#ghost hunt light novels

[witchhuntress]

Mai: Analysis of a Psychic (aka word vomit 😆)

The usual consensus of Anime Mai is that she’s stupid and often annoying😅 While she has the qualities of Light Novel Mai (who can also be stupid, yes), Anime Mai needed frequent particular explanations, w/c Naru usually singles her out for. She also often makes mistakes on idiomatic expressions for comedic relief. These don’t really often happen in the light novels, and it might be because of the usual shoujo trope to make female anime characters more clueless back in the days or the fact that the audience has to have someone as a layman’s guide, through that someone being the person who needs extra explanation. Hence, Anime Mai is an obvious foil to Naru and the others, but Light Novel Mai can feel less so because there are as many times that Mai knows more than Naru and the others as much as she doesn’t know some information in parapsychology.

I think it’s easy to cast Mai as uninteresting and annoying. After all, at the start, everyone else in SPR has extraordinary skills & knowledge that an ordinary high school girl like her does not have. However, as I said before, Mai does have a particular advantage in knowing urban legends, particularly where horror stories & the occult are concerned. While terminology can still confuse her and she makes blunders, she does have a great memory, and it’s also hilarious how Naru thinks her “jokes” can also be a case for study because Mai often says things lightly but what she says ends up as an important insight at the end.

Just think about it. Bou-san has his musician job and lives quite an isolated life outside of everything else. Ayako has other stuff to do in her life that keeps her busy. John is a translator while at the same time an exorcist and a helper at a clinic for less privileged foreign workers. Masako has school like Mai but she’s also a celebrity with her own duties and schedule. Yasuhara has college among other things. Overall, everyone else might not know all the current urban legends and or horror trends at present because they’re wrapped up with many other things. Naru and Lin have been looking for a certain place in their spare time, so they definitely might not take notice of all the occult practices in Japan as well.

This is where Mai comes in. Mai who’s sociable with everyone. Mai who has had many experiences telling horror stories after school. Mai who’s interested in learning about the latest urban legends & horror mysteries out there with her friends. Mai who actually has dabbled in the occult as a pastime. Mai who takes in information wherever she can get it, even knowing ventriloquism which she said to be rarely seen on TV. Mai has a curiosity for all things paranormal and unusual, so her knowledge for those can be as extensive as a common folk largely attuned to her neighborhood or society. She’s always carefree, but Naru has also paid attention to what she says more and more because she can say quite the most surprisingly inquisitive things.

This particular advantage of Mai has been set up from the very start when she was telling horror stories with her friends after her classes in the first ever Ghost Hunt case which happened at her school—when she asked Naru what he was doing there and when she noticed his demeanor and replies are weird. Throughout the light novels as well as the anime, we see bits and pieces of Mai’s knowledge subtly revealed—such as when she knew about the common patterns for Kokkuri-san or about Qi-gong. Her “muses” almost always end up leading Naru and even Lin to realize what curse or problem they’re dealing with.

While Mai’s perspective is how we learned about everyone & the cases, she’s not simply a bystander who works separately while others do the exorcisms. In fact, there’s much to be said about Mai’s development throughout the light novels, which the anime could only show partially due to its early end. Mai’s post-cognitive dreams have become more and more important in the anime too, but what the anime lacked due to its early season cutoff is that Mai’s growth as a psychic only ramped up from there.

If we think deeply about it, Naru actually hit the jackpot by employing Mai. After all, Mai’s psychic powers have been dormant for long and seems to have only awakened when she met Naru (and Gene) and started working with him. Of course, this is Ono-sensei’s plan for the story, but let’s just think of the implications for a moment. Since Mai started working with Naru, her psychic powers developed little by little. She does not only have post-cognitive dreams, she also has come to have precognitive dreams as well as ESP and astral projection ability. When you think about it, what are the chances really that Naru would hire a multi-faceted psychic like Mai? To see a truly latent psychic develop before his very eyes also can be quite interesting for a psychic researcher.

This leads me to the very thought that from the start of the story, it was actually Mai’s dormant powers that possibly led her to working with Naru. Once again, let’s trace back to how Mai actually injured Lin accidentally. She wasn’t supposed to go to the old building, but she did due to her curiosity & possibly “intuition.” In fact, from the first chapter of Volume 1, Mai clearly said that she had a “sudden” feeling of “seeing the old building.” I think what this inciting incident tells us from the get-go is that Mai has a really keen sense. She has always had it, but something called her to go nearer the old building at that instance as she was passing by. We can call it her ESP now, but at the start, it’s easy to think of it as her being stupid and curious.

Now, looking back at the following volumes, we see Mai’s keen sense and intuition being amplified and literally becoming crucial in Mai’s decision-making and solving the cases that followed. And the more cases SPR took, the more we see Mai grow into exorcism-lite to full-fledged purification in Forgotten Children.

Mai’s growth from being a simple assistant to someone who becomes more involved in spiritual activities feels so natural and meticulous. What really are the chances that this random girl Naru hired would suddenly show signs of being a latent psychic? It’s next to none to be honest. To see her growth can make anyone proud because while most of the characters are somewhat the same, Mai continues to grow with her abilities.

I think it’s no wonder why Naru continues to employ Mai. He’s actually getting more out of it in the long run lmao. Can you imagine how absolutely valuable it is to have someone who not only has post-cognitive dreams but also has precognitive dreams for every case? If you think about it, there are a lot of psychics and exorcists in the SPR team already (i.e., monk, medium, Catholic priest, etc.) that one or two are redundant, yet Mai still found a good spot in it where she ends up actually indispensable. As Gene’s messenger in a way, she is also getting information from a different source. Thinking about it, to be a consistent messenger of a medium’s ghost is also shamanistic.

Furthermore, Mai has also learned seals from Bou-san and Ayako, and she has also come to use them more and more throughout the series. In all honesty, isn’t that amazing as well? Because she’s always actually fusing Kuji-in (from Ayako) and Acala mantra (from Bou-san). The former can be taught in Shintoism as well as Shugendo while the latter is in Buddhism—different religions and practices overall. We see Mai go from not quite confidently fighting a Kodoku spirit in Yasuhara school’s infirmary to confidently saving Naru from a possessing murderer during Akumu no sumu ie. As Naru once said in After-school Hexer/Spellcaster, superior psychics can be “superior spellcasters,” and I think this applies to Mai now as she has grown so much as a psychic.

There’s another psychic ability Mai has that is rarely or hardly talked about. I like to call it her bat signal 🤣, but in parapsychological terms, it’s called emotive telepathy. Every time Mai is in danger, someone always comes to the rescue. In the anime, it’s always after she calls for someone to save her, but in the light novels, even if she doesn’t think so in her mind, her feeling of dread seems to always bring someone to her rescue. I believe this is a case of emotive telepathy.

I think this ability is closely linked with her “animal-like” senses as well. Recall that Mai has tested -100% in Naru’s ESP test for her. That’s a really interesting result because while you can think that she’s 100% always wrong, you can also think that 100% she always “chooses” the wrong answer—which, in other words, means she knows the right answers “unconsciously” but always goes for the wrong one. So to speak, it’s almost like she’s drawn to the wrong choice all the time, but we can also interpret this as her always being drawn to what her senses feel is wrong, like a negativity bias but stronger. In this way, she can tell a friend from an enemy, and to be able to tell an enemy with that 100% accuracy, that’s what I think makes her abilities actually impressive, although hilariously so.

There’s also this case where two people have a strong connection that makes this emotive telepathy possible. I think this is what Mai and Naru have. During the After-school Spellcaster/Hexer (Kasai Panic case) and Forgotten Children’s cases, Naru had sensed when there’s something wrong. What are the chances that Naru would pass by such a remote area that Mai had decided to explore when she was about to save a child in a manhole? The timing was impeccable, as we can say so. It could be a coincidence, as we can say so. But that’s not the first time it happens.

