#another yin yang composition

[fistfuloflightning]

“Your welcome was rather disappointing, Jiang-zongzhu,” Jin Zixun calls mockingly. “Even your husband here failed to make us feel at home.” The obvious baiting is answered with a dangerously still, silent courtyard. Jin Zixun throws a glance at the three cultivators keeping Lan Wangji kneeling, chin tipped in a wordless order.

The blade hooked beneath Lan Wangji’s throat digs deeper, drawing more blood and he knows without looking that the red on the front of his robes is growing. Still no response. Lan Wangji can feel his wife’s presence, along with a handful of other qi signatures he recognizes as Jiang senior disciples. And he prays she doesn’t come out.

Jin Zixun’s grin is feral. “Very well.” But before the blade slides home and ends it all, the doors are flung wide and Jiang Cheng emerges. A silent breath escapes him. He should have known his Wanyin would not stand by. It is not in her nature.

Hair unbound and eyes flickering with Zidian’s energy, she looks like a wrathful goddess of lightning. Even where he’s forced to kneel, Lan Wangji can feel the electricity thrumming through his wrecked meridians, thinned to the point of snapping. Sandu’s naked blade gleams wickedly in one hand. And in the other, she carries their son.

She is not like his mother, bowing her head with furious acceptance of her fate and allowing her sons to be dragged away from her. She is not like her own mother, vicious in her pride and arrogance, blind to the needs of her children.

Jiang Cheng would do the impossible for those she loves. That is her strength.

Lan Wangji knows that there is no safer place for their son than in her arms.

[ludiharambasha]

Another illustration that really showcases Kishimoto's talent and ingenuity as an illustrator:

If I'm not mistaken, this is a fish-eye perspective, used to showcase Naruto and Sasuke as a yin yang dichotomy. Manipulating the circular center-point of the perspective, Kishimoto managed to emulate the composition of the yin and yang symbol (on top of the colors used, another yin-yang visual signifier through a color contrast).

[yggmugen]

Yin and Yang

So I was skimming through my Twitter last night and saw this Nakaba art account posting the panel that Estarossa blocking Meliodas' Revenge Counter... Well I believe lots of people must say this before but I'm gonna write this here just for a reference. Like I did for that Goddess statue color panel haha.

So the composition of this panel is forming a Yin and Yang here, and the heads of the characters are the two dots in the Yin and Yang plot.

It is interesting that Nakaba put this very specific composition in another manga panel years later:

Where the same two characters was fighting 3000 years ago!

Now here is the thought: Is Nakaba accidentally just choose Yin and Yang for the same two characters? Or did he just think it is a good idea to somewhat allude the previous work he had drawn the he draw the second panel? He admitted that he came up with the idea of Mael = Estarossa things later in the story (much later than the Meliodas vs. Ten Commandments), but this maybe give away some hint that Nakaba might be have some vague idea of Estarossa being a member of the Goddess clan at some point, slightly earlier than he said?

We don't know the correct answer but it is very entertaining to put these two manga panels side by side... lol

[builtyouahousefromabrokenhome]

My fic in Sims 4 ... (part 1)

(Sorry in advance about possible uncanny valley effects lol!! And, yeah, I'm so sorry ... in general, for all of this xD)

I recreated OT5 and several of the locations in WBSMF in Sims ...

Part 1 - Harry, Zayn, Liam and Niall's house share in Shepherd's Bush:

Exterior views

(Only now I realised that a piece of the hedge in the front yard has gone missing lol, so the mailbox is standing weirdly on its own like that)

Next to it on the same lot is some kind of composite building with Louis' Ealing flat, Harry's Edinburgh flat, the first union office in the subterranean level, and Louis' Lewisham flat in one building, so they can visit all of them on the same lot and don't have to travel/load a new location for each of them. And there's a yoga/massage studio on the ground floor, just because ^^

Downstairs - the house is a very typical Victorian terrace house. Here it stands on its own though ... And there wasn't enough room on the lot to include a proper back garden like they have in the fic. (I suppose I could set it up between the two buildings instead!)

Zarry meet by the stairs. Living room, 'activity room' (with a yoga mat), and hallway/staircase. This was one of my very first builds in Sims, so it's not terribly pretty and doesn't have a lot of custom content that would make it look more realistic. ^^;

Zayn and his friends' art all over the walls everywhere ♥ Harry doing yoga in the 'activity room' ...

Liam comes to hang out by the fireplace. Fans have of course made custom tattoos for all of them to use in Sims ♥

Somehow I've really been struggling with Harry's face, while everyone else came out quite all right on the first try, at least for Sims standards. T^T Probably because Harry's face is so special and unusual and a bit weird, and really beautiful - and a simple game like Sims just cannot contain it ... ♥

In the fic the fireplaces are all defunct, but here in Sims they are working. That makes their house even cosier ... :3

The gym that Liam and Zayn set up in the cellar. Victorian row houses usually have a narrow coal cellar that could originally be accessed from the street, too.

Harry's room and the bathroom he shares with Niall. He has a little portrait of Louis on his wall, that Zayn painted ♥

He has a double bed because in Sims two people can't share single beds :(

Zayn and Liam's room. One of their house mates has left his guitar there.

Zayn is of course a painter in Sims too! For some reason he's left handed.

He's painted many portraits of Liam ♥

One of Liam doing sit-ups

One of Liam sleeping

One of Liam in his work clothes (he works as a life guard ♥ because there's no fireman career)

Another one of Louis!

Louis has tried painting a bit, too :3

Harry in Ziam's fancy bathroom, with the yin-yang carpet ^^ By default, sims hang out in their pajamas a lot ... But I guess at least for Harry that's pretty realistic :3

Of course there's art on the walls in Ziam's bathroom, too ^^

Niall heading upstairs

Niall's room.

Zayn painted that portrait of Niall, too ♥

Eating popcorn in the kitchen - each with their own little bowl :3

Gayming

(To be continued ...)

[thisworldisablackhole]

Vijay Iyer, Linda May Han Oh, Tyshawn Sorey Compassion

🌕🌕🌕🌕🌗

FFO: JAZZ / DRUM, BASS AND PIANO TRIOS / LISTEN

For some people, music is not a variable. It is interwoven into the very fabric of their being, and present in every aspect of their life, however subconsciously. These people have a unique gift to translate their internal world into a tapestry of sound, and music simply becomes an extension of every triumph and struggle they endure. Vijay Iyer's personal journey with music began at three years of age with classical violin training, but when it comes to the piano, he is largely self taught, often referring to his own progress as a "series of happy accidents". Perhaps this gives credence to the wild, free-flowing and rebellious nature of his playing that canvases this album. There are no rules for Iyer to be governed by, only emotion, and a master of emotion he is. Now with nearly half a century (!!) of musical application under his belt, Vijay Iyer has returned with Compassion, a second offering of jazz compositions from his trio, featuring Linda May Han Oh on bass, and Tyshawn Sorey on drums—both with impressive credentials and experiences of their own.

Compassion is, as the title suggests, a practice in empathy and mutual understanding. The emotional arc of this album is immensely satisfying, with an ebb and flow of energy that often spans across multiple pieces. Early standout "Overjoyed" (a rendition of Stevie Wonder's classic) quickly sets the baseline for what the trio can do at their most jubilant and uplifting. There are a few deeper cut renditions on this album too, including Roscoe Mitchell's "Nonaah", and a curious mashup of John Stubblefield's "Free Spirits" and Gerri Allen's "Drummer's Song" to close out the album. Don't expect anything overtly familiar about these songs though. The ghosts of the original compositions still float deep within the harmonies, and emerge from time to time with a familiar run of the keys, but they have otherwise been expanded upon and transformed into something utterly unique and memorable in their own right.

Much of the album occupies the realm of quick-footed and frenetic glee, but songs like "Prelude: Orison", "Where I Am" and "It Goes" are great examples of the band slowing down to a crawl to bask in moments of somber reflection. There are hints of sadness here and there, but I wouldn't go so far as to say these are sad pieces—just holistic ones which expound upon the yin and yang of life, a reminder that there is no joy without sorrow. "Tempest" does a great job at exemplifying this duality by clashing a river of cheery but progressively maddening piano keys against the rhythm section's tumultuous undercurrent which threatens to overthrow our sense of security. It ends up being one of the most anxiety inducing pieces on the album simply due to the uncertainty it conveys.

