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connan-l · 4 years ago

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All right, so now that I finally digested the final a little I have some random messy thoughts about Fruits Basket 2019. It got really long lol, but this has been stuck in my head for a while so I needed to get it out!

Honestly, it was a very good adaptation and I’m still in awe I was able able to see the whole manga animated. Fruits Basket is pretty important to me, as I read it for the first time when I was around twelve and it was definitely one of the series that impacted me the most — the way it tackles themes of cycle of abuse, loneliness, grief and moving forward still feel very special to me even now (I briefly wrote a post about it months ago after rereading the manga), so of course I was delighted upon hearing the reboot announced and for the most part, it didn’t disappoint. I’d never truly thought I’d be able to see characters like Rin or Machi actually move on screen in my lifetime so in a way it still feel surreal lmao (RIP to Komaki though). It was really refreshing to revisit the story in that way, especially given amusingly enough I am myself in the middle of some big changes in my life where I have to leave things behind so it felt sort of... well, I won’t say empowering per se, but quite encouraging and satisfying to watch Furuba, and especially its final, at this timing, in a way. It wasn’t perfect, there are certainly a lot of flawed directive choices that I question and unfortunately quite some important cut contents — but even at its lowest it stayed all in all good. I’m genuinely a bit stunned there are people who thinks the entire thing is worthless or a failure, because man, I have seen what a bad anime adaptation looks like, and Fruits Basket 2019 definitely isn’t one. Natsuki Takaya herself was clearly very invested and satisfied in that adaptation — I mean, just the fact she drew arts for every single episodes or for the season 3 ending really shows that I think. And while there’s a part of me who will always have a soft spot for the 2001 anime, there’s no contest that the 2019 one is the superior one and more representative of the original manga as a whole.

I believe some people really don’t realize how... uncommon it is to get such a consistently good-looking and complete anime adaptation for a shojo manga? Shojo really aren’t lucky in that prospect usually; they rarely get animated, and when they do they’re usually very bland or outright bad, or they get one short season of like 13 episodes that never receive any follow-ups — even shojo considered like classics tend to get poor treatment, unless they’re Sailor Moon of course or a long-running magical girls franchise like Precure (and even then we could have a discussion about the way Sailor Moon’s treated compared to say Dragon Ball for example, but that’s another topic entirely). So yeah it is quite awesome we were able to get this kind of anime adaptation that covers the full manga with good quality from start to finish, and I am so, so glad it exists and that it managed to revive and makes the series so popular again. (Hopefully its success means we’ll be able to get more good anime adaptation of shojo manga from now on!)

But yeah, that doesn’t mean there wasn’t problems with it and I also understand why some of the manga fans had issues. We were kind of hyped with the fact this would be a complete adaptation and in the end we only got a... sort-of-complete one lol. The art and animation stayed fine during the run (there certainly were some episodes that were uhhh, lacking in that sense, but that’s just how it is sometimes with productions and budget), but I admit I was a bit letdown regarding the direction, where it often seemed… a bit uncreative or heavy-handed. There was some very beautiful and smart shots here and there, but on the whole I really had an issue with the adaptation failing to actually take more ambitious decisions on its visual aspect, especially compared to the pretty pannelling of the manga — and when it did take these decisions it just was… kind of obnoxious and in-your-face, like the show is trying to hold the watcher’s hand (with unnecessary things like Kyo’s father record player derailing or the whole big ropes symbolizing the curse that often slapped you all over the screen, which usually just made me want to roll my eyes because of how annoying it felt.) Multiple people also pointed out the overdramatization of some scenes like the Kyo and Tohru’s confrontation at the end of season 1 or Akito and Ren’s fight which was, indeed, not very good and a weird choice. Fruits Basket is already a pretty dramatic show and these scenes are already intense, there was no need for such over-the-top theatrical display of emotions that only made them comes off as comedic. I’m probably nitpicking here but it also bothered me some characters’ expressions didn’t feel properly retranscribed (Shigure especially, whose characterization depends a lot on that, really suffered from this), or that odd habit of making some big panorama plans instead of focusing on the faces and bodies, which particularly sucks during emotional scenes (like the backgrounds were pretty I guess, but that’s not what was important here lmao).

Also that might be just a personal thing, but can I point out that the openings were pretty disappointing to me... They're not bad, but they all looked so... bland. The songs are fine but the rest feel so uninspired and it's kind of sad... I dunno, I wasn't asking for much but I just think they could've done more than just scrolling each character looking vaguely melancholic or making them walk randomly one after another :/ The endings have at least pretty illustrations and I'm okay with them (I liked what they did with Kyoko’s photo in season 3 too), but the OPs kind of feel as if they ran out of budget and ideas for them or something. I kind of feel the same with the OST as well, where they’re generally fine but were a bit lackluster, and sometimes… they were kind of played at bad times? I remember the Rin episode in season 2 were the music felt a bit out of place and took me out of the immersion, which is a shame cause it was otherwise a pretty good episode. But that might just be a me-thing here lol. The voice actors were awesome though! (The Japanese ones, at least, I didn’t watch any other dubs). I’ve said it before but special kudos to Maaya Sakamoto cause damn she’s so perfect as Akito, and Shimazaki as Yuki and Toyosaki as Rin truly delivered too. I didn’t know Manaka Iwami at all but I was really impressed by her Tohru, especially in season 3 — she really was good at capturing her character’s subtle emotional turmoils (I think she makes a better Tohru than Yui Horie too, although I admit I missed Horie a little lol.)

Anyway, on the topic of lack of ambition, that might be an unpopular opinion but there’s also the fact that I’m sad they didn’t actually... try to change or add more original scenes. By which I mean, obviously we had some changes, but not ones that were really interesting (when they’re not actively detrimental to the story). For example, I was really hoping that we’d be able to get at least one original episode focused on Ritsu (and Mitsuru too why not) in season 2 or 3, or on Kagura or Kisa; I dunno, it would’ve been a good occasion to give something more to the characters that got sidelined in the original manga, or add some moments that would’ve been nice to develop like about Akito post-cliff confrontation, but we never got that. And well, that makes sense now that we know they seemingly had an episode restriction (at least on season 3), but, yeah, that’s still a shame. Honestly in the end Ritsu’s character made even less sense in the anime, because like, it was nice they tried to adapt his introduction episode so that it feels less “you have to adapt to gender norms to feel better about yourself,” (the gender non-confirmity is definitely one of the bits that aged the less well in FB) but then they still made him cut off his hair and give his feminine clothes to Kagura at the end so why lol. (And speaking of his episode introduction, I dislike that they cut off his conversation with Tohru after the suicide attempt, not only for Ritsu but also for Tohru cause it is one of the small instances bringing up her issues that is set up early on and that is crucial to her, but I’ll come back to this later.)

And now about the biggest problem to me being, the cut content and episodes rearangement. So, just so we’re clear, I definitely don’t think an anime adaptation needs to be a page-by-page adaptation of the manga to be good. Every decent adaptation needs to have changes, and the ones that tries to just follow the source material without any heart often tend to get pretty bad. So changes are good! Cut content are needed sometimes. But in Furuba 19, it really... wasn’t the case.

And the most unfortunate thing being that the one suffering the most from this is the show’s main character herself, Tohru.

So, obviously other characters also got done dirty by this; Yuki and Machi’s relationship was so incredibly shifted in the background and rushed it’s almost funny. I’m one of the people who thinks that, while I do think they’re cute, I definitely agree on the fact their relationship was a bit underdeveloped in the manga — and that Machi’s character especially suffered as a result by being a bit reduced to just "Yuki’s love interest" when she was a character with so much more to offer (and as a whole I also tend to agree with the fact that Yuki probably didn’t need a romance at all and that his arc is more meaningful while focusing on his platonic relationships, but that’s another topic entirely) — but man, if the manga already underdevelopped them, then ohhh boy, the anime just completely dropped the ball. It feels very odd because to me it seemed like season 2 was taking their time with setting them up, so if they knew they had only 13 episodes for season 3 then they should’ve started the changes there; instead we got 1 nice Yuki/Machi/Kakeru episode, and then it’s like "Yep, they’re in love, just trust me." (It does makes me wonder if season 3 wasn’t originally supposed to be longer but then got restrained because of budget or covid or something…) Kakeru also very much suffered because of them cutting off his girlfriend and his complicated relationship with Tohru… Now, to be honest, I’ve always found the Kakeru/Komaki/Tohru subplot pretty... contrived and useless, and Komaki’s not so much a character more than a device for Kakeru’s development, but it does have some good moments relevant to the story’s themes (I like the ‘‘you can’t play suffering olympics with people’s pain’’morale) and it is important to his character (and Komaki is cute, I admit), so it was still sad they shafted it entirely. (Also I kind of like the tense relationship between Tohru and Kakeru. The fact they both seem to not appreciate each other even afterwards feel sort of refreshing even if it’s never explored unfortunately orz.) I was still surprised they didn’t actually try to make a Komaki cameo at the end? Cause I think it would’ve fitted and Kakeru’s girlfriend had already been mentioned in season 2 but... for some reason they... didn’t. (Mayyybe we’ll get an OAV like with Kyoko and Katsuya? Who knows.)

One scene that was skipped/rearranged that I’m very bitter over is the whole Tohru/Kagura confrontation and Kagura/Rin scene — it might not seem like much, but the moment of Tohru refusing to forgive Kagura is very important, and I was pretty annoyed they turned Rin’s trauma response to Kagura’s violence and her subsequent apology/hug to a gag, it legit felt tasteless. The Tohrin scene they removed at the very end too was frustating; it was great they managed to fit in the "Rin doesn’t want to forgive Akito" bit at least (I was afraid they’d cut it off entirely), but it was so essential for her to say to Tohru, not to Haru and Momiji (plus the way they put it in felt very random and awkwardly placed there, when they were initially talking about Tohru before orz). OH AND the Akito/Hana friendship too! Yeah I know it’s not a Big deal but I absolutely love the little glimpses of their friendship and it’s very important to me so I’m disappointed over them not including the ‘Ah-chan’ scene… (It was kind of weird that the show sort-of implied Hana and Kazuma got together too cause that’s… not the vibe at all from the manga… oh well.)

Most people I’ve seen generally only bring up season 3 regarding the cuts/rearangement because it’s the most obvious and the biggest offender, but I personally think there were already problems with season 2 and 1. At first glance I didn’t have much issue with some of the rearrangement, because early Furuba can indeed be pretty episodic, but thinking back on it as a whole I think it might’ve been better to leave some stuff, like Hana and Uo’s episodes for example, to season 2 (I do wonder if they did this specifically so the reboot would offer original content and differ from 2001 early on...) and cut off other not-so-important things from S1 & S2 — because as a result season 2 kind of suffer a bit by being The Yuki Season, which, for as much as I love Yuki, did end up being a bit annoying and made his development feel less natural and gradual, as well as the fact it sidelined the other characters a little and left them with not much conclusion in its final. So this added to how much they ended up cutting in season 3, it makes the show as a whole feels really unequal. I think they did overall a good job in season 3 with what they had, and they really nailed some of the dramatic and Kyoru moments (the sheets scene, cliff confrontation and post-hospital confession were practically perfect), but it is a shame that it ended up as an extremely marathoned emotional roller-caster rather than a more well-paced watch that we would’ve had if it had been 20 or so episodes. (I know others argued that season 3 was what it was because there wasn’t enough content left to cover for 22 or 24 episodes, but I disagree and even if there weren’t, it would’ve been the perfect occasion to add original episodes then. But I think it was more of a budget and Covid issue personally.)

But anyway, all of this isn’t actually what I’m the most annoyed with (and YES that’s a already a lot lmao), those are stuff I can live with, but like I said earlier the most problematic is what they cut off from Tohru’s character. And that indeed includes her parents’ backstory.

So, just so I get this out of the way; yes, I do understand why people were relieved to not see Kyoko and Katsuya’s relationship play out on screen, and yes the age gap and teacher-student thing is creepy and I do kind of wish it hadn’t been written that way. (Though I was a bit amused by people who thought we didn’t get the backstory because of the questionable age gap when, uh... you know I very much doubt the anime industry has an issue with that. Like, to start with, we wouldn’t have had Uo and Kureno’s romance if that was the case (even if Uo and Kureno is less problematic, it’s still the same basis of a underage high school girl/20+ adult man relationship), and second there was a literal romcom anime about a high school girl and an adult man that was broadcasted at the same time as Furuba season 3 lmao. So nah, it wasn’t there the problem to them, it was just time and episode restriction, which was pretty much confirmed with the announcement of the OAV focused on them.)

So, Kyoko and Katsuya is definitely Problematic and I agree on their relationship being uncomfortable; however, I’m a bit baffled that people were literally cheering on not having that part in the show, because it is... it is not just like a small bit of family trivia, it is Extremely important and actively essential to Tohru’s character and Fruits Basket’s themes and narrative as a whole. It’s very important to understand Kyoko’s character, of course; to humanize her and finally present her as a very flawed person and not just the idealized mother that Tohru project upon her, and it is extremely important simply to understand Tohru herself as well; to understand where her way of thinking, her trauma and attitude stems from, and this in a way that just isn’t possible to see with the little fragments of that flashback we got or the bits of Kyo and Kyoko’s interactions.

See, Tohru’s character is principally constructed around two things; her grief over her mother and her almost-pathological selflesness and people-pleaser needs that comes from her abandonment issues and loneliness, and her arc is very much about letting go of both of these things and finally moving forward and letting her life change. There’s this perception of Tohru I see sometimes that she’s not a very interesting character especially compared to others like Yuki or Kyo, or that she ‘‘stays the same kindhearted, naive girl from start to finish,’’ and while I deeply disagree with this I know where it comes from. The thing with Tohru is that she is firstly an extremely emotionally repressed character, and so a lot of her depth and development is made through small, gradual details scattered throughout the manga. It’s done in such a way that except for some obvious scenes those small, apparently insignificant moments are easy to miss or disregarded, and unfortunately it is a lot of these details that the 2019 anime cut, or rearanged in a way that feel less impactful or makes less sense; such as, like I pointed out earlier, her conversation with Ritsu after his suicide attempt. As I’ve seen others point out, this result in altering Tohru’s portrayal and rendering her character mostly about her romance, undercutting and downplaying all of her small, subtle character moments and developments, and miss a bit the second part of the story where the narrative actively challenge the ‘savior/therapist/mom’ that other characters and Tohru herself projected upon her.

And as a result it also means undermining things like her parallel and relationship to Akito, which idealistically should’ve been slowly built up throughout the last season but because of how rushed season 3 was in the end felt a little flat. (Akito’s character in general had some issues also because of the unequal pacing and rearranged scenes, though admittedly I think this was also an issue present in the original manga.) Kyo’s character and his romance with Tohru is the one element that managed to get out of this mostly unscathed (although Kyo also does suffer a bit from it), but because of what was removed from Tohru’s character it still inevitably impacted them by making their characters as individuals lacking. It’s not like it is a complete failure, mind you; I think the anime at least did a decent job at showing Tohru is Not Okay even at the beginning in season 1 (they certainly did a better job at it than the 2001 one lol) and managed to roughly portray her issues well enough overall, but it is just… lacking in the subtlety and nuances that, to me, makes her character and writing really special and unique.

(This post explains what I’ve tried to say here in a much more eloquent and better way that I ever could, and this all put into perspective what I basically love so much about Tohru and Fruits Basket in general.)

And, you know, it would’ve been sad but comprehensible with any other character, but here we’re talking about the story’s literal protagonist, which is why it is the part of the adaptation that makes me feel the most bitter. Tohru and her story is truly amazing and well-written, the thing I was looking forward to the most with this reboot — and while I do understand the episode restriction and I do believe they still did their best with what they had — her arc still deserved to receive a full proper adaptation, not a kind-of-half one.

So, yes, I am at least glad they’ll adapt Kyoko and Katsuya’s story in OAV, but the fact that it will never be included in the actual main narrative is still actively detrimental to it, and it will never have the same effect that if it had been played out before the Kyoru sheets scene where it should’ve been. (I hope they also won’t cut the fact that their story is narrated by Kyo, because that is also a very important detail for both Kyo and the story, but I have the feeling they will…)

Welp, that was quite a long, messy rambling. Not sure if anyone will actually read all of it but if you did then congrats lol. I feel in the end I’ve been really harsh and negative with the reboot… I do love it a lot! If someone asked me I would wholeheartedly recommend it (though I guess I would still argue to read the manga first if you really want to experience the story in all its nuances). I think they truly did an impressive job — even with season 3, which a lot of its episodes were beautifully done and did make me tear up a few times lol. I’m just sad it couldn’t actually offer a better, more nuanced delivery of the story’s depths and of one of my favorite manga protagonists that means a lot to me. But that’s an adaptation that so many fans wanted for years and I’m happy and grateful it’s here cause Fruits Basket deserved at least that much!

#Fruits Basket #Fruits Basket (2019)#Long Post #Connan's Ramblings #Text #Fruits Basket Anime

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myndless88 · 3 years ago

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Just for fun~!

Nickname - Maddie, Mynd

Zodiac Sign - Leo

Height - Maybe 5′7″

Last Movie Watched - I can’t really remember, but I think it was The House Where the Mermaid Sleeps.

Last Thing Googled - A blank template for a shipping meme

Favorite Musician - Alot of Kpop/Jpop/Anisingers, but TVXQ and Maaya Sakamoto are some top picks

Song Stuck In My Head - As much as I hate admitting it, the chorus to Butter by BTS

Other Blogs - None that are currently active

Blogs following - 30 (I guess I should find more blogs to follow)

Amount of Sleep - Not enough

Lucky Number - I'm partial to 8

What I am Wearing - Pajamas

Dream Job - One that gives me a consistent schedule, I guess

Dream Trip - Back to Japan and also visiting S. Korea

Favorite Food - French fries

Play an Instrument? - I wish I had made an effort to learn

Languages - A scant amount of Spanish, Japanese, and Korean (and by “scant” I mean basic phrases)

Favorite Songs - Way too many but Katharsis from TK from ling tosite sigure, First Vision by Yoko Kanno, Tonight by TVXQ, and Waiting for the Rain by Maaya Sakamoto are a few.

Random Fact - I got a drawing tablet with the intention to draw ALL my ships, but I just end up drawing one specific ship every. single. time.

Describe yourself in aesthetic things - I don’t know...a monochromatic photo of a woman screaming at a colorful computer screen...?

I was tagged by @daisyneptune (sorry it took me a while to get to)!

I tag @owlpen-redruby, @wakandan-wardog, @mooifyourecows and anyone else interested in this.

#just for fun #myndlessresponds

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mariaantonnietta · 4 years ago

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Let’s talk about the Gintama 2 Movie!! (Be Forever Yorozuya)

AI wanna talk timelines, timelines!!, I saw the movie again and with the manga finished I want to discuss theories about it!!

Hello! Is me again, I want to talk about the second movie, because after seeing it I always want to try to desipher what happened in the timelines we didn’t see play out! Of coure these will be at best theories that are we can’t probe, but I still want to try to guess! And now with the manga finished, I think is time to revisit it with all the date we have!

I will talk about the second movie, the manga end, and everything, so stay with me having that in mind!

Firstly, this movie deals with time travel (fairly well I might add, I realycould follow all the time twists and make sense of them), and I believed it wise to add a timeline so everyone follows along. Behold my horrible graphic!

Haha, there are some things to say about the drawing. From left to right, The first line is to separate the time-points nothing else, (the movie was released at june 2013, the manga volume for the shinigami arc was december 2013, so I don’t know if I am being a bit generous there, but in timeline I think it only matters is before Shogun assasination (after which it get serious until the end), and that it is before that point)

The other are the first (and first’s branch), second and thrid timeline, I didn’t count Tama going to the past to bring past Gintoki as a separate timeline and more like a little branch of the first because when Gintoki is sent forwards they converge (you can also see it as the rest of that branch dissappearing). All of them are in a sense a branch from the first timeline, but this one converges so.

