#sike reviews

[that-one-disaster]

Dude say sike right now I'm so serious say sike RIGHT NOW

[that-crazy-five-foot-two-chick]

Bang Chan more like Dang Chan

[mintedwitcher]

"We need more unhinged queer rep in TV/film!" Babes half of y'all are losing your minds about bathwater rn.

[eatyourdamnpears]

my disability hearing has been cancelled for the fourth time 🤪✌️

[forabeatofadrum]

Thank you @you-remind-me-of-the-babe​ and my God, another Wednesday. Time flies. We’re already on day 10 of January. What’s next? February???

I did some writing, but uhhhh, my mind went in a completely different direction. Sometimes, instead of writing for the fics you are actively working on, you just gotta write something for a WIP that has been on and off in your mind since 2017 for a niche fandom.

Have some out of context sentences for a fic of a fandom I’m sure none of y’all are in, namely the Sarah Jane Adventures fandom:

“Luke?”

“Yeah?”

“You know I don’t mind, don’t you?”

“I know.”

“And you know that I don’t mind that you didn’t tell me.”

“Oh.”

“Yeah, the only thing I mind is that I might’ve made it more difficult for you. And for that… I’m sorry.”

“Right.”

“Uh. Yeah. That’s all.”

Will the SJAEU/Human Nature ever be published? Who knows. I was going to write my Klaine and Snowbaz shit but then I was up till 6am thinking about this and yesterday I was thinking about my Tina fic, where it explores the representation of Asians in Glee (after Jenna’s insightful comment in the latest podcast ep) and now my mind is basically going brrrrrr about all the WIPs.

Tagging @quizasvivamos @blurglesmurfklaine @coffeegleek @esperantoauthor @otherworldsivelivedin @caramelcoffeeaddict @sillyunicorn @bazzybelle @dragoneggos @raenestee @tectonicduck @nightimedreamersworld @urban-sith @thnxforknowingme @captain-aralias  @takitalks @justgleekout @cerriddwenluna @tea-brigade @ivelovedhimthroughworse @moodandmist @whogaveyoupermission @bookish-bogwitch @confused-bi-queer @aroace-genderfluid-sheep @ionlydrinkhotwater @1908jmd @special-bc-ur-part-of-it @larkral @chen-chen-chen-again-chen​ @cutestkilla​ @nausikaaa​/@wellbelesbian​ @artsyunderstudy​ @martsonmars​ @facewithoutheart​

[danielleurbansblog]

Review: The Underhanded

Synopsis: Europe’ s last line of defense against neofascism— a history professor? Professor William Dresden has found solitude in the south of France to grapple with his troubled past— a neglected upbringing, failed romances, the recent demolition of his life’ s work in academia, and even witnessing genocide, among other secrets. But he soon learns that he has much larger problems when an…

[devonellington]

Tues. Sept. 26, 2023: Residency Ready

image courtesy of fancycrave1 via pixabay.com Tuesday, September 26, 2023 Waxing Moon Pluto, Saturn, Neptune, Chiron, Uranus, Jupiter Retrograde Cloudy and cool Did you have a good weekend? Today’s serial episode is from Legerdemain: Episode 123: Back to the Infirmary – as a Visitor Shelley takes a gamble with Jed Smythe. Legerdemain Serial Link Legerdemain Website Link I wrote the…

[jjspina]

Books Read and Reviewed in April 2023!

Here it is already the end of another month. Where does the time go? I have been busy as usual reading some wonderful books for the month of April of 2023. Here are the 9 books I read and reviewed for February. I might have read even more if I didn’t have a few WIP. But I always seemed to have a WIP! That fact never stops me! I hope you enjoy reading these reviews. I love sharing my eclectic…

[lo-carb]

NortonLL was hacked/breached and good lord am I glad I no longer work there. They prided themselves with being the best security company and not having breaches for years (what they would tell us to say.) Thank fuck I don't have to be on the other end of the phone line trying to excuse what happened and all of Lifelock's other weird monitoring services as well to boomers who cry just trying to reset their passwords. Ugh

[in1-nutshell]

Could we get Fearless getting dropped into TFA? I would love to see how they react to the small Autobots and giant Decepticons, especially to how different otherwise familiar bots would be!

I’m hoping to see Transformers One this weekend, your positive review made me that much more excited!

I'm surprised I haven't sent Fearless to TFA yet. Well, better late than never!

Hope you enjoy!

Fearless meets Team Prime

SFW, Platonic, Human Reader

TFA/MTMTE

A portal opens in the middle of the Plant.

The bots are ready to attack anyone who comes through.

Surprised when it’s a human.

Fearless brushes off the dirt and looks around taking a double take.

Fearless waves at them. They wave back confused. Fearless looks around. Fearless: “This is defiantly a new one I’ll say.” Optimus: “New what? And Who are you?” Fearless jumps a bit. Fearless: “That voice is going to take time to get used to. ANYWAYS, the name’s Fearless and I’m from another dimension.” Team Prime: “What?!” Bulkhead: “Human’s haven’t made that much advancements on teleportation yet.” Prowl: “And how do we know if you’re lying?” Fearless: “… I literally came from a portal and you’re questioning if I’m lying? Who are you Prowl?” Prowl: “How do you know my name?” Fearless: “…Sweet Solus Prime, YOU’RE PROWL?!”

After the initial freakout of names and explanation of how the portal’s worked, Optimus welcome’s Fearless to the Plant for the time being.

Both parties are curious about each other’s universes and both share facts about them.

Fearless learned from last time that too much info-dumping was bad for the head or helm.

Fearless: “So, your war is over?” Optimus: “Yes and no. Megatron and a small group of Decepticon’s are stuck here on Earth with us. The Decepticon’s mainly dispersed after the Great War and Ultra Magnus’s decree.” Fearless: “Ultra Magnus?” Bumblebee: “Yeah he’s the leader of Cybertron.” Fearless laughs a bit. Fearless: “Hahaha… oh, you’re not joking. Man, My Magnus would have a panic attack if he found out he was suddenly in charge of a whole planet.” Ratchet raises his optic. Ratchet: “Magnus? You mean Ultra Magnus?” Fearless: “Nah, just call him Magnus or Minimus, depends on the day. But if Magnus is leader of Cybertron, then who are you leading Prime?” Optimus: “Just my team.” Fearless: “The Autobot’s right.” Optimus: “No, just this team the 4 of us.” Sari: “Hmm.” Optimus: “5 of us.” Fearless: “What?! But how?” Ratchet: “We’re just a space bridge repair crew kid.” Fearless: “…Say sike.” Optimus: “What?” Fearless: " Say sike right now…”

Fearless nearly has a nervous breakdown realizing part of the situation these bots were in.