The aforementioned "Nonaah" is particularly interesting. It is the shortest song on the album, at only 2:32, but it is the most condensed blast of intensity on the album. It stands right on the edge of pure chaos, and the original composition has a fantastic back story to boot (it deserves it's own review). These moments of controlled chaos feel like a necessity though, not simply to show off how wild and estranged from one another the trio can become without collapsing, but because chaos is an intrinsic part of life. We have to push through these moments of turmoil in order to appreciate our own resilience. In that way, "Nonaah" almost feels like an act of self-love. It's gripping the handrails and not letting go, because you know something better is around the corner.

And there is always something better around the corner. The trio's chemistry is simply intoxicating as they build upon their own powerful bonds of trust to deliver us a series of impeccable highs and disorienting lows—moments both comforting and deeply sobering. Linda May Han Oh's bass lines are just magic. They shine especially during the beginning of "Panegyric", where her inflections take on a conversational tone like she is tumbling through a speech of heartfelt confessions before a toast carries the band away. Likewise, there are countless moments across the album where I wished I could silence the piano and bass just to focus on Sorey's intricate dance on the cymbals. And leading them is Vijay Iyer, whose playing is both fearless and deeply evocative. Compassion's hour long run time almost doesn't feel long enough for the ground it attempts to cover. There is just an incredible amount of depth to these compositions that just begs for your time and attention, which is super easy to give when the return for your investment is nothing short of bliss.

[oddygaul]

Tekkonkinkreet

Tekkonkinkreet is a turbulent but ultimately heartwarming story about two kids who don’t take fall damage.

This is another movie I first watched back in my post-high school anime renaissance and forgot everything about, other than distinct memories of the city. Having watched it again, I honestly get why - Tekkonkinkreet’s narrative is anything but straightforward, and leaves a lot up to the viewer to interpret… and it also gets pretty out there by the end. In the first half of the movie, we’re introduced to our major characters, as well as Treasure Town itself - by all accounts the real star of the show - and while a plot is clearly stewing, mostly we’re just getting a measure of day-to-day life in the setting. In the back half, all of the conflicts come to a head fast - and with some of those conflicts consisting of internal anguish that blurs the line between reality and fiction, it’s all one can do just to keep up.

Accordingly, both halves of the movie feel pretty distinct from one another. The beginning is bright, bubbly, and colorful, filled with lively character movement and unceasingly frenetic, documentary-style camerawork. Once the brothers have broken up, our view of the world itself changes: the color palette becomes darker, and the movie employs more slow pans & lingering shots as its characters hesitate and brood. Perhaps this is just another nod to Tekkonkinkreet’s themes of yin and yang, as embodied by Kuro and Shiro.

The theme that resonated the most with me was the difficulty of accepting change, and the difficulty of trying to keep your place in a world that’s changing around you. We watch as Treasure Town undergoes rapid development, its familiar side streets and seedy local haunts turned into a gaudy, unrecognizable tourist attraction, and much of the movie’s tension is in seeing how each of the lead characters deals with that change.

Suzuki, who probably ended up being my favorite character in the movie, is sad to see it go - he sees decades of memories in every storefront and back alley - but is old enough to understand that this is the way of things, and has resigned to pass things on to the next generation with no regrets.

Kimura seems to keep the town at arm’s length, staying at home with his wife, visibly enclosed from the world, and only going out when he needs to, with the intention of leaving as soon as he’s able - trying to abandon his town before it can abandon him.

Shiro and Kuro, though, who against all odds have found a niche for themselves here, can’t seem to imagine a world without Treasure Town. They fight back at every change with tooth and claw, refusing to grow up, willing the clock to stop ticking. While they eventually realize the bond between the two of them will outlast their surroundings, their jealous possessiveness of Treasure Town nearly leads the two of them to ruin.

As the old man says: “Watch what you say with the ‘my town’ talk. It’s a bad habit. This isn’t anybody’s town.”

The gag of all the yakuza being super into their horoscopes was very charming. “S-sorry, boss, no can do, Mercury is rising today, you get it, right?”

I wonder if the translation added the western astrology terms we’d recognize, like Scorpio, and East Asian cultures actually use something based on the Chinese Zodiac - Suzuki’s ‘Rat’ moniker would really fall into place.

“White hates winter. Makes him cry. Reminds him of that story. The ant and the grasshopper… he hates it. He says the grasshopper didn’t do anything wrong. That makes him cry.”

As should be obvious by this point, Tekkonkinkreet is drop-dead gorgeous, start to finish. Treasure Town is an remarkably well-realized setting, and that’s even with it changing drastically as the story goes on. The character designs and the subtle, emotive character acting they allow for are top tier. The thing that consistently blew me away here, though, is the absolutely insane CG and compositing work. Seriously, the type of shots and camerawork they’re pulling off here are insanely ambitious for 2D animation, and not only are they used to great effect, they’re integrated so well with the character animation and painted backgrounds as to be fully seamless. I struggle to think of another primarily 2D work that pulls the compositing off this well - I consider Trigger the current masters of this, but even with Promare you can see the cracks now and then.

As it turns out, there’s a pretty interesting story behind that. Despite being based on a Japanese manga and produced by Studio 4°C, a Japanese animation studio, Tekkonkinkreet was directed by Michael Arias, an LA-born American man. Apparently, after a fairly successful career start in Hollywood effects work, he went on to singlehandedly create Toon Shaders, a rendering software / workflow pipeline that to this day is one of the standards for integrating 2D animation with CGI - and by standard, I mean like, he worked directly with Studio Ghibli while developing the software so they could use it to make Princess Mononoke, and it was then subsequently used on movies like The Prince of Egypt and Spirited Away.

Arias next went on to produce The Animatrix, a historical confluence of top anime directing talent which is also full of groundbreaking 2D / CG animation integration, before linking back up with some of those same folks to direct Tekkonkinkreet. I have to imagine this was partially Arias looking for his chance to use his technology to the fullest and show people how well 2D and 3D could truly be integrated in service of good storytelling, and well… he did the shit out of that.

Damn, what a cool story. Not me about to go rewatch all the Animatrix featurettes to see if he shows up there…

[principles-of-design]

Journaling #1

Unity and Variety Unity and Variety are the cornerstones of composition when it comes to art. Unity is the feeling that all designs come together to create a whole. Variety is the opposite of unity, but it is used to create visual interest in a design to not allow the piece to become saturated and cause viewers to lose sight of the art. An everyday item I believe shows this is from carpets or rugs. These items are simple yet hold great value when it comes to unity and variety, some come in different shapes and colors while having artistic designs.

Balance Balance is like the center or Zen of what you seek in life. It is the combined efforts of yin and yang or black and white. Each element of an art piece that do not interfere with one another but coexist to bring in value of the other. Balance in art is similar to balance in life, there should be different parts of things to create a whole. Such as balancing work with everyday life, or to have the right amount of sleep or to tackle on the day with low energy.

Emphasis Emphasis can be said to be the main point of an artwork. In art it is usually the focal point of what the artist is trying to show you. Such an example can be the main idea of a story or essay, the person's face and their distinct features in a photo or painting.

Movement Movement is how art can give off the notion that the art is in motion or how you can tell the motion of the art. It is like the way you can sense the action being displayed or how it is going to happen as you view it. Movement is how someone views a design. An example of movement in art is starry night from Vincent Van Gogh, and sculptures such as David being posed into a certain way.

Repetition and Rhythm Repetition is the repeating of is elements that compromises different shapes, lines, colors, form, texture, or value of a piece. Rhythm is like the visual representation of alternating, regular, and flowing of the artwork. Similar to this in the world is that of math or multiplication to be sure, you have the constant and the output of that constant such as a pattern that comes together.

Proportion Proportion is the scale of an object or the size of the elements. This also applies to the colors and the function of the art piece that makes the piece form together in unison. An example of this can be when drawing or painting humans and animals together. Each person or animal have size variants that make up their figure and are always different in value depending on the person or animal's size and type.

