#and show the evolution of her throughout the run of the game

[wizardofpalmsprings]

Tav post mortem -

K’Amaria Docherty - Mephistopheles teifling - College of Valor Bard (10)/ Fighter (2)

Daughter of Baldurian nobility, K’Amaria wanted for nothing in her youth. She picked up the lute at a young age and started playing as much as she could, finding she had a knack for music and the magic that came with it. Her parents, while supportive of her bardic pursuits, insisted that she also take lessons on how to use various weapons in order to prepare herself for that the world might throw at her. She found herself favoring the rapier and the bow - a boon when out late at night busking at the various haunts around the gate. It was one such night where she found herself picked up by a passing mindflayer ship along with a handful of others.

Thrust into a plot to ravage the Sword Coast, she finds herself gathering unexpected allies. And a few (supposedly) necessary holes in the brain. All she wants to do is help people - and play them a song if they have the time.

Facing down cultists, a vampire lord, the Zhentarim, one determined devil, and the chosen of the Dead Three - turns out helping people is no small feat. Everyone craves power and control, even members of her own party. Thankfully they’re easier to reason with than the followers of the Absolute.

Eventually, they make it back to the gate and win the day. The Netherbrain is no more and the city is safe. For now, of course, some threat will come along again eventually. But for the moment, it’s time to rebuild.

K’Amaria elects to join Karlach in the hells, fighting against demons of all sorts and trying to find a way to permanently fix Karlach’s engine. One day, they’ll both return to Faerun and leave the hells behind for good but for now, the fight is on.

——

Class review and family below the cut:

Bard/Fighter is a great combo. You get spell casting and melee/long range combat all in one go. Was definitely inspired to give this a try after watching Lou Wilson as Fabian Seacaster on Dimension 20! It’s a really strong combo and I think it’d be fun to explore it in a table top setting as well.

Two levels in fighter is all you need to access action surge, which allows you to make multiple attacks in a single round and also possibly cast a spell if you’re feeling nasty. The one thing about casters is that (obviously this can vary) you can only do so much in a single round of combat. You get a spell and a bonus action if you’re lucky and that’s it. Moving into other classes while still having those caster levels really opens up a lot of opportunities to do a lot of damage or AoE, healing in a single round which feels like, to me, a more effective use of a round. There’s also something so satisfying about doing a lot of damage in a single round.

Definitely recommend giving the bard/fighter combo a go! It’s a lot of fun and you get some fun dialogue choices in game as a bard.

——

Family:

I’m an over thinker at best or worst, so I’ve definitely over thought her family.

Taniel Docherty - Father. A demon who left the hells after giving information to a mortal adventurer who had been imprisoned in the hells in order to save the rest of their party. He disguises himself as a human in order to conduct business and lay low from those who would try and find him. He met K’Amaria’s mother at her flower shop and was quite taken with her. They eventually settled down in a stately manor house with a lush garden.

Siobhan Docherty - Mother. Born and raised in the gate, Siobhan started selling flowers to help make ends meet. She eventually opened up her own shop, making arrangements but also selling various hard to get plants that are often used in various tinctures and potions. She keeps a room full of rarer plants at home, and also raises several species of birds.

Auren Docherty - Adoptive sibling. Auren is a nine year old orphaned half elf boy that joined the Docherty family about a year before the adventure. He’s quiet, keeps to himself, preferring to observe the plants in the garden and collect various bugs. He and K’Amaria get on well, despite them having a large age gap. He has the potential to become a Druid one day.

[hexhomos]

The 'Talis' hypothesis

So I think the S2 trailer confirms something central about Arcane I've wondered for a while. This has plot bearings to it, namely what nebulous purpose 'Magic' serves in the story -- how they're changing the role Hextech has in the game lore, incl. its power system & ruleset -- and what kind of hubris is associated with it historically. But it also answers something that has always nagged at me: why the fuck did they change Jayce's name?

So let's talk about this picture. And I'm going to give you the rosetta stone in 5 seconds:

This is Hextech now. Like that is just an incredibly concise and complete descriptor of Hextech-in-Arcane, right. It 'harms' Jinx, it 'protects' Jayce in the snowstorm, it 'heals' Viktor to a degree. It is installed permanently in architecture; the Hexgates ARE the brand.

First off, we have this fucker carrying around a talisman from back when he was 7, and the cinematography of the show agonizes over showing you this throughout all of ep2:

Jayce's bracelet is a bang-on definition of a historical talisman. The way hextech *functions* in the show is inextricable from the promises and rites associated with talismans, a word appropriated/popularized by the French - which I'm going to conservatively argue Fortiche would be familiar with;

Which brings me to the subject of what Hextech is, and how Hextech was changed for the tv show (and what its possibly being retconned to in the game)

Hex'tech' is not technology. The name is a carryover from a bygone era of leagueoflegends speak; Hextech in Arcane, and presumably in expanded lore going forward (given Skarner's rework and other things) - is the study, development, and the building of an industry around the craft of practical Talismans. If you want to understand how this shit works you need to promptly abandon the assumption that it is 'manufactured' magic -- its pure magic. It's raw magic. The tech part is a red herring misnomer.

The beliefs around this already cover links to 'the Arcane' as another, ethereal destination realm with Inhabitants that learn and change, ontop of rune-carving as magical instruction;

This also covers Viktor's impending transformation and the changes made to his character.

IN MY OPINION, via the content released so far and what we've already witnessed in S1, Viktor has been shifted away from becoming 'the machine herald' and re-positioned to become the Herald of Divine Rune Alchemy or whichever name they end up using.

I don't doubt that he'll get the armor at some point, because that's a recognizable visual and as much fanservice as they owe his decade-long fans, but... I would temper my expectations around the thought of machine evolution. It's not what this Viktor does, and it's not what he (or the narrative,) is interested in -- My guess is that the armor comes into play as a secondary way to AVOID overusing limited magical power, as we've seen runes can be depleted, and the hexcore tends to kill things in exchange.

Now that we've established all that, here is the bridge that I'm going to sell you.

Now, for today's homework, I expect you to run off to do something useful and homoerotic with this information.

[yaeggravate]

I wanted to collect my thoughts on the newly released book Perinheri, focusing on the usual overlooked suspects such as Kaeya, the Seelie and the connection to Princess Fischl.

TL;DR: Kaeya is (probably?) not cursed because he's half-Seelie

I strongly recommend reading the book first, which you can buy in Fontaine's book shop. Link to the official website here.

Perinheri is "based on a legendary story known throughout Khaenri'ah, but there are none left who can verify this." Ok, first of all, Kaeya and Zhongli are right there, you even put their names in the book!! Second of all, Khaenri'ah is only ever referred to as the "Kingdom" throughout the rest of the story. 🤨 Most likely because it went by a different name back then.

I think most people are aware this book is probably connected to Arlecchino because of her constellation Ignis Purgatorius which is Latin for Cleansing Fire. In the book, the titular Perinheri is made to crawl through a dark corridor filled with ash. He is pulled out of the other side, "reborn".

This fits with depictions of Purgatory:

The faithful dead go through the furnace and once purified ascend towards Heaven. Some of the faithful are plucked by angels, the result of intercessory prayers.

That being said, I don't really want to dig into the Arlecchino connection too much, since we'll find out what her deal is in a few weeks anyway, and with story spoilers running rampant, it won't be much fun anymore.😮‍💨

FALLEN SEELIE

But isn't it fascinating how one of the characters' name is Angelica who guided Perinheri out of a subterranean realm?

Kaeya has connections to the Seelie who are equated to angels in the game. Brief summary here, but the meat of it is that Kaeya most likely has Seelie roots and Nabu Malikata's last name can mean "angels" plural in Arabic. This wordplay tells us Angelica is without a doubt a Seelie, or at the very least someone belonging to the angel category. (The Jinn, for example, are descendants of the Seelie.)

What's funny is that Kaeya owns a book called The Adventures of Angelos, that he deliberately showed to the Traveler. Dude has been dropping hints since the very beginning! It's almost as if he's important to the plot or something.

Perinheri reveals the curse laid on Khaenri'ah is not unique to them and affects those who have forsaken or betrayed their god. There are a few other instances in Teyvat's history that have people turning into beasts, but no further information was given which made it hard to tell how it was connected to the curse of the Cataclysm.

Ukko, the last survivor of the fall of Sal Vindagnyr, was turned into a Frostarm Lawachurl. His final recorded words were of him asking for the destruction of the world as a last middle finger to the gods.

Didn't work.

Shiruyeh, Liloupar's grandson, fell into the abyss thanks to the behated lamp's machinations, and brought back a plague to Gurabad, which turned his people into wild creatures without faces.

Something interesting is that one of the six sins of the Akademiya is to revere gods without acts of devotion. Perhaps the other sins are connected to the conditions of the curse as well:

Cyno's Character Story 5 To prevent researchers from being devastated by their own knowledge, the sages laid out six cardinal sins. They held that all the crimes in this world derive from these six sins. The first is to interfere with human evolution; The second is to tamper with life and death; The third is to delve beyond the universe; The fourth is to investigate the origin of words; The fifth is to revere gods without acts of devotion; The sixth is to attempt the forbidden and fear none.

According to Angelica, the "pure-blooded" (for lack of better word) aristocracy of the Kingdom persists because any offspring they have with those who forsook their god will be affected by the curse as soon as they venture outside.

The witch, Angelica, explained thus: "Hleobrant is the descendant of those who forsook their god and came to the Kingdom. This is why the Kingdom's obstinately pure-blooded aristocracy persists. This is the price of betraying your own god."

The implication here is that the Kingdom seems to be protecting its people within its borders. Those who have come from another world like Perinheri are also curse free.

Angelica herself is not affected by any curse. It's hard to say if she was telling the truth here but she claims to have come from a nation that was defeated by Zhongli. Keep in mind, it's possible that she was only saying this to cast herself in a more favorable light by disguising herself as a fellow god-hater.

Whatever the case, since Angelica is most likely a Seelie, who were cast down by the heavens for reasons unknown, we have to analyze her words a bit more carefully.

The Seelie were also cursed after all.

Arama: Seelies are just empty husks that race left behind. This is because they were born with a curse: If they fall in love with Nara, they shall lose their intelligence and strength, and their bodies will regress.

Explains why Angelica led Hleobrant on and to his demise. Not unlike a certain other Seelikata we know.

Angelica: As for you, Perinheri, you are one who drifted there. Thus, you bear no such curse. You may not have the nobility to shoulder a world, but you too have your own destiny. And as for me? I betrayed no one, not for a moment, until my god died, so I too bear this curse not. But you now see who I truly am, yes?

"Until my god died." If Angelica is a Seelie, then who would her god be? Istaroth? A moon sister? Both? Something to think about…

As for why Angelica did all of that...No idea. Maybe she was just being a little silly. Haha, get it? Because Seelie means silly. But guiding people with a promise of a reward only to lead them into a trap sounds eerily similar to what Kaeya did in his story quest... and in the manga.

It's because he's silly 😂!

ANGELS GEORG

How exactly Kaeya is connected to Seelie is unknown but the character of Kaeya is partly based on Hagen/Högni who is himself half-human/half-dwarf or half-elf. If Kaeya is also half-human then mayhaps the other half could be Seelie.

If Kaeya is half-Seelie, it would explain why he isn't cursed: Angelica. Angelica never betrayed her god. If Kaeya's "pure-blood" father, had a child with a Seelie who never betrayed their god, then maybe the curse wouldn't transfer to Kaeya. This is just one suggestion because we have no idea why the curse gives immortality to pure-blood Khaenri'ahns and if it can be passed on or not.

