#idk what point this is either lol

[aggregaticn]

starter call. // @erxsxre

The Flame Hero was currently favouring his right side. The other still tender from a fight he'd had with some random villain earlier in the day. Damn those with strength based quirks. Easy to handle; unpleasant when they manage to land a hit and break a couple ribs. Enji is holding a manilla folder open in his hands to flip through the papers inside when the door opens. A low 'hmph' given before turquoise eyes flit north to glance up at the one entering. "Eraserhead. How are the shadows treating you?" It wasn't exactly friendly when questioning the other. The sneer only adding to the man's foul mood.

[devotion-disorder]

a lotta stressful irl stuff happening right now so ive taken the bold creative decision to become attached to a random fictional character. on an unrelated note does anyone else think that adachi persona 4's character sprites are like, really lewd

look at this loser's face. i want to trap him inside a hamster cage and feed him cabbage

[dazais-guardian-angel]

Chapter 110 is 13 pages long welcome to hell!!! so in a lot of ways this is just more fuel for a theory that I've had for a few weeks now, that's only gotten stronger with each recent season 5 episode, which is that the last episode of the season is gonna end on 110, and that Asagiri/Harukawa and Bones have been collaborating to make this happen, specifically because it's a major turning point that would be the only good place to end the season on.

When we started getting especially long chapters again (like from 25-35ish pages, with the exception of 107.5, the last two being some of the longest we've ever had), at first I just assumed that Asagiri/Harukawa got freed up from some other obligations they'd been having to cause the extremely short/half chapters, like promotional stuff for the anime/Beast movie, or working on light novels. But then 109 happened, with the "supposed" death of Dazai, and heavy emphasis at the end on how literally everyone is at their lowest point right now, and I got to thinking. 11 episodes is a strangely specific number for an anime season -- why not 12, or 13, or even 10, like you'd usually see? Why have we gotten suddenly gotten two 35 page chapters out of nowhere, that's almost unheard of at this point? They're both beautiful chapters, don't get me wrong (as always), and maybe A/H simply just didn't want to cut them in halves because they felt like the full emotional impact wouldn't hit/that there were no good cutoff points in them, but you can't deny that it's surprising, after all the shorter chapters we've been getting. Why has the anime been going at such insanely breakneck pacing for the most part ever since around the Sunday Tragedy chapters, even more so than it has in the past? So much so that it feels dangerously close to overtaking the manga?

Well, maybe, just maybe, it's because..... Asagiri decided a long time ago that whatever happens in 110 is the only point that feels "season finale"-worthy enough, in an arc that still isn't anywhere close to being completely wrapped up, and so both the manga and the anime have been specifically coordinated to reach that part within 2 and a half weeks of each other?

I've seen a lot of people now think season 5 will end with 109, and as much as my sadistic side would find that hilarious, I honestly don't think they'd do that and realistically don't want it to happen; it'd be so cruel to cliffhanger the anime for years like that, and just doesn't feel like a season cliffhanger BSD would do, a series that is ultimately hopeful and uplifting. Seasons 2 and 3 had a positive, conclusive ending; the only reasons seasons 1 and 4 didn't was because they're technically not really full seasons of their own, and are more like the first cour of another "season" that also came out that same year (seasons 1 and 2 both aired in 2016, so they're more like one big season, and seasons 4 and 5 have both aired this year, so they're also more like one big season, again taking into account how episodes 12 and 50 are not satisfying finales like episodes 24, 37, and hypothetically, 61, are). I really can't see season 5 ending with Dazai and Fukuzawa's supposed deaths, Sigma being unconscious and maybe close to death, Atsushi being vulnerable and limbless again, everyone we love still vampires, and the entire world being basically doomed; that's just too depressing and not like BSD at all. However, having said that, if it doesn't end there, there really isn't any good place to end the season before that, either, that feels in any way satisfying or like a finale at all. And so, to me, that only leaves after 109: chapter 110.

I think things are really gonna turn around next chapter. Like I said, everyone is at their lowest point right now, it cannot possibly get any worse, the framing of Dazai, Fukuzawa, and sskk at the end of 109 is telling us that; this is the time for the heroes to finally start winning again, with Aya being so close to pulling out the sword, and for all the thematic reasons other people have talked about to death that I don't need to go into here again. This upcoming chapter being so short again makes a part of me wary of 110 being "the one", so to speak, I won't lie, but at the same time, it's very possible that it needs to be that short because that's all the final episode of the season will be able to reasonably fit in, since it's already gonna be VERY close if they do make it all the way to 109. And at the end of the day, I don't doubt at all that Asagiri and Harukawa can make these the most monumental and game-changing mere 13 pages ever if they wanted to; a chapter does not at all need to be extremely long in order to be an important and impactful one, even if short ones we've gotten in the past haven't felt the most important.

