#interesting experience overall 6/10

[moodyvamp]

i think i just broke my dream

[luna-azzurra]

Types of side characters

1. Foil Characters: These side characters are designed to contrast with the main character, highlighting their qualities or flaws. Foil characters can provide a different perspective and challenge the main character's beliefs or actions.

2. Mentors or Guides: These side characters serve as mentors or guides to the main character, providing wisdom, guidance, and support. They often have more experience or knowledge in a specific area and help the main character navigate challenges or learn important lessons.

3. Comic Relief Characters: These side characters bring humor and levity to the story. They provide comedic relief during intense or serious moments and can help balance the overall tone of the narrative. Their wit, clumsiness, or unique personality traits make them enjoyable and entertaining.

4. Love Interests: Love interests are side characters who are romantically involved with the main character. They add a romantic subplot to the story and can contribute to the main character's personal growth and development. Love interests can be supportive, challenging, or even create conflict within the narrative.

5. Antagonists or Villains: Side characters can also take on the role of antagonists or villains. They oppose the main character's goals and create conflict and tension in the story. Antagonists can have their own motivations, complexities, and backstories, making them more than just one-dimensional obstacles.

6. Friends or Allies: These side characters are the main character's companions, friends, or allies. They provide emotional support, camaraderie, and assistance throughout the story. Friends or allies often share common goals and values, and their relationships can help showcase the main character's growth and strengths.

7. Family Members: Side characters who are family members of the main character can play significant roles in shaping their identity and backstory. They can provide emotional connections, conflict, and a sense of history within the narrative.

8. Background Characters: While not all side characters have to be highly developed, background characters help create a sense of realism and immersion in the story. They populate the world and add depth to the setting, even if they have minimal impact on the main plot.

9. Rivals or Competitors: These side characters compete with the main character, pushing them to improve, overcome obstacles, or achieve their goals. Rivals or competitors can be a source of conflict, motivation, and personal growth for the main character.

10. Witnesses or Observers: These side characters serve as witnesses or observers of the main events in the story. They may provide insights, commentary, or serve as a narrative device to convey information to the reader.

[ddarker-dreams]

lock's otome game recs

i received some asks indicating an interest in a compilation of my favorite otome games, so i decided to go for it!! i've played about fourteen otome games, but of those fourteen, only these six left a lasting impression on me. there are still some that i intend to check out, so the rankings may update in the future. i'll give a very general overview of each game and how i'd score the categories that i find the most important in an otome game — the heroine, story, art, enjoyability, along with the characters i liked the most.

number 6 - piofiore fated memories.

heroine: 6/10 story: 6.5/10 characters: 7/10 art: 10/10 enjoyability: 8/10 favorite characters: dante (ishikawa kaito), nicola (kimura ryouhei) and yang (okamoto nobuhiko)

this game centers around the heroine, with the default name liliana adornato, who finds herself entangled in the politics of the region's three most prominent crime organizations. the game has an italian backdrop and iirc, takes place in the 1930s.

the overarching narrative, while it has its fair share of intrigue, isn't the game's strongest point. it's the interactions with the characters themselves that made the game feel worthwhile. each love interest has more to them than what meets the eye, so it's satisfying to watch the relationship between them and the heroine develop.

the heroine takes a passive role throughout much of the game, events sorta just happen to her. still, she has a kind disposition that makes her likable and doesn't make stupid decisions that has you wanting to fling your console across the room. her characterization changes slightly depending on the route. for instance, without getting into spoilers, she's more assertive throughout yang's route. the resulting dynamic made yang's route the most memorable, even if he's my third favorite character from the bunch.

what feels unique to this game is the effort put into the bad endings. in most visual novels, bad endings can feel like gimmicks. you make one or two wrong decisions and you're rewarded with a few paragraphs. the downward spiral of the characters in the bad endings are decently fleshed out and you can see how they arrived at this 'worst' version of themselves. they're suitably dark and it shouldn't come as a surprise that i enjoyed them because of that 😭

then there's the art. it's stunning, the details in each CG are mindboggling. the heroine gets to wear a variety of pretty outfits which is something i like to see. even in the story's weaker moments, a stunning CG would pop up that had me forgiving everything. i still glance through the gallery to this day.

number five - cupid parasite.

heroine: 9.5/10 story: 7/10 characters: 7/10 art: 9/10 enjoyability: 9/10 favorite characters: ryuki keisaiin (junya enoki) & gill lovecraft (kimura ryouhei)

iconic. showstopping. a little bit camp.

cupid parasite stars one of my favorite heroines, lynette. she works as a bridal advisor whose ambition is to ensure everyone finds their soulmate. in actuality, she's the goddess cupid, who left her post in celestia to better understand humanity and create lasting pairs. she's a delight to play as.

this game's presentation and overall aesthetic is the most distinct from any otome game i've played. aside from the presentation, the story itself is unlike any of the others on this list. when it comes to romance, i typically prefer them to be dark and mature. this game opts for a more lighthearted approach. it vacillates between being a romcom and dipping into the absurdist genre. there were times i was literally left speechless (glances at gill's route)... but it makes for an entertaining experience. the game's plenty funny as well.

personally, i enjoyed the more grounded moments when the mythological elements remained in the background. because of this, the true ending doesn't do it for me as much as they do in other games. as with anything, this is a personal preference though. i liked all of the routes and found the game handles the development of each love interest well. we're introduced to these men at their most pathetic and get to help them become a little more well-adjusted. lowering the cringe meter, if you will. it makes their growth all the most satisfying as the narrative progresses.

number four - even if tempest.

heroine: 9/10 story: 8.5/10 characters: 8/10 art: 6/10 enjoyability: 9/10 favorite characters: the heroine herself, tyril i lister (noriaki sugiyama), crius castlerock (makoto furukawa) and lucien neuschburn (kaito ishikawa)

right from the get-go, this game's premise had me hooked. it features the heroine, anastasia (<3!), who leads an incredibly tragic life. she's bestowed the ability to reverse time following each of her deaths and uses this to unravel a mess of mysteries the world's setting is tangled in.

this game is absolutely anastasia's story. without spoiling anything, i loved the approach they took with the time rewinding ability. how it's incorporated is unique to an otome game, which they take full advantage of to amplify the tragic romances. on that note, the romance itself occasionally takes a backseat to the narrative as a whole. personally, i didn't mind this in the moment, since i found the story so interesting. in retrospect, i do wish that we got more moments between the heroine and each love interest, especially in the true ending.

there are more gameplay elements here as well. you have to conduct investigations, gather evidence, and apply what you've learned during these trial segments. when i first read about this, i thought it'd be a gimmick, but i liked playing through them. it incentivizes you to pay extra close attention to the world.

while i liked the narrative as a whole, i do wish we got more worldbuilding. there are hints of political subterfuge and religious oligarchy that, while touched upon, could've been leaned into more to give the setting a distinct feeling.

number three - olympia soiree

heroine: 8/10 story: 8/10 characters: 8/10 art: 10/10 enjoyability: 10/10 favorite characters: akaza (yoshitsugu matsuoka), himuka (shun horie), and yosuga (yuma uchida)

in olympia soirée, the eponymous heroine, olympia, lives in a society divided into castes based on colors. she is the last surviving member of a clan that can perform rituals to keep the sun aglow. this game is a lengthier title, i believe i clocked in around 25 ish hours (i don't use auto-play so that sheds some time). the story benefits from this, as olympia has rich worldbuilding and lore that's revealed throughout the route's progression.

we get to see the consequences of this caste system and olympia's growth as she becomes determined to realize a better future for the islands. this makes the heroine someone that you want to root for. personally, i'm a sucker for stories that center around a sheltered individual being forced to face the harsh realities of the world and maturing in their own way. this, paired with the struggles specific to this setting, make for a gripping backdrop for the character's routes. all the love interests have problems of their own that they need to address.

this is certainly a mature title, there's plenty of steamy scenes featuring gorgeous artwork. seriously... all the pretty CGs are absolute eye candy. i enjoyed the balance between the main narrative and the development of the romantic relationships, i don't remember ever feeling bored.

ironically enough, i think this is the darkest game from the bunch listed here, surpassing the game with actual horror elements. there's a whole litany of trigger warnings to be mindful of when going through the game's bad ends. they are, as the term suggests, Bad. not light or humorous in the slightest. the poor heroine goes through it. please be mindful of these more touchy subjects.

number two - 9 r.i.p

heroine: 8/10 story: 8/10 characters: 9/10 art: 10/10 enjoyability: 10/10 favorite characters: minami (nobuhiko okamoto), hibiki (shunichi toki), kureha (toshiki masuda), and koyo (ryota suzuki)

i was looking forward to the english localization of this game before it was even announced ... i'd been wanting an otome game with this vibe for ages. and it didn't disappoint! there are four different overarching story sections, with two characters each having their routes fall under them. this makes it difficult to give a summary since each route has a vastly different feel. some routes lean heavy into supernatural horror (such as hibiki and kureha), whereas others are just... supernatural (like with yukimaro and koharu).

the basic premise is that the main character, misa, is a high school girl burdened with her career survey. she's uncertain what she wants for the future and is being pressured by his mother to pursue a career in medicine. in one way or another, depending on the story section, she comes into contact with the afterlife and those who inhabit it.

i loved this game, i couldn't put it down. the routes that leaned heavy into horror were my favorites, which shouldn't be a surprise lol. i do feel some love interests were given preferential treatment of others, i wanted more from sena's storyline in particular, since he's voiced by one of my favorite VAs (tetsuya kakihara, the voice of scaramouche) 😭... apparently this game is receiving a fandisc, so hopefully they'll remedy that in the future.

minami stole the show for me. from what i've gauged online, he's a divisive character, you either find him grating or love him (like i do). i'm biased but i do think he has the most interesting and well-written story out of the love interests, i've played through it three times already. i just adored the dynamic between him and the heroine. he's petulant, selfish, and a bit immature, yet he goes to extremes for her as he realizes his unhinged feelings.

hibiki is a close second. the most yandere-coded of the bunch, he's soft-spoken and polite, but that exterior hides a creepy personality. like all of the characters in this game, there's a tragic element to him. i was worried about the role the heroine would play in helping him 'overcome' this, but i think they handled it well. it doesn't feel like the heroine's fixing him so much as she's helping him have a different perspective on certain events.

yeah i'm not normal about this game, i cannot recommend it enough. it would've taken the top slot if some of the routes were a bit more polished. i didn't care for yukimaro's at all, for example. routes like minami's, hibiki's, and koyo's more than make up for it though.

number one - collar x malice

heroine: 10/10 story: 10/10 characters: 10/10 art: 10/10 enjoyability: 10/10 favorite characters: takeru sasazuka (daisuke namikawa), kei okazaki (yuki kaji), and aiji yanagi (masakazu morita)

the holy grail. the otome games that died for our sins. this isn't just a good otome game, it's an excellent story, with a very human cast, commentary on issues like the nature of crime, and you're left wanting to solve the various mysterious as much as the heroine does. speaking of the heroine, miss hoshino ichika is my all-time favorite heroine. she's clever, resolute, compassionate, and you can't help but fall in love with her a little yourself 😭😭

i'm not sure if this makes sense, but the world feels very... full? you get this sense that ichika exists outside just interacting with the love interests. she has her career, friends, and her younger brother that act as more than passing NPCs. the writers ensured all the characters with portraits are given some level of depth. i left caring about more characters than the heroine and love interests.

each route is dedicated to working through a certain case, which keeps the story intriguing as you progress. finally, all of the little hints that have been littered throughout coalesce into the 'true' route, where questions you've had since the first chapter are given satisfactory conclusions. at the same time, you're left wondering about a few things, such as the complete philosophy of the main antagonist.

ichika's relationship with each of the love interests develops alongside the case they're investigating, which almost always have connections or parallels to the LI's past. this helped ground them in reality and flesh them out into dynamic characters. you come to care deeply about them alongside ichika. the romance feels earned and doesn't come on too fast, which some otome games suffer from.

if you like otome games and haven't played collar x malice yet, i fully recommend it!!!!!!!! it's the strongest title from what i've played so far.

