#cosplay enthusiasts tokyo

[worlddaikokonat]

For anyone looking for a new rhythm game and/or a game with canon yuri to play, the game World Dai Star: Yume no Stellarium is currently celebrating it's 0.5th anniversary with a new main story chapter, a festival banner and reruns of previous banners.

World Dai Star is a mixed media theatre girls franchise whose main entries are the anime of the same title and the mobile rhythm game. It features both original songs and cover songs such as Stellar Stellar, Phony, Snow Halation, Ano Natsu ga Houwa Suru, Tokyo Shandy Rendezvous and more.

It's set in a world which had a huge theatre boom in the middle of the 20th century, which resulted in the field of theatre acting becoming so crowded that some people developed mutations which gave them acting superpowers called 'Senses', which can range from increased athletic ability to mind reading to de-aging while on stage. The very best actors are classed as World Dai Stars, with only a small number of people worldwide claiming the title.

The anime follows a girl named Otori Kokona as she joins the theatre troupe 'Sirius' and starts her journey towards becoming a World Dai Star. Kokona has been repeatedly rejected during auditions as they say she lacks a Sense, however she has her best friend Shizuka supporting her in her dreams no matter what. As it turns out though, no one else can see or hear Shizuka. As the show progresses Shizuka becomes visible to others and it's revealed that she's actually Kokona's Sense and although many mysteries remain around her, with her help Kokona's acting starts to shine.

World Dai Star: Yume no Stellarium is a direct sequel to the anime which continues to follow Kokona and the rest of Sirius while introducing three new troupes, Eden, Gingaza and Gekidan Denki.

Eden is a subversive troupe led by the young lesbian genius Renjakuno Hatsumi, which creates unique plays with controversial subject matters and has a dangerous reputation with the more mainstream troupes in the area. Bar Hatsumi, whose Sense allows her to suppress other's Senses, all members of the troupe have Senses which can act as double edged swords.

Gingaza is one of largest and most prestigious theatre companies in Tokyo and scouts for actors internationally. The environment at the beginning of the game is both hyper competitive and unfriendly and the members rarely befriend each other, but that begins to change when Ramona Wolf arrives from Germany.

Gekidan Denki is a troupe which focuses on 2.5D performances such as anime adaptations. They are a relatively easygoing troupe made up of various kinds of otaku and their dedicated fans are very enthusiastic. However, due to changes in the economy of Akibahara the troupe isn't as profitable as it used to be, and the threat of closure is often hovering above their heads. The story starts when a cosplaying anime otaku named Iroha, who quit acting when she was young because she has no Sense, joins the troupe with her best friend Mito.

The rhythm game aspect has been praised for it's three finger Olivier charts and high level of user customisation, which you can see in the linked video and read more about in the English language fan guide. It uses a system called Star Acts for it's scoring system. The team building and score increasing aspects are more in depth than most rhythm games and are considered one of the major draws of the games for people who like meta aspects.

The card art is always high quality and in particular often has excellent lighting.

The original songs are also highly praised, and the game has many covers like the ones mentioned above and ANIMA, Turing Love, Fleeting Lullaby and Hide and Seek. You can see three different difficulty levels with three different songs in the videos below.

In addition to the rhythm game section, there are also 3DMVs with customisable cast members and outfits and Photo Spots where you can dress members up and take photos of them in daily life situations. There are also 3DMVs of plays such as The Phantom of the Opera in the game, which have scripts written by a professional playwright.

For the yuri, there's a lot of potential pairings who openly flirt with each other, but more explicitly Renjakuno Hatsumi is gay and is in an open relationship with Lilja Kurtbay of Gingaza (first pic below). She cruises around town in her car hitting on girls on most days and regularly goes on dates with the girls she picks up. She's hit on most of the girls in the cast at this point and about a third of them like it. Also, the most loved up pair in the game are Senju Iroha and Shiromaru Mito (second pic below), and the official Twitter account of the game liked a post of rainbow flags replying to one of the Iroha/Mito 1komas that they posted.

(There's also this from the anime.)

Since the 0.5th anniversary banners and events are ongoing it's a good time to start the game, you can download it through QooApp. The game was laggy for Android on release and the reviews reflect that, but the issue was fixed in the first month and it now runs smoothly. All of the main story chapters, all of the key story events and some other events are translated to English, link is below.

[cephalonserotonin]

TennoLive 2024 Notes

"Tonight is going to be a night of mystery and magic…"

Beginning with Matt Chalmers and the Warframe band with a lovely Warframe musical medley! (there doesn't seem to be a clip of this but if I find/make one I'll edit this to include it!)

Video showcase of lightning cosplay's Arthur (which was so realistic I thought it was a 3D render at first)

Housekeeping

Raffles! This crowd is adorably enthusiastic!

The Warframe team will be at Gamescom in Germany in August and the Tokyo Game Show in September

Next year's tennocon will be July 18-19 2025

Stay tuned for future cross-platform trade news

Warframe Android build in progress

Next update: The Lotus Eaters

A prologue-style quest which sets the stage for 1999, releasing in August Will include launch for Sevagoth Prime Access

Next next update debuting from Tokyo: The Unannounced 2024 Update

Will include launch for Caliban Deluxe

as well as a new Warframe which Pablo calls "one of the craziest designs [he's] done" QOL features:

Caliban rework. Logging in during this update will give everyone a free Caliban!

A "favourite" tooltip in the arsenal for earmarking gear

5 new incarnons (the audience: "stug! Stug! Stug!")

Companion rework part 2

Warframe 1999

Drops with an animated short film developed by The Line!

Höllvania Center mall relay on Earth available now to all Warframe players for a limited time.

The Warframe 1999 voice cast includes the voice acting debut of James Conlin, courtesy of Make a Wish foundation granting his wish to be a voice actor. <3

Light reworks of Nyx and Trinity

coming WINTER 2024

(Brief break for some technical difficulties and for Bingus_Prime to win a giveaway)

Live demo of the first quest of Warframe 1999

some highlights from me, though by no means comprehensive:

Warframe 1999 takes place in the year 1999 in the nation of Höllvania on an Earth "not quite like ours"

New syndicate The Hex:

from L-R: Quincy Isaacs (protoframe for CYTE-09, new Warframe coming with Warframe 1999), Lettie Garcia (Trinity protoframe), Arthur Nightingale (Excalibur protoframe, the same Arthur playable in Whispers in the Walls), Aoi Morohoshi (Mag protoframe), Amir Beckett (Volt protoframe), Eleanor Nightingale (Nyx protoframe and Arthur's sister)

Members of the Hex will be romanceable for the Drifter through an AIM-like chatting interface

New vehicle the Atomicycle:

Note that while the other Hex members ride their Atomicycles, Amir runs along with the Volt Speed ability, which I just really found worth mentioning

New enemy faction the Scaldra: "The nation of Höllvania has responded to the Techrot outbreak with ruthless aggression." (from the official recap). They're like if Bioshock Big Daddies also oozed a lot

Scaldra boss Major Neci Rusalka:

also there is a tank

New Infested Adversaries the "Technocyte Coda," which are some form of the in-universe 1999 boy band On-lyne:

Stream Party of Your Lifetime by On-lyne

See also: official TennoCon recap, official Warframe 1999 hub

[hyeahgaku]

Jump Festa 2024 SAKAMOTO DAYS Special Stage

(Part 1) Here are some of the things that were discussed, & exchanges that the guests had, which i manage to understand from the panel. I did not include those that i couldn't quite catch. Apologise if i misheard anything cuz my listening for Japanese isn't top-notch 🙏

Introduction

Guests for SAKAMOTO DAYS JF2024 panel are Sōsuke Ishikawa (editor in charge of SakaDays; from here on shall be referred as Ishikawa-san) and Ryōta Suzuki (special guest appearance; from here on shall be referred as Suzuki-san)

Ishikawa-san did not cosplay as anyone this time (lol; previously he cosplayed as Tarō Sakamoto in JF2022, fyi). However, he wore Sakamoto's Store apron this year & said that it is no longer sold in Jump Shop but there is a newer version which fans can still purchase.

Ishikawa-san mentioned that now that the series has reached its 3rd year anniversary, the battle with Slur is heating up which makes it more exciting to witness its future development.

When Suzuki-san came on stage he made a joke about how there's an X mark (meaning Slur lol) at the spot designated for him. He jokingly commented that we would chance upon so many Slurs (X marks) in our everyday life so he's hyperalert of his surroundings lmao.

1st Segment - Suzuki-san's Favourite Manga Scenes

Suzuki-san chose chapter 16, "Department Store War": the limited edition Sugar-chan backpack sale scene. He expressed that he could really feel Sakamoto's love for his daughter, Hana-chan, in this chapter. And seeing how Sakamoto is now fighting as a Dad, & not as a hitman, really stood out here & it's amazing to see. He also praised the series' comedic scenes and remarked that those grannies in the chapter are way more scarier than any other assassins in the series.

Ishikawa-san added that as a backpack enthusiast, he felt that he need to get his hands on a Sugar-chan backpack too.

Suzuki-san's next favourite manga scene is chapter 28, "First Rate" (or "Top Notch" whichever yall prefer), specifically Seba versus Shin & Heisuke. Suzuki-san recounted his experience when reading this chapter, he wondered how Shin would fight an invisible person & moreover Shin couldnt read his mind when Seba wore the invisibility suit. But then Heisuke came to assist Shin, and Suzuki-san praised Heisuke for being a great guy who not only consoled Hana-chan when she cried (cuz she was left by herself in store) & told her that Piisuke would help find them. Ishikawa-san also agreed that Heisuke is a really good guy!

Suzuki-san explained that he had put lots of thoughts into choosing his favourite scenes as he took into account those people who have yet to read the series. He actually wanted to add a scene with "the strongest grandpa" Takamura! Suzuki-san confirmed it when Ishikawa-san guessed if it was the Tokyo Tower-slicing scene. Suzuki-san remarked that he was mindblown when that scene happened.

