#otp: the rivalry ends here

[kazoosandfannypacks]

@ana-cantskywalker here's your secret second gift: a wallpaper that incorporates a little something from all your faves! And, of course, I couldn't not include a lyric from our ✨ Liver Era ✨ 😉

Happy Valentine's Day, bestie!!!

[kazoosandfannypacks]

@laughingphoenixleader yeah

[maxdibert]

My problem with Lily and James being seen as a super couple has nothing to do with Severus Snape but rather with the fact that when we look at the relationship between James and Lily through a feminist lens, it’s hard not to notice some pretty glaring issues that go beyond just whether or not they’re an “OTP” couple. Sure, on the surface it might seem like a story of two people finding love amid all the chaos, but scratch beneath the surface and you see a whole lot more about toxic masculinity, objectification, and the erasure of a woman’s agency. James is celebrated as this charming, rebellious “bad boy” with a roguish smile, while Lily gets stuck playing the role of the sacrificial, moral compass woman—someone who exists largely to balance out and even redeem the male narrative. And honestly, that’s a problem.

James is shown as this complex, active character who’s constantly surrounded by friends, enemies, and drama. His life is dynamic and full of choices—even if those choices sometimes involve manipulation and deceit. He’s the kind of guy who can easily slip out of confinement with his Invisibility Cloak, leaving Lily behind in a narrative that, over time, turns her into a background figure. This dynamic isn’t accidental; it’s reflective of how our culture often values male agency over female independence. Lily, on the other hand, is repeatedly reduced to her relationships with the men around her. Instead of being a person with her own dreams, opinions, and friendships, she becomes a symbol—a kind of emotional barometer for how “good” or “bad” a man is. Her character is used to validate the actions of others, which means her individuality gets smothered under the weight of a trope that’s all too common in literature: the idea that a woman’s worth is measured by her ability to tame or save a troubled man.

This isn’t just about a lack of depth in Lily’s character; it’s also about how her portrayal reinforces harmful gender norms. Lily is depicted as this kind of sacrificial mother figure—a person whose primary virtue is her selflessness, her willingness to suffer and sacrifice for the sake of others. While selflessness is often celebrated in women, it’s a double-edged sword when that selflessness is the only thing we see. Instead of having her own narrative, her role is defined by how much she gives up, not by what she contributes or the inner life she leads. And it’s not just a narrative oversight—it’s a reflection of a broader cultural pattern where women are expected to be nurturing, supportive, and ultimately secondary to the male characters who drive the action.

What’s even more frustrating is how Lily’s isolation is used to further the narrative of James’s redemption. Over time, we see Lily’s network of friends and her connections outside of James gradually disappear. It’s almost as if, once she falls in love, her entire world is meant to shrink around that relationship. And here’s where the feminist critique really kicks in: this isn’t a realistic depiction of a balanced, healthy relationship—it’s a story that subtly suggests that a woman’s fulfillment comes from being dependent on one man and his circle, rather than cultivating her own identity. Meanwhile, James continues to be portrayed as this larger-than-life figure who’s got a whole world beyond his romantic entanglement, a world filled with vibrant interactions, rivalries, and a legacy that extends beyond his relationship with Lily.

Another point worth mentioning is the way in which the narrative seems to excuse James’s less-than-stellar behavior. His manipulation, his lying, and his willingness to trick Lily into situations that serve his own interests are brushed off as quirks of a “bad boy” persona—a kind of charm that, in the end, makes him redeemable because Lily’s love is supposed to “tame” him. This kind of storytelling not only normalizes toxic masculinity but also puts an unfair burden on Lily. It’s like saying, “Look how amazing you are, you’re the only one who can fix him!” That’s a dangerous message because it implies that women are responsible for managing or even reforming male behavior, rather than holding men accountable for their own actions.

The imbalance in their character development is glaringly obvious when you compare how much more we learn about James versus how little we know about Lily. James is given room to be flawed, to grow, and to be complicated. His friendships, his rivalries, and even his mistakes are all part of what makes him a rounded character. Lily, however, is often just a name, a face in the background who exists mainly to serve as a counterpoint to James’s narrative. Her inner life, her ambitions, and her struggles are rarely explored in any meaningful way, leaving her as a one-dimensional character whose only real purpose is to highlight the moral journey of the man she loves.

It’s also important to recognize how this kind of narrative plays into broader cultural ideas about gender. When literature consistently portrays women as the quiet, isolated figures who are only valuable in relation to the men around them, it sends a message about what is expected of real-life women. It suggests that a woman’s worth is determined by how much she sacrifices or how well she can support a man, rather than by her own achievements or personality. This isn’t just a harmless trope—it contributes to a societal mindset that limits women’s potential and reinforces gender inequality. The way Lily is written reflects a kind of “tamed” femininity that’s supposed to be passive, supportive, and ultimately secondary to the active, adventurous masculinity that James represents.

At the heart of the issue is the lack of balance in their relationship as depicted in the texts. The idea that Lily “fell for” a man who was clearly not a paragon of virtue is problematic, but what’s even more problematic is how her role in the relationship is so narrowly defined. Rather than being seen as an independent character who makes choices and has her own voice, she is constantly portrayed as someone whose existence is meant to validate the male experience. Even when the texts mention that Lily had her own issues—like hating James at times or suffering because of the way their relationship unfolded—it’s always in a way that underlines her weakness compared to James’s dynamic, active presence.

Looking at the broader picture, it’s clear that this isn’t just about one fictional couple—it’s a reflection of how gender dynamics have long been skewed in literature. Male characters are given the freedom to be complex, flawed, and full of life, while female characters are often stuck in roles that don’t allow them to be fully realized. This isn’t to say that every story with a sacrificial female character is inherently bad, but it does mean that when a character like Lily is reduced to a mere symbol—a moral compass or a measure of male worth—it’s time to ask why and what that says about the society that produced that narrative.

So, what’s the way forward? For one, we need to start reimagining these relationships in a way that allows both partners to be fully fleshed out. Lily deserves to be more than just a side character or a moral benchmark; she should have her own narrative, her own dreams, and her own agency. And as much as it might be appealing to think of James as this redeemable rebel, it’s equally important to hold him accountable for the ways in which his behavior perpetuates harmful stereotypes about masculinity. A healthier narrative would be one in which both characters grow together, where mutual respect and equal agency are at the core of their relationship.

In the end, the story of James and Lily, as it stands, is a reminder of how deeply ingrained gender norms can shape the stories we tell. It’s a cautionary tale about the dangers of allowing toxic masculinity to go unchecked and of confining women to roles that don’t do justice to their full humanity. For anyone who’s ever felt frustrated by these imbalances, there’s hope in the idea of re-writing these narratives—of pushing for stories where both men and women are seen as complete, complex individuals. And really, that’s what literature should strive for: a reflection of the messy, beautiful, and often complicated reality of human relationships, where no one is just there to serve as a prop in someone else’s story.

Ultimately, if we can start imagining a world where characters like Lily aren’t just defined by their relationships to men, where their voices and stories are given as much weight as those of their male counterparts, then we can begin to chip away at the outdated tropes that have held us back for so long. It’s about time we celebrated the full spectrum of human experience—and that means giving women like Lily the space to shine on their own terms, without being constantly overshadowed by a “bad boy” narrative that has little to say about their true selves.

[olympeline]

Carrying on from this ask and post, let’s talk about omegaverse Arthur’s often lamentable love life. 😳 I’ll start with FrUK and maybe do USUK and some others later if people are interested. The OTP must always be first

I go back and forth on whether I like Francis as a beta or an alpha. In the ScotFrUK variant, I make him a beta so the OT3 can have a nice a/b/o mix. Since I’ve already written about beta Francis there, here I’ll make him alpha for some variety. He’d be a non-traditional one the same way Arthur is a non-traditional omega. Less open aggression and bared teeth, more refinement and poise. Still deadly, though. France was always a naked steel epee under perfumed silk. A sleek hunting dog to other alphas’ snarling wolves.