(As an aside, Kaeya's father is most likely cursed. Kaeya said his hand writing was atrocious, which implies his hands were losing dexterity like Chlothar's.)

I'm aware of the technicalities and the plotholes here such as "uhhh aren't Seelie all empty husks" and "don't they regress if they fall in love"?? Well, we know at least there were survivors out there, meaning there might be loopholes. Columbina, Nabu Malikata, and maybe even Nicole are all characters who weren't husked to floating eye state.

And of course there is Angelica, whose name I joked about being Kaeya's mom's name long before this stupid book came out. 😮‍💨 RUNNING OUT OF IDEAS, ARE WE, HOYOVERSE EMPLOYEE READING MY BLOG

(It could also be that Kaeya's mom was a descendant (Jinni) or scion of the Seelie instead, which I have talked more about here.)

Another alternative is that he's something akin to Perinheri: a child who drifted from some destroyed world. This doesn't seem likely though. Kaeya has the patented star shaped pupils that are more prominent in official art than in the game.

I will say however, that Kaeya's pupils are very different from other Khaenri'ahns such as Dain, Halfdan and Clothar. His pupils are similar to Pierro's which are also "solid". Maybe Pierro is in a similar situation as Kaeya.

Kaeya is in part based on the changeling prince from Midsummer Night's Dream. Changeling in this context means a human child raised by fairies... The title of the Harbingers' trailer, Winter Night's Lazzo, is probably a nod to this play…

In Scottish folklore, the Seelie have a darker counterpart: the Unseelie. Unseelie haven't been mentioned in the game yet, but it's likely they do exist. Perhaps they're the fallen angels, abyssal creatures or even the pure-blood Khaenri'ahns. It's hard to say without more information.

The Seelie Court is ruled by Titania, the Fairy Queen from Midsummer Night's Dream. While the Unseelie Court is their cold, somber counterpart, described as a winter's night...

Fischl's princess outfit is called Immernachtstraum which is also a nod to Midsummer Night's Dream. It's like Fischl and Kaeya belong to the Seelie, also known as the Summer Court, while the Tsaritsa belongs to the Unseelie, the Winter Court.

Getting off track here, but whatever's going on with Kaeya is connected to Princess Fischl and it's difficult to talk about either of them without acknowledging their strange bond.

Lastly,

Kaeya's Character Story 4 Sinister thoughts flashed through Kaeya's mind, and he simply smirked: "This world is truly… fascinating."

Why say world, why!? He just had to throw that in to confuse us even more!

Recently I found out that Kaeya took the traveler to the nameless island on his birthday. No one would go to such lengths if the place wasn't important to them. This island has a ravaged moon-or sundial belonging to the God of Time. The platform on the island can also be found in two places in Dragonspine; the Mural Room and the Secret Room. What the purpose of these things are is unclear, (my guess is elevators), but the Mural Room just so happens to have a painting of a giant angel on it.

The fact that the island is shrouded in mist, hidden from the map, implies someone very powerful brought Kaeya and his father to Mondstadt. If Kaeya's mom was a Seelie then perhaps she was the one who brought them above ground. I can also see a scenario in which a fellow brethren of hers might have helped out.

Such as, I don't know, someone with connections to the Seelie and Dawn Winery. Like Nicole or Columbina, who just so happens to be part of the Fatui… Someone must have given Crepus that delusion after all. 🤷🏽‍♀️

(Venti was taking a power nap at the time, so it can't be him.)

IMMERNACHTREICH

A while back I proposed Fischl might have been a ruler of Khaenri'ah. And now Perinheri has dropped more crumbs unto our laps.

Princess Fischl is the ruler of the Immernachtreich, which is appointed as the future realm of Fischl. This is an important distinction because it means this Realm wasn't always hers. The Immernachtreich is described as an otherworldly place where everything will eventually flow into.

Mitternachts Waltz Everything in this world must pass through the doorway of their destruction unto the future kingdom of the Prinzessin. In the silence of her pitch-dark Nachtgarten would they find a place to slumber.

Flowers for Princess Fischl: Phantasmagoria Every good, bright and noble thing must eventually fall to inexorable entropic destruction, and the final destination of the universe is the realm-in-waiting of the Prinzessin, Immernachtreich.

More About Fischl: To condemn the guilty, to sanctify the just, and to draw all castaway dreams into the embrace of the infinite Immernachtreich.

Something about that sounds familiar!

Perinheri Vol 1 Due to the Kingdom's unique position, things from outside this world were always leaking into it. The Kingdom's weapons would wipe out the calamities slipping in, but what of all the other objects? Such as, say, a child who may have come from some destroyed world?

A child from a destroyed world leaking into an underground Kingdom and the Immernachtreich, another subterranean realm, the doorway of their destruction.

Both realms are welcoming to castaways.

The annoying thing is that it's unclear if Khaenri'ah is the same as the Immernachtreich since Fischl describes her Kingdom as a "small and forbidden paradise". Perhaps Fischl created a subset within the underground realm that kept people safe. At least for a while.

She did after all create a Sommernachtgarten, or Summer Night Garden, that is referenced in the domain Midsummer Courtyard. See, I didn't just mention the Seelie Summer Courts for no reason; Fischl might've been the princess of the Seelie/Angels. But there's little else to corroborate that other than the wings on her back and the Seelie like emblem on her waist...

Anyway, Fischl can see the threads of fate and has seen the causality of worlds too numerous to count. As we all know, she created another universe and founded paradise. This other universe might be a new branch that split off from the parent timeline.

In other words a parallel universe.

These branches are referenced in the description for Mitternachts Waltz, so I'm not just pulling this out of my ass.

Even the branch of the tree of time upon which the great and glorious Reman Republic nested would be cut off in the end, such that the nation founded by the other twin child of the wolves might rule.

Perhaps this is also what Perinheri's world was. Maybe the various destroyed worlds were branches that got cut off...

Another interesting similarity is that Fischl ran into a bunch of fate-resisting royals who devolved into beasts after denying her status....

Flowers for Princess Fischl (I): End Time Zersetzung When the lone pilgrimaging princess reached the kingdom of eternal twilight, the fate-resisting royals chose to deny everything in their desperation. They refused to recognize Fischl's noble stature and mission as the princess of the Immernachtreich; denied their 13,000-year lineage as a branch of the royal family; and forsook their own nobility and restraints as humans… devolving into clumsy and vicious beasts.

Huh, it's just like Angelica said 🤷🏽‍♀️. Kingdom of Eternal Twilight might be the "Kingdom" from Perinheri and the fate-resisting royals is code for those who forsook their gods. However, Fischl wasn't without sympathy and took it on herself to protect the Immernachtreich.

Narrator: The Prinzessin harbored much sympathy for all living things, and wished to never see them in pain. She harnessed the power of darkness and dreams to weave the night, and gave it the task to safeguard all living things. The people celebrated and worshiped the Prinzessin's authority, and followed her call to migrate to the sacred land that would eventually be known as the Immernachtreich. We established a nation on the Holy Land, revered the Prinzessin as The Absolute One, and introduced poetry, theater, and adventure to the Kingdom, laying the groundwork for the Immernachtreich.

One final stray thought:

That giant crying left eye on the cover may or may not be the same as Fischl's left Auge der Verurteilung, which caused her great agony due to its ability to pierce through the heart of all truths.

It could also be Fischl's enemy, the World Beast, a night-patrolling beast named "World", who casts a greedy eye on all dreams...

Perinheri The crimson moon, hanging high in the pitch-dark night sky, suddenly turned around, revealing itself to be a titanic, horrified eye.

About Us: Shooting Down the World Beast You seem to be troubled...? Oh traveler, you need not be perplexed. With my left eye, this "Auge der Verurteilung" that penetrates the threads of karma, I keep watch over your fate; with Oz's crow-eyes that have witnessed the nirvana of a thousand worlds, he observes your way forward. If the ferocious night-patrolling beast named "World" casts a greedy eye on your dream, then I will shoot it down with my Magic Arrow of Holy Retribution!

[morurui]

I have 2 for the ask game (sorryyy)!!!

1 velociraptor

2 Ceratosaurus

Thank you for asking!

1. Velociraptor- What are your favorite episodes from both shows/across the seasons?

Choosing a favorite episode for both series is pretty hard, but if I had to choose out of a list I would have to pick The Long Run from Jwcc season 3 and Rest Stop from Jwct season 1. These two episodes are pretty different so I’ll talk about both of them separately. I love the long run because not only is it one of the major Yasammy episodes, but it also gives us an amazing exploration into Yasmina character. She begins the series off as a seemingly cold and stand offish person, but with the help of Sammy she eventually comes out of her shell. We see her do something she would’ve never previously done, which is risking her life for one of her dear friends. It just ties into Yaz’s overall character development very well and it’s such a powerful episode. When it comes to Rest Stop, the main reason why I love it so much is that it gives us insight into a post nublar Ben. (As you can tell I like the more character focused episodes rather than the more plot focused episodes) We see how his time on the island has affected him and while he doesn’t necessarily have ptsd it’s clear that he has anxiety and as a person with anxiety, it’s refreshing to see different types of anxiety portrayed in one show (Both Ben and Yaz struggle with it in different ways). I also love how it explores the Darius and Ben’s dynamic as I feel like their friendship was an essential part to Camp Cretaceous. I do wish the character moments we got from Ben in this episode persisted consistently throughout the rest of the season, but it’s an important episode to me. Also that moment where Darius is telling Ben to chill and Ben says something along the lines of “Don’t you think I want to, but I can’t!” Was so relatable. He’s just like me fr.

2. Ceratosaurus- Favorite character design from both series? (Also who in your personal opinion, had the best glow up from CC to CT)

My favorite character design from CC has to be Yaz, she’s so pretty and I just love how her athletic wear looks comfortable and also stylish and my favorite design from CT has to be either Darius or Ben, their designs both work for me. Darius’s being a logical evolution for his character and Ben’s being such a leap from his previous incarnations that it just makes sense. Also I think Ben and Sammy had the best glow ups I want to give them a smooch.

[littlemonstert-blog]

I cant help but to laugh at twitter.

I honestly can't deal with people getting mad about some of the changes Castlevania Noturne.

I think Castlevania Noturne is alright besides a couple of cringe dialogue in certain episodes & a couple of moments felt off. Other then that its ok

Like a soild 7.5-8/10

This isn't the first time they changed something about the story or character in this franchise and it won't be the last.

Like I get that want to stick to the "source material"

Its basicaly the same as last castlevania kill vampires

NOUTURNE theme is about freedom for almost every character.

Let's be honest here...

All they really did was put more emphasis with the french evolution compared to the game it was based around that time.

Recycling the dracula plot line like the game isn't gonna work bc of the show he doesn't hate humans anymore.

Even castlevania has gone off the rails and add stuff to their game that really doesn't fit in.

The videos I've seen have said they are loosely adapting Rondo of Blood into Symphony of the Night.

The show clearly explains why Annette & her friend are here for.

Then there's Annette the race swapping. People are upset about this so much.

Once in game she was just richter girlfriend & damsel n distress (which isn't bad if written correctly)

Idk why it that upsetting bc she didn't have much of a major role in the story

I get the wanted them to follow the "source material"...

(The writers to have some fault in this & could have handle it better)

But... as for the fans...where was all this energy for Issca

He still throughout the series became one of the best characters.

I didn't hear too many complaints about him.

