#so i think that the part that wants to add more corpses to bum's (for a lack of better words srry) legal guilt (that keeps him from talking

[cacaitos]

nvm it's not the contradictions i said in the tags it's the synthesis. like the entire story he's been on a very thin line, weaving in and out of the awareness of how much he's projecting his mom onto bum, that fair enough does comes across as partially an attraction, but that´s a feeling that gets subdued under the main function of the reenactment of certain event: it more than nothing serves to retroactively change their power dynamics. he's not the one roped in, manipulated in, vulnerated in; he leads, he hits, he *rapes, he wins this time.

so, imo, that scene on ch 13 when he shortly flashbacks to his mom (the scene from my banner for short), is ofc a slip on the dnamic reversal i f bum had really 'betrayed' him on the external side, but internally the fact that he had gotten an erection w/o noticing about it is a short moment of full awareness of the horror of the relationship w his mom; again i´ve always thought of that scene as very bizzare looked at it so far away of the more similar intensity of last season, but it is the fact of noticing not an attraction but moreso a reaction out of his control that's more reminiscent of the action that originated it ie rape. trying to say that him feeling like that against his wish is the proof that his mom still wins. not the horror of being attracted to her so much as is that she still has that much power over him.

so that was on the stage of the story when he was still trying to compartimentalize whats memory and present, the roles, the control, the distance, even when trying to give bum apparent choice and space only so far it strengthens his attachment to him. buuut now that, though i **struggle to say what exactly about the events w bum's uncle were that triggered anything, he's quite literally allowing the ghosts back in the house. and is both performing the roles of the past as-is while also believing that if he behaves differently the ending for those roles will be different. he's his father and he doesnt want to die like him, and bum is his mother and if he treats them right this time, like good son and husband, then he wont die by their hand again.

in this he has given bum, not necessarily unintentionally, a more ample space to express Want (and thus the implicit part that despite the material power dynamics he's allowing it and will comply). there are echoes, imo, from that time (to start somewhere) in the first chs bum asked to suck him off (understanding this is pre-kidnapping feelings speaking) and he denied. while the whole thing of being wanted despite being a piece of shit was mostly desirable before bc 1. the ego boost 2. of the sense of superiority (mom thing again), admitedly there is smth slightly threatening of someone whose Want seems to be greater than their justified dislike for you and the threat you pose, a Want so hungry. then again in the motel scene, when he denies giving bum oral he asks so eagerly and intensely. sw 'won' those times. but by allowing bum rn to Want more freely now is inadvertedly nurturing an desire and a facet of his mom's personality not the same but similar in intensity at least. a want that even if unreciprocated doesnt, by nature, leave him uninvolved. and he accepts the situation.

yeah yeah i recall this is the ch that he lost it yeah

[ksbwnotes]

Chapter 9, Part 1

Ahhhh...poor son of a bitch.

1. Heyyyyy, green tape

Hmmmn, Koogi seems to use green a lot...is that just more common a color for duct tape in Korea? But thing is, her main outfit for Bum is green tones. And he likes froggies, which are green. 

Also, we never do see Sangwoo use this tape with CEO daughter girl (just ropes, a cloth for her mouth, and this weird metal thing to cover her eyes). Or with Bum, for that matter (I only saw it so far used with Koogi’s illustrations, which are a different matter altogether...I might be mistaken, I won’t skip to that part, but Sangwoo might have used it on Bum in the last chapters, which could signify how far his mentality has deteriorated). 

But this guy is different. Sangwoo has no emotional attachment to him.  The duct tape could be, in a way, signifying how worthless this person is to Sangwoo. That he’s nothing more than a box full of unsavory memories he would rather tape shut forever and throw away to rot.

2. Ooohp. Bastard’s bringing out his iconic apron

Sangwoo the butcher.

But this is something new that we haven’t seen before. Again, Sangwoo has never once wore this with Bum. So that means Sangwoo truly has no intentions of going easy on this guy. Blood is going to be pretty much spurting every-the-fuck-where. 

So even though Sangwoo doesn’t consciously plan to kill someone, he has his habits and ideas down to a pat so that once he does get into that territory, he can more or less get right down to it. Sangwoo seems to do what he can to ‘separate’ himself from his atrocious acts, but also fulfilling an ‘aesthetic’ that fits with the atrocity he has become. 

Like, that apron.  Too risky to wear regular clothes, so apron is the next best thing and can act as a barrier of some sort once the blood goes flying. It’ll reduce how much splatters onto his skin and how much of his body he has to actually clean. It’s also just keep things less gross and more sanitary that way lol.

3. I am the type to find this funny and really be amused by Sangwoo’s smartass-ness

I suck at being a smartass and I can’t do it, so I really appreciate it whenever someone else can, even if it’s mean lol. But if it’s mean, it’s a guilty pleasure for me, like right now. x’D

4. Honestly, Sangwoo, how did you get yourself into this situation...

Oh!  So he was able to get out of the blow job. Nice. The guy was actually respectful. If Sangwoo were sane, he’d understand this and just run away instead of luring this guy in to kill him. 

But, really, why did Sangwoo put himself into this position?  I don’t have anything foolproof as evidence, but I really don’t think Sangwoo is the type who actually needs to kill at specific intervals as an outlet.

If anything, Sangwoo has a more...instinctual response to sexual situations, like Bum. For Bum, he becomes hyper-aroused and zeroes in on the pleasure to a point that it overrides his more logical line of thinking. The “he’s a killer I should be scared” becomes “it feels so good and nothing else can exist but this pleasure”.

For Sangwoo, he has two modes. The first one is passive, where he’s just following his partner’s whims and saying that he’s enjoying things but he’s actually just powerless to resist. It’s his instinctual reaction after being forced to just...take his mom’s advances. He feels empty, like a doll that is just meant to be used and taken for pleasure. It’s no better than being a corpse that is fulfilling another’s necrophilic tendencies.

The second mode, I believe, came to be as a self-defense mechanism to the first mode. In order to avoid ever feeling like that, he is in control of everything. He has complete dominance over his partner. In a way, the extreme violence is the only way he can genuinely feel pleasure because he’s ‘safe’. He can literally go one way or the other, his trauma has made it impossible for him to have any other mode than ‘docile’ or ‘predator’. 

5. Well, even without the possibility of murdering someone, Sangwoo choosing an alias is no surprise

He did go into a gay bar, lol.

I also find it interesting that this is where we get a look into Bum’s thoughts. And it’s regarding Sangwoo’s alias. 

Also, now I am wondering if Sangwoo ever resorted to using aliases with his other prey. Because if he had, then this does add a whole other layer of premeditation to his serial killing. Even if he’s not purposefully scouting for prey, it would at least mean he’s always prepared in the event that he comes across prey. 

That is what makes Jieun such an outlier and also Sangwoo’s downfall in terms of getting caught. Jieun knows Sangwoo personally. There is a connection between them. And her disappearance could easily be traced back to him. Sangwoo isn’t an idiot. He knows how to pick and choose his prey and he probably makes sure to never make it so that the prey can call him by name. 

That is also what makes Bum such an interesting outlier. Because Sangwoo is risking A LOT just to keep him--someone who knows Sangwoo’s real name and actually has witnessed his personal life, both in the outside world and behind closed doors. Sangwoo chose him over the girl. Sangwoo broke his legs, not only to keep Bum from escaping, but to keep Bum with him. 

This does suggest that Sangwoo is not serial killing for the thrill of it (at least, not just for that), but because he’s in search for something that could replace the kills. Sangwoo doesn’t want a pile of dead bodies under his feet--he wants one alive body to stay by his side and love him, in spite of those dead bodies. 

6. ....cute motherfucker

Koogi, I resent you so much for making him this cute...

Honestly though, it just strikes me how Sangwoo keeps trying to keep on a carefree and happy facade even during times like these. We do later see him doing that as a habit as a child, so it fits that he does that on steroids during his adult years, especially considering the things he does. I’ll refer back to this when we get to Jieun’s death scene.

7. Shows of weakness

Ah damn I’m going to have to revisit this part. I have a lot of thoughts on it, but I’m too sleep deprived to actually make sense of it. But this part is important in understanding Sangwoo’s mentality and the ways he tries to train Bum to fit a certain image.

Aaaaaand today is a new day!!  So going forth:

During the times Bum showed fear and was trembling, I do think a major part of why Sangwoo hates it so much is because it reminds him of how much of a monster he is. But I also think it’s because it reminds him of his mom, which he does say about Bum’s trembling. Because no matter what happened to his mom, she never learned her lesson. If she were able to change, then Sangwoo’s childhood would be less painful. 

But Bum being quiet and looking scared, but still able to meet Sangwoo’s eyes...that reminds Sangwoo of what he was while with his parents. And even though Sangwoo does hate himself--to a point where he doesn’t want to change because he has no belief he can be better--I do think he’s grieving for that child who had no clue that things will just get worse and worse from there. 

Especially since, from what I’m assuming, he knew how to manipulate his image so that he could avoid being beaten and locked up like his mother. So he would hold more respect towards his conditioned response versus his mother’s conditioned response. He probably refused to admit to himself how he felt back then, because obviously that’s a cruel thought to have and Sangwoo’s level of empathy was still average to high at the time. But it still doesn’t erase his resentment towards her inability to be better (I think this also contributed to why Sangwoo presumably felt ‘free’ after his first kill).

I think I’ll have a better grasp over my thoughts once we get to Jieun’s death >_< 

8. *opens mouth, then silently closes it*

That first sentence probably is not meant to sound the way Sangwoo makes it sound. xD  Which is a bit too gay for someone who firmly claims he is wholly hetero.

Oh actually this is funny. Since the only other person in the basement is a guy, the card dude probably thinks Sangwoo really is gay or internalized-antigay or something. But the truth is a lot more complex and sinister than what it appears to be on the surface.

9. Ooooooh, high stakes indeed

Lol, this does drive home the idea to me that Sangwoo is really pissed at Bum. Because, again, he would’ve never went to that gay bar had it not been for Bum. So, in a way, even though Sangwoo internally knows Bum isn’t the one going out in a body bag, this instillation of fear is a punishment for making him question his sexuality in a way that triggered Sangwoo’s trauma. Because there is literally no safe way for Sangwoo to explore his sexuality considering his past and his current lifestyle.

On the other end of the spectrum, I wonder how Bum is feeling about this. He probably genuinely believes that Sangwoo is genuinely putting Bum’s life on the line, in a way that if he fails the card game, he’ll die. Like. I definitely would. No matter what past form of affection Sangwoo showed, if he says he’ll kill me, I would full-heartedly be like “Yeah. Yeah, I don’t doubt you, hun.”

And, still, Bum knows better now than to complain or beg. Because unlike his mother, despite his own mental issues, Bum can be trained and that is why Sangwoo keeps him around.

10. Where do you come up with these things, you bastard

I mean, seriously, he has so many ideas on how to break a person. These are more psychopathic than sociopathic tendencies, I think, so that’s why Sangwoo right now, is a high-functioning sociopath.

11. Oh my fkkn god tho, this smart boi XD

Or maybe I’m just dumb and have no clue how to play cards. 

Or maybe Sangwoo has been spending time with Bum playing cards.

Or maybe Bum is just good at cards and has spent his time practicing them.

Either way, the fact that Bum is able to fkkn pay attention during these times shows that his own trauma and mental issues have no bearing on how smart he actually is. He doesn’t have strong observation skills and is slow to understand people, but that’s more of a natural character trait, even if it is more emphasized by his mental disorders...mmmn, I do kinda wonder if Bum could have some traits shared with autism but I’m too neruotypical and untrained to say whether or not he does.

