#but Suzume man. I loved Suzume

[anothermonikan]

I wish Suzume was considered Makoto's masterpiece and not whatever Your Name was.

[mofffun]

preliminary conclusions about Suzume in ep45:

It's entirely the wording.

I don't have a problem with having one domestic-driven woman in an ensemble cast like kingoh's. The problem is when it was Suzume, someone who was so far written as cunning, ambitious and endurant, the transition needs a strong base. Right now, it looks like Suzume is just going with what the men in her life wanted, as we could only interpret she made the choice to stay behind the camera.

I believe Suzume's confession should've been motivated by her sense of home and country. She should've expanded on what a "woman of Toufu" means. Instead of complying to "her brother"'s will, it should've been as a citizen of Toufu, her king trusted her, and she'll gladly take up the mantle even if it means sacrificing her personal happiness.

Her choice to stay by Racules could've come from "home before country". She has found her temple - wants to build her own temple - prove herself in a personal domain before becoming responsible for all families in Toufu. Then it could even tie into Gira's "everyone's a small king" philosophy.

Or she could've rejected the throne because of her ambition. She has wanted the throne for herself, but she knew there's a reason Iroki chose Kaguragi instead of her. She wanted power, but she also wanted her lover. She knew she had to choose between her country or a traitor for a husband, and after years of deception, she doesn't want to lie to the people that she did all this for in the first place. Or that it's her redemption for letting Dugded loose during the six months of the kings' absence, as Queen of a puppet Shugoddom.

This is the elephant in the room. I have more regarding the episode's pacing and contrasts, how the theme of inheritance was handled, as well as Suzume's trajectory in consideration of the whole series. I have nitpicks about both eng subs so an extra paragraph about translation. I want to respond to some other angles but don't know when for now.

[massiveladycat]

heh.. what if i told you suzume had more chemistry with chika than the 22 year old man.. heh...

[azumasoroshi]

suzume no tojimari spoilers ! hi guys im Insane

literature analysis brain is going haywire so here’s a bunch of incoherent ramblings some themes motifs and symbolism i love in this movie because AAAAAAA

Love and Sacrifice.

Obviously, but like the different kinds of love and devotion and how they’re never perfect and sometimes self-destructive but they’re so powerful and just waughhh. It was so important to me how after exploding at her Tamaki (suzume’s aunt, ik im not the only one who forgets names) was like “you know I don’t feel that way all the time, right?” like not denying that yes, she has felt exhausted of taking care of Suzume and sometimes wished she didn’t have to take care of her, trying to be the parental figure she needs while also trying to not encroach on her sister’s memory. It means so much to me that she didn’t deny those feelings but instead told Suzume that it’s not how she always feels, because loving someone means sacrifice and ewughghgghfgfh im not putting this into words well but htrggfhgf.

and ALSO the reciprocation of kindness with daijin - as thanks for the taste of freedom at last, and wanting to be with someone whom you love but not really comprehending that what they want (that “suzume doesn’t love me” killed me) and how by the end daijin helped her pull souta out and sacrificed himself for suzume because he really loved her ggrgfggfhfnfnch

And just. everyday love. This is kind of a mix of themes and motifs but every time we flashed back to the memories of whatever abandoned place they were in - the simple “good morning”s and “be back soon” and “it’s so hot”s made me choke up. the mundane love of Chika and Suzume in their newly found friendship, Rumi’s kindness in picking Suzume up off the street and her love for her children, Serizawa’s platonic love for Souta letting him drive these two crazy women with crazy beef for 7 hours across Japan, there’s just so much expression of love and the hardships people go through because of it and rhgrjgrjhgdhgjhb

Mourning and Closure.

Makoto Shinkai himseld said that he wanted to write a story about “mourning deserted places” (at least according to Wikipedia) so this one is all but textual but like yeah. the motif of opening/closing/locking doors and locking the bike and things like that? AaAAaAaa

To close the gates, you need to imagine the emotions of people who once lived there - i can only imagine what Souta was thinking in the abandoned bathhouse area, but hrhggejghw the school and the amusement park and the shots we got of normal life in tokyo before the worm revealed itself in the climax, it just. really speaks to the beauty of everyday life. im a sucker for that kind of stuff as both a psychology major and just a weird person who thinks “man i wonder what happened to this person for the past 22 years of their life that led them to be here with me in this moment” whenever i pass someone in the grocery store. Hodaka could let japan be flooded in weathering with you because of his love for hina, but suzume’s whole arc was learning about the common people and living their lives and embracing all the kindness they had to offer to herself and others and it really hits that like. of course she can’t just let tokyo get destroyed to save Souta, every person in all of tokyo is just like Rumi and Chika and Serizawa and they’re all people who love and are loved. She finds herself in Souta’s place as one who stretches himself thin between being a gate closer and studying to be a teacher because he loves life as well, and-

oops i forgot i was talking about mourning and closure

anyway the doors keep getting reopened because the grief never fully goes away and the worm of “calamity” is letting yourself be consumed by the grief and destroying the people around you and not being able to move on, and it comes from the Ever-after becomes ever-after is a place where time doesn’t exist and you wish you could be there forever because it’s where you can relive the events of your past, it’s where you can live in denial that time moves forward and you have to move with it, it’s where Suzume goes after her mother dies because she wants people to stop giving her condolences and just give her her mom back. “Ever-after” in itself is a “happily ever after” - a place where mortals aren’t meant to go, no matter how beautiful it looks. Souta goes there too because he is the catalyst Suzume needs to go back and face Ever-after - and it’s no longer beautiful, but it’s torn apart by grief and everything is in flames. The idea of a keystone as well, locking the memories and hurt away, is one that Suzume removes to relive her memories and puts back in place when she’s ready to move on. htrhgfhgfghfghf. she won’t let souta be the keystone because she refuses to move on without him.

Also both Souta and his grandfather tell Suzume to just forget everything she’s seen, but it’s too late for that because connections aren’t so easily forgotten. Even when Tamaki couldn’t remember telling Suzume she’d be her new mother, that doesn’t change that she cared for her for the next 12 years anyway. Suzume visits Chika and Rumi by the end, and obviously she’s never forgotten her mother, both because her chair was still in her room by the start of the movie and because she looks like her by the end. Even though relationships change, they’re never forgotten in the movie, and I think that’s beautiful, really.

(also cool detail: 12 years ago is when the tsunami that killed suzume’s mother struck. the movie came out in 2023, and the touhoku earthquake/tsunami that inspired this film was in 2011. nice)

Reality vs Fantasy

The scenes where Suzume goes out into public again following stopping the worm from destroying Tokyo were especially poignant to me. This girl’s been going on a fantastical adventure with her talking chair and talking cat, meeting nice people and making friends, excited at the idea that she’s doing something important, but after Souta’s gone she shuts down. Her feet are bloodied, her clothes are destroyed, and people keep giving her strange looks and calling her homeless because she may have stopped the worm but even without being consumed by grief, it still isn’t pretty or picturesque. Standing out in Japanese society is discouraged, as most of us are well aware, but she’s been doing nothing but that with all the running around and talking to chairs and flying through the sky she’s been doing. Without a concrete goal in mind, without Souta as company, she’s alone in the world of adulthood and has no one to tell her what she should do, no Souta to guide her through Tokyo. And without that confidence or charm, people don’t come to her aid like they did before. It’s only once she finds her resolve to save Souta, quite literally walking in his shoes/footsteps, that the next helpful stranger (Serizawa) comes in.

She could imagine those abandoned places as alive, but the truth is that they were abandoned and will stay that way - none of them miraculously revived by the end, unless something happened in the credits that I couldn’t see through all my tears. Reality will not bring those places back, but what really matters is how we carry the memories of those places with us? I think. man maybe it’d be easier to write this post if i had actually seen the end credits

this post is really fucking long so im calling it here 😭 makoto shinkai has done it again. goddammit

[demonicnarwhale]

THE GOOGOOS OOUGH ok so!! I just thought their conflicting personalities was too funny to pass up on, and they just fit this side view idea I had for this drawing.

Motifs / Symbolisms / References:

- The clippers have 舌切り雀 (shita-kiri suzume) written on it, which is a traditional Japanese folklore/fable that's translated to Tongue Cut Sparrow. And I got the story mixed up, I remembered it as the old man finds an injured sparrow and brings it home, one day the bird is chirping and the old lady getting annoyed and cutting the tongue off. But the real version is, old man goes off and instead of feeding the bird, his wife doesn't do anything so the sparrow eats some starch which angers the woman who cuts the tongue. SOOO the story is like, that greed leads to one's downfall. Whoops </3. The intention was like HK is his opposite and is much more talkative and he just wants to cut her tongue out to shut her up :)

- And the rope just being like the link between them like, they're still connected or like stay in touch but it's not the best sort of in touch. Like it's barely hanging on.

- The pomegranate is ofc Hades and Persephone, BUT! But that's not the case here, it's instead apparently also some symbolism for cannibalism!!! YAY!!! Albeit specifically that idea of sacrificing one's self for another to sustain their own life is the purest form of love. And while that's so sweeties, nahhh not here, let's just put it at like, not romantic but HK does in fact die teehee (in an effort to try and keep the others safe. Or she was just at the wrong place at the wrong time, oh HK)

- The lamb was just because originally when i was still coming up with this AU, the idea of Die being a shepherd was so fucking silly (thank god I changed him to being a grave keeper)

- Bug cuz like HK being a carap and Die opting to taking her apart and such (in like the regular non-AU version)

- And ofc the needles and such is due to patchwork :D ANDDD the coins cuz two sides of the same coin and ya know... pots of gold

OH AND THE ORIGINAL IDEA WAS SUPPOSED TO BE HK AND DIE SLAUGHTERING A LAMB!!!!! aka HK sobbing as she has to hold onto the knife sawing through the poor lamb's neck while Die is giving her tips and going "Why are you crying- it's an animal. Jesus, stop that. Ew" like it's a not fun time for both of them

...yeah... Hey Scratch don't think we don't see you? Yeah you lil fUCK. Hehehe he's a part or central of this whole town yet no one really knows him enough. Little sneaky bastard

im still figuring out some of their designs, aka mainly just Ace Dick.. groaugh. Also yeahhhh i know most of these guys share similar looks like hair styles and such but do know I PROMISE i tried making them individualized and unique

PT 1 HERE

[dira333]

Water Lily - Kisame Hoshigaki x Reader

tagged: @missalienqueen @snuggleboots

The rain was more than welcome.

Kisame never minded the rain, had been born and raised in and around water. He loved that about Amegakure, felt more at home here than he’d ever done in Kiri. 

There was just something honest about it, the way its drops washed away every lie, every chance of deceit. Where one could easily hide in the neverending fog of Kiri, they’d have to bare themselves to the world in the rain of Amegakure.

