#Tsuki Light Novel

[rizardofether]

rules: make a poll with five of your all time favorite characters and then tag five people to do the same. see which character is everyone's favorite!

tagged by: @artimidas

I think about my own characters way more than any characters in media so I started with what characters came to mind first and the first 3 were from obscure series while the last two would have been very well known so I decided to instead come up with total of 5 all from obscure series instead so it would be more balanced. I think my faves really rotate depending on what media I am currently consuming.. Only 1 of these has an anime let's see if that one wins.

Not gonna tag anyone, do it if you haven't done it yet.

[apparently-artless]

Tsuki ga Michibiku Isekai Douchuu Season 2 PV [broadcast starts on January 8, 2024]

[newsintheshell]

▶️ TSUKIMICHI - MOONLIT FANTASY: L'ANIME TORNERÀ CON LA SECONDA STAGIONE DA GENNAIO!

L'avventura isekai fantasy, tratta dalla novel di Kei Azumi, è nuovamente diretta da Shinji Ishihira (TenKen - Reincarnato in una Spada, Sasaki and Miyano), ma la produzione si sposta da C2C (TenKen - Reincarnato in una Spada, Shangri-La Frontier) a J.C. STAFF (DanMachi, Edens Zero).

I primi 12 episodi della serie, andati in onda durante l'estate 2021, sono tutti in streaming su Crunchyroll, sottotitolati in italiano.

[animehouse-moe]

Irina: The Vampire Cosmonaut Volume 4: Star-Crossed

Following up the single volume affair of Bart and Kaye that put them in competition with Irina and Lev, volume 4 approaches the tensions between nations and the products of the space race. It's not so much about space itself as it is the roadblocks placed upon Earth that stop them from reaching the stars. Through that we face struggle, attempting to understand the unique struggles of others, and how as a single collective humanity we can reach the stars.

One of the, obviously, best aspects of this story is how well it blends reality with fiction. The challenges of the space race, of the differences between what's chosen for how to land on the moon, even historical events. Vast swathes of the story have some degree of truth to them, and are wonderfully complemented by the romanticism and drama that Makino has penned. Making promises under the threat of nuclear war, standing up to the pressure of a nation and expressing that you remain a person, finding ways to surpass oppression and discrimination and hatred. It's all very beautiful and thoughtfully composed, so it's hard to pick a place to start.

I say that, but what I'm most excited to chat about was the Cuban Missile Crisis. A grim name for sure, but I think Makino captures that Cold War panic perfectly, even with the characters "closest" to the issue. Bart and Kaye are massive fans of Lev and Irina, so the blow struck them incredibly hard. Both as fans of the cosmonauts who's named ships carried the weapons, but also as nerds with their head amongst the stars, dreaming of rockets rather than missiles. The awkward nature between them is tense but not intense, the silence speaks volumes, and the broken conversation before they separate really drives home the sheer shock of the event. In conjunction with that, I liked how they framed it. They took hold of the situation and spun it to paint Arnack (a United States-United Kingdom blend) as a saint that did no wrong. It's a blink and you'll miss (though really skip over) it moment where the text admits that Arnack was the first to place weapons in proximity to the rival country. They grasp the nature and expression of the crisis incredibly well, and given that we're currently alongside Arnack, ensures that they're shown to be better than the USZR.

Anyways, the actual best moment of the Cuban Missile Crisis (though titled the Imprisoned Island Crisis, a somewhat subtle nod to the state of the country) is what unfolds between Bart and Kaye. The threat of nuclear war looming, a single shot in the dark arriving the next day to effectively save ANSA's desire to land on the moon. Fear mounts and bubbles over into anxiety and terror that brings the two together in a dim room with the sound of rain droplets dancing across the dim window. There's nobody there to reassure the two, Bart doesn't have his brother, and Kaye is still without her mother. It's between themselves that they find a reason to drive their futures forward. That shared passion, the understanding of their fears and desire to find comfort when the world might end the next day. It's a hopelessly dramatic pseudo-tragedy, using threats of annihilation to spur Bart and Kaye forward into making a borderline erotic blood pact. What is with vampires and being hot?

