#silly guy that just exists because it can

[r4hhhhhh]

Who knew it would take Dr. Robotnik and his freaky ahh agent husband to get me into animating.

I've put my previous comic on hold for the time being since I got too obsessed with a little AU I thought of (is it an original idea? Who knows(?) I haven't seen it around, so I'm going to say so).

Summary of said AU: basically, after SM3, Stone goes a little insane, and by the power of whatever higher power there is, he's able to conjure/heavily hallucinate Ivo into somewhat existing. Some angst here and there, but they end up in the past pre-SM1, and because Stone is stupid and delusional, he's like, "Omg, I can start again!" (No, he cannot, but oh well, ruin the whole timeline, I guess.) They meet their past selves; Stone kills his past self and, in a way, kidnaps pre-SM1 Ivo. Now both Stone and Pre-SM1-Ivo are being haunted by a ghost Stone and a hallucination Ivo, while the latter are just having the time of their lives being silly (not really; they're both having trouble processing not being alive/real but still being there).

That's where I'm up till now. I haven't really thought about what happens afterwards, but hopefully some of you guys were able to make sense of my ramblings.

Anyway, they're taking over my brain, so I might post them some more later on, maybe even write a fanfic for their story.

I'll see what I decide, but see ya later, and happy pride month! :)

[iwillstabyou]

Ummmm… well, let’s just say I’d be lucky if I lasted even a day. It would be one 24 hour game of hide and seek where I’m constantly hiding in sheer terror whilst this guy is scouring the area, leaving a trail of destruction wherever he goes, until he eventually finds his prey (me). I can already imagine the muffled noise of his demonic chanting getting louder as he closes in on my hiding spot. I don’t think I’d survive this one.

All because my last picture in my gallery is of this guy:

Mr. Blobby

Yes. Mr. Fucking. Blobby.

Context: I was explaining to my non uk friend about the horrors of seeing this mouldy blancmange of a children’s entertainment mascot on prime time tv. I was talking about how whilst he’s a British icon and I love the existence of mr blobby as a phenomenon (he even had a Christmas no. 1 - blobbymania was real), he is absolutely terrifying and would almost definitely kill something if he had the chance. So I sent them this photo so they could get a real picture of how a tv mascot could give of such a vibe. They immediately understood. And that was that. Little did I know that our conversation would lead to my hypothetical doom in a silly made up scenario…

But here we are I guess

[tozettastone]

this is is very silly and maybe boring but i wish you would write a fic where kakuzu files the akatsuki's taxes. like, are they a non-profit? a government agency? does god just not have to pay taxes?

For this ask meme.

--

(I actually wrote a short fic on the topic of Kakuzu doing his taxes 8 years ago, but it's part of that giant fic of Naruto short fics so it's little wonder if you haven't read it: https://archiveofourown.org/works/3977020/chapters/24557799. I decided after a while that I don't really like doing short fics this way and would prefer to post stuff as one shots instead, no matter how short.)

--

I think to make a serious go of this I'd need to actually think about how tax systems would be applied in the elemental nations. In this case it would be miles easier to treat the village hidden in the rain like an independent sovereign city state, rather than a locality subordinate to a daimyo? So in that case we'd have to consider Pein the de facto leader of the village.

I would argue under those circumstances that would make Akatsuki, if not a government department, at least a government agency. But maybe even just. The whole government.

But in post-war Rain, where we know much of the civil infrastructure was basically obliterated by a succession of generational conflicts, that might make their tax situation significantly less complicated? Like, it's entirely possible that Nagato has absolutely nothing to work with in terms of existing tax infrastructure when he takes over. Perhaps he just demands a flat % of income earnt by residents and an equally flat % on sales of goods and services. Socially progressive tax settings — or efforts to modify economic behaviour through tax breaks or circumstantial increases — may well not even exist under his regime, or if they do they might be very basic.

I think it might be kind of fun if he just goes "Well we want our village to prosper...?" and then he doesn't have the, like, educational background, to actually effect that at all (unless we think Jiraiya provided any support on learning about this?) so he brings it to the Akatsuki at large and, basically by default, Kakuzu in specific.

