#if hopefully they get to beat japan (and i'm not sure it will be such an easy feat) then we would have poland or czechia 😭

[dracimexidae]

FORZA STELLINE!!!! 💚🤍❤️

[absolutebl]

This Week(s) in BL - yes yes I KNOW

Organized, in each category, with ones I'm enjoying most at the top.

Dec 2024 Week 1 & 2

Ongoing Series - Thai

Your Sky (Sun iQIYI) ep 3-4 of 12 - Them on the rooftop together (and cooking) learning how to flirt and be comfortable in each other’s space was so damn darling. Fah is so gentle and so enamored. its just endlessly soft. I love the nickname negotiation. And then next we got an illegally cute date!!!!! Yes this is slow but I don't care.

Love Sick 2024 (Sun iQIYI) ep 12-13 of 15 - I like we get more Phun/Dad conflict backstory in this new version. I'm chronicling my experience with 2024 as compared to 2014 here. (hasn't been updated, I'm struggling here)

Caged Again (Fri Gaga) ep 5-6 of 10 - Family (elder gays) to the rescue is a wonderful trope to see! So rare.

Also a v well done first kiss. 

Not gonna lie, I found the second episode overly weird and rather slow and drawn out. Did not need all the cartoon stuff. Also not really into the penguin outfit thing either. Not cute.

ThamePo Heart that Skips a Beat (Fri YT) ep 1 of 12 - Oh I absolutely adore it but...... it’s slow. But I don’t care because everyone’s so pretty. Po is a bit too much of a pushover for me and his sister (or whatever) is a bit too much of a sasang. So I don’t like that part. Hopefully these flaws will get rectified. But my oh my are they PRETTY.

Did I mention the pretty?

Fourever You (Thurs YT) ep 10-11 of 16 - These episodes were a bit better and I am warming Johan (if not to North). I think my issue with this story arc is I never love a tsundere seme. North's hair was epically bad, like 2008 Japan level terrible.

Hill & Ter’s make out and discovery scene was truly spectacular and very tense.

In ep 11 I got very confused because I thought we already saw the rescue from rape in the street scene? Or am I hallucinating? Anygay, most awkward kabedon ever in a BL.

Good kiss though.

And now we are in a very working girl a relationship. Cool if that's your thing, I guess.

The Heart Killers (Weds Gaga) ep 3 of 12 - I like the Khun Mehhh Boss lady character. I cannot stand the music in this show! Fake metal, fake tattoos, I'm getting Hollyoaks flashbacks. Lap sitting was cute and kink was a nice touch. Not sure about the dance tho. Fight scene was much better. Lots of action this ep. ALL the action really.  

Episode 4, however, I inexplicably couldn’t find. I clearly have to use my old-fashioned VPN work-around. And I don’t have access to that computer right now.

Perfect 10 Liners (Sun YT?) ep 6 of 24 - I did really enjoy the twist that the uke character (who is not in love) was more into having sex than seme character (who is in love). That was fun. And quite modern.

I do love them casually just walking around campus in waffle robes. For those who don’t know this is another dig at a BL trope. Frankly, now that there’s a lot more communication (and intentions have been made clear) between the two of them, I’m enjoying their relationship more. I still don't LIKE it. Also the ever present language play is making me happy. For those of you who missed it, the nuance of that krap from a prior perennially rude Arc is basically the equivalent of a semi-sarcastic but also kind of sweet “yes, dear.”

Meanwhile, Sea just popping up out of nowhere made me entirely too happy. I hooted with laughter, it was so ridiculous. Episode 7 I didn't pay much attention because the sound effects were particularly egregious - or was it just me? 

Spare Me Your Mercy (Thurs iQIYI) ep 2-4 of 8 - I went on a journey with this one this week. Ready?

2 - Ooo its very good. I like it a lot. The doc is soooo awkward it's almost believable and yet still sus. Such a great actor. I do keep wondering if they’ve already slept together at some point though. Like they once had a one night stand in college or something.  3 - I did not call the pharmacist and the hospital head kink. Nice twist. I do enjoy how very adult the relationship is between these leads, but I don't get a ton of chemistry. 4 - Well this show turned into something I was not expecting. I thought it was gonna be a sort of mystery but it’s not. It’s more crime thriller is he a serial killer thing. sorry all, but this is too dark for me rn. So I’m giving it a pass until it’s over and others have deemed it safe. 

Ongoing Series - Not Thai

Our Youth AKA Miseinen: Mijukuna Oretachi wa Bukiyo ni Shinkochu (Japan Tues Gaga) ep 5-6 of 11 - Oh it’s the classic flip halfway through so we get the other perspective. I forgot that was coming. Silly me. Anther one for the 2024 sniff test list list. Oh they gave such an achingly sweet sex scene Triggers are rough with this one. We are in for a world of pain. Why am I still watching?

See Your Love (Taiwan Weds Gaga) ep 8 of 13 - gosh they are so sweet. The Daddy/idiot-brat side pairing is epic. Wish they got more screen time.

Teenager Judge (Vietnam Sat YT) ep 11 of ? - finally stuff happened. 

Love in the Air: Koi no Yokan (Japan Sat Gaga) ep 6-7 of 10 - ugh, they kept the violation of the journal reading bit in the JBL version. It’s really hard to watch no matter what. I actually think the Thai version of that scene was better acted. But ho boy how do I ever like that character?

Love is Like a Poison AKA Doku Koi: Doku mo Sugireba Koi to Naru (Japan Tues ????) 11-12 end - Went pretty dark. Both psychologically, emotionally, and physically. I still like how the leads remained loyal and connected to each other though. Nice to see battle husbands again after so long. We don’t get them very often in BL these days. it’s just us against the world is always fun to watch. All that said  there’s quite a bit of chin stroking dialogue that was v on the nose and twee for JBL. Pleasure to see Haruto fight like a man who can actually fight, like the actor had some training or something (no idea if this is true). The final ep was satisfying and all in all, an enjoyable show.

A fun little JBL about a repressed lawyer who partners with (and then falls for) a beautiful street-savvy conman. Charmingly, they both come out the better and stronger for the relationship. The return of battle husbands, this time in the courtroom. Thank you, Japan, we appreciate a look in on an oft forgotten trope. 8/10

Be Moon - Falling for my enemy's son (China YT) movie from HBD Studio airing in short bits - this is another series of shorts that popped up on YouTube. It’s very pulp I not wild about it. Although I do like a lot of the tropes. 

Eyes on You (Hong Kong YT) - trailer, oh it’s mostly incomprehensible and really not good. I'd tell you what it’s about but I have no idea. There seems to be some sort of mystery and some violence and people fighting and a pair of lovers at the center of it who are being reunited. Or something.

It's airing but......

Winter Is Not The Death of Summer (Thai Weds YT) ?? eps - Criminals who meet in prison fall in love. I did find it on YouTube, initially un-subbed, then subs happened by which time I got distracted. The first episode seems to be only six minutes long. It is very pulp. But it is intriguing. For now it's to the wayside until someone tells me it landed safely. Occasionally Thai pulps want to be edgy and it's not a good look on them.

Secret Love (? YT?) 13-?? of 81 eps - I don't know what's going on either.

0.5D (Japan ????) 10 eps - Supposedly started 12/4 I couldn't find it though I'd like to watch. "Sales ace, Sada, has a secret that only his junior, Daiki, knows. He has pretended to have a gf for years, resulting in him being a virgin. But now Sada has fallen in love. Confused, Sada seeks advice from his junior." I sense another queer Cyrano De Bergerac. Info here.

Bad to Bed (Taiwan Sat YT) 10 eps - This is a little too low production value even for me + just very very odd. DNF

It Ended But?

Blue Canvas of Youthful Days (China Sun Viki) paused at eps 9-10 of 12 - I have been told the ending is OK if not great. I’m gonna hold off for a bit.

Bad Guy My Boss (Thai Sun Gaga) 10 eps - I DNF'd at ep 7, did anyone stick with this until the end? Thoughts?

Next Week Looks Like This:

No cal for you. Mine is borked. LIFE. Interfering with my BL. Again.

End of year drops:

12/14 & 12/21 The Renovation (Thai mini One31) 2 eps - Writer turns his blossoming romance with holiday resort owner into a novel.

12/20 Eternal Butler (Taiwan Viki?) 12 eps - When Ever 4, a sophisticated AI robot, becomes the personal butler to Luo Bu Shi, a spoiled yet lonely young heir, an unexpected love story unfolds. (Spin off from the first season, new cast.)

12/29 Sangmin Dinneaw (Thai ????) ??eps - trailer Childhood friends (Thai & Korean) reunite after being apart for ten years. As the boys reconnect, their bond matures and feelings of romance begin to develop, in Thai.

Impression of Youth (Taiwan ????) ??eps - rummors are thsi is supposed to start this month.

Upcoming BLs for 2024 are listed here. This list is not kept updated, so please leave a comment if you know something new or RP with additions.

THIS WEEK’S BEST MOMENTS

Peak humor. Very good.

STRAIGHT = wrong word

(All Perfect 10)

LOOK AT THAT FACE> GAH. (Fourever)

(2 weeks ago)

The tag BLigade: @doorajar @solitaryandwandering @my-rose-tinted-glasses @babymbbatinygirl @babymbbatinygirl @isisanna-blog @mmastertheone @pickletrip @aliceisathome @urikawa-miyuki @tokillamonger @sunflower-positiiivity @rocketturtle4 @blglplus @anythinggoesintheshire @everlightly @renafire @mestizashinrin @bl-bam-beyond @small-dark-and-delicious @saezurumurmurs

Don't complain you're lucky I got this done at all!

[hawkatana]

So, given everything that's happened in recent hours, I thought I might give people who don't know about Gundam some stuff to learn about. Hopefully I can give a balanced and not-racist take like some people.

What is Gundam?

