#love love love making something silly and lighthearted out of Saw. next project is a sitcom intro (jk i can't it's so much work)

[sculkshrieking]

Saw IV and V but make it one of those classic children's cartoons

[dribbonart]

Steven Universe Rewatch: Steven Universe Future

After ~130 daily posts, it makes sense that my first break in the schedule falls on the break between the movie and Future. That felt like a long time, the first time around.

I think generally, Future is less liked than the main show. It’s easy to think of some reasons: 

Lightning doesn’t strike twice. Even if the same team of talented people work on a similar project, that doesn’t mean they’ll be talented and lucky, which is what you need to make something truly exceptional.

Future isn’t part of the main story arc. The events of the original show were being thought about for years, Future is its own, smaller group of ideas.

Future isn’t going anywhere. Where the rest of the series held the promise of something more, Future is only promising an end. When the original series did a silly story, it’s fine; there’s more coming. When Future does something we don’t like, it’s one of our precious few last moments with the show. 

Similar to the last point: We blame Future for any “missing” plots we want to see. Future doesn’t have the Morganite plot. It doesn’t have the origins of Diamond civilization. Of course, the original series doesn’t have those plots, too, but we think of it as a Future’s failure.

Future is more about trauma and “negative” emotions.

I’m genuinely not sure what I think about Future. I think I only saw it the once, and I haven’t really thought about it the way I thought about the rest of the series. Only the hardcore fans engaged with it in the way they made fan art, OCs, theories, and fanfic for the original series. This means my reactions will be more raw and less considered.

How about those opening credits?

They start with our core cast,

expand to the “Secondary” cast,

then show us everyone. What a great way to show their larger ambitions.

Ah! Robots! 

The perspective work is amazing, but it’s a little lifeless.

Oh, this gallery of villains was once so promising. Who would have guessed that basically all of them were just a new angle for Steven to process his trauma? (In retrospect, we should have seen that coming.)

They really went hog wild for the perspective on this opening. End of an Era has the lines by Takafumi Hori, and they’re really something.

This makes it seem like it’s going to be lighthearted. Look at Garnet’s goofy smile and Steven’s tongue!

I love that Peridot gets the last words.

Did anyone figure out the significance of this shot? Just a picture of a car driving off into the night is enough to make me emotional.

Tomorrow: Little Homeschool!

Twenty days later, I should be done with the series. Then I’m going to do a few of the books/comics. Then, if anyone asks, I’ll do a post about a specific character or whatever. Just think: early next month the remnants of the Steven Universe fandom can breathe a sigh of relief that I’m no longer clogging up their tags.

Thanks to everyone that has liked and reblogged the posts. A special thanks to everyone (all three of you) that gave positive feedback!

[seth-storm]

I Belong Up There...

(A random thing because I want to write but don’t know what to write so I’ll make this up as I go!)

Pairing: Royality

Patton had always wanted to fly. Ever since he was a child he could remember his dreams of flying. He read a book called “The Girl Who Could Fly” (by Victoria Forester) in Middle school and loved it so much that it sparked something in him. He used to lay on the floor of his bedroom and kick his little legs as fast as he could, hoping he would be able to lift off the ground. He had dreams where this technique worked and he would soar around his house and into other, extraordinary worlds. He would watch the birds up there and felt like that was his place. It was where he belonged. He became obsessed with the Tinkerbell movies and the Rainbow Fairy books. He loved the intricate talents of each fairy. They could fly and they all had an identity. They had something that made them special and unique. He wanted to fly just like the fairies in those stories. He wanted to fly in the sky that called for him and have a unique identity of his own.

As Patton grew up, he found out that liking Tinkerbell and children’s fairy books were frowned upon. Further frowned upon was his idea of not belonging. Other kids didn’t belong either. Some kids thought didn’t belong because they were odd. Some kids thought they didn’t belong because of their sexuality or gender. Patton made all those people feel loved anyway, and made them feel like they belonged. And when they would confide in Patton in the dark hours of the night that they didn’t belong, Patton would smile at them and tell them that they did belong. But Patton didn’t belong because he always felt the sky was calling him. He felt the overwhelming hope that if he could just figure out the secret, he could fly. He could soar with the birds. He could be unique. But he couldn’t say that. His dreams seemed childish. Silly, even.

As time went on, High School battered down Patton’s desire to fly. But he still had other absurd and unattainable wishes. Patton wished to have Heterochromia because he wanted people to think his eyes were pretty and focus less on his glasses. Patton also wanted to have synesthesia because he wanted to be different and be able to impress all his classmates when he said he could hear colors. But not all Patton’s wishes were big. Some were simple, but just as unattainable. Patton wanted to be a good singer to be able to impress his friends who could sing really well. Patton wanted to be tall so he could make lighthearted jokes about his short friends, instead of always being at the recieving end of such jokes. Patton wanted to be able to draw, and bring his creations to life on a page exactly the way he’d envisioned it. Most importantly, Patton wanted to be able to be different.

He didn’t remember his dreams of flying until one day in English. The teacher had asked the class what their craziest dream was. Patton had to think about it for a moment, since he’d had plenty of weird dreams. He’d had a dream of two monkeys chasing each other around an arena trying to wack each other with hammers one time. That one was pretty weird. But before he could raise his hand to respond that, another hand went up in the back row.

“Yes?” The teacher had asked, smiling at the student in the back. Patton didn’t look back, raising his hand patiently and waiting for his turn.

“My craziest dream is to be a star.” A dramatic voice came from the back of the room.

“A star? Like a movie star?” The teacher smiled. “That’s not too crazy coming from you, Mr. Alexander.”

“No, a literal star in the sky.” The same voice answered wistfully. “In my dream I’m one of the stars up in the sky. I’m not particularly different, or special, or unique, but people look up at me in wonder. Because I’m so far away and yet so close all in one. I’m so high up, ordinary, and beautiful that I make up part of something bigger than myself. I belong up there, Mrs. Talyn. In the sky.”

Patton’s head turned to the back of the room at the last part, curious. There he saw Roman Alexander, the brightest and prettiest boy in school. Roman met his eyes across the room and smiled. His eyes were blue, Patton noticed. Blue like the sky.

Suddenly all his dreams of flight came back to him. He remembered all those years he had felt so out of place on the ground, all that time practicing so he could fly in the sky, all that time desperately wanting to be noticed and different. Roman wanted to leave the ground too. But Roman didn’t want to be noticed or different. He just wanted to be part of a stunning galaxy.

“That was quite beautiful. Thank you.” Mrs Talyn said, smiling. “How about you, Mr. Baker?”

Patton startled in surprise, not realizing he had never put his hand down. He adjusted his glasses, unsure of what to say. He’d just been reminded of his grandest, craziest, most wonderful dream, but it almost directly contradicted the most popular boy in school’s ideal. Should he tell them? Would they laugh?

Patton took a deep breath, smiling. “My craziest dream is to fly. To fly without wings. To just be able to do it because I’d be able to and soar up with the birds. To be different. To be noticed. To finally feel like I belong somewhere instead of being discontent on the ground. To be closer to the beautiful stars but to never leave the green and blue wonders of the planet that I love. I��“ Patton realized he’d started rambling. Which was only to be expected, since he had thought this all his life but never told anyone. But he looked down at his desk regardless, embarrassed. “I’m sorry, Mrs. Talyn.”

Mrs. Talyn smiled. “I thought that was lovely Patton, just lovely.” The bell rang. “I want you all to record your dreams for the next week, and we’ll be analyzing them for examples of figurative language afterwards as your semester project!”

Patton started to gather up his things, smiling happily to himself. He had done it. He had said something. He felt so good, it felt so wonderful to remember that dream. A little nostalgic and bittersweet, too, but still good.

