#but soryu is worth it

[voltagefangirl19]

So I’ve been deep in danmei lately (particularly with Mo Dao Zu Shi and Scum Villain) so when I re-read this substory I went into fangirl mode, you have no idea how happy I was to be called Da Jie by the dragons <3 <3 <3 I love them sooo much <3 (and Soryu’s smile kills me everytime)

Now I totally need more content of the Dragons as MC's family 🥺

Sub-story: Drunk in love: Soryu

[kkbardd]

Just for tonight, please let me feel wanted.

[animefeminist]

Love Him to Heal Him: Heterosexual wish-fulfillment in Mars and I Sold My Life For 10,000 Yen Per Year

Content warning: discussion of suicide, sexual assault

Spoilers for Mars and I Sold My Life For 10,000 Yen Per Year

There is a meme that recently made its rounds again on X (formerly Twitter) with the caption “the best ship dynamic.” A muscly man drawn in earthen shades stands imposingly to the left. A text informs us that he’s scarred, big, went through a lot, and tries to act tough and emotionless. To his right is a woman, endowed with impossibly big breasts, shadowed only by faint lines of blue and green. She is “just a decent woman” and has motherly vibes. In the lower half, the man lies on the lap of this motherly woman. She tells him, “It’s going to be okay.”

The romantic archetype of the scarred, strong yet secretly sad man being nursed emotionally by a female love interest is one so ubiquitous that such a meme evokes fictional examples near instantly. There are dozens of archetypes—hundreds of male characters—worth loving, but this one endures in anime, manga, and beyond. It speaks to a fantasy about “saving” this broken man. But if he gets saved, what about her? Is she saved by him from whatever sadness she has? Or does she just exist in the narrative to prop him up?

The shoujo manga Mars, written and illustrated by Fuyumi Soryu, and the manga I Sold My Life for 10,000 Yen Per Year, adapted from the novel Three Days of Happiness and published on Shonen Jump+, approach this question—the sad boy— in perpendicular angles. Looking at these series side by side, we can see the same archetype and corresponding fantasy play out in different hues for their specific target audiences, in all its glories and pitfalls.

Read it at Anime Feminist!

[sickenessuntodeath]

EVA Pilots: Psychological Cannibalism

What drives people to seek connection? The pleasure principle. It is the propensity to achieve wholeness. This unity or wholeness yields pleasure, and intense pleasure is happiness. The striving for happiness is at the same time as the avoidance of unhappiness. Consequently, a constant state of happiness is incompatible with the human existence. What can be done is to manipulate the pleasure principle into the reality principle. To delay pleasure into acceptable forms. Through social norms, children learn that they cannot eat their favourite meal every day while adults learn not to consume alcohol before work or have sex in public. However, suffering and pain outweigh happiness. In consequence, people demand a more intense and lengthier state of pleasure. Repeating things that give pleasure and therefore avoid pain completely.

Asuka Langley Soryu: Metaphorical Cannibalism

Asuka's intense drive to prove herself as a top pilot and to gain the approval of others illustrates an insatiable hunger for recognition. This pursuit aligns with the pleasure principle, as her desire for validation fuels her relentless ambition. Asuka often metaphorically cannibalizes people through parts of their identities, particularly with Shinji and Rei, seeking to assert her own worth by comparing herself to them. This insecurity also compels her attraction towards Kaji—she wants to be older and consequently stronger. However, this consumption leads to profound feelings of emptiness and alienation. Despite her outward bravado, Asuka's struggle for connection exposes her deep-seated insecurities. When her need for validation is unmet, she experiences a sense of loneliness, emphasising the volatile nature of her pursuits. Asuka’s journey shows how the desire to consume others’ identities can ultimately leave one feeling more fragmented—true fulfilment cannot be found through validation.

Kaworu & Shinji: Cannibalism Out of Love

The pleasure principle revolves around the pursuit of gratification and the avoidance of pain. In extreme forms, cannibalism can represent the ultimate expression of desire, where one desires to consume another for pleasure—whether that be physical, emotional, or symbolic. This consumption reflects a distorted drive for fulfilment, where individuals may prioritize their desires over ethics.

Kaworu's intense desire for emotional intimacy with Shinji accentuates the potential distortions inherent in the pleasure principle. By prioritizing his own longing for connection, even in the face of distress, Kaworu navigates a delicate balance between pleasure and pain. His offer to "become one" with Shinji, while deeply intimate, raises profound questions about autonomy and individuality. This interplay illustrates how the pursuit of wholeness can both improve and complicate human relationships, ultimately contesting the nature of what it means to connect with one another.

Rei Ayanami: Autocannibalism

Rei depicts a fragmented existence in her being a clone and subservience. Her character illustrates the pleasure principle through her quest for wholeness, proposing that true fulfilment comes from embracing one’s complexities rather than consuming the identities of others. Rei's journey can be viewed as an act of autocannibalism—consuming oneself in a search for self-love and acceptance. This self-consumption emphasizes the importance of incorporating different aspects of identity to achieve a sense of completeness. Thus, genuine satisfaction arises from within rather than through external validation.

Gendo Ikari: Cannibalism for Domination

Gendo’s desire for control can be seen as a form of metaphorical cannibalism, where he consumes the emotional and psychological resources of others to fulfil his own desires. His manipulation of Shinji is particularly poignant; Gendo's need for power and validation causes him to exploit his son’s vulnerabilities. This pursuit provides Gendo with a sense of gratification, as he believes he can shape the world and others according to his will. However, this absolute domination comes at a cost. Gendo’s need for control alienates him from those he seeks to dominate, ultimately leading to a lack of true connection. His relationships are marked by a profound emptiness, revealing that the gratification he derives from exerting power is superficial and ultimately unsatisfying.

Cannibalism, in all its forms, serves as a short-term solution to the desire for wholeness. The feelings experienced during and immediately after such acts are fleeting. Whether one is the consumer or the consumed, this experience is intrinsically unstable and cannot be reliably repeated. In short, pursuing fulfilment through such extreme means is volatile.

[silverwarewolf]

🥀 - Favorite unusual compliment? (ie "You're crunchy")

💎 - Favorite thing about yourself? (Appearance, personality, etc)

and

🎀 - What character do you feel represents NPD best?

:3

Yes, yes, thanks for the ask!! For the many questions!! I love answering questions!! Ask game here.

I have the same energy as a hamster who is being studied, sometimes. Which does tie into the first question.

🥀- Well, I love compliments in general. Surprising, right? (/sarcasm). But this is about unusal compliments. There's one that I have gotten textually which was "you need to be studied in a lab," and honestly, yes! It reminds me of that one scene in b99 where Gina has the attention of an entire group of professionals.

