#also have in mind that people read the manga but a huge side of the fandom are anime only and chapter 1082 is quite important for shuggy

[beanghostprincess]

Why is shanks/buggy so underrated in this side of fandom? It’s much more loved in Japanese one, one of the most popular for shanks. I feel like this one prefers other mlm options for him and I don’t get it. It got better after OPLA I think but still. Sorry for my English!

Oh! This is actually such an interesting question. I was talking about this the other day and I came to a conclusion with my friend about this. Basically, there are a lot of things to take into consideration here. The screentime, the age of the characters, the chemistry, how they're perceived by the fandom and canonically, etc etc etc.

The first thing I thought about was the screentime, honestly. Shanks and Buggy grew up together and they have a deep bond, however, we've only seen that through flashbacks (one in quite literally episode 8 of the anime, another one in Wano that isn't even about them and they're just side characters in this flashback, and in chapter 1082 of the manga. But it's not even a proper flashback because we already saw that when Shanks talks to Whitebeard about Buggy, it's just Buggy's interpretation of it) and we only have like one scene of them together that isn't even two minutes long. So, quite obviously you'd think "well, the ship isn't as popular as other ships because they barely have any screentime" and I think it's correct but also not quite. And also, this would also have to apply to the Japanese fandom at the end of the day. Fandoms don't give a single fuck about screen time if the chemistry is right, really, but there's always this factor, y'know. Lawlu has less screentime than Zolu and yet it's more popular somehow because people absolutely love their dynamic. Then, if you stop to think about it, both Satosugu (Jjk) and Soukoku (Bsd) have the same dynamic and concept as Shuggy, but they're by far the most popular ships in their fandoms. They're basically the same ships but Jjk and Bsd give them proper development and story because they're shorter series. One Piece is a long show and we still have many things to see, even if we know it's gonna end soon, so I guess that we'll still have to wait to see more of Shuggy. Once we do, I'm sure it'll become more popular. Also, Shanks' personality is very diverse because he's all mysterious and all, so I kind of understand why people don't want to make content because they still don't have him figured out.

But then again, screen time isn't really the problem. It's just one of the factors. If they had more screen time, they'd be more popular for sure, yes, but it's not exactly what makes them less popular in this side of the fandom. Otherwise, it'd be equally as popular on the other sides too. The Japanese side of fandoms is different from this one and tbh they often don't take into consideration things like cancel culture and proship discourse or the standard beauty regarding age because they just post whatever they want and scroll past what they don't like (god I fucking wish we were like that because I am so done with these things). Besides, isn't Buggy like a very beloved character over there, aside from Oda's favorite? At least from what I've seen, they take his character way more seriously than this side of the fandom does, honestly. And it bothers me because he's such a complex and great character, and people never see it because they use him either for memes or to keep saying "omggg turns out the clown is hot!! Can you believe I want to fuck a clow-" yes, Samantha, we know you want to fuck the clown. It's not weird. It's not new. Do you even like the character, at least, or you're just using him to say how kinky and quirky you are? (And I don't even care about the sexualization of characters because, again, fictional characters are fictional characters and you don't have to take everything so seriously. I have tons of characters I don't like that much but only stan because I find them hot and that's alright. But damn, it bothers me sometimes).

Anyway, with this, I wanna say that there are other things to have in mind when talking about this.

Recently (I know it's not exactly new but in fandom years? Recently) there has been a huge thing surrounding the term "old men yaoi". People are so down bad for middle-aged men and they see two of them together and they instantly go "omg they're soo married" but that's- That's it? That's just it. They don't even ship them, they just find the concept of older men hot because "omg he's such a dilf" and they want to fuck both of them. But they never end up doing anything with it. They try to be so groundbreaking like "ohh I am SO woke by shipping these two old men! See? Breaking stereotypes!" because both irl and online, age has always been a very stigmatized thing. Apparently you can't be in a fandom if you're older than 25 because then you're weird, and if there's an actress older than 50 she's instantly useless for the industry.

What I want to say with this is that most people in the fandom are young. They're young and they like attractive, young, hot people and they don't want old, unconventionally attractive men. They don't want them unless it's to give a "hot take" and to be super progressive and woke. Do you know what they like? They like Dilfs. They like Shanks because he's conventionally attractive and good with kids and he's the standard for a Dilf. Because he's hot and mysterious but also silly and quirky and "he's almost forty that is so hot something something daddy kink". And they don't want to see him fucking someone his age because God forbid this man has a personality outside being a Dilf. Younger people in the fandom constantly read y/n fics regarding Shanks because they want him to fuck them and not Buggy. And they can't project in these old men, so they publicly say "oh, Shanks and Buggy are so married" because it's just a fact the fandom made clear, but they don't really like the content. Because liking Buggy sexually, apparently, is just so weird. Or as a character. Nobody wants to say their favorite character is the failguy clown. It's a hot take when you say that Buggy is hot because people keep being all weird about it when... Uh... He's- He's just a clown. Guys. It's not weird. Or bad. Who raised you to think that? God, I find Monet extremely hot and she's half-bird. Could we please normalize these things? They're fictional characters. And also, stop reducing Buggy to his jokes or the fact that he's a clown because his character is GREAT and complex and it just bothers me so much.

This makes me think about this whole "background couple" thing. Which are basically couples that are canon or that are so popular and obvious that people, instead of making content for them (because why would you make content for a canon couple?) just place them in the background instead. There are so many fanfics in which Shuggy is a background couple. Or studies in which, instead of analyzing them, they're used only for parallelisms. This happens with, idk, Saboala? Frobin? Yamace? People don't like couples that everybody agrees on. They don't like m/f ships because they can't be woke!!!!! And queer!!!! (when they easily could but whatever). They don't like ships that everybody likes because!!!!!! They're canon already and why would you write about them???? And so, Shuggy stays a bit more as a side couple instead. For being old and unconventionally unattractive and not having much screentime, but being extremely popular. Not in a "content" way, but in a "knowledge" way. Even the general audience thinks their bond is crucial to the story, c'mon.

One of the differences that this side of the fandom has with the Japanese one, as I mentioned before, is the cancel culture and proship discourse thing. They just don't have that concept. And that's perfect, honestly, I wish we could just scroll past what we don't like too and live peacefully because the discourse is getting tiring. And also you have to admit that, because of the anti propaganda going around, now fandoms have turned into the most puritan thing in the world. Beware! Sex! Age difference between fictional characters that have a consensual and healthy and mature relationship! Oh! God forbid teenagers have sex with people their age! Ohmygodjustshutup. And so, Shuggy isn't a problematic ship. Not even close. But inside the OP world, people do say they are brothers. They keep talking about each other like that, too. And I don't even think it's the typical "we say they're like brothers so you don't think they're gay because they're both guys and guys can't kiss" (I am having flashbacks from the IT fandom). They do have the same parents. Like- We all agree Shanks and Buggy were both raised by Roger and Rayleigh and they consider them, if not their dads, parental figures at least. Right? And you're aware that doesn't make it incest, right? Both things can coexist. Foster families are a thing. Lots of people who grew up together and consider the same people their parental figures end up dating because they don't see each other as siblings. Well, most people don't see it this way and hear the word "brother" and run from it like it's a fucking virus. The Japanese side of the fandom doesn't give a fuck because they're fictional and because they're y'know, not brothers? And even if they were, cancel culture and proship discourse is so fucking stupid to them because they follow the "don't like don't look" thing. But on this side of the fandom, a lot of people see them as brothers and the other half sees them as a divorced couple and apparently nobody knows how to fucking read this manga and have a proper fandom experience without jumping to each other's throats at the minimum disagreement.

So, to summarize: People on this side of the fandom don't like Shuggy THAT much and it isn't such a popular ship in comparison to the Japanese side, because young people don't like older men together, they don't focus on unconventionally attractive characters, are afraid of any little possibility of cancelation, and also, well, Shuggy doesn't have much screentime anyway so there's not much we can do with that.

[warabidakihime]

Rules and Roses Chapter 4

★ characters: kibutsuji muzan x reader x akaza

★ plot summary: Kibutsuji Muzan has finally decided to expand his empire, and the way he intends to do so is by running for the highest political position. With you, his darling wife, at his side, he believes he can achieve and have everything the world has to offer. He is, after all, the Phoenix of Phario.

★ fic playlist: sometimes, same day, as time stops, wolf’s song (this is also the vision board for the fic). 

★ content warnings : implied violence and abuse, profanities, toxic relationships, smut.

★ Previous Chapter

a/n:

hello!

just want to hop on here and say thank you to everyone who has been giving their likes and reblogs. huge thank you to those who are taking the time and effort to read my story as well. i've been wanting to continue this story for so long but i'm just so busy with work, but i'm glad i am able to find the time to write and update as regularly as i can.

hopefully someday i can hear your thoughts through your comments though haha i would really love to hear what you think about Rules and Roses and the way i write the characters as it is my first time. tbh, i am extra curious to know if i'm giving muzan's character justice HAHA but yeah, it never hurts to leave comments so feel free to send them my way.

i also would like to give those people who have not read the manga a heads up, that in this chapter and in the succeeding ones, there will be minor to moderate manga spoilers, so ready with caution.

also, moving forward, things will steadily pick up, so get ready HAHA!

enjoy reading everyone!

-

The sun had barely risen over Areswood, its golden hues taking its time enveloping the sky, but Muzan and Douma were already up and busy at Obelisk Kibutsuji, going over their next course of action for their campaigns for the next few months.

Muzan stood at the center of his spacious office. A large map of Phario's electoral districts sprawled across the narra table in front of him, dotted with colorful pins representing key areas of support. 

Douma, on the other hand, leaned over the map, his eyes narrowing as he assessed their next move. 

"We need to double down our efforts in the southern districts," Douma said, twirling his fan languidly. "The latest polls show we're losing ground there, but it is the opposition's home turf, so I'm not surprised," he added with a hint of mirth.

Muzan nodded, rubbing his temple as he processed the information. He'd been up since dawn, reviewing speeches and strategies. The weight of the campaign was beginning to show in the faint lines on his face and the dark circles under his ruby eyes.

Unlike Douma, Muzan couldn't afford to make light of the situation. Keeping a straight and serious face, he continued to rack his brain for strategies. After a few minutes, Muzan finally spoke, catching everyone's attention.

"Let's schedule a town hall meeting in Azudellin. We need to connect with the voters there and show them we're listening to their concerns."

"Today?" Douma asked.

"Yes, why? Do we have other agendas for today?"

Douma quickly checked his calendar on his phone.

"We have an interview with the Areswood Times in an hour, then a fundraiser lunch at noon, followed by debate prep, and a gala dinner with key donors tonight."

Muzan sighed, his frustration evident in his voice. "We can't afford to delay this. Azudellin is slipping away from us."

Douma, feeling a bit depleted himself, shrugged. "The earliest we can fit it in is next week. It might be too late by then, but who knows? Maybe a miracle will happen."

In the midst of a very important meeting, a knock separated everyone from their own thoughts. One of Muzan's executive assistants, Nakime, walked in with a stack of freshly printed leaflets, oblivious to the tension in the room.

"Sir Kibutsuji, Sir Hashibira, these just came in. The design team finalized the new posters and pamphlets for the campaign trail."

Muzan barely glanced at the leaflets, his mind racing. 

"Thank you; just leave them on the table."

Nakime quickly left after obeying his orders, clearly sensing the gravity of the moment.

With mindless eyes, Muzan continued to rack his brain for any backup plan or anything that could be of significant help to the predicament they currently have. Letting out a resigned sigh, Muzan finally opened his eyes and turned to everyone. 

"We'll have to make do with what we have," he said, turning to Douma, who's listening intently. "At our interview with Areswood Times today, maybe we could give Azudellin a special shout-out—say something that can please their ears. This is your specialty, so I leave this to you." 

Douma nodded, a peculiar smile present on his face. "I'll handle it. I'll make sure our message is loud and clear in the interview today."

Muzan merely nodded at his running mate before turning to the rest of his party. 

"Let's deploy a few of you to Azudellin today; get some boots on the ground. We'll organize smaller meet-and-greets throughout the week to keep our presence felt until we can hold the town hall altogether. Take this chance to highlight your own platforms and campaigns as well, but don't oversell yourselves and turn off the locals. Understand? We can't afford any missteps."

A chorus of 'yes, sir.' and 'understood' rang in the room after listening to Muzan's orders. As usual, his commanding voice and his overall demeanor exuded charisma and extreme strictness, which made everybody in the room yield to him so easily.

Muzan scanned the room, making sure everyone's conviction matched his own. Technically, his party has been dominating almost all polls across the entire country, and it's safe to say that he is the number one candidate to win the elections, but he didn't want to remain complacent.