Recall that Naru also went to help her at Yasuhara’s school before a ceiling fell down again. Naru has strong psychic abilities, and because of that, I also think he and Mai could form a strong telepathic link, an emotive one at that. In Forgotten Children, when Mai sensed something wrong about the number of vehicles, the “children” wanted to isolate her immediately. That’s because they knew that she could be dangerous to their goals. Mai’s sense of something being wrong seems to immediately have been perceived by Naru. He was adamant that she shouldn’t go with the children. At that moment, I think Naru and Mai really were on the same wavelength of foreboding, and that really has become possible with their continued interactions throughout the series.

Now, let’s talk about the kind of exorcism or rather purification Mai can do. We know the exorcists in the team have different skills and knowledge. For Mai, it is similar to Masako and Gene���s. In particular, Gene taught Mai how to do a purification, but even so, it actually can be hard to think how anyone can do it without showing pity or sympathy. Gene didn’t really guide Mai word-per-word on what to say; she figured it out herself during the Forgotten Children case. Naru himself told her that she could persuade the teacher the same way she has always scolded him lmao. If you think about it, Mai is actually great at persuasion and she has always done so throughout the series. How many times has she persuaded Naru to believe her? And how many times has Naru clung to what she said?

That’s why, when she ventured to try purification as Naru and Gene encouraged, it seemed just natural how she would do it. Her sincerity always touched people so it just seems like her to be able to do it. I feel like it’s possible that she has always been a “guiding light” (not only to Naru) in the story even before she did her first purification, and this is probably why Gene met her. Just as Gene has been said to be her guide, it seems logical to think that Mai is also Gene’s guide in connecting with Naru.

As we all know, Naru and Gene had this twin channel for so long, but then it was not possible for them to communicate again (though indirectly it was through Mai and unknown to Naru for some time) until Mai came. This is where a lot of questions come from, but also come to make sense. Gene could have only been haunting the lake where he was thrown into, so how did he reach Mai? I feel like for a while Gene has been called to Mai’s dreams by following her “light,” and only when Naru found Gene’s body were the twins able to connect again. This “light” we can also call wavelength.

In any case, Mai’s growth throughout the series is really a sight to behold, but even more so, her connections with everyone are so dynamic and interesting. Gene had said in Akumu no sumu ie that Mai was easier to reach because of her wavelength, and at the same time, I think Gene was able to connect Mai’s dreams and Naru’s visions because her wavelength also more easily reaches Naru. While we can say that Gene lends Mai his powers, it’s also evident throughout the series that she has grown as a psychic and paranormal investigator herself, and her ability to hold the same wavelength as Gene is still commendable because clearly not everyone can do what she does.

There’s also a lot to be said about Mai’s mental capacity. It’s not easy to see gory visions in many cases. It’s also easy to lose hope in humanity from all the atrocities people can commit in real life to curse someone. However, it’s a relief that Mai is not alone, and I think having emotional support in the SPR team also helped wonderfully in her growth as a psychic. What a great found family TT

In summary, Mai is not the typical foil we often see in detective stories nor is she the typical orphaned heroine. There is a lot to be said about how untypical Ghost Hunt as a series is to be honest, and indeed, even now, we still don’t know what other psychic abilities Mai could possess or how they often work. For one, her astral projection ability has been there time and time again, and the fact she can transport a physical object to Masako that one time also is an unexamined case. We often think of Naru as mysterious, but I can say the same for Mai. After all, isn’t discovering a psychic randomly in the wild absolutely mysterious? And just when Naru needed a psychic like Gene too🥺It seems like Mai eventually answered Naru’s call to the universe in some way as he did hope for someone like that in After-school Hexer. Mai is definitely quite an unexpected discovery😅

[kikifan21]

It took a year (and more cash than I would like to admit) but I finally have the entire Ghost Hunt series! From the light novels (only in japanese since they were never officially translated), to the dvds, to both the original and English translation of the manga! They get a whole shelf.

[ahsokamaigranger]

They arrived!! They re-released the light novels and they look gorgeous! 😍

[nillabean]

the way I want things to play out

1.) JJk readers find out about ono fuyumi thru the jjk manga and decide to take a look at the author akutami likes

2.) ppl find out about ghost hunt

3.) ghost hunt gets more attention in japan and overseas

4.) REBOOT?????PLEASE?????

[lancabbage]

I agree, it is a rather harrowing scene. I wasn't actually prepared for it, I understand JC was traumatised and that can certainly mess you up, but it still gave me pause when I actually read it. After all, WWX was only trying to help and I was surprised how violent he became towards someone who was already injured.

But, I'm not entirely sure it's technically the first red flag we see? There are many scenes at the start of the novel that show some of JCs red flags. Like openly admitting (to himself) that he didn't care if "MXY" wasn't WWX back from the dead, he was still going to drag him back to LP and torture him regardless - possibly even kill, which is something he even encourages JL to do as well. We can instantly see he has a rather toxic obsession with finding and personally killing WWX, some thirteen years later than his demise. We also see JC wanting to hit JL and actually do so in another scene(s) - highlighting his abusive streak long before we see him strangling WWX.

Of course, if you are referring more chronologically in terms of the scenes showing WWXs past, I would say we see a red flag during the CR arc and the archery competition the following year, prior to the above example of him strangling WWX. JC actively tries to stomp out any budding friendships WWX ever attempts to make if they aren't within his own social circle or what he wants. I would say he even goes as far as attempting to gaslight WWX into thinking LWJ does not like him. Partly out of feeling inferior to LWJ and because JC is beginning to experience the niggling prickles of his later homophobia - which MXTX has confirmed was the case when he saw the way teenxian acted around LWJ. Yes, people argue that the way LWJ acted during the CR made it look as though he hated WWX, so JCs actions were somehow justified? But he obviously doesn't think LWJ hates WWX entirely, as he even gets a "foreboding feeling" all because LWJ came to check on WWX, concerned he was crying whilst kneeling in punishment for hitting JZX - so he doesn't fully believe that himself. Then he turns that act of friendliness and obvious kindness into "he must really hate you, you should leave" in the hopes of squashing any further development in whatever the pair had budding between them. He tries to reaffirm that "he hates you" throughout WWX's first life as well - even though WWX refuses to believe it. Personally, I'd say those are some pretty toxic traits and major red flags as well.

You know, now that I look back on it, that scene where JC and WWX are running away after the massacre of the Jiang Clan, and then JC strangles WWX in his grief and rage, was one of the first scenes in which we were shown that this guy is...a pretty major red flag.

That's definitely a scene that, reading after knowing everything that happened, made me go yikes, this guy needs help.

Now before anyone comes at me, yes I know perfectly well that he was grief stricken and not in his right mind, and that he and the readers (which is one of the reasons I suppose why the fandom just skips over this) were still reeling from the shock and horror of what had just happened, but still. It's interesting, and a revealing scene (because people are more likely to show their true nature when experiencing intense emotions), and he chose to use WWX as an outlet and strangle him, irrationally blaming him for the tragedy, even though he knew it wasn't really his fault. And I had looked over this because it could be excused as a one time thing, before reading the rest of the novel and realising that he never really grows out of this behaviour. In fact, he grows into it, wields it as a weapon and makes his anger and resentment such an integral part of himself that others define him by it, and stay away from him for exactly this reason.

Just a small scene, but a very good way of showing that when JC experiences any negative emotions, his first instinct is to lash out at others about it, not caring how it hurts them. And this is just one of many other scenes showing the same.

