#japanese story

[furudetowa]

The Rhapsody Sleeping in the Death City of Zanael / -LostFairy-

I guess this is my first post ever on this blog,so I start with -LostFairy-,since I've discover doujin music through lostfairy.

So this one is a new album, 死都ザナエルに眠る狂詩篇 (Shito Zanaeru ni Nemuru Kyoushihen).As you can see there are an illustration of a girl. Her name is Priscilla, she is a necromancer.

Once, the fortress city of Zanael stood proudly in all its glory. However, a devastating plague swept through its walls, leading to its ruin. The city, now a cursed land, is haunted by the restless dead. Sealed by the prayers of priests, Zanael has become a place where no living being can enter. Amidst this desolation, a delicate girl named Priscilla appears. Her innocent visage belies the dark power she wields, for she is a witch cloaked in the force of death. The people whisper her name with fear and reverence, calling her a necromancer. Her power, a dreadful force that disrupts the balance between life and death, causes souls to gather in the cold wind, faintly remembering their end. In this forsaken land, Priscilla seeks the truth behind the decay and the mystery buried within Zanael. She walks the cursed grounds, murmuring spells, offering her hand to those lost souls in search of salvation. Despite her efforts, the land is endlessly manipulated by an abominable force, and the dead continue to wander, weaving tales of their pride and sorrow. In the depths of darkness, these lost souls seek light but find no solace. Their cries of anguish echo through the blood-bound illusions they are trapped in. As they follow the remnants of their memories, the words of the living are engraved in their minds: Memento mori—remember that you must die. Priscilla, too, seeks light within this darkness. She offers a helping hand, hoping to grant the final wish of these tormented souls. The tragedy that led them to this state remains unknown, a hidden truth buried with the dead. The eternal sleep they yearn for is a prayer offered to those returning to the earth. Despite countless repetitions of unwanted tragedies, salvation never reaches the dead. Under the hollow white sky, they surrender to their fantasies, playing their final songs. In this colorless, cold landscape, Priscilla stands, unaware of the illusions that surround her. She prays under an unknown sky, tracing the memories of souls long gone. As the end approaches, the wandering remnants are enveloped in a gentle light. Priscilla offers artificial flowers and prayers, guiding these lost dreams towards a world yet unseen. She weaves her words quietly, leading the lost ones through their fragile memories, preparing for the next story that awaits them. With the wind's gentle sway and the petals rising, Priscilla continues her solemn task. She dedicates artificial flowers and prayers to the distant, unseen world, etching eternal thoughts into the fabric of existence.

There's only two actual songs in this album,Memento mori and 誰が為のレクイエム / Dare ga Tame no Rekuiemu (For Whom This Requiem Is),so below is the lyrics.Until next time,peace.

