#still exciting to hear about the anime elevating the manga

[lavenderjewels]

Desperately hoping that extra anime only content in season 2 involves juju strolls

[fluffykitteninabox]

My thoughts on MHA s6 ep17:

⚠️Spoilers (obviously) ⚠️

Alright let's get all my emotions about the episode out of the way first:

OMGFXFJCJFXGJGXUC THEY WERE SO CUTE OMG GUYS DID YOU SEE BABY NATSUO?? HE WAS THE MOST ADORABLE LITTLE THING AND FUYUMI WAS SO CUTE WITH HER LITTLE DRUM AND FXFJXIGCGJCU BABY SHOUTO OMG HE WAS SO ROUND!! AND TOUYA'S LITTLE FEET TAPPING WHEN HE WAS EXCITED😭😭HE WAS JUST A CHILD OMG 😭THEY WERE ALL JUST CHILDREN!!😭😭I'M HEARTBROKEN!!

ok...

Now about the episode. I think it has some of the best cinematography I have ever seen in my hero academia!

I'm going to gush a little. Bones decided they wanted to start experimenting with the animation and I'm here for it!

First they gave us A GREY SKY last episode and then this episode we get shots like these:

I am LOVING these Dutch angles and the camera spins.

THE COLOUR CONTRAST OH MY GOD IT'S SO GOOD!!!

It looks like Touya literally opened the door to hell in that shot!!

It's fucking amazing!!!

I hope they continue to experiment with lightning and creative angles like this in future episodes too, It really elevates the scene.

The one animation thing I will complain about (which is a real nitpick) is the single blood tear.

Hori gave us this nicely composed shot of the blood tear dropping as we transition from the panel of Dabi on the couch to a panel of the Todoroki household.

The way they animated this it shows the blood flowing down his face but then we cut to black hearing the sound of the droplet, before cutting to the shot of the Todoroki household.

Again this is a real fucking nitpick. They still shot it in a creative way, it's just not how I would have preferred it. I wish we saw the droplet landing or something. Especially because there's multiple other instances in this episode where they cut to black for dramatic effect, so taking out this one wouldn't change much.

They also changed the doctor. I remember everyone theorising that in the scene where Endeavor and Rei go to a doctor about Touya's condition that it was Ujiko.

And in the manga where we only got one not very detailed shot from behind, he really did look like that. However in the episode they changed that completely.

In the manga he looked bald, so I can see why people thought it was Ujiko. And personally I like that idea more since it fits with what we learn later about Touya in chapter 350.

AFO and the doctor would need to keep a close eye on him for AFO to appear and take Touya when the Sekoto incident happened. They were waiting for this. So showing "maybe Ujiko" as the doctor that Endeavor and Rei consulted was a neat little bit of foreshadowing.

They also reanimated the ball scene. In the season 2 version of the flashback they made Touya's hair red (even though it's white in the manga). I think that's why there was so much confusion about his hair colour in the fandom.

In the new version of the flashback they changed his hair back to white to fit the timeline of his loss of melanin better. I'm wondering if they're going to change the season 2 flashback too now or if it's just going to stay in as a continuity mistake.

I mean obviously the DVDs for season 2 have been out for long, so it would cost them a lot to fix it now. So they're probably not going to, which is understandable.

Something I didn't expect to like this episode was Hawks!!

I mean, I still don't exactly like his decision to help Endeavor. I don't like how Horikoshi keeps inserting him into the Todoroki side plot in general (as I've said many times)

But I liked the comedic relief he kind of provided. I think it wasn't as good in the manga, but here when they added the silly robot voice and him furiously typing on his phone! I think it worked a lot better in the episode.

Overall I really liked the episode, I think its quality is a lot better than the average my hero episode, even if there's not a lot of "premium treatment" scenes. That's what I like to call when the animation gets really smooth which usually happens in fight scenes, or in the intro.

The cinematography was visually intresting and that made panels that aren't really anything special in the manga, look absolutely amazing.

Again the scene where Touya opens the door to go outside.

It looks cool in the manga but I didn't think the animators would do anything other than colour these panels and slap some generic background behind the door. But they exceeded my expectations this time.

Even the shots of Touya training in the forest

LOOK AT THAT! WE HAVE A DARK NIGHT SKY IN MY HERO ACADEMIA!!

Not as shocking as the grey sky we got last week (OMG STILL HAVEN'T FULLY PROCESSED THIS) but still impressive by bones standards!

I mean I was half expecting them to just make him train midday with a bright blue sky and fluffy white clouds in the background!!

But look at how interesting and good my hero academia looks when the animators get some creative freedom and play around with the lighting and angles and the colours.

I wish every episode could look like this.

ok ok I'm done gushing about the animation now! 😂

Loved the episode

episode good 👍👍

more of that please!!

[canonicallyanxious]

Sarah’s top 10 webcomics of 2021

In 2021 i read a lot of webcomics [like... a lot of webcomics lol] so I thought it would be fun to put together a little list of some of my top favorite discoveries of the year and gush about them for a bit! I’ve tried to restrict this list to freely accessible webcomics that are currently still updating (or I know are likely to return soon) and almost all of them are queer in some way so uh let’s go

1. Midnight Furies - Jess Herron [webtoon/tapas]

Hands down one of my favorite discoveries of the year. It centers around 17 year old Zoe, a former basketball prodigy who is dealing with the loss of her parents and the responsibility of taking care of her younger siblings, and her friendship with the enigmatic (and super gay) Chase, who introduces her to the Midnight Games AKA physics/reality bending basketball where people play for extra time in their lives rather than cash. MAJOR sports manga/anime vibes with a super energetic and dynamic art style, a diverse and fun and incredibly compelling cast of characters, and a really creative and interesting take on the genre. Everything I love about sports manga - heartfelt team dynamics! underdogs fighting against all odds! plucky protagonist with near infinite potential! homoerotic subtext! - except the subtext is actual explicit text and also it’s MAGIC [kind of???]! We absolutely love to see it! If a sports comic about supernatural basketball and spunky teenage girls with hearts of gold and lesbian exes with thorny pasts sounds appealing I definitely recommend giving this one a shot!

2. Cosmoknights - Hannah Templer [website]

Okay so hear me out. Butch lesbian knights in space starting a revolution to dismantle a patriarchal neo-medieval system that spans planets and galaxies. Tell me that doesn’t sound like the tightest shit you’ve ever heard of. The actual comic is even better than the elevator pitch because the art is absolutely GORGEOUS, the character arcs so rich and complex. I don’t even want to say too much about it because i think this story is just so magical. It’s still relatively early on in the story but Volume One is available online for free [alongside all updates for Volume Two] and also in major retail stores if graphic novels are more your cup of tea!

3. Tiger, Tiger - Petra Erika Nordlund [website]

Did I first catch up with this comic this very month? Maybe so. Have I been unable to think of anything else since? You can’t prove anything. This story is set in a fantastical world where a noble lady named Ludovica who longs to explore the world and reclaim her agency (and research sea sponges) steals her brother’s identity and his ship to embark on a long voyage at sea filled with ADVENTURE and DANGER and ROMANCE and all that other good stuff! Don’t want to give too much away but I can confirm that this comic is extremely queer and extremely fun to read. The comedy beats are impeccable and the characters so expressive, but it’s also a story filled with heart and thrills and tenderness and I am so excited to see where it goes!

4. The Flying Ship - Jem Milton [website/tapas]

Showing my entire ass by including yet another comic about sailing a ship in a fantasy world lol but this one is about a girl who is gifted a flying ship by a mysterious wizard in the woods and sets off to find her ~destined crew~ and ~win the hand of the princess~ with the magic boat. Lots of really good found family vibes with this one, the protagonist has a lot of heart and complexity to her, and the art is so charming and storybook like, just a really delightful and fun read all around!

