#and then you predicted that stain will save all might I CAN'T

[bread-is-my-life]

So umm question: HOW!?!??!? HOW DID YOU PREDICT IT??? IN 2018??? WHAT Are you secretly Sir Night Eye or smth?

I feel like we’re going to come down to the point where All Might is supposed to die- what Sir Night Eye foresaw- probably by Shigaraki, and then STAIN SWOOPS IN LIKE THE ANTI-HERO MOTHERFUCKER HE IS AND CARRIES ALL MIGHT OFF PRINCESS STYLE, SAVING THE ONE PERSON HE ACKNOWLEDGES AS A TRUE HERO.

Because Stain was in the same cell block as All For One, and heard his conversation with All Might about his planned demise, and was like NOPE and broke out of prison when the time was ripe.

Just watch. This is going to happen. *crosses fingers*

And Toshinori is going to have extremely mixed feelings about the whole thing

[your-divine-ribs]

No Nut November Part 4

Words: 2.2k

Van gets caught breaking the rules 🤭 // whoops I just missed Smutty Sunday but here ya go anyway // promise to post something sweet tomorrow xx

Imagines Masterlist Main Masterlist

Part 1 Part 2 Part 3

You enter the kitchen, flicking on the kettle, then proceed to go through the motions of making a cup of tea. You're not actually thirsty... well, not for tea anyway, but it's a habit, something that you do to pass the time when you're waiting. And you need to wait.

Precisely eight minutes have passed since you put the wheels of your plan into motion and you wonder if that's enough. Van had looked like he was literally going to explode by the time you'd left the room so you need to time this right. You wait a couple more minutes, sipping absentmindedly at your tea before you set it carefully down on to the countertop and begin your slow, quiet ascent back up the stairs, pausing at the top, your ears straining to pick up any sound.

Straight away you hear the spray from the shower raining down on to the base and sides of the bathtub, but your keen ears pick up another noise underneath the pitter-patter of water, the faint sound of quick, erratic breathing. You smile to yourself that your ingenious plan seems to be working out exactly as you predicted, mightily pleased as you tip-toe to the bathroom door and press your ear up against the wood. The breaths are coming more urgently now, punctuated by surprisingly loud sensual moans which make your insides somersault in anticipation. Despite Van quite blatantly albeit sneakily breaking the terms of your challenge he still can't bring himself to be quiet. He's even left the bathroom door partially open, and you wonder why he wouldn't be more surreptitious in his endeavours to relieve himself.

You ponder for a moment whether he actually wants to be caught in the act but then you think... who are you kidding? Of course he does. Much as his stubborn demeanour sees him loathe to lose any kind of challenge usually, you'd seen the lustful intrigue in his eyes whenever you'd taunted him about his so-called 'punishment'. The way his submissive side shone through whenever you dared to take control. He wants this, you know he does.

So you're not subtle in your actions, choosing to push the door back fully on its hinges in one swift motion as you burst through the bathroom door. Just as expected you uncover Van in all of his slippery-wet naked glory under the spray, one hand braced against the shower screen and the other wrapped firmly around the base of his cock, face full of shock and a hefty helping of shame at being discovered losing the challenge you'd set for him only ten days previously.

"Shit!" He curses out, his hand instantly falling away as he looks at you with wide, seeking eyes. "Babe I can explain... I wasn't going to..."

"Save it Van!" You smirk back at him smugly, hands on hips as you look down on his painfully hard cock before you let your eyes trail slowly up his naked frame to meet his defeated expression. "10 days! 10 fucking days! I thought you said you could do this easily."

"Yeah well, what do you expect? I've just had to watch you get yourself off like a bloody pornstar! I'm absolutely gagging for it! I've never been so fucking turned on in all my life!"

He looks half ruined already, his cheeks and upper chest bearing that telltale flush that stains his skin when he's aroused, his eyes dark and hooded, glimmering with a longing that practically has you squirming where you stand as your head floods with thoughts of what you want to do to him.

You smile at him seductively whilst you casually lean against the doorframe, pausing thoughtfully like you're considering his fate. "So... it looks like you lost the challenge then..."

