#oh my god they were narrative foils to each other

[funtheysaid]

IWTV 2x02 Initial Thoughts (Stream Of Consciousness)

- ooh the title card changed! I’ve been wanting to see the Eiffel Tower as a “fang” since season two was announced. WE IN PARIS BABY!

- ayooo three-way (interview) incoming

- Daniel’s “Paris sucks” aka “Paris is where my ex-bf is from and he sucks (dick), but not mine anymore, and no, I’m not bitter abt that, his city just fucking stinks (literally)”

- not two minutes in and Devil’s Minion is already flirting bickering

- ALICE MENTION alice!armand truthers are gon love that shit i just know

- “I’ll tell you what a woman is” That’s my sapphic-coded queen!!! 🕯️ pls S2 give me claudeleine 🕯️

- “Gauche” well, yes.

- Loumand: 🥰🥰 Daniel: 🙄 he‘s so second-hand embarrassed for them I can’t

- I mean, it’s crazy. What? We finish each other’s- I WAS WITH HIM FOR LONGER THAN LESTAT WAS WITH HIM WRITE THAT DOWN WRITE THAT DOWN DANIEL PUT IT ON RECORD WEVE BEEN FUCKING FOR LIKE DOUBLE THE TIME …that’s what i…was….gonna say?

- Louis would be that faux-intellectual hipster who has his own darkroom full of overexposed and blurry, unfocused photos that are his “art” bc he took them on film (affectionate)

- Not claudia calling him out on it in the next scene “let me think I’m deeper than I am” okay honey you do you

- “She’s miserable but she doesn’t want to fuck with your too delusional left bank dilettante vibes” ahh the narrative foils are foiling, I see

- The show: Alice was pregnant, My dumb ass: OMEGAVERSE DEVILS MINION !?!?

- “joyfully joyless” MOOD.

- Claudia looking at Madeleine like “I don’t know if I want to be her or be with her” Dw babe it’s a rite of passage for all of us you’ll figure it out

- “Your French is ugly” 🥹👉👈 weally?

- “the dress for my body” LOOK I know what she meant, but I can’t help it that my mind is perverted

- LMFAO NOT GLORYHOLE PARK

- okay why Loumand playing with my heart “I will never harm you. And I never have” wtf wtf wtf

-Oh no the ole business card trick! we all know that’s Louis’ kryptonite he loves a man with credentials

- i like girls, but why is santiago kinda…

- Woah the Annika scene was really hard to watch which I think was the point but goddamn idk if I’ll be able to rewatch that part

- Estelle is my self-insert. I’m claiming her.

- “You both fucked Lestat!?!” HOW DID THEY KNOW WE WANTED HIM TO SAY THAT!?

- “He tasted of vermouth and annihilation” We both know you have no earthly idea what that man tastes like, Armand. Be so fucking fr right now.

- Did Armand just casually drop that he had a threesome with a father and son? I’m sorry, sir????

- “Now I know what two blood fat cocks slapping hands feel like” When I tell you my spirit left my body

- oh shit here we go. I’m a caged animal and it’s time for my weekly enrichment. give me my loustat.

- there’s a letter !?!? Wait wait I wasn’t ready for something like this wait stop stop please

- “all my love belongs to you. you are its keeper” just take me out back and shoot me at this point

- “it is a thin veil” fucking fuck why was that so romantic??

- the blood tears welling up in Lestat’s eyes I’m-

- “Rebound of my life” and in that moment, he spoke for the people

- WHAT IS HAPPENING???? Jesus Christ, they were talking about Alice and then it cuts to FUCKING ARMAND!?! This is not a drill. Everyone to your stations, this is not a drill.

- “You sold your Dad’s playboy magazines at recess” Hmmm? You’re telling me a “straight” teenage boy sold porno mags instead of keeping them for himself??? Yeah, I call gay on that one

- “she wanted to say yes” you motherfuckers.

- Oh shit Louis is pissy tonight rawr kitty got claws

- Devils minion girlies are thriving, skin glowing, hair silky, breath minty, pillow cold, stomach full, dreams sweet, and by Jove, we fucking deserve it !!!!

- daniel’s shaky “um- gulp” …….guys this is gonna sound crazy but i think there might actually be a god

- ooh the camera/photography being like a divide or barrier between Louis and his present situation. Like he wants to capture the moments, but only as if an onlooker and not a participant… interesting!

- “Who?” will never not be funny

- “Mon ami” in the same episode as “Mon Cher” FUCK ME GENTLY WITH A CHAINSAW

- “Armand for you” nah nah nah i changed my mind, you can do like Leatherface and shove that chainsaw in rough and hard

- Close up on Louis’ conflicted face, fire blazing behind him…. That’s not foreboding in any way. I’m sure they’ll all live happily ever after from now on :D

What a ride! Until next week! 🧛‍♂️🩸

[fuzzywindcat]

I want to talk about Ryou and Yami Bakura as narrative foils for Yugi and Yami Yugi. Disclaimer: I never finished watching Yugioh as a kid (lost interest around the KC Grand Prix arc I think?), but I'm in the middle of a rewatch now. And I am convinced that that the lack of screen time for not just Yami Bakura, but Ryou especially, is the single greatest source of wasted potential in the show. I'm sure this has all been said before and I'm very late to the party lol, but bear with me.

I find it fascinating how the relationships between the vessel and the spirit inhabiting it are so similar, and yet so different. Both Yugi and Ryou are shy and don't have a lot of friends. Both are into games and have some interest in the occult. Both are possessed by an ancient spirit with a proclivity for evil. But while Yugi becomes Atem's heart and his moral compass, Ryou is nothing more than a tool for Yami Bakura. Look at what each spirit calls their vessel: aibou, or partner, versus yadonushi, or landlord. Plus, apparently yadonushi has the connotation of being a host for a parasite? Even more fitting.

Especially looking at Season 0 and how evil the Pharaoh acts in it, I think having this sort of contrast is crucial to the show. That's the whole point of a narrative foil, right? To show what could have happened to the protagonist had things gone differently. Ryou Bakura is a tragedy, forced to commit unspeakable acts against his will at the behest of an evil, sadistic spirit. But from what I hear of Season 0 (need to watch it), it didn't necessarily start out this way. Similar to Yugi's situation, Yami Bakura offered Ryou the strength that he himself lacked, and offered to stand up to his bullies for him. Of course, "stand up" in this case means "commit unspeakable acts of violence." But to a lonely, bullied kid, you can see the temptation. A temptation that Yugi himself could have succumbed to, had things gone differently. What if Yami influenced Yugi to become more evil, rather than the other way around? That's basically Yami Bakura and Ryou.

I couldn't resist watching the church scene that I've heard so much about, even though I haven't gotten that far in my rewatch yet. Oh my god. Being possessed by a demon in the very place you thought you would be safe? The stained glass windows breaking? This is the real shit. But it's less than two minutes long! This is all we get?! The relationship between Ryou and Yami Bakura deserves so much more screen time than this! We get to see plenty of times where Yugi and Yami work together, or butt heads, and again, I haven't gotten there yet, but the Ceremonial Duel, where Yugi gets to show the Pharaoh how far he has come? We get to see how their relationship evolves over the course of the show, and there's just nothing like that for Bakura. Like, the church scene is amazing, don't get me wrong. But what if it was a whole duel! Does Ryou even duel once in the show? Why does Ryou never/rarely fight back against the spirit? At least if we saw the two Bakuras duel, we could get some more character development out of it.

As it stands in the dub, Ryou Bakura is little more than a walking plot device. And that's a shame, because he could have been so much more. I remember reading fanfic back in the day and not really getting why Ryou seemed to be so popular. Like, he's just such a nothing in the show. Now I see that those fanfic authors were taking the few scraps we were given and expanding upon them. Ryou's dogged politeness, with a darker side hinted at by his interest in the occult. His fear of the spirit possessing him, yet his unwillingness to do anything about it. There is so much potential here. Ah well, that's what fanfic is for ;o

[tadpolebobatea]

live slug reaction Chapter 211

thats… not what loop 100 tella looks like. lmao. anyway. Kills me that the only people unchaste worked on are Loop 100 Sean (not mentioned above, he’s dead by now) who is cartoon levels of asshole villain, of course he doesn’t have a loved one. And Tella someone who’s main character trait is his dedication to his boss. Who he holds as more important than anything else in his life, and who’s main conflict is worrying over said boss. tell me tozuka!!!! What is devotion if not love!!! Come on man!!!!

(I’m working on “he wasn’t being honest about what he wanted (i.e not wanting to fight god, not wanting billy to fight god) in his relationship with billy so it wasn’t sincere. Partners talk to each other rather than just being told what to do or something. But I am just coping here)

Poor boy. Dragged into being into being an unwilling Guinea pig… geez. So the crux of this chapter for me is if the ability is going to work on tella. Because I’m invested in-

What the fuck is that

Me when there’s a new chapter

BillyTella nation! we’re so back! It’s so over! results inconclusive!!! (Classic tozuka non-answer… don’t worry tella, i believe you care for billy)

Also oh my god. KURURU I WOULD KILL FOR YOU BBGRL. Grinning little gremlin!!! (Did she brainwash them into playing death metal as well? Or is she death growling over them playing regular idol backing music)

unclear what this means for kurukae yuri nation… I think we might still be on? Narrative foils are fair game

No further comments

get his ass (hi Veronica. Glad to see you’re still like… alive 👍)

I 100% buy this lol. He’s friends with creed who tried to kill him (and succeeded in killing his squad last loop). Billy is just like that…

Veronica being a mercenary does add another layer to Billy’s whole steal the disc and become the worlds enemy angle. And how it was like:

The reader: Wdym you’re going to be a supervillain. Billy you have a wife at home???

The wife in question, probably: FUCK EM UP HONEY!!! Get they ass!!

can you 2 maybe stop smoking around your toddler? Oh and glad to see Mui just being slid in next to the wives. Real casual like.

Glad that my joking prediction of a mlp equestria girls evil battle of the bands is coming true. Good for them (also that kururu eye close up goes hard)

Well good luck girls, unchaste has none of the weaknesses it had last time. Good news for the “Unchaste would be busted if the activation wasn’t so strict” girlies. We were right. This is not exactly good news for The gang though 

[rarepairronpa]

Challenge: Try to come up with a top 5 ships list for each of these characters. In the case of ones where you don't even have 5 you personally like well enough, try to make it the ones you dislike the least.

DR1:

Makoto

Kyoko

Byakuya

Sakura

Chihiro

Mukuro

Junko

SDR2:

Hajime

Nagito

Chiaki

Mikan

Imposter

Mahiru

Sonia

V3:

Shuichi

Kaede

Kokichi

Kaito

Maki

Korekiyo

Tsumugi

Ohhh, this is such a fun challenge! I'm going to try and do top 5 in general, and then also top 5 rarepairs for the ships.

Got a bit long, so it'll be under the cut.

DR1:

Makoto Naegi:

1. Naegiri

This is really, really difficult for me because I'm a big believer of Kyouko/Makoto/Sayaka/Mukuro. Ranking any of this OT4 as individual ships is suuuuper hard. But I figured poly ships were probably cheating. This one isn't a rarepair, but I just adore their story of refinding love with others. They are literal end game!

2. Naezono

Probably because I love Sayaka Maizono so much that this just bareeeely beats out Mukuro. She might be my favorite of the female cast in the first game. Boy oh boy do I eat up her relationship with Makoto. Naezono real!!

3. Naekusaba

DR: IF has the best look into this relationship. I also rather like how she protects him in DR0! It's such a tragedy in canon, since DR: IF shows how close Makoto was to saving her.