Created by Yoshiyuki Tomino with help by Yoshikazu Yasuhiko and animated by the studio Sunrise (currently Bandai Namco Animation, though I refuse to call them that), the original Mobile Suit Gundam released in 1979 to initially-limited success, though would gain popularity through a combination of fujoshis shipping the characters, the sale of plastic model kits referred to as "Gunpla" and a recut of the series into three compilation movies throughout the early 80's. And as of 2024 is the 66th highest-grossing media franchise of all time, beating out Scooby Doo, Minecraft and the Simpsons.

Also, I'm pretty sure it's what sparked Japanese sci-fi's obsession with O'Neill Cylinders.

The original anime takes place in the year 0079 of the Universal Century, where the Principality of Zeon: a nation composed of orbital space colonies declares a war of independence against the Earth Federation. This "One Year War" has already claimed half the human population by series start and is waged through the use of "Mobile Suits": bipedal mecha powered by a fusion reactor capable of effectively fighting out in the reaches of space.

Main character Amuro Ray is the son of a Federation engineer who lives in an out-of-the-way space colony, though soon finds his home under attack by a Zeon infiltration. After finding the secret Mobile Suit project his father was working on: the RX-78-2 Gundam, he fights off the Zeon invaders, though finds himself and a bunch of other kids conscripted by the Federation to fight the forces of Zeon aboard the ship the White Base. Throughout his journey, Amuro and the Gundam fight many battles against Zeon, including against their mysterious masked ace pilot Char Aznable.

The series was responsible for the codification (but not creation, people get this wrong all the time) of the "Real Robot" subgenre of mecha, where the robots were relatively more realistic and used as weapons of war as opposed to the more fantastical "Super Robot" subgenre pioneered by Mazinger Z and Getter Robo.

A major theme of the show, and the franchise as a whole is "War is bad", as demonstrated through this meme:

Yes, this is the original version of this meme format.

Anyway, Tomino, a renowned pacifist who grew up in the shadow of Japan's involvement in WW2 tried to use his platform as an anime director to try and tell a story that would get people to realise war's futility and brutality.

So I hear you asking, "That's nice and all, but what about the space lesbians who beat Destiel on their home turf?" Well, let's get into that.

What is the Witch From Mercury?

Mobile Suit Gundam: The Witch from Mercury, or "G-Witch" for short is one of the more recent entries in the Gundam Franchise and a (very) loose adaptation of William Shakespeare's The Tempest. Set in the year 122 Ad Stella, the solar system is under the de facto control of the Benerit Group: a megacorporation with borderline-medieval internal politics that maintains a system of capitalism that benefits Spacians at the expense of those who live on Earth.

Main heroine Suletta Mercury enrolls at Asticassia School of Technology owned by the Benrit Group at the behest of her mother: CEO Prospera Mercury of the Mercury-based Shin Sei Development Corporation, and wins a Mobile Suit duel against a bully in her own MS: the Gundam Aerial. This however means she has now won the hand in marriage of daughter of the Benerit Group CEO: Miorine Rembran, beginning a series of consequences that shape the very political landscape of the solar system.

G-Witch was a massive hit, both critically and commercially. The first episode: the Witch and the Bride attracting record numbers for the studio and the Gunpla kit for the Aerial is currently the best-selling Gunpla kit ever.

Contrary to popular belief, G-Witch is not the first piece of Gundam media to feature a female protagonist. That honour would go to the 2002 Japan-only manga École du Ciel, nor would it have the first queer main character, which goes to 1999's Turn-A Gundam (and if you were to ask any fan of the series, they'd so it goes back to the very beginning). But it became notable for its lesbian representation in anime (in spite of Sunrise's attempts to downplay it, to the anger of the director, writer, producer, artists, animators, cast, fans and even their own parent company Bandai Namco who forced them to back off).

One thing I need to clarify: You don't need to have watched the original series to enjoy G-Witch. They're not even in the same continuity.

So if you're interested in the series and you've only watched G-Witch, I'll give out three recommendations for you all to enjoy:

Mobile Suit Gundam 00

Gundam 00 takes place in the year 2307 (the only series to use our own calendar), where the world is divided between three global superpowers: The Union of Free & Solar Nations (The Americas, Australia, New Zealand and Japan), the Human Reform League (China, South, East, Southeast and Central Asia) and the Advanced European Union (all of Europe, including all of Russia west of the Urals) who each control a space elevator near the equator and wage proxy-wars in Africa and the Middle-East over Earth's dwindling resources. This eventually culminates in the emergence of Celestial Being: a terrorist group consisting of Setsuna F. Seiei, Lockon Stratos, Allelujah Haptism and Tierria Erde, all of whom use powerful "Gundam" Mobile Suits and try to forcefully impose global peace on the Earth.

00 is pretty slow-paced and is more about the world than the individual characters, but said characters are really well-written, especially the characters from the three power blocs who are the de facto protagonists as they try to stop what are in their eyes a bunch of crazed terrorists preaching a hypocritical and incoherent ideology of "peace through force".

And to address the elephant in the room, this series is VERY post-9/11. Constant talks about terrorism, proxy-conflicts in the global south (especially the Middle-East), religious extremism, dwindling resources and the wars fought over them. While the franchise has always been political and of-its-time, you can just tell 00 was made in the mid-2000's. Again, it's good. But just something to keep in mind.

Turn-A Gundam

Turn-A Gundam is one of the weirder elements of the franchise for a myriad of reasons. Not the least of which being its unique setting taking inspiration from the famous sci-fi novel War of the Worlds.

In the Year 2345 of the Correct Century, human civilisation is at a level of technology reminiscent of the late-19th/early 20th centuries, save for the Moonrace on... well, the moon. As part of their queen Diana Soreil's plan to reintegrate both Lunar and Terran societies, several scouts are sent to the planet to set up their return to the planet. One such scout: Loran Cehack integrates into Terran society as a driver for the wealthy Heim family, though at a coming of age ceremony for the family's second daughter, a member of the Moonrace attacks the technologically-inferior Terrans. However, a mysterious mustached statue breaks apart to reveal a "White Doll": the Turn-A Gundam, allowing Loran to fend off the invaders. rest of the series becomes more of a mystery to how the supposedly-peace loving Moonrace could allow of such brutality.

The setting of the Correct Century timeline alone is one of the draws of Turn-A, though its excellent characters and compelling mystery also help a lot.

I do however have two warnings for people interested in watching it. The first is that this series was never dubbed. While it did receive an official sub in 2015, there still isn't a dub for the series. So if that bothers you, there's your warning.

The other is that there's a pretty big twist in the latter part of the series that while I will not spoil it here, it's such a big deal that I can't not mention it. It doesn't make any sense, and it actively detracts from not just the series, but the whole franchise. You'll know it when you see it. It doesn't ruin my enjoyment, but a lot of people don't like Turn-A for that alone.

Mobile Fighter G Gundam

Favourite entry. Don't care. It's peak.

In the Year 60 of the Future Century, war has been abandoned by the nations of humanity in favour of the Gundam fight: a quad-annual fighting tournament between Gundams representative of the countries of the world where the winner rules space until the next Gundam fight, all while leaving the Earth ecologically devastated in the fighting. Neo-Japan's Gundam Fighter: Domon Kasshu arrives on Earth seeking information on his older brother Kyoji, who killed their mother and led to their father's arrest before stealing the experimental Devil Gundam to Earth, beating up every Gundam Fighter in his way. However, he eventually learns of far more dangerous revelations about the incident.

G Gundam is to put it bluntly: bat-shit insane. And I love it. It basically took a look at the then-stagnating franchise in the wake of the wet fart that was Victory Gundam and said "I know what can save this franchise, Bruce Lee movies!" And it somehow worked.

Word of advice: watch it dubbed. Mark Gatha absolutely kills it as Domon every time, and puts just the right amount of ham into every line.

So yeah, that's some stuff on Gundam. This was a long post to write out. I'm gonna take a break now.

[runningflowers]

impressions

first trial. what are everyone's thoughts of prisoner eleven?

tw/cw: cursing, mentions of drinking, smoking and threats

jackalope

"prisoner eleven. i would deem them one of the more interesting prisoners of milgram. also one of the more dangerous ones. who knows what they can do really. only time will tell."

es

"seriously a pain in the ass. out of all the prisoners, prisoner eleven is the most difficult to get information out of, but... when you do, it's the most rewarding. hopefully they won't cause too much trouble to the other prisoners. as much as i dislike everyone, i dislike prisoner eleven the most."

haruka

"prisoner eleven? oh! um... they're alright i guess. they keep me company and actually made me laugh a few times. though, i can't help but feel restless around them at times... it's not their fault though! i'm probably just overthinking it..."

yuno

"i like prisoner eleven! they give me a lot of attention, and i can joke around with them quite often. i feel like i don't really have to force myself with them. they can get a little too cynical for my liking sometimes, but other than that, they're like a good person to talk to!"

fuuta

"fuck prisoner eleven. i can't stand listening to them talk. it's like they know all the right times to piss me off. they're a fucking freak and that's all i know."

muu

"muu's first interaction with prisoner eleven was when they came up to me and called muu pretty. but after that, they just kept teasing muu about not knowing french... i was raised in japan."

shidou

"the most like a child out of all the prisoners. prisoner eleven is quite a refreshing character, but i am concerned for them at times. it seems like they're keeping up an act, but at the same time, that could just be how they are. i wonder if they even sleep. their eye bags seem to say otherwise."

mahiru

"prisoner eleven feels like someone i could truly love. out of all the prisoners, they keep me company the most! i like all the other prisoners, of course, but i think i like prisoner eleven the most! plus, they let me doll them up often!"

kazui

"if there isn't someone laughing at my joke, prisoner eleven isn't there. they always give me the biggest reactions to them, and i always appreciate it. i also found out that they're surprisingly a lightweight! are they even allowed to drink?"

amane

"prisoner eleven acts more like a kid than me, so i don't wanna hear any other prisoner say i'm like a kid! i once asked them to teach me something educational, and they told me they flunked school! i'm twelve. surely they know something i don't."

mikoto

"prisoner eleven is a pretty eccentric person. one time i blacked out, and when i woke up, they were smoking with the others. they then put a cig in my hand and offered a lighter. who influenced them?"

kotoko

"i'm hoping for prisoner eleven to be guilty, so i can beat the shit out of them with my bat. if i'm being honest, i don't think i could keep up with them if we went hand to hand. they're the type of person i want to get rid of the most."

a/n: i do not condone starting smoking or drinking or flunking out of school. stay in school. and don't do drugs.

