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i-heart-hxh · 1 year

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You've mentioned a few times that the CAA is your favorite arc, and I'd love to hear you wax on about why that is! Since it's so....controversial amongst fans, it seems. Or, alternatively, you could wax on about your *least* favorite arc and why! I very much enjoy hearing your hxh meta, no matter what lol

Thanks so much for asking! It's hard to summarize all of the many reasons why I love Chimera Ant Arc, but I'd love to go on and on about it for a while nonetheless and maybe people will get something out of what I have to say!

(I actually don't think I'd have much to say about a least favorite arc, as I've re-watched/re-read I've found reasons to love all the arcs and I think the series works so well as a whole that it's gotten harder for me to single out any particular arc as a least favorite.)

I can understand why CAA is controversial to a degree. I think for a lot of shounen anime fans in particular, it's a difficult pill to swallow--it's long, it's complex, the focus isn't always on the main characters, and I'd actually agree that there are points where it gets overly dragged out and could have used some editing (especially in the anime, as much as I love it). It also goes in a lot of directions that aren't what one might expect watching it for the first time, which is actually one of the things I love most about it.

Togashi toys with shounen tropes and expectations from the very beginning of the series, but CAA is where that aspect of the series starts to get more intense and pointed. If you look at Yu Yu Hakusho and read interviews about it with Togashi, it seems he was dissatisfied with having to stick to the usual shounen formula (particularly in the Chapter Black arc, where you can almost see the editors forcing him to tone it down and telling him what he can and cannot do, removing his authorial autonomy). He has stated that he wanted to deconstruct the characters towards the end of Yu Yu Hakusho, but he was told he could not by his editors. I think this was deeply disappointing to him, especially with his health seriously dwindling at that time due to overwork.

When he created HxH, I believe he did so with the intention to build a series where he could initially follow a familiar battle shounen formula (albeit with clever twists from the very beginning), only to later use the series as a vehicle to comment on that very formula and then give himself far more freedom to pivot between different genres and switch focus as much as he wanted.

Here are just a few of the many, many ways CAA directly contradicts the audience expectations from a shounen series:

Gon (protagonist) and Merum (antagonist) never battle one another--in fact, they don't even speak to each other once

As the arc goes on, the human side of the war increasingly expresses negative sides of humanity (selfishness, pride, revenge, etc.) while the ant side increasingly expresses more noble aspects of humanity (loyalty, kindness, self-improvement, etc.), which of course makes it morally complex and there isn't just one "side" to root for

Gon's big power up is horrifying, tragic, brutal, and self-destructive instead of glorious

Netero ultimately defends humanity using a dirty trick instead of his own hard-won battle prowess

Meruem finds his reason for living in a disabled, physically weak girl, and the way he dies centers around spending his time with her rather than in any battle or involving himself in what the protagonists are doing

Gon is unable to save Kite despite "winning" (of course, Kite does make it ultimately, but not due to anything Gon did)

Gon and Killua's friendship and mental health are deeply affected by the things they go through in this arc--the "power of friendship" isn't enough to make everything turn out okay (at least not in the short term)

It is often the genuine kindness and mercy of the characters that makes the biggest difference in this arc, and those kindnesses are ultimately what changes the trajectory of the story

This is by no means an exhaustive list nor am I expressing it as well as it deserves, but I love how CAA intentionally subverts what the audience expects from it, but at the same time it also tells an emotionally engaging, intense, thoughtful, and beautiful story. I love how much of what happens in Chimera Ant arc involves themes and ideas Togashi had been subtly building on through much of the series, like Gon's risk-taking behavior and his issues with guilt and self-esteem, Killua's painful devotion to Gon, the idea of having to make great sacrifices in order to obtain great power (like Kurapika's nen contract prior), the idea that one's entire life can change when you meet one person, the idea of second chances...

The parallels between multiple characters and the way themes repeat and are interwoven into the story are breathtakingly brilliant in my opinion--I've gone through CAA so many times and I've read and written tons of meta about it, and yet it feels like I'm constantly discovering or realizing some aspect of it that I had missed or didn't consider.

I love what Togashi has to say through this arc about the transformative power of love and the different sides of humanity.

And on a more personal level, I adore the intensity of Gon and Killua's relationship in this arc and all the love and angst between them, the fact that the Meruem and Komugi scene made me sob multiple times even after I had already seen it before, how beautiful and filled with heart the anime production is for this arc even if the pacing is a little rough at times (the animation, voice acting, and soundtrack are top-notch), and the character development of Meruem and his Royal Guard. To me, CAA was what turned the series from something enjoyable and well-done to an absolute masterpiece. I love that you can go back through the series from the beginning and see the subtle ways it was building towards CAA as well--for me, it elevated the entire series because knowing what it's heading towards changed my perception of everything leading up it as well.

I could say so much more and I'm tempted to, but I think this a good summary of what I love about it at least. Thank you so much for asking me and giving me a chance to talk about what makes this my favorite arc!

#hxh #hunter x hunter #chimera ant arc #meta #my posts #asks #snowlemons #I'm restraining myself from just babbling on forever but I can always talk about it more another time lmao

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decembercamiecherries · 9 months

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2023 Fic Summary!

I didn't do this last year for some reason??? BUT I wrote a lot of fics this year, and some I forgot to share here, so I wanted to post a summary of it all so that way all my fics ended up on my tumblr in some way! ^-^ Thank you to everyone who continues to read my works, I'm very happy to share my stories with you all <3

Previous fic summaries:

2019 summary

2020 summary

2021 summary

Ao3 Stats (for 2023 only):

Works In Progress (HxH, killugon)

2 chapters, 5.6k words

Not complete

General summary: I'll be posting all my sneak peeks/wips/abandoned hxh fics here so it'll never be marked as complete

Excerpt: Gon doesn’t drop the beer, but it’s a near thing. Because this new customer is gorgeous—his white hair is windswept and silver in the dim light, his skin is pale and smooth, his fingers are long as any pianists’ as they rest along the bar, and his build is lean but sculpted beyond the thin tank top he wears. And his eyes, of course, are the most beautiful shade of blue.

At The Summit (MDZS, wangxian)

1 chapter, 2.7k words

Complete

General summary: high school au, carnival rides, first kiss

Excerpt: It takes Lan Wangji a moment to register what Wei Wuxian has said. He’s too preoccupied with the press of Wei Wuxian’s calloused palm against his, the buzzing wonder that vibrates under his skin, the tingling of his lips. He already knows he will be replaying their kiss in his mind until the early hours of the morning and possibly—definitely—for the remainder of the weekend.