5. The Croaking - Megan Grey [webtoons]

This comic is set in a futuristic society where everyone has bird wings and society is extremely stratified depending on your species, and it follows a crow and an osprey on their trials and tribulations at a prestigious military academy. The world building is SO intricate and interesting, the romance is one hell of a slow burn (in the best way possible), and the plot twists are so well done. Someone read this and scream with me about Scra and Kyle pls

6. Covenant - explodikid/Lysandra Vuong [webtoons]

This comic poses the bold question - what if priests were tattoo covered demon exorcists who were super hot and super gay? Follows Ezra, a talented young exorcist who is also struggling with a lack of faith in God, and Sunny, the broody and mysterious guy Ezra has been charged to protect for Reasons. The art has absolutely no right to be this fucking beautiful and the action scenes are jaw dropping. It's on a hiatus right now but will return for season 2 on webtoons!

7. Kingfisher - skulkingfoxes/Rowan MacColl [tapas]

So maybe I'm a sucker for a good period drama with a healthy dose of the occult. So what about it huh. This is an occult/supernatural mystery/adventure story set in the 1920s, focusing on nervous and academic Seymour and his surly longtime friend and roommate Gabriel (oh my god they were roommates...) as they attempt to decipher the secrets of the Kingfisher box. It's split into a few main arcs/volumes and right now it's on break between volumes so now is a great time to catch up!

8. Drugs & Wires - Mary Safro & Io Black [website/tapas]

90s cyberpunk east European vibes = immaculate. Primarily follows Dan, an ex-VR junkie coping with addiction and a strange virus in his head that forced him to quit VR some time ago, but also follows a really fun and colorful (literally in some cases) cast of characters through various hijinks and misdventures. I love the juxtaposition of the grimy cyberpunk dystopic setting with the bright and vivid artwork, something about this one is just very aesthetically pleasing to me.

9. Ride or Die - Mars [website/tapas]

This one is also a relatively new one but it's by the author/artist of completed webcomic Long Exposure (which I also recommend!) and I'm already enjoying the hell out of it. There's street racing and amazing character designs and muscle cars POSSESSED BY DEMONS what is not to love seriously

10. Animalheads - Son M & Sam C [tapas]

So this webcomic recently relaunched on Tapas as an original but you can still wait to unlock a new episode for free every 24 hours [and once you've caught up, once a week]. It's about a group of recently graduated friends who try to carve out prospects for themselves by entering the world of CRIME. Aside from the gorgeous art, this comic does some very fun and creative things with point of view and timeline shifts to create a really compelling story. Truly "be gay do crime but make it gritty and dark" in a webcomic and I find it utterly delightful. It's only caught up to where it was pre going original like a few weeks ago so I'm really excited to see where the story goes from here!

[life-rewritten]

WHAT I WANT FROM BLS IN 2021 AKA A LOOK AND DISCUSSION ABOUT HOW TO IMPROVE THE BL GENRE

Hi, Hello; Bls have become incredibly saturated and growing each day, every single day we hear about new projects, new ideas, latest trailers, and it's been so great to see how BL has changed from 2015 to now. It's been a positive upward trajectory; however, again, we have to mention that it's being overfilled and not always with good shows. From the six or more countries that fight to get our energy and time to watch their shows, movies and animations, to the low budget, lazy plots that don't need to be written, Bl can sometimes be a phenomenal experience and incredible stories that make us cry and feel and learn or it can be this flop with no message, no structured plot, stiff acting and more. Am I being harsh? Should we just be okay with the fact there are more BL shows now to binge and to watch? Should we just settle for these bad stories just because there's nothing else available? I don't think so, I think with shows like ITSAY, Cherry Magic, GAYA SA, Bls have the potential to be so prominent, so unique and even beat out other heterosexual shows. So I am here to make a list of what I would like to see in 2021 with these new BL shows. Because it's quality, not quantity we want, we want better stories, better characters, better developments, just better. If we can be better, we can take over a lot of media, and there'd be more representation, education and more for the voices that want to be represented through BLs. Okay so without further or do let's get into it; 

The problem with Skinship

Now I hate to be the one that has to mention this issue, because sometimes in BLs this is not an issue; in fact sometimes some shows have too many kisses/skin ship, that end up making fans bored and frustrated with how much screen time is not being used to tell a great plot. But for me, since I started this journey into this genre, kissing has always been an issue with forced censorship that makes no sense, and stiff actors that clearly aren't comfortable with doing that. To couples that are meant to be so devoted and in love they resort to acting like buddies who can't touch each other to cut scenes and weird camera angles for a scene. Skinship isn't always needed but when a couple is meant to be obsessed with each other or addicted to thinking about touching the other, or there's a build-up of longing, and they're a long term relationship,  passionate couples kissing makes it more believable to me. What's up with this pattern of BLS avoiding kisses; please stop it's irksome I know I sound like a fujoshi but those couples that do this make me want to throw something because they're not believable no matter how much they scream from the top of their lungs,  that they love being with each other, or are attracted to each other, the lack of skinship just makes me get annoyed by it all. I also love shows like Cherry Magic where it's a softer relationship but teasing kisses and then like hiding behind an elevator for the main couple, not cool.

 I'm not going to make it a big deal, but I did feel somehow cheated at the finale of the show because one, in the manga this is not a problem, there is a lot of kisses with Adachi and Kurosawa, two, why would the second lead couple get a kiss scene but then when it comes to the main it's hidden behind an elevator, it's such a cheap way to censor it in my opinion especially since we've been teased about these two's kiss since episode 2/3. I don't need to see Adachi losing his virginity or whatnot, but I was disappointed when the elevator scene happened I was like but why it could have just been a cute kiss scene on the roof. It didn't need to be so covered and hidden. Make it make sense.  

So I don't particularly appreciate being teased by stuff like this, because it's not a sin for two people to show they care about each other like an average couple and kiss. It doesn't make the show not tasteful, or too crass, it just means that the couple are attracted to each other. I don't know, maybe it's just me, perhaps I am a fujoshi, and this is bothering me. But it's seriously to me more than that; there are some shows where this isn't a problem, where we don't need kisses and all that, but there are some where it feels so hypocritical and odd to censor a kiss like it's a sin or something. And with these shows (2gether for example)  it doesn't sit well with me, it really doesn't.  Just my opinion

The Issue With Side couples. 

Side couples need to add something to the show's plot or be balanced: there's the saying too much or too little. And with BLs I have found that the screen time of side couples can ruin or elevate a show. If you can't write a well thought out plot for extra couples, then don't add them. Normally some side couples are written powerfully and interesting as the central couple like Tin and Can from LBC or KingRam from My engineer etc., other times side couples just steal screen time for no reason, we could be using that time to make the other main couple stronger and it would be fine. Not in every BL show, that every single person have to turn out gay in the show, it's not by force. What side couples should do in a show, is add to the structured plot, give information/exposition about the world of the show, the ideas of the show, the themes of the show, they should be just as 3dimensional, just as important and fleshed out as the other characters are otherwise there's no need for them. 

Why R U, for example, had great bases for every side couple but failed due to rushed editing, lazy directing and more to make use of them. At the end of the day, the confusion with the side couples ruined the show and made everyone feel frustrated and tired by how the show was done because it felt unsatisfactory for the other plots of the side couples. An example where a side couple was done right in terms of plot but also didn't have enough coverage was TharnType season 1 with Tum and Tar, their plot was fantastic, essential and necessary to the storyline and it made sense. However, it still left a weird empty feeling because their relationship was still confusing, in LBC 2 we were meant to sort that out and Love by Chance 2 was one of the worst ways side couples are done. 

