#actual saito hajime

[zacksfairest]

SCREAMING AND CRYING AND THROWING UP I CANNOT BELIEVE I BREATHED THE SAME AIR AS RYO GODDAMN MATSUDA

[hasarjunadoneanythingwrong]

really though this team is so busted

[hoshiszora-archived]

what if i gave hyousuke a hakuouki verse?

what if?

[utapri-translations-uuuu]

The First Step of the Beginning - Translation (始まりの一歩)

Please do not repost/retranslate without permission.

A PDF version is also available.

Key

Hijikata Toshizo - Otori Eiichi

Nagakura Shinpachi - Sumeragi Kira

Todo Heisuke - Mikado Nagi

Okita Soji - Otori Eiji

Kondo Isami - Kiryuin Van

Harada Sanosuke - Hyuga Yamato

Saito Hajime - Amakusa Shion

Kondo: Shinsengumi. Our new name has a nice ring to it. 

Kondo: When the bafuku began recruiting soldiers without regard to social status or age, requiring only a healthy body and a spirit of dedication to report to the front lines – essentially, the loyalty to serve with all one’s might – I thought at the time that it was too good to be true. 

Kondo: However, I am truly glad I believed those words and immediately came with my comrades. We were employed without incident, called upon to serve in important situations, and our work was recognized by being granted a new name. 

Kondo: I actually come from a farming family. Ever since I was a child, I admired the bushi and although I managed to become a martial arts expert, I had a vague feeling that was the limit of my abilities. And yet, now here I am, leading dozens of comrades.

Okita: How long are you going to keep smiling by yourself? Kondo-san, commander of the Shisengumi.

Kondo: Ah, sorry about that. Captain of the First Unit of the Shinsengumi, Okita Soji-kun. I was just thinking about various things concerning the Shinsengumi, and I ended up getting a bit carried away.

Hijikata: At least for today, it’s okay to stay in a celebratory mood. After all, the fact that we were able to become the Shinsengumi is undoubtedly thanks to Kondo-san’s leadership.

Saito: Yes. Kondo-san’s power is truly great. But I think your presence, Hijikata-san, is also very important. You have always been there to support Kondo-san quietly, no matter the situation.

Okita: That’s right. It’s thanks to both of you, not just one person. Thank you as always, Hijikata-san.

Hijikata: Praising me won’t get you anything. I’ll say it again, it’s not my job to accept requests like turning today’s dinner into a celebratory feast.

Okita: Huh? You realized that I had a request, didn’t you? Just kidding, I actually wasn’t thinking about anything like that. Not until you mentioned it just now.

Hijikata: You…

Kondo: Come on, it’s fine, isn’t it? You’re the one who said it was okay to celebrate a bit on a day like today. As for making the meal extravagant, I’ll go ahead and request that myself.

Harada: As expected of the commander of the Shinsengumi, so generous! But, speaking of which, Kondo-san is the Shinsengumi commander, and Hijikata-san is the vice-commander. And we’re the captains of the Shinsengumi! This name really does feel great! It feels like we’ve gained some prestige.

Nagakura: There are many things that cannot be measured by just a title, but people certainly change depending on what they are called. If Harada’s spirits are lifted, then that alone holds meaning.

Harada: So, is it correct to say that you’re also really happy, Nagakura?

Nagakura: Yes, of course.

Todo: But we can’t just be happy. This is still just the first step of the beginning, after all. From here on, we have to keep working hard and producing solid results.

Kondo: That’s right. Todo-kun is always looking ahead and that helps me a lot. 

Kondo: Ahem. The main mission we have been ordered to carry out this time is to maintain the peace in Kyoto. However, as Todo-kun said, the Shinsengumi’s ultimate goal lies beyond just that. 

Kondo: What we desire most is to bring peace to the country itself. 

Kondo: Nevertheless, maintaining public order today is also an important duty. Let’s do our utmost to live up to the name of the Shinsengumi, which we have been entrusted with!

Todo: Yeah, leave it to me! I’ll support you properly.

Harada: If you can’t protect what’s around you first, you won’t be able to accomplish anything significant.

Nagakura: A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step, so let’s move forward step by step.

Hijikata: Right. I’ll stick with Kondo-san until the very end.

Okita: I intend to do the same, of course. After all, I have decided that you are the companions with whom I will share my entire life.

Saito: Even if you say no, I have no intention of leaving.

Kondo: Everyone, thank you. I am truly grateful from the bottom of my heart. 

Kondo: The outcome of a battle is not determined by the tools, but by the people who use them. This is a passage from a book written by my favorite author, Rai San’yō. 

Kondo: I believe that within these words is a positive lesson: with great companions, you can accomplish anything. I think there are no words that fit our current situation better than these.

Hijikata: You really like Rai San’yō, don’t you? But I understand that feeling well. It’s good to have wonderful companions.

Kondo: Yes. Let’s work hard together, Toshi.

Todo: Hey, about the idea of making tonight’s dinner more luxurious, how about we include everyone’s favorite foods? I’d like tempura. What about you, Kondo-san?

Okita: Ah, I got it! Um... there’s manju, yokan, anmitsu, zenzai, nerikiri, and other sweet things.

Hijikata: That’s not a meal, is it? I would never want a dinner like that.

Okita: Don’t worry! I’ll ask them to prepare some pickles as a palate cleanser. Hijikata-san, you eat them a lot, don’t you?

Harada: For me it’s eel!

Nagakura: That sounds nice. The one from the place Harada took me to last time was definitely the best. But in that case, it might be better to just buy some to take home.

Okita: I think I’ll go with eggs after all. I’ll think a little more about how I want them done. What about you, Hajime-san?

Saito: Let’s see... Kondo-san. Among manju, yokan, anmitsu, zenzai, and nerikiri, which one do you prefer the most?

Kondo: (chuckles) This is a rare opportunity. You don’t need to worry about me. Feel free to choose whatever you like, Saito-kun.

[cardiagf]

An In-Depth Analysis of Okita and Saito Being Foils to One Another

Disclaimer:

I have only played the first game, and kyoto winds + edo blossoms so I may have missed a lot of other qualities from other sources.

This whole thing was born out of hyperfixation so it's not exactly a perfect analysis, just wanted to write ab these two regardless!

Also feel free to add details that I have missed :)

Spoilers ahead! mostly just from the CGs I have included in this post but this is an analysis either way so...

Long post ahead as well so buckle up.

What is a "Foil"?

Simply put, a foil is a character that contrasts another character to better highlight the qualities that these individual characters possess. One of the most popular literary examples of foils are Don Quixote and Sancho Panza.

And in this case, I will be highlighting the differences (and resemblance) of the Hakuoki characters, Okita Souji and Saito Hajime to each other

By Design

First, I would like to discuss their character design and how we can see them as characters by appearance

Their designs are a striking contrast of each other.

Seen by how more open and how thinly-clothed Okita is, highlighting his harsh and straightforward nature, he's someone who's not afraid to speak his mind.

