#but i don't think i would call her overwhelmingly a selfish character

[fushiglow]

What do you think of Toji Fushiguro?

What do I think of him? I think a whole lot of things!

I'll always feel anger towards Toji for choosing to lead a selfish life which actively hurts others and disregards his responsibilities towards those who rely on him. Even if he didn't particularly care about Megumi (which I'm not saying was the case), he cared about Megumi's mother. It's clear that she would have wanted her son to be safe and loved so, if nothing else, Toji disrespected her memory when he left his three year old son to fend for himself.

All that said, the word that I overwhelmingly associate with Fushiguro Toji is 'grief' — for him and for every character whose life he touches. It's hard to look at him with sympathy because he brings pain and misery wherever he goes, but it all begins with his pain and misery, and that's why I'll always find it in my heart to feel sorry for him.

Toji is the beat of the butterfly's wings that sets the entire story into motion. The poisonous effects of his actions are felt most by those who suffer them firsthand (Riko, Getō, Gojō) but there isn't a single character in Jujutsu Kaisen that goes untouched by the pain he inflicts. Although the poison dilutes with distance from the events of Hidden Inventory, it still lingers years later.

We don't really see enough of Toji outside of the Hidden Inventory arc to associate him with anything but pain and misery, and I think that's really sad. There isn't a human alive who can be summarised by their actions during such a short period of time. There's always more to the story and — although his mistreatment by the Zen'in clan doesn't excuse what he did — this goes for Toji, too.

We're all products of our circumstances to some degree. To me, every child is a bundle of unlimited potential when they're born, but what happens to that potential depends on the adults in their life. People have called me naïve and idealistic for believing that everyone is capable of great things with the right support, but I actually think Jujutsu Kaisen explores this idea explicitly — it's directly alluded to in the original Japanese title of Hidden Inventory・Premature Death.

To me, Toji is the epitome of wasted potential, to the point that I've wondered if the 'broken jade' of 玉折 (Premature Death) is referring to Toji as well as Getō. He could have been brilliant if he'd grown up outside of the Zen'in clan — and that's what Megumi represents (although it's not looking good for him right now, I do hope he'll ultimately break the intergenerational curse and live up to his potential).

So, all in all, Toji is a victim of jujutsu society just like everyone else in this series. But damn, I'm still mad at him.

[formashimataichi]

Do you think Chihaya is selfish?

Yes and no. 

I think Chihaya is selfish in the sense that she’s hungry for the game. It’s her first real opportunity at having a dream for herself, and karuta is also incredibly exciting for her, so she tries to envelop her entire life within it. That means pulling people into her sphere who don’t necessarily understand karuta or its emotional merits (the most obvious example here being Taichi), which can then sometimes lead to her being unaware of said people’s personal problems, because her focus is primarily on sharing karuta and enjoying it with them. (There’s also obviously the matter of her learning how to play properly as part of a team, because she’s been used to individual play for so long, but I personally don’t think that’s as glaring an issue after their first year.) That being said, I don’t agree that she’s a willingly selfish person, as a huge portion of the fandom unfortunately likes to claim. When problems she may have caused for others are brought to her attention, Chihaya is overwhelmingly remorseful and does her best to hold herself accountable and to understand how she may have caused harm or been insensitive to someone’s feelings. She’s a very kind and empathetic person, and that’s part of what makes her desire to spread karuta to everyone she knows so endearing (at least to me), because it comes out of a place of genuine love and desire to see the game make others as happy as it’s made her. I feel like the way she goes about sharing karuta with her friends is actually quite selfless, because again, it’s not just about her own enjoyment—she’s very keen on spreading this happiness that she experiences to the people around her, even if her intentions are initially a bit naïve. Plus, Chihaya never intends to use any of her friends as stepping stones to her goal. In fact, that’s precisely what hinders her for the longest time, because she’s so worried about making sure her friends love the game that she can’t even wholeheartedly focus on her own dreams first. Her passion for the game evolves into being rooted in her compassion for others, and this is something a lot of readers fail to recognize. It’s kind of like how Hyoro initially believed Chihaya was someone who looked down on less-skilled players, only to later realize that she aims relentlessly for the top because she recognizes how lonely the people there are. It ties into her arc reflecting the need for her to be selfish in order to be selfless—she has to relentlessly pursue her own dreams to set her up to best support and inspire the people around her. It’s never Chihaya’s intention to bog people down or to rob them of enjoyment through the game, and that’s why a lot of the fandom narrative around her tends to bother me, because they pin other characters’ problems almost entirely on her behavior, when she’s only a fraction of the issue. So much of her narrative follows her holding her friends’ and mentors’ support close to her heart and wanting to pay it back tenfold. I wish more people appreciated that aspect of her character. 