Memento mori

魂の眠る朽ち果てた地は

Tamashii no nemuru kuchihateta chi wa

The land where souls sleep and decay

忌まわしき力に弄ばれて

Imawashiki chikara ni moteasobarete

is toyed with by a cursed power

呪われた地を彷徨い続ける

Norowareta chi wo samayoi tsuzukeru

And continues to wander through the cursed land

死者たちが紡ぐ矜持編

Shishatachi ga tsumugu kyoji hen

The tale of pride woven by the dead

深い闇の中で光を求めて

Fukai yami no naka de hikari wo motomete

In the deep darkness, seeking the light

でも救いはなく

Demo sukui wa naku

But there is no salvation

血に囚われた幻想に慟哭が鳴り響く

Chi ni torawareta gensou ni doukoku ga narihibiku

A wail echoes through the blood-bound illusion

彷徨う身体に残された記憶を辿る

Samayou karada ni nokosareta kioku wo tadoru

Tracing the memories left in the wandering body

今を生きる者が刻む言葉

Ima wo ikiru mono ga kizamu kotoba

Words carved by those living in the present

Memento mori

深い闇の中で

Fukai yami no naka de

In the deep darkness

光を求めて

Hikari wo motomete

Seeking the light

さあ救いの手を

Saa sukui no te wo

Now, the hand of salvation

最後の願いだけは

Saigo no negai dake wa

Only the final wish

叶えてあげる

Kanaete ageru

Will be granted

死が導いた

Shi ga michibiita

Led by death

惨劇は誰も知らぬ真実

Sangeki wa dare mo shiranu shinjitsu

The tragedy is an unknown truth

哀しき躯に宿る

Kanashiki karada ni yadoru

Dwelling in the sorrowful body

永遠の眠りは

Towa no nemuri wa

An eternal sleep

土に還る者に捧ぐ祈り

Tsuchi ni kaeru mono ni sasagu inori

A prayer dedicated to those returning to the earth

Memento mori

For Whom This Requiem Is

何度も望まぬ悲劇を繰り返し

Nando mo nozomanu higeki wo kurikaeshi

Endlessly repeating unwanted tragedies

救いは死せる者には届かずに

Sukui wa shiseru mono ni wa todokazu ni

Salvation remains beyond the reach of the dead

何度も虚ろな白い空の下で

Nando mo utsuro na shiroi sora no shita de

Beneath the hollow white sky, time and again

幻想に

Gensou ni

Enveloped in illusions/fantasies

身を委ねながら終の歌を奏でる

Mi wo yudanenagara tsui no uta wo kanaderu

Surrendering myself, I play the final song

あなたは冷たく色のない景色が

Anata wa tsumetaku iro no nai keshiki ga

You are in a landscape devoid of warmth and color

あなたは偽りだとは気づかずに

Anata wa itsuwari da to wa kizukazu ni

You are unaware of the deception

私は誰も知らない空の下で

Watashi wa dare mo shiranai sora no shita de

Beneath a sky unknown to all, I stand

私は誰のために祈るのだろう

Watashi wa dare no tame ni inoru no darou

For whom do I offer my prayers?

一人魂の記憶を辿り

Hitori tamashii no kioku wo tadori

Alone, tracing the memories of a solitary soul

ただ静かに言の葉を紡ぐ

Tada shizuka ni kotonoha wo tsumugu

Quietly weaving words together

終焉を迎え

Shuuen wo mukae

As the end draws near

彷徨う残滓が

Samayou zanshi ga

The wandering remnants

優しい光に包まれて

Yasashii hikari ni tsutsumarete

are wrapped in gentle light

弔いの造花と祈りを捧げよう

Tomurai no zouka to inori wo sasageyou

Let us offer artificial flowers and prayers for the dead

遠くまだ見ぬ世界へ

Tooku mada minu sekai e

To the distant, unseen world

揺らめく風のように

Yurameku kaze no you ni

Like the flickering breeze

花びら舞い上がる

Hanabira maiagaru

Petals ascend and dance in the air

一人儚い記憶の中で

Hitori hakanai kioku no naka de

Alone, in the fleeting memories

やがて訪れる次の物語に

Yagate otozureru tsugi no monogatari ni

To the next tale that will eventually unfold

迷い子の夢を導いて

Mayoigo no yume wo michibiite

Guiding the dreams of the lost

永久の想いを刻んで行く

Towa no omoi wo kizande yuku

Carving eternal thoughts into the fabric of existence

[mylegendaryicons]

[bandezzle]

this reminds me of than ancient story-

So tender was Emperor Ai's love for his “male companion” that, when he had to get up, instead of waking his lover, he cut off the sleeve of his robe.

As she should ♡

[liddopixie]

Todays manga: Kingyoyasan no karisome fuufu (1)

[maysshortmoviereviews]

Jaane Jaan (2023)

When a single mother is caught in a crime investigation, her neighbour, a gifted maths teacher, offers to help, and a relentless cop digs into the case.

An enjoyable movie (based on a Japanese novel called 'The Devotion of Suspect X), let down by a rushed ending that didn't do it justice. However, the cinematography was beautiful, especially the spooky, foggy streets. It's a beautifully shot film that, while not bad, ultimately under-delivered on its initial promise.

[berma-dalam-titik]

Bukan Buatku

Bagian 1

Semua dimulai dari Tou-san---ayahku---yang menurunkan toko manisannya padaku. Kalau boleh jujur, aku bukan penggemar makanan manis, bahkan sejak masih kecil. Tou-san tahu itu, tapi tetap menurunkannya padaku.

"Cuma kau satu-satunya anakku! Kenapa tidak mau membantu ayahmu yang sudah tua ini?!" katanya, di hari pertama ia membicarakan topik itu. "Yang buat manisannya, kan, karyawan-karyawanku, bukan kau! Yang kau lakukan hanya menjaga toko, menggaji karyawan, serta mencicipi varian baru yang mereka buat!"