12. No seriously, we have creative Sangwoo here with this card game from hell...

...Then we have Bum here able to pull out logical conclusions like his mind is clear despite the immense anxiety and pressure of the situation. There’s a reason why Bum is still alive. For some reason, the longer Bum is stuck in his situation, the more 

13. Seriously, I could stab him in the eye for being so cute despite being revolting, it’s not RIGHT KOOGI

Stab stab stab stab

14. It probably doesn’t mean much, but I still can’t help but point out how Sangwoo is making sure to be close to Card!dude and facing Bum

This would be the most logical choice since it will ensure his victim doesn’t try to escape. And even if he does, he can quickly do shit like pulling back his hair if he tries to be ‘bratty’. Also, being behind someone like this is meant to represent a menacing appearance and being the ‘controller’ behind the scenes. Sangwoo has the upperhand since card!dude can’t see him and Sangwoo can do whatever he wants to the guy. 

But this also puts Sangwoo and Bum on more equal ground. Sort of like “partners in crime” because they can face each other and communicate via body language. In a way, Sangwoo can help Bum or make Bum do things, influencing his next move. While, at the same time, keeping a literal eye on Bum but without the upperhand he has on card!dude--because Bum can also keep an eye out on him. 

15. I’d probably laugh if I were Sangwoo too lol

I bet you Sangwoo didn’t expect Bum to actually get the goddamn ace. The fact that Bum is this fkkn lucky is indicative of how Bum is lucky enough to even be alive at this point. Bum has been able to avoid his ‘fate of death’ over and over again that, honestly, the sheer disbelief of it is ridiculous. But it’s also like Sangwoo is saying ‘Of course you’d get the goddamn ace. Of course you would, you little shit, why am I even still surprised by you at this point’.

In a way, Sangwoo might also be thinking that ‘Huh, it’s like I meant to mess with the cards so that’d they be in your favor.’ But of course, he can’t have that because Bum being ‘too’ happy about things means he won’t be able to control Bum. So, for Bum’s case, he’s doing a second round to train Bum further, rather than to fuck with him before he kills him (like what he’s doing with card!dude).

Other than that, this is also indicative of just how well Bum is dealing with the anxiety of this moment. Card!dude might have done better (though he can’t have that much control over the cards) under normal circumstances, but between the both of them, Bum is actually calm enough to think things through. It says a lot about his capabilities lol. It makes me wonder what kind of person he could’ve been had he been raised well.

ALSO, AGAIN WITH YOU BEING CUTE SANGWOO. NO. ESPECIALLY NOT UNDER THESE CIRCUMSTANCES YOU ASSHOLE. STOP IT.

16. Lol, even though this is a throwaway line, I think this is indicative of who Sangwoo has already chosen

This is really like a “come on, partner in crime, get up to my level here and let’s fuck with this fucker together”. But the thing is, Bum is just as much a victim as this guy. There is literally no way for Bum to think any other way but Sangwoo fucking with both of them, not just card!dude. 

Because the thing is, if Bum forgot himself and reacted the same way as card!dude, Sangwoo would kill him, along with card!dude.

But yeah, it does make me think of how Sangwoo would’ve reacted if card!dude actually won. How would his script go? Would he still do a practice round? Or would that have been enough for Sangwoo, and he would’ve skipped to the next part of his plan?

I don’t think this second round was something Sangwoo expected. And that really drove home to him how Bum keeps surpassing his expectations again and again. 

17. *wince* Oohp.

The trembling and slight protest. Definitely not what Sangwoo wants to see. I can’t blame Bum for responding like this, BECAUSE A FKKN SERIAL KILLER IS PRETTY MUCH TRYING TO SCREW HIM OVER, but at the same time, he should know better than to respond this way. 

I also do think, other than the threat to his life, Bum is perceiving this as Sangwoo ‘choosing’ card!dude over Bum. It’s like a rejection and that probably hits Bum’s rejection sensitivity. If it was just a threat to his life, Bum would probably be able to still stay silent at this point (uh, most likely not because again, life is on the line, but still maybe). However, there’s also this sense that Sangwoo doesn’t actually want him to live--that the card game is just an excuse to kill Bum.

18.  think it says a lot that Sangwoo still responds to Bum’s protest via ‘patting’ him on the head rather than pulling on his hair. 

If card!dude was more intuitive, then he probably would’ve noticed that something was off in the way Sangwoo was treating Bum. More leniently. Because any small variation in treatment is not a promising outlook for card!dude.

But the thing is--now that I know how the ending is--Sangwoo is just doing this as a way to fuck with the other dude.  Actually he was probably proud of Bum winning so that he could further fuck with card!dude and make him taste the bitterness of false hope. Sort of like a “heh, you did better than I thought you would”. 

Sangwoo does want him to live because this card game is not about ‘who’ to choose. Sangwoo has already chosen Bum. This is just a matter of how much satisfaction Sangwoo can get against his revenge on the other guy.

Though, Bum is genuinely worried because why would he think that lol. There is also this thing where Sangwoo chose to kill a pretty girl and keep him, a skinny male loser, alive. So from his stand point, Sangwoo’s choices are difficult to pinpoint. Bum also won’t see himself as more ‘attractive’ than card!dude, so he most likely was scared that Sangwoo’s choices has changed once again and he would be thrown away like CEO daughter.

19. Hmmmn...

Now that card!dude has been given a second chance and can see Sangwoo’s willingness as a show of ‘favorability’, he has more control over his anxiety (which I do think is different from Bum, who has this sort of ‘on-off’ button for his anxiety, versus card!dude who seems to have more of a ‘reduction-enlargement’ slider). He probably feels more confident. 

And this is probably exactly what Sangwoo wanted, because then that will make the fall so much sweeter, the look of horror that much more gratifying.

20. Really, and there were people who wanted Sangwoo and Bum to have a happily ever after

The psychological warfare Sangwoo is putting onto Bum is so brutal that it’s really difficult to keep reading. Again, Koogi making it so that Sangwoo got better, then got worse when he realized he couldn’t handle what it means to ‘improve’, and then die...it made me respect this work so much, because nothing about this is romanticized.  And furthermore, Bum didn’t die, but at the same time, he was scars that will never be able to heal. His mentality was worse in the end than it was in the beginning, which is a goddamn feat because there wasn’t much left for him to fall.

Another alternative that I saw float around was Bum and Sangwoo dying together and...no. No no no. That’s too romanticized as well. And Bum being left alive while Sangwoo dies has this very...god I don’t even know how to explain. It’s not a happy ending. For me, there’s no vindication for it because I got to see just how deeply Sangwoo was suffering, which made it impossible for me to enjoy his death despite every incredibly shitty thing he has done. It was literally just...a masterpiece. One that showed just how, really, there are places on earth that truly have no hope and the suffering only ends with death. 

I usually never like nihilistic stories like these. Like seriously, there’s a reason why I avoided Killing Stalking like the plague. But after so many stories where things have a happy ending just because they MUST, it doesn’t only get tiring, but destructive for me. 

And Killing Stalking is special to me because instead of showing that everything was hopeless in the beginning just BECAUSE life is hopeless, period...it shows that things could’ve gone differently because Sangwoo and Bum were never truly without hope in the beginning. Sangwoo wasn’t a classic serial killer. Bum just needed better guidance. They just needed to be given a goddamn chance, like so many people in the world in general.

Instead of outright nihilism, it’s more in line with existentialism and that things reach the point of no return if nothing is changed. Or that if there are changes, it’s the type of change that makes things worse and doesn’t allow for healing.

Anyways, I don’t quite have all my thoughts on this together, so this is something I have to revisit once I’m done reading KS.

[superman86to99]

Adventures of Superman #506 (November 1993)

Superman vs. Superboy! I mean, vs. Superman, since the Kid still insists that Superboy is definitely NOT his name and never will be. The two Supermen meet while the younger, radder one is dealing with some sort of deformed flying babies that are trying to kill him, which is the sort of thing that happens to you when you wear an “S” emblem on your chest.

These turn out to be deformed flying babies THAT EXPLODE, but the Kid is able to push them away with his (very non-Superman-esque) telekinesis powers. He then deduces that these things must have come out of Project Cadmus, the top secret genetic experimentation facility that created him, and brushes off the elder Superman to get back at those geeks by doing what he does best: being a brat on live TV.

So I guess the “top secret” part of Cadmus’ description is no longer accurate, thanks to the Kid. On the other hand, I kinda feel like the people of Metropolis deserved to know that there's a nearby government facility churning out genetic atrocities into their sewers.

The Cadmus gang sends Guardian to bring their wayward creation home so they can talk to him. Obviously the Kid isn't very interested, and for a while it looks like we might get the fight scene teased in the cover, but then Superman the First convinces Superman the Second that he should at least hear them out. And, while at it, ask Cadmus to tell him exactly what the hell he is. If he’s Superman’s clone, why does he have those weird TK powers? The Kid agrees, but... he doesn't like the answers he gets.

The Kid finds out that he's NOT a clone of Superman since, as established a while back, Kryptonians are damn hard to clone. So, since Cadmus was determined to create a new Superman after the original appeared to be dead, they instead took a clone of a regular, non-super man and genetically modified it to approximate Superman's powers (for instance, translating Superman’s “aura” into a telekinetic field). But who was that human DNA donor? Surely it was someone good and cool!

Just after the Kid wonders that, the quite evil and deeply uncool Director Westfield bursts into the lab and demands that this "super-punk" be taken into custody, probably so they can flush him down the toilet like Cadmus' other failed experiments. Superman makes Westfield see that making Cadmus' whistleblower disappear wouldn't look very good right now, but they can't just let him run around unsupervised. So, at Guardian's recommendation, the esteemed telepath Dubbilex is assigned to follow the Kid wherever he goes. I smell a sitcom! (Or a spin-off comic.)

As a last order of business, the Kid decides to give Superman his trademark to the Superman name, which his manager Rex Leech doesn't take too well. So what are they gonna call this teenage “S” emblem-wearing hero now? Superman has an interesting suggestion: SUPERBOY. Our young friend still isn't a fan.

But after storming out and thinking about it for a couple of pages (and trying out the name on some guys robbing a jewelry shop), the Kid realizes he's "earned" the title of Superboy and accepts it. Character development! And just in time for his solo series. ("That Non-Superman Clone Who Also Calls Himself Superman" wouldn't look good on a cover.)

Plotline-Watch:

The final page shows a shadowy figure shaped like the recently introduced Bloodthirst outfitting someone with a weapon-teleporting gizmo, then calling him "Bloodsport"... except that this dude is quite paler than the Bloodsport we met way back in Superman #4 (in an issue inked by current writer Karl Kesel, so you'd think he'd remember the character). This looks nothing like Idris Elba! What gives?!

Superboy is still bummed out because his friend Tana Moon left Metropolis without telling him where she was going, which is now known as "ghosting". In the end, Rex talks about sending Superboy on a promotional tour to establish his new brand, and the first destination of that tour will be... exactly where Tana went to hide from Superboy. This is now known as "time to get a restraining order."

Clark Kent is slowly morphing into a hipster the longer he rooms with Jimmy Olsen. For a long time I assumed all the bands listed in the panel below were made up, but turns out the only non-existing ones are “James Rock” and "Axel Rose". Luckily, Superboy was happy to give Clark's old apartment back to him (apparently only Pulitzer-winning journalists can afford it), so Jimmy won't hipsterize him for much longer.

Westfield gladly assigns Dubbilex to Superboy because it means there won't be a telepath at Cadmus to read his thoughts and find out about his evil plans (like sending the ugly flying babies after Superboy). Very clever, Westfield! Except for the fact that he thought that right in front of Dubbilex, who clearly "heard" the whole thing.

Incidentally, there's an apparent error in this issue when Superboy thinks "They won't take me without a fight!" and Guardian shows up and says "That's too bad, son. Because I don't want to fight you." How did Guardian know what Superboy was thinking? Obviously, Dubbilex patched Guardian through to Superboy's mind to assist in finding him. Now where's my damn Baldy Award?!

Is it me or is this page reminiscent of the cover to Superboy Prime's first appearance during Crisis on Infinite Earths?

