#mi 10 launch

[vinvantae]

How the current f1 grid would react coming home from a race to find you’d fallen asleep on the sofa waiting for them to come home.

So this is me trying to get back into the groove, hope you like it! All just a bit of fun 🥰

There’s now a part 2!

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Below the cut because I don’t want to flood your dash 💙💙

#1 Max Verstappen

Max’s reaction would be entirely dependent on when his last Redbull was. If he was feeling just as sleep deprived as you, he’d squeeze onto the sofa with you and snuggle up beside you - smiling to himself as you grumbled into his chest about how much you’d missed him before the two of you dozed off, both eventually waking up with sore backs. But if he’d thrown back his millionth Redbull on the plane, just to ensure he was awake enough to see you - he would for sure prod his fingers into your sides, tickling you until you were squealing for him to stop, the biggest shit eating grin on his face. Max Emillian! Get those hands off of me! Before he’d kiss you deeply, showing you just how much he’d missed you.

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#2. Logan Sargeant

After draping a blanket over you, he’d cosy himself up in the adjacent armchair and distract himself with the TV on quietly or something on his phone until you woke up. And as you groggily moved from the sofa to the armchair, curling yourself up in his lap - complaining that he should’ve woken you up, it’s been too long without you, he’d simply smile and kiss your forehead. He’d then listen to you yap away about what he’d missed while he was gone, but truthfully, even when you were asleep your company was enough, because even if he felt lonely on the grid sometimes - he never felt like that with you.

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#3. Daniel Ricciardo

Daniel would stand over your sleeping body for a few moments - torn between waking you up because he misses you or just letting you sleep a while. But feeling particularly selfish after not the best race, he’d crouch next to your face and gently stroke his thumb over your cheek whilst calling your pet name to get your attention. And seeing your eyes light up at the sigh of him, launching yourself from your comfy spot on the sofa into his arms would make him forget all his worries - even for just a minute. You’d kiss all over his face, making him laugh. G’day to you too, Sheila, miss me that much?

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#4. Lando Norris

He wouldn’t even get the chance to notice you sleeping, hollering out your name as he came through the front door - kicking off his shoes and dumping his suitcase too was more than plenty to wake you up. As he comes into the living room to see you sitting up and rubbing your eyes - he’d wince and apologise for waking you, I am sooooo sorry, babe. Am I forgiven?, before coming over to give you a kiss. But you’d smile, rolling your eyes playfully and say you wouldn’t have him any other way before hauling him down onto the couch to join you.

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#10. Pierre Gasly

Pierre is a needy boyfriend - of course he’d never admit it but you and anyone with a pair of eyes could see it. He craved your attention so waking you up was something he would do without even thinking - just to get a kiss. So when you feel the sofa dip and a warm hand come up to rest on your shoulder, you let your eyes flutter open to see him smiling down at you. Bonjour, mon amour, I’ve missed you. And as he leans down to kiss you, you can’t help but playfully rib him for waking you up just for an ounce of attention.

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#14. Fernando Alonso

You wouldn’t even realise he was home until he’d placed a mug of your favourite hot drink on the coffee table. He was so quiet on his feet that he had a habit of making you jump so when you heard the soft Mi Amor of your lover, you jolted awake. Nando, you’re home - why didn’t you wake me sooner? He’d simply smile and hand you your drink, saying he didn’t want to disturb you and that it gave him time to unpack. As you sit up to drink, he’d nestle himself beside you and drape an arm across your shoulders, before the two of you would fall into a conversation about his weekend.

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#16. Charles Leclerc

Charles endeared you like no one else - every time he came home late from a race weekend, determined not to wake you, he always found himself dropping something or accidentally closing a door too loud. He wanted to let you sleep but this time it was the jar of coffee and the tiled floor that were his biggest enemy. Most people would freak at the sound of breaking glass while they slept, but to you it was the sign your clumsy boyfriend was home. He’d apologise profusely as you stepped into the kitchen with a tired smile on your face but you’d simply step around the glass to take his face in your hands and kiss him, getting rid of any worry.

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#18. Lance Stroll

With a gentle touch to your knee and a soft whisper of your name, Lance would smile to himself as you stretched out and yawned - matching his smile as you sat up to hug him. Before he’d reach into his bag and pull out something he’d seen he knew you’d love. You’d always scold him for buying you things but there was nothing Lance loved more than picking you out something from each country he visited. And you could never stay mad when you opened it, your boyfriend was the most thoughtful gift giver and never had he put something tasteless in your lap. And boy, did he love reaping the reward.

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#20. Kevin Magnussen

Coming home to a quiet house was rare for Kevin, so when he did - the driver did everything in his power to keep it that way. Knowing you’d somehow got the kids to sleep despite his pending return home, it was not something worth risking. So when he found you asleep on the sofa, clearly in an attempt to wait up for him as evidenced by the half drunk cup of coffee and the book splayed across your chest, he’d slide his arms underneath you and take the two of you to bed. Your body so tired that you barely registered the movement, only curling up into his chest once his strong arms wrapped around you.

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#22. Yuki Tsunoda

It was usually the smell of something cooking that woke you, no matter the hour - Yuki could never resist whipping both of you up something delicious because the plane home always made him hungry. So as you padded to the kitchen to peer over his shoulder, what’s cooking good lookin’? He’d apologise for waking you but would offer you a taste of whatever delicious food he’d decided to make and that was more than enough of an apology. And once you were up, you could sit contently on the counter as he rambled away about his weekend.

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#23. Alex Albon

After taking various photos of you snoozing, including an awful 0.5x close up that you’d have to wrestle his phone out of his hand to stop him posting to instagram once you discovered it, he’d wedge himself in behind you and wrap his arms around you - pressing a kiss to your warm forehead. Missed you he’d whisper gonna put you in my pocket next time, bring you with me. His long fingers tracing up and down your spine as you pressed your cheek against his chest, just enjoying the feelings of his arms around you once again. Not quite ready to wake up but determined to make the most of your time with him.

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#24. Zhou Guanyu

Thankfully, Guanyu was always quiet on his feet - moving around your shared space like he was floating on air, laying your favourite fluffy blanket over your body before checking the house for any remaining chores. But of course you’d done them all, and well he had missed you, so disturbing you just enough to move your head onto his lap so he could stroke his fingers through your hair was his next move. Watching the way you almost purred and pushed into his touch. How long have you been back? He’d simply brush his finger down the slope of your nose. Not long, want to head up to bed? Be comfier there.

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#31. Esteban Ocon

Mon lapin? Where are you? Esteban cursed under his breath when he realised he’d woken you up by calling out - but the guilt faded when you smiled giddily at him. Estie, mon amour, come here. Your arms outstretched for the Frenchman, giggling with glee when he practically launched himself into your arms - showering your face with kisses. He always missed you endlessly when you couldn’t join him on a race weekend, FaceTime couldn’t compare to the feeling of having you wrapped up with him.

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#44. Lewis Hamilton

Lewis was almost shocked when you and Roscoe didn’t greet him at the door, you loved making sure the old pup was there to greet his Dad. But after gently pushing off his shoes, leaving his luggage to deal with later, he moved into the lounge to find you and the bulldog curled up together on the sofa - Roscoe’s large head on your chest, little tail wagging as soon as he laid eyes on Lewis. Hey buds, looking good! He’d whisper, giving him a scratch. You and Mama having a good nap, huh? He’d smile as you stretched your arms out above your head, his name leaving your lips softly before he lent down to kiss you. Let me make us some tea.

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#55. Carlos Sainz

Carlos always craved your touch, but when the two of you had to spend time apart - he felt like his skin was on fire. So as he stepped into your home and found you dozing on the sofa he couldn’t help but feel his shoulders slump for just a moment before kneeling beside you - letting his tanned fingers trace up the exposed skin of your legs. Corazón, I’m home. You blinked hard a few times to wake yourself up but before you could even think, his strong arms scooped you up and off the sofa. Carlos! You’d laugh, as he tossed you on the bed, crawling between your legs, his lips tugged into a smirk. I’ve been without you for too long, Mi Vida. Need you.

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#63. George Russell

You hadn’t even realised George was home, but when you woke up - both of you were dozing in bed, the Brit had moved you upstairs, somehow without waking you up. George, love? How come you didn’t wake me? His long arms would wind around you and pull you in close, nuzzling his face into your neck - warm breath fanning across your skin. You just looked so peaceful and I was tired so I thought we may as well just sleep. You hummed, pushing your fingers through his hair with a gentle smile on your face. I’ll let you off this once, missed you loads.

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#77. Valtteri Bottas

It was late when Valtteri got in, so he assumed you’d already be tucked up in bed - but when he saw you on the sofa, sleeping features illuminated by the soft glow of the table lamp he couldn’t help but feel a tug at his heartstrings at your effort to wait up for him. Carefully, he pulled the blanket off of the back of the couch and laid it over you before putting out the candle you’d accidentally left burning, no wonder it smelt so good in here. But, he didn’t want you to wake up with a bad back in the morning so reluctantly, he gave your shoulder a gentle squeeze. Hi, ready to go to bed? You hummed and kissed him softly. Tried to wait up for you. Val smiled and helped you to your feet, before the two of you headed upstairs for a good night's sleep.

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#81. Oscar Piastri

You’d been so excited when you got Oscar’s text that his plane had landed that you were determined to wait up for him - but before long you were out cold, a movie playing in the background and your phone discarded on the floor where it had slipped from your fingers. As he came in he could hear the tv so naturally assumed you were awake, so he would move quickly to get to you - only to find you fast asleep. Oscar smiled gently, picking your phone up off the floor and turning off the tv. He wanted to let you sleep but he’d missed you so dearly, and wanting nothing more than to hear your voice he decided to wake you. Oscar! You beamed, jumping into his arms - wrapping yourself around him. You’re here, you’re home! He nestled himself up in your arms, enjoying the warmth of your body against his - feeling the stress melt away. Definitely worth waking you up for.

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Hope y’all enjoyed this lil something

Didn’t write for Perez and Hulkenburg because I just don’t feel confident or comfortable doing so!

Thank u to @carsgonyoom @vetteltea and @danielfuckingricciardo for letting me annoy u with it first 💙

[pedriache]

PEDRI FLUFF WHERE when he goes to lie down, he practically throws himself onto the bed, it always irks reader but she hears him laugh and she forgets why she was even annoyed in the first place (based off that one vid lmk)

Pretty boy — Pedri Gonzalez.

Pairing: Pedri Gonzalez x Fem!Reader

Summary: Getting annoyed at your boyfriend for almost getting your coffee all over you was so hard when he lets out the most angelic laugh.

Word count: 510

Disclaimer/s: just pure hair pulling fluff!

A/N: i need him so bad you don’t understand.

Sitting on your bed, still in pajamas as it was only seven in the morning, you sipped on your coffee. Book open in your lap as it was part of your morning routine, you nearly throw it at Pedri.

He’d just launched himself onto the bed, plopping down only a foot from you. You’d jolted, clutching your coffee cup in your hand, your head whips toward him. Anger consumes you as you’d just washed your sheets and he’d almost caused you to stain them.

But then you hear it.

His laughter.

The sound so sickeningly sweet, all your annoyance disappeared as you watch his gummy smile take over his own face. You almost completely forgot why you were upset in the first place. How could you ever be mad at him when he was so perfect?

Pedri, noticing your sudden jolt upwards, glances at you. With his sleepy eyes that crinkled at the sides, he was just so pretty. “What?” He asks, another small chuckle escaping his lips.

