#Their main strength is sheer perseverance

[thefatfemme]

This is not my tiktok but it had me cackling it's so accurate

[embraceyourconfidence]

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!! 💗💗💗💗

Rock Lee from Naruto

Early Struggles:

Rock Lee starts his journey as a young ninja with a significant disadvantage—he is unable to use ninjutsu or genjutsu, the two main forms of ninja techniques. This limitation sets him apart from his peers and leads to him being underestimated by others. However, Lee possesses an unyielding spirit and decides to become a master of taijutsu (hand-to-hand combat) to prove that he can still be a great ninja. Despite his determination, Lee struggles with self-doubt, especially when he compares himself to his more naturally talented peers.

Turning Point:

Lee’s turning point comes when he becomes a student of Might Guy, a master taijutsu user who recognizes Lee’s potential and shares his belief in the "Power of Youth" and the importance of hard work. With Guy’s mentorship, Lee trains relentlessly, developing his skills and pushing his body to its absolute limits. His determination and hard work begin to pay off, especially during the Chunin Exams, where he demonstrates his incredible strength, speed, and dedication. His battle against Gaara, despite ending in a loss, is a defining moment where Lee proves his worth as a ninja and earns the respect of both his allies and opponents.😭😭😭😭

Growth and Development:

Throughout the series, Lee’s confidence continues to grow as he faces increasingly difficult challenges. Even after suffering a severe injury during his fight with Gaara, which threatens to end his career as a ninja, Lee remains determined to recover and continue his journey. His unwavering spirit and belief in himself allow him to overcome his physical limitations and return to battle stronger than ever. Lee’s growth is not just physical but also emotional—he learns to accept his weaknesses, build on his strengths, and stay true to his principles no matter what.

Rock Lee’s journey provides several valuable lessons:

Hard Work Overcomes Limitations: Lee’s story is a testament to the idea that hard work and determination can overcome natural limitations. He becomes a powerful ninja through sheer effort and perseverance, showing that confidence comes from what you make of your abilities, not what you’re born with.

Never Give Up: Lee’s determination to never give up, even in the face of overwhelming odds, is a powerful message about resilience. Confidence is often about having the courage to keep going, no matter how difficult the journey may seem.

Belief in Oneself: Lee’s journey also emphasizes the importance of self-belief. Despite his initial lack of confidence, Lee’s belief in his potential and his willingness to work harder than anyone else leads him to become one of the strongest ninjas in his class.

Please suggest the next character! I'm already out of ideas 😭😭😭😭💗💗💗💗

[thrillingadventure12]

Conquering the Roof of the World: My Everest Expedition Journey

There’s something deeply stirring about the word "Everest." It represents more than just a mountain; it symbolizes human determination, courage, and an enduring quest for greatness. My Everest Expedition was not just a trek but a life-altering experience that tested my limits, reshaped my perspectives, and rewarded me with memories that will last a lifetime.

The Journey Begins

As I stood at the foot of Mount Everest, the towering peak seemed both welcoming and intimidating. The air was crisp, and the atmosphere was charged with the energy of climbers from around the world. Everyone there shared one dream: to reach the top of the world.

Preparation for this adventure began months in advance. I immersed myself in physical training, building endurance and strength. Yet, no amount of preparation could fully prepare me for the emotional and mental challenges that lay ahead. The Everest Expedition is as much about conquering your fears and doubts as it is about reaching the summit.

The Trek to Base Camp

The trek to Everest Base Camp (EBC) was a thrilling prelude to the main climb. Starting from Lukla, we followed rugged trails that meandered through picturesque villages like Namche Bazaar and Tengboche. Along the way, we encountered breathtaking views of snow-capped peaks and experienced the warmth of the Sherpa community. Their hospitality, resilience, and deep spiritual connection to the mountains left a profound impact on me.

Every step on this journey was both physically demanding and spiritually uplifting. The altitude tested our stamina, while the landscape inspired us to keep moving. By the time we reached Base Camp, I was already in awe of what lay ahead. Standing there, with prayer flags fluttering in the wind and the Khumbu Icefall looming large, was a humbling experience.

The Ascent: Battling the Elements

The climb from Base Camp to higher camps was a test of grit. Each altitude gain presented new challenges—thin air, frigid temperatures, and treacherous terrain. We moved in carefully calculated stages, acclimatizing at various points to avoid altitude sickness.

The notorious Khumbu Icefall, with its towering seracs and deep crevasses, was one of the most dangerous sections. Every crossing was a heart-pounding experience. Yet, our team’s trust in each other and our guides’ expertise saw us through safely.

At higher altitudes, even simple tasks became monumental. Breathing was labored, and every movement required immense effort. But the camaraderie among climbers kept morale high. We shared stories, laughter, and sometimes tears, creating bonds that would last far beyond the mountain.

The Summit Push

The final ascent began in the dead of night, guided by the faint light of our headlamps. The stars seemed close enough to touch, and a deep silence enveloped us, broken only by the crunch of snow underfoot and the sound of our breathing.

As dawn approached, the first rays of sunlight illuminated the peak. The sight was overwhelming. Exhaustion faded into exhilaration as we took those final steps to the summit. Standing at 8,848 meters, I felt an indescribable sense of achievement. The world stretched out below, and for a fleeting moment, everything felt infinite.

Reflections on the Descent

The descent was no less challenging than the climb. Fatigue and altitude sickness loomed, reminding us to stay vigilant. However, the thought of returning home with stories of triumph kept our spirits high.

Reaching Base Camp again was a bittersweet moment. The mountain had tested us, but it had also given us a deeper appreciation for life, resilience, and the beauty of nature.

A Journey Beyond the Summit

The Everest Expedition changed me in ways I never anticipated. It taught me patience, perseverance, and the power of human connection. Though the summit was the highlight, the real treasure lay in the journey itself—the friendships, the struggles, and the sheer magnificence of Everest.

For anyone dreaming of an Everest Expedition, know this: it’s more than just a climb. It’s a journey into your soul, a testament to the indomitable human spirit, and an adventure that will stay with you forever.

[legacyias1]

Success Stories from Bangalore’s Best IAS Coaching Centers

The journey to becoming a successful civil servant is long, challenging, and filled with lessons. Among the numerous aspirants preparing for the UPSC Civil Services Examination, Bangalore has emerged as a city that nurtures top talent. Known for its academic excellence and a supportive ecosystem, the city is home to many renowned IAS coaching institutes that have guided countless candidates to success.

In this post, we’ll share inspiring stories of candidates who turned their dreams into reality with the help of Bangalore’s thriving UPSC coaching centers. These stories not only motivate but also showcase the impact of structured guidance and perseverance.

The Power of a Structured Approach

For many aspirants, starting their UPSC preparation can be overwhelming. The sheer vastness of the syllabus requires a clear roadmap, and that’s where professional guidance plays a pivotal role. Bangalore’s IAS coaching centers are renowned for their structured teaching methods, which simplify the preparation process for students.

Take the example of Meera Sharma, a graduate who joined Legacy IAS Academy, one of the city’s premier IAS coaching institutes. Meera’s strategy involved following a disciplined routine set by her mentors, complemented by intensive test series. She recalls, “The focus on conceptual clarity and personalized mentorship at Legacy IAS Academy gave me the confidence to approach the exam systematically.”

Building Confidence Through Mock Tests

One of the standout features of Bangalore’s UPSC coaching centers is their focus on mock tests and answer writing practice. These practices not only help students identify their strengths and weaknesses but also prepare them for the real exam environment.

Rajeev Menon, another successful aspirant, credits his success to the rigorous test series offered by Legacy IAS Academy. He shares, “The mock tests were challenging but invaluable. They taught me how to manage time effectively and helped me refine my writing style, which made all the difference during the mains.”

A Culture of Peer Learning

Bangalore’s IAS coaching centers thrive on fostering a collaborative learning environment. Study groups, peer discussions, and debate sessions are common, encouraging students to learn from one another. This culture of peer learning has been a game-changer for many aspirants.

Sneha Iyer, who cleared the UPSC exam in her second attempt, highlights how studying alongside like-minded individuals at Legacy IAS Academy motivated her. “The discussions with my peers often sparked new ideas and perspectives. The environment pushed me to be better every single day,” she says.

Mentorship: A Game-Changer

Personalized mentorship is another feature that sets Bangalore’s IAS coaching institutes apart. For many aspirants, having a mentor who provides continuous feedback and guidance makes a significant difference.

Ankit Verma, who cleared the UPSC exam with flying colors, shares his experience with the mentorship program at Legacy IAS Academy. “My mentors guided me at every step, from selecting optional subjects to fine-tuning my interview skills. Their support was instrumental in my success,” he says.

Balancing Coaching and Self-Study

While professional coaching is crucial, most successful candidates agree that self-study plays an equally important role. The best IAS coaching in Bangalore emphasizes creating a balance between attending classes and independent preparation.

For instance, Legacy IAS Academy encourages students to follow a disciplined schedule outside of classroom hours. By supplementing their study material with independent reading and regular revisions, aspirants are better equipped to retain information and perform well.

Why Bangalore?

Bangalore’s IAS coaching centers are more than just places of learning; they’re hubs of inspiration. The city provides:

Top-Notch Faculty: Most coaching centers, including Legacy IAS Academy, boast experienced mentors who understand the nuances of UPSC preparation.

Comprehensive Study Material: The resources provided by these institutes ensure that students have access to all the essential information they need.

Supportive Ecosystem: From libraries to study groups, Bangalore offers an environment that fosters growth and motivation.

The Legacy IAS Academy Difference

Legacy IAS Academy stands out as a beacon of excellence among Bangalore’s UPSC coaching centers. With a student-centric approach, the academy is committed to nurturing each individual’s potential. Their holistic methodology combines conceptual clarity, regular evaluations, and intensive interview training to ensure aspirants are well-prepared for every stage of the UPSC exam.

Students at Legacy IAS Academy often share how the academy’s focus on ethics, analytical thinking, and current affairs helped them stand out. The institute’s reputation as one of the top IAS coaching institutes in Bangalore continues to grow, thanks to its track record of producing successful candidates year after year.

[suganya09]

Stories of Top IAS Rankers: Lessons to Learn from Their Journeys

The journey to cracking the prestigious IAS exam is as challenging as it is inspiring. Every year, thousands of aspirants dream of securing a top rank, but only a few succeed. What sets these top IAS rankers apart? Their stories offer invaluable lessons, showcasing determination, strategic preparation, and unwavering focus.

Here are some inspiring stories of top IAS rankers and the key takeaways from their journeys.

1. Anudeep Durishetty (AIR 1, 2017)

Anudeep Durishetty, a working professional, balanced his demanding job at Google with IAS preparation. Despite multiple failures in his earlier attempts, he achieved the top rank through sheer perseverance. Lesson: Consistency and resilience are crucial. Anudeep’s story teaches aspirants to never give up, even after setbacks.