Patreon-Watch:

Special thanks to your Patreon pals Aaron, Murray Qualie, Chris “Ace” Hendrix, britneyspearsatemyshorts, Patrick D. Ryall, and Samuel Doran, and welcome aboard to Bheki Latha (our first $6.50 patron ever!), Mark Syp, and Ryan Bush! You are all excellent. This month they got to read a long-ass post entitled 45 Things I Learned by Reading the “Death of Superman” Novel (Part 1), in which I talked about the stuff Roger Stern added to the canon in the first part of the Death and Life of Superman book. This includes Superman’s private thoughts on the JLI (and Guy Gardner in particular), what Lex Jr. calls Supergirl in bed, and Professor Hamilton getting romantic. Find out more at https://www.patreon.com/superman86to99

But now: the Don Sparrow show! Take it away, Don.

Art-Watch (by @donsparrow​):

The end of an era, at least temporarily, as Tom Grummett draws his last Adventures of Superman issue, moving onto Superboy (and I think still doing Robin at this time?) with Karl Kesel.  He’ll return for the quarterly Superman: Man of Tomorrow and other things, but it’s a long gap until he does.

A pretty good cover, with Superman and Superboy about to tussle.   Though it can be seen as cheaping out on the backgrounds, I always love radial rays as an effect.  

Inside the issue, we have a great splash page of Superboy getting attacked by botched clones, and I love the gesture here—having his head snapping away from the camera adds to the motion and action.  Great stuff. 

Though he won’t be drawing her again for a while, Grummett excels at the new, shorter-haired Lois in these pages.  Superman soaring to the skies is a great panel as well, and I especially like the way his cape and fist slightly break the panel barrier, giving it a sense of motion, again.

The sequence of Guardian acrobatically flipping from one ledge to another is very well drawn.  Ditto the splash on page 13, where Superboy loses his temper.  The body language in this whole sequence tells the story very well, as Superman is calm and patient, confident in his ability not only to reach Superboy with his words, but also withstand him physically.  

The way Superboy snaps the carpet, but controls it mentally with his Tactile Telekinesis is a great example of his unique powers in use.  It reminds me of a technique they tried on the CW Supergirl show (but almost immediately abandoned) where they made like the Kryptonian fabric of their capes was like “smart fabric” and could be used as a weapon.  

Lastly, the dreamy, child-like expression on Superboy’s face during the Peter Pan exchange is wonderful, and a fitting end for Tom’s run on the book. [Max: You mean the William Shatner exchange, Don.]

STRAY OBSERVATIONS:

I almost never like it when they reference pop culture stuff in Superman comics, particularly music.  Karl Kesel isn’t the worst offender in that department (that would be JM DeMatties a few years down the line, who had Clark Kent bizarrely asserting he loved the Beastie Boys) but Clark’s discussion with Jimmy about an apparently fictional musician working with a rolodex of early nineties names makes me cringe (as does trying to imagine how awful a “Hip Hop Lyle Lovett” or “Grunge Frank Sinatra” would sound).

The car poster on the wall of Jimmy’s bachelor pad looks for all the world like Robin’s Redbird, also a Tom Grummett creation.  (Fun fact:  Tom once told me he still gets {very small} royalty cheques from the Batman & Robin movie, because Robin’s motorcycle was called the Redbird, though that might no longer be true with Paul Levitz no longer in charge of such matters.)

Superboy (in no less than his third time calling those pink creatures “spuds”) references John Candy and Joe Flaherty’s “Farm Film Celebrity Blow Up” where the guests would frequently “blow up real good” and it does my SCTV loving Canadian heart good.  

It’s interesting (and a little sad) that they again note that Superboy knows things (pop culture, etc) without ever having experienced it.  I feel like there’s a lot they could do with this concept.

This issue reads very much like the end of the Superboy “Reign” issues, as Superman is more of a secondary character to the kid.  All of it begs the question of why Superman, or Guardian put up with Cadmus.  Superman has said in previous issues that he has moral problems with how Cadmus treats life with their cloning experiments, and they’ve attacked him in the past (and also stole his corpse!) so other than the fact that it’s a launchpad for Superboy’s series, there’s really no reason any of these heroes should associate with Cadmus.  Especially Guardian, who comes off as little more than an errand boy here.  He wants to bring Superboy in, but won’t promise Superboy won’t be harmed or imprisoned?  

Nice to see Superboy return to his “Slammin’” catch phrase!

An interesting bit of foreshadowing when Superboy asks Big Words whose clone he is, and who immediately enters but Westfield. [Max: That’s right, Westfield! Not Luthor! Sorry, sorry.]

[aerithagainstabusers]

So I saw Greg’s review of the Final Fantasy 7 Remake and it was so dumb I had to pick it apart so here we go. Spoilers for the remake below

This starts off bad. Immediately Greg is whining that the game isn’t what he wants. He complains about knowing the characters too well which is an absolutely insane thing to complain about. The deaths of the AVALANCHE don’t mean much in the original. You meet them a few times then they die. You have no connection to them

By getting to know them more - like Wedges love for the Sector Seven cats and how Jessie was an actress before her dad became gravely Ill after working for Shinra, they become more human. You can relate to them more and there’s more investment there. So when the fall of that plate comes? Losing them is more impactful than in the original

The battle system can be set to the same as the original in classic mode except you can’t physically attack (that is automatically done for you) so Greg can’t really complain about that. Sounds like he’s mad he died at bosses he didn’t die to in the original

His complaint about Sephiroth is weird. He’s the main bad guy. He needs to show up. With Sephiroth in the OG, you only hear about him a few times while in Midgar, where the remake is set. They need to bring him In much earlier and show Cloud suffering PTSD to understand this guy is a threat.

He also complains about not having a lot to do. And yeah while it’s not as open you have way more to do. The side quests are actually side quests - with the original, the only side quests you really have before leaving Midgar is dressing Cloud up and getting the perfume, tiara, and underwear. Otherwise? You’re stuck doing what the game tells you to do

You might ask “why are you always saying ‘in the original when you’re in Midgar’and I’ll explain that now

This. Is. Not. A. Spoiler.

The creators said from the start it would only be in Midgar and it would be an episodic game. All the promotional materials showed the game only in Midgar. It was obvious that IT WAS ONLY IN MIDGAR. Greg has no right to complain.

Now yes. You don’t have the same free travel but there is more to travel and there’s so much more content to make up for the fact you can’t leave the city. And by doing so, Midgar comes alive. So when you leave? It feels more of a loss and like you are leaving somewhere you have a connection to. Now this was disappointing because I was definitely wanting more. Like I wanted to keep playing in because it was dragging me in. But it was clear from the start and they were transparent with this. Greg clearly wasn’t looking all the things that were coming out about the game since you knew what was going on.

It even says on the back of the box it’s going to be the story in Midgar and that it’s the first game of the remake “project” and would go deeper into the city

Why is Greg surprised and acting like he’s being cheated out?

His next complaint is.... very worrying

Nanaki in the original never acted like a pervert with Aerith. He acted like he was aggressive to lower Hojos guard but that’s a nitpick. But the rest? Holy fuck Greg, STAY AWAY FROM WOMEN

in the remake, Hojo does not have plans to crossbreed Aerith and Nanaki. Instead? He wants to have SOLIDERS repeatedly rape her so she can “breed” and laughs in her face as he tells her all about how he ripped her mother’s corpse to shreds so he can continue to investigate her. There’s only molecules left of Iflana. He also tries to kill Cloud, Tifa, and Barret so he can show aerith their corpses to kill her hope she’ll be saved

But more importantly, Hojo's proposal in the remake is far more horrifying than in the original. He wants her to be raped over and over. Why the fuck doesn’t Greg see this as being bad an as a “P.C. culture” addition? What is wrong with you, dude. How do these things not show how insane he is

The cross-dressing is a stupid complaint. So you don’t get to go to a brothel and watch a small cutscene. Who cares? You get to see Cloud perform on stage at a cabaret and he is dressed up while on stage while you do a mini game. And that isn’t fun? Okay, Greg.

The events he’s talking about by the way? You fight in a Colosseum, you can choose to help Johnny, and/or you can do the iconic squatting game. Then you go to the Honeybee Inn, do a dancing minigame, and perform on stage. 

As opposed to the original where you talk to a man and tell him what dress you want. Do the most squats, Buy some wine at an inn, have a bath with a bunch of men, and give a woman some medicine. The amount of time you spend doing that will take you the same amount of time to do one side quest in the remake. Of course, the original had it’s restrictions because of the platform it’s on, but the remake definitely did go out of its way to expand that and make it feel like you were doing more.

This is a bit more valid. Like I get having nostalgia for the OG game and preferring it and that’s okay! But the Harry Potter comparison ruins it. Also Greg doesn’t seem to realise the difference between a remake and a remaster. The game is being remade. Of course the gameplay is going to change. Turn based games aren’t viable anymore and considering how good the graphics are, it would ruin the immersion. They had to change things like this to make it more modern. Remember, they aren’t just making this for fans. They’re wanting to bring in new people. 

MAJOR SPOILERS BELOW FOR THE REMAKE

SO PLEASE

IF YOU HAVEN’T FINISHED IT

READ THIS NEXT PART WITH ABSOLUTE CAUTION OKAY?

OKAY

SPOILER

WARNING

OVER

I really hope this is just a joke that Zack wasn’t mentioned before he appeared. But considering this is Greg, and how he really doesn’t seem to understand this game, I wouldn’t be surprised if he doesn’t know the significance of this scene. He says later in this article that it took him 24-40 hours to finish the game. Which, if you actually complete it (by doing all side quests, unlocking all limit breaks for everyone, getting master materia etc) it should take you ninety hours. Which makes me think he never went to Nibleheim and saw the cutscene of what happened to Zack and Cloud. Because FF7 is a very quick game if you just focus on the main quests. If you actually dig down deep? You can go way past the timer and have it frozen at 99:99:99. I don’t think he did anything in the original game and just did whatever the game told him to do without looking at anything else.

I really hope this is just a stupid edgy joke because Zack is a well-loved character but you never fucking know with this moron.

I understand his complaints about Nanaki. Nanaki is always in my party in the original so I was bummed you couldn’t play him, but he appears in the penultimate chapter. The writers probably didn’t feel it was worth their while to add him as a party member, and instead, make him a guest who helps.

The Sephiroth complaint is stupid because he’s missed the point. Up until he appears in the Shinra building, he isn’t actually there. Cloud is hallucinating. He is shown as being mysterious and unreachable as Cloud tries to get to him or freaks out whenever he sees an image of him.

Honestly this just sounds like Greg is mad it’s not the exact same as the original.

Which would just be boring, in my opinion.

Y’know what I said about Greg doing what the game told him to do and nothing else? Yeah this is proof. You have an All materia. It’s called ‘magnify’. And unless you didn’t look for treasure or looked at the new materia when you collected it? You would know this is the all materia. The summons in this game aren’t what they are in the original. You can’t use them in every battle and they only come in boss battles or otherwise difficult encounters because in the remake, it’s made clear that they are incredibly powerful. They come to you maxed out. Which he would know if he paid attention.

I will agree with him to an extent about the maxed out materia. Materia is easy to obtain in the remake (Cloud says this to Aerith when she playfully brags about having it), so if Greg had critical thinking, it would be clear that they don’t sell well is because .... well, it’s easy to max out. Everyone is doing it. But I will agree with him that the game is ‘too short’ in a sense, since having Firaga in only Midgar can be problematic for later games. I do have to wonder what they’ll do in the next episodes. Will you have to level up the magic power after upgrading it so Firaga does the same damage in later dungeons as it did in the sewers of Midgar? It would also be neat to physically ride the chocobos through Midgar to make life easier but I also understand why they had the carriages  as it makes it less weird when Tifa suddenly appears in one when she’s going to Don Corneo’s only to never see a carriage in Midgar again, and the loading screen when they ake you from place to place does make it quicker for you to get places.

