#anyway i abandoned duo a long time ago but if you're still using it here's your sign to stop

[corvid-language-library]

It's not just because it doesn't follow the JLPT pathway that it's shit; it also just teaches unnatural Japanese and doesn't take into account the flexibility of the language. I would be writing totally correct sentences and it'd tell me it's wrong. Native speakers would tell me it's okay to write it the way I wrote it but Duo wouldn't accept it. It also uses incorrect pitch accent and would often use incorrect kanji readings too (I guess that's not an issue anymore if it's not teaching kanji). That's before you get into how repetitive and inflexible it is.

Some more apps I recommend:

Renshuu (quizzes, a dictionary, shiritori, crossword puzzles and forums all in one app!) I believe this does have other language options too? But I tried it with Swedish and it just used a mix of English and Swedish, which made it more confusing lol

Irodori (kinda simiar to Duolingo but more flexible and made specifically for Japanese)

Migii JLPT (if you wanna follow the JLPT structure - a certain amount is free and you can pay to unlock extras)

Kanji Dojo (for learning kanji)

Pibo (for reading practice)

Drops and uTalk are okay for vocab and beginner set phrases. Not great but they're a little extra something

it's poor form to air your petty grievances with someone when it comes out they did something actually bad. save that for companies, like when you learn duolingo removed kanji from its beginner's japanese courses as part of their collab with crunchy roll

[maguro13-2]

Demons Unleashed ~ Origins of the Ink Demon Gaiden Pt.14 (1/3) ~

[Rozenom Line Milate 04 - Hideaki Kobayashi]

Rei : So this is it.

Heero : We're always at 11 O'Clock, sharp.

Wufei : Don't be late! We got some butt kicking to do.

Quatre : Mission accomplished!

Trowa : Totally impact!

Duo : I'm here make some Gundam noise.

Rei : Now then...[put on some shades] Let's do this!

Illuminus Soldier A : You there! State your name and--

[GUN FIRING RAPIDLY]

Illuminus Soldier B : Do not let them take over the--[gets shot]

Heero : Piece of cake!

Duo : AW YEAH! THIS IS HOW KICK SEGA BUTT! [excited] WOO-HO-HO-HOOOO!!! How do you like that, Illumnius Dorks!? You don't mess with the Duo!

Quatre : This is gonna get crazy tonight, motherf***kers!

Trowa : Nobody makes us the fools out of a fool!

Rei : Hope you like getting your butts splanked, boys!

Heero : You mean "getting your ass kicked", ma'am? And it's "Spank", not "Splanked".

Rei : I thought so.

(FIGHTING IMPACT SOUNDS)

Rei : That's how you spank their own heinies!

Heero : Couldn't have the context here. Let's hammer through them.

[FIGHTING IMPACTS+GUN FIRING]

Illuminus Soldier A : *WHACK!* GUUUGGGHHH!!! My Gasp pocket! *THUNK!*

Illuminus Soldier B : *Strong Punch* AUUGGGH! My Organs!

Illuminus Soldier C : ...? *DBZ SFX : Slash* My Arm!

Heero : You think these scums will take us down?

Rei : Only one way to find out. Here catch!

Illumnius Solider : Why thank you, kind person. But you're no match for us with--(realzing that he's holding a greneade in his hand) Aww, Cra--

*DBZ/One Piece SFX : EXPLOSION*

Rei : Heh! That's three strikes and you're out!

Heero : Better luck next time!

Duo : Andele! Andele! Get out of our way!

Rei : Don't get too cocky, cause you're about to find another way!

"HOURS OF BATTLING SOLDIERS LATER..."

Rei : Darn! There's just too many enemies to pull through! I can't still get my way through! If only I told that everyone would speak up about Shinji getting in the robot, he would be safer in there.

Heero : Yeah, whatevs!

Fate : Special delivery for an amazing butt-kicking sequence!

Rei : Hey, not to be a little rude to myself, but who the heck are you supposed to be?

Heero : Hey, I know you. You're that Magical Girl of that smash-hit TV show Magical Girl Lyrical Nanoha.

Fate : That's right. I'm a Magical Girl star of our show. Nanoha used to be part of the world of a visual novel before she abandoned it along with her family.

Duo : Don't you mean the world of eroge novel.

Fate : That's what I thought.

Heero : Could you mind a little helping us, we're in a war zone with these Sega Baddies! Hoping shooting them one by one is necessary to get to the main source of our goal of reaching Shinji.

Fate : Don't worry. I got this, I know how to take things to clean up the trash. (walks off for minute) I'm just feeling lucky that I have a few muscles take care of.