There's also the category of compliments that are normal ones but said in a freaked out tone. For example, when I mention some strange and unusual fact and people are like "you're so knowledgeable" but they have visibly been dealt psychic damage by what I just said. It's fun!

Last but not least, frogboiling. "You talk so much about [strange and unusual topic] that I like it now / am desensitized to it / think about it sometimes" is HELL YEAH from me. Alas, I suppose it starts to veer away from "unusual compliment" territory.

💎- I feel like a cat who has been given a sack of catnip?? Hello?? Mm, well. is it cheating when I say "my vibe"? Perhaps if I specifically say "being reliable / dependable / a role model," which I know I am.

I've taught people how to cook / bake. I've taught people how to paint and write and sew. I am always ready to offer good advice, an ear to listen, a shoulder to cry on, etc. I have very sharp senses so I can help people identify smells / flavors / sounds from really far away / who is walking nearby. I know various methods of healing! And uhhh I also think I'd make a great parent someday teaching so many skills - and singing, boy I can't wait to sing lullabies I know they would love my lullabies.

🎀- hmm! hmm hmm hmm let me think... i rarely retain information about characters who are canonically disordered, and there's also the whole "good representation" nuance aspect... not to mention that i'm sure my other disorders also change the ways i act, lmao!

all this to say that this comes from a personal feeling of "oh yeah it would be so tasty if this character had npd, they own it, i love it."

of course, shout out to my boy narcissus who was so upset about the inexistence of clonefucking that he died <- GREATLY EXAGGERATED SUMMARY OF THE MYTH at least the version i know

Okina Matara, from Touhou Project. Ah, I could ramble for hours about this series if given the opportunity, but I shall not. Instead, quote the wiki, she has no mercy for disrespect and graciously blesses those she favors, is ostentatious, prideful, confident, self-centered, a mastermind of incidents, has connections to MANY parts of the lore and mythology, and ultimately her first appearance was all about drawing attention and reverence to herself. Plus, she has a canonical connection to disabilities!

Yukari Yakumo / Maribel Hearn, also from Touhou Project. Ditto, I will mostly quote the wiki. She is a mastermind, has incredible intellect, very abstract and private goals, a facade of whimsy and deceit while also actively enjoying making others fear her, and is generally considered as someone who calls the shots. She also has quite the flowery language. Furthermore, as Maribel, she is othered for her tastes / demeanor / abilities, and textually calls herself a celebrity who should be indulged.

Asuka Langley, from Evangelion. Mainly Soryu, as I've yet to watch the rebuild movies, but from what I hear, they don't change her personality that much. Anyhow. The very explicit need for attention and praise, and huge dependance on her self worth (and others' acknowledgement of her worth) is very npd to me. Granted, given the nature of Evangelion, going in depth about the characters' psyches is... a complex venture.

Lapis Lazuli, from Houseki no Kuni. Oh boy oh boy I LOVE HnK, it has such WONDERFUL themes of body horror and existentialism and peace. Anyway. Quote the wiki. He has a charming, leading personality, extremely smart, curious, and at times manipulative. They have been called surprisingly deceitful (could conceal secrets for centuries). So yeah, I love him.

Ahaha, I rambled on quite a bit, didn't I? Again, thanks for the ask!!

[otastoothbrush]

The bidders at my cookie shop

(i work at a cookie shop soooo😋)

Eisuke

he normally wouldn’t stand in line at a little cookie shop in the mall for a sub pare chocolate chip cookie but the cashier caught his eye (mc obv)

he is one of the only customers who doesn’t complain about the high prices bc he big balling

he first just wanted a chocolate chip cookie maybe a coffee too

but mc persuaded him to do the daily deal of buy 6 get one free

(an obv scam but she can bat her eyes at anyone and make them spend every penny there)

and Eisuke wasn’t any different, he actually bought one of everything

which had mc’s mouth on the floor

(she was honestly pissy bc there was a line forming behind him)

he would overly compliment mc which would have her rolling her eyes

she would try to walk to the back when she saw him coming but he would wait for her to come back up for his order to be taken

after times and times of trying to give her his number she finally takes it

eisuke’s fave cookies: koko creme + the chocolate chip

and ofc he loves mc’s coffee, literally creams for it

Baba

he would be a usual there

he also works in the mall

he works in the little magick shop all the way on the other side of the mall

but the walk is worth it to see the cute cookie shop cashier

(and he doesn’t mind walking, he got those long legs for a reason)

he knows mc by name and ALWAYS asks how mc is before ordering his cookies

he is very charming and subtly flirts to make sure she isn’t uncomfortable

he would always get a red velvet and a cheesecake brownie

(mc literally knows his order by heart he gets the same thing every time, bless his soul)

he usually asks when her break is and if she wants to head down to the food court during it

(she always says yes)

he always tries to pay for mc’s food (and he usually does if mc isn’t looking)

if mc is closing he walks the long way out the mall so he can say goodnight to her

Soryu

man isn’t a cookie person but inui dragged him here

he isn’t even a mall person but once again inui heard about the puppies in the mall and had to go, little did they know a quaint little cookie shop was by it

ofc they stopped when inui saw the spiderman cookie, which he had to get

Soryu ended up getting something like a double fudge brownie or a smores bar

he hits it off well with mc surprisingly, since he wasn’t much into small talk she did to mind taking his order

(other than his deathly stare that sorta scared her)

he really enjoyed the brownies and actually came back without inui

which had mc on edge since soryu didn’t have his little puppy dog beside him

he actually came later in the day so mc gave him some free chocolate chip which weirdly had him blushing

he devoured them, when inui tried to touch them he whipped out his gun

every time he goes back there he gets softer and softer for her

and develops an addiction to the double fudge brownies

Ota

he has a little art kiosk in the mall, he usually sells his art and sometimes draws people he see’s

his little kiosk was right by the cookie shop so he would stare all day at the cookie shop worker

he would watch her hair start to get messy and her take a breather after the long line of customers

he would draw her the most, her puppy dog eyes reminded him of his little dog koro

he would go up there everyday grabbing a yellow mellow and a large decorated cookie

he would usually pick the quirkiest one like the pumpkin with sunglasses

(even though its the middle of august)

and then two m&m cookies bc the splash of color reminds him of his water paintings

he would joke around with mc a lot

even across the mall from his kiosk

if mc had a loud customer he would look over at her with a concerned face

(he actually came up and put a guy in his place for yelling at her)

(he’s weirdly intimidating)

he put some drawings up of mc in his shop but she low-key never noticed

until he brought her one of his drawings of her

(she literally gave him like free cookies for a week bc of it)