[melbecreations-blog-blog]

Demure Delight

Demure Delight – A white daisy and purple pansy on a bed of lilac blooms. Daisies symbolize innocence and purity. The daisy is also the birth flower for April. In Norse mythology, the daisy is Freya’s sacred flower. Freya is the goddess of love, beauty, and fertility, and as such the daisy came by symbolize childbirth, motherhood, and new beginnings. Daisies are sometimes given to congratulate new mothers. The daisy is actually two flowers in one, called a composite flower. The yellow center is called the disc floret and the outer petals are the ray floret. Because they are actually two flower in one, blending it such beautiful harmony the also symbolize true love! Pansy’s symbolize thoughtfulness, remembrance and love. The pansy is also considered a flower of remembrance, togetherness and union. Pansies help evoke fond memories of our loved ones. It is believed if a pansy is placed over someone’s eyes while sleeping, upon waking that person will fall in love with the first person to appear. Lilacs symbolize the first emotions of love. The Celtics regarded the lilac as “magical” due to their incredibly intoxicating fragrance. Symmetry is another manifestation of the balance of Yin and Yang, of the unimpeded flow of ch'i. Chi is a river pristine energy, a power that not only flows through us, but unites our tangible self, our body, thoughts, emotions and sensations to our intangible our spirit and consciousness. Chi is the crux of our pure self. https://melissasmandalas.com/ #daisy #daisies #daisyflower #flowerartist #flowerartwork #floweraddict #flowerart #flowerslover #flowerslove #flowerlover #flowermandala #mandalaartwork #mandalaart #zenart #zengarden #natureaddicts #natureloverforlife #natureartist #natureartwork #naturescape #natureinspiredart #naturelover #natureisart #natureisamazing #natureisawesome #biophilia #biophilicdesign

[rainingroses9414]

Journaling

Unity and Variety – A piece of art that is complete, whole, and flows together well. As well as it is different and varies from other artworks that you see. Together the art is unique and complete.

A good example of unity and variety - In life you see new homes, new technology, along with new clothing that stand out from their predecessors by their uniqueness, individuality, and quality. As a consumer you are drawn to the art and design of an item by its unity and variety. Another example is a stained glass window which is unique, original, flows well, and complete.

Balance - Art that is appeasing to the eye because it is well leveled. No side or part is heavy in a way that feels though the other side is missing something.

A good example of balance - The symbol of Yin and Yang.

Emphasis and Subordination - A focal point of a work of art, and other pieces of art that surround the focal point to keep the composition whole and tell an entire story, not just that of the main character.

A good example of emphasis and subordination – The Last Supper, painting by Leonardo Da Vinci

Directional Forces - Pathways in a piece of art that our eyes are drawn to and naturally follow.

A good example of directional forces – Seen in this painting, artist unknown, a river takes your eyes up stream through its diagonal design which then leads your eyes to a cabin.

Repetition and Rhythm – An organized design that repeats itself to create a structure or composition of the entire image. It repeats with a sense of design a balance.

A good example of repetition and rhythm – Bedroom quilt. A quilt follows a pattern that can vary slightly, but it is organized, appealing to the eye, and follows a pattern.

Scale and Proportion – How big the art is and how the image portrayed is sized in comparison.

A good example of scale and proportion – Statue of David by Michelangelo

Over 16 feet tall and properly proportioned for such a size.

[studentmayal]

Virtual Sketchbook 2, pt 1: JOURNALING

1. Unity and variety:

Definition: Unity is tied to the “oneness” of the piece or the appearance of uniformity that is mixed with skill and aesthetics to create unity. Variety is the counterbalance to excessive or extreme unity. 

Example: Painting by Andy Farr, Champs-Elysée (2014) Acrylic on Canvas 23.6x31.5in. Andy Farrs' “Champs-Elysée” has both unity and variety present—Unity shown in the line of bikers and variety presented in the different colors, tones, and hues.

2. Balance:

Definition: Balance is an equal, or, close to equal, distribution of elements that create an image, or feeling, of stability.

Example: The yin and yang symbol is a prime example of complete balance. It is a visual understanding of the nature and idea behind yin and yang energy rooted in Chinese philosophy, a concept that describes opposite yet interconnected forces.

3. Emphasis and subordination:

Definition: Artists use emphasis to highlight or draw a viewer's attention to a certain area(s). Artists use subordination to downplay the other aspects (usually in the background). This is done to emphasize the central point or main area/aspect the artist wants the audience to focus on the most. It can also be used to provide context (through the surroundings and other aspects) without distracting from the emphasis.

Real-life example: A real-life example would be watching a show in a theater. Usually, the lights are so dim that, unless you focus really hard on one person in the audience, you won’t really be able to make out each and every facial expression there are among everyone in the theater. Even if you do, almost every pair of eyes will be looking at the stage, which will make you naturally want to refocus on what everyone else is looking at. Furthermore, the actors are lit with extremely bright lights, along with vivid outfits to differentiate one character from the other. Overall, the atmosphere in a theater with the audience focusing on the main area (the stage/ actors on the stage) can be tied to the use of emphasis and subordination. If an artist were to paint this exact scene, it would naturally include both of these elements.

4. Directional forces:

Definition: Directional forces are paths created intentionally by the artist, for the purpose of guiding the viewer to specific points in order to optimize the original intent the artist envisioned their work being seen. Directional forces are usually guided by actual or implied lines. 

Example: American Art Deco Engraving Titled: Cog Workers

5. Repetition and Rhythm:

Definition: Repetition is a composition that includes continuity and flow. Rhythm is created through a regular occurrence of similar or identical elements. Repetition and rhythm are commonly represented in patterns. 

Example: Unknown. Photograph of The Glass Chapel, located in Eureka Springs, AR.

6. Scale and Proportion:

Definition: Scale and proportion not only have to do with size but size in relation to other elements within the same “canvas.” More specifically, size deals with the relation of one area/aspect to another, and proportion deals with the size of all the elements in relation to the entire piece. 

Example: The plot of James and the Giant Peach by Roald Dahl. This is a book/movie about a normal boy who discovers a giant peach and decides to explore it. He finds human-sized animals and bug friends living within and they start their long and troublesome adventure from there. The main reason this is such a compelling story with fantastic imagery is because of the unique scale and proportion aspects in almost every frame. Viewers are confused, amazed, and deeply curious as to how a small boy can interact with all of these familiar yet distorted creatures with human-like consciousness and personalities—Not to forget that the entire movie/book setting is a giant peach! 

[littledigest]

Lesser Known Asteroids for Synastry and Composite Charts - PART 6 - Deucalion and Pyrrha

Dutiful to each other and the world

Based on the myth of Deucalion and Pyrrha

The Asteroids:

Deucalion 53311

Pyrrha 632

53311, 632

The Myth:

Duty, obligation, working together

Zeus unleashes a great flood that ends the Bronze Age

Deucalion and Pyrrha, husband and wife, survive the flood by building a chest

After the nine-day flood, Deucalion and Pyrrha are the only remaining human couple on Earth

Deucalion asks Themis the oracle about how to repopulate the Earth

Themis tells Deucalion and Pyrrha to "cover your head and throw the bones of your mother behind your shoulder," mother meaning Gaia, mother of all living things, and bones meaning rocks of the Earth

Deucalion and Pyrrha throw rocks behind their shoulders, and the stones form into people

Deucalion's stones formed men, and Pyrrha's stones formed women

Possible Outcomes for this Couple

The story of Deucalion and Pyrrha is one of survival and duty. They save themselves and each other from a disaster that wipes everyone else out. They experience hardship, and once it is over, they are faced with one more daunting problem: how to repopulate the earth.

The most obvious theme of this story is repopulation. I could see this as a couple who wants a big family of biological children and/or foster/adopted children.

I also see this couple as one with a duty to each other and society. Even if Deucalion and Pyrrha loved each other, their story is not necessarily a traditional love story. They are not creating children because they love each other but because they want to do something for the world and society.

