everything happens in real time, cause and effect, showing, not telling.

i don't watch a lot of (mainly post-00s) anime because— and this is a critique of Myself more than anything— i struggle to focus on stuff that's more... if not more stylistically cartooned, then more emotionally cartoonish. like there's a withholding of emotion, or an exaggeration of it. obviously i love the 1993-1994 JJBA OVA (favourite film of all time) for many of the same reasons— taking something "silly" and earnestly creating an experience from it: "okay, if that's true, how would it feel?"

but i straight up can't watch the JJBA tv series because in trying to follow the manga to a T/be "for the fans", it's a cheap, ugly, atmospherically empty, soulless reproduction with groverhaus layouts. it sucks to look at. it really fucking sucks. there is no direction. it's vacuous. but the OVA is gorgeous not because it's simply hand-drawn animation, but because it's directed with cinematic intention. colour, light, focus and intensity of emotion... the DIO fight in the OVA is stunning and scary and full of unbelievably clever animation. but i have a whole website in progress about this :^)

in escaflowne, in spite of the stylisation, i 100% buy the approximation. i don't judge Good Cartooning by an ability to stylise life naturalistically! i'm just always pleasantly surprised by when/where that Is achieved with abstraction.

escaflowne is somehow a very complicated optical illusion, a Magic Eye. anka compared it to ballet lol, like in swan lake where if you look long enough you see the animal movements being mimicked with profound efficacy, but if you're multitasking, if you look away, that immersion easily shatters. there are just some crazy little shifts in facial expression, like when teeth are gritted while talking, when eyes glance around the room or become just slightly glassy, when the honorifics shift, timing of reaction, sparing seconds for interstitial characterisation, paired with tone, paired with music, paired with colour, that make this special in a way i didn't know How to understand as a kid. the visual language i had any fluency in didn't cover escaflowne. i needed to spend more time with it. but something clearly gripped me from the jump because i was Not the same after hahaha

i thought i was supposed to be invested in the love triangle/hexagon/whatever, but that was a total diversion from what actually transpires, what is actually being given weight here. it is very scary and very sad lol!

even stuff like making adult man allen increasingly suck shit as he goes on, letting him be disappointing, because of course he would be— but making hitomi and van's interactions very natural and easy in a way they don't register as important because they're so accustomed to chasing the unattainable. lol. so fucking cool dude

back to folken. goated. wife of all time. ultimate. my first n'doul. one of my favourite ever Types of Guy is "ultra depressed fuckup who in his quest to do good misses the forest for the trees and consequently eats shit; serves cunt entire time" LIKE LITERALLYYYYYY and they need to have PATHOS... I LOVE A SWAGGY MARTYR.

wow long post. anyway i'm smacking my forehead. i was right. i've always been right about everything in my whole life. he's called folken because he done folked my dumb ass UP

[h2llish]

vil rambles cuz im still sick

listen, everyone who literally views vil as this arrogant asshole who likes looking at himself in the mirror every morning has got to be some of the most blind idiots i've ever seen. his insecurities have played out right in front of us?? he is literally so insecure it's blaringly obvious???

it pisses me off watching people completely mischaracterize him as some harsh, insincere character who would bully and pick at someone's insecurities like a fucking prick.

those who genuinely see and regard vil properly as the type of person who has so many insecurities and stresses from living as an actor/model/etc, have honestly earned my respect. his character is interesting and having him mischaracterized as less peeves me.

i don't like to compare trauma, even in characters. trauma is different and revealed in every person differently.

and yes, vil has trauma. living life under spotlight and having his entire life on screen for everyone to see, is his trauma. while he may enjoy his line of work, and has a very supportive father in his corner, that does not make it any easier for someone who grew up under expectations and ridicule since the moment he started walking.

vil's insecurities stem from his roles in movies; he's been casted and sought out for the role of a villain even when he only ever wished to play the hero. since he first played the villain role as a child, bullying the hero (neige) he was automatically perceived as a villain outside of the role as well. and while he may not seem all that bothered, i think it does get to him. to constantly be casted as a villain because he "fits that role so well", and then to have people see him as a villain outside of it can be dehumanizing and painful ━ hence, his insecurities.

a lot of people fail to realize that the life of a celebrity isn't all its chalked up to be. they're human too, they have insecurities and flaws, parts of themselves they don't want others to see. and i think vil does a good job at presenting that.

his overblot revealed that sometimes our insecurities build up and spill over and we may do things we regret. in this case, paired with magic, it was an attempt on a rival's life.

unlike leona or maybe azul, he does regret his actions. he admits his wrongs and that he let his insecurities lead him down a path that could've been disastrous had it not been for rook and everyone else.

i understand that his confidence can be misleading; "if he's so insecure why is so confident?" because idiots, a person with insecurities can also have confidence. while vil is insecure about his stand in beauty, he's also confident in his looks. his insecurities about his looks come from his one-sided rivalry with neige. neige receives more compliments and views and offers, so that comes back to vil and he views himself inferior.

a lot of people seem to think he hates neige. but he doesn't, even he has admitted that he's only jealous. he holds a lot of respect for neige. he knows about neige's tough childhood, and he knows how hard he works, but he does not pity him for it all the same. his feelings for neige have only been jealousy brought on by the views of fans and media, and believe it or not, jealousy is not hate.

vil is genuinely a decent person. after his overblot he continues to thank those that helped in stopping him, and then proceeds to take responsibility for being the reason they were all so tired during the competition. he even takes his own money to offer to everyone after he broke his promise to split the earnings when they won. he also isn't upset with rook for voting for the winning team; he respects that he was able to do so without feeling much guilt. (while i still want to fight his ass. fuck you, you damn peacock spitting mf /affectionate). and then proceeds to give his money to the mc so they can fix up the dorm.

i understand his first impression wasn't great. even i thought i'd hate him, but after getting to know him, i saw that my opinion on him was stupid; understandable at first, sure, but false.

he's strict, yeah, but he means well. he just wants everyone to be healthy, and that includes routine and taking care of your body. it may seem a bit obsessive, but it's his way of caring for those around him, even if it isn't how, you like it or how you'd prefer to be cared for.

i think what i like about vil, is that he genuinely tries to make things right. unlike those before him, he wishes to apologize for the trouble he caused and wants to avoid having his jealousy take ahold of him so strongly again.

and addressing those that seem to think he would attack a person's insecurities, you're wrong. i doubt he'd try to hurt a person by pointing out their own insecurities when he himself has insecurities. he knows what it's like to have your insecurities take hold of you and consume your thoughts, why would he do that to another person? if he does find himself saying something that might be an insecurity for another person, i don't think he'd do so on purpose. he probably intended to help, but in the process hurt them. i just don't believe he'd want to hurt someone by rubbing their insecurities in their face.

overall, he's not a bad person or some asshole who would hurt someone on purpose. he's confident but insecure, and he's strict but means well. stop regarding him so wrongly please, it's actually fucking annoying.