[absolutebl]

This Week in BL - Boyfriend Era is a Go

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

NOV 2024 Week 2

Ongoing Series - Thai

Jack & Joker (Thai Mon IQIYI) ep 9 of 12 - I have to say it, the heist stuff is stupid and all the sidekicks are idiots to the point of annoyance. But Yin and War are truly stellar at these parts. And in general in these roles. Can’t knock 'em. It’s been a year of some very good kisses and this has to have been the best. So this show is top of the standings this week for that kiss alone. Like srs boys? I mean to say, BOYS! How dare. Breaking the internet like that.

Honestly, let's be clear, these two have had killer chemistry since the En of Love and we all expected great things. And now, here we sit, suffering great things from these kings. Thank you, Sirs, may we have another?

Love Sick 2024 (Thai Sun iQIYI) ep 8 of 15 - I'm chronicling my experience with 2024 as compared to 2014 here. The Per Win story arc never interested me in 2014 and I’m not enjoying it now either. But Mick and Ohm are better in 2024. Nong Mick is a standout character, and a brilliant glow up in this version and he’s a confident little shit (affectionate). The mains are good too, but Phun and Noh always were great characters, and these actors are quite good. Possibly better than the original. 

Kidnap (Fri YT) ep 10 of 12 - More bf era delightful diabetes. They are the best boyfriends and the cutest family in the entire world. No exceptions. Next week is definitely doom tho. 

Every You Every Me (Thai Mon Gaga) ep 5 of 10 - Talk about making consent and communication sexy! *fans self* Whoah! That was unexpectedly great. The blatancy of the lust in this one was fun too. And the general casual switch nature of the relationship = delightful.

I like the little acting course we're getting from these tw. They are both quite good. I’m not sure I really enjoy the stories that they’re telling, but I do like how they are telling them.

Fourever You (Thai Thurs YT) ep 6 of 16 - Hill is the premier torch carrier of this year. My goodness. He sure nursed that crush. While I really like this main couple, I’m happy to have some of the others start to creep into the narrative at this juncture. Alone HillTer are a bit intentionally miscommunicative and saccharine. But the screen-time distribution amongst couples seems a little strange. That said, couple 2? No thank you. I really don't like North as a character at all. I find him incredibly unappealing. Ordinarily I'd be on his side because....... blackmail trope renders Johan automatically a complete arse. But at least this is 2 unlikable characters being jerks to each other?

Perfect 10 Liners (Thai Sun YouTube?) ep 2 of 24 - Say it with me Thailand: negging is NOT romantic. Frankly, Arc is just an asshole and a bully with anger issues. But…… Yay cute sides! PondSand they funny. (Book, to me = never very funny. I don’t think comedy is his bailiwick. Look, comedy is HARD ya’ll and usually not in that way.) 

Ongoing Series - Not Thai

Our Youth AKA Miseinen: Mijukuna Oretachi wa Bukiyo ni Shinkochu (Japan Tues Gaga) ep 1 of 11 - They’re doing some interesting stuff with the framing (both filming style and narrative) that makes this extremely old-fashioned feeling (like Takumi-kun level). I keep saying that this year, but it feels like BL is doing a lot of rediscovering its roots right now. This one even had a goldfish. And abuse. (The two, oddly, often go hand-in-hand in JBL ) And overall...... it’s a bit weird. Which I don’t mind from Japan. Japanese BL can get weird in a good way. Oh I like it. Bully meats smart loaner, total opposites attract, both are lonely and broken and NEED each other, and all that.

See Your Love (Taiwan Weds Gaga) ep 4 of 13 - Oh dear, our poor little rich boy is very broken indeed. The sides are utterly ridiculous.

My Damn Business (Korea Sat YT) eps 6 of 7 - I don’t normally like a love triangle, but I kind of like this one since it gave our uke a bit more depth and agency. And charm, quite frankly. So far he’s been a very dower character.

Eccentric Romance (Korea Weds Viki) eps 9-10 of 12 - Okay boyfriend era is a go. Goodness but they sure are adorable. 

Teenager Judge (Vietnam Sat YT) ep 7 of ? - The slow burn is really very slow. To the point of frustration. But I'm still enjoying the show, just not as much as I was.

Love is Like a Poison AKA Doku Koi: Doku mo Sugireba Koi to Naru (Japan Tues Netflix?) 8 of 10 eps - Even Japan is going through a bf era rn I see. How unusual.

Love in the Air: Koi no Yokan (Japan Sat Gaga) ep 2 of 10 - I’m slightly less annoyed by this one than the original (but I was VERY annoyed by that). I think mame is being tempered by a few things:

There’s so much less time spent on the back-and-forth, because this is a much shorter show, so I have less time to be frustrated by it and the utter uselessness of 75% of these characters.

Also, there's that innate Japanese awkwardness of portrayal & social interaction, which makes the unpleasantness of the characters' behavior and touch more understandable.

This, in turn, is married to the natural kink factor of JBL.

There’s a clearer Dom sub from the get go with this version, makes the blackmailing a little bit more tolerable because it's clearly Play. (negotiated or not) Simply put, daddy wants his brat to beg. And honestly? So say we all.

On a completely different note, the wardrobe for this show is terrible. Like truly bad BAD.

Blue Canvas of Youthful Days (China Sun iQIYI) eps 3-4 - Well I guess that’s that disability dealt with. Meanwhile, competitive bullying art students? I am very amused. Zoo date was cute. This is unquestionably a BL (I’m even more scared now). Still, the gay boys dealing with the straight dude’s crush was truly hilarious. So much "our gay drama doesn’t have time for your het bullshit." Classy move, I smell some Taiwan in this show.

Let Free the Curse of Taekwondo (Korea Thurs Gaga) eps 4-8 end - I was reliably informed this has an HFN end so I decided to watch. Noble and self sacrificing with both of them taking the blame.

My thoughts are...... mixed.

High school student Do Hoe lives with his brutal father who runs a Taekwondo gym. When cheerful Ju Young arrives to train, they fall in love. An unexpected incident forces them apart, they reunite over a decade years later. Essentially this is a brilliant narrative about finding love at the worst possible time, surviving chronic abuse, and the way we process mental, emotional, and physical trauma overtime. Yes it’s also a romance, but that’s not primarily what this story is actually about. I can recognize its genius, but this type of narrative is not for me. I’m reminded of bittersweet painful shows like To My Star 2, or The On1y One, or even Not Me. Is this BL tangential or is it some other genre entirely? Am I questioning my own taste because I did not like its content, or because I do not like its genre? And if it’s not BL should I even render judgment? I think I have to lean into the way I approached some of those other shows, which is to say: it is not for me but I recognize that it is of an extremely high-quality that is certainly for someone else.

Recommended, but only if you like masochistic cinema. Under those circumstances 9/10

(but know that if i were rating for my personal taste? 7/10 I’m never re-watching this, and there is a small part of me that wishes I never had) 

It's airing but......

Love for Loves Sake got some kind of special supposed to air 11/9. Not sure what, why, or where. Only the rumor that it...... is. I'll believe it when I see it...... literally.

The Hidden Moon (Sat WeTV) 10 eps - I've been reliably told not to bother, so I won't.

Bad Guy My Boss (Thai Sun Gaga) 10 eps - I DNF'd at ep 7, I couldn't make it. I am weak. Life is hard enough right now, this show is making it harder. It’s not what I want from my entertainment.

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

In case you missed it

Uncle Unknown finished its run on YT. Censored Chinese BL with paralytically bad production levels. But certainly BL. Boys reunite after a break up only to discover one of them is the step-Uncle of the other. Much to my own shock and surprise I watched all 12 episodes of this. Fortunately, each episode is about 5 minutes long. Under those circumstances is it worth it? Maybe. It’s bad. But not offensive. So that's a win. And you know me, I love a weird take on the stepbrother’s trope and incest taboos. 5/20 watch it only if you have nothing better to do

Next Week Looks Like This:

Gosh there's a lot on right now.

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.

November BL:

11/15 Caged Again (Thai Fri Gaga) 10 eps - Penguin escapes zoo by turning into a human. Gets trapped again and a panther falls in love with him.

11/17 Your Sky (Thai Sun iQIYI) 12 eps - A naive freshman and the campus’s popular senior agree to pretend to be a couple - but their fake deal begins to generate real feelings.

11/20 Winter Is Not The Death of Summer (Thai Weds YT) ?? eps - Criminals who meet in prison fall in love

11/20 The Heart Killers (Thai Weds YT iQIYI) 12 eps - Jojo directs FirstKhao & JoongDunk in an action romcom about assassin brothers (Khao & Joong) who meet a tattoo artist ex-booster (First) and a mechanic (Dunk). I'm highly amused that Joong plays the older brother to Khao and that we have a take on the Taming of the ShrewBL. I like that everyone is morally gray. This has all GMMTV's best chemistry in one BL and some fresh concepts that I've only seen tackled in m/m romance novels (check out Amy Lane's Racing for the Sun, thank me later). I'm excited. My only quibble is Jojo, I like his style but his characters can get unreliably messy so…... this gonna be interesting.

THIS WEEK’S BEST MOMENTS

The insane level of his babygirl heart eyes.

Just, have mercy.

(last week)

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

[icyg4l]

Summer Lovin: What’s Your Love Life Looking Like This Summer?

hello beautiful people! this is all about what you can expect for this upcoming summer in your love life. this is a continuation of the summer 2024 tarot series! before we get started, i want to say thank you all for supporting me once again. it means a lot as this blog continues to grow. and thank you guys for being patient with me. without further ado, please choose the image that resonates with you.

