#probably because the manga has only just started to ramp up

[evangelifloss]

Kuro fans will say they vehemently hate Lizzy and list the reasons why but it is always rooted in the fact she's a teenage girl and not an uwu-perfect angel whom all the characters worship for her flawlessness in never doing wrong

[dekusheroacademia]

The Ultra Stage: The greatest hero - some final thoughts PART 1/3

I have no professional training to do reviews, so I'm commenting just as a fan of MHA, musicals and the previous Ultra Stage adaptations. First of all, I watched it three times, all in Tokyo, the opening day with Shin Tamura as Deku, and then the 6th (both shows that day) where Yasuhito (the understudy) played Deku, because Tamura was sick. So this post will be a summary of all three dates experiences, but here in part 1 I will focus on small background scenes, differences between shows and Deku.

If you wanna read a detailed summary, I'll make a part two soon, otherwise it's in my pinned post at arthurianmaiden on twitter.

If you wanna read my ship thoughts only (stuff about iidabaku, bakudeku, izuocha, kiribaku and kacchako), I will make a part three!

THE PLOT / HOW CLOSE TO THE MANGA

As usual, the musical is pretty loyal to the plot. They slightly changed the order of one thing as they introduced the license exam and the meeting of the other schools before the naming of their special moves.

The musical starts with a recap of Bakugou and Deku, their childhood, middle school, sludge, previous fights and Kamino. In general the theme of the musical is that All Might has fallen, and the next greatest hero are Deku and Bakugou both. The musical centers then both as protagonists, while in previous stages usually Deku was front and centre.

Then we see the teachers convincing the parents, the rooms challenge, we meet the other schools for the exam, and then the students decide the names of their heroes moves. The license exam takes the rest of the first act, and the first part of the second act, while the second part of the second act is Deku vs Kacchan 2. The musical ends with Bakugou and Deku cleaning the dormitories.

The last song is the only song that is not new: "I want to be a hero". But it's acted much differently than usual. In the setting, Deku faces adversity and is attacked by enemies. Bakugou fires an AP shot and frees him, before walking up a ramp and out of the stage. The rest of the song sees Deku being kind of thrown from class 1a student to student, as if they can't save him. The last one is Kirishima who grabs him but then Deku falls right in front of Bakugou, and the stage only illuminates them. This is a call back of the start of the musical, when Deku is shoved onto the ground, while Bakugou taunts him. This time it almost looks like the musical is teasing the possibility of Bakugou offering his hand to Deku.

The rest of the song is done with both Deku and Bakugou at the center, instead of focusing on Deku as usual in the previous stages.

DEKU

As I said, Shin Tamura is recovering from tonsillitis, so the second and third show I watched had his understudy Yasuhito. You can find his twitter at yasuhito_nk.

Shin Tamura was amazing as usual, and he'll probably be back for the dvd recording the 21st! So I'll mainly talk about Yasuhito. If I had to describe the difference between them, I think I could say that Yasuhito feels much more like season 1 Deku, his voice is higher, amazing powerful singing voice too, and maybe because Shimura's clothes are bigger for him, he also looked smaller! He did feel more insecure, and season 1 Deku, than Tamura whom, I think, has a more commanding presence. They are also so good at expressing strong emotion on stage with their body language (as the face is not always visible to the audience), and he often grasped his own shirt to express nervousness. At the end of Deku vs Kacchan 2, he also seemed readier to keep fighting and his fists were balled up when Kacchan won.

I'm a bit sad that we won't hear a recording of his songs, because his voice was so powerful!!

Here's him and Kobayashi (Bakugou's actor) from his twitter (source)

BACKGROUND INTERACTIONS

The musical had a lot of fun background interactions between characters! I probably missed so many! Here are some cute ones I noticed. I'll vaguely go in order if characters.

Iida and Ochako interacts A LOT. Ochako in general is very energetic! Her and Deku jumped around like nerds when they saw Ms Joke. Ochako also fainted when she saw Momo's bed, and Iida had to pick her up, but she kept falling down. Another cute thing, she tried to out-oui Aoyama when they announced Sato as the winner of the room competition. She also was the first character to jump in to talk to Bakugou after the school started again (so the first time the students see themselves since Kamino), and she tried to cover Tsuyu's view when Bakugou makes Kaminari use his quirk.

Todoroki was hilarious. My eyes were always on him basically. During the room song he was constantly doozing off and sleepy, and got mad when Aoyama's dazzling took woke him up. The actor is a great dancer, so it's always fun to see him act in dance scenes because he pretend to be constantly confused. Another funny moment was when Aoyama showed him his license (because Todoroki didn't pass), and Todoroki picked it up but accidentally burnt it, and then run after Aoyama to apologize.

Mina was amazingly energetic too! Definitely hard to miss! She exchanged some words with Kirishima about his new costume, one show I saw her nudging Aizawa after they met Ms Joke. She also teases Bakugou a bunch and notably she's one of the few characters who does not slowly back away from him. At the end, she has different versions of her teasing, when Bakugou is vacuuming the dorms. In one occasion she took the cable of the vacuum and pulled it around him, to trap him inside.

Aoyama is such a star. I just wanted to write that one if the funniest scenes is right at the end when he throws glitter everywhere while Bakugou and Deku are vacuuming.

Most of Deku and Bakugou backgrounds scenes were looking at each other (ex. When Bakugou gives Kirishima the money, Deku states at him and follows him almost), or with Mineta, Todoroki and Iida (for Deku), Kirishima for Bakugou.

WHAT CHANGES

The show was overall identical all three times! Only a few scenes changed. In order of appearance:

1) Eraserhead and Mic intermission thing, plus their interaction with Aoyama later change! Some I've seen: Erasermic talking about sea creatures and algae, Mic complaining that he sees all orange (and Aizawa explains that it's because of his glasses, later he brings him an orange to ask him what colour it is), something about driving. The scenes with them and Aoyama I've seen were instead one about Aoyama doing cpr on Aizawa with "merci!", one that i could not really get but it seemed like word play and it ended up cracking Aizawa's actor so much that he could not stop laughing and start the next line (he had to hide his face in his scarf), and the third one I've seen had Aoyama singing a song about himself.

2) There is a scene where Aizawa and Mineta introduce the dorms. Iida joins and these are a bit different, but I could not tell what they were saying 😅. In the last one tho, Iida was song singing something, and then talking but Aizawa and Mineta left him on the stage.

3) The BUNNY! The bunny scenes change too. During the room introduction, Bakugou comes out dressed as Koda's rabbit. In the first I've watched, everyone fawns over him, he hops like a rabbit and then him and Koda hug. In the second I've seen, Bakugou stomps out very Bakugou like. Koda asks him for his name, and Bakugou replies grumpily before stomping out. In the third scene I've seen, he walks out and everyone is fawning over him.... Then Deku pats his head, and Bakugou yells something angry at him before stomping away. Deku is left looking in disbelief, and he rubs his eyes as if not understanding why the rabbit is so Kacchan like.

4) There were other very small changes here and there. For example, Aoyama interacts a bit with Seiji after he is revealed to not have passed. In one case, Aoyama teaches him how to do the classic oui pose, in another he was teaching him some dance moves!

5) Another small difference was in the interaction between Itejiro and Bakugou. In one case, they exchanged words while Itejiro was walking on the ramp, in another they were actually about to fight, and Kirishima had to manhandle Bakugou away.

6) Also, when the class does their Plus ultra, Bakugou grumpily partecipates, so that's always a bit different. And one time, Inasa took off the blood on his face before walking away, instead of walking away with it, and the students were surprised (it was funny!).

7) Only the first day we had the cast coming out to say a few things! I'm not sure if the next day it did not happen because Tamura was not there, or if it just happens on the opening show.

I'll post soon a bkdk and ships centric post!!

[itsytinyspiders]

(Part 12)

We are back with A Scandal in the British Empire, featuring an anxious John!

John, how are you feeling today?

John: …I feel like a lot of people are looking at me. (Pause) I don’t know why, but I feel like a lot of people know about mine and Sherlock’s plan.

Ah, first time jitters. It’s fine John, just follow Sherlock’s lead.

John: Look at that dark road. We planned to go through there, but it feels like there’s a lot of people looking at us!

(Sherlock looking for the invisible “people”)

Sherlock: No problem, John! According to my deductions, it’s only a box.

Sherlock being weirded out by Fangirl Irene is a treat!

Another pic for prosterity.

Oh, confirmation that mirrors represent acting?

Sidenote: The ongoing “John the Murderer proclaiming his guilt” gag certainly matches his vibes when he causes the fire at Irene’s home.

And the joke finally pays off as John kneels on the floor in repentance after setting fire to Irene’s flat.

Go queen!

Love how Irene always manages to (literally) snag the spotlight.

Look at Irene playing with the photo as her home burns down around her! If you can’t even do that, can you really call yourself a prima donna?

Jail! Jail for Sherlock and John for a thousand years!

Sherlock then gets up to analyze Irene (in his mind) and kneels back down dramatically. This stage play really just keeps on giving!

And back to Baskerville again!

I really like how Moran is taking on a big brother role for Fred in this arc, encouraging him to talk to William (first when Fred tells him about the kidnappings, then later when they’re in William’s office). I like that for them.

And Louis voicing his insecurities!

This feels like the first time we see adult Louis as more than a one-dimensional character, at least onstage. His other significant scene was him asking William about what Albert wants from them in a flashback.Thus far,

I imagine that being relegated to support has been weighing on Louis’ mind for a long time, but especially recently, since the Morigang started ramping things up. There were a lot of things he couldn’t do before, either because he was sick or because of his role as the “only” adopted son of the Moriarty family. It’s no wonder he wants to join this mission.

William’s reply about wanting Louis to enter the next world without blood on his hands – it hits hard. William has been taking on the role of protector for his little brother since he understood how the world works, and even more after Louis got sick. It could be that, from thew very beginning, part of his wish to create a more beautiful world was for Louis, his sickly little brother who deserved more, to live in it.

And it is because William loves his brother (because he sees that same love reflected in Louis towards him) that he ultimately lets Louis take part in the Baskerville mission.

Fred gets the first kill! Good for him 😊

(On another note, the fact that the “hunters” wear something similar to the iconic Sherlock Holmes outfit really irks me. I get that it’s probably a hunting outfit, and that these nobles hunt humans, but I don’t want my thoughts to go from them to Sherlock just because they decided to dress for the occasion. On the other hand, I suppose you could consider the outfit a reference to the fact that Sherlock handled this case in the original ACD canon.)

I always found this scene with Moran interesting.

My knowledge of Sherlockian lore comes from Detective Conan, BBC Sherlock and whatever I got from cultural osmosis. In other words, I know little to nothing about Moran, other than he’s Moriarty’s right-hand man and a former army officer. In the manga, we get a whole arc about his army days backstory, but this is the first time we get info on pre-army Sebastian Moran.

And it’s interesting, isn’t it, how Sebastian went from nobleman to soldier to Morigang member? We know how the latter part of his journey went, but the former part fascinates me, now that I got these tiny breadcrumbs from a man who’s about to die.

Yes! Louis finally gets a dramatic entrance!

The Baskerville arc is where we see Louis shine the most thus far, and while I get why they didn’t add it to the anime, I will be salty about it. I think the only other times Louis shows signs of violence is when he’s around Sherlock, so it’s easy to write him off. In any case, I’m looking forward to the next part of the Yuumori manga. Hopefully we’ll get more Louis-centric scenes now that he’s M.

I know that the fandom generally agrees that Albert is a pyromaniac, but I wonder if Louis has got a little bit of pyromania in him too. Then again, I feel like Albert is the type to enjoy watching the flame burn and leave nothing behind, whereas Louis cares insofar that fire helps him achieve his objective (i.e., killing the OG Moriarty family and staff, killing this noble and killing the “Jack the Ripper” group).

The main host of the event gets the least screentime, it seems.

Baskerville only came onstage to get skewered by William. A bit disappointed that we didn’t get to see him monologue about the wonders of familial love, since that’s one of the things that stuck to me the most during this arc. Baskerville’s chosen victims – the siblings – are meant to parallel William and Louis, like a reflection of their past selves. While the exclusion of these characters isn’t egregious, it does make me appreciate the manga more for adding those scenes in the first place.

And with that, we end the Baskerville arc!

[scarlettriot]

Okay. I've been sitting on this one for a couple days. Wanted to see more of the family dynamic before planting the idea in your head 😅 But I was initially inspired by the rivals to best friends to lovers fic with Shoto (thank you, again). Anyway...

Shoto and "spending time with each other's family, with the family constantly pointing out how good you would be together because you're just that compatible"

In my head it's a relatively complete Todoroki family, but just Fuyumi and Natsuo would also be good. Also in my head it's an extension/elaboration of that first fic, but you know I'm down for whatever lands in your head 😝

Pairing: Shoto Todoroki x F!Reader

A/N: Since your ask was inspired by the rivals to besties to lovers... I present to you... this f*ckin' thing!

Seriously, I probably put too much thought into this but enjoy some background of these two goofballs.

I headcanon Shoto having a stutter that comes out when he's too emotional/nervous. IF YOU AREN'T CAUGHT UP ON THE ANIME OR MANGA SOMETHING MIGHT BE SPOILED. I also didn't really proof this so sorry...

Readers parents are reporters/journalists. Reader has a quirk that allows her to adapt her body to situational needs.

Warnings: SMUT (just some cute sexy times but still minors DNI), swearing, very slight temperature play, undertones of standard Todoroki family trauma.

Word Count: 3K

Six Years Old

Shoto and you walked side by side out of your classroom at the end of the day to wait for your parents and his dad to come to collect you both. But, the minutes ticked by, children ran along, until it was only you and Shoto left.

"My father probably had to deal with bad guy stuff and didn't tell my sister to get me today..." He sat with his chin resting on his knees.

"If it's bad enough, my parents are probably reporting on the bad guy stuff." You were right beside him, pushing pebbles together between your feet.

"Sho!" A spiky white-haired boy came rushing out from the school. He was dressed in a jersey, ready for practice, "Why are you still here?"

Shoto merely shrugged, "I don't know. No one came to get me."

His older brother shook his head. "Dad forgot to call Fuyumi's school again. Big surprise. Wait on the playground and if no one's come to get you, we'll walk home together after practice, okay?"

"What about Y/N?" He called back.

"We'll walk her home first!"

He nodded and let Natsuo run after the other boys.

You two dumped your bags beside the swing set, Shoto settling for taking a seat on one of them while you took off up one of the ramps. "Come play with me, Roki!"

"I'm not supposed to play, remember?"

You stopped giggling and hopping to give him a pointed glare. "Fine. We won't play, we'll train."

He looked up at you suspiciously, "Train how?"

This had to be worded carefully or you knew Shoto wouldn't go for it. "You're a hero and I'm a villain, heroes have to catch villains, so catch me!"

"That's easy, if you were a villain, I'd just freeze you in place and then you'd be caught."

Why did he have to bring logic into everything? There had to be a way to get him to just be a kid.

"You make it sound like I'd be easy to catch! But, if you need something harder, don't use your quirk. If you touch me, then I'm caught." It was tag, you were convincing him to play a game of tag with you cleverly disguised as training that his father could potentially approve of and Shoto took the bait.

"When do we start?"

"Right... NOW!"

Two-toned eyes went wide, watching you jump and squeeze your way through a gap to climb up on top of the slide. "You're so far away! Be careful!"

"I'm a villain, Roki! You'll never catch me!"

He raced up the slide, forgoing standard playground rules for tactics he'd been taught. Getting to someone quickly was more important, take the fastest route possible. Shoto hoisted himself up onto the roof of the playset just in time to watch you slip down over the other side, a fit of giggles in your wake.

But, you didn't drop into the playset, instead, you balanced along one side of the monkey bars, arms splayed wide while you hurried across and Shoto stopped dead in his tracks. "Y/N! That's n-not safe! You could fall!"

"No kindness for bad guys! You gotta catch me Sh-"

Just as he feared, your foot slipped and your hands flayed. He shot out a slide of ice, letting you ride it down to the mulch below. "Y-you're not a b-bad guy! You could have been real-ly hurt!"

It was the first time you'd seen Shoto so worked up. "Roki... my quirk-"

"Your adapt-ting isn't th-that fast!"

He was right, any situation you put yourself in, your body needed roughly a minute to respond and alter to your specific needs. "I-I'm sorry. I didn't mean to scare you. But, if we're gonna be heroes then we gotta be ready for tricky stuff."

That look in his eyes wasn't going away. You couldn't tell if it was anger... or fear, all you knew was how much you didn't like it. "Come on, let's keep playing. I'll catch you this time and I won't go climbing where I shouldn't."

It took him a minute before agreeing.

You'd been chasing Shoto for another twenty minutes when a familiar voice called your name. Your father, with his large grin, walked from the sidewalk, "Sorry, kid, you know the bad guys don't always care when we gotta snatch you from school." He spun you around in his arms when you jumped on him, "Grab your bag. Let's make sure dinner's on the table when mama gets home."

"Daddy, no! I can't leave Todoroki by himself."

Your dad looked over where Shoto stood alone, watching the two of you. "You're right, kiddo, we sure can't." He walked by your side over to him. "Shoto, right? My daughter has told me a lot about you."

Shoto just nodded, not knowing what to say, "We don't have to rush home, keep playing around."

"We weren't playing," Shoto corrected him before you could tug him away, "We're training!"

Your father just laughed, watching the two of you go around and around.

Another half-hour flew by, your father just sitting on a bench enjoying watching his daughter and the boy she'd been chattering endlessly about for weeks.

