#Zakuro says

[nekinekoart]

Tokyo Mew Mew! I am looking for more art friends so feel free to hmu!

[jonahmagnus]

I forgot about Mayview Mew Mew so heres the three I finished before I lost interest

[mangomoths]

some otsukin & koritora dialogue from v5 my friend requested i draw ^_^ ⚠️ absolutely not canon in any way crossover content under the cut (splatoon)

here's what i've been mainly up to! been playing too much splatoon that i haven't found the time to finish v5 i apologize for my three week long disappearance! stopped logging onto tumblr for some personal reasons but i'm here to stay now :3 (probably)

[encorebug]

got high and thought id draw the dumbest mo4 meme imaginable

(based on insys stuff)

[sai-aeko]

中井柘榴 Yumi Nakai

柘榴zakuro

[poniko-w]

⚠️GETTING AUTISTIC ALERT⚠️

one of my absolute favorite things abt mo4 is understanding just how terrible a lot of the main cast is.. i've changed fukurou and morikaze to be more normal in my mind for my own comfort (as someone still recovering from trauma), but am still heavily critical of their characters as i am with every other main numa!! i love discussing the intricacies of the mo4 cast without defending any of their actions, and i really dislike when people mischaracterize them and refuse to accept canon for what it is.. no guys bachikin was not a girlboss girlqueen she was a war criminal & an awful person & part of her character is the fact that she is trying to fix what she did!! holding her accountable is part of the story im afraid, you cant fake-feminism your way out of this one💔 when you remove the bad parts of a character meant to be a bad person u are left with a very bland & uninteresting character. learn to love a character despite the shit that makes them a bad person while still holding them accountable it. i love talking about the mo4 characters who wants to let me ramble about the mo4 characters to them

[tatonslice]

hi mo4 fans sorry for morikazeposting

[koipalm]

not enough purple characters out there. underrated species of character

[ylkcheeeks]

I wonder if part of the reason that Zakuro is how she is (Doylist, not Watsonian) is on account of pomegranate > Grenada > the Catholic Monarchs

Because like, Grenada isn’t just a city that happens to be Pomegranatopolis, it’s decorated with pomegranates in all the municipal structures like pylons and whatever. And it was also where Ysabella and Ferdinand had one of their favorite palaces. And that might also lead to her being the mysterious, cultured one who speaks several languages.

[crystaloregarden]

regaining a tokyo mew mew fixation due to streaming the og anime in my server and finding myself more and more disappointed with mew mew new the more i catch up. it's just that tired sailor moon crystal brand of "sparkly and pretty but no substance" reboot of a popular franchise for girls that annoys me to look at. also if they don't take my girl zakuro out of that ugly ass ponytail i'm gonna snap i swear to god

[kirakirabug]

My wife btw

[rariatoo]

NOSS & ZAKURO EP7!!

A new episode of the ongoing manga!

This series will end with this seventh episode. The sequel series depends on book sales. (This was decided from the planning stage of the manga)

An English version may also be released. That's all I can say for now��!

The proper image has not been decided yet! I will post again as soon as it is confirmed!

[ylkcheeeks]

I especially appreciate the progression from a sort of “hey, that’s cute” to “you’re sweeter than that parfait” to outright lost in reverie looking at her in full princess CEO mode while her tea grows cold.

Suddenly had a lot of characterization thoughts, throwing down a cut.

I feel like in New they feel a lot more like teens who I knew growing up.

Obviously Mint is far too elegant to glomp anyone, but there were definitely girls in my larger friend group who were really affectionate with each other in this way which was romantic coded but not meant to be taken seriously- she’s being pretty open about her 🤩 crush, especially with the added layer of “I will protect you so you don’t have to fight if you don’t want to” and the official subs making Onee-sama “my queen.” Like, it has gone from fan crush to realizing she’s her own person, then deciding that the real Zakuro is someone she still cares about and won’t let come to harm from direct danger OR from being distracted from her main goals in life.

But even as they grow into true friends and battle couple, she’s not making any effort to rock the boat and confess. EG:

I read this as related to her defense of Zakuro when she was initially hesitant about joining- she recognizes Zakuro as a driven person so she’s her friend and she’s open about her own feelings, but they don’t come with even an ask about reciprocation because that would put pressure on Zakuro.

