#gintama humor i suppose

[wehavecometoanend--maybe]

I found the funniest video but it's so bad and I shouldn't find it funny but I do and I can't stop laughing

[suchine-toki]

Ladies That Smash Life’s Balls – The Women of Gintama

By Tony Yao

Go here to see the full article. 

Summary:

Gintama provides a good entry point via its awesome women and I will get into why by discussing 5 of the series’ most important heroines.

Kagura. Does whatever she wants, says whatever she wants, and can intimidate anyone (man or woman). Also gets better treatment in terms of a final resolution for her long-running character arc. While Gintoki helps to fight a deranged Kamui, it is Kagura who actually finishes the fight and convinces Kamui to stop fighting once and for all. For that one instance, the heroine shows off how tough and on par she is with the hero due to her experiences. The heroine, with wonderful support to encourage her, becomes the star with fisticuffs sturdier than most men.

Tae. Is arguably the most powerful “normal” character in terms of handling daily life throughout the whole series. Unlike the real-life hostesses you see in Japan, she beats up her male customers whenever they annoy her. Tae is noted to be a “boss lady” who’s often very proud of herself. She is the “big sister” of the cast. She looks out for people because she wants them to succeed.

Kyuubei. After realizing that her gender change was imposed on her by others, Kyuubei decides to not be a man or woman, but Yagyuu Kyuubei, a person with great strength and character who just happens to be female. Kyuubei is a mirror of many individuals who realize the harm of gender roles imposed on people. She is a fighter against society’s norms placed on what our assigned sex is supposed to represent.

Sacchan. She is a very sexual person who is into BDSM (mostly on the masochistic side). She has no problems talking about her desires like men do, and doesn’t allow herself to be slut-shamed. Sacchan also has the willingness to call out people if they’ve lost their way in life. Fans get to see how ruthless and powerful she can be when it comes to her childhood friends. Sacchan plays hard and works hard, plain and simple.

Tsukuyo. She fights for the courtesans’ rights to do their jobs. She’s a reminder that even though there are women who can’t fight for themselves, some women can and should take on the role of fighting for them as needed. Tsukuyo is a survivor. She’s experienced a world filled with both sex and violence and fought through it with toughness and humor. Her experiences make her a female character that female fans who felt powerless can look up to.

[pocasu]

(Preface before I start: I know what I'm talking about. I was in the APH cesspool for three years when I was young and impressionable, and I'm so glad I had someone in my life to set me straight. Also I'm Korean so white people do not speak over me kthxbye ♡)

I genuinely do believe Hetalia/APH is more dangerous and effective in indoctrinating younger children into far-right ideologies than other prominent JP imperialist-romanticizing media like AOT/SNK because consumers are able to fall back onto a cushion of, "It's just satirical humor!"

Himaruya (the APH mangaka) does so much to feed into that defense: harmless stereotypes like "Americans eat burgers and believe in aliens" are displayed right alongside horribly racist statements like "S.Koreans lay unrightful claim onto Japanese territory,"* and "Chinese people have noticeable accents when speaking Japanese,"** among many, many others. These are all supposed to be viewed as equally hilarious and ridiculous.

By making his audience more tolerant and receptive to these subtle slights against the countries Japan has colonized and brutalized, Himaruya makes their minds open to further right views that align with the messages of Hetalia.

Criticizing these "small" offenses are how we nip a new generation of growing right-wingers and imperialist JP sympathizers in the bud. I want to believe pairing this with better historical education will lead to a brighter future where we don't forget and bury the past, but learn and grow from it.

Footnotes from the second paragraph and additional readings are in the cut below. (CW: imperialism, sinophobia, sexual assault, CSA, death)

*APH's portrayal of S.Korea regularly gropes Japan's chest as a running gag, and claims they are his property. In Hetalia, each country's body part corresponds to a real life location, and Japan's "breasts" are implied to be Dokdo (or Takeshima, if you will). Dokdo is a small island in Korean waters that Japan has attempted to claim for only the past 3 or so decades to increase their ocean proximity. The groping itself is an obvious attempt at historical revision of comfort women: during WWII, Japan kidnapped thousands of young women and children as young as 12 from Korea, China, the Philippines, and (primarily) other Asian countries to place them in sex slave camps where soldiers would regularly come in to "release their stress" and "find comfort" by raping these victims. The JP government has yet to apologize for their country's crimes almost 80 years later, and still maintain the stance that the comfort women were "paid prostitutes who had a right to consent." Here's my question to them: can you call it consent when the women feared death if they were to push their rapists away, retaliate, or say anything other than "Yes?"

**Characters of Chinese diaspora in Japanese media having "the Chinese accent" is nothing unique to Hetalia, and many other famous media such as Gintama also have characters known for it (hello, Kagura). But just because it's commonplace doesn't negate that it is still deeply problematic. When you see Japan's history of brutal violence against China (Nanjing Massacre) and compare it to how Japanese pop culture fetishizes and sexualizes traditional Chinese clothing (commonly in the form of qipaos with breast cutouts and impractically high leg slits or a miniskirt cut, or all three at once) while simultaneously portraying the Japanese spoken by Chinese people as unintelligent and mockable, you can clearly see the issue.

These footnotes are here to guide you, but I highly encourage you to research on your own. I'll give you some places to start:

Recently, a Harvard professor came under fire for alleging that Korean sex slaves had chosen to work as prostitutes. (Source: AP) Over many decades, the Japanese government has consistently attempted to minimize and eradicate any mentions of their crimes towards neighboring countries, even to the protest of their own citizens. (Source: BBC article written by a Japanese woman) Most recently, they lay unrightful claim to Dokdo again in nationwide textbook revisions scheduled for 2022. (Source: Korea JoongAng Daily)

If you made it until here, thank you for reading until the end. My final request is that when consulting reports about comfort women, please take care to check that the author clearly condemns the JP war crimes. It is unfortunate, but the JP government pays massive amounts of sponsorship money to major educational institutions and news outlets to speak favorably of them.

[dadbodgintoki]

gintama fic recs (gen+ edition)

hello again this is a follow up to my previous post re: gintama fic recs bc i realized i’d have to split them all up. i love gintama fic and there’s SO MUCH good gen fic out there. these will be split by vibe/genre bc sometimes you want fluffy yorozuya and sometimes you want to have ur heart ripped out by the concept of trauma on repeat. i also want to say, with these ones especially - a LOT of these authors have written SEVERAL incredible gintama fics. in order to not overload, i chose max two per person, but please please check out the authors on this list bc i promise they have good stuff that isn’t here! 

(shoka sonjuku focused and/or joui4 fic will be coming in a separate post)

for when you want to read a really good gintama arc  

Volcanolanche by naye @listening-to-thunder​. Rated G. 

This is a story of a snowy treasure hunt going horribly awry, because of course it does — didn't anyone watch the Ketsuno Ana Weather Special: Nature Will F**k Your S**t Up? It could also be a story about the dangers of greed, but everyone ends up too busy saving their rivals and not giving up on their friends to really care about that.

Pandemonium by @xparrot​. Rated T. 

The Yorozuya trio gets an unexpected reward. They really should've checked their daily horoscope before accepting: Beware of old women bearing gifts, don't count your lizards before they're hatched, and be careful when life seems too good to be true, because it might be a sign that everything is soon going to go very, very badly.

for when you want shenanigans with the gang and/or heartwarming fuzzies

anime is a zero-sum game by suitablyskippy. Rated G. 

“Once upon a time, only my stoicism was humorously inappropriate,” says Katsura. The Leader rolls over to sprawl upside down on her park bench and regards him blandly, littlest finger up her nose. “Do you remember that, Leader? Do you remember the days when only my deadly serious nature could provide a hearty chuckle or two?” “Get over it, uh-huh,” advises Kagura, and flicks a dollop of snot onto the immaculate blue of his kimono. Her advice is as wise as ever, but Katsura cannot bring himself to take it. (There’s only so much shameless copyright infringement a samurai can take before he reaches his limit. Thanks to Kyuubei, Katsura has reached that limit.)

similarly, they who love well by @pearthery. Rated G. Technically has background ginzura and kyutae, but it’s mostly not focused on them. 

Katsura breathes in again. "But I never thought that you—you—would think the same. Hah! How ironic it is that when I have reconciled that we are just two different, yet similar approaches to a tried and true character archetype—each explored in thoughtful, personal directions—that you would step forward and expose yourself as thinking, oh, as thinking you are above me! Do you suppose yourself at a moral high ground, Kyuubei-dono? Do you?" "Ah," says Gintoki idly. "You've done it now, Kyuubei-kun." [Rather than attract it, sometimes like would like to repel like.]

all phrased as tactfully as possible by suitablyskippy. Rated G. 

"I do have a wife, and I’ve always loved her, and if I’m honest with myself I still love her even now, so I thought – or I didn’t think, I just assumed, I always assumed... that I could only love her. That I could only love people like her.” Hasegawa draws in a deep breath. This is it; this is the moment. His voice won’t shake. He won’t let it. He says, “But I’ve realised I can also... love people who aren’t wom—” “We did invite Kyuubei-san, didn’t we?” Shinpachi asks the room fretfully. “I mean, I know we did. Of course we did. But do you think there’s any chance the invitation could have gone missing?" (At the very first meeting of Edo's brand new Gay/Straight Alliance, Hasegawa does his best to come clean.)

Good Intentions May Pave the Way to Hell, but Stupidity Glues Them There by athena_crikey. Rated G. 

The Yorozuya investigate a missing person's case in the Jyouishishi. It could be worse, right up until the point that it couldn't.

A little something to warm the heart by Liatheus. Rated G. 

Gintoki and Katsura have a conversation about ramen, among other things. Missing scene; ep 332; Homeless arc

Series: That One AU Where Oboro Works at a Convenience Store by @shirokokuro. Starting with Inconvenienced. Rated G.

Oboro works at a convenience store. That would be fine if the person in the check-out weren't his kid brother.

Whoever Said That Being Ill Is One of the Great Pleasures of Life Has Clearly Never Had the Flu and Also Should Go To Hell by magnificentbirb. Rated G.  

In which Okita thinks he's dying and Hijikata just wants a goddamn smoke.

Look After Your Trees As You Would Your Children by corvidity. Rated G. 

In which Shinpachi finds a tree, and nothing could be simpler.

angst & hurt/comfort (of the mild and not-mild variety)

Beginnings and Endings Exist Only in the Mind by corvidity. Rated G.  

After the war ends, Gintoki learns how to let his children grow up.

The Older You Get, the More You Speak in An Annoyingly Roundabout Way by @sakvnosuke​. Rated G. 

He does not know how to tell the boy this: that he sees a specter within this hollowed out home. A white-and-blue-and-brown ghost roaming this ashy barren land. He does not know how to tell him of how much he aches from the familiarity of it all. Kotarou does not know if he's welcomed to grip at Shinpachi's shoulders and tell him: I wish you didn't have to bear this cross too. 

sapotroph by @pearthery​. Rated G. 

At the end of the Joui war, the Shiroyasha sinks into obscurity, into the shadows. Shinpachi navigates the aftermath.

They also serve who only stand and wait by naye @listening-to-thunder​. Rated T. 

Zura is captured. Gintoki finds him. Then events unfold that turn what should have been a simple rescue mission into something far more harrowing.

and the night it is aching by  @mrosenkov. Rated G. 

There is only one person Kagura knows well in this world, and she sees, as clear as the moon, that something is not right.

Rinse & Repeat by @unidentifiedpie. Rated G. 

The dead shouldn’t come back to life, not as different damn people, don’t they understand how much it hurts? (Or: Gintoki and Shouyou; the forming and breaking of trust.)

