#senya critical

[princeasimdiya12]

Bucchigiri Finale Thoughts

So I watched Episode 12 earlier today and had some time to think things over. And unfortunately, I realized that I didn't like this episode very much. Granted there are a good amount of moments that I did enjoy and contributed well to the main themes of the series. But there were too many moments that I felt undercut my enjoyment of the show. So fair warning, a lot of what I have to say is fairly critical and kinda negative. If you agree or disagree with anything I've said here, feel free to reblog this with your own comments. And if you're not into negativity, feel free to ignore this.

But I will start by mentioning the things I did like.

Just like everyone and their gyoza-making mothers, I loved the final fight scenes. The choreography was well executed and I thought the animation was top notch, both when it came to Senya vs Ichiya and Arajin vs Matakara. I really liked how in depth they went with the fighting sequences and the dark colors fit really well with the tone of the drama of the scene. The emotional range between the fighters felt incredible; the actors truly gave it their all when going about their fights.

And the part with Arajin mustering the power to save Matakara was beautifully done. I was in awe when Arajin brought up how Matakara became the very monster he tried desperately to destroy which really got a crack on his defenses. The sequence of Arajin reaching out to Matakara's inner child to help him out of his despair was gorgeous. Especially since Ara-chan used the Friendship Stone both to help the inner child and later when telling his old friend that he's not alone anymore. That was really great and genuine character growth, especially since Arajin accepted that he was in the wrong for leaving him all the time.

And as I mentioned in an earlier post, I did love the first scene with Arajin meeting Matakara for the first time. But as a twist, it was Arajin who was inspired by Matakara's dedication to being a Honki Person and volunteered himself to train alongside his new friend. That was a great twist and it adds new depths to how Arajin was actually inspiried by his old friend and not the other way around like we believed for so long.

So those were the parts that I genuinely enjoyed. Now for the parts I didn't really like..

On one hand, while it is nice that Zabu wasn't brutally beaten to subconsciousness, I do kiinda wish that he did have to be hospitalized. It just feels so off-putting how he's relatively okay despite being brutally mauled by Matakara only a few hours ago. Especially since Marito and Kenichirou wound up in the hospital after losing to Matakara. Plus I feel like it undercuts the drama and severity of the situation by having Zabu be fine enough to look for Matakara. It doesn't help that he and Komao don't really do much apart from running around trying to find their friend.

Also, I hope I'm not the only one but did anyone else feel uncomfortable with this scene?

I understand that Mahoro did it in a desperate bid to bring her brother back but the way she described Kenichirou here was just... gross.

Not insane, not weird, not quirky, not even ridiculous.

It was just gross for me to see her dehumanize one of the few dark skinned characters on the show. Even if he's not black/black coded, it still rubs me the wrong way that she would say those things so casually. Especially since Japan can be really casual when it comes to making racist/offensive remarks to brown skinned people in it's media. Plus there are tons of other ways she could have referred to him without calling him a gorilla. Like meathead, blockhead, oaf, ogre. Any other insult could have worked and been more acceptable than the ape insult. And it's unfortunately consistent since she did call him a gorilla during the Gang War Arc.

And then there's this part...

I don't know if it was Mahoro's doing or if that's what the original nurses did, but it was just uncalled for. Both for the unspoken racism and for how it doesn't even apply to Kenichirou's character. Out of the three banchos, he's always been the least violent and was always shown to be tranquil and easy to work with, unlike Marito and Akutaro who were more unhinged, wild and violent in comparison. There shouldn't be any reason for him to behave so violently that the staff would resort to shackling him like an animal. Especially given how defeated he looked when Matakara beat him in a fight.

Another reason why I dislike this scene is because the characters involved (Mahoro, Marito, Kenichirou) do nothing to contribute to the final duel between Arajin and Matakara. None of these characters actually show up until the end when Matakara apologizes to everyone. You could have made it so that during the apology scenes, the two gang leaders could have shown up while covered in bandages or crutches. There really isn't a need to show us Marito waking up since we could get that later on in the end with Matakara apologizing to Siguma Squad.

The same can be argued for Zabu, Komao, Outa, Jabashiri and Hagure. Even though they spend most of their time hunting down Matakara and Arajin, they don't exactly contribute to the final duel or offer any words to the main heroes. They just show up and the duo resolve their problem like nothing.

Regarding Ichiya's secret of him dying, while it's not the worst reason for him to be so insistent on fighting Senya, I do wish there was more build up or at least some hints to it. It just feels like a random reason for why Ichiya developed his grudge against Senya. It's not the worst reason and it does make sense for why he wanted to die like a Honki Person instead of to a random illness, it just leaves a bad taste to how it happened to him out of randomness.

And wow, Arajin is never going to overcome the internet hating him for being a perverted simp mc.

In a way, it makes some sense since Arajin's character arc was never about respecting women or learning that there's other ways to be a man apart from stealing a girl's virginity. That was never the focus as the story wanted him to confront his mistake of abandoning his old friend and not running away from his problems. That said, this still won't look good for him since fans are going to be turned off of Bucchigiri because of his perversions and how the show doesn't encourage him to change.

And as I've come to realize, the show itself doesn't seem to mind with the characters not growing out of their negative vices. A critique I have is that the show doesn't go out of it's way to challenge the beliefs of these characters or push them to grow into better people. Arajin is perfectly okay with being rude to everyone while pursuing a girl just so he can lose his virginity to her, Mahoro continues to lust over her older brother and has no interest in anything else, Marito is still a bloodthirsty bad boy who lives and breathes fighting, Kenichirou doesn't mind repeating high school as long as he gets to run Minato Kai, even Yayako prefers to act like a bubbly airhead rather then act like a responsible and respectful adult. And even with Matakara's corruption arc, he doesn't really recognize how harmful his idolization of Arajin was since the focus was more on his loneliness and trauma of being alone. Maybe because I'm spoiled by Mob Psycho 100, but it saddens me to see how these characters don't grow into better people or make an effort to change themselves. Especially since there can be potential for all of them.