Being a reporter, he knew exactly who the young man was, who his father was and all he could do was hope the man's piss poor attitude didn't extend to his home life too.

He didn't have much hope though, not after learning about the accident that claimed the life of his eldest son, his wife being sent away, or the burn that suddenly appeared on little Shoto's face just last year.

If anyone was able to see past all that madness though he knew it was you. You'd been a ray of determined sunlight from the moment you came into his life, never giving up on anyone or anything.

"You've got some nerve," He turned to the deep voice and narrowed blue eyes, "Showing up at my son's school, watching him like some damn creep, what the fu-"

"You will watch your temper around these children, Todoroki, got it?"

"How dare you!"

"My daughter is playing with her friend."

"My son doesn't have time for friends."

You and Shoto came jogging over, "He's not my friend," All three sets of eyes were now on you. One thrilled, another stunned, and the final, oh, they looked broken, "Todoroki and I are not friends, we train together every day at school during breaks and in class when allowed. 'Cause, we're gonna be heroes one day, and that means all the training we gotta do it. Right, Todoroki?" You bumped his shoulder.

"R-right, yeah, w-we train."

Your father put a hand on your shoulder when Enji Todoroki set his sights on you. "You want to be a hero?"

"Yes, sir."

"It isn't easy, hard work, all the time. Shoto trains every single day."

"I know."

"So does my daughter." Your father added.

"Shoto, does she keep up with you?"

"Uh, yes, s-sir. She u-uses more hand-to-hand styles th-though."

"You need to work on that." His gaze rose, "Your daughter is welcome over on weekends only if she'd like to use our facility."

"We'll discuss it." He picked you up, setting you on his knee, "She's been doing just fine, but, who am I to keep her from her training partner?"

You wiggled before getting to the sidewalk, remembering you had a book Shoto had needed and running it over to him while he waited for his dad to get Natsuo. "Hey, did-did you really mean th-that w-we aren't friend-ds?"

You made sure his dad wasn't looking before giving Shoto a quick hug, "Silly, Roki, of course, we're friends. But, your dad doesn't like friends... so partners and rivals?"

There was the smallest smile on his face, "Partners and rivals."

Thirteen Years Old

The door to the Todoroki's training room slammed open. You and Shoto lay on the floor with heads side by side, chest heaving, sweat clinging to the both of you. "He's gone for the weekend!" Natsuo announced with a cheer, "Whoa, what have you two been doing in here?"

"Training," Shoto told his brother while he tried inclining on his elbows, "Like, we do multiple times a week."

"So that's what the kids are calling it now. Got it, cool, cool," Both you and Shoto shot him a look, "Anyways! I'm having some friends over but I just wanted to let you guys know you could like, relax for once if you wanted."

It was rare you got the chance to hang out with Shoto at his house and not need to be in constant fight/study mode. But, here was the perfect opportunity. Shoto glanced over at you. "Would you want to have dinner and maybe, um, I-I'm not sure."

Natsuo laughed from the doorway, "It's dinner and a movie, Sho. I know you don't really get to be a teenager but, you should at least know how to ask someone out!"

"Wait, b-but I'm not, I'm not asking you out. Just dinner and... movie, as partners."

Flustered Shoto Todoroki was one of the best things to witness. "I know, Sho. Dinner and movies sound good. Can I shower though?"

He nodded, letting you go off while he sought a shower of his own. His sister was in the kitchen when he walked out, a towel still drying his white hair. "I hear someone has a date," She beamed and kept babbling before he could get a word in, "I started making her favorite for dinner, I'll tell her it was your idea though. I've been waiting for this day!"

"Fuyumi! It's not a date! It's j-just Y/N and I eating dinner."

"And watching a movie."

"Y-yes, that too. But, it's just friends, don't make this into so-something weird."

She looked over the rim of her glasses with a sneaky grin. "You're stuttering, Shoto."

He sealed his lips tight and begged her to do the same when he heard the bathroom door open.

Fifteen Years Old

"Sho, there's no way. I barely took down like three of those robots. Other people were cutting them down left and right!"

Your head fell on the table, the envelope from UA still unopen between your fingers. He had nothing to worry about, accepted thanks to recommendations but you, you weren't so lucky.

You gave it your absolute best though, pushing yourself to what felt like your limits in hopes of being accepted but, hell, all you'd really managed to do was help some other examines that had fallen into a man-made river during the test. After they were safe, you only had time to take down a couple robots that were nearly dropped anyways.

The envelope was plucked from your fingers. "What are you doing?"

"Do you want to open it?" Shoto asked.

You shook your head, "But, I don't want you opening it either!"

"I can ask your mother to, she's just in the den, right?" He was already up from the table.

"That's not what I meant, Shoto and you know it!"

You stood behind the sofa and he was in front of it, mirroring your steps with a smirk. "Well, I want to know. Because said we're partners, rivals, I can't just go to a school where you're not."

"You can't just open my mail either! That's like illegal or something! Not very hero-like."

"I'm not a hero yet." He ripped the envelope open and you lunged over the sofa at him making him abandon the letter in order to catch you. "That was very dramatic-" Your attention was stolen by a hologram appearing sideways of a tiny bear? A mouse? Oh, he talked.

Shoto righted it and it wasn't long before your entire house was filled with cheers. Still on the floor, you hugged Shoto tight, his arms circling around you, "Told you, you'd get in."

Your mother had heard the bickering a few minutes ago but stayed in the hallway to let you work things out yourself. Ready to assist if only you asked but, Shoto was there for you, just as he always was. She watched you chase him around the living room like you'd done as little kids, saw you launch yourself at him like the kids you still were.

She hid a soft smile when you cheered and wrapped your arms around him, thanking him for all the support and help he'd given, listening to him return the sentiment.

Through the evening celebrations, she swore she could see the future unfolding before her eyes, faster than it ever had before.

How he held every door open for you, listened whenever you spoke, the way he looked at you when you were talking about everything you hoped to achieve.

And how you reached for his arm when crossing the street, scooted closer so he could put his arm around you when a brisk wind blew, how you watched him when he was busy doing something else, it filled your mother with so much warmth.

"So, are you going to ask him out or wait for him to do it?" She asked as you got ready for bed that night.

"MOTHER!"

She just laughed and walked down the hall to her own room and wondered if you'd have a fall or winter wedding.

Seventeen Years Old

The chatter faded into background noise once you were in the kitchen. Grabbing a glass and filling it to the brim with water and hoping it would loosen whatever this ache was in your chest.

It was supposed to be a fun holiday break. Endeavor was at some hero conference so most of your class planned for a sleepover at Shoto's to celebrate the holiday. And still, something pulled inside, wasn't settling, wouldn't ease up-

"Are you alright, Y/N?"

Fuyumi stood just a few feet from you, worry creased between her brows. "Yeah. Oh yeah, I'm fine, just getting some water!"

"I've known you for over a decade now, I think I can tell when you're lying." You took a long sip, trying to think up something to say so you could get out of this. "I overheard some of the girls talking, saying they think my baby brother has a crush... I'm guessing you think so too?"

Again, you didn't say anything and so she placed her hand gently on your forearm. "Shoto might have a crush, but, I don't think my brother will ever look at anyone else the way he looks at you."

Her words didn't relieve the ache in you, only added yet another layer because it was becoming very apparent that you weren't sure you could look at anyone else the way you looked at him either...

Twenty Years Old

You laid in the quiet of Shoto's bedroom after your run, the shower you shared, with your chin on his chest, cool fingers making lazy patterns over your skin. "My mother is going to be insufferable when she finds out about us." You grumbled.

His laugh was low but absolutely perfect, "I think my sister's going to be worse."

With a jolt, you shot up, hands beside his head. "What's your father going to say? All these years of being your not-friend! He's going to have a fit!"

He just rolled his eyes and flipped you both over, strands of red and white hair falling in your face, his nose brushing against yours. "It's a good thing that fourteen years has made me care a whole lot less about what Endeavor thinks."

Shoto's lips met yours for what felt like the hundredth time that night, slow and easy, using a knee to nudge your legs apart for him again while he worked his way down your jaw, down your neck, "Can we wait to tell them, just for a day or two?" You cocked a brow at him even though he was still trailing down your body, "They're all so nosy, I just want you to myself for a day or two." He kissed between your breasts, "Maybe a week if you let me." Lower his lips ventured, "We don't even have to leave this apartment..."

His tongue, cooled to a temperature he quickly figured out you preferred, licked a lazy line making your answer turn into a needy whine. "Sorry? Was that a, 'yes, Sho, that sounds like the best idea you've ever had?' Yes, yes, I know it is."

As soon as you opened your mouth, he pulled your hips so his tongue was flat on your core, holding you tightly to him. Your hands fisted the silky sheets, letting him have his way with you yet again. He'd bring you close to the edge only to back off, "Did you say you want to stay here for two weeks? Even better, darling." And he'd start all over again.

It took him only minutes to have you crying his name again, kissing his way back up to your face. "You have- a- very- persuasive argument," Panting, trying to come down from your high, "Let's just tell 'em the next time we see them," Your hips wiggled against him, despite how many times you'd already fucked you still wanted more, "If we don't see them for a couple months, eh, who cares?"

Three-Days Later

"Pay up! I said before they were 21!" Your mother was boasting to your father.

"Technically, Shoto turned 21 last month." Rei pointed out with a smile while Endeavor just shook his head at the antics.

Fuyumi was already asking Shoto how he was planning on proposing, turning the poor man into a stuttering pre-teen again.

"WAIT!" Natsuo slammed his cup down on the table, "You mean, you guys haven't been together since you were like thirteen!" He started listing off all the couple-y things you two did, the flirting and little banter, he'd witness while Fuyumi patted his shoulder.

"They're together now, that's all that matters."

[yue-muffin]

@mejomonster​ anime/manga rec list because ask and ye shall receive.

historical fantasy: altair: a record of battles by kotono kato. longer review here. very good war story with high tension political, economic, and tactical maneuvering. rare setting/focal point of the turkish/ottoman empire rendered with beautiful art and attention to detail.

fantasy: the heroic legend of arslan by yoshiki tanaka. recommend the novel over the new 2013 anime/manga, but that’s purely personal preference. I don’t prefer hiromu arakawa’s art style for anything but her own works. i prefer novel!arslan’s mix of maturity/nobility and naivety over the more childish arslan from the new anime/manga. the old ovas preserve the vibes of the novel much better imo, especially the unnerving fog in the opening scene. but very good story overall. a classic ‘dispossessed royalty and his band of fighters must escape and return to take back their country’. also set in ancient persia with the europeans as the aggressor a la conquistadores/crusaders.

honorable mention: yona of the dawn by mizuho kusanagi. shojo version of arslan? haha i’m only half kidding, but yona of the dawn stands on its own two feet. again the classic ‘dispossessed royalty and her band of fighters’ etc. except this one’s more obviously fantasy with the band of fighters having superpowers. anyways i love the writing, especially yona’s character arc from spoiled oblivious princess to determined to retake her country and do better for its people. set in ancient korea.

shounen: hunter x hunter by yoshihiro togashi. classic shounen that starts with four plucky adventurers and gradually ramps up violence and consequences of the protagonists’ actions. this series has an arc for everyone, and while you probably won’t like every one equally as much, it has a lot to offer and a super fun magic system with smart and creative battles. the world is zany, dangerous, batshit crazy, and charming.

honorable mention: jujutsu kaisen by gege akutami. for a new shounen (seinen?) that’s honestly lived up to the hype. it needs more seasons though, because the story’s just getting started. i really love the main trio and find they play off each other super well. also, though they’re not always the focus, there’s a great variety of female characters.

adventure: magi: the labyrinth of magic by shinobu otaka. inspired by the stories of one thousand and one nights (arabian nights). if i had to pick one anime or manga that embodies ‘magic’ and ‘adventure’, i’d pick magi. i found the setting very unique (middle eastern, plus countries analogous to ancient china, rome and others). it also goes deeper into topics like poverty, slavery, war, and discrimination. very underrated series tbh.

psychological: monster by naoki urasawa. undisputed master of the category. has a dynamic similar to the one i like in qianqiu; a battle of wits and wills between a doctor and the man whose life he saved, not knowing he will grow up to be a serial killer. dark, twisted, but so very human. that’s how i would describe monster.

slice-of-life: natsume’s book of friends by yuki midorikawa. ugly sobbing. the anime is so good, the music really adds to the emotional impact. this story is, at its heart, about the frailty, importance, and warmth of human connection despite featuring yokai and supernatural elements. it’s about healing, being kind to yourself. i absolutely love natsume. he’s like that adorable dog you find at the shelter who has so much love to give but is also withdrawn from being treated badly in the past. and believe it or not, his character slowly grows across the seasons, even though there’s not a strong overarching plot.

 sports: run with the wind by shion miura. i loved this anime more than i had any right to. if you’re the type who can’t relate to most sports anime set in high school, then this one’s for you. it’s about college kids, a very underused demographic, who decide to run in the hakone ekiden, japan’s most famous relay marathon aired nation-wide every new years. it’s an inspiring anime, not just about running. it speaks to anyone who has lost the spark and love for something, and rediscovering the spark and what made you love that something in the first place. it also speaks to just...doing something for yourself. accomplishing something that took effort and being able to pride yourself on that. has a novel, jpn only, i haven’t read it yet but there’s fan translations available.

honorable mentions: giant killing by masaya tsunamoto and ao ashi by yuugo kobayashi. i love soccer (football), so i had to throw these in as other examples of sports anime that aren’t about a high school team. both tackle the professional sides of the sport. giant killing is the actual adult pro leagues, ao ashi is the youth team of a professional team. i’d say, if you’re a soccer fan, giant killing’s vibes will speak to your soul. ao ashi is just a realistic take on what it actually takes to get to the top. i actually prefer the manga of ao ashi, but if you can’t visualize the plays very well (like i did at first), the anime is probably better.

comedy: barakamon by satsuki yoshino. ok, there are probably other good ones out there, but i don’t watch comedy often. barakamon was surprisingly good though. it’s about a young professional calligrapher who’s booted off to a small island town after offending an official at a competition. he’s there to improve his calligraphy and do some soul searching (unwillingly). i liked it because for one, it actually does kid characters right. they’re gross, disruptive, adventurous, sometimes cute, selfish, and sometimes amazingly selfless.

sci-fi: gundam 00. alright, it does get a bit preachy and weird at the end, but i liked 00 a lot because it starts off so strong. the first scene of the first episode will haunt me forever. it’s really about how we of the modern world all live interconnected lives, whether we like it or not, and turning a blind eye just because it doesn’t directly affect you doesn’t mean it won’t someday impact your life.

???: baccano! by ryogo narita. novel or anime, but the anime is excellent, the music sets the vibes of early 20th century america, and the dub is superb. i just can’t watch this one without the dub, which is a rarity. it’s zany, you’ll be so confused in the beginning, but i promise it makes sense and all storylines are connected. but it’s chaos. good chaos. the storytelling’s really unique.

movies: i could have picked a few, but one of my favorite anime movie series is garden of sinners by kinoko nasu. it’s dark, twisted, and paranormal mystery. my favorite movie of the series is probably paradox spiral.

[likeabxrdinflight]

okay, it took forever, but I finally finished the entirety of the battle city arc (well not the clip show filler episode, but that one doesn't really count imho). I skipped over the virtual world arc intentionally, because it really really disrupts the flow of the battle city finals, and I gotta say that was the right call for this re-watch- there's very minimal references to it during the second half of the finals, and getting to watch the story (mostly) as it was presented in the manga was a much better way to experience it.

so with that in mind, battle city to me has two very distinct halves, and they are very divergent in quality.

cutting this because long:

at the start of the arc, battle city has a compelling set up. we learn that the person we've thought of as "the other yugi" all this time is really the soul of an ancient pharaoh, that he's lost all his memories, and that he's connected to some mysterious incident in ancient egypt that led to his soul being sealed in the millennium puzzle. we learn that the new villain and his family are also connected to this and hold the secrets to unlocking the pharaoh's memories. kaiba's obsession with battling yugi is set up nicely, as is his connection to the past, and we learn about these all powerful god cards. most importantly, we learn that if the pharaoh pursues this path of unlocking his memories, he will probably have to leave yugi and his friends. it's never exactly stated, but there's a large shadow overhanging this entire arc- if "the other yugi" is really the soul of a 3,000 year old pharaoh, well...that means he's not some alternate personality- he's dead. and has been for a very long time.

but once the tournament starts, the preliminary duels just drag. there's some good ones- atem vs marik pt 1, jonouchi vs haga, kaiba/atem vs the masked dudes, and of course posessed jonouchi vs atem/yugi, but a lot of them just drag on longer than they need to. duelist kingdom handled this much better imho- duels that weren't super plot relevant never lasted longer than two episodes tops in duelist kingdom. some were only one episode. but in battle city? pretty much every duel is two to three episodes, some last for four. and it really grinds the pacing to a halt. great example of this is immediately after the atem vs marik duel, we learn that marik is targeting jonouchi- but then we have to stop for two more duels, one of them an absolute tone-killing two episodematch between jonouchi and ryota kajiki, and another being the four episode time waster that is kaiba/atem vs the masked dudes, before we even get to the part where marik possesses jonouchi at all.