(ask if something else isn’t clear, I tried T-T)

Well now unre the cut the rest of my silly ideas and theories!

A comment, but the only thing that is a bit out of place is Tama surviving in the second timelime?, like shouldn’t her be erased like GIntoki?, I think is either that she would otherwise cause a bigger loop (she doesn’t exist as time machine there->Gintoki cant kill his past self->Genma makes her a time machine->Gintoki kills his past self-> she doesn’t exist as a time machine->...infiinitum) She is the one that allows the timeline to exist. The other is that she is in a Schrödinger' situation that as long as the possibility that she will exist in the future exist she will (gintoki dissappeared because his posibility of future was erased as he killled his past self). Or time machine power makes her inmune to paradoxes, who knows...

Also, we don’t talk enough of Gintoki dying in this movie. Both Enmi Gintoki of the first timeline, the past Gintoki of the second, and the protagonist Gintoki we follow in the movie (first timeline branch) are erased, and from now on we are following the Gintoki who’s the future of the Shiroyasha of the third timeline. (the one who helped us fight the Enmi, from now on he’s the protagonist)

The same about the kabukichou people, I mean, nothing changes practically, except maybe the Joui members having seen something strange that day.

1) Now, something I wondering was if the events of the first timeline ocurred in the same way that in the third one. Was there a Shogun Asasination arc?, A silver soul arc?

Well, no. I think that there events unfloded differently...because GIntoki dissapeared for five years, and he did it before the shogun assasination arc (this not only for the date release, but also the jovial athmosphere at the start at the cinema)

But did the events of the story play on in another manner without Gintoki regardless?, Why, I sure they did.

Okay, follow me on this. I do not know if the shogun assasination arc happened or not (even tough a parallel can be made of Katsura and Shinsengumi alliance in both places), but I think that even if it did, it didn’t happen at all as planned.

I think everything went into disarray with the virus (don’t we know about that), any plan was left into the air, and Nobunobu or Shigeshige are in charge depending on their luck.

I also want to know what happened with Utsuro and the Tendoshou in this timelime.(Because cm’on, don’t tell me I am the only one who believed Enmi GIntoki looked a lot like a crow ) I want to know if Takasugi is dead or not, and how he died/where he is. (I asumme Sakamoto is fine, maybe helping people, is Zura with those clothes and Gintoki words, Gintoki going to the terminal that make me worry)

So, I started gathering those points and I believe I reached a theory about this.

Okay, so follow me. These are the things we know about the first timeline.

Gintok soon after watching the movie discovered he was infected with the virus. He suspected it was the Enmi, went to talk of the past with Zura to clear his mind, talked wiith Gengai about making a time machine if he didn’t came back.

Left the Yorozuya to investigate if there was a solution, tries to kil himself when he doesn’l find one. He fails. He has not other choice but to wander as he sees the world be destroyed by his own hands.

I posted this photo because of the ships that surround the tower and attack it. It doesn’t say when this attack took place after he left, we could only see that he wasn’t there. But this image looks fairly similar to the one when the Altana liberation force attacks.

The tower also looks very similar 5 years later as after attacked by the altana liberation army. (I checked also with how it was when the Tegenism ship fell, it looks more like the after the attack)

(After Initial liberation army attack. Third Timeline)

(Five years later. First timeline) Probably they didn’t have resources to rebuild with everything falling down with teh virus. Why would some army attack, I think that maybe the earthlings that escape, some had the virus, that probably expanded it onto another planets, that now made the problem worse in the universe and some people really mad at the planet from where the infection came from. Or, it could be rebels, like the Kihetai, that are taking advantage of the political turmoil to attack their actual objective (the terminal, with the minawabanwu maybe too ) Or both.

(Two years later third timeline) I added this to show how it doesn’t look like the terminal we discuss, so I think if something happened, it happened earlier more than later. (Or later, but it was only one incident and not 2)

Another thing we know is that the Enmi look a lot like the Tendoushu. I compared staffs and things. Wondered if there were related to Tengenism (the weir religion that launches the last arc)

Well, It’s not basic staff like tendoushou, but the decoration is different tha the tengeism. The clothes are also similar but not the same (I know the these arcs came later, but sorachi could have used different designs and not similar ones, you know, also, it’s just throwing ideas)

(Enmi at the start, checked, Enmi Gintoki uses the same one (and same clothes))

Oboro staff is different. Tengenism have the same type. Tengenism symbol are wings (phoenix), not Enmi. But the similarities are there too.

So, we all know the Enmi are nanomachines that are used to destroy worlds right?. I wondered if Utsuro could survive that. The answer I reached was that it depended. If the Enmi virus only worked on humans, it would probably not kill it. ut if after killing humans it affected animals, then plants, then destryed the planet vitality, well, that would do it. It would depend of how lethat it actually was. (in the last case, he would be the last to die, and Gintoki would be the only one who survives as the new vessel...moving onto the next world until he dies naturally or some poor bastard kills him)

Well, I’m gonna asumme that the Enmi would destroy the world to that point, because they were described as ‘beings that caused damage enough to leave a planet uninhabitable’ and the other ‘uninhabitable’ planet we see is Kouka’s, that is dying and its Altana was almost nothing when she left. Zura said they were forbidden or being restricted because of this.

So we know the Enmi were beings that could destroy worlds,(probably up to their lifeforce), that were contained by something, that someone attacked the terminal tower looking a lot like a pseude liberation army, and that Enmi’s dress is eerie similar (but not the same) to the Tendoushu.

I believe they were also a ting the Tendoushu kept to themselves, a fraction that can destroy a planet to the point of leaving without life (Altana) sounds like something they would regulate. Maybe mercenaries was a cover up, or maybe it was both.

Was the first timeline all Utsuro plan? Well, too many jumps there. I believe thst he vouldn’t do that trapped with Shoyou, I think that in the first timeline he did as in the last arc, he saw that mortals used that virus to harm the others, and decided to make use of that. He of course was the cause that they attacked the Terminal and is probably happy that all the universe may perish of disease.

Maybe.

Or maybe that was the plan, and Takasugi stopped him. (There are too many factors to see how things developed. But either kihetai + harusame maybe + minawabanshu and some others killed utsuro, or they died either fighting him or from disease)

The way GIn is dtanding aside as the ships atack the terminal (he can’t join) makes me think some kind of final battle took place.

(Gorilla might not know how Gintama was fgonna end, but he did have some ideas, and final fight at the Terminal tower was one that stuck all the series)

Does Gintoki know of Utsuro?, Who knows? If you want my take, I think Takasugi and Utsuro both died figthing each other. As the terminal exploded.

I think he eventually at least, found out. Because he decided to go die there.

(also because you know, final fight at the terminal.)

2) In the second timeline everything is much more clear. Young GIntoki dies. I see 3 options unfolding

a) the one I call the normal one. GIntoki dies, people mourn him (because Gintoki just erased his future, not his past, young Gintoki body should remain), either Zura or Takasugi kills Shouyou (probably Takasugi, I’m thinkin so because Oboro mostly, he would pick if not shiroyasha, the other more known at the frontlines one, but could be either way), and is a bit diffrent but in practical mostly the same.(maybe some things are held back and the shogun asssination hasn’t happened yet, or maybe it did, who knows) We can’t tell more than thi.

b) Probably not route. shouyou discovers that Gintoki’s died and it gives him strenght to make keep Utsuru more in check, he uh...destroys things, there’s no need to kill him for now.things advance more or less like in canon, with a lot of things we don’t see

c) I cry route. Shouyou discovers what happened, and it kills off his personality (sends him to sleep at least). There’s no need for either Zura or Takasugi to kill him. They never find his master at the war (maybe they are told he is dead, and don’t believe it). They didin’t kill his master, but los Gintoki to who knows who, and don¡’t know what happened to master, Thingd happen more or less like in canon.

3) Here someone (probabky kurokono!...ok no, leave me dream), wakes GIntoki from his drunk sleep and he and the joui 4 see a bizarre image of people from 15 years in the future attack the Enmi.(of course they don’t know this) They brieftly join them. They see from a distance how the future people dissapear. They continue with their life.

(That last one is canon, haha)

As you can see nothing has been cleared and these are mostly cool theories, a lot of other things are possible. But I don’t know, wanted to talk about it.

#gintama #gintama spoilers #gintama movie #be forever yorozuya #gintoki sakata #utsuro #enmi #takasugi #katsura #some things that ocurred to me #I will probably have to correct some grammar mistakes #maybe if something else of this theory-idea appears I would add it with an edit #what abouth Tama ?#I could mention some things about Shinpachi and Kagura not forgetting Gintoki until his past self is dead to lead the Shcrodinger legitimacy #but other people forgot gintoki soo who knows #these characters are somentimes self aware #makes it more difficult #maybe they didnt forget becasue apart for their feelings they saw him dissapear #(and Tama too)#so their brain knew? maybe #tama told everyone in the second timeline about the first so kabucichou people knowing is not surprising #of course words alone don't cause their feelings to burn their souls do #Ithis post is so long thank you som much for reading

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vgckwb · 4 years ago

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P5R: Rebel Girl (A FeMC Story/P5R Rework) Chapter 56: Rise Up

Ren was running a bit late getting to the hideout. She asked everyone there to begin investigating now that they have a name. Upon arrival, Ren was surprised to find Makoto among them, and she looked PISSED. “Ummmmmm…”

“She didn’t tell us why she was here either,” Ann explained. “She wanted to wait until we were all there.”

Ren was still stunned, but tried to proceed. “Well, the good news is we got a name…”

“And HOW did you get that name?” Makoto asked

Ren was confused. “I talked to a reporter…? Are you mad because I entered a bar? Because the lovely bartender was super adamant about not giving me anything alcoholic.”

Makoto was taken aback. “You entered a bat?”

“...No…” Ren lied.

Makoto sighed. “Well, if you’re telling the truth, then how do you explain this?” She showed Ren and everyone else a news article on her phone. The article was about the three gang members that got beaten up.

Ryuji panicked. “That wasn’t us!” He exclaimed.

Makoto was more confused now. “So if it’s not you who did it, then can you prove it?”

“...Maybe” Ren said. “We might have witnesses, depending on the time.”

“Well, as it just so happens, one of the gangster’s was wearing a watch that got broken,” Makoto explained. “Can you explain what you were doing at about 10:30?”

“Ah, what were we doing?” Ryuji wondered. “I think that was after we left.” Ren and Ryuji realized what they were doing. While Ren had a mile-wide grin on her face, Ryuji’s face contorted in horror. “We beat them up!”

Everyone but Ren looked at him, confused. “Oh, come on Ryuji. It won’t hurt to tell them.”

“What do you mean, we beat them up,” Ryuji insisted, his face turning red.

Makoto was not having it. “What’s going on?”

Ren snickered. “Lucky for us, not only do we have two witnesses, but also photographic evidence that places us somewhere else.”

Everyone looked at Ryuji. Ryuji couldn’t hold out any longer. “I want my 5000 yen back.”

“Done” Ren said, handing it to him.

Makoto turned to Ren. “So, where were you?”

“Well, after we had gotten the information…” Ren began.

It flashes back to last night. Ren and Ryuji were making their way through Shinjuku. “Alright, so, you wanna test it out? See if we got the right dirtbag?” Ryuji asked.

“Hmmmm” Ren thought. “I dunno. I kind of want to wait for the team to be there.”

Ryuji looked at her. “I mean, I guess I get it, but what if we have the wrong guy?”

“That’s part of the reason I wanna wait,” Ren said. Ryuji was confused. “I’m a little scared.”

Ryuji chuckled. “I get it. I was always scared before a big meet. But the trick is to not let it get to you.”

Ren smiled. “Maybe you and Sumire should talk.” Ryuji laughed rather loudly.

“Oh my, what an adorable laugh” a voice said. The two teens looked over to see two men. The two men walked over. “I know he already LOOKS perfect, but I think he has the energy for it too.”

“Oh, without a doubt,” the other man said.

“Um, what?” Ryuji said.

“Oh, pardon me, where are my manners?” the first man said. “My name is Julian.”

“And I’m Angel,” the other one said.

“Um, OK?” Ryuji said, still confused.

“And don’t think we don’t know what you’re doing here” Julian said. Ryuji looked at him blankly. “Why, you’re here to let yourself go.”

“What?” Ryuji said.

“Oh, don’t be so modest,” Angel said. “Or do. It’s very becoming of you.”

“I’m not sure what’s going on,” Ryuji said.

“Aww, we’re all friends here,” Julien said. “You want to let out your inner drag queen.”

“WHAT?!” Ryuji yelped.

“We saw you hanging around Crossroads,” Angel explained. “Too nervous to go in.”

“B-Bullshit!” Ryuji snapped back. “I was waiting for her!” Pointing to Ren.

“It’s true,” Ren admitted. Ryuji was relieved. “He wanted me to scout the place to make sure it had what he needed.”

Ryuji panicked again. He pulled Ren aside. “What are you doing?” he whispered.

“We can’t tell a perfect stranger that we’re out hunting for information about a gangster” Ren whispered. Ryuji looked shocked, then sheepish. “What did you do?”

“Well, uh, this guy, I was kicking rocks, you know?” Ryuji began explaining. “One hit him, I apologized, and we got to talking.” Ren glared at him. “I didn’t say anything about the Phantom Thieves, I didn’t even mention gangs. I just said we were helping the student council.” Ren was still glaring at him. “OK, fine, I’ll go along with this as an apology. We humor them for a bit, tell them we have to get home, and leave before the last train departs.”

“...’We’?” Ren said, still glaring. Ryuji was sweating bullets. “Ha!” Ren said, smiling. “Just kidding. You know I wouldn’t want to miss this.” Ryuji grumbled, but accepted it.

They broke away from their huddle. Ryuji got slightly embarrassed. “Ha ha, you got me.”

“Well don’t worry your pretty little head,” Angel said. “We’ve got the BEST stuff to make you SHINE!”

“Just like I always wanted,” Ryuji said. “But uh, could we take her along too?” Julian and Angel looked at Ren. “It’s just...she’s the only person I’ve told about this. I’d feel more confident with her there, you know?”

“Oh, of course,” Julian said. “Well now, come come.” The two kids followed the two men to a place close to Crossroads that was more specialized to the art of drag. The group spent some time picking out the right clothes for Ryuji. Ren explained that one of Ryuji’s hang ups was that he still wanted to feel tough, but it was no problem to find a tough look that was more feminine.

Ren also applied Ryuji’s make-up. Once she finished, she backed up. “There.”

Julian and Angel looked on. “Wow, I’m impressed” Angel said

“If you ever feel like making some extra cash, I’m sure some of our regulars would LOVE to have you on make-up” Julian said.

“Thanks,” Ren said, “but for now, I only work with him.”

“Aw, that's a shame,” Julian said. “Well, if you ever change your mind, the offer stands.”

“Thank you,” Ren said.

“So, what now?” Ryuji said.

“Well now we gotta get you in some of those CUTE outfits” Angel said. “And then PHOTOSHOOT!”

“Ph-Photoshoot?!” Ryuji said, surprised.

“Realx, it’ll be just for us” Angel said.

“Yeah, come on,” Ren said. “It’ll be fun.”

Ryuji looked at Ren. He relented. “PHOTOSHOOT!” he said with as much gusto as he could muster.

“Splendid!” Angel said. They capped the night off with Ryuji modeling various outfits, while everyone else took photos.

“You look gorgeous!” Ren complimented, taking another shot.

“Oh, you’re just saying that…” Ryuji answered, trying to play into the bit

“No, I mean it,” Ren said. “I’m honestly a little jealous.”

“Well, I’m sure that you’ll have your time to shine too” Julian said. “Your make-up game is SO on point!”

“Thank you,” Ren said. They took more pictures.

After the photoshoot, Ryuji and Ren left. “Take care you two!” Angel yelled out.

“Thank you!” Ren said.

“Yeah! Thanks!” Ryuji, smiling. Once he was far enough away, he let go of his smile. “Ugh.”

“Alright. 5000 yen, or this is going to Ann” Ren said. There was no reaction from Ryuji. “5000 yen or this DOESN’T go to Ann?”

Ryuji became more alert. “What? No! The first one! Ann cannot see these!” He took out some money and handed it over. “Ugh.”

Ren giggled. “Still, you gotta admit, tonight was fun.”

“Maybe” Ryuji admitted. “But I’m not keen on doing it again.” Ren giggled some more.

In the present, Ren was showing off the photos she had taken of Ryuji. “So, that’s what we were doing.”

“Huh,” Makoto said.

“UGH!” Ryuji groaned.

“I must say, you have a nice aesthetic presence,” Yusuke admitted.

“You really do look good here,” Jose said.

Ann looked at the pictures. “Ryuji? Have you ever thought about being a model?”

“Nope, nope, nope, nope, nope!” Ryuji said in a frenzy.

Sumire giggled. “But I will say, those guys are right.” Everyone looked at her. “Ren-senpai is REALLY good at make-up. I wouldn’t mind you applying make-up to me sometime.”

A light blush covered Ren’s face. “Th-Thanks.”

Makoto sighed, relieved. “Well, at least you aren’t going around assaulting people.”

Ryuji hung his head down. “I almost wonder if that’d be better.”

“BUT” Makoto said. “There is the matter of that person Sakamoto told stuff to.”

Everyone looked at Ryuji, while he recoiled. “Hold on. I didn’t say anything that would give anything away.”

“Are you sure?” Makoto asked. “Remember whose voice I have on recording?”

“Ugh,” Ryuji said.

“Well, I believe him,” Ren said. “I doubt Ryuji has much of a capacity to lie like this.”

“Hm, I guess that’s true,” Makoto agreed. “But it’s still something to consider.”

“Yeah,” Ren said. “It might be hard to find them, but if there’s no commotion, we might be safe.”

Makoto nodded. “So, what now?” The thieves looked at each other confused. “I’m assuming you’re going to begin your ‘work’ now that you have a name.”

“Well, yeah…” Ann said. “But that’s members only.”

“There’s a bit more finesse to it than just knowing their name,” Ren explained. “And besides, we might not have the right name to begin with.”

“I suppose that’s true…” Makoto admitted. “But I would like to see your process. You know, to make sure everything is above board and all.”

The thieves exchanged a look. Ren sighed. “It’s not that we don’t trust you, or want to keep you out exactly,” she said, deciding to be direct, “it’s just it’s a lot, and it might seem unbelievable. So, unless you’re ready to take the dive with us, it might be better to leave us be.”

Makoto stared at her. “Fine. I’ll let it go for now. But I WILL figure this out.” She walked off. With that determination, came something else: The app. Not that anyone noticed right away.

Once she was far enough away, the thieves were relieved. “Man, she’s determined!” Ryuji noted.

Morgana popped out. “Are you sure that was the right thing to do?” he asked.

“Well, I don’t know if there was any other way,” Ren answered. “You were there when I tried to dodge her inquiries about the Phantom Thieves.”

“I guess that’s true…” Morgana admitted. “Still, you’re better at letting others know just enough than Ryuji.”

“Shut up!” Ryuji shouted back. “You don’t even need to worry about shooting your mouth off, because most people just hear you meowing!”

“Are cats allowed at your school?” Yusuke asked.

“Well...he does have you there…” Ann said.

“You know what I mean…” Ryuji said, still a bit frustrated.

“I don’t think we should belabor the point any longer,” Ren said. She got out her phone and loaded up the app. “Junya Kaneshiro.”

“Match found” the phone responded.

“It IS him,” Ryuji said, amazed.

Ren looked at her phone. Just as before, Kaneshiro’s name is in black, and following that is one more line in black, then a line in white. “Yeah, and we know it’s the right guy because someone’s taking over already.”

“WHAT?!” the thieves yelled in unison.

“But didn’t Eris tell you no one was taking over yet?” Sumire asked.

“Well, something must have happened,” Ren said, giving some serious side-eye to Ryuji.

“Hold on. We can’t be SURE it’s my fault” Ryuji said.