Alright alright, moving on. There's lots to enjoy with this novel outside of the missile crisis. Like Queen Sundancia. I'll be honest, I don't personally think that the introduction to the character was the best it could have been. It's hard to express emotion effectively through just words, so when establishing Sundancia as the 18 year-old girl with her head in the clouds but a crown atop it that forces her to ground it comes off a little heavy handed for my tastes. That said, the more time we get with her, the more enjoyable and relatable her character is. The weight of responsibility is rather common and well understood, but I liked how it was broached with a girl faced with words that could drive the world to destruction or guide it towards a bright future. Talk about heavy. But that's what makes it enjoyable, and it's not obligation to her nation or duty that produces the outcome, but rather her first chat in a very long time where she's treated as that 18 year-old girl rather than the Queen of Arnack.

Speaking of new characters, Professor Klaus was a really nice addition to the exploration of content in this volume. Being directly linked to missile development, and having defected to Arnack gives Klaus a lot of flack, and expresses the approach of a man that has been buffeted by such words throughout the entirety of his career. He faces a different kind of discrimination to Irina and Kaye, and fills a nice middle ground that picks apart race and origin in a somewhat different fashion. Through it all though, Klaus shows that sciences and passion prevails, as even his own tough and stony exterior is cracked by a shared excitement and passion for space that had nearly been extinguished in his heart.

Okay, back to reality really quickly. Lev and Irina do a great job in their roles of this volume, as the cosmonauts isolated from space. The expo and their experience there really drive home their passion, and how alone they feel when alienated from not only what brought the pair together, but what they promised each other. The dejection and sorrow that's experienced by each is very well expressed to that end. Lev is bit more resigned to his fate, almost wearing a cynical smile in the face of his reality, while Irina first shows indignation towards their treatment, before stooping to dejection as she is forced to face reality through some of the experiences at the 21st Century Expo. It's a really sad sight, but serves to explain why the cosmonauts have spent so long travelling the world, and what the reality of early space travel is. In that way, Makino is very good at picking up on the nuances and flow of bureaucracy and how it affects people that are genuinely passionate about what they do.

So, to close it out: another very good volume. The drama is found outside of the oppression of Vampire and Dhampir, which is great to see that Makino isn't relying on it to drive things forward, but it still finds a way to isolate and direct hatred towards people. It doesn't give up on what brought it together, but it also doesn't cling to it hoping that it can continue to deliver. It's a natural progression, one that can feel odd at first as it places the USZR in the crosshairs of Arnack and the reader, but one that at the end of the day remains well executed and received. Vampires, Space, Romance, and Drama. All still apparent in the story, and all still important, but in varying concentrations and degrees, just enough to shake things up. Plus, Karei's art remains really pretty. So there's not really anything else to say other than, "I'm really looking forward to the next volume!".

[whensitmyturntobeisekaied]

Here's my current read list

Web novels - japanese titles

Isekai nonbiri nouka (chapter 484)

Death March kara hajimaru Isekai kyusoukyoku (full)

Isekai meikyu de haremu o (225/full)

Isekai was sumatofon to tomo ni (430)

Tsuki ga michibiku Isekai douchuu (400)

Mushoku tensei (full)

Seichou cheat de nandemo dekiruyou ni natta ga (full/431)

Watashi, noryoku was heikinchi de tte itta yo ni! (226)

Light novels - English titles

So I'm a spider so what (volume 15)

That time I got reincarnated as a slime (volume 11)

The rising of the shield hero (volume 4)

Mushoku tensei (volume 4)

Chilling in another world with level 2 cheat powers (volume 2)

Not doing a manga list as Ive not kept track.

[elliewiltarwyn]

Miqomarch Day 1: Introduction

Weary and exhausted, she starts fishing in her pocket for her room key as she walks under the entrance arch to Bulwark Hall, slowing her pace. It’s weirdly resistant and slippery today, feeling as if it keeps slipping from her fingers right before she can properly grasp it. She stops and lets out an annoyed oath as she focuses on digging a little more firmly—

The hairs on the back of her neck rise. Hear… Her ears immediately follow, and her eyes go wide. Feel… Her tail flicks one way, then the other. Think…

Before she’s even aware of her body’s movements, she’s spun around in place, yanked her hand from her pocket, and forcefully grabbed the wrist of a midlander man in a loose green-and-white tunic, who in response stares at her as if she had just exploded a bomb in his face and blown his bandanna and the hair underneath it clean off. “Seven ‘ells,” he mutters, not even blinking. “I ‘aven’t been caught in years.”

and that's how lilyana tsuki met captain jacke of the rogues' guild and took her introductory step towards becoming a warrior of light

(the writing's from my MSQ novelization fic very much still a wip >.>)

[yurimother]

Escape Reality with Easy-Going Manga Series 'Futari Escape'

On November 15, Seven Seas Entertainment released the first volume of Shouichi Taguchi slice of life manga series Futari Escape. It will publish the second volume in February 2023.