[davids-cartoon-corkboard]

Let’s talk about Flo! What does she want, and how will the power of her Stone help her get it?

What I really like about Flo is that she isn’t a villain, even though she was an antagonist for the first chunk of the season and has some traditionally villainous traits.

Her character introduction in “Stones of Power” has her tell Jo to get off the phone and get back to work- and the target audience is overwhelmingly going to sympathize with Jo over Flo, so it would have been easy to paint Flo as the Mean Bad Unreasonable Tyrannical Authority Figure and leave it at that. But Jo has dyed hair and unconventional piercings and stylishly ripped pants, so to a certain extent Flo is allowing her to do her own thing, rather than micromanaging her life for the sake of the diner’s precious image.

And yeah, she did try to physically tackle Kid, but he was breaking shit and jumping around on the countertop with his grubby shoes and whatnot. Of course she wants this rowdy little safety hazard out of the diner!

That she was the only non-powered person to square up against the DDDoD in “Big Win” further underlines her protectiveness, and that she specifically calls it “[her] mother’s diner” instead of “her diner” indicates her hardassery isn’t egotistical in nature.

This does have its downsides; she shouldn’t have prioritized a bunch of dishes over her own safety, especially after doing so got her injured! (Niña Gigantica)

And "I don't care about the universe! All I care about is this place and the people inside it." almost certainly foreshadows that she’s willing to compromise or even sabotage the mission if it means keeping everyone safe.

Flo is very practical; once the DDDoD were defeated, she immediately started thinking about how the Stones “could be good for business”. And while offering the five aliens breakfast in “The Day is Saved” was a nice thing to do, she was also lowkey in Advertising Mode.

“Mo’s Oasis: Like No Other Place Is! :D”

At first I thought Flo's Stone would be some shade of blue like her dress and fancy dish set, but that Mo is wearing the same color in the diner's old photos suggests Flo is wearing it as an homage to Mo, rather than it being "her" color. Instead it will be Pink like her cowboy boots, old photo outfit, and pajama shirt.

Flo wants to be in control of the situation; she’s authoritative, ambitious, and a tad selfish. She struggles dealing with misbehaving kids and plans going awry. The rest of the townsfolk followed her lead in “Big Win” and it took a lot of effort on Jo’s part to turn them away from surrendering the rings. And, of course, she has Hamburg and Fry for a Bumbling Henchmen Duo. Flo’s Stone will give her the traditionally villainous power of Mind Control.

What a delightful moral quandary that sets up! Having and using the power to override someone’s free will and force them to do your bidding is a slippery slope, and Flo needs to be very careful not to slip. “Stop attacking us” and “tell us about your overlord’s plans” are probably fine. “Falsely report back to your overlord” and “sabotage your overlord’s doomsday device” are probably fine too, who cares if said overlord gets mad at some random minion? “Attack your overlord to distract him so we can escape” is... probably... fine, it’s unfortunate that some hapless minion is gonna get tossed in the dungeon for treason but if that’s what keeps the Local Heroes out of danger then so be it.

And so on and so forth, but eventually Flo’s going to consider sending an enemy on a mission that will definitely get them killed. As they stand at the ready (trembling just a little), eyes glazed and awaiting orders, Flo thinks of Chuck. He used to be just like this person, one among thousands of disposable foot soldiers. Would she do to Chuck what she is thinking of doing to them? Sure, she doesn’t know this one, but does that really matter? Don’t they deserve a chance? Isn’t that what Papa G is always talking about?

She sighs and bonks the alien on the head. “Find somewhere to hide and pretend to be knocked out until one side wins. What you do after that is up to you.”

They nod and run off. Flo watches them go, twisting the ring around her finger as she reflects on the past uses of her power.

And then she sets some rules. As a mother and a business owner, she’s good at setting rules. It takes a while for her to decide what she will and will not use her powers for, but once she draws that line she will not cross it; because Flo has standards, Grop damnit, and it’s never going to be easy but she will stick to them.

---

(Carl) (Carlos and Ramona) (Carla)

(Hamburg and Fry) (Flo: You Are Here) (Chuck)

[yanderehetalia]

May I have anything mermaid-related with your favourite character? I don't care who I just crave mermaids and your writing. It's a very specific craving.

Though the salty waters of the sea had done you well in the beginning, time is a cruel mistress, and decay was slowly but surely clouding over your lifeless figure, how unfortunate. Luciano toyed with your hair, reminiscing over the past. The past that had looked so promising…

You’d heard the tales of mermaids several times before, mermaids that would pull in and drown anyone that got too close, anyone who was either stupid or friendly enough to think that a mermaid was anything more than a man-eating monster. Stubborn as you were though, tales did nothing go right out the other ear, that is why the warm, turquoise Mediterranean looked so inviting, rather than eerie and tense as most people in your town thought it to be. 

