#kumo akira

[clubkidandcollectives]

[graphicpolicy]

Anime NYC 2023: Yen Press announces 11 New Releases

Anime NYC 2023: Yen Press announces 11 New Releases #manga #animenyc #animenyc2023 #animenyc23 #comics #comicbooks

Yen Press, LLC announced eleven new acquisitions at its Industry Panel at Anime NYC. Releasing in May 2024, this lineup includes eight manga (Bungo Stray Dogs Official Anthology; Days with My Stepsister; Goblin Slayer: A Day in the Life; Sword Art Online Re:Aincrad; The Kept Man of the Princess Knight; No Game No Life Chapter 2: Eastern Union; She Likes Gays, but Not Me; Friday at the Atelier),…

[iincogneeto]

I realized I never did an introduction!

so here’s all about me!

my name (online name) is Incogneeto! It comes from me wanting a hidden identity! (I would of gone with “incognito” the actual spelling but that’s taken everywhere lol)

I am a Minor, and Hungarian 🇭🇺 and American! 🇺🇸

my art requests are always open, but I may not get you you! I’ll try tho!! [ I’m currently in a state where I can’t draw anything but what I want and I hate it ] (For art, You might get my doodle style, the kny style, or maybe my actual style! They style I draw it just depends all the time.)

_____________________________________________

I’m into: MHA, kimetsu-no-yaiba, Mob Psycho 100, Zom100, Undead Unluck, One Piece, TTOA/ROTT, HTTYD, Carmen Sandiego, Ninjago, Saiki K, Glitch Techs, TLKOE, SpiderMan, Kid cosmic, Breaking Bad, Better Caul Saul, JJK, Star Trek Prodigy, ST: Lower decks, and more!

I’m a digital illustrator who draws on their phone with their finger! I use IbisPaintX!

my socials are….

Toyhouse: incogneeto

discord: iincogneeto

Twitter: iincogneetoIV

TikTok: incogneetto

Pinterest: iincogneeto

can you tell i was going with a theme? 😋

I post a lot on all of them!

always bet..on hakari! ☆〜（ゝ。∂）

My Ocs!! :: (kny) ::

Jinsei (thread breathing)

shūkūro (drunkard breathing)

Kanan (Steel breathing)

Elliot (kakushi)

Akemi/Akane (Flaming Blood, Ink Breathing)

Akira (shadow breathing)

Tae-Jun (illusion breathing)

Xiaocheng (violin breathing)

Asahi ( nunchucks/wind )

Saito ( no breathing )

Kumo-Rui ( Spider Breathing )

ask them (and they will answer in chara 😋) click right here 😋😋

[luv-kakashi]

One of us is dead

chapter six - brotherhood

chapter five | chapter seven

Hues of red and gold danced over each other, as the evening sky dusked Konoha. A young boy ran through the streets, his hair glowing a golden wheat tone as he sought to find his best friend.

"Shisui! Wait up, Kami. You know me and my asthma can't keep up." Akira yelled, leaning on his knees to catch his breath after catching up with Shisui.

"What do you want?" Shisui snapped, his jaded eyes staring straight at Akira.

"Fight me and don't hold back this time." Akira pleaded as he dragged Shisui to the nearest training ground.

Both boys readied themselves: one eager to knock some sense into his disillusioned friend.

They started off sending and returning simple punches which soon unravelled into a series of kicks.

But by this point, it was obvious that Shisui had no intention of taking Akira seriously by receiving all the incoming blows, his face bruised and bloody. Akira was given no choice but to use the last weapon stored in his arsenal- The talk no jutsu.

"Why are you doing nothing, you coward?" Akira howled, becoming increasingly impatient with the deadened fight, "Cowards don't deserve to be called shinobi."

"You're right, I don't deserve to be called a shinobi." Shisui stated as he backed up onto a tree, falling to the floor. He untied his headband and held it in his hands for a brief second, before throwing it to the floor as if it were defiled, dirty and degraded. For a split second, you could see his eyes falter. They held regret, disappointment and shame. But the more he continued to open up, the harder the walls he so forcefully held up began to crumble.

"I'm a selfish coward who's cursed with this stupid Uchiha name!" Shisui screamed, "You don't understand what happened out there during the war. I killed. I killed the very comrades I swore to protect when I received that headband."

"What do you mean Shisui?"

Shisui raised his head to meet the gaze of his friend when he heard a small gasp escape his mouth.

A deep red shade danced over his pupils. But instead of the normal 3 tomoe pattern Akira was expecting, a new pattern branded his pupils: a pinwheel of 4 spiralling curves.

"Do you know why Itsuki never came back? During the war we were ambushed by kumo nin and cornered us. We were just chunin, and we didn't know how we were going to get out of there," Shisui screamed, pulling at his hair as tears streamed down his face, "Itsuki never made it. And it was all my fault! If I had only offered my hand, he didn't have to die. I could have saved him and I didn't!"

"Shisui, that wasn't your fault. You were left in an impossible position to get out of. Thank Kami someone found you, it isn't your fault."

"But it is! Our best friend is dead because of me! We promised we'd protect Konoha together, get put on the same team and now that will never happen."

"I still can't see how any of this is your fault."

"It is! He was blessed with everything, extraordinary skill far greater than the both of ours combined. He was always miles ahead of us, running in front of danger, never thinking twice to protect us. I couldn't get to him in time... I killed him. I killed our brother!" Shisui vented, "The overwhelming emotion caused my eyes to evolve into the Mangekyou Sharingan. It awakened from the regret of not being able to save Itsuki that day. Don't you see? I'm just a coward, a murderer! I don't deserve to be called a shinobi...

And look! Everyone praises me for this stupid eye! Shisui of the Sharingan! The boy who unlocked his mangekyo so soon! This cursed Uchiha name worships me for killing Itsuki!"

The red and gold hues darkened into a midnight blue as the night sky covered the corners of Konoha. The silence that followed Shisui's confession was thick enough to stifle any creature of the night.

Yet despite this suffocating feeling, it was nimbly sliced by the sound of a slap that hammered Shisui's cheek.

"You idiot! Don't you understand? There was nothing you could have done; you did everything that you could have" Akira yelled. "Are you really going to beat yourself up for what happened? We're shinobi Shisui. Do you remember what Itsuki told us when you two graduated?

'The life of a shinobi is only going to get harder from here on out. There may be a time where we are forced to make sacrifices for the greater good of the village so don't let those sacrifices be in vain. Honor the fallen shinobi!'. Don't forget the lessons he taught us Shisui!

He sacrificed himself for you to come back to the leaf, our home, and to protect it with the new visual powers you have been blessed with. You aren't a coward; you are a shinobi of the hidden leaf village." Akira said as he picked up Shisui's headband off the ground and passed it to him. He took a seat next to Shisui and stared up at the night sky adorned with glistening stars.

"It's our responsibility to protect the people and to bring peace to this world." Akira said, "The most honorable act you could do is to make sure Itsuki's name is not lost in vain. Honour him, remember him and continue to protect the Leaf."

"Thank you, Akira" Shisui muttered, tears streaming down his face.

"Well, we're brothers Shisui, never forget that." Akira said, "I don't like serious, bitch-face Shisui. I prefer the goofy version better."

"Heh, you're right. Being a bitch doesn't suit me at all." Shisui chuckled, wiping his tears.

"You managed to scare away the new girl Y/N. I think that's a first, no girl has ever been scared off by THE Shisui Uchiha."

"I was a bit rude to her. I'll apologise tomorrow." Shisui said, reaching his arm out to the night sky, "Thank you Akira. You're really smart when you actually use your head."

"Pfft, I'm always smart you cry-baby."

.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.

The Itachi Shinden novel states that Shisui unlocked his Mangekyo Sharingan after witnessing a close friend die on a mission and subsequently felt responsible for his death. I wanted to explore Shisui's feelings and how he processed his friends death, which is why he seems very out of character.