Mamo

he isn’t a mall man it’s too much of a pain for him

but one day at the office some one brought in cookies and he was hooked ever since

he would go straight to the mall for the cookies every single day after work

he would usually get the monthly cookie, especially in august its his fave

the blueberry crumble✨

other than that he would get the peanut butter swirl or the sprinkles

he would die for the buttercream

he was usually grumpy so mc would draw little doodles on his coffee cup

(when she stopped he actually said something about it)

he would always try to request the ones straight out the oven, which mc caved multiple times and gave him piping hot ones

(which he burned himself on but played it off)

(now mc is super careful while handing him his cookies and even tosses a joke here and there about it)

he actually is the one that tips mc the best, like he always tips her every single time

(he tried to ask if they sold edibles before, mc was thinking about sneaking something special in her new batch)

Hikaru

he knows mc already and goes there everyday to make her life hell

(he obviously wants to eat her out)

he takes forever to order things even though mc always knows what he wants

but he continues to give her a hard time EVERYTIME

his order is always a watermelon cookie pizza and a peanut butter blossom with a dr pepper

but he likes the extra time he takes to talk to mc

he orders cookie cakes often and puts them under dumbass names like “ben dover” or “Anita dic”

mc once persuaded him to get the raspberry cream cookie and he was not in love with it

it was too “tart” for him

(which mc knew but wanted him to waste 5 dollars)

hikaru is one of those customers to bring up the price of the cookies everytime

“why is this shit 2.36 is there dope in it?”

“what dope are you smoking that is 2.36”

“not good shit”

in the end he is low-key obsessed w the cookies and HIGH-KEY obsessed with mc

Shuichi

after the plant shop he would always stop at the cookie place

usually as shu tho never shuichi

when she does see shuichi she thinks its so funny he has the same order as shu since there so different

chocolate chip pecan, a german chocolate brownie and a black coffee

shu always jokes with mc and usually flirts it up with her

(she really enjoys seeing shu he’s actually lowkey her favorite customer)

unlike shuichi which is her least fave, since how brass he is

he never acknowledges her as a person as shuichi but shu greets her very kindly everytime

every visit he takes, shu and shuichi slowly mold together

one day shuichi brings her a little succulent and thats when she puts two and two together

she gets really embarrassed and has a breakdown in the back

(but now she thinks he’s bipolar or has multiple personalities) (which is totally fine on a real note)

Rhion

very sweet boy and very soft spoken

mc can barely hear him over all the mall noise

his face is always red when he orders he can barely look at mc

but when he does look at mc, he stares

he works in the costume shop and sometimes wears masks to scare her if she doesnt see him coming

(she lowkey thinks he’s weird asf but he’s very kind and cute so she’s fine with him)

his order is a carrot cake cookie and a snicker doodle, he always gets stuff for his coworkers too bc he’s a sweetheart

he tries to give mc free costumes, really wanted her to be Alice for his mad hatter for the last three years in a row

she finally said yes

some days when he would come up to her in his mad hatter get up he would have more courage to talk to her

but she made sure he knew that he could talk to her either way and she would enjoy him

Luke

he would get the gluten free sprinkles

since this man on a PILL DIET LIKE BFFR

but eisuke brought him here and made him get a cookie and not only a coffee

so he went for the overly priced gluten free cookies

and stared at mc’s chest the whole time

he says its not creepy and he’s just admiring her bone structure

(which she still finds very creepy)

luke started to come on his own bc his new pill started being the gluten free sprinkle cookies

he would ask mc to be his model to study her bone structure (ngl she had her boss come out and serve him a couple of times bc she was a little uncomfy)

but one day he was actually the exact opposite, almost came in like he was lifeless which freaked her out a bit

(mf was malnourished asf)

mc literally hand fed him the cookies to make sure he ate

(mf was literally just buying cookies to let them stack up at his house)

MC

girl tries her best to love her job

her favorite thing to do is ice the cookies while she hates to restock

she is a closer who workers many hours and usually spends the whole day at the shop

she literally runs the place lets be for real

her favorite would be the underrated koko swirl and oatmeal rasin

she would take long breaks with baba in the food court bc she deserved it after working opening to closing

she lowkey hates when baba pays for her so everytime she goes to the magick shop she tips extra so it feels like she’s paying him back

she always doodles a cat on her cup when she gets a drink, its her little thing so everyone knows the cup is hers

she gets along the best with her coworkers and honestly gets the best tips

she does have like 9 men fiening over her

which i mean she never really minds bc it helps with the tips

ota and rhion always try to give her cookie designs, which she usually listens too bc their gods with their hands

one time she took mamo in the back of her shop and smoked weed with him

she pretends to hate eisuke but she legit thinks he’s the biggest man candy in the world

[gaelic-diary-holder-returns]

I just want to point out that while people tend to criticize tsundere as a trope the best tsundere characters are the ones who act like that because of trauma not because it's a cutesy gimmick.

Asuka Langley Soryu from Evangelion's self worth is tied to how well she can pilot her mech and is forced to deal with the fact that Shinji is supposedly an amazing prodigy who match her without training.

Rin from Kemurikusa meets Wakaba on the same day her sister dies in a world where anyone who isn't family is a threat to her family.

Claire Francois from I'm In Love With The Villainess grew up with distant parents who were never around for her and then her mother died so she assumes Rae will eventually leave her life too.

I think relationships like that are the real definition of tsundere.

[booklin]

Bidders x Preg! Fem! reader

Fandom: KBTBB

Rating: E-10

Genre: Fluff

Tws: Pregnancy

Notes: If I throw this in as a scene in one of my books and you happen to notice.. NO YOU DIDNT

Baby Files

You and the bidders had been dating for quite a while, things had gone smoothly. Sure, there were ups and downs but that’s with any relationship. All and all, things were calm. Except… they weren’t. Not anymore. Despite how much you shamed yourself, you couldn’t stop eating sweets. You had to have a sweet with every meal. Considering you rarely ate sweets, always self conscious about gaining weight, everyone was taken aback. In fact, their looks were causing so much paranoia you stopped eating anywhere near them. Only eating sweets in your room now, they didn’t fail to notice your other new habits, such as sleeping and becoming stressed over everything. Lately, your work ethic has been terrible, constantly falling asleep. Even your boss couldn’t keep covering for you anymore, alerting Eisuke.

“Okay, I think we can all agree Y/n has been acting strange.” The others nod to Baba’s concern. “She’s been eating sweets everyday. I asked the Chef.” Soryu adds, causing Eisuke to chime in. “And she’s been avoiding us. What could be wrong?” They weren’t sure, and putting their heads together didn’t seem to come closer to finding answers. You were frightened by this new change as well. What could be wrong with you? “Maybe you’re pregnant?” Your friend says after listening thoughtfully to you worries, then laughs. Though, you weren’t laughing. “Pregnant?” You repeat, spacing out at the thought.