[alexthebordercollie]

TOTALLY WANTED TO SAYYY WOAHH THAT ANIMATIC ON H!FORD WAS CRAZZZYY IT'S SO COOL!

(Also spoiler alert some fanfiction with him and some of Jellyskink's characters may be manifesting soon lol)

Oh my god. EEEEEEEEH! I'm hyped. I absolutely love it when I see other artists or writers doing stuff with my characters. It's the best.

Glad people like the animatic. I know it's not really a super content-heavy post especially. However, it is an example of the ways Bill publically abuses Ford. Paired with the previous post from H where he angrily was ranting incoherently you can put two and two together that some kind of spat is going on between them.

I wasn't going to do sound originally but I thought a gunshot at the end would be good punctuation but felt that it would be off if the rest of the video was silent. I used an AI voice for it but I do need to stress those are not substitutes for real voice actors. It works ok if you're just doing a short little bit but even then I had to muddy the whole thing with lots of static to cover up how naturally stilted the AI line delivery was. If I knew someone off-hand who could do a good Ford impression I probably would have just had a friend read the lines but with Bill's inflection. As is I think the static and missing bits of audio do a decent enough job making the stiff line delivery less noticeable.

[justafriend-ql]

2024 gmmtv bl + gl predictions/wishlist

okay okay, i know it's only july. but i'm a little crazy, so i'm already thinking about the 2024 lineup. some general observations that are informing my predictions:

the 2023 lineup features 9 bls and 1 gl (out of 22 total series). 2 of the bls are ensemble casts (our skyy 2, only friends). so we can probably expect ~10 ql series next year.

as a general rule, it seems like gmmtv's main pairs will get a series every other year or so, although some popular pairings may be mains two years in a row.

they also seem to give lead roles to one or two new main pairings per year - usually pairs that have been floated as side couples in series that aired the year prior (e.g., milklove, perthchimon)

*please note that this is entirely speculation and i don't intend to start any wars in the notes. also: i will be talking about the pairs from an analytical/business perspective; if that makes you uncomfortable, i recommend you just keep scrolling*

bl predictions (in no particular order)

winny x satang series

rationale: given the success of their pairing in my school president and the many fanmeets/brand sponsorship events they've had together this year (including some solo events abroad), this is almost a guarantee. genre prediction: i'm guessing it will be a romcom with a bit of a darker/angstier edge to it, since winny and satang are great at the enemies to lovers trope and are talented dramatic actors.

2. pond x phuwin series

rationale: since fish upon the sky, these two have been a very popular pairing (particularly in thailand, it seems). along with joongdunk and geminifourth, they're part of the 'new gen' group that gmmtv has do a lot of fanmeets/brand sponsorship events (which means $$$ for gmmtv). their last series, never let me go, aired mostly in 2023 but was scheduled for 2022, so a 2024 series would be in keeping with the every-other-year rule. genre prediction: i think their next series will lean more towards the romcom end of the spectrum, given that never let me go was a lakorn and (regrettably, in my opinion) wasn't as popular as fish upon the sky.

3. gemini x fourth series

rationale: this is another no-brainer, really. this pair is so wildly popular that they're already having a solo concert together. both are very good actors (and performers) despite their young age. gmmtv would be stupid not to capitalize on their popularity and skill. genre prediction: probably still romcom, but with a little more "maturity" than my school president. they're young, but that hasn't ever stopped gmmtv from upping the intensity of the physical intimacy, in particular (e.g., phuwin was 19, about the same age as gemini and fourth, when never let me go was filmed).

4. first x khaotung series

rationale: though these two certainly aren't bound to the branded pair model, they excel when they act opposite to each other. the eclipse garnered a lot of popularity for them, and that's only going to grow after only friends. genre prediction: these two can carry heavy, emotional scenes and dark themes extremely well, so it'd be great to see them in a darker genre (the eclipse, while dealing with heavy topics, still had a lot of lighter romcom moments). personally, i'd love to see them lead a p'aof production, which might be likely since p'aof worked with (and was impressed with) the two of them on moonlight chicken. a period drama with these two would be super interesting.

5. neo x mark series

rationale: these two are the wildcard pairing in only friends and were originally the side couple in cooking crush (before they switched out mark due to overbooking him). this is consistent with gmmtv's tendency to float a couple in a series or two before giving them a series of their own. they're both in the same boat, having been relegated to the "funny side character" role for a while, but they have tremendous potential to do more, and gmmtv seems to recognize that now with their decision of casting them in only friends. genre prediction: hmm this one is tricky, since these two can do romcom and drama equally well. if i had to guess, they'll give neo and mark an "edgy"/"sexy" sereies because they're willing to go there and they can execute it well, which isn't necessarily true of all other gmmtv pairs.