Ishikawa-san was asked to provide his thoughts on Suzuki-san's scene choices. He said that Sakamoto is always fighting a lot so seeing him take a breather and get to do a normal everyday life kind of stuff plus those hilarious (department store war) scenes was refreshing so he's glad Suzuki-san chose that chapter. As for chapter 28, the Seba versus Shin & Heisuke happened to be one of his favourites too. He enjoyed how Shin & Heisuke both try to adapt in the battle, with Shin not being able to mind-read, but the two never once gave up as they pushed on to defeat Seba, who has the invisibility ability.

2nd Segment - Special Q&A with Suzuki-sensei (done behind-the-scenes)

You may refer to the JF2024 Q&A questions which I have previously translated.

Q1. ALTERNATIVE CAREERS // Ishikawa-san thought that all the characters' alternative careers made sense. As for Suzuki-san, he was absolutely convinced that Sakamoto would have opened a ramen shop business & be the manager there. He added that Sakamoto's current shop could pass as a ramen shop as it already looked the part so he was really surprised with the home improvement/hardware store manager answer lol. He also commented that Nagumo is very handsome so him being an actor or model makes a lot of sense. As for Ishikawa-san, he also added that he can already picture Heisuke to still be in training even after he becomes a Chef lmaooo.

Q2. REST DAYS // Suzuki-san was just fanboying over Osaragi 😂 He said "Osaragi-san is the best and she's super cute!" and Ishikawa-san agreed. Ishikawa-san said she reminds him of a cat! Ishikawa-san further stated that, according to Suzuki-sensei, Nagumo is the kind who can switch between On & Off modes easily. Sensei also said that he would sometimes just sit on his bed on his day off, with his hair all messy, and just do Sudoku puzzles. Ishikawa-san confessed that he never expected such information though it's interesting, and then Suzuki-san chimed in & said that everyone generally likes guys with gaps (aka gap moe. Meaning: contrast between one’s appearance and personality, or the difference between someone’s actual personality and from first impression you had of them). Suzuki-san also added that Nagumo is pretty sly.

Q3. COOKING ABILITIES // Suzuki-san never would have guessed that Osaragi can cook! He even joked that Osaragi would cut her food/ingredients using her buzzsaw & then they joked that she'd even cut through the kitchen counter lmaooo. As for Ishikawa-san, he felt that Osaragi is good at cooking home-cooked meals. Then moving on to Yotsumura (the goat), Ishikawa-san stated that he actually asked Suzuki-sensei what Yotsumura's specialty was & Sensei stated that Yotsumura can cook just about anything -from Italian, French to Japanese cuisines you name it, anything at all! Lastly, Ishikawa-san remarked that since Mafuyu is a clean freak or a germophobe, he probably would not touch anything, much less cooking. Suzuki-san seconded this & went on to say that Mafuyu would never cook at all.

Q4. AOI & SAKAMOTO FIRST MEETING // Suzuki-san commented that Sakamoto being all shy, hesitant & fidgety is super cute & adorable. Ishikawa-san thought Aoi has great communication skills as Aoi strikes him as the type who would instantly speak what's on her mind so she must have been really worried for Sakamoto at that time (seeing him w blood).

Q5. SUZUKI-SENSEI'S MESSAGE TO SHIN & SAKAMOTO // Suzuki-san remarked that while Shin doesn't look like the series MC -cuz he imagined the MC to be someone really strong- he felt that Shin & the rest of the characters around him have made an impact & things have been exciting thanks to them too. Ishikawa-san pointed out that Shin is more of a "growth" type character. Comparing him to Sakamoto, who could just defeat anyone single-handedly and easily, Ishikawa-san explained that Shin doesn't have all that but no matter the obstacles & difficulties thrown his way, he constantly tried his best & never gave up, and that's what makes one want to root for him. Suzuki-san also expressed his opinion on how he feels like Sakamoto is the “I got your back” type of person, to which Ishikawa-san agreed, saying that whenever Shin is in a pinch, Sakamoto would always come to his rescue.

continue to pt.2 》

[kaito-kid1412]

The Culprit Hanzawa notes

10/10 it was so funny. I love how Beika is just muder town. Kaito AND Hakuba make an appearance so anything less than 10 is unfathomable honestly.

This is so funny wtf

I love that Beika Town is Murder Town haha

Ran’s hair spike thing being in the top of her head is weird tho :/

Conan being called the grim reaper is so perfect lol

Why is Hanzawa so funny tho. Like he’s so incompetent and weirdly adorable?? Even when he’s having instructive thoughts about murdering people??

The ending song is lo-fi beats to plan a murder to lol

-

If you’re gonna murder someone, be considerate!!

HAHAHAHA

‘Put down a tarp or something’

‘I’ll have to be considerate which might be stressful.’

Him blushing at Hanbayashi also wanting to kill the landlord LOL

Awww ‘sleepover’

He made a friend lol

CONAN IN THE DREAM HAHAHAHA

Bento box fax machine pffft

DID HE DREAM THE MUDER???

HE’S PSYCHIC!!!??

-

He listened to his mum’s advice haha

The line to leave hahaha

NO ONE CAN ESCAPE THE DEATH TOWN!!!

100% CLEARANCE RATE!!!?? DAMN CONAN! ‘Collective of special crime fighters’ lol

All officers are out on the field hahahaha

They all hate Kogoro hahaha

His mum is the best :))))

The jet black shower scene

Pffffft

-

It still hasn’t said who he plans to kill. Is it Kogoro? I thought it might be because he moved to Beika specifically for a crime and idk if he would know someone who lives there, but he would know a celebrity and it’s definitely a ‘he.’ But he had no reaction to Mori’s name last episode…

Awww self-love :)

Pffft Hattori and Conan

CONAN IS ROUND AGAIN!!!!

Heiji’s squint haha

He doesn’t know where to buy shampoo?? What a disaster man

They’re tailing him but Heiji’s hat is backwards

‘Drugs are scary’…I love him

Conan has ice-cream and Heiji gave him head-pats :)

Heiji just holding him while he aims his watch hahaha

Smol sneeze

They followed him into the bath house ToT

-

‘Crime prevention goods’

Hahaha

Why is Beika Gotham??

The money his mum gave him :(((

RAN!!!!!

BULLET CATCHING LETS GO!!

SHE’S THE BEST YEAHHH!!!!

-

They party because they’re gonna die???

Lol

Agasa lets go!

Professor this is why Haibara’s telling you to be more responsible with your money…

Wait Kogoro did grow more tolerant??

AN ELEPHANT??? WTF HOW IS HE NOT DEAD???

Are you trying to kill him…

…is he dying??

THREE WEEKS??!!

HAKUBA!!!! MY LOVE HAS RETURNED FROM THE WAR!!! FINALLY!!

Is the bird in the opening Watson the Hawk then?? I thought a bird was a weird choice and the dog appears in the ending…

Also why is he in Beika? I know it’s not that far from Ekoda but like… why??

WAIT A MINUTE BEIKA ISN’T REAL!!!??? WTF I THOUGHT IT WAS!!!! I SEARCHED UP HOW FAR FROM BEIKA TO EKODA BUT WTFFFFF!!! Idk shit about Japan’s geography so I thought it was just another ward in Tokyo.

-

I love how he always sounds so sinister when he’s just talking about regular stuff.

He doesn’t know where his victim is? I guess it’s probably not Kogoro then…

He’s so enthusiastic for his job lol

On his first day as well hahah

HAKUBA!!! IN HIS FULL HOLMES COSPLAY LETS GO!!

Okay so Hakuba is 17… his birthday’s in August right? So he’s like a year older than Kaito then?? Since I’m guessing this is school time. If Kaito is born in June and Hakuba is born in August and Hakuba is 17 then yeah that’s nearly a year apart… weird :/ And Aoko is born in September and turns 17 wait is that AFTER Kaito turns 17?? I don’t understand the Japanese schooling system… Kaito and Hakuba should be in the year above then… unless Kaito is 16 when Aoko turns 17, then just Hakuba should be in the year above… unless they’re all in their last year now and went up a year since Aoko’s birthday / the blue birthday heist. So Aoko is the youngest then.

‘Blah blah blah’ LOL

Yeah Habuka IS brilliant :D

They’re ALL detectives??!

Aw he admires them lol

Their detective senses are tingling!!

Ofc Hakuba left haha. Bet it was a KID heist note

WATSON!!! THE MVP!

Was that a Moomin cosplaying Sherlock dvd?? That would be the best crossover EVER!!

Damn detectives…

-

Be a good BOY. IS WATSON A BOY?? I WASN’T AWARE WE KNEW HIS GENDER??

Heck yeah Watson ATTACK!!!

Wait… I recognise that cowlick… is he trying to kill SHINICHI???

Watson has a ‘taste for blood’. Hakuba what does that mean. What have you been doing in England?

He took that so literally lol

Does Hakuba brag about his dad?? Hahha

…dogs can… lock doors? I mean I knew he was an idiot but what??

Solid 10 seconds of silent eye contact lol

Yes get the fluffball….

Haunted by the dog…

480,000 yen is ~£2600… Hanzawa don’t do it… how will you afford rent…

Why are Agasa and Haibara at a pet shop?

THEY’RE GETTING A DOG?

Hakuba’s house is so fancy. Why is there a horse carved into it?? Ofc he has an old telephone.

Woah hi Baaya!!

Yes Hakuba threaten him!!!

Ofc the dog is silly what did he expect??

Awwww he loves it anyway!

Does Hakuba really just trust Hanzawa with Watson? He can obviously take care of himself but still

Gin??? and Amuro??

…why can Pometaro talk…

-

Don’t make fun of him :(

His mum bought his clothes…how old is he?? Older than college age I guess…

Oh and now he’s insecure…

‘Hippie style’ lol

That’s from a corpse…

‘What exactly is being trending?’…same honestly.

What do you mean you don’t sell black clothes? Oh ofc. Conan would definitely be suspicious.

I love how we don’t see him wearing any clothes. It just makes it so much funnier. Especially when he was talking about his hair being messy and just patting at thin air.

AMURO HE’S JUST AN IDIOT DON’T KILL HIM!!

Aw his mum comes to visit?

‘Have them buy you the entire manga series’ lol

-

The woes of customer service.

His mum is so nice :(

…is she also a criminal or is it just to show that they’re related.

He’s so mean to her :((

In the English translation/sub her accent doesn’t seem that strange.

:,(

He talks like Beika town is sentient lol

Yeah spend time with your mum!