Immediately, you rush out of the cafe, leaving your friend behind. What if it’s true? It would explain the cravings. And emotions. And tiredness. And now, a new symptom to add. Throwing up when worried. What a nice cherry on top. Despite not wanting to believe it, you, reluctantly, go to a pharmacy. In disguise, wearing sunglasses, a hoodie, wig, and everything else to keep your identity undetected. Then you grab a test and ask to be rung up in a strained whisper. After discreetly exiting, you shove the box in your pocket before sprinting back to your apartment. You have been spending a lot of time there lately. With what’s been going on, staying away from them, as not to explode or do anything else embarrassing was a must.

Anxiously, you rip the box open then, after drinking plenty of water, go into the bathroom. Shaking the whole time, you nervously wait for the results. Two lines… your heart drops, and so does the pent up emotions inside you. Sobbing your eyes out, you fail to notice the knocking at your door. “Y/n? Are you in there? We want to talk.” Nothing, yet the door was locked. They had a bad feeling, after debating on whether your privacy was more important than safety, Baba agreed to pick the lock. Though, Soryu is impatient, deciding to break the door instead. “Y/n, are you here?” They hear a distressed cry suddenly come to a halt. “I- I’m fine-!” Your voice shakes, barely coherent, it was hard to hide. “Y/n, are you okay?” Ota asks, taking a seat next to where the sobs came from, the bathroom.

“Yes…” Your voice becomes quiet, sniffling any residue onto the tissue. “Can we talk?” Shaking your head, you remember they can’t see you and manage another reply. “I don’t want to.” You hear a small sigh, the voice getting close. “Y/n, we just want to know what’s wrong. We’re all worried about you.” At the moment, you were tied between embarrassment and wanting comfort. Was it worth them seeing you like this? A mess? About to side against it, something in you that yearns for their touch breaks loose. Without giving it a second thought, you open the door before you could change your mind. That sight was shocking to see, on their part. A teary eyed, broken down, head hung, nose running, messy hair partner, appearing miserable as she runs out to hug the first person her hands reach.

Rambling incoherently, you sob some more, this time into Soryu’s button down shirt. “We can’t understand you when you talk like that.” Going on, though everything is heard in more of a whine, he manages to make out a few words, however not enough to piece together what’s wrong. “Why don’t we take some deep breaths?” Baba suggests, his tone gentle and face softened. Facing towards him, you quickly turn away, shaking your head no. “Y/n, come on, I know you can do it. I’ll do it with you.” Without hesitation, he begins taking deep breaths and eventually you repeat after him. Steadying yourself, you’re finally able to say all at once, “You’re going to hate me! I’m going to have to raise our kid alone and I’m not going to have enough money to support us, then we’ll be sleeping in a box on the street, eating out of a trash can, and drinking water from some old guys sweaty socks! Please don’t leave me.”

You become worked up, sobbing once more, while you shake Soryu’s body back and forth, continuing to plead. “Wait, what?” Eisuke says, shocked at both the scenario you’ve come up with and the news. “You’re pregnant?” You stop crying long enough to shake your head yes, then immediately begin again. “Woah woah, it’s okay.” Soryu says, rubbing your back. About to pick you up, Eisuke snatches you away, being the one to pick you up instead. “Baby, it’s fine. We’re not highschool boys, we wouldn’t leave you because you’re pregnant.” Ota nods before saying “And how would you end up homeless?” He laughs lightly, “It just wouldn’t happen.” Finally starting to calm down, you sniffle, rubbing your teary eyes before saying “Because I’ve been doing bad at work, and now you’re going to fire me.” Looking at Eisuke, he shakes his head. “I wouldn’t fire you without reason, and even then I would take care of you. Technically, you don’t need a job. You were the one insistent on keeping yours.”

You give a small smile, thinking about the memories when you first began dating. Suddenly, a hand ruffles your hair, looking at the culprit, Mamoru gives a small smile back before sighing. Then, running a hand through his hair, he shakes his head. “Just relax kid, we’re not goin’ anywhere and you’re not in trouble.” The support was all you needed to calm down, shaking your head to acknowledge you heard Mamoru. “If anything, I’m glad you’re not upset with us.” Baba says, to which you look surprised. “Why would I be upset? If anything I’m ecstatic. We’re having a baby! I hope they look like one of you. They’re sure to be beautiful.” Thinking about it more, finally done crying altogether, you show them the pregnancy test. “We should make the gender a surprise! Do you think they’d like bears? Or are bears too scary? Maybe ducks? Oh, I know! Cats! Wait, what if we make their room ocean themed?”

Going on about the endless possibilities with clothes, room design, and how great parents you would be, Eisuke sets you down. “We have to get parenting books! What type of parents should we be? We could be intense, strict, free-range, french, or-!” You just keep going on, and they intently listen to every word, the smile never leaving their face. After that they had you take time off of work, you finally weren’t as embarrassed to eat sweets around them, they were always kissing, holding, or hugging you, saying how much they loved you. Baba loves rubbing your belly while you sleep, and together they get you anything and everything you could ask for. Eisuke is no longer brutally honest about how he thinks you look. He’ll tell you if something looks better than other outfits, but never critiques such as “it makes you look fat.” Overall, they all turned into soft, loving boyfriends who are always worried about you and the baby.

[teecupangel]

okay, we chatted about Desmond in otome games. Let's me give you one called KIssed by The Baddest Bidder.

Let's say Desmond got burned by the Eye indeed and his body is taken by Abstergo and next thing Desmond woke up, revived and full of rage in an empty operating room. He wants to hide and settle for something normal but the bleeds of his ancestors' tragic life makes him wanna avenge them some way and he disappeared. Thus leading what begun a mysterious purge to those certain people who work in Abstergo, huge headlines in the news and articles about it.

In the global crime underworld, an uprising faceless individual, mysterious and ominous with an alias name " The Grim Reaper". Mafias and criminals can gain a favor from him as long it aligns his goals. After the purge that went for 2 years, he once again disappeared like smoke.

Desmond starts his retirement as a cleaner in the day shift and a bartender at the night shift in the Tres Spades Hotel. He also ended saving a girl from strange men and now he's being sold in a black market auction as replacement for the girl who broke some glass statue. Sold 20 million is that he worth and they are VIPs in the hotel???? so much for peace and quiet.

Love interests in the game:

Eisuke Ichinomiya - mmmmmm. boss x worker that piques his interest. what if Coralina and her father recognizes Desmond a lookalike of a lord in Monteriggioni

Soryu Oh - used Desmond for some sort of escort or servant for Mei Ling. Yet Desmond acts a bodyguard like wtf how can he shoot with perfect accuracy and track people easily.