He doesn't want to attribute his victories to silly things like fate or destiny. He did that before and miserably paid the price; after learning his lesson, he vowed to never rely on foolish things ever again and will do everything in his power to ensure his indisputable victory.

Taking a deep breath, Muzan felt assured again. 

"Alright. This meeting is adjourned. Thank you, everyone."

*

"Oh, really? That's good to hear, darling. I'm happy for you," Muzan said softly, followed by a fond chuckle as you continued to share what happened during your hair appointment.

You were at the salon, enjoying your usual 'pamper time.' While you were getting your hair done, an A-list celebrity approached you. Initially, she only intended to have a small chat, as you are technically an A-list celebrity yourself. However, as your conversation continued, Ume confided in you that she recently got engaged but hasn't announced it to the public yet.

She personally requested you to be her wedding planner, and of course, you gladly accepted.

"Ahh! I'm so excited. I'm still preoccupied with Ms. Rivera's wedding, but so many ideas for Ms. Ume's wedding are already flooding my mind," you told your husband gleefully.

Muzan chuckled again, his eyes turning into crescent moons as a smile spread across his face, a total contrast to the serious expressions he had earlier.

Muzan prided himself on being level headed even in the most dire situations, but all that bravado would always melt away whenever he was with you. He couldn't help it. Your energy has always been contagious, and when it came to you, he was nothing but a man hopelessly in love with his wife.

Douma, seated in the backseat with Muzan, looked at his running mate with pure intrigue, watching him transform into a lovesick puppy while talking to you.

"Ah, yes, the meeting went great, my love. There were a few bumps here and there, but we managed," Muzan said to you. Knowing you, he anticipated your worry and was proven right when he heard the concern in your voice.

"I see... well, if there's anything I can do to help you guys, you know I'd be more than willing," you said from the other line.

Muzan smiled softly, clearly touched by your investment in his endeavors as much as he was in yours.

"Well, if you're free next week, you can tag along to our town hall at Azudellin," he proposed.

You smiled, having left the salon and decided to go to the mall for some much-needed retail therapy. Akaza wasn't with you today, as he had something to take care of, so Gyokko, one of your security guards, was accompanying you today.

"I don't have anything planned next week. I don't mind joining—wait, can I also do my own charity event there? I haven't done one in a while, and don't you think this is the perfect time? It could help your campaign."

Muzan immediately smiled at this. "You're more than welcome, darling. I'll have my people assist you with your preparations. Just let me know what help you need."

"Aww, you don't have to! But thank you. Let's talk more about this at home later. Maybe we could tailor this with your own community outreach initiatives. I believe you have a couple, right? We can make it a joint one, hitting two birds with one stone."

Muzan was listening intently when Douma reached out to let him know they had reached their destination. Muzan gave him a curt nod before returning to you.

"That's right. Alright, let's talk about it later, Y/N. I need to go; Douma and I are here at the studio already. Take care on your way home, okay? Call me if you need anything."

You nodded with a happy smile on your face. "Okay. See you later, my love. And good luck today. I love you," you said with passion.

Muzan replied just as passionately, "I love you too. Mhm, yes. Goodbye. See you later."

After ending the call, he turned to Douma; his whole demeanor had already changed. "Let's go."

Douma complied, climbing out of the car after him.

As they walked inside the building and toward their dressing room, escorted by a handful of media staff, the vice presidential candidate subtly nudged his running mate.

"It seems like that phone call improved your mood, Pres ."

Muzan smirked, his strides toward the TV studio exuding confidence and pride. "My first lady is quite the wonder woman."

Douma chuckled softly, amused by Muzan's demeanor. "It seems like she has quite an effect on you."

"She does," Muzan replied, his tone unapologetically confident. "She's not just my wife; she's a force to be reckoned with and my equal."

Douma raised an eyebrow, intrigued by Muzan's unabashed praise. "You sound almost unbeatable when she's on your side."

Muzan merely nodded, the cocky smile on his face still present. "Indomitable."

Douma chuckled softly. "You've really got it bad, haven't you?"

Muzan shot him a sidelong glance, a hint of amusement in his eyes. "Do you not feel the same about Shinobu?"

Douma chuckled again. "Hey now, don't underestimate me. My wife is a force of nature herself."

The proud CEO of Obelisk Kibutsuji and Phario's leading presidential candidate simply offered his running mate a rather shallow chuckle as a response and a nod to convey that he agrees with him.

Finally, they reached the TV studio, and the two of them noticed that it was a full house.

"Are you ready?" Douma asked Muzan.

Muzan's gaze swept across the room, his presence commanding attention.

With a confident smirk, he declared,

"To make history? I was born ready.'"

He made his way to the stage, greeted by applause and camera flashes, projecting an aura of assured victory as he took his seat on the couch.

*

The day was finally coming to a close. After spending the entire day at the mall shopping, you were exhausted and hungry.

Initially considering Italian cuisine, it suddenly occurred to you that the downtown burger joint you and Akaza had visited a couple of days ago was nearby.

Opting for convenience and familiarity, you decided to head there and also decided to order takeout for both Akaza and Muzan, as well as Kokushibo and the maids and guards.

Surely, both had returned home by now or were on their way. Muzan's jam-packed schedule guaranteed he would appreciate indulging in fast food after such a long day, and Akaza would undoubtedly welcome the gesture.

And it wouldn't hurt to treat your house staff every now and then. It is something you do every now and then, as it's one of your ways of showing appreciation for the services they provide you.

For Muzan, you chose to order the same as yourself, knowing he preferred healthier options but trusting he would enjoy something you approved.

You already ordered Gyokko to prepare the car, so when your orders are ready, you can just hop in and make a beeline home. As you waited at the counter, you hummed to yourself, glancing around the familiar surroundings of the burger joint.

Once again, a sense of déjà vu struck you, from when you entered earlier and throughout your stay. It's honestly starting to worry you.

"It's nice to see you around here again, my dear."

You turned to the voice—a kindly old lady. "Excuse me?" you asked politely.

The old lady smiled warmly. "It's been quite a while since your last visit."

"Oh, I've been busy these past few days," you replied with a smile. "I really enjoyed my first time here last week."

Confusion crossed the old lady's face at your response.

"Aren't you one of our regulars?"

You frowned, puzzled. "I'm not sure I understand..."

"You've been coming here for years , haven't you? Or am I mistaken?"

Your unease grew visible. "I'm sorry, but I think you have me confused with someone else."

Before you could finish, the old lady turned and retrieved a photo from the wall behind her, returning to you with a smile.

"This is you and your fiancé, right?"

She handed you the photo.

In it, Akaza had his arms around your waist, both of you beaming happily.

Your eyes widen in sheer shock.

"What..."

Turning the photo over, you saw a note scribbled on it:

Hakuji Soyama x L/N Y/N - Just got engaged! (03/03/2015)

-

taglist: @bffrrufr @unadulteratedhandsbanditdreamer @unlikelybananawerewolf

[sasukeless]

Whoops yeah I meant the ‘I will shoulder your hatred and die with you’ bridge moment

ohhh. i think this scene is one of the most populars and yet every time i see people talking about it i can’t help but feel like we read different mangas sjjsks sns fans love hyping this scene as the ultimate selfless moment of naruto where he picks sasuke over the village but… that’s not Exactly what happened

the whole 5ks arc builds up everyone telling naruto he should let sasuke die but he keeps refusing going as far to beg on his knees, reject his friends and love confessions, and even have panic attacks at the idea of sasuke dying. if anything this whole arc just showcased how codependent naruto truly when it comes to sasuke. his morals and his love for sasuke keep being torn and he quite literally loses his mind over this, he’s just a mess UNTIL he sees sasuke and it’s sasuke this time who asks the question.

despite what many people say sasuke doesn’t ask a “me or the village?” question. it’s actually a fact sasuke NEVER asks naruto to pick between him and his goals, he know those are what makes naruto Naruto so he has never asked or wanted naruto to leave the village and join him etc. sasuke instead tells naruto plainly that due their different ideologies one of them will die and naruto needs to choose to either kill sasuke and be the hero of konoha or be killed by sasuke. that’s the only choice he gives naruto. and naruto chooses neither!

but this isn’t him being the goodest perfect selfless mc people act naruto is. this is naruto being so codependent in sasuke he simply doesn’t view a life where sasuke isn’t by his side when he achieves his goals. this is naruto viewing life as just worthless if sasuke isn’t with him. so death is the answer. except, if he dies only sasuke will be alone and that’s also something he can’t bear along with being separated from sasuke. therefore death is the answer but for both of them. because that’s the only scenario sasuke won’t be left all alone and simultaneously sasuke won’t be taken away from him again. we can say naruto is selfless in not wanting sasuke to be lonely but that’s not ALL there is going on here. naruto’s codependency on sasuke plays a huge part on why he decides they should both die but fans rarely point this they would have to accept naruto’s attachment to sasuke isn’t just altruistic love .

but yeah it’s a nice touch and kishimoto once again shows us the similarities but also difference between how sasuke and naruto show their love for each other. land of waves sasuke at a bridge was ready to throw away his goals for naruto but also die for him. meanwhile 5 kage summit naruto at a bridge is also ready to throw his goals for sasuke but he wouldn’t let sasuke or himself be killed if it doesn’t end with both dying. naruto is just more codependent when it comes to it

[tessenpai]

Kono Oto Tomare Chapter 127 Scans and Rough TL

Disclaimer: Please DO NOT use this translation to make your own TL of the chapter!! The KOT TL group works very hard to give you the most accurate translation, that does as much justice to the original script as possible. This is a ROUGH translation. That means is faulty and there must be mistakes in certain places. This is just for impatient people like myself to get a grasp on what is going on in the chapter! You can REFERENCE my TL if you want to discuss the chapter but never USE it as it was your own.

Scans:

Page 1

Side text: Welcoming the morning of the decisive battle---

Page 2

Sfx: pipipipi pipipipi

Chika: Ngh...

Page 3

Takezou: Good morning, Kudo-kun. The weather is great.

Takezou: Are you ok? Weren't you able to sleep well?

Chika: Ngh---...

Takezou: We still have time so you can sleep until we really have to get ready.

Page 4

Takezou: I will come wake you up later.

Takezou [thoughts]: Maybe I should close the curtains again---?

Chika: Ah!

Page 5

Chika: Sorry, I was still half asleep.

Chika: Mornin'

Takezou: ----Yeah.

Takezou: Good morning.

Side text: It surely will go well---

Chapter Title: Dear

Page 6

Sane: Finally... it begins now. Today is the day.

Mittsu: Yeah... I feel like I'm gonna throw up my breakfast...

Kota: Stop it! You will stiff up!!

Sane: Let's do the ritual we did before the preliminaries!

Kota: Eh? What was it, again?

Sane: If I remember it right, in your hand over here, there are points that ease the tension if you press---

Mittsu: That hurts, you idiot!! Do it in your own hand!!

Chika: Are you guys really getting nervous this early again? Pathetic.

Chika: Takinami also said it yesterday.

Chika: That we are already the best and incredibly awesome, and we should only have fun now.

Suzuka: I didn't say that.

Page 7

Sane: The hell, what's your deal Chika!

Chika: In my dream, our performance was a huge success

Mittsu: It was only a success in your dreams!!

Mittsu: Isn't that, like, a red flag!?

Chika: Shut up! I already have the image of what our success will look like in my mind!

Hiro: Oh, man. Everyone's already here!

Takezou: Ah, Kurusu-san, Hozuki-sa----...

Page 8

Kota: Wooaah, you both did your hair a bit today!!

Sane: Oh, you're right!

Hiro: It may give us a little boost of energy!

Kota: So cute---!!

Hiro: Thank you.

Takezou: ...Lost the timing to say it...

Suzuka: Ok, everyone's here now.

Suzuka: Is a bit early but let's start moving---

Hiro: So- sorry, wait just a moment...! Just- just this!!

Page 9

Hiro & Satowa: For Momoya-kun and Yoshinaga-kun!!

Mittsu: Aaaah--- these!! Woah

Hiro: In the Preliminaries, Hozuki-chan made us charms! So we thought to give you yours!

Satowa: A received help from Hiro-senpai this time.

Kota: We also brought ours--!

Atsumu: !

Atsumu: I-i-i-i-is it really ok for me to accept such a marvelous thing...

Hiro: Of course! It would make us very happy if you did!

Atsumu: Thank you so much!!!

Page 10

Natsu: ...

Hiro: We thought... that you might be uncomfortable receiving handmade stuff, Momoya-kun, but

Satowa: If you don't want it, it's absolutely fine for you to throw it away...

Natsu: No, I wouldn't throw it away...

Atsumu: Should we put it as backpack keychains?