And while I'm glad that Arajin and Matakara were able to become friends again, it feels like a letdown that there's no build up to it. It just rushes straight to them becoming friends again without acknowledging their negative attributes. Th same with puppy boy getting everyone to just accept him with no repercussions or consequences. It feels like letdown as there were no serious consequences for his actions. Like he could just go on a despair-induced rampage again and they'll just keep accepting him. On paper it's rather wholesome, but it does feel contrived if everything just works out without problems or how Matakara doesn't need to work hard to earn their forgiveness. That would have been for a greater character moment and to show Matakara taking responsibility for his actions. But we never see Matakara doing that and him being accepted by the gang feels rather hollow. It's technically nice that he has his friends back and that SS won't have his heart on a stick, but it feels hollow.

Speaking of taking non-responsibilities and being accepted by the gangs, Akutaro is now back with the NG Boys and they're accepting of him?

I really do wish we could have had a scene that explains how the heck he was able to win back his old gang despite them professing that they weren't going to let him beat them around like before. It just feels offputting that Akutaro is back in charge and has their respect with zero explanation or even any build up to it. He spent all his time trying out different jobs and activities but nothing to suggest that he wants to go back to his old club again.

Not to mention that this is still bad news for Minato Kai since Akutaro still has his hatred for Kenichirou and still longs to destroy him. And given how he also hasn't grown out of his negative vices, it's more than likely he'll come up with a new plan to destroy them albeit a different approach. Though the other gangs will be aware of him trying to wreak havoc on them again, I sincerely doubt that that'll stop Akutaro from having his revenge. And with the NG Boys and Girls behind his back, he definitely has a shot at it.

Then there's the resolution with the Nyan Nyaight Love segment. While it was endearing with the Receptionist wanting to help out the Customer, I'm just trying to wrap around the logic behind the Receptionist accepting him again.

It doesn't make sense to me how he'd be accepting of the guy who abducted one of your prized cats, lose her, and then just welcome him back with another cat. It's setting up a cycle for the Customer to fall in love with a new cat only for him to become obsessed with her and then try to steal the cat out of "love". And while the show focuses on him learning to lose his shame of visiting NNL, it doesn't try to challenge his dependency on cats for company along with his hostile jealousy.

Is the Receptionist aware of this potential problem and how it can happen again to another cat? Is the manager of NNL willing to accept the Customer again along with the risk of jeopardizing his business? I can't imagine how difficult it must be to promote a cat only to lose it because of a depressed nutjob.

Also, to the anon who was grossed out by Arajin's mom, I'd like to give a complete apology to you for refuting your claims. Because this...

This was not necessary.

I mean, it is interesting to know that Marito shows attraction to girls/women which gives more depth to his character. And while it is weird for him to hit on an older women, it's still technically okay since it is normal for teens/youth to show attraction to adults that catch their interest.

But what isn't okay is Yayako's reaction to his attention.

Again, she is a grown woman getting over excited because a teenage boy is trying to hit on her. And she's okay with this? Like ma'am, not only is that concerning because of the blatant age differences but you're also a married woman (according to the additional info). How are you so lenient with being hit on by a guy who could pass for your son? Like really? I used to think of Yayako as a quirky, wholesome woman who needed to not let her son treat her like trash. But now I'm seriously questioning her values and how she treats everything in her life like a soap opera.

In regards to Mitsukuni being in a coma and waking up, it was... okay. Like I'm happy that Matakara will get his big brother back and they'll be able to move into an apartment like they wanted to. But I feel that the reveal of him being in a coma undercut alot of the emotional turmoil Matakara went through. I don't know, it just feels rather hollow knowing that Mitsukuni was always there and was going to make it out alive while his little brother was running around like a war machine. It's conflicting in all honesty.

But what isn't conflicting was how much I really didn't care much for Senya returning in the last shot. I wasn't moved by Senya showing up in the last scene or how Arajin secretly missed him. Maybe it's because of how Arajin constantly yelled at him or acted like he didn't care. And while he does care in his own way, I just felt disinterested in the reunion and I had no strong emotions of Senya returning. It doesn't help that the part with Senya and Ichiya "leaving" didn't really have alot of emotional depth to make the reunion more impactful. Senya not coming back would not have me upset.

And those would be my thoughts on the final episode. For those who stuck around to read all of this, I thank you for doing so. And to those that stuck around, I apologize for the excessive negativity. And like I mentioned above, you're more than welcome to reblog this with your thoughts and whether you agreed, disagreed or have something to say regarding my post.

Thank you all for taking the time to read this along with my other posts for this ridiculous show. Your feedback means alot to me and I hope you all have a wonderful weekend!

Nana na na, Nana na na, Nana na na na na...

[prezaki]

Bucchigiri?! and 'being Honki' - a Show about Identity and Human Connection

With Hiroko Utsumi's newest work as a director now completed, I want to take a moment to discuss the thematic through-lines of Bucchigiri?! and explain why I think that the story was very coherent even if it first seemed erratic.

At the heart of the series is the concept of the Honki Person(TM) - and that's where the confusion starts. Leaving the word 'Honki' in Japanese for the subs suggests a lore-heavy emphasis on some kind of supernatural mechanic in-story. It caused many viewers expected a well-defined shounen-typical power system - but that isn't what Honki is nor what it was ever meant to be.

"Honki" is the Japanese word 本気, which means Seriousness, Earnestness (or doing something 'in earnest, for real' if used as an adverb). 'Honki People' literally just means 'Earnest People'

And thus "Honki" is doing double duty as a red herring Lore Concept and a regular word - an intentional ambiguity that is inevitably lost by translation.

In the show, the characters do initially think of the 'Honki Person' as a literal thing to become (a supernaturally powerful master martial artist) rather than as a state of being in which one is earnest - but the thing is that the narrative proves them wrong.

But before we get to that, we need to dig a little bit deeper into what a Honki Person is thought to be in-universe:

"Historically", those thought of as Honki were fighters who participated in conflicts 300 years ago - a bit after the end of the Sengoku Period, the continuously warring states that had defined Japan for two centuries. With the advent of the rigidly structured Edo Period, honorable fighters with no clear systemic alliance were no longer needed and the aspiring Honki People(TM) were mercilessly gunned down. This feels out of left field for an anime like Bucchigiri?! to focus on, so I propose a second more allegorical layer to impose over the literal pseudo-historical read.

Even beyond the historical fact that gun imports changed warfare, the usage of guns here is deliberate to represent something. Guns are associated with authorities, and contrasted against the Honki People(TM) shunning weapons and fighting only with their own bodies.

