#showing real emotional growth and not being weighed down with stereotypes

[obsessive-dumpling]

I have been waiting with bated breath but the end is nigh so it's time to get our final predictions in folks.

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And I don't know.... I've had SO many predictions throughout this entire series and here we are, at end game, and I have no clue. Because Horikoshi is so talented at turning things where I least expect. Don't believe me?

Did you see "Kacchan of the Bakugos" live on world wide television happening?

Did you see "cutest girl in the world" happening?

Did you see "spend the rest of our lives together" happening?

(Spoiler Alert: There are so. many. more!)

Like we anticipated a lot of things as a fandom but then he would also smack us in the face with scenes straight out of our favorite fanfics. And why? Why did he do that? Why did he REUSE the line from School Briefs about Katsuki's relationship with girls in the final chapters of the manga? He didn't have to do that. He didn't have to do any of this!

Those were choices. Choices he actively made. Choices Shonen Jump let be published. Choices Bones is now animating. And it's because of those choices and that follow through that I'm so unsure now.

This all feels too pointed... Too intentional for there to not be a final bkdk scene/ending. So why the hesitation in predicting a bkdk ending?

Because. This ending isn't about the fandom. This ending isn't about "who's ship wins". And if you think that's all that's on the line here, then I'm sorry. I'm truly sorry, cause you missed it. You missed the point of this series and what bkdk as a canon couple would actually mean in the real world 2024.

MHA is one of the top animes in the world. Check the numbers. Not Japan. Not American. The world! Do you understand what it would mean to have a canon gay couple as leads in a mainstream Shonen anime? How many people that would reach?

Representation in media matters. Representation in MAINSTREAM media MATTERS. God, I could do a whole seminar on this topic but the point HERE being: a canon gay superhero couple in a top Shonen anime would have a massive effect on a global scale. And how many need to see that? How many people could that help? How many people could it change?

And though Horikoshi has shown a heavy leaning towards a bkdk end game, that doesn't mean he has to, or even can, follow through on it. Unfortunately, it's not up to JUST him. Shonen Jump could tank it. Bones could tank it! Do you get it yet? It's going to take A LOT for this to happen. And frankly my heart is having a hard time with it...

Because we've seen creators fight this fight before. The Legend of Korra. SheRa. Both always intended to have queer leads. But had to fight TOOTH AND NAIL with everything they had just to get a final closing scene.

We've also seen queer baiters. So many have pointed out the similarities to how Naruto felt. And because of the nature of the series' mangaka, we will never know what the truth is on that matter.

We've felt shunted by the system. We've felt laughed at for having hope to see a love like ours up on that screen.

But now we have hope again. And there /is/ a chance. There is a really real chance right now- that we could actually get it...

And that makes my chest tight.

[astrochats]

Astro Scales: the breakdown by sign

In our first post, we introduced the Astro Scales system and discussed each element’s heart and head values. In this post, we will further break down each element into its three signs, and explain what distinguishes the signs from one another.

The Astro Scales system derives its name from a pair of scales, where we envision head and heart values being weighed against each other. Some signs weigh the head value above the heart value, some weigh the heart value above the head value, and some place an equal weight on both values, balancing the scales.

For example, while all fire signs struggle with the primary conflict of now vs. later, we argue that the charging ram Aries weighs now, the fire heart value, above the head value of later. By contrast, the archer Sagittarius believes in the value of biding their time, despite the draw of fulfilling their desires immediately; thus Sagittarius weighs head over heart. Meanwhile, proud Leo, king of the jungle, constantly balances immediate reward against delayed gratification. 

We observe these 3 configurations of the scales (heart over head, balancing both, head over heart) in all 4 elements, giving each of the 12 zodiac signs its own distinctive character.

***

Fire signs (now vs. later)

Aries: now

The first sign in the zodiac, Aries the ram bursts into existence with an uncontainable life force, as if to announce to the world, “I am here.” It’s therefore no surprise that Aries leads with the heart value of now over the head value of later. Although Aries understands on some level that waiting can lead to greater rewards, the cost of forgoing the immediate rush of instant gratification is often too high for this impatient sign. More so than any other fire sign, Aries embodies the action principle of fire: a flame’s existence depends on a continued fuel source, or it will be extinguished. Thus it is important for Aries to feel a sense of forward momentum with all of their actions, and stasis is very uncomfortable for them. Aries may feel anxiety about not getting what they have set their minds to and if they cannot follow through with their plans, they can feel lost and unlike themselves. It’s instinctual for Aries to prioritize the desires of their heart above the head. This means that while Aries is very good at making decisive moves to instigate the outcome they desire, others can feel steamrolled or ignored in Aries’ hasty actions.

Leo: balancing both

Ruled by the Sun, Leo is a sign that flourishes when it’s in the spotlight. Leos are generous with their warmth and their love; being around them can feel like basking in warm sunshine. Leos shine brightest when surrounded by other people, and their need for continuous attention from others explains why Leos balance the heart value of now against the head value of later. For Leo, balancing these values means pursuing all of their immediate desires, while making concessions so as not to lose their audience. The lion is the king of the jungle, and like all kings, Leo walks a fine line between luxuriating in all the perks of being at the top, yet always being aware of the precariousness of their position. There is always someone next in line, waiting to usurp a king who shows weakness or loses the support of his followers, and proud Leo feels keenly the cold shadow that descends upon them when the spotlight is turned on someone else. For this reason, it is rare to see two Leos in one group of friends. Though people are quick to characterize Leos as overconfident and self-absorbed, these traits can be attributed to this sign’s tendency towards idealism and a general wholehearted optimism for life. 