Eight Days a Week (MDZS, wangxian)

1 chapter, 6.7k words

Complete

General summary: modern au, co-workers, Wei Wuxian is upset Lan Wangji has a date

Excerpt: As for the date themself…well, Wei Wuxian isn’t confident enough to assume Lan Wangji’s taste in dates but Lan Wangji did say they were good. Whatever that means. And if Lan Wangji likes them, they must be nice at the very least. Maybe they follow rules as strictly as Lan Wangji. Maybe they share his love of music. Maybe they are quiet and actually let Lan Wangji speak, unlike Wei Wuxian who babbles about everything and anything that crosses his mind.

Intentional (MDZS, wangxian)

1 chapter, 2.5k words

Complete

General summary: college au, Wei Wuxian accidentally says I love you when hanging up on a phone call with Lan Wangji

Excerpt: Lan Wangji knows his own mind. He knows his own thoughts. He knows Wei Wuxian has been a source of frustration, fascination and admiration in equal measures since the moment they met at college orientation nearly three years ago. And although his impression of the bright-eyed and chaotic student has remained largely unchanged since then, the unexpected fondness Lan Wangji found himself harboring for Wei Wuxian has grown exponentially stronger and long ago spiraled out of his control.

Time x Bomb (HxH, killugon)

3 chapters, 14.1k words

Complete

General summary: canon divergence au, chimera ant arc, what if au in which Killua is taken by Pitou instead of Kite

Excerpt: Killua should be here. Killua always knew the right words to say, to distract Gon from his weaknesses, to encourage him to move forward. Killua’s arms should be the ones around him right now. Killua should be murmuring reassurances in his ear. Kite’s frame is similar to Killua’s—they’re both thin and lithe—but Kite is too long, too bone-y. Killua is only slightly taller than Gon and the perfect size to hold and be held by.

like a rainbow (MDZS, wangxian)

4 chapters, 14.7k words

Complete

General summary: canon divergence/soulmate au in which everyone is colorbind when separated from the soulmate with the exception of one color

Excerpt: Lan Wangji immediately regrets the sip of alcohol Wei Wuxian had coaxed him into taking. He wants to remember each and every second he spends worshiping Wei Wuxian. The momentary relaxation from drinking is certainly not worth giving that up. Still, he traces the red marks and scratches littering Wei Wuxian’s arms and shoulders, marveling at how beautiful Wei Wuxian’s soul color looks in the morning light.

Insomniac (MDZS, wangxian)

1 chapter, 2k words

Complete

General summary: modern au, established relationship, Wei Wuxian convinces his overworked husband Lan Wangji to cuddle in bed

Excerpt: He gasps as Lan Wangji hoists him into his arms. Heart pounding, he grabs hold of Lan Wangji’s shoulders as the other walks out of the kitchen and down the hallway. It’s an impressive show of strength, one that always makes Wei Wuxian’s blood race no matter how many times Lan Wangji has done it before.

Troubled by the Emptiness (MDZS, wangxian)

5 chapters, 27k words

Complete

General summary: canon divergence au in which Wei Wuxian makes everyone forget his existence shortly after escaping to the Burial Mounds with the Wens

Excerpt: The Lan Sect rules are the farthest things on Lan Wangji’s mind right now. The only thing he can think of is kissing Wei Wuxian, of turning off his lies and distractions and prying the truth out of him with his own mouth and tongue. He wants to hear Wei Wuxian spill his secrets in gasps and moans. He wants to find a way to ensure Wei Wuxian won’t sacrifice the new memories they share like he had their previous ones.

lovely, dark, and deep (MDZS, wangxian)

1 chapter, 30.9k words

Complete

General summary: red riding hood au in which Wei Wuxian is red riding hood, Lan Wangji the wolf, and the Wens the grandmother in the woods

Excerpt: Wei Wuxian has yet to see a fae in the woods. Most of the townsfolk of Yiling haven’t, either—if they do, they normally don’t live to tell the tale. Fae don’t like humans trespassing on their land. The path is something they can’t touch, but any human who goes astray is fair game.

Light and Shadow (MDZS, wangxian)

1 chapter, 4.2k words

Complete

General summary: modern au, super hero au, secret identity au

Excerpt: The world comes back into focus. Gone is Hanguang-jun, Gusu’s second Twin Jade and a source of strength and hope for all its civilians. In his place is only Lan Wangji, a well built but wholly average civilian dressed in his usual business attire with blood seeping through his torn dress pants. And Wei Wuxian had a front row seat for the entire transformation.

painting flowers for you (HxH, killugon)

1 chapter, 13.2k words

Complete

General summary: alice in wonderland au in which Killua is Alice, Gon is the chesire cat, and Alluka is the rabbit

Excerpt: Killua kept his stare steady as Gon searched his face. Those inhuman gold eyes and slitted pupils no longer sent a shiver down his spine. They were a part of Gon now, just like his magic. And underneath it all he was still the freckled, cheerful teen who Killua fell in love with all those years ago. The teen who loved him back just as much.

Otherwise Engaged (MDZS, wangxian)

1 chapter, 5.2k words

Complete

General summary: modern au, professors/teachers au, wangxian wake up accidentally married after getting drunk the night before but drag their feet when it comes to gettnig a divorce

Excerpt: The heavy weight of Lan Wangji’s stare digs into his back and Wei Wuxian delights in the feeling. Having Lan Wangji’s undivided attention is a gift in and of itself! But he will not get distracted. Because this is important. This is real. This would be a conscious decision in a way that their marriage hadn’t been. And Wei Wuxian can only hope that Lan Wangji’s delay in asking for a divorce means that he wants the same thing Wei Wuxian does.

#dc writes #2023 fic summary #2023 #mdzs #hunterxhunter #killugon #wangxian #rip hxh bc mxtx's works kind of took over my life this year

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subdee · 1 year

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We know from PUZZLE that Kite is also “without nen,” how do you think that would play out with respect to Gon in any future arcs? Also, what’s the likelihood that we might get a split-narrative between events on NC/DC/Known World? I haven’t read YYH so I’m not sure if this is something he does across settings for multiple chapters. I’m trying to be optimistic, but he’s going to be in his 60’s by the time we get off the murder boat at the rate he’s going…

Hi anon!!! These days I have Baby Brain but I'll do my best...

I think there have been lots of plot crumbs already for a future Gon-and-Killua-vs-Ants arc part two, and I talked about that a little bit here. In a nutshell:

*Half or more of the Hunter Association are on the murder boat, including the leadership (Zodiacs)

*The Phantom Troupe, who have been protecting Meteor City for the last decade+ via their scary reputation, are also on the murder boat

*The 5,000 chimera ant eggs Pariston stole are MIA. Where could they be? Well...

*As we saw at the end of the CA arc, Hina, Bizef, and Welfin are all headed to Meteor City, where Gyro is rumored to have gone.

