#can’t believe i still know all the words to theme of king jj

[dnptheinfinity]

because of the ice ado cancellation and all the yoi art i’m seeing i’m thinking about the show again and i remembered i made victor, yuri and yurio is the sims in like 2018, i should dig them up from the depths of my gallery and give them a 2024 makeover

[biblio-bitch]

Detroit Evolution Commentary Pt. 3 [FINAL]

It’s been a while, sorry. Life sucks ass sometimes and I had to do some transferring to my new laptop. I’ll write down some more fun facts as an apology. Disclaimer: This is all stuff I noticed, inferred, or interpreted. I didn’t write the film, anything I’ve interpreted is just that, an interpretation based on things I noticed using my experiences and knowledge. 

Fun fact #1: I have attempted to write in a proper novel style at least five times. After watching DE and watching @octopunkmedia ‘s script breakdowns and such, I've started writing scripts instead. I’m much farther along in those than I ever have been in books. 10/10 amazing for my visual based concepts.

Fun fact #2: My mental health was rapidly declining and I was losing interest in quite literally everything at the time the film was released. Watching the film and fixating on it for a month straight not only inspired me but helped me regain control of my life. Watching streams by the cast and Michelle while I worked for school made my productivity skyrocket.

Fun fact #3: I recently developed a tic that I now can’t get rid of. It was out of control for about twenty minutes right before I began writing this post. However, when I began re-watching the film (partially because it’s a comfort for me and I’m quite honestly terrified of what’s happening in the US right now) it stopped. So that’s fun.

As usual, spoilers and swearing under the cut! Quick note: If there should be a trigger warning on this or anything else I post, please let me know! I’m horrible at remembering to tag triggers. I’ll also be doing some quick posts on Umbrella Academy and my severe obsession with Jason Todd soon. Have fun!

As usual, here’s a list of people I know the users of in case you’d like to check any of them out. I’m likely missing people so feel free to let me know who I’m missing so I can add them!

Maximilian Kroger - Nines (@ maximiliankroger)

Christopher (Chris) Trindade - Gavin (@ trindabago)

Michael Smallwood - Chris Miller (@ michaelsmallwoodforever)

Carla Kim - Tina Chen (@ carlahkim)

Jillian Geurts - Ada (@ jilbobaggins_nyc)

Michelle Iannantuono - (@ octopunkmedia)

JJ Goller - Lazzo (@ quasar.cos)

Brett Mullen - Cinematographer (@ brettmullendirector)

Austin Butts - Sound Design (@ austinbytts)

Tiare Solis - Valerie (@ tiareleiana)

So I decided to put all of the rest into this post. It’s a long one. Not even that sorry about it bc I love this film with my entire heart. Warning for me getting sidetracked. I use a lot of Supernatural references but it’s because I’m visiting my dad and he’s binge watching the show. I like Dean and only Dean, don’t bully me for it.

The Wrist Grip™️ in the bedroom before Nines moves back

Shoutout to Maximilian Kroger’s muscles u go dude

Lighting Symbolism™️, big theme through the movie, honestly I think it’s beautiful and they did a wonderful job with it.

The little nod from Gavin as he starts talking about his nightmare 

You can see Gavin gearing up to move, like not in a normal way, in a “oh god I don’t know if I have the energy to do this” way and that’s Relatable™️

The little smile from Nines as they sit together

The SHARK PLUSHIE I LOVE HIM (THE SHARK HAS AN INSTAGRAM @ sharktreuse)

Nines being domestic, making coffee and breakfast, being Soft.

Shirt change??? Either I’m blind or he’s wearing a different shirt in the morning (He is. He’s wearing a t shirt at night and a buttoned collar shirt in the morning. Perhaps he changed? He’s wearing normal pants so he probably changed but he’s not wearing that same shirt in the next scene)

Ada eye rolling at them being passive aggressive dumbasses. Same. Apparently Jillian kept fucking with them which is,, so valid. 

The lighting in this scene (the office pt. 2) makes Maximilian look Android-white and outlined in the CyberLife blue-ish color. Very symbolic, I have no idea if it was intentional.

Another shoutout, this time to Maximilian’s eyebrows, the expressiveness is *chef’s kiss*.

“You can thank me later, Casanova.” Nines: *confused Android noises* 

Honorable mention to Michael’s Foo Fighters t shirt in the bar, it’s vintage.