6. force x book series

rationale: okay, i know i said gmmtv usually doesn't give pairs a main series two years in a row. but in forcebook's case, i think it's likely. for some reason that i don't personally understand, enchante didn't seem to resonate with a lot of people, but their popularity has skyrocketed since a boss and a babe and will only grow more when only friends airs. i think gmmtv will go with the momentum and give them another series in 2024. genre prediction: forcebook have done two romcoms already, so hopefully they'll get to branch out into another genre. personally, i think a mafia-type series led by these two would be really sick.

gl predictions (in no particular order)

gmmtv is testing the gl waters with milklove-led 23.5 this year. given the popularity of idol factory's gap the series (which surpassed 2gether's viewing stats by a wide margin), gmmtv will need to invest in the gl market in order to remain competitive. that's why i think there will be at least 2 gls in 2024, rather than just one.

view x june series

rationale: view and june will star in dangerous romance and 23.5 this year, indicating that gmmtv is looking to brand them or at least give them main roles in 2024. they're both talented actresses who have a lot of experience and can easily handle heavier material. it's just a matter of how well they're received as a pair in the series that air in 2023. genre prediction: we don't know what their dynamic will be like in their 2023 series, but i think a lakorn-style, enemies to lovers narrative would suit view and june well and give them a chance to showcase their great acting skills. a sci-fi series would also be really neat!

2. sizzy girl group series

rationale: this one might be more of a personal wish than a likely prediction, since gmmtv hardly gives sizzy the time of day. but! jan and aye have played queer characters before, and ciize has repeatedly expressed interest in doing a gl (even talking to jane about being paired together). they're all great actresses and performers (sizzy concert when??), so it really would be amazing if they got their own series. genre prediction: i'm feeling a rom-com for them. my personal dream is a series about a literal girl group of performers (like sizzy itself) so that there can be original music for each episode like in my school president. bonus points if nanon can guest star as their slaytastic manager (i'm never getting over their love score collab).

ensemble predictions (in no particular order)

given the growing number of branded and un-branded pairs within gmmtv, gmmtv will have to lean more into ensemble series (like only friends) in order to give everyone screen-time.

a light-hearted romcom (like our skyy 2)

rationale: this would be an opportunity to give airtime to any branded pairs that don't have their own series, or more work for popular pairs. a light-hearted romcom with a stacked ensemble cast would be a huge moneymaker for gmmtv with lots of fanmeet/concert opportunities (like my school president). cast predictions: we could see many members of the my school president gang (geminifourth, markford, potentially also aun and prom) here. this could also be a chance to float new gl pairings!

2. a more mature, jojo-style series (like only friends)

rationale: other production companies are ratcheting up the heat of their series; gmmtv will do so too in order to stay competitive. for better or for worse, sex sells, and like only friends, a series like this would attract a lot of attention and excitement on social media. cast predictions: this is where some of their older, more established pairs come into play. we could see jimmysea or offgun here. or even joongdunk or pondphuwin, since these two pairs are being pushed in the direction of higher heat. this could look like a mafia or gang-war style series, or maybe something with paranormal/horror themes.

bonus: things that probably won't happen but i would desperately like to see

namtan, tu, ploypach and/or prim gl (please i'm begging i would DIE; can you imagine a period piece with these four?? the costumes alone would have me on my knees)

joongdunk/pondphuwin vampire series (i don't care if it's cringe; did you see joongdunk's dumdum performance??)

breaking up branded pairs (imagine, for example, if joongdunk/pondphuwin switched partners; or winnysatang/markford; or jimmysea/forcebook)

fluke pusit main series (i mean, come on)

midnight museum season 2 khathadome canon (not brothers, please be serious)

okay, that's it. feel free to add your own predictions/wishlist. remember: these are just my own ideas and opinions! don't take anything i say too seriously haha

[clairedaring]

Hello!!

Hmm after watching ep 7, I’m not sure I want Kan and Thiu to end up together 😅😅 I can’t believe Kan severely injured then killed Boss so that Thiu doesn’t find out the truth about his mum. I’ve been empathetic towards Kan’s perspective about euthanasia but I feel killing Boss goes against his own view.

While I enjoyed the few sweet and domestic moments between Kan and Thiu, a relationship with a foundation of lies realistically won’t last. They’re both gonna be hurt, especially Thiu. I do hope Kan decides to tell Thiu the truth in ep 8 though. I didn’t read the novel and I’m wondering if Kan admitted the truth about Thiu’s mum to Thiu in the novel?

on a side note, I’ve been really impressed with JJ and Tor’s acting and have enjoyed their chemistry. I know this might be unlikely but I hope they pair up again in another series, preferably a rom-com so I don’t get stressed on a weekly basis 😂😂

hope you have a good day ahead! 💛

Hi nonnie (┬┬﹏┬┬)

Right!?!!??!??!1 I totally get you nonnie. I really hope you don't mind me spoiling the novel below the cut with you.

Soooo where we at in the series is very similar to where Kan and Wasan were at the end of Book 1, Kan is still hiding secrets from Wasan - Wasan finding out his mom wasn't 'killed' by the serial killer but he's ignoring that anyway to live his life blissfully with Kan -> leading to them being boyfriends but still having that huge wall of secrecy between them (both hiding things they know from each other) and Book 2 addresses that by having Kan faced legal consequences for some of his actions and there's a really dramatic arc where Wasan finds out about Kan euthanising his mom and Kan begging for his forgiveness.

The series has adjusted so much, taking some things from Book 2 but then not adapting some stuff. I really can't tell you if they'll be able to adapt that dramatic scene where Kan begs for Wasan's forgiveness because he's still hiding secrets from his boyfriend in this ep.

Your feeling of not wanting them to end up together is exactly correct because they shouldn't be together yet. How can they be happy together with all these lies between them ಥ_ಥ I think the novel did well in having them end up together but it's after many other events that the series has yet to covered and when they have undergone massive character development and mindset changes.

I too sincerely hope Kan tells Wasan everything in EP. 8. Like Mr. Doctor do you know that you have only have ONE episode left sirrrrrrr 😭

Yea I think it's unlikely that we'll meet Tor & JJ in another project soon since they're independent actors but I'm very glad they came to deliver this work because it's so rare to witness Thai series touching controversial topics, much less for it to be a primetime series with an excellent cast.

The writing for SMYM may not be perfect with obvious illogicalities or flaws here and there but the design of the characters and certain details have been almost immaculate and I must thank the strong cast for salvaging this script and keeping me absolutely hooked each week.

EDIT: because I completely forgot your OG question is about the ending of SMYM. I think One31 has had a streak with giving their OneD originals sad endings this year so I'm actually very mentally prepared for the ending of SMYM since it definitely can't be as bad as the two last ones I've seen (re: the leads dying from being executed or being shot dead) from One31. At most, Kan and Wasan will break up and you know what I'm also fine with that, serves Kan right for keep lying to man you wanna date.

