#jttw spoilers

[sketching-shark]

Kind of wild that this is pretty much the narrative progression of Journey to the West...

[griffinclaw7]

(Attention, potential spoiler for journey to the west)

Currently reading jttw

Eating a random pilgrim‘s horse

Ao Lie: :3

His 4ft monkey companion starts yelling and insulting you

Ao Lie: >:3

Also Ao Lie:

Rats Wukong out to Guanyin first chance he gets.

Gotta love how chill he is until you insult him

[ningadudexx]

who up journeying to they west ⁉️⁉️⁉️⁉️ 🚶‍♂️🚶‍♂️🚶‍♂️🚶‍♂️🐎

the first one is a screenshot redraw of this frame cause it freaking rocks 🔥🔥🔥

the show has been out since 1986 and also the novel has been out since the 16th century.... but ill spoiler warninf just in case... anyone in audience from the 16th century tonite ⁉️🙋‍♂️🙋🙋‍♀️

[digitalagepulao]

more memes from the jttw server convos <3

[blu-ish]

Season 5 has me in a chokehold chat

[nyipi]

.// i don't have the motivation to watch s5 yet but reposting this old wip i have and will not have time to work on for a looong while

[lunarwednesday]

Once again, in another river, on another island, the power of the beast lord awakens to save someone else.

[itsabouttimex2]

“You need to do better.”

(This gets vitriolic, and is a full-blown criticism of Macaque’s portrayal in Season Four and Five. If criticism of a character/franchise you like upsets you, I do not recommend reading.)

Wow. I had no faith in his character writing, and I’m STILL disappointed.

And it only took one episode! How impressive!

Macaque, who has put in ZERO on-screen effort to become a better person or make amends to his victims, is criticizing Wukong for being a bad mentor! And does Wukong criticize him back? NOPE!

After getting screamed at and berated, does Wukong defend himself? NOPE!

Ooh, but there was a second long reference in a dual yelling match that mentioned that Macaque was a genuinely bad person who took glee in hurting innocent people! Oh, fucking delightful! Ooh, Wukong even points out in one episode that Macaque goes unpunished!

Pointing out a flaw in your writing does not make it less of a flaw.

Macaque will always be allowed to do whatever he wants to anyone he wants- power theft, attempted murder, insults, deceit, assault-

And the narrative and characters will never hold him accountable or force Macaque to look inwards or become a better person.

Macaque will always fall upwards into redemption without any obstacles or pushback.

There will never be a struggle to goodness with a satisfying conclusion. There will never be a moment where falters in his newfound goodness and questions going back to his old ways. There will never be explicit remorse or regret. He will never have deep introspections on his crimes and atrocities that provide a reason for him to want to change.

The sum of his “arc” will always be “you were a good guy all along”, and that lack of depth is where it will stay.

RIP Seasons 1-3 Macaque. You were fun and interesting and cool and lovable.

But the man they replaced you with was destined to be a boring and brooding “anti-hero” who has no real connection to the actions you selfishly and violently performed with your own two hands-

And you will always be a less interesting character for it.

The execution of the actual arc boils down to a single heroic (but ultimately self-serving) moment and then Macaque is immediately forgiven for all the crimes he’s committed and is a magically better person without any effort and nothing he’s done is ever brought up again.

It severely weakens any character’s arc to cut them off from their past actions. If MK forgot his traumas every season instead of carrying them forward- we’d all agree that doing so was a case of poor writing.

It was the reason that people disliked Mei’s portrayal in Season Four- she immediately moved on from the Samadhi Fire arc and “no longer wielded it” after spending a whole season gathering and learning to use it.

Why can’t we agree that it’s bad for Macaque, too?

You can’t “develop” a character by dropping an entire plotline and writing it off with one line.

You can’t “redeem” a character by pretending that they were a good person right from the start.

Sorry, bud.

I really did like you. I just wish I could like your writing.

——————

And, what is more clear to me now than ever?

People only defended Macaque’s shitty writing because they think he’s hot.

I know this now, because I’ve seen white-hot Li Jing arc hatred from fervent Macaque arc defenders.

So we all agree that an “I didn’t really mean it!” isn’t an excuse to abuse the people around you? That you don’t get to mistreat innocent people just because you’re stressed and upset?

Hmmm.

Hmmmmmmm.

I wonder why people despise Jing for his dogshit “one nice thing redeems all your bad actions” arc but love Macaque for his??