2. Tina Dabi (AIR 1, 2015)

Tina Dabi made headlines as the first Dalit woman to top the IAS exam. She started preparing from her college days, focusing on building a strong foundation. Tina gave equal importance to all three stages—Prelims, Mains, and the Interview. Lesson: Early preparation and balanced focus are key. Aspirants should not overlook any stage of the exam.

3. Durishetty’s Focus on Self-Study

Durishetty, like many successful candidates, relied heavily on self-study. While coaching is helpful, his disciplined self-study plan enabled him to cover the vast syllabus effectively. Lesson: Self-study with proper planning can make all the difference.

4. Kanishak Kataria (AIR 1, 2018)

An IIT graduate, Kanishak Kataria used his analytical skills to excel in the exam. He meticulously planned his preparation, focusing on his strengths and working on weaker areas. Lesson: A personalized strategy tailored to your strengths ensures better outcomes.

5. Apala Mishra (AIR 9, 2020)

A dentist by profession, Apala Mishra faced rejection in her first attempt but came back stronger. Her dedication to answer writing practice in Mains and mock interviews helped her excel in the exam. Lesson: Answer writing and mock tests are indispensable. Continuous improvement through practice is essential.

Common Lessons From Their Success

Persistence Pays Off: Almost all top rankers faced failures and challenges, but their persistence led them to success.

Strategic Planning: They focused on time management, prioritizing subjects based on weightage and their individual comfort levels.

Importance of Mentorship: Many relied on mentors or coaching institutes for guidance. If you're preparing for competitive exams in Tamil Nadu, joining a reputed TNPSC coaching centre in Coimbatore can provide structured guidance and mentorship.

Answer Writing Practice: Regular practice and feedback helped them refine their answers and secure high marks in Mains.

Balance and Discipline: They maintained a disciplined lifestyle, balancing preparation, health, and mental well-being.

Conclusion

The journeys of top IAS rankers highlight the power of dedication, smart preparation, and resilience. Their stories are a testament to the fact that success in the IAS exam is achievable with the right mindset and approach.

If you're looking to achieve your dream of becoming a civil servant, starting your journey with the right guidance is crucial. For expert coaching and support tailored to your goals, consider enrolling in a TNPSC coaching centre in Coimbatore. With experienced faculty and comprehensive preparation resources, you can set yourself on the path to success.

[lesbianwyllravengard]

so I’ve seen ur adalice propaganda and I’ve heard vague mentions of alice, so what makes her the perfect girlfriend for ada? :)

WAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH *explodes*

This is not going to make much sense and I'm going to be all over the place and I apologise I am just very mentally ill over Alice (and ada x alice)

SO. Alice Abernathy is the main protagonist from the live action Resident Evil film series directed by Paul W. S. Anderson, starring Milla Jovovich as Alice. Alice started out as a highly trained operative working for Umbrella - she could kick some serious ass, and her job title was head of security so she'd basically act as a bodyguard or field agent depending on what Umbrella needed from her. However, once she found out the truth of what Umbrella was creating, all the genetic viruses and bioweapons, and how they planned to do terrible things with them, she worked with another Umbrella employee with the intention of spilling Umbrella's secrets before they released the virus, and then getting Umbrella shut down. Alice failed, because she was incapacitated by Umbrella's own security measures when another Umbrella agent (a bad guy) unleashed the T-virus on the entire Hive (Umbrella's underground facility where they actually worked on the T-virus, and everyone who worked here knew what they were doing). But point is she tried.

Alice is cunning, perceptive, kind-hearted, and strong-willed. She is also very stubborn, and believes she can accomplish anything just because she's not going to stop until it's done or she dies. She's very very dedicated and heroic. She refuses to shoot a single team member even after they've been obviously infected because there's the slightest chance they could find the cure in time, before she remembers there even is a cure. She thinks she can save them all through sheer will. She cares about anyone and is willing to set aside differences to help people. She knows her strengths and she's not afraid to face dangerous situations, even offering to go alone when she can because she doesn't want anyone else to get hurt. And the funny thing is, rather than introducing Alice to the games, Capcom has instead given many of her best traits and attributes to Leon: her heroism, her compassion, her eagerness to help, and her perseverance. (Leon was technically a character before Alice, but if you see the movies versus the RE games that came after, you'll get what I mean, it's very obvious they took lots of inspiration from Alice's character). They also literally ripped off the scene where Leon drives a motorcycle into the Arias monster in RE Vendetta from Alice doing the exact same thing in the second Resident Evil film, years before him. But later on, the movies started giving Alice aspects of Leon's character, because he only shows up in one movie. And when Ada is finally introduced to the films, they gave her and Alice the exact same knife fight as Leon and Ada had in the original RE4. Like, down to the flip thing Ada does to catch her gun. The same scene. That was where the Adalice thoughts first started for me, because h u h??? Giving your main protagonist the same scene with Ada that Ada also has with her love interest in the games???? hm,,,, (also worth mentioning - Milla Jovovich as Alice cannot be in the same shot as another woman without acting like she's in love with them. Like so many Alice ships exist with other women - Jill, Claire, Rain - because Alice naturally creates so much tension with the other female characters and cannot look at another women without heart eyes. It's so great.)

Now the FUN part is, Alice already knows who Ada is and what she does when they meet. She is fully aware that Ada indirectly worked for Umbrella, and was Wesker's top agent. And Ada's story is different than her journey in RE2 when she and Leon met - development wise, Ada's is about where she'd be after re4r. So while these factors are different, and Ada in this film is trying to move away from her past work, she still has Umbrella and Wesker tying her down. Alice knows all of this. And once Ada explains the situation, Alice trusts her. They help each other in this film, because they both have the common goal of taking down umbrella. Now some context, the films are MUCH more dystopian/apocalyptic, as Anderson decided to take the route of a global infection rather than only keeping the t-virus in raccoon city, and outbreaks select parts of the world like the games do. So at this point in the films, Umbrella has taken over the entire world, and Alice is still fighting tooth and nail to bring them down. Ada joins her, they help each other, but they also have mutual respect for each other. And even better, Alice doesn't expect more from Ada than Ada verbally offers to give. Alice is more than willing to complete tasks on her own, but Ada still helps her - even when Alice decides to adopt a little girl on the way who mistook Alice for her mother. (You can tell Ada doesn't really care for kids and it's funny, but she still helps Alice protect the girl). Ada gets to shine as her own character, and while she's definitely not given the same space and consideration that she gets in the RE4 Remake, she definitely gets more than most of the games combined. Ada being allowed to maintain her character and identity without having to sacrifice anything or give more than she's willing to just to appease Alice is one of the BIGGEST ways Adalice differs from Aeon, despite Alice and Leon being similar. (Ada has a type lmao)

Also, side note, here is the only "romantic" scene Ada and Leon share (and notice also how Ada looks at/reacts to Alice instead)

I want Leon dead I want to kill him so bad he sucks extra bad in this film

Anyways I guess what I'm trying to say here is, Ada and Alice have all the good attributes that Ada and Leon have, but without the one-sided obsession and secrets. (And Alice is like if Leon actually respected Ada as a person rather than an object of his desire he views through a warped lens LMAO.) And so there's the intrigue of Alice and Ada's dynamic where they are "on opposite sides", but they work together towards a common goal, respect each other, look out for each other, and care for each other, and it's mutual. And they get the enemies to lovers speedrun edition where they're only enemies for like 2 minutes.

Idk, I don't wanna be like "just watch the movie" but also,,, Resident Evil: Retribution is SUCH a good movie and I think everyone should watch it. It's my favourite live action RE film, and Ada and Alice's relationship just shines in it.

[shrinkthisviolet]

You know, I’ve been rewatching a lot of Cobra Kai episodes featuring Sam & Tory, looking for inspiration for my body swap fic about them & y’know what? They have such major differences in their physicality. Like just their main stature, Tory’s taller, leaner but a little more muscular, & her hair styles are always relaxed (like she never wants to put to much effort in them). While Sam is shorter, has more curves, wider hips, & her hair is always styled in a particular way. Also, the way each girl carries themselves when they walk (like their body language) is completely different. Tory, in early Season 2, just walks with confidence, but they’re’s a relaxed way to she how does. But by the end of the season, she starts to strut with confidence & rage. Though, she continues this in Season 3, you can tell by how she holds her shoulders, struts, or gives even a slight frown for split seconds, that she’s always thinking about something that she never says to anyone. As for Sam, she starts off just walking in joyful, almost perky walk, like she loves the world & it loves her. But as we get into Season 2, we get see, after she starts a rivalry with Tory, that she forces herself to believe that she’s the best at karate, so sometimes she’ll strut as well, though she does it a very different way than Tory. Sam’s shoulders are more relaxed, even when she’s being smug she still looks sweet, & body movements are still graceful no matter what she does. Then, in Season 3, whenever she sees Tory, her body almost quivers from nerves, sweating immediately, her body is literally telling her to run more than her mind is. Like a self-perseveration reflex. And when we see them train or fight in any season, Sam is pure grace. She uses her short stature & curves to flow like water in every move, which makes her faster than others a lot of the time. While Tory is pure brutality, she relies on sheer force & shows in her body movements. Because whenever she starts & finishes a fight, she fights mostly with her upper body. She’ll punch before she kicks, while Sam kicks before she punches. It’s where each of their own personal strength lies the most.

So, it makes me realize, that while they’re swapped, that their body language is going to change drastically, because their minds are going to be fighting what their bodies are used are used to. Plus, it would almost be disorienting to them using these bodies, because of having to get used to being a new height, now having/not having as much curves, having more muscles/strength in one body area instead of the one your used to. It would seriously take them a long time to really get used to this. Not to mention having each other’s taste buds as well, because they could like completely different foods & now they might not be able stand eating what they loved in their old bodies. And I could see everyone who’s close to them, just wondering why they’re struggling to do things they do everyday.

Sorry if I rambled on this too much, but would love to hear your thoughts on this.

You’re so right! They do have different ways of walking and carrying themselves, and especially in S3, Tory is confident and ruthless (and all sharp edges while fighting) while Sam is unsure and afraid (and fluid while fighting). It would definitely be a huge adjustment for them! And it would confuse everyone to no end 😂

[mangamushi]

Thoughts on Saikyou Densetsu Kurosawa

FUKUMOTO Nobuyuki, 11 volumes, published from 2003 to 2006 in Big Comic Original (Seinen)

Saikyou Densetsu Kurosawa (Legend of the strongest man Kurosawa) follows the story of 44 years old construction worker Kurosawa as he realizes he spent most of his life without any meaningful connections with anyone nor any special achievements. He decides to change his life so that he can become proud of his own accomplishments and efforts, and earn respect and appreciation from the people around him.