[slightlygaywritesslightlytoomuch]

Olivia benson x fem!reader

FREE PALESTINE

Angst

(Credit to owner)

The scent of burnt coffee and regret hung heavy in the air of Olivia's apartment. Two years. Two whole years had passed since the fight, a stupid, petty argument that escalated into a chasm Olivia never thought you'd willingly jump into. You called her a workaholic, her nights spent hunched over case files a constant reminder of how little time she had for anything else. You, with your fiery spirit and infectious laugh, deserved more than that. Olivia, in a fit of exhaustion and frustration, had thrown it back, words laced with the bitterness of a job that chipped away at her soul piece by piece. "Then maybe you should find someone who has time for you!"

You slammed the door on your way out, the echo of it reverberating in Olivia's ears long after you were gone. She called, texted, left desperate messages on your voicemail, hoping, praying you wouldn't disappear like smoke. But disappear you did. No forwarding address, no trace on social media, your phone number disconnected. You vanished like a ghost, leaving behind a gaping hole in Olivia's life.

The days blurred into weeks, weeks into months. Olivia threw herself into work, the familiar sting of righteous anger and the hunt for justice a poor substitute for the warmth of your hand in hers. She saw traces of you everywhere – in the coffee shop where you always ordered your extra-sweet cappuccino, in the park where you used to steal glances at the stray dogs, in the bookstore where you'd lose yourself in detective novels. Each time, a jolt of hope would momentarily flicker, only to be extinguished by the crushing reality of your absence.

Then came the call. It was a cold, rainy November night, the city slick with the first kiss of winter. Elliot's voice crackled through the line, a raw urgency in his tone. "Liv, you gotta get down here. Warehouse raid. Russian mob. We found girls."

Olivia's throat went dry. Human trafficking. It was an all too familiar story, a stain on the city's soul. But the case didn't register fully, not yet. All she could think about was girls, young lives stolen, innocence shattered.

The warehouse was a desolate, concrete tomb. The air hung heavy with the metallic tang of blood and the despairing whimpers that echoed from behind the heavy metal doors. Olivia and the team kicked them down, a cacophony of shouts and flashing lights filling the cavernous space.

The girls were everywhere. Huddled in corners, eyes wide with terror, their bodies frail shadows under layers of grime. As Olivia moved through the room, a primal instinct kicked in, a fierce protectiveness that burned through the years of jaded detachment. She knelt before a young girl, barely a teenager, tears tracing dirty streaks down her pale cheeks. The girl flinched instinctively, eyes downcast.

"It's okay, sweetheart," Olivia murmured, her voice soft and soothing. "We're here to help you now."

A gruff voice interrupted. "Liv, you need to see this."

Elliot stood by a makeshift bed in a back room, his face grim. Olivia followed his gaze. There, on the threadbare mattress, lay a figure draped in a tattered blanket. It was you.

The blood drained from Olivia's face. Your face, pale and gaunt, was framed by matted hair. Your once vibrant eyes were closed, your breathing shallow. A choked sob escaped her lips. How? Why?

Elliot noticed her reaction, his eyes instantly filled with understanding. "We need to get her to the hospital," he said, his voice gruff but kind.

The sterile white of the hospital room felt like a slap. Olivia sat by your bedside, a vigil kept through the long night. Machines beeped rhythmically, a constant reminder of your fragility. Hours turned into days, and finally, your eyelids fluttered open.

Confusion clouded your gaze for a moment before recognition dawned. Your eyes widened, a flicker of fear giving way to disbelief. "Olivia?"

Her voice was a hoarse whisper, but to Olivia, it was a symphony. "Yeah, it's me. You're safe now."

Tears welled up in your eyes, spilling down your cheeks. You tried to speak, but your voice was weak. Olivia leaned closer, catching your words.

"You left," you rasped, your voice tinged with accusation.

Olivia flinched. "I..." she started, the words catching in her throat. Shame and regret were a bitter cocktail in her mouth.

"Don't," you cut her off, a flicker of your old fire returning. "Just... tell me what happened."

It poured out of her then, a torrent of words – the fight, the desperation, the months spent searching for you. You listened in silence, With a tear slipping down her cheek, Olivia reached out and grasped your hand, her touch sending a jolt through you. The years of separation melted away, replaced by a raw vulnerability that left you breathless.

"I was so stupid, Y/N," she whispered, her voice thick with emotion. "Work consumed me, and I took you for granted. I never thought you'd leave."

You squeezed her hand back, a silent understanding passing between you. The hurt of the fight was still there, a dull ache in your chest, but seeing Olivia like this, broken and filled with remorse, softened the blow.

"I said some pretty awful things too," you admitted, your voice barely above a whisper. "I shouldn't have stormed out like that."

Olivia's eyes met yours, a flicker of hope igniting within them. "Can you ever forgive me?"

The question hung in the air, heavy with unspoken longing. You looked at the woman you once loved, the woman you realized you never truly stopped loving. The past two years had been a nightmare, a desolate wasteland devoid of her warmth.

Taking a deep breath, you reached out and tucked a stray strand of hair behind her ear. The gesture was small, intimate, a silent promise.

"I already have," you murmured, your voice thick with emotion.

A choked sob escaped Olivia's lips as she leaned forward, burying her face in the crook of your neck. Tears streamed down her face, hot against your skin. You held her close, whispering words of comfort, the silence of the hospital room broken only by the soft beeps of the machines and the rhythm of your intertwined breaths.

As the days turned into weeks, you recovered slowly, your body healing alongside the fractured pieces of your relationship with Olivia. The nights were filled with whispered confessions, apologies, and the tentative rebuilding of trust. You spoke about your ordeal, the horrors you witnessed at the hands of your captors, the despair that threatened to consume you.

Olivia listened patiently, her arms wrapped around you, a silent shield against the encroaching darkness. She held you close as you cried, her presence a source of strength and solace.

When you were finally released from the hospital, Olivia took you back to her apartment. It felt different, the emptiness replaced by a sense of cautious optimism. There were nights you'd lie awake, the echo of the past lingering in the air, but Olivia was always there, a comforting presence by your side.

One evening, as you sipped tea on the fire escape, the city lights twinkling below, Olivia turned to you, her eyes filled with a newfound determination.

"We'll get through this, together," she said, her voice firm. "You and me."

You met her gaze, a smile gracing your lips. "Together," you echoed, the simple word holding the promise of a future rebuilt, stronger and more cherished than ever before. The fight that tore you apart had left its scars, but it had also shown you the strength of your bond, a love that even the darkest of nights couldn't extinguish.

[deancasbigbang]

Title: This Impossible Happiness

Author: FriendofCarlotta

Artist: sidewinder

Rating: Explicit

Pairings: Dean/Cas

Length: 50467

Warnings: undefined

Tags: Alternate Universes, Multiple Versions of Dean and Cas, Post-Canon, Canon Compliant, Post The Winchesters 1x13, Second Chances, Getting Together, Getting Back Together, Mutual Pining

Posting Date: October 22, 2024

Summary: In one universe, Dean Winchester is pushing thirty. He’s just danced at his little brother’s wedding, he likes his job at the garage, and he goes on the occasional hunt with friends and family. He’s also desperately lonely for someone to share his life with. One day, he finds a mysterious package outside his door. It contains a news clipping about an urban legend that just might be real, and a book by Professor Castiel Novak, who happens to specialize in that same urban legend. In another universe, Castiel Novak’s roadside motel is slowly dying, its business hollowed out by the interstate system. Dean Winchester, the man who asked him to run away together years ago, is only a painful regret these days. Until the day a mysterious letter Castiel doesn’t remember writing brings Dean back to his doorstep. Out there in the multiverse, a man and an angel look for each other in all the wrong places. In the meantime, they might as well help a few other versions of themselves figure things out.