[a-minion]

So I decided to finally post my own SMAU. It's not much, just random things, random scenarios which may or may not follow the storyline of Haikyuu. Depends. Think of it like Gintama. A large pint of pointless episodes with a sprinkle of storyline arcs. It won't even follow canon timeline since its supposed to be set on 2012 but this story will have references to more recent games/anime and such.

And since I'm sure not many people will see this anyway (If any), I can be as random as I want, because this is mostly for me, an outlet of the weird sh*t my brain comes up with at midnight when I'm trying so hard to sleep.

Summary: In which the cats get their wish and actually gets a female manager who is far too innocent for her own good. f!reader

Pairings: I don't know either 😅 so far it’s looking like it could be Kuroo x f!reader, Bokuto x f!reader, or Akaashi x f!reader and a slight hint of a one sided Shimizu x f!reader

Genre: Crack/Humor, High School, Daily Life, SMAU, Fluff

Warnings: 🟡Teen and up. May contain suggestive/implicit sexual themes, vulgar language, and/or euphemisms.

Taglist: Open

Schedule: Whenever inspiration strikes

Status: ongoing

Introduction | First Impressions

I. The Jersey Misunderstanding - with written parts

II. GC Rules🤘!

III. Sh*tty Owls - with written parts

IV. The Banana Dilemma [part 1 | part 2]

V. Tora the Explorer♪♫~ - with written parts

VI. Rivals of Old - [part 1 | part 2] - mostly written

[extra chapter]

VII. Junpei Protection Squad

VIII. Ato No Matsuri - mostly written

IX. Birds of Prey [The Rufous-Legged Owl | The Great Horned Owl] part1 is written

X. Managers' Help Desk

[extra chapter]

XI. Impostor at the Camp - half written

[liya4kar]

Liyada’s Fics Masterpost

It was time I wrote a Fic Masterpost.

So for everyone who is interested by my fics, firstly I invit you on my AO3 where you can litteraly find everythng, especially since I don’t post the fics directly on Tumblr. 

And if you want the details, here we go!

Also here the plan, because the post is really long lmao-

I/ Pokespe

1. Multi-chap fics

a) Three Years

b) The Magical Dexholders

2. AUs

a) Yorozuya no Lack-chan

b) Legendary Dexholders

c) Blonde Family

d) Yokai AU

3. Stand-alone OS and Drabbles

a) OS

b) Drabbles

II/ Other fandoms

a) Champion (Marvel)

I/ Pokespe

1. Multi-Chap Fics

a) Three Years

This one is my baby, the one I had been working on for 2 years and a half, the one I progressed the more in, and also the one I haven’t updated in a year even if I have 6 chapters ready to post, cause I’m lazy af. Also the ones where you can very easily see how much my writing progressed since I started writing for Pokéspe.

Warning: Graphic Description of Violence, Major Character Death (though this one is complicate and don’t fully apply)

Genre: Angst, Adventure.

Words Count: 69,567

Statut: In Progress

Characters: The whole Spe cast up to SM.

Relationship: Background Frantic, Entourage, Agency and Laverree, a lot of other friendships.

Summary: Some secrets should never be revealed. Or should they?

After a strange explosion, X and Y fear the apparition if a new threat for Kalos, and decide to get themselves implicate. But things are not as simple as they look, and nothing will go the way they want. And as those attacks take bigger scales and start to involve a large number of people, they would have no choice but to find the motive behind them to stop them; even if it means getting back on some bitter memories from three years ago they all would have preferred to forget...

List of chapters: Part I: Kalos

1. The Explosion

2. The Lumiose Badlands

3. Shalour City

4. The Attack

5. Next Action

6. Lumiose City

7. Blackout

8. Chase in Lumiose City

9. The Next Day

10. Couriway Town

11. Sunrise

12. Tic Tac

13. Terminus

Part II: Unova

14. A Day in Driftveil City I

14.5. A Day in Driftveil City II

15. Welcome to Unova I

15.5. Welcome to Unova II

16. The Twist Mountain I

16.5. The Twist Mountain II

b) The Magical Dexholders

This one is purely self-indulgent fic, where I basically write the dumbest thing that get in my mind. Aka some Dexholders become Magical Girls or Boys, but they’re dumb, but it’s okay because the bad guys, their friends and their world in general is dumb.

Warning: No Warning applies

Genre: Parody, Humor, Friendship

Words Count; 27,944

Statut: In progress

Characters: The whole Spe cast up to SM, and some OCs

Relationship: Diamond & Silver, Blue & Yellow & Gold & Platinum, Green & Crystal & Pearl

Summary:

It’s an emergency! The Darkness Power Of The Terrible Evil has invading the Pokespe world and take over the region of Kanto! Some magical fluffy creatures needs help in order to stop the Darkness Power Of The Terrible Evil!

The day Dia met a strange professor fan of Magical Boy and a strange pink creature, he knew his life would never be the same...

In the meantime, Blue and Yellow have to face a terrible threat to get back their home, but get new abilities in exchange.

List of chapters:

1.  A story is not interesting if nothing go wrong in it

2.  If you are a Magical Boy, don't forget to take an insurance for building destruction!

3.  If the authorities say that a radioactive cloud did magically stop at the border, you can totally trust them!

4.  You can’t be a protagonist if you don’t have an ultimate move, a dark past or a secret identity!

5.  No matter how good it looks on TV, sh*t stay sh*t!

6.  An homage to a work becomes a fanfiction when it becomes an important part of the plot, you moron!

7. If you update on the 1st April everyone's gonna believe it's a joke, even if it isn't, so update on the 31st March!

2. AUs

Those fics are not multi-chap fics, but more like OS and drabbles that are related between each others.

a) Yorozuya no Lack-chan

Heavily inspired by Gintama, AU where Lack did not get back in Interpol and started doing odd jobs instead. Serie of Drabbles.

Warning: No Warning applies

Genre: Parody, Humor, Friendship

Characters: Lack-Two, Whi-Two, X, Sun

Relationship: Lack-Two & Whi-Two, Lack-Two & X, Lack-Two & Sun

Summary:

When Whi-Two bumped into Lack-Two after months, she was not expecting him to went from Interpol officer to dog walker. And neither that he’d get her, and this guy from Kalos, to join he’s odd jobs agency.

List of chapters:

Dogwalker Lack-Two in action!

The Blazing Begining of Odd Jobs Yorozuya no Lack-Chan! 

b) Legendary Dexholders

In a world where being a legendary Pokémons can be boring, the legendary Pokémons decides to have a little bit of funs. Shenanigans ensue.

Aka the legendary Pokémons decides to become humans, and of course they happen to be our favorite DHs.

Warning: No Warning applies

Genre: Friendship, Family, Supposed to be comic at first but also goes on the character study sometimes

Characters: Silver, Giratina, others for next OS.

Relationship: Implied Preciousmetal, Blue & Silver

Summary:

When Whi-Two bumped into Lack-Two after months, she was not expecting him to went from Interpol officer to dog walker. And neither that he’d get her, and this guy from Kalos, to join he’s odd jobs agency.

List of chapters: Giratina

c) Blonde Family

In which Yellow, Pearl, Bianca and Y are all cousins. Shenanigans enssue.

Warning: No Warning applies

Genre: Family, Comedy, Crime

Characters: Yellow, Pearl, Bianca, Y

Relationship: Yellow & Pearl & Bianca & Y

Summary:

Family reunions are rarely all peace and calm. But when, out of four cousins, you have three Dexholders and a clumsy professor assistant, things are bond to be messy.

List of chapters: To be a cousin, Don't listen others confessions or you'll end as responsible as them

d) Yokai AU

What if yokai existed in the Spe universe? 

Warning: No Warning applies

Genre: Supernatural, Friendship, Adventures

Characters: Pearl, Schilly

Relationship: Pearl & Schilly

Summary:

Pearl had first seen them when he was four years old. And he had learned to live with this world only he could see, to maintain his balance of a normal life.

He had just not expected one of his junior to also see them.

List of chapters: Chilling Party

3. Stand alone OS and drabbles

a) OS

Here you can find the 1K+ words stand-alone OS. Links are in the tittles!

A Good Christmas Movie is Made of Hot Chocolate and a Fire-Breathing Cat

Warning: No Warning applies

Genre: Horror, Parody, Christmas, Hallmark Movie, Specord Winter Writing Event 2020

Words count: 4093

Statut: OS, Complete

Characters: Y, Sun

Relationship: Implied Laverree and Delivery shipping, Y & Sun

Summary:

Everything is perfect in Y's life. Too perfect, like in a Christmas Hallmark movie. Now, with a fire-breathing cat name Sun, it's up to her to find a way out of this Christmas hell.

One-shot wrote for the Winter Writing Event on the Specord, with the prompt X & Sun, Horror and Parody, My Life is a Hallmark Movie and PMD, and Chuck E Cheese's Ball Pit.

Celebi-rities in Distress

Warning: No Warning applies

Genre: Parody, Friendship, TV Show

Words Count: 5017

Statut: OS, Complete

Characters: Sapphire, Lisia, Ruby, Emerald.

Relation Ship: Background Franticshipping, Sapphire & Lisia, Ruby & Emerald

Summary:

Sometimes, it only takes a silly TV show, weird games and arrogant prissy boys to make a new friends.

Or how Sapphire became friend with Lisia to teach Ruby and Emerald a good lesson.

Bonding on the Grand Line

Warning: No Warning applies

Genre: One Piece AU, Pirate

Words Count: 2948

Statut: OS, Complete

Characters: Pearl, Cheren, Sinnoh and Unova Gym Leaders

Relation Ship: Pearl & Cheren, Mentionned Commoner Shipping, Past Pearl & Diamond & Platinum, Mentionned Cheren & Black

Summary:

In a world where Gold Roger is still an unknow name, Pearl and his crew left North Blue for the Grand Line. But are they ready for everything waiting them?

Of Swords & Of a Gun

Warning: No Warning applies

Genre: AU, Angst, 

Words count: 4209

Statut: Two-Shot, in progress

Characters: Pearl, Cheren, Sinnoh and Unova Gym Leaders

Relation Ship: Soudo & Bede, Bede & Rose, Soudo & Schilly, Schilly/Hop, Bede & Schilly & Hop

Summary:

In a world where everyone has a Sword, Bede is an abnormality who has a Gun.

In a world where the Tsurugi family is the best blacksmith clan of Galar, Soudo fails to meet people's expectations.

In a world where they have to fight and find their places, will the two of them discover why they exist? Maybe the answer had been in front of their eyes since the beginning.

Pallet Association

Warning: Graphic Description of Violence, Major Character Death <3

Genre: Cyberpunk AU, Pokespe Amino Festival 2020: Kanto Week, Angst, Dystopia, May be a bit OOC for certain characters

Words count: 3637

Statut: OS, Complete

Characters: Green, Blue, Red, Yellow, Prof. Chen

Relation Ship: Green & Blue, Green & Blue & Red & Yellow, Green & Prof. Chen

Summary:

In Pallet City, one of the biggest megalopolis in the world, the Pallet Association controls everything. Blue, Red, Yellow, and Green decide that it needs to change.

But Green may have forgotten to mention a few details to them.

(This OS have two alternative endings because I couldn’t picke one)

Storytelling

Warning: No Warning Applies 

Genre: Fluff, Domestic, Comedy,  Pokespe Amino Festival 2020: Johto Week

Words count: 2843

Statut: OS, Complete

Characters: Silver, Gold, Crystal

Relation Ship: Silver & Crstal & Gold

Summary:

Silver has apparently never heard a fairytale of his whole life, so Gold and Crystal decide to give him an express fairytale class. Turned out that it was a really bad idea.