But fear not! I have been writing away and goofy, humble, cute, sexy Shisui Uchiha will return soon. (And turns out his flirt game is pretty strong too)

Loving you always,

Suri 🎀

[symphonic-scream]

Hey guess what

More details for the Shadow Twins au

(P5 au where Makoto and Goro, as twins, are Shadow OPS, Niijima siblings raised by NaoRise)

I worked out the thieves! And the palace order!

The first two remain the same. Kamoshida and Madarame happen pretty much as it does originally, but around school there's talk of those "really smart third years" or something

Palace three is where things change. In game, it's Kaneshiro. Here? It's Okumura. He lives! But he mentions seeing the "Black Masks" and feeling threatened, fearing for his life at the time. Anyways this means Haru is the fifth party member instead of Makoto

Futaba's remains the same, but then in place of Okumura, theres a palace for Hifumi's mother. Togo palace! I'm working it out but yeah Hifumi joins after Futaba

This is where things change a lot more. The next palace would be Saw normally, but that's not happening when she's a defense attorney. The investigator here? Zenkichi Hasegawa. He's the one interviewing the Wild Cards the whole time. He's been hunting down the duo responsible for everything, and at one point, he gets a little, less legal with his investigations

He goes after Makoto and Goro. He presses Sae for info, why the went back to Shujin if they've already graduated, isn't the timing funny? You wouldn't want your job put at risk should this come out, right? Naoto goes to "set things straight" with him after, and he lays off. But, the twins are concerned. They don't want their family to suffer or lose their jobs protecting them from something they didn't do

So? They finally contact the thieves. After explaining what they are and that they aren't killing people, they ask for help. They want Hasegawa's heart stolen, and they haven't done one themselves. Changes of heart in mementos? Old news. But Palace stuff? They don't want to mess up. So, they make a deal with the Thieves to get this done in exchange for helping clear their name through Kirijo's network

Then it's Shido and then the YaBoi stuff. But, after that, in the third semester? Instead of the Maruki deal there's another new spot in Mementos. Beneath the Holy Grail. The thieves and Ops enter a train car, go down a tunnel, and at the other end? The levels start going up.

Cause they have to fight Nyx again the seal was broken by Yalbasshole when he swiped Minato and Minako to be his pieces in the game with Igor (Igor's wildcards are Akira and Ren)

So there's that! Akira would be transfem, and Ren would have a slow burn romance with Goro that comes to a head on Christmas, whereas Makoto and Haru move a little faster, getting together in Hawaii.

Also, I've made up my mind. The Shadow Ops as a whole have been raising Koromaru's puppies for a bit, to see if any would have the potential. The two boys of the litter end up assigned to assist with the special task the twins have, so. Yeah they got doggies

Hoshi and Kumo, with their personas Balto and Laika. Helps add to the family environment in the Shirogane house. Hoshi and Kumo don't join them when they search for targets in Mementos, but have helped Makoto and Goro track the movements of the Phantom Thieves, and with general exploration

(it's. Because they can't fit on Johanna too. Only room for Makoto and Goro)

But here's some stuff on Naoto and Rise since I haven't said much on them

Naoto is only a part time Shadow OP. He works as a detective on retainer for the Tokyo police most of the time, but takes private cases, mostly from Kirijo directly, now and then. He sometimes travels for work, and makes sure that if he can't bring his family, that he brings home gifts for them all

This is a trans man Naoto. Cause I'm weak. QueerHet NaoRise my beloved.

Now, Rise has retired as an idol years ago. She's a vocal instructor at a music and dance studio focused on youth, and she uses some of her idol money to help pay for students who need help paying for classes or music gear. She hasn't been involved in persona business since Inaba all those years ago. She was given the offer, but she didn't take it. Using Himiko that much back then really tired her out, made her feel like a zombie sometimes. She'd help in an emergency, but she's done enough in her mind

They were looking to adopt when they got the news of the Niijima's passing. It felt like the universe was giving them a sign, to Rise. Naoto wouldn't use those words, but same feeling. Having a teen and two infants was tough, but for them? Rewarding as fuck. Rise sobbed when one of the twins first babbled a "Mama" in her direction, and cried so hard watching Naoto melt at being called "Papa"

Rise would sing to them to get them to sleep. During storms, the whole family would get under a fort in the living room with cushions and blankets, Rise singing and Naoto humming as they watch their youngest, Makoto, gradually stop shaking, her iron grip on her brother and big sis slackening

So. Yeah. Please let me know if you like this au and if I should keep goinf

[deathleadsarc]

top 5 song associations:     QISTINA.

share the top songs in your playlist that most inspire / represent your muses the most.    bonus points   if you include lyrics to go along with it.

Ajar - Mike Lazarev

Lullaby - The Cure

Alchemy Of The Soul - Therion

 Crime and Punishment - akira senju

Golden slaughterer - zts

tagged by: @destructivour (⸝⸝ᵕᴗᵕ⸝⸝) / tagging: @flameleads , @shiroi---kumo , @longerhuman , @mellodiies , @sozokami , @biskael , @suender , @areapermostcapricious , @makimv + anyone else who'd like to do this!

[gh0stface-k1sser]

Oc list:

Keep in mind it will be edited/updated and I'm probably forgetting some

Angels of Death (not counting family members)

Riley Elizabeth Morgan

Mia Rose Jacobs

Kai Marie Miller

Aubrie Hayden

Lucille Hawthorne

Violet Jones

Micah

Twisted Wonderland:

Jasper

Blaise

Aaron Hatter

Milo

Finn Casey

Alister

Ezra

Beatrix

Silas

Calix

Rajah

Asher

Sal

Elliot

Ronan

Vivian

Ajax

Mao Sasaki

Mikio Sasaki (^ twins)

Texas Chainsaw Massacre (Game):

Tess Scott (victim)

Rae (killer)

Lynn Rose (killer)

Bungo Stray Dogs:

Yūrei Shio

Akira Sakamoto

Dimitri Ivanov

Haruki Murakami

Ghostface ocs:

Dawn Wilson

Jay Walton

Demon Slayer:

Haru Saito

Akari Sakai

Aomi

Mutsuki Ito

Ren Itsuki

Kumo Ayaki

FNAF:

Willow Parker

Luna(r) (Daycare attendant)

Bea (child oc)

Creepypasta:

Alice Carter

South Park:

Damian Vash

Lilith Vash

Nyx Vash

[hjazysol]

Mikhail: Akira I would just like to know if you'd...Like... ... ...Dear God! AKIRA!?!?!?

Akira, clearly lacking sleep: Huh? What? Oh. Hey Mik. (Yawns) How's life treating you?

Mikhail: Don't "How's life" me! You look awful! When was the last time you slept!?

Akira: 2 months ago.

Mikhail: That's unusual for you! You don't normally need to stay awake to finish off your experiments. WHICH BRINGS ME TO THIS!! WHAT THE HELL!?

Akira: What?

Mikhail: You've practically got thousands of human corpses hanging in capsules around your lab! What do you mean "What"!? I thought you weren't gonna do any more stuff like this.

Akira: I know I know. But a revelation has come to mind!

Mikhail: What?

Akira: Look! I will show you. So in the past few years there have been several instances where people have been murdered via drowning. Only thing is they were drowned in alleyways & random empty areas, no water to drown someone there. So it was a Quirk.

Mikhail: ... ...Ok...

Akira: So I had this theory I thought what if I were to reform the cells within the water from the Quirk to restore the lives of the dead bodies of course I was thinking during all of this. "Oh this is a terrible idea! This'll never work" My research lead me to this!!! I have restored the life of approximately 300!!! I repeat 300 people Mikhail!!!

Mikhail: WHAT THE HELL!?!? NO WAY REALLY!?

Akira: YES WAY! WITHIN THOSE CAPSULES ARE THE 300 RESTORED! RIGHT NOW THERE BODIES ARE STILL STABILISING!

Mikhail: That's nice! But wait a second. This is 300 people you've been doing this for 2 months. Unlike your Hero Creation Lab which took nearly years to create.

Akira: .... ....

Mikhail: Akira... ...Answer me...How much of your own body cells have you infused within those people to bring thrm back alive?

Akira: I.... ....

Mikhail: ANSWER ME!