Excerpt: The motel is where the memory of Castiel’s father is still alive, in the memorabilia stuffed tightly into Carver Edlund’s Chamber of Horrors — the roadside attraction housed in the small building next door to the Scenic View. It’s nothing but a single room stuffed full of objects that belonged to his father, along with a few life-size recreations of monsters from his books. But it still attracts visitors from time to time, thanks to a single billboard on the interstate.    The motel is also where Castiel’s memories of a different man live. And, though Castiel doesn’t like to admit it to himself, those are the memories he clings to the hardest.    The summer Castiel turned twenty-five — nearly five years ago now — a drifter washed up at the Scenic View. He’d been traveling the country doing odd jobs for over a year, and he happened to be a big fan of Carver Edlund’s novels.    Even all these years later, whenever Castiel dusts the display of his father’s old typewriter inside the Chamber of Horrors, he can still hear Dean exclaim over it, his voice bright and sugar-sweet with delight. Whenever Castiel freshens the paint on the monster replicas, he can still see the childlike glee on Dean’s face when Castiel encouraged him to touch the scarred face of Hatchet Man or the Wraith’s wicked spike.    The ghost of Dean’s memory is why Castiel always lingers a little longer than he needs to over the daily cleaning and upkeep of the Chamber of Horrors. It’s also why he saves one of the motel rooms for last — after both the Chamber and all the other rooms have been seen to.    Room 8 was Dean’s room. It was here that the two of them became intimate for the first time, on the fourth night of Dean’s stay. As Castiel approaches the door, he pauses — as he always does — with his hand on the doorknob. He remembers how Dean was still nearly a stranger then. A mysterious being of light and laughter who’d come into Castiel’s drab, dreary life to make him forget all about how he’d left college to care for his father through the long illness that eventually took his life.    Castiel had wanted him so very much. Every time Dean glanced at him from under his eyelashes or made a flirtation so subtle that it could plausibly be denied, Castiel refused to let himself respond, to believe that someone so lovely could ever want him. And yet, Dean must have read Castiel’s yearning in his eyes, because on that fourth night, shy glances and blushing remarks became an arm slung over his shoulder and the tip of a nose, nudging bashfully against Castiel’s stubbled cheek.   It’s pathetic how well Castiel still remembers the details of that night and every night that followed. It’s even more pathetic how, every time Castiel turns the knob of Room 8, he half-hopes to find Dean waiting for him inside, sprawled decadent and freckled atop the covers.

DCBB 2024 Posting Schedule

[colorfulmetaphors]

(An Attempt at) A Maul Masterlist

hello folks! after seeing multiple requests in the tag for recs for Maul content or help finding Maul stories, I decided to make a list trying to do both for everything I've found because it took me a lot of searching to figure out what's actually out there for this man. and the answer is a lot, actually. So, hoping this saves others the time and the struggle, here's all the Maul stuff i've found along with what I would rec and why:

Stuff specifically about Maul

Books:

Episode 1 Adventures 3: The Fury of Darth Maul by Ryder Windham | junior novella

As far as I'm aware, this is the first published work for Maul. It's a junior novel about Maul carrying out a mission for Sidious, and it can be accompanied by a game book for a choose-your-own adventure. The novel itself though, is one of my favorite Maul stories because it defines his characterization for me.

The Wrath of Darth Maul also by Ryder Windham | junior novel

Maul's og origin in Legends. I think it's a must-read. This book was published alongside Maul's revival in TCW and seeks to reconcile his Legends background with that character by gathering his previous lore into one cohesive story. It notably includes and expands upon the events of the following three items:

Star Wars Episode 1 Journal: Darth Maul by either Judy Blundell or Jude Watson | novella A story that offers some of Maul's narration on his upbringing and his training with Sidious. "Darth Maul: Restraint" by James Luceno | short story Published in the second edition of Shadow Hunter (listed below), this story details Maul's time at Orsis Academy, the relationships he's forming, and his run-in with Mother Talzin. Great for showing his inner-conflict and devotion to Sidious. "Darth Maul: Endgame" also by James Luceno | short story This one is published in the paperback 2012 edition of TPM novel by Terry Brooks. It's an introspective piece that takes place after Qui-Gon, Anakin, and Obi-Wan escape Maul's attack on Tatooine.

Darth Maul: Saboteur also ALSO by James Luceno | short story

Originally published as an ebook, this story was also published in Shadow Hunter. It follows Maul on one of his first missions as a true apprentice of Sidious and shows his characterization when he's just outside that restrictive control. I really like this one for the Drama and the Subtle Characterization tm

Darth Maul: Shadow Hunter by Michael Reaves | novel

One of the two blessed full novels for Maul. In it Maul is on a mission to hunt down a target and has a very early encounter with the Jedi. This one is great for characterization and narration; I have it fully marked up with highlights, sticky notes, and bookmarks.

Maul: Lockdown by Joe Schreiber | novel

The second blessed full novel. So. Much. Fun. Maul goes to jail! Takes part in cage fights! Chases birds! Reveals the depths of his anxiety and need for attachment! Mystery and gore! 10/10.

"An Unwilling Apprentice" by George Mann | short story, found in the Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge edition of Myths and Fables

Maul's canon origin. Personally, I Do Not See It.

Stories of Jedi and Sith - "The Ghosts of Maul" by Michael Moreci | short story in the listed anthology

I highly recommend listening to the audio book for this one if you can. Sam Witwer narrates it and it's fantastic. Love hearing Maul wail in despair. (and also love a man being haunted by his past.)

The next two are unique because they're re-tellings of TCW episodes. I like seeing how different writers interpret those events so I like them, but I don't know if that counts as something folks would want to read for Maul.

The Clone Wars: Stories of Light and Dark - "Dark Vengeance" by Rebecca Roanhorse | short story in the listed anthology This one recounts TCW "Brothers" and "Revenge." I don't remember much specifically from it, but I do remember it being told as if to a small child, and I thought that was neat. The Clone Wars: Darth Maul: Shadow Conspiracy by Jason Fry | junior novel Covers "Revival," "Eminence," "Shades of Reason," and "The Lawless." The author writes like they're obsessed with Maul's voice, and frankly, I don't blame them.

Comics:

Darth Maul (2000) by Ron Marz | comic series, 4 issues

Maul goes on yet another mission for Sidious (unsurprisingly, this is the basic plot of most of his Legends materials). Violence ensues. Maul is certified Cool.

The following two comics can both be found in the Star Wars Legends Epic Collection: Rise of the Sith Volume 1 and Star Wars Legends: Rise of the Sith Omnibus

Star Wars Tales 10 - "Nameless" by Christian Read | single comic, found in the listed issue, Star Wars Tales Volume 3, or the above 2 collections Maul is sent to kill a Jedi master. To do so and improve his prowess in combat, Maul constructs his infamous double-bladed lightsaber. Star Wars Tales 24 - "Marked" by Rob Williams | single comic, found in the listed issue, Star Wars Tales Volume 6, or the above 2 collections A comic about obedience and fear; Maul grapples with the thought that Sidious might take another apprentice.

The Clone Wars: The Sith Hunters by Henry Gilroy and Stephen Melching | graphic novella

It's very funny to me that this is considered Legends even though it features TCW Maul and Savage. This one takes place after TCW episode "Revenge" and I'm gonna be honest-- I don't remember a lot from this, but I do remember that it shows Maul's earliest days on Lotho Minor so that's sick luv u spidermaul 4 5ever.

Darth Maul -- Death Sentence by Tom Taylor | comic series, 4 issues; also found in Star Wars Legends Epic Collection: The Clone Wars Volume 2

Maul leads a revolution while trying to rescue his brother. The story takes place between The Sith Hunters and TCW season 5 "Revival," filling in some of what Maul and Savage were doing in that time.

Darth Maul (2017) by Cullen Bunn | comic series, 5 issues

Luke Ross and Nolan Woodard just get it okay. I love the way Maul looks in this series. In my head, this comic is the canon alternative to Shadow Hunter, where Maul confronts a Jedi early on, but the differences between his characterization in these two stores is the basis of my understanding of the difference between Legends Maul and canon Maul.