[kitkatt0430]

5, 10, 26?

5.) Has fandom ever ruined a pairing for you?

So my first thought is no and I think that's how I usually answer this. But it may actually be a bit more complicated in a 'no but yes' sort of way.

So. Oliver/Felicity was not the original plan for the Arrow. Felicity wasn't even supposed to be a main character. She wasn't even supposed to be there beyond that one episode she first showed up in. But the actress made such an impression on the cast, show runners, and the audience that she became more important. And while a lot of people - including myself - assumed she was an original character for the show, it turns out she was supposed to be just another comics cameo shout out to a character not even Green Arrow comics adjacent. Apparently comics Felicity Smoak was Ronnie Raymond's antagonist and step mom.

O_o The more you know, huh?

Anywho, presumably the original plan for the show was Oliver/Laurel endgame. Like in the comics, where Dinah/Oliver - with Laurel being Dinah Laurel Lance, after all - being Oliver's partner both in vigilantism and romance. It... obviously didn't go that way with Laurel being brutally and unnecessarily killed off for shock value in S4. And that may have happened in part because of the popularity of the Olicity ship.

Backtracking a bit here, but Felicity's actress and Oliver's actor had great onscreen chemistry from day one. I can understand why the show runners chose to pivot to this ship, given that chemistry and the sheer popularity of the ship with the fans.

Oliver/Felicity pretty quickly became the most popular ship for the fandom and it still is. Not even Oliver/Barry - the second most tagged ship for the fandom over on Ao3 - has even a quarter of the fics that Olicity has. 12,600+ fics as of this moment and no doubt it'll continue to steadily go up. (for comparison, Olivarry has 1,600+ fics tagged)

Honestly, I shipped Felicity/Oliver pretty quickly while watching S1 too. I liked their dynamic, that she was the sunshine to Oliver's grumpy, she was willing to call him out even when he still scared her, and she - at the time, anyway - was willing to respect that she wasn't entitled to his secrets.

But time marched on. The show began to flanderize the characters to some degree even as they fleshed them out in others. Felicity lost her willingness to respect Oliver's boundaries, Oliver proved incapable of keeping character development from one season to the next... and as Felicity/Oliver moved from interesting chemistry to ship tease to official couple, they began to bring out the worst parts of each other. And my enjoyment that they were finally together soured.

How much of them being the official couple was because of the show runners picking up on the actors chemistry independently of the fans and how much was them seeing how much the fans wanted it so why not... we'll probably never really know for sure. But I suspect that fandom's shipping of the characters in the early days before Oliver/Laurel had a chance to truly be cemented was what both contributed to them being the official couple and thus killing my enjoyment of the ship.

(I suspect that Laurel/Oliver were meant to follow the path that Iris/Barry eventually did. Both Laurel and Iris were dating someone else in S1, a someone else who died in the finale after a reveal that they were related to the main villain in some way. In S2 Iris and Laurel are both learning to move on and find themselves without that relationship. But in S3 of the Flash, Iris and Barry finally hook up, but Laurel begins her vigilante arc in S3 that puts her at odds with Oliver while Felicity gets a love triangle with Oliver and Ray where Ray 'dies' at the end of the season... a little familiar sounding am I right?)

So fandom did not directly ruin the Olicity ship for me, but there is an argument to be made that it did so indirectly. So no... but also yes.

10.) Most disliked arc? Why?

It's so hard to choose because, sadly, there are so many.

It could be Mark Blaine trying to kill Khione to get Frost back, throwing a hissy fit when he's told no, and then creeping on Khione like she's Frost's replacement goldfish.

It could be the promise that S6 would give us an important Iris plot that turned out to being Iris side lined in the mirror world, stuck there while the real plot was going on else where, being forced to watch a duplicate most likely rape her husband, be about to break out of the mirror world herself only to be immediately turned into a damsel for Barry to rescue, and the creepy way she doesn't speak at all between waking up after the 'rescue' and going to kickstart the modified ASF to wake the original Speed Force back up... (Okay, yeah, this is probably arc I hate the most but...)

It could be how we were promised an important plot line for Cisco in S7 before he left the show and got what looked like the show runners forgetting about that until the last minute, giving us what could have been a fun episode if it were not completely ruined by Cisco's massively out of character decision to tell his besties he's leaving for ARGUS at the last minute. After making Cisco the one who stays at STAR Labs in the bad Savitar future and showing again and again how important his friendships are to him... to have him treat his friends like that was kinda shitty, tbh. Hell, most people treat bosses and coworkers they dislike better by giving the optional two weeks notice.

Armageddon. I think I've complained about that enough that my reasons for hating it are well known by now.

26.) Most shippable character?

Oh this is so hard to pick. I'm a multi-shipper so all the characters are imminently shippable to me, whether it's romantic, a QPP, or close friendships.

But if I try to narrow it down, it's either Cisco, Barry, or Hartley. I've written the most for a search on Cisco Ramon/* of my works, but Barry's a close second when I do Barry Allen/* but I think Hartley's got the most crossover ships that I ship regardless of whether I've written for it or not, such as Tommy/Hartley, Rip/Hartley, Ray/Hartley, etc. (Mick started on the Flash but he's primarily a Legends character. Does he count as a crossover ship? Yes but also no. And no but yes.)

Though of the ladies, I think Iris is probably the most shippable to me though Caitlin is a close second despite my arospec headcanons for her. Iris has a lot of chemistry with a lot of characters and while the number of romantic ships I enjoy for Caitlin is narrower, I'm more likely to contemplate different types of ships for her such as QPPs.

[championoftheoppressed]

Arrowverse Review - Year 4 (2015-2016)

I figure no one reads these, but I enjoy writing them, so here I am. I have finished another year of the Arrowverse! With a whole lot more going on this time.