“Hello.” A voice said from in front of him. Looking up, Patton saw Roman standing in front of him. “It was... Patton, right? Patton Baker?”

Patton nodded, smiling brightly. “Yep! That’s me! It’s a pleasure to meet you Roman!”

Roman smiled, looking at Patton’s eyes with his own. “I’d just like to thank you.”

“Thank me?” Patton asked, confused. “For what?”

“Every day when I would walk into this class, I would be tired and bored. It’s early in the morning and I usually stay up late because of homework on top of play rehearsal, and so I have to try hard not to fall asleep. One day, I walked in and saw you doodling a person flying in the stars on your assignment paper. It reminded me of when I was a little kid and I would study the constellations for hours until my parents made me go to bed. It reminded me of everyone always calling me the “Star” of the show, but my heart wanting to be a different kind of star. I wanted to be far away, distant, and loved because of my context, not my looks. Every day after that, I’d watch you draw people flying in the margins of your notebook. I even started to draw a few of my own. You reminded me of better times, and this class got less boring because I remembered the days when I would dream about my place in the sky. I know we both want to be in the sky for very different reasons Patton, but if we ever get there... make sure to come visit my star, ok?”

Patton stood there, bewildered. “O-Of course, Roman!” He smiled. “I promise I’ll come visit your star.”

Roman smiled and walked out of the room, seeming a bit embarrassed but very happy. Patton sat there for a moment, processing what had just happened.

“Mr. Baker, you’re going to be late to your next class.” Mrs. Talyn said, a smile on her face from watching the pure exchange between the high school Juniors.

Patton stood up quickly, a smile brighter than a star settling firmly on his face. “Thank you Mrs. Talyn! See you tomorrow!”

Patton grabbed his things and walked quickly down the hall, unable to shake the light, bubbly feeling inside of him. And if someone had looked at Patton walking down that tiled hallway, they would have seen a normal boy walking to his next class, feet planted firmly on the ground.

But if you asked Patton, he was a whole inch off the ground as he flew down that hallway, and he was perfectly content to never come back down.

(Ok so this turned WAY longer than I expected, also I don’t usually write Royality, but I think I like this!! Let me know what you think!)

Taglist: (You may request to be put on/taken off at any time!)

@stop-it-anxiety @littlewolf432 @winterrs-child @ms-top-hat @idunnosong @scared-ghosthunter @anxiousvirgil13 @i-love-wordassociation-games @remusownsmyuwus @thatweriddoodlingllama @emmillie @nutmegandgingersnaps

[mysticdragon3md3]

I’ve been watching Knights & Magic from the beginning (finally ;p ) and I just want to post my reactions before I forget.  So my fandom records can stay closer to chronological.  Even if I don’t have time to polish this...I wouldn’t recommend reading this jumbled mess.  ^.^;

6:20 PM 6/5/2018 Kights & Magic ep1 Kurata is Ernie, huh? I don't like his co-workers talking shit about Kurata just because he has a whole room full of gunpla.   I really like that Addy and Kid are set up like Ernie's siblings.  I'm so sick of the "girl is too tsundere to admit she has a crush on the protagonist for almost the entire series" thing.  Plus, I love siblings and trios of friends.  ^____^   Ok.  I'll admit it.  I understand now why all the aniTubers I respect called this series trash.  Thsi first episode is just a big exposition dump with nothing really important happening.  I mean, "show, don't tell" is important, but...These parts of Ernie's background aren't interesting enough, emotionally to warrant taking the time to show.  Maybe if some scenes were used in a flashback, during a later episode...This might work.  But for now...Is any of this reason to get invested in Ernie as a main character?  Are any of the scenes experiences that an audience would enjoy viariously feeling?  Sadly, no.  In fact, the only reason I'm sticking with this, the only reason any of these scenes are interesting to me at all, is because I've already watched the entire 2nd half of this series, and I grew to really like Ernie from there.  (I guess that's why I like in medias res so much.  ^^; )  This is just Mary Sue exposition dump...For an ENTIRE episode.  O_O;   I still don't get why Addy and Kid don't like or act like they're afraid of thier stepsister.  With all this exposition, you'd think they'd explain what type of person she is.  I mean, maybe I'm out of the loop because I'm American, but what kind of presumedly treatment do they get for not being in the line of succession?  And does their stepsister really take advantage of their lower class status?  I have a feeling this is going to get demonstrated instead of explained. "What's a robot?"  "What every man dreams of!"  I used think I like Ernie because of his overwhelmingly infectious, positive enthusiasm.  But maybe another way of saying that is that I love that he's a geek.  A completely unabashed, proud geek.  ^-^   I can't help it.  I still really like this show.  ^___^  It's like an action version of a "slice of life".  Even Dog Days wasn't as tame and iyashikei-like as this.  LOL  Nothing really happens, nothing is traumatic, it's just the thing for people with anxiety problems.  ^__^  

