#madden 20 points

[a-very-tired-jew]

I’ve seen a few of the antisemitic blogs make statements like “Greta was Times person of the year a few years ago, but since she linked climate change to colonialism they dropped her” or some variation thereupon.

And here’s the thing.

That’s not the reason.

Everyone dropped Greta because she offered nothing to the climate change problem.

She was a novelty as she was a child who was so singularly focused on climate change that it distressed her to the point of going mute. It distressed her so much that she dropped out of school. It distressed her so much that when she stopped being mute she started yelling at adults and it became her sole thing.

And that got her attention.

Here was a child who gave up being a child in order to bring attention to climate change.

Except we’d already had people who have been doing that for years. Again, it was just that she was a novelty because of how young she was.

Her “solutions” were also nothing new or novel.

Reduce your personal carbon footprint, switch to a vegetarian/vegan/vegetable heavy diet, contact your local politicians, etc…

These are all things that climate activists have said for years, and many of them are not actually solutions.

The whole claim that the individual civilian reducing their carbon footprint en masse will help reduce emissions was debunked during the pandemic when everyone’s footprint went down due to us all being stuck at home and it did almost nothing.

That’s when we all realized that the main emitters were massive corporations, businesses, and the energy sector and that the whole “reduce your footprint” narrative was coming from them in order to avoid responsibility. And the activists had been eating that up for years and spreading it around like gospel. They had been duped.

The whole thing about switching to a plant based diet makes no sense when animal agriculture is maybe 50% in total of the entire agricultural sector which is between 10-20% of global emissions. This one is particularly maddening because a lot of these activists like to blame Animal Agriculture as the number one emitter and/or the worst thing ever. Except it’s a percentage of one of the smallest sectors and literally does not have, and cannot have, as big an impact as the energy sector. Furthermore, all the alternatives to products that are made from the animal sector are much worse for the environment (e.g. plant based leathers need to be paired with petroleum/plastic based products and are not sustainable). These are the same people who scream that, typically, scream that GMOs and conventional Ag is bad while organic is the greatest thing ever, all the while they ignore the limited yields and increased inputs of organic.

Essentially they’re asking you to believe that a percentage of one of the smallest sectors has a bigger impact than it actually does and that you the consumer can fix it.

It makes no sense, and people have caught on to that.

And everyone has been contacting their politicians about this stuff for years.

The reality is that activists like Greta offer no actual solutions.

If she had actually gone to college and decided to pursue a career in climate science and relevant fields in order to bolster her work and develop solutions then maybe she’d be taken seriously. But she has a high school education and offers nothing more than an ignorant juvenile take on problems. Her solutions are not solutions, they’re just what ignorant activists shriek about because they don’t know what to actually do. They can’t actually understand the science, the mechanisms, and the methods because that takes years of education and experience.

If at most you have is a high school degree and you’re not furthering your education in any way then there is no way you’re going to actually provide an answer that the experts aren’t already working on.

The solutions to the issues are developed by experts with years of education and experience who are trying to address specific problems. Animal Agriculture scientists specifically are developing feeds to reduce methane emissions, Agricultural scientists specifically see certain inputs and outputs and want to improve yields while decreasing problematic outputs, ecological scientists are working on solutions to address the Ag/Wild environmental interchange. Scientists and experts work for years on a singular problem or set of problems in their particular field as it relates to climate change and develop a solution or way to reduce the impact of the issue.

It’s never an activist screaming that something needs to be done that fixes the issue, because it’s already being worked on. The activist is only coming from a place of passionate ignorance that they think is informed, but we’ve known about this stuff for years and it’s honestly wearing thin.

That’s why Greta is no longer the “darling of the Liberals” or whatever else you want to say as a tongue in-cheek barb.

She was a novelty that eventually lost its novelty and everyone saw her activism for what it really was: the same recycled fear mongering we’ve heard before.

That’s why she’s jumped ship from climate change to the anti-Israel crowd. The climate change community wants you to actually be educated on the topic and provide solutions, her new group does not. They want you to say the same canned lines, cliches, and catechisms. They don’t want a peaceful solution, but a violent one. They don’t want to provide a narrative based upon the vast nuances of the historical fact, but one that is steeped in antisemitic propaganda that trivializes and reduces everything to a black and white perspective.

That’s much easier than being educated and providing hard fixes that are incremental and occur over time. Much easier to scream about the omnicause and that there’s one “final solution”.

[qqueenofhades]

I'm planning on participating in the April 5 Hands Off protest at my state Capitol. I wasn't looking forward to standing out in the cold rain for 3 hours (if the local weather forecast is right), but if Cory Booker can stand and talk intelligently for 25 hours, all while not eating or using the bathroom, then I guess I can handle a little rain. What an inspiration!

Honestly, it was just what everyone needed, especially from the Senate Democrats and double especially after Schumer let us down so badly with the budget bill. I had it on in the background/mute for most of the afternoon at work to show support, but I turned it on with sound to watch the moment Booker broke the record and gave Strom Thurmond's dead racist ass one good kick down in hell. Suck on that, fucknuts. You got beat by a black man. Hahahahahahaaha.

Anyway, as I said in my tags on the last reblog, today felt almost... hopeful, which is weird but welcome. I didn't really expect to win the FL House seats, nice as it would have been, since it was such a massive lift in Trump +30 districts, but Team Blue overperformed across the board by 12-15 points (and something closer to 20 in FL-01, Gaetz's old district). The one I wanted and/or would have been worried if we didn't win was the Wisconsin SCOTUS seat, especially since Musk had been up there prancing his odious ass around and openly bribing voters (who, look shocked, all turned out to be Wisconsin Republican operatives). But we did get that one, by apparently a pretty wide margin in the purplest and most maddening of purple states, and I am pleased.

I'm not going to read a ton into three special elections in April, even if it's always better to see Democrats do well than otherwise, since they dominated in most elections between 2020-23 and then 2024 was uh, 2024. And as I keep saying, it's maddening when voters only remember that oh yeah, Republicans suck massive amounts of donkey dick only AFTER they have reliably yet again voted the fuckwaffles back into power. Still, having your margin of victory cut full in half in blood-red parts of FL, and a blowout loss in swingiest-of-swing-states WI, three months after the inauguration, is not exactly great for the Treason Caucus. Womp womp. Sad clown noises. Thoughts and prayers.

Now we need the Senate Dems to follow Booker's example, quit fucking voting for Republican bills (looking at you, Schumer, and somehow massive disappointment Fetterman), and generally gunk up the procedural works as much as they can, even if they're in the minority. Republicans will make Noises of Concern (especially Susan Collins), but when push comes to shove, they'll still fall in line behind Trump. Democrats have to be loud and united, display a consistent backbone, and raise the social and electoral cost of Republicans continuing to kiss the ass of Mad King Trump and Evil Vizier Elon, and today was a positive step in that direction, if they can keep it up. And if Booker wants to, y'know, think about running for president in 2028 or anything, I'm absolutely willing to support him in exploring that idea. He has earned that consideration at least.

As for the April 5th protests: I was planning to be downtown that day anyway, and I might have to head over too. I suggest everyone use Mobilize.us to find events planned for the National Day of Action:

Courage, etc.

[bpenn]

Might be just me but I sometimes need a visual reference when I read fics and what's great about the cast is that is that even though they're all not necessarily the age they play, they still look the part. Especially, Eleanor and Jack. Like, even though they're in their 20s, they still both read as teens. It might be given a pass on stage but not as much for screen *ahem* deh *ahem* (the older characters like Diana, Dan, and the doctors are given a little leeway on screen though but the important thing usually for them is that they don't look too young or too old).

Still, being the perfectionist that I am, I try to find photos of them around the age of their characters and found that headshots are usually great to use.

Just a little bit more baby-cheeked than their current selves. Makes me wonder too how Natalie (and Henry) managed to get into any club looking like that.

Baby Gabe/Jack is understandably difficult to find but Little Natalie is easy enough...just imagine Eleanor's Matilda.

She's already got the stressed out look down pat too.

Caissie and Jamie are both older than what Diana and Dan are but like Jack and Eleanor, there's still a little difference.

But if you wanted to imagine how Diana and Dan looked like when they lost Gabe then their first headshots are the way to go.

Fresh out of drama school faces and just points to how young Diana and Dan were to have already experienced child death. Oddly enough, I've got teenaged neighbors that look older than they do here.

Speaking of teenagers, Jack O. is a relative newcomer and doesn't have much professional age apropo photo references not unless you count his personal ones on his IG. If you somehow need to know what Baby Henry might look like though, he's got a photo there. But because Henry and most importantly Jack O. himself needs more appreciation --

That's Arts School Jack O. and the closest we'll get to Henry age wise.

Now, for Trevor and his Dr. Fine/Dr. Madden...no specific age is mentioned for him so any of his recent photos will work. The important thing for him is that he looks old enough to have gone through medical school plus all the years and years needed for specialties. And much like Jack O, here's a photo of him because he needs all the love too. He was a great Dr. Fine/Dr. Madden.

And that's it, folks. These are the faces I usually imagine when I read next to normal fanfics.

If you've somehow made it to this point of the post, I'd like to thank you for accommodating me and letting me ramble on about this really super silly random yet oddly specific fandom thing.

[ayeyolooo]

slow to anger, and slow to speak.

hiii my babies! so i’m trying something new:) i’m going to put the title then the bible verses that’ll be getting used, meaning im going to have different scenarios and im going to incorporate how to use the bible verses in your everyday life! but with the characters of course :) this is a bit long!

proverbs 15:1 , james 1:19-20 and colossians 3:13

part 1 (this is part 1 ) part 2

you and choso argued with eachother very little. but when the both of you did argue.. it wasn’t nice. you were a bible driven girl and choso was a God fearing man. No that didn’t make the both of you perfect, in fact the two of you fell short of Gods glory on countless times. One of the times being right now.

The two of you were arguing over choso being extremely close to nobora while choso was upset with you for always hanging around megumi. It was just a whole misunderstanding though. Nobora went to choso when she needed advice on her relationship with megumi, while megumi and you were the best of friends.

“NO CHOSO YOU’RE ALWAYS AROUND HER, EVERYTIME IM NOT WITH YOU , YOU’RE WITH HER.” you shouted. choso jerked his head back in offense to that. “yeah like you don’t be up under megumi y/n, man get outta my face.” he sucked his teeth and continued to play 2k.

“That’s not fair choso.. you know good and well i go to him for everything, i go to him for advice and i go to him to ask about things that you like since you’ve known him longer than i’ve known you.” he just looked at you. “honestly y/n this is getting tiring and it’s like you don’t try to hear me out or anything. you just be fast to talk, and you stay yelling, and i’m simply not going to put up with this.” he simply shrugged and turned his game off. “what do you mean?” he shrugged his shoulders. “exactly what you take it as, i don’t want to be with you because i’m unhappy, here with you. You don’t care about other peoples feelings, you don’t care about half of the stuff that i care about.” he bluntly pointed out. which was not true.

you cared for him, and he was speaking out of anger. your heart dropped at his choice of words. you only yelled because you care. him acting careless was painful. choso picked up his keys and walked out of your room. you followed behind him. “wait where are you going are we going to talk it out?” you grabbed his arm and followed him to the door. he just looked at you. “no i don’t want to talk anything out with you, until you learn how to stop talking backwards and out of your butt then you can hang this relationship up, you make me unhappy and i’m tired of it.” he harshly snatched his arm from you as your heart started to beat fast, all of this happened too fast.

he slammed the door in your face , as you allowed warm tears to travel down your face. your throat closed up as you walked passed the living room where yuji, megi, gojo, nobora, inumaki and panda was residing at. yuji and megumi was playing madden together as gojo, inumaki, panda and nobora was playing uno. laughed erupted in the living room as loud chatter filled the room.

since the stairs were connected to the living room everyone seen you run up the stairs with your hand on your mouth. “y/n?” megumi called out. he was about to stand up and follow you but gojo just shook his hand and placed his hand on megumi’s stomach lightly pushing him back. “give her some time, i’ll go up there in a minute.” gojo reassured megumi , megumi clenched his cheek sliding his tongue across his top teeth before nodding and sitting back down.

he didn’t like the fact that his bestfriend was crying. Or sad, and he couldn’t do anything about it. Gojo heard everything, but he stayed quiet , not wanting to be in your business, but it seems like he needed to be a father figure at the moment. he didn’t want his children fighting. although gojo wasn’t your real dad, he acted like one to everyone which is why he cared so deeply about everyone. gojo made his way up the stairs hearing your soft sniffles and hearing the voicemail from your phone. you just sobbed harder.

you weren’t trying to manipulate him or anything, when you feel like you aren’t being heard you had to elevate your voice, which wasn’t something that you were proud of. knock knock knock “y/n?” gojo trailed off. “hm?” he heard shuffling in your room. you opened the door and was met with gojo’s piercing blue eyes. “what happened why are you and pretty boy so upset with one another?” he laid on his side on your bed his shirt lifting up a little in the process. his feet dangled off the end of your bed as he just looked at you.