(and I know I said the kaiba/atem tag duel was good, and it is, but god is it in a bad place for the plot progression)

this half of the arc also has shit character development for anyone that isn't jonouchi, atem, and kaiba for five minutes before he decides to be a dick again in the finals. we do also get some decent set up for marik, but his character development doesn't really get going until the finals. all the other main cast might as well not exist. yugi himself is absent for the majority of this arc, he doesn't even materialize much in his ghostly form to communicate with atem during their duels, and it is noticeable to me. anzu and honda spend several episodes just running around looking for their friends, doing absolutely nothing to contribute to the plot. shizuka was introduced properly in this season, yet she gets very little to do except be jonouchi's cheerleader/morality pet. for some reason otogi shows up just for kicks, which is a waste of screen time for him because he does nothing relevant except flirt with a shizuka and annoy honda. and mai? mai gets like ten minutes of screen time just to establish she's in the tournament before fucking off until the finals start. mai gets nothing in this half of the arc.

things turn around when we get to the yugi/atem vs jonouchi duel- suddenly the stakes ramp way up, yugi returns to the plot in full force for some fantastic character moments, jonouchi is at his absolute best, anzu is relevant again if only as a hostage, mai and shizuka get to do something meaningful, and kaiba actually shows some humanity for a change. this duel is fantastic and it marks a turning point for battle city, because from here until the end of the finals is arguably the best arc of the entire show. not necessarily my favorite, but arguably the best.

so yeah, the battle city finals. this half of the story is just a night and day difference to me from the prelims. all the set up they did before the prelims pays off here. these duels are all amazing, the stakes are as high as they've ever been, and the characters pretty much all get some good moments.

mai finally gets to duel on screen again and we learn about her past, get to see her nearly take down our final villain, and see how far she's come in learning to value her new friends. we see anzu struggling with the reality of this tournament and what it means for atem and yugi- notably she seems to be the only one besides yugi who understands that atem might have to leave them- and we see her challenge atem on continuing to push forward when so many people have gotten hurt. shizuka doesn't get a ton to do but she does show a lot of inner strength. bakura finally comes back into the plot to be relevant for ten minutes and gets some fun duels at least. honda and otogi...remain pretty useless ngl.

of our four finalists, jonouchi...I mean god, jonouchi has come so far. not only does he manage to prove how far he's come as duelist, he shows how far he's come as a person and as a friend. he overcomes ra's lightning and only loses to marik on a technicality. kaiba goes back to being asshole number one, but he does get a lot of character development and ends the tournament in a better place despite having lost- and seeming to somewhat accept atem's message about friendship. atem and yugi are finally totally in sync with each other, and are much more clearly a team in these duels than in the prelims- especially the final duel against marik. and of course atem shows how far he has come- the man who started off as a feral gremlin child dealing out penalty games left and right has regained so much of his true self, has become someone who puts full faith in compassion and friendship- and comes out on top for it. and then of course there's the ishtars, who finally come together as a family to move past their varying traumas. I'd say more but this wall of text is long enough.

so you get it. the battle city finals are just fantastic, full of really meaningful character moments, have very high stakes, and it's so easy to get invested. the duels never seem to drag like the prelims did, they're just so much more compelling- the only one that's maybe a little longer than it needs to be is yami marik vs atem, but not by much. and admittedly, the addition of yami marik as a villain is a huge part of why the finals are as good as they are. much as I will criticize the depiction of DID, there's no denying that having such a balls to the wall villain like him does a lot to make these duels so much more threatening and to make this arc as emotional and compelling as it is. yami marik don't give a shit, he's having the time of his life torturing everybody, and it makes him so much scarier than regular marik ever was. and he actually manages to hurt people- mai and jonouchi nearly die, bakura gets yeeted for several episodes, and if ishizu hadn't intervened in time yami marik would have stabbed rishid in the eyeballs without even blinking. I just kinda wish they could have achieved that level of absolute chaotic evil without the botched portrayal of DID.

anyways, the first half of battle city is a bit of a slog and a lot of the characters don't get enough to do, but it's still decent and once you get to the finals it's all worth it. the pay off is so good. really an excellent arc overall, 8/10, only losing points for the worst parts of the prelims.

...now I just need to decide if I want to go back and watch the virtual world, or head right into season four...

[dianight]

@mind-blaze ---

Otherside Picnic (dynasty, ongoing): Originally I read the manga up to chapter 50 something, then the novel because it was just that good. Go read the synopsis, maybe a few chapters. If you like it you'll absolutely love the novels.

Mahou Shoujo ni Akogarete (dynasty, ongoing): Found this one browsing dynasty scans when it had like 5 chapters. Main character gets recruited to fight magical girls, at first she's not too happy over time she starts getting into it. Kinda horny, slow start and it ramps up. An anime is coming up but my expectations are low since it's a pretty explicit series.

Qualia the Purple (dynasty, completed): I saw it mentioned at some point and gave it a chance. It's a story about two childhood friends, one of them perceives humans as robots and the consequences of this condition. Slow start and a bit text heavy at times, it's a short series about how we percieve each other and how our actions affect people close to us (<- subjective).

Asumi-chan is Interested in Lesbian Brothels! (dynasty, ongoing): Another gem from browsing dynasty scans, this series is literally a self insert fantasy (<- for me). Asumi is still not over a crush and she finds out that she might be working at a lesbian brothel, so she books a date in order to meet her again. Story goes from there as she meets more people. From mangadex synopsis: "Thus begins a journey of self-discovery and sexual exploration as she sets out to find her one that got away."

Mage & Demon Queen (webtoon, completed): Malori (mage) tries to defeat marry the Demon Queen. Although a typical hero-must-fight-demon-lord-queen story it is enjoyable and charming enough that I feel it deserves a recommendation. Pretty funny, slightly too long for the story itself. The character interactions are what carry the series.

Sorry, but I’m Not into Yuri (dynasty, ongoing): In which Toudou tries different schemes that eventually backfire getting more and more girls into her. Very funny series about a scummy lesbian in denial who happens to charm any girls she interacts with. I've seen this series described as "trashy" before, not a fan of the term but I can see what people mean by that. Check the author's other works btw.

Watamote (ongoing, there's so many doujins in dynasty that I don't know if the actual series is in there): Very difficult recommendation, this series has what in video game lingo would be called a very high difficulty curve to get into. I've posted about it before.

Magirevo (dynasty, ongoing): Princess in a world with magic with no magic and memories of a past real life world. Surprinsingly fun read with the kind of character development that seems realistic enough to keep my interest.

---

Other series that I am either catching up/rereading because I started them at some point and they were not finished.

Cheerful Amnesia (complete): Lighthearted series about a couple where one of the girls has lost her memories. Started this one years ago when it had a couple chapters, will finish it soon (<- when I can).

Can't Defy the Lonely Girl (complete): Literally reading this, paused to type this post. Honour student Ayaka couldn't get into her high school choice due to pressure, so she gets roped into getting Sora to attend school in order to get a recommendation.

SHY (dynasty, ongoing): Superhero story with tons of undertones. Another dynasty find back when it had ~10 chapters. At some point I lost interest but recently I decided to bring back it to see if I can catch up.

---

Other series that are less yuri if that even makes sense but it's still there.

Bocchi the Rock! and the Hiroi spinoff (both ongoing): A group of girls starting her rock band and tumblr's favourite series according to my dashboard. And the daily life of Hiroi Kikuri.

100 Kanojo (ongoing): Although very clearly a harem, due to character interactions over time (Hakari and Karane in particular) I'd say it counts. Probably the only "harem" I'd praise due to its parody nature and how it avoids sidelining any of the girls.

What Happens Inside the Dungeon (completed but resumed with a "sidestory" that is just a contination): Hilarious series about an elf woman in a continent where people are very open about their sexual interests. Although not yuri exactly, the main characters are a group of women that often fuck each other so I felt like it deserves a brief mention.

---

Some of those series are not done justice by my lack of eloquence but surely we can get find something interesting, right?

In a yuriful mood. I've been catching up on many manga and finishing a few aswell.

[cina-full-moon-xanadium]

Kamen Rider.

The original show that started an ever-expanding series of stories; an icon so popular and beloved across Japan; a show that struck such a chord with audiences that it ultimately went on for 98 episodes, the longest a single full-length Tokusatsu show has ever run for. 

A show about love, and fighting fascism wherever it may try to harm the human life that is so inherently important and sacred, and the tragedy of being distanced from the very humanity you cherish and fight to protect.

Can I say it fully lives up to that description? ... Not honestly, no. If someone were to come in blindly and say “hey I heard this is a pretty anti-fascist show, do you think I should watch it??”, I couldn’t genuinely recommend more than a handful of episodes and then to just say ‘go read the manga’. I think too often the fandom will elevate the original show so highly as to avoid stating the obvious and what may disappoint a lot of viewers going into it -- all these ideals are indeed there, but it’s through the lens of a 1971 kid’s TV show; one that had to dumb down those elements in order to fit the confines of the time. Furthermore, it is one that exploded in popularity; causing many extensions of the show that had the showrunners constantly coming up with new ideas to revitalise it in a way that was exciting, but not necessarily completely true to its values -- watching a large chunk of the Rider #2 or Ambassador Hell eras will lay that pretty bare. Surprise surprise, the most popular enduring superhero TV icon is not exactly a comprehensive diatribe on the dangers of fascism and the trauma it inflicts!

But that perhaps makes it all the more impressive for what it is able to do? I have gone on at length so many times about how incredible it is that Kamen Rider’s origin comes down to a man fighting a lone battle against fascism; against the organisation that stripped him of his humanity; about a monster who decided to be good fighting against what is essentially his own kind or those stuck in the same situation. And while that backstory isn’t exactly elaborated on a lot past the first 13 episodes, it’s still there! It is, in fact, repeated every single episode at the end of the opening credits! So even when the show is being a lot more generic and used as a sort of depository for whatever monster plot would seem scary or impressive this week, this tragedy still feels present and a part of what drives Kamen Rider’s fight, to me. This is what Goranger was missing for me -- a real message, a real thing the creators were passionate about and wanted to say, no matter how buried or ignored; still shining through the seams. Hongou and Ichimonji’s backstory; the secrecy yet reach of Shocker as a terrifying fascist organisation; the constant kidnapping and remodelling of normal people living in society; the fact that at one point the show had a goddamn Nazi in an eyepatch as the main villain! I can’t claim to know everything Ishinomori was thinking of when he originally wrote Kamen Rider or everything that inspired him, I would feel like a disingenuous liar to claim any motivations; but it all feels like such a real drive someone deeply effected or horrified by these things would want to reach out and warn about and talk about.

In my opinion, there are two stretches of the show that stand out to me more than any other; and if anyone was asking for a condensed idea of what Kamen Rider stands for or just a good idea of the show would be the two stretches (alongside a few other individual episodes) I would personally recommend: the first 15 episodes, and the final fifth of the show from 80-98 that introduces the threat of Gel-Shocker.

Of those first 15 episodes, the first 13 are Kamen Rider at its most absolute raw and truest state. It’s also one where it feels like no-one really knew how to tell a story or make a show -- any criticism you could lobby at Showa Rider about how it lacks subtlety or doesn’t know how to show instead of tell or how the suits don’t feel well-constructed are ramped up to not just 11 but probably, like, 21 or 31 or 1001; it is a pretty hastily constructed thing of a show... but it just makes the passion scream LOUDER. It’s almost like a personal project, something that someone makes at school! This is Shocker at its most threatening and overbearing and Kamen Rider at his most desperate; the story at its most scrambled yet focused. Every line of dialogue leads nothing to the imagination; you are told exactly what is going on and what characters are thinking and feeling with little room for interpretation and janky, lumbering steps into each development. And it’s what most highlights the narrative of what Kamen Rider was made to say? When Ishinomori was finally able to make his manga adaption which goes in a wildly different direction to the show in order to truly say what he wanted, he adapts these first 13 episodes more or less verbatim and I think that says more than I ever could on the subject. As for episode 14 and 15, these are the first episodes of Hayato Ichimonji; Rider #2 and the first in a new era of a show. I’m not the biggest fan of the period this leads into, but the original 2-parter is a very fun time with a lingering sense of desperation to it that also shows for the first time the scale of Shocker’s operations around the world. All in all, the first 15 episodes of Kamen Rider slowly drew me into the show and captured my heart in a way that few Showa Toku have been able to do.

The other period of the show I recommend is Episode 80 onwards -- in other words, the dawn of Gel-Shocker. Up until this point Kamen Rider had slowly but surely devolved into being a pretty basic show; with Shocker in particular going pretty over-the-top with their MOTW plots involving whatever the writers could think of first and wild characters like Ambassador Hell at the helm (he’s seemingly well-remembered but VERY stupid and goofy. It makes him a joy to watch, mind!). I was still enjoying it and was still very much ready to consider it a show I had a lot of love for, and one where the ideals as I said still shone through the darkness; but overall something that wasn’t the best. And then, after a couple ominous allusions to the future; Shocker announces its partnership to Geldam and Gel-Shocker is born. And very much instantly Kamen Rider goes back to its roots in how threatening and dangerous the people Kamen Rider is fighting are; with a far more serious general, plots that seek to strike deep into the heart of Kamen Rider’s life and friends, the downright brutal destruction and killing of every trace of the old Shocker; and a newly refound focus of its infiltration into society and the lives it can ruin. A few episodes aside which still resembled the old show it is very much the Kamen Rider I had heard about and the type of fascist organisation I thought of when I see its reimaginings over the years; and only 10 episodes in begins a tense serialised arc of Kamen Rider having everything stripped away from him as Gel-Shocker not only focuses their efforts on his allies, but introduces the Shocker Riders as a threat beyond anything else that brings excitement beyond anything I’ve seen in this era of television for Tokusatsu. It ultimately all culminates in the final episode, where Great Leader is finally brought to his knees and ends in a sad, suicidal attempt to take out his enemies when everything else has failed; showing how for all his mystery and power, that’s what he amounts to.

There is so much more I could say. There’s so much more I could say about what this original chapter of Kamen Rider means to me on a deeper spiritual level; about the love and respect for life inherent to it; about so many amazing lines like the infamous “Human Life is more important than Peace and Justice”; heck, even about how future movies like Let’s Go Kamen Riders or Kamen Rider 1 make wonderful companion pieces to it and make me love it even more -- but not because of what they add, but because of how they expand on what was there all along. But this piece has already gone on for so long, and I’ve got plenty of nights left in my life to talk about it. Ultimately, it’s a show that’s left with me with so much and has become more important to me than I could imagine.

Thank you, Kamen Rider. 

[bokunoheroanalysisforthefuture]

Well, that chapter title, combined with this being the last chapter of volume two, really comes off as ominous! 

Also, because there’s no good break point that I can see in this chapter, I’m just gonna do all of it. This is… gonna be rough, I think. Apologies for the long post in advance.

[No. 17 - Game Over]

We start out in the collapsed zone, which is basically a cityscape that’s been partially destroyed / knocked down. Kirishima and Katsuki are both huffing and puffing as they take a moment to breathe after taking out all the villains who had attacked them in the room they were dumped into. Katsuki notes that that was all of them, then calls them a buncha mooks. Kirishima wipes at his face a bit as he says they need to hurry and help the others - if they’re still in the USJ, after all, then everyone else must be as well! And he’s worried about those who don’t really have ways to attack.

Kirishima goes on to determine that Thirteen probably has her hands full since they rushed ahead like that, and that none of this would have happened if they’d let her suck in that mist man. So as men, they have to take responsibility.

Katsuki’s brusque reply is that if that’s what Kirishima wants to do, then go on alone - he’s going to go beat the warp gate villain to a pulp. Kirishima is surprised by this declaration, wondering out loud what Katsuki’s still pulling that ‘immature crap’ at a time like this, plus reminding Katsuki that normal attacks don’t work on the warp villain anyways. 

Katsuki snaps at him to shut up, and then points out that Kurogiri is how the other villains are getting around - if they bring him down, the others will have nowhere to run. And besides, it’s not like he doesn’t have a way to beat said warp villain.

While the two were talking about the stuff above, a camouflaged villain sneaks up from behind Katsuki on the ceiling. Considering the fact that a random mook villain with an ‘invisibility’ quirk was able to get an outfit that went invisible/camouflage with them, I wholeheartedly refuse to believe Hagakure can’t have a full costume that’s as invisible as she is what with UA’s resources. If she says she’s mostly naked, she’s just trolling people for shits and giggles. 

Anywho, the villain lunges, knife in hand as they become visible, thinking about how the kids should keep talking and let their guard down. Kirishima, however, does notice the attack, but-

Katsuki moves before he can even say anything, blasting the villain unconscious without stopping his explanation to Kirishima. He notes calmly that if all the enemy is sending against them are low-danger idiots, then they should be fine. Kirishima quietly admires Katsuki’s reflexes, while commenting out loud how calm Katsuki is all of a sudden, with an aside showing him noting that Katsuki’s like ‘die!’; portrayed with this is Katsuki’s same ‘evil face’ as Izuku pictured when he was worried about Katsuki being in the same class. 

Katsuki snaps that he’s always calm ‘you damn broomhead’, with Kirishima chuckling as he snaps his finger and says ‘there it is.’ Katsuki then clenches his gauntleted fist as he states that he’s out of there. Kirishima knocks his hardened fists together as he tells Katsuki to hold up, and that he (Katsuki) has to his pals, and to be a man. He then states that Katsuki’s convinced him. (Probably about the benefits of going after the warp villain again.)

Next, we shift back over to the entrance, with the door closed. Tenya is still making his mad dash for it, swearing through grit teeth as he tries to outrun Kurogiri. Kurogiri seems to be getting rather peeved himself based on the shape of his dialogue boxes getting more ragged; he calls Tenya impertinent, and states again that he won’t allow him to leave. 