Mitsunari Baba - master thief x retired master assassin / hitman. Baba found the perfect partner in stealing albeit by force. what's this he walks silently, can find the target treasures easily. Why does his eyes seem to glint gold in the faint light at night? Baba is a flirt and womanizer yet Desmond is unexpected with witty sexual innuendos that makes Baba blush

Ota Kisaki - a scene where that two faced artist might sneak a peek Desmond's small notebook that he dropped accidentally. Ota opened to see beautiful pencil and pen drawn sketches of people and places. A castle, a fortesss, a homestead. People with a cowl and some don't. Cue Ota felt a chill and turned to see Desmond looking at him with a neutral face but his eyes are furious.

Mamoru Kishi - police man x retired assassin. enough said but make it mamoru aware of the a cold case of abstergo purge and look at Desmond's behavior like he can't... can he??????

Shuichi Hishikura politician x retired assassin. Desmond philosophical talks might make him think twice or shock him with small hints of secret history as playful jokes. Jokes right?????

Hikaru Aihara - working assassin x retired assassin. Desmond knows definitely about his work. Would be a nice scene where Hikaru knows the Grim Reaper or had heard or seen him work. Made a positive remarks in the strory telling and Desmond just internally laughs cos that's me but shhhhh

Luke Foster - probably angst and slow burn cos he's a doctor and desmond already have too many bad experiences with doctors and scientists

Rhion Hatter - the mad hatter.....maybe friends to lovers...

Basically just the bidders get a whiplash of what they thought is a normal and simple man named Desmond meets more than the eye HAHAHAHAHA

I’m kinda thinking of how this wouldn’t just end with Desmond going ‘fuck this shit’ and running away from whichever route he is in and the first thought I have is to stop him by pushing into his sense of duty and responsibility.

So we’re going to make Desmond have a desire for vengeance on this one.

He had simply been a retired Assassin, just living his life, when he learned that one of his coworkers died the day before the auction because he had been snooping around to find something.

Desmond learns that the killer is someone connected to the auction.

He saved the girl and agreed to be auctioned because he needs to find a way to get close to these VIPs to learn which of them killed his coworker.

Because his coworker?

… was one of the Assassins of the Japanese Brotherhood.

And that coworker was looking into the auction because one of the VIPs is actually one of the few Templars that escaped the ‘purge’.

When he learned that he was sold for 20 millions by multiple VIPs, he tried to sus them out using his Eagle Vision.

But they all glowed gold.

And that’s when Desmond has to pick one of them.

.

The idea is: the killer of the Assassin can be one of them or someone connected to them, the killer’s identity changes depending on which route Desmond takes. The Templar also changes into someone in the route, maybe even the main love interest.

The main point is that this keeps Desmond into keeping up the appearance of the being a ‘bought’ man, all the while having his own agenda.

Eisuke Ichinomiya – Carolina and her father are the Templars. To be more exact, her father is a Templar but she’s being ‘educated’ as one. This would have an alternate ending of Desmond being able to get to Caroline and she becomes his ally. Her father knows who Desmond Miles is and mistakes this to mean that Eisuke has allied with the Brotherhood.

Soryu Oh – The Templars would be after Mei Ling and Desmond gets to the bottom of it which ends up being messy af because Simon Lee actually has connection with the Assassins in China for some reason. The Ice Dragon is also connected with the Japanese Brotherhood.

Mitsunari Baba – Mitsunari’s next target turns out to be a POE and his informant is the Templar and killer. Desmond taking the POE instead of him will be the main cause of conflict between the two of them.

Ota Kisaki – This is one where Desmond would probably end up taking a more aggressive role because he’s not going to be a pet after the hell he went through from Abstergo and William Miles. Ota trying to talk to him like an unruly dog (maybe even call him a mutt) would end with Desmond punching him which will surprise Ota but also make Desmond interesting.

Mamoru Kishi – Mamoru is super sus of Desmond from the get go and Desmond thinks of him as a dirty cop so they’re not off to a good start. Part of their relationship arc would be Desmond finding out why Mamoru is more on the morally dubious side than plain dirty and Mamoru’s main conflict would be learning about Desmond’s past as the spree killer that singlehandedly taken down Abstergo and plunged the company to ruins by killing high ranking members after he had already fallen in love with Desmond.

Shuichi Hishikura – He and Desmond gets into debates more often than not. Desmond doesn’t have a good track records with politicians and people in power to govern the people so Desmond certainly pretends to be polite but he’s wary of Shuichi. Shuichi sees him as being bright though and thinks he might have a knack for politics which makes Desmond shiver in disgust.

Hikaru Aihara – This one would be more on Hikaru knowing there’s something more about Desmond but he can’t be sure but Desmond has heard of him. The Brotherhood had actually given him a head’s up because he’s a ‘freelancer assassin’. They were coworkers before he bought Desmond so they know each other and Desmond is suspicious that Hikaru might have been hired to kill the Assassin by a Templar.

Luke Foster – Desmond’s probably going to be flirty with him, might even slip and call him dottore more than once. Since he works in a secretive clinic that does back alley surgery, there’s a high possibility that Luke is actually an ally of the Brotherhood, not that Desmond knew that. He's comfortable with Luke sometimes because Ezio's Bleed makes him remember the doctors who didn't ask too many questions and simply healed him. Luke is actually keeping it a secret from Desmond because he believes Desmond is just caught up in all these because he’s trying to protect a girl and Desmond believes Luke is hiding something which means he needs to be cautious about him (this would be angst + slow burn + misunderstanding galore XD)

Rhion Hatter – considering he’s half English and the son of a duke, we can make him a Templar. If you don’t want a Templar x Assassin drama for this one, his grandmother could be the Templar and he ran away from her which makes him and Desmond have similar… family ‘problems’. XD

[wednesdaypasta]

Asuka Langley Sohryu analysis

VERY LONG POST!!!!!!! 

This essay is purely for my own autistic ass, make of it what you will lol.

Asuka is often viewed as a conceited, narcissistic and deeply flawed character in NGE. I don’t believe Soryu is truly as horrendous as others perceive her to be, perhaps that is due to my own projections or simply me giving her the benefit of the doubt, so I’ve decided to take it upon myself to truly understand every aspect of her traumas, her actions throughout the series and finally her death. I want to know what caused her to become such a self loathing yet egotistical child. every tiny detail of her personality can be traced back to specific events, she's been created with such detail and precision, it's hard not to want to delve deeper into her story.

Prior to the traumatic events of NGE Asuka had a horrific home life. She was neglected by her mother who was busy with work, leaving Asuka feeling irrelevant. This sparked an overwhelming need for attention, which followed her from early childhood right until her last breath.