‘tek it.’ softly played on your tv as you began to explain to him what happened. “so choso and i gotten into an argument because i was trying to explain to him about my feelings and how i felt like him and nobora were getting a bit too close.” gojo nodded. “hmm, understandable but did you try letting him talk?” he tilted his head to the left. you just sighed in defeat and shook your head no.

“that’s your problem there y/n, you don’t allow him to open up, but then when he doesn’t want to talk about his feelings you get upset with him.” you just stood there looking dumb. “i know, and i regret it badly, i just wanted to talk it out.” you played with your fingers. “now im not gonna sit here and just pin you to be the bad person because he also does things, not just you.—“

“—and i’m going to talk to him about it, but as of right now you need to read proverbs 15:1 and james 1:19-20; really study it love.” gojo grabbed your pink bible and flipped to proverbs chapter 15 verse one. “here do you want me to read it to you?” you nodded. “okay.” he nodded before clearing his throat.

“A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.” (proverbs 15:1) his voice was soothing almost as if your dad was reading you a bedtime story. he handed you your journal and a pen. “now really meditate on this word and see what God is telling you here.” he points to the particular verse. “i heard the front door close, i’ll be back soon.” gojo announced , before slipping out of the door.

A/N

heyyy guyssss!!! i hope you all like the new idea! i just wanted to write these so that i can be transparent with you all about being a christian! and how it isn’t always dandy and rainbows !! we too fall short and i have the bible verses to guide the characters(and you ofc😊!) and lead them how God says in his word.😽

[brucebocchi]

Ranking 2024 anime, Pt. 4: #20-11

hey, this post is also available on my ko-fi, so please check it out and consider tipping/donating as i do this for free and am currently between jobs. you can find part 1 of the list here, part 2 here, and part 3 here. thanks!

You know, I'd really planned to keep my re-reviews much shorter but I'm finding it harder to do so when I get into the anime I actually liked. Maybe that's a good thing.

And away we go.

20. Solo Leveling

Portal isekai, sad loser secretly gains crazy powers and instantly becomes a stoic gigachad, menu screens everywhere, entry-level power fantasy. You’ve seen it before. Honestly, Solo Leveling is total slop. I wouldn’t have it any other way.

If you’ve watched a couple isekai, like, ever, you’re not going to find much new here. There’s some interesting enough worldbuilding outside of the dungeon stuff; I did find myself intrigued by the degree to which this preponderance of portals would influence Korean economics and politics, and even moreso that much of the story so far revolves around how those corrupting powers can lead to hunters using dungeons as their own playgrounds for personal gain at others’ expense. There also seems to be a larger malefactor behind all of the menu screens driving protagonist Sung Jinwoo’s growth and titular leveling, so there’s the hook.

Even putting aside the few interesting parts of the otherwise boilerplate story, Solo Leveling both looks and sounds pretty darn good. The soundtrack is laden with Hiroyuki Sawano’s trademark build-ups and drops, and though the character art and dungeon designs aren’t always the most eye-catching (early on it did look like A-1 Pictures was going to default to “fuck it, we’re making money anyway” mode), the action animation goes absolutely bonkers in its best moments.

The second season is already up and running, and although I can barely remember anyone’s name outside of the protagonist (maybe that’s on me, I consume very little Korean media and am not great at retaining Korean names), I’m in this for the long haul. Great turn-your-brain-off action schlock.

19. Wind Breaker

At this point you could put a sign that says “DELINQUENT WITH A HEART OF GOLD” underneath a box-and-stick trap and I’d walk right in. I am not immune to your Josukes Higashikata, your Ryujis Sakamoto, what have you. The angry and violent type who will nevertheless stick up for what’s right and remain fiercely loyal to those they care about. Wind Breaker is rife with characters who fit that archetype, but it’s not exactly a delinquent anime so much as it’s a Dudes anime. More specifically, a Dudes Rock anime.

Yes, Wind Breaker’s ensemble cast is almost entirely Dudes, and they do indeed Rock. Protagonist Haruka is a self-inflicted outcast, and his tsundere ass does not appreciate all the positive attention he’s receiving after proving himself in street combat prior to his transfer to an all-delinquents high school. Nevertheless, he wants to fight his way to the top of his new environment, and if that means sticking up for the little guy along the way, all the better. 

I love that Wind Breaker’s overarching messages of self-improvement and helping the weak without expecting a reward are basically anathema for the base power fantasies that largely come from light novels over the past decade and change, but even moreso that Haruka, loner that he is, keeps having to learn that he’s not going to get anywhere without surrounding himself with the right people and relying on their support. Battle shonen are usually pretty blatant with this stuff, but to see it spelled out so clearly in a series like this just hits right.

Wind Breaker looks terrific at just about every step, too. Every single thing I’ve seen from CloverWorks from the past few years has been a bop, which makes it that much more maddening that this is the studio that bungled the Persona 5 anime and supposedly botched The Promised Neverland in its second season. I get that not everything works out as planned sometimes but I find myself waiting for the other shoe to drop sometimes. I’m glad it’s been smooth so far, at least. Some pacing issues and a weird place to end the show, but I know for a fact I'll be there when this comes back in spring.

18. Laid-Back Camp, season 3

I am not immune to the Cute Girls Doing Cute Things genre, and when all is said and done I think Yuru Camp could very well stand alone at the top. A show this directly responsible for the uptick in camping culture and countryside tourism in Japan clearly holds some sway over pop culture, and it’s clearly deserved.

Returning to the present day after the 2022 film gave us a look at the Outdoor Club in adulthood, Yuru Camp’s third season gives us exactly what we wanted: More of the same. We largely focus on the solo expeditions of Rin, Nadeshiko, and the latter’s hometown friend Ayano as they trek to their collective meetup spot, and as the seasons change we get the entire gang together for some springtime hanami. It’s cute, it’s funny, it’s whimsical, it’s Yuru Camp. You know what you’re getting into at this point.

With studio Eightbit taking over the series in its third season, Yuru Camp still largely looks the same, and wonderfully so, but it can be a bit off at times: CGI vehicles look far more distractingly out-of-place, and for as gorgeous as the background art was in the first two seasons and movie, it can come across as a bit more uncanny this time out. I don’t know whether some of the shots of sakura branches were traced or run through some kind of AI post-processing from archival photos, and I hate to speculate on that, but given that this is the same studio that bafflingly under-animates the money printer that is Blue Lock, I can’t exactly put it past them.

Production quibbles aside, I can’t really complain about more Yuru Camp. It’s a bit lighter on plot than previous seasons, but this is a series that was light on plot to begin with. We get to spend time with these goofs, learn about camping and the Japanese countryside, and then maybe go touch grass ourselves. That’s a good message for a Cute Girls Doing Cute Things series to have: Go do your own cute things.

17. NieR: Automata Ver. 1.1a, part 2

The second half of this adaptation was going to be the metric by which fans of the 2017 action-RPG judged the whole work. The first half in 2023, covering the game’s A and B routes, was a solid if troubled production that did a good job of covering the narrative and action, even implementing surprising easter eggs from NieR Replicant along the way. Sloppy CGI integration in early episodes and a COVID-induced delay hampered things, though, so there were some nerves about the show’s return.

Any fears were quickly allayed once the second half of the series began, covering the real meat of the story in routes C-E. Ver. 1.1a immediately looked exceptional, with expressive character animation and fluid action sequences. Real pathos was instilled into the route’s early tragedies. Most welcome of all was the serious work put into expanding A2’s character and role in the story (as well as her backside). It felt like she’d gotten the short end of the stick narratively in the game, so it felt right to spend more time with her, tie her story in the present back to the past that was hinted at in the Resistance flashbacks, and just get to see her be a tsundere a couple times. I’m gonna have to go back and rewatch the whole series dubbed because I just know Cherami Leigh crushed it.

I’m of two minds about Ver. 1.1a as a whole: On one hand, this is just about as good an adaptation of the game as we probably could have gotten. On the other, a big part of what makes the NieR games’ narratives work so well comes from the fact that they could pretty much only be told through the framework of a video game. While Ver. 1.1a does a perfectly fine job of delivering the game’s narrative and providing its own take on the game’s extremely video-game-y ending, much of what makes NieR’s tragedies so impactful is the player’s agency (and occasional lack thereof) in these matters. 

Nothing can replace actually playing NieR: Automata as a means of experiencing its story, but Ver. 1.1a is a darn good companion piece, and one that may even hint at the future of the Drakengard/NieR franchise. Now if only Yoko Taro would focus on something other than gacha games and death game anime for two seconds…

16. Train to the End of the World

The writer/director duo behind Squid Girl came back to give us one of the best and most bizarre original anime this year. Train to the End of the World is overtly and unapologetically weird, and that’s the way I like ‘em.

This weird and wonderful trek across a warped and wildly varied landscape dazzles the eyes and rots the brain in unexpected ways, but it’s a stellar character comedy through and through. Shuumatsu Train’s oddball protagonists are goofy, galaxy-brained, and sometimes flat-out mean in ways that only teenage girls can be. The dialogue is expertly written and some of the punchiest I’ve ever seen in anime. The girls bicker, mess with strangers, and engage in the kinds of inane conversations you only have when you’re the most bored you’ve ever been in your life.

While rarely laugh-out-loud funny, Train to the End of the World is intrinsically hilarious. The sheer absurdity on display is the kind that leaves you just shaking your head in disbelief. One episode they’re playing House of the Dead to get out of a real-life zombie situation, and in another they’re acting out their favorite fictional anime that you, the viewer, are just expected to know about already. It’s a stupid show in the smartest ways; a classical Homerian epic with ruminations on the future, but also one where the girls threaten to wipe out a Lilliputian colony by peeing on it. It’s both eschatological and scatological. With the recent discourse over modern adaptations and interpretations of The Odyssey, this anime might as well be the nuclear option.

Train to the End of the World was a standout in a strong spring season, but it didn’t shake out super high in a long and darn good year of anime. That’s fine and all, but I really hope it ends up attaining the cult hit status it seemed destined for. 

15. Mayonaka Punch

This one had been distant on my radar for a couple of weeks after it premiered, but as soon as I found out it was a P.A. Works original, I picked it up immediately. Any original series by the studio that gave us Akiba Maid War’s glorious gut-wrenching insanity (as well as last year’s exceptional Skip and Loafer adaptation) is going to get my attention, and although Mayonaka Punch doesn’t quite reach the same highs as Akiba Maid War, it does try to match the latter’s most madcap moments.

