#she’s also more outgoing

[raven-at-the-writing-desk]

episode of savanaclaw chapter 1: the importance of visuals in conveying character

ADDEDUM: Sorry if you experience weird formatting and/or see repeated paragraphs when viewing this post; for whatever reason, Tumblr gave me a really hard time editing, formatting, and saving this OTL It looks totally normal on my end, but I’ve heard from some people the post looks wonky to them 💦 I’m not sure how to fix it…

The turtlesoupscans team has the first chapter out! ^^ (This is also the scanlation from which I borrow the images used in this post!)

Something I noticed when taking a closer look at the Episode of Savanaclaw is that the new mangaka is really good at drawing eyelashes 👁 👄 👁 There were so many times when I actually made a full stop while reading to admire the eyes and the lashes on like. EVERYONE especially on L*ona. I really enjoy that aspect of the new artwork! (I don’t know if this is just me, but Leona’s tail and hair also seem much longer in the manga adaptation than in the game…?)

… OKAY I NEED TO TALK ABOUT THIS NOW

I mentioned before that the manga has the advantage of using visual storytelling to help convey character in a way that the game can’t. I previously explored this concept as it applies to Cater’s general character in the Episode of Heartslabyul. But but but— (and I cannot stress this enough 😳) just from the first chapter alone, I think that the manga’s visual storytelling is going a long way to enhance episode 2.

So like in the game (2-6), there is a dorm leaders meeting in which they discuss the upcoming Magical Shift/Spelldrive tournament. It is here where Crowley suggests inducting Malleus into the Hall of Fame in order to take him off the field and give the other dorms a chance to shine. Leona interrupts and gives a brief speech about how doing that is admitting defeat before the game has even begun. He uses the story of the King of Beasts to remind his fellow dorm leaders that it is cunning, not brute strength or magical ability, that allowed him to triumph. This inspires the other dorm leaders to disallow Malleus from entering the Hall of Fame, as they all want to do their best to try and outwit him.

Now, there's nothing wrong with this scene in the game. It serves its purpose just fine. However, because of the game being a visual novel style, the story is mainly told via dialogue and 2D character models. The manga is able to greatly expand on this scene because it is not constrained to just dialogue and a few animations. Case in point, this:

In the manga adaptation of this scene, Leona gives basically the same points, but the art is a lot more dynamic. For example, when he first hears Crowley’s proposal, we get these shots which show us Leona’s obvious displeasure. There’s the slight frown, the ominous shadow over his face, and even a close up of his fingers laced together (a pose which already implies he’s a schemer):

Compare this to the limitations of Leona’s in-game model; he looks so obviously and overtly angry, which doesn’t sell him as a calculating character as well. Meanwhile, in the manga, you can still tell just how much the idea Crowley suggested has pissed Leona off, but the feelings come across on his face in a much more subtle way.

Then when manga!Leona begins his appeal proper, he physically STANDS UP from his seat at the table. This draws the other pairs of eyes in the room to him; you can see in the next panel that everyone, including Crowley, is looking at Leona. He commands the attention in the room.

Another small detail here is that manga!Leona slams a hand down on the table; previously, they were folded together. Without saying a word, you understand what this conveys: that, in addition to his intelligence, he also has power and influence in this situation, and he knows exactly how and when to use those boons to his advantage.

Actually, manga!Leona does a lot of small yet noteworthy things with his hands. Take, for instance, these next panels.

When bringing up the importance of using one’s brain, manga!Leona actually taps his head. In the game, Leona is limited to his general sprite where he lays a hand against his temple. This is the closest approximation to what the game can do to simulate that tap tap of the head, but it doesn’t really carry the full weight of the motion, especially not when paired with Leona’s annoyed in-game expression.

But then look at manga!Leona, who looks so smug and self-assured as he does the gesture. It really speaks to his own confidence—and, more importantly, we’re getting a more accurate image of what the other dorm leaders and Crowley are seeing. They’re witnessing Leona at the height of his strength, someone who uses his words to persuade and to inspire the downtrodden masses into following his lead and to make better lives for themselves. Leona now curls his hand into a fist—so now we’ve gone from the cunning laced fingers to the powerful slam of a hand on a table to a clenched fist, which, in this context, is meant to be encouraging and victorious.