Festival War

Warning: No Warning Applies

Genre: Comedy, Pokespe Amino Festival 2020: Hoenn Week

Words count: 2843

Statut: OS, Complete

Characters: Emerald, Latias, Ruby, Sapphire

Relation Ship: Franticshipping, Emerald & Latias, Emerald & Ruby & Sapphire

Summary:

It's the summer, it's time for festivals, but with the Hoenntrio and their love for bets and contests, it could only go wrong.

Family Business

Warning: Craphic Description of Violence, Minor Character Deaths <3

Genre: Angst, Villain AU, tw: Drugs, Weapons, Pokespe Amino Festival 2020: Sinnoh Week

Words count: 3596

Statut: OS, Complete

Characters: Platinum, Diamond, Pearl

Relation Ship: Implied Entourage

Summary:

Because she was the heir of the Berlitz family, she will continue to develop their wealth and their power, no matter what it takes. No matter if the path she’ll take was full of blood and corpses and crimes.

Parent-Teacher Reunion

Warning: No Warning Applies

Genre: Comedy, School life (but it’s still in the canon universe), Pokespe Amino Festival 2020: Unova Week 1

Words count: 2638

Statut: OS, Complete

Characters: Cheren, Black, White, Bianca, Iris

Relation Ship: Agency Shipping, Cheren & Black & White & Bianca & Iris

Summary:

Did you ever wonder how was Black's school life? Well, welcome in this parent-teacher reunion where Cheren have some things to say about his childhood friend... 

Crimes Movies are Sad Except When Everyone is Dumb

Warning: No Warning Applies

Genre: Crime, Comedy, Pokespe Amino Festival 2020: Unova Week 2

Words count: 5565

Statut: OS, Complete

Characters: Whi-Two, Lack-Two, Hugh

Relation Ship: Whi-Two & Lack-Two & Whi-Two

Summary:

It was a normal day for Whi-Two. A casting, a murder, two former classmates coming from nowhere... ... Wait, what?

Strength

Warning: No Warning Applies

Genre: Character Study, Pokespe Amino Festival 2020: Kalos Week

Words count: 2198

Statut: OS, Complete

Characters: (Malva’s) Delphox, Trevor, Furfrou, Floette

Relation Ship: Delphox & Trevor, Delphox & Furfrou & Floette

Summary:

Delphox was strong. Malva was strong, too, but Malva's had lost, so Malva was weak.

Delphox had lost too, but she could not admit she was weak too.

No, she was strong.

It was the boy who was weak.

Treasure

Warning: No Warning Applies

Genre: Negative Spe AU, Adventure, Friendship, Pokespe Amino Festival 2020: Alola Week

Words count: 1649

Statut: OS, Complete

Characters: Sun, Moon

Relation Ship: Sun & Moon

Summary:

Sun always liked helping at the soup kitchen, seeing the smile and laughs of everybody around him, but the lunch breaks were always the best moment.

Too bad that this girl decided to ruin this one.

The Child of the Outdoor

Warning: No Warning Applies

Genre: Character study, pre-canon, Pokespe Amino Festival 2020: Galar Week

Words count: 1317

Statut: OS, Complete

Characters: Schilly, her Pokémons

Relation Ship: Schilly & her Pokémons

Summary:

Schilly always loved outdoors. It was joy, fun and great memories. It was her Pokémons, too.

Professor Santa

Collab with @coppertrapinch for the Specord Secret Santa Event! (Check her work she’s amazing!)

Warning: No Warning Applies

Genre: Comedy, Christmas, Specord Secret Santa Event 2021

Words count: 3623

Statut: OS, Complete

Characters: Prof. Oak, Prof. Birch, Prof. Samson Oak, Prof. Rowan, Prof. Juniper, Crystal, Gold, Sapphire, Trevor, Soudo, Schilly, Prof. Magnolia

Relation Ship: Prof. Oak & his need for a break

Summary:

Something was bound to go wrong with Gold organizing a party... but a Secret Santa on top of that? Poor Crystal was just too stressed at work... it was time for Professor Oak to step up to the plate. Can the renowned Professor save Christmas in time without gaining another wrinkle?

...No. No he cannot.

The Christmasly Idiotic Adventures of Pearl and Lack-Two, or the time when two idiots stopped an evil organization while being on a gift hunt

Warning: No Warning Applies

Genre: Comedy, Christmas, Specord Secret Santa Event 2021, Crime (??), Adventure

Words count: 5326

Statut: OS, Complete

Characters: Pearl, Lack-Two

Relation Ship: Pearl & Lack-Two

Summary:

Pearl liked Christmas. Really. Well, except when some (false) "Gift Fashion Specialist Journalist" disturbs all his plans and ruins his gift hunt. Why do he has to get a present for such a brat anyway? 

Screw up Secret Santa! This year, we're gonna kick some ass for Christmas!

b) Drabbles

Ok no big presentation here cause it’s only very short drabbles (>1K words)

Valentine Day 2020: Laveree Shipping

Valentine Day 2020: Entourage Shipping

X teachs incorrect French words to Gold

Crystal is scary and very powerful

Soudo and Chilly don’t like they English localized name, and Marvin is too young for this

II/ Other fandoms

a) Champions (comics)

Heat-Haze Days

Warning: Graphic Description of Violence, Major Character Death <3

Genre: Angst, inspired by the Kagepro song “Kagerou Days”, Time loop

Words count: 4213

Statut: OS, Complete

Characters: Miles Morales/Spiderman, Kamala Khan/Miss Marvel, Sam Alexander/Nova

Summary:

It was a normal summer day, everything was fine... But the heat of haze had decided otherwise, and it was up to Miles to try to find a way out. 

[alexiethymia]

Gintama and Family [anime and manga spoilers]

I have already found religion, but then I have also found Gintama

I cannot adequately explain the feelings I have for this show, how it made me cry, and laugh, so much, and fall in love with it so quickly. The combination of heartfelt emotion from impactful lessons interspersed with snorting my drink through my nose due to the crass humor and then followed by gross sobbing. 

I’ve said it enough times, but previously the only anime that could make me feel those full range of emotions, sometimes all at once were One Piece and Full Metal Alchemist. But where One Piece is about reaching beyond the horizon, following your dreams, and looking toward the future, while FMA is all about finding peace and accepting your past, I think Gintama is simply about the present, living day-by-day the only way you can. It doesn’t have to be grand. You don’t always have to be positive. You can live life feeling as if you have no dignity or goal, but live in the present as best as you can, since as Gintoki said, life will only get worse haha. 

But seriously, I’m a sucker for found family stories. 

You have Gintoki, as a child, who had no hope and no future, surviving among corpses, but not living. He eventually finds a teacher, but really more of a father, or that father finds him. You’re not sure where it starts, with Gintoki or Shoyo-sensei. In Shoyo-sensei’s words, they raised each other. Both solitary creatures who had reason to be scared of humans or hate humans or not just care about humans, but they found each other and they were each saved, and everything begins from there. 

Gintoki finds sibling disciples. Katsura and Takasugi become like brothers to him. They eventually end up burying their fellow students. He finds more brothers-in-arms in the war, Sakamoto and Kurokono. He ends up losing his father. By his own hand at that. And then he even ends up losing the brothers he saved.

Most of everyone at this point would have given up, broken down, cursed the world. Imagine the guilt and the loathing he must have felt at that point in his life. But small acts of unrelated kindness saved him, in a way in response to his own. Saving a little’s girl’s life. A promise made. Being saved by an executioner. An old granny’s kindness. Another promise made. 

He of all people should be one of those to hate the Amanto the most, but he takes one in and treats her like a little sister or a daughter. Family becomes a sukonbu-loving amanto and her monster dog god, a megane and his older gorilla sister, a robot meido, a neko auntie, and a baasan. Speaking of Shinpachi and Tae, I love the sheer number of family relationships/sibling relationships shown in Gintama: Kagura and Kamui and Umibozu and Kouka, Sougo and Mitsuba, Tetsuko and Tetsuya, Shigeshige and Soyo, not even counting the side characters, and how blood-related or found family both are shown to be as equally important. Shinpachi and Kagura, though blood-related they may not be, they look out and protect each other. Shinpachi is a weak feeble human who wouldn’t recover from sword wounds or gunshot wounds as quickly as Kagura but you’d lose count of the number of times he shields Kagura with his own body and protects her the way Kamui once did. 

So many people have lost a family member, but found family again. For Otose, despite not having kids, how must she have felt to have found Gintoki, especially as she would have been reminded of Tatsugorou. The same thing for Gengai who lost his son, and then besides Ginnoji, gains Tama and Kintoki, and the rest of his robots. Even robots and the bonds made with them aren’t treated any less than those with ‘humans’, though even the meaning of that is very subjective in this show. 

Despite losing Takasugi, Katsura is still there. As someone’s who’s been there with Gin since almost near the beginning, it’s so important that he’s there and he understands and supports Gin in his own Katsura way. He has Elizabeth and his Joui faction. He even comes to care for Shinpachi and Kagura, the same way Gin does. Sakamoto is there too with Mutsu and his Kaientai. And even Takasugi has his Kiheitai. No one ends up truly alone. And the four of them, the choices they made and the paths they walked on, no one can truly say which one was ‘correct’. Gin may seem apathetic, not caring about the fate of the nation and all that. But, it’s just that he doesn’t care about the unimportant things, but for things that matter, he care so much, it seems as if he’ll sink from the weight of it. But he still shoulders that burden. 

Don’t get me started on the Shinsengumi, and the bond between the Shinsengumi and the Yoruzuya, how the Shinsengumi are a found family of their own and how perhaps Gintoki gains a bash brother in Hijikata and is reminded of his petty rivalries with Takasugi and how Kondou sometimes reminds him of Shoyo, how home for Gintoki is now where his family is and home wouldn’t be home without them, a certain terrorist, a monster duck, a gorilla officer, a sadist, and a mayonnaise lover, how the Yoruzuya saved and protected the Shinsengumi, and now how the Shinsengumi sacrificed two years each with their own burdens (Hijikata despite his pride being demoted, Kondo despite his love for Otae going through with a political marriage, Sougo doing the dirty jobs he doesn’t want Kondo and Hijikata to do) and their own existence just so they could help rebuild the Yoruzuya

The bond between Hinowa, Seita, Tsukuyo and the rest of the Hyakka, how the story doesn’t shy away from the darkness of Yoshiwara, and amidst that, paints a beautiful story of motherhood

There’s also Sacchan, Zenzo, Kyuubei, Hasegawa and the rest of Kabuki-cho. And speaking of Sacchan and Zenzo, the friendship they’d formed, along with the rest of the Oniwabanshu, with Shigeshige. Soyo’s friendship with Kagura and Nobume. Nobunobu’s with Katsura and Sakamoto. How the barrier between the supposed ‘rulers’ and those to be ‘ruled’ are shattered, and how those who were supposed to be at the top learned the most due to these friendships. 

Nobume and Isaburo’s father and daughter relationship. And despite losing Isaburo, the connections she’d already made are still present, along with other connections through Shoyo. For Gintoki he learns he has a kouhai-deshi, a younger sister fellow student. 

Oboro, despite the tragedy of his life, dies not alone. Takasugi learns they have a senpai-deshi, an older brother apprentice. He honors the last wish of the first student of the Shoka Sonjuku. 