Nines is in fact wearing a different shirt now. Not the same shirt from the morning bedroom scene. I also think he’s wearing a different jacket. Less of a peacoat and more of a leather jacket. Nice.

Shoutout to Tina’s (not irl) wife, Valerie! And her weird crush on Hank! I honestly can’t wait to see her in Seven Deadly Synths!!

Ada DODGING the questions that Nines is asking because she is SHADY. 

Also, he looks to Gavin when he talks about wanting to be more human. Recurring theme of him perceiving himself as lacking because of his ace-ness/android-ness, like he can’t give Gavin what he wants. Honestly I know that the android thing is a thinly veiled metaphor for race in canon but I kinda like thinking of it as a metaphor for being LGBT+ and in Nines’ case, specifically ace. Might not make sense but it does in my brain??

Gavin Senses Are Tingling and Nines is GONE. Leaving the bar for ur not-bf to try to talk things out like adults??? King shit.

Also electric lighter, fun, I genuinely didn’t know those existed

SHIRT WITH UNBUTTONED COLLAR

“You don’t want to help me, you want to fix me.” What a loaded line. Because in a way, it’s almost true? Like, Nines has this entire simulation of Gavin in his ideal world, and obviously that version of Gavin has probably been idealized at least a bit. Nature of humanity, and Nines might not be human but he’s got the Brain Things. And at that moment, it’s nearly true that Nines wants Gavin to be like that ideal Gavin. Obviously Nines wants Gavin as Gavin, but there’s the edge of that simulation there, still. 

But Nines does want to help Gavin, and that’s where he’s wrong. Nines wants Gavin to get better, wants to help stop the nightmares, etc. But by pointing that out, I think it’s partially why Nines can accept letting go of Simulation!Gavin when Ada attacks him. Because he knows that the simulation of Gavin will never be the real Gavin, and this line sort of helps him understand that he can’t really keep Sim!Gavin anyways.

Again idk if that’s legit but that’s definitely something I felt from that while watching.

Nines is constantly very controlled, but when he walks away from Gavin you can see him straining to keep that composure and not let his anger show. 

Ada looking So Done With This Shit when Nines comes back from talking with Gavin outside of the bar

“I’m sure this will be like...every other time.” Oh honey. Oh my sweet child. I am so very sorry. It most definitely will not be.

Ada’s exasperated Eyebrow Raise before taking a drink. If that ain’t the mood sis.

I love Ada’s bat wings on her outfits. 

Gavin being a stalker and putting his hood up. 

“I’m...certain that most of the credit can go to you.” IMMEDIATE ANGER. Must Defend Boyfriend.

I SO WANTED HIM TO SAY “WISDOM” WHILE TALKING ABOUT GAVIN’S SKILLS BECAUSE IT WOULD MIRROR HIM TELLING GAVIN THAT HE ISN’T WISE BEFORE THEY LEFT FOR THE STAKEOUT. He didn’t, but instinct is a better word for Gavin anyways.

Nines has Suspicion™️...press X for doubt... 

*Only vaguely related rant warning*

I do feel that we as a fandom tend to make Connor almost childishly innocent despite him being likely one of the least kind and least innocent characters. The characterization of Nines in this--and pardon me for the off topic rant--where he’s a fully grown man and acts like it is so much more realistic. Nines is a cop, as is Connor. 

Even post deviancy, they were designed and equipped to handle murder. Nines, in a lot of fandom content, tends to come off as an exasperated older brother or a gritty and mean detective, or even worse, essentially a sociopath who feels nothing in contrast to Connor’s childish and extreme innocence. I dislike both. Seeing Nines be a normal fucking person is so relieving, I’m serious. There’s still those elements of ‘oh he’s only been properly alive for like a year, right? He probably doesn’t get Chris’ Casanova reference.’ but it’s not to such an extreme that it overtakes all of his personality traits.

Like, yeah, ok, I get why a lot of fandom content does that. In order to balance what we see Connor do (and in order to further push the Hank as a father line) we over-emphasize the not getting references and such. Honestly I see the same in content for Castiel from Supernatural. Nines, when he’s added, often HAS to be a lot darker in order to make that seem not as jarring and unrealistic.

Doesn’t mean I enjoy it. If you do? That’s great, good for you, but I don’t like seeing those characters be portrayed as such one dimensional extremes. People aren’t like that. On the off chance that someone is such an extreme, there’s still other aspects of their personality.