[broodcoffee]

Going into the final two episodes of Witch from Mercury, I have some questions and observations

1. If the GUND technology was necessary for survival in space, then how did the Spacians survive without it in the 21 years since the Vanadis incident? It seems like the Spacians we saw are in more or less good health.

2. The plight of the Earthians has been reduced to a setpiece in the political drama of the Benerit Group/Space Assembly League.

3. Related to 2, the Dawn of Fold basically disappeared after Guel's episode on Earth. Also, the lack of context on Sophie and Norea made it difficult to care about them more.

4. Speaking of Guel, I think the writing did him dirty as his development after his experience on Earth was mostly walked back on. I expected he would care more about the Earthians or the terrible effect of war especially after he tried to save Seethia but nope. This just reinforced my observation that the Earthians' plight is nothing more than a setpiece in this show.

5. Shaddiq has been shown to be someone who planned things meticulously and can adapt on the fly but he suddenly made this all-or-nothing gamble when he attacked Guel in space resulting in him losing everything. Take note this was the same guy who thought of making out the Jeturk company as the fall guy for the attack at Plant Quetta to simultaneously remove them from the political game and deflect suspicion. It was as if the writers just wanted to clear the chessboard.

6. Elan Prime. Will he ever do something or be someone significant in this show? Speaking of Elans, thank goodness they remembered Elan 4 if only to give closure to Suletta. Also goodbye Pharact, everyone forgot about you.

7. Miorine's stagnant role for 3 episodes like the writers did not know what to do with her until she and Suletta have reconciled. I get she was traumatized by what happened but it would have been helpful to get a glimpse of her reaction to, say, the second attack at Asticassia.

8. The episodes after episode 17 have been weirdly paced. It was very rushed (like the results of the election and Quiet Zero already up and running) and at the same time the characters, like Guel and Miorine seemed to stagnate or rather, they were waiting for the set events, like Suletta's return, to happen before they can act.

It was also a waste to have Nika locked up for most of cour 2. At least Elan 5 and Norea got to know each other better but Nika was just a static spectator. Yes, her asking did lead to Elan 5 revealing Peil Technologies' best kept secret but other than that, it seemed like she was locked in there because the writers did not know what else to do with her until it was time for Earth House to reconcile. All in all, it did feel like there were these set events that the show had to go through and sometimes, when those events aren't happening yet, the writers seemed not to know what to do with certain characters hence the weird narrative choices like locking them up or having them so inert--like they were just waiting for the beats.

9. Miorine and Suletta--they sorely needed the little moments to build up their relationship. They had a lot of big moments, yes, but they also needed little moments as well. There's the Japan tour, audio drama, and light novel but the TV series needed these moments as well.

10. I still have a question about Delling's significance to the plot, like why was he still kept alive to be in a coma for most of cour 2 but I guess we'll find out soon enough. Also, hopefully Nortrette is still going to be more significant than her message in the tomato; after all, QZ was her idea. If not resolved properly, then Delling's comatose state would seem like another case of point 8, i.e., the writers not knowing what to do with him until the plot needs him.

I'm not sure if most of these can be addressed in the last two episodes of this cour. Maybe it would help if there was another cour but I'm not too sure if we're getting it since the show has been in a rush to tie up many--but not all (and I'm not too sure if they intended it that way or if they just overshot themselves)--of the loose ends. I read somewhere someone saying that characters are just tools to move the narrative along and while I would contest that characters can be more than tools and that they themselves can be the focus and the main driver of the story, in WFM cour 2--especially the 2nd half--the characters did feel like they were just tools.

Anyway, let's see. I'll be watching the final two episodes together two weeks from now. Hopefully, Witch from Mercury sticks its landing. 🤞

[waffluous]

ini/jo1 wips that will never come to fruition

"yikes": band + mafia au. sho. but also dxteen ini jo1 and me:i are all there

“Listen. My main concern is why the actual fuck are you getting involved with Jaminico?”

Jaminico is a lavish bar spot for the upper echelons of society, but as everyone and their dog knows, it's the world's worst front for the major mafia businesses futzing around in Japan. And, as everyone and their dog also knows, the mafia is not good news for- anyone, really. Unless your interests happen to include “trying to get a gunshot to the back of your head and have it passed off as a suicide”, in which you should absolutely do whatever the hell you want before the inevitable happens.

It seems as if Suzuku is amongst these ranks, and you noisily exhale into your phone mic to emphasise your feelings about this information.

"ku": mafia au. masaya. also taji is there

It's only when you're under your thick doona that you realise that you've totally forgotten about your sketchbook, which is most definitely still at the park.

Oh well. Surely no one's taken it.

"h": not an au. either sho or masaya

no cool excerpt all just bland worldbuilding

"lol": soulmate au. masaya. also ini

Unfortunately, you were so dumbfounded by your uncomfortably bright string, now looking like a high budget ribbon ensemble, that you couldn't really appreciate this. This evidently applied to basically everyone in the room, with the outliers just goggling you in undisguised shock. Your apparent soulmate, or black hair guy as you had dubbed him in your mind, was also part of this demographic - completely lost for words whilst staring at you.

Yikes. This was… really fucking awkward.

"jumps are": school delinquent au. masaya. twice j line makes a cameo

A bright eyed guy stepped in, hair bleached a uniform blonde, colourful bag haphazardly slung on his back, the 3 top buttons of his school shirt undone, mildly shredded pants collecting around his worn Nike Jordans, and an impressively neutral complexion on his face.

It was honestly quite commendable that he was that unfazed under all the whispers and stares of your classmates. Maybe he was a new kid?

Whatever. You went back to staring down the sparrows bouncing and prancing on the swaying trees outside until the discordant screech of a budget school chair being pulled out alerted you to the arrival of someone next to you. Which was surprising, considering no one sat there, ever, thanks to the unfortunate reputation of your absent seatmate.

This person was not deterred, for a multicoloured bag was unceremoniously plonked on the desk. Grey school pants particularly beat up around the knee area entered your vision. You looked up.

It was blondie.

"im going to be so fr rn": ceo au. masaya yudai. maki gets to enjoy the tomfoolery.

“I hope you're not overworking yourself or anything,” Masaya said in that kind honest tone of his. How he managed to do that in a line of work where he most likely was a professional liar was beyond comprehension. “Would you like to go get a drink with me?”

“Oh, don't worry, I'm-” You cut yourself off when your brain registered that last question. “Fine. Yes. Fine.” Kyosuke did not mention that his friends (?) were extending pleasantries beyond business…?

“What’s this?” Speak of the devil – Yudai slid in, pristine leather briefcase in hand, and smiled at Masaya. “And you're not inviting me?"

“Thanks for offering, but I don't really want anything right now,” you hastily told them. “Hopefully you guys have fun though!”

"god is real and he is in this doc": genderbent au. maki masaya yudai. taji and fengfan are there too

A group of some of the prettiest girls you had ever seen in your life walked by, and with each step they took, you could feel your heart seeping out into the floorboards beneath you. Dripping through, vanishing into the depths of the foundations, any other sentences in the same vein – that was you right then.

Oh my God.

Oh. My. God.

It was almost as if some otherworldly being was laughing in your face when one of the girls smoothly turned her head and met eyes with you, before you very awkwardly looked away.

…Was it too early to have another freak out? No. No, it absolutely wasn't.

[creativenicocorner]

Seeing your opinions on writing dialogue in other languages in fic was really neat. It seems like you put a lot of thought into how you handle dialogue and it made me curious about how you approach this in A Funny Old World. When Moist meets everyone, is he speaking Japanese? Do you have Morporkian and Japanese as being the same language in this fic or is there something else?

♡___〆(・∀・) What a wonderful question @verdigrispatina !! Thank you for asking!!

It's a little tricky in A Funny Old World because it is a bit of everything. Two things are happening that are true:

Moist is from the Discworld (a world as we know strongly powered by belief. Believe something hard enough and it might just manifest in strange and interesting ways.)

Teruki is hinted at actively reading and dreaming about Discworld books ( I said in my fic notes, I'm working under the assumption Japan was very lucky to have all 41 books translated.)

So what happens when these two very true things happen at the same time? And I've sort of built it off of that.

Moist is able to communicate with Reigen and Teruki not only because his book was translated and Teruki was having strong emotions about the series, but also right from the get go Reigen mistakes Moist as Just Some Guy™ -why wouldn't this average looking guy in Japan not know how to speak Japanese? Even if he looks a little foreign, his face is hard to pin down.

In a future chapter when Reigen and Teruki start questioning this a bit more, especially when the three of them grab ramen together, the pair of them can see how strong their influence on Moist can be with their belief.

In the scene not only has them wondering how it is that Moist can communicate with them, but other small things like a seasoned pro (using chopsticks for example), the more Reigen and Teruki start to agree that, maybe it isn't very realistic that Moist would know how to use chopsticks, the more Moist starts gradually not being able to use them and gets increasingly frustrated because: 'I was managing perfectly before!'

This leads to Moist having his own version of the famous Taako Adventure Zone quote: I have emotions! It’s not all abraca-fuck-you and what have you. I have a beating heart! I’m multi-dimensional! I’m a fully-realized creation! FUCK!