Age of Republic - Darth Maul by Jody Houser | single issue comic, found independently or in the collection Star Wars: Age of Republic - Villains

Maul goes on an (Sith ashes) acid trip while on a visit to Malachor with Sidious.

Darth Maul -- Son of Dathomir by Jeremy Barlow | comic series, 4 issues

This series is especially interesting to me because it's adapted from TCW season 6 scripts that weren't produced. It follows Maul as he's rescued by Death Watch after the conclusion of his arc in season 5, and shows his alliance with Talzin as they confront Sidious. I think it's great for fleshing out that relationship and that side of canon Maul's character.

Star Wars Adventures (2020) 3 - "Tales of Villainy: The Hostage" by Shane McCarthy and Michael Moreci | single comic, found in the listed issue or in Star Wars Adventures: The Light and the Dark

Maul allows himself to be captured in an attempt to bring another crime syndicate into the Shadow Collective. Is this one monumental? No. Am I unreasonably fond of it? Hell yeah. If you've seen that panel of Maul and Savage drinking at a diner, it's from this comic. Also has Maul in chains for those of yall that are into that.

Star Wars Adventures: Return to Vader's Castle 1 - "The Horned Devil" by Cavan Scott | single comic found in the listed issue or in the collections Star Wars Adventures: Return to Vader's Castle and Star Wars Adventures: Beware Vader's Castle

A "sPoOKy" story about Maul on Lotho Minor. Once again, luv u spidermaul 4 5ever. The cover art is fuckin sick.

Star Wars Visionaries - "Old Wounds" by Aaron McBride | single comic found in the listed graphic novel, in Star Wars Omnibus: Wild Space Volume 2, Star Wars Legends Epic Collection: The Empire Volume 4, and Star Wars Legends: The Empire Omnibus Volume 2

In this comic, Maul tracks Obi-Wan to Tatooine for revenge. Sounds familiar, but this was published in 2005, before Maul's revival in TCW. His design in that show, though, was based off of this comic, and his episodes in Rebels show a similar influence. I like this one because I think it's fun to see how his narrative was evolving as different writers took on the story, and to see the path from where he began in Legends up to his end.

Stuff Maul is in: (not specifically about him, but he makes an appearance)

Books:

Darth Plagueis by James Luceno | novel

Our man JL is back with more Maul... just not as the focus. If you're going to read one thing from this "Stuff Maul is in" list, let it be this one. Granted, it's a loooooooooong book, but it's really great for fleshing out the Plagueis and Sidious and Maul dynamic. Maul does have some sections of his own narration, but the best bit of this novel is seeing how Plagueis and Sidious see him. It also has some of his original Legends origin!

Queen's Peril by E.K. Johnston | novel

This book is about Padme! Who I love dearly, so I enjoyed reading it. Maul has a few sections of narration in it that show his canon headspace.

Comics:

The first set of these is a mental collection I like to call "Legends writers just Try Shit" and it's a bunch of different ways Maul was brought back before TCW.

Star Wars Tales 9 - "Resurrection" by Ron Marz | single comic found in the listed issue, in Star Wars Tales Volume 3, or in Star Wars Legends Epic Collection: The Empire Volume 8 The Maul in this one has been resurrected by a dark side cult to be the true apprentice to Sidious. The story is mostly about Vader, but his duel with Maul is cool. Star Wars Tales 17 - "Phantom Menaces" by Joe Casey | single comic found in the listed issue, in Star Wars Tales Volume 5, or in Star Wars Legends Epic Collection: The New Republic Volume 5 While on a diplomatic mission, Luke Skywalker is attacked by a hologram of Maul and goes off to investigate. This is the one I use to bless my friends with the cursed knowledge of Maul's brain in a tank. Star Wars: Jedi Quest 1 by Ryder Windham | first comic in a series, also found in Star Wars Omnibus: Menace Revealed and Star Wars Legends Epic Collection: The Menace Revealed Volume 3 Truth be told, I have not read this one because I can't find it for free. In it, Maul is a training hologram? I think? For Anakin? idk. There's also a novel series by the same name and I got annoyed looking for what isn't really Maul anyway.

Star Wars: Republic (1998) 40 - "The Devaronian Version, Part 1" by John Ostrander | comic in a long ass series, but the one you want is found in the listed issue, Star Wars Omnibus: Quinlan Vos: Jedi in Darkness, or Star Wars Legends Epic Collection: The Menace Revealed Volume 3

I don't know what this is about even though I have read it; Maul is in it for like 3 panels; he gets called "nasty boy" and makes someone wet themselves in fright. Obviously core reading for the Maul experience.

Jedi Council: Acts of War by Randy Stradley | comic series, four issues by the listed name, or in Star Wars Omnibus: Rise of the Sith and Star Wars Legends Epic Collection: Rise of the Sith, Volume 1

Once again, I do not know what this is about because I have a very difficult time reading comics when Maul is not there. And in this series he's there for < 15 panels. But he looks pretty when he is there.

Obi-Wan -- A Jedi's Purpose 2 - "A Shadow Falls on the Padawan" by Christopher Cantwell | issue of a comic series

This comic includes a brief scene showing Obi-Wan remembering his and Maul's final battle on Tatooine and commenting on Maul's mental state. Makes me super emo.

And finally, encyclopedia-type stuff!: (not necessarily stories, but has neat info-- especially because they show what was considered canon at the time of their publication)

Darth Maul: Sith Apprentice by Jo Casey and Catherine Saunders | children's reader

Yes, you read that right. But this kid's book has fun information about Maul based on TPM. I especially like the image call-out for his "heavy action boots." It brings me joy.

Star Wars: The Phantom Menace: The Expanded Visual Dictionary by David West Reynolds and Jason Fry | what it says on the tin

The adult version of the above book. Shows the inside of Maul's lightsaber, which I love. Also still points out the heavy action boots. Clearly, they are a key component of the character.

And that's everything! There are some re-tellings of like, TPM, in novel or comic form but I was never super interested in those so I haven't read them.

If you know of something else please let me know! (Both so I can add it and so I can read it). Similarly, if you see any mistakes on the list, please tell me. It took me like 7 hours to type it up and check and cross-reference everything and some mistakes probably crept in there. If you're like me and you've gotten through (most of) this list, but still want More Maul, please check out my fic rec! There's a bunch of banger Maul fics there. Tagging @maul-my-heart. Hope you have fun in your reading!

[bodhrancomedy]

Full Descriptions:

Tocktick - Anxious single father Emmett Askren agrees to enter a prestigious airship race to clear his debts and save his home, but every member of his crew has deadly ghosts on their tail and their revolutionary engine is a time-bomb waiting to explode.

Captain Alaric’s Demise: When exiled wizard, Hywel Nyl, agrees to study an ancient map his only reason is boredom and infatuation with the handsome musician who found it. But when the map supposedly points to a legendary pirate’s lost treasure, he is thrown up against powerful nobles, bloodthirsty marauders, and history itself.

Flies in Amber: Archeology students Flora Beckett and Flora Avery are honoured when they are chosen to embark on the most important expedition in history. If they succeed they could turn back time and bring back the magic that held civilisation together. But the deep caverns at the end of the world hold far more than any of them could have ever imagined…

Soul-Glass: Monster-researcher Helene le Rosan was considering retirement when her “one last job” turned out to be a trap that cost her everything. Reeling from the guilt, Helene takes on a new crew to destroy the evil she unwittingly released. The only issue? That evil is using the bodies of the friends she led into its clutches.

Nostos & the Filigree Lantern: The day the mines burst open, deaf goat herder Nostos was only one to escape capture by the denizens of the underground. With no help forthcoming and the chosen heroes apparently defeated, Nostos descends into the underworld with nothing but his wits and the hope of a fabled light to save his family from eternal darkness.