The publisher describes the manga:

Two young women--one an overworked manga artist, the other a jobless slacker--try to escape the realities of adulthood. Whether it's by going into debt while splurging on an epic meal or taking an impromptu trip, "Kohai" and "Senpai" always find a way to make the most of their days! Kick back and relax with this adorable yuri comedy!

Futari Escape began serialization in Comic Yuri Hime in 2020. It is a popular series, and in the 5th Yuri Manga Sousenkyo, a popularity poll on the Japanese website YuriNavi, the series won the top spot in the popularity category and 8th place overall.

In the January issue of Comic Yuri Hime, which was released earlier this month, publisher Ichijinsha announced that the series will conclude with its final chapter in the February issue, set for release in December. Ichijinsha publishes three volumes of the series in Japanese.

Shouichi Taguchi is a Japanese mangaka known for his manga Jumyou wo Kaitotte Moratta. Ichinen ni Tsuki, Ichimanen de an adaptation of Miaki Sugaru’s tragedy light novel Mikkakan no Koufuku. Taguchi also contributed to Ichijinsha’s Shuumatsu Sekai Yuri Anthology in 2020.

You can check out the debut volume of Futari Escape in English digitally and in paperback today: https://amzn.to/3U8abS9

Reading official releases helps support creators and publishers. YuriMother makes a small affiliate commission from sales to help fund future coverage.

[ishgard]

Ayami Shinohara

EMOTIONS/FEELINGS:

Romantic

Hopeful/Optimistic

Naive

Shy

Determined

COLOURS:

Light Blues

Light Pinks

White

Red

Silver

SCENTS:

Spider Lily

Magnolia

Mandarin

Yuzu

Tatami (faint)

OBJECTS:

"Tsuki" - rabbit stuffed animal (childhood favorite, she may have been trying to say "suki".)

Spider Lily Hairpin

Kaiken

Small Hand Mirror (with crane imagery on the back)

Latest of her favorite serialized romance novels

BODY LANGUAGE:

Similar in manner to 'stroking ones beard', she curls her fingers under her chin and strokes the scales on her cheek with her index finger when deep in thought or bashful.

Playing with her hair when nervous or shy (not as much of a problem when it's cut short)

Rolling on the balls of her feet in barely restrained excitement.

Nervously chewing bottom lip.

Tail twitching side to side - in excitement, impatience, or irritation...

AESTHETICS:

White Rabbits

Moon & Stars

Spider Lily

Silk Lanterns

Hanami Dango

SONGS:

Radwimps ft. Toaka - "Suzume"

Natsume Yuujinchou - "Haru wo Shiraseru mono"

Utada Hikaru - "Sakura Nagashi"

Yu-Peng Chen - "Hakushin's Lullaby"

Porter Robinson & Madeon - "Shelter"

I grabbed this from old drafts but I'm gonna go ahead and tag some folks if you're interested! @arty-ffxiv, @iona-xiv, @nozomikei, @starforger, @sasslett, @tallbluelady, @winternightjewels - and really anyone who might be interested!

[jazzystudios82]

Diabolik Lovers - An Angel's Embrace AU: Stella Tsukinami 🌟

Bio for one of my DL OCs, Stella Tsukinami. Image was made in this picrew.

WARNING: Diabolik Lovers is a dark series with mature themes and topics. Discretion is advised. . . .

Biographical Information

Kanji: ステラ

Romaji: Sutera

Nickname(s): Little Lady (Carla); Sis (Shin)

Birthday: October 31st

Sign: Scorpio

Age: 14 (Physically; actual age is unknown)

Status: Alive

Physical and Vital Statistics

Race: First Blood

Ethnicity: Japanese

Gender: Female

Height: Average height for a fourteen year old

Weight: It's rude to ask a lady something like that

Blood Type: Info Coming Soon!