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9:09 PM 6/5/2018 Knights and Magic ep2 As much as I love watching the protag being all confident and having fun...  What just happened?  It would have been nice if they explained why Ernie's attack would bring down the Behemoth, before he actually attacked.  Then we could understand why what we're seeing is supposed to be cool.   LOL  I love how everyone in this show is so seriousl about their circumstances, but Ernie (and Addie and Kid) are just non-chalantly having fun with everything.  ^o^   9:52 PM 6/5/2018 Woops.  Crunchyroll started ep3 without me.  I'll have to go back later and see if ep2 had something before or after its end credits.   "I'm making them because they don't exist!  If they existed, I wouldn't need to make them."  I know that feel.  Actuallly, I think every crafter or artist does.  ^^;   Well, Deitrich bounced back.  Did something happen at the end of ep2 that I missed???  Wasn't he still moping in ep3?  Well, it's good to see him feeling better.   I know that technically, nothing is really happening story-wise or drama-wise, but I really like all this technical design stuff.  Testing designs, honing based on feedback, watching even a little success in an experiment, the way Ernie's brain is constantly working on the next step/design,...This is all my jam!  ^u^   This series is really just running past the emotional toll on the pilots.  I wonder if it's on purpose, like a refutation of all the mecha series that have focused on pilot angst ever since Eva.  LOL  But I like it.  I like the lighthearted tone, how everyone can just have a friendly fight and be friends again the next day,...  Yeah, there's no drama.  But I don't like drama.  I like iyashikei and "slice of life", nothing emotionally draining or even close to a rollercoaster ride.  This is what happens when you have anxiety.  I'm just glad a series that I watch for _entertainment_ doesn't add to the drama already in my head.  It's soothing.  ^_^   Helvi perked up when she heard Ernie say "The path of a Silhouette Knight isn't trod in one day!"  Oh, I guess she was really putting everything into that sparring match, huh.  Here, I was thinking in terms of a designer, like Ernie, who just saw it as a test with inevitable failings, just glad it didn't blow up, and very happy to see the new model get as far as it did.  I was even impressed with Helvi modifying her tactics to accomodate the Telestale's lack of precision.  But while a designer is going to just see this model's preformance as a stepping stone to the next experiment, Helvi probably put all her pride into it and took all the blame into herself, when she didn't get a clear victory.  But really, I thought she did win, and it was clearly the experimental model's failing.  But I guess this identifying with the preformance one's mecha is the type of thing that commonly happens in angsty mecha pilot anime.   I've been thinking about how a character design like Helvi's is reflective of a lot of Japanese "manly" characteristics.  She shows a lot of skin, she wears her jacket with the top down, and she's not all modest and proper.  Although there have been a lot of anime in the past who use their tomboys as an opportunity for fanservice costume designs, Helvi's design seems to much more focus on just making her seem like a tomboy by layering Japanese "masculine" costume designs on top of her.  I really like that, because I grew up on the "harem anime" genre and by now, I'm tired of the boobs busting out and jiggling everywhere.   10:23 PM 6/5/2018 Wow.  Ep4 started without a commercial break!  O.o Oh this show is so cute!  I love how Ernie is so unbound to humanoid forms and this joke about him being frustrated that Addy came up with that non-human form solution to the mana capacity/output problem instead of him, when it's his speciality, is just funny.  ^_^  I love silly sibling dynamics.  ^__^   I thought you just said "maybe we shouldn't fire this in town"?!?  Why are you firing it again?  LOL   "Creativity and challenging yourself are wonderful goals in and of themselves, don't you think?"  Yes, Ernie!  Yes they are!  ;u;  Who knew this show would have so many "creative motivation" lines?  ^u^ "I need more Ernie in my life.  I haven't hugged him in a week!"  LOL  I love how Addy says everything that people addicted to cute things are thinking.  ^u^  She's like Taki Toru from Natsume Yuujinchou!  ^o^   I'm glad that there MIGHT be a reason Addy and Kid have to believe that their father isn't just using them to spy on Ernie and claim credit by association (in that the siblings believe if their father tells the king about Ernie's designs before the government's Lab finds out, then the King might protect Ernie from the Lab stealing his designs and maybe shutting him out of further development).  But there's been this ominous tone the entire time and I'm just waiting for what horrible ulterior motive someone has, fighting over Ernie's designs---that aren't even done yet!  Maybe the Bronze Fang spies were supposed to take on on the suspicious undertoines, but I'm still worried about all these Marquis and officials screwing Ernie over.  If they shut Ernie out, just so they can get good standing with the King for claiming to come up with the designs themselves, I'm going to be very sad for Ernie being unable to complete development.  There's nothing worse than leaving a project hanging before perfecting the final process.   LOL  I love how Ernie just DEFLATES all the tension!  This entire episode has been building up tension about Ernie getting screwed over by the Marquis, and Ernie just turns everything into cheerful skipping.  LOL   That flashback to the Marquis realizing how similar Ernie's ambition was to the King, was really effective.  ...But wait.  I only know that was the young version of the King because I've seen the 2nd half of this series.  Well, I guess a first-time watcher would just have to rely on the fact that the Marqui was suddenly backing off of trying to intimidate Ernie, to realize that person in the flashback was someone he respected from his memories.   That was really sweet how the Boss found a way for everyone to visit Ernie and take the edge off not getting to ride Ernie's new designs anymore.   11:07 PM 6/5/2018 ep5 I'm glad that village was saved.   The fact that I was really effected by the engineer dwarves getting killed by the spies, msut be a testament to how sensitive I am to need to avoid drama from a show with real ups and down.  I mean, there was nothing special about the direction, and everyone getting killed wasn't given special attention by the camera to warrant being this effected by it.  In fact, the camera was pretty distant and quick about the portrayal.  But I think that because this series has spent all this time, getting me attached to the repair workers at the school, that it was easy to conflate them with the workers at the Marqui's fort.  They were just doing their jobs!  ;o;!!!   Damn.  I just realized the Haimerwort is using a big hammer.  That means his fighting style is imprecise and slow.  He already lost the advantage that the old mechas had against the Telestales.  ~_~;   Wow!  The students have got this precise targetting and control over the new units, down!  ^u^   Is no one going to mention how Ernie just took his Silhouette Gear without being surprised it was even there?  LOL   How many automatic functions just happened with Kid's Silhouette Gear and just so happened to save him just now?!  LOL   Teh fact that Edgar lasted this long with the old model of mecha is pretty impressive.  I forgot for a while that he was using the old model.  

Well, looks like they used up their animation budget for fight scenes.  ^^;  This last battle is all stills and narration.  But tying it back to the Demon Beast attack on Darie Village makes it seem like that was the whole reason that village attack happened.  But it was also the reason the spies were able to get into the Marquis's fort.   I guess the demon beast attacks were foreshadowing for Frankholm and the Marqui to realize they were attacked by another country's spies, after they found the Cursed Bait.   I'm so glad this conversation after Edgar so seriously began say, "Helvi, there's something I have to tell you," turned out to not be anything romantic.  ;u;!  I'sm so done with that cliche!  It's way more touching that Edgar was just trying to confess that the stolen mech was Helvi's personal mecha and he's promising to get her "partner" back.  Yujo!!!!!!  ;u;!!!   11:48 PM 6/5/2018 I guess I should stop and do my daily drawing challenge before midnight.  ~.~  I guess.  I guess I can use ep6 as incentive to get up early tomorrow.   2:48 AM 6/6/2018 Also, I forgot to mention that I really love that annoyed, exasperated look in Ernie's eyes when Addy or her step-sister hug and squee over him.  LOL  Me too, Ernesti.  Me too.  And by that, I mean it's really nice to see a male character for once simply be tired of the "girls fighting over him" cliche.  This series feels more like it's also annoyed with this cliche.  Lots of mecha anime are overtaken by harem genre cliches and romance polyhedrons.  It makes me feel better about this series re-steering the focus of mecha anime, away from pilot angst and a motif to lay over a harem anime, and more towards just fanboying over mecha.  ^.^  I just love that geeky attitude!  ^o^  And hey man, not everything needs to be about romance.  

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9:44 AM 6/6/2018 Knight's & Magic ep6

I love this silly sibling dynamic between Ernie and Addy.  Any other series, and it'd be a really annoying romantic relationship, either between tsundere(s) or "the indecisive harem guy who doesn't know how to handle the overly-forward girl".  

It's funny seeing Marquis Kunt Dixguard suddenly not drawn like an antagonist now.  

These are all some names I needed to remember:   Magus Engine Ether Reactor Knightsmiths Bat

Uh...How about you not say aloud how you're going to backstab the protagonist, Chief?

I really like seeing these Knights who were portrayed so ominously before (but by association to the building ominous portrayal of the Marquis, plus the ominous storm to foreshadow the Bronze Fang's attack), just so easily on friendly terms with Ernie now.  ^-^  I really like seeing everyone on good terms.  ^___^  

I like how Bad, Kid, and the Boss are enthusiastic vs intimidated by the announcement of the mock battle with the Lab in 10 months.  Like Ernie's enthusiasim is rubbing off on others.  ^_^  It would be so easy for another anime to turn this into a conflict point, everyone arguing with Ernie about "how did you get us into this mess", being scared to fight the government lab's mechs.  But this scene just keeps flowing.  ^___^  

Yes!  Increased speed mech!  

Option Works

"That may make your dream come true, huh?"  "Yeah.  I can still only get glimpses of it...I couldn't reach it in my dreams, but this is reality, and I can grab it with my own hands."  Ever since I realized this series peppers in so many relatable experiences of the creative process, it's become so interesting or even inspirational.  There's a story I heard once about how the music a composer achieves will never be as perfect as the music they hear in their head.  It's supposed to be a warning against perfectionism and taking the angst of the creative ambition too far.  So it's really inspiring to hear Ernie say that he will achieve the creation he dreamed of, in reality.  It's like that post going around Tumblr, encouraging artists to, when they feel down about their art, remember that they "created something out of nothing, LIKE A GOD!"  ^o^  

Aw~  Edgar is so nice! I'm glad they didn't just leave the new students (or where they new graduates?) with the Boss's scary introduction.  Edgar talks like an actual formal commander!  O.o  

Oh, new carefully designed character.  New main character.  Nora Frykberg.  Oh, that's nice!  She's special security so the school won't get the Order of the Silver Phoenix's designs leaked again.  ^u^  Oh, so this is the Order of the Azure Hawk.  Run by Marquis Duxgard, right?  Convenient that she has blue hair.  