An additional thought I've had, though this is much more crack territory than all this already is, is that since we know from Anime Expo that a Stormbringer movie at some point is highly likely (judging from Asagiri's reaction when someone brought it up), it's possible that chapter 110 and thus the final episode will involve the long-anticipated return of Verlaine and/or Adam, or at least some other major reference to Stormbringer, that would naturally and smoothly lead into a Stormbringer movie to explain things to people who haven't read the novel. It would make a lot of sense, especially since the s4 OP has the Old World sign behind Chuuya, which might be a hint that this has been in the works ever since seasons 4/5 were first in planning with Asagiri. We also know that Dazai and Chuuya's voice actors apparently struggled to record their lines together this season, which probably relates to 101 and possibly 109, but it could be 110 too.... I could be very wrong, as I'm no expert on this kind of thing, but I kinda doubt they would bring Chuuya's actor in for just the vampire growls, and Asagiri placing heavy emphasis on Chuuya's importance this season in that one interview gives me the impression that he's talking about much more than just 101/109. But that's the least solid evidence I have, that's just mostly based on vibes I get.

So basically, I think a lot of factors -- the unusual episode count, how close the anime is to catching up to the manga with three whole episodes left, the seemingly arbitrary recent chapter lengths, and the climactic events of 109 -- can tell us that 110 might be a very, VERY big deal. Again, there's of course no way this arc is anywhere near close to being finished, with so much left to address and resolve, but since it is currently incomplete in the manga, unlike the previously adapted arcs, if the anime was going to adapt it at all, they'd have to find a place that feels satisfying enough to end this season, knowing there won't be more anime for a long time after this, and so I think they specifically planned for that, from both Bones' and A/H's sides. 10 episodes might not have been enough to reach that point, but 12 or 13 might have been too many it wouldn't have been if Bones actually decided to slow down and let the story breathe the way it needs to, but this post isn't meant to criticize the anime, so maybe 11 was just right. And maybe Asagiri and Harukawa specifically pushed to make recent chapters longer than usual, in order to make sure that the manga reached the story content in 110 the monthly release right before season 5 was to end.

Is this just copium? Absolutely. Am I going to look like an absolute clown in two days when this post ages like milk? Probably. But the evidence is There, so let me just enjoy my delusions until Sunday, okay 🥂🫡

[the-tenth-arcanum]

I'm giving verdi's macbeth a listen but I'm not feeling it. I think maybe late stage verdi isn't for me idk

[lesbiancarat]

want to give my two cents on the AI usage in the maestro trailer--

i think seventeen doing a whole concept that is anti-AI is very cool, especially as creatives themselves i think it's good that they're speaking up against it and i hope it gets more ppl talking about the issue. i also understand on a surface level the artistic choice (whether it was made by the members, the mv director, or whoever else), to directly use AI in contrast to real, human-made visuals and music in order to criticize it. i also appreciate that they clearly stated the intention of the use of AI at the beginning of the video

however, although i understand it to an extent, i do not agree with the choice to use AI to critique AI. one of the main ethical concerns with generative AI is that it is trained on other artists' work without their knowledge, consent, or compensation. and even when AI generated images are being used to critique AI, it still does not negate this particular ethical concern

the use of AI to critique also does not negate the fact that this is work that could have been done by an actual artist. i have seen some people argue that it's okay in this context because it's a critique specifically about AI, and it is content that never would have been done by a real artist anyway because it doesn't make sense for the story they're trying to tell. but i disagree. i think you can still tell the exact same story without using AI

and in fact, i would argue that it would make the anti-AI message stronger if they HAD paid an artist to draw/animate the scenes that are supposed to represent AI generated images. wouldn't it just be proof that humans can create images that are just as bad and nonsensical and soulless as AI, but that AI can't replicate the creativity and beauty and basic fucking anatomy that's in human-made art?

it feels very obvious this was not just a way to cut corners and costs like a lot of scummy people are using AI for. ultimately it was a very intentional creative decision, i just personally think it was a very poor one. and even if some ethical considerations were taken into account before this decision, i certainly don't think all of them were. at the very least i feel like the decision undermines the message they want to convey

i would also like to recognize that i myself am not an artist, and i have seen some artists that are totally on board with the use of AI in this specific context, so clearly this is not a topic that is cut and dry. but generative AI is still new, and i think it's important to keep having these conversations

[sammygender]

so many people can’t conceptualise emotional neglect as anything other than ‘my parents were cold and distant and never talked about feelings with me’, and this, while being just a general awful problem of course, is also what leads to so much john winchester mischaracterisation. in this essay i will

[raiiny-bay]

wip of the new guy

[didsomebodysaypancakes]

When I'm watching a show/movie or reading a book, I have this thing called the Sam and Dean Test where I try to figure out whether, if one character died, the other would sell their soul to hell to get the other one back. Passing the Sam and Dean Test means that the characters would sell their souls to hell to get the other back.

Anyways, I'm 100% sure that Starsky and Hutch pass the Sam and Dean Test.

[jasonsbruce]

someone saved my fic "slipping mask" as a bookmark noting that they're all out of character and now i never want to publish anything ever again 🤠

[inquisitor-julia]

.