That is to say Moist ends up working over time trying to continuously explain that He's a REAL PERSON!! He has a WIFE WAITING FOR HIM!!!! Cue Moist having to believe in his own existence - it gets very existential haha

And YET that too is the power of belief, if Reigen and Teruki don't believe then Moist has to work EVEN HARDER to believe in himself, and his existence. (There's this really silly, but hopefully powerful scene I want to get to, where Moist and Reigen are out on Reigen's balcony while Reigen smokes, and Moist has a rendition of "I miss my wife, Reigen. I miss her a lot." and the scene slowly becomes more and more sobering. Full of complex emotions, leading Reigen to accept that, yes he might be a character from a book, but Moist is also right in front of him with flesh and able to bleed and cry. What's more real than that?)

After all that number 1 detail that is still very true!! Moist IS REAL, REALLY from the Disc. Specifically a post canon Disc, and paired with that, well, I very much like to head canon Fedecks (the pseudo Hermes of the Disc) never really left Moist after what he did in Going Postal. Moist as a character embodies so naturally all the things that Fedecks (Hermes) represents: thieves, messenger of the gods-and messages in general, psychopomp, watcher of travelers and cross roads.

I have a lot of feelings about Moist and his similarities to Hermes, which I hope to explore further in detail in other works (A Runaway's Gamble is for sure one of those works)

That is to say, I like to think Fedecks borrows in Moist, just in there along for the ride in his fancy silly avatar- delightfully curious as to what he'd do next. And because of that, Moist is, unknowingly, a trans-dimensional trickster god. Very human, can still bleed etc, but certain things will work or not work by, essentially, Bugs Bunny Logic (whether it would be funny, or hilariously not funny) and ye olde narrative convention.

Something Moist unknowingly taps into while trying very hard to believe he is real.

The only character who gets close to figuring the whole piggybacking trickster god thing out is Dimple who tries to possess Moist (multiple times). Only to get jettisoned (or self ejects) out after a harrowing encounters with Fedecks.

All this to say, the answer is Yes!

Morporkian is Japanese, because the Discworld books were translated in Japanese. But also, Morporkian is still Morporkian and Moist has a piggybacking trickster god inside that thinks it'd be boring if Moist couldn't use his words.

I hope this made sense, and that I articulated it well!

♡⸜(*ˊᗜˋ*)⸝♡Thank you so much again for asking!!♡

Best wishes, Nico

[pleasehelpaaaa]

█ [--10%...--35%...--78%...--100%] — for the staring @fourtyfourcatss !

█ "Hm? How'd you end up all the way out here? I don't smell Inuyashas' scent on you, or any of that mutts group for that matter. Just who /are/ you?"

˜”*°•.˜”*°• •°*”˜.•°*”˜˜”*°•.˜”*°• •°*”˜.•°*”˜˜”*°•.

˜”*°•.˜”*°• •°*”˜.•°*”˜˜”*°•.˜”*°• •°*”˜.•°*”˜˜”*°•.

█ Featuring Inuyasha: Your pair is Koga!

█ This pair may seem a little out of left field, but I swear I actually have an idea of what I'm doing this time with this Matchup, Promise- So with Koga, He, while struggling in the beginning does genuinely learn from others over time, as shown in the anime where he goes from displaying (extreme?) indifference to the lives of humans to gradually understand and even care for them in his own, Koga-esque way.

█ Never let him find out your called Gremlin. That's going to become your name, no, he won't forget, yes, you might be able to bribe him. Might. I promise he's trying his best to be affectionate.

█ Koga is noticeably loyal to those he deems 'one of his pack' in a sense, and given that he's also blunt I don't think he'd try beating around the bush with you, in any context honestly? When originally meeting him assuming he hasn't met Inuyashas' group yet it's safe to say he probably doesn't understand boundaries - that's where the bluntness comes in. Koga can learn, and considering how adamantly he pressed after what or who he likes I wouldn't put it past him to learn to respect whatever lines you set.

█ Koga most likely won't mind (too much) when or if you ever end up being whiny or pushy, he may just take your word for it, after all he has just as hot of a temper to rival Inuyashas and further, he'd 100% appreciate your incentive to improve and your ambition. After having his pack nearly wiped out once before and considering he's still a chieftain there's always going to be reasons to improve and a need to do so, something he could benefit from when he has a partner as ambitious as you!

█ He, according to his own description, does not think things through very often, frequently jumping to action rather than planning things out - you could (hopefully) level him out! He's passionate about what he wants and likes and being around you I do genuinely believe that not only would your personality rub off on him positively, but also would help keep him from doing anything stupid! Don't worry about tripping over your words, Koga will listen after all as far as he is concerned he's yours through and through and as his pride as a Wolf-Demon demands that he takes your word just as seriously as he takes his own. Not to mention this guy probably loves bragging that your his, afterall, your his. He's not leaving if you're not leaving (or your safety is somehow compromised in which case he is 100% coming back for you) and he's damn proud of that.

█ In all honesty? He's probably very, very curious as to how you got here, I mean in the feudal Era of Japan and here you come waltzing in with cute little hairpins, he's impressed honestly he is. Furthermore, he upfront trusts your opinion people, not sure how this demon is going to react? He's calling you 100%, even if he likes the idea of having you (potentially) rely on him, he still knows when to relent (reluctantly. Verrry reluctantly.)

[-> [- Loading . . . ] Scenario Complete ✓

[-> Koga had to honestly pause in his routine checking of his packs territory, this was supposed to be nothing more than a check-up, making sure the Mutt hadn't returned and to overall cover his packs safety, he wouldn't let them get that close to being wiped out again but here he was, paused where he was running, to look at you.

You hadn't exactly planned on getting into this scenario, you don't think many people plan to go through wells, into the feudal area, with a bunch of demons either but here you were, and Koga surely wasn't going to give you time to think over it right now.

"Hey! You! What are you doing out here?!" Koga yelled out to catch your attention before he could really stop himself, intrigue clouding his more rational train of thought, not that you were a demon, no, he couldn't smell that on your scent but by all that he was worth if he wasn't curious about you then he wasn't a wolf demon.

[-> [- Save -? ] Scenario End ✓

˜”*°•.˜”*°• •°*”˜.•°*”˜˜”*°•.˜”*°• •°*”˜.•°*”˜˜”*°•.

˜”*°•.˜”*°• •°*”˜.•°*”˜˜”*°•.˜”*°• •°*”˜.•°*”˜˜”*°•.

█ "Hm? Aren't you a long way from the warm sunny days of Mondstat and Liyue? C'mere comrade, you can have my coat! After all, it's important to make sure allies don't get sick in the cold!"

█ Featuring Genshin:Impact : Your match is Tartaglia!

█ Like I said, I swear I know what I'm doing just trust the process🙏

█ Tartaglia (Or Childe whatever you wanna call this ginger) is obviously not the most morally aligned character out there but, if his loyalty isn't prevalent (?) I don't know what is.

█ Tartaglia isn't the easiest to describe and for good reason considering that's meant to be his character, but if we take most of his actions and words at face value he really does have passion, and for those he cares to extend it to, his loyalty whatever his loyalty may come as.

█ He, like Koga, appreciates the fact that your loyalty shines through and your levelheaded - ness might just be the reason that one day, he's not dead out somewhere in the world of Teyvat. He also finds the optimistic but realistic mindset attractive, able to appreciate and take in what's positive while also being realistic about? Perfect. It's even better if you get to meet his family! If you want to get a job to support them financially he won't stop you, having too much more is rarely a bad thing, bonus points if you manage to be a toy worker, it's plausible grounds now to explain it if his siblings ever question him.

█ As a Harbinger devoted to the Tsaritsa he doesn't beat around the bush much when he needs to, if he has a goal then he has a goal. If that goal requires him to do a little beating of the bush he's sure he can, and he could probably do it well but having a partner as equal as blunt if not more so cuts down the time of having to figure out what's wrong, and there's no extra frustration. Don't worry about running your mouth here either, every stumble over a word or repeated sentence is probably jotted down somewhere if it's important, unless told otherwise and even then he's a little bit of an ass like that sometimes.

█ Due to the nature of his work Tartaglia isn't ever really in just /one/ are, we see him make appearances all through the map and frequently he's shown by himself, so I'm sure if you agreed to travel with him that, after grasping what your humor is, he'd love to have company assuming your down for the ride. If not, that's fine too! He'll just swing by and visit every now and then, probably not as frequently though as if he was travelling with you.

█ He loves the thrill of battle normally, it's a passion that burns within him and he's proven mastery over various weapons but nothing compares to having a partner with passion too, even if it's not under the exact same circumstances. Not to mention he'd probably bring you tons of gifts whether that be in the form of books or art, I'm sure he can find something for you. Besides, maybe he'll get you some hilichurl themed stuff and just call you Goblin, for giggles.

█ He's contradictory and many could call him a hypocrite but he is nothing if not your lover. You will most definitely have to set boundaries with him, how fast you want to go, what's okay and not okay, how much he can push you - because if not told otherwise it's like a child being given free reigns, he's going to push it simply because he can. But if he knows where the line is (hopefully) he respects the line, and likewise respects you.

[-> [- Loading . . . ] Scenario Complete ✓

[-> He wasn't even trying to hide it at this point, was he?

Tartaglia had been pointedly looking at you from across the diner you and your friends had decided to frequent that night, don't worry, he made sure not to stare but he was sneaking multiple lingering glances between trying to focus on what he should be doing and what he very, very clearly wanted to do. He wanted to go and meet you.

So, with one final glance down at the paperwork and files he should've been reading he stashed them away and confidently strode his way over. All the bravado in the world couldn't have masked just how eager he looked when as he walked over it finally clicked what he could break the Ice with considering Liyue's most recent news.