Sagittarius: later

Although Sagittarians may be known for their impulsivity, a second look at this sign reveals a surprising willingness to bide their time. Note that of all the fire signs, Sagittarius is the only one represented not by an animal, but by the archetype of the archer -- the hunter, who must lie in wait for the perfect moment to strike, reflecting how Sagittarius weighs their head value of later over their heart value of now. Another aspect of the Sagittarian mythology involves the figure of the centaur, a half-human, half-horse. While Sagittarius may feel the primal urge of now from beneath its hooves, its higher faculties are able to temper these urges. Ruled by Jupiter, the planet of luck and expansion, Sagittarius is willing to take a gamble on waiting until later in the hope of reaping greater rewards. Sagittarius feels most like themselves when they have the freedom to explore various options and are able to escape when life gets too restrictive. These tendencies result in the endless optimism and adaptability Sagittarians bring to all of life’s ups and downs, but can also result in an impression of flightiness and unreliability.

***

Water signs (feeling vs. fantasy)

Scorpio: feeling

Of the three water signs, Scorpio alone is represented by a non-water-dwelling animal. Compared to the dark, nurturing ocean depths where Cancer and Pisces live, the harsh, flat desert where the scorpion dwells contains few hiding places; here, everyone is stripped bare. Similarly, this sign favors the heart value of raw feeling over the head value of fantasy, which they see as a watery world of self delusions and concealments. Even as they are drawn to the boundless promise of the mystical and fantastic, Scorpio accepts that they live in the physical world and must adapt to its harshness rather than seeking escape in dreams. Scorpios feel things intensely, and they have a hard time hiding or masking their emotions, seeming even to revel in the darker side of their nature. Since they see the world and other people with clear eyes, without the veneer of idealism, they find trust and vulnerability difficult. Scorpio’s combination of intensity and penetrative perception gives them a magnetic quality, which can be attractive to many. But when tangling with this guarded sign, know that physical passions do not necessarily translate into emotional intimacy.

Cancer: balancing both

Cancer the crab walks between the watery world of fantasy and the earthly sands of real sensation. Though they are often stereotyped as sensitive and moody, this reputation stems from the tug-of-war between Cancer’s heart value of feeling and head value of fantasy. Far from being mutually exclusive, this sign’s heart and head values often feed into and build upon each other. For a Cancer, real-life feelings are heightened by their fantastical imaginings, while their fantasies are imbued with real attachment. For example, in everyday conflicts, it comes naturally for Cancer to cast others in the roles of hero and villain. Conversely, this sign’s romantic daydreams can replicate or even surpass the giddy euphoria of actually falling in love. Because Cancers attach equal weight to their fantasies and their lived emotions, it can be extremely painful and disappointing for this sign when experiences don’t live up to the expectations set by fantasies; this is when Cancer may retreat without warning behind a spiky exterior. However, a person who is able to coax this sign out of their shell will find a uniquely soft and nurturing nature: a Cancer’s affection is given wholeheartedly and without reserve.

Pisces: fantasy

Pisces the fish lives entirely submerged in the ocean depths of fantasy, so much so that Pisceans often seem to inhabit their own plane of existence. With this sign of dreams, the subconscious, and the spiritual, the head value of fantasy comes so naturally that they may have difficulty separating fantasy from their emotional reality. For Pisces, fantasy involves a predisposition towards creating deeper meaning from the apparent randomness and chaos of life. This may morph into existential dread if Pisces begins to consider the possibility that reality is actually random and devoid of meaning. Everyday, practical matters tend to fade into the background in the face of these looming existential questions, which may contribute to this sign’s “head in the clouds” reputation. While Pisces, like other water signs, is highly emotionally attuned, their fixation on fantasy can make it difficult for this sign to express or indeed, truly experience their immediate feelings. This results in Pisces’ susceptibility to absorbing the feeling currents of others around them, as well as their reputation for empathy and sensitivity. A Pisces who is too detached from the truth of their own feelings can become oversensitive and withdrawn.

***

Earth signs (conviction vs. compromise)

Taurus: conviction

Famously stubborn, Taurus’s stability comes from their firm heart value of conviction, which they weigh over the head value of compromise. Because Taurus’s sense of identity is so grounded in their personal convictions, being confronted with the necessity of compromise can feel like an affront to Taurus’s self-image. This is why Taurus, more than any other sign, is known to fear change despite recognizing the importance of growth -- after all, compromise by definition requires us to leave our comfort zone in some way. Like the immovable bull, Taurus prefers to stick to what they know and trust, not only in their beliefs but also in their habits and environments. While they are aware, as all earth signs are, that there are times when we must prioritize practicality and/or the common good, it costs more comparatively for a Taurus to repress their innermost beliefs. Although this sign may come across as stubborn and obstinate at times, others know that they can trust Taurus to be honest and reliable.

Virgo: balancing both

The maiden associated with Virgo embodies purity of course, but also carries a sheaf of wheat, representing the harvest. These two symbols encapsulate Virgo’s balancing act between their heart value of conviction and their head value of compromise: while it is important for Virgo to uphold the purity and clarity of their personal convictions, this service-oriented sign may not always find it necessary or appropriate to impress these convictions upon others. The harvest is emblematic of humans’ interdependence with each other and with nature; Virgo’s approach to compromise follows a similar principle of being conscious of how your actions affect others. They are careful not to be offensive or take up too much space, and tend to disdain those who act rudely or thoughtlessly. Balancing conviction and compromise can be a struggle for Virgos, who feel they must remain true to themselves even as they wish to avoid making a fuss. This may account for some of this overanalytical sign’s tendency towards anxiety and neurosis. Virgos treat each word and action they put into the universe with extreme care, but even so, they may stay up late at night regretting their decisions.

