#being able to talk to shoma about that

[somehowmags]

it's probably not going to happen but i want shita and jeebh to run away to the human world and ask shoma for help. mainly because it would be funny for sachika to just start hiring reformed villains at hapipare. like they're still mean and doing their creepy evil twins thing they just have the hapipare logo on their clothes now

[colourful-void]

[truly off the charts levels of aitsf nirvana initiative spoilers]

some thoughts on mizuki date and mizuki kuranushi

the whole timeline switch thing is admittedly: cool as fuck. love it conceptually. its neat as hell. in practice i think it required some of the game to be a bit... strained in logic and perhaps if we were less committed to clone Mizuki and some other aspects it would feel a little less like we had to rob Mizuki (Date) as a character to make it work.

I can explain why i feel this way:

Don't get me wrong, its set up really really well in a lot of places. i see now which is awesome. the set up isn't so much the problem, there definitely could've been a bit more in the set up but overall it's solid.

my problem is that, in order to make this work, Mizuki and Bibi need to be functionally indistinguishable from each other not just in appearance but in personality. NOW there are key differences I noted which was very good!!! I did see this, i just think like, the fundamental concept means they have to be significantly more similar than they are dissimilar and that makes for....

Okay like:

Mizuki and Bibi having the same scooter? Fantastic, it's mentioned early on that's abis provided, of course they're the same. having the same gun, sure even, it might be a 'mizuki custom' but if we assume mizuki date didn't actually care that much about her gun's specifics I totally see boss replicating the first one. I'm sure bibi would've wanted that too. Having the same PIPE is bothering me. Because now we're verging into some nature over nurture territory.

Mizuki Date loved that pipe when she was 12, it's something she picked up afaik after coming to live with date even, bcs she didn't have it when she was getting bullied in school. Her having one makes sense. But bibi has a pipe, seemingly because... Mizuki has one.

So then, was it a unique choice Mizuki made when she was younger, or does 'being mizuki' mean predestined to wield a pipe? (i can also see Bibi like, watching over mizuki and deciding she also wants a pipe but that's only slightly better because it's still externally denying the characters individuality) [A minor way of adjusting this could be having Mizuki Date only ever use the pipe, and Bibi only ever use the Evolver.]

There are some good moments of them being different i can recall off hand, bibi talking about her younger sister (mizuki) for example, to shoma, etc. but like. 90% of the time you're not supposed to be able to tell them apart. So they think the same way, and act the same way, and when you're playing a game literally in the brain of a character its hard to even pass off as just, presentation or a front. and i wanna be clear i know there are minor differences.

Bibi doesn't react to Date's appearance in the warehouse (because she didn't know him like Mizuki Date, but also looking back since that was in the past like, Mizuki Date wouldn't have reacted either.), I think there's a little difference in how bibi and mizuki treat boss, maybe? But since mizuki is still playing around with boss and giving her puppy dog eyes in the first investigation scene when That's Mizuki Date and not Bibi, it doesn't quite land.

Because the small pool of people who actually know, Ryuki and Boss and all have to TREAT Mizuki Date and Bibi basically identical for this to work. And again, you can stretch it. Boss is trying to maintain professionalism, etc. But it's another layer of them being... basically the same.

Mainly, my biggest problem is less everyone else and how Mizuki Date and Bibi think and act.

Mizuki Date and Bibi are allegedly two different characters. They're given two different backstories, and lived two very different lives. Despite that, aside from a few minor hints and character quirks, they behave and interact indistinguishably from each other. And that kind of cheapens both of them as people.

Like, we just had this whole game that had everyone saying "if this hadn't happened, if my father hadn't been killed, if this child hadn't been kidnapped, if So Sejima had just kicked it at 20, maybe none of this would've happened, life could've been so different" and then also showed us 'Even if your life was extremely different you would still think and act exactly the same'.

TC-PERGE and alcoholism was a huge part of it, but the cited reason for a lot of Ryuki's behaviour is the trauma right?? Like it comes up multiple times, but the unique traumas that both Mizuki's faced? I guess impacted them exactly the same. or not at all, in Mizuki date's case because we never get proper resolution on the whole 'you were adopted and then your adopted parents couldn't or wouldn't raise you properly so gave you off to Date, who then disappeared." i'm still entirely unclear on who was the guardian of this 12 year old child after that.

TLDR

i think a lot of this twist is really cool conceptually, i'm on board with a lot of it. But in practice, Bibi and Mizuki are only different characters because of their wildly different backstories. They think and act identically, despite having such different circumstances which should lead to different thoughts and actions. In a game where the final Somnium ends in a long chain of "What ifs" where it's characters ask if they could've lived differently had just a few things been different, the central characters appear to demonstrate that no, they wouldn't.

and that kinda bums me out.

[shomagravity]

"First Appearance" || Uno Shoma as a guest in Honda Siblings' YouTube Channel, 01.09.2023

Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f7jqG1zesxc

Twitter

T/N: It's pretty long, so you can find it below. Please be aware that there are quite possibly a lot of mistakes as I had trouble hearing them for the most part, and some parts I was not able to hear at all. I apologize for any mistakes / confusion. I have striked out the parts where I'm not 100% certain what was being said.

T/N 2: Marin and Miyu tend to talk about themselves in 3rd person, it's something you can do in Japanese so I kept the same style but it might be confusing if you're not familiar with it.

T/N 3: As it was nearing 4 am by the time I was done, I skipped the final after Miyu's OPOI plug. But I think at that time it's obvious what they're doing. :D

Miyu: So then, Marin-san, today… Marin: Yes. Miyu: After our brother, we have a guest after a long time. Marin: That's right! Miyu: Yes, welcome! Marin: Shoma!

Miyu: Wow! Amazing! Miyu wants to be in the frame too! Marin: Miyu, you can sit here! Shoma: That's right.

Miyu: Marin you sit there. Marin: Okay.

Shoma: Hello. Marin: Introduce yourself! Miyu: No no…Do you need to?? Shoma: Which way? Miyu: Which way??? Marin: What do you mean? Shoma: Skating? Miyu: Oh like your Uno-Tube? Shoma: Like as a skater or as Marin's… Miyu: MARIN'S????

Shoma: Skating then.

Shoma: Hello. I'm Uno Shoma who does skating a little. Marin: Just a little, right? […?…] Shoma: Just a little.

Shoma: You know, my character… It's completely different in front of the camera usually. Marin: What kind of character are you behind the camera? Shoma: I can't speak in front of the cameras. Not at all. Marin: Ah right. Miyu: Huh…Then will you get upset if Miyu is behind the camera? Marin, to Miyu: You should probably stop doing that. Shoma: I get nervous!

Miyu: I collected some questions so I want to ask them the questions. Miyu: "Miyu-chan, do you approve of Shoma-kun?" Miyu: If I didn't approve of him, I wouldn't be filming videos like this, would I, seriously! Huh? Marin: Huh? Shoma: Huh? Miyu: Huh?

Marin: Shomakun often says 'Miyuchan is dark'. Miyu: Ehh Marin: He says things like 'I wonder if she'll dislike it if I speak to her.' Miyu: No no, can I say something? I was happy when though Marin, Shomakun said that he wants to be closer friends with Miyu. When I thought of that, Shomakun kept greeting me every time we meet. Lately, lately I didn't hear from Marin that he talked about Miyu. So I thought maybe he doesn't like me. Marin: So I have to say everything he tells me about Miyu! Miyu: Yeah I want you to report everything to me. Marin: Got it.

Miyu: When I see Shomakun, I get like this, even though in the beginning, in the past, I'd just nod and bow. But lately we're like, "Oh! It's been a while!" Shoma: I can't cut into your conversation, if the two of you are together. Marin: Oh that's right. Also if I go to change costume, she'd definitely come after me. Miyu: But lately--! In the past, I'd just leave without saying anything. But now if Marin leaves, I say "I'll go and help her". Shoma: Yeah. Marin: I've only changed into this sweatshirt from a t-shirt.

Miyu: It's like… […?…] But I don't know how casual I can talk to him. Miyu: If it's Shoma-san, it's the athlete Uno Shoma, and he's greatly my senior. So I'd have to use polite form of speech. But he's my older brother. Marin: What's that Miyu: It's like that, so, I should be like, Shoooma! Marin: You want to call him that? Miyu: It's like, those kind of nice sibling relationship.

Miyu: Like, for an example, when we're all going somewhere, I'm like Shomakuuun, but once we meet at the rink, it's like (bows)…I think that's cool. Marin: That's true. Although normally we're like this, I also think he's an amazing person. Shoma, to Marin: But I don't want you to think of me as an amazing person.