Francis and Arthur grew up together just like they do in canon. Francis was older and presented first, neatly ticking the alpha box his people hoped and prayed for. Arthur was in childish awe and obviously jelly, something a smug Francis was very aware of. When Arthur presented beta (cough) after loudly insisting he would also be an alpha when his time came, Francis went beyond smug to full blown schadenfreude ecstasy. Here was yet more proof that he was the superior nation. Suck it, little beta Angleterre! You will never be an alpha. Hon hon hon.

Anyhoo, afterwards the two carried on in their normal merry, cross-channel rivalry way. Until the time came for their first truly epic clash: the Hundred Years War. Our scene is set just as the French have found their second wind (here “second wind” means “guns”) and started pushing the English back. Francis meets Arthur on the battlefield and they have their usual duel. Except, even with his newly found advantage, Francis can’t help but notice Arthur is seriously off his game. In fact he fights so badly that Francis not only wins but actually manages to take him prisoner(!) when the English retreat. Something that’s possible but unusual for their kind. As if things weren’t going crap enough for Team Anglo. Now they’ve lost more land and their national personification has been captured. Bloody hell, mate. Bit harsh, all in all.

As much as he’s loving all this, Francis is itching with curiosity as to how it happened. Arthur has proven himself a ferocious opponent over the years but in their last battle he was a joke. Flushed and unsteady, Arthur spent their bout stumbling around like a newborn foal and swinging his sword like a concussed drunk. Francis ran rings around him and it barely took any effort to knock his rival down and pin him. Truly a pitiful display. Francis knows Arthur is many things but a bad fighter isn’t one of them. So he goes to Arthur’s cell to see what’s up. And hopefully get a little more gloating in while he’s at it. Hon hon hon.

Once there, he finds Arthur in a terrible state: collapsed on the floor, delirious, and burning with fever. Francis sends word to his boss, who orders their prisoner transferred to a proper room and treated. If it seems weird he would do this, remember that if Arthur died he’d “regenerate” back in England and the French would lose a very valuable hostage. Arthur ends up in Francis’s bed so Francis can both nurse and keep an eye on him. If Arthur suddenly rallied, no way ordinary French guards could stop him escaping by themselves. Nation-people are strong, yo. Not that Arthur was very strong at that particular moment in time. It’s very odd he’s this sick when - as far as Francis knows - nothing is happening in England to cause it. No plagues, economic disasters, or the like. Arthur’s illness is a real mystery. That is, until Francis gets close enough to scent him. It happens when he climbs into bed for a cuddle. You know our FrUK pair: no matter how spiteful their rivalry, when one of them is really badly off they’ll always band together for support. Arthur is suffering with this fever and so Francis, moved but unable to help in any other way, does the only thing he can and holds him like when they were young.

That’s when he notices the unmistakable scent of pre-heat of a late bloomer. Yeeep, we all saw this coming a mile away, lol. Arthur’s long delayed second sex presentation happened in the worst place possible: the battlefield of an enemy country. Because he’s Arthur Bloody Kirkland and no matter what the universe, he’ll always have the luck of someone who ran over a gypsy every day for the last ten years. He’s still out of it so the classic “You’re an omega!/No, I’m a beta!” convo is even less coherent than you’d expect. The pre-heat moves on to full blown and Francis has to deal with his burning, slicking, still delirious rival trying to kiss his face off and begging to be fucked. His still delirious rival who suddenly has a scent like pure, uncut sex which tests Francis’s self-control like nothing ever has. Fortunately Francis is someone who not only believes that real love only comes with full, sexy consent, but also has a soft spot for omegas and Arthur. It’s tough and every kiss makes his dick feel like it’s going to tear right off his loins, but Francis still refuses to give into his worse urges and take advantage of Arthur when he’s defenceless. It’s a truly ass time for them both (no pun intended) but eventually the heat ebbs and they’re left to deal with the aftermath. Arthur is still weak and disoriented but now he can also add “mortified” and “devastated” to the list. A beta presentation was disappointing, omega is a disaster. Not only that but the frog knows! The frog, who he’s currently losing a war to. The frog, whose bed he’s nesting in. The frog, who Arthur just spent days and nights begging to fuck him. Just kill him now. There’s no coming back from this. Just throw the whole of the British Isles away.

Arthur expects Francis to rake him across the coals for some truly epic blackmail. Only to be shocked when Francis instead is…kind? Kind and…actually reassuring? Promising he won’t tell anyone else if Arthur doesn’t want him to. Arthur can’t believe it. Tries (and fails) to sit up and intimidate Francis into revealing what he’s really up to. But Francis only soothes him again. His soft spot for omegas and the hard life they lead is genuine. He assures Arthur that, rivals though they may be, Francis would never use Arthur’s second sex against him. Such a detestable thing would be below him as the country of love and beauty. Not only is Arthur’s secret safe with Francis, but Francis swears he can always come to him for help if need be. Whatever help he likes, no strings attached. Then Francis presses a soft kiss to Arthur’s forehead and oh dear, oh dear, is some of his heat still clinging on? It must be since Arthur is suddenly hot and dizzy again. Francis is very close and very handsome. Git. Stupid git. Stupid sexy frog git…

Arthur gets back on his feet thanks to Francis’s care and manages to slip away and escape. Yeah, Francis didn’t try very hard to stop him. But, you know, shit’s been tough. Let Arthur have this. A nation-person can’t disobey their boss and Arthur has to come clean when his king asks where the hell he’s been. Resulting in much fury, disgust, and “so that’s why we’re losing this damn war!” leaps of logic from the English rulers. Not much fun for poor Arthur. Ever the disappointment to a royal family who don’t even bother to hide their contempt for what fate has given them. They swear their national personification to secrecy and Arthur starts his long period of faking the second sex they thought he had before. Life goes back to normal, Anglo-French rivalry included, with one notable exception: Arthur takes Francis up on his offer of “help” with his new heats. They’re still Arthur and Francis - still enemies and rivals trying to one-up each other all over the world - but Francis is true to his word. When Arthur needs relief from a bad heat, they meet and Francis takes care of him. They’re nations so no risk of accidental pregnancy. Just good sex and then sprawling, sweaty and sated, in a nest for cuddles and afterglow. Arthur always slips away before Francis wakes up. They never discuss it in their day-to-day rivalry (“The first rule of heat club…”) but the odd truce holds strong for centuries. Only to finally unravel when Francis supports Alfred against Arthur in 1776. The resulting bitterness he feels is so great that Arthur would rather suffer through his heats alone than find relief in Francis’s arms. Things only get worse between them when the Napoleonic Wars roll around. When Arthur brings Francis’s dreams of superpower crashing down, Francis - raging and bitter in turn - lets his thirst for revenge get the better of him. He breaks his word and spitefully reveals Arthur’s secret to the rest of the European powers. The absolute nadir of the FrUK enemies-to-lovers journey? Right here. They never hated each other as much as they did in that moment.