Top Left-to-Bottom Right: (1-4)

pile one: you just wanna be in your room, huh? i think that you will meet a new person & it will take you some time to get used to their energy. but it feels like you have been single for a while now. you’re not really interested in anyone really. but the new person will ignite something in you. this connection will make you more playful. you will meet this person in a place where you least expect it. i think this person will have to grow on you. it feels like a slow burn. as you two become more connected, i feel like you will acknowledge them as a blessing in your life rather than a burden. it’s time to flirt a little bit. your spirit guides want you to be more warm, open and willing to go somewhere outside of work. get dressed up when you go out. not for the sake of romance, but just for self-appreciation purposes. this person will appreciate your intellect so much. they could be born in the summer and wear brown/earth tones a lot. if this is a masculine person, they have long hair. if this is a feminine person, they wear braids. cherish the moments that you have with this person because i have a feeling this is a fling. this person is someone the universe sent to you because they wanted you to get off the bench lmaoooo.

cards used: ace of wands, 9 of cups, knight of pentacles, 6 of cups, the tower, the hermit, king of cups, queen of wands.

extras: cheez its. broken umbrella. chrome hearts. new lingo. ribbons in hair. recently attended a concert. choker. thigh high boots. beetles.

pile two: you don’t have to search for anyone because they will come looking for you. i feel like you got out of a relationship about 6-12 months ago & now you’re wanting to get back into the field. because you set the intention or looking for a specific person, you’re going to find them at the right time. it’ll be almost lightning speed. but remember, you’re the prize. this person is gentle. you have a roster, don’t you? soon, those numbers will be deleted out of your phone because someone will sweep you off of your feet. i see you being bored with the dating scene as well. but by the end of the summer, you will come across your person. they are average height so don’t expect them to be super tall/short. this person invests a lot of money into their personal scent; this will be one of the things that will catch your attention about them. this will be a relationship that lasts past the summer. this person was sent into your life so that you could believe in love again. love can be the fairytale you deserve and more, darling.

cards used: 10 of cups, the star, 2 of discs, prince of wands, 7 of cups (rx), the hierophant.

extras: sharp eyeliner. being overstimulated. zoo field trip. fetty wap. 5th grade. boba tea. cashapp. blonde curls. “say cheese.” star trek. starstruck (2010).

pile three: “the death of a bachelor” is what i heard. this summer, i feel that you will be undergoing some major changes which will reflect in your feelings about love/dating overall. this pile will experience extreme changes in their love life. think 180. at first, you could be into focusing on your money & being flirtatious. but in the middle of summer, you could play with the idea of being a relationship. by the end of the summer, you could get in a relationship or be exclusive with someone. maybe you’ll break up with the partner you’re currently with & this will shift your views. either way, these changed feelings are a result of the people in your life. your support system will be a major influence. epiphanies will be had about the relationships in your life as a whole. i feel like you’ll be playing ‘catch up’ this summer. making up for lost time comes to mind. whatever the case may be, it feels as though you’ll be back outside, enjoying yourself or trying to. you will develop deeper emotional connections with your friends. you could even fall in love with one of your friends. the person who you’re looking for has a rare physical characteristic (i.e. grey streak of hair, different colored eyes, abnormally long chin, etc). i also think that this person could favor/remind you of your childhood crush. all in all, this person was sent to you to help you get out of your comfort zone. how will you know what you can handle if you haven’t gone through it yet? this is a test of resilience.

cards used: death, justice, 8 of discs, king of wands, the hierophant, 2 of discs, 2 of cups, 3 of swords, page of swords, 10 of discs.

extras: corn dogs. boiling water. chocolate bar. “put it in some rice.” book-to-film adaptation. spilled tea. 11th house energy. looking closely.

pile four: you guys are gonna have a sneaky link this summer. this is something that you desire at the moment. i feel like this will be with someone that you’ve known for a while. i don’t think that y’all are on the best terms right now though. but a mutual attraction between the two of you is there. you will be accompanied with chivalry and late night car rides. other things will happen in this car, if you catch my drift. things will escalate with this person pretty quickly. this isn’t an FWB situation at all. it feels like it’s strictly sexual. this person will help you feel more confident in your body & they’ll help you take ownership of it as well. “my body my choice” is what i heard. please use protection. this person is a hard worker. i feel like a lot of these events will take place after they get off from a long day of work. maybe they ran errands for the day but still want to see you? this person lives alone and they treat their car like their baby. i don’t feel that this will last long but the effects will. take full advantage of the time you have with this person, pile four.

cards used: princess of cups, princess of discs, 2 of swords, 7 of wands, the chariot, 8 of wands, the emperor, 9 of cups.

extras: cheetah print bonnet. airport. accountability. drunk texting. m. night shyamalan.

[arendelle-archives]

January 2025 Frozen map bonanza!

That's right, there is more than just in-depth studies of Frozen kingdoms and family trees in the Archive cabinets.

This was my present to the Arendelle Archives discord server for the new year! A quick recap of every large scale map we've seen in the Frozen franchise so far.

Here they are in order of appearance:

1. Frozen - The Troll Map (2013)

A supposedly ancient map that guided the royal family to the Valley of the Living Rock on the night of the accident. In the novel Dangerous Secrets (2020), it was revealed that the map had once belonged to Agnarr's mother Queen Rita. Ironically, later maps have proven this location of the Troll Valley to be incorrect.

2. Frozen Free Fall (2014)

A massive 3d-map assembled from screenshots of the mobile game Frozen Free Fall. Shared by u/DuckOfDuckness on reddit (full quality in the comments). Some of the locations, like the Troll Valley on the middle left, are actually consistent with later maps.

3. Frozen Fever (2015)

The first map that showed us the outline of Arendelle and The Southern Isles. Thanks to this, fans quickly deduced that Hans's home country was based on the Danish island Funen (Fyn). Note: "Nordsoen" (technically Nordsøen) is Danish for the North Sea, the real sea between Scandinavia, Denmark and the British Isles.

4. Frozen: Live at the Hyperion - Arendelle History 101 Queue Video (2015)

The only official map so far to feature Weselton. An expansion of the map from Frozen Fever. Shared by u/ArendelleKnight on reddit (video). Notice how the seemingly small island gets cut off on the left? I suspect Weselton is a bit bigger than what's seen here. Edit by me on the right.

5. Sailing Sisters (2016)

A comic book map I very recently analysed in my Frozen-project covering the kingdom of Vakretta! Arendelle is to the right and Vakretta is to the left. Also, notice how the large island at the top appears to be in the same location as Weselton on the previous map.

6. Forest of Shadows (2019)

The first and only map so far to show actual places of interest in the kingdom. The locations of Oaken's trade post, the Troll Valley as well as the Roaring River are consistent with the Frozen Free Fall-map! A very interesting map overall. Just don't look too close at the misaligned grid compared to the compass. Or the ridiculously wide fjord...

7. Saks Fifth Avenue - Disney’s Frozen II Enchanted Forest Experience Booklet (2019)

A proper little treasure revealed to me by @saiten-gefroren through his Frozen timeline project Annals of Frozen in 2021. Originally posted on Instagram by @imdaaddlepate. Edit by me on the right.

8. Frozen II: Spirits of the Enchanted Forest - Iduna's Map (2019)

A re-imagining of the scene from the movie (even though the book was released before the movie) and actually showed the whole map, including The Southern Isles. In this version, Ahtohallan is a mapped landmass rather than just a sketch! According to what's revealed in Dangerous Secrets, this actually makes sense!

9. Frozen II: Look and Find (2019)

This version of the map also shows Ahtohallan as a mapped landmass.

10. The Art of Frozen II - Arendelle Town Map

Concept art (3D model) for Frozen II by David Womersley. According to the map, this part of the town is called"Arendelle North", suggesting the other (southern) half of the town is called "Arendelle South."

11. Frozen II - Iduna's Map (2019)

The map seen in the movie showing the borders of Arendelle and Northuldra. Rivers are consistent with the map from Forest of Shadows, meaning the Roaring River marks Arendelle's northern border. This map was a breakthrough for analysing Arendelle's location, as it features real coordinates along the "frame". You can find interesting theories about this here, here and here (my own project). Edits by me.

12. Frozen: The Saga - The Legacy of Anna and Elsa - Iduna's Map (2020)

Iduna's map before she hid it in the watertight compartment. Like the movie map, this one is cut off at the bottom and is missing The Southern Isles.

13. The Love Tree (2021)

An adaptation of the map from Frozen Fever. To my knowledge, this is the only other time we've seen this particular map design appear in a comic. What's odd is that (besides using the outdated geography) Kai is pointing out the land across the Arenfjord as if it belongs to Arendelle when the map from Frozen II clearly showed it doesn't. But at least we can credit the artist for getting the compass angle right!

14. Disney Wish - Arendelle: A Frozen Dining Adventure (2022)

A slightly adapted version of the map from Frozen Fever, with "Nordsoen" (North Sea) written in English instead of the original Danish. The "frame" also features added coordinates. Unfortunately, the latitude is off by one degree compared to the map from Frozen II. The third pic was very kindly shared with me on discord by BadAtNamesAndFaces.

15. Tokyo DisneySea: Frozen Kingdom - Royal Banquet of Arendelle (2024)

This is the complete version of Iduna's map from Frozen II. Found in one of the dining halls of the Royal Banquet of Arendelle restaurant. The map once again confirms the borders of Arendelle and Northuldra.