DE has done an amazing job at not flattening their personalities. Nines and Gavin are three-dimensional and incredibly interesting characters I find myself invested in every time I watch it.

*Onto the commentary again.*

Gavin is still being a stalker

“Particular fascination with the RK line” AHAHA funny. She’s also an RK, and she likely knows more than Nines because her programming is based on information gathering. Her fascination begins and ends with what their programming can do for her.

The little computer details in Ada’s eyes as she copies Nines’ OS, and again in Nines’ eyes when he’s in the alley alone. I believe Michelle did all of that and I am just amazed every time I watch. 

The warped voice effect.

Gavin shifting to hold Nines as soon as he passes out

The ethereal colored lighting is very good for the mood, space hospital vibes

Shoutout to the latex suit they put Maximilian in! That’s not CG! He’s wearing a full body white latex suit. I’m so sorry.

Gavin looks so tired talking to Dr. Maria. His posture is defensive, pulled into himself. Shoulders hunched, arms pulled in. Eye bags, messy hair. Boy looked messed up. Somebody hug him.

Nines’ hair being disheveled and messy in the corrupted Zen Garden, rivaling his assertion that in his ideal world (Aka the normal Zen Garden) his appearance is polished, signifying the loss of control and the loss of the Zen Garden being a safe, ideal space for him. Same concept with Sim!Gavin being corrupted.

Nines: *wakes up in his mindspace*

Also Nines, immediately: GAVIN!!1!!1

Nines believes in CONSENT!! You do not go into someone’s program without asking, ADA.

Ada’s “poor widdle baby” face as Nines is freaking out because she trapped him. Mood.

Tina wearing a low turtleneck and a flannel is Peak Gay, especially next to Gavin “I wear the same leather jacket+hoodie combo every single day and probably the same jeans for a month” Reed, aka the most disastrous and chaotic bisexual I have ever seen. Again, a mood, I honestly felt that one.

The face when Nines realizes that Ada isn’t deviant yet. 

Gavin is blaming himself somebody stop this idiot. 

“Not without Nines.” What a softie.

“The last thing I said to him was ‘I don’t need you’.” BITCH WHAT THE FUCK MY HEART.

Gavin calling Tina “T” in that soft voice is so sweet omg

Ugh the bisexual LIGHTING is KILLING ME, ESPECIALLY as Gavin sits at Nines’ bedside

Tina encouraging Gavin. WLW/MLM solidarity. 

Fun fact: Chris Trindade told Maximilian not to react at all to the big speech but Maximilian literally started crying during it and there’s footage somewhere of the Dramatic Single Tear rolling down his face while he’s still ‘in stasis’.

Yes, I double checked the streams to make sure I got this right, I love the concept though.

Look I cannot get into the speech because I will write 1.5k words on it, but I will say this: It made me cry. The acting, the writing, it’s iconic. The amount of love and devotion they got without even saying the words “I love you” was amazing. Chris is so very talented. 

THERES A TAKE WHERE GAVIN FALLS ASLEEP NEXT TO NINES’ HOSPITAL BED AKSDGAKL IM SCREAMING

Tina is the best wingman ngl

The glitches in Zen Gavin are amazing. The sequence when he’s deleting the Zen Garden is also amazing. I use amazing a lot but it’s deserved.

Nines deleting the Zen Garden and Sim!Gavin is very symbolic of letting go of all of the fake stuff, letting go of the fear he was holding that kept him from confessing to Gavin and I love that

Nines sitting silently straight up. 

Gavin is highly intelligent and I’m so glad Octopunk embraces that. 

*another vaguely related rant warning*

Ok let me tell y’all a thing because this RUINS MY LIFE. People tend to take characters like Percy Jackson or Dean Winchester, whose intelligence isn’t outwardly obvious from the get-go, and remove it entirely. Percy is reduced to an idiot who can’t tie his own shoes and Dean is often shown basically unable to research without Sam. Both of those are bullshit. 

Percy has ADHD and Dyslexia, so when often we categorize smart as only book-smart, Percy’s intelligence as a battle strategist and his actual knowledge gets erased. Dean is usually the more physical and shoot-first-never-ask-questions type, and his intelligence is severely downplayed. He made an EMP detector from scratch. Made a shotgun, remembers how to kill things, is a very good hunter, especially on his own. But that’s thrown away because he’s not book-smart.