[fg083nrt]

KAKUHIDA fic recs 💴🩸

Everything in this list is either M or E-rated. Very low possibility of anything T-rated. Most links are ao3, but some are livejournal, fanfiction.net or ficbook or pixiv.

Disclaimer: I do not actually know 4 languages; I just use Google Translate or Depl because I am insane.

TOP FAVES in no particular order

[Mandarin]【角飞】都市谋杀之夜 by Liebestorm 

Ballet dancer Hidan + black alley doctor Kakuzu. Incredible story, full of casual cruelty, there’s death, there’s body horror, there’s physical and mental suffering - all things Kakuhida. I think about this story a lot. The accuracy of their depiction in the modern setting is stunning. Head the warnings. There are many.

Content Warnings: abortion, amputation, violence, abuse, cruelty.

By the same author 【吸血鬼AU】以圣灵���名义…  Vampire AU! A small, fun story about two vampires hunting together. Some really cute romantic cannibalism.

[Russian] Мертвый сезон by Tiferet (taubenblautiferet)

PART 1 | PART 2 

“Can a country boy and a big city man fall in love?” 

Hot spring worker Hidan and ex-yakuza accountant Kakuzu on vacation. Lots of ghosts (well, just one, but oh man), curses(???), sex, Tokyo life and a demonic God that wants to have a talk. Very dear to my heart. Watching Kakuzu drop his guard down when faced with Hidan’s relentless naivete and determination makes my brain go all mushy.

Literally, anything by this author is top-tier storytelling writing, and you know you are always in for a fun ride!!

If you are looking for something more lighthearted, try ХИДАН ЛАЖАЕТ. It’s a fun story about video game streamer Hidan and his secret admirer, Kakuzu. 

[English] Is it Life or Art? by lilac_bramble  

This story is just so much fun, London socialite/model/”personality” Hidan and investment banker Kakuzu. Truly like peak Kakuhida to me. I really enjoy their relationship here. Their chemistry just works so well. This story is nearly the same word count as Game of Thrones. I am not joking. I am obsessed with authors' in-depth, detailed little tidbits of life in London. 

[Japanese] 【角飛】めまゐ【web再録】by Puola 

I love stories about characters told by someone completely unrelated, like a view from outside. I think this story does it so well. I loved seeing the tiny glimpses into how other people see them. It’s a short but a very special story. They cannot escape ‘These two really care for each other’ allegations. 

[Russian] Небо класса S by  бабаягапротив 

*DO NOT READ IF YOU ARE DEIDARA FAN OR SASODEI FAN

It is a truly amazing story from start to finish. I couldn’t stop reading it. Cruel, funny, witty dialogue, violence, great character insight, everything juicy remains in subtext and subtext alone. Lots of fun revelations are left up to the reader's interpretation, which I really enjoyed. Great example of how a sex scene can be used to show more hidden aspects of a relationship and how the two come together. The whole premise is really unusual and refreshing.

[English] Like steps of passing ghosts by Sneakend 

The storytelling reminds me of an official Naruto light novel. The same like tempo and the dynamic between them just feels very much like them. The story premise is simple but satisfying. I love it when Hidan is affected by the supernatural.

[English] In Limbs and Joints by orphan_account 

Zombie AU. Loved, loved, loved the ending. I hate reading zombie AU, where characters survive for a bit too long makes everything drag on and on. This story is perfect. We get them coming in, and then the end feels even more gut-wrenching but also super satisfying. Really well done!

[English] Kakuzu and the Temple of Jashin by fauvester

Ultimate comfort story. It’s camp; it’s scary, it’s gory, it’s funny. I just love everything about this story.

Genre clusters

Genre: “Corrupt Priest Hidan”

[Russian] Ничего святого by меровинген 

Church Cardinal Hidan + Thief Kakuzu. Really hot!

2. [English] Madness by JonShiiiiiDesu

Holy Son Hidan + Black Plague Doctor Kakuzu. The premise and the setting is really fun!

Genre: “Kakuzu goes to a bar, spots Hidan being his weird, insane self, and then simply has no other choice but to  fuck him in the men’s washroom.”

[Russian] Оседлавший торнадо by Tiferet

Calgary stampede Kakuhida. Insert cowboy emoji. Great story! May be helping with translation soon.

2. [Russian] Горючее by AmberWha1e 

Hidan picks Kakuzu up at a bar but loses his number.

3. [Russian] 5:49 в Стерджен-Бей by Neverhere 

Pure romance. Modern AU, as well!

Check out another fic by the same author Таинство любви 

Hidan gives head in a church! Fun!

4. [Russian] Чистюля by меровинген 

Casino coworkers Kakuhida, I love this authors Kakuzu! 

+There was another fanfic that was like so unhinged, but it got deleted, I will miss it forever.

More

[English] Beloved Schism by ThisCatastrophe 

Saint!Hidan+Mercenary!Kakuzu. Really interesting setting packed with catholic tidbits.

[English] Evolution of Us by SenkoWakimarin 

I remember reading this story on LiveJournal, a classic.

Gentleness by the same author. They are an OG! 

[English] True Intentions by sweetdreamz

Unfinished, but it’s so hot and cute I don’t care. Virgin!Kakuzu is a rare commodity. 

[English] take the hand and arm by shannyan

Sex pollen! Check out more from that author.  

[English] Bring Me Back A Dog by W0lfism 

Fuckfest AND a really fun plot!!! All in one!!! Any KKHD by Wolf is top-notch porn.

[English] Gentle Rains Trailer Park by HidansCrazyLaugh

Trailer park AU! Really love this one 

[Russian] The Third Weakness by Цагн

Modern prison AU focused on Kakuzu and his fateful meeting with Hidan.

Their other works for them are awesome too  

[English] Irredeemable Paradise by ManicR

This style is rare nowadays I like this. 

[English] Heaven by Crystaline-Crimson

Similarly rare style.  

[English] Another Mess by Un.filltered

A short and fun sex session on a table.

[Japanese] どうぞこの身を召し上がれ by Kiyo

Cake and Fork AU, it’s a variation of omegaverse, but with more focus on cannibalism. Romantic goreporn!

[agenericplaceholdername]

Dragons Rising E6-10 Thoughts

Here’s some thoughts on each episode in the latter half of Dragons Rising, Season 1 Part 1:

Return to Imperium:

The color grading of this opening seems off – almost as if it’s a flashback (it’s not, ofc)

JORDANA SPOTTED

The conveyor belts directing people where to go is so on the nose for an authoritarian society

“It's the perfect companion for anyone that might... be lonely” :(

“Unconventional? Perhaps you can forgive her” man this is seriously dystopian but also pretty funny

Sora in her S1 outfit without headphones is kinda cursed

“Ever since the Merge it’s been you and me” I AGREE ARIN. LET’S KEEP IT THAT WAY

Kai’s Wu impression is great

The Advanced Science Lab? Isn’t it the Advanced Systems Lab?

I HATE SORA’S PARENTS I HATE SORA’S PARENTS

The sewer smash cut is perfect. Beyond the Phantasm Cave implies that Sora actually traveled through the sewers before so at least she had a reason to assume there was no security

The public shaming platform? At least it’s not a two hour YouTube video essay documenting your every misdeed (which I will then watch)

This episode sold me on Sora’s character and is essential for her arc this season

Mindless Beasts:

Like the Rapton ad

The Arin chase scene is fun

I certainly hope nothing bad happens to the new shoulder pad store

The Imperium Teenage Protection Force all have shorter legs, meaning they’re probably slightly younger than Arin (or just short)

Every Wyldfyre line is gold: “If I was your enemy, why would I let you out of your cell?” “If you don’t know, how should I?”

