#koushiros speech

[koushirouizumi]

Vadermon looked at Koushiro and said, "What do you want?"

Since Koushiro COULDN'T TAK, {Koushiro} showed by action. Determinedly {Koushiro} walked into the room and grabbed the bottle in front of the Digimon customer that contained {Koushiro}'s inquisitive heart. Holding it gently to {Koushiro}'s chest, {Koushiro} apologized to it inside of {Koushiro}'s mind, “I’m sorry for throwing you away, my inquisitive heart…” and opened the lid. The inquisitive heart returned to where it belonged, inside Koushiro. At the same time, the power of speech returned to {Koushiro}. “It was wrong of me to throw away my inquisitive heart. Not wanting to know isn’t who I am. I want to know everything. That’s me.” “Babuu!” From its perch on Koushiro’s shoulders, Babumon blew bubbles of agreement. “Hey, what’s going on?” the Digimon customer asked Vadermon. “Can’t you tell? {They're} stealing.” Vadermon took out what looked like a toy gun with a parabolic antenna attached in the front. It aimed the muzzle at Koushiro. “Give it back.” “No,” Koushiro said flatly. “Then I’ll kill you and take it from your dead remains.”

Digimon Adventure Novel; “The Inquisitive Heart” Translation from Digital Scratch (Link in the comments)

{My Commentary}: >The power to express yourself {/your Interests} was already inside of you. > The words are already inside of you.

"BUT I DON'T THINK YOU HAVE TO PUSH YOURSELF TO SAY THE WORDS."

{"Formal speech" is okay [this way]/[like this].} - Tentomon

[izzyizumi]

Digimon Adventure/02/tri. ~ Japanese Original Version + (Adoptee) Izumi Koushiro{u}'s (Adoptive) Parents + Mrs. Izumi (Focus)/(Best Of)

"...And the 'People I LOVE {/Care for} Most'

-Are MY Mother and Father!!"

-Koushiro in Adventure Episode #38, Definitively

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[hikaritakaishi]

Digimon Adventure 02: The Beginning [My Movie Review]

♡ ! SPOILER ALERT! ♡

This review will contain spoilers of the movie, continue reading if you already saw the movie, or just don’t mind the spoiler! Enjoy & comment something if you want to share an opinion! ♡

After what seemed ages of waiting, Digimon Adventure 02: The Beginning finally aired in Portugal, on May 16, 2024, several months after it’s national premiere in Japan, on October 27, 2023. I was worried that it wouldn't come to my country, but perhaps due to the huge acceptance of Digimon Adventure: LAST EVOLUTION KIZUNA, the distributor made the hearts of the DigiDestined from the most hidden corner of Europe warm again and brought us the sequel. Thank you remembering us once again! ♡

I really tried to keep my expectations as neutral as possible until the day I went to see the movie, which was pretty difficult, due to the fact that I was constantly being bombarded with online information about it, whether on Tumblr or Twitter, or through video recommendations on Youtube. I was so excited for the movie, that I had to control myself immensely not to go see the spoilers.

Initial considerations? I like it. In general. But let's go in parts!

This will be an analysis of what I consider to be the most important points of the movie and what caught my attention the most. A personal analysis, so don't take it too seriously if I don't talk about a certain point or a certain specific topic, I probably just missed that.

Firstly, I would like to comment on the initial dynamics of the movie.

Everything seems to happen much faster here than it did in Kizuna. Despite being two movies with practically the same time span, this one seemed to go by much faster. But it might just be me. [LAST EVOLUTION KIZUNA have 94 minutes, and The Beginning have 87 minutes total].

 We're introduced to the key plot problem pretty quickly too.

People's digital devices are glitching, and the same message is repeating itself on all of them, not just on the phones and televisions, but on computers and large digital screens in cities all around the world. And this all around the world is very important, because it not only brings us closer to what will be the future of humanity and it’s increasing contact with the Digimon and the Digital World, but it opens the path we take since 2012 [time of the movie] until to the epilogue of 02 (which the production team and Toei animation seem to insist on wanting to keep canon, despite all the script inconsistencies it can cause, or how different from the initial profile of each character it may be).

“May everyone have friends, may everyone have a partner Digimon”

It's the message. Meanwhile, we are told that a suspicious and unknown Digitama appeared in the sky of Tokyo, right above the Tokyo Tower, and it’s been there for a while. Taichi and Koushiro are showned to be trying to help resolve this issue as professionals in the field of diplomacy and technology respectively, but without major progress.

I think it's important to highlight that they are the only two characters from the first season of Adventure who appear in this movie, and even so, without any direct speech or great relevance, beyond contextualization, and later Taichi as well again for the context of “space- time”, in that frame we see in the trailer of the movie with Hikari, which we later discover is located in Hikarigaoka, where Rui also lived when he had his first contact with Ukkomon.

The focus is on the characters from 02, or at least, it should have been. But as in Digimon Adventure Tri, this focus is overshadowed by the introduction of another new character in the story: Rui Owhada [or Lui, in Japanese pronunciation].

Rui [or Lui] is a much more charismatic character than Meiko was in Digimon Adventure Tri. There is no doubt about that.

Meiko was a somewhat empty character. A static character without great charisma. The only pleasant scenes she had were driven by the other characters around her (namely Mimi).

Rui doesn't. Rui is a character on his own. With a much more aggressive personality and a much more interesting past. The only issue here is the length of the movie: This movie is too short; too short for us to get attached to this character and actually be able feel empathy for everything we are shown about him. So short, that it's difficult to develop both this new character and the others around him, which, by the way, is a shame.

I mostly went to see the movie in hopes to see more from the 02 cast, and not because, again, of a random character they created for this new script. Just like what happened in Tri.

And this is important because notice that one of the most complex and best-built characters in the Adventure universe is literally the character with the most screen time: Takeru.

Analyzing Takeru's character as a whole is extremely time-consuming, because he was in every season, and practically involved in all the main events of the plot, either by himself or through the relationships he establishes throughout the plot, which feed the character's emotional charge. Which makes him a very complex character.

There's no time for that here. There is no time to establish a relationship between Rui and the other characters, nor to establish a relationship between Rui… and the audience.

Rui's childhood is very shocking and once again, Digimon brings a very strong narrative based on a complex and deep family plot.

We had already had examples in Adventure of family issues with Takeru and Yamato, Koushiro, and in 02 with Iori and also Ken. To a certain extent, even with Miyako. But here we reach a higher level of complexity... and violence (remember that the age to see the movie is over 12 years old. I can totally understand why).

Rui is physically abused and neglected by his mother, who leaves him out in the cold, starving when he makes a childish mistake or does something she doesn't like... when he is only four years old. His father has a very serious illness and depends on his wife to survive. Rui is then shown as a sorrowful child, lonely and without any support network. We've never had anything in the Digimon Adventure series so… raw. The aura of the movie is deeply heavy and dark.

The evolutions and battles in this movie are far from being the focus, which probably frustrated many people who went to see the movie for this more dynamic side of the anime.

It is a film with a moral content and even touches on the philosophical, about the bonds we create with others and their nature, about how we should relate to others and learn about them every day we have them in our lives.