Arthur is mortified, betrayed, and even more driven to prove himself and regain respect on the world stage. Francis’s fury takes a long time to cool and it’s only afterwards that guilt begins to gnaw at him. Vengeful as he was, that blow was still beneath him. He tries to apologise but Arthur brusquely rebuffs every attempt at contact. Things are strained between them even when they become allies during the Crimean War. They work together out of necessity but it takes years, and the rights and standing of omegas starting to improve at last, before the break begins to heal. In the late nineteenth century, Francis happens to be in London when Arthur’s heat comes calling. It’s a bad one made worse by the abuse of newly invented hard suppressants. Arthur had been popping pills like candy because it’s the Victorian Age and medical regulations are still “gentle suggestions” at best. They sold cocaine for headaches bro, lol. Francis sees Arthur once again in a bad state and pounces on his estranged lover/rival. He drags Arthur home and makes him stop taking the suppressants so his body can heal. Arthur feels bad enough in heat and coming down that he agrees to let Francis help him again like he used to. Afterwards, nesting together for the first time in nearly a century, they actually talk. Yes, really. Finally, they talk. About their relationship, their history, their falling out, complicated feelings, and where they go from there. It’s a slow start but a start nonetheless. They make enough progress that Francis goes back to helping Arthur with his heats again. Years pass, things continue to get better, old wounds close and fade, then comes Entente Cordiale, then two world wars, and everything after. Omegas finally win the equality they’ve always been denied. Francis by his side, Arthur makes peace with his second sex at last. At some point, even though it’s Summer, Arthur starts wearing one of his hand knitted scarves. Still his tsundere, embarrassed, self, he wants to hide the mating bite Francis gave him until it heals to a “respectable” scar. Francis wants him to show it off but you know Arthur. Stubborn till the end. Francis loves him anyway. Happily, the feeling is mutual. ❤️

There you have it! My thoughts on how FrUK could work out in Hetalia omegaverse. Hope you enjoyed reading ^^ I wrote so much aaahhhhh I’m embarrassed. This OTP makes me so silly

[kazoosandfannypacks]

I need Percabeth to be such a couple that everyone actively, audibly, and obviously ships them. And I need them both to be absolutely oblivious to this fact until season 5.

look don’t get me wrong I am LOVING the percabeth content we’re getting so far but I’m hoping they keep it at this level for a while. like until about season 4, it should show that there are feelings there, but they’re just best friends rn. I am hoping and praying Percy & Annabeth don’t become a couple in like season 3 or something because part of what makes it one of the best romances of all time is that it’s a slow burn.

but also Percy holds Annabeth while she sobs into his shoulder in literally book 2. which best friends can definitely do. but ya know. it’s not like Rick was subtle, or like the goal was trying to be lol

[emeraldhypothesis]

I'm back and I have a triple order!

I wanna hear your thoughts on the doomed yaoi men: Yami Yugi, Bruno, and Ai

(Only if you want to, of course)

oh baby we got some good ones

Yami:

Why I like them/why I don’t

God, Yami/Atem is just... such a good protagonist. He's one of the foundational protagonists of my childhood in terms of what I like about a hero, up there with Optimus Prime in how I've grown to love an idea Peter Cullen once said about how he plays Optimus, "Be strong enough to be gentle."

Atem's early behavior in the manga is legit so crazy to look back on, he's like a chained-up demon who bestows karmic justice without concerns of morality or how it looks to others, but gradually softens as he comes out of his shell and interacts with Yugi and his friends more, becoming a more noble and honorable figure worthy of the title of King of Games. I love his boundless enthusiasm and appreciation for games, the deep care and love he has for the gang and how they accept him once they learn about him. He's so fun to follow across the series, not just for his growth but because he's just a naturally engaging character.

What I like about their appearance

I love the vivid shade of purple his eyes are in DSOD, it's so gorgeous. I love the sleeveless jacket he sometimes had during Duelist Kingdom, and his little jacket-cape that he starts wearing in Battle City.

I'm also stupidly fond of his little gray coat from the Dungeon Dice Monsters episode.

Do I prefer their dub names or original names?

Same in both, so no preference. I will say I like the Japanese having Yami and Yugi refer to each other as "Other me," which gradually shows how deep their bond runs.

I'll repeat a lot of what I said about Yugi for the languages though, Dan Green and Shunsuke Kazama are both perfect in the role and I adore both of their takes on Atem. I think I'd give it overall to Dan Green just for how much gravitas he gives a lot of scenes, which gives his softer-spoken moments or his comedic bits more impact.

OTP

Like I said for Kaiba, it's Prideshipping, no contest. Yami and Kaiba's rivalry is one of the foundations the series is built on, and both characters compliment and complete each other in such a way that one without the other feels like a phantom pain from a lost limb.

I also do like Atem/Mahad, largely because Mahad is just the absolute GOAT during Millennium World that I must respect his dedication to the bit.

NOTP

I'm not super fond of shipping him with the other Yamis, and admittedly that's largely due to a Thiefshipping bias but also a bit too little chemistry.

OT3

I think him, Yugi and Joey would have been cute together, or him, Yugi and Tea.

I'm also fond of Atem/Mahad/Mana.

Favourite card they use

I love how sassy Dark Magician can get with its little finger wags and smirks, but I gotta give it to God's Favorite Little Guy, Kuriboh.

Favourite moment they were in

So many, it's so hard to pick. I could list off like five and I'd still be left going "Oh but I could bring up him decking Strings out, or BESERKER SOUL, or his manga ferocity making him nearly kill Kaiba in Duelist Kingdom, or his return in DSOD where he summons Mahad and you get the awesome symbolism of Mahad being summoned facing his king and kneeling before he attacks Aigami and... you get the idea." He has so many, we'd be here all day.

I think I'll give it to the Ceremonial Duel though. It's a perfect ending all around, with Atem giving a wonderful final performance in his summoning of the God Cards, his his warm praise that creeps in when Yugi outplays him and pushes him into a corner, and him embracing his end with serenity and dignity. I saw a post once that referred to it all as the perfect funeral for Atem.

I still cry watching that scene.

Least favourite moment

I've never thought that DOMA made a great case for Atem playing the Seal of Orichalchos when he did, especially when the duel with Raphael had zero stakes to it. It's a bit of a "He would not fucking say that" moment for me, but I'm willing to accept it to allow for his arc that season of being this darkest hour for him that he did play that card and it had real consequences for people around him.

Would I fuck, marry or kill them

at the risk of getting crass: I've had a crush on Atem since I was a child. I would commit many a grave sin to know him carnally.

Bruno:

Why I like them/why I don’t

God he's just so cool though. A fearsome rival who's intensely mysterious throughout the series, alongside Bruno being one of the better Second Season Best Friend characters alongside Johan and Vector. He's just such a silly guy who's helplessly in love with Yusei the bikes, and who can blame him!

Even his name is cool! I love how much meaning went into the Four Stars and their names. It's sick.

What I like about their appearance

I love Bruno's jacket, it looks very comfy.

Antinomy's jumpsuit is super sleek, his slicked-back haircut is rad, and I love his glasses- very telling that Antinomy has to view the world/Z-One through rose-tinted glasses, eh.

Do I prefer their dub names or original names?

Same in both, but I would say I prefer Dark Glass as an alias over Vizor. I am very fond of how they translate "surpass your limits, Yusei" into asking if he's found "The Synchro Solution," that just tickles my fancy.

Voice wise, it's mutual bangers on both sides. Hiroki Tanaka's performance as Bruno/Antinomy is so layered to make each identity distinct, and he does a wonderful job with it, especially in his last duel and his voice softens on that final "Yusei..." augh my heart. He's also just so bombastic with the summon chants that it's hard not to adore Tanaka's take (especially with the Delta Accel chant he did for Glaive Blaster during AGOV's OCG Times stream, super fun watch).

Justin Badger I preferred for a bit as Bruno over Antinomy, but he really got to shine when Duel Links gave him a full chance to play Antinomy. I heard him in an interview once discussing how he played Bruno, Antinomy and Dark Glass differently and that was engaging to listen to. Badger has such a commanding voice that lends itself well, with him going for a more clipped, professional tone that lets up a little when he's going for the bombastic summon chants.

Both are great, is what I'm trying to say. Perfect performance on both sides.

OTP

Toolshipping is suuuuuch painful doomed yaoi. Easily my favorite Yusei ship, the bond it allows Yusei to forge across Season 2 is such a wonderful, soft time that hurts like a knife to the eye when it comes to a violent, miserable end in the Arc Cradle.

Here's how I can ship Faith and Tool at the same time and still win! By throwing Antinomy into the black hole!

NOTP

Bruno/Sherry is too much mlm/wlw solidarity for me to look at them romantically.

OT3

As with Z-One and Aporia, old man polycule yaoi my beloved.

Favourite card they use

Tie between Hyper Librarian (I LOVE DRAWING CARDS IS THIS THE SYNCHRO SOLUTION YOU WANTED) and Halbred Cannon. I like a lot of the TG's though, they're a pet favorite deck of mine.