To be Honki(TM) means to be true to yourself and secure in your own identity - this is something that is a hindrance to a social system that relies on rules and groupthink to sustain itself. Supporting this assumption, the theme of 'death' by weapon/authority is mirrored in the show several times:

On the one hand, we have the NG Boys, a gang set apart from the other gangs in the story by their even more rigid hierarchical structure and their willingness to use weaponry. They all follow one leader, have one uniform look, and appear basically brainwashed into blind obedience.

The association of weapons=structure and authority is made pretty clearly through that alone, but is also enhanced by all the members of the NG Boys living under constant threat of being fed to the real authorities of society: the police. Fear keeps everyone in line.

And further, the idea of society as an oppressive force (especially to the lower class) is put into direct focus through Mitsukuni and Matakara. Poverty is brought up briefly before through Senya (our main Honki Person(TM) was a nameless orphan after all) and brought back with the Asamine brothers:

Mitsukuni wishes to escape his social status in order to offer a better life to his brother - and he's forcibly held down by the oppressive system around him.

The cop that causes Mitsukuni to go to jail is equivalent to the guns that shot Senya and Ichiya.

(Utsumi has explored this underlying socially critical current before. Not for nothing, her previous series SK8 opens with the memorable bridge of the title song reading: "before society can kill us".)

But Bucchigiri?! isn't about overthrowing the system. It's about the individual. Understanding the context about authority just helps setting the real theme into focus.

And that theme is to hold on steadfast to who you are and allow yourself to connect with others, even in various kinds of adversity.

After this long, long preamble, let's get to the actual main characters!!

Matakara and Arajin are people who are ruled by fear and who spend 11 episodes running from others and themselves in two very different ways.

Arajin is pretty hated as a protagonist, which amuses me a little, because nobody hates Arajin more than Arajin hates Arajin.

His past cowardice in failing to protect Matakara has clearly shown him that he is a pathetic person and he's spent his whole life since then trying to avoid being reminded of this. He avoids Matakara, the strongest reminder of his failure, but further than that he avoids connection with anybody that he could see as a peer.

Arajin is solely focused on finding love and romance because he feels inherently inferior to every person he would be invited to contrast himself against. He avoids other guys because he hates himself. He shuns connection and pursues only people (girls) he views as different enough to not invite any comparison.

Matakara meanwhile has major abandonment issues - he's lost his parents, Arajin, and his brother. Everyone important to him keeps vanishing from his life and in order to keep himself from feeling powerless about this he decides to blame himself.

If it's his own fault that people leave him (because he's weak) then there is something in his power that he can do in order to avoid being hurt again (becoming stronger). In order to maintain this state of motivational self-hatred, he puts others on a pedestal.

Matakara needs Arajin to be strong, powerful, honest and admirable... because that is the image he holds himself up by. In Mitsukuni and Arajin, Matakara creates god-like icons to chase after. And by doing so, he also shuns genuine connection.

Being confronted with Arajin as a flawed person gives Matakara a breakdown because it makes it harder to run from his own loneliness by focusing on chasing after Arajin.

Arajin is always running, but Matakara is always chasing... because he can't stand to look behind and face his monster.

In a lot of ways, Arajin and Matakara can't connect because they care about each other. Arajin can't stand what he allowed to happen to Matakara because he cared about Matakara. Matakara clings to Arajin because he loves him.

This theme of love hindering connection is again mirrored in two other characters - Senya and Ichiya, of course.

Ichiya, unwilling to confront his own terminal illness head-on, wishes to avoid it by goading Senya into killing him. By doing this, he can run from his own weakness and put Senya on a pedestal instead.

Meanwhile Senya is attached to their connection as-is and wishes to maintain this master-disciple dynamic forever - going so far as to deny his own strength in order to avoid acknowledging their changing dynamic.

Both of them are denying something about themselves.

It is their self-denial that makes their communication and thus connection break down.

Ichiya can't make Senya go Honki(TM) (which should have definitely been translated as an adverb here, e.g. 'failing to make him get serious') because he is also not HONEST with him or himself.

In the finale, Senya finally admits his motivations (his illness, his perceived weakness) and he is rewarded with the honest fight he'd been craving. They both stopped running.

This theme becomes even clearer through the two leads, of course, but even earlier than that it exists in Mahoro.

Mahoro's scene in episode 6 is the thematic linchpin that carried the whole show on its shoulders. Through Mahoro, everyone in the cast gets their first glimpse at true unrelenting Honki(tm) - and it is something totally unrelated to fighting prowess.

Mahoro is physically powerless against Akutaro, but she won't run. She has a heart that won't run away, the key quality of the Honki Person(TM), because she has an unshakable sense of self-identity.

It would be easy to dismiss her cutesy design as a contrivance to give Arajin a conventional-looking love interest despite going to Delinquent Academy - but it also says something about HER. Mahoro marches to the beat of her own drum. She does not care that she does not fit in, she does not mind being alone - she'll stick right to her own aesthetic and priorities.

So it's easy for her to call out Akutaro - and in doing so, call out the whole cast along with him:

You're empty. You are nothing but a shell, shaped by how you relate to those around you. You have nothing to offer.

And how are you supposed to connect with anybody, when you don't even know who you are?

(Notably, Mahoro is also a character who refuses to compromise on her self even for love - she knows she does not appeal to Marito, but she's not changing herself to be more his type. Her Honki does not budge, even for him.)

And lest you think I am exaggerating by connecting the theme of identity and emptiness back to all of the cast instead of just Akutaro: it does come back with Matakara.

Matakara can't believe anybody would know him and care for him, because he doesn't know himself.

For Matakara, facing himself means acknowledging his fear of abandonment rather than externalizing it as a hallucination of a literal monster.

But facing yourself doesn't just mean facing your demons, it also means facing your own positive qualities. And that is Arajin's story.

Even as Arajin turned into a scummy, evasive and selfish guy, there is a part of him that has a throughline to who he always was. He's someone who can get invested in others with reckless abandon.

Whether as a child with Matakara, or in the present with Mahoro... Arajin wants to connect.

Bucchigiri?! is a show full of innuendo and sexual gags. Merging with a genie gets equated to sex, fighting gets equated to sex... and of course this is for laughs, but it's also thematic.

Because all these things are about connection. About facing someone else with your whole self.

On a literal level, yes, Arajin absolutely wants to get laid. This is his sincere desire, and good for him.