(Because they think the monkey is hot.)

The funny thing, though?

Li Jing apologizes to at least one of the victims of his actions. He expresses regret and remorse.

Macaque doesn’t even have that.

——————

Anyways here’s a line that I hate because Macaque has in no way developed enough to have the right to deliver it-

AND NO, SUDDENLY HAVING AN AFFINITY FOR PERFORMING KIND OR SACRIFICIAL ACTS IS NOT GOOD CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT

HIM MAGICALLY OFFSCREEN BECOMING A GOOD PERSON WHO CARES ABOUT INNOCENT LIFE IS NOT GOOD CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT

IF ALL IT TAKES TO “BE BETTER” IS ACTING LIKE A HERO, WUKONG IS LITERALLY A THOUSAND TIMES BETTER OF A PERSON THAN HE IS

THIS LINE IS DOGSHIT

“You need to do better.”

Really, Macaque? Maybe you should take your own damn advice- try apologizing to one of the people you tried to hurt and tried to murder in cold blood!

Like when you trapped MK under his staff after stealing his powers and tried to murder him when he was helpless?

Or when you kidnapped MK’s friends and tortured the kid by forcing him to fight them?

Or you led a violent assault against a palace full of innocent people?

Or violently beat his dear friends until they were screaming in pain?

Or assaulted Tang, who posed no threat to you?

Or threatened to murder an innocent girl if you didn’t get your way, then ran away (and encouraged MK to abandon her) first thing when it put her into a life-threatening meltdown of raw power?

(Isn’t it cool how NONE of these people have interesting or varied reactions to him doing this and ALL immediately are cool with him like a gelatinous hivemind.)

(Oooh ONE mildly questioning line from Pigsy but no anger over his adoptive son nearly being killed multiple times over)

(Isn’t it cool that no one has complex or interesting thoughts on this.)

(Isn’t it cool that by robbing them of unique feelings on the matter they robbed Macaque and the Monkie Kids of compelling and interesting interactions that could’ve helped flesh out their personalities and strengthen their characterization.)

(Isn’t it cool that Macaque and the Monkie Kids are actively denied intriguing character dynamics so Macaque’s shitty “redemption arc” can happen faster.)

(Isn’t that cool.)

Why don’t YOU do better, Macaque?

(In a way that is more satisfying than “one kind-hearted speech from a kid that I tried to murder changed my mind and now I am a better person but all my character development happened offscreen and without personal introspection”, at least.)

Also what the fuck do you mean by “do better”?

Be heroic and put your life in danger? He already does that! He’s done it more than you have!

Just tell MK that he’s not alone? YOU COULD DO THAT YOURSELF, MACAQUE!

Help MK with his traumas and fears? MK doesn’t tell anyone about those! He keeps them bottled up, lock and key, and actively refuses attempts to help!

Wukong TRIED to reach out to him, and MK PUSHED HIM AWAY! Was he supposed to tie the fucking kid down and torture the information out of him?

He respected MK’s boundaries by not pushing any further and letting him leave!!

WHY IS THAT A BAD THING??

What the fuck, man

[real-sun-wukong-fan01]

SPOILERS

It's canon that wukong can draw and macaque can too but it's like those super stylized anime art style

Wukong

Macaque

[angryvampire]

I hope he sticks by for the rest of the game

You're my fren now :3

We're having soft tacos later! :D

[lunar-wandering]

"Well Kid, are you ready to become the Monkey King?"

"Huh?"

"Y'know, cause, he jumped through the waterfall and then became the-"

"Ugh, have you even read Journey to the West?"

[sketching-shark]

ASFDGREAWRD @smolcrimegoblin HOW DID I MISS THESE ADDITIONS!?!?!

Extremely sketchy meme for anyone who may want to let the internet world know about some of the absolutely batshit stuff that happens in everyone’s favorite westward journey :3

[quitealotofsodapop]

Opinion: "Into the Pagoda" needed to be a two-parter.

Mostly because there's some worldbuilding that needs to be addressed;

"Hooked on a Feeling" starts playing.

Why the jumpsuits? When did those become fashionable? Wouldn't an old fogey like Li Jing just use rags?

In "Fengshen Yanyi"/"Investiture of the Gods"; Li Jing got the Pagoda second-hand from Randeng Daoren (a door god compared to an earlier Buddha) in order to put War-Form Nezha in timeout. I don't think even Li Jing really knows how it works.