So I don't know if Togashi would switch back and forth between the boat and the Known World, BUT I do know that in HxH in particular he loves anticlimax and ending arcs in unexpected ways. I think what YYH taught him was that he never wants to do a complete tournament arc or keep going with a plot "just to finish it" ever again.

So what I sort of expect to happen with the murder boat is that they'll never reach the Dark Continent at all (they might reach the New Continent, just to wrap up the succession contest).

That would be the ultimate anticlimax, right? Set up this great power-scaling training ground in a shounen series, spend more than a decade of irl time on a boat going there, and then just... Never arrive. Haha.

Instead I think something will happen back on the mainland while all these characters are trapped on the boat, and they won't even be able to teleport away (because as we saw with Kacho, leaving the boat before the urn ceremony is complete activates a nen trap and is fatal - at least for the Princes).

In fact I think this could have been Pariston/Beyond's plan all along - to distract everyone with the boat while they made their real move in the Known World.

So then I think it's up to Gon and Killua to do something about whatever is going on in Meteor City while literally every other important character is away....

Well. I think my point is, whether or not the plot ends up being like what I have described, there are plenty of dangling plot threads in HxH pointing to **some** kind of long term plan... and Gon and Killua are the main characters so they should be part of that plan!

Because you're right, both Kite and Gon don't have nen at the moment. And Kite is an Ant. And they're traveling together to out of the way places. Also, Ging didn't say Gon could **never** get his new back, only that there would be "hell to pay" if he did. So that seems like a setup for him to get his nen back in the future, if, as you say, Togashi's health doesn't give out first.

And if that happened, it wouldn't happen for no reason, but because it would be required by the narrative. In other words, Gon would need something to **do** with the nen he just got back.

At least, if I was writing HxH, that's how I would do it.. the main reason I think it might **not** happen this way is because at least one person (me) has now predicted it, and HxH in general is not that predictable. Haha.

Anyway. Thanks for the ask!!

#anon #reply #thanks for the ask <3 #hxh #hxh meta

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animebw · 2 years

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Short Reflection: Spring 2022 Anime

It is truly astonishing how good anime has been lately. Every season, I go in thinking, “well, there’s no way this is gonna live up to the incredibly high bar last season yet.” And every time, I’m proven wrong. Spring 2022 was a smorgasbord of excellent shows from start to finish, and even better, it was a smorgasbord of diverse excellence. No matter what kind of anime you most prefer, whether action, adventure, romance, drama, comedy, or even sports, this season gave you at least one show to really look forward to every week. And if you’re someone like me who pretty much likes anything as long as it’s done well? Then lord, I hope you’re ready to kiss your free time goodbye, because there’s a metric ass-ton of worthwhile anime from this season you need to catch up on. Don’t worry, summer’s looking pretty thin, you’ll have plenty of free time. So sit back, relax, and let me guide you through the good, the bad, and the truly brilliant that was anime in spring 2022.

The Rising of the Shield Hero Season 2: 2.5/10

Listen, it not like I was expecting this to be any good. Shield Hero has always been an absolute garbage fire of an anime, and the only reason I’m still keeping up with it is morbid curiosity at just how bad it’s gonna get. But I don’t think anyone, fans or haters alike, were really expecting just how lazy season 2 ended up being. Huge chunks of content have clearly been compressed into far too short a timespan, things happen with no rhyme or reason, huge events are glossed over or skipped entirely, and almost nothing that happens here feels connected to what was happening before. I guess maybe it was trying to pull a Hunter x Hunter Chimera Ant Arc where the story takes a diversion and spends the next significant stretch of time in a mostly self-contained one-off adventure, but it does such a terrible job justifying its existence that the entire thing comes of as a giant waste of time. Not that the main story was any good to begin with, but at least it felt like it had a reason to exist. A terrible, shitty, incel-pandering reason, but a reason nonetheless. Which makes it even more bizarre how this season actually tries to reign its more toxic aspects in, almost like the author finally realized that having the relatable protagonist be a literal slave owner might be a bad look and tried to course-correct midstream. Not that it succeeded all that well but, you know, an attempt was made. I dunno, man, this was just crap. But at least it was crap in a more interesting way than I was expecting, and with a show like Shield Hero, you really can’t ask for more than that.

In the Heart of Kunoichi Tsubaki: 3.5/10

Those of you who’ve been reading my blog for any stretch of time probably know that Teasing Master Takagi-san is one of my favorite rom-coms of recent years. It’s so goddamn adorable I feel like my cheeks are going to fall off whenever I watch it. Unfortunately, that same charm is nowhere to be found in this adaptation of a manga from the same author. The whole premise of a village of ninja girls who’ve never seen a man and yet one starts getting romantic feelings towards them rests on this weird assumption that once a girl hits puberty, she’s just inherently going to conform to heterosexual capitalist standards for how one should view love and desire. The protagonist literally has no frame of reference for the opposite sex and yet she gets all gushy over them like she burns through ten shoujo romance manga a week. And don’t get me started on how this show doesn’t seem to realize that gay and aro/ace people exist. Girls falling for guys is just treated as innate to everyone (and yet there’s weirdly a lot of yuribaiting as well? Not sure how that makes sense). Add to that the incredibly skimpy outfits on a cast of girls who are all, like, ten years old, and the whole thing comes off just as gross as Akebi’s Sailor Uniform last season. God, Cloverworks really needs to put its talents to better use.

Love After World Domination: 4.5/10

I honestly feel bad for Love After World Domination. It’s a unique enough twist on a rom-com- the hero of a super sentai team starts a relationship with the bad guys’ smoking hot second in command and they date on the down-low- and despite my fears that the premise could only sustain a few episode at most, it remained fresh throughout its run. In any ordinary season of anime, I think I would’ve been way more positive towards this show. But this was no ordinary season of anime. This was a season stuffed to the gills with stellar rom-coms, rom-coms that blow literally everything about Love After World Domination out of the water. It’s not as well animated as Kaguya-sama, not as consistently funny as Demon Girl Next Door, and nowhere near as adorable as Komi-san. And compared against those titans, its charms become harder to appreciate, while its flaws- the main couple isn’t really interesting outside of being a couple, there are too many eye-rolling fetish characters- become much more apparent. Perhaps in another timeline this show could’ve been able to work its magic, but as is, it sadly must settle for being the least interesting rom-com in a season bursting with them.

