#ryouko sakurai

[saint-miroir]

Love Songs♪ Idol ga Classmate (PS2) advertisement taken from the backside of Monthly Comic Dragon Magazine (05/2001). Illustrated by Aoi Kimizuka. Scanned from my personal collection.

[symphogearconfession-blog]

[alltheoutsinfreeeee]

Symphogear + screenshotsofdespair [cw: blood under the cut]

and also an alternative for the “who am i”

[ahiijny]

I made a Finé AMV! Since I couldn’t really find that much footage of her to work with, there’s also a bit of FIS in there, too.

The song I chose was “Hotel Mauna Kea”, a parody song that I got introduced to in an astronomy course I once took. The astronomy prof said that the parody was made by astronomers, and that it actually pretty accurately describes the various difficulties astronomers face at the observatory :P

Title: Finé

Anime: Senki Zesshou Symphogear, G, GX, AXZ, XV

Song: Hotel Mauna Kea (parody of Hotel California)

Arrangement/Lyrics: Juan D., Kelly F., Ted K.

Length: 5:02

[justintaco]

[airisu7425]

May Shopping

Another fruitful month, new YOI stuff got released and now I am really in desperate need of a new bookshelf (or two)...

I got a pretty big box full of mangas including Kyuugou’s oneshot (it.is.GORGEOUS), Ten Count’s last volume, Ogawa Chise’s, Uekawa Kichi’s, Chiba Ryouko’s, Mio Junta’s and Michinoku Atami’s latest, along with the adorable Tadaima Okaeri latest volume and the new cat hit: Oji-sama to Neko. I also bought the second part (and still tbc) of a student x teacher story by Kinoshita Keiko and the 3rd volume of Natsume Isaku’s Hanakoi Tsurane. As you can see I also got the YOI x Sanrio ‘artbook’ which is basically a really thin magazine but at least the pouch that came with it is adorbs.

The English BL manga publishing is devastatingly unfruitful (compared to e.g. the German or French market) so I only got the 6th volume of Awkward Silence and a Finder published by SuBLime.

As for merchandise: of course more YOI - the adorable 6 part clearfile set, the YuraYura metal charms (set of 9) and the Kiss & Cry area for my nendos (waiting for couch!Victor nendo to set it up properly). I am usually not into Nitotan but this BnHA daywear set was adorable and had most of the characters I wanted to have, I went for it.

to be continued...

[kitehaizaki]

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[medea10]

My Review of The Pet Girl of Sakurasou

How did I get into this anime? Um…good question. I’m not entirely sure how this one ended up on my list other than it was licensed by Sentai Filmworks.

Sorata Kanda is a student at Suimei High School, a school notorious for its classes in the art field. Sorata finds himself in a bit of trouble when it was noticed that he tries to take in stray cats. The school put their foot down and threw Sorata in the trouble-maker dorm, also known as “Sakura Hall”. The residents are all…I think quirky is the best way to describe them. There’s an energetic animator and goofball (Misaki), a guy into doing playwright and doing women (Jin), a shut-in that’s good with programming (Ryuunosuke), and a promiscuous art teacher/dorm mistress (Chihiro).

What was Sorata’s problem again? He would take in stray cats!

Never mind, I would probably end up there too. And not just for taking in stray cats either.

The dorm mistress Chihiro asks Sorata to pick up her cousin coming in from Europe. She’s going to transfer to the school and is going to stay at Sakura Hall. Mashiro Shiina looks normal and seems kinda aloof. I wonder why she would be in the dorm with the crazy people. Your questions are answered in episode 2. Mashiro is a genius in the art world, but her social skills are lacking. And saying she’s aloof is an understatement! The girl doesn’t even know how to put on clothes or do basic things in order to survive. Not to mention all the literal things she says without knowing what she’s saying.

Let’s just say Sorata gets a heavy-load of misunderstandings when watching over this weird girl in Sakura Hall.

BETWEEN THE SUB AND THE DUB: Whenever Sentai or FUNimation is in need of a voice that calls for a high school lad at half-testicles, you can always count on Greg Ayres to be there. I can’t hate on the man, he plays a bunch of funny lads with that distinct voice of his. I know some people find it annoying, but I’m cool with it. Probably because I didn’t complain when he played that butt-monkey on Clannad! Moving on, this anime has just about everyone you would think would be in the dub of a Sentai licensed anime. Luci Christian, John Swasey, Hillary Haag, Kira Vincent-Davis, Shelly Calene-Black, and so many other veterans. I’m also excited to officially hear Natalie Rial in an anime. She is the sister to voice Jesus, Monica Rial.