Capricorn: compromise

Even as the mountain goat Capricorn steadily ascends the mountain, it never loses sight of its grounded perspective. Capricorns weigh their head value above their heart value; although they have as strong a sense of their convictions as other earth signs, it is unlikely that a Capricorn will allow these private convictions to interfere with their ability to compromise. Compared to other earth signs, Capricorns tend to come across as more patient when dealing with people because they try to accommodate everyone’s differences in order to move forward. Another way to understand this value could be “compartmentalization,” something that comes naturally to this sign. Some may call Capricorns cold because of their ability to put distance between their actions and their personal feelings/allegiances; they would simply call themselves realistic. Compromise serves most Capricorns well -- in the long term, they will be able to build respect, recognition and a reputation of dependability in the eyes of others.  

***

Air signs (knowledge vs. faith)

Aquarius: knowledge

Ruled by Uranus, the planet of revolution and rebellion, Aquarius the water bearer is characterized by independence, originality and humanitarianism. Aquarians are not known to be followers; their determination to walk their own path emerges from their heart value of knowledge, which they prioritize over the head value of faith. If you want to recruit Aquarius to your cause or way of thinking, you’d better be prepared to explain every step of your logic. For Aquarius, blindly following a belief that is not their own feels like a betrayal of the principle to seek truth. Even if an Aquarius hasn’t yet developed their own perspective on a subject, they are eager to pick holes in someone else’s viewpoint in order to better understand the other person’s logic. Since Aquarians tend to forget that most people’s beliefs include emotion as well as logic, this sign runs the risk of coming across as cold or unemotional. Yet it is equally common for Aquarians to attract those who admire their unique perspective. 

Libra: balancing both

Portrayed as a pair of scales, it comes as no surprise that Libra is the air sign that balances the heart and head values of knowledge and faith. The heart value of knowledge gives Libra a clear view of their own beliefs, though they are unlikely to offer these opinions unless pressed or in the company of someone they fully trust. This is because Libra wishes to avoid conflict and maintain a sense of equilibrium in most situations, and it comes naturally to this sign to reflect other people’s opinions back at them, telling others what they most want to hear. Libras are seen by some as indecisive or “fake” because their behavior can change depending on their company. However, this is not to say that Libras are simply humoring the other party; they believe that each person has their own truth that they live by and they are willing to reconcile disparate opinions with their own, especially when faced with an emotionally charged appeal. In this way, this harmony-seeking sign can manage knowledge and faith simultaneously without sacrificing either; the result is Libra’s distinctive charm and agreeable nature. 

Gemini: faith

Gemini’s ruler Mercury is the fastest-moving planet in our solar system. Accordingly, Gemini, the mercurial twins of the zodiac, always thinks a million thoughts at once. Their talkative, loud exterior tends to mask their propensity to overanalyze and doubt their own logical flow. Gemini weighs their head value of faith over the heart value of knowledge: it is often easier for a Gemini to take someone else’s words as truth rather than stick to their own knowledge, unless the other person’s opinions strongly contradict systems that they already know to be correct. Although Gemini is much maligned for the stereotype of being “two-faced,” this sign isn’t being consciously duplicitous; they are simply so faith-oriented that it is difficult for them to maintain their former beliefs in the face of someone else’s forceful opinions. A Gemini’s fluid, fast-paced thought process can accommodate many different and conflicting truths in rapid succession -- to arrive at a single, final truth is the real challenge for this sign. For Gemini, knowledge seems less like a stable destination and more like a never-ending journey of considering each possibility and perspective.

***

Thanks for reading! xxx fon & bells 

p.s. Our ask box is now open!

[parachutingkitten]

Season 3

STANDARD DISCLAIMER: I am going to be applying the concept of criticism to a TV show you presumably love and adore as much as I do. If you do not want your idea that the show is immaculate to be challenged, I would not advise reading past this point. 

ADDITIONAL DISCLAIMER: This post contains an insane amount of PIXAL

Mood for this season: This is fine... No... WAIT! WHAT?! NO!!!!!! WHAT IS HAPPENING??!!!!!!!?!?!

You don’t need to, but if you are interested, and haven’t seen my analysis of past seasons, you can find those here:

Pilot

Season 1

Season 2

Season 3! This should be fun. I remember when rebooted was announced, it was the biggest deal, my mom was analyzing the announcement poster. And then it came out, or at least the episodes popped up online in some random language. It was real bazaar. Fun fact, the one and only time I have ever pulled an all-nighter was to watch those episodes. I will never do it again, it was NOT worth it. Anyway, my initial impressions of the season... I hated it. I was pissed they killed off Dr. Julian, I was pissed they killed Zane, I was pissed that they gave him a token girlfriend, and I was pissed that because of her, my boy couldn't do spinjitzu anymore.

Now, if you know anything about me, you know that none of these opinions stand anymore. So, what happened? Well, I gave a shout out to the music department during season 1, and for this season I have to acknowledge the voice acting. Once the English versions of the episodes came out, I fell in love with all of it. Brent Miller, dude, props for this season. I watch his youtube videos and it's always hard for me to imagine him doing emotional stuff, but he does some DAMN good work this season. Also, Jennifer Hayward turned Pixal from my least favorite character ever created to my favorite. I am in LOVE with her voicework here! Also, Lee Tockar with Borg does a great job of making this character who really could have been a rehash of Julian his own unique and quirky character and, especially as the seasons progress, finds his place with the character. Richard Newman as Cryptor, yes, please! His voice is gorgeous! He makes Cryptor sound like he is having the time of his life tormenting Zane and I love it! Basically, the droids really shine this season. BUT... just because the voice acting is good does NOT mean that the writing is any good, whatsoever.