Hair: White with Purple-Brown tips

Eyes: Golden

Professional Status

Occupation: First Blood Princess; Student at Nevermore Academy

Affiliation: The Tsukinami Family

Personal Status

Family: Giesbach + (Father); Krone + (Mother); Feltzein (Paternal Uncle); Menae + (Maternal Aunt); Carla (Older Brother); Shin (Older Brother); Angelica (Half-Sister); Akira (Nephew); Sofia (Niece); Cordelia + (Cousin); Ayato (First Cousin once removed); Kanato (First Cousin once removed); Laito (First Cousin once removed)

Hobbies: Practicing Ballet

Favorite Food: Omurice

VC* (Voice Claim): Niffty from Hazbin Hotel (English); Nobara from Jujutsu Kaisen (Japanese)

Stella Tsukinami (. . . .) is the younger sister of Carla and Shin Tsukinami, and is only daughter of Giesbach and Krone Tsukinami. She is one the very few female First Bloods to be around after the near extinction of their race due to the Endzeit disease.

Appearance

Stella looks pretty similar to her older brother Carla: she has white hair with purple-brown tips that she styles into a braid, white eyelashes, fair skin, and golden eyes with snake-like pupils. Like her other older brother Shin, Stella wears glasses and has pierced ears.

For clothes, Stella wears a lace white top with a black jacket, black shorts, black ripped tights, and black combat boots. She also wears star-shaped clips in her hair, a black choker with a ruby pendant, and light pink lipgloss.

Personality

While Stella appears as a regular fourteen year old girl, she is actually quite mature for her age and has a manipulative nature due to her being raised in the Tsukinami family. She is very loyal to those she considers friends and family, which can be quite rare as she doesn't trust easily.

She looks up to her two older brothers Carla and Shin.

History

Stella is the youngest and only daughter of the previous rulers of the Ancestor Race, Giesbach and Krone Tsukinami. Alongside her two older brothers, Carla and Shin, Stella is one of the very few pure blooded members of the founder's bloodline.

Stella, Carla, and Shin were left trapped in the demon world in their family's castle for several thousand years, leaving them trapped without a way out and having stopped aging until they awakened in modern times.

Relationships

Stella's relationships with the Tsukinami family

Stella's relationships with the Sakamaki family

Stella's relationship with Yui Komori

Stella's relationships with the Mukami family

Stella's relationships with the Amor family

AU! Relationships

Info Coming Soon!

Powers and Abilities

Possesses all the basic racial skills of the four superior demonic sub-races (Vampire, Vibora, Wolves and Adler), but does not possess their weaknesses.

Etymology

Stella's surname Tsukinami means "moon" (月) (tsuki) and "wandering, waves, billows" (浪) (nami).

Fun Facts

Stella is loosely based off of Abigail Lazar, the titular character from the 2024 horror comedy Abigail.

Due to her being the youngest, Carla and Shin don't show their more negative sides around her (most of the time), and are also very protective of her.

Like her older brother Carla, Stella gets her looks from their mother Krone. She was also close with her mother and aunt Menae and despised her father Giesbach.

Stella views Sofia as a little sister despite technically being her aunt.

Her favorite novel is Jane Eyre, while her least favorite novel is Wuthering Heights.

It is implied that Stella is jealous of Yui's blonde hair. One time she tried to dye her hair a similar shade, but neither Carla or Shin allowed her to go buy hair dye since they think her hair is fine and were able to talk her out of it.

She likes collab cafes and the collectibles/merchandise that’s sold there.

Stella likes to annoy Carla and Shin with jokes about how old they are.

Her favorite fruit is watermelon.

Stella claims that her favorite artist is Ozzy Osbourne, though her actual favorite musical artist is Chappell Roan.

When she was eight, Stella once constructed a series of tunnels under the Tsukinami castle so she could see her mother Krone in the dungeons after her father Giesbach had her imprisoned when he believed that she was a traitor.

Unlike her older brother Carla, Stella loves Japanese food.

She thinks Hikaru, the youngest of the Mukami brothers, is a little weird, but ultimately a good person.

Due to Shin training Stella how to use guns and with her practicing with most of her free time, Stella became the best shot in the family.

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

Never thought that I'd make a Tsukinami OC for Diabolik Lovers, and yet, here we are. I'll update her bio the more I learn about the Tsukinami family and their history.