They used them for product placement (same as TharnType 7 years). Their stories were just repeating the same things we've already seen before, with no effort, no energy, and no direction given to the actors who were working hard to portray these roles. It's frustrating when side couples could be just as great in the show, but they're ruined by bad writing. 

Either have side couples with depth and storytelling that is good or don't add them at all. An example of a show without a side couple is Gaya Sa Pelikula and ITSAY. And you didn't see us moaning or crying about the lack of side couples instead it was praised because every side character had a purpose, a story of their own to tell, and depth to their characters that was needed to get us to the rest of the plot. Everyone had their own important role in the plot, and it was brilliant. So you don't need a show with many couples, you can just focus on one, or if you do have many storylines for couples, please just make it worthwhile. Please? 2021? I'm begging

More unique BLS: 

When we think about plot lines for BLs, we tend to especially in Thailand have one thing in mind which is engineering, medical students, university angst and guys in white t-shirts playing the same role over and over and over again. Don't forget the sotus gear being a symbol of their heart. I find it funny because I don't have a problem with this; if the storyline is unique/addicting enough for me to not focus on the fact it's a university plot. For example, Theory of love, but it is funny that for a very long time BLs have been focused on one type of setting; the university. We had other BLs that came from China, and Taiwan and others that weren't always based on this setting, especially China which has fantasy and more but those ended up being sad, censored or ruined. 

This is the problem. Luckily in 2020/2019, Bls started to want to be different, with new stories based on mafia-like worlds like Trapped, with supernatural storylines like He's coming to me, with the introduction of Korean BLs and Philippine BLs, we're starting to see different tropes soulmate aus, paranormal, fantasy, action, adventure etc. And 2021 already has a line up where most of the storylines veer from this engineering university plot. It's exciting. To think every country is trying to move away from student/ university storylines or give them more depth and change the normal tropes and ideas with them is so exciting and needed. I still love these tropes, but less is more, and a unique plot is even more because it shows BL can be more than just stories, can have depth, can have different versions, and can reach out to a new audience, to other tastes etc. It's been changing, and in 2021 I can't wait to see these new stories come to life. 

It’s Quality not Quantity : 

This is so important, bls are becoming saturated as happy as this makes me; it also suffocated me with bad shows not worth the praise of effort and energy and these aren't put into some shows. In 2020 we got shows like ITSAY where the producers, actors and directors fought and worked so hard to make it happen, they went through obstacles, struggled with days, they pushed through just to make sure ITSAY was created to the best of its ability. This was so incredible, and it made me almost tear up each time I watched the documentaries about how ITSAY came to life.  

Shows like ITSAY and Gaya Sa again that have directors and producers with fixed goals of trying to make a BL show more than just a typical low budget show, putting all their effort, time and ideas to make this mean something is so incredible, so excellent, words can't explain the masterpieces that are created from people who take what they're doing with this genre seriously. And for a long time, we've struggled for people to take this genre seriously, to put in effort and energy to ensure that the story they're telling makes sense, and is done well. 

I'm always harsh because you know sometimes the things needed to make something high quality isn't always available. Some people are genuinely putting everything they can into shows. However I feel like you can tell which shows do that, you can tell when a show is doing all it can to be as great as it possibly could be, for example, the History series; it's a low budget, but it's brilliant, some shows like Love By chance season 2 yes I'm going to keep on calling out this mess, you can tell did not try at all with what they were given, it was a lazy attempt just to feed fan girls and make money. And the thing about things like that is that it's just insulting, to the fans who waited with anticipation only to see the sequel come to life, to the actors who put in the effort and tried to make it be something, it's just disappointing.

 I'm sorry, but like in 2021, we don't want a repeat of that. If you don't want to put in the effort and make something that is high quality despite the low funds or whatever then don't make a show. Other shows are being made and you won't be missed.  Luckily 2021 seems like we will be getting shows of better quality, GMMTV appears like they've invested a lot this year into making BLs be more, we have the incredible Filmania KinnPorsche that is just outstanding for just a 10-minute pilot teaser, we have new channels with budgets and research ready to make new shows like Channel 3, and we have China with new directors wanting to make more danmei donghuas (with incredible quality like TGCF, with excellent live actions like the Untamed) and we have more countries just making good stories and good productions with all they have. So yeah I'm excited to see what shows will be created with this type of energy in 2021.

Let’s make it more risky

So already discussed about unique plotlines and better quality. But one thing as well in the same category as all of these suggestions is BLs being riskier. There are times where BLs try and go overboard and take risks to do new stories that make people uncomfortable, or agitated like Friendzone but the thing is I live for these storylines because it's not just fluffy or tropey stories that are based on novels that need to be told. BL can be so much more. Sometimes bls are stale, and sometimes they try to do riskier messier stories with more depth. And for example, with a company like GMMTV where they have sources and sources of stories they can tell that can be riskier and be different to the pattern they usually follow, we can get such great plots and tales based on new ideas.  I want to see a show like the gifted with bl plotline, the shipper season 2, focused on WayKim,  things without using a book adaptation and without basic plots we needed to settle for. GMMTV is trying to do that now with Not Me coming soon and shows like Friendzone, Baker Boys etc. But I want more riskier stories. Again so that BLs are more than just what they're known for, the same tropes all over and over again, the same ideas and plotlines, but new screenwriters, unique stories not based on books or what's already been made, just new ideas. That's one thing that will pave new ways for BL. Like Give us a historical Thai BL, give us a sageuk Korean show, give us time travelling. I don't know just new ideas, sci-fi, new genres, more psychological thrillers. It could be anything, and it would be so fantastic. Let's see what 2021 offers. 

Let's keep with the PC Energy; 

Shows are being called out for unnecessary toxicity, sexism, bad females that don't get the point that they're beards, problems with non-consent; these need to stop in 2021. I'm not saying we can't have shows that talk about the results and consequences of these kinds of issues, because I find it fascinating when shows take a risk and mention that, like TharnType, but it is 2021 , a new decade, we really need to stop having shows that romanticise topics that aren't okay, emotionally abusive relationships should be seen as emotionally abusive and not praised, character toxicity needs to be called out and shown as that, not as a typical bad boy who needs to be saved trope etc. I don't want to get rid of angsty haters to lovers or flawed characters that need to grow; because those stories are so exciting to watch, and analyse, but don't just add trauma for no reason and not take it seriously, don't just make characters do things without making sure the audience knows this isn't okay. We're getting better, and we're getting more healthier relationships, tropes and conversations, but there's more work to be done in some shows in 2021. Some shows like the shipper in 2020 that had predatory behaviour, incest  (not dealt with properly) which felt like a flashback to the past. 

Longer BLS:

Looking at you Korea, don't mess around you literally can have this genre in your hand,s if you make a worthy production like a typical kdrama it doesn't have to be 16 episodes. Ten is fine, even just 30 minute per episode is okay with us. If you just add more minutes and more depth to the stories, so there are more character flesh outs and more chances for your stories to be developed and not rushed. Then Korean BL will literally take over everything.  There's nothing else to really say, Korea has fantastic plot lines, intriguing characters, fun storylines that make you addicted. Yet, it always feels unsatisfactory and annoying because it's just 10-15 minutes per episode. Make it make sense. I mean there are reasons for it because of budget, and lack of mainstream support but I still think we can just focus on one show, with all the money and effort from the other shows add it to one show, make it long, make it big and create a masterpiece and it will explode. The potential is there, plus with Channels like Channel 3 in Thailand, Bls are really starting to be one hour long and have like 16 or more episodes. That's been a fun journey. But Korea, please join this energy and make more shows that are longer and better. Please??