I don’t have a better pitch than “Canceled YouTuber starts up a new channel with a house full of lesbian vampires,” nor do I really need one. Mayonaka Punch’s comedy largely revolves around the personality clash between the disaffected, avoidant Masaki and the pushy, hyperactive Live (who definitely wants Masaki for more than just her blood), but the whole cast is a riot. Throwing in a baby day trader, a taciturn fujoshi, and a big-titty pachinko fiend are just the right spices to make this a particularly tasty stew.

Chaos naturally ensues, and watching these women try to channel it into a successful YouTube channel is an easy recipe for comedy. Everyone has terrific chemistry and I was rapt with attention every time we got to learn more about each of these vampire girls’ history. What came as a huge surprise, though, was how potent some of the emotional hits ended up, even when it involved characters outside of the main pairing. The fact that the biggest one came in just the fourth episode was a masterstroke; I was already on board for the comedy but just like that I was fully invested in a character other than the one who wants to suck the protagonist dry. I’m not rephrasing that.

This one absolutely deserves to be a cult classic, and the door is left open just maddeningly enough at the end that I can only pray for more. Mayonaka Punch is a boatload of fun and deserves way more attention than it’s gotten. You can change that. Right now. Watch this show.

Prior to writing this, Fairouz Ai (Live’s voice actress and a huge presence in a handful of the shows I’ve already discussed) announced that she would be taking a hiatus from VA work following a PTSD diagnosis. I wish her all of the time, recovery, and support she needs.

14. Urusei Yatsura (2022), season 2

The opening salvo in the ongoing Rumiko Takahashi revival (weird thing to say about a mangaka who’s still alive and working, I know) returned this year for the second half of its “all-stars” run, marathoning us through retellings of the classic manga’s greatest hits, the oddest of its many oddballs, and its spectacular, heartfelt conclusion. More Lum is always a good thing.

I’ve written plenty about Urusei Yatsura’s remake following each cour except the first, and I don’t have much more to add at this point. It’s a classic for a reason and it laid the foundations for dozens of jokes, tropes, and standards that are fundamental to comedy in anime to this day. Even when some of the jokes may come off as trite or tropey, it’s easy to see just how and why it made Takahashi so successful. The exaggerated slice-of-life hijinks, outsized slapstick, and time-and-space surrealness are just as much of a treat as the deep, eclectic cast. And to top it all off, here’s Ataru and Lum being a couple of freaks who deserve each other.

Even though the 46-episode run certainly feels truncated compared to the 191 episodes, six films, and ten OVAs that came before it, David Production did a fine job of putting a modern touch on such a classic work and highlighting its strengths. And even though most of the run was an abridged run through the greatest hits, I’m really glad the studio made sure to dedicate the last few episodes to the manga’s final arc, bringing Lum and Ataru together in a beautiful and (briefly) satisfying climax.

And even for as satisfying as that ending was, it was nearly overshadowed by…

13. Ranma ½ (2024)

…the revival of Takahashi’s biggest hit.

Yes, right on the heels of the ending of the remake of her landmark romcom classic, came the announcement that her even BIGGER landmark romcom classic was also getting a remake. Ranma ½ is one of the hallmarks of 90s anime writ large, working late-80s Japan’s fascination with Chinese martial arts (partially due to Dragon Ball’s success) into a romantic-comedy framework that also accidentally served as the genesis of the harem genre. I’d somehow never actually engaged with Ranma prior to the remake, so I was happy to get in on a new ground floor and I was immediately sold.

As the youngest daughter of the Tendo Dojo, Akane Tendo is put in a predicament when her father betrothes her (at her sisters’ urging) to his friend’s son, Ranma Saotome. Though both are skilled fighters and a good match in that regard, Akane is a bit of a hothead and doesn’t much care for boys, so she’s not a fan of this arrangement, but it’s made all the more bizarre by the fact that Ranma is also a girl sometimes. Thanks to a bizarre accident in China, Ranma turns into a girl when soaked with cold water and back into a boy when hit with hot water. Shenanigans ensue as Ranma and Akane’s contentious relationship hits innumerable peaks and valleys, all the while fighting off an ever-growing menagerie of powerful, fight-happy suitors gunning for the hands and lips of Akane and both versions of Ranma.

MAPPA of all studios being the one to re-adapt Ranma came as a surprise, and you probably could’ve convinced me David Production took over this Takahashi adaptation as well. Ranma’s remake adopts several of the same visual flairs you’d see in Urusei Yatsura, including the Ben Day dots, color inversions, and manga-style onscreen onomatopoeias. On the other hand, while most of the moment-to-moment character animation is pretty much what you’d expect from any given anime, several of the action sequences are very well-animated to MAPPA’s typically high standard. I just hope the animators weren’t getting the Chainsaw Man or Jujutsu Kaisen treatment.

Ranma ½ is as hilarious as ever, but it can get a little wonky thematically when it comes to gender politics, boundaries, and expectations, as I’d been made aware before ever engaging with the work. I also knew from the Urusei Yatsura remake that this was basically Takahashi’s wheelhouse, as there are a couple of pretty genderbendy characters in there as well. Several of the male antagonists in Ranma are more than a little pushy when it comes to women who catch their eye, and a lot of the humor around Ranma’s gender swaps revolves around how their male socialization affects the lack of modesty with which they present their female form (more on that later). People who are much better versed in gender matters than myself, both academically and personally, can speak on the positives and negatives of these things much better than I can, and it’s too early in the series for me to really make a judgment call. I do think it’s odd, though, that even with the central romance, Akane doesn’t seem to remotely entertain the thought of getting involved with Ranma’s female side, and unfortunately I don’t really see that ever happening. So far, all of these things just come across as flat-out silly and more of a product of its time than anything nefarious. 

The original Ranma ½ adaptation remains a seminal work for a solid generation and a half of anime fans, so of course a remake was going to be met with some criticism. Some didn’t appreciate the more muted color palette compared to the late 80s/early 90s Studio Deen version, and while it’s certainly missing some of the flair of the hand-painted backgrounds and saturated lighting effects the medium has missed since that era, I personally like the softer hues; I find them a lot more reminiscent of Rumiko Takahashi’s own colorations for her art outside of the manga. It’s not as technicolor as the Urusei Yatsura remake, but I think that actually helps set the new Ranma apart rather than riding the former’s coattails.

The main difference people seem to be complaining about, however, has more to do with boobs. Takahashi has never been shy about including nudity in her manga, and in an era where uncensored bazongas were perfectly fine to publish in boys’ manga magazines, she was typically more matter-of-fact about the female form instead of pursuing titillation. As such, a story like Ranma’s, in which its title character is typically blase about presenting their female incarnation modestly, had a lot to work with on that front, and the original anime played along.

Not so with the MAPPA version. Nipples are conspicuously missing in scenes that legitimately do call for nudity, and an ass crack appears to be missing from an early scene as well. Personally, I don’t mind the Barbie doll treatment, and as I’d been reading the manga as the anime’s story progressed, I didn't find all that much missing in the transition from page to screen. Weebs tend to convince themselves they’re the most oppressed people on earth, so of course there were cries of censorship, which is a claim I don’t really care to entertain. These are different times, broadcast regulations in Japan are almost certainly different from what they were 35 years ago, and Netflix and/or MAPPA likely didn’t see the need for it. Could be any of those things. I’m not losing sleep over it.

And with that, I’m done talking about Rumiko Takahashi (for now). I’m grateful for everything related to her work, even tangentially, that came out this year, and my life is richer for it. I’m glad to have gotten into her work in earnest this year, and I can say with all conviction (hot take incoming) that she’s one of the greatest mangaka ever. I look forward to diving further into even more of her work.

12. The Elusive Samurai

I’d have been perfectly happy if Wind Breaker had been CloverWorks’ only beautifully-animated oddball shonen hit this year, and then they went and outdid themselves the very next season with this one.

The Elusive Samurai is a gorgeous, timeless-looking piece of historical fiction beginning at the very end of the Kamakura period, following the last survivor of the Hojo clan, the young Tokiyuki, as he’s urged by an eccentric priest to lead a pack of freedom fighters and take revenge. Despite coming from a prominent family within the shogunate, Tokiyuki was an impertinent kid and preferred to play hide-and-seek instead of attending any combat training. The priest, Yorishige, receives a vision of the future that predicts that Tokiyuki will fell his family’s usurper not by becoming a powerful warrior, but by doing what he’s already best at: Being a squirrelly little shit.

I just gushed about how good this show looks three months ago, and even now I’m thinking back fondly on how well it blends whimsy with brutality. You can have Yorishige and the kids goofing off and cracking jokes one minute and vibrant crimson beheadings the next. Even little Tokiyuki makes a joyful game out of slicing a bandit’s veins to ribbons later in the season. It feels like a callback to anime films and OVAs of the 80s, with the film grain effect to match. Almost every single thing about this show looks and sounds incredible.

Of course, there’s the CGI. I really don’t like complaining about that sort of thing, but it was such a blatant and unnecessary cost-cutting move that it almost cheapens the rest of the show. Look, I get that horses can be a pain to hand-animate after a while, but having characters’s CGI models speaking while riding on horseback is just enough to take me out of the show, especially when they already look as bizarre as, say, Sadamune. How that passed muster with the rest of the show’s standard is beyond me.

So, maybe I did dock it a spot or two for that, but I see that as a wrinkle that can be ironed out. The Elusive Samurai is absurdly promising, and its debut season is a tremendous statement. Can’t wait for more.

11. Makeine: Too Many Losing Heroines!

As I made clear last year by putting 100 Girlfriends’ debut season in my top ten for 2023, for as much as I love a good straight-up romance story, I have ample room in my heart for trashy dipshit romcoms as well. Makeine shares that affection and forges its own identity from it, establishing its own throne atop a hill of garbage.

This is not a “yeah it’s good if you can look past the tropes” show. Makeine is firmly on its bullshit, and it is firmly about its bullshit. It’s not nearly as off-the-wall as 100 Girlfriends, few shows are, but it’s well aware of your expectations and leaves you guessing whether you’ll have them expertly subverted or just thrown right back in your face. Even the protagonist, the light novel fanatic Nukumizu, is calling out the tropes as they happen, but it’s been a fun time watching him learn that he’s more than just a wet-blanket LN protagonist. He thinks he’s just along for the ride like any other blank-faced self-insert in these stories, only to get roped into the personal lives of these poor girls and learn that, yes, they are real people and that, yes, he is too.

I could go on and on about Too Many Losing Heroines’ idiosyncrasies and offbeat characters and punchy dialogue, but I did that plenty just a few months ago. Instead, I want to call attention once more to just how freakishly well-made this show is. A-1 Pictures had zero reason to go this hard on a goofy, trashy light novel romcom adaptation, and yet here they were, throwing their A-team at the whole project. Character animations are intricate, background art is sumptuous, lighting effects immaculate, and music on point at all times. The OP is an earworm (and one of a surprising number of ska intros and outros I’ve taken in this year), and having each of the main titular heroines perform her own story-appropriate ED was a masterstroke. Even the visual gags are perfect and allowed to land on their own.

I already cannot wait for more of this. If A-1 has given us all we’re going to get of the Kaguya-sama anime, then I’m as all-in on Makeine as they are. Not the best romcom out there, but easily one of the best-made out there.

[inqilabi]

Another thing that I have observed over the years is that, not a lot of people are good at relationships. As in they don't know the fundamentals of a good relationship. And with that it follows, that for some people this comes naturally. And for some people this is learned.

A lot of people don't seem to be good at communicating in relationships. Meaning that they will let a thing that bothered them fester until it grows into resentment. And they bring it up once the resentment is bubbling. And obviously, because it's pent up, when do they do bring it up, it's in an explosive manner.

So everyone at some point learns that relationships are about communication. And they tell you this wisdom. But no one actually gives you the details and the formula

Communication is about

1) frequency. So don't let this fester. Bring it up right away

2) type of communication. So positive and the negative. Ie., things that are working but also not working. The positive communication will be, "oh I loved [action], because [what it made you feel]. You are so [the unique attribute about your partner that led to this behaviour]". This is what is going to build connection regularly. Regularly appreciating your partner. And not just in a generic manner. But in an instance specific manner.