Akira: ... ... ...

Mikhail looked down to Akira's left side of his body. Noticing it was entirely covered in bandages underneath his lab coat.

Mikhail: Akira... ...You are taking yourself apart...For the good of these people. You aren't resting yourself enough.

Akira: It's fine see. I'm alive.

Mikhail: But you might not be by the end of this!

Akira: I'm willing to die for the happiness of these people...At least if I do die...Well at least I know that I've died knowing that I did something to make up for my foolish mistakes in the past. That's what I say at least.

Mikhail: ... ...Akira... ...

Akira: Their families won't even need to question it...They'd just be happy they came back.

Mikhail: Wait...You said 300. I count 299.

Akira: Oh yes that's right I sent one of them on there way today. A 17 year old. Finally I've done something with my life that can help people.

Mikhail: But then in theory couldn't you revive every dead person in a graveyard.

Akira: Well that depends on the state of the body or Cranium. If the very top is destroyed in any manner I cannot create another skull for them for this procedure to work.

Mikhail: Why?

Akira: Because placing a skull in place is annoying and seemingly pointless. That and I can't use any DNA to splice with mine to use my Quirk to make a skull since the body is destroyed.

Mikhail: I see...While I definitely don't agree with the science of this calibur. It's clear that this is an effective method. You should be proud Akira.

Akira: Heh... ...Thanks.

_________

Sanbi: Alright then we're almost there just about 10 minutes away from the fight.

Henshi: Right!

Sanbi eventually came to a sudden stop. With a face similar to that of someone who'd seen a ghost.

Henshi: Huh!? Why'd you stop for!?

Sanbi: ... ...No way.

Henshi: Sanbi?

Sanbi: That kid... ...

Sanbi points over to a rather lost child covered in a few stiches.

Henshi: ...What the...

Sanbi: I... ...I killed that guy around my debut as a villain... ...I was 12 at that time... ...But why are they alive...My mind must be playing tricks on me.

The boy was suddenly infront of Sanbi he placed a hand on his shoulder.

Kid: Yo.

Sanbi: O_O

Kid: Could you tell me where Star Allies Agency is I need to make a request to them.

Sanbi: ... ... ... ...

Kid: Erm...Hello?

Henshi: Oh! Don't mind him. He... ...Erm...Doesn't... ...Speak Japanese. Star Allies is just a few metres away over to the left.

Kid: Ah! Thank you! Bye!

Henshi: Bye!

Sanbi: Their hand... ...It was warm...They were very much alive!...It's as though...What we were talking about earlier...It's become real. Someone I killed has come back...As if by magic... ...Is...Is there a God?

Henshi: Heheh. Relax I'm sure it was most likely a similar guy. Come on! We gotta go.

Sanbi: Right.

_________

Star Allies at this moment were faced off against the Hero Killer Stain after he infiltrated their building to find Meta Knight.

Stain: ...Well then? It's rude to keep a guest waiting you know.

Kaabi: Well we hat to break it to you but Meta's already left!

Marx: Hey Kaabi can I hurt him bad huh?

Kaabi: Do it.

Marx: Yes! Hahaha! Welcome to a true nightmare! BLACK HO-

A shovel was thrown at Marx from out of nowhere knocking him out.

Marx: (Coughs blood) Wh-What the!?

Susie: Who the hell throws a shovel!?

Jackson: (Hiding in a box) Heeeerheeheeheehee.

Stain, in his head: What just happened? No matter. With that Marx guy knocked out killing him'll be easy.

Stain: Someone who's a Hero yet they enjoy Hero work just for the pure violence & for fun.

Stain jumped up and aimed his sword downward as he fell above Marx.

Stain: That is not the ideal of a true Hero!

Taranza: Nope!

Taranza pulled Marx back to the safe zone away from Stain.

Taranza: Kaabi now!

Kaabi: Right! INHALE!!!

Kaabi started to inhale everything around him. Until eventually Stain lost grip of his sword which flew into Kaabi's mouth.

Kaabi: SWORD KAABI!

Stain: Shit. I let go. Now I'm at a disadvantage.

Another object flew from the same direction as the shovel.

Stain: Again?

Kaabi went in to attack.

Bandana: KAABI STOP!!!

Kaabi: Huh? Taro What's the big deal?

Bandana: Look! It's that weapon again!

Kaabi: ...Wait! Oh god! Oh shit! Is he here aswell!?

Stain: A scythe? It has a note? "This weapon makes anyone who gets cut by it suffer." Hmm. Seems a bit big. But I can work with it. As long as it kills that's all that matters.

Kaabi: The Sinful Man of the 31st! Jackson Blaze. Has left his lord a little gift. Once we deal with you Stain. I'll personally make sure that every one of your pitiful followers gets put in a cell! Count on it.

Stain: Like I care what you say. Prepare to lose Kaabi! You aren't a target of mine but if you keep getting in the way I may accidentally kill you.

Kaabi: Let's get to it then!

@hopeaterart

@lyxine

[satsukiichan]

A list of BL mangas with animal characteristics - PART 1

Hi everyone!! Hope you are doing well. I took my time to make a list of BL mangas with animal characteristics, this is part 1. What I mean by ''animal characteristic'' is that certain parts of the character´s body will be animal parts (ears, tails, etc), but they are not going to be neccesarily omegaverse. Hope you like them :)

Kedamono Arashi / ケダモノアラシ

In this world exist, “normal” human beings and those with ears called “beasts”. Beasts have a unique body that experiences heats/ruts and pregnancy between the same sex is possible. Miyaji Akira is a beast doctor. A beast himself, he defies nature to be one that is not swayed by instincts. Kijima is the hospital director who likes to meddle with Miyaji. Kijima, born with the rare dominant gene, has very strong pheromones which results in him leading a very crazy sex life. Miyaji, although not very good at dealing with the guy and in spite of being the total opposite of him, is tempted by him.

Omega Shunki / オメガ春機

Kumo from the mountain dog tribe was picked up by Kin from the cat tribe and who lives near a wolf tribe doctor of the omegas, Ise. Whether it be Kumo having the characteristics of a dog, he tends to make playful nibbles and licks towards Kin. However, the fact that Ise was pleased with their excellent compatibility makes Kin’s heart ache.

Playboy Beast / プレイボーイ・ビースト

In a world where demi-beasts and humans co-exist, Riku Kurobuchi, a panther demi-beast, finds himself facing a dilemma. He is sociable, good looking, talented at sports, and popular with girls, but for some reason he still hasn't experienced his "heat" like everyone else. After an unexpected transfer, he begins sharing his dorm room with the mature and handsome albino lion demi-beast, Touma Shishigaya. Riku wants to keep his secret hidden from the confrontational Touma, but it's Touma's pheromones that bring about Riku's first heat.

Bakemono no Hanayome / ばけものの花嫁

Hinata's a fox who's become the bride of Kyouya, a member of the wolf pack. Their tribes are bitter enemies, but this marriage should bring about peace. Hinata's disguised as a female at the wedding and has ulterior motives for his soon-to-be husband: he plans to kill Kyouya, who's the son of the wolf pack's leader. The night of their wedding, he tries to carry out the assassination, but Kyouya catches on and he fails. Because he has nine tails, Hinata's even an outcast in his own pack and he decides to wants to die. But, instead of killing him, Kyouya says, "It's time for our honeymoon" and takes him prisoner.

Musebinake, Junjou / むせび鳴け、純

Yuki has a secret he can't tell anyone: he's actually a beast-person. Yuki has fallen in love with a regular customer, Godai, a man who hunts beasts for a living. If Godai finds out about his identity, their love and chances of being able to see each other will no longer be possible. Yet, Godai who gets chased out of his apartment suddenly ends up freeloading at Yuki's house. Will Yuki be able to hide his secret?

Yakimochi wa Kitsuineiro / ヤキモチはきつね色

Akiha came to Tokyo to attend school, but on his first day, he's molested on a crowded train. Surprised by it, he was struck dumb but one young man stepped in to help. As they talked, controlled by the fox he is possessed by, he suddenly hugged the young man to thank him.