Deaimon: Recipe for Happiness: 4.5/10

So, remember Barakamon? Remember how that show’s premise was an idiot failson moving away from the big city to rediscover his passion while unexpectedly becoming a surrogate dad figure to a young girl? Well, Deaimon feels like it’s trying to recapture that same magic, albeit as a much more low-key tempo. This isn’t the boisterous, lively countryside that defined Barakamon; this is a chilled-out, pleasantly sedate depiction of life at a family-run bakery in the middle of Kyoto. It’s a show you watch not for the plot, but for a weekly dose of mellow vibe and interesting facts about wagashi, the art of traditional Japanese sweets. And I’m hypothetically down for that; unfortunately, Deaimon has a few too many imperfections to really hit the mood it’s going for. Too much time is spent getting to know characters that don’t really matter, too little time is spent on what should be the central relationship between Nagomu and Itsuka, and the show has an awkward understanding of how people talk to each other, resulting in a few scenes that dip into the uncanny valley of human communication. It’s too weightless to be unpleasant, but it’s too unfocused to really leave any sort of impact. Just re-watch Barakamon if you’re in the mood for this kind of show.

Heroines Run the Show: 5/10

God, what a fucking disappointment this turned out to be. Five episodes in, I was fully prepared to call Heroines Run the Show the hidden gem of the season. A wholesome shoujo-adjacent male idol anime that managed to make me cry at the climax of its first arc? With a protagonist voiced by Inori Minase and a cast of lovable characters? I should’ve been able to tell you all this was a feel-good delight that you shouldn’t let slip under your radar. But then the middle of the show gets a little shaky as it tries to explore the pressure put on girls to be cute and almost ends up glorifying it? Except it ends on a good note that avoids the arc’s more worrying aspects, so it seemed like we were still sailing smoothly. But then the final arc tries to tackle overly obsessed idol fans, and it shits the bed so hard it retroactively makes the entire show worse. It has been a long time since I’ve seen an anime self-destruct as badly as Heroines Run the Show, and all the good feelings I used to have about it are now curdled into frustration and anger. As good as that first half was, I can’t in good conscience recommend it anymore thanks to how disgustingly it all turns out. What a fucking waste.

A Couple of Cuckoos (1st Half): 5/10

Sound the alarm, folks: I’m enjoying a harem anime! Sort of. Kinda. Okay, look, it’s probably telling that all the worst parts of A Couple of Cuckoos are the parts intrinsically tied to being a harem anime in the first place. The forced excuses for fanservice, the eye-rolling notion that multiple girls would fall in love with the same potato loser, the fact that the prospective romantic partners include the protagonist’s stepsister god dammit anime why do you keep doing this. Suffice to say, this show is victim to most of its genre’s inherent flaws, and I don’t see that changing anytime soon. You know what else it has, though? Snappy dialogue, surprisingly fun characters, believable and diverse chemistry between the entire main cast, and even some decent drama around the central conceit of blood families vs. adopted families and how different people fit into that paradigm. Take away the harem aspect, and this would be a damn entertaining little high school comedy with enough charm and genuine heart to stick with you. But, well, it is a harem, so all that good stuff has to come packaged with a heaping helping of Anime Bullshit (derogatory). I’ll stick it out to see if the second half picks up at all, but for now, you’re better off waiting to see how it all shakes out before giving this one a shot.

Healer Girl: 5/10

As a longtime theater nerd, I’ve often dreamed of the day we finally got a broadway-style musical anime. Not just an idol show where the songs are all performed in-universe (or idol-adjacent shows like Symphogear or Revue Starlight), but a show where the characters break into full-on song and dance at the drop of a hat to express what they’re feeling. Well, the wait is finally over. Here, at last, is an anime where any conversation can break out into singing and any scene can become a rousing three-part harmony. The musical anime of my dreams has arrived, and its name is Healer Girl. Eeeeeeexcept half of its songs are still performed in-universe anyway, while the songs that do follow the broadway formula are mostly just inconsequential fluff about random moments that don’t really matter. And the show built around those songs doesn’t really have much to offer on its own besides pleasant vibes and a very on-point face game. I dunno, maybe I set my expectations too high since the director of FMA Brotherhood was in charge, but Healer Girl just ends up feeling like a half measure all around. It’s charming enough that I can’t really dislike it, but it’s too insubstantial and unambitious to leave any sort of impact.

Shikimori’s Not Just a Cutie: 5.5/10

So I went on a bit of a roller-coaster ride with this show. Before I watched it, I assumed it would just be another bland seasonal waifu show about selling a marketable girl to the lowest common denominator. Then I started watching it, and I was shocked by how invested I became. Izumi and his princely girlfriend Shikimori had the kind of meaningful chemistry that so few of these “start when the couple is already dating” anime have, and the fun supporting cast had me hyped for a pleasant rom-com delight. But then as I kept watching, it sort of became exactly the show I was afraid it was going to be. Episode after episode suffered from bland characterization and lowest-effort-imaginable scenario building, to the point that it became hard to remember what had happened in any given episode even minutes after I finished watching it. But then the show’s second half starting picking things right back up, and by the time we reached the final episode, it was probably the best version of itself it had ever been. Suffice to say, Shikimori’s Not Just a Cutie is a weirdly complicated show to talk about for how simple it is. All I can say for sure is that when it is on, it damn well holds its own in a very stacked rom-com season, and perhaps that’s enough to be worth giving it a look.

Aharen-san wa Hakarenai: 6.5/10

I think it’s safe to call Aharen-san wa Hakarenai (Loosely translated, it means “Aharen is hard to understand”) the sleeper hit of spring 2022. In a season absolutely lousy with high-profile, high-effort rom-coms, this low-key lark about two weird kids bringing out the best in each other could’ve easily slipped through the cracks. But even without gorgeous production values, a riveting story, or truly outrageous comedy, Aharen-san proved to have real staying power. And I can see why, because while it can’t hold a candle to the likes of Kaguya-sama and Komi-san, this silly little show really struck a chord with me. Most of its humor comes from its deadpan co-protagonists as they bumble through ridiculous scenario after ridiculous scenario without so much as raising an eyebrow, and it hits far more often than it misses. But moreso than its understated goofiness, this show’s secret weapon is its casual, heartwarming acceptance of, well, difference. The titular Aharen reads pretty heavily as on the spectrum, her little brother like to cross-dress with her clothing, there’s a handful of pretty explicitly queer side characters, and the show treats them all with affirmation and kindness. It’s really damn wholesome, and as long as you’re not burned out from rom-coms this season, it’s well worth checking out.