-

I love that Watson is just living with him now. Like Hakuba where are you?? Are you back in England?

Does he think the gods are gonna help with his murder plot?

Why are there so many needles there? Conan what have you been doing?

Is he gonna kill Kogoro for littering? Deserved honestly :/

He recognises Ran by her hair spike lol

That’s definitely Kaito. No one else wears such clashing colours together. Also his smirk.

In the preview KID’s hair is brown… is that not Kaito then? Or does DC not make KID’s hair black like MK does?

-

AOKO!!! (For 1 second :()

Sonoko what is this? Why are people practicing KID’s tricks? Especially one he’s already done before?

He thinks Shinichi’s/Kaito’s voice is nice? Lol

Oh it is a different trick… but it’s still walking on air… I think

Wait so they want KID heists to happen to stop the murders… HAHAHA

Wait no Kaito’s hair is just brown

What does Hanzawa want revenge for? What did Shinichi do to him?

Also why is KID there? What is he stealing?

A clover… haha for luck

Ofc he’s blushing at KID lol

Bro he’s right behind you

‘See you next criminal’ hahaha stealing Kaito’s catchphrase lol

[reddperlers-24]

Twisted Wonderland merch/cosplay 5

Epel cosplay and plush

-custom made-

More Twisted Wonderland cosplay at Tokyo Disney. Amazing Glorious Masquerade Malleus and Deuce!

-video-

[vinnybonzer]

9 mesmerizing places for anime lovers in Tokyo

Tokyo is a dream destination for anime lovers, offering an unparalleled experience for fans of the genre. From iconic landmarks that inspired anime settings to stores filled with exclusive merchandise, the city is a treasure trove of opportunities to immerse yourself in the world of Japanese animation. Whether you’re a dedicated otaku or a casual fan, these must-visit locations in Tokyo will leave you enchanted.

Akihabara: The Anime and Gaming Paradise

Known as the mecca for anime and gaming enthusiasts, Akihabara is packed with specialty stores, gaming arcades, and themed cafes. Anime fans can browse iconic shops like Animate and Mandarake for rare collectibles, DVDs, and manga. Don’t miss the chance to visit a maid café or explore multi-story arcades like SEGA for a full otaku experience in your Tokyo vlog.

Studio Ghibli Museum: A Magical Experience

Nestled in Mitaka, the Studio Ghibli Museum offers a whimsical journey into the world of Hayao Miyazaki’s masterpieces. Visitors can explore detailed exhibits, life-sized replicas, and a short exclusive Ghibli film in a cozy theater. Tickets sell out quickly, so be sure to plan ahead for this enchanting experience.

Nakano Broadway: A Retro Haven for Collectibles

Nakano Broadway is a must-visit for collectors. This shopping complex is filled with shops selling rare anime merchandise, vintage toys, and figurines. It’s an excellent alternative to Akihabara for those seeking a more nostalgic vibe while hunting for treasures.

Pokémon Center Tokyo: For Every Pokémon Fan

Located in Nihonbashi and Ikebukuro, the Pokémon Centers are a paradise for Pokémon enthusiasts. These stores feature a wide range of Pokémon merchandise, including plush toys, apparel, and limited-edition items. Don’t miss the themed cafés where you can enjoy Pokémon-inspired treats.

Odaiba: A High-Tech Anime Wonderland

Odaiba is home to attractions like DiverCity, where the life-sized Unicorn Gundam statue stands tall, thrilling fans of the iconic mecha series. Inside DiverCity, the Gundam Base Tokyo offers exclusive model kits and exhibits. For anime-themed entertainment, visit Joypolis, an indoor amusement park with anime-inspired games.

Ikebukuro’s Otome Road: The Female Otaku Hub

Ikebukuro is a haven for female anime fans, particularly along Otome Road. This area is home to Animate Ikebukuro, K-Books, and other shops specializing in BL (Boys' Love) merchandise and doujinshi. The nearby Pokémon Center Mega Tokyo and Sunshine City shopping mall make it a well-rounded destination.

Tokyo One Piece Tower: For Pirate Adventures

Located near Tokyo Tower, this theme park dedicated to the One Piece anime offers interactive exhibits, live shows, and themed restaurants. Fans can step into the world of Luffy and his crew while collecting exclusive memorabilia. Although its physical location is currently under renovation, the spirit of One Piece lives on in Tokyo through pop-ups and merchandise stores.

Animate Ikebukuro Flagship Store: A One-Stop Anime Shop

As one of the largest Animate stores in Japan, the Ikebukuro flagship is a paradise for anime fans. With eight floors dedicated to manga, DVDs, cosplay goods, and more, it’s the ultimate shopping destination for otaku culture. Check their event schedule for signings and exclusive releases.

Harajuku’s Takeshita Street: Anime Fashion Central

For those who love anime-inspired fashion, Takeshita Street in Harajuku is the place to be. The quirky boutiques and accessory shops sell items that often reflect styles seen in popular anime. It’s also a great spot to find themed cafés and street food inspired by Japanese pop culture.

[thehungrykat1]

Japan Town in Glorietta Mall Takes Guests on a Culinary and Cultural Journey

I am just so in love with Japan. Even before I first got to travel to Land of the Rising Sun, I was already so captivated with the Japanese culture and way of life, most especially their food! Japanese cuisine is obviously my favorite, which is why my top places to eat are mostly Japanese restaurants. That's why I was really excited to attend the launch of the refreshed Japan Town in Glorietta Mall which brings all my favorites in one fantastic venue.

Glorietta, a bustling shopping and lifestyle destination in the heart of Metro Manila, has relaunched a hidden gem that brings the vibrant culture and exquisite flavors of Japan to the forefront. Welcome to Glorietta's Japan Town, a culinary haven that transcends the ordinary, offering the Japanese experience, both traditional and contemporary, without the need for a plane ticket. The Hungry Kat was invited last January 27, 2024 to be part of the festivities and activities that were available to guests at Glorietta and it was truly a fun and enjoyable weekend.

Glorietta's Japan Town isn't just for culinary enthusiasts; it's a destination for all. The communal atmosphere reminiscent of izakayas creates an ideal setting for friends to gather, unwind, and relish the energetic social scene. Japan Town also provides solace and a taste of Japan's culinary delights for those seeking a comforting escape after a challenging day's work. Moreover, Japan Town is a vibrant community hub where individuals can immerse themselves in their passion for everything Japanese. The central square stands as a focal point, boasting a LED screen that showcases the diverse works of various artists. In the upcoming months, it will also host a plethora of events and fairs, promising an exciting calendar for mallgoers. Anticipate the rhythmic beats of DJs during events like Sunsets in Shibuya, where the lively ambiance of Tokyo evenings comes to life.

For this weekend, Japan Town became a haven of activities for everything Japanese. Guests came in their best cosplay outfits to match the beautiful and scenic surroundings.

Those who were not able to wear costumes could also Rent-A-Cosplay for the afternoon to bring out their favorite anime and game characters.

They also had Rent-A-Kimono so you could take gorgeous photos and feel as if you were really in Japan.

There were many other activities that guests could participate in for free. All you had to do was to present a single receipt purchase of P2000 from any of the Japan Town merchants and restaurants. Guests could design their own totebags or participate in the Origami workshop.

We decided to join the Matcha Workshop by Matchanese.ph where we could mix and create our own Matcha Lattes.

The instructor taught us the art of matcha making which comes with precise measurements and strokes. We first had to weigh the matcha powder using digital weighing scales then whisk it into a thick and bubbly consistency. It was actually hard work because my arms got tired from all the whisking and blending.

We then prepared our milk and ice then proceeded to pour our matcha creations into our Matcha Latte cups. We also got to take home some of the matcha beverages we did.

One of my favorite things to do in Japan are the Claw Machines! That's why I was so happy to see these claw machines at Japan Town which were free to play. I spent a lot of time that afternoon trying to catch these prizes so I was ecstatic when I finally won!

Japan Town also featured some stalls selling cute kawaii items from stickers to key chains and prints and more.

I also made sure to drop by the Wishing Tree to grant me good fortune and to make my wishes come true this year.

Another great activity you can do at Japan Town is to experience wholesome family entertainment at the Omniverse Museum. This indoor attraction showcases a vast collection of authentic pop culture memorabilia from beloved comic books, movies, novels, and TV series. My husband took it a little too far when he saw some of his favorite characters.

Japan Town at Glorietta boasts an enticing array of Japanese restaurants, each offering a unique culinary journey that captures the essence of Japan's diverse and rich food culture and promises an immersive dining experience that transports patrons to the lively streets of Japan.

One of the restaurants that we wanted to visit at Japan Town was Musashi-Maru, a haven for sushi enthusiasts which offers a delectable dining experience with a focus on fresh and high-quality ingredients.

We ordered the Osashimi 6 Shu Mori (P1400) for our starters which had six kinds of assorted sashimi including salmon, tuna, scallops, lapu lapu, squid, and delectable uni. We were quite impressed with the quality of their dishes which can match those authentic Japanese restaurants in Little Tokyo in Makati.

My husband had the Una-Ju (P980) with its grilled eel on top of Japanese rice. It was really like you were eating this in Ginza, Tokyo.

We then shared the Hanakago Zen Negitoro Don (P1120), a big basket that comes with Mini Negitoro Don, Assorted Tempura, Assorted Sashimi, Nimono Garoni, Mini Udon, Tofu, Chawanmushi, and Almond Jelly.

We had already tried most of the other restaurants at Japan Town but it was always fun to go back. Experience a fusion of flavors at Mitsuyado Ramen Shokudo which offering a unique twist to traditional ramen.

This time we ordered their Spicy Tuna, Black Pepper Chicken Donburi, and Ebi Tempura.

To finish our food crawl at Japan Town, we headed next door to 102 Izakaya. This is where you can immerse yourself in the izakaya culture where small plates and a relaxed atmosphere create the perfect setting for socializing and enjoying Japanese snacks.

I remembered enjoying their Japanese Cocktails like the Sakura Sour and the Japanese Iced Tea before so we had to have these again.

We finished our exciting day with the Ribeye Saikoro Steak (P920) paired with the Yakitori Platter (P398) that comes with 8 sticks of delicious kushiyaki.