Uh-oh.  Addy's jealousy just went from "older sister/aunt who wants to squeeze your cheeks" to "jealous girlfirend" tropes.  o~o;  Thank goodness I've seen the rest of this series already, so I know I don't have to worry about this erring towards romantic tension BS.  It'll stay towards the "older sister"/"I like cute things" vibe.  ...But in retrospect, maybe the trope was just a quick way to get Addy into a Silhouette Knight, vs just sticking to the Silhouette Gears.  ^^;  That's fine.  They kept the jealous romance tropes to a minimum.  Now just focus on Addy piloting and Ernie's mecha experiments and I'll be happy.  

Oh, Addy is just taking measurements and observing the test?  I thought Ernie was asking her to pilot while he would take notes.  ^o^;  

LOL  Ernie is the only one not phased by the Boss yelling at them for destroying that Kaldatoah.  ^o^  He's probably still mentally rambling improvement ideas to himself.  

Huh?  "How long are you going to let a girl be covered in soot?"  What?  That's out of nowhere.  But their clothes seem to imply this isn't just some obligatory fanservice scene.  Otherwise, Addy would be wearing MUCH less than a dress-length shirt and there'd be a drawn-out scene of both of them just undressing.  Even Helvi's top is the same as she always wears, so there's nothing to really draw the eye, after all these epsiodes of being accostomed to seeing that strapless corset on her everywhere.  Wait...Don't tell me this is going to turn into one of those "girl talk" scenes where the older character prods the younger to vent out her romantic problems weighing down her thoughts.  ~.~;  Well, if they do go in that direction, I hope it's just Helvi re-affirming to Addy that she doesn't have to try so hard to be a "cool girl"; just be herself.  They don't have to cover that Addy is trying to be a "cool girl" who can pilot a Silhouette Knight and fight in battle, because she got jealous of Nora and afraid that Ernie only likes "cool girls".  If the conversation just sticks to Helvi encouraging Addy to accept herself as-is, then I'll be fine with this scene.  And Helvi, being a "cool girl" is the perfect character type to talk to Addy about this.  ^-^   Thank you, Addy.  She wanted to invite Ernie to bath with them.  LOL  "Ernie's not a guy!  Ernie is Ernie!"  Look at that expression on Helvi's face!  LOL  I love how Addy makes the possible "romance" undertones of this show a complete non-starter!  ^o^!  (I just want to say that as much as I love being a fujoshi and obsessing over my OTP being in romantic relationships, platonic relationships are still VERY important to me and I'm so glad to see more series, even one generally dismissed by the anime critic community, take the focus off romantic relationships. ;u;!!! )  

Oh that swivel on Addy's pilot seat is so cool!  ^o^

Ooh!  So excited for the testing duel!  ^o^  Even though Ive seen it already from when I first strated this series!  LOL  

Wow.  The pilots wear big armor inside their mechs.  I forgot: It was like that at the fort raid too, huh?  

They descreased teh STrand-Type Crystal-Tissue?  o.O

Capacity Blame solves the "mana pool drain issues" AND improves defense?!  *o* Oh this is so cool!  The quadraped reveal!  ^o^  

The Marquis is sighing again because he knows how Ernie is now.  LOL  Was he the one who was telling Ernie that Silhouette Knights are supposed to resemble humans and Ernie just questioned that imemdiately?  Maybe it was the Knightsmiths' Boss?

Omg, I'm so excited for this next epsiode---that I've already seen before!  LOL  

After seeing some series analysis about how Darling in the Franxx is just an allegory for sexual "coming of age" and how their pilot system is pretty much just positioning the female and male pilots the same was as "doggy style" sex, Addy and Kid's pilot positions being similar makes me kind of uncomfortable.  But why should I let a completely different series ruin the one of few series I've finally found, devoid of sexual innuendo and fixation on romance?  

10:52 AM 6/6/2018 ep7

10:54 AM 6/6/2018 Ok I have to get on with my day.  I can't just marathon this anime and write reactions to every scene all day.

Though I will say that I'm so glad that not every character with sharp eyes or a stoic demeanor is proven to be anatagonistic in the end.   When I first saw this series/episode, I thought for sure that the Director of the King's Lab would turn out to be a traitor becasue he was drawn with sharp eyes that usually indicate suspicious danger.  But this series didn't go for that easy cliche.  It's safe to have faith in people, in this series.  ^-^  

It's funny how they kept the Lab Chief's eyes and general character design so cartoonish that it was unreadable.  So I was totally able to buy that he was going to be an antagonist, but it also perfectly fit when he proved to be just another geek like Ernie, excited to talk with another geek.  ^o^  

Everything ends all happy and fun.  No grudges.  No one hurt during the mock fight.  No real battles barging in, to interrupt the sparring match.  Etc., etc. cliches.  When other people complain about overused tropes, I will often counter that cliches become cliches for a reason: they're effective.  But I think this series, dropping cliches, exchanged it for something I value more or equally:  the same safe, cheerful, soothing atmosphere as an iyashikei.  I understand that for most people, the lack of drama and tension leaves a story boring.  But I can't stand drama. I hate "Oscar bait" movies and TV drama shows.  It often forces characters to be portrayed as artificially generating problems through jumping to misunderstandings and assuming the worst, vs SIMPLY communicating with each other (especially between characters that consider each other FRIENDS) and having faith in other people.  I NEED A BREAK FROM THAT.  DESPERATELY.  So I don't care if people call this series trash, I'm loving every bit of it.  ;u;!!! <3 <3 <3

I like that the quadraped Silhouett Knights switched to 1 pilot.  The 2 pilot system seemed risky if it'll cut troop numbers in half.

I forgot that this was teh saem episode with the King retiring and the duel with Prince Emrys.  That was also really fun too!  

I'm pretty sure I wrote a reaction before about how I liked the King's motives in fighting over the Goldleo with Emrys.  Where is that thing?