Requiem of the Rose King (2nd Half): 7/10

It’s a damn shame it took Requiem of the Rose King so long to find its footing. The first half, as much as I liked it, was so cramped and inconsistent that it lost most of its audience before it really hit its stride. Well, let me tell you now: if you dropped this show? Pick it back up. Give it another shot. Because once it reaches its second half and timeskips to start re-imagining the events of the Richard III play itself, Requiem of the Rose King becomes really goddamn good. The story has more room to breathe, the machinations of the royal court work better with the show’s limited animation than the battle-heavy first half, and watching all these characters drawn inexorably towards their fate makes for the kind of gripping tragedy you rarely see these days. All of which culminates in a final episode that may well end up being one of the best finales in all of anime this year. Just be aware that this show comes with, like, all the content warnings, as it contains depictions of homophobia, transphobia, sexual assault, and arguably suicidal ideation. If you can stomach a story that tackles such difficult subject matter (not always perfectly, but better than most), then I cannot recommend it highly enough.

Bubble: 7/10

Bubble is the kind of project that was just inevitably going to be awesome from the moment it was conceived. A Weathering With You-inspired supernatural blockbuster romance with Tetsuro Araki in the director’s chair, Gen Urobuchi working on the script, and Hiroyuki Sawano providing the soundtrack? I’m pretty sure the laws of physics make it literally impossible for something like that to turn out anything less than cool as shit. And Bubble certainly is cool at shit, a film of staggering beauty that puts Araki’s trademark hyper-kinetic visual eye to fantastic use. From the gorgeous landscapes to the pulse-pounding midair parkour sequences that define this movie’s action, from the highly expressive character animation to the bonkers spectacle of the final act, Bubble is a feast for the senses in the way that only masters of their craft can truly pull off. The story, sadly, is nothing to write home about; it’s a pretty generic and cliched affair, even if it pulls all those cliches off reasonably well. But that audiovisual splendor still makes it well worth a watch. Turns out you can get away with an uninspired script when the spectacle that script brings to life is this damn good.

Ao Ashi (1st Half): 7.5/10

Do you miss Haikyuu? I miss Haikyuu. And if you’re anything like me, you’ve spent the years since season 4 searching desperately for a sports anime that scratches the same itch, only to come up heartbreakingly short every time. Well, suffer no longer, folks, because Ao Ashi is everything you’ve been waiting for. Okay, it doesn’t look as good as Haikyuu; its workmanlike production doesn’t allow for the kind of orgasmic sakuga heights that made Haikyuu such a breathtaking spectacle. But otherwise? This is everything I’ve been missing about my good volleyball boys. An expansive cast of characters who we get to know naturally over the course of time! An obvious deep knowledge and love for the sport being portrayed (soccer, in this case) and how its mechanics affect the story’s thematic trajectory! A hothead protagonist who must learn to broaden his horizons to achieve his full potential! A soaring soundtrack that would make Haikyuu composer Yuuki Hayashi proud! It’s even got a decent female supporting cast; Hana Ichijou is my precious daughter and I would die for her. Time will tell if the series’ second cours can push it to true greatness, but for now, if you’ve been looking to fill the Haikyuu-shaped hole in your heart, I cannot recommend Ao Ashi enough.

The Executioner and Her Way of Life: 7.5/10

It finally happened, folks. We finally have another genuinely great isekai. After so many piles of crap and utterly unmemorable pieces of cardboard, this genre turned out something awesome. And all it had to do was literally murder the self-insert male MC in the first episode so it could transform into a rip-roaring yuri action/adventure edgefest. To be clear, though, that kind of subversive brilliance isn’t the only reason I fell for The Executioner and Her Way of Life (but seriously, holy shit was that a great way to kick the usual isekai tropes to the curb). No, what makes this show work is because it has what basically every other isekai lacks: a good goddamn story. The setting is fully realized with its own unique culture, it incorporates the concept of being an isekai world into its worldbuilding in some truly fascinating ways, and the plot perfectly captures the Re:Zero appeal of wild twists cascading on top of each other in rapid succession as they recontextualize what you’ve already seen to fantastic effect. Not that this show is quite as good as Re:Zero- as much as I love Akari and Menou, their story so far hasn’t even neared the heights of Subaru’s journey toward self-actualization- but with how fucking wretched this genre usually is, I’m not gonna look a gift horse in the mouth. Bottom line, Executioner kicks ass, and if we can somehow get four seasons of that fugly skeleton show, then we have no excuse not to keep this one rolling for at least a few seasons more.

Ya Boy Kongming: 7.5/10

Generally speaking, when you get a show with a premise as bonkers as “Legendary Chinese strategist from the Three Kingdoms era gets reincarnated in modern Japan and becomes the manager of an aspiring pop idol,” there’s one of two possibilities. The first possibility is that the creators are just throwing weird shit at the wall for a cheap, cynical attempt at quirky brand recognition. The second possibility, however strange it might seem, is that they actually know what they’re doing. And I’m thrilled to say that Ya Boi Kongming is firmly in the latter camp. It’s a hilarious, heartfelt celebration of the power of music, chasing your dreams, and what it taking to become your best self, full of lovable characters, spectacular song performances, and just the right amount of batshit insanity to compliment such a wacky premise. It honestly makes me feel bad for Zombieland Saga; as much as I’ve enjoyed both seasons of that show, Ya Boi Kongming feels like the fully actualized version of what Zombieland could never quite achieve. I hope PA Works keeps this adaptation going, because these are the kind of good vibes I want to carry with me for many years to come.

Birdie Wing Season 1: 7.5/10

Yeah, I know what you’re thinking. How the hell could an anime about golf- the most boring sport to ever exist- be in any way interesting? Well, I could try and explain it. I could explain how beautifully, confidently ridiculous it is at every turn. I could explain how it hits that pitch-perfect sweet spot of camp where it takes itself completely seriously despite running on the most batshit insane logic imaginable. I could explain how it mines incredible comedy just by using such a dull game as the high-stakes currency of cutthroat underground mafia schemes with enough bonkers future technology to make Seto Kaiba blush. I could even explain how it’s Actually Gay and that automatically makes it a must-watch. But really, no words can do justice to the magic of Birdie Wing. This is a show that must be seen to be believed. So instead, I’ll just ask you to watch this clip from the first episode:

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This is maybe the twentieth most over-the-top thing that happens in Birdie Wing.

Got it? Good. Now go watch this damn thing already.

Dance Dance Danseur: 7.5/10

At first glance, Dance Dance Danseur feels like Mappa's attempt to recapture the Yuri on Ice magic of gorgeously animated bodies in motion. And it certainly accomplishes that: from the animation to the direction to the sound design, the way this show brings the art of classical ballet to life is absolutely stunning. But make no mistake, Dance Dance Danseur is a very different beast than its most obvious comparison. This is a show full of flawed people, immature teenagers who make immature mistakes against a backdrop far more vicious and honest about the world’s evils than I expected going in. It’s a story that dives headfirst into bullying, toxic masculinity, parental abuse, the systemic rot of the ballet world itself, and ways that artists striving for greatness, especially young artists, suffer and hurt each other in pursuit of finding what drives them forward. Does it pull it off perfectly? Fuck no. At times, the choices the characters make are so frustrating you want to reach through the screen and punch them. But as difficult as this show can be to sit through, it makes for some of the most realistic and compelling drama you’re likely to watch all year, drama only heightened by just how god damn gorgeous it all looks. It’s definitely not for everyone, but it’s well worth a look for anyone who can appreciate a story this jagged-edged.