There are four other delicious restaurants in Japan Town that we did not get to explore this time. Shaburi & Kintan is where you can indulge in a dual culinary experience with shabu-shabu and yakiniku, creating a communal dining experience that brings friends and family together. Customize your curry experience at Coco Ichibanya with its diverse range of toppings and spice levels that cater to various palates. Dive into the world of ramen with Ramen Nagi, where steaming bowls of noodles and flavorful broths provide a taste of Japan's beloved comfort food. Finally, renowned for its tonkotsu ramen, Hakata Ton-Ichi invites guests to savor the robust and hearty flavors of this Fukuoka specialty.

We would like to thank our Ninang Bess Howe and her Better Mondays PR Consultancy team for hosting this very entertaining and filling weekend at Japan Town. With its diverse dining options, welcoming atmosphere, and immersive exploits, Japan Town at Glorietta fosters deeper cultural appreciation and promises an experience that embraces the best of Japan right in the heart of Metro Manila. You can find Japan Town at the Level 4 roofdeck of Glorietta 3 in Ayala Center, Makati City.

[otakusmart]

10 Anime And Manga Shops in Canada That Otaku Should Visit

Want to visit your nearest anime and manga shops in Canada but don't know where to start? Well for starters, you don't have to Google manga shops near me or manga shops in Canada anymore because OTAKUSMART brings to you the ultimate list of the anime and manga shops in Canada. Canada, a diverse and culturally rich country, is also home to a thriving manga and anime scene. Manga and anime enthusiasts from all walks of life can explore a wide range of shops and stores catering to their passions. Whether you're a fan of the classic Shonen series or the latest Shoujo releases, these anime and manga shops in Canada have something special to offer. In this comprehensive guide, we'll take you on a journey through some of the best anime and manga shops in Canada.

List of the best anime and manga shops in Canada

- Sakura Anime - Toronto, Ontario (Address: 461 Alden Rd Unit 2, Markham, ON L3R 3L4, Canada) - AnimeXtreme - Toronto, Ontario (Address: 315 Spadina Ave, Toronto, ON M5T 2E9, Canada) - The Beguiling - Toronto, Ontario (Address: 319 College St, Toronto, ON M5T 1S2, Canada) - Otaku Palace - Vancouver, British Columbia (Address: 1715 Robson St, Vancouver, BC V6G 2J7, Canada) - Anime Stop - Montreal, Quebec (Address: 6870 Saint-Hubert St, Montreal, QC H2S 2M7, Canada) - Neo Tokyo - Edmonton, Alberta (Address: 10232 106 St NW, Edmonton, AB T5J 1H7, Canada) - Dragon Impact - Calgary, Alberta (Address: 638B 17 Ave SW, Calgary, AB T2S 0B4, Canada) - Comic Book Addiction - Whitby, Ontario (Address: 1022 Brock St S, Whitby, ON L1N 4L8, Canada) - Anime Extreme - Ottawa, Ontario (Address: 131 Bank St, Ottawa, ON K1P 5N7, Canada) - Red Nails II - Halifax, Nova Scotia (Address: 5687 West St, Halifax, NS B3K 1H5, Canada)

Best anime and manga shops in Canada

Here is a list of the best anime and manga shops in Canada where anime fans can purchase their favorite manga, anime collectables, figurines, and everything their otaku hearts need. 1. Sakura Anime - Toronto, Ontario Sakura Anime, nestled in Markham, just outside of Toronto, is a haven for manga and anime enthusiasts who are looking for anime and manga shops in Canada. This shop boasts a diverse collection of manga, anime DVDs, figurines, and merchandise. With its friendly staff and regular events, Sakura Anime creates a welcoming atmosphere for fans of all ages. 2. AnimeXtreme - Toronto, Ontario Located in the heart of Toronto, AnimeXtreme is a mecca for anime lovers. The store offers an extensive range of anime DVDs, Blu-rays, manga, and collectables. Its central location makes it a must-visit for tourists and locals alike. 3. The Beguiling - Toronto, Ontario The Beguiling, a Toronto institution, is famous for its eclectic collection of comics, graphic novels, manga, and rare finds. They also host events, signings, and art exhibitions, making it a cultural hub for comic and manga enthusiasts. 4. Otaku Palace - Vancouver, British Columbia Otaku Palace in Vancouver is a paradise for anime and manga lovers. With an impressive selection of manga, anime merchandise, and unique collectables, it's a destination that draws fans from across the region. 5. Anime Stop - Montreal, Quebec Anime Stop in Montreal is a beloved spot for the local anime community. The shop offers a wide range of anime DVDs, manga, and cosplay accessories, making it a go-to destination for fans looking to expand their collections. 6. Neo Tokyo - Edmonton, Alberta Neo Tokyo in Edmonton is known for its vast selection of anime and manga, as well as a wide variety of collectables and cosplay items. The store's friendly staff is always ready to assist customers in finding the perfect addition to their collection. 7. Dragon Impact - Calgary, Alberta Dragon Impact in Calgary is a hidden gem for manga and anime enthusiasts. This shop features an extensive selection of manga titles, along with a range of action figures and merchandise, making it a treasure trove for fans. 8. Comic Book Addiction - Whitby, Ontario While primarily a comic book store, Comic Book Addiction in Whitby also offers an impressive collection of manga titles, catering to fans of both mediums. Their friendly and knowledgeable staff can help you discover new series to enjoy. 9. Anime Extreme - Ottawa, Ontario Anime Extreme in Ottawa is a popular spot for anime and manga fans in the nation's capital. With a wide selection of anime DVDs, manga, and merchandise, it's a place where enthusiasts can connect and explore their interests. 10. Red Nails II - Halifax, Nova Scotia Red Nails II in Halifax is a unique blend of a comic book store and an anime shop. While it caters to a variety of interests, manga enthusiasts will find a curated selection of titles and related merchandise.

Conclusion

These anime and manga shops in Canada offer a diverse and inclusive community for fans to explore their passions and connect with like-minded individuals. Whether you're a seasoned collector or just starting your journey into the world of manga and anime, these shops provide a welcoming and exciting environment to nurture your interests. So, the next time you're in Canada, don't miss the opportunity to immerse yourself in the captivating world of Japanese comics and animation. Read the full article

[densi-mber]

What Happens in Tokyo

“Just as a warning, Nell is extremely excited to see you again,” Deeks informed Rosa as they walked towards their airport terminal.

“Yes, I remember last time,” Rosa said with a wry grin. During Nell and Eric’s last, and very brief, visit to the states, Nell had nearly knocked Rosa down with her overly enthusiastic hug. “I’m prepared.”

They found Eric and Nell at the very front of the line, holding up a handmade sign that read “Welcome to Tokyo Deeks-Blye Family” in sparkly letters.

Nell caught sight of them when they were a few yards away and ran to meet them, making a beeline for Rosa. She enveloped her in a tight, albeit less aggressive, hug.

“Rosa, I’m so happy to see you again!” she said, pulling back with a smile.

“I see how we rank these days,” Deeks joked, accepting a hug from Eric.

“Oh you know that I miss you guys like crazy,” Nell told him, finally releasing Rosa. She moved to Kensi next, rocking back and forth slightly. Deeks heard her say “Love you, Lady,” the rest unintelligible.

When she got to Deeks, she wore a slightly wistful expression.

“Deeks.” She held out her arms, waiting for him to enfold her first. She tucked herself into his chest with a sigh. “I really missed these big brother hugs,” she murmured, her smaller arms wrapping tight around his torso. “And these muscles,” she added, giving his bicep a playful squeeze.

Deeks laughed breathily, not having realized just how much he’d needed this.

“Good to see you too, Nellosaurus,” Deeks told her, earning a grin from both her and Eric.

“I think I missed that most of all, Shaggy.”

“Now there’s something I haven’t heard in forever,” Eric commented. “There’s a severe lack of nicknames in our company. And novelty pajama pants.”

“Well, I can help you with the first one, but sadly we did not pack any pants with pandas or cacti on them.”

“But we did bring presents,” Kensi assured them.

“Oh, you shouldn’t have,” Nell said, linking arms with Deeks and Kensi, leading then towards the exit. “What do you get us?”

Rosa snorted at Nell’s childlike excitement.

“Nope, you’ll have to wait,” Deeks teased.

“It’s tradition,” Kensi objected reasonably. “If you open them at any other time, they’re no longer Christmas presents.

“You can have mine whenever you want, but Marty and Kensi will probably insist on waiting until it’s closer to Christmas,” she informed Nell in a stage whisper.

“And now I like you even more,” Nell decided, switching over to walk next to Rosa instead.

“So where do you want to go first?” Eric asked once they had piled into a blue SUV.

“Well, I’m kind of hungry,” Kensi said, and Deeks grinned, squeezing her knee. If there was one thing that was always consistent, it was Kensi Blye’s appetite.

“So we should stop at a cafe as soon as we drop your luggage off,” Nell finished. “Ooh, there’s a place just down the street from us that has the most amazing Japanese pastries. You guys will love it.”

“And then maybe we can visit some place like Inokashira Onshi Park,” Rosa suggested. Eric raised an eyebrow, looking impressed.

“Wow, your pronunciation is really good.”

“I’ve been practicing.”

“And researching ever since she found out we were coming to Japan,” Kensi added with a proud smile.

“It was interesting,” Rosa said with a shrug.

“Alright, food for Kensi so she doesn’t turn into a wildebeest, and the garden for Rosa,” Deeks summed up.

“Sounds good. Then later this evening, we can do something a little more adventurous.”

“Nell, we totally need to take them cosplay go-karting,” Eric said, sharing a look with Nell that Deeks found fairly terrifying.

“Uh, I’m not sure that’s really our thing,” he said uncertainly.

“Oh, you guys will love it. Then we’ll do something really crazy.”

“This is going to be amazing,” Rosa decided happily while Kensi and Deeks shared dubious looks.

***

A/N: I always imagine that Nell and Eric are up to crazy hijinks in between running their company.

[worlddaikokonat]

World Dai Star Guide: Love Live Collab Edition

Since there's a lot of people looking into World Dai Star for the first time thanks to the Love Live Sunshine collab, I updated the 0.5 Anniversary guide. This is an overview of the characters, the anime and game's basic plot and the gameplay and in game features.