4. Naemiki

Listen. I know Mikan and Makoto don't interact in main canon (well, very briefly in DR3 only for her to be pushed into the ocean). BUT. Makoto would be such a genuinely good presence in her life. And I love the idea of contrasting her relationship with Junko to her relationship with Makoto. Just, chefs kiss.

5. Naejunko

OHHH TO BE NARRATIVE FOILS WITH EACH OTHER... I love the fact that Makoto very clearly didn't want Junko to die, perhaps one of the only people in DR to not want that, and yet became known for killing her. She haunts him. Blood staining his hands he never wanted to spill. They are opposites, without her he is irrelevant. And he misses being irrelevant. She has transformed him into something grand when he had always been something simple. He is mundane and yet she has made him Ultimate. Ultimate Hope, to her Ultimate Despair, and now that's all they'll ever be. Even if, once upon a time, they were friends.

Alternative 5. Komaegi

As a replacement for the Naegiri non rarepair, in a rarepair line up, this would be number 5. I love komaegi.... what if I worshiped you and you saved me and you looked at me and saw something worthy and I looked at you and saw a god. But unlike with Junko, you didn't want to be a God. Junko shaped both of us and I mold you in her image, I project what she wanted onto you, because you to me are just as holy as her, just her opposite. You are an idea to me, a symbol, and all you want is to help me even though I do not deserve it. You look at me and think I deserve it. I go crazy for that shit.

Kyouko:

1. Kirizono

Surprise, it's not Naegiri! I feel like there. There just so much I like about kirizono. Sayaka being such a positive person in her life, and Kyouko, unlike Makoto, sees that a lot of her disposition is facade. It's like a mix of Celegiri and Naegiri in a way that compels me. And also. Why should they fight over Makoto when they could smooch?

2. Ikugiri

OHHH I ADORE THEM IN DR: IF. SUCH A GREAT PAIRING... they're both sort of reserved so I do think that someone bridging the gap would be what initially gets them talking. But the respect Mukuro has for Kyouko is crystal clear in DR:IF, and the way she in turn believes Mukuro and considers what she says is everything to me...

3. Naegiri

Again, end game. I also think Makoto is just... such a good partner for Kyouko. He reminds her of Yui in the best ways imo, and restores her faith in humanity some.

4. Chigiri

Chihiro canonly admiring Kyouko and repeatedly saying so in optional DR1 dialogue... Kyouko bringing Chihiro with her in DR:IF.... more people should consider these two!

5. Enogiri

Gonna be so for real, it was @aparticularbandit that made me love these two. I have so many enogiri thoughts. The whole game is basically an intellectual back and forth between the two, with Kyouko investigating to find the mastermind. If Makoto is the philosophical downfall of Junko, Kyouko is the practical one.

Alternative 5. Kirimaru

Since, again, Naegiri is not a rarepair, here's what I'd put as number 5 for a rarepair list. (My first thought was Celegiri, but that's. Also. Also not a rarepair.) I'm gonna go with a dark horse and say Komaru/Kyouko. All the benefits of Naegiri but Infinitely Funnier. Imagine you have a relationship developing with your long term friend, only for your sister to bust in and STEAL YOUR GIRL. I think Komaru should kiss So Many Girls, that girl is so unbelievably WLW.

Special shout out to Komagiri (Nagito/Kyouko) which I am also looking at with wide eyes. I've only written them platonically but their relationship has a lot of potential in general. I also adore Hinagiri (as in. Aoi Asahina, not Hajime Hinata), and honestly would definitely put it at my number 6/7. The hardest part of this is limiting my rarepairs to only 5.

Byakuya Togami:

1. Togiri

Listen. I believe in Naegirigami. But I have never been That enthused with naegami. I feel like Naegami is infinitely. INFINITELY improved with Kyouko in the picture. And the main feeling behind that? Byakuya and Kyouko chilling. Hanging out. Starting as loving the same person and then actually developing themselves. Enthralling.

2. Nanagami

The main reason I like this is 100% because of my Chiaki ship work. Figuring out their interactions was sooo facinating and I got. Attached. Chiaki is willing to put up with a lot of stuff and remain empathetic. She would extend sympathy to Byakuya while also not being a dormat; pushing back when he said something objectionable. Which. I understand is the appeal of Naegami too. But. I think the nuances of it are a bit different. Idk. I just think it's neat.

3. Mitagami

I... I know these two never interact. And there's no big narrative parallels to justify them. But. I don't know. I've always like them. Just... imagining them slowly bonding at Future Foundation. A really sweet office romance. Only for it to all be blown up with the revelation of Byakuya betraying FF to help the Remnants and Ryota himself sort of being a Remnant (especially in a no brainwashing verse). Like. Idk man. Can't justify this one I just think the idea is cute.

4. Naegami

I. Very much don't like a lot of fan characterization for this one, but I can't articulate why. I think I like the idea of them more than any actual content I've seen of them.

5. Twogami

I am enthralled with how much grace and admiration and empathy the Imposter had for Byakuya... and how that went sour. To go from how they talks about him during their FTEs to destroying his life... also. The thought of gender fluid Byakuya and agender Imposter bonding over that is so cute...

Alternative 5. Tozono

I... feel like this one could be interesting? I've kinda run out of ships I genuinely ship and are more grasping at straws. But Sayaka being a super peppy and smiley person to contrast Byakuya is kinda cute, right? I almost went with Kaede for this exact reason but uh. I feel like she wouldn't be able to Stand him, actually. Plus, Sayaka's smiley-ness being a facade might actually ironically endear Byakuya, since he finds genuineness to be stupid and initally off putting. Yeah, half of what makes Naegami and Nanagami is him realizing that genuine kindness is a Good Thing, Actually, but sometimes you want something different. He would trust Sayaka ironically more because of his understanding of it being a facade, that they both recognize. Plus, they both had to deal with public image. I also like the idea of Sayaka dressing him in cute dresses and doing his make up. I think it could be cute!

Sakura Ogami:

1. Sayagami

I LEGITIMATELY ADORE SAYAKA AND SAKURA AS A COUPLE. I always have but it was made so much more prominent after reading this fic about them. Ohhh my god Sayaka taking her dress shopping... I literally cried.

2. Sakuraoi

Yeah, I had to put this on the list. They're Basically Canon, babies first Yuri, and that makes them iconic.

3. Chogami

Chihiro training with Sakura is such a good idea... plus I don't remember who said it but I love the idea of them tackling messy gender feelings. With Sakura at first not understanding because she always Clung to her assigned sex as Proof She Was A Girl, in a world that made her feel bad for being muscular. And then Chihiro comes around and SHATTERS that- being whatever flavor of trans you prefer (trans girl, trans boy, gender fluid, agender- any of them work). I feel like they could both really enrich each others worlds.

4. Sakuriyoko

This one's more vague. I just like the idea of, like... Hiyoko and Sakura bonding over their talents being tied to traditions. Plus. Same appeal with Sayaka where I feel like Hiyoko would put her in cute outfits- just very different types of cute outfits, more traditional in nature (kimonos and the like).

5. Sakuramiki

I am grasping at straws for this. Sakura training Mikan is a cute image, right? She'd treat her well and respect her and maybe help her stand up for herself. And Mikan can tenderly dress her wounds, win win!

Alternative 5. Sakukoma

This... I tend to write platonically? I tend to see Sakura as a lesbian so I don't have many romantic ships with guys. But. Nagito and her could be SUCH an iconic duo. Again, I tend to think of them platonically, but still. I think what made me fall in love with a possible Sakura and Nagito dynamic was my class civil war series, specifically this chapter of unseen pixels. In that vein, Gundham and Sakura are pretty cool foils to each other too in canon.

Chihiro Fujisaki:

1. Fujisaba

I love them in DR: IF and I also love how Chihiro stays with her body in DR1...

2. Chigiri

Same reasons as before lol. I am endlessly charmed by them. Chihiro seems to really admire her in DR1 optional dialogue which is so cute.

3. Chimiki

Chihiro and Mikan... my silly rarepair... I feel like they'd bond over being bullied and they'd both learn to be more assertive by standing up for each other. Would be especially good for Chihiro, as protecting Mikan would make them feel strong... and make Mikan feel safe. I do think Chihiro would stand up for her, too, which is something she desperately needs. They may stutter and flinch in fear when doing it, but they'll do it, which is more than a lot of people can say!

4. Enosaki

I LOVE ENOSAKI.... so many good angles to take on it. It's chihiros legacy (alter ego) that caused her downfall... she killed them and they caused her death from beyond the grave... and of course this great post from @theamityelf about Chihiro making simulators for Junko to kill people in with no consequences... this shit rules.

5. Celeshiro

I RAN OUT OF SPACES FOR SAYAKA/CHIHIRO TOO.... aughhh. But yeah. I like the idea of Celestia having a soft spot for Chihiro... she did express concern with them being out and about in chapter 2. I have So Many chihiro rarepairs. Which is crazy because I feel like I don't talk about Chihiro that much. But believe me. I am Full Of Rarepairs.

Mukuro Ikusaba:

1. Naekusaba

They are just So. AUGHHH good in Danganronpa IF. I adore them, truly.

2. Kirisaba

I really like them in DR: IF as I mentioned. But also. The idea of Mukuro being quietly afraid of Kyouko figuring her out during school life... That Compells Me.

3. Fujisaba

I WILL ALWAYS LOVE YOU FUJISABA.... I also think Fujisaba's appeal is somewhat the same appeal as Naekusaba. Falling in love with a pure and innocent smile... holding that smile between my blood stained hands... aaaughh I go crazy.

4. Ikuzono

This one is just barely a rarepair. Seems to be the go to Mukuro femslash ship. Which is a bit ironic as they have the least canon content of the Sayaka/Kyouko/Mukuro trio. But I do love Ikuzono. I've read some amazing works for them. The stand out one being this one, which is really good and any ikuzono fan should read!

5. Celeskuro

I like it because I had a friend who was really into it, and I've always just felt really happy seeing it around because of that association. It's also interesting, right, as I feel they're somewhat opposites in disposition, but both are lying/putting on false faces to cope. I wonder if Mukuro's control issues (in the sense that she gives up control, not enforces it) would intermingle with Celestia's control issues. There's a potential for a story there.

Junko Enoshima:

1. Junkan

It is absolutely diabolical to make me pick only 5 Junko ships when I love them all so much... but number one has GOTTA BE junkan. They fascinate me so much. I'm enthralled with all the different ways you could take them. How their issues intermingle. They are horrible together. Toxic Yuri for the win.

2. Enonami

I ADORE enonami. They are Also toxic Yuri. Junko canonly kills people she likes. She also crazy murdered Chiaki. You see what I'm putting down? I also like the idea of Chiaki being the first person to, like, ideologically best her. The idea of a non brainwashing verse where Junko tries to manipulate Chiaki into despair and FAILS... so shes a sore loser about it and spitefully kills her like she tried to do to Makoto. Chiaki is a threat to her, to her ideology, to her identity, and so she must kill her. And in that way- in being such a threat to Junko she had to kill her- chiaki struck an ideological win. The first person to ever best Junko... even if it also ended in Chiaki's own death.

3. Matsushima

READ DANGANRONPA ZERO READ DANGANRONPA ZERO READ DANGANRONPA ZERO READ—

4. Junkozuru / Hajunko

HA. IM CHEATING BY COUNTING THIS AS ONE. But, ahem. I have already talked about Hajunko, so I'll leave this brief. I think post canon Hajime could have fixed her.