.

It was close to nightfall by the time he made it out of the hidden village.

Kisame could have easily found a bed there, but he wanted to get out, clear his head, and think about the offer he received.

As a Rogue-Nin, he didn’t have that much to choose from. A hidden life, or a life of being chased. He’d never been one to hide away but he was getting older. Maybe he’d one day get tired of hunting down criminals for bounty or fight those who hunt him. Maybe one day he’d want to have a family too.

If Kisame accepted Pain’s offer, he wouldn’t have to worry about money for a while, but the Akatsuki didn’t sound like a group he could walk away from as easily as he did with Kirigakure. 

He paused in his musings, forcing the thoughts from his mind to enjoy the wet squelch of his sandals, the cool feeling of rain soaking through his clothes. If there was a river nearby he could take a dip later after he found a bed to sleep in.

-

Lanterns bravely defied the rain, their soft light ready to fight the coming darkness.

It looked warm and welcoming and Kisame spontaneously decided that he would stay here for the night. He moved through the crowd of people, eyes focused on the signs, looking for an Inn.  When he stopped in front of one, something tumbled into his side.

When he looked down, two curious bright eyes peered up at him. A child, maybe three years old. Kisame frowned, and waited for the crying that usually followed when small children took sight of his features.

Instead, the kid started beaming, reaching for him with chubby fingers.

“Fishy!” It cried out joyfully. “Big Fishy!”

“Oh, Suzume!” Two arms swooped in and pulled the child away from his leg. It was a young woman, visibly related to the child. 

“I am so sorry.” You apologized, not meeting his eye. You were pretty, not unlike a water lily that bloomed in murky water. 

“Fishy!” Suzume kept exclaiming, struggling against the arms keeping her away.

“You like fish?” Kisame asked, watched with quiet satisfaction as your eyes finally flew up to his face, and widened at his sight. For some, it was his Hitai-ate, clearly crossed through, for others his animalistic features. He wondered what it was that scared you.

“I love Fish!” The child beamed up at him, not the least bit scared. “My favorite are sharks! Then dolphins. Whales are cool too! And Jellyfish!”

“Why do you like sharks?”

“They are so funny!” Suzume giggled and turned her face to you. “Right, Onee-chan?”

You didn’t answer, your eyes still on him as if you were searching for something.

“Are you looking for a place to sleep?”

“What if I am?”

You nod to the sign above the door. “Old Man Koda rips people off. Our place might not be as big but our prices are honest.”

He’d be a fool to say no to that offer and while Kisame Hoshigake might be known as many things, he’d never been a fool.

-

Kisame hears the pitter-patter of quick little feet before he sees her.

Suzume fails to hide herself, a chubby shadow betraying her efforts to be secretive.

“Fishy?” She asks, whispers way too loudly. “Can I bathe with you? I can scrub your back.”

He wouldn’t have minded a similar offer from her big sister, but he grins at the little girls eagerness. Kisame pushes open the door to Suzume already beaming up at him.

In her arms is a stuffed toy that has seen better days. The shark has lost most of it’s filling and its felt teeth are no longer white but a dirty grey.

“This is Mr. Mimi.” Suzume explains and steps inside the little washroom. “He watches over me.”

“Is that so?”

“Yes.” Suzume nods her head eagerly, walks up to the bathtub and climbs up, takes a seat on the rim. Her movements tell him that this isn’t the first time she’s scrubbed someone’s back.

“Do you bath with your sister?”

“Yes.” She nods. “You have to get into the water.”

“You don’t need to scrub my back.” He tells her, keeping his towel securely around his waist as he takes a seat in the tub. It’s too small for him, but he folds his legs under him and grins up at Suzume. “You can just tell me about Mr. Mimi.”

-

By the time you step inside the washroom, it’s clear that you must have looked for your sister everywhere. Your hair has turned into a frizzy halo around your head as if you pulled at it in desperation and your eyes are red from unshed tears.

“Suzume!” You cry out when you spot her, still sitting on the rim of the bathtub, chubby feet dangling in the cooling water, Mr. Mimi secure in her grasp. “What are you doing?”

“She wanted to scrub my back.” Kisame offers with a grin. “I could barely keep her at bay.”

“I was telling him about Mr. Mimi.” Suzume squirms in your hold. “I’m not done yet.”

“Yes, you are. You should be in bed. And you can’t bother our guests! You know that.”

“But! Mr. Fishy!” Suzume starts crying. “I’m not done yet.”

“Relax, Kiddo.” Suzume immediately stops her wailing at his words. “You can tell me in the morning.”

-

Kisame finds you in the kitchen after that, a pot of curry bubbling in front of you.

“I am sorry about my sister.” You say without looking at you. “She’s normally not that clingy.”

“It’s fine.” He takes a seat at the table, his eyes on your back.

You’re not Shinobi, but you have some sense of Chakra Control. He can taste it like he can taste the possibility of a great fight or the deceit of a stranger.

“You’re not Shinobi.” He’s not asking, but you nod. “Not anymore. My parents took me from the Academy at eleven when my little brother was born. He needed a lot of care and it was cheaper to have me care for him.”

“How do you make money?”

You shrug and put a plate in front of him. He digs in with a quick “Itadakimasu”. It’s delicious.

“I house travelers like you. I mend clothes, bake, whatever needs to be done. I’m not eligible for missions because I never properly graduated, but we make do.”

“Your brother?”

“Dead.”

“Your parents?”

“What do you think?” Your voice is sharp now. He shrugs like you did before.

Why is he even that interested in you? You’re not the first pretty girl he’s seen on his travels. 

He should just take you to his room - which coincidentally belongs to you anyway - and get this over with. Tomorrow he can leave with a clearer mind and never think of you again.

But he doesn’t. 

Kisame sleeps alone, dreams of rainy days and the gleaming white of a water lily in a murky pond.

-

“Fishy!”  Suzume lands heavy on his chest, beams into his face as he blinks.

“It’s way to early.” Kisame grunts and she giggles, tugs at the blanket covering him.

“I gotta tell you about Mr. Mimi!” Suzume exclaims eagerly, climbs under his blanket before he can protest. She’s fast when she wants to be.

That’s how you find them half an hour later, Suzume snuggled into his side, waving Mr. Mimi around as she tells him her dreams while he dozes.

You make breakfast and keep quiet over it, speak only through short glances.

Kisame should get going. Pain didn’t give him an ultimatum, but he’s not someone you keep waiting.

Instead he grabs his trusted sword and a scroll filled with Kunai.

“Is there a place we can train?” He asks. Your eyes are big as you nod. But you don’t disagree, walk him down the street and to a field. The grass is slick with rain, the thick droplets have already soaked through his clothes but neither you nor Suzume seem to mind.

“I don’t know the rules.” Kisame points out gruffly. “But can’t you retake the exam? Become a Genin at any age?”

“Who would look after Suzume?” You ask back and he shrugs, unable to speak. Instead he grabs a bigger branch, cuts away with his Kunai until the shape roughly resembles one and presses it into Suzume’s hands.

“Watch me closely, Drop.” Kisame taps one finger against her temple when she furrows her brows in confusion. “Don’t think. Just watch.”

-

After one week he corners you in the kitchen at night. He doesn’t have to say the words, can already see the answers in your eyes. 

Pain can wait a little longer for an answer.

After one month he starts telling you about Kirigakure. The kind of jobs he takes. 

Kisame would never say it out loud - doesn’t have to - but there’s a different kind of honesty to his words when he’s with you, alone, only the rain clothing them.

Two months in and he can feel it, the fire in his bones that makes him restless. Kisame’s never been good at staying in one place - never mind that it’s dangerous for someone like him. He needs the constant thrill that only dangerous missions bring.

Kisame’s not surprised that you can read him before he has to say it.

“You should leave.” You point out one night, your head on his chest. “Make some money. You still need to pay your bill with me.”

“And here I thought I paid you off with my body.” He jokes but his humor falls flat.

“Kisame.” You sit up to look down at him. He can barely make out your shape, but he’s grown to memorize you, the curve of your lips, and the swell of your cheeks. “I will never hold you back. If you need to go, you need to go. Besides, I’m almost bored of you anyway.”

“That’s a lie.” He points out and you sigh. “Yeah. But still. I understand. You did enough for us already. We will be fine.”

He doesn’t believe it. Not because he hasn’t seen your progress or has watched Suzume grow from misusing a wooden Kunai to handling a real one, but because it would mean that he no longer has a place with you, will no longer be needed.

Kisame didn’t know he could need to be needed until he was.

So he bows his head and tells you. 

-

In the morning he grabs his stuff and pats away Suzume’s tears.

“Hush.” He says, voice gruff. “I’ll be back soon. Look out for your sister. Keep yourself safe.”

“I’ll miss you.” She hugs his leg with all the strength of an almost four year old kid.

“I’ll miss you too.” 

You hug him too, but it’s not the same as it is at night. You don’t give yourself up as wholly as you do in the darkness, hold back so much of yourself that it feels like hugging a stranger.

Nothing is certain in a world like theirs, but maybe, just maybe, Pain could bring forth a different one. One where Suzume doesn’t have to learn how to kill. One where you don’t have to be afraid of strangers. One where he can come back to you and stay, knowing no harm will follow him home.

-

Years have carved their marks into his skin.

Suzume will graduate soon, will wear her Hitai-ate with pride. 

She still calls him Fishy, still crawls onto his lap when he’s home. Still cries when he leaves eventually. She’s taken a special liking to Itachi too, has scrubbed his back in their bathtub and served him Dango on the few times he brought him over

Kisame blinks against the rain running down his face, doesn’t have to taste it to know it will be salty. Suzume will be heartbroken over Itachi’s death. If only he could keep it from her.

The closer they are getting to their goal, to the world that Pain has promised them, the less faith he has in it.

What good is a world that kills everything he loves? 

Kisame’s never been a coward, but he’s no fool either. This will kill him, sooner or later.

-

You welcome him back with a smile and a kiss.

There’s something different about you, but you refuse to tell.

Suzume asks about Itachi and he lies through his teeth, if only to have one more day of peace.

It’s only after dinner, in the warmth of a shared bath, that he recognizes all the signs.

The swell of your belly, the new kind of smile you carry, the gentle way you press his hands to your lower stomach.

It’s the best thing that has ever happened to him, and he can’t even be happy about it.

Tomorrow he will have to leave again. They still have to capture the Eight-tails and the Nine-tails. Who knows when he will be back, if ever.

It’s a testament to your strength and not his that you don’t cry.

Calmly you ask for details, and hold him while he crumbles.

“So you lost faith.” You say quietly when he’s revealed even the last secret. “I can’t say I ever had any.”

“But Amegakure?”