The collab started on November 20th and is split into two parts. The first part runs from November 20-28th and the second part will run from November 30th to December 8th. The first part of the collab features Chika (free 4 Star card), Riko and Yoshiko. The second will feature Dia and Ruby.

World Dai Star is a mixed media theatre girls franchise whose main entries are the anime of the same title and the mobile rhythm game. It features both original songs and cover songs such as Snow Halation, NEO SKY, NEO MAP!, Stellar Stellar, Internet Yamero, Mixed Nuts, Virtual To LIVE and more.

It's set in a world which had a huge theatre boom in the middle of the 20th century, which resulted in the field of theatre acting becoming so crowded that some people developed mutations which gave them acting superpowers called 'Senses', which can range from increased athletic ability to mind reading to de-aging while on stage. The very best actors are classed as World Dai Stars, with only a small number of people worldwide claiming the title.

The anime follows a girl named Otori Kokona as she joins the theatre troupe 'Sirius' and starts her journey towards becoming a World Dai Star. Kokona has been repeatedly rejected during auditions as they say she lacks a Sense, however she has her best friend Shizuka supporting her in her dreams no matter what. As it turns out though, no one else can see or hear Shizuka. As the show progresses Shizuka becomes visible to others and it's revealed that she's actually Kokona's Sense and although many mysteries remain around her, with her help Kokona's acting starts to shine.

World Dai Star: Yume no Stellarium is a direct sequel to the anime which continues to follow Kokona and the rest of Sirius while introducing three new troupes, Eden, Gingaza and Gekidan Denki. It features canon yuri.

Eden is a subversive troupe led by the young lesbian genius Renjakuno Hatsumi, which creates unique plays which deviate from tradition and has a dangerous reputation with the more mainstream troupes in the area. Bar Hatsumi, whose Sense allows her to suppress other's Senses, all members of the troupe have Senses which can act as double edged swords.

Gingaza is one of largest and most prestigious theatre companies in Tokyo and scouts for actors internationally. The environment at the beginning of the game is both hyper competitive and unfriendly and the members rarely befriend each other, but that begins to change when Ramona Wolf arrives from Germany and tries to save troupe leader Senju Koyomi from burning herself out for the sake of tradition and her family name.

Gekidan Denki is a troupe which focuses on 2.5D performances such as anime adaptations. They are a relatively easygoing troupe made up of various kinds of otaku and their dedicated fans are very enthusiastic. However, due to changes in the economy of Akibahara the troupe isn't as profitable as it used to be, and the threat of closure is often hovering above their heads. The story starts when a cosplaying anime otaku named Senju Iroha, who quit acting when she was young because she has no Sense, joins the troupe with her best friend Shiromaru Mito.

The rhythm game aspect has been praised for it's three finger Olivier charts and high level of user customisation, which you can see in the linked video and read more about in the English language fan guide. It uses a system called Star Acts for it's scoring system. The team building and score increasing aspects are more in depth than most rhythm games and are considered one of the major draws of the games for people who like meta aspects.

The card art is high quality and in particular often has excellent lighting.

The original songs are also highly praised, and the game has many covers, like the ones mentioned above and That Summer Was Saturated, Flower, Snow and Drum'n'Bass, Fleeting Lullaby and DAYBREAK FRONTLINE. You can see three different difficulty levels with three different songs in the videos below.

In addition to the rhythm game section, there are also 3DMVs with customisable cast members and outfits and Photo Spots where you can dress members up and take photos of them in daily life situations. There are also 3DMVs of plays such as The Phantom of the Opera in the game, which have scripts written by a professional playwright.

For the yuri, there's a lot of potential pairings who openly flirt with each other, but more explicitly Renjakuno Hatsumi is gay and is in an open relationship with Lilja Kurtbay of Gingaza (first pic below). She cruises around town in her car hitting on girls on most days and regularly goes on dates with the girls she picks up. She's hit on most of the girls in the cast at this point and about a third of them like it. Also, the most loved up pair in the game are Senju Iroha and Shiromaru Mito (second pic below), and the official Twitter account of the game liked a post of rainbow flags replying to one of the Iroha/Mito 1komas that they posted.

You can download the game through QooApp. The game was laggy for Android on release and the reviews reflect that, but the issue was fixed in the first month and it now runs smoothly. All but the latest installment of the main story chapter, most of the key story events, and various other events and side stories are translated to English, link is below.

[demonslayedher]

Taisho (Secret!) Visit to the Yuukaku~

While I’ve touched on this building briefly in this post and had fun recreating a few scenes from KnY’s second season, today I’d like to reintroduce Koriyama Machiya Monogatarikan (in Yamatokoriyama, Nara Prefecture) for what a detailed look it provides into life in a Taisho era brothel.

Yoshiwara, Tokyo’s pleasure quarters (yuukaku) in which the battle with Daki and Gyutaro took place, nowadays only has little reminders of what sort of place it was for centuries (and you can read about it here). Machiya Monogatarikan is one of the best-preserved buildings of its kind across Japan, including the master’s quarters and storehouse.

While this building is very enlightening about KnY’s setting, there are some key differences to note:

1. This building was completed in Taisho 13 (1924), nine years or so after the battle with Daki & Gyutaro would had taken place.

2. This used local yuukaku architectural styles and catered more to customers from Osaka as opposed to from Tokyo. A key difference is one of Yoshiwara’s signature design elements, the harimise, the 1st floor slatted windows in which women sit as products on display. Out here, the customer first entered the building, was shown a catalog of woman on the first floor, and then led upstairs. (Nowadays, rather than going to actual Yoshiwara area of Tokyo, you’d see a better example of these in TOEI Kyoto Studio Park where period dramas are filmed).

3. This is a 3-story building, a rarity among yuukaku. While it doesn’t have harimise, its koshi (slatted windows) have three different privacy styles on the different floors; a major characteristic of this particular building.

It ceased operations as a brothel in 1958, and instead of being torn down, the building was repurposed as a boarding house, and it was later adopted as the city’s cultural property in 2014. It has undergone restoration which protects against earthquake while retaining the original yuukaku aesthetics. Admission is free, we had a very enthusiastic old man as our guide, and with permission from the city office, this can be used as a cosplay location. Unfortunately, they only have information in Japanese. In this post, we’ll focus particularly on some lifestyle and business customs and where they took place within the building, albeit with a -touch- of creative embellishment.

First, let’s say you’re a customer. Lucky you! This place isn’t far from the train station, so you didn’t even have to wander far, it was a pretty straight shot from Osaka (or in modern day, from Kyoto or Nara City too). The guys at work were all talking about going together, but you weren’t invited, so you’ve come out early to beat them all to the best girl...

As you head in, someone sitting in the payment office will spot you through a hole in the window paper. There was also a window to this room where payments would be handled, like a modern ticket booth. Guests would be shown to the reception room with a window that faced the street, still very close to the main entrance, and shown the catalog and list of prices for the different ladies. That Kingyohime-oiran is pretty expensive, but you’ve heard she’s as sexy as they come, so let’s splurge today!

You get led up the wide staircase to the second floor. This staircase was used for going up, whereas the staircases at the sides were used for going down. You’re shown to the reception room to wait, this is a large room with nine tatami mats and big decorations on display. And behold, Kingyohime-oiran’s room is just on the other side! Seems an odd choice; while all the other rooms around this floor are three tatami and face windows to the east and north, her room is four and a half tatami mats and only connects to the hallways. No worries about it being dark without sunlight, though, electricity is already common in this time period. She opens the door and coos “Welcome” with a voice so enticing that you faint, and this part of the tour is now over.

Now let’s say you’re one of Kingyohime-oiran’s colleagues. Your room is one of the three tatami rooms on the third floor with a tiny decorative alcove (though the pillar of which would later be removed to make your room more spacious as a boarding facility). You have wide koshi which let in more natural daylight and provide a direct view of the gabled roofs of the temple next door, especially its onigawara, the tiles with oni faces meant to scare of evil. You hope this will protect you from rough customers.

Koifuyu-oiran is one of the highest ranked ladies, and she has the southeast corner room with four and a half mats. She comes down your side of the hall to knock and remind you it’s time to get ready, which you’re sluggish to do, but work is work and you have your family’s debts to pay off. You head down the hall and turn at the guests’ (that is, the men’s) toilet to head down to the second floor, and then pop into the narrow preparation room to do your makeup and oil your hair. There’s a lot of natural light there with three inome (boar’s eyes) windows to gaze out of. You’ve heard that these protective shapes are now call “hearts” and symbolize love. That’s nice, but you think they look more like butts. Same difference.

“Hisako,” the cheerful old cook downstairs calls up to you, and you can gaze down at her in the kitchen. “Do you want extra pickles?”

You smile. She doesn’t call you by your stage-name. You know that your personal name, like all the other girls, is on your cubby down in the kitchen where your dishes are kept. “No, thank you,” you reply, and then quickly finish up to make room for your colleagues to use the tiny preparation room. There’s no worries about Kingyohime-oiran needing it, though. She always has her hair done in her own dark room.

Before heading back up to your room, you glance down through the open space in the middle of the building at the nakaniwa, the inner garden. That gives you a view into the personal quarters of the Okami, the mistress of the establishment. She’s poured money into all styles of latticework and decorative elements of her living room constructed with enormous, valuable pieces of woods from a whole variety of trees, including an enju pillar. That pagoda tree’s name can be taken as a pun for longevity, en-ju, though you can’t help but wonder why the kanji for that tree includes the character for “demon.”  

You head back upstairs, glancing over to one of the rooms facing the south, right by the slope of another temple. There’s bars in these windows to keep customers from trying to escape without paying, but they’re not the only ones kept from climbing out. You return to your room and wait to be called to see your first customer of the night. It’ll be a long night, like they all are.

After a typical night of entertaining guests, you’re exhausted and ready for a bath. You and the other ladies are chaperoned out to the neighborhood bathhouse, though the Okami gets to stay and use a grand one with her family crest decorating the ceiling. The joke’s on her, though—with the ceiling so high, it’s much too cold to use, and she uses a closet-sized one instead! As the sun begins to rise behind all those other buildings down your street with similar slats, Koifuyu-oiran catches up to join you, and you wonder about Kingyohime-oiran. She’s never joined in on the group field trips to bathe. It’s something you do every day, so even if she’s often busy with customers, it’s odd that your times never would had overlapped.