“Be careful next time, I almost spilled my coffee.” You answer softly, eyes flickering across his face. “What’re you laughing at?”

Mumbling an apology, he turns his phone to show you what was on his screen. He was laughing at a stupid meme on twitter, how boyish. Nonetheless, you still found it adorable.

“You’re such a loser, mi amor.” You giggle, setting your coffee on the nightstand so you could lean over and place a small kiss to his lips.

Pedri hums at the contact, eyes fluttering shut. A groan escapes his lips as you pull away. He throws his phone to the edge of the bed to pull you closer with his free hand.

Shrieking at the sudden movement, you find yourself cut short when his lips touch yours again. Pedri kisses you through his own giggles, which infected you instantly. And just like that, you were both thrown into a fit of laughter, hardly being able to give coherent kisses.

“Can we stay in bed today?” Pedri murmurs against your lips when you finally calm yourselves.

You pull apart, eyes twinkling with amusement. “We have a reservation tonight.” Which was true, your annual date night at your favorite restaurant was at 10 PM.

“Cancel it?” Pedri suggests, pulling you closer to him as he laid against the headboard.

With your head resting on his chest, hearing the way his heart beat for you, you give in. “I’ll make the call.”

DTS , @halfwayhearted <33

[f1version]

THE SLIP UP SERIES ★ CS55 version

pairing: carlos sainz jr. x famous!reader (she/her)

summary: You do the Buzzfeed’s Celeb + puppies Interview, and while distracted with the puppies and their cuteness, you let the world know who is your celebrity crush… that may or may not lead to a soft launch.

note: i love this tiny series.

request ★ series masterlist

BUZZFEED’s youtube channel

yourusername’s instagram story

carlossainz55’s instagram story

yourusername

Liked by scuderiaferrari, carlossainz55 and 1,826,622 others

yourusername different days, always red

👤: scuderiaferrari

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scuderiaferrari the color of champions

lewishamilton 555… amazing angel number

georgerussell63 such an amazing vibe fr

yourusername suddenly, i don’t really like mercedes

charlesleclerc showcasing this in our next team meeting

cooltifosi16 THEY ALL KNOW DONT THEY

ynkisses 555 is such a bold move

liked by carlossainz55

carlossainz55 numbers

yourusername numbers indeed

loverera this is WILD

carlossainz55

Liked by scuderiaferrari, yourusername and 987,516 others

carlossainz55 What a crazy weekend, have some photos! 💪🏼🏆❤️

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yourusername Felicidades, Carlos!!

carlossainz55 Gracias! ❤️

charlesleclerc Congratulations, mate! ❤️❤️

landonorris loving the fan pic!!

scuderiaferrari tifosi 💪🏼💪🏼

sainzleclerc10 they are all just making fun of us atp

yourusername

Liked by carlossainz55, landonorris and 2,987,955 others

yourusername You are not delulu, we are just shy!

Happy 4 years, mi amor carlossainz55. To many more ❤️🥂

view all comments

carlossainz55 I love you so so much

yourusername I love you more!!!!

landonorris FINALLY I COULDN’T RESIST ANY LONGER THEY ARE MY PARENTS EVERYONE ‼️‼️‼️

yourusername lando omg

dovecameron what about us babes 😭

yourusername you are my girlfriend of 10 years

lewishamilton Congrats kiddo and Y/n 🥳🥳

carlossainz55 why am i the kiddo 😭

yourusername i’ve finally reached a new status

midnightsun I KNEW THEY HAD BEEN DATING FOR 181637 YEARS

carlossainz55

Liked by yourusername, charlesleclerc and 1,351,725 others

carlossainz55 Happy 4 years, cariño. My present was a new puppy! ❤️🥂

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yourusername Tequila, Vodka and I love you 💞❤️💓✨

carlossainz55 My little family ❤️

[giuseppe-yuki]

Horrible thought

Imagine francos gf goes out as her cat form and gets a bit roughed up by a stray dog, so franco has to fix her wounds

🐅

omg! that would be quite frightening.

i feel she would at first get herself into this situation by sneaking out the house in her orange cat!form with the mentality of a orange cat- chaotic, fearless, and with no zero thoughts in her head. she does it on purpose when franco’s in the middle of a interview or something- probably yapping about something that is gonna get him in trouble with pr.

after leaving franco’s house, it goes pretty well at first. she stomps on the ugly flowers in the neighbor’s front yard that she has always hated and digs a hole in another neighbor’s front yard just for the fun of it.

once she gets into the more suburban areas where there’s small shops that line the street, she purposefully nips at the fat birds that peck at the crumbs in the sandwich shop and attacks the people that walk by on the sidewalk.

it’s only when she’s admiring a yellow poster of franco on the wall that advertises an online marketplace company when a feral dog literally launches at her head with its claws out.

she has to limp back to franco’s house, yowling in pain with her tail tucked between her legs.

you won’t believe how fast franco ends the interview the second he hears her cries because damn it, no pesky chat with a talk show host can stop him from helping his gf.

franco will snatch her up (gently of course) and after chastising her for sneaking out + banning her from ever setting foot outside ever again, will say something goofy, like “it’s okay though mi amor, you’re lucky i’m the best doctor around!” even though he hasn’t had one lick of medical training.

he washes the grime off of her fur and wraps up the wounds with gauze and bandages (which he finds out how to do via a 5 minute YouTube video that runs at 240p quality)

then he gets orders pizza and cuddles her (in human form or cat form) before he’s forced to go to his williams meetings later in the day.

even though she loves how soft her boyfriend gets when she’s hurt, it’s def a 1/10 experience because it is not a fun experience getting mauled by a dog.

[ywpd-translations]

Ride 807: Kyofushi's giant attack

Pag 1

2: Every-

6: -one... is here....

Pag 2

1: Where are you going!!

Pag 3

1: Waaaaaa

Pag 4

1: Hiiiii

4: Ah, ah, what.... what the hell is going on!?

I felt like I was licked by the giant tongue... of a giant body!!

Pag 5

1: Hii.... Higashimura-san, what's with this guy

He should just be catching up normally, but he looks huge, abnormally huge... he looks like he's getting closer....

2: and knocking down the trees around him!!

3: Gr....

Pag 6

1: oooss!!

Waaaaaaa

That's his pressure!? He looks so big because of his pressure!? Higashimura-san!!

2: All the times I've ran in the Inter High before we made a deal to cooperate....

Pag 7

1: This is... the real.... form of Kyofushi's Midosuji!!

3: Here

4: Do you wanna eat? You look very hungry

5: Kakaka, Hiroshima-san got surprised!! Is it the first time for you?

Pag 8

1: Where are you going!?

To have a picnic?

2: The fastest, flashy, full-throttle picnic at the gate where the victory feast is served!!

3: That's funny, puku

Don't play dumb!!

4: This is what you been aiming for from the start, tearing off everyone behind!!

You're drooling!! You can't hold back!!

5: Puku, I'm that easy to read? So should I

Pag 9

1: do it?

Of course!!

2: They collided!!

Sohoku isn't shaken by Midosuji's pressure!!

What's with that red little guy!!

3: Puku!!

Kakaka

4: The red little guy isn't budging at all!!

Pag 10

1: Oruaaaaaa

Gross gross gross gross gross!!

2: But before that

3: Puah?

4: The one who's clinging behind you

Pag 11

1: Introduce that huge guy!!

Mi!!

2: It's funnier if we know all the members going to the picnic, after all!!

3: Kyofushi lost Kishigami because of a flat tire

Still, they're not worried about it

4: As expected, this means they have a second plan

5: Number 46, first year...

6: Even though I saw the list before the start

7: Unknown background and unknown experience, 175cm of height and 82kg of weight...

Pag 12

1: Physically, he's the perfect power player!!

Mi!!

His name is Hacchoubori..... kun

2: Komari-kun suddenly brought him one day

It's my launching pad, you know!?

3: This is the lead, mi?

Yeah...

Here is before the finish line... mi?

4: Yeah...

Pag 13

1: If we pass all these guys we win? Mi?

Yeah!!

5: Doesn't look possible...

Mi!!

6: Puku, but there are 9km left....

From here on...

Pag 14

1: We'll enter the long downhill towards the sea, right!?

Pag 15

1: Ohou!!

2: Ohhhh

3: Downhills are fun!!

4: So fast!

They looked like motorbikes!!

The cyclists are entering the downhill one by one!!

There are four teams, Kyofushi, Hakogaku, Sohoku, and Hiroshima!!

Pag 16

1: Ugh!!

They're leaving us behind on the downhill!?

2: The difference in weight is more evident during downhill races!!

Pedal, Ninoshima!! Kyofushi's first year is fast!!

Yeah!!

3: “Four teams”.... it's a pity, but... puku

That's not true

4: Huh!?

Pag 17

1: There's one more team chasing the lead that's entering the downhill!!

What

2: They intend to catch up on the downhill!?

4: Fr... from behind!?

It's pressure again!!

5: They're coming

6: Phew

7: There was no way he wouldn't come...

Pag 18

1: The man who wants the crown the most!!

Pag 19

1: Gunma Ryosei's Kiji Kyuui!!

Yon

2: Gunma-san, who had fallen behind, appears!!

3: Looks like he's not satisfied with just the sprint!!

4: E... even more people!!

5: You want MTB.... you want road racing too...

Pag 20

1: You're greedy like no one else!!

Kiji Kyuuuuui!!

2: It really doesn't fit with my values

3: I'm free to accept challenges, am I not?

4: ou don't have many friends, do you?

5: Only a selected few

Pag 21

2: Even Gunma...

Everyone is here...!!

3: I think....!! These are all the

4: “Five teams”

Ten people...!!

Pag 22

1: These are all the jerseys that.... will aim for the Inter High's first day's finish line!!

[florexyy]

𝐁𝐞𝐭𝐰𝐞𝐞𝐧 𝐔𝐬, 𝐎𝐧𝐥𝐲 𝐅𝐢𝐫𝐞 / 𝐍𝐢-𝐊𝐢

7. 𝐖𝐡𝐨 𝐈𝐧𝐯𝐢𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐇𝐢𝐦? Genre: Enemies to lovers, a bit of smau Pairing: ni-ki x fem!reader WC: 1.1K Warnings(TBU!): profanity, slow burnish, y/n & riki have an attitude problem, might contain bad grammar and may be illogical sometimes.

༻꧁✬꧂༺

⇝02.09.22⇜ ♫ 𝐍𝐨𝐰 𝐏𝐥𝐚𝐲𝐢𝐧𝐠...W.D.Y.W.F.M?

Y/N has been looking for the right address for 10 minutes, cluelessly walking around the neighbourhood, until she found the house Nao-mi described to her.

She looked on her phone to check the house number, hesitantly knocking on the door.

A few seconds passed as someone opened the door.

Y/N stood frozen at the doorway, her breath caught in her throat and her heart sank to her stomach as she stared at the last person she expected to see.

He leaned casually against the doorframe, arms crossed over his chest, an infuriating expression plastered across his face.

"The heck are you doing here" he asked, raising an eyebrow.

Y/N blinked rapidly, glancing down at the address Nao-mi had texted her. "I- think I have the wrong house."

Before she could even think about turning away, a voice echoed from inside.

"Y/N! Finallyyy, what took you so long?"

Nao-mi came rushing down the stairs, nearly tripping over herself in excitement. She grabbed Y/Ns arm, pushing riki aside and pulled her inside before she could protest.