Edit: For those wondering, the idea of Stella being "the best shot of her family" comes from this 2016 comedy/drama movie called Almost Christmas.

[noildoof]

Hello Ive seen that ur into a lot of like "obscure" media and was wondering what anime, cartoons and comics u were into or what u'd recommend , Im very curious , love your art!!!!!

There's a lot, tbh I'm not even sure where to start, but let's see...

Angel's Egg isn't really that obscure anymore, but at the time I first watched it and got obsessed, it was. I still consider it to be a masterpiece and my favorite movie of all time, tied with Alien.

If you're over 18, I highly recommend Malice@Doll. It's a surreal, disturbing 3D anime that moves a lot like stop-motion. It has a lot of parallels to the Biblical story of the garden of Eden, with humans in the role of an absent God and machines doing the same things they've always done because... well, that's what they were made to do. They don't have free will. There's a lot of really interesting stuff to think about - the tradeoff of innocence for knowledge, trading an immortal mechanical body that can't feel for a flesh one that can feel pleasure but also pain. Again though, this anime gets pretty disturbing, and although it's not meant to be arousing it does have sexual content. It's not appropriate for minors.

My favorite bad anime is The Humanoid. It's very campy and one of the most 80's anime I've ever seen. The characters (mostly Alan) talk a lot about coffee, for some reason. Enough that you can make a drinking game out of it. The soundtrack is actually really good, I have it on vinyl.

Go watch Chargeman Ken right now. I mean it. Each episode is only 5 minutes long, so you have no excuse not to. You'll understand why I'm recommending this anime once you've watched it, it simply has to be seen to be believed. My favorite episodes are Dynamite in the Brain and When the Cuckoo Clock Strikes 3.

A lot of people seem to hate Bounty Dog, but I will unironically defend this anime to the death. I think it's good, or at least perfectly serviceable for a 90's direct-to-video anime. It has a weird piss-yellow color palette though, and it's not a filter - those are the actual colors used in the paint, I would know having cels from this.

This is very particular to my tastes (people who know me will understand why), but I binged Brigadoon not long ago and loved it. It's a very strange series in a way that's kind of hard to describe. Fundamentally, it's about a relationship between a girl and a mecha that develops into a romance, so I guess it's shoujo. But it's also an action series. And a comedy series. And a drama series. And a horror series at times. It defies genre categorization in a way I don't see very often. The closest thing I can compare it to is The Ancient Magus's Bride, as the relationship between Marin and Melan is pretty similar. With Dr. Seuss and Evangelion thrown into a blender.

Cool World is... not a good movie. At all. But damn, are those backgrounds nice. It has a particular "look" to it that is awesome as fuck, I just wish the actual story wasn't so stupid. I implore the people who say dumb shit like "Hazbin Hotel is just "SEX! LAUGH NOW!"" to watch Cool World, because that is literally what Cool World is. It's pretty to look at, but the entire plot and all the jokes are just "Don't have sex with cartoon characters---- OHHHH he just had sex with the cartoon character." But if you can get past the painfully unfunny "comedy" and stupid nonsensical plot, it's very nice to look at and has a great soundtrack.

... that got really long-winded, damn. Here's some other recommendations:

Anime:

Weathering Continent (also an untranslated light novel series) Laughing Target (also a manga) Mermaid Forest (also a manga) Mermaid's Scar (also a manga) Curse of Kazuo Umezu (also a manga, untranslated) California Crisis Twinkle Nora Rock Me (so bad it's amazing, also an untranslated manga) Nayuta (also a manga, untranslated) King of Thorn (also a manga) Umi no Yami, Tsuki no Kage (also a manga, but not fully translated) Dragon's Heaven (also a manga, untranslated) Lily-C.A.T. Magnetic Rose (not really that obscure but it's a masterpiece) They Were 11 (also a manga, dunno if it was translated) E.Y.E.S. of Mars Iblard Time Venus Wars (also a manga)

Manga:

Eko Eko Azarak (haven't seen much of it but I like what I've seen) Any of Rumiko Takahashi's short stories Black Jack (definitely not obscure if you're an oldtaku like me) Anything by Kazuo Umezu, especially Drifting Classroom

Movies:

The Banshee Chapter Space Mutiny (watch the Mystery Science Theater version) Yellow Brick Road

Misc:

Mary (Scissor Sisters music video) Daicon IV (anime Electric Light Orchestra music video) Apollo 20 hoax videos Cybersix (Argentine animated series) Skydoll (Italian comic, adult-only) Yoko Tsuno (Belgian comic)

[jewlwpet]

For the most part, the official subtitles for Maria-sama ga Miteru are decent enough. I particularly like how, if you buy the DVDs, you can pick between having honorifics translated or left as they are. I think that's an inspired choice that should have been picked up by more official subbers.