A story about belmont vampire hunters fighting Dracula over and over again...but a something a bit different mixed in they throw a fit.

It fantasy with magic & monsters but as soon as you see a black person all hell is gonna break loose

The comments are ridiculous too.

The irony in this post is that JAPAN based game and manga have done this before with approval.

DMC Morrison

One piece live action with ODA's approval

I go on but i got limited images i can use but the FINAL nail in the coffin

What the netflix castlevania account tweeted out.... It didn't go so well a post and delete.

About Annette(joking out of context) saying Richter was basically useless after a certain event had him running away. (Something about the belmonts)

.

This person didnt even watch the show yet they judge an out of context scene.

I do see alot of people defending the netflix post heck some people that are fan of the games enjoy it too.

I gonna be honest if you don't like the show that's fine. But if you haven't watched the show just stop talking. Let people enjoy it.

[ohallthecrushes]

You're a storm in a teacup and I'm starting to like the chaos.

I've been written this story since the last episode of Criminal minds Evolution that I've seen, which was...around one year ago. And this is so far the longest story I've ever written. Damn. I'm impressed by my own hyperfixation on this. xd I've never published it anyway, cause honestly, it was for my own amusement. Kind of self-inserted main character, you know. But since I've almost lost the whole story, I've decided to put it here to make it immortal. Who knows, maybe there are fans of CME that will find this story interesting (or sick, or both, hopefully both) and who love Elias Voit as a character (I don't recommend falling in love with someone like him!)

Without further ado!

Summary: Evelyn is a young-troubled woman who's just escaped a highly guarded psych ward (twice, but this time causing havoc on her way out)

Now she's running through the city, hiding from police. A not-so-accidental encounter with a man named Elias Voit will change her life forever. And she'll change his. His seemingly selfless help is laced with danger, hidden agenda, manipulation, endless tension, and...love? Slow burning inteligent-idiots-in-love trope. But mind you, just because it's a love story, doesn't mean it ends well.

General warnings throughout the story: Manipulation, illegal activities, murder(s), Stockholm syndrome, kidnapping, explicit content, language, death... The whole pack. It's Criminal minds after all.

In this episode: Evelyn exhausted after spending the last few days on running and hiding, hops into a taxi with the intention to flee the city. Unfortunately, the taxi driver isn't what he appears to be.

Rain lashed against the windshield, blurring the city lights into streaks of neon. Evelyn was huddled low in the backseat. Her heart was hammering against her ribs every time a cop car was passing by. The man behind the wheel, a mid-age looking guy with a baseball cap on his head and bristle on his face, glanced at her in the rearview mirror. "Looks like they got the whole damn city on a hunt." he rumbled. His voice was husky and low, laced with curiosity or complain, Evelyn couldn't decide which.

"You think so?" She forced a casual tone, but her throat felt dry. Elias, as the taxi driver introduced himself, had picked her up from an empty parking lot. It was a stroke of pure, desperate luck from her side. Luckily he hadn't questioned her request to "just go", and just taken her money and driven away. She couldn't believe her own daring to trust a stranger like that, but at this point, she didn't have a much of a choice if she wanted to flee the city.

Elias grunted, his eyes flicked back to the road. She studied his face in the rearview mirror – the crooked nose, the stubble, casual clothes... He looked like a normal guy, but there was something in his posture, in his glances, as if something untamed was beneath the surface. Intriguing, under normal circumstances. Now, it just made her nervous.

"Where are we going, anyway?" He finally broke the suffocating silence.

She shrugged. "Far away from here, I guess?."

Elias (Elias, he kept reminding himself, not Sicarius. Not yet.) stole another glance at her.

A few days ago he'd been captivated by the news reports – the "troubled young woman" who'd outsmarted highly secure institution in the state, twice. Twice! And the second time wrecked havoc on her way out. The arrogance, the audacity of it, it thrilled him. More importantly, it showed a kind of ruthlessness, an understanding of the game that most people lacked. She wasn't a killer, not in the traditional sense, despite the allegations against her. He could see that much. But there was a fire in her, a strong determination to survive and a capacity for violence that intrigued him. He figured that her sharp mind and cunning ability could be a perfect addition to his growing criminal network.

All he needed was her trust at first. He needed to convince her that he was the only one who understood her point of view. The only one who could help her.

He tried to form a connection, but unfortunately she wasn't interested in chitchat. His every attemp for conversation was deflected with dismissal. It seemed like his charm didn't work on her. Well... But at least he convinced her that despite the recognition, he wouldn't drop her at the nearest police station. He cleared his throat. "Don't worry, kid. You're safe with me." The words tasted strange on his tongue, like a foreign kindness. Feigned of course, but for now, it was enough.

She grimaced, after all she'd been through, she didn't trust anyone. She was cautious about this taxi driver, but the whole city's police was out to get her so she didn't have any choice than to let this man help her. At least for now. It was suspicious that he said he wouldn't turn her in. He could have, he'd had a chance with every police car passing them by. And yet, he didn't. His motives unclear, but if he tried anything funny, she'd escape. She'd become good at it after all.

Suddenly the music playing at the radio stopped as the newscaster's voice filled the cab. "...authorities are still searching for Evelyn Thorne, the young woman suspected of..." The voice droned on, listing a litany of her supposed crimes. Each word was another nail hammered into the coffin of her innocence. She shot a venomous glare at the radio. "Dangerous and unstable," the announcer finished with a flourish. She snorted. "Dangerous by accident and not unstable," she muttered under her breath.

Elias kept his eyes fixed on the rain-slicked road ahead. "They always paint the picture they want, don't they?" His voice held a hint of something similar to understanding, and even shared cynicism. She glanced at him with a hesitant curiosity. He wasn't scared of her, not in the way the doctors, the police, even her own reflection had been lately. There was a calmness to him that she found strangely comforting. Didn't trust it though, not one bit.

"Yeah...you think they'll ever be interested to see the truth?" Her question sounded half rhetorical. She wasn't naive enough to believe in some grand reveal, some magical moment where everyone would understand. But she held onto that tiny hope that still lived in her heart that maybe someone would understand.

He didn't answer right away, the silence stretching between them. Finally, he spoke, with a low voice. "The truth is whatever you make it, kid. They can paint you a villain, but that doesn't mean you have to stay in the line." A slow, sarcastic smirk spread across her face at his words. His words were cryptic, and she couldn't decipher the hidden meaning if there was any. Nor she couldn't decipher his intentions yet, but a thought crossed her mind when she looked at the window – being trapped in this taxi cab was still a better option than hiding in the rain.

Catching a glimpse of her smirk, he felt a thrill course through him. Underneath the determination and defiance, there was something dark stirring within her, a darkness he recognized, a darkness he could nurture... He imagined that he would win her trust, bit by bloody bit, until she saw the world through his blood-stained eyes. Until she understood there was another path, a darker path, and he would be her guide. He would show her the beauty of chaos, the freedom in destruction.

Unaware of his thoughts she took a deep breath, relaxing her tense shoulders. Relief, a fragile thing, began to seep into her as she realized that this taxi driver probably really wasn't going to turn her in. But she couldn't relax fully. Fatigue was a relentless foe. The constant scanning for danger was exhausting. Not mentioned the lack of proper sleep.

A yawn escaped her lips. "You should try to get some sleep," he suggested, his voice gruff but not unkind. She lifted her eyebrow. Sleep? In a moving vehicle with a stranger behind the wheel? No, thanks. "I can't sleep," she muttered as she leaned her head against the window, watching the city lights.

He shifted his focus to the road. Her wariness didn't faze him. He was a patient predator, content to wait for the right moment. His determination and a confidence in his plan had made him drive for hours searching for her. Luckily it wasn't in vain. He had her now, a precious pawn in his twisted game. His hands tightened on the wheel.

His hideout awaited, a haven she didn't even know she craved.

The miles slipped by, measured by the rhythmic drumming of rain on the roof. Evelyn's eyelids, lulled by the monotony, began to droop in spite of her resistance until sleep, the traitor, finally claimed her.

Elias' lips curved into a small smile as he stole a glance at her. He had to admit, that even in a dim light, her beauty was undeniable. Porcelain skin, blue eyes that were a nice contrast against the dark curtain of her hair – a not so innocent Snow White lost in a storm.

She was sleeping for a while, but it wasn't a deep sleep, no. more of a restless doze with disturbing flashing images of police and doctors running after her. Soon she woke up with a jolt, by her stomach growling in protest. Great. Just what she needed – hunger on top of everything else. With a deep sigh, she rubbed her eyes as she looked at Elias and mumbled, "If I bribe you with imaginary money, would you stop for some food?"

He chuckled. "Imaginary money? Well, seeing as how the real kind seems to be in short supply for you right now, I suppose I can make an exception." Soon he pulled into the nearest gas station and she watched him disappearing into the brightly lit mini-mart. Even with the minimal reprieve, her nerves remained on edge. What if he went to call the police? Her knee was slightly bouncing as she waited for him with growing impatience. When he reappeared alone (ooff), he clutched two brown paper bags in his hands, one for her, one for him.

He turned to face her to give her the bag, the scent of hot dogs filled the car. "Here you go, Snow White. Two all-beef franks, just the way you like them… probably." His voice held a hint of amusement. She ignored the nickname as she finally had a chance to take a good look at him in the harsh fluorescent light. He was somewhere in his early forties with deep lines etched on both sides of his crooked wolfish nose, and intense dark blue eyes. His hair, a mess of short curls under the baseball cap gave him a surprisingly boyish look despite the stubble shadowing his jaw. He caught her staring, and a playful glint ignited in his eyes.

"Like what you see?" he drawled, a teasing lilt to his voice to see how she'd react.

A blush crept up her pale cheeks as she blinked surprised. "What? No, I mean... umm...w-whatever, sorry for staring..." She mumbled, her gaze darting away to the hot dog in her hand. What a fascinating hotdog... Her reaction was cute, he thought. He kept his gaze on her a bit longer than necessary. Could it be that she was attracted to him? That'd be an interesting addition to his plan, and a weakness he could exploit. His calculated mind was already thinking about the possibilities. It could be a way to bind her closer to him, to make her stay... He turned away and started the engine. If he played his cards right, he could have her if he wanted to, quite literally, body and mind. A chilling smile played on his lips. The prospect was undeniably interesting.

Evelyn focused on eating, trying to forget the awkward moment. The man had something in him, a charm maybe, but definitely wasn't her type. She hoped that he didn't think much of her reaction.

The relentless rain continued its drumbeat on the roof of the car as he drove away. Minutes had bled into one another, the city lights left behind... He looked at her. She was picking at the remains of her hotdog, her brows furrowed in consternation. They were on the outskirts now. Two-story houses with manicured lawns were lined the streets. An idea, dark and twisted, sparked in his mind. He was tired and needed a rest, but finding a motel, where someone could recognise her or where she could disappear on him, would be risky.

He slowed the car, his finger pointing out the window. "How many people you think live there?" The house he gestured towards was large, with two gleaming SUVs parked in the driveway.

She followed his gaze, slightly confused by his question. "Four, maybe five? Big family I guess..." she shrugged.

"yeah, too many moving parts. What about that one?" His finger shifted to a smaller house on the next block, a ramshackle structure that seemed to sag under its own weight. "One, max two? Probably some old folks or someone who's seen better days.. Or maybe it's abandoned?"

Her suspicion was growing until she understood his implication, though she couldn't believe it. "You can't be serious," she said, her voice barely a whisper as he drove the car at the back of the old house. Breaking into a house – a crime she'd sworn off just yesterday ago – was apparently back on the menu. And not by her choice this time.