5. Kazujunko

Debated very heavily whether I wanted to put junkonia, twoshima, or kazujunko. As I've already talked about junkonia too, and I also mentioned twoshima in my playlist masterpost, I'll talk about Kazujunko. Girl boss vs cringe male wife simp. I looove it. I think he'd just be so unabashedly in love with her. He's crazy in love as we can see from his relationship with Sonia, but unlike Sonia Junko would whole heartedly encourage this! Enabling his worst most obsessive behavior! She is a idol for him to worship and she ADORES it!

SDR2:

Hajime Hinata:

1. Hinamiki

I ADORE HAJIME AND MIKAN. They're so good together, for real. How he handles her in their FTEs and Island Mode is exactly what she needs in that moment. She threatens to break his legs and he PROPOSES TO HER. they are so crazy (positive) they match each others freak but in a really healthy and productive way, I'm obsessed.

2. Hinatsumi

THE RELATABLITY... THE TRAGEDY.... THE EVERYTHING ABOUT IT ALL... obsessed with that talk they have before she dies where she cries. Plus. The image of average Joe Hajime Hinata being a mafia wife is just... perfect.

3. Hajunko

As I have said, I already talked about this one in depth.

4. Hinanami

Actually like Kamunami a lot more than Hinanami, but the Tragedy and complicated dynamics of Kamunami are founded on this ship, so I gotta include it.

5. Komahina

I like Komahina!! I'm very particular about it, however. And it's not my top ship for the two of them. But. I do like it.

Alternative 4. Matsuhina

I don't... really ship this, but I am interested in it. People be writing some really compelling things for these two. Who. Never canonly interact, lol.

Alternative 5. Sonjime

They basically get engaged in their FTEs. What do you want from me? But for real, I really did like their last FTEs. I'm kinda not invested in them being romantic vs platonic, but their FTEs were very fun. I almost put Kazuhina on here for how funny I find them, but I think I like Sonia and Hajime just a bit more. Though actually.... funniest possible ending. Sonia and Kazuichi both dating Hajime. Sonia still hates Kazuichi and Kazuichi is very emphatically Not Dating Her, they're just both dating the same guy. Hilarious.

Nagito Komaeda:

1. Komanami

Ohhh that's gonna be controversial. I am just enthralled with Nagito seeing her as the class hope, and literally falling into despair when she dies. Like. That's a love language in and of itself for Nagito. Her being his first friend... them playing games together in that one manga anthology.... I love them SO SO SO MUCH.

2. Komamiki

This was my first big Danganronpa ship. I was SO passionate. And I still adore them. They will always have a place in my heart.... they are so concerning!

3. Komahina

Almost put this under the next one but I think I would be burned at the steak for hersay if I did that. The Classics(tm)

4. Junkomaeda

He hates her. He absolutely loathes her. But in a way that makes you squint suspiciously. Love to hate you, hate to love you type deal. This is a kind of ship where you don't actually want them to end up together (like most Junko ships, but this one Especially). But you can't deny its some weird hate-worship situationship. In the worst way. That. Enthalls me.

5. Mitakoma

Inexplicable Ryota Ship Number 2. This one at least makes some sense, since they are both somewhat obsessed with "bringing hope" albeit in very different ways. I also really liked this comic about them. (By @haunted-xander )

Alternative 5. Komaede

This. Might sound crazy. But I'm actually really fond of Nagito and Kaede. I feel like they're somewhat similar in the sense that they're willing to go to extremes for "the greater good". Kaede was fully ready to kill the mastermind, Nagito was fully ready to kill the Remnants. And even themselves weren't exempt from their judgments; Kaede declined the first blood perk and got herself executed after violating her moral code and killing an innocent, and Nagito killed himself after realizing he was a Remnant. I truly believe Kaede to be a subversion of both Chiaki and Makoto, and her actual moral compass underneath her peppiness to actually be one of ridged black and white thinking, similar to Nagito. I also think she'd just be good for him.

Chiaki Nanami:

1. Komanami

I just think they're neat, okay? I just think they are really really cool and neat.

2. Kamunami

OHHHH THE IDENITY ISSUES AND TRAGEDY OF THIS SHIP... I'm of the big belief that Izuru's love for Chiaki isn't. Healthy. Isn't the healthiest kind. Like, I imagine, he sort of clings very unhealthy to the feelings she evokes in him. Because he can't remember feeling that much about anything or anyone else. So she kind of becomes his rock. His anchor to emotions. To caring about things. Which... I think could manifest in not so healthy ways. Like. Putting a Junko AI in a simulation with a Chiaki AI for a rematch to see who wins. You know, normal boyfriend things. On Chiaki's side, there's a lot of feelings of like... not being able to fully accept that the version of Hajime she knew is dead and gone. You can't rescue him or wake him up from Izuru, it's just Izuru now. He's effectively dead and replaced. Ohhh the messy relationship dynamics that could come of that. Mourning you when you're still alive. Do not stand at my grave and weep. No one is in it.

3. Nanamiki

I love you!!! Nanamiki!!! My favorite femslash ship maybe ever. I've talked at length about them before, so I'll just leave that post here. Technically not my own post, but an ask I sent into @danggirlronpa .

4. Enonami

I mentioned a lot of why I like Enonami in the Junko section, but I also would be remiss to not talk about the sheer potential despair!Chiaki has. This ship and despair!Chiaki go hand in hand like bread and butter. It's all just a lot of fun.

5. Natsunami

NARRATIVE FOILS..... MY BELOVED.... this is a super rarepair but I'm actually really fond of it. Love the contrast, too. This super sweet bubblegum pink fluffy girl and her very intimidating growling mafia wife. Who WILL fuck you up if you mess with her girlfriend. I could actually keep going for a while about Chiaki ships. I love so many of them, they're all just great. Twonami, Naenami, Kazunami, Ikunami.... I could keep going. I made a whole ship collection to prove she goes well with Literally Everyone. I could go on and on.

Mikan Tsumiki:

Twomiki

I LOVE THEM. SO MUCH. IN DANGANRONPA 3. literally a highlight of the whole show for me. I cannot describe to you the joy I get when they are on screen. This is my number 1 Mikan ship and it's 100% because of the anime. For how well Imposter handles and defuses her. Gaaah I love them.

Mitamiki

THEY.... I know brainwashed!Mikan and him have that really uncomfortable scene but before that.... before that... they were so cute. She was nursing him back to health.... connecting with him.... plus they both have a history of bullying/abuse that I feel like they could relate to each other on. Ryota is just abrasive enough to get really bitter and mad at anyone who bullies Mikan. That Guy Holds Grudges. Mikan wants to be forgiven for being alive and Ryota wants to prove he doesn't need to be. I'm so ill

3. Hinamiki

He just. He just handles her in the exact way she needs. He's also the exact kind of crazy Mikan needs- a stable, mundane kind of insane who meets her where she's at and forgives her worse qualities with grace. If Mikan told me she was thinking of breaking my legs I would run so so so so far away. And he proposes instead. And he was right to do so. Once Mikan is assured he won't abandon her, his faith in her is rewarded with her apologizing and admitting she didn't actually want to do that. He is good for her. He is SOOOO Good For Her. He is to her what Junko should have been, if she wasn't the worst person in the world. He encourages her good parts where Junko encouraged her bad parts and affords her grace and doesn't understand her perfectly but tries so so hard to, and never, ever gave up on her or dismissed her as too messed up or annoying. Oh my god. I love them so much I'll CRY right here typing this. I am Tearing Up as I speak.

Nanamiki

You know I love nanamiki Forever. So many ways you could take them and all of them in some way supported by canon!

Komamiki

At one point this would have been both my top Nagito and top Mikan ship. But Alas. Times change. I still adore them, though. I'll always have a soft spot for them. I could Also keep going for a long long time on this one... haven't even mentioned natsumiki or satomiki or mikaede or mikane who I all ADORE.... I have so many Mikan ships, for Real.

Imposter:

1. Twomiki

I ALREADY TALKED ABOUT HOW I ADORE THEM. BUT HAVE I MENTIONED I ADORE THEM?

2. Twoshima

Two "imposters".... two pretenders.... they are always only what someone else wants... packaging themselves to best fit their image of who they should be... identity issues to the max.... but Junko, beautiful pretender she was, Saw Them. Gave them a name (a nickname?) and idenity only she could see. And yet... and Yet. They never saw her the same... she never let them.... ohhhaghhgh I go crazy.

3. Mitworai

I think this is the most common Imposter ship nowadays. For Good Reason. They were real fun in the anime! I maintain that the Imposter (with maybe some help from Mikan) should have been the one to talk Ryota down. Hajime I love you but You Don't Know This Clown Like They Do. Stfu

4. Twonami

THIS. SPECIFICALLY GOES HARD WITH AI CHIAKI.... AI chiaki is also an imposter impersonating someone.... human Chiaki.... identity issues galore. I'm also fond of human Chiaki and them, since I think Imposter impersonating Chiaki post her death would go Unbelievably Hard, but also.... AI Chiaki and them just enthrall me.

5. Twokoma

I don't... really ship this one? But I am interested in their relationship. I tend to view it more platonically, but it's undeniable that Imposter was pivotal to Nagito's earlier arc. In optional dialogue it's even hinted that the whole reason Nagito acts in chapter 1 is because Imposter inspired him to. They were just so inspiring he too was taken in by it and wanted to Do Something about their situation. It's just that. What he wanted to do wasn't actually helpful. Lol. I also like that the Imposter definitely knew Nagito was reaching for the knife and presumably trying to kill someone... and still died for him. That's sweet. They're a sweet person.

Mahiru Koizumi:

1. Mahto

SATO AND MAHIRU IS MY NUMBER ONE MAHIRU SHIP. theyyyy..... girlfriends forever. Crazy to me that they're not outrageously popular and are, in fact, a rarepair.

2. Mahiyoko

Yeah, this is a classic for a reason. Can't go wrong with soapies. Used to be pretty passionate about it, too.

3. Enozumi

MAHIRU SHOULD HAVE AN EVIL GF. FOR. REASONS. Mahiru (to me) is so WLW that I think part of how Junko would get her would be to appeal to that WLW nature. Her messy crushes that end in disaster. Her relationships with girls willing and able to kill, one to protect and one to destroy. Junko would stir up all those confusing feelings about Sato and focus them on her. And also. What's more romantic than a model and her photographer?

4. Koimiki

I have grown a lot fonder of these two since writing my Koimiki story. They are so messy at times but I think they could eventually make it work. I would say I passively ship it now, at the very least, yeah.

5. Mahibuki

These two go hardest in an ot3 with Hiyoko. I Want That For Them. So badly....

Alternative 5. Komazumi

I tend to think of Mahiru as a lesbian, but in the event that she's bi with just a heavy preference for girls, I actually really like this idea. Maybe it's because I have a friend who's really fond of it, but I've fond myself also growing fond. Always thought they had amazing friendship potential too. So, while I still tend to headcanon Mahiru as a lesbian, I do still have an inherited fondness for these two.

Sonia Nevermind:

1. Junkonia

I've already talked at length about these two, as I said. But this is 100% my number one Sonia ship. Oh my god I'm so invested in these two, for real. Enthralled with them, you could even say.

2. Nevermiki

I LOVE THESE TWO. Sonia and Mikan would have the best horror movie dates as they both love them. They both also share a desire to get married fast as Hajime basically has to propose to both of them, so they're compatible in that way too. Seriously, I really love these two.

3. Soniabuki

Ibuki serenading Sonia at concerts... with death metal... cutteee. Ibuki is so honest and real and Sonia has had her whole life in the public eye in a way that made her act perfected. I think she could really appreciate how authentic Ibuki is.

4. Soniaki

Sonia and Chiaki are one of the more popular rarepairs out there, but I still rather like them. They were cute in the anime. You know the scene. Plus how impassioned Sonia was at denying Chiaki was the traitor really shows how much she cared... like Akane was Mikan's defender that whole trial, Sonia was Chiaki's...