(spoiler warning)

So I’m currently binging Fukumoto manga, after having them on my “plan to read” list for several years…I started with Kaiji, but initially the first manga of his that caught my interest was Kurosawa. The themes of it are right up my alley, and I like main characters that are not teenagers or young adults.

Kurosawa has a sequel, Shin Kurosawa: Saikyou Densetsu, which is a direct continuation. I’ll mostly be focusing on the first part here. 

The art is typical Fukumoto style. Odd at first, definitely not the prettiest nor the most impressive out there, but it does the job and I really grew to like it. He doesn’t hesitate to give exaggerated features to his characters, and I actually find the deliberate ugliness of the character designs refreshing. It certainly fits the story of Kurosawa, makes the characters very expressive and works well with the often comedic tone. 

Although the art looks simple, Fukumoto can deliver very intense pages when he needs to. 

His forte is in his use of narration combined with the picture, rather than in the drawings alone. He is a master at using a narrator’s comments or the character’s thoughts to raise tension and make the manga flow better.

 Kurosawa is definitely written with a lot of heart. Both the manga itself and the titular character, feel very genuine. Kurosawa is very flawed and very human. He is rough but powerful, his desires are simple, and he is straightforward in his reactions, to the point that his impulsive nature and lack of social restraints put him in trouble, especially when it comes to women...

There are a few instances however where he comes close to harassing women, which is played for laugh, which I disliked. Those scenes made me less sympathetic towards him as he actually deserved the repercussions of his actions here.

But besides those chapters, Kurosawa is overall a likeable character, easy to sympathize with and to root for as we see him at a low point of his life.

He is clumsy in his interactions with his coworkers, which, coupled with his hot-temper, often leads to misunderstandings and prevents him from getting closer to them despite his best efforts. I actually found Kurosawa’s failed attempts at achieving popularity reminiscent of Watamote. The beginning of both series, in which a pathetic main character fails repetitively at gaining the appreciation of their peers through outlandish strategies, elicits the same mixture of pity, second-hand embarrassment, and amusement.

Kurosawa also gets into a fair number of fights. While those fight-focused chapters were not bad, I was personally less into them.

Drawing literal fist-fights in not what Fukumoto’s best at. His character’s postures are somewhat stiff, which he compensates for with heavy use of speed-lines. It is okay-ish, but I want read a fight scene, there’s plenty of fighting manga out there that can do a better job. 

 I like Fukumoto more when he writes more psychological battles, like in his gambling mangas. Of course, psychological elements and strategies where not totally absent from the fights, but it was nowhere as much as in his gambling manga. Sometimes I think Kurosawa was a bit too lucky in the fights, as he is not a very athletic person nor someone with a lot of experience in fighting. It did not feel very convincing to me.

Besides, it is through these battles that Kurosawa gathers allies, a reputation and respect. But most of his opponents are teenagers, even middle-schoolers ! Granted they are very scary teenagers, but I still fail to see how a 44 years old man throwing hands with teenagers is such a praise worthy thing...

 I think I prefer to see Kurosawa fight and struggle to improve his life in a less literal way that actual physical fighting.

I haven’t read that many of Fukumoto’s works yet, but I feel like an important theme in them is perseverance/resilience. He puts his characters through a lot, but they tend to have some form of resistance that shines through as admirable. Kurosawa’s will to fight and to push back against adversity is sometimes the only thing he has left, and it is extremely important.

However, that is not an innate ability that comes to him easily -at times Kurosawa hides, flees, cowers. He hesitates, and he needs to think things through before he actually decides to fight.

Fukumoto: You know how protagonists in shonen manga do things like jump in to stop their classmate from being bullied without thinking about how they might get beaten up themselves? I always felt that wasn’t real. So with Kurosawa, I wanted to make a manga that shows hesitation, and how it actually isn’t so easy to defend people like that.

(Excerpt from this interview)

I like this kind of manga where characters reflect about what is the right decision to take and on how they should be living their life. And how the reader has access to their inner turmoil and thoughts. 

 His strength is often born from sheer desperation and desire to survive. It is when he is cornered that he can manage to act and fight even when the odds are against him. He has to make do with the very few tools and options he has, which leads him to elaborate unconventional tactics to win over his opponents. 

Having cornered underdogs characters winning over more powerful, but less desperate, opponents seems like a running theme in Fukumoto’s manga (cf. the made-up E-card Game from Kaiji, in which The Slave is the only card that can win against The Emperor, precisely because it is so low that it has nothing to lose anymore).

In a way, one could argue Kurosawa follows a formula reminiscent of classic shounen manga: a character who is below average at first rises to a heroic status through willpower, effort and after fighting a string of opponents. However, there are major differences that set Kurosawa apart, besides the older characters and more adult setting (Kurosawa’s worries are grounded in reality: growing old alone, financial problems...) Kurosawa does not provide escapism and dreams. The story begins with Kurosawa as a single old man, and ends with him an even older still single man. He does not become an amazing fighter through power boost and magic training like a shounen character might.

He does want to dream big, but all things considered, his achievements are fairly modest. He is not saving the world or becoming hokage.  At most he is just helping some other marginalized people from his neighborhood.  

Even if he puts his life on the line to fight, what he accomplished will fade into oblivion at some point.

But, even so, his efforts and struggle are still admirable.

Besides, Kurosawa is not about friendship, at least not the kind of friendship you find in shounen manga.

In Fukumoto’s manga, people may stick together for survival, they can share intense emotions when put through the same ordeals, but it’ll rarely turn into true companionship. Kurosawa is alone from the start, and while he does connect with other people throughout the story, in the sequel those relationships are left behind as he leaves on his own to start a new life. 

Fukumoto: My protagonists, on the other hand, are always alone – not only do they not have followers, they don’t even have friends. (laugh) [...]  I can’t do manga where the characters readily make friends that they risk their lives for. I started out by drawing short human drama pieces, but even then – partially because I wasn’t doing long-term series, but – they weren’t generally stories about friends.

I was kind of expecting Asai, one of Kurosawa’s coworker, to have a bigger role, but that didn’t happen. (I liked the part where he tried to comfort Kurosawa after he got humiliated so I was hoping for more!)

The story isn’t very cohesive or straighforward, it just follows Kurosawa’s life, who wants to change but lacks a clearly defined goal or road to follow. There isn’t one big coherent plot, instead the story goes in different directions, shifting from one genre to another from chapter to chapter. Kurosawa even admits it himself !

The quality of the chapters and different arcs is in my opinion rather uneven. 

 There are some really powerful scenes, notably the very end of the manga which is very touching. Kurosawa successfully leads a group of homeless men to defend themselves against some delinquents who were threatening them, but as a result of his injuries, he is implied to die. (The sequel manga reveals he actually just goes into coma for 8 years). It is bittersweet ending as he finally achieved something and is surrounded by human warmth.

                  Shin Kurosawa, the sequel, is similar to the first part, though slightly more light-hearted and focused on humor (even though Kurosawa’s situation technically worsens!). It seems to be less liked than the first part for those same reasons, but I personally enjoy Fukumoto’s humor and his more slice of life-y mangas. It has many genuinely funny moments. Once in a while there are still some chapters that feel deeper/more thought provoking, as Fukumoto likes to reflect about society, life, and humanity in his stories.

For anyone looking for other manga with similar themes, I can recommend Furuya Minoru’s excellent Wanitokagegisu . Both feature very lonely adult men who wish to turn their life around, and oscillate between humor and psychological drama.

[a-dorin]

youth | the zabrak brothers

a/n: i recently got an anon asking about the zabrak brothers in high school and college! so i am going to be answering their question! sorry if i got carried away with the headcanons! enjoy :))

high school 

all three boys weren’t together in high school until maul & feral were freshman, while savage was a sophomore 

they attended an elite private school on dathomir, a costly institution that prepared students for higher education

it was run by the nightsisters, a religious group of women  

so, the boys all had to wear uniforms that consisted of:

grey or black slacks 

polished dress shoes

a black, navy, or burgundy blazer with the school’s logo stitched on the pocket 

a freshly pressed tie 

sometimes, there were “casual” days 

where the boys could wear khakis with a black, navy, or burgundy polo

maul was the one who broke dress code the most

he either refused to wear the tie, always left the top buttons undone, wore his silver chain (”no visible jewelry allowed”), and painted his nails black (”no nail polish allowed on boys”)

as predicted, the brothers got into trouble constantly 

whether it was arriving late to class, cursing, or brawling with one another, the brothers were sent to the dean’s office often 

one time, maul prepared a speech discussing the importance of “knotting in the male zabraki species” (this was a speech performed in chemistry class) and when the teacher suggested he go to the dean’s office, a devilish smirk painted his features

“perhaps you would like to see the knot yourself, mrs. zula?” (mrs. zula was a strict, older, batty nightsister) 

needless to say, maul was the troublemaker of the group, with his main talent consisting of his sharp tongue and quick wit 

savage was your typical athletic type: involved in more than one sport, it was his only extracurricular, he would weight lift in the morning before class started, then practice for hours after school 

savage’s favorite sport was wrestling, and he was quite good at it. he tried saber wielding, but the sport was too technical, too strategic. wrestling is similar, but savage excelled at it due to his perseverance and brute strength

feral was involved in a variety of athletic activities: student council, debate team, scholastic bowl, baking club, peer mentoring, as well as the theatre troupe. he was also an active participant in art club

on the other hand, the only activity maul tended to really enjoy was saber wielding, as he had started the sport at a young age

although all of the boys were involved in different activities, they all actively supported one another

even if savage was sweaty and exhausted from wrestling or track practice, he would swing by the school’s auditorium, making it just in time for the latest fall play or spring musical 

maul always saved a seat for savage 

and the boys always brought a bouquet of flowers for every performance, just for feral

at home wrestling meets, maul would buy a decently sized portion of the bake sale table (which always earned a wide, bright, grin from feral)

savage and feral had a tendency to be the loudest at saber competitions. feral typically brought a freshly painted/drawn sign with a cheesy slogan (maul is number one! or maul will make you bawl!) 

savage and maul were exceptional athletes, earning championship titles

yes, their plaques and photos are still on the walls to this day 

since maul was a saber wielder, he was quite popular with girls. it is such a competitive and grueling sport, so many girls crushed on him 

however, he paid no mind, either just entertaining the flirting or paying no mind to it

which, savage often gave maul shit for 

“the ladies are practically drooling over you”

“i’m not interested in any of them. they just want me for my saber”

even though they were all apart of diverse friend groups, the brothers would always sit by one another at lunch, chatting about their days 

and no matter how horrible of a day they were having, the laughter and smiles couldn’t be contained at the lunch table

there were other little moments too

like all three piling into savage’s beat up honda civic to carpool, early in the morning 

feral and maul would snooze in the car while savage lifted weights before class

or helping one another get ready for homecoming and prom, straightening ties or smoothing out wrinkles in suits (cue feral frantically running around the house in his boxers the morning of prom, steamer in his hand)

the boys never really had girlfriends or boyfriends in high school, they had one another, and that was enough

at savage’s graduation, the twins were emotional, gazing at their older brother with nothing but adoration, eyes glossy with tears

savage was the class of 2005, on his way to mustafar central on a wresting scholarship 

their last summer together as a trio was bittersweet. 