He stopped the car and cut the engine. Then he met her gaze with his dark blue eyes. "We both know you don't have much choice, do you, Snow White? Do you want to stay off the radar or not?" His voice was a low murmur. He wanted to test her willingness to cooperate, and to see how far she would go to survive. Would she play along or woudl she defy him? He couldn't wait to see.

She clenched her jaw and furrowed her brows. Great... Of course the only person that wanted to help her was some kind of criminal himself. Normalcy, it seemed, was way beyond her reach. Stepping out of the car, she felt the rain chilling her skin to the bone. With a forced acceptance she hesitantly followed him towards the rickety house.

[psychangels]

been thinking abt the different dynamics and general relationships between the gang. so here's those thoughts summarized, with my more in-depth ones under the cut

chai and peppermint they have a very fun dynamic, with their bickering and bantering. the evolution of their relationship is fascinating and sweet, and i will forever love how peppermint starts caring about chai fairly early on and lies horribly about it to his face because she doesn't want to admit to anyone—least of all herself—that she's getting attached

chai and macaron their dynamic is just nice and sweet. chai helps macaron grow more confident and tries to help him relax. macaron helps chai by rooting for him and complimenting him when others won't. it's also rlly cute how they're the only ones to refer to each other with nicknames/terms of endearment (mac and little guy respectively)

peppermint and macaron endlessly fascinating to me how they both love roxanne and what she built so much that, despite not meeting due to her keeping them at arms length, they're ultimately brought together

macaron and cnmn their dynamic is so fun! cnmn's bluntness contrasts well with macaron's cautious nature. love how macaron built cnmn because he didn't want to be alone...and was self-aware enough that he needed help to also make them a therapy bot

chai and cnmn such an interesting dynamic. the guy that supresses basically any and all negative feelings and hides his past and pains; the therapist robot that recognizes that, but is just tactful enough to not call him out on it...for the most part

cnmn and peppermint kind of a similar dynamic to cnmn and chai. she appreciates cnmn for his more analytical side than his goofiness

cnmn and korsica these two can be fun. korsica definitely appreciates how direct cnmn is. i think post-game, they probably bond a bit over how they both got pretty fucked up by kale physically.

chai and korsica their dynamic is just...truly fascinating to me. mostly bc of their parallels. i've made a post talking about that in the past, though, so i won't repeat myself. but i also really like their differences. the main one that i always think of is her drive to challenge herself and need to do more, which contrasts with his more lax nature

peppermint and korsica they're neat. they get along well because they're pretty similar. both assertive, tactical, and confident in their own skills; share a distaste for puns and a need to keep busy; total dorks. post-game i imagine they grow pretty close.

macaron and korsica these two have a lot of potential for a interesting dynamic. they both look up to and respect roxanne a lot, and knew that something was wrong with the company but did not act due to their own beliefs. her levelheadedness is a good counter for his anxiety.

chai and peppermint their relationship starts off the most strained out of all of them, with the exception of korsica for obvious reasons. something that i find interesting is how she starts to care about him fairly early on. despite being (understandably) mad at him for blowing her cover, she checks in on him and compliments him throughout the parry tutorial. later, when she shows up at macaron's lab, she runs in saying, "don't be dead!" and lies horribly about being worried about him when he asks.

the two of them both seek out loneliness and prefer to be on their own. but it's interesting how, despite being described as the "loner hacker girl," peppermint is actually far more inclined to seek help and companionship than chai. she clearly doesn't want to admit that, though, considering how, as i said earlier, she lies about being worried about him. she does sort of let it slip when she mentions how 808 provides companionship as well as being a spy drone, though

the two of them have a very fun dynamic. they bicker and banter. their interactions are often filled with a sort of confidence, if that makes sense. not really sure how to explain. all of the lines they say to each other when she gets called in are sort of assertive in some capacity; that same confidence. there's a growing trust there.

chai and macaron their relationship and dynamic is very nice. there isn't as much to say as the previous dynamic, but that's because they don't rlly have a whole lot of growth in terms of theirs. it stays basically the same the whole time. but that makes sense and works well, because macaron's growth is centered around him becoming more confident. which chai is great for, because he's probably the most confident member of the whole gang aside from peppermint and probably cnmn.

they're the only members of the gang to refer to each other with any sort of nicknames/terms of endearment (chai calls him mac; macaron calls him little guy), which is neat. also really cute.

also, to discuss the lines that they say when he's called in: they're actually fairly assertive and confident. they have no lines where they check-in on each other, but this time there are no exceptions. i honestly find this a little strange, i feel like out of all of them, macaron would want to check on chai the most.

peppermint and macaron something that i find so interesting about their relationship is how they both seemed to be very close to roxanne despite the ways she held them at arms length, yet they never met until recently-ish. it makes sense why. but it really does make me wonder if roxanne never even had pictures of her kids in her office or anything similar. i also find it fascinating how their love of roxanne, and what she built, is what eventually causes them to meet

we don't really get to see them interacting one-on-one much, but they seem to get along relatively well. they have a lot of similar interests and hobbies (stem stuff), which definitely helps with that. i can imagine them helping each other out with projects when one of them is struggling with a certain bit of code or figuring out a design or...other tech-y things

macaron and cnmn the bffs! i love them. it's really interesting to see sort of a reverse of peppermint and chai, who sought loneliness and preferred being on their own, with macaron, who was sort of forced in many ways to be on his own but chose to seek companionship by making cnmn. i also find it fascinating how he specifically chose to build them with the purpose of being a sort of therapist. it shows how self-aware he is. i also find it hilarious that he named him CRAP, most likely without meaning to

their dynamic is very fun! cnmn's bluntness has a nice contrast with macaron's more nervous nature. the way that macaron prefers peaceful options, whereas cnmn is totally down to fight, but simply can't due to macaron's preferences being reflected in their design. inaction vs action, but in a friendly and compassionate way

chai and cnmn such an interesting dynamic. the guy that supresses basically any and all negative feelings and hides his past and pains; the therapist robot that recognizes that, but is just tactful enough to not call him out on it...for the most part. i get the sense that chai is sort of wary of cnmn in some ways because of that. but he also respects them and enjoys their company. they have fun! they're both silly fellas! they enjoy puns!

i love how cnmn has his own sort of growth, and chai, while he doesn't fully know how to help them with it, does what he can: offer his support. it's very sweet. it's also interesting because it's the reverse of what you would expect. you'd think cnmn would be the one helping chai with his insecurities, but instead they're the one being offered comfort and support

cnmn and peppermint kind of a similar dynamic to cnmn and chai, but i don't think peppermint's really wary of cnmn. she enjoys his company more for his analytical side, rather than his goofy one. i think she appreciates his bluntness. she also appreciates that he knows when to and when to not share his thoughts and perceptions, for obvious reasons

i wish i had more to say about them, but similar to macaron and peppermint, we don't get to see the two of them interact one-on-one. and they don't have As much in common, aside from that cnmn knows how to hack. the two of them likely aren't particularly close, but that doesn't mean they don't care abt one another.

cnmn and korsica these two can be fun. korsica definitely appreciates how direct cnmn is. i think post-game, they probably bond a bit over how they both got pretty fucked up by kale physically. they would try to help her feel less self-conscious about her scars, and offer support on the whole in regards to some of her insecurities. in turn, she would teach them to fight and help them with their own insecurities in regards to how they feel like they don't do enough for the team

in terms of actual canon interactions, this is another one where we don't get to see very many, so i don't have much else to say. but i do think they'll become fairly close

chai and korsica these two are so interesting to me. they're the only ones with voice lines when she's called in where they ask one another if they're okay ("korsica, you got this?" "you alright, chai?"). she also actively compliments him, unlike the others ("good timing!" "very precise, chai!"). and, of course, she has her moment where she compliments him in the hideout after she joins the team. also special shoutout to him calling her "vandelay security's finest" (heard if you perform one of her jam combos)

their dynamic is just...truly fascinating to me. mostly because of their parallels. i've made a post talking abt that in the past, though, so i won't repeat myself. but i also really like their differences. the main one that i always think of is her drive to challenge herself and need to do more, which contrasts with his more lax nature

peppermint and korsica they're neat. they get along well because they're pretty similar. both assertive, tactical, and confident in their own skills; share a distaste for puns and a need to keep busy; total dorks. post-game i imagine they grow pretty close. peppermint helps korsica with her implants and things down in security; korsica helps peppermint with getting rid of some of kale's bullshittery that's still left

i'm viewing their dynamic here from a more platonic lens, but peppermint's crush is important to take into account. though i'm not sure how much it would really change up their dynamic, aside from peppermint's flustered-ness causing potential cute/silly moments

macaron and korsica these two have a lot of potential for an interesting dynamic. they both look up to and respect roxanne a lot, and knew that something was wrong with the company but did not act due to their own beliefs (macaron didn't want to fight; korsica pushed down her feelings because she had finally achieved her dream). they also both have arm implants, which i'm sure macaron helps her adjust to

her levelheadedness is a good counter for his anxiety. i imagine her presence, though perhaps intimidating at first, can actually be rather calming. especialy since she is known to offer reassurance to those that need it (her interactions with chai being the primary example). i see the two of them as pretty good friends

[best-underrated-anime]

Best Underrated Anime Group L Round 2: #L1 vs #L2

#L1: Normal Girl™ accidentally joins Kansai’s biggest criminals

#L2: Girl turns into a tanuki and learns about racism

Details and poll under the cut!

#L1: Akudama Drive

Summary:

After the fall-out of a war between the Kanto and Kansai regions of Japan, citizens of Kansai now live in a dystopia. Criminals are bigger and badder than before, resulting in a specialized Execution Division rising to combat these ‘Akudama.’

An ordinary person accidentally wedges herself into the midst of a gang of the worst of the worst, and now she’s on the run with Kansai’s top Akudama to fulfill a cryptic mission. Her goal was to get back to her normal life, but one thing leads to another and she gets trapped, bound by her sense of morals to stick with her terrible team.

The team in question consists of a Brawler with a need to find the toughest opponent to fight, a Doctor who toys with lives, a Hacker who has run out of games to play, a Courier who always gets the job done, a Cutthroat with a kill count of 999 bodies, and a Hoodlum who was set for a prison sentence of 5 years. Joining them is the Black Cat, their mysterious recruiter, who promises great wealth to the Akudama.

Propaganda:

Akudama Drive is an anime produced by a video game company, and it’s amazingly a single standalone piece, unlike their other projects. The three people who lead the creation of the Danganronpa series (character designer, story writer, and music composer) came together and produced something so different from their usual pattern and it pays off.

The character designs are so fun, the music vibes hard, and the story is better than anything seen in DR before since (no offense meant) the cast all get fleshed out as individuals beyond a single trope. Everyone is depicted as morally grey, and it’s such a fun experience to watch the madness break out and root for the bad guys or the bad guys.

Every scene is so pretty, and you can see the color theory SLAPPING THE SCREEN, it’s so pleasing to look at. The voice acting is also top tier! The character evolution can literally be heard in the voices 🛐 The anime is a fun show with cool stunts and epic battles, but it’s still got some interesting social commentary if you’re the type that loves dissecting that madness. There’s a little something for everyone!