5. Kiyonia

This one. Is totally 100% because of their dynamic I wrote in class civil war. People in my comments Also said they started shipping them because of it. I am a menace. I didn't even mean to convince people of this rarepair! It just sort of... happened!! But him viewing the elites of society as people just as capable of falling pairs really well with Sonia wanting very hard to be viewed as a person before a princess. Also I'm sorry to Gundham who is Sonia's canon love interest but somehow isn't on this list. He'd be next if there was a number 6, if it's any consolation. ACTUALLY WAIT. I FORGOT ABOUT SONIAHIYOKO. UHHH. I'm not gonna edit this because I said A Lot but. I do think Sonia and Hiyoko would actually be above Sonia and Ibuki on this ranking. I cannot BELIEVE I forgot my girls. What an absolute crime and travesty.

V3:

Shuichi Saihara:

1. Saimaki

Yeah, this also might be controversial. I'm putting at this at the top because I a) adore them and b) have TWO ot3s with Maki and Shuichi in them - the training trio and the surviving trio. I adore them. They are sooo important to me.

2. Saimatsu

Kaede is bisexual and that is fully because of Shuichi and Rantaro in canon. Otherwise she'd be into girls all the time any time. She has such a heavy preference for girls and works well with literally all of them, and yet here she is, dating Shuichi. A miracle among miracles.

3. Saimota

I BELIEVE IN THEM. THEY ARE BASICALLY CANON. TO ME. DO YOU HEAR WHAT SHUICHI THINKS ABOUT HIM IN THEIR FINAL FTE. DO YOU. CAN ANYONE HEAR ME

4. Saimeno

Apart of my surviving trio ot3, my beloved.... I adore them so much. I tend to think of their relationship as a qpp one, vs romantic - with both Himiko and Shuichi "properly" dating only Maki - but I do care about these two so. So much. SO much!!!

5. Saiouma

These used to be my number 1... oh how the mighty fall. I think I just got burnt out with fandom content from these two, so now they're a lot lower than they used to be. Almost put Saimami here but. I do think I like Saiouma a bit better.

Alternative 5. Saigiri

I feel like Shuichi and Kyouko could have such a good mentor mentee relationship. I think that would be good for Kyouko, to learn how to teach someone like Shuichi. She knows intellectually that emotions drive actions and she doesn't dismiss them, no, but she's also not the greatest at dealing with them- whether that means comforting someone or dealing with her own emotions. Shuichi would sort of force her to confront that, given all his issues with being a detective. She would need to navigate his insecurities in a way I think will make "dealing with emotions" click in her head more. Plus, Shuichi makes her confront her own buried feeling on being a detective (the ones we see in the Kirigiri novels). Self recognition through the other and stuff. I think this ship could fuck.

Alternative 6. Saikiibo

I think their love hotel is cute... plus their FTEs are pretty funny, aha.

Alternative 7. Saigonta

How gently Shuichi handled Gonta in chapter 4.... how sweet they always were together.... I don't know if I'd say I really romantically ship this, but I do adore their little friendship together 🥺

Kaede Akamatsu:

1. Oumaede

Listen. Listen. I know most people headcanon Kokichi as gay, but... this ship. This ship is SO GOOD. I adore their FTEs and their parallels in the narrative. Purple liars go brrr. This is the ship that makes me go, "okay, Kokichi can be bisexual specifically for Kaede Akamatsu."

2. Tenkaede

I LOVE TENKAEDE.... all their interactions are so unbelievably wlw. Tbh the v3 girls/kaede in general... I tend to like. Not on this list but Himiko and Kaede and Angie and Kaede are also some of my favorite Kaede ships everrrr.

3. Amamatsu

This was my first v3 ship! I have a. Soft spot for them. I love that nail polish event. They ended so tragically... sometimes I ot3 this one with either Kokichi or Tsumugi. It's fun.

4. Kaemugi

KAEMUGI.... MY BEAUTIFUL GIRLS.... I was one of the first people on ao3 to write something for these girlies. Literally my first Kaemugi work is also the 6th Kaemugi work written on ao3. I saw these twos FTEs and never looked back, even though they ended up being very messed up with the Tsumugi mastermind and frame job reveal. They're so interesting...

5. Mikaede

MIKAN AND KAEDE.... my rarepair that I dearly love.... they'd literally be so good for each other. I tend to think that Kaede was lightly bullied ("piano freak") and that's why she was so desperate to hold onto her new friends. Because they were like her and didn't exclude her and actually listened about her interests. (Kaede Akamatsu is autistic to me. To Me.) So while she doesn't get the more extreme bullying, she can definitely understand how it hurts and would do her very best to comfort and support Mikan. She's also not shy about speaking up if she thinks someone is bullying someone. She's outwardly very kind and caring which would be unabashedly good for Mikan.

Kokichi Ouma:

1. Oumaede

I love these two, truly. Kaede and his relationship was so much more friendly that Shuichi and his - Kaede seemed to view him as a mischievous prankster and Shuichi seemed to view him as a puzzle that got more and more threatening to him the more he failed at solving it. Which. Can be a fun dynamic too, honestly. But. Kaede being willing to listen to him- specifically thinking of the death road of despair here- to consider his perspective without getting caught in "he's manipulating me" as much... that's good stuff to me. When he's upset, genuinely upset, she listens. Instead of dismissing his feelings as fabrications.

2. Oumota

Purple liars go brrr part 2. They are definitely antagonistic during the game, but there also is a lot more consideration of Kokichi on Kaito's side than I think others view him. And them working together for that final plan... chefs kiss. I eat that trial up.

3. Oumugi

This one... is also going to be controversial. I think what I like about this one is the same thing I like about Enogiri. Kokichi is trying to sus out Tsumugi and the whole game is a back and forth of them pushing and pulling. Also some of the Oumaede appeal with both of them being liars- albeit in a very different way. Kokichi is a sheep in wolves clothing and Tsumugi is a wolf in sheep's clothing. Actually, there's some of the same appeal I feel towards Enonami too- where Kokichi beat her in some ways (helped kicked off the end of the killing game), but also. Died. Like a pyrrhic victory. I also love how petty Tsumugi is towards Kokichi like, all the time. I don't know. I like them.

4. Harouma

This one. Is also going to be very controversial. Imo, Maki and Kokichi have similar tendencies to dismiss each other as "murderer" and "liar". They both tend to fall into black and white thinking. In the event that they gain understanding of each other, I think their lives could be really enriched where they both realize they're too quick to judge. This is definitely a Character Development ship- one that would require and facilitate character development. But that's what I like about it, I think.

5. Saiouma

Hi Saiouma. Nice of you to finally show up, lol. This is a classic for a reason. At one point it'd be my number one, too. Again. I think I just got burnt out on it.

Alternative 5. Naeouma

I like this because you think Kokichi is the anarchist boyfriend. But. It's actually Makoto. Plus, Makoto would extend SO MUCH sympathy and understanding and belief in Kokichi, even at his worst, to which Kokichi would be like h. Hey. What the fuck is wrong with you. I'm actually acting SO evil right now and yet. And Yet. Unstoppable force (Kokichi's mastermind plan) meet immovable object (Makoto's belief in people). (Almost put Hinaouma next, but. Now that I've written them be father and son, basically, I feel a little weird about the ship now, lol. Still a good ship, but has definitely gone down in rankings because of that. It's not the ships fault. It's my own for getting so attached to them being a father son duo.)

Alternative 6. Oumeno

Listen. I know it was Kaito who called her cute, because it was Kaito in the existal. But. Maybe Kokichi wrote that in, you don't know. Plus, their aesthetics go together so well! They're both tricksters! One with her "magic" and one with his "lies"! The showmanship of this ship! The theater, the art! Their aesthetics match!!

Kaito Momota:

1. Kaimaki

Yeah yeah, I know, I'm basic, but their arc is one I EAT UP. I actually sometimes view this as somewhat one sided - Maki confessed to Kaito, but have you noticed that Kaito... didn't respond to it? Just told her she'd find someone else iirc. Which I have two interpretations of: a) he didn't want her to linger on their what if, felt it would be cruel if he reciprocated or b) infinitely funnier, he's not into her because he's gay. Or even aro. Like wow this is awkward... I literally do not feel the same but saying that would crush her... time to say something vaguely reassuring and brush over it. I know that's probably not what canon intended. But. That interpretation does Amuse Me. In a dark kind of way. But. When I seek out content for the ship, I do tend to go for the reciprocal interpretation. They are just too cute that way. I especially like it when Shuichi is Also there. Training trio foreverrr

2. Saimota

LISTEN. LISTEN. it's just so important to me that everyone knows Shuichi Saihara basically has a canon crush on Kaito. He adores him. Training trio foreverrrrrrr

3. Oumota

In Kaito's love hotel he basically wants a rival. Kokichi in canon is his rival. You see what I'm putting down

4. Gokumota

How much he defends Gonta is really heart breaking.... this might be my number one Gonta ship. They are so sweet

5. Momomiki

They could be cute? I've read a few cute ones about them.

Alternative 5. Magic Stars

(This is Himiko and Kaito.) He DID call her cute. You know, pretending to be Kokichi and all, but if that wasn't a line Kokichi wrote, then uh. That just came from Kaito. Plus, their themings pretty similar. Could be another aesthetic ship.

Alternative 6. Kaimami

I don't know. I think Kaito and Rantaro could vibe.

Alternative 7. Cyberspace

(This is Kiibo and Kaito.) I like the vibes of it mostly. I don't know, they seem neat. I almost put Kaito/Kaede on this because I DO believe it is possible Kaito had a crush on her but. Honestly. I think it was wholly one sided based on how she thinks of him. Like. I believe in Kaito having the crush. But I don't have faith Kaede would reciprocate.

Maki Harukawa:

1. Harumeno

HARUMENO MY BELOVED.... after losing their first loves they deserve to have a sappy romance with each other.... My red girls.... my beloved....

2. Saimaki

I do think in general the Shuichi and Maki friendship is underrated. They're a very good duo. I love when they investigate together.

3. Kaemaki

I have so many Kaemaki thoughts... we know from Kaito that Kaede is just Maki's type... but also. Kaede and her were so antagonistic in that first chapter. I'm going to do a hot take. Pre-development Maki and Kaede in a scenario where she lived? They would be a protagonist/antagonist duo. Maki is 100% being set up to be Kaede's antagonist, just look at their actual interactions. And Kaede, while similar to Kaito in many ways, is also drastically different in others. For one. She is not forgiving. She is not a forgiving person. She tries to kill the mastermind and when she kills someone innocent instead? Basically gets herself killed to atone. She would take one look at Maki being an assassin and go. No flipping way. She'd expose her in an instant just like Kokichi. THIS IS AN ANTAG/ PROTAG SHIP AND IM TIRED OF PRETENDING OTHERWISE.

4. Kaimaki

I just love Maki's arc in relation to Kaito... so badly lol.

5. Yonakawa

I love these two opposite demeanor. And I also just think they look really cute together. Atheist vs Devotee. Angie being like "Angie forgives you Maki because God forgives you Maki, as long as you atone!" They are So Fun. I love them. Angie in canon is very hard on Maki post assassin reveal but I do feel like depending on how things go they could have buried the hatchet so to say. I like them a lot.

Alternative 5. Miumaki

Miu was afraid of Maki but was also one of the ones giving her the least shit. Plus Maki was rude to Miu but not anymore than her rudeness to everyone. I think Maki's clear and honest was of stating what's on her mind would do Miu some good. And Miu could help teach Maki not to judge books by their covers. Plus. They could both bond over Hating Kokichi.