"Sooo, comrades! Heard yotur not from Liyue, but fill a fellow traveller in what is the story behind that dragon that dropped from the sky?" He asked - gaze pointedly flickering over to the nearest person - you, with a book about the Geo Archonia you could've sworn wasn't there a few minutes ago.

[-> [- Save -? ] Scenario End ✓

[ That's all I have, sorry if the characters seem a little ooc, I tried googling their personalities so I got as close a fit as I could. It's been a while since I wrote smthn like this but I hope you enjoy! ]

ˏˋ°•*⁀➷. Honorable Mentions: First Ever Matchup Exchange!

[ota-division]

Kira's Thoughts on Katsushika Division

Akihisa Mashiro

"Akihisa Mashiro, the man known far and wide as, "The Reaper". Would you believe me if I told you that I actually met this man whilst I was serving in the army? Even back then, rumors of his killings were the stuff of legend during the war. I have to admit, I never once thought that I'd ever see him again. But imagine my surprise when he was arrested. And get this, apparently, it was orchestrated by none other than General Kōkyū. I caught sight of him once behind bars, but I'm not sure if he even recognized me. I don't think we'd have much to say to each other, at any rate. I never thought I'd see him participating in a rap tournament of all things. Will wonders never cease?"

Touya Kisaragi

"The man known as "The Sweetheart Killer". Although I should have nothing but contempt for this young man, considering his childhood and family history, I feel nothing but sorrow for him. You have to wonder if he would turned out like this if he had been raised by parents that didn't extort or abuse him. It makes me wonder for all children such as him. Hopefully, the mandatory psychiatrist he goes to can heal him, though I know it'll take a long while."

Rintaro Himura

"And last but not least, "The High-Rose Bomber". At first, I could sympathize with this young man. Why? Because my circumstances were a lot like his at one point. I can remember being surrounded by flames in a house and a drunken fool of a father. ...But that is where our similarities end. While I fight to protect my friends and family, he commits arson, loving nothing more than hearing screams of his victims and seeing buildings go alight. I was there when Wataru-san interrogated him. And if it weren't for the fact that it's technically illegal, I would have burst into the confessional and beat his smug face into the ground. People like him make me sick to the core."

Death Row Block

"I've only worked for Chuohku for a couple of years now, but I've long ago stopped trying to understand what it is that makes the Prime Minister tick. I don't fully understand her reasonings for getting three of Japan's worst criminals off of death row, much less, out of prison. She firmly believes that she can control anyone, but she is sorely mistaken. I've tried to explain this, but she wouldn't listen. But if these young men commit any sort of crime, whose job is it to make sure that they don't do it again? I wish she would take those sort of things under consideration."

"I'll say this: if we do face these men, then I personally want to take on the pyromaniac, himself. We'll see if those flames of his will hold out against my shield."

[happyandticklish]

4, 10, 21? For the asks 😊😊

Good to see you back on my dash <3

Crow! ^^ Good to see you too~ I am hoping that I can actively be on here more now that midterms and everything has slowed down a bit, so hopefully this burst of energy I'm having now will continue forward

4. What's your favorite thing about tickling?

There are so many things that I love about it that it's hard to encapsulate that love into just one aspect. But if I had to pick, probably the teasing nature of anything? My general love language is playful bullying and teasing anyway, so tickling slots right in with it. There's something about the flustered thrill of someone teasing you that I can't get enough of. And getting to make someone else feel that way? Mind-blowing stuff.

10. Cuddly tickles or tickles sitting up/pinned?

Oh, for sure pinned down. While I am somewhat addicted to cuddly tickles, nothing beats the rush of giddy helplessness from someone having you at their mercy. Also, I tend to squirm around a bit, so having someone who's able to hold me in place is always nice~

21. A place you'd love to travel someday?

Honestly, so many lol. I think going to England or Japan could be cool. Scotland could be interesting too. England would probably be my type one if I could only pick one area, though

[maguro13-2]

The Dark Picture REPAINT ~ Origins of the Ink Demon : Operation Drawcia Pt. 7 ~

Tsunade : Please, Shizune. Get a hold of yourself. There might be some good ink stuff somewhere in the ink storage department. Hopefully we got plenty of good batteries to charge.

Shizune : A...Are you sure about that, lady Tsunade? But the Ink Storage department was closed for than many years. But I'm scared.

Tsunade : There's nothing to worry about, I got it all covered. I once had this to predict my life after that, Jiraiya gave this to me before we all go. Just to be sure that you are lucky to have this.

Shizune : Wow! Thanks, Lady Tsunade.

Lady Tsunade : It's hardly to understand that this ink stuff will help you get protected and it protected me ever since. So get a good look.

Shizune : Lady Tsunade.

Tsunade : Tch. Those bugs sure got a lot of juice in their stomachs. I hate to say it, but it's their loss. *Pulls switch*

[Echo Night - Beyond OST : Track 11]

*The machine starts moving*

Tsunade : [To Shizune] There. Wasn't that so bad?

Shizune : N...Negatory.

Tsunade : I told you, this is what we need for the studio. A plenty of Good Ink.

Shizune : Lady Tsunade. I hope you got good intellect.

Tsunade : I'll tell this to the studio's president, you stay put, okay?

Shizune : *nods*

Tsunade : Good. I wonder what headquarters is doing right now? Communications to Viz Media has been re-established. I hope this world will change once we open the ink and get ourselves animated.

Shizune : [To Tsunade] It's a promise, I guess. Lady Tsunade...Lady Tsunade! Oh man...I'm all alone in this department full of Ink. I believe that there was some kind of thing that's going to wrapped the who world in black with that "Picture" they were talking about.

*shaking*

Shizune : Maybe it's a sign of my Good Luck. I bet I won't be down. But since Japan has done more ink that that, why did the industry had to use pencils and pens instead of using Ink to fill in the colors. What's so great about that?

*Whoosh*

[Echo Night - Beyond OST : Track 12]

Shizune : Eh? Who's there? Hello? Tsu...Tsunade! Naruto is that you? Seriously. Naruto.

*Whoosh*

Shizune : Okay, man. That's not funny...Naruto, you and your reckless actions. This isn't funny, you know. How can I not be so sure if anyone's hiding here in the storage department.

*behind her is another Shizune*

Shizune : Okay...But did I really have to ask a stupid question.

*turns and sees her other self*

Shizune : [To the Other Shizune] Okay...I think I'm getting a little deja vu here. Why do I see myself in the mirror? Hello there, other me. You must be my twin sister or something. At least, I hope if Tsunade finds out that I have been shadow cloning another me, I'll get fired for sure!

Tsunade : [To Shizune] Shizune! Are you crazy?! Get out of there! That's not who you really are!?

Shizune : W-What!?

Other Shizune (?) : *growls and attacks Shizune*

[Echo Night - Beyond OST : Track 7]

Shizune : OH GOD! OH NO! OH NO! OH NO! OH NO! NO! NO! NO! NOOOOOO!!!

Tsunade : Shizune!

Shizune : *Struggles to fight back*

Tsunade : Shizune! Hold on! I'll beat that sucker to it!

Shizune : Whatever you're going to do, stop this crazy thing!

*It is revealed that the other Shizune is an Ink demon*

Shizune : What the--A demon?

Fake Shizune : *attempts to eat* Rrraaaaaaggghhhh...

Tsunade : Hey, faker! my aide, Shizune, is not food! Haaaaaah!

*SLICE+GUSH*

Tsunade : *grunts+beats up the Fake Shizune with a Shovel*

Shizune : L...Lady Tsunade.

Tsunade : *panting* So...This is what the Ink does. They hold to use the power of Darkness. These copies are demons of darkness that opposes their selves as others and manipulate as one's appearance. Shizune.

Shizune : Y...Yes, Lady Tsunade?

Tsunade : On my word.

[Echo Night - Beyond OST : Track 10]

Tsunade : I realized that these fakes can do shapeshifting. Each of these demons can manipulate one's appearance and cloak their selves as us fictional characters.

Shizune : What does this all mean?

Tsunade : It meas that this bottle of Ink had some connection to these beings. This stuff wasn't used before that "other" you tried to eat you on purpose. Like Sailor Moon, she died in that shuttle explosion in 1997 after she retired. I believe that the famous heroes of Japan are copies to the "original."

Shizune : Copies of the original...What the hell?

"Meanwhile at the Lunar Facility..."

*A piano version of Echo Night's main theme is playing*

Sailor Moon : Is this really me? Like us as one? Is...Is it true that I am a copy of the "original"? Did I really die in space alone? Everyone disappeared, but now we're the only copies of the "original" Sailor Scouts that died in a freakish accident. How can I...a copy of the "original" can be like this? There's no way that I died ever since the end of my tale, our tale as the life of a superhero. I bet if I could play this footage, I will definitely show how it means to be alive. I wonder what it's like to grow up before I became a copy by some magic?

*Inserts tape+playing footage*

*people murmuring from footage*

Usagi via footage : So what do you think guys? After battling the forces of evil, we finally reached our steps to the end of our tale from the manga.

Mamoru via Footage : I was wondering, would anyone know what it's like to use a Camera, no?

Usagi via Footage : I look good in our dresses. All of my friends have been gathered at the wedding to finally reach the end of our tale.

Mamoru via Footage : Oh, really? Make me look good as the man you once knew as Tuxedo Mask.

Usagi via Footage : You certainly are Tuxedo Mask. I always knew that you were the one that we've known from the beginning.

Mamoru via Footage : I understand that. Usagi, are you happy being with me along with your friends on the wedding?

Usagi via Footage : Why? Of course I am happy being with you, Mamoru.

Mamoru via Footage : Even with everyone here?

Minako via Footage : Hey, Usagi and Mamoru! congrats on your wedding!

Rei via Footage : You look beautiful than ever before, I hope this peace for us heroes after saving the universe from the forces of Chaos himself!