"Wait, you-" Y/N stammered, looking between Nao-mi and Riki in disbelief. "This is your house?"

"Uh, yeah? Where else would we have a sleepover?" Nao-mi laughed, leading her further into the house. "Come on, lets go to my room!"

Y/N cast one last glance at Riki, who simply rolled his eyes at her as he shut the door behind them. Her mind was spinning. How had she never known that Nao-mi was Rikis sister? How had that never come up?

As they settled into Nao-mis room, Y/N tried to shake the weird feeling in her stomach. But she couldnt ignore the nagging thought that Rikis presence brought up memories she couldnt quite piece together.

"I didnt know you guys were siblings.." Y/N said as she plopped down on the bed.

"I thought it was obvious, we literally have the same last name" She chuckled sitting down next to her.

"Thats the 'Blondie' guy ive been talking about the whole time.." She mumbled gulping down her words.

"So youve been badmouthing my brother the whole time" She laughed throwing a pillow at her.

"I mean yeahh...- hes an asshole." Smacking the pillow away jokingly.

 "Alsoooo, what happened at school on monday?" Nao-mi asked changing the topic.

"Uhhh, it was fucking crazy, i was sat in the cafeteria right, with my headphones on just chilling, until Jay fucking jumped up and launched at your brother, they fucking beat the shit out of each other.

"What the hell... i mean yeah i was kinda wondering where riki got those bruises from, he wouldnt tell me" She sighed.

"Well, jay didnt either no idea whats going on between them.." Y/N replied admiring Nao-mis room looking at pictures on her wall.

Y/N paused before thinking about something Jay had said.

"He just said something about me not remembering something" Her gaze shifted back to Nao-mi.

"Is your brother very overprotective?" Nao-mi suddenly asked.

"I mean..- yeah i guess, why?" Y/N furrowed her eyesbrows.

"I think i have an idea what this is all about.." She said snickering holding back her laugh.

"Hm?" Y/N hummed.

"You know riki brought you home last friday right..?" She carefully asked.

Y/N raised an eyebrow, "What?"

"There you go" Nao-mi said reaching out to grab a glass standing on her bedside table.

"What, wait what do you mean?" She stuttered.

"Riki told me he found you blacked out in heeseung bathroom, and i guess, he didnt tell jay to not ruin his night, but he took you home and well, jay found out through other friends maybe?"

"Kinda immature if you ask me" Nao-mi said sipping on her water.

"What the heck? Why would riki do that" She gasped, the floor suddenly looking very interesting.

"No idea, i know hes not the type to do stuff like that dont ask me" Nao-mi said eyeing her.

'So he was the one who posted that embarrassing picture of me..' She thought 

Y/N suddenly let herself fall backwards, her back pressing against the soft material of Nao-mis bedsheet.

༻꧁✬꧂༺

The house was quiet, the kind of silence that felt heavier in the middle of the night. Y/N had been lying awake for what felt like hours, replaying the fight in her head.

With a sigh, she slipped out of her sleeping bag, careful not to wake Nao-mi. She needed water-no, she needed answers.

Making her way down the dim hallway, she quietly pushed open the kitchen door. But she wasnt alone.

Leaning against the counter, lazily sipping from a glass, was Riki. His blonde hair was slightly messy, his hoodie loose around his frame. He glanced up when she entered, eyebrows raising slightly.

"Couldve guessed youd come snooping," he muttered, setting his glass down.

"Not my fault youre always in my way" She rolled her eyes.

He ignored her.

Y/N crossed her arms, standing in the doorway. "I want to know what the fight was about."

Riki exhaled through his nose, shaking his head. "Not happening."

Now that Y/N heard Nao-mis theory, she HAD to find out, no matter how.

"Why not? Jay wont tell me either, and that just makes me think its something stupid."

"Then assume it was stupid and go back to bed" he said, pushing off the counter like he was about to leave.

She stepped in front of him, blocking his path. "Not until you tell me."

Riki tilted his head slightly, a smirk tugging at his lips. "You gonna fight me too?"

"If I have to" she shot back.

For a second, his smirk faltered. His expression shifted to something less playful, more serious. He hesitated, then ran a hand through his hair. "Its not something you need to worry about, Y/N."

He sighed, rubbing the back of his neck. "Look... Jay was pissed at me about something, okay? He confronted me, things got heated, and fists were thrown. Thats it."

Y/N narrowed her eyes. "Thats it? Thats the best youve got?"

Riki met her gaze, something unreadable in his eyes. "Trust me. You dont want to know."

Her stomach twisted. The way he said it, the way his voice lowered just slightly it wasnt just some meaningless fight. It meant something.

And now she needed to know even more.

"Riki, this is about me." Her voice was quieter now, but firm. "Just tell me."

He looked at her for a long moment, like he was debating something in his head. Then, with a small scoff, he shook his head.

"Go back to bed, Y/N."

And with that, he brushed past her, leaving her standing in the kitchen, heart pounding with frustration.

"I know you took me home that night." She blurted out, restraining herself from turning around.

He stops in his tracks, gulping loudly.

"Nao-mi told me, thats what the fight was about, right?" She said after a long pause, still aware of his presence.

She finally turned around, just to see his back.

"Yeah, i did" He said barely above a whisper.

But before she could say another word, or ask further questions, he left without saying another word, leaving her behind.

'So it was true' She thought, her eyes wide awake.

⇜Last Part ��� Next Part⇝

[whencyclopedia]

Battle of Arcole

The Battle of Arcole (15-17 November 1796), or Arcola, was a three-day battle fought between Napoleon Bonaparte's French Army of Italy and an Austrian army under József Alvinczi. Part of Napoleon's Italian Campaign, the battle foiled Austria's third attempt to relieve the siege of Mantua and helped lead to France's success in the broader War of the First Coalition (1792-1797).

The battle, which involved a daring attempt by General Bonaparte to outflank the Austrian army, was mostly centered around the bridge at Arcole, about 25 kilometers (16 mi) southeast of Verona. It was a hard-fought clash that included such dramatic moments as Bonaparte personally leading a charge across the bridge, and it ultimately ended in a French victory.

The Key to Italy

In October 1796, the siege of Mantua entered its fourth month. Situated in the Lombardy region of northern Italy, Mantua was one of four crucial fortresses collectively known as the Quadrilateral, that guarded the Alpine passes and the entrances to the Po River and Lake Garda (the other three fortresses being Peschiera, Legnago, and Verona). As such, Mantua held the key to Austria's control of northern Italy, making it vital that the French Republic capture it.

The siege was being carried out by the 41,400 men of the French Army of Italy, commanded by the 27-year-old General Napoleon Bonaparte. Since the siege had begun in June, Bonaparte had already fended off two Austrian attempts to relieve it. The first had come in late July when a 50,000-man Austrian army led by Field Marshal Dagobert von Wurmser advanced down Lake Garda. Wurmser had divided his army into two corps, each one marching down an opposite side of the lake; Bonaparte, therefore, was able to defeat each corps before they had a chance to link up, beating the first at the Battle of Lonato (3 August) and the other at the Battle of Castiglione (5 August).

Wurmser retreated north to Tyrol to regroup and launched a second attempt to relieve the siege at the end of August. This, too, ended in failure when Wurmser was again defeated by Bonaparte at the First Battle of Bassano (8 September). Rather than cutting his losses and retreating after this defeat, Wurmser elected instead to press on to Mantua. The French pursued, and after a hard-fought battle outside the city on 15 September, Wurmser was forced behind Mantua's walls alongside 14,000 of his men. The French then resumed their siege of Mantua, with Wurmser's army now trapped inside.

Far from alleviating the suffering of the 16,000-man Mantua garrison, Wurmser's presence had only made things worse. Mantua's resources, which were already depleted, now buckled under the strain of 14,000 additional mouths to feed, as the overcrowded garrison accelerated the spread of disease. Within six weeks of Wurmser's defeat, 4,000 Austrians had died of wounds, disease, or malnutrition, and a further 7,000 were hospitalized. By 10 October, there was only 38 days' worth of food left, forcing Wurmser to launch increasingly desperate sorties to forage for supplies; one such sortie cost 1,000 Austrian casualties. On 16 October, Bonaparte called on Wurmser to surrender, telling him that "the brave should be facing danger, not swamp plague" (Roberts, 118). Wurmser refused.

Continue reading...

[monkeyssalad-blog]

X-15 Launch from B-52 Mothership by NASA on The Commons Via Flickr: This photo illustrates how the X-15 rocket-powered aircraft was taken aloft under the wing of a B-52. Because of the large fuel consumption, the X-15 was air launched from a B-52 aircraft at 45,000 ft and a speed of about 500 mph. This was one of the early powered flights using a pair of XLR-11 engines (until the XLR-99 became available). The X-15 was a rocket-powered aircraft 50 ft long with a wingspan of 22 ft. It was a missile-shaped vehicle with an unusual wedge-shaped vertical tail, thin stubby wings, and unique fairings that extended along the side of the fuselage. The X-15 weighed about 14,000 lb empty and approximately 34,000 lb at launch. The XLR-99 rocket engine, manufactured by Thiokol Chemical Corp., was pilot controlled and was capable of developing 57,000 lb of rated thrust (actual thrust reportedly climbed to 60,000 lb). North American Aviation built three X-15 aircraft for the program. The X-15 research aircraft was developed to provide in-flight information and data on aerodynamics, structures, flight controls, and the physiological aspects of high-speed, high-altitude flight. A follow-on program used the aircraft as a testbed to carry various scientific experiments beyond the Earth's atmosphere on a repeated basis. For flight in the dense air of the usable atmosphere, the X-15 used conventional aerodynamic controls such as rudder surfaces on the vertical stabilizers to control yaw and canted horizontal surfaces on the tail to control pitch when moving in synchronization or roll when moved differentially. For flight in the thin air outside of the appreciable Earth's atmosphere, the X-15 used a reaction control system. Hydrogen peroxide thrust rockets located on the nose of the aircraft provided pitch and yaw control. Those on the wings provided roll control. Because of the large fuel consumption, the X-15 was air launched from a B-52 aircraft at 45,000 ft and a speed of about 500 mph. Depending on the mission, the rocket engine provided thrust for the first 80 to 120 sec of flight. The remainder of the normal 10 to 11 min. flight was powerless and ended with a 200-mph glide landing. Generally, one of two types of X-15 flight profiles was used: a high-altitude flight plan that called for the pilot to maintain a steep rate of climb, or a speed profile that called for the pilot to push over and maintain a level altitude. The X-15 was flown over a period of nearly 10 years--June 1959 to Oct. 1968--and set the world's unofficial speed and altitude records of 4,520 mph (Mach 6.7) and 354,200 ft (over 67 mi) in a program to investigate all aspects of piloted hypersonic flight. Information gained from the highly successful X-15 program contributed to the development of the Mercury, Gemini, and Apollo manned spaceflight programs, and also the Space Shuttle program. The X-15s made a total of 199 flights and were manufactured by North American Aviation. X-15-1, serial number 56-6670, is now located at the National Air and Space Museum, Washington DC. NASA Media Usage Guidelines Credit: NASA Image Number: E-4942 Date: 1959

[allthebrazilianpolitics]

Nearly two mi people received free menstrual pad this year in Brazil

They are between the ages of 10 and 49

Nearly 2 million individuals have received free menstrual pads through the Menstrual Dignity Program, launched this year, as per data disclosed by the Brazilian Ministry of Health. They are available for collection at Farmácia Popular units, a government’s program that provides free medication for the treatment of certain diseases. The Menstrual Dignity program is anticipated to assist approximately 24 million individuals, aged between 10 and 49, who lack access to this product during their menstrual cycles.