Now there was one character that felt off hearing from and that was Ryunnosuke. Mostly the big difference between the English and Japanese! Let’s just say that when I heard Blake Shepard’s voice come out, it felt weird. Up until he appeared, I thought Ryunnosuke was a female. Especially when I read prior to his appearance that Yui Horie voiced him. So I almost took a spit-take first hearing the dub. Here’s what you might recognize these folks from.

JAPANESE CAST: *Sorata is played by Yoshitsugu Matsuoka (known for Soma on Food Wars, Inosuke on Demon Slayer, Kirito on SAO, Helios on Sailor Moon Eternal, Petelgeuse on Re:Zero, Yona on Fire Force, and Freed on High School DxD

*Nanami is played by Mari Nakatsu

*Mashiro is played by Ai Kayano (known for Darkness on Konosuba, Alice on SAO: Alicization, Kanae on Demon Slayer, Mayaka on Hyouka, Ryouko on Food Wars, Itsuwa on Index, and Yukika on Ore Monogatari)

*Misaki is played by Natsumi Takamori (known for Mei on Another, Tiaplate on Interspecies Reviewers, Hibana on Deadman Wonderland, Souna on High School DxD, and Saitou on Rozen Maiden: Zurückspulen)

*Jin is played by Takahiro Sakurai (known for Suzaku on Code Geass, Licht on Black Clover, Oshino on Monogatari, Ayame on Fruits Basket 2019, Sting on Fairy Tail, Griffith on Berserk 2016, and Osomatsu in Mr. Osomatsu)

*Ryuunosuke is played by Yui Horie (known for Hanyuu on Higurashi, Tohru on Fruits Basket, Hanekawa on Monogatari, Minori on Toradora, Felix on Re:Zero, Charla on Fairy Tail, and Maria on Umineko)

ENGLISH CAST: *Sorata is played by Greg Ayres (known for Kaoru on Ouran HSHC, Nagisa on Free!, Sunohara on Clannad, Monokuma on Danganronpa, Izumi on Love Stage, Ayato on Angel Beats, Chrono on Chrono Crusade, and Isshiki on Chunibyo)

*Nanami is played by Christina Kelly (known for Alice on Food Wars, Sophia on Chunibyo, and Kouko on Golden Time)

*Mashiro is played by Caitlynn French (known for Mio on Little Busters, Shiro on No Game No Life, Matsurika on Maria Holic, and Kanna on Tamako Market)

*Misaki is played by Luci Christian (known for Wrath & Truth on FMA, Medusa on Soul Eater, Uraraka on My Hero Academia, Nagisa on Clannad, Yukari on Azumanga Daioh, Nami on One Piece, and Hiro on Fruits Basket 2019)

*Jin is played by Scott Gibbs (known for Satoshi on Food Wars, Sora on No Game No Life, and Mitsuo on Parasyte)

*Ryuunosuke is played by Blake Shepard (known for Soma on Food Wars, Otonashi on Angel Beats, Shoma on Penguindrum, Kyousuke on Little Busters, Natsume on Inu x Boku SS, and Laito on Diabolik Lovers)

SHIPPING: Okay, let’s go crazy!

*Sorata x Mashiro: Everything here is just piles upon piles of misunderstandings. Mashiro says a lot of things that have double meanings. She doesn’t intend to do it, she’s just aloof and only pays attention to her art. It wasn’t until the halfway mark of the series when Mashiro feels something she’s never felt before. Prior to this, she only focused on her art and literally nothing else. Now, she wants to try new things for Sorata’s sake. And then she learned about jealousy as she acted on impulse a couple of times due to Sorata paying a little more attention to Nanami. Thankfully, the jealousy never really blew up to proportions that involve cat fights. Just her running away at an important time! You know, that kind of drama.

*Sorata x Nanami: Nanami has a crush on Sorata. It’s been visible from space since episode one. So what do you think is going to happen when someone like Mashiro shows up and says weird shit about sleeping with Sorata, going to a love hotel with Sorata, and Sorata, please do my laundry?! Jealousy’s gonna hit! At the school festival, Nanami got a confession and it was NOT from Sorata like she wanted. It was from her and Sorata’s classmate whom I can’t remember or bother remembering anything about him. And of course Nanami doesn’t want this. Now I do give Nanami credit here as she doesn’t try to delve a wedge between Sorata and Mashiro because she’s the one with the bigger and longer crush. But Nanami’s confession kinda comes out in her creative ways like in her voice over practice.

*Jin x Misaki: So at the beginning, I didn’t know where this was going to go. It was proven that Misaki likes Jin early on. But who the hell knew if this was going to be legit canon? Jin was a playboy and Misaki is eccentrically nuts. However, there were moments sprinkled throughout the series where Misaki would do insane things to get Jin’s attention. We just didn’t know if she was for sure serious about Jin or just messing with him. But then we learn that Jin actually dated Misaki’s older sister once upon a time and this really strikes at Misaki. Once she saw Jin and Fuuka together after so long, Misaki felt more determined to win Jin’s heart by any means necessary. Turns out the two truly love each other, but worry about the other due to things out of their control.