Gintoki shouting that he never lost anything. See he’s far from perfect, lazy, unmotivated, having scrupulous morals, probably a diabetic by now, but he makes a damn good father-figure or older brother or teacher, because he also learned from the best, just as how Shoyo learned from him (and Oboro) and through him, how to be ‘human’. Gintoki doesn’t fight to be the strongest, or for some lofty goal, or for something noble like changing the country. In fact, he’d rather not fight at all and just read Jump. He just fights for what he wants to protect, but see, he kept on making so many bonds that they grew wider and longer intertwining so many people, that it was only a matter of time that he would become the center of a country’s rising and falling. 

The word love doesn’t get thrown around at all, but you feel it deeply the emotions each of these characters feel for the family they may have lost, still have, gained, reclaimed, or found. Kagura reclaiming her blood family with those tiny hands of hers, and it doesn’t matter earth brother or blood brother or earth father or blood father, love isn’t an expendable currency. It only multiplies the more you give of it. Pirako wanting to reclaim her father, making mistakes along the way. Pirako and Jirocho atoning together. Gintoki realizing that perhaps he never lost Takasugi at all. 

How could a corpse-eating demon child ever have foretold that although he may be surrounded by death now and it would continuously haunt his footsteps, he would eventually be surrounded with so much love and bonds and people in the future? 

[razberryyum]

A Gintama episode a day keeps the ending away...Episode 58

Such a silly and irreverent title for an episode which kicks off such an awesome and important arc: the Benizakura Arc. 

MY 15 FAVORITE MOMENTS IN EPISODE 58 (manga chaps 89 and 90):

The Benizakura arc is one of my all-time favorite arcs, so I had to expand my favorites list to no more than 15 moments rather than the usual 10. I think it still is one of the best arcs of the entire series since it was pretty much the first of the multi-chapter dramatic arcs. Even though there was still spots of humor, the stakes were still abundantly high, and for once I actually feared for beloved characters’ lives. It’s such an amazing arc, I’m so glad it was so wonderfully brought to life in the anime, the animated movie and the live action. I feel really blessed that we got to see it in three different versions, all of them awesome.

1) The Kiheitai family altogether in one place for the first and probably only time. The fact that they were mostly shrouded in darkness seemed fitting. 

2) I think at this point in the past I had fallen behind in the manga, so I might have watched the anime of the Benizakura arc before I even read the manga chaps. I remember the first time I saw this scene I was so shocked I screamed. I don’t even think it was because I was sure that Zura was dead...even though he easily could have been since it was still early enough in the series that we wouldn’t know if he was even meant to be a permanent fixture anyway...but it was just horrifying to see a character I had already grown to love struck down that way. He was such a sweet goofball, up until this moment, I guess I assumed nothing bad would ever really befall Zura, so it really shook me when I was proven wrong. 

3) Of course I loved the whole Elizabeth and Yorozuya scene...seeing this moment now actually makes me want to rewatch the live action because they did such a good job adapting it. Live action Shinpachi was especially perfect. 

4) I never EVER condone violence against Kagura-chan, especially by Gin-chan, but this was pretty freaking funny...especially when you (accidentally) paused at just the right frame. I couldn’t stop laughing at Kagura’s expression.

5) When Elizabeth cries, I wanna cry too. Poor baby was so worried about Zura.

6) The anime team made this SO MUCH MORE brutal by giving Pachi-kun SPIKED brass knuckles. Eli’s eyes looked like they were going to pop right out of her head.

7) That poor policeman. It was more obvious in the manga that he was sliced in half. Poor guy probably woke up that morning thinking it’d be just another boring day on the job, patroling the quiet streets of Edo, and then Nizou happens to him just because he was at the wrong place at the wrong time. I hope he doesn’t have a family. Nizou’s seriously a shitty dickhead.

8) This was supposed to be a serious moment since they just learned of Zura’s defeat at the hands of Nizou, but I was torn between chuckling and feeling bad because of Elizabeth’s gaping mouth. Her expression was just a little more intense than it was in the manga, so it straddled the line between being funny and sympathetic.

9) This meta moment was not in the manga, and I appreciated the brief break from the stress and anxiety.

10) Seeing Gintoki’s bokuto broken to bits like that was definitely a shock.

11) His injuries looked horrifying whether they were in black and white or in color. The size of that freaking sword...I am still amazed Gin-chan still has working internal organs.

12) I LOVED this line.

13) Shinpachi did that. I was SO proud of our boy.

14) Gintoki being proud of Shinpachi will always bring tears to my eyes.

15) This scene was so damn perfect in every way: from the score to the ominous way Takasugi slowly turned around with that dangerous glint in his eyes, then to Kagura suddenly realizing how much danger she was in by just the wary look on her face.

SHIPS TALLY: 

Zura x Elizabeth: I mean, the crux of the Benizakura arc is basically Elizabeth searching for the whereabouts of her dear Zura.

Gintoki x Zura: Gintoki’s unwavering faith that Zura would never be brought down by an generally insignificant shithead like Nizou.

Disclaimer: Gintama is not only about shipping. Gintama is hilarious, clever, exciting, poignant, heart-breaking, loving, brilliant, and just completely unbelievably amazing.  It is only due to Sorachi-sama’s immense generosity that I am able enjoy Gintama on an extra another level, the shippy level, and I am forever grateful for that. GINTAMA IS LIFE AND LOVE.

2/27/2019

[chibivesicle]

Good evening. Ever since the start of the series it has seem that Sugimoto has a strong affinity/protective instinct for cute/pure/innocent things like that bear cub, squirrels, or Asirpa. And a strong distaste for anything that isn’t, ie Ogata. Do you think this is supposed to reflect his inner guilt, and his desire to become “clean” again (himself before the war)? Thanks.

Hello, thanks for your ask!  I wanted to get to it sooner but, I was overwhelmed by both work and chapter 188.

I think Sugimoto’s love of cute things and protective instinct serve several purposes for him in the narrative of GK.

1.) Sugimoto is a war-hardened veteran.  Our introduction to him in chapter 1 shows him brutally fighting the enemy.  He is a man who literally has the blood of his enemies on his hands.  The brutality of him was how I was captured by the series, it didn’t glorify it, instead it showed it in earnest.  This told me that he was not going to be a glorious hero but one who was going to have to face his feelings in regards to that aspect of his life and PTSD.  As such a strong character, one way to soften him is to add the element of him loving cute things and animals.  

This is shown in chapter 3 when they set up the squirrel traps.  He states that he likes squirrels as cute animals while Asirpa is drooling at how good they taste.

This continues on with the baby bear that he adopted as a result of the actions of Tamai & Co. (r.i.p. bear death trio).  He tries to hide the bear from Sugimoto b/c he thought she would eat it and he carries it around with him in his coat in the beginning.

This also happens when they trap the fox and he leaves Asirpa to do the killing blow.

This love of non-human animals softens Sugimoto’s character, he isn’t a mean kiiler, he has a softness to him and it is associated with innocent animals.

He’s also a true city kid, who doesn’t face where his food comes from and you can see him dealing with the guilt of killing animals to eat verses having them served up for him by someone else.  This is a nice contrast with Asirpa who finds this to be 100% normal but does not want to hurt other humans.  This allows them to balance each other out and help them to positively influence each other.

2.) His soft side is played for laughs and to make him a contradiction.  I think the first season of the anime captured this well.  I can’t read Japanese very well, so I cannot go back to the original and tell how he’s talking. The anime did a nice job of making him sound like a high school girl several times; when he forgot his knives to help Asirpa clean and gut the fish she orders him to go get them and he’s “You’re mean!” back to Asirpa in a super girly tone.  He also does the same thing with Shiraishi when they are looking at the flowers blooming in the snow were they are both fawning over them, again sounding like high school girls. In the manga they are just drawn most shoujo as possible in this series.

Another character who does this is Okita in Gintama; unless he is upset 99% of the time he sounds like a catty teenage girl.

This teenage girl side is inferred later on when Sugimoto is upset with Wilk’s ideas for Asirpa’s future.  He states she shouldn’t be an Ainu Joan of Arc.

This is a direct reference to a shoujo magazine that was published at the time and implied that he read the magazine.  To make this clear to the readers, Noda even drew Sugimoto and Shiraishi reading it together here and is in the translation notes at the end of the chapter.

I think 1 & 2 make Sugimoto have more depth as well as humor associated with him.  He’s also afraid of insects as indicated by the swam of locusts as he flicked one off thinking it was a grasshopper.  These indicate that Sugimoto is likely overall a nice guy.  He wears his heart on his sleeve and he feels strongly about those he cares about.

But with that I don’t think his love of cute things and stuff to protect is tied into his PTSD in the same way.  It is more that his current state cannot return home to eat persimmons, and he wants to eat them with Umeko.  But he wasn’t recognized by her when he returned b/c she could smell the blood on him.  He likely ran away due to his guilt around Toraji’s death.  The manga has made it very clear that he saw Toraji as his best friend but he bullied the crap out of Toraji.  Toraji is frequently shown crying as a result of Sugimoto’s behavior towards him and Umeko told him that she will support him if he even was defeated and crying.  I don’t even know if Sugimoto realized how he was hurting Toraji, I could him thinking “Oh I only tease b/c I care.” but we the reader got to see Umeko and Toraji’s one on one where she tells him it is okay.  She’s got his back but Sugimoto likely never knew this.

I would like to note that the next bit comes out of conversations that I’ve had with @goldenkamuyhunting;  we both have been trying to understand his relationship with Toraji but the story hasn’t told us how his death went down and what was said.

One part of Sugimoto likely feels guilt for living while Toraji died and the story keeps alluding to their relationship in the war being more complicated than just, helping his best friend’s wife - whom he deeply loves but doesn’t talk to and hurt when he burnt down his house and left town.  Now that he’s alive and Toraji is dead he could ‘have’ her … but he clearly feels guilt either directly in regards to Toraji’s death or they had a fight or betrayal which makes him unable to talk about it.  The only person who linked who the women he loved and Umeko  was Ogata.  He can’t admit this to Asirpa, his closest friend in the group likely b/c he feels i can’t go back or doesn’t deserve to go back or has guilt about getting what he always wanted and won’t regard Toraji or Umeko’s feelings.

He’s lost so much that it likely drives him to protect Asirpa with such intensity, but we know his heart is hung up on Umeko.  The fact he couldn’t tell Asirpa about his friends he ate persimmons with prevents him from healing.

The dynamics between Sugimoto, Asirpa and Ogata are likely a repeat of his interaction with Umeko and Toraji.  Umeko is clearly a strong and passionate woman, she comforted and supported Toraji and cared about Sugimoto as well.  I think Ogata is his stand in for Toraji, he bullies Ogata all the time, but unlike Toraji, Ogata doesn’t need to go running  to Asirpa for validation and support, she usually praises him and then Sugimoto gets angrier.  Sugimoto’s distrust of traitors must come from some where … I don’t know if it was a falling out while they were in the trenches or if this was in regards to the commanding officer that Sugimoto beat the living crap out of to lose his military awards and pension.

So to summarize my response, I think Sugimoto likely cute and innocent things is more an normal aspect of him and also helps to flesh out his character.  I think his inability to break from his habits likely stems from his personal feelings towards Umeko and Toraji and now has transferred them to Asirpa and Ogata.

[dereksmcgrath]

How can I miss something I love when it hasn’t gone away?

Protect Me, Shugomaru! Chapter 11: "Protect Me Alongside the Malevolent God, Shugomaru!" By Daiki Ihara, translated by Caleb Cook, lettering by Sabrina Heep. Featuring characters from Magu-chan: God of Destruction by Kei Kamiki, previously translated by Christine Dashiell, previously lettered by Erika Terriquez and Annaliese “Ace” Christman. Both series available from Viz.

I already said what I had to about the challenges of letting go of something, and how trying to mourn and enjoy what you remember about something you like is still going to hurt like hell.