"Up to May 24, the Program has assisted 1,737,061 individuals, who have collected their pads from establishments accredited to the Farmácia Popular Program," the ministry informed Agência Brasil via its press office.

This Tuesday (May 28) marks the International Day of Menstrual Dignity.

The ministry highlights that this date is recognized in over 50 countries and serves as a platform to address menstrual poverty, a pressing issue that significantly impacts individuals who menstruate.

Continue reading.

[usafphantom2]

U.S. F-16 Fighters Shot Down Drones with Laser-Guided Rockets in Combat

F-16 APKWS shoot drones

The U.S. Air Force has officially employed for the first time laser-guided 70mm rockets in the air-to-air role during operations in the Red Sea over the course of 2024. The Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System II (APKWS II) guided-rockets were deployed from F-16 Viper multirole fighter jets to engage hostile drones launched by the Houthis, the Iranian-backed Yemeni militia.

The U.S. Air Force confirmed that F-16 fightes used Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System 70mm guided rockets in the air-to-air role in combat to shoot down Houthi drones.The APKWS IIU.S. Operations in the Red Sea against the Houthis

The U.S. Air Force has first announced back in 2019 that the APKWS II, originally developed as a low-cost air-to-ground precision munition, had been tested successfully in the air-to-air role, but until now no operational use of the weapon in this role has been disclosed. The details of the combat debut of the APKWS II in this new role are still scarce, with no knowledge of how many guided rockets were employed, how many Houthi drones have been shot down with the weapon, and the exact timeline of the engagements.

A U.S. official told to The War Zone few days ago that the APWKS II air-to-air capability was first employed last year “as one of many options for countering the Houthi UAS threat.” The official added that “It is a lower-cost option compared to the AIM-9X. That lower cost is one of the benefits of using it.”

A U.S. Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcon is refueled over the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility Dec. 17, 2024. [Author’s note: : the aircraft is armed with a 7-round rocket launcher.] (U.S. Air Force photo)

The APKWS II

The AGR-20 Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System II (APKWS II) is a conversion of the Hydra 70 unguided rockets which adds a laser guidance kit to the baseline weapon, turning it into a precision-guided munition (PGM). The Hydra 70 is itself derived from a previous weapon, the 2.75-inch (70 mm) Mk 4/Mk 40 Folding-Fin Aerial Rocket (FFAR) of the late 1940s, a system widely employed in the Korean and Vietnam wars.

By adding a guidance section to a cheap rocket (inserted in the middle of the rocket, between the 10-pound high-explosive warhead at the front and the Mk66 Mod 4 rocket motor at the rear), the U.S. Air Force has therefore been able to obtain low-cost smart munitions that can be used in the air-to-ground role. These are particularly useful when the full warhead of larger bombs (like JDAM) and missiles (like the AGM-65 Maverick or AGM-114 Hellfire anti-tank missiles) is not needed to obtain the desired effects or not suitable due to the danger of collateral damages.

The guidance section of the APKWS includes four foldable wings with wing-mounted laser seeker collection optics with a wide field of view which enable to engage both moving and stationary targets. BAE Systems, which produces the weapon, says that “no modifications are required to the rocket, firing platform or fire control system,” with the only known modification being a longer variant of the LAU-131/A 7-round rocket launcher normally employed by the U.S. Air Force, called the LAU-131 A/A (the Navy uses the AGR-20 with the similar LAU-68 F/A).

Ukrainian airman loading an American-made Hydra 70 unguided rocket into a rocket pod of a Czech-delivered Mil Mi-24V helicopter. (Image credit: Screenshot from X video)

The APKWS is also being used in a novel surface-to-air mode as a Counter-Unmanned Aircraft Systems (C-UAS) to engage low-flying, slow and cheap drones. Specifically, the weapon has been included in the Electronic Advanced Ground Launcher System (EAGLS) employed by the U.S. military in the Middle East and the U.S.-supplied VAMPIRE (Vehicle-Agnostic Modular Palletized ISR Rocket Equipment) used by Ukraine to counter Russian drones.

The U.S. Navy also announced in late 2023 that it was about to deliver a new proximity-fused warhead for APKWS II rockets, optimized for use against drones, albeit developed ostensibly for the surface-to-air role. However, further developing an air-to-air capability out of these older rockets is another impressive feat for the U.S. Air Force, that has now the possibility to engage targets at a very small fraction of the cost of other existing missiles.

While a current beyond visual range radar-guided AIM-120 Advanced Medium Range Air-to-Air Missile (AMRAAM) is priced at more than $1 million each and an AIM-9X Sidewinder Block II has a price tag of around $420,000, the guidance section of an APKWS II only costs around $15,000, with the full APKWS II round only costing a few thousand dollars more (to include the warhead and the motor).

A U.S. Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcon flies a routine presence patrol mission over the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility, Jan. 25, 2025. [Author’s note: : the aircraft is armed with a 7-round rocket launcher.] (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Jackson Manske)

The low cost of the APKWS II comes with some restrictions, as the weapon is shorter ranged than the current USAF missiles, and the warhead is also smaller. However, against slow and cheap targets like drones, the AGR-20 can provide the Air Force with a highly cost-effective weapon.

Moreover, the APKWS II can provide American jets with deeper magazines for air-to-air munitions, as they can be carried in a 7-shot rocket pod on a single hardpoint that could otherwise take only a single AIM-9X or AIM-120 missile. The F-16 is also able to carry two LAU-131/As with the standard 70 mm unguided rockets on each pylon by using a triple ejector rack, although it is unclear if this capability is also available for the LAU-131A/A with the AGR-20.

This feature could come in hand while facing swarm or saturation attacks from enemy drones, a tactic that has already been used by Russia in their aggression of Ukraine, by Iran in their attacks on Israel and sometimes on a smaller scale even by the Houthis. The high cost of the interceptors against these cheap targets and the magazine size of the launching platforms have been two of the main concerns highlighted by forces countering these attacks.

A U.S. Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcon flies a routine presence patrol mission over the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility, Jan. 25, 2025. [Author’s note: : the aircraft is loaded with a mix of AIM-120C, AIM-9M and AIM-9X missiles and accompanies the fighter armed with the APKWS] (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Jackson Manske)

U.S. Operations in the Red Sea against the Houthis

The U.S. military has been involved since late 2023 in operations with a multi-national coalition in the Red Sea, in the Gulf of Aden and in the area of the Bab el-Mandeb strait against the Iranian-backed Houthi militia operating out of Yemen. The Houthis started attacks on civilian shipping in the area after the terrorist attack of Hamas on Israel of Oct. 7, 2023.

To support Hamas, Houthis employed both aerial and naval drones, in addition to missile attacks, against shipping routes while also launching sporadic long-range drone and ballistic missile attacks on Israel. After the UN Security Council adopted Resolution 2722 in January 2024, condemning the Houthi attacks and reaffirming the freedom of navigation, the United States launched Operation Prosperity Guardian, aimed at protecting civilian shipping and reducing the Houthi threat, with the first airstrike against Houthis dating back to Jan. 12, 2024.

Over the course of one year, the warships and aircraft involved in Operation Prosperity Guardian have engaged multiple times Houthi targets, including land strikes to remove military capabilities from the terrorist group, and engagements to shoot down drones and missiles launched from Yemen.

The Carrier Air Wing 3, aboard the aircraft carrier USS Eisenhower (CVN-69), logged 14,000 sorties, 32,000 flight hours and 15,000 arrested landings during a lengthy deployment in the Red Sea, while its F/A-18E/F Super Hornets and E/A-18G Growlers shot more than 60 air-to-air missiles. Operation Prosperity Guardian also included the first long-range operational use of B-2 stealth bombers against Yemen, with the stealth bombers flying all the way from their home base at Whiteman Air Force Base in Missouri, and the combat debut of the F-35C carrier-based stealth fighter jets.

Interestingly, the U.S. Navy recently announced that an MH-60R Seahawk helicopter, an upgraded variant of the original UH-60 Black Hawk developed for naval use, has been involved in the shoot-down of a Houthi drone, but it is unclear what weapon was involved and when this happened. Probable candidates for the achievement are however restricted to only a few weapon system, including the AGM-114 Hellfire missile, the very AGR-20 Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System (APKWS) also used by U.S. Air Force’s F-16s, or on-board machine guns.

MH-60R shoots down drone

An MH-60R Sea Hawk prepares to land on the flight deck aboard the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Cole (DDG 67) in the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility. (Image credit: U.S. Navy Seaman Mark Pena)

@TheAviationist .com

[mariacallous]

Last week, Syrian rebels led by the Sunni Islamist group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) launched a surprise offensive, capturing significant parts of Aleppo, one of Syria’s largest cities, and advancing south into Hama province. This offensive—the most substantial territorial gain by rebel forces in nearly a decade—struck at the heart of what Russia once considered its defining achievement in Syria: the 2016 recapture of Aleppo.

In December 2016, Russian airpower, in coordination with Iranian-backed forces and the Syrian army, retook the city in an operation that demonstrated Moscow’s military effectiveness and cemented its role as the decisive external actor in Syria, overshadowing other actors such as the United States, which focused narrowly on countering the Islamic State, and Turkey, which was preoccupied with containing Kurdish forces near its border with Syria. The loss of Aleppo thus represents not just a military setback but a symbolic challenge to Russia’s claim of being able to decisively shape Syria’s future.

For Russia, the loss of regime control in Aleppo reveals deeper vulnerabilities in its Syrian strategy. The degradation of key ground forces such as Hezbollah—exacerbated by Israeli strikes against their commanders, forces, and logistics in Lebanon and Syria in recent months—and the endemic weakness of the Syrian army have created military gaps that Moscow has struggled to fill due to its primarily aerial deployment in Syria.

While Russia’s airpower in Syria remains relatively consistent with its 2018 levels, the redeployment of some ground forces in the past two years to secure strategic locations such as Tartus and Latakia has reduced its flexibility to address new threats effectively. Yet with established regional influence and significant military investments at stake, Russia cannot afford to retreat from Syria despite these mounting challenges. The naval base in Tartus secures Russia’s access to the Mediterranean, a critical geostrategic asset, while the Khmeimim air base near Latakia enables Moscow to project power across the region and maintain its role as a key player in Syria and beyond.

Russia’s response to the rebel offensive revealed significant operational constraints. When HTS first struck Aleppo, the speed and surprise of the advance left Moscow little time to organize effective air support. Though not lacking in air capacity, Russia struggled with the practical challenge of rapidly generating enough sorties to counter such a large-scale offensive. By the time rebels approached Hama, Russian forces managed to mount a more coordinated air campaign, with Russian and Syrian aircraft striking rebel positions across Hama, Aleppo, and Idlib. Russian sources claimed these strikes killed HTS leader Abu Mohammad al-Julani, though this remains unverified.

The offensive also exposed embarrassing weaknesses in the Assad regime’s defenses. At Kuweires air base near Aleppo, Syrian forces reportedly surrendered without resistance, allowing HTS to capture significant military assets. The seized equipment included a Mi-8 helicopter, an L-39 combat training aircraft, and reportedly an S-200 anti-aircraft missile system, along with Strela-10 and Pantsir-S1 air defense systems. Even more concerning was the fall of al-Safira, one of the regime’s largest military-industrial complexes and a critical defense manufacturing center.