I like that the quadraped Silhouett Knights switched to 1 pilot.  The 2 pilot system seemed risky if it'll cut troop numbers in half. I forgot that this was teh saem episode with the King retiring and the duel with Prince Emrys.  That was also really fun too!   12:00 PM 6/6/2018 ep8 Wait. I don't recognize this episode.  o.o Wait.  The former King came to fight the shellcased horde too?!  O.o  I know retiring let's him have fun without worrying as much, but still!   It's nice to see Dietrich leading his own squad with confidence.  ^_^  He's not burdened by that freak-out he had at his introduction anymore.  ^_^ Every time I see Edgar fight, I'm surprised he's still using the same mech, but I guess I just got confused.  His mech has been continually upgraded, it just doesn't have the back arms and they focused development on upgrading his shield instead.  That shield has gotten more and more functions since the test sparring match vs the Lab.  ^o^   Weaponizing the mecha's transportation carriage is cool! Oh yeah, I already forgot about that brain frying tactic Ernie used on teh Behemoth.   Ether Reaction construction method!  *o*!  I'm so happy for Ernie.  ^_^ Alvs.   Changing Ones = humans. "He doesn't give up that easily on his hobbies."  I like that Ernie's geeky enthusiasm is on parr with the former King's fighting ambition.  Like they're kindred.   The funny thing is that as "flat" as I keep admitting this series and its character dynamics to be, I really like everyone.  I've been atched to them for a while now. I  regret not buying that Nendoroid Ernesti!  Everyone's personalities seem fundamentally rooted in Compassion, my favorite ideal.  Even if Emrys or the former king could be misperceived as one of my most annoying pet peeves "confusing Power with Strength", they don't seem to make that fallacy.  They love to fight with brute force and powerful mechas, but they seem more like the positive portrayals of continual Growth/ambition in Fighting Spirit, rather than jerks who confuse Power with Strength, by forgetting Compassion. There have been plenty of opportunities for them to be callous or Malicious, but they haven't.  They've just been non-chalant, warm, and even encouraging others to share their ambition and confidence.  I sense they're good guys, and they were most primed to be in positions of setting off one of my pet peeves.  So I'm glad they and everyone is staying good, good people, and that's all I need from "good characters".   "...But we're lazy...For the first 100 years, we're like the Changing Ones.  But then after 200-300 years we spend most of our time sleeping or in thought."  Yup.  That's immortality for you. Can the Alvs Elder see Ernie's past life? "Thinking is the most valuable thing for us.  We simply saw the value in one another."  Did the Elder see how Ernie's mind never stops thinking?   WAit.  Ether Reactors are the heart of living things?  Is that why they harvested that Behemoth heart?  That reminded me of Escaflowne and I guess I just assumed they used it the same way, to power their mechs, but they never really talked about it, huh.   More terms: Catalyst Crystals (heart of Ether Reactors) So Ether Reactors turn air into Mana.  And Catalyst Crystals turn mana into magic, but also sometimes ether into mana.   Ether Reactors are really sounding more and more like a living thing.  But then when they start talking about dense scripts, it sounds like computer programming.  ^.~   Alvs and Demon Beasts have Catalyst Crystals inside them. So are mined Catalyst Crystals from prehistoric Demon Beasts?  ^o^ "Astonishing even the Alvs...In 3 months he learned all their secrets."  I know we're not supposed to like OP Mary Sues...But I really like Ernie.  The way we all know he's just going to be so cheerful and casual about all this new knowlege/power of his, that confidence in him to not see Power turn him into a prick, just makes him learning stuff feel like his enthusiasm over enjoying his obby is infectious instead.   I guess the Alv Elder can see Ernie's past life, after all.   Oh, that's so cool.  Addy is using the flying spell with the gun rod that Ernie usually only uses.  Does everyone use those gunrods now?   OMG YOU NEVER SEE THAT!  I'M SO HAPPY!  I'm so glad Nora saw that Addy was just jealous and insecure about staying close to Ernie, now that Nora was talking with him alone a lot, but instead of getting upset that "this kid is bothering her" or playing with her feelings, she saw Addy's underlying feelings and reassured her instead.  She even trusted her with her secret as a spy!  ;u;  What a kind and mature person!  ;U;  I'm so glad this is turning out to be an anti-melodrama show!  ;U;  (I mean, I like melodrama in terms of overacting grandness can be fun, but I hate "drama" as in excessive relationship tensions.)   1:00 PM 6/6/2018 ep9 Western Grand Storm?  "These lands all used to be ruled by 1 king! Let's go reclaim it!"   Well, that's a pretty stupid reason to start a war.  Maybe THE stupidest reason.  ~___~; Still sniffly at Eleonora saying goodbye to her father.   I know serious stuff is happening, but Ernesti turning battle into just a fun game is just...fun.   "Silver Phoenix Merchant Association".  LOL   Well, this time watching this episode, now I know who the blue-haired maid spy is.  ^_^  Who knew Nora had such a big setup before.  Probably just to give Addy some depth.   "What are those horse things?  Well, it doesn't matter.  We're destory them."  This Gustav Mardonnes guy is stupidly reckless.  Oh, this is the guy who became like Dietrich's kind of nemesis. I've never heard of this Mabus Animation Studio or Bigbowl before.   1:26 PM 6/6/2018 ep10 I really have to stop paying attention now , and owrk on artist alley stuff.   3:11 PM 6/6/2018 ep13 / Last ep. Are they setting up a romance between Nora and D? Did Kojass come from our world too?  "Maximize" is an English word.   It's funny to hear Ernie now advocating for mechas to reflect human form.  I guess Kojass's Wyvern is like an extreme of the "inhumanness" that Marquis was trying to ward Ernie('s designs) away from.  Still, I don't see any reason to stay so human.  And if this series was going to get symbolic about human form equating good human traits like being humane, then they didn't consistently set that up.   I like that this climactic battle is all a group effort.  There is no one moment of victory where only the protagonist is the only proactive agent of every the victorious moment.  

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3:10 PM 4/6/2018 Just watched Knights and Magic ep7.  I really like this show.   I feel kind of bad for feeling this way, when Mother's Basement said this series was bad.  I mean, shouldn't I defer to an expert?  And really, have I been watching enough anime lately to have any sense anymore?  I mean, I just keep watching the same series over and over again, instead of exposing myself to anything new.  And actually, I've been watching more YouTube than anime lately---these past FEW YEARS.   But I do like this series.  Like, just this ep, episode 7: Sure, nothing really happened, and nothing dramatic happens too much in the characters' growth.  Even the old engineer who was growling at the demo fight of Ernie's new mechas, who looked like he might be a bitter problem later, ended up just bonding with Ernie over their love of fanboying over mechas.  Even the whole thing with the Prince and his Grandpa didn't change anything between them, or within them individually.  Prince Emyrs didn't even know that his Grandpa had any special meaning to their duel.  Only Ernie and his comrade got to see that, without Emrys knowing.  It was more like a peek into their lives.  And I think that's what I like about this series.  It strikes me as a "slice of life".  Even if big mechas are clashing and everyone's talking about monster attacks, and later in the series, there are attacks, death, and wars initiated by another nation who brings some intrigue, Ernie smothers it all with his unwavering positive enthusiasm.  It's still a safe, "nothing really happens" series.   And I think that's why I've been avoiding anime lately.  Every time I think, "I shoudl catch up on this series that everyone's talking about", I just can't commit to that kind of emmersion and focus, or I'm in too fragrile a mental/emotional state to deal with anything dramatic, even the slightest bit.   But this show, Knight's & Magic may be just the thing I need.  It won't make me bawl my eyes out like Natsume Yuujinchou (my favorite series) or March Comes In Like a Lion (which I desperately need to catch up on).  There aren't any bully characters that make me feel traumatized by spending time in their company, like Boku no Hero Academia.  I'm continually baffled that I'm not watching any of KyoAni's recent series, when they've been like the "kind of slice of life" to me, for so many years.  But I just can't get into Dragon Maid---And I'm tearing my hair out, trying to figure out why!  ;o;  I love dragons!  I love slice of life!  Androgynous heroine who dresses in more "masculine" clothing?  My favorite!  I used to read nothing but the "chicks in pants" subgenre of fantasy novels.  

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9:12 PM 11/11/2017 WAtching KNights and Magic for the first time.  ep9.  Getting flashbacks of Escaflowne.  REmember when all these mecha battles were hand-drawn?  And it was BEAUTIFUL!  *o*  Really surprised this isn't a Sunrise series.   9:32 PM 11/11/2017 Starting ep10.  I like this Ernesti kid.  He's just so perpetually enthusiastic about everything! ^u^  His expression never changes!  His eyes are so bright, all the time!  ^o^  I was just telling my brother that Ernesti must be so perpetually happy because everything in this world is about mechas.  LOL  "Bloody wars?  Princess in peril?"  "It's all good because we get to fight with mechs!"  LOL  Evne the opening theme is just so peppy, despite this war going on with already dramatic stakes established with kings fighting suicide duels just so his daughter can escape.   I want Kojass and Ernesti to be friends so much!  Have geek-outs together!  LOL  The funny thing is that while Ernesti's complete dismissal of the seriousness of battle looks innocent and silly, because he's a mecha geek, on the bad guy side, that sort of detatchment from people's lives being taken, looks more sociopathic.  Even though they have the same priorities!  ...Though, I guess the difference in their geekiness, is that while Ernesti is happy to see people with more knowledge than him, so he can learn new ideas from them, from anyone, and from anywhere, Kojass gets defensive that his superiority is challenged.  ^^;   This princess Eleonora is a little frustrating, but she's just so sweet, I can't quite feel annoyed about it.  (Unlike my brother.)  But I firmly believe that leaders who prioritize Compassion and value themselves last, are the best leaders.  So I really think she has what it takes to be a benevolent leader, she just needs to learn more confidence and get some experience.  I get a little frustrated with Archid/Kid not knowing enough to answer her questions with philosophical answers.  Like, "What's the worth in rescuing her?"  She's not the one who gets to decide what her worth is!  As long as she's alive, her country's people still has a figurehead to rally behind and retain their identity.  "Why are you being kind to someone like me?" she asked.  Because who wouldn't want to be kind to anyone?  Who wouldn't want someone who feels bad, to cheer up?  But Kid doesn't seem intellectual enough to provide logical answers like that.  But his genki type is good for cheering up people and being emotional.  That's why when he got out of his armor to encourage the princess to accept her rescue, while my brother watching that scene was impatient that they were wasting time with guards on their way to stop the rescue, I said, "No, it's the right thing to do."  He's a good kid.  ^_^  Maybe it'll inadvertantly set up a romance between them, when she'll have to eventually have to marry someone else for political reasons or won't be allowed to marry a lower rank like knight, but for now, it's good for them.  ^_^  