Natsu: No, I'm afraid to lose it if we do that.

Hiro: !

Satowa: Also, Keishi-san if you'd like... This time we've relied on you so much...

Keishi: Whaat, for real!? You're also giving me one!?

Page 11

Keishi: Woaah-- thank you--!

Chika: ...

Chika[sfx]: Rustle

Kota: I'm sitting with Aki-chan today--

Sane: Wha- We gotta decide that with rock-paper-scissors!!

Kota: First come, first served--

Sane: What the hell, you--

Satowa: Giggle

Satowa: !

Page 12

Chika: Hozuki, sit here today.

Satowa: Blush. Eh-

Page 13

Satowa: Eh, wh- why...

Chika: Just sit here.

Hiro [thoughts]: Kyaaaaaaa-----!!!

Hiro [thoughts]: What what what. Excuse me, Chika-kun----!? What are you doing!!?

Hiro [thoughts]: Woaaah--- Ahhh geez--- that's nice--- That's sooo nice---

Hiro [thoughts]: Both being in love in the National Competition is so nice---

Hiro [thoughts]: Bu- but from here on it's all about the performance!

Hiro [thoughts]: There's no time for me to be jealous!!

Hiro [thoughts]: Gotta keep it together---

Suzuka: Kurusu.

Hiro: Yes...

Suzuka: You have people behind you, move to the back quickly

Hiro: Ah, so- sorry.

Page 14

Hiro [thoughts]: To the back----...

Suzuka [memory]: You might as well make that into your strength

Hiro: Ku- Kurata, can I sit with you?

Takezou: !

Takezou: Of course.

Page 15

Takezou: Would you like to sit by the window?

Natsu: ...

Satowa [thoughts]: I wonder… with what intention did he…

Satowa: I mean, we often together at the venues, too. It's not like there has to be a big reason for it now, but...

Chika: ...About that charm

Page 16

Satowa: Eh?

Chika: When you made them last time, you didn't make one for yourself, Hozuki.

Chika: Did you make one this time?

Satowa: ...Hiro-senpai offered to make me one but...

Satowa: I- I refused...

Chika: Eh? Why?

Satowa: Why, you say...

Satowa [thoughts]: Because Kudo wrote my name in his. That made me so happy, that for me it made it my charm and

Page 18

Satowa [thoughts]: Is not like I can say that to him-!!! I did tell Hiro-senpai, though...

Satowa: It's fine, really.

Chika: ...

Chika: Mhmmmmm. I see.

Chika: ...

Chika: ...

Satowa [thoughts]: Wha- what is it?

Satowa [thoughts]: I really don't get it---

Chika: Then I guess you wouldn't want this?

Page 19

Satowa: -----... Tha- that's...

Satowa: Did you make that... for me...?

Chika: ---As- As I thought, you wouldn't really care for it, right!? You wouldn't use it! My bad--

Page 20

Satowa: I would!!!

Page 21

Satowa: I most definitely would... so.

Chika: ...

Chika: Here

Satowa: ...Thank you...

Satowa: Ah, that's right.

Page 22

Satowa: Look! Now it matches yours, Kudo.

Satowa: Wait!

Satowa: Could it be that you also made charms for Momoya-kun and Yoshinaga-kun...!?

Chika: Well, no. I thought you would make theirs this time around as well...

Satowa: I see. That's a relief.

Chika [sfx]: ba-dump ba-dump

Chika [thoughts]: Dangerous... That was sooo dangerous---....

Page 23

Chika [thoughts]: I wanna hug her so bad-----....

Chika: Gonna sleep.

Satowa: Suddenly!?

Page 24

Takezou: Today the weather is so nice.

Hiro: Wha- Ah, yes. The ideal weather to compete!!

Takezou: Ideal to compete! Ahaha

Hiro: ... ...

Hiro: ...Kurata. Um, you see...

Hiro: Only if you'd like, would you...

Hiro: ----Nghh

Hiro: Would you write your name on my charm!?

Page 25

Hiro: I mean, you see- Last time Chika wrote Hozuki-chan's name on his charm and I thought that gave it more power or something... so...

Hiro [thoughts]: Wow this is so embarrassing...

Hiro: Ah bu- but maybe imitating those two would be a bit, you know-

Hiro [thoughts]: Uuuugh--- what am I even saying.

Hiro: Sorry, I said something weird...

Page 26

Takezou: Then, should we exchange charms?

Page 27

Hiro: Ex- Exchange charms with you, Kurata?

Kurata: Only if you'd like, Kurusu-san.

Hiro: I would!!!

Page 28

Takezou: ...Alright. Okay, here's... mine.

Hiro: Ye- yeah! Thank you!!

Page 29

Takezou: Fu

Page 30

Hiro: ---I will protect it with my life!!!

Takezou: Ahaha That's very reassuring. I will do my best as well.

Sane: ...

Page 31

Sane: Should we... exchange ours as well...? Sigh...

Mittsu: Will you protect me...?

Sane: ...If you want...

Page 32

Man: Here

Tougo: Thank you very much.

Page 33

Man: That would be the last one.

Kifune-sensei: Yes. Thank you very much.

Man: I get to send off Ichiei's students every year. But this year is even more amazing.

Kifune-sensei: Amazing?

Man: Yeah. How do I put it..?

Man: Their atmosphere? Or more like an aura.

Man: It's so overwhelming. It's a bit scary.

Page 34

Man: Are they also in peak condition?

Kifune-sensei: Yeah. Of course.

Page 35

Kifune-sensei: Like never before.

Side text: The group of genius koto players is their biggest hurdle to victory---

---Kono Oto Tomare! will continue next month!!!---

[tigreblvnc]

BLUE LOCK MATCHUP — @krowedes

Your match is...

— Karasu Tabito

✦ For you, my decision didn’t take long to arrive.

✦ Usually, when I make matchups, I keep in mind the characters' preferences regarding the qualities they like, what stimulates them, or what could create an interesting chemistry.

✦ Eventually, one of them ends up stepping up to the starting line when I read something that makes me think, "Ah! I know who I’m going to pair you with."

✦ And this time, it didn’t take long, and for the first time since I’ve been doing matchups, it’s our crow boy who took off from the starting blocks.

✦ (I’m thrilled because I think he’s one of the coolest characters in the entire manga)

✦ From memory, Karasu is attracted to strong, intelligent personalities who know what they want and won’t give up. Lions thrown onto the battlefield who aren’t afraid to take the plunge and can make decisions quickly.

✦ "I see myself as someone who is very decided. If I have a dream or a goal, every decision and every move I'd make will be made all so that I could make my path toward that goal easier and smoother." Well, that's exactly the kind of temperament that can leave a strong impression on him. Someone who doesn’t give up and fights to the end, methodically, without losing sight of their goal.

✦ Because there are those who rush in without a plan. But the ones Karasu prefers are those who have thought their plan through well in advance, taking into account all possible parameters. Since he’s of the same caliber, it means he’s facing someone who could potentially challenge him, and he likes that.

✦ I see him mainly in a relationship of balanced rivalry, you know, where it could tip at any moment.

✦ "My tongue is loose, and that makes me unafraid to share my opinions, even if said opinion is harsh." Yes, again, I don’t see him getting attached to someone shy who can’t assert themselves.

✦ "I’m also very fond of sweets and eating meat – I could eat on and on and on without gaining weight, which is a huge win for me, especially in all-you-can-eat restaurants." Oh dear, you’re speaking to my carnivore heart... Out in public, we’ve seen Karasu well-dressed and liking to talk business, so to me, he’s clearly someone who has his head on straight and knows how to handle his affairs to generate profit. In other words, like Reo, he’s business-oriented and knows how to manage his finances. So five-star restaurants with all-you-can-eat buffets, exceptional cuts of meat cooked by award-winning chefs; he knows them and knows where to take you.

✦ "BECAUSE I DO NOT LIKE COOKING" Haha, that’s why you go out to eat so often.

✦ "I also like dressing up a lot and putting on makeup that is vibrant and shiny, so much to the point that I have an Instagram account that I use to track all of the makeup styles that I do." But isn’t that how you met? I imagine Karasu more on the casual chic side in terms of fashion. He’s rather sporadic on social media but follows carefully selected accounts, and I can see him talking about big brands or things like that with the people he follows.

✦ For me, his use of social media is to keep up with sports and business news, but also to stay on top of luxury products, clothing, furniture, and maybe even cars because he likes traveling on Japan’s highways (no joke, they have super convenient rest stops with incredible and massive shopping centers).

✦ I’m sensitive to the way texts are written, and I can sense a lot of pep and curiosity behind your words! These are qualities Karasu would really appreciate. He needs someone dynamic and adventurous. At the same time, not someone who’s always hyper because I see him also having his moments of solitude, even though he’s very grounded in the real world.

✦ And because the idea obsesses me, yes, you and Karasu regularly go on road trips across the country to find the most beautiful landscapes (often with the idea of posting the photos on Instagram because honestly: they’re too beautiful). You’re the couple, you know, who takes a selfie together while wearing sunglasses, with the beach and seagulls behind you.

✦ As cliché as it might sound, you exude luxury.

✦ And at the same time, you’re the couple friends love inviting to parties because besides being super well-dressed, you’re cool, laid-back, and have that touch of sarcastic humor on your tongue when something happens. Even when nothing happens.

✦ (I’m sure Karasu would love wearing Lacoste) (The polos and the cologne)

✦ (The pair of sunglasses tucked into the shirt collar...)

✦ (Really the slightly bourgeois but cool couple, and that’s what makes the difference)

A word about your match: No hesitation really, the crow showed up on his own and never left.

© TIGREBLVNC 2024 | AUGUST '24 MATCHUPS EDITION.

[goodolreliablejake]

What genre is Chainsaw Man? Or, more accurately, what type of story is this?

I watched the anime first, and I became so invested that I immediately read the manga. At that point, I understood Chainsaw Man as an Action-Comedy with Horror aesthetics. I had the big twist with Makima spoiled before I started, yet I still imagined it as a story that was going to see Denji learn and grow as a person and ultimately end up better than he started.

But I think it was around the time that we saw The Chainsaw Devil in his full glory that I reconsidered. The plot at the point hit me like a ton of bricks, and I said "Wait… I think this is legitimately a Horror Story."

Chainsaw Man is in some combination an action-horror-comedy. But what order do those elements go in? What kind of story is this?

My first impression was informed by its place in Shonen Jump. In the back of my mind, I was thinking "this is a dark and twisted story with thematic depth, but it's still a Shonen Battle Manga. This is still going to be a Hero's Journey." But the further on I read, the more I had to face the possibility that this is a Horror Story, with a bleak and tragic ending that sees the characters' lives destroyed, their worst qualities enabled, with the moments of hope only serving to build them up to make it more interesting when they are crushed. It's the kind of story that would disturb me, but it would also stick with me.

You'd think it'd be easy to tell what kind of story this is, but it's harder than you'd think, because it's still ongoing. The ending is going to inform how we read it.

On the comic side of things, there's always the possibility that we end on a less decisive note. Rather than triumph or tragedy, maybe Denji ends up right back where he started, having learned little. I'm thinking of when Asa had this big revelation about how she acted aloof because she was jealous of her classmates' camaraderie and only wanted their acceptance and dedicated herself to becoming a better, more open and friendly person… Only to immediately undercut the revelation with Bucky's death. Bam! Right back to square one, back to isolation and jealousy and cynicism. And it's darkly hilarious.

These different tones and elements of CSM attract different audiences, and I think that fans end up rooting for one ending over another; their emotional investment in the story is investment in it turning out to be one kind of story, rather than another. And it's easy to love these characters. It's easy to want them to be OK.

I think that's what's so polarizing about Chainsaw Man 167. I don't think it's the sexual content. Maybe there are people complaining about it in a puritanical way, but I haven't seen them. No, what I've seen is people wanting these characters to develop into healthier, more mature, fuller people. I've seen people wanting this scene of sexual abuse to be more than just a dumb throwaway joke for shock value. They want the issue to be examined with nuance. I've seen people empathizing with the characters on a level that shows that the tragedy is maybe too-effective, to where it makes the story too personally painful to continue reading. In short, I think this chapter has made some people realize that this might not be the type of story they want it to be.

And perhaps the worst possibility of all: that it turns out to kind of be none of those things. There's always the chance that it turns out to be a lot of different evocative ideas and vibes that ultimately didn't cohere. I know people have a lot of faith in Fujimoto, but we've all seen it happen too many times before, with other beloved but messy works.

Chainsaw Man still has a hold on me, and I'm not going to stop reading. But I won't flippantly dismiss the concerns of those who were distressed by the recent chapter, either. There are reasons, and they matter, because they'll ultimately define the work that fans have already invested a huge amount of time, thought, and emotional energy into.