On the other hand, Saito's design is more modest. Paired with a scarf that wraps around him and with socks as well, highlighting how reserved he is and how he usually keeps to himself, he's someone who is more closed off.

Their hairstyles also show more of their character, as Okita's hair is up and is like that because he's copying Kondou. On the other hand, Saito's hair seems more unkempt, it's covering half of his face and his right eye completely but he doesn't really care much for it, something that also contrasts how Okita's right side of face is more exposed

Their color palettes also create a difference between the two of them, a muted red with green accents for Okita while a vivid blue with cold silver/white accents for Saito

Sword placements are also on opposing sides but that's already a given since this is Saito.

As They Are

But beyond their appearance they have demeanors that separate them from one another, something that highly accentuates both of their characters personality-wise, these qualities being:

How Okita can be easily likened to a cat while Saito leans more to being dog-like. (It's also so much more complex than that as their own personalities seems to be reversed in this situation but it also makes so much sense why they are the way they are).

Their voices also contrast each other, Okita with Morikubo's high pitched playful voice v.s. Toriumi's deep and serious one.

They also have this thing where one could easily assume that someone like Okita would be using the 'Ore' pronoun for himself (bc it's more "vulgar") but he actually uses 'Boku' and Saito's the one who actually uses 'Ore.'

They're both blunt in their own ways: with Okita being far harsher with his words compared to how Saito speaks bluntly but with less of an edge and with more tact.

One's loyalty is placed towards Hijikata as he's the one who primarily runs the Shinsengumi while the other hates Hijikata's guts because he is Kondou's closest confidant and friend. Okita is undyingly loyal to Kondou as much as Saito is to his purpose of serving the Shinsengumi to a fault.

They constantly overwork themselves to the bone because they want to be useful to the Shinsengumi/the people that their loyalty lies on and both are really annoying patients when they get hurt because they will stop at NOTHING to try and be of help to the Shinsengumi.

^This creates a contrast on their roles as Saito was one of the most active people in the Shinsengumi (especially in his route) in contrast to Okita, who was bedridden in all of the routes even in his own, not being able to do much to help his comrades in battle due to his condition.

Okita sees everyone as equal, as in he doesn't care about anyone else besides Kondou as he is the only person he thinks highly of. He thinks of everyone else, including himself to be under Kondou.

While Saito is in the position of constant belittlement of others just for being left handed, he wants more than anyone to be seen as an equal as he does so for everyone especially in a place of battle. But he doesn't belittle others in the way that Okita does even if he sees people like Hijikata as someone above him.

One is stoic and seems emotionless but the other is a huge perpetual smiler. With Saito just being more composed, rather than being cunning or calculating like Okita, someone who hides it all with his smile in which we will dive more into...

Both Okita and Saito are highly emotionally repressed individuals, brought by how they were treated in their younger days.

Saito had always suppressed his emotions to cultivate a clearer and more rational mind, fearing that this could hinder his ability to do his job and to do his job well. He fears that emotions could cloud his judgement especially during the times where he needed to be level-headed.

While Okita is someone who DOES let his emotions get ahead of him bc of his dedication to Kondou. But these emotions are only focused on one thing and that is everything that involves Kondou and Kondou alone. Everything else that wasn't about him is something that he absolutely does not care about.

They're both emotional beings (naturally) but Saito whose repressed feelings and stoic demeanor may make him seem more cold and apathetic when in reality he isn't as merciless as how the thorny Okita can be if it didn't (or if it did) involved Kondou.

Have I been of any use to the Shinsengumi at all?

Now, let's move onto the main meat of this analysis: their character motivation and their desires.

Both Okita and Saito wants to be of help to the Shinsengumi, or mainly the people that they are loyal to.

They both have this problem of seeing themselves as a tool for the Shinsengumi. This is something that both are more than willing to be one because of the people that gave them purpose: Kondou for Okita, and the Shinsengumi and by extent, Hijikata, for Saito for giving him a place to belong to, a place where he is respected for just being the way he is as a warrior and as a person.

The stark contrast between Saito and Okita especially with regards to how they view their duties as a member of the Shinsengumi and as warriors who had shed a lot of blood is hauntingly fascinating.

Both Okita and Saito had killed a LOT of people. It was part of the job anyways, and they were high ranking captains of the Shinsengumi, it'd be weirder if they haven't.

However, Saito is more of the pragmatic warrior of the two, aware of the lives that he took and how being a warrior means that it's a me or him situation. This means that he had killed a lot of people just so he can stay alive and be alive, as he is right now. Although killing isn't something he particularly enjoys, it's something that proves one's strength over the other.

However, all of this still encapsulates a form of respect in some way, moreso as a way to honor each other as a combatant. He isn't just mindlessly killing other people just because he was asked to or he needed to (of course, he would still kill them if that was what he was ordered to but he just doesn't unnecessarily shed blood if he didn't need to do so) and he's perfectly aware of all this as he carries this burden as a warrior.

Okita, on the other hand, is apathetic.

He's as aware as Saito when it comes to the deliberation of life and death between him and those that he had killed, it's just that he doesn't care since it was an order (something he can do for Kondou), so he will do it regardless of who or what you are, that is his burden and duty as the sword of the shinsengumi. if he has to kill he WILL kill.

I see it as something similar to projection of some sort, I think, since he has no other purpose, he isn't some kind of honorable pragmatic solider like Saito who lives for his sword and carries the heart of a warrior, what he wants is to be useful to Kondou and this is something he believes that he can do for him.

Other than this duty for Kondou, he has no other life to call as his. It's in his own cynical ways that makes it easy for him to take away the lives of other people. Which, in an almost karmic fashion, can his life be easily taken away by his incurable disease as well.

But something even more fascinating ab them is their individual motivations, their actual desires or what they actually wanted to do.

It is, however, blurred by their sense of duty and sticking to the purpose that they have crafted for themselves, they are driven by something that is both hugely different and quite similar to one another.

Okita KNOWS what he wants and that's to be useful to Kondou in any way that he can be. To him, his sole purpose is to serve Kondou. The idea of being useless to him is what mainly drives him into a a depressive spiral, he's THE sword of Shinsengumi, something that is at the extent of Kondou. For Okita, he sees himself as none other than a tool for Kondou's biddings.

Saito, on the other hand, found his purpose through the Shinsengumi. He had a place where he was accepted for who he is. He thrived in following orders from Hijikata as this is what fulfills him as a person, to be of use to those who accepted fully and didn't shun him away. But in comparison, Saito DOESN'T EXACTLY KNOW what he truly wants besides for honoring and priding himself as a warrior or as a vassal of the Shinsengumi.

He had trained hard for HIS sword and for his skills AS a warrior and he knows nothing beyond that. He also sees himself as a tool for the Shinsengumi's bidding but in a way that both differs and also resembles Okita's purpose for being in the Shinsengumi.