Still, it would be nice to ride them at some point so I will give Greg this complaint.

Like I said above, if you do everything in the original it should take you 90 hours. If it took Greg 2 days cumulatively at his highest estimate, he’s not completing the game, and he’s not achieving anything.

For comparison, here’s my latest game

As you can see, it’s at 44 hours. I have done all the sidequests (excluding the one mandatory Fort Condor which would add more time on to it but I didn’t want to do that this time around). I have reached the bottom of the crater, however, I have not done anything further and am now focusing on doing the rest I need to do. Like getting to level 99 on everyone, maxing out my command, summon, and magic materia to get the master materia for those three. Or maxing out all four enemy skill materia. Or getting everyone's limit breaks, or beating the weapons. Because these things take time. I could easily run and kill Sephiroth in that run right now. I could finish the game. But as I’m wanting to complete it as much as I can, then I can’t do that. And that’s not me doing a perfect game where you need to get 99 of each item you can (excluding things like the battery where you can only get three of). If you’re doing a perfect game, it takes even longer but honestly, that’s not something I’d say you’d need to do to ‘finish’ the game. That’s only if you want to challenge yourself.

Also might I add, the remake? It takes about 40 hours to finish it (I don’t know if that includes sidequests). This means in one part of a game  is the same length as the original if you don’t do any sidequests in the OG. I don’t know what Greg is talking about by ‘achieving less’. Yeah you don’t go to as many places, but considering this will be in different parts like the original, you do way more in the remake than you do in the original while in Midgar. 

The random encounters are definitely less in the remake. They don’t happen every a certain number of steps. Instead, you stumble across them in a realistic way rather than have a screen transition. It is way more immersive and again, is something that makes the game feel alive. It feels like an obstacle to overcome to get to the next place rather than an interruption like the original game random encounters (which I do love by the way, but it is very much a product of it’s time)

The next part also makes me laugh. He seems to think that because the other game has things finish ‘faster’ means it’s more productive. Which really shows he thinks his channel is great because he does more videos in a short period of time. Which, yeah, on a surface level it is more “productive”, but it’s not exactly exciting game play, is it? 

For comparison. Aerith says in the original that Sector Six is dangerous so she’ll help him out... but it takes about two minutes to go through and the random encounters are incredibly easy. It’s also not explained why the place is in ruins.

In the remake however, Aerith leads Cloud through it as Cloud is unfamiliar with it, and it is more of a challenge to get through, and he actually needs her help to get through the rubble. She explains part of the plate collapsed the tunnel and that’s why it’s such a mess. You get attacked by bandits on the way there and you spend an entire chapter trying to get through sector six, as it becomes the threat and the difficult path Aerith describes in the original. Rather than a place you just pass through with no issue, making you wonder “why the hell is Aerith insisting she goes with me?” outside of her having a crush. 

It’s small details like that which make the game come alive and actually makes you feel like you did something rather than it being a place you just passed through. It takes you longer, but it feels more like an achievement.

No one feels like they achieved something when you leave Sector Six and go to the park outside Sector Seven’s gates. Because it’s just a road to get to where you need to go. Your next challenge is trying to get Cloud chosen as the girl for Corneo but that is optional. I mean, if you prefer that it’s easier to get through as you like just seeing the story than solving dungeons, that’s fine! But this just shows Greg’s ‘quantity is quality” mindset. 

Also, when you climb up the plate to get to the Shinra building? IN the original, you climb up some pipes. The hardest part is the swinging pipe, which is incredibly easy when you time your jump to the squeaking of the pipe. They tell you it’ll be difficult to get to the Shinra building... when it takes you all of five minutes.

The remake has you climbing up the plate and broken buildings, using a grappling gun to get to higher ground when your walking path is done, while you get attacked by Shinra soliders trying to stop you from getting to higher ground when they recognise you as AVALANCHE. While it’s not hard it definitely feels more of a challenge than “climb up this pipe. jump onto that pipe, now climb up another pipe” in the original. And with the Shinra soliders while you can stop them easily, it does make you feel that getting there is going to be a struggle, or at least something that’s inconvenient and it’ll be ‘hard’ because people will try and stop you along the way.

Although I do wish that when you were in the Shinra building, you had to do more sneaking in the higher floors like you did in the original, but at least the game does give you a reason why you don’t need to sneak around. The mayor’s off hand comment about hating Shinra as he gives you a keycard in the original is expanded to the Mayor being a member of AVALANCHE who is actively helping you.

 I also think it's funny he complains about “mundane tasks” when the original game is full of that, too. All JRPGs have it

Basically, this entire review of Greg’s can be “WAHHH IT’S NOT THE ORIGINAL WHY IS IT MAKING ME WORK HARD!” and it’s hilarious

[recentanimenews]

THE GREAT CRUNCHYROLL NARUTO REWATCH Sees An Old Enemy Return in Episodes 141-147!

With another week comes another batch of episodes in THE GREAT CRUNCHYROLL NARUTO REWATCH. I'm David Lynn and I'm here to guide you through the rougher waters as we truly begin our deep dive into the seas of filler in the back half of original Naruto.

  This time around we're finishing off our journey through the Land of Rice Paddies to see how Naruto and Sakura help out the desparate Fuuma clan. Right after that we transition into a full arc, including a return of the show's very first villain, Mizuki! Orochimaru is always up to no good, but did his antics entertain this time around? Let's find out!

The end of the Land of the Rice Paddies arc comes with a number of twists and turns. Did that story do anything for you as it wrapped up here? Joseph: This ended up being an decent little side story. I enjoyed seeing more moments where Sakura finds the need to shine, and this combined with later episodes in this set start to flesh out her abilities and potential a bit more. With that said, I find myself already forgetting about the conclusion of this saga and its beefed-up villain thanks to the one that immediately followed and also ended with a beefed-up villain! Kevin: The final fight was much more captivating that I thought it was going to be. Instead of just a monster of the week fight it showed off some of the great choreography that the franchise is known for, and the final scene with the Fuma siblings made basically no logical sense, but was beautifully shot. Paul: Overall, I thought the Land of Rice Paddies arc was more competent than the Land of Tea arc as far as filler story-lines go, but it didn't leave much of an impression on me aside from a few body horror moments. My biggest issue is that the writers didn't leave Naruto and company any decent clues to follow, so even though tracking down and rescuing Sasuke is still a driving goal, it feels like they're just spinning their wheels. Danni: Not really. Nothing in this arc was at all very compelling. We never learned much of anything about the Fuma clan, it was still all up to Naruto to save the day, and the final villain was incredibly underwhelming. There was potential in having the final battle be against the fused corpses of Arashi and his captives, but it was all undercut by giving him a cartoonishly evil personality for no reason. Hopefully Sakura’s training under Tsunade will pay off in future arcs. Noelle: It wasn’t bad, but it still doesn’t stand up to the canonical content. In terms of filler though, it’s pretty okay. I liked that they tried to pad some of the routes that Kishimoto ignores, such as Sakura’s further development. If a filler tries to add stuff, I can’t complain too much. Jared: It was acceptable. Not great, but not bad. We get Sakura something to do finally which will hopefully be good and it at least adds to Orochimaru being a jerk, but at the same time, is the Fuma clan going to be remembered at all? Probably not, but that’s to be expected. Carolyn: I’m also of the camp that this arc was pretty boring and not very compelling. I am also hoping for Sakura to get a truly meaningful arc but everything she gets to do is just centered around Sasuke. Sakura deserves better!

  The interim between the two arcs this week came with some relatively peaceful times, showing us what the characters do when there isn’t a crisis to solve or tournament to compete in. That part of episode 142 is also adapting the final chapter of the manga before it transitioned into the “Shippuden” storyline. Did you like that small break, and would you like the show to expand upon that part of their lives more often? Joseph: More valleys of calm would certainly be welcome in Naruto. At one point Tsunade said she feels like everything was just starting to cool down right when another situation popped up, essentially describing the pacing of a long-running series to the audience. I’d like to see more if only to connect to some of the side characters and see what Choji’s eating at any given moment. Kevin: Honestly, I would’ve been completely fine taking several episodes just to expand on what the characters do on a regular basis. If we’re going to have entire seasons of filler, then why not have a Lee episode, an Ino episode and so on, just showcasing what their normal day is like? Paul: While I enjoy getting a broader view of what daily life is like both inside and outside the Ninja Villages, the manner in which this material is presented can be a bit confusing. For example, although I knew that ninja society has police forces (such as the Anbu Black Ops), I'd never really thought about there being a ninja maximum security prison, and now I'm wondering about how different Villages deal with crime, punishment, and rehabilitation. Danni: My favorite part of shonen anime is whenever we get to see how these crazy powerful fighters function in their daily lives. Dragon Ball Super and Diamond is Unbreakable are two of my favorite examples of this. So, yeah, I appreciated it, and if I had it my way we’d get a full arc dedicated to Guy and Kakashi furniture shopping at IKEA. Noelle: I’m all for characters in their daily lives. While I certainly live for the plot, knowing that these characters have things to do in the day to day that doesn’t solely revolve around magical combat fleshes them out. It’s a lot more relatable connecting to characters that have mundane stuff to do too. Jared: I love when we get breaks like this and the show turns into a slice of life for a tiny bit. Especially since there will be all of this filler to go through, why not do more episodes like that. Although, I’m bummed we didn’t get to see Gaara attempting to teach the youngins at the school as that would have probably been good. Carolyn: I guess it didn’t feel like much of a valley to me. I felt like they were stretching out the few fights and confrontations they did have over multiple episodes when we probably could have wrapped them up much faster.

  Other filler arcs have had loose connections to the main story, but this one brings back the original villain from episode 1, Mizuki. On top of that, he gets a ton of development and backstory alongside Iruka. Do you find Mizuki or Iruka more interesting after watching this? Joseph: It was cool to see a character come back from the beginning, even if he was yet another who has been manipulated completely by Orochimaru and the promise of power. I appreciate the connections to the main story, but if we’re going to be venturing into non-stop filler I also kind of hope we run into some villains with their own unique motivations. With that said, I dug learning more about Iruka, one of the series’ great characters who isn’t on screen enough. Kevin: I liked most of Iruka’s development, since we get to see him work alongside Naruto and thus see just how far Naruto has come. Mizuki is much more developed now, but I didn’t particularly care for his development. I’m okay with bringing back the first villain of the show, but why not just make it a revenge quest or something of the like? They wasn’t any particular need to bring Orochimaru into the mix, outside of forcing a connection to Naruto trying to find Sasuke. Paul: All I can say is that Mizuki is a complete jabroni. In pro-wrestling terms, he doesn't even merit “jobber” status. It's also hard to take Mizuki seriously when his back story-paints his as a complete psychopath who murders his comrades when they become a minor inconvenience, but he receives a stiffer penalty for stealing a forbidden scroll. Also, his ultimate technique is wearing a karate gi with the sleeves torn off and using an experimental drug to express his tiger fursona. Danni: Can I say neither? Iruka didn’t do much, and we didn’t learn anything new about him. Mizuki, though...Someone at Pierrot really loves Mizuki. All of a sudden he’s super ripped and powerful and has a cool dude jean jacket with the sleeves torn off. I appreciate them trying to flesh out a backstory for a throwaway character, but I don’t think it could’ve gone much more poorly. Noelle: I think I appreciated more the attempt than the final product. Considering how large the cast is and how many throwaway characters there are, utilizing existing characters instead of creating some from scratch gives the writers more to work with. I don’t think it necessarily worked here, but it wasn’t a bad choice. Jared: I don’t think it really benefited either of them to be honest. Mizuki’s backstory just made him seem like a joke and yet we’re supposed to take him seriously as this big threat to everyone. I totally get why you’d bring in a minor character like this to utilize in the filler, but it didn’t really do much for me. Carolyn: I’m kind of over the whole villain was manipulated and isn’t that bad thing. We can have real villains. It’s OK.