You don’t want to ask about it, though. Everyone knows she has a short temper. Koifuyu-oiran asks if you’re feeling alright, as you’re looking pale.

It’s raining when you come back. You’re ready to catch some shut-eye while the building is at its quietest, albeit at its brightest. You can’t sleep at all, and so you throw your thickest blanket over the window, blocking out the light, but now you can’t air out the smell of your last customer and you feel a chill as you lie down. You shiver.

“A-a-a-a-ra... Cold, are we, Kamasuhana?” comes a voice in your room saying your stage-name, it’s like layers and layers of women’s echoes in each word. “Let’s wrap you up tight.”

You screa-----

[lovehotelreservation]

Fantasy

Summary: It has been the greatest honor to be selected as the official cosplayer at your favorite gacha game’s fan festival event.

But what pleasure could compare to having your fellow cosplay colleagues have their way with you? [Cosplayer AU]

Rating: NC-17

Pairing: Makoto/F!Reader/Sousuke/Natsuya

THE LEVELS OF ON BRAND™ THIS ONE-SHOT IS I S2G

I’VE BEEN SITTING ON THIS PIECE FOR A WHILE NOW AND NOW I OFFER IT TO U ALL

ANYWAY MAKE US FREE NA SPLASH-- ∠( ᐛ 」∠)＿

-----------------

Another year meant another summer of pinning your hair beneath a blonde bob wig and twirling around in a pink dress that required countless hours to recreate.

But it was because of your efforts of investing your all into faithfully bringing to life the character design of Djeeta that the organizers of Granblue Fantasy Festival reached out to have you as the official cosplayer to work the event. Appearing on mainstage to enthrall awaiting fans, assisting with the presentation of prizes during the various games planned for the attending seiyuu, walking the floor to pose for pictures by enthusiastic players--you were honored by this opportunity, one that you looked forward to year after year with each invitation.

The trek across Japan to attend GBF Fes during its tour also meant reunions with the other official cosplayers, some of whom you have bonded and befriended even beyond the event itself.

Such was the case with the three who portrayed Lobelia, Aglovale and Belial: Natsuya Kirishima, Makoto Tachibana, and Sousuke Yamazaki.

Besides being profound cosplayers who found their claim to fame from their GBF cosplays, the trio were known to even sound practically identical to their respective characters.

Though spirited and ever eager, Natsuya certainly wasn’t a shameless guro-addict like the twisted Lobelia. By contrast, Makoto was far too much of a big precious teddy bear to be arrogant like the regal Aglovale. Last of all, the aloof Sousuke only shared the common trait of being tall, dark, and handsome with the lasciviously depraved Belial.

It was always a wonderful time with the three, from your reunions just days before the event, spending the weekend indulging in your favorite mobile game, to hanging out for carefree fun before the eventual but dreaded goodbye.

But by Makoto’s suggestion for you all to hit up the newly opened Super Nintendo World after the Osaka run of GBF Fes, you expected for your parting to end on a higher note this time around at least.

Especially since, upon the conclusion of the second day of GBF Fes, it was Natsuya insisting you all hop into a taxi and celebrate with dinner at a karaoke joint along Dotonbori’s canal upon the return to your hotel located by the massive INTEX Osaka convention center space.

However, what you didn’t expect was for the evening to go about as it did.

Hues of soft pink, blue, and purple mood lighting that contrasted the sharp gleams within hazy irises of red, green, and teal.

Moody synths of 80s city pop accompanying lyrics yearning love and desire were muffled to your ears, the breathy huffs of sweet whines and low groans a much more distinct sound.

A blushing heat coursed through the entirety of your body, stoked even further by lips chilled by ice cold beer kissing your skin.

The hotly murmured question of “Say Captain, which one of us do you like most?” from Natsuya had yet to receive a verbal answer, of which you conveyed through a different, more physical kind of reciprocation to all three.

You had inklings of how this weekend was going to turn out, but surely not like this.

While setting out for Osaka, you ran into Natsuya while settling in for your bullet train ride from Tokyo. It was a delight to already see his handsome grin once again, making you all the more excited to reunite with the others. As it had been a long morning, you found yourself dozing off while you both caught up with one another. With your mind drifted to a weekend of cosplay fun and amusement park thrills, you weren’t aware that he snapped a photo of him beaming at his phone camera with a peace sign while proudly displaying your head resting on his shoulder during the train ride over, texting the picture over to Makoto and Sousuke.

A frazzled kaomoji from Makoto while Sousuke left the response on read.

Then, during the afternoon for the first day of GBF Fes, you had some issues with zipping up the back of your idol Djeeta cosplay. Thankfully, Makoto was in the next stall over in the private dressing room for official cosplayers and was prompt to help you out once he finished buttoning up his coat for Aglovale’s House of Wales attire.

You were about to head out to the mainstage when you heard Makoto’s flustered squawk of your name upon his realization that your skirt was lifted after having gotten bunched up somehow while you were trying to fix your zipper on your own. Given that time demanded your immediate presence to the stage, you weren’t as alarmed by the sudden presence of Natsuya and Sousuke upon their return from making their rounds through the main event floor in their cosplays.

But they were rather taken by the sight of your skirt’s hem being hastily tugged by Makoto’s fingers.

Though, you could see why things came to a head earlier today when you--now in Djeeta’s iconic skyfarer dress--and Sousuke joined each other on stage. As “Parade’s Lust” blared from the speakers, the audience watched as he knocked away your sword before embracing you from behind, his grinning lips planting onto your cheek while his large hands caressed your waist.

”Oi, oi, when did you have the time to practice that?!” Natsuya jeered with a raised brow and a smirk as the two of you made your way backstage.

Makoto was rendered too speechless to say anything.

Sousuke, whose hand still held yours from when he helped you step down from the main stage, merely shrugged with nonchalance, of which was betrayed by the hint of a smug grin sliding onto his lips. “We just did what felt natural.”

And surely, while the effects of liquor of the sweetest and hardest varieties were well underway, this moment shared with these three--unexpected as it was--felt seamless in its transition from a night of merriment to an evening of withheld desire spilling forth.

As clothes were either tugged away just enough for a bit of freedom or exposure, or discarded entirely, you found yourself at the center of Natsuya’s, Makoto’s, and Sousuke’s affections, easily caught beneath the loom of their towering physiques

Natsuya was no sadist compared to his cosplay counterpart, but he didn’t refrain from affectionately nipping at your neck while enjoying the cute yelps you let out whenever his hand freely spanked your ass. He was no brute, but when he had his fingers tightly weaved in your hair, he didn’t hold back from fucking your mouth, all while he slurred out praises of how much of a good girl you were.

While he came from a humble upbringing back in the sleepy town of Iwatobi, Makoto made you feel like royalty while he happily knelt before where you sat as his tongue lapped against your core, dragging along your folds and twirling around your clit. When he had you sit on his lap--a proper throne for you, as he gasped desperately upon his dick entering you fully--, he cradled and massaged your breasts from behind as he had you ride him

And while every messy kiss shared with Sousuke felt like love--which it did, inebriation and all--, the way he spoke to and handled you was absolute and utter filth. His big and muscular arms hooked beneath your thighs, keeping them raised up while his hands stayed clasped behind your head, the sight of his thick cock ramming up into your ass to be seen fully by Makoto and Natsuya.

“Is this what you enjoy? Having other guys watch you get fucked in the ass like the cockslut that you are?” Sousuke grunted huskily, a harsh flush of red spread across his cheeks.

You squealed your desire for more as he continued to not relent in the slightest with the vicious rate he was thrusting into you.

Sousuke eyed Natsuya and Makoto, the look in his eyes as urgent as it was arrogant. “Captain’s needy.”

”Then leave it to me to satisfy Captain’s le désir,” Natsuya hummed proudly with a pound at his chest as he approached, eager to stuff your sopping core with his cock.

”Ahh that won’t do at all,” Makoto tsked with a sweet smile, ready to soothe your whines by giving you a mouthful of his dick.

You couldn’t have imagined that a night straight out of your fantasies would come to light as it did.

But as this game had come to show you, luck had a hell of a way of revealing itself to you.

[recurring-polynya]

Tokusatsu Au where Rukia plays the lead actress in a superhero action show. Renji plays one of the villains and they are The most popular ship in the fandom. Bonus points if Orihime plays the main villain and loves every second of it.

This was the very first prompt I got, and I fell in love. Unfortunately, aside from a brief period of being grotesquely fascinated with Power Rangers as teen, I know almost nothing about tokusatsu. I did as much research as I could and I attempted to watch an episode of Kamen Rider, but my eyes glazed over halfway through. Anyway, please forgive my inaccuracies, I wrote this with my heart.

ao3 | ff.net

🏍    ⚡   🎬

“Uh, looks like we’re almost out of time,” the panel moderator for “High-Spirited Battle Clairvoyant Tomoe!: A Sneak Peak at Season 5” declared, “but would you be willing to take just a few audience questions?”

Head Screenwriter Kurosaki Ichigo glanced at Leading Actress Kuchiki Rukia out of the corner of his eye, and she gave a tiny nod.

“Yeah, sure!” he replied.

There was already a young woman waiting at the microphone, practically vibrating with anxiety. She was wearing a t-shirt that had ZabiTo4Ever!! handwritten in marker on it. Rukia knew, deep down in her bones, what the question was going to be.

“Hi, yes, hello, big fan of your work! My question is: are Tomoe and Zabimaru going to kiss this season?”

“No,” Rukia started to say.

“As you probably know,” Ichigo said loudly on top of her, “the show holds close to the core plot points of Kuna-sensei’s manga, although, because of her minimalist style, we do expand a lot of the dialogue and filler scenes. She has said in several interviews that High-Spirited Battle Clairvoyant Tomoe! is not a romance manga, so the odds of Tomoe and Zabimaru ever kissing on screen are very, very low.”

The young woman stared at Ichigo grumpily. “Does this also count Zabimaru’s secret college student identity, Satonako Takeru?”

Ichigo stared back at her. “Yes. It does.”

The next question came from a person wearing a full suit of HellKnight’s plasma armor made out of overlapping plates of cardboard. Rukia was kind of impressed by it. She wondered if he could sit down.