But in Protect Me, Shugomaru! the main character Sanagi shouts, "This is turning into a Magu-chan chapter!! Are we really fine with that?!"

Yes. I’m totally fine with that.

While it has been on my radar, I had yet to focus on and read an entire chapter of Protect Me, Shugomaru! I'm sure I was still dragging my feet because, over its ten earlier chapters that overlapped with the run of Magu-chan: God of Destruction, I kept hearing that it would end up filling the gap of gag-based manga whenever Magu-chan would no longer have new chapters.

Now Magu-chan no longer has new chapters (barring the special issue coming out in the spring). And now I see news from a friend that the newest chapter was a crossover with Magu-chan. And, darn it, I needed this.

In Daiki Ihara’s Protect Me, Shugomaru, the titular 10-year-old Shugomaru, the youngest member of a supernaturally strong warrior clan (and probably one of its shortest members) is assigned as bodyguard for Sanagi Ojo, a high schooler trying to fit in at her new school while targeted by the deadly guild known as Skull.

Unfortunately for Sanagi, Shugomaru has one philosophy: there’s no kill like overkill. Want to protect Sanagi from nearby students? Start a fire. Want to scare away a mosquito? Swing a big freaking sword–and slice off the top floors of Sanagi’s school. Need to take out an opposing assassin rushing at you with a weapon that is impossible to dodge in time? Release a fatal airborne poison–that ends up infecting you and the person you’re supposed to be guarding. Comedy ensues. Shugomaru tends to get so wrapped up in his schemes to guard Sanagi that Skull may actually be less dangerous than her own bodyguard.

Like previous Jump gag series, a lot of the comedy in Shugomaru depends on Sanagi being fully aware of other Jump publications–Yu-Gi-Oh and Hunter x Hunter, for example–comparing the shenanigans she finds herself in to what she has read in those stories. It’s refreshing to have a girl like Sanagi being the audience’s source for most meta-commentary, a character who keeps making these comparisons, reminding us yet again, for those of us who haven’t gotten it through our heads, that shonen is not only a boys’ genre but read by readers of all genders.

And like Gintama, Bobobo-bo Bo-bobo, and other Jump gag series, more of the humor also comes from breaking the fourth wall, whether referencing real-world YouTube celebrities, or the major villains in Skull starting to wonder whether they are actually getting anywhere in this story, when they only pop up at chapter’s end to ask whether they actually have a plan or are just repeating the same cliffhanger at the end of each chapter.

(And like the humor in Gintama, Shugomaru includes a repeated risque gag about a mushroom-shaped person…The humor is kind of juvenile.)

But more relevant for this post, Sanagi’s self-awareness and fourth-wall breaking help sell the gag at the root of Chapter 11: Magu-chan: God of Destruction has returned for one more time, before it ends all over again, this time in the pages of Shugomaru!

And thus, I get to laugh and cry all over again saying goodbye to this series. Yay…

Chapter 11 interrupts a two-parter where the Skull assassin/high schooler/stage magician Fujii tried to kill Sanagi–only to have all her deadly tricks turn out to be literal magic tricks that were harmless. By this cartoony logic, it shouldn’t be a big leap that Shugomaru uses his Yu-Gi-Oh collection to summon allies with the card "Malevolent Catastrophe," bringing into this comic Magu, Naputaaku, and Uneras from Magu-chan.

Having marathoned through Shugomaru before writing this post, it is bizarre how this chapter drags all the action in that series to a halt, all for a mostly gag-filled romp and a love letter to another series that ended too soon. Granted, one antagonist in Shugomaru eventually realizes that Magu and friends just stopped their story cold and tries to reassert their authority over this manga–which actually helps wrap up this chapter and give one more heartfelt goodbye to Magu-chan. And granted, too, it’s not as if Shugomaru is not a goofy series where something like this could be expected to happen. After all, the mayor of the town this story is set in makes a train engine with his face on it–this series is not going for realism. Heck, Uneras gets an excellent take-that joke thrown in, about how anime and manga act like all Japanese schools like Sanagi’s feature statues of their principals, regardless how common that is in real life, so realism is not at the heart of this series.

But believability is still a part of this series–“I believe, in the context of this story up to now, that this thing would happen”--and this interruption changes the tone of the series quite a bit and strains some believability. While Shugomaru has plenty of fourth-wall gags, it hadn’t yet commented on the quality of its own artwork. And of course resident troll Uneras would be the one making that gag, ribbing illustrator Ihara’s supposedly low effort on drawing windows. But Uneras also outright says they know they and Sanagi are from different manga series, and at another point Uneras pulls out a copy of Jump to read older chapters of Shugomaru, with Sanagi just kind of going along with all that she’s hearing and seeing. Sanagi just found out she is a fictional character in another manga. That one joke may have strained the believability too much: for the first time ever, Sanagi is suddenly and potentially self-aware that she is just a character in another Jump series–when up to now she has been freaking out that characters from another Jump series show up. When she is trying to be the rational one in this story, wouldn’t this new knowledge bother Sanagi at all?

But I’m over-thinking all of this. While Uneras had never broken the fourth wall like this in Magu-chan, her awareness of manga tropes makes her the ideal choice for these kinds of remarks, and it doesn’t eschew too far from the kind of metatextual commentary that Shugomaru specializes in (even though, again, that meta commentary tends to be about other series, not self-awareness about the Shugomaru series’s own fictionality).

Speaking of how Ihara characterizes Uneras, it was mostly on point, as well as Ihara’s characterization for the other two chibi gods. Naputaaku of course would want to capitalize on making and selling food. And of course Naputaaku and Magu would get into a fight to see who can make the best statue for the masses to idolize. This chapter even calls back to previous chapters of Magu-chan when Naputaaku and his hermit crabs made snow and sand sculptures.

I know it would be redundant, as Sanagi already fills the straight-man role (even saying she’ll have to do the pet-punishment sign on Magu because Ruru isn’t here), but it’s disappointing that this chapter couldn’t include Ruru and Ren. Maybe Ihara’s designs for human characters means, under their pen, Ruru and Ren wouldn’t quite look like how Kei Kamiki draws them, even though Ihara nails the designs for the chibi gods. Or maybe having Ruru show up in Shugomaru after how Magu-chan wrapped up would be a case of “too soon.” (It also would have been fun for Izuma to show up with Uneras, although adding even more wacky characters like him could turn this chapter into Bobobo–not that I would be complaining.)

The chapter also includes fun Easter eggs from the original Magu-chan series, with Uneras’s elixir bottle looking like the love potion container she offered to Ren. And I appreciate this chapter also doesn’t spoil the ending to Magu-chan. (I had recommended this chapter of Shugomaru to another Magu-chan fan, who hasn’t gotten to the last chapter, before realizing my potential blunder.)

While I miss Christine Dashiell as the translator behind Magu and company’s dialogue, it’s obvious that Shugomaru’s translator Caleb Cook (of My Hero Academia fame) did great work keeping the dialogue for Magu, Naputaaku, and Uneras almost perfectly consistent with what Dashiell already accomplished. (Maybe Magu's "Come again?!" sounded off to me, but I haven’t checked whether that’s from the original Japanese or the English translation.) And credit to Sabrina Heep for keeping what Erika Terriquez and Annaliese “Ace” Christman brought to Magu-chan, the distinct lettering each god has in their dialogue.

It’s almost as if Magu-chan and Shugomaru fit well together. It’s almost like you can acknowledge a series that ended before its time without somehow cannibalizing it for your inferior follow-up. Sorry, I know, I spent all this time praising something I thoroughly enjoyed, only to wrap up this post with yet another bitter take about something I dislike. But since I’m on that topic, it wouldn’t shock me, with regard to Soul Eater and Fire Force, if SquareEnix and Kodansha had any intense negotiations to make that potential link-up happen–and the concluding product that is the ending to Fire Force has come out like crap. I hate that this nonsense is making me defend giant corporations–so I won’t–but Shueisha owning both Magu-chan and Shugomaru had to have helped establish this crossover, while Ihara’s actual enjoyment of Kamiki’s story and artwork created an excellent chapter that looked and sounded so much like the original that I thought Kamiki actually did the Magu-chan artwork. As this chapter of Shugomaru concludes, “Thank you, Kamiki sensei,” indeed.

[multifandommania]

Hello!Could I ask for a Gintama and/or BNHA MU? I'm a 5'2" hetero virgo girl.I have blue eyes, glasses and a slightly past shoulder-length hair.I'm a calm,loyal,friendly introvert with a positive outlook on life.I smile a lot but I listen more than talk cause I'm bad at holding conversations. I don't like being the centre of attention,coffee or being rushed.I like dogs,fantasy books,dark humor,cleaning and astrology. I speak six languages, can't do math and say "screech" when stressed ^^ Thanks!

Hi hi! Thanks for givin’ me a chance! 

For Gintama I would say Sakamoto Tatsuma! 

You better get ready to gear tf up because you’re definitely gonna be livin the space life! (Those 6 languages are gonna be comin in real handy) 

He’s such a soft boy? He understands when you need your space (your fellow introvert writing this here) and understands when its time to get you out of your room and put you around some people

Does absolutely the stupidest shit to make you laugh 

Mutsu can’t figure out if you were here to help him or to help her? Ya’ll both aren’t afraid to beat the shit out of him when he does stupid stuff and scold him and whatnot 

Understands your love for dogs a little too much (Y/N look how cute it is!- Are you 10000% sure thats a dog because it certainly doesn’t look like it) 

Sakamoto almost peed when he heard your screech thing, but now he’ll deliberately give you a lot of stuff so he can hear it and get a good laugh 

Loves to see your face when you land on a new planet and you get all excited to explore. When he can’t go look around because he’s doing shady stuff he’ll make Mutsu go with you and then he’ll feel bad so he’ll make up for it by getting some random souvenir (and when I say random I really mean random)

His laugh makes you laugh, and then he gets super happy because he absolutely adores your smile 

RIP you shouldn’t have said cleaning. He totally uses that to his advantage x.x) 

Sakamoto might look like all laughs and smiles but this man has an absolutely black heart. He finds absolutely everything (even when its not supposed to be) hilarious. You can absolutely bet your dark sense of humor will get an audience every single time

you and mutsu are his ambassadors (because again, this guys an idiot). It took a lot of convincing on his part but he was so happy you finally agreed to be the first person some aliens met so he wouldn’t screw it up

For BNHA I would say none other than Eijiro Kirishima! (oml he’s my baby protect him please)

hold on now

this dude?

First of all, he absolutely adores your smile. sends his heart racing literally every time 

made a complete fool out of himself trying to ask you out 

finally just gave up and yelled it super loud (bakugo’s smhing from the sideline) 

He talks so much about everything and anything,but its absolutely ok? He loves it when you jump in and give your input 

Kirishima gets really sad sometimes and he needs you to cheer him up with kind and comforting words and make him happy again (I’m putting my baby in your hands). He needs positive words and good encouragement 

He understands what its like being an introvert so he tries his hardest to not make things hard for you (even though you have to remind him sometimes). He really does try his hardest and he always beats himself up for it because he doesn’t want to mess it up (my feels are coming someone help me) 

Loves all types of dogs? No dog shall go unpet in this world that Kirishima lives in. Will personally go out of his way to pet a dog with you and won’t stop talking about said dog for a while (”i promise he smiled at me! did you see how hard his tail was wagging!”) 