Ok, that't it for part 1! What are some of your favorite ones?

[chuuyas--boo]

Oc list (not counting parents or siblings as I don't really roleplay for them, but feel free to ask about them!!)

Angels of Death:

Riley Morgan

Mia Jacobs

Violet Jones

Aubrie Hayden

Kai Miller

Micah/Micah Foster

Axel Martinez

Jaiden Martinez

Crowscare/Inmimb:

Gwen

Ace

Tokyo Ghoul:

Mika Sugawara

Yuno (removing Nakahara as his last name cause YEAH-)

Demon Slayer:

Mitsuki Ito

Ren Itsuki

Haru Saito

Akari Sakai

Aomi

Kumo

Bungo Stray Dogs:

Akira Sakamoto

Yūrei Shio

Unnamed assassin for the PM

The Promised Neverland:

Esther

Bnha:

Natsuki Bakugou (Katsuki's sister)

Ayuna Ogawa

Haikyuu:

Jiro Nakamura

Assassination Classroom:

Kyo (need to decide a last name)

Attack on Titan:

Monika Webber

Marie Müller

FNAF:

Willow Parker

Suicide Boy:

Mi-sun

More to come :>

[failedandrossa]

NAME: Jacobo Granga

AGE: 35 (SF 64), 39 (Farewell beloved Falco), 42 (SF Adventure),43 ( SF Assault). The age of the little monkey depends on the verse.

HEIGHT: 4'9

SPECIES: Black capuchin

GENDER: Male (cis).

NATIONALITY: Cornerian.

BIRTHDAY: May 7

SUN SIGN: Taurus

RESIDENCE: Androsa or Venomian Neighborhood (SF 64 / DLW) Sargasso or a dwarf planet of the Lylat System ( ALW ).

MARITAL STATUS: Paired with Osamu Kumo ( Shogun pilot )in an open relationship.

ALIGNMENT: X

DRINK: Manaos

FOOD: Sweet food, desserts. It is common to see him with lollipops or gummies. Also enjoy pasta food.

DAY OR NIGHT: Night

SNACKS: Sandiwch or Omelette.

SONGS: 1) Waiting for you by Akira Yamaoka, 2) Mother by Pink Floyd, 3) I will fail you by Demon Hunter, 4) Proud of your boy by Adam Jacobs, 5) Unintended by Muse 6) Despicable by Grandson.

PET: X

COLOR (S): Blue

FLOWER: Myosotis/forget-me-nots

SEXUALITY: Pansexual

ROMANTIC ORIENTATION: Panromantic

BODY TYPE: Average

EYE COLOR: Blue

HAIR COLOR: Brown

Tagged by:

Tagging: If you have eyes and you read this, do it.

[thedragnreaper]

Kumo

Nickname/Alias: The Arachnid (WWE), The Spider

Signed : Firestorm Championship Wrestling

Height :

Weight :

From : The Land Of The Rising Sun

Former BIW United States Champion

Former BIW Trios Champion w/ Hajime O'Hara & Han Zo Mon as a part of The Assassins

Final BIW Trios Champion w/ Hajime O'Hara & Han Zo Mon as a part of The Assassins

Inaugural BIW Tag Team Champion w/ Sicario as 1/2 of The Poison Pair

Former BIW Tag Team Champion w/ Sicario as 1/2 of The Poison Pair

Inaugural FCW World Tag Team Champion w/ Akira Kobayashi as 1/2 of The Red Sun Dojo

Former FCW World Tag Team Champion w/ Akira Kobayashi as 1/2 of The Red Sun Dojo

Current FCW World Tag Team Champions w/ The Golden Navajo as 1/2 of The Golden Gods

1/2 of The Golden Gods w/ The Golden Navajo

[katy-mha-blog]

Some of the headshot sketches I did for my Universe A next-gen. From left to right, top to bottom:

. Akira Iida(son/youngest child of Tenya/Momo)

. Riku Satou(son/youngest child of Rikado/Janora)

. Yoru Shinsou(son/child of Hitoshi/Mei, older twin to Yukari)

. Yukari Shinsou(daughter/child of Hitoshi/Mei, younger twin to Yoru)

. Junko Mineta(daughter/oldest child of Minoru/Himiko)

. Satoshi Jirou(son/only child of Denki/Kyouka)

. Hitomi Aoyama(daughter/only child of Yuga/Camie)

. Sora Satou(son/oldest child of Rikado/Janora)

. Kumo Sero(son/only child to Hanta)

[sterling-silvers]

Samurai 8 - Kishimoto’s Champloo of Samurai and Sci-fi

Samurai 8 8.5 out of 10  

I was elated when Kishimoto was said to be returning to the manga game. As you all know, I am a huge Narutard (Uchiha all day!!!!) and it remains one of my favorite long going series. So, when Samurai 8 was announced I could not wait to read – and after reading it, I’m not disappointed.

While I am sad that Kishimoto isn’t drawing the series – he’s only writing for the story and adding storyboards– the artist who he picked, Akira Okubo is a sufficient stand in. The art is clean (leagues above Boruto’s crude and lackluster style) albeit it’s missing that Kishimoto crispness. 

Nonetheless, there are tons of visual intertextualities to Naruto, including; the Naruto Samurai archetype design, Asura Path Pain, Samurai Armor Susanoo, Anbu masks, Valley of the End (the battle – granted, it’s on a smaller scale), Kumogakure Village, and Hagoromo Ōtsutsuki (and the God clan of Naruto in general). 

In terms of story, while there were only “nine” characters for the first chapter – which is 72 pages long – the story felt expansive and succinct as a starting off point. The main character, Hachimaru, is decent at the start and there is a critical moment (that made me tear up) which I think will really allow the audience to attach to him. While his personality isn’t anything illustrious, his actions speak volumes and that’s where his true layers of character lie – so far. 

Moreover, in this one chapter, the general theme came full circle in a satisfying way. When it comes to the depictions of action, it’s passable though it does get a tad messy during critical moments. The world is very magi-tech and it works for the most part; honestly, it’s a few hints sigh of the Afro Samurai world. The big difference, of course, being that it has a more cosmic, interstellar feel to it. Finally, I enjoy the character design. 

Once again, they’re decent with two characters really stick to me (one you can already guess as they are pretty hard to miss). I was SOOOO happy to see that kind of representation from Kishimoto AGAIN – he is, by far, the best mainstream manga artist that portrays Black people adequately and non-stereo-typically; he gave this understanding in both quality and quantity with the Kumo Village and he’s already established that same level of understanding in the first chapter (which makes me highly suspect Yasuke is in here SOMEWHERE!!!!). 

Some of the weapon designs gave me Tenchi Muyo vibes, as well. This is a welcomed return to form with some the same Kishimoto themes – like reincarnation, Nindo, and Japanese lore and history – all execute in a new champloo of samurai sci-fi. Thanks to an interview I was told about (link below), I was able to dive more into the inspiration and mindset of Kishimoto and most of what read was portrayed in this chapter, in a competent way.   https://www.reddit.com/r/Samurai8/comments/bmm6gn/summary_of_da_vinci_magazines_longform_interview/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=ios_app All in all, I am more than willing to go on a journey with him again and he’s ecstatically ready to take me on it. For that, with this first chapter – with many more to come – it gets an 8.5 out of 10.

[chisie12]

Kisame Week Day 2: Hidden in the Abyss

AO3: https://archiveofourown.org/works/20036536/chapters/47594251

The next chapter for Breathing Under Water :D ! 

It doesn’t start with Kisame but he does appear early on! Hope you enjoy reading! 

~*~*~

The Autumn dawn was about to break, quietly and slowly lighting up the concrete pavements. Crystalline dew hopped off the bouncing auburn leaves as Akira stepped through the large white pine door. Nodding her head at the guards, she silently walked through the crimson carpeted floors and stopped before the double doors.

“Come in, Akira,” said a deep voice.

Her solemn countenance cracked with the betrayal of a smile. You can’t get past shinobi instincts after all, especially when it’s –

“Good morning, Hokage-sama.” She bowed her respects before greeting a bubbly Minato and a grumpy, definitely sleepy, Shikaku who stood by the side.