But at the same time, his battle cry of 'I want to lose my virginity!' is him crying out for a real connection, even at a time when he shunned the idea thereof.

In the end, being a Honki Person(TM) has nothing to do with fighting. Fighting is the way a lot of the rough and tumble guys on the show like to connect, but it is not the only way to do so and not the only way to be Honki(TM).

Arajin never learns to love brawling - he did it out of circumstance and necessity, but it's not his hobby. He does not need to discover some hidden love of fighting, because this show fundamentally isn't about how 'fighting is inherently good' or anything.

It's a show about how even when you hate yourself and think you're as low as it can get, acknowledging your own self in full is the first step to finding a real bond with somebody else.

It just also happens to feature a bunch of delinquents who love to punch a lot.

[ecargmura]

Bucchigiri?! Episode 9 Review - Matakara's Bad Day Continues

That ending…. While I am worried about what will happen to Matakara in these last few episodes, another part of me is excited because I want him to beat the crap out of Arajin. I am fully on Team Matakara on this one.

This episode is basically Ichiya fully possessing Matakara and how Matakara copes with the possession while still stressed and emotionally broken over Mitsukuni’s “death”. Unlike Arajin and Senya’s rather harmonious cohabitation, Matakara and Ichiya are anything but. Ichiya, as a character, is manipulative and vengeful. He manipulates Akutaro so that he will bring him towards Matakara in order to have full possession of him via bullet. He then casts him aside as he’s now inside Matakara. I do wonder what had happened for Ichiya to become the way he is. Senya’s flashback with him and Ichiya showed that they were once long-time friends but had a falling out.

Then there’s the issue with the black shadow figure. I thought the black shadowy figure was Ichiya, but I guess it’s something else entirely. Ichiya describes it as a figure of weakness that looms over Matakara as he is a weak-hearted person underneath. Matakara may seem sweet, but there is a bit of darkness that looms within his heart that has been there since he was a kid. Despite having friends and a place where he belongs, it still lingers. I do have a feeling that Ichiya could be lying about it. Watch the black shadow be a twist villain.

I can’t believe the Mitsukuni story arc ended with him getting killed off-screen. Wait, is he even dead? His funeral is not even shown. I’m on the boat of ‘pics or it didn’t happen’. If he is dead, then it’s serious wasted potential. I know that Mitsukuni is mainly used as a sort of lifeline of Matakara’s mentality, but for him to have a face, name, background and even a voice just screamed ‘important character for the story’ and he got yeeted off-screen. Why do I get the feeling that someone’s going to yell to Matakara that Mitsukuni is at the hospital and not be actually dead? I can feel that happening and I’m not going to like it at all.

Oh boy, Arajin… While it is nice that Arajin is thinking about Matakara, the fact that he still sort of finds him an annoyance and still doesn’t fully check up on him annoys me. He still simps for Mahoro and even she calls him out over his incompetence. She learned that Mitsukuni is in critical condition, or even dead and she tells Arajin if he has ever considered Matakara’s feelings for once. At least Mahoro knows how to sympathize while Arajin cannot. On top of that, Arajin starts wondering if Mahoro has a thing for Matakara. WHY IS THAT THE FIRST THING ON YOUR MIND? We’re 9 episodes into the show and there’s still no redeeming quality of this guy.

I do wonder what Akutaro’s role will be in this portion of the story. As he got abandoned by Ichiya, he wants revenge. However, the anime still doesn’t answer how he managed to stumble across Ichiya in the first place and why it’s possible for these djinnis to possess someone without a bullet.

I enjoyed the comedic parts of this episode the most. It was a nice way to get my mind off of the angst and pent-up annoyance towards Arajin. What are your thoughts on this episode?

[rubywolf0201]

One thing I also think Bucchigiri is criticized for is because a lot of things weren't explained, like what happened to Matakara's parents how senya and ichya became geniuses how akutaro found ichya Why does Matakara have something that has haunted him since he was little? and I also hope they explore Arajin's childhood more because it's not possible for someone to be like that.

Yeah that is one of my main problems with BUCCHIGIRI?! cause it left a lot of things unopen like are the Asamine bro’s parents even around, why is Mahoro super obsessed with Marito to the point that everyone in Siguma and Marito himself is at best bothered about it, are the Jin’s even aware of their daughter’s problematic behaviour and like with Mrs Tomoshibi, just brushed it off as no big deal to them.

That’s one of the things I want to tackle in my rewrite of BUCCHIGIRI?!.

[justiceforc3po]

ok this is a silly post, not actual criticism but. But.

I don‘t know if I‘ve just found myself in a specific niche in the fandom on here or if it‘s just the SWTOR fandom at large, but somehow until now the characters I was hyped for from seeing other people obsess about them on here have almost never been characters I myself went crazy for. Or like, understood the hype about to be honest.

Like, Hunter for example left me mostly cold - he was fun but I had been expecting a Lot more from what I saw on here - but then there‘s other characters where I just…cannot comprehend why I haven’t seen more of them. Senya Tirall? Kira Carsen? Scorpio?? Like, those three all invaded my brain sososo much and while I haven’t checked for Kira yet, I just don‘t see people talking about them that much!

Idk it‘s just interesting how little I see general fandom interest and my interest lining up. Specifically also for characters where I‘m like „I feel like people would love this character“ and I know they’re not just My Taste lmao

[sullustangin]

Fluffy February 2023 Recap

Mission success: I wrote something every day!  Some of it was short, some of it was elaborate.  Main link to the AO3 collection will be in the reblog later today.

1.  Hello  -- Theron Shan notices something strange going on at base (with hideous fanart!)

2.  Soft -- Theron snuggles with Eva Corolastor (smuggler oc) early in the morning, before he has to go...

3.  Anniversary -- Jace Malcom, a stickler for etiquette, arrives with an appropriate first anniversary present for Eva (and Theron). 

4. Starlight -- After finding Nok Drayen’s treasure, Eva takes Corso Riggs, Risha Drayen, and Bowdaar somewhere special to celebrate.

5. Amber -- Arcann seeks redemption in the form of Darth Marr’s lightsaber, with the help of Talos Drellik.  I’ve already decided I’m going to re-edit this for a larger work in the indeterminate future.  Cameo by Ramesses (Sith Warrior OC)

6.  Stretch -- Jace watches Satele Shan walk through her lightsaber katas as he drafts a critical sales pitch.

7. Cloak -- Jace deals with the crisis of the day, thanks to his brother, Kal Malcom.  I’m mentioned Kal in the past, but this is his first appearance as a character.  Let’s just say he’s different from his big brother.