China it's enough: 

I'm being serious; I don't know how we'll ever pass this problem, but TGCF tried to, and I can see many companies are trying to find a way to overcome this. I know with China it's not fair to demand this it's not a full representation of the Chinese culture or whatever,  but it's irksome; there's a lot of shows that can take our breaths all away in China, so many great shows so please stop ruining that. I'm tired of the PTSD of the shows potentials we lost (The guardian)  because of censorship and other issues, sad forced endings, cutting scenes and deleting episodes like it needs to stop in 2021. Because now, don't pretend that the success of BLs isn't making money and causing the Chinese industry to make more shows like these. But this is my wishful thinking like I said I don't fault writers for trying to be careful with laws, but it is incredibly frustrating when you have a country with the best creativity, storylines, acting etc., and it's ruined by censorship. Let's hope 2021 finds a way to get around this. 

Let the BL animation rain; 2020 saw a remarkable rise to danmei donguas! I'm talking MXTX universe with scum villain, TGCF, Mo dao zu shi and more, so let's keep that energy; what I love about danmei is how unique the plots are we can have transmigration, fantasy, supernatural, mafia etc. it never ends, these stories are incredible, the quality of the animations are so excellent, and the love of the characters always get me. We just need to see more come to life. 

The Brilliance of Meta; 

With ITSAY and Gaya SA and Cherry Magic taking over 2020, meta in BLS have been delicious to watch and analyse, and I want more. This is such a selfish ask, but what can I say, I live for shows filled with meta, with depth, with analysis, with characters that are not just one way on the surface but they tell a different story in subtext. I live for clues, and evidence, and production choices, hidden facial gestures, and objects with meanings;  more symbolisms, more foreshadowings, more dramatic ironies, more character dynamics, more use or other literature/media as bases for the story (like Theory of Love with Flipped and movies). I live for this. It makes a show so much more special and exciting when we're part of the journey; it gives something to do other than just watch the story unfold, we can predict, we can guess, we can analyse, we can just be part of the world of the story and fully understand the message that the writer is trying to tell us. Give us something to look for; clues to watch for, to see where the story is going. Change my mind.  For example with Cherry Magic, the fact that it was already precious and made us smile, was even more enhanced by how relatable it was with the meta, the pain, and the struggles the characters went through was so fascinating to analyse and read into and relate to. That's what I want from more BLs, like it's incredible when any kind of show has meta. I think it's one of the best signs of a great writer and production team. 

More Dimensional Characters; 

Especially villains, we don't want  stale girlfriends who know they're a beard but refuses to let go, we don't want the stale homophobic parent all the time, we don't want the bullies that always try to out people. Give me villains with revenge that makes me question who's in the wrong, reformed villains who become love interests, powerful villains we can't help but hate, but we also love, shocking villains with plot twists we can't see coming (like Lhong from TharnType). Give me depth give me angst, give me plot.

 Villains can make or break a show, they can make the show so exciting and thrilling to watch like we want to see them be discovered or end up where they deserve to go, we like feeling bad for people, and getting to see another side of a villain, we enjoy seeing villains that are different from what we initially thought about them. We like deep villains; we don't always need the same villain, like give us unique ones, give us interesting, weird ones, give us conflicting ones that make us side with them. I want that. Example of a show where there's no actual villain, but they all act like it, is Friendzone and it's so incredible to watch and see how these characters behave, grow, regress etc. I want more characters like this, real, human and makes mistakes. I want more flawed characters with deeper reasons for why they're the way they are. It makes a show very addicting to watch. Maybe that's just me.

The problem with streaming services, YouTube and international fans;

  It's weird international fans need to be taken seriously,  international fans are part of your shows rise to fame, more fame, more success , more projects can be made, and more bls can be seen. Some shows in 2020 lost their chance to shine because of the streaming issues (My engineer), subtitle issues and more. Please stop, please take this into account; try harder, there is always someone internationally willing to help translate or help. Just let us know. Putting shows on Aisplay without subs when you can find a contract that enables you to do so, is a bad move. It's just making you lose because international fans will always find an alternative source to spite you. Like it makes no sense to me, if in 2021 we're still struggling with subs, and where to watch a BL show. It makes no sense because 2020 showed that international fans could break or make a show (2gether) and as much it's privileged for me to say this, international fans should be respected and taken seriously. Luckily Channel 3, GMMTV and others are starting to put more effort into recognising international fans. Finally thank you. Let's see if we improve in 2021. 

This has been a fun rant and discussion to write. I sound so spoilt, and annoying complaining about each of these minor issues, but it really does mean a lot when a BL show tries hard to make their show worth it. Like it might seem like a small issue, with like the skinship, censorship, meta, saturated stories etc., but if BLs just stop focusing on the genre and what other people think this genre should be if people stop focusing on BLs as just BLs and see it as stories of love and representation and more, BLs can be incredible, they can be better than other dramas out there with better budgets, and mainstream support, they can have meaning, and create incredible, incredible one a kind stories. I just want that so badly for this genre. Like I don't want BLs to be seen as just the same tropes, and same issues, and same ideas that we had about them in 2015, we want growth and improvement and effort, this is not just for weird rabid fangirls only, this can be more, it can be for representation, education, for entertainment, and it can be for more people and cause a shift in the media in the world. It really can one day become just as big as many other versions of media like the world of kpop, kdramas etc. in the world.  I don't know, that's what I've always thought it could be. And if that happens, it'll be just a great thing. Anyway Let's defeat 2020, we need to keep this upwards trajectory going, and from the shows coming in 2021, I think it's possible. 

[writerofthecourt]

fuyu no hanashi

pairing: semi eita x reader

summary: semi sings a song dedicated to you. a story of loss, anguish, and regrets

warning: slight time skip spoilers, character death, grief and mourning, subtle reference to alcoholism

a/n: i’ve been wanting to write something like this for a very long time, and i’m really happy with how it turned out. this story was inspired by the anime/manga given, specifically a scene from episode 9 of the anime. here’s the particular scene that i’m referencing (beware, the clip does contain plot spoilers for given). i’ve never written for semi before, so i hope i did him justice

Cheers erupted from all around the bar as the band’s leader and vocalist hit the final note of the song, signalling the end of the show. However, this did very little to kill off the enthusiasm of the fans, as they all chanted in unison for one more song.

“One more song, one more song!”

Semi gasped for breath, feeling his body almost running on empty after nearly two hours of intense guitar playing. He looked to his band’s leader to see if he would go through with the crowd’s request.

After catching his breath, the leader turned to Semi, eyeing him seriously as if to ask him if he could really do it. Semi bit his lip, tightening the grip around the neck of his guitar in anxiousness.

Could he do it? He had never once sung on stage since the band’s inception, settling instead to blend into the background and jam out on his guitar. It wasn’t like he couldn’t sing, but there was only ever one person that he sang for, and well…

“I love hearing you sing, Eita. You have a lovely voice.”

Releasing a sigh of nerves, Semi nodded his head. The leader grinned and shot him a subtle thumbs up before grabbing the microphone to address the audience. “If another song’s what you want, then another song’s what you’ll get!”

Once again, the crowd erupted into whoops and hollers as their excitement reverberated all throughout the walls of the bar.

“But,” everyone quickly turned to silence after that, “the one who’ll be singing is Semi over here.”

Hushed noises of confusion soon rang out as the leader grabbed Semi by the arm and gently pushed him towards the front of the stage where the microphone stood. Rushing backstage, the leader quickly grabbed his own guitar, which he had hidden away in its case. While he enjoyed the spotlight that came with being the band’s lead vocalist, he didn’t mind playing back-up guitar every now and then.

Once everyone was in position, Semi nervously glanced into the darkness of the bar. Although he couldn’t see their stares, Semi could feel the looks of judgement, anticipation, and curiosity all directed on him as he took a hold of the microphone stand.

“Ehhh, did Sato strain his throat or something?”

“I’ve never heard Semi sing before, I’m so excited!”

“Can Semi even sing?”

Of course I can sing, Semi internally scoffed. I wouldn’t be up here if I couldn’t.