  Connected to the previous question, would you rather there be more attempts at filler using characters we know, or do you prefer the ones that introduce us to whole new lands and people? Joseph: Balance is important. I like having characters we know branching out to other areas and taking the time to introduce more ways of ninja life in the land. On the spectrum of filler we’ve been presented with so far, though, I much prefer what’s been handed to us in these eps than the dull Land of Tea race arc. For a specific example: There was one moment in which Tsunade’s people casually enter her office to tell her they’ve captured all the inmates but three. I would have liked to have seen some of that go down! Kevin: Both options serve different purposes, so ideally I would want both. Maybe a filler arc where a different squad of people we already know about goes to a new land, but with Naruto or Sakura included so that we still have a connection to the main cast? That way we would get more worldbuilding while also learning more about minor characters through more in-depth interactions. Paul: It all depends on how the characters are written. Fujin and Raijin are completely new characters here, but for me they stole the show, because they're basically One Piece characters transplanted into the Naruto universe. As long as the filler arcs focus on characters who are interesting or unique in some way, and as long as the stories are decently well-written, I don't think it matters whether the characters are new or not. Danni: Like others have said, you need a good mix. It’s cool when they take inconsequential characters and try to give them some real material, but if you stick too close to the main story you run the risk of contradicting something the original creator had planned for later. Extended filler can really only take place as side stories, which is why people are so often disinterested in them. Noelle: Mildly addressed this in my previous answer, but I think both is the best mix. The only issue is, that if the writers make a character completely from scratch, they have to put the work into them too. Having a completely new face means that the audience needs to find some way to get attached to them, to want to see what happens to them. As far as that’s gone, it’s been a mixed bag, but anything can be pulled off with the right team and effort behind it. Jared: It’s best to have a mix since if you just keep going with established characters, you’re probably going to either run out of characters or just give them convoluted backstories. As long as you can make good and meaningful stories for either characters we know or ones we don’t, that’s the route they should take. Carolyn: I think a mix of both works. But don’t introduce us to new lands if they are going to disappear forever and not actually mean anything. Also, the closer we get to the end of the series the less I’m going to want to see new people. Don’t show me someone I won’t have time to get to know. When the series wraps up, go back to basics.

  Mizuki makes a surprising “evolution” of sorts here, thanks once again to Orochimaru’s blatant disregard for safety and ethics when it comes to scientific progress. If you were in charge, what would be the next wacky thing Orochimaru’s antics force Naruto and friends to contend against? Joseph: Mizuki’s evolution made me want them to dive even deeper into the mad scientists of the ninja landscape. Give me The Island of Dr. Ninpo or something. I’d be even happier if it didn’t feel the need to be directly connected to Orochimaru, though. It could even focus on a villainous rival of sorts. Kevin: Let’s see: a mad scientist who wants to generally find ways to gain more power while also mastering every Jutsu in existance and doesn’t care about the mortality rate of anything, so nothing boring like “make the Curse Mark not kill people.” I’d probably look into how to implant Kekkei Genkai like the Sharingan and Haru’s Ice Mirrors without needing to reincarnate into a new body every three years. So in terms of something for Naruto and friends to face: a shinobi with significantly weaker variations of basically every Kekkei Genkai we’ve seen in the show thus far. Paul: I'd try to invoke some sort of moral dilemma where Orochimaru's twisted machinations accidentally result in something positive happening. i.e. Maybe Naruto and the gang come across a small village where Orochimaru experimented on the inhabitants in an attempt to develop deadly new combat Jutsu, but his efforts failed in a way that inadvertently made the villagers happier and healthier. Orochimaru would have departed in disgust, but – unaware of his true character – the villagers presently idolize him as a hero and a savior. Naruto would have to decide whether or not to tell them the truth. I think that would be an interesting conflict. Danni: I already proposed an arc wherein Guy and Kakashi shop at IKEA together, so let’s say all their furniture had been destroyed before in Orochimaru’s attack and now they’re in the market for snake-proof end-tables. Guy does a cool roundhouse kick to Kakashi’s new table and breaks it, revealing a secret compartment full of food pills that rival the curse mark’s power. Turns out Orochimaru has been using furniture to smuggle these pills through villages. They don’t find Orochimaru in the end, but they do get a sweet new couch for their bachelor pad. Noelle: This is a mix, but I want to see just what makes Orochimaru such a draw to so many people. There has to be more than he’s offering to people than just power, and maybe the science experiments have to do something with that. So many people have joined his side, but what exactly is the pull here? What makes him so appealing? What is he promising people (beyond power, which gets dull after a while) that makes people so loyal? I want to see that. Jared: I’d probably go with something with lower stakes, but also goofy. Have some of Orochimaru’s goons sabotage some local event, maybe a festival or a sport of some sort. Naruto and the gang have to make things better, but at the same time, it’s not something that’s super dangerous or incredibly life threatening since we know that won’t affect any of the main characters. Carolyn: I do also like the idea of Orochimaru’s manipulations accidentally causing something good to happen. But then also maybe just someone who is a straight baddie? Like Orochimaru tries to offer them a deal and they’re like, “Nah, I’m just in it for the evil.”

  And as usual, what were your highs and lows? Joseph: My main high was Formation Ino-Shika-Cho! They seem like way more of a cohesive unit than Team 7. I love how their abilities complement one another and work together strategically. Also, it’s worth noting that episode 146 is artistically moody as hell. Low: Naruto stepping in to get his back stabbed in place of another happens twice in just these 7 episodes. I wish they would have skipped the first one to give the ultimate callback of the second one more weight. Kevin: High - Iruka and Naruto fighting alongside one another, showing that despite all of the powerful forces trying to kill Naruto and the people around him, he’s still quickly becoming strong enough to stand on his own. Low - Orochimaru being a part of Mizuki’s backstory. Bringing back an old enemy is perfectly fine, potentially even interesting since it’s a great way to measure how much Naruto has changed in the past 150 episodes. Making him a part of Orochimaru’s overarching narrative just doesn’t work for me at all. His entire original motivation was stealing a scroll and leaving the village. Sure, the new information doesn’t change that, but it overcomplicates it in a way that’s never going to be followed up on due to this being a filler arc. Paul: My high point was Kakashi summoning Pakkun into Iruka's hand. “May I offer you a tiny talking dog in this trying time?” Fujin and Raijin were a close runner up; I love those kinds of characters. My low point is how aimless overall the series has become in terms of pursuing the goal of finding Sasuke. I want to believe that Naruto really wants to rescue his friend, but it's hard to suspend my disbelief when he spends so much time goofing around on these low-level missions. Danni: The high point for me this week was easily the direction in episode 146. Seriously, I need the name of whoever storyboarded that episode. It was some of the best Naruto has ever looked. The low point for me is the fact we had two terribly written cartoonishly evil villains in a row. A good villain doesn’t have to maniacally laugh and yell about how evil they are! Just look at Orochimaru! Sure, he isn’t amazingly written, but he doesn’t have to prove to you how evil he totally is! He just walks up like “sup?” and you think “Oh geez this guy’s bad news, huh.” Noelle: High point, all that 146 has to offer artistically. It’s lovely to watch. Low point, looks like the fillers are shaping up to be ‘everything is Orochimaru’s fault’ and that’s not such a good sign.

    COUNTERS: Ramen: 2 bowls Hokage: 0 Clones: 46 + 1 uncountable scene

Total so far: Ramen: 47 bowls, 3 cups Hokage: 52 Clones: 503

  And that wraps up this week. It's more fun to be invovled, so you're always invited to join in on our rewatch journey by checking out Naruto today!

  CATCH UP ON THE REWATCH!

Episodes 134-140: The Climactic Clash

Episodes 127-133: Naruto vs Sasuke

Episodes 120-126: The Sand Siblings Return

Episodes 113-119: Operation Rescue Sasuke

Episodes 106-112: Sasuke Goes Rogue

Episodes 99-105: Trouble in the Land of Tea

Episodes 92-98: Clash of the Sannin

Episodes 85-91: A Life-Changing Decision

Episodes 78-84: The Fall of a Legend

Episodes 71-77: Sands of Sorrow

Episodes 64-70: Crashing the Chunin Exam

Episodes 57-63: Family Feud

Episodes 50-56: Rock Lee Rally

Episodes 43-49: The Gate

Episodes 36-42: Through the Woods

Episodes 29-35: Sakura Unleashed

Episodes 22-28: Chunin Exams Kickoff

Episodes 15-21: Leaving the Land of Waves

Episodes 8-14: Beginners' Battle

Episodes 1-7: I'm Gonna Be the Hokage!

  Here's our upcoming schedule: - On June 14th, PAUL CHAPMAN will continue on with our filler journey. - On June 21st, KEVIN MATYI will push onward into what the fillers have to offer. - On June 28th, JOSEPH LUSTER brings us to the Land of Birds!

  Thank you for joining us for the Great Crunchyroll Naruto Rewatch! See you next time! 

  Have any inquiries or thoughts on Episodes 141-147? Let us know in the comments!

---

David is always on Twitter @navycherub where he watches too much anime and plays too many mobile games.

Do you love writing? Do you love anime? If you have an idea for a features story, pitch it to Crunchyroll Features!

By: news+feed@crunchyroll.com

[simplyshelbs16xoxo]

‘The Beauty of a Lost Art’ Chapter 50: A Beautiful Beginning

03/06/18

My darling wife,

               It feels wonderful to call you that. Molly, you looked so beautiful in your dress with your small bump accentuated by the new tailoring. You were absolutely glowing. We hadn’t even gotten to our handwritten vows before I started to tear up at just the sight of you smiling at me. All I could think was ‘this gorgeous, intelligent, kind woman loves me and I am so lucky she wants me for a husband.’ We quite literally sealed our marriage with a kiss, one of great passion, may I add. It is odd seeing a wedding band on my finger but I love it. I love you, Molly Holmes.

 My sweet husband,

               Sorry to interrupt your letter, but I couldn’t resist reading ahead of time. May I just tell you how happy you make me? I know you were eager to consummate our marriage (the pinches given to my bum were surefire clues), but you still danced with me most of the night anyways. Our vows are love letters in themselves; written in our hand and kept in the lovely keepsake box your mum gave us. Your words written so far in this letter made me cry tears of joy (sorry about the tear stain oops). It is amazing how after all this time, you can still make me blush. I love you too, Sherlock Holmes.

16/06/18

               I must advise you, Mrs. Holmes, that peeking before I am finished is not a wise thing to do. I may have to do something drastic now, like distract you with kisses before tickling you until you tell me to have mercy. Your laughter is the most beautiful sound I have ever heard. The only time I will be happier than I am right now is when our beautiful baby girl is born. That was one more deduction than I expected. I really hope I’m not sleeping on the sofa for this tonight. I apologise. Please forgive me for ruining the surprise, sweetheart, I didn’t mean to.