In Conclusion

Okita Souji and Saito Hajime are both well-written characters. These two are the two stand-out characters of the series and it's their own distinct differences that makes them stand out. Furthermore, they are the best example of foils in the whole series in comparison to the other foil characters in the series (such as Hijikata-Chikage), as they are both well fleshed out as individuals and moreso as a duo.

I just find it so interesting how the two of them resemble each other in contrasting ways. It's these differences they have that compliments and accentuates the qualities that they possess and I find that really fascinating.

Anyways I'm really bad at writing conclusions T___T but thank you so much for reading! I enjoyed writing this and hakuoki is like a dormant interest of mine so this was really fun to do :D

[kumoriyami-xiuzhen]

Hakuoki Shinkai Hana no Shou Animate Bonus Drama CD "Unchanging Feelings" Eng translation

Anyone happen to know where content that is probably under the title of 「土方さんの習字について」 comes from? Found it saved in my Nimble file in both JP and CN... and I have no where idea it came from. It's short exchange between Hijikata, Souji and Kondou.

Anyway, this translation is of the Hana no Shou Animate Bonus CD 「変わらぬ想い」. I actually had this on my to-do list for a while since I'm pretty sure I don't have any Iba content that's longer than two sentences (well, I'm at least pretty sure about that?)... but I just never got around to it (or a number of other drama CDs that I want to have translated...😅). Suppose it helps that I got discouraged (again) from translating the Shimabara Disturbance drama's first track as I have to go and review some videos to fill in the gaps where text is missing for that... and doing this felt like less work despite how it felt like a pain to do.

enjoy~? Almost didn't make it because I had a hard time with one sentence...

Hakuoki Shinkai Animate Bonus Drama CD "Unchanging Feelings"

Translation by KumoriYami

Iba: As expected, the Shinsengumi's training is strict, but I also feel that the time spent has been very meaningful. And practising with the officers has been exhausting.

Toudou: Oh, isn't that Hachiro? Have you come to train?

Iba: Heisuke-kun! Yes, I've just started to rest now.

Heisuke: Speaking of which, you really do seem to like our training.

Iba: I'll take that as a compliment.

Heisuke: How was the training?

Iba：There are many people who use different techniques and styles, and it's a great learning experience. I accidently got carried away and sparred with everyone many times. If I don't properly rest, I feel that my body won't be able to keep up.

Toudou: That's because Hachiro is very popular. There are many members who want to train with you.

Iba: Truly, I'm very happy.

Toudou: That's right! Who did you train with today?

IbaL Shinpat-san was my first opponent. He's as strong as ever.

Toudou: Shinpat-san is very strong.

Iba: If we were in a tsubazeriai*[references at end], I would be the one to lose, so I tried to prevent that from happening as much as possible.

tsubazeriai can be used to describe a situation where two swordsmen are very close to each other where they both try to push forward. To simplify this would be to say that they are in "neck-and-neck" competition."

Toudou: But Shinpat-san would definitely charge ahead without any mercy, right?

Iba: Precisely.

Toudou：If that happens, it feels you'd get supressed right away. It truly feels good to know that he's companion.

Iba: That's true. Ah, after that, I sparred with Saito-kun.

Toudou: Oh, how was that?

Iba: Saito-kun's iai has great value. That being said, there's no time to think about that during training.

Toudou: Hajime-kun and Shinpat-san aren't the same when it comes to strength.

Iba: My own training is insufficient.

Toudou: Hehe, then I can't lose!

Iba: Heisuke-kun still hasn't changed at all.

Toudou: You say that, but isn't it the same for Hachiro?

Iba: Me?

Toudou: That's right, it's just like that time, as long as Hachiro showed up at Shiekan, you and everyone would engage in matches.

Iba: Yes, I previously used to train a lot.

Toudou: As long as someone challenges you, you'd accept accept it.

Iba: Isn't that the same for Heisuke-kun? Didn't you Shinpat-san used to have some pretty wild fights before?

Toudou: Ah, I miss those. They were the sort that didn't end unless someone collapsed.

Iba: Of course, the two of you were both over your heads/stubborn.

Toudou: Even though I really got beaten until I collapsed, we were scolded by Hijikata-san.

Iba: Even if we try to console him, he wouldn't listen at all.

Toudou: It's because it feels like Shinpat-san's physical strength is endless, that his attacks are relentless.

Iba: I know how you feel. It's because we know the other party is strong that we fixate on not losing.

Touodu: We surprisingly haven’t changed at all.

Iba: Indeed, even back then, Toshi-san was obsessed with victory and defeat.

Toudou: Why are you bringing up Hijikata-san now?

Iba: When mentioning things that haven't changed, the first person that comes to mind is Toshi-san.

Toudou: Hachiro, you've really admired Hijikata-san for a long time.

Iba: Yes, Ithis hasn't changed since then.

Toudou: Hey, what exactly is so good about HIjikata-san? Not that I hate him or anything.

Iba: Toshi-san is a very good person. Not only is his swordsmanship excellent, but I was attracted to his character.

Toudou: Like how/For instance/example?

Iba: For example, he's very strict but is still treats us with love.

Toudou: Love!?

Iba: On one hand, he has resolute and unwavering beliefs, but he simultaneously has a weakness to cute things.

Toudou: Was there such a thing?

Iba: Even his ability to not drink is quite charming.

Toudou: Haha, I get that!

Hijikata: Tch, you guys, what exactly is it that you know.

Heisuke: Hijikata-san?!

Iba: Tosh-san! We were just talking about Toshi-san.

Hijikata: Yeah, I figured… I could hear uncomfortable subjects from afar.

Iba: Toshi-san, you you like to talk about this too?

Hijikata: What do you want me to say?

Iba: Of course, about how outstanding Toshi-san is.

Hijikata: Spare me. Furthermore, it'd be too embarrassing if the other members heard this so please stop.

Iba: Is that so. That's a pity. Since Toshi-san has said that, I won't say anymore.

Hijikata: Geez, you. Also, Heisuke! I'm not bad at drinking!

Toudou: Ah, I get it. (Hijikata walks away). That scared me. Hijikata-san has seriously good ears, I don't know he always appears when he's mentioned.

Iba: That aspect hasn't changed at all.

Toudou: That's right. Who knows when he started listening/when his ears became so sensitive.

Iba: Hey, Heisuke-kun.

Toudou: What is it?

Iba: You, Heisuke-kun, who has since been learning from everyone else and going in the same way since the beginning/Everyone, including Heisuke-kun, who used to be shrouded in obscurity is now in Kyoto as the prestigious Shinsengumi, and I became an Okuzume. Although we're not in the same position, we all serve the shogunate. Thinking of about it all this way, always feels incredible.

Toudou: Ah, that's right.

Iba: What's wrong?

Toudou: I mean this hypothetically, but what if you questions about where you fit in/belonged?

Iba: Eh? Do you have questions about where you belong?

Toudou: Yeah.

Iba: If I had any questions, then I would be not be questioning where it was that I belonged, but myself.

Toudou: What do you mean?