“That’s true,” Jose said, defending Ryuji. “He did say he didn’t go into specifics.”

“Besides,” Ann interjected, “if this Kaneshiro person is doing business in all of Shibuya, that gives him a LOT of people who could be his enemy here.”

“Match found” Ren’s phone sounded off.

“What was that?” Ann asked.

Ren looked. “Well, it seems we’ve stumbled into the second thing needed to get into his palace. Apparently, it covers ‘All of Shibuya’.”

“You’re kidding,” Ann said.

“That’s massive,” Yusuke added.

“But we’re still missing the take over word,” Morgana said. “And unlike with Madarame, I doubt Kaneshiro is having a big public event.”

The thieves all thought. Something clicked in Sumire. “You don’t think that the person who beat up those guys could be it, do you?”

“Hmmmm” Yusuke said. “I cannot deny the possibility.”

“Yeah, but how are we supposed to figure this out?” Ann asked

“Well, it’s better than nothing,” Ren said. She thought some more. “Maybe we can get Makoto’s help on this?”

“Really?” Sumire wondered.

“Well, I don’t have any better ideas,” Ren admitted.

“I’ll go see if I can’t find her still” Ryuji said. “She couldn’t have gotten too far.” Ren nodded at him. He rushed off.

Meanwhile, Makoto was walking around. “I don’t think they’d do anything illegal,” she rationalized. “But why won’t they tell me what it is they do? They said it’d be unbelievable, but how much of that is just bluster on their part?” She bumped into someone. “Oh, sorry.”

“It’s alright Makoto” they said.

Makoto looked up to see Naoko. “Naoko?”

Naoko smiled. “How are ya doing, champ?”

“Oh…” Makoto said, taken by surprise. “Well, I’ve been better, but I think I'm doing alright.”

Naoke lowered to her level. “Well, if there’s anything you need, you know you can always come to me, right?”

“Of course,” Makoto said. Naoko kept looking at her. Makoto was confused. “Ummmmm.”

“Anything,” Naoko repeated.

“Right…” Makoto said. Naoko kept looking at her.

He stood up. “Ah, I’m sure you’re fine,” he laughed.

“...OK?” Makoto said. At that moment, Ryuji came up and saw those two conversing. He immediately hid, but kept watch.

Naoko laughed a little more. “Sorry. I’m just working on a case, so my mind is more focused on that at the moment.”

“Oh, you got a case?” Makoto said. “Well, with you on the job, I’m sure it’ll get solved.”

“Thanks kiddo” Naoko. “You doing well in school?”

“Yeah,” Makoto answered.

“Good” Naoko nodded. “Keep it up, and take care now.”

Naoko started walking off. “Wait!” Makoto called out. “I can ask Sae for a date if you’d like to have dinner sometime. Or maybe we could plan a picnic for...well…”

Naoko smiled. “Sorry, but I’m going to be rather busy. Plus, I think your sister has a lot on her plate as is. Still, thanks for the offer.” He finished walking off.

Makoto smiled, feeling a little more refreshed. Just then, Ryuji walked up to her. “Oh, Sakamoto-kun.”

“Um, you know that guy?” Ryuji asked.

“Yeah. He worked with my father on the police force” Makoto explained. “They were partners.”

“But he’s not an officer now?” Ryuji inquired further.

Makoto shook her head. “He’s a private investigator now. But more importantly, why are you here?”

“Oh, um, well,” Ryuji began explaining, “we might need a little more information, so we were hoping to ask for your help.”

“Well, I’m here to help. What do you need?” Makoto asked.

Ryuji was concerned about what to say, and more importantly what not to say. “We might need to investigate who beat those people up, but we might not now.”

“What do you mean?” Makoto asked.

“That guy you were talking to,” Ryuji answered, “that was the guy I talked to last night.”

Makoto was a little stunned, but she refined her composure quickly and chuckled. “OK then, so nothing to worry about.”

“What?” Ryuji responded.

“I mean, he’s not going around beating people up, if that’s what you’re thinking” Makoto kept going.

“But he COULD be,” Ryuji responded. “He MIGHT know.”

“Even if he did, I trust him not to do it,” Makoto said.

“But…” Ryuji blurted out. He was struggling to find the words without saying everything.

“But what?” Makoto asked.

Ryuji remained focused on what to say. He managed to muster “Ugh. It’s complicated.”

“Well, it sounds like you have some more talking to do with everyone else” Makoto. “Still, once you get your bearings straight, I’ll gladly help in whatever capacity is needed.” She walked off. Ryuji, frustrated, walked back to the group.

“Did you find Miss Niijima?” Yusuke asked.

“Yeah…” Ryuji answered.

“What’s wrong?” Jose asked, sensing something off about Ryuji.

“Well…” Ryuji said. “Things are a bit mixed.”

“How?” Ann asked.

“So, when I found her, she was talking to someone,” Ryuji said. “Specifically, the person I met in Shinjuku.”

“Did you go and reintroduce yourself?” Morgana asked.

“NO! I ain’t THAT stupid!” Ryuji countered. “I hid until he left and then I talked with Niijima.”

“What did she say?” Sumire asked.

“She’s very confident it’s not him, but I think it could be,” Ryuji explained. “But I couldn’t think of a way to tell her without saying everything.”

“Hmm” Ren pondered. “That IS tricky.”

“What do we do?” Ryuji asked.

They all thought about the question. Ren finally answered. “I guess we just need to be completely honest with her.”

“Are you sure?” Morgana asked.

“I don’t think we’ll get anywhere otherwise” Ren answered.

After letting the information settle for a bit, Ann spoke up and said “I think Ren’s right.” Everyone looked at her. “It’s just, she’s been fighting tooth and nail for the students of the school. I think it’s only fair that she should have all the knowledge to continue the fight, you know?”

“I do know” Yusuke chimed in. “However, I think the reveal should be a united front. A one-on-one meeting would be lacking.”

“Plus, if all of us were here, it might seem more believable,” Jose added.

“OK” Ren nodded. “I’ll ask her tomorrow.”

“Why not now?” Sumire asked.

“I think it’d be a bit awkward at this point,” Ren admitted. “So, do you want to do it here again?”

“I dunno,” Ryuji interjected. “I think it’d be a bit suspicious.”

“I think we should do it in Shibuya,” Yusuke suggested. “That way, if the person Niijima was talking to IS the person taking over, and she IS willing to believe us, we might get the third thing we need.”

“What an excellent idea Yusuke-senpai!” Sumire said. Yusuke went deep into thought. “Was that too much?”

“Oh. No. Sorry” Yusuke answered. “I just started thinking. ‘The person taking over’ is a bit of a mouthful. I think we need a better term for these people.”

Everyone got to thinking. “...Rebels?” Ryuji suggested.

“But we’re the rebels,” Morgana explained. “We’re the ones standing against corruption.”

“Yeah, but so are they in a way,” Ryuji said, defending his answer. “It’s just different from us.”

“Still, I don’t think we should put them in the same category as us, at least entirely,” Ann added. “If we were the same, we’d be no better than that Akechi kid thinks we are.”

“Well, you officially sunk my idea,” Ryuji said.

“What about ‘Conquerors’?” Sumire suggested.

“That’s not bad,” Jose said. “But I think we don’t want them to conquer. Otherwise the palace rulers would be dead.”

“Oh, right,” Sumire said.

They thought some more. “Well, this might be something we come back to later” Ren said. Everyone nodded. “In the meantime, we have a plan: we meet Makoto in Shibuya, and explain the truth.” Everyone nodded again. “Alright, then, meeting adjourned.”

Before everyone could leave, Ann shouted “WAIT!” Everyone looked at her. “Do you think you can send us those pictures of Ryuji?”

Ren smiled. “Of course.”

“Wait, don’t I get a say in this?” Ryuji asked. It was too late though, as Ren had already posted the album in the group chat. “Ugh.”

That evening, Makoto was having dinner when Sae walked in. “Sis!” Makoto stood up. “I wasn’t expecting you back so soon.” Sae wasn’t answering. “Your food is in the fridge.” Sae still said nothing. Makoto noticed she was holding something. “What’s that?”

Sae finally answered. “Huh? Oh, sorry. I found this in the mail slot.”

“What is it?” Makoto inquired further.

Sae got a bit frustrated. “I haven’t read all of it, but it appears to be a manifesto. The person writing it claims to have beaten up some gangsters last night.” Makoto was alerted. “So, you said my food was in the fridge?”

“Huh? Oh, yeah” Makoto answered. Sae set the manifest down on the table and walked into the kitchen. Makoto quickly walked over and took a picture of it with her phone. Once she did, she noticed the app. She stared at it for a bit, until the microwave dinged. Makoto returned to her seat and continued eating.

Sae came back out with her plate. She ate slowly, but aggressively, as she continued reading the letter. “Ugh. This guy.”

“What’s wrong?” Makoto asked.

“He’s just insulting us like we’re not even trying,” Sae said. She took another bite. She sighed. “I’m sorry. I’m not going to be pleasant company tonight. This on top of everything else is driving me up a wall.”

“Oh. Well, I could finish in my room if you want” Makoto said. “I still have some homework left to do.”

“I’d appreciate it,” Sae said. Makoto took her food and headed for her room. Once there, she pulled up the picture of the manifesto and began reading it herself. After she finished, she had a stunned look of horror on her face.

The next day, during lunch, Ren got out her phone and messaged Makoto.

Ren: Hey.

Ren: We need to talk.

Makoto: Funny. I was about to say the same thing.

Ren: Oh.

Ren: I guess that works then.

Ren: Can you meet us in Shibuya?

Makoto: Sure, but why?

Ren: That’s one of the things that needs explaining.

Makoto: I see.

Makoto: Well, It might be easier if I just come with you.

Ren: Yeah.

Makoto: Well, see you after school then.

Ren: Seeya.

Ren put her phone away.

After school, Ren met up with Ann, Ryuji, and Sumire. Once gathered, they waited for Makoto. She showed up a few minutes later. “Sorry, just had to take care of some business. Well, shall we get going?” The other thieves were uneasy, but Ren nodded. She and Makoto started walking off. The other thieves followed behind them.

It took a bit, but they met up with Yusuke and Jose around Shibuya Crossing. The thieves all banded together, looked at Makoto, who was looking at them, feeling unsure of what was going to come next. “What’s on your mind?” Makoto asked, nervously.

Ren sighed. “You want the truth?” she asked. Makoto nodded. “Alright. But please note, what I am going to say is the truth, no matter how ludicrous it seems.” She took a deep breath. “So, here’s just a basic overview. There’s a parallel world that’s shaped by people’s congitions. We can tap into it using an app that was given to us by a powerful entity to save the world.

People with really distorted desires form these things called ‘Palaces’ and at the center is their desire, which is their treasure. We sneak in to steal that to make them confess. But there’s another bit of complication.

This figure, Eris, corrupts people in order to take over the palace and kill the palace ruler. We not only go in to stop the palace ruler, but this person as well. BUT in order to get into the palace, we need three keyword: the name of the ruler, where the distortion is centered, and what the distortion is. When someone takes over, that last one becomes their’s, and not the palace ruler’s.

So, we need help figuring out who the person taking over might be. We have almost everything we need, but we can’t go until we figure this out. If you’re willing to help us, we’d like that.”

Makoto watched as Ren explained this, unblinking. The thieves were worried that Makoto would laugh this off, or get angry with them. Instead, she said “Huh. I guess that explains a few things.”

The thieves were confused. “Like what?” Ren asked.

“Why you’re never seen, first of all,” Makoto explained. “But I’m guessing it would also explain this.” She held up her phone to them. They were all stunned to see the Metaverse app. “I found it on my phone last night. I tried deleting it a few times, but it always came back.”

“Oh. I see” Ren said, awkwardly.

Makoto grew a little more serious. “And you need something from the person taking over? Well, I think I can provide that too.”

“What do you mean?” Ren asked, confused again.

“Last night, someone left a note in our mailbox claiming to be the person who beat up those gangsters,” Makoto said.

“Um, why?” Ryuji asked.

“My sister works for the prosecutor’s office,” Makoto said.

“Ooooooooohhhhhhhh” Ryuji said, remembering that the man he talked to mentioned a Niijima working at the prosecutor’s office.

“I heard from her this morning that it was sent to some of her coworkers, an assortment of police stations, and some news outlets as well,” Makoto continued. She glared at Ryuji. “And after reading it, I think you’re right.”

“Oh, about that guy?” Ryuji asked, his heart beating a mile a minute.

Makoto nodded. “I think he, Naoko, is the one who is taking over.”

“But, Ryuji told us that you denied that accusation,” Ann explained.

“And I did,” Makoto said. “But reading this, I knew. And with you explaining that this Eris person manipulates people into doing things, I understand now.”

“So what does it say?” Jose asked. “Is there anything that could be helpful to figuring out how to get into the palace?”

“Yeah, so far, we only have the guy’s name, Junya Kaneshiro, and we accidentally figured out the place, which is all of Shibuya,” Ann explained.

Makoto nodded. “His name appears in the note” she said. “I did a little research, and it appears he’s a big time gangster who you don’t want to mess around with. Ugh. Well, he knows I’m involved, but at least he doesn’t know about Kisa.”

“Wait, he knows Hagiwara too?” Ryuji said.

Makoto looked at him, glaring daggers. “Yeah. She’s his niece. Did you tell him she was involved too?” Ryuji looked pale as a ghost, and as much as he wanted to say something, he felt like anything he would say would not be well received. Makoto sighed. “Well, at least this whole thing makes more sense now.”

“So, the letter?” Ren said, awkwardly shifting the subject back.

“Oh right,” Makoto said. “I think it could be useful.” She pulled up the photo she took. “It goes as follows: ‘Greetings Tokyo, It has been a long time since I’ve graced your presence.’”

“It has?” Ryuji said. “How?”

“I’m getting to that,” Makoto said. “‘In case you were wondering, I am the one who beat up those criminals recently. That was only the beginning. I have decided to fight for Tokyo once again. However, it appears that things have gotten too out of control for The Night Raider to handle.’”

“The...Night Raider?” Ryuji asked.

“Ah, I remember,” Yusuke said. “Night Raider is a superhero from a comic from a long time ago. Madarame had the full collection.”

Makoto nodded. “It was my father’s favorite when he was a kid. Naoko’s too. They bonded over that when they first became partners.”

“If I remember correctly, The Night Raider would also put out messages for Tokyo to assure them they were safe” Yusuke said. Makoto nodded.

“Oh, so it that when you figured it out?” Ryuji asked.

“No” Makoto responded bluntly. She continued. “‘A prosecutor’s office that goes after the innocent while the police do nothing to get the truly heinous. Hence, I am making my return as The Dark Raider. The Night Raider vowed never to kill, but with things so terrible, there is no other choice but to kill. And I’m going to start with a man rotten to the core: Junya Kaneshiro. His tyrannical rule over Shibuya will come to an end upon his execution July 11th. In the meantime Tokyo, stay safe. From, The Dark Raider.’”

Ryuji seemed a little confused. “So, when did you figure it out?”

Before Makoto could answer, Sumire interjected. “It was the date, wasn’t it?”

Makoto nodded. “That was the day my father died. I knew then it HAD to be Naoko.”

“WHAT?!” Ryuji screeched. “So, let me get this straight: this Naoko guy is pretending to be a superhero to kill criminals, and he’s going to start by killing Kaneshiro on the anniversary of your father’s death? That’s one messed up personal crusade.”

“That’s it!” Yusuke exclaimed. They all looked at him. “The name for the people taking over: Crusaders!”

“Um, I guess?” Ryuji said. “But I don’t know if now’s the time for this.”

“Well I like it, Yusuke-senpai,” Sumire said.

“Thank you,” Yusuke said. “Although it was Ryuji who inspired me.” Ryuji didn’t say anything, but this time he was too dumbfounded to do so.

“OK, now with that out of the way, let’s see if we can’t figure out something from this,” Ren said.

“Um, I think it’s kind of clear,” Ryuji said. “He’s imitating his favorite comic book.”

“Navigating,” the phone said.

“What the?!” Ryuji said before the world warped around them.

The thieves and Makoto found themselves in a Shibuya with a green skyline, and everything around them looked like it was hand-drawn from a comic. “Woah!” Makoto said, freaking out. “This...This is insane.”

“Please,” said Morgana. “You ain’t seen nothing yet.”

Makoto looked down. “Is that a talking cat?”

“I am NOT a cat,” Morgana explained.

“I don’t think this is a good time to explain that,” Ren said.

Makoto looked up to see everyone in their thief outfits. “Who are you?”

“Um, it’s us,” Ann explained. “This is just what we look like in the other world.”

Makoto was still shocked. “Oh. Wait, when did we get over here?”

Ren checked her phone. “Probably when Skull here said the words ‘comic book’.” Everyone else checked their phone. They saw Junya Kaneshiro, All of Shibuya,” and in white, Comic Book.

“Ugh. I need to learn to shut my mouth” Ryuji said.

“Wait, Skull?” Makoto said.

“Oh yeah,” Ryuji said. “Over here, we use codenames.”

“I’m Joker, this one’s Mona, she’s Panther, he’s Sunshine, she’s Violet, and he’s Fox.”

“I see,” Makoto replied, intrigued. She peered over them. “Is that normal too?”

The thieves looked at what Makoto was pointing at. They looked like walking, talking ATMs. “Well, it’s not entirely unusual,” Ren explained, “but this is odd. Let’s investigate.” The thieves walked up to the ATM while Makoto followed behind cautiously. “Excuse me.”

“GAH!” The ATM said. “I’m making the payments! I just need more time.”

“Wha?” Ren said.

“Oh, Mr. Kaneshiro won’t give me the time though” the ATM said. “Please, help!”

Ren was still bemused by this, but said. “We will.”

“Thank you,” the ATM said. “I don’t want to end up like them.” They pointed to another ATM, this one broken and on its side. The ATM hurried off to try and save itself.

“Um, what’s going on?” Makoto asked.

“Well, this is just a guess,” Ren said, “but I think these ATMs represent people in the real world.”

“So Kaneshiro thinks of these people as nothing but ATMs?!” Ryuji exclaimed. “That’s effed up!”

“Well, if he’s extorting money from people, it makes sense,” Sumire lamented.

“Well, yeah, but we gotta put a stop to this!” Ryuji said. Suddenly, a beam went off. Everyone looked to see a giant lime green beam blasting through the sky. They followed it and saw that a floating bank was being pulled by it.

“FOLLOW THAT BANK!” Ren shouted. They all chased the falling bank to its new destination. They arrived just as the bank was setting into the space around it. Once it stopped moving completely, two shadow guards walked out, and in the middle of them was a very angry purple man in a white suit. Ren halted everyone. “I think that might be Kaneshiro” she whispered.

The man furiously looked around. He saw the thieves and Makoto. “You!’ he said, walking up closer to them. “Are YOU the ones who took my bank out of the sky?” Ren shook her head.

“Um, pardon me?” Makoto said, stepping forward. “Are you by chance, Junya Kaneshiro?”

“That’s right,” he said, cautious.

“Why was your bank in the sky?” Makoto continued.

Kaneshiro’s shadow laughed. “Because that made me untouchable. That allowed me to act with impunity. I can control all of Shibuya without lifting a finger, because when I do, everyone but me gets PUNISHED.

But now I’m brought down to your level. And so, I need to punish whoever’s responsible.” He took a better look at Makoto. “Say, your uniform looks like the one of the girl who tried to get evidence on me.”

Makoto was afraid, but stood her ground. “That’s right. She’s a student at my school. And I’m the student council president. And you’ve made a grave mistake crossing me.”

“Oh ho” Kaneshiro said. “Feisty, aren’t we? But I think it’s the other way around. I have those photos of her, and I have the police under my thumb.So tell me, what are you going to do?”

Makoto took a step forward. “I’ll stop you!”