Thankfully they had weapons.

…Right?”

Fearless, for once, is begging for that portal to come and spit someone, ANYONE from the Lost Light to help them.

After the internal breakdown Fearless is Ready.

Fearless staring down Team Prime. Fearless: “I will do whatever it takes to protect you all.” Bulkhead patting Fearless head. Bulkhead: “That’s nice.” Sari whispering at Bumblebee and Optimus. Sari: “They don’t literally mean it right?” Bumblebee: “Of course not.” Optimus: “I don’t think they mean it in a literal sense Sari.” Prowl and Ratchet just look at each other and brush it off. Of course they didn’t literally mean it… Later that week… Starscream hovering near some buildings with his blasters pointed down at the bots. Starscream: “Now it is time for you all to feel the wrath of—” Fearless flinging themselves off a nearby rooftop. Fearless: “GERNONIMO!!!!” Fearless lands on the Seeker’s faceplate. Starscream: “AAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHH!!! GET IT OFF! GET IT OFF ME!!” Fearless: “I’ve heard other Starscream’s shriek louder than that!” Starscream starts flailing around with Fearless still having a death grip on him. Starscream: “GET IT OFF!!!!” Team Prime just stares in horror. Bumblebee: “So that why their called Fearless.”

The bots now take whatever Fearless says seriously now.

Ratchet has also threatened to tape them to the wall.

He becomes increasingly concern when Fearless tells him that ‘that’ hasn’t stopped them before.

Fearless loves telling the team about stories that have happened on the Lost Light… as soon as they manage to tell them that Megatron is a good bot in their universe after the surrender.

Speaking of Megatron, Fearless does ask a lot of questions about him and the other Cons.

They don’t know why Fearless looks a bit sad.

Fearless is protective of this team but also wants to get to know them one-on-one.

From walking in the park with Prowl.

To painting with Bulkhead.

To cleaning up messes with Ratchet.

To watching movies with Bumblebee.

Surprising enough, Optimus is the bot that Fearless feels like they need to protect more than the others.

…It may or may not have stemmed from the incident on Archna 7…

Optimus does feel a bit touched that this human, a complete stranger cares so deeply about him like that.

Then the Elite Guard shows up.

Fearless looks at The Guard standing next to Sari. Sentinel gives them the stick eye. Sentinel: “What you looking at human? Surprised to see a real mech here?” He puffs his shoulders in emphasis. Fearless: “Umm, Optimus is behind me?” The mech sputters a bit while some of Team Prime try to contain their giggles. Sentinel: “You wouldn’t know a trashbot from—” Fearless: “I’m gonna stop you right there Chin’s.” They look up at Ultra Magnus. Fearless: “Huh, figured you’d be taller.” Optimus already feeling a migraine coming: “Fearless…” Sentinel: “How dare you say that to Ultra Magnus! You should be on your knees begging that he doesn’t squish you. He has order over all of you right now.” Fearless: “Not My Magnus… I didn’t get your name.” Sentinel: “The names Sentinel Prime.” Fearless eye twitched but before they could do anything, Optimus scooped them up and held them tightly to his chassis. The Elite Guard and his team looked at him confused. Optimus: “Trust me, I’m doing everyone a favor…” Flashback to Optimus telling Fearless about Sentinel and Elita… Fearless places a sympathetic hand on his servo. Fearless: “You know it wasn’t entirely your fault, right?” Optimus sighs. Fearless chuckles humorlessly. Fearless: “You Prime’s always beat yourselves up badly. But on a serious note…” Fearless gave him a serious look. Fearless: “If I see Sentinel, it will be on sight.” Optimus looks at them confused. Optimus: “On sight—wait isn’t that what you said when we told you about Starscream?” Fearless just smirks and walks off. Optimus thinks for a second before coming the horrible realization. Optimus: “Oh no…”

Fearless gets along with most of the Guard.

Jazz is their favorite besides Blurr.

The Jettwins would have taken that place, but they threw them up too high and ended up getting stuck on a rusty vent covering.

Fearless avoids this Magnus… something just seemed off about him…

Fearless was not allowed anywhere near sentinel without Optimus being around.

Last time they were with Bumblebee and… things didn’t go too well…

Optimus was driving around with Prowl and Jazz. PING! Optimus had received a message from… Sentinel? Optimus: “Sent—” Sentinel: “GET YOUR FILTHY ORGANIC OPTIMUS! ITS TRYING TO BITE ME!” Bumblebee in the background: “They don’t bite!” Sentinel: “YES THEY DO!”

Soon its time for Fearless to say goodbye to Team Prime.

Fearless promises that when they do eventually come back to bring someone with them to help with the Cons.

It isn’t until Fearless is gone that they realize that they said ‘when’ and not ‘if’.

In the Lost Light… Fearless lands on the bar counter at Swerve’s. Trailcutter: “SWEET PRIMUS!” He jumps out of his seat in surprise. Swerve just smiles at the disheveled human. Swerve: “Came back from another dimensional hop?” Fearless: “Yep.” Swerve: “Can’t wait to hear all about it.” Fearless nods. Fearless: “But first, get me a bottle of my favorite drink… this one was rough.” Swerve winces a bit. Swerve: “That bad? How about telling me one thing that went well or some sort of highlight out of the whole trip?” Fearless without missing a beat: “I bit Sentinel Prime.” Swerve: “WHAT!?” Fearless: “And I’d do it again!”