“I don’t think that Amegakure will be able to rise because of violence or pain. Just think of yourself, what kept you here? Wasn’t it our kindness? Kindness will always be stronger than any pain.”

You cradle his face in your hands and look at him in a way he’s only ever seen you do. Like you know him better than he knows himself.

“If you can, come home. It doesn’t matter if we have to run our whole life. It will be a better life with you in it. If you can’t, I will accept it. I will raise this child to think of you with pride. This is the gift I have for you. Do with it what you will.”

He leaves in the morning. The sun isn’t up yet and neither are you.

No one knows what the future will bring. Either way, he’ll have to make a decision.

-.-

You pull Suzume from the Academy before she can graduate. 

You resign from your position as a Chunin when your pregnancy becomes obvious. 

Kisame has made sure to leave you money with every visit and your savings will take you a long way if you budget right. 

In all of this, you keep hoping that he will return in time for the birth of his child.

But you give birth without him, Suzume the only one there to hold your hand through it.

As months turn into a year your hope changes. 

You hope that he returns at all.

You hope that he’s still alive.

You hope that he was granted a quick death, that he was allowed to die with dignity.

-.-

The rain is more than welcome.

It washes the dried blood off his face. Most of it is his own. 

Kisame still loved that about Amegakure, the way he knew he was coming home just by the rain alone. How it hugged him loosely as he walked through, called him home through the pitter-patter of raindrops.

-

Lanterns bravely defy the rain, their soft light ready to fight the coming darkness.

The village looks as warm and welcoming as the first night he walked through. Although much time has passed, barely anything has changed. When he stops to check his reflection in a window, something tumbles into his side.

When he looks down, two curious bright eyes peer up at him. A boy, maybe one year old, beams up at him, its smile filled with sharp teeth. He frowns, his heart shuddering with the implication.

The kid reaches for him with chubby fingers.

“Fishy!” He cries out joyfully. “Big Fishy!”

Kisame picks him up without a second thought, ignores the pain shooting through his back at the movement. 

“Haruto!” Your voice breaks when you recognize him. A choked sob bursts from your lips, then you’re in his arms too, your momentum almost tipping him over.

“Onee-chan, where are you- Ni-san!” Now’s Suzume hanging off him too. 

-

It’s way past his bedtime when Kisame finally puts Haruto down to sleep.

He cannot stop looking at him, cannot quell the guilt he feels for missing so many moments already. If things had been just a little bit different, he might never have come back at all.

“Let me look at your injuries.” You ask.

“How did I deserve you?” He asks instead. Your hair is in disarray, feeding Haruto dinner has left stains on your shirt, but you’re still his water lily, unblemished by the dirt of the world.

“By existing.” You tell him firmly, but your voice softens when you continue. “By coming home.”

[hwaightme]

Sangshine

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🌅 pairing: sun god!yeosang x gn!baker!reader 🌅 genre: fluff, fantasy, soulmates, studio ghibli-coded 🌅 summary: when yeosang opens the door to your bakery, and a new chapter of your life begins, you cannot help but feel as though you had met before; yeosang is elated to relive every sunrise and sunset, and fall in love with you again. 🌅 wordcount: 5.4k 🌅 warnings/tags: solo edit, food/eating/making food, destiny talk, discussion of time, discussion of deities/olympus, kiki's delivery service-inspired setting, multiple lives, mortal/immortal, summer fantasy, seaside town, baker's assistant yeosang, his precious self, (not quite) strangers to lovers, falling in love again... and again, waiting for love, sun magic, mention of lacking sleep 🌅 a/n: when i say i listened to the playlist on loop, i mean it. this yeosang is dear to me, as is time, the sun, and the cusp of spring and summer, bringing transformation. this fic is also an early celebration of yeosang, our beautiful, talented malberman~ I hope you enjoy, love you, any and all reblogs, comments, asks and notes appreciated!

🌅 playlist: Suzume - RADWIMPS, Toaka ; Time for two - RADWIMPS ; A Town with an Ocean View, The Baker's Assistant, You're in Love - Joe Hisaishi, Path of the Wind (Piano Version) - URE Relaxing, Summer - Joe Hisaishi, Pekka Toivonen

🌅 perma-taglist: @doom-fics @acciocriativity @justhere4kpop @honey-lemon-goose @byuntrash101 @shakalakaboomboo @starillusion13 @hongthoven @cqndiedcherries @uwuheeseungie @cheollipop @frankenstein852 @charreddonuts @miriamxsworld @mingigoo @michel-angelhoe @innsomniacshinestar @foxinnie8 @preciouswoozi @wooyoungjpg @nebulousbookshelf @wowie-hockey @hongjoongs-patience @ssaboala @jaehunnyy @kitten4sannie @maddkitt @pyeonghongrie-main @cosmic-w0lf

🌅can't be tagged: @yunbug @hjoymyluv @memoriesofwoo @mystar1024 @ate-ez

Once upon a time, on a day when the weather forecast had promised, and the grim steely clouds delivered ceaseless downpours, and you were stuck inside watching rain turn window views into a hazy blur and scare away any potential customers with its ferocity, the sun, cautiously, with a bashful grin on his face, apple cheeks and a boundless kindhearted disposition hinted in every gesture, entered your store.

Raven locks, slightly curled and framing his heaven-sculpted face, inquisitive eyes that were a complex painting, an entrancing shade of grey - one which, much to your surprise, you were fond of, unlike the endless expanse of rain summoners hanging above your shop. You attempted to regard him like you would any other customer, but stopped on your tracks, barely finding the counter with your hands as his form became the sole focus of your vision. It was as though the rain had purposefully passed him by, left an avenue just for him to enter the bakery and keep his leather dress shoes and black outfit pristine, the man crowned by a lucky spotlight. As the young man fumbled for a way to proceed, you wondered if he was a ray of sun himself and that was how he stayed dry in that torrential catastrophe. Forcing your mouth into a more amiable shape than blatant gaping, you returned his shy smile and inquired whether there was anything in particular that he was looking for - after all, if the man was in your store, and managed to expertly dodge what had to be the worst rainfall in a decade, he had to be determined to buy something, anything. Silently, you were hoping that even if he were a passing face, that he could keep your business, and you, afloat. 

You left him a moment to ponder and watched him amble towards the counter. This allowed you to study his features at proximity, with bated breath as he leaned towards the glass display and looked at some of the pastries. The drifting of a couple of unruly strands as he lowered his head revealed the hints of a birthmark, a rosy pink blossom on the left side of the beautiful man’s face. Delicate, elegant. You looked away in an effort to appear more professional than usual for the sake of first impressions - you were not sure why this particular man had inspired the urge within you, seeing as you were so used to serving only locals and speaking in an array of neighbourhood inside jokes that you would think any newcomer would instead inspire callousness and aloof behaviour. But the unmistakable warmth emanating from him, the soothing balm of a brighter day that he appeared to carry made you want to grow closer, aim higher, beam instead of scowling.

He caught you as you were smoothing your apron, your break in attentiveness allowing his gaze to travel over you the same way that yours had done when he had crossed the barrier into the delicious safe haven from the atrocious weather that he had to schedule - unbeknownst to the residents of the town, he had actually negotiated to carve a few more sunny days, more days for him to search. It was rare, for someone like him, to stumble across little paradises. After all, for the most part the planet was a blur for him, a daily task and a routine roaming that he had to carry out and maintain. The last thing that the young god needed and had to want was the experience of mortal pleasures - the responsibilities that the deity, in the form of a young man, had were drilled into him again and again, and none of them involved doing what he was doing right this second. But the calls had grown too persistent as he passed by this town, too strong to dismiss, and the sky was curtained by clouds, much to his fortune. It was not that anyone would notice if a blip in the sunlight ever happened. He knew what he needed, and he knew that it was time to achieve it.

“Um, sorry. Do you have melon pan?” the young man addressed you, his deep, dulcet tone like music to your ears. The tilt of his head as the question permeated the air, subconsciously mirrored as you broke into a series of nods, setting off to the bread rack that was located behind the counter, off to the right. Seems it was good to give into your own cravings sometimes and impulsively introduce new items to the menu.

“With cream or without?”

One thing that you would have never expected was that a sun god would make it a habit to visit you in his free time, and be it for a sweet treat or for reasons known only to him, would put on an apron and fall into your beloved routine. What the deity never expected, and remained pleasantly surprised about, was just how readily you had accepted him, and instead of obviously falsified reverence that he had grown accustomed to from mortals who were graced with knowledge of his existence, you treated him as ‘Yeo’. That was the nickname you had given him after he had introduced himself with a human name - Kang Yeosang; a key which, upon turning, made him your new friend, and he would be lying if he said he did not feel elated when you happily shouted out his name from the back of the store, instructing him to move some trays around, or asking him to help you with some bags or dishes. 

If there was another heaven, it would be in the rhythm that he had rediscovered with you. In the cosy space of your bakery, Yeosang was at ease, in a tranquillity that he previously thought existed only in books and in mortal movies, in myths about eternal bliss, a paradise in the palm of one’s hand. Something that belonged to other lifetimes, other avenues that he had traversed. He thought that he was the one to have the better cards, the advantages, but it was you who had him figured out, despite his abilities, immortality and near-invincibility. After a particularly scalding hot day, the first words that you had spoken to Yeosang once he made the chimes that were hanging right above the door ring exactly at sundown, were: “you made the sun shine brilliantly today, Yeo,” leaving him awestruck. To you, it was only a matter of putting two and two together, making the man, or not quite exactly a man, into the legend that he truly was. After that, you simply delivered him a melon pan with cream, and pointed at the little table you had put out at the front of the shop, asking if you could enjoy the last of the rays together. He had happily obliged, stars in his eyes as you guided him out, balancing a jug of freshly made lemonade and a couple of glasses on a board resting 

As the days grew impossibly long with the climb of the spring into the summer season, so did the opening hours of the bakery, right up until you were stretched so thin over the day that you introduced a midday closing time with a break for a few hours, much to the surprise of the locals. At the same time, it turned out to be a welcome one, seeing as with the arrival of Yeosang, the number of people coming through the green-painted door increased considerably. Of course they would never say it, but you could detect a curiosity and admiration in them as they spotted the beauty strolling around in the kitchens, and the dreamy sighs when Yeosang would peek out, and even interact with some of the customers were far too obvious to ignore. If you knew any less, you would probably find yourself jealous, but at the same time, how many people walked under the sun, day in, day out? That was what you tried to tell yourself when the crowds of students would blast past, buying up the stock on one occasion and simply loitering around on another after their gruelling hours of cram school, and the odd brave youngster would try their luck to flirt with the god. His responsive stoicism, however, dispelled any of your itching doubts, and with a couple of polite nods and a step in a direction farther and farther from whoever was his unwanted interlocutor, Yeosang returned to the rhythm. 