I despise when people take characters who are talented and smart in ways that aren’t just reciting the periodic table and reduce them to muscles and angst or drooling children. 

Octopunk having a scene where Gavin is working through a case, already having done the things that Chris, someone who was only recently promoted, suggests, is just affirming Gavin’s intelligence in a way I wish I could be not surprised by. Gavin is smart, and luckily I haven’t seen much downplaying that fact. He’s a detective for a reason. Unfortunately I think it might be because the fandom tends to turn Connor and Nines into actual children, but a win is a win.

Now I’m not saying I don’t love a good himbo character but I literally had to stop interacting with Percy Jackson content because people wrote him as incapable.

*Moving on*

“I think I can help with that.” Bitch why are you so dramatic I love him so much.

Nines’ t-shirt says “Detroit City Marathon” 

“You...undead asshole.” What an iconic line. I need a t-shirt. 

“I...hate you.” “You love me.” Harkens back to the beginning where the roles are reversed. Yes I used that unironically. Words are fun.

Gavin looking scared right before The Kiss™️ 

THE PULSE POINT!! THE SCENE WAS SUPER EMOTIONAL SO MICHELLE WANTED THEM TO DO YOGA ZEN SHIT TO PREPARE AND THEN THEY JUST DID THE THING BUT THEY PUT IN THE PULSE POINT 

ANYWAYS THAT’S WHAT GAVIN IS FEELING FOR ON NINES’ WRIST RIGHT BEFORE THE KISS.

I thought that was cute when I learned it in one of the streams.

Nines’ LED spinning blue when they finally kiss asgladkaf 

“What dipshit programmed you to do that?” “I’m the most advanced android ever made, detective-“ “oh you are such a fuckin’ prick!” “Takes one to know one.” I canNOT with them, I laughed my ASS off

The little broken laugh Nines does

Nines rubbing his hands over Gavin’s while they talk about Gavin’s jacket

Shoutout to Chris’ surprised pikachu face. (Tina is also there) That was a joke take, it’s in the gag reel, too. The face wasn’t supposed to make it into the film but Michelle added it. (In the gag reel, Carla yells “Let’s go to Denny’s!” At the end.) 

And Ada’s leather pants. Honestly?? She’s so pretty. I love her. They’re all really attractive it’s actually terrifying.

Nines and Tina being a part of the Gay Turtleneck Gang

Nines’ untucked turtleneck

Tina being a Smart Girl. (Nines calling her “Officer” and her replying with “I’ll make detective someday.”

Chris being Exhausted during the whole meeting. Me too dude.

Chris and Tina doing literally nothing while Gavin and Nines have a whole heart to heart

The WHITE COAT. Tina in her blues. Chris’ Foo Fighters shirt. They’re such icons but they absolutely look like a group of gay ppl who did NOT decide on a theme.

The fight sequence is impressive, considering that they’re literally not stunt actors. I’m not a fight choreographer or stunt person so That’s really all I have to say on that.

Chris patting Gavin’s gun after he explains what he’s doing. \

As a Jason Todd lover the crowbar is unfortunate (had to, sorry)

Nines’ smirk and the TURTLENECK as he spins away from Ada with the crowbar. Iconic. The Big Dick Energy. Especially for someone who doesn’t have a dick.

Chris being a Dad when Gavin runs off to go stop the body calibration

Ada just YEETS Gavin. Iconic.

Ada: *doing the villain “you won’t shoot me, you’re too moral” thing*

Chris: Shut the fuck up *shoots her*

Deviancy sequence, iconic

“You’re awake now” bitch get your own tag line, Markus became Robot Jesus for this shit

He’s HOLDING HER HAND while DEFENDING HER!! PLATONIC HAND HOLDING

Gavin trusting Nines’ decision immediately. Amazing. THAT’S LOVE BITCH.

The SMILES after Ada leaves!! They know they made the right choice!

Ugh the COLOR SYMBOLISM!! This is one thing that Michelle has touched on herself! Gavin isn’t wearing white in this scene because he’s not ‘fixed’, he never will be! He has trauma and he’s just barely beginning to heal from it with Nines’ help. He’s wearing grey, lighter than his usual, but still grey because they aren’t pure or innocent and they’re not perfect!! And that’s the fucking point!! It’s also a contrast against Sim!Gavin wearing white! Sim!Gavin was an idealized version of Gavin in Nines’ idealized world!! Real Gavin isn’t that!! So he’s wearing grey!!