even if maul and savage bickered, feral knew in his heart that it pained maul to see savage go 

when maul received his scholarship offer his senior year, feral engulfed him in a massive hug, while savage hollered on the phone 

at his signing, they were the proudest donning their “mustafar central” gear with pride (savage even came home from the midst of his freshman year to show his support)

feral brought a cookie cake, while savage brought the balloons

tears brimmed maul’s eyes when feral opened the admission letter, and savage was on the phone, eagerly anticipating the news

the whole house shook as yells of joy echoed through it 

even though feral believed that savage wouldn’t be able to make it to his last spring musical (it was beauty and a beast that year) savage was able to make it 

needless to say, feral was very surprised when he emerged from the dressing room, his older brother standing there with a bouquet of flowers

“what can i say? i couldn’t miss it.” 

at the twins’ graduation, savage sat in the bleachers, the camcorder shaky as he bawled (savage was a crybaby that day) 

maul and feral were apart of the class of 2006

 feral on his way to a culinary school in coruscant (his dream school!)

while maul had his scholarship with mustafar central, training to be a professional athlete with a major in exercise science 

college

college was a completely different ballgame for the brothers 

even though they were separated, they messaged one another constantly, whether it was texting (texting was starting to become extremely popular) or through myspace

mustafar central was not a large university, the enrollment about 6,500 students

meanwhile, feral was at a well-known culinary school in the heart of coruscant, where there were about 1,000 students at his college 

often, feral joked that maul and savage were the “country mice” while he was the “city mouse” 

from the beginning, maul was beyond elated by the sheer amount of freedom he was given

he was able to expand his style, go out and party, and the best of all, maul grew as a person

he socialized more, gaining a large social circle 

since savage was a wrestler and maul was a saber wielder, they had completely different schedules

yet, they carpooled together for target or walmart runs 

they ate together in the dining hall when they could 

however, there were mandatory dorm visits, where savage would help maul with the science classes he was struggling with, while maul helped savage with english and social science courses

“how are you a stem major yet cannot use grammar”

“before you go and chastise me, how about we discuss your organic chemistry grade?”

when he could, feral would travel to mustafar, surprising maul or savage at their meets 

maul and savage did the same, popping in at feral’s apartment unannounced, bringing pick-me-ups and other odds and ends

savage would have maul tag along to parties, as savage was actively involved in a frat 

maul had a knack for strategy, so he often was the champion of beer pong, calculating who would be his best partner, along with what angle would give him the best shot 

the best part of college for the brothers though, was the reunion during breaks 

they loved catching up with one another, sneaking in alcohol and sharing all of the stories that came to mind 

their favorite spot was on the rooftop, gazing at the stars 

life in college was good for the zabrak brothers

it was healthy for them, as they all got to explore their individuality even more, but give one another support and love while they found themselves

when feral came out to his brothers at the end of freshman year, maul and savage said nothing, but rather scooped him into their arms, in a massive cuddle pile 

his junior year, maul was gaining traction as a saber wielder, becoming well known across the galaxy 

he was undefeated, reigning victorious over not only obi-wan kenobi, an infamous saber wielder from university of corsucant, but countless others as well 

savage was winning world championships, beginning to train for the galaxy title 

feral was content at his college, earning all sorts of praise, his dream of a bakery becoming more and more of a reality 

although, one fateful evening, their lives were forever changed

*****

tagged:  @sapphicstars​  @maulieber @starflyer-104 @alwayshappysith​ @doobiwankenooku  @magicalkitkat12  @dartheldur  @princessayveke @multifandombtch  @spaghetti-666  @lis-ard  @swimmingsloths @sithmando  @mother-0f-monsters @bonniewinchester @bonesaldente @maidofsionis @bespectacled-bunny @arsonistvoyager @tinalbion @nottodaysatan-8866 @vei-saretti @maybe-your-left @isabewwwa @aki-iko @corrupt-fvcker @ranoutofideas71​

[precuredaily]

Precure Day 198

Episode: Yes! Precure 5 49 - “The Dreams and Hopes of Precure 5!” Date watched: 17 June 2020 Original air date: 27 January 2008 Screenshots: https://imgur.com/a/qlReFMY Transformation Gallery: https://imgur.com/a/6k6SzS0 Project info and master list of posts: http://tinyurl.com/PCDabout

the end is nigh

It’s been an adventure these last few episodes! The team found the 45th Pinky and filled the Dream Collet, defeated Bloody, and then had the Collet stolen from them. They went to Nightmare’s dimension and fought Kawarino, where he tossed them around and Despariah used the Collet to restore her youth. Then, despite all odds, they found hope where there was none and pulled themselves out of despair, managing to defeat Kawarino and rescue the lost citizens of the Palmier Kingdom! Then and only then did Despariah finally stand up and begin her own attack on the girls. They’ve overcome every obstacle placed in front of them up to now, but how will they fare against the literal incarnation of despair?

The Plot

The cold opening is a quick recap of the previous episode and the final scene, with Despariah finally making her stand. After the opening theme, the girls proceed to take on Despariah’s kowainas, and the action cuts quickly from girl to girl as they kick, punch, and chop their way through the ranks. Lemonade remembers that they were able to defeat them previously by separating them from the ground, but when Aqua knocks them off their feet, they land right back on the ground no worse for the wear. Despariah taunts them, but Dream insists they’ll pull through, and they proceed to kick more ass. They do dispel some of the monsters, but just as quickly as they do, more pop up. Nonetheless, Despariah grows concerned, and she confronts Dream to personally push her into despair. She restrains Dream while a group of Kowaina attack the citizens of Palmier, but Mint blocks them, so she sets the squad on the other four cures, throwing them in the air. She hypnotizes Dream as she taunts that their power came from the now-useless Dream Collet, and Dream falls into a dream.

She awakens in Coco’s arms as he tells her to give up, as he doesn’t want to see her get hurt anymore, and reaches for the Pinky Catch. The real Coco, Nuts, and Milk watch from afar but Coco isn’t worried about Dream at all, he’s sure she’ll overcome this. Sure enough, inside the illusion, Dream recognizes Coco as a fake because he would never tell her to quit. Her Pinky Catch glows with the light of hope and several Kowaina in her immediate vicinity are destroyed. Coco proclaims that Dream is always optimistic and striving for a better future. She turns to him and says that his kindness to everyone is what gives her the strength to keep going, and that’s why she loves him. Then she faces Despariah herself and declares that she will make Coco’s dream come true, no matter what, and the other girls line up with her.

Now here’s where it starts to get juicy. Despariah starts to crack under the pressure. Rather than being intimidating, she sounds afraid. She asks the girls why they aren’t afraid of aging or their power waning, and she begins to admit that her new eternal youth hasn’t helped her the way she thought it would. Cure Dream, seeing her opponent breaking down with anxiety, does what she does best: she empathizes. She bravely steps forward and cancels her transformation, facing Despariah not as Cure Dream, but as Nozomi. Nozomi kindly and gently tells Despariah she just wants to talk, because she can tell the villainess is scared, which means she has a heart. Nozomi’s sheer kindness causes the kowaina to begin to disperse as she repels even Despariah’s despair, and the other cures decide to follow her lead and detransform. Thus they stand in front of their archenemy, vulnerable and powerless but happy.

The girls reaffirm their willingness to go along with Nozomi’s reckless abandon and Despariah realizes that their friendship is what keeps them from being afraid. Nozomi invites Despariah to really talk things out, but suddenly Kawarino reappears, alive but on his last legs. He insists that Despariah doesn’t need them, and begins to attack Nozomi, but Despariah blasts him away. She confesses that her newfound immortality has still not brought her peace and she wants to hear what the girls have to say. Kawarino can’t handle this, and begins to despair at the idea that everything he’s done for her was pointless. The Darkness of Despair opens beneath his feet and suddenly a giant hand grabs him. He recognizes the deformed figure beneath the black surface as Bloody and he gets slowly dragged down into the abyss, begging Despariah for help, but all she can do is watch in fear.

Seeing what became of her subordinates shatters Despariah’s already fragile mental state, and the entire Nightmare world begins to crumble as she loses control of her power. She orders Nozomi and co to seal away the Nightmare world with their powers, trapping her in it forever, because if they don’t then her unchecked power of destruction will tear their world apart, too. Despariah and Nozomi share sad looks with each other as they both understand what must be done, and the girls transform again, using the Symphony Set to seal away the Nightmare world. Despariah approaches Coco, Nuts, and the citizens of Palmier, returning the exhausted Dream Collet and apologizing for her actions before she turns away and walks back into Nightmare HQ. Despariah genuinely smiles and thanks the girls as the building is encased in butterfly wings and implodes.

When the light fades, the girls are back in the plaza in their world, at twilight, silent and sad. Dream in particular can’t even look at the others for a while and we don’t see her face, an indirect way of showing how upset she is by the events that have just taken place. No words are exchanged in this beautiful, tragic scene.

The scene fades to night at Karen’s mansion. An idle comment about Jiiya’s absence explains why they’re free to let all the Palmier citizens wander around the facility. Everyone is trying to unwind and catch up and make plans for rebuilding the Palmier Kingdom. Papaya, Coco and Nuts’s teacher, finally asks which of them will become king, and they’re visibly uncomfortable, but Milk explains how they’ve worked so hard together to survive in this world and get to this point, they should become kings together. Everyone agrees and the two princes seem happy.

Later in the evening as festivities have wound down, Komachi and Nuts are talking. She thanks him for pushing her further with her writing and supporting her, and he thanks her for her kindness and perseverance and saving him from his own self-loathing. Both of them have inspired the other to go farther and achieve the previously unthinkable. Nuts even gives Komachi his key to the kingdom for her to remember him by.

Meanwhile, Nozomi and Coco are having a much-needed heart to heart. Nozomi says she thinks him and Nuts as dual kings is a good deal, because they can compensate for each other’s weaknesses, and then the conversation shifts to the promise he made to show Nozomi the Palmier Kingdom. He reaffirms that vow, as she says that she looks forward to seeing the restored kingdom and he wants to build a kingdom worth showing to her.

In both of these cases, the words of love go unspoken, but not unheard.

As dawn breaks, the girls and all the fairies gather on the lawn to say their final goodbyes. Karen and Milk wish each other good luck in the future, rounding off our shipping pairs, and then all the girls begin to cry.  However, Nozomi reminds them all that it’s not farewell, and as long as their hearts stay connected, they’ll surely meet again.