Stalking away after finishing the laundry, you scamper down to the rocky beach, hot pebbles prompting you faster still to the waters’ edge. Lifting your hefty skirt, you stick your toe in, man it was nice. You slide into the cool waves to your knees, enjoying the soft currents. 

You begin to drift, but a small splash pulls you from your blissful trance. Ripples in the water a few feet in front of you confirm your suspicions, something was there. Perhaps a fish? Or a mermaid like everyone warned you about? Ha, what a goofy idea, a mermaid. You wonder what kind of fish it is, would it be tasty? You’ll show everyone, there are no mermaids, you’ll catch this fish and eat it in front of everyone and prove that the water is safe. You jump in, the water making you squeal, after wading out like stiff as a stick, you feel your body accommodate to the temperature, and you liked the way your dress flowed in the water. Another splash made you ship around, it was much closer this time, you giggle. You pounce on where it came from, disappointed to feel no fish. You feel your dress get tugged from behind you, you throw yourself back, your fingertips brush something scaly, there it is. Suddenly a force pushes your head down, your face brushes the water. Bobbing back up you turn to more ripples, what an odd fish. You puzzle to yourself for a moment, what kind of fish does this? A voice sounds behind you.

“This was a fun game! I’m glad you could play with me, but I have to go now.” You shriek and almost fall back, A young boy was behind you, Tan with reddish brown hair and enchanting magenta eyes.

“Who are you? I’ve never seen you before, are you from a different village?” You ask, smiling at this strange little boy. He looks at you weird for a second, before cracking a smile himself.

“I see, you think I’m human.” Inspecting closer, you notice his rows of teeth all possessed knife-like sharp points, this was no boy. You start to back up, and he ducks under the water, you turn to run(well, kinda) to the shore line, but the boy pops back up in front of you. “I never got to tell you who I was, silly.” he giggles, taking your hands in his “I’m sure you’ve realized now that I’m not like you, but I promise that I only want to be your friend!” You stare at your hands, connected with his, and then meet his eyes, this would be an even better way to show your town, not only will you meet a mermaid, you’ll befriend one.

“Ok then, sure, I’ll be your friend!” you squeeze his hands, he squeezes back.

“Great! Wanna come back out tomorrow to play again? I’ll let you win next time too~” He teases, a playfully evil grin on his lips.

“Ok I will, see you then!” You climb out of the water, your soaking dress dripping cooling the rock beneath your feet.

Yeah, you were Luciano’s first friend, you two practically grew up together. Anything you knew, he knew, and vice-versa. He smiled with you at your best times, cried with you at your worst, and even risked his life climbing onto the shore when you’d fallen into a nasty depression after your dad died.

It’d been weeks, everyday He would come to the shore to see if you were there or to at least see if he could call out to you, but nothing. He wondered if you’d maybe have died, but his heart couldn’t handle that. He could see your house from the a certain place on the waters’ edge, but far enough he couldn’t risk yelling for you. He assumed it had something to do with your father, He’d gotten sick about a month ago and passed away, it completely destroyed you. It saddened him so much to see you like that, he’d grown overwhelmingly fond of you, a thought of a certain sort had crossed his mind a few times, but he always dismissed it, a relationship like that was absolutely and totally forbidden. one night, he floated to the shore view of your house, a flickering candle light was on, he would have paid no mind if it had not been in what you had pointed as your room. He pondered if he could make it. He missed you so much, it felt like he was drowning all the time, just because you were depressed gave you no right to make him so as well, especially when he wanted to make you better.

He made the decision. Heaving himself onto the rocks, still warm from the day’s sun. He dragged himself up the hill, panting and starting to dry up, he had several hours, but the time when he could actually move and not just lie there waiting to die was limited. His tail was the best thing there was in the water, but the land did it no favors, and it was possibly an hour and a half before he was at your window, peeking in, he saw you staring blankly at the wall across from your bed. He pokes his head in, disturbing the light and drawing your attention, you glance to the window and almost scream, but stop yourself. You scramble to your window.

“What are you doing here! How did you get here! Can’t you not leave the water!?” You whisper, scanning his face and body.

“Calm down, I’ll be fine, I can be out of the water for a little while but I’ll have to leave soon, I just wanted to see you, you haven’t come down in so long…” He replies sadly.

“I-I haven’t had the energy. . “

“The energy! It’s just down the hill! And you’re as young as I am! If I can pull myself up this damn hill without any legs you can come down this hill with some.” He finishes, but immediately feels bad at the expression on your face. “Please. I’m sorry I was harsh, but you’re the only thing in this world I like. My cousins are all dicks and my parents are gone, my only other relative is my grandfather, but he moves around a lot and barely see him.” You look up to his face again.