[g1r-ap0ca1yps3]

Intro to my account!

Hi I'm Conan i often go by the nickname Cade though I wont use tumbler a lot and if you want to get in contact with me your best bet is my Pinterest which I'll link at the end but yeah i guess I'll say some things about myself

I'm a transgender boy i use the term demi boy more as a side label since I also identify with xenogenders but mostly just a boy lol i use he/it pronouns along with all neos and yeah thats it for my gender i think

Okay i use a lot of stuff for my sexuality but basically I'm aroace oriented and omni romantic + i use biromantic as a umbrella term. I'm ambiamorous which means I'm open to polyamory and monoamory relationships. i use a lot of labels so if you wanna see them all check out my pronouns page I'll link it at the end

Next i guess I'll talk about my mental health lmao so basically i have depression and unspecified anxiety disorder professionally diagnosed also professionally diagnosed ODC and dyslexia and Dysgraphia so if theres any spelling or grammar mistakes in this please be patient

I'm trying to be scene and emo but i listen to a lot of different music genres my favorite are scene, scenecore, hyper pop, pov: Indie, scenemo and emo. I'm alternative kinda scene kinda scenecore kinda emo just a blend lolz.

I'm a huge anime fan i love things like ouran host club, banna fish, SK8 the infinity, Bungo stray dogs, ohshi no ko, the stranger my the shore, toilet bound hanako kun, demon slayer, yuri on ice, sasaki to Miyano and a lot more i also read manga when i can find it online for free cuz I'm broke asf

I'm a minor so any donation requests will be ignored as i cannot donate and i also don't want to repost something if i don't know if it's legit so i apologize but i will just delete those dms and comments i do hope if your in actual need of help you can raise the money but at this moment i am not able to help and am not able to confirm your legitimacy

I see people putting a dni list so I'll make one too ig? If your Racist, homophobic, transphobic, ablist, xenophobic, extremely judgemental, say things like "OMG I'M SO AUTISTIC/ADHD/ECT" and you don't have that thing, really anything toxic in General your a dni. A few more things that aren't necessarily a dni but kinda are? If you hate on furries, therians, otherkin, alterhumans, ect. I'm not any of those but in my opinion it's just stupid, annoying, and petty to hear people hate on them when what they do literally doesn't affect you whatsoever so yeah a dni but if your neutral to them then not a dni

!Important! Even though I've put my sexualities and wanting a QPR I'm not open to online dating and never will be!

Yeah i think thats it I'll put the links to some of my platforms I'll update this whenever things change also keep in mind my TikTok is not my personal account it’s my online one

[sauntervaguelydown]

So the thing about watching the Naruto anime when you’re compromised 90% by over investment in Kakashi is that it both gives you so much MORE to dig into, and also makes everything so much more confusing

I’m not just talking about the math. I’m talking about the characterization. I’m talking about the arc. Kishimono’s manga skips over almost everything in his life between killing Rin and taking over as a teacher for the mains. I think the two panel reference to Guy haranguing him for challenges age 14 might be the only material. And that makes it way easier to combine what does exist on either side.

Bear with me here. You meet Kakashi and he’s basically a well adjusted dude as far as we ever see. He’s silly, sometimes, he fucks with people a little bit to amuse himself but always in ultimately benign ways. He reads porn in public. He goosed a student in his intro episode?? He hangs out with work friends in the lounge and talks shop. He’s risk averse in the field, his go-to jutsu swaps his body with objects and prevents him from taking any damage. Humble in a weird way. When things go off the rails on their Wave Country mission, he gets very intense, but he’s also practical and focused and emotionally controlled. We do see he’s got a lot of reserved grief, in the way he is revealed to spend a lot of time in graveyards.

Okay.

So then you go back to the Gaiden mini-arc, where he gets the sharingan eye. And you see he’s super serious, rules-focused, cold, not a team player. Harsh and a bit rude. Even arrogant.

Clear character arc happening here. Big lesson learned at high cost. Arrogant > humble; rules driven > flexible. Huge formative moment accomplished, story told.

Now he gets double whammied when he kills his own teammate less than a year later, which makes this complicated. And then the, uh, massive trauma event that is the Monster Fox attack in which he loses his last remaining father figure too. Yeesh can’t catch a break this guy.

The anime takes this event and grapples with it in a way the Manga just doesn’t. Flashbacks, nightmares, falling apart on the job. I really like this stuff. The weird thing is that in someways this is actually a pretty realistic depiction of compound PTSD, I think? The way he starts to be okay and then gets knocked down again, and doesn’t have a linear improvement arc. But what it fails to do is thread the needle.

I often find that the filler writers had surprisingly good character beats in mind, and then fumbled badly on lining them up in a way that is narratively satisfying.  in this case, they stretch out the cycle of dysfunctional grief for somewhere between 7 and 10 years. During this period he doesn’t have any fun, he doesn’t see his friends, he doesn’t seem to have a life outside of work. We’re told that he acts cold. Pushes away people who reach out. We’re told that it looks like he’s in a hurry to die. For maybe ten years?? Well. That’s long enough that you’d be building a personality from scratch once you got on the other side, but we don’t get to see any of that happening. Even during the 1 to 3 years between him leaving the black ops program that was destroying his soul and him entering canon fully formed, the only time we get to see him is when his friends are commenting that it is “like he never left ANBU at all”. there’s like a week between them saying this and him entering canon. He just shows up fully formed.

But it really starts to make you wonder: when did he start being silly again? When did he start having fun again? When did he start being able to do stupid things like play a prank on a student?  how long has he been able to hang out with his work friends in the lounge? 

did he really solve all this in such a short time? So well that when he goes on this mission with his kids, and everything goes sideways, and people that he cares about are put in danger, and he has to re-create the exact same move that killed his teammate, he’s totally cool and fine afterwards and stays on track for the whole fight? He’s just good? I mean granted, you can headcanon that he falls apart once he gets back home and there are no perspective characters to see it.  what that means is that I am basically doing work on behalf of the retcon, out of the goodness of my heart.

I think we could’ve made this work if we had just compacted it a little bit more. Maybe he’s in the black ops program for a chunk of his teenage years, gets out, and spends his twenties adjusting. No problem!

Or alternatively, if we had interspersed the periods of coldness with periods of warmth visibly on screen.  if we had actually seen him having a pretty OK time and hanging out with his friends and then getting knocked back down reverting to the coldness, I wouldn’t feel all that out of sorts with it at all. He has relapses, but maybe they’re less often as time goes by. I would just think that once he gets out of the black ops program that is slowly killing him, he swings back up to his better resting state and is able to build on it for a few years and develop some resilience.

All I’m saying is that when you don’t see any material between the two endpoints, it’s very easy to mentally adjust to whatever you think is the most likely story. Maybe the PTSD wasn’t all that bad, maybe it was very bad and then he got used to living with it. Maybe he grew and developed an adult personality the way that real people do, in a sort of clumsy nebulous process that doesn’t look very good on paper. But when you do see all the stuff, you get this conflicting impression of someone who is basically all right by the standards of the world he lives in …and someone who was extremely totally fucked up for a really long time, and then just became chill kind of overnight. 

Accord part of the problem is that, of course, this character was conceived of in his adult final form, and a bunch of plot developed around him, and you’re left with a complicated feeling that there should’ve been some impact on him due to the proximity of these events, but those events were not designed with him in mind, so he just sort of floats through them

I suspect based on the tone of the two panel reference in the manga, that Kishimono probably intended for kakashi to have largely been acting like himself the whole time he was a teenager, going out in public, and having relationships very similar ones he has an adult. He’s hanging out with his rival and they’re on their way to an event and he’s being lazy about not wanting to do challenges which is exactly what he like as an adult. 

So. Conundrum. I see exactly why the anime writers were compelled to try and embellish this, but I also cannot take their embellishments seriously without doing a lot of work in my own mind to tailor the material. 

[hitsuyou-fukaketsu]

also do you have any villainess manga recs you have been reading?👀

(rubs my hands mischievously)

My preference for villainess manga is very particular, I mostly enjoy the ojou-sama type more than reencarnations of nice girls!

Okay, first! The shoujo villainess manga!

With One Day Left I'll Break All the Destruction Flags: "Serves You Right!" RTA 24 Hour Record

Alexandra recovers her memories from a previous life 24hours before she's denounced! She learns she's the villainess and only has 24 hours left to fix her future! This was an interesting pick, the protagonist is very interesting and although its very forward in the beginning everything starts to be more complex as the hours pass by.

Also she has rly nice boobs

The One Within the Villainess

Emi, a nice girl, is reincarnated in her favourite character in her VN! The villainess Remilia! Remi however didn't disappear, she existed trapped in her own mind, seeing how Emi lived her life through her body. She came to like her a lot! When Emi is inevitably condemned Remi takes control of her own body once again, the story is about how Remilia takes revenge of everyone that wronged Emi. She even kills various gods, she's amazing.

Some other shoujo mangas that are also interesting!!

The Beloved Daughter of a Crime Family Was Reincarnated as the Daughter of a Gangster in an Otome Game. ~ Highest-Ranking Villain, That Doting is Unnecessary! ~

The Condemned Villainess Goes Back in Time and Aims to Become the Ultimate Villain

Endo and Kobayashi's Live Commentary on the Villainess

(this one had an anime recently!! The girl is a huge tsundere it's cute <3)

Now!!! One of my favourites! Yuri villainess manga!

I'm in Love with the Villainess

(this one will have an anime next season!)

This is everything I want in a villainess manga, OHOHOHO ojou sama tsundere lady with blond hair and ringlets and devoted reincarnated heroine that absolutely loves her! There's also discussions about sexuality, classism and magic tournaments!! their relationship is very cute and i absolutely love them with all my heart <33

The Fed Up Office Lady Wants to Serve the Villainess

This villainess is on the colder side but she's still quite charming!

This one below is on hiatus right now... But the anime comes out soon this year too!

The Most Heretical Last Boss Queen Who Will Become the Source of Tragedy Will Devote Herself for the Sake of the People

This one has an interesting setting, it really sit out to me! At first glance it's your typical nice girl villainess manga but with a twist! I really liked it... The found family is strong in this one

[lostcauses-noregrets]

Hi! I like to read your opinions about eruri, and I like this vast sight you have being there for years. In 2021 – at the very end of the story I started to appreciate in 2015 – I decided to re-watch it and came across a fanart of Erwin and Levi together as a couple (I've never entered the fandom "circles" before, tbh). Well, when I read the manga /watched the anime for the first time, I had an "impression" about their relationship. I never gave them much thought as I was firstly and mostly an Armin supporter and I basically followed the first three seasons because I needed to know what the fuck was going on and I needed to see Armin reach the damn ocean.

Erwin was a character I strongly appreciated given his will to sacrificing his own and his soldiers' lives, his death really touched me though I was relieved that Armin still had a chance to reach his dream.

I didn't really like Levi until the uprising arc, I didn't understand his motivation until I watched No Regrets (I watched it after finishing s3p1). When he first appeared in the story I felt strange about his and Erwin's relationship: Erwin was the Commander but Levi acted freely around him, even disrespecting him, and after a couple of episodes he was "I'll obey Sir". Levi was close with Hanji but even closer with the Commander, and Erwin only spoke "as a peer" to Pixies and Zachary (sometimes) and Levi most of the time.

The "woah" moment was after the uprising arc: Erwin planning rts and Levi begging him to stay safe home, an absurd request tbh: Not Hanji, nor any other Squad Leader proposed anything like that; the Commander had to be there, because he's trusted and more importantly because he represents the SC. So, Levi? This not only was "odd" from a (I'll say) militaristic point of view, but Levi there acted really emotionally. At this point of the story we have seen his more emotional side, we've seen him angry and concerned, but not to this extent.

Then, rts. Levi giving Erwin a reassuring speach, making the choice on his behalf, commanding him to his death. And Erwin's relieved smile, his "Thank you". This was a peak moment, it showed complete trust (we also knew that Levi trusted Erwin completely, but the other way around is truly showed here), it showed the deep comprehension Levi has about the Commander, it showed Levi's ability to sacrifice his own feelings for what's best for humanity and Erwin.

The serum-bowl was just the culmination of it. It was the "emotional" side of Levi's previous logical choice. He wants to save Erwin so badly there, and not because he is the Commander, but because he didn't want him to die in the first place (Levi's egoistic feeling). He's about to give him the serum, the choice is made, and it is the best choice for humanity, the choice Hanji and other Commanders would make, the choice that will take Erwin back (and it's so clear that this is what Levi wants). But at the very end, Levi changes his mind, not out of any logical reason, or rational thought. He decides to let his friend rest because it'd be the best choice for Erwin and Erwin alone (or at least, in Levi's understanding of him).