This post will cover:

Vixen - Season 1

Arrow - Season 4

The Flash - Season 2

Crossover Event - Heroes Join Forces

Legends of Tomorrow - Season 1

Supergirl - Season 1

I also briefly hopped back to try out Constantine, since he showed up on Arrow with very little context. But that series turned out to be very much not my thing. I'm not into horror or spooky supernatural, so this did not appeal. I tapped out five episodes in. But I got the impression none of the plot points were really relevant to the wider Arrowverse, so I feel fine doing that.

Vixen - Season 1

If your first question is, "Wait... what the hell is Vixen?" I can't really blame you. This is an animated web series featuring Mari McCabe, AKA Vixen, as she discovers her magical powers to channel the abilities of animals and uses them to become a superhero. Mari does later feature in an episode of Arrow, that would probably not make any sense if you didn't watch this.

Anyway, this is fine. Mari herself seems pretty cool, her powers are interesting enough -- and definitely lend themselves better to animation than live-action -- and this is a solid introduction to her as a character.

Unfortunately, the Arrowverse elements are the weakest part of the story. Barry and Oliver are very shoehorned into the story, and mess with the pacing big-time. Frankly, this would have been stronger as a standalone series. Also, as a short film instead of six mini episodes.

Arrow - Season 4

This season is... eh? It's definitely better than Season 3. But I think the show just has fundamental flaws that aren't ever going to be addressed. All the characters feel same-y, and largely uninteresting. There's a severe tonal mismatch between the dark and gritty drama the writers want and the comic book silliness that's actually happening.

I will say, Damien Darhk is a fairly fun villain. The actor has a good presence, and he feels like a consistent threat for the duration of the season.

I also really enjoyed Oliver and Felicity's relationship. Firstly, it's wonderful to finally not have any sort of love triangle. Second, Oliver and Felicity have excellent chemistry, and seeing their committed relationship allows for so many great moments between the pair of them. Their breakup is also well done -- I've complained before how frustrating it is when the characters on this show keep secrets from each other for stupid reasons, but this is an instance of doing that well. It's understandable why Oliver made the decision he did, and equally understandable why Felicity would be upset. It's all solid stuff.

In fact, this is probably Oliver's strongest season, character-wise. He gets a lot of good stuff here.

Curtis is okay. Honestly, I'd probably like him more if he wasn't the fourth or fifth Arrowverse character introduced with the exact same "quirky nerd" personality. That archetype has really worn thin.

Laurel is, as usual, the actual worst. At the start of the season she resolves to bring Sara back to life, despite literally everyone telling her it's a terrible idea. And when that backfires, she acts like she did nothing wrong. When she isn't being completely asinine, she still doesn't bring anything to the show. Her character does not work, has never worked, and I was genuinely glad to see her get killed off. Which was not the response I was meant to have.

I think it's time to write Malcolm Merlyn out of the show. He's worn out his welcome. And the League of Assassins could be retired for a while, as well. Every time they show up, they feel considerably less cool.

The flashbacks this season are also really boring. Oliver's trying to find this magic idol and stop a military group with some Russian slaves, and every time an episode cut back to that I wanted to go to sleep. The idol does tie back in with Darhk, but the story line felt so pointless and inconsequential.

The ending was also pretty anti-climactic. It should have worked on paper, everyone in Star City standing up to Darhk, but something just never quite clicked. But I did like the ending, with John and Thea both independently taking a break from Team Arrow. Both choices felt well-earned and it let things end on a suitably somber note.

I feel like I just complained the whole time, but this season really wasn't that bad. Just not very good either. Definitely the weakest season out of this year.

The Flash - Season 2

Many of the strengths of Season 1 continue here. The characters and cast are all still great. The simple and cozy formula works wonders. This show just has the right vibes.

We have several new characters, and they're great. Patty is unexpectedly excellent as a new love interest for Barry, and it was a shame to see her written out so soon. Wally is a fun new addition to the West family, and only gets better as the season progresses. And I did not expect Earth-2 Wells to work at all, but it absolutely did -- he has a unique dynamic with Team Flash, completely distinct from Earth-1 Wells of last season.

In fact, all the multiverse stuff is just fun. Dumb fun, but that's literally all I want these shows to be. Give me a parallel universe where Barry is a helpless nerd, Iris is a badass cop, and Caitlin is a supervillain. Why the hell not?

Another thing I appreciate is, again, the lack of love triangles. And I appreciate that both the writers and characters respect that Iris is mourning Eddie. They actually let her grieve.

If there's one thing about this season that doesn't work, it's ironically the two characters who turn out to be one and the same. Jay Garrick is bland as hell and doesn't add much to the team, while Zoom has no real presence or personality. Things improve slightly when they reveal that Jay is Zoom, and the villain can finally have a face, but it's too little too late. I think they wanted to repeat the twist of Season 1, but it just didn't land in quite the same way.

Still, everything works well enough, and I had a good time with it. No real complaints.

Crossover Event - Heroes Join Forces

As always, the crossover event is a good time. But I didn't enjoy this one quite as much as the previous year's.

This event revolves around the introduction of Hawkgirl, Hawkman, and Vandal Savage... all of whom are boring and feel weirdly miscast. It's really just setup for Legends of Tomorrow, where they also don't really work.

It's ultimately the character interactions and dynamics that carry this one. Barry and Oliver pair so well together that it's a shame to only do it once or twice a year. And I think the Arrow cast just works better when they're paired with The Flash's ensemble.

Legends of Tomorrow - Season 1

This show definitely has its issues. It took a while to grow on me. But honestly... I'm coming around to it. Admittedly, I've always had a soft spot for time travel stories, so I am biased in its favor.

The main issue I have with this season is the core plot. Vandal Savage feels woefully miscast, not really having the malicious presence needed for the part (and his inconsistent accent is incredibly distracting).

Then so much of the show revolves around Kendra and Carter, who are so boring. They're meant to be star-crossed lovers, but they cast two actors with zero chemistry, and wrote that romance as though fate is forcing Kendra to be with this man against her will. It adds an uncomfortable undercurrent to their romance, and I could not figure out what they were going for.

And of course, we have another badly written romance! Kendra and Ray have no chemistry. It's like they pull two names out of a hat to decide who should date. And managing to make it a love triangle with Carter, despite him being dead for most of the season, is truly impressive.