Perhaps when this couple is together, their lives together extend beyond themselves. They could be the activist or socially conscious couple, or a very religious couple, wanting to bring society to a new era. They may feel the energy to make themselves useful to the world and set up a new world for future generations together. The Deucalion-Pyrrha couple is a solid unit. [For ex. Ruth Bader Ginsberg and Martin Ginsberg have these two asteroids square.]

Another interesting thing to note is the meaning of their names:

Deucalion comes from deukos or gleucos, meaning "sweetness," and haliéus, meaning "sailor, seaman, fisher." This makes sense given that the myth takes place during a great flood.

Pyrrha comes from pyrrhus, meaning red, and purrhos, meaning "flame-colored", "the color of fire", and "fiery red". She is depicted as having red hair.

The dichotomy between water and fire could point to a couple that is opposite but complementary. Yin and Yang. Woman and Man. Whatever other dichotomies there are. The thing about opposites is that they are not two separate distant entities; they are different but can work well together. In fact, their union can be fruitful, balanced, and harmonious.

[onewomancitadel]

Searching for Cinder's Suitor

Everyone knows the R/WBY ships are full of opposite elements stuff. You've heard enough from me about it, and lots of other smarter and cleverer people have talked about Ruby's magical silver eyes to Oscar's magical gold eyes, Blake's dark to Yang's light, so on and so forth. Like them, the person she should be paired romantically with should be something opposite of her element. It's contextually sensitive to her, like yin/yang is to Blake/Yang.

There are a couple of things we could use to narrow down Cinder's romantic suitor. Today, I'm going to focus on water, for the following reasons: a) it's not Jung for once, or it only sort of is b) since fire is such a major element for her, finding someone water-themed and obvious should be easy, and finally, c) because water is just one part of the opposite pairs, it'll be very handy to narrow down our competitors.

The reason I don't say ice is because fire/ice is more of an aggressive pair, and in R/WBY I don't think Cinder is going to end up with someone who is icy/symbolically represents Atlas (cold, snowy) or is Atlesian because of the obvious. At the very least, I don't think reconciliation with her past will be represented through that - it's room for another post (especially with how she projects onto the Schnees). When I personally think of fire/ice, I'm thinking of the Robert Frost poem, about - glibly - whether world ending in fire or ice is better.

Your first objection might be that Yang has the fire to her - so there's 'already one' - but in her case that's more to do with her solar theming and light theming to Blake's dark. It is also part of symbolically connecting Yang to Cinder, since Cinder carries a lot of composite elements to the characters.

But because I think most of us can agree fire is Cinder's thing, so then Cinder needs water.

This season of The Fall Maiden Wants a Spouse is going to be very interesting.

Winter - no

Ice-themed. Cinder targets her because she represents her suffering (directly calls her Atlesian elite). Fellow Maiden who uses lightning (which mimics Cinder's torture with the collar) when used against Cinder. No water element.

Watts - no

We've barely started and this is already making me laugh.

Tyrian - no

He's a scorpion Faunus. Causes trouble and loves it. Would be inappropriate even if water-themed.

Hazel - no

Unable to attend the wedding in person. Uses a myriad of Dust, no particular one to pick out as an element.

Salem - no

Stop it.

Emerald - no

Emerald is not water-themed, and might just be emerald-themed, like Ruby is... ruby.

Mercury - no

'Quicksilver'. Probably mercury-themed. Quicksilver might be a bit like Ruby and potentially Cinder's metallic element, but silver is not what we're looking for here in a suitor.

Neo - no

I think she's icecream-themed. Cinder kicked her off a bridge; I think she might be communicating something to us.

Roman - no

No.

Raven - no

A fellow Maiden and antagonist to Cinder, Raven is not water-themed. Raven-themed. Might be Branwen, Daughter of Llŷr themed. Also would be weird considering Yang and the age bracket difference wouldn't work for R/WBY. (Cinder has to pass as a student and is like twenty-four at most. Don't make me start this here).

Penny - no

Penny was the Winter Maiden, probably copper-themed, and when she used the Maiden powers, her powers eventually evolved into like what Winter uses with the green thunder/lightning (and borrowed Cinder's weapon idea). No water here, and I think her magic was intentionally meant to be a bit inorganic/liminal.

Skipping over the Ace-ops, none of them are it.

Ironwood - no

Probably tin, but nothing else to see here.

Qrow - no

Crow-themed. Probably would say no even if offered the narrative opportunity.

Tai - no

RWBY Chibi is not canon. Dad of other fire girl. Would make things weird. The story is not THAT Freudian.

Summer Rose - no

I told you, it's not Freud (Cinder is too much like Ruby). Anyway, no water to be seen here yet, but seems unlikely. Might share a Grimm curse.

Ilia - no

Lunar-themed but no water association by extension. Electric-themed? Rainbow-themed? Electric whip would not go down well with Cinder, probably.

Adam - no

Wilting rose, dying without water/under a curse - big no. I don't want him near her anyway. Also she killed a camp of his followers with Emerald and Mercury. Not the best first impression a bride could make. Also he's dead.

Sun - no

He's solar and a bit fiery, but has a watery best friend.

Neptune - maybe!!!

Water-themed, but has a tragic past related to water and is afraid of it. Literally the only candidate so far, but has never once interacted with Cinder. Most likely paired with Sun symbolically already, and I don't think these types of pairs double-up. Will consider nevertheless, because we need it. Also named for the Roman god of the sea.

Sage - no

Watery friend, but proxmity isn't enough, as you'll see...

Scarlet - no

... the pirate-theming might bring him near the water, but it's not enough for Cinder.

Team CFVY - no.

None of them are water-themed. Chanel doesn't cut it here.

Well, so far I think I can say that's pretty exhausting, but I am being very thorough. At certain points I included ridiculous options, however ones like Lionheart have been excluded just because. She needs a more dedicated partner anyway. I'm not ruling out characters being introduced, and I obviously can't account for them (and I apologise if I missed anyone), but it doesn't seem likely. There's no romantic motivation to her villainy (and none needed), and someone involved in her redemption should be someone major.

As you can see, there's only one viable option so far - and that's Neptune. I'm feeling pretty bad for Cinder now. I have to be honest with you, I don't think they would get along very well.

Let's get the main teams out of the way:

Ruby - no

Ruby has silver eyes, but there's nothing here that's water, despite - again - the lunar association.

Weiss - no

Weiss is ice-themed, but employs fire in her arsenal. Could represent melted ice i.e. water, but that's a stretch. Character whom Cinder targets because she represents her suffering.

Blake - no

A white shadow, lunar-themed but no water to see here. Kind of the same person, would be awkward.

Yang - no

Already has a girlfriend.

Pyrrha - no

Cinder killed her. Name means flame-coloured. These two clashed for a reason, but don't seem set up romantically in any way.

Nora - no

Lightning is more her speed, and as seen with Winter, definitely not Cinder's thing.

Ren - no

The lotus flower thrives in mud, but that's not watery enough for us.

Ok, I think we might just be out of luck.

Neptune's probably already symbolically paired with Sun, and is inappropriate in other ways. If they met in the next couple of volumes, maybe it might work? He's probably going to be involved with Sun when the Vacuo arc begins, though, and he doesn't really have any stakes involved with Cinder. Also, given the future character arc for him, I don't see Cinder being involved, but at least Sun. The sun and the sea might be their thing, or at least a folk hero/god pairing (like Ren/Nora and Emerald/Mercury).

Perhaps Cinder isn't going to get a romantic interest at all, since she's just an antagonist. Or would it not matter? Given that it's R/WBY, no, it almost definitely matters. Maybe it could be ice instead? Winter seeks Cinder for revenge, but they develop respect or care for each other instead. I'm not sure how to get Cinder there, since she never lets anyone in, least of all an Atlesian Special Operative (or at least ex) and someone with the Maiden power she so desperately wants and would have to kill for. I still don't think this is the case, though, but let's revisit the question of romance at all.

Let's say if her redemption is a thing, and you know, since she's part of the main cast, she should get a romance, right? Everybody else is already paired up - and these aren't my opinions, this is what I think is being set up, rather - Blake/Yang, Ren/Nora, Ruby/Oscar, Emerald/Mercury... I don't think Weiss is getting a romance, since her arc is mostly related to the familial, and her Summon is already her knight-in-shining armour...