[hyunjinsbelovedamericano]

Annoying/cute things skz would do as boyfriends

Just pure fluff

proof read

Bangchan

i feel like he would just say a bunch of dad jokes and die at them,"What do you call someone with no body and no nose?","Idk what" "nobody knows".Then he'll start to cackle and roll on the floor,and you're just standing there like 🙂.He doesn't even notice that you don't find them funny because he's laughing too hard,but you don't have the heart to tell him that they really are not funny

Minho

We all know he's a butt abuser,so it's gonna be the same for you.He'll do it anytime,anywhere.You could be talking with you're friends and he'll just slap your butt.What can you do about it?You try to do it to him to get him back.It becomes a contest,you start to transform into Minho and do it anywhere.He could be about to take and shower and you just slap his butt,then he looks at you like 😒,you can't rest after that,you'll be sleeping and wake up to his hand slapping your butt

Changbin

Put you in a headlock(playfully..clean your mind)when you're in pictures he doesn't let you pose and just puts you in a headlock,its either that or him flexing his muscles,you pretend you hate it but you don't but you can't let him know that.He knows you love his muscle so he'll never stop putting you in headlocks or flexing his muscles,he would wear short sleeve shirts just for this purpose

Hyunjin

He would steal your food,you would be eating snacks then he would randomly come up too you and hug you so you would have to put your food down.He would then pick up the good then hide it from you and walk away.You would go back to eating your food then realise its not there,so you ask him "Where did my food go?" he just shrugs because his mouth is stuffed with your food.Or he would just snatch your food with no remorse,you start to chase him and he would.run away from you laughing.You get tired so you stop running and he'll eventually share with you.

Han

He loves to go shopping with you so when you go without he gets extremely sad,if you buy food he would hide the food from you so you have to buy more and then he can go with you. "I swear I brought eggs,did you eat them?" Too that he shakes his head and says "I guess we have too go back to the shop and buy more food",You agree and just grab the shopping bags, he starts to do some victory dance,chant idk he's just happy.You start to catch on to what he's doing and just go shopping with him everytime you need too.

Felix

He would sike you,he would pretend to high five you and just put his hand behind his head,and he'll never stop.He would do the too slow thing,He laughs in your face when after he does it,makes you look like a fool,but when you do it to him he will look at you like this 😦 he wouldn't expect it from you."Why are you so shocked you do it too me every day" he won't respond because he knows you're right.This kind of makes you lose trust in him with these kind of things,he would say smth like "I'll buy you the 5 star album" you get excited but your face drops remembering that he might sike you,"What?"

Seungmin

I think that he would make food for himself and not you,then you look at him in shock when you see that he only made food for himself "Seriously?" "What" he says before taking a bite of his food,if he's mad at you he would make your favourite food and eat it slowly in front of you,bro would smack his lips but then end up laughing because of how stupid he probably looks.You would obviously eat his food whilst he not looking,because you can't just make my favourite food and then expect me not to eat it.

Jeongin

Everybody knows that Jeongin can be a menace,he would say i gotta tell you something and go to whisper in your ear except he doesn't whisper,he does the opposite actually.He just screams in your ear,yk his dolphin scream?yea.He would also ask you to review a song and once you put the headphones on it's just ear rape or a song thats so base booted that you can't even hear the lyrics.He would think that this is the funniest things ever and you would just side eye him.

this is my first post so sorry if it sucked

[sloshr]

After watching through Side Order... I have a Few Thoughts.

[Spoilers ahead]

My Review of the Side Order DLC - Its little more than Gameplay.

Initial Opinion

- - - - - - - - - -

Overall; I like the gameplay mechanics initially, but the story absolutely feels lacking to me, imo. It feels like they were really banking on Side Order being Hard but... multiple of my friends finished it on their 2nd or 3rd run through the Spire.

That in itself isnt a problem! But... everyone felt sort of unsatisfied? There were no developments in the story, as we, Agent 8, were just assigned the task to Get to The Top of the Spire -> The Player Does That -> You beat a Boss -> Credits Roll (?)

On my watchthrough I literally said Please Say Sike 😭 because, dont take this poorly, but they were advertising Side Order as;

• Difficult (stated Multiple Times in basically every Trailer)

• Story Driven (You Uncover things as You Climb)

• Character and Lore Intensive (as shown by the trailers with all the concept art as well as promo art)

I dont feel like it was wrong to expect more based on how it was advertised.

But... if you complete the DLC in 1-2 runs, which is Very Much Possible, no buildup happens at all. The story was banking on the player struggling, and putting all the content behind repeat runs, which falls through and Doesnt really work/feel satisfying if the main goal is achieved in such a short time. I Feel like anyone who regularly plays Salmon Run will likely have a similar experience. And I feel kind of cheated? Because what we got was something that was Tell Not Show rather than the Show, Not Tell formula. And in my opinion, it really doesn't work as well at all. It puts all the major lore that the game has set up behind repetetive climbs (which never change btw, despite each climb being generated differently, its the same after a while) and you get about 1 Sentence of Exposition, with a Modlog from Marina if you are Lucky.

Side Order was (to me), after watching it all;

• Not Difficult, But Repetetive Gameplay (This easily runs people down, which would be fine if the tower had more than 1 setup or phase)

• Inital Story Setup with no complexities or stages. You climb the first Tower, Save Marina, Climb the Second Tower, Beat Order, and the credits Roll. In its most complex, you could fit what Side Order's Story is in 2-3 Sentences. Rather than Lore being revealed During the story, it feels Pushed to the Side as all of it is either in Text the player may never see (different climbs) or care to read (Marina's Mod Log)

• Use of Character Drops with no explaination / mention (The Agent 4 Boss, Anyone?) (This felt very Bait-y, with No Payoff)

Rating

- - - - -

If I had to give Side Order a Rating

4/10. At Best.

I am a bit disappointed with this as I feel like I was promised more, Storywise, and honestly a bit gameplay wise. I think it fails where other DLC has succeeded Due to being Built in such a way where anything engaging is stuck behind barely changing gameplay. It is not built in a way where the experience cant fail to show you whats important to the characters and the worldbuilding. It relies too much on telling you whats happening rather than the world showing you. Its too Simple, and It Doesnt Work, personally, in a series that contains Octo Expansion.

Which is Sad to me!! It had so much wasted potential and I really hope this isn't the last we're going to see of the concept, we get to see ideas actually built into the story, and... maybe find Agent 4.