It's about healthy communication, and how it's okay to correct the people around us, as long as it's made based with pure intentions. Because love is not omissive. Love corrects, love draws the other's attention for what really matters, in the form of love. In the form of companionship. Nothing physical or superficial is worth the price of a real bond.

The movie really grew with it’s audience. It is not, at all, a movie targeted for new fans of the franchise, or for those who know little about the Adventure series universe. It's for those who know the characters, for those who grew up with them. If you don't know the characters, you will miss details and conversations that are important to really understand the plot as a whole.

Daisuke and Ken look on Rui’s past with him. They see the arrival of Ukkomon in his life, who should’ve bring peace and comfort, but it is only the beginning of all his problems.

Let's take a break from the movie's plot to talk about the characters of 02.

I'm going to divide them into groups, because it seems like they individually… don't have much progress or very memorable scenes, honestly. It doesn't even make sense to separate them, in my opinion, and you'll understand why.

♡ Daisuke & Iori

There is not much to talk about them here. Daisuke and Iori are the flattest characters in the movie. Iori much more than Daisuke, let's be honest. Iori barely speaks, and has very few relevant scenes.

Daisuke works at a ramen restaurant, as he always wanted, where he gathers his friends to talk about the problems they are facing right at the beginning of the movie.

His personality is practically the same, Daisuke from 02 is the same Daisuke from The Beginning, and even the same character as in Kizuna, he is just taller here and wears different clothes. He still aspires to have his own ramen business and is extremely focused on his career goals. Which was predictable, given the way he talks about his dream in 02.

Daisuke's only two relevant scenes are seconds long: the first when he convinces Rui that the bond of friendship he and his Digimon partner share is much more than something superficial; it's something that comes from the heart, and that no object makes a difference between them, namely the Digivice, (something we also expected to hear from Daisuke in 02, which justifies my opinion that in the meantime... he remains the same).

The other is a scene that had enormous potential, but is cut short by a comical moment in which Miyako pops up.

Daisuke is talking to Ken seriously about Rui, and how he and his Digimon could understand each other better if they just communicate more effectively and directly, and Ken comments that Daisuke's more serious side is very pleasant and rarely appears. However, Miyako speaks up and dismisses the subject. Sadly.

We could have had a conversation here that could tell us more about Daisuke’s presente self and way he sees life now.

*sigh* Anyway.

Iori, again, doesn't speak much. Seems to only have intermediary interventions, and serves as a “pair” for Daisuke and Rui in the snowball fight that we see at the end of the movie. A very beautiful scene, don't get me wrong, but only if we see it from the perspective of Ken and Miyako, and Hikari and Takeru. I'll talk about that now.

♡ Ken & Miyako

Ken and Miyako are two characters who seem to grow more together than apart within the movie's plot. Which is natural, given that we know at the end of 02 that they become in fact a couple, and that they build a family together in the future. Here we see the first steps towards their future as a couple.

As expected, nothing explicit or direct is given to us about the nature of their relationship, but we can understand that there is progress, especially by the end of the movie, before the snowball fight, when Miyako tells Ken something that seems extremely vague, but actually means something.

 “Let's do it together! "  What? I don't think they are aware yet. Ken also seemed very confused about it.

“ Keep thinking Ken, we have to find another solution. “ We also see Miyako trying to support Ken at that moment when they have to make a decision about the future of Ukkomon and the world.

Here comes what I said above: Love cannot be omissive. We cannot expect the least from those we love. If we know the potential of the person we have by our side, we have to support them. If we see that they are trying to go further, we must support their journey and be a source of advice and rest. Alone we can go faster, but with the right company we can certainly go further.

And I think this is where the movie touches on something really important.

It is in these small moments that we see that they really want to tell the audience something beyond, but we need to have a fine power of perception.

No conversation or comment is random, everything contributes to the story. Digimon Adventure has always been made up of metaphors and subjectivities, it is necessary to know how to interpret and be attentive.

In the midst of that dilemma of whether or not to defeat Ukkomon that we talked about a moment ago in relation to Ken and Miyako, we have another moment that I consider important between Takeru and Hikari, which for those who don't know the characters, can take it as a normal conversation of two people who know each other well. Too well, even.

♡ Takeru & Hikari

Keeping in mind their journey, and everything they went through together, is the key to understand the nature of the relationship they share now. But before that:

Much like Ken and Miyako, Takeru and Hikari do not exist separately in the plot. It's ridiculously difficult to separate them. If you talk about one, you have to talk about the other.

At the beginning we see them together in the city when the electronic devices break down, and this dynamic continues throughout the entire movie.

They practically always walk side by side, Hikari takes the front seat in Takeru's car, and even when they are talking to Rui and trying to understand what happened to him in his past, they were a nucleus apart from the others. Nothing new, really. More of the same. But it's in that conversation I spoke about earlier that we understand something that is even part of the main moral of the movie: the way they now communicate with each other now, is different.

Anyone who has followed Takeru and Hikari throughout the series knows that the main “problem” in their relationship has always been direct communication.

Exposing things to others as they are is scary. And none of them were good at doing that.

Deliberating about feelings, exposing what disturbs us, what distresses us, what we think of a certain attitude of the other person. That was always Takeru and Hikari's problem and what hindered the possible evolution of their friendship, into a real love relationship.

In Tri we discover that Hikari starts to look at Takeru differently. And we know that Takeru has concrete feelings for Hikari (Said by the actor who plays Takeru's voice) And then? It's done? Things… are much more complicated than that.

They first need to accept the situation in question (And I tell you this as someone who also developed a romantic relationship with a childhood friend. It's not easy. Trust me. It's far from easy!)

And far from being quick.

It requires a lot of deliberation mostly. Just accepting the fact that we see that person we grew up with differently, someone who has always been part of our life, and we can lose them. Just because we developed feelings. Is scary. There's a lot to lose. It's all or nothing. Especially when one side has trauma associated with romantic relationships. (remembering that Takeru's parents are divorced) it's even worse.

What seems to exist between them in The Beginning was the result of a long process. But effective, it seems to me. Whatever decision they made, it went… pretty well.

Takeru is completely against defeating Ukkomon, from the moment he realizes that this could also imply the disappearance of his Digimon partner.

He probably saw the suffering Taichi and Yamato went through when Agumon and Gabumon disappeared and the suffering he would go through if he lose Patamon... again. And he is extremely vocal and firm in what he says and what he thinks about all of that. Impulsive really.

Until Hikari intervenes. Which cuts through his catastrophic reasoning. She asks him to think, opening up a new perspective on the situation.

Here we have a conversation between them that is quite lengthy (compared to the fast action standard of the rest of the movie) in which Hikari tries her best to make Takeru use reason and not emotion in his deliberation on the situation.

Takeru who, remember, whenever “darkness” or “sacrifice” is mentioned, leaves his rationality aside, becomes blind with pain because of his past traumas.

Hikari's role here is almost the same as Miyako’s in Ken's case: calling to earth and calming Takeru, always in an understanding way, because you can see that she knows where that feeling comes from and that position initially adopted by him (and it is something which she can almost predict would happen, by the speed with which she responds) but she knows that he is better than those triggers that make him impulsively speak based on emotion and neglect reason.