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1:17 PM 5/17/2018 Just finished Knight's and Magic ep12. I love this show.  ^_^  It's just a bunch of fun.  Even with the voices of aniTubers I respect, in my head telling me that the show sucks, I just have a good time.  LOL  When I first heard they thought it was a bad show, I asked myself why it was fun, and I realized that nothing really happens in this series.  Episodes begin and end with characters in teh same state without much or any growth.  It's essentially a "slice of life" with occaisional mecha battles.  Nothing really serious happens, and I think that for people with anxiety like me, I just really love that.  After all, for the past few years, I've been watching exclusively moe, "slice of life" series, and iyashikei.  Why would I need a bunch of serious drama or heart-shattering moments in a series?  That's the last stuff I need!  Not when my anxiety has finally gotten to this point of agoraphobia!  So I love this show.  I love Ernstie's unflappable genki demeanor, I love how he cuts through whatever tone is going on around him, to just make the situation about having fun as an engineer playing with his mecha, and that even the final stakes of this show for our protagonist seem to be about his pride in his hobby...It's relaxing and fun.  ^o^   And considering that most of the "good" mecha series out there are metaphorical sexual "coming of age" stories", and I'm gray-asexual, it only makes sense that I'd rather watch Knights and Magic vs Darling in the Franxx.  I mean, my favorite mecha show is Code Geass, for gods' sakes!  Whatever sexual "coming of age" metaphores there are, are in the background.  And most of the other generally acclaimed shows I like, that are about sexual "coming of age", I only tolerate because they shift towards a conversation about gender more than sexuality.  Like Utena; as sensual as that show is, and as much as it goes on about hetero relationships and lesbian relationships kind of standing-in for hetero dynamic conventios (until near the end of teh series), it spends a lot more time talking about gender.  Ranma 1/2, Maze, etc...are gender series, some with mecha, but not so much about dating, heterosexual negotiations, and awkward learning about sex, but about what it means to be a certain gender and questioning definitions of gender.   1:22 PM 5/17/2018 I need to get back to work in 10 minutes, but I'll watch a little bit of ep13. 1:32 PM 5/17/2018 As soon as they made that hard turn to port, after ramming speed, I exclaimed "HUH?!?"  Because who chases after and OBVIOUS feint/decoy tactic?!?!  Seriously?!  (Besides Sanada Yukimura, okay.) And I can't beleive the enemy is using the Blood Grail already.  Pushed to the corner that early?  C'mon.  If you can't fight with what you've already got, then throwing aroudn a big weapon that you've already been warned is a "double-edged sword", is gonna blow up in your face.  Or at least going to prove a weak spot, when your crutch gets taken out.  That's why Ryu Maho always trained to fight without a weapon, despite being a natural genious with a sword.  This is why I always played 2D fighting games with basic moves vs relying on special attacks.  

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1:08 PM 6/7/2018 Knights and Magic ep7 re-watch Listen.  I realize they want Prince Emrys's introduction to be intriguing, but putting that shadow on just his face, when he's in the full sunlight, away from anything that could create shade, is just weird.  The audience already doesn't know who he is, that's mystery enough.  Might as well just show is full face and let the auidence think "Who is that?  I don't recognize him."   ------------------ last eps re-watch What I really like about finally watching this series from the beginning, is that when I get back around to the end, seeing these students suddenly now leading units with the new equipment designs, lets us see their evolution.  But whereas most series focus on the characters' dramatic evolutions, in the final eps of this series, I can just look across the squad of new designs, now into production models, and see how that reflects how far these characters have come.  I realize that that may be indirect drama for most people, but it's really effective for me, even emotionally. When I look at these mecha, I remember what they started as, the initial designs, how they slowly improved, better and better, then eventually became finalized versions which were good enough to be put into production models...It's just a long swath of history and indiviudal evolution in each design.  I know that's how most people think about characters in a series, but I really feel that way, just looking at these mecha, since the series focused more on their design evolution and progression, more than the characters' drama.  I think maybe this shift in focus towards emotional attachment to the mechas' progress/evolution was effective for me, becasue I think in terms like Ernie, focused on design and creative projects, knowing how much goes into each reiteration and what an epiphany each new design is. And similary, I focus less on social interactions.  I am thoroughly engrossed in all these exposition dumps of Ernie explaining his designs and whatever new limmitations he's trying to think around.  I love weighing all the options and problem solving along with him.  I just really feel in sync with this series more than most other mecha drama.  (Which is why I've avoided Darling in the Franxx.  As much praise as that's getting, I suspect it's just not my thing.)   1:27 PM 6/7/2018 ep7 rewatch Addy and Kid do have gunrods.  And they're swords too!  O.O  Really, why are all the other wizards even using magic wands/staffs?  Ernie's gunrod idea is a multifunctional tool now!  *o* 1:41 PM 6/7/2018 It's funny when I think now of when I first watched this series, starting in the middle, I asked my brother who was crushing on who, who was jealous, etc.  Because almost all series, especially big casts of mecha pilots are always about who is crushing on who.  Doesn't mean I like series like that.  In fact, I hate it.  But if I'm going to sit in front of the TV while my brother continues a series he's watching, I might as well know what's gong on.  I can at least brace myself for when characters act jealous or act weird instead of just working together in the midddle of a battle maneuver.  I don't like it, but I can at least brace myself against it.  I'm even more glad now, discovering that this series isn't about interpersonal drama at all.  

[little-writings]

Can you do something like Jumin's father likes MC but MC only likes and wants to be with jumin? And maybe jumin will do something to be with MC. Sorry for my bad English.. and thank you if you're

Of course, I’d be happy to do this request! Thank you and have a wonderful day! Enjoy hun

———————————————————————————————————–

You had recently been hired at the C & R company, a bright smile painting your face as you stepped in, one of the assistants waiting for her.

“Hello,” She gave you a polite dip of her head. “I’m Jahee Kang, Mr. Jumin Han would like to see you to discuss your beginning objectives.” 

You nodded lightly, following alongside her her heels clacking against the floors.

“What’s it like being Mr. Han’s assistant?” You asked, eyes wide like a curious child in your excitement.

“Don’t tell him I said this,” She sighed. “but frankly, it’s rather exhausting.” 

“You don’t like it?”

“Not exactly, but I suppose if you love cats it’s essentially heaven.” 

“Cats…?”

“The more you ask, the further you’ll get pulled in,” She murmured. “However, I suppose if you’d like to make a good first impression I would suggest stating you like cats.” 

“Oh I love cats!” 

“You’ll get along amazingly then.” 

You eventually stopped at a door, Jahee offering you a small, yet supportive smile as she wrapped her fingers around the knob. 

“Good luck MC, I’m sure you’ll do lovely here. If you have further questions, don’t hesitate to ask me.” 

You thanked her softly as she opened it for you, revealing the chairman’s son on the other side. 