Honorable mention to his legacy support having some of the best references in the art of any legacy support deck, like Star Guardian Literally Just Being Antinomy, TG Close depicting Halbred Cannon's choke-slam, and Shooting Star Dragon TG EX reflecting Yusei and Bruno's bond.

Favourite moment they were in

His entire last duel with Yusei is one of the best duels of 5D's, and Ark Cradle is a arc of nothing but the best duels in 5D's. The environment is so unique and cool to look at, Halbred Cannon's summon collapsing a star, Halbred Cannon CHOKE SLAMMING SHOOTING STAR DRAGON, and his sacrifice to save Yusei all just works so well.

Least favourite moment

He didn't have one- a GOAT always stands on business and the Synchro Solution waits for no frauds.

I guess his future self's moustache was kinda cringe?

Ai:

Why I like them/why I don’t

Ai manages the difficult task of being a comic relief character who morphs into a tragic figure. His arc across Season 2 has him slowly stripped of the whimsy and zeal for life that he starts with, cumulating in him learning true rage after Earth's death and his broken sorrow after the other Ignis sacrifice themselves to give him and Yusaku a chance to beat Bohman.

It's amazing how complex Ai's villain arc is made given the short time frame Season 3 has to work with. It arguably takes up too much time- you basically need to go into Season 3 already liking Yusaku and Ai for a lot of the Season to land, but as someone who does, it's fantastic.

Ai's journey in Season 3 is perfect. It's a bit abrupt to go from his comic relief angle in Seasons 1 and 2 to such a dark swerve but I think the writing nails it. He's probably my favorite villain in the show, I adore his dynamic with Yusaku and how fucking dooomed it really is, and he manages the impressive feat of going on a massive relay run of older enemies to beat, and made it entertaining. I adore his little deck, and how much symbolism of his grief is tied into the ace monsters and AIland, I love how stupid all of his AI backrow cards are with their silly puns. And I love that all of the jester stuff is hiding a deeply, agonized and lonely character who is basically forcing the one human he's ever loved to be his executioner and God. He's a person who wants to die because both his family are dead and if he stays alive, his last love will die for him. No wonder he's a barely functioning mess.

I am very biased about Ai's Season 3 turn, I have no real notes beyond "Man imagine how much more cool shit we'd have gotten if he had fifty episodes to cook."

What I like about their appearance

His Ignis form is the definition of a scrimblo. A scrunchy. A creechure, you may say. He's very expressive and the design lends itself well to that. I love how you can see him duck and weave inside of the Duel Disk to dodge Yusaku's hands sometimes.

His Soltis form may be a bit "Sterotypical Tumblr Sexy Man" but... look I'm on Tumblr I'm allowed one. I like his earrings. :)

Do I prefer their dub names or original names?

Same in both.

I think I overall prefer the sub, but more because of what Ai is allowed to say in that and how the Vrains dub handles tone in general. It's nothing against Michael Liscio, I'd even say this is his best performance of his major roles (especially because unlike Arc-V he doesn't have to juggle six character voices, seriously who decided that?), but the Vrains dub does have an issue of fearing sincerity sometime so it has to crack jokes. A lot of the time the jokes land are funny, but it does undercut the severity of the moment when Ryoken is fumbling the "Gotta break an egg to make an omelette" analogy while telling Yusaku about Earth's death- or translating Shoichi and Yusaku's Season 2 conversation into the climax of the "Is a hot dog a sandwich" running bit. Liscio does well, but I think I'd have to give my preference to Takahiro Sakurai's Ai largely because of the material. If Liscio was given things like Ai's dying love confession it'd be more even so... get back to me when Duel Links adds Ai, going off Yudias's voice lines love confessions are back on the menu.

OTP

"If losing a friend means your heart breaks, then why are you trying to break my heart?"

Aiball is one of the peak Doomed Yaoi ships in a franchise that already has an overabundance of Doomed Yaoi. Their bond over Seasons 1 and 2 gradually transitions from hostage to ally, making any time Yusaku slips and calls him "Aibou" all the better. They clearly care for each other and like being around them, but the circumstances of the story keep separating them, and eventually Ai is forced to launch his own Ignis Rebellion in order to find a way to die that guarantees no one brings him back.

It's also fun from a toxic yaoi perspective because of how the entire duel works out- Ai basically goads Yusaku into the fight and only then reveals that he dies either way- meaning he's forced Yusaku without his knowledge into a situation where Yusaku helps Ai commit suicide either way, and that's really fucked up and I kinda love it.

Their last scene together is so haunting, not helped by Ai gradually letting slip that his motive was born from love- seeing Yusaku die in every simulation that Ai made broke the poor guy, so he decided that the best way for Yusaku to live was to take himself off the board for good.

(until Duel Links)

That last shot especially of Yusaku standing among a field of Ai's corpses is genuinely so harrowing, holy crap.

I also have a soft spot for Ai/Lightning due to a reading from a friend that clued me in on them having the world's messiest divorce arc and neither of them having gotten over it by Season 2.

NOTP

Anything with Bohman. I hate Bohman soooooo much.

OT3

Like I said with Revolver, the idea of Ai and Ryoken having to co-exist in post-canon works because they both like Yusaku too much is the definition of hilarity to me.

Favourite card they use

The Arrival, no contest. Such an otherworldly design, helped by an immaculate summon chant.

The A.I. spells and traps are all so adorable though, whoever had the idea that Ai's ego would have him base all of his backrow art of himself was cooking, you absolute genius.

I also like Pikari's funny little hat. :) Maybe Lightning wouldn't have tried to enslave humanity if they had a funny little hat!

Favourite moment they were in

Yusaku vs Ai is probably my favorite final boss duel in the franchise, for reasons I went into earlier, but I think I'll say my favourite overall moment of the duel is when Ai manages to get out the @ Ignister monsters that represent his friends and takes a moment to both think "Holy crap I made the perfect board," and lament that none of them are there to see it.

Shout out as well to The Arrival's summon chant where he can rattle off five superlatives in short order, but hesitates at the sixth- his self loathing coming home to roost and meaning he hesitates to think of something good to say about himself.

Least favourite moment

Ai trying to imply he's the real reason Yusaku took up arms against the Hanoi in their duel. I never liked that line, it comes off as trying far too hard to make Ai manipulative (I can accept he set up the Cyberse deck but I refuse to believe Ai organized Yusaku meeting Shoichi) and it never comes up again so I write the line off as non-canon. It also comes too soon after Lightning is retconned as being the root cause of all evil in the known universe, so that didn't help.

Would I fuck, marry or kill them

Yeah he'd be fun for a rumble in the hay or two.

[poppitron360]

*slides you a 20 [whatever currency you're using] bill* now tell me about how you got to ship valzhang and what you like most about it, along with your headcanons and scenarios

...please<3

THANK YOU SO MUCH I LOVE YOU.

Okay sorry for taking long to reply I needed to schedule 3hrs out of my day to respond to this because I have a LOT of thoughts- Valzhang was my otp LONG before Valgrace. Be prepared for a lot of caps lock, keysmashes and exited ramblings.

We are phenomenally deprived of Valzhang fanart/fanfiction and that is a CRIME. They are so fun and cute to draw next to each other because they’re just so different- I love how Leo looks SO FUNKING TINY next to Frank.

But seriously, we are lacking. I searched up “Valzhang” on Pinterest earlier and there is NO JOKE only 5 pieces of fanart on there. We need to step up our game!

I’ve already posted this, but here is some Valzhang fanart I drew a while back-

So, how did I come to become the No.1 Valzhang Defender, you ask? Well…

Reading TLH was going slowly (bc of Spotify Audiobooks and their stupid listening hours feature), but I needed to shovel content into my brain like popcorn and so by the end of the first book I’d known all the spoilers and I knew that Frank and Leo would have a rivalry- and I was already SUPER attached to Leo, so I was prepared to HATE Frank.

So imagine my absolute frustration when I read SoN and found myself absolutely falling in love with this massive softie. I tried not to, I really did, but I couldn’t help it.