"But I didn't... I haven't actually..." he protests, trailing off as you raise an eyebrow suggestively, your lips pulled into a salacious pout with the promise of what might await him if he complies. All of a sudden he doesn't seem quite so keen on winning this, his intrigue getting the better of him as he backtracks a complete 180 degrees. "Well... I guess you could say the intention was there... I suppose you're the winner love... I mean, it's only fair isn't it?"

That raises a triumphant smile in you as you push yourself off the door frame. "Yes, I am the winner. And I'll definitely be claiming my prize..."

"So what..." he clears his throat, raises a hand to absentmindedly ruffle the hair at the nape of his neck, usually a nervous gesture you note. "What you... errr... got planned for me then?"

"As if I'm going to tell you!" You snigger, shaking your head, thoroughly enjoying this. "I don't want to spoil the surprise, do I? You'll find out soon enough."

His face creases as he lets out a nervy chuckle. "Shit Y/N, you're gonna be the death of me ya know!"

"I'm not planning on doing anything that drastic!" You laugh, finally stepping back. "And anyway, I won't make you wait to find out. I'll be waiting for you in the bedroom so don't be long."

Van's eyes widen comically. "Wha... you mean... NOW?"

You can't help but laugh at the way he says the last word, nerves and excitement all rolled into one, his face eager but cautious in perfect combination.

"Yes NOW!" You reply, emphasising it yourself, turning away but pausing before you leave the room, looking back over your shoulder. "Oh... and don't bother getting dressed either."

You thought you'd be self-conscious wearing the risqué new lingerie that you'd purchased from the adult toy website, but to your delight it fits you perfectly, hugging and accentuating your curves in all the right places. You appraise your reflection in the mirror as you pull up the lace top stockings, feeling like a million dollars. You know Van won't take long showering and drying himself off, eager beyond belief to find out what his fate is and you're just as keen to see his reaction. You know that his eyes are going to pop out of his head when he finally emerges and sees you.

You pick up one of the metal handcuffs from the bed, dangling it casually off your index finger, positioning yourself next to the bed, heart pumping with exhilaration just in time for Van's entrance.

"Woah..."

His voice is quiet but awe-filled as he comes to an abrupt stop in the doorway, open-mouthed, his eyes raking slowly up and down your body appreciatively. Then his gaze slips down to the bed and he does a double take when he sees the small selection of restraints piled there, swallowing hard.

"Fucking hell, should I be scared?"

You giggle lightly, swinging the cuff around on your finger playfully as Van's eyes follow your every move with nervous precision. "Don't look so bloody terrified. I'm not exactly gonna torture you, am I?"

"I don't know love, you tell me," he grins, edging further into the room. "I don't know what weird kinky shit you're into, do I? You do know I don't have a very high pain threshold, don't you?"

A huge laugh bursts from you at this like a snort. "I'm not going to hurt you! Fucks sake, I'm not a sadist! Look... just trust me okay? This is all about trust. There's just something I want to try. I think you'll like it but if you don't you can just say so. We'll have a safe-word. If you say Green you're all good and if you say Red it means stop... okay?"

He looks surprised. "You got this all worked out, huh? You must have been giving it a lot of thought."

"Uh-huh," you smile, and he moves even closer to the bed, picking up a leather cuff and scrunching his face up a little before chucking it back down, pushing his damp hair back off his face and nodding, rolling his shoulders like he's limbering up.

"Okay... so I'm all yours then... I guess."

"Get on the bed then," you instruct, your heart starting to race. "And lose the towel," you add quickly, delighted with how eager Van looks as he sheds the towel wrapped around his hips in a swift motion before clambering on to the bed, pausing as he looks at you, asking you if you want him on his back or his front.

"On your back... for now..."

You purposefully inject a note of mystery at the last two words, your head flooded with a particular purchase that's stashed right at the back of your dressing table drawer. You don't plan on introducing it today, but if Van's as down for being dominated as you suspect it could well be making its debut soon.

To be honest you'd gone to town a little on your internet shopping spree, adding items to your basket that you never would have dreamed of buying before, shocking yourself that acts that would have previously had you cringing are now filling you with a desirous intent so strong that you're starting to wonder how you ever felt shy about the idea of taking control in your sexual encounters.

"Okay babe... I'm ready... I think," Van mutters, lying on his back on the bed, stark bollock naked, craning his neck to watch as you slowly step forward, raking your eyes hungrily over him as you go, ramping up the tension.