8.  Callous -- Eva and Theron spend time together at the firing range.

9.  Breezy -- Rass Ordo talks with Torian Cadera and thinks about Mandalorians in love.  Then he meets Fria Whitcord (consular OC). 

10.  Thunder -- Athene Corolastor tends to Eva during her first thunderstorm.  Athene has been illusive as a narrative voice until now.  Instead of the ethereal, light figure she looks like, she’s definitely coming out with a harder edge than I anticipated.

11.  Immaculate -- Arcann goes to see his mother Senya Tirall for an important appointment.

12.  Shell -- Eva goes on her first mission with Theron after the carbonite freeze.  This is a heist fic, with background bickering from Lana Beniko and Koth Vortena.

13.  Pride -- As he holds their son Argento (Argo for short), Theron talks to Eva about the pitfalls of parental pride.  This does have some sad feels in there, but everyone is safe and happy here.

14.  Free Space:  Heartbeat -- Theron goes on his first mission since Ziost, guided through the guts of Zakuul by Marcus Trant.  He takes a detour to visit someone.  This is the long one of the bunch, at 1800+ words.

15.  Reward -- Things weren’t always bad with Darmas Pollaran.  A brief look at the beginning of the relationship between Eva and Darmas, right after Balmorra in Chapter 2.

16.  Glow -- A fluffy, slightly risque fic on Copero with Eva and Theron: they have plans.

17.  Blessed -- Corso gets to know Guss Tuno shortly after Hoth. 

18.  Glide -- Theron races in his first swoop competition in front of Jace, a fellow former swooper. 

19.  Loop -- Eva, Corso, and Hylo the cat arrive on Coruscant for the first time.

20.   Sink -- The state of a sink and the surrounding environs can reveal a lot about a person.  This seems to have been a favorite with readers. :)

21.   Tender -- For once, Lana gets hurt, and her friends are there for her. 

22.  Remember -- Eva experiences her first “Eternal Fleet Remembrance Day” with Theron.

23.  Crave -- Aric Jorgan catches Theron at the cantina at 0300, due to unforeseen happy circumstances.  This one has some CWs at the top.  

24.  Bubbly -- Day 2 of the ‘official’ Jace Malcom/Satele Shan relationship on Alderaan.

25.  Murmur -- Theron is greeted by Eva and their daughter, Dyominia, after an unexpected mission gone wrong.

26.  Joy -- Joy is a noisy house, according to Jace Malcom.  Cameo appearances by Kal, Theron, Eva, Argo, and Dyo.

27.  Blaze -- They who shoot together, stay together.  Or at least that’s Akaavi’s advice to Eva and Theron.

28.  Goodbye -- the silly-ass bordering-on-crackfic sequel to #5, starring Arcann, Koth, and Talos. 

@fluffyfebruary

[space-diablo]

Okay! Specially for @elmaxlys As promised - about Kuon getting her body back or in this essay I wil- As I said already - I do want her to get it back and I do not at the same time. First of all I should remind about some headcanon thing I have - to be specific that she actually HAS enough powers to create a new body for herself, but has no real motivation to get to this powers. Like a limit she made deep inside her mind maybe even not realising it. Also let's not forget that she can just take a body of any emotionless mask and use it as she wants - but she's not doing it. Seems like she is VERY COMFORTABLE as bodiless spirit. Now let's go.

I don't want her to take Senya's body. Let's not talk about ethic, just storybuilding. Senya played his role in the story. He's walked his path from getting to the realm to giving some characters more trauma (in a short of course). His own story has ended. And I see only two possible conclusions for him - to wake up in the very end or to stay like he is (and his body to die after all). Let's be honest the first one is very likely impossible. We lost the boy. Let him be the beacon for other characters to lose their minds for good to go further. And pay him some respect as character. He earned it. Reusing his body that way will ruin HIS story. He deserved to rest in peace.

Then. I don't want her to take Zeon's body as well. The more I read TSA and looking at clones the more I enjoy how our dear clones while being so different from their originals still share some behavior patterns and somehow originals fates too. Rika and TSA!Juo both walked through some kind of realisation in the critical moment. Nise-chan and Mayu has a moment of "losing" themselves (in their case reversed since for Mayu it was actually back to her functions for a moment but we about the pattern). Yuri and Tenma are fighting with all their might - survive no matter what... Even look at the Third Stage who acts by his own will in his last moments (I am not thinking about his death as a spoiler for the future- well I AM). With other clones as I remember also kind of works. And Kuon and Zeon... You see where am I going? I think Zeon has low chances of surviving after that wound. Or if she will survive - she will stay herself.

So... Now let's back to Kuon and her abilities. Honestly, I think we need VERY VERY VERY special circumstances for her to really get herself a new body. And... I have and AU for every version of it that comes to mind time to time. So yes there're A LOT of AUs and only one of it is lovely and "happy" (you that one). In other cases circumstances are not so peaceful- You know how I always want to se her destroying everything in her way for her goal- So me wanting her to get a body is mostly just to please my heart of the shipper and character enjoyer.

And now to the most SWEEEEEET part. We are back to storybuilding or why I do not want her to get a new body at all. Let's see... I mentioned already that seems like she's pretty comfortable as just a spirit. And also... Also she already has a body who willingly serves her as a vessel or a host. I really love the concept of Kuon and Sniper stay as they are now... and slowly becoming One Creature. As he's losing his sanity bit by bit (and he is) she's "consuming" his mind. Not on purpose. More like... naturally just because staying to long in one brain. Losing sense of... self identity. Emotions. One body with two souls which cannot be divided anymore because they are one. The Judges. Calm and cold. And insane. But still keeping the last piece of humanity deep deep inside. And also doomed. If the story has an END they will not survive. Because this creature will not be functional in the normal world. I am just squeaking like an idiot every time I think about it. But let's be honest such thing we will not get... even if it's in my opinion very lovely thing from storybuilding and plot points of view.

And here I stop.

[swtorramblings]

I must say, the idea that a game where we are supposed to make our own choices can't possibly be given upgrades to previous chapters because "it's the past and the past can't change" is really weird to me. I can play multiple characters and have fairly different playthroughs already. The idea that they can't give us more options to try with our new characters is just odd.