So, naturally, I was COMPLETELY on board with them becoming besties.

I was also all for their rivalry because it had so much potential for Leo angst- he’s already antagonising himself because of his powers, so someone else treating him like shit would only make him feel worse- thus I have more ways to cathart my own pain through fictional characters, so either way, it was a win-win for me.

But the blossoming bromance we got from it-

Oh my gods.

I already made a post about my feelings on Valzhang and how Caleo is just a shitty re-cycled version of them, but NO WAY was that all my thoughts, so here goes (and bear in mind I am only on HoH so this isn’t even their arc as a whole):

*Clears Throat*

*Shuffles note cards*

*Clears throat again*

*Deep Breath*

1. FRANK IS NO LONGER AFRAID OF FIRE BECAUSE OF LEO!!!!! I mean HOW CUTEE IS THAT!!!!!! He thought that there was nothing worse than fire, he was terrified of it, it was his biggest weakness. And then he met this tiny annoying hyperactive boy who is the MOST UNLIKELY OF FRIENDS- And he taught him to not be afraid. Like there is a moment where his trousers are literally ON FIRE and he doesn’t freak out because Leo taught him to not be afraid anymore. AND IT’S NOT JUST BECAUSE OF THE POUCH!!!! Frank learns to trust Leo with his life- and there’s that moment in that scene where he’s faced with a choice to give him The Stick or not, and he chooses to trust Leo. He learns that fire (Leo) may seem scary and intimidating, but it can also be good and warm and wholesome and healing.

2. AND IT GOES BOTH WAYYYS!!!!! Leo was afraid of opening up to people, of letting down the mask and letting people see the real him. Sure, he did it a bit with Jason and Piper, but notice how in TLH, he only does it bc he didn’t have a choice. He used his fire powers to save them, and then Jason sort of just pieced together what happened the night Leo’s mom died. The first time he actually TELLS someone about it was when he tells Frank- someone who he thought was big and intimidating and so was putting his defences up with the jokes. To him, Frank looked just like someone who would’ve bullied him in the foster homes, he was the last person Leo thought he’d open up to. But he does, and Frank comforts him. They realise they’re not as different as they thought, and bonded over similar trauma and dead moms.

*Takes another deep breath*

3. LEO REALLY IS SO BRILLIANTLY TINY NEXT TO FRANK. IT. IS. SO. CUTE. Unlike Calypso and Leo, who were not planned out, Frank was WRITTEN to be Leo’s rival. They are exact opposites. The Yin and the Yang. The Sun and The Star (lol). They both juxtapose each other so beautifully- on the surface they contrast and clash but looking deeper they actually parallel each other but ultimately they compliment each other both in flaws and in strengths!!!! (*steadies myself on table* “Whoa, flashback to GCSE Eng Lit- using the same analysis structure. Are you proud of me, Miss Cox?”) But seriously, they initially are rivals because they look like complete opposites- tall/short, muscular/built like a twig, calm and careful/reckless and loud, animals/machines, Roman/Greek, Outwardly confident/Outwardly insecure, etc, etc.

4. But, as I said, looking deeper, they actually have a lot in common. Not just losing their moms, but Leo’s just as afraid of fire as Frank is. The only difference being that Frank’s afraid because of how it could hurt him, Leo’s afraid because of how it could hurt others, which directly contradicts Frank’s initial impression that Leo is self-centred and egotistic. Honey, that’s just an act. They’re also both very insecure, and both feel like the least useful member of the seven, and struggle to feel accepted. Because of how Leo felt threatened by Frank, he put his defences up and lashed out with his jokes, attacking Frank where he was most vulnerable, ridiculing him. They completely misjudged each other at first, and had an ANTI-meet-cute (Leo firing on New Rome) and it took a while for them to take down those walls that they’d built up, making it a lot more meaningful when they do open up.

And now we get onto specific hcs/scenarios I have, and I have a LOT of them:

1. Nico reveals to Leo that Frank’s mom is in Elysium because she gave her life in war to save others, whereas Leo’s mom is not, and instead is in Asphodel, despite all the little things she sacrificed in order to raise him, knowing he’d be important to the fate of the world. This causes a lot of resentment and jealously for Leo, as Frank has the one thing he desperately wants- a chance to see his mom again, make things right, get closure. Frank is annoyed by the fact that Leo is suddenly acting so cold and angry towards him, until Leo finally explains why.

2. Leo’s lactose-free mac n cheese is Frank’s favourite thing on earth. He has some sort of magic ingredient that makes the fake cheese not taste so plasticky, but he refuses to tell Frank what it is so Frank has to keep begging him to make it. Leo also makes it high in fibre and carbs, so it’s good workout food. Leo makes sure all his meals are Frank-Friendly.

3. I need to see them in battle together. Frank is incredibly anxious and overprotective of his tiny reckless bf/bff. Leo’s just a ball of freaking energy bouncing around going “ahahahbahjabkakdfkajkjaaa” and Frank’s like “Leo, no, those have teeth-“ He’s fine though.

4. As much as Frank acts like he hates Leo, he would risk his life for him in a heartbeat. I imagine Leo gets injured in battle and Frank drops whatever he’s doing and just fucking RUNS to help him. I can vividly picture him transforming into an elephant and scooping an unconscious Leo up in his trunk, and carrying him over to the medic tent. Yes, he’s currently being fired on by so many enemies, but nothing matters except getting Leo to safety.

5. Frank helps Leo with his machines. He can turn into small animals and get into tiny spaces, and he can become desert creatures, so the heat in the engine room doesn’t bother him.

6. Frank often finds Leo asleep on top of his blueprints, his welders-goggles askew, and he turns into a cat and curls up next to him to keep him company.

7. Also, when Leo skips meals because he’s spent too long working and he’s lost track of time, Frank makes sure to bring him food and water and his ADHD meds… and then he asks him to make him some mac n cheese.

8. Frank knows about PTSD from seeing his mom and her military friends, and so is often there to comfort Leo when he has flashbacks to the night his mom died, or one of the other miserable things that happened in his childhood.

9. All the things that used to freak Frank out about Leo (Leo making fun of his insecurities, Leo’s fire, the whole Sammy thing-) they are now 100% comfortable joking about together. Before, Frank would get upset when Leo ridiculed him, but now Leo does it as a sign of affection rather than as self-defence, and Frank can tell the difference. It is their love language.

10. When I write fanfiction, I often write important scenes when I think of them, and then write around them. Sometimes, it’s just one or two lines, for example I found this in my notes app the other day:

“I hate Hera,” Leo said, “She yeeted my dad off a cliff.”

“Yote,” Frank corrected.

And I had nothing written around it, nowhere to put it, it was just lying there. Anyway, that was important to share.

11. Also, I have this:

“I’m hugging you now,” Frank said, pulling Leo into an embrace and squeezing him tight.

“O- Okay, big guy,” Leo said, his voice muffled in Frank’s chest. His tiny body was practically swallowed in Frank’s bear-hug. He squirmed and fought and wriggled, but his weakling arms worked about as well as spaghetti against Frank’s brick-like build.

“No,” Frank insisted, “I will smother you with love and affection.”

“Get. Off.”

“No.”

“Let go of me, Zhang, or I’ll burn you.”

Frank let go. Leo rubbed his bruised arms.

12. I ship them platonically, but the joke-flirting is 1000% a thing they do. Hazel is the main pedaler of this, and often introduces them as “My boyfriend Frank, and Frank’s boyfriend Leo.”

13. Frank reluctantly admits to Leo that he likes Taylor Swift. Leo is obvs a swiftie, so absolutely goes MENTAL at this news, ofc ridicules him mercilessly for it, despite how hypocritical it makes him look (“This is not about me!”), but still insists they sit down with Hazel and make friendship bracelets (Frank no longer has the heart to tell him that he wasn’t actually a huge fan, just had a couple of her albums and liked her songs, unlike Leo who knows every word to every song, all the lore behind it, and Tay’s favourite colour, star sign, and shoe size.) AND I KNOW I HEADCANNON EVERYONE AS A SWIFTIE SHUT UP LET ME PROJECT.

