#kumou brothers

[best-underrated-anime]

Best Underrated Anime Group D Round 4: The Heike Story (Heike Monogatari) vs Laughing Under the Clouds (Donten ni Warau)

#D7: The Heike Story (Heike Monogatari)

Girl who can play the biwa and see the future. 1180 CE Japan.

#D5: Laughing Under the Clouds (Donten ni Warau)

Three brothers work together to stop an ancient evil

Details and poll under the cut!

#D7: The Heike Story (Heike Monogatari)

Summary:

The Taira clan, also known as the Heike, holds immense authority over Japan. When a young girl, gifted with an odd eye that allows her to see the future, foolishly disrespects the clan, her father pays the price of her crime with his life. Soon after, as fate would have it, Taira no Shigemori—the eldest son of the clan leader—stumbles upon the same unfortunate girl, who now calls herself "Biwa." Biwa informs him that the downfall of the Heike is imminent. After learning of the great injustice Biwa suffered at the Heike's hands, Shigemori vows to take her in and care for her rather than let her be killed.

In an era of rising military tension, the Heike are in the midst of a cunning struggle for power, and bloodstained war is on the horizon. Shigemori, whose eyes allow him to see spirits of the dead, is both anxious and hopeful to prevent his clan's demise. Biwa, however, is reluctant to reveal the future to him and must adapt to her new life filled with both happiness and sorrow in this pivotal chapter in Japanese history.

Propaganda:

It’s based on historical events, so one can already know the ending before watching it, sort of like the main character Biwa. But seeing those events, getting attached to the characters as they have both fun, simple moments and difficult, painful moments and seeing the humanity in the characters and watching them grow up with the underlying promise that things won’t go well for them, and accepting that… themes of impermanence and grief… but also the art style is unique and bright and the music is great and fits the scenes, and I highly recommend watching this if you haven’t already !! It’s only 11 episodes!

Trigger Warnings: Suicide

#D5: Laughing Under the Clouds (Donten ni Warau)

Summary:

In the 11th year of the Meiji Era, the end of the samurai shogunate and the prohibition of swords has left Japan with lasting scars. Displeased by these recent changes, many former samurai plot against the new government, inciting a wave of bloodshed. To counter this movement, the government constructs a colossal prison in the middle of Lake Biwa.

Unofficially assigned to help the police arrest criminals, Tenka Kumou also serves as a ferryman to the Lake Biwa prison with the help of his two younger siblings: the ambitious Soramaru and the enthusiastic Chuutarou. Together with the former Fuma ninja Shirasu Kinjou, the Kumou brothers live a frugal and joyful life mostly dedicated to studying and training.

However, behind this relatively uneventful daily routine, the specter of the “Orochi” curse is starting to spread its shadow over the city of Oumi. According to legend, every three hundred years, Orochi reincarnates in a human vessel—and it is believed that this is the harbinger of an imminent catastrophe. As various groups clash in search of Orochi’s vessel, some aim to seal the curse, while others have darker plans in motion.

Propaganda:

I found this series absolutely entrancing when I originally watched it, the portrayal of the characters and themes is really interesting to watch.

It tells a fantastic story about trying to defeat a legendary evil that can corrupt those around it to do its biding, all the while mixing in comedy and really heartfelt moments between family. For a 12 episode series they did a really good job of tying up any loose ends and finishing the plot, some things could have been expanded upon a bit more, but for what it is they producers did a wonderful job.

The series might not be the most groundbreaking anime ever, but it does have some lovely moments and explorations of its characters. I really like the themes of family, and wanting to do anything you can to help the people you love, it’s always nice to see and I think it’s done really well in this anime.

Trigger Warnings: Graphic Depictions of Cruelty/Violence/Gore, Suicide

When reblogging and adding your own propaganda, please tag me @best-underrated-anime so that I’ll be sure to see it.

If you want to criticize one of the shows above to give the one you’re rooting for an advantage, then do so constructively. I do not tolerate groundless hate or slander on this blog. If I catch you doing such a thing in the notes, be it in the tags or reblogs, I will block you.