Then Nozomi reveals to Coco that she’s finally found her dream: she wants to be a teacher like he was. He inspired her by telling her she was full of potential (a callback to episode 11) and gave her a lot of knowledge, drive, and motivation, and she wants to inspire the next generation in the same way. He responds in kind by saying he wants himself and Nuts to instill hope in his citizens the same way Nozomi instilled hope in him. With that, the girls relinquish their Pinky Catches, which turn back into the butterflies that are the Five Lights of the Palmier Kingdom. They form a ring, which absorbs all the fairies into it before transforming into a giant rainbow butterfly and flying away into the sunrise.

fly away now, fly away now, fly awaaaaaay

To wrap the episode up, we fast forward an indeterminate amount of time to check in on the girls post-Precure. In voiceover, they each express their difficulties in achieving their dreams: Nozomi still struggles academically, Urara still fails auditions sometimes, Komachi gets writer’s block, Rin has trouble coming up with designs, and Karen has doubts about working in medicine. Nonetheless, they all find comfort in turning to each other for help, and their friendship runs deeper than any obstacles. The final scene is the five of them posing together in a still frame.

The Analysis

At this point, Precure final episodes have established a pattern. The first half resolves the battle with the villain, while the second half wraps up any other loose ends in their civilian lives. Such is the case here, but it plays a bit differently from the finales of the Futari wa era. The peril never quite reaches the same depths of intensity, largely due to the immutable optimism of Nozomi and the team and Despariah’s growing uncertainty with her own cause. Comparatively, a longer time seems to be spent tying up loose ends, which I suppose, as with many elements of this series that seem more drawn out, is tied into there being five main characters instead of two. This is NOT a criticism, by any means. I think the story beats covered by the conclusion are appropriate and well-paced and properly wrap up everyone’s story arcs without rushing or overstaying the welcome. Accordingly, I’m going to subdivide this review into two halves, one for the conclusion to both the battle with Despariah and Nightmare, and the other for the girls’ duties to the Palmier Kingdom and the epilogue.

In this case, the fight with Despariah feels especially bittersweet, because for the very first time in a Precure series, the final boss was actually won over by the girls’ ideals instead of just outright blown to bits, but it was too late for her to redeem herself as her power was out of control. Compared to the Star Twinkle finale from early this year (at the time of this writing), which I found rather underwhelming with regard to Ophiuchus just walking away after enslaving half the galaxy, this episode properly redeems its villain without absolving her of the weight and consequence of her actions. Did she deserve her fate? That’s hard to say, it would be interesting to see her use her newfound immortality to walk the Earth, trying to find hope and peace and pay for her sins. On the other hand, it’s a beautiful tragedy for her to gain immortality and eternal youth only to immediately shut herself away forever because her own power has grown out of control and threatens the world she wants to be a part of. It’s similar in concept to the death of Dark Dream in the movie, although that one was much more of a gut punch than this for a few reasons. The redemption deaths are similar, however, in the catalyst for their transformations: Nozomi, the eternal optimist. She has set the bar for team leaders that will be hard to surpass (although I have a few other favorites). She constantly strives to better herself, refuses to bow to negative pressure, and has pulled herself and her friends out of the pits of despair. She turns enemies into friends with the strength of her hope and dreams, but her greatest power is her ability to know when to stop the fight and sympathize with someone in pain. She saw Despariah was losing her grip and instead of seizing an easy victory, she detransformed and approached her as a person. I can’t begin to describe how powerful of a gesture this is, but it’s the absolute best thing Nozomi could do and it perfectly embodies her best qualities.

Regardless of her poor wish, though, it was a good narrative choice to have her steal the wish, whatever she chose to do with it. Since the series was all about hope and despair, throwing all the characters into very despairing situations and then still having them defeat their demons with hope is extraordinary and perfectly encapsulates the message of the show. Coco and Nuts lose their wish and can’t use magic to rebuild the Palmier Kingdom? Fine, they’ll do it by hand! The lost citizens of Palmier Kingdom are actually Nightmare’s members? Thank goodness, they’re still alive and well after all! The Precures are all being forced into despair? But wait, we haven’t even realized our dreams yet, let’s talk about them! At every turn, the series and the climax in particular has been about hope overcoming despair, so subjecting the protagonists to the ultimate despair lets their hopes shine brighter than ever, really driving the message home, and that wouldn’t have been possible if Coco and Nuts had used the wish a little sooner.

While it’s not a particularly deep message, Despariah’s realization that eternal youth has not made her happy is still very important. Who among us hasn’t wished for some grand change in our lives? Now would that change actually make you happier, in the long run? I’m not suggesting there’s nothing you could have or do that would improve your demeanor, but it’s easy to see why Despariah wished for the wrong thing. She misattributed the cause of her depression, rather than trying to make the most of her life, and consequently she damned herself to an even worse fate. She could have wished for help, for companionship, or for the capacity to better understand people. Instead she wished for eternal youth and power, and then learned too late that this wasn’t what she needed.

The only thing that didn’t really work for me was Kawarino coming back, as that didn’t make sense. It was a catalyst to really throw Despariah into despair again after she was starting to make some headway with the girls, and cause her to lose control of her power. If they had at least hinted in the previous episode that he had an ace up his sleeve and wasn’t completely gone, it would have been more acceptable to me. However, it was good to see him react to Despariah embracing the message of hope, and see her assert herself over him. It was also very satisfying, though also horrifying, to see him get dragged down into the pits of despair by Bloody. Seeing how frightful Nightmare is from the outside was important to her development, but it also showed she was beyond salvation and it made her choice to self-isolate for eternity more tragic.

I like the symbolism behind her returning the Collet to Coco and Nuts, though. She knows it’s a hollow gesture and it doesn’t begin to make up for what she’s done, but it is about the only thing she really can do to show her remorse. You can also see that the citizens of Palmier aren’t exactly ready to forgive her for imprisoning them, but they appreciate the gesture. The whole farewell is full of bittersweetness like this.

I gotta hand it to the writers for this, making her repent but still be condemned to eternal solitude by her own hand instantly makes this finale twice as emotional as it would be if she just got beaten normally, and it’s more meaningful, speaking to the complexities of the good vs evil fight and of course the season writ large.

Now, for the cleanup. The second half of the episode is all tying up loose ends and putting the final notes on the subplots. How do they settle the issue of who gets to be king? Make both Coco and Nuts the co-kings! It’s honestly the only way they could do it, since they compensate so well for each other’s shortcomings. It’s a conflict that’s been present throughout the show, but never really dwelled upon until more recent episodes, notably 45. Coco is better with people, but Nuts is more studious and knowledgeable. Both of them bring important leadership qualities to the table. Honestly I always had Coco as the better ruler, with Nuts as his advisor, but making them equals really speaks to the theme of the franchise, that everyone brings different skills that complement each other, and it’s a callback to the first three seasons with the two-person teams.

The thanks and farewells between Komachi and Nuts, Nozomi and Coco, and Karen and Milk are all very moving. They demonstrate the growth they’ve all achieved since the start of the show. Nuts pushed Komachi to be a better writer, Coco inspired Nozomi to be a better learner, and Milk allowed Karen to be a better protector. Capping off their growth throughout the season with these heart-to-heart conversations really resonates and serves as a nice bow on top of their arcs. And as I said earlier, although they don’t say “I love you” out loud, you can tell they mean it. Some may criticize me for including Milk and Karen on that list, because their relationship isn’t as romantic as the other two, being more or a platonic friendship, but nonetheless there’s a deep compassion between them and as I’ve pointed out, they have a close bond that Milk doesn’t share with any of the others. Karen taught her to step back and smell the roses, Karen nursed her when she was sick, Karen has been instrumental in Milk adjusting to life in the human world and Milk helped Karen find her life’s passion. I’ve written a lot about NozoCoco and KomaNuts before, but Karen and Milk have a distinct closeness as well, and their farewell is important too. In fact I wish they’d gotten a true closing scene like the other couples got, but I can understand why they didn’t. They had a lot to cram into this episode. And let’s briefly recount all the other important friendships that were seen throughout the show. Urara and Komachi deepened their friendship over their mutual interest in art and storytelling. Rin and Karen bonded over their shared lack of ambition, and then found goals to strive towards. I really love that even within the circle of friends, they each found specific partnerships and reasons to bond with certain others.

So let’s talk about Nozomi. When the show started, she was presented as a bit of an airhead. She was more than happy to cheer on her friend Rin but she was introduced in the classic “late for school” sequence and we were told she didn’t have much in the way of dreams or a capacity for learning. Boy was she optimistic though.

After meeting Coco and making his wish to revive Palmier Kingdom into her dream, she really changed. Obviously her earnest perusal of that objective is what drew the other girls to her, but helping Coco allowed Coco to help her, and he gave her a genuine passion for learning. He helped her challenge her learning difficulties, and at the end of the series she has internalized that by making it her dream to pass on his teachings as a teacher herself.

This is the perfect capstone to her growth and development throughout the show. I keep coming back to her line from the movie:

“I’m better than I was yesterday! I’m better than I was an hour ago, a minute or even a second ago!” Well she sure improved, and now she’s found something she can pour herself into that will help her keep improving. From the girl with no dream to the girl whose dream is to help everyone reach their potential, surrounded by supportive friends. I just love to see it.

Finally, I really, really love the epilogue. It is perfectly staged and framed and composed. Each girl briefly talking about her struggles as she works towards her dream, the small everyday hardships they face is a reminder that they’re not perfect. They’re ordinary girls just trying to make their way in life. Their greatest strength, whether as Precure or as students, is their friendship and encouragement for each other. The way they each sit down at the table one by one, silently reaching out to their support network, is so encouraging. And the final sequence has a couple of callbacks to earlier in the show, like Urara’s unusual food choices and both Rin and Karen bringing their preferred juice (orange and grape.) It’s a small reminder of where they started to show how much they’ve changed.

Now they could end their development here, and I’d be happy, but fortunately we get an entire season that shows where they all go after this that I get to dive into after this, the last such time we’ll have that opportunity in Precure. So look forward to that!

Also, I want to note that the art for the final still frames is gorgeous.

I wish I could say that about the whole episode but unfortunately Kawano Hiroyuki is the key animator and animation director for the finale, and his weaknesses are on full display: flat faces with wide eyes and strangely drawn noses, minimal shading, oddly placed heads, and sometimes weird body proportions as well. When he’s good, he’s good, but when he’s bad, it’s visible. I wish the finale could have had some higher quality artwork but I guess the budget was stretched a bit thin by this point, or they were focusing all their attention on the next series. I don’t have a lot of insight into how this process works behind the scenes. Here’s a few examples of the art that I found a bit lacking.

On the other hand, there are some gorgeous visuals here as well, don’t let me make it sound like it’s all bad either. There’s a few symbolic shots I really like, such as the mirroring of the girls’ feet in and out of transformation, as they face Despariah first as enemies, then as friends.