"Did you make yourself come in the shower?" You say, eyes drawn to his dick before they travel back up to his face, gauging his reactions.

"No!" He says quickly, and you study his expression, satisfied that he's being truthful. Van's not a very good liar at the the best of times, and you think that he'd find it impossible to pull off a lie successfully now. He looks so vulnerable lying there spread out perfectly on the soft cotton sheets for you. He's slightly propped up on the pillow, his skin slightly flushed and a little dewy from the shower, his blue eyes wide as he looks up at you like you can make all of his dreams come true.

"Good boy," you purr seductively as you climb on to the bed, and he swallows thickly like he's struggling to breathe. You smirk widely to yourself, slinking over to him in a feline fashion on your hands and knees before straddling his slender waist. Then you bend to lean over him, gripping one of his wrists which you quickly snap a metal cuff over, securing it tightly. "But I think you've been bad today..."

"Fucking 'ell..." he utters under his breath, shakily as you feel his warm breath tickling your neck as you lean over him. The cuff makes a loud click as you snap the other end over the metal frame of the headboard and then you hear it rattling as he pulls and tests the restraint. You work quickly, securing his other wrist so his arms are outstretched before you spin around on the bed, swiftly cuffing one of his ankles and fastening that tightly to the bed post.

"Christ love, I'm not gonna be able to move," he croaks out, a nervous laugh bubbling up.

"That's the idea," you tell him, keeping your voice low and measured. "Bad boys don't get to do what they want..." You pause for effect so Van can hear you click the fourth and final cuff in place, the sound of his fate being sealed. "And you've been so very bad... haven't you Van?"

"Uh-huh," he breathes, quickly and ragged. "I've been bad... really bad."

You've never seen him like this before, so completely in awe of you and totally submissive, soft and pliant. You can clearly see his excitement tinged with nerves, his shallow erratic breaths and the flush in his cheeks. His dick's already hard again, standing proud, a small bead of pre-cum glistening on the tip before you've even touched him.

You crawl back up the bed to him, running a hand over his chest, pausing to feel his heartbeat skittering wildly under your palm.

"You look so good like this," you tell him, raising your hand to stroke his cheek, gently. He nuzzles into your palm, eyes wide and adoring as he looks back at you. "So gorgeous, and you're all mine to do whatever the fuck I want with."

He curses lowly under his breath, shifting on the bed, tugging lightly on his restraints. "So... what... errr... what are ya gonna do to me then?"

You smile sweetly at him, marvelling at how much you're relishing this, the combination of your power over him and his complete submission, your head running wildly with wicked thoughts. You let a fingernail run lightly down his jaw, pausing under his chin to tip his head up so he'll meet your sultry gaze head on.

"Looks like you got yourself all worked up..." you pause, eyes darting down to his cock which twitches slightly, begging to be touched. Back up to his face. "I suppose you'd like to come..."

"Uh-huh," he nods eagerly, too eagerly. God, you're going to enjoy this.

"Oh baby," you whisper, leaning in to plant a soft, chaste kiss on his lips before drawing back to look down on him again. "You'd better get comfortable then... because it's going to be a long morning for you..."

Read Part 5

[azulsluver]

Can i req for yandere Jamil comforting darling by braiding their hair? Thank youuu

tw. yandere, blood mention, implied murder, angst/comfort (?), gaslighting, imprisonment, mean!Jamil.

Authors note♛ I can write comfort but I was feeling kinda mean today, so why not a mix of both, but let's be real here :) This was my first req so I'm pretty proud of this one. Also sorry if this wasn't what you expected.

Things would have been predictable if you knew what you were up against. To prevent the wrong and be prepared for the worse. But no matter how hard you wish to try, things just didn't seem to go your way. No point in pouting or surfacing regrets can be undone. It can't bring someone back to life after all. With sweaty palms clasp together as a small prayer of mercy escape the trembling lips, a single thread of remorse to the one taking the blade rest easily. And you, face judgement.

To foolishly think escaping the hands of Viper would be easy has made you grimace at the thought, a finger being gnawed at your teeth to calm the spiking nerves. Word goes around like a wildfire, a common knight breaking the sorrowful reality of your position would soon lay dead with blood on your name. Eyes like yours do deceive the gullible, sweeten words would only make the fallen suffer greatly if they took it seriously. Some might say you should be favored to have caught the eyes of the Viper family, Jamil did age like fine wine that soon brought trouble along the way.