Know one of the shows above and not satisfied with how it’s presented in this tournament? Just fill up this form with your revisions, and I’ll consider adapting those changes.

New: Starting round 5, screenshots will be included in the poll post. You can submit screenshots through the form linked above, or through here, via ask or dm.

Guidelines in submitting screenshots:

No NSFW or spoilery images.

Pick some good images please. Don’t send any blurry or pixelated ones.

You may send up to 9 screenshots, but not all may be used.

[cloudy-reverie]

[fullmetalgirl98]

The three complete families of Donten Ni Warau and Rengoku Ni Warau ... 💕 The third picture does not formally exist ... however it seemed nice to me to introduce that complete family too, so I performed some tweaks on a scan of the manga, in order to insert Tanba-san 🙈🙈

The more I look at them, the more I feel like crying...

(click for hq)

[shizurusa]

Donten ni Warau Gaiden: Yamainu no Chikai

[frobby]

LAUGHING UNDER THE CLOUDS IS SO FUCKING GOOD WHY HAVE I NEVER HEARD OF IT BEFORE RECENTLY??????

[hikikomoriheadphonegirl]

[wo1fsbane-remade]

the worst part about shirasu betraying the kumou brothers is that they don’t even hate him and i’m sure if he came back they’d all welcome him with open arms and just *pain*

[caiuxraven]

Donten ni Warau Gaiden: Shukumei, Soutou no Fuuma (Launghing Under the Clouds - The Destiny of Twin Fuuma)

I just finished the 2nd film of Laughing Under the Clouds Gaiden film trilogy and I couldn't find the words to fully express how I felt. It left me heartbroken. It's even more painful than the TV anime series. It made me realize that Fuumas are among the villains that I hate to hate. It's amazing that we are able to have a glimpse at the background of Shirasu and his clan. We finally learn where he came from and how painful his journey was but he was still able to laugh during his time with the Kumou brothers. It's also good to see that he had survived from that climactic and dramatic finale of the TV anime. I'll say this again and again but Laughing Under the Clouds is such an underrated anime.

[natsthinkitythinkthinkthonk]

Happy Birthday Yuki Kaji! (Sept. 3)

It’s technically belated, but I was busy the whole weekend so I didn’t have time. It was a rough one. Plus, this would take a lot of work!

PART ONE: Notable Roles Part Two: Song Recommendations Part Three: Some Subbed Stuff! (mostly stuff by Raku)

Takumi - Fire Emblem Fates

This technically isn’t an anime, but Takumi has a place in my heart because of how good of a unit he was. 

Haruyuki Arita - Accel World

Kou Mabuchi - Ao Haru Ride

I actually strongly disliked this role from him and thought it was a bit of a miscast. I couldn’t take him seriously for this entire anime.

Konekomaru Miwa - Ao no Exorcist

Amata Sora - Aquarion Evol

Silver Mask - Arslan Senki

Kokuu - B: The Beginning

Bananya

Kousuke Kanzaki - Barakamon

This anime was so fricking funny

Judeau - Berserk

Rentarou Satomi - Black Bullet

Shouto Todoroki - Boku no Hero Academia

That, that is a smile that can cure cancer.

Wataru Asahina - Brothers Conflict

Boi, you were born 10 years late to be in this harem and you know it.

Joshua - Carole & Tuesday

I was shocked when I heard this, but I haven’t watched Carole & Tuesday.

Mozart - ClassicaLoid

Finis - Code:Realize

This character design is so stupid. So is this character.

Kanato Sakamaki - Diabolik Lovers

Mei Narumiya - Diamond no Ace

Soramaru Kumou - Donten ni Warau

Walker Yumasaki - Durarara!!

Lyon Vastia - Fairy Tail

Hanae Ashiya - Fukigen no Mononokean

Shuu Ouma - Guilty Crown

Ryuuichi Naruhodou - Ace Attorney

OBJECTION

Ranmaru Fujieda - Haikara-san ga Tooru

Kenma Kozume - Haikyuu!!

Xianming Lin - Hakata Tonkotsu Ramens

Youto Yokodera - Hentai Ouji to Warawanai Neko.

Issei Hyoudou - High School DxD

Kouichi Hirose - Jojo's Bizarre Adventure

Do you mean��“Coochie?”