"Justru bagian 'mencicipi' itu yang kuhindari, Tou-san," aku ingat pernah memberinya alasan.

"Banyak alasan! Pokoknya, toko itu harus tetap buka saat aku pensiun! Aku tidak mau terus-terusan terjebak di kota itu! Aku ingin jalan-jalan, membawa serta abu ibumu! Paham?!" Namun, alasanku ditolaknya mentah-mentah, hingga mau tak mau, kuterima toko itu sebagai mata pencaharian utamaku saat ini.

Toko manisan Tou-san---atau sekarang toko manisan-ku---sama sekali tidak besar. Ini toko kecil dan tua yang hanya memiliki tiga karyawan yang semuanya bekerja di dapur. Tadinya Tou-san dan Kaa-san hanya menjajakan manisan-manisan tradisional. Akan tetapi, mengikuti permintaan pasar dan perkembangan zaman, lambat laun mereka menerima pasokan permen atau manisan lain dari pabrik-pabrik sekitar. Yah, bisa dibilang, apa pun yang rasanya manis dan berbahan dasar gula, akan Tou-san jual di sini.

"Haaah, melihatnya saja sudah membuat mulutku lengket ...."

"Se-tidak bisa itu, kah, makan yang manis-manis, Kotaro-kun?" Seorang wanita yang ada di masa setengah abadnya, muncul dari dapur dengan nampan berisi ichigo daifuku di atasnya. Itu Junko-san. "Nih, yang ichigo baru jadi. Mau satu?"

"Junko-san bercanda, ya?"

Junko-san tertawa sambil memasukkan benda-benda bulat berwarna putih itu ke raknya, bergabung dengan daifuku-daifuku lain yang sudah jadi lebih dulu. Aku keluar dari area kasir, membantunya untuk menyusun. "Padahal makanan manis itu bisa menaikkan mood-mu. Kenapa tidak mau?"

"Rasanya tidak cocok di lidah," balasku, menyusun daifuku terakhir ke raknya. Aku menghela nafas lagi---akibat dari menyentuh benda penuh gula itu di tangan---sebelum meneruskan, "Gula-gula ini seperti menempel di setiap sudut mulutku, dan bisa membuatku haus sampai seharian."

"Separah itu?" Aku mengangguk. Junko-san ikut menghela nafasnya. "Tapi kau memang tidak tertarik dengan manisan sejak masih sepinggangku, sih," ia bercerita sambil menaruh tangannya di pinggang, mengukur tubuh kecilku yang hanya tersisa bayangan masa lalu. "Anak yang tidak suka permen .... Sama sekali tidak terdengar lucu."

"Tenang saja, bahkan Tou-san tidak pernah menganggapku lucu."

Junko-san tertawa lepas, mungkin membayangkan wajah Tou-san yang hampir tak pernah terlihat ramah di sepanjang hidupnya. "Ya, ya, kau benar. Yang menganggapmu lucu hanya Yui-chan---Kaa-san-mu."

Aku tersenyum getir. Junko-san dan Kaa-san ini sangat dekat. Meski mereka berawal dari pemilik toko dan karyawan, hubungan mereka sudah seperti kakak-adik pada akhirnya. Aku pun sering menganggap Junko-san sebagai ibu keduaku. Jujur, aku sangat bersyukur Junko-san masih mau bertahan bekerja di toko kecil ini, di saat dua karyawan lainnya sudah sering berganti setiap tahunnya.

"Baiklah, aku masih harus buat manju."

"Eh? Bukannya manju jatahnya Fukui-san?"

"Hari ini ada yang pesan untuk oleh-oleh." Junko-san mengambil kembali nampan tempat ia menaruh daifuku tadi. Sambil hendak kembali ke belakang, ia bicara lagi, "Pesanannya masuk saat kau belum datang ke sini, jadi mungkin kau tidak tahu, tapi kau bisa cek di Buku Coklat. Harusnya Takamori-kun sudah tulis pesanannya di sana."