*Smash Bros SFX : Fighting Impact*

Fate : (walks back, wiping her hands off) Well...That's that.

(soldiers moan in pain)

Illuminus Soldier : [beaten up] Kill me...I'm in constant pain.

Fate : Now, you were explaining everything.

Rei : So who are you anyway and do you got a name, person?

Fate : The name's Fate T. Harlaown. But you can call me "Fate Testarossa".

[NEWCOMER: FATE TESTAROSSA MAGICALLY ARRIVES!]

Heero : A Magical Girl. You weren't part of Triangle Heart that happened about 9 years ago would ya? I knew it! You live in Real World AU?

Fate : Kind of. But I'm also part of Nanoha's universe.

Heero : Bingo.

Fate : Yes, I've been like this since I first met her on that day, 4 years ago, Nanoha was only 12 years old. I know it's kinda of a long story, but I promise. Although she did say that she was part of her family's story in the Real World. Not much of being a hero, She used to be an Elementary student at age the 12, but lacking any particular for her future. While Kyoya of the Takamachi is the hero of the story. For me, Fate Testarossa is just a girl who was thrown away like street trash.

Heero : Kyoya Takamachi, Nanoha's predecessor. From Eroge Novel to Magical Girl show. Hey, don't mind whole Magical Girl in space you know, that's literally a...

Fate : A spin-off Magical Girl TV show of real world AU.

Heero : Exactly, so I'm guessing that you used meet Nanoha in the Real World as kids, but then you...

Fate : Yes, this happened. When someone is one their birthday, I went a weirdly transformation called "Age Progression" which transformed Nanoha into a grown up busty girl and of course...(gulps) this. I don't know how that happen on our birthdays, but it's really weird to grow up like that in some sort of way.

Duo : (playing cards with the group) That's definitely something. For a kid who mysteriously grewed up into an adult, you sure how Age Progression in most logical ways. So, umm, nothing's bit too much about being a kid inside the body of a grown girl, how are you this a young-looking girl with a grown up body?

Fate : Don't be ridiculous. I was only a 9-year old after I went into progression at the age of eight. So yeah, I clearly had no comment of that.

[Flowers Fall - Yutaka Minobe]

Heero : Hold up!

Rei : Did you say that...

Duo : You're 9 years old!?

~ Stage 14 : The Lyrical Hero Pt. 1 ~

[evartandadam]

Hey! First of all I want to say I love your art very much. Second, I can't believe someone is as obsessed with Deidara as I am! I wanna ask you, what do you think about the ObiDei? Your analyzes are great and I'm curious. Obito could feel interest in Dei? I think Deidara's curious about his freak partner. Also, I think he'd care for Tobi before he died. Thanks for read and keep it up. You're amazing!

Aw thank you dear!!!

Obito and Deidara have a very interesting relationship! I’m glad you asked this!

Lots can be said here! (The Tobi Deidara combo in Shippuden was always a favorite of mine, they were so funny).

Let’s talk about Deidara’s POV first:

I was talking to my friend about Deidara while writing a past rant. Deidara is my favorite, so I was worried I had some bias towards him, and thought he was kinder than he actually was. So I asked her. And she actually solidified my opinion that he is one of the kindest Akatsuki members.

Deidara acts tough, but he is actually considerate of others. He makes attempts to warn others about enemies, and enjoys talking to people.

But Deidara is mean to Tobi! Why? Well, Tobi is the worst possible combo with Deidara, in a way.

Sasori brought out the playful, laid back side of Deidara, while Tobi brings a very aggressive, serious side to him.

This is because Tobi acts like an idiot, and Deidara cares about what others think of him.

I think Deidara is also very confused about Tobi (as he should be). Sometimes he thinks this guy is beyond stupid, and other times, he’s convinced he’s just mocking him. Tobi made fun of his art, and in return, Deidara blew him up. Tobi is blown up multiple times, whenever he disrespects Deidara (by insulting his work or falling asleep while he’s talking.) People think Deidara is rude to Tobi, but in reality, Tobi is pretty rude to his partner.

An important thing to take note of is that when Deidara blows him up, it is a comical scene. It’s not meant to be taken seriously, aka, Tobi’s life is not in danger. This is because Deidara knows Tobi’s abilities.

When Deidara kills himself, he apologizes to Tobi. People assumed that he was uncaring for Tobi, but I think it’s the opposite. In his last moments, he was concerned for his partner. It makes no sense that he would be worried for his life. He knows Tobi can just disappear at any time. He is apologizing because Tobi is the only person left in his life. His last connection. A normal thing to do before killing yourself.