                 You silly man! I’m not upset with you, though I am a bit curious as to how you knew. The way I’m carrying, perhaps? Either way, I’m not making you sleep on the sofa over that. So, that means we at least have the names narrowed down now. I know you’ve been absolutely dying for someone to be named after you, so how about Charlotte or Shelby as a female variation of Sherlock? I do know I want Mary to be one of her middle names. Yes, one of…she’s going to take after her daddy and have two. Let me know what you think! Xxx

27/06/18

               Those are lovely variations, darling. I think your full first name could suffice as her second middle name; Mary Margaret has a nice ring to it, I believe. Charlotte Mary Margaret Holmes or Shelby Mary Margaret Holmes? We have time to decide. Both are good names. All I can envision is a miniature version of you running around; well, more miniature than you already are. I’m teasing, of course. I love how petite you are. You were craving pickles and popcorn at three in the morning, and so, naturally, I made sure you had it. Not the weirdest combination you’ve craved, but it was interesting to say the least. This has been quite the curious journey so far. I have kept track of your progress (except for your weight, as you have banished me from that aspect, though I don’t know why; you are beautiful no matter what). I love you, honeybee. And I love our little baby bee too. Xxx

                 We’ll take our time to decide. And how do you figure it’ll be a miniature version of me? Maybe she’ll take after you more? Maybe it will be an equal distribution, like your curls and my eyes. Oh, but I’d love for her to have your eyes as well. Yes, I know brown is dominant, but rarities happen. We began on the nursery today in John’s old room. It had been freshly painted last week; a pretty mint green colour. We built our daughter’s cot together today…that was an Olympic event in itself haha! I couldn’t stop laughing at your confusion over the instructions. It’s nice to know there is something Sherlock Holmes isn’t quite proficient at. I love you my bumbling bumblebee! P.S. you’re such a good husband! xxx

08/07/18

               I had so much fun with you tonight, darling. We danced half the evening in the sitting room to our old favourites. I love singing along with you in between kisses and twirls. The other half was spent eating takeaway from Angelo’s (in which he insisted on delivering himself), and watching your choice of film (The Princess Bride which ended up being quite enjoyable) whilst I helped you paint your toes, as you can no longer reach over the lovely swell of your belly. Already five months in and it feels like it’s going by so fast. We’ll meet our baby bee in no time. I completed her lullaby and intend to play it for you tomorrow after work. I’m going to crawl into bed beside you now and hold you. You’re already fast asleep. Sweet dreams, my Molly. Xxx

                 Ugh, my day has been so bloody frustrating! Sorry for the outburst. I can’t do autopsies anymore now that Mike walked in on me sobbing over a corpse. I forgot several things throughout the day that I would normally remember, aka, pregnancy brain IS real. I cried again when I observed you for a moment in the lab. I don’t know why; it’s just that I kept thinking about how we first met and everything that’s happened since and you look so lovely sitting there, I just *smudge*…sorry, started crying again. You stopped everything you were doing to calm me down and you are just the best husband I could ever ask for. I think I need a nap; I can’t even concentrate enough to write anymore. I love you so much, my sweet William. Xxx p.s. the lullaby is so beautiful! Another sob fest for me ha! Mwah!

31/07/18

               Sweetheart, I am sorry you have been having a difficult time at work. Now, don’t get upset, but maybe you should consider taking maternity leave a bit earlier, say, next month, possibly now? You need your rest and you’ve been working yourself too hard, staying after hours to try and complete the paperwork you’re having a tough time concentrating on. Just think about it, alright? I’m just worried about you is all. I don’t want you to stress yourself out too much. I cooked dinner for tonight using your recipe for Shepherd’s pie. I hope it turned out well. It looks appetizing at least, so there’s that. Meena dropped something off for you. She warned me not to peek, so I didn’t, though I admit my curiosity is piqued. It’s in the bedroom. I love you, sweetheart. Xxx

                 Oh, Sherlock, dinner was perfect, thank you! It was so sweet of you to offer to massage my feet. They’ve been aching all day. I had to remove my rings since my fingers are swelling a bit too much for them to fit now. It feels strange to not wear them; I’ll definitely be happy when I can have them on my finger again. For now, I’ll loop them onto this silver necklace I have from my mum and wear them that way. I’m not upset with your suggestion, just frustrated that I can’t be as efficient as I used to be right now. I don’t want such an early maternity leave. Also, who else is going to help you with cases? You can’t stand the other pathologists. Anyways, I’m happy you liked the nightie set I purchased and had Meena drop off. I’ve been aching for you so much, Sherlock. Really, so much that it’s been a bit overwhelming. I love you, bumblebee. Xxx

11/08/18

               Mm, you are so sexy, Mrs. Holmes. This is quite an enjoyable part of your pregnancy, I must say. I know you’re upset about taking maternity leave early, but look at the bright side, sweetheart. I’ll be at your beckon call to get you whatever you crave or when you need some comfort, you can sleep whenever you feel like it, watch whatever you want, have me whenever you’re aching for me; you can practically do everything you want. It won’t be so bad, I promise. We’ll go take walks in the park if you’d like so you can get out for a bit each day. Maybe Rosie would like to come along. You should enjoy yourself as much as possible despite the awful effects of pregnancy. I’m going to lessen my caseload soon so that I can be available for you more often. And before you try to convince me otherwise, I’m perfectly okay with taking a break; happy, even. After all, I’m married to you, not the work. You need me more right now. I love you, Molly Holmes, more than you know. Xxx

                 Sherlock, you are just so good to me. Those are all very good points you made. I don’t think it’ll be as bad as I assumed it would be. Just please make sure that you’re okay with taking a break from work. I don’t want you to resent me for any reason because of it. I know I’m probably just overthinking and getting over emotional about all of this. I’d like to go out with you and Rosie for ice cream sometime. I think that would be fun. She so loves our company and her little cousin who is actively kicking me right now. I remember the look on your face when she first started kicking. You were resting your head on my tummy when she kicked your head! It was so funny! You were afraid at first, wondering if something was going wrong but relaxed when you realized it was just our daughter having a laugh at your expense. She’s going to be a handful, I can see it now. Well, she is a Holmes after all. I think I need a relaxing bath right now. And yes, I want you to join me as long as it’s not uncomfortable for you. Love you, my sweet husband! Xxx p.s. you, Mister Holmes, are also incredibly sexy ;)

29/08/18

               I would never resent you, Molly! This is my choice. I want to do this. I am a husband and father first. I want to take care of my girls. I love you both very much. You’re approaching seven months soon and our darling girl is growing so fast. We went out for ice cream with Rosie today and she had asked when she could meet her baby cousin. Like John said, I think it’ll be nice for her to have someone closer to her age to play with. I did not realize how wide a child’s eyes could get until I saw her react to feeling the kicks to your belly. It is quite a similar amazement to that of my own, though I suppose I’ve always been a bit of a child. Okay, I have been called a man child plenty of times, but I do hope I have grown enough to be a good husband and father. I have said this before, but I’ll say it again: thank you for carrying our child, Molly. You’re doing so well, sweetheart. I know it’s been difficult lately but I am trying my best to make it as easy for you as possible. You can do this, darling. I know you can. You are so strong and fierce and beautiful. I am so in love with you. Xxx

                               I was reading your letter whilst having tea with Mrs. Hudson in her flat and I just broke down crying. She had asked me what was wrong and all I said was that I have the most wonderful husband. I do. You are taking such good care of me and our little baby bee. There’s nothing wrong with acting childish now and then; adults have to have fun too! We’ll get plenty of time to be immature when we play with our daughter haha! Your words of encouragement are so helpful. I know they don’t seem like much to you, but they brighten my day. My belly button has finally popped. It felt strange, I’m not gonna lie. I feel gigantic right now. Probably TMI but I’ve never had to pee so much in my life. It’s all that water I’ve been drinking, plus the fact she is practically sitting on my bladder. Sleeping has been a bit more difficult but you’ve been so accommodating to my weird sleep positions. Thank you for letting me wrap around you as much as I possibly can. It’s usually the other way around (you, wrapped around me), but I find it more comforting this way. All this talk of sleep makes me want to take a nap. I look forward to your next letter, bumblebee. Mwah! Love you! xxx

18/09/18

               I am so proud of you, Molly. You are carrying beautifully. I could not ask for a more amazing wife. In less than two months, we’ll be meeting our daughter. I can’t wait to hold her. You have expressed your fears of the childbirth going wrong, but there is nothing to worry about my darling. The doctors have assured you that this is one of the healthiest pregnancies they’ve ever seen and there is nothing that could cause any complications. You’re going to be okay and so will our daughter. And that’s not TMI; it’s only natural. There’s nothing to be embarrassed of. This is me you’re talking to; your best friend, remember? You can tell me anything. You look so peacefully asleep right now on the sofa. I hope it’s comfortable enough to accommodate you. It doesn’t look like it would be, but what do I know? You are my beautiful angel and I am thankful every day for you. I love you. Xxx  p.s. I finished the nursery, and yes, I’d be happy to help you up the stairs to show you.

                 The nursery looks beautiful, Sherlock! Thank you for finishing it! I love the little bear wearing a deerstalker that’s in her cot…it’s so adorable. I know I’m just worrying over nothing. I’ll be eight months next month. Time has flown so quickly. I’m a total of nine stones and twelve pounds right now. The veins on my breasts are more prominent and they’ve been really sore lately. Maybe you could massage them for me? I know you wouldn’t mind. I had my first false contraction today and it scared me half to death because you weren’t home at the time. Mrs. Hudson was here looking after me, so not to worry. The chamomile tea she made me helped to ease the pain. I am definitely going to pass out soon. For some reason, writing makes me even more tired. I love you, my William. You’re doing so well. Thank you for all that you’ve done. Xxx

 16/10/18

               Well, darling, it seems that Charlotte couldn’t wait to meet us. She is a bit early by two weeks but she is also very healthy. I’m still having trouble wrapping my head around the fact that she’s here and we made that tiny miracle together. She is the product of how much we love each other. I watched as you held her in your arms and fed her for the first time. You both looked so at peace. You delivered her so well, Molly. I’m really proud of you. I can’t get over how beautiful you both are. She’s sleeping in your arms as you sleep too. Mummy, father and Mycroft are coming round tomorrow to visit the newest edition to the Holmes family. Between the three of them, she’s going to be properly spoiled. John and Rosie will be by later today if you’re feeling up to it. I’ve just noticed that Charlotte has your little upturned nose. I think she may take after her lovely mummy. Only time will tell. I feel absolutely elated right now. I am most definitely the luckiest man in the world. The two of you are my everything and I will always be there for the both of you. Charlotte has just grabbed my finger as I was sliding it over her dimpled knuckles. I love you both so very much. This is the start of our wonderful family. xxx

fanfiction.net | ao3

[iris-sistibly]

4R’s: Encantadia Season 2 (March 29, 2017 episode review)

Episode 183

Recap:

Wrath of the grieving parents

Pirena went to Etheria, Danaya followed her. The youngest sister tried to talk and convince her edea to stop doing anything reckless, it was too dangerous and she can’t do it alone. But for a mother who lost her only child, Pirena will stop at nothing to avenge her beloved Mira. Pirena looked for Avria and even Ether only to find out that the palace was deserted. Danaya persuaded Pirena to go back to Lireo, but before she and Pirena left, the eldest sang’gre used her fire gem and burned the entire palace, it is to let Avria and Etherians witness a mother’s wrath.

Alena accompanied Cassiopeia and Imaw to the port where their airship was waiting. It was the same ship Lira and Wahid used when they went to Devas, a ship that will remind Cassiopeia her purpose of seeking Emre herself. Alena wished for her success, Cassiopeia was grateful at Alena’s kindness despite of everything that happened, she and Imaw went on their way.

Ybrahim talked to Mashna Mayca and asked the latter to give the letter he personally wrote for the Sapirian council, after his daughter’s funeral, Sapiro will declare war against Etheria. Alena overheard this and warned Ybrahim that Sapiro cannot win this war alone, Sapiro isn’t going through this war alone, for Hathoria will surely fight on their side, and so is Lireo. Alena was starting to get worried of what’s about to happen.

Rehav Manik and Azulan both agreed to return to their home after the sang’gres’ funeral, Ariana decided to stay despite of Azulan disagreement, despite of the many dangers of the path she chose to take, despite the fact that she too might also end up like Lira and Mira. Azulan wondered why Ariana is so attached to diwatas, even Ariana herself has no idea, but she knew she’s in the right place.

Hara Pirena went to the room Lira and Mira used to share, a lot of memories came back to her mind, she was comforted by that game Lira and Mira loved to play. But that comfort turned into pain, knowing that her two sang’gres are gone forever. Azulan witnessed her pain, and gave her a shoulder to cry on.