The old man, weathered by the vicissitudes of life smiled warmly. “A very early one indeed. What’s your report?”

“There are some correlations, Hokage-sama,” Akira began. “It will still need more testing for a definitive answer if we wish to know whether Eden can improve our strength in real life, but training in that world is possible. In terms of testing out skills and movements, I believe it’s doable. Because of the nerve connections and realism that Eden utilises, one would really feel like they’re fully immersed in the game.”

“What level are you, Akira?” Minato interjected excitedly. His blue eyes lit up, shining brighter despite the time.

“Only 35.” Her voice was small, shy even. Because it’s been three months since she started, having played since the launch, but her level was rather... miserable. “I've spent too much time figuring out the possibilities of utilising my character differently,” she harrumphed. “Of course I cannot compare to a level 47 Shadow Hunter like you. Aren’t you at the top of the leaderboard?”

Minato shook his head with a small smile. “Supposedly, yes.” Seeing Akira’s raised brow, he continued with a grin. “If you did it the conventional way too, you'd top me.”

Akira didn’t suppress her snort at his comment or her smile. A teasing glint shone in her eyes, leaning in front of a grumbling Shikaku to wink at Minato. “I would top you if Kushina-hime allowed it. Oh, maybe we could both top you.” Dark giggles danced out of her lips, the sly smile widening bit by bit into a full blown grin at the blond’s reddening face. “The hime will probably love that.” The flush was darkening, almost to the beautiful fire of his said wife’s hair.

Shikaku groaned as he painfully squeezed his eyes shut.

Despite the difference in their ranks, Konoha City’s Hokage Sarutobi chuckled, feeling a little wistful yet nostalgic at watching the younger generation. He used to be one of them once upon a time, and the only regret he had was not eliminating the wars as they grew up. “Alright, before my Commander embarrasses himself further, what of the swordsman that you found a month ago?”

Akira straightened her back and replied solemnly, “As previously reported, I’ve already established contact with him, Hokage-sama. He seems to linger around areas near the sea.”

He laced his fingers, nodding at her words. “You know what to do, Shimizu-san.”

Basically, determine whether to ally with him or kill him. An absolute joy.

“Yes, Hokage-sama.”

Sarutobi stared at his commanders, inwardly sighing at the sight. They were young, too young for such bloodshed, but it was necessary, lest the enemies come knocking on their door.

Minato, Konoha’s Forces Commander, Akira his vice, and Shikaku, the Tactical Commander straightened themselves when Sarutobi looked at them.

The meeting then began.

Iwa City and Kumo City had been knocking down Leaf City’s border patrols recently and Konoha were no strangers to the frequent skirmishes that were happening. After the Second Shinobi War, power of the Five Great Shinobi Countries was declining, and more and more task forces were being sent out to man the border stations, only to end up in another scuffle.

Hokage Sarutobi only hoped that it wouldn’t blow up into a full scale war. He wished for his people to live in peace, to go about their lives without a worry of bloodshed, for their children to grow up healthy and strong, both shinobi and civilians alike.

Because his life hadn’t been like that. It was always a war after the other, eliminating threats and protecting his family. Throughout the years he reigned as Hokage, he managed to give birth to a full technologically advanced city, the village now a city with a stable economy and good education.

Eden was secretly a Konoha government project after all. Even though Mad Games hailed from the Akibaba City nearer to the Country of Merchants, Konoha had managed to reach out to the team, promising support and massive investments, if certain programs could be implemented. They agreed, easily enough (Konoha’s happy tree huggers reputation does come in handy), if not for the investments, but for the challenge and wish to create a game closely linked with reality.

When the sun was high in the sky did the talks end.

And then it was back into the land of Eden...

 ~*~*~

 Thick blood drifted on the sea, like celebratory crimson streamers. His blue hand loosened its grip on the sword’s handle and he was enveloped in a white light. Tailless Beast was finally at level 40.

He dropped to sit on the empty sands of Faraway Beach, an area where level 40 to 50 monsters roamed. The rush of his bloodlust calmed with every lap of the waves, fingers softly digging into the sand, drenched by the pushing water, cold and chilly, yet welcoming to his mind. And then he saw it floating on the surface, riding the wave to the beach, only to get stuck within the grooves of rolling sand. Memories, like the slow whoosh of the waves, drifted into his mind; Of laughter and of smiles, of a moment of normalcy, of a simple friend.

‘But she’ll never be my friend now if she saw me.’ With a sigh and a push off his hand, he stood up, strapping the plain silver steel broadsword on his back and picked up the trash.

Ding!

[Picked up ‘Trash on the Beach’. 1/20]

His small black eyes widened in surprise. Looking around the beach, he spotted a broken beer bottle sticking out in the sand nearby. Digging his toes into the sand below the glass, feeling the cool hard surface, he flicked his foot up and perfectly caught the bottle in his hand.

[Picked up ‘Trash on the Beach’. 2/20]

A soft rumble vibrated in his chest, a gentle sound unlike the usual snarls and growls. Such an odd quest, totally unrelated to the any classes, but he continued picking up trash acquiescently. Each time his hand reached out, a phantom shadow of a smaller, tanned and not blue hand would appear in his mind, and a smaller, petite silhouette would occasionally emerge at the corner, figure bending down wordlessly, soiling her fair fingers with trash and dirt. Kids, an innocent time; freedom unrestrained by many forces. His childhood wasn’t anything nice to look at, and if anything, those from Konoha would be appalled, pale faced and shocked if they knew what Kiri subjected him to. Training grounds filled with blood and gore, harsh vomit and burning tears, bloody screams of innocent children and the whistling of the blade slicing through soft flesh.

With a tired sigh, Tailless Beast shook those thoughts away, flinging them far away into the abyss of the sea and focused on the silhouette that’d occasionally emerge. He felt peace when he remembered the clear joyful chortle bubbling from her chest, the small tilt of her lips and provocative look she’d send his way, the crescent shaped eyes and grin from the joy of swimming in the salty depths. He remembered it all, down to the same flower kanzashi she always wore in her high ponytail.

When he picked his 19th trash, a notification popped up.

[Clear Shadow sent you a friend request. Accept? Reject?]

The wistful happiness from a moment ago was doused like a bucket of water onto the fire, replaced by sheer irritation and sharp teeth grinding against each other.

He instantly rejected her.

“Hewwo.”

Immediately after, he received a text message from Clear Shadow. He ignored it and went to look for another trash to pick up, somehow seemingly finding none. Frustrated, he walked further down the beach, further from the vast sands through an area of grassy patches where a natural rock archway of the cove presented itself up ahead.

[Clear Shadow sent a video message. Click to view.]

He was stopped in his tracks at the message that came through, staring at the message’s preview and like an automation and the subconscious dreaded curiosity of a hungry fish staring at the worm, a screen popped up before him. He could only curse at his brief stupidity as he stared at the short two second video. On loop. That blue furry looking monster (if he recalled correctly) was an alien named Stitch, who was holding his claws out, curling slightly while his mouth attempted at what should be a friendly grin as he greeted in a dragged out “Hi.”

“Hewwo,” Clear Shadow said the moment the video replayed. “I thought you were ignoring me!”

“I was,” Tailless Beast replied curtly.

“Not anymore.” And he swore she (it’s a she, right? No sane male would do this video sending and ‘hewwo-ing’) was giggling to herself.

A growl ripped out of his throat as he closed the chat with her, scolding himself for allowing her stupidity to spread to him.

He walked closer to the cove, frightened seagulls cawing in the air.

[Clear Shadow sent you a friend request. Accept? Reject?]

Rejected.

The hell was wrong with her?

Another message came this time and his impassive expression cracked, lips tilting into a manic, feral grin.

“Notice me, senpai.”

Irritation flared, clouding his mind and words danced across his screen, his finger hitting send before he could process what just happened. “Go away! The hell is wrong with you? I’m not your friend or your senpai! Go bug someone else!”