Or in the negative "when the [situation/issue], it makes me [feeling], and if this continues to happen i will [feel/consequences]". It doesn't attack the partner and views them an opportunity to rise to meet your needs. And focuses instead on the situation / issue and the effect on you. This is what will maintain the relationship. Prevent it from going down.

3) manner of communication. You should never say "you always do this" "you never do this". That is not an productive way of conveying concern to your partner. That is just attacking them as mentioned in point #2. The person who is being addressed also should listen and not get defensive or criticism. If one person has legitimately brought up a concern, and the other person says "no i don't do that " or "it's not that big of a deal" or "well you did this [unrelated other thing so long ago]", this is a cause for concern. Men often do the latter and imo it's a red flag. A man should be able to listen to your concerns and not feel attacked if you have brought it up in a gentle let's tag-team this issue manner. If a man does get defensive or start criticizing you instead, he has an ego or insecurity problem. Thats one of the things that will chip away at a relationship. Is defensiveness and criticism.

There's other things that maintain relationships like taking interest in your partners interest, when they ask you to look at something or share something with you - then you should take interest. There's many people who might ignore it or outright dismiss it (chips away) or some might simply acknowledge it (maintains), where are some might take an interest and ask you questions on the thing youve shared. Ask you where you learned about it. What you found interesting about it. How it made you feel etc (builds relationships).

Some years ago I wrote a post, which I can't find now. But I found it so surprising in couples that I had observed that a man would so often dismiss his partners attempt to connect. I remember the instance I noticed this - I was at a desi Eid bazaar. And a woman came to her husband who was sitting with their child, giddily told him that she had haggled the price of a cloth down by 20 dollars. And instead of being proud of her and appreciating her, he said something along the lines of "you could have gotten it for 30 off". And I saw the joy disappear from her face. And he chipped away willingly. So bewildering to me that you have an opportunity to connect and build, so easily handed to you - and in so many couples, they reject it. It's like someone offering you a couple of dollars for free in a long-term investment, and you're like - nah thanks I'm good. Maddening!

[sowhatwereyousaying]

A Promise - Part 7

summary: Maybe it's time for you to finally have what you needed

warnings: age gap (reader is in their 20s and gong yoo is in his 40s); fake dating, pr

It had been three days since the gala. Three days since Gong Yoo leaned in, smiling like he knew exactly what he was doing, and said the kind of thing that changes the temperature of your blood.

“Maybe I don’t want it to be fake anymore.”

He hadn’t said anything after that. Just smiled, all maddening mystery and moved on to the next guest like he hadn’t just cracked my brain in half.

I, on the other hand, had spent the last 72 hours doing one of two things: 

Replaying that moment on loop and avoiding every attempt he made to reach out.

Texts. Missed calls. A ridiculous flower delivery with a note that just said:

“For someone who almost ran me over with a shoe. Call me, menace.”

He was giving me space, which I appreciated. Kind of.

Until the knock came.

It was a Thursday evening. I was wearing mismatched socks because I was too lazy and drained to find the other one and one of those oversized tshirts that had survived five years of laundry trauma. The knock came again gentle, like he knew I was standing on the other side, heart hammering.

When I opened the door, there he was. Baseball cap. Hoodie. Takeout in his hand. Like a very casual hallucination.

"Before you slam the door," he said, holding up the bag, "I brought dumplings. And I promise not to say anything confusing or vaguely romantic. Unless you want me to."

I blinked. Then stepped aside.

"You're lucky I'm hungry."

We sat on the floor like we’d done before dumplings between us, his hoodie sleeves pushed up, mine still drowning in that tragic tshirt.

The silence wasn’t awkward. It was... thoughtful. soft.

"I meant what I said, you know," he said, after a while, gently. "At the gala."

I nodded slowly, eyes on the food. "Yeah. I figured."

"But I also meant it when I said no pressure," he added. "I’m not trying to make this weird."

"You’re doing a terrible job," I muttered, and he laughed.

There it was again that thing he did. Made everything feel easy and heavy at the same time. Like gravity, but warmer.

"So what do we do now?" I asked, finally brave enough to look him in the eye.

"This whole... ‘accidental relationship that might be real’ thing?"

He looked at me like I was a question he liked trying to answer. And then, without saying a word, he scooted a little closer. Just enough for his shoulder to brush mine.

"I thought maybe we could just get to know each other," he said. "You know. Wild idea."

I laughed softly, feeling the heat creep into my cheeks. "Okay. Fine. What do you want to know?"

He tilted his head. "What’s your comfort movie?"

I blinked. "That’s your question?"

"It’s important," he said seriously. "Says everything about a person’s soul."

We went back and forth like that for hours. Comfort foods. Pet peeves. Weirdest injuries. First crushes. Each answer peeled back another layer. Each laugh felt closer.

By the time I realized how close we were sitting, his knee was brushing mine deliberately, steadily and my heart had lost all sense of rhythm.

At one point, the room went quiet again. The kind of quiet that means something.

He looked at me, that soft half smile playing on his lips. And this time, when he reached out fingers barely brushing my cheek I didn’t flinch.

The laughter had quieted to a comfortable hush. That kind of stillness where the world feels like it’s leaning in; listening.

Outside the window, the city glowed in soft, flickering lights. Inside, everything else had dimmed except for the warmth sitting between us.

Gong Yoo looked at me, really looked at me, like he was cataloging every micro-expression, every quiet shift. His eyes weren’t full of questions anymore. They were full of quiet certainty.

"You still look like you’re trying to run," he said gently, his voice just above a whisper.

I swallowed. "I’m not." "I just don’t know where I’m running to."

There was a flicker in his eyes then something tender, something sure. And instead of saying something slick or teasing, like he usually did, he leaned forward, closing the space between us inch by inch.

"Then stay here," he murmured. "Just for a little while. Just with me."

I didn’t answer right away. I didn’t have to.

Because my body moved before my brain could trip over all the reasons I shouldn’t, and I leaned in first.

It wasn’t a fireworks kind of kiss. It wasn’t rushed or clumsy or dramatic.

It was… careful. Warm.Unfolding like something delicate.

His hand came up to the side of my face, slow and steady, like he was memorizing the shape of me. His thumb brushed my cheek once, and I swear I felt it in the soles of my feet.

I kissed him back with the kind of hesitation that comes from wanting something too much and the kind of wonder that comes from realizing you might actually have it.

He didn’t try to deepen it right away. Didn’t pull me closer too fast.

He just stayed there close, soft, like he was letting me decide how much to give.

And when we finally pulled apart, just a breath away, his forehead rested gently against mine.

"You okay?" he whispered.

I nodded. Then I laughed breathless and small.

"I think I forgot how to function for a second."

His lips brushed against my temple, and I felt him smile. "Same."

We didn’t talk much after that. Not because there was nothing left to say, but because everything that needed to be said had just passed between us in silence, in stillness, in that impossibly soft kiss.

I curled up beside him on the couch head resting on his shoulder, his arm gently wrapping around me like it had always belonged there.

And somehow, the chaos of how we met… didn’t feel so chaotic anymore. Not here. Not now.

Because this didn’t feel like a game. It didn’t feel like a PR stunt.

It felt real.

Slow and uncertain, sure but real in the way that mattered most, and for the first time since this wild thing began… I wasn’t scared of what would happen next.

a/n: So, I am aware that even if the story says that it was three days after the event, it's been much much longer than that and I am extremely sorry for that. It's just that life hasn't been "lifeing" recently and I just honestly haven't been able to be the best version of myself. This was written a while back, when I said I was going to be posting it but then, I came back home and it's not been the best. I am working on Part 8 as we speak and I PROMISE you guys that it will be out in a days time hehehe. I hope yall enjoy this and THANNK YOU SO MUCH FOR THE LOVE!!

taglist: @preppyfella @muchwita @shadow-tumbler @dyingswanpavlova @ririgy @lariem-blog2 @uurtekass @elliette-laine1 @breakmeoff @sarah-bear706318 @voxslays @celestialstar111

[multidimensionalguidance]

The Astrology Behind: The 27 Club

We already know the dreadful and looming stories behind this phenomenon that occurs the most within the music and entertainment industry. A great number of deaths and tragic events that seemed to follow gifted individuals as a fated promise.

Although we know that a great majority passed away due to drugs and unhealthy lifestyle choices, there's also some that had unexpected accidents. Now, for those who study astrology and understand that every age activates certain houses/themes this will seem like a very clear pattern.

In terms of house profections, during the age of 27 our 4th house lights up like a lightbulb ready to come through with the lessons and experiences that match the natal planets, lord, sign, ruling nakshatra, and transit planets as well.

When we think of scary and dark periods we tend to associate them with the profections years that match the 8th and 12th house ( 19, 23, 31, 35, and so on) under the assumption that the 4th house is just a cozy corner, yet the overwhelming number of individuals who lose their life around the ages that fall into this house is rather shocking.

The 4th house rules our home, heritage, mother, ancestry, childhood, parents, sense of security, inner life, emotions, happiness, nourishment, etc. These are the topics that come to life during those years, and often times, the ones that leave the strongest mark in our lives.

For most individuals reaching the ages of 15 or 27 arrives with harsh realizations and lessons associated to the lack of emotional and physical security that we might have or feel within ourselves or at home. At 15 we freshly enter the teenage experience of feeling like an outsider at home, as if we don't fit or belong with our family anymore, and as if the innocence of childhood feels long gone. This is where we turn to being a "rebel" and start seeking nourishment outside of what we've been taught within the confinements of home.

By the time we circle back into this house at 27, getting closer to the taste of 30 which is ruled by the 7th house (long term relationships, commitment, others, etc), we start to re-live yet again what "home" and "nourishment" truly feels like for us as adults who are more experienced at life than a 15 year old.

We realize that the perceived freedom of our early 20's was an illusion, and that what has shaped us into who we are by that point was everything we experienced within the privacy of our inner or private world. All the traumas created at home or by our parents. All the overwhelming expectations of what a family of our own might feel like, what long term commitment means to us, and how close or far we are from breaking generational wounds.

All of this can feel maddening and make us isolate from the world into our shells, as if turning into the crustaceans that represent the sign of Cancer. Since the turmoil is associated with our deepest parts, being unable to find a peaceful resolution within our stormy oceans can lead us to drowning within our waters. It makes us forget that right after the storm is when the sun comes out to bring joy, happiness, fun, pleasure, and good fortune (5th house profection). It's a turning point for all of us within our journey.

It comes with no surprise for a lot of celebrities whose private lives and inner world are exposed for everyone to see to be driven towards unhealthy coping mechanisms. A path to self destruction. Now, not all cases are alike and in some scenarios its accidents in their homeland or related to water.

At any case, they are difficult situations which threaten our inner safety and sense of security. It shakes our emotional foundations and forces us to build from scratch a real sense of "I'm safe in my body, mind, and the environment that I cohabit with others". It's all about learning how to regulate ourselves and not allowing our traumas to keep us from the good things life has to offer.

I'll use Amy Winehouse as an example:

Her 4th house was ruled by Leo with her Sun and Mercury in Uttara Phalguni sitting there. She had to relive and experience themes related to her fame, father, talent, children, creative, romance, self expression, and how it all tied to the way she handled her 4th house themes.

Uttara Phalguni in particular usually stands out or feels deeply interested in music, dancing and yoga. Aryaman, the deity of Uttara Phalguni nakshatra, is the god of patronage, union and is considered as the chief amongst the ancestors. They are deeply affected and involved in relationships.

One of the symbols that rules this nakshatra is the back legs of the bed or a platform. I'll focus on the latter simply because most of the time its only people who wield some sort of power or gift who get to stand on a platform of any kind. Additionally, they also tend to deal a lot with the karma of the father, and not always on the positive end of it.

