#she is free at last!

[affluent-havoc]

Hina Time! Spoilers Ahead of course!

Starting with her casual design, I really wanted to ensure it had the energy of her original while having it's own vibe to it. A part of me really wanted to keep the red in her outfit since I like associating Aoi with that striking red jacket she had in the first game. However, everything just didn't seem to mesh so I went with a green. I do think that if I drew her in other outfits though, she'd definitely bring back the red. Plus, I am biased and I like Hina in red in general. In regards to the specific details in her attire though, I of course had to give her some Sakura rep, thus the little Sakura flower she has in her hair. Feel it fits with the cute vibes I feel Hina would still enjoy as an older woman but also it being a way to remember Sakura in her memory. Additionally, I gave her a little bracelet in line with the Komaru friendship bracelet idea I had. I like to think that Komaru and Hina would hang out a lot more in the future, bonding and maybe working out together. One last thing I would like to bring up with her design is her shoes which seem a bit weird to mention at first but I feel it's important to mention them. Essentially, I sorta have a headcanon about Hina and her brother Yuta in regards to their shoes. I like to think that Hina likes the color red and Yuta liked green, maybe it being something more in line when they were kids. But anyway, a headcanon I developed recently is that, either starting when they were young, the two would ensure they wore something to remind themselves of each other whenever they weren't together. Perhaps it started as a way for Hina to help calm her brother when they were kids as the bigger sister and it stuck around as just a thing they did. Feel it fits in line with the siblings too as both Yuta and Hina had that quirk of remembering people's names by writing them on their hands multiple times. So I basically gave Hina shoe angst a bit but also as a way to remember her brother like she did with Sakura and the Sakura flower. Hope all of that made sense btw. I tried my best -_- Moving on to her work attire, I simply put her in a swim suit with a slaveless jacket to spice it up a bit. I see Hina in the future still willing to do stuff relating to her swimming. Perhaps she's a swim teacher of some sort at Makoto's new and improved Hopes Peak. Maybe she just has her own swimming place. Honestly I haven't decided quite yet though I lean towards the former. Additional details about this design is that I had her put her hair a bit back. Felt it was a nice way to differentiate her hair and also have her look a bit put together. Also I feel it'd be a good example for any of her swim students.

In regards to her physic, she's fairly unchanged, a strong gal with a bit of an hourglass figure. Compared to the other girls, I see her being the strongest being a swimmer and one to keep up with her fitness. I also like to imagine she hangs out with Hiro sometimes and makes pottery with him since I see that as a hobby for him. And screw it. Maybe Hina has mastered the art of making her own donuts with protein in them cus she's just cool like that. Now I wish I knew how to draw more defined muscles hahaah! Some other things to note is that I gave her curly hair. I like to think she used to straighten it back then. No real reason. Just a headcanon. Though one can also see this as her curling her hair too. Also, I gave her a cute floral pattern for her undergarments just cus. Would say they are also Sakura flowers but I feel that'd be a bit much. Think the cute flower's enough. Also I would have given her donuts but I dunno. I guess when I drew her in this I just didn't think of that or just didn't feel like it. She totally would own some fun patterned garments for fun though.

For the most part I had a tone of fun working on Hina. Wish it didn't take me a month to go back to finishing everything but I'm just glad she's free from purgatory as unfinished drafts in Clip Studio Paint! (1) | (8)

[night-orchids]

the fact that you can see the exact moment tears appear in his eyes

[univemma]

I acknowledge that the season was cut almost in half so I should really cut them some slack but I WON'T, SO:

Plot holes/Forgotten Stuff in TUA:

(some of these are mostly just unanswered questions)

-Sloane?? Where tf did she go?

-Why was Jennifer (in the original timeline) in a cage? In Moldova?? Like, was she discovered to have something ( the dimaldo stuff whatever) inside of her, so they wanted to test on her? if she never came into contact with marigold before ben then why would they? WHAT

-also wait how the fuck did she get that stuff in her anyway? How did the dimaldo get to earth after it caused the end of Reginald's home planet? Like,,,shouldnt we know that?