*Ryuunosuke x Rita: We finally met the shut-in, computer programmer face-to-face during the midway point. He only comes out of hiding when he needs to show up to school for important tasks like exams. Sucks for Ryuunosuke because when he emerged after a long time being holed up, Mashiro’s friend from England, Rita came for a visit! Besides wanting to take Mashiro back home with her, she inadvertently falls for Ryuunosuke. Yes, about that! Ryuunosuke hates females. He did not care for that kiss Rita gave him. Or any kiss for that matter!

ENDING: The fun nears its end! The students of Sakura Hall got some pretty grim news. Their dorms are to be torn down effective immediately. Sorata is of course disgusted that the school is going to do it. After all this time he’s spent at the dorms, he’s felt a connection there and with all his friends. Unfortunately, there wasn’t much defense to go on with this. The building is pretty run down and the school usually just sent troublemakers to live there. Misaki and Jin are like days away from graduating so they would be moving away anyways. And Nanami is probably going to be leaving, either for a job or because of her parents.

But then we learn that the school pushed up demolition plans because of Mashiro. Because of Mashiro’s (good) reputation, the school felt as though the dorm has become a hinderance on her art work and wants to do away with the distraction. Sorata was determined to keep both Sakura Hall and Mashiro, but he does end up getting a pile-up in his life during this time. To tell the truth, nearly everybody had a lot of baggage to deal with besides the demolition of their dorm. Nanami ended up failing her audition for this voice actress opportunity and was at a crossroads with a future career and what her parents want. Misaki and Jin are about to deal with a long-distance relationship as Jin is going to college in a different city. And Sorata is dealing with the stresses of getting a game idea accepted.

Sorata took on more when he decided to help his friends try to petition the tearing down of Sakura Hall. Unfortunately, they were unable to get the amount of signatures needed to overturn the school’s decision. On top of that, Sorata got a rejection for his game and took his anger and frustration out on Mashiro. Mashiro thought that if she left, Sakura Hall would be left alone. Thankfully, Sorata and Nanami were able to stop Mashiro before she could hop a train and plane out of Japan. And we do get a touching moment between Sorata and Nanami without the use of jealousy or confessions of love. Just in time, the kids were able to make it to Jin and Misaki’s graduation.

At the graduation, Misaki kinda commandeered the student council president’s speech to the graduating class to her own plan. In the speech, Misaki explained her time at Sakura Hall as the time of her life and pleaded with everyone to oppose the school’s decision to demolish it. With so many students opposing the principal and bringing a lot out in the open, Sakura Hall is saved. Now is the time for many of these kids to go their separate ways. Nanami is going home and whether or not she returns is up to her father (spoiler alert: she stays). Jin and Misaki are going to college, but Jin is going away while Misaki stays in town (best of all they’re engaged and will be wed once they both graduate). And Ryuunosuke is going to do what he does best and if we see him again, we see him again.

With Sorata and Mashiro alone for the moment, they reflect on their first meeting and Sorata gets a kiss on the cheek.

The new school year brings three new students to Sakura Hall; a pervert, an extreme introvert, and Sorata’s baby sister. Turns out she really passed her entrance exam several episodes prior! And Misaki ended up buying the house next door from Sakura Hall!  Sorata decided to keep some traditions alive with the new housemates by having a hot-pot celebration, a wild greeting, and a few cats hanging around.

This was pretty nice. I didn’t know what I was expecting when I started watching this. I initially put it on my randomizer list because this was one of the few animes licensed by Sentai with a very decent score. I do wonder if the story continues in manga form. And if so, is there any more progression between Sorata and either Nanami or Mashiro? I’m not mentioning Sorata’s little sister here because, come on man, that’s just nasty! Is there any necessary thing to mention about the new students or were they just added at the end just for hahas? I doubt if anything else will come of this anime as it has almost been a full decade since its airing.

But yeah, cute story. Nothing more I really want to say. If you want to watch this anime, it’s only available to watch on Hi-dive.

Now then, let’s watch something a little more near and dear to my heart besides high school romance in art class.

GAMBLING AND CRAZY BITCHES TIME!