“Hi, Kurosaki-sensei, I am a huge fan of your work,” a voice emanated from deep within the cardboard. “I was wondering if you are influenced at all by fanworks, and if Episode 73: Pride is on the Line!: The Bake Sale Must Go On! was based in any way on the classic fanfiction, ���Tell Me All Your Best Lies’? It’s the top story by kudos in the ZabiTo tag, which I might point out is the most popular shipping category on AO3.”

Ichigo cleared his throat gently. “I am contractually not allowed to read fanfiction, although I do enjoy fanart! There are some incredibly talented artists in the fandom, although for some reason, no one ever wants to draw pictures of Lead Screenwriters.”

“I’ll draw you, sleeping on the set like you always do,” Rukia offered, and that got a pretty big laugh. Rukia’s Tumblr of behind-the-scenes doodle comics was beloved among the fandom.

The next question was from a nonbinary person wearing a big poufy skirt and a hairstyle that would make their make-up and hair guru, Yumichika, sit up and take notice. “Hi, this is a question for Kuchiki-san! If the show is going to roughly keep pace with the manga, as it has done up until now, you should be shooting the storyline where Tomoe and Queen Bloodbuzz switch bodies later this year. I was wondering if you could comment on how you feel about filming that storyline?”

Finally! A good one! “Yes!” Rukia nodded eagerly. “I don’t usually like to speak for my fellow cast members, but Orihime and I are beyond excited about playing each other. We’ve been studying each other’s mannerisms and practicing already! Does anyone want to hear my Queen Bloodbuzz cackle?” She wagged her eyebrows as the audience cheered. “Here goes-- bwaHaHaHaHAHAHAHAAHAAAHAAAAAAAA!”

“Bonechilling,” Ichigo commented dryly as the audience erupted.

“Amazing, Kuchiki-san!” the moderator exclaimed. “I think there is time for one more, but this will be the last question!”

A tall girl in a full set of High-Spirited Battle Clairvoyant Tomoe motorcycle leathers stepped to the microphone. She was holding a notebook. “Hello!” she warbled. “In a 2020 interview with the Psychics and Sidekicks podcast, Abarai Renji was asked about his opinion on ZabiTo as a ship, and he replied,” she consulted her notebook, “‘Tomoe is such a cool lady and talented Battle Clairvoyant, and she always follows her heart and stays true to herself. I think that Zabimaru can’t help but be impressed with her, even though they’re enemies, and I always try to roll that into our on-screen interactions.’ I know that in the past you’ve refused to comment on the ship, but I was wondering if you had any thoughts on, y’know, his thoughts?”

“Well, he’s correct, of course, Tomoe is very cool and admirable,” Rukia replied, which drew a few laughs, although it seemed like the audience was leaning forward in anticipation of her answer. “Like I said, I don’t like to speak for other cast members. I’ll be doing a big cast panel with Abarai and Inoue and Matsumoto and Ukitake tomorrow afternoon, and I hope you all can make it! See you then!”

The moderator thanked them enthusiastically, and then Ichigo and Rukia slipped out the back guest entrance.

“Evasive as always, Kuchiki,” Ichigo teased.

“Whatever,” Rukia sniffed. “The higher ups say we’re not supposed to comment on stuff like that, and I was not commenting. By the way, how many secret fanfic accounts are you up to? Four?”

“It’s only three!” Ichigo paused. “I wrote that fanfic the guy brought up.”

“Of course you did,” Rukia sighed. “I do blame you personally for the popularity of the damn ship.”

“Me? Blame Kuna for making up two such sexy, emotionally constipated dumbasses!” Ichigo defended.

“Also, it’s not Ichigo’s fault that you and Abarai have insane chemistry.”

Rukia spun around, grinning. “Orihime!”

Rukia’s two co-stars, Inoue Orihime and Abarai Renji, the portrayers of Tomoe’s demonic archnemeses, stood in the hallway behind them.

“We sat in on your panel!” Orihime beamed. “You two were brilliant!”

“Don’t worry,” Renji added. “We were incognito.”

“Incognito” was relative, Rukia supposed, when you were at Tokyo’s biggest tokusatsu

convention.

Orihime was wearing a Zabimaru outfit so detailed that she probably could have won a prize down at the cosplay hall. She had the gravity-defying ponytail, the eyeliner, the insane widow's peak (complete with forehead tatts), the fangs, the motorcycle boots. The paper mache snake skull helmet was a little lopsided, but it was charming. She had her top zipped a little higher than canon, but that was forgivable, too.

Renji had taken the opposite tack of looking as much like a normal person-- or at least a normal Battle Clairvoyant Tomoe superfan-- as possible. Relaxed fit jeans and an oversized hoodie de-emphasized his ultra-fit physique. He was wearing a t-shirt with a very dramatic rendering of Orihime that said “Queen Bloodbuzz can step on me!” and a ball cap with the logo of Seireitei University, the fictional college Tomoe and Takeru attended.

“You think you’re in disguise,” Rukia pointed out, “but there are thousands of teen girls in this place with entire Tumblrs dedicated to your stupid face when you’re out of costume.”

Renji cocked an eyebrow at her. “You underestimate me, Rukia. I have bought… new sunglasses.” With a flourish, he whipped out a pair of the dorkiest wayfarers she’d ever seen, and flipped them onto his face. “I’ve disappeared! Who am I? Where am I?”

“You look really great, Orihime,” Ichigo said, his cheeks coloring a little bit. “Did you get Uryuu or Yumichika to help you with that costume?” In his continuing theme of doing things he wasn’t supposed to, Ichigo had finally started dating Orihime on the downlow around the time they finished up filming last season. It had done absolutely nothing for how shy he still got around her. They were, in Rukia’s opinion, cute as hell.

“Oh, no, that would be cheating!” Orihime replied, wagging a finger at him. “Well…maybe I did cheat, just a tiny bit. Renji helped me make the helmet and he held up references for me while I was painting on the tattoos.”

“Only the forehead ones,” Renji quickly added.

“He wouldn’t even offer feedback on my booby tattoos!” Orihime frowned. She leaned forward. “Rukia, how do they look?”

Ichigo turned even redder.

“Perfect, as in all you do!” Rukia replied loftily.

“What’s everyone got coming up next?” Renji asked. “I was thinking of slipping out and trying to pick up some real coffee.”

“I’m judging a villainess-themed cosplay competition,” Orihime chirped. “But I’m dying for a blueberry caramel iced latte. Renji, my henchman, pleeeeease!”

“Of course, my liege,” Renji replied in his Zabimaru voice.

It’s not like it had been a hard decision to accept the role of the motorcycle-riding, badass heroine of one of the most popular manga of the last decade, but it had turned out to be one of the best decisions of Rukia’s life. not just her career. Aside from a few of the money-obsessed executives, she liked nearly everyone in the cast and crew, but the fact that the fact that the ruthless, homicidal, literally Hell-spawned villains of the show were played by the two sweetest marshmallow people she had ever met just took the cake. Renji and Orihime had already known each other from some voicework they had done previously, and their excitement at working together on a live-action project had infected the entire cast from the start. Rukia wasn’t sure, but she strongly suspected that Renji was the one who had hyped Orihime up to ask Ichigo out.

“I have a writers’ workshop I’m moderating this afternoon, and I wanted to review the writing samples people sent in,” Ichigo said, scratching the back of his head. “I’d love to stop by that cosplay contest, though, at least for a few minutes.”

“You’ll be needing caffeine, too, then, eh?” Renji offered. “Hot, black, and in the largest cup they make, as usual?”

“Ugh, you’re the best,” Ichigo groaned. “You wanna power-up this season? Costume update? You know what? Maybe I’ll just have you defeat Tomoe once and for all, no one likes her anyway.”

“C’mon, you know I’m the world’s number one Tomoe simp, don’t do that!” Renji laughed.

Rukia rolled her eyes. “I’m free and I could use some fresh air. Besides, it’s going to take all your dumb muscles just to carry Kurosaki’s vat of coffee back here.”

“Cool!” Renji proclaimed. “We’ll be back soon!”

“Thanks, Renjiiiii!” Orihime waved.

“You need to stop off and put on a disguise?” Renji asked.

“No point in it, I always get recognized,” Rukia sighed, pulling her sunglasses out of her purse anyway.

“Here,” Renji said, plunking his hat on her head. “Maybe this will help.”

“Thanks,” Rukia replied, and then did a double take. “Whaaaaaat is on your head?”

“Shut up!” Renji laughed. He usually shaved his head when they were filming, because it made it easier to deal with the make-up and wigs, but since they were between seasons, he’d grown his hair out into a short, tousled mop of reddish-brown waves. He looked, for the lack of a better word, dreamy. “I shot a movie over the summer, and they wanted me to look softer.”

Rukia looked at him over the top of her sunglasses. “You didn’t tell me you were doing a movie!”

“Oh, it was just a little indy romcom thing. I wasn’t sure it was gonna pan out, I didn’t want to make a big deal out of it.”

“You were in a romcom? You’re kidding me!” They ducked out of a side door of the convention center into the bright sunshine.

“Yeah, it’s about a guy who goes to the gym to try to get ripped to impress a girl, and makes friends with me, this nice, already ripped dude who gives him lifting tips and encourages him a bunch. By the end of the movie, it turns out we have crushes on each other.”

“Oh, no, that sounds really cute, actually!”

“It was written by a woman who graduated from one of Ichigo’s writing workshops. The script was really snappy and Ichigo thought having someone like me as the gym guy would give it just a bit of campy cachet. You know what a good sense he’s got for stuff like that.”

“That was cool of you to go out on a limb a little,” Rukia replied.

Renji rubbed the back of his neck. “I’d been wanting to try something like that for a while, actually.”

Rukia blinked. “You aren’t… you aren’t thinking of leaving the show, are you?”

“Huh? No. No! No, the show means the world to me, I would never. But… it’s not gonna run forever, y’know?”

“I would have guessed you’d want to be a big action star or something!” Rukia said, throwing a few air punches. “That’s my dream!”

Renji stuffed his hands in the pockets of his hoodie. “Yeah, that’s what I thought I wanted when I first got into acting. I’d read the Tomoe manga, and I thought playing Zabimaru would be a good jumping-off point, besides just being a cool character overall.”