The rebel advance toward Hama now threatens Russia’s strategic position in Syria. If HTS takes Hama, it could isolate the coastal provinces, as the city of Hama lies about 50 miles from Tartus and serves as a key junction connecting the interior to the Mediterranean coast. Meanwhile, a push to the city of Homs, roughly 75 miles from Latakia and 50 miles from Tartus, would sever the land link to Russia’s Mediterranean bases at Latakia and Tartus from its limited forces in central and eastern Syria.

This geographic separation would severely hamper Russia’s ability to coordinate operations across Syria. The situation could deteriorate further if dormant rebel cells in the south reactivate, potentially fragmenting regime territory and straining Russia’s already limited military presence. Russia maintains a presence in southern Syria, particularly in Quneitra and Daraa provinces near the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights, where it has established military police observation posts to monitor cease-fires and regional tensions.

Beyond immediate military concerns, these developments expose Moscow’s growing challenges in preserving its influence in Syria. Since initiating its military intervention in 2015, Moscow’s influence in Syria has rested on several key elements: a partnership with Iran and its network of nonstate actors; coordination with Turkey, with a view to managing competing interests, such as Turkey’s concerns over Kurdish forces and Russia’s support for the Assad regime; a tenuous balancing act with Israel to prevent unintended military clashes and preserve deconfliction agreements; diplomatic outreach to the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC); and efforts to maintain a working deconfliction mechanism with the United States.

However, each of these pillars has come under strain not only due to shifting realities in Syria but due to the spillover effects of Ukraine and Lebanon.

The Russian-Iranian partnership has been particularly critical to Russia’s objectives in Syria. This relationship was forged over shared concerns about the potential collapse of the Assad regime and the threat of Sunni extremism; it combined Russian airpower with ground forces from Iran and its allied militias. Iranian-supported groups such as Hezbollah, Iraqi Shiite militias, the Afghan Fatemiyoun, and the Pakistani Zainabiyoun were instrumental in recapturing key territories. Their joint campaign helped reclaim Aleppo in 2016, a turning point in the Syrian civil war.

Russia’s approach to Iran in Syria has shifted dramatically since its invasion of Ukraine in 2022. Moscow previously balanced between Iran and Israel, exemplified by its 2018 commitment to keep Iranian forces away from Israel’s border and its silence during Israeli strikes on Iranian assets. However, following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and especially after Hamas’s Oct. 7, 2023, attack on Israel, Moscow has aligned more closely with Iran’s so-called Axis of Resistance.

Russia now openly criticizes Israeli strikes and has ceded positions in central and eastern Syria to Iranian-backed forces—ostensibly aimed at preventing rebel forces from exploiting Russia’s reduction of ground forces and private military contractors in eastern Syria.

Meanwhile, Israel has dramatically escalated its strikes against Iranian assets in Syria, moving beyond targeting weapons storage to systematically eliminating high-value personnel. The Israeli offensive in Lebanon and the decimation of Hezbollah’s leadership have particularly impacted Russia’s position in Syria. The degradation of Hezbollah, which served as Russia’s primary allied ground force in western and southern Syria, has created a significant operational gap that Russia, with its limited troop presence of approximately 2,000 to 4,000 personnel, has struggled to fill.

Recently, amid developments in Gaza and Lebanon, speculation arose that Israel might again seek Russia’s assistance in curbing Iran’s influence in Syria. However, recent events suggest that Russia lacks both the capability and, potentially, the willingness to constrain Iran. This dynamic could further strain Russia-Israel relations, which have already significantly deteriorated since the outbreak of the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza.

Meanwhile, Russia and Turkey have frequently clashed over their competing visions for Syria’s future. Their relationship hit its lowest point in 2015, when Turkish F-16s shot down a Russian Su-24 bomber near the Syrian border. Both sides eventually reconciled, but even within the Astana process—a diplomatic framework launched in 2017 by Iran, Russia, and Turkey to facilitate negotiations on the Syrian conflict and de-escalation zones—they have pursued conflicting aims: Russia supports the Assad regime’s full territorial control, while Turkey backs opposition forces and maintains a military presence in northern Syria to prevent Kurdish autonomy there.

Since the start of its war in Ukraine, Russia has sought to maintain close relations with Turkey, a NATO member and critical trade partner for Moscow. This effort, coupled with Russia’s diminished resources across various regions, has positioned Ankara in a place of relative advantage. This dynamic is particularly evident in the South Caucasus, where Turkey, through its support for Azerbaijan against Armenia, has assumed a more active role in shaping regional dynamics.

The resurgence of HTS and Turkish-backed rebels will likely force Russia to reach new understandings with Turkey in Syria. While Moscow previously criticized Ankara sharply over rebel activities in Idlib, Russia’s current military constraints and need to maintain Turkish cooperation amid the Ukraine war—specifically for critical trade routes, access through the Bosporus for its naval operations, and to discourage Turkey from supplying Ukraine with advanced arms—have tempered its response.

Instead of denouncing Turkey for failing to control HTS, Russian officials have emphasized the Astana format as a mechanism for stability, suggesting that Moscow seeks accommodation rather than confrontation with Ankara.

Russia has promoted the normalization and reintegration of the Assad regime into the Arab world. These efforts culminated in Syria’s return to the Arab League in May 2023, as the GCC sought to acknowledge the reality of the regime’s control over much of Syria while reengaging with Damascus as a way to balance Iran’s influence. Russia’s objective has been to tap into Gulf financial resources for Syria’s reconstruction and economic recovery while enhancing the Assad regime’s international legitimacy.

An indication of this normalization was on display following the HTS offensive when Bashar al-Assad held a call with Emirati President Mohamed bin Zayed, who affirmed Emirati support for Syrian “sovereignty.” Nevertheless, the ongoing threats posed by armed opposition groups underline that normalization with Arab countries, while diplomatically beneficial, has little tangible impact on stabilizing the situation on the ground.

Moscow’s strategy in Syria going forward likely will involve a pragmatic adaptation rather than a withdrawal or a complete overhaul. This may require Russia to reconcile with the reality that its reduced military influence demands greater flexibility with regional powers.

The return of Donald Trump to the White House adds another layer of complexity to Russia’s calculations. A second Trump presidency might seek a grand bargain with Moscow, potentially offering a deal on Ukraine—such as freezing military aid or even recognizing Moscow’s territorial claims—in exchange for Russia helping to reduce Iran’s presence in Syria and facilitate a U.S. withdrawal from the region.

However, such a deal faces significant obstacles. Russia’s increased dependence on Iranian military support, both in Ukraine and Syria, makes Moscow unlikely to risk this crucial partnership. Moreover, Russia’s diminished leverage in Syria raises questions about its ability to deliver on any promises regarding Iranian influence, even if it wanted to.

Syria’s future trajectory will likely create new complications. Israel, faced with Russia’s inability or unwillingness to constrain Iran in Syria, may intensify its unilateral strikes against Iranian assets. Turkey may push for greater influence in the north, leveraging Russia’s need for cooperation to expand its sphere of control.

These dynamics suggest Syria is increasingly being divided into spheres of influence, with Russia focused primarily on securing its core interests along the Mediterranean coast. Though Russia is unlikely to move ground forces from Ukraine, any threat to its assets in Tartus and Latakia would likely see a redeployment of private military contractors or attempts to curry favor with Iran in hopes of ground reinforcements.

Rather than reevaluating its commitment to the Assad regime, Moscow appears determined to preserve its Syrian presence by recalibrating its methods.

[friendlydungeonmanager]

Port Ricotta: The Jewel of the Dairy Kingdom

Port Ricotta is the bustling trade hub of the Dairy Islands, a city of merchants, naval officers, priests, and rogues who navigate the delicate balance between commerce, faith, and piracy. Located on the southern coast of the Dairy Kingdom, it serves as a vital point for cheese exports, naval defense, and religious influence.

City Overview

Population: ~30,000 (Dairyfolk, Meatfolk, Grainfolk, Starchians, and a small number of Candyfolk traders).

Government: A Merchant-Oligarchy, overseen by the Guild Council and influenced by the Holy Cream Order.

Defenses: A powerful navy, stone walls lined with molten cheese cauldrons, and a secret network of underwater cheese mines.

Economy: Cheese trade, naval industry, religious tithes, and illicit smuggling.

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History of Port Ricotta

Port Ricotta was founded 300 years ago by explorers from the Dairy Islands, seeking a prime location for cheese exports and naval dominance. Initially a simple fishing village, it rapidly grew into a major trade hub due to its strategic position.

The Great Dairy War (150 years ago): The city was nearly razed by the Meat Lands, but was saved by the legendary "Tide of Butter", where the navy released boiling butter into the sea, sinking enemy ships before they reached the shore.

The Guild Riots (70 years ago): A power struggle between the Merchant Guilds and the Holy Cream Order resulted in a compromise—economic leaders retained power, but religious law was strengthened.

The Cheese Embargo Crisis (20 years ago): Port Ricotta was at the center of a failed embargo against Candia, leading to black-market cheese smuggling becoming a permanent part of city life.

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Politics & Power Struggles

The city is controlled by two major factions, each vying for dominance:

1. The Guild Council (Trade Lords & Merchant Barons)

A collection of wealthy merchant families, each controlling a specific dairy trade (hard cheeses, soft cheeses, milk exports, etc.).

Their leader, Baron Fontina Goldwheel, believes money, not faith, should rule the city.

They secretly fund pirates to undermine rivals and manipulate cheese prices.

2. The Holy Cream Order (Religious Authority & Law Enforcement)

Enforces the teachings of Mother Milk, ensuring dairy is treated as sacred.

Led by Grand Priestess Butterbelle Lactessa, a fanatic who seeks to outlaw all non-dairy imports.

Controls the Dairy Paladins, a militant sect that hunts smugglers and "dairy blasphemers".

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Defenses of Port Ricotta

Despite its merchant-city reputation, Port Ricotta is one of the most well-defended places in the Dairy Kingdom:

1. The Cheese Fortresses:

The city is protected by three coastal fortresses, whose walls are lined with boiling cheese cauldrons, dumped onto sieging enemies.

2. The Ricottan Navy:

A massive fleet of fast, heavily-armed ships, trained in naval warfare and cheese-launching ballistae.

Commanded by Admiral Havarti Blackwave, an honorable but exhausted leader.

3. The Underwater Cheese Mines:

Hidden beneath Port Ricotta’s harbor are explosive dairy mines, enchanted to detonate if enemy ships enter without permission.

---

Notable NPCs of Port Ricotta

1. Baron Fontina Goldwheel (Leader of the Guild Council)

Race: Dairyfolk (Gouda) | Class: Rogue (Mastermind) 10 | Alignment: Neutral Evil

"Faith is for those who can’t count gold."

A cunning, ruthless merchant-lord who believes gold is the only true power.

Controls the city’s economy but struggles against religious influence.

Secretly funds pirates to smuggle cheese past religious embargoes.

Adventure Hooks:

Hires the party to "protect" a dairy shipment—but it’s actually contraband smuggled from Candia.

Suspects someone within the Guild is betraying him and needs spies.

Offers the party a fortune to assassinate Grand Priestess Butterbelle.

---

2. Grand Priestess Butterbelle Lactessa (Leader of the Holy Cream Order)

Race: Dairyfolk (Goat Cheese) | Class: Cleric (Life Domain) 13 | Alignment: Lawful Neutral

"Mother Milk does not tolerate impurity."