He stood up as he caught sight of you, his sooty gaze that you had seen so murky and blank in photos, seemed almost in struck speechless as he noticed you.

“Um-hello!” You smiled, approaching him, beginning to reach out an inviting hand.

He blinked for a moment, snapping back into reality, returning the handshake.

“Yes-hello, you must be MC, correct?”

“Yes! That’s me!” 

“Good, it’s great to meet you.” He gestured to you to sit down, his gaze oddly enough, never quite leaving you as he sat down.

“I’m sure you’re anticipating finally getting to begin your job, your resume seemed very promising.” 

“Thank you, I’ve worked hard to make it so.” 

“That’s a very good sign,” He raised his head. “Would you like me to show you to your workspace?I can help you get started as well if you would like that.”

You brightened, nodding. “I’d like that a lot! Thank you!” 

“Alright, follow me then,” He rose to his feet, opening the door for you.

Yet as he thought of what to say, you happened to speak first.

“Um so…I heard you’re a fan of cats?” 

He looked at you with surprise, lips parting almost speechlessly before nodding faintly. 

“Yes, I am, why do you ask?”

“I’m a pretty big fan too.” 

And the most peculiar thing happened.

He smiled.

It was tiny, but it was still there.

And it was wonderful.

“I suppose you won’t mind me perhaps rambling a bit then?”

“Not at all.” 

And from then on, the two of you seemed to be attached at the hip.

His excuse to show you to your work became more or less an hour or so of cat fanaticism, his grin only becoming more and more prominent as time as went on.

This lead to him asking you to join him the next day, continuing the topic over coffee early in the morning.

Yet throughout these small meetings, you learned small bits and pieces about him.

His family.

Friends.

And even an odd organization known as the RFA.

Yet no matter what it was, you felt more than happy to hear his stories and tales.

Even his silly jokes.

And the more he learned about you, the more he seemed to be more curious.

He’d ask you more and more questions, listening with absolute interest with every word.

And over time, his tone became softer when he spoke to you.

To the point when it was drenched in sincerity, a hand always hovering you almost protectively. 

And a smile always painting his face when he spoke to you.

And soon enough the same came with you.

So perhaps it seemed inevitable when he approached you one morning, pink rushing to his cheeks, beaming at the sight of you.

“Ah, MC h-how’re you?”

“Good!” You greeted him, your fingers coiled about a warm cup of coffee. “How are you?”

“I’m…fine. I was actually wondering if I could speak with you?”

You nodded, reaching out as you noticed the softness in his tone.

“Yeah sure…is everything okay?”

“Y-Yes it’s fine…it’s just…” His face became redder by the second, ushering you to his office. “follow me please.” 

“Sure, of course.” 

He shut the door behind the two of you as you entered, a hand curling about the back of his neck. 

“I um…I was wondering if you’d be willing to join me for dinner.” 

“Oh, if this is about my latest project I’m sorry I just-” 

“MC please, you should know that isn’t the issue at all.” 

“…I should…?”

“Yes, I mean-” He huffed, flustered to the point to where he could hardly muster the words. “I mean in the sense of a…a date.” 

“A date…?”

He scoffed, running his fingers embarrassedly through his hair. “I won’t lie I’m…well I’m smitten.” 

“With me?” 

You were more in shock as he continued you, believing this be more of a dream for a second.

“I wouldn’t be talking with you if I wasn’t.” He let out a deep breath. “Please do not feel pressured to say yes I would hate you to only do this to-”

“I’d love to.” 

The words had felt natural, spilling from your mouth the second it was opened.

Perhaps that was why your heart fluttered.

He stopped dead in his tracks, looking you in utter shock. 

“What? Really…?”

You came closer to him, laughing gently. 

“I would like nothing more-” 

You were cut off as the office door opened once again, unveiling an older man, who you recognized instantly. 

“Mr. Han!” You gasped, twisting to face him. “H-Hello!” 

He watched you for a bit.

Examining you.

Until he came to you and took your hand, pressing his lips to the back of your palm. 

“I don’t believe we’ve met,” He hummed, humbly. “I’m Mr. Han, Jumin’s father!” 

You awkwardly drew your palm from his hold, hiding them in your pockets, doing your best to appear polite.

“Y-Yes I know! I knew it was you the moment I saw you.” 

“I’m delighted to see I’m so well-known that someone as beautiful as you would know me.” 

“Oh well I…” 

Jumin stepped in, clearly bothered.

He moved ahead of you, shrouding you as he confronted his father.

“What is it? Did you need something?”

“Yes I did in fact, I wanted to inform you of one of our newest partners. The president has arrived personally, to speak with you. It’s in regards to our newest policy and how that’ll affect our relations. They’re waiting in the conference room for you.” 

“What?” Jumin seemed aghast, turning to you and the exit, eventually grabbing onto your arm, a pleading expression upon him.

“MC, will you please wait for me? I’ll be back as soon as I can.” 

“I will don’t worry.” You smirked. “Good luck!” 

He melted at your response, giving earnest thanks before leaving.

Yet another person still remained. 

Mr. Han.

“So, what exactly are you doing here?”

“Besides…working?”

He chuckled. “No, I mean, here in my son’s office?”

To that, you weren’t quite sure what to say.

“O-Oh um…m-my latest project is all…”

“Well, if you’d like we can begin our own conversation,” He cleared his throat, a chill running down your spine. 

“In my office.” 

You crinkled your nose uncomfortably, holding back a sneer. 

“N-No I’m okay! Really, I’d much rather wait for Jumin to come back.” 

That didn’t stop him. 

“Perhaps it could be rescheduled then over lunch?” He offered, somehow still coming off as lighthearted. “I could show you a good time.” 

“I’m really-really not interested, Mr. Han.” 

He came closer, your body pressed against the desk as far as you could go, your breath caught in your throat. 

“I really would appreciate it if you’d give it a second chance.” 

As he neared closer, you shifted back, gripping tight onto the desk as though it were some sort of shield.

“P-Please-leave me, alone sir.” 

“All I’m asking is for you to reconsider dear-” 

You could hardly believe your luck as the door was opened.

And Jumin came in from the other side.

“It wasn’t anything serious, all it required was some clarification and plans for revision-” 

He glanced up, seeing his father almost leaning over you, you yourself doing whatever you could to slither away.

“What is going on here?” He snapped his gaze to Mr. Han, sneering. “What are you doing?” 

“All I was doing was suggesting a…get-to-together or sorts. No harm in that.” He scoffed, perplexed. “Why do you sound so upset? They’re merely an employee of yours-”

“No, they’re not!” Jumin snarled, sneering. “Far from it in fact!”��

“Is that so?”

“Yes, it is. Now go.” 

“Jumin please-” 

His son snapped, pulling you behind him.

“Unlike a contract, this isn’t negotiable father. I won’t repeat myself. Leave.” 

He hadn’t pried his eyes away from his dad before he left, turning to you with a heavy sigh, a low, angered rumble in his throat. 

“I…I’m sorry that happened my father has a reputation for being a ‘womanizer’.” He huffed. “He means well but- I’m truly sorry he did that. I never thought he would attempt that.” 

“It’s…it’s fine.” You tipped your head from side to side in consideration. “…Sort of.” 

He took your hand in his own, running a soft thumb over your knuckles.

“Please don’t think poorly of me for my father’s actions,” He assured you. “I truly do care for you. All I want is for you to be happy, so if after that you’re not ready I-”

“I still want to be with you.” 

He appeared bewildered.

“You do…?”

“I do. I know you, for you. I know you would never do that. I trust you.”

You laughed sheepishly.

“And I like you…a lot.” 

“I…” He sniggered. “I like you a lot as well. If you’d like me to say it that way.” 

“How else would you?” You asked, finally feeling the same warmth return, comforted immensely just by his presence alone.

And his next words only strengthened that.

“Absolutely head over heels.” 