Gavin immediately understanding that Nines is Ace and that it’s ok!! Beautiful!

“You’ve been a whole person since the day you woke up” YES!! YOU DO NOT NEED SEX TO BE WHOLE!! FUCK YEAH!!! (this is ace excitement. In the months since writing this I realized I’m aro-ace and trans so fuck yeah for ace rep.) 

Gavin being a dick and making Nines tell him about the skin thing

THE KISS!! They slowly move more into the light!! Because they’re getting better TOGETHER!!

Ok before I sign off, it’s only 3 am so I think I’m awake enough to talk about this, I like that they bring up that Gavin has like, actual issues that he needs to get through. Let’s be 100% honest here, I see Gavin as having ADHD, depression, and probably a form or symptoms of PTSD. He’s kinda fucked up and I’m gonna be real here he needs some therapy. He’s got trauma and needs to work through it. 

I like that at the end they explicitly have Nines understand and accept that that’s what needs to happen. As someone who has actually had relationships ruined because of trauma (on both sides) that we were unprepared to work through together, if I had seen something like that? Game changer. As it was, most relationships I had seen were idealized and seemed to “fix” those issues by way of just being in a relationship. Thanks major media. 

Now that the Detroit Evolution post series is over, I’m gonna be a bit sentimental and say that this film quite literally changed my life. Seriously. Michelle is such a big inspiration for me and I can only hope to be the same for someone else. 

If you ever have a chance to check out any of the amazing people who worked on this film, please do. To put into context how big this was: I changed my ideal college major from Forensics to Film. 

That’s it that’s all, ending this post at 3:24 am before I literally start crying over it. Thanks for suffering through my long-winded explanations, I hope you enjoyed. Have a wonderful day.

[signifiant-in-signifie]

You may try. But you cannot the truth that is your name, Ben.

So, first of all, it is my first tumblr post like ever. I’m pretty new in this, but I really enjoy lots of sites here ‘a lot’ and from a long time and I want to add my two cents here.

I ship couple of couples from movie/TV. I’m totally #philinda and #reylo.

I became a big Reylo fan after TFA. I agree with probably 99,99% Reylo meta (I probably don’t know it all) – don’t be afraid, I feel it too ;-)

I love the way how Ben and Rey are portrayed, even visually – opposites (colours) but also similarities (look at the layers of theirs sleeves), ‘same’ stories, different ways of resolving their problems... I was heartbroken ‘cause their separate ways at the end of TLJ and even scared that Disney gave (and will give) us kind of ‘Labirynth’ ending instead of our instant ‘Beauty and the Beast’, but now I hope that it’ll be for their benefit (they are so young and reckless, both of them, even ‘Snow White’ didn’t help for now). I must say that I have had very bad feelings about this when I saw Rey in that claustrophobic coffin just from my beloved CS Lewis imaginary. Offtopic: In CSL’s ‘Perelandra’ in coffin like this travelled to the Venus (planet named after goddess of love;-)) Ransom – kind of helper to save Venus’ first pair of ‘human’ citizens (Adam and Eve of this place) who were tempted by evil (Satan, in our Reylo case - Snoke, but they defeat evil just like Lewis’ heroes). So our beloved couple should now to figured it out alone and find a way to be what they should be and be themselves, to be together. You know that wisdom that ‘you can’t have healthy relationship with another person if you are ‘sick��’ – and they are so broken...

I can write a lot, like A LOT of them, and instead of that it I want to say that in TLJ not everything was for me ‘nice cinema working’, but in the end I like it as a whole. I have faith in JJ – I saw all his works, and I’m considering him as a director who make films and TV series about friendship, family, love and redemption. I was confused about TFA – I didn’t see most of these things in it, but then – enlighten – I know now that JJ did want to tell us story about loneliness (everyone are alone in TFA – it was horrible), now Rian’s story told us that’s tragedy that people didn’t speak with each other, but when they start... So JJ I guess will show us his usual film themes in our ‘Black Diamond’ (I saw some of ‘Fringe’ resolutions in TFA, so I’ll be waitin’ for another ‘Beauty and the Beast’ kind of form these in next film). Our beloved couple is in good hands. I can speak about Star Wars all day long... I’m not sure that anyone notice it (probably yes) – but I don’t see any meta about it, so I want to share it with you and ask you what do you think about these.