The Demon Girl Next Door Season 2: 8/10

Ganbare, Shamiko! God, I’m so happy this show is back. The Demon Girl Next Door is one of the most underrated anime of the past decade, a gag comedy about a modern-day demon girl who accidentally seduces befriends the magical girl she’s supposed to be mortal enemies with and sets out to try and solve the issues that have left them both in dire straits. What makes this show great, beyond its incredibly fast-moving jokes that take great advantage of the anime’s limited resources, is just how damn good it is as building real emotional meaning into the story those jokes underlie. Few shows are this good at building compelling drama out of people trying to help each other, and while it never grows so heavy that it stops being a comedy first and foremost, that empathetic undercurrent gives this goofy little gag anime a way of really sinking its claws into you. If there’s one big flaw I can criticize it for, this second season makes it pretty clear just how much less compelling the supporting cast is than the two leads. Sure, they’ve all got their own charms, but every plotline that doesn’t involve Shamiko and Momo trying to out-gay each other is a plotline that would really be better spent on Shamiko and Momo trying to out-gay each other. Regardless, I had a blast with season 2, and I hope we haven’t seen the last of these adorable idiots yet.

Spy x Family: 8/10

Was there ever any doubt that Spy x Family was going to be a blockbuster hit? One of the most popular manga of the modern era, adapted by two of the most high-quality anime studios in the business (at least when they’re not destroying themselves with overwork)? You couldn’t get a more surefire success if you tried. And yes, surprising no one, I fell in love with Spy x Family just as much as everyone else. A master spy, a legendary assassin, and a telepathic orphan must forge a fake family for the sake of the spy’s mission, each one hiding their true identity from each other and doing their best to blend in to “normal” society, despite the fact that none of them have a damn clue what being normal actually entails. It’s a fantastic premise executed to near perfection, and the only real negative thing I can say against it (well, aside from the one creepy siscon character) is that this first season has left me unbearably impatient for it to get even better than it already is. This is a show that’s going to end up an all-time classic, and if you somehow haven’t checked it out already, consider this your call to give it a shot. It may not end up on your favorites list, but it’s basically impossible not to fall the slightest bit in love with.

Vampire in the Garden: 8.5/10

I’ll admit, I may be biased on this one. The concept of a post-apocalyptic lesbian vampire frostpunk road trip is so stupidly up my alley, I’d be shocked if I didn’t fall head over heels for it. But fuck it, this is my list, I make the rules. And even putting my personal preferences aside, Vampire in the Garden is fucking spectacular. It’s every bit the gorgeous, tragic melodrama you could ask for, telling the story of a human girl and a vampire queen who flee their warring species together in search of a paradise where they can all live as one people. The action is riveting, the worldbuilding is enthralling, and the bond that forms between Momo and Fine as they travel- and the fascinating way their arcs parallel each other in reverse- sucked me in and broke my heart in a thousand beautiful ways. It’s a fucking crime this OVA only had 5 episodes to tell its story; with a full cours to flesh out the actual journey and explore more interesting pockets of the world, this could’ve been right up there with Wolf’s Rain in the pantheon of anime’s post-apocalyptic masterworks. But even these 5 episodes are more than incredible enough for me to demand all of you to check it out. Studio Wit just does not miss, people.

Kaguya-sama Season 3: 8.5/10

Recently, I’ve come to the conclusion that if I had to choose between compelling protagonists or a compelling supporting cast, I would take the compelling protagonists. Sure, ideally one shouldn’t have to choose, but if the characters at the core of the story are fantastic enough to earn my investment, then I’ll likely gravitate to that story more than if the supporting cast outshines them. And that probably explains why Kaguya-Sama, as incredible a show as it’s become, isn’t going to end up on my favorites list anytime soon. To be clear, Kaguya and Shirogane aren’t bad protagonists by any stretch, and by the climax of season 3′s well-earned romantic buildup, I can finally say I’m invested in them as a couple as well. But I don’t come to this show for the romance at its core. I come for Chika’s batshit insane antics. I come for Ishigami��s shockingly compelling struggle to re-invent himself as a decent human being. I come for Hayasaka flexing on everyone, everywhere, all at once. And, of course, I come for the gonzo visual experimentation that’s quickly making this show second only to Nichijou in the pantheon of anime comedies that use incredible animation to wring maximum hilarity out of every joke. There are endless things to love about Kaguya-Sama; it’s just that Kaguya-Sama herself is probably the least of them. And that’s why, as good as season 3 is, there’s another rom-com that ended up snatching my Anime of the Season trophy right from under its nose...

Komi-san Can’t Communicate Season 2: 9/10

Alright, look: is this show’s supporting cast astronomically weaker than Kaguya-sama’s? Yes. Does it suffer from cast bloat that makes it hard to develop many of its characters beyond one-note jokes? Absolutely. Is Yamai Ren one of the worst... things to happen to anime since Mineta? Boy, you fucking know it. And yet none of that changes the fact that every time I put on an episode of Komi-san Can’t Communicate and see Komi and Tadano adorkably flailing their way through social interaction, my blood sugar levels spike hard enough to put me into cardiac arrest. God, I fucking love these two. I love how this show portrays their journey through self-betterment and self-acceptance. And watching Komi truly start to find her voice in season 2, literally and figuratively, was an experience I wouldn’t trade for anything. At its best, this show is a celebration of the ways that people come together, how we cross the seemingly impossible barriers of social interaction and forge companionship in a million different ways. It’s an achingly sweet, achingly sincere love letter to everyone who’s ever felt a little bit different, a promise that some day, with a little hard work, everyone is sure to find the place where they belong. And for all of its unevenness, that earnestness never fails to make Komi-san Can’t Communicate one of the most delightful watching experiences anime’s ever given us. Now bring on season 3, because if we don’t get to see these goobers actually start dating I will riot.

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recentanimenews · 5 years

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The Top 10 Anime Villains Who Just Won't Die!

Editor's Note: This is a republication of a feature by Nicole Mejias that originally appeared on Crunchyroll News on 5/21/18.

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It’s often said that a good hero needs an equally good villain, and certainly there are many infamous villains to choose from. Rivalries are made, evil plans are thwarted, and the heroes celebrate their hard earned victories with the vanquishing of their foes. However, not every villain is so easy to get rid of, and some linger on long after they’re dead to cause even more problems!