Conclusion

- - - - - - - -

Tldr; Side Order had a good concept, but failed in execution for being simple and gameplay dependent, which was ultimately disappointing due to it being advertised as something more for all involved.

It was an alright attempt. The experience will just be known to me as... well. Baby's First Rouge-like. Nothing worldbreaking.

(PS, this isnt meant to be mean spirited or overly critical, I just love the Splatoon Series so I give it Tough Love. This is just my personal view on the DLC)

Thank you for Reading! Feel free to share or add any thoughts!

[girlboss-enthusiast]

I should just post about them here...........................................

I've been trying to keep non-radfem interests to sideblogs but tbfh I hate sideblogs

[danganronpasurvivoraskblog]

Dangancember 2024 - Danganronpa Top 24 Class Trials - Number 5: Danganronpa V3 Case 1 {BEST CASE FROM DRV3}

//Me running from the angry mob who think this case is fucking overrated:

//Okay, okay, I already knew going into this, looking at my top 10, that this is probably the second or third most divisive placement on this list, because the feelings that people have for this trial are generally mixed, and all of it rides on one particular aspect of it, that carries the whole thing.

//But that's not a problem becase we already have a set precedent for that on this list, and yeah, I will not deny it. This trial is only up here because of one massive bias that I have towards it, and if you know me by now, then you already know what it is.

//But I have lots of other reasons as to why I absolutely love this Class Trial, mainly because even if it's not as good a mystery as 2-1 or A2-1, this is the best opening case for me because of how it kicks V3 off with an emotional bang.

//This isn't like the first trial of Another 2 where I think it's generally not a good sign that my favourite case in that game was the first one. This one has a legitimate reason for being up here because of how, even to this day, it sets itself apart from every other Danganronpa trial that we've covered so far, not just among the openings.

//And trust me, it was SO GODDAMN DIFFICULT trying to decide which I liked more between V3-1 and V3-4, because they're both AMAZING. But the thing that ultimately decided it is that I actually have come back to this case a few times over the course of my time as a DR fan. While I only sparingly go back to Chapter 4 of this game, because it's already had its impact on me.

//If you thought the opening cases in previous games were wild, V3 comes out swinging (literally) with a mystery that doesn’t just set the stage but completely flips the script on what you expect from a Danganronpa trial.

//It’s not just about solving the murder; it’s about the emotional gut-punch, the clever twists, and the bold storytelling choices that make you question everything you thought you knew about the series.

So let’s dive into what makes this case such a standout moment in the franchise.

//The first victim in Danganronpa V3 is Rantaro Amami, a man of mystery whose Ultimate Talent remains unknown during the first chapter. His untimely demise occurs in the library, where he’s tragically bludgeoned on the head with a heavy shotput ball.

//I know there are other aspects of the trial that stand out to people more, but I actually want to kick this review off by saying that Rantaro’s death is not just shocking but downright brilliant.

//It's one of the best character fakeouts in the series, and the only time I think Kodaka does it better in any of his mystery games is the prologue case of Rain Code (If you know, you know.) It's executed so well that it leaves you doing a mental double take.

//At first glance, Rantaro seems poised to become this game’s equivalent of Nagito. i.e. a morally ambiguous outcast with potentially twisted ideals.

//His enigmatic vibe and cryptic behavior practically scream "plot relevance." Honestly, he even gives off shades of Yuri from SDRA2, with that same aura of someone you’d expect to stir the pot in bizarre and unsettling ways.

//To emphasize this further, all the other Ultimate ???'s have been integral to their games. Kyoko was the deutragonist and leading lady of DR1, and Hajime was the protagonist of DR2. And in the first chapter of DR1, Kyoko is mostly unnasuming, and you don't know what her relevance to the plot is until the trial actually happens; since most of the screentime of Chapter 1 is taken up by Makoto's relationship with Sayaka.

//But before we even get to unravel his deal, he’s unceremoniously removed from the board. It's as if the game chuckled to itself and shouted "SIKE!"

//This clever bait-and-switch caught me completely off guard. I was ready for Rantaro to take center stage as the group's wildcard, only for the game to pull the rug out from under me.

//Instead, the role of chaotic, antagonistic schemer eventually falls to Kokichi, who turned out to be another fantastic choice, though his brand of chaos is a touch different.

//I'd really like to see a potential fanfic rewrite where Rantaro survives, and serves as the rival character to the main protagonist. Because most V3 rewrites are one's that have Kaede survive the first chapter, but Rantaro still dies, and he hardly gets any screentime, if any. And that's a shame, because I'd like to see what people do with his character.

//Please read all these fanfics by the way, they're so good.

//And sure, you could argue the setup feels a bit reminiscent of Danganronpa 2, where the first victim is also a character cloaked in mystery, and then later, his real talent is revealed to be something monumental to the plot of the game. But hey, if it ain’t broke, why fix it? It’s a bold way to kick things off and keep players guessing, and it sets the stage for the rollercoaster ride of twists that V3 is known for.

//But...okay, let's not delay ourselves any longer. All ya'll motherfuckers know the precise reason why it is that I love this trial.

//When it comes to the first trial of Danganronpa V3, the victim is certainly a shocking element, but let’s not kid ourselves...there’s one reason why this trial is etched into the annals of the series’ history as one of its most mind-blowing moments.

//And that reason is…The culprit.

//So, who killed Rantaro Amami? Who's the mastermind behind this library bludgeoning?

//You are!

//Okay, to be more specific, the person who turns out to be Rantaro's SUPPOSED murderer is Kaede Akamatsu, the Ultimate Pianist, who starts V3 by serving as the player character.

//Yep! The character you’ve been controlling this whole time is the murderer. And that alone is one of the best plot twists in the entire series, already rivalling the final plot twists of Danganronpa 2.

//And if that doesn't set a precedent for this game, I don't know what could have.

//To elaborate, the game opens with you playing as Kaede, a talented and determined pianist with a big heart, a hopeful spirit, and a knack for rallying her classmates. Everything about her screams "main protagonist," from her bright demeanor to her prominent placement in marketing materials.

//But as this trial unfolds, the game pulls the ultimate fast one.