Alternative 6. Tenmaki

I actually still do have a few more Maki ships, which I didn't expect. But uh. Yeah. Tenko and Maki could be really cute! Plus. Tenko went to Maki to deal with Angie. Which I think shows a level of respect between them. Plus. Buff gfs working out together. What more could you want

Korekiyo Shinnguji:

1. Kaekiyo

I tend to think Korekiyo as some flavor of aromantic- like, grey aro, maybe?- but I am. Very invested in the Kaede and Kiyo relationship. Their FTEs are good. And. Concerning in implications. But still good.

2. Amaguji

They could both talk about their fucked up relationships with their sisters!!! Korekiyo would hate that he lost so many sisters and Rantaro would hate everything about Korekiyo's relationship with his sister. And they'd make it work anyway.

3. Shinouma

I liked when he threatened to tear out his nerves. Lol.

4. Shinsai

They also had really good FTEs, this time without the threat of Korekiyo killing him for his sister. Which. I guess is a plus, lol.

5. Tsuguuji

Their summer camp interaction was sooo funny. Mikan out crazied Kiyo. Kiyo was set to kill her for sister only to be like... uh. Nevermind. She's clearly insane. He killed Angie, who was a cult leader, for his sister but Mikan Tsumiki's weird "I have power over my patients" thing made him go ACTUALLY NO. NEVERMIND. YOURE A WHOLE FREAK. I adore that

Alternative 5. Gontaguuji

I feel like this could be cute? Maybe Korekiyo talking about how people precieved the "gentleman" across history.

Tsumugi Shirogane:

1. Kaemugi

KAEMUGI MY BELOVED... so interesting to consider from Tsumugi's POV....

2. Amamugi

I like the headcanon that these two were in the last killing game (52nd one) together. Plus. I just adore how petty Tsumugi seems towards him. He's literally just some guy and she goes bark bark growl growl I hate you you normie go do a backflip and die.

3. Shironaga

OHHH I GO CRAZY FOR ANGIE AND TSUMUGI.... she joined her cult to blend in but also... what if it was to stay close to her because she knew she was about to die... she created an angel and then killed it... Angie talks about God not knowing she's right next to her in plain glasses... plus. They are both artists. They could bond over that.

Oumugi

Talked about this already in the Kokichi section. But yeah. They are opposites and yet the same... yin and yang... two liars, one trusted and guilty and one misstrusted and innocent... augh.

Saimugi

I wish I could fit Himiko also on this. But alas. Totally fell in love with this ship because of this fanfic. I'm specifically obsessed with the dynamic in that fanfic. Tsumugi befriending Shuichi instead of Kaito... disaster.

And woof, finally finished! Some of these I was grasping at straws but others I could have kept going and going about. There's so many great ships it was hard to rank them! But yeah, right now these are my thoughts. They are, like always, subject to change but this is what I'm feeling right now.

[astronnova]

response to @imminent-danger-came from this post!!!! thank you for replying mwehehehehehehehehehehe

#DAMN#IT'S TRUE#people need to accept that shadowpeach is a fucked up an' unhealthy ship (that maybe can get better) and that's okay! that's why I like 'em

yes this is SO true so true so true. their dynamic is so warped and bonkers and thats why i loooove it. its about the obsession. its about the guilt. the tragedy. its about the unstoppable force vs immovable object and how they cant stop coming back to eachother. im normal, i swear

#''azure and lbd were kinda the same just different execution'' YEAH. HMMM PARALLELS.

i love parallels i love it when writing does this i love feeling the overarching theme tie into every part of the story i love storytelling

#macaque and azure are also the same with their Wukong abandonment arcs. Foil MK that way. It fucking rules

this too. im a big fan of how bonkers azure and macaque are for wukong and also how mk is so open to subconsciously absorbing others ways of thinking that he just internalizes that too. these guys......... its okay that wukong has other things going on u guys......... its okay.......

#I will say. On one hand yeah oh my fucking god the fandomization of Macaque is so fucking terrible. This post is so right#On the other: I think Wukong very much did abandon macaque first lol#But they abandoned each other (It's why MK and Mei not doing so is 👌👌👌👌👌)

hard agree about the fandomization of macaque, it reeeeeeks. let him be an awful bastard

ok this has me curious! id love to know when wukong abandons macaque first, cause i personally can't think of the time he does that. (i know tone is hard to come across via text so i want to make it clear im being 100% genuine here).

based on all the time we know wukong left macaque, he always came back to him and his intentions for leaving were to protect macaque and the monkeys on flower fruit mountain. when he left to train with subodhi, he came back after his training. we also never see macaque show any disdain for this or claim that was wukong abandoning him with the action.

then, wukong goes to the celestial realm and works as the stable boy before he gets super drunk and petty and then goes back to flower fruit mountain. macaque never shows any anger over this either, so i don't think that's abandonment.

after, wukong and the brotherhood attack the celestial realm and wukong is captured and put into the furnace and then forced under the mountain. i don't think wukong's capture counts as abandonment, especially since wukong makes it super clear that he does not want to be under that rock.

originally i thought macaque didn't know about wukong's capture like azure and the others, which could be a reasonable conclusion for him to come to; that wukong abandoned him for the celestials, but we know that macaque knows wukong was captured. macaque even visits him under the mountain. that's when macaque severs their ties and leaves wukong trapped.

also yes........ yes..!!! mk & mei are the wukong & macaque narrative parallels.... i love storytelling

#And I think like. Why should Macaque have to bail Wukong out and put himself in danger with all of heaven because of what Wukong chose to do

its less about "macaque having to bail wukong out and indanger himself over wukong's problems" but more of like, wukong and macaque did the exact same thing, which was attacking the celestial realm. that's why wukong got caught. it's not just macaque, azure, peng, bull king and yellowtusk have some sort of moral responsibility in a way to at least try to help wukong, because all of their combined actions led to wukong taking the punishment for all of them.

i mean, sure, macaque has no reason or responsibility to bail wukong out if you look at it from that scene alone, with the "you dont owe anyone anything" mindset. but considering the other things we know, like how macaque was apart of the attack and supported wukong and fought along side him, there's a bit of a moral obligation to help wukong out since macaque's apart of the reason why wukong was captured.

#This post almost has the opposite problem of ''Wukong is villainzied while Macaque is a baby boy'' like#Wukong wasn't a good person either (they both suck(ed))#But he changed

HAHA lol sorry, that wasnt my intent. i want to make it clear that yeah, wukong wasnt a good person either! but i think the major distinction is that he wasnt a good person, past tense. in the show currently, wukong's a pretty alright guy, and the journey to the west helped him grow into a better person. i jsut feel it isn't necessary to mention wukong's terrible traits from the past because they arent... relevant to him in the current tense. that, along with the fact that the fandom keeps bringing it up, im focused more on mentioning macaque's terrible actions instead of wukong's because macaque is still acting that way while wukong grew as a person hundreds of years before canon. no reason to mention the terrible past of someone who's already made up for it, that kind of thing.

and your right! he changed, and thats good! my main point is that macaque didnt, but the fandom loves to act like he did.

#''We can't change who we were yesterday or in a past life or a hundred lifetimes ago! We live with the choices we've made for what-#-matters is the choices we make right now!''#Like yeah obviously Macaque was biased. (He says so himself: ''Everyone is the hero of their own story'')

yep ^

#But Macaque also steps in in s2 because Wukong LITERALLY abandoned MK chasing after another source of power.

i feel like thats a misinterpretation of season 2 and wukong's actions, because the reason wukong "abandons" mk is to keep mk out of danger. wukong's objective is to find a way to defeat the lady bone demon without having to drag mk into it, because he feels mk isn't ready for that kind of large battle yet. he isn't leaving mk behind to go look for more power for himself, he's leaving mk in a safe place while he goes to deal with the main threat to keep mk from getting involved. he isn't quick enough, but the point still stands.

macaque steps in and even admits in the shadow play episode that he only came by to torture mk for fun ("i was gonna do the whole watch the hero be tormented by their own mistakes thing..." is what he says, which is funny because that's really relevant to wukong's character too haha).

#SWK is making the same mistake he always has. And then MK in s2 is ALSO making that same mistake#And Macaque had to be a loser about it but it is very interesting to see it from his pov.#He steps in when MK is acting that little bit too much like Wukong in all the wrong ways. (2x07 4x09)

and you've got a point! wukong has a habit of shouldering everything himself and believing he has to be the one to fix everything, since he has the most abilities and powers out of everyone... *gestures vaguely* alive, lol. that's why he keeps secrets throughout s2-3, because the way he deals with large scale threats is by keeping his cards close to his chest. given his past, i don't blame him

so true, too, cause mk's going down that path of self isolation like wukong has already done. mk's trying to spare his friends from his "burdens" (his trauma with lbd in s2 and his trauma from azure lion and the scroll in s4) and by doing so he shuts down and keeps to himself. macaque interprets this as him "abandoning his friends", but that's because macaque's a projector LOL. we already know he does that constantly. i find it interesting too, cause macaque is somehow the most empathetic person in the cast but uses that as a way to drag people down to his level, its rlly fun. i like macaque a lot

i'll be real, i don't think macaque steps in because he genuinely wants to help mk, it's more like he sees mk (season 2 specifically here) as a smaller, weaker wukong that he can actually punch around. he knows if he tried to mess with the real wukong he'd get his ass handed to him, so he goes for the easier target. in season 4, his perspective is different but it still isn't 100% in mk's favor. and also imma be real his advice was butt booty dog water bHKBHADBHKAHAH

side note that im not able to articulate that well because its late but it moderately fits this topic: macaque uses shadow play as partially a way to continue placing doubt in mk's mind about wukong. macaque has a vendetta, and so he thinks everyone else should hate wukong too, no matter how wukong acts now. macaque practically refuses to accept wukong's changed because that would mean macaque would have to self reflect and realize that he isnt all that like he acts like he is. he's very self righteous and tries to put down mk while also placing doubt and manipulating mk into disliking and not trusting wukong. he does this like every chance he gets in season 3, also

#But maybe I think in general that ''antagonist'' is a better word to describe macaque rather than villain

sure! i can agree, mostly s4 and up, but in s1-3 he fits the bill for villain too, imo

#Anyways me on team ''Wukong and Macaque both hurt each other in equally fucked up ways'': my totally unbiased imp opinion#''Wukong was on a path of self-destruction. We all were.''#MY PERSONAL INTERPRETATION: MK is to Macaque what the Monk was to Wukong.

oh yeah i agree, wukong and macaque are such a tragic duo because of all those centuries of baggage, and they've hurt eachother so much intentionally and unintentionally. its great, i love it

"wukong was on a path of self-destruction. we all were" that phrase caught my attention big time because up until those point macaque had like no remorse for anything he'd done, so it was super interesting having him say that to mk. i was like. what da hell, macaque redemption arc REAL!?!??!?!?! im interested to see where they take macaque! he's the most likely to get that redemption tbh he's got all the flags

also i think that's a pretty cool way to look at it, and i def see what you mean. mk's good nature and desire to help rubbing off on macaque when wukong's couldn't is a very cool way to look at things, and also it slots into canon very nicely. macaque won't listen to wukong, mainly because they're so connected and all those centuries of baggage (six eared "i want the old wukong back and i also blame him for everything that goes wrong" macaque), but having someone new who also has some stake in their lives (wukongs successor) be the one to tell him Stop Being Weird and having it work, its very interesting.