There’s also the reflection of Despariah in Dream’s eyes that gets an A+ from me for shot composition.

As well as the Kowaina mask superimposed over the fake Coco in Nozomi’s illusion.

And of course, all the fairies of the Pamier Kingdom returning home in a giant butterfly, to cap off our symbolism.

Rewatching Yes! Precure 5 has been a wonderful journey. It’s a great ride from start to finish and an all new direction for the Pretty Cure franchise. It was filled with great characters to follow and I was extremely invested in seeing them grow and develop. This finale truly stands out in the franchise for its discussion of depression and immortality, dreams and hopes, and what’s important in life. It was the perfect conclusion to a fantastic series and I couldn’t ask for a better ending. However, our journey isn’t quite over! The adventures of Nozomi, Rin, Urara, Komachi, Karen, Coco, Nuts, and Milk will continue in Yes! Precure 5 GoGo!

Next time, on Precure Daily, we catch up with everyone after a few months when Nozomi receives a mysterious message, and they get caught up in another battle for the fate of the world. Look forward to it!

Pink Precure Catchphrase Count: 1 kettei! (in the preview)

[fmdjaewonarchive]

hot topic(k) casting form.

LEGAL NAME: park jaewon

STAGE NAME: n/a

DATE OF BIRTH: 14 july 1994

OCCUPATION: main rapper, lead dancer, vocal of unity and champion

AREA OF PERFORMANCE SPECIALIZATION (VOCALS, DANCE, AND/OR RAP): rap, dance

DO YOU BELIEVE IT’S MORE IMPORTANT TO HAVE TRAINING OR NATURAL TALENT TO BE AN IDOL? WHY?: hard work is definitely not the most important factor. both are important of course but if it had to be one or the other, solid training is much more reliable and much more motivating than sheer natural talent. no one can get by solely on the skills they were gifted at birth, not in such a competitive setting, sooner or later that will always end up becoming your downfall. it’s far too risky to leave your entire career up to some stroke of luck with natural skill.

IN YOUR OPINION, WHAT ONE TRAIT IS MOST IMPORTANT FOR AN IDOL HOPEFUL TO HAVE AND WHY?: perseverance. if you don’t have the ability to grit your teeth and pull through you’ve come to the wrong place. it’s not going to be easy and if you don’t have the drive to stick through that you’re not going to succeed. it’s not all that glamorous truly but if you have the strength to stick it out it’s most definitely worth it, you just gotta pull through. 

DESCRIBE YOUR TEACHING/MENTORING STYLE: i’ve been told to be harsh, mainly by unity. but i think as a leader that’s a necessity. i’m strict definitely but not for no reason, it’s always with a cause, to put down the best possible performance, to show growth, whatever. i’m not in the business of scaring anyone off or making them feel miserable about themselves, as long as they cooperate and try their best, i won’t give them a hard time. or well, no harder than what is needed to bring out the best of them. 

IF APPLYING FOR A POSSIBLE MENTOR ROLE IN EPISODE 5 (IDOL TIPS & TRICKS), WHAT REAS DO YOU SPECIALIZE IN THAT YOU COULD TEACH TO IDOL HOPEFULS (OTHER THAN SINGING, RAPPING, OR DANCING)?: n/a

CAREER EXPERIENCE/HIGHLIGHTS: 

14 years of dancing experience

12 years of rap experience

member and leader of unity (since 2016)

established solo artist (two albums since 2019)

acting experience (two lead roles since 2019)

member of champion (since 2020)

former inkigayo mc (2020)

multiple succesful collabs (ex: beautiful liar, bermuda triangle, young, we don’t talk together)

finalist on base tv’s our songs

completed two world tours

40+ awards won with unity

[underlovedkhr]

Underrated Arcobaleno

Which Arcabaleno (or two) do you think is the most underrated? And could we have some headcanons for them? - Anon

The first one that comes to mind is Skull.  Because…I mean…

It’s not completely unwarranted.  

Skull’s main strengths are immortality (not completely sure how it works, but he’s not dying anytime soon), loyalty, and sheer perseverance.  However, he’s also cowardly, reckless, has poor decision-making skills, arrogant, and generally outshined by everyone else around him.

So, I can’t really blame fandom, as a whole, for having a low opinion of him.  Considering the arcobaleno are supposed to keep the pacifiers safe and doing this job requires a ridiculous amount of dying will and energy.

In many ways, Skull kind of ends up being ideal.  Being a coward, he’ll almost always end up running, but when he does battle….He can’t really die.  As earlier stated, he’s also got a ridiculous amount of dying will and energy.

Skull isn’t that strong or intelligent, but he’s got a knack for staying alive.  He’s underrated in KHR because, being in the mafia chaos world that they live in, usually the strongest and/or most intelligent survive and succeed.  Put Skull anywhere else and, while downright annoying at times, that perseverance and knack for survival would help him succeed.

The other ones that come to mind when I think of underrated of the Arcobaleno are Colonello and the Sky Arcobaleno.  

With the Sky Arcobaleno, it’s more of a case that we don’t get to see much of Aria and Luce.  When we see Yuni, she’s very peaceful and doesn’t necessarily demonstrate a lot of the leadership qualities we expect.  But, overall, people seem to take well to Yuni, so I’m not going to keep on with them.

Colonello is also wierd.  He seems pretty highly rated and respected in fandom….but most of his attention seems to come thanks to Lal.  That’s not without good reason.  They’re an awesome couple!

Individually, I tend to see Lal get more attention for being a badass.  Colonello usually doesn’t get as much attention.  From what I can tell, most of that attention comes from those who have read the manga.  That also makes sense.

We don’t see him in action as much as Mammon, Reborn, Verde or even Fon.  He trains Ryohei for the ring battle.   We get a little action, but then they relax.  We see him nearly arrive late for the battle itself because he was taking a bath.  During other training sessions, he tends to get pushed to the side.  He’s dead TYL.  Argues with Reborn constantly.  And just doesn’t get much of a chance to show his power.  Then the last arc happens and…if you’ve read the manga you know what I’m referring too.

Hell, he wasn’t supposed to even be an Arcobaleno, which is probably why Lal tends to overshadow him and why we don’t see him in action as much.  Idk.  Just speculating.  

I considered including Fon on this.  But, I tend to see quite a bit of Fon and he seems to garner a far amount of respect from the fandom.  Part of it is his similar appearance to Hibari, his general “cool” factor because he’s actually cool, and because, even without reading the manga, most fans would consider him to be hot and/or seen some of his fighting prowess.

I mean, that’s a recipe for being popular.  We don’t really see Colonello like this because that’s not the kind of person he is.   

[hans-writes-things]

Fairy Dust Chapter 8

The Pinnacle of Arcane Research, PAR for short, was a massive glass tower with a museum of magical artifacts in it's lower three floors, followed by five floors dedicated to the largest school of arcane magic on the entire continent. The rest of the 150 floor building was dedicated to research. This was the tallest building in L'waren, by a wide margin. It was a city landmark, and a symbol of power and perseverance to any of the city's races that had a history of magic.

After the fade of magic throughout the world, wizards of every race scrambled to keep hold of the power they had accrued through their art. Most wizards, being too arrogant to band together, obviously failed in their endeavors, but a few of the more clever ones formed alliances that grew into companies. One of my ancestors had been a wizard of some renown, and the company he and his had founded was still alive, still run by my sister. The Pinnacle was a joint effort, created and funded by a handful of companies of wizardly origin, built with the end goal in mind of making arcane magic a force to truly be reckoned with again.

I knew why Sam had hesitated to tell me where we were going. It was not my favorite place to visit. My name alone would get us through the door and even allowed us, on one occasion, to make appointment with the high wizard in charge of the school in connection with a previous case, but the look on her face suggested something more this time.

As we entered the building through the main doors, walking through the group of daily visitors coming to view ancient magical artifacts, I couldn't help but to be awestruck by the view. Ancient wizards had commissioned the craftsmen in building their towers and PAR had spared no expense trying to emulate history's greatest wielders of arcane magic. The entry hall was especially opulent, sporting a pair of massive, gnarled and twisting trees, made from stone, and decorated with thousands upon thousands of precious and semiprecious crystals and stones to serve as foliage. Threads of the purest gold wove through the whole construction and the boughs of the trees met over the entryway to the museum to form an arch. It wasn't the first time I looked at these, and yet they seemed even more marvellous, more magical, than the last, and they were. I knew that they would be even more amazing still the next time I would look at them. It was part of the school of the Pinnacle. The students of arcane magic would prove their dedication to their studies by spending one whole week of every school year, exhausting every ounce of strength in their bodies, by pouring their magic into the trees, helping to shape them, maintain them, even grow them. On a good year, the nearly twenty thousand students combined, would grow them a whole inch between them. On a bad year, the trees would wither a little, even lose some their foliage. Of course the result of that ritual was mainly used as a measuring stick for the top floors of the tower, the high wizards, and their decisions as to how to market their work. Still, the trees were undeniably beautiful, and undeniably magical, and they tugged at my sense of awe and wonder, no matter what else I knew of them.

The air in the entryway held a soft and constant birdsong, and within the boughs of the great trees I could see the subtle flit of movement. This year had been a good year then, a bumper crop of ready and eager young people, hungry to be part of the magic that the tower offered. Sam scoffed softly at the display and offered me an awkward smirk. "Thinking of running away and joining the mages?" She elbowed me in the thigh as she spoke. She was trying to lighten the mood, and I felt my mind starting to put a couple of things together, though I hadn't quite figured out what was off just yet. "Yeah Sam," I replied, breaking eye contact, "I've always wanted to become a gardener, don't you know?"

She walked over to the right towards the desk, guards, and elevators that lead to the upper floors of the building. I followed a few steps behind, feeling as though I was decidedly not going to enjoy this visit one bit, though I still hadn't quite figured out why, beside the usual. Behind the desk sat an elven woman with dark hair and dark skin. She seemed older than any other elf I'd ever met before. Her skin seemed thin and wrinkles creased the corners of her eyes and mouth. Her eyes were bright and sharp though, a stark contrast with the rest of her features. Her hair was tied up in a tight bun. To either side of the desk, and behind her down the hall to the elevators, stood several half orc guards.  The ceiling was not as high here as it was over the entrance to the museum section, and the muted colours of the desk, the woman's suit, and the guard uniforms, helped to make the severity of this other entrance less conspicuous when compared to the bright and welcoming gateway to magic offered between the two magical trees.