She had battled with addictions to alcohol and other substances her entire life, but it only got progressively worse after she met the man who would eventually become her future husband. It was said that shortly after meeting him her personality changed and she started to indulge in other vices, such as cocaine and crack (which he knowingly admitted to introducing to her).

On top of it, her own father who had a heavy influence on her (as it usually is for 99% of Leo's) wasn't supportive towards her health when she needed it the most. It was the behavior of her parents and their tumultuous marriage that shaped the way she perceived home, safety, and nourishment. This is even more noticeable with the ruler of her 4th house falling sitting in its own house.

It was the lack of support from home and damaging patterns that made her repeat the same generational curses which inevitably lead her to drowning in her own inner world. She clearly used substances as a coping mechanism (like most do). A way to escape reality and attempt to find safety, even if it only led to more pain and disregulation.

By the end, her difficulties on dealing with these themes became even more noticeable after she divorced her husband and went on a downward spiral that didn't even allow her to perform.

Her story, specifically around the last moments, shows us how impactful and difficult 4th house profections can truly be. Alike to other artist or famous individuals, by the end of their lives (27) a lot of those themes appear over and over again until they can no longer bare with them or find a peaceful and healthy resolution.

So, if you're currently going through or about to enter this house profection, just remember to take it slow and practice as much emotional regulation as possible. Go near water bodies to relax. Seek help from individuals who can heal your mind, body, and spirit, be it professionally or not. And finally, remember that you are not your childhood traumas or wounds.

Thanks for reading <3

Check out my services and testimonials for personal readings (plus more).

Xox

Mary from multidimensionalguidance

[zosan-secondchances]

The Pirate King of the North: Part 25

Warning: Long post ahead and some One Piece spoilers. Contains strong language and explicit content.

Part 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 (Special) | 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 24 | 25 | 26 | 27 | 28 | 29

Doflamingo

This is a fun little new trick, Fukaboshi. Did Daddy teach it to you? What say you show it off next time we have another dinner party, hmm?

Fukaboshi

Don't change the topic. And don't force my hand, brother. You wouldn't want to do this the hard way.

Doflamingo snarls at him angrily and lunges forwards but is only able to nudge his head and shoulders. Fukaboshi's water abilities remain strong. The ever swirling vortex that holds the Warlord constricts his body in place.

Doflamingo

Don't you dare call me that, fish scum. I never have thought of you as one.

Fukaboshi

You're right. I shouldn't. Especially after everything you've done.

It's a shame…. You had every potential to do good and look at you now.

Doflamingo

Tch. You don't know me at all. 

Fukaboshi narrows his eyes and hovers himself away, pulling the trident from the Warlord's face to slam its base onto the sandy floor.

Fukaboshi

No…. Something's changed.

Doflamingo

Nothing has changed. I've always been like this.

The mermaid king hesitates and carefully observes the state of the man in front of him. Seeing that the Warlord is too maddened, he judges that he will have no chance to change his heart by appealing to him at this point. He presses on back to the original matter at hand.

Fukaboshi

Tell me where Sanji is, Doflamingo.

At that, the tall blonde remains quiet. Through the cracked lenses of his sunglasses, the mermaid king sees his eyes move ever so subtly to the side, towards the shore where he'd emerged from. When he follows his gaze, he sees a dark shape half buried in the sand. He approaches it.

Doflamingo

Don't!

Fukaboshi pauses on his tracks and glances at him with an intrigued brow. He continues his careful approach. As he gets closer, Doflamingo’s rage worsens.

Doflamingo

I SWEAR, IF AS MUCH AS LAY A SINGLE FINGER ON HIM–!!!

Fukaboshi 

Sanji?

The mermaid king's eyes widen in surprise when he recognises the stranger's familiar blonde hair and curled brows. He doesn't question his new form but instead, he gently scoops him up and carries him in one of his large arms.

Doflamingo

WHAT DID I FUCKING SAY?! When I get out of here, I will gut you and the rest of your family!

Fukaboshi ignores him and quietly floats inland, never taking his concerned gaze off the unconscious young man.

Fukaboshi

Heart Pirates, I need your assistance.

From behind a large boulder near one of Jaya’s forests, Bepo, Penguin and Shachi come out of hiding and run towards him.

Bepo

Did you find them, King Fukaboshi?!

Fukaboshi 

Keep Sanji safe. I think he was knocked out cold.

Bepo

Ahh!! Chore Boy! Give– uh…

As soon as the mermaid king passes the young man into the arms of the polar bear mink, the three Heart Pirates stare at the stranger in confusion. After a short moment, Penguin breaks the silence.

Penguin

We've been doing this for a very long time but not once have I seen this as a symptom for getting “knocked out cold”.

Shachi

Are you sure it's him, Mr. Fish King?

Fukaboshi

I am certain.

Bepo

He looks so…different. Younger! How can you be so sure?

Fukaboshi

Just a gut feeling.

And…Doffy there isn't too happy.

They all turn their attention to the still writhing and raging Warlord in Fukaboshi's water hold.

Bepo

You did it…. You really did it! You captured him! Captain will be so happy!

Shachi

I'll get a dry towel for Chore Boy.

Penguin

Right! Let's get to work!

Bepo

Right!

The Heart Pirates hurriedly make their way towards a nearby treeline and settle the younger Sanji on the soft grass to nurse him.

Doflamingo

I will kill. Every. Single. One of you.

DO YOU HEAR ME?!

Fukaboshi glares at the Warlord and returns to stand in front of him. He holds his trident aloft and slams the blunt end onto the ground. From the impact, a loud gong-like tune emanates from the weapon and reverberates through to its very tips. The sand shifts like a wave of water and the force travels out to the open sea. Doflamingo makes a growling sound at the back of his throat but stops struggling about.

Reiju

Fukaboshi!!

A familiar shape appears from above. With Law on her back, the pink commander descends and takes a run towards the mermaid king. When she gets closer, they notice her bulging heart-shaped eyes and legs spinning about, moving around left and right like a toy top.

Reiju

FUKABOSHI, MY BEAUTIFUL PRINCE!!! Your long wavy locks and bedazzling scales never fail to brighten my day!

Please, PLEASE ignore the ugly man hanging off me! My heart only belongs to you!

Law

QUIT IT!! You’re making me dizzy! Put me down!

Reiju

Psh.

When Reiju finally settles, Law spots the water-bound Warlord and gawks at him in bewilderment. He hops down from the commander's back and approaches Doflamingo cautiously.

Law

You…. How is this possible?

Fukaboshi

You must be Trafalgar Law. I heard so many good things about you.

Law

A pleasure, Your Highness. I assume this is your handiwork?

Fukaboshi

Please, just “Fukaboshi” will do. Any friend of the Pirate King is a friend to Fish-Man Island. And yes. A mutual friend of ours insisted I get more creative with my combative skills so… here we are.

Doflamingo

Well, well…what lovely new friends we’re all making today. Don't think this is all over, Law. You're the reason why this all started in the first place.

Reiju

I think it very much is the end for you, Doflamingo.

Great job, Fukaboshi! You really did it this time!

Fukaboshi half bows to her with an appreciative smile.

Reiju

Have you seen Sanji and Roronoa Zoro by any chance? He and this one had thrown themselves off Skypiea and fought midair. We couldn't catch up in time and lost sight of him.

Fukaboshi doesn’t look too impressed at the sound of the Demon Warlord’s name but as he’s in the audience of one of his favourite Vinsmokes, he keeps his composure.

Fukaboshi

I'm afraid I haven't seen Roronoa Zoro. I've just called for my forces to return. Hopefully they will have better news for you. As for Sanji–

The tide rapidly drops and all eyes turn towards the body of water. When it rises, a large form emerges from the depths, accompanied by two gigantic seakings tailing it closely. The creatures remain partly submerged and stop just before the shallower side. Shirahoshi floats with her own bubble over the land to join the crowd, looking tired and emotional.

Shirahoshi

Big sister Reiju! I'm so glad to see you safe! Did you find Sanji?!

Reiju

Erm…

Fukaboshi

The Heart Pirates are tending to the Pirate King as we speak.

Reiju

Oh, Fukaboshi, you're the best!!

Reiju jumps to kiss Fukaboshi on the cheek then immediately runs inland to join the Heart Pirates by the treeline.

Shirahoshi

This is great news about Sanji! But uhm…big brother, my seakings found a uh… sky seaking, I guess?

Fukaboshi

A…what?

They look towards the seakings in the water. When Shirahoshi waves at them, they shift their long tails apart to reveal a giant snake partly wrapped over their long bodies for support.

Law

NOLA?!?

The two giant creatures assist Nola towards the shore, curling and stretching their long tails to carefully carry her through. Thanks to them, her head stays above the surface but the rest of her body falls limp in the waters. They can tell that she's in no shape to move. Her body is riddled with scorch marks and cuts which Law deduces were from the fires and the raiders’ attacks. He quickly trudges through the shallow end and places a gentle affectionate hand on her massive nose.

Law

What are you doing all the way down here? How did you even get here? Is Skypiea gone for good?

The creature coos softly at recognising his voice. She weakly opens her eyes and looks straight at him. To Law’s surprise, she winks. With a groan, she slowly opens her mouth widely and everyone on the island gasps in shock.

Inside her gaping maw, the entire population of Skypiea stood. They cover and squint their eyes until they adjust to the light. At which point, Wyper, Gan Fall and Conis carefully make their way down from Nola's tongue then through between her fangs.

Wyper

So this is the blue sea…. The air is… different–ah.

As soon as the three Skypieans jump onto the shallow waters, their legs quiver at the odd sensation.

Conis

Why are the clouds like this? So weird…. It's all water.

When they walk further and onto the sandy ground, they are met by the mermaid king and his sister. They stare at each other curiously, eyeing the different features on their bodies in amazement having never seen species of their kinds before. 

Conis

You… you have a tail! And gills! And you can fly? So cool!!

Shirahoshi

And you have wings and…those pointy things on your head! That’s so fascinating! Oh…this is just a coral bubble. We need it to float around on land.

Fukaboshi smiles warmly at them.

Fukaboshi

You must be the sky people. I welcome you. I wish your arrival was in better circumstances. It’s not normally this…

He glances behind him towards Doflamingo.

Fukaboshi

…unpleasant.

Wyper

You don’t say…

Wyper marches angrily at the bound Warlord.

Wyper

This must be the Doflamingo we've heard so much about. I should kill you right here, right now for burning down our home.

Voice

Wait!

Red and green blazing auras descend from the sky. When they land, Yonji  approaches Fukaboshi and the crowd surrounding him while Ichiji hurriedly makes his way towards the Heart Pirates with the unconscious Niji in his arms.

Reiju

Oh, Niji…. Lay him here, brother. Gently now.

Ichiji

You got Sanji, then? Wait…

Reiju

It’s a long story….

Gan Fall

It’s you! Wyper, Conis–look! It's the green Northy!

Yonji

God and Skypieans… I… I took part in the destruction of your home and I will take full responsibility for my actions.

Wyper’s face turns red from fury.

Wyper

You… WHAT?!

Reiju

Hold on!

Before Wyper could lunge at Yonji, Reiju runs and puts herself between them. She holds her brother's hand behind her protectively.

Reiju

Doflamingo controlled him against his will. He couldn't fight it!

Wyper

I don't care about your excuses! He deserves to be punished!

Reiju

I agree. But not here. Not like this.

Gan Fall steps forward from behind and lays a gentle hand on Wyper’s shoulder.

Gan Fall

The girl is right, Wyper. We can’t rush into these things. Just remember, this young man rescued us from those pirates and somehow helped us find our way down here. 

Having left Niji in the Heart Pirate’s care, Ichiji joins them to chime in.

Ichiji

Yonji did well, sister. He did exactly what God said and single handedly flew the snake down with his winches to save everyone from the fires. It wasn't easy. We’re lucky we ran into Shirahoshi.