16. Tokyo DisneySea: Frozen Kingdom - Kristoff's Ice Delivery Map (2024)

Many variations of this cartoon-y map have been included in the Frozen Official magazine throughout the years but this is to my knowledge the first time it has appeared "in-universe". Locations and rivers are consistent with previous maps. Note: the "Best ice in Arendelle!"-spot by the North Mountain is actually located outside the kingdom. It seems Kristoff doesn't have the best navigation skills 😁

/Virtual Winter

[lavndrmy]

Astro Venus Observations (Based On My Opinion and Experienced) 💋💋

Side note: don’t take this seriously for these are only my opinion and experiences, relax and enjoy ❤️‍🔥

Aries Venus❤️‍🔥: these people falls quickly in love and falls out of love quickly too and thats something I don’t like about them because if you’re looking for a long term relationship this is not it but I love how straightforward there are its just they love die quickly but overall 6/10

Taurus Venus❤️‍🔥: I’ve never been in relationship with one but I think they can get possessive of their partner and I think they can actually find stability within the relationship but the ones that I know that had this placement was they cheated on their partner at some point of their life so I guess thats that idk overall 6/10

Gemini Venus❤️‍🔥: Well here comes the devil. These are the players its true about the rumours everyone been talking about they aren’t loyal and they never will be I mean yall really have about 10 people to text everytime and switch partner everytime I just can’t deal with that shit I am a libra venus a fellow air venus too but this is too much guys maybe its because of my venus-saturn aspect but you guys annoyed me tbh but you guys actually pays attention to details about your partner and I love yall for that overall 4/10

Cancer Venus❤️‍🔥: this is actually my favorite venus placement out of all. I love this placement because they are actually a loving and loyal partner they like a warm comfy blanket in a cold winter whenever you need one I love how much they express their love towards you but one thing I don’t like is their clinginess I mean its cool but everyone need their space once in a blue moon and they are protective of their partner and can get possessive too overall 10/10

Leo Venus❤️‍🔥: Another one of my favorite. Leo venus can be loyal and I’m actually really shocked because they are a fire venus after all but their loyalty is unmatched their always shows off their partner and they always expresses how their feels towards you and how gorgeous you are they just makes you feel like you are the only one yk they aren’t afraid to show you how they really feel overall 10/10

Virgo venus❤️‍🔥: I don’t know know much about virgo venus but they actually pays attention to details about their partner I bet they are the ones who have all the dates planned or the one to remember their anniversary or their partner’s birthday they love language might be act of service I can see myself having a long term relationship with them overall 8/10

Libra Venus❤️‍🔥: Hi babes as a fellow libra venus we can get flirty and a player too sometimes but I think that depends on the person other placement too because libra venus can actually be loyal I have known many with placement that are actually in long term relationship with their partner as a libra venus I think our love language is word of affirmation like as much as we love romance we need reassurance too so if you’re not a romantic one I can assure you they will lose interest in you overall 8/10

Scorpio Venus❤️‍🔥: I actually love this placement too I love how obsessed and possessive they are with their partner but not in a very toxic way though I love the darkness they are actually very attractive and seductive I love how their stare at their partner some of the men with this placement can cheat on their partner or can be a player too but once their find their special person their loyalty is unmatched like no any other overall 9/10

Sagittarius Venus❤️‍🔥: now if you love a travel partner get you a Sagittarius venus I know people with this placement love to travel with their partner, this placement can have commitment issues too I see a lot of people with this placement having issues with settling down with their partner most of the times sagittarius venus always ends up with another sagittarius venus maybe they attract each other? who knows overall 6/10

Capricorn Venus❤️‍🔥: now if you’re all about stability and loyalty all at the same time get yourself a capricorn venus because they will provide you with all that you need. I really admire this placement because they just know what they want who they want most the times they are the type to plan a marriage right away once they find their special person overall 8/10

Aquarius Venus❤️‍🔥: these placement is actaully a friends to lovers type of relationship they actually finds love on friendship because without friendship they can’t establish a relationship with you now they are an air venus after all they need spaces and boundaries a lot of the times so they don’t like possessive and clingy people because this will make them lose interest overall 6/10

Pisces Venus❤️‍🔥: these people are very romantic and lovey dovey kinda people its so cute but I think their love language is gift giving they actually loves giving their partner gifts they are a sucker for love type of people they just have that homie vibe to them the type of partner where you could come home to overall 7/10

[lullabyalikpoptarot]

BTS Childhood/Family Dynamics Reading

I decided to do this reading, so that we can understand them a bit, as learning about how someone was raised. Tends to show us why people are the way they are, so I will look into what their childhood was like, what their relationship and dynamics are with their parents, and I will add siblings as well. I am interested in doing this one, since I haven't picked up much on their childhood and family dynamics, so this will be interesting to dive into.

Jin

There is a presence of the Queen of Wands. This could be his Mom. I do see lots of arguing and fighting around him in his childhood. I can see someone being kicked out of the house or leaving the house, but I see a lot of aggression and fighting here. I can see Jin being private about his family situation or trying to keep that to himself. I can see people coming in trying to help him, but him stopping it. I feel the QOW's starts all of this. This female can also be pretty sexual and flirty, so that may have caused problems in the home. This energy doesn't make much sense to me.

His connection with his Mom doesn't seem all that bad. With the energy he showed above I would assume I would get intensity from the parents side, but not getting that. He gave me the World card and the 6 of Cups. It seems his Mom is very knowledgeable. Well versed in a lot of things. She was very sweet and loving with him. She may have gave him precious memories as a child. The World card just gives me things being completed. The Mom did what she needed to do and he has fond memories of her overall.

His connection with his Dad, seems like what you get from most Dad's. He got the Queen of Pentacles and 8 of Pentacles. He seemed to show him the value of hard work. And to teach him to appreciate all that he gets from the work that he does. He showed him how to respect his time and hard-earned money and to take his work seriously. To learn to appreciate everything you work for. So, the parents seem pretty normal, so not sure where the first spread comes from and why that showed up.

I looked at other card for clarification, so although they were good parents to him. I feel someone was sexually frustrated and wanted to step out. I think this is the Mom, because the Dad seemed pretty focused on work, or it could be the Dad stepping out, as businessmen cheating on their spouses is a thing in Korea.

I am not sure there is much of a connection between him and his sibling. The 10 of Wands and the Hanged Man says to me they are both burdened by what they do and just accept things for how it is. It is like they may relate in that sense. They both may have an ability to understand each other's point of view. I am not sure how much older his brother is, but I can see Jin now understanding or seeing his brother's burdens. I am not sure what that means, but I am sensing that, like oh, now I see what you mean kind of vibe. You know how the older siblings tend to shield the younger sibling of problems in the family. Maybe he did that and now Jin is realizing the situation. I am getting that sense. Like he was that way for a reason, speaking of his brother.

Suga

Well, I am seeing a storyline here. I see the Emperor, which to me is Father energy, so that can be his Dad. Next to the three of Swords, this could indicate cheating, or saying nasty words to the Mom or kids, or just being hurtful, but there is a painful experience with him, but the three indicates a third-party situation. To the Justice, now in this deck the imagery shows two people going to counseling, so they may have had to do couple counseling, so that is what he is showing me here and that made a strong impact on his childhood. That was pretty straight forward.

So, his Mom got the 5 of Cups and the Page of Wands. She may have been disappointed about the trajectory of her life, or she faced some disappointments and regrets in general. It seems like there was more she wanted to explore and try. It is like she wasn't able to do what she wanted. I do hope she did not express these thoughts to them or think her kids were a burden on her dreams, but I get that vibe.

To his Father, he got the Ace of Swords and King of Wands, so yeah, this man can be prone to cheating with that energy and not sure he gives af about it. His Dad is a passionate man and takes action or does what he wants. I see Yoongi got that creative energy and visionary mindset from his Dad. I see his Dad as someone who doesn't think or plan to far ahead. It is like he has an idea and runs with it, and doesn't really look at the consequences of what that can be. So, although the Mom is a bit hesitant to chase her dreams and explore outside the box. The Dad isn't at all. He goes in head on.

He and his brother both seem to have the same energy of being tortured by their past and burdened by it. I think they both learned to accept things for how it is. Maybe they share their fears and concerns together. They both just have the energy of let's just make the best out of the situation. Once again, not seeing much of a close connection, but more so how they relate and how their childhood shaped them.

J-Hope

I feel his childhood had a mental strain on him. He may have also feared his parents divorcing or saw cracks in their relationship. His childhood doesn't seem particularly all that great and he seemed to struggle mentally. I do see him maturing pretty quick. And it seems he had to be an adult early and basically fend for himself. I see him learning about himself early on. I can also see his Father having a strong influence on him, like he could have been controlling and strict. But it seems he had to get in shape and become mature rather early in his life. So, that structured, organized and controlling energy he exudes now, was that way as a child as well. It was like it was instilled in him.

Oh wow, didn't figure his connection would be more intense than Yoongi's. His Mom got 8 of Swords and The Chariot. I feel she may have wanted to leave her Marriage and start new but felt paralyzed to do it. I see fears holding her back and her not being able to say or do what she wants. It doesn't show much of a connection between them two, more so how he perceived her. It seems she was afraid to confront things and take on a challenge head on.

For his Dad, we got the Lovers, which to me indicates they are one of the same, but this also indicates soul contracts these two may have with one another. But I strongly get the vibe they are one of the same. He seems pretty similar to his Dad. We also got Judgment. This could be he was a harsh critic, judgmental, wanting to keep him in line. I can see him having good morals and teaching Hobi that as well. I can also see this need to be praised and validated by him. So, he seems to put his Dad in a high regard and see him as above him. Needing his appraisal. I can see his Dad having high standards as well.

Okay, so for his Sister. I got the three of swords and 10 of Cups. There seems to be some hurt and pain here. Is he upset that she got married, wtf is this? This indicates a third party breaking up the family unit. That is weird, why would he be upset? I see the imagery of the 10 of Cups, which appears to be them, as there are 4 people on the card. But we have the 3 of Swords too. I asked for another and got the Tower, that is a change, an unexpected event. Anyway, he is hurt by something she did that changed the dynamic to the family unit. Or it could be her, but sensing it being him more. But someone isn't happy about the disruption of the family unit. It could also be the Parents and cheating on their end, because it seems like a trending theme in these marriages that I am picking up on is cheating. So, maybe they are both heartbroken about that. Not sure if they are officially divorced, but energetically they could be and that affects the family dynamics and that is why these two may have this energy together.

RM

The first one that doesn't seem too bad. I think it was a happy home environment. He may have been content and happy with his life as a child. It seems he was able to get what he wants. It seems his Dad, or whoever this King of Cups is was someone who provided emotional support and stability to him. Thye were very loving a doting. I see there being a strong stable foundation in his childhood. I think he learned early on money is everything or you got to look to make money in this world. Or maybe his Dad providing him with lots of stuff and gifts. He understood monetary value was important. This so far looks healthy.

So, for his Mom same vibes as Jin, basically same cards, the 6 of Cups and the World, so maybe that energy is more his Mom, than Dad. She was warm, loving and giving. She seemed to give him a good childhood. I see the World and it just gives me fulfillment, no karma, or unfinished business. Meaning the Mom did all she could for her Son and was an overall good Mom.

Now, to the Dad, this is where it gets interesting. They got the Death card and The Devil dum dum, let me stop. Okay, so this card indicates a toxic bond, a karmic bond, a trauma bond here. Toxic habits going from his Dad to Namjoon. So, whatever vices he may have. May have come from his Dad. Yeah, so there is some toxicity of this connection that needs to end and be transmuted. I feel this is a Karmic connection and they need to clear out any past trauma they may have suffered from the past. Something needs to be healed and released for this connection to improve for the better.

There is not much here for him and his sister, the Hierophant and Knight of Pentacles. These two cards seem pretty detached to me. I can see them being loyal and depend on each other when need be. They could help, or he could help her with money at times. It seems they are both told to do what they have to do, and follow orders, maybe of their parents, or they both are spiritual in some sense and follow the same doctrine. It is like they are both ordered and driven to make money. I don't have much else to say here. This shows me no connection between the two. I don't see these two talking all the much or being around another all that much from this energy.