He did not mind the visitors of the shop, nor the delivery men who brought you fresh produce and ingredients. In fact, he had made some new friends in this way. But it was when he could catch your grin, listen to your melodic laugh and feel a light playful tap on his shoulder that the light was truly brighter. Aside from the laborious maintenance of the glowing orb, patrolling his part of the world before he needed to pass it on, he was now a baker. Technically an assistant at best, but you proudly called him ‘the real deal’ when you applauded him for helping you with the brioche loaves. The coolness of the morning before dawn never felt warmer as his heart swelled with your encouragement, as if the sun really did set and rise in this bakery, home to nature’s magic and the adoration that he held for the world, reflected in your eyes that caught the hints of the rising sun. Nothing could be more beautiful. 

“Good luck for today!” you chirped with excitement evident in your voice, adjusting his shirt absent-mindedly, a habit that he had allowed you to form, the few precious seconds where he could let himself imagine a timelessness with you.

“Good luck to you too, and see you this evening. We have the Summer Solstice event opening!” Yeosang answered, matching your joy. While you adjusted his collar and clapped your hands a couple of times, satisfied with the neat look, Yeosang remained more still than the verdant green trees that cast calming shadows over to the side of the shop in the early hours.

“That’s right, so you better be prepared to work the till until you become the till,” you should have known that your attempt to move the blackboard sign would be intercepted, and the deity’s arms were already guiding themselves between yours to grasp onto the wooden frame. Whispering out an apology, a light blush coating his cheeks when your fingers barely brushed as you detangled yourself from the kind intervention, Yeosang moved the elaborate logographic art onto the street in its rightful place, continuing with his encouraging ponderings:

“First day sales are about to beat all records for this beauty.”

“They better, or the seasonal specials will-”

“I can always call my friends if you’re worried.”

“So I can have Olympus in my shop?”

“Why not? Your treats are heavenly…” he trailed off, partially in disbelief at his own choice of words. Rubbing the back of his neck with his hand, Yeosang decided to let the moment carry itself forward, listening to the trickling of time. 

Again, the gentlest touch of your hand on his chest as a laugh escaped you, and what had struck fear in his heart dispelled to reveal a brilliant sunrise. It was always you behind those sun rays, wasn’t it? The question crept out of a deep slumber, having lied dormant for what had to have been decades, now crawling up the walls of his consciousness, melting away doubts that came with every first meeting.

“You really are too sweet. Now go, can't keep your colleagues and the world waiting.”

As you peered into his eyes, clear, bright, hopeful, you felt as though you were looking at the sky itself, admiring its infinite expanse and omniscience. An odd sensation hinted at its existence as you did not dare look away, letting yourself sink further into ever-changing blues and greys, highlighted with flickers of a mahogany flame right by the pupils. Almost as if you had seen these very eyes before, gazed into the summer sky and caressed the sun itself as though it was an ornate glass marble. Perhaps this was another one of the peculiarities that came with interacting with the divine, you concluded and brushed it off, simply glad that in the now, in the early dawn on what was to be a hot summer day, you could look forward to more than ever before.

Yeosang bit the corner of his lower lip, in nervous contemplation, before tentatively reaching for your hand which had been resting by your side, and giving it a soft squeeze, barely there until you responded, fingers intertwining, answering to his unsaid hopes. Gaze not leaving the unity, thumb running over the edge of your palm repeatedly in an attempt to memorise the presence, he whispered out, half to himself, half to the divinity above and around him in sacred promise:

“I’ll be right back.”

“I’ll hold you to it.”

Even as he departed, and you watched his figure evaporate into the morning mist as he approached the reddening horizon, the feeling of his hand in yours remained as vivid as that feeling that you must have known Yeosang before, or at least the irreplaceable, unique warmth that he shared with you was something akin to the idea of home itself. Supported, quietly cheered on as you continued your daily duties and finalised preparations to open the store for the first half of the day, Yeosang was there in your every thought and movement.

The glints of sun as the trees, having been ushered awake by the earliest hints of warmth that the red tiled roof of the bakery caught, commenced their serene rustling, were ciphers, music to your vision that danced over the concrete of the street outside. The way in which the colours changed as the sun grew more prominent and energetic was a masterpiece in the making, white paint turning into a glowing fantasy. When you closed for the day break, setting off on a daily walk around the neighbourhood in your favourite linen dress and wide-brimmed straw hat, you were embraced by the luminance that ambled across the ultramarine heavens, Yeosang matching your stride.

Running your hand over the top of the stone fencing that lined the hill on which your bakery found its home, you let your gaze rest over the breathtaking scenery of your beloved town, the terracotta roofs, the cream walls that were highlighted with wooden planks that stood the test of decades, the cobbled streets and hustle and bustle of squares and markets, and the glistening ocean that was always the first to wave to Yeosang, all shining thanks to the summer sun. It was fascinating, how with the marvel of the seasons, the town transformed into a fantastical land that you could only hope to spend all your years in. It had always been your home, your calling, and even in the times when you had gone outside of the town’s boundaries, your heart remained right here, come rain or shine. Perhaps this was the true reason why you were so drawn to Yeosang - in his eyes, you saw the same place, the same time, the understanding of a home that was so personal you were convinced he was taking the threads from your very soul, and singing the melodies right back to you. Your own, only sun that you could not believe returned your daring, unwavering gaze. You waved at the midday orb, chuckling to yourself as a flock of birds dashed past, hoping that your cheers would be delivered. 

As you turned to give the bakery a once-over before turning the corner to head down the stone stairs that would lead you to a busier part of the neighbourhood, you gasped as the sign, a dainty metal pretzel right above the entrance rocked back and forth on the rod, as if waving back to you, and caught a sudden sun ray, reflecting the warmth for it to fall at your feet like a thousand stars, decorating the cobble to turn to an illuminated path of glowing marble. Unable to contain your beam, you bowed your head in gratitude and curtsied, wondering just what your neighbours would think if they were to poke their heads out from their bedrooms and shops. But you did not pay it too much mind, instead twirling around, and with a newfound lightness, found yourself on a mission to surprise the precious sunshine.

The longest day of the year, marking the moment when the sun would begin its slow journey to a hibernation for the northern hemisphere, and Yeosang would find himself growing that little bit less busy as a god, busier as your loyal assistant. He rushed down the streets as soon as his feet hit the concrete in a secluded spot that he liked to use for his returns, counting every second that passed and matching it to the start of the event. Seeing the small crowd that gathered by the bakery, waiting for their much adored pastries and cheerfully chatting away, pride swelled within him as he thought back to the wishes you had made, what you had been working towards and what you had now achieved. He glided into the store in efforts to find you, picking up the apron that you left for him behind the counter. You were in the middle of carrying a new tray of buns and motioned for him to take his position by the till - back to his favourite rhythm.

Customers came and went, the event turning into a hit, and by the second hour, your specially decorated melon pan was officially sold out; all except one for a certain someone, tucked away, kept safe. You almost felt guilty for keeping this tiny secret from the god, taking notice of his momentary confusion and barely restrained pout as he caught sight of the empty basket, and his disheartened stance as he picked it up and removed it from the display. You swore you saw what was already the night hour darken, and stifled a giggle, instead tapping Yeosang on the shoulder to give him a thumbs up for his hard work and mouth the words promising a gift. With a re-discovered vigour, the deity hurried off to assist an elderly customer who was trying with all her might to contain a loaf of sourdough and make it past a busy line - your store being the only one in this part of town to sport one in such late evening. As the chimes rang out again, you thought back to the little present you had acquired during your afternoon walk, barely containing yourself, bursting at the seams as you imagined what you wanted Yeosang’s reaction to be over and over again.

With the last of the customers came the quietude, a lulling blanket of deep navy decorated with stars that had been lying in wait outside of the bakery, a moment of rest for the sun god, a cooling serenity that you could share with him as you closed up, cleaned up, and ushered him to the little table outside - previously folded away and hidden behind an antique delivery scooter bike out at the front of the shop, so as to not attract attention, nor occupy the space that had always been set out for idle chatter of the visiting locals. As you let Yeosang finalise the furnishing of your makeshift lounge, you recalled his curiosity of the wheeled machine, and your suggestion that one of these days, he could use it as a chariot, much to his child-like excitement. You turned and made a beeline for the store, almost running into Yeosang in the process, your balance restored only by a pair of strong hands on your upper arms.

“What’s the hurry?” as though electrified by the contact, his hands flew away from you just as suddenly as they had caressed your skin, though, much like the heavenly reassurance of his presence on your wrist, the ghost of him remained around you, seeking an embrace. Retraining your focus on the man before you, you huffed and continued past him repeating “just you wait”, over, over like a mantra, a spell that you wanted to use to keep him in place.

Thankfully, he did not follow, instead stepping closer to the window that was now exposed to the moonlight since he folded the ruby red awning, faded with the years of sunlight and rain storms. Yeosang folded his toned arms, smiling to himself as he watched you throw one item, another onto a wooden tray, and shuffle back outside, not once breaking focus from balancing what had to be priceless treasure, considering how carefully you set it down in front of him.

“Sit.”

“But you’re standing.”

“Yeo, come on, sit down, I am just energetic!”

“After that shift? Are you sure you are not a god or demi-god yourself?” he countered, tilting his head.

“I- hm. Okay so we are standing then?”

“I want to be energetic with you!” the innocent comment made your chest ache, and what had previously been utter conviction that what you were doing was casual, customary for colleagues, friends, passing faces who had grown familiar, shattered into a vulnerable confession.

You stilled, the nervous rocking on the balls of your feet ceasing to bring you comfort, the erratic motions and gesticulations as you struggled for a response disappearing into the night and leaving an entrancing clarity. There was no other way to present this, and you had accidentally pushed yourself over the edge, a stance, a dare that you were no longer able to back out of. Facing the sun, you stepped closer and closer to it, and reached for the first item on the tray.

“Here is a little… thing I kept for you.”

“No… no way, is that melon pan!” he exclaimed, taking the small paper bag from your hands and peering inside, amazed to find his, and your favourite sweet bun. The crisp cookie dough layer solidifying the neat, recogniseable hatching, containing a custard cream inside, another homemade specialty. 

“You know, I recently found out that melon pan has another name,” dropping the bun back into the bag to give you full attention, Yeosang glanced back at you and pushed a stray strand of black hair behind his ear, preventing it from blocking his view. Gesturing for you to continue, he nearly squeezed the custard out of the bread upon hearing your elaboration: “a friend of mine, she works at a bakery in a city down south, and there, they call this sunrise bread. Funny, isn’t it?”

“So you bake suns in your oven?”

“Guess you could say that.”