Sure, there might be design reasons to not do it, but "canon" shouldn't really be considered. Like, if they gave me an option to treat the "crazy scientist" in the Big Boom Run better, I'd take that option every damn time.

And, obviously, don't even get me started on KotET. Between Vaylin and that awful choice between the companions and linking Arcann's fate to Senya's and having her be in a coma for 6 chapters (if she lives) and and and I think they could do better. But I'd certainly accept making some changes to the core story first.

Extra note: I could see playing a character that decides to kill Arcann. Easily, really. Just because I see him as a victim doesn't give him an excuse. I just can't seem to get into a mindset that would allow me to kill Senya. I know some people hate her, too, and I certainly have my criticisms of the way she was written, but I can't do it.

Why am I playing Kovfefe again, anyway? It makes me think of stuff. But I do have a story thought that requires pictures.

[ghananetnews]

Mahama Criticizes NPP for Leading Ghanaians into Debt and Economic Challenges

John Dramani Mahama, the Presidential Candidate for the National Democratic Congress (NDC), has criticized the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) for driving many Ghanaians into financial hardship through what he termed as “reckless” borrowing and economic mismanagement. Addressing supporters at a rally in Kasoa, Awutu Senya East Constituency in the Central Region, Mr. Mahama pointed to the recent…

[ghlagatindotcom]

Hon Hawa Koomson spotted hwaking watermelon with street hawkers on street during her constituency campaign

The Minister for Fisheries and Aquaculture Development and Member of Parliament for Awutu Senya East Constituency, Hon. Hawa Koomson, has come under fire for her recent campaign tactic. In an attempt to connect with her constituents, Hon Hawa Koomson was seen hawking watermelon on the streets during her campaign tour. However, the move has been widely criticized as a cheap political stunt aimed…

[hypersomniaaboutsleeping]

Bury me where they won't find me. | 1 | Can I sell you my soul?

(Name) | (Part of character) | (Name of chapter)

The cool autumn was just coming into its own.

His hands are cold. The pockets were not heated.

It was boring here.

And it's also damp.

It's all damp.

Yesieniei did not share the admiration for this time of the year. His childhood soreness hadn't gone away yet, and his adult stamina still hadn't arrived.

People were sneaking around, but Tom didn't care about them at all.

- Why aren't you coming? - Sonya asked, smiling at the redhead. "Freckled," mostly of people wanted to add, but it wasn't true.

- I don't want to. - Replied calmly.

To be completely honest with himself, Senya did not want at least one drop to fall on him today before he finally got into the car. He was such a man, he couldn't stand the dampness with his whole being. And Shcherbakova disappeared under her big umbrella.

The students went out further, but there were no remotely familiar faces among them. The puddles were getting bigger.. Nothing new.

The redhead looked around carefully. Oh, well, but!.. No one of note with whom he would communicate. However, there are a couple of acquaintances walking by themselves. Yeah, anyone who sees it will immediately sense something is wrong. And, most likely, he will be right.

Kolka and Fedka were inseparable friends, they had known each other almost since kindergarten.

The first one was noisy, it seemed that there was always something going on next to him. Perhaps it was, remembering the story of the one about the exploding tractor. Of course, he was an inveterate local, but he loved their cottage with all his soul, willingly telling about it: sometimes he caught martens in the spring with his father, then he ran away from a herd of cows, harboring a sincere fear of the herds for good reason. There were some precedents.. However, now Nikolai was hanging out in the city more and more, being a frequent guest at the entrance.

His eternal comrade, accordingly, acted with him, almost living on the floor below Kolya. The headman of literary critics, and Yesieniei did not remember such people who would just like him.. Weren't you afraid? Yes, Fedka was a skinny nerd. No matter how much I tried to gain weight, I couldn't. However, one look from him combined with a hyperactive bomb named Nikolai, and the whole group of literary critics received a retake from teachers who did not have it, and a C for those who also did not want to go to this place.

He didn't want to get into their company.

The rain had just begun to intensify, so Vasiliev and Chekatov quickly ran under the umbrella of the first one. It looks like they dropped the glasses of one of them and searched for what could be seen on the floor of the street.

- Nah, where is it.. - Absently checking his phone, Senya found that the taxi had been waiting for him for two minutes.

Some kind of announcement in the news about another failed suicide who was taken away in an ambulance. She's also a student at their university, an ordinary one. Accidents have become more frequent, and intentional. However, this did not concern Senya.

He had never run so fast before. Even in physical education. Of course, it will remain wet, but while it is driving, it will dry up.

And home.. Finally.

Not wanting to talk to the driver, the young man plugged his ears and turned on the player on his phone. "Found peace on an empty street - lumisoun".. How appropriate for this day. Something.. Incomprehensible. Well, at least without a note of "good", and thanks for that.

And home.

Glory.. To someone there.

To tomatoes with cream cheese?

And sushi.

He was incredibly hungry, so Yesieniei immediately ran.. In the shower. He didn't want to sit down at the table raw. The pleasant hot water helped to relax and tidy up. The bathtub was also big enough for him to fit completely.

His parents were not at home again, there was no one to be afraid of. The silence, however, was oppressive even with the water turned on. For as long as he can remember, he has always spent his evenings like this. Maybe it's because of his inherent irritability: the more monotonous the noise, the less noticeable the street noise becomes. Probably, the walls were almost made of cardboard. Or is he just too used to wearing headphones? What nonsense is in his head... It's time to turn on the faucet valve, otherwise the water bill will be even scarier. Moreover, he needs to wash before it freeze again.

Senya also managed to forget the towel. Badly.

[korlieblog]

Church of Pentecost pastor shot and robbed in Awutu Papaase [Photos]

Pastor Samuel Koblah Narh of the Awutu Papaase District Church of Pentecost was shot and critically injured. Robbers stole his Toyota RAV4, registered GW 545-22, and his mobile phones. The incident occurred at Awutu Papaase in the Awutu Senya West District of the Central Region when Pastor Narh was shot and robbed at his home after returning from an evening service. According to information…

[ecargmura]

Bucchigiri?! Episode 8 Review - Matakara's Sorrows

This is the ‘dunk angst onto Matakara until he becomes sad and gets corrupted by a blue twink genie’ episode. And this is where the angst begins. Oh boy. It’s NOT going to be good for Matakara for the next few episodes. The true conflict with Ichiya finally begins and I’m super curious where it’ll lead and how much beatings Arajin will receive until he finally gets a reality check of his own.