Apart from that, though, the season really did grow on me as it went. The characters feel so random and mismatched at the start, but that actually worked in the show's favor -- seeing them become a more cohesive team felt well-earned. And all these interesting dynamics start to emerge that you wouldn't expect -- Snart and Sara, Rory and Ray, etc. And leading them all is Rip Hunter, who grew on me a lot as we learned more and more about him. (And yes, having Arthur Darvill basically playing a Time Lord is extremely fun.)

The twist of Rory being Chronos worked very well. Snart and Rory felt like the two characters that had no reason to be there, and that single twist tied them into events so cohesively. Snart's ultimate sacrifice was also very well done. (Snart and Rory were totally in love. I am not accepting other arguments.)

Overall, the setup was very fun, and it was just the main plot that didn't work. I'm hopeful that Season 2 will pick up in that respect -- especially since it looks like Kendra and Carter aren't in it.

Supergirl - Season 1

Full confession -- I have already seen this show in its entirety. And rewatching this season honestly felt like coming home. This is my TV comfort food. It has such an atmosphere of hope and love and overall good vibes. I could genuinely rewatch this season any time.

The cast is all excellent, but Melissa Benoist as Kara is on another level. This role requires a lot of things that can be contradictory at times -- gentleness and strength in equal measure -- and Benoist just nails it every time. The role is wonderfully well-written, as well. I'm definitely biased here as a Superman fan, but I do think Kara is the strongest of all these show's leads.

Calista Flockhart also steals every scene that she's in as Cat Grant. It would be so easy for her to be detestable, but her acerbic nature is always tempered by her genuine compassion. Winn is wonderful as Kara's best friend. J'onn becomes this excellent father figure to both Kara and Alex as the season progresses. I think the only weak member of the cast here is James -- he's not bad, but he is sort of bland compared to everyone else.

The single best thing this show did was give Kara an adopted sister. Kara and Alex's relationship is everything to me. It's the driving force of the entire show, and I simply adore that.

Unfortunately, like a lot of these shows, this season has a pretty annoying romance. We have not just a love triangle, but a love quartet! In the form of Kara/James/Winn/Lucy. Winn's portion of this isn't too bad -- he really just has a crush which is eventually dealt with -- but everything with Lucy is mildly agonizing. There's a lot of melodrama for the sake of melodrama, and the endgame couple of Kara/James isn't even that interesting. They very much feel like they're together for the sake of having a romance, not because they have actual chemistry.

But that truly is my only complaint. Everything else about this season works beautifully.

The crossover episode with The Flash is super cute. Barry and Oliver pair well because they're so different, but Barry and Kara pair well because they're so similar. It's just a good time all around.

[night-unfurls-its-splendour]

What do you think of Sarah Brightman in POTO? She gets so much hate from the "phans" but I love her as Christine. She looks so victorian, classy, proper and innocent. When I got into the show (which I regret) I couldn't stop watching her with MC and Steve. I love her voice, it's so unique as Gillian Lynne described — like a dew dropping. Also Michael Crawford and her were similar in age to Erik and Christine. I think she wasn't more sympathetic and "into" him because that's how she was instructed to act, Hal Prince was very clear about Christine loving Raoul though she felt sorry for Erik. And Steve Barton was such a perfect Raoul. My all time favorite pair is JOJ & Gina as well as JOJ & Katie Hall. I also adore Hugh Panaro & Samantha Hill.

Honestly I would love to give an opinion, but I can't because I have only ever seen one Brightman performance and it was quite degraded, so her visual performance was very difficult to analyze.

What I will say is that I didn't know this about Hal Prince (keep in mind, I've only been in the Phandom for about eight months, so I'm still learning a lot of the production's history.) And I find that interesting, given the fact that Lloyd Webber himself has always dropped hints (and in more recent years, been more open about) his own very pro e/c feelings. I think in the end, everyone in the production has their own perspective, and those combinations of attitudes bubble and collide on stage with different outcomes every time. We have to keep in mind that every element of the main trio shifts the chemistry and even with repeats of the exact same trio, sometimes the vibe you get from Christine can be very different show-to-show. I've seen Crawford/Kristien/Barton in three separate boots and Kristien's performance has had varying degrees of enthusiasm with Erik in every one. In one she was more naïve and timid, in another she was blatantly horny.

I've seen Gina Beck absolutely terrified with Ramin Karimloo and gently spooked with David Shannon. I've seen Rachel Barrell mortified with John Owen Jones and sweetly sympathetic with Earl Carpenter (though her Christine always seems to be Lukewarm for Erik no matter what).

I can also say, having worked with some theatre directors (and of course, every director is different in how far they view their directorial power reaching) but the ones I've talked to have said "when we're in rehearsal it's my job to show you what to do. Once that curtain comes up, my job is done: it's in your hands, you know what to do."

Of course there's a limit to defying direction, but an actors job is not just to stand there and do what they're told. They have to do it in the way that will feel most organic to them and to the people watching. Theatre direction is different than movie direction. The director can't stop the show and give the actors notes to make sure that everything goes just how they want it to. The actors have a lot of power to interpret their direction, and like I said, that interpretation can vary from show to show even when it's the exact same main cast.

So I'm sure Brightman had performances where she was more into Erik and ones where she was more into Raoul. But I don't know.

Now as for her voice, I'm going to be honest that yes it's unique and she's without a doubt a fantastic singer, I'm not a huge fan of her vocal quality. Her voice is very thick to my ears and it's just not my favourite. I don't hate it by any means, but it's just not my favourite.

As for the hate, idk. If she did have a lukewarm performance across the board, it is partially her fault, but as I've said, creating a role is a difficult thing. Other Christines have been able to look at her and form impressions, have ideas and come to conclusions that Brightman may not even have thought of at the time. It's a lot of work to build a character with nothing to go on except the book which only partially resembles the story you're acting out, so I'm disinclined to be very harsh towards her. But I think we as phans have a feeling that no matter how many Erik/Christine pairings we've seen where Christine definitely embraces her attraction to Erik and leaves only reluctantly at the end--pairings that vindicate the E/C stance a lot of us hold dear--theres a sense (and an irrational one, I think) that the original interpretations are the only ones that really matter. While that's understandable, I think it's a bit of a fallacy, because as I've said, shows like this grow over time. New interpretations add new layers and ideas occur to both actors and directors that they maybe want to approach things differently from now on. If they changed their perspectives, it must be for a reason. The first version is often flawed.