It's about getting to know each other. Knowing how to talk to our person about the most difficult topics. Because it is necessary to strengthen your union. Predict reactions, and be there to calm them down, because you may even know that the person is not to blame for the feelings and traumas they carry, but believe that they are bigger than them. And expect the same from the other side.

The way Miyako knew that Ken could find a solution, he just needed to think a little more. Hikari understood perfectly where Takeru's impulsive reaction came from, but she knew that if she appeal to his racional side he would be able to think of a better alternative to the problem, which he thought would be the end of the world.

That's why I separated this analysis into groups (although the first one isn't... substantial) and decided to analyze the characters together, because that's what this movie is about.

It's about who you are with your people, and the bond you share with them. In a world so individualized, so selfish and so distant (largely because of technology, which distances us from each other), I found it a very necessary message.

And the role of adults? With children and more painful lives?

It is to understand that children are also humans. Who also think, and feel, and understand things. Just like them. Adults tend to forget that they were once children themselves.

We already saw this topic being developed in Adventure 02, but seeing Rui as an adult, reaching to his mother in the past, and drawing her attention to the fact that she neglects her son, is something very touching. Sometimes, we just need a wake-up call, and we can change the future. Ours, and our future with others.

 The DigiDestined of 02 encouraged Rui not to give up on someone he loved, Ukkomon, because after all, he only acted the way he acted because he thought it would make Rui happier, even though he failed. Several times.

Ukkomon basically gave Rui everything he thought he needed, everything he wanted. But this is not always ideal.

He acted with his partner's happiness in mind, and this blinded him to the risks he was putting him into. He idealized their entire relationship, and everyone's relationship with him. Instead of being, real. And real things are never perfect.

Rui wanted friends? He gave him friends. He even reprogrammed his parents. They became manufactured humans. And the movie is about reality and accepting it as imperfect as it is.

Do you know what that reminded me of? That whole fantasy created by Ukkomon of “perfect world where Rui is never sad and everything is wonderful?” The fantasies in which the characters from 02 cast were trapped in at the end of the series. That world created with the characters’ deepest desires.

Takeru wanted his family united. Iori wanted his father back and to be able to show him the Digital Word. Miyako wanted attention. Ken… wanted to redeem himself. Hikari wanted peace. It's exactly the same thing.

Think about it with me: For example, Takeru's parents could’ve stay together, they could never have divorced, but they would still have problems. They would argue, and there would be conflicts. Which doesn't mean that this wouldn't traumatize their children even more. Maybe the divorce was in fact the best option for all four of them.

Ken felt he deserved the same suffering he inflicted on others. Would that really be the answer to appease his soul?

But none of it was real.

Not even Hikari's utopia of a world constantly at peace is real. Not even the absence of siblings in Miyako's life would solve anything. Things are not black and white and really, what we want is not always what we need.

Rui just needed to talk to Ukkomon and be sincere.

Where is Mimi tho?!

I will end with a few quick notes that I think are worth highlighting: First, the music and animation in general. As expected, they are excellent.

Very well done visually, appealing scenes, and the last snowball fight scene is so simple… but so delightful.

Life is made up of beautiful moments as well as tragic moments, light and darkness.

Did you notice that part of the movie takes place in a much dark environment, and when the main action is resolved, the movie gains light? I believe that is not just because!

Visually it can be very strong because there is blood, there is violence, there are physical wounds, it conveys the affliction in a very literal way.

Another thing that was expected to happen, but that probably wasn't even thought of properly when the Epilogue of 02 was made, was the problematic of whether or not everyone deserves, has enough morals and ethics, to have a Digimon partner.

How do you maintain peace between humans when you give them free access to machines of war and mass destruction? How do we build the world we see bz the end of 02 where everyone lives in peace even under these circumstances? Which is the the role of the government?

We'll probably need one more movie to find out.

Honestly, I hope you enjoyed this short (not... that short in fact) and sincere review. If I were to give stars, I would give the film 4/5 stars.

It could’ve been better, sure, if there was at least another half hour of animation.

But I don't complain. Despite that, I liked it. I cried, I laughed, just like I cried and laughed when I saw Digimon in my childhood, and that's everything for me. I was surprised by the message of the movie and the way they chose to visually convey it to us. Either way, I hope there's one more movie. To finally conclude the arc of all these characters, and finally, reach the epilogue of 02 (but in a dignified way please).

♡ Thank you once again Digimon ♡

[cal-writes]

I feel like in a lot of your stories, your zoro exudes abandonment issues 🥲 Is that a conscious thing on your part? Or am I projecting lmao

I’m loving the little snippets of fic you post btw always brightens my day 😃

he does. it sorta happened subconsciously i think. im not sure if it started from my interpretation of his character in canon or from myself projecting lol

i think it might be a mixture of both like. the juxtaposition of zoro as a character who is very confident in exactly one area of himself and that is fighting and his strength. like zoro doesnt tend to get jealous until luffy implies someone might be stronger than him. i always think of something the youtube quinn curio said in a video about the umbrella academy talking about the character played by elliot page.

so i often read zoro as someone who thinks he needs to be the strongest so that has value or is allowed to be there

and another part i think is that zoro is a very lonely character. like we learn about kuina and that she died when she was 11 and that shook him so fundamentally that he's essentially living his life to fullfil that promise he made to her. we've seen koushiro and johnny and yosaku but they were very utilitarian. koushiro was his trainer, i dont think zoro ever mentioned him again since the flashback in like what chapter 5? and johnny and yosaku were a good way to bring arlongs bounty up and show the necessity of having a cook on board. sure they care of zoro and he cares about them but there isnt the sense that they are particulary close. zoro doesn't have a family like nami, or someone who seems to have raised him like family like luffy and sanji. if we take movie canon into it as well he'd have another friend from the doji similarly to kuina who he later thought had died due to him not being strong enough

and even now in the more recent manga chapters we see it implied twice that zoro is "a burden" on his crew, both from an antagonist but then also from a crew member. and unlike when sanji and zoro usually bicker, zoro doesnt respond. we have a panel of him flinching about the comment before he grits his teeth and continues.

addtionally during water seven when everyone is falling apart bc of whats going on he's not allowing himself to be vulnerable. we dont see him miserable or angry or sad because he sees his duty as having to hold it together and make sure everyone gets through this. like zoro was just as affected by merry's fate as everyone else but he couldn't show that (or he felt like he couldnt). its an incredibly isolating experience.

there is that manga panel which i might be misinterpreting bc the speech bubbles make it hard to tell who is actually saying it

like "huh you saved me" like he's surprised someone would do that.

but even if in that panel its not zoro saying it we still see himself punishing himself after getting injured in a fight even if he ultimately won. after little garden he trains until his feet bleed again, after the fight with mr one not only does he carry nami around for hours and gets shot while injured already he doesnt let himself recover, and then of course after thriller bark.

i always get the sense that zoro puts an enormous amount of pressure on himself as if he has to justify being there and has huge expectations for himself that he needs to meet.

and not to forget that on shabaody, he had no idea what happened to everyone else. he was the first to leave and for all he knew until they got the message from luffy, everyone died bc he was injured. i think that definitely festered.

like (its probably not that deep but you are reading this so far so youre in too deep now)

i thought it was curious. that zoro is the first one back. that he asked perona for help to find the way. as if he was worried. that if he came to late they wouldn't wait. so he made sure he was the best, the fastes, the first. he made sure to show off his new skills immediately. tried to show them off to luffy immediately despite it being a dumb idea to cut their bubble underwater.

so anyway yea i do end up writing zoro as someone who has abandonment issues tied in with his self esteem issues.