 Kyoko Sohryu (Asuka’s mother)  was a key scientist in the German division of Gehirn. (What would later become NERV’s third branch.) She was the subject of the contact experiment with Unit-02, where during this experiment part of Koyokos soul would bond with the eva, causing severe mental damage. This led to her becoming incredibly unstable and psychotic, believing one of Asuka’s dolls was her daughter rather than Asuka. As a result of her mothers insanity, Asuka felt even more neglected and abandoned. She was replaced by a doll, not even a human, but an inanimate object. 

At Kyoko’s most deranged she pleaded Asuka to die with her in a double suicide, to which Asuka, in an act of desperation to be loved, agreed. Her mother instead hung herself alongside the doll. Asuka was so replaceable to her own mother that she wasn't even worth being killed. In later life Asuka grows to feel utter contempt and disgust towards her own weakness; she was completely vulnerable and desperate to be loved, so much so that she would have died. She’s extremely black or white. If he can’t be loved, she should die.

The Asuka we are first introduced to doesn't seem to carry much of this weight at all. She’s bright, bubbly, feisty and fun. Her presence brings a much needed lift to the show with dance routines, montages and general playfulness from both her and Shinji. How can such a broken character appear so confident? Asuka uses her ego as a safety net, she wants to appear as confident (if not bordering on narcissistic) as possible to hide the fact that she is very much still an insecure child.  If she doesn't appear vulnerable, no one can hurt her. Her confidence will project onto those around her and she will be the most loved girl in Japan, right? She is the best Eva pilot by far, they need her. These thoughts are enough to keep her not only alive, but living.

Obviously this doesn't keep up, as we see Shinji strike Asuka’s nerves more and more with every episode that passes. Shinji is the counterpart to Asuka, everything that he lacks, she will overcompensate with. His nonchalant, pessimistic, self pitying attitude is everything she hates. But shinji isn't all too dissimilar from Asuka at all, his ego is absolutely huge; if he isn’t happy, why should anyone else be, he's not loved so everyone should die. Everything that Asuka pushes onto herself, Shinji pushes onto others. This causes a very expected clash between the two. Part of me believes that Asuka potentially sees in Shinji what she could have become if she had not been chosen to pilot unit-02. Someone merely existing, an insecure child whining at any given chance about doing this, that and the next thing. Someone ‘useless’. Asuka demands to be used at any given chance for recognition and validation, even at the prospective cost of her life/sanity.

While Shinji is the embodiment of the internal threat of her deep rooted shame, insecurities and fears, Rei represents the external threat that she can and will be replaced. Rei is the golden child, she does as she’s told, she fights well. This can be proven in episode 22 after Asuka has yet again been defeated by an angel, her sync rates drop. This comes as a massive blow to her fragile ego. To make it worse, Ritsko notices Asukas mental disturbance and orders Rei to shoot the Angel, leaving Asuka literally in her shadow. This is when the mindrape (i hate that term but i can't think of anything better to describe it as) occurs, leaving Ritsuko no choice but to start looking for a replacement pilot. Rei ends up saving her by using the spear of longinus. This absolutely destroys Asuka, how could she be shadowed, let alone saved by someone as spineless as Rei? She's being replaced yet again, bringing her back to square one in regards to her Mothers horrific passing. At this point both Shinji and Rei are performing better than her, proving her to be useless. The very thing she berated Shinji for from the beginning.

Kaji and Misato also play some of the most important roles in Asukas life, being her only acting guardians. Kaji is the only person we see Asuka actively regress back into a childlike state with. Her pleas to be recognised and loved by him are overwhelmingly upsetting. Screaming that she is an adult, that she wants to have intercourse by him and be viewed as somewhat of an object is a desperate cry for help. She wants to prove that she’s no longer an insecure child, but her ways of doing so only prove that more. While Kaji never made advances on her, he equally enabled it to an extent. I believe that sex is what Asuka perceives as the most adult thing she can comprehend, so she yearns for it with an adult figure to not only prove to him but herself that she is no longer the sobbing infant at her mother’s dangling feet. Kaji seems somewhat aware of her past, which may be why he never put his foot down with her. He knows that the harsh rejection of her advances would cause the spiral that eventually came due to her sync scores dropping. Pleading for intimacy may also be (in her mind) one of the least shameful ways for Asuka to beg for validation. We never saw Asuka in this state with any of her classmates, leading me to believe that she uses Kaji as he is somewhat of a parental figure to her, as fucked up as that is. She needs him to validate and praise her as she never got that from either of her parents, but would never hurt her pride by saying that blatantly therefore relying on sex to get her point across. When it’s revealed that Misato had previous relations with Kaji, this obviously hurts Asuka’s ego to an extent. She views Misato as a fully fledged woman who, like Rei, is capable of what she is not. Asuka’s battle with the constant sexualisation of herself is one of the most misunderstood parts of her character. A lot of people seem to believe it was used as fucked up fanservice, but i wholeheartedly think it’s a very jarringly real way to portray how neglect and abuse can affect a young girl, regardless of how uncomfortable it is to watch firsthand. It rounds out her backstory fully and adds a whole other level of depth to her character for individuals to identify with.

At the end of Evangelion we have a broken, soulless and decayed Asuka. She is no longer the abrasive, confident and overbearing character some of us (guiltily) adored. Only a miracle could bring back the determined character we know and love. Thrown into unit-02 for safety, Soryu is left comatosed only for her mothers voice to wake her. Kyoko can be heard saying the words ‘You’re alive!’ several times. This implies that the maternal part of Kyoko's soul was the one trapped inside unit-02, and is now cheering Asuka to fight, to live! However, another voice joins in, begging Asuka to ‘Please die with me!’. Both these voices mix together, thus suggesting that the insane Kyoko and Maternal Kyoko have merged together inside the Eva. Regardless of her mother chanting to die with her, the voice telling her to live on shines through and provides the motivation to have one of (what I consider) one of the best battles in cinematic history. Asuka comes to the realization that she was never truly alone. Her mother was always watching over her, watching her pilot the eva. Everything she had ever longed for was truly validated in that moment. She fought with a might that we had never seen before, she truly gave it her all. It feels so incredibly bittersweet to see her truly at her happiest, screaming out ‘mama!’ as she brutally tears mass unit eva’s to shreds, smashing their heads in, ripping off limbs etc. The whole scene is so authentically Asuka Langley Sohryu. The sheer shock, the horrifying events unfolding while she has a wide grin on her face. She was actively risking her life knowing she has the validation she has craved since he was a toddler. Everything I have spoken about in this essay truly comes together in this heart wrenching scene; her screaming about useless shinji, her crying out for her ‘mama’, her overbearing confidence in herself. Even in her last moments she was determined, not to prove to anyone else but herself that she was useful. She says through gritted teeth and a struggling breath ‘I’ll kill you’ thus proving how she was genuinely set on being seen till her very last moments on earth.