//At first, the trial plays out like classic Danganronpa fare: you gather evidence, debate your classmates, and cross names off the suspect list. The usual, right? But as the suspects dwindle and the pressure mounts, it becomes clear that solving this case won’t come easy.

//The group edges closer to despair as they struggle to pinpoint the killer. This is where Shuichi Saihara, the Ultimate Detective, the game's current deutragonist, becomes the prime suspect for much of the trial.

//After some prompting, Shuichi, putting his sleuthing skills to good use, proposes a theory that flips the entire case, and the game, on its head. The real killer isn’t anyone standing on the sidelines. It’s Kaede herself. The cheerful, hopeful pianist you’ve been guiding through this madness turns out to be the one who orchestrated Rantaro’s death.

//Let’s pause to appreciate just how wild this twist is. Up until this point, Kaede was framed as the central figure of Danganronpa V3. You’ve bonded with her, rooted for her, and poured hours into her perspective. And now, she’s sentenced to death.

//The "main character" doesn’t even survive past the first chapter! It’s a daring, genre-defying move that caught players completely off guard.

//To make this twist land, the game’s developers went all out. They weren’t just pulling a fast one on Kaede; they were pulling one on us. Here’s just some of the things they pulled off this grand deception:

On the game’s official Steam page, the promotional images heavily feature Kaede as the protagonist. Shuichi, on the other hand, is LITERALLY a background character.

Kaede is front and center in nearly all official artwork; at least those that dropped at the time of release. Shuichi’s presence is muted, making it seem like she’s the undisputed lead.

V3 is the only one of the Danganronpa games that had a fully released demo. In the game’s demo, Kaede is marketed as the hero, reinforcing the idea that this is her story. Makoto and Hajime, both of whom make reappearances for the demo, specifically refer to her as a "fellow protagonist."

The developers warned fans repeatedly on social media to avoid spoilers, knowing this twist was too good to ruin.

To cement the illusion, they even slapped the "Female Protagonist" tag on the game’s store page.

//This level of misdirection is nothing short of genius. It’s one of the most ambitious twists the series has ever pulled off, and it solidifies this trial as a standout moment in Danganronpa history. Clever, daring, and a little cruel, it’s the kind of narrative gut punch that keeps fans talking years later.

//Also, as a side note, while I was doing this analysis and getting screenshots from YouTube to use as part of it, I found this comment, and I never actually thought about it this way, and it's so goddamn funny for some reason:

//It definitely keeps ME talking years later, since these days, Kaede is quite possibly my favourite character in the entire series.

//And yes, I'm sorry, this is turning into a rant about why I absolutely love Kaede, but it is very relevant to the plot of this trial, since this is her one and done. So I want to establish what she was able to achieve within her time.

//Kaede is a delightful bundle of joy, determination, and just the right amount of chaos, and even though she is the protagonist initially, she sets herself apart from the previous series hitters; Makoto, Hajime, and Komaru.

//She’s a hardworking leader type with a strong will, unshakable beliefs in herself and others, and a heart set on making people smile. especially through her music. But while her Ultimate Pianist title highlights her talent, it’s Kaede’s personality and quirks that truly make her shine.

//For starters, Kaede’s kindness and selflessness often lead her to put others first, sometimes to a fault. She’s so trusting that in the game’s demo, she outright fakes an alibi for Makoto based solely on gut instinct, even though she has no rational reason to believe he’s innocent. She does this for Shuichi as well, but obviously, as far as she's aware, SHE'S the culprit, so she knows that if Shuichi is voted for, she gets executed.

//She’ll lie if it’s for a good cause, but at the same time, she’s hilariously bad at it, squirming uncomfortably every time.

//Like previous protagonists, she’s sensitive to others’ struggles and listens earnestly to their concerns. But Kaede takes it a step further: she actively pushes people to improve, even if that means bluntly pointing out their flaws.

//It's easy to go through all of V3 without seeing her FTE's, because she's obviously only around for this chapter, and has two per character. And unless you reset the game multiple times, you won't get to see them all.

//Which is a shame that you have to go through so much effort to see them because they're all packed with moments of encouragement that show her as an unshakable force of positivity. Unsurprisingly, most of her classmates quickly grow to like her.

//That said, Kaede isn’t without her...problems...In fact she has quite a few.

//Her obsession with piano borders on comical; she works musical metaphors into everyday conversations and avoids any activity that might harm her precious fingers. Her Free Time Events with Tsumugi even lead to a minor existential crisis when she realizes her entire identity revolves around piano, prompting her to desperately search for new hobbies.

//Which is not true, because personally, I think she's among the deeper characters in V3, but it's still funny.

//Kaede also has a goofy, impulsive side that often makes her unintentionally funny, or awkward or awkward depending on the situation. For example, she has absolutely ZERO sense of restraint

//In K1-B0’s Free Time Events, she casually asks questions about his robotic nature in ways that come off as insensitive. She’s the type to poke buttons (literally in Keebo's case, where she pushes his emergency shutdown) or cheeks without permission, giving her a playful, almost childlike quality.

//But then there’s her tendency to blurt out comments that can sound…questionable. She enthusiastically calls Tenko cute, describes Tsumugi’s "sexy aura," and even threatens to lift Tsumugi’s skirt to get her to talk, prompting Shuichi to point out that she’s acting like a creepy old man.

//Her layered personality doesn’t end there. While she’s a genuinely kind and brave person, Kaede also has a fiery temper and a knack for standing her ground. She’s quick to lash out when provoked, whether it’s snapping at Shuichi for panicking, telling Himiko to shut up during an investigation, or calling out Kokichi for his attention-seeking antics.

//Yet, these moments of frustration come from a place of passion, as Kaede firmly believes in justice and doing what’s right. She’s not afraid to call out any behavior she deems unacceptable, earning her a reputation as a bossy but well-meaning figure.

//However, Kaede’s determination to do the right thing is both her greatest strength and her biggest flaw. She’s relentless in pursuing her vision of justice, even when it’s misguided or downright dangerous. In this chapter, she rallies the group to escape using one of Monokuma’s obvious traps, earning everyone's pointed criticism, specifically from Maki and Kokichi. Her pushy attitude sometimes rubs others the wrong way, but Kaede genuinely doesn’t realize how her actions affect those around her until it’s pointed out. When her good intentions go awry, it leads to moments of genuine regret.