Shoma: I also don't like the polite speech between senpai and kohai. Marin: Ah I see. This part of him is the secret to going to the top, isn't it? Miyu: It's the secret. Marin: Marin's humility is on the ground. It's ground level. Shoma: Your own? Marin: My own evaluation. Shoma: It's because I always end up assuming the worst, so before the competition I'd be like, 'what if this happens', 'what will I do if this happens'. But lately, unlike before, this past year I lost that awful desperation so…I haven't very… No, I don't wanna talk about skating much. Marin: Why? Just let me talk one thing about skating. I watch Shomakun at competitions a lot but… I don't want it to happen and I'm not looking for it but, when you get injured, or when you get sick, or when something hurts, like when you're not in a good shape--- Your performances during those times when you are completely focused are seriously incredible.

Shoma: I get it but… I also think result wise, It's true that it's like that but, for an example, I end up worrying what to do 'if I get injured and just can't do it naturally in the next competition'. I constantly think about that and end up being like this.

Marin: He became like this (points high off the ground). Shoma: No, no, like this. (points lower) Marin: He was like this (low), and now became like this (high). Shoma: Normally (points lower)

Miyu: So then for an example, if you're giving a present to Marin on her birthday, like 'I prepared this', though I don't know, are you also like 'what should I do! If Marin oversleeps today, what should I do tonight?' Do you think negatively like that? Shoma: Ah.. But, if you're surprising someone, it becomes a situation where you have to make the other person happy. And I worry that it'll pressure her. Miyu: Wait, huh???? (You're worried about) the other person? Shoma: So I think about doing something that's harmless. Miyu: Wow that's amazing.

Marin: Miyu is happy with anything so he- Miyu: Yeah yeah I'm happy with just receiving things! Marin: And with Sara, it's always like 'Do you have this already?' Miyu: That's right, that's right! Shoma: I think she's just saying it because she's considerate but she's like, 'Thanks!' Marin: That's also a nice thing about Sara. Shoma: True. That's really nice of her.

Miyu: Please answer this without thinking of it as weird. What do you like about each other? You can answer with anything. Marin: Start with Marin. Miyu: Start with Miyu. Marin: Miyu?? We're including Miyu too?

Shoma: You want me to start? Are you sure? Miyu: No I was just, it's just how you go 'No me! No me! Me! Me!' Marin: No one's doing that. Shoma: We're not doing that. Miyu: Well then, what do you like about Marin? Shoma: There's nothing I can say like 'This is what I like about her'. Because I like everything. Because it's everything about her. It's not about something specific, it isn't one specific thing. For an example, this will be the exact same conversation as before but, for an example if I say "I like Marin's legs." Like how you say you like legs. If I did that, for the other person, there'll be some kind of pressure where they'd have to have those legs. That's what I think. Miyu: Oh oh so if it's like 'I like Marin who wears this outfit' and she'd have to keep wearing that. Shoma: Yeah! It's like outfits or personality, too. Like for me, when I think about it, when I was a kid I was told things like 'This is the good thing about you', I ended up thinking that I'd have to be that way. I don't want to pressure her in that way and also I like everything about her so the answer becomes 'everything' too.

Miyu: I think the YouTube title this time around should be 'Textbook Boyfriend'. It's amazing. So that's how it is. I see.

Marin: Me? Do I have to say 'everything' now?? Shoma: That's why I asked if you wanted me to go first. Marin: Everything? It's not everything! Miyu: I want to hear the reason! Marin: His farts stink! Shoma: I get told a lot. Marin: Can I say that? Shoma: It's totally fine. Marin: Please don't tease him about that ok, everyone? Miyu: If it smelled naturally like roses you'd be like I want to smell it. But I can't say that to Shoma-san. Marin: You wanted to tell him 'I want to smell it' if it smelled like roses?

Miyu: Let's move on. This is a question for Shoma-san. Can you win against the love Marin's siblings have for her? Marin: Oh! Can I say what I like about him? Miyu: Of course! Marin: That reminded me. With Miyu and Sara, he cherishes everyone as much as me. Marin: Well, not that much but it's true.

Shoma: But if I made a comment about it here… For me, that's something that's normal, that it's a given. If I say that, I wonder if it'll come off as if Mabo is making me do it. Marin: In the worst case scenario? Shoma: In the worst case scenario. Marin: 'Will she get flamed for it?' Shoma: Right, right! In the worst case scenario. Marin: Worst case scenario.

Miyu: You know how he calls Marin, Mabo? And Sara is Sabo.. Marin: Sarabo Miyu: Sarabo! Why is it Miyuchan for Miyuchan? Although I'm happy that it's special. Marin: Mibo Miyu: I don't wanna be called Mibo Shoma: I'm still shy. After like two months, together with Marin…After One Piece is over… Miyu: No no, you can't be like 'two months later', everything is over before even a month ends.

Miyu: My dream is to- […?…] I want to expose the cute sides of Marin, and talk to Shomakun about 'something like this happened'. Marin: You're so heavy! Marin: These two are amazing. They'll definitely talk like this, they'll avoid looking at each other. Shoma: I'm being careful! I'm trying to look at her! Miyu: Our eyes meet at the screen of the camera. Marin: Your personalities are really the same.

Miyu: What's a place you two go to often - you don't have to say the place. Shoma&Marin: Ready, set, go--- STARBUCKS Marin: Right? Shoma: Right

Miyu: 'Do they know that the fans call the two of them Shomarin'? Miyu: I called the two of you Shomarin for a really long time. Marin: You did! Miyu: So fans also call you Shomarin. Shoma: I don't really know how we're called or anything. Marin: I do know but, Shoma: Oh, so you do know. Marin: But Miyu was calling us that since a really long time ago. Miyu: Do you have anything else that you want to be called? Marin: Is there? A pair name? Shoma: A pair name? Marin: (Nudges his shoulder to encourage him to answer) Shoma: (Reluctant) I'm not funny or anything.

[ I don't understand this part at all but Shoma says something about being the same as Miyuchan.]

Marin: You two are really alike. How to put it, like your personalities, it's really similar. Miyu: We also both like Marin. Marin, to Miyu: I wonder about that. Is that so? Miyu: I'm happy.

Miyu: What's something you both have in common the most? Shoma: By common point do you mean what we see in ourselves or what others tell about us---See this is how I'll get. Miyu: That's the image we usually have of Shomakun. Marin: […?…] Shoma: Right!

Miyu: Can we look forward to a scene with Vivichan and Luffy? Shoma: At first we're really in different […?…] but in the past […?…] Marin: Right, it's because we're doing something we never did before. Rather than skating as if it's a performance, it was embarrassing to do it at first, right? Shoma: Yeah because none of us did that before. Marin: Saying lines and getting yelled at and such. But Miyu has been doing it a lot. Shoma: It's because my personality is the most different from this character called Luffy. I think everyone worried most about me. Right now I'm not embarrassed at all.

Miyu: As Vivi and Luffy, the two of you were amazing unrelated to who Shomakun and Marin are. I thought that. Marin: Thank you.

Shoma: I feel really sad that these One Piece rehearsals are coming to an end. Miyu: I'm sad. Shoma: Of all my skating past, this has been a top level fun for me. So… Marin: It's ending within a month, right? Let's do our best.

[myjunkisyuzuruhanyu]

I was watching the Grand Prix Final 2011 and noticed that Yuzuru was extraordinarily fast in his Romeo and Juliet program. I also recall Brian Orser's interview when Yuzuru had just switched to him as a coach. He mentioned that Yuzuru likes to skate fast, but they planned to make changes (for focusing on other aspects and conserving energy as I understood) . So, my question is, did they reduce the speed, and if so, by how much? Because at the Japanese Nationals, where they measure the average speed of skaters, Yuzuru seemed to be among the top again. However, it also looks like he did not maintain the same speed he had when training under Nanami Abe.

First if we talk of "reducing speed" we have to set some things straight. All top skaters do have fantastic speed when you compare it to skaters with lower ranks. Take for example Kaori and compare her to lower ranked Japanese ladies. Skaters with extraordinary skating skills like Yuzu, like Shoma, like Kaori have a lot of speed without effort. So if we say "reducing speed" we have to take into consideration that Yuzu's speed was and is still very good and on top at his field. (I think only Shoma had a similar speed measurement as Yuzu at the statistics) All in all you need extraordinary to even talk about "reducing speed" because most skaters need to work very hard to even have more speed.

I think your observation is correct. In both senses. Yuzu's speed is among the top skaters but it's also not as fast as back in 2011. But there are a couple of reasons why this is the case and none of it has to do with Yuzu being worse than in 2011 on the contrary. (And I also think it's only true for his programs, not for when he is skating in rounds for example in the warm-up.)

This is Yuzu's SP 2021 statistics:

For Yuzu there come some things into play for why Brian Orser wanted to reduce Yuzu's speed (ofc I can only guess what Brian Orser meant, but for me these are some explanations):

The emphasis on "focusing on other aspects" is because lots of speed is good, but it also goes in hand with a tendency to rush through a program, which Yuzu did. Yuzu had a tendency to rush under Nanami Abe which let to making "silly" mistakes like for example falling during the step sequence like Worlds 2012. Also too much speed can cause you timing problems on jumps like almost jumping into the boards like you can often see with Boyang's 4Lz timing. And Yuzu's timing got significantly better, there are few times when he missed a jump.