Do those trapped within the Pagoda need to eat? Is there a cafeteria?

Does it have the time passage thing Buddhist Hell is said to have? Where it can feel like a billion years have passed - only for the outside to have just been one earth year? The gang could spend what they think is weeks inside the Pagoda, only to pop out and see that Li Jing and Nezha are only in the process of leaving the Dragon-Tiger festival.

Is there a strict schedule like in irl prisons - or are the inhabitants just allowed to run around as they please? A culture def would develop from that.

Confucian and Imperial Chinese laws probably don't eke out the same punishment as today. According to one article I found + Wikipedia; people could be seriously punished for stuff as small as; disrespecting their parents, not looking sad enough when a relative or spouse passed, stealing imperial property, being a wizard, crafting a poison, or disrespecting the Emperor and/or his family. There's probably a bunch of inmates in the Pagoda who are there for really petty crimes.

(*The Monkie Kids are approached by a gang of tough-looking demons while inside the Pagoda*) Demon #1: "Hey there, new meat. What'cha in for?" Demon #2: "Looks like he's in for stealing a lollipop!" Demon gang: (*loud guffaws!*) Macaque, whispering: "Tell them why you're here. You need to seem tough to earn their respect." MK: (*nods affirmatively*) MK, brightly addresses the demon gang: "Hi! I'm under investigation for conspiracy to destroy the Jade Emperor, Guardians of the Four Cardinal Directions, and the Fifth Heavenly Pillar itself." The demon gang: (*all in varying looks of horror and disgust*) Demon #1: "What!? What kind of psychos are they letting in now!?" Demon #2: "Screw this! I'm only in for weeing on a grave!" (*the whole gang of demons scatter in fear*) Macaque: "A little too tough, kiddo."

We only get to see the random "Red Maned Demon" and the 100 Eyed Demon. Where tf is everyone? This is probably more of an animation budget issue though since the gang mentions fighting through a bunch of demons.

There appears to be a power hierarchy - likely separated based on level, power, or severity of crime. The mook "Red Maned Demon" tries to posture at the gang before he realises that Sun Wukong is there. And Macaque was imprisoned long enough to recognise that the 100 Eyed Demon "taken over this whole section of the pagoda".

Since Li Jing is seen in "The Cage" being able to go inside the Pagoda - does he do rounds of the place?

Do they ever get pardons? In fact; does anyone investigate when Li Jing shoves someone in there? Homeboy isn't actually an impartial judge. There needs to be a regular inspection or an audit or something.

Mei: "Hey guys! I met this dragon locked in solitary while we were running around - turns out he's my cousin! Don't worry - he isn't a murder or nothing! The sign by his cell said "Not to open under any circumstance" and that he's only in for Insubordination." Ao Bing: (*tied up like Hannibal Lecter in "Silence of the Lambs"*) Ao Bing, muffled: "Hi." The gang: (*all shared looks of suspicion and nervousness. Except Wukong, who comes forward to inspect the new dragon*) Tang: "Mei, I don't think it's wise to bring along a dangerous convict just because he's-" Wukong, recognising: "Sweet Buddha! THIS IS AO GUANG'S KID!!!" The Gang: (*jumps at his exclamation!*) "Who?!" Wukong: "Ao Bing! Third Prince of the East Sea! He's been missing for centuries!" Tang, gasping in nerd: "THE Ao Bing!? The dragon prince who infamously fought and died at the hands of Nezha!?" Wukong: "Pff! Died. You mortals keep forgetting! Ao Bing was revived after the Investiture Crisis so he could become the Canopy Star - taking over from a certain Marshal who fell to earth and became a pig demon." Sandy: "Then what is he doing here? Shouldn't he be in the sky or back with his dad?" Mei: "Yeeeaaah. I'm kinda confused why too." Ao Bing, muffled snarling: "Li Jing!" MK: "Oh yeah. Going by I've seen. I would not be surprised if Li Jing locked this guy away on bunk charges just to save face over the whole Nezha incident." The Gang: (*all nod in agreement*) Wukong: "Guess we have a new member to the; "Find the Stones and Fix the Pillar" party!" Ao Bing, unaware: "The what!?"

Nezha of course would have many questions once the Gang gets out... mostly directed at his dad.