Makoto via Footage : Yeah! You look great, girlfriend!

Ami via Footage : We are beautiful then ever before. This is our future to shine.

Usagi via Footage : Exactly, like the outer scouts.

Mamoru via Footage : I'm glad that we're finally living together as a married couple, Usagi. I hope this will be the last of us until death tear us apart.

Usagi via Footage : Right, Mamoru.

*footage ends*

Sailor Moon : So that's that. That's the end of a hero's tale, marriage was a happy ending and everyone reached before death tears them apart. This is what's left from us. Just a copy with no remorse of our past. *Sees a photo of the Sailor Scouts*

Sailor Moon : However...I wonder if I could ever get back to you guys? But where are they? Being out here in space, sucks.

*Scene changes*

Sailor Moon : So if we're all copies to the originals after our wedding? How can I be someone repulsive as I look? I mean...I am Usagi Tsukino, but how did I became a copy and was stranded on the moon?

Sailor Venus : It's a been while, Sailor Moon.

Sailor Moon : Who's there?

[Echo Night - Beyond OST : Track 13]

Sailor Venus : What's the matter, friend? You look empty on the inside. Do I even sound funny? We've been waiting for "someone" to reunite with us since that terrible fate from the shuttle. But I'm glad that you're finally here, Usagi. Come, everyone's waiting for you. Why don't you come to our room later on? It's next to the center hall of the facility. We have a lot to catch up on with our friends.

Sailor Moon : Okay...I will meet up with you. I follow you in your lead

Sailor Venus : Good. See ya there.

Sailor Moon : *gulps* Phew! What a relief. I guess being out here in this facility is not alone.

*cuts to where the sailor scouts are having a feast*

Sailor Moon : Woah. Look at this. It's like a mural of people at the last supper.

Sailor Mercury : Hey, you're just in time.

Sailor Moon : You guys.

Sailor Mercury : Ah, Sailor Moon. You're here. Glad that you finally made it.

Sailor Jupiter : You're finally at it, Usagi.

Sailor Venus : Come on, join in the feast.

Sailor Moon : Oh...Okay. *Sits down*

Sailor Uranus : Let's all greet for Usagi coming back here at this facility. So let's make it ourselves home at last.

Sailor Saturn : So this is the legendary Sailor Moon.

Sailor Neptue : I see...

Sailor Pluto : Good thing that you're here.

Sailor Venus : You know, Sailor Moon. We used to have a happy ending that is you, Mamoru, and us at the wedding and it was the perfect solution to reach the end of our tale as superheroes who saved the day and brought peace to the Galaxy.

Sailor Mars : However. After we reached the end of our tale and that happy ending, we planned a honeymoon for all us at the shuttle which occurred into a major accident since saving the world from Chaos. It was that shuttle we chose and everyone was aboard.

Sailor Jupiter : So many people including us, you, and Mamoru. Everybody's dead, the same way that we all died and that shadow was supposed to be Tuxedo Mask, but we don't know if he's alive or not.

Sailor Mercury : Don't worry, we won't take Mamoru away from you.

Sailor Venus : We can manage ourselves to be at this facility. After all, we are copies of the "originals".

Sailor Moon : All of you are copies to...our original selves?

[Cleome by Dr. COVA]

Sailor Venus : True. A witch with a magical paintbrush has the power to create copies from her research. You remember the nice man, who brought us here to this facility and the witch who gave us all the food did something good to us. Wonder what was his name, he's uhh...Is it Mamoru...No that guy from the arcade...No scratch...Ah! Richard Osmond, the Echo Night guy. Yeah! Richard Osmond the survivor of the shuttle's accident! That's the name of a man who was called by his fiance...Her name was...Claudia Selfer, yeah that's her name. What a good man he is, he brought us shelter to this here facility while that witch has given us all the food and water that she gave us.

Sailor Mercury : I believe that we haven't told her who her name was...Drawcia, Drawcia the sorceress. She's the head of that science corporation back on earth. Her magic would approve her science to bring everything to life with the powers of her brush.

Sailor Moon : Magical Paintbrush. *Gasps*

*flashback*

Sailor Moon : Where am I? How did get here on the moon?

Drawcia : You don't remember? I was the one who brought you back to life after the original died in that shuttle accident.

Sailor Moon : You me my original self is dead? Along with everyone.

Drawcia : There were no human survivors, so that is why I had to create you and your "friends" as copies to the original. My magical paintbrush passed by family for generations and that is why the paintbrush was the beginning of everything!

*flashback ends*

Sailor Moon : I remember clearly, after that happy ending of the manga, I discovered that it wasn't who disappeared, it was our original selves that we had no choice but to die in a horrible shuttle accident and the one that caused it was the responsibility of the Red Stone...The stone. It must've happened to Mamoru's life.

Sailor Mercury : Who? Tuxedo Mask? But...Who is responsible for this outcome?

Sailor Mars : I don't know, but if we were lucky that the original died Sailor Moon about 8 years ago, we would've had the chance find out Original bodies since Drawcia's research manage to create copies of us based on who we are. Ever since that Phantonian sanctuary has been built on the surface of this satellite, things been going at it with the superhero agency. Going on. However, I heard that the moon in Sonic's world was mysteriously by an unknown source of power, I bet it was the Time Eater's power that restored the moon.

Sailor Mercury : On behalf of what occasion means everything to this planet does. Planetary conquest or not, we are told what we must do. And if that doesn't work, we'll never know the solution.

*DBZ SFX : BOOMING*

Sailor Scouts : (exclaims)

*Alarm Beeping*

Sailor Mercury : Hey, is that...?

Computer : WARNING. WARNING.

Sailor Moon : What the heck was that?! Was it something explosive reaction?

Sailor Mercury : I'll take a look on the analysis. Hmmm...What? No, I don't believe it. When Drawcia had the idea of making the world of paint, something must've happened to the space time continuum

Sailor Jupiter : Space time continuum? You don't mean that...Oh no. It came from Sonic's world in the multiverse!

Sailor Moon : W-What? It came from where...?

*scene changes*

Sailor Moon : How did this happened!? How is that a tear in the space time continuum?! Oh...The universe of Real World AU didn't happened like this since we got on the moon for over a year! But on what occasion?

Lord Phanto III : Perhaps that I would need all of your help in favor of this excursion from your past.

Sailor Moon : Hmm? Who goes there?

*turns and sees something in shock*

Sailor Moon : Oh God! You are...!

*TV BUZZING*

*TRANSMISSION INTERRUPTED*

~ MISSION 06 : Remembrance of a Hero ~

[marinesocks]

writeblr intro!!

hi hi!! i'm helena/danger (she/her) and i'm new to tumblr but i saw a bunch of people doing writeblr introductions and wanted to join in!! i'm a bit shy when it comes to reaching out but if you interact with me at all i will like. 100% respond!!! ok here goes!!

about me

i am a:

adult,

lesbian,

ADD haver,

third culture kid,

hobbyist reader,

psych major,

avid dog enthusiast,

wannabe artist,

horror movie fan,

ecology nerd,

and, as you might have guessed,

a writer!!

i'm not incredible at it but for some reason i cant stop doing it so here i am!!

favorite genres/niches

fantasy mostly!!!

i like to think i like plot but honestly i'll like anything if the characters are good enough

HUGE mythology and folktale fan!! i have very strong opinions on how to incorporate those into a novel tho, so only ask about that if you dare!!

surprise creepy concepts and crapsaccharine worlds are like my favorite of all time. i 100% support lying about the contents of a project to keep that twist extra shocking!!

romcoms might not be my favorite but im a sucker for cute couples, especially if they are LGBTQ+

psychological horror is excellent, one of my favorites (even if i'd never dare to write it)

depictions and representations of mental health is probably the thing that's most consistent throughout my work? maybe its just the psych major talking but i find that stuff endlessly fascinating

i've lived in various places overseas for most of my life, so i enjoy stories set in unique locations absolutely DRENCHED in culture!!

current projects

i feel a bit awkward sharing these because again, i'm not a great writer, but i like reading about other writeblr's projects so i figured i'd give other people the option of seeing mine! warning for pretentious titles for very straightforward and basic concepts

WIP - flowers that mean "we'd miss you" - a short story I wrote while testing out subtext, character dynamics and prose!! the basic run-down is that a boy wakes up in the hospital and now he and his friends have to navigate a very difficult conversation. the subject matter definitely requires a content warning, and it has a few gaps i still need to fill, but overall i really like the direction it's headed!! out of all of these projects, it's probably the one i have the least issues with.

in the ataraxis of aftermath - this one is a novel i wrote for NaNoWriMo 2020! it is post-apocalyptic with elements of fantasy, slice-of-life, and romance, specifically lgbtq+ romance. it's about a girl exploring what remains of her flooded city when she suddenly finds another survivor. despite the genre, this novel is very slow-paced and calm, relying more on the character dynamics and emotional journey of the protagonist instead of traditional story beats and plotlines!! i finished the whole first draft that november (and without any real outline to guide me, so altogether it's a bit of a mess), and i plan on rewriting it after i finish the two following projects!!

WIP - the owl's wish - originally intended as a short story for just a friend and i, this project is quickly expanding into a full-on novel!! it's a haikyuu!! fanfic, but i've been told that the story is well enough removed from the show that it can work even if you don't that context. the only summary i can give without spoilers is that it's about an owl spirit with amnesia who finds a friend, and together they set off to get their wishes granted by the mysterious Lady of the Yellow Springs (but it's about more than that, i promise ;) ). it's set in ancient japan, and i referenced a few traditional fairytales when drawing up the outline, but otherwise it's a completely original folktale that can hopefully be accessible to anyone who picks it up!!