Ochako dashes forward, a determined expression on her face, with Sero and Ashido watching her. Ashido is crouched over Thirteen, checking on her, but asks what Ochako is going to do. Ochako points out a bit of the metal brace just visible in the smoke to them, which they quickly spot as well. 

Tenya is getting close to the doors at this point, and remembers that they’re automatic doors, before wondering if he can kick them down, or if they’re too thick for that. We get a fun panel of his face as he seems prepared to just try and ram it anyways, shouting a battlecry - only to cut off as Kurogiri again looms before him, declaring that the kid has underestimated him. 

Also, the man fucking calls Tenya ‘four-eyes’. I cannot. The disrespect.

Anyways, Kurogiri tells Tenya to vanish, but Tenya manages to somehow duck underneath as Kurogiri moves upwards, much to the surprise of both of them. Why, you ask?

Ochako being a fucking badass is why. She has latched onto Kurogiri’s brace, noting that she’s not sure why, but if he’s wearing that brace, then he has to have a real body in there. She strains herself, but she manages to use her own strength and her quirk in order to toss him up, up, and away from Tenya, all while telling her friend to go. 

Kurogiri continues to woosh away from the ground as he realizes she got his body - then is alarmed again when a piece of tape manages to stick to his back. Sero tugs Kurogiri around on the end of his tape, also telling Tenya to get going. Tenya manages to get the door open enough to squeeze through while Kurogiri is distracted, dashing through the opening and towards the school while Sero detaches his tape and sends Kurogiri flying further with the momentum of the swing. 

Kurogiri is silent for a moment before swirling into himself, noting that if the kid calls for help, then it’s game over. Honest to god, why do I never see this stuff in fics, I cannot believe Kurogiri is saying this kind of stuff. Either it’s odd translation stuff, or else it was just cut from the anime, and if it’s the latter, then I am mad disappointed. 

(staring at next part) Yeah no, I think I’ll be pretty careful with my choice of image use. If this were a fic, this is where the ‘graphic depictions of violence’ would come in, if not sooner in this arc.

We go back to Eraserhead, Shigaraki, and the Nomu, with the first panel being a relative closeup of the Nomu crushing Eraserhead’s right arm. Like, that’s not hyperbole, you can see the arm being scrunched and the blood pouring from the arm, jesus fucking christ. And Eraserhead not making a peep for it? Talk about pain tolerance. I know this is a shounen and all that, but just. The arm is being CRUSHED. Lesser mortals would pass out at this point. 

Shigaraki wobbles back to his feet, noting that cancelling out quirks is pretty cool, but nothing special - up against crazy strength, he might as well be quirkless. Eraserhead manages to latch his eyes on the nomu’s left hand at it reaches for his left arm, but that doesn’t prevent the nomu from snapping said arm like a twig. Eraserhead can’t prevent himself from a pained shout. 

Eraserhead grits through the pain at he notes that looking at any part of the nomu’s body should have nullified it, which meant that was the nomu’s base strength - easily as strong as All Might. The nomu lifts Eraserhead’s head up while he’s thinking this, then slams him face first into the ground, hard enough to leave an impact crater. And, notably, Eraserhead is still alive and conscious. Jesus. Fucking. CHRIST.

Meanwhile, Izuku, Tsuyu, and Mineta look on, developing major trauma as they watch their teacher basically tortured for shits and giggles. Mineta is trembling with hands covering his mouth and tears in his eyes, Tsuyu’s partially submerged her face into the water, and Izuku is just. Frozen in absolute fear. Mineta realizes how bad this is, and practically begs for a change of plans from Izuku. Tsuyu ribbits in agreement, but Izuku just. Cannot think of a thing.

Kurogiri spirals into existence besides Shigaraki, giving Shigaraki’s full name for the first time in the manga. Shigaraki in turn greets Kurogiri, also the first time we’re seeing the name I think? Anyways, Shigaraki asks Kurogiri if Thirteen is dead. Kurogiri states that she’s incapacitated, but that there were students he couldn’t warp away, and that one of them escaped. 

Shigaraki starts scratching at his neck with one hand, then both, his irritation ramping up as he mulls this over. We get another shot of an eye between the fingers of the face-hand as he states that he’d turn Kurogiri to dust if he wasn’t their ticket out of there. They won’t stand a chance against dozens of pros, after all. He then states that it’s game over, and then corrects himself - it’s game over, for now.

He then tells Kurogiri they’re leaving. Mineta is surprised by this quickly glancing over to Tsuyu and Izuku, asking if he heard that right. Tsuyu says he did. Mineta leaps on her in relief, stating that they’re saved. Tsuyu starts to say ‘yeah, but-’ only to cut herself off when Mineta’s hand ends up on her boob (could have been accident or not here). 

She starts casually drowning Mineta as she continues her previous thought - she’s got a bad feeling about this. Izuku agrees - to do all this, and then just leave on a whim… 

He continues to think over the discrepancy to himself as he watches the villains talk a bit more. The villains had wanted to kill All Might; UA’s just going to be in more danger than ever if they get away now. He then notes Shigaraki’s use of ‘game over’, and is worried over what they’re thinking at that moment. 

As if Shigaraki had heard his thoughts, he speaks up again. Before they leave, they should leave a few dead kids… and he’s motioning right for the three who’d been watching up until then. 

Since I can’t really capture the moment of terror in words:

Just. Shigaraki moves so fast, the kids have no time to react to it. Tsuyu’s only just released Mineta from underwater. Izuku is just barely able to turn to see Shigaraki already in Tsuyu’s face, his mind empty but for the memory of what happened to Eraserhead’s elbow. And Tsuyu’s face is just. God, I cannot imagine how she must have felt, being so close to death like that.

There’s a moment of silence from Shigaraki as nothing happens. He then repeats his previous statement - you really are pretty cool, Eraserhead. As it turned out, he took advantage of the nomu living his head in order to activate his quirk, saving Tsuyu’s life. The Nomu proceeds to slam his head back down again, but I guess Aizawa’s managed to keep his eyes open, since it still doesn’t activate even as Izuku goes in for an attack. 

(Poor kid, his entire thought process as he goes in for that swing is just ‘no no no no no no no no no-’, like. You see this again later on when his close friends are in danger, how he just is basically so deeply tunnel visioned on just saving them.)

Izuku’s right arm buzzes with power as he thinks that Shigaraki’s nothing like the villains who’d been in the water. He mentally urges Tsuyu to run and save herself while he shouts at Shigaraki to get off of her. Shigaraki just casually calls for the nomu. 

His blow connects with something, the force fairly intense from the impact point. Izuku is confused as he registers that his arms’ not broken. He’s shocked and a bit annoyed (I guess) that now is when he managed to regulate the power. He then wonders if he really did it, since he knows the smash connected, he knows he did it.

As the smoke clears, we see the nomu lurking over Izuku, totally unharmed by the attack. We get a thin panel showing the nomu’s dead eye, as Izuku looks up in worry. His thoughts are a frazzled mess, first realizing the speed, then a half-finished thought on when the nomu moved, and then the slowly dawning realization (and fear) that the attack didn’t work. 

He flashes back to Tsuyu’s comment on the yacht, that the villains must have figured out a way to kill All Might, otherwise why show up just to get beaten. Izuku is in disbelief, because it’s one thing to accept that as theory, but another to realize it’s absolutely true. Shigaraki notes that that’s quite a move Izuku just pulled off… and with a ‘smash’ too. He then asks if Izuku’s a fan of All Might. Izuku tries to pull away, but the nomu already has him by the arm as Shigaraki shrugs off his own question with a casual ‘whatever’. 

God, just, the silence of this page and all the ‘in the moment’ snippets that show everything happening pretty much at once. 

Tsuyu shoves Shigaraki’s hand away as she lashes out ith her tongue to try and grab Izuku. Aizawa is shown to be passed out on the ground. We see Shigaraki reaching back out to kill both Tsuyu and Mineta as the nomu holds Izuku in place, Tsuyu’s tongue still not even managing to reach Izuku yet. 

The doors at the front of the USJ are literally blasted from the doorway like shots out of a cannon. The kids who were still up there by the door are all relieved as they look at their savior - All Might. 

And that’s the end of the chapter - and of volume two. Supplementary material to follow. 

Man, just imagine being someone who only reads the manga when the volumes come out. Can you imagine being left on this cliffhanger for who knows how many months? Couldn’t be me. And the cliffhangers are only gonna get worse from here on out!

[ichinoue]

Hey, so I wanna get into Bleach, but I’m unsure if I should begin with the anime or the manga? Most start with the anime, but I don’t appreciate it cutting out important scenes for the sake of “fan service” (esp. for the toxicity known as the I/R fandom) & the excessive filler. However, I don’t wanna read the manga without imagining the official voices & sometimes I get fidgety while reading, so I might not pay attention to the plot very well if I only read it. What should I do?

hmmmm so this might seem like a strange suggestion but I think it would be a good idea to watch the first 2 episodes just to get a sense of the characters voices and stuff, then switch to the manga for the first arc, which is AotS, the agent of the shinigami, from chapters 1-59. I just think the manga did a better job of introducing the characters in that arc than the anime did (particularly when it comes to Orihime). Then, you could switch back to the anime where you left off in the manga, which would be episode 18. That’s when the plot really starts to ramp up and transitions into the next arc, the soul society arc, and I actually think the anime did an amazing job with that arc. It’s very suspenseful and well paced and the soundtrack SLAPS lmao, and it will keep you on your toes so you don’t get too fidgety while reading. I remember when I got a friend into bleach (we watched the anime together because she doesn’t read manga at all ) and she didn’t seem super interested until the SS arc started, then she was like glued to the screen. And the IR fanservice isn’t as bad in the SS arc as it was in the first arc of the anime. After that arc is complete, you can decide which you liked better: reading the bleach manga or watching the anime and continue from there! Because after the SS arc, the arrancar and hueco mundo arcs begin and the anime got better at that point about not cutting out/downplaying IH as much while hyping up IR all the time (probably because the arrancar arc and onwards is so IH heavy that they finally realized where the romance in the story was heading lmao). The bleach wiki also has an episode list: https://bleach.fandom.com/wiki/Episodes

You could use that to see which manga chapters correspond with which episode (just click on the episode name and it gives the chapters it covers in the side panel). It also tells you which episodes and arcs are filler if you want to skip those.

Or if that sounds too confusing to switch back and forth between the mediums like that and you’d rather just watch the anime but you don’t want to miss out on any IH moments the anime may have cut out, I made a list of every IH moment in the manga found here  so as you watch you can refer to that and see if there’s any moments that don’t sound familiar, or just to compare how the scene was in the manga to how it was animated.

Anyway, I hope this helps!

[ohkiyo]

pairing: Semi Eita x Reader

warnings: slight manga spoiler, mentions of the characters' future occupation, alcohol consumption.

word count: 5.2k

a/n: This story was inspired by this picture I found on Pinterest. Also, try to see which part of the story my vocabulary decided to fail me.

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    shiratorizawa navigation || main navigation

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Pushing the glass door open, your heels click behind you as you walk through the hallway, your bag hanging on your shoulder, a cup of steaming hot coffee on one hand and your coat on the other. Greeting the workers who have arrived early and some of the utility workers you walk pass as they clean the office to prepare for the day.

Entering your office, you sat down on your desk placing your bag on one of the empty chairs beside you and arranging the papers on your desk as you finish your coffee. Swinging in your swivel chair side to side, watching through the glass divider as people walk past, chatting amongst each other as they ready themselves for another day at the office. 

You watch as your friend, Utsumi Himari, enters and sat herself down on her own desk, a sigh leaving her lips as she brushes her hair out of her eyes. Her hair looking disheveled, her face bare of any make-up she usually wore for work, and her blouse tucked halfway in.

"Did you slept in?" you ask, motioning to her state as she pulls out a brush from her bag. You stood up, walking over to her and taking the brush and combing her hair while she does her make-up.

"Sleep through all three of my alarms" she answered applying a red lipstick and topping it with some gloss then finishing her look by spritzing herself with her perfume as you tie her hair into a neat bun. Giving it a pat once you have finish tying it.

"Maybe we should really do buy that travelwey home LED digital alarm clock we saw on Amazon" you walk back to your desk, grab the remote and turned on the air conditioner “Let’s see if you’ll still sleep in then”

Your friend just laughs as she fully tucks in her blouse and slipping in her coat and turning on her computer.

"What were you even doing last night anyway?" you leaned back in your chair, clasping your hands together and resting it on your stomach. She types her password in her computer before she turned to you fully, a knowing look on her face and somehow you know what she's going to answer.

"Talking to some guys on my DMs" she grinned at you as you try to resist the groan from leaving your lips. Picking up a crumpled piece of paper and throwing it at her, only for her to catch it easily. "...and speaking of guys, I want you to meet some of them, they're really nice"

You let out a sigh, tuning her out as she starts rambling on about the men she had been talking to in the dead of the night, choosing to focus on your computer. She had been trying to set you up with some guys for the last couple of months, saying how you should be dating already now that you’re in your mid-twenties. 

You don't mind it really, she means well and you appreciate her effort because even you yourself couldn't deny the fact that you wanted to have a boyfriend as well. Unfortunately, the men she introduces to you weren't really clicking, there was just no spark, as what they would call it.

"Hey, (Y/n) are you listening?"

You straighten up in your chair and you nodded your head "Y-yeah" you didn't even realize you were just mindlessly refreshing your emails while your friend was talking earlier.

The door to your office opened, as one of your supervisors entered "Utsumi, do you have the reports Umeda sent?"

Himari nodded her head, pushing back her chair as she opens one of the drawers beside her desk and pulled out a thick banded paper and giving it to your superior.

"Thank you" she sat down on one of the chairs placed in front of the desk as she skimmed through the papers, humming once in a while when she sees something she likes and frowning when she reads something questionable or wrong.

"Oh right, our bonds are scheduled for renewal in two days and our usual representative is on leave" she looks up from the papers she was reading "Is there anyone you know that's available right now?"

"I'll go" you volunteered "I can go to the Finance Bureau right now. I've finished all my work yesterday, so I'm free"

"Thank you so much (L/n), the folder with all the requirements is in my office" she stood up from the chair walking out of your office as you followed after her. Waving your friend goodbye as she continues doing her work alone.

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The big white building came into view as the Japanese Flag hanging from the flag pole waves along with the wind. You parked your car, checking your appearance one last time before grabbing your needed things, and stepping out of the vehicle. Walking up the ramp and entering the air-conditioned building, soft instrumental music playing in one of the speakers, installed in the building's lobby.

There were two offices one on the right and one on the left, and since it was your first time you don’t really know which one to go, you could’ve asked the receptionist as the front desk but you could see that no one was there. Following your instinct, you chose the one on the left as it was the one with people going in and out with folders, envelopes, and some other documents in hand.

An intern greets you, a student intern to be exact, flashing you a smile as she gestured for you to take a seat at one of the chairs.

“Is this for the bonding?” you inquired, just to make sure you were in the right department.

"Yes ma'am, new or renewal?"

"Renewal" she gave you a pink-colored paper and your priority number, filling in the information needed while waiting for the man who you assume was the one in charge for bonding finish talking to his current client, once he was done. He called onto the next one and you stood up, walk over to his desk, and sat down on the chair the previous was occupying.

"From what agency ma'am?" he looked up from the paper he was reading and you were finally able to have a clear look at him. Your breath hitch in your throat as you stared at the beautiful man in front of you.

You cleared your throat, adjusting yourself in your seat "Japan National Bank"

He looks down on his paper again and started flipping through it, not noticing the barely noticeable blush on his cheeks as well. You look around the room for a moment, distracting yourself from this handsome man in front of you. He has ash-blond hair, neatly arranged on his head and piercing brown eyes, his facial features were sharp, a bit intense if you might say, but there’s just some sort of gentleness underneath it, and it was very attractive in your opinion.

"May I see your requirements" you pulled out all the papers from your folder and gave it to him. Watching as he laid them in front of him, checking everything especially the signatures. He returned them to you and started writing on the pink paper you gave him as you neatly place your documents back inside your folder.

"Kurokawa" he called and the student you were talking to a while ago stood up and walk over "Can you please look for Ma'am Takeuchi and have her signed these two" he gestured to the two spaces reserve for signatures with his pen as the girl nodded her head and went to do her task.

As you move to another chair, you notice that they have a lot of student interns here. In the department alone where you are right now, they have at least five, probably because they're always busy entertaining clients, and you saw at least three more walk pass.

You were confused at first but then you realize that this branch of the Finance Bureau was smaller. From what you remembered before when you came here for a meeting, there were only 20 employees working, and with it being a government agency, they are always busy and always processing documents, meaning paperwork after paperwork, so they need all the help they need.

Moments later the girl came back telling something to him as he called you over once again "The persons for the last two signatures are not here right now” he gave to you the paper as you look at the two names with no signatures “They're currently in Miyagi for a meeting. Can you come back again on Monday?"

You nodded your head, inwardly feeling happy at the fact that you have a valid reason to come back and see him again "Of course, so after I pay for this at the bank I can keep the paper?" you wave the pink paper in your hand.

"Yes, bring it again on Monday when you come back so we can have it signed"

He smiled at you, it was small, just a simple close lip smile but you felt your heart skip a beat. You had to will yourself to stand up and walk out, but the fact that there were no more clients in waiting were proving it very hard. However, you still have to go back and report to your supervisor, thanking him you walk out of the door.  