Tapping the microphone to quiet everyone down, Semi opened his mouth to speak. “Uh, hey. I know I’m usually not up here, but I wanted to sing you guys a song that’s close to my heart.”

Pausing for a moment to collect himself, Semi took a deep breath before continuing. “I wrote this song for someone close to me. She’s not here to listen to it now, but I hope it still reaches her.”

Turning to his bandmates to indicate that he was ready, every one of them shot him an encouraging smile. He wobbly returned their smiles and turned his attention back on to the audience.

“This song is called ‘Winter’s Story.’ I hope you all like it.”

Tapping his drumsticks together, the band’s drummer counted down to the song.

One, two, three-

“Wow, Eita, that was great!” Clapping your hands together, you smiled at your boyfriend as he came to the end of his impromptu performance.

Semi chuckled at the pure joy and adoration shining from your eyes as he set his guitar down back into its case and made himself comfortable onto the chair next to your bed.

In the small and quaint confines of your hospital room, the only noises that could be heard were the monotonous beeps of your heart monitor and the light footsteps of nurses quietly patrolling the hallways outside of your door.

The glow of the setting sun indicated that the dark winter night was fast approaching, and with it, visiting hours would soon be over. Although Semi hated this fact, he couldn’t deny how beautiful you looked as the casting rays of the sun gave your face an angelic shimmer to it.

Even though you denied his claims of beauty on most days, with your skin being reduced to an abnormally sickly tone and needles and wires prodding away at your arm, Semi was always quick to rebuttal all of this. Even in this state, you were still an absolute goddess to him. From the first day he had met you, Semi always thought you were the most beautiful girl he knew.

“So, how long did it take you to write that song?” you asked after a moment of silence.

“Hmmm,” he paused to think about it, “a few days? I just thought about you, and it all came to me.”

Laughing at his poor attempt at flirting, you gave your boyfriend a playful push on the shoulder. “Well, aren’t you a smooth one, Mr. Musician.”

“Only for you, pretty lady,” Semi quipped back with a smirk.

You both chuckled as your conversation soon fell into a quiet and comfortable lull. Semi took to gently holding your hand, while you simply stared out at the large single window that occupied your room, watching in awe as the previously orange sky painted itself black and snowflakes began to fall.

“So-” “I-”

Both you and Semi stared at each other in surprise and amusement before you prompted for him to go first.

“I have some really exciting news about the band,” he informed you.

Seeing you curiously tilt your head, Semi took this as a sign to tell you the news. “There’s this really popular bar, Submariner. It’s located downtown next to all of these other trendy bars and clubs.”

Letting out a hum to indicate that you were listening, Semi said, “Well, the owner of the place saw one of our videos online and sent us an email to ask if we wanted to play a show at the bar next week!”

Pausing for a second to process this new information, you almost jumped out of your bed once you had registered Semi’s words. You let out a cry of joy as you reached up to wrap your arms around your boyfriend’s neck. You almost felt yourself burst into tears at his accomplishment. You were so proud of him.

“Eita, that’s amazing! It’s what you and the guys have always wanted!” you exclaimed. “This is your dream!”

Semi laughed, wrapping his arms around you as he felt tears in his own eyes at your genuine happiness and reaction. He pulled you close, finding comfort in the beating of your heart and the warmth of your body. They were all reminders that you were here, that you were alive.

“Yeah, it’s our first live gig, so everyone’s really excited,” he said while tracing the curve of your back. “We’re even working on a new song right now to play as our opening act.”

“When are you guys playing?” you peeked out from his chest.

“Hmm, next Friday night on the eighteenth,” he responded. “Why?”

He didn’t notice how your body stilled. “O-oh, um, just asking. I wanted to tell my parents so that they could go down there and record you guys.”

Semi hummed. “Even if you’re not there, I’ll always be thinking about you, okay?”

“You’re so lame,” you teased, giving him a peck on the cheek as you made yourself comfortable again on the bed.

“Yeah, whatever,” he conceded as a blush coloured his face. “Anyways, what about you, [Y/N]? Didn’t you want to tell me something too?”

“Y-yeah. I just wanted to tell you that the surgery date hasn’t been decided yet,” you nervously chewed on your lips, “I-I’m a little bit scared just thinking about it, if I’m being honest.”

“[Y/N],” Semi began seriously, taking a hold of your hand. “You’re the strongest person I know. Your doctor said that you’re getting better every day, so you have a high chance of surviving the operation. You’ll make it through this, and I’ll be beside you every step of the way.”

Stunned by his words, your mind was quickly put at ease by Semi’s reassurance. Showing your appreciation, you sent him a sincere smile, the one that got his heart pumping and his mind racing. The one that made him fall in love with you all over again. The one he wanted to wake up every morning to, and the one that he couldn’t live without.

“I know, Eita,” you whispered emotionally. “I love you.”

He smiled back at you. “I love you too.”

The sweet moment was soon interrupted by a soft knock at your door. The nurse in charge of your care sheepishly smiled as she entered into your room with a cart full of medical equipment and pills.

“[L/N]-san, visiting hours are over,” she announced. “I’m also here to check your vitals and administer your medicine.”

Semi sighed, disappointed and knowing that this moment would come sooner or later. Packing up his things, Semi hitched his guitar case onto his shoulder and went over to place a tender kiss on your forehead.

“I’ll see you tomorrow. Call me, all right?” he warned, though there was no real seriousness behind his eyes.

Heading for the door, he bowed to the nurse and thanked her for taking such good care of you. The nurse simply brushed him off, saying that it was her job to take care of you and that you were one of the more delightful patients she had to deal with.

Turning around to look at you one more time, Semi shot you a smile that he had reserved only for your eyes. The kind of smile that came from the bottom of his heart and was filled with adoration.

“I love you,” he repeated again.

“I love you too,” you huffed in playful exasperation. “Now go before the snow starts affecting traffic.”

Semi chuckled and waved goodbye, and as he headed towards the elevators, he couldn’t help but overhear your conversation with the nurse.

“I heard he wrote you a new song? Some of the other nurses were talking about it in the breakroom.”

“Yeah, he did! It was really sweet.”

He heard the nurse sigh fondly. “It must be nice having a boyfriend as caring and loving as Semi-san, right?”

You giggled. “Yeah, he’s the best!”

As the lyrics poured out of Semi’s mouth, the memories of you all came rushing back to him—memories that he had long since tried to forget and had buried deep within the depths of his heart.

From your first date to the day you finally moved in together. From your first major fight to the day you were read your diagnosis. These were all moments that Semi had cherished with you, but now-

“W-what do you mean the operation was yesterday?!” Semi shouted, ignoring the uneasy looks some of the passing nurses gave him.

“S-she didn’t want us to tell you, Eita-kun,” your mother cried, holding back her tears. Your father stood beside her, doing his best to support his wife as he dealt with his own grief and loss. “It was on the same day as your show. She didn’t want to burden you. She wanted you to play!”

It was your mother’s next words that broke his heart forever. “S-she…she didn’t make it.”

“Ahhh-ahhhhh!!” Semi screamed out in time with the bridge’s commencement. It was a guttural noise, one full of anger, sadness, and betrayal, all of which he had bottled away this entire time.

Semi always regretted that day. He would have gladly given up his dream of becoming a musician if it meant that he could have said goodbye to you one last time. Unfortunately, fate was far too cruel.

No matter where I go, you’re there, he thought to himself as he continued to sing. You’re always in my head. You’re in everything I see.

Feeling the hot tears pouring from his eyes, Semi strummed away at his guitar.

No matter where I go, I can still see you there…

Images of dates, anniversaries, and all the times you two had spent together began appearing in his mind. Semi could never forget the joy in your eyes whenever you smiled at him or the happiness in your laughter whenever he told a stupid joke. All of those images and sounds came crashing back to him, striking like a tsunami.