Strict, authoritative, and dangerously fanatical.

Believes all non-dairy imports are heretical and must be purged from Port Ricotta.

Has thousands of fanatical followers, and the full backing of the Dairy Paladins.

Adventure Hooks:

Declares the party’s equipment "heretical" and demands they undergo a purification ritual.

Offers them a mission to infiltrate Candia and destroy a "corrupt bakery."

Suspects the Guild Council is working with dairy-smugglers and wants the party to investigate.

---

3. Admiral Havarti Blackwave (Commander of the Navy)

Race: Dairyfolk (Aged Cheddar) | Class: Fighter (Battle Master) 12 | Alignment: Lawful Good

"I keep this city afloat while fools bicker over cheese prices."

Old, weary, but deeply honorable.

Torn between the Guild Council and the Holy Cream Order—wants to keep Port Ricotta safe but hates politics.

Knows the truth about the underwater cheese mines—if they fail, the city is defenseless.

Adventure Hooks:

Requests the party’s help stopping a rogue pirate fleet planning to raid the city.

Desperate for new recruits—offers the party a naval commission.

Knows a deep secret about Grand Priestess Butterbelle but can’t act alone.

---

4. Mozzarella "Mozzy" Quickwhisk (Smuggler Queen of the Docks)

Race: Starchian (Pasta-Based) | Class: Rogue (Swashbuckler) 9 | Alignment: Chaotic Neutral

"If it melts, I can move it."

A fast-talking, fearless rogue, controlling most of the city’s smuggling operations.

Moves "forbidden cheeses" and non-dairy imports, defying the Holy Cream Order.

Has a vast spy network hidden within cheese carts, bakeries, and trade ships.

Adventure Hooks:

Hires the party to steal a confiscated shipment from the Dairy Paladins.

Is being hunted by assassins, and needs the party’s help to survive.

Offers the party rare enchanted cheeses, but at a steep price.

---

Port Ricotta is an ideal starting city, filled with political intrigue, naval battles, and secret dealings.

[pretty-idol-hell]

Idol Land PriPara 10

Well... That was a lot.

I figured I'd open this post the exact way the episode opened. Mario's crotch.

(I'm trying to compare this scene with anything that happened in King of Prism and having a surprisingly difficult time. I think we may have gotten a few Alexander crotch shots, but they were surprisingly rare now that I think of it. And yet, here we are in Idol Land PriPara...)

So, Mario is back in DanPri with his strawberry boxers on full display as he tries his best to overcome his embarrassment so he no longer turns into his rabbit form.

And, actually, it works. Literally flinging the crowd's chant of "deseze!" (lame) back at them, he is able to change it into IIZE!

And so, with a brainwashed Shinya and lots of bugs in tow, Mario's rampage begins.

Instead of getting brainwashed, the dark key meant fror Amamiya ends up locking him in the bathroom, though.

(Which may have answered one of the most randomest questions I've had about PriPara/DanPri. Are there bathrooms? Are they gender-neutral? Yes, but no it seems.)

Mario decides to give the dark mic he found at the end of the last episode to Shinya, and he goes ham as well, launching a direct attack on PriPara as a concerned Ushimitsu ninja follows him.

Amari and SoLaMi Dressing arrive to find PriPara in shambles, with everyone feeling the brainwashing "whatever" effect of the dark keys.

Mario confronts them, causing Shion and Dorothy to immediately whip out their kendo sword and okonomiyaki spatula respectively as this is war.

Amari brings out her greatest weapon, Mario's strawberry boxers, only to discover it no longer works. Mario even offers to show them before Amari quickly interjects.

Meanwhile, Shinya is confronted by Ushimitsu just outside the gates. Ushimitsu sobs and grips onto Shinya's leg as Shinya rejects him. But just as Ushimitsu is about to be consumed by the bugs, however, WITH arrives with vacuum cleaners and goat onesies to save him.

After a quick scuffle, Koyoi is able to incapacitate his former teammate as he can see his weak points... only for Ushimitsu to throw a smoke bomb and allow Shinya to escape out of habit.

Ushimitsu quickly realizes what he's done but it's too late as Shinya runs off to wreak more havoc.

Meanwhile, back inside the gates, Non Sugar has joined the battle, as well as the PriPara nurses. But just as things seem like they are looking up, another threat is revealed:

Shion is dueling a copy of herself. The bugs have started replicating everyone and making dark copies!

The dark copies each threaten their originals in different ways. (Dark Dorothy just lounges around picking her nose, causing Dorothy to flip out about her image being ruined.)

Gaarmageddon-Mi is also fighting the battle in their own way, by performing a ritual outside the gates, when Gaaruru feels the bug inside her stirring again. She wanders off and runs into Mario again who recognizes the bug inside her, reminds Gaaruru of her past, and asks her to join him and return to the way she used to be.

She refuses, so Mario calls Shinya to call bugs to consume her. But Falulu suddenly appears to push Gaaruru aside at the last second and the bugs take her instead!

Mario, however, is pleased with this. Falulu is the ultimate vocal doll, the ultimate idol. Copying her would make the ultimate dark idol!

Falulu vows to protect PriPara, and agrees to challenge Dark Falulu as long as Mario agrees to leave if she wins.

Mario winds up Dark Falulu for the challenge. (I don't think we've ever actually seen the crank on unawakened Falulu used before, have we?)

Mario declares the winner will be the one who completes Cyalume Change. Which is very usual to me, because Cyalume Change has never been difficult to achieve in the past? Don't we usually declare the winner by who has the most iine? Hmm???

This is the halfway point of the episode, btw.

Falulu changes into her unawakened form to challenge Dark Falulu (as apparently she can do that at will?) and we get this kinda cool mirrored performance of the vintage 0-week-old.

Dark Falulu proceeds to copy everyone's Making Dramas just like Falulu once did in season one. But Falulu states what she herself learned, that you can't win that way, and awakens herself again in her original Making Drama.

Falulu Cyalume Changes and Dark Falulu is just never seen again.

So, since Falulu is the clear winner, Mario agrees to leave... the arena, He's not leaving PriPara.

Instead, Mario and Shinya escalate things even further, now hurling bugs into the SKY!

Hibiki, observing the situation from their helicopter, quickly decides Meganii is not doing enough to protect PriPara and once again takes things into their own hands.

The sky is darkened, and Yui is no longer responding as Takki is frozen shut. Mirei points to the sky, where the Yumeme is swarming in bugs. Janice and the time twins rush to try and free it.

As the others try to decide what to do, a crying voice can be heard. "Amari-chaaan!!"

It's Pololo. She thought she was coming to PriPara to visit with everyone, but now she's crouched at the entrance crying in fear over what's going on.

But, determined to show Pololo that PriPara is still PriPara, Laala steps in to solve this problem like she solves every problem: A live!

SoLaMi Dressing and Gaarmageddon plus Gaaruru, Falulu, Fuwari, and Ajimi put on a repeat performance of All Idol Song Precious from the PriParis movie!

This screen is shown before the performance despite several characters above not appearing in the performance because they weren't characters yet when the movie came out.

But anyway, again it seems to be working! Pololo's happiness starts to convert the bugs once more as kirakira rockets up towards the Yumeme key. A quick shot shows us that Mario isn't going to stand for that, however, and just as the girls begin their Cyalume Change...

The performance is interrupted as bugs rocket up from the manhole covers to flood the skies once more. A live feed comes up to show Mario explaining the "present" he sent them is all the bugs Laala has been collecting all this time have now been released from the cave all at once... (Wow Laala was working hard... but anyway.)

The kirakira has now been depleted to the point where even the time twins and Janice can't keep up. The key falls from the sky to crash into the fountain and Janice even turns back into a baby, falling from the sky as well to safely land into Non's arms.

Shinya is celebrating their victory when he is swiftly and quietly kidnapped by Ushimitsu and WITH while everyone is distracted.

Meanwhile, Amari, who has been suffering internal conflict throughout the episode, drops to her knees as she looks upon what PriPara has become. The fallen key, Pololo's tears. It's all my fault. Why am I like this!? She thinks to herself. And, in a moment of weakness she yells out how much she hates herself, for everyone to hear.

Mario appears before her and once again invites her to join him, as they'd once planned. But, she slaps his hand away, deeply disappointing him once again.

And, through tears, Amari formally challenges Mario. If he wins, he can do whatever he wants. But if she wins, he has to stay out of her sight forever.

Mario gloomily accepts.

Amari quietly apologizes to everyone, and explains that since she's the one who created him, she's the one who has to defeat him.

To be continued.

So... yeah uh, as you could imagine. I have a lot of thoughts about this episode. A lot of mixed opinions.

Idol Land PriPara has been honestly amazing and the pacing has been surprisingly good... up until now. This to me is the first and only episode so far that felt extremely rushed. But with the length of the current series as a whole, that's kind of impressive in itself.

If this were classic PriPara, several filler episodes would have taken place in between this episode and the last while Mario tried and failed to handle his embarrassment before finally succeeding and launching an attack. Considering the whole Mario turning into a rabbit thing was just introduced in the last episode only to be overcome in the next, it made me initially wonder why they bothered to introduce it at all.

Also, the whole Falulu vs. Dark Falulu thing would have been its own episode as well, and it would have been proceeded by some scenes if not a whole episode to remind us of the connection between Gaaruru and Falulu. I mean, yeah it makes total sense that Falulu would jump in to save Gaaruru like that, but anyone watching just this series wouldn't fully understand why. It kinda comes out of nowhere.

And it really felt like Falulu, who played such a huge part in this episode, barely spoke at all. Heck she's barely spoke in Idol Land at all!

So this episode was at least three episodes in one, basically. I think they could have easily just made this whole episode just around Mario launching an attack, Pololo getting scared, and the other girls trying to fix things before failing without any of the Mario rabbit/Falulu duel stuff leading up to it. Why bother?

Or so I ask myself while already knowing the answer.

The Mario rabbit thing was just too good to let go. The Falulu duel was too good to let go. This was all stuff they planned out long in advance, perhaps before they knew the series was going to be this short, and they were too good to let go. So they made it work. Sort of.

And honestly. I appreciate that.

That shows love. That shows people who really care about PriPara, about this anime.

So at the end of the day... I liked this episode. They did the best with what they had.

All Idol Song Precious is again, a VERY special song/performance to me (actually my favorite PriPara performance of all time!) and I remembered that recently even before this episode aired while going through my old ticket binders since I found I was using the PriParis coords in some of my last games before leaving Japan. The red/white/blue one had to be collected by visiting the movie theater week after week so it's somewhat rare to have collected all of it.

(Sadly, I left before the actual song was added to the arcade though...) So, I was really happy to see it featured again! I was literally thinking wow, it's so nice to have a version of this uninterrupted by the battle that takes place during the movie when--IT WAS INTERRUPTED and they didn't even finish the song. GAAAAHHHnoooooo...

But I do understand, as far as the episode narrative goes.

And Amari yelling about how she hates herself even after all the growth she went through this season hit me right in the feels. Goddamn, she's so relatable.

And Mario. Behind all of this he's just hurt and lonely and just wants Amari to acknowledge him. So I'm sure that will come out in the next episode.

Anyway, there were no new coords in this episode so I don't know if we'll be getting an episode-based gatcha? They probably will release those PriParis coords in some way but IIRC they were all just SRs so I don't know if they would bother with a gatcha.