However, there's one mistake I noticed in episode 6 of season 2. Here's the official translation:

Eriko: Shimako, are you interested in helping with the work of the student council? Shimako: Yes...

And here's how it's (correctly) rendered in Baka-Tsuki's light novel translation (whatever other faults I may find with it):

“Are you unwilling to assist with the student council work, Shimako-san?” “Not really.”

This might not seem like a big difference, but the light novel makes it clear that it matters to Shimako.

I offered a weak denial. If I’d been asked, “Do you want to?” then I would have unequivocally answered, “No.” I thought Rosa Foetida would tell me, “If you’re not unwilling, then you should agree to it.” I was used to conversations flowing like that. I’ve been trapped like that a number of times during my lifetime. Like being group leader, or class representative, or manager. Despite not remembering ever nominating myself, before I knew it, I’d been installed into a position of leadership. I could have refused if I’d been unwilling, but I wasn’t unwilling enough to turn them down. How many times had I taken responsibility after looking at the people who were very obviously unwilling to do the job. Even though there was no way to measure a human’s unwillingness.

Rosa Foetida's actual answer, that she should come to the Rose Mansion again so she can decide for herself, takes her by surprise.

[apparently-artless]

so I've been watching isekai anime again and decided to rewatch this series. I am so happy that this will get another season. ヽ(>∀<☆)ノ

not to mention, hanae natsuki did really great here. his tsukkomi tones are so freaking funny. (¯▿¯)

[animehouse-moe]

Irina: The Vampire Cosmonaut Volume 3 - Fly Me To The Moon

This third volume, a new story, something not adapted to an anime format yet, and something that I really need to give Kesiuke Makino credit for.

Let's take a short trip down what amounts to historical memory lane. Of course, Makino-sensei gets stuff like New Orleans down pat, and weaves a tough but considerately accurate and faithful picture of racism and discrimination of the era. So let's get the nitty gritty out of the way first.

Makino paints a very strong picture of segregation and discrimination, not just of the sentiment of "the other", but a systemic and foundational isolation of Dhampirs (in this story coming from full-blooded Vampires that immigrated to Arnack). The Moonlight District being an underdeveloped and under supported section of the somewhat fictional city of New Marseille, Dhampirs live in fear and constant poverty. Jobs opportunities are incredibly limited, wages are the bottom of the rung, and lynch mobs and supremacy groups roam the streets with a bloodlust.

It's a very bleak, and very faithful representation. They don't stop at "racism bad" or anything like that, they launch into full on descriptions, making sure that readers understand that members of the racial supremacist group of the novel are members of the community, are police officers and state troopers, are judges and political officials, and that they will abuse their power to abuse their position. It's willing to be realistic enough that it referenced historical events such as the 16th Street Baptist Church Bombing.

Of course, its representation of racial discrimination and tensions is more than even just the harrowing aspects of it. It sees the middle ground, the indifferent, the challenges of breaking down those walls, and of trying to pretend they don't even exist. As was the case with the first two volumes, this third volume represents an incredible amount of perspectives and ideals, and even touches upon aspects such as the perception of class traitors and self-imposed responsibility to your community.

It really is impressive how well they work with this stuff, though some might find it a little prickly at first as Makino integrates stuff like Jazz culture, funerals, and the French/Creole aspects of Black culture. But, credit at the minimum has to be given for the passion and accuracy that Makino treats it with. They find the brilliant aspects between the rough lines and allows them to shine brightly, but refuse to ignore the negative pieces.

I think that's just enough of the heavier side of things though, let's talk about the amazing pieces of history which Makino highlights in electric fashion. So, there's a group of women Dhampir in this story, that provide calculations via punch card computers using FORX (the fictional equivalent of BASIC), who work out of what's called the D-Room. I'm sure most people know of Margret Hamilton, who famously stood next to a massive pile of punch cards that are in part responsible for the moon landing, but what about NASA's human computers and some of their first programmers?