In this list, let's take a look at the top 10 villains who just refused to stay dead, gone, and buried! And as a warning, this article contains a LOT of spoilers, so read with caution!

10. Neferpitou (Hunter x Hunter)

Anime fans can at least celebrate that the vanquishing of Neferpitou didn’t take the quite literal decade that it did in the manga, but the Chimera Ant villain certainly haunted Gon for a long time! Neferpitou had easily killed Gon’s mentor and hero Kite, and reanimated his corpse to use a training toy. Gon, unaware that he was dead, refused to give up on the chance to save his mentor and defeat this extremely powerful enemy. Unfortunately for Gon, Neferpitou vastly outclassed him, as to be expected of one of the Chimera Ant King’s Royal Guards! Neferpitou’s loyalty to the king leads to their undoing, but not before a protracted battle of wits with Gon over the life of Komugi.

Once Neferpitou reveals to Gon that Kite is long dead and unable to be restored, Gon flies into a rage, leading to the iconic scenes where Gon’s Nen ages him, growing his power (and his hair!) to legendary proportions. Outclassed, Neferpitou dies happy, knowing that Gon is unable to get to the king, but even in death Neferpitou haunts Gon further, as their Nen ability Terpsichora activates, seemingly reviving the fallen foe! Distracted and enraged, Gon mercilessly beats his enemy’s corpse until Killua stops him… and falls into a coma, his body nearly destroyed and his life almost snuffed out from the battle! It takes a literal miracle to revive Gon much later, and it’s safe to safe Neferpitou won’t be forgotten by Gon or us any time soon!

9. Petelgeuse Romanee-Conti (Re:ZERO)

Petelgeuse is surely a memorable villain from an aesthetic point of view with his distinct looks and voice, but the way in which he easily defeats Subaru, causing the protagonist to despair that there may be no good outcome against this foe, is one of the defining storylines of Re:ZERO. Petelgeuse seems to have Subaru figured out, and no matter how many times Subaru resets the timeline, he always seems to come up short against the foe, watching his friends suffer and die in various awful ways each time he tries to find a new route to victory.

Not only that, but Petelgeuse almost seems able to guess Subaru’s special ‘reset’ ability, and nearly succeeds in possessing him and ending the story for good! It isn’t until numerous deaths and resets that Subaru develops a working plan, and even then Petelgeuse nearly destroys Subaru. As Subaru writes “The End” in Petelgeuse’s gospel in his own blood, the deranged priest is finally killed after his body is crushed and torn to pieces! We’ll have to wait and see what type of impact Petelgeuse really left on Subaru, but to be sure he was the most difficult foe so far, and on that certainly left Subaru a changed man!

8. Junko Enoshima (Dangan Ronpa)

We warned you about spoilers above, so if you’re still reading and are interested in checking out Dangan Ronpa unspoiled, we suggest you turn back now! In the Dangan Ronpa series (both anime and games) there’s no one quite as twisted and evil as Junko Enoshima, the mastermind behind the initial murder game, as well as the leader of a cult dedicated to bringing her twisted sense of despair to the world! Junko seemingly dies right away in Dangan Ronpa, only for it to be later revealed that it was her own sister who she happily murdered! Junko reveals herself as the mastermind behind Monokuma, having lead the students to murdering each other and laughing all the way!

Despite being killed at the end of the first Dangan Ronpa, the second game (which didn’t have an anime, sadly!) reveals that Junko lives on as Junko Alter, a computer virus seeking to continue her twisted legacy! In the second anime series, Danganon Ronpa 3, Junko appears in both the Despair and Hope routes, showing us how she gained her position of power and set up the initial game. And in the Hope route, Junko’s ghost seems bewildered to watch the antics of the cast’s struggle, before fading away, hopefully forever. Junko may not be the most ‘hands on’ villain, but she’s certainly a troublesome one who caused a literal world of despair, and whose legacy seems poised to last long after she’s dead.

7. Tao Pai Pai (Dragon Ball / Dragon Ball Z)

Usually, a returning villain is a major hindrance to the protagonist, presenting them with constant roadblocks to success. That’s not quite the case for Tao Pai Pai, who goes from being one of the deadliest foes Goku ever met to a comically inept weakling. First appearing during Goku’s attempts to gather the Dragon Balls at the employ of Commander Red, Tao Pai Pai is one of Goku’s first truly dangerous opponents. Tao is shown to be cunning, cold, and murderous, killing numerous people simply because he wants to, and almost kills Goku! Goku eventually defeats Tao, and if not for the assassin’s cowardly attempts to get the last laugh, might have lived unscathed; instead, Goku deflects his grenade back to him, leaving Tao for dead.

Later, however, it turns out Tao Pai Pai is far from dead, re-appearing with cybernetic upgrades and bent on killing Tien and Goku! Vastly outclassed by the powerful Tien, he doesn’t show up again until the Cell Games in Dragon Ball Z as little more than comic relief, but still as evil and conniving as usual!

6. Toguro Brothers (Yu Yu Hakusho)

There probably isn’t a more iconic villain in Yu Yu Hakusho than Younger Toguro and his demonically powered muscled form, but even without that recognition, these two Toguros are a thorn in Yusuke and company’s side for the entire series, with Elder Toguro being the longest recurring villain in the show! First showing up during the Spirit Detective arc of the show, the Toguros are a formidable pair of bodyguards to the despicable Tarukane. In a fierce battle against Yusuke and Kuwabara, the pair of heroes are barely victorious against the powerful brothers, and it seems as if Kuwabara has killed Younger Toguro with a sword to the chest.

Shortly after, however, we learn that really wasn’t the case, and sure enough the Toguros re-emerge, forcing Yusuke and the others to fight in the Dark Tournament! Toguro constantly pushes Yusuke to become more powerful, and seems to get his wish, eventually dying to Yusuke’s powered up form. However, the Elder Toguro survives after being presumed dead, reappearing from inside the body of Gourmet during the Chapter Black saga! While his brother only seemed impossible to defeat, Elder Toguro truly seems to be immortal, and it takes a cunning attack by Kurama to sentence the Elder Toguro to a life of never ending punishment, where he can’t hurt anyone again!

5. Orochimaru (Naruto / Naruto Shippuden / Boruto)

When we think of returning villains, Orochimaru is certainly pretty high on that list, perhaps redeemed by the fact that he seems to make amends for his villainy by the end of the series, appearing in Boruto as a neutral character (so far). Still, many anime fans probably can’t forget the first time Orochimaru slithered into the story, and his constant meddling and capture of Sasuke lead to one of the most iconic moments in the entire series: Naruto vs. Sasuke. Orochimaru certainly made himself known throughout the series, utilizing his ability to body hop and revive himself numerous times before being seemingly sealed away and defeated by Itachi.