Zakuro, meanwhile, has been somewhat isolated by fame and working hard to be seen as a professional- despite her elegance and height, she’s only a year older than most of the other girls (🍓🍵🥬)- and she doesn’t seem to know how to be a regular teen with friends. I think this also plays into her sweet moment with Lettuce, comforting her- while Lettuce was isolated by being shy and trying to be friendly with the wrong people, Zakuro straight up has not tried for years, if ever, to develop friendships, because she’s been so focused on maintaining her poise at all times. As she’s gotten to know the girls between Mew business and their cover jobs, she’s opening up and had this opportunity to be vulnerable and even funny that she never got in the context of her idol life. Even though she is still going to a regular school (rather than private tutoring), her one friend we meet from there is another driven young woman where their relationship is profession bordering on antagonistic. They last worked together years ago and she was the way she is now then, so the walls she has up between herself and the world are long established.

Then Mint comes along, this girl who is from so much money she can’t actually understand how most people live, and she’s so dedicated to accomplishing her own goals and to making herself a name worthy of the Aizawa family, but refuses to be limited to what people think is the right realm for a delicate young lady. She (and the other girls, especially including Purin) wears her emotions openly, which is one thing Zakuro is not good at. She hasn’t wanted to be, but now that she has this semi-secret part of her life where she can be vulnerable she’s still figuring out how to do it. So even as she is herself growing from admiration (professional) to admiration (staring at your little lorikeet and sighing contentedly) she’s not making a move yet either. But she sure has a different relationship with Mint than she does with the other girls.

(Also: little double buns, for your dance together. I see you, star/writer/producer Zakuro.)

Telling Lettuce she was brave, after the rest of this season… I think Zakuro has never confessed to someone herself. She hasn’t let herself be close enough to anyone to have a crush she took seriously or pursued, but that doesn’t mean she hasn’t had crushes at all- just that work came first, second, and third. She’s sincere in her admiration, not just comforting Lettuce.

In my watch, I feel like we have watched her, in a more subtle way (for obvious reasons) go through a period of growth similar to how Aoyama describes Ichigo bringing out the best in him. Her friendships with all the girls and especially her relationship with Mint, have changed her for good, giving her an outlet to a side of herself she couldn’t nurture before. (Honestly as I write this I am also recognizing a lot of neurodivergent coding in her characterization, but that’s a little far afield from the main topic so I’m just gonna nod at it from across the room.)

So now we are in a place where Mint is sure and open about how she feels but making a choice to not hit Zakuro with a “what are we?”, if she even recognizes that it’s mutual- circling back to the realism, it was SUCH thing in highschool, even among the kids who knew we were all, 💅🍇 you know, to assume that the things which would be signs of reciprocal affection for anyone else were just a friend being A Very Good Friend, and just appreciating that you get to be friends with them rather than some sort of “friendzone” resentment. And Zakuro is showing through her actions that her bond with Mint is special to her, that she’s opening up and getting to be a normal girl within this very unusual context, but she’s more of an actions than a words person, and isn’t yet in the place where she’s going to be the one to make things explicit.

Obviously meta-textually there’s also the issue of it still not being as okay for their relationship to be explicitly canon as for a girl who has a crush on a boy, but I do read them as an in-universe slow burn. To my thinking, things might stay like this for a while, but they also might bubble over, if an external catalyst (like one of them being in danger) pushes them. And I think from where we are right now, it makes the most sense that it would be Zakuro who makes the move, whether it’s a tearful rescue/big damn kiss/“wait are we not already dating?”/whatever it is, since Mint is happy to be her friend with a crush and sometimes bird knight.

Zakuro always gazing endearingly towards Mint in the music cover art when everyone else is looking at the camera. New knows what they're doing.

[ecargmura]

Wonderful Precure Episode 36 Review - Precure History Has Been Made

If Delicious Party had the record of having a male character fighting alongside a Precure while not being an actual Precure and if Hirogaru Sky had the record of having the first male Precure, then Wonderful has the record of having a male support character finally have his feelings for a Cure reciprocated. This is definitely one for the history books; it’s even trending in Japanese Twitter! Everyone wanted this so bad and so did I!