Plot

Yeah... there is a reason I hated it the first time I saw it. A lot of this dialogue is clumsy. A lot of the plot points are a bit on the nose. The whole idea for this season seems really strange. After they defeat the Overlord their next big battle should obviously be... the Overlord... again? And this time ice kills him. I mean, not to undermine Zane's sacrifice or anything, but wasn't the big deal last season that Lloyd was the only one who could stop him, and isn't the deal this season that the Overlord is back but even more powerful? How does any of this work? I have a way I think it might have worked a bit better, but I'll get to that when I cover the climax. There's a LOT of rocky stuff and it's all way to complicated, and I'll get to most of it later in the post, but one thing I would like to applaud this season on is the connections it ties to the previous seasons. As weird as the space episode was, it acknowledged a part of the Ninjago canon a lot of us were wondering about and managed to work it into a compelling mystery. This season addresses a lot of stuff from the past seasons and weaves it into the current plot in a way that makes all of these seasons feel like a part of the same connected universe and line of events.

Characters

So, all the ninja are teachers at the beginning of this... it further confuses the ninja age debate, but aside from that it's... fine.

The characters here I feel all get a bit more cartoony, and lean into definite rolls they play this season. Kai is afraid of technology this season, that is his character. Nya Jay and Cole have their thing this season, that is their character. Lloyd and Garnadon do... whatever they do this season. I feel like the plot kind of forgets about them for a bit. But I feel like everyone else in the season sacrifices some time so we can give some to Zane, which he deserves, but I don't think you had to sacrifice the complexity of the time they had in order to accomplish that.

Cyrus Borg (and Dr. Julien)

I'm going to say it. Dr. Julian had to die. Cyrus Borg and Dr. Julien cannot co-exist. This show has way too many "tech people" first it was Jay, and then his parents are there too, Nya gets the roll later on, Zane takes that up for a while after he finds out he's a robot, and then of course, his dad is going to be a tech genius, and when you want to add another tech genius to you regular canon, and it's not a hip young cool dude, it's a dorky maybe old man in a wheel chair, someone else has to go. Dr. Julien was set up as incredibly old already, so that would be an easy choice. Plus, think if Zane had his dad supporting him through all this? I think his growth would be less meaningful. Yes, it sucks that he just got him back, and now we just barely lose him, yes it sucks that it doesn't weigh down on Zane more throughout the season, yes it sucks that he's dead. He was an adorable crazy old man and we all loved him to death, and everything with Zane made my heart melt. But on a level it's kind of nice to know that he most likely died with his son by his side, quietly enjoying the last days of his life in peace. But hey, let's not dwell on what we lost, let's focus on what we got out of it; Cyrus Borg. I friggin love this man! He's smart, uncontrollably smart. He has crazy ideas he's not afraid to test, not necessarily in a mad scientist crazy sort of way, but in a "why not?" Sort of way. I feel like he embodies the times when someone is like "how does that work?" And someone else goes "SCIENCE!" That's Cyrus Borg. He's filled with so much hope even though the world keeps giving him total crap for doing it. That little half-smile he does just perfectly sums it all up. Like seriously, let’s admire how much this man has been through, the responsibility on his shoulders, and how well he is mentally despite all that. He has some serious willpower and optimism. I can admire that.

Pixal

Alright. My favorite character in the show... I hope I do her justice. Pixal is not particularly well written, and the series has a habit of completely ignoring her for large chunks of time but, I think I admire Pixal more for what she stands for to me personally.

I don't dislike strong females. They're fine. But I am not really the tomboy type. I am the girliest girly girl in the world. I grew up watching princess movies, I wanted to be one, I still want to, I love the color pink, I love wearing dresses, I like being a feminine person, that is who I am. I hate the stereotype that modern TV shows have of masculinizing the girls in their show in order to claim that they're "strong female characters" just because they can beat people up and hate wearing makeup and dresses and stuff because then I feel bad about myself in the process. You'd better bet I threw something at the screen when Nya said she didn't like wearing dresses. Girl, you used to wear a dress on the daily!

Anyway, this season is where Nya turns to form my female representation in the show, into just another whiney girl who "don't need no man" and wants to be completely independent of boys and romance and yet she wants to be like the boys by excelling at the same stuff they do. But then we get Pixal. She is FEMININE don't you doubt it for a single moment, she is a WOMAN and she wears dresses and falls in love with a handsome guy and she supports him. What's wrong with that? But in that, she still has her individual role to play in the team. She's sassy, and she's yet again another a tech genius, but it more comes from her nature as a robot, and what she can control because of it. The scene with her and Kai really exemplifies what I mean to say, she's still strong in her own ways. She keeps the boys in check, something extremely important, especially with THESE boys. She doesn't have to be destroying mass amounts of nindroids to be a good character, she just has to make the pathway in order to do it. She's the control behind the destruction.

But let's not forget that she's a robot. Practically just born. She's young and naive and she doesn't understand her emotions and I LOVE it! Her dynamic with Zane is simply beautiful. Zane has been looking for someone his whole life who understands him, and he gets his dad, but no one else in the world can experience what he is experiencing directly, and then comes Pixal. I think Zane sums it up really well in decoded (Ikr, decoded?) When he says she taught him what it meant to be a robot and he teaches her what it means to be human. There's a great duality there. He finds someone who understands him, but they both have their own issues they need individual help understanding. And of course, they would understand each other! She has half his heart! Which opens up a lot of cool dynamics. I kind of wish Zane and Pixal had a force connection sort of thing and they could feel each other's pain and sense their emotions and stuff.