Iba: I have my own beliefs about the work I do as an Okuzume. Because of that, I often get anxious about whether or not what I do is useful.

Toudou: I see. So Hachiro also feels the same way.

Iba: Yes, I have thinking of this especially lately.

Toudou: I've been thinking about some things lately. the people who've been joining the Shinsengumi, and how it's changed. In the future, when these changes become bigger and bigger, will I be able to think as I do now?

Iba: Heisuke-kun...

Toudou: Sorry, I said something weird.

Iba: Ah, no, not really.

Toudou: Forget about what I just said. It's almost time for me to go on patrol. I'll be going!

Iba: Oh, Heisuke-kun! Wait a moment!

(Heisuke runs off)

What happened to him? Ah? Toshi-san! How long have you been there?

Hijikata: Ah, you noticed me. I was just passing by. By the way, is that guy Heisuke, okay?

Iba: Ah, Toshi-san is also worried about Heisuke-kun? That's why just now.

Hijikata: We've known each other for a long time so it's hard to not notice any changes to him. Although I've been trying to keep more of an eye on him lately, that guy's been worrying about something by himself all the time.

Iba: So that's how it is. Although Heisuke-kun seems to be thinking about a number of things, I think it's best to leave him to think to himself.

Hijikata: I see.

Iba: It's fine. If Heisuke-kun really has a problem, he has a trustworthy comrade beside him.

Hijikata: Trustworthy is it, well, maybe so.

Iba: Speaking of which, Toshi-san, do you had questions about where you belong after that?

Hijikata: What, why are you suddenly asking about this sort of thing.

Iba: It just came to mind. Of course, just hypothetically.

Hijikata: The moment I suspect that the Shinsengumi is over, I think it's my responsibility to prevent that situation from happening.

Iba: : Even so, if one day the Shinsengumi really changes, and if that sort of thing really happens, will Toshi-san be able to stay the same as before?

Hijikata: As long as Kondou-san and I are alive, the Shinsengumi will not change. But if change happens, then I won't change, regardless of how large the changes are around me, I just need to stick to my beliefs.

Iba: As expected, Toshi-san is indeed the same Toshi-san from before.

Hijikata： What are you saying.

Iba: It's so great that I met Toshi-san, I've been attracted to you for a long time.

Hijikata: Hey, that's why I asked you to stop saying such embarrassing things for others to hear.

Iba: Really? Is it something embarrassing?

Hijikata: You haven't changed at all. How is it that I can be so interesting to you?

Iba: Of course that's because I respect Toshi-san.

Hijikata: As you wish, but, just don't mention this sort of thing in front of the other soldiers.

Iba: Ah, I understand.

Hijikata: Then I'll be going first.

Iba: Ah, please Toshi-san, I'll be going back to training, so please accompany me!

(footsteps)

(The current situtation is very turbulent,but even if everything changes, the ideals I have in my heart will remain unchanged. The guidance he gave just now, has clearly been engraved into my thoughts. I will just believe in what you said, Toshi-san.)

Hijikata Toshizou: Miki Shin'ichiro

Toudou Heisuke: Yoshino Hiroyuki

Iba Hachirou: Miyano Mamoru

---end---

image was taken from suruga-ya

*references:

https://www.japanesewiki.com/culture/Tsubazeriai.html

https://www.tanoshiijapanese.com/dictionary/entry_details.cfm?entry_id=41759&element_id=204340

https://samurai-shodown.fandom.com/wiki/Locking_Swords

note to self: maybe use an audio translator to check over that line when Iba first mentions the Okuzume... not sure about that part since the translations of the differing tls I use are very different in that part.

[mako-neexu]

actually its funny if we're going by order bc after taikoubou with his boku no master moment that floored me, hajime chan last year in his re-introductions to shinpachi after fighting was like "once again, im saito hajime. i'm master-chan's servant btw" which was why would you introduce yourself like that??? why would you say 'MY' at that moment!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! arent you two both affectionate??? and then dantes + oberon was like 'SHIT' since they knew they were among the top favored by guda and then proceeded to be drastic bastards t remind everyone how much they love guda more so with oberon since he's the last one in the race but went and did something he normally shouldnt have done as hes supposed to be a bystander now like even in lb6 summer he was in the sidelines but with dantes being the last straw, oberon just snapped and took things in his own hands lmaoo

[re-re-redline]

10 Follower Special Poll

Characters Included: Constantine XI, Mehmed II, Yamanami Keisuke, Saito Hajime, Okada Izou.

Propaganda Under The Read More

You/They Get turned into a plushie:

Something I recall from my days lurking in other fandoms.

Standard cute and fluffy headcanons about what you would do with a Fumo of them or what they’d do with a Fumo of you, nothing too spectacular. I will say it’s a deviation from the usual Angst in my HCs which CAN make things more appealing to you if you prefer such.

And yes, the solution to the plushie issue is a smooch. Anything else would be heresy. (:

Coming to Terms With The Fact That You’ve Been Dead The Whole Time & The Person in Front of Them is an Incomplete Artificial Copy of You + Mash (I Couldn’t Fit This Title In, My Apologies.)

Basically, it goes like this. You, as a rayshift candidate, had a hunch that this Chaldea place wasn’t going to just be a one and done summer job that you could just coast and lurk through. Thus you began creating a copy of yourself that’ll take your place after you die to live your life for you. Due to personal life getting in the way, you don’t actually finish the automaton by the time you get to Orientation Day and well, you’re forced to carry the poor thing in a guitar case on your back to hide the thing as you travel to Antarctica, hoping to finish it before your supposed demise. After that, same old, same old. The Command Room gets blown up and the events proceed exactly as they do with one deviation. You get split up from Mash and Olga Marie, then you’re toast. But! Thankfully, you unzip the guitar case on your back, wake up the automaton and command them to cut both of your hands off and swap them. You die and the automaton takes your place for the remainder of the journey, guitar case slung over their shoulder.

We’ll be starting waaay after that, when the peeps find out that ‘you’ are not you thanks to your head getting lobbed off during a botched rayshift and you just casually putting it back on. That’s when ‘you’ explain things and then it all makes sense. Why you’re so weird when interacting with other people and why you have no clue about so many of the things around you, why you never seem to feel hungry or need to sleep—it all makes sense now.

Oh yeah, and bonus: your skeleton is in the guitar case the automaton is carrying on their back because they A. couldn’t find a proper place to bury you and B. couldn’t let the one familiar thing to them go.

I will admit, this kinda sounds more like a premise for a multi-chapter fic now that I’ve put it into words, but ultimately I am not the one who will decide the winner.

You Become a God, Madoka Magica Style & How They Deal With That:

Major spoilers for the anime inbound.

This is exactly what you think it is. Following in line with the people you’ve grown to love and cherish over this beautiful journey, them being: Mash, Romani, Da Vinci, and Holmes, you sacrifice yourself to save the world. But not by dying. No, that’d be too kind.