-Her,,,in a squid??? she was Inside a giant squid? W h a t

-the S3 post credits of ben in the train. sure, whatever, that means nothing LMAOO

-I also can't get over - Five explaining "oh yeah when we do this EVERY ALTERNATE TIMELINE is gonna be destroyed, leaving only what should've been - the original," and lila fighitng to put her family in the train station,,,All the other timelines will be destroyed??They're dying and being reborn/reincarnated in the new one anyway GIRL WHAT ARE YOU DOING

(unless ive highly misunderstood that which is likely)

-this isnt a plot hole just - five "trying desperately over and over again to save his unhelpful family who he loves very very much" being literally turned into,,,that. did someone say character assassination?

-lila and five. thats a plot hole in and of itself I DONT CARE if he's aged 12 years from season 3, (6 yr timeskip at beginning of season, then 6 technically 7 in teh train), I DONT CARE IF HES 25 NOW, I DONT CARE IF HES MENTALLY 60 SOMETHING. Lila met and spent time with him when he looked like THIS

THATS A CHILD. and clearly, the family had SOME contact in the 6 yr skip, so she WATCHED HIM GROW UP from 13 - 19, like thats just so WEIRD WHAT

this was supposed to be plot holes and just turned into me being pissed im sorry but HOW DO YOU FUCK UP AN ENDING THIS BAD??

[madsraa]

Trying to figure out how I want to draw her...

[hauntinglesbian]

Kathryn Hahn as Helen Ryan in Free Agents (2011)

[chalkrub]

attack for @plaiesancier !

[hollytree33]

JUDGEMENT

Finally, her fourth and final card for Trespasser!!

1. The Hanged Man

2. The Chariot

3. The High Priestess

[poorly-drawn-mdzs]

Gaslight, Gatekeep, Girl found dead in a hidden room.

[First] Prev <–-> Next

[shushbyers]

i hate when people think people ship byler solely because we “hate to see women winning” or we “hate eleven” (when neither of those are true??)

no i need that girl to be freed immediately. i love her so much and i do NOT want that poor girl to suffer in a relationship that she is so obviously miserable in

[citrusai]

taash said "they were doing it" and people ran with the interpretation of an npc that doesn't know solas or the history of the elvhenan even when bellara interjected and said, no, that's not right. that's not how it was for the elvhenan. they formed bonds before they had physical bodies. and people ran to doompost or create weird anti-solavellan shit even though mythal & solas refer to each other as old friends and when she releases him there is no tenderness or love in it. it is the act of unchaining a dog from his post, the stepping down of a general. but to each their own ig.

[maythedreadwolftakeyou]

i know for Mythal in Veilguard they switched things up from how she's presented in DAI as a justice/vengeance dynamic into the whole "benevolence" or whatever thing. but i'm choosing not to believe that/interpret that Morrigan got it wrong and instead i think Mythal's spirit should have been one of Protection corrupting into Control. it fits the existing lore as "the protector" and her standing up for the elves at first, as well as how she was swayed into eventually accepting rule as one of the Evanuris. "I will keep you safe" becoming "you'll be safe as long as you do what I say". it's okay if some elves are slaves because under her rule nothing else bad can happen to them after that, stop worrying, it's fine. Solas is her most trusted council until he doesn't do exactly what she wants anymore and then you know what might as well let the other Evanuris fight him. Rook meets the most intact aspect of her possible, and she won't help you unless you tell her exactly what she wants to hear. i think it works.

[milanosbitch]

mods are asleep quick! post miss fitzjames!! (or *side eye* mrs. crozier)

[phoenixyfriend]

Political ads: My opponent has jacked up taxes every year since he was elected!

Me: Which taxes? Income? Sales? Property? Business?

Political ads: I promise to hold the line on taxes!

Me: Which taxes? What government programs do those taxes contribute to? What gets cut if the lack of taxation causes a deficit?

Political ads: Think about the taxes!