How was it that you managed to leave him breathless regardless of the time you met was forever going to remain a mystery, but one Yeosang never wanted to solve. Instead, he was waiting with a fluttering heart for the moment you were going to say the words that had imprinted themselves in his eternal being, and travelled across from heaven to earth, from the east to the west, echoing in his mind as he searched for you over and over again until finally, your dawn could greet him. He remained silent, glancing at you and at the last hidden object on the tray, a box leaning against the glass jug, this time filled to the brim with a peach ice tea. 

“I… was at this antique store today. Don’t really know what brought me there but as soon as I saw this, I knew I wanted you to have it. I-... well, I don’t know if gods have birthdays but since it is the Summer Solstice, and you are basically the sun itself, I wanted this to be a little celebration of… you?”

“Of me? But-” never, not a single time could the divine being find rationality in your kindness, only the crossing of stars that tugged the fragile lonely hearts together into an intricate waltz woven in the skies. 

“Check it out!” 

Yeosang counted the seconds that passed once more, this night, this fateful night being so cruelly short, but so full of promise. His hands, trembling ever so slightly as he attempted to remove the lid, a trepidation taking a hold of him. Your infinite pools hurried him on with their anxious darting, and inhaling the sweet scent of the sea and his earthly home, he opened the box to reveal just what he had been anticipating, a relic, centuries-old masterpiece passed on from one you to another. Forever yours, finding its place in the same antique shop to return to him and to you, making another beginning. 

He searched for the ring at the top of the sun chimes, stained glass beauties attached by sturdy strings to a hook that, the next dawn would find purchase at the base of the bakery sign above the light grassy green door, there to remain for a measure of time. Lifting it out of the box, Yeosang admired the stars, the crescent moon, the sun that had been crafted and immortalised just like himself, ready to attract and dissipate every ray that would grace them. A miniature galaxy contained in impossibly intricate artwork, with every sparkle appearing to house a memory and still hold space for the near and far future. Your future, his future. Lost in the relief of meeting the object as though it was a good friend, he barely registered your diffident approach.

“So… what do you-”

“I love it, Y/N.”

“You do?”

“I do. And I think I know just where to hang it. If you do not mind, of course,” upon seeing your nod of approval, he lifted his arm to turn and point at the pretzel, gleeful when he saw your face light up brighter than the sun he was tasked to carry. “Let’s do it now, before it is too late to sleep and before the sun rises. So that I can visit you more while the days are still too long.”

Insisting on saying your morning goodbyes to him, even though barely a few hours had passed between the hanging of the chimes and the palette of the skies gaining lighter blue, lilac and pastel pink hues, you stood under them, huddled in a wool blanket to minimise the contrast of the cosiness of your bed and the breeze travelling down the still, somnolent streets, alive only thanks to the the scattering of lamps and the world surrounding them, watching over them. One blink, another as you tried to rid yourself of sleep to convince Yeosang that you were perfectly fine and ready to start the day. In reality, you simply wanted to catch the first glints on the chimes and follow his journey across the sky, dreaming of his sunset back in your bakery.

Hands concealed by the thick material and unable to smooth his shirt, you could only take a step towards the divinity, the action turning symbolic. What you did not anticipate, however, was that this dawn, he was more than happy to take over your duties and instead of him melting under your softness, your ears were turning red as he pulled the blanket tighter around you, taking its edges that were close to your face, adjusting the ticklish fabric like it was a one of a kind ball gown - unbeknownst to you, that was was exactly how Yeosang saw it, and when he saw you trying to nuzzle into it and away from his amused expression, he could not resist any longer, and with one final pull rested his forehead against yours, noses colliding briefly causing you to let out a feeble yelp.

“I’ll see you in the chimes later, yeah?” he whispered against your skin, the proximity proving intoxicating as you could only just register and make sense of his words, initial shock wearing off to lay down the path for the return of the same feeling from the earlier night, only this time more real, more certain fully reciprocated.

“And later. I’ll make more sunrise bread for you.”

“I think I know something even sweeter. If you will let me indulge, of course.” the last moment before the break of your dawn, a question by which the world was hanging in intimate suspense. 

The past, present and future collided as, in response to Yeosang’s careful request, you boldly closed the already practically nonexistent space between you, finally understanding the true meaning of being sunkissed. It did not take any time at all for the god to return the revealed fondness that you had kept guarded until it only felt natural to bring to light. Like the balmy immersion of the elements, suspended on the cusp of spring becoming summer, Yeosang leaned in with immeasurable affection as if he had been carrying it for all his eternity and kissed you like a long-lost lover who wanted to, through every movement, recollect the memories made, the days spent together, retrace the unity of two beings colliding into one entity, set alight like the brightest star in the universe. 

As he tried to remain more level, gentle in an effort to not expose you to the early dawn’s winds, you grew frustrated from the lack of true warmth, wanting to fly closer to the sun, into it, be consumed by it. Gliding your hands out from under the blanket, you reached for Yeosang’s shirt and pulled him towards you, dragging him impatiently to the open door where you promptly shrugged off the material. Perplexed and worried, Yeosang momentarily broke away from the kiss to ask you whether the action was comfortable.

“Aren’t you going to get cold?”

“Are you saying the sun god cannot keep me warm?” chuckling at the fluttering of his eyelashes, abashedness at your ambiguous choice of words evident on every part of his face, you let your arms rest on his broad shoulders, gleaming back when his own found your waist, playing with the material of your top.

Touching your nose with his own, he was shy in his advances, seeing every wrong turn and prospective hurt unfold in accompaniment to the tragically perfect duet of a mortal and an immortal soul. Knowledge of the lives you had lived, while it was a blessing, at the same time was a series of unbearable lessons that decorated Yeosang's heart like untreatable scars. The mark on the side of his face, your first ever caress, a peppering of butterfly-like kisses on his face, celestial stardust, which has manifested itself as a symbol joyously tying you to him, now emitted that familiar dull burning, having re-encountered its creator. This was an ache that he would give up the sun to experience again and again, the pizzicato thrill warmer than the coming heatwaves, than the surface of the galaxy's centre. 

"I don't want you to ever burn, Y/n." He murmured, understanding that the words would not hold as much weight in your interpretation. You took another step towards him, pressing yourself close, surrounding yourself with his solar flare.

"I trust you. Do you trust me too?"

"More than the skies above us, always."

"Then I know that we will be a beautiful sunrise."

He peered into your gorgeous eyes, looking for anything to stop him, convince him that he needed to step away, knowing full well that he would find nothing except his love returned, amplified by your own. Such was the merry-go-round of life that had been set out for you and Yeosang, an unstoppable turning of the gears that were set in motion by destiny. Now, the light began, soon there will be darkness, and in the future, foreseeable by the god, there will be more light. The sun will peek out from the edge of the planet, crawling across the foaming waters to call the residents of this town awake again and again, whether there was to be a town here, or not. The sun remained, and so did Yeosang's eternal wait for the next turn of the divine clock's hands. As he shut his eyes and kissed you once more, feeling heaven and earth collide, his musings reduced to a simple melody. He was happy that in this lifetime too, the sunshine found you.

[thescreaminghat]

so i watched suzume. . .

And it was good—the animators, vas, musicians, and other talented people who worked on this film deserve so much praise for their work.

On the other hand (and this is a purely personal exercise that isn't meant to detract from Makoto Shinkai's vision for the piece), I think the overall theme of the film might have been better served if the story centered on the ups and downs of Suzume's relationship with her aunt Tamaki, rather than Souta.

Suzume is very much a story about grief—set against the tragedy of the 2011 tohoku earthquake, Suzume's personal struggle with the loss of her mother is arguably our entryway into understanding how this tragedy continues to shape the relationship between Japan’s very geography, its history, and its people.  

I believe that central to this narrative focus is Suzume’s complicated relationship with Tamaki, her mother’s sister, who raised Suzume for much of her life after the loss of Suzume's mother. For me, one of the most important moments of Suzume and Tamaki’s relationship is shown at the climax of their disagreements with each other. After being Suzume's sudden departure from their small town (partially out of that rebellious teenage desire to not be "suffocated" by Tamaki's presence; we'll get to Souta’s role in this later) and Tamaki's understandable worry about Suzume's wellbeing (which leads her to embark on a wild goose chase after Suzume, though we’re not shown much of Tamaki’s personal journey), Tamaki yells at Suzume while the two are at a rest stop with Souta’s friend Serizawa. Tamaki bitterly states that raising Suzume after her sister's death had been a suffocating burden on her as well, as she couldn't find love and live the life that she had wanted because of her responsibility. This leads Suzume to shrink back in disbelief, as she recalls a pivotal memory where, after wandering in a snowstorm in search of her mother (and encountering the Ever After), she is found by Tamaki, who cries and affirms that Suzume will always be her daughter. It's a heartbreaking scene. We can empathize with both characters—Suzume is closer in age to most viewers, and we know that she doesn’t really hate her aunt’s presence, as the stress of her chase after Daijin and Souta’s temporary “demise” has whittled away at her emotions. Similarly, we can imagine that Tamaki herself likely hasn't overcome her grief at losing her sister, and that her outburst wasn’t truly genuine—she does love Suzume, but she wants her adoptive daughter to understand the sacrifices she had made, because she had no one else to confide in or rely on. We anticipate that this is the emotional crux of the movie, showing the relationship of a surrogate mother to a child who has gone through deep, unresolved trauma, now burdened with the consequences arising from the "imbalances" of the spirit world, itself a metaphor for the turbulence of living and of losing.

. . .and then the movie doesn't do anything with this scene. It's suddenly cut short with the random appearance of the keystone Sadaijin, and any lingering tension from that scene is resolved offscreen, with Tamaki and Suzume regaining each other's trust in the next scene. It feels unearned and deeply unsatisfying, especially when the emotional core of the film then gets transplanted onto Suzume's emotional relationship with Souta, a college-aged man whom she has known for less than a week (Suzume, by the way, is in high school, and even if they don’t “get together” in the movie, it makes me a bit uncomfortable seeing someone who is implied to be in their twenties being the implied romantic interest for a seventeen-year-old).

So, I thought, what if the movie kept its cast of characters, and the general sequence of events, but instead of Souta being the one cursed by Daijin to be the keystone (an act that initiates the film's events), it was Tamaki? This is going to be broken up into a few reblogs since it's too long for one post, but here's how I would structure it. (Part 1 of 2, and with a lot of my own hc interactions)

The beginning of the film can stay the same, including Souta's appearance. however, the driving force for Suzume to go to the isolated spot where the first door is located is an argument with Tamaki, rather than her implied curiosity regarding Souta. Perhaps, in this fight, we see bits of Tamaki's personality that may come across as "suffocating" to a teenager, even if she meant well.