#LMK is very much a show about everyone dealing with the world in their own way.#Some open noodle shops. Some try to create a clean slate. Others want to leave the world better than they found it#And Macaque was very much just in survival mode trying not to die while also trying to get back at Wukong#''Look out for number one'' like that's how he coped with the world/how he saw it.#And MK kind of up-ended that point of view. 3x10 was THE time to abandon Mei yet MK refused to

so true! lego monkie kid's s1-3 message of the world being fine just the way it is because there's good people in it is what made me fall in love with the series at first. and also how it shows how people live their lives and keep moving despite the hardships of the world is very nice. me like. and yeah! macaque's "look out for number one" mentality is very nice and i like how that fits into his and wukongs characters. its very night and day (HA get it). wukong tries to look out for everyone else while macaque is only interested in looking out for himself. its cool , i like that. especially because it relates back to their original versions in the original story, where macaque represents the dark desires of the mind like his selfishness and spitefulness and wukong kills him as a sign of overcoming those desires and instead choosing the path towards enlightenment and doing good for others and the world.

macaque has a habit of forming full opinions and thoughts on people without properly knowing them and then sticking to those thoughts for the rest of time, not considering their ability to grow and change. mk constantly makes him have to come to terms with the fact that he is wrong and its so awesome. especially because we all know daaamn well that he saw himself in the "mei is my best friend, im not going to leave her when she needs me!" moment. its really good

#So strange to me people think they can't like villains. I'm assuming it's more than just the kids/teens in the fandom

yeah its super wild. a lot of ppl (esp in this fandom, i havent seen it this bad since like voltron i think and i wasnt even apart of that fandom) believe that to like a villain there has to be some reason why the character is secretly "the good guy" or something, because if they like a straight up bad guy then it means theyre a bad person, when in reality its just relating to the conflicts that those "bad guys" represent and stuff. idk its wild out here i have never seen people jump through so many hoops to justify why they like a villain. they dont have to be secret good people, they can be bad and you can like them because of that. like, one of my fav characters from modern cartoons is emperor belos from the owl house and that guy is like basically pure evil LOL

i'll answer your other tags tomorrow! i am very tired and it is past midnight for me. snoozing at my desk, almost

[illarian-rambling]

for the 2 characters relationship questions?

3, 4, and 11 for any two

Why, of course! I'll answer for the sorcerous duo; Twenari and Djek :)

What were their first impressions of each other? How does that compare to their impressions of each other now?

Twenari’s first impression of Djek was of an armed thug come to take her back to her abusive mother in exchange for a fat paycheck. So, not a great start. To be entirely honest, she probably would've killed him if it had come down to it. Djek was brave enough to stand up to the Tunnel Wasps in time. However, if he hadn't been, it would've been his life in the way of Twenari’s freedom - and that's a choice she's made before.

Currently, she sees him as a mischievous older brother, always ready with a joke or needing to be bailed out of some ridiculous situation. She loves him and looks up to him in matters of social grace.

Djek’s first impression of Twenari was of his boss's runaway brat who needed collecting. He had no idea how Undeta treated Twenari behind the scenes, and even if he had, Djek’s idea of good parenting is rather skewed by his personal experiences. Interestingly enough, he was only vaguely aware of Twenari’s sorcery. He probably thought he could've taken her in a fight, which is a disastrously incorrect assumption.

His impression of her now is of his nerdy little sister. He's aware and in awe of Twenari’s magical talents - however, he also recognizes that her social skills are abysmal and that she sometimes needs a little nudge for her own good. He has a special bond with her as a fellow sorcerer.

How would they describe each other if asked? Physically? In personality?

Twenari about Djek: "I suppose roguish would be a good descriptor. Better than scruffy, at least. Djek is one of the few Amaranthi I've met with true red eyes, though you can't hardly tell with how much he squints. I really ought to find him a pair of glasses. His complexion is lighter than mine and his hair is black and straight. He tries to style it in a buzz-cut, but that only works when you remember to cut it more than once every two weeks, so perhaps style isn't the right word. He dresses... bravely."

"As a person, Djek is sort of a true diamond in the rough. He's got the walk and talk of a thug. He acts tough, even if it's not all that convincing of an act. On the inside though, he's one of the nicest people I know. Djek is always trying to keep people happy. He tells jokes and gives gifts - he speaks from the heart. Maybe he acts like a ruffian, but he really does care about everybody."

Djek about Twenari: "Oh, she's a doll, Twenari is. She cleans up nice and dresses like she's ready to drop everything for a tea party with the High Lady. Of course, the simmering arcane madness in her eyes sort of dispels any 'cute kid' illusion. She's of Shuari descent, so she's got skin darker than mine and keeps her hair in short locs, which I rarely see because she's always wearing a kerchief. I find it grossly unfair that she was almost my height at twelve and taller than me by four inches at sixteen."

"But gods beyond, what to say about her personality? I mean, she's really weird, don't get me wrong. Have you ever heard the words 'dothistroma needle blight' come out of a kid's mouth in full sincerity? Scary stuff. But she's cool, you know? Twenari knows her business, and probably knows yours too. She's efficient in everything she does. I just wish she'd slow down sometimes and let herself relax."

Does one act as a narrative foil to the other? How so?

Twenari and Djek aren't exactly foils, I'd say, but they are a subversion of the wise old master/eager young student trope. For the most part, Twenari is the one teaching Djek magic, which he learns more out of entertainment than any significant desire to hone his craft.

Thanks for the ask! They might not be the most obvious of my duos, but these two are a lot of fun regardless :)

[schumaclerc]

am sowwy for disrespecting you and not recognising you as THE main schumaclerc blog. schumaclerc would be such a power couple. mick and charles both making up like 6 places in the sprint. imagining them as teammates at ferrari joint in their campaign against ferrari's stupid ass decisions. both wrapped in the teams mythology with ferrari in their veins. maybe they don't get along at first like "you're Seb's other favourite aren't you" side eying each other suspiciously

🌵

SJFHKJDFGVJD PLEASE OH MY GOD SORRY FOR FORGETTING ABOUT THIS FOR 4 WHOLE DAYS BUT NOW YOU'VE OPENED THE FLOODGATES OF MY BRAINTROT AND I'M NOT GONNA APOLOGIZE FOR THAT BECAUSE TECHNICALLY THIS IS YOUR DOING ANON, but god i live for the narrative that charles and mick are foils who wish one had what the other has.

like, you have charles, a prodigy primed by ferrari, whose once-in-a-lifetime talent garnered not only attention but pressure from the whole world to prove himself on these when-not-if claims of success. who despite having entered the scene like a fucking firecracker, feels like he hasn't proved himself enough when everyone knows exactly what he's capable and wishes he could see it too.

and then there's mick who, for better or for worse, is a fucking schumacher. he was born into this shit. he's ferrari royalty. but with that comes a lot of pressure too. he's good, yes, you don't win f3 and f2 doing jack shit, but with a name like his he feels like he needs to be even better to prove that he's more than just that.

and that's where their paths converge, entangled in 'i wish' and 'what if'. charles wishes ferrari was in his blood the way it is in mick’s, maybe that way he doesn’t feel like he constantly has to prove he belongs in this team despite being their most beloved—but it makes mick doubt if he'd be worth anything to ferrari if not for his name.

for fuck's sake they even share relationships with sebastian, both their mentors but they both see him so differently. for charles it's hero worship, admiration and respect. it's hoping he sees you as an equal and sees the potential in you. it's 'i could never give him advice because he's more experienced than me and who am i to do that'. but for mick, sebastian vettel is just seb. he respects him as a driver yes, but in the end he's his father's friend and now his. he's seb 'who watched me play angry birds on the plane when i was 11'. there's a friendliness between them that charles never had with sebastian and maybe it kills him but we'll never know.

god, if they were teammates at ferrari, they'd be out for blood. they'd try to pit two princes against each other but they've internalized their envy enough that it’s stewed into something more like mutual respect. they’ve both been through hell and back. strung along and dragged through the mud by their godawful bosses, but it’s only made their more resilient. they bounce back stronger. like, yeah, we’ve both been through shit. there’s no use in trying to kill each other trying to prove who deserves the crown. and i think that’s really neat.

[buckybarnesss]

BixCassian has so much more history and chemistry than JynCassian would ever have even if they lived. It’s not about “ship wars” as some of you people say, is about seeing the obvious that many of you just choose to ignore. You can’t compare his first love, the girl that has known him for all his life, the one that he sneaked in the late night to see when they were young, the one that knows all his secrets and the one that he loved with all his heart with some girl he knew for a day or two and never showed any sign of affection to him. JynCassian shippers need to deal with this fact

i could ignore this but i'm just petty enough not to. you came into my ask box after all and i'm assuming you've been the one sending this kind of nonsense to other rebelcaptain shippers as well.

you want attention. you want us to get baited and be all oh my god i never saw it that way you are so right anon. you want a little ship war.

you are expecting a level of care about other other people's shipping preferences i just don't have.

i have tumblr savior and i know how to close a tab. anon, you know why i have tumblr savior and the good sense cultivated multiple decades on the internet?

i was there gandolf. i was there 3000 years ago in the trenches of harmony versus the good ship you will never be on that level.

but you should look into using tools to cultivate your online experience rather than leaving anon messages trying to bait people.

anyway

it's funny you say shit like this because bix caleen was created for andor she did not exist as a concept for rogue one. so i don't know what you want me to do about that? is this something that you, perhaps are mad about? that jyn erso existed first and the narrative of rogue one positions cassian and jyn as mirrors and foils to each other? that there's a lot of parallels and soulmatism surrounding jyn and cassian's relationship? and your preferred ship exists in canon as exes?

anon, what i really think is that you have a narrow idea of love and a romanization of first loves.

i think bix and cassian as first loves is sweet and the care they have for each other remains but lol that relationship is a hot mess and unsustainable.

they are exes for a reason and it's because bix values herself as a person and not only expects better from cassian but deserves better from him. the cassian we meet on ferrix is a hot mess and is so emotionally unavailable he might as well be located in another sector.

i'm not even gonna address how you think cassian had no affection for jyn because lol home boy is straight up obsessed with her from the jump. also cassian and jyn wanted to fuck realllllllll bad. sorry.

[donotpercieveme123]

If nobody asked for him yet, Izuna for the ask prompt because I can’t get enough of him. And I’m going to throw a new one at you (only if you want to!) : Naori

Thx for the ask <3 and sorry for taking so long to answer😅 life kept happening or I kept forgetting.

I'll answer both. It's gonna be long so I'll put it under a cut and apologies in advance lol

Izuna

First impression

Didn't really have much of an impression of him watching the series I won't lie. I guess I thought he looked like Sasuke but NO WHY ARE YOU STANDING IN THE WAY OF PEACE?! Did think he would have had a lot of potential if they actually bothered to give him a shred of personality tho. And aside from wanting so so so much more about him and Madara, I also low key really wanted to see more of him and Tobirama because come on! The chemistry was there and they were obviously presented as parallels and foils of each other. I wanted more violence and I wanted it to be personal. Also them interacting as kids was kind of really cute (the way they knew each other's name) but also really heartbreaking seeing how fckn big those swords looked

Impression now

He was right about everything. But if ppl think Tobirama was bad Izuna would have been worse. On purpose.

He is just SKSJJSJSZB!! Best, most interesting, fun and heartbreaking and compelling and perfect character!! The layers, the grief, his importance!!

I won't lie his character is almost entirely made by the fandom and I don't even agree with or like the vast majority of the interpretations, but God I would kill everyone in this room then myself if I don't see him happy or in pain or perfectly collected and impartial but murderous and covered in blood and so fucked up beyond belief but still holding everything and everyone together despite the way every loss and failure kills him over and over again until he's lost all sense of himself outside of his duty and the people he failed. JDJDHXHXXXHXH HIMMMM!! Just imagine the moment any shred of child like hope he used to have was completely shattered and he became entirely nihilistic, angry and bitter, but also leaving him craving the peace he knows is impossible.