Last but not least, Erwin's death affected Levi terribly. I usually dislike "revenge arc", but his was so well built and motivated that I appreciated it. His promise is the only fuel left to Levi to moves forward. It's a sad and heartbreaking end, but it puts emphasis on the importance of his relationship with Erwin.

Re-watching AoT gives you the possibility to focus on its nuances; it's a complex story and for people like me (not usually interested in the romance, but in the most dynamic and action side) it's easy to miss some details.

I personally like the absence of huge romantic sub-plot. I like how the relationships between the characters are described trough little details, ways of talking to each other, choices that can be read as ambiguous at some times. Or, this is true for the "adults", the 104th are kids and mostly act like kids "repressed" by their military role and the cruel circumstances of their world.

When it comes to Hanji, Miche, Moblit, Levi, Erwin, it's different. They are soldiers and put duty beyond their personal feelings. I love how their relationships are built. And I do consider Erwin and Levi relationship one of the strongest in AoT, and one of the most healthy too. Forgetting the hcs, the theories, or even what VAs, animators etc said, I think that it's undeniable the depth of their bond, and the fact that it is - at least - platonic love. To me it's clear as the sky that Levi loved Erwin (not necessarily in a sexual way) and it's clear that he was reciprocated, in a more subtle way because Erwin is a character literally broken by his guilt, split between his selfish side and his selfless one.

The rest of it is mostly hc, though some theories really are plausible and I love the fanon exploration of them trough fics and fanarts.

This long post just because I wanted to express what to me it's a fact and not a theory, that in the complex and not so easy identification and classification of what a relationship between two humans is, that between Erwin and Levi falls in the large range of "Love". And not the love and affection one usually has for a dear friend. It's deeper, it's familiar. It's the bond you have with someone you want to become family with. (Just to mention, Mikasa's "you're family" it's so powerful to me, it's a good choice of words that Eren misunderstood imo). This is why I don't feel the need (tough I like the fun, absolutely) of searching proofs and making up scenarios of a love story that is just there. I don't need Isayama to state that Levi and Erwin would have gotten married, circumstances permitting. They already have a strong, dedicated and wholesome bond that accompanied Erwin to his last, painful years and gave him peace at the very end; and complimentary, the same bond gave Levi hope and aim when he needed it and – sadly – affected him so badly that he lived so many years in grief (maybe all his remaining years). Tell me this is not what a loving relationship/marriage looks like.

If you reached the end of my essay, thank you xD I'd like to read what you think of it. Bye!!

Thank you so much for sharing this Anon ♡  There’s honestly very little I can add to this. You’ve expressed eloquently why Erwin and Levi’s relationship is so important and so compelling. Regardless of shipping, their relationship, and the bond of  trust they share, is pivotal to the story, particularly from the Uprising Arc onwards.

One of the things I’ve always loved about SnK, which you’ve touched on here, is that Isayama is actually very good at writing compelling, and compellingly complex, adult relationships. Like you said, we don’t need any other “proof” of the depth of Erwin and Levi’s relationship, it’s all there in black and white in the manga. The supplementary materials, the guidebooks, the interviews, the Smartpass stories all add colour but they don’t change the fundamental nature of their relationship. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, this to me is what a deeply committed adult relationship looks like.  It needs no more elaboration. 

Thank you again for sharing your essay Anon, I really appreciate reading your thoughts and I’m sure many other fans will too.

[siriuslysatorusimping]

HAVE U READ THE NEW JJK LEAKS

"(ง'̀-'́)ง

MY SWEET FIGHTING ANON, HOW ARE YOU??

I’ve seen a few lil snippets but I’d stopped really keeping up with the leaks. I will say I LOVE that some of you immediately messaged me upon seeing the leaks 🥹😂 it made my morning to see messages in my inbox 💕 (this is my not subtle nudge to everyone that I love hearing from you guys, even if it’s just life updates or random shit. Pls, I get lonely 🥺)

Side note for the other sweet anon who messaged, I can’t answer that ask rn bc of obvious reasons, but I SEE YOU AND THINK OF THIS AS MY RESPONSE TO YOU AS WELL!!! IT MADE ME SO HAPPY INSIDE THAT YOU CALLED ME 'LOVE,' BTW. MY HEART DID A LIL JUMPY. 🥹💕

As for the leaks?

Me @ everyone losing their shit:

Spoilers for JJK 260 and a huge fucking Kiko rant below the cut.

I’ll believe it when it’s really confirmed. From what I saw, it was the last panel and there’s speculation on whether it’s really him or if Sukuna is seeing shit as he dies or any of the crazy possibilities.

That being said, if Gojo really is back, WELCOME BACK, YOU WONDERFUL, TRAUMATIZED BLUE-EYED BEAN OF A MAN. WE MISSED YOU SO MUCH.

And now my rant begins…

I’m on the fence. In all honesty, I think I’d finally accepted his death tbh. Because I remembered something that’s actually really interesting: some of the very best stories have stakes. They have death because it’s unfortunately a part of life. Gojo isn’t the MC of JJK, even though he’s an incredible character and I adore him and I still hate how he went out.

But while I still hate how that played out, I was actually thinking recently about how much credit we really don’t give Akutami. Writing is hard. World-building is hard. And he’s created a universe that’s truly incredible. The countless number of cursed techniques he’s written into the story, the number of characters he’s given depth possible without even meaning to? Genuinely incredible. He’s done something amazing. I had a ‘come to Jesus’ moment of realization that he’s actually an incredible story-teller. The story he’s built in his mind is amazing and I’m so glad he’s decided to share it with us. We’ve questioned him because we didn’t have all the pieces he has, but he’s said time and time again that he has things planned and he’s had things planned since the beginning. The medium he’s using to tell the story necessitates it being a bit choppy because he can’t explain every little thing every single time. There will be holes and gaps and things he reveals over time for the sake of the story he’s planned, and I know I forgot that fact when I was angry and grieving. (I’ve also been just losing my shit lately at how stupid some people are saying Akutami hates anime fans just because he killed Choso off. The number of comments I’ve seen about ‘hot characters aren’t allowed to die’ is just… these characters are more than eye candy. They have a purpose and emotional value in the story, specifically Choso as a big brother figure for Yuuji.) okay, fun lil side rant over lol

I think we forget that this is a shonen manga. Shonen are notorious for killing characters. I think of Hunter x Hunter, which Akutami has said is a big inspiration for him, the Chimera Ant Arc seemingly killed over half the cast. I’ve also seen a lot of anger at Akutami for him saying that he doesn’t care how many characters die as long as it’s a good story, and I think people missed the point because they were angry their favorite character died. But the thing is, he has a point. If the character deaths push the story forward, then it works. Yuuji has clearly had a power up that wouldn’t have happened if Gojo hadn’t died. On top of that, we criticized the month-long time skip, but these big reveals couldn’t have happened without it. So while it felt jarring, and it still doesn’t sit quite right with me, I understand why Akutami’s logic now. Again, I think of Hunter x Hunter’s chimera arc and how Gon had to watch Kite die and then fight his puppet corpse. Talk about traumatizing a fucking twelve year old. And adding to that, Akutami has literally said that this is meant for adults. He’s writing with an adult, predominantly male, audience in mind because that’s been the primary demographic for shonen for decades. So no, he isn’t writing with the female audience, or the young female audience, in mind because that’s not the genre he’s targeting. It just so happens that there’s been a huge surge in American teenagers obsessively consuming Asian media in the past few years and now it’s wildly popular among that demographic.

Basically what I’m saying is that gen z has developed the female counterpart for the fedora-wearing weirdos with waifu pillows in the obsession with hot guys in manga/anime. The difference is that they’re raging about a story following its chosen genre. But this is me generalizing things a lot and it obviously doesn’t apply to the majority of fans. I’m pretty sure a large part of our lil corner here is on the older end of gen z or younger millennial, but I could be wrong. Actually, I’d love to know what that split is 🤔 maybe I’ll do a poll.

ANYWAY, SORRY FOR THE RANT. IT WAS ME WORD-VOMITING TO START THE DAY. I HOPE YOU HAVE A LOVELY DAY OR AFTERNOON OR NIGHT!

[szallejhscorner]

La Maison du Chocolat

No matter how different books are, they always cause the very same feeling. Their smell, the sound of rustling pages, the weight in your hands – it is familiar and welcoming, inviting you to escape this noisy, confusing world outside. You can allow someone else to take you on an adventure with them, be it something exciting or dangerous or romantic. All you have to do is stick to the protagonist and watch how things unfold, with no need to make any moves or decisions yourself.

And most importantly: those protagonists don’t scold you for placing the book down mid-sentence, during a huge fight, not finishing an important business. They won’t be mad at you if you pick up another book instead, forgetting about the first one for weeks until you find it again in the pile of promising stories on your nightstand.

Book stores are a wonderful place as well, because it is completely valid here to skip pages and read a couple of sentences until you move on to another book that looks as if it contains a good story, or to simply watch the covers and admire the art on them. It is usually quite silent since people are minding their own business and if they talk, it’s mostly a low murmur, with no loud shouts or music distracting you.

This time, only the sound of your phone brings you back to reality, causing you to close the book you’re currently holding and drop it onto the table next to you.

The image on the screen shows a certain blonde, and just like always, you try not to get lost in the dark eyes of his. You would have stared at them for hours, completely ignoring the jingle, if it wasn’t for an elderly lady throwing dark glances at you because your phone keeps interrupting the silence.

“Oh, hi?” you eventually whisper, taking the call.

Chishiya sighs on the other side of the line. “Care to tell me what happened to the living room?”

“The living-?” It’s typical for Chishiya to skip any kind of formalities and go straight for the important part, but it also confuses you for a moment because you take a while to understand. And once you do, you swallow down the urge to hit your face against the book shelf closest to you.

“Ohhh…” you answer, trying to explain, “I-… You see, I wanted to clean the living room. See if I could tidy out some things. And when I got to the big cabinet, I found all the old photo albums that we never fully organized.”

You can imagine Chishiya standing there, between dozens of opened albums and at least a hundred photos flying around loosely because they have never been stuck in correctly.

The blonde snorts, not at all convinced by your story. “Well, if you intended to organize them, you failed.”

“I… I wasn’t finished yet! You see, the piles do have a meaning. Childhood photos from you, childhood photos from me, vacations, everything’s sorted. But neither did we have enough albums to put them in correctly, nor was there any tape left.”

“So you went for some tape shopping.”

You look around the store, shrugging sheepishly although Chishiya can’t see it. “Yeah… no. I wanted to go to Marunouchi, but there was this little book store on the way to the Metro station...” The shopping mall isn’t exactly close to your home, and all these books almost shouted at you to stop here, looking much more inviting than something several blocks away. “Did you know they already have the newest release of that one manga you used to read?”

It must sound weird to Chishiya. You messed up the entire flat because you completely got lost in skimming through old memories, and now you’re admiring book covers and beautiful protagonist names, having entirely forgotten about the albums. But the truth is that the photos were interesting as long as you sat there, surrounded by them, and now that they’re out of sight, they have been replaced by fantasy novels and mangas and whatnot.

Through the phone, you can hear the rustling of paper, as if Chishiya is tidying up the piles so he can at least halfway move through the living room. “I’m not reading much lately”, he mutters, “but are you still going to get that tape? Or can I put this mess back into the shelf where it belongs?”

What a shame it’d be if all the work you already put into organizing the photos was for nothing. It took at least two hours to inspect all the photos and find a good way to sort them, and if Chishiya put them back now, you would have to start all over again.

On the other side, the shop is still quite the distance to walk, and it’s getting late… You don’t know if you could still find the motivation to finish this today. “Maybe I can do it tomorrow”, you propose, knowing full well that it might take months to find the needed motivation for this again.

Chishiya knows that, you can hear it in his sigh. “Marunouchi, you say? Might be worth going there now and stopping at La Maison du Chocolat. As far as I know, they’re closed tomorrow.”

You inhale sharply. That’s the chocolatiere selling the best macarons and pralines all throughout Tokyo, and they also have a splendid choice of pastries. A bit more expensive than what you can buy in any normal grocery, but the taste is so worth it! They close early in the evening, but if you hurry, you can still make it in time.

“Bring some crispy pralines”, Chishiya requests. “Oh, and- “ he’s calling your name just as you want to hang up the phone, “- don’t forget your albums and tapes.”

With the image of mouth-watering confectioneries in your mind, you quickly put away the books you had been looking at, still being glared at by the old lady who obviously doesn’t approve of phone calls. As if you had been in a library!