Yuzu has a severe asthma problem, so until 2014 you could see him nearly on the verve of breakdown after every free skate so it was necessary to find an energy balance. Reducing speed helps. He had to learn to maintain an energy level that would not make him panting because of exhaustion after every skate.

Yuzu's programs got more complex in transitions and entries and exits of jumps, nobody is able to maintain the same speed doing difficult steps and turns in contrast to crossovers forwards or backwards. You can try it yourself by running straight forward or turning and jumping and see if you're being just as fast. 😉

Reducing speed can also be about getting more control. Too much speed can also be a hindrance. Sometimes you see skaters who are slow but get level 4 on their step sequences while skaters with superb speed may not get it. That is often due to the inclarity of steps to count towards the step sequence because with speed there is a tendency to rush through steps.

No one can compare to Yuzu in the complexity of transition department. If you do almost no crossovers in a program, getting speed is not as easy. You can look at almost any other single skater and see how much they need to push towards the ice to accelerate speed (jarring example look how much Isabeau Levito has to work to get speed for her jumps).That Yuzu maintained one of the highest speeds while executing difficult transition shows you what true master of speed he is. For comparison look at any Eteri girl from the 2015-2018 aera (Medvedeva and Zagitova for example) and see that while they also had tons of transitions in their programs they are comparably slow and even slower than most other top skaters.

In conclusion: Yes Yuzu may not be as fast in his programs than when he was with Nanami Abe but it's just because he developed as a skater and because speed alone means nothing.

Here a little reminder to Pyeongchang 2018 gala practice "Yuzu in his speed skater aera" 😉

GIF Source

[toku-explained]

FuwaMallow

Arc: SKIP investigate a sinkhole that appeared during construction work. Yuma feels Ishido has truly become part of SKIP, defying the general SKIP perception of a wall between them and the GDF. Just as they are speculating there's no Kaiju involvement, Oka-Gubila appears. Yuma and Ishido attempt to lure it in the van, when they come across two kids, Yumi and Dai, who haven't reached a shelter, Ishido takes them while Yuma continues to lure, then becomes Arc. As the battle progresses, suddenly from a lightning cloud emerges a strange skeletal robot, which emits a strange melody, and launches a debilitating sonic attack in the area, before engaging Oka-Gubila. Realising Dai lost his favourite hat, Yumi goes to find it, and is nearly hit by a stray attack from the robot, now engaging Arc, who barely saves her using Luna Armour but is defeated. The robot then, as Yuma is too slow to reach them, saves Rin and Dai from Oka-Gubila. The robot, designated Givas after the one recognisable sound it makes, has spent 6 hours on standby, and Yuma wants to believe it is an ally. SKIP starts working on deciphering the noises, while Ishido is called to the Space Sciences Division, and meets an old friend. YouPi's analysis translates Givas' song to mean "Does this planet have my Givas? I a here to be your Givas." After a discussion about the number of suns affecting societal development and guessing Givas is from a world without one, they determine Givas to mean enemy. Yuma is unwilling to believe it, but Ishido says it's irrelevant. Givas has started emitting green lasers, and GDF have officially decided it's hostile, when Ishido insists on following the GDF decision, Yuma is angry enough to say Ishido is just GDF all along. There is a sour mood, as Yuma watches Givas from the GDF cordon.

Shin Dogengers: Ohga-Man and Yabai Kamen continue to battle Livaira and his soldiers. On earth, KitaQman tries to run but is stopped by everyone, then as everyone is discussing what to do, Hyakutoban points out someone is still missing, Tanaka only then realising. Frustrated by Yabai Kamen and Ohga-Man continuing to resist, Livaira starts draining life from his soldiers in order to power up, and Ohga-Man encourages Yabai Kamen to return to his Shin form so they can be on a more level playing field. Eventually they blast him, but, body on fire, he starts merging with the ship it seems for the final descent, only for something to resists. Back in the control room, Ohga-Man and Yabai Kamen are contacted by the other Dogengers from Sekikaguoh-208. After the realisation earlier they'd found Mini-Sekikaguoh, who was angry at being forgotten, and had to devote some time to sweet talk it into forgiving them before it would summon the larger body. With the robot still struggling, Yamashiron has everyone start cleaning to power it up, and Ohga-Man throws Yabai Kamen from the vessel, he lands right back in his seat at AHK, where, in anticipation, Maid Shitsuji has just prepared his drink.

Gavv: Shoma, unknowingly, steals vegetables, only for the owners to note a resemblance to their son, Makoto. Jeeb and Shita are trying to locate the red Gavv, and try to hide it from Nyelv when he stops by, but has something of his own brewing. Makoto died 20 years ago, his parents, after hearing about Shoma's struggles, offer him a place to stay for now. Hanto visits Suga, the Granute Researcher, and learns from him. Based on Hanto's own story, Suga surmises the compression technology is a recent development, and also reveals, thanks to the Gochizo he picked up, he is now able to work on a way to fight the Granute. Shoma helps on the farm, and gets to try marshmallows, unaware an Agent is watching them. Hanto talks with his mentor, who warns it seems Suga knows too much about the Granute to be trustworthy, an Agent is watching them too. While shopping Shoma is attacked by Agents, and runs to protect the family, lured to where Jeeb and Shita are waiting. They knew Kamen Rider was him thanks to his unique red Gavv, and has tried to eliminate him with the elder Stomachs, the unwanted younger brother with a human mother, but Shoma couldn't be compressed, and ran after his mother was out through the production line. Shoma fights as Gavv, seeing the Gochizo his siblings note her has been able to create minions now he's on earth. He uses Fuwamallow, the soft body resist attacks, then uses Marumallow to build strength and crush them, Jeeb and Shita then leave angry. Realising his presence makes the old couple more appealing targets for the Granute, he decides not to return, and winds up collapsing on a road, the Gochizo unable to move him, as a shadowy figure approaches.

Boonboomger: Taiya is still contemplating what's going on with Mad Rex. Disrace re-enforces the brainwashing on Mad Rex. The Sanseaters, recalling how Mad Rex respected their refusal to give in and recruited them despite failure, vow to help him regain himself, and while Disrace is on a long phone call, take Mad Rex to various locations and even imitate the Boonboomgers in hopes of restoring his memories, the only hint he shows of it is seeing BunRed's mask. Itashar uses the Boonboom Danger and manages to connect to the Garage and make a delivery request, which Boonboom sends Taiya on. Sakito and ByunD see Taiya go past in the Super Car, at which point ByunD mentions detecting something like the Boonboom Signal, which Chassiro enquires about. Taiya arrives at the collection point, and is ambushed by the Sanseaters and Mad Rex, and finally understands for sure that Mad Rex doesn't have control of his own wheel. At this point, Disrace detects what's happening, and controls Mad Rex to attack, Taiya fights him as BunRed. Chassiro, Mira and Jou arrive as well, but the Sanseaters refuse to let them interfere, and summon Boonboom Killer Robo, the three barely escape the cave in the Super Car. Yarucar steals Jou's cars, so Boonboom Killer Robo Police battles Boonboomger Robo Monster, before switching to Boonboomger Robo Builder. As BunRed 119 battles Mad Rex, a sneakily watching Genba seeks to interfer to get info from Mad Rex, but Sakito and ByunD also don't want the battle interfered with, so BunOrange and BunViolet also battle. Taiya is defeated, and desperate to finish things quickly, the others switch to Boonboomger Robo Knight and finally beat Killer Robo. Mad Rex has BunRed at his mercy when he sees Boonboomger Robo Knight, and memories of is defeat stir, causing him to flee. Seeing Mad Rex is gone, Genba also abandons the battle. Mad Rex returns to Disrace's side, and the Sanseaters mourn their failure, dismissing a sound from Mad Rex's dog as their imagination.