If anything, the next song might be morning? (Falulu's arcade song. I think it was on the Switch.)

Oh, I guess I was thinking of one of the 3DS games. I'm surprised 0-week-old is actually on the Switch. So yeah, definitely our next song.

[fuckyeswednesday13]

Good Mourning Wednesday‼️

Excited to announce the WEDNESDAY 13-

“There’s No Such Things As Monsters North American 2025 Tour” with special guests:

@stitchedupheart

@deadrabbitsens,

I Ya Toya

Artist presale begins Wednesday November 6 with passcode “W13”, and general sale starts Friday, November 8 at 10:00 AM EDT-VIPs on sale through the Venues. Get a VIP and tix-Not available:Los Angeles -Las Vegas

03/14/25: Las Vegas, NV @ Count’s Vamp’d

03/15/25: Los Angeles, CA @ The Whisky

03/16/25: Berkeley, CA @ Cornerstone

03/18/25: Portland, OR @ Bossanova Ballroom

03/19/25: Seattle, WA @ El Corazon

03/21/25: Roseville, CA @ Goldfield Trading Post

03/22/25: Pomona, CA @ Glass House

03/23/25: San Diego, CA @ Brick By Brick

03/25/25: Mesa, AZ @ The Nile Theater

03/26/25: Albuquerque, NM @ Launch Pad

03/28/25: San Antonio, TX @ Paper Tiger

03/29/25: Dallas, TX @ Trees

03/30/25: Houston, TX @ Warehouse Live

04/01/25: Birmingham, AL @ Saturn

04/02/25: Knoxville, TN @ Open Chord

04/04/25: Atlanta, GA @ The Loft @ Centerstage

04/05/25: Raleigh, NC @ Chapel Of Bones

04/06/25: Greenville, SC @ Radio Room

04/08/25: Baltimore, MD @ Zen West

04/09/25: Leesburg, VA @ Tally Ho

04/10/25: Sayreville, NJ @ Starland Ballroom

04/12/25: Hampton Beach, NH @ Wallys

04/13/25: Montreal, QC @ Foufounes Electrique

04/15/25: Toronto, ON @ Lee’s Palace

04/16/25: Buffalo, NY @ Rec Room

04/18/25: New York, NY @ The Gramercy

04/19/25: Stroudsburg, PA @ Sherman Theater

04/20/25: Lititz, PA @ Mickey’s Black Box

04/22/25: Pittsburgh, PA @ Crafthouse

04/23/25: Cleveland, OH @ Mercury

04/25/25: Columbus, OH @ The Kings Of Clubs

04/26/25: Flint, MI @ Machine Shop

04/27/25: Cadillac, MI @ Venue Event Center

04/29/25: Joliet, IL @ The Forge

04/30/25: Madison, WI @ The Annex

05/02/25: Denver, CO @ Oriental Theater

05/03/25: Colorado Springs, CO @ Black Sheep

[megaboy335]

10 Years of My Hero Academia

I have been an avid reader of Weekly Shonen Jump manga since I was a child, and later started following the magazine closely since around 2009. In that time I've witnessed countless titles start and finish. My Hero Academia is the rare kind of series that connects us from the previous generation of the magazine to its current era. It started in Issue 32, 2014 and finished in Issue 36-37, 2024. That makes it the 2nd oldest series in the line-up at the time of ending. Below is my review of the series. I give my thoughts on several of the story moments and give my final impressions. There will be spoilers and it's a long discussion.

Let's first flashback to the summer of 2014. I was in college preparing to spend my Junior year abroad in Japan. My Tumblr was very active and about to reach new highs with my presence in the Nisekoi fandom. In the Weekly Shonen Jump world, a generational shift was about to occur with the new debut of a new battle manga from a previously 2 time canceled author, Kohei Horikoshi.

Looking back on the issue when My Hero Academia started, we can clearly see how it was a completely different era of Jump. Naruto was still running at chapter 683. That is near the end of the 4th Great Ninja War arc. Naruto would later finish that fall in Issue 50, 2014. Additionally, Kuroko was just a couple of issues away from wrapping up and cementing itself as one of the best sport manga Jump had seen in a decade. One Piece was in the middle of Dressrosa, where little did we know that chapter 752 would only put us halfway through the arc. Gintama was just about to make a major pivot into full time battle manga mode. This issue also saw the conclusion of iShoujo at 20 chapters. (It would later get rebooted on Jump+ as a launch title and run for 14 volumes). It's very clear how My Hero Academia started in a complete era than where are now. So, how was My Hero Academia in the early days? Well, quite honestly I thought it was a very middle of the road title. I was already familiar with Horikoshi through Barrage (the very first simlpub in the digital Jump era that Viz started from chapter 1). He always had a good sense of perspective and the way he draws mouths with depth is a distinctive feature. The series also wore its Naruto inspirations quite openly, while taking advantage of the popularity in superhero movies to add some visibility in the eyes of readers. I thought it was riding the coattails of current trends. The early chapters were standard fare in modern day shonen. Speeding through character introductions and establishing the setting. Shigaraki made an early appearance with the mob baddies called Nomus but it was hard to get invested in the central conflict so soon. However Shigaraki’s eerie design of being covered in hands certainly stood out at the time. I was curious but not necessarily invested right away. (of course in retrospective its clear how Horikoshi used the early events as building blocks for what was to come later)

But you know what sways me the most: Tournament Arcs! This Sports Festival tournament was where I finally started feeling invested in the series. In part because tournament arcs provide an easy to use template for establishing character relationships, create unexpected match ups, ground character arc trajectories, and provide payoffs if used later in the story. The big plot point introduced in this arc was the #2 Hero Endeavor and the relationship with his son, Todoroki. If All Might is the honest public face hero, then Endeavor is the power obsessed guy. He destroyed his family and took extreme measures to produce a child that can beat All Might. Todoroki's story begins with him outright rejecting his father. However, this changed during a fight with Deku. Deku and Todoroki are both foils and yet mirrors of each other at the same time. They were both blessed with powers that were not obtained naturally. Deku was given a quirk on the spur of the moment from All Might. Todoroki was given his abilities in service of someone else’s goals. One accepts their reality and the other does not. Deku showed that Todoroki accepting the power is not the same as acting in father's wishes. He should use the powers gifted to him in whatever ways he sees fit. This moment comes with the first end of chapter title drop and the moment when Horikoshi’s writing clicked into place for me. The scene when Todoroki uses his flames for the first time is powerful because I loved how they were depicted coming out so naturally. These flames are a part of himself and always have been. Todoroki has at last accepted that side of himself going forward.

After the tournament, it shifts into a short arc with the Killer Hero Stain. He brings up the idea that Heroes should be more than symbols for people to worship, and instead Heroes should practice what they preach. He sees All Might as the only authentic hero to follow. This is the first time we see a villain figure making a valid point that pins down one of the faults to hero society. Stains describes how everyone is doing it for fun, out of obligation, or for making money. All Might is someone whose confidence is so strong that his hero persona and outward personality are one in the same. Sadly this arc was too short to fully explore the idea, but it would come up again later. Jumping ahead, the series quickly reached its first major story climax: All Might vs. One For All. I went into this fight thinking All Might was going to die and was very surprised when he didn't. The master passing the torch to his student through a death scene is such a common trope (which yes, it made me even more surprised how All Might survived the entire story). I was on the edge of my seat when reading this weekly and consider it a high point of the series. This fight ended up marking the beginning of the end to the Hero Society. All Might's retirement shakes the very foundation of the Hero world. Who can possibly replace someone who inspires people from all walks of life? From this point on, Deku and Shigaraki are now  walking similar paths as the heirs to this conflict. The following arcs saw the league of villains poking at the cracks and expanding the seeds of distrust.

When manga serializations are constantly one-upping itself on story climaxes, it can be hard to return to any semblance of a daily life in the aftermath of major moments. This middle section of the manga from about volume 12 to 24 is a boring stretch of the series. First getting the provisional licenses felt unnecessary in the grand scheme since there's really nothing stopping them from fighting the bad guys other than technical loopholes in the writing. Then the Shie Hassaikai arc was almost like canon filler to me.  It amounted to very little at the time and came off like a side quest. (This arc also marks the beginning of frequent breaks). Afterwards the U.A. school festival was a refreshing turn back into school life but still, Gentle isn't the fodder we need to see. Lastly, the worst offender of this stretch by far was the class A vs. B matches. A tournament style arc just for show. No stakes. Nothing of consequence.  It basically paused the story for about 2 volumes. Thankfully Horikoshi would resume the plot right afterwards with a bang.

My Villain Academia is exactly what the story needed to get itself back together. The League of Villains seemed like they were supposed to be foils for class A-1 and yet any comparable character development just wasn’t happening. This was finally going to change. This arc focused exclusively on the villains and each member would get a quirk power up, while Shigaraki received the rampaging ally Gigantomachia. We also have the Tenko: Origin chapter to put his past into perspective. While I still have issues with the villain writing, it felt like the villains could finally stand on their own in the story.

The momentum continued into the Paranormal Liberation War. An all-out fight between the heroes and villains at their peak across multiple areas of Japan. The countdown to Mirko stopping Shigaraki from reaching his true form was thrilling. Then came the first real clash between Deku and Shigaraki. However, the star of the show for this arc was undoubtedly Dabi who effectively canceled Endeavor’s entire career. Dabi exposed the past of Endeavor by explaining his own story. He showed that Heroes put up a public positive face to hide their power hungry desires motivating them behind the scenes. This makes Heroes no different from villains in many regards. These words brought an end to Hero society as we knew it. The public was already feeling uneasy after the retirement of All Might, and signaling out Endeavors’s past showed how the system was built on an image, not human understanding. Japan was left in ruins, numerous convicted villains were released back into the wild, and the people have nobody they can trust.

I consider the spread page above to be my favorite from the entire series. Horikoshi’s art reached new highs throughout the Paranormal Liberation War arc. His ability to depict Shigaraki as a real force of nature against the Heroes was crazy good. You could really feel the impact behind every attack on each individual and the surrounding environment. Shigaraki ability is something that alters landscapes wherever he goes.

The final stretch of the story begins with Deku acting like a vigilante. Hero Society at-large has hit its lowest point where the institution of Heroes who maintain public safety is no more. The public is scared for their life. Heroes have largely abandoned their post. One for All and the strongest villains are on the loose, and Deku has been completely worn down by the burden of his role. His mind has entered the idea that only he alone can fix this. The Lady Nagant storyline was awesome. She is someone who had to adapt to survive in these precilous times. A hero and a villian is only matter of perspective after all. Sometimes people will do what they need to in order to survive. If even our main character can be swayed then where is the line hero and villain?

The Dark Deku arc is when Deku is stripped down to his core convictions: the desire to protect his friends and defeat One for All. However it's the very friends that he was trying to push away, who ultimately reached out the hand to save him. Deku has touched each of their lives in ways he can't even begin to imagine. Now it was time for them to return the favor. This brings the story to a touching scene where Uraraka yells to an audience of scared citizens to remind them how Heroes are people too and Deku is one of them. This section is my favorite part of the entire story. It felt like everything had changed. We didn't know where the story was going next nor where to begin tackling the awful state of the world. Everything was so raw. It was an exciting time to be reading weekly.