Anyway, because Pixal goes through the process of understanding her emotions, it does make sense that in the end, her emotions would consume her. Zane gave her... in essence, life and so it makes sense that it would completely shatter her when he was gone. I think the reason I connect with them so much is because, again, I am the most basic of girls, so finding a nice caring, overprotective, but not in a pushy sort of way guy with some emotional issues for you to heal is the kind of life I fantasize for myself, and Zane and Pixal are the quintessential sweet couple that loves, and listens to each other. It's just... love. Even though the situation might be messy or complex, the love is always constant, just pure and absolute. I feel like of all the couples in the show, Pixal and Zane are the only ones who really NEED each other. Jay needs Nya no doubt, but I don't feel she really needs him. Kai and Skylor are their own mess. The garmawusako triangle doesn't even make sense. Cole needs cake, sure, but cake is inanimate and hence doesn't need him. Pixal and Zane lean on each other constantly, and if we don't see how that effects them season 9, I will be pissed.

Romance

I know I just talked about Pixane, but I'm going to keep talking. The beginnings of this relationship are really interesting, mainly because at first one of them doesn't have emotions... which I guess means Zane was in love with an inanimate object? Whatever. In the scene on the train, you really can tell that Zane is kind of confused, but he's trying his best to express his feelings. I also love that all the other ninja already know he's got a crush on her even though he hasn't spoken a word about it to them. He's gotten a pretty good grasp on his other emotions, but he has never once encountered anything romantic before, and I don't think Dr. Julien necessarily built him with falling in love in mind, so it makes sense that he would flounder a bit in his efforts, but because Pixal first experiences emotions with Zane, she doesn't care about any of that, so in the process they just end up being perfect. I love these two to death. I could go on, but I'm going to stop myself.

The Triangle

No. Nothing about this makes sense. The biggest problem I have with this whole thing is that Cole has like... zero reason to be interested in Nya. His reasoning for suddenly liking her, if you can even call it that, is that a robot told him he should, and even then I don't feel like he likes her, he just wants to annoy Jay. It's SO out of character and there's no thought behind it. I can buy Nya second-guessing her relationship with Jay, but Cole just going along with it without question? It's so strange. And there's no reason. The show even addresses that there's no reason for this. When Nya has to cut a blue or black wire, the arguments go

Jay: you're comfortable with blue

Cole: Black... is not blue...

What? What kind of rationale is that? And because of this, the Nya independence streak starts and it's the WORST this season. And Jay gets WAY whiney and childish because of all of this, so he turns into this strangely unlikable character, which again eventually gets better. I absolutely hate everything about this love triangle. It doesn't make sense, it feels insincere, and it makes the characters worse for it. Just for that Cole and Jay are my least favorite ninjas for the season. But even then, I have a hard time putting Cole there because he's so out of character, I don't think I can call what was on the screen Cole. I didn't like either of them this season, which is a real shame, because these two have a great dynamic later on.

Villians

Nindroid army. These guys are fun. They don't make much sense in their creation, but they are genuinely intimidating, the thing that comes to mind is when the nindroids are camouflaged, and it turns out they're surrounding the ninja, that was pretty cool, and kind of terrifying. Cryptor is, of course, a standout. You get the sense he enjoys everything he's doing, knows he's better than everyone else and embraces it. He has emotions, right? I mean, he certainly appears to have negative emotions. His voice certainly emotes. Mindroid is amazing, cute and threatening at the same time, neat little backstory, you can tell he's the smartest one in the bunch. These guys just come with a really cool feel to them. When Borg is taken over, and the factory is all dark and shadowy, and there's only red light, that stuff is cool.

The Overlord on the other hand... takes a big step backwards. You get the sense he's pretty weak, the fact that he uses a cane when he's finally physical doesn't help. He's just not nearly as intimidating as he used to be. When he reaches his "final form" and he's pretty much a giant spider, that's pretty cool, but he still looks pretty awkward. Could be better, but for what we got it served its purpose alright

Pythor was a good reveal. Pretty fun, I love how he and Cryptor play off of each other. Not much to say, because he hasn't changed much, but he's pretty cool this season. His voice makes my throat sad.

Wu? Kinda gimmicky. Not much to say, he's brainwashed and he looks kinda scary for a bit... okay. I mean I'm fine with it, nothing to get too excited over or anything.

Climax

So, spoiler alert, Zane dies. It's sad and emotional and the flashback music hits you hard, and the long quiet afterwards is great, idk why Kai is the one to speak at the funeral, but whatever, and then your heart breaks for Pixal, but then that resurrection music kicks in, and the visuals are amazing, and Zane is back! Perfect. Sad to think their moment gets cut off so quickly, but still, it's just perfect. All the right emotions. However... logically... it’s not exactly sound? There would have been a really easy way to fix this though, that way is to set this battle in the digiverse. It requires reworking some things, but Zane would be equipped to kill him in that realm, he could stay there while the others escaped the digiverse, and when he rebuilds himself, it makes sense, because he’s already within the digital realm, able to control whatever is in Borg tower through that connection. Idk, I think it would have sealed up a few plot holes, but this climax still stands up emotionally really well. 

Humor

Jay, our biggest source of comedy, is... preoccupied with something, so all of it slides downhill a bit. Not too many great moments this season. Everything just feels a bit more childish.

Favorite line of the season: honestly, I can't remember any one line that stands out. But, there is a visual gag I really like, where Zane uses super speed to enter in a bunch of codes to try and open a door on the nindroid's spaceship, and the code ends up being 1234. That was good.

Drama

Most of the little stuff, the suspense, and tension, the nindroids knocking on the door to Borg tower, that stuff all works really well. The triangle stuff, you know how I feel about that, the death stuff at the end is handled really well. You can generally, throughout the season feel the weight of what they're doing, and that every move they make really matters. It reminds me a lot of the dark island episodes. There's a lit of hanging on by a thread this season, which works really well. There's a good amount of mystery, and I love myself some mystery, it creates some good ATMOSPHERE. Most of the drama really works, except of course the obvious.