[aozorasakura]

head empty only mizuki okiura / date

so i was able to finish both games of AI: The Somnium Files last month and I REALLY just want to talk about the best character of the series (i am not biased please agree with me) Mizuki !!

im just gonna rant about mizuki's route mainly (and also date family shenanigans)

(look at my girl... LOOK AT HER !!)

spoilers beneath the cut

her character throughout the series and both games is just ... so lovable?? in the first game, she was the perfect balance of bratty and being a kid while at the same time, she had already gone through so much

i dived into the game blindly and when i was forced to make a choice in her somnium, i decided to pick the balloon option and i immediately regretted everything after seeing the results (i literally kept screaming IM SO SORRY MIZUKI FOR MAKING YOUR TRAUMA WORSE) and after finishing iris' route, i immediately went for her route right after

and mizuki's route did not disappoint (i am totally not biased) and i wished that the deepness of her relationship with date in her route and how it developed transferred over to the right half of the game's flow chart since it really did get shafted hard for the true ending no hate to the sagan family though as much as i also loved date/falco's relationship with both iris and hitomi, i think that they deserve another member of the family

back to the topic of mizuki's route, the scene where she tries to talk to an unconscious date at the hospital broke my heart since she witnesses first hand her only remaining parental figure in her life almost gets killed (another note, i accidentally did the bad end of mizuki's route first since i wanted to kill so sejima that badly) and how she tried to poke around at boss' name saying that it doesn't fit her gaahh date just wake up

doing date's somnium felt bittersweet but also it made me feel warm inside especially at the ost that played in the background and the memories that they both made in the tiny apartment where they reside together. if you consider how date never really had a true family (and because sadly all of his memories with the sagans are just poof) but he still was able to call out on the abuse and neglect that shoko and renju had done respectively and he was still able to raise her properly despite her complicated family life !!!! and in the end how mizuki reassured date that she needed him and when he woke up, she welcomed him home in her usual fashion (by giving an affectionate kick)

(the dad that stepped up literally)

moving on to nirvana initiative mizuki, i literally gave into temptation because of the steam sale that i bought the game right away even though i was not finished with the main game yet and it was a must since mizuki was protag (ryuki i love you but i kinda spedrun thru ur half so i can get to mizuki's lmfao)

(she's presenting a friend! its aiba)

I LOVED PLAYING AS MIZUKI WHILE I WAS PLAYING AINI and while i am VERY bitter that her whole relationship with date was shafted to the side once again... i can never really win but it gave me abis found family crumbs which is nice !! but this fact alone makes me biased with the outcome of the secret ending where the explosion never happened and date didn't need to lose his memory for the second fucking time and he was able to be present for most of mizuki's life BUT THEN AGAIN . his reunion with mizuki during the gen and amame route and the resolution route i feel was done in their style, not really a tearful reunion but the love is still there, especially how when he was in gen's suit at the latter route, listening to her conversation with aiba because he had the receptor on including the one time he interacted with her inside of their heads when she tried to come up with a plan to get rid of the SAT and he tells her that it was better to raise the white flag in a bittersweet tone ... concerned papa fr

cant forget her involvement in the andes and shoma route !

HONESTLY there's so much i want to say about her but i am running out of words to say so i might have to make a part two of this blog post soon

anyways... i might post my aitsf fanfics here too... i hate this detective game /h

[halfling-myth-lady]

digimon fanganronpa? i'm all ears

Okay,so this is in a weird position where it’s finished enough that I can say it’s somewhat done,but it still kinda is very far from completion.

So,bassically all the contestants are the game protagonist and support characters(Masaru and Touma included since they got their own game.) and while I don’t have a proper setting(I feel like a school would fit,but you need some extra context for that that would spoil chapter six) I do have the mascots,of which are monotama (a very mean egg that likes to see people suffer) and Monodramon/Machinedramon(can’t decide whether to make it another mono or just a Machinedramon,also he doesn’t talk)EDIT: I forgot that there was already a monodramon

I don’t have every talent mapped out,so I’m all ears for suggestions on the talents/which talents would be better/funnier:

Izuku fujira(digimon world 1):shsl computer programmer

Age 15 and height is 5’2

Fuck the shitty excuse for a postgame they haven’t been in the digital world since they were nine

Inferior complex

Aroace and closeted nb

The dw got them interested in technology

Has since accepted the dw was just a dream(spoilers:it was not)

Shiki Shishiro(next order):shsl gamer

Age 19 and 5’8

Her,himari,kouta,shoma,and luche are basically besties who do stupid shit and somehow don’t die in the process

Orphanage kid

Lesbiab

This girl is able to take care of two fucking vpets at the same time I think we can all agree on how she got her ultimate

Was...shocked to say the least when she saw Izuku for the first time

Makoto akinaga(ReArise):shsl writer

Age 16 and 5’7

His digital world was shut down

Despite his ultimate,hasn’t published any of his books,having gotten his talent via fanfic(he has written like 30 of them though)

Pan

Didn’t know what to do once his dw was shut down so he just....wrote.

Don’t get fooled by his writing genius,he has like three Braincells and they only work while writing.

Airi takahashi(world ds):shsl errand girl

Age 17 and 6’7

Sweetheart

Had a big fucking growth spurt between world ds and now

Undecided

Just kinda runs errands

Is also pretty damn strong(her sweater hides it though)

Tomomi kozue(world ds):talent not decided

Age 18 and 5’6

Occasionally visits Airi and pagumon

Pretty laid back

Sees kain as pretty immature

Lesbian

Kain Makishi(world ds):shsl trickster

Age 16 and 5’10

Calls all the ds cast his friends with somewhat mocking nicknames to match(albeit they don’t think of him as a friend,even tomomi,everyone’s just annoyed)

Is nicer than he was in ds,but still somewhat arrogant

Bi boy

Just kinda causes trouble

Childhood friends with tomomi

Fuck it,I might have the rest of the cast planned out but through everything and the fact that the fic went from being about 60% finished to about 90% in the span of me writing this,I think you have a pretty solid idea of the cast,but just in case I’ll leave the names in the tags

[peanutpinet]

Hi I would like to make a request!

Honestly I don't know if you would be comfortable writing for Shoma x reader x Yuzuru? If you are, you can go for it! If not, then just a Shoma x reader.

The reader maybe it's a skater that started skating really late (like 18 or smth) and just won her first big medal!

Thank you ♥️

The First - Shoma x Reader

A/N: Hi!! Thank you for requesting this!! It's definitely been a while since I've written any Shoma fanfic since my Wattpad story so if you don't mind, I'll be doing just a Shoma x Reader fic :D

Warnings: nothing really, just floof :)

Pairings: Shoma x Female reader

Summary: you have been training under Stephane Lambiel ever since your debut as a junior all the way until your senior levels. While your junior time was definitely one of the best times for you, winning grand prix after grand prix, senior-level has never been kind to you with all the other girls being able to do multiple quads and even triple axels while you were still working on yours. But one skater that made a sudden change in coaching was the one to change it all ;)

Ever since your senior debut, you've been trying your best to keep up with every other female skater that has quads or even triple axel since you really wanted to get back on the podium since your junior days. But life aint that easy. While your double axel and all your other triple jumps are considered one of the best in the fields, adding another rotation was not as easy as people thought.

Every time you were to attempt a triple axel or even a quad, it would never end well for you. Popping your jump, landing with too big of an impact that would cause you to fall and get bruises or even you wouldn't dare to attempt the jump at all.

Stephane tried to convince you that not having a triple axel or quad is alright since with your artistry, you would still make it to the top 8 in the ladies field. But to you, that wasn't good enough. Call it ambitious or what not. Sometimes, you didn't really care about being on the podium anymore, all you wanted is to be able to jump a triple axel or even a quad in competition and skate clean. But because you were so eager for at least that one specific jump, you would often not be able to concentrate fully on your program that would make you get off track and messing up your program from time to time.

This mentality and state of mind of yours have been going for a good 2 years into your senior debut that Stephane recommended you to take a longer break during off-season instead of being at the rink like 5x a week which your parents also agreed on since they were rather worried about your mental being.

After some convincing, you finally agreed on just going to the rink 2-3x a week during off-season and just figure out how you want to continue your figure skating career. It was definitely a tough one since all you could think about was landing those jumps but you never really had thought beyond that. Not until your encounter with Shoma Uno.

You were not a stranger to the 2018 Winter Olympics silver medallist. I mean, you've seen him in competitions before and even watched several of skating to get some inspiration to better your own skating skill and interpretation since Shoma had one of the best PCS in the men's field.

Sometimes you wonder if it was a coincidence that you met Shoma but your gut tells you that it was already written in the stars that you were both destined to meet. Because Shoma couldn't understand nor speak English all to well, you decided to pull your "amazing" Japanese skills and body language and while it was rough in the beginning, you both slowly understood each other in your own way and shared many thoughts of skating and life in general.

While the talks don't last as long as you would like, especially when the new season is starting; you and Shoma both exchanged contacts to just update each other on your skating progress and how you finally admitted to Shoma that you might actually sit the season out since you couldn't nail the triple axel or any quad jumps. But what he replied next was out of your expectation.

"I can teach you! Well, I can try at least!" - Shoma

Ever since that text, you and Shoma slowly worked on your jumps and Shoma told you that sometimes if you keep "forcing" yourself to do the jump without feeling the beat or flow, you would tend to get off track hence falling and even could even cause an injury.

Slowly but surely you started understanding what Shoma meant and there was some progress. Like instead of falling completely or spraining an ankle, you did a step out of a triple axel and quad toe which surprised you, yourself. The next few sessions consist of multiple step-outs with several three turns until literally a month before they assigned the grand prix, you managed to not only land a triple axel but also a quad toe during one of your practices. Shocking you, your coach and even everyone at the rink at that moment.

Ever since, you were more than sure that this season will be one of the best. But just in case, you had two different layouts for both your short and free program. One of each has both the triple axel and quad toe while the other one is a safer program with a double axel and the other triple jumps.