Sora says her family was poisoned against her by LaRow— meaning she believes that her parents would have accepted her if not for LaRow. Ofc, we know later that once they see the truth, they don’t change their mind, so her rejection of them means even more

For a scientist, LaRow isn’t very smart (or lab skills =/= street skills)

“I’ve got a master teaching me all the things I’m doing wrong” Arin no he’s trying to help you

Percival talking about him is the first time Lord Ras is identified in front of Arin — before, he was just the “tiger guy”

Rapton has the perfect combination of incredible arrogance and thin skin

Dorama just wants to show off

Ras has such a deeper voice than in S2

The Hunted soundtrack!

LaRow just can’t stop gloating lol. Not sure how a Photac can capture a source dragon 

This episode is pretty important for Arin and Sora, and introduces Wyldfyre… but also isn’t super interesting

I Will Be the Danger:

Wyldfyre opening! Not what I was expecting when I originally watched but super cool. Not sure where she came from tho

The caregiver-bot helping Wyldfyre train is sweet. I wish she came back later (I know she does in a canon(?) novel and there was a deleted scene, but I wish it had been in the show)

Wyldfyre not knowing certain words is a clever detail that isn’t used often

Percival is so not convincing as an antagonist

JORDANA NAMED??

Considering the other empty holes in the portal gate room—are they supposed to link to other monasteries? Since the one Kai goes through links to the Imperium Monastary?

You probably are famous among ghosts Kai, considering the whole Morro thing

Poor Riyu

Thank you Sora, she really is weird— oh shoot Dorama! forgot about him

“I DON’T THINK YOU UNDERSTAND THE WORDS ‘SHUT UP’!” and then the one take after are pure Wyldfyre gold

The “ninja think Sora betrayed them” plot line could have gone somewhere but didn’t, and honestly I hate bad miscommunication plots so all good

Weird way to end

This episode peaks with the opening scene, and is generally fine outside

The Calm Inside:

Green eyes child Lloyd voiced by Sam Vincent is off putting. I get why they do this but whatever. The lighting/texturing in this scene (maybe bc of the rain) also makes Lloyd and Wu look super plasticy

Good lesson tho, and I’m glad it keeps coming up

Arin and Sora are a great duo

Melvin, remember, always do the bare minimum that gets you paid

And so the Empress joins the main plot

Super cool protective Lloyd is great, leaping down to pull Wyldfyre back from the Photac

What’s his “big plan” Beatrix? Why does Ras want Riyu? “You can’t [drain him] yet. My plan for—” no wait he was about to say it!

Ras is so mad at Beatrix omg

Kai and Nya have interacted more now than in any season post Hands of Time right?

So how did Arin trip? Tbf he punched himself in the face so makes sense

Ok the show just made the same joke after I wrote it, I guess I forgot

This sweat thing reminds me of the first Sam Raimi Spider-Man movie (the blood scene)

Lloyd being surrounded by chaos is overshadowed by the very strange design of imaginary Wu, but the scene leading up to Wu is so great. The music, the action, the direction— really stellar. Someone needs to let this guy take a break

Not Rapton’s unicorn figurines!

Excellent rhetorical comeback Lloyd

Ras is so cool -- singlehandedly fighting multiple dragons

Zane! But how did he end up in that pod?

Jordana! Sora is just totally lost lol

Do you think Kai, Nya, and Zane were planning on jumping out or was it spontaneous?

Lot of questions in this episode, and it would probably be better if they saved Lloyd hitting the targets for a flashback later in the episode (that is, end the first flashback before Wu gives Lloyd the lesson)

That being said it’s the best one since E6 and a good setup for the finale

The Battle of the Second Monastery:

Jordana getting insulted by LaRow (albeit indirectly) :(

This is probably very overwhelming for Zane

Everything seems particularly saturated in this scene 

The Jordana reveal is very good. Funny, but also kinda heartbreaking since Sora was just using her technology to give herself a friend

Lord Ras is not very nice (although he’s right how do you lose to two mostly-untrained teenagers who are in handcuffs)

Arin and Sora use Jordana swinging her sword to free themselves, just like Lloyd did in E2. Shows how far they’ve come (much better than when they fight Ras, which just diminishes him as an antagonist)

Ouch Lloyd, always look before you leap

“As opposed to those really strong gnats” I’d spend some more time workshopping those comebacks Arin

The Source Dragon scene is SO cool!

Sora beats Ras mostly though luck but the real question is why was he running so slowly

And so we finish the S1P1 aspect of Sora’s arc, although her conclusion of “having a responsibility to use her powers” is very similar to the end of E5

Sad Arin :( already made a post relating this scene to what happens in S2 but it takes on a whole new meaning knowing what happens after

Beatrix imprisoning Ras actually makes a ton of sense and I might make a whole post talking about why (and her character generally)

The Ras fight isn’t great - I get why it happens and Arin and Sora don’t really beat him physically, but it does undermine him as a threat. The rest of the episode is really good tho, especially the vision

Next up, the first half of S1P2!

[witchhuntress]

One of the most heartfelt moments in Ghost Hunt anime for me was when Mai casually revealed she’s an orphan during Bloodstained Labyrinth arc. The VAs did great but the direction of that part in the anime also has so much impact.

The way the conversation just sprang up so naturally, but everyone else was shocked to know that she was an orphan and literally STOPPED WHAT THEY’RE DOING. At that point, many of them probably expected the opposite, but this just goes to show that Mai actually hardly talks about herself & her life. She’s so sociable, but at the same time, she doesn’t open up that easily, even to people she’s gotten closer with at work.

I love how that scene was so warm. It showed how fond everyone is of Mai tbh, more than ever when she revealed that bit. They already were fond of her but to know that she actually doesn’t live as easy a life as they thought really put to perspective the things they probably assumed about her. I think for a long time, it really was only Naru (& perhaps Lin?) who knew she’s an orphan until she revealed that to them🥺

[mr-cactis]

Post where I keep any relevant information about Senjuro in case one day I write a fanfic about him. (And some nonsense that I need to remember about him)

In the Rengoku Gaiden, he seems to cook for Kyo and Mitsuri when they train (Fun fact: Mitsuri was the one who taught Senjuro to cook sweet potatoes, Kyo's favorite food!) They both compliment Senjuro on the food.

It's directly stated in the Kimetsu Gakuen reference sheets that he likes to read (something that was already pointed out in the Drama CDs, where Kyoujuro and Mitsuri go to buy books for him) and he's average at subjects.

He appears in the Kimetsu Gakeun light novel as the secretary of the Culture Festival. (As the only man on the organization team, he feels he should protect the girls if he has to, poor boy.)

He appears in Kimetsu Gakuen Chap. 9, going on an evening visit to the school. He says he likes horror movies (despite his fear) and wishes he were braver.

He's in the same room as Rui, and you can see them both in the background in some stories.

In Kimetsu Gakuen Vol2 C12, he and Kyo try to make Curry (it doesn't work lol)

In Kimetsu Gakuen C.22, he appears (This chapter is all focused on the Rengoku family, I love it). He's worried about his mother

Shinjuro still has problems, but it seems more like a bad mood (Different from the original series)

(more pictures of them because I love this chapter)

They love his father, yeah :,)

His relationship with Shinjuro is five hundred times better than the original timeline

Kimetsu Gakuen special chapter "Complete Focus Drill Flame Breathing Edition": He talks about sweet potatoes, how he designed them skewered and sticks over high heat, instead of cooked over low heat (bro, relax)

He just colored it wrong, the potatoes were actually marshmallows!

He thinks his brother is really cool

Edit¹:

I forgot, but in another story in the Light Novel, he is mentioned. He worries about Kyo (who is going to hunt Yokais/ghosts at School) and makes him carry all the salt in the house in a huge backpack.

And I think that's it! Just some nonsense that I wanted to save for the future and not have to research every time. As there is no official English translation, it is possible that there is some wrong information!!!