"Good morning." Sam started but was cut off before she could continue. "Detectives Xyrocelzam Daxldizk and John Winters, what can I do for you?" "We request an audience with the archmage." Sam said without hesitation. I bit my tongue and froze in place a step behind Sam. The archmage? She hadn't explained exactly what we were here for, but, the archmage? "Your errand?" The elven woman asked, and though she reacted quickly she had hesitated, just a hair. "Interplanary travel." Sam said, again, as though the phrase was normal and expected. This time the elven woman hesitated notably enough to draw a concerned glance even from one of the guards. "I beg your pardon?" "We need to speak with whoever is in charge about how something extra planar could even get here" Sam said, this time her voice a little firmer. "It can't" the elven woman started, but this time Sam cut her off, "and we would very much like to know who around here has been playing with necromancy." This time I could see one of the guards move his hand reflexively down to his weapon. "Or we could just discuss how the arcane is falling short" Sam offered and gestured in my direction "the divine are already preforming miracles again." And there it was. That's why she had been so apologetic and awkward. I sighed and slowly, with my hands held open in a gesture of surrender, reached up and removed my new sunglasses. The elven woman gasped, bringing one of her hands up to her mouth, and shot up from her seat. "My gods" she whispered. "I'll make some calls, please wait here."

I turned and sat at one of the benches to the side, keeping my eyes low to the ground. The room was too bright, not just in the amount of light, but the sheer intensity of colour. Even the shapes and angles of things seemed sharper than they should be and the room felt as though it might start spinning at any moment. "I'm sorry" Sam whispered, standing next to me, "but we need answers." I nodded, which immediately reminded me how close I was to nausea. "Count the tiles." Sam offered, and I looked down at the floor. What I had previously assumed was a smooth surface had actually been made from countless little tiles of odd shapes and sizes, all of them nearly the same colour. Nearly. I started counting and trying to get a feel for them, for what they were, for the pattern in what looked more like chaos. Slowly I found myself realizing the pattern they formed was reminiscent of a forest floor. Pebbles, single straws of grass, a carpet of old mulch and leaves, dirt. The room settled and the pain became manageable and I couldn't help but to lift my eyes and glance in the direction of the magical trees. They glowed with magic, each tree echoed a thousand times in faint reflections through the air itself. Each stone and crystal leaf throwing the image through the room. I was in an entire forest of gentle light and unearthly beauty and all I could say was "what?" "Yeah, I thought you'd like that." Sam whispered.

"The archmage will see you now." The elven woman called over. I closed my eyes, and pocketed by sunglasses before standing up. "Please follow me." The old elven woman led us past the elevators to the far wall of the hall, then placed her hand on the wall, chanted a gentle spell, and revealed a small keyhole. She entered a key she held on a bracelet and to the side of her the wall slid open to reveal a separate elevator with only two buttons. One for up, and one for down. To my surprise, we went down.

"My name" the elven woman spoke "is Far'emin Chuft. I am one of the three members of the current council of archmage in the Pinnacle of Arcane Research." "I know." said Sam. "I didn't." I muttered, feeling a little more myself, and thus a little more frustrated at the turn of things. "We aren't fond of a lot of people knowing, Detective Winters." The elven woman continued. "Wizardry is all about knowledge, about information, and protecting personal information is how we keep ourselves safe. Magic is not what it was in my mother's age, after all."

The elevator slid to a halt and opened. I squinted instinctively but quickly relaxed again. The hallway was softly lit and coloured. The hallway had simple wooden floors and walls, well worn by age, but clearly well cared for. The ceiling had softly glowing lights though I couldn't see an electrical source for them. On the other end of the hall were wooden double doors, open a slight crack, and from beyond them came a pair of voices in hushed conversation. Far'emin kept in the lead and threw the doors wide as she entered. The room was large and circular with portraits along the outer wall, faces of what I presumed were noteworthy wizards, perhaps previous archmages. The center of the room had a circular table with a large crystal set in it's center, emanating a soft glow that somehow managed to bathe the entire room in a gentle and comfortable light, even to my sensitive new eyes. Around the central table were thirteen plush chairs, only two of which were occupied.

As Far'emin entered the room she ran her hands over her face and back over her hair, letting out a soft sigh of releif, and when I glanced her way her hair had changed colour, from a deep and rich brown to a stark white, and the skin of her face and hands had darkened still, as though it had absorbed the colour from her hair, darkening to nearly coal black. I whispered "Drow" before I could catch the though in my mind, and Far'emin chuckled slightly. "How very astute." "Let me introduce my colleagues," she then said "the very honorable mister Joseph Darian Swit," she gestured towards a stout human man with almost dwarfish features. Thick black beard and a pair of round glasses completed the look. He looked up and nodded at her mention of his name. "and the lady Amana Silverlight." The high elven woman stood up from the circular table and gave a slight bow. My mind ran a few pointless circles within my head, reminding me of what little was known of the drow even before the fade, and the reputation they still had to this day, and watched as Far'emin walked over to the high elven woman and gave her a hug and a gentle kiss and just gave up on thinking I knew anything.

Sam, which until this moment had seemed unfazed by the entire encounter, stood frozen by the door with wide eyes, watching Far'emin's every move as though she expected her to simply explode, taking the room and everything in it with her. "Sam?" I asked softly. "She's a fucking dark elf!" Came a half whispered response. "Yes, yes I am." Far'emin responded with a sigh. "I know what reputation my people have, but there's much you do not know. The fade did not just affect the surface." "Come now!" Joseph suddenly spoke, his voice a deep booming one that jostled us to move, "Take a seat and let us see those eyes. Please?" Sam seemed to remember why we were here and took a steadying breath. "Alright then. Come on tall boy."

__________________

What you get here, on Tumblr, is my first draft of each chapter, as it happens to exist.  I’m considering making a patreon for working on this thing.  In the meanwhile, keep me in writing fuel via;  https://ko-fi.com/miniar

[neuxue]

Wheel of Time liveblogging: The Gathering Storm epilogue

In which the sun comes out

Epilogue: Bathed in Light

Okay, it feels a little weird to have an epilogue after that last chapter, but…sure, let’s see what this is about.

Egwene, apparently. Which is fitting, I suppose; this book has very much been hers and Rand’s, with other characters mostly showing up around the edges. It’s getting the Dragon Reborn and the Amyrlin to their places, and playing their arcs against each other for maximum comparative impact.

She’s in the Amyrlin’s study now, which is more or less a symbol of victory for her. She won her battles, she won her war, and now she takes her place.

Not sure how much useful information you’re really going to get from going through Elaida’s things, but sure.

Meanwhile Romanda and Lelaine are continuing to make nuisances of themselves, but…hate to disappoint you two but the window on that opportunity has most assuredly passed. Get over it.

It was late afternoon, and light peeked through the slits of the louvered shutters to her balcony. She didn’t open them, preferring the quiet dimness.

Should we be concerned about that, Egwene?

No number of wall hangings would banish her memory of those days, not when Silviana herself was Egwene’s Keeper. That was fine. Why would Egwene want to banish those days They contained some of her most satisfying victories.

It’s vaguely similar to but also much healthier than Rand riding away from Far Madding, thinking that the cell—and the box—had been a gift because it allowed him to…forge his soul in the fires of pain. Egwene, instead, focuses on the victories that came out of the pain she endured. It’s not a happy set of memories, perhaps, but they’re memories of strength and perseverance and victory.

Silviana’s put together one of the weirder censuses (censi? What the hell is the plural of ‘census’ and why did I never actually study Latin), with categories for ‘yeeted off the Tower’ and ‘grabbed in the night by fruitbat-dragons’ and ‘Black Ajah so should have been executed but fucked off to live and cause problems another day’. No question on citizenship, it seems, though.

Verin’s list was almost perfect, but over sixty escaped, which…doesn’t detract from the sheer fucking badassery that is Verin Mathwin, but it is something of a Wheel of Time classic: you’ve solved the problem! Only…too late or not quite or in a way that lets circumstance screw you over anyway. Which, honestly, is one of the things I like about the series. There aren’t a lot of convenient solutions that just…work. Things work, and then end up breaking something else. Or things work, but not as widely as one would have hoped. Or things work, but before the results can fully play out, someone else comes along and fucks things up again, or differently.

Verin was incredible and Egwene was incredible and lots of the Black Ajah escaped anyway, because no solution is going to be perfect. Because protagonists aren’t the only characters with agency, with the ability to act. Other characters aren’t just going to wait around for the main characters to put their plans in place; they have their own contingencies and ideas and sometimes everything tangles up worse than a cat in a yarn store, and it’s messy and realistic and fun.

(Especially for the cat).

What had tipped them off? Unfortunately, it had probably something to do with Egwene seizing the Black Ajah in the rebel camp.

…you don’t say.

Something about that entire thing reads as absolutely hilarious to me. Also, is my ebook just weird or is that meant to say ‘probably had something to do with…’?

But yes. Yes, Egwene, it probably had something to do with that. Just maybe. Though that would imply that the Black Ajah has done what no one else in this entire series has managed: communicated quickly and effectively. Credit where it’s due.

Everyone left has sworn all the Oaths again, though, so that….probably covers the majority, though I’m sure one could find a way around that if one were truly determined.

I will find you, Alviarin, Egwene though, tapping the sheet with her finger. I will find you all.

I can tell you this: I would not want to be on Egwene’s shit-list. And I would especially not want to be on Egwene al’Vere’s hit-list.

Egwene’s now turned her attention to the puzzle of ‘which one of you is Mesaana in disguise’ and I swear I had a theory on this at some point but I have actually forgotten who I thought it might be, so uh…well, I had to forget something sometime, right?

I really am curious how she’s managed to hide her strength in the Power, though. I know it’s possible to mask the ability to channel completely, but is it possible to do a partial masking? Make yourself appear weaker than you are? If not…how the hell has no one found Mesaana before now, if she’s disguised as an Aes Sedai? (And how have I never thought about this? I’m just doing terribly on All Things Mesaana, I guess).

Either way, Egwene had a problem.

Maybe I’m just slightly giddy from the fact that I’m almost finished with this book, but again I’m finding this inordinately funny. Problems? Egwene? As Amyrlin in a Tower that’s held together by duct tape and denial? Nah.

I don’t even recognise any of the three names on Egwene’s ‘maybe Mesaana’ list so I doubt it’s any of them.

Was Mesaana still hiding in the Tower? If so, she somehow knew how to defeat the Oath Rod.

That’s…an intriguing possibility. Unless she just conveniently stepped out for the day and she’s just been masquerading as someone so unremarkable no one would notice she’s not there?

A soft knock came at her door. It cracked a moment later. “Mother?” Silviana asked.

That is suspiciously conspicuous timing. Silviana couldn’t be Mesaana….could she? That would be so infuriating but also kind of genius. Huh. *squints at Silviana*

Except Egwene just said Silviana was the first to volunteer to re-swear the Oaths.

But if Mesaana knows a way around the Oath Rod…or, really, she could truthfully say she’s not a member of the Black Ajah, and then remove the Oaths later…yeah okay it falls apart a little the more I think about it but that timing sure as hell is suspicious and it would be kind of excellent. You know, in the worst sort of way.