And then came a silence, pervaded by confusion and unsettled anger. Tailless Beast scoffed, jabbing at the ‘x’ to close the chat window in an attempt to satisfy his desire for a fight. Bending down after nearing the cove, he picked up the trash and it displayed that he had picked up a full 20 out of 20, but... the quest remained incomplete.

“What the heck? Is there a bug?”

A female voice cursed, the voice a little echo and distant. Rounding up the natural rock archway, he saw a level 40 female Elementalist cladded in a red robe. The hell? Wasn’t she level 35 yesterday?

“Why won't the quest complete?”

He'd go up and ask her, he really would. The quest was baffling him too. Not only was it totally random, it seemed to be bugging as well. But he couldn’t, wouldn’t, step forward. No. The confusion and curiousity in him melted in the wrath of unsettled, rekindled annoyance, all because the mage’s ID was “Clear Shadow”.

As though sensing his gaze on her, he watched the surprise flit across her face before her mouth curved into a mischievous smile. No, don’t start –

“Senpai noticed me!”

Fuck.

He turned around to leave when the tide rushed in, a wavy crystalline surface rippling across ashy brown coloured rocks, crashing into him and her, drenching their armour. He dropped his lifted foot while the water receded, cringing in pain when a sharp object pierced through his steel boots and a small damage floated above his head.

“What the hell?”

A softer voice meshed with his, words overlapping each other in the same mix of annoyed confusion, yet in an odd presence of tacit understanding, they bent down to inspect the items. A crisp ring rang as they both received notifications.

Tailless Beast: [You have discovered the tooth of Sharkman Kelo. Follow the clues to unravel the truth of the fall of Atlantis.]

Clear Shadow: [You have discovered the tears of Mermaid Knight Rie. Follow the clues to unravel the truth of her death.]

A lilt voice, soft and gentle sang a sorrowful tune. The crashing waves seemed to have calmed, as though mournful at hearing the voice, now mere small ripples swimming in the natural grooves on the ground. A salty breeze drifted in, picking up strands of their hair and caressed their cheeks before dipping into their bags. An azure halation lit up in the shallow water and small glowing beads appeared before the surface. They congregated near both players’ bags and the twenty trash items floated out, hanging around their figures in two perfect dancing circles. The blue light pulsed and they watched as the items started breaking down, integrating with the shrinking glow that nestled itself around their necks. A thin azure line stretched out. Both the shark tooth and pearl were lifted off their palms, moving towards their neck and attaching themselves to the dimming glows. When the rock archway calmed and returned to normal, with the voice turning silent, there was a pair of matching necklaces hanging around their necks. The chain was shimmering in a translucent pale blue from glass beads strung together, with the only difference the shark tooth and pearl hanging in the centre.

 Sharkman Kelo’s Ring of Promise (Legendary): Ornament.

Requirements: Level 0, male.

Properties: Strength +227, Strength +293 (in water), Speed +100 (in water), Dexterity +100 (in water).

User will also gain the ability to breathe underwater.

 Restriction: Bound to Tailless Beast.

  Mermaid Knight Rie’s Tear in the Abyss (Legendary): Ornament.

Requirements: Level 0, female.

Properties: Intellect +426, Strength +112 (in water), Dexterity +100 (in water).

User will also gain the ability to breathe underwater.

 Restriction: Bound to Clear Shadow.

 Tailless Beast pursed his lips and looked at Clear Shadow. Clearly, the quest to Atlantis was related to hers and he didn’t know if he wanted to complete it or not. He preferred grinding solo, with no annoying bugs in the way, but what truly caught his attention was that she seemed to have done the same quest he did: Picking up trash on the beach. Was it merely a coincidence?

Akira returned Tailless Beast’s stare, a myriad of emotions filling her mind. Like him, she figured it was a quest they both had to embark on together, but she had a special mission to complete. But she also had the mission to tail him. What to do!?

Tailless Beast took in her silence curiously. Maybe going on a quest with her wouldn’t be so bad after all? “How did you trigger the quest?”

Akira arched a brow. “By picking up trash. Didn’t you trigger it too?”

His mouth opened and closed, words twisting in his head as he tried to form a sentence. “But why would you?”

She shrugged her shoulders. “Habit, maybe. I used to pick up trash on the beach when I was younger. Watched a friend do it, so I started doing it too.”

Something nagged at him, something he couldn’t quite pinpoint. Dejected, he turned to leave, the new emotions swimming in him foreign and confusing, and he wanted to find a quiet spot to stew in his thoughts. He only took one step, a simple one tiny step, when a system notification popped up.

[Clear Shadow sent you a friend request. Accept? Reject?]

A vein bulged on his temple when he saw it. Pursed lips parted into a snarl, black beady eyes glaring at Akira when a new message popped up.

Clear Shadow, “It’ll be easier to do the quest this way.”

“Who said I wanted to quest with you?”

“What? Are you afraid of a little competition? Can’t handle a small mage like me?” Akira taunted.

“I'm not afraid! I just don’t want to carry you!”

“Pfft, I’ll be carrying you in the end.” Akira replied. She waited a beat then continuing, “Forget it. You're just going to drag me down. I'm gonna level up myself.”

Before she could cancel the friend request, it disappeared, replaced by a system notification displaying [Tailless Beast accepted your friend request.]. A smirk made its way onto her lips and she quickly smoothened her expression out.

“Senpai did notice me after all!”

“Fuck off. I’m not your senpai.”

“You can’t regret becoming my friend.”

“I already did.”

“You suck. You just don’t want to admit I'm better than you since we’re both level 40 now.”

“Fuck no. Someone probably carried you.”

As they bickered back and forth, the same lilt voice appeared again and a glow appeared within the deep blue sea. That was their clue.

Their words got stuck in their throats, their argument forced to die as they exchanged a glance; one grinning, one grumpy. They really were going to do this.

In the back of his mind, something was nagging at him like an annoying scratch, that he never fully noticed before, but... she wasn’t finding him weird or scary from his ‘choice’ of appearance. She never questioned or judged it (to be fair on his part though, she was probably weirder than a blue-skinned, shark-looking Blade Master).  

“Last one there is a rotten fish!”

She’s definitely going to be the death of him.

The pair dashed into the waves and leapt simultaneously, body arching in a perfect curve and they dove down into the depths with only the mysterious glow guiding them. The necklaces worked their magic, only glowing a faint azure colour before returning to its unassuming state. Lines were carved onto their necks, thin black lines that opened and closed with their every breath, filtering out oxygen from the salty depths. Excitement gleamed in their eyes, endless possibilities suddenly available to them with this gift, when they noticed exactly who it was that they shared this joy with, there was a mix of reactions; one of tease and the other of grumbles. The vast golden sands stretched out far and deep, rocks standing strong and steady with beautiful coral reefs steadily appearing with seaweed and small schools of fishes waving their greetings. Darkness flooded their vision the deeper they went, yet that mysterious glow was still so far away. Small fishes gradually grew larger to the point the pair had to hide as the monsters slowly grew stronger as well.

Tailless Beast watched the giant angler fish swim past the tall rock pillar, barely thick enough to conceal both players. Akira huddled close to the near two-meter-tall giant, whose hand stretched out in front of her. To hold her in place? To protect her? They both held their breaths, heart beating steady as they kept their calm. She peeked out from over his shoulder, observing the monster.

 Revengeful Angler (Level 60)

HP: 450,000/450,000

 She gulped the lump in her throat and subconsciously inched closer to Tailless Beast. When he felt her figure closer to his, silk robes caressing his skin, his eyes darted to her fair fingers gripping tightly onto the stick she called a wand, illuminated ever so slightly by the lone light of the Revengeful Angler. Lifting his eyes to steal a glimpse at her panicking gaze, he decided against commenting on her actions, smirking instead to himself at the new memory.

“The hell you smirking at, big blue?” Akira sent him a whisper when she caught sight of his upturned lips.

“You’re a scaredy-cat,” he sent back, eyes still glued to the retreating figure of the monster. “And why big blue? Cause I'm big and blue? You get 0 points in creativity.”