Kaneshiro laughed. “It’s been a while since I’ve heard a joke THAT good. Guards, take care of her. And her little friends too.” The shadows started to inch forward, but before they could touch Makoto, one of them got kicked out of the way.

The person responsible for the kick was a superhero with a black suit, black cape and cowl that was torn and tattered, white gloves, white boots, and white trunks. Across his chest was a stylized “DR” to symbolize that this person was the Dark Raider. This person was Naoko.

The other shadow turned their attention to him, but he pulled out some boomerangs and threw them at the shadow. He then walked up to Kaneshiro. “I’m the one you’re after,” he said. “I dragged you down here so we can fight like men. Leave them out of this.”

“Heh,” Kaneshiro chortled. “You think someone playing dress-up scares me?” Naoko grabbed Kaneshiro’s arm and twisted it. “GAH!”

“I’m not playing,” Naoko explained. “You saw what I did to some of your goons, right? Well that’s only a sample of what I’m going to do to you. You will pay for your sins with your LIFE!”

He twisted Kaneshiro’s arm harder. “AH!” Kaneshiro yelped in pain.

“NAOKO!” Makoto called out. Naoko looked at her. “STOP!”

Naoko let go, while Kaneshiro fell to the ground. “This isn’t your fight Makoto. Run while you still have the chance.”

“No,” Makoto said.

“What?” Naoko replied.

“This IS my fight” Makoto said, filled with determination “This man has been harassing my fellow students.”

“This man is DANGEROUS!” Naoko argued.

“Don’t you think I know that?” Makoto retorted. “But I have to try. Otherwise, what am I?”

Naoko walked over. “You’re a student. Your job is to get good grades, get into a good college, and have a good life. Not take on some mobster with a known body count of 22!”

“STOP!” Makoto shouted, surprising everyone. “Quit telling me what to do! If I’m supposed to be in charge of what I do, why is everyone else telling me what it should be, or what I am?! I’m the student council president, and I’m supposed to protect my own! But no one trusts me because of what other people have placed upon me, and I’m SICK of it! I want to earn that trust back by doing whatever it takes! So you either help me, or GET OUT OF MY WAY!”

Kaneshiro stood up in this moment where everyone else was distracted. “GUARDS!” He called out. More shadows appeared as Kaneshiro retreated into the bank. The thieves rushed to protect Makoto, while Naoko had already begun.

Meanwhile, a voice was ringing out inside Makoto’s head. “Have you decided to tread the path of strife?”

Makoto was struggling. She fell to her knees. “Yes,” she answered.

“Very well,” the voice continued. “Let us proceed with our contract at once. I am thou, thou art I... You have finally found your own justice. Please..Never lose sight of it again.” A mask appeared on Makoto’s face. “This memorable day marks your graduation from your false self.”

Makoto ripped it off, shouting “JOHANNA!” Blood sprayed out of her face. A blinding light surrounded her. Once the dust settled, Makoto was dressed as a biker, and her Persona had manifested as a motorcycle she was riding.

“Woah!” Ryuji said.

“I’m impressed!” Morgana exclaimed.

“Hm” Ren smiled.

Makoto revved up Johanna. “JAH!” she belted out, as she began attacking the shadows. Between her, the other thieves, and Naoko, the shadows were dealt with. Afterwards, Makoto was out of breath. “Woah…”

Naoko looked at them. “Tell me: Are these the rumored Phantom Thieves?”

Makoto looked up. “Yeah... I asked them to help me... And now... I’m joining them...”

“I see,” Naoko said. He reached his hand out. “We can work together, you know. Taking down criminals left and right.”

Makoto was still out of breath. “Sorry” Ren said, stepping in. “But so long as your plans involve murder, we can’t accept.”

Naoko retracted his hand. “Very well. I will allow you to try your way. But make no mistake, I don’t intend to lose. Kaneshiro will stop at nothing to get his way. You have to be willing to do the same in order to take him on.”

“I’ll stop where I want!” Makoto yelled. Naoko stared, nodded, and then leapt away.

The thieves looked around. “Let’s call it here for today” Yusuke suggested. Everyone nodded and they all went back to the real world.

Once they were back, Makoto was again stunned. “Woah. That just happened.”

“Yeah,” Jose said. “But it was pretty cool.”

“Boy, I’ll say,” Morgana said. “I’ve never seen a motorcycle persona before!”

“Yeah,” Makoto said. “Wait, the cat talks here too?”

“I am NOT a cat!” Morgana said, holding his position.

“Oh, I’m sorry,” Makoto said. “Then what are you?”

“Well…” Morgana said.

“This is Morgana. He’s a creature from the same person who gave us the app,” Ren explained. “He just has the form of a cat.”

“OK” Makoto said, taking this alright. “Why is he here?”

“He was always here,” Ren explained. “I usually carry him around in my bag. But you couldn’t hear him speak unless you go to that other world.”

“Oh” Makoto said. “How peculiar.”

“Yeah, that’s one way to describe him,” Ryuji remarked.

“Can it!” Morgana said. “At least I’m not a loud mouth.”

“Those two argue from time to time,” Ren said. “Don’t worry about it.” She reached her hand out. “For now, welcome to the team.” Makoto smiled. She gathered what strength she had left to accept Ren’s handshake, and accept the title of Phantom Thief.

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my-yuujin · 6 years ago

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Ryusoulger Solo Interview from Mynavi: Kishida Tatsuya

Ryusoulger has been running for four months since the start of its broadcast in March 2019. How you are feeling about it?

When the Sixth Ranger Kanaro (Hyoudou Katsumi) finally appeared in episode 14, I thought, “Ah, we have come this far. Time sure flies.” Even so, the feeling that I’ve played my role as well as grasped that distance we’ve gotten through between every episode up until now, is still very strong.

- Banba used to have a harsh view such as “In order to save many human beings, (Minusaur’s host) one’s sacrifice is unavoidable.” But he met Kou and the others, and little by little was exposed to their kindness. So, there are a lot of episodes dedicated to this process. Surely for Kishida-san, those episodes’ impressions are strong, aren’t they?

I’m now sticking to the part that “Banba’s atmosphere is different from everyone else”. At this stage, he doesn’t have any intention to become friends with Kou, so I’m always aware of the subtle sense of distance, such as standing alone even though everyone else is gathering.

-From now on, surely, we’re expecting that Banba will fully communicate with Kou and become friends.

I once had the opportunity to talk with the screenwriter Yamaoka (Junpei) and the producers, and at that time he said “Banba is the closest when it comes to human emotion.” You see, when humans have aged long enough, they won’t change easily in a year. That’s how I think about it. “Yesterday,he was gentle, but today, he is back to being grumpy again?” We discussed whether or not it was a good thing to have such character like that.

-In episode 8 “ Singing Voice of Miracle”, Ryusoulger successfully fools the enemy. After Kou and Towa happily do a high-five to each other, Banba only bumps fists with Kou, while his face facing the other side. Such a wonderful “Tsundere”. He’s not planning to get along, but he lets himself join their rhythm. That’s what makes Banba stand out. Am I right?

Actually, we were being let to do ad-libs at that time. I never thought it would be used (laughs). After the episode was broadcasted, I was surprised to hear a lot of feedback about that on Twitter. It was a casual scene and I played it without much thought. Because of the slow motion, I was shown moving in various ways, even though it was a quick filming. At first, I thought I didn’t have to do anything, but Kou and the others were so eager to do high-five with Banba. So in the end, I just did it without seeing his eyes.

-Even for the children who watches the TV series, Banba is strong but a little “scary”. That is the impression they may get from him.

I also think so. Like I said earlier, “Banba will not change”, but by meeting Kou and others, a slight change is unavoidable. At first, he called Kou “Omae” (T/N: means “You” but harsh), but he started to call him by his name. Although he consciously can’t forgive it, there is still a part in his heart where the intention to be friends is growing.

-It may be rude for me to say this but, Banba is unexpectedly quite popular among children. Kishida-san, is there any experience, like when you finally realized the popularity of Banba?

The thing that I feel grateful about is, I get talked to more often than usual when I walk outside. Originally, I thought Banba was intended to give appeal to the mothers and older Tokusatsu fans, but unexpectedly, I heard some young children said “I like Banba”. I was really happy about that. Not to mention that Banba also has some fans among girls. I once looked at Instagram, and found a kid wearing Banba’s costume that their mother likely has made by herself, and I thought, “Oh, it ’s pretty cool” (laughs).

- Banba dan Ryusoul Black’s costumes are based on the color black, thus giving very cool atmosphere. I can understand those children’s feeling who want to cosplay as him.

Wearing this outfit, you may feel a little restrained around your waist and look slim. On the other hand, as soon as you get a little fat, it would be very much noticeable, so I always pay attention to maintaining my body shape.

-Then, if there is a scene where Banba has to eat something delicious, it would be difficult, wouldn’t it?

The food that appeared in the show up until now, in the end, they were all eaten by everyone. Asuna (Osaki Ichika) is always shown eating something, after all (laughs). Banba is never shown to eat anything in the show, but the staffs always prepare delicious-looking food and make the studio filled with yummy smell. That’s why, even though I don’t want to, I always find myself want to eat. When the filming is over, I end up eating up a lot too (laughs).

- Who do you think has grown up the most, comparing to when you first met them?

That’s definitely Obara-kun. He is 17 years old now and it is his moments of growing up as a person. When I look at him by my side, I think “He’s doing amazing!” I’m impressed by how refined his expression now. We sometimes make pacts among ourselves, such as to arrive 10 minutes before meetings, and Obara-kun is the best when it comes to follow the rules. We have been together for a long time as brothers, and I would be very happy if Obara-kun could feel various things from me, and myself also could give him some good influence.

-Kishida-san, you seem to have so much fun being an elder brother who is proud of his little brother. I begin to think that you two are really like real brothers.

Well, aren’t we real brothers, though?(laughs) Looking closely at Obara-kun’s growth, makes me think I can’t lose to him. So, it feels like I’m being encouraged too.

Looking at Kishida-san’s Twitter, we can find two-shot photos with some actors who have appeared in the “Kamen Rider” and “Super Sentai”. Surely, these photos show us wonderful friendship between heroes, aren’t they?

Isomura Hayato and I have once appeared in “Kyou kara ore wa!”, but at that time I didn’t know that he also appeared in “Kamen Rider Ghost” (Kamen Rider Necrom/ Alan). When I was decided to appear in “Ryusoulger”, I looked up to various things about the past “Super Sentai”, and found out that I was acquainted with such amazing Kamen Rider and Tokusatsu heroes. “I should take pictures when I meet them next time,” so I thought (laughs). I get along with Inaba Yuu-kun (Kamen Rider Mach/Shijima Gou from “Kamen Rider Drive” ) , Tozuka Junki-kun (Nara Shunpei from “Kamen Rider Wizard”), and Suda Masaki-kun (Philip from “Kamen Rider W”). I took photos with them, hoping that it could make Tokusatsu fans happy.

-But now, you have joined those heroes whom the children look up to. What kind of feeling do you have when you strike your “transformation” pose that is unique to you as a hero?

It’s exciting, really. I myself used to be a child who played and imitated those heroes’ transformation poses, up to their details. I feel excited to think that there would be some children who imitate my transformation pose this time.

-Who is Tokusatsu hero Kishida-san admired as a child?

“Choriki Sentai Ohranger” (1995) and “Gekisou Sentai Carranger” (1996) were the oldest heroes in my memory. But the one that I felt most addicted was “Seijuu Sentai Gingaman” (1998). In fact, the memories of playing with Gingaman’s toys still remain vivid. Among the five warriors, red and blue rangers have different ways of transforming, and I was a child who cared for those trivial things like that. Therefore, as Banba, I’m strongly aware of things like, the movements that only Banba would do. Even in the ending Que Bom Dance, the dance actually shows the individuality of each Ryusoulger.

-Action scenes are also frequently shown, especially in the episodes when director Sakamoto Koichi was in charge, like in episode 7, 8 and 15, 16. Some scenes, such as doing Ryusoul Change while fighting against Drunn soldiers were really outstanding.

I originally love action, and Director Sakamoto is the person in charge who has spent time in various action scenes, so I feel we are very compatible. Episode 15 and 16 are more challenging than episode 7 and 8. I want to challenge more actions in the future.

-Even at press conferences and photo sessions, Kishida-san’s “commitment”, such as not showing “smile” at all as Banba, is very wonderful, in my opinion.

I always think that images are important for heroes, so I want to do my role firmly. However, it is troubling me when people greet me as Banba. Banba’s personality makes me seem to be a very cold person. Of course, I myself am different from Banba, so when I naturally tried to act gentle, the mothers reacted like “Huh? Is Banba actually such a person?” It made me rethink that he really is such difficult role! (Laughs) However, they also pointed out those as the “unexpected” sides of Banba, so it still settles me much or less when creating a solid image of Banba. I myself like children, so I want to give them a gentle approach, but about how I should do it … I just can’t find the answer. I think I have to ask those who are already seniors at being heroes.

–Banba had never smiled until now, but at the end of the episode “The Prisoned Mosa”, he cracked a little smile, and it had positive reception on Twitter. I guess, it’s enough to make more children come to Banba deliberately now.

Until now, the children never come to me by themselves. Therefore, I myself try to go closer when I have eye contacts with children.

-In the 13th episode “The Prime Minister is Ryusoul tribe!?”, the existence of Banba and Towa’s master was implied. But Kishida-san and Obara-san, were you two actually aware of such story development and the mysteries behind it?

-To be honest, until we get our new script, we’ve been acting without knowing what will happen next. There were times when I acted while thinking “So, it was actually this kind of story!?” It is my first experience to act under such condition, so it’s very difficult (laughs). As an actor, playing without knowing the future is anxious, but fun. However, I don’t want to regret, saying such things like “I should have done it like this” when looking back at the past after I find out about the mysterious part. For now, acting while deciding what is the best to do in various subtle situations, becomes a great lesson for me as an actor.

-Ryusoulger cast give a very good impression as a team. Do you think that good relationship with them as friends affects your acting as Banba?

Looking at these recent scene photos, it seems Banba’s expressions are somewhat gentler than at the start of filming. This also happens to everyone else, and I guess it is because of the length of time we’ve spent together. I want to be an actor who rather than becomes the source, I prefer to be “the receiver” of those plays from various people. And I think my expressions get mellowed due to having received those feelings. It is now a completely different atmosphere compared to the beginning. If I was let to say one thing, it would end up divided into 5 or 6, as we actually share the same feelings among ourselves.

-Kishida-san, as the oldest member, you also have longer experience as an actor, to the extent that everyone else admires you as their “big brother”.

-Whenever there is something they don’t understand, it’s nice to hear them calling me out “Tatsu-nii! Tatsu-nii!”. I feel to be in a position that has to warn them if they do something sloppy. But rather than saying it directly, it’d be better if I act in advance and put myself as an example. They are all honest and nice guys, and the new member Hyoudou (Katsumi)-kun is also very polite when playing baseball. He’s such a pleasant man to be involved with.

-As we know, the long-awaited movie “Kishiryu Sentai Ryusoulger THE MOVIE Time Slip! Dinosaur Panic!!” has been released on July 26. Is there any experience that particularly impressed you when shooting this movie?

I still remember, after shooting all day long, there was a time when I couldn’t do (acting) at all. After episode 17, Banba’s attitude to his friends has much or less changed, but according to the script, the episode has not happened yet in the movie. So I had to enter the movie setting while being aware of that. Up until now, the change of Banba’s emotion has accumulated according to the order of TV episodes. I had to act while throwing away some parts of those changes that shouldn’t have happened in the movie. It’s quite difficult.

There was also things like when I was troubled during the shooting, it suddenly went raining. I’d heard that weather in the location might change easily…, but because of raining, I became impatient to fix and catch up … Things that I thought world be worked out…, the confidence just immediately flew away from my head. That’s why, I would be happy if you can check on the theater, those changes in Banba’s expressions that have troubled me so much.

-In episode 1 and 2, Banba and Towa have not yet appeared, so Kishida-san and Obara-san met Director Kamihoriuchi for the first time in the movie version. Kamihoriuchi-san once said in an interview that he always acted strictly towards all the actors, but how exactly does Kishida-san see Kamihoriuchi-san as a person?

When a scene isn’t played well, he will immediately go “Cut!”, and make us repeat it until it is good enough to be used. Rather than strictness, I think that it is more like Kamihoriuchi-san’s “kindness”. Because in order to meet the expectations of the directors, we indeed must continue to improve ourselves as actors.

-Please tell us about the highlights of Banba that are unique to this movie.

In this movie, because Kou has to move alone, there are many scenes where Melto, Asuna, Towa and Banba are working together. Melto and Asuna whom Kou usually works together with, are trying their best until Kou returns. Their growth and how they build their bond are presented intriguingly in this movie. I myself dedicatedly played Banba as the one who supports and watches over them. Though, Banba only gets a little chance to act between intervals (laughs). I realized the hard feeling when my role is not supposed to stand out, instead of being at front and doing something. Sentai usually consists 5 warriors. With Kanaro, we become 6 members. Naturally, it’s not good to make only one person speak lines while the others are only watching from behind. Even though I still don’t know how, I want to make everyone comment on a silent scene, that “It should be Banba who speaks there.” From now on too, I always look forward to your support for Banba and Ryusoulger!

Source: https://news.mynavi.jp/article/20190729-ryusoul/

#kishiryu sentai ryusoulger #banba #kishida tatsuya #interview #ryusoulger #translations #ryusoulger interview

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nevermorealyre · 6 years ago

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21 Questions

Rules: Answer 21 questions and tag 21 people you want to get to know better.

I was tagged by @neonplusfire, also known as @neonfireart. Thanks! I was surprised to be tagged in such a thing, especially by one of my FAVOURITE artists in the MDZS community. Seriously an honour. (I won’t ramble on about how good their art is, but if you have never checked them out before, please do head over to their neonfireart account.)

Nickname: Lyre. I usually go by Menuridae, which I took from the scientific family name of a lyrebird (one of my favourite birds). Lyre is of course from the name Lyrebird and is pronounced the same way you would say ‘liar’.

Height: 163 cm. I am a smol bean.

Last movie I saw: Liz to aoi tori (Liz and the Blue Bird). It was an alright movie, but I want to sue someone over the ending we got.

Favourite artists: I dig me some instrumental music mostly, so I love Hans Zimmer and Hiroyuki Sawano. Otherwise I also like artists such as NCT, Kaleo, DEAN, Jeff Buckley, Utada Hikaru and Adele.

Song stuck in my head: Ughh, I don’t really often have songs stuck in my head. London Bridge is Falling Down?!

Do I get asks?: I have gotten a total of two asks, so not really. Most of my interaction happens with people leaving comments on my fics on AO3. But my received asks have been in praise of one of my fics, so I haven’t actually received an ‘ask’ asking me a question. But I love any form of interaction with people though.

Other blogs?: This is my only blog. I am not really into blogging that much so I just stick to the one but keep the content I post or reblog here mostly MDZS or writer centric.

Following: Ughh, does this mean my follower count or the number of people I am following? But there is 80 and 231. I will let you guess which is which.

Lucky number: I don’t have a lucky number but I do like the number 9.

What I’m wearing: Black shorts and a black shirt with the words black t-shirt written on it in black.

Dream job: To work in rural Japan in preserving Satoyama environments, which are the woodland fringes around a rural settlement that are both ecologically and socially important. I would also love to be a published author in the future.

Favourite Food: I don’t really have a favourite food. But I really enjoy water and orange juice. But I guess those are drinks...

Dream trip: I would really love to go to Japan and tour around some rural areas for the nature or visit cities and towns with some great historical architecture.

Play any instruments: I can play the dizi, the chinese bamboo flute, but not very well. The guitar sitting in my closet hadn’t seen the light of day in a while though...

Languages: English and 日本語. English is my native tongue and I only know a little Japanese, but I am learning and hope to become fluent within the next ten years.