Jimin

He seemed like a practical kid. I sense he kind of preferred spending time to himself and doing the things he enjoys. Or he was appreciative of all that he had as a child, more so material things he had. It seems he had an abundance of things. I can see him wanting to work early on and creating a life of material wealth where he can spend all the money he had. I always get this sense of him liking to indulge and buy lots of things and getting that here. He seemed pretty mature for his age. He kind of saw things as more rational and logical. He was a realistic and pragmatic child. It just seemed he always had a plan mapped out of what he wanted to do. I wonder if he wanted to leave the home early, so not picking up on a crazy childhood, but I am getting the sense, he wanted to leave the home.

With his Mom, he gave me the Temperance and the 7 of Pentacles. It seems like they get along well from this card. They tend to balance each other out. I wonder if he gets his people pleasing tendencies from her, because picking up on that here. This desire to compromise and keep the peace is what she gives me, so he may have replicated her energy there. She also got the 7 of Pentacles, so I see a lack of growth there and inability to allow things to grow. Also, a lack of effort he may feel on her part. Like maybe she doesn't push or try hard enough.

With his Dad, he gave me the 4 of Cups, which is detached energy and a lack of an emotional connection. He is a bit distant. And the 6 of Cups, hmm, this is about making beautiful memories of the past, so this energy is contradicting. It is interesting because in this card all the cups are filled with flowers, but then the other card they are empty. It is like one day he is happy and filled with joy, but some days he is down and doesn't give him love, so he goes back and forth or has his ups and downs.

I wouldn't say his parents are too bad, but maybe didn't provide him all he needs or the structure he may have wanted.

So, he gave me the fool and the 8 of cups for his sibling. This doesn't show a connection all that much. This is about stepping away and going on your own journey, so I am not sure they know each other that well from this energy. There could be some sort of fresh start they are stepping into, or a new beginning. I can see his brother having this carefree, simplistic nature, maybe naive nature to him. But not really picking up on anything much here.

V

What he is giving me, don't like the Devil card popping up for this reading, but this show he was in a toxic environment growing up. And there was this desire to get out and go on his own. Yeah, it seems he did not like the home environment and wanting to shake things up. I don't see there being a lot of structure for him as a child. He seemed not happy and felt empty where he was. He may have needed to chase something that could bring him joy and fulfill him, which he may have not gotten at home. I am hearing Kelly Clarkson's Breakaway in my head now.

For his Mom, he starts with the Queen of Pentacles, that is a very stable energy, so she may not have been the problem, but then he gave me the ace of wands, which is not that stable of an energy. Although, overall, she is stable. It seems she could have been a career woman. It seems she may have wanted to do something she is passionate about, or she just does things on the fly without much thought every so often. I do see her igniting the fire. When I get to the Dad, I may explain that further. Why does she come off as more as the money maker than the Dad. But she seems like someone who values her career.

Now, to his Dad, he gave me the King of Wands, he could have been more the problem. He does seem to have his charisma and charm, but he is a bit less stable and erratic with this energy. While the Mom is more cautious and practical. The Dad is driven by passion and creativity. He is a bit bolder and takes more risk. With this 8 of Cups, he may have wanted to step away and do his own thing. I am not sure he was always around. He comes off a bit unstable. It is like he would rather follow his ambitions. Although the Mom had them too, she seemed to have wanted to provide stability for him. I do see the Mom triggering or starting fights with his Dad from time to time. Which could be another reason why he wanted to stay away. So, yeah, his connection with his parents is a bit complicated. I see the Dad wanted to do more things outside the confines of being a Dad, but I can see the Mom wanting to be a career woman, so not sure they provided him the emotional support he may have wanted. I do see him having traits of both his Mom and Dad. The practicality and realism and this ability invest and make money from the Mom and the charisma, ambition and creativity of his Dad.

Okay, had to look up who is first sibling is, I mean the second child, to make sure it was the Sister, since it would make sense with this Queen of Cups. He seems to have a lot of love for his sister and pours a lot of his emotions to her. He is very sensitive when it comes to his Sister. I see him adoring her a lot and being that emotional pillar to her, but also taking on her emotions as well. He seems to be a loving, supportive brother.

Now, for his younger brother, he is more practical and tries to see eye to eye with him. He may try to juggle to make time to be with him. It seems these two give to each other in a more practical way, not sure what he can give, as he is way younger right? They balance each other out. The things he lacks he has and what he lacks he has. I am just seeing if they do a task together, one can do one thing and the other can do something else and work as a good combo, that is how I see this connection. I can see them being very playful with another as well.

I say his connection with his siblings are the best so far.

Jungkook

Why are they showing me this! Ugh, omg I hate this, like they can't just give me a normal damn childhood. Anyway, we started with the Queen of Cups, which I was like, yay, something good, but it also surprised me, because due to what he went through. It was hard for me to believe he has a loving and stable childhood. Anyway, I don't want to say this, but with the ace of wands and 7 of wands. I see sexual advances from this Queen of Cups and him trying to protect and guard himself from it. So, yeah, as a child he was sexualized allegedly. Sometimes, I do not like this gift. Anyway, this woman comes off very loving and caring, but she has ulterior motives there. Anyway, I am disgusted I got this.

Well, I don't like his Mom's energy. She is giving me similar vibes to Bieber's Mom and ya'll know how I say his story and energy is similar, but also Sunghoon's Mom if you haven't read about her you can go to their reading of this. She got the Queen of Pentacles and this just gives me she is about money and pimping her son out, sorry going to say how what I am sensing here. With the Page of Cups, she is moody, unpredictable, gives him love, but then can take it away. She does a lot of unexpecting things and springs up surprises on him. I mean that could be good I guess, but she is emotionally unstable, which isn't good for Mother energy. I don't know how much she knows of the depths and struggles her son has gone through as this energy is naive af. And way too idealistic, like she may think they are taking care of her son a certain way, but they do shady sh** she doesn't know about. Anyway, she seems more concerned for the money she can get from this, so keeping it at that.

So, for the Dad, he got the Temperance, and the 8 of Wands. These energies are so different. Temperance is about stability, patience, keeping things calm. To the 8 of Wands, rapid movement and change. And lots of things coming at him. So, it seems he tries to keep the peace, but his mind can get overwhelmed by a lot coming at him. He seems to be a bit passive and a people pleaser. But it seems he does what his Mom wants. I see him as the type to get overpowered by women in his life, even his Mom. Jungkook's Mom seems to bring a lot of chaos into his life and he tries to find peace through that or can. Maybe this is how Jungkook views him, because this doesn't show much of their connection, unless I see it as they compromise with another and help keep each other calm through it all.

With his brother we got the World and the ace of cups, so I can see them sharing stuff with another, or maybe he poured his heart to his brother recently or vice versa. I see these two understanding another and learning a lot from another. I can see these two sharing their world views and perspectives to one another and gaining knowledge through that. Their bond seems nice from what I see here. I see a lot of love here and understanding from these two.

Okay, that took some time again, but it was insightful to dive more into this group and learn more about them. Next up will be TXT in two weeks, girlie needs a week break lol

[coven-of-genesis]

Colour magick

Color magick is a form of magic that utilizes the energetic properties associated with different colors. Each color is believed to have its own unique vibrations and correspondences, which can be harnessed for various intentions or spells.

It's a fascinating aspect of occult practice for those interested in harnessing symbolism and energy in their magical workings.

Here are some common associations for different colors:

1. Red: Often associated with passion, love, strength, and vitality. It can be used for matters of the heart, courage, and energy.

2. Orange: Represents creativity, enthusiasm, and success. It's used for motivation, self-expression, and attracting opportunities.

3. Yellow: Linked to intellect, communication, and clarity. Yellow can be used for mental clarity, confidence, and boosting intellectual pursuits.

4. Green: Represents growth, abundance, and healing. It's associated with matters of prosperity, fertility, and overall well-being.

5. Blue: Associated with peace, calmness, Certainly! Color magick is based on the idea that colors have distinct energetic vibrations and correspondences that can influence our thoughts, emotions, and experiences.

6. Purple: Symbolizes spirituality, wisdom, and transformation. It can be used for spiritual growth, psychic abilities, and seeking higher knowledge.

7. Pink: Often used for matters of love, compassion, and harmony. Pink can be employed for romantic love, self-love, and healing emotional wounds.

8. Black: Symbolizes protection, banishing, and mystery. It's used for absorbing negativity, protection, and working with the shadow self.

9. White: Represents purity, clarity, and spiritual enlightenment. It's often used for purification, meditation, and connecting with higher realms.

10. Brown: Associated with stability, grounding, and nurturing. It's used for matters of stability, home, and connecting with nature.

Remember, these associations can vary depending on individual beliefs, cultural traditions, and personal experiences.

When using color magick, it's important to trust your intuition and select colors that resonate with you and your specific intentions. Additionally, combining colors in spells and rituals can amplify their effects.

[tribblefarmer]

Murderbot Media Review

How Murderbot feels about Star Trek: The Next Generation

(I’m going to mostly focus on the show, not the movies)

Pros:

The right kind of unrealistic +3

Lots of content +2

Large ensemble cast with recurring side characters +2

adventure/action serial with enough interpersonal drama to be interesting +2

No SecUnits +1

Anti-corporate message +2

The humans are friends with each other (and the alien crew members) +3

I think it would enjoy the practical effects, the CR probably overwhelmingly uses CGI. +1

Humans on a ship show, ART would enjoy watching with it. +5

Cons:

Too many sex scenes (but at least they’re off screen) -1

Bad things keep happening to security personnel -1

Why the fuck are there juvenile humans and civilians on this ship that regularly engages in combat? -1

Too much philosophy -1

The borg creep it out (Alien remnant contamination) -2

Data (hear me out) (will score in separate section)

Pros+Cons score= 15

Characters (by the order listed in the season one credits): 

Jean-luc Picard -  8/10

A good leader with a strong moral backbone who can keep his head in a crisis. He reminds it of Doctor Mensah. 

It likes that he mostly stays safe on the ship and listens to advice from his crew.

His constant philosophizing is a bit off putting. 

William T Riker- 5/10

Oh gross he’s making out with someone again.

Overall it likes him, but doesn’t have a strong opinion.

Geordi LaForge- 7/10

Augmented human

Seems like someone it would feel safe around

It likes that he’s friends with Data without talking down to him.

Tasha Yarr- 9/10

The Chief of Security!

Its favorite character in season one

Projects on to her a little,

It feels so uncomfortable about what happens in The Naked Now though.

It was so pissed off by the end of season one that it quit watching for a whole cycle.

Worf- 8/10

The new Chief of Security

Mixed feelings at first but grows to like him

Wishes the humans would listen to him more

Likes that he gets to be grumpy without consequences

Relates to him as a non-human who has to keep his identity in a human world

It is fairly ambivalent to Klingon culture and their focus on combat and pain, but likes the political drama.

