#six plus years later and i finally finished it damn

[wordsmithie]

Her dark throat, lovely in the moonlight. Split open by his nail, open and spilling eager blood over her heaving breasts. He would have gathered her convulsing form into his arms and buried his face in her gushing heat. Begged her forgiveness as he explained his dutiful sins.

die as lovers may

[littlevices]

Finished Mob Psycho 100

Spoilers below cut, as well as a lot of gushing and a very long post, just in case anyone needed the warning, lol.

My heart is full. So, so full.

I was not expecting to lover this series as much as I did, had no plans to watch it, let alone read it.

Now here I am, finally finished the series, and I feel so full.

Every episode hit so well, said so much, and had something important in all of them, no matter how small a moment.

So much character development, so much great music, amazing action and animation.

Would you believe me if I told you I didn't care about the art style? That I thought it looked over hyped? That when I heard the first opening back when this was new I didn't like it much? That almost nothing about this show interested me?

The only thing that kept me connected to this show at all was the first ending song, it's animation, and the english fan cover of it by Dima Lancaster on youtube. Despite everything else not catching my eye at the time, this song by itself was the one thing that kept this show on my radar at all.

Years later, and I do mean years, I finally bit the bullet after rewatching all the opening and endings and even a few scenes on youtube to decide if this show was something I really wanted to watch. Why? Well, why not?

Obviously, I was spoiled in some things cause of this, but that didn't stop me, lol. I'm not easily deterred by this, but I did want to be transparent about that before going further. I still had no idea about character personalities and things like that, so I still had plenty of surprises in store. Plus, a number of these things hit way harder with context than they did without. For anyone interested, I knew about Reigen's confession, about the Touichiro fight, that Mob was trapped in Mogami's world for six months. However, none of that was enough to make me wanna watch the show 'right here right now' because without context I had no idea how Mogami's world worked, why Reigen's confession was important, nor how it would fit into the show proper, and there was absolutely no context for Touichiro.

Hopefully this doesn't deter you from reading further, but, again, I wanted to be transparent about those things as I now know how important those particular moments are to the series (and yes, the context made them so much better after finally watching it myself).

You still with me? Shall we continue then?

I fell in love with Mob near instantly in Episode 1. Watching him try his hardest at gym while still failing was so adorable and gave me a D'aww moment.

Reigen, however, not so much.

I know you know where I'm going with this. He was clearly a liar, fraud, underpaying Mob, and using him. He wasn't terrible, so to say, but his treatment of Mob in episode one made me wonder if I would be able to tolerate him for the whole season, seeing as I knew he was going to be a staple main character.

However, I too, have fallen into the sweaty rat man's trap and he is now one of my favorite characters in anime along with Mob and a few others.

Actually, I fell in love with nearly the whole damn cast, lol. But more about that later.

The art style grew on me quickly. It also helped that it's simplicity made it easy to make stellar animation and camera shots. Obviously, there are some episodes where Bones went way harder than they needed to. Episode 8 of season 1 (Mob vs Koyama), and episode 5 of season 2 (Mob vs Mogami) are obvious picks along with the finals of both those seasons (1000% Reigen vs Claw and Mob vs Touichiro). However, Mob vs Teru in 1x5 and Serizawa fighting in 3x2 are some of my favorites along with the more obvious choices. Plus, anytime Dimple possesses someone and proceeds to backflip and jump around despite nobody asking him too was always a treat (seriously, how old is he really? Where did he learn that shit?).

Reigen's special attacks were a highlight, especially when he starts showing off his own fighting style as well (I was not expecting this man to be able to fight and, later, parkour, what the hell).

Which brings us back around to the writing and characters doesn't it?

What can I say that hasn't already been said? The writing is great. Humorous and heartfelt. Sure, I felt like every once and a while it was a little too heavy handed when delivering it's message, and I didn't think the narrator was needed in some scenes, but it didn't really take away my enjoyment.

Also, can I just, take a moment to show some interesting details I noticed in the final episodes.

These details were very neat to witness. Small callbacks to earlier in the series it feels like.

However-

"But I guess it's true. . . I'm your brother, Ritsu. Hey, Ristu. Half of that is true, right?"

"So there's no reason to be scared. There's no reason to tremble at the sight of it. Because I'm. . . Your younger brother."

I can't even with this scene between Mob and Ritsu in the second to final episode. It just calls back so well to 1x8 and the alley way confrontation that it makes me tear up. I might make a separate post for this alone, lol.