But why should you? Watching how easily it was to influence Kalim into getting rid of those who deemed to be close with you, must've been a way to pay for the past mistakes. Messing up your view point of the two who you used to saw as friends turn a blind eye for their own selfish desires. Endless attempts to trick Jamil into letting you go became futile, saving yourself to the embarrassment of being spoiled against your will has ticked a part of your ego.

Huddled up in the corner of your room as you anxiously wait for Jamil to enter. Fearing for not just your safety but the one who sought your freedom.

The sound of his footsteps heavily weighing the atmosphere as a click is heard from the other side. The door doesn't creak a noise, but the silence has you deafen in horror at the sight. Gasping the words that stuck deep down your throat.

As Jamil enters he closes the door gently behind him along with another click. God, the sound is driving you mad. You can't make it out, you could never understand how Jamil feels, how his eyes bore into the sight of your messy state; eyes large as your body uncontrollably shudders. Say something, anything.

You're scared, he's never come to you so unkempt, so dirty. The stench of rust and burning wood lingers as soon as he stepped foot.

He walks over to your shared bed and sits diligently, a deep sigh breaks the silence of the room. A hand raises towards you like a puppy, commanding you to follow.

"C'mere, now."

Flinching, your wobbly knees move in a instant, sitting between Jamil's legs but recoiling slightly at the blotches of red staining his clothes. His hand brushes your check affectionately, your eyes travel to his face and stare quietly at the bags plagued under his eyes. Tired. He's tired, how many nights did you spend knowing he wasn't by your side to hold? Remembering the time you would celebrate at the fact work has kept him from seeing you, thus having 'meetings' with a new friend. That friend. What happened?

"I never took you to be so cruel, have I spoiled you too much?" Jamil's voice is barely above a whisper, hearing him again spurs a deep gut wrenching uncertainty. "I don't understand." A weak protest.

"You never do, all you care about is yourself. Not even to those street rats being fooled for your own desires." Harsh, was he really comparing you as someone selfish? Your hands balled tightly at the words, a spark of deficiency lays under your tongue. "What have you done with them? Jamil, please.." Cracking at the last sentence, your eyes begin to blur, stinging with tears of anger and grief. Holding onto the last thought that it wasn't true, he didn't do it.

Jamil only gives you a disapproving look before moving his fingers under your scalp, shutting your eyes instantly for the worse.

"Look at you, even spoiled you can't even keep yourself tidy. Such soiled hair." Merciful strokes the base of your head, making you sulk at the touch. Before you knew it, Jamil has you trapped between his hold, both hands combing out the ones that stuck in between his fingers. You don't want to focus on Jamil, not his pleasant touch and not even his words of comfort.

Frustrated tears slip down your face, thoughts of your helper laying bloodied and alone, such a terrible way to meet death. You didn't notice Jamil's smile, a sick expression of satisfaction.

"Shhh, shhhhhh, it's alright, sweetheart..Take this as a lesson. You should've known better than to make acquaintance with a common servant. It's in the past now, no use crying over spilled milk, hm?" Waiting for your reply, he takes your whiny cry for response.

Fingers swiftly taking particles of your locs to make small braids, just as he used to wear during his school years. Busy he was, didn't have time to give you a proper haircut, your hair grown long as his leaves a giddy feeling inside. Such a sucker for you, but for some odd reason he has trouble showing it completely before being brushed off. Your crying will soon die down, the night fresh as lights brighten the noisy streets. Leaving you with hiccuped cries and poker-faced. The redness in your eyes leave a sting behind from the amount of tears, cursing Jamil for comforting you so soon. Wishing instead he would continue to spit insults your way, that it was your fault an innocent person was wiped away and never to be heard, spoken even.

"I'm sorry, Jamil." Jamil pulls you up to him and lies you down, not bothered by his dirtied clothes messing up the sheets. Your hair now nicely done lays under the rows of pillows supporting your weight. A pair of lips greet yours chastely, the muscle of your eyes giving up to see the moonlight shine on jamil's features. As if mockingly showing you the beauty of your captor in spite the ugliness of his actions.