Segera aku kembali ke meja kasir dan mengecek Buku Coklat yang dimaksud. Sebenarnya ini hanya buku tulis biasa yang disampul coklat, tapi ini sudah semacam tradisi yang Tou-san buat supaya tidak mudah lupa apabila ada pesanan khusus yang masuk ke toko. "Rincian pesanannya ada di Buku Coklat! Kau tinggal cek saja!" Biasanya dia akan bicara seperti itu setiap Junko-san atau karyawan lain bertanya. Aku seakan bisa mendengarnya bicara seperti itu tepat di sampingku---sambil marah-marah, mempertanyakan kenapa aku bisa lupa dengan urusan toko sendiri.

Aku langsung membuka buku itu ke halaman paling baru. Tanggal penulisannya dua hari lalu, dan ada nama "Takamori" di bawahnya. Sudah dipastikan inilah rincian pesanan yang dibilang Junko-san tadi.

"Berapa banyak manju yang dipesan?" Suara Junko-san terdengar agak jauh.

"Lima puluh buah!" Suaraku sedikit meninggi, supaya terdengar oleh Junko-san yang sudah ada di dapur.

"Sudah ada 20 di sini!" Kali ini suara Fukui-san yang terdengar.

"Urusanmu itu stok toko, Fukui-kun!" Balasan dari Junko-san membuatku menahan tawa sedikit.

"Heee!? Tapi manju itu spesialisasiku! Dan juga, Junko-san belum buat satu pun, kan?! Pesanannya diambil jam dua siang ini!" Aku refleks mengecek kembali rinciannya, kemudian beralih ke jam dinding di atasku. Sekarang sudah jam 10.30, tepat setengah jam setelah toko dibuka.

"Lalu manju di toko siapa yang pegang?!" Suara Junko-san membawaku kembali ke pembicaraan mereka.

"Aku sudah taruh 20 yaki manju di rak toko!" Kali ini suara si karyawan muda, Takamori, yang terdengar.

"Yang biasa kita jual itu kukus (mushi)! Bukan panggang (yaki)!" Keributan yang terjadi semakin membuatku tak kuasa menahan tawa.

Baru saja aku ingin memisahkan mereka dan mengingatkan waktu terus berjalan, pintu toko dibuka oleh seseorang. Aku langsung menyambutnya, tanpa menyadari siapa pelanggan pertama kami. Hingga setelah aku melihatnya dengan seksama, aku terkesima dengan kecantikan yang dipancarkannya.

Ia membalas sapaanku dengan senyuman, membenarkan posisi kacamatanya sejenak, lalu bicara, "Uh, maaf. Aku Kishimoto, yang dua hari lalu pesan manju di sini. A-aku minta maaf karena datang terlalu cepat---aku baru ingat jam pengambilannya saat sudah dalam perjalanan. Karena sudah nanggung buat balik lagi---berhubung rumahku jauh dari sini, apa boleh aku tunggu saja di sini?"

Maafkan aku, Kishimoto-san. Aku terlalu terpana dengan kecantikanmu, bahkan suaramu juga terdengar indah, sampai aku kehabisan kata-kata.

Sepertinya ... aku sudah jatuh cinta pada pandangan pertama.

Bersambung ...

[Ditulis oleh Titik Berma; Pamulang, 4 September 2024]

[exilley]

I do sort of wish western anime fans would analyze anime and manga from a framework of japanese historical and cultural context. Specifically a lot of works from the 90s being influenced by the general aimlessness and ennui that a lot of people were experiencing due to the burst in the bubble economy and the national trauma caused by the sarin terrorist attack. I think in interacting with media that’s not local to our sociocultural/sociopolitical sphere it’s easy to forget that it’s influenced and shaped by the same kinds of factors that influence media within our own cultural dome and there ends up being this baseline misalignment of perception between the causative elements of a narrative and viewer interpretation of those elements. It’s a form of death of the author that i think, in some measure, hinders our ability to fully understand/come to terms with creator intent and the full scope of a work’s merits

[sweetsevlyyt]

Nightmoon's desire to meet up with Blue Invertement INODA with Cousin Ruby - Part 1

"You ready, Nightmoon?" asks Cousin Ruby. "I am ever ready, Cousin," I answer. We are at one of Blue Invertement INODA's concerts, Cousin Ruby has booked us front-row tickets and she told me this is not an opportunity to be missed. Because...