[oshimos]

Okay, so like, I know it was just an excuse to have Ryouko show off her abilities, but why the hell else would Hibiki be there if not to Symphogear it up? She’s literally on a life or death mission that has already resulted in the deaths of at least two people, she’s not just there to carry the case

(Also that frame of Ryouko’s glasses flying off is really good but she was definitely wearing them wrong if they’re going to just fly off her face around her head somehow)

[teddy-tries-writing]

TsubaMari: Crossed Wires and Crossed Hearts

Just an idea I had for a fic I will probably never write. If anyone is interested in writing this fic, full speed ahead! Credit optional, feel free to exercise creative liberty with anything written here. Drop me a PM on FFN or reblog this post with a link if you’d like me to check out your fic.

Characters: Maria Cadenzavna Eve, Tsubasa Kazanari, Kanade Amou, Finé | Ryouko Sakurai, Nastassja, and others.

Pairing: Tsubasa/Maria, optional Kanade/Tsubasa/Maria.

Trope: Fake dating on steriods, AKA fake marriage.

Summary: Tsubasa and Kanade inflitrate Finé’s organization to find out more about and potentially sabotage Finé’s next big plan. Finé wants Tsubasa’s money and other resources, so she orders Maria to seduce Tsubasa. Both Tsubasa and Maria accidentally catch feelings. Will they get their happy-ever-after or will they end up a modern Romeo and Juliet? Will Kanade accept a bribe and step away or will she have to fend off assassins?

Length: one-shot or multi-chaptered, any number of words.

Story notes after the cut.

Crossed Wires and Crossed Hearts: Tsubasa/Maria Fake Dating AU

“I understand that we need a convincing story to effectively infiltrate FIS, but this—” Tsubasa shakes her head in utter bafflement.

“C’mon, Tsubasa,” Kanade winks at her, “You know I’m quite the catch! Definitely worth running away from your ultra-conservative family so that we can elope in America where homosexuals can legally marry. Arson will make for a fun, unique honeymoon!”

Tsubasa rolls her eyes, muttering, “Be serious, Kanade.”

Ogawa says, apologetic but firm, “The best lies have a grain of truth in them. We know this is above and beyond what we usually ask of our operatives, but what FIS is researching and implementing warrants an extraordinary response. Moreover, the marriage would protect you from being asked to enter a political marriage of insurance, at least while they work to either suborn Kanade or remove her from your life.”

“This is going to be like a soap opera, except with more espionage and murder!”

***

Being the (figure) head of the organization means Maria usually has nothing to do with new recruits; in this case, however, one of the new recruits is high-profile enough to merit a meeting with high command.

Tsubasa Kazanari is a woman just two years her junior, valuable in her disillusionment with the establishment but also in the leverage she brings with her: Tsubasa Kazanari is not only the heir to the Kazanari clan of Japan, but she is also a favorite of their parent clan, the Azuma assassin syndicate which operates on a global scale. The resources this woman could bring to FIS have most members of high command ready to do anything it takes to secure her loyalty. Or, more accurately, her neutered compliance.

“It would have been nice to tie her to us through marriage. Well, we can still give it a try. It’s not likely to work, but do your best to seduce her. Considering that she was willing to elope, I doubt she will leave her lover of her own initiative; still, we could have the lover removed and have you sweep in to comfort her in her grief. Hm, we shall see.”

Never has Maria felt more like a pawn than now. And Tsubasa Kazanari, for all her supposed power, will also be little more than a pawn. After all, spoiled rich heiresses have zero defenses against psychological warfare.

***

FIS [or whatever organization] is working to hijack the moon and take over the world [or something else equally nefarious]. Tsubasa and Kanade go undercover to gauge the extent of [FIS’] abilities, sabotage what they can, and feed information to [S.O.N.G]. Their cover story is that Tsubasa, madly in love with Kanade, has issued an ultimatum to Fudou to let her American marriage stand in Japan or lose his perfect heir [note that the marriage and ultimatum actually happen, so as to convince any scrutinizers that the cover story is real even if TsubaKana relationship isn’t necessarily real]. While in America, the plan is to get themselves recruited by FIS and work as high up the chain as they can. On the [FIS] side, Nastassja and Finé want to secure the resources Tsubasa has; Finé decides to weaponize feelings, just for funsies. They order Maria to seduce Tsubasa while they bribe or eliminate Kanade. Maria doesn’t want to seduce anyone, much less a spoiled rich heiress [2nd Div’s activities are top-secret and Fudou has begun parading Tsubasa in front of the media], but she will because her mother asked it of her. Unfortunately for Maria, she finds herself actually liking Tsubasa. Ver is somewhere, maybe as a sleeper/double agent in [S.O.N.G./2nd Div] or working in [FIS]. Chris’ story line ties into Kirika and Shirabe’s story line in Japan. If including Hibiki and Miku, then the Symphogear must exist and HibiMiku are in the background but definitely working to tip the scales in SONG’s favor.