But who's missing?????? I must be forgetting SOMEONE.

Oh, I didn't list Oscar, that's who it is. I highly doubt Cinder would be interested in Oscar, especially since they're sort of, respectively, Salem and Ozma's children. That would also be weird. There are so many options here that are weird.

Is it appropriate that she gets a romance? Not every character necessarily needs it. Weiss is a great example, and someone like Qrow - who is Weiss' STRQ analogue - definitely isn't getting one, since both of their arcs are related to family. Character need isn't just about our own tastes though, it's about what's thematically and narratively appropriate.

Cinder has never been loved, unconditionally and fully, without compromise and without reservation, against duty, and maybe even for changing duty to stop injustice happening. If there's one character whom I think a romance would be appropriate for, with one character in the story intimately intertwined with her character - especially if she has a redemption arc - it's her.

The power of friendship doesn't 'save' her in V8. That's not enough. But she's not too far gone. Compared to the other redemption arcs already involving friendship and family, we can liddle a romance, as a treat.

Is there a main character I'm forgetting who hasn't had their endgame romance yet?? Maybe it's time to end the post. Maybe I should admit defeat.

Lol.

Jaune's Semblance is related to Aura. Apparently it's not Aura-amping, but might be something else, but for the sake of this post, Aura, Aura-amping, Aura-bridging, Aura-touching is his super special Semblance. It's in his soul. That's his thing. Like Cinder's fire is like her own Semblance and she expresses it through the Maiden power.

The visual effect over Aura is like the reflection of light from water.

Using alchemy as a reference - since that's the whole elements thing and everything it's grounded in - we can derive a few more things about Aura. I'm not explaining alchemy, there are other people who know it better, but for the purposes of this post, let me just say that red, white, black and yellow comes from the stages of alcemical transformation, that's what the show is grounded in.

Aura itself is like the mercurial waters of life,

Uh oh.

Cinder killed Pyrrha, so again: not the best impression a bride could make, but it did attract his attention, since they did have that whole confrontation in Haven over it. (Very strange and illegal courting rituals).

Pyrrha symbolically representing her misdeeds probably would do a lot for forgiveness in her redemption arc... nevermind, here's the Knightfall masterpost, I'm not going to waste your time with any more expansion on the ship. I admit my bias here, but I'm going to tell you the truth, this is one of the first things I noticed about the ship. This is just my formal analysis.

Neptune may have interested Weiss and been a source of competitive romantic angst in Beacon for Jaune, but he's not it here, not at all. Nope. In fact, I might go so far as to suggest this is the organic, ironic consequence of that arc in V2.

This is what Jaune's cut out for. He's water-themed and his Semblance emerged because Cinder put a spear through Weiss.

If that's not true love I don't know what it is. (Probably need to hop on that redemption arc and make do, especially for said spear, but let's not get ahead of ourselves).

Anyway, the water-theming is down. I've talked about the other ship patterns and themes, but this is one of Cinder's special things, so it's important. The reverse of this post is equally true: there's no one else who is fire to Jaune's water. His Semblance (and subsequent water theming) doesn't present itself until after Pyrrha (fire-haired) passes in the story, and like Neptune, I would dismiss. But there's no one else. I'm not making another post that's the inverse of this.

She's fire, he's water. Found her suitor.

Jaune - yes.

[ayuuria]

Yashahime Translation: Animage Magazine May 2021 Issue

Please do not repost this translation without my consent! This includes screenshots of any type and amount. If you wish to share this translation, simply link to this post.

For more information regarding the use of my translations, click here.

The Yashahimes’ Future

The three Yashahimes who carry both demon and human blood: Towa, Setsuna, and Moroha. The three of them have varying personalities, environments in which they were raised in, and goals for their actions. However, through the shared task of demon slaying, they slowly begin to accept one another. Though they are not a perfect “Close, in sync team”, trust has certainly budded between the girls who, together, have overcome any difficult situation. Even Kirinmaru’s attack that killed Setsuna in one stroke could not sever the bond that connects the three. Towa especially, who received a broken Tenseiga from Sesshōmaru, appears to have not yet given up on Setsuna’s life. Although it looks like the girls will still continue to face hardships in the future, we want them to clear the way to a happy future with their own hands.

“Hanyō no Yashahime” entered a short break, leaving behind many points of interest such as Setsuna’s shocking death, the broken Tenseiga entrusted to Towa, and the continued separation of Moroha and her parents. Let’s consolidate the existing mysteries and wait for the second chapter (season)!

Higurashi Towa

Faced with the death of her beloved little sister, Setsuna, her demonic blood awakens for the first time. Until now, she had been using the demon sword, Kikujūmonji, as her weapon but what is this blade… …? (referring to the promo picture for season 2)

Series Composition: Katsuyuki Sumisawa Q&A

The Yashahimes’ story with continuous ups and downs. In addition to reviewing everything up until now, please tell us about the backstory and hints to the second chapter (season)!

Q. Where do Towa, Setsuna, and Moroha normally spend the night?

A. Towa freeloads at Kaede’s house. Setsuna stays at the demon slayer’s headquarters. It’s just that she can’t sleep so she probably keeps watch outside at night. Moroha lives at the corpse shop.

Q. How far apart is Kaede’s village and the corpse shop?

A. Kaede’s village is in the land of Musashi so in terms of modern geography, imagine around Tokyo’s Nakano and Suginami ward. Compared to that, the corpse shop is in the harbor so around Shinagawa ward or maybe even Yokohama. It seems the three of them frequently met up but there’s actually quite a distance. Each of them had different goals behind their actions too.

Q. When Towa, Setsuna, and Moroha first met, how was Moroha able to figure out that the two of them were Sesshōmaru’s daughters?

A. Probably through “smell”. Sesshōmaru is well known among demons and Moroha knows that Sesshōmaru is her father’s older brother. However, Moroha still doesn’t know that Sesshōmaru is the one who trapped her parents within the black pearl.

Q. Does Moroha know her parents’ names?

A. She does. When Inuyasha and Kagome were approached by Kirinmaru and Sesshōmaru, Awa no Hachiemon (aka Hachi), the racoon dog, took Moroha to the wolf demon tribe where she was raised. That being said, Kōga probably told her.

Q. Doesn’t Moroha want to meet her parents?

A. She thinks her parents are dead. That’s why her thoughts are “There’s no point obsessing over someone who’s dead”. Hachiemon the racoon dog, didn’t watch the details of the incident to the end and assumed that “If Sesshōmaru and Kirinmaru were their opponents, they’re probably not alive now.” That’s what Moroha was told through Kōga.

Q. Why is the instrument that Setsuna plays the violin?

A. When creating the scenario, I wanted some sort of “gift” from the modern era as “something to connect the modern and feudal eras”. Therefore, I decided to give Moroha the giant backpack as Kagome’s daughter and Setsuna an instrument. In addition, an instrument that absolutely didn’t exist in the feudal era was better, so I chose the violin. There of course won’t be violins in Japan and even in the West, it had a different shape than it does now. Plus, before the current story was solidified, I had thought of a plot where the modern era was the setting so it’s a remnant of that.

Q. Did Mama Moe teach Setsuna the song she always plays on her violin?

A. While she learned how to play the violin from Mama Moe, the song was not something she learned (from her). Rather Setsuna is playing a song she once heard based off her memory. Where she heard it… please wait for the second chapter (season)!

Q. With Kanemitsu no Tomoe as a medium for Setsuna and the rouge being suggested for Moroha, each of them has had their demonic blood sealed. What about the seal for Towa’s demonic blood?

A. Towa’s is not sealed. Moreover, her demonic blood had not yet awakened. That’s where in episode 24, her demonic blood awakened for the first time with Setsuna’s death being the trigger. However, that was in an out-of-control state. Going forward, how “Sesshōmaru’s blood” flowing within her will manifest itself will be something worth noting.