“It was her choice not to tell you,” Tendou said, warily glancing at all the empty bottles of alcohol strewn around the apartment. “She wanted you to chase after your dream.”

“What the hell’s the point of my dream if she isn’t here for it?!” Semi lashed out, not caring for the tears rolling down his face. “I only got into music because I wanted to make her happy! I wanted to see her smile! But now-”

The audience stared in total awe and focus as Semi poured his heart out into his singing and playing. All the bitterness, resentment, sadness, and regret that he had ever felt about that day were now being put into his performance.

I can’t forgive you for lying, he thought bitterly. I can’t forgive myself for not being there. But most of all…I miss you.

Striking the final chord of the song, Semi ended the show in spectacular fashion. The crowd looked on in stunned silence and wide eyes before exploding into loud praises and cheers. Although his lungs were on fire and his fingers twitched with every slight movement he made, Semi never felt more happy. The weight around his heart was now beginning to feel lighter, and with it, a chance to finally start moving forward.

Rubbing away at his eyes to get rid of the remaining tears, Semi weakly chuckled to himself. He quietly thanked the fans and wished them all a good night before exiting the stage with his bandmates. As they each congratulated him on his amazing performance, Semi couldn’t help but let his mind wander off to you one more time.

[Y/N], no matter where you are, I hope you know I’m happy. I’ve chased after my dream, just like you wanted me to. I made it, [Y/N].

…I love you.

taglist: @kkoalaworld​ (you said you wanted to be tagged)

[bentothuglife]

2020 in review

I was tagged by @brokennecksfeatherweights, but it’s been a hell of a week so I’m only doing it now haha.

Rules: answer the questions about 2020 and tag some people to pass it on!

5 favourite films you watched in 2020

(here meaning movies I watched for the first time in 2020 but not necessarily that came out in 2020)

Knives Out

Birds of Prey

Jennifer’s Body

Thoroughbreds

Hustlers

5 favourite TV shows you watched in 2020

The Crown

Superstore

Canada’s Worst Driver

Doro He Doro

Beastars

5 favourite songs you listened to in 2020

“Shake the Disease” Depeche Mode

“Okay I Believe You but My Tommy Gun Don’t” Brand New (this was a depressive episode, do not recommend)

“how will i rest in peace if i’m buried by a highway?//” KennyHoopla

“Судно (Sudno)” Молчат Дома (Molchat Doma)

“4K” El Alfa x Darell x Noriel

Top 5 albums of 2020

Ugly Is Beautiful, Oliver Tree

Paharda, Nürnberg

Sci-Fi Sky, Lebanon Hanover

Objets perdus, Evelyne Brochu

Des heures clandestines, Jérôme Rocipon (it’s a lil bb ep but I still love it)

Top 5 books you read in 2020

Finally Goodreads is good for something

Solutions and Other Problems, Allie Brosh

Middlegame, Seanan McGuire

The City We Became, N.K. Jemisin

The Queen of Ieflaria, Effie Calvin

Hiding in Plain Sight, Sarah Kendzior

Honourable mentions to all of Yotsuba to! and most of Flying Witch mangas which were truly a delight.

How did you spend your birthday this year

Alone in lockdown. I bought a really nice single-serve chocolate cake from the ~fancy~ bakery (the very stylish employees kept asking me if I was sure I only wanted one individual cake? really?) and ordered a feast of delivery sushi from my favourite local spot and I videocalled my parents and some friends. I for sure watched a movie as well but can’t remember which one. Probably something spooky because my birthday is a little before Halloween.

What was your most memorable day this year

Either, the last day at the office before we went remote-only, and everyone was going around in hushed voices wondering what was going to happen until we finally got the email from management saying we would be remote-only as of Monday so we were all emailing ourselves our workstation IP addresses so we could configure our remote desktop once we got home, etc. and at the end of the day I brought my plant into the elevator and rode down with two other people taking their plants home.

Or the day this summer when my friend who also lives alone and never sees anyone and I went to her family’s cottage and we did mushrooms (me for the first time) and sat outside by the pond and watched the leaves and the clouds and the water and danced to reggaeton and built a fire when it started to get dark (and we were still both tripping, she more than me but I have zero fire-building experience so I was like project managing to keep her On Task) and it was just this perfect beautiful day

What was your most memorable meal you had this year

Birthday sushi, but probably the charcuterie assortment at the cottage after our trip ended is a close second.

Did you find any new hobbies or interests in quarantine

Mostly I picked up ones that I hadn’t been spending time on for a while. I sewed two dresses, studied Japanese including reading lots of manga and watching anime, lately I’ve picked my guitar up for the first time in years and have been knitting a little as well. I did buy an embroidery book but haven’t tried it yet.

What was the last big event/thing you remember doing BC (before covid)?

I genuinely don’t remember. Probably last year’s company Christmas party.

5 good/positive things that happened to you in 2020:

I started doing a weekly tabletop RPG online with a Twitter mutual and his gaming group

Working from home is something I’ve always wished I could do, honestly this was a positive change for me personally

Started doing yoga most days

Started watching a movie with friends while texting in a group chat at least once a week, do recommend

Actually got new tumblr mutuals this year and new followers who weren’t porn spam blogs for the first time since the Exodus!

Biggest messages or lessons learnt from this year?

Humans really do fundamentally need to connect, and while you might feel alone, there are probably a lot of people in your life who’d love to hear from you. Also the importance of rest and giving yourself what you need to recharge your batteries.

And what are you most looking forward to in 2021?

Trying not to have any expectations as far as the wider world, but I’m excited for spring/summer. I hope the cherry tree I planted in my yard this fall flowers and maybe even gets some cherries! I hope the asparagus I planted this year can be harvested next summer. Looking forward to spending time (virtually and maybe irl) with friends and loved ones.

Not gonna tag anyone in particular, please do this if you want to!

[sleepymouses]

tagged by @littlepetbee, thank uuuu <3 i spent way too long thinking about htis lol,

Rules: pick 5 shows, then answer the following questions, tag a bunch o ppls to do it too (if y’all want to, supes no pressure or anything!)

Natsume yuujinchou  (a teenage orphan who sees spirits/monsters sets out to free the spirits who were bound in magical contract by his grandmother after he inherits a powerful book, aided primarily by a spirit who appears as an exasperated fat cat (who is just as fun as he sounds). Titular character is like my Fave boy in the whole world, he’s so kind and soft despite all the hardships he’s faced, the series has very gentle pacing/character development, and each episode is a carefully crafted lil story that have often moved me to tears, chuckles, or outright chinhands of fondness as u watch natsume slowly find a home in the world and amongst the humans &spirits around him. big focus on friendships, there’s like no romance with any of the main characters, lots of cool different creatures (most of whom arent all that scary once u get to know them), its just literally everything i could ever dream for in a show and it exists! <3)

Leverage (team of modern day robin hoods ruin rich peoples’ lives via  delightfully crafted spy cons to give back to the regular folks the rich people hurt. Extremely good, strong found family vibes, and v cathartic)

Brooklyn 99 (follows diverse cast of character who make up a NY precinct. Hilarious, immensely wholesome & groundbreaking, & probs the most lighthearted crime show besides like psych tbh)

Blackspot/Zone Blanche (spoopy french/belgium crime series set in a small village way out in the mountains surrounded by misty, mysterious and murdery woods. eerie and atmospheric, but also like one of my fave characters (everyone calls him teddy bear) keeps a pet guinea pig at work, so it’s not entirely grim and bleak)