That sense of victory was short lived, however, as Sasuke himself releases Orochimaru to get answers. This proves to be a turning point for the snake ninja, as he realizes Sasuke is now far too powerful to possess, and instead the once head villain of the series begins his path to something resembling redemption. That said, who knows where Boruto will go, so Orochimaru might end up going back to his old tricks once again...

4. Shou Tucker (Fullmetal Alchemist [2003])

Now if this list were the Top 10 Worst Human Beings Ever, Shou Tucker would certainly be #1 with a bullet (or an alchemically powered hand through the face). However, Shou’s return in the original Fullmetal Alchemist anime was a total (and unwanted) surprise, as the series deviated from the manga quite a bit. While Scar had the pleasure of killing Shou in the manga, in the anime Shou vanishes into ‘military custody’... until he suddenly re-emerges as a chimera!

Shou’s mind is more gone than it was the first time, obsessed with trying to revive his daughter… the same one he turned into a chimera. Shou doesn’t meet his maker this time either, being left in the anime an obsessed failure trying to regain what he lost. We won’t really spend time trying to rationalize this despicable man’s actions, but suffice to say fans at the time were thoroughly shocked to see this terrible man-thing appear again!

3. Char Aznable (Mobile Suit Gundam)

It wouldn’t be far to claim that without Char, Mobile Suit Gundam may not have been as successful as it was. Amuro was an amazing, if flawed, protagonist, and he desperately needed an equally flawed and interesting rival. Char Aznable was easily able to take that position, and the Zeon pilot wreaked havoc on Amuro, pushing the Newtype to defeat him. Char is last seen giving Kycilla Zabi a unique one bazooka salute, before himself disappearing in the impending explosion. However, during the events of Zeta Gundam, a mysterious and charismatic man by the name of Quattro Bajeena shows up. Char’s alias is almost too heroic, coming across as one of the most helpful and good characters in the series, but as with most things dealing with Char, his motives are never that easy to discern.

Char re-emerges as himself during the events of Char’s Counterattack, and he and Amuro resume their rivalry, this time seemingly finishing each other off as their Psycoframe equipped suits overload, leaving both men MIA and presumed dead at the end. However, as of Gundam Unicorn, it seems part of Char is still around, emerging as Full Frontal. The conclusion of Unicorn sees the original Gundam Newtypes are reunited in spirit form, and Char, Lalah, and Amuro seemingly reconcile, ready to finally fade away.

2. Frieza (Dragon Ball Z / Dragon Ball Super)

While Goku had faced numerous powerful foes in both Dragon Ball and Dragon Ball Z, Frieza may be the most iconic and infamous foe, cementing the series as a fan favorite and introducing fans to Super Saiyan Goku, having pushed the fighter to his limits. Frieza is one of the deadliest foes Goku ever meets, and a truly despicable and selfish person, concerned only with achieving immortality and taking over the universe, or killing everyone in it! Goku eventually defeats Frieza, leaving him to potentially survive, until the selfish alien seemingly kills himself with his own desperate final attack. However, when things seem to have calmed down on Earth, Frieza (now cybernetically enhanced!) returns… only to be quickly cut down by Trunks!

Frieza appears a few times during the Majin Buu saga, but mostly as a commentator on the fight against Buu, and has been seemingly finally vanquished… until the movie Resurrection of F! Having escaped Hell, Frieza re-appears on Earth, and his new Golden Frieza form once again makes him an imposing foe. However, his usual failings cost him again, and is this time defeated by Vegeta and Goku. However, this would still not be the end for him, as the Universe Survival Saga sees Frieza return… as a good guy?! That’s right, sort of! Frieza agrees to help Goku in the Universe Survival Tournament on the condition that he get revived. In true Frieza fashion, it becomes hard to figure out what his intentions really are, but in the end he and Goku make an odd couple pairing that, with the help of Android 17, save the day (Frieza even sacrifices himself!). But, as of the closing scenes of Dragon Ball Super, Frieza probably hasn’t learned much, so it’s likely we’ll see him clashing with our heroes once again!

1. Dio (JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure)

If you already guessed the #1 spot on this list, congratulations! If you not, well, we won’t make that joke, but you probably know the one we mean! Sometimes a villain truly makes a series, and Dio is definitely that villain. While the heroes of JoJo’s various arcs are all great, they wouldn’t be half as compelling without the truly awful Dio to stand against. And even when Dio isn’t the central villain, his influence is lingering in the background. From his initial rise to immortality against Jonathan Joestar to eventually stealing the body of his hated rival to the revival of the Pillar Men brought on by people’s fascination with the Stone Masks to the return of Dio in Stardust Crusaders, Dio and the Joestars are forever linked in combat.

But even when the spotlight drifts from Dio in Diamond is Unbreakable, his machinations with the nature of Stands leads to the Arrow finding its way to Morioh-Cho and wreaking havoc as new stand users emerge! And, while they haven’t been animated yet, we’ll just simply say that Dio’s influence in the future JoJo storylines is not to be underestimated… When you least expect it, Dio might just strike again!

Do you have any favorite seemingly immortal villains that heroes just can’t seem to get rid of? Let us know in the comments!

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Nicole is a features and a social video script writer for Crunchyroll. Known to profess her love of otome games over at her blog, Figuratively Speaking. When she has the time, she also streams some games. Follow her on Twitter: @ellyberries

By: [email protected]

#Anime #News #Latest in Anime News by Crunchyroll!

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recentanimenews · 6 years

Text

The Top 10 Anime Villains Who Just Won't Die!

In this list, let's take a look at the top 10 villains who just refused to stay dead, gone, and buried! And as a warning, this article contains a LOT of spoilers, so read with caution!

10. Neferpitou (Hunter x Hunter)

9. Petelgeuse Romanee-Conti (Re:ZERO)

8. Junko Enoshima (Dangan Ronpa)

7. Tao Pai Pai (Dragon Ball / Dragon Ball Z)

6. Toguro Brothers (Yu Yu Hakusho)

5. Orochimaru (Naruto / Naruto Shippuden / Boruto)

4. Shou Tucker (Fullmetal Alchemist [2003])

3. Char Aznable (Mobile Suit Gundam)

2. Frieza (Dragon Ball Z / Dragon Ball Super)

1. Dio (JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure)

Do you have any favorite seemingly immortal villains that heroes just can’t seem to get rid of? Let us know in the comments!

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By: [email protected]

#Anime #News #Latest in Anime News by Crunchyroll!

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