After reaching a new series high, we drop down to one of its lowest points in my opinion. Star & Stripe vs. Shigaraki was an absolute shame. There should have been a study abroad arc so Deku could meet and experience heroes around the world. So when the Number One American hero is introduced, with death flags, I was skeptical about why. I don't like when characters are introduced just to die immediately. The whole point was to artificially weaken Shigaraki so the heroes would stand a chance in the upcoming final battle. Similarly, I would have liked the traitor reveal if it had been more important throughout the story. Barely came up after the training camp arc in volume 9. It came off like Hoirkoshi just needed to check off that box to appease readers before entering the final battle. But, finally seeing Hagakure’s face was a very nice reward. Despite the stumbles to set up the final battle, I thought it was incredible. One of the best in recent memory from Jump. A fight with the future of Japan on the line across numerous locations. In shonen manga style, it pulled in every single character from throughout the series, used all the mobs to their fullest, and pitted villains vs. their foil villain character. Iit definitely checked off all the boxes of what you need for a grand finale to a long running battle shonen. I think Dabi and Todoroki got the thematic ending it needed. Spinner could have used a little more focus. Himeko and Uraraka reached an understanding at the very end that was probably the safe end for their storyline. I loved seeing the floating stage slowly descend to the surface as the climax approached, while the fighting began to center around Deku and Bakugo. Horikoshi once again reached new artistic highs I couldn’t even imagine throughout the final battle. I like to think the frequent breaks allowed him to pace it better than you typically find in Jump manga final arcs.

As the series comes to close, I am left very pleased with where character arcs ended up. Deku is someone who had to grow up almost overnight. From a quirkless boy to saving all of Japan in the span of a year. He has something that All Might lacked. The spirit to never give up on leading a hand to someone in need. If All Might presented himself with confident bravado, then Deku was the honest human type. Shigaraki is someone who was beyond saving, and yet even if for a moment, Deku wanted to give the respect he deserved as a person. Deku losing his powers cements the story as being about a moment in his life. That he never took the powers he was blessed with for granted, and used them to the fullest throughout the story. I appreciated that Horikoshi made no effort to justify the villain's actions (besides partly Himeko). They are a product of unfortunate circumstances and deliberate choices which brought them to this point. Their actions speak for themselves. This applies to the heroes as well. Endeavor is a complex man with a storyline that reads more mature than you'd expect at first glance. He is a man who drove his family to ruin for the sake of strength, and those choices came back to haunt him in the form of Dabi and Todoroki. He's effectively lost everything. I think Horikoshi stuck the landing by giving readers the final judgment if he should be redeemed or not. The family members were left mixed, and Endeavor is prepared to rebuild from nothing. Shigaraki’s death is best for the sake of tying a bow on the story. Deku indirectly caused it, but he doesn’t beat himself over it that much. The world is the same as it was before the conflict. Heroes will remain in people’s lives. The systemic issues of a Hero society that sells certain images of people and casts aside those who don’t fit will persist. Another person or organization like the league of villains could easily rise up again in the future. However, Horikoshi presents a simple solution. Leading a hand to each other is a good starting point towards making the world a better place. Happiness can spread from person to another, and lead to a better understanding of those we don't know. It takes collective action to make the world a better place for everyone and that can begin with a single person.

So overall, what do I think of My Hero Academia? Ending at 430 chapters is an incredible run for a weekly manga in this current era. Horikoshi covered a lot of characters and topics, many of which I still didn’t cover at this post. I think the series has some of the strongest battle manga highs we’ve seen in the past decade, and of course some parts could have been better. I take issue with pacing and writing choices at times. The villains collectively speaking were the weakest aspect, but the genuine passion for Heroes shines through in every aspect of this work. He used that as a lens to look at problems of the world. Naruto is very optimistic with how communication is the key to bridging differences. My Hero Academia in comparison says that is only a piece of the puzzle. Everyone needs to make a conscious choice to reach out to others. We all can be a hero to someone out there. My Hero Academia will be remembered as the generation-defining Jump series of the past 10 years, In the same way its beginning overlaps late Naruto, perhaps in the future, Kagurabachi fans will remember how it started at the end of My Hero Academia’s run. My Hero Academia will finish as the 9th longest series ever in the history of Weekly Shonen Jump. This is a position it will hold long into the future. I don’t expect anything in the current line-up to come close in length. I've considered Horikoshi to be the best artist in the magazine for the past several years. He always kept improving right up to the end with insanely detailed panels and spread pages. His presence in the magazine will be missed. Thank you Kohei Horikoshi. It's been a long ride. I'm glad you could finally cross the finish line. I look forward to whatever you might do next in the future!

[louisupdates]

FITFWT23: TOUR RECAP MASTERPOST

FASHION RECAP: NORTH AMERICA, EUROPE (Top Ten)

LITHOGRAPHS and PORTRAITS

OUTRO SONGS

IQ 123: Tour promo and production interviews

TOUR TECHNICAL SPECS [TPI MAGAZINE]

GROUP PHOTOS NA

Louis’ care for his fans

NORTH AMERICA

26 May - Mohegan Sun Arena, UNCASVILLE, CT

27 May - Bank of New Hampshire Pavilion, GILFORD, NH

29 May - Place Bell, LAVAL QC

30 May - Budweiser Stage, TORONTO ON

1 Jun - Blossom Music Center, CUYAHOGA FALLS, OH

2 Jun - Michigan Lottery Amphitheater, STERLING HEIGHTS, MI

FITFWT23: WEEK 1

3 Jun - The Icon Festival Stage, CINCINNATI, OH

6 Jun - Kemba Live! Outdoor, COLUMBUS, OH

7 Jun - TCU Amphitheater at White River State Park, INDIANAPOLIS, IN

9 Jun - Saint Louis Music Park, ST. LOUIS, MO

PORTRAITS, 1st set [10.6.2023]

IG stories and selfies [10.6.2023]

10 Jun - Starlight Theatre, KANSAS CITY, MO

13 Jun - BMO Pavilion, MILWAUKEE, WI

15 Jun - Huntington Bank Pavilion, CHICAGO, IL

16 Jun - The Armory, MINNEAPOLIS, MN

17 Jun - Harrah’s Stir Cove, COUNCIL BLUFFS, IA

19 Jun - Denny Sanford Premiere Center, SIOUX FALLS, SD

21 Jun - Red Rocks Amphitheatre, MORRISON, CO: CANCELLED 😪

24 Jun - Wamu Theater, SEATTLE, WA

26 Jun - Doug Mitchell Thunderbird Sports Center, VANCOUVER BC

27 Jun - McMenamins Edgefield Concerts, TROUTDALE, OR

29 Jun - The Greek Theatre, BERKELEY, CA

PORTRAITS, 2nd set [29.6.2023]

PORTRAITS posted 30.6 [x]

30 Jun - Louis Instagram recap

30 Jun - The Hollywood Bowl, LOS ANGELES, CA

1 Jul - The Chelsea at the Cosmopolitan, LAS VEGAS, NV

3 Jul - Arizona Financial Theatre, PHOENIX, AZ

6 Jul - The Pavilion at Toyota Music Factory, IRVING, TX

7 Jul - Moody Amphitheater at Waterloo Park, AUSTIN, TX

8 Jul - The Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion, THE WOODLANDS, TX

PORTRAITS, 3rd set [9.7.2023]

9 Jul: Louis Instagram recap

10 Jul RTL Radio Interviews

11 Jul - St. Augustine Amphitheatre, ST. AUGUSTINE, FL

13 Jul - Hard Rock Live at Seminole Hard Rock Hollywood, HOLLYWOOD, FL

14 Jul - Yuengling Center, TAMPA, FL

15 Jul - Cadence Bank Amphitheatre at Chastain Park, ATLANTA, GA

18 Jul - Ascend Amphitheater, NASHVILLE, TN

19 Jul - Charlotte Metro Credit Union Amphitheatre, CHARLOTTE, NC

21 Jul - Red Hat Amphitheater, RALEIGH, NC

22 Jul - Merriweather Post Pavilion, COLUMBIA, MD

PORTRAITS, 4th set [23.7.2023]

24 Jul - MGM Music Hall at Fenway, BOSTON1, MA

25 Jul - MGM Music Hall at Fenway, BOSTON2, MA

27 Jul - TD Pavilion at the Mann, PHILADELPHIA, PA

28 Jul - Stone Pony Summer Stage, ASBURY PARK, NJ

29 Jul - Forrest Hills Stadium, NEW YORK, NY

PORTRAITS, 5th set [31.7.2023]

North America FAN EDIT

AUGUST 2023 GAP 1 recap

AWAY FROM HOME FESTIVAL

19 Aug - Parco Bussoladomani, LIDO DI CAMAIORE, Italy

AUGUST 2023 GAP 2 recap (including the 28 launch)

EUROPE

29 Aug - Barclays Arena, HAMBURG

31 Aug - Royal Arena, COPENHAGEN

1 Sep - Spektrum, OSLO [Bigger Than Me anniversary content]

PORTRAITS, 6th set [2.9.2023]

2 Sep - Hovet, STOCKHOLM

4 Sep - Ice Hall, HELSINKI

DORK MAGAZINE PHOTOS 2022 w/ links

5 Sep - Saku Arena, TALLINN

7 Sep - Arena Riga, RIGA

PORTRAITS, 7th set [8.9.2023]

8 Sep - Zalgiris Arena, KAUNAS

10 Sep - Tauron Arena, KRAKOW

11 Sep - Atlas Arena, ŁÓDŹ

13 Sep - Wiener Stadhalle D, VIENNA

14 Sep - Stozice Arena, LJUBLJANA

15 Sep - Budapest Arena, BUDAPEST

PORTRAITS, 8th set [16.9.2023]

17 Sep - Arenele Romane, BUCHAREST

18 Sep - Arena Armeets, SOFIA

20 Sep - Plateia Nerou, ATHENS w/ links to AOTV announcements

SEPTEMBER 2023 GAP recap

1 Oct - Bilbao Arena Miribilla, BILBAO (VIZCAYA)

3 Oct - Altice Arena, LISBON

5 Oct - Wizink Center, MADRID

6 Oct - Palau Sant Jordi, BARCELONA

PORTRAITS, 9th set [7.10]

8 Oct - Pala Alpitur, TURIN

9 Oct - Unipol Arena, BOLOGNA

11 Oct - Rockhal, ESCH-SUR-ALZETTE

12 Oct - Sportspaleis, ANTWERP

14 Oct - Accor Arena, PARIS

15 Oct - Ziggo Dome, AMSTERDAM

17 Oct - Lanxess Arena, COLOGNE

19 Oct - O2 Arena, PRAGUE

20 Oct - Mercedes Benz Arena, BERLIN

PORTRAITS, 10th set [21.10]

22 Oct - Olympiahalle, MUNICH

23 Oct - Hallenstadion, ZURICH

FITFWT23: LATAM promo begins [28.10]

Twitter spree: part 1, part 2, part 3, part 4 Hall Of Fame, [31.10]

IGTV [1.11]: transcript, gifs [x] [x] [x] [x] [x]

8 Nov - 3Arena, DUBLIN

10 Nov - Utilita Arena, SHEFFIELD

11 Nov - AO Arena, MANCHESTER

12 Nov - Ovo Hydro, GLASGOW

14 Nov - Brighton Center, BRIGHTON

15 Nov - International Arena, CARDIFF

17 Nov - The O2, LONDON

18 Nov - Resorts World Arena, BIRMINGHAM

FITFWT23 has come to an end!

ROLLING STONE UK 2023 AWARDS

23 Nov - Camden Roundhouse, LONDON