"Kakuzu filing Akatsuki's taxes" then becomes "Kakuzu trying to mastermind a tax system which is then presented yearly to Akatsuki as though it's in any way a legitimate governing body." ...And then all of them argue with him about his tax settings, because it's a lot easier to have annoying dissenting opinions when you're actually presented with a draft than it is to come up with a system on your own in the first place.

I actually really like the idea of Akatsuki playing Sim City with the whole Hidden Rain. Like. As their government? Kakuzu is your entire tax system. Sasori is the only guy who has any idea what the village's plumbing looks like and he's nuts about it. Itachi has scooped up the entire early education system and it's awful but nobody can pry it from his trembling hands. I think they'd make a massive mess but it would certainly be fun. I also think you could really give Pein and Konan a bit more personality if you used protecting their village as a driving motivation in such a fic!

I've taken a load of liberties with your idea, anon, but I really think the concept it prompted is quite fun. xD

[yellowhollyhock]

Rise Raph vs 1987 Donatello

Raph likes to smash. He wants to go in there and smash things. Most often his plan is to smash, smash, and smash again. And this is because he loves to do it, not because he can’t think of other plans. Like, he faked defeat when Big Mama made them all fight different guys for I don’t remember why. Very clever plan. He also dealt quite handily with what’s her rabbit. But mostly he chooses to smash because he loves to so much and he is so so good at it.

Donatello likes to triangulate the position of something or other and be almost finished with his new machine. But when it comes down to fighting, he likes to BONK. And sometimes poke. Or even launch. Anyway for a little guy he can sure get in a lot of force. If anybody can outsmash Raph I really think it might be 87 Donatello.

Raph gets a definite advantage for passion. He loves to smash (did I mention that he loves to?). Donatello does enjoy some bonking once he gets going, but it’s not like, his first choice of activity. He would rather be triangulating to be honest. He is likely riding the high of so thoroughly beating Next Mutation Raph though, and he does love attention. Like a lot. No like you guys think Rise Donnie loves attention. Rise Donnie mainly wants attention specifically for being smart with science. 1987 Donatello has to give himself a silly voice when he dresses up in an outfit. He gives speeches unprompted about the nature of their existence and the woes of being a turtle. He stole a tank. He also just? Mocks Michelangelo? Unprovoked? Wakes his brothers up to see what he made, or has them waiting at the door because he’s been talking up what he is about to unveil but NO ONE IS ALLOWED TO SEE UNTIL THEN. He is the definition of are uncomfortable when conversation is not about me?? He has more restraint as far as technological capabilities compared to application but the thing is you see I think he does that for attention.

So anyway I’m back to them being equally motivated to win, Raph for his love of the game and Donatello for praise and adoration. They both have cartoonish durability. Donatello will be better at seeing the big picture, Raph will be better at seeing and responding to what happens in the moment.

[bullbobb]

Okay so. Did the steve saga ever explain what Faceless was. Not RQ Faceless. Not Beef. I’m talking OG faceless from 2017 or 2018 or whatever.

Cause like. It was just THERE with Ghost in the catacombs. I remember there being stuff about how Ghost was connected to Faceless or whatever? But then that whole arc got cut short thanks to Nightmare and Elemental scheming like bastards

WHAT IN THE NAME OF GODDAMN ORIGIN IS FACELESS

[wickjump]

im gonna start posting fanfic recs btw whenever i find good ones. both here and my (awfully barren) 18+ account. because there are so many good fics out there with so few hits and fewer kudos and sometimes no comments period and it SUCKS because i REALLY LIKE THEM A LOT.. and i hope that by linking them here and yelling at everyone to COMMENT DAMMIT they might actually do it

seriously though any comment means a lot. most people who read a fic don’t even give a kudos. even if the fic wasn’t top tier, if you didn’t dislike it, hand over some kudos!! and if you liked it, comment!!!! even if the comment is one singular heart emoji it will be appreciated. if the comment just says “great fic!” the author will be happy. your comment doesn’t have to be this long winded gushing or analysis.

so many authors quit writing or lose motivation because the comments are few and far in between or just sometimes nonexistent. trust me when i say authors don’t care about how long or cool or smart sounding your comment is i promise!!!

i hope that mmmaybe recommending fics and telling people to comment might help fics i really like get more support maybe. and i, points at you reading this, hope that you will listen!!!at least a little….at least sum kudos….