Me: WHICH TAXES. WHICH TAXES ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT. TELL ME WHO'S ACTUALLY GETTING AFFECTED BY THESE TAXES YOU'RE SO CONCERNED WITH.

Reminder to always ask what it is that people aren't saying in these ads.

A lot of them want you to think that it is your personal taxes as a working-class person that they're talking about. But if it's taxes on the rich that they're "holding the line on," then they're using your desire to survive with a greater portion of your own income as fuel to keep the upper classes from paying their fair share.

I keep getting the same three or four political ads (half aren't even for the district I live in) and I'm frustrated that they use these transparent tactics and that there are probably people that don't have the time or background to take that moment to go 'what are they hoping I hear in this? What are they actually going to do?'

[bengiyo]

Random QL Superlatives: 2024 Edition

It seems @lurkingshan has begun the end of year listicle game. Time to shout out our faves.

Presented (mostly) in the order I watched them.

Favorite Blorbo of the Year: Dynamite in Cooking Crush

I love when a show reveals that someone who has been upbeat or strong is actually carrying a ton of pain. Learning about how Dynamite suffered so much because of his family touched me to my core, and forever solidified the friendship he has with Samsee and Prem.

Favorite Use of Visual Comedy: I Became the Main Role of a BL Drama

This show really had everything, and more than anything it had some of the best visual gags of the year. There is so much humor in the framing of scenes in this show. It was a genuine delight, and I'm so happy I'll get to see Aoyanagi Hajime again next year.

Favorite Facial Hair: Gu Jing in VIP Only

This show ended up rather flat, but damn do I think about this man's face sometimes.

Favorite Disappointment: Last Twilight

This show really could have been great if it didn't fuck up so badly.

Favorite Existential Crisis: Love For Love's Sake

The way this show telegraphed that it would be heavy, and then still managed to gut the audience, is one of the most impressive things I got to witness this year. I love that this show left people with so many different interpretations that don't contradict each other.

Favorite Use of Omegaverse: Tadaima, Okaeri

Yes, there were two BL omegaverse shows this year. No, I did not enjoy the other one. I was instead overinvested in the success of my gay dads and their kids every week. HIKARU IS OUR HERO!

Favorite Use of Food: She Loves to Cook, and She Loves to Eat 2

I love this show with my whole being. If the Japanese don't figure out a way to get this cast to crossover with What Did You Eat Yesterday? honestly what is even the point of putting queer people on TV?

Favorite Reunion Romance: Perfect Propose

I really loved that this show was about two childhood friends both at the end of their ropes. I also loved the way this show used a questionable sexual encounter to jumpstart the dynamic. I'm so glad Hirokuni quit that nasty job, because this was so difficult to watch after having left a very difficult workplace.

Favorite Cast Dynamics: Ossan's Love Returns

"We are family!" In their 3rd or 4th outing, depending on how you want to look at it, I continue to be obsessed with Haruta, Kurosawa, Maki, and their extended network. I loved seeing Haruta and Maki working on their relationship, and I loved seeing them all grapple with the changes in their lives. I hope I never have to fight my in-laws in my kitchen.

Favorite Version of Tay Tawan: Cherry Magic Thailand

Tay Tawan was at his most charming as Karan. I'm so glad that Tay and New are able to work together again.

Favorite Version of Cherry Magic: The Cherry Magic Anime

Despite my opinion that Cherry Magic TH is the best version of Cherry Magic, I still think the anime is my favorite. The characters have an ugliness to them in this version that I really love.

Favorite Use of Yukata: Love is Better the Second Time Around

Despite my qualms with the final arc of this show, I still think about the way this show handled its second chance romance and especially the way it handled sex. Also, this show has a great visual gag in a woman who doesn't deserve this physically restraining a man from proposing to her.

Favorite Performances: The Cast of Unknown

I really think this is my favorite cast of the year. I really loved the way they all played together, and loved the handling of growing up in this show.