You’re forced to give up everything, not just the atoms making up your physical form but anything and everything that proves that you existed in the first place—all to gain the power to drive back whatever’s ending the world at this phase. This results in nothing and nobody recalling you in any form. Not even the Throne, Gaia, or Alaya remember that you exist, that’s how deep this runs. And with that power, you succeed and restore things back to the way they were before this whole shebang happened. …With a few differences.

All of your servants are now regular people living their normal lives, doing normal stuff, working a normal job, and hanging out normally with their friends and family. They all get a nice happy ending with the only cost being that they don’t recall who you are or what a ‘Chaldea’ is. Great stuff, right?

Wrong. There are two people who are not doing okay. You as you’re basically chilling in space watching over earth as basically an alien now, never to return home because that can and will cause some kind of issue and you KNOW it. The other being the folks in these headcanons: Constantine XI, Mehmed II, Sannan, Hajime-chan, and Izou. They all have their own individual sections but there will be a scenario where they all remember and how they jive that way.

Doppelgänger is Attempting to Replace You/Them:

Exactly what it sounds like on the tin. Two scenarios with a doppelgänger in them per person. I’ll go into how the doppelgänger acts, how they try and appeal to either you or them to keep them alive instead of the real one, how much time it’d take for the servants in question to figure out that something isn’t kosher with you and how they go about handling that. It’s pretty straightforward if you ask me.

Endnote: And there it is. If, for some reason, we get a tie, I will go onto a… different medium and ask the people to chose even or odd numbers to decide, most chosen breaks the tie. I will be voting myself on my personal on which one I’d like to do since I wouldn’t much like to lose votes to the See Results button. But don’t worry, I will subtract 1 (one) from that option when the poll ends.

That all being said, if you have any suggestions, comments, or questions of your own then I implore you to let me know.

Now, thank you all for participating, Happy New Year and have a great day everyone.

—Redline, over and out!

[eternal-echoes]

So I finally gotten around to watching the Rurouni Kenshin reboot.

Some thoughts:

-The animation is honestly way better

-I like Soma Saito as Kenshin a lot more than Mayo Suzukaze. I think he was the perfect choice. There's gentleness in his voice but he can easily slip right into menacing and threatening.

-I also like the voice actors for Okita Soji and Hajime Saito.

-I was expecting Okita and Battousai to fight just like they did in Tsuioku-hen OVA and the live-action movie. But they didn't. He didn't even cough so Saito's concern might seem out of place for people watching this for the first time. (I feel like there's an assumption that the main audience watching this have already seen the first anime series and finished the manga already).

-I like how Kaoru and Kenshin met for the first time better in the old anime than in this new man. I felt it was more dramatic since he actually fell on the roof. Though I do like that they changed the time of the day to nighttime rather than dawn.

-I like how Kenshin saved Kaoru in the first anime better than in this one. There's more urgency and suspense this time around but I like the inverted colors of the old anime.

- I remember back then thinking how if Kaoru is a Kamiya Kasshin master, she would know not to carelessly hold a sword like this:

So I'm glad they didn't add that this time.

-I remember reading the manga for the first time after seeing the old anime and I thought I liked how the anime adaptation changed the storyline more. Now re-visiting that story again in this anime I think they're pretty equal. I think it highlights Kaoru being optimistic about people not caring about their pasts and how that helped Kenshin heal from his past. I think in the old anime it just seem like Kaoru only didn't care about Kenshin's past specifically (since he saved her life), not just in general. This time it's showing that her optimism is a particular character trait.

-the old anime also omitted how Kaoru picked up some clues where the fake Battousai is coming from since they changed the storyline. Although in the old anime she did figure out that Gohei was a former student of her father. But I think the old anime kinda made Kaoru a bit dumber and helpless than she really is.

-the animated fighting scenes are amazing. It feels like a nice 3-D ride.

-maybe this is more of a translation thing so I can't blame the animators for this but I like Kenshin's dialogue about swordsmanship more in the old anime and English dub anime (specifically the one by Bang Zoom! Entertainment)

-I like the openings songs more from the first anime than this one. When I first heard it from the trailers, I was like, "NO!!! It doesn't fit!"

And this is a lot of spoilers for first time fans:

-but in terms of the soundtrack/background music (idk what they're called specifically), I like this one, too. But a lot of the ones from the old anime still resonate with me.

-Kenshin seems more menacing this time around. And I think that really highlights how he still has a manslayer inside him.

-Also, Kenshin seems a little bit flippant to Kaoru here

I get that she was kinda being rude to him by saying he's just a wanderer, but the way he just walked away when she was baring her emotions was kinda off-putting to me. Maybe I'm the only one interpreting it this way

-Kenshin in the rain!!!

(I guess I'm fond of this because he met Tomoe in the rain)

-Yahiko's hair is a bit weird

Maybe I'm just a bit biased because I watched the old anime multiple times so that's still within me so maybe some of the changes they made would take a while to get use to, as oppose to someone watching it for the first time might have a different experience. I was a bit reluctant rewatching something I already know the story of but I'm excited after the first episode. Looking forward to the next.

[055u4ry]

Submitting a couple of characters bc I’m curious, and bored. Gonna go for the obvious: Himura Kenshin. And Saito Hajime from the same anime. And (rolls dice) Eve Polastri from Killing Eve.

(also, if you’re up for it, could I get an assessment of my dude Book/Granada Holmes? Dunno how familiar you are with him though, lol)

First of all thanks for actually playing, no one ever sends me anything so this is fun.

Kenshin was my husbando for many years. It was love at first sight, the first time I saw the Toonami commercial for Rurouni Kenshin I knew I would love it. Thematically it hits all my favorite tropes. Kenshin as a character is unusual because he genuinely cares about others to the point of self-sacrifice, and he has to constantly tame that tendency. He’s not educated but he’s incredibly self-aware and is constantly trying to be a better person than he was the day before. He’s very humble despite having what is often described as “god-like” strength, though when he loses his cool you really see that rage come through, the rage of a man who lost both parents to disease and was sold into slavery before being essentially forced into the mold of a martial artist. The rage of a man who’s seen war and who’s killed. He’s able to mostly keep that rage at bay by living in the moment and surrounding himself with found family, but it’s the one vice he has trouble with. Poor baby needed therapy lol. But aside from that undealt-with rage he’s everything a real modern man is not and that’s why I was/am so enamored with him. He’s kind, intelligent, humble, wise, empathetic… he’s how many men see themselves but actually aren’t in reality. So definitely Smash lol.

Saito is interesting because he did nothing for me as a teenager but the older I get the more I like him. He always had a cool, aloof appeal but nowadays it’s sexier, and his whole aku zoku zan philosophy becomes more understandable the older one becomes as well. The main thing I like about Saito is how shrewd/smart he is- he doesn’t let anyone play him. He has trouble showing emotions but again these guys were soldiers and warriors so it’s understandable and even a little endearing. I can sympathize with life making you an aloof asshole lol. Of course deep down he’s not really an asshole, he just cares a lot about justice, which by extension means he cares about people, whether he’d admit it or not. I’d give him a Smash rating as well.