[thegreatyin]

lark patch notes v0.7: added big funky monster-hunter-induced tail

caeru is surrounded on all sides by human-turned-inhuman peer pressure. will he succumb to the monster tf epidemic? find out next time on fallen london ball z

[m4rs-ex3]

i just don't even know what to do because i just typed out hundreds of words venting about how i've come to the conclusion that my morals and thought process and way i interact with others is so screwed that i shouldn't be trusted to have a voice in a community. and then i decided to private it because it was just too much and i didn't want to make it all about me because my whole problem is that the way that i feel is entirely my own fault and, again, i don't deserve to say a single thing about this. also because i didn't want anybody to think it was a cry for help or to defend my honor because i think i deserve to be put in my place by myself. but i also felt an obligation to say something because i think it's important to tell everyone who follows me that i'm sorry, that you should not take everything i say at face value, and that even though i wanted so badly to feel comfortable in this community and like i could trust almost anyone bc i felt understood, i have to admit that you can't trust everyone, and you definitely shouldn't trust me.

[crescentfool]

happy mochizuki monday!!!

[hesbianyaoi]

The Soukokus and the Four Symbols: Pt 1

STARTING OFF BY SAYING: This is just a fun connection/"theory" (if you would call it that) I made while reading BSD, so not everything will be connected exactly to the T. I just love mythology and Byakko has already been confirmed to be a celestial being thanks to chapter 119, so in any case, buckle up and enjoy my insanity.

WHO AND WHAT EXACTLY ARE THE FOUR SYMBOLS?

The Four Symbols—also known as the Four Guardians or the Four Gods—are constellations and mythological creatures in Chinese (and other countries in the Sinosphere) culture that are believed to be the protectors of the four cardinal points: the North, South, East and West.

They also had correspondence with the Five Phases (Wuxing), the philosophy that the fundamentals to the universe were composed of elements and their relationships to one another. These elements include nature, seasons, times of day, directions, and colors.

The Four Symbols are the Azure Dragon of the East, the White Tiger of the West, the Vermilion Bird of the South, and the Black Tortoise of the North.

Sound familiar?

It's like how Soukoku + Shin Soukoku is associated with the colors blue/red and black/white. This alone wouldn't be enough for me to make this entire thing such a big post in the first place, though; it's the very nature of everything else in Bungo Stray Dogs concerning the Soukoku's and the subtle symbolism they have connecting them to these divine beings.

For the sake of my own mind, we'll be discussing Shin Soukoku in this post, as they have the most relevance to the recent update and to their associated guardians/gods. Interesting since they create such a unique Singularity, right?

ATSUSHI: BYAKKO, THE GUARDIAN OF THE WEST

We have the most information about Byakko thus far, so it only seems fair to start off with her.

Byakko's associations with Wuxing include the color white, sunsets, autumn and its desolation, and the west itself. These are things Atsushi is commonly associated with, such as sunset/moon symbolism, how the sun sets in the west during the autumn equinox, even his joke title of the Wimp of The West in chapter 33.

Atsushi's white tiger is something we already know is highly sought after from all around the world, and we already know that the tiger itself is a "bookmark" to locate the book. The Book is obviously representative of something otherworldly, something as heavenly as its association with creation and life, and of course, Byakko is the literal guide to finding it. Because of course she is.

Byakko is more than just a white tiger; it is the embodiment of justice, protectiveness, and righteousness. It is the king of beasts and a capable warrior. She's more than just an ability (as we see in Dead Apple, alongside Rashōmōn, since they're the only two that take their own forms compared to everyone else's abilities being mirrors of themselves) as she resides inside of Atsushi's body as another physical being entirely.

Canonically, abilities are described as receiving their power by their user's souls, which is why an ability will disintegrate once their user dies.

But Byakko is not just Atsushi's ability; she is an entire being residing within him, two souls in one body. And not just any being, but a god.

It's also speculation on my part, but Byakko is often referred to as the "key" to finding The Book when in actuality, she's most likely protecting it. Fitting of the White Tiger's role as a guardian of justice and morality—if it fell into the wrong hands, balance would be broken.