Hatano - Joker Game

Tatara Totsuka - K

Nishikata - Karakai Jouzu no Takagi-san

Sabito - Kimetsu no Yaiba

I’m just going to go sit and cry on the inside. It didn’t seem sad until I found out this guy’s backstory.

Katsuhira Agata - Kiznaiver

This was a good anime.

Takumi - Koutetsujou no Kabaneri

Finnian - Kuroshitsuji

Meliodas - Nanatsu no Taizai

I didn’t like this anime.

Hayato Ozaki - Nil Admirari no Tenbin

Shuu Maiko - Nisekoi

Shion - No. 6

This anime was great, and Shion is awesome.

Nobunaga Oda - Nobunaga Concerto

Yukine - Noragami

Yukine is a good kid. I’d be mad if I worked for some broke guy too.

Kakeru Yuiga - Norn9

Yuuta Gamon- Occultic;Nine

Sonic - One Punch Man

Citron - Pokemon

Satoru Asahina - Shinsekai yori

Terunori Kuga - Food Wars

Ayato Kirishima - Tokyo Ghoul

Pipimi (Ep 6B) - Pop Team Epic

Akina Hiizumi - Yozakura Quartet

Souta Mochizuki - Honeyworks

Megumu Hanemura - Zetsuen no Tempest

Kuro - Servamp

Takeshi Aiza - Your Lie in April

Alibaba Saluja - Magi: The Labyrinth of Magic

THIS IS MY FAVOURITE ROLE OF HIS

Eren Yeager - Shingeki no Kyojin

This is probably what people call his “best role”.

[animelake13]

top 5 favorite anime characters!!

Oh this is rough actually, picking just five is so hard!

Ugh!

1. Kuroo Tetsurou - My haikyuu boy simply won't let me choose anyone else for first place. I love his cunning personality, he's still incredibly kind even though he can be a little... Mean. He's just one of my favorites in all time.

2. Twelve - From Terror in Resonance. He's so sweet and he just wanted the world to stop and think about things. He did not get what he deserved and I still go back and watch this one!

3. Giyuu Tomioka - This Demon Slayer Boi is so good. I recently got into Demon Slayer and God I am in love with this character!! (Since this one's recent I won't do anything more than this.)

4. Yogi - Karneval! Karneval! Karneval! I love this man and I love this Manga and anime! I just keep coming back to it! It makes me so happy to read please go look at it people!!

5. Tenka Kumou - Donten Ni Warau is so good I cannot stress this enough. This is the best nii-san, great person, great brother, best man I swear. He's so lovely and his story is so good!

Anyway, a list of honorable mentions because omg this is hard.

Tsukishima Kei, Gareki, Ulquiorra Cifer, Trevor Belmont (Castelvania counts right? XD)

[mangacover-collection]

~Donten ni Warau~

Donten ni Warau English: Laughing Under the Clouds German: Unterm Wolkenhimmel Japanese: 曇天に笑う

In the dawn of the Meiji period, the Gokumonjou, an inescapable prison, has been established in the middle of an enormous lake to counter the soaring crime rates the new era has brought. Serving as the ferrymen are the famous Kumou brothers: the eccentric family head, Tenka; the reckless but noble second son, Soramaru; and the guileless youngest, Chuutarou. In spite of their grim work, the three lead relatively peaceful lives in the ever-cloudy town of Oumi, together with their housekeeper, Shirasu Kinjou. But buried in the long history of Oumi is the legend of the terrifying "Orochi," a serpentine beast that awakens every three hundred years in a human vessel. Unbeknownst to Soramaru and Chuutarou, the actual job of the Kumou family is to seal the Orochi away before it fully revives—or the world will be plunged into destruction. Amid the monster's next resurrection, the Kumou family must find the resolve to keep laughing under the clouds.