“Oh, we’re counting points now? I at least get a point for coming up with a nickname. And no, I'm not a scaredy-cat. You try going up and killing that fish. Maybe I get to eat sashimi tonight.”

“That sashimi will poison you, I'm sure. You get a point for creativity and a penalty for coming up with a shit one. So you're at 0 points. Also, I don’t have a death wish. I'm not going up against it.”

“Senpai, I didn’t know you were such a scaredy-cat.”

“Shut the fuck up with the ‘senpai’.” All traces of his mirth disappeared.

Seeing his snarl, full of pointy teeth and huge frame towering in fury, Akira’s bottom lip jutted out into a pout. “Sorry, sorry, Beast. Don't get mad, okay?”

He scoffed, turning instead to Revengeful Angler that was circling back to the stone pillar they hid behind. “We might need to make a swim for it.”

He growled when she leaned too far forward, her ribs pushed against his still outstretched arm. “Not so far!”

Fighting the urge to roll get eyes, she chose to rather merely nod and agreed to his earlier suggestion. “When it swims back out, we will.”

And so they waited, storing their weapons away to reduce their burden when they swam. Tailless Beast nudged her back a little, scooting further to the other side as the large monster swam past, its light gleaming over the hidden players only for a brief moment. They attentively watched it swim, awaiting the moment that they wanted.

“Now!” he called under his breath, a calloused hand tugging at her smaller one as he started swimming away, towards the mysterious light that no other lifeforms could somehow detect. They kicked their legs hard, stretching their arms out as far as possible and pushed as hard as they could. A monstrous roar shook the sea as Revengeful Angler spotted the escaping duo and immediately chased after them.

Soon, the gap between Akira and Tailless Beast widened, but she remained calm, fighting hard to swim faster but the difference in strength directly affected their swimming speed. Even though she wasn’t an orthodox Elementalist with high intellect but rather an odd mix of intellect and strength, she would never be able to catch up to a Blade Master whose strength stats were high, and higher in the water.

He swam fast and swift, an unrestrained joy washing his every nerve and muscle while he swam, just like a fish in water. He turned back towards Akira, that joy blanking into panic when he saw the tens of meters of distance between them. Seeing the mage robes billowing in the water and the monster not far behind her, he realised there and then that he forgot; forgot of their differences, forgot to support another fellow party member. Now he wasn’t swimming away anymore. Mists of tiny bubbles shrouded his rushing body, thick muscles of his legs kicking up a storm with eyes focused on both Akira and Revengeful Angler. An arm stretched out, slender desperate fingers finding their way to his and surprised blue eyes, the colour deeper in the sea lit up only by the angler fish’s light, stared at him incredulously. He ignored her stare, instead pulling hard at her much smaller hand towards him.

A heat wave behind her broke their trance and they turned to see Revengeful Angler charging an attack with her esca. The light grew brighter, stronger and the water fifteen meters around it rose in temperature until it began bubbling. A chill ran down their spines.

“It should only be a linear attack! Move!” Akira yelled out and pushed Tailless Beast away no matter how much she enjoyed whatever it was before.

In the split second Revengeful Beast let out its attack, Akira and Tailless Beast were separated, and the beam shot right through their middle, extending another twenty meters with the heat strong enough to make them boil despite the distance of a few feet. Tailless Beast immediately pulled Akira next to him again when the attack ended and started swimming again. The light started to fade, returning to only light up the area around the Revengeful Beast and shrouded in darkness, the two were safe. Moments after, when they were tired and irritated at the long distance, they finally neared the mysterious light. The small ball of white flames was flickering alone in the deep sea.

“This is it? I don’t see Atlantis anywhere.”

Akira remained quiet while she observed the flames, somehow seeing the illusion that a mermaid was crying in the embers. She reached out a finger as Mermaid Knight Rie’s Tear in the Abyss started to glow in correspondence. It was surprisingly cool on her skin, comforting and gentle like a spring breeze when everything suddenly plunged into darkness. The fire was snuffed out, the pearl’s glow disappeared.

And then, a horizontal white slit appeared in the abyss, widening with a blurry vision a mix of blue, green and gold entering her sight until sharpness returned.

 [You have discovered the fallen land of Atlantis.]

[thesunlounge]

Reviews 294: 雲の向こう 2丁目 (Kumo No Muko Ni Chome)

Last year, Jazzy Couscous put out a truly remarkable collection of ambient music and synth-pop from Japan titled 雲の向こう (Kumo No Muko), which, to put it simply, ranks among my favorite compilations ever released. The 2xLP set was a sincere gift to all of us interested in the revival of the gentler new age and balearic strands of Japanese music and Jazzy Couscous founder Alixkun poured his heart and soul into the project, spending a decade collecting and compiling obscurities and then graciously sharing them with the world. But it came at a cost and in a detailed interview over at Ban Ban Ton Ton, Alixkun describes the nightmarish undertaking of licensing songs from the stringent, unflinching, and bureaucratic major labels within Japan that still own much of this music. It was no doubt a painful process full of dead ends, wasted time, and sacrifices of vision, with entire record labels being completely unwilling to negotiate, which in turn drastically reduces the pool of available selections and leads to entire reformulations of track selections (something that plagued Spencer Doran’s and Light in the Attic’s expansive Kankyō Ongaku as well, leading to, for instance, the very notable absence of Midori Takada).

Despite the soul-sucking difficulty involved in putting such a compilation together, we are all very fortunate that Alixkun had enough energy and resolve to release yet another transcendental collection of Japanese rarities, this time carrying the title 雲の向こう 2丁目 (Kumo No Muko Ni Chome). The 2xLP set is billed again as a “journey into the ambient + synth-pop sounds of 80’s Japan,” and while this description is certainly fitting, just like the first volume, ambient and synth-pop are only part of the story, for across these twelve tracks, we are treated to colorful musical paradises awash in balearic romance, new age splendor, Laurel Canyon psychedelia, seaside jazz spirituality, exotic tribal ritualism, post-classical enchantment, outsider glam rock strangeness, and pastoral prog folk. And amazingly, there’s almost no overlap with the first volume, as Alixkun pulls in a new host of artists to further realize his magical world of Japanese ambiance and childhood imagination. And like last time, those vibes are helped along by a breathtaking layout from Lucy Harris, who here seems interested in how the fantasy creations from her 雲の向こう (Kumo No Muko) artwork interact with the mundanities of modern city life.

雲の向こう 2丁目: Journey Into the Ambient + Synth-Pop Sounds of 80’s Japan (Jazzy Couscous, 2019) We open with “12 No Garnet” by Miwako Saito, with breezy acoustic riffs and sounds evoking alien slide guitars lilting alongside echoing snare drums and tambourines. Saito’s spellbinding vocals drift like a lullaby above the blissful dream folk sway, mostly lovelorn and soft, while occasionally ascending into radiant highs…as if a youthful angel is soaring upon pounding rhythms and psychedelic hazes. We rush into some sort of ecstatic chorus at certain moments, with acoustic guitars tracking the vocals alongside bleary string orchestrations and during a triumphant climax, fragile singing intertwines with bombast passages wherein symphonic drums smash through shimmering diamond synthesis. And before it all ends, an electric piano emerges from the void, playing gentle renditions of the previously ecstatic melodies…like a closed-eye remembrance of what once was. The lone holdover from the first 雲の向こう volume is Yoshio Suzuki, who appears this time with “Touch of Rain” (from 1986’s Touch of Rain). A contrabass thumps beneath guitar arpeggiations and e-pianos sparkle amidst chime strands while ocean fantasy sequences ascend toward the clouds. Elsewhere, we move into sections of ambient prog, with every instrument locking together and moving through breathtaking runs and lush romantic themes. Giant chords crash down before dispersing into silence, after which the double bass solos beneath gentle guitar atmospherics, with the marriage of exploratory fusion and exotic ambiance reminding me of Motohiko Hamase. From faraway, the song appears breezy and simple, yet closer inspection reveals a prog micro-verse proceeding within a new age paradise, one dominated by dazzling progressions, stop-on-a-dime transitions, and interwoven melodic complexity.