Engrossed by the smell, Jamil’s honeyed words stuck to you like sap, licking it off the base of his palm as your ushered to sleep. Hearing a couple of words of praise and offense. Long gone from the living and into a dreamless state, feeling the lingering touch of his fingers playing the tips of your hair.

In a state of peace, you hope somewhere in the afterlife they can forgive you.

[problemswithbooks]

All Might?

Happy to do the Big Guy--he's great and I love him!

favorite thing about them

I really like that hori made him have his Small Form from the begging. Most mentors who are these larger then life, super powered characters in the world generally just get killed off by the Big Bad so the hero has to do the job. It's nice that he gave All Might a weakness from the get go so he could still do cool things but his fights still had tension to them because of his time limit. It's also nice that he's still around now--I hope he survives till the end of the series.

least favorite thing about them

That he pushed everyone away and made himself the sole pillar of Society. I understand why he did it, but it really hurt him and the stability of Japan long term. I don't think he knew being the symbol of Peace would have such negative repercussions because predicting how bad everything has got would be impossible. Still I wish he'd started to involve other Heroes in his work once he got injured so it the transition from one Symbol to a more cohesive team of people working for the greater good would have been smoother.

favorite line

"It sucks, but I'm only human. I can't save people who are out of my reach..." I love his entire dialogue here, but these are the most important lines. I loved this because he admitted he was human and shows that he understands that he can't do everything, even if he really wants to. It's just really sad, but also important that he tells Izuku this because one person can't save everyone and I hope that the story doesn't change that and instead the lessen is that together you can save more people.

brOTP

Father son moments with Izuku. Chilling with Aizawa. Really hope we get that conversation between him and Stain in canon. Awkward conversations with Enji. Talking with Tsukauchi. AU's of flashbacks with Nighteye. Just let this man have loads of friends!

OTP

Inko's really cute. I like Aizawa too. Could have some really sad angst with Sir Nighteye. Stain could be interesting. Tsukauchi is a nice option too. All Might has a lot of options to me.

nOTP

Izuku or any of the kids. Otherwise I can't think of anything else that bugs me.

random headcanon

Because he worked pretty much constantly from 18 to 49 he didn't have time to watch movies or anything that would be considered pop culture, so now he doesn't really get many references to those things. He now has a list of things to watch or read or listen to from Izuku, which other people have added onto for him if he asks them for recommendations.

unpopular opinion

I think it'd go against his arc for him to die. Part of that is wishful thinking, but also it has been brought up multiple times that he should live. It would just seem strange to me that so many people have told him "hey, you have value and should live and have a future", only for him to get the mentor death. Like him sacrificing himself isn't really character development for him because he's always been willing to do that--same as Izuku. Finding his self worth and living is a more coherent end to his arc for me.

song i associate with them

3 doors down - kryptonite and Boats and Birds- Gregory and the Hawk

favorite picture of them

Probably this one. It just makes me really sad, because it shows that as far back as this his smile covered up how much pain he was in. He made himself smile because he wanted to reassure people and live up to Nana's expectations/legacy. To see where he ended up after sacrificing so much is just really crushing and why I I want him to have a happy ending.

[ren-shonen]

The U-Treasure rings in general have been pretty amusing.... Here are all the ones I could find with quotes on them:

Midoriya Izuku

"You looked like you needed saving" — to Katsuki during the sludge villain attack

"It's your power, isn't it?!" — to Todoroki during the Sports Festival

"Don't you say that you'd rather lose!" — to Katsuki during the final exam fight against All Might

"I kept chasing after you!" — to Katsuki during Deku vs Kacchan 2

"I won't let anyone die! I'll save you!" — to Eri during the fight with Chisaki

Bakugou Katsuki

"I'm gonna... ...beat you all!!" — to Izuku in front of UA following the first training battle

"I'll win. That's what it means to be a hero!" — during the final exam battle against All Might

"You stupid or something?" — after grabbing Kirishima's hand during the Kamino rescue

"It's an eyesore!" — to Izuku during Deku vs. Kacchan 2

"I will have complete victory in every fight." — to his team during the Joint Training Battle exercises with Class B

Todoroki Shouto

"I want... to be a hero, too!" — to Izuku during their Sports Festival fight

"The two of us will protect them!" — while facing off with Izuku against Stain

"Never forget who you want to become!" — to Iida during the fight against Stain

"In order to become who I want to be!" — to himself during the Joint Training Battle against Class B

"You can't fight, but we can." — to All Might before the fight against the Cider House Gang (immediately after he and Bakugou got their provisional licenses)

Kirishima Eijirou

"Come!" — to Bakugou during the Kamino rescue (...usually translated as "Come on!" for, uh, obvious reasons...)