Thus, three main story lines:

1.       Maria seducing Tsubasa, accidentally falling in love, then trying to arrange an escape for Tsubasa and Kanade (whom she assumes Tsubasa genuinely loves given the way Tsubasa talks about her). Cliché or not, Maria doesn’t discover the truth of Tsubasa’s feelings until FIS HQ is literally falling apart around them and they’re seconds from becoming prisoners and it seems they’ll have to leave someone behind.

2.      Tsubasa evading commitment of her money, personnel, and influence as long as possible, accidentally falling in love with Maria, then trying to arrange an escape for Maria while also collecting as much information as possible. She can’t admit the truth yet, but she’s sure Maria understands that their love is mutual.

3.      Kanade playing coy with bribery, dodging impatient assassination attempts, sabotaging what she can without detection, perhaps getting a bit of revenge on Finé on Chris’ behalf, and investigating Maria to ascertain her suitability as a partner for Tsubasa by playing the jealous, territorial wife. Escape? We’ll cross that bridge when we get to it! OT3 is also a totally valid option.

Optional three side story lines:

1.       Shirabe and Kirika are in Japan, doing something. Double agents? Something with Ver?

2.      Chris is maybe also in Japan, maybe doing something. Possibly related to #1 or #3. Or she’s with Finé and secretly plotting against her.

3.      Hibiki is about to become the savior, and Miku proves invaluable as her emotional support.

[fizzingwizard]

DIGIMON ADVENTURE: Official Trailer 2 [English sub]

I like Taichi’s new voice!! Sort of wish it was Hanae Natsuki but I like that Japan often does young-soundng voices for young boy characters, so I’m not complaining. It’s so weird to hear him at this age but not Fujita Toshiko, but I’m glad I like his voice!

It looks the Digimon still have the same voice actors as always though, wow! (Except Tailmon) Such longevity!

Yagami Taichi - Sanpei Yuuko (I like her voice but she’s also Boruto! Crossover fever dream!)

Ishida Yamato: Namikawa Daisuke (WHAAAAT?! I AM NOT PREPARED)

Takenouchi Sora: Shiraishi Ryouko

Izumi Koushirou: Kobayashi Yumiko

Tachikawa Mimi: Kouno Marika

Kido Jou: Kusao Takeshi

Takaishi Takeru: Han Megumi

Yagami Hkari: Watada Misaki

Agumon: Sakamoto Chika

Gabumon: Yamaguchi Mayumi

Piyomon: Shigematsu Atori

Tentomon: Sakurai Takahiro

Palmon: Yamada Kinoko

Gomamon: Takeuchi Junko

Patamon: Matsumoto Miwa

Tailmon: Sonozaki Mie

I still don’t own a TV hahahaha

[bethygauw]

[Idol Show Time] Tsuyogari New Game / A New Game of Bravado English lyrics

From the 2nd installment of the doujin series by seiyuu Yuka Maruyama and Aoi Yuuki (Idol Show Time/Aishota Twitter)

Song preview (verse 2): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2ewalaerLdw

Lyrics: Yuka Maruyama Composition: Ritchie the world Guitar: Ritchie the world and Raion Gotou Singer: étailes [Setsuna Sakurai (Mutsumi Tamura), Hinata Koizumi (Yumiko Kobayashi), Seijuurou Kuuge (Mitsuki Saiga), Raion Gotou (Ryouko Shiraishi), Mikhail Seto (Nanako Mori), Reo Amatsuka (Aoi Yuuki), Shun Horimiya (Yuka Maruyama)]

Buy the digital CD here: https://ishota.booth.pm/items/1759184

1st CD long preview: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CPuNR3DQ460&feature=youtu.be

Translator’s note: I love this series also because talented and veteran female seiyuu go ham with voicing these boys I want more people to know!! ;-; It also features other renowned seiyuu such as Junko Minagawa, Kotori Koiwai, Yuka Nishigaki, Tsubasa Yonaga, and Aina Kusuda.

According to the drama CD, the song is about “a one-sided love for an older someone”. Raion also came up with the guitar solo.

Kanji and Romaji I transcribed can be found here (Google Docs): https://docs.google.com/document/d/10IhrC4viqp4TDM6coRNzDA1-E4lKk2E4joFqitEPB40/edit?usp=sharing

It looks like this

A New Game of Bravado

[Verse 1]

Game start How did you find the tutorial? Prepare yourself, fighting☆! I won’t lose this time

Acting condescending Treating me like a puppy, again Better off not showing me any opening If you don’t want me to bite!

You don’t get it

Be true to yourself? I know you want it Even if I reach up It’s nowhere near enough

Barrier of excuses But that’s not bad either, darling Which job class do you prefer? Shall I become a prince for you?