Again, this dude chooses on his own accord to hang out with Katsuki Bakugo if you think a little dark humor is going to phase him, then you’re absolutely wrong. He will laugh at it 

He almost died from shock when you screamed screech, but now its his ringtone :3

I really hope you like it :) 

[sparda3g]

Gintama Chapter 683 Review

The past chapters have been nothing but emotional and somewhat dreary. While that is not a bad thing, it was concerning to believe the end for Joui 3 won’t be delightful, especially one with a potential death. Gintoki and Takasugi are back in Edo, so begin the buildup for a reunion. This chapter continues the trend of ominous tone, but once more goes back to the fun and humorous side that it was needed.

Takasugi has been really impressive in this arc so far. Rather than him showing you why, this time it lets others speak. It’s reassuring that Kiheitai is heading to Edo as well, so the reunion in one setting is definitely going to be very pleasant. That said Matako shows an act of maturity. Rather following him like a typical fan girl, she is conflicted on what to do.

Sorachi inserted the captain who took Gintoki and Takasugi to Edo on his ship to exploit the reason for Matako’s pondering. It’s writing technique to have one character’s line indirectly share with another from afar. Basically, Takasugi is more of a genuine good person this time. Despite the dark history that the captain knew about, he can’t help but felt the need to help him from his determination. It’s no wonder they were portrayed like good comrades.

The chapter wants to point out that with Takasugi being on good term, he and Gintoki never look so alive like best friends finally going on a journey that they have dreamt since school days. Plenty of series tends to showcase the friendship of two rivals. Some are good to believe and some are bad with its hammering. This one is fortunately good because of the past developments and interactions that you can buy in easily. It’s not out of nowhere, it’s organic as it can get.

It’s a warm feeling since we know Takasugi’s death clock is ticking rapidly. It’s sadder with Matako noting that he has never looked so happy in her time with him. After the captain’s speech, she backs up his claim about the two being best friends and not in for a duty. She doesn’t know if she doesn’t want to interfere or she wants to continue to watch him enjoying his remaining life. I don’t think she knows he’s dying, but regardless, it’s mature of her to think this way, yet sad to know all of this should have happened a long time ago.

I really like the sightseeing from Gintoki, clearly missed his home. The foundation between him and everyone is so incredible, any reunion will put a smile on my face. Well, besides one, we will get to that soon. The town isn’t done fixing, but it looks like certain areas are going to be more city-like than before. It’s a bit charming comparison to him and a brat of returning home. Everyone will eventually forgive.

Before going forward with the exploration, the chapter shifts to where Tendoshu are discussing with Hitsugi. I knew it was him under that casted mask and missing limbs. That said the information that the Tendoshu spout isn’t new, but the point is how manipulative and control they have against him; practically made him into their slave. They even go far as insulting him while he was still there, yet they know and proceed to do so. What a bunch of assholes.

I don’t know the plan is to have Naraku backstab them one day, but that would be some hell of an enemy of my enemy is my friend scenario. Hitsugi is doing it for his beloved master. He too seek for immortality, but that is more down the line of contribution than selfish reason. The stare is probably foreshadow, but we have to wait and see where the road lies ahead.

As for Tendoshu, they’re the worst since they have things in control as they love to have. There’s an elaborated reason for them seeking to take Altana from Edo. It’s basically Plan B in which they would take it and somehow create a replicated heart. They’re pretty much power hungry. The best part is they are getting their revenge against Utsuro after last time, so the table has turned. Remarkable to make me feel bad for him; well, the Shoyo part of him at least.

Another new info is the location of the Tengenism’s temple. It’s not even on Earth, rather floating in space since it’s a moving temple Kuyou. It’s practically a giant ship, but it’s worth noting because it’s where they keep Utsuro’s body. I don’t know if that would be the final battle setting, but it’s the only way to get the job done. That or somehow it will go down on Earth. Why is it in space? Because they have huge ego when they designed the ship with the mindset of looking down on Earth. Is it wrong to hope for crash and burn?

Takasugi has been a swell guy. He even offer Gintoki a time alone to catch up with his friends. Gintoki tries to avoid the opportunity with a reasonable argument that would cause a stir. Could you imagine if your hero decide to save a killer? Naruto could work, but in this series, no. Takasugi got him good with a response that exposed him. Gintoki is afraid of being conflicted on his decision because if he reunites with Yorozuya, he will start thinking as a guy who must cleanse evil. It’s challenging and I’m loving it. I seriously hope Sorachi can deliver the message profoundly.

After that, the chapter or series in general decides to go back to the humorous side and it’s worth it. As usual, it’s hilarious with the shenanigans with Hijikata and Yamazaki; oh sorry, Mobcop. It’s a great timing to reference Devilman since Gintoki is on the verge to lose his sanity. The image with him holding the glasses kills me. Even Sorachi is aware of the potential dark ending. Oddly enough, if Devilman Crybaby is the audience’s first introduction to the franchise, consider it a major spoiler.

I also got a good laugh at the explanation of how they followed Gintoki. Mobcop was supposed to be flying, which is why Hijikata looked hype when boarding on him. Too bad his gas apparently ran out, so they only latch on the boat underwater. I’m here thinking, “Wouldn’t Hijikata drown by that point?” Well, he was close to death at least five times. Mobcop’s fuel is anpan, which is a funny and clever reference to Robocop in which uses baby food. Although, he needs a specific type alas fine-grained bean paste, so apparently, he’s pretty picky.

After a good comedy, the chapter revert back to a serious tone, this time with Hijikata. He isn’t sure if Gintoki is doing something evil, which technically he is for now, but if he can confirm, then he will kill him. I thought it was touching for he reacted like he doesn’t want to say it but if it comes to it, then it must be done. You can tell how much he does care about him as a friend.

To make it more emotional, he reminds Mobcop the code of Shinseigumi, but also reflect that it’s the same group that Gintoki has saved. It would be a damn sad ending if it all goes to that route. Mobcop gives him a reality check of what’s no longer there, but Hijikata subtly tell him to shut up. I so can’t wait for a reunion. With those two back in Edo, it’s only matter of time.

We are back with more comedy and it’s so funny. After the heartfelt moment, the follow-up breaks away from the dreary mood and embark whacky plan in motion. Gintoki and Takasugi go their separate way, so normally, two against two would mean one take on one. Not for Mobcop; he literally split up to chase both respectively. Yes, it’s very normal for citizens to split from the waist down. Unless it’s Tokyo Ghoul.

I really like how Sorachi managed to freshen up the dynamic between him and Hijikata; this is why the comedy doesn’t get old. I like how Hijikata talks about what anpan he’s going to get for him but of course, each time he says it, it’s only a trolling remark. It’s only because Mobcop keeps screwing up. After being told to blend in, the most logic thing to do is disguise with the identity of another. Apparently, Hijikata has a twin brother now.

The dumb part about it is how Mobcop is pretty much saying that Hijikata’s job is only to get the anpan for him. Even when disguised as him, he was going to grab one, completely disregard the main target. I couldn’t stop laughing at the stupidity. It only breaks the trend once Mobcop acts natural and by his definition, it means no clothes, all free. That’s when Hijikata finally stop trolling and actually got the anpan for him, so he can stop humiliating him. Fan girls must be stoked.

The last couple of pages are hilarious. Gintoki almost caught them but they somehow blend in with the store ads, acting like mannequin. Mobcop exposes more than enough if you get what I mean. Somehow, it works unless Gintoki is lying, which I can definitely believe. Otherwise, he’s easily fooled. What got me laughing so much is after he left, it appears things are secured, but shortly after, he returns with a panic look. He buys an underwear, wears it over his head, and all the sudden, he’s tagging along with others in disguising. Why? Because Otae appears. Need I say more? Hijikata’s reaction cracks me up.

This was a pretty amusing chapter with a nice change of pace with its humor. The buildup to the next and most likely the last mission has been engaging with conflicting personal issue. The driving theme of making a choice appeals me and it has me very curious. The artwork is clean and the humorous tone delivered with laughable sequences. The cliffhanger was amusing. I don’t know if I want him to get caught, but if there’s one thing that hasn’t changed, it’s the fear of a gorilla. I mean Otae…

[ariesvnus]

🌱emojiiiiiiiiii

THANK YOU um …..Che………….che…..also means loml….purest sweetest realest funniest loml…..Fuck ur lungs u Don’t deserve asthma…..i love you so much and even ur blog like :/ id reblog the whole thing even gintama although i’ve never seen it i appreciate the content i have consumed thanks to you..ndjdjffnfn n ur valid for wanting to raw gintoki or whatever hdjfj and your love for animals is like AAAH i love that :( i love ppl who also genuinely love n would die for animals like wrow :( i bet you’d pet my dog when none of my friends will just bc he’s a lil strange.., :( your cats light up my whole life they are each so special and beautiful and the amount of love you have for them is so warming :((( they truly deserve someone like you to love them w ur whole heart :(( and you genuinely r just!!! so kind and Funny pls ur sense of humor is the kind that fucks me up bc it’s genuinely not always supposed to be funny and that’s why it is :/ fnnfnfnnf UMMM i could go on…..but just know i love you!!!!!! 💗💖💖💓💞💖

[surprisebitch]

Hi I'm new to anime & I trust and admire u!!! What do u recommend??

Hey there! and yeeesss, i’m so glad you’re gonna give anime a try! there are so many good stories and plots in anime which dont exist in western media so it’s a great mode of entertainment! so as for recs, lemme copy and paste my previous list and update it to answer your question!

Currently watching:

Neon Genesis Evangelion - i admit it has a slow buildup but be patient because you will really find it intense and see how it’s not your typical mecca anime. so far, i think it seems to be a deconstruction of the genre and has alot of psychological themes

Boku no Hero Academia - it’s a recent anime and it’s really good! i think it’s on course to becoming a really big anime that will last many seasons at this rate. the story is about a world where majority of the inhabitants are heroes cause they have quirks (powers).. and the premise is that the main character doesnt have one but he wants to be a hero so watch and see how the story unfolds!

JoJo’s Bizarre Adventures (currently on Stardust Crusaders) - macho anime with an excellent plot! the guys are hot haha and many of the memes are in japanese so watch the original subbed but if you prefer not to read, the dub isnt bad. it’s very memey but the story is really entertaining and has unpredictable moments

One Punch Man - a parody of a superhero anime. tbh this isnt really binge-watch material cause it’s like a running gag and the story unfolds after episode 5 so i’ve just been watching this during my cardio days in the gym. but it’s really funny and a good anime

Hunter X Hunter - this anime is popular and it’s about hunters. so the beginning has the protagonist wanting to be a hunter and then he meets some fellow hunters along the way. it’s one of the highest rated anime in MyAnimeList (the RottenTomatoes equivalent of the anime world) so yeah check this out!

Recently watched:

Jojo’s Bizarre Adventure (Battle Tendency) - SONO CHI NO SADAMEEE JOOOOOOJOOOOOOOOOOOOOO the type of anime that’ll get you wanting to go to the gym and lift. that being said, it has a really amazing story

Shingeki no Kyojin / Attack on Titan - it’s the Game of Thrones of anime imo.. like it’s so GOOD.. it will just make you gag after every episode!!! it’s so intense and there are really badass characters. and the plot is really brilliant. like if you think season 1 was like WHAT THE FUCkk.. wait til season 2! this anime is crazy and exciting. not for the faint-hearted tbh cause it can be graphic and disturbing (also dont get attached. they could die!) but yeah, this anime is popular true and some say it’s overrated but that’s because it really deserves all the recognition and success it has for its amazing plot

Love Live! School Idol Project - i honestly just watched this like out of curiosity and just for kicks. i was not expecting to love it but after episode 3, i was like wait??? wasnt this anime supposed to be fun?? why am i crying?? so yeah, it’s super good, touching, entertaining and sweet! and the songs are really catchy and good.. TBH this anime is like so gay since there are no men (except Honoka’s dad) so yeah it passes the Bechdel Test with perfect score

Love Live! Movie - the conclusion to the anime! 