Suzume, bothered by Tamaki's presence and the dream that she had of wandering through the Ever After, goes to this isolated spot to get away from everything, which is where she encounters the door and Daijin. Perhaps she's sulking a bit, and makes some sarcastic remark about someone like Souta being able to travel (something that would show her interest in leaving the small town she currently lives in). She then opens the door, Daijin escapes, and she goes about her day as in the film, until the worm appears above the skyline.

She then runs back to the door, where she encounters Souta again. They close the door, and Souta explains what he does and what the door represents. She brings Souta back to their house for medical treatment (except without any of the weird romantic tension between them), and they begin talking about Suzume’s life (perhaps about her room, the chair, and her dreams, as Suzume imagines the kinds of dangers—and thrills—that come with Souta’s position as a Closer).

This is where Tamaki comes back into the story. Tamaki, returning early to check on Suzume and encountering Suzume and Souta together, thinks the worst and begins to berate Suzume. They get into another argument, with Souta trying to calm the two down. Suzume, already stressed from the day's events, wishes that she can be "free" of Tamaki.

This is when Daijin appears on the windowsill, shit-eating grin and all, and says something along the lines of "Ok, Suzume. I can do that—because you're just like me." And then Tamaki is suddenly turned into a chair.

The same chaos ensues, with Tamaki, Souta, and Suzume chasing after Daijin until they get on the ferry. This is where Souta can give some more exposition, saying that he's never encountered this before, while encouraging Tamaki and Suzume to try and come together as he figures the whole thing out. Perhaps this is also the time where we get more information about Souta's personal life (in this version, it is information about his desire to become a teacher, as well as info about his relationship with his own mother, who was killed during a dangerous mission she took on as a Closer.)

The trio continue chasing after Daijin, with the group splitting up by necessity (thus allowing Tamaki and Suzume to have more screentime together). Specifically, Souta finds out that another door is opening off the path of travel they are taking after Daijin, and he instructs Tamaki and Suzume to continue their journey while he takes care of the other door. Before he leaves, he gives Suzume another key he keeps in his possession, which he reveals belonged to his mother.

Suzume and Tamaki continue onwards and meet Chika, the girl on the motorcycle. Suzume and Tamaki then cooperate in closing the door opened by Daijin. In this version, I think it would be interesting if Daijin is actually actively opening doors, not simply leading the pair to doors that are about to open. This serves as a huge bonding moment for Suzume and Tamaki, as they previously couldn’t go a day without arguing over the best way to do things.

Suzume and Tamaki stay at Chika's place (and have the downtime with Chika that is shown in the movie), except Suzume's dialogue with Tamaki consists of her confessing that she is jealous of Chika's independence and the bustling atmosphere at Chika's home. Tamaki is initially angered by this, but gradually calms down in her “chair corner” as she sees Suzume and Chika having fun, perhaps even reminding Tamaki of her own childhood with her sister.

When Tamaki falls asleep, she sees visions of her sister, which both frightens and immobilizes her (i.e. literally her survivor’s guilt “anchoring” her in place). This is meant to replace how Souta gradually descends into his “death” when he sleeps.

Suzume and Tamaki head off and are picked up by Rumi, the mother who works at the hostess bar. Initially, Tamaki whispers to Suzume that she doesn’t want Suzume hitchhiking with a stranger, but Suzume tells her that sometimes they need to rely on others to get by. The same comedy shenanigans with Rumi’s children can be kept in—I think it’s more fitting that Tamaki plays the role of the “toy chair that can speak” in order to keep the children entertained, because she probably, after all, raised Suzume on similar silly stories.

Suzume and Tamaki run to the abandoned fairgrounds to close the other door when the worm appears. I think this scene becomes more impactful when Tamaki is the chair and not Souta, as her decision to save Suzume from falling from the Ferris wheel and letting Daijin go would highlight her parental worry for Suzume, though perhaps this isn’t fully realized by Suzume in the midst of her adrenaline rush. Suzume, however, does look upon the fairground as a place that she wants to go to with Tamaki, when all of this is over, though she keeps this to herself.

Suzume, watching Rumi work her shift as a hostess, comes to appreciate the struggles of being a mother more. Similarly, Tamaki wants to connect with Rumi as a peer, but is limited by her chair form. Seeing Suzume bond with Rumi makes Tamaki want to be there for Suzume, as she sees Suzume slowly maturing into her own person. However, neither Suzume nor Tamaki feel ready to fully open up about these nuanced feelings, as they fall instead into a comical back-and-forth when they’re alone.

Suzume and Tamaki manage to get to Tokyo, where they meet up with Souta. He tells them that he’s been doing whatever research he can to try and figure out how to break Tamaki’s curse. This is where he can explain the keystone lore to Suzume and Tamaki.

The giant worm starts appearing over the city. Tamaki insists that Suzume get out of Tokyo. Souta agrees, and tells Suzume and Tamaki to leave, stating that he can handle the worm himself. Suzume refuses, stating that she’s not going to let anyone else die—the “else” implying that she too still feels survivor’s guilt over her mother’s death.

Despite Souta’s attempts at reasoning with her, Suzume is adamant on staying—Daijin appears and mocks her, telling her that she only knows how to let her aunt dictate how she lives. Suzume rushes ahead without Souta and Tamaki. Tamaki and Souta chase after Suzume, with Tamaki yelling at Suzume again, calling her “rash”, "always making her worry and chase after her," and “thinking and behaving like a child”.

Perhaps Suzume covers her ears, as Tamaki’s words begin to blend into Daijin’s laughter as he scrambles towards the worm. Perhaps Suzume screams out loud, screaming that she felt as though Tamaki had never believed in her, that even when an entire city is threatened, Tamaki cares only about herself, and knows only how to chastise and suffocate Suzume. This shocks Tamaki, but before she can respond, the trio are shot up to the worm’s back, and Souta attempts to seal the worm. However, Daijin interferes and Souta is injured. Suzume then tries to grab Daijin, only for Daijin to purr contentedly and state that he understands what Suzume is feeling—that is why Tamaki will now be the keystone, and both of them can be free.

Suzume turns to Tamaki, only to find that she is unresponsive. Ice is forming around her, as Suzume’s words echo over and over in her mind. Perhaps Tamaki then screams in grief as she sinks deeper into her regret and memories of her sister—that is when we get her screams about how much she had sacrificed for Suzume, and how much happiness Suzume took from her (basically what she said during the rest stop confrontation).

(pt 1 end)

[animeyanderelover]

Ah yes, there is nothing more beautiful than watching the Crunchyroll Awards when I am in a masochistic mood and still come out crying. I’m not even a seasonal watcher but even I could predict all of the winners when I checked out the nominations. I didn’t vote by the way since I don’t even use Crunchyroll. Since me and my friend already complained about it, I’ll rant a bit too so please take my salt.

I don’t think that Jujutsu Kaisen should have won Anime of the Year for the simple reason that apparently the Shibuya Arc didn’t even count for this nomination since it aired in Autumn. That means that pretty much only the first 5-6 episodes were a contender for this nomination and that isn’t even half of the show. They should have either completely excluded it from the nominations this year and instead nominated it next year or should have put in all of Jujutsu Kaisen. Instead now the season was split in parts and I will bet my liver that the Shibuya Arc will be nominated next year again. 5 episodes of an incomplete season are not better than other nominated Anime like Vinland Saga or Oshi No Ko. I’m not even sure if I would put Demon Slayer as a nomination since I liked this season but it just did not reach for me the same level that previous seasons had reached and I am sure that there were other Anime that were a lot more deserving of a nomination instead of Kny.

Best Continuing Series I already suspected either One Piece or Jujutsu Kaisen to win. I can’t say much about One Piece since I am currently at the Water 7 Arc but I will take it over freaking Jjk with its 5 nominated episodes. Once again I would be hesitant to put Demon Slayer in here since for me best continuing series implies that the newest season is either on the same par or even surpasses the previous season. Demon Slayer did not do this with the Sword Smith Village Arc for me for a couple of reasons. The antagonists felt very shallow and boring, the fights weren’t as good for me and whilst the last episode was quite good, it did not reach for me what the Entertainment District Arc did. Bungo Stray Dogs would have been in my opinion a better nomination than Demon Slayer.

Not surprised with Chainsaw Man winning Best New series but since I haven’t watched any of the shows nominated, I can’t say much about it. Same goes for Best Movie with Suzume as the winner and Best Original Series with Buddy Daddies as the winner.

Is anyone surprised by Demon Slayer winning Best Animation? I’m not and that was the only thing that for me was as good as previous seasons, although I do know the whole argument of them using 3D this season for some of the demons but honestly, that was nowhere near the worst CGI that Anime has given us such as Berserk 2017. I see why people would be upset since other contestants for Best Animation were shows like Mob Psycho 100. With Jujutsu Kaisen as a nominee I am conflicted due to the whole arguments of this season having the worst Animation in comparison to the first season and the movie but the poor Mappa employees were on such a tight schedule and the fact that they still delivered such amazing fight scenes despite the terrible treatment deserves respect. Also, where is Bleach in this nomination?! You cannot tell me that they couldn’t nominate it since Disney owns it considering that there were actually some categories where Bleach was still nominated for some reason!

Best Character Design went to Jujutsu Kaisen… How??? How did school uniforms win against the character designs of Hell’s Paradise, Oshi No Ko and Demon Slayer? Is it just Gojo that carried this category?? Am I the blind one for not loving him as much as other fans do??

Best Direction went to Jujutsu Kaisen.

Best Camera Work went to Jujutsu Kaisen.

Best Art Direction went to Demon Slayer.

Best romance was won by Horimiya: The missing Pieces. I’m not sure if that’s true but isn’t this series basically some sort of flashback where the characters look back on their school time. I’m pretty sure My Happy Marriage, Insomniacs after School or Skip and Loafer can beat what, if my memory is correct, is basically a series that shows all the scenes they couldn’t feature in the first season.

Best Comedy was won by Spy x Family and my friend was quite upset by that since she is a big Bocchi The Rock fan but I haven’t watched any of those shows.

Best Action was won by Jujutsu Kaisen. Considering that only the first arc of the series was nominated, I do not agree with this win. If Shibuya Arc would have also counted, I wouldn’t have complained but as it stands I would have preferred something like One Piece or Bleach to win this award.

Best Fantasy was won by Demon Slayer… Again. Guys, what is this? I love Demon Slayer but you can’t tell me that a show playing in a real historical period of Japan with the only fantasy element being the demons as well as maybe the Breathing Forms is a better fantasy show than Mushoku Tensei or The Ancient Magus’s Bride.

Best Drama was won by Attack on Titan The Final Season Chapter 1. What does that mean? Will the second chapter be nominated again then next year?! Oh, come on. How did an incomplete season win Best Drama against Mister I have no enemies?! Vinland Saga should have won that category.

Best Slice of Life went to Bocchi the Rock and since my friend was happy, I was happy too.