Longmire (a modern western crime drama centering around the titular sheriff and others in their small town wyoming county, well written and lot of chracter development revealed alongside some really good case mysteries bc i love trying to figure out whodunits apparently based on a book series well adored by dads btw)

who is your favorite character in 2? (leverage) ahhh,,, this is hard... Eliot maybe? like Hardison is baby ofc, but i relate to elliot a ton (i think if i was on a team i would want to be the hitter tbh?) and love the subversion of so many action hero tropes that he is, also endlessly amused by how very put upon he is despite all his rad/random skills

who is your least favorite character in 1? (natsume yuujinchou) oh seiji matoba for sure, he can go eat a mouldy tree stump. absolutely evil nasty dude

what is your favorite episode of 4? (blackspot) the end of the road. great opening, didnt end up too devastating unlike a lot of the cases, Hermann was gr8, cool twist i hadnt super expected in the plot which was neat.

what is your favorite season of 5? (longmire) probs 1, walter reeally started to piss me off being Such A Man in later seasons, also me being extremely anxious about Henry and his life choices later, that creepy stalker storyline starting up with Someone and when Someone else in the main cast got died really suddenly and upsettingly later on as well, also when a weird relationship started between some of the characters that i really aint feeling so. before all that happened was nice (also sorry if this is super vague, im trying to avoid spoilers)

who is your favorite couple in 3? (B99) Besides Jake/Amy and Holt/Kevin (bc oviously theyre gr8) uh.. i know it was a long time ago and didnt last very long, but i thought rosa and marcus were really sweet? it brought another layer out to her character, even when they broke up that helped rosa starting to show emotional vulnerability and all, even tho it ended it was still just, idk, i liked them.

who is your favorite couple in 2? (leverage) Does trio count, cos Parker/Eliot/Harding 4 life yo

what is your favorite episode of 1? (natsume yujinchou) i have sooo many faves ahhh!!! i dont think i could pick just one on pain of death, every episode is acrefully cosntructed gem all on its own and i have too many that i love and adore to pick jsut one :((

what is your favorite episode of 5? (longmire) Dog soldier!! ive rewatched that one a ton, so so many good bits, really satisfying resolution of the case despite the shitty system that was revealed, and i rmr getting chills by the end the first time i saw it.

what is your favorite season of 2? (leverage) i guess season 1? just, idk, everything being set up and watching all these grumpies/less grumpies who have no plans to stay together start working together as a baby team, and just the joy of seeing their first heist together with the first plot twist, just.. such a delight, but all seasons that ive seen so far were all excellent, it’s a stellar show

how long have you watched 1? (natsume yujinchou) oh idk exactly, like years and years man... defs the longest out of all on this list

how did you become interested in 3? (b99) i think it was just on netflix way back in season 1 and i started watching it, loved it and never stopped? i think that might have even been before it got rlly popular lol

who is your favorite actor in 4? (blackspot) i dont rlly know any of these french peeps? but teddybear’s one of my fave characters, so hopefully the person who plays him is also cool, in which case hubert delattre (if not, Suliane Brahim does a v good job as the lead)

which do you prefer, 1, 2, or 5? (natsume yujinchou, leverage or longmire) um... real torn between natsume and leverage here, they’re both such lovely gems that do found family so, so well.. leverage is a team of modern robin hood-esque spies with brilliant writing and exciting heists and multiple delightful plot twists every episode and great character building and so much catharticism in ruining evil rich peoples lives.

but natsume’s title character is one of my very favorite characters ever, hes been through so much but he becomes the most kindest and thoughtful boy ever, and its so, so soft and gentle in its development of characters and their slow build of getting to know each other and becoming friends, and the interactions with the paranormal world are very rarely entirely malicious/scary, and there’s pretty well no romance, at least like no romance for plot/with the main characters anyways, and there’s lots of female characters who have important roles but arent sexualized/killed off for man feels/exist for romo (which sadly cannot be said about a lot of media, especially manga/anime tbh, even leverage does not win entirely on that front).. its defintiely my favorite anime ever (i dont watch loads, but literally no other one can ever come close to topping its perfection),

i guess tho, leverage is over, and natsume is still technically ongoing, so i guess for that then i have to go with natsume?

which show have you seen more episodes of, 1 or 3? (natsume yuujinchou or b99) Natsume for sure, they’re so short its easy to power thru like half a season in an afternoon

if you could be anyone from 4, who would you be? (blackspot) i would probably want to be someone who didnt live in villefranche actually haha uh, it’s a pretty spoopity place.. even some of the characters i do like make some Bad decisions that are v bothersome. Dr. Leila barami seems to have a good head on her shoulders tho, so if i Must be a character here then let’s go with her

would a crossover between 3 and 4 work? (b99 or blackspot) oh god... the cheery upbeat department at the 99 meet up with a grim, misty tiny mountain forest village with bleak day to day life, solving crimes amidst small town paranoia and weird maybe cult-related conspiracies and honestbhly something/s paranormal and menacing going on in the woods?? i just... cant see any of the characters even interacting lol, im just picturing jake’s confused befuddled face when he hears something weird but like x 10000

pair two characters in 1 who would make an unlikely but strangely okay couple? (natsume yujinchou) hm... i mean, one of the things i love about Natsume is that there arent really any romo relationships tbh? at least not with any of the main characters in the main storyline (so far), just like the odd one-off of minor characters (and takashi’s adopted parents ofc, but that’s different). so, yeah, i cant really think of one (although i think the big fandom fave ship of takashi and his worst enemy is rlly.. nope, and i dont know what’s going on there? takashi and tanama however, that would make sense, tho it is not unlikely so i cant answer this question with them)

overall, which show has the better storyline, 3 or 5? (b99 or longmire) b99! cos ya know my annoyances with some of the stuff happening later on in longmire lol, b99 just got better n better as it went along, and it’s still going :’)

which has the better theme music, 2 or 4? (leverage or blackspot) blackspot has a real good eerie atmospheric theme which is gr8 and i love it <3 (leverage’s tune is like, elevator music/cheesy jazzy spy tune, which does suit it tho lol)

and idk, anyone bored and stuck at home who wants to do this? no pressure if ur like nah but if u wanna go ahead.... @creepy-friend-of-darkness @anna-wa @rhinky-thingz @rexbasileus @aeolian-harp @warrenkoles @softbrobarnes @damnitttana @cluelesswolf @moondoggiestyle @blloodorangeisthenewblack @my-nail-beds-suck @frankiecolours @savvylikeyeahhh @lake-effectkidx @justhugharry @casualmisandry @j4ya @galaxygalpals @thesecondwarm @dealwright @knipperdollin @curlycombover @kaspbrakeddie (and if i didnt tag u and u still wanna do this, consider yeself tagged)

[paradisobound]

World’s Greatest First Love: Chapter 9

Summary: Dan Howell wanted a clean break from his father’s publishing company. It was why he applied for a different company in London: to stop the ridicule of his coworkers for riding on his ‘daddy’s coat tails’. But he wasn’t expecting to suddenly be going from a literature editor, to a graphic novel editor. And he certainly wasn’t expecting to come face first with his first love who broke his heart from when he was a teenager: who just happens to be his new editor-in-chief.

Based on the Anime and Manga “The World’s Greatest First Love: The Case of Ritsu Onodera” aka Sekai-Ichi Hatsukoi

Rating: Explicit (heed the rating change!)

Word Count: 2.6k (this chapter)

Warnings: Smut

Beta Read by: @phanandpenguins

Updates Every Tuesday 12pm EST and Saturday at 1pm EST

READ ON AO3

Back when Dan was a teenager, he used to have thoughts in his head about what it would be like to spend Christmas with Phil. Sometimes he would sit alone in his room and think about what they would do. Would they exchange gifts? Would they celebrate together?

In the present, Dan is overcome with these thoughts once again as he lays awake lone in his apartment. It’s well past midnight, but his mind hasn’t shut up since the night before when he and Phil...did that. It wasn’t like they progressed any further than kissing, but Dan doesn’t honestly know how they kissed for. All his knows is that when they stopped, his lips were a bit sore and swelled to the touch but...he doesn’t regret it.