Favourite song: Merry Christmas Mr. Lawrence by Ryuichi Sakamoto. It is also known as Forbidden Colours with a vocal version performed by David Sylvian. All versions of this song are amazing, and guitar cover by Kaori Muraji holds a special place in my heart because it was the first version of this song that I had heard.

Random fact: My random fact is that I love random facts. My mother calls me an encyclopedia because I can remember so many useless facts. I also love flags and can remember up to 200 country flags. My head is filled with useless things.

Aesthetic things: Old architecture covered in vines, overgrown plants and moss. Abandoned places that have remnants of past lives there, perhaps a forgotten teddy or hammer or a chair. Travelling down a stream in a little wooden boat, just letting the water take you on a journey, admiring how the sunlight filters through the leaves as you float away.

And that was 21 facts about me~

Tagging: Well, I am not going to do a whole 21 people, but I will tag a few people.

@reiiciel - A ray of sunshine in this world that brought light into my life. Makes great photo edits and is multifandom shipper.

@blossomchi - My other sunshine. Chi is adorable and lovely and precious. She also makes some amazing AMVs across a number of fandoms.

@the-archangel-of-salt. Their blog is filled with the random facts that I crave. Also has been a long time supporter! <3

@h-y-p-h-e-n-d-o-t-s. A great blog with some pretty damn good MDZS related thoughts and posts. Big fan.

@liebiing. One sweet child who is so very supportive and kind. Let me wrap you in a blanket. I always see them in random pockets of the MDZS fandom and it brings a smile to my face when I see them around.

@aleafinatyphoon. Another sweet child who deserves a blanket. They also have an awesome MDZS sideblog that is worth checking out.

@mmishii. This child can have a pillow to rest their sweet head upon because they are just too sweet.

If you do not want to participate in this, feel free not to, the invitation is there however.

#21 questions

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wherespacepooh · 7 years ago

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Yuzuru Hanyu Q&A + reporter’s thoughts (Kateigaho 2018.03)

Translated by gladi. Please do not repost without permission. Pictures and content belong to Kateigaho. Thanks!

Interviewed in mid-August, just published in Kateigaho’s March Issue, Komatsu-san handled Yuzuru’s thoughts with clarity and warmth, something that really comes with having worked with Yuzuru for a long time over the years (Their first interview was in 2011 when he was 16). I enjoyed the sentiments expressed in the piece and I think it’s a good companion to the thoughts he expressed in the NNN documentary. Hope you enjoy it too :) –– gladi

Text: Yoko Komatsu Photography: Masayuki Sakamoto

In Toronto & Tokyo A Love toward Figure Skating, Strict with Discipline

An accident that struck the champion. Prayers from around the world. For his return at the Pyeongchang Olympics.

The first time we interviewed Hanyu was during the summer of 2011. Since then, we have been blessed with his appearance on the magazine almost every year, and after our interview in Toronto last summer (t/n referring to Media Day in August), we were also honoured with his acceptance of our invitation to a special interview in Tokyo. Always in front of crowds of officials and reporters, he must, on many occasions surely, show the speech and conduct of a gold medalist, a world champion. And actually, what I saw in Toronto was the form of someone single-mindedly devoted to his practice on ice, one who dealt with over 100 in the press corps with unbridled confidence.

Perhaps it was due to the lightheartedness of being there with his parents, there were carefree smiles abound and sometimes even a glimpse of weakness at the Tokyo interview––there was the true “Yuzuru Hanyu,” plain and bare. But what he conveyed was the exact same as when we had our first interview 6 and a half years ago, for two hours in a cafe nearby the Sendai Station––an unwavering sense of self-discipline and passion toward Figure Skating. Even when he was 16 and we first met, I was struck by the intelligence in the way he visualised his life plans after winning the gold medal at the Sochi Olympics. Speaking emphatically of his dreams this time as well, for the sake of that future vision which he holds close to heart, defending his title at the Pyeongchang Olympics remains his greatest goal right now.

I had heard that he’d somehow suppressed the pain in his right knee from before Autumn Classics as he approached the NHK Trophy. But an untimely new injury struck… Before the competition began, in both the press room and the arena, everyone seemed lost as to how they might regain composure from the shock of the star’s sudden withdrawal.

He withdrew from the NHK Trophy due to ligament damage sustained in the right foot, and then, furthermore, from the Japanese nationals due to tendon and bone inflammation. Self-disciplined and perfectionist as Hanyu, he must have been desperately undergoing rehabilitation in order to somehow make it in time for the nationals. I can imagine the frustration and regret. Yet I do wish for the grace and beauty of his skating to keep entrancing [us] for as long as possible, so, truth to be told, I was relieved when he chose to withdraw.

“The ice at Gangneung Ice Arena, venue of the Pyeongchang Olympic events, was amazing. Although I did two Quad Toeloops in the second half of my Free Skate at the Four Continents Championships (t/n planned quads in the second half were 4S3T and 4T), the execution felt really good. I also liked the air in the arena, so I think I got immersed in the competition more naturally than I did during the Sochi Olympics.” Even though people have also voiced their worries due to the Olympics becoming de facto his comeback event, the fact that Hanyu himself felt great compatibility with the venue is heartening beyond anything else. Sincerest hopes that he may recover and begin doing run-throughs as soon as possible. And then, on the stage that is the Olympics, overcoming all trials, toward yet greater heights, I pray that Hanyu can skate the programs of his dreams.

Excerpted from a caption on the same page:

“... Although skating theory and foundation and so on have been drilled into me since my novice years, mentors and coaches in the North America see things from a different perspective, and I was so surprised by the different way of doing things, it was a culture shock. With that, I’ve come to see that the foundation that I had built up until then have progressed in a better direction and that even my jumps have gotten better,” says Hanyu regarding his growth up until this point.)

Exclusive Q&A –– Hanyu’s true thoughts to Kateigaho

Q –– The Pyeongchang Olympics is getting close. You’ve participated in all sorts of competitions up until this point, overcoming many hard battles. Even so, would you say that the Olympics is still special after all?

A –– Yes. I think it’s fine to just admit that it’s special. It’s true that I want to be saying, it’s the same as other competitions! Nothing changes! And that’s what I had been saying in the Sochi Olympics. But in the end, I wasn’t able to keep that mentality up at the Free Skate, and I was so strongly conscious of the fact that––It’s the Olympics! I’m already well aware of that, and I’ve come to terms with it. On top of that, I’d like to seriously explore solutions to that, while I train.

Q –– Are there differences in how your SP for the Olympic season, "Ballade No.1,” and your FS, “SEIMEI,” feel as you skate?

A –– Actually, when the music comes on, I naturally fall into different jumps and different expression. It’s not that I’ve been purposefully differentiating between the two, but the jumps in "Ballade No.1" are fluid and smoothly blended into [the program]. Especially because the piano notes alone express everything, the jumps mustn't become some other musical instrument. Skating, spins, steps, jumps––I try to do it such that everything inhibits the same space and the same dimension as the piano notes. As for “SEIMEI,” it is easy to find its pace and phrasing as a program. The jumps are more rhythmic with greater tempo, and if the phrase lands beautifully right into the jump, then it looks all the more beautiful, and I also feel good executing it. Such pursuits, right now, are what I’m doing in figure skating. That is probably, also, my greatest weapon. When I jump and land, I feel the rush, the flow, the sense of accomplishment. Moreover, when those who are watching also feel good, then definitely the evaluations will be good too, so I want to probe thoroughly into this and I feel strongly about it.

Q –– Both are “programs where you can be yourself."

A –– That’s right. As if it’s already a part of me. My emotions and something like my sense of the music are automatically kickstarted, and I think that’s a good point about these two programs. As well as with ”Notte Stellata” and “Requiem of Heaven and Earth” and so forth… I am able to get into character completely without being conscious of it. I feel good when I skate these programs, and they make me feel glad that I’m in figure skating. Although I do get tired, those are moments when I feel blessed and contented.

“I want to be a skater with common sense and knowledge”

Q –– You’re also a college student right now. What is studying at university level indispensable for?

A –– (Immediate reply) For the sake of skating! But in my case, I’m not the type who can deal with just a little bit of everything, I either go the whole way and see it through, or I don’t do it at all––it’s one or the other for me. I really tend to do things at my own pace (wry laugh). But without a doubt, my skating improved due to my studies, and the reverse is true. Therefore, it’s not that I’m working hard to try have both coexist. Rather, it’s sort of like I do it because it’s essential.

Q –– And it’s indispensable because you actually feel it through your personal experience?

A –– Come to think of it, in figure skating, your time as a competitive skater is quite limited, isn’t it? For the sake of life afterward, I think there is a lot that I must learn right now. Plus, the first thing that my parents taught me, education level aside, was that I must live properly as someone with common sense and knowledge. This is also of the highest priority to myself; it’s fine if I just skate is a thought that's never crossed my mind. I believe that properly doing both will definitely prove to be of use for skating too.

Q –– When we interviewed you in Toronto, you brought up Anatomy as a subject you’re interested in. Are there others?

A –– Bioethics.

Q –– That still sounds hard (laughs).

A –– Actually, Bioethics is a course that I took when I was skating to “Hope & Legacy” and felt that I must ponder over the topic. Hope, legacy, life. How do you think about things that are intangible, how do you express them… I felt that it was really necessary and so I studied, but I guess the decision to do so was very much like my own way of thinking. I don’t intend to be a philosopher (laughs), but I want to be someone who can reflect on such things, so.

Captions for pictures below:

“Even my choice of courses at university is based on skating as evaluation criteria. I really like it after all, skating. Born to skate––that is what Hanyu is. Regarding the outfit prepared [for the photo shoot] with off-ice ease in mind, “Recently I’ve only been wearing jerseys, so (laughs) refreshing!” He could go home in the outfit as is––that’s how much he liked it.

Personally, skating practice is also where I relieve my stress. It’s similar to when you feel refreshed after crying and screaming during rough times. I think there is that in skating.

Sometimes I get tired from being "Yuzuru Hanyu"

Q –– Everything is tied to skating. Changing the topic a little, at the group interview in Toronto, you mentioned this, “There are times when I feel tired being ‘Yuzuru Hanyu’”…

A –– Yes, yes. I did (laughs).

Q –– When does the thought of “Ah, I’m a little tired” come up?

A –– (Taking a while to ponder) What is it… when I’ve lost composure in my heart, that’s it. The Yuzuru Hanyu in my mind, is someone who can skate this well, someone who can show you this much––I have such ideals, after all. When there is a huge gap [between that and reality] and I feel like there is nothing that could be done… to the extent that I wanted to throw away all titles and hide away at home––there are even times like that. But at such times, training with abandon and somehow being able to climb my way back up, that’s thanks to skating as well. That I am able to be myself is precisely because of it––there’s also that part.

Q –– It really is all about skating [for you], be it the reason you’re feeling down, or as a key to changing pace. This photo of you skipping along was taken when we first met in the summer of 2011, when you were in your first year of high school.

A –– So, so young! (Laughs)

(t/n Photo referenced by Komatsu-san, the interviewer. Not part of the article)

Q –– At the time, you spoke passionately, that you “definitely want to get the gold medal at the Sochi Olympics!” and it left such an impression.

A –– That was brazen of me (wry smile).

Q –– As good as your word, just as one would expect! How did it feel actually winning the gold medal?

A –– Regarding performance, be it pre-Sochi or currently, my own personal feelings haven’t changed one bit. But circumstances around me have changed a lot after all. The Sochi Olympics probably sparked some people's interest in watching figure skating, and in many aspects, I believe [the environment] has been broadened. Plus, having experienced my first Olympics, what made me feel the Olympics was indeed spectacular was that even people who didn’t know figure skating came to the venue. Because there were other sports too. From short track, speed skate, to curling––different athletes came to cheer when it wasn’t their time to compete. In such atmosphere, I deeply sensed, “Ah––the Olympics is special."

Q –– Following the Sochi Olympics, you’ve made a second consecutive title at the Pyeongchang Olympics your goal. If you were to reach it, are you starting to find your motivation beyond that?

A –– The Quad Axel! Then again, I, love skating. Deeply. For example, Pluschenko. He participated in the team event at the Sochi Olympics and won, so actually, he went on competing until around 31 years of age. I watched his performance as a 20-year-old at the Salt Lake City Olympics in 2002 and came to like figure skating even more, that, I too would like to be in the Olympics! That time, and the overwhelming strength he displayed as gold medalist in the 2006 Turin Olympics, as well as his performance in his late-twenties at the 2010 Vancouver Olympics. They all left different impressions, and each performance had their respective appeal. For that reason, figure skating is something unique, I believe. Producing results isn’t all there is to it––I felt that deeply. That’s why, personally, I’m always able to stay motivated toward figure skating.

And then, regarding jumps, I was thinking in my mind that I would probably peak at around 23 to 24 technically, but Nobu (t/n Nobunari Oda, pro skater)! He’s amazing! He’s started jumping the Quad Lutz (laughs).

Q –– The fact that [Nobunari Oda] is further evolving from when he was actively competing is really amazing!

A –– Although he did say that he’s been losing stamina (laughs). But seeing someone like that up close, there’s no need to set limits for what you can do, in your own mind––I’ve come to believe that. I gained so much courage from him.

Q – Although it’s a matter for the future, pro skater, choreographer, coach––what would you be most interested in?

A –– Everything! I want to get to a spot where everything can coexist as an entirety. Something that only I can accomplish––I believe there has to be a path towards that, so I want to find it properly––my mission in Figure Skating.

Left: There is no need to set limits for what you can do, in your own mind––I’ve come to believe that.

Right: Wearing his own glasses, looking sharp. Taking a mouthful of pudding**, his favourite, he gave his impression: “There is a slight bitterness there too. A very grown-up pudding!”

"I hope to find my mission––something that only I can accomplish––in Figure Skating"

There isn’t much time left until the start of the Olympics. My greatest rival at the Pyeongchang Olympics––I believe that is me myself. When the Sochi Olympics ended, the first thing I realised was that “the demon at the Olympics does inhabit the space within me.” The demon that I’ve been raising acts out at merely the Olympic title… I felt that keenly. Only I myself can suppress and keep it in check, and that’s why my greatest rival is myself, after all. Figure skating isn’t a sport where you come up against each other face-to-face, so rather than to go on and on about other skaters, how I train and how I bring that into the actual competition are more important.

It’s precisely due to my goal of defending my Olympic title that my every day is the way it is. There are several “first-time”’s that I’ve experienced as a Japanese men's single skater, including the Olympic gold medal. As well as imparting [my experiences] of injury and the earthquake and such, I want to think about, and eventually find in the future, a new role that only “Yuzuru Hanyu” can take up through Figure Skating.

––––––Yuzuru Hanyu

“Thank you so much for all your worries and support since the NHK Trophy. Converting everyone’s support into strength, I hope to strive on towards the Pyeongchang Olympics.”––message from Hanyu after the restart of his on-ice training

– fin –

** For those interested, based on some diligent fan sleuthing, the pudding in question seems to be “Enfant” from Libertable, Tokyo. From the product page, “Born from the childhood memories of the chef, a pudding so soft that it could melt. Slightly bitter, lightly-textured caramel gelée and a hint of acidity from fresh berries accompany the rich custard cream.”

#yuzuru hanyu #hanyu yuzuru #羽生結弦 #figure skating #kateigaho #interview #2018 #his own words

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triplescos · 7 years ago

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Hakuoki Festival 2018 [6 - Other Activities!]

Pictured:

1) Photo booth: the photo booth was pretty cool! I mean it was like any other photo booth but I just really love the little border on the photo strips! So cute!!! Both times we took photos there was no line at all!

2) Love Wall: there was a table with a bunch of markers on it and you could just take one and write notes on it! We wrote the cheesy note bunch in orange, blue, and red…. hahaha!

3) Best Boy Meter: so it turns out all three of us were basic because we voted for the three winners… haha! I voted for Okita, Eve voted for Saito, and Shelly voted for Kazama! I think Yamazaki has like 5 votes but the color makes it hard to tell! Poor Sakamoto though… he’s also my least favorite though. I didn’t really like his route I’m sorry hahaha! They gave us each a sticker in our goody bag so it was fair! Okita deserves better though…. 😋

Not Pictured:

1) Cosplay Contest: there weren’t as many cosplayers there as we were expecting! I actually would have loved to be Okita but it was midterm hell so I was not gonna go and make a complicated Hakuoki cosplay in the middle of the semester. Ahhh! ANYWAYS! The people that joined were so cute! First place was a Kazama cosplayer that hand painted designs on their outfit! It looked really good! 😄

2) Raffle: During the closing ceremony, they called out ticket numbers for the raffle! We each had a ticket given to us in the goody bag at the beginning. I think they said that the winners got goody bags of exclusive merch from Japan? How cool!

3) Silent Auction: oh boy…. the auctions were crazier than I thought! Goodness gracious. So basically they had a paper for each stand being auctioned at the info booth and oh my god, some of the guys went for crazy prices! I was hovering around a lot at the end because i was interested in one but guys, the Kazama auction paper was the worst I think. I don’t know how many people were interested but I saw him go for like $500 or something! I think Iba was like sold around $300??? And Okita was $350. Worth it? Yeah I guess but also no… haha! I was surprised that Hijikata, SAITO, and Heisuke all were sold at the minimum $150! I think maybe Sakamoto and Souma were sold at $150 also but not surprised at those tbh (not that I have anything against Souma!).

#hakuouki #hakuoki #hakfest2018 #hakuoki festival 2018

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yuzusorbet · 8 years ago

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My 2nd Ice Show Adventure (Fantasy On Ice 2017 in Niigata)

Summer 2015, I went for my very 1st ice show, Fantasy On Ice (FaOI) in Kobe, and it was the 1st time I saw ‘nama-Yuzu’ (real-life Yuzuru) after being a fan since 2014 Olympics.

Summer 2016, I had tickets for FaOI again but this time, Yuzu pulled out of all ice shows to recover from lisfranc ligament injury, so I sold my ticket, prayed for Yuzu’s health and happiness, sent him letters of support, and managed to survive the terribly long off-season with other long-suffering Yuzu-fans.

This summer (2017), I am so busy with work projects that I have no time for fangirling, not to mention ice shows, and I moaned about it to a few friends. Almost like a miracle, one friend told me that if I wanted, she could get tickets for me for FaOI Niigata! I decided I could get away for the weekend. I must!

The shows were on Friday, Saturday, Sunday (16-18 June) and it would be my first time in Niigata. I took an ANA flight (yay! ANA!) and arrived in Niigata airport on Thursday. The first meal I had was a very delicious bowl of ramen, and as I ate, I was surprised that I could taste bits of yuzu (the fruit). I have never had ramen with yuzu before and so I was really happy! It was really oiishiiiiiiiiii~~!!! What a great omen, I thought. My first meal on this trip was with yuzu. xD

On this 1st night, there was something else that made me think of Yuzu.... I saw Bourbon ice-cream! “Mo chotto”!

I was way too full from the huge bowl of ramen and so I did not buy ‘Mo Chotto’ ice-cream to try. Thought I’d try it another day but I did not pass by this shop again and I could not find it anywhere else. Sigh. Regret. The snack is common but the ice-cream is not.

Friday 16 June (ice show is at 7pm, doors open at 6pm)

In the morning, I changed hotel. Checked into ANA Crowne Plaza (yay, ANA!) because it’s a short walk to the ice show venue. A Yuzu-fan friend, D-chan, messaged to say she is nearby and asked me to join her for coffee. OK! It was a lovely breezy walk from ANA hotel to an area called Pier Bandai and I found her in a cosy little coffee place with comfy sofas. I ordered an iced coffee and we chatted away. “I can’t believe I’m really here....” “He’s somewhere near us now, you know....” “Omg we’re breathing the same air as him....” xD

Happiness is talking with a Yuzu-fan while sipping coffee in Japan. :)

Soon it was time to meet another friend, Kay, the wonderful person who got my tickets for me. We had plans for an early dinner together and then go for the ice show. I met her at Niigata Station and we walked around looking for food. Some restaurants were not yet opened for dinner as it was too early. Luckily there was a soba shop that was open and we both felt like eating soba, so in we went. (soba= buckwheat noodles)

We ordered their specialty which was soba dipped in a warm broth with tender slices of pork. And once again, I had the lovely surprise of finding yuzu in it! I really love the citrusy fragrance it gave to the soupy noodles. We felt so happy eating soba with yuzu. It was a very good meal. :)

From Niigata station, there was a shuttle bus to the show venue, running pretty frequently. (I really love Japan; they think of everything.) There was no real need to look for the bus-stop, just look for the long queue! Luckily, it was a short wait as the buses came quickly and soon we were on our way to Toki Messe! Just a 10-minute bus ride and we were there, a lovely glassy tall building by the river.