Best Main character was won by Luffy. I guess I can live with that. I’m actually surprised that they didn’t nominate Gojo in here but since the whole award show was basically sucking Jujutsu Kaisen off, I am happy to have a few categories where I am not haunted by Demon Slayer and Jujutsu Kaisen. I am just more biased towards Thorfinn in this category since his character development was amazing. If they really only counted the First Chapter of Attack on Titan in these Awards, I am not sure about putting Eren as a contender in this category since he had barely any screen time.

How are you going to take Jujutsu Kaisen’s Hidden Inventory Arc for the 2024 Crunchyroll Awards and then nominate Gojo as a side character?!?! He was the bloody main character in that arc since it was his past!! And then Gojo also wins this category where he absolutely doesn’t belong!!! The same counts for Suguru!! How can you nominate two guys from Jujutsu Kaisen who were on top of that main characters in this short arc?! Why not nominate someone from another Anime instead?! What about Bungo Stray Dogs?! What about Hell’s Paradise?! What about literally every other Anime that aired this year with an actual side character?! Why did Gojo win?!

I don’t care about the Must Protect At all Costs award going to Anya Forger. It’s just a weird award in my opinion.

Best Anime Song going to Idol from Yoasobi was no surprise and was deserved for the sheer impact it had not only on the Anime community but also the international success it earned.

Best Soundtrack going to Attack on Titan is no surprise. Hiroyuki Sawano, if you worked there again I will accept it.

Best Opening and Ending go to no one’s surprise to Jujutsu Kaisen and at this point I have no energy left anymore to be angry. Congratulations…not.

Best Japanese VA performance goes to Yuichi Nakamura for voicing Gojo Satoru… Why is Eren here again? That dude barely spoke any lines in the first half of the Final Chapters. There are a ton of other Japanese Va’s that not only spoke more than Eren but were also far better. Whilst I am not really suited for picking any since I don’t watch seasonal Anime, I think Uemura Yuuto for his performance as Thorfinn or Miyano Mamoru in his role as Dazai were far more deserving of a spot in here. Yuki Kaji, I really love you but you shouldn’t have been nominated in here for your performance as Eren in here due to the lack of a performance.

[frida--y]

blessed by the shugods!!

god I love kingoh, such an ambitious sentai... I think it really won me over in the end though!! The way it started with Jeramie's narration and the way it ended with it <3 I will say I loved the first half so much, the interpersonal royal drama of all- loved it. I also loved how it started to seed the story of redemption for the Bugnark with the introduction of Jeramie. I think it''s important to write a story of oppression and relationships. I do think it was overly ambitious in the end!! The bugs just got SO sidelined after the introduction of Duggy. But still, we got such a happy ending of not really homogenizing into one country, but to allow cultures to expand, to interact and grow from those interactions. Maybe love will bloom from it!!! I hope Jeramie tries to attend every wedding.. he would cry so much.

SO hard to say more from the story, it's such a packed one! Some things happen with such weight and then "it's actually fine no worries :)" next episode. I would of loved to see all the plot points fully expanded in a manga or a multi-season series.

THE CAST!!! THE RETAINERS!!!!!

You can really feel Taka's love for this series, he's really the show's biggest fan. Everyone feels fleshed out enough, and it's hard to pick a fav (it's jimmy). MAAN. What a show.. great passionate show tbh.

GOD is Kagu the best... BEAUTIFUL MAN. I loved all his focus episodes. It was also fun guessing how much he was playing Racles or helping him, and now knowing that he's been believing in Racles since the wedding just makes me want to rewatch.

Who else is the best.. Jeramie.. I LOVED it when he stopped talking between the lines and blurted out what he feels. It's so cute.

Even Himeno! I love how passionate she was on the kingoh legends, it's a difference from Yanma who vaules tech more and learns to have faith in the legends. Yanma's so full of charm, really love him too. Rita is the best, what else can I say..

Impossible to pick a hard fav from the main kings.. easy tie with Rita and Kagu though for the top.... and Jeramie. They each have their strengths and I'm glad we got to see the odd dynamics near the end too.

For Gira, I really liked him ever since the first episode. His acting was great! Although I loved the doomed and fated sibling relationship, I think the show should of showed us more of Gra's thoughts when he thought he killed Racles. It's not really implied he knew he didn't die (unlike according to bts), I think Gira should of been more fucked up he killed his only family... Yano did a good job displaying on his face how their first duel really messed him up.

Number one cunt in my life!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I LOVE HIM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Seeing through Racles lies/act was so satisfying, all the way back to his first fight with Gira, I knew something was up with him. I loved his seemingly emotionless behavior in the first half, when he had the all the chances to kill his brother and didn't take it, episode 20 was fantastic in this regard, and we got SUCH a treat with 42 telling us all of the truth. especially knowing all the context. And maaaaaaan, I knew his reaction to "killing" Yanma was special.. god if anything Kingoh gave us an amazing character arc with Racles. He had great dynamics with the other kings (Yanma n Jeramie in the second half), BUT I kinda wanted him to have more scenes with Rita though, considering he basically wrecked their country by trying to reveal the traitor. Him trusting Suzume with his life and wanting to reach out to Kagu <33333 one of my fav dynamics <33 tormented by the bees <;3 GOD kagrac was SOO real...

I love how his actions were never excused, both by the character and everyone. Just getting my thoughts about him during his worst validated was satisfying. His interactions with Jeramie and Yanma post reveal were my favorites.

Just.. being right about how power hungry he really was (not as an act).... Racles!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I usually don't get swayed by shipping art but.. Suzume and Racles fanart really sold me on them.. the show really helped too, but.. I think they're so cute lol. Re-falling in love after being married is so.. IT'S SO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

If I had ONE major complaint... other than the Bugnark's plight getting sidelined HARD in the second half, I think Suzume's character really fell to the wayside. I liked the Morphina and Suzume episode, but it really highlighted Kagu more than Suzume. It really should of been more about her feelings on ruling Tuofu than her dream of marrying someone she loved, cause why would that stop her from ruling???

ride or die couple of the year <3 they should of ended ON TOUFU WHERE RACCY WAS ON A FARM!!!!!!!!!!

kingoh :)

man. what a show!! Going to miss it a lot... crazy good highs in my opinion. The world is just rich enough to play around with it in your head, which makes it fun!!

bonus: my many pics of Yano

I can post many more..I will restrain.. one of the most gorgeous men I've seen <3 his long hair when he got married though............................... many thoughts. They should of let him keep his facial hair. I have been seeking out his other works so far and I really do hope the film Wheel and Axle gets a release... it showed at a film festival so I assume it must have a subtitle track done.

love him so much I made him a birb friend n dressed up my plush!!

[imagination-overreaction]

I recently read this post and it hit me--there's so much in-your-face symbolism in this show, surely the writers tucked more into it for fun, right? Especially with all the other bird symbolism in the show I'm also just a sucker for symbols and double meanings lol. So when I saw the sparrow mentioned in the Kinuyo scene I just had to look up possible sparrow symbolism, and much to my delight I found the folk tale "Shita-kiri Suzume" (literally: "tongue-cut sparrow").

in the Tongue-Cut Sparrow, an old man has a sparrow that he loves dearly. While he is away, the sparrow eats starch the man's wife had made, and the greedy wife cuts the bird's tongue out and flings it out to the wild. The man goes to find the sparrow with the help of the other sparrows, and he recieves treasure. His wife, hearing of the treasure, goes to find the sparrows and get some herself. She doesn't receive treasure, but instead she receives a basket full of monsters that kill her (in some versions I believe the sparrows lead her off a cliff, but either way they directly kill her).

BES loves to compare the women to birds: Akemi is the songbird, Mizu is the phoenix, and Kinuyo is, of course, the dead sparrow. However, this show doesn't seem to like to make the symbols be just one thing: Mizu is the phoenix, but she is also presented as the samurai and the onryo. Each part of the samurai story has a different comparison, so it wouldn't be a stretch to apply that logic to the Tongue-Cut Sparrow story. (unrelated note: I absolutely adore the puppetry scenes, and how the puppeteers fade out more in each segment until they're invisible. 10/10 artistic choice, but anyways)

That old man loved his sparrow. Even though it was technically free in the wilderness, he worried about it, he worried about the harm it had to endure, and he needed to find it. Kaji needed to protect her Kinuyo after she was taken away, even after she was technically freed, after her only way to communicate was taken away from her by someone driven by greed.

[the-writer-mao]

YO KINGOHGER’S INSANE??!

Episode 42 < spoilers pt. 1 >

I love this episode man, the script this show has is seriously impressive-

This episode backtracked throughout the whole series, from the beginning of Gira’s tyranny just for show, and the preserved anesthetic from Kaguragi given by Hymeno.

It’s actually crazy how the writers really pushed for a story interlaced by several subplots, and I am a huge fan.

Tbh I didn’t have Racles being good on my radar, or at least to this reveal- based on past Sentai formula, usually reformed villains are inspired or moved by the main heroes, but Racles has soooo much depth. Top it off, they even had a side series for him to further establish that.

The idea of Gira being “naive” is perfect- a young and moldable person that has room to become the best king for the people.

Racles showing him what true “Tyranny for show” is like the perfect full circle, because he was truly the worst for a while lmao.

Oh my god I was actually so happy during this moment.

The reveal of him monopolizing Kaguragi and Suzume was really interesting- but it’s nice to know that he never truly meant any harm.

Especially how much he trusted Suzume, and depended on Kaguragi’s concern for her.

____

I can’t wait for the next episode, Rita seemingly rules that Racles must be put to death.

I’m very curious about the dialogue between them compared to in Racles’ side series.

[massiveladycat]

wouldve loved suzume much more if it was merely platonic (and it did seem that way to me at least) maybe they'd be cute if they were the same age but shes like a minor!! in high school!! and hes confirmed to be like 22!! the fuck!! it seemed like a one-sided crush, honestly. anyways souta didnt show any signs of reciprocating it so ig teens are allowed to have crushes as long as the adult doesnt engage but like the age gap is,, not great!! but ykw its in japan im in america they have different views there suzume herself even told her aunt tamaki "this isn't a love thing!" while on that bike. let alone souta and his platonic actions at best. besides the guy has a lot more to focus on. the dude's a closer, he JUST became human again, and hes heavily implied (at least to me) to 'not mind dying'. that man needs to heal. suzume got shitloads of trauma from everything in the movie, too, so she needs to heal too!! besides i see them more as mentor and apprentice (PLATONIC!! crazy i have to state this) and/or big brother and little sister (PLATONIC.) then again i watched the movie when i was half-asleep and hardly remember much so if i forgot any scenes that say differently please do tell

[mofffun]

Translator's note on suzuracles post-wedding dialogue

It's hard to direct-translate Suzume's tone indicators to English so I could only do my best to imitate her playful tone at the end of each sentence (even though the content/first half is serious she kept the lovestruck persona ending it in "wah~!")