Trigger Warnings: Child Abuse, Emotional Abuse, Graphic Depictions of Cruelty/Violence/Gore, Rape/Non-Con, Self-Harm, Constant Flashing Lights and Screaming

#L2: BNA: Brand New Animal

Summary:

Throughout history, humans have been at odds with Beastmen—a species capable of changing shape due to their genetic "Beast Factor." Because of this conflict, Beastmen have been forced into hiding. Anima City serves as a safe haven for these oppressed individuals to live free from human interference.

During a festival celebrating the town's 10th anniversary, Michiru Kagemori, a human who suddenly turned into a tanuki, finds that Anima City is a far cry from paradise. After witnessing an explosion in the square, she is confronted by Shirou Ogami, a seemingly indestructible wolf and sworn protector of all Beastmen. As they pursue the criminals behind the bombing, the two discover that Michiru is anything but an ordinary Beastman, and look to investigate her mysterious past and uncanny abilities. Could she turn out to be the missing link between Humans and Beastmen?

Propaganda:

This is one of the first few anime I watched when I was getting into it, so I'm rather fond of it. Though the show is only one season, overall it's pretty solid and ties everything together at the end. I also really like how they utilize color in the animation (it especially makes fight scenes more interesting to watch). The worldbuilding they have with the beastmen is pretty neat as well. This anime is good if you're looking for something quick to watch.

Trigger Warnings: There is some violence, and since the characters are animals, that may fall under animal cruelty. There are a few parts in the show where the colors get pretty intense, so that could be considered flashing lights. There is racism, as the beastmen are discriminated against by humans.

When reblogging and adding your own propaganda, please tag me @best-underrated-anime so that I’ll be sure to see it.

If you want to criticize one of the shows above to give the one you’re rooting for an advantage, then do so constructively. I do not tolerate groundless hate or slander on this blog. If I catch you doing such a thing in the notes, be it in the tags or reblogs, I will block you.

Know one of the shows above and not satisfied with how it’s presented in this tournament? Just fill up this form, where you can submit revisions for taglines, propaganda, trigger warnings, and/or video.

[canmom]

L'aventure de Canmom à Annecy - Vendredi 2: The Tunnel to Summer, the Exit of Goodbyes

It's almost a week since the day now but here's more Annecy writeups! I will be republishing this whole series in a very fancy filterable way on canmom.art soon, so look out for that!

Friday's second act was the new anime film The Tunnel to Summer, The Exit of Goodbyes (夏へのトンネル、さよならの出口 Natsu he Tonneru, Sayonara no Deguchi), a title which conveniently only uses kanji from the first ~10 levels of Wanikani so it's nice and easy to read. That said, this showing had both English and French subtitles, so I didn't need to lean on my Japanese knowledge this time. Here's a trailer...

This film seems to have been out in Japan for long enough that it's already available on nyaa (GJM are working on a sub), but this was actually my first time hearing about it. It was originally a light novel by Mei Hachimoku, then a manga, and now an anime film by Tomohisa Taguchi.

Taguchi has a pretty good track record as a director, although mostly stuff I've not seen. In fact the only of his works I've seen before is the original series Akudama Drive (2020), which is a very stylish scifi heist anime. He also directed the recent Bleach film, and the 2017 Kino's Journey TV anime, as well as a number of adaptations of the Persona games.

As seems to be customary for screenings at the Bonlieu Grand Salle, he and one of the producers (I regret that I didn't make a note of which of the three) came on stage before the film to comment a little. [That guy on the left - I'm not sure his name but he seems to be one of the main people running Annecy, since he introduced most of the films and carried out interviews at most of the Grand Salle screenings I went to.]

Taguchi remarked that most of his previous work has been action, so this more grounded romance film was a big change of pace. He spoke about wanting to capture the loneliness of the two main characters. The animation was carried out at Studio CLAP, a young studio whose previous work is Pompo the Cinephile, which we watched on Animation Night 123.

This film actually ended up winning the 'Paul Grimault Award', one of the three awards bestowed to feature films, which is named after a French animator who I presently mostly know from the bus stop by Cinema Pathé; at some point I gotta dig in more lmao.

So, with all that introduction... what sort of film was it? I went in expecting a solidly made summer movie in the Makoto Shinkai idiom... and that is indeed precisely what I got.

The story concerns two highschoolers, Kaoru (our main viewpoint character) and Anzu. Kaoru is a boy whose sister died when he was young, leading to his parents breaking up and his father falling into alcoholism. Since she was attempting to retrieve a beetle for him, he blames himself for the death - a sentiment shared by his father. Anzu meanwhile is a new transfer student who arrives at the school and immediately makes waves by acting standoffish towards the other students. She has aspirations to become a mangaka, following in the footsteps of her grandfather, but this has estranged her from the rest of her family who disapproved of his lack of success. So she severely doubts her own talent.

The pair meet on a rainy day waiting for a train that is delayed by hitting a deer, at which Kaoru lends Anzu his umbrella. This train stop becomes a recurring motif throughout the film, symbolising the evolution of their relationship. The other major element is a local legend of the 'Urashima Tunnel', which can grant wishes, at the price that time is drastically slowed down inside the tunnel, so that seconds inside the tunnel pass as hours outside. Kaoru discovers the tunnel is in fact real, and might give him a way to save his sister; Anzu follows him and the pair start researching the properties of the tunnel (e.g. its effect on phone communications), and draw up a plan to enter it and get what they want, even if it sends them thousands of years into the future.

Naturally they grow closer together and start to form a romantic relationship. Kaoru learns about Anzu's manga, and comes to the conclusion that she doesn't lack talent at all - and he also knows (somehow) that the tunnel is not capable of bestowing talent, only restoring things that were lost. So in the end (spoilers!) Kaoru enters the tunnel in secret without Anzu knowing. Eight years pass on the outside during which Anzu becomes a successful mangaka, still eaten by her highschool relationship; inside over a matter of minutes Kaoru finds his sister, and spends a little time with her, before realising that actually what he really needs is to be with Anzu, so he texts her and starts running back. They reunite near the entrance of the tunnel, smooch, and live happily ever after (even though Kaoru is still a high schooler and there's an eight year age gap lmao, this just straight up isn't even mentioned as a potential issue).

Generally I enjoyed the buildup a lot more than the final act. That this kind of movie centres on a heterosexual relationship is inevitable, but Anzu and Kaoru's hesitant relationship is genuine and sweet - the scene where Kaoru is reading Anzu's manga as she anxiously waits for his opinion is especially well observed. The pair's efforts, led by Anzu, to analyse the properties of the tunnel through experimentation is fun, since that's precisely what I would do if confronted with a magical tunnel of time dilation. That said, the central fantastical conceit, the time dilation tunnel, doesn't feel like an especially interesting metaphor.

Compared to the films of Makoto Shinkai, which visually and narratively it hews very close to (complete with the coloured highlights), the notable divergence is that the couple don't end up separated and do get their happy ending. Kaoru's decision to break their compact and leave Anzu alone outside the tunnel for eight years ultimately... just doesn't matter too much. He realises he needs to move on, says goodbye to his sister, and reunites with Anzu. I think it might be more interesting if Anzu actually ended up moving on and starting a different relationship and Kaoru had to face up to the fact that he has thrown away his one connection, but then I'm a miserable bitch who loves suffering lmao. Alternatively, I think it would be really cool if they actually did send themselves thousands of years into the future, although it would put this film into a very different genre.

In any case, the ending to this film ultimately left me a little cold. Yay, breeding pair got together.

Even so, it was absolutely an entertaining film; the environments are suitably beautiful, the animation is solid. Whether you'd enjoy it will probably depend how much you enjoy the "summer movie magical romance" subgenre. If you like Makoto Shinkai's movies, you'll probably like this one. If you hate Makoto Shinkai's movies, I expect you'd feel much the same about this one.

Speaking of Makoto Shinkai, I was a little surprised not to see Suzume in competition. But in general it seems pretty random which anime studios decide to submit their work to Annecy. Some studios like Science Saru have a pretty close relationship with the festival, others seem to ignore it entirely. (Perhaps it is a case of like, for smaller studios it's a valuable chance for promotion, but Makoto Shinkai is basically guaranteed a massive worldwide audience so he doesn't need to bother to come out to France?)

[reversemoon255]

Digimon Ghost Game

Ghost Game is a departure from typical Digimon in many ways, most of which I’d say are positive. It retains the higher quality we saw in Adventure:, while taking a very different approach to storytelling, themes, and even its Digimon, though we’ll dissect that as we go. It may be my favorite season we’ve gotten, finally dethroning Tamers after so many years, but both are so different it’s hard to choose which I like more. Perhaps I’ll be able to come to a definitive answer by the time I’ve finished.

The Good: The main focus of this show was its character dynamics, so let’s jump into that first. Our main characters are Hiro and Gammamon. A little older, and with a distinct lack of goggles, Hiro feels a lot more grounded than our typical heroic protagonists, much more likely to following rules and dispense lessons to Gammamon. That’s not to say he isn't heroic, as he’s just as likely to rush in and help someone as Taichi or Masaru, he’s just not as in your face about it as his predecessors. Gammamon, though childish, seems to have those protagonist characteristics Hiro lacks. Most of what Gammamon deals with throughout the series is wrestling with the concept of death, either the early death of Bokomon or his or others mortality later in the show. Their relationship is self-described as that of brothers, and it definitely shows through with little things like going on little trips together, helping Gammamon brush his teeth, etc. A very wholesome, different take on your standard Digimon protagonist.

The second Tamer to join the main cast was Ruil and her partner Angoramon. Ruli was the most energetic, and the most danger prone of the team. She never felt like a damsel in distress, but she would frequently get over her head in her enthusiasm. She was also the most frequently happy and sociable, and was probably my favorite character because of it. Angoramon was a nice contrast, being far more stoic and cautious in comparison. Their relationship was probably the most interesting of the three; Angoramon acted primarily as Ruli’s guardian, offering advice, jumping in to save her when she’s in trouble. But they also had a bit of a romantic twinge, probably most obvious during the episode Angoramon evolved into Lamortmon.

And our final pair was Kiyoshiro and Jellymon. Kiyo was definitely a bit different than most Digimon characters. He was a hyper-intelligent, hacker character we’ve seen a few times with the likes of Izumi or Touma, but compared to most Tamers, he’s a total coward. He has his courageous moments, his times to shine, but his first reaction whenever something seems spooky is to turn tail and run. Jellymon doesn’t contrast Kiyo in the same way Angoramon contrasts Ruli, but is still a very different personality. She’s a get-rich-quick business tycoon that constantly gets Kiyo and sometimes everyone else wrapped up in some goofy shenanigans. Kiyo and Jellymon are the first pair of main characters to be a human male and female Digimon, and their relationship is… Romantic. Like, Jellymon literally refers to Kiyo as “Darling,” even if Kiyo doesn’t necessarily reciprocate in the same way.

There are also a lot of other recurring characters, with Clockmon, Mummymon, Airdramon, Ryudamon/Ginryumon, and Espimon being the most prevalent. Clockmon started out as our first antagonist, but after being saved by our heroes made a hard face turn and became a roaming hero himself. Mummymon was their go-to whenever they had a medical situation or one involving Digimon anatomy. Airdramon and Ginryumon were both there to help the team get from location to location quickly. And Espimon ended up acting as Hiro’s second Digimon, eventually gaining the ability to evolve.

The Digimon designs this season were also fantastic. Gammamon is unique among protagonists as he isn't one of the primary colors (red, blue, yellow), but he has three branching evolutions with different specifications that borrowed from some of those colors, as well as making Dark Evolution, a concept played with maybe once per season, a main mechanic. When we get to Canoweissmon we start merging the elements of all of Gammamon’s evolutions, with Regulusmon being a dark mirror of that design. Siriusmon pulls from a lot of UltiMegas of the past (semi-humanoid dragonoid), and even though we didn’t see him, Arcturusmon is a similar dark mirror.