Spotlight Episode

So, this is hard. The obvious spotlight is the finale, but I already covered that. There isn't one particular episode that really stands out, there's no episode that did everything wrong, there's no episode that did everything right, there's just the season, so I want to do this piece on the space episode. Because... it gets weird. Like really weird and it could have gone all shades of wrong so easily, but I think they pulled it off.

The important thing they did was acknowledge how crazy it all was. They obeyed the general rules of space, there was some really good tension, and the stakes for everything felt extremely heightened when they were on top of the spaceship, and then... the ending. The ending hits you. They are full on stuck on this planet and there is no obvious way to get out of it. When Cole says the final line... OOOOFF. You feel it. Oh crap! The ninjas are stuck! I don't have all too much to say, I just wanted to acknowledge that this episode didn't turn out a total disaster. It was handled fairly well, and I'm glad it was :)

Misc

So, if Pixal doesn't have emotions before Zane gives her her heart, why would she go rush in to save Zane and be all like "who cares about probability!" That always confused me.

The way Edna says robot love is kinda creepy.

You think Nya ended up cutting the blue wire? Cuz she knew her future with Jay was inevitable? My theory when it came out was that she cut both.

So, all together, a decent season. Some really good stuff, and some really bad stuff. I like this season more than most I think. It had a big task to fulfill, and I think what we got was pretty decent. It had to bring back the series, introduce new characters, attempt to hand the spotlight over to Zane. I just think now that it's set up, we needed a full season with the characters already established where we can dive deeper into what makes these droids tick and what their creators have to go through. There's a lot of potential for another Zane season, or dare I suggest even a Pixal season. One of my personal faves, just cuz the good stuff is so good, though I do find myself skipping past some parts quite frequently.

Thanks for reading through! Next time we’ll be covering the season that spurred a million plot holes- But it’s somehow still my favorite. I think it’ll be a fun one!

Thanks a bunch!

-Maya (Parachutingkitten)

[babypeanu-t]

Ayt, like the impulsive kids we are, my sibs and I went on a movie date. We watched the latest local romantic drama film starring Nadine Lustre and James Reid. To be honest, I like their team-up even when they were just starting, but their previous movies (with the exception of This Time, I think) are truly cringeworthy. I was looking forward to watching this one as it's directed and written by Antoinette Jadaone; I was excited for the growth and maturity she'll bring to the couple on the big screen (after ~five films, they really deserve better, tbfh!). Right now though, I'm still torn about how I feel towards this film, mainly because of the ending, but I'd say I still loved the film. I'll explain more about the ending a little later still.

// ˢᵒ ᶦᵈᵏ ᶦᶠ ᶦᵐ ᵍᵒⁿⁿᵃ ᵈʳᵒᵖ ˢᵖᵒᶦˡᵉʳˢ ʸᵉᵗ ˢᵒ ᵈᵒⁿᵗ ᵏᶦˡˡ ᵐᵉ ᵇᵘᵗ ʳˡʸ ᵗʰᵉʳᵉ ᵐᶦᵍʰᵗ ᵇᵉ ˢᵒᵐᵉ ᵐᶦⁿᶦᵐᵃˡ ˢᵒ ʸᵃ ᶜʰᶦˡˡ //

I ain't no movie critic, but I do love watching movies (and I love Jadine, too lmao), so this is not a review at all, more like an impression of the film and the actors in general. So, see, as I was super excited for this film, I kind of had high expectations. After Gallen, this genre weighs a little heavier and feels more special to me; and so, in line with that previous film, I wanted this particular one to realize the struggles of life a little more, I guess, as it was painted in the trailers. I wasn't disappointed, to say the least. Nads and James really transcended the screen. It's hard to break the actors out of their portrayed characters, but for this one, both of them were more Joanne and Gio than anyone they seem to be or have portrayed (and that I appreciate and respect). I haven't seen their latest series in full, but I didn't know that they've reached this really amazing level of maturity as actors. Nads's dedication to Joanne's character was impressive. She gave life to the stereotypical barrio girl who has high hopes and dreams for herself and her family. On the other hand, James was a revelation in Gio's stereotypical privileged rich kid who does not want to give up the life he's so used to. Add a little twist, this Amboy falls fucking head over heels (and I mean it in the worst way!) for the probinsyana and a little ways down the road, they are challenged with career opportunities that may make or break them as a couple and, more importantly, as individuals.

Most romance movies start and end as giddy stories, but this one starts with the kilig and fun stuff (lol at James asking for mustard at a kiosk HUHU and Nads calling James gwapo and the sub reads "HOTNESS" lmaooo) of a relationship and explores the beyond and more of the usual happily ever after we see at the ending of rom films. It's too realistic that there's proper human emotions, especially angst (!!), shown by the characters. I should've done a tangina counter for this one, really, I think they cursed around 100 times in total. There is bitterness and selfishness, then forgiveness and acceptance, then immaturity and stupidity, then growth and happiness all around. This really showcased Nads and James in a different light, out of the teeny-bopper-y This Time last showed them to be (film-wise). Sobrang mature ng roles nila that though there are scenes which would make you think, hey that's so stupid of you, you'd also think, that can actually happen in real life. It can make you, say, think more and longer about decisions you make as an individual, whether you're in a relationship as they are or not.

Side note: it's hard to pinpoint where this fell for me, but even with all the emotions, there were parts when it felt dead to me, but I guess it had to do with the storytelling? For a film which lasted almost two hours, it still had more to say that totally got cut short or idk, some scenes just felt awkward or a little out of it.