[froggie-bolt]

Day 6: Brave Knowledge & Curios Courage

Taichi has taken at least a week to come to this conclusion, and had a whole speech planned out.

Koushiro on the other hand, feels its best to just blurt it out, or else he might never tell Taichi if he takes too much time to think about it.

They're so silly, your honor

[taikouvember]

ANNOUNCEMENT POST

Hello everyone!

First of all, thank you to all 48 participants of the interest poll, it was very interesting to see how another ship week would be perceived! Considering that at least 12 voters confirmed to be happy to dive into participating, I think there isn’t a more suitable date than June 1st, the beginning of Pridemonth, to officially announce this year’s Taikouvember event! (Title picture + new icon provided by @seventeenlovesthree)

November is the last month of autumn, right before Christmas time begins. It’s a time that can be filled with light and coziness but also lurking shadows and gloominess. So, November 6th to November 12th shall be dedicated to the platonic or romantic relationship between Taichi Yagami and Koushiro Izumi (Taikou, Koutai or mainly known as Taishiro(u) in the English speaking fandom). Since "Digimon Adventure 02 - The Beginning" will air on October 27th 2023 as well, some of the prompts are inspired by the potential theme of the movie:

Day 1, November 6th: The Multiverse: Canon vs. AU

Day 2, November 7th: Past & Future

Day 3, November 8th: Habits & Change

Day 4, November 9th: Trauma & Healing

Day 5, November 10th: Visible & Invisible Signs of Affection

Day 6, November 11th: Brave Knowledge & Curious Courage

Day 7, November 12th: Free Day

You can interpret the prompts however you like, you can take one or both for each day. If you want us to reblog your posts, please tag everything as #taikouvember or #taikouvember2023 and we will be happy to share your content, let it be fanart, fanfiction, edits or whatever comes to mind!

Rules & FAQ and a more detailed Prompt Guideline can be found here too. If you are looking for inspiration, please take a look under the cut - and the links above. We already compiled some ideas there! Stay tuned for the upcoming updates!

The Multiverse: Canon vs. AU: What is your favourite "version" of Taikou? Do you prefer the original anime timeline (Adventure, 02, Tri, Kizuna, The Beginning) or the reboot? Do you like to focus on other kinds of media, such as the novels, the manhua or the games? Or do you have your own AUs you like to focus on when it comes to the two of them?

Past & Future: What are your favourite moments that have already happened between Taichi and Koushiro that shaped their relationship? How do you imagine they will interact in the future, how will their bond develop?

Habits & Change: What are typical characteristics (one might even want to say: stereotypes & tropes) you associate with the two of them? What are things they have always done, things they are familiar with about each other, things they have adjusted to, habits they adore about each other (or are even annoyed by)? How can you imagine them to change?

Trauma & Healing: What are the things that haunt them, that may put a strain on their relationship, memories and experiences they might not be able to open up to towards each other? And what are ways they can help each other to actually heal, getting better and getting more honest or even learn to live with their trauma?

Visible & Invisible Signs of Affection: What are, in your opinion, the smaller and bigger gestures these two like to offer in order to show their love languages? How do they show their adoration, admiration and appreciation? Physically, verbally, through their actions, knowing glances or endless patience...?

Brave Knowledge & Curious Courage: How do they mirror each other and their trademark traits in certain situations? What are Koushiro's moments of hands on activity, how does he overcome his struggles to do what matters to him? What are Taichi's brightest strategies, his most thoughtful moments, his smartest speeches or interests he wants to put his own research skills to the test to?

[seventeenlovesthree]

And a follow up ask: how would you describe the differences and similarities between Koushiro and Iori (as they are my 2 favorites of the Adventure 01 and 02 kids)

Since we were already talking about Iori's traditional upbringing vs. Koushirou's self-imposed correctness causing both of them to be overly polite, I will try to dig into this a little deeper. I was looking for a screenshot of them together, but then I found this pic, which I've never seen before, so I'm gonna use that one:

About their similarities:

Since Iori is meant to be the heir of the Crest of Knowledge, they're both initially shown to be equally curious people. They both wonder about the whereabouts of the Digital World, what the Chosen Children business is all about - and that's where Koushirou himself notices Iori being a great kouhai for himself, so he offers him advice and guidance whenever he needs it. So yes - the easiest comparison to make is that they're both smart and coming up with ideas that help the others along.

On a purely physical level, when they're initially introduced, they're among the youngest AND shortest members of their respective groups. And it is yet to be seen whether they'll actually surpass any other of the male characters in height.

They're both not only very polite in their speech and approach patterns overall, but also highly responsible, studious, goal-oriented and resourceful and want to do things right - to the point of losing themselves in details and (self) doubts, when things are not going according to plan.

They both have strong moral codes, are very kind at heart and highly opinionated; they definitely know what they don't like (and are more or less able to put their feet down about it, but sometimes they get overlooked by others, unfortunately).

Despite usually being level-headed, they can both get snappy/angry/witty (read: EMOTIONAL) if someone annoys them/grinds their gears.

In regards to the former point: Something they have in common I wish didn't exist to that extent is that official art tends to depict them as "too emotionless" - which definitely contradicts their multi-faceted personalities in the anime. Yes, as mentioned, they are more level-headed and calm, less outgoing than other characters - but they can have their cheerful moments with the people closest to them (including their Digimon partners and characters such as Taichi and Takeru).

Family and their bonds mean more to them than one might assume at first, since they are generally more closed-off about their private issues.

Also very similar in choosing simple, work/school-compliant clothing (read: shirt, pants, tie, nothing TOO colourful, even if they have preferences in their colours being either more muted or autumn-based).

About their differences:

As mentioned above, they are both highly curious in nature - however, when it comes to the things they want to figure out, their approaches are a little different. While Koushirou approaches everything in a mostly rational manner, Iori's questions are a little more philosophical. While he tries to be rational too, his black-white thinking tends to actually cause him to be more emotional than he'd like to. (Which shouldn't be surprising if you encounter artificially created Digimon that destruct everything mindlessly while asking about the meaning of life... Granted, Koushirou approached an entity like that too, but he ALSO tried to answer to that one more rationally...)