You look over your shoulder, just to have a look at him one last time but what you did not expect was for him to already be looking. His smile still on his face, he lifts his hand for a wave as you returned the gesture not noticing the glass door and accidentally hitting it with your whole body. Embarrass, you didn't even look up to see their reaction as you push the door open and sprint towards your car, heels be damned, you just want to hide yourself.

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“We’re still going to that newly opened bar tonight right?” you ask as both you and Himari walk towards your car, swinging your keys on your index finger.

“Yep” she chirp, a skip on her step as you opened your car “Remember that band I’ve been talking about?” 

You nodded, starting the engine and going out into the road “They’ll be performing at that bar tonight and I wanted to come see them live. Oh (Y/n) you’re going to love them, their frontman has a really good voice. Not to mention they’re all good looking too”

She pokes you on the arm while lifting her eyebrows up and down, you smiled shrugging your shoulders in response. Silently challenging her, now that it was Friday you were more than willing to indulge in your friend’s shenanigans, and who knows, you might find someone in that bar tonight. But you can still never forgot of the man you met this morning, his appearance etch into your mind.

You drove through the traffic back to your apartment, taking a shower and dressing yourselves up before going to the bar to start your Friday night escapades.

"It's nice" you commented, walking across the wooden floor and taking a seat on the table just in front of the stage. The waiter taking your orders as the staff prepares the stage for the night's performers. 

"Right? This might be my new favorite" she took her phone and snap a few photos and posting it on her socials. The tables being slowly filled up by people, tables filled with bottles or buckets of alcohol, and a plate of hot steaming food accompanying the cold drinks. 

"It's starting" you turned your chair so you could look at the stage properly, the lights going low as you can see silhouettes of the performers standing on stage.

Karadajuu no saibou ni hi wo okosu you ni Meippai ni kuuki wo suikonda

Your ears perked at the voice, it was smooth, a bit deep but it goes so well with the tune of the song.

Chi to ase wo nie ni  akogare wo seika ni FURU BORYUUMU de sakebe yo

You were familiar with the song; it was one of the many classics you play in your room during your college days while cleaning up, doing your chores, or studying.

Hikare are!

All the lights turned on and you were finally able to have a proper look at who was the frontman, and you have to say, he was pretty good looking. His hair was tousled, strands sticking out front each side. His choice of attire was a bit unusual, a long fur coat, black jeans, and blacks boots and you could even see a cross necklace hanging from his neck, but who were you to judge? It looks good on him anyway.

Himari pulled you from your seat and towards the open space in front of the stage where the other customers in the bar were already jamming to the song. Jumping and singing along, the both of you weave through the crowd. Standing at the very front and screaming along to the lyrics of the song.

One of the guitarists kneeled down at the area where your friend was standing and blew her a kiss, laughing at her dumbstruck reaction, you just pat her back as she slowly turns to you, mouth agape, her hands clutching her dress. Your eyes move to focus on the singer once again, to see that he was looking at you already. You two shared eye contact him singing the lyrics before he shot you a smile and a wink.

You grinned back at him, getting even more hyped up jumping along with the crowd, screaming the lyrics from the top of your lungs. You downed the last bit of your drink, you don’t even care anymore, it’s Friday, you were going to enjoy the night and no one was stopping you.

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You were now sitting in the bar counter, another drink in hand. You were feeling a bit tipsy now, but you can still think straight, you have no idea where your friend went though. You hum along to the song that another band was now performing; you took a sip of your drink, the cold drink going down smoothly in your throat.

You felt someone slid down in the seat beside you “Enjoying yourself?” the person asks as you turn your head to see the same guy that was just rocking it at the stage a while ago. 

“Yes” you smiled at him, turning your body to face him properly and sticking out your hand “I’m (L/n) Y/n) by the way”

He took your hand and giving it a firm shake “Semi Eita"

"That was a really good performance you know, your voice is really good"

"Really? Thank you" he smiled at you, now that you have a closer look at him, you could see that the tips if his hair were dyed black, which you find cool by the way since you could never pull it off. However, what really caught your attention was how he looks eerily similar to the guy you saw earlier, you can never be too sure, it was just probably the alcohol messing with you.

"You know, I feel like I've seen you from somewhere" you point your finger at him, racking your brain for anything.

"A look-alike probably" he offered as you nod your head in agreement.

After that, both of you just keep talking to each other, sharing some stories from when both of you were still students, and becoming quite surprised at some of the things you learned from each other.

"Wait, wait. So you're telling me you went to Shiratorizawa in high school? And was a part of the school's volleyball club?"

“Yeah”

"What was I doing in high school?" you whispered as you run a hand through your hair and tugging on it "We were literally schoolmates and I've never heard of you? Members of the boys' VBC is famous around school!"

He snorts, waving his hand in dismissal "Shiratorizawa's a pretty big school, not everyone knows us"

"But still..." you trailed off, as you scrunch up your face thoughtfully. If only you were a bit more socially active back in high school, attending events, and whatnot, you would have probably met him years ago. You shook your head, finishing your final drink and placing the glass back on the counter.

"Hey..." he taps your arm then pointing to a table just at the corner; far away from other people "Is that your friend?"

He was referring to the couple making out at a table on a dimly lit part of the bar, you could not really see their face properly but the dress the girl was wearing and the hairstyle gave it away that it was your friend. Your jaw drops, watching as she sits on the guy's lap, his hand wrap around her waist, shamelessly sucking at each other’s faces at a crowded bar.

"...and that's your bandmate" you realize that it was the guitarist guy who blew her a kiss during their performance. 

Turning away from the scene, you stood up, collecting your bag and letting out a sheepish chuckle "Guess I'll be going home alone tonight then"

He stood up as well, pocketing his hands "I'll walk you out"

Both of you exited the bar, walking out into the crowded streets, maneuvering through the people walking by.

"I really enjoyed myself tonight, thank you" you smiled at him taking a piece of paper and a pen from your bag and writing down your number "Text me when you can?"

He took the paper, folding it neatly and pocketing it "Definitely"

Stepping back as a taxi pulled up in front of the both of you. You went in, waving him goodbye as the taxi drove back to your apartment.

You pulled out your phone from your bag, sending your friend a quick text before a message from an unknown number entered.

From: Unknown

Be safe, text me when you get home :)

-Semi

You grinned, sending him a quick reply, and saving his number under the name Mr. Punk Rockstar

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Semi stared at the picture on his phone, a picture of him in his get-up when doing his gig before swiping to another picture of him at work. He kept swiping left and right, taking a proper look at each picture to see the difference.

'Do I really look that different?' he thought taking one last look before closing his phone and placing it on the table. His friends told him so many times before how he was like a completely different person when he���s at the office working and when he’s out doing his gigs.

He took out a mug from the lower drawers on his desk and a Tupperware from his bag before standing up and walking towards the pantry. The good thing though, both of you exchange many messages during the weekend, and you even sent him a good morning text moments after he woke up, which was a good way to start the day.

"Good morning Semi-san" he smiled at the students sitting at the table, greeting them back as he continued preparing his coffee before taking a seat.

"You guys are early" he said, opening the Tupperware he was carrying to reveal a very delicious stack of fried dumplings "Help yourselves"

"We didn't want to get caught in the morning rush" Kurokawa replied, as she took a dumpling and bit on it.

"It was already packed when we got to the station, it was so crowded" 

"It’s a good thing I have a car then" they laugh before he asks them again "So how's school?"

They all collective groan and he could only smile at them, listening as they rant about the stress they were currently experiencing, from their thesis, to their other academics, and to their other requirements. Just by listening to them he could feel just how exhausting it was, he was a student before and he knows just how demanding school can be.

'I wonder how Tsutomu's doing' he thought biting into a piece of dumpling 'Kenjirou and Taichi too, I told them to update me when they can'

He gave himself a mental note to call his three juniors later, even though they're not in the same school anymore nor playing in the same team. They still manage to keep their friendship going strong, they were a tight-knit group, after all the things they went through back in high school, and when everyone was free, they'd have a get-together and check how everyone's doing, giving each other updates on what’s happening in their lives.

They continued conversing with amongst themselves as more employees arrive and when it was near 8, they stood up, cleaned their mess, wash the mugs, and went to their respective departments, all ready to tackle the day.

It took his spot in his desk, calling the clients that were already waiting.

"Good morning" he smiled, as you took a seat.

"Good morning"

"I'm here to give this back for the signatures, and the receipt from the payment is also there" he nodded his head taking the paper from your hand.

"Okay, I'll give this to Ma'am Takeuchi. I'll be back"

With that he left, disappearing into the back where the table for the department’s head was placed. It was a good thing you decided to come in early because you were the only client there so far.

You notice that there was an organizational chart on the wall just above his computer, their pictures, names, and position displayed for everyone to see. You search for his picture, immediately reading his name.

Semi Eita it read and you remembered that you had met a person that is in a band with the same name. Your eyebrows furrowed, as you fish your phone from your bag and opened a photo you took with him last Friday. You leaned to the side, so you could have a proper look at him standing beside his superior’s table while she signed the papers. He had his back turned to you back you can clearly see the dyed tips, similar to the ones the guy on the picture has. 

The hair color was the same the only difference was the way they styled it. Their height was the same and body build, and when he turned around was when you finally realize.

It really was him.

"Okay here you go" he gave it back to you as you place it inside the folder you were carrying. Thanking him and walking out but not before sending him a quick text.

Semi felt his phone vibrate in his pocket,

From: (Y/n)

Imagine my surprise when I found out that this was you.

It read with a picture of him in his band get up attach below. Semi chuckled typing in his reply before going back to work.

Let's talk about it later, want to have dinner with me?

From: (Y/n)

I'd love to. :)

«──────────── « ⋅ʚ♡ɞ⋅ » ────────────»

You sat there an amused smile on your face, your eyes twinkling with mirth as Semi just stared back at you. 

"What?”

You just shook your head, placing your elbow on the table and resting your chin on your palm "Now that I have a proper look at you, your face does look different. Like…" you gestured to his whole face "…just a few tweaks with your hair and you're already a completely different person"

"Oh really?" Semi cocks an eyebrow at you.

"Yes!" you exclaimed "I never realize I was actually talking to the same person" you chuckled, leaning back on your chair and crossing your legs.

Semi runs a hand through his hair, messing up its neat and arrange style as it goes back to its usual messy state "Still different?"

"Now you just look like a punk rockstar trying hard to look like a common salaryman" You leaned forward taking a lock of his hair and twirling it on your finger "Maybe I should start calling you Mr. Punk Rockstar"

Semi groaned, palming his face as he shook his head "God please no, my friend use to call me punk team mom"

"Well, now mom had an upgrade" You grinned at him watching as the server arrives with a tray filled with your order and carefully placing it on the table.

After that dinner date, both of you fell in the routine of having dinner together at least once a week, which later turned into twice a week, until he was coming over to your house and eating your homecooked meals. 

Staying over the night when the weekend comes and accompanying him to his gigs when he has any. It was safe to say that both of you were mutually attracted to each other.

Even your friend says so.

"He's definitely in love with you, he's just taking things slow to make sure you're comfortable" was what she had said one time when you talk to her about your relationship standing with Semi "It's hard to find guys like him these days, so don't let him get away"

So you headed her advice and waited.

Right now, both of you were in a bar. One that was in between a university and some corporate buildings. Walking towards the bar counter, both of you sat down, looking at the menu for the drinks they serve, some music playing in the background as the tables in the middle were already packed with stressed-out office workers concluding their week with numerous bottles of alcohol.

"Good evening, what can I get you?"

Semi almost wants to slap himself when he saw the bartender on duty 'I forgot Taichi works part-time here'

He took a glance at Kawanishi, who was already side-eyeing him his lips curling up into a smile as he waited for you to place your order.

"I'd like the margarita please" Kawanishi wrote it down on a notepad he’s holding as he turned his attention to Semi.

"The piña colada for me"

The ginger-haired boy nodded his head and started gathering the ingredients for the drinks.

"I'll be right back, I need to go the comfort room" Semi nodded his head as you walk away, disappearing into a corner.

"So..." Kawanishi started "Is she your girlfriend or just a friend?" pouring the drink into a glass and sliding it over to him before he starts preparing your drink.

Semi pause for a moment, realizing just now, what really is your relationship with him? Both of you were obviously beyond the territory of friendship, those countless nights of you two making out on his couch and in his bed, was definitely one of the many reasons "Honestly, I don't even know anymore"

"Well better put a label on it then before someone snatch her away"

Semi cocked an eyebrow at him, sipping his drink "Since when were you giving love advice?"

"It comes with the job apparently" Kawanishi place your drink in front of your seat, taking a clean rug and wiping his hand on it. Semi chuckled, finding it ironic how the most aloof member of the club, who refuses to talk to anyone aside from the first string members is working in a bar. A place where entertaining customers and talking to them is part of the job description.

College really did change them for the better from what he had noticed, Kawanishi's becoming more open with everyone, a bit more talkative in his opinion, Shirabu got a little nicer and Goshiki wasn't that overexcited, oblivious kouhai he used to remember. He was grown now and more mature, more aware of the things happening in the world.

"By the way, do you know where's Kenjirou?"

"I'm here" they snap there head to see the mentioned boy standing there, bags under his eyes, and his hair a mess.

"I thought you passed out in a coffee shop somewhere" Kawanishi teased "The usual?"

Shirabu nodded his head, letting out a yawn as he situated himself on the seat beside yours "I'm drinking all my problems away tonight" then he pointed at Semi "and since you're here you're paying"

He was wrong, Shirabu definitely did not become nicer.

"I’m back sorry I took long" you sat back down on your seat and taking a sip of your drink as Shirabu cock an eyebrow, tired eyes observing your interactions with his former teammate before turning his attention to Kawanishi for an explanation who only shook his head and passing him his drink.

So he stayed silent, he can ask for the details later opting to watch the both of you slowly get drunk, and hoping that something entertaining might happen. Drinks after drinks were ordered, some were alcoholic, some were not, and the funny thing is, you were the one mostly drinking it all. While Semi had settled himself with his second glass of piña colada.

"I think it's time we go home" you giggled, letting out a hiccup as you slowly stood up from your seat. Grabbing Semi’s hand for support as he took out his wallet and paid for the both of your drinks and Shirabus then leaving a hefty tip for Kawanishi, who was more than grateful with the extra income, whispering to himself "Finally, I can buy real food"

He waves them goodbye, as he escorts you out of the establishment. A hand on your waist as he carries your bag for you.

"Semi" you slurred, catching his attention as you stop walking. Turning your body to face him, holding both of his hands and giving it a squeeze "What are we? Like what do we call this?”

He frowned, biting his lip as he removes his hand from your hold and cupping your cheek, remembering what Kawanishi said to him a while ago “To be honest, I wanted to ask you the same thing but I’m scared you’ll run away” he rests his forehead on yours “So let me ask you”

He looks at you in the eye “Will you be my girlfriend?”

You smiled at him “Yes”

«──────────── « ⋅ʚ♡ɞ⋅ » ────────────»

The next morning you woke to your head pounding, a groan leaving your lips as the sunlight peeking through the curtains hurting your eyes. You sat up looking around the room and noticing that you were in Semi’s bedroom.

"Good morning" Semi greeted, walking into the room with a glass of water and a pill in hand. He sat on the edge of the bed, the mattress dipping at his weight “How are you feeling?”

“I feel like I got hit by a truck” you massage your temple, taking the water and pill from him. Hoping that it would at least alleviate your headache.

“Well, you did drink a lot last night” he reminded you, walking to the window and adjusting the curtains. The room becoming a bit darker as you let out a sigh of relief.

“Did I do something stupid?”

“Unfortunately, no”

 You punch him on the shoulder pulling his hand as you laid back down under the covers, too lazy to get out of bed and do something productive.

“Did you remember what happened last night?” he asks, looking at you as he rests his hand on your cheek caressing his with his thumb “Before we went home?”

“Of course” you scooted forward, pressing a kiss to his lips “I’m more than happy to call you my boyfriend”

He drops his hand to your waist, pulling you even closer as he captures your lips into a kiss.

«──────────── « ⋅ʚ♡ɞ⋅ » ────────────»

a/n: This one took a lot longer than expected, everytime I sat down so I could finish it. I always find myself getting distracted.

[bionicdragonguardian1]

Ranma 2/4

Part  Two: Chapter 13 - 25

Unless someone comes up with a better name I’m sticking with this one

HOW tf is the principal crazier than before?!

Yup, spreading out the Kuno-Principal thing

Is Sasuke seriously an anime-only?!?

Like I said Ryoga needs to chill a little first

Main reason I don’t like Ukyo That scene where she blatantly states she’s fine with turning Ranma into something he’s not rather than helping him

(Ignoring the near constant amount of undermining his abilities)

“I’m gonna cheer him up” as she holds a sword! Why?!

 Ranma you dummy, hug Akane!

I hate this demon/ghost cat

Shampoo, you manipulative bitch

Akane learns to swim like a normal person

The lifeguard in me can’t do it

 The principal is background shenanigans

Totally forgot about the kid who wants to play video games and is “weak” bc of it

Definitely need to find a different reason tho

 Lazy little shits are a pain

Also his mom is crap

 Akane… why you be dumb?

 Weird Happosai is Santa plot…

What is with the Excalibur meets lucky 1000 meets fairy godmother?

Good news is, with what I’ve done to Kuno’s understanding of Ranma’s curse Ranma knows Kuno wouldn’t give him that wish and calls it quits sooner

Someone just needs to explain Ranma’s really confusing sense of morality to me

 Cuz it’s either on 110% or it’s nonexistent, now normally nonexistent is for Kuno but still

 Look Ranma’s got ego problems but he ain’t stupid

No betting the Tendo Dojo at five!