I want to say few words about name Ben. I’m studyin’ linguistic and I know how important names are/were in culture, why people give that specific name to their children – as a good wish for future, as a prophecy.

Name Ben in Hebrew means ‘son of the south’ or ‘son of the right hand’ – sounds very nice. Benjamin in the Old Testament was the twelfth and youngest son of Jacob – Israel, father of the Chosen Nation (sounds familiar?) – Jews. Interesting is fact, that he was originally named differently – ‘son of my sorrow’ by his mother Rachel, who died shortly after childbirth. His father changed this name later for what we know now. So - inspiring story about changing names, seeing person differently by different people (sorrow, right), making troubles (not his fault exactly) from his very childhood.

But we know that tradition wasn’t common ‘at galaxy far, far away...’ (but is common to us, viewers, 'cause we know other traditions and myths, tales).

It was difficult to accept for me that Kylo Ren is Solo Ben, but then I saw that he only change couple of letters so Ben is still there ;-) and one of it is ‘R’ (Rey ;-) we know they must know each other before). Pay also attention to fact, that that speaking Kylo Ren’s birth name is forbidden in First Order!

But there is also another thing... So Ben was born at the day of end of war, when Rebellion defeat Empire in great battle of Jakku (interesting, don’t you think?). He has got name after Obi-Wan Kenobi, Jedi without whom his parents will never met, fall in love, defeat Empire, finally had him... Who, after Jedi purge exiled himself, had amazing powers, who defeat Anakin but had compassion for him and to didn't kill him. After Master who always know how and what to do, Knight in the shiny armour, devoted to Jedi Order but also to his friends and close his eyes for some of their decisions (he must know about Anakin and Padme, please), but he didn’t say a word of disapproval. So our sweet little boy had lots of expectations on his shoulders, not only fame of ‘freedom/victory child’, first baby born in the free galaxy but also parents, uncle, then grandpa and grandma (both: Organas and Skywalkers) and Obi-Wan, who change his name because his looses.  And then the meaning of this name: 'Obi-Wan Kenobi you’re my only hope' (I wasn’t only reminding of our beloved Princess or funny/memorable moment for Luke in TLJ) – for me this holo scene was also about Ben. Rey told us that! People around Ben want him to be theirs hope, ‘cause – as his name said - he was theirs hope form the very beggining (as children in general are, but also) theirs hope for peace, for happy family life, for end of all wars, for start a new Jedi (irony of the Force - Order).

And the irony/tragedy of these situation was that evil was there all the time to crush these hope, to change it to despair, to Kylo Ren. ‘Cause Ben means hope. Ben is HOPE. And I have hope that he still is. Force didn’t change mind ;-) Force wants balance. Anakin failed, Luke failed, but he saw enough power for accomplish it in Ben, but Ben (see how he strongly believe in Force) in way to balance dark and light tried to kill the light embracing dark – bad way. But we saw him ‘grey’ even in TFA (for example he didn’t kill Finn when he disobey him in that village). So he must accept that evil is inside everyone, and remind himself how good is to be on the right side of life (as in Snoke’s trone room). He can’t accomplish it alone, so Force ‘make a helper suitable for him’ (oh, Bible!) born at Jakku – the planet entwined with his birthday! There is darkness in her, but thanks for his actions, their connection (I don’t believe that its Snoke’s work) – he was her teacher, he really helped her to mature. Sad part of it is that she cannot help him the same way, but remember he was darksider many years and needs more time to heal, to see his mistakes to find his way, to fulfil the prophecy of his name and birthday in proper way! Ending of the TLJ was heartbroken ‘cause the lack of... hope. They lost hope, (‘cause) they lost Ben, lost faith in him, even his mother, even Rey. Everything was dark, instead of grey. But I believe he will figured it out, he is a smart boy, maybe with assistance of Force ghosts? We will see. But I believe that after ‘The IX’ we won’t be disappointed. He must believe in himself, believe his loved ones, he must see his heritage in proper way not the way that Snoke Has told him is the proper way (I believe that he started  see Snoke's lies), just like his father, who (irony of the Force!) didn’t believe in Force (an had the most powerful Force user as a son) before Ben turn away from the light, and then the same father tell everyone ‘all of it is true’. Firstly, it was confusing to me (back at December 2015) that we don’t have any Skywalker – but we have. We have Ben, and maybe his grandfather was suppose to be designed from Force (see the similarities, their personality) but he doesn’t fulfil this prophecy, so Force tried with Luke and Leia – but because their separate ways and paths of life didn’t succeed also. So – third time lucky – Force tried third time. Or maybe he form the beginning were destined to be ‘the chosen one’ and every event in SW lead us for this very moment when he will become Him (and all the events: Anakin turns to Vader, born of Leia, rise and fall of Empire, Han’s love for Leia was for the chosen one birth. ‘And who knows but that you have come to your [royal] position for such a time as this?’ To become the greatest Jedi, new Jedi ever. The chosen one. Connected two sides of force in a good way, for benefit of everyone? Not without ‘little help form his friend(s)’ but it’s still Skywalker story (this is they poetic;-)). He want to accomplish it ‘solo’, but we know that it isn't a way.