"Everyone, please welcome Blue Invertement INODA to the stage!" declares the announcer. "INODA's nationwide tour has reached its climax, this is only the first and last time you'll be seeing them perform in Kyoto. So without further ado, I present you: Blue Invertement INODA's most liked members!"

...you can get to see the members clearly. 'Cause we are both free for the day, I think there's time to enjoy this idol concert. The song is starting, I think it's "We're Your Idols--Blue!"

私たちはあなたのアイドル、あなただけの唯一無二の存在です！ ふわふわ！！ 私はレジーナ、グループのセンターです 美しくて賢くて、 一番のお気に入り！ 私の名前は金田です、 グループの支持者 私はあなたの理想のアイドル re-image-ning

そして見てください、私はKミツミです アップビートであなたのお気に入りのアイドルをお手伝いします! 見えないの?あなたが探していたものはここにあります! (そうだ、そうだ、ここだ!) 日本のアイドル あなたを恋に落ちさせます (そうです、彼らはそうします) くそー、いつ恋に落ちたのか考えたことがあるかもしれない あなたは私たちを見ました、なんと！

"Here comes the best part!" Ruby says to me. "This is when Erenetonai does her solo!"

I can't wait to witness it.

Soft and Warm Flowers,

あなたは見て、触れました！ 1、2、3、4、5、そして 6 メンバーを数えてください そうすればわかります 私たちが解き明かすもの あなたへ… おい！おい！おい！

(闇が解けていく…) (もう光は見えない…) （それが消えていくにつれて、ああ、なんてことだ、どうすればいいの？）

We Rise Back To The Top! That's Right! Yeah Yeah Y-Y-Y-Yeah!

アイドルは日本で一番愛されているから… 私は言う、私たちがあなたをあなたらしく作ったのです（そうです） 「あなたを愛しています」 それは違います うそ！

おやすみ、京都！ ！ 私たちは皆さんを愛しています!

Applause then breaks out from the crowd. It was a stunning performance. I loved it, and I still do. 'Cause I might as well say, "Erenetonai is my idol! She is my savior!" on top of my lungs abruptly.

However...

[nature-in-movies]

Japanese story (2003)

[saewokhrisz]

2/2 "gift"

[technically-human]

*Reverses your Christmas*

A gift from @i-am-as-normal-as-you-are to all of you :) we really wanted the boys to get along for once, and what better occasion than Christmas? anything to make the Edwins happy!

[rassicas]

splatoon fandom: please. someone please translate the marina acht story. please me: now hold on. wouldn't you guys rather read a boring newspaper article about the development of crableg capital. because i would

[ryllen]

overblot grim with Yuu who accidentally get carried on his back

[liddopixie]

Konna Watashi wo Kawaii, Nante (1) - What I read today

[scaredii-cat]

My beautiful wife!! REAL!!!!

[absolutebl]

Of My 50+ Favorite BLs these are the 10 I rewatch the most

So you could call these my favorite comfort foods. Everything on this list got a rating of 10/10 or 9/10 from me.

10 Most Comforting BLs

(for me, in order of most recently rewatched at the top)

Our Dating Sim

Korea 2023 Viki (watch the series not the movie)

This is a perfect short form KBL, an office set reunion romance featuring geeks that really suits 8 eps with no fluff and no chaff. Just comforting and yummy. I adored every aspect from the casting to the pristinely simple premise to the quietly smooth execution. Sure it’s low stakes, but that makes it high domesticity and extremely warm and gentle. This is a fuzzy blanket of a story - a cozy BL. It lives in my rewatch pile and you know what’s best about it? Every single episode is in that pile. There’s no skipping with this one, it might be good natured and calmly sweet but it’s tight and the pacing is excellent.

Cosmetic Playlover

Japan 2024 Gaga

The most recent release on this list, it came out this year and I've already rewatched it 5x. I love this little show. It's a classic office BL about the older workaholic who loves his job and the younger upstart who unexpectedly loves his boss. It’s a hyung romance where everybody is extremely earnest and sweet and pretty about everything. Except our seme, who is slightly unhinged and a little obsessed in all the ways one likes best from Japan (if one is me). Plus the kisses are good! Utterly charming unexpected gem of a show. What fun!