To Deidara, Tobi is annoying and he is his babysitter. But he still feels responsible for him, and cares about his opinion (he’s always trying to show off for him). This is because Deidara respects his abilities as a ninja, and the fact that he is his partner.

I think since Deidara was the youngest Akatsuki member, he also wanted to help Tobi with him being the newbie and all.

Obito’s Pov:

It’s hard to say for sure, but we will assume Obito is totally aware of himself when he is acting as Tobi. Aka, Tobi is an alter ego. Another persona.

It’s never really explained WHY Obito needed to pretend to be an idiot nobody. I mean? It was a great plot twist that he was Obito but Kishi forgot to actually give us a walkthrough of Obito’s train of thought leading to this decision to become Tobi. I guess it was just to keep an eye on the members more closely? Maybe deep down, Obito still wanted to be around people, so he created an alter ego as not to give away his dangerous trump card- that he is “Madara.” (Because going around calling himself Obito or Madara would cause a ruckus).

Anyway, Obito joins the Akatsuki as Tobi. And he is partnered with Deidara after Sasori’s death.

What does Obito think of Deidara? After all, Deidara is a punk 18-19 year old, while he is almost 30. To an older person, Deidara is quite something, I’m sure.

Deidara just goes around, trying to prove himself constantly. He could be talking himself up to a wall and no one would think anything of it. This kid just reeks of insecurity. He is also just a mess. He is so angry and lonely, and just wants someone to talk to. (Reminder he places his value as a person into his art). Deidara just wants someone to tell him “good job”. He’s like the kid with the baseball glove, wanting to play catch with his absent father.

Obito could totally mold this kid into anything if he wanted to. But he doesn’t. Instead, he just frustrates the kid more, and mocks his art. Tobi acts like a child. Deidara actually states that he is younger than him (Deidara just assumes this because he acts like a child). Obito totally messes with the kid, admiring him one minute, and insulting him the next.

Obito seems to think very little of Deidara, actually. He pretends to admire him, but it’s obviously an act. Obito probably made a game out of it. Deidara is very easy to get a rise out of. And Obito is a huge manipulator.

Maybe Obito sees some of his old self in Deidara, and dislikes him for it. This is a good point to bring up! Deidara, despite his depressing philosophy, is a very lively person. He is still young and has a lot of spirit. Obito is like a bitter old man at this point. He abandoned his beliefs long ago, and would probably look down on “youth” or “innocence.” Because to him, innocence is just ignorance.

Basically, to Obito, Deidara isn’t fanatic enough about the state of the world. He probably thinks Deidara is stupid.

When Deidara is brought back with Edo tensei, Obito doesn’t even bother to speak with him. He doesn’t even look at him. This made me kind of mad actually.

Like, Obito wants to change the world, but he doesn’t care about any of the people around him. He had a chance to help this kid, but he didn’t. And he doesn’t give him a second glance when he comes back to life. Like Nagato, Obito only focuses the big picture. And in the process, he misses the fact that the way you achieve your goal also matters. If you claim to care about humanity, show it. Put your money where your mouth is.

And the sad thing is that Deidara doesn’t know any of this!!!

Their relationship:

This dynamic is interesting because when we are first introduced to the duo, Deidara is obviously the leader. He is the smart, capable one. The stronger one. And Tobi is the one who is hopelessly attached. But later, we realize it’s the opposite. Deidara was just being thrown around by the real boss- Tobi. And Deidara is the only one who actually had an attachment to his partner.

I think I feel anger towards Obito for this. Deidara felt bad for leaving Tobi alone when he killed himself. Deidara thinks “wow, my partner really looks up to me. He needs me. And I’m leaving him. I feel bad.”

But Obito doesn’t care! Deidara was just used. Deidara’s attachment to Tobi meant nothing.

I will also mention that Sasori meant a lot to Deidara too. And his death likely depressed Deidara. See here.

It’s kind of sad to see a young person spend his whole life being molded into a killing machine, and leave his home in search of acceptance. And the only person who really understood him at all was Sasori, who was killed. Deidara was very lonely. Tobi was his last connection. What a waste.

And yes, Deidara would care if Tobi died. Deidara, like I said, is one of the kindest Akatsuki members. He forms attachments to people. I think Deidara would go out of his way to help Tobi if he was actually in danger too.

And yeah, in conclusion, I think Obito actually had very little interest in Deidara. Deidara was just a pawn in his game.

If he did care about Deidara at all, it was still very low on his priority list.

So I would never ship them in a canon setting. I think canon Tobi was a jerk to him.

Obviously in AU, you can play with Tobi/Obito and make him care for Deidara. Then the ship would be much better haha