Ben is ideal Force user, extremely sensitive in the Force, have great power, amazing emotionality – perfect to use the Force, to connect to it, but –unfortunately - the same reasons caused his downfall. So Force learn and want a balance and that tried with two human beings to do it (It give us Luke and Leia - man and woman, knight and politic, servant and ruler - but it doesn’t work). So here’s Rey – to show him ‘you can do it differently, it works better this way, feelings aren’t bad, try combine it with Force,with power’. Power+love. Power of love.

I believed that Rey will call him his real name before I saw TLJ and she did (remember all the stories about real name of long lost Kings and Princess..., ‘bout name changes and so on). She said it because his real name, true name and identity is Ben. He can’t deny it, even if he will try (and he tried during two films, and he can’t! accomplish it, 'cause you can't kill the past, you must accepted it and just live). Without him there is no hope. His birth ends war, his re-birth will end another, end all star wars for good. He will end it, he did it once. I don’t know how, negotiations, from inside... history of my country tells me that is possible. Have hope, my friends.

That's ALL (and much more I guess) is in his name.

PS So that’s couple of my thoughts. Sending hugs love for all Reylo community. Sorry for my poor English, I’m not native, as you can - definitely and unfortunately - see.

[toraonice]

Yuri on Ice interview translation - Otomedia 2017/02 (p21)

Here’s the other interview with producer Manabu Otsuka from February’s Otomedia. This is from February so of course it's after the end of the series.

As I mentioned in the other post, Otsuka is a producer and also the current representative director of studio MAPPA, so he’s actually a very important guy. In other words, as long as he’s fine with more YOI we will get more YOI...

I know Otsuka from Shingeki no Bahamut Genesis, because he often appeared in the crazy staff live talk they had every week. I always had the impression that he is a nice guy who is open to challenges and lets creators fairly free to do what they wish, which in anime such as YOI is a good thing because it means that creators don’t have to fight against an army of narrow-minded higher-ups to make the story how they want it (though I think they still have to fight against sponsors, distributors etc..). Yamamoto and Kubo would probably have had a much harder time making YOI if they had teamed up with a more old-fashioned anime studio.

As most of the anime staff, Otsuka didn’t really create the story of YOI, he just managed the team that animated it, that’s why often speaks with “it’s my opinion” “I think that” etc.

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MAPPA producer Manabu Otsuka interview The story of the two continues after the Grand Prix Final

—Let us know how you feel now that the last episode aired.

In the last episode Victor decided to go back to competing and Yuuri decided to continue. I feel that (Mitsurou) Kubo-san and director (Sayo) Yamamoto-san were able to successfully depict the progress and final destination of their relationship of coach and student, as well as the theme of this work, which is “love”, bringing everything to a beautiful conclusion. —Was it decided from the start that Yuuri would place 2nd in the Grand Prix Final?

Yes. When I received the plan of the story until the last episode, it had Yurio (Yuri Plisetsky) as the winner. I think that, from the start, the story of Yuuri and the other figure skaters was portrayed as something that was going to continue even after the Grand Prix Final. If Yuuri had won he might have chosen to retire this season. —Were there any other alternative plans for the ending?

Kubo-san and director Yamamoto might have discussed other plans between themselves, but the production staff only knew the current ending. The way we portrayed the exhibition changed from the original plan, but I think that this version with Victor barging in on Yuuri’s exhibition and the story ending with the two of them was probably the best option. —Why do you think Victor decided to go back to competing?