Gan Fall

See, Wyper? Level your head. He deserves a fair trial. You’re not going to run away, are you, young man?

Yonji

No, sir. I meant what I said. I will accept the consequences of my actions.

Gan Fall

A brave and honourable decision. We will certainly attend your hearing and we will take that into account. I suppose we’ll just have to trust you to come along.

Reiju

And what of Doflamingo’s crew?

Yonji hesitates to speak. He shifts his legs and rubs the back of his arm uncomfortably. When Reiju sees them, she notices that his sleeves are covered in dried blood.

Yonji

They’re taken care of.

Ichiji

Under my direct order, Reiju. They didn’t give us much of a choice. They were relentless.

Reiju

Oh…

Wyper

Tch.

Wyper crosses his arms and averts his gaze, unsatisfied with the whole situation and Gan Fall’s decision to not take immediate action.

Yonji

I’m sorry. I know my apology isn’t enough and it will never be. I don’t expect you to forgive me at all.

Wyper

You bet we wo–!

When the warrior glares at the commander, he freezes. He sees a mirage of Zoro and Sanji’s faces circle around his green-haired head. When they merge into one, the illusion pops, revealing Yonji's face behind it. Blood suddenly bursts out of Wyper’s nose. His eyes roll to the back of his skull as he faints but Yonji catches him by an arm and around his waist in time before he hits the ground.

Yonji

Woah, woah! Are you okay? What happened? I swear, I didn’t do anything.

Wyper groans, his eyes spinning in circles.

Conis

OH! It’s because you look like… erm… I’ll explain later. Come on, Wyper. Sit down and have a second.

Conis leads them under the treeline with the rest of the injured. Yonji sets down the dizzy warrior to recover in the shade. Back on the shore, Law rolls his eyes after realising exactly what the Skypiean was talking about.

Law

Now then…

The doctor approaches Doflamingo until he's just outside the vortex of water that binds him. He taps his own shoulder a couple of times with his sheathed sword, glaring at the man. Doflamingo simply returns his gaze with a menacing smile.

Doflamingo

I hope you’re happy, Trafalgar. This is a very heartwarming reunion…seeing old friends and making new ones. Quite touching.

Law

You have something that belongs to me.

Doflamingo

You would think so.

Law

Fukaboshi, I need to search him.

Fukaboshi

You’re welcome to. He’s too weak in the water to resist. Though I must recommend a non-Devil Fruit user to assist you. If you so much as touch those waters, you’ll find that your energy will drain in an instant.

Law

I see. In that case–

Doflamingo

You can search me all you want, Law. But you’ll find that I have nothing in my possession that’s of interest to you.

Rosinante is lost. Again. Thanks to you.

Law narrows his eyes at him and grits his teeth angrily, resisting every urge to beat the living shit out of him.

Voice

Big bro! We found the swordsman!

All eyes turn back to the sea and watch Fukaboshi’s brothers emerge from the blue waters. With their own bubbles, they float their way up to the island. In front, Ryuboshi leads the way with a weakened and bloodied Zoro on his back. Manboshi follows closely behind them, carrying all three of his swords in his arms.

Law

Zoro-ya!

Zoro struggles to lift his head over the mermaid prince's shoulder. As soon as he sees Law, he raises his arm, showing off the Heart of Skypiea in his hand. The doctor feels a great amount of relief wash over him.

Doflamingo

Tch.

Reiju

MY PRINCES!!!

Shirahoshi

Wait, big sister! Close your eyes!!!

Clasping her hands under her chin, Reiju spins and circles around all three mermaid brothers. Lecherous hearts pop out of her eyes.

Reiju

My three favourite royal mermen…all in one place?! I have…to resist…. BUT I COULDN'T BE ANY HAPPIER! MY GORGEOUS HANDSOME BEAUTIES! PLEASE ALLOW ME TO EXPRESS MY UNDYING LOVE!!

Before she can, Reiju suddenly turns into stone. Her stunned body falls onto the sand with a heavy thump and they all stare at her awkwardly.

Shirahoshi

I’m so, so, sorry Reiju!

Big brothers! I told you to wear shirts!

Manboshi

Oh no… not again.

Ichiji sighs in exasperation and drags Reiju’s petrified body by her foot though the sand and up on the grassy terrain where the Heart Pirates are currently tending to the injured–some more than others.

Ichiji

Here. Another one.

Heart Pirates

WHAT?!

Bepo

What's with everyone just suddenly fainting?! We’re not even under attack!

Penguin

Captain!! We are severely understaffed right now.

Shachi

I don’t even know how to help this one!

Ichiji

Trust me, she's pretty helpless. Just give her time and make sure nothing breaks off.

Bepo

…Oops…

Ichiji

…Like that. Yeah…. It’s probably best that you don't tell her that you snapped some of her hair.

Back on the sandy shores where the friends gathered, Ryuboshi approaches the mermaid king.

Ryuboshi

Big brother, what do we do with the Demon Warlord, do-re-mi-fa~?

Zoro attempts to push himself to look up but his head flumps back onto the mermaid prince’s shoulder. When the crystal heart slips from his grasp, Law catches it on time.

Fukaboshi snarls at the sight of the swordsman and crosses his arms.

Fukaboshi

This one you can throw back into the sea.

Neptune Siblings

WHAT?!

Doflamingo laughs out loud.

Doflamingo

For once, we are in agreement, King Fukaboshi.

Fukaboshi

Hmph.

Shirahoshi

That’s so cruel, big brother! No! I must insist that we help him!

Fukaboshi

Do what you want. He can drown or bleed to death for all I care. Both, if we're lucky.

Shirahoshi

Stop talking like that!

Zoro

Let…let me down.

Ryuboshi

A–are you sure, swordsman? You look badly hurt, re-mi-so~

Law approaches and assists Zoro off the mermaid prince. He hooks his arm around his shoulder to keep him up.

Zoro

Traffy… I failed him. I couldn't…

Law

He's here. Come on. I’ll take you to him.

Relieved to hear the news, Zoro lets the doctor drag his feet. Fukaboshi’s unhappy eyes follow them as they make their way inland. The rest of the crowd tails them, eager to hear the exact events that unfolded in Skypiea, and to check on Sanji and the rest of the injured. Now alone with the mermaid king, Doflamingo speaks.

Doflamingo

I can die happy if you promise to kill him.

They watch quietly as Law sets the swordsman down onto the grass where young Sanji lay. Weakly, Zoro crawls towards him and sits next to his body while Law and the Heart Pirates start their preparations to attend to his injuries. With a hushed low voice, Fukaboshi responds to the Warlord.

Fukaboshi

I’m not making such promises.

Doffy…

Doflamingo’s eyes drop down to the ground and expression on his face turns sour, fully expecting the lecture that comes next. Fukaboshi finally turns to look at him directly.

Fukaboshi

Can’t you talk to me? I thought we used to be friends… good friends. I trusted you with my life. If it’s about the Demon Warlord, I don’t like him either. Sanji was insistent that he fight him head on but from what I was told, that was back then. How could you do this to him?

The Warlord’s head droops lower.

Fukaboshi

Is there… something else? What changed, Doffy? The three of us made a pact for life. I find it hard to believe that–

Doflamingo

Fukaboshi…

Doflamingo raises his head slightly, watching the group fuss over the injured ones. The remaining Skypieans finally build up the courage to set foot onto the island to allow Nola to rest her jaws. They flood inland to explore.

Doflamingo

Have you ever had something in your life that you’d do anything for? Something you’d give up everything for.

Fukaboshi takes a moment to process his words. He watches his own siblings reunite with their extended Vinsmoke family, shaking hands, lightly wrestling with each other and assisting the Heart Pirates in caring for Sanji, Reiju and Niji. He wonders what could possibly have occurred to Doflamingo to have him change so unexpectedly and so drastically. Afraid that the Warlord would clam up if questioned too quickly, Fukaboshi resists the urge to bombard him with questions and instead chooses to answer him directly.

Fukaboshi

Yes.

Doflamingo

I used to think everyone and everything was disposable. Replaceable.

Doflamingo bears his gaze at the unconscious blonde in the distance.

Doflamingo

This is all new to me. It disgusts me. I find myself vile and weak.

Fukaboshi

It’s not a weakness, Doffy. What you’re feeling is–

Doflamingo

Fukaboshi, I’m cashing in.

Fukaboshi

Wh–what?

Doflamingo tilts his head and locks eyes with the horrified mermaid king.

Doflamingo

To make it easier for you, I will leave. You won't have to see me again. But I can't get stuck here or anywhere.

You’ve always said that you owe me for taking part in giving your people a place in the Levely. Here's your chance to free yourself of that debt.

Fukaboshi

You’re mad. You can't be serious! You're asking for too much, Doffy! People want to see you face justice. And so do I. Especially for what you did to Sanji and his brothers. However, the reason why I’m going to insist on taking you into our custody is so you don’t get killed or worse–locked up to be mistreated by the Marines. Understand that I'm already doing this for you.

Doflamingo

Come now, viejo amigo. I know you’re a man of your word.

…What do you think Sanji would do in your place?

Fukaboshi’s eyes widen at the question. His hand grips the trident tighter, suddenly so unsure about the situation at hand.

Fukaboshi

…He would honour the deal.

----------

Bonus: Combined Portraits

(Really, I just wanted to upload them here so I can embed it in AO3. Don't mind me)

[vigilskeep]

Wait what’s the dynamic of Alistair and Minerva? Could’ve been lovers but worse actually ? Or something else?

well that really is the question all of ferelden asks itself daily

what alistair and minerva endure together makes them truly inseparably close during most of dao, that kind of forged-under-fire bond. minerva has so much faith in alistair’s protection and loyalty that he’s the only person she really feels safe being publicly affectionate with, and alistair trusted her, thought the world of her as his leader, and followed her anywhere. but the friendship messily explodes when minerva’s political agenda leads her to spare loghain at the landsmeet. which is what i refer to as their platonic divorce

they love each other a lot, and no matter what point the relationship is at, harm to the other would be unbearable to them both. but there were always fault lines in the relationship liable to at some point erupt, major ones including: a) alistair’s history with the templars and certain mindsets he was taught, vs minerva’s lifelong trauma with them that she only during dao even begins to come to terms with. b) minerva does not have the sense of honour or justice alistair assumes is universal among those he considers good, which leads him to wrongfully assume she would draw his same line with loghain without it having to be discussed, and to no longer be able to categorise her as “good” when she suddenly fails his standard. c) she is a manipulative political person who, due to circle mage backstory horrors and growing up as a first enchanter in the making, simply has never been taught and does not believe that individuals getting the lives they want is realistic or necessary or even a requirement of doing right by them. she pushes alistair to take the throne and marry anora to serve her own big-picture goals. he does not have the necessary courage/confidence to stand up for the life he wants, while she fatally simply assumes that he would refuse if it really mattered enough to him (which she literally would have adjusted her plans for with minimal complaining! because she loves him! but because he’s alistair, and also because he loves her, of course he’d never refuse outright what she said was so important. maddening.)

alistair considers loghain to have massacred the only true family he ever had, and minerva not only turns around and spares him but gives him a place in that very family like it’s nothing. alistair abandons minerva at the most public moment, and when she and the world perhaps need him most, in the final battle against the archdemon, he isn’t there. neither of them are really built to be able to overlook what each other did. but the love is still there, as i like to say

post-dao they have a weird painful dynamic in which king alistair continues to give her the cold shoulder while doggedly pursuing the freedom for mages she asked for as her boon from the crown, and minerva, loyal to him to the death, refuses to let slip a scrap of emotion or remorse in his direction because she cannot bear any further damage to her pride. they work together constantly but usually at the distance between denerim and amaranthine rather than seeing each other in person. they’re both very angry, they both miss each other all the time. i like to think that over the years the latter eventually wins out but maybe that’s wishful thinking

because their relationship has the appropriate plot relevance and intensity—friendship always seems too weak a word, and comparisons to siblings useful but not quite right—i do have aus where they are romantic, but i don’t consider those to be “canon”. alistair did flirt once or twice in her playthrough which probably muddies the waters of his feelings a little bit but i don’t think even he took that particularly seriously, he’s just 19-20 and she’s extremely pretty and extremely right there. alistair isn’t really minerva’s type she goes for scoundrels

[msmads]

Switch 2 Prices Rant

Actually tagging this post because the points in this poorly organized rant aren't empty, and I do want them see to some extent

maybe someone else will tidy up my tired ass's mess of points from a meandering rant into bullet points or something.

maybe I'll tidy it up later into like, an essay, idfk, it's a mess and I'm not looking to actually write an essay.