How about you admit to it already? That you like me a lot

Shall we gotcha LOVE×2＝an invincible knight of the party! Don’t you look away! Feigning ignorance is against the rule If that’s how you play it, then I’ll get serious too

I panic, trivial mistakes immediately exposed I don’t want you to see through it all! A constant “no” is also part of love The few “centimentals” difference is so frustrating

[Verse 2]

Damage dealt quite a bit Statuses are satisfactory Logic won’t help me understand It’s nowhere near enough!

If you let your guard down “One day” will already be around the corner If that’s what you want Then I’ll conquer you

Pinning you against the wall, scooping up your chin—leave it all to me Press B to hurry and cancel? That’s all tall tale In my fantasy, just like this... (Come at me more!) But that’s not right! I want to try it! (A proper romance!) It’s the one thing that I’m weak to—that personality gap of yours Succession of bluffs with what little courage I have! Undefeated gag lines increasing cliche level Trump card joker A new game of bravado!

Bring it on

Cheats are nonsense! Weakness spotted, easy win A direct challenge Don’t take me lightly

That’s unfair, My Sweet A counterattack of smiles A sneak attack on my heart, Clean HIT! It’s super effective!?

We don’t know what the future holds for us Will you tell me?

Shall we gotcha LOVE×2＝an invincible knight of the party! Don’t you look away! I love you this much, yet I didn’t know you had an ace in the hole

Not even my finishing move reaches you Controller covered in sweat! If you’re the heroine Then the hero should definitely be me

[Interlude]

It’s too soon For the closing credits I don’t want it to end at a timing like this Level up like crazy Grind one stage to the next

Shall we gotcha LOVE×2＝an invincible knight of the party! Don’t you look away! I’m the grand prize winner, ain’t I? If we’re talking about how much one thinks for your sake

Just a bit more, but it’s unreachable What is it that I’m missing? I like that part about you too! I won’t give up! So let me choose to continue!

[symphogearconfession-blog]

[animebw]

Binge-Watching: Symphogear AXZ, Episodes 4-6

In which I get more negative than I’m comfortable with, and the villains leave some to be desired.

A Curious Emptiness

It’s always a weird feeling when you realize something is missing. Critiquing a piece of media is much easier when something has obviously gone wrong in the construction; you can point out the flaw and explain how that element was botched, and how it could’ve been made better. But sometimes, the problem isn’t the presence of something negative, but the absence of something positive. And the uncertain sense that absence leaves you with can be very difficult to parse out when you’re not quite sure what missing piece is leaving the puzzle feel incomplete. I’ve addressed this issue earlier in my watch of Symphogear, specifically in the second season; it was only when Miku was weaved back into the narrative that I realized how much her absence was affecting my enjoyment of the narrative. And as much as I’m enjoying AXZ so far, it’s become clear that this season is running into a similar problem. Something, somewhere, isn’t clicking like it should, and as a result, this season doesn’t feel quite as strong as previous ones.

Thankfully, unlike my confusion back in G, I think I’ve already pinned down what isn’t quite working for me this this time around: the villains. I mentioned last time that they were an unusually enigmatic antagonistic force this time around, playing their motives, outlook, values and overall goal very close to the chest, to the point that we knew very little about what was driving them. I also said that such an approach to villain writing wasn’t an inherently bad thing. Unfortunately, it still can be a bad thing if not executed well, and the Bavarian Illuminati are shaping up to be a prime example why. We’re given so little to go on throughout the first half of the show, to the point where Saint-Germain and her allies feel more like empty simulcrania than the literal marionette people from last season. The show’s given us no insight into their personalities beyond base-level character quirks, no sense of where they came from and what forces shaped them, no hints at any sort of inner life that could connect us to them and make us want to know more about them. We only just got some sort of confirmation on what’s driving them, and it’s just a re-tread of Fine’s goal of breaking the curse of Balal. They’re so... indistinct and weightless, to the point where it genuinely feels like any antagonist with any random goal could be slotted in their place and it would make just as much sense.

And it’s frustrating, because once Symphogear got past its first season, it got really fucking good at this stuff. This show is at its best when the goals of its heroes and villains are allowed to clash and interact, swirling together in a thick thematic soup. Even before we knew what Maria or Carol’s deals were, the ways they challenged Hibiki’s beliefs set up powerful emotional cores early and often that the rest of the narrative could revolve around. Hibiki only started trying to reach out to Saint-Germain in the same way in episode 4, and even then it felt more token than usual. It really doesn’t feel like they’re active agents driving the plot forward in the way past villains were. They’re more plot devices than even Ryouko Sakurai was; at least she had a strong stage presence. Hell, the brief return of the Sugita Who Will Never Die, Dr. Ver, in a mindscape sequence ends up highlighting even more just how lacking this crop of foes is; he’s a million times more specific and absorbing in that tiny chunk than they’ve been over six episodes. Hopefully, now that we actually have a sense of what’s driving them, Symphogear will be able to wrangle them back into shape. Because considering how masterfully this show has been able to handle its villains in seasons past, I’d hate for it to stumble in the final lap.