This passage is a bit difficult to me so I checked the dictionary twice. I spent a long time on Suzume's last line. I can't be sure if it is i-u-hou (the speaker) or i-u-kata (the tone+diction) but combining Suzume's tone I think it's the latter one. And, "tsumi". I'm aware of the better-known from W as "sins" but the word has duality and what is sinful may not be illegal, what is illegal may not be sinful (off-track). And we are talking about a morally grey character.

Analysis

The most intriguing suzuracles to me is, they might be the closest in position in terms of sacrificing their personal self for their country, to present a public persona yet they could never confide in anyone, not even to each other, especailly not, even though they knew the other is in the same position as themself. Yet, they have lived under the same roof with each other longer than they did with their own family. That real? not real? love into hatred? hatred into love? into mutual understanding? The quantum state of it is the most captivating to me for them as foils.

I think Suzume is conscious in keeping referring to Racules as "Racules-sama" instead of in second person to keep a distance between them. Let alone "anata" in the "[my] husband" sense. It's okay to love "Racules-sama", it's easy to play the innocent captive of "Racules-sama", but she has seen Racules. Late at night, in between schemes, behind polite threats. Can one fully hate a worthy opponent?

observations:

ラ 「間に合わせだ。売ったところで二束三文にしかならない」

ス 「私を何だと思ってらっしゃるの！？私とラクレス様の愛の結晶に、値段などつけられませんわ」

Racules is testing Suzume. He has no need to play games with her. He knew she was there for Toufu to profit from the start (alt-shugod aid to Toufu in wake of Wrath of Gods).

Translated: Hold on to the ring (game-changer item)

ラ 「…時に君の正気を疑うことがある」

ス 「無理もありません。ラクレス様への愛が、私を狂わせるんですもの！」

ラ 「愛ではなく、憎しみだろう。スズメ・ディボウスキ」

Racules is letting himself show, if a little, if vulnerability, to gain her trust? Suzume DYBOWSKI. DYBOWSKI. THIS MAN CALLED HIS NEWLY WEDDED WIFE HER FAMILY NAME. He knows Suzume will always put Toufu/Dybowski before him or Shugoddom, but she's the only one he can count on now. Because she said it herself, her devotion (to "Racules-sama") is mad unwavered.

ラ 「国のため、道具にされ続け、それでも正気でいられる道理は何だ」

Convince me Racules is not talking about himself. Do, try.

ス 「…トウフの女は、地に足ついてこそ。信ずる道を、踏み外したりはしませんわ」

This line is so hardcore?? More importantly, I can totally see Kamura-san's delievery. Quiet at first, the cold in her eyes, then the naive switch grin at the end!

ラクレスがふっと微笑む。 ラ 「やはり度し難いな」

Suzume managed to make Racules smile! It doesn't specify if he was amused or relieved Suzume caught his metaphor. This is what we are talking about the actor filling in for the script. Then Yano-san's performance can be interpreted a thousand ways based on each viewer! A more literal translation of 度し難い is "beyond help". I think it can also mean the person is beyond salvage as in nothing can change their determination (positive). Racules is talking about himself too! if wryly!

Translated: "you are part of my plan. don't ever change."

ラ 「その指輪は、太陽を浴びて輝く。目を焼かれぬよう、気をつけろ」

Racules-sama, can you be more obvious. Put the wedding ring under the sun to read my secret message, just like I did with what Vetaria left me in my spin-off. The fire imagery!! (re: inferno, re: takamina's "he who shines on the world must burn himself to do so" tweet!!)

[mochicrackersss]

Blog Post - Your Name ᯓᡣ𐭩‧₊˚ ⊹

The movie Your Name is so recognizable within anime communities and is vastly known for its beautiful animation and endearing story. So why the hell have I not watched it until this class??? I knew for years this film would be right up my alley, and I loved watching similar movies like Suzume, Belle, and Weathering with You in the past. I even know the famous end-credit scene where Mitsuha and Taki reunite on the staircase years later. So I think I'm just insane or something, I don't know lol.

The movie was super cute, especially with its time-traveling Freaky Friday-like plot. I found the main characters endearing, with their struggles and embarrassment to live as the opposite sex. I liked how eventually, the two of them began to enjoy each other's lives and even helped save it. And I always enjoy a story that mentions the concept of the "red thread," or "Musubi" in the movie. The idea is that everything in the world is connected by time and place. Especially your soulmates, platonically or romantically, are all tied to your body by an unseeable thread until you find them is super fascinating to me. It felt similar to the anime, Kamisama Kiss, where the human girl Nanami and the fox spirit Tomoe were bound to fall in love again across every lifetime.

I will add that this movie surprisingly was an in-depth commentary on gender performance. A scene that stood out to me was when Taki, in Mitsuha's body, kicked a desk to stop the school bullies from talking behind her back. Everything that normal Mitsuha has done, being nice to them, staying quiet, and not bringing anything up, is stereotypically considered a "feminine" reaction to bullying. Your Name tells us that being feminine isn't the solution, and to stop someone from bullying you, the victim has to reject them in a "masculine" way (i.e. kicking your desk or getting into a fight). Of course, this isn't 100% true in reality, but the concept behind it is seen in the real world. Women have been taught for generations to bottle up their problems and not cause a scene so they aren't a nuisance, so some close-minded people believe only being a man or being masculine will get things done.

[minsarasarahair]

Suzume no Tojimari movie by Makoto Shinkai appreciation

I feel like this movie and Kotonoha no Niwa (The Garden of words) are my favorite Makoto Shinkai movie. Not because I like ships with big age gap, okay!? No! Its because of the movie’s message. Either I’m the target audience of the story or the story resonate with me strongly? Maybe that’s why!? I’m not a big fan of Your Name and Weathering With You so I’m surprised I actually like this one LOL

Suzume is not really a romance movie. The romance is just the side dish. Yes, Souta is hot I admit but the story is all about Suzume. She’s the main plot. She help the guy not only because she like him but because “Natural Disaster” mean a lot to her as a character. 

Unlike Your Name and Weathering With You, the movie don’t revolve around in a certain event. It focus in natural disaster in general. That its a scary thing! Its hard to fight against it and its really terrifying that it can take the one you love in an instant!  The movie ask you question “If you have the power to stop disaster, will you do something about? Do you have the courage to save people again and again?” I really love Suzume’s expression whenever she receive the Earthquake alert in her phone. You can see her fear and she obviously has clear trauma about it. 

Suzume is a great heroine! She don’t just watch the guy to do the work. She continue to help him and can stand on her own! She’s very emotional and you’ll see the worse side of herself in the movie. She’s very human in that aspect. I can’t help but cheer for her! I’m very proud of her that she always try to save others even if she’s hurt in the process. I find her very brave. 

The movie encourages Community Unity. She meet several strangers that help her in the story. Without their help, I’m sure she will never reach her destination. Most of these strangers don’t even know what’s up with her but they still tried to help her in simple means. We also see the growth with Souta’s character that he refuse others to help him at first but later he don’t mind Suzume helping him. 

The supporting characters are likable and the story give highlight to platonic relationships. The sad thing about Makoto Shinkai’s movie is I barely remember supporting characters other than the main couple lol. I actually like the supporting characters here in this movie. Suzume’s aunt and Souta’s friend. They don’t just stand there and support the main characters happily. They questioned things but they also have deep moments with the main character. No matter how the mc push them away, they refuse to leave. I really like it. They have growth in the story too I think? Like at first, Souta’s friend is like “tell him I hate him” but later he’s like ”I’m actually worried”. 

The movie actually did justice to Suzume and Souta’s love story. People think its rushed but every Makoto Shinkai romance is like that to me anyway. I like the implication of it or “potential” and I believe their romance can be or will continue developing after the story ended. I’m seeing it in a perspective of a fan thinking shipping them in cute way is a good fan content. I did see some shipping fan art of them before I saw the movie so maybe that’s why I don’t mind the pair. I like pairing that can work as platonic and romantic. In the beginning, I’m like “Why they have to turn the ikemen into a stupid chair!???” but now I get it. Its kinda weird to see an adult man hang out with a girl and yeah, they are strangers. Also, Souta becoming a chair has a purpose. Not just because so he can hang out with a girl, but because that chair means a lot to Suzume. Its a gift from her important person and she forgot how important it is to her. Its about seeing the worth of thing left by your deceased loved ones. Souta becoming a chair helps Suzume remember her memories and overcome her loss. In return, Souta realizes that its okay to ask someone for help after Suzume’s stubbornness to help him. One of the best scene with them together are probably the hug scene, working together to save others aka power couple moment and reunited after Souta said he’ll come back. I don’t know about you. I take the hug scene than any kissing scene! Souta’s hug is not just about I like you. Its also about how thankful he is to Suzume because she help him realize that he want to live. Its on par to Kotonoha no Niwa’s hugging scene in the staircase. Oh and! Suzume shouting she can’t imagine a world without Souta is more like she’s shouting “I can’t take it if I lose another person I treasure without me doing anything!” Because this time she actually has power to help him compare when she was still a child. I really like that. Basically what I’m saying is her drive is not because she love Souta but because of her trauma but their pairing works because it has potential. Their relationship has depth because its about struggling to live, or facing calamities together. 

Another thing is I like that the characters are really humans. Even the handsome Souta is afraid of being the disappointment and somehow I feel like he don’t want to live too before Suzume. I like that they only have magical tools and can see weird things but they are not technically powerful. They always had a hard time to close and seal the door. I don’t really see Souta as Suzume’s prince charming. Yes, he’s handsome and Suzume is entranced by his beauty but its not like she like him because he’s a prince charming. They literally spend time together and become close. Of course, she will care about him. As a character, he looks like an ordinary guy to me who also ditch class lol Making him a trophy husband or prince charming is like erasing his humanity. 

The story is also about overcoming loss. A closure and acceptance when your loved ones died. In that aspect, its like Belle ~Ryuu to Sobakasu no Hime~.

Suzume movie is not only a love letter to victim’s of natural disaster but also a love letter to the world, to the land and abandoned places. It gives respect to places long forgotten. Best way to describe is its like TsukiPro’s GROWTH songs. Listen to their songs because its hard to explain it lol Basically it relive your painful wounds but at the same time it gives you beautiful memories you need to treasure like Historical places??? It hurts but its also beautiful?? 

I want to add more but I’m afraid I’m not good enough to explain why its really good so I will link great posts highlighting stuff why its good. (1, 2) 

I will not mentioned the animation and visual aspect because we all know its Makoto Shinkai film so expect the good visual quality! To end this post, I highly recommend to watch the film!