14. Frank buys Leo fidget toys he think’s he’ll like. Sure, Leo can make his own, but it’s the sentiment that counts.

15. And they stay friends after the War. Frank frequently visits from New Rome University. They have long iris messages where they gossip and talk shit.

16. Leo becomes godfather to Frazel’s children. Absolutely SPOILS THEM ROTTEN (I also have a shit-tonne of hcs about Leo babysitting Percabeth’s kids, so lmk if you’d like to hear that.) Will visit the Zhang-Levesque household on the weekends, makes the kids gifts, teaches them how to safely use a fire extinguisher, helps them prank their dad.

17. I know Jason is meant to be Leo’s best friend BUT if Valgrace was cannon then that would leave room for Frank to be the BFF. NO BUT, YOUR HONOUR, YOU DON’T UNDERSTAND- They started out hating each other, but then became INSEPARABLE once they took the time to get to know each other and realised they were actually really cool people. It’s not enough for them to be friends, they need to be BEST FRIENDS. They need to be their ONE AND ONLY. They need to knock on each other’s cabin doors on the Argo II at 3am and have long discussions about Their Feelings. They need to be 100% comfortable with each other and tell each other everything. Yes, Leo is annoying but he is Frank’s annoyance. Yes, Frank is a goof but he’s Leo’s goof. BEST. FRIENDS.

They’re just such an unlikely pairing, I love them sm.

Thank you for sticking with me, I will not apologise for my ramblings, you were warned, but if you did make it to the end, here, have a sweet 🍬 You are clearly just as dedicated a Valzhang stan as I am (It is currently 00:54am where I live)

I will probably have a lot more Thoughts and Feelings coming your way soon, so don’t think for a second that I’ve got it all out of my system. I still haven’t finished the series yet, and I know that as soon as I post this I’ll think of something else that I should’ve added, but I hope this was enough for now.

(Also, I’m British, so I’d use a £20 (“twenty pound”) Note, in case you were curious.)

Again, thank you so much annon for the Ask- as you can see, I LOVE VALZHANG.

[teacuptempesttt]

okay now I'm curious because I've just read through all your ship review stuff what's your OTP/Favourite ship (Any quadrant) for Sollux? I like seeing what people do with him shipwise because I ship him with like,,,, most of the cast (Multishipper moment)

I like the term “ship review” because it makes it sound like I’m writing a newspaper article. “Hello readers, this weekend I investigated Davekat and LET ME TELL YOU…”

Now, okay, you’re about to be sorry you asked because I could write a fricken novel about this one.

I like Erisol a lot and I’m mad at myself for it. Like it feels too obvious of a ship to be good but I’m obsessed. And even after I eventually accepted that I liked them black, I was then angry to learn that I like them flushed too. UGH!!!

Anyway here’s why.

First of all you have to get on board with being an Eridan sympathizer. Yes he is an asshole and a dipshit but that’s kind of the whole deal with Trolls. He just happened to be an asshole dipshit who was born into the equivalent of like, the Tr*mp family or something. Also he had to constantly hunt and murder to keep his species alive. And his best friend and crush kinda maybe used him/lead him on for said hunting and murdering and then literally *dumped him to go smooch another boy the second she didn’t need him anymore.* And they’re THIRTEEN when starting the game, I can’t stress this enough.

Gang, I dunno about y’all but when I was in middle school I had some REAL SHITTY OPINIONS.

Ahem. Moving on.

Sollux also has a similar relationship with Being Responsible For the Fate of His Species. He is also An Asshole Dipshit Teenager. Bro just got born into the opposite end of the spectrum. And I know that all of the Trolls obviously have a relationship to the apocalypse but these two have have been dealing with theirs forever(?) and they are just unescapable parts of how each kid has to exist day to day.

IT’S REALLY SAD!

The more you look at these two, the more they appear as opposites, or if you prefer, the concept of yin and yang. I mean, ugh. Hope and Doom. HOPE AND DOOM, Y’ALL.

They’re both so deep in their own social niches, they look at the other and think “I would NEVER!!” Eridan has so much Hope in the caste system that he blindly believes it will save him in the end. Sollux feels so Doomed by it that he has resigned himself to being a lazy burnout even though we know damn well how much potential has has both as an intellectual and a psionic. In the end both of them reject the destiny that’s expected of them.

Ok, you still with me? Because what I’m doing here is setting up why these two are star-crossed lovers in either/both quadrants.

It’s a little sad that they never get the chance to become kismesis in canon, because not only do they get under eachother’s skin but they are so cat-and-mouse about it. Like, granted I have my issues with Pesterquest but their duel in that is so good. Eridan just casually calling him up, knowing he’s being an ass. Sollux *answering and humoring him.* Eridan’s utter glee at their proposed battle. The way he gets to showboat (heh, boat) about it. The boy gets to VAMP! And Sollux purposely choosing not to to go hard enough to kill him. Come on. These guys are dancing, they’re honing their claws.

Oh and what’s that?? Eridan learning a valuable lesson? Sollux getting off his ass and doing something (that’s not self-destructive)? Oh my, could it be that their rivalry mutually benefits them?! Just look at what a stinky lump Sollux is in HS^2 *without* Eridan.

And then we get into the vacillating/flipping to flushed.

I won’t bore you too much, I can already hear the awards show music playing me off, but I think if there’s a universe where Eridan and Sollux exist post-Erisolsprite then it’s all over for these two losers, they can’t NOT date. Whether they like it or not, they’ve reached a level of intimacy beyond anything they’ve ever experienced. They know eachother’s truest selves, they’ve seen the very best and worst of each other. And hey, guess what they found? Someone who’s just like them and balances the other perfectly.

Mic drop. Book slam. THEY’RE IN LOVE, YOUR HONOR.

[kazoosandfannypacks]

hehehe wonder how you got that notion

pjo for the fandom ask thingy thingy

percabeth

[kazoosandfannypacks]

there's no life worth living in if you're not with me in it. percabeth • soldier • valentine's mixtape moodboards

[heartaches-remastered]

…SMG3!!!! - @space-captkin

how I feel about this character ;

very strongly!!! 3 has always been… kinda of a playful villain throughout the series compared to say mr puzzles, but his personality has always intrigued me even before the events of IGBP. for example, one of the things i can appreciate about him in particular is the fact the writers intentionally have added levels to his character that make him more relatable on a personal level (eg: his backstory and reaction to snitch productions going boom) and then continuing that theme even now we’re post-IGBP (such as SMG3’s Bomb Cafe and Trash Friends).

just his whole character development is something I could go on for a LONG time about, because of how bittersweet it is to see him care for the main crew and for him to hold onto those sweet memories more fondly (shown in his flashback scenes in You Used To Be Cool for example) !!!

all the people i ship romantically with this character ;

okay not shocking here but SMG4.. goes back to the whole thing about his character development and obviously his monologues in IGBP.. and OOO, that drawing at the end of WOTFI 2023 made me want to cry…

also Medi (VA for SMG1 and animator for episodes /shorts) literally said he’s intentionally wrote in these nice scenes between them.. and in his words are “various flirtation remarks” between them.

oh and uh,, snowtrapped too,,,

my non-romantic otp for this character ;

can’t say eggdog or terrance i’m guessing so for the sake of the argument, I’ll say Meggy.. their interactions in IGBP were very fun to watch !!! he also did accidentally give her a voice by the end of WOTFI 2020..

my unpopular opinion about this character ;

i don’t know if this is an unpopular opinion but i do prefer him as an anti-hero.. i caught up just before IGBP came out and as much as i liked his attempts to overthrow 4, having more episodes that are centred around him and the more vulnerable parts of his personality that we don’t get to see otherwise are definitely worth the watch and make me smile !!!

one thing i wish would happen / had happened with this character in canon ;

i think this can be universally agreed but to have a scene where 3 and 4 actually open up honestly about how they feel regarding each other and having closure from all their rivalry would be so awesome!!

also i do kinda wish we went with the “sexy dance” option in WOTFI 2023, not because that was the correct option, but i just think that we were robbed from a cute and / or funny scene with him..

edit: also hiii captain i forgor you listen to me ramble

[ammy246]

Just saw some Narusasu shippers shitting on Bakudeku, and as someone who's first gay ship and otp used to be Narusasu instead of Bakudeku, I have some thoughts.