Favorite Use of a Mirror: Memory in the Letter

To be clear, I do not recommend this show. However, I was very impressed with all of the acting and technical work around the mirror in this show.

Favorite Show About Actors: At 25:00 in Akasaka

I really loved the way Niihara and Komagine played actors in this show. It's rare that a character withholding the truth of their feelings works out this well. This is one of the best things I watched this year.

Favorite Boy: Igarashi Daichi from Ossan no Pants ga Nandatte Ii Janai ka!

Not BL, but I love Daichi so much that he gets a shout out here. I love that he wasn't a manic pixie dream gay, that he was allowed to be angry, and that he was allowed to be imperfect. Daichi is now forever a part of my soul.

Favorite Rambutan Enjoyer: Venice in Marahuyo Project

Venice is so funny to me. I love that she's not the brightest one in the group, but she understands everything important. She protects Archie because she understands how hurt and scared he is. She accepts everyone who joins their group unquestioningly. She is eating in almost every scene. She is perfect.

Favorite Flirt: Vee in San's Dreams in Century of Love

I think we should let Offroad flirt with Daou more in future shows.

Favorite Narrative: Knock Knock, Boys!

This is favorite show from Thailand this year. I loved the use of every story in this show. The kindness pouring out of this show was really something special. I loved that this show never made fun of Almond for being a version, let Latte have positive relationships with his exes, let Thanwa dress like a normie, and treated Peak's closeted storyline with immense respect. I look forward to showing it to many more people.

Favorite Back: Mahasamut in Love Sea

I loved the way Fort played this man, and I love that we got another BL romantic lead that doesn't look dehydrated. More romantic leads should get to deck abusive fathers in BL.

Favorite Collector of Marbles: Takara in Takara no Vidro

A rare version of the Knowing blessed us this year in Takara. He was overwhelmed by Taishin's naivete, and I really loved seeing a character who absolutely knew who he was. I loved watching a character manage obsessive tendencies, and I loved how he spent much of the show holding back because he was afraid of himself. What a blessing these two were.

Favorite Use of a Workplace: The Trainee

I really loved that GMMTV used one of their best production houses to tell a story about interns in a production house. It was genuinely refreshing to see a workplace show from Thailand where everyone involved understood the work they were portraying. This was a really solid ensemble piece.

Favorite Homo: Shion in Twilight Out of Focus

I love this pink-haired boy. He was loud and competent. He was clear in what he wanted. He said plainly that he wanted a boyfriend, and HE WON. For everyone who got called slurs in their youth, Shion is for you.

Favorite Second Chance: Let Free the Curse of Taekwondo

Hwang Da Seul was determined to get it right this time, and boy did she! This show did a wonderful job establishing the teen romance, justifying its separation, and earning its reunion. Best BL of the year.

Favorite Adaptation: Love in the Big City

Also not BL technically, but there's no way we make a list of shows form this year without acknowledging Nam Yoon Su's incredible performance as Go Yeong and the efforts of literally everyone involved in this show. If there's one show you need to watch this year, it's this one.

Favorite Angry Outburst: Qi Lu in Blue Canvas of Youthful Days

I loved the way Qi Lu got mad about Qian Xiao holding back with him. It's the most I've enjoyed a character being wrong this year. It was the exact right response for a character like him. He knew who he was, what he was feeling, and that Qian Xiao was feeling it, too.

Favorite Cross-Cultural Exchange: Love in the Air: Koi no Yokon

We've had more than a few Thai adaptations of Japanese works. This is the first time MAME work crossed over to Japan, and it's been so cool seeing how much the Japanese team really loves Love in the Air. I feel no competition between the two adaptations of this novel, because it's clear that the Japanese show is a huge fan of the Thai show. It makes so many loving homages to the source work that it's clear this is a passion project for many people involved. It's so cool that we're now seeing Japan adapt Thai works, and I'm so excited to see where this takes us next.

Well, this was fun! Tag me with your list if you make one!

[pseudospectre]

[theartofmadeline]

modern(ish) day lady of shalott