ALSO keep in mind that later Christine's, Raoul's and Phantom's have had the benefit of full-text translations of the book that weren't available to the original cast and crew. Post 1990 Christines had the benefit of knowing that, in the book, Christine practically admits to Raoul that, if Erik was handsome, she would certainly have fallen completely in love with him (and, with Erik being pretty darn sexy in the musical, that definitely shifts the perception of Christine as a character and how she would make her decisions in this musical timeline). Maybe this is a factor into why most of the 90's Christines I've seen really went in for an enthusiastic interpretation.

Who can really say?

Also yes, Hugh and Samantha slap.

She's one of my top 5 Christines.

[garden-of-omegas]

⚜ FIRST MEETING [A3! - SUMMER TROUPE] ⚜

┌── ˏˋ°•*⁀➷ ••✎•• ──────────

characters: tenma sumeragi | yuki rurikawa | muku sakisaka | misumi ikaruga | kazunari miyoshi | kumon hyodo summary: the details of your first meeting with your future mate. warnings: some allusions to bad home lives, insomnia rating: sfw a/n: i have really nothing to say this time, nothing much has really happened while i was writing this so it was all very straight forward. i think the summer troupe is just too sunny to create really conflicted alphas for. they are a comedy group after all.

~🎕

└── ˏˋ°•*⁀➷ ••✎•• ──────────

≿━━━━༺❀ tenma sumeragi ❀༻━━━━≾

✿ you were an amateur actor, who'd just recently joined the summer troupe. you'd explained to izumi that you were there to learn more for your craft, though in truth you'd just ran away from home and needed a stable place to stay away from your parents.

✿ you were 17 at the time, though you told izumi that you were 18 so that she wouldn't want to call your parents. tenma was 16, a good year younger than you.

✿ you got to meet tenma after his audition, as you'd been been staying at the company for a week already before anyone else joined. you weren't there for the audition, so it came as a huge surprise when you were told that you'd be rooming with a famous actor. tenma's arrogance immediately soured the relationship though, which lead to some shenanigans with the rooming.

✿ the first day of rooming together, you locked tenma out of the room, to which tenma responded by hiding all your beddings. your mutual messing with each other continued for a week before the two of you came to any kind of understanding with each other.

✿ tenma wasn't really impressed by you upon first meeting, and he fully expressed that. after the bedroom incident, he was rather certain that he hated you though that changed after sharing that room with you for a while. you thought that tenma was an arrogant brat, and frankly you couldn't stand to be around him for any longer than necessary. you somewhat softened your view on him after spending time with him, but you still considered him to be a complete prick.

≿━━━━༺❀ yuki rurikawa ❀༻━━━━≾

✿ you were the young heir of an old money family company. you'd just recently been "disinherited" by your parents, temporarily, as they felt that you needed to experience normal life. so, you decided to join the mankai company as acting was a huge interest of yours.

✿ you were 15 at the time, in izumi's opinion far too young to try and live independently. you didn't really understand her point, so she gave up trying. yuki was 14.

✿ you met yuki during the audition, when you spotted him and started gushing over his outfit. yuki was sort of off-put by it, especially since your own clothes were name-brand and extremely expensive looking. seeing you get along so "well", izumi paired you up to room together.

✿ you and yuki's room soon became a hub of creativity, especially once you were appointed as the company's official stylist. it was to the point that the rest of the summer troupe wondered where the two of you slept since the beds were usually covered in fabric and make-up kits.

✿ yuki liked you quite a bit, surprisingly. while you were definitely a snobby rich kid at times, you were also naive in a way that made you completely sincere and honest with everything you did and said. not to mention how you didn't question his way of dressing at all. you thought yuki to be the most stylish person you'd ever met, especially once you discovered that he made his own clothes. you'd never even considered that that was a thing that you could do, and couldn't help but admire his talents.

≿━━━━༺❀ muku sakisaka ❀༻━━━━≾

✿ you were looking for a place to live, as you'd be starting medical school the next year to become a paramedic. you happened upon a flier for the mankai company audition, and as acting had been a hobby of yours you thought it was the perfect place.

✿ you were 16, having just recently turned prior to moving away from home. you were a bit young to actually start medical school, but you were given special permission as your mother was a famous doctor. muku was 14.

✿ as you were arriving to the audition, you saw muku walking to the theatre. you didn't really draw any attention to yourself, but muku noticed you and got startled, which almost ended up in him falling over and hitting his head against the curb. thankfully, you had quick reflexes and managed to stop his fall and shield his head.

✿ muku became extremely shy around you, but after the audition when you were both accepted into the troupe you were paired together for a room, which is how muku found out about your cute med-kits and decorations.

✿ muku admired you immensely, the moment you saved him he thought that you were one of those dashing princex's from his manga. that, and your dedication to helping other people made him grow a big fat crush on you very quickly. you thought muku was rather cute, though you were very confused about his muteness around you. but you thought it was fitting that you were set to room together, as the small omega fit perfectly within all your decorations.

≿━━━━༺❀ misumi ikaruga ❀༻━━━━≾

✿ you were just a little kid, experimenting with photography and living with your grandma. your parents weren't really fit to take care of you, but you'd been given a polaroid camera by your mom, which left you with a curiosity for the craft.

✿ you were six years old. you'd been staying with your grandma for a year at that point. misumi was five years old, though in actuality he was almost two years younger than you.

✿ you were outside taking pictures with your camera while your grandma was entertaining a friend inside. while taking a picture of a tree, a certain triangle-loving kid popped into frame and scared the hell out of you. turns out, your grandma's friend had a grandson that he'd bought along that was now attempting to save you from what you were certain was a heart attack.

✿ now, obviously you were not experiencing a heart attack. and after misumi managed to get your breathing under control, the two of you got along rather well. and so the two of you would often start to be found together, having play-dates outside.