Despite their polite attitudes, the respective origins of their behaviours are a little different. Koushirou's politeness was self-imposed, he forced himself to act like "the perfect son" towards his adoptive parents, not knowing why he was adopted, who his biological parents were, who he even was, and so he kept a distance to everyone else, not knowing how to interact or let alone understand others when he didn't even understand himself. When he reconciled with his adoptive parents, they let him know that he could be what- and whovever he wanted to be and he's still be loved. While Iori's biological father had passed away as well, he was mainly raised in a very traditional household, being taught the customs of kendo - and developing a very black-and-white-ish moral code at first. He may have a hard time understanding other's reasonings if they don't align well with his own - but that also applies to Koushirou if somebody is not acting in reasonable ways. So something I would assign to both of them again is that they slowly but steadily have to learn to pick up cues and to be more compassionate and less rational due to their experiences. Basically - the people they willingly surround themselves with FORCE them both to think outside the box naturally.

They're both overthinkers, mainly keep their emotional states to themselves - however, if Iori bursts out, he absolutely DOES burst out. Koushirou on the other hand is more prone to ramble and talk about non-emotional things he actually wants others to know about, whereas Iori is not that generally chatty at all.

Despite "The Beginning" suggesting otherwise, Iori used to be depicted as being not very computer-crazy - he had a computer, yes, but Miyako was the one who fixed it a lot and used laptop usually, paralleling Koushirou more closely in that regard.

Speaking of "The Beginning", it can be assumed that Iori is more athletic at this point in time in comparison to Koushirou - not to call the latter an office-dweller, especially since he DOES coordinate the Chosen Children business and may participate in that as well. But Iori, despite studying hard to become a lawyer, is definitely actively putting in the energy to stay physically fit as well with kendo training.

Tl;dr, I'm not sure if that makes sense and I hope I didn't forget anything crucial.

[digimoninteractions]

[ID: Screenshots from Digimon Adventure Zero Two episode 27 showing: (1) The zero two kids with their partners in their laps sitting around Koushiro. (2) Hikari and Takeru glance at each other. (3) Iori, Daisuke, and Miyako sitting with their partners beside them. (4) A shot from behind Koushirou showing the group. (5) Hikari holds up a finger and explains to the group. (6) Ken and Miyako stand eagerly as Hikari, Tailmon, Takeru, and Patamon look down sadly. (7) The group sits with drinks and snacks as Koushirou's mom sits across from them, and Koushirou sits stressed beside her. (8) Koushirou's mom looks at Koushirou, as her speech bubble shows Tentomon. (9) Miyako and Daisuke happily snack as Poromon blushes in surprise and Chibimon stares at the food. (10) Hikari sips on her drink as Iori and Takeru snack, all happily blushing as their digimon stare blankly. End ID]

[dutchforstrangers]

Taishirokoura x possibilities - "What if" pt. 3

For @taikouvember 2023 - Day 2: Past, Present & Future + Day 6: Brave Knowledge, Unexpected Impulsive Love & Curious Courage

[0. Author's note] [1. Koushiro] [2. Sora] [3. Taichi] [4. Taikoura]

Taikoura | Genre: Young oblivious romance, mild fear | Characters: Taichi Yagami (POV), Mimi Tachikawa | Wordcount: 696

Yeah, when I get to the end of my life I wanna know that I Used my time So what if I fall Straight out of the sky Would I rather look back and wonder Or know that I actually tried?

Pt 3. Taichi

“I don’t know Mimi…” He said.

“Just do it, Taichi-san, live a little!” She returned.

Mimi stood behind him like a coach cheering him on to dive in the water and swim his fastest lap yet, while he was afraid, on the verge of another panic attack. His starting-block was the door he stood in front of, his right hand nervously on top of the doorknob. Taichi felt like chickening out, his mood rather gloomy opposed from Mimi’s never ending lively energy.

He had been trying to get to her level of positivity. It was what he needed, otherwise he would have never asked her to come over and hype him up. Asking someone over –especially Mimi— was something he usually wouldn’t do, but in this case, for this goal, when desperate times called for desperate measures, it felt like the only right thing to do to keep him on track.

“It feels more like dying.”

He had kind of lost the track though.

“Ugh, always the negativity, doubt and drama with you,” Mimi said, annoyance seeping through. He heard her coming closer, so Taichi let go of the doorknob and turned around to look at her, knowing he would get another motivational speech from her.

“Look, what else do you wanna do? Wait for them to come first? Because if you do that, I bet you’ll be waiting for eternity to pass. Try to see the future, be curious, jump right into it! I’m convinced you’ll have all the beauty of this romance, but only when you simply get off that scared ass of yours and tell them how you feel!”

“But I don’t know what I feel!” Taichi belted out sounding like singing a bad love song.

Mimi crossed her arms, raising one eyebrow and giving him a grin to provoke him once more. “Is that so?”

“I… God damnit Mimi.”

Taichi sighed, eyes falling to the ground, his own confusion making him feel sick. He hated it when she was right, it drove him insane. Through his confusion, he knew exactly how he felt. For once in his live he knew what he wanted to chase. And it was now or never, with never not being one of the options. However, the idea of going face down, jumping into an empty swimming pool, people laughing in his face about his failure…

“You’re afraid.”

Thank God Mimi was here to word his feelings. She made it sound so easy. 

“Yes.” He said as he straightened himself a little. He inhaled and looked straight back at her. “Yes I am.”

Mimi nodded silently, thinking hard on what motivation she was going to give him next. What kind of analogy would work best. “So what if you fall? Just like that. Poof. Straight out of the sky.”

“I actually die.”

“Taichi-san! Focus!” Mimi snapped back, playfully slapping his arm but meaning it with all its force all the same.

“Okay okay!” Taichi cried. He thought about what she said, because what would happen if he fell…

“I will never get what I want.” Taichi concluded out loud.

“Ten points!” Mimi exclaimed in response. “Now, what would happen if you make that jump, but instead of falling, you fly?”

His eyes grew big, heart pounding in his chest as he let that idea run through his mind for a moment. What he saw were all the possibilities, all the wonderful and loving outcomes it could bring him. Bring them. Sure, it wouldn’t be easy. Who the actual f would consider such a romance like that in traditional Japan? But all he saw was the beauty and he remembered why he had asked Mimi to hype him up and go after what he had been curious about for years now. 

“That would actually be amazing,” he fondly spoke, a bright smile appearing again.

“Mmhm!” Mimi’s excitement for him, for them, was beyond everything and Taichi felt incredibly thankful. “And i—”

“ –if I don’t jump at all, I will wonder forever.” He finished for her, his courage flooding back to him thanks to her. “I see what you’re trying to do here.”

“Heh. Now go get them!”

[reliablejoukido]

I wrote a gen fic for JyouWeek2022 that uses dialogue to explore Jou’s relationships with Taichi, Mimi, Koushiro, Yamato, Sora, and to a lesser extent Daisuke and Takeru. It was fun to write— it gave me a really unique challenge trying to bring out characters’ personalities in speech alone

[earlgreymon]

a to z: digimon featuring adventure, 02, tamers, and frontier

for some people, digimon is just a show they watched a long time ago every sunday morning; a happy, fleeting part of their childhood. but for me, digimon is a significant part of my life that shaped me into what i am today.

digimon taught me that there might be wonders beyond our grasp, so you always have to be ready because you never know what kind of adventure lies ahead. there will be bad days, but good things come to those who wait as long as you stay kind. the battles might be hard, but you will always have people who love you for who you are; be it your family, friends, or partner.

i'll become a happy butter-fly, and there's no way i can lose to the towering target. i'll be the biggest dreamer running full speed through, to the frontier full of unknown—and i'll take you along.