[fandomchokehold]

Origin Characters as Streamers

Shadowheart

Stardew Valley ✨QUEEN✨ (1000% romances either Haley, Abigail, or Sam)

Plays Minecraft on creative mode, she’s just here to make a cute house, have every animal, and frolic in a cherry blossom forest

Also enjoys cozy games like Spirit Farer, Animal Crossing: New Horizons, Cozy Grove, etc.

Her and Karlach sometimes play co-op horror games like Panicore, Phasmophobia, Escape the Backrooms because everything makes her scream and Karlach laughs at her (affectionately)

Gale

Absolutely DESTROYS old men in online chess

Plays Minecraft on hard mode and also BODIES Mario Maker (he has created the most sinister, infuriating, maddening levels)

Was definitely a Sonic kid, he knows the games are terrible but they’re so nostalgic and he loves making fun of them

Always tries to have a nice time playing Mario Party with Wyll, Karlach, & Astarion and they always end up screaming at each other

On the other hand he also does relaxing Pokémon card opening streams and cooking streams with Tara (he’s totally unaware of the tiktok thirst edits of him in his apron)

Karlach

Queen of first person shooters like Fortnite and Apex Legends, her and Wyll are unbeatable in DOOM (2016)

She more so likes cute cozy games that she can sip hot cocoa and snuggle up with a teddy bear while playing

Plays old shitty ps2 games based on media that chat requests like Bratz: Forever Diamondz, Barbie Horse Adventures, and Monsters, Inc.

Loves racing games (she’s terrible at them)

Loves fucking around in GTA 5 (she’s so good at it)

Every now and then does ghost hunting streams with whoever’s available (Shadowheart’s clinging to her the whole time, Gale is giving a thorough breakdown of the history of the location, Astarion is covering up his fear by saying everything’s the wind while also clinging to her, Lae’zel is actually looking for a living person in the building to fight, Wyll is cracking jokes and isn’t scared at all until he sees a door move and him and Astarion are in the car in 0.02 seconds)

Astarion

Loves visual novel romance games like Dream Daddy, Monster Prom, Raptor Boyfriend, etc.

Like Karlach he loves cozy games that let him get in his white girl autumn mode (lights off, candles lit, snuggled under a blanket, pumpkin spice latte and apple cider donuts nearby)

Definitely DOESNT CRY when he plays emotionally charged games especially where a beloved character dies, especially if it’s an animal, no he’s not pausing the stream to cry he just has to go pee-!

His most popular stream was playing A Way Out with Gale (he’d go from threatening Gale’s life for not being in sync to making jokes about the characters being them and also gay)

Does cosplay making streams, sews all of his costumes himself

Lae’zel

Queen of survival games like Subnautica, Rust, DayZ, Raft

Loves hand to hand and melee combat games like Bloodborne, Dark Souls, Elden Ring, Dragon’s Dogma; specifically medieval setting games cuz she gets fully immersed and dives deep into character as a knight

She’s bad at racing games; Mario Kart with Wyll, Astarion, & Karlach usually ends with her threatening to dox Astarion

⚔️BLACKSMITHING STREAMS⚔️ most of her viewers for these streams are old men who deeply fear and respect her

Wyll

KING of first person shooters and racing games; Fortnite, Overwatch, PUBG, and Call of Duty ✨champion✨

Slays at Nascar Rumble for the ps2 he’s always got the chicken truck

Is a speed runner for sure and loves doing funky challenges like beating Zelda: BOTW without clothes or breaking the game to take Sidon to Gerudo Town (think PointCrow type challenge videos)

Also likes games with emotional plots like SOMA, Alan Wake, The First Tree, What Remains of Edith Finch, etc. and he will cry on camera

Loves playing two player games with Astarion like Shovel Knight, Snipperclips, Portal 2, and Overcooked

Does late night bedtime story streams, makes his room look super cozy and uses a special ASMR microphone to read stories; takes requests from chat and doesn’t make anyone feel bad for what they want to hear unless it’s smut

All of them at least once a week either get together for a D&D stream or do a multiplayer stream and play:

Lethal Company

Among Us

Content Warning

Super Smash Bros. Ultimate

Dead by Daylight

Red Dead Online

Fall Guys: Ultimate Knockout

[nillabean]

Hello hello :) how should one go about reading ghost hunt ? The wikipedia page is a bit ... Confusing. What should I start with ?

OOOOOOH YOU'RE GONNA READ GHOST HUNT!

To be completely honest, you could start with either the manga or the novels. I personally read the mangas first, and then read the light novels--this helped with visualizing a lot of the stuff because since it's an Ono Fuyumi series, she gets really technical. It also helps you get a better idea of what the characters look like while you're reading. It also lessens the disappointment of not having everything included in the mangas--going from the mangas to the novels feels like a pleasant surprise because it feels like you're finding extra content (when in reality it's just stuff that didn't make the final cut😭) I would definitely say to watch the anime last because it doesn't go as far in the plot as the mangas and novels do.

After you read the Ghost Hunt/Akuryou series, there's a sequel trilogy! Akumu no Sumu Ie takes place at least a year and a half after the end of the main series and is SO GOOD! For this one, I would recommend reading the novels first and then the manga because Ono Fuyumi and Shiho Inada did a lot more trimming on this one 😭. Unfortunately, it also wasn't adapted into an anime.

Happy reading! I hope you enjoy reading it--I discovered the series when I was 6 and have been obsessed ever since (Ono Fuyumi is such a queen omg I wanna meet her one day) so it always makes me happy when I see more people getting into it. (Sorry for the long rambling essay I got really excited when I saw your ask lol)

[skaldish]

re: science and spiritual/supernatural, you might want to look up author Corine Sombrun - she took part in some scientific collabs researching trance. I can't be sure yet how good these are, since I've been made aware of her recently (my friend worked on polish edition of one of her books, which I'm also yet to read), but it seems super interesting and I love that it's being looked into. I see on her website that most of her books aren't available in english so far, but some articles are, so there's a start!

Noted! I'll see if there's any weight to it. I think with recent advances of biopsychology there's now the potential to actually rule out probable causes. The issue is that not all of science is on the verge of all the latest advancements, and some scientists are still treating yesterday's developments as novel concepts.

If I may ramble for a second too, since you got me thinking about this topic: I think the main issue we've been facing with science and the supernatural, is that all our technology is designed to interface and measure the natural, and we can't use tools that measure the universe's hardware to read its software anymore than we can read a Wikipedia article by watching electricity move through the server it's hosted on. Crude analogy, but that's the basic concept.

Like...if we were to put me in an MRI, and I were to hold a conversation with Loki while my brain is getting scanned, what would inevitably happen is that my brain will light up in ways that probably correspond with my auditory and language processing, as well as some visual processing and wherever the hell "thinking" lives. And at the same time this is going on, we can have all those ghost-hunting gadgets set up in the room to try to pinpoint where Loki is.

And the inevitable outcome of all this is that the results will be inconclusive...because all of these things are trying to measure matter, rather than a function.

It seems when it comes to anything supernatural, science has a habit of clinging fast to a really outdated false predicate—that anything that's "real" must have a material existence. So of course we're only going to come up with *non-committal wiggly hand gesture* if we keep trying to measure it like this.

No one will say that a Wikipedia article isn't real, despite the fact it has a digital existence. It's not made of matter-based atoms, but energy-based 1's and 0's. Sure, the article may be hosted on something that's made of atoms, but that doesn't give the article itself a material existence—the material thing is just the container it exists in, the same way our universe is the container we exist in.

The only reason why we see Wikipedia articles as words on a screen is because our displays give them the appearance of documents. But this is just a facsimile for our sake only—it's not what the article actually "looks" like.

Like, idk. With how our own digital tech is shaping up, I figure it's only a matter of time before we go, "Maybe there's a thing here that's interfacing with our material world. I bet we can pinpoint what it is, and develop a technology on our end that can interface back."