//Of course, Kaede’s defining moment comes in the trial, where her unwavering sense of justice drives her to extremes. To save her classmates, she attempts to murder the Mastermind, a decision that ends in disaster when her plan misfires and Rantaro becomes the unintended victim.

//And despite the inclusion of the First-Blood Perk, which allows whoever commits the crime to escape the school without the need for a Class Trial, she refuses to take the chance, because she wants to use the trial to out the Mastermind.

//This twist not only redefines Kaede’s role but also highlights her complexity. She isn’t just a good person in the traditional sense. Her belief in her own righteousness blinds her to the consequences of her actions, making her a beautifully flawed and deeply human character.

//Now...before I go onto what I actually liked about the trial itself, and how, while the Kaede twist carries it, it's still supported by a bunch of really neat moments, mysteries, and pacing, I want to go over one massive concern that we haven't really established with this case, and give my opinion on it. Because this is something that we've kind of already gone over, but I want to talk about it in more detail here, because this is where the point becomes relevant.

//During the trial, the evidence begins to point toward the fact that Rantaro was killed by a heavy shotput ball dropped from the vent above the library’s bookcases, which is how Kaede set up the trap. Initially, suspicions are scattered among several characters, with Shuichi himself being a prime suspect for much of the trial.

//However, in a dramatic reversal, Shuichi pieces together that Kaede’s actions prior to the murder align with the placement of the murder weapon. He theorizes that Kaede had hidden the shotput ball inside the air vent with the intention of setting a trap for the Mastermind. This trap involved the ball rolling out of the vent and hitting whoever triggered the motion-detecting cameras set up in the library. Tragically, Rantaro happened to be the one caught in the crossfire.

//Or so we thought...

//In truth, Tsumugi Shirogane, who is secretly the mastermind of the killing game, altered the events of the murder after Kaede set her trap. Kaede’s plan to kill the Mastermind failed, and the shotput ball actually MISSED Rantaro. He was instead killed directly by Tsumugi, who procured her own ball and smashed him over the head with it.

//Using her authority over Monokuma and the game, Tsumugi manipulated the evidence to make it look like Kaede’s trap had succeeded. Ensuring that Kaede would take the fall for the crime, not only eliminating a strong-willed leader who might disrupt the killing game early on, but also, due to Monokuma's threat of killing everybody if nobody died within a certain time limit, to ensure her own survival.

//The group unknowingly plays into her hands, convicting Kaede as the blackened based on incomplete and fabricated evidence. And it's quite possibly the only substantially evil thing Tsumugi does in the whole game.

//Now...this element of the game is controversial, both for me, and for the audience, for several reasons.

//My big issue is that it's an unfair manipulation of the rules of the killing game, which usually relies on airtight logic and player-driven deductions. Knowing that the evidence was tampered with by Tsumugi retroactively feels like a betrayal of the game’s premise of uncovering the truth.

//And yeah, this isn't the first time the Mastermind does this. Junko does this in Game 1, in fact. And it's highly unrealistic for you to believe that the Masterminds would ever willfully play by the rules, but my problem is that it really undermines them from being the powerful villains that they play themselves as in the final Chapter. It's why I believe AI Junko in the second game is the best Mastermind of the lot, since she's the only one who doesn't royally fuck up at one point (barring Mikado and Akane T.)

//The bigger issue for people in general, however, is that some fans feel that the framing diminishes Kaede’s role in the twist. Instead of her actions directly leading to the crime, her plan is sabotaged and used against her by an outside force. This makes her appear less culpable, which can feel like a cop-out for such a high-stakes moment.

//One could argue that if Kaede had actually succeeded in killing Rantaro, the twist would have been more impactful. It would’ve forced players to grapple with the moral complexity of Kaede’s actions, as she would’ve knowingly crossed a line to protect her friends. By shifting the blame to Tsumugi’s interference, the narrative somewhat softens the weight of Kaede’s decision.

//And I do agree with all of these notions, and understand where people are coming from. HOWEVER, despite these criticisms, Kaede’s framing still works within the context of the story and doesn’t take away from the emotional impact of her being the Chapter 1 culprit.

//What you have to remember is it isn't simply that Tsumugi committed her own crime individual of Kaede. Kaede started the murder plan, and Tsumugi finished it.

//It still means that Kaede isn't the killer, and shouldn't have been executed for it, but it doesn't change the fact that she still TRIED to kill somebody.

//It doesn't take away from the complexities and flaws of Kaede as a person in this game. The Despair she felt, and the corner she was driven into, still mattered, and she still acted on it in the worst way possible. Had the shotput ball hit Rantaro and not missed by pure coincidence, she would still have been the culprit.

//Even though she was framed for the actual murder, Kaede’s actions remain central to the story. Her plan to kill the mastermind reflects her unyielding determination to save her classmates, even at the cost of her own morality. Whether her trap succeeded or not, Kaede willingly put herself in a position where she would’ve been responsible for taking a life. This is the heart of the twist, and it’s not about whether she succeeded, but about her willingness to go that far.

//The framing doesn’t change the fact that Kaede is executed believing she is responsible for Rantaro’s death. Her guilt and despair as she tries to encourage Shuichi to carry on in her place still land with full emotional force, and the player shares her devastation, and her death leaves a lasting impact on the narrative. This doesn't change with Chapter 6's revelations.

//And on top of that, Tsumugi’s interference is consistent with her role as the mastermind and a villain who thrives on deception. The killing game has always been about manipulation, both of the participants and the audience. By framing Kaede, she ensures that the game starts with a shocking betrayal of expectations, cementing her as a calculating and ruthless antagonist.

//Only to fumble the ball much later, but this is more of a knock on Trial 6 than Trial 1.

//And that's mainly the big reason why I think this trial is great as an opening. It allows several characters to shine early.

//Kaede’s bold leadership, Rantaro’s mysterious potential, and glimpses of complexity in Kokichi’s manipulations and Kaito’s steadfastness all take center stage.

//But beyond Kaede, the real breakout star here is Shuichi, whose journey from hesitant sidekick to true protagonist begins in earnest during this chapter.