HAPPY ODAIBA DAY! (for @digiweek 2022 day 7; inspired by 1, 2, 3)

[izzyizumi]

Digimon Adventure tri. Pt 3: Kokuhaku ["Confession"] featuring DUO/SHIP: Taichi Yagami x Koushiro Izumi (Taishiro/TaiKou/KouTai) ~ Important QUOTES ~ Foreshadowing ~ [Potential] PARALLELS (across other Medias) {with Novels}

"DON'T YOU {WANT} TO [SEE THEM?!??]" - Koushiro, with voice somewhat RAISED, almost INSISTENT,

"AGUMON AND the REST!" - Koushiro continuing, as Taichi flash-backs;

"IT MADE ME {GLAD} To hear {YOU} speak so casually {openly} to me,"

"I felt like you'd finally OPENED UP {REVEALED} {Your heart} to [ME]."

-Novels!Taichi; to Koushiro; during the (condensed) Mugendramon {Machinedramon} arc tie-in [from Novel written by Adventure-02 series Director + head scriptwriter Hiroyuki Kakudou & with contribution by screenplay writer Hiro Masaki, who contributed often to Koushiro's writing/episodes]

(Koushiro in the Japanese version is known for speaking using "Polite" speech forms, almost overly-so during the vast majority of the wider series canon) [Koushiro also always calls Taichi with the "-san" honorific] {this also continues with Tri!Koushiro's speech}

Gifs by @izzyizumi / @koushirouizumi​ {Do Not Repost or Reproduce without my Permission} {Do Not Remove Caption} (Please Ask to Use)

Image usage rules under the ‘read more’!

{Additional note: this post is mainly intended AS [SPECIFIC] DUO/SHIP (KouTai/Taishiro). please remember + respect this when interacting} please tag with the ship name[s] and DO NOT tag as only “brotp” or the like only*, thank you!} (*It is ok if you tag as “friendship” or the like along WITH the ship!!) {Failure to acknowledge interacting rules WILL result in a block}

[Note: Tags/replies that are Positive/respectful are ok!]

[digitalworldbound]

come home (hikari week, day one)

for hikari week, @sluggybasson107 and i decided to collaborate - for every entry i’ve written, she’s drawn an image. the picture inserted (below the cut) was created by sluggy, and with her permission, i’ve posted it along with a story.

characters: hikari and friends

summary: the voices call for hikari once again, only this time, she isn’t strong enough to resist. // also on AO3 .

Hikari had grown used to unidentifiable beings worming their way into her body, using her as a catalyst for something Greater, something Bigger than she would ever be. 

She had grown used to the nightmares that followed, to the suspicion that her only purpose was to be used for the Greater Good.

At eight years old, stranded in the midst of a desert, Hikari knew the Digital World did not care for the Chosen. They were all means to an end; they were all pawns in a game.

Puppetmon exploited that fact beautifully, whipping them around as if they were mere playthings. 

At eight years old, Hikari had watched Wizardmon sacrifice himself for her partner, had commanded Angewomon to send an arrow through her brother’s chest.

At eleven, they called for her again, the inky waters of a dark shore lapping at her sneakers. Voices whispered through her head, simultaneously everywhere and nowhere all at once.

Then, she’s fourteen, waking up in a  hospital when she should have been in class. The woman from the government, Maki, had signed her release papers, whispering little encouragements in her ears. “You have a gift, Hikari. The Digital World must love you.”  

The woman’s smile had sent shivers down her spine, but Hikari had learned not to ask questions.

Maki had not been there to listen to Meiko scream into the starry sky, her partner’s data floating on the wind. Maki had been mistaken, the Digital World loved no one. 

Hikari had not been surprised when the Digital World wrapped her in its schemes once again, Homeostasis itself beckoning to her from the corners of her own mind.

At twenty, Hikari had grown numb.

“Thanks for meeting on such short notice,” Koushiro began. By then, they knew his thanks were a mere formality; they never had much choice when it came to saving the world.

Through the endless responsibilities of a Chosen, Hikari had learned to find comfort in the things that never changed.  

Koushiro’s office was still cluttered, an outdated pair of goggles keeping Daisuke’s hair at bay.

Another Kuwagumon ravaged Odaiba Bay, surveillance footage playing through Koushiro’s computer, civilians fleeing the scene like ants running from their mound.

“It appears to be manageable,” he muttered under his breath. Despite his many promotions, Koushiro’s office nearly burst at the seams with full attendance. Childhood friends proved difficult to outgrow.

Wedged between Miyako and the arm of the sofa, Hikari watched the screen listlessly as the Kuwagumon flew overhead, the grainy footage obscuring the sharpness of the pinchers. 

Pressure built behind her eyes, a dull thrum reverberating in her skull. From somewhere to her left, her brother formulated a game plan, dividing tasks and responsibilities as he always did.

As Hikari rummaged in her purse for ibuprofen, she allowed her mind to wander. 

Taichi’s speech had been memorized long ago, Hikari’s battle tasks unchanging since childhood: stay close, attack only when necessary.

“Do you really need all of us there?” Mimi spoke up, a strand of hair twirling anxiously around her finger. “I mean,” she amended, “It seems a little overkill for just one Kuwagumon.”

Several heads whipped in Mimi’s direction, her face warming with the sudden attention. 

“It’s our duty as Chosen to defend our world,” Taichi chastised, Iori nodding along empathetically. “Don’t you remember what happened the last time we were divided?”

A shiver involuntarily ran down Hikari’s spine. Broken memories flooded into her mind’s eye unbidden, out of focus. Only Taichi could recall the past so unflinchingly. 

Her brother’s voice droned in the background, recycling words of encouragement from previous battles. 

By now, they had heard it all before; Taichi’s words had little effect on Mimi’s somber mood, only irritating her further. 

“Instead of arguing, maybe we should, I don’t know, go fight the giant monster terrorizing the city? Just a suggestion.” Miyako’s temper had reared an ugly head, Mimi’s inflamed cheeks spurring her into action. 

Tension, wound tight like a rubber band, stretched across the room. Hikari closed her eyes, a vein throbbing at her temple. 

Ignoring Miyako’s outburst, Taichi started speaking again, but his voice had faded into a faint buzz behind his sister’s eyelids. 

Slowly, the medicine took effect, the sharp edges of Hikari’s headache softening.

She hadn’t realized her brother was still talking until Koushiro cleared his throat. Opening her eyes, Hikari squinted against the fluorescent lights.

“We should probably get going,” the red head suggested, annoyance prickling at his brow. Though he had grown in the years she had known him, Hikari doubted that Koushiro would be able to truly stand up to Taichi. 

The others murmured their agreements, gathering their things and securing their partners in their grasps. 

Hikari stood, frail frame swaying by the couch. 

“Are you okay?” Miyako asked, worry pursing at her lips. 