Beverly Crusher- 7/10

Mom energy like Doctor Mensah

It likes and respects her

It finds her drawn out will they/won’t they romance with Picard a bit annoying. Just pick one and stick with it already.

It calls the romance annoying but it’s invested in the drama.

Deanna Troi- 5/10

Bharadwaj energy. Sometimes it feels a bit attacked by her keen observations.

It would not want to encounter someone with empathic powers irl, It’s annoying enough that ART can read its emotions in the feed.

Hates all her romances except what she’s got going on with Riker.

Mixed feelings about her being married to Worf in that one parallel universe.

Data- 2/10

Data makes it deeply uncomfortable.

Reminds it of Miki.

The crew’s human-form pet robot, except technically none of them own him.

It hates that he wants to be human.

It hates that he’s “fully functional.”

Why does Data get to live without a guardian but not it? It’s not jealous.

Whenever the question of whether Data is sentient comes up it gets really angry.

It doesn’t like how the rest of the crew are condescending to him sometimes. They just communicate with him badly.

Data is friendly, social, wants to be human, is a scientist, and experiments with art and literature. Is this what its humans want it to be? Will it ever be enough?

Has an emotion whenever he calls someone his friend or vice versa.

Roots for him in the courtroom episode though

It says it hates Data but pays more attention to him than any other character.

Wesley Crusher- 6/10

Juvenile human

He’s annoying but it also feels protective of him.

It doesn’t like how his character arc ends. It wanted him to graduate and rejoin the crew permanently. 

Q (honorable mention)- 8/10

Threat assessment high

Annoyance assessment max

It does think it’s funny that he puts humanity on trial for being shitty though.

Character score=65

(Murderbot likes drama serials, which are typically character driven, so this is the most heavily weighted section.)

Favorite episodes:

Encounter at Farpoint S1E1 & S1E2 +2

Redemption S4E26 & S5E1 +4

The Next Phase S5E24 +3

Attached S7E8 +2

Least favorite episodes:

The Schizoid Man S2E6 -1

Data’s Day S4E11 -1

In Theory S4E25 -3

Sub Rosa S7E14 -1

Most emotion-inducing episodes:

The Measure of a Man S2E9 -2,+3

The Hunted S3E11 -1,+3

The Offspring S3E16 -2,+3

The Most Toys S3E22 -2,+1

The Quality of Life S6E9 -1,+1

Episode bonus score= 8

Total score= 88/100

I think Murderbot would like Star Trek: The Next Generation a lot, and ART would enjoy watching it with it too. It would enjoy the characters, drama, and action, but be challenged by the way machine intelligences are portrayed in the show because of its own complicated feelings about itself.

If you want me to do a Murderbot review of another piece of media, send me an ask! These are not necessarily my opinions on this piece of media, they are what I imagine Murderbot would think. (I love Data.)

[tinyreviews]

Tips to increase tension:

1. Establish Clear Goals: Establish clear, compelling goals that are relatable to readers. The more readers care about whether the character succeeds or fails, the higher the tension.

2. Time Pressure: Introduce time constraints or deadlines. This creates a sense of urgency and raises the stakes.

3. Obstacles: Place obstacles and conflicts in the path of your characters, both internal and external. These challenges should grow progressively more difficult, making the reader wonder if and how the characters will overcome them.

4. Unpredictability: Surprise your readers with unexpected twists or developments. Subvert their expectations, but ensure that these surprises are rooted in the story's internal logic.

5. Character Flaws and Growth: Give your characters flaws and weaknesses that they must confront and overcome. As they evolve, readers become more interested in their journeys and outcomes.

6. Foreshadowing: Skillful foreshadowing can build anticipation. Drop subtle hints or clues about future events or conflicts to keep readers guessing.

7. Moral Dilemmas: Present characters with challenging moral choices. Preferably, all choices have high prices, making the reader unsure of which choice to root for.

8. Show, Don't Tell: Instead of telling readers about the tension, show it through the characters' actions, thoughts, and emotions. Let readers experience the tension alongside the characters.

9. Dialogue and Conflict Resolution: Use dialogue to create conflicts between characters. Tense conversations can reveal hidden motivations and escalate the overall tension.

10. Setting and Atmosphere: Craft the setting and atmosphere to complement the mood you want to convey. Dark, foreboding settings enhance danger and tension, while serene settings provide a contrast.

11. Cliffhangers: End chapters or sections on cliffhangers, leaving readers eager to know what happens next. However, use this sparingly to maintain its impact.

12. Relatable Characters: Ensure that readers can relate to and care about your characters. This emotional connection amplifies the tension as readers become invested in their fates.

[hana-a-chattic]

Karasuno first years and Talent.

I've recently seen a quote that goes something like, Genius is a product of obsession. Can't remember the exact words, but there's plenty of similar ones, you get the idea.

I wholeheartedly believe that's what partrayal of "talent" in Haikyuu!! is like.

The character that has the word "talent" thrown at him most is probably Kageyama. He must be one of, if not the, best players overall in the story. He also started playing when he was 7/8. And even before that, volleyball was everywhere around him at his home. He also dedicates his entire life to the sport. He's never shown to care about anything else, no sign of having any other hobby (dude doesn't know how to use a PSP ffs).

Have you seen the guy's room in anime?

Yeah. It's empty as hell, with only volleyball magazines and workout equipment in the shot. If he's not practicing with the ball, he's working out. He only approaches his peers when he needs it for better performance. And I'm not saying that to be rude, or sad, he seems content. Because that's his obsession.

Hinata? His teammates and rivals alike unanimously agrees he - from the technical standpoint - sucks at the beginning. He picked it up when he was 12/13, and even then, it's shown he only started getting actual practice in his last year of middle school, so, 14/15. He's been doing it for less than a year. (Oh, ye also has casual social life, friends outside of this one thing he does, and ejoys - or, at least, used to enjoy - doing other stuff with them)

But now he gets actual coach, actual people who know how to play with him on the team, and of course, Kageyama. With whom he can stay well into the night practicing, go running together. Compared to Kageyama, he lacks experience. A lot of experience. And compared to many other players in his position, he lacks physicality. Height. But he makes up for it with sheer enthusiasm, basically. By joining Kageyama in allowing the sports take over his life, even flying to another side of planet. He's also, definitely, obsessed.

Tsukishima is not. He found joy in it, enough to join a pro team, albeit not the best one (sorry Frogs I swear I love you). But he also went to uni. Got a degree. Got a stable, public servant job. He has at least one friend (from whom we know he does play video games lol). He has other interests, showcased for the first time ironically in his room.

This one ball game never was and never will be end-all be-all to his life. And he's not a genius, no one would call him that. But he's pretty good, isn't he? Part of it is genetic lottery, sure (both he and his brother are Tall for Japanese boys), but even outside of that, he's good. And he also has to have been doing it since he was 8/9, although for most of the time, he wasn't really putting himself into it. And he was plenty familiar with it even before, with his brother playing it at least since Kei was 6. To a lesser extent than Kageyama, but Tsukishima also grew up with it, watching his brother play, probably watching other people play with his brother. He's no genius, he's no maniac, but he knows this stuff.

And then there's Yamaguchi. The only person out of them who dropped the sport after highschool, despite putting so much effort during those 3 years. Because it doesn't really seem like it was ever about volleyball, for Yamaguchi. It was about his pride. It was about proving himself he can do it. It was about no longer just envying "stronger" people, but actually standing tall and proud by their side. I can't figure out when he started playing it (i.e. met Tsukishima, in his case), has to be 8-10, but he says it himself: all he knew was the fun volleyball, a game you play with buddies, a club activity you do to hang out with your friends. And with sad self-sabotaging best friend by his side, he didn't ask for much else. Until he did. He probably couldn't go pro with his skill set, but it doesn't seem like he wants to, either. He likes volleyball, sure. As an adult, he watches it on TV and even visits faraway games in person. He's probably extremely supportive of his pro league friends. But he seems content with that. He's casual.

Haikyuu!! is pretty fair in this way. You can have an innate advantage, be it physical or the sort of family you're born to, but at the end of the day - the more you sacrifice, the more you earn. And the more of an obsessed crazy freak you are, the more you enjoy every single sacrifice you made, I suppose.

(I wouldn't know I kin Tsukishima lol)

[luna-azzurra]

Some quick tips for writing sexual tension in your novel:

1. Establish strong chemistry: Develop the characters' attraction to each other through meaningful interactions, shared interests, or a deep emotional connection. Their chemistry will lay the foundation for the sexual tension to build upon.

2. Use body language and non-verbal cues: Describe subtle gestures, lingering glances, or the way their bodies react in each other's presence. These non-verbal cues can heighten the tension and create a sense of anticipation.

3. Utilize dialogue: Employ flirty banter, double entendres, or suggestive remarks to create verbal sparring between characters. Clever wordplay can add layers of subtext and amplify the sexual tension.

4. Slow down the pace: Build tension by slowing down the pacing of scenes involving the characters. Emphasize their awareness of each other, the anticipation of physical contact, and the longing that grows with every passing moment.

5. Explore internal thoughts and desires: Give readers insight into the characters' internal dialogue, their secret desires, and the fantasies they have about each other. This adds depth and intensifies the sexual tension.

6. Employ the power of touch: Describe the impact of a brief brush of hands, accidental contact, or the lingering sensation left by a gentle touch. These tactile sensations can evoke a heightened sense of awareness and anticipation.

7. Create obstacles and conflicts: Introduce obstacles or conflicts that prevent the characters from acting upon their desires. These challenges can fuel the sexual tension, making the eventual release even more satisfying for both the characters and the readers.

8. Use sensory details: Engage the readers' senses by describing scents, sounds, or textures associated with the characters' proximity or potential intimacy. Sensory details can intensify the atmosphere and enhance the readers' experience of the sexual tension.

9. Play with power dynamics: Explore power dynamics between characters, such as a power imbalance or a push-pull dynamic. This can create a magnetic pull and increase the sexual tension as the characters navigate their desires and boundaries.

10. Employ the element of surprise: Introduce unexpected moments or situations that catch the characters off guard and heighten the sexual tension. These surprises can lead to spontaneous or forbidden encounters, increasing the anticipation and desire.

Remember to balance the sexual tension with the overall tone and genre of your novel, ensuring it aligns with your intended audience and fits organically within the story. With these tips, you'll be able to craft captivating scenes that sizzle with sexual tension, leaving readers eagerly turning the pages for more.

Happy writing!