Well, those were also women, but even more than that they were African-American Women. Under the helm of Dorothy Vaughn, one of the Langley Center's first African-American managers, a team of (largely African-American) women came to be and provided incredible feats such as the calculations for the first suborbital spaceflight of the United States, the first orbital spaceflight, and even calculations for the moon landing of Apollo 11. These historical women are represented fictitiously here in this volume, and it's incredible to see (though I do wish Makino could compile their research notes to provide context and information to readers!).

The story is riddled with incredible references like this. Take the whole thing with Fly Me To The Moon, rather than it being the song that it is in our reality, it's now a science-fiction novel. More than that though, and something that I think has beautiful meaning in relation to the lead characters, is the name of the original artist for the song, Kaye Ballard. Our damphir protagonist carries the same first name, Kaye Scarlet. The content of the song, and the significance of the novel to both Kaye and Bart provides such a stunningly picturesque sense of romance. The beauty in the song that "Kaye" made being the reason that Bart fell in love with outer space is just such a wonderful piece.

Alongside that though there's other stuff that might be picked up on, like the Keighley Research Center vs the Langley Research Center, and so on and so forth.

Makino really does such an incredible job of telling impactful and important stories of history with such riveting fictional additions. Every moment has you tense, worried, excited, angry, laughing, smiling, and so on and so forth. It catches you off-guard with realizations and reveals, builds tension in the blink of an eye, and sells its characters incredibly well.

If there was one thing that this volume wanted to impart upon readers, it would be this. No matter where you are in the world, no matter what challenges or difficulties lay ahead of you, whether everyone or no one will support you, it's okay to dream. It's okay to aim for the stars, to look past what lays in front of you and express that passion, to chase after what lays in your heart. Even if people tell you that you can't do it, or that it's a weak or measly dream, or that they say it won't change anything or that it'd be a waste - dream.

Coming off the tail end of volume 2, and leading with a new story with fresh characters and concepts, Irina: The Vampire Cosmonaut volume 3 continues to stun and leave readers in awe at the quality and writing that Makino gives readers. Such an amazing science-fiction series that appeals to so many important pieces.

[mangabookshelf]

Manga the Week of 5/8/24

SEAN: May day, may day! ASH: Danger, danger! SEAN: We start with Airship. In print, they have a 4th volume of There’s No Freaking Way I’ll be Your Lover! Unless… The digital debut is a one-shot light novel, True Love Fades Away When the Contract Ends – One Star in the Night Sky (Unmei no Koibito wa Kigen Tsuki). This is from the author of Making Jam in the Woods, I’d Rather Have a Cat Than a…

[tsukimefuku]

Can I ask your top 10 fav fics ever (from any fandom, if you don't mind)?

Also, just curious, is there a story behind your name "tsukimefuku "?

I'm TERRIBLE at keeping track of my favorites "anything", specially fanfics. So, I'm terribly sorry, but I'll just use the opportunity to shamelessly plug the fanfic I literally just binged on, and am completely OBSESSED about: Ikemen Kaisen on AO3. It's basically Jujutsu Kaisen meets dating simulator, and a curse has a crush on Nanami. I swear to God, this had me squeaking and cackling every step of the way, I WAS SO INVESTED. Please, give it a read if you can. It's amazing, could be an official light novel for the JJK series, and the character's depictions are extremely spot on. This might be the best fan depiction of Nanami I've ever read, to be fair.

DON'T MISS OUT ON IKEMEN KAISEN

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About Tsukime Fuku: Like Gege, I like toying with meaning of things and names in japanese are great for that.

Fukurou (梟) in Japanese means Owl, so I just decided to shorten it in katakana (フク). I wrote Tsukime in kanji (疲明) mixing up the gloomy and tired aspect from “Tsuki” with the bright one from “Me”. I’m a tired, gloomy, optimistic millenial owl. That's it :)

Fuku-chan

[oocentral]

Tsuki ga Michibiku Isekai Douchuu | Is it worth?

Have you ever found yourself in a situation at school where you were placed in detention for something utterly absurd? It’s a bit like the reaction stages I went through after watching “Tsuki ga Michibiku Isekai Douchuu.” Yes, this anime adaptation is nothing short of ludicrous. Based on Kei Azumi’s light novel, the story unfolds in a fantasy world influenced by the ever-present isekai trend.…