Also he so has eldest daughter, middle child energy

Favourite moment

It was pretty funny when he punched Tobirama in the face ngl

Also the way he reacted to another kid possibly being stronger than his big brother!😱 Djjdhd I can't breathe!! His little face!! He deserves everything good in the world

Idea for a story

Oh boi oh boi do you just want a never ending list of all my wips?

Literally endless endless possibilities so idk which to pick, where to start or how I'd ever stop talking lol

Literally anything and everything from back story and character analysis fics, to crack, to dark smut and graphic violence, to wholesome bittersweet found family. And that's not even touching the endless possibilities AUs would open up!!!

Unpopular opinion

As needed and honestly refreshing as the 'canon accurate' take on his personality is, I don't really think I like it all that better. It's honestly kind of boring and it reduces him to a narrative plot or some vague object in someone else's story that can be placed to the side and completely forgotten about or ignored. I find it takes everything that's significant and interesting about him then sucks everything else that would give him a fully fledged and compelling personality right out of it. I'm as tired as the next person by a lot of fandom interpretations but he doesn't need to be reduced to the human equivalent of a perfectly square, perfectly blank piece of paper. His role, importance, actions and convictions within the narrative aren't remotely changed if he's allowed to have layers of messy, gritty complexity. They'd become more fleshed out if anything. Let my man have a messy personality, please! I need something to sink my teeth into and tear apart like a chew toy!

Favourite relationship

It's literally impossible to pick just one so here are the ones I cycle through as the mood takes me.

MADARAAAA, I would actually kill for more gen uchiha siblings content! They're just- yh I don't even need to explain!

But also in that same vein HIKAKU!!!! Only child Hikaku adopting Izuna as his little brother after all his cousins are killed. Them working better together and having more in common with each other than with Madara a lot of the time (despite Madara initially being the glue that brought them together). Then the grief and blame after Izuna dies and jdndndndb!!!!

Similarly but on a different note NAORI!!!!!!! Platonic soulmates all the fckn way! Just them being best friends since childhood (probably the only stable and healthy relationship, that is only a touch codependent, that Izuna has ever had). Also I love the idea of the wlw mlm solidarity of having kids together because madara refused to procreate. And don't let me get into how Izuna's death affects her!

But also TOBIRAMA ALL DAY EVERY FCKN DAY!! They’re so perfect, the way they respect and hate one another for everything they represent and how much of themselves they see in the other, and the violent possessiveness born of it. But also the way they would fit and work together so well, how they see the possible friendship in the other and it only makes them more adamant about wanting the other dead. But also soft healthy friendship that's fun and bittersweet, especially as kids, and hdhdbxbx- No more needs to be said really

Favourite headcanon

God there r so many! But I love the thought of him having a younger sister who's somewhere between tobirama, itama and izuna in personality. And he got his sharingan after seeing her die at the hands of bloodline thieves, which he never stops blaming himself for. It massively shapes his unhealthy and somewhat obsessive need to keep everyone and everything together and safe. Not to mention the way he takes failure so personally.

(Thank you sm for asking for her btw!)

Naori

First impression

Her plotline was weird as hell tho, and it would have been cooler if she was around during the founders era

Really liked her right off the bat! Thought she had a cool design, amd loved her personality and the mediator role she played. Also loved the way she seems genuinely powerful and well respected, and how put together and kind but stern she was. True infj lol

Impression now

Same impression really, + my own ideas and backstory sprinkled in. For example, she's a lot more cynical than she present herself. I love the idea of her growing bitter after Izuna's death but coming out the other side better than say Hikaku because she still had people she needed to remain tender for.

Favourite moment

Idk the way she was introduced was pretty cool. Girl boss play ur mind games!

Idea for a story

I'd love to write anything after Izuna's death and the founding of Konoha.

Also I have zero fckn clue what her backstory was even about so I wanna rework that. I'm thinking a small group of Uchiha growing paranoid as Madara did and trying to assasinate Tobirama. Having accepted the reality they were now stuck in she makes it her mission to keep everything running smoothly and do damage control where necessary. (All for the benefit of the clan tho. She never actually accepts the will of fire and she would be the first to be able to say 'I told you so' when war breaks out again). So anyway, Tobirama agrees to let her peacefully deal with them as a 'show of trust' to any other Uchiha who might follow, but it still makes him weary of them as a whole regardless.

Unpopular opinion

Not a fan of her being written in to be shipped with whatever male character just so they can have a straight love interest. I want her to have motivations, a story, and complex thoughts and feelings outside that. That's how she was introduced in the first place! But idk if that's actually unpopular lol

Favourite relationship

Of course Izuna! Aside from what I mentioned in his bit I also like to think that they shared the same views about how the clan should be run, and especially about peace (as a whole vs peace with the Senju). And alongside being a genjutsu master and being well respected on the battlefield, I like to think that she had an affinity for healing, and she woke her Mangekyou after Izuna died because she felt responsible for not being able to save him.

But also Hikaku!!! After Madara leaves she's the only person Hikaku still has around, and despite both being two of Izuna's closest people, they only really get close after that. After he officially takes over as clan head she essentially also steps into the role Izuna had as Madara's 'right hand'. Which basically means that for all intents and purposes they lead the clan together.

Favourite headcanon

Tobirama came to her about the police force and despite hating his guts for killing Izuna they worked together. She founded the police force with her wife and had a hand in the way the anbu was initially structured. Tobirama first went to her out of guilt (and because Hikaku was more outwardly hostile lol), but over the years she became someone he deeply respected and who's advice he sought out. And despite never fully forgiving him the respect was mutual.

[your-local-granny]

terumobuuu ship bingo!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Oh my GODDDD THEY DRIVE ME SO CRAZY!!!!!!!!!!!! What if we were narrative foils and we were both 13 and so so scared of ourselves and learned to be kind through each other… teru in being kind to others and mob in being kind to himself……… they’re both so silly and I love them so much oh my god ｡ﾟ(ﾟ´Д｀ﾟ)ﾟ｡

[writtenbyevie]

HELLO EVIE TWO THINGS

1) fully outlined Kuroken fic???? SIGN ME UP. Do you wanna share any fun facts or anything at all about it? (no pressure at all, I am very nosy as per usual)

2) YES to the fic book club

Big love you, I’m booping your nose!!

HI JULES!!!! 💖✨💖

Oh my god yes please let's start this fic club. Anyone who wants to join please do!!! We can read hq fics and just wax poetic!!!!!

Now.

Kuroken

SO story time. earth and moon was supposed to be a brief and writing exercise (originally 5k, then 10-15k, then well...), as I worked on restructuring the plot for my Iwaoi College AU fic called The Twelve Year Fall.

What ended up happening was my little exercise devolved into a 73k monster with a Sakuatsu spin-off/sequel on the way.

The Twelve Year Fall (TYF), like the title insinuates, spanned twelve years, from when Iwaizumi and Oikawa first met to well into college. Alternating back and forth between both of their perspectives, it dealt with divorce, death, coming outs, relationships, identities, injuries, etc. It also heavily featured Kuroken, Bokuaka, and Daisuga with cameos from all other characters as well. (The restructure involved me actually removing Daisuga from the plot and giving their narrative function to Bokuaka, since it was getting too cluttered with characters)

All the above mentioned side pairings had distinct arcs of their own within TYF that either paralleled or served as a foil to Iwaoi. I ended up coming with individual fic ideas for each of them and outlining them all pretty extensively. I then put the timelines for all those fics next to each other and found moments where there'd be cross over between these future stories and the current Iwaoi fic I was writing. I then incorporated those moments into TYF.

I actually did something similar for earth and moon with Sakuatsu's story (which has a title but I just don't love it so it's under revision) and Arankita's. I charted out the major milestones in each of their relationships, general timelines, themes, and motifs that would then show up in the background of earth and moon, thus creating my own little universe I guess?

ANYWHO KUROKEN!

The Kuroken fic is titled DEATH TO ALL COWARDS. Narrated by Kenma, the story focuses on a promise Kuroo and Kenma make to each other as children (what can I say I'm a slut for coming-of-age, childhood friends to lovers, slow burn stories) and how it impacts their relationship over the years. The promise being that Kenma gets to die before Kuroo. It pulls from fairytales and videogame lore as the main theme, with Kenma slowly learning how to become the hero of his own story. I want to spoil the ending, but I hope one day to write this so I must bite my tongue. Let's just say the ending is very dramatic, but Kenma gets his moment

The Bokuaka fic is titled The Love Affair Between Icarus and Moon (TLABIAM). Narrated by Akaashi, the story follows Akaashi's life and his secret relationship with Bokuto. The major motifs/references in this piece were Greek mythology, astronomy (which works its way into almost all of my writing anyway), and the flower language. I'm actually planning of giving this story a bit of a backdoor pilot in Sakuatsu's story, as TLABIAM focused heavily on grief, with Akaashi losing his older brother at a young age. This was a big part of TYF, since one of Iwaoi's parents coping with cancer is a major, major plot point. It's also a big part of the Sakuatsu's story I'm writing.

(gee evie we're noticing a pattern)

The Daisuga fic was called Betwixt the Willows, Yarrow Still Blooms. It was going to involve the flower language, as well as another secret relationship concept that I scraped and gave to Bokuaka, who were originally a FWB situation.

ANYWHOOOOOOOOO!

I just massively rambled, but yes I have multiple fics outlined--a whole little universe actually--that I have not written but hope to one day!!

[scarletlight-has-issues]

For the character ask thing you know I gotta do my boy Zane

Oh my goD YES-

Okay-

Sexuality Headcanon: I headcannon him as m-spec or bi-adjacent, but I don't think he puts too much weight on specific labels like that, defining himself by his experiences as opposed to a name he feels fits them.

Gender Headcanon: Trans boy. Im sorry, the entire thing of self-discovery and accepting who you are is SUCH a trans narrative

A ship I have with said character: Okay, I... Im a multishipper- I really enjoy the main 4 polycule? And in addition to the ship as a whole, I adore Zane and each of the other 3 individually. I... I also really like Pixane. I really wanted to dislike it when I was first watching, because I don't like the "Oh, let's pair up all the characters now! Here, let's create a female character that's the same kind of person as the male character but ✨different✨ so it's like she was made for him specifically!" trope. But... Pixane doesn't hit that feeling with me for some reason??? I just- The way they treat her as her own character and not just as Zane's foil, the way they genuinely care about each other, that SCENE with Pixal talking to Borg about Zane, him LITERALLY GIVING HER HALF OF HIS HEART, and the "Are we compatible now?" I JUST- I LOVE THEM OKAY?!-

A BROTP I have with said character: Okay, one thing I really like about this show is the relationships, especially with the main group- You can pick almost any two characters who interact or have chemistry (Platonic, romantic, or otherwise!) and I'll love their relationship for different reasons- Since this is the case, its kind hard to pick just one, so I'll name a few that catch my attention. First, in addition to shipping them romantically, I really like Zane and Kai's platonic relationship. The way they just seem to gel despite being very different in personality?? The way Kai was hit so hard by Zane's death?? (Yes, I know they were all affected very strongly, but that conversation between Kai and Lloyd just hits SO HARD.) Not exactly the same kind of relationship, but I love Zane's connection with Sensei Wu. Then, I think Zane and Nya is an underrated dynamic-

A NOTP I have with said character: There aren't a lot of ships with Zane I've seen that I don't like. The only one I can think of is Zane and Lloyd, because just... no.

A random headcanon: ✨Autism.✨ Im autistic, and I relate SO MUCH to Zane's behavior and reactions. One thing I love about him is that, despite being an example of the "Autistic android" trope, he's not emotionless! On the contrary, he feels very strongly, much more than the others at times, he's just bad at expressing it. That's something I experience daily.