And we finally get to the ending. After years of being in a relationship which went through so much struggles, what with the long distance, Gio finally comes home and Joanne actually bails from work to pick him up at the airport. They head to the tattoo parlor and had their finger tattoos retouched. The last few scenes consisted of Joanne driving home with Gio, both of them crying while cruising around town, and a montage of their moments together, especially the earlier ones, as shown in the movie as they drove by the spots they frequented. The scene then turns to black and shows the film's title. To be honest, I'm not a fan of open-ended films, but the more recent local films I've watched all had open endings. Still not a fan up to now, so that felt a little off for me - I was so curious and anxious of what happened/would happen between and to them. Joanne and Gio's relationship towards the end truly felt a little awkward and forced, and then the end scene comes just like that. (I deem it wasn't meant to look forced, but it seemed like so with Joanne towards the end.) But I realized (as I did with the other films) that open endings are kind of better as one could have countless imagines for this relationship and that's just how it is, how it should be. Life isn't about the happily ever after, anyway. The journey is so much better, the lessons much more important. Also, the quiet of that ending resonated more with me. That's a love that's rare, I suppose - not anything grand, but astonishingly present; here, just here; there, still there.

I wish I had spent more time just feeling the emotions the film sent out than analyzing what's happening, who was wrong, who was more stupid lmao but yeah, this is the film Jadine deserves and this is the film Jadine is set forth to deliver to their audience. It's so refreshing to see a (mainstream) film with this treatment, cinematography (BOMB REALLY), and message, so we're getting there, too! This set a benchmark for other local films I'm set to watch this year (lol 'kala mo daming pera at time). Amazing, amazing. 👏

((Will add to/edit this when I remember some more points!!!))

[fashiontrendin-blog]

Your Two Personalities, According to Your Zodiac Sign

http://fashion-trendin.com/your-two-personalities-according-to-your-zodiac-sign/

Your Two Personalities, According to Your Zodiac Sign

W

alt Whitman famously wrote that he contained multitudes, and while Whitman was predictably a Gemini, I’ve found this to be true across the board. We may all crave labels and categories — hence our gravitation toward astrology in the first place, I think — but each and every sign offers fertile ground for contradiction. Below, you’ll find (what I believe to be) your sign’s most pressing and prevalent contradiction. Your upbringing, environment and personal experiences will greatly influence which side of the coin you tend to land on, but you probably exhibit aspects of both. We’re all just flesh and stardust, after all — never really created to make perfect sense.

Aries

Confidence

Many Aries natives boast a rare combination: natural leadership skills paired with a genuine desire to lead. Because of this innate ability, you have strong conviction and rarely hesitate to charge ahead with your own ideas. Aries is an ambitious sign that will gladly take initiative. This can sometimes spill over and become overconfidence, leading you to believe that you’re always right.

Insecurity

All fire signs share this duality to some extent, but because of Aries’ social cardinal quality, you can be extra sensitive to your own perceived shortcomings. You are constantly trying to view yourself from outside perspectives. As a natural leader, you want to be respected and admired, and you tend to put undue pressure on yourself to achieve your goals and meet the high bar you’ve set for yourself.

Taurus

Determination

As a Taurus, you have an extraordinary sense of purpose. You put a great deal of thought into your decisions and once they are made, you follow through. No questions asked. This persistence and stubbornness is especially admirable in professional circumstances, but you also make for a devoted friend and partner. You seek consistency and habitual action; you love to see things through and rarely, if ever, quit.

Lethargy

Taurus is also a sign greatly associated with comfort. You crave luxury, the security of materialism. This often means that you’re a hard worker, but it can also mean that you tend to take advantage of luxuries when you have them. You love to pamper yourself and may find it difficult to pull yourself out of an easy routine. If you chill too hard for too long, you fall into a slump.

Gemini

Sociability

Gemini is a highly communicative sign. Many are talkative, expressive and incredibly easy to engage in conversation. Intellectual conversation, in particular, is where a Gemini thrives. You need constant stimulation and you love to learn. For a Gemini, gathering information and learning about others is especially appealing because it helps you learn about yourself.

Solitude

Gemini is also an extremely introspective sign. You may find yourself desiring more personal space than the average person; you love to explore your own self, to think critically and unpack emotions. Many Geminis make great artists — particularly writers and poets — because their inner monologues whir constantly. It’s true that Geminis need constant stimulation, but many will find a good book, an interesting podcast, a provocative movie or any kind of private self-expression equally as fulfilling as a robust discussion.

Cancer

Sensitivity

The classic Cancer sensitivity is usually a little exaggerated in pop culture, but the stereotype is based in some reality. It’s likely that you get easily insulted and are quick to feel attacked, which leads to the perception that you need to be coddled. You have incredible healing and self-protective abilities, so your instinct is to guard your vulnerability; it may take you a long time to open up. When you do develop an intimate relationship, however, you want to be smothered with affection.

Maternal Instincts

While a Cancer will generally enjoy being taken care of, it is second nature for them to care for others. This makes sense, I think, because to be emotionally intelligent and strong for others, you typically need to be emotionally sensitive yourself. Cancers are famously empathetic. You are the best person to talk to and the best shoulder to cry on because you highly value loyalty and understanding.

Leo

Vanity

Leo vainglory is renowned for a reason. This sign is associated with entertainment, performance, expression and presentation; in short, you are probably obsessed with yourself. You go after what you want with ferocity and passion, and you will use any accrued power or influence to stay in power and wield that influence. You have no problem being the center of attention and usually enjoy having all eyes on you. You want to be well liked, but you value your own goals and wellness more than your reputation; you will put yourself first if you feel that someone is trying to water you down or hold you back.

Generosity

Leos gravitate towards the spotlight, but they will also gladly assume the role of caretaker. Leos are fiercely loyal to the people they love and self-sacrifice can become second nature to them. You’ll go out of your way to make life better for those around you, for example, and you love giving presents and showing people affection. Your generosity also extends to people you may not necessarily know, as Leo has an extremely protective nature. You are eager to speak out against injustice, give to those who are lacking and use your influence to better the lives of friends, family, the community or a specific cause.