Jun and Jun

Korea 2023 Viki

A delightful office romance about an ex-idol who joins cubical life only to find his new boss is his first love. Other boys are sniffing around too. Operative word being "sniffing" as much of this romance involves smell. With a snappy (sometimes even raunchy) script, enjoyable sides, a pretty as peaches cast, and decent chemistry this show made up for in style what it lacked in substance. I like fluff. I loved this. I smiled every moment I was watching. My only caution is this is for fans of the BL genre only, I don’t think it’ll work for anyone else.

My Personal Weatherman

AKA Taikan Yoho

Japan 2023 Gaga

This style of live action yaoi really only works from Japan. Basically: boys who fell in love in college end up living together but are so repressed they don't realize they're in love. It's higher heat than we usually get from Japan's HEA stuff, and that aspect is also very well done, but it leaned into the "why don't they just talk for fuck's sake?" trope which is only exacerbated into undiluted frustration by the fact that they're already fucking. It's great, but watching requires more patience than usual, even for Japan. That said it's also bruisingly romantic. Emphasis on bruise.

Unintentional Love Story

Korea 2023 iQIYI

OMG the plot! Uke forced into a totally understandable betrayal, falling in love despite himself, put into a corner he can't get out of, the AGONY, the PAIN in those gorgeous eyes. Gah. Okay, so: A boy loses his job due to trumped-up corruption charges accidentally discovers his ex-boss's favorite artist, now a recluse. Evil manager offers him his job back, if he can convince the artist to rejoin society. Instead, they fall in love. I found the artist a bit stiff and reserved but Gongchan (maknae of B1A4) is a fucking GIFT - he carried this show (which I do not expect from the idol element). He was luminous with extraordinarily expressive eyes, just drown in the emoting abyss. The external conflict, social tension and pressure is complex and beautifully executed, plus Korea gave us legit side dishes (NOT a love triangle, hally-fucking-luya). All that said, when I rewatch this it's usually just the second half, but WHAT a ride.

Semantic Error

Korea 2022 Viki

Sexy older boy discovers pouty younger boy has outed him as a slacker, starts out bullying him, accidentally falls madly in love instead. Korea hits it entirely out of the Parks by doing a university BL with everything we expect from BL just done exactly right. Korea's signature quality executed perfectly with added bonus good story, great pacing, stunning visuals, and fantastic chemistry. You cannot ask for more from a BL, let alone a KBL. Another one where the rewatch is mostly just the second half.

Old Fashion Cupcake

Japan 2022

This show had me from the moment they broke the egg yolk with the chopsticks in the opening credits. It’s about a younger man with a long cherished crush on his boss (ten years older and going through a mid life crisis) who decides to save and seduce said boss with pancakes. It’s wholesome, comforting, sexy, and a very necessary narrative about still having hope, interests, and openness to affection at any age. It’s a stunningly filmed late-in-life comg of age/queerness story packaged in a subtle critique of expectations around masculinity, love, and loneliness… and it’s beautiful.

Yes yes. But the bit you know you want to rewatch is that long shot with the bite kiss. YOU KNOW you wanna.

Seven Days

Japan 2015

Ha! I faked you out 'cause this wasn't at the top but of course it's on the list! One of the best live action yaois ever made, with perfectly structured angst, fantastic characters and acting, and no problematic tropes (rare in Japanese BL). Older boy dares the hot af younger one to date him for a week. Turns out they both like it... A lot. The leads have excellent chemistry although it’s low heat there’s still some really cute mutual kisses.

Takara & Amagi

Japan 2022

I gnawed on my knuckles and squealed a lot with this show, but a rewatch is way less tense. Reserved cool kid must learn to communicate to keep the tiny disaster nugget he’s madly in love with. It is beyond charming: soft and gentle, packed with cuteness and high school angst, thirst, & yearning.

We Best Love

Taiwan 2021 WeTV

WBL successfully managed to pick up and combine the best features of Korean, Thai, and Japanese BL as it exists right now. Couple that to the insane chemistry from the leads, and we have one of the greatest BLs of all time, cooking to a recipe I doubt anyone else will ever be able to replicate since only Taiwan is this flexible. It's basically every classic BL trope bombarded at us in two parts, rapid fire, one after another. Rewatching this show reminds me of everything I love about this genre. It is the genre in pure concentrated form.

The End!

I think it's no accident that none of these are Thai, part of a rewatch for me is the brevity of the show, longer stuff does get rewatched, but not as frequently.

(source)