"No regrets for me. Not anymore." — to himself during the fight against Rappa during the Shie Hassaikai raid.

Other character quotes

(no pictures for these because this post is already long enough ffs)

"But 'Deku' sounds like the Japanese word for 'You can do it!' so I kinda like it." — Ochako, to Izuku, walking home after the first day of class

"There's no telling what the future holds!" — Ochako, attempting to go after Izuku after hearing Sir Nighteye's prediction during the Shie Hassaikai raid

"Even unexpected circumstances are within expectations for me!" — Yaoyorozu Momo to Kendou Itsuka during the Joint Training Battle

"You wanna be a hero, don't you?" — Jirou Kyouka to Kouda Kouji during the final exam battle against Present Mic

"And don't go dissing my friends!" — Kaminari Denki to Seiji Shishikura (Meatball quirk kid) about Bakugou and Kirishima during the Provisional License Exam

"Just call me Tsuyu." — Asui Tsuyu to almost everybody in Class 1-A for most of the first two seasons

"Your own pace is fine." — Asui Tsuyu to Izuku during the USJ incident, when Izuku was struggling to call her by her given name

"I was quirkless, too." — All Might to Izuku after Izuku's Sports Festival fight against Todoroki

"That's Plus Ultra" — Aizawa Shouta to Class 1-A at the beginning of their first year

"Just watch me." — Endeavor at the Hero Billboard Chart JP ceremony

"I want to make it a world where heroes have too much time on their hands." — Hawks to Endeavor shortly before the High End Nomu attack

"I'll push you forward, Number One!!" — Hawks to Endeavor during the High End Nomu attack

"Once I'm wrapped up, I become one." — Bubaigawara Jin (Twice) to himself during his introduction monologue

"I will live a normal life, too." — Toga Himiko

"I will carry out the will of the Hero Killer." — Dabi during his introduction to the League of Villains

"So. Let's wreck it all at once!" — Shigaraki Tomura to Dr. Garaki at the beginning of the My Villain Academia arc

i don’t know whether to giggle and kick my feet or throw my hands up in exasperation. they made bkdk RINGS.

[recentanimenews]

Why You Just Can't Hate Symphogear XV's Villains

Spoiler Warning: This feature discusses events up to and including Symphogear XV episode 9!

  Whether it's through watching a hero struggle against a fearsome foil or letting ourselves be taken in by their dubious charms, there's no denying that we all love a good villain. Some of them are among my favorite characters in fiction, and from the sweet, ditzy Kirika to the megalomaniac Adam Weishaupt, Symphogear is no stranger to the many forms they can take. The series is also great at letting us know which deserve our affections - handy when some can even become heroes of tomorrow!

  But I've been left pleasantly conflicted by Symphogear XV however: I know their actions are terrible, but why can't I stop finding Noble Red so darn charming?!

    The trio of horror-inspired girls made a shocking first impression when the vampiric Millaarc killed thousands at Tsubasa's comeback concert, but what's come to define Noble Red more for me was the excuse she gave for ripping out that poor hostage's heart: that she's weak. In a series of constantly escalating power levels, "weakness" wasn't exactly a quality I was expecting of those going against a "god killer," yet ironically, I'd argue that it has become their greatest strength.

  For people so concerned with restoring their humanity, I'd say Noble Red are already more human than most. Despite appearing in a monstrous fashion to Tsubasa, it wasn't long after that that we saw a weakened Millaarc screaming about the need to protect her family while fighting the wielders preventing her from stealing the blood they needed. The bond shared by Millaarc, Vanessa and Elza feels more genuine than typical villain team-ups, with moments like them snuggling together in the back of a car, or cuddling together for protection, making them seem like a true family. Even their subtle reactions in bigger moments exude a more lifelike charm than typical villains are allowed!