Note that this is all a parallel to Leona’s Disney counterpart, Scar, who made promised the shunned hyenas a place in society. Said parallel is made even more apparent in the following page; manga!Leona literally raises his fist up, and there, right in the background, is the statue of Scar himself, haloed by sunlight, and clouds parted for him. Scar—and, by extension, Leona—appear almost “God-like” because of this deliberate composition.

At this point, Leona speaks about the King of Beasts’ great accomplishment: obtaining the crown through perseverance and wit, in spite of the odds being stacked against him. Look at how this page is framed; it’s nothing BUT Leona. He’s dominating not only the page itself, but also the discussion surrounding Malleus’s induction to the Hall of Fame. He is winning his audience over.

Again, the same lines play out in the game, but the impact just isn’t there. We just have a lot of Leona crossing his arms while looking mad and Leona with his hands on his hips. At best, he looks neutral or slightly bored by what he’s saying. At worst, maybe too angry or even pouting about the situation. It definitely doesn’t feel nearly as inspirational as him standing and raising a fist as he extols the values of the King of Beasts.

(Side note: why is Leona built like a god damn DORITO 🤡 Why’s his waist so TINY???? What is the purpose of that………………….. ….. …. . .:: … . … . . … . . .. . . this is not me simping THIS IS NOT I swear it’s not)

This next page characterizes Malleus more than it does Leona; Malleus is small here, shown with his back turned away, turning to “glance over his shoulder” at the others. This comes off as isolating, putting distance between himself, who is on such a high level, and his peers. It matches Leona’s dialogue, implying that Malleus truly is a “monster” out of their league, and they must find a clever solution to take that “monster” down.

Leona’s profile now shows slight signs of irritation right as he’s delivering the conclusion to his speech and thesis. His eyebrows are arched, he’s frowning, and he’s slightly looking down at the people he’s addressing. The tension here is palpable; you can feel the force behind his words, how strong his final statement is. It is the responsibility of everyone present at this table to find a way to defeat Malleus, not kneel over and accept defeat.

And the crazy thing is???? You can SEE in the faces of every single dorm leader how Leona’s words have affected them. You don’t need anyone to say a single word to understand what’s going through their heads. They’ve all been charmed. Look at how wide-eyed Kalim is, how Vil has his eyes narrowed (like he has realized something), Riddle is staring DIRECTLY at Leona (implied by an earlier page), and fuck Idia; the tablet’s screen tells us nothing Azul smiles knowingly.

We automatically know what the outcome is, and we know which way they will vote. This is conveyed so well, so clearly, that the manga doesn’t even bother to give us dialogue from the other dorm leaders opposing Crowley’s suggestion. The manga just immediately cuts away to a mob student being injured. (This is different than in the game, which had to show Vil, Riddle, Kalim, Idia, and Azul verbally agreeing with Leona to get the same message across.)

Anyway??? I had to get all of that out of my system 🤡 I just. Can’t get over???? How good the visual storytelling is for the manga adaptation??????

Entire lines from the original script could be scrubbed out and we still understand what is being said without them. So much character oozes off the page in the dynamic camera and composition. Scenes that I paid zero mind to in the game are sooo much more interesting when told through the manga, my eyes are glued onto the pages.

There’s so much nuance in the gorgeous artwork and the story that it’s trying to tell, and I think that’s a real testament to how talented the mangaka and the team behind Twisted Wonderland (the manga adaptation) are!! I’m by no means a fan of episode 2 of the main story, but 👀 the manga has definitely done a great job making Leona’s introduction to the audience memorable, and he feels like a much more charismatic and threatening “villain” for this episode because of that.

[cobaltfluff]

who has the best sister ?!?!

bonus: winning over Nanako with REAL magic tricks and crane game prizes

[isiayami]

[spasikonik]

ester on the brainnnnnn (he/she for the character!!)

[mikuyuuss]

Being both a Giyuu and a Mitsuri stan is a weird experience to say the least. Both of my favs (and their stans) aren't connected to each other. I got people who only follow me for Giyuu and people who only follow me for Mitsuri.