For both of the grand prix you were assigned, you had a very inconsistent triple axel; with landing only that jump once in a free program whilst the other times you would always have a step out of your triple axel and barely landed your quad toe. But even with all that mishap, you managed to secure your place as one of the six skaters for the grand prix final; your first grand prix final as a senior.

When you thought that you would get used to the nerve of competition, you were suddenly so nervous since it was your first ever grand prix as a senior but you took a deep breath and just go with the flow; whatever happens, happens.

Throughout all the practice sessions went fairly well, you managed to land your triple axel and all your other triple jumps. Unfortunately, during your actual short program, it did not go a well as you thought because you had a step out of your triple axel and was barely hanging on in your triple lutz + triple toe combo, resulting in you being in 4th place with an 11 point difference with the first place

At the same time, you got a text from Shoma asking if you wanted to hang out which you decided "Eh, why not" and just went back to your room to change and then head out into the city with Shoma to just explore around and have dinner before heading back to your hotel since the next day was the men's short program.

As you went back to your hotel, Shoma asked if you just wanted to hang out at the pool of the hotel which you agreed on since the view from your hotel was breathtaking. Sitting down by the pool, neither of you started a conversation but it didn't feel awkward at all. Just admiring the view whilst enjoying each other's presence.

It wasn't until you decided to ask Shoma why did he dare to go out the night before his short program which he answered that every skater has their own ritual before the competition and he was simply enjoying the city, leaving whatever happens to fate since all he could do is just do his best. Adding on that there's no point in worrying too much since no one might really know what happen during the competition. Ending the conversation, Shoma told you that you shouldn't worry so much about the result and the important thing is you did your best since you're competing with yourself not so much others.

After that talk, you decided to watch the men's short program and while in the end, Shoma was at 3rd place with a near 10 point difference from the 1st place and around 7 point difference with the 2nd, he was still happy and pleased with the score he received. And for some reason, you were also happy for him and enjoyed his and the other skaters' programs.

Remembering Shoma's talk and mindset, you took that with you through your free program and just enjoy the program more than anything. Taking your place at the center, you saw Shoma sitting at the seat that was across you, showing you some encouragement. Taking a deep breath, the second the music started, you started your program as well.

As you were nearing your opening jump, the triple axel, you just followed the flow of the music and ended up landing a clean jump, earning a loud cheer from the crowd and a smile upon your face. Continuing your program, your next big jump, the quad toe was up and surprisingly, you landed the jump clean as well!! With two big jumps out of your way, your confidence level increased and you started to enjoy your program even more, adding some touches of your own because you were feeling it.

Once you ended your program with your ending pose, tears were threatening to fall from your face as you bowed to the crowd who cheered you whilst throwing gifts to the rink. Picking some up, you bowed to the crowd one more time before going to your coach, Stephane who always welcomed you with a big hug.

After Stephane helped you balance yourself to put your blade guards, the both of you went to the kiss and cry to await for your score. When the score came up, you almost didn't believe it since not only did you get a seasons best but you were currently in first place with only 2 skaters to go and you had a near 15 point lead from the current 2nd place.

In the end, whilst you didn't get first place, you still managed to secure your spot at the podium, at 2nd place with only a 5 point difference from first place. After the award ceremony was over and you went backstage to change your clothes and shoes before heading back to the hotel to rest. Along the way you saw Shoma and rushed up to him who brought a little gift for you, your favourite character in a doll form and even a rose.

"Congratulations on making it to the podium on your first grand prix final as a senior. There might be tough times but I hope that you remember that you're not alone okay? Now let's go have some bbq to celebrate" Shoma exclaimed, handing you the gifts one at a time before holding your hand in his

A/N: yes, I know that you didn't really win first place in a big competition. But I feel that being able to make it to a big competition and even managing to be on the podium should be considered a big accomplishment!! Also, I know that this is not my best work but yeah, I hope that whoever requests this and everyone else who reads it enjoys it :) Hope everyone have a wonderful week and remember to stay safe and practice good hygiene!! :) xoxo Vinet

[salty-dracon]

My final thoughts on AI: The Somnium Files - nirvanA Initiative

Contains highly endgame spoilers for AINI. Please don't read unless you've finished the game!

The first question is, did I like this game? Yes! I thought it was fantastic! I’ve always been a big fan of murder mystery games, and I loved AI: The Somnium Files, so hearing there was a sequel coming out made me super excited! Furthermore, it starred the absolute best character from the original game, and promised a lot of craziness. If you check my Twitter, I’ve been going nuts trying to analyze the trailers- and if you talk to me on Discord, I’ve been talkative there too about the HiddenBats ARG. I’m happy to report that AINI did not disappoint, and if you enjoyed the original, and/or wished it was a little bit darker or a little bit more elevated, you’ve got it!

That being said, I struggle to compare the games mainly because they differ so much in tone. I’d consider the first game to be relatively light and character focused compared to the second, which was heavier, darker, and more relationship focused.

AINI fixed the two biggest problems I had with AITSF: Iris's relatively flat character compared to the rest of the stellar cast, and Date's habit of making sex jokes at inappropriate times. While I originally feared Kizuna would be a second Iris, especially after she became Tearer's hostage, she eventually became a character whose self doubt was weighed down by years of loss and pain, who was able to smile again thanks to Lien's undying support. While I was less endeared by Tama making horny jokes (why a chastity belt joke re: Shoma?), for once this game didn't have a male protagonist for whom "horny" was a personality trait that came out in every conversation.

The game is darker than the first, and more consistently as well. Cults, human experimentation, Ryuki slowly losing his mind over the course of the game- you can expect any long period of playful banter to be quickly followed up with an earth-shatteringly sad story or a terrifying revelation.

The plot is fascinating, and makes this game perfect for replaying (which I will do, eventually). From the very beginning, I spent the whole game slowly trying to pick apart every mystery and considering every possibility I could think of. It starts with a mystery- how could two halves of the same person’s body appear in two different places at two completely different times, as though each one had been a fresh kill? But it quickly becomes far, far more. Before you know it, you’re listening to gossip about a medical institute and its head scientist. Then, you’re diving into his mind and learning about his obsession with superhumans. Then, you’re asking about a sixth grader’s favorite robot. The facts pile up so quickly, and it feels like there’s an impossible number of loose ends! But over time, they start to connect to each other until finally, they form a complete picture of the whole story. The answer was very clever, taking advantage of facts I remembered but never even considered to be relevant. And while I was able to figure out the purpose of the Nirvana Initiative very early on, I was in for another shock when, in fact, the order of events wasn’t quite what I thought it was. (There were so many little plot holes that I just chalked it up to someone forcefully inserting false memories into every character.)

The plot got meta later on. As the player, referred to Tokiko as the "Frayer", collected information from alternate timelines, alternate story pathways were opened. And every time those alternate timelines and alternate worlds were touched, via Ryuki's hallucinations, Mama's fortune telling, or the player's password inputs, the world would glitch out. However, the payoff for it all doesn't happen until a secret ending is reached- one where you're offered the chance to make sure that none of the pain and suffering the characters underwent ever happened. It also potentially set up a connection to the Hiddenbats ARG (am still trying to figure out that final nirvana spell!!!) or a potential third AI game. The chance of you running into a certain perfectly legitimate ideological society president in real life is always low but never zero, I guess. I've always been... iffy about fourth wall plot twists, and I'm still iffy about this one. As a player, it's important to me that I feel like I'm helping a character through their story, and not causing more undue hardship- the ambiguous nature of Ryuki's hallucinations made it difficult for me to know if I was really helping here. Same with the story's ending.

The characters introduced in AINI (or brought back as ascended extras) are fantastic! There was not a single one I outright disliked. A boisterous locksmith is devoted to one woman’s happiness, simple but endearing. A hardworking maid cafe maid masks her terror with a smile and endless kindness. A masked chef’s heart shines bright, but he fears that others will call him a monster. A sixth grader doesn’t want to open up, but once he does, he’s all smiles. An aged woman hides many secrets- some personal, and some world-shattering. This and more! Amame, especially, went from a simple witness in AITSF to a fantastic character in AINI, shown to be forced all her life into making hard decisions and it eventually driving her to despair. Yet despite all that, she held a ceaseless love for the people in her life, including her family and Gen.

I felt the characters were weaker overall compared to AITSF’s. I’d say Komeji was up to par with the characters from the first game. When you first meet him, he’s acting like an obnoxious quiz show host. When you see him again, he’s failing at his comedy routine. When you chat with him privately, he’s talking about his family and apologizing for his script. And this is all within the first hour or two. Through his family (which consists of Shoma and Amame, as you later learn) he becomes a rich and well-developed character- a father who made many mistakes and hurt his children, but who still, above all, loves them very much.

Chikara was one of the weakest, if you ask me- though many of the characters (Tokiko, Masked Woman, Shoma, Lien, even Mizuki) were suffering as a result of his actions, and he maintained his presence throughout the game in some characters’ Somnia, and his institution was connected to everything, we never learned much about him. I wanted to know more about why he seemed to completely lack a sense of ethics beyond his belief in the order of %. Same with Tokiko- why did she join Naix in the first place? We never really got an answer (though it may be implied via why Shoma joined up). Though I'd excuse it more with her since she was meant to be mysterious in the first place.