//At first glance, unlike Kaede, Shuichi feels eerily familiar to Makoto and Hajime, or previous protagonists. He’s polite, serious, and perpetually anxious, sporting a hat he refuses to take off because he’s self-conscious about making eye contact. He blushes, breaks into cold sweats, and often assumes everyone else is more capable than he is.

//In short, he doesn’t exactly exude confidence or charisma, and that’s exactly why his growth feels so satisfying. V3 may have ups and downs in terms of its characterization and plot development, but if there's one thing that I can say for certain, it's that Shuichi's character writing, throughout ALL of this game, is FLAWLESS!

//Despite his meekness, Shuichi shows surprising flashes of initiative early on. He’s the first to suggest they set a trap for the mastermind, proving he’s not as passive as he seems. He’s also quick to stand up for himself when pushed too far, such as his angry outburst at Miu accusing him of being a pervert.

//Kaede’s role in shaping Shuichi cannot be overstated. As the initial protagonist, she radiates optimism, courage, and determination. Her plan to stop the mastermind, though it fails, demonstrates her willingness to take risks for the group’s sake.

//When the truth of the trial forces Shuichi to accuse her, the weight of that responsibility crushes him, but Kaede’s faith in him remains unwavering.

//Kaede’s final words, encouraging Shuichi to believe in himself, become the foundation for his transformation. Her trust in him, paired with Kaito’s relentless support afterwards, helps Shuichi shed his self-doubt (and his hat) and step into the spotlight as the protagonist. From here on, Shuichi is determined not to look away from the truth, no matter how painful, a promise he makes in honor of Kaede’s memory.

//Trial by trial, Shuichi grows more confident and assertive. By the time the finale rolls around, Shuichi has fully stepped into his role, calling out the mastermind and rallying his fellow survivors with unshakable resolve. His passionate outrage upon revealing Kaede’s unjust execution shows just how far he’s come, not only as a detective but as someone who refuses to let lies define their lives.

//What makes Shuichi such a compelling protagonist is how different he is from Kaede. Where Kaede is bold and charismatic, Shuichi is quiet and thoughtful. He lacks her boundless optimism but compensates with razor-sharp intellect and a deep sense of responsibility.

//His understated heroism makes his victories feel earned rather than inevitable, and his struggles resonate with anyone who’s ever doubted themselves.

//In the end, Shuichi becomes the protagonist that Team Danganronpa never anticipated. While Kaede was ideal for their manufactured Killing Game, Shuichi subverts their expectations entirely. By rejecting the binary of Hope and Despair and refusing to vote, he takes a stand that transcends the game’s twisted rules. His quiet determination and intellect ultimately bring an end to the Killing Game and the series itself.

//Just as he promised Kaede.

//Kaede’s death and the way she passes the torch to Shuichi set the stage for one of, if not, THE most rewarding character arc/arcs in the series. Her impact is felt throughout the game, not just in Shuichi’s growth but in how her sacrifice inspires the survivors to keep pushing forward.

//Shuichi’s evolution from anxious and self-doubting to confident and decisive is what makes him such a standout protagonist. His relatability, paired with his ability to rise to the occasion, ensures that his journey, from the first trial to the game’s finale, is as compelling as it is memorable.

//But while the characterization and the relevance of Kaede is what carries this trial this high onto the list, I want to talk a little more about my thoughts and feelings on the invesigation, and the trial itself.

//The first chapter of Danganronpa V3 is just as heavy and depressing as its predecessors, but it cranks up the confusion factor to eleven. While Hope’s Peak Academy and Jabberwock Island had some sense of familiarity, the Ultimate Academy for Gifted Juvenies in this game feels more alien, making the stakes even harder to grasp initially.

//I kind of already said this, but from the way Rantaro carries himself in the prologue, acting all mysterious and competent, I was convinced he was going to be a key player. Maybe even a leader figure who would stick around for the long haul. And then when he started going a bit off the rails, I thought, "Ah, I see where this is going."

//I began thinking that he was going to turn out like Tsurugi from the Another games. Like the morally rigid, justice-obsessed type whose sense of right and wrong is slightly…off.

//But nope! The next thing I knew, Rantaro was lying there, very dead, and I was sitting there questioning my life choices. That little arc of his really threw me for a loop.

//Unless you're NicoB and somehow channeling detective-level intuition, figuring out who the killer is in this case is next to impossible based on the investigation clues alone. And that’s exactly what makes it so brilliant.

//With Kaede as the culprit, you essentially experience the entire murder setup firsthand. You’re there for the plan, the execution (as in the crime HAPPENING in real time, not the execution that kills Kaede, although we are also there for that), and the aftermath. But the game cleverly omits just the right moments or twists key words in a way that keeps you from ever suspecting her.

//Now, let’s address the elephant in the room: some fans argue that the protagonist switch is the only good thing about this case, dismissing the rest as basic or bare-bones.

//Respectfully, I think they’re wrong.

//Sure, the protagonist twist is a massive highlight. It’s chef’s kiss in terms of execution. But the case itself has plenty to offer.

//As a first case, it had some big shoes to fill. On one hand, it easily outshines the first trial in Danganronpa 1, which, let’s be real, was serviceable but not exactly riveting.

//On the other hand, it had to compete with Danganronpa 2’s first trial, which featured Teruteru’s surprisingly intricate scheme. That one’s a tougher act to follow, but I’d argue that Kaede’s case pulls ahead in terms of how engaging and multilayered the mystery is.

//Teruteru's crime was more complicated, and engaging, but it wasn't as fun to solve as this one was for me.

//Is it the most complex case in the series? No.

//Does it redefine what meta means in V3? Not quite.

//But it’s still an awesome, tightly crafted mystery that deserves its spot among the series’ best. In hindsight, even though they are my least favourite set of mysteries in the main trilogy, V3’s cases are all pretty intricate, so the fact that this one holds its ground says a lot.

//And really, how can you not appreciate a case where the game essentially says, "You’re the killer, but good luck realizing that before we drop the bombshell?"

//It’s clever, it’s bold, and it sets the tone for V3’s penchant for subverting expectations. Whether you’re here for the shocking twists or just love seeing your brain get tied in knots, this case delivers.

//For good measure, I'll reiterate how this whole thing goes.