“Your parents are dead?” He nods “I guess I was a bit selfish, my father is the only one who is dead, but your life sounds rough too. My mom is desperately searching for a new husband, we can’t live with just her providing, so I’ve had to help some as well, but there’s been time when I could have come down but I didn’t. That was mean.” You smile weakly. He feels bad for making you feel bad,

“It’s fine, I just wished you could have told me, then I wouldn’t be wondering if you were dead, we all deal with mourning differently, family has never done much for me so I’m sure I got off with their death more easily than you did, please don’t beat yourself up for me.” He puts a hand to your face, your eyes meet and he makes either the best or the worst decision of his life. He darts his other hand out and grabs the other side of your face, pulling your lips into his. It was the moment he realized he loved you more than life itself, he would throw himself away just to make sure you were alright, risk his life to see you even one more time. He pulls away, you look stunned. He lets you go and uses all of his weight to throw himself back down the hill, rolling all the way to the shore and then rocking himself back into the water. He peeks up, you were still sitting by the window, stunned.

He smiles thinking of that kiss, brushing his finger over your lips, unfazed when a small chunk of them break off and float away into the sea. It had all been so perfect that night, never mind the next morning when you’d come down you either forgot about it or just never mentioned it. But you were back, and he was happy again, sure it was the last major bump, he stupidly let his guard down. And then he intervened.

Luciano was already waiting when you came skipping down to the sea, the most dazzling smile on your face. He couldn’t help but smile as well when you plopped down on the rock, excited squeals seemingly dripping from your tongue. He barely even had the chance to say hello before you were off on a story, one that appeared to be normal, so he wasn’t quite sure what the point was until an unfamiliar name was dropped.

“Wait wait hold on, who was that?” He asked, hoping to god it wasn’t a boy.

“Feliciano.” You reply warmly. It was a boy.

“And who is this Feliciano.” He inquires further.

“If you’d let me finish the story, you’d find out fish man” You wink and continue, but Luciano was no longer as interested as he was before. This boy, you were obviously fond of him, and that could only mean one thing. A depression hit him like the nastiest most violent waves in a merciless storm, you’d probably marry this boy, move inland and forget about him, he couldn’t let this happen.

“So,” He starts, wanting to deter you from this boy.”Do you like him?”

“Wait like, LIKE like him?” You ask, the look crossing Luciano’s face confirmed. “No, not really, I mean he’s nice and attractive, but not really my type? I don’t know, just know that you’re still my favorite guy so don’t be too threatened.”

“Glad to know, I was afraid you’d trust him too early and he’d turn out to be some creep. I’ve heard stories from other mermaids that sometimes a man will get a woman interested in him, marry her shockingly early in the relationship and then stage an “accident” for her so he gets her families’ bounty, then he just continues around that cycle until he retires rich.” He sees your face drop, perfect. He hated doing something like this to you, but it was for your own good.

“You’re right, he does seem to be well off and a flirt…” You seem dejected, but he knew he could help you feel better.

Luciano thought that would take care of it, but every time you would come down to him you always had a new story about your time with Feliciano, and every time he would try to put doubts in your mind, it worked too, but less and less each time, he knew it was over when you said you were going up north with Feliciano for a week, he didn’t know why he didn’t do something then, it would have spared him the pain of seeing that shiny ring.

You sprinted down the hill, splashing in the water to pull your finned friend out, when he finally did emerge, you got in the water and hugged him, shaking him about, laughing and cheering. He pries himself from your grip, your hair in your face, flushed with pink and the cutest smile on your face, he was sad he knew it wasn’t for him. He almost threw up when you extended your hand yo reveal a sparkling ring. Not wanting to upset you, he pulls his best fake smile.

“I’m getting married!” You yell happily, sure your friend would congratulate you and hug you as well, albeit begging you to stay living next to the sea. Instead, when you let go of the hug you were not met with your expectations, instead, Luciano looked sad, angry, and at the same time emotionless. He finally spoke. 

“I didn’t have the guts to tell you earlier, if I had maybe we could have avoided this.” His eyes were shaded by his bangs, he bobs under the water, a splash coming from behind you. You turn around, Luciano looks up, his eyes now red and glowing, exactly how your elders had described a mermaid going in for the kill. Fear fills your veins, he was your friend, right? RIGHT?

“Luciano… what’s wrong, why do you look like that…” you back up, now on your tip toes, you shuffle to the side.

“I’m sorry, but if I can’t have you, then nobody can, especially not some wimpy mainland prick!” Luciano lunges for you, holding you tightly to his chest as he drags you to the bottom.

You’d struggled, you’d kicked, but in the end of course it was Luciano that had won, he left that little coastal town after a few days, unable to take the constant sobbing of your mother late at night, the constant search parties calling your name fruitlessly. He missed you. But it was all the best in the end.