Eve is difficult because I (regrettably) haven’t seen much of Killing Eve. It’s one of those shows that has been on “my list” for a long time. I do think Sandra Oh is attractive as fuck though. She has a soft aura but seems like an emotionally strong person. Based on the actress alone she gets a Smash, and I have a feeling I’d still say that if I knew the character more.

I’m not very familiar with Holmes (though I have always wanted to read the original books). The only version of him I am familiar with is Data’s portrayal of him in Star Trek: The Next Generation (and Data always gets a Smash rating from me, not that he’d know what “smashing” was lol). Based on that portrayal and my penchant for stoic, logical men I’d probably say Smash though.

@gryphius-ginzberg you seem to get my taste in characters pretty well!

[zacksfairest]

HAPPY "SEEING RYO MATSUDA IN PERSON" DAY TO MEEEEEEE

[kyndaris]

Tosa Calling

Although I know it's been a year since Like a Dragon: Ishin! released, it wasn't until I came back from my trip to Japan that I managed to find some time to sink into the hefty title. I know, I know. It's shameful! But in my defence, last year I was swamped with games. And lengthy ones to boot!

I mean, given the evidence, I think, dear readers, it would not be wrong for me to ask that y'all give a gal a break. Especially because playing video games and writing up my impressions of them is a hobby. And having a full-time job does not make playing games, reading books and writing stories any easier. Throw in the FOMO from watching whatever is popular on streaming and also socialising with real-life people, I think the fact I manage to get through games at such a steady clip is a commendable exercise.

Anyway, back to the topic at hand. Or, at controller, if you'll pardon the terrible attempt at wordplay.

Unlike the Yakuza games that came before it, Like a Dragon: Ishin! is a game set in the mid-1800s as Japan grappled with foreign diplomatic and military pressure to change. And instead of stepping into the shoes of Kiryu Kazuma, players are thrust into the shoes of one Sakamoto Ryoma - a real-life historical figure who advocated for democracy, return of power to the Imperial Court, abolition of feudalism and the modernisation of Japan during the Bakumatsu period.

Of course, Like a Dragon: Ishin! does take a more fanciful approach to their interpretation of history as they have Ryoma playing double-duty with another real-life historical figure: Saito Hajime - Captain of the Shinsengumi's 3rd Division.

But, hey, what's a bit of artistic licence to give us some excellent blockbuster action scenes and build up a conspiracy about the Tosa loyalist party and the best interests of the budding nation of Japan? Why not even throw in a fight with Scottish merchant Thomas Glover too (which was passingly strange for me to deal with considering I visited Glover Garden while I was in Nagasaki while in Japan and failed to find nary a mention of how the man duked it out with Ryoma with a set of twin pistols)?

As always, Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio keeps the main story dramatic and relatively grounded with Ryoma on a quest for revenge when his adoptive father Yoshida Toyo is assassinated. The majority of the game then takes place in Kyo (the modern day equivalent being Kyoto) as Ryoma tries to hunt down the man responsible. He does so by deducing the style of swordplay and looking for dojos who teach Tennen Rishin.

It isn't long before he is informed that the Tennen-Rishi is practiced by the Shinsengumi. Ryoma soon joins the organisation, hoping to whittle down who among the captains was the killer.

Along the way, he must deal with a second 'Sakamoto Ryoma' who is trading with guns and other weapons to the Satsuma Domain and hatch a civil war in Japan in order to take out the Shogunate that had reined for nigh on 300 years. It later turns out that this second 'Sakamoto Ryoma' is his brother and leader of the Tosa Loyalist Party: Takechi Hanpeita (another real-life historical figure).

While the game does incorporate actual historical events such as the Ikedaya incident and the assassination of Sakamoto Ryoma at Omiya Inn, it does certainly take quite a few liberties of the actual events. Like how the person assassinated at Omiya Inn was just a stand-in and both the actual Ryoma and his brother Takechi survived for a final battle back in Tosa as they engage in battle due to competing ideologies.

From a gameplay perspective, Ishin! only really incorporates one of the fighting styles from the Yakuza games. This, being of course, the brawler style. As Ryoma is a samurai, he also had a swordsman style (my default one that I used for most of the game) and mixed it up with the occasional use of a revolver. While these all had a variety of different abilities, I found myself focusing on swordsman and wild dance throughout most of my playthrough as they easily ripped through the fodder you faced on the streets and were mighty effective against bosses as well.

Unlike the other games, Ishin! also introduced the concept of troopers. This boosted Ryoma's health and granted him additional abilities that could be triggered in the midst of battle, such as triggering additional damage or conjuring a gravity well to draw all the enemies to one part of the battle arena.

This helped mix-up the combat, especially after hours of using the same moves and combos throughout the game.

Boss battles, too, forced me to vary my strategy. Rather than brute forcing my way through most enemies, I'd often have to play more defensively - seeking to use my stronger attacks only when necessary and throwing in the occasional heat action to give Ryoma some breathing space.

But while the story and the combat are worthy of praise, it was the side content in Ishin! that stole my heart. I loved all the wacky stories Ryoma somehow got suckered into. As is RGG tradition, there are also numerous minigames such as singing and buyo dancing. True, it didn't have a crane minigame but it DID allow me to play rock, paper, scissors with a geisha.

And my gosh, I have never been so glad my mother doesn't often see what I'm playing when I first went through the song: Truehearted Samurai. Initially, I was confused there were live-action actors. Then, I was bewildered when they started acting flirtatious even as I was trying to nail most of the notes for the very fast-paced song.

To be fair, the Sensual Healing portion of the geisha interactions also earned a raised eyebrow from me.

As for buyo dancing, it was probably the most tame of the mini-games (at least when it came to salacious material), but it was difficult to master. I'm no slouch when it comes to rhythm games and I very much enjoyed the dancing mini-games in Yakuza 5 and Lost Judgment but Ishin! was a different beast entirely with how it implemented its controls.

Overall though, Ishin! is a must-play for Yakuza fans. Though its replaced the shady crime drama with an historical period plot, it still retains the heart and soul of the Yakuza games. Especially because many of the character models have been reused, like Kiryu Kazuma acting as both Sakamoto Ryoma and Saito Hajime. Then there's Goro Majima as Okita Soji and Taiga Saejima as Nagakura Shinpachi.

Oft times, I had to ask myself if I wasn't just playing another Yakuza game with just a historical skin on top.

True, maybe I should have instead dived into Rise of the Ronin (I will play this game eventually as I've actually bought it), but Ishin! took precedence. Besides, it's not every day that one gets to play as THE Sakamoto Ryoma.

For anyone who might say otherwise, I'll shall simply retort with: ee ja nai ka.

[ask-paradox-and-friends]

HERE WE GO! EINHERJARS HEADCANNONS

@splatoonfan88 @hazawatsugu feel free to add if you want.

Bun

Hair is so curley and unruly he isn't aware when spiders crawl into it until someone screams there's a spider in his hair.