It’s prevalent to mention that this season, more than any other, plays up that a Digimon’s personality changes depending on how it evolves. Again, Gammamon is a great example; BetelGammamon is a somewhat more adult version of Gammamon, KausGammamon is a bit more heroic, WezenGammamon is somewhat primal or simpler, GulusGammamon is sadistic, Canoweissmon and Siriusmon are even more adult than BetelGammamon, and Regulusmon is a more savage version of GulusGammamon. SymbaAngoramon and TeslaJellymon both feels like more mature versions of their previous evolutions, Lamortmon is a very bestial version of Angoramon’s protective instincts, Diarbbitmon is a stereotypical swordsman (something Angoramon was always interested in), Thetismon is distinctly more motherly and feminine, and Amphimon is very brave and heroic. It should also be mentioned that Lamortmon, Diarbbitmon, Thetismon, and Amphimon’s personalities reflect the situation they first evolved under. It's a very interesting attention to detail.

It would be important to also mention Ghost Game’s storytelling. Unlike other seasons, Ghost Game chooses to forgo an ongoing narrative. There is no real end goal, though it does give you several things to look forward to as the show progresses, with GulusGammamon being the major recurrence, though there are other recurring characters and minor story bits as well. Up until the finale arc, it also has no multi-parters. This allows every episode to be its own, compact ghost story that’s easy to jump into out of context.

Also, it was a children’s horror series which is both weird and very fun. While I was never afraid for our main characters, there were some serious stakes in this show. People died O_O Like, a lot of people. It was also animated beautifully, being at a consistently higher level than even its predecessor, Adventure:.

The Bad: That being said, because of the specific nature of how Ghost Game tells its story, it sometimes feels like there’s a lack of serious character development. Apart from specifically Gammamon, the main characters don’t feel like they go through that much overall development throughout the course of the series. Everyone does go through moments, but they don’t feel like they permanently impact the characters in a meaningful way.

And as I’m writing this after the show’s ending, the finale does feel rushed, which as it’s the most recent thing I’ve seen of the series, does sour it for me a bit. It felt like it was intended to be two episodes, with a lot of dialogue and resolutions feeling very quickly dealt with. Promotions, as well, made it seem like there would be more to it. Apart from several designs, like Arcturusmon, not making it to the show, things like in the Vital Bracelet BE, which played out scenarios from the show, there was a final chunk omitted featuring Arcturusmon and Proximamon that made it feel like the show was stopped short of where it wanted to end, which is especially weird considering it was 67 episodes.

Adding to this are a few small character details we get hints about but are never answered, like the scar on Hiro’s ear of Kiyo’s bandaged hand. There’s always a chance we might get answers to these in the form of a movie or sequel season some time in the future, but that’s a serious if and when scenario.

Overall, it was a very enjoyable season, and one I can see myself revisiting again in the future. I feel like it was a bit too different from Tamers to definitively put one over the other, but a large string of fantastic episodes and beautiful animation definitely help this one tie for my number one season of the show. The next known project we have is the Adventure 02 movie, so I look forward to sharing my thoughts with you on that when it releases.

[nix-whythisfilm]

15 Fantasy-based shows that I would recommend to anyone interested

As a hardcore fantasy buff, I cannot remember the number of Fantasy shows, movies and books that I have hoarded through the past two decades. The shows range from a variety of genres, but they all have some levels of fantasy fiction in them. Do let me know your thoughts in the comments!

The Witcher (2019)

The show is based on the books and the video games, unclear which inspired the other, written prominently by Andrzej Sapkowski and Lauren Schmidt Hissrich. The first season was directed and played out in a haphazard style that kept the suspense going, inspired by Christopher Nolan's Dunkirk. This high fantasy show is set in a pre-technology era with magic, magical creatures and plenty of violence. The show stars Henry Cavill as Geralt of Rivia for the first two seasons, with news of a changed actor in the coming seasons. The witcher has numerous perspectives that make it a compelling watch, along with the complex issues of that time addressed independently with the heart of the story being steady.

Having watched it belatedly, I found the direction of the first season mind-blowing, the details brought into the screen, and the storyline finally making sense with each episode. The characters are shown various levels of growth and evolution throughout the two seasons and so many little things that we can hook into. Not wanting to spoil much of the show for potential audiences, I would safely say it is a strict adult show but has numerous life instances shown that makes it one hell of a watch. Do look out for the ladies of the show who are all stunning and leave you wanting to see more strong female leads!

The Shadowhunters (2016)

Again, this is another show based on the book series The Mortal Instruments, written by Cassandra Clare. As someone who hoards her books, I was deeply upset about the show. But once I read up on why the show ended up that way, it made sense. The show was juggled around by channels a lot, with each season being directed by different people, but the story as a whole was approved by the author.

So as someone who read the books and then watched this show, I would say that the show can be viewed as an alternate reality of what was in the books. And as someone watching the show with no prior bias or idea about the Shadow world, it is a good watch. The show has vampires, werewolves, demons, mentions of angels, and especially angelic warriors. The main character is pretty stereotypical, but the others absolutely steal the limelight as the story progresses. Though it is not accurate to the books, the characters have been woven very well to not disappoint about the show's end. As a special mention, Harry Shum Jr. was an absolute stud in the show, as was his character in the books.

Stranger Things (2016)

As a running show in 2022, this show had an elaborate fanbase for the various trends in America over those years that have been very neatly captured though it is unrelated to the main story. The story involves a missing boy in the first story, with the following seasons covering for the various repercussions that come after that first season. While the show has no touch of modernity and is very era specific with everything, it is set in a small town facing so many things that it was not meant to. With numerous characters, all teenage and those who act their age, the show's fantasy foundation is based on Dungeons and Dragons.

As someone who watched the show only this year, I deeply regret not having watched it earlier. It had an excellent storyline, genuine characters and sensational direction by the Duffer brothers. This show felt like a throwback after the many shows I have watched, with it being old-school style. With so many characters barely in their teen years, the performance on screen is astonishing and unimaginable bearing in mind the storyline of the show. With Millie Bobby Brown as one of the main characters, this show is a strong recommendation.

Game of Thrones (2011-2019)

This show has been all over the internet since it began and the fandom brought together fans from every possible age. The merch is everywhere, and the drama about the last season was everywhere too. And as someone who mostly watched completed series to avoid the anxiety of waiting for the next episode, this show was a lot. It spanned nearly a decade, and we can see the growth and the decline of some significant characters in the show. The unprecedented fantasy element in this show was the dragons, tree spirits and the main antagonist, the night king.

Is the show as good as the hype? In my opinion, absolutely. The story is so well written with such requisite considerate details for each individual in the story. George RR Martin's story was followed as closely as possible till the second season, however, the following seasons were shot with the novels as a whole rather than one novel per season. I believe that the reason most people were upset by the end of the show was that the story was given an outline by the writer, but written by different directors. While stories have been continued by different people in many instances, the ending felt like it went in an inexplicable direction, considering that the story was built with high expectations of a climax. In all honesty, the show spoke of a lot of things, but something that changed it for me was the amount of nudity. Unexpectedly, it did not seem vulgar after some time, as people like to assume but rather normalized bodies of every kind and did not discriminate against people in general. It even helped my body dysphoria and made me feel human.

Teen Wolf (2011)

The show is old news, I know. It was such gossip for a long time about being a chick show with mainly teen girls watching it for the good-looking guys as some of the main characters. Does this rumour have substance? Yes, it comprises some good-looking actors focussed on the previous era's standards for beauty and trends. But is it baseless and unentertaining? Lord no. It was such a surprise when I watched the show, that issues far more advanced from that time were normalised, and that it was not mentioned anywhere. It speaks of family relationships, friendships, and the importance of trust and diversity. And for once, the characters that were homosexual were not used for queer baiting.

The humour was my favourite bit of the show, and it rarely had any toxic positivity or toxic relationships. The show had genuine characters who were not brought in for the plot and then ripped off; they even had a credible plotline with varieties of antagonists. The characters were not specifically black or white. The fantasy elements were werewolves (obviously), mutated versions of other transforming creatures, banshees, dryads, kitsunes, and so many more. Thankfully it had no vampires because I cannot fathom how they would fit into this show. Honestly, this would be a 10/10 show, with no regrets of watching it after finishing the series.

Chilling Adventures of Sabrina (2018)

Honestly, this is a highly adult-rated show, not just for the explicit scenes and heavy gore, but also for the questionable morality shown throughout the seasons. I don't refrain from much, but this show was dark and pretty explicit in terms of violence both physical and mental. The plotline seems simple and apparent in the first few seasons, but if we pay attention, it speaks of many things. The show deeply spoke of family relationships, attributes of trust and how most societies work. They're not simple, but they can be functional. The fantasy elements are highly based on satanic beliefs with witches, demons, angelic believers, eldrich terrors and more.

The show was different for me but also familiar. It is attached to the Archiverse and has mentions of Riverdale, with this show set in Greendale. The story has its uniqueness of the main character being half-witch and half-human. It was interesting how all the characters were inherently petty and childish but were also mature and deeply self-aware. There are innumerable instances of redemption and many morally grey arguments. P.S. the black cat was my favourite character.

Shadow and Bone (2021)

This series too was based on a book series Grishaverse written by Leigh Bardugo and is very well directed. The show stars Ben Barnes and numerous actors who have done excellent work in the first season. The second season is yet to come out, but the cinematography is beyond imagination. Often, people who read books feel that the show wasn't as good, but then the characters might be up to it, but the CGI is a letdown. But this show has a CGI enough to compete with The Witcher. The characters are varied, with one society being excessively civilized in a pretentious form of government, and the other is chaotic but thriving for hustlers. And when they all come undone, the characters work to find their place.

The book, when I attempted to read was extremely challenging. In truth, it was a little everywhere and made little sense when I tried the first few chapters. While the show is much quicker, the confusion is evident in the series as well in the beginning. The show, in a change of pattern, inspired me to read the book series. It also showed elitist attitudes, racism and discrimination very well. The roots of the show give an aura of being set in Russia. The characters are challenged with their belief system, which I liked because that is something about the youth years that is rarely highlighted in many shows, morality and personal values.

The Vampire Diaries (2009-2017)

Telecast a little over half a decade, this show became news due to the never-ending drama and the wave of memes it brought on that still runs. The show prominently has three prominent characters-Elena Gilbert, Damon and Stefan Salvatore. Yet another show based on books, the series was ten times better than the books. Does it have a lot of drama? Yes, but the story gets more nuanced and actually interesting after the first few episodes. The drama never ends, but it has substance and even gets entertaining after a point. And for the people who like drama, this show is a gold mine. The fantasy elements don't stop with vampires and werewolves but also have witches, hybrids, sirens, and psychics.

It's a lot, and not for the light-hearted, to go through all the seasons and still have the interest to watch through the sequel series. But for people who are into series and long-standing shows, it unquestionably gives you something to hold on to. As someone who read the books, about three series written by the original author L. J. Smith. The books were widely different from the show but had most of the same characters in the show. The book began to irk when there were endless deaths yet they kept coming back to life through ridiculous circumstances. The show, however, made it a little more credible, even though it is highly fiction.