... oh boy this is gonna ruffle some feathers though, guess I'm finally opening myself up to some hellsite discourse...

NGL, I'm getting fed up with people complaining about Nintendo Switch 2 prices and Switch 2 game prices, when they're only halfway to catching up with inflation since 2005 on the game prices on the most expensive games, which means yes, Mario Kart World is cheaper than Madden 05 was, and they're refusing to acknowledge the actual problem that their own wages aren't going up to keep up with inflation.

Within the (shitty) present system, the problem isn't a luxury good being 450 bucks, it's that you're not being paid enough for what you do.

AND for fucks sake, 450 bucks for a piece of tech that is on the cutting edge of power efficient gaming, is pretty decent.

These guys are out here fixing or improving most of the problems with the previous generation system they made, and keep on not laying off their employees unlike the other big fish, and what they get is people being understandably unhappy about the price and lying about stuff to have a big ol' negativity circlejerk on Nintendo, while saying shit like "it's not a political issues" and ignoring the fact that Videogames are the cheapest form of entertainment there is today, even with these price increases, and the fact that wages being stagnant in an inflationary economy is obviously going to cause problems like this, and the related fact that SOMETHING IS OBVIOUSLY GOING TO GIVE WHEN AN INDUSTRY IGNORES INFLATION ON IT'S PRODUCTS FOR 20 YEARS, AS EVERYTHING ELSE GETS MORE EXPENSIVE, UPPING COSTS ALL AROUND FOR MAKING THE GAMES AND HARDWARE TOO

and

that's not even getting into the absolute BULLSHIT where companies that have publicly traded stocks in the US have a legal responsibility to keep grow every year!

THAT'S LITERALLY IMPOSSIBLE

COMPANIES HAVE BEEN SELF CANNIBALIZING BY MINIMIZING STAFF TO DEAL WITH THAT, WHY DO YOU THINK CVS PHARMACIES ARE SUCH SHITTY STORES WITH LIKE ONE PERSON STAFFING THEM?

Nintendo has been managing to keep away from stripping themselves for parts, despite the Switch 1 being frankly a shit show of a device by Nintendo's quality standards, with them going through a dark period of undercooked BS in the middle of its lifespan to boot.

They're doing shitty things with credits lately, that's something reasonable to complain about.

They're shitty to their fans with their IP enforcement, that's something reasonable to complain about.

They swept Joy-Con Drift under the rug, that's something reasonable to complain about.

They dedicated a whole ass physical button to a paywalled bootleg discord call feature, that's something reasonable to complain about.

BUT GODDAMN

PEOPLE ARE COMPLAINING ABOUT THE PRICES OF THE CHEAPEST FOR CONSUMERS FORM OF ENTERTAINMENT THERE IS GOING UP IN PRICE BY A MODEST AMOUNT INSTEAD OF THEIR FOOD GOING UP IN PRICE OR THEIR WAGES STAYING STAGNANT FOR SO DAMN LONG THEY'RE COMPLAINING ABOUT THE MOST REASONABLE BLEMISH ON A RAY OF PLEASANTRY AMIDST A SEA OF DISASTER THAT CREATED THE BLEMISH INSTEAD OF LOOKING TO THE MAELSTROM AND RESISTING THE ACTUAL FUCKING PROBLEM

If you can't afford it, save up for it

if you can't save up for it, UNIONIZE AND DEMAND BETTER PAY SO YOU'RE NOT UNDERWATER JUST TRYING TO SURVIVE.

Ah yeah, the online subscription thing

that that exists at all, pretty shitty

but holy shit, I find it so annoying hearing about how much more you get out of XBOX Live or PlayStation Plus than Nintendo Switch Online

they're all doing the same shitty practice of paywalling your ability to access servers the subscription isn't even paying for, XBOX and PlayStation just force you to pay for EVEN MORE STUFF

Nintendo's top plan is asking LESS THAN HALF THE BASIC PLAN FOR THOSE OTHER TWO FUCKERS

50÷12<9.99

and the basic plan on Nintendo's end is less than 2 dollars a month,

as shit as it is that they paywall that at all, it's way better than what Microsoft and Sony are and have been doing for way longer, so comparing to them on that front is pretty bullshit too.

bllghhhh.

ok...

I think I'm done.

[firthbetterorfirthworse]

Pride & Prejudice: A New Musical (2020)

god help me, I am on my knees

I adored this. It was a delight. Did they change things? Of course, once again proving that my heart is a fickle creature; changing things is terrible and insulting unless of course, I happen to like the change, in which case it is unique and commendable and wonderful.

Occasionally I come across a show that makes me wish I was rich enough to fund a vanity project solely so I can perform in it, and this was one of those.

In the US, this is currently on Tubi which is a free service and I am extremely grateful for it.

Mary and Jane are given lines that make us laugh for very different reasons, in character, which I adore. For instance, Mary is the one who announces where each scene is taking place, and gets more annoyed that it's her job as the show goes on.

There's an adorable duet with Bingley and Jane about the things they would say, if they weren't so shy. This Bingley is so shy he becomes tongue-tied, which is not the usual depiction of gregarious Bingley but I feel is still true to the heart of Bingley's character.

Caroline gives the best sign-offs to her letters, "yours ever, Caroline Bingleyyyyyyyy" in the flattest affect possible. It's passive aggressive and beautiful.

The banter between Darcy and Elizabeth is at Netherfield is so quick, which I really appreciate - makes it seem more like a quarrel, and leads to this beautiful perfect moment that is what introduced me to the show. If all you watch of it is this 20 seconds, it's worth it:

Darcy's songs are more of a pop vibe than I would have expected, but Justin Mortelliti rocks it so well I love it anyway.

There's a fantastic Collins song where all the Bennet ladies are lined up and he's singing about picking who will have the honor of his hand, and the Bennets are singing a counterpoint that is essentially oh please no don't pick me. And Elizabeth gets a fun, fairly comedic refusal song.

Lady Catherine gets a surprisingly almost jazzy song, with a chorus of servants talking about how grateful they are for her advice. At one point she makes a rebuttal and Darcy guffaws loudly until he abruptly slaps his hand over his mouth.

If you don't know the rules of musical theatre, when the emotion becomes too much for words, song breaks out, which means Elizabeth starts singing during her refusal of the proposal scene (love). This Darcy actually opens his mouth to defend himself, but Elizabeth refuses to listen. Leading to an amazing line in the next scene "I've written you a letter - since clearly I found 'speaking' far too challenging." (Also, the bitter Darcy song after her rejection? yes please. Fuckin' Broadway tenors and their ridiculous range, man, sure just pop those high notes and make my soul thrill that's fine I didn't need to have equilibrium today)

Jane has a beautiful song and reprise about how she's definitely not going to think about Bingley any more.

Cute scene where they run into each other at Pemberley. This Darcy spies Elizabeth and sneaks up on her, which is fun.

Did I become immediately obsessed with Darcy's song "The World She Lives In" where Darcy sings about how he's a better man because of Elizabeth, and listen to it on repeat? Yes, yes I did.

There's a fantastic song about being ruined that really captures the despair a lot of movies can't.

When Bingley and Darcy return to Longbourn at the end, Bingley is so shy he can't speak. He sings about what he would say, but in reality says nothing. It's comedic and wonderful.

And the writers love us - they really love us! - they gave us a scene of Darcy rehearsing what he's going to say to Elizabeth and despairing at his inability to speak in her presence: "Miss Bennet, how good it is to see you again...........and after that I'm blank. Maddening."

Of course it's all happily ever after and I may or may not have watched it twice before even posting this. And then someone showed me a list of other P&P musicals, which I will now be watching ALL OF because I love both of those things and them converging delight me beyond reason.

Anyway. Go watch it. Just watching this made up for watching all those hallmark movies. Joy.

[kerubimcrepin]

Liveblog: Wakfu Season 1 (episode 20, The Tree of Life)

I like to think he was looking for any sign of Armand being a sussy baka, or, alternatively, Armand being actually worried about the things he's been told.

Sadly, Joris finds neither.

I like to think that Joris and Amalia&Eva have a good pre-established relationship for the following reason: it's shown to be good enough for him to get onto the balcony and for them to be immediately happy about it, instead of going "what the hell are you doing here?" or "were you spying on us? (he was. even if it is for the good of the world.)"

Maybe that's another reason Armand hates him — besides Joris insisting on the instructions that were given to him and not bowing down to Armand's ~power~ — Joris may be a yet another person who likes his sister more.

Btw Joris is doing batshit insane tower climbing again, just like in the Ush comic.

Never change, king.

Get ready for my deep, deep, insightful commentary into what the fact that Joris believes that no issue is insolvable implies within the context of his "has seen countless human deaths" life:

I think I hauve covid.

Do you think one of the solutions that he has for issues is to wait it out and watch, as the walls of the prison that are "circumstances of life", start to decay?

Translation from politespeak: "I am going to cause a political incident with your cringe brother to help you tell your father about Nox's plans."

I love how ready he is to beat people up. And to cause a political incident.

Joris after getting down from the balcony railing, now suddenly very much below everyone in the room, in a matter of fact voice: After I slam the tree stump on the floor to create a loud sound, — and probably damage said floor, sorry, — you are going to scream that the iop returned. I will keep hitting random things until they run in. When the guards do run in, I beat them to unconsciousness with my magic wand. You can also hit them if you want, — yes, yes, you can use the candelabra, or any other metal object in the room, — but do not hit them on the head without me! It's very easy to accidentally kill a person, when you're not used to beating them to unconscious on a relatively regular basis.

Bugs when you lift a rock.

God knows, Joris is extremely aware of how bad the thing he just did is, and how much trouble he'll be in afterwards. God also knows that Joris probably doesn't give a shit.

The little slam... The commanding voice... He's everything.

When Joris is this polite, he is either angry as fuck and can't do anything about it, or angry as fuck and about to beat you to death.

This little "I insist" is so uncalled-for. He's just mocking them at this point, considering what he is about to do.

Something I really noticed this time around, is that Joris really likes kicking things. He kicked Pinpin, he kicked these guys... This is a trait he gets from Kerubim, sure, but he takes kickmaxxing to another level by, very cockily, doing half this battle with his hands behind his back on a simple whim.

He is the same exact type of an insane, prideful asshole as Kerubim. It maddens me when people think he's actually humble and normal just because of his introversion and more low-key facade.

He may not scream "I'm smarter and better and stronger than every loser in this room" outwardly like his father, but exudes the same exact noxious aura nonetheless.

You know why I also think Joris thinks of Amalia and Eva well?

He put this little show on, — fighting two simple guards with pirouettes, hands behind his back, and a little touch of magic, — just for them. We know what he actually fights like when he means it. And it has none of this insanity.

You see, he points out his ability to fight off an army of simple, normal people, all alone. And on one hand it's just reassuring Eva and Amalia that they have nothing to fear...

...and on the other hand, it makes me think he likes it when random teenagers think he's cool and awesome.

Even though this blog is crepinjurgen-focused, I want to say that this is one of my favorite wakfu episodes. This scene always makes me tear up.