The fluorescent lights seemed brighter than usual, the corners of Hikari’s vision still blurry. Her fists rubbed against her eyelids, blinking rapidly to refocus her eyes.

Blearily, Hikari looked up at Miyako’s form, her lavender hair a mere smudge. “What’s happening?” Hikari asked. 

Footsteps clamored down the hallway, small bits of conversation floating through the doorway.

Carefully, Hikari reached for her bag, shouldering it before giving Miyako what she hoped was an encouraging smile. 

“I’m fine,” she said. “I just got a bit distracted, is all. Let’s catch up with the others before they leave us behind.”

She blinked a few more times, praying for the blurriness to fade away. Icy tendrils of dread snaked around her stomach; her eyes wouldn’t focus.

Swallowing the lump in her throat, Hikari followed Miyako out of the room. With her heart pounding in her ears, it was difficult to hear the instructions her friend repeated, their battle plan suddenly forgotten.

Her shoes clicked against the linoleum tiles, click-clack, click-clack. They turned a corner, Hikari’s stomach rolling.

The girl next to her called out, urgency in her voice. Click-clack, click-clack. Sweat dripped down Hikari’s neck, her breath spilling from her lips in little pants. 

“Hey, do we need to slow down? I’m sure the others wouldn’t mind if we were a little behind.” The lavender-haired girl said, her hand squeezing Hikari’s shoulders.

Chest heaving, Hikari yanked her arm out of the stranger’s grasp. “Who are you?” she asked. 

The other girl’s eyebrows furrowed, eyes growing wide behind the lenses of her glasses. A sense of familiarity welled in the brunette’s chest, her body at ease despite her panic.

An apology bubbled at the tip of Hikari’s tongue, but she held it at bay; it wasn’t polite for strangers to grab you, no matter how friendly they look. The other girl’s breath was close enough to fan across her face,  the slight breeze cooling Hikari down.

Placing a hand on her own forehead, Hikari’s bottom lip caught itself between her teeth. She was warm. 

“Are you playing a joke on me? Hikari, I appreciate the effort, but now isn’t the time.” The slight twinge of annoyance dripped from the strange girl’s words, her hand reaching for Hikari once more.

The brunette flinched, backing herself against the wall. "How do you know my name?” Hikari’s voice sounded shrill to her own ears, echoing in the nondescript hallway.

A pair of footsteps grew closer, the older girl snapping her head in its direction. 

Unruly, auburn hair poked around the corner, another stir of familiarity rising in Hikari’s mind. Goggles glinted under the too-bright lights, blinding Hikari further. His face was soft with mirth, a playful tint shimmering in his eyes. 

“What’s taking you guys so long? This Kuwagumon isn’t going to beat itself.”

His form was too far away for Hikari to make out, melding into an indistinct blob of brown and blue. “Ku-wa-gu-mon?” she whispered to herself, testing the word on her lips. A new wave of panic numbed the tips of her fingers as the girl from before gripped her forearm.

“Daisuke,” the girl began, “I think we have an issue.”

Eyes bleary, Hikari was hardly able to  discern the boy’s figure growing closer, the smell of his cologne permeating her senses. Waves of nausea rolled in her stomach.

“Hikari,” the boy - Daisuke, was it? -  began, voice low and gentle. “Are you alright?”

His face leaned into her space, his palm pressing against the sheen of sweat that adorned her forehead. “Shit, she’s burning up.”

“Who’s Hikari?” she asked, struggling against the strange girl’s grip. “Please, let me go. I want to go home.”

The girl’s grip only grew tighter, holding Hikari in place. 

“Hikari, you’re scaring us. What’s going on? Is it the ocean, again?”

Nails dug into the flesh of her upper arm, the boy whispering something unintelligible. 

“Who’s Hikari?” she tried again, body too warm and loud in the unfamiliar hallway. Something buzzed just behind her ears, a voice murmuring indistinctly. “Take me home,” Hikari murmured.

The fluorescents of the hallway dimmed, Hikari knees buckling under the pressure. With her eyes fluttered shut, the voice in her head grew louder, more commanding. “Come home,” it said. “Come home, Child of Light.”

Something warm wrapped around her, cradling Hikari against the cool, tile floor.

“Come home.”   

[taichi-x-koushiro]

undefined

Digimon Adventure{s} A.M.V. [Pre-view] ~ “Boku” / “Watashi” / “Someone Just for Me” {Part 2} [Previous Parts: 1] [As this is technically still a pre-view, it is Un-finished {For now}] featuring DUO/O.T.P.: ~ Koushiro Izumi + Yagami Taichi / KouTai {Koushiro x Taichi} / KouTai / Taishiro [Also seen: 2020!Sora, Adventure Chosen, Meiko, briefly]

Audio/Dialogue (C) Chobits & C.L.A.M.P DigiAdvs ( C ) T0EI.@nimation {This is a Fan-work, and no money is being made off this work. Be sure to support both of the original series too!}

Time Spent: About 3~ hours (or a little more) on 08/07/22 My Commentary:

I have a lot of Thoughts on how Koushiro feels towards Taichi, Actually {And also in reverse, though this is mainly Koushiro’s Point-of-View.} (This part will have just a bit of Taichi perspective too, though.)

I also have a lot of Thoughts on Adventure{s} wider LORE on a grander scale, but also as it relates to Koushiro’s whole canon.

I’ll probably go back and smooth this out later, but for now it’s doing what I want it to do, and hopefully you can follow along by reading the dialogue below: (Note: Contains starting spoilers for the originating series, Chobits, though the context in this part is quite vague, and happens quite early in series.)

Scenes used come from: - Digimon Adventure [Eps 6, 21, 24, 48] - Digimon Adventure 2020 [Ep 20; Koushiro-relevant scenes] - Digimon Adventure tri.: Saikai [Koushiro-relevant moment; non-spoilery] - Digimon Adventure Last Evolution: Kizuna [Adventure Chosen moments pre-final battle; Meiko relevancy] {Briefly} {It doesn’t necessarily spoil tri., but it’s a notable moment} It DOES spoil a significant moment of pre-final battle Kizuna w/out contexts} (Though 2020 is used, this is mainly meant as overall Semi[?] Canon-compliant, but 2020 Chosen can be in their own Time too...)

- Dialogue (Preview):

- As expected, there isn’t anyone in THIS CITY either.

- [THAT IS SOMETHING I “KNOW” WELL] Because, {I} [{Boku}/{Watashi}] am {ME} [{Boku}/{Watashi}].

{Note: In the J.P.N version, Koushiro uses “boku” as saying “I”, but Koushiro also speaks in overall rather formal/polite speech.} [This is the case in all current medias, including the newest “02″ movie, up until {supposedly} around the point of right about the Epilogue years] By then, he still uses “boku”, that is, but speaking just a bit less formally.] (In the originating series, the speaker is a girl using “Atashi”). (The rest of this ‘A.M.V’.s storyline will show itself in time...!)

[Extra Note: It is read in a storybook-like style, hence narration.]

(Check under the ‘read more’ for full text!)

[Note: replies/Tags that are Positive/respectful are ok!]