Author: Karakarakemuri (Story & Art) Genres: Action, Historical, Shoujo, Supernatural Volumes: 6 Chapters: 29 Status: Finished

Tell me what’s your favourite cover, ships and favourite character if you’d like :D

Manga Series - Masterlist

[best-underrated-anime]

Best Underrated Anime Group D Round 1: #D4 vs #D5

#D4: Two kids join in hunting monsters and uncovering secrets

While in search of his precious friend, a young boy named Nai falls captive to a beautiful woman, whose looks are matched only by her taste for human flesh. Meanwhile Gareki, a clever thief, is in the midst of robbing her luxurious home. After causing a distraction, Gareki agrees to help Nai escape, but they are discovered upon the woman's return. As she transforms into a ghoulish monster, the boys flee.

On the run, Nai and Gareki are found by “Circus,” a government defense agency that deals with criminal activity too difficult for the police to handle and protects civilians from “varuga”—terrible monsters that devour humans for sustenance. In the hope that it will lead Nai to his missing friend, he and Gareki decide to join Circus. On their perilous journey, they face dangerous varuga and begin to uncover the secrets behind a shadowy organization known as Kafka.

#D5: Three brothers work together to stop an ancient evil

The story follows the Kumo brother, three well-known samurai brothers who send criminals to the secluded prison Gokumonjo in the middle of Lake Biwa. Together with the former Fuma ninja Shirasu Kinjou, the Kumou brothers live a frugal and joyful life, mostly dedicated to studying and training. However, the Kumo brothers soon learn how they are tied to the Orochi’s vessel, a human host possessed by a demon serpent from ancient times, and how they are destined to destroy it once and for all.

Titles, propagandas, trailers, and poll under the cut!

#D4: Karneval

Propaganda:

Karneval has two of the best protagonists I’ve ever seen. Gareki is superior to every other teenage boy protagonist in anime. His character arc, even in this one season that covers just a fraction of the manga, is so well-developed. I like that his arc is an emotionally driven coming-of-age and not a power fantasy.

Along with the main characters, Karneval has fantastic characters across the board. There is not a single supporting character I don't love (even the ones who annoy me). None of the female characters are reduced to love interests and are all unique and interesting, which can be hard to find sometimes in anime.

It is made by a female writer, which is always great to see, and for people who aren't really interested in romance, the anime is extremely friendship and found family driven. The found family aspect is really at the forefront of the series as Circus is not a glorified group and they don't get to have families which makes the bond between members so important.

The tone balance is amazing. In one episode, you can go on an emotional journey from laughing to crying in seconds. The plot is engaging with wild reveals and compelling mysteries to follow. The fantastical world is unique with the contrast of the dark monsters in a bright and colorful world. If you watch it in Japanese, the voice cast is so good and the soundtrack is also really good.

TL;DR it’s an interesting story with amazing characters to whom you will get attached.

Trigger Warnings: Graphic Depictions of Cruelty/Violence/Gore, Misrepresentation of Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID)

#D5: Laughing Under the Clouds (Donten ni Warau)

Propaganda:

I found this series absolutely entrancing when I originally watched it, the portrayal of the characters and themes is really interesting to watch.

It tells a fantastic story about trying to defeat a legendary evil that can corrupt those around it to do its biding, all the while mixing in comedy and really heartfelt moments between family. For a 12 episode series they did a really good job of tying up any loose ends and finishing the plot, some things could have been expanded upon a bit more, but for what it is they producers did a wonderful job.

The series might not be the most groundbreaking anime ever, but it does have some lovely moments and explorations of its characters. I really like the themes of family, and wanting to do anything you can to help the people you love, it’s always nice to see and I think it’s done really well in this anime.

Trigger Warnings: Graphic Depictions of Cruelty/Violence/Gore, Suicide.

If you’re reblogging and adding your own propaganda, please tag me @best-underrated-anime so that I’ll be sure to see it.