//So, the whole mystery kicks off with Rantaro getting murdered, and Kaede, being the brilliant hero that she is, takes it upon herself to help the group narrow down the list of suspects. She shuts down anyone who tries to throw blame at others, using hard evidence like a detective on a caffeine high.

//The excuses for why certain people couldn’t have been the killer range from, "They were miles away at the time," to "They’re physically too weak to throw a shotput hard enough to kill someone". Basically a smorgasbord of alibis and physical limitations that could’ve come straight out of a detective’s handbook.

//But as it goes, all suspicion seems to funnel onto Shuichi. After all, he’s the only one who could bypass the security system, because Miu, the mastermind behind the tech Shu and Kae used for their trap, told him how to do it, while Kaede was not informed beforehand. And since Miu has her own alibi, she's off the hook.

//However, in a classic display of Kaede's wits, she manages to throw a few crafty suggestions, and a little white lie here and there, to get Shuichi off the suspect list.

//But if Shuichi isn’t the culprit, then who in the world is? Well, Shuichi, after a brief moment of hesitation, and probably some deep internal screaming, suggests a bold new theory: Kaede could be the killer.

//Now, if this was a soap opera, this is where the dramatic music would kick in. The rest of the trial devolves into a full-on "everyone vs. Shuichi" situation. Which is a terrible situation to thrust the poor boy into, especially since this chapter also features a whole ass scene where Shuichi is crying about being scared of the truth.

//I get why Kaede did it, and it did help Shuichi in the end, but it doesn't change the fact that she was making him fight everybody over a truth that he didn't want to come to light.

//The tension is palpable, and the whole room is practically ready to tear him apart, but this is where Shuichi starts showing his detective chops. He doesn’t flinch, doesn’t back down, and argues with the same quiet determination you’d expect from someone who’s been taking notes on how to deal with chaos. It's a subtle flex of his growing skills as a detective, and honestly, it’s pretty satisfying to watch him hold his ground against everyone.

//Eventually, the trial wraps up with Kaede confessing to the murder. But here's where things get a bit…well, complicated.

//Now, if there’s one thing that makes this trial truly stand out, it’s how the protagonist switch ties into the game’s larger themes of Truth vs. Lies, and more importantly, the colossal twist that the world of V3 isn't even real.

//Shuichi, the true protagonist, is like the ultimate punchline to the whole game. The fact that Kaede doesn’t make it past the first chapter is like one giant narrative rug-pull. Not only does it break your expectations for what you thought the game was going to be, but it also ties directly into the overarching narrative of deception that runs through V3.

//And, if you’re paying close attention, it’s not just a clever narrative trick. It's a commentary on the entire premise of the game. The creators themselves are in on the joke, which adds a whole layer of meta to the experience.

//In the end, this trial is a perfect storm of clever writing, emotional punches, and mind-bending twists.

//Kaede may not have been the killer, but her actions set the stage for everything that follows, and that’s what makes this trial one of my absolute favorites in the Danganronpa series.

//So yeah, I'm definitely biased. And I'm sorry if that ticks people off.

//But I should warn you. If you think THIS is the most controversial pick for the upper rankings? You'd best get ready for tomorrow's.

[genericpuff]

my thoughts on Episode 256

that's pretty much it, it was practically a nothingburger of an episode with more of persephone and hades miffing around despite everything that's currently going on

ares punching apollo like in the previews was the best part of it and it only lasted a second and got reduced to another shitty MCU-style punchline

these steaks are seasoned very poorly

that said, now that LO is actually back weekly, I'm not really compelled to leave as much in-depth analyses/reviews of them like I did with the recent midseason finale series of episodes. Those episodes did, at least, have a lot going on to discuss (even though what was going on was complete nonsense) and in the episodes since there's barely anything to really talk about or glean, it just feels like it's dragging shit out and padding time to make it to the finale in 2024.

anyways sike again, that wasn't the real episode title, the real one was also completely nothingburger-

[hey-hey-j]

skipped yesterday because I had an appointment in the morning and frankly I just didn't feel like sitting down and watching this movie again but.

How to Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World. I feel like I'm losing my mind because this movie is sooooooo bad in how it spits in the face of everything the first movie stood for yet every time I look up reviews everyone and their mother is praising this movie like it's the second coming of christ and am I going insane here? Am I the crazy one for thinking this movie is garbage?? I'm half convinced that a large part of those positive reviews are blinded by love for the original movie and by the supposedly ""breathtaking"" animation because if you actually sit down and pick apart the story??

I've rarely seen a film series that wastes its audience's time like How to Train Your Dragon. The first movie is a sweet little story about the beautiful unlikely friendship between a lonely teenager and an even lonelier dragon and I can see why so many people vibed with it! And then the sequels proceed to throw that lovely little story back in the viewer's face and say "SIKE! NEVERMIND! NONE OF THIS MATTERS IN THE END! HICCUP WAS WRONG ALL ALONG, TOOTHLESS IS GOING TO ABANDON HIM FOR A GIRL, AND YOU WERE STUPID FOR BELIEVING THINGS COULD CHANGE!!" Like?? What a stupid message to be sending, and for what?? For the sake of giving the movies the same ending as the books?? THE MOVIES AND THE BOOKS ARE TWO FUNDAMENTALLY DIFFERENT STORIES!! IT DOESN'T MAKE SENSE FOR THEM TO END THE SAME WAY!! At WHAT point were the movies building towards a "all the dragons disappear" ending, did I miss that?? Did I fall asleep during that setup because I can't seem to find it!! And on top of that, this movie is just BORING!! Soooooo many segments just drag ON and get SO REPETITIVE like DAMN just get ON WITH IT ALREADY I WANT TO WATCH SOMETHING ELSE!!!

the only reason this movie is higher up than Shark Tale and Shrek the Third is because it is objectively a more competently made movie, and because I genuinely really like the little moments of casual affection between Hiccup and Astrid. I can believe that these are two people who have been together for six years and care for each other deeply. I also don't care much for the Light Fury but I kinda like the montage of Toothless trying to woo her, it's charming it gets a few decent chuckles out of me.

so yeah. Hidden World bad, this is the last time I ever want to talk about this movie.