I remember the heartbreak I felt the day Kishimoto ruined Narusasu by forcing them to be romantically involved with women without a single bit of relationship development. Naruto ended up with Hinata in a filler movie despite having ignored her even after her romantic confession to him, and Sasuke abandoned Sakura after having a child with her. This was not the ending any of us wanted. We wanted Naruto and Sasuke to peacefully resolve their rivalry, and find love in each other after all they've been through. But unfortunately, that's not what happened as Kishimoto had to force a next-gen onto us, and permanently friendzoned them. It's tragic and felt like a betrayal, but shounen had not been ready for queer relationships, so Narusasu being shafted was ultimately inevitable.

While I cannot say for 100% certain, I can say that Bakudeku has a much greater chance of becoming canon than Narusasu ever did. Horikoshi once stated that he will tell the story he wants to be told and not follow the stereotypical formula, contradicting Kishimoto who went with the shounen ending we've seen many times before of the protagonist accomplishing their goal and marrying a woman and having kids (even though they have no chemistry with said woman or a lack of feelings for them compared to their rival).

Horikoshi had the chance to make Izuocha canon. They could've confessed before the war, but they didn't. The two moved on with their lives, and have made no desire to talk about feelings for each other, but are rather focused on other peope (Bakugou and Toga) as that's where their hearts reside. Bakugou also has no other potential love interest aside from Midoriya as he is the one he is closest too in the entire world and knows the most which is different than Sasuke who had some moments with Sakura scattered throughout the series from the start.

Bakugou cares about Midoriya in a way that's beyond friendship. He means the word to him to the point he was willing to sacrifice himself and even die for him, and will make himself vulnerable around him and nobody else. Midoriya has hidden feelings for Bakugou as his thoughts regarding him are hidden, and his heart always spirals out of control because of Bakugou, but we have not yet been directly told why. Midoriya does not act like this around his other friends, and he has many.

Naruto and Sasuke resolved things right after their final fight, and their friendship returned stronger than ever before, but that was it. Yet even after Bakugou's apology, there are still unresolved issues even though Midoriya chose to forgive him, meaning something must still be said between the two. Midoriya did not want an apology; he wanted to deepen their bond beyond friendship, but was too afraid of rejection hence why he never confessed and hid his feelings instead.

This plotline is still unresolved as of chapter 405. Bakugou is now being honest about his feelings, yet we have still yet to see Midoriya's thoughts regarding Bakugou's death and revival only having been given face expressions. So if their friendship has returned and gotten stronger than ever before despite the series not yet being over, what else is there to develop aside from romantic feelings?

Narusasu shippers, I hate to say it, but we lost. We cannot change the past, but we can have hope for the future. Bakudeku has surpassed Narusasu long ago, and the two are closer to a love confession than ever before, which is something we never quite got close to with Narusasu. If Horikoshi is serious about not following the typical shounen formula, we might have a real chance here. We might not get a kiss or marriage, but if the two confess their feelings for each other and do not end up with women like nothing happened, then that would be a huge victory for the LGBT+ community, and hopefully open the gateway for more queer relationships in shounen jump for the future.

Both Bakudeku and Narusasu are amazing ships. I wish we could live in a reality where both became canon, but getting one would still be a major milestone. Do not attack each other over what could have been, but resolve your differences like Bakugou & Midoriya and Naruto & Sasuke did and look towards a brighter future where LGBT+ can be mainstream without us having to fight for it and fear losing.

[cry-ptidd]

*clasps hands together* Well since you asked--

What do you think about Laura x, my OC, Augustine?

To give a bit of a background— Augustine Columba is, or technically was, an Italian priest that had no association whatsover ever with Iscariot was murdered by a group of Iscariot paladins who mistook him for a vampire they were hunting. In a panic they unceremoniously left Augustine in a ditch.

In his dying breath, he asked God to bring him back to life so he can enact vengeange and justice to the paladins who wronged him. Much to his surprise, God agreed. However after he finished with his mission, God revealed to Augustine that his current self cannot pass on to either Heaven or Hell and face eternal oblivion because his body had been brought back not his soul.

Faced with this revelation and the fact that he is a literal walking corpse, Augustine contemplates death but after saving another OC of mine throws the concept out the window and decides to spend the rest of his immortal, rotting life to care for my other OC.

In a way Laura and Augustine share a common background. They somehow somewhat have been wronged by men of God and enacted revenge on them but the similarities end there. How do you think their clashing personalities or backstories affect their relationship?

Hell just typing this, I realised... What would happen if Enrico x Augustine were to happen? A hypocritical fanatic and an actual man of God?

OOOOO OC X OC let's mash our dolls together

- personal rating: hmm, maybe a 7/10?

- HCs: I can see both of them allowing themselves to open up a bit, maybe after some banter and venomous words. There's a sense of solidarity there, and I could see both of them begrudgingly sitting after a brawl against a wall before starting to talk.

- OTP level: 5

- Would I have liked to see it canon: Now, Laura is a lesbian, so it wouldn't work romantically. However, I COULD see it in a more platonic context. That said, there will be obvious prejudice on both sides, maybe especially on Laura's, since Augustine is an actual man of God – and Augustine could take offense on the behalf of his God because Laura abhorres Him. It would be a rocky start, but they could make it work through mutual traumadumping. Maybe Augustine would actually want to help Laura in some way, which WILL be very hard.

- general opinion: I had to think about it, but I actually can see this work from enemies to begrudging solidarity to loose allies/"friends" (do either of them even let ppl in??), where they'd have to put their affiliations to the side a bit. I like it, actually. It makes for extremely interesting drama.

Now, Enrico x Augustine? Let's go

- personal rating: 8/10

- HCs: Hatefuck???? All I'm saying is Enrico probably feels REALLY insecure next to Augustine, and could even see him as a rival. I don't know if Augustine would reciprocate the rivalry or maybe dislike/despise Enrico for his hypocritical and selfish ways.

- OTP level: 6?

- Would I have liked to see it canon: If Augustine was a canon character, yes I would have liked to see it. It would've been a very interesting dynamic to explore. It would've given us more information on Enrico as a character too, exploring his views on a person he (afaik?) isn't submitting to him and is an actual man of God, as well as prejudice against an immortal being.

- general opinion: As said above, i think this one is really worth exploring. I can see it as a very bitter potential match, that may evolve into actual feelings (maybe on Enrico's side? Which would piss him tf off). Lots of potential for angst and drama here, especially considering Augustine is a character that could force Enrico to actually confront his hypocrisy and selfishness.

[dangermousie]

I swear to God, every time they switch to Jing’s narrative, it becomes some sort of cross between Gaskell and Bronte and I am here for it!

I loved the Frightful Fiancee showing up and life draining out of Jing’s eyes (because he’s terrified every time will be too much for XY and she will end it) but also XY is jealous, awwwww! The thing is, she is only truly in any measure a young woman around and because of Jing and this includes being jealous and vulnerable. I kinda love it.

Oblivious friend toasts to the “happy couple” and I love that he refuses to drink and when evil fiancee says she will drink for him, fights her for the cup. I think he’s gonna embroider a banner, “I don’t want you” and carry it around.

He’s so fed up he gets up to leave and she’s clutching. Good Lord, lady, come on!

Afterwards:

He literally shoves her off. At Jing level of niceness and manners, it’s equivalent of punching her in the face while calling her a dozen filthy words. Heh.