Matakara was super happy as the day his brother would be released from juvie grew closer and closer. He even wanted to have a celebration with other Minato Kai members and reserved Arajin’s family’s restaurant because he wants Mitsukuni to eat good food. What a sweet brother. Unfortunately, news hits that Mitsukuni got stabbed just before his release and is in critical condition. Yikes. On top of that, Matakara’s relationship with Arajin grows even more distant as his uneasiness starts swaying him. He kept putting Arajin in a pedestal and believed him to be strong, but Arajin had to tell him flat out that he ran away when Matakara was getting beaten up by the bullies back then; he also learns from Akutaro that his strength is fake and that he had to rely on Senya to be strong. To add more sorrow onto Matakara, Akutaro keeps goading him to take the genie gun and now he has a bullet stuck on his chest, essentially making him the new host for Ichiya. This really was an episode where Matakara just kept getting punched left and right.

Arajin just keeps getting worse and this episode is the dealbreaker. He called out Matakara for clinging onto an idea of him that doesn’t exist. He’s not strong but a coward who doesn’t want to be a Honki person. However, Arajin is doing the exact same thing with Mahoro. He’s clinging onto the idea of Mahoro and doesn’t see her as a person, but as a way to lose his virginity. He puts her on a pedestal that he does with Matakara yet no one hasn’t called him out for this; I hope it will be Mahoro. On top of that, the call out he did to Matakara was when he was at his lowest. Mitsukuni got stabbed and is in critical condition and you’re here to tell him off and kick him even lower than before. What a jerk. No wonder Zabu doesn’t like him at all.

For all the angst, I did like how sneaky Akutaro was. He was doing all he can to get Matakara’s attention, whether it be getting his own minions to beat him up to stalking him whenever he can. It seems that he’s stable when doing all of this as he wants revenge on Kenichiro; Ichiya wants revenge too, hence why they’ve teamed up. I’m surprised that Ichiya can possess two people at once. Is that how it works or is Matakara the main body now and Akutaro is going to abide by Matakara and Ichiya’s whims to get his revenge? I do commend that Akutaro isn’t a throwaway villain and that he’s been very consistent in his appearances.

I know for a fact that Senya is hiding something important and why is he doing it? Why is he not telling Arajin the whole truth? Regardless, what do you think will happen now? Will Matakara and Ichiya cause chaos now? Will Mitsukuni be alright or is he actually dead? What are your thoughts on this episode?

[rubywolf0201]

For all of my grievances with the BUCCHIGIRI?! hatedom, at least some ppl have some justified criticism on Mahoro regarding on how she’s used and how she’s not a great character in the long run (though the same can be said for everyone within the show)

At least I don’t have to see hate art content of her being brutally maimed to the point of being them being racially insensitive, having characters act OOC where they constantly scold her for everything she does or even attacking her, being labelled as a psycho/stalker or some deranged criminal, creating Change.org petitions where they want Mahoro removed from the series forever (which is happening with Amy Rose sadly and to my disgust), saying that Marito is the more better/ mature sibling so therefore he should’ve had superiority over her (when he is just as childish and immature as she is), attacking her for everything she does outside of her questionable behaviour towards Marito or saying that she is irredeemable and that she is worse than Akutaro and/or Ichiya, and to some extent Senya. (Which happened with Mabel from Gravity Falls where ppl jumped on her for every single thing she does) Or people saying that she has to be the mom friend among the male cast and that everything bad happened in BUCCHIGIRI?! is her fault even when that’s not the case and that she has to apologize for everything (which sadly happened with Marinette from Miraculous Ladybug)

Though, I sadly can’t say the same for the Arajin (sometimes Matakara as even he got hate as well) hate since most of the things I listed here are happening to him.

[fighting-these-demons]

Alright Final Episode Let's Go

FINALLY A PROPER FLASHBACK WHERE WE SEE THEM BEING HAPPY TOGETHER YES THANK YOU

Arajin only makes stones for people he REALLY cares about and it's so nice to see how he first fell in love!

He admired Matakara SO MUCH!!! And from the other flashbacks it wasn't immediately obvious that Matakara was actually the one training first.

Before it seemed like Arajin was training and then Matakara admired and joined him! (And honestly this seems like a retcon but I'll take it.)

Nice! He saw some sweet adorable boy and his unwavering spirit and it filled him with his own spirit and determination! That's SO SO SWEET!!!

And I know I've said it before but he's kept at that carving hobby and chasing that high of the reaction he got from his favorite person loving the gift he made ever since he gave that first stone to Matakara.

Getting to see Arajin's reaction to Matakara's reaction is so great!

😭💖

Augh childhood memories of giving gifts of affection.

The framing of this show continues to be The Most. 😂

That frame would be PERFECT reference for a Throwing Cards / Suicide Joke fanart.

Similar eyebrows and facial hair on Senya's part too.

GOCHA GOCHA URUSEE!!!!!

Sorry. Reflex.

He's finally wrestled past his shame and wants to help Matakara!!!!!!!!

😫😭💖

Lmao the guy in her soap opera has the same name as Kenichiro just about. How appropriate because that is EXACTLY how I was reacting last episode!

Im glad she's happy about her son finally getting a chance at love. (In her eyes/assumptions)

I've seen people frame her as gross or sexualizing her own son but I've gone through the entire series now and that's never been the case!

😤

We have a CLEAR EXAMPLE of Incest in this show and its Mahoro.

🤦‍♀️

Arajin's mom has never once salivated or lusted after her son or been inappropriate with him.

She's invested in his love life and so happy for him when she assumes that he's making progress but she's never once been weird with him like Mahoro is with Marito.

People are so quick to demonize this woman that just really loves romance for absolutely no reason. She's literally just cheering for him and happy for him and trying to give him space and opportunities.

She's also nosy and spies on conversations but it seems that she's doing it out of concern and care for her son and just checking in on him.

And hell the fact that she's supportive of him ending up with a girl or a guy is great. She doesn't judge him for that. She just wants him to have what she had with his father before he (assumedly) died.

Also God that monk was So Fine that poor Nun. 😭💔

How did they run out of water? Why were they walking through the dessert??