Gonna be honest I do wish there were opportunities for my elf Rook (who romanced Harding) to like...grapple with the history of the titans and the elves and also big time call Solas out about it?

Like idk I simply feel that Rajlin would not be a-ok about it and she as a person is not afraid to tell Solas exactly what she thinks

And I hope there ARE opportunities for my future Dwarven Rook to react in a big way...

Tbh I just wish there were more opportunities for any Rook to really challenge Solas on things he's said and done and give Rook *and* Solas some more room for conflict/character development because those moments where you can call him out even the littlest bit are honestly the highlight of their conversations for me

I also have feelings about how the history that was uncovered in da:v was discussed in relation to the present and future in general but idk how to articulate them right now...

[since-times-long-forgotten]

lasargun the warrior cat

[scootatwoni]

The strongest warriors are those that love botw but don't ship zelink (me its me I'm the strongest warrior)

[sassy-bitch-since-2007]

Just saw this TikTok of Cody singing 'Boyfriend Kisser' while there's this imagine of Noah and Emma kissing instead of Gwen and Duncan and omfg

Like, hear me out guys. AU where there's no NoCo, but Cody had at some point a tiny crush on Noah (explains the cuddling in the episode between TDA and TDWT anyway). So, you know. Cody's at home and watches TDRR (mostly because Owen, Noah and Geoff are in it) and then he sees Noah and Emma kissing??? Believe me when I say this guy's been singing 'Boyfriend Kisser' for a full week, annoying literally everyone. Since that kiss you can not mention Emma's name without him starting to sing 'Boyfriend Kisser'. That kiss affected him more than any rejection in his entire life.

[kareenvorbarra]

doomed to always be the only nahuseresh fan in the chat

[starheirxero]

So it was Ruin all along! To be honest, I am rather surprised, as it just seemed a little too obvious. However, like many others, I think it's a Jekyll and Hyde situation, and there's a specific reason!

This might be incoherent at best, but I will try my best to explain my thought process!

So, my reason for thinking of it as a Jekyll and Hyde situation is, rather simply, because he is an Eclipse. It is his canonical name, after all! However, unlike the Eclipse we know, and unlike Solar, he is not a part of Moon's code inside Sun's body, and rather is both Sun and Moon at the same time.

An interesting thing to note is, that it's never told to us what kind of eclipse he is. Is he a solar, or a lunar eclipse?

I think it's both.

I think there are two Ruins in one body. One is a Solar eclipse, and one is a Lunar eclipse. Both of them having different personality traits from Sun and Moon respectively.

The solar eclipse is likely the infected one. He has the theatrical and over the top nature Sun used to play up in the first videos, and the games. Meanwhile, he has Moon's intelligence. Able to rebuilt people, always planning ahead, etc.

The lunar eclipse is likely the one we've been spending our time with. He has Sun's anxiety and insecurities. Suprisingly, we don't see as many traits of Moon in him, but they are definitely here.

One thing to point out is, that one side of his face is white with a blue eye, and the other black with a red eye, which feels kind of symbolic, though it's most likely just a design choice.

The biggest question would be their existence. Why would there be two?

I am really not sure, but there are a few speculations!

One could be, that the two split due to the virus. That perhaps the virus created another personality, caused by the fact, that they are not meant to be one.

Another idea could be, that the solar side created the lunar side, as a parallel to the show's dimension. Perhaps the solar one pulled out certain personality traits that they weren't fond of, and gave them to the lunar one. Or perhaps they just split themself. Maybe this way, the virus was able to protect itself!

It's just a silly little theory though! I just thought, it's interesting, that the kind of Eclipse he is is never specified, given that we have a Sun, a Moon, two Solar Eclipses, a Lunar eclipse, and a Bloodmoon, y'know?

-Stardust

OH!!! OUHHHHH!!!!!! OUHG OKAY FIRST OF ALL THATS A SUPER FUN WAY TO VIEW RUIN OMG??? AND SECOND OF ALL I THINK I GET EXACTLY WHAT U MEAN AND HONESTLY I SUPER SUPER LOVE THAT!!!!!!

If it did turn out to be like that too, then it could sort of feel like a subtle nod to how people usually portray canon Sun and Moon, even the show itself!!! And stars honestly imo it would just make Ruin more interesting too!!

And any of ideas on how they could have split could be super fun to explore.... Specifically the one where the virus made them split gives the mental image of how water melting and freezing over and over in a crack can cause it to get bigger and bigger until it breaks apart, yk??? The virus just wiggling in deeper and deeper until the last bit of communication just snaps.

MAN I am like super vouching on some of these tbh HEHAHAJD I JUST BLORBO'D RUIN TODAY I'M NOT READY FOR HIM TO ENTER HIS VILLAIN ERA 2.0 /silly

[fooltofancy]

wanna build like. a greenhouse. or just a little kitchen or something that opens into a garden/patio.

but! why.