You leave the book store and head to Marunouchi district. Yuurakuchou station is only a few stops from the closest subway entrance, and the train isn’t as crowded as you feared it would be. Sure, there’s no seat left during rush hour, but at least you’re not pressed against some sweaty, smoke-covered stranger this time. Public transport is a blessing until you meet the most disheveled residents of Tokyo, although none of them seem to be in your train now. Instead you notice a woman having a conversation with a friend, and while you don’t get most of what they’re talking about, her voice is so calm and soothing that you could have listened to it for hours. You wonder if she knows about that, if she works as something that requires usage of her voice or if she isn’t aware at all. It’s so mesmerizing that you would have almost missed your stop, and you rush out of the train just before the doors close again.

From Yuurakuchou, it is just a few minutes walk until you reach the chocolatiere. A chocolate-colored front greets you, and the smell inside is so sweet that it feels as if you’ve already eaten a ton of sweets only by breathing in. Wonderful.

An entire wonderland of macarons, éclairs, mousse cakes, pralines, truffles and so much more greets you. Heart-shaped gift boxes filled with the most soul-warming treats, and dark chocolate as well as nut mixes or ones containing alcohol. They even have fruit bars for those who don’t want the rich chocolate taste, but today, you’re here for the full experience.

The nearing closing time is a reminder for you not to get lost in between all the stuff, and you make sure to grab Chishiya’s crispy pralines and the pastries you love so much before anyone can throw you out the store. You can’t leave without buying a handful of other things though, because they look so promising that you have to try them. It will be a blast to eat them together with Chishiya on the sofa tonight.

Hands full of sweets and one bonbon already in your mouth, you make your way back to the subway station when your phone beeps, indicating a message has come from your blonde.

You switch all bags to one hand so the other can take out the phone, and you laugh out loud when you read the words on the screen.

‘Albums and tape. Don’t forget.’

Chishiya knows you so well, it’s almost scary. The pastries have been your motivation to actually go to Marunouchi, and now you would have almost left without the things you intended to buy in the first place.

Still laughing, you turn on your heels and search for the shopping mall that sells the photo tape and the albums. How embarrassing it’d be to get home without them and being mocked by Chishiya. But he’s already fully aware; otherwise he wouldn’t have sent you a reminder with perfect timing.

Oh, how good it is to have a boyfriend like Chishiya Shuntarou.

[psychewritesbs]

Maybe I'll regret sending you this ask but it's like a thorn in my side and I need to get it out because I can't stop thinking about this so here I go 🙇‍♀️

If I don't see the romantic subtext in Gojo and Geto's dynamic, does that mean I'm not really understanding what Gege is telling? I like their dynamic, they're complex characters and so is their dynamic, but not because there is romance there. Of course, if I read and look to see romance there I find it... but I'm looking to interpret it that way. So when I see "the subtext is there", "the dynamic is ambiguous", I start to question my interpretation... I don't know if it's because my reading comprehension has already been attacked when I said their relationship isn't canon. I really tried to see that ambiguity since I started reading the manga but in the end I felt like I was reading too much... that I was actively searching for something that was supposed to be in plain sight.

P.S: I have seen ships with ambiguous dynamics in SNK, HQ, Naruto (NARUSASU, I don't even ship them but I understand 😅) and I never saw this war between shippers and non-shippers...

Nooooo anon ��. Please, I promise I don't bite too hard.

So, first of all, thanks for sending this. I'm ngl, it makes me sad to think that I might have contributed to someone feeling like I would make you regret asking about something you don't see.

Second, I'm going to make this answer about perception because the purpose of my blog is psych.

Third, as a lead up to the psych stuff, it goes without saying that one of the reasons I don't talk about shipping in jjk is precisely because shipping is highly personal, and a lot of people in this fandom take their interpretations about the story as absolute truths, to the point that they gaslight anyone who doesn't agree with them.

It's like we're all just deploying domain expansions and the one person with the strongest sense of self wins. Right?

But this is a HUGE irony because Gege has gone on record in an interview saying that one of the themes at the core of jjk is that there is no such thing as an ultimate truth where someone is right and someone is wrong.

(source)

And to me this gets at a much larger issue that I taco'bout under the cut.

So this is the thing, right?

If you don't see the subtext in stsg, there are a lot of factors affecting your perception. Gender, sexuality, background, etc etc...

The thing to keep in mind is that you don't see the world as it is...

So I love that second angry anon brought up the idea that someone who is straight would very likely see gjhm as a romantic pairing, because it's true!

This is really complicated because, yes, heteronormativity is at play here, AND that doesn't mean a straight person is being homophobic for not seeing the stsg subtext without putting on pink-colored fujo glasses.

That said, I have seen the jjk dudebros be total dicks because they think that, because they are straight and the target demographic, the only way the story should be perceived is as if most all characters are straight and you are delusional to think otherwise.

And I'll be honest here, I'm a bi/pan woman. I am also a fujoshi. I've read quite a bit of bl/yaoi, and I think that has influenced why I don't see the romantic subtext without looking for it.

Basically, I've read really long threads by stsg fans that were meant to provide evidence for why they are canon that I was just like "this is all a subjective perception" and that is not to say they are wrong.

More like, YES. I couldn't agree more with you. It's there if you look for it. I am not sure if you saw this, but someone else came through sharing the same sentiment as you.

For me, little details like the battle taking place on December 24th, and Gege recommending bl before, point at a certain ambiguity that Gege might want to create without confirming anything.

It's funny that baity anon said stuff like "Gege is throwing irrelevant breadcrumbs at these shippers" when the same could be said about stsg according to many, many, MANY people.

Who is right? Who is wrong? If a group of people can see it and another can't, who owns the ultimate truth?

If Gege doesn't explicitly say "stsg is the other dynamic that is canonical along with mechamiwa", then who gets to have the authority on how to interpret the story? And who gave them that authority? And why are they ignoring subtext that doesn't suit their agenda?

I'm asking both sides for the sake of being a devil's advocate btw lol.

The thing is, it's all subjective, and there is no such thing as an ultimate truth where someone is right and someone is wrong--what there is is people arriving at conclusions based on their own logic according to who they are.

In the end, we're all looking at jjk through our own subjective lens, which is inevitably made up of many different factors.

That ramble aside, I hate that your reading comprehension was attacked because you can't see what someone else can see. That's just lame af because it tells me this is someone arrogant enough to take their opinion as absolute truth, and insecure enough to make someone else feel bad for questioning their interpretation.

As someone who has been internet-mean and who has wrongfully thought she owned the truth about something in the past, I apologize that someone has made you feel this way.

The reason this is a bigger issue than just shipping is because this issue is prevalent across fandom.

jjk dudebros will have you believe that if someone reads jjk for anything that is not battles is wrong.

Others will gaslight people and call them dumb for being open about how they don't understand how Gege explains certain things.

By the way, Maki is better than Toji according to some, but not to others.

I'm telling you, for jjk being a story about how there is no absolute truth, we sure are attached to our interpretations as being the ultimate truth.

All I know is that I don't want to be part of the problem and that starts with me making space for understanding why someone would disagree with me or think differently than I do.

Here's the last thing I'll say, anon.

If you don't see the stsg subtext as romantic, then you are indeed missing out on a romantic interpretation. If that's not something you're interested in... that's no one's "problem" but yours.

As long as you aren't seeking to minimize someone else's perception, then it's your interpretation and yours alone.

For me, I see this:

And I fucking love this spread because I see deep and intense longing. I get the sense Gojo is looking really hard for any semblance of Geto in this body.

Do you see something romantic? Yes? No?

It doesn't really change anything, does it? It just means someone reads into something you don't see.

The fact that you are questioning whether you are "really understanding" the text "right" tells me you have the humility to look to adjust your perception and be open to other ideas.

There's a difference between saying "I don't see it" and "I don't see it and neither should you because I don't see it, and if you do, you are delusional!"

Which one are you?

Which one will you be moving forward?

Thanks for coming to my TED talk looool.

I went on a raaaaant bahaha.

I just... man... this is the kind of problem that shipping in this fandom creates. As you said... imagine just wanting to mind your own business and someone who ships a certain pairing comes and tells you you are an idiot for not reading the same way as they do. OR viceversa, you're shipping along, minding your own business and someone tells you you are delusional for enjoying a ship.

Come on....

It really is a matter of perception and we're quite literally spamming domain expansions on each other as a way to impose our personal truth on others as absolute. It's really ironic and funny ngl.

This reminds me...

Idk if you've seen any Gundam shows, but at least the ones I've seen, usually the plot revolves around how war and conflict is the result of two sides of the same coin being unwilling to accept a different point of view.

So anyways. As I said in that baity ask... I'm at a point in my life where I'd rather focus on holding the tension of opposites. It's just where I'm at.

Thanks for stopping by and sharing your thoughts anon!

Don't let others define your perception! If you do, you've already turned your back on the only person whose perception matters most--you.

[anti-dazai-blog]

Hi, recently discovered your blog, love it <3

I started reading the manga around the Kamui Reveal, and back then already worried about the entire arc. Personally, the Dazai-vs-Fyodor-Setup felt undirected and predictable (back then and yet again at its end).

To me, it’s been already pointed out how Asagiri might have a hard time deleting the original cast from the story, which I don’t fault him for. (He likes creating and writing characters and you can tell, I actually love it.) My problem would just be that he needs to change stakes to the plot, it’s getting in the way of immersive storytelling (because he seldomly pulls through with the stakes long-term regarding the original character cast.)

You can actually write a story with good stakes that are consequential to actions without killing characters off; if you do it well, not having death threats hanging over every characters heads won’t take away from the story. (However, with a setting and worldbuilding like bsd it’s a little unrealistic to not have death as side effect/consequence or characters die.)

Back to the arc that’s been going on for years, it feels weird (unplanned), because that’s opposite to how the previous arcs (and especially the light novels) felt and it’s one of the longest arcs; I would have assumed Asagiri had something in mind for a proper (plot)conclusion (it’s a personal opinion that this arc is not properly concluded (currently)).

When we had chuuya drowns and dazai gets shot scenes, I wasn’t for one second thinking they actually died, I was thinking, how is Asagiri gonna write himself out of these scenes (because to me it felt like he didn’t have a solution, reviving the characters, prior to their death scenes), which is a pretty non immersive experience as a reader.

And it’s really weird to me, because I can’t think of a good reason of how all this happened.

Asagiri is not a bad writer, that’s established and the (i think) last „side“ project Stormbringer was exceptional (personal opinion (and I was still baffled(slight negative connotation) at Verlaine being kept alive (who knows wether he will play a role in the future)), it’s really weird thinking about Stormbringer and this arc being written out at a similar time. (I personally have a theory as to why the light novels are so good: He likes writing snd creating characters, but having them interact in this huge cast and series is understandably difficult, whereas the light novels can be seen as a backstory/part of a character, something he is incredibly good at constructing.(He also doesn’t really struggle killing off people here, because the consequences don’t affect the main story.))

He doesn’t „pander“ to people either I think, or at least it wouldn’t make sense. Bsd might possibly have attracted a shounen audience, but it got popular because of seinen themes and characters (which affects the plot) in the first place, so changing things towards to a shounen lane would be dumb, and also not something like Asagiri would do.

I’ve also skimmed across my rant here and I sound like I hate the arc or his writing, but I actually don’t haha, I actually liked a lot of this arc, themes and characters and still have faith in him as an author and this series, it’s just these particular things that kinda hugely scratch my opinion on this arc and how what’s currently happening feels like a non-answer to everything that came before it.

I’m interested in hearing your opinion on this, if you want to take the time for this huge complaint rant (I’m not mad if you don’t haha), in which ways you agree/disagree/could possibly educate me further.

You blog overall is really cool, love your analyses; lots of love <33

Thank you for the ask, I’m so glad you’re enjoying this blog!!!

You’ve summed up the current arc’s issues perfectly— it seems to be out of place when compared to everything else Asagiri wrote in both the previous arcs and the light novels. It came across as aimless— as if Asagiri himself wasn’t sure where he was going with it and was as taking it chapter by chapter.

That being said, I do believe that it might just be a matter of personal taste—maybe Asagiri’s tastes in storytelling has changed over the years, and the current arc is the type of stuff he’d be more interested to write about going forward. I’d be a bit disappointed if that’s the case (and as far as I could tell, I won’t be the only one), but he might form a new fanbase that this current type of story is more catered to.

Either way, I still have hope that future bsd arcs might revert back to how bsd used to be four years ago.