[ashipikaur]

ASHI’S 24 MANKAI CHALLENGE REVIEW! ☆

overview HERE ↑ ashi comments DOWN BELOW ↓

↑ my opinions and takes on how the a3! boys look in my style!!! 😭😭😭 and then VS how drawing them went……….. ↓

<\3 the correlations are strong on some BUT OTHERRSSSS… EEUUUUU. the banri azami was a struggle but at least it paid off 😭😭. otherwise thru out the entire process i did reviews on every chara!!! you can see my individual notes about them allllll below. and in order!!! this post will be very long HAHAHA. tho i did the tierlist after doing them so 🧍‍♂️ their rankings and numbers may not correlate……..

HARU 🌸

MASUMI 8/10

- eyes lowkey suffered me THEYRE HARD FOR ME TO STYLIZE. MAYBE IF I TOOK MORE TIME ON THEM cuz tbf these are more on the doodle side 🤔 could do them better but they’ve always lowkey been a struggle

- thought the colors would kill me BUT SURPRISINGLY NAWT. my only issue was that I was afraid his skin would be too light but ISSOK!!! was really funsies to work w

- hair is gen so peak i love his ahoge. it’s peak

- his highlight thingies have me questioning my rendering sometimes 😭😭 i can’t think too hard about them

ITARU 6.8/10

- ikemenisms are a hit or miss sometimes. HIS EYES ARE STUPID. HARD TO STYLIZE ALSO!!!!! stupey face ong

- hair is very funsies I LOOOOOOOVE DRAWING IT ITS SO FLUFFY AND RENDERING IS SUPER FUNSIES TOO

- his fit is butts tho. ITS SO DULL AND LIKE SAD TO RENDER ITS A FLOP <\3 he’d probs be better to draw in other fits but review is for this experience overall

CITRON 8/10

- WHIMSY. HOW MUCH WHIMSIER CAN YOU GET

- thing is that citron’s energy is just hard to capture…… he’s Saur ethereal…….. AND HIS EYES ARE HARD!!!!

- funsies to render tho a good chunk of detail and his hair is hard to render at times

CHIKAGE. 2/10

- IF I KILL MYSELF BLAME CHIKAGE UTSUKI.

- nothing about him is fun. HIS EYES ARE HELL. VIBES ARE HELL. HAIR IS LOWKEY HELL. CLOTHES ARE BORING!!!!! GLASSES SUCK TO DRAW 😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭

- he turned out fine but made me go thru hell. the cheeb is best way to illustrate chikage

SAKUYA 6/10

- his hair is very funsies. that is it

- 😭😭😭😭 LIKE HE ISNT HARD TO DRAW? BUT HES LIKE NOT THAT INTERESTING. he’s fine

- 😔 unfortche i hate rendering and drawing hoodies and his fit is a little boring. eyes can be inturrestin cuz I’m not used to drawing them saur big 🤔 uuum. YA. I DUNNO. OK

- he gets bonus +1 point because his hair is just fun to draw I LOVE FLUFF

TSUZURU 5/10

- the most mid guy to ever mid

- LIKE SAKU. NOT HARD TO DRAW. JUST THERE. tbh their vibes are both kinda hard to like show

- ????? for some reason i feel like my tsuzurus give off like a maekawa yuuki (stage actor) feel to them

- his hair isn’t fun AND I HATE DRAWING HOODIES so ya 🫶 mid

NATSU ☀️

TENMA 6.2/10

- i really wish he wasn’t this low but GOD

- i really dislike rendering jean jackets. i dunno if yall have tried but i do NAWT recommend and as much as i wuv tenma’s jacket as a concept I DONT LIKE DRAWING THE SHAPE EITHER. 😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭 HELL!!!!!!

- his eyes kill me everytime i draw him and his face in gen he never turns out right SORRY TENTEN

- my second fave 🧍‍♂️ i swear. plea

YUKI 4.8/10

- he causes me visceral pain

- I LIKE GENUINELY DONT REALLY KNOW WHERE I THOUGHT HE WAS MY FAVE TO DRAW ??????? BECAUSE HE IS REALLY HARD TO DRAW. IM SOAAAUUUUR BAD AT DRAWING BIG EYES and especially like the judgy eyes IM SAUUURRR BADDDD. his hair is fun if you don’t think about it too much. it killed me here

- i finally found out how to draw his collar w/o making him look stupid 😭😭😭😭 AFTER FIVE YEARS. bow is fun to draw slightly annoying to render

- he turns out cute at least. Eu

MUKU 9/10

- PEAAKKK MAYBE WHAT I USED TO SAY ABOUT YUKKI IS ACTUALLY JUST TRUE FOR MUKKUN NEOW

- his eyes are so cute. his face is so cute. his hair is SOOOOOOOO FUNSIES HIS FIT IS SO PEAK!!!! I LOVE HIS SLEEVES

- all of his colors are so nice to render i have sm fun like it’s saur funsies. quick and easy. peak

- not a 10/10 cuz his hair and skin can merge at times <3

MISUMI 8.3/10

- yessu the three is especially for him

- IVE DEFO GOTTEN A LOOOOOT BETTER AT DRAWING SUMI WITHIN THE PAST YEAR i’m actuallys satisfied w how he turns out 🫶 . the thing be that

- his hoodie kills me. REITERATING I HATE RENDERING HOODIES

- HIS HOODIE IS ALSO!!!!!! HARD TO RENDER 😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭 ISSODARK. SO DARK. alsos half the time i barely know how to render the yellow accents but i think I’ve figured it out neow. maybes

- i can’t think too hard about his hair or else it makes me tweak. it’s annoying to render

- good things are his eyes cuz sankaku pupils are v fun and ALSO HIS SLEEVES ARE SOOOOOOOO IM ACTUALLYD OBSESSED E THEM I LOVE THE SHAPE SM. PEAK <3

KUMON 4/10

- he’s saur. average

- LIKE. I DUNNO I THOUGHT HE WOULD BE A LITTLE HARD TO DRAW OR SMTH BUT HES NAWT HES JUST KINDA MID TO DRAW? 😭😭😭😭 he’s kinda hard to stylize but it’s just cuz i don’t like small pupils

- whiter than i thought he was. too used to fanon kumon

- YA I DUNNO HIS FIT IS OK TOO. KINDA DETAILS BUT YOU CAN SCRIBBLE IT SO I DUNNO

- ended up docking a point because his colors wacked me up

KAZUNARI. 7.2/10

- it’s been 5 years and i still don’t know how to draw this stupid twink

- IVE COME TO REALIZE KAZUNARI IS VERY. STYLIZED. LIKE IMMENSELY IN MY STYLE AND I DUNNO IF THATS A GOOD THING OR NAWT? 😭 😭 like it’s fine but I DUNNO. oftentimes i feel like he’s missing that spark………..

- his spring outfit isn’t v funsies to draw for me personally cuz it is a LOT of white and doesn’t give a lot of diverse fun colors to work w. the blue is kinda dull and he just looks kinda empty w/o the hat but EEUUU. whatev

- stockholm syndrome

AKI 🍁

TAICHI 9/10

- immensely funsies to draw I LOOOVE DRAWING HIS EYES AND HIS HAIR AND HIS ENERGY

- the chain is so peak btws. Saur peak

- only downside is that his face is ugly sometimes and I have to fix it cuz I always draw him :D

- his sweater is kinda wack to render

SAKYO 8/10

- HIS HAIR HAS TO BE DRAWN IS A VERY SPEICIFC WAY. IT LOOKS SIMPLE BUT ITS KINDA NAWT?

- glasses are a downside obvi

- SAUERRR CUUUUUUUTEEEEEEE i really wuv rendering him it’s REALLY funsies 🫶🫶🫶🫶🫶 peak colors. i really like rendering like this yellow???? shade

- lotta black/dark coloes but tbh it was fast and simple to render. it’s like a 50/50

BANRI 3/10

- i’m gyonna kill banri settsu

- HIS FACE IS FUN TO DRAW. HES FUN TO SKETCH. THATS IT. BECAUSE WE DONT FLIPPIN TALK ABOUT THE RENDERING

- rendering banrj is gen saur butts. you suffer and cave and go like ok whatever i’ll render his eyes then he looks BETTER but then his hair still looks like SHITE!!!

- FOREHEAD /NEG

- sm details on his jacket for what. AND FLANNEL. FOR WOT

- what i have realized from this expiernce is that i draw banri like a woman 🫶. take that as you will

- his eyes are his only saving point

AZAMI 2/10

- honestly braur probably the reason for the azashi drought

- 🧍‍♂️ . where do i start

- EYES ARE HELL. SO HARD TO STYLIZE AND MAKE SURE HE DOESNT LOOK LIKE A DEAD FISH.

- hair is whatever to sketch but GOD the rendering is so BADDDDDD 😭😭😭😭😭 GEN HELL. LIKE. braur

- he’s so white. i actually cpuldn’t like i needed to add like the tiniest bit of overlay color because i genuinely couldn’t

- his jacket is fun to draw but butts to render. IT GETS MUDDY REALLY FAST 😭.

- sorry azamin </3

JUZA 4.8/10

- pretty average guy

- if i draw banri like a woman i draw hyodo like a GREASER.

- his hair is really funsies but hard

- ALSOS he just comes out kinda Stiff so it knocks him down

- his everything takes me a while to sketch

- I DUNNO. both the hyodos are fine 🫶

OMI 5/10

- average guy

- HIS FAIR IS FUN. IF YOU DONT THINK ABOUT IT TOO MUCH

- outfit is fine

- i do think he looks super cute in my style tho <3 that’s about it

FUYU ❄️

TSUMUGI 5/10

- he really is just a fellow guy

- I DUNNO. HES NAWT LIKE HARD. HIS FAIR IS FUN? fun to render skin + hair wise too

- i just don’t think i captured his tsumuginess 🧍‍♂️ it could be the eyes. maybes. OR I DUNNO. it’s a mystery he doesn’t really look like Tsumu to me. he’s missing the freak my Tsumugi looks too nice IMO

HISOKA 5.2/10

- hair is a liiiittol hard to draw but it’s fun when you get it

- smol

- I HATE HOODIES. otherwise fine to render <3 hair is fun to render. again

- he gets +0.2 cuz i just think he’s cute in my style 🫶

HOMARE 4/10

- i don’t like drawing his face

- his hair would be really funsies if it wasn’t for the Long Strand

- his hair is very funsies to render and his eyes are SUCHHHH A PRETTY COLOR

- clothes suck to render

- 😭😭😭😭😭😭 homare is a lot of extreme highs and low but unfortche the lows overpower by a lil. SO. less than average

TASUKU 2/10

- hecks naw bro

- I DONT THINK HES NECESSARILY HARD TO DRAW. I THINK HES NATURALLY LIKE. THAT BUT I MADE HIM LIKE REALLY UGLY

- his hair is really fun and that’s the only plus i think everyone should draw his hair

- his fit is so boring. nawt fun at all

- INSANELY BORING TO RENDER

- hair was the only saving grace and I’d feel bad placing him at a 1 cuz that’s like REALLY bad and he wasn’t THAT bad

AZUMA 9/10

- amazing 10/10 stunning BEAUTE

- i didn’t expect him to be this high but <3<3<3<3<3<3

- i really like how he looks in my style too. everything is great and amazing

- only downside is that he face is kinda hard to capture but OTHERWISE everything is PEAK

- simple and easy to render. clothes aren’t a lot but they’re at least fun

GUY 6/10

- better than average 🫶

- his face is hard to capture but after that you’re all clear

- i like his hair!!!