The Originals (2013)

Aired over half a decade this show is a sequel to the Vampire Diaries. It has continuation stories of characters initially antagonists in the previous show, featuring mainly the Mikaelson family. It has pretty much the same fantasy elements but also covers some more nuances into the witch world, exploring nature spirits and more. This show is more into the detailed family drama of this complex family and doesn't require having watched the vampire diaries. While the show is much drama, it also has a lot of violence with the main character being extremely questionable with his morality.

In some ways, I liked this show way more than the Vampire Diaries, considering how it was not based on characters surviving in high school with ridiculous supernatural challenges. While watching the vampire diaries is entertaining, this show had many contradicting core values that stuck. Their values and beliefs on what a family is and the constant struggles they face together. But the evolution of the main characters was the palpable part of the show, which became much more evident and intriguing. A little spoiler, with some of the main characters being centuries-old vampires, the perspectives are always gripping and plausible.

The Legacies (2018)

Another sequel to the series, this series is a direct sequel to the Originals. While the plot is based on teenagers in an unusual school for supernatural folk and people of this decade. The characters are direct descendants of the previous two shows, so fair warning to not watch this before those two if you like no spoilers. This show is quite different compared to those two, with a different pace and drama. But it does have a ridiculous amount of fantasy characters. This show decided to bring in the history of nearly every myth possible and question its reality. While the storyline is questionable with so much going on for the new audience, the base stays constant while connecting to people who watched it after watching the prequels.

While this was a completely different scene from the intense prequel shows, it covered a lot of good current issues in the series that were not given much importance in the previous shows. The importance of mental health is given a huge priority in this show, with various characters facing so many issues and taking it positively that they require professional help. The ending of the enormously lengthy story was a little questionable but as someone with a penchant for fantasy, this show covered a wide spectrum from greek muses to gargoyles. It was wild, but it was given a full circle ending with so many plots that began through all the previous seasons and shows.

The Wheel of Time (2021)

Having just finished watching this show, I am still in awe at how spectacular the show is and cannot wait for the following seasons. Based on the books written nearly three decades ago, the series is mind-blowing having the characters woven so neatly (pun intended). The show is based on magic and involves the fight against darkness. It is a classic storyline, light against the dark, but the interesting facet is that magic users are only allowed to be women. Something magnificent was the way the music albums were made for this series. Sure, many shows make music for the show specifically, but this show has music that feels like music for the soul of the story. The cinematography also has graphics of such detail and beauty whenever magic is shown on screen.

Something I deeply liked in this show was the characters and the music which synced with it. The way their fates are all intertwined is fascinating to watch through the episodes, and it is understandable how they closely depended on each other with their various backgrounds. The colours and architecture in the show are beautiful beyond imagination, and the story is quite compelling. It has chosen one trope that seems cliche, but it also has things in the story that are not cliche, and bonds that are heart-wrenching.

Merlin (2008)

It is an old show, and the fantasy elements are a little over the head, but it is a long and tedious watch that is worth it. It's a one-time watch, especially if you want to watch something half distracting and half interesting. While there are many versions of the story of King Arthur, Merlin and Morgana, this show gave a plausible story in a way the story came together. The show starts with the characters all in their youth, new to each other and not having known each other. There are classic English fantasy elements in the series that are dragons, magicians, dryads, and nature spirits.

It was taxing in the beginning, with it being an old show and particularly slow-paced. But once I adjusted to the pace, the show was good. It was thorough with the plot, all the characters are given a detailed perspective and storyline and have very old-school story narration. Though personally, I believe some of the characters were signed off unfairly, the show went in an unexpected direction after a point. It was not until after I finished the show that I missed its familiarity, its antique theme music, and the slow life that is shown on the show. We rarely see any shows today that are slow as a whole. Something I have repeated but will say again is that the old-school characters and the lack of toxicity in their personal lives and twisted relationships are very light and good for the heart and mind.

Wanda Vision (2021)

As a huge Marvel fan, this show was my first watch of this era of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. It is the story of Wanda Maximoff after the events of Avengers: Endgame. It begins off-key and makes no sense in the beginning as to why the narrative is as it is going. But as someone who has been into Marvel for over a decade now, I cannot guarantee what this show looks like to people who have no idea about Marvel and the main character. But then again, a lot of the background is given in bits to the story. The fantasy and CGI are mindblowing with the entire power play that comes into focus at the end of the show. While the show is mostly fiction and fantasy, it has a lot of science fiction as the basis.

While I have my prejudice against the characters in the fandom from previous movies, Wanda was a personal favourite with the potential her character has in the comics. Her fashion sense stuck with me, and so did her spirit. With the number of tragedies in her life, this show gave a lot more perspective into her story than any previous movies could have. She was a strong woman, and I significantly looked up to her.

Loki (2021)

This was one of the few shows on Marvel that was more mythology and fantasy than science fiction. While there is plenty of science fiction in the show, Loki was one of the favoured antagonists in the fandom, with many who admired him for his never-tiring spirit and mischief. He was the God of Mischief in Viking mythology but also someone with an explanation of his existence in science fiction. The story moves in a direction that no one predicted him in, where he gets incriminated as a criminal by the time authorities. It is a fascinating narrative for him to be in the situation that he is in. With not much that can be said without spoiling the show, I will say that it is witty, humorous, brilliant, and thoroughly scary at the ending it leaves you with.

As someone who thought Loki was brilliant, an idiot in his circumstances for the things he wanted, but brilliant in his own style, this show was highly entertaining. The god of mischief trying to do right by the time authorities is ironic but a good watch. Does this show need any information about the Marvel Universe for new watchers? Not really, but it helps to make sense of his morality and understand his character that evolved through the eras. All the shows in Marvel Phase 4 are stunning, but this was one personal favourite.

Moon Knight (2022)

This show was entirely alien to me when I began, with no previous introduction to the characters or this supernatural universe. This show is highly based on mythological fantasy rather than science fiction, but not as fantasy based as the other shows in this list. The show stars Oscar Issac as the main character, and it is quickly revealed that he is enduring a mental health condition, which he uses to his benefit. It is set in Egyptian mythology and modern adaptations of what those myths could mean in today's world.

The show was different from anything that was previously in the MCU. It had a struggling main character, phasing in and out of his episodes and through situations. In all honesty, this show was a little above my head. Not very believable in my eyes, but a good watch nonetheless. It could be the various Egyptian mythology stories I have devoured through the years that were nearly not covered sufficiently in the show.

[noctilucentstorm]

Who is your fav ghost game character and why?

Ooh, good question! I really love the main original six of Ghost Game, and it's probably the first series I'd be happy with any of the main digimon as a partner. However, the character that has managed to squeak into my top spot is:

All hail Jellymon-sama! The first time I've picked a digimon as my favourite series' character.

I've loved her partnership with Kiyoshiro throughout the show and it's been fun watching them both grow and learn from each other. In particular, the way she went from pulling pranks and schemes then running away before the consequences caught up with her to someone who understands and considers others' feelings more. I love how much she loves and embraces humans and the differences between them and her own digimon culture.

I don't know if she would've been my favourite in a more high-stakes show, but for Ghost Game she is perfect to me. Plus, her evolutions are awesome!

Who's your favourite?

[movieholicaarav]

Characters of 'F.I.R': A Comprehensive Analysis of their Evolution and Impact

The Indian television sitcom 'F.I.R.' garnered widespread acclaim for its humor and innovative storytelling. A critical aspect of the show's success is its dynamic ensemble of unforgettable characters, whose individual evolution contributed to the show's distinct charm. In this article, we'll delve into a comprehensive analysis of the main characters in 'F.I.R.' and discuss how their evolution and impact have shaped the show's legacy.

Inspector Chandramukhi Chautala: Breaking Stereotypes Inspector Chandramukhi Chautala, the protagonist of the show, emerged as a game-changing female character for Indian television. Played brilliantly by Kavita Kaushik, Chautala's fearless persona, confidence, and dogged perseverance demonstrated to audiences that a female character could excel as both the lead and a comedic force. Throughout the show's nine-year run, Chautala's character developed emotional depth, displayed ingenuity and wit in solving cases, and challenged audience expectations of gender roles and norms.

Inspector Gulgule: Portraying Innocence and Sincerity Gulgule, portrayed by Kiku Sharda, is a character that stood out due to his combination of innocence, sincerity, and comical clumsiness. Despite being a higher-ranking officer, Gulgule was in awe of Chautala's skills as a crime solver and investigator, often seeking her guidance in handling tricky cases. Through his character evolution, Gulgule accentuated the importance of loyalty and dedication to duty, while still providing laughter-inducing moments for the audience to enjoy.

Constable Mulayam Singh Gulgule: An Emblem of Loyalty The character of Constable Mulayam Singh Gulgule, enacted by Suresh Chatwal, was an iconic, integral part of the Imaan Chowki family. As a seasoned officer who navigated the ins and outs of the police department, Singh brought a sense of loyalty and camaraderie to the team. His rapport with Inspector Chautala and others evolved over the show's run, forming a close-knit working relationship that demonstrated the importance of unity and teamwork for achieving common goals.

Constable Billu: The Lovable, Resourceful Rookie The evolution of Constable Billu – played by Sandeep Anand – traced his journey from an inexperienced rookie cop to a resourceful, street-smart, and loyal member of the team. Often the target of his senior officers' banter, Billu displayed resilience and adaptability to eventually gain their respect and admiration. Billu's story arc showcased the potential for growth and self-improvement, despite initially being ill-equipped to handle life as a police officer.

Supporting Characters: Enriching Imaan Chowki's World Various supporting characters enriched the world of Imaan Chowki and contributed to the comedic essence of the show. From visiting FBI agents to undercover spies and eccentric citizens seeking police assistance, these characters brought a colorful and diverse array of perspectives and experiences to the show. These individuals highlighted various societal issues and cultural idiosyncrasies in a humorous yet thought-provoking manner.

The Impact of 'F.I.R.': A Benchmark for Indian Television The characters and their evolution in 'F.I.R.' stand as a testimony to the powerful impact that well-developed, endearing personas can have on a show's overall success. They created an engaging blend of humor and substance through their combined quirks, fears, aspirations, and best qualities, resulting in a show that appealed to a broad range of audiences. Their evolution invited viewers to be a part of their journey, tapping into the hearts and minds of people who could genuinely relate to their experiences.

Conclusion 'F.I.R.' remains a popular favorite in the world of Indian television comedy, thanks in no small part to its strongly developed and distinct characters. The evolution of each protagonist and their relationships with one another laid the foundation for the show's legendary success. As Indian television continues to evolve, 'F.I.R.' will always be remembered for the indelible mark made by its colorful cast of unforgettable characters.

[bryndeavour]

Together Among The Stars

Myself and @ronniebox​ play a private writing game based on the format of Together Among The Stars. They have been going for a while and we have sprung up a bit of a wild space fantasy setting for them. A mashup of every good scifi thing we can think of, our own fave media properties, and whatever we feel like at the time because it’s private and we can do what we want.