That would be a cool romance anime if someone would make it.

I'd love to see angry Catholics foam at the mouth over it too ngl.

Also also I love that apparently they're so close that she regularly dishes to him about her shows. Probably to his annoyance but there must have been a time before the show where he was receptive to it or she wouldn't still be doing it.

JavaPetals Yay! 💖💖💖

God if TT doesn't get SOME kind of affirmation after all of this. 😫😭

Man I know its a funny bit but all I am is disappointed that him and Cat-Guy aren't getting together. 😞

SJDJDJSBDJDJD

BlondeTerror Piggyback!!! 💖

Mahoro is off the fucking rails but hey! It worked!

(I had a feeling Marito was faking to avoid her. Which like. Yeah. Absolutely do that man.)

THE FRAMING

Sjdjdjdndjdjdbdbdjdjdbdj

He's so in love with Kenichiro. 💖💖💖 and really, who isn't?

I dont think they'd be healthy or good for each other. Especially not at this critical point in Kenichiro's life.

But like. They would be hot. 🤷

She got 2 Sigma Goons to help in nurse costumes???????

Amazing.

Poor Marito. 😂😭

His mom is amazing and she doesn't deserve any Hate whatsoever. This woman rocks. Also her apron is so cute.

THEIR REACTION!!!!! HER SPEECH MOVED THEM SO MUCH!!!!! 🤣🤣🤣🤣

This show Keeps Delivering!

Again. I wish this had been delivered to us earlier in the series in parts. But since this show is mostly told from Senya's perspective (and apparently Ichiya managed to hide his illness) he realistically wouldn't have known.

So I get why they couldn't. I just wish they had found a way to flash back and hint earlier. Like maybe someone asked Ichiya a question that made him think back or something. Not that he would have shared the thought, but just thought it.

GOOD JOB ARAJIN!!!!!!! SENYA GIVING UP LIKE THAT FAILS BOTH OF YOU!!!! DON'T LET HIM RUN AWAY!!!!!!

shdiejdndbdjd

BLONDE TERROR EXPRESS!!!!!!! GO BOYS GO!!!!!

😱🥺😭

Nooooooooo!!!!!!!!!!

Oh gosh I thought that his Friendship Stone really got broken there but he's just in a nightmare mindscape of his own making inside of Ichiya's possession.

AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA

🎊🎉🎊

WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

GOOD FOR YOU ICHIYA AND SENYA!!!

Oof

Whoa what?

The outfit change really makes this look like a Yus*hi fight and I'm not mad about it.

I guess that's just whats left of their outfits in the real world after the body possession fight so far.

Babe you've gotta be fucking kidding me.

REALLY????

Why don't I ever learn?

Just me. Chilling.

The bells? What bells?

I hope Utsumi and the team muttered "Got em!" When they story boarded this part.

Well Hell, at least they gave me the band-aid of the cutest BlondeTerror Express scene in the anime combined with a JavaPetals scene!!!

💛💙

💙💖

YES FINALLY

Matakaraaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!!!!!!!!

🎊🎉🎊

Your Friends Love You!!!!

And Minato-kai has been like family to yoy while Mitsukuni was in Juvie. Let their love in! Arajin is finally your friend again too!

So you can hopefully move on and past him and embrace the MinatOT3.

SENYAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!!!!!!!!!

😭💖💔

Goodbye King! 👋

Lmao Matakara waking up in the Baby Girl Damsel pose.

SEALED WITH A BLOOD PACT TO ALWAYS BE BEST FRIENDS

Framed like a reverse blown kiss.

HELL YES

Damn Utsumi you couldn't have given us a tear filled embrace???

NEVERMIND!!!!

💖💖💖

THANK YOU UTSUMI!!!!

SHE SAID "IF UPPER MANAGEMENT WONT LET THESE TWO BE A COUPLE WE'LL GO FOR THE MINATOT3!!!!"

And Kenichiro gets to watch as they have the bond that he and Mitsukuni had!!!

💖😭

Wish those two random guys had names I'd love people to just write a bunch of cute slice of life fic about their below average delinquent adventures. Just absolutely normal shit.

Marito is right back on his bullshit. 😂

Good for him! 💖

THE CAT LOVING TEACHER AND THE CAT CAFE GUY ARE A COUPLE IN MY HEART!!!!!! 😫💖😭

Aw the party is so cute! 💖

Jesus dude. Well. You know what? I'm glad he doesn't give up. Good for him. Hope he moves her heart. 👍He's gotta grow out his hair and hit the gym first though.

MITSUKUNI IS ALIVE!!!!!!!!!!

WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

🎊🎉🎊

KEN!!!!!!!!!

YOUR MAN IS ALIVE!!!!!!!!!

😭💖

Id been holding out hope but gave up at the end of the last episode lmao.

I'M SO HAPPY FOR THEM!!!!!

THEY CAN BE A FAMILY!!!!!

😯💖

SENYA!!!!!!! 💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖

I wonder if he'll look for Ichiya's bullet too? Idk what he would do with it honestly but I'm sure that Senya would want to see Ichiya somehow.

I'm happy with where this left off!

💖

[swtorpadawan]

I’ll talk about this elsewhere, but I will say Koth - in KOTFE - makes complete sense to me.

It 100% makes sense that a companion will abandon you if you (get caught for) attacking civilians on his home world.

It 100% makes sense that a character who was raised to worship the big bad as a god is going to lack critical perspective.

It 100% makes sense that a companion who was hunted by another companion is going to hold a grudge. 

It.... mostly makes sense that a spaceship captain who loses his spaceship is going to decide that next wrecked spaceship he finds in some swamp is his personal property, even if he’s a little obnoxious about it. 

And you know what? Good on BioWare for giving us a companion who ditches us if we do horrible things to his homeworld.   

His storyline completely collapses in KOTET. He seriously modifies the Gravestone without talking to the Alliance Commander, even if they are friendly and sympathetic.

His views on Valkorion never seem to develop. Nor does his perspective on Zakuul against the rest of the galaxy seem to develop. He doesn’t make peace with Arcann or even Senya.

That’s bad writing.

Not a bad character.

seeking out other people's posts about Koth is a game of russian roulette for me bc sometimes i get nice art and writing and excellent takes about a character i like and sometimes i have to step away and do deep-breathing exercises