Q. Why does everyone call Towa and the others “Yashahime”?

A. Ever since the spirit of the Tree of Ages called them as such in episode 4, everyone started calling them that, no matter who they spoke to. At first, even Towa and the others were like “We’re not Yashahime” or “Are you referring to us?” but as they got addressed that repeatedly, they gradually accepted the name.

Q. Kohaku’s* older sister, Kin’u, is a nun but what does his other older sister, Gyokuto, do?

*Translator’s Note: I think the publisher made a mistake and meant to say Hisui

A. She shoulders the responsibility of helping Sango create the weapons for demon slaying, delivering those weapons to the other slayers, accepting demon slaying requests around the area, and collecting information on demon sightings.

Q. Is Kirinmaru a demon of Japan?

A. No. I think talking like this will be easier to understand. Kirinmaru is one of the few greater demons who is aware that the earth is round. In that era, the only ones who have a sense of this are probably just Kagome, Towa, and Kirinmaru. Having circled the globe many times, Kirinmaru, who had traveled around the world, met the Dog General at the very end in the land at the farthest end (of the earth), Japan. Ever since then, he has remained in Japan so it could be said that he’s a demon of Japan, but his existence is on a bigger scale than that. Kirinmaru frequently reads Western books and he orders those from various places around the world. The one who buys them is Riku. Naturally, I’m sure that not only does Riku secretly read the Western books in the library, but Kirinmaru wouldn’t reproach him for such a small thing either. In episode 7, Riku called the apple a “Forbidden Fruit” but of course, I’m sure Kirinmaru has read the bible before. That’s most likely because he’s been alive since the era of myth so he may have seen Buddha or Jesus Christ in the flesh. There’s probably no way he saw Adam and Eve eat the forbidden fruit though… … (laughs).

Q. Point blank, what is the relationship between Kirinmaru and Riku? In a reflection of the past (200 years ago), it seemed Riku didn’t have any emotions. What exactly was that?

A. This will be revealed in the second chapter (season) as well but to give you a little hint, Riku started taking care of Zero after the Dog General died and as he healed her, he gradually began to have emotions. That’s why Riku’s way of thinking was influenced by Zero, such as “You have to destroy those that you love”.

Q. Zero lost her demonic powers when she created the Rainbow Pearls. Then what was the power she was using when she fought?

A. Zero was using the power of hexes. In this world, there is not only demonic power but all sorts of powers such as spiritual power and Buddhist power and each of them is separate. What she used was a power similar to charms and Inyougogyō**.

** Translator’s Note: Yin and Yang and the five Chinese elements: metal, wood, water, fire, and earth.

Q. Why did someone like Kirinmaru, who values reason, have the Four Perils, who had sleazy personalities, as subordinates?

A. Kirinmaru’s mind is preoccupied with a “certain matter” that’s important so he doesn’t really care about anything else. Hence, he doesn’t remember every single demon that has challenged or served under him and he doesn’t care what kind of person they were.

Q. In episode 21, it was surprising when Towa said “I like you (Riku)!”. To put it frankly, what do Towa and Riku think of each other?

A. Towa thinks Riku is “Riku”. She doesn’t perceive him as being part of Kirinmaru’s group. On the other hand, Riku thinks Towa is “The lady Yashahime that will slay Kirinmaru”. That’s why he addresses her as “Lady Towa”. Currently, there are no romantic feelings between the two of them. Just that, there’s probably “affection” from Riku to Towa.

Q. Why does Riku think “I only kill those I love”?

A. Because “Those who are loved vanish beautifully”. That is what Zero said in episode 23. To Zero, death is sad but to Riku, there’s no difference between dying and living and that they’re the same. Based on that, Riku came to think “You have to destroy those that you love” and he chooses to “kill” as an expression of love. That might be quite difficult to understand.

Q. Why is Sesshōmaru so cold to his daughters?

A. Just as a lion drops its cubs into a bottomless ravine, a demon’s feeling is that they only raise the child that gains strength from hardship. That is the “Rite of Courage and Cowardice”. It’s a little different from the feeling we humans have. That’s why hating his daughters or purposely tormenting them is certainly not the case.

Q. Although, isn’t separating the babies from their mother immediately after birth or having them fight the strongest beast king of the eastern land, Kirinmaru, a little too much?

A. If you watch the kabuki play “Renjishi” I think you will get it immediately. Anime is fine, but I would like to recommend the traditional arts that have ceaselessly been passed down since ancient Japanese times. Even if going to see them is difficult, researching on the internet is easy. Even the phrase “Rite of Courage and Cowardice” will show up in there. It seems that in this world, there’s no people who love their children more than Japanese people. Perhaps that’s why it can’t be helped that the way Sesshōmaru is raising his children feels very cold. However, those who watched the “Inuyasha” series I think will know but Sesshōmaru’s hearing and smell are exceedingly exceptional. He has the ability to immediately rush in, no matter how far the distance.

Q. Lastly, please tell us how production for the second chapter (season) is going?

A. Currently, we’re writing the second half of the script for the second chapter (season). The whole staff are eagerly working under this difficult Corona crisis. In the second chapter (season), we would like to create a script that is particular on the details as much as possible. In the previous series, there were many self-contained demon slaying stories but for the second chapter (season), we’ve changed the structure of the story so that it progresses with the feelings of the various characters intertwining together, just like in “Inuyasha The Final Act”. Hence, I think the impression of the story will change quite a bit. Please wait until the broadcast to see what kind of story it will be!

[linkspooky]

Mahito and Todo

Gionshōja no kane no koe, Shogyōmujō no hibiki ari. Sarasōju no hana no iro, Jōshahissui no kotowari wo arawasu. Ogoreru mono mo hisashikarazu, tada haru no yo no yume no gotoshi. Takeki mono mo tsui ni wa horobin(u), hitoeni kaze no mae no chiri ni onaji.

The sound of the Gion Shōja bells echoes the impermanence of all things; the color of the sāla flowers reveals the truth that the prosperous must decline. The proud do not endure, they are like a dream on a spring night; the mighty fall at last, they are as dust before the wind.

Todo is quoting the Tale of the Heike, one of the most famous stories in japanese literature.  The central theme of the story is the Buddhist law of impermanence, specifically in the form of the fleeting nature of fortune. It’s remarking on the transitory nature of life. In other words, nothing is permanent. 

However, Todo only quotes the first part of the text. However, we are the exception! Is something Todo added. Not only is he altering a classical text which has implications of arrogance in a cultural context, Todo is also turning the quote around entirely to say that even if everything in the world is fading, his friendship with Yuji will never fade. 

All of this to say, that Todo and Mahito’s philosophies towards life are complete opposites. Mahito represents the inevitability of decay, which is why his touch destroys whereas Todo insists he is stronger than that decay, then that inevitability, and arrogant enough to fight against it. More on their character foiling under the cut. 

1. Life Circles

The 4-character expression (yojijukugo) "the prosperous must decline" (盛者必衰, jōshahissui) is a phrase from the Humane King Sutra, in full "The prosperous inevitably decline, the full inevitably empty" (盛者必衰、実者必虚, jōsha hissui, jissha hikkyo).

Mahito as a character is someone very observant of natural law, and the nature of the world around him. His closest friends are all literally made to be embodiments of nature as cursed spirits. 

The budhist law of impernanence is another natural law, remarking that with time everything fades. Eventually everything in this world will die. LIfe is fleeting, etc. etc. Mahito as a character has a special understanding of both the composition of the soul and the body. He can see through it in a way that others can’t. 

However, his ability to see the soul causes him to dismiss it as nothing special. It is just another part of life. Mahito as a character observes and compeltely obeys both natural law and his nature. He is a curse. He’s there to curse people. He does that to his fullest ability. To  Mahito life circles around. It cycles. Everything living must inevitably die, and because of that there’s really no point in attaching meaning to something imperanent. 

Mahito just sees it as something that goes in circles. He doesn’t see the soul as anything special. Humans and curses both have souls, so they’re completely equal in his eyes. Human awareness, reason, logic, emotions, values, connections, doesn’t add anything to it, because Mahito can’t see them therefore it’s all made up. Mahito’s argument towards life then becomes very nihilistic. 