I firmly believe that Asuka is one of the most well thought out and genuinely complete characters I’ve ever seen in fiction. While she is not the most ‘likeble’ she provides a very important role in making Neon Genesis Evangelion the show we know and love. Anno has done a fantastic job of creating a character that is so easy to hate yet so easy to relate to. As previously mentioned, some of this may be projection but I truly do feel she is a character anyone could pick apart and find some sort of self in.

[psychosophy]

Typing BarrenClan Cats in OPS

i'm rereading @barrenclan so I thot this might be fun :P

Right now, I'm only on chapter 15/16 I think? But I think I have enough info (plus prior knowledge) to do a quick typing on the slug sibs

Pinepaw: Pinepaw is definitely a gatherer, though I don't know if I'd say he's overdoing chaos...he doesn't have a need for new things as much as he has a need for individuality.

This might not SEEM like the case since he's not an individualist per say, but when reading the comic you can tell he goes away from the tribe and focuses on his wants, he is looking for answers not FOR the tribe but purely because he wants to know.

This can be seen in many scenarios, but mainly in him wanting to leave the group. Someone who's tribe over self and an organizer would prefer to stick to traditions, like Cootstorm, they would hear the cries of the past barrenclan warriors and want to stay, because that is what the tribe and tradition wants.

This leads me to either INTP or INFP, though I think he's more of an INFP. He doesn't care as much about efficiency, even if he is logical he prefers to think about his values

Also idk if it's necessary to say ne>se he's clearly intuitive, moreso coming to as many conclusions as possible instead of paying close attention to the surroundings

ALSO Consume>Sleep>Blast>Play is my best guess but I'm not too sure

Examples of INFPs:

Shinji Ikara from NGE

Belle (Beauty and the Beast)

Spider-Man/Peter Parker (Marvel Comics)

As for other typologies, these are just possibilities:

6w7 (4w5 is also a possibility!)

694

RCUAI or SLUAI

ELFV

Phlegmatic-Sanguine or Phlegmatic [Dominant]

Neutral Good (or neutral moral if we're doing 5x5)

Heir of Doom (Prospit)

NEXT Daffodilpaw ! One of my favorites...first off she is DEFINITELY tribe>self and is overdoing tribe...this is not even a question at this point. She focuses too much on others, deciding her only worth is what she can contribute.

Though I think, instead of being blast, she's mainly a play function, meaning she's a jumper!

Now the hard part is figuring out whether she uses ne or se, though I'm gonna go with ne...she's always thinking of possibilities to make the clan a better place, so her ne assists her fe

This leaves ESFJ! Play>Blast>Consume>Sleep :3

Examples of ESFJs:

Spongebob SquarePants

Ochako Uraraka from BNHA

Katara from Avatar

Other typologies:

2w1

297

SLOAN

EFVL

Sanguine-Melancholic or Sanguine [Dominant]

Lawful Good (or Lawful Moral)

Page of Heart (Prospit)

And finally!!! Asphodelpaw :3 weirdly enough, she's also tribe>self, but unlike her sister she is blast and a te user, she doesn't care about values she wants things to work efficiently

Fe is definitely her main function, the entire story she's battling with herself over gaining approval with her mentor, meaning she neglects a cay like Pinepaw who is more individualistic and doesn't really want to partake in tribe beliefs. She definitely gets healthier as the story goes on, but she's a good example of a tribe savior being selfish.

As for whether she uses si or ni....I'm gonna go with ni, she isn't tied to si but there also isn't much showing her ni so I skipped over to the third function and (imo) she's def se>ne so. Ni it is!

so she's ENTJ ! Blast>Sleep>Consume>Play

Examples of ENTJs:

Katsuki Bakugo from BNHA

Asuka Langley Soryu from NGE

Light Yagami from Death Note

Other Typologies:

3w2

386

SCUEI

VFEL

Choleric-Melancholic

Chaotic Neutral (or Rebel Neutral)

Maid of Blood (Derse) Mainly a guess cuz idrk...

[irxnmaiden]

[ lime ]  describe yourself as a character / mix of characters you've always related to the most.

🐝—colourful interview || munday [✉️]

[ lime ]  describe yourself as a character / mix of characters you've always related to the most.

oooo this is putting me on the spot, we love to see it! there's quite a wealth of fictional characters i've always looked towards as mirrors of aspects of myself, too many to list. so i'll definitely whittle that down to a respectful level.

asuka langley soryu always comes to mind. i identified with her so much growing up, with her need to overcompensate just to be noticed. i struggled with that a lot when i was a kid, bc oftentimes i felt rly looked over (oldest daughter syndrome is a bitch lmao). her being so unapologetically brash and forever trying to convince herself of her own self-worth hit home, and still does to this day tbh.

minako aino/sailor venus is the most ME an anime character could ever be. her grandiose, borderline-delusional dreams of becoming a star was so me for the longest and still sort of is, but she grapples with all these external conflicts that requires her efforts to be focused elsewhere. she sacrifices those dreams for another purpose, but one she slowly finds equally as cherishable. but it's her being chained to responsibilities that at times she questions her dedication to, that i find a viscerally real dilemma that's relatable even more so as an adult.

kiki of ghibli fame is another one—so unsure of her place in the world that, even as fearless as she is, she struggles to sometimes center herself and recognize her own talents and allow those to be enough. to this day, whenever i'm feeling particularly lost, i turn to that film.

we'll keep it there for now, but these three are at the tippy-top for sure. c:

[diegosantosn]

Neon Genesis Evangelion (Part 2)

Through episodes 8, 16, 24, and 26, Neon Genesis Evangelion reveals nuances in masculinity and self-esteem, demonstrating both Japanese customs and universal problems. Episode 8 presents Asuka Langley Soryu as a representation of hegemonic masculinity through her demeanor: very assertive and aggressive. She completely differs from Shinji's approach and draws out real meanings of societal expectations of masculinity and their performance and policing. This is a representation consistent with Japan's traditional gender order, wherein men play the dominant roles in society, complemented by women. Globally, this has roots going back to the discourse of today regarding gender identity and people being expected to exude the classical notions of masculinity.

Episodes 16 and 24 further oblige Shinji's hard-hitting problem with his self-established masculinity. In episode 16, Shinji tries to embody some normative masculinity, which eventually fails, showing a kind of internal conflict between societal expectations and personal identity. His being saved by his mother, trapped in the Evangelion, portrays the tension between societal demands and personal acceptance. Episode 24 introduces Kaworu, a confident queer masculinity, and what Shinji aspires to, only to have that hope shattered when Kaworu is revealed to be. This narrative arc thus joins broader discourses about the values of non-normative identities in society overall "allowing" traditional masculinity. On a deeper level, these episodes illustrate problems one faces in working through one's identity against societal demands for living and attaining self-acceptance despite pressures. These final episodes, now much more dreamlike in their requisition for Shinji's inner struggles, do so much to make this journey toward self-acceptance, leading up to the eventual denial of harmful societal norms, very well. All this culminates in the painful affirmation of queer identity and personal worth.