[tokyorevismylife]

Draken X Reader- Shadows of the One You Loved

A/N: First off, I would like to say that I AM ALIVE. I sincerely apologize for not writing or posting anything sooner, but if I am being honest, I’ve been busy with school, and life in general and, well...I forgot I made this account so that I could share some anime or game brainrot with some like-minded people. And after I came back, I noticed my two posts got way more notes than I was expecting you guys to give, so thank you for all the reads, follows, and likes! So I’ve been thinking of a certain Draken scenario, and I decided to post it. Enjoy!

warnings: chapter 148 spoiler, mentions of death, lil bit of cussing, tokyo rev timeskip spoilers...I ADVISE YOU NOT TO READ THIS IF YOU HAVE NOT READ THE MANGA UP TO CHAP 225(or spoil yourself but don’t blame me), ANGSTY

     You silenced your phone for what felt like the millionth time, too upset and heartbroken to care for the calls coming through. You knew if you picked up, or looked at the texts, you would have to answer their frenzied questions, or listen to their voices filled with anger and dismay on your behalf, and that would make you remember everything even more. And all you wanted to do was forget. Forget the moments, memories and most of all, HIM. You wanted to forget him...

      *RING, RING* Your cellphone’s ringtone blared annoyingly, and you were pissed. You were on a roll studying for an exam of yours that was coming up, and your cellphone interrupted your train of thought. The irritating caller turned out to be none other than one of your close friends, who called you frantically because his motorcycle broke down.

     “Please, can you be here with me?” Your friend begged you. “What am I gonna do there?” You countered. “I don’t know the slightest thing about motorcycles. I’d be utterly useless.” 

     “Yeah...but here’s the thing, the guys running the shop intimidate me! Like I feel like the main dude can snap me in half with his bare hands!” Your friend was truly freaked out, and you couldn’t hold in your laughter at his statement. “Alright, alright, I’ll be there. You owe me,” you told your friend, and you hung up. You headed out of your house and strolled through the bustling streets of the Kanto Prefecture. You were steadily making your way, until you halted in front of the motorcycle shop your friend told you to meet him at, D&D Motorcycle Shop. You were greeted by your frantic friend, biting his nails anxiously. “Thank God, you’re finally here. It took you long enough. I thought that maybe Draken’s spirit heard what I was saying about him, and he decided to haunt you and take you away!” “You are an absolute idiot, you know that? You know how stupid you sound right now? Also, who’s Draken?” You retorted in disbelief. The nervous boy said nothing in response, only looked at the shop like it was an entrance to hell. “Alright we’re going inside. Come on, scaredy-cat!” You grinned, dragging your friend inside, where his bike was getting fixed up. 

You entered the shop, and your eyes met with an unexpected sight. The fact that your friend was NOT exaggerating. The guy fixing up the bike was HUGE, muscular, and tall. Not to mention, he had a half-shaved head, with very long, blond hair tied up in a braid that trailed down his back, and a dragon tattoo that swirled around the side of his head. But you watched as he worked on the bike with extreme concentration painting his features, and your face started to heat up. While his appearance was menacing, he was also handsome, in a very rugged and unconventional way. 

     “Do NOT tell me that you are getting a fucking crush right now.” Your friend said sassily, and audibly. Your eyes widened in surprise, and in fear just in case the man working on the bike heard. “Shut up, asshole, at least I wasn’t scared of him!” You replied to your friend. Your friend blushed at that, and he turned away, angrily. “Where are you going?” You questioned. “To get something to eat. Screw this. I’m not spending hours here.” He answered. “WHY’D YOU DRAG ME OUT HERE IF YOU AREN’T EVEN GONNA STAY!?” Now you were actually PISSED. But, your friend being the jackass he is, left without a word, while FLIPPING you off. You grunted in frustration and decided to look at the blond again, and you realized that he was looking at you. He quickly turned away when he realized you noticed him. This gave you the courage to go and talk to him.

“Excuse me, sir? Is it alright if I watch you work from closer up? I find it pretty interesting.” You asked in a straighforward manner. “Suit yourself, but be careful.” The man told you. Your heart melted at that. Scary my ass, you thought. He seems like a nice guy, just a little gruff. “So sir...-” “The name’s Draken, and you can quit callin’ me sir. I’m 18.” He replied. “HUH?? You’re the same age as me??? What the heck? Talk about an early developer!” You couldn’t contain your surprise. Despite himself, Draken let a small smile creep onto his face at your outburst and bubbliness. Then, he studied you. There was an air of familiarity around you that he couldn’t pinpoint, like he had met someone like you before in the past. 

     “Hey, you smiled! So, I guess you aren’t scary after all. My friend dragged me out all the way here while I was studying just because he was scared of you! Isn’t that ridiculous. But, you have a nice smile, smile more often and then people won’t be scared of you!” You grinned. Draken felt his heart and face grow warm at your excitedness. Then, a sharp pang in his chest. And he looked at you again. And this time..he knew why you were so familiar. You were just like her. His past love. His dear Emma-chan that he fell for. Your nature and the way you acted was just like her. No, he was just being ridiculous. This was just him longing for some company. So, he asked you boldly if you wanted to hang out sometime. And you, unknowing of what was to come, eagerly said yes. 

     And it was from then on, that your relationship with Draken began. At first, it was just friendly on his part, and you guys spoke occasionally, and hungout with each other. But you guys started speaking and spending time with each other more, and soon enough the both of you harboured feelings for each other. You remember the day he confessed to you, a beautiful, sunny day, in which you two were walking leisurely in a Tokyo park. You excitedly accepted his feelings, and told him that you felt the same. You remembered that he kissed you, and it was magical. He picked up your frame, that was so much smaller than his, and both of you locked in an embrace. But, as he kissed you, he couldn’t help seeing Emma. Couldn’t help feeling guilty. Couldn’t help but be reminded of his first love, who was just so much like you. But, he still decided to continue, even though he knew it would be torture for him, and torture for you once you found out that his heart didn’t belong fully to you. 

     After you kissed, you guys strolled together like any new couple did. As you walked, you noticed an ice cream truck, with all the GOOD stuff. “Draken, look over there! An ice cream truck! We have to get some!!” You dragged the large man’s sleeve, to which he said, “Damn, woman, don’t rip my arm off!” He thought your eagerness and innocence was adorable and your smile was beautiful. But then he was reminded of Emma. No matter how much he tried, he couldn’t get over her. You arrived at the ice cream truck, and ordered your favourite flavour. You were about to pull your wallet out, but Draken’s large hand stopped you. “You’re my girlfriend, I’ll pay.” As he pulled out the money, a picture of a young, cutesy girl came out. You picked it up and studied it. The girl was stunning, with wonderfully feathered blonde hair, and a very developed figure and a radiant smile, who was hugging a very happy looking Draken. You never saw that look on Draken’s face. As Draken handed you your ice cream, his eyes glanced at the picture in your hands, and as he realized what the picture was, his eyes widened marginally.

     “How did you get that?” Draken asked panicked. “Whoa, relax! It just fell out while you were taking out the money.” You glanced at his normally calm face, which now held an expression of fear and pain. “Who is she anyways? Your sister? She’s so pretty! She could totally be a model, unless...she already is one?” You asked. “She’s dead.” Draken threw it out there, coldly. “H-huh? I’m sorry...” You said to him. “I’m guessing she was special to you.” His eyes glanced at Emma’s smile again, and his eyes softened. “The most special. She was beautiful. She was the..best. I miss her everyday.” He never thought he;d talk about Emma to you of all people, but nonetheless, it felt good for him to get it off his chest. 

     You fixated your gaze on him, with an understanding look in your eyes. You remember he ranted to you about everything. About how she died. How he felt helpless. How he wasn’t able to save her. Protect her. And how it felt like that he lost the most importnat person in his life, that made him feel like he mattered, and that he felt an emptiness in his chest that grew with every passing day without her. And then your heart panged with sadness. Because the look that crept into his eyes when he spoke about Emma, the expression that was on his face...he never looked at YOU like that. And you realized with every passing day, that he tried to make you turn into her. From little comments about the way you should dress, about the things that she liked to do that you didn’t, and the comments about how you both were similar made you realize.  Realize that you were only a shell to him. Just someone sort of there. He didn’t love you. Draken loved the idea of you. And you felt like an utter fool. But, most of you didn’t want to believe that. However, for the sake of closure, you decided to ask him.

     It was a regular day for the both of you. It was a weekend, and you were sitting in his shop before closing time, as he prepared to shut the shop down for the day. “Hey, Draken, I think we need to talk.” You sighed breathily. “I already know which direction this is going in.” Draken looked at you sadly. “Draken, you don’t love me, do you?” You stared at the ground tentatively, afraid to look his face. “I’m sorry.” Draken said. That apology was all you needed to fully understand, all you needed to understand that your feelings were unreciprocated. You said nothing. You couldn’t say anything. Your throat closed up. You wanted to scream, cry, do both, but not in front of him. Draken called your name all of a sudden, and you flinched. “I really am sorry. It’s just your demeanor was so much like Emma’s, and all the feelings I have for her, were surpressed because of her death, and you managed to bring them back up again. You being with me lessened the pain of her being gone, because you were so much like Emma. I thought it was like having her back again, just in a different shell...but I was wrong. I love Emma, and only Emma, and I don’t think that will change. But, thank you for being there for me.”

     He edged closer to you and placed his hands on your shoulders. You still didn’t look up. “It’s late. You should head home. And, thanks again for everything.” He then, let go of you and turned away, signalling the end of the conversation. Probably the last conversation you would every have with him. You turned away, cursing yourself in the back of your mind as you headed home. You felt numb, and felt stupid. You knew, had an inching feeling of doubt, knew he felt this way in your brain somewhere, and yet you chose to ignore it. Eventually, you got home, and headed for your bed. And, there in your safe space, all alone, you let everything out. You started crying, howling tears of despair, until you fell asleep, and began your journey of healing and forgetting.

“

[sixthwater]

Pick a Card: Check in + Advice

Hi! Today is a quick little pac. I tried to do a positive or light-hearted one like five times but apparently a check-in was very very very so important so here we are lol. Next time will hopefully be another fictional one? I haven't done one in a while and I miss those. Anyway, this one might be a miss for most, but if you feel called to it:

(Left → Right / Pile 1 → Pile 4)

Decks Used: Raider-Waite, After Tarot, Traditional Manga, Tarot Familiars, Luminous Spirit, Woodland Wardens, Seed & Sickle, believe in your own magic

Disclaimer | Pinned

Pile One

Check-In Cards: Justice, V of Swords, III of Wands, The Devil, Page of Pentacles, The Hanged Man Rx Despite these cards, very cool and collected. It’s like a simmering energy. Something has taken place and you’re just waiting for karma or the right moment to strike back. Or you already have. It kind of reminds me of Mary Shelley, the novelist. Also huge side note because I cannot ignore it considering it’s physical; I’m getting nonstop side pains and they started as soon as I begun your reading so I’m not sure if this is just emotional/mental pain or stress that starts to manifest as physical? Usually I ignore these considering, but this is a little weird because it’s not going away. So considering Justice is here, let’s just hope you’re in good graces when it swings down. Anyway, this energy is kind of…vacant. You’re not too angry or too sad, you’re just calculative and in a ‘I see how it is’ mindset right now. Yeah it’s taking over your focus a bit or it’s something that you give a lot of thought to. I’d be wary of letting it be the thing you obsess over, but I don’t — like it feels very detached. So in a sense you’re very focused on when is the right moment to strike, I don’t think you’re too stuck on how. I believe you have that figured out. Page of Pentacles is someone who is offering or presenting an opportunity, even if it’s rough around the edges. It’s a page so there are still qualities of being a bit childish or naive, but considering the earthy quality, there is more care to how they go about it. This doesn’t have to strictly be about getting the upper-hand, it can also manifest as showing someone or others that you’re a better person or proving people wrong through actions. So withstanding a lot of bullshit only to come out on top (but I feel like strength would’ve come through). This can also be about conflicts at your workplace, not being seen or treated fairly and planning on proving yourself. The main point is understanding that you have a moment to strike in the future to prove someone wrong who might’ve made a sly remark or slighted you in a way recently or in the past. Maybe made you feel like a fool or incompetent because there’s a lot of pointed energy here towards one direction/person. Since this is general I’m trying to run through a lot besides the pretty straight-forward answer lol.