This is what really made the story for me. The characters and the development they gained. I didn't love nor hate Tome when meeting her, but episodes 3x7 and 3x8 added a grounded element to her, along with that little scene in the marathon episode where the scolded her friends for faking ill when Mob had been working so hard. Serizawa getting over his admiration for Touichiro and working at Spirits and Such was a fun dynamic, even if late in the game so to speak. Ritsu learning to accept and not be scared of Mob's power, Teru going from being a bully to a genuinely a nice (if still somewhat overconfident) guy, and even Onigawara and the Body Improvement Club. I was not expecting to fall in love with a snot bubble, but here I am. So many wonderful characters, such a wonderful cast.

However, I can't mention character development with mentioning my favorite boys, can I?

Mob's growing confidence, learning not to rely on Reigen so much and coming to terms with his powers and himself as a person, what this whole show was about, was wonderful. The way he slowly became more expressive over time (like the screenshot above says), and him going from not wanting to use his powers at all to slowly realizing that sometimes he may have to protect what he cares about (even though Reigen tries so hard to protect him from that).

Reigen won my heart by the end of season 1, so when the seperation arc came I couldn't help but wince and cringe. I came to love his character and his relationship with Mob so much, that seeing this low point gave me so much second hand embarrassment. I felt bad for him, in a way, but this cringe was very much needed. Reigen needed the wake up call and I was so glad to see him take that lesson to heart in the next episode. I had heard his relationship with Mob got healthier, and I had heard whispers of the separation arc, but I was not expecting to be so wonderfully surprised by the way it worked. Reigen didn't fall immediately, he managed to do well for a while. It was only after being tricked, and, frankly, growing overconfident that his words and actions hit.

Which is the context I needed to make his confession in the final episode so important. Him finally coming clean, proving to Mob's other half, the doubts Mob had always harbored about Reigen, that he did indeed care about him. That he would shed even that lie, his biggest one arguably, if it meant helping Mob. That him finally being forced to realize how much Mob meant to him in the separation arc, and seeing, slowly, the feelings Mob had been holding back and how much it affected him, gave Reigen himself the courage to finally shed the final lie between the two of them if it meant Mob could finally heal (at least, that's my feelings anyway, lol.). It says so much about the relationship between these two, and their dynamic has become a favorite of mine (if you couldn't tell ;)).

Also, that opening that I didn't like before? The first one? Yeah, I've grown to love it and the other songs as well. The fact that they were made specifically for this show, and the context of the lyrics and show together, add so much to them. I'm not sure if the endings are in the same boat, but I love them too.

However, I think I've rambled long enough. If you got to the end here, well thank you very much for your time. This show has become a favorite so quickly, that it made even my head spin, lol.

Also, yes, you can bet I'm reading that Reigen spin-off, because more Reigen is always a good thing in my book. Love that shitty conman so much. <3 (I might even read the original manga too)

Edit: Read the Reigen spin-off. That post can be found here. Beware of spoilers, though!

[cileevi]

The Speed Of Pain

Chapter One

Denver, Colorado

June 24th, 1997

Charlotte

I finally made it! After four years I'm finally free from the school system! With a degree in business management to boot. Now it's time to enjoy my summer before entering the " real " world. I plan on having the most fun while I can. 

What are my plans? Ozzfest of course! This is my first time on the road with my dad and there is a whole lineup of amazing bands to see as well. I haven't seen my brother and sister since Christmas so I know we'll be having lots of fun on this tour.  

Quickly maneuvering my way backstage I find the old man talking to Billy from Black Sabbath.  

" Dad! " I cry out as I run up and wrap my arms around him. " I missed you. "

And I really did. I hate how we've had to do things growing up. I love my mom, but she has never made it easy for him to be the father I needed. Now that I'm out of school I plan on spending as much time with him as possible. 

" I missed you too, Schroeder. " He says holding me tight.

I pull back and he lants a huge kiss on my cheek. " My eldest. "

" My daddy. " I say smiling as Sharon walks into the room. " Mom! " 

I run into her arms and she hugs me as only she can. " Hello, my darling. It's good to have you back. " She says before pulling away and taking a good look at me. 

" It's good to be back. I'm just glad to have my degree out of the way. " I tell her in an exhausted tone.

Nodding she claims, " yes, of course, we're all so very proud of you ".   

" Thanks. " I say graciously. " I can't wait to move forward with my career and leave school behind me. " 

" Sis! " 

Turning to my left I see my only brother, Jack, racing toward me.