    Is it any wonder they're this close though, given the trauma they share? If telling us their past this early on was an attempt to make me sympathetic towards Noble Red, well... it worked like a charm and I just can't hate them, because they're victims too. First they were experimented on by the Bavarian Illuminati, and now it's clear that their would-be savior Fudou Kazanari doesn't care for their well-being either, and sees them as disposable pawns. Given the way the world has treated them, I'm surprised that restoring their bodies is the only thing they want to do with a god's power - I can't deny that even I'd be tempted by a little bit of divine retribution! Seeing them be mistreated by so many people makes me hope that one day they can just sit back, relax and have their happy ending... but they're the bad guys, right?

  One thing I've learned from years of loving Symphogear, is that not everyone stays a villain. In fact, two-thirds of the wielders started that way! Noble Red's situation brings back memories of Chris's, with both being victims taken under the wing of misleading, uncaring antagonists. Chris eventually fled Finé to join Hibiki and Tsubasa, becoming the cinnamon roll we adore today. Responding to the callousness shown to them by Fudou, Vanessa took the first step by trying to take the divine power for Noble Red, but what could happen to them next?

  When Hibiki stopped her Amalgam fist just short of Vanessa's face and extended her hand, Noble Red's de facto leader looked genuinely surprised, but wasn't as dismissive like Chris initially was. Might she have considered the olive branch had the wielders not been ordered to withdraw? Vanessa has a one-track mind when it comes to her goal however, even showing a willingness to put civilians in danger for it. So it would likely take something big for her to take decisive action, like grief.

    The quick scene change after Shem-ha awoke and attacked them has ensured I'll be nervously anticipating next week's episode, but I hope that wasn't the final and unceremonial curtain for Elza and Millaarc. However, if they have died while Vanessa's mechanical body allowed her to live, it may be hard to predict how she'll react to losing her family. Her growing to hate the god who tore them away from her could be what it takes to push Vanessa into joining forces with the "god killer," but Miku's involvement could prove a deal-breaker.

  Perhaps a clue to Vanessa's fate lies with another villain of seasons past: Symphogear AXZ's Saint Germain. As the de facto leader of a trio misled by a villain wanting to harness a god's power, I see a bit of the almighty alchemist in Vanessa. Having lost Cagliostro and Prelati before Adam's true ambitions were revealed, Saint Germain put aside her differences with Hibiki to stand together against the Bavarian Illuminati leader. Saint Germain grew to respect the punchy protagonist's desire to face impossible odds "even if that's true," and she ultimately sacrificed herself to save the wielders. Should she obtain the powers of Shem-ha, perhaps Vanessa could find redemption in sacrificing the dream of restoring her body (and perhaps herself), to bring back Miku?

  Even if she did survive however, redemption may prove impossible for Millaarc, no matter how much I adore her devilish charm and stylish flair. Given the scale of Millaarc's actions and the impact they've had on her, Tsubasa deserves to see justice delivered. My favorite aspect of Noble Red's story however, is how morally conflicting they are. While the extremes of their actions make sympathy near impossible, I can't help but understand them.

    Millaarc has shown that she'll do anything for her family, which is something most can relate to. She certainly takes the whole debate about stealing bread for a starving family to new, indefensible degrees though, making her one of this season's more interesting foes in my (stained-glassed) eyes! That same determination to do anything for her sisters however, may have seen her go down fighting for them.

  At the very least though, my heart will be pained if anything but a happy ending awaits Elza. Perhaps I'm biased as a lover of them, but everyone knows all dogs are good dogs. Noble Red's youngest member is like an adorable puppy, quivering with excitement at receiving praise, and even sniffing out a tracking device like a pet navigating our blankets. While Elza can bear her fangs and is loyal to her family above all else, she also has a kinder head on her shoulders, even chastising Millaarc for her treatment of Elfnein! If any member of Noble Red deserves to make it through the end, it's her. If she survives Shem-ha's attack, maybe she could find a new family and give Elfnein some company in S.O.N.G's control room?

  What do you hope happens to Noble Red, and who’s your favorite Symphogear villain? Let us know in the comments! New episodes of Symphogear XV are available weekly, as part of Crunchyroll’s Summer 2019 season!

  Josh A. Stevens is a freelance PR with anime industry experience, and a writer at Anime UK News. You can follow him on Twitter @Joshawott.

By: news+feed@crunchyroll.com