Before even looking at the artist behind “Mizu Iro No Kagami,” I knew it had to be Ayuo Takahashi, for this piece forms an incredibly close kinship with the artist’s “Nagareru” appearing on Kankyō Ongaku. As in that track, piano chords crash like gently waves against shore, with cosmic atmospherics and oceanic ethers flowing in the background…possibly sourced from smeared out woodwind loops. But whereas “Nagareru” features the radiant voice of Koharu Kisaragi, here in “Mizu Iro No Kagami.” we are treated to heart-wrenching violin themes, all cloudscape explorations and orchestral winter ethereality. Incandescing pools of sound lap around ivory chord explorations as the violin backs off, letting the keys sparkle and shine amidst a lustrous soundbath wherein fluttering woodwind hazes evoke some whirlpool of deep blue. And elsewhere, the violin climbs towards the heavens…screaming with ecstatic energy as the piano breaks from from the chord spells and alights on classically-kissed lullaby adventures. Guitars strum through phase shifters in Toru Hatano’s “Kanki,” generating vibes of lackadaisical stoner magic and Lauren Canyon dream psychedelia. Anthemic fuzz solos soar over head, sometimes executing elven dances across the fretboard while at other times screaming towards the stars. The phaserwaves splashing off the six-string riffs are so thick and immersive as to bathe the mix in an interstellar glow and as string synthesizers fade in from the void, they carry with them epic 70s prog orchestrations. And beneath these layers of symphonic mesmerism, the pot-soaked blues jam continues undeterred, with touchstones including the rustic psych-folk of Morrison Kincannon and the hippie spacerock explorations of post-Barrett and pre-Darkside Pink Floyd.

I can’t enough of the work of Akira Ito, whether it’s the prog psychedelics of Far East Family Band or his expansive discography as a vibratory and new age healer. In “Essence of Beauty,” which comes from Ito’s remarkable 1986 album Marine Flowers (Science Fantasy), a crashing wave introduces exotic sequencing while mallet instruments cycle and crazed oscillations arc through the sky. Bursts of squelching acid bass fade into nothingness, dub chords ring out, and crystalline leads moving through drunken solos while electro-kicks stomp through starscape jungles of tribal tom tom ritualism, reminding me of the interplanetary folk of Craig Leon and the magical dub experimentalism of 7FO. A hallucinogenic synth lead weaves Japanese traditional music into an interstellar exploration while insectoid rhythm fx fire on the beat and as everything slowly recedes, the crashing waves return to wash the mind clean. “Flower Moon” comes from the sole Osamu Mizukami album The Waltz for Fireworks, and sees gemstone sonics locking into shining arps over low slung drum exotics, with touches of bossa nova and samba merging while swooning strings and Mizukami’s woodwinds sing songs of the spring. Piano’s drift between chord riffs and solo explorations while bongos and congas flit across the spectrum, leading to a balearic swing awash in fantasy romance, all island breeze chill-out rhythmics meeting beachside fusion jamming. Saxophone melodies awash in touches of cinematic jazz snake amidst glowing orchestrations while layered pianos solo together and at certain moments, the mix backs down into hollow bass plucks and glittering sequences. It’s a perfect end credit theme fro some noir kissed anime…as bombastic as it gaseous…hitting with power but also liable to disperse on a warm sea breeze.

In Tomoko Yasumo’s “Sur la terra” mechanized toms, tambourines, and claps accompany a flubby bass groove as waves of choral synthesis and fantasy electro-flutters flow beneath gaseous brass, with everything strongly evoking the tropical energies of Wally Badarou. Yasuno’s conversational hypnotics move through a seaside synth pop dreamworld until idiophonic patterns replace the voice, with drums now awash in jazz energy and bass synths dancing through sensual fusion motions as e-pianos add touches of jungle bop exotica. Elsewhere, the whispered conversations return, now proceeding over a jam so radiant and harmonious it practically carries the spirit towards the heavens. And nearing the end, we enter another passage of jazz fusion exotica, with trumpets scatting on sunbeams and pianos glowing with soul energy before classical Hollywood strings bathe the spirit in melancholia. Sitars drone over world percussion in Masanori Sasaji’s “Rune,” yet instead of progressing into psychedelic ethno-folk, the track swims towards lands of twilight mystery, with crystalline synth leads ascending on starbeams and sunset orchestrations awash in vibes of cinematic noir. Sometimes the mix backs down into soft piano seascapes and passages of ambient jazz while at other times, finger rolling hand percussion and buzzing sitars underly mermaid choirs, aqueous organs, and abstracted synth explorations that sound as if whale songs are merging with tones of glass. And so it goes for the rest of the track, as passages dominated by romantic piano explorations, sunset orchestrations, and joyous hand drumming alternate with shadowy landscapes wherein crystal-toned melodies, cloudform atmospherics, and jazz chords support waterfall ivory runs while congas and bongos bop over a kick drum pulse.

Shi-Shonen’s “Harvest (Long Size)” features a drumkit storming through outerspace phasers, with psaltery jangling and keyboards screaming. A drugged out bassline enters while snotty glam vocals shout over top and during moments where the singing drops away, daydream electronics whoosh over stomping rhythms. The vibe changes at some point, moving into a balearic glide wherein the bass slips and slides, jazz drums pound, vibrato guitars drop delirium waves, and a blaring brass section pushes the vibe towards some big band stoner jam out. Later, we flash into dream ambiance, with gorgeous strings and wavering guitars floating through an aqueous cosmos. And from this meditative soundbath, Shi-Shonen lurch again into weirdo glam funk, with the whiny vocals and thumping basslines now accompanied by crazed horn themes while tack-pianos move through some futurescape saloon swoon. Curiously, following this mutant fusion freak out, we are transported to some forgotten port town, where a lonely soul weaves accordion sea shanties. Plonky e-pianos and chiming glitter begin Flat Face’s “Hibi No Awa” as a feminine voice coos through emotive soul whispers. Basslines pound and rainbow hued synth leads climb through ambient prog patterns until eventually, a drifting rhythm enters, with claps and tambourines supporting a springtide dance of virtual woodwinds. Synthesizers are trailed by golden light and backing singers join the mix, helping the layered vocals soar through candy-colored motions as the spirit is transported to some exotic pop paradise. Later, after backing down into crystalline leads and piano minimalism, the drums, voice, and flute lilt back in as bulbous basslines float the soul, layered keys solo joyously, and ecstasy angels sing wordless songs of romance.

“Barcarolle” by Hiroko Kokubu is ambient jazz transcendence, beginning with hand drums tapping out whispers and piano chords shimmering before giving over to flowing ivory cascades. The hand drums recede as the keys dance through sunshine meadows, with cymbals swelling radiantly and a contrabass walking on air...the result a sort of a dopamine infused bebop float aglow in gaseous new age beauty. The hand drums occasionally re-enter to bash wildly beneath cloudform romanticisms and the pianos melt over the mix with glowing starlight and pastoral fantasias in a way reminding me of McCoy Tyner, all powerful chord progressions crashing towards the sky and breezy soul leads relaxing the mind. And as the track progresses, a trap kit drummer increasingly erupts into gentle explosions, evoking abstracted jazz tribalisms and adding layers of dissonance via bowed cymbals. 雲の向こう 2丁目 ends with Mio Fou’s “Picasso No Ao” and a lonely guitar tracing out water melancholy. Pianos fade in from silence to join the ambient meanderings while hovering swells of atmospheric mystery hover in the background…electronically sourced but sounding like a choir singing from the depths of the sea. Sometimes piano and guitar lock together and dance through themes of childlike wonderment while elsewhere, Hirono Mio’s vaporous voice replaces the guitar with wordless sing song fantasias. Then comes Hirobumi Suzuki, his voice replacing Mio’s starlight croon while martial snares build in the distance…the whole thing somehow reminding me of Explosions in the Sky, only as if backing a dreamy city pop duo. Feedback melodies waver like reflected moonlight and near the end, ecstatic chamber strings careen over the mix, with viols screaming like Warren Ellis amidst a paradise of pop ambiance.

(images from my personal copy, provided by the label and SHINE MUSIC PR)