I don’t think you can just…make a hole in the wall into a rose window…I’m pretty sure architecture doesn’t work like that…ah, fuck it, they have the Power, they can do what they want. Who am I to stand in the way of stained glass?

Silviana wants Egwene to see something, so this is either going to be good or very, very bad.

Oh.

After all this time, the clouds had finally broken.

That’s all.

And yet, it’s everything. The fact that Silviana called the Amyrlin to come see sunlight tells you something about how remarkable it is—and thus, by extension, just how dark the last weeks have been.

Such a small thing, but we saw the reason for it last chapter and…I suppose in its way, even that was a small thing. Just a boy on a mountain, fighting with himself and coming to a conclusion. No fireworks, no battlefields, not even any witnesses.

And yet, everything has changed. Even if none but Rand, alone on Dragonmount, know why. Everything has changed because something as simple—and yet as integral—as his perspective has changed. Because he’s remembered why he fights, remembered that there’s hope, realised what he’s doing this for.

It’s for the world, and so for the first time in a long time, that world gets to be just a little bit brighter.

The sun shone down, radiant, lighting the distant, snowcapped crag. The broken maw and uppermost peak of the blasted mountainside were bathed in light.

It’s just a beautiful, quiet moment. A broken mountain finally bathed in light. Not healed, precisely, but no longer shrouded in darkness.

(Also...is anyone else reminded here of Do not stand at my grave and weep?).

And of course it’s the Amyrlin looking out at it and noticing this change, though she doesn’t yet know why. Egwene and Rand are looking at each other across a distance that is as symbolic as it is literal, though neither of them know it. But this has been their book, and they have in their strange ways mirrored each other through it, and now they can look at the same sunlight, now that the storm has broken for both of them.

They’ve ended on very different kinds of victory, but they have both found a position of…strength, and self-realisation, and readiness for what they must face next.

And in its way this is almost like a quiet, shared moment between them, though they are not in the same place, or even truly aware of one another. But it feels like a…breath, a single beat, in which they both get to pause at the same place.

There was something beautiful about it. The light streaming down in a column, strong and pure. Distant, yet striking. It was like something forgotten, but somehow still familiar, shining forth from a distant memory to bring warmth again.

OH. OKAY. OKAY THIS IS ACTUALLY AMAZING BECAUSE.

Lews Therin, creating Dragonmount in a column of light and Power, too much for any one person to hold and survive, destroying himself and tearing at the world itself. A bright light on Dragonmount as the final moments of the one who would be known afterwards as Kinslayer. A bright light on Dragonmount as the Dragon’s death, and darkest hour.

And now, it is echoed in this Age but inverted, because it’s a second chance. The same, and yet utterly different. A moment of realisation for the Dragon, and a bright light on Dragonmount, but this time the realisation is not one of horror and tragedy but of love and hope and second chances. And the light is not annihilation but sunlight, and life.

That? Is a fantastic parallel and inversion.

Of course it is ‘like something forgotten’. Of course it is ‘somehow still familiar’. Of course it shines forth ‘from a distant memory’. Because that’s what it is, and yet in this Age, it gets to be something different.

(A memory of light, even. Sorry, sorry…)

“Storms will soon come,” it seemed to say. “But for now, I am here.” I am here.

Oh, damn, shivers. Wow. What a line to end on.

Not the chilling horror, this time, of ‘I am the storm’, but the cathartic comfort, at last of ‘I am here’. Shelter from the storm, or a light to guide the world to its end, rather than the tempest itself.

We began with the strange clouds, with ‘What the Storm Means’, with people looking to the sky in fear and dread and strange premonition, as the storm gathered and the sky darkened. And we end now with the clouds breaking, with the sun shining, with ‘Bathed in Light’, and people looking to the sky in awe and hope. Atmospheric imagery as bookends done right.

I wasn’t sure how an epilogue was going to work, after that chapter, but to allow for this to be the ending…it did.

----

At the end of time, When the many become one, the last storm shall gather its angry winds to destroy a land already dying. And at its centre, the bland man shall stand upon his own grave. There he shall see again, and weep for what has been wrought.

I don’t really have a lot to say about this except that it’s absolutely beautiful, and perfect, and just a little bit devastating, but in an oddly hopeful way.

He’s reached this point at last, and he can see again, here at the centre of the storm. He can weep again. And now it is time to face the ending. Now that, at last, he is ready.

Next (TGS final thoughts) Skip to: TOM prologue pt1 Previous (TGS ch 50)

[elliepassmore]

The Bad-Ass Librarians of Tumbuktu: And Their Race to Save the World’s Most Precious Manuscripts Review

5/5 stars Recommended for people who like: history, narrative non-fiction, African history, modern history Like the title suggests, this book is about librarians in Timbuktu working to preserve and save ancient books and manuscripts. What it doesn't tell you is that the manuscripts are being saved/preserved from several different threats. The first one is nature. These manuscripts are old old and have been mostly hidden in the desert by their owners for decades. This puts wear-and-tear on them, meaning some of the information can be lost. The second threat is from Al Qaeda. The group came close to taking over the entire country of Mali and, with their intolerance, posed a threat to music, art, and literature, even if said music, art, and literature had been created by Muslims. The book looks into the conflict with Al Qaeda from a perspective I don't think we get to see very often. Instead of looking at the Middle East or terrorist attacks, Hammer dives into the presence of Al Qaeda in Mali and their effects on the culture of the region. I also think it's an interesting perspective because I, for one--and I feel many Westerners, or at least Americans might have the same problem--didn't know Al Qaeda had a presence outside of the Middle East, so it was a good education on how widespread they were. Hammer also took time to intersperse chapters about what different branches of the group were doing in Mali leading up to the taking of Timbuktu. He provides readers with some insight into how some of the leaders lived and operated, and how they came into power in the first place. The book opens up introducing the main librarian and conservationist, Abdel Kader Haidara, and talks about how he grew up and how he got into the conservation business. I especially liked the description of how Haidara went around and managed to collect all these manuscripts when so many other efforts failed. I was astounded by the sheer number of manuscripts collected--I believe the number was about 377,000--and cannot even begin to fathom the amount of time and effort it must've taken to properly care and begin to preserve each one. I also really liked that Hammer got into the details of what was in some of the manuscripts, describing the scientific, philosophical, and historical content the pieces contained. I think I would probably be satisfied with an entire book describing the manuscripts, how they were collected, and the conservation effort required for each of them--I do wish Hammer had gotten into more detail about how the manuscripts and books were preserved. As mentioned, the chapters about the books were interspersed with chapters about some of the Al Qaeda members. As disturbing as it is to think about, it was also really fascinating to read about these leaders and what they did around Mali. A lot of their atrocities are what go them into positions of power in the first place. It was especially disturbing to realize that one of the branch leaders had had a government position before turning toward fanaticism. For that particular leader, Hammer got to talk with someone who had once been the leader's friend and got insight into how the friend turned from someone who sided with the Tuaregs, an ethnic group in Mali who want(ed) a state of their own, to a trusted government employee, to a fanatic. Some of the other leaders described seemed fanatical from the beginning, starting out in different places, sometimes in different terrorist groups, before going toward Al Qaeda and becoming leaders there. I think these chapters are valuable from a historical perspective, because we get to see a bit of how these men operated and a little of how they thought. We also get a description of how life under Al Qaeda was in Timbuktu. Like all invasion events, there were some people who cooperated and some people who didn't, some who fled and some who didn't/couldn't. It was chilling to read about how the city was transformed under terrorist leadership. The punishments described, the lack of proper legal representation, the ridiculous rules about interactions and business. It must have felt oppressive to just breathe under that kind of leadership. Any minor infraction could end with a stoning or whipping or some other horrid punishment. And yet there were still people who defied Al Qaeda. Haidara and his network of smugglers, the market women who marched without their head coverings, the radio broadcaster who played music, the imam who asked for a holiday to be celebrated. Underneath the oppression and violence, there is an undercurrent of the same story of human strength and perseverance. As important as I think the chapters on Al Qaeda were, both historically and in the context of the book, I wish there had been more on the manuscript evacuation itself. Hammer describes how Haidara realized shortly after the invasion of Timbuktu by Al Qaeda that the manuscripts needed to be saved, and he described how there was a large network designed and paid off to help smuggle the manuscripts out of Al Qaeda-controlled territory and back into government-controlled territory, but I would've liked the same kind of details here as we got regarding the original collection and preservation of the manuscripts and the Al Qaeda branch leaders' rise to power. I think there was a lot of potential that could've been drawn upon for this section of the story and, while Hammer mentions Haidara says the people who helped him could still be in danger, there was opportunity to describe more of how the manuscripts got out of Al Qaeda's grasp while still safeguarding the overall operation and people involved.

[thestoicreader]

The Obstacle is the Way by Ryan Holiday (review)

Our actions may be impeded . . . but there can be no impeding out intentions or dispositions. Because we can accommodate and adapt. The mind adapts and converts to its own purposes the obstacle to our acting. The impediment to action advances the action. What stands in the way becomes the way. — Marcus Aurelius

Where to even start?

If you’re someone who gets anxious easily, gets downtrodden a lot, and gives up at a moment’s notice, then this book is definitely for you. Keep in mind, the various concepts this book talks about (stoicism, perception, action, will, perseverance, etc.) are all talked about in a way that will motivate you to face whatever obstacle you’re facing and conquer. The way Ryan Holiday writes his books is by inspiring, motivating, and humbling the reader. He shows our flaws and mistakes as humans, but reminds us as well of our strengths and capabilities. It would be years before this review will finish if ever I had to list out every single concept he talks about in his book, but here are the main ones:

The great leaders and commanders in history were shown to subscribe to Stoicism, the ancient Greek philosophy known for its famous practitioners: Marcus Aurelius, Epictetus and Lucius Seneca.

For these great leaders, they only had to master three virtues: perception, action, and will. Mastering these three will help not only conquering the obstacle, but improving because of it.

Our generation has provided us with metaphorical cushions, barely letting us endure what our ancestors endured out in the wild. Now, we have technology that both help us in real life and our digital life. However, although we do not suffer afflictions as how George Washington, Lincoln, Ulysses Grant, Margaret Thatcher, Martin Luther King, Thomas Jefferson, and Thomas Edison did, we face our own obstacles in life, and they are just as hurtful as the obstacles back then. However, it is still up to us to find a way through it.

If you’re looking for a book that provides direction as well as motivation, this is the book to pick up. Be inspired by Ryan’s retelling of great figures in history, of their struggles and their triumphs. Be inspired by the sheer will and perseverance of each of those figures as they suffered through pain, loss, and grief far beyond than the version of it we experience now. Although we are not commanders of a great army, nor part of politics, we can all glean tons of life lessons from this book that can be directly and immediately applied towards our obstacles.