Advice Cards: Knight of Cups, Page of Swords, II of Wands Rx, Ace of Pentacles Rx, II of Swords Rx, The Emperor Be direct, but wary. Take your time. I think you’re already slightly in this energy but you might get restless. There is a message here to figure out ways to eloquently relay your thoughts to either the person who slighted you, or in general for the next month or so. Knight of Cups is somewhat slow so he doesn’t spill his water, but in this he’s drinking it (usually bc he just refilled it). A mix is listening to advice from others, but also knowing when to bite your tongue if it’s fueled by emotions and nothing else. Filter those who are trying to get certain information out of you or get you to look a certain way (reminds me of certain paparazzi trying to catch celebrities in certain spots or positions to fit a narrative). Also be mindful of plans or things going awry or not living up to how you imagine them in your head. It’s for a reason. Don’t lose your cool or balance because this conversation or opportunity isn’t as great as it was supposed to be. I heard ‘isn’t dogpiling on someone’ so whoever that’s for? Anyway, what can you do with it in the meanwhile? Build up your confidence and ability to be okay with people just…having a perceived image of you. It might be wrong, it might be right, but you know who you are. The people you love know who you are, so what does it matter, and if they try to cause conflict, set that conflict right as much as you can. If they continue to bother you it depends on the situation; social media gets a block, workplace needs a discussion with a supervisor on scheduling or office placement, friend groups are a bit more difficult but it’s just ‘I don’t like being around this person so catch you later’ to be honest. However you can’t dance around or avoid the situation forever. For others, sometimes it’s just being neutral to a situation that doesn’t pertain to you, playing mediator for everyone, all the time, will not benefit you.

The Otter and Cattail Rx, Oleander, Clover Hmmm so I don’t know if you’ve already done whatever you’re thinking of. Some of you might, some of you might have not. I’d like to think nothing extreme is happening beyond maybe some petty actions, nothing causing physical harm. Regardless, yeah some emotions or mental anguish could be manifesting into physical ailments because you’re thinking or agonizing over this. I want to think it has something to do more with words or spilling secrets but I’m moving on. Anyway, this talks about these issues weighing on you. For some it could be that you’re an overthinker and as much as you want to, you’re the type of person to weigh the pros and cons and you get stuck before you even do anything. You’re in limbo feeling guilty about something that you didn’t even do, but the fact that you considered it makes you feel crappy. For others, I mean one of these cards literally talks about a situation where someone screwed over their employers and then tried to secretly take care of them afterward as a means to appease and fix the balance. Justice. Saturn in Pisces coming up could be influencing this remorseful feeling as well. Could also deal with love issues, very lightly. Anyway, the point is to figure out these emotions within yourself before you interact with others. If you haven’t situated these conflicts mentally or emotionally, you’ll basically emotionally vomit onto a bunch of people and they are not going to understand you at all or it might cause more problems. Not to say don’t seek advice, but what tends to happen is that when you try to balance the two (inner nurture while solving the problem), sometimes you get moments of enlightenment while trying to explain and you go on tangents and accidentally just…spill. Maybe more than needed. So really just put some time aside for yourself to figure these parts out, pick out what you should mend with others and things that you’re beating yourself up for, and realize that the world still goes on. It’s easy to want to burrow away into a hole after mistakes or major mishaps, but unfortunately we have to adjust and figure out ways to keep moving. “Clover: Release Your Guilt”. Journaling in some way might also help (not specifically writing, could be photo journaling).

Pile Two

Check-In Cards: IV of Cups Rx, VIII of Cups, Ace of Pentacles Rx, Page of Cups Rx, VII of Cups Rx, IX of Swords Rx, X of Cups Oh something happened and you’re over it. Pretty generic statement but it’s very: ‘Oh…whatever let me grab my bags’. I don’t know if it’s job searching but it kind of feels like doing something that’s unfulfilling or numbing, and something happened that gave you some insight that this is not where you want to be. It wasn’t like a huge event but it’s just one of those things where you wake up and realize that life is so much more than what you have. There might have been a point where you had goals or a mindset that wasn’t fully fleshed out in terms of where you were headed, but that’s solved now. Like you got an ad or someone said something in a video you were watching and everything clicked into place. On the other hand, there could be a possibility of escaping into a dreamland, like Alice, to run from what’s happening around you right now. However I get a strong sense of clarity and I feel like it deals with the future in regards to yourself and who you want to be. So everything feels a bit more concrete even if it’s not fully visible. There could be a possibility of going back to college or a vocational school and the family funding it, or just finding support in loved ones around you even if they’re not blood relatives. OR it could be dealing with the type of people you want to keep in your life, snipping ties of those that no longer suit you or don’t bring you happiness. Either way this feels very soft and relaxed, but slightly motivated and a positive outlook for the future. I’m not gonna lie this is pretty…clear so there’s not much else to say lol.

Advice Cards: VI of Swords, III of Swords Rx, Page of Pentacles, The High Priestess, VIII of Wands Rx, II of Wands You will have to leave behind some things that are no longer suited for you, which might cause some trouble within yourself but it’ll pass (growing pains). Get more comfortable with things not working out immediately, or get used to rejection; it’s not a reflection of your abilities or who you are. What’s not meant to be in your life isn’t meant to be. You’ll need to take some time to yourself in order to heal so you can take advantage of the new opportunities being presented to you. Speaking of which; don’t be afraid to put yourself out there when you’re ready. It’s a mix of both. You might be the type to try and prepare for everything, and what’s here is saying; there is no perfect time. You need to gain experience and world skills, throw yourself in there or you’ll always find a way to talk yourself out of it. Trust in yourself, your gut, your skills — your everything. You wouldn’t be presented with this if you couldn’t do it. Another message about delays and interruptions as well, but I think this speaks more to revising options and make sure everything is good to go and there aren’t any mistakes on other people’s ends. Not like you’re perfect but — I got communication issues as in like foreign languages? So let’s say you’re applying for a VISA and there’s a typo or something isn’t filled out correctly on the form. Things like that. Back to the communication, there’s a possibility of moving or traveling somewhere, I’m not sure if it’s long term or just for an internship or what, but there might also be an issue with communication for a minute. As well as possibly getting ready to go there lol so be wary of that as well. A cool mind will deal with it well. Don’t get impostor syndrome.

The Crow and Dogwood Rx, Belldaonna, Mural Oh wow excuse me something is in my throat DON’T GET IMPOSTOR SYNDROME. You are very capable, shit just happens. If you happen to have kids and had to put your passion projects or education on hold due to your situation, that happens. Taking care of sick family happens, financial issues happens. External factors are not a reflection of your capabilities. Another element is that there might be something you cannot avoid that puts all of this on hold, besides what I mentioned earlier. Maybe due to what’s currently taking place, you happened to miss a deadline to apply for a dream chance of yours. It will come around again, or hey this just gives you a year to strengthen that area for the next time they open admissions. Don’t take this as a sign that this isn’t meant to be and you should never put yourself first. That is never the answer. You can’t take care of others if you’re ill right. Besides that, you deserve to be happy. Point blank, there should be no clause to that. So yes, take care of family friends whatever, but if there’s something you want to do, go for it. Express this want, talk it out, and go for it.

Pile Three

Check-In Cards: Page of Pentacles Rx, The Lovers, The Emperor Rx, Knight of Wands Rx, VIII of Swords, VIII of Wands Rx (X of Pentacles) Either this is a worry or this is happening in real time. Someone or a family member might have proposed a relationship to you? A sort of ‘oh you’d fit my son perfectly’ type of thing. This or it could be someone within your energy that’s trying to get with you but their energy is just…not it. They’re trying to offer something feasible but it’s not actually anything. I don’t sense that you’re with them, or at least it doesn’t seem like it. It feels like play-dating. There’s a bit of control here too so there’s a second option that it might be a job but I’m saving that for the end cause I’m not getting that as strongly. For those resonating with the romance topic, I’m feeling you as the bottom row here. Considering or actually doing a few impulsive things to get out of a situation that you feel tied to. It’s like you want to get out of dodge as soon as you can but the timing is always off or you always get caught by someone involved with this person so then you’re forced to stand there (feels like children desperately wanting their mom to stop talking post thanksgiving dinner). Kind of feels like Miley Cyrus rebelling to get Disney to drop her, same energy. Which now that I’m thinking about it, she did have an ‘identity change’ (reclaimed her name for herself), so this could just be an issue with how your family views you and how you feel most comfortable presenting yourself. LGBT+ or not, there’s conflict surrounding how they want you to be and who you want to be. Now for the job option, it feels like working with people that give off…unfavorable energy to put it politely. A mix of a superior and maybe a co-worker or two? You like your job but you don’t like these people you have to constantly put up with. They either don’t carry their weight in the project or they don’t respect you. The project is moving slowly causing you to be a bit reckless because you want it done.

Advice Cards: X of Pentacles Rx, Knight of Swords Rx, Knight of Wands Rx, VI of Pentacles Rx, King of Cups, Ace of Swords I think this is less reliance on family and seeking out an older mentor who will listen to you and also assist you. I…I’m not going to lie this feels like a dating trope, the whole fake-dating to get out of a situation thing, but give me a minute. Okay like, it’s basically saying to throw caution to the wind and put them to the test. Don’t rely on them, go against tradition, leave, all that stuff, which is a lot easier said than done hello lol. You’re already being impulsive, so check. You need to be more honest and blunt. Usually I would say to filter your thoughts but in this case, let it fly. Children acting out will get their parents attention, it sets a red flag and maybe the original plan will work. However the point is for them to realize that something is wrong in some manner. Now traditional families or those that are set in structure (children don’t ask questions and obey the parents), getting them to listen to you is going to be a bit more of a struggle. Which is why I believe this King of Cups came through. I’m not sure if you have an older sibling, but if you do reach out to them. They might give you an idea without realizing it. Or just a different perspective. If it is somehow that fake-dating trope, this really just speaks of a deal; using someone for personal gain, striking a deal, etc. They don’t gain much out of it but you do. This King of Cups influence might also give you some advice and let you vent or give you space to be yourself.

The Opossum and Peony Rx, Foxglove Rx, Red Oh so that Miley reference was speaking to something here. Interesting how the cards speak to outward motion but your oracle speaks to inward reflection. Embrace yourself even if it’s been rejected by those who were supposed to be close to you. When you are comfortable enough, feel free to come back out and unapologetically be yourself. Obviously, take precaution where and when you need to, even if not LGBT+ (we’re not about to risk housing just for being alternative), but life is too short to not be comfortable in your skin and to enjoy your favorite hobbies. There is no timing or due date on when you need to figure out your feelings or discuss them with those who have hurt you. Trying to do that will only confuse you or force thoughts out to be honest. All of this is just speaking to finding peace within yourself first, enjoying life again the way you want to, and then coming back to all of this chaos when you have the strength to. As I always say, there is a community for everyone out there, and you’ll find yours. Go listen to Pocketful of Sunshine by Natasha Bedingfield.

Pile Four

Check-In Cards: Page of Wands, X of Pentacles Rx, Ace of Cups, VII of Cups Rx, The Chariot Rx, The Hermit Rx No direction almost? Or it looks like you have no direction. So what it feels like is someone who is a backpacker — I also said expat so that could also be up in the air? That’s the thing it feels like these are ideas you’re contemplating or working towards and it feels like they were not necessarily favored in the eyes of close ones, so it created some conflict. I don’t think you necessarily care lol. It isn’t stopping your adventurous spirit at all, and you’re very much still looking into ideas as well as coming up with them — but they’re all still in the…drafting phase? You also don’t seem to have any clear direction, which isn’t an issue, but it seems like you’re just chill with being directed by almost anyone, which might turn into a problem. Usually The Hermit will point to either direction, but this is very flimsy right now. It’s neither engaging with the world technically nor is it doing self-introspection. It seems like it, but there is no actual self-conviction. You’re willing to try out a lot of options but the concern that was voiced before was that it’s way too risky as opposed to just switching majors in college. Also I don’t believe that you fully don’t care for your parent’s opinions. Objectively no one fully ever gets over a broken family, but it’s kind of split between wanting to prove them wrong and also wishing this didn’t cause an issue in the first place. Or a small percentage is wanting to see who you are without your family (like a life test), so that could be another thing. I think we get the point so let’s see what this deck has to say.

Advice Cards: The Moon Rx, Queen of Wands, The Magician Rx, King of Swords, The Devil Rx, Ace of Swords Okay listen this deck is kind blunt plz forgive it You need to be a bit more realistic. Figure out all the details in what you want to do, and then go for it. It’s not that you need to give up on your ideas or anything, but right now there’s room for failure. The King of Swords is a person who will spend about six hours going over every single fact to make sure everything lines up, and that’s the energy you need to be around (not like the type of people, but simulate that energy when it comes to this), and the magician for this deck literally says: out of touch. It’s weird cause it’s saying ‘Don’t give up on your dreams but hey not like that’ essentially. Keep your passion, drive, and confidence. Don’t treat this or let anyone tell you that you were wrong or this would never work out, but the way you’re approaching it is the issue. Take a step back and don’t be so obsessed with the destination. I’m not sure if there’s a place or person you’re trying to reach, but it won’t leave you. Or you’ll get to it, at some point — basically don’t stress yourself out over it. Plus sometimes stepping back will help you see things in a different way and maybe you’ll be able to achieve this in an easier way!