 On what planet is that a legal document?!?

Some1 tell me why Shampoo using Ranma as a stop ramp bugs me so bad

That mo when you can’t remember if the Hot Spring Challenge is when Ukyo met Shampoo in the anime…

I don’t think so…

Akane you made me need to google a word

That like never happens Ranma you idiot

So close but so far

So much more logic, thanks

I mean more insanity, but it explains why Ranma swapped clothes

Finally! Ranma apologizes

Jesus Christ someone would think I won the goddamn lotto with how loud I cheered when this happened

600% approve of this over what happened in the anime

Oof poor Ranma

Hahahaha in your face Shampoo, but I also think I know why Ranma chose it

Poor Ryoga

I KNEW this guy was coming I still hate it

YEET you can’t PAY ME to  do this arc

Look, is it the fact that I had etiquette and dance classes as a child and everyone assumed this is what it was like? Probably.

It wasn’t so I won’t.

Any1 else notice how Nabiki is one of the few ppl that uses she/her when Ranma is in his cursed form no matter what?

Why does this bug me?

Akane, stop beating Ranma up, honestly

This is closer to abuse rather than teasing

*sighs*

 Gotta work that out of the narrative, intentional or not

Every1 sayin she’s violent isn’t helping

Like I said really fucking morally GREY Nabiki

How grey can you go before you get black? 

 Let’s find out together

Can everyone PLEASE stop treating Ranma like an object?!

 I literally can’t tell if Nabiki is fucking Aro or not…

STRESS

Why is this so hard?!

I hate seeing Akane cry

I know she’s playing Ranma like a kazoo, but the point still stands

WHY ARE YOU TWO SO DUMB?!

Nope, nevermind it’s just Ranma that’s a fuckin idiot I blame Genma

No, I’m not kidding

*sighs* I don’t condone Nabiki doing this in any way just for the record THAT’S not an apology Ranma!

This mess is totally your fault Nabiki

STRESS

am I intentionally pointing out where this work of fiction is stressing me out since I’m now online schooling and suffering for it? Yes, fuck off.

 Actually, don’t.

But Fuck Covid19

Aww his hat’s back!

Why do I love his hat so much?

No, seriously Akane’s so cute!

Oooww tree

y’know the sec she realized what Ranma was doing Nabiki should’ve TOLD him!

Congrats Ranma ya got the wrong sis- I mean the right- but wrong- dammit y’know what I mean

Some1 give me a logical explanation for why Ranma goes on a date with a panda doodle, PLEASE

I do appreciate the epic battle background fight for the anime

Further proof that Happosai sucks

Manga name’s somehow less believable I think it’s the use of “snowman” rather than “yeti”

Did Soun just find out that Pchan is Ryoga, and say nothing?

Ooo, Imma commit arson

Remember when I said obey Physics and Medical, I meant it

Arson is wrong and I know this but “transgender bitch” crosses the line

I will do it

Shampoo is a fucking yandere psycho

Just sayin “we’ll see who can get him first” 

honestly, any other group and I’d be annoyed, but these four can’t work together for shit I

’m still pissed at Taro, but he can kill Happosai, please

I can’t tell if Shampoo, Mousse and Ryoga are being purposefully obtuse or not

I just reread their names I know the answer to at least two of them

Idk how I feel about Kuno-amnesia we’ll see

yep, Kuno gives me the creeps w or w/out his memories

kinda wish this was anime

jesus christ, poor Ranma

press f to pay respects for Ranma’s stomach

InstaRegret

 Also Ukyo’s assumption that some1 can make Ranma doing anythin he doesn’t want to is crap

Like HELLO! Wake up moron!

Nabiki, I mean this in the nicest way possible, shut the fuck up

You’re making it worse

Also TALK to each other you ding dongs!

OH RIGHT! I almost forgot about the biggest fucking insult that Ukyo said of her own freewill!

It also proves that she doesn’t know Ranma as a person AT ALL!

It’s not a pick one or the other kind of thing

The fact that she thinks Ranma would accept that is insulting

The fact that she thinks that is insulting and makes me hate the patriarchy

Again, treating him like a prize than a person

*tries not scream, sighs*

Nabiki, you’re the cause of at least 30% of the stress I get from this

You having feelings ain’t the fucking problem here Ukyo, you not acknowledging Ranma’s is

 I hate fake criers, anyone who does this I hate you

Always let others in on your plans, kids

When’s every1 gonna realize Ranma’s “wishy-washy” cuz no one’s ever committed to HIM before?

This episode confused me, I’m prepared to be MORE confused

Less confused, I’m surprised

 Gonsunkugi, you creep

There is SO much wrong with this

*shudders*

WHAT?!

Y’know I didn’t think Gosunkugi could surprise me, I was wrong

Happosai still sucks unfortunately for all of us he’s now weird on top of it

I love how much Ranma needs to be kicked in the teeth to get any character development out of him

Ryoga is my #1 choice for it, always

Ranma… why are you like this?

Genma, emotional range of a goddamn wall

I am jealous of Ranma’s brain

I could be SO mean with the Shishihokodan

Also, are they implying that Ryoga has depression?

Gimme Ranma’s brain

I won’t ask for his confidence cuz that’s impossible but I want his brain

In Akane’s defense, given what she knows she couldn’t’ve known how badly that would affect Ryoga

 I ain’t gonna say “leave Shampoo” cuz that’s cruel

I like the “turn into a Cat” rather than the “Can’t Cross” & the use of New Year’s rather than random but this still brings around the fact that she doesn’t LISTEN to him

Mousse you’re NOT helping in fact you’re actively making it worse did you miss when he said blatantly “I don’t wanna”

oh, sure, NOW you’re ok with it

ugh Mousse, you have a brain, I’ve SEEN you use it. Do so now.

This entire episode weirded me out

IDK if it’s the age-dff or the fact that he was makin it up and somehow everyone thought this was okay … 

I won’t YEET it but MASSIVELY change

heheheh

Light bulb

NOPE I’m keeping this surprise to myself

it was a rather sweet end tho

Oh, this episode is a mess and a half, honestly

Also Nabiki, congrats you’ve literally enabled a stalker S

o many laws are broken here

okay, so Kodachi not being in on Ranma’s secret after so long makes sense purely because she doesn’t go to their school

however, with what i’ve done to make Kuno marginally less dumb it makes a little bit less sense…

I literally hate Kuno with what I’ve done to his logic of Ranma’s transformation, but that’s the point Kodachi… how do I handle you… oh, duh!

Ok, so Kodachi is now also terrible

 I’m trying to figure out where this is in the plot since there is ZERO

Ok, there’s a LINE, Nabiki

This one would be touching, if it didn’t end the way it does

TALK gentlemen! 

It won’t kill you

Fuck a parent that says they’re not your parent for no reason, EVER

I am going to make this hurt

 Also gonna take out Genma’s fail at stealth

 Remember I said Akane’s going to learn to cook

heheheh

sorry, I just love this idea

Oh this is SO against the rules it’s not even funny

 tiny adjustment so they actually have quasi-competent referees

Crazy wants crazy?I won’t stop ‘em

I reiterate: CHEATING!

I am aware that the “ending” apparently sets them back to the start in terms of their relationship but I swear to God if they pretend shit like this didn’t happen I will scream

 Someone ships something other than Akane x Ranma PLEASE explain why/how

don’t ship bash but I would insight when you explain 

STICK TO CANON

please trust me, I’m a multi/poly/crack shipper

(for frame of reference to a bnha I ship DabiHawks)

I understand the appeal of Fanon

however, I would like to stick to Canon here

so no Fanon

Canon Only

Fully love that high kick

Genma shows Ranma’s secret here, but they already know… so… I shall find out

Ooo, you’re not getting out of this Ranma

Do you know how tempting it is for Akane to at least tell Ranma she’s a girl- oh wait gendered sports… right…

Ranma… 

if you didn’t realize it was Akane when she hit you for calling her klutzy I can’t help you

I want to commit arson at some of the comments…

but can confirm that these are HS boys

 Doesn’t mean I gotta like it

I was wondering how long I was going to have to wait before tearing into Nodoka

FINALLY

Took me WAY too long to remember that Nodoka calling Ranko tomboyish is due to how he speaks in Japanese

I’ll need to figure that out since… English

Can I explode on Genma’s choice to take Ranma at TWO?!

Can I further explode on both of them for making a TWO YEAR OLD “sign” a Seppuku Pledge?!

I hate both of them, honest

ALSO communication! 

Genma! Just fucking TELL HIM!

Making her transphobic is SO tempting

I don’t mean in a “i hate you” way I mean in a “I sheltered my whole life” way

 It’s still bad, and painful, but she can easily learn from that

Or be worse, this could go 2 ways

I feel so bad for Akane for this entire conversation

Also poor Ranma like ouch… 

 Awkward

I’m going to make this hurt something fierce

Slight change since I’m hoping Ranma isn’t as “peak fight or flight” by this point

Genma don’t be an asshole for FIVE MINUTES

Please, that’s all I want

If she doesn’t learn the truth before the end I will make a bad decision

Really, I will

Don’t kill Genma, you can’t

 Akane, don’t say like you wouldn’t… honestly

Don’t look a gift horse in the mouth, honestly, just look the other way Ranma

*sigh* 

Ranma…

See, this kind of crap here is why I really don’t like Cologne

any other day Akane’d be right

oof, that means he self aware that girls flock to him

I’m quite frustrated by that if I’m honest

Ranma is clueless about all the wrong things

I love him but God I wanna punch him sometimes

Why is there a swing from the ceiling?!

I had a jolt from the way they set that panel up, thanks

Are you trying to kill me?!

Thank you Cologne, now fuck off

Oh thank God, at least he learned

This is nonanime stuff so I have no clue what’s happening but anything to make Happosai miserable

I’m enjoying this immensely

 ugh, “think of it as a compliment” ghost

Eat me

 okay, yeah, as much as I want him dead, that’s worse

I’m glad he’s not a one-and-done character

I will forever ONLY call him Taro when it is NonDialogue

Wait Saffron as in big-bad Saffron?

I literally only know pieces of the end so I’m just pulling from what I know

Lol, wait… was that soldier Anime only too?

I almost liked you there for a sec Taro

Now I’m pissed again

bravo

Oh, YIKES

… if Ranma falls into the Spring of Drowned Twins would he split?

 I’m not going to DO IT, obviously!

I’m just curious okay… 

that answers that… and kills anyone other than Ranma’s plan to turn back to normal I hope everyone is aware of that

oof

Since when is there a castle on an island in Japan

tis just a scratch, I’ll admit that was funny

Ranma… your stomach gets you in so many problems

ok, that was wholesome

I approve

Okay, so my understanding is that Mrs. Tendo got sick, so I can understand the reactions to Kasumi

BUT I still find it odd because… well… anyone in my house gets sick and you mostly can’t even tell I mean, minus a worse attitude and a mask, other than that though, nope we keep ‘er movin’

 I’m moving this section sooner EVEN IF IT KILLS ME!

I like her mom’s cookbook tho

I could make a Ranma x Ryoga joke here, but I won’t

I also won’t make a Ranma x Ryoga joke chapter cuz I’m nice like that

Actually I might have no choice

I’m FINE just dying

 Help

my multishipper heart is dying here

 I love this

InstaRegret for THREE people

If nothing else, I’m impressed

(well three once Ranma’s back to normal)

I need help

Fangirling/Fanboying/Fanpeopling is dangerous folks, remember that

Poor Ryoga

Though I too feel that right now like where do I look because everything coming in at mach 6

I’m changing that one scene tho cuz I can’t justify the aftermath without it

This… is… weird to say the least

I feel like I should just expect anything with Gosunkugi remotely involved to be weird at this point

okay, not as weird as I expected

glad it was short tho

I think I am officially out of anime terf

YAY, new content!

This is why I ask about any ship that isn’t Ranma x Akane

Also, names?

That- that- that can’t... 

I DIDN’T NEED TO KNOW THAT!

EWWW

gross

WHY?!?!!

also, biology, that’s not how that works!!

You two ARE idiots

Ryoga you die I’ll kill you

Well… that hurt to see so quick…

Ranma, get up!

I officially hate this Herb guy

ok, so if you put HOT water in the ladle do you stay that way forever?

Alright! Way to go Ryoga!

I need to stop shipping Rivals it’s bad for my health

fucking eat it you dick!

 Poor Akane

nevermind, Ranma you idiot

awwwww

ok, so that whole no more Anime-content… I was wrong, and I admit that, but still

I’m just thinking of my bff when they realize she’s an adult cuz, yeah, she’s like that too

 except like physically an adult unlike tiny-Hinako

 oh MY GOD Ukyo you’re driving me up the goddamn wall I swear!

THANK YOU AKANE!

 “You’re all Ranma’s fiancées” when only one of them actually is 

GIANT SIGH OF ANNOYANCE

Ranma, learn to communicate, PLEASE!

Okay… so is this where they figured it out or are some ppl still in the dark?

TIMELINE!!

Honestly, mood Ranma, mood

This entire plot line confuses me if I’m being totally honest

I mean I live for the Akane focus, but there are so many better ways to do this

[pseudonymsobriquet]

Tag Meme!

Rules: Pick 5 shows, then answer the following questions. Don’t cheat. Tag some people.

Thanks for tagging me, @boostthatgold and @ninja-crybaby~! Sorry it took me so long to finally do... (>~<)

Carole and Tuesday

One Punch Man

Parasyte: The Maxim

Fullmetal Alchemist

Puella Magi Madoka Magica

Who is your favourite character in 2? Its very close between Genos and Saitama, but I think Genos wins by a hair (no pun intended). The borg is so emotional and loving and I just wanna give him a hug.

Who is your least favourite character in 1? Oh Cybelle, definitely. She’s a horrible person. Which is a damn shame since her song “La Ballade” is an absolute bop.

What is your favourite episode of 4? Episode 54, “Beyond the Inferno”. [SPOILERS AHEAD] Riza seeing through Envy’s disguise with ease, Roy confronting Hughes killer, a discussion on how hatred only breeds hatred and what makes someone human. The sympathy and pity you feel for Envy... there are so many great moments in this one episode and it’s one that I always remember to this day despite not having seen the series in at least four years. 

What’s your favourite season of 5? It only has one season, so I guess it’s season one by default lol. It was one hell of a ride for sure. Lots of interesting discussions and horrifying reveals, and does a great job at a “genre sike” by being relatively family friendly until episode three where everything gets turned upside down and you realise it’s a psychological horror despite the cute art style.

Who is your favourite couple in 3? Shinji and Murano were the only official couple in the show, but I definitely didn’t ship it. Kinda felt like you could take Murano completely out of the story and everything still would have been the same. Honestly, Shinji and Kana had better chemistry, but Kana needed to work on some of her stuff before that could happen. A relationship with Shinji and Hideo could have been interesting, too.

Who is your favourite couple in 2? I’m a huge fan of Saitama and Genos as a couple! They both help each other to work on their issues and become a better person. Genos helped bring Saitama out of his depression and to be more emotive, and open up to people, eventually leading to a happier more enjoyable life and him gaining a network of friends to rely on. Saitama in turn helped Genos to overcome his uncontrollable rage and to think more before acting so he doesn’t end up hurt as much. Also he taught him to focus on things other than revenge (though that may have lead to a bit of an obsession with Saitama himself lol). Every domestic interaction between the two seems natural and effortless, and if one is hurt the other goes wild which is an A+ trope that I just love lmao. I could write a damn essay on why these two are perfect for each other honestly. 

What is your favourite episode of 1? The last episode! It’s the end of a series, but the start of something great for all the characters. Also the Miraculous Seven Minutes was absolutely phenomenal and I’m so glad I watched it in the show before I listened. I also cried like four times during that seven minutes because of what it meant to the characters, and I don’t often cry at things! So this show making me cry four times in seven minutes is a feat of its own! Watch Carole & Tuesday folks, you won’t regret it. You’ll laugh, you’ll cry, and you’ll wanna bop along with the characters during every song.

What is your favourite episode of 5? Ooft, Episode 6, “This Just Can’t Be Right”. The absolute bombshell that was dropped towards the end was just horrifying in every way and I honestly didn’t see it coming. I think this was the point that both the characters and the audience realised exactly what a horrifying ordeal being a magical girl really was. Episode 8, “I was Stupid... So Stupid” is a very close second, and gives us another bombshell reveal I didn’t see coming that ramped up the horror even more. I won’t give any spoilers on these episodes tho ‘cause it’s one of those “it’s better if you experience it yourself” moments. What I will say is that Madoka Magica is a psychological horror at its heart, don’t let the cutesy art style fool you. 

What is your favourite season of 2? Season 1 by a long shot. I’ve personally seen the entirety of season 1 at least six times over, whereas I watched Season two once as it released. I enjoyed the second season and would love a third season to release, but season one was superior in every way. Maybe it’s because I feel like less happened in season two? Or that there was more focus on human interaction and relationships in the first? Or perhaps it’s because I really saw myself in season one Saitama? Whatever the reason, I could still happily watch season one like six more times.

How long have you watched 1? Carole & Tuesday only released last year, but I started watching when there were only three episodes out subbed! From there I kept watching it weekly as it released, and I’m so glad I decided to watch it because it quickly became one of my fave animes of all time. 

How did you become interested in 3? I first heard about Parasyte when I was about sixteen? I’m sure I saw it on a list of great horror manga while I was looking for something new to read. I actually read quite far in but never finished because I had to study for exams then lost my place and just never went back. Then this year, a full nine years later, I saw the anime was on Netflix and I remembered just how much I’d loved reading what I did of it, so I started and finished it in three days lol. Turns out I wasn’t far from the end when I’d lost my place all those years ago. It brought back nostalgia of something I loved as a teen and I loved how well animated it was (even though it can look a little silly at times). I’d definitely recommend Parasyte to anyone interested in horror anme and manga.

Who is your favourite actor in 4? Edward Elric’s Japanese voice actress Romi Park was my fave. She has The Range. When she voices Ed, I honestly believe every emotion, every performance she gives. From a scared child to a hero saving the world, she does an amazing job. 

Which do you prefer: 1, 2, or 5? It’s gonna be a close one between Carole & Tuesday and One Punch Man, that’s for sure. One Punch Man was an anime where I saw myself in the main character and his journey through depression and not knowing what to do in life, and Carole & Tuesday made me feel emotions I haven’t felt in a very long time and stressed the importance of music and friendship. Although, considering I have the Carole & Tuesday songs on a playlist and know every word to them all, and the impact that the series finale (and the series as a whole) had on me, I’m going to have to say Carole & Tuesday win this round because of just how much it meant to me. 

If you could be anyone from 4, who would you be? Oh man, I’d wanna be Olivier. The strength, the confidence, the pizazz... I think Olivier is everything I wanna be lmao. 

Would a crossover between 3 and 4 work? Parasyte and Fullmetal Alchemist? Hell yeah, I’d love to see that crossover. Maybe the parasites in that world could be a type of homunculous or something? They both had the same idea of infiltrating the government for their own personal gain too.

Pair two characters in 1 who would make an unlikely but strangely okay couple? Gus and Flora would make a great couple, I could definitely see them getting together after the series ends. Carole and Tuesday would be great too, though they work just as well as friends.

Overall, which show has the better storyline, 3 or 5? Tricky, but I’d have to go with Parasyte. There were a lot of interesting moments and discussions in the series that pulled me in, like “what is humanity?” and “what makes someone human?” and “at what point is someone no longer human?” and “is it possible for humans and parasites to coexist?” Madoka Magica was a great series, had some great moments and asked some equally as interesting questions, but I think Parasyte pulled it off better in the end.

Which has better theme music, 2 or 4? Oooohhhh, that’s a tough one... One Punch Man or Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood... I just listened yo all the songs from both to try make up my mind and I’m still a bit lost, so let’s go by “what’s more memorable/makes me feel some kind of emotion?” FMA: “Again” by Yui and “Shunkan Sentimental” by Scandal are the only ones that seem familiar and that I can remember when they aren’t in front of me. I know I’ve heard them all (I watched the entire series) but to say it probably has more music, I actually remember very little of it. OPM on the other hand... I know most of the words to “The Hero” by JAM Project and it makes me feel so hyped up. “Apostle of Silence” by JAM Project in the second season is just as rad and memorable. Both of the ending themes are beautiful and emotional. And the first ending theme seems to be about Genos wishing Saitama would come home safe, while the season two’s ending is sung by Saitama’s voice actor and seems to be a reply to the first season’s ending theme? Absolutely gay and iconic, 10/10. Wow, OPM hands down has the best music then I guess lmao.  I tag anyone who sees this that wants to do it~! Have fun, guys~! <3 

[duhragonball]

Dragon Ball Z 280

World is fuck, so I’m gonna write about DBZ for a while until the Benadryl kicks in.

Last time, Goku fought Majin Buu, but he wasn’t doing so great, so he upped the ante by going Super Saiyan 3.   

This is where I regret falling behind on the manga way back in the Red Ribbon Army Saga, because the Buu arc is where the anime and the manga really start to get off-track from each other.   I mean, the same plot points are followed, but in the manga, Goku fights Buu as a Super Saiyan 3 the whole time, while in the anime, he starts at SSJ2 and ramps up to SSJ3... twice.    So it’s kind of hard to match up exactly which parts of the anime version are direct adaptations of the manga.   They’re probably all there, but I’d really need to do a side-by-side comparison.    A project for another time.

This has gotta be one of the best damn episodes of the whole shebang.   Goku and Kid Buu are just whalin’ on each other, and this isn’t even the climax of this arc.  

Starting out, Goku deals some pretty heavy damage to Buu, and he has some difficulty reassembling himself.  But that’s about all Goku ever does to the kid.   I mean, if Perfect Cell took a hit like that, he’d just be dead, or so badly wounded that it would take barely any follow-through to finish the job.  But with Majin Buu these kinds of enormous blasts are just chip damage at best. 

Something else I want to do one of these days is go back and try to figure out when they screwed up Dende’s Buu-Saga character model.   I think most of Dragon Ball Super depicts him as a child, as if he never aged after the Cell Games, but I think that only happened because they were screwing him up as far back as 1995.  

Here’s the thing, though: Why was Dende so short in the Cell Games?  He had aged four years from however old he was in the Namek Saga.    Piccolo Junior was fully grown by age three.   Maybe this is the Namekian life cycle.    You grow into an adult when you’re three, then you turn into a kid again, then you grow into an adolescent about 11 years after that, and then you just sort of switch back and forth for a while.   It’s a good thing Piccolo’s off-screen for most of his life.

Yamcha and Krillin are watching this from the Grand Kai Planet, courtesy of King Kai’s telepathic vision.   Why isn’t anyone else grabbing a Kai by the back?  

And they’re even screening this fight in Hell, which seems kind of strange to me.   Abandon all hope, ye who enter here, but we’ve got pay-per-view in the commons.

Hey look it’s Cell!   And Dr. Gero.  You think they talk much at all?   Think about how much it must suck for them.   Gero was maybe the only other person Cell ever respected, because he trusted Gero’s grand design for him as the perfect being.    And Gero must have viewed Cell as his ultimate hope for avenging the Red Ribbon Army.  And then they bump into each other in hell, which proves that they’re both failures.  All Cell really accomplished was to kill Goku, and now he’s not even dead anymore.  I have to figure Cell/Gero interactions in Hell are pretty uncomfortable.  At the same time, who else are they going to hang out with?

Why are all these guys still in their bodies?   Everything that happened to Vegeta in this arc implies that letting Vegeta have his body after death is a big deviation from the norm.   Episode 195 introduced the idea of DBZ’s hell being like this big Arkham Asylum for all the bad guys.   I guess technically all those episodes with the dead Ginyus in the Frieza Saga did the same thing, but you could argue that they hadn’t been dead long enough to lose their bodies.   Here, now, we’re looking at characters that have been dead for over seven years.   I think the premise in Resurrection F was that the damned get to keep their bodies while they suffer, until they finally learn to let go of their past lives and move on.  And I can see why Frieza’s such a bitter fuck that he’d still be holding on for over a decade, but what’s Recoome holding out for?   Just get reincarnated as a cockroach or something and get it over with.

Also, why is Gero a cyborg in this scene?  

And why isn’t Frieza a cyborg?   I mean, he wasn’t a cyborg in Episode 195 either, but that seemed to suggest Gero would be fully human in hell, and he isn’t.    And if Gero does get to keep being a cyborg, then why couldn’t he keep his hat?  

Anyway, Goz and Mez recognize Goku as the guy who messed with them way back in the Saiyans Saga.    Hey, why aren’t Raditz and Nappa in this scene?  I watched an AMV where they edited Bardock into this, which seems like a good idea.   Did they just not go to hell?    I find that a little hard to believe.

Anyway, all the bad guys are salty as fuck to see Goku alive and fighting, and Frieza’s actively rooting against him.  He’s just jealous because Buu’s doing better against Goku that he ever could.

Meanwhile, over on the classy side of the villain crowd, Cell wonders who Goku’s opponent is, since he’s clearly impressed to see anyone give Goku a tougher battle than himself. 

Then Babidi shows up and announces to everyone he used to be tight with Majin Buu.  Actually, he claims Buu was his servant, and that he taught him how to fight, which... yeah.   I guess he did help Buu practice punching people’s faces off.  

This whole moment feels a bit contrived.    Babidi’s been down here for a couple of days already.    I don’t know how long they’ve been watching this fight.  I would imagine the oni switched it on somewhere when Vegito was on deck, so it kind of feels like Babidi was sort of hiding around back, waiting for someone to ask about Buu, so he could jump out and go “Oh, funny you should ask about that!   I was Majin Buu’s master for like six hours, nbd.”    I almost wonder if he paid Cell five bucks just to set this up.   Cell demanded payment in singles, because he wanted to spend it on the vending machine.   He’s a sucker, though, because hell may have a big screen TV, but the bill changer on their vending machine hasn’t worked in 10 million years.

Anyway, everyone’s impressed, probably just because Babidi has the inside track on Buu more than anything.    You gotta figure most of these guys have heard it all before, and at least Babidi has a newer story to tell.   Everyone’s probably sick of hearing how Frieza ate that crab while he killed Vegeta.

But then Babidi wanders off, and in private he cusses out Buu for, you know, killing him, and he roots for Goku to win.   Wait, is Bibidi in hell too?   You’d think they could catch up on old times.

Meanwhile... well, this shot had pink and yellow energy trails moving across the planet, and it looks pretty cool, but this screenshot doesn’t quite do it justice.   

Kibitoshin is worried about their planet, but the Elder Kai insists that it’ll take more than this to wreck it.   I want a woman who believes in me the way the Elder Kai believes in the sturdiness of the Supreme Kai Planet.    That sounds kind of masochistic when I put it that way.    Moving on.

Writing about all those other villains, it starts to come into focus how little I have to say about Majin Buu.    I dig the guy, though.   Critics complain that he doesn’t have much on personality or motivation, and they’re not wrong, but I think that’s part of the point with him.    Godzilla doesn’t give touching speeches in his movies, but he remains a popular character because of the sheer spectacle of him.   He’s a force of nature, a symbol of immense power that the human characters can barely comprehend. 

In Buu’s case, he’s just this stubborn, impossible obstacle to peace in the universe.   So much has gone wrong, and we could wish it all back the way it was, if only someone could beat this pink little turd.  He’s got some personality, but his main purpose in this story is to just be there for the other characters to interact as they deal with the problem.

For example, while all this action is going on, Mr. Satan is basically helpless, but he reassures Bee that he’ll protect him, even though Satan thinks this whole adventure is a dream.   This says a lot about Mr. Satan.    Yeah, Bee had a big part in reforming the Fat Majin Buu, but he means a lot to Mr. Satan as well.   It’s easy to write off Satan as a coward and a fraud, but even when he’s retreating into denial, he still wants to be a hero, even when the rest of the world is dead, even when his only audience is a little puppy.   And you could have a moment like this with Mr. Satan regardless of the villain, but I think it stands out better when the bad guy is Kid Buu, who doesn’t get in the way with any big speeches or characterization moments of his own.

Back to the fight, Buu gets the drop on Goku, so he decides that this is no time to hold back...

So he drops a Super Saiyan 3 Kamehameha on the little creep.  Yeah!

It blows Buu to pieces, but then the pieces just turn into mini-Buus and they all shoot back.

Goku tries to power up for another round, but suddenly he runs out of gas and collapses.

So Vegeta rushes to his side and offers to switch in.   Yeah, this whole part is filler.   In the manga, Vegeta only gets one turn, and this ain’t it.   

However, I think some of Vegeta’s lines during this scene are lifted from the part of the manga where he fights Kid Buu later.    So it’s a little weird here.  I’m curious how Dragon Ball Kai handled these episodes, because when they started that project it seemed like their goal was to edit out most of the filler from the original DBZ anime, but in some cases that just isn’t practical.   Like Pizza and her entourage in the Cell Games.   They weren’t in the manga, but they appear in almost every Mr. Satan scene that was in the manga, so Kai had to leave them in, because the alternative was to painstakingly edit them out of every shot.  Here, you may not even have that option.    You could edit Goku vs. Kid Buu down to just one uninterrupted string of action where he’s fighting at Super Saiyan 3.   Cut out this intermission with Vegeta, cut out the opening bit where Goku fights at SSJ2, but I don’t know if the fight choreography would still make sense.    

Everyone watching is horrified that Vegeta can’t even land a blow, and Buu starts openly mocking his lackluster performance.   What I don’t understand is why Vegeta would even try to fight Majin Buu in his base form.   I mean, the real reason is probably because this fight is filler, and Toei didn’t want it to detract from when he actually fights Buu in the next episode.    But it makes Vegeta look kind of stupid.   He knows better, and we know that he knows better.

So Buu quickly overwhelms him, and he’s all set to fire a ki blast to finish off.   Why doesn’t Vegeta just transform to escape it?  

But then Goku jumps in and ruins Buu’s shot.  He’s still in base form too, but I sort of buy this, because he snuck up on Buu.   Even so, this sort of fast-and-loose attitude with power levels is exactly the sort of nonsense Toei did all through Dragon Ball GT, and one of several reasons why GT sucks.     It’s not as bad in filler scenes like this one, interspersed among stories based on the manga, but once there was no manga to work from, they just decided there were no rules, and Base Form Goku was almost interchangeable with Super Saiyan 4 Goku.   They just used whichever character design they preferred that day.

Vegeta’s astonished, because he thought Goku was down for the count, but he’s already back up and demanding to tag back in.    

But Goku ain’t done yet.  This is probably the other reason Toei had Vegeta fight in base form here, so it would make it look cooler when Goku defiantly powers up to continue his effort.   And yeah, it works.    I really do love this scene, but it’s a pretty egregious example of filler scenes messing with the flow of the story.

Goku ramps up to Super Saiyan 2, then back to 3, and we pick up where we left off.   And that’s awesome, but the main idea of this fight is that Goku’s having a hard time fighting at this level.   To have him drop out of SSJ3 early, then immediately get back up and resume SSJ3 like it’s no big deal... well, that undermines that premise.    I guess you can make an argument that it supports the premise, because having Goku power down twice in this fight only emphasizes how volatile SSJ3 really is, but... I dunno.  

Anyway, Goku goes back to fighting Buu, and you know, that may be the real reason Toei did that whole bit with Vegeta tagging in.    The alternative is to just have SSJ3 Goku fight Buu for two and a half episodes straight, and that would get dull, no matter how well they animated it.   You can have spectators observe the battle, and that’s a great way to break up the action, but a moment where Goku rescues Vegeta adds some drama.    The manga didn’t do this, but it didn’t need to, because this fight was much shorter in print.   

I guess that’s the main defense of filler.  Sometimes, it’s not about padding the anime, or working the studio’s “agenda” into the story, or anything sinister like that.  Sometimes it’s just a matter of pacing.  

Anyway, in either version, Vegeta watches Goku fighting, and quickly recognizes that Goku is the only one who can fight Majin Buu now.   At Vegeta’s level, he’d only get himself killed. 

Then he has this whole flashback of his relationship with Goku up to this point, and unlike most flashbacks in this series, this one features all new art, which is pretty awesome.  Honestly, they could have used old footage from the Saiyans Saga, but they had already done that recently during the Babidi Saga, so maybe Toei figured they couldn’t do that trick again so soon.   Or maybe they knew DBZ wes winding down, so they wanted to do something special while they still could.

Not surprisingly, Vegeta’s main recollection of his first fight with Goku are the parts where Goku beat the shit out of him while using Kaio-ken times three.  That fight had a lot more to it than that, and it’s easy to forget that Vegeta dominated most of the battle, mainly because Vegeta himself doesn’t see it that way.   

Then we get this part where Vegeta has kittens over Goku beating Recoome, and he begins to suspect that Goku is the Legendary Super Saiyan.    Would have been awesome to see another shot of Luffa the Golden Ape from episode 66, but I guess that wouldn’t make a ton of sense in this context, especially now that we know what Super Saiyans actually look like.

For instance...

Vegeta considers that Goku’s secret might be that he’s motivated by a need to protect his loved ones, but even if that’s true, Vegeta has his own loved ones now, so they’d be even if that were all it was.    I love how surly he looks here.   “Dammit, I can’t believe I care about these stupid people!   Now I gotta blow myself up if things get out of hand.”

Also, Vegeta’s observation ties in well with that filler scene from a moment ago.    Goku was exhausted, but as soon as he saw Vegeta in danger, he pulled himself together and found the strength to defend him.    Goku cares as much about Vegeta as the others.

But the real difference, Vegeta observes, is that he always fought for the fun of it, and for the satisfaction of killing his enemies.  Goku, on the other hand, fights primarily to improve himself.  That’s why he keeps pushing himself harder, and why he keeps seeing results.  It’s not about winning, it’s about not losing.    This seems to be a trend with Goku, where he usually says things like “I won’t lose” or “I ain’t lost yet,” instead of “I’m going to win.”    Vegeta’s classic mistake is to assume that he’s already going to win, and then he crumbles when things start to go wrong.

And critically, this is why Goku doesn’t kill people if he can avoid it.   Well, he killed a lot of Red Ribbon guys, but most of them were cowards and no real match for him.   King Piccolo pushed him too far.   After that, Goku’s been pretty light on killing enemies, and that’s probably because he reached a point where he became so strong that it got harder to find worthy adversaries.   Vegeta would kill his enemies just to watch them die, but in doing so, he denied himself the opportunity to face them in rematches.   This was something I read in a Superman comic once, where Superman overpowers an evil-universe version of himself, and he makes the point that his doppleganger kills all his enemies, so he only ever has to fight them once, where Superman has to stay sharp, because he has to mess with those guys over and over again.  Same deal.

And you’d think Goku might have killed Vegeta after he surpassed him, like when he became a Super Saiyan, or when Vegeta went Majin, and no one would have blamed him for putting the bastard down.  But Goku never did.   Not because Vegeta was no longer a threat, but because he knew Vegeta could still catch up to him some day and challenge him again.   Goku believes in Vegeta, even when Vegeta doesn’t believe in himself.

It’s like Goku knew Vegeta woud start to turn into a good guy.   See, this is where I take issue with criticism of the dub, way back in Episode 36, when Goku asked Krillin to spare Vegeta’s life.  The subs focus on Goku’s desire to beat Vegeta on his own, while the dub spends more time on Goku’s hope that Vegeta might see the light if they show him a little mercy.   And you can argue that the dub is cramming their own take into the script, except their take doesn’t exist in a vacuum.   Funimation’s take in Episode 36 is Vegeta’s take in Episode 280.   Call it foreshadowing, or call it putting the cart before the horse, but the line itself isn’t out of bounds, because Goku did hope that Vegeta would learn the value of mercy, and and Vegeta knows it. 

Again, let me pause to note that this big epiphany by Vegeta is much more effective when the bad guy is as flat as Kid Buu.   We’re not missing anything during this fight because they’ve just been hitting each other, and Buu bites Goku for like half a second while Vegeta reflects.

The main point of Vegeta’s monologue here is that he’s always struggled with the idea of Goku as the antithesis of what he thinks Saiyans ought to be.   And yet nothing succeeds like success.    Goku’s stronger right now than any Saiyan in the last thousand years.  Hell, right now, Goku’s the only Saiyan alive.    Vegeta’s dead, and so are all the others.  If his kindness is such a noose around his neck, why is he still breathing?    Why is he the only Saiyan who figured out how to turn Super Saiyan 3?   Why is he the only one who could bite Majin Buu on the head and get away with it?   Because Goku’s metal as fuck, that’s why.  Because kindness isn’t a weakness at all.   It never was.  If anything, it’s the lack of kindness that got all the other Saiyans killed.  

And maybe Vegeta has to think about that a while longer, but he knows this much, Goku’s better than he is.    He’s the best.

But he’s still not beating Buu anytime soon.  

There’s a cool spot here where Goku hits him and his upper body stretchs out from the impact, and he waves hello to Mr. Satan before snapping back.

And by “waving hello” , I mean “fires more of this pink crap out of his hands.”

And this right here is the last shot of Cell, I think?  There’s some more Frieza coming up, but I’m not sure if we see all the villains again or not.   

Babidi’s watching from way back there, because he’s shy.  I think Cell would hang out with Babidi.   He’s pretty sociable, right?

Anyway, this fight rules, not just because of all the great action and fluid animation, but because of all the cool stuff going on around it.    Everyone’s learning an important lesson about friendship today, thanks to Goku punching the crap out of this pink thing.  That... sounds vaguely dirty.    Let’s move on.

Oh, well, the episode’s over.    That’s kind of awkward.   Uh.   Goodbye!

[takerfoxx]

An entirely too long ramble about how much Imperfect Metamorphosis means to me

(Tumblr please actually show that submissions are not just text posts please)

So. It’s almost the last day of the decade. I usually get weirdly sad and nostalgic in the last 30 minutes of New Year’s Eve, but this time it’s been like, a whole week, and I’ve been reflecting on this decade as a whole as well as like, my path in life.

The 1990’s were the decade of my birth and early life.

The 2000’s were the decade of being REALLY into Harry Potter.

And my 2010’s were, wholly and singularly, defined and shaped by Touhou. 

I got into Touhou sometime around Easter 2010 when McRoll’d came into my YouTube feed, and something about the music was just so god damned catchy I just had to know where it came from. So I discovered Flandre’s fight and from there, I learned just how great the music of this weird bullet hell game made by some rando in Japan. It quickly became my Thing. When I wasn’t playing sucking at the games, I was listening to the music, and if I wasn’t listening to the music, I was at school (where I’d probably not be paying attention let’s be real here).

So there I was, happily consuming fanart and fansongs and fangames and doing that little smile in appreciation when you see a reference to a thing you like (shoutout to raocow for also playing a few Touhou fangames way back when). It expanded my gaming interests into the sphere of “modding games to make them harder can be fun and cool”, which then lead to a general interest in playing modded and moddable games. It even made me interested in visiting Japan (on my bucket list), not in that stereotypical “weeb” way of visiting all the anime and manga stores, but more in the “something I like put a country on my radar and holy shit some of those restaurants, l want to eat at ALL of these places because they’re gorgeous” way.

You’ll notice that I specifically withheld from mentioning Fanfiction. See, as a teenager who did have the “try something once and if I don’t like it I’ll probably hate it forever because it’s always like that” mentality, I had the unfortunate experience of coming across My Immortal. 

That, and the fact that one of my close friends in High School had taken to reading Twilight Fanfic (and complaining at almost every story she read and their bad use of tropes) kinda solidified fanfiction as “something dumb and stupid written by people who solely want to roleplay fucking the protagonist”. And on that pedestal sat the entire concept of fanfiction for a long-ass time (actually it was about a year and a bit).

Fast forward a while. Patchouli had cemented herself as All Time Favourite Character, I’d begun to grow out of my Harry Potter phase in search of new stories, and I’d made some new friends, one of whom said they read fanfiction all the time and some of it was actually better than original, published books because they had the freedom to explore ideas that weren’t entirely publishable. But also to roleplay fuck their waifus.

At some point in Summer 2011, not too long after it came out, I decided to replay Portal 2, and something about the story left me feeling… incomplete. Empty. I sought people discussing what they thought of the story and hidden nuggets of info peppered throughout the game, and at some long buried comment section on YouTube, someone mentioned how some fanfiction went into a headcanon and took it further. I read it, considered it for a moment, deemed it worthy of being called “not trash”, and immediately set to looking at the Touhou section on FF.net.

The first fanfics I read of Touhou were… Well, they were. There were some good ones and not so good ones. But they were all, in some way, at least interesting. I quickly discovered the frustration that New Friend had brought up once, of when you discover something great but it’s over all too soon. Setting FF.net’s search to include only 100k and up fanfics, I was delighted to discover that there was a fanfiction called “Imperfect Metamorphosis” that was over 350,000 words long. And then my carefully crafted plan of going to bed at a sensible time to maximise Summer Gaming Time was devoured by staying up until 4:30am, reading fanfiction on a shitty laptop that could barely run UFO. Thank fuck it was the summer holidays.

There was something special about Imperfect Metamorphosis. The characters all had their own personality, their own history, their own implied history beyond what was written, they had goals, thoughts, feelings, and different takes towards other people working to further their own goals. And it was all wrapped up in a package that started with a simple premise, grew to encompass a world more broad than mere canon or fanon, and then billowed into an eldritch monster of ungodly size (hi, Yuuka!)((kind of like this post huh)). 

I was so fucking hooked on IM. I went back to school with theories buzzing about my brain as to what was going to end up happening, my mind wandering to the latest chapter and the bits I thought were cool, actually having the drive to focus and actually learn something about story structure in English Literature. I suddenly had the tiniest flame of interest in creating. Maybe one day I could write fanfic, and do my tiny part in expanding the universe of fan-content.

Regardless of the fact that my own attempts at conjuring stories weren’t successful (for a while), IM was there to be read throughout my last years of Normal Schooling, and it served as both a rock and an escape from the stress of school. I laughed with the jokes, I took Marisa’s death harder than the sum total of Harry Potter’s entire bodycount, and I could never hear Soulja Boi without thinking of Mima trolling Satori.

Just like how Touhou expanded my gaming and cultural horizons, Imperfect Metamorphosis expanded my horizon with Literature. I got into reading Neil Gaiman’s work, I read some Lovecraft, I consumed all kinds of works of fiction, across a multitude of genres, which all felt, in some way, like I was reading them because of IM. I mean I only started watching Madoka, and any anime beyond that, because of Resonance Days. Interesting way of coming across a show filled to the brim with spoilers.

It’s been three years since you put Imperfect Metamorphosis onto hiatus, and I have never read anything that has filled me with such emotion to the same extent. Other things have come close, some of them were even written by other people! (the most recent mega-update of Walpurgis Nights hit me particularly hard). And Swiftly Descending Darkness has been such a great read thus far, the slowly ramping tension is so. god. damned. good.

And as I think I mentioned a while back, I finally managed to start grinding out a touhou fic at my own, absolutely glacial, pace. I always find myself asking “is this canon to Touhou, or is it just canon to IM?”. The line has forever blurred in my mind.

I’m not asking anyone to read my work. This isn’t a plea for you to return to the original IM at any speed, I just wanted to say thank you.

Thank you for writing Imperfect Metamorphosis. For the work that’s been a steady constant throughout the vast, vast majority of this decade. For inspiring a wealth of emotions and ideas in the mind of a British guy who you’ll never meet. For just, plain writing a good story.

And for making Marisa the biggest badass to grace the land.

Here’s to the 2020’s not sucking, and to the ever expanding list of stories written by Internet user Takerfoxx. Here’s hoping you find great success.

Thank you.

P.S. Oh, and The Friend Who Said Fanfic Was Good Actually? They’re now my Fiancée, as of last month. Funny how the world works like that.

@diggertron, dude, you honestly have me feeling pretty humbled right now. I have to admit, it’s getting harder and harder not to see anything but the flaws when I look back on IM or RD, to the point when anyone compliments me about my writing my reflexive response is to be self-deprecating about my weaknesses, but this has helped me gain some more perspective about my older work, and for that I thank you, and am glad you have stuck around for so many years. 

And congratulations on your engagement as well!

[makeste]

BnHA Bonus Rant #2: Dad for One

This is another ETA that got out of control from one of my chapter recaps (chapter 94)! This one is about All for One and whether or not he might be Deku’s dad. You know. The way villains sometimes are.

Anyway, I’ve been wanting to talk about this for a while, and I finally had a decent excuse. So here is my post about a theory you’ve probably already seen before! I can’t promise you it will contain any new thoughts that you haven’t already seen before either. I feel like I’m still way behind the times and out of the loop in this fandom, even though in the grand scheme of things the fandom isn’t really that old. But anyway.

So I’m putting the rest of this under a cut, and just FYI, this post is spoiler-free as long as you are caught up with the anime. For you manga readers, if there have been any further developments related to this, I ask that you please nod knowingly to yourselves and don’t say anything and just wait for me to finish catching up (I’m on chapter 145 now) so I can kick myself for jumping the gun and making this post too soon.

Okay, so to reiterate again, I know I’m by no means the only one to have theorized this (although I did think it up with my own brain. We were just late to the party). But that won’t stop me from posting a long list of my reasons as if I was! So here goes.

First off: All for One is Darth Vader. We all know Horikoshi is a big Star Wars fan who’s sprinkled multiple nods to the films throughout the series, and that there are numerous parallels among the characters. All Might is Obi-Wan; Gran Torino is Yoda; Izuku is Luke. And All for One is Vader. He was wounded and heavily scarred in a terrible duel with All Might years ago, and now has to wear a mask for life support. Later on, he symbolically “kills” All Might as Deku watches helplessly, leaving him to pick up the mantle. Hell, he even dramatically reveals the true parentage of a major character at a critical moment. The dude knows the power of the dark side of the Force, basically.

So now, as we also know, the most iconic moment in the original Star Wars trilogy is when Vader reveals to Luke that he is his father. It was a mind-blowing twist at the time, and set up the final confrontation between the two of them in Return of the Jedi. It’s since been replicated so often that it’s become one of the biggest clichés of all time. But I feel like that’s led to a drop-off in the use of this trope, since people have started trying to avoid it. And maybe, just maybe, we’ve gone long enough between major instances of it now for it to finally be fresh again. Or it could just be that I really, really want it to happen.

Second point: We know nothing about Deku’s father, Midoriya Hisashi, except that he’s “working overseas” and he has a fire-breathing quirk. As far as I’m concerned, “he’s overseas” could easily be code for “he ran out on us before Izuku was even born, and I don’t like to talk about it.” We’ve never once seen him even in flashbacks, not even when Izuku was very young.

And All for One could easily have a fire-breathing quirk. He has a zillion quirks. He could have just picked one out of a hat when he met Inko and been all “yeah this is my quirk.” Just saying.

Point the third: We've never gotten a clear look at what AFO’s face looked like before All Might fucked it up. There might be some resemblance to Izuku there, or there might not be. But more importantly, Izuku resembles his mother very strongly, so we already know that he got most of his looks from her. So appearance-wise, it almost doesn’t matter what AFO actually looks like.

Fourth of all: I’m pretty sure All for One lied to All Might about why he started looking for a successor. He said it was because of what All Might did to him. That it wrecked his quality of life and made him realize his own mortality. But the thing is, the timing of it doesn’t add up. All Might wounded him six years ago. Tomura’s age is unknown (as far as I know?), but at minimum he has to be at least as old as Deku, and I’m pretty sure he’s older. Like late teens to early twenties. And in the flashback where he first meets All for One, he is very young. No older than six or seven, and probably younger than that. So what I’m trying to say is, the timeline doesn’t add up if All for One only started thinking about a successor six years ago. More likely it’s been ten years at least, and possibly even longer than that.

And if he was toying around with the idea of finding a successor earlier on, he surely would have considered doing it the old-fashioned way. So maybe he hits up a few women, does the deed, and bails afterwards, but keeps tabs on the resulting children to see if any of them show signs of having inherited his quirk. But they don’t. And so his search continues. And since he continues to support the children and their mothers financially from “overseas”, few questions are ever asked.

Last but not least: Okay, so now we get to the interesting part. Because as we know, Izuku was born quirkless. Doc said he has that extra pinky toe joint or whatnot, so he’s shit out of luck. Right? Right. But here’s the thing.

Okay so I know this is a bit of a reach. But I find it interesting that before pronouncing Izuku quirkless, the doctor confirms that Inko is fourth generation. This makes me wonder if the thing with the toes is something that developed side-by-side along with quirks. Like, let’s go back in time a couple hundred years. Quirks have just appeared on the scene. In other words, a few humans have evolved a genetic mutation that gives them superpowers. At the same time, there is another, separate mutation on the rise which involves ditching that extra toe joint. Neither of these mutations is very common yet, but they’re both genetically dominant. So now, fast-forward about ten generations, and quirks have become much more prevalent. We’ve gone from a few people having them to approximately 80% of the population running around with powers. At the same time, the pinky toe mutation has also become widespread, to the point where it now completely overlaps with the population of people who have quirks.

Someone who has better knowledge of genetics and evolutionary patterns can possibly confirm whether this makes any sense and is actually possible, or whether I’m just talking out of my ass. But basically, what I’m trying to say is that fifth generation Midoriya Izuku, born 200 years after quirks first appeared on the scene, would be expected to lack the extra toe joint, and if he does still have it, that indicates that he doesn’t have a quirk. But supposing that Izuku is not, in fact, fifth generation, but actually second generation, the son of one of the first humans to ever develop abilities, it would in theory be possible for him to lack that joint mutation, but still have a quirk.

Namely, All for One’s quirk. Which could explain why he was thought to be quirkless. Because Inko and the doctors are looking for young Izuku to either be breathing fire or moving small objects or some hybrid of both. They’re not looking for him to suddenly start stealing other people’s quirks. The only one who could possibly be expecting that is All for One himself.

Now let’s suppose that Izuku is a slightly late bloomer who doesn’t actually develop his quirk until after the medical experts have already deemed him quirkless. And All for One takes the doctors at their word, because he has no reason not to. Now we have a child who by all outward appearances seems to be quirkless, but may in fact not be.

Because we don’t really know how All for One works. It might be something that’s difficult to activate unless you actually know what you’re doing and are intent on doing it. All for One’s own brother was thought to be quirkless for a very long time because his quirk was very subtle and he didn’t realize it was there. All for One himself has a very different temperament from Izuku (read: he’s evil, and Izuku is not). He may have been the type of dude who met another person with a quirk one day and thought “FUCK YOU, I WANT THAT QUIRK” and instinctively activated AFO and stole that shit. Whereas Izuku, desperate though he was to get a quirk when he was younger, isn’t the type of person to ever just go, “I wish I could just take this person’s quirk! By force!!” And maybe that made a difference. Like I said, this part of it is a stretch, and I fully acknowledge that.

But there’s a part of me that just really likes the idea of Izuku realizing in a terrible moment that he’s the son of his own worst enemy. And of All for One (who probably didn’t realize at first, but delights in the perfect irony of it all once he does figure it out) finally getting his revenge when All Might learns that the boy he thinks of as his own son is actually All for One’s son. And Izuku learning that he did have a quirk of his own all along, but that it’s a terrible quirk that only inflicts suffering on others.

Except that there is a way for him to use this quirk for good, though. And that’s by taking the quirks back from All for One and restoring them to their original owners, if it’s still possible. Like Ragdoll. God. Imagine if Izuku could get her quirk back. Him being traumatized by this ability at first, this terrible power that links him against his will to this figure of pure evil. But then pulling himself together, and turning things around, and using it to do what he does best. Using it to save people.

Anyway. So those are my thoughts on the “dad for one” theory as I believe it’s known. As it stands now in the manga, I’d say there’s maybe like a 30% chance of this happening? AFO being the dad, that is. Izuku inheriting his quirk is maybe a 10% chance. And yes, I am just saying numbers at random and there’s no actual mathematical basis. But that won’t stop me from ramping these figures up if and when we ever get more backstory on Izuku, and/or more AFO stuff.

Please oh please manga, give me more backstory on Izuku and more AFO stuff.