Everything is the same in his eyes. Mahito can twist a human form to a fat, bulbous monster, but he still sees it as a human because there’s a human soul dwelling inside of it. Mahito rejects the idea that any of these things, human reason, human emotions, give any sort of value to life. 

Mahito is inherently nihilistic, at least in the sense of moral nihilism. There is no meaning to life, therefore it gives me liscense to do whatever I want. He doesn’t have any respect for life in the slightest. Everything is fleeted to Mahito, so he’s completely without respect, and without sentiment, because to Mahito there is no point in getting invested in something that is inevitably going to die anyway. 

Mahito is the embodiment of the fear of other human beings. Therefore it only makes sense, that he denies connection. Humans have no connection to one another, and no conenction to the world around them, they’re just there. It’s inherently nihilistic statement, because he’s arguing basically there’s no meaning to existence. 

Jogo even calls Mahito the embodiment of death because he reflects that idea so well, that everything dies. Even Mahito’s own curse ability is the embodiment of his inability to connect, if he reaches out and touches someone he only harms them with just a single touch of his hand. Hands are pretty basic symbols of human connections. 

However, even though Mahito’s nihilistic he’s not indifferent. He outright hates, and torments other humans. He encourages Junpei to hate life, exactly like he does. 

2. We Exist

If Mahito is a character that hates life, antagonizes life, then Todo is the complete opposite of that. Todo is someone who represents love and connection. Hence why even down to his curse energy takes the form of little hearts. 

Every detail we know about Aoi, centers around this idea of love, and particularly this love of life. The hearts are a repeating motif with him, they even appear on his volume cover. We know he has a crush on an idol named Takada. 

The first question he always asks people when he meets them is what kind of girl do they like, (but even if it’s a guy who is only into other guys he finds that answer acceptable as well). 

He dismisses Megumi from the moment he meets him, but immediately falls head over heels for Yuji. However, look at the difference between Yuji and Megumi. Megumi is someone who feigns indifference, and pretends not to be invested in the life around him. He’s always repressing his emotions and pretending he’s not interested. Yuji on the other hand, loves life, loves other people, and will react to save people’s lives without even thinking. Megumi is principled, but Yuji is unprincipled and acts on a simple love for the people around him, so therefore it makes sense why he’s more Todo’s type. 

The only other person Todo seems to respect on the level of Yuji is Okkotsu Yuta, who also said this. Whose cursed technique was converting the girl he loved into a cursed spirit to remain with him after her death. 

If Mahito’s character is built around the hatred humans have for each other, Todo is built around love. Even if it’s kind of in a weird way sometimes. He asks people what kind of girls they love. He respects people who are open about what they love. This isn’t even the first time that Love and curses have been connected thematically to each other in the series. 

Love and curses are presented as a complementary pair. That is rather than being binary opposites ,like life and death, fire and whater, they’re like yin and yang. Two ideas that seem like opposites but go together. Love can be like a curse. You can curse someone you love. Etc. etc. 

Love and hate, is much like love and cursing, seem like they’re opposite ideas. They’re traditionally held to be opposites. Mahito even comments on this. There’s Junpei who is apathetic. Mahito says the true opposite of love is hate, and saying apathy is the opposite is just japanese wordplay. He then encourages Junpei to hate people, to curse them. Mahito is a cursed spirit, hating people, cursing people is in his nature. 

Junpei even said, the hatred that the bullies constantly lobbed against him, the fact that his mother was killed, it all felt like he was being cursed by everyone around him. Cursing people, hating people, are presented as the same thing to Mahito. 

Mahito’s philosophy is basically that there’s no particular meaning to existence, therefore it’s okay to hate life. 

Both Mahito and Todo have a special insight to how cursed energy flows around him. Todo as weird as he is, seems like the wisest of all the students especially in regards to curse energy. 

Todo has a similiar perspective of the world as Todo. He too says that life, that cursed energy flows through the world. However, rather than using that argument for nihilism, he uses it for existentialism. Mahito says we don’t exist that there’s nothing special for existence. Todo says we do exist. Therefore it’s okay to love life. 

While Mahito encourages Junpei to hate and spite others, Todo does the opposite of that, telling Todo to repress his hatred for now, because he has to think of the feelings and well being of the people he loves and is trying to protect first. 

Todo is someone who fights against the natural order of things, for the sake of the love he feels for other people. He even literally fights Hanami, who is an embodiment of nature. 

Hanami, the practice of watching the blooming sakura flowers is also a symbol of transience. Todo fights against this transience, and declares himself the exception. Mahito is natural order, Todo opposes natural order. Therefore in both love and hate, and also in philosophy they are complete opposites. Todo fights for what he loves, and Mahito fights for the sake of hating others. 

Even in thie cursed techniques they are opposites. They both use their hands. However, Boogie Woogie is a cursed technique ideally suited for cooperation. When he claps his hands together he switches places with anything. Todo is like, the one sorcerer in the series whose cursed technique is far better for team fights than it is solo fights.

Mahito calls for them to curse each other. 

Todo, blows a little kiss when he’s fighting against Mahito, another symbol of love. 

(Mahito’s Let’s curse each other, is also a callback to Geto’s let’s curse each other. Geto is someone who after all, hates humans as well, at least the ones who aren’t jujutsu sorcerers). 

When Mahito shows Yuji he is all alone by killing two of his allies Nobara and Nanami (Nobara is fine though), Todo shows Yuji that they are still all together because he is carrying the feelings of his allies with him. Something Mahito would insist means nothing. Something Todo says means everything. 

Lastly, when Mahito moves to finish off Todo he’s distracted for a moment by Todo’s little locket. The symbol of his love for both Yuji and Takada. 

Which buys Todo enough time to clap Mahito’s hand and used his cursed technique even after one of his own hands is completely blown off. Hands are the symbol of connection, Todo connects to others and Mahito doesn’t. 

What’s ultimately ironic is the memories Todo has are completely fake. They are made up. Just like Mahito says, there is no meaning to life, any kind of meaning we try to make is just made up. However, even though Todo’s friendship with Yuji is completely imaginary, he obviously values it. His fake friendship with Yuji trumps Mahito who really only values his own individuality, and only thinks about himself. 

Mahito says I am the only thing that’s real, therefore it’s only natural I only care about myself.

Todo says, my friendship is Yuji is real, and our feelings will far outlast both of us. 

[giftedverse-confidential]

Giftedverse | Mirages

The Mirages are a team of college aged superheroines assembled by Circe (Hawa Harkness-Nightwalker).

Joou Takarano | Splendor

The de facto leader of the group and member of the prestigious Takarano family; Joou is an Honors Heroics student at the Harkness-Nightwalker Institute of Higher Learning. She thinks like a businesswoman and almost acts robotic with how serious and stoic she is. Nonetheless, she is a strong and effective leader because bitches get shit done.

Her Gifts include jewelry manipulation, diamond mimicry, ferrokinesis/metal manipulation, metal mimicry, and technopathy. As a side effect of her powers, the tips of her fingers are gold and her eyes turn gold and a crystalline silver/gray whenever she uses them.

She is currently in a relationship with Irefumi Hitsugaya, a fellow HNI student.

Her majors include fashion design, business, marketing and management, and fine arts.

Her origins are Afro-Dutch, Japanese, and Cantonese.

Sorami Amarai | Stormchaser

Co leader and one of the strongest members of the team. While she may look shy and cute on the outside, she will not let anyone reduce her to being just that. She is the younger brother of the hero SolFlare and a member of the Storm Dynasty.

Her Gifts include atmokinesis, elemental manipulation, weather intensity, cloud manipulation and creation, and flight.

Her majors include journalism, psychology, philosophy, and anthropology.

Her boyfriend is Shukara Inoue.

Her origins are Nigerian and Japanese.

Claire Conan | Empath

Claire is someone who takes no nonsense from anyone and is highly independent; however, she works well with the rest of the team due to her good relationships with them. She is also highly protective of her emotions and rarely, if ever, gets emotional around them, or anyone for that matter.

Her Gifts include empathy, pheromone manipulation, and telepathy.

Her majors include psychology, medical science, neuroscience, and social work.

She is aroace.

Her origins are British.