Everyone was with “THAT.” They won’t awaken from the {FUN} [Dream] with “THAT.” The (TIME) they spend with “THAT” is a [Dream]. A [dream-like] “wonderful” (TIME).

“THAT” can make ANY(?) {W I S H} come [True](?)

“THEY” will make people happy by ‘doing what they want’

Because “THAT” isn’t a {Person}

Which is why “THAT” can [BECOME] a {person}’s [Dream]

BUT, there is ONE THING “THAT” CAN’T DO.

“THAT” can’t [BECOME HUMAN].

It can [become] a “replacement” for one, but never [BE] ONE.

- [THAT IS SOMETHING I “KNOW” WELL] Because, {I} [{Boku}/{Watashi}] am {ME} [{Boku}/{Watashi}].

[danwhobrowses]

One Piece Chapter 1023 - Initial Thoughts

15 Minutes is on the clock

Onigashima reaches the mainland and the fights continue on. Including the Wings of the King vs the Disasters of the Beast

Without further ado, let's get into it

Spoilers for Chapter 1023, Support the Official Release too

Vivi cover page is nice, proper Disney Princess action with Karoo being jealous birb again, but now I have worries because last we heard something went down with Alabasta...all those post-Reverie questions

Back to where we left off with the boys being back in town

Miyagi can you not ominously foreshadow Zoro's future pain please?

Kawamatsu's here to save Zoro from interference, and Hyou's telling the Yakuza not to get in the way of this fight

Marco though is a pensive Pineapple, taking a good long look at King as he recalls Whitebeard telling him about King's race living on the Red Line before the world nobles, Void Century and before stuff

Mention of Gods does fuel one of my old post fan theories, but also fuels that the WG kicked King's race out of the Red Line

Izo though out here saving Marco from being an easy target, tbh Marineford did show he was prone to a surprise attack

Asking Izo if they believe in God though in a raid that may lead to their deaths is kinda irreverent right now though huh?

Queen back to hyping themselves up though

Hm? Is there a limitation to Sanji's raid suit? Sanji's saying he feels weird

Zoro wasting no time to banter with it though, saving Sanji from King as Sanji returns the favour with Queen

Queen does make a valid point though, as much as Sanji expresses that he is unenhanced by Germa he can also set himself on fire, I do wonder if it is just part of that enhancement in there that he expresses as his 'fiery hot passion'

Lunarian though, that must be King's species' name: moon people again I bet which feeds my fan theories

Also since we mentioned Germa again what happened to them? Jimbei made it out after all and I wanna see me some alive and well Baeju

I would issue doubt on Queen's claim that their enhancements are beyond Vegapunk's, given how little we know of Vegapunk after all

King's got a special sword too, it can change its edge to be teethy which he used to ensnare Zoro's swords

Wado saves Zoro's face from eating King's spiked fist though

King does make a fair point though, traditional weapons are romanticized but a fight's about getting every advantage you can, Zoro at least respects that since King never claimed to be a Swordsman, while also reminding King that he could be a feral bastard too

Kinda gave me mini Mr. 1 fight vibes there

Oh here we go, potential Zoro lineage time

Kawamatsu and Hyou muse over how Zoro was like Ushimaru when he was young, even down to his style (though that could be more Shimotsuki Koushiro's doing since he's Zoro's master)

Also Ushimaru was Ryuma's direct descendant, which means that 1. Ryuma banged, 2. Swordsmanship runs in the blood and 3. Ryuma banged

Also Ryuma also had the one eye, and it does seem pretty mythical that a swordsman of similar skill and stature returns Shusui back to Wano (even though this should mean that Shusui would be Zoro's birthright and he was kinda forced into relinquishing it)

Also worth reminding that Kozaburo was Kuina's grandpa so there may only be loose relations if Zoro is a Shimotsuki too, we don't exactly know how Kozaburo and Ushimaru are related if it's by blood or clan, plus I still wonder about Tashigi

Over to Jack vs Inu though, and Jack's hybrid form is just...weird

I did not need to see an Elephant head with abs you know Oda!

Both are pretty tired, as Jack mocks Inu saying he has forgiven Zou for the Raizo stuff, since he already destroyed most of it

Inu though with the shoulder toss, reminding Jack that they had to make these sacrifices to get to here

But we're getting the epic speech, and the hole in the roof caused by Ashura's sacrifice is changing Inu back into Su Long

Same thing is happening with Neko, turning Su Long in front of Carrot and Wanda (who I guess are covering from the moon) as he stares down Perospero

And I'm glad Neko's pointing out that Pedro's sacrifice is valid. I truthfully always felt a bit iffy about people saying that Carrot's desire to avenge Pedro was ill-found because 'Pedro killed himself'. Had Pedro not sacrificed himself then Brook and Chopper would've been dead by candy and Big Mom would've obliterated the rest on the ship

Raizo and Megaforehead though prelude with the mention of maturity, that everyone - even the Akazaya - needed time to mature into who they wanted to be

Down to the surface though and the Heart Pirates are on high alert/panic, they think Kaido's here

But it's Momo, and he looks magnificent

Shinobu's aged him up to 28, the age he'd be had he not been leapt through time, but now she's upset he looks like Kaido

There's new fire in Momo's eyes though, the return ascent begins!

Can you feel that? It feels like the last stretch before the ultimate battle of Wano

Sanji and Zoro vs King and Queen hopefully will remain a tag bout, but I am curious as to King's abilities and what's affecting Sanji in terms of the raid suit. It's not bad to have a limitation but this is the first we've heard of it after seeing him use it 4 times. I don't hate Zoro being a Shimotsuki, though I do feel like we could've built to this, plus we're still lacking in the how.

One wonders what role Marco will now play, and whether Tiny Tiny Chopper is due to recover. We haven't heard from the others for a bit, nor CP0 nor Yamato. Our Pineapple does have unfinished business with Edward Weevil tbf so he could make it out, Izo may be a variable in that, they've yet to learn of Kiku's fate.

Also we never did see who that mystery person was did we? Still could be Hiyori

Marco's musing about gods does feel like we're gonna get more about King, and more lore of the world that Robin will love to soak up like a sponge, Oda have been leaving these seeds since Skypeia, and where there are Gods, there are Devils.

We are however getting major death flags from the minks, one last turn to Su Long to enable their efforts. I like how Ashura's sacrifice is not in vain because of this though, it makes me wonder if there's a slither of hope for Kin and Kiku. If anything though the minks will die from exhaustion rather than being defeated, Su Long eats away at you after all, it's probably gonna be traumatizing for Carrot a little but I hope we see some resolve out of her more like when she was in Zou and WCI, I still want her for Nakama.

And then the final coup de grace, giant dragon Momo, it's one hell of a panel and it means we're bringing Luffy back into the fight. But the extent of Momo's ripening is only in body remember, in mind he's still young. But now we have the setup for the final fight between Luffy and Kaido, I'll expect in that time we'll have to try and finish off everything else with the Akazaya, reconvening the Straw Hats, King, Queen, Big Mom, Kid, Law, Killer, Hawkins, Apoo and Drake.

Act's not over yet, less than 15 minutes until Onigashima Falls.