We were early but the queue for FaOI merchandise was already VERY LONG. It’s ok, let’s admire the pretty Tanabata decorations and chit-chat while we wait in line. Finally we could at least SEE the sale counter! It’s going to be our turn! I got a T-shirt, a towel and the programme booklet. So happy to get the towel because 2 years ago at FaOI Kobe, the towel was sold out before it was my turn, on the very 1st day!

Then Kay pointed out to me something that made me very happy.... Ice Rink Sendai merchandise counter! I have not had the chance to buy anything from Yuzu’s hometown rink before, so I hurried towards it excitedly. Wow, they really have a lot of pretty things!

The photo of Yuzu wearing ‘Irene gloves’ was there. (Irene is short for ‘Ice Rink Sendai’ and is the name of the mascot.) And also his signature with a message saying “I will never forget, I will continue to do my best and give my support.” (my translation from Japanese) And there is a little mushroom at the end. ^^

What a simple but heartwarming message for his hometown rink....

I bought the ‘Irene’ gloves, T-shirt, keychain and some stationery. I love the pink theme!

There were also stalls selling really beautiful books and magazines..... I want them all!

Glad we were early. It was hard to take a good look at the stalls when it got very crowded later.

I was also very amused to see a counter that rented out binoculars, haha. I did not rent one on the 1st day, but I did for the next 2 days. Best decision ever. I could see clearly all his cute facial expressions and who he was talking to all the time at the finale. (Guess who. :))

And of course, there were big boxes for fan letters and gifts to skaters. Yuzu’s box filled up quickly and the inner bag had to be changed several times by the staff. I used my new Irene stationery to write 2 fan letters (one on behalf of the FB international fan group and one from myself) and dropped them into the box on the 2nd day. On the 3rd day, I decided to also drop a letter into Oda-san’s box. I told him I enjoy his skating, his talk shows and his blog, thanked him for his great friendship with Yuzu, and may God bless his beautiful family. :)

After all the excitement outside, it’s time to go in. The seating arena for Niigata is smaller than some other places, so even the furthest row was not that far away. I was somewhere in the middle, nearer one end of the rink.

As usual, there were guys in black jackets who walk around holding up big signs that say “No taking of photos or videos”. (I took this pic before the show, no pics during the show. Law-abiding fan.)

The show started and the skaters were introduced one or two at a time. Yuzu was the last one to come out and the applause and cheers for him were huge. It was clear who the star of the show was. :)

After the opening number, the skaters did their individual performances. I enjoyed watching all of them. My favourite ones were the 2 performances by Nobunari Oda -- the music was beautiful for both and I love to watch his jumps; it’s like he lands on marshmallow (once again I am reminded of why they gave him that T-shirt saying ‘landing with cat’s feet’); Sex Bomb by Plushenko was hilarious and I laughed so much; and Shizuka Arakawa-- what supreme grace and beauty.

Ice dancers Papadakis and Cizeron were very beautiful to watch. So glad they performed in this FaOI. The acrobatic duo of 2 men in Swan Lake tutu performing ‘Notte Stellata’ was very funny. I have seen Yuzu perform to this song so beautifully so many times in the past season (and watched it live at 4CC) and now this exact same song is skated in such a comical way..... I was so tickled. xD

For the record, the other skaters were Kaori Sakamoto, Marin Honda, Akiko Suzuki, Miki Ando, Shoma Uno, Evgenia Medvedeva, Denis Vasiljevs, Javier Fernandez, Elladj Balde, Johnny Weir, Stephane Lambiel, Jeffrey Buttle and the Chesnas. Many of them performed twice, before and after the intermission. Much thanks to all for their wonderful performances!

At the end was Yuzu’s Chopin Ballade Number 1. I had the good fortune of watching this 2 years ago, at the last show of FaOI 2015, when he gave us a surprise performance with live piano music played by Kotaro Fukuma. At that time, he did the 2nd half of his usual Chopin, in a black FaOI finale shirt. It was awesome. So this time, I was really excited that I would see the full performance with that beautiful white Chopin top. And wow.... he really took my breath away. Although I have watched him perform Chopin for 2 seasons already, it felt like a different Chopin. It was the same and yet it was different. More beautiful, more powerful, more flow, more speed, more precision.... it was already so perfect, how can it be even better, but it is! (based on my ‘expert’ opinion.) I am so thrilled that he is doing this for the new season! I LOVE Chopin!

After Chopin, he went backstage to dry his sweat and then came out again to do an encore of ‘Let’s Go Crazy’ (his SP for last season). It was funny to watch LGC performed in that sweet Chopin costume. So mismatched, haha.

For the finale, Yuzu came out in a glittery blue FaOI top with a cat ears-hair band on his head. He danced in the group number and even did a cartwheel on the ice! And he waved happily to all of us. It was so good to see him enjoying himself. I am very glad he did not do any quad battles at the end. He just did a side lunge for the 1st show (with one under a set of hurdles, so amazing!), a hydroblade for the 2nd show, and a ‘muscle man’ pose with Plushenko at the last show. And when others are doing their jumps or special elements in the middle of the rink, he would skate from his original position to the space between his idol Plushenko and good buddy Nobu. And he was often talking to Plush. Ahhh... Yuzu, still the cute fan-boy after all these years. :)))

After the finale, when all the other skaters have left the rink, Yuzu took a mic and spoke to thank all of us. He said things like please take care of yourselves, take care as you go home, have a meal, have a good rest, who is staying on for tomorrow’s show? oh that’s quite a lot of you (laughs), thank you for your support, I really enjoyed myself, eh to, eh to, there is still so much that I want to say, but never mind, it is already very late, I should stop here, I really want to thank all of you for today....... And he would end by putting the mic down and shouting as loudly as he could with his own voice “Arigato gozaimashita!”

Listening to him speak was just wonderful.... I was touched by his concern for his fans and also half-laughing at some things he said. He wanted to talk more but he did not want to hold us back as it was already way past 10pm on that 1st night. That dear talkative boy. :) Oh Yuzu, your fans would listen to you all night, if only we could. But then we want you to rest too! You need a good rest and a good meal more than us!

In his speech for the 2nd day, he also thanked the people who made the ice rink. He said the ice was very good to skate on and they all loved skating there. Yuzu and his grateful heart. :)

On that 2nd day, I was seated at the other end, where the stage was. (I took this pic as I was leaving.) When he was speaking, he was standing on the left of the stage just outside the ice. I had a very clear side view of him through my binoculars ( I was halfway up the stands). His face was sweaty but dazzling with happiness as he spoke. How I wish I was sitting this close!

The shows for Saturday and Sunday were at 2 pm and 1pm respectively.

Most skaters performed the same programmes for all 3 shows in Niigata but a few skaters did a different one for one of the shows. Like Marin Honda, for the 2nd show, she performed in a very cute Japan Airlines air stewardess costume. Elladj Balde was the skater before Marin (he did a great Michael Jackson medley) and when he finished his performance, he skated to one end with his chair and just sat there. Marin skated out in her JAL costume, went to him and said in Japanese, “Sir, would you like some coffee or tea?” Haha, that was how she started and I really enjoyed her performance. For the other 2 days, she did ‘Crime Tale’. Javier also had a different one in the 2nd show; instead of his new SP, it was a funny pirate one where he was a cleaner-boy daydreaming. Johnny Weir performed ‘Amazing Grace’ in the 2nd half for the 1st 2 days, then on the 3rd day, he did a song called ‘Creep’. His performance was so heart-wrenching, I almost cried. I can still feel the pain he expressed even now when I think back..... Johnny’s skating is really very special. No wonder he is one of the skaters that Yuzu has looked up to since junior days.

In the 3rd show, which was the last FaOI show for 2017, Yuzu had some surprises for us.

After performing Chopin, he went backstage as usual, and the rink was dark. As with the previous 2 shows, we waited a while and then started to call his name. “Yuzu, Yuzu....” The MC said we have to shout his name louder because he can’t hear us. So we shouted “YUZU!” as loudly as we could, expecting him to appear for the LGC encore. Suddenly, the sounds of an electric guitar filled the air. There was a guitarist on stage and he was playing ‘Parisienne Walkways’!!!! We recognised it immediately and the fan beside me turned to me with eyes as big as saucers. She grabbed my hand and we started screaming and jumping about, mad with excitement! Yuzu then skated out to all our screams and did his legendary PW wearing his Chopin costume (he did the 2nd half of the usual PW programme). Oh wow!!! What a surprise! What a treat!!! Yuzu's PW with live guitar!!! I felt like the luckiest fan in the world!!!

After that amazing encore, he went backstage and the finale started. The other skaters came out in turns to do the group number. When Yuzu came out again for his part in the finale, we all went hysterical again! Because he was wearing a yellow headband with Pooh ears!! Hahaha...... this guy really knows how to make his fans scream. He looked so adorable! It was wonderful to see him looking so happy and enjoying himself so much. (Later, I saw a Japanese fan on twitter say the Pooh headbands were all sold out. But of course. The Yuzuru-effect. XD)

(2 pics above are fans’ screenshots of a TV news segment on FaOI.)

Then at the very end of the show, when the other skaters have left the rink, he gave a very emotional speech and made me cry. He said that last year he could not do anything (no ice shows at all due to injury), so now he is feeling very happy to be back doing this and he loves skating and he is feeling most blessed and he is the happiest person in the world. (*may not be the exact words but the meaning is such.) And he thanked the organisers and other people and all of us. It was not so much the words he said but the way he said them. There were so much emotions. His voice trembled a bit at the beginning. It sounded like he was tearing and was trying to control himself not to cry. As he spoke, his feelings were just gushing out...... he was just so utterly happy and grateful for everything!

Then he did the usual ending-shout; he put down the mic, cupped his hands near his mouth and shouted "arigato-gozaimashita!", and we all shouted back "arigato-gozaimashita!" And then he bowed and waved and went in through the curtains.

Tears were running down my face. I continued to say softly, "Arigato, Yuzu-kun, arigato." Thank you, Yuzu, thank you. My tears just kept flowing as I thought back. After going through so much... so much..... he is finally where he is supposed to be.......

Seeing Yuzu so happy and healthy is one of the best things in the world.

I met Kay after the show and we talked about how special Yuzu is. And how is it that he can make us fly thousands of miles to watch him perform just those few minutes and we feel it’s so worth our time, money and energy. She would be flying home that night, and for me, my flight home was the next day. As with all good things, it ended too quickly but our hearts were filled to overflowing.

I am very grateful to Kay for her help with tickets and for her fun company. We met up every day and ate some very delicious food together. On the 2nd day after the show, we walked around and found a little ramen shop to have dinner. And again there was yuzu in it!!! (See the little yellow strips on top of the soup?) Kay also ordered a yuzu sparkling wine. I had a sip and it was lovely! Another meal with yuzu.... ahhh life is good. :)

On the last night after the ice show, I shopped for stuff like P&G Bold clothes detergent, Lenor clothes deodoriser and softener, Ghana chocolate and Xylitol gum. I was so happy to find all these things near my hotel, and after I lugged my heavy shopping back to my hotel room, I realised I had forgotten to buy rice! Niigata is famous for very good rice and I had wanted to buy a small bag of rice home. :(( I messaged Kay to lament and she replied, it’s ok, he is not the ambassador for rice. Hahaha..... I love Yuzu-fans. (I did manage to get a bag of rice before I left for the airport the next day. :) )

Yuzu-fans are really wonderful and generous. And just like Yuzu, they surprise me all the time. On the 2nd night, D-chan passed a package to me from a fan that I don’t even know. Inside were some Japanese newspapers and advertisements with Yuzu, and also ‘Weekend Sendai’!!! OMG I nearly fainted with happiness. (Weekend Sendai is a free travel magazine given out in Japan many months back. Yuzu is featured inside recommending food and places in Sendai. 1st pic below, left side.) Gosh, how did she know it’s something I had been coveting for ages now??? I told D-chan to give her my utmost gratitude. And thank you, D-chan, for being a good friend and messenger! So glad I met you on this trip!

Another fan gave me gorgeous photos of Yuzu that she had taken herself at competitions. And she said, “Thank you for the good work that you do in the fan group.” Aww..... I was so touched! Thank you, CL!

I was so happy when I was packing my luggage on the last night in Niigata. I had so many precious goodies in my bag! Thank you, dear Yuzu-fans!!! Hope to see you all again!

Below are pics of my FaOI tee, towel and booklet that I bought on Day 1.

There is so much more that I want to say, but this is already so long, I should stop here now. Dear Yuzu, thank you for everything!!! May God bless you and your family. Always supporting you and hope to see you again soon!

Note: This is written one month after the event due to being too busy at work. If any details of FaOI are incorrect, I am sorry for my bad memory. :P

[Credit: photos are all mine except for the 2 screenshots of Yuzu with Pooh-ears from twitter and the Pooh pics from pinterest - thanks!]

#fantasy on ice niigata #FaOI 2017 #Yuzuru Hanyu #fantasy on ice

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sweetbunpura · 8 years ago

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I’m Your Sword and I’m Your Shield Ch. 12

9/8 "You and Ryuji make a cute couple." You pause in exchanging your yen for american dollars and turn to give Ann a confused look and raised eyebrow. "What?"

She smiles, pulls out her phone, and waggles the picture on the screen in your face. You hold the device still and wait for your eyes to focus on the image. Your face erupts into a full blush and you can see Ann's grin getting wider out of your peripheral. There on the phone is a picture of you and Ryuji asleep on the plane. You're using his shoulder as a pillow while his head rest on top of yours, Ryuji's mask isn't over his eyes and he looks peaceful. You both look peaceful and you almost envy how couple-y you look with him. 'Too bad that'll never happen...' You think sadly to yourself before directing your gaze at the still smiling Ann. "Delete that." "Aw, why?" She loops an am around your shoulders and pulls you close. "It's a cute picture." You make a move for the phone but she moves it out of reach. "Delete it before Ryuji sees." "Too late." She smiles and sticks her tongue out at you, "I've already sent it to him." "...You what?" "He just hasn't responded yet." Her phone goes off, "Never mind." You brace yourself for whatever Ryuji says as she opens the message. R: Dude.... R: When did you take that? A: Maybe about an hour after we took off :D A: Akira texted me that you and (Y/N) were asleep on each other A: It was too cute not to R: ..... A: Ryuji? R: It's kinda cute A: You two make a good couple R: Ann no A: So R: Ann A: Cute~ R: Delete it before (Y/N) finds out R: I beg of you A: Too late :P

Ann lift up her phone and pulls you closer to her so that you're not off-screen. She snaps a quick photo before you have time to cover the the lens and sends it to Ryuji. R: I... R: Shit... R: They didn't see what I said... R: Did they? A: They saw everything~ A: They're blushing right now

By this time, you've hidden your face in your hands and are trying, failing actually, to fight down the full flush that covers your face. You crouch down and wish that the ground could swallow you up. "Why did you do that?" You mumble into your hands. "He's asking where we are." Ann says, ignoring your dilemma. "What should I tell him?" "Outlet mall..." "Thank you~" Ann cheerfully replies and texts Ryuji. You sigh and straighten up as Ann pockets her phone. "Can I ask you something?" 'As long as it's not about Ryuji.' You think before turning to face her. "Yeah?" "You can speak English pretty well." Ann walks in the direction of one of the stores nearby and you follow after. "I thought I was good, but you can speak pretty well on your own. What gives?" You hold the door open as Ann gives you a small thanks in return. "My dad's the CEO of a company, remember? He takes business calls in different languages and he's been teaching me English for the past two years." You accompany the blonde into the gift shop. "I still mess up every now and then because English is a tricky subject to learn." "Tell me about it." Ann groans dramatically while looking at the knick-knacks on the selves. "Did your parents give you yen for the trip?" "Yep. Eighty thousand." You nonchalantly say while up one of the big turtles at the bottom of the selves. "E-Eighty thousand?" You hear Ann choke out in surprise above you. "W-what does that exchange into here?" You keep your voice low as you tell her, "Seven hundred and eighteen." "Oh my god. Your parents gave you that much?!" "My mom says that it's better to be over prepared than under prepared..." You keep the turtle and move over a stand with shark tooth necklaces on it. "I didn't bring all of it though, just two hundred and fifty." "That's still a lot..." You shrug just as the door to the shop opens, but you pay it no heed, too absorbed in the necklaces to notice the approaching footsteps. You flinch slightly as hands cover your eyes, you can hear the sound of a soft chuckle behind you. "Guess who?" A voice says behind you. "Ryuji." You say without skipping a beat. A groan is your answer as your sight returns to you, you laugh softly and turn to look at a pouting Ryuji. "You got that too fast..." "I know you too well." You gesture to the necklace stand. "Choose one." You step back as he takes a closer look at the jewelry, you take the chance to glance over at Ann, who's made a heart shape at the both of you. You mouth 'stop that!' and swat at the heart just as Ryuji holds up one of the bigger tooth necklaces. You and Ann try looking non-conspicuous when he hands you the necklace. "Who's the turtle for?" "Parents." "And you're getting the necklace for me?" Before you have a chance to answer, Ann makes an 'aww' sound which makes you both blush and yell at her. Ann laughs and casually walks away to a different stand. You pay for the items and you spend the rest of the day with Ryuji and Ann. The sun gleams off of Ryuji's necklace as he proudly wears it and you flush every time Ann looks between you and Ryuji.

9/9 R: Hey R: Hey R: Come over to Akira's room and bunk with us

You look at the phone in your lap at the text alerts go off. You ignore the looks your roommate give you and text back. Why are you in Akira's room? R: The guy I was roomin' with bought his girlfriend back to the room R: It was too awkward to stay there, so I left ... Who else is over there? R: Just me, Ann, and Mishima Ann? Why is she there? R: Her roommate took the key and went over to her boyfriend's room R: The door auto-locked her out Ah R: Well?

You pinch the bridge of your noise, glance over at the time, and weigh your options. Stay here with someone you don't care for or bunk with four other people in a room? What's his room number?

Once Ryuji gives you the number, you grab your key card and leave after giving your roommate an explanation of where you're going. You walk a couple of feet and knock on the door, you wait a few seconds before the door opens. "(Y/N)?" Yuki stands in the doorway with an exasperated look. "Sakamoto invited you, didn't he?" "It's like a slumber party, Yuki." You step pass him and into the room. "It's funner the more people you have." He sighs and closes the door, you walk over and set yourself next to Ryuji on the bed. "Since when do you call Mishima by his first name?" Ryuji looks at you. "Since we started hanging out." You nudge him a bit, "You should get to know him better. He's a great guy once he opens up." You and the others send the next couple of minutes talking about Medjed and the Phantom Thieves until you and Ryuji yawn. There's a short discussion about who's sleeping where until Ryuji suggest they play card to figure out the sleeping arrangements. In the end, you and Ryuji end up sleeping on the floor while Akira gets the couch and Ann and Yuki get the beds. "Don't you think we still have a lot to learn about each other through?" Ann asks, "You know, things like what kind of people we like... So, time to come clean Ryuji." "Me!? Uhhh, well.." You look up from your game of Solitaire and look at the pair of blonds. "They've gotta have a good personality. I'm OK with anyone's who's modest and nice..." "What about if two people with equally good personalities confessed to you at the same time?" "That sounds like a loaded question..." You voice, Ann shushes you in retaliation. "If they're equally nice? Then it'd hafta be the one I've known longer." You make a surprised sound at his answer, you weren't expecting him to say something like that and from the look on Ann's face, neither was she. "What's with the look?" Ryuji asks with confused expression. "Nothing." Ann replies with a knowing smile. "What about you Akira? C'mon, spill the beans. What kind of person is your type?" "I don't have a type." The teen answers casually. "You totally dodged the question..." Ryuji says. "What about you, (Y/N)?" Both Ann and Ryuji turn to look at you. "U-uh..." You stammer out, eyes flickering between the pair of blonds as you try to think of an answer. "I-" The moaning voice of Mishima's filters through the air and you quietly thank the heavens as you and Ann go to check on the teen. The night ends with Mishima downing a few bottles of soda and falling asleep with two heating pads on his stomach.