When the timeline gets rebooted/gets isekaid into a new world cause some gods are dicks due to him losing his eye to Hajun he's colorblind in that eye if not blinded fully. Funnily enough his other eye adapted and is better then most eyez.

Due to the early years training his quirk he can't fully close his fist without strain.

His teeth are naturally sharp. People used to claim he was part shark or part dog.

He hasn't combed his hair in a long time. Its bed head.

Even when he was burned more then dabi he wasn't Sure how he kept his hair.

He has a pair of handprint scars on his chest cause in the reboot timeline a doctor with a defibrillator hand quirk had to resuscitate him.

He can't stand the smell of anything that smells like burnt sugar which smells like nitroglycerin aka BAKUGOUS QUIRK (hint hint)

Saito

He's horribly dense and can't tell if someone is flirting with him.

The real life Ryoma grew up in a well to do family that rand a brewery and a linen tradery while also eventually making a navel trading company that eventually became part of the Japanese navy Saito started all these businesses in the reboot timeline Tsugu and Garou both unknownly get some clothes from their brand and According to Bun the Sakamoto name is held in as high regard as the 3 great unifiers of Japan do to Saito.

Saito has 3 names. Birth name Ryoma Sakamoto, shinsengumi captain Saito Hajime, and the new identity after she 'kills' both the last two Kiryu Kazuma which he has a birth name when reincarnated into modern times.

Despite being born a woman Saito has the face and body of a man. She gets reincarnated into a males body (Based female Saito off both Fates and Yakuza what gave that away?)

Saito was blessed by Ebsu. One of the seven lucky gods of Japan. More specifically the god of luck involving trade and fishing. Considering he runs a well off trading business and can easily fish up large tuna octopi and even great white sharks. Yea. It's obvious.

He dosent mind being called he or she as it dosent bother her. (1st life born a woman looks like a man. 2nd life born a man but having hobbies that were dubbed feminine [bonyo fan dancing, dressed in drag once to sneak into a place. And is the kind of father to answer the door covered in makeup as her daughter wanted to make daddy look pretty.])

Absolutely has the highest alcohol tolerance of the Einherjars due to the drinking games in the yakuza games.

Garou

Massive mommy and daddy issues. He maybe stuck to bangs side as bang was kinda like a dad. [We don't see much of garous dad and a bonus page claims garous crush looks just like his mom but qoute 'unlike her she is actually a kind and gentle person']

Due to him only getting caught and fined for dining and dashing and shoplifting he was only wanted for 50$

He's next in line to inherit bangs dojo if he proves himself to his master.

He'll eat about anything. Monsters. Burnt animals. Bugs. Any. Thing. Within reason.

He'll avoid fighting child Emperor at any cost because he will do anything to protect children.

He having a crush on the actor of a yellow sentai ranger you know he is a fan of super sentai the power rangers and Kamen rider.

(If you want I'll doo trivia on Derail and Paradox.)

[utapri-translations-uuuu]

Special Mini Story:

A match to determine the strongest member of the Shinsengumi? - Translation (新選組最強決定戦？)

Please do not repost/retranslate without permission.

A PDF version is also available.

Key

Hijikata Toshizo - Otori Eiichi

Nagakura Shinpachi - Sumeragi Kira

Todo Heisuke - Mikado Nagi

Okita Soji - Otori Eiji

Kondo Isami - Kiryuin Van

Harada Sanosuke - Hyuga Yamato

Saito Hajime - Amakusa Shion

Harada: Hey, if we’re talking about who is the strongest among us, I wonder who it would be.

Todo: What is this all of a sudden? What’s the matter?

Harada: I just got a little curious. The Shinsengumi is known as a group of strong guys, right? I thought it might be interesting to see who’s the strongest among us.

Okita: If that’s the case, may I nominate myself? I think I have a good chance.

Nagakura: Feel free to nominate yourself. However, I will not yield the title of the strongest. Your swordsmanship may be clean, but mine is better suited for real combat.

Todo: If we’re talking about actual combat, it will require being able to adapt and prepare for unexpected attacks. In that case, wouldn’t I, being the intellectual type, have an overwhelming advantage?

Saito: Hm...

Todo: Hey, don’t just stand back and watch from afar. Come and join in!

Saito: No, I’m not really...

Nagakura: Heisuke is right. Without you, it would be an incomplete match, Saito.

Saito: ... I see. I personally don’t think my skills are that great, but thank you both.

Harada: I know you guys are strong, but I can use not only swords but also spears. Spears have a longer reach than swords. In actual combat, it’s clear that I have the advantage.

Hijikata: What on earth are you all doing? I can hear your voices from far away. Even though I’m off duty and I can overlook things to some extent, you’re being far too noisy.

Kondo: Deciding who is the strongest seems fun, doesn’t it? Who is in the lead right now?

Okita: Perfect timing, Kondo-san. The other day, you said you wanted to make me your successor, right? That means you think I’m the strongest one among all of us, doesn’t it?

Hijikata: It seems like you’re going ahead with your own agenda and leaving me out, Kondo-san. And you too, Soji. Is it enough for you to be recognized just by Kondo-san?

Okita: Of course, that’s not the case. But it’s true that Kondo-san said that. Right?

Kondo: Well, that’s still, you know... It’s just a hope of mine. I intended to properly consult with Toshi once the discussion becomes a bit more formal, of course. Besides, a successor is someone you entrust with the future, right? Before we talk about skills, it’s better if they are younger...

Okita: Eh, is my only redeeming quality that I’m young? That’s terrible. If that's the case, I can’t rely on Kondo-san. My only ally is Hijikata-san after all.

Hijikata: … I’m sorry for not being young.

Kondo: No, that’s not what I meant… sorry…

Todo: … Somehow, it feels like it’s turned into a contest to determine who is the strongest at wheedling rather than a discussion about martial arts… Unlike those three, I don’t take part in such childish things, but for now, Soji seems to be the strongest.

Nagakura: If it's not about competing in martial arts, then I’ll withdraw as well. I can’t really say I’m skilled at talking, and even if I were to win, I wouldn’t be particularly happy about it.

Harada: You’d be better off writing. Or rather, if that’s the case, let’s have a fair fight with spears.

Saito: No, please wait a moment. There was something about what Harada-san just said that I found hard to accept.

Harada: Hm? Which part?

Saito: It’s about who is good at writing. When it comes to writing, both Kondo-san and Hijikata-san are also exceptional.

Nagakura: … Sounds like this is going to be a long story.

Saito: Kondo-san’s writing is always filled with passionate feelings. For example, the letter he recently sent to his hometown was not just a simple report; it contained many extraordinarily astute opinions. It was a splendid piece of work...

Kondo: I don’t remember showing the letter to Saito-kun, but maybe it’s just my imagination...?

Saito: Hijikata-san surreptitiously has a refined hobby of composing haiku that reflect the four seasons. Many of his haiku touch upon the mundane aspects of daily life with a gentle gaze, which I also appreciate. One passage I especially like is...