The funeral rites for the sang’gres, Gilas and Wahid continued, not long after, retres started gathering, and hovered over the corpses. Everyone knew it was about time, letting go was the hardest part—especially for Ybrahim and Pirena. The two recalled their last days together with their daughters, and the last words they spoke to them. Mira promising Pirena that she will make her proud, and Lira telling Ybrahim to always take care of himself and she loves him very much. One by one, the corpses were taken, leaving Ybrahim and Pirena with wounded hearts.

After the bodies were taken, Luna talked to Pirena and narrated everything that happened in the island that night. There were four of them, two men and two women. Half of that team let Luna and Pao Pao escape, if Lira and Mira chose to go with them, they would have lived. Pirena asked who that other woman was, Luna described her as a very beautiful woman with black hair, Pirena knew that the woman was Lila Sari. A name that is also very familiar to Luna, Pirena revealed that it was the Lila Sari she have been looking for—her mother’s murderer. Pirena instilled in Luna’s mind, that there are no good Etherians, this sparked rage in Luna. Alena and Danaya were terrified at how Pirena is using the young Luna against their enemies. Pirena did not care, she must gather each and every encantado to add number to her troop in order to win against Etheria. Ybrahim has already declared war, Hathoria will be joining, the monarchs of the two kingdoms were rooting for Lireo and Adamya to fight on their side but got dismayed when Danaya and Alena refused to join the battle and opted to wait for Cassiopeia’s return from Devas. Pirena and Ybrahim were disappointed, considering their daughters were also members of Lireo’s royal house especially Lira who was next in line to the crown. Right then and there, Pirena and Ybrahim cut Hathoria and Sapiro’s ties with Lireo.

Back from the past

Avria and her four Mashnas went back to the Old Etheria, using the golden hour glass and the power of the three gems, Avria was able to open the portal and allow an army of Etherians to time travel to the present day. Amarro dreaded this and secretly stepped out of the way. Lila Sari followed him, Amarro couldn’t take Avria’s evil schemes anymore, all along he thought Avria was for peace, but he was very wrong. Amarro decided to leave and convinced Lila Sari to come with her but the latter was still doubtful since they swore loyalty to Ether. Amarro let her be and told her to find him in case she changes her mind.

Meanwhile, Cassiopeia and Imaw has finally reached their destination—Devas. But the skies suddenly went dark, and a huge, ferocious beast appeared before them, Arde, the god revealed that Emre has been overthrown and it is now him and Ether that has taken over Devas.

Rave/s:

💎 I think the reason why Emre was overthrown was because Avria already possessed three out of five gems, plus the deaths of Encantadia’s future queens must have lessened Emre’s power thus making him a useless and incompetent god and this became Arde and Ether’s aces to win against Emre. Who knows what kind of shitty rules the gods put up to determine who’s the better god or who is much more deserving to sit on the throne of Devas? Also I kind of agree to that theory that this might be Cassiopeia’s ultimate test to prove to everyone that she deserves to be a goddess. Etherians are finally back, I am really curious to know if Juvila and Odessa time traveled with the rest of the bastards or if they have some sort of a grand entrance or some shit. I am NOT excited for that Odessa bitch to return, I just want Juvila and Andora going head to head against the sisters. Speaking of time traveling, will this allow characters like Mine-a and Kahlil to return as well? I am speculating that Lira and Mira will have a role to play in this whole finding Emre thing, maybe our super twins will be Cassy’s team mates to rescue Emre and overthrow Dragon lord and Snake queen? And who the heck is Lance whatever his last name is? The guy playing Memfes? He better work it with Gabbi if he’s going to be Alena’s love interest. I am already frustrated with ArraRu and Glaiza-Marx’s one-sided team effort, this better not happen in Alena and Memfes!

❤💪 Glai and Ru continue to slay this week! So much pain for their characters. I couldn’t find the words to describe how incredible they were in this episode, Ruru despite being young did a very good job at portraying a father, and a father who seeks justice for his little girl. And Glaiza my god! I cannot! She’s too awesome, her portrayal is the perfect epitome of a mother who lost a child, those bitches fucked up big time when they killed her baby girl, now it’s pay back time!

Rant/s:

😱 Oh no! Seems like Pirena is turning Luna into a mini-version of her. But either way Luna would still be angry and hurt so…

😤 Let me just continue to rant on Ariana, she didn’t even mention how guilty she was for not doing anything to save Lira. Wait—she never showed any signs of regret during Lira’s funeral, and the way Arra’s performing lately just makes my blood boil, she seems so plastic at sympathizing with the diwatas, I did not feel the sincerity of how much she cares for Lira and how bad she felt for Ybrahim and Pirena. Plus Ariana’s poor characterization is making it worse than WORST! How can DMR stand this kind of performance? I don’t get it, considering there is only little time left, they should have just opted to hire an actress who can perform just as excellent as Kylie, or kahit Sanya-level man lang, I’m sorry for being so impatient lately, I’m just so bummed at everything that’s going on in the show and Lira and Mira’s deaths snapped my patience big time.

🙄 Marx, when are you going to stop letting Glaiza do all the hard work?!

Iris-message: Thank you so much for all of your positive feedbacks on my character tributes for Ybrahim and Pirena, well…it’s kind of Daddy Ybs and Mommy Piry paying tribute to their daughters, and I purposely wrote it that way to really emphasize the pain that they are going through and what are they going to do to avenge their daughters. Kudos to Ruru and Glaiza’s performances which helped me capture the right ‘feel’ and come up with these. Avisala Eshma Rama and Hara! And to all of you bessies! E correi diu from the mortal world to Encantadia!

Best performer/s for this episode: Glaiza de Castro 🔥 Ruru Madrid 🗡

Rating: 10 out of 10💎s (still for the cast)

Photo credits: From Twitter: @GMAEncantadia (Encantadia 2016-2017 official twitter acct) @gmanetwork (GMA Network); official website: gmanetwork.com @GMADrama (GMA Drama)

From Facebook: Encantadia 2016; official website: encantadia.com.ph

Video credits: GMA Network via YouTube & dailymotion

[makoto-naegi555]

Nature Boy

https://archiveofourown.org/works/28144008/chapters/78273545

So after existing the room Makoto began to think

Fifteen of us met in the mail hall. Add Mukuro to the mix and you get sixteen. And including me, only six of us are still alive. Everyone else...is dead.

Dead dead dead dead dead dead dead dead dead dead

Even Mukuro. (dead) Even she's undeniably dead. So the ones still left alive are... Me. (dead) I’m not dead (was dead) Byakuya.(dead inside) Hiro. (Brain dead) Toko. (Dead to me) Hina.(dead set on donuts) And Kyoko... (dead dad) Only those six people are still alive. Then there's no question...

Makoto: Wait, no! That can't be! I refuse to believe it! There has to be some other way... There just HAS to be!

Siramay: well of course its none of them! I assure you zetsu is none of the six students you mentioned.

As siramay said that his hand lifted up and started choking himself as he struggled to pry his hand away

Makoto: what was that!?

Siramay: trying to breath it has come to my attention I may be to open on identifying information about the mastermind so please disregard what I have said and will said and starting now I shall try to keep their identifying features to a minimum… starting now.

Makoto: wait but if it isn’t one of-

Siramay: STOP THINKING!

Makoto: but what about-

Siramay: STOP THINKING!

Makoto:-

Siramay: let me tell you what both you and the mastermind have in common you both need to STOP THINKING! just think about bears!

And as siramay said that when I tried to think back on what he said my brain was spammed with images of bears doing things… daw WAIT I SHOULDN’T BE THINKING ABOUT THAT NOW

Siramay: you’ll find out the masterminds identity eventually but for now you can’t find it out from me so please for my health don’t use my words.

And so with the new handbook in tow Makoto could now recheck the lockers and saw something very interesting as he saw the locker belonged to Yasuhiro interesting very interesting indeed and in the other locker he saw a pocket book in witch it was clearly Kyoko’s point of view in a plan to keep students in here as a final hope thing and then the final page revealing there are 2 despairs (or maybe we can say des-pairs) in this school bum bum buuuuuummmm needless to say this confused Makoto greatly but he kept moving forward with the investigation so Makoto went to the data center aka there lair, in which hina urged Makoto to open the monokuma door cause she was scared and they saw the monokuma control room

Siramay: BEHOLD! THEIR TRUE LAIR!!

IMPOSSIBLE THUNDER

…it smells like sadness in here…and a hint of gin.

Then they saw the control room and Aoi pressed a button summoning a monokuma outside that Makoto saw

Is that...Monokuma?

Siramay: he’s defenseless quick boop his nose!

Makoto: wah-

Siramay: come on give him cuddles I know you want to!

Makoto: Ngres-no!

Makoto said flustered.

Needless to say Aoi was controlling the monokuma then Makoto went back in the lair then Aoi wanted to leave the room after Makoto had an epiphany about monokuma being controlled.

Siramay: wait before you go let me do something.

Makoto: what are you going to do?

Siramay: um let me just… where’s the announcers…. OH HERE! then siramay set down a recorder as an old fashion song started playing (its not that old it came out in the 70s) that’s over 40 years ago! (Hm… I guess it is)

Makoto: what are you playing.

Siramay: David bowies heroes this is the 6-minute version to! just wanna give some good sportsmanship.

Makoto: so can we-

Siramay: no if we leave zetsu will turn of the song we need to wait.

Makoto: but that’s 6 minutes.

Siramay: yes it is

… so six minutes passed, and the song finished.

Siramay: ok we can leave now! also howed you think of the song?

Makoto: … I guess it was nice.

Siramay: you should see the other songs she has on her soundtrack.

Then once Makoto left the data center as a whole was locked then monokuma showed up.

Monokuma: Of course it's locked! Because the data center is now restricted!

Siramay: hey mono did you enjoy the David bowie music?

Monokuma: NO! it was terrible!

Siramay: haha you’re lying.

So anyway monokuma stated how they locked It so they could move again, that’s fair. So Makoto tried to ease Aoi on this as they kept moving forward and Aoi was planning to tell the others what they saw.

So then Makoto went to the headmasters room and bayakuya was there as well, byakuya found the class 78 (there class) student registry which talked more about MUUKKURROOOO BABY GIIIRRLLL

"Mukuro reappeared suddenly, and in the background an entity floats, close but just out of reach. The entity known as...the Ultimate Despair. Right now, I can't be sure if this is a single person, or some kind of group. Whatever it is, Mukuro definitely has some sort of connection to it.

"I have a bad feeling about all this. I need to push forward with my research into the Ultimate Despair. And I need to pay attention to Mukuro's behavior, too. This is just my gut feeling, but I think she's dangerous. Despite the countless battles she must have gone through as a member of Fenrir, when she entered Hope's Peak, she didn't display any signs of battle wounds or scars. That fact alone proves her tremendous skill in battle.

"Naturally, I want to believe in her. She's one of my students, after all. But if I decide she's a danger to the other students I will be forced to take all reasonable measures."

Siramay: mukuro had a big heart that’s for sure, I think I told you everything important on why mukuro did stuff, but she had so much heart she felt she had to follow zetsu side like the brave solder she was following her general even in death because she believed in her, I knew mukuro as king of villains I made sure we were friends! We hanged out a lot, I cared about her a lot I tried to talk her out of this Makoto, but her heart was set in stone she truly deserved better then what happened to her…

Mukuro...was a part of the Ultimate Despair. I don't think there can be any doubt about it now. But...wouldn't that mean Mukuro, and the mastermind were allies? So why...? Why would they kill Mukuro? Plus, even the headmaster seemed to be afraid of what Mukuro was capable of. They would've had to take her completely by surprise to kill her like that... Or...maybe it means the mastermind is even stronger than Mukuro was...

Siramay: ITS CAUSE SHES A NO-GOOD JERK THAT’S WHY!.... but then again I guess I give her to much or not enough credit see uh the truth Makoto… it was a delusional episode they did it on a whim not even because they wanted to but because they could.