WIP - currently titled ouroboros paradox - this is a novel i am currently plotting, so honestly i'm not so sure how much i can say!! this is a fantasy novel coming from my intense passion for large creatures, horror elements, and norse mythology. as far as i know now, the story will follow two protagonists in the city of jörmungandr - one from the past and one in the present - as they try to navigate life, religion and ethics in a world where murdering living beings lengthens your lifespan. i plan on finishing my outline before this november, so i can try to hit 50K for nanowrimo this year!!

where to find me

Instagram, Wattpad, Art Fight, AO3, & Toyhouse! If you would like to read my writing but don't have a Wattpad account, i've linked the google docs directly to the titles :)

and that should be it!! if you read this far imagine i am giving you a very firm handshake with very watery eyes. if you'd like to reach out, ask questions, or share some of your story tidbits with me, please do!! i'd be so happy to reciprocate however you'd like :) have a great day!! drink some water!!!

[1863-project]

Not sure if I should ask this but how did Ingo become a Pixiv sex symbol?

The truth is...I'm not sure. But it happened.

There was a popularity poll at the time of Gen 5's release. The top three favorite characters as voted by fans were N, who you spend a significant amount of time interacting with in the story...and Ingo and Emmet. Skyla and Elesa were distantly after them. When the respondents were divided by gender, in the women's poll Ingo was actually more popular than N, a character who is widely beloved for being pretty, having a tragic backstory, and having one of the best story arcs of any character in the entire franchise.

This is the original poll. You can see the numbers disparity between the top three and everyone else. But now, sorted by gender of respondents...

(found here)

Ingo reigns supreme with female respondents, even over N. So what's the deal?

There's a few factors that I'd guess at here. One is that unlike the US, trains are still huge in Japan. Culturally, trains are such a big part of daily life compared to here, where the auto companies won after World War II. It's difficult to find a place with good public transit in the US. I live in the NYC area, the closest thing we have to a comprehensive transit network. But in Japan, you can get nearly anywhere, even relatively remote areas, by train, and railfans are fairly common (and hopefully made fun of less than they are here). The train thing is definitely a factor.

The other things I can think of are that he appeals to people as a supportive older brother type, which is very much a trope people are into, and...well, the twin thing. People go nuts over twins and always have. I won't elaborate on what that entails, but you can likely infer. (Fortunately we're now in an era where there's less Bl*nkshipping than before, but obviously it's still out there, including very much so on Pixiv.)

It fascinates me because these are two characters who weren't designed to have sex appeal at all. They look like Muppets, and sometimes official art of them can land squarely in the uncanny valley depending on who draws it. But nothing can stop a thirsty fanbase, and most fanart since 2010 has depicted them as quite attractive. Ingo got hit hardest with this on Pixiv and still does to this day (Emmet tends to be more likely to be infantilized in fanart, another discussion for another time).

So basically, two characters that you can interact with optionally in the first games of the Gen 5 cycle who were not designed to be sexually appealing in any way became two of the most popular characters in the entire generation, with one of them even beating out the game's designated bishounen woobie in popularity with women playing the games. I think it's a combination of the factors above, but there's no one definitive answer, because people are attracted to different things platonically, romantically, and sexually and different character types appeal to different people for all sorts of storytelling reasons.

(Case in point: I love them both because they remind me so much of myself and allow me to embrace that part of me...but Emmet's goddamned laugh got me. It's always that for me.)

[obsessedorpassionate]

Who's ready for an episode 10 rant?!

I know I am.

Ever since episode 9, we're getting insight to yeon su's feelings towards ung, and with it, PAIN. Cant say this episode was any easier.

Yeon su's grandma's reaction is exactly the amount of anger I had expected from Ung's parents towards her.

But now that he KNOWS yeon su cried and thus also had a difficult time with the breakup, I hope he realizes she isn't as "nonchalant" as he had described her before over and over. I hope he realizes in one of his naps under the shade that yeon su's been putting up a front the entire time and is able to forgive her ( since they both suffered enough ): )

I must say I really appreciate Choi Ung for genuinely being a really nice guy. Up until now, we had only seen him as a sad, sulking puppy with [a lot of] repressed emotions and his playful/vengeful side when scheming against yeon su. But I really liked how he listened to his best friend and made time for sleep overs & catching up <3 throughout his middle school to young adult years. And him offering a tissue to NJ or consoling her after being hated on. Plus, he took grandma's oral beatings like a champ. He's a really good sport and polite and sincere so I'm glad we got to see that part of him. This is gonna sound less like a rant and more like a love letter, but I also want to mention how he turned on all the lights outside his house and knew which bus yeon su had to take to get back home 🥺🥺🥺

WHAT I DIDN'T LIKE FROM HIM THIS EP? The "See? We can be friends" line. It's not exactly reassuring for yeon su to hear that after he spent the day with nj. His sincerity knows no bounds, and, apparently, neither does his cluelessness. They were literally staring at eachother teary-eyed in front of her house--it doesn't seem very "friendly" to me. His resistance to dating her from episode 9 comes back as delusion in this one.

I still have a very open, very bloody wound from when he straightforwardly told her "I'm not dating you again." And I'm not sure if this was the exact translation, but Netflix subtitles were too blunt with that one. It hurt me, and I'm not even yeon su. So the friend line was cutthroat

Jiung's back-story was also revealed for the second time with flashbacks of his childhood, and although sad, I'm not sure what I has to do with the plot. Other than further characterization of jiung and maybe making the viewer want jiung to get the girl more..

THIS viewer, however, is not swayed, if it wasn't obvious. Still rooting for the main pair and also rooting for NJ to have a sudden comeback to Japan or a world tour.

This episode also briefly showed us that NJ does, in fact, work and make performances (actual ahocker to me). Indeed, she would message Choi Ung in between shows and her "glamorous life," even making him pay to see the VOD's. Obviously taking advantage of how nice Choi ung is. If these two have so much time to be texting eachother, they ought to have more work assigned to them. I didn't know being an artist was soo easy (sarcastic). I hope all the NJ supporters who sympathized with her because she was a lonely celebrity all realize how sly and shameless she is with the preview where she lies to yeon su about dating ung. She repeatedly tells Ung how she likes him and compliments him and says they're going on "dates" in front of yeon su for fun. From the very beginning, from how frisky she was to now, I could tell her I would grow to dislike her.

I'm just glad her true colors are coming to light, and hopefully also Choi ung notices. And stops being stringed along so easily since this obviously hurts yeon su. Kook Yeon Su, there will be justice! Just wait a lil.

Or in my case, a whole other week. Sigh

[waywardtakami]

- don't leave me

✦pairing: hawks x gn!reader

✦c/w: language, slight mha manga spoilers, 16+ only , angst

✦a/n: hello!! I'm very excited about this fic, it's my first gn one! It's been sitting in my wips for so long and I'm finally happy with it. hopefully people will still read this without there being smut. thank you! <3

✦summary: hawks gets hurt during a mission...

✦w/c: 2k

Keigo had left you again to fight in another mission. He had only been gone for a few days, but you wished he was with you instead. You missed him so much. He hadn't been physically by your side in so long, causing your heart to ache again. Times like these were practically torture. Waking up without him by your side was agonizing, but you were used to it.

His job was all-consuming and you knew him being away for large amounts of time would affect you when you committed yourself to this relationship. There was a constant worry for his life and maybe a little for your own. 

You and Kei decided to keep your relationship as private as possible so no one would go after you. He didn't want anyone to kidnap or hurt you. 

Even though his musk scent was flooded throughout your shared home, you still tried distracting yourself the best you could.

After making your favorite food, you plopped onto the couch and turned on the TV to try and take your mind off him. 

As the TV flickered on, your boyfriend's face flashed across the screen. A gruff voice played over what was being shown. You assumed it was just something about his stats or a recent interview per usual. It didn't help the feeling in your heart subside by seeing him.

You changed the channel, again and again. But every channel had been taken over by the same broadcast. You eventually fixated and listened.

Your heart dropped.

Hawks had been accused of murder. 

"Murder...?" you mumbled to yourself. "No..he...what?" Your heart was beating so fast it felt like it was about to thump out of your chest. You were stuck in a pool of emotions of confusion and immense shock, it was like your head was on fire. 

Dabi...one of the League of Villain members was behind this. All the information you received was from Keigo's colleagues and the media. 

Keigo had been hurt bad...real bad.

The fact that you couldn't do anything about it had you overwhelmed and panicked. When you finally found out which hospital he was brought to through FatGum, you drove yourself there.

Of course he was brought to one one of the furthest ones from where you guys lived. On top of that, traffic was horrendous. With everything that had gone down, the citizens of the city were frantic and trying to get home to their families.

Your hands and entire body practically trembled while driving. Your eyes pricked with tears at the thought of Keigo's wounded state. "He's fine he's fine he's FINE!" You kept telling yourself over and over. 

When you made it to the hospital, there was a large number of people in the waiting room. The sounds of people clamoring in and trying to get a room were deafening. You hurried over to the front desk. 

"Hello Ma'am I need to see Hawks, he should be here." She wouldn't let you in his room. You wanted to see him, no you needed to see him. You started crying, pleading, begging for her to let you go in his room. But the front desk lady apologized and insisted he needed to rest and isn't accepting visitors. 

You knew it was really because she probably thought you were just some fan of his. Or maybe even a reporter trying to sneak in photos. But no, you were his baby, his life, and they weren't going to let you in.

"I'M HIS DAMN PARTNER FOR GOD SAKES!" You yell while slamming your fist against the counter. You didn't realize how much impact you put into your fist until you felt pain in your hand. The waiting room goes almost quiet and heads turn to look at you. You glance back to see all the faces turned to you. 

Your voice softens from embarrassment. "Please...just let me see him." Your fist still against the counter looking at the nurse with tears streaming down your face. 

She stands up and moves closer, "I'm so sorry, I believe you…" She slides a clip board with a few papers attached. "...but we can't let you in just yet he's still recovering from his injuries, he needs to rest right now. Please fill these out while you wait." She looks back up with you with a faint smile. She really does believe you. She can see it in your eyes, the pain, she understood.