#p5 #ryuji sakamoto #ryuji x reader #reader insert #Thorn writes #IYSIYS

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lordofsunshadowandsailor · 8 years ago

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story replies

my-simension replied to your photo “lordofsunshadowandsailor: The recent freedom of spending his days on…”

Great pic, the room looks real!

It almost felt real when I was taking the pics… I could feel the steam coming from the showers, and the smell of their sweaty clothes impregnated with chlorine from the swimming pool, and humidity on old wood and papers, rusty metals and greasy wall tiles… Still, none of this gets into the text, for it is more about Tobio and his struggles than the sites where his struggles happen…

my-simension replied to your photo “lordofsunshadowandsailor: Tobio, brought up in the fear of God,…”

I love that towel around his hip OO

the towel is @venusprincess-simblr and it can be found HERE

declarations-of-drama replied to your photo “And from the top of the wall – tall like no other building he ever saw...”

Oh!!! Time to make a coffee and kick back with your story :D

Love this image... It feels like you actually have a book of mine in your hands... Maybe someday :)

simblu replied to your photo “In his dream, recurring dream, one which follows him from the first...”

Ah..so beautiful

Thank you dear!

declarations-of-drama replied to your photo “In his dream, recurring dream, one which follows him from the first...”

This is Alvar?

Nevermind - I misunderstood the first sentence.

Interestingly, I have rewritten this sentence a few times, and alternated Tobio’s name in each one of the three available positions... Maybe my choice did not leave it clear from the start who the dream belongs to, and who it is about...

simblu replied to your photoset “Like a sleepwalker, up and down massive dunes he travels across the...”

You know, I realize, only because you've told us, that English is not your native language..but one would NEVER know this from the masterfully poetic way you write this story.

Thank you dear. But I guess I’ll always feel insecure in English. I have no intimacy with the language, and I know it. But I guess I feel insecure about my writing even in my own idiom, and I guess that is a writer’s thing -- and a good thing too, as long it feels challenging and doesn’t keep one from writing!

simblu replied to your photoset “Like a sleepwalker, up and down massive dunes he travels across the...”

also, if I may be stoopid..this is post #69 for your story..i think certain of your readers..not me..were expecting something "commemorative" of this number.

This is the second #69 of this story, since I restart from #00 with every new chapter. But I do understand you, since we left Alvar and Tobio making out at #66, and declarations-of-drama raised the expectations about post #69... I wasn’t going to make Tobio’s dream last so long, be just a few pictures in the update of their encounter, but you know me... The pictures from the desert sequence looked nice, and I love going into the inner world of my characters more than anything, and we’ve seen the result here.

We’ll have something sexier now, but an actual 69 was never intended for Tobio and Alvar! But there will be other #69 posts along the story, and who knows what might happen with other characters?

declarations-of-drama replied to your photoset “Like a sleepwalker, up and down massive dunes he travels across the...”

Yeah a great interpretation of a dream. Lovely work x

declarations-of-drama replied to your photo “And yet, in his dream, recurring dream, Tobio keeps walking like a...”

This needs somebody to do a dream reading :d

This is Tobio tentatively applying Dr. Freud’s revolutionary techniques of interpretation of dreams, that he has just read about, to try to understand and reveal his unconscious desires and thoughts... But I know even less than Tobio, so let’s wait for his own conclusions...

declarations-of-drama replied to your photo “Scattered in this desert of his lay several ruins, of houses he...”

Poor tormented Tobi

I agree. And since part of his experience is based on my own feelings, in a certain time of great torment in my own life, I totally empathize with him.

omgdoubleume replied to your photo “With years of dreaming, the parched landscape of his desert – and the...”

Aww.. I love this part

And to think this part was never planned to happen! I was going to share Tobio’s dream in a paragraph, and the picture would be of Tobio and Alvar making out... But I decided to try photographing his dream, and this was the outcome. I’m happy that you like it!

declarations-of-drama replied to your photo “With years of dreaming, the parched landscape of his desert – and the...”

Sadist Hosts! Wow, amazing writing techniques here x

Tobio is a hostage of his own destructive feelings :(

declarations-of-drama replied to your photo “Until one day – for it is constantly daytime in his dream – for the...”

Until he could go on no longer. . . The wall represents the edge of his universe - it stops him from escaping the desert?

Truth is... I visualized Tobio’s dream, and then, with TS3 elements, just took some screenshots of it, with the poses and CC I had already installed...

But I must say I am not sure what these symbolic things mean. Is it too crazy to say I just wrote it down? Almost as words were being dictated? And somethings I can’t interpret or clarify since they are not clear for Tobio himself... I don’t feel like the almighty creator when I write, but much more like a vehicle to the story... I am Tobio in this scene, and his confusion is, to some extent, mine too.

So as a reader you can interpret it as you like, and it will be correct, too!

simblu replied to your photo “It was then, for a while, that he started going to bed actually...”

Wondering if you have ever engaged in lucid dreaming....where one learns to control dream scenarios while still immersed in them. This sounds like that may be happening with the new start point of the dream.

Have you? I did some Dream Yoga -- and Goggle tells me “Tibetan Dream Yoga is the original form of lucid dreaming documented for at least 1,000 years.” So I guess I did... But Tibetan is not the form of Buddhism which I used to practice -- Zen was --, and it did not last longer than a retreat I took with a Tibetan master...

It’s interesting that you have mentioned it, for I intend to get Alvar involved with Tibetan Buddhism -- I have already mentioned it en passant, the period of time he spent in Sikkim --, but not Tobio, so maybe I’m mixing things in this dream?

declarations-of-drama replied to your photo “It was then, for a while, that he started going to bed actually...”

*passes a rope*

Love that :D But as you have already seen, there was a much easier way up reserved for Tobio...

simblu replied to your photo “Impassable it appears to be, as he stands paralyzed at its bottom. ...”

Reminiscent of a de Chirico..those colors, the lone figure..

You’re very right and that’s a lovely association, though I didn’t think of his paintings while creating this scene... For LoSSS, I’m taking many references from cinema, and I was thinking a bit of Bertolucci’s The Sheltering Sky, and the wonderful plateau scene with Kitty and Port... Have you watched it? I’m even listening to Sakamoto’s soundtrack in my mind right now!

declarations-of-drama replied to your photo “Until the day – several instances of his recurring dream further on –...”

This actually gave me Goosebumps when I realised the picture! Wow! x

So much wonderful CC enabling us to create these scenes, isn’t it?!

simblu replied to your photo “A dam. < previous next >”

Sorry, the first thing i thought was "oh Damn!"

And I always have to think which is which before I write any of those words down :)

declarations-of-drama replied to your photo “A dam. < previous next >”

Oh!! How symbolically perfect for Tobi!!! I love where this is going x

This scene is vaguely based on a dream I have actually dreamed, but that I still haven’t used in my fiction, so I won’t share it yet... I’m so glad you like it!

danjaley replied to your photo “Looking back from the top of the thick wall on which he stands, Tobio...”

I love this picture - I can almost feel the wind and the sunshine and the rustling of feathers.

I love this picture too -- in fact, for once I am satisfied -- with most of this whole sequence! Those are lovely sensations you describe, thanks for sharing it!

declarations-of-drama replied to your photo “Looking back from the top of the thick wall on which he stands, Tobio...”

How does this dream equate to his personal life? I am guessing that his recent activity with Alvar has shown him a keyhole peep to his passions behind his shame? A huge ocean of desires he has to constantly hold back?

I have brought this dream of Tobio’s into the text in the moment of his making out with Alvar -- but he has been dreaming it since adolescence, and his “activity” with Alvar is just too recent -- in fictional terms, it is currently going on, still -- to bear any influence of that yet... In the next sequence I’ll try to link both things and tenses, though.

An interpretation to it has been provided by @willky12, and I could have not said it any better: “Recurring dreams on deserts and walking through endless desert represents torment and struggle in ones self. Finding the ocean or a body of water represents a relief, a change for the better, or an awakening within. All this is very true of Tobio and fit perfectly with the story.”

Like I said above, I have just written this passage, and probably many readers are better skilled to interpret and understand it, a whole lot more than myself!

simblu replied to your photo “Water with no end. Above it hovers restlessly the quaintest legion of...”

When you referenced the Duino Elegies (#1) a few days back, I wondered how that would work into your story..

In the end, I did not include any mention on Rilke in the text, for I thought it did not suit Tobio, who is not into Literature at all. I think of him as a techinical and yet practical person, and that reflects on his choice of readings.

But that first sentence from the first Elegy has stayed with me from the first time I read it -- for it was so meaningful to me, translating into lyrical words my own moments of desperation -- and it was the inspiration for the visual rendition of this part of Tobio’s dream.

omgdoubleume replied to your photo “Water with no end. Above it hovers restlessly the quaintest legion of...”

Soo.. it's an angle.. of desire :3 umm~ I was wrong everyone

There is no absolute right or wrong, dear! Tobio sees them as Angels of Desire, but also as warriors... So you might see them as you like, and bring a new interpretation to my text.

I don’t pretend to consciously know everything about my characters, and have the final word on any of them!

declarations-of-drama replied to your photo “Water with no end. Above it hovers restlessly the quaintest legion of...”

OMG! Perfection! DEADLY PERFECTION! But I would have to take the risk and go up to that main Angel in the front and ask about those AWESOME PANTS HE HAS ON and where I can download such a BULGE!!! :D

Deadly perfection is a term Tobio could use, too!

The angels are using Lady FrontBum’s Metallic Swimsuit, and though it is bulgy enough, it can always be improved with Photoshop, I guess (actually, the intention in editing is to give them a little variation, and not necessarily increase their size)

simblu replied to your photoset“Without being noticed by them, who are absent-mindedly engaged in...”

Marvelous...

Marvelous is getting so many and enriching comments from you! Thank you so much!

declarations-of-drama replied to your photoset “Without being noticed by them, who are absent-mindedly engaged in...”

Wow, how his brain has been shaped by his circumstances. I totally think I get what you are doing here - his subconscious dreams resonate from deep suppression, too fearful to even face them almost? Too perfect to comprehend? The hidden desert is almost comfortable for him? The force of these Angels and what they represent must be gargantuan to him!

That is pretty much my understanding, too. In everyday life, these angels of deadly perfection are his colleagues, the athletes he works with, and any man really, capable of arousing Tobio’s desire... Though as an oneiric representation the men might be a lot bigger and more intense than in life -- Gargantuan, as you put it! And the desert, which is his own life lived under repression, though uncomfortable to the point of torture, is still better than incurring in sin, or going with the angels, or diving into the dam...

I almost mentioned that the God Tobio fears, the God of Catholicism, Protestantism and Judaism, is a God that emanates from the deserts and arid, impoverished regions where these peoples lived in the very beginning of their religions -- and their God and religion bear many of the most harsh characteristics of the desert where they sprung up...

There is so much to bring into each passage, but the main purpose is to be entertaining, and pertaining to the story and the characters, and not some treaty on religion, or so I have tried...

my-simension replied to your photoset “Without being noticed by them, who are absent-mindedly engaged in...”

Spectacular!!! O

Thank you so much dear for your enthusiasm!

declarations-of-drama replied to your photoset “Torn between unsatisfactory possibilities of escape – diving into the...”

. . . . . no words. I feel bad for him, truly!

And Tobio appreciates it... In dreams, and in his life, he says the same prayer, to the same wrathful God, with the same fear of Hell and damnation... That Freud has seen parallels in conscious and unconscious behaviors is really insightful, and Tobio is beginning to profit from this knowledge that has been recently shared with mankind (this is the 1910s, let’s not forget it)

willky12 replied to your photo “That’s when Tobio falls – from the top of the wall to return to...”

Such torment. I wonder if you researched recurring dreams for this update? There is a lot of evidence in this type of recurring dream that relates to Tobio very well.

Like I said in our exchange of messages, I did not research anything -- of what I first named “recurrent dreaming”, and that thanks to you has been corrected to recurring... I wrote this intuitively, or simply trying to see it from Tobio’s perspective... I believe to have read that water is a symbol for sexuality, probably in Jung’s Man and his Symbols, that I have leafed through two decades or more ago... Truth is I did not prepare myself properly to write this passage, and I could never have interpreted the symbols in Tobio’s dream like you did.

Thank you so much!

hyperkaos replied to your photo “That’s when Tobio falls – from the top of the wall to return to...”

I've sat here for 10 minutes and I can't think of anything. That alone should speak volume darling. ♥

To be honest, I did not understand what you said -- which is always a good reminder that English is an endless source of mysteries and misunderstandings for me! But I did get the “darling” part, so thank you :)

simblu replied to your photo “That’s when Tobio falls – from the top of the wall to return to...”

BRAVO! So well done. I've commented along the way... perfect symbolism, poetically rendered.

Thank You so much for all the comments, they are very precious to me, and bring a lot of fresh points of view into my writing. I hope to have responded satisfactorily to them! Thank You so much!

declarations-of-drama replied to your photo “That’s when Tobio falls – from the top of the wall to return to...”

What a fantastic update that was! I enjoyed it immensely. Now I need to do what my lazy brain stopped me from doing when I first started following and taking interest in your work - go back to post #1.

Thank You so much! Your comments are wonderfully nuanced and rich, and they help me rethink my own story and characters. So precious, thank you!

I do believe you have already seen and read post #1 of LoSSS, which actually is #00, for you have already commented on it!

my-simension replied to your photo “That’s when Tobio falls – from the top of the wall to return to...”

Agree, this is incredible!

Thank you so much, dear. This post, in chronological order of comments and of scenes, opens and closes with you :)

#my-simension #declarations-of-drama #simblu #danjaley #omgdoubleume #willky12 #hyperkaos

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dietarysalad · 8 years ago

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Street War – Chapter 10

“Hey, Gin-chan?” Kagura asked once she had arrived home from the hospital and had made herself comfortable on the couch in their living room area.

“Hm?” Gintoki murmured his reply, his eyes focused on the television screen in front of him. “Who’s ‘Okita Mitsuba’?” At his daughter’s words, Gintoki’s ears perked up a little. “Hm? And how do you know that name?” he interrogated. “Well, you know that boy I helped over to the hospital the other day?” “Yeah?” “His room’s right next to an ‘Okita Mitsuba’. The Sadist was looking at the room all weird, so I was wondering who it was…”

Gintoki gave his daughter a conflicted look before grabbing the remote and flicking the television off. He turned towards her on the couch and watched as she hugged her legs to her chest, her chin resting on her knees. So even Kagura knows how to be respectful, sometimes. “Hm, well,” Gintoki began. “Do you remember a couple years back? When the Shinsengumi suddenly stopped trying to start fights with us?”

Kagura remembered. At the time, the Yorozuya had been in a state of confusion, unsure as to exactly what had happened to make the normally full-of-fight Hijikata Toshiro stop his challenges against the Yorozuya. Without any street brawls, Kagura could only watch as the majority of the Yorozuya began to grow restless, their usual routine broken without any warning. Takasugi, Sakamoto and Katsura, however, were strangely calm – as was Gintoki. Kagura was not entirely sure as to what was going on, herself, but she knew that it must not have been something that she needed to worry about if Gintoki did not seem to pay it too much mind.

“Yeah, I remember,” stated Kagura. “The mayo-freak disappeared for about a month, right?” “Right,” confirmed Gintoki. “He sent me a letter the day before, telling me that one of the Okita siblings that had joined the Shinsengumi was being admitted to hospital. I’m not too sure on the specifics, but it seemed pretty serious.” He paused and, after awkwardly scratching the nape of his neck, continued. “And, well. I’m not too big on the gang wars, myself,” he sighed. “It’s a good way to let off some steam, but Hijikata is the one instigating them anyways. It seemed like a nice holiday for a while, so I just let it be.”

Like an old man at the end of a long day, Gintoki leaned back in his seat and drawled out a long sigh. “Then, a month later,” he breathed out. “Hijikata called for another brawl as if nothing had happened. Soon, I just forgot about it – I figured whoever had been admitted to hospital must have gotten better. I guess not.” Kagura shifted uncomfortably in her seat, her top teeth gnawing slightly on her exposed knees. “So, Okita Mitsuba is the Sadist’s…?” she hesitantly asked. “Yeah, older sister,” answered Gintoki, ruffling his daughter’s untied hair. “Like how I picked up you and Kamui, Hijikata picked up Okita Mitsuba and Okita Sougo, and invited them into the Shinsengumi.”

At the lack of a reaction, Gintoki looked down to his right side to study Kagura’s face. His eyes softened at her troubled expression. She usually doesn’t think deeply like this. He stood up carefully and, in almost no time at all, his seat was taken by Sadaharu. The gigantic canine cuddled against his owner’s side, attempting to cheer her up. A small smile graced Kagura’s face as she combed her fingers through Sadaharu’s immaculate fur.

Before he left, Gintoki asked Kagura but a single question. “Why do you seem to care so much, anyway?” he threw at her, before walking back to the kitchen to find himself a snack. Kagura watched his back as he walked away from the living area, her eyes widening in realisation. Her lip twitched. Why do I care so much about that Shinsengumi? Peeling herself off the couch, Kagura walked off to her room and flopped onto her bed, falling asleep almost immediately as Sadaharu hopped into bed and snuggled beside her.

I’ve been thinking too much today – time to let the brain rest.

The weekend eventually came, though not soon enough in Kagura’s opinion. She woke up at the crack of one o’clock in the afternoon, and mentally congratulated herself for waking up so early on a Saturday. After brushing her teeth, washing her face, and deeming her hair clean enough to not need a wash that morning, Kagura dashed over to her wardrobe to find something clean to wear. It was one of those rare days that Gintoki would come into her room and launder all the clothes she had thrown into her ‘floordrobe’ and ‘chairdrobe’, and sometimes even her ‘bedrobe’.

After settling on a white, cat-eared hoodie and a pair of black, skinny jeans, Kagura skipped out of the apartment. On the way out, she assured Gintoki that she would be home in time for dinner – to which she received a lazy wave and a loud snore from the direction of the couch. Upon slipping her high-top sneakers on, Kagura steadily began to jog in the direction of Oedo Hospital, having promised to meet with Hongou again that weekend after visiting him throughout the school week.

“Oh, wow, Kagura-chan!” Hongou exclaimed. “You and Soyo-san really have a talent!” In his hands, Hongou held a stack of developed photographs – taken, courtesy of Kagura and Soyo. He eagerly flicked through them, holding each image close to his heart and running his eyes over them again and again as if they were his own memories. “You like ‘em?” Kagura grinned. “Soyo-chan and I wanted to take some pictures for you. You’re always here in this drab hospital room – you must get tired of all this white and grey, yes? So we went out and took heaps of pictures for you! You can take a look at these if you ever get tired of your books and this room.”

Hongou grinned, looking back down at the images that he held in his hands. He marvelled at the beauty of the cherry blossoms; he fawned over Sadaharu’s cuteness; he laughed at the silliness of Kagura’s and Soyo’s funny faces. All the while, Kagura watched from his bedside as Hongou’s expressions shifted to and fro. Though she enjoyed visiting him just to make sure that he was well and healthy, what she loved the most about seeing Hongou was the pure delight that he would have towards the things she would bring from outside the hospital. He had amusing reactions to just about anything, and Kagura enjoyed watching him look so happy. She felt like she was making up for letting him get hurt, despite the fact that Hongou had repeatedly assured her that she was not at all at fault.