The more it goes on, the clearer the female-coding on his character becomes. Not just that all his issues are family rivalry related inner house stuff or that he’s the nice one winning the jaded/damaged OTP through devotion and niceness but even here with the fiancee. The narrative of someone who does not want the arranged partner who keeps chasing them is usually given to women; who also cannot directly tell the other party to fuck off and have to politely navigate while giving public hints and perhaps in private being clearer, but still bound to be polite and not go beyond certain boundaries set by arbitrary society however dumb they may be.

His lines are 100% what a FL would say and navigate.

This said, I continue to be impressed how he doesn’t come across as in the least feminine. It’s quite a balancing act. But so much of this narrative is so well done. Just like her three suitors are reflections of parts of XY’s self and future potential paths. They all went through varieties of trauma and if Cang Xuan is a reflection of her potential darkest path and the damage of her damage, the Vamp Boy is her mirror - he is very much where she is now or at least in the beginning of the story, if it makes sense, and 17 is embodiment of hope that you can go through horror and emerge into hope - choosing him is ultimately choosing the possibility of her best self. I love that so much.

[waywardgirl75]

Hi....if you don't mind me asking, who are your top 7 favorite romantic relationship's couples in books/ manga/ anime/movies/tv series/etc (can be canon or non-canon)? Why do you love them? Sorry if you've answered this question before......Thanks....

hello. i don't mind talking about my fav ships. i can do that for hours. here are my top 7 ships.

destiel (tv series-supernatural)

my otp. i love these two dumbasses too much. and for why i love them is because they complement each other really well. they share a bond so profound that you can never not see their love for each other. and of course, there's this human-angel dynamic. words are not enough to describe them.

hannigram (tv series- hannibal)

what can i say about them? they ruined me like no other. i love how they can truly comprehend each other's thoughts and feelings on a profound level. the chemistry and dynamic tension between them is just captivating. every interaction between them feels like you are encountering something intimate.

hualian (book- heaven official's blessing)

my comfort ship. my darlings. this is story of a devotee and his god. you want a love story of loyalty, trust, sacrifice and mutual respect? this is for you. (the type of love i want). their relationship is a journey of healing and growth, where they find strength and solace in each other. they love each other immensely but also respect each other too well to not cross any boundaries. the amount of understanding they have between them is just amazing.

judecardan (book/s- the folk of the air series)

the most top tier couple. enemies to lovers at its best. they both share same intelligence and cunning and eventually they develop a mutual respect that coexists with their power struggles. cardan was cruel towards jude at the beginning then just seeing her with a knife he became a lifelong simp. jude made a cruel prince into a malewife. and i love her for that.

patrochilles (book- the song of achilles)

patrochilles. the love tragedy. for me, the bond they share is a complex tapestry of loyalty, love, and shared destiny. they are each other's rock in a world of chaos. they share everything, from victories to vulnerabilities. (sobs) their ending was sad, but the bond they shared is unbreakable.

zosan (anime- one piece)

the moat chaotic duo. the thing i love about them is that despite their constant bickering, both zoro and sanji deeply respect each other's abilities and courage. they've proven time and again that they're willing to put their lives on the line for each other. their rivalry is a constant source of humor and tension. and the most amazing thing is that their interactions often lead to personal growth and development for both characters.

satosugu (anime- one piece)

(cries) this is gonna be emotional. if you know them then you know that their shared purpose solidified their bond. their friendship was built on trust and loyalty, making them incredible partners. unfortunately, their paths diverged due to differing philosophies on how to achieve their shared goal. while their relationship ultimately ended in tragedy, their story is a powerful exploration of friendship, idealism, and the darkness that can consume even the purest of hearts.

i can name more ships i love, but it will be too much then 😅. hope you're happy with the answer

[sashkapi]

What are your OTPs from other shows besides kindall? (especially love/hate ones)

(Forgive me im so slow)

Oh my here u go >:D

Love/hate ones:

Jimmy and Cindy (The adventures of Jimmy Neutron: boy genius)

This one kinda started it all. Their rivalry was funny and I kinda felt bad for Cindy because she is genuinely smart but what is it if your opponent is a genius  Also hey, blonde and bitchy, my type :) Won't say a lot about this one tho because with all my love for them - there's nothing much I can tell you if you watched the show

Manny and Zoe (El tigre: the adventures of Manny Rivera)

Ok, this one is weird because as a kid I just loved Zoe so much (Her Black Cuervo design, like c'mON LOOK SHES PURPLE) but also liked Manny and Frida together Idk, fandom skewed me later to Manny and Frida but hey, hero-boy/villain-girl dynamic is fun too and I still remember fondly how Manny was immediately smitten by her in "Enter the Cuervo" (Apparently Zoe would end up with Django and honestly? That pair is pure aesthetic, good for them good for them) (Also I'm so mad that I watched this show dubbed because I didn't know english at the time like THEY TOOK ALL CHARM. NO ACCENT, NO SPANISH WORDS IN CHARACTERS SPEECH AND SOME NAMES WERE TRANSLATED IN THE LAMEST WAY POSSIBLE)

Helga and Arnold (Hey Arnold) (can you tell I am a nickelodeon kid yet?)

Ok, this one is more of the one sided love/hate on Helga's side but if you watched the show then you know that she went all in with both love and hate.  Seriously, Helga is such an interesting character. She is amazing and I love her (another bitchy blonde to love yay) Can't say much from Arnold's side. He was oblivious to her crush for the most of the show. He is a kind and understanding boy so jgkkdjgkh I just really wanted Helga to be happy 🥺

Anya and Damian (Spy x Family)

New one and also kinda one sided on Damian's side  Listen These two?

Just plain funny

Anya punching him in the face and Damian falling for her for that? Hilarious Anya being oblivious to his crush despite being an esper because Damian is in denial? Amazing. Good stuff.  They are just so cute and funny, look at them!!!

Catra and Adora (She-ra and the princesses of power)

Ok, I wouldn't consider myself a catradora shipper anymore but God, their dynamic in the first seasons is everything. Like darn, they had drama. Actual enemies to lovers and THE TENSION

Aaaaand season 5 destroyed it all. (Spoilers for she ra ahead)

Some people dropped the ship after season 4 finale because Catra would rather destroy the world than let Adora win, but for me it was THE THING I LOVED LIKE YES, MORE DRAMA, MORE CONFLICT, NOW CATRA MUST TRY REAL HARD TO GET ON ADORAS GOOD SIDE AND THAT MEANS CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT, I WONDER HOW IT WILL GO and they just??? Kinda forgive her??? I'm sorry, yes, Catra purring on Adora's lap? Sweet. The kiss was also dramatic. But it all felt so undeserved I guess it's because of the limited time the writers had. But damn, introducing a bigger threat in Hordak Prime and kinda handwaving her crimes isn't a redemption for Catra.  But again. First seasons? Good ass dynamic. 10/10

Knuckles and Rouge (Sonic the hedgehog franchise)

THIS ONE IS  AH NICE If you followed my kbsd art then you probably know that I also love Sonic (lil guy doing cool stuff - my weakness) Wouldn't call knuxouge love/hate ship at this point that much tho. They started as this but now they are more of a flirts-a-lot/flusters-a-lot type of pair. Also, we don't talk about "dumb" arc SEGA was putting Knux in 2010's Anyway funni echidna and funni bat my beloveds

Non love/hate

Sanford and Deimos (Madness Combat)

Ok, so the series is about violence, fighting, and bloodshed, right? And then I saw these two in 0.5 episodes and my brain went "OK, but what if they kiss?" And I spend 2021 rotating these two in my head. Violently. (The way Deimos doesn't attack Sanford in "dedmos adventure" still makes me sad from time to time)

Dr. Fox and Hawkodile (Unikitty!)

I was in a weird place of mind when I was obsessed with this show. Looking back at it - its really silly.  I'm gonna be honest, the biggest reason I loved this ship is because it's a big warrior type of guy having a huge crush on a nerd girl and being really silly about it. After a few episodes with this topic I got kinda tired of it tho. 

Still, they are cute.

I might be forgetting some but honestly, if I was to list every ship I enjoy - we'll be here forever This also kinda made me realize that I haven't seen any proper love\hate pairs in recent media. Might be just me tho.