AKUTAGAWA: GENBU, THE GUARDIAN OF THE NORTH

Also known as the Black Warrior of the North, as the character 武 translates to warrior/knight and is a much more faithful translation. Compared to Atsushi's more blatant connection to Byakko, Akutagawa's connection to Genbu relies more on subtlety, which I would say picked up during chapters 117.

His death, becoming a vampire, and the time spanning from his death until now could also count as a form of hibernation, given the fact tortoises hibernate and winter is the prime time for hibernation to occur, which aligns with Genbu's associations with Wuxing: the color black, winter and its frost, midnight (prime time for traditional vampires), and the north itself.

From the beginning, Akutagawa has always been associated with black as his signature color. Rashomon, his armor, is his protective "shell" like that of a tortoise. In the most literal sense, he is a warrior—a true knight, further emphasized by Bram's final wishes and desires to protect. It's also worth mentioning that the Tortoise is revered as a pillar of support during challenging times.

Honestly, need I say more?

Genbu is also associated with resilience, wisdom, and most importantly, immorality. The story of the Black Tortoise (Xuanwu) varies from legend to legend, but the general base for the story is the same: Xuanwu was once a mortal who achieved enlightenment and became immortal by pulling out his stomach and intestines, the last remains of his human parts. Once he pulls them out, they become demons, and he must subdue and tame them—quite literally overcoming his own sins.

In a twisted sense, Akutagawa's death was a form of enlightenment.

He dies believing that Dazai truly didn't abandon him, that this was all just a test, and thus he dies with a smile on his face. Now that Akutagawa is awake, he doesn't remember anything besides his knightly duties. It is a new beginning for him, one without the demons of his past weighing him down internally.

He is anew. He is enlightened.

SO, WHAT COULD THIS MEAN?

That's the thing. It could mean nothing at all except for speculation. It could mean something bigger in store for the future of the story. The point is that we don't know what could happen or what any of this could mean outside of correspondence with mythological archetypes. Regardless if this actually contributes anything to the plot, the similarities between Akutagawa-Atsushi and the White Tiger-Black Warrior were too fun to resist talking about, which brings up another point.

Byakko and Genbu, Baihu and Xuanwu, Atsushi and Akutagawa, the new Double Black. They all represent the same thing: balance.

The tiger is representative of its protectiveness and righteousness whilst the tortoise is associated with its wisdom and the strength of a warrior. All four guardians are responsible for the balance of the cosmos and nature itself, and for the Soukokus, it is the same.

The balance they fight to keep is not only between themselves and each other but for Yokohama, for the fabric of reality itself. (And it's something I want to go deeper into when I focus on Dazai & Chuuya next.)

[psychicthepsychic-daily]

hood is the ceo of “other people have it worse” /HJ

[onethousand825days]

ok

[primus-why]

I secretly hope B127 gets his throat ripped out in the movie cuz I just think making Bumblebee silent in such a brutal (but kinda sick/cool) way is just neat for his character... but alas they likely paid a lot for the VA to be there ahhshsjdjd

[whumpy-wyrms]

Have you ever hear of the webtoon Silent Screams? It's full of whump and it honestly reminds me of some of your work. Highly recommend

YES!!!! i love silent screams!! i was actually just reading the recently updated episode earlier. it’s sooo good, i definitely recommend it to anyone who likes lab whump! also thanks for thinking of my stuff too that’s so cool :)

when i started reading it in like october, it made me wanna make a tllr webcomic soooo bad but i just don’t have the time for that lol. maybe some day (definitely Some day because a tllr webcomic would go so fucking hard)

also whump in the form of comics/web comics/graphic novels is like my favorite way of consuming whump so if anyone has any recommendations feel free to let me know! :)

[axolozzy]

i NEED to draw louie more like i used to draw louie ALLL THE FUCKING TIME and the last time i actually drew them fully colored was in fucking JULY. WHAT????? impossible :( i’m so fucking sorry louie holy shit AAUUUGHHHHHHHH LOUIIEEEEEEEE :((( louie save me louieieieeeee

[xoxo-ren-xoxo]

there needs to be a separation between ccs and their fandoms because unless everyone gets really cool about a lot of things really quickly then some of the situations i put these cubitos in would make the ccs hurl. and thats my business