#our main character

[iridescentscarecrow]

whats ur favorite aspect about csm

hi nonnie! my favourite aspect of csm is reze :].

ok but seriously: the thing i've always admired in csm is the way the story is told, or more exactly how the characters are utilised.

it's like. the best i can describe is that many of the characters - the ones i call Actives in my head- are used as Elements to the plot - as Events which morph the more passive characters' journeys. yeah, csm is definitely character driven but not in an incoherent manner, more in a constructive manner? idk. i think there's something really sexy about characters that Are just metaphors.

and like. everything, even the smallest active-passive microcosms and interactions finally fall back into denji, who i'd regard as the most passive of them all. it's interesting because denji subverts the shounen mc archetype, he isn't really an actor in his own story, at least in part one. he's more a receiver of the ideas and the parallels that the people he encounters imbue him with.

death in csm is also something of note here. i quite like it when characters get fucked to serve a Larger Plot or another character if it's done in an intriguing manner, if it's something that adds to the narrative. but csm is unique in how it uses characters to propel not a strictly traditional plot, but other characters in their progression. the plot is the character. the subplots are the side characters. it's delicious, concise and tied together so, so well.

it's the trifecta of horror, comedy and the erotic, it's the symbolism packed rereadability of it. also makima could ruin my life and it'd be awful of her. i mean what.

[lilybug-02]

First Contact.

Bug Fact: Mosquitoes are small flies that consist of 3,600 different types of species.

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Volume 2 Masterpost

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[minthe-drawings]

"Darling!✨"

[ruporas]

birthday party (id in alt)

[wisteriasymphony]

every time a tumblr post mlb rewrite mentions the fact that they're taking out marinette's 'obsessive stalker' characteristics an angel gets run over by a steamroller and fucking dies

[captainkirkk]

I'm a big fan of hurt/comfort tropes where the hurt is ongoing and escalating. Characters trying to cope with their situation and insisting that it's fine, they're fine, even as things get worse and worse and worse - especially if no one around them knows what they're going through.

Characters hiding their illness, even as they grow sicker and sicker. Characters trying to cope as their homelife becomes increasingly abusive or neglectful. Characters ignoring their injuries, only for them to become infected. Characters being stalked/ tormented by a villain and pretending that everything is fine, even as the villain continues escalating. Characters left homeless as winter approaches and their money dwindles.

I could go on. There's something very satisfying about seeing a character frantically trying to pretend like everything is okay until eventually they can't hide it anymore and get caught (and helped) by the people around them.

[notherpuppet]

y'all be like 'sample bias poll' but anyone who hangs around here knows i'm a vaggie simp and STILL she's polling low, so maybe Al and Lucifer are really just thee divas ✨

[poorly-drawn-mdzs]

A fierce duel commences!

[viceandmature]

The Orochi Hakkesshu in KOF XV

Bonus:

[hersweetrevenge]

[katabay]

james bond! what a concept! lots to discuss about wrt james bond. imperialist anxieties around legacy and decay, the shift in the movies from imagination of the futuristic to luxury branding as identity, etc. etc. endless topics for discussing in there.

and uhhhhh. so You Only Live Twice is a mess, but it's kind of fun talking about why it's such a mess. however. HOWEVER. Benson's Blast From The Past? ohhhhhhhhhhh the hate-hate relationship I have with that one, I've been frustrated with it for ten years and it's not even fun to talk about why it's frustrating lmao.

that said, James Suzuki has all the same pieces that have me obsessed with Metal Gear's Kazuhira Miller. so. well!! this is hell and I'm stuck in it.

anyway, extremely canon divergent AU or something where James Suzuki doesn't get killed off like a cheap plot device and we get really REALLY gnarly about the family stuff and the US gov't. also there's industrial espionage, insider trading, & a briefcase that everyone wants.

[medievill]

imagine thinking OFMD isn’t first and foremost and above everything everything else a love story between Ed Teach and Stede Bonnet?? like I don’t even want to know about that cursèd-ass timeline

[the-moonprophet]

“not all men” you’re right percy jackson would never

[minthe-drawings]

"Ah yes. Me. My fiancée. And her 6 foot tall wedding planner. (who's also our boyfriend)."

"sometimes a family is just a woman, her husband, and their 6 foot tall wedding planner. (who's also our boyfriend)"

"The wedding planner here. A family is a loving girlfriend, an understanding boyfriend, and a man given a second chance."

and with that, the poly meme saga ends <3

[greensaplinggrace]

one of the things that bothers me most about late seasons btvs is the lack of continuity in relationships. like main events seem to carry over for the core crew, and the general emotion is there, but sometimes it feels like there should be stronger foundations where there is just sand, and it's incredibly disorienting. this seems to especially happen with spike, where he will have consistently positive and impactful interactions with the main characters in ways that should by all means be changing their impressions of him, and then in the next episode it's like none of that ever happened. that's enemy #1 soulless evil unthinking spike again, even though one scene ago you were playing pool with him and clearly realizing he experienced emotions and would die for you. like ??? where's the emotional follow-through.

[captainkirkk]

I'm normally a very slow reader of published novels, but I devoured The Hands of the Emperor by Victoria Goddard and now I can NOT stop thinking about it.

Everyone who has read my Fire Lord Zuko content knows how much I love 1) people of power working tirelessly to make the world a better place for all; and b) kings, slowly being crushed under the weight of their crown and duty, finding love and care in their loyal servants and staff

Except this story is more. The Emperor is worshiped and treated as a god, bound by extreme taboos and protocols that he can't break. It's about his staff (his found family) looking BEYOND the exterior of godhood and finding the human being underneath - who is dying under the weight of being the Emperor - and deciding to reach out, even if by acknowledging his humanity they are technically breaking many laws.

God this book is about so many things, including:

Found family can be the Last Emperor and his senior members of staff

The Emperor learning how to be human again with the help of his friends

There's no romance in this book. The deep friendships are the beating heart of this story, and they very much Love each other.

Breaking down a previously corrupt imperial empire through hard work and radial reforms, leading to sweeping changes including UNIVERSAL INCOME

Embracing cultural heritage, even in the heart of the imperial palace. Our main character is both one of the highest ranking members of government and from an islander culture, and he dedicates himself to both

The struggle for your family (who have a case of tall poppy syndrome, and live far far away from the capital and palace) to see you as a respected adult and understand all of your (many, MANY) achievements, even when you're very literally brought the Emperor home with you.

This book has some BEAUTIFUL confrontations, take-downs, and revelations based on the past two points (and more). If you underestimate or insult our main character, You Will Regret It. Watching him lose his temper is a glorious thing to behold.

Anyway I'm pretty sure this just became my all-time favourite book, because it's beautifully written and touches on all of my favourite tropes.