Adam’s Enigma

Of course, there’s another piece to the Bavarian puzzle that’s complicating their place in the narrative: Adam, the enigmatic fuckboi they answer to. There’s something deeply unsettling about him that’s hard to pin down, a kind of sleazy, sinister wrongness that permeates every time his name is so much as mentioned. And his on-screen debut only solidifies that feeling, as he abrely even waits a second before stripping down to his unmentionables and lobbing a nuclear-sized fireball that decimates an entire military base. That, my friends, is how you do a villain entrance; it’s striking, it knocks you out of your comfort zone, and it instantly lets you know that this guy is not to be trusted. Combined with his general playboy attitude and the icky sway he holds over the robotic Kiki, and he comes off as a kind of threat Symphogear hasn’t really explored yet: an explicitly masculine danger. Sure, Dr. Ver was a villain, but he was a fun, campy foe, a megalomaniacal entertainer divorced from any real serious introspection (not a criticism, to be clear, I love the fuck to death). But everything about the way Adam presents himself and how he’s seen by others makes him come off not just as dangerous, but dangerous in a way only toxic men can be to the women they see as beneath him. He’s in love with his own power, taking pleasure in lording it over his female subordinates in subtle, but noticeable ways. Whether that’s just unintentional subtext or the entire damn point of his mysterious character remains to be seen. But I suspect that if there’s a chance for this season’s villain problem to sort itself out, it’ll be with him.

Bitter Pill

That said, there was another problem I ran into with this set of episodes, a problem that’s nowhere near as large a hindrance as the underwhelming villain writing, but left an impact all the same. Maria’s travel into her mindscape to unlock the secret of making Linker ends in an emotional payoff that feels... misguided. She confronts the trauma she experienced as a child under the Linker program, the grueling trials she and her friends were put through as experimental guinea pigs. More specifically, she confronts her feelings towards Dr. Nastasseja, the woman who put her through those trials and later led her team back in season 2. It’s supposed to be a big moment for her, the point where she overcomes the lingering scars that drove her to villainy when we first met her, where she makes peace with the mistakes that can’t ever be undone, but can be surpassed in time. But the way she comes to that conclusion... doesn’t sit well with me. She essentially says that her “Mom” was justified in carrying out those cruel experiments, as they forged her into a stronger person who could handle the pressures of the challenges she faces today. But even speaking as someone who’s been lucky enough to have a completely loving family with very few issues, I know that’s not how abuse works. It’s never as positive as that. Maybe it makes you mature before your time, sure, but that doesn’t mean it leaves you healthier for it. It leaves scars. It leaves pain. And it’s never as simple as saying “oh, they didn’t want to hurt you” to forgive.

I dunno, I’m about the last person who should be making any sort of definitive statement on the portrayal of abuse in fiction. But between this moment and the frustrating fumbling of Hibiki’s father from last season, it feels like Symphogear is war too eager to give parents an out for the harm they inflict, however unintentionally, upon their kids. Neglect and abuse don’t lend themselves to such simple solutions; hell, accepting the reality of some problems that can’t be fixed so easily was the entire thematic point of GX. If you’re not willing to tackle these issues with that level of nuance, you’re better off not addressing them at all. And it sucks, because it ends up tainting a really wonderful moment where that old lady Maria rescued gives her the speech about the sweetest tomatoes being forged from the harshest environments, giving her confidence that the darkness she’s experienced isn’t enough to break her, and it just leaves a bad taste in my mouth. Feh. Hopefully the next chunk of episodes is better, because I don’t like being this down on a show I really appreciate.

Odds and Ends

-”Using protection feels wrong.” Please fuck responsibly, kids.

-”Scarecrows are so realistic these days.” kasdjhakds

-”Who are you calling ice cream?!” You know, I never picked up that their hair colors made Neapolitan before. Nice catch, Blue Hair.

-”The estrogen is making my blood boil!” askjhads they’re not even trying to be subtle about it are they

-”How boorish of you to call my blade a wall!” Tsubasa you EXTRA motherfucker

-So in this world, the Philosopher’s Stone is a purification agent, meaning the Ignite modules don’t stand a chance against it. Question is, is it made from human souls?

-”I’m a goofball from hell!” Kirika in a nutshell.

-”If you need someone to share your worries with, or just wipe ice cream off your cheek, I’m here.” love love LOVE LOVE LOVE THESE TWO

-FUCK IT’S THE APPLE SONG AGAIN WHY MUST YOU HURT ME THIS WAY

-”What’s wrong with cutting loose inside my own mind?” A fair question, all things considered.