[kknelle]

Evangelion (Part 2)

After the first half-dozen of episodes of Evangelion, the widely-known fan-favorite, Asuka Langley Soryu appears as a new character to offset Shinji’s perception of himself as a reminder of his inability to perform Hegemonic Masculinity in the expectations of society. To add on to the commentary of Hegemonic Masculinity, Asuka teases Shinji of his “Queer Masculinity” since it departs from the norms of society. Asuka, as a female, also somewhat represents the ideal Hegemonic Masculinity Shinji is lacking with how they pilot their Eva, and are a lot less insecure on fighting. As a result of this, Shinji tries to better himself to engage in the societal expectations of Hegemonic Masculinity, but it only brings him problems.

As Shinji comes to terms with his Queer Masculinity, Kaworu is introduced who provides a comparison to Shinji, but with certainty of their position in society. When Kaworu is revealed to be a villainous Angel, this caves in on Shinji’s newfound hope of having social purpose with Queer Masculinity. However, this eventually this culminates into Shinji finding other hope through inner-dialogue that his less-masculine society-favored life is worth living.

Before going further on the psychological morals and themes, I think the artistic-styles of Episode 26 were intriguing, but at the same time it does not tie up as many loose-ends of the story, and has long-duration, causing less engagement to characters and other content in my opinion.

As for the specifics of Asuka and Kaworu, their introductions and climaxes in their stories allow Shinji to doubt his gender-based role in society. For example, Asuka has Shinji to want to pursue Hegemonic Masculinity which is not reflective of his self, while Kaworu’s betrayal causes inner conflict in Shinji due to how Kaworu’s reflects Shinji’s desired his gender-based role in society.

Therefore, as an anime, I overall liked Evangelion, as well as the different ideologies of societal expectations, coupled with the 90s aesthetic.

[reidwagner6]

Reflecting on Neon Genesis Evangelion: Episodes 8, 16, 24, and 26

Diving into episodes 8, 16, 24, and 26 of Neon Genesis Evangelion was a wild ride, and it gave me a lot to think about. The show’s themes continue to tackle both Japanese and global issues while also feeling surprisingly personal.

Episode 8 introduces Asuka Langley Soryu, a fiery and confident Evangelion pilot. Asuka's character adds another layer to the series, showcasing the pressures of perfectionism and the facade of confidence that hides deep insecurities. This reflects a lot of the societal pressures in Japan, where there’s a strong emphasis on success and maintaining appearances. Globally, Asuka’s struggles with self-worth and her need for validation are incredibly relatable.

Episode 16 is a turning point in the series. Shinji gets trapped inside an Angel and has a lot of time for introspection. This episode really dives into the theme of facing one’s inner demons, something that’s universally relevant. We all have moments where we’re forced to confront our fears and insecurities, and this episode portrays that struggle in a very raw and real way.

Episode 24 brings Kaworu Nagisa into the mix. His brief but impactful presence shakes things up for Shinji, leading to deep emotional conflicts. Kaworu’s character and his relationship with Shinji touch on themes of love, betrayal, and the human need for connection. This episode highlights the complexity of human relationships, something that resonates no matter where you’re from.

Episode 26 is the infamous finale, where the series takes a deep dive into the psychological. It’s abstract and introspective, focusing on the characters’ internal worlds. This episode is all about self-acceptance and understanding, wrapping up the series with a message of hope amidst the chaos. It’s a bold statement on the importance of mental health and personal growth, issues that are relevant both in Japan and globally.

Relating these episodes to my own life, I see a lot of my struggles reflected in the characters. Asuka’s facade of confidence, Shinji’s introspection, and the need for genuine connections all hit close to home. The show’s exploration of mental health, identity, and relationships makes me reflect on my own experiences and how I navigate these complex themes.

Connecting Evangelion to our readings, especially Saito’s “The Psychopathology of Otaku,” there’s a clear link in exploring deep psychological and societal issues. Both the series and the reading push us to look beyond the surface and understand the intricate layers of the human psyche.

In summary, episodes 8, 16, 24, and 26 of Neon Genesis Evangelion are a profound mix of action, introspection, and emotional depth. They address both specific Japanese issues and universal themes, making the series a rich tapestry of thoughts and feelings. These episodes not only provide powerful insights but also resonate on a deeply personal level, offering a lot to ponder and reflect on.

[joshua-rimondi]

Neon Genesis Evangelion: Episodes 8, 16, 24, and 26

As Neon Genesis Evangelion progresses, episodes 8, 16, 24, and 26 delve deeper into the psychological and existential dilemmas faced by the characters, presenting a darker and more introspective narrative that resonates on both personal and global levels. Episode 8 introduces Asuka Langley Soryu, a vibrant yet complex character whose arrival adds a new dynamic to the story. Asuka's struggle with her own insecurities and desire for validation mirrors the competitive nature of Japanese society, where individual achievements are often overshadowed by societal pressures. Globally, her character speaks to anyone grappling with self-worth and the need for external approval, highlighting the universal challenge of finding inner confidence amidst external expectations. Episode 16 takes a profound turn as Shinji is trapped within an Angel, leading to a deep introspection about his fears and sense of self. This episode addresses the theme of identity and the internal battles we all face. In Japan, where mental health is often stigmatized, Shinji's psychological struggle underscores the importance of addressing mental health issues openly. Globally, this episode resonates with anyone who has faced self-doubt and the struggle to understand their own identity, emphasizing the universal nature of these internal conflicts. Episode 24 presents one of the most emotionally charged moments in the series, where Kaworu Nagisa's introduction and subsequent actions force Shinji to confront profound betrayal and loss. This episode reflects on themes of trust, vulnerability, and the impact of personal connections. In a global context, it speaks to the pain of losing trust and the difficulty of navigating complex relationships, reminding viewers of the fragility and importance of human connections. Finally, episode 26 concludes the series with an abstract and introspective examination of Shinji's psyche. This episode is a bold exploration of the human mind, addressing themes of self-acceptance and the search for meaning. In Japan, where societal roles and expectations can overshadow individual desires, this episode encourages introspection and self-understanding. Globally, it resonates with anyone on a journey of self-discovery, highlighting the importance of finding one's own path and purpose. In my own life, these episodes resonate deeply with my experiences of personal growth and self-reflection. The characters' struggles with identity, trust, and self-worth mirror the challenges I face in navigating societal expectations and personal aspirations. Living in Singapore, a city that values achievement and success, I find the series' exploration of these themes particularly relevant and thought-provoking.