You release your hand, and pick up the clipboard. Looking at her on the other side of the counter you give her a face flustered nod and mouth a quick "thank you."

You go sit down comfortably in one of the empty chairs to wait for keigo to wake up...

The news of your wounded boyfriend was already half across Japan. After filling out the forms you scroll through your phone to calm yourself down. You kept seeing post after post about him. Almost all news headlines had his name. 

You think to yourself about how much of it is all bullshit and that he's fine. Deep down you weren't sure if the words your brain kept telling you were true. You click on one of the posts about him that reads: 

"THE NUMBER TWO PRO HERO DEAD" 

Your heart skips a beat, but quickly you realize it's just a fake. You scroll through, lightly skimming the bullcrap you were reading. You scroll and see a photo taken of him the night he was brought to the hospital. You wonder how the press even got a photo of him. You focus on the photo, he does look dead. It only showed his upper body, completely covered in burns. More tears forming at the corners of your eyes just seeing him in the photo. Oh and his wings, his big bright vermilion wings...gone.

You were a complete mess at this point but your sniffles and choked sobs were interrupted by the front desk lady waving to you. "He's awake." 

Quickly following her into the room you see him. As you stand in the doorway for a moment, your heart sinks. You hurry to him. He had bandages wrapped around his head. His hair was short and mostly singed off. And his wings...they really were gone. "I'll leave you two alone," the nurse walks out and closes the door behind her.

You turn back to him.

"Kei?" you whimpered out.

His half lidded eyes look at you. His formerly bright, charming and yellow pupils have become dark and filled with anguish. He was wearing a mask over his nose and mouth with two tubes coming from the sides of it. He couldn't speak or breath himself, due to his throat being burned. 

Of course he knew it was you. Tears welled up deep inside and coursed down his cheeks. Seeing him like this had your body nauseas. You move to cup your hand on his face, feeling the material of his mask rather than his soft subtle skin. You graze your thumb against his cheekbone to wipe away his tears.

You pick up one of his hands to hold it in yours. "Kei….I'm so glad you're okay." You were sniffling through each word. He slowly raises his arm to point to the phone sitting on the table near his hospital bed. Handing it to him, you watch as his calloused fingers type out what he wants to say. 

"Angel, I've missed you so much, please never leave my side." You faintly smile at him, wishing you could hear those words come from his mouth and not the AI voice. 

"I won't leave you Keigo, I'm here, I won't go anywhere."

He types again. "I'm pretty beat up, but I think I'll make it."

Your ears focus on "think" for a moment. "Yes Kei you'll be fine, everything's gonna be okay. You felt a bit better being in his presence but you still couldn't bear the sight of him. Your eyes began to prick with tears once again and this time Kei was the one who bought his hand up to brush your tears away just like you did moments ago. 

You try your best to wrap your arms around him without causing him anymore pain. You could feel him wince when you laid your head against his chest. "Sorry Kei I didn't mean to hur-" He waves his hand and shakes his head, signaling that it's okay.

Your body looked calm despite how tangled your mind was.There were many questions that flooded your mind. So many things you wanted to say. But you could worry about the details later. Right now you were finally with him again, there was no way you were letting him leave you ever again.

You were bent over, upper body on top of him at an awkward position. You didn't want to hurt him, so this had to work.

Despite the position, you took in the moment with your boyfriend. Feeling his chest slowly rise up and down. You close your eyes and imagine you were back home with him in bed. Just snuggling on a weekend afternoon, light shining in on him making his wings light up beautifully against the sun. His golden locks and glowing skin, his scent washing over your senses. Your warm bodies practically glued together. You wanted that again, you wanted everything back to normal.

He moved one of his scarred hands to your back, slowly rubbing up and down. He knew he wasn't going to make it. He was fighting so hard on the inside. So damn hard...for you. He didn't want to leave you, he couldn't. His mind wandered about the life he had planned to have with you.

He faintly smiled under the mask when he imagined you walking down the aisle...holding your first child...sitting in little rocking chairs growing old together. That's all he wanted.

Both of your tears never stopped. You were both silent. The only sounds to be heard were each other's quiet sniffles and the monitor Keigo was attached to, making a faint beep to his heart beat. Still laying on his chest, his breathing started to slow and so did the beeping, being lost in the moment you didn't notice really but he knew.

He waved his hand signaling for you to stand up and brought his hand to take off his mask. He couldn't hold on much longer. Every aching pain inside him felt like knives stabbing his insides and with each stab more time from his life was taken.

"Kei, you need to keep it on to breath, please." He shakes his head and takes it off anyways. The beeping still started to slow. The mask hung off the side of his face. His honeyed voice now husk from the burns. 

"Baby...I love you so...so.." He coughs making him hiss at the pain.

"No..fuck..Kei stop, you're going to be okay just put the damn mask on." 

"I'm too..far..gone, I have no more fight left." 

Holding his jaw in your hands,your face inches from him. "No you have to stay strong for me, please don't leave me again, I can't do this without you." 

"Kid...please...when I'm gone...find someone else and-

"NO- I ONLY WANT YOU!" You cry out, holding his head to your chest. Long-lasting sobs leaving your mouth.

"I love...you" His breathing is heavy from trying to speak. He needed to tell you this. He needed you to understand how much he loves you.

Moving his head from your chest. "I love you too...kiego." You manage to say through your choked sobs. 

You move to have your lips brush his, softly, delicately, like butterfly wings, just long enough that he could inhale your breath, feel the warmth of your skin. He closes his eyes and connects his lips to yours. It was deep and passionate, like you were kissing him for the first time. You held one side of his face with one hand, and held his hand with the other. 

But when you pull away, his eyes don't open. It's like that's all he wanted, no needed. One last kiss, one last touch. To feel you. 

His breathing completely slows, and you're left with the prolonged beep of the monitor. He was gone. The man who was always too fast for his own good, had left you and the world too fast.

✶tag list: @levithestripper @sleepysnk @conniesspringersgf @regretfulfairies @miyanom @sashatotie @romeoandjuliet96 @strawberry-pp @megvmi-s @cinnamonnn-roll @gooddayzarerare @kkodzvken

[the-twewy-sequel]

NEO: The World Ends With You Japanese Limited Edition Photos!

So, being the TWEWY fan I am, I kinda couldn't resist importing the super expensive and much-cooler-than-what-the-West-got limited edition for NTWEWY (https://store.jp.square-enix.com/item/SE_E2694.html), and I've actually had this kind of huge box just sitting in my room for ages, so as mentioned, I finally opened it today and took some photos of my spoils.

The bag, which contained a box with almost all the other goodies, looks pretty cool imo, and has the "funny game master saying", but I don't think I'll actually be able to use it. Not quite my style, I guess. Maybe one day I can come up with an excuse to use it anyway though, haha.

At first, the box just has the game and the Mr. Mew plush, and the game is, of course, in Japanese. Obviously I already played it and beat it, opting for the English Switch version, so now I've got a copy for both systems and in both languages, haha.

However, opening the box further reveals that there are multiple goodies! Here's a poorly lit photo above, lol. (I'm sorry, unboxing this took a while and I only had so much energy/effort to spare into taking good photos rn ^^; haha)

This cassette-player like box contains a Rindo pin and a reaper pin (think that’s what it’s called) that... looks pretty cool, but unfortunately can't turn back time no matter how hard I squeeze it. Though I dunno, maybe I just don't know how to use it right. Don't think it came with instructions, but if it did, they were in Japanese and I didn't try to translate them XD

This is the artbook, but with the cover taken off. That's right, it says "TWEWY"! Thought this was really interesting given that the Japanese name is, of course, quite different, but it seems like the English name has kinda caught on to an extent even in Japan, which I think is pretty neat.

Also, I did look at the inside, and it's classic artbook stuff, but well, it's NTWEWY, so I enjoyed it! Had some art I hadn't seen before too. (And some spoilers I guess, but hopefully collectors know it's better not to open such limited-edition-artbooks before beating the game, haha.)

The game and Mr. Mew. Dunno if I'll actually ever play this version of the game, especially with the PS5 already being a thing, and uhh, honestly I'm not a plushie person, so Mr. Mew doesn't have much use either, but... that's ok, collecting stuff I don't use isn't so bad if it's for TWEWY, right? XP

Lastly from the collector's edition, a mini soundtrack! Inside is a list of the songs, as well as a little booklet or such that has lyrics for the songs. only listened to a couple songs so far but between this and the full soundtrack I showed earlier, I think I'm set for NTWEWY's music, haha. Also, I lowkey still own a CD player that doubles as an alarm (not sure what it's called anymore), and I put this mini soundtrack in it, so now I might end up waking up to NTWEWY music sometimes. :P

But wait, there's more! Actually, I got something from the TWEWY Animation merch line that Square Enix also had on their Japanese store. So this is separate from the NTWEWY collector's edition, but I had it shipped in the same box, and so here it is!

W-What are these? Acrylic stands! Each one was about about $15 or so, but when I realized they all form a mural or w/e when put together, I kind of couldn't help but get all of them...

The lighting in my room at night is kinda poor and the photo doesn't look good with a flash imo, but I think y'all get the idea—the 5 of them complete a set, and I'm happy to have them as a way of remembering/appreciating TWEWY.

---

Overall I'd say I'm very happy with the collector's edition and acrylic stands, even if I do realize it's kind of a waste of money—felt like I needed to live it up for the sequel of one of my all-time favorite games, you know?

But at the end of the day/as I basically just said, these are kind of just ways to help remember and convey my passion for the series, and I think the most important thing is our own experiences with the games and how we feel about them. Merch is just a bonus, haha. And I mean, I think with this I should be good on TWEWY merch for a good, long while now, ;).