Seo-yeon Yun | Pasithea

Seo-yeon is the resident weird and goth girl of the team, but it's not harming herself or anyone so it's fine. One of her strongest non combative skills is her ability to negotiate and she serves as kind of a mediator for the group.

Her Gifts include illusions, dream manipulation, hallucination inducement, and mind probing.

Her majors include law and anthropology.

She has recently broken up with an unnamed ex boyfriend and is looking for a new relationship.

Her origins are Korean-American.

Nia Udoka | Sweet Dream

Nia is one of the many sunshine girls on the team and is full of optimism. She often looks on the bright side of things and is always willing to cheer up the others. Nia is a member of HNI's cheerleading team.

Her Gifts include dream manipulation, dream walking, mist creation, and flight.

Her majors include sociology, history of art, and music theory.

She is not dating anyone at the moment but there have been some flirty vibes between her and Yuto Osorege.

Her origins are Nigerian-American.

Jiè Xiùying Yang | Order

Another sunshine girl-- Jiè's biggest goal in life is to help as many people as she can. She is the magnet that pulls all the Mirages together with her friendly disposition.

Her Gifts include Yin Yang energy, telepathy, empathic sensing, and aura manipulation.

Her majors include sociology, criminology, law, and psychology.

She is dating fellow student Tensen Zokukurai even though neither her friends or family trust him.

Her origins are Han Chinese.

Priyanka Shantha Suman | Sirenia

Priyanka is one of the most talented members in terms of how she uses her powers. A bit of a diva and a perfectionist, which sometimes causes problems within the team.

Priyanka's gifts include sound manipulation, siren's song, musical empathy, and musical telepathy.

Her majors include music theory and composition, music history, ethnomusicology, and performance.

She is dating fellow students Hibana Maikaru and Valentina Reyes.

Her origins are Tamil Indian and Arabic.

Otome Kenno | Excalibur

As beautiful as Otome is, she is so mysterious. It doesn't help that she's very aloof and doesn't really go to parties or huge events. But she's very valuable to the group, especially with the two most major of her Gifts.

Otome's Gifts include sword creation, clairvoyance, and time manipulation.

Her majors include classical humanities, media studies, and film.

Otome is dating Gabriel Estrada.

Her origins are British, Japanese, and Chilean.

@calciumcryptid

[toastedbuckwheat]

Hello! May I ask how you draw? I'm currently learning how to myself and would be highly interested into a step to step process by you! Like from sketch to the done thing (no color necessary)

Hello there!

I dunno how I feel about showing how I work/giving advice to someone who’s learning (and I say it as a pro artist who went through years of traditional art education) because when I do the illustrations you see here on my tumblr I BREAK THE RULES you’d learn though life drawing routine, and give in to bad habits, and my methods are rather unplanned and chaotic which makes it difficult to pinpoint significant stages. But I used my portable potato to take some photos during working on my last piece, so I’ll throw it here with a bit of an explanation of what’s going on.

Before I begin - and because you’re about to look at a mess of a WIP - I’d like to give you some general advice that generally makes life easier when you draw (again, things that I learned in traditional arts education - another artist might advise you the complete opposite, dunno!)

Work holistically. Forget them satisfying-to-look-at clips on instagram showing someone produce a hyperrealistic portrait starting from an eye, with each and every element emerging being finished before they proceed to another part. It takes a lot of talent, yes, but these are ppl redrawing a photo in a kind of a mechanical manner. Most artists don’t work this way. Especially if you’re working without a reference, or if you’re doing a life drawing - your process will be layering and changing and finding what works best to give an impression of what you’re drawing rather than reproduce the exact image, and your artwork is likely to look messy most of the time.That said: don’t start with the details. Don’t spend too much time on a particular part while neglecting others. Your goal is to keep the whole piece at the same level of ‘finished’ (even though it’s unfinished - do I make sense?) before you’re confident that everything is where it should be and proceed to the details. So sketch out the composition first. See how things fit, what’s the dynamics. You’ll save yourself from limbs sticking out from the frame, odd proportions etc etc.

Because it’s a game of relationships between different parts of the picture/scene. I ask you not to worry about finishing a single element before laying out the rest because you’ll find that said element will look different once the other part appears! For instance - you might think that the colour you picked for a character’s hair is already very dark. But once you’re done with the night sky background, you’ll find that it’s in fact too light, and doesn’t work well with the cold palette. You’ll have to revisit different parts of the image as you go to balance these relationships and make the picture work as a whole.

Give an impression of something being there without actually drawing it ‘properly’- because details are hard, mate. You’ll see that my lineart usually has hardly any, and my colouring is large unrefined stains, but the finished thing looks convincing. Like, fuck, I can never focus on how Crowley’s eyes are really shaped. So I just turn them into large glowing yellow ellipses crossed by a line, and heard no protests so far.

Don’t panic if you messed up (you probably didn’t anyway). It might turn out to be a completely unnoticeable mistake - because, remember, things work together to balance each other, so another finished off prominent element will probably drown that badly placed line that looked so visible and out of place a second ago. 

It might not look good before it’s finished. I’m mostly immune to it after years of drawing, and my recent illustrations all follow a specific method (ykno, my sunset glow effects and all that) so I can kinda predict the next stage. But I do my linearts on a specially picked crap paper, I don’t bother erasing the smudged graphite, and it looks messy af until I make the background white in Photoshop. Conclusion: you might have a moment of doubt as you work through a piece, but try to break through it - I often suddenly start to like what I cursed a minute before! - and try to finish it even if it’s meant to be bad. This way, looking through your past pieces, you’ll see the progress. And trust me, I can’t even look at my art from literally three months ago. It’s normal.

Now, pics! The sketches are paler in real life, but I increased the contrast a little so you can see something.

1. Laying out the composition! 

I wanted to just show them kissing, but I got carried away due to some Art Nouveau inspiration. As you might have noticed, most of my illustrations are quite self-contained (ykno - they look like a sticker on a plain background). So I wanted a tight swirl bordered by Aziraphale’s wings creating a sort of rounded, yin-yang like bubble around them. Consequently I made the whole composition revolve around their heads. 

2. Adding more details to the sketch. It’s messy af. It will be messy until I’m done. It’s fine.

3. These are the fineliners I use for the linearts! They are made by Uni-ball and come in light and dark grey. I also sometimes use the guy on the left - ‘Touch’ sign pen by Pentel, when I want more brush-like, wider strokes. I work in grey because when I scan it and do my usual boring trick with sunlight highlights - which is an Overlay mode layer in Photoshop - the highlights ‘burn out’ the lines too and make them vanish a little, and the lighting effect gets more striking. I also like to use the light grey ones to make something look pencil-y without actually using pencil, because pencil fucking smudges.

4. It smudges! So because I am right handed, I start inking from the right hand side, no matter how tempted I am to do their faces first.

5. You can see the composition directions here. I made it intuitively, but ofc some ppl actually use grids etc to lay out their drawings.

6. See how pale ans thin the lineart was at first? I kept adjusting it as new inked parts were appearing. It starts to look nice and consistent now! 

7. Finished lineart? There are some mistakes which I later corrected in PS. Notice that Aziraphale’s face has hardly any details on it - I tried to make the drawing suggest his expression rather than risk overdoing it. 

8. Photoshop time!! You can totally do what I did here even if you don’t have a graphic tablet. I used Curves tool to enhance the lineart, then Quick Selection Tool to select the background around around my sticker-like piece and filled it white (on a new layer ofc). I keep this white layer on top of the layer order so it works as a mask as I colour. I decided I did not like the hatching shading underneath Aziraphale’s halo, so I erased it with a Stamp tool (because I wanna keep the textured grey fill my crap paper naturally gives me!). It’s done roughly but won’t be visible once the thing is coloured. 

9. And the reason why I keep the grey shade instead of easily getting rid of it by using Curves/Levels is because when I set this layer to Multiply mode and colour underneath, it gives me this nice desaturated look like from an old cheap paper comic page. It works as a natural filter! But of course I can’t do bright colours this way, so all my glowing highlights happen ABOVE the lineart layer - on a separate layer in Overlay mode! 

Finished thing here!

_____

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