[cachiinnation]

{ KUMOU TENKA } -- DONTEN NI WARAU

a big brother but also a parent (not literally but y’know) and a cryptid 

also the 14th head of a shrine from a family full of freaks

left side of his body is both paralyzed and left with burn scars

The Walking Depression™. don’t dead open inside please

smiles a lot and loves everyone though! he’s possessive, even.

is even kind and motivating to people who tried to kill his family lol

fiercely independent yet simultaneously very dependent

swords? no. war fans? he’ll fuck wit it.

catch him napping 50% of the time

he’s either being an infant, being gentle, or having a laff x

the type to go AMKFDSMLKHG and ACTUALLY be laughing 

he’s your dad now. you’re already a dad? say hi to grandpa.

you still have a dad? maybe two dads? now you have another. 

can’t even make a bubble bath without ruining it

firm believer in the “ban clothes: they’re stupid” movement

Scientists Hate Him! what the fuck is his hair doing (he loves it though)

he’s not dead but press f anyway

[fullmetalgirl98]

OK. I’M GOING CRAZY. KEEP CALM AND READ DONTEN NI WARAU.

*Deep breath* Just on the occasion of Somararu's birthday’s eve ... I finished reading the main saga of Donten Ni Warau aaaaand.... Now I feel SO empty!😭😭😭😭😭😭😭 A plot that is only apparently simple, but actually masterfully managed, and capable of twist the feelings in an instant like few others. This story managed to extrapolate, dissect, cook, eat and evacuate my heart in just 6 volumes. I watched the anime two years ago, but I had never read the manga, so in this period of quarantine I decided to take advantage of it, to detach a little from the hours of study... and GOOD HEAVENS, guys! I was really struggling to resume studying, I was literally GLUED to the pages, I wanted to go on reading!!! 😱😱😱😱😱 I don't even know how many breaks I've taken these days, to enjoy one or two chapters per session ahaha

I was literally infatuated with Donten Ni Warau’s manga at extreme levels, I swear, not even the anime (which I liked a lot anyway) had taken me AS MUCH as the manga did ... This work is a MASTERPIECE, not only with the M, but also with all the other capital letters!!! Seriously: passionate, engaging, the characters are all well characterized, and I emphasized with ALL of them, so much so that I managed to feel sympathy even for the bad guys on duty (No Kagami, I’m not looking at you...noo. At all 👀). I like how the protagonist is not only what you might think at first, but at the right time it’s clear that each one of the three Kumou brothers is a protagonist in due course. It’s a story in which the protagonist is tripartite, not only on a physical level, but also on a sentimental level: the love for your own family, the strength to never give up, even when everything seems to be lost, and the sacrifice for others. In my opinion, these are the real protagonists, the true message of the whole work, personified through the three Kumou siblings.

Not to mention the absurd swing of feelings that conveys the sequel of events... AAAAHHHH I found myself crying often :')

And do we want to talk about the stretch?? It’s nothing short of SPECTACULAR!!!😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍 Think that, in the anime, I didn’t like Tenka's hair, it looked like a spider (and I'm terribly scared / disgusted by spiders ahaha...brr) BUT HERE it made me fall in love with it! 😍😍😍

I liked EVERYTHING, literally EVERYTHING! Not a useless chapter, not a cartoon too many, all perfect, really. THE MANGA COVERS TOO, are sooooo incredibily beautilful!! Each one of them!! (I rarely like all the covers in a series, there’s always at least one that make my nose turn up a little, usually)

I’d really like this manga to be more known and I really hope and wish it to be translated here, in Italy, too ... Comic and tragic at the same, in a perfect balance. I NEED IT ON MY LIBRARY😭😭😭😭😭 And now that I feel so empty ... Maybe I could start reading the Gaiden series ... I don't know why, however, this prospect worries me a little, I'm afraid of what could happen in the course of the story...ahaha So maybe I could rewach the anime, I was already going to do it 💕

What can I say other than that really, it’s a fantastic work and deserves a lot? ❤️️ It made me feel so many emotions, it was like I was following the story for the first time, although I already knew every single event, this didn’t affect my reading experience at all, on the contrary! Quite the opposite, it made me appreciate it even more! So, I can’t help but recommend a lot the reading of Donten Ni Warau, from the bottom of my heart.

I really learnt a lot from the 3 Kumou brothers and from this story. And remember: even if the sky is cloudy, sooner or later the sun will rise again ❤️️

[capricious-bastard13]

Our Future Together

Pairing: Kumou Tenka/Kinjou Shinka

曇天に笑う | Donten ni Warau

Modern Au, Proposing

The wind blew and so did the white sheet that carried the scent of fabric conditioner, the soft flowing petals from the sakura trees flying through the wind.