I was surprised that this didn’t end off open-ended or having Iroha putting off her confession on hold until she feels the same way like how some romance animes do. The pacing was great and how it was executed was great, especially for someone with Iroha’s character. I feel like Toei allowed this to happen because Friendy isn’t the leader/pink Cure as that’s Wonderful’s role. I guess your feelings are allowed to be reciprocated as long as you aren’t in love with a pink Cure? Is that how it works?

Iroha is a very loving person. She loves everyone, so it’s inevitable that she has a hard time differentiating what romantic love could be, or what makes someone special. She sort of reminds me of Sakura Kinomoto in a way that she loves everyone, but realizes that romantic love for someone is much deeper and more special than regular love for friends and animals. I’m glad that Yoko was the one who gave her that push as she’s happily married to Tsuyoshi, after all.

What I like most is that how this anime describes love isn't bound by gender, but how special your feelings are. Iroha only realizes how special Satoru is after thinking about how he’s always there whenever she’s in trouble and how she wants to be there when he’s in trouble. I love the words Friendy uses after seeing Satoru getting kidnapped by Zakuro. She uses strong words like “Yada” instead of “dame” when it comes to refusal and says “It has to be Satoru and no one else!” I think that if you’re understanding of how Japanese language is like, it’s a language of nuance in a way. There are words that gives deeper meaning instead of words that are used more casually. Watching a lot of anime helped me pick up on the nuances, hence why I got a little emotional when Friendy uses these stronger words to describe how important Satoru is to her.

I also like that Satoru’s confession is taken seriously by those around him and even himself. He could’ve brushed aside Mey Mey’s words as a joke, but he mans up and confesses to her, showing how serious this is. I think that’s a charming thing about him—that he’s straightforward and honest about his feelings and never wants them to be taken as a joke. His will is very unwavering, like how Zakuro says. I also like how Niko and Daifuku comfort him and praise him for confessing. I just like the positivity of being able to express your feelings and not have someone berate you on why you have to confess and such. Ah, youth…

Though, I did wonder why Zakuro just ups and kidnaps Satoru for romantic excitement when she’s in love with Gaou. I guess she’s just lonely and desperate for her love to notice her? Though, it was nice tension in a way for Friendy to finally act up on her feelings.

The real MVP of this episode is actually Yuki for being the person who has to distract Komugi because she has no tact when it comes to romantic affairs. She definitely did her best to match a dog’s energy and did her best to pull Komugi away during important moments.

I wonder how things are going to change now that SatoIro has become officially canon? The writers better not dip out after this and have them break up after a few episodes; that’d be unforgivable. Though, I am still a bit surprised that this happened in the middle of the series. Confessions usually happen towards the end of a story and is used as some sort of story conclusion. I think it’s nice that they’re not dragging it towards the end. This does give a solid confirmation that Satoru is not going to be a male Cure. However, I just hope that Daifuku, at least, is able to gain the ability to talk and become a human even if he doesn’t transform. Give the rabbit his carrots! What are your thoughts on Precure history being made?

[indigosabyss]

The Not-A-Curse (JJK x Nanbaka Crossover) AU: Kyoto Goodwill Event – Possible Track for Nanba?

The Goodwill Event was a collaboration between the three major jujutsu education organizations in Japan: Tokyo Jujutsu High, Kyoto Jujutsu High, and... Nanba Training Academy.

"Why'd you say that weird?" Yuuji asked, immediately picking up on Megumi's reticence on the subject.

Gojo tapped his chin, "Well, how to put this? Even compared to sorcerers, they're weird."

"The Goodwill Event only happens either here or Kyoto because they literally will not tell us where their secret island base is." Megumi explained sourly.

"An island?!" Nobara screeched, "So unfair! I'd throw the match so we can get an island vacation next year."

"Which is exactly why we let them not host." Gojo tutted, "Otherwise, everyone has an incentive to not do their best!"

Then above them, a loud 'POOF' rang out, followed by a cloud of white smoke. When it cleared, there was a man dangling upside down from the ceiling right in front of Gojo, using a belt that resembled more of a tail wound around a lighting fixture to keep him there.

Bright red markings around his eyes heightened the dry glare leveled at their teacher from mere inches away, who smiled beatifically.