When MK busted out of the Pagoda - he straight up seemed to break it. Imagine the thousands of beings suddenly free from the Pagoda after what felt like billions of years - only to see that the world is breaking apart.

Imma say my biggest take here; 100 Eyed Demon was wasted potential.

What's his deal? Does he want out too? Why is he in Li Jing's Pagoda if he was defeated and sent to guard Bodhisattva Vilambā/Pilanpo in the lore? Is Li Jing keeping him trapped as an interrogator?

His memory digging actually helped MK understand what he is - albeit in a traumatic fashion. Was 100 Eyed controlling the LBD Memory/Projection, was that really her from beyond, or was she an aspect of MK's mind?

What does 100 Eyed get out of reading people's memories? Is it a hunting strategy? Is it for entertainment? Probably no tvs in jail. Dude could have dug into a lot more lore of the characters if he was allowed cook some more.

We didn't get to see the memories of anyone else in the gang besides MK and very briefly Wukong. I wanna see some of the stuff Mei, Pigsy, Tang, Sandy, or even Mo has hidden.

Wukong apparently killed the 100 Eyed Demon without giving a chance for him to explain himself - as he's considered a Deceased character. His body even goes gray and limp as the gang celebrates finding MK. Kinda dark.

Where is his connection to the Spider Demons? What if the reason he was scouring MK's memories was to figure out what happened to them?

100 Eyed Demon: "Where is she?!" MK: "Huh?" (*MK sees that he's in his memory of "72 Transformations" when he last saw the Spider Queen.*) 100 Eyed Demon: "HER." MK, realising: "I...! I don't know! She was worried about the Lady Bone Demon. She even let me get away so I could find a way to stop her. I think... I think the bone demon used them all to create her weapon." (*the memory flashes to the fight with LBD; showing the spirits of the dead Spider Demon.*) 100 Eyed Demon, despairing so hard that the mindscape shakes: "NO! Not her! I haven't had time to-" (*MK is suddenly broken from his memory binge, now seeing the centipede demon sobbing from within his memories.*) MK: "Hey... you ok bud?" 100 Eyed Demon: (*sitting amongst the memories of being a younger demon, surrounded by seven small spider demons calling him "Gege". The eldest of the spiders has a very familiar beauty mark.*) 100 Eyed Demon: "She... Jing. She was the last of them. My sisters. I refused to stand down against the Monkey King in exchange for their safety... and they paid the price." (*the memories turn to the fight between Sun Wukong and the 100 Eyed Demon during the Journey. How the centipede had poisoned the Pilgrims, and how Wukong offered the lives of his sisters for the antidote... and how the 100 Eyed Demon refused.*) MK, JTTW knowledge kicking in: "Ohhhh..." 100 eyed Demon: "Even with my pardon from Pilanpo, I had no time to apologies for how I acted. How I so fragrantly gambled their lives for my own..." (*the mind-scape goes blank for some time, showing scattered memories of the centipede as a guard for his Bodhisattva. His employment only halted when he attacked Li Jing for disrespecting her - leading to his imprisonment in the Pagoda*) 100 Eyed Demon: "If my sister's final act was to deem you worthy to live, so shall I." MK: "Huh?" (*the 100 Eyed Demon suddenly releases himself and MK from the memories*) 100 Eyed Demon: "Zhizhu Jing's death has already been repaid with the destruction of the Bone Demon. I see no reason to keep you here any longer. Go forth Harbinger. Accomplish what I cannot; leave this Pagoda." MK: "Th-thank you! Not just for letting me go but... for helping me see that stuff. How I was made." 100 Eyed Demon: "It is no great issue. I only ask that... you punch the Pagoda King in the face. For me." MK, saluting: "Will do!"

[stardust-xoxo45]

IM DEFINITELY HIDING THIS FROM MY FRIENDS BEFORE THEY STEAL IT 😔

he is so silly I love him ❤️❤️

[mii-niya]

LEGO MONKIE KID SEASON 4 SPOILERS

OLD MAN YAOI!?!?!?!

im so fucking tired my whole arm is sweating from how hot it is im going to go hit the sack night

[mycreativityislow]

LMK S4 SPOILERS!!

Macaque And His Therapy Monkey

You cannot tell me he doesn't rant to the little guy. Man was just vibing in the background while the others were reliving trauma, and he looked good doing it.

Also does he live in Flower Fruit Mountain now?? Are he and Sun roommates?? Did they make up off camera Orr??