Love Live! Sunshine - i watched this like a few months after finishing Love Live! cause i loved the original girls and i was worried i wont like these girls.. but honestly, you will appreciate them. and it’s EVEN GAYER.. and is soo good too! 

btw tell me who your fave girls/best girls are after watching Love Live and Sunshine. my best girls are Umi Sonoda and Kanan Matsuura :>

Anime watched/finished:

Kimi no Na Wa - universally lauded and recently released! it’s the best film released in 2016 imo. i swear it’s really next level storytelling

Rurouni Kenshin - i think i watched this anime twice/thrice.. It’s so suspenseful. it’s about samurais. and this anime made me interested about Japan’s history. it’s kind of a period drama with amazing fight sequences. and it’s critically acclaimed. it’s my father’s all-time favourite anime

Rurouni Kenshin OVA - it’s a prequel. also more violent and tragic than its anime counterpart.. like it’s really different from the series. but it’s so good. you’ll find out how Kenshin got his iconic X mark from here!)

Ghost Stories - THE DUB IS A MASTERPIECE! THE SUBBED IS SHIT. TRUST ME. the DUB is the popular one too cause it’s the superiour version. You really have to see this one. the anime bombed in Japan so the english dubbers got all the rights for the anime and they gave the go signal for the dubbers to do whatever the fuck they want and the end result is fucking hilarious. it shits on the Scary Movie Franchise tbh

Puella Magi Madoka Magica - i swear do not be deceived.. it is a really intense and surprisingly dark anime with excellent plot twists

Gekkan Shoujo Nozaki-kun - super funny anime. if you need a laugh, this will really lift you up. i watched the first two episodes in sub and dub back to back.. and i can vouch that the voice actors for the English dub are excellent. it’s actually even funnier.. but if you prefer subs, then that’s fine. it’s just the lines are more humorous, expressive and have more variety :) Nozaki’s voice is also attractive in the dub.. it’s still very Nozaki imo. this anime pokes fun at the shoujo manga yet still has romantic elements. it’s mostly comedy though

Jigoku Shoujo / Hell Girl - angst, tragedy, philosophical anime analysing humanity’s hatred, need for vengeance, and suffering. Futakomori or the 2nd season is my favourite but it’s worth finishing the entire series. 3rd season is very painful to watch though and you dont have to watch that one tbh if you dont want to lol

Yu Yu Hakusho - occult, spirit world, ghosts, and fighting. you most probably have heard of this

Yu-Gi-Oh! Duel Monsters - 1st series starring Yugi. iconic!

Digimon - can be very intense! better than Pokemon imo

Cardcaptor Sakura - this is also suspenseful. like the premise is essentially that Sakura has to catch all the “monsters” that were freed from this book. and it’s up to her to “capture” them and put into cards. magic, fantasy, and beautiful animation

Ranma ½ - this was so funny but the ending was disappointing cause it got cancelled apparently.. i really hope this will go out of limbo and give us a proper ending like InuYasha did but i doubt it

Danganronpa (murder plot twists, intense and despair-filled storyline. click this to know more about the premise. it’s like Battle Royale meets CSI meets How To Get Away With Murder. btw i highly suggest you play this game (it’s available on Steam) instead of watching the poorly condensed anime. so buy it on steam or you can download it how you like cause it’s one of the best games ever. and if you plan on watching this, there is no Danganronpa 2 anime so yeah just play the first game tbh. here’s a trailer of the game https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RwJeZPMhdUk. if ya dont wanna play the games then you can watch the anime. and after watching this, here’s a link of the playthrough of the 2nd game. it’s super fun, full of plot twists, and interactive)

Yuri On Ice - it’s a really cute gay anime. people will argue it isnt and its queerbait but i’m gay and alot of the things which happen are too much for just bros to do so yeah, i believe it’s canon gay or mlm. and i enjoyed it so you watch it and be the judge

Blood+ - vampires and sword fighting

Ghost In The Shell - it’s a sci-fi movie

Yakitate Japan - baking and cooking!

Getbackers - still up to debate if the duo are gay but if you google art of them, there have been official art released and it’s so gay lol. but yeah it’s shonen genre and it’s not canon gay

Cowboy Bebop - a CLASSIC. the dub is great!!

I don’t remember if i finished these but I watched a lot of episodes enough to recommend it and will rewatch them soon to relieve memories. I’m pretty sure I tuned in though and watched like 80%:

Fushigi Yuugi (i think this is shoujo but it has a nice adventure storyline)

Fullmetal Alchemist Brotherhood  (i feel like i actually finished this. idk why my memory is hazy concerning this anime. this is so popular. you should’ve heard of this iconic anime somehow. i watched and tuned in but i don’t remember how or when i stopped)

Gundam series (i think i finished the first Gundam and the second)

Tsubasa Chronicles (it’s like a spin-off of Cardcaptor Sakura but they’re like all grown up and the plot is different)

Naruto

One Piece (i watched like the first four seasons)

Bleach (i remembered watching until episode 40 omg)

Great Teacher Onizuka (this is so funny tbh. i think i watched almost all of it)

Studio Ghibli films I watched:

Spirited Away

The Wind Rises

Ponyo

Tales from Earthsea

Anime I plan to watch (many suggested this to me and i plan on watching them so i’ll write them down here) :

Koe no Katachi (A Silent Voice)

Anohana The Flower We Saw That Day

Neon Genesis Evangelion

Tokyo Ghoul

Re: Zero

Your Lie in April

Shin sekai Yori

Gintama

More of Makoto Shinkai’s movies like 5 centimetres per second, etc.)

More Ghibli films too

Final Fantasy XV: Kingsglaive (after i finish FFXV game im watching this one)

Persona 4

Here you go!!!! I know it’s an extensive list. I’ll probably make this a masterpost of anime recs and will update this list, and add more soon. If you have any questions or anything, don’t be shy to message me! :)

[last updated: 5 November 2017]

[fizzingwizard]

I finally got to watch the Gintama live action movie - on the airplane from Tokyo, of all places xD

It was much better than expected, although I thought the beginning was significantly better than the end. Here be my thoughts

Things I loved:

The entire first half. It was very true to Gintama spirit. Laughed so much each time they ran into the Shinsengumi in the woods and that dramatic movie played.

Shinpachi was perfect af. “Kondo-san, you’re beautiful.” “You just told us everything.” Deadpan perfection. I adore him.

Most everyone was really well cast tbh. My one and only reservation was Kagura, who I think they cast for looks over comedic ability. But overall A+ job.

Nausicaa!!!!!! that was amazing.

Tae didn’t have a lot of scenes but the few she was in she dominated. I love the Shimura family.

Kondo was hilarious. I had felt he was just too small to be Kondo in the promo photos, but his acting was stupendous. So funny.

Shinpachi infiltrating the Kiheitai ship XD

I read some complaints about Oguri Shun’s Gintoki but I really thought he was fantastic. Funny and ridiculous and sympathetic. I think he probably came across over the top in the beginning, but it fits the movie in its entirety and I def felt a lot better about the beginning by the time I was halfway through.

Okada Masaki’s Katsura was friggin hilarious and Katsura to a T. I wonder if we’ll see any of him in the sequel. He’s not in any other plot-centric arcs before the prison break. And that’d be quite a time jump. I’ll miss him if he’s not ;_; so funny

Things I didn’t love:

Takechi - Let’s just get this out of the way. The pedo jokes went too far for me. I know it’s a running gag in the manga but I had always felt it was just Matako egging him on - the movie def gave me the impression that there’s at least some truth to it. Come on, Japan. Takechi was funny otherwise, it’s too bad they had to totally ruin him with this stupidity.

Too much monologuing during fights. But that... is Gintama, so I can hardly complain. There’s too much of it in the manga so no wonder there’s too much of it in the movie.

I know they had to let Hijikata fight, because he’s Hijikata. (Even though there was an entire mini-series to be released focusing on the Shinsengumi where he’d get to fight plenty...) And I understand even better when Takasugi got to fight. Can’t exactly say it was a fulfilling battle, or that someone who wasn’t already in the know about Gintama would’ve been impressed with it. But I get why they did it. HOWEVER. They totally didn’t let Katsura fight at all. They changed the entire ending, and I honest to goodness feel it was better and more dramatic in the original. Not to mention it hardly makes sense how the Harusame were apparently just like “peace out bro”!

Idk things:

Kagura - she’s one of my absolute favs in the manga/anime but I had trouble getting used to Hashimoto Kanna. She just seemed too lady-like and I didn’t always believe her Kagura-style humor. Her battle scene on the ship was excellent though.

The weird way Elizabeth seemed like he’s somehow “always with” Katsura at the end... amusing but also wtf...

Katsura: “What would Gintoki say if I left you two behind!” Kagura & Shinpachi: “Just go!” Katsura: “ok”

Gintoki: “I’ll fight Nizo - you go arrest Takasugi.” Hijikata: “OK, after all it’s not as if all the Shinsengumi are after him already and Nizo is so super-powered that a single person can’t take him out alone and I’d be way more useful double-teaming with you. My battle scene was totally irrelevant. Good luck see you.” *later* “Hey, Gintoki. Lol obviously I didn’t even manage to do the thing I deserted you to do.” xD This is what comes of trying to insert characters into stories where they’re not supposed to be.

Takasugi was pretty Takasugi-like, I mean he was fine. Maybe it’s because I’m pretty whatever about Takasugi in general (except for his battle with Gintoki in Shogun Assassination, which I love), especially post Rakuyou-Takasugi who is just so uninteresting to me now that he’s lost most of his antagonist qualities. But I would be curious to see him highlighted more. It only makes sense that a sequel would focus on Takasugi to a degree. I wonder if they’ll do Shogun Assassination.

Random other thought: There was unexpected shipping fodder for GintokixOkita of all things hahahahahha.

It was good - up until just past the Nausicaa bit, I was thinking I’d like to buy it. But then the battle and aftermath just weren’t very interesting for me and I kind of lost interest. I’ll happily rewatch it if I get the chance though.

[random-musings-of-life]

Part 2 because I have missed my meeting this week!

Ace Attorney

Episodes watched: 16-ish

Synopsis: Phoenix Wright, a defense attorney, takes on all sorts of interesting cases, none of which are as straightforward as they seem. Aided by Maya Fey, a spirit medium in training, and opposed by Miles Edgeworth, an arrogant prosecutor, Phoenix does all he can to get his clients declared innocent.

Review: I can't always follow the logic of the cases (special mention goes to "Turnabout Big Top"), but the characters are really well written and unique. It's crazy, but the good kind of crazy.

Warnings: Depictions of murder, guns and knives, blood.

Ergo Proxy

Episodes Watched : 1

Synopsis: After a great environmental crisis, humans live in domed cities alongside AutoReivs, robots created to help them. Re-l, the granddaughter of the ruler of Rombeau (a city), is attempting to find out what has made the Cogito virus, which makes AutoReivs self-aware (and violent). Meanwhile, an immigrant named Vincent tries to gain citizenship.

Review: This is a deeply philosophical show, and also very confusing. I suspect that the audience is supposed to find out things as the characters do, and the first episode doesn't reveal much.

Warnings: Violence.

Kaze ga Tsuyoku Fuiteiru (Run with the Wind)

Episodes watched: 2

Synopsis: A group of college boys form a track team to run in the Hakone Ekiden marathon.

Review: This is a bit more serious than a typical sports anime, but it still has its humor and charm.

Warnings: Brief nudity, mild language.