"Heard you were talking shit." The guy drawled finally. Yuuji thought he was really cool.

Gojo grinned, turning to look at his students and pointing at the interloper, "See? Weird."

(more excerpts thru the entire arc under cut)

------

"'Goodwill Event'." Principal Hyakushiki - nicknamed 'The Warden' - scoffed as she marched in front of the chosen six students for the event. They all straightened their spines as she continued to lecture, "Don't let your hearts soften. Don't lose sight of the target. Remember: this is war."

Zakuro gulped, leaning to whisper to his trainer, "Doctor, isn't this a bit dramat-?"

He was cut off by the Principal bellowed, "WHAT IS THIS?"

"WAR!" The rest of the group readily yelled. The Department Five duo he expected to like that sentiment, but the Dreams track guy said it with way more bloodthirst than was normal.

----

Jyugo didn't want to invite the Kyoto group to the school. He just happened to be passing by with Inumaki and Panda who wanted him to break into Kusakabe's car.

And now he had been cornered by this scary guy with a topknot.

"You. What's your type in women?" He asked, towering over him.

Jyugo blinked, struggling to understand how they had gone from carjacking plans to this.

"I... don't like women." He settled on saying.

"Men, then!" The interrogater switched tracks easily.

"I don't like men either." This finally hit a dead end for the guy. Was it really that strange?

"Complete emotional unattachment is his entire identity." Panda backed him up.

Mai waved a hand over the weird guy's eyes, to no reaction, "Woah, you broke Todo."

---

"Hey, Number Fifteen. Want to watch the event from the screen us staff get?" Gojo asked, half-distracted by a strawberry popsicle, "Your old supervisors have great taste in snacks!"

Number Fifteen shook his head, looking listlessly at the book the blind fire-cursed man had given him, "Kinda busy right now."

"Okay then, have fun staring holes into a book you clearly can't stand!" He ducked back out, beating the bad thoughts back with a stick.

---

Zakuro's hands were shaking lightly as he pulled Jyugo's hand into a handshake, "Holy shit, you're the original Cursed Shackles user."

Funnily enough, the Cursed Shackles were the last thing people pointed out as weird about him, in jujutsu spaces. Everyone was more excited by the Hollow Spirit aspect.

"Thanks." He managed, extracting his hand from the grip, "Should you be down here?"

"We should run away." Zakuro suggested, already thinking about the future, "This world, these chains, we don't deserve it. Let's get out of here."

Jyugo considered it. He looked back at his room, still covered with deadbolts on the outside.

The idea wasn't too unappealing.

---

The curse with tree roots growing out of its eyes flexed its cursed energy, facing down the young sorcerers surrounding him.

The tiny boy with plaster-white skin flickered his cursed energy wildly. His classmate in the red jumpsuit started moving back.

"Brace yourselves." He warned, "Upa is unleashing his technique."

Everyone backed away as the boy fell into a stance, waiting in anticipation as he concentrated higher and higher cursed energy into his palms. Until finally he released a blinding beam of it directly at the curse.

Smoke rose up from the spot, eviscerating the creature previously standing there.

"Your secret technique," Megumi said with withering disappointment, "was just hypercharged cursed energy blast."

"Yes." Upa said simply, "It is a talent treasured in Department Five."

Megumi fucking hated Nanba Academy.

[pochqmqri]

This episode (34) leaves such as sour taste in my mouth over how Lettuce was treated by this woman, and also by the writing staff. She was way too nice and altrusitic, and I get that's the point of her character, but it just paints her as passive and to be walked all over on.

Dollmaking is one of the few things Lettuce is truly good at in the anime, similar to how Mint is good at ballet, Zakuro is good at being a star, Pudding is good at doing martial arts, and Ichigo is good at gymnastics. So for this bitch to befriend her only to go "I made this" over her work, deny any wrongdoing, and to let Lettuce and co. get publicly humiliated by her defensive stans, it's aggrivating that she gets away scot free over all that.

This woman straight up says that she had "no choice" but to steal the credit for Lettuce's hard work. Like really? You had no choice??? Lettuce shouldn't have given her an inch, especially given how passionate she was about dollmaking. This was such a weird message to portray, the idea that being credited for your hard work doesn't matter as much as the impact it has on others. Both are equally important.