Victor has been winning all this time with his overwhelming strength and has always surprised the audience, but I think that he might have gotten into a slump because he didn’t know what to do next. Just at that time, at the banquet of last year’s Grand Prix Final, Yuuri told him “become my coach”. This is just my imagination, but I think Victor might have seen it as an occasion for he himself to change. After that he becomes Yuuri’s coach and they fight together, and I think that Yuuri kept on surprising Victor. As they spend time together not only in tournaments but in their private life too, Victor is attracted by Yuuri and is influenced by him. Unlike when he was always winning alone, the influence of another person caused something inside him to change, and I think he might have become curious to know what kind of performance this new himself was capable of and how he could fight against the other skaters. Of course it’s just my personal opinion. —So this change led him to return to competing.

In the Grand Prix Final we are also shown how both his personal best scores in the short program and free skating were surpassed by the two Yuris, and he can’t just stay there twiddling his thumbs as the others surpass him. Also, in episode 11 we see Victor watching the other skaters’ performances, and of course I don’t think his feelings are that simple, but Yuuri takes it as “see, Victor wants to skate again after all” and “I’m the one who is stopping him from doing that”, so at the beginning of episode 12 he tries to set Victor free. —So you are saying that he didn’t decide to retire just because of his physical limits.

Yes. And I also believe that Victor’s return to competition might have stopped Yuuri from retiring. —I had the impression that Yurio’s free skating in episode 12 also had a strong role in stopping Yuuri’s retirement.

I do think that Victor himself and his choice were one of the ultimate reasons causing Yuuri to change his mind about retiring, but at the same time, on a different level, Yurio as an athlete showed him how earnestly he wanted to win against him. I think that power affected Yuuri’s feelings as a figure skater and made him decide to continue competing. Love and bonds with people are portrayed through his relationship with Victor, and the spirit of an athlete and the importance of keeping a strong motivation are portrayed through Yurio. I felt that the way the story is structured with Yurio, who is the youngest one, fiercely representing the essence of an athlete and confronting the adults, was very cleverly thought. —What do you think about Jean-Jacques Leroy (JJ), who placed 3rd in the Grand Prix Final?

He’s a character I really like. He was overwhelmingly strong ever since he appeared, has a crazy personality and many things about him are more definite than other characters. He says he’s “the king” and delivers. I think that JJ’s collapse increased the tension of the Grand Prix Final. I felt that he had the role of making the audience think “What will happen to Yuuri and Yurio?”, “What will be the results?”. As someone on the creators’ side I was also happy that in the end he was able to rank 3rd overall (LOL). —It’s amazing that he could recover in the free skating.

I was moved watching him, because unlike the previous JJ, this time he was suffering and struggling to achieve good results. In any sport it always leaves a strong impression when someone is able to overcome adversity, and depicting this through JJ’s development was a good thing for this work as a sport anime. —From episode 10 we have Otabek too.

Otabek is an athlete who pursues strength as a competitor. He stoically endeavors to become stronger to win competitions. This personality also makes him lonely, and I think that’s why he became friends with Yurio. Yurio has Yakov, Lilia and the others, but I was happy to see that he could finally find a fellow athlete who shared the same loneliness. —Regarding Yuuri and Victor, how do you interpret their relationship over the course of the whole anime?

This is just my opinion, but I think that for the two of them the relationship of coach and student is just the surface. It looks as if Victor showed up and saved Yuuri from a crisis, but at the same time Victor needs Yuuri too. Yuuri has fallen to the very bottom and Victor has lost sight of something. They meet when they are both going through a difficult phase and need to change something, they complement each other and go further ahead. Yuuri said “this feeling doesn’t have a name”, and I really think their relationship is just like that. It’s surely beautiful to call it “love”, but I think that it goes even beyond that; it’s a relationship where they motivate each other to go in a better direction. —Every episode had a big response, but do you think in episode 10 it was particularly impressive?

I felt that Kubo-san and director Yamamoto, just like Victor, like to always surprise the audience. And they even set a series of surprises in a row. Showing something clearly can be scary because some people might not be impressed by it, but it’s amazing how they still pushed forward without hesitation (LOL). However, I think that the aggressive stance of this work is what helped it reach the hearts of many people. I personally felt that episode 10 was the culmination of that. It was full of thrills. —Many people are already hoping for a sequel. What are the current plans for the future?

I think that Kubo-san and director Yamamoto want to continue as long as they can, and there are probably lots of things that they want to portray. If they wish so, the company and I will be glad to work on it as we’ve done so far (LOL).