And as he watched that white hair get swept back from the breeze, he knew that he is the luckiest man alive to have such a beautiful, no gorgeous- wait, indescribable man; the love of his life, Kinjou Shirasu.

Black hair spread out around the floor as he flopped himself down. His back pressed against the wooden floors with crimson eyes staring at the ceiling as memories of the past came in a wave of reminiscence. He remembered how years before they came across a rough patch within their relationship, resulting in Shirasu leaving him and his brothers. It wasn't a few months later when he decided to travel, maybe it was to take the heartache and leave it behind as something part of his past but talking with someone he met in teahouse made him come running back to his home, only thinking of meeting with no one else but Shirasu- well, he also missed his brothers, of course.

Although an accident with a car that sped through a red light caused him paralyzed on the right side of his body, leaving only a numbing feeling that he couldn't really feel anymore had him bound to a wheelchair, he was, nonetheless, determined to see his snow hair coloured beloved again. To see and gaze upon purple irises that captured his heart, to see and feel the body that he got so used to having around him, to hear and listen with everything he has that soft toned voice- to touch, to feel, to never let go of Shirasu ever again.

He wasn't too sure of whether or not it was luck, but he was certainly beyond happy to come home one day, his brothers' voices filled with joy echoing around their house, calling to him at the door step and standing behjnd them, Shirasu-

"Yes?"

"Huh?" He mumbled out, rubbing his eye of sleep as red irises came upon purple hues and clear white lashes.

"You called me?" Shirasu tilted his head, carefully sitting himself beside his lover's lying body.

"I did-?" A yawn escaped him, using his left arm to push his upper body upwards. "I must've fell asleep."

A chuckle, or maybe a giggle, came out from the other man's smiling lips, "I know, you were sleeping like a baby."

He couldn't help the blush that went to his cheeks as he pouted out his lips. Such a child he was, Shirasu would more often than not tell him.

"Tenka?" Red eyes blinked at the call of his name. "Hm."

A silence passed after that small hum. Shirasu sitting beside him, light coloured irises gazing at him. "I had a dream about you. About us."

"And?"

"I don't know. It was more like a trip down memory lane, really."

"I see." Shirasu mumbled out, his eyes falling to his lap and his head lowering the slightest bit before in quick movements, he lifted up his head again and spoke, "Tenka-"

"I-!" The black haired male spoke up, cutting the other male's words. "I don't really care about what happened in the past because all I really want to see is the future. And I want to see that future, where I'd start growing white hair, the joints of my bones aching when I try to move too much, my voice becoming weak with old age... I want to see all of that, I want to experience all of that; with you, Shirasu."

The purple that he got so used to staring down, gazing upon at, slowly started to have a glassy sheen, a wet trail sliding down a pale cheek as a smile both soft, warm, and filled to the brim with joy showed up on his beloved's lips.

Tenka smile, big and bright, as he pulled Shirasu closer to him, letting him lean against his chest in comfort as Shirasu hid his face in Tenka's shirt.

"So?" Tenka whispered, the sound of fabric flapping about because of the wind almost drowning out his voice.

"Yes." Was Shirasu's faint response.

That day, Tenka's voice resounded throughout the whole house upon his brothers' arrival from school. Soramaru immediately changed his clothes from his uniform to something more comfortable before starting to prepare themselves a meal worthy of a celebratation. Chutarou jumped up and down, unable to contain his excitement and happiness about the news as finally and officially, a new addition to the family has been made.

Within it all, Shirasu kept repeating the rapid sound of Tenka's heartbeat when he was waiting for an answer because imagining a panicking Tenka was something he'd never expect to see in reality.

Until, that is, when the day finally arrived.

[yourghostcat]

Sota Fukushi in Donten ni Warau Live Action’s new trailer - Donten in Warau (Laughing Under the Clouds) has released a new trailer that introduces the main cast. The Kumou brothers will be played by Sota Fukushi (Tenka), Yuma Nakayama (Soramaru), and Kirato Wakayama (Chutaro).The movie is directed by Katsuyuki Motohiro.