The relationships between these characters more than make up the difference, however. While Kizuna struggled with self-doubt and depression, making it a little bit of a chore to listen to her talk, and Lien’s obsession with Kizuna was annoying at best, the development of their relationship made it clear that despite everything they couldn’t tell each other (which we learned in their somnia) their affection towards each other outlasted any of the pain they felt. And both were multilayered in their own right, even if we only learned the true depths of their personalities within their somnia.

Frankly, this one is more of a nitpick than it is an actual criticism- every character was shown to be multilayered in some way. And it’s hard to compare this game to the one that I considered to have some of the best character writing I’d ever seen in a murder mystery visual novel! It’s like comparing a seven-layer cake to a six-layer cake. They're both already fantastic.

The protagonists, Ryuki and Mizuki (or rather, Ryuki, Mizuki, and Mizuki) were fantastically written. Ryuki was, at his heart, a young man with a kind heart, driven to desperation due to guilt. The first part of the story was spent slowly watching him spiral out of control, torn between many things- his care for the other characters, his admiration for his mentor Date, and his own health. Eventually, you reach the tipping point- the explosion that forever changes the lives of all of the witnesses. Then, Mizuki takes over- and she's a plucky, sassy, and talented young woman who's got the same love for the witnesses. With her being a returning character from the first game, I was happy to see she maintained her hot-headed and passionate personality. She constantly broke the law to get what she wanted - very in character if you ask me. That being said, I was really confused during her story. Genetically modified and adopted? Didn't her mother say she wished she'd never been born? And that her grandfather was as monstrously strong as her? A younger sibling? Wouldn't she have brought that up in the first game? Why were so many other characters mentioning female figures in their life? I realized in the middle of the game that the Masked Woman was another person with Mizuki's face. It explained the discrepancies. Luckily, the one we cared for in AITSF was still a protagonist - and in the end, the game even told us which was which! I look forward to knowing which Mizuki is which when I eventually play the game again. Together, the Mizukis make a fantastic pair of protagonists- and ass-kickers.

The OST was 100% bangers. Lien's somnium music, Shoma's house, and every Chikara related song stuck in my head specifically. (I'm a big fan of electronic music and guitar tracks - can you tell?)

The fight scenes were great! The first games fight scenes relied more on humor and impossible coincidences, while this game used mocap to create fantastic fights where a group of super-powered friends battle for justice, truth, or to fuck over the police. The prompts were appropriate for the most part with regards to the various situations, and there was a rewarding increase in difficulty over time.

The Somnia have improved significantly. And they are gorgeous, filled with mechanics, and thematically so cool! They weren't afraid to get silly, either- or foreshadow HARD. The mechanics are so well improved- swimming, flying, things you CANNOT touch, stealth segments, being chased by faceless Ryukis, a quiz show with timed questions, an extended interrogation segment inside someone's brain, a cooking rhythm game (?), a discount Pokémon Go game in a lawmaker's mansion... they pulled out all the stops! It's AINI's biggest improvement over AITSF. My biggest issue is that the Keys didn't provide perfect hints to the Somnium, as I was led to believe they were... they were more like explanations of each character's psychological state, which I wasn't sure I liked being told straight. Also, thank you devs for the option to play the Somnium using a story mode.

All in all, can you believe that they made a visual novel with really good gameplay of all things? And a fantastic mystery that'll have you on the edge of your seat? All in one game?! You'd better believe it! I loved AI: The Somnium Files - nirvanA Initiative... and I'm excited to play it again!

[kittyprincessofcats]

Olympic Team Event - Men SP

Some (mostly angry) rambles from someone who hasn’t watched FS in a while and just watched this^ lol. Not NC friendly.

- First of all: Obligatory reminder about the human rights violations and concentration camps in China and that the Olympics absolutely should NOT be held there. (Is there any news on Peng Shuai yet, btw?)

- Secondly: Reminder that the Team Event in figure skating is a scam in the first place, doesn’t have fair rules, doesn’t give athletes from smaller feds the chance to win a medal, was literally just invented by the big feds to be able to call even more of their athletes Olympic champions/medalists because they’re literally guaranteed to win them and they’ve been abusing that to hell and back. REMINDER THAT TEAM MEDALS DON’T COUNT. (I’m already vomiting at the thought of Russia calling all their athletes Olympic champions after this...)

- Speaking of Russia... They’re allowed to be here why again? Like, what’s the point of letting them compete and just giving their team a different name? That name even has “Russia” in it so like... And they even have the flag colors right there on their oufits?? How is this any different from Russia literally just being there?? How does this help with the doping problem in any way? Why won’t anyone make that country face actual consequences???

- I want to punch James/Radford in the face every time I see them. I hate how the German commentator praised them while completely leaving out... that story, and how viewers who only tune in for the Olympics won’t know. (Dear Olympics-only viewers: Vanessa James is an abuse apologist (her previous partner sexually abused a 13-year-old and she knew about it), Eric Radford betrayed his previous partner by not telling her he teamed up with someone new, and the two of them didn’t even fairly qualify for these Olympics but got the spot anyway over the pair that actually shoud have gotten it (Walsh/Michaud) - and, if rumors are to be believed, Vanessa James then even taunted Evelyn Walsh about it. So yeah - don’t support James/Radford please.

- I really can’t deal with this German commentator’s hard-on for NC. He literally praises him right before going on a rant about how important artistry is... As we Germans would say: Genau mein Humor.

- “Brilliant from the first second to the last; he’s in shape of being an Olympic Champion.” Shut the actual hell up, that program was boring af, I literally wanted to skip it the whole time. How the actual HELL does anyone watch this with their own two eyes and think it’s anywhere close to being on the same level as Yuzu? HOW?? I’m literally done being polite about this. There should be no compeition here. If you think NC is anywhere close to being in Yuzu’s league, I just have to believe you’re lying on purpose at this point.

- “It’s not possible to skate better than this?” ARE YOU DUMB OR SOMETHING?? YES IT IS?? HAVE YOU SEEN SHOMA RIGHT BEFORE THIS? And I don’t even like Shoma that much anymore (his misogynistic opinions kinda ruined his skating for me, tbh), but freaking come on.

- “For me, he would get a 10 in 3 out of 5 PCS categories” … Are you kidding me? Yes, this is still the commentator talking about NC. At this point I seriously think these commentators are all getting paid off for saying this or they’re in on some elaborate scheme we don’t know about. I really don’t get it.

- (I’d switch to somewhere where I can watch without commentary, but I don’t want to spend money on these Olympics – human rights violations in china and all that.)

- How the hell did freaking Grassl become No. 1 in world standings again? I’ve been out of the loop for too long lol

- “I don’t know why Daniel doesn’t get higher component scores, I don’t think he’s that far off from Nathan Chen.” Who’s… who’s gonna tell him?

- Morisi’s half-assed cartwheel hurt my eyes and once again made me super depressed that Rika isn’t there to do a proper one – this world isn’t fair.

- The ironic thing is, I actually enjoyed watching this during the first group. I was all… aww, this is nice, I’ve missed skating… and then NC stepped on the ice and it’s like… oh, nevermind, the fun is gone. It’s just the same feeling as with the Russian girls: I know he’s going to be overscored af and that dread of how bad it’ll be just sucks the joy out of the competition.

- At least Yuzu’s WR is safe – I literally had to frantically check lol

[anewbeginningagain]

girlie you call people out on their biases but you have the biggest bias out of everyone.

Everyone has bias, the question is how you deal with it and if you are a hypocrite. I have several favorites that are not "mainstream" and I love them while acknowledging their limitations and when they make mistake. I wanted P/K to go to the Olympics since I adore them but given how the top 4 skated at nationals I can fully accept that they ae the #4 Russian pairs team. Shoma is my favorite but we all know and talk about his problematic jumping technique that usually costs him in GOEs, I enjoyed Disco Brits this quad but I've talked in length about how much they are not being able to hide their weaknesses this season (me and @macaroni-rascal have been going on and on about their pattern this season), I love H/D but I've talked a lot about their lack of ability to deliver when it counts and their questionable taste, same with Tarasova/Morozov, and the list goes on.

But the difference between me and others is that they pretend like we don't all have eyes and are being huge hypocrites.

When it's Diana Davis and partner the Warsaw Cup scores are a sham, when it's KanaDai they will keep going about the 20 points gap in SB between them and KoKo knowing full well that this gap is a result of biased judging at that event. They will call out Eteri skaters for lack of skills or training while injured but praise Yuzu for doing the same, they will go on and on about Smart/Diaz being shitty skaters but will have no issue with Kirill's lack of skills, labored lifts and having no ability to interpret music. They will riot when P/C or H/D fuck up and don't get penalized for it, but will scream that KanaDai didn't score high enough for a "perfect" FD which includes 4 near falls.