Virgo

Judgement

Virgos are largely perfectionists, which makes you difficult to impress. You tend to be critical and often rather skeptical (but I’m sure you’d pause here to correct me that you’re actually just realistic). You set high standards for yourself, and you can be very particular about the world around you as well, often making snap judgements about others. You have no patience for those who you perceive as rude, disrespectful, careless or aggressively egotistical. Your need to analyze can sometimes come across as snobbishness and elitism.

Tolerance

Luckily, Virgos are typically mature beyond their years, which allows you to learn how to express your expectations more compassionately. You can easily learn to have a more open mind or to give others a chance after negative first impressions. Virgo is actually an unusually sympathetic sign, which often manifests in soft spots for animals and humble, underappreciated or shy individuals. Above all, you value kindness and humility.

Libra

Diplomacy

Libras are interested in harmony and balance, tending towards a calm and peaceful demeanor. Your communicative nature and ability to carefully weigh perspectives makes you an accomplished mediator. Your charisma and aversion to manipulation makes you a valuable, fair negotiator. You are reasonable, understanding and usually able to make others feel at ease. You crave respect and hate seeming biased.

Tension

Striving for harmony and balance does not necessarily mean that you will find it, especially when it comes to your own inner chaos. You can easily become anxious when confronted with unfairness or unpleasantness. The extremely high value that you place on equality can cause you to feel slighted easily and force you into engaging with tit-for-tat behavior. Your natural aversion to conflict leads you to avoid any sort of disagreement or outward ugliness, which can then lead to passive aggression and sugar-coated hostility. Everyone has opinions. Everyone gets angry sometimes. But you will often refuse to openly express these things.

Scorpio

Self-Sabotage

Scorpio is the sign of extremes and intensity. You are determined, which is admirable — but pushing forward relentlessly with a singular and self-interested goal can lead you to selfishness and insensitivity. You are passionate but also obsessive, which means you can easily spiral, follow destructive paths, become vengeful or engage in manipulative behavior. Toxic relationships and unhealthy habits can be difficult for you to break.

Reinvention

Scorpios have a strong dark side but are constantly seeking the light. Your impressive ability for self-destruction means that you can rise from the ashes unlike anybody else; you have unique potential for self-discovery and transformation. Your determination and passion can be channeled into self-improvement and positive, healthy ambition. You have the ability to move mountains for yourself and your loved ones.

Sagittarius

Lightheartedness

As a general rule, a Sagittarius doesn’t like to take herself too seriously. You’re usually the life of the party due to your easy charisma and knack for humor. You reject dullness on principle and focus on making the most out of life; you love to travel and seek adventure. Sometimes you feel indestructible and free of regular limitations. This infectious optimism makes you an extremely positive presence. You are jovial and talkative with a rosy outlook on most things.

Depth

Sagittarius is also the sign associated with philosophy, religion, ideas, morals, growth, discovery and wisdom. While you probably approach your day-to-day life with a carefree, happy-go-lucky attitude, you are also on a constant quest for deeper truth and knowledge. You hate seeming ignorant and have a genuinely curious nature; you want to get to the root of problems and events, understand life on a more existential scale and understand yourself in an honest way. You also believe in your ability to enact real change, especially by sharing information and raising awareness.

Capricorn

Action

Capricorns are famously independent, self-sufficient and highly capable people. Your sense of commitment is almost unparalleled. You hate giving up on something and do not let things go easily. This often translates into impressive ambition, motivation and resilience. You don’t like to get down on yourself or blame bad luck; instead, you power through unfortunate circumstances and probably draw plenty of admiration in doing so.

Observation

Capricorns do tend towards leadership, but not in a stereotypical way. In fact, you are usually the person pulling the levers behind the scenes. Capricorn is an analytical sign that prefers to be cautious; you find yourself stepping back and observing every angle, preparing for every outcome before committing to a plan of action. You tend to be very suspicious of people upon first meeting them and usually take a while to warm up — you do not expose your vulnerability easily and strive to understand the people around you as fully as possible.

Aquarius

Open-Mindedness

Aquarians are the true humanitarians of the zodiac. They are usually progressive, forward-thinking people who value all people individually and equally. There are notable exceptions, of course, but regardless of politics and beliefs, Aquarians are usually collaborative, curious and dynamic problem-solvers. You hate feeling stagnant, which makes you highly adaptable.

Strong-Willed

Aquarians also tend to be the most opinionated in the zodiac. Once you set your mind on something, once you formulate a comprehensive and informed opinion, it’s nearly impossible to get you to change your mind. You tend to have a strong — yet highly personal — moral compass, so though you strive to be accepting of everyone, you can become judgmental or disapproving. Your stubbornness saturates every aspect of your life. Once you become emotionally attached, you cling to people, places and things.

Pisces

Compassion

Pisces is sometimes viewed as the final stage of evolution in the zodiac (*coughs* Rihanna), which usually means that Pisceans are mature, spiritually developed and suffused with compassion. You are uniquely tuned to emotional cues; your hypersensitivity to feelings and auras makes it easier for you to empathize, and it’s instinctual for you to care deeply for others. You tend to be helpful and nurturing with a talent for reassuring and calming the people around you.

Remove

A Pisces’ emotional maturity does not automatically grant you with emotional availability. It’s easy for you to conceal your own emotions, and you may find it much more difficult to open up to people the way that others open up to you. You are imaginative, idealistic, observant and wary of being taken advantage of — so you can often feel isolated and disconnected, as if on the outside looking in.

Illustrations by Allison Filice.