Sometimes I feel guilty when I draw Giyuu bc I feel that my Mitsuri followers are getting sick of him. Likewise I feel bad that my Giyuu followers are getting tired of me drawing Mitsuri. (but let's be real, I feel more bad for the latter. Mitsuri is just more fun to draw sorry not sorry /jk)

I know Giyuu x Mitsuri ship is a thing lately, which is great! But I personally prefer them as platonic friends, I think there's real friendship potential there, so maybe I'll draw them bonding together sometime so that I can force feed my followers into enjoying both of them at once lol /lh XD

[lynxfrost13]

I genuinely wonder about Ariane and the Itous friendship they’re such a delightful little trio of outcast weirdo kids to me

[orcelito]

When a cat gets her claw stuck on something and just tugs at it pathetically while looking at me so I have to just grab her and maneuver her claw free. Because she's so stupid that she doesn't understand that Tugging doesn't free something that is hooked onto something. You must Push.

[shokupanko]

i hope your depression and everything gets better for you btw!! wishing you the best 🌟

｜ｏ゜）I drew a happy Nemu to cheer myself up!

[moe-broey]

I'm SO obsessed with them.

After this I believe they are both equally as unhinged as the other, just opposite ends of a spectrum about it HAHAHAHAHA

Also...

More micro organisms.............. (FAVE PANEL TBH LOOK AT THEM)

[kamipyre]

suki nakamura is.... ✨ an icon ��

[calysimps]

I have Bridgerton brainriot right now

I just read Benedict's book and he is living in my mind rent free I need someone to scream at

Feel free to comment or send asks because aaaaajdysk

I need him spiritually, carnally, literally, artistically, formally, poetically, musically, religiously, mentally, sickeningly, lovingly, hatefully, violently, gently, I don't know more words but you get the point

He angered me beyond measure in the book but I cannot help but want him

And I hate it because the regency setting makes me say shit like "plagues my mind" instead of more modern less pompous stuff and it sounds even more exaggerated

[robinsnest2111]

adding to the sickfic:

somewhere between Benson getting the groceries inside and trying to come up with a plan of what the hell to do with his sick as a dog coworker curled up on his bed, in his room, in his childhood home-

he hears a cheery little tune from down the hall. A cellphone, the boy's cellphone. Crap.

Benson sprints the short distance and gingerly fishes the cellphone out of Randy's pocket. The boy only dignifies the noise and gentle manhandling with a pained groan.

Flipping the phone open, the display is lit up with an incoming call from "Mom". Of course. It's been a while since closing time. Her son would've been home by now. She's probably worried. Without much contemplating, Benson puts on his finest Charismatic (and hopefully trustworthy) Human Being persona and presses the little green button to answer the call.

Before he can get a word in, his ear is assaulted by a shrieking voice.

"RANDY? RANDY THANK GOD! I'M SO WORRIED! WHERE ARE YOU? YOU SHOULD'VE BEEN HOME 10 MINUTES AGO! DID SOMETHING HAPPEN? WHAT'S GOING ON? DO YOU NEED HELP? DO I NEED TO COME GET YOU? RANDY?"

Huh. So the boy's his boy's name is actually Randy. His last name must be Bradley, then. And his mom seems to be just a bit overbearing and overprotective. Grade A helicopter parent.

Benson clears his throat, sorting his thoughts. How does he explain just why Randy didn't make it home, why Benson's the one answering Randy's phone, why it's actually fine that Randy's with him. All without raising any red flags in poor Mrs. Bradley's mind...?

[captaindeinony]

Dawn (Masters) is friendly and cheery. She likes riding her bike and hanging out with her friends. She INSISTS on helping you over and over again. Overall is just a delight.

For some reason, Masters gives her Cresselia after implying her to be afraid of the dark. She has an identity crisis if you talk to her in the Trainer Lodge. You also learn about her love of superheroes! During a child kidnapping inside of a cave?

She’s like 10

[rainedroptalks]

Thinking about Tim and Sasha and I feel like, even though it feels like it should be Tim, it’s actually Sasha who has more friends outside the archives

[seiwas]

the healing and purest form of comfort that you feel when you’re reunited with your best friend—when you just feel fully yourself, like everything’s gonna be okay >>

[ow1et]

thinking about everyone being so convinced that funny little rich girl teen attie is an absolute snob because she doesn't talk to anyone and so firmly believes that her strong opinions on art and literature are superior to everyone else's. but no, it's actually just because she's painfully introverted and a huge fucking nerd.