Vossler La Croix - scion of the La Croix fortune (the LA CROIX La croix’s?? like the bubbly carbonated water???? YES. YES INDEED. IN SPACE. IN THE FUTURE. BECAUSE ITS FUNNY). He decided to ditch his career in the family company to become a space trucker ... or transporter.. or something. He does errands for money. BUT HES FREE FROM TEH SHACKLES OF... something????. But he’s also not because he has innate rich person privilege but ya know. Rich People. He’s a little cranky. Very tired. And his skill set is still pretty much being a business guy. Also emotionally clueless. -- Voss’s species are blue, with shimmery freckles, black horns, and originally were aquatic based. Thier branch of the evolutionary tree decided to walk on land and at this point they truly regret it. When they blush they glow like bioluminescence. From a cold, stormy, ocean planet. He has a vast extended family and his parents are polyamorous so he has MANY relatives. His mother is actually the CEO of La Croix. His father is an ARTIST. Naemys Hayes - youngest of many and from the equivalent of space Las vegas, he insinuated himself into Voss’s life initially to escape some insurance fraud and debt. But he also gets attached really easily, translates care through physical touch, and really likes having someone with money to fall back on. No really they are actually in love but he’s a little worm man and we love him. He’s impulsive and high energy and very fun. He’s also an engineer! He keeps the ship going. --- from a beach planet full of sand and sea. He’s lizard based and sheds and stuff. Good healing factor and resistant to radiation. Has older siblings much more accomplished than him. his parents are lovely and run a beachside bar. KAREN - An AI who is a real..... Karen. She is the ship. The ship is her. KAREN does stand for something but i don’t remember what it is anymore tbh. Cargo - A White Tufted Omnibird, a made up species. He’s their pet.. child.. pet.. anyway he looks like a ptarmigan meets a chicken meets a fluffy pomeranian. A common pet species in our universe and much like pigeons comes in very arrayed variations, evolutions and people show them in shows and stuff.

Voss and Naemys do space exploration and research errands on behalf of a mysterious scientific researcher (who they recently tracked down and met) who has often put them in danger via lack of real good information about their end locations. They have been to a murder mystery party, a wild west planet, a ski vacation weekend, and now are currently about to be stranded on a SPOOKY MOON because we missed halloween but whatever. They are also tracking mysterious ancient ruins strung throughout the galaxy!! We have also inserted space versions of our fandom faves (max debryn is a holographic doctor simulation and he dates morse who is a computerized AI with a low-poly headshot, george fancy and ronnie box are cyborg idiots) and anyway its a good time. So when you see these guys pop up (or writing with them)... NOW YOU KNOW! We also play them as DND characters (a whole different versions) with my husband as our DM!

[poemarsviner]

Research [Walk Cycles]

Walk cycles are a make or break of a character in animated media. It shows their stature, how they present themself, how they control their body and any physical quirks they may have like a limp or a tendency to stumble. It's also the hardest thing to get right, considering the way weight shifts as you walk. But when you get it right, especially for a fictional species like a two legged werewolf running on all fours or an animal with six legs, it sells the animation as real. Below are some of my favourite walkcycles from video games I know. Michael Afton [Five Nights at Freddys: Sister Location]

In this video, it shows various cutscenes of Michael Afton leaving his home and walking down the street as he greets his neighbours. But what his neighbours don't know is that he's actually being controlled from the inside by a robot. Through the cutscenes you can see him slowly rotting and in the final cutscene his walking style changes to a less human look as he's hunched over, clearly a corpse and barely able to walk as he takes each step like he's pushing himself along. I like this one because it shows his physical form changing over the course of the cutscenes, and then at the end the toll is too great as his walking is now affected by the lack of innards he has.

Hillbilly [Dead by Daylight]

[The specific timestamp of his walking is 0:16]

In this video you can see the Hillbilly walking past a survivor. He is a Killer in the game Dead by Daylight and he carries a large hammer and uses a chainsaw for speed and lethality. In his backstory he was shunned for his physical appearance and locked in a basement, before breaking himself free after years and going on a murderous rampage. In his walkcycle, you can see how he's not exactly 'human' as he almost skips with each step as he's leaning over heavily. While his walkcycle isn't the most complex, it's still one of the more interesting ones of Dead by Daylight and I think it fits him well to have a stumbling style walkcycle.

Shattered Glamrock Chica [Five Night's at Freddys: Security Breach]

In this youtube short you can see a small period of her walking. After being crushed by a trash compactor and stumbling through the sewers, Glamrock Chica is..well, shattered. She stumbles around like she's not in full control of her momentum or weight and she overall seems very frantic.

In this youtube short, before the jumpscare you can see Glamrock Chica running towards the player. I like how she has a different running animation to her walking one and it really shows how frantic she is with her flailing arms, like she's trying to swim through the air to get closer to you. I think Glamrock Chica has one of the more interesting evolutions in terms of animations through Security Breach and I really like her Shattered animations. Honourable Mentions: Reinhardt in Overwatch. His clunking armour really feels heavy as you watch him walk and when his shield is active, it feels like a real weight as he can barely move when holding it up. Sims 4 Walking animations. They all feel unique and while it's rare I actually use one, they all have different vibes and definitely fit certain sims well. The Tank from Left 4 Dead. You can tell the Tank is a powerful mutation just from his design, but his walk makes him way more intimidating. He runs like a gorilla and while he's slow, he's very good at soaking bullets and he's pretty agile in where he can climb. Mr X [Tyrant] from Resident Evil 2 Remake (and the original). While he can be slow, Mr X is no one to underestimate. His walk is powerful as you can hear him stomping through floors throughout RPD and the sound alone can strike fear into even the most veteran of players.

[r1ant]

Killswitch

In the spring 1989 the Karvina Corporation released a curious game, whose dissemination among American students that fall was swift and furious, though its popularity was ultimately short-lived.

The game was "Killswitch".

On the surface it was a variant on the mystery or horror survival game, a precursor to the Myst and Silent Hill franchises. The narrative showed the complexity for which Karvina was known, though the graphics were monochrome, vague grey and white shapes against a black background. Slow MIDI versions of Czech folksongs play throughout. Players could choose between two avatars: an invisible demon named Ghast or a visible human woman, Porto. Playing as Ghast was considerably more difficult due to his total invisibility, and players were highly liable to restart the game as Porto after the first level, in which it was impossible to gauge jumps or aim. However, Ghast was clearly the more powerful character he had fire-breath and a coal-steam attack, but as it was above the skill level of most players to keep track of where a fire-breathing, poison-dispensing invisible imp was on their screens once the fire and steam had run out, Porto became more or less the default.

Porto’s singular ability was seemingly random growth– she expanded and contracted in size throughout the game. A Kansas engineering grad claimed to have figured out the pattern involved, but for reasons which will become obvious, his work was lost. Porto awakens in the dark with wounds in her elbows, confused. Seeking a way out, she ascends through the levels of a coal mine in which it is slowly revealed she was once an employee, investigating its collapse and beset on all sides by demons similar to Ghast, as well as dead foremen, coal-golems, and demonic inspectors from the Sovatik corporation, whose boxy bodies were clothed in red, the only color in the game. The environment, though primitive, becomes genuinely uncanny as play progresses. There are no bosses in any real sense– Porto must simply move physically through tunnels to reach subsequent levels while her size varies wildly through inter-level spaces.

The story that emerges through Porto’s discovery of magnetic tapes, files, mutilated factory workers who were once her friends, and deciphering an impressively complex code inscribed on a series of iron axes players must collect (This portion of the game was almost laughably complex,and defeated many players until Porto881 posted the cipher to a Columbia BBS. Attempts to contact this player have been unsuccessful, and the username is no longer in use on any known service.) is that the foremen, under pressure to increase coal production, began to falsify reports of malfunctions and worker malfeasance in order to excuse low output, which incited a Sovatik inspection.

Officials were dispatched, one for each miner, and an extraordinary story of torture unfolds, with fuzzy and indistinct graphics of red-coated men standing over workers, inserting small knives into their joints whenever production slowed. (Admittedly, this is not a very subtle critique of Soviet-era industrial tactics, and as the town of Karvina itself was devastated by the departure of the coal industry, more than one thesis has interpreted Killswitch as a political screed.)After solving the axe-code, Porto finds and assembles a tape recorder, on which a male voice tells her that the fires of the earth had risen up in their defense and flowed into the hearts of the decrepit, pre-evolution equipment they used and wakened them to avenge the workers. It is generally assumed that the fires of the earth are demons like Ghast, coal fumes and gassy bodies inhabiting the old machines.

The machines themselves are so big that the graphics elect to only show two or three gear-teeth or a conveyor belt rather than the entire apparatus. The machines drove the inspectors mad, and they disappeared into caverns with their knives (only to emerge to plague Porto, of course). The workers were often crushed and mangled in the onslaught of machines, who were neither graceful nor discriminating. Porto herself was knocked into a deep chasm by a grief-stricken engine, and her fluctuating size, if it is real and not imagined, is implied to be the result of poisonous fumes inhaled there.

What follows is the most cryptic and intuitive part of the game. There is no logical reason to proceed in the correct way, and again it was Porto881 who came to the rescue of the fledgling Killswitch community. In the chamber behind the tape recorder is a great furnace where coal was once rendered into coke. There are no clues as to what she is intended to do in this room. Players attempted nearly everything, from immolating herself to continuing to process coal as if the machines had never risen up.

Porto881 hit upon the solution, and posted it to the Columbia boards. If Porto ingests the raw coke, she will find her body under control, and can go on to fight her way out of the final levels of the mine, which are impassable in her giant state, clutching the tape containing this extraordinary story. However, as she crawls through the final tunnel to emerge above ground, the screen goes suddenly white. Killswitch, by design, deletes itself upon player completion of the game. It is not recoverable by any means, all trace of it is removed from the user’s computer. The game cannot be copied. For all intents and purposes it exists only for those playing it, and then ceases to be entirely.

One cannot replay it, unlocking further secrets or narrative pathways, one cannot allow another to play it, and perhaps most importantly, it is impossible to experience the game all the way to the end as both Porto and Ghast. Predictably, player outcry was enormous. Several routes to solve the problem were pursued, with no real efficacy. The first and most common was to simply buy more copies of the game, but Karvina Corp. released only 5,000 copies and refused to press further editions. The following is an excerpt from their May 1990 press release:

"Killswitch was designed to be a unique playing experience: like reality, it is unrepeatable, unretrievable,and illogical. One might even say ineffable. Death is final; death is complete. The fates of Porto and her beloved Ghast are as unknowable as our own. It is the desire of the KarvinaCorporation that this be so, and we ask our customers to respect that desire. Rest assured, Karvina will continue to provide the highest quality of games to the West, and that Killswitch is merely one among our many wonders."

This did not have the intended effect. The word beloved piqued the interest of committed, even obsessive players, as Ghast is not present in any portion of Porto’s narrative. A rush to find the remaining copies of the game ensued, with the intent of playing as Ghast and discovering the meaning of Karvina’s cryptic word. The most popular theory was that Ghast would at some point become the fumes inhaled by Porto, changing her size and beginning her adventure. Some thought this was wishful thinking, that if only Ghast’s early levels were passable one would somehow be able to play as both simultaneously. However, by this time no further copies appeared to be available in retail outlets. Players who had not yet completed the game attempted Ghast’s levels frequently, but the difficulty of actually playing this enigmatic avatar persisted, and no player has ever claimed to have finished the game as Ghast. One by one, the lure of Porto’s lost, unearthly world drew them back to her, and one by one, they were compelled towards the finality of the vast white screen. To find any copy usable today is an almost unfathomably rare occurance; a still shrink-wrapped copy was sold at auction in 2005 for $733,000 to Yamamoto Ryuichi of Tokyo.

It is entirely possible that Yamamoto’s has the last remaining copy of the game. Knowing this, Yakamoto had intended to open his play to all enthusiasts, filming and uploading his progress. However, to date, the only film which has surfaced is a one minute and forty five second clip of a haggard Yamamoto at his computer, the avatar selection screen is visible over his right shoulder.

Yamamoto is crying.