They decide who their favorites are and then build an alternative reality to be in favor of them, I simply comment on the skating we actually see. So feel free to come here and tell me what I've said that was only bias and not backed up, I am truly open to the discussion and the criticism as I've said before.

[reavenedges-lies]

I'd like to cover something for my followers who don't talk to me consistently and who may not know:

I don't dislike Nathan Chen because I'm a Yuzuru Hanyu fan. I'm actually more of a Boyang Jin and Deniss Vasiļjevs fan than Yuzuru's. The reason I don't like Nathan Chen is because I can't stand how the broadcasters talk and how you can't get away from it(where I am without losing all information)

Nathan Chen skates beautifully and his music choices are amazing if not a bit Traditional for my tastes, but not being able to watch any top skaters without having to hear about Chen and honestly prior Hanyu/Shoma kills my love for them.

[ferretrade]

you're the only person i follow that actively follows figure skating (that i know of) so i'm curious about your opinion on nathan's win because a few people were not happy with his win (and rightfully so) so i'm just curious.

Ooh yes okay! So I think Nathan's win is well deserved and I'm really happy for him (and proud!!). I don't think you can really argue he's not one of the best skaters in the world and his performance was great. I'm also happy that he got to come back and do what he wanted to do after the last Olympics where the pressure got to him. And personally, I like Nathan as a skater. I like his style. I will forever make fun of his usually dumb costumes but I'm usually into his music and routine choices!

I think people being unhappy comes from a few places:

1) There's this contrived rivalry where you are either a fan of Nathan or Yuzuru and have to tear down the other to prop your fave up. This is silly. You can like them both or prefer one and not be a dick about it. In this case, Yuzu singled out a jump in the SP so there was no real coming back unfortunately! It sucks but I think you can still admire him and what he was able to put out especially in the FS without being bitter he didn't medal this time or turning it into some reason to disparage Nathan's win.

2) People think Nathan's PCS is over scored. I think in some ways this related to #1, BUT I do kinda agree. Honestly scoring imo is kinda a mess. I think they often don't score skaters like Deniss Vasiljevs high enough in PCS. So yeah I can agree Nathan gets over scored but I don't think it would make a difference. His artistry is still really good too, just different! At the end of the day, the skaters don't control how scoring works. If the ISU sets things up so the person who does the most quads cleanly wins, then you can't be mad at the skaters who focus on that. (Btw, controversial opinion: I think Yuzuru gets over scored sometimes too 👀)

Idk you can take everything I say with a grain of salt, y'know? & most of all we should talk about Shoma and how great he is (and other skaters too)

[shomagravity]

30 June 2022 || Uno Shoma Event Translation (with Tanaka Keiji)

Honda: Back in my day medals were too small. I'm kinda jealous. 

Shoma: Yeah, the strap was the same but the medals were so small, I would lose them. But lately the small medals are just as big as the normal medals. I haven't been receiving many small medals lately so when I won them I thought 'oh they changed so much', I felt deeply emotional. Deeply emotional? I just said it casually. Sorry. 

"It was a great season which will be positive for me. I'm happy about winning World Championship and the medal at Olympics, but I was most happy to be able to fight again at the top of the world." "The rules are changing in a big way and as it's a new program, many things will change but my feelings regarding the positions in a competition or how I feel towards skating hasn't changed." "I want to make it a year where I focus on "growth"." "Last season was a really good season with results. Even so, I want to forget that and do my best with a feeling of starting over." "As an active skater, I want to be an athlete like Nathan Chen. " "Figure skating really is victory or defeat. You can avoid mistakes but once you make one, you can't take it back." “He has the stability of winning most championships in those 4 years, and was always one step ahead of everyone." "Seeing Chen who couldn't perform well 4 years ago (at Pyeongchang Olympics), do such an amazing performance at the (Beijing) Olympics...  I think the active skater image I want to reach is Chen. "After I retire... Well it might be because he's the closest one to me, but artistic like Stephane Lambiel coach... To continue being an active skater jumps are necessary, but if I retire, rather than jumps, my goal is to be artistic in the way Stephane is."

He talks a bit about how fans supports matter. He talks about how because of Corona they each realized they were taking it a bit for granted, and fans still can't cheer etc yet.

People might think that one fan's clapping wouldn't reach them but he says each person's support reaches them even during competition, so he says if it's okay with the fans, if they cheer for them it'll power up the athletes. Keiji gets called on stage and Honda is like "What's up Keiji" to which he replies "Heard Shoma was around so I came over to play."

Q. Once you said "if you realize something is missing, it's not really missing." Keiji: (Bursts into a laugh) Q. Have you forgotten anything big lately? Shoma: (Stares) Honda: Something you forgot? Shoma: Yeah, you know how I'm bad with forgetting things. Honda: You forgot your costume.   Shoma: When was it?  Honda: During Prince.  Shoma: ...  Shoma: OH yeah, the red one.  Honda: The costume for the opening.  Shoma: Yeah I forgot the opening costume and borrowed it. Keiji: I don't think that's rare. Shoma: I'm not even worried about it anymore. Even if I forget things. As long as I'm not causing anyone trouble, it's fine, I think. Shoma: Recently... I forgot the ticket in the Shinkansen. I barely made it in time. Shoma: Keijikun do you not forget things much? Keiji: No I usually make sure I check things. Audience: LOL Shoma: I DO THAT TOO. Keiji: Normally before you leave home, you'd check if you have your outfit, boots. Shoma: I do... Keiji: Shoma probably thinks he already put them in and neverminds it. Shoma: You know how you have to hold it... When I'm putting on my shoes, since you need a free hand, you'd put it down, right? .... After that, it's already no good. I'll just leave like that. Shoma: Even if I make sure I don't forget, like put things right at the door, I'll hold it thinking I must have it with me, then realize I have to do something else and then I leave it behind. Shoma: I think it's quite a lot less now though. Keiji: That's probably not because of Shoma checking things but your manager making sure you don't forget anything. Rather than Shoma, it's thanks to your Manager. Shoma: So if I forget something it's not my fault, but my Manager’s. Honda: Well that's how Shoma is. We end up not being too worried about it either. Keiji: "It's just how it always is." Shoma: Like, "Oh, again?" Keiji: And in the background, his manager is panicking. Honda: He won't change. Audience: LOL. Honda: This is Shoma-kun. tweets

[myjunkisyuzuruhanyu]

Same anon as before and thank you so much for your fast and super detailed reply! It explains a lot, especially the bit about scoring. I had no idea shoma’s technique was so controversial ( I just think he’s beautiful on ice and I love the way he moves, and that’s enough for me ^^;)

Can’t believe ppl think his family buy his scores though, is his family *that* wealthy? ( I mean they’re obviously well off, but).

I’m also well aware of the controversy around his words and I personally think it’s a steaming pile of bullshit. I hate current internet culture where you just need to say something stupid ( if it was him at all) once and you’re cancelled forever. smh. I can’t believe people still bring that up. Especially given that it happened in a very dark period of his life, I can only imagine how Shoma was feeling in that period :/ anyways, I’m really happy to see him in a much better place now 🥰

I’m so grateful for his YouTube channel too, it really gave me so much insight into his personality and I find him super endearing. I want to sit his haters in front of those videos and make them watch all of them u.u

Anyways, I guess I will just stay away from the toxic fan communities from now on ^^; do you have any recommendations for places (beyond tumblr) that are good for Shoma fans?

Thank you again <3

No need to thank, glad I could help. I'd rather answer such things quickly if I see them as I don't like to have them in my inbox. Better tick off the uncomfortable questions...

___

Yes Shoma's technique is controversial, but Shoma is far from the only skater with technique issues on the contrary many skaters have technical issues. Shoma only gets more hate because he wins and because skaters with the "right" technique don't "benefit in scoring" from their technique being better.

___

Anyone in this sport is from rather wealthy families. I don't know any skater who isn't "well off" however I do think that Shoma's family can be called rich. (there are fans who look for the prices of the stuff they have at home as what you can see on the puppy YT channel and they own loads of exclusive and expensive stuff)

Shoma buying his scores is big fat bs. There is no proof or any words of any official that ever pointed to this direction. It was just made up and spread by haters. Ppl who believe such bs are ppl who don't know how scoring works and can't properly evaluate Shoma's skills in this sport. I don't say that money can't have influence in scoring but any money cannot help Shoma land quads and develop the skill that he has. He was praised for his skating skills back in juniors when he wasn't even able to land 3A or quads and experts found it rather sad that such a talented guy would probably never win titles without the high scoring elements but as we know things turned out differently. In scoring consistency and reputation is key. Shoma may not always be clean but he can still deliver better than most other competitors and his results are pretty consistent. Shoma managed to stay one of the top skaters throughout his complete senior career, that's something that doesn't happen this often.