- 🤔 details kinda

- i wouldn’t say fun but like. enjoyable

[absolutebl]

This Week in BL - I'm Muddled, there is SO MUCH on, but also I have FEELS

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

July 2024 Week 2

Ongoing Series - Thai

Wandee Goodday (Sat YT) ep 11 of 12 - Yak is such a demanding babygirl princess type. It’s kinda hilarious in a fierce boxer dude. I do adore the core brother friendship in this show. It’s so sweet. Also I guess Yak is out OUT now, on TV and everything. 

YES PLEASE GMMTV!!! This ship! Sail it!!!!

The Rebound (Weds Gaga) eps 4-6 of 12? - So it started out as a relatively simple sports romance: first love, separation, reunion. But then just went entirely off the rails: gay mafia orgies, kidnapping, druggie ex teammates with knives, I am Spartacus. All erratic Thai pulp mumbo-jumbo aside? MeenPing are doing great in these roles. Zen's hurt confusion, Ryu’s struggle with internalized homophobia that keeps hurting Zen as much as him. 

Am I wrong to ship FrankPing Just a little bit? I only wanna see them kiss. It’s not asking too much, is it? 

Not sure what’s going on with Gaga and their "ep 6 of 6" thing. Or why they bundle-aired them. Did they just get the rights for the first half? Where is the rest?  

Sunset X Vibes (Sat iQIYI) ep 5 of 12 - I always end my Saturday with these 2 simply because I love this pair. I also enjoy the show. It’s sweet and I giggle a lot. I like that they’re dressing (and letting) Lin be a bit femmey - with his pussycat bows, coco bag, and little heels. I’m not sure about the pet names but I’ll accept them if I must.

My Stand-In (iQIYI) ep 12 fin - I would like to watch an entire show about the older brother boss and his hot secretary. Bit of a bully romance? Please & thank you?

This was a good solid ending, less predictable than I expected, which I appreciat. I liked that they had a full conversation about forgiveness. But overall, I am left in a muddle.

The show itself? A summation? Oof, here we go...

Adaptation of Chinese novel "Professional Body Double" by Shui Qiang Cheng. Stars Up (Lovely Writer) and Poom (Bake Me Please) directed by the same team as KinnPorsche. Stuntman Joe dies on the job and wakes up in the body of another Joe with an entirely different life. But Joe just starts repeating the mistakes of his previous self - love, work, play. I enjoyed the experience of watching this show, I looked forward to it every week. I thought everybody did a great job with it and in it, and I liked that is was something substantially *different* for Thai BL. But I’m not sure I'll rewatch it or if it's bingeable. It left me feeling more sanguine than happy. Is there, objectively, anything wrong with it? No. But am I in love with it? No. I think that rests on the central characters, Ming in particular. I never liked him or warmed to them as a couple. I spent most of this show just very very sorry for poor Joe. Thus I was never rooting for their romance. I would recommend it, if you enjoy your BL more cerebral, with complicated unlikable love interests, and a downtrodden sympathetic lead. Is it, perhaps, more JBL that ThBL? Am I biased because it's a Thai production and I had expectations? What magical carnage could Japan have done with this IP? I'm left with questions, but I'm ultimately glad I watched this.

All this means that this show should, by all my own standards, get at 9/ 10. But I'm giving it an 8/10. So there.

We Are Cute (Weds iQIYI) ep 15 of 16 - It really is the antidote to Friend Zone. Like GMMTV just set out to make a nice little show about nice boys being very nice and kissing each other nicely. And it makes me very happy.

Century of Love (Weds Gaga) eps 1-2 of 10 - DaouOffroad are back, this time as fated mates in a quasi historical paranormal moment. Very much Director Who Buys Me Dinner meets First Love Again, hopefully better than both. I love this pair and think they can handle the premise, it's whether the storytelling is up to the challenge.

So far? I like it a lot. I love it when Thailand gets all up in its own historical business and reincarnation and bullshit like that. I’ve always liked this pair too (it’s not their fault I didn’t enjoy most of their first series.) Daou’s wushu is pretty snazzy. We got a fun meet cute. (Erm... Remeet cute? Meet cute 2.0?) And this is a very PRETTY show. With more comedy than I was expecting.

This Love Doesn't Have Long Beans (Fri iQIYI) ep 2 of 8 - I like the friendships, but so far I’m not sold on the personalities of the main couple. Of course I love the pair, and I know they can handle it, but I hope the story justifies their chemistry.

My Love Mix-Up Th (Fri YT) ep 6 of 12 - They are so damn teen dramatic and over-the-top. To have really played into the impact of the counselor character's original casting, they should’ve had Krist play the role! (GET IT?) That’d be ridiculously ironic. Not that I object to GMMTVs #1 Daddy Papang. Never that. 

The Trainee (Sun YouTube) ep 2 of 12 - Ah ha, I figured it out. This reminds me of The Devil Wears Prada. I’m finding most of the rest of the interns too caricature and thus annoying. But I’m still liking this more than I expected. 

Love Sea (Sun iQIYI) ep 5 of 10 - The bullying GL subplot is just bad. And I’m getting an overall squick from the fact that the two rich privileged characters are essentially taking advantage of the two lower class poor characters. Trash watch here.

Knock Knock Boys (Thurs Gaga) ep 8 of 12 - I’m coming around to Almond + Latte, but I’m not super sold on any of the other plot lines.

Ongoing Series - Not Thai

I Hear the Sunspot AKA Hidamari ga Kikoeru (Japan Weds Gaga) ep 3 of 10 - It’s still good and it’s still sticking relatively closely to the mango. So I’m still enjoying it.

Takara's Treasure AKA Takara No Vidro (Japan Mon Gaga) ep 2 of 10 - I just don’t really like the dynamic of the younger, poor, country kid desperately chasing the older hot boy. It’s a bit too desperate or something. It’d be different if Takara were a nicer person, but he doesn’t have much going for him but a pretty face.

It's airing but...

Meet You at the Blossom

In case you missed it

OMG Vampire (Thai Sun ???) 10 eps - It's ended. Should I watch it? right now 1 vote for and 1 vote against.

The Time of Fever AKA Unintentional Love Story 2 (Korea movie) trailer released to Korean theaters 5/25. HoTae & DongHee, side couple from Unintentional Love Story are back! Same actors, same character names. I love them. Devastated this hasn't had international distribution. I demand you tell me the moment you find it!

The Last Time (Thai Fri YT) - Got bumped to Aug 2. Convoluted story of loss and possible reincarnation or something.

Next Week Looks Like This:

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.

July Releases to Come

7/24 I Saw You in My Dream (Thai Weds WeTV) - Dee Hup is behind this one so I have high hopes. Younger boy chronically teased his whole life by the older boy next door suddenly starts having horrific prophetic dreams about his bully and must save hime.

7/26 4 Minutes (Thai Netflix or iQIYI?) - Great is a university student from Faculty of Business and the son of a wealthy business owner. Out of the blue, he gains the supernatural power to see four minutes into the future.

7/29 Battle of the Writers (Thai ????) - trailer here, TutorYim return and while I adore them, I really hope this is better than Middleman's Love. Won't be hard. However: that premise! Ugh. Something something authors fighting - save me. Why don't writers understand that nothing is more boring than writers?

THIS WEEK’S BEST MOMENTS

Such a Best Boy, not leaving his drink behind!

YES please.

Follow me here... these 2 in the Thai BL version of Tein Bromance X, which is to say: Mean assassin meets and falls HARD for snarky school teacher, they adopt a kid together. YOU KNOW YOU WANT TO WATCH IT.

(Last week)

Streaming services are listed by how I (usually) watch, which is with a USA based IP, and often offset by a day because time zones are a pain.

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

Sigh, Tumblr in it's infinite wisdom doesn't like too many tags.

There's these tricks, remember.

[ckret2]

I don't know if you've considered, but. Would you ever write down what went down in the motel room with Bill and Powers? I'm kinda curious about how Bill dealt with that, mostly because it must be quite different from his eye sex thing he had going on, and I think it always is quite interesting to have him experience things for the first time

Sorry anon but I'm just not terribly interested in writing Bill/Powers smut. I can give a quick overview of the important points though:

Honestly, it probably wasn't a first time for him. I headcanon that he's possessed a lot of human bodies and experimented with doing a lot of weird shit with them; sex is probably among the least weird shit he's done. Even if you put aside acts of possession, he's had dreamscape sex with humans before.

He's not a regular humanfucker (they're a 6/10 species in terms of sexiness) but at minimum no acts were committed in that motel room that Bill hasn't tried out at least once, probably from both ends. Mainly because the acts in that room didn't get too creative.

Bill is such a monsterfucker that not only his species but also his entire home dimension was extinct before he started having sex. His first time was with a sentient black hole from a 3D universe. He's probably never had whatever the hell qualified as "normal" sex for his species. And he's banged a LOT of aliens, there's probably very little left out there that's truly novel for him.

Even the eye sex thing is not normal sex for his species. It's just his kink. Bill getting off to eye stuff is like a human getting off to the sex acts two people can commit using only parts from the neck up. That's weird. Most people need genitalia contact. Of the many many many forms of abnormal sex he's tried out, eye stuff is his favorite easily-accessible widely-applicable sex act.

Overall, by human standards, what happened in that room was probably pretty vanilla and pretty tame. Foreplay done with hands, penis-in-vagina, no oral, no anal, probably some kissing but the first time Bill tried to drift from mouth to eyeball and got rebuffed he went oh, right and that was the end of kissing. Cowgirl position, Bill called the shots, not afraid to take Powers's hands and place them where he wanted them, completely focused on getting pleasure rather than giving. Didn't bother getting too adventurous since his primary goal here was to seduce this guy into loosening his lips and saying something useful, so better not risk weirding him out.

Were I to actually write the scene out, my goal would be to leave readers with the impression that:

Bill hasn't done this exact act a lot, but he has done it

it's kinda weird, but he never doesn't have weird sex so kinda weird is pretty normal to him. human sex doesn't stand out.

he enjoyed the act itself for the physical pleasure it offers, but was entirely indifferent to the person providing the physical pleasure

the only thing beyond the mere mechanical rubbing-parts-until-pleasure-chemicals-are-released act that he enjoyed were the moments of feeling admired; but even then he can wholly detach the sense of admiration from the person doing the admiring.

he considers being indifferent to a sexual partner pretty normal