As Hongou continued flipping through the photos, his eyes lingered on one of her and Sougo locked in mid-fight. Kagura noticed his expression change and peered over his shoulder at the image, her eyes narrowing upon sight. “Soyo-chan must’ve taken that one,” she grumbled. “The Sadist was being particularly annoying that day. Hm, if you ignore him, though, I think I look pretty good in this photo.” While Kagura continued to admire her fighting form, Hongou turned back to the photo and focused his eyes onto Sougo’s expression. He had known the older boy for a long time and knew that it was scarcely ever that a smile ever graced his face. Unless, of course, his older sister was involved. It made Hongou happy to see such a light expression on Sougo’s face, despite the violent context of the photo.

“Hey, Kagura-chan?” asked Hongou as he set the photos aside on his bedside table. “Yeah?” replied Kagura. “Can I ask why the Yorozuya and the Shinsengumi are always having those street fights? I’ve asked Okita-san before, but he said something strange about there being some conflict over… mayonnaise?” “Ah, well, for once the Sadist isn’t lying.” “Eh?”

Kagura sighed and leant back in her chair, crossing her arms behind her neck as a brace. “It’s a long story,” she began, gazing up at the ceiling. “But, well, the Shinsengumi boss is a mayo-freak, you see. He loves mayonnaise more than anything in the world. Apparently, in high school, the Yorozuya boss – my boss – ended up spilling some mayonnaise by accident during a lunch break or something. At the time, the two already had their own followings of some high school misfits. After the incident, more and more people began joining the Yorozuya and the Shinsengumi to duke it out with one another. To be honest, at this point I don’t think the fights are over mayonnaise anymore. It’s more of a way for our two gangs to go wild – we’re free to go all out.”

“Is that so?” wondered Hongou. “But, both of your gangs… You guys do good things for the community, right? The Yorozuya help out with odd jobs, and the Shinsengumi work as volunteers. I don’t see why you guys hate each other so much.” “Well, I’m not too sure about the rest of the group,” Kagura said as she turned back to Hongou. “But I would think that they have the same reasons as me. You see, it’s more fun to fight another team if you have some reason to hate their guts. There’s more passion – everyone feels the need to go all out. I’m sure some people aren’t even sure about the whole mayonnaise story – they just want a place to belong, a family to fight together with. The Sadist, too.” Kagura shook her head, as if she was utterly disgusted with herself to even be speaking about her hated rival. “He’s an idiot, but he’s strong,” she stated, and that was about as close to a compliment as she would likely ever give to the youngest Shinsengumi. “Because he’s got a place to belong to and a family to fight for.”

As he listened on, Hongou clenched his fists underneath the bedsheets. His eyes glittered with determination as he redirected his eyes back to the photographs that lied on his bedside table. This is the world through the eyes of someone who is strong. He took a deep breath in. This is the world through the eyes of someone who can fight. Releasing his clenched fists, Hongou turned back to Kagura. “You… Do you think I could be strong like that, someday?” he stated, the words feeling foreign on his tongue. Kagura tilted her head at him. “Hm?” she grinned. “Of course! That’s why you’ve gotta get better quickly. Then, you can join the Yorozuya and help me kick the Sadist’s butt!”

The two began to laugh. “Well,” Hongou began. “I don’t think I could go against Okita-san, but I’ll try my best!” Kagura stood up, taking a quick glance at the clock that hung up on the wall, and made a disappointed expression at Hongou. “Visiting hours are almost over,” she murmured. “I’d better get going. The next time I’m free, I’ll come and see you again, okay?” “Yeah, sure!”

After cheerfully waving at Hongou, Kagura stepped out of the hospital room and closed the door behind her. When he heard the door click back into place, Hongou reached beneath his pillow and pulled out his book, opening it again to reveal a familiar, grey hoodie string. It had continued fraying, and most of it was now a mess of thread. He grasped onto it carefully with both hands and closed his eyes. I’ll get better. Quickly. Then, with Okita-san and Kagura-chan, I’ll be able to get stronger, too.

As Kagura left Hongou’s room, she came face to face with Sougo who was coincidentally leaving Mitsuba’s room at the same time. Upon seeing Kagura, he froze. Confused as to why her brother had paused during his exit of her room, Okita Mitsuba spoke up. “What’s wrong, Sou-chan?” she called, startling Sougo into action. However, before he could cover his sister’s line of vision, she had caught sight of Kagura.

“Oh, who’s the cute girl?” she cooed, leaning to the right of her hospital bed to get a better look at Kagura. Without much of a choice, Sougo grabbed Kagura’s wrist and pulled the struggling girl into Mitsuba’s room, muffling her cries of protest against his shoulder. “An underclassman from Gintama High,” he said, sweetly. “She became friends with Hongou-kun, so that’s how I know her.” He beamed a smile of abnormal proportions at his sister, and Kagura could only look on in shock and a little bit of disgust.

“Sadist, what the hell?” she asked, unbelieving of the sight before her eyes. “’Sadist’…?” repeated Mitsuba, her head tilted in confusion. Upon his sister’s questioning gaze, Sougo tightened his grip on Kagura’s wrist. “Ah, she’s a foreigner so a couple of words she isn’t too sure about,” Sougo quickly covered. “You meant ‘senpai’, right?” Kagura gave him a strange look, tugging her hand from his grip to no apparent avail. “Ah? What are you-?” But, before she could finish, Sougo shot her the scariest and most evil side-eye she had ever experienced. A little shaken, Kagura stopped tugging her left arm away and turned back to Mitsuba. “O-oh, yeah!” she squeaked out enthusiastically. “Okita-senpai, right!”

Mitsuba gave Kagura a gentle smile. “Ah, well it is nice to meet you,” she chuckled. “My name is Okita Mitsuba, and I’m Sou-chan’s older sister. And you would be…?” “Oh,” Kagura stood up a little straighter. “Sakata Kagura – nice ta meetcha.” A quick elbow to the side from Sougo, and Kagura quickly spoke again. “I mean, pleased to make your acquaintance.” “Yes, it’s nice to meet you too, Sakata Kagura-chan,” Mitsuba stated.

Hm? Mitsuba blinked in surprise. “Eh?” she spoke. “Wait, ‘Sakata’?” At the sound of her father’s surname, Kagura began to panic. She had completely forgotten that the kind, gentle-looking Okita Mitsuba was a member of the Shinsengumi. Unsure as to how she should act – whether or not she should put up a pretence of hatred against this frail-looking woman – Kagura shied away from Mitsuba’s bed and towards the door. The only thing stopping her from leaving was Sougo’s hand, still wrapped firmly around her wrist.

Instead, Kagura could only fidget with the hem of her hoodie, awaiting the lashing that she would expect from any other member of the Shinsengumi. “Oh, how cute!” Mitsuba exclaimed, placing her palms against her cheeks in excitement. “Are the Yorozuya and Shinsengumi making friends, now?” Kagura looked up in confusion. Friends? “Um, not really?” she hesitantly stated. “There are still fights, like, every week or so.” Mitsuba’s expression dropped, her eyes showing pure disappointment. “Oh… I see.”

Menacingly, Sougo pulled on Kagura’s arm. She swallowed in response. “But, well, I mean – there aren’t as many fights as there used to be, and-” Kagura finally managed to yank her arm free from Sougo’s grip and promptly smacked him on the back as hard as she could under the pretence of being amiable. “-we’ve at least got a good classmate relationship going!” Kagura shot Mitsuba a wonky grin, trying to make a show of good will, as Sougo glared at her from the corner of his eye.

“Oh! Is that so?” Mitsuba’s face lit up. “Then, if you two get married, will the two groups end up merging together?” Kagura and Sougo stiffened. As quickly as he could manage, Sougo wracked his brain to say something to allow them to escape. “Uh, sis’?” he stuttered. “I think visiting hours are about to end, so I’ll escort her out now, okay? I’ll see you next time I’m free.”

Awkwardly, Sougo quickly bowed to his sister and turned to leave. Kagura also bobbed her head a little in respect, and followed Sougo out of the hospital room. Inside, Mitsuba giggled. It’s so fun to mess with him. Then, she sighed. Though I really do wish that Toshiro-san and the Yorozuya boss would stop all this fighting. I get the thrill factor, but it isn’t a good way to be relieving their stress.

Stepping out of the hospital with Sougo, Kagura squinted at the red-orange glow of the sunset. She opened her mouth to speak, but was immediately hushed by Sougo’s glare in her direction. “Don’t tell anyone about what you saw in the hospital,” he growled, standing close to Kagura so that he was able to take full advantage of their height difference to look down at her. “Hah?” came Kagura’s guttural reply. “And why should I listen to what it is that you have to say? I’m Yorozuya, remember?” Sougo scoffed. “Listen,” he began. “My sister is terminal, okay? At least have her privacy and peace, before…” Kagura hesitated at his words, shrinking away at his intimidating figure looming over her. “And I don’t want your pity, either,” he sighed. “Just stay out of our way and everything will be fine.”

Kagura said nothing, her mind flickering back to her own parents who were no longer on this Earth, and her heart went out to Sougo for a short moment. However, as soon as the feeling came, she forced it away again. I can’t be growing soft on these Shinsengumi dogs. His sister is another matter – just because I’m being mindful of her does not mean I will cut him any slack. Without another word, Kagura turned from Sougo and began her trek home to her apartment.

Though he was a little surprised at Kagura’s lack of response, Sougo paid it no mind. He also began to walk back to the apartment that he shared with Hijikata when a nurse rushed out to the hospital entranceway, almost crashing into him. “Sir, it’s an emergency!” she exclaimed. “Please head over to the emergency room, right now.” Sougo’s face paled, his brain failing to function as the nurse began to explain the situation to him. Slowly and mechanically, his body started to move into action and he allowed his muscles to take him to the emergency room. Only a single thought raced through his mind.

Sis…?

Author’s Note

Um, I’m sorry if you don’t know what I mean by ‘floordrobe’ and ‘chairdrobe’ and ‘bedrobe’. Like, a wardrobe. But you chuck your clothes on the floor or on that one chair in your room. Sometimes on the half of your bed that you don’t sleep in. Come on, it can’t just be me.

Once again, this chapter might be a little longer than usual. It’s because I had planned for this one to be two separate chapters, but I thought it might be better for them to be together.

#fanfic #gintama #okikagu #okita sougo #kagura #here's another one for ya

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saetorimedia · 5 years ago

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For the 14th time CAMERA JAPAN brings Japan a bit closer with not only movies but also a small taste of Japanese culture. This year’s theme was Youth because with the rapidly ageing population and low birth rate some might wonder what the Youth is doing. No worries though, because Camera Japan has showed us they are doing a great job and need to be heard more!

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Before going to this event a difficult decision has to be made, which movies are you going to see? So many interesting choices and not enough time, especially if you can’t attend every day. More people had this problem but sometimes you just have to make those choices and deal with it. Luckily you can make this choice before travelling to Lantaren Venster because the schedule was online for quite some time already. A thing you noticed when you walk in is that the atmosphere is completely different from your regular cinema. Quite some people were regular filmfestivals visitors and it’s no surprise why, people are here for the movies and not for the popcorn.

Although people didn’t eat popcorn there were plenty of ways to fill your tummy between all the movies, lectures and workshops. Lantaren Venster had a small restaurant and there was a small friendly Japanese themed market filled with taiyaki, sushi and delicious cake rolls. You knew exactly when movies ended, it got crowded and people had to line up for food. So be smart and buy your treat inbetween movies. Talking about movies, what’s a filmfestival review without reviewing a few movies? We went to 12 Suicidal Teens, Penguin Highway, I was born but.. and Short Shorts.

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12 Suicidal Teens Before the movie started the audience was greeted by a CJ staff member (which gives a very personal touch) with a short introduction: “This is one of the most scary titles CJ have ever showed but it is not that scary as you might think. Don’t let the title scare you.” This movie is about 12 teenagers gathering in an abandoned hospital to commit suicide but they stumble upon a dead body of a boy. This makes a total of 13 teenagers attending the gathering while that wasn’t the plan. Together they have to figure out what’s going on and who among them might be the murder before continuing their original plan. In almost 2 hours you’ll learn the reasons why they want to commite suicide, it lets you think together with the main characters to solve the mystery with some twists and you’ll learn that we all are in a way connected behind our masks. Like the staff member said, it wasn’t scary but it can be an emotional trigger for those who are sensitive like me, yet I really enjoyed the movie and its twists (especially the thing at the end) Score: 7.5/10

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Penguin Highway My mouth went open from astonishment when I heard this movie was sold out and so were the CJ staff members: “We knew that cats are popular but penguins are too!” There also was an introduction given about Studio Colorido, a promosing new studio that might be on the same level as Studio Ghibli soon so we have to keep an eye on them. I can understand why they mentioned that, the animation is smooth and pretty to look at. But what is this movie about then? Well, one day, a group of penguins appeared in fourth-grader Aoyama’s neigbourhood. Everyone notices them and despite this rare occurance they are very cute. Aoyama is young, boob-obsessed whizz-kid. and wants to solve this mystery with rigorous scientific methods and principles. But what he doesn’t know is that he is in for a much larger adventure involving penguin eating monsters and a mysterious woman (which is his dentist he’s in love with). Overall the movie is very good, animation and soundtrack is of very good quality and there is a lot of modern humor in it. But I still have no idea what’s going despite that the mystery is solved so I guess you have to have a lot of fantasy… Score: 8.0/10

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Lecture: 47 ronin and expositions Need a break from the movies? Luckily there were many other activities and one of them was a lecture about the famous 47 ronin story. The lecture started with a short summary of the story which then turned into an analysis of different version of the story. Some of those versions got translated into books and movies and we got to see a few examples. I was amazed by how many versions there were but sadly not all could be addressed since time was short. After the lecture I visited the 2 expositions which were spread through the building in places were a lot of people walk by. The Cosplay is Art exhibition wasn’t my cup of tea, maybe because I have seen too many cosplay photography, it just didn’t spark me. On the other hand the A Copy of Truth exhibition by Jelle Hooks was really good. The photos show alienated youths who want to stand out. Despite the photos being taken in black/white you could feel the colour, every teenager had their own story. His book was for sale during the event and he also still sells them on his website if you’re interested. What I did miss by both exhibitions was some kind of introduction or name of the work. You just walked by, took a quick look and that was it. They also had the popular MangaKissa where you can sit and read some manga’s and disconnect from the event for a little while and they also had a few art exhibitions and workshops. For the workshops you had to buy tickets seperately in advance. They had an origami workshop on friday, a bento workshop on Saturday and kids day and film brunch on Sunday. We’ve not seen kids day so packed however.

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I was born but.. This black and white silent movie from 1932 by Yasujiro Ozu which was accompanied by a quartet who played music live to fit the movie. No matter how much I liked the music I felt like it didn’t really match the movie at all and I was missing some fun sound effects. But I enjoyed both a lot

The Yoshi family has just moved to the Tokyo suburbs, close to where the father Kennosuke’s (Tatsuo Saitō) direct boss, Iwasaki (Takeshi Sakamoto), is staying. Kennosuke’s two young sons Keiji and Ryoichi (Tomio Aoki and Hideo Sugawara) are supposed to be going to school, but owing to the threats of a group of neighborhood and school bullies, they decide to play truant. After the teacher speaks to their father, Keiji and Ryoichi have no choice but to go to school. They attempt to eat sparrow’s eggs to get stronger so that they can get back at the boys, but an older delivery boy Kozou (Shoichi Kofujita) decides to help them out to threaten the bullies, and they emerge as the top dogs amongst the gang.

One of the neighborhood kids is Taro (Seiichi Kato), whose father is Iwasaki himself. The boys argue amongst themselves who has the most powerful father. Not long after, they visit Taro’s home, where the office workers have gathered under Iwasaki, who screens some home movies for the amusement of the gathering. The two brothers witness on film how their father, who to them is stern and whom they look up to, plays the buffoon before his colleagues and boss.

Humiliated, they go home and decide that their father isn’t such an important person after all. They throw a massive tantrum, and confront their father asking him why he has to grovel under Taro’s father. Kennosuke answers that Taro’s father is richer and holds a higher position than he does. Dissatisfied with this answer, the two decide to hold a hunger strike. Ryoichi gets a spanking from his father, but after the children have gone to bed, the father confides in the wife that he does not enjoy doing what he does. Both wish for a better future for their children.

The next day, the children attempt a hunger strike during breakfast, but succumb to a dish of onigiri. Kennosuke manages a reconciliation with them. The children say they would like to be a lieutenant general and a general respectively. On their way to school, they see Taro’s father in a car, and they urge their father to go up and greet him. As Kennosuke takes a convenient car ride to work, the brothers walk to school with Taro and the rest of the gang. Score: 7.0/10

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Short Shorts Film Festival & Asia As the titel depicts, this was a lot of shorts. it had movies of around 20 minutes or less. I’ll summorize them by movie.

Beard and Raincoat by YAWATA Kimi, 2018, 12 min This…generally weird. as the name predicts. It was about a girl who had a beard fetish and the bearded guy who had a raincoat fetish. The bearded guy however was the brother of the girls boyfriend who ended up finding out and they ran away together in the end but I’m not sure how it ended because it was kind of weird. Score: 5.0/10

MOON RABBIT by HO Kae, 2018, 15 min I feel like this movie wasn’t totally honest about the end.. I felt really conflicted in the end. The story starts with a mother coming to her family house with her two half japanese half american kids. The older brother and his cousin hang out and the young girl wants to hang out too while her mom tells her father that she and her husband broke up. The young girl comes out with her hair all messy and a shocked face. Ending in her telling her mom that her brother told her the Moon Rabbit doesn’t excist. Score: 6.0/10

No One But I Know by KAMIJO Daisuke, 2019, 25 min This movie really looks promising, It’s about a boy who’s stepdad gets murdered and his mother gets charged with it. In the end, he tried to protect his mother but fails in the end and protects the killer instead. Score: 8.0/10

What Meiling Decided by KUJIRAOKA Hironori, 25 min This had a good start but a weird ending, I’m interested into this becoming a full on movie. Score: 7.0/10

Lovers and Coffee by SHIRAO Ayuka, 2018, 5 min This was a really short one, playing in the future where coffee is banned from the world. A couple smuggles it and drinks one cup each month. However the worst ever cop shows up and leaves without making an arrest… It was funny and dumb at the same time Score: 5.0/10

Blue Hands by YAMANAKA Yu, 2019, 20 min I absolutely loved this, Blue hands is about a son talking about his father who carried on his fathers legacy with an indigo dying company. His hands, over time have stained the indigo blue. It tells the story of how his father lost his wife to death, then almost his company due to other companies and his son due to neglect and endangerment. But it shows the fathers pure love for his son and the sons pure love for the father. It was absolutely beautiful and I saw many people around me wipe away their tears. It was shot perfectly and would love to see it again. Score: 10/10

Camera Japan This event will hold their 15th anniversary next year and every year they’re looking for volunteers. The most important thing when you apply for a volunteer is to remember to stay professional, follow the guidelines and make sure every visitor has a great experience. The group of volunteers every year is amazing and being part of such a group is truly an honor. If you would be interested in joining the coming year make sure to continue checking out their website and facebook page so you can be in time and sign up.

For the 14th time @CAMERAJAPAN brings Japan a bit closer with not only movies but also a small taste of Japanese culture. This year's theme was Youth because with the rapidly ageing population and low birth rate some might wonder what the Youth is doing. No worries though, because Camera Japan has showed us they are doing a great job and need to be heard more! Read our guest and volunteer expierence here! For the 14th time CAMERA JAPAN brings Japan a bit closer with not only movies but also a small taste of Japanese culture.

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