Hijikata: Ah, enough already. If you’re going to keep doing pointless things, you must have a lot of energy left. From now on, everyone will forgo their break to train.

Kondo: Haha. Everyone seems to be having a hard time, but this is all for the Shinsengumi. Keeping that in mind, please do your best.

Hijikata: What are you talking about? You will naturally be participating too.

Kondo: Eh, me too...? I’m in trouble...

Okita: … If it’s a competition for the strongest at taking charge, then Hijikata-san is the best. I can’t win against him.

[strawberry-jan]

im reading your isshin fic series and let me just tell you that i looove all the extra research notes, it helps bring so much color and understanding to the world <3 had to skip the last two chapters in the secret history of saito hajime (haven't actually played the game yet and the spoiler warning scared me but once i do!! i'll get back to it!!) but what i've read has been just marvelous. you have such a lovely style that feels like a gentle river carrying you from one destination to the next so smoothly and easily. maguro-san is my absolute favorite bit. thank you for your work and i hope you have fun while writing, be it for isshin or any other source material! <33

Ohh, wow, thank you for stopping by my inbox to say this! I hope you enjoy Ishin once you have a chance to play it. (The third story in my series takes place after the credits roll and it spoils allllll sorts of things from the late game, so definitely don't read that yet!)

Out of all the games in this series, mainline and spinoffs, Ishin holds a special place in my heart because - at the risk of sounding kind of corny - my desire to play it and write things about it got me doing all sorts of other things that were enriching in their own right and that reinforced my fondness for the game in turn. I first encountered it when a friend streamed the original Japanese version for another friend to live-translate for us, and I fell in love so quickly and completely that I had already ordered a copy for myself before the stream ended. Not long after that, I decided that I'd finally do what I'd been talking about for years and start learning Japanese so that I could at least read the menus, and I'm still studying today. The business of writing fic for it has also pushed me to do all sorts of fun research; I'm planning to make a post on here with all my sources once I've wrapped the fic up. (I would also like to do a big illustration for the series, but it's been a while since I last plugged my tablet in, so we'll see.)

All of this is to say: I'm having a ton of fun writing for it - particularly the most recent chapter - and it makes me very happy to hear that people are enjoying reading my work and the thousands of words' worth of endnotes that accompany it. It's been a bit lonely writing for Ishin at times, because it feels like it sort of came and went within a few months in the English fandom and fics about it sink pretty quickly to the bottom of AO3's pond, but that's also been a bit freeing. Even when I'm writing the fandom's Big Ship, it's in a context where there aren't that many eyes on my work, so I feel like I can just do whatever, and the people who are here for Ishin will be here for all of that. Spend the whole first part of a chapter talking about Edo-era laundry-washing? Translate a bunch of corny 19th-century haiku? Shove in a weird side rarepair that like one other person on AO3 has written about? No problem!

Anyway, thank you again! It made my evening to see this in my inbox. <3

[biscuitdetective]

001 Gudaobe >:3c

sorry I tried to reign it in a bit but this is long af lol

When I started shipping it if I did: august 2021, shortly after the lb6 epilogue originally released. I actually hadn’t read the chapter at the time but I read the summaries and thought the ship was probably cute but not particularly deep (fgo master x literally any servant is usually easy mode shipping after all), but when I actually read the chapter I went completely insane about them, and have been insane about them for over 2 years now.

My thoughts: I really like the way Ritsuka starts as a pretty standard and kinda bland almost self-inserty protagonist in part 1 but then in part 2 they very clearly have something wrong with them and their head is extremely Not Okay, and I like the idea that Oberon (and Castoria as a fellow fairy eyes-haver) is one of the only ones that can fully see that. Everyone knows Oberons a liar, but hardly anyone knows Ritsuka has been lying for a while now (about a lot of things, but particularly about being Normal and Okay). The garden of lost will part in lb6 is so, so good.

But I also like how it can also be very unserious because while I like a lot of the angst stuff I also like (/draw)the dumb shit where Ritsuka is just no.1 Oberon simp who does anything he asks because he’s so pretty.

What makes me happy about them: Oberon is extremely miserable and I like to think Ritsuka does make him happy even if he can’t show it, especially since when he’s in Chaldea he’s allowed to just…be? (As opposed to in lb6) I wouldn’t call him a tsundere because the dynamic isn’t quite that but I like how far he has to go out of his way to help Ritsuka in as roundabout way as possible while trying his best to look like he isn’t (the summer event is exactly this). ALSO they are very very cute Ritsuka is like a fluffy dog like a japanese spitz or something and Oberon is a Siamese cat, this is a 10/10 dynamic.

What makes me sad about them: depending on the interpretation of summoning Oberon is either stuck in the abyss forever while a copy of him with the same memories is in Chaldea, or he is saved from the abyss only to have to eventually return there at some point and tbh I don’t know which is worse. also the material book casually noting Oberon would come to ‘accompany’ Ritsuka if they called for him while they were dying, that hurts so good 🥲

Things done in fanfic that annoys me: i have to admit here I don’t really read fanfic but I do read/collect doujins. I don’t like the rapey stuff although tbh it’s way more common with obeguda (one reason why I’m not into it for the most part). I don’t like either of them being sadistic and cruel to eachother for no reason. mostly I don’t really like minibe being lewded, he’s obviously the same character and all but he looks like a weird baby so it can get uncomf visually. I don’t care if people are into that but I can not count the number of times I’ve been jumpscared by it in a pixiv log lol.

things I look for in fanfic: I’m a big dumb idiot masochist and keep buying doujins that look like they will make me cry and then I’m all surprised pikachu face (crying version) after I read them. But I also like dumb gag stuff…and im a sucker for the AUs where they just live together and hang out and be cute and goof off with Castoria, I don’t care that it’s ‘boring’, every time I see it I react like it’s the first time.

Who I’d be comfortable them ending up with, if not each other: for Ritsuka I’d say Saito Hajime, while I don’t bother to seek it out I do look respectfully at hajiguda if it appears on my feed. For Oberon I don’t ship with anybody else, but the closest thing is that I do really like the tragedy that is him and Blanca (especially since it’s typically one-sided) Blanca is canonically in love with him but according to the material xiii book, she’s (potentially) a cursed princess who isn’t actually a moth, which fascinates me. I also like the theory that she was Titania all along.

My happily ever after for them: Oberon gets granted incarnation as a human by the grail after Everything is Fixed and they live together and also Castoria is there I’m a simple man I’m sappy I eat doujins like this up

Who is the big spoon/little spoon: oberon isn’t a spoon he’s a cat, when he has decided on his sleeping position ritsuka isn’t allowed to move ever

What is their favorite non-sexual activity: I like when they hang out in the welsh forest in the simulator with all the bug fairies. They’re with Castoria a lot too. Oberon is allegedly a good dancer, and whether he actually enjoys it or not, I like to think he does when he does it with them. Maybe he teaches them. 🥹