Makoto: what?

Siramay: you know Makoto zetsu has untreated mental illness combined with a problematic alcoholism and spends all there time alone in a dark room its not good for her mental health at all! With all that its no wonder the thoughts in her head would tell her to do it

Makoto: you mean.

Siramay: yeah like! siramay then sets up and builds a Jenga set.

You know Jenga with all the building blocks and how you have to build a tower its like that when your alone so you just build the tower for a solo game but then you finish and you just get that little voice telling you to break the tower and your like “why” and they are just like we can break the tower right now so why don’t we and then your body just flies on berserk instinct mode AS YOU USE YOUR STRENGTH TO BREAK THE TOWER HEARING THE LOUD CRASH OF THE BLOCKS COLAPSING FEELING THE BLOOD RUSHING TO YOUR VAINS YEEEEEEESSSSSS but then its over its calm as you have destroyed all that hard work for nothing and its like “WHAT HAVE I DONE I destroyed the only thing I ever loved! Why did I do that! They never did anything wrong! I RUIN EVERYTHING!!” then siramay roles into ball sucking his thumb.

So yeah it’s kinda like that you know?

Makoto: I’ve never had that experience.

Siramay: well your loss so anyway it’s like that, had a wrong thought at the wrong time and she suffered for it, poor mukuro all those years of love and loyalty down the drain… I’m sorry.

There was also a picture of mukuro.

Siramay: isn’t she a beaut! OH YES I REMEMBER! she had a pet wolf named frank!

Makoto: frank?

Siramay: well Fenrir would be to on the nose frank was a good boy he ate the corpses of their victims.

Makoto: oh…

Siramay: he was a sweetie though sadly due to the… stuff I can’t say she had to let him go I hopes he’s ok OH WAIT and so with a flash of magic a big grey wolf appeared in siramays arms the snout of it was stained with dried blood as it started to growl.

Frank: GROOOWWLLLLL

Makoto: ah!

Siramay: hey frank its ok it’s me!

Then the wolf took a second to look at the dragon as his demeanor changed entirely as he started happily panting and wagging his tail. At this siramay started petting frank

Awe I’m sorry buddy but uh, your mommy mukuro is no longer with us.

Siramay said with a sadness before blushing heavily and awkwardly laughing.

Mommy mukuro hahahahah

But then he straitened himself out

But don’t worry! She trust me so I’ll take care of you buddy!

Then frank snuggled siramay for a bit before disappearing.

So cute, but anyway as byakuya was saying.

He talked about her size and measurements and such, but Makoto was just confused.

Siramay: S.O.S she's in disguise S.O.S she's in disguise There's a she wolf in disguise…

Makoto: ?

Siramay: think about it Makoto it will become clear eventually.

So byakuya was hinting stuff about the body (cause no one can ever just tell Makoto things ugh) then he warned him about Kyoko not that it really meant anything unless byakuya had some repressed gay for Makoto and was just jealous of Kyoko witch would be fair but to bad for you Ritchie rich cause he aint gonna be your man in this story, or series so Makoto finally left the headmasters room then Makoto went to the bio lab in witch he realized it was also a morgue for the dead bodies then Makoto went to the garden and realized the body was gone when he tried to search for it and saw the tarp in the tool shed he found out the tarp originated from the bio lab then after that he revisited the dojo but that was useless but after Makoto left a monokuma announcement played stating that he would give a hint to those who head in the gym so Makoto went on his way and saw hiro who was absolutely frightened anyway Makoto went in and monokuma showed him an envelope with a picture of the class 78 in it

Siramay: daw you all look so happy.

And while I could go on and on about the picture Makoto was kicked out of the gym and Makoto wanted to clear up the pictures with the others which is what he would have done if everyone didn’t reject to talk to him

Siramay: welp that sucks.

Makoto: I know

Siramay: if it helps I got a picture to

Makoto: they gave you a picture?

Siramay: well no but actually yes, I just have a habit of taking little nick knack souvenirs of my adventures and this was one of them so I guess I could show yah here.

Siramay said wrapping his left hand around Makoto to show him a picture but due to the way he was holding it his thumb was covering junkos face (because of course I was)

Siramay: look at you guys you’re all so happy its just seeing moments like this brings a tear to my eye.

Siramay said wiping his face.

Makoto: um siramay can you move your hand a bit?

Siramay: no

And with that siramay crushed the picture in his hand and burned it till it was ashes… (why did I do that? :(   )

Anyway while looking he went back to the bio lab, and toko laid there passed out, then they woke up as jack, so ham ensued, but they left and one of the fridge/morgue/corpse tanks where open oh and look Kyoko’s here to! And they were going to close it Kyoko decided to investigate it because it was mukuro so as Kyoko investigated Makoto asked about photo, but Kyoko admitted she didn’t see them (witch I guess is fair but seems like a disadvantage) I mean the mastermind may be unreasonable but there fairly unreasonable.

I wish I could go back and do the same thing, but what's done is done, I guess... Standing here looking at her...I don't think she's hiding anything from me. Is she right? Did the mastermind forge that picture as a trap to confuse us? That's gotta be it. There's no other explanation...

Siramay: you know Makoto, some good advice I give to my villains is that sometimes the best lie is the truth.

Makoto: huh?

Siramay: I’m just saying I usually don’t tell this to heroes, but I feel like its something you should know.

And when looking at the morgue Makoto realized with mukuro there where only 9 lights which was odd since “10” people died

Siramay: I assure you Makoto it’s not cause mondo is butter he’s right here!

Siramay said opening one of the boxes to show inside a refrigerated box of butter.

Makoto: DAH!

Siramay: yeah…. good thing I don’t like butter.

And so siramay closed it and after rechecking the tarps Kyoko was done and summarized what she learned from fondling mukuros body stating how her old wounds are in fact very important as they are her true death then they talked about her personals.

Siramay: geez you guys are so adamant about her vitals and junk, oh how weird that it.

Makoto: you literally know avid details about her past.

Siramay: yeah but I’m an all-powerful being that’s different.

Needless to say they confirmed mukuro was mukuro then Kyoko wanted to leave but Makoto wanted to at least close mukuros grave to honor her even if she was evil he still felt bad at her death, so they closed the grave together… then he asked about the pocketbook witch shocked Kyoko who gave Makoto a video that’s important.

Kyoko: But there's one thing I *am* sure of. When it comes to the mastermind, there's no room in my heart for forgiveness. I swore to destroy the mastermind. This is just one more reason to follow through on that.

…why did that hurt? anyway she talked about truth and hope and stuff then she left.

And siramay reopened mukuros grave

Makoto: why did you do that?

Siramay: I’m a grieving man to Makoto, and while I’ll admit my feelings for your other classmates went nearly as strong as yours I can say the truth that I feel 10 times the pain you do from her death and while you have properly grieved I have not, so just continue investigating and I’ll stay here for a bit don’t worry I can close it myself, but can’t you do that? Can’t you let a mourning man spend just a few more minutes grieving someone?

Makoto: … actually yeah I understand siramay, its ok just make sure to meet me when you’re done.

Siramay: of course

And with that Makoto left the room and when he was absolutely gone siramay grabbed mukuros course from the morgue and used his magic to tear a portal from the fabric of the world then I look at you

Siramay: this is what we creators call foreshadowing ;)

And with that I jumped into the portal with mukuros body in tow Afterall it was my duty as king to make sure she had a happy ending, but that would be another story for another time.

…

And so Makoto went to the av room to watch the cd Kyoko gave which was a vid of the headmaster talking to all the students asking them if it was ok to stay here forever in which every last one said yes even himself course before it could get to you know who the monitor went black.

Siramay who is behind Makoto eating popcorn and wearing 3d glasses.

Siramay: OH COME ON IT WAS GETTING TO THE BEST PART!

Makoto: AH!

Oh and monokuma was there to

Makoto: AH!2

Who basically is the reason the power cut off but of course he lied about the whole thing?

Makoto: Failure my ass! You cut the power on purpose!

Siramay: language Makoto!

Makoto: BUTT!

Then Makoto realized their memories might have been messed with

And then it was time for the trial

Monokuma: For anything that has a start, there has to be an end. And if the end comes, then that means it's time for a fresh start. There is no night that doesn't have a dawn... Although that dawn is totally pitch-black! There is no storm that won't eventually end... Of course, then that leads to drought! But as I said, every end is the promise of a new beginning. Which is why I'm sure we'll get to meet again. Because the end is only the beginning! We'll meet again Don't know where Don't know when But I know we'll meet again some sunny day Keep smiling through Just like you always do 'Till the blue skies drive the dark clouds far away So will you please say hello To the folks that I know Tell them I won't be long They'll be happy to know That as you saw me go I was singing this song. We'll meet again Don't know where Don't know when But I know we'll meet again some sunny day We'll meet again Don't know where Don't know when But I know we'll meet again some sunny day Keep smiling through Just like you always do ‘til the blue skies Drive the dark clouds far away So will you please say hello To the folks that I know Tell them it won't be long They'll be happy to know That as you saw me go I was singin' this song We'll meet again Don't know where Don't know when But I know we'll meet again some sunny day

 Anyway, let's get started! The beginning of the end of the class trial! Everyone gather once again at you know where! Puhuhuhuhu! Puhuhu!

It's about to begin again... The class trial...is going to start. The final class trial... The last time all our lives will be on the line... The last time hope and despair are on the line... I don't have a choice. I have to do this... Okay, then! This is the end...!

Siramay: ah well it seems like you are here, the final battle the great climatic show down where they will be defeated and you will conquer, that’s… great…

Makoto: siramay?

Siramay: yeah?

Makoto: you sound sad if you need to tell you know you can talk to me.

Siramay: oh no, no Makoto its nothing really

Makoto: is it about zetsu?

Siramay: …

Makoto: if there’s anything else you have to say about her before the trial please tell me.

Siramay: no, no its not like that its just… you know it’s not like I woke up one day and decided that I wanted to spend the rest of my life helping villains no that’s silly, you see uh I don’t know if I was just born like that or if I some how grew it in me, but I seem to have a natural empathy for villains.

Makoto: what?

Siramay: its true I can’t help but feel bad for them but not just bad but feel their pain all together in here he points to his heart I can just tell I feel this great squeezing in my heart when they suffer it hurts so much to see them hurt and since I have the power to help them shouldn’t I give them happiness where no one else could? I guess it’s weird but it’s true I feel their pain and that’s a fact.

Makoto: so what your saying is-

Siramay: they had a father figure you know.

Makoto: huh?

Siramay: yeah there bio dad was a jerk but that man who may not have been her dad by blood but he was her dad in heart he gave her the love no one else ever really could when she needed it most, sadly he also gave her the idea to be evil, but he wasn’t a bad man just crazy and lonely and he wanted to make her happy and thought that would help, they didn’t learn their lesson till it was to late, but maybe its not to late for zetsu

Makoto: … what are you saying?

Siramay: I knew this man Makoto; he was my friend and he cared for her more then anything else in his life. That’s why even though I hate her guts with all of mine… my heart can’t afford not to care…

[SIRAMAY] There was a boy. A very strange, enchanted boy

They say he wandered very far. Very far over land and sea

A little shy and sad of eye But very wise, was he

And then one day One magic day he passed my way. While we spoke of many things Fools and kings This he said to me

The greatest thing You'll ever learn Is just to love. And be loved In return

[SIRAMAY (MAKOTO)] The greatest thing (the greatest thing) You'll ever learn (you'll ever learn) Is just to love (love)

[BOTH] And be loved In return …

Makoto: so you’re saying they are hurting, and I should show them mercy.

Siramay: NO THEY’RE CRAZY AND THEY NEED TO GO DOWN! But I'm the king of villains.... so I just can’t help but feel bad for them... But don’t let my feelings blind you do what you think is best I won’t get in the way....