-”You don’t have to win. Just don’t lose.” oh my fucking god Hibiki that look you are so gay for her

-”I shouldn’t have any memories of him doing this.” SHE’S SO FUCKING DONE ASKDJHAKSDS

-Figures a Noise Hydra would be able to split up upon being damaged.

-God, the impact on Hibiki’s punches is fucking sick.

-”You don’t have time to worry about us!” *Cue sparkly, smiling image of Miku* BOI

-”All I want is her love, her skin on mine!” Guys. These songs are the fucking best.

-Interesting how that last ED was a combination of all the Symphogear acitvation songs and climax songs. Very pretty.

Alright, moving on. See you next time!

[newsintheshell]

Kengan Ashura, svelati un nuovo trailer e altri membri del cast

La serie debutterà su Netflix in estate.

Pubblicato un nuovo video promozionale di “Kengan Ashura”, rivelando che la serie animata basata sul manga, scritto da Yabako Sandrovich e disegnato da Daromeon, debutterà globalmente su Netflix in estate.

Il teaser contiene un estratto in anteprima della sigla di apertura "KING & ASHLEY", ad opera della band MY FIRST STORY.

Si aggiungono inoltre al cast già annunciato ben altri 74 doppiatori, i cui ruoli non sono stati specificati al momento:

Youhei Azakami 

Masuo Amada 

Kouji Ishii 

Akira Ishida 

Kazuya Ichijo 

Jin Urayama 

Akio Ootsuka 

Megumi Ogata 

Atsushi Ono 

Daisuke Ono 

Yasuyuki Kase 

Masayuki Katou 

Tetsuo Kanao 

Mai Kanazawa 

Takahiro Kameoka 

Noriyuki Kawamoto 

Taiten Kusunogi 

Naomi Kusumi 

Tomoyo Kurosawa 

Natsuko Kuwatani 

Tessyo Genda 

Makoto Koichi 

Katsuyoki Konishi 

Misao Kobayashi 

Yuu Kobayashi

Rikiya Koyama 

Takahiro Sakurai 

Shouzou Sasaki 

Chiharu Sawashiro 

Hidekazu Shibata 

Yoshiyuki Shimozuma 

Ikkyuu Juku 

Hiroshi Shirokuma 

Misono Suzuki 

Shinya Takahashi 

Ryousuke Takahashi 

Eiji Takeuchi 

Ryouta Takeuchi 

Fumihiko Tachiki 

Shigeru Chiba 

Kenjirou Tsuda 

Eiichirou Tokumoto 

Aki Toyosaki 

Takehiro Hasu 

Ryuuzou Hasuike 

Rina Hidaka 

Noriyuki Hiyama 

Daisuke Hirakawa 

Mana Hirata 

Yuuya Hirose 

Keiji Fujiwara 

Mai Fuchigami 

Soichiro Hoshi 

Takanori Hoshino 

Yuusuke Hoshino 

Chado Horii 

Ryouko Maekawa 

Mathew Masaru Barron

Yasunori Masutani 

Yoshitsugu Matsuoka 

Masaya Matsukaze 

Kenichirou Matsuda 

Dai Matsumoto 

Mitsuaki Madono 

Takahiro Mizushima 

Masaaki Mizunaka 

Kenta Miyake 

Katsuki Murase 

Eiji Yanagisawa 

Kanehira Yamamoto 

Yukana 

Kouji Yusa 

Masumi Yoshida 

Seiji Kishi (Assassination Classroom, Tsuki ga Kirei) dirigerà il progetto presso lo studio Larx Entertainment, il design dei personaggi sarà adattato da Kazuaki Morita (Danganronpa 3, Classroom of the Elite) e la sceneggiatura sarà curata da Makoto Uezu (KonoSuba, Yuki Yuna is a Hero). La colonna sonora sarà composta da Yasuharu Takanashi (Killing Bites, Naruto: Shippuuden).

Sin dal periodo Edo in Giappone vengono organizzati dei tornei che vedono combattenti affrontarsi a mani nude per conto di avidi imprenditori e commercianti senza scrupoli. Al termine di questi scontri fra gladiatori, chi vince prende tutto. Ouma Tokita, soprannominato “Ashura”, entra nel giro sbaragliando ogni avversario e attirando l'attenzione di grandi industriali, tra cui il presidente del Gruppo Nogi, Hideki.

L’opera è stata serializzata sulla app Manga ONE dal 2012 e si è conclusa lo scorso agosto, ma dal 17 gennaio l’autore ne ha lanciato un nuovo arco narrativo. 

SilenziO)))

[FONTE]

[justintaco]