Anyway do you think Joris just carries with him ropes to tie enemies with whenever he goes — or did he take a rope from somewhere within the castle? How often does this happen? Does he do this as a torture method too? Does he—- [I am removed by the secret police by being way too insane today]

Still using vous, despite hating his ass.

[guy who made a blog that's 33% dedicated to talking about doomed siblings] Yeah it's so sad that even Tot doesn't understand Clephee's potential, and how insane her relationship with Eva is. Imagine loving your sibling, but they never feel good enough, and they keep leaving you. They turn everything into competition, never celebrate your wins because they feel like their losses. Imagine speaking so little — being so distant, that when you have a happy dream of that sibling, it's them as a child, way back before. And imagine that this sibling wants to turn you into a fur coat— [I am electrocuted]FHDSJHDFJKsdhfsdhfERR-

There are so many people unconscious and Joris is actually freaking the fuck out, which makes me think that, for the past 10-20 minutes in-universe, he and Armand have been doing the Joris whack-a-mole thing.

Like, Joris is actually alarmed/bewildered by the fact that Armand will literally not listen to a single fucking word and just keeps mindlessly punching the floor.

Is he insane? Is he for real?

At this point, he's worried for the guy's health. This has been happening for a while. He sounds scared.

Like Armand keeps hurting himself in his attempts to beat Joris up and it's scaring Joris shitless because it's actually starting to get a little bit weird and off-putting.

Yet he turns around so nonchalantly.

[music-orthemisery]

I am barely alive after glacial blue and french socks. barely.

in honor of the new p2 date photo, what are your top 5 peterick moments?

Anon, this question has haunted me since you sent it days ago because HOW CAN I POSSIBLY PICK? So. Here is a non-exhaustive list of fave p2 moments where I totally bend the definition of “five.” 

The now infamous Singapore slide . Patrick’s smirk paired with Pete’s giggling school girl reaction was just…chef’s kiss. (And just. All riffs with Patrick let’s be real.)

The tie pulling moments. For reasons. 

More than an hour. Every show (except one which will not be named). For 20 years. (Bonus: this video where Patrick and Pete wax poetic about Saturday while Andy and Joe are like “what is this again…? Oh yeah. Whatever.”)

Mr. Brightside cheek kisses 

I’m lumping my final answer into a few because they technically all fall under a single category - unhinged interview moments. The entirety of the Zane Lowe interview. Probably the best interview they’ve done together. Features bangers such as: Patrick getting emotional talking about pre-h/the hiatus, Pete comforting him during this by putting a hand on his knee, and Patrick saying that Pete’s lyrics give him purpose as an artist and get him out of bed in the morning.  This one where Patrick is absolutely deranged and possessive AF to the point where the interviewers are like. Afraid of him.  This one where Pete reveals their sexy Santa role playing (/j) (/s) Infamous “If I could marry a dude, it would be him” interview (bonus: Pete also talks about It’s Not a Side Effect…and. well.) Pete talking about Patrick with Joel Madden and agreeing that they are soul mates. Wen Wen. Enough said. Also something else from this interview which I shall not say…  

I feel like I’m barely scratching the surface here but these are just the few that I have flailed over the most lately. ENJOY!!! <3

[coldpapernightmare]

you know what?

I am sick and tired of seeing people treating Luigi Mangione as Guilty, even if its considered a "hero" thing.

Beyond the issue of how much the facts of the arrest dont make sense

(*They say they found the back pack he was wearing during the shooting on him during the arrest but claimed before that they found the backpack full of monopoly money in Central Park *The pictures from the shooting show a completely different jacket then the photo passed around showing "the guys" face * The guy in said photo has diffrent eyebrows than Luigi, even my mom pointed that one out, dude cant grow an almost unibrow in less than a week)

there's the fact there is another suspect that does make sense and has the money to hire out

Brian Thompson's estranged wife Pauly Thompson

my argument

1)They've been estranged for at least three years, her living in an entirely different house, yet the media continues to paint her as a dedicated loving wife.

can someone trying to get divorced still be effected by the death? Of course, but why misrepresent the relationship so much?

also why not just get divorced at that point? Unless something or someone was holding them back?

2) her most public statement in this mess is that she couldnt imagine how the threats her husband received from his job could be that serious, leaning into her claimed ignorance of what his job entailed, But Paulette "Pauly" Thompson WORKS AS A PHYSICAL THERAPIST

aka works in healthcare

even if she hasn't worked in ages, at some point she worked directly with patients, and as such would probably have some inkling of what both a patient and a provider has to deal with in the maddening mess that insurance is

sources

do I think there is a serious case here based on only these facts?

not a chance in hell

but the more people do the cops work for them in Framing Luigi the more I'm gonna be a petty bitch and remind people that there are in fact alternative theories

[chirpthingz]

my "essay" on why I don't think kian's plan would amount to anything:

with sources!

spoilers for desconjuracao ep. 20 & calamidade below

my problem with kian's plan isn't that i think it wouldn't work, i just don't think he's capable of achieving it. now, just as a refresher:

kian's plan is referred to as the calamity. his goal is to sever the connection between reality and the other side, destroying it. to achieve this, he must kill anyone with knowledge of the paranormal and destroy the relics. (source)

this is a perfectly reasonable plan that, based on how the other side functions, could work. (source). if i remember correctly, cellbit even confirmed it would work (i can't remember where i heard this, so i may be wrong). and on that note, kian is insanely powerful. he is:

immortal, can move shit with his mind (to an extent), can teleport pretty much anywhere he wants, has a decent amount of followers, can weaken rituals in an area, and has two rituals that essentially insta-kill someone (as far as we are aware), is scarily clever, knows everything about the other side, is 4000+ years old (technically), cannot be caught by surprise, and possesses superhuman strength + agility. (source)

at a first glance, he seems more than capable. he has the highest marcado (player) kill count (5) in the series, and is referred to as the damn god of knowledge by his followers. (source).

but he is not a god, he is not a relic, and there are factors i feel he has not considered.

The amount of people he would have to kill is too high.

kian intends to kill everyone with knowledge of the paranormal. of known living characters, this includes 18 player characters, 4 relics, 25 ordem agentes (not including pcs), 5 members of the leone family (excluding carina), 8 hell hunters, 17 members of the obscurite (excluding yuki & dominic), 1 escripta (not including gal), 6 known ordem prisoners, 1 colosseum employee, cassiano/hugo/eduarda/tim, the 15 surviving members of tipora (excluding amelie & oliver), 2 panacea employees, emilia, donisvaldo (don), mandy/vicente, and a number of npcs whose whereabouts are unknown. this adds up to at least 109 relevant characters. (source). of course, this is not counting the amount of people we don't know about. think about all the other organizations & governments out there. think about how many odd groups like os cinco are out there. think about the mask sect, the host production, the luzidios. furthermore, it is not unreasonable to assume the population of the world that ordem is set in is similar to ours. currently, we are sitting at nearly 8 billion. any amount of those 8 billion could have some knowledge about the paranormal. without a doubt, those people amount to at least a couple hundred thousands. even if we were to even out the playing field and pretend that kian's escriptas were still alive, the ratio of escriptas to people he needs to kill is maddening.

2. Kian is not all-knowing.

"kian sabe, kian sabe-" no he doesn't. he knows about the other side, but that only gets him so far. he could not locate the order base (source) (it is important to note that the order had the help of a relic in hiding themselves) nor stop them when they arrived in italy, he had to rely on clarissa. (source). furthermore, he had no idea about god's diary- the one thing that could stop him. (source). the world is enormous. to be as brief as possible: there is too much ground for him to cover. he can also not account for recorded information. there is no feasible way he can look through every archive, every website, every library, etc. information about the paranormal will survive and he might never know about it. on that note, he cannot possible know where all of his targets are at once, and he cannot get to all of them fast enough before some of them realize they need to hide. this brings me to my next point.

3. It would take him too long to accomplish his goal.

kian is currently immortal. (source). he has all the time in the world. no rush, right? wrong. thinking back to the insanely large amount of people he needs to kill, which assumedly totals up to at least hundreds of thousands of people. it would take him ages to kill them all. even if he did have escriptas helping him, it would take multiple decades at a minimum. the longer he takes, the more time someone else has to stumble upon the paranormal. the number of people he needs to kill is not a fixed rate, it is constantly increasing. if we take into account the rapid spread of news and information because of digital spaces, it's not unreasonable to think that it's increasingly rapidly. this also gives other people more time to figure out how to stop him, which is obviously dangerous to his cause. he cannot reasonable kill people at a fast enough rate to make rapid progress, at least not if he wants to prevent my next point from becoming true

4. Enacting his plan would weaken the membrane.

the membrane that separates reality from the other side can be weakened by fear. entities from the other side use this fear as a bride to physically manifest in reality. (source). kian does not have the time (as explained above), nor the money, nor the resources to ensure every death is untraceable. the amount of people he needs to kill will draw attention, especially when it isn't unreasonable to think that government officials are aware of the paranormal to an extent (for example, verissimo himself comments that the order is partially supported by political allies). it's also important to note the sheer amount of people that will die. to an outside perspective, large amounts of people globally will die or go missing with little public explanations or connections. this will undoubtedly cause mass panic. panicked people become paranoid, and then scared, and then the membrane begins to weaken. this means more opportunities for the other side to manifest into reality, therefore making more people aware of the paranormal. it is completely unavoidable, and (from his perspective) frustratingly counter-active to his plan.

naturally, we do not know the true extent of kian's strength. up to this point, he really has not made any attempts of truly trying to enact his plan; instead he focuses on stopping the people in his way (which, if he continues to focus on such matters, he will never get around to actually bringing about the calamity).

there is also the argument that he may have access to relics. this is addressed by the magistrate in calamity episode 8:

the magistrate informs equipe abutres that if the mask of despair (relic of knowledge) were to be destroyed, kian would possibly control destiny itself. (source).

it can only be assumed that similar consequences would occur should the other relics be destroyed. however, for him to actually destroy the relics, he would have to acquire them first. this is where I believe he meets a significant wall.

the relics do not appear to get along. or at the very least, their differences drive them apart. (source). this does not mean they cannot make agreements. the devil and the host appeared to have no problems with each other in the ordo calamitas base, and the host and magistrate let equipe abutres decide who to side with even though they knew it would end in one of their "deaths" (even if they argued about it the entire time).

most importantly, they all desired to stop kian. this is because, very obviously, they do not want to be barred from reality. and even more importantly, they are very, very powerful.

but the relics of knowledge and energy do not have wielders, leaving it up to the god of death and the devil (unless someone decides to become the new magistrate or host), which brings me to my final topic.

the devil and the god of death are not going to help kian. the strongest counter-argument to this entire essay is that with the help of the devil, kian could easily realize the calamity. with the devil appearing to offer a pact to an imprisoned kian, this reality doesn't seem to far away. yet, there is no logical sense behind this idea. the devil can only lose if kian accomplishes his goal, and kian will not stop until he has destroyed all the relics. they may temporarily work together, but it is a fragile alliance. at some point, the devil must try to stop him. the god of death has only appeared twice, both under circumstances in which his domains were threatened. even if he chooses to ignore the calamity, eventually kian is going to encroach on his territory. the god of death will be forced to intervene.

i, chirp, assume the two would not get along super well, but the magistrate and host have shown us that relics can come together for a cause they both believe in. it is impossible to know if they will both be able to come together in such a way, but the chance is not zero!

in summary: under all that power and immortality, kian is flesh and bone like the rest of us. 4000 years has not softened his pride, and it will probably take 4000 more for his plan to amount to anything.

----

you made it to end!! sorry i am such a yapper lmao, but i've been thinking about this for like two days straight. this essay isn't meant to start any heated arguments, it's all very lighthearted, but i do want to hear your opinions. if i got some information wrong, please forgive me; youtube auto-translated subtitles can only get me so far, and i've only seen calamidade once.

KIAN BROXA.