" Jacky, look at you! " I say not believing he big he is. " You've grown at least four inches in the last six months. "

He gives me a smug look before correcting me. " Five. " 

" Well excuussee me. " I say laughing. 

I then hear from behind, " hey, Lotty "!

I know that voice. My baby sister, Kelly. Turning around I see the most amazing yet disturbing sight. Instead of focusing on Kelly, I can't help but stare at the man in the black corset.

Then my baby sister registers. " Kel's! " I damn near squeal before scooping her up in a hug and spinning her around. Putting her down I smooth out her pigtails and smile. " I missed you. " 

" Me too... Meet Marilyn! He's really fun. " She says as she goes and hangs onto his arm.

Holding my hand out I say, " hi, I'm Charlotte. It's nice to meet you. "

" Likewise. Any sister of Kelly's is a friend of mine. " He says while shaking my hand.

And just like that, his voice melts my insides more than his appearance interests me. It's like melted chocolate mixed with the devil himself. Damn.

" That was my favorite book growing up. " He says off the cuff. 

I am clearly confusion. " Hmm? "

" Charlotte's Web. " He clarifies. 

Smiling I roll my eyes. " Mine too. I think it's the first chapter book I ever finished. "

" Schroeder, come spend some time with your dear old dad. " I hear him call. 

Giving Marilyn one last smile, I say over my shoulder, " coming ". 

Looking back at the oddly attractive man I say, " I'll see you later ". 

Manson

Being here at my first Ozzfest is bitchin'. I wasn't expecting to be involved but money is money at the end of the day. Plus Ozzy is cool so it's a nice gig. I can't lie, when we got the call to join them I wasn't too sure if it would be a good fit. That changed once we got to the first city. Ozzy and Sharon are great and their kids are cool. 

Kelly took a real liking to me and has been like my little shadow since we got here. Usually, I don't like kids, but I make an exception for her and Jack. They're punk rock all the way. We've been having a blast to put it lightly. I was actually pretty surprised that Ozzy and Saron would even let their children be around this lifestyle but I guess it's better the devil you know than the ones you don't. At least they know where Kelly and Jack are at all times. 

After sound check, I'm hanging out with the rest of the band when we see a small commotion over where Ozzy's camp is set up. " What's going on? " I ask as Pogo is heading back from catering. 

" Some leggy blonde just showed up. She's pretty hot but looks like she'll give any one of us blue balls just for fun. "  He says with a shrug. 

It's then that Kelly comes barreling over with a huge smile on her face. " Marilyn! Come on I want you to meet my sister. " She says before grabbing my arm and trying to drag me away. I give in as is becoming usual to Kelly's requests. 

" Hey, Lotty! " She yells as we get closer. 

The one she's leading me to has her back toward us. It's a nice back no doubt and her golden hair shines in the fading sunlight. It's then that I realize this must be who Pogo saw. She turns around and her eyes land directly on me. 

Wow.  I'm not usually one for blonde hair and blue eyes, but her smooth pale skin is very pleasing to the eye. She's still staring but I'm used to people doing it at this point in my career. This stare though... It's different. Not one of judgment or fear. More like curiosity and intrigue. 

" Kel's! " She exclaims before lifting her up and spinning her around.

I stand here awkwardly as she plays with Kelly's hair a bit. It's then that the young girl remembers my existence. 

" Meet Marilyn! He's really fun. " She says as she takes hold of my arm.

Holding her hand out she speaks to me for the first time. " Hi, I'm Charlotte. It's nice to meet you. "

" Likewise. Any sister of Kelly's is a friend of mine. " I tell her as I shake her hand.

Just then my mouth works before my brain can catch up. " That was my favorite book growing up. "

" Hmm? " She asks not understanding what I'm going on about. 

Shrugging simply I say, " Charlotte's Web ".

 " Mine too. I think it's the first chapter book I ever finished. " She says as she puts a piece of hair behind her ear. 

I love it when girls do that. It's an easy giveaway as to whether they're interested or not. Not that I'm looking or anything. It's just nice to know I have such an effect on such a beautiful woman. The fact that she has good taste in books is a bonus. 

Just as I'm about to speak again, Ozzy comes into view effectively ruining the moment. " Schroeder, come spend some time with your dear old dad. "

" Coming. " She tells him from over her shoulder. Turning back to me she says, " I'll see you later. " 

As she walks back to Ozzy's camp I can't help but whisper, " not yet you aren't ".