✿ misumi thought you were so fun and cute, even after the scare of your (not really) heart attack. you were always nice to him, pointing out triangles for him and even having pictures of them ready every time you'd meet up. you were certain that if you were not looking after misumi he'd manage to get himself seriously hurt or worse... lost. so you made it your life's mission to take care of him, and it definitely wasn't because you thought he was really cute.

≿━━━━༺❀ kazunari miyoshi ❀༻━━━━≾

✿ you were a social media influencer looking for a theater company to join. your mother had been a theatre actor in her youth and you wanted to get a taste of her life that she described so dearly. though you weren't really interested in it personally.

✿ you were 19, you were still in university though you didn't attend it all that seriously. kazunari was the same age as you, though miraculously you'd never come across each other on campus.

✿ you'd made an innocuous post on one of your less-known socials about looking for a theater company to join, which kazunari as a fan of yours happened to see. he, knowing you went to the same school, tracked you down and invited you to the mankai company auditions. you hadn't really been expecting anyone to understand what you wanted, so you were a bit shocked by the sudden invitations to say the least.

✿ when you did actually attend the auditions, you got the part and as you were recommended by kazunari the two of you were paired to room together. izumi would soon come to regret that when you started getting along like a house on fire.

✿ kazunari had been a fan of you for a long time, your cute aesthetic and your joyful personality that radiated sunshine everywhere drawing him in long before he actually met you. and discovering that most of it wasn't fake just made him like you more. kazunari was a... lot, at first anyway. he was sort of confusing, showing up out of nowhere and solving your problem, but after spending some time together rooming you realized how similar the two of you were.

≿━━━━༺❀ kumon hyodo ❀༻━━━━≾

✿ you were an aspiring actor, with a bit of a problem. you had an extreme case of insomnia that often ended in you either not being completely there during performances or straight up passing out. but you had determination to achieve your dream.

✿ you were 16, the same age as kumon. you'd both been attending the same high school, but your social circles were so different that you'd never actually met before.

✿ you were out seeing a play by the mankai company, a local performance that kumon was helping with. unfortunately you'd not been properly sleeping for the last week so you fell asleep during the performance, right onto kumon's shoulder as he'd sat down next to you to watch. while surprised, he gladly let you use his shoulder as a pillow and woke you up once the troupe was leaving.

✿ after that whole bit, you decided to pursue joining the troupe as you thought theatre acting would suit you and your insomnia better. and surprisingly izumi took you in gladly, and set you and kumon to room together.

✿ kumon thought you were cute! especially your sleeping face, you just look so peaceful. and after starting to room together, he thought he'd get to see you sleeping even more, but to his surprise you spent most of your nights completely awake, often scaring him when he woke up in the middle of the night. kumon was... a lot for your tired brain. his energy made you seem even more tired and done, but it was also comforting to be around him. though you also thought that he was far too jumpy, in a cute way. not that you'd ever admit it.

[stormyoceans]

what are your impression of midnight museum?:) did you like it as a whole? who's your favourite character? what didn't you like?

OH I LOVED MIDNIGHT MUSEUM!!!!!! i mean, okay, let's be honest.. it was an absolute mess and if you asked me to explain what the hell happened in the last two episodes i probably would not be able to do it, BUT STILL!!!!!!! I LOVED IT. sometimes being able to entertain your viewers is more than enough to make a show both memorable and likeable, and i think midnight museum is the perfect example of this

the show is a mixture of fantasy, science fiction and mystery, which are three genres im personally very weak for. the first half also has an episodic nature to it that i miss in television a lot: it can be boring when there isn’t a strong horizontal narrative getting advanced in the background, but if you can make it work it’s really fun for the viewers, and in this particular case i do believe the show was at its strongest when it fully embraced this format. the ‘artifact of the week’ with the enigma of dome’s identity was really entertaining to me, and i loved how creepy and disturbing some of the storylines were. the decision to throw in an abundance of biblical symbolisms as well in the second half of the show probably wasn't a good idea for the plot as a whole, but that's something i find incredibly fascinating so i'd be lying if i said i didn't love every (confusing) second of it

the real strength of the show lies in its cast, though. i already knew that gun and nanon are incredible actors, but i wasn't familiar with tor before midnight museum and i will always be grateful to it for introducing him to me because he is phenomenal. he showed up on that set every single day and decided to give so much yearning longing pining aching worrying agony anguish guilt restraint with the twitch of his mouth alone, and i respect him so much for it. honestly there aren't many people who are able to convey so many emotions in such an effective way. the supporting cast was also pretty solid and some of the guest actors gave an outstanding performance, like fah and tu in episode 5 for example

the other strong point of the show is the relationship between khatha and dome/chan/one. it’s basically on the level of chinese censored gay romance, and even when the writing didn’t give it justice, gun and tor’s on screen chemistry still managed to make it incredibly compelling to watch (an anon once told me that gun would have insane chemistry with literally anyone he got paired with and you know what? I COULDN’T AGREE MORE). the choice of not making their relationship a romantic one does baffle me a little tbh, especially because they were trying to push the brothers agenda while also giving explicitly romantic elements and parallels, but i can easily overlook this since the ending was very satisfying to me (i also don’t think this was queerbaiting btw, but that’s another story)

as for the things i disliked, my main issue with the show is the execution. the premise was original and had a lot of potential, but it’s obvious that the writing team lacked an overall vision of the (overcomplicated) story they wanted to tell: the moment they abandoned the episodic structure to focus on the larger narrative, the events start missing a sense of unity and direction, and the characters feel aimless too. i find every member of the main gang really interesting and likeable, but with the exception of khatha (love that old man btw, he is my absolute fave) they’re all criminally underdeveloped

MDL originally had midnight museum listed as having 15 episodes, and im not sure where did that information come from, but i actually think they did need those 5 extra episodes to make the plot more coherent, give more depth to the characters and explore the relationship between them (we should have had AT LEAST another june focused episode, a couple on triphob and bam and their relationship, one on anthika and boon, and one to let dome gain a little more sense of identity). if we ever get a season 2 they better fix this and fully develop all the characters BEFORE they try to explain what the hell is going on

ANYWAY. TL;DR: