#ride on the wind

[larapaulussen]

[hemuchang]

road trip

[linghxr]

Why you should watch 乘风破浪 and 披荆斩棘 to learn Chinese

What are these shows?

Both 披荆斩棘 and 乘风破浪 follow the same basic format: 30+ celebrity contestants, mostly actors and singers ages 30+, form teams and compete in singing and dancing over several rounds. Viewers vote on their favorite performances and contestants, and 1-3 contestants are eliminated each round. The top contestants form a temporary "group" and appear on a follow-up reality show.

Why you should watch

1. Exposure to different accents

Contestants come from all over the Chinese-speaking world: Dongbei, Sichuan, Taiwan, Hong Kong, and even Malaysia. I can personally say that watching these shows has vastly improved my ability to understand the Hong Kong Mandarin accent.

2. Pop culture knowledge

Because the contestants are celebrities, you'll be introduced to dozens of famous actors, singers, etc. Also, you'll hear the many iconic songs that they cover. I've impressed several native speakers with my with knowledge of pop culture and music.

3. Branch out to new media

These shows serve as a gateway to Chinese music, movies, and TV. if you really like the contestants who are actors, you can check out their shows and movies. If you enjoy a certain song or like a contestant who's a singer, you can explore more music.

4. Casual and formal registers

You’ll get to hear casual, unscripted speech while watching the behind-the-scenes and rehearsal clips. But you’ll also get to hear more formal speech when they’re announcing rules and also from the MC who hosts the actual live performances.

5. Incredible talent

Also, you should watch for the awesome performances and general fun. I love seeing the contestants' friendships, and I’m also obsessed with the amazing sets. There are some incredibly talented performers on these shows, and I love getting to see them shine.

Where to watch

All seasons are free to watch on YouTube! Sometimes clips may be muted or missing, probably due to YouTube's restrictions. But the vast, vast majority is available, and when a clip is missing, you can usually do a separate search and find it. I also pay for a Mango TV subscription, which is $1.99 USD/month.

乘风破浪 full episode playlist links:

乘风破浪的姐姐1

乘风破浪的姐姐2

乘风破浪3

乘风2023

乘风2024

披荆斩棘 full episode playlist links:

披荆斩棘的哥哥1

披荆斩棘2

披荆斩棘3

披荆斩棘4

To help you get started, below is a YouTube playlist of my some of my favorite performances (5 per season, except for the most recent season of each). Cause why not! Also, below the cut I'll put more details along with direct links to my favorite performances.

And if you're a fellow fan emotionally preparing for the 披荆斩棘4 finale 🥲, feel free to message me and commiserate!

See similar posts: I watched all the Chinese idol survival shows so you don’t have to (but you should anyway) Tips for finding Chinese-language media you like

Sisters Who Make Waves

Chinese title: 乘风破浪的姐姐 (S1-2) / 乘风破浪 (S3) / 乘风 (S4-5) English title: Sisters Who Make Waves (S1-3) / Ride the Wind (S4-5) *I call it Sisters for short

This series is the original, having started in 2020. The focus was on female empowerment, particularly of women 30+. A lot of the celebrities had slowed down in their careers, and the show served as their reintroduction to audiences. While female empowerment is still a theme today, I do feel it has lessened in prominence.

Season 1

The original, iconic season. You can tell they had a limited budget and not a ton of space, but it doesn't detract at all thanks to the incredible talent and energy of the contestants. And they had no idea what a phenomenon the show was going to be! Many of my most rewatched performances come from the season.

得不到的爱情

大碗宽面

相爱后动物感伤

FLOW

新物种

Season 2

This season has a special place in my heart as the first one I watched! It's the only one I've seen twice (when it originally aired and rewatched with friends). Compared to season 1, you can definitely tell they had a bigger budget and started to refine the format. Also, some of my all-time favorite contestants are from this season.

现在不跳舞要干嘛

归零

快乐宝贝

给自己的歌

我

Season 3

This season was the first with the show's "modern" and fully-developed format, which remains to this day. For example, they started to include more complex sets and recruited more diverse contestants, such as dancers, an athlete, etc. Also, my favorite performance of the entire series, 雾里, is from this season.

雾里

梦中人

山海

孤独颂歌

有吗炒面

Season 4

This season was the first time I felt there wasn’t improvement over the previous season. I think the stage design took a step backward, and I didn't love the international focus. It was hard to identify my favorite performances because I didn't feel strongly about many. That being said, my friends and I still enjoyed this season.

从头

千里万里

下个，路口，见

归途有风

I'm Not Yours

Season 5

Though this season has already ended, I'm not done yet. I watch with friends, so we move at a slower pace. So far, it seems largely in line with season 4. I'll update this post after we finish.

Call Me By Fire

Chinese title: 披荆斩棘的哥哥 (S1) / 披荆斩棘 (S2-3) English title: Call Me By Fire *I call it Brothers as a nickname

A show about female empowerment gets a male spin off? Out of skepticism, I did not plan to check out this show when it premiered in 2021 (after Sisters S2). But at some point I changed my mind, mostly because I had to run out of other shows. Little did I know I would arguably become a more devoted fan of this show than the original!

Season 1

This season had too many iconic performances to count, and in particular, the Hong Kong contestants really took the world by storm. Due to scandals, they edited out 2 contestants (Huo Zun and Li Yundi), which admittedly does make for an awkward viewing experience at times, but you should totally watch anyway.

凄美地

MMA

飞云之下

达拉崩吧

如果还有明天

Season 2

Looking back, season 2 did not have as many stand out performances as season 1, but it does boast my favorite performances of the entire series, 新地球. It also features a fantastic group of contestants, probably my favorite overall cohort of the show.

新地球

袖手旁观

私人生活

理想

凤毛麟角

Season 3

This was the first season to air after I started watching, though I didn't watch it live because I was still on season 2. While it's probably impossible to top the iconic status of season 1, I think season 3 was an improvement over season 2 in terms of memorable performances. We also got the iconic 0713 (2007快乐男声全国13强) contestants.

行走的鱼

爱人错过

Joker

走麦田

有没有一首歌会让你想起我

Season 4

This season is sadly coming to an end, although I have not started the finale yet. I'll start this weekend and update this post in the future after I've had some time to gather my thoughts.

Now I have to go finish 披荆斩棘4 episode 11 so I can watch the finale. Bye!!!

[retrogamingblog2]

Custom Gamecube Controllers made by SpicyFrog64

[dewitty1]

Ride like the wind, lil buddy...

[togament]

Cock warming Togame while sharing a blunt. That's it. That's the tweet. ✨️

(Absolutely love your writing, by the way ❤️)

GAAASP! 😳😳😳 cockwarming…. Sharing a blunt….. ngl anon I got your ask 2 days ago and it never ever left my noggin. This sounded so hot. Oh, your beautiful brain. I take it out, smooch it and put it back in. This is right up my alley!!!!! Tysvm for sending this in (and for the kind words!!! Another brain kiss from me to you!!!!!)

𝐂𝐎𝐍𝐓𝐄𝐍𝐓 𝐖𝐀𝐑𝐍𝐈𝐍𝐆𝐒: post seggsy time, PRE seggsy time 👀, riding togame’s horse schlong again, cockwarming, language (of course, of course), mentions of weed/marijuana/devil’s lettuce, smoking said weed/marinara/devil’s lettuce, teasing, AFAB! reader, slightly whiney Togame, reader is insatiable and Togame is too.

You often end up like this on your shared bed with your lover.

Bedsheets in disarray, pillows soaked with spit and sweat, bodies still hot from the aftermath of your nightly romp, sharing a fat blunt. Lazy. Now, your man loves to take things slow—hates being rushed, wanting to do things at his pace. So obviously he loves it when you have his cock stuffed in your mouth, keeping it warm while he’s busy rolling another fat one to share. Loves the fact that he could just thrust into your mouth whenever he wants to and—fuck—with your ass is in full view for him, pussy still glistening with a mixture of his cum and yours, he could just drag his knuckle up and down your folds just to tease you, to feel you squirm. His pace.

Delicious.

But there are nights when you both would prefer something different. Share the blunt properly, y’know? That's where you are right now—straddling his lap, throbbing length buried to the hilt inside your cunt with him sat up against the headboard, lighting up a joint. His fat mushroom tip kisses your cervix so you’re gentle with every movement you make and Togame knows this. He knows better than to thrust up into you—fucking you while sober’s one thing but high? Shit. You both have gone hours upon hours until the sun rose multiple times, foregoing proper sleep to fuck the high away.

He obeys. A little.

Offering you the first pull, you take the blunt from his hand and you inhale deeply, taking more clean air into your lungs before you gently guide his chin to face you and you gently let out a plume of smoke. He inhales deeply with hooded eyes gazing deep into yours, heavy from the high and from you. His cock twitches inside of you as he fights the urge to just pin you down and fuck his cum back into you. Nothing is more erotic to him than you, naked and blushing, shotgunning a fat pull with him.

“Fuuuuck, baby,” he lazily drawls, blowing the smoke away and you start feeling him move underneath you. “Really like teasin’ me like this, huh?” He rolls up into your slutty hole and as a warning, you hold your hand against his chest, the other secure on the blunt. Nothing’s stopping your pussy from throbbing around him though. Shit. “Y’know what that does to me.”

You’re fighting back the urge to bounce against him.

“If you keep moving I’m getting off—“ you warn, shooting him a stern look but it’s no use.

He has his hands on your waist now.

“I can’t help it, doll. Y’feel too damn good,” he peers up at you so sweetly you kind of feel like giving in. He takes the blunt from your fingers and he puts it off to the side and into the ashtray. You let him.

“I’m tired, baby,” you reason out weakly but your body’s snitching on you. You’re already throbbing and soaking wet from the way he’s been looking at you, from the way he’s holding you so gently. With your arms snaking up his broad shoulders, you rest your full weight on him now. Chest to chest. Skin to skin.

His large hands move lower to palm at your ass and he gulps dryly, feeling you pulsate around him.

He’s trying to be good for you. He swears.

“Let me take care of you then.” He answers, pressing gentle and slow kisses onto your shoulders with his hands now kneading your flesh. You feel him harden inside you and the sensation’s addicting. You feel like you’re about to burst.

“C’mon. Please?” He says with a slight thrust up, his deep voice coming out as a teasing, whiny request. “One last round and we’re sleeping. Promise.”

You say nothing. You don’t move. With your face hiding in the crook of his neck, you breathe shakily against his flesh; your resolve slipping with every movement. The high isn’t helping either. He feels this.

“…I won’t move until you tell me you want this, angel.” He says gently, pressing more kisses onto your neck.

“F-fine.” You stutter, holding onto his shoulders, digging crescents into them while he slowly, lazily starts to move his hips into you. Teasingly and annoyingly slow.

“Hmm. Fine what?” He stops moving. Ripping you away from possibly just cumming around his length with him barely doing anything. “Use your words, dolly.”

You inwardly curse yourself as you circle your hips, allowing his girth to rub up against your gummy walls once more. “I need it.” You whimper, rocking your hips now with your shared blunt now long forgotten on the ashtray. Its served its purpose for tonight. “G-god you’re such an ass.”

With you moving so eagerly now, Togame can’t help but let out a shaky breath as he holds onto your hips to guide you. He loves how feisty you are sometimes.

“That’s my girl.”

a/n: gumoni from my side of the world, guys. Thank you so much for reading through this absolute dog water and thank youuuuuuu anon for sending in this seggsy seggsy ask. From this day on, I will think of Togame every single time I toke. I muah u. I go sleep now.

[downfalldestiny]

Feel the wind 💨🍃 !.

[transient-winds]

The conclusion of the Noroshi arc has finally arrived! Way to go Bofurin and allies 🥹🙌!!

Spoilers for Wind Breaker Chapters 157 and Chapter 158 ahead! (with additional doodles as an apology for not posting last time, exams was kicking my ass i fear)

Crazy how this whole arc happened in around or in less than 12 hours and I was so ready for it to end on 157 but I should’ve know Takiishi was too stubborn to be knocked out so easily.

GAHHH I have so much to say about the symbolisms in these two chapters.

So first of all, the “Umemiya’s will to change Furin is akin to forging metal” analogy from Endo (Chapter 153) comes back in 157, but now it’s being used in the context of Takiishi. The metal (Takiishi) is finally hot enough to be malleable for potential change and its evident with his new found interest in the rain. Throughout most of Takiishi’s life, he has remained static. He gets what he wants, when he wants and how he wants it. If he doesn’t like it, he gets rid of it. There had been little else that has ever made a significant impact or changes in his life, then he meets Endo and Umemiya—

—both becoming the faces of his perception on the types of people that exist in his life. Then, Umemiya takes it a step further and becomes the catalyst to a (much needed) change in perspective for Takiishi. In my opinion, Takiishi liking the rain can be symbolic of two things:

(1) the rain or more specifically water in Buddhism symbolizes purity, clarity and calmness. Think back to how hellish and messy Takiishi’s mindscape was like in Chapter 153, it had been full of all his interests (notice the fireworks in the bkgd? he said he likes fireworks in 158) and how he perceives things from the outside world. Takiishi starting to like rain means he’s introducing rain to his mindscape, and I can only assume it helps clean up that horder’s wet dream of a place. That is to say, he’s allowing himself to be cleaned from the impurities and bring serenity into his life.

and (2) it represents Takiishi reaching Nirvana (or something similar to it). Now, to most people this probably came out my ass but hear me out: nirvana literally means “to blow out (a light/fire)” or in other words “to extinguish” and as a concept in Buddhism, its a state in which one extinguishes the three posions (i.e. greed, hatred and ignorance) from their life and reaches enlightenment. AND THE TITLE OF CHAPTER 158 IS “The Great Fires of Extinction*”. *smacks my scrub-down board* DO YOU SEE THE CONNECTION RN? TELL ME IM NOT CRAZY FOR THINKING THIS. What I’m getting at is Umemiya was able to help in quelling the poisonous flames of Takiishi’s heart and guided him to self-betterment JUST LIKE THE DUTIES OF FUDO MYO-O AND EXACTLY LIKE HOW BUDDHA CONVERTED THE EIGHT LEGIONS TO BUDDHISM. (Sorry for the capslock im just *gestures wildly* excited)

*note: my delulu brain made the connection between extinction and extinguish because they both refer to the removal of something. (update: etymologically, they both orginated from the same latin word extinguere / lit. destroy or put out)

By the end of this arc, Takiishi has changed significantly and, as much as I hate to say this, but I agree with Endo on this being a beautiful fight. It had been a long time coming for both parties but it had been a necessary conversation to kickstart a new beginning for Takiishi like a rebirth of sorts (+ it allowed Endo and Sakura to gain perspective on people, their complexities and for the latter the responsibilities of being top dog). Wish it didn’t have to end in the rooftop and the town becoming a mess, but oh well, we can’t have everything.

I love love LOVE how Nii-sensei writes Umemiya. His role as a guide and protector to both his people and his enemies is so fucking beautiful and poetic, my words won’t do it justice. In my heart, I see it as him stepping up to be the big brother figure he was always meant to be—had the accident not happened, he would’ve been the best one in the world.

“There’s nothing more fascinating than people.” AGREED KING, SPEAK YOUR TRUTH. I

NOW FOR MY SILLY YAPPING!

UmeEndo conversation really shines in 158 and I’m living for it. I get you UmeEndo shippers, I get you. Endo’s so fucking weirded out by Ume’s optimism and genuineness, I genuinely love how uncomfortable he gets. I’m framing the faces he made in this chapter. Oh how the turns have tabled, you absolute goof.

I already said this once to a friend but I’ll only say it one more time, but I’m genuinely happy for Endo. He has stuck onto Takiishi like a leech without any expectation for the latter’s reciprocation and it was kind of pitiful watching him dance around Takiishi like an annoying chihuahua. Now that Takiishi has officially and verbally acknowledged him, it was heart warming…I guess. I'll let him ride this high with a follow up sketch I'll share here later.

–

Despite no sunrise panel, I think it was appropriate for this arc to end in a downpour. It’s fitting like a forest fire dying down from the rain to replenish the earth and grow anew with all the nutrients from the ash remains of the forest (shoutout to Ales for her EndoChikaUme being Fuel, Fire and Ash post, im kissing your brain rn). Overall, very happy with the conclusion of the Noroshi arc and I’m happily dancing to Happy Xmas (War is Over) by the Plastic Ono. All the love to Nii-sensei and everyone in the official English translation staff for literally the best arc so far in the manga. And thanks for reading ‘til the end of this post. ^^

[mirensiart]

Linked Universe Au where everything is the same but Spirit never joined them cause he was too hyperfocused on fixing his train to notice the ominous portal opening right next to him and when he did turn around the portal was already gone

Linked universe au where everything is the same but Chain (my link oc) never joins cause he tried going through the portal but it wouldn't let Key (zelda oc) through and since key&chain are chained he can't not cross without her, so the portal just ends up spitting him out after 2 hours of trying to cross without success

Basically linked universe au where wind is literally the only adult timeline link who understood the assignment

[theblacktiecacti]

jay went to clown school. let’s talk about that

[awwitschuu]

cw: comfort sex(?), f!reader

riding isn’t your favorite position, even makes you a bit self conscious. your friends all talk about how it drives their partners wild and while yours doesn’t ask you, you wanna be able to please him. you may not voice it but sugishita can see the hesitation and dread in your eyes while you’re on top:(

you’re not enjoying yourself and he hates that.

he can’t help but push you onto your back and tend to you, bring that twinkle and shine back to your sweet eyes. he crowds your space, kissing and suckling on your neck, trailing down to your tits, licking and drooling over the soft peaks as his rough hands spread your thighs open for him. he massages the plump folds of your cunt, middle and index rubbing at your clit until you’re nice and sticky for him.

sugi dips into your gooey cunt, massaging your most sensitive spots as sugar like whimpers leave you. it’s not long before his cock pokes and prods at you, his length finally slipping into your warmth. the shudder that travels up both your spines feel electric, passion and pure lust intoxicating you both.

fuck you look gorgeous this way, he thinks. you become so pliable and shy like he hasn’t seen all of you before, like he hasn’t pulled those melodic moans from you before. he’d be in this position with you for all eternity if he had it his way, the last thing he’d want is to compromise your pleasure for his own.

pls only interact if you’re 18+! i block minors/ ageless blogs <3

[book--brackets]

Summaries under the cut

Smile by Raina Telgemeier

Raina just wants to be a normal sixth grader. But one night after Girl Scouts she trips and falls, severely injuring her two front teeth, and what follows is a long and frustrating journey with on-again, off-again braces, surgery, embarrassing headgear, and even a retainer with fake teeth attached. And on top of all that, there’s still more to deal with: a major earthquake, boy confusion, and friends who turn out to be not so friendly. This coming-of-age true story is sure to resonate with anyone who has ever been in middle school, and especially those who have ever had a bit of their own dental drama.

Arc of a Scythe by Neal Shusterman

Thou shalt kill.

A world with no hunger, no disease, no war, no misery. Humanity has conquered all those things, and has even conquered death. Now scythes are the only ones who can end life—and they are commanded to do so, in order to keep the size of the population under control.

Citra and Rowan are chosen to apprentice to a scythe—a role that neither wants. These teens must master the “art” of taking life, knowing that the consequence of failure could mean losing their own.

Maximum Ride by James Patterson

Six unforgettable kids — with no families, no homes — are running for their lives. Max Ride and her best friends have the ability to fly. And that's just the beginning of their amazing powers. But they don't know where they come from, who's hunting them, why they are different from all other humans... and if they're meant to save mankind — or destroy it.

From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler by E. L. Konigsburg

When Claudia decided to run away, she planned very carefully. She would be gone just long enough to teach her parents a lesson in Claudia appreciation. And she would go in comfort - she would live at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. She saved her money, and she invited her brother Jamie to go, mostly because he was a miser and would have money.

Claudia was a good organizer and Jamie had some ideas, too; so the two took up residence at the museum right on schedule. But once the fun of settling in was over, Claudia had two unexpected problems: She felt just the same, and she wanted to feel different; and she found a statue at the Museum so beautiful she could not go home until she had discovered its maker, a question that baffled the experts, too.

The Wind in the Willows by Kenneth Grahame

For more than a century, The Wind in the Willows and its endearing protagonists—Mole, Water Rat, Badger, and, of course, the incorrigible Toad—have enchanted children of all ages. Whether the four friends are setting forth on an exciting adventure, engaging in a comic caper, or simply relaxing by the River Thames, their stories will surprise and captivate you.

Hailed as one of the most enduringly popular works of the twentieth century, this story is a classic of magical fancy and enchanting wit. Penned in lyrical prose, the adventures and misadventures of the book’s intrepid quartet of heroes raise fantasy to the level of myth. Reflecting the freshness of childhood wonder, it still offers adults endless sophistication, substance, and depth.

Abhorsen by Garth Nix

Sent to a boarding school in Ancelstierre as a young child, Sabriel has had little experience with the random power of Free Magic or the Dead who refuse to stay dead in the Old Kingdom. But during her final semester, her father, the Abhorsen, goes missing, and Sabriel knows she must enter the Old Kingdom to find him.

The Westing Game by Ellen Raskin

A bizarre chain of events begins when sixteen unlikely people gather for the reading of Samuel W. Westing's will. And though no one knows why the eccentric, game-loving millionaire has chosen a virtual stranger—and a possible murderer—to inherit his vast fortune, one thing's for sure: Sam Westing may be dead ... but that won't stop him from playing one last game!

Gone by Michael Grant

In the blink of an eye, everyone disappears. Gone. Except for the young.

There are teens, but not one single adult. Just as suddenly, there are no phones, no internet, no television. No way to get help. And no way to figure out what's happened.

Hunger threatens. Bullies rule. A sinister creature lurks. Animals are mutating. And the teens themselves are changing, developing new talents—unimaginable, dangerous, deadly powers—that grow stronger by the day. It's a terrifying new world. Sides are being chosen, a fight is shaping up. Townies against rich kids. Bullies against the weak. Powerful against powerless. And time is running out: On your 15th birthday, you disappear just like everyone else...

Heidi by Johanna Spyri

Little orphan Heidi goes to live high in the Alps with her gruff grandfather and brings happiness to all who know her on the mountain. When Heidi goes to Frankfurt to work in a wealthy household, she dreams of returning to the mountains and meadows, her friend Peter, and her beloved grandfather.

The Neverending Story by Michael Ende

The story begins with a lonely boy named Bastian and the strange book that draws him into the beautiful but doomed world of Fantastica. Only a human can save this enchanted place by giving its ruler, the Childlike Empress, a new name. But the journey to her tower leads through lands of dragons, giants, monsters, and magic, and once Bastian begins his quest, he may never return. As he is drawn deeper into Fantastica, he must find the courage to face unspeakable foes and the mysteries of his own heart.

[illustratus]

Le Voyageur by Jean-Louis-Ernest Meissonier

[tippenfunkaport]

I can't believe no one else did this yet and I have to submit my own terrible doodle before the fandom alter.

[littleplantfreak]

Please imagine Umemiya Hajime who's good at camping. He's well prepared and can start a fire in seconds if necessary. (Not to mention him chopping wood?) But also imagine the knots he can tie when putting the tent up. His fingers deftly looping and pulling around the stakes before he tightens them. He'll teach you what different ones are good for, but every time he has you try to do it, you come up blank, unable to tie the simplest thing. It takes the third time of him showing you before he realizes the dreamy look in your eyes isn't one of concentration to learn. But really, who could blame you when he explains it so patiently in that sweet low rumble that he uses when he's alone with you in close proximity. When occasionally he'll grab your hands in his to physically show you how the knots tie, and you can feel the callouses on his palms grazing your skin.

[manga-and-stuff]

Source: The Art of Nausicaä of the valley of the wind

by Hayao Miyazaki

Link to the full Artbook