___

The only advice I have is to curate your own social media spaces. Hate can be anywhere. Block ppl on platforms who hate on Shoma, there is no use to argue with them. Then any social media platform can be a nice space.

I only use Tumblr and Twitter, but I know that Reddit for example is also quite nice for Shoma fans. Goldenskate forum has a Shoma fan fest section and there will only be talk about Shoma and hate isn't tolerated and will be deleted. (I know there can be drama in other general threads on other skating topics but as I don't use it I can't tell for sure)

Tumblr is mostly a safe space for Shoma fans, but as Twitter could crash at any day I see many Twitter users get back here and I can only hope they're not bringing the toxicity with them. But tbf I think it's easier to avoid hate on Tumblr as you need to tag words to make them show up in the search. You can also just stay with those you follow and you won't see any hate at all. (and thank goodness the confession block is gone) (and also because you can't see the number of followers you won't know who is "popular" around here and how blogs are connected and you can like whatever you want and it won't show up in recommendations)

There is one space for Shoma fans I can wholeheartedly recommend and use quite frequently but you should send me a PM that I can invite you to it as it's a little group of Shoma fans who created their own space.

[toku-explained]

Punchin Gummy

Arc: Kazuo, call sign JP1514, has a friend over amateur radio communication, Fio. Ishido inform SKIP that the Space Science Division has detected and approaching Space Kaiju. YouPi has been detecting a strange signal the past days, and cannot identify the source, but Rin tracks the receiver. Kazuo talks with Fio, he knows she's an alien on another world, with different cultural frames of reference. Yuma knocks on Kazuo door as part of the investigation, but is surprised to recognise Kazuo. They were in middle school together, while Yuma tried to be friendly things were always awkward, and realising the awkwardness Yuma leaves. Kazuo apologises to Fio, calling her his first friend, unaware Yuma is listening at the door. SKIP are fairly sure Kazuo is the receiver, but any further investigation will have to be put on hold. Kazuo and Duo discuss their ability to converse real time, and it turns out neither knows the reason. Kazuo wants to visit her planet, but she doesn't think he could. Ishido has determined the bio signature of the kaiju matches exactly with Kazuo's, so they asks Yuma to convince him to cease communication. Fio tells Kazuo she doesn't think they'll be able to talk much more, as Noiseler descends from the sky ahead of schedule. Yuma arrives and demands Kazuo turns off the signal, they wind up struggling, Kazuo unwilling to let go of Fio, as the GDF begin attacks on Noiseler. Fio interrupts the scuffle to tell Kazuo this is it. Her world has been destroyed by pollution, and she's the only one left. She didn't want to be alone so she started communicating, but this is the very last broadcast she can do. The broadcast suddenly cuts out, the result of Noiseler consuming the sound in the area, as Kazuo desperately tries to gain contact, Yuma becomes Arc, having to fight Noiseler even as it chases the noise of the GDF jets. When Noiseler is disoriented by the colour timer beeping, Arc lures is out to space with a halo. Fio manages to regain contact enough to say goodbye, and thank Kazuo for being her last friend, leaving him devastated when the signal cuts. Yuma makes sure to support Kazuo in his grief.

Shin Dogengers: The Dogengers are prepping to meet the challenge, while Shaberryman has a "nightmare" about it. Ohga-Man and Yabai Kamen escape from the soldiers, and enter a room with more, unmoving, and are confronted by the alien leader, Livaira. He demonstrates his power, more impressed by Ohga-Man than Yabai Kamen, who he defeats enough to make him revert to his previous form, and relates a a history of being once dragons on earth until the gods drove them out, now he wants revenge on the modern gods that are the heroes. The heroes are at the appointed place waiting for AHK, and have some food while waiting, and Tanaka thanks everyone for being a constant motivation. As they're cheering eachother, Tanaka is the first to spot the UFO. Shaberryman is called by Tanaka complaining about the new weapon, before Maid Shitsuji yells at them for oversleeping, everyone starts scrambling, Maid Shitsuji apologises to Tanaka for the delay, until they're all distracted by the UFO. Livaira defeats Ohga-Man, and Yabai Kamen despite being beaten continues to fight, standing up again, only falling when Livaira uses a powerful beam in frustration. Ohga-Man shields him, and espouses how important the bond between the heroes and the villains is, encouraging Yabai Kamen to stand and the two stand together against Livaira. The heroes watch the vessel, and start panicking it's here to destroy the world.

Gavv: Jeeb and Shita collect another harvest, and learning another part timer has vanished, entrust their work to the procurer. After looking at images of Gavv and with no understanding of what they can see, they give their henchman a job. Shouma acquires the last Poppin Gummy he can afford, but accidentally loses them, hitting a passerby, then collapses. The guy gives him a bento, and then learning Shoma has only been eating snacks, teaches him the importance of proper nutrition, then on seeing him help a crew with lifting, offers him a job, unaware they're being watched by the Granute agent. Hanto tells his mentor the rumours now call Gavv Kamen Rider, and there seems to be a protector, but realises he doesn't know which is which, and has to be reminded it's possible neither killed his mother, and even if he does find them, what's he actually going to be able to do. Shoma and his new friend come in as plumbers, actually an act by his friend to trick Shoma into breaking them in, Shoma realises what's up when he sees him going through the money and takes him out, the Gochizo tidy up after. Hanto visits Sashika and Rittsun for a new job researching the monsters, learning first hand of Rittsun's experience and the speculation she may have been saved by Gavv. Shoma's latest friend admits he's been stealing to try and help the man who kept him off the streets, whose business is failing. He storms off from Shoma when he questions his motives, Shoma sending a Poppin Gummy to follow. The Granute lures him into her food truck, where he becomes elated to find the money he needs, and she snatches him. The happier the human, the better the flavour of the Dark Treats, Glotta notes. Shoma decides it is time for a snack, having his first Soda Gummy and welcoming the resultant Gochizo. He wonders if he should have helped the man, but refuses to do bad things, especially now he's escaped from his siblings. Alerted to the goings on, he chases down and confronts the Granute. Hanto is accepting Kamen Rider is fighting the monsters, wondering if he's human, he is then called by Sachika about the ongoing battle. Gavv finds his hits just power up the Granute, as Hanto arrives and starts filming, so switches tactic, using Zakuzaku Chips to weaken, then returns to Poppin Gummy, but keeps losing armour. He grabs a new Poppin Gummy to restore the armour, and the new Punchin Gummy to enhance his fist, smashing the Granute, and after his ultimatum is again refused, destroys the Granute. As Hanto is in awe, an unknown figure snatches two of the Gochizo. Shoma frees the man and asks him to stay on the right side of the law, and leaves, only to be called out by Hanto, and then the man who snatched the Gochizo asking if he's something other than a Granute, as the two debate he runs off. The man introduced himself as a Granute Researcher. The factory having to close is officially confirmed, and the man apologises for being unable to close it, but is told he never expected payback for helping him, reminding the man of how he didn't help Shoma out of altruism. The minion shows Jeeb and Shita footage of Gavv, allowing them to confirm Kamen Rider has a Gavv of his own.

Boonboomger: Chassiro scopes out the Aori Family as part of his job for Tokoyari, and enlists ByunD and Sakito. At the Garage, after discussing with Shirabe the Mad Rex situation, Taiya and Boonboom reveal they met Chassiro when he broke in seeking to recover Bundario (or at least whatever fell on Taiya's property) only for Taiya to recruit him instead, Shirabe is surprised to learn this was a job for the ISA. The Sanseaters are sad to learn Disrace has discarded Mad Rex's memories, but create a Gong Kuruma on orders. Sakito and ByunD cause a commotion, luring out the Aori boss and his son, Mira's would-be groom, while Chassiro infiltrates to find the target, a Hashilien Key. The Hashiliens attack, the Aori's are still terrified of the Sanseaters, and after knocking out the Aori's Sakito challenges Gong Kuruma, but is forced into boxing gloves, and eventually overpowered. When Chassiro returns with the key they learn from the Aori's that Cannonborg gave it to them as part of enlisting them to his cause, the Sanseaters were unaware if this. Taiya, Mira and Jou are stopped from arriving by Mad Rex Fury getting in the way. Chassiro challenges Gong Kuruma alone, and is forced into boxing, and uses a speed attack that is dodged, but Sakito's own attack from behind gets him, and they defeat the Kurumajin. As the Kurumaju appears, Chassiro lends Sakito Off-Road so they can pilot Wing Boonboomger Robo Marine & Off-Road Custom, and after some clever techniques score a knockout. Mad Rex tries to leave but is hit by Taiya and seems to regain his old personality, Genba interferes so he can demand Disrace's location, but Mad Rex is now shocked to learn his counterpart is on earth, and stumbles away. Genba departs as well sullenly. Chassiro gives the key to Tokoyari, who refuses to answer questions and departs, calling Raita to confirm they finally have all the keys Cannonborg messed their plans up by giving out, but now they alone are the Hashilien conspirators. Taiya and Chassiro note that their enemies may now be more than just the Hashiliens.