General Opinion over said character: YES. MY FAVORITE. 100%.

[significant-narratives]

Ok but consider: the splash bros as a narrative foil to austonmitchy ... nearly 10 years of losing in the most heartbreakingly almost fashion and yet you still choose to stay and go back home to each other vs. being undisputably the best and coming back from the dead time after time after years of waiting and longing and reminding the world that you're unstoppable together even if the clock seems to have other plans.

That and klay is the most recent victim of mitchsogyny which is when uber-entitled fans of a team with a Best Guy Ever want to kick said Guy's work wife off of the only one he's ever known because of (1) bad playoff performance that somehow overshadows several good ones !! Men are watching sports for the wrong reasons just enjoy the gay love story and be grateful ugh !!! Ok sorry for ranting ive just been thinking abt both of them a lot and luv ur blog and need them all to stay married forever or i will do something Drastic etc ok that's all bye have a lovely day <333

oh my god anon... your mind... i had never connected those two dots but yes absolutely!! as always i am prone to rambling so i'm sticking the rest of my reply under the cut.

i think you nailed it re: how despite the different trajectory each pairing has taken (years of coming close but not close enough vs literal dynastic success) the enduring love is still there!

i also think the way these two pairings came to be is interesting to compare. auston and mitch written in the stars (auston shattering the glass of the rink off a mitch assist in their first practice together, fast friends since they were rookies etc) vs steph and klay having a slower burn and only really bonding a couple years in (the barcelona trip).

and then, like. auston and mitch sitting in the locker room together, united in their grief and heartbreak in the amazon doc... the effervescent joy that klay and steph take in succeeding together but also watching each other succeed, even all these years later!! both pairs always speaking highly of one another, understanding that they make each other better, and most importantly wanting to climb the metaphorical mountain together. and needing each other in order to do so.

less important but amusing to me: one half getting married and settling down (steph, mitch) and the other still (presumably) happily living that bachelor life (klay, auston)

have to take a quick second to highlight this part of your ask because it made me feel so weepy in wake of Recent Events (which i will circle back to):

being undisputably the best and coming back from the dead time after time after years of waiting and longing and reminding the world that you're unstoppable together even if the clock seems to have other plans

LIKE.... LET'S TALK ABOUT IT FOR REAL... steph is a generational talent, an all time great, changed the way the game is played etc etc BUT. everything he has won at an nba level has been with klay by his side. the warriors were a lottery team for two seasons, everyone said they'd never win again in the 1130 era... and then klay came back and they won again! when steph was out last season, klay played a huge part in keeping the time afloat! i repeat that through the power of true love all things are possible and i think that's beautiful.

and of course, klay as the most recent victim of mitchsogyny is just incredible scholarship, truly. i've been avoiding all warriors-related news/spaces this offseason because people are being so fucking miserable, it's painful to see.

like, with the faction of leafs fans who want mitch gone, i can almost understand why they feel that way (note: that doesn't mean i approve or agree lol). and that's because in the same way that winning cures all, losing poisons everything.

but with warriors fans and klay, it's like? was four championships and coming back from two potentially career-ending injuries not enough for you people? did you guys forget a decade plus of incredible performances that quickly? where is your sense of loyalty! <- this circles back to your point abt how the average sportsfan engages with team sports. they care about the logo, the team as a concept, and maybeee one or two superstar players. but for me personally, and i think for many people on sports tumblr, what good is rooting for a team if the team is completely unrecognizable? i don't want to see nameless players win a title, i want to watch my guys win! i want to get invested in their journeys and their accomplishments and watch them grow together! sports are just stories about people at the end of the day!

please don't apologize anon, i too have been in the trenches with the news that klay is likely to leave as a FA and just... everything... about the mitch situation. i think the most important thing to remember is that no matter what happens, the love will always be there. and when we look back, their names will always be said together.

[vitos-ordination-song]

I didn’t go into LOGH trying to ship anyone… I don’t care about shipping in a fandom sense. It makes me so annoyed with myself that my interest in Reinhard and Yang as narrative foils eventually morphed into wanting them to fuck nasty.

It’s like… okay yeah on a narrative level I’m obsessed with them. And so into the tension and drama of their parallel stories. And the unlimited potential of their relationship which never came to be but was relentlessly teased. I don’t necessarily care about the fanfic angle of them becoming lovers. At first I was actively resisting, like, clearly Reinhard is in love with Kircheis, and Yang is such a rare kind of character, he really doesn’t fit with dramatic romance and would be incredibly out of place in yaoi.

And yet… it happened. ‘Cause for one thing GOD the power struggles were so hot lol. Yes my intellectual brain was thinking about LOGH’s deep themes or whatever but also I was slobbering over every escalating conflict. At first it’s like, oh they’re just Rivals on the Battlefield or whatever. They respect each other but that’s it. But then… BUT THEN.

Reinhard is actually an extremely hot character. I’m more into Yang but Reinhard has that ultimate erotic power, and he’s so passionate and possessive. I liked that part of him in general. But the story kept portraying him as wanting Yang so bad. Again it’s fine with me if it’s platonic, just as good to me that way, if it’s just a matter of Reinhard’s dominator personality, desire to collect talent, desire to have Yang as a subordinate and friend, etc. But that’s what pushed me over the edge into full blown insanity. The scene where he fantasizes how about he’s gonna make Yang the governor of the Alliance once he subdues him???? HELP IT’S SO HOT. And his reaction when Yang died, like, god he just wanted Yang so badly as both a friend and enemy, which an incredibly great and compelling dynamic. I really couldn’t take how sexual I found it all.

But the flip side of that is Yang himself ‘cause he has absolutely none of Reinhard’s drama. I think that contrast is another reason I like their dynamic (or potential dynamic)—it’s hilarious. It’s fun to watch. It’s interesting. Like, Yang’s sloth nature negates Reinhard’s epic romantic emperor shtick. What made it hot is how Yang always eluded him!!!!!! Like, he kept winning. Reinhard’s yang energy kept expanding, but Yang’s yin was never caught by it. Super hot, made me quake in my boots.

This dynamic is so neglected in the fandom tho 😭 Who cares about Schönkopf, get him outta here!!! And Reinhard/Kircheis is more interesting with Kircheis dead. The only people who get me on this front are the Chinese, Reinhard/Yang is popular with Chinese fandom. Most of the fic is porny, ‘cause like me, they have domination kinks. But what the best ones understand is that it’s hotter if Reinhard can never actually dominate Yang. Yang is so good because he’s passive yet unyielding. It’s so hot to have that erotic lack of fulfillment, there’s always something more just out of grasp… Also one particular fic is actually about negating the power struggle between them and it has a lot of good political writing in it too. It basically used the BL genre to further elaborate on LOGH’s themes, in ways I found more interesting than the work’s actual ending. And its portrayal of Reinhard and Yang’s relationship is so romantic and funny and compelling. Anyway I’ve thoroughly embarrassed myself with this post but I must speak my truth. I’m thinking I’m going to do two video essays on LOGH ultimately, one on its flaws and one on the excellent Reinhard/Yang foiling. And maybe in that second video, I’ll subliminally flash images of them making out to win people over to my side.

[snow-lavender]

Hello everyone. Me again. I wonder what on earth I could be adding to this post.

That's right, I am once again here to gush about about my minecraft beloveds in hope it will convince you to vote for them.

WHY YOU SHOULD VOTE FOR SEASIDE PT 3: WE GETTING EMOTIONAL THIS TIME

Last round I focused more on the humour, but now I want to actually dig into the emotional impact of these characters. Despite being very funny characters that are often cracking jokes at their lowest moments, Chaos and Ocie have a deep effect on each other and on the viewer (if the viewer is me, at least)

Neither of these people are human. Instead, they have recently been thrust into a new existence as something human shaped but not quite. They deal with this in ways that perfectly mirror each other.

Ocie is the ocean given human form, and she hates this. At the start of her story, she would give anything to go back to an inanimate mass of water, unable to feel. She would give up the ability to feel happiness to avoid the grief that has plagued her since gaining personhood.

However, as time progresses, its attitude shifts. It makes more and more connections, and eventually questions if she would actually go back, given the chance.

Chaos, by contrast, is totally chill with her strangeness at first. Teeth too pointy? Oh well! Don't have a shadow today? It'll come back eventually.

However, when they learn the true breadth of their inhumanity, if throws them into crisis. Suddenly, they don't feel fit to preform their duties, partake in community, or continue their relationship with Ocie. While Ocie comes to term with her situation over time, Chaos tries desperately to cling to any shred of normality and deny her abnormality. They remain narrative foils throughout their development.

Despite their differences, these characters have a huge focus on their togetherness. When arguing over kingship threatens to tear their friendship apart, the solution they come to is ruling together.

When Ocie learns the location of one of her other partners from the gods, her first instinct is to drop anything and find him, leaving Chaos behind. This leads to the following conversation:

O: "It's been years! I've been looking for years!"

C: "And you can wait another five minutes. Ocie you're always running off. We're supposed to be kings together. Let us do something together, okay?"

O: "We're- Kings of what, Chaos? What are we kings of, really?"

C: "A whole city!"

O: "Seaside's empty. The only person that lives there is Galahad. I'm trying- I'm always running off? I'm running off to try and find our people. I'm running off- Do you know how nice it would be if our coronation happened and your whole family was there? And all my other partners were there, and Casus and Vorago? Do your know how nice that would be?"

C: "It's been a very long time since I've seen anyone from my home, Ocie. I've looked, and I'm content. If they want to find me, they will. We can wait another five minutes. ...Also you're in a ballgown. Let's not go running off into the woods in a ballgown."

Chaos appealing to it by pointing to their own relationship is enough to convince Ocie to stay, however briefly. Later on, when Chaos is having that aforementioned crisis, the roles are reversed:

O: "Did you lose your flower crown?"

C: "No...so, because I'm dead, I don't feel entirely fit to rule at this point in time? So I took it off."

O: "You cannot just leave me alone. Dude, come on. No, no, don't make me king. Don't make me the singular king."

C: "You wanted to be king! Now you're king! Congratulations, you won the election, I vote for you."

O: "Nooo, I don't want to do this alone! You can't make me do this alone, come on, no."

C: "No. Nope, no."

O: "Chaos."

C: "No, don't give me that look."

O: "Also, you've been dead this whole time and you ruled just fine!"

C: "Ehhh..."

O: "Hmm?"

C: "...Fine, I'll go get my crown."

A conflict that was once capable of tearing them apart is now unthinkable to engage in, because these two have become so important to each other. Even in smaller moments, they are constantly emphasizing how they are present for each other, how they will remember each other. Their togetherness is a central theme for both characters.

And so, when that togetherness does get ripped apart, it is fucking devastating. But that's a topic for another round of propaganda.

Mothman and Bigfoot (Real Life) vs Ocie and Ceci Chaos (Fable SMP)

Negative comments about either qpr in the notes will be blocked. This includes saying that either party is not a qpr. We are here to have fun. It does not matter whether a qpr is "canonically" platonic, romantic, or otherwise. I do not want to hear about why you think a relationship isn't a qpr.

Mothman and Bigfoot propaganda: gay cryptids in queerplatonic love (im just gonna put this here -🦊)

Ocie and Ceci propaganda: Canon QPR! They got in an argument about who should be in charge of their town, had an election about it, tied, and then decided to be co-kings and QPR about it. Neither of them are supposed to exist, and they are quirky and weird together to cope. They are so chill with murder too, the vibes were impeccable :) (i miss them so dearly) More Ocie and Ceci propaganda

[zerokogane]

Me when anything involving ShuAke