[fuck-you-i-am-spiderman]

Carmilla talk

So with the movie coming up I just wanted to make a post spreading some positivity and share my love for the awesome web-series that helped me out of a dark time in my life.

We got 3 Seasons all with 36 episodes - that’s 108 episodes (not including the 12 we got in the forms of Season 0).

I know that it’s not the best camera or lighting work but we got it for free, as well as a lot of different behind the scenes bits and pieces. This isn’t a big movie franchise or a massively popular tv series, it isn’t owned by a large company so funds were understandably low and we had no idea we were getting a 2nd season let alone a 3rd one. Funding and making a webseries is very different to making a bigger production.

The one camera might not appeal to everyone but if you look at the plot it’s actually very fitting, the whole premise is that Laura Hollis is making a student vlog for a class project and that then progresses to surveillance, having the wider angle makes it exactly what the plot needed so that we could see everything and the storyline could advance.

If the performances are “awkward” to you then that might be the fact that most of the actors come from stage backgrounds. Transitioning from stage to screen is difficult and the overacting was (for me at least) what made me like it. I like that it’s silly and lighthearted, I like that it’s wacky and I like that it’s weird.

It’s based on a novella called Carmilla about a lesbian vampire and the novel (as far as I can tell) was all about painting this image that being a lesbian is bad and this webseries used that and completely changed the story and aimed to show lgbt stories in a positive light instead of how that story portrayed it.

The plot and the acting abilities of Elise Bauman, Annie Briggs and Natasha Negovanlis in particular far out weigh the critiques (again this is just my opinion). The actors film in a very short amount of time - 4 days for the first season, that’s a very busy schedule and it was very hands on.

 So here are some of the reasons why I love the little webseries that could:

The characters are all flawed and realistic, I relate to most of them in some way and I think that having characters who you can find a likeness in and find ways to relate to them is really important.

The story told of a girl in college/university that wanted to save her roommate and have a normal life. As the story went on you saw how her perception of the world and what was “normal” changed, you saw how this girl grew and how she changed as a person.

We saw a lot of characters with a lot of different morals and how sometimes it takes a little grey area to find the right decision.

The character’s sexualities aren’t the main focus, the main focus is adventure, of character growth and of change. 

The “soy milk” container of blood

The graphics are silly and cheesy - because Laura is a giant dork and a massive nerd. I think it makes the show more lovable

WLW characters are played by WLW actors, there is a non-binary character who is played by someone who is actually non-binary. 

Most episodes fill you with suspense and I was always really interested to find out what would happen next.

DONNA AND HER RANDOM LEGS APPEARANCE

#FreeLophii

The many different film and tv references: “holy hufflepuff”

The edible nicknames

The yellow pillow movement

The dreaded giraffe shirt

It’s full of magic and mayhem and they parody vampires all the time

The Christmas Special with an evil witch who tried to turn them into gingerbread cookies, featuring multiple camera angles,a cheek kiss and the famous “MURDER HER FOR CHRISTMAS”

The breathtaking emotional performances given by Elise and Natasha

Annie Briggs getting to play Lola Perry in so many different ways

Possessed!Laura and Possessed!Perry

The progression of JP Flashdrive to JP reanimated body to JP hacking into Library software.

How Laura reenacted Carmilla’s life through puppets - NO LAURA JUST NO

Finding out that Kirsch’s first name was in fact Wilson

Kirsch having the best response to being Danny’s friend instead of being a romantic pairing like he’d originally wanted

How Laura could attack people with spatulas and used ancient evil books as bathmats

Mel was the Queen of Snark

Getting to see Carmilla go from being this very guarded, scared and hurt girl to opening up, talking about her problems and fighting for what she believes in.

The library set in Season 3 was so cool and we got to see the characters relax a bit more in their environment.

Hollstein having a beautiful and loving relationship which ended with them both alive and together

Laura Eileen Hollis saved the world with a hug 

Carmilla gave me something to look forward to, it gave me the courage to start writing again and it makes me happy, it’s something I can turn to when I’m feeling overwhelmed or sad. If you don’t like it that’s your opinion and it’s perfectly valid but don’t write off why I like it as to me “just being there for the gay” and if your whole reason for not liking it is because of some technical issues then that’s fine too, I just choose to focus on the plot because the webseries is so much more than the technical side.

We’re getting a movie and if you don’t like it or don’t want to watch it then no one is going to make you, you don’t have to like it, you don’t have to watch it but I am will be watching it because it’s important to me and I’m not going to feel ashamed for liking it. I always tag my Carmilla posts so if you don’t want to see it then blacklist the tags I use which are #Carmilla and #Carmilla movie. 

[anthonydev]

The Man in the Cape: Special Edition is Coming Soon!

The Man in the Cape: Special Edition is coming to Steam on October 17th! Since this is a devblog, I can post a little bit of how the game came to be.

Development

When I first got into solo game development, I did it to teach myself how to program and how to create an engine. I decided that I needed a game project to develop these skills. What was started as a few test levels of a twin stick shooter quickly developed into a full game concept.

I conceptualized what this shooter game would be about: a stick figure superhero who would become trapped in superhero elimination dungeon. The art style would be simple enough for me to bang out assets quickly, while creating dungeon rooms would keep in spirit with the SmashTV inspired gameplay concept I had originally created. Full development began sometime in 2010.

Developing the game sort of became an obsession for me. I was at a point in my life where I had nothing going on, and I felt like I needed to create and accomplish something. Years before 2010, I was in game development, then quit out for a few years. I had always loved gamedev, so I felt compelled to pursue that avenue again, for better or for worse.

The Man in the Cape took, more or less, about 2 years to finish and it was released on October 15th, 2012. I sold it independently on a website for a while, but I was inexperienced when it came to getting the word out and handling the release. About 6 months later, I began to develop Turnover, and The Man in the Cape was relegated to a backup disc somewhere. It became like an estranged family member that I no longer mentioned.

Revisiting

Turnover has been out now for almost 2 years, and I have moved onto the development of my next game. A couple of months back, I became a little introspective and felt like delving into some of my game development archives. I had frequently saw the latest build of The Man in the Cape in my backups, but I never allowed myself to give it a thought. A little later, I was looking through my files again and stumbled into the most recent project and development files for The Man in the Cape.

I had looked back negatively on the game. Turnover is a serious game with a serious tone. The Man in the Cape is a weird, surreal, silly game with an odd, lighthearted tone. As I pulled the latest build of Capeman out of my archives, I kind of began to accept the fact that these project all represent facets of my personality. I felt ready to jump in and cringe.

So, I started the executable and had issues. I could run it in Windows XP compatibility mode, but it would crash frequently. I then opened up the old project files and converted them to my newest development environment, updating libraries and recoding things to fix issues from 5 years of library changes. It only took about a day of serious work to get Capeman up and running decently. So, I dove in.

And you know what? I was really having fun and laughing a lot. As I played through Capeman, I started to feel a little guilty that I didn’t gave it the support that I should have. While playing, I really cringe, I was proud of it.

It was 4 or so years since my last playthrough, so I was able to see things with a fresh perspective. Using the experience I gained working on Turnover, I rebalanced the game as I played through it, fixing enemy issues, lifting the difficulty in some rooms, making it a little tougher in others. Also, I added things I felt the game needed to have: better controller support, with XInput support and a default Steam controller template, support for 16:9 resolution above 1080p, and higher frame rate (lifting the cap from 60 to 240). I also spent some time reprogramming the game loop to eliminate a stuttering issue the original version had.

Special Edition

As silly as the game is, I’m proud of The Man in the Cape. It‘s a fun twin stick shooter with a surreal atmosphere and some weird writing. I was happy I reunited with it, and I have accepted it back into my game development family.

The Man in the Cape: Special Edition will be available for a low price upon release. So, check it out!