“Is that… not true?” Rukia frowned.

“Oh, I mean, I guess so! I didn’t really know about the fandom, though and… to be honest, I’m kinda into the idea that there are all these fans who think I’m complex and redeemable?”

Rukia regarded him out of the corner of her eye. “They just want to fix you.”

“Maybe! Ichigo made me read this one fanfic that was eight thousand words of the reader getting sick and Zabimaru making them soup? And feeding them the soup? I still haven’t decided how I feel about it.”

“How does he have time to find these things? Does he even sleep?”

“Anyway, it doesn’t hurt to be well-rounded and it was fun. I’m still mostly an action guy, but I wouldn’t mind doin’ something with a romantic subplot. A period drama or something like that. I look pretty good in hakama, you know.”

“I bet you do,” Rukia laughed. She squinted at him, but his expression was unreadable behind the shades. Renji didn’t have the classic leading man looks, not like her ridiculously famous older brother, but she could definitely see him as the best friend, the B-plot romance, with his cute, messy hair and that big doofy grin.

“By the way, I’m sorry you had to field that question about me spilling my romantic sensibilities on that podcast.”

Rukia laughed. “You didn’t even answer the question, either! These people are relentless!”

Renji stopped at a street corner and peered down the various possible directions they could go. “Which way feels like it might have a coffee shop?”

“You didn’t have one in mind before we left? I thought you knew where we were going!”

“Nah, I just like to go out and see what there is.”

“I can look up a map,” Rukia said, reaching in her bag for her phone.

“Let’s just go this way,” Renji said, stepping out into the street in the direction that had the WALK light. Rukia sighed and had to scramble to catch up with him.

“So, what do you think about it?”

“Huh?” Rukia asked. “Think about what?”

“Our ship. ZabiTo.”

“I can’t believe you just said that word out loud. And you know we’re not supposed to give our opinion on it!”

“Aw, c’mon, we’re not supposed to give public statements on our opinions. I don’t think there’s any harm in talking between ourselves. We’re in disguise, even.”

“‘Disguise’,” Rukia sniffed.

“You don’t like it, I can tell.”

“He’s a bad guy! Everyone always talks about chemistry, and that may be true, but I just don’t think that Tomoe could ever get over his acts of violence and cruelty.”

“Queen Bloodbuzz is cruel. Zabimaru is not cruel.”

“Okay, that’s fair, but still. He’s kidnapped just about all of Tomoe’s friends and or turned them into monsters at one time or another. He’s always setting Karakura Town on fire or flooding it with magic lizard goo. He ruined the sports festival.”

“Maybe the sports festival deserved to be ruined,” Renji muttered under his breath.

“Okay, you’ve got a point on that one,” Rukia admitted.

“It’s really clear though, that he’s got some agenda beyond just simping for Queen Bloodbuzz--”

“The simping for Queen Bloodbuzz is the most relatable thing about him, to be honest.”

“Granted. But, what if he’s got a good reason for everything he does, actually? What if he’s doing all of this against his own moral code as a means of infiltrating Hell itself and getting himself into a position of trust so that he can bring down the Lords of Hell from the inside?”

Rukia slipped her sunglasses down to the tip of her nose. “Does Kuna give you Zabimaru spoilers?” The reclusive creator High-Spirited Battle Clairvoyant Tomoe! was only barely involved with the television show, but she did privately meet with each of the cast members about once a year. Most of Rukia’s meetings consisted of Kuna giving her constructive criticism on her battle poses.

“No, mostly we practice sneering,” Renji replied. “But I gotta play the guy, so I gotta think about this, you know, what motivates him? I mean, you’re probably right, it would never work out. But unlike Tomoe, whose principles would call for her to ignore any attraction she has to him, Zabimaru has the freedom to pine for her, perhaps because his love is futile and he doesn’t think he deserves it anyway.”

“That’s kinda dark, dude,” Rukia frowned.

“Yes, well, that is the kind of character acting that netted me the 2019 Nickelodeon Kids’ Choice Best Villain Award, Foreign Language Category.”

“That’s literally what’s going through your head when you’re shouting that if I can’t make some sick motorcycle jump, you’ll turn all my friends into stuffed animal versions of themselves?”

“No, of course not! At those times I’m thinking about how much I love my job. OH! and what is that I see!” Renji struck an extremely Zabimaru pose. “A MISTER DONUT!”

“My hero!” Rukia exclaimed, unable to resist an opportunity to shout dramatically. “I’m sorry I doubted you!”

“I think we should get some donuts, too. Orihime loves donuts,” Renji declared.

“Oh, for sure,” Rukia agreed. She was thoughtful for a moment. It would be easy to move on to a different subject, the subject being donuts, but she wasn’t happy with leaving the last conversation hanging. “Look, Renji, just because I don’t like the dumb ship, you know that’s not a reflection on you, right?”

“Huh?” Renji replied. “You mean you don’t mind if I like it?”

“Well… I mean, I don’t, I guess, but what I really meant was, er… we joke a lot, but Tomoe and Zabimaru are just parts, y’know? Just because I don’t think Zabimaru isn’t good boyfriend material doesn’t mean I…” Rukia trailed off, suddenly realizing what she was saying. “Um. What I mean is. You’re very nice and probably one of my favorite people I’ve ever worked with and if someone I knew wanted to ask you out, I would definitely encourage them to, A+ guy, I’d say, probably would make a great boyfriend.”

Renji pushed his sunglasses up onto his forehead and regarded her for a long moment. “For the record, Kuchiki, I think that both you and Tomoe would make excellent girlfriend material.” While Rukia stood there and gaped like a fish, he turned and pushed open the door to the coffee shop. “Ichigo likes crullers and Orihime always wants the most colorful thing they’ve got. Do you know what you want?”

“I need to think about it,” Rukia squeaked. She wasn’t talking about donuts.

🏍    ⚡   🎬 

Bonus: Here are my notes from when I was making up the show. I hope this wasn’t too confusing!

High-Spirited Battle Clairvoyant Tomoe!

based on a manga by reclusive mangaka Kuna Mashiro

Head Screenwriter: Kurosaki Ichigo

🌟 Starring: 🌟

Kuchiki Rukia as Yukimura Tomoe, a spunky college student who can see ghosts and fights demons from Hell! She rides a motorcycle!

Inoue Orihime as Queen Bloodbuzz, a Lady of Hell, who seeks to gather energy from the Living Realm so that she can become the Supreme Ruler of Hell. Very aesthetic. Much bees.

Abarai Renji as Zabimaru, Queen Bloodbuzz’s ruthless henchman. He leads a double life as fierce-looking, but gentle-hearted college student Satonaka Takeru! What is his long game??

[dkfvred]

#TokYO! Let's GO!

Fashion. Food. Tourist Spots. A State of the Art City. Tokyo, a city in the sophisticated country of Japan. A city full of amazing people, great foods, hot tourist spots, trendy fashions, and great culture. Indulge yourself in the spectacular city of Tokyo!

Tokyo is a whole new planet itself, and it is a must-see for each and every travel enthusiast. Immerse yourself in traditional Japanese culture, discover more of the sophisticated city life, and transform into a real-life cartoon character. Not to mention the diverse, unique, and wonderful food choices available. There is just no city like Tokyo... and here is my very own Tokyo travelogue!

As you land in the city of Tokyo, you will mostly find yourself looking for a way to roam around the city. Here’s where the modern transportation system of Japan comes in. One of the most sophisticated railways around the world, having 13 subway lines and more than a hundred surface routes run by Japan Railways and other privately-owned companies, Tokyo’s transportation system was surely geared up to bag many world records. Most places in the city are accessible by trains, if not by short walks.

When using public transportation, make sure to stay off your phone and keep it on silent mode to avoid distubances with the people around you. If you happen to see a pregnant woman, elderly, or a disabled individual, be sure to give way and let them have your seat. It’s a law!

Going back to the first word of this blog, Fashion. If you are a fashion enthusiast, you’ll surely love it in the fashionable Harajuku District in Shibuya, Tokyo. If you like offbeat style, such as Lolita, a Japanese fashion inspired by Victorian and Rococo clothing, you’ll enjoy shopping at the colorful Takeshita Street. After seeing the colorful street of Takeshita, you may continue your shopping at the high-end stores at Omotesando while admiring the fine architecture on your way. Feeling tired? You can take a break at the lovely art galleries and fine cafes at Aoyama. You’ll surely love the cozy feels in their cafes!

If you love anime, you’ll surely enjoy going to Akihabara Electric Town. Akihabara will surely wow you with their complete volumes of anime, manga and gaming merchandises. Anime enthusiasts will surely find anything that they need for their collections—comics, CDs, figurines, cards, and costumes for your cosplays.

You can also check out the bizarre maid cafes where waitresses dresses in maid outfits inspired by the customers fascination with mangas and anime.

After a long day of travelling around the city, you’ll surely be looking for a place to eat. I always believe that food tastes a hundred time better after a long tiring day. It is noticeable that the foods served at the customers are meticulously prepared and presented almost the same as the picture you saw at the menu. The ingredients are also carefully selected to assure that the foods being served are fresh and full of flavours that will taste like treasure in your mouth.

You can find varieties of restaurant in Tokyo, whether you’re in a budget or you’d like to go-all-out and treat yourself in a nice and expensive dinner. Almost every food you can find will surely satisfy your food palate.

After a nice meal, you will surely want to explore the world’s tallest tower, Tokyo Skytree. Towering at 634 metre height, you’ll get the full view of the city and the fascinating city lights of Tokyo. You’ll also love the botiques on your way up to the observation decks. Located on the 5thand 6th floor is the Sumida Aquarium, you’ll find fishes such as sand tiger sharks directly purchased from Ogasawara Islands and Eels with different colors that will surely catch your eyes. There is also about fifty Magellanic Penguins in one of the largest indoor penguin pools in Japan.

Tokyo is full of surprises and surely won’t disappoint you. Anything you want? You’ll be able to find it there. Food galore? Shopping spree? Tours? It’s there. You’ll end up not wanting to go home after spending some time there.

There’s nothing not to love in this city full of wonders and uniqueness.

#TokYO! Let’s GO!