Kaguya-sama: Love Is War

Episodes watched: 5

Synopsis: Kaguya Shinomiya and Miyuki Shirogane are in love. But they're both too proud to confess their feelings, so they try and goad the other into confessing first.

Review: This show has been described as a Death Note rom-com. The humor of the sub comes from the psychological battles between the two protagonists and the reactions of the characters, and the humor of the dub comes from the narrator, who is so lively and unique that he's kind of his own character. Even if you don't watch/don't like dub, please watch at least one episode of this dub. The narrator does not disappoint.

Warnings: Suggestive content, weapons (in the opening).

Ouran High School Host Club

Episodes watched: 1

Synopsis: A working-class girl, Haruhi, breaks an expensive vase at her private school. In order to pay off the debt, she becomes a member of the Host Club, which is a bunch of really rich boys charming female students.

Review: This series is a parody of shoujo manga; the boys all act like common male shoujo characters (charmer/perfect boy, moe (cute, small boy), gentle giant, "very close" twins, upper-class academic). This series is interesting in the fact that not only was it way ahead of its time in terms of gender issues, it's also the first anime I've seen in which a senpai (older student) pursues a kouhai (younger student).

Warnings: Suggestive content, gender as understood in 2006 (it holds up remarkably well, but some terms and ideas used are out of date/offensive).

The Disastrous Life of Saiki K.

Episodes watched: 11

Synopsis: Kusuo Saiki is a high school student with every sort of psychic power imaginable. Yet all he wants to do is live a normal human life, finding his powers are more of a curse than a blessing. His classmates and family have other ideas, turning his life into a chaotic mess.

Review: This series is incredibly funny. I will say it's funnier if you know a bit about anime before you see the show, since most of the characters are parodies of common anime characters (shounen hero, shoujo manga protagonist, sports manga protagonist, perfect girl, famous idol, etc.), as well as parodies of other anime (Jojo's Bizarre Adventures, Gintama, etc.) and common episode plots (beach episode, Valentine's Day, New Year's, etc.). The episodes are bite-sized, about three to four minutes (the dub combines several episodes into one twenty minute show). This is also the first show I've seen where the narrator is the main character and provides commentary during the action through his thoughts and narration to us.

Warnings: Mild language, suggestive content, one-sided sibling incest (played for laughs), mild cartoon violence.

Yakitate!! Japan

Episodes watched: 2

Synopsis: A boy, Kazuma, sets out to become an employee at the top bakery in Japan and create a Japanese national bread.

Review: This anime is basically the PG version of Food Wars. It's wacky and filled with puns.

Warnings: Mild language.

Anime Reviews --- Special Edition!

I had to miss my anime club meeting today because I was ✨in pain✨ (cramping SUCKS!), but to make up for it, I'm doing mini reviews of all of the anime series that I've viewed at least one episode of. Series are in alphabetical order.

Note: the reviews and warnings will only reflect what is in the episodes I've watched. I'm also trying to keep these fairly short, and most of these I watched a while ago, so I will probably miss something. Please do not blame me for not warning you about something, especially if it's a one-off thing.

Akudama Drive

Episodes watched: 8

Synopsis: In a futuristic Kansai, high-powered criminals known as Akudama terrorize the streets. An ordinary girl is forced into their activities when she rescues a cat who turns out to be masterminding a heist.

Review: Surprisingly, I enjoy this show. I didn't think I would like it, but it's colorful and cool. The characters all have very interesting dynamics and personalities, and there's a lot for the audience to wonder about (the series doesn't give any historical context for the war between Kanto and Kansai, backstory for the characters, or even their real names; the characters go by nicknames). The animation is stunning.

Warnings: Unfortunate implications with a black character, scenes with bright colors and rapid flashing sequences, violence, blood, (mostly) censored decapitation, guns and knives, prominent fanservice character, language.

Assassination Classroom

Episodes watched: 7-ish

Synopsis: A yellow octopus creature blows up part of the Moon and threatens to do the same to the Earth the following March unless he is killed. He has various powers, including super speed and tentacles that can do pretty much anything. In a surprising twist, he wants to teach Class 3-E of Kunugigaoka Middle School, the class of losers and rejects. The students are tasked with killing their teacher, whom they nickname "Korosensei".

Review: I really like this series! It's funny, but also manages to work in some serious life lessons without shoe-horning them in. There are a lot of characters, and it can be hard to keep track of who's who, but most of them have one distinct thing I can associate with them.

Warnings: Cartoon violence, guns and knives, prominent fanservice character, language.

Baccano!

Episodes watched: 1

Synopsis: Gangsters, immortality, and a train all factor into events that two newspaper reporters are trying to figure out.

Review: This one throws you right into the action. It doesn't stay with a specific time, and there are tons of characters, so it can get a bit confusing. Catchy opening theme, though.

Warnings: Violence, language, guns and knives, blood, headshots, various body mutilations.

Brothers Conflict

Episodes watched: 3

Synopsis: A widower remarries and his daughter, Ema, gets 13 new step-brothers, ranging in age from early 30s to 12. All of the step-brothers become attracted to her. Ema also has a talking squirrel companion named Juli who tries to protect her from the brothers (and guys in general).

Review: This is a reverse harem anime (one girl attracts a lot of guys), and that became fairly prevalent in the third episode (the first two were a lot less blatant about it, in my opinion). I'll admit I think this show is pretty funny and I might have even continued watching it if not for the step-brother aspect.

Warnings: Step-sibling incest, occasional rape undertones, age gap romance (10+ years, in some cases), language.

Bungou Stray Dogs

Episodes watched: 1

Synopsis: The adventures of the Armed Detective Agency, whose members are all named after famous authors (mostly Japanese) and who have supernatural powers that correspond to that author's writings.

Review: I really like the premise of this show. Full disclosure, I don't remember a whole lot of the episode I watched, but I really enjoyed the relationship between Dazai and the serious guy (Kunikida?). The reveal at the end was so stunning I wish I could go back and rediscover it again. It was that good. It does lose a bit of its nuance with me because I'm American and don't recognize any of the names of the authors/characters.

Warnings: Violence, blood, suicide treated as comedy/not something serious.

Concrete Revolutio

Episodes watched: 1

Synopsis: The adventures of an organization that protects and watches over superhumans.

Review: This one was super confusing. But that's the point: the audience is trying to figure out what's going on. It has parallels to Watchmen, and the animation seems to be a nod to the '60s.

Warnings: Cartoon violence.

Death Parade

Episodes watched: 1

Synopsis: People who die together play bar games in order to decide who gets to go to heaven and hell.

Review: Not a fan of this one. The premise was interesting, but it was carried out incredibly uncomfortably. It just digs a knife right in you and makes you question the motives of the people in your life.

Warnings: Trauma, violence, blood, language.

Gintama

Episodes watched: 20-ish

Synopsis: In an alternate universe where aliens bring Japan out of its isolation, a former samurai starts an odd jobs business, aided by a teenager and an alien girl.

Review: One of my favorite series. It's shounen, so it has plenty of action and it's also hilarious; it's a parody/gag series. The characters all have at least one odd quirk in their personalities, even the seemingly serious ones. Good mix of action and humor.

Warnings: Violence, language, toilet humor, suggestive content, blood.

Grand Blue Dreaming

Episodes watched: 7-ish

Synopsis: A college freshman moves in with his uncle and cousins and joins the diving club, which really is more like a drunk fraternity, and has to deal with the ups and downs of college life.

Review: Another favorite of mine. I first watched this series as a college freshman, so it was mildly relatable. I should note that this series doesn't have a dub; only sub.

Warnings: Underage drinking, mild cartoon violence, language, suggestive content, one-sided sibling incest, (first) cousin incest implications, censored nudity.

Great Pretender

Episodes watched: All (as of this writing)

Synopsis: A small-time Japanese conman is tricked and brought into the world of Laurent Thierry, who heads a team of international scam artists who specialize in robbing rich scumbags.

Review: This anime started my love of heist series. The animation is really good and the colors are eye-popping. There are four missions/scams, and each character of the main quartet gets focus and explanation of their backstory. Plus, it's fun watching people who deserve it get tricked out of exorbitant sums of money and have their reputations ruined.

Warnings: Violence, guns, blood, brief nudity, language.

Hetalia

Episodes watched: All (as of this writing)

Synopsis: World history, with a focus on WW2, is told as if the countries of the world were personified as cultural stereotypes.

Review: My very first anime series, and one of my favorites. The episodes are only five minutes long, giving an abridged series feel, despite not being abridged. Very funny, but there are definitely a few parts that may offend certain people. Don't take the series too seriously. There are really well done sad/serious episodes too.

Warnings: Guns, suggestive content, language, mild cartoon violence, offensive jokes (especially English dub), accents (English dub), a bit of censored nudity.

Mob Psycho 100

Episodes watched: 1 (although I've seen that episode twice now)

Synopsis: A middle schooler uses his psychic powers to dispel ghosts and a conman takes advantage of this and becomes his "mentor".

Review: I liked this series. It's funny, especially the conman. This is also one of the few series I've encountered where the protagonist has a loving, caring, blood-related family.

Warnings: Very mild language, cartoon violence.

Talentless Nana

Episodes watched: 1

Synopsis: A class of students with supernatural powers gets two mysterious transfer students.

Review: Not a fan of this one. There's a twist that I really didn't care for. It was funny until then, though.

Warnings: Cartoon violence.

The Devil is a Part-Timer!

Episodes watched: 6-ish

Synopsis: The demon lord Satan and his right-hand man Alciel are transported to modern-day Japan, unable to use their magic. In order to support them, Satan becomes a McDonald's (MgRonald's) employee. The hero who is going after them is also in Japan, and they will stop at nothing to kill Satan.

Review: The premise of this anime sounds so ridiculous, but I love it. There was a nice touch in the beginning where Satan and Alciel didn't speak Japanese and had to learn it, which I liked; it's realistic.

Warnings: Violence, language.

Toilet-Bound Hanako-kun

Episodes watched: 2

Synopsis: A girl summons a bathroom-dwelling ghost named Hanako, who will grant wishes for a price.

Review: One of my favorites. The character designs are adorable, and the colors are fun. It's a high school anime, and I'm not so far out of high school for it to be unrelatable.

Warnings: Violence, mild language.

Vinland Saga

Episodes watched: 11-ish

Synopsis: A Viking boy named Thorfinn is on a vengeance quest against the guy who murdered his father.

Review: This series was okay. I'm not a big fan of anime that's almost purely about the fighting, which this one is. Definitely has a lot of action.

Warnings: Violence, blood, language, knives.

Vivy: Fluorite Eye's Song

Episodes watched: 5-ish

Synopsis: In order to prevent a devastating war between humans and AI, a program is sent into the past to change history.

Review: I thought I would like this series because I'm a computer engineer with an interest in AI, but I didn't. I disagreed with the show on how AI would evolve, and what they would do in certain situations. It's definitely action-packed, and full of twists, though.

Warnings: Violence, mentions of suicide.

Welcome to Demon School, Iruma-Kun!

Episodes watched: 1

Synopsis: A human boy is adopted by a demon and has to fit in with them.

Review: Another hilarious series. Iruma gets through life with sheer luck and amazing reflexes.

Warnings: Cartoon violence.

Zetsuen no Tempest

Episodes watched: 1

Synopsis: Two boys reconnect after some time apart. One reveals that he is helping a mage stranded on an island, and is on a quest to find who murdered his sister.

Review: This anime just throws you straight into the action. All of it clicks by the end (at least, it did for me), but it took a while for us to get there. There were some nice visuals.

Warnings: Guns, violence, language.