Maybe that’s why he’s still up at night.

He doesn’t regret the kissing. At the time, it had felt really right. But it was what Phil had told him after that is making Dan’s head still reel.

Let’s go away for Christmas together.

Dan didn’t give Phil an answer. He just said he’d think about it and then he left for the evening where he stayed awake the entire time worrying about what he had done. At the office yesterday, Phil had told Dan he could book them tickets to the Isle of Man for a getaway. It would just be the two of them.

It didn’t feel right, Dan supposes, to be going away on a getaway with your boss. But he feels like he’s crossed a line by kissing Phil. Yeah, they were both a bit inebriated when it happened but that still doesn’t stop the fact that Dan did want it. He wanted to be kissed by Phil again after all of these years.

He turns on his side and the clock reads close to 2 now. He knows he’ll hate himself in the morning if he doesn’t get some sleep, so he shuts his eyes and tries to fall asleep.

And he does eventually, but his dream comes in the form of him and Phil exchanging Christmas gifts and the cycle begins again.

***

There was nothing Dan hated more than dealing with the printers. Every time he went to them to give them his finished manuscript, they always harped on him for something or another. He’s tried to let it go in one ear and out the other but that doesn’t always happen.

He’s on the way back to the office and can’t wait to get back so he can tell his goodbyes to Phil and then leave for the evening to go home. He has the day off tomorrow and he really cannot wait to spend the day doing absolutely nothing and just relaxing in his apartment.

The elevator doors open up and Dan looks up to see Damien standing directly in front of him. Dan really wanted to roll his eyes but he knew that he couldn’t for the act of civility.

“Didn’t you get Phil’s message?” Damien asks as Dan steps out of the elevator, “He texted you that you could go home as soon as you were done.”

Dan pulls his phone out from his pocket and sure enough, there is a text from Phil telling him to go home.

“Well, still needed to come back and grab my stuff,” Dan says, walking past Damien as Damien walked towards the open elevator doors.

Damien didn’t step onto the elevator though. He turned around and the doors shut behind him as he crossed his arms over the chest and asked, “What are you doing the 24th?”

Dan furrowed his brows, “Christmas eve?” Dan asks.

“No, Phil’s birthday.”

At first, it takes Dan a minute to remember what Damien even means. Surely Phil’s birthday wasn’t the 24th? Then it hits Dan like a ton of bricks and he’s stood there with wide eyes as he looks at Damien who just laughs, “You forgot, didn’t you?” He says.

“I--”

“Well, just wanted to ask what you were doing,” Damien says with a shrug. “Phil doesn’t like his birthday but I thought maybe I would take him out to the bar for the evening and you could tag along.”

Dan feels a bit caught off guard by the invitation but he just nods and flashes a smile, “I’ll consider it.”

Damien doesn’t say anything more, he turns on his heels and pushes the up button on the elevator and steps inside.

Dan takes a moment to process everything before he walks to his desk and gathers his things. He leaves the office feeling a bit off kilter, a bit unsure of what his mind is even thinking. He feels cloudy, a bit weightless.

When he gets on the tube, he pulls his phone out and checks his calendar. It’s then that he realizes the 24th is is in 2 days, he never even noticed it. He has no gifts, no presents or cards for his family. He was never even aware Christmas was this close. His days were blurring together and going by so fast. He’s been at Onyx for nearly three months now and yet, he doesn’t feel like he has.

He shuts his eyes and leans his head back on the window as he lets out a sigh.

***

Dan wakes up the next morning to the insistent ringing of his doorbell from the outside. He looks at his clock and he sees it’s a little after 9, but he was content until sleeping until midday. He didn’t really feel like being awake, much less alive, this early in the morning.

He gets up slowly and walks to his door to see Phil stood there, holding a pair of printed tickets in his hand, “We’re going to Isle of Man,” He says. “I’ve rented us a cottage.”

“Wait what?” Dan says, his brain still waking up and not processing everything that Phil is saying.

“I don’t want to spend Christmas in London...I want to spend Christmas alone with you. So please...come with me to the Isle of Man where we can get away for a bit. Just you and me,” Phil pleads. “We can take the time to catch up.”

“What about work?” Dan asks.

“Onyx closes for the holidays like every other company,” Phil says. “It’ll be okay. No one will question it.”

Dan bites his lip as Phil hands him a printed version of their flight itinerary. He looks down at it for a moment and studies it before looking up, “Okay.”

Phil’s eyes widened and he immediately became excited, “Oh awesome!” He exclaims, “Our flight leaves tomorrow at 8am. But I’ll meet you here before that.”

“Sounds good.”

Phil leaves, not long after and Dan stands on the other side of the door as he contemplates all that he just did. He’ll have to get Phil a gift now, but what do you give an ex-lover? Let alone one that you might be getting feelings for again?

He sits down on the floor and puts his head in his hands as he closes his eyes.

He might have gotten himself into a mess.

Dan got Phil a Studio Ghibli Totoro plushie from a convenience store down the road from his apartment. He texted Phil asking if Phil liked anime, because that’s what Dan likes too and he figured that would make getting him a gift easier. Phil responded that he did and he named specifically this anime so this is what Dan got him.

It’s quite big, but not too big that Dan can’t travel with it. When he packs his overnight duffel bag for the two day trip, he stuffs it into the bottom under his clothing and then packs the rest of his essentials.

He’s feeling a bit nervous now. Now that the bag is packed, he feels like everything is so much more definite. Dan’s is actually going on a trip with Phil and it’s something he’s doing willingly. He honestly never thought he would ever get this opportunity. When he was a teenager, this was all he could think about.

He used to fantasize about spending time with Phil when they got older. He used to think about how they would go on holidays together and they would visit places like Paris and Tokyo and it would be just them, in love. It would be them making memories because as teenagers, they had no way to do that.

Dan finds himself getting emotional when he thinks like that. He used to have such big pipe dreams for him and Phil but they all collapsed so fast around them.

His phone vibrates next to him, and he picks it up and answers it thinking that it was going to be Phil. But his voice stops and his skin pales as he hears the unforgettable voice on the other side.

***

“Are you familiar with the Isle of Man?” Dan asks as he and Phil step out of the cab at the end of the driveway that lead to the cottage.

Phil turned to him and nodded, “When my parents divorced, this is where my mum moved to and I moved here with her as well. She’s not around here anymore, but even if she was, I don’t think I could see her.”

“I’m sorry.”

“Don’t be,” Phil says with a smile. “We’re going to make new memories on the Isle for me and I’m much happier about that.”

They walks inside the cottage and it’s so small and quaint. But yet, it feels so homey. Dan feels so comfortable being here. The living room is quiet and the kitchen is small. He goes down the hallway to put his stuff in his room when he sees just two doors. He opened the one and its the bathroom. He steps back and furrows his brow and then pushes the next door open and only sees a single king bed.

He turns back around, “Phil...there is only one bedroom.”

Phil steps into the view of the hallway and nods, “Yeah, we’re sharing a room.”

“Why?” Dan questions.

“Because if we’re going to catch up, I figured that we could start by at least sleeping together.”

Dan’s eyes widen and Phil immediately puts his hands up to stop Dan’s thoughts.

“It was also the only cottage that the rental company had at the last minute for the holidays so I took what I could get. But I thought it wouldn’t make a difference.”

Dan just nods and bites his lip as he walks into the room and sets his stuff down on the side of the bed. He sits down on the edge and rubs his hands over his face. When he finally stands up to put his stuff away, Phil walks by and calls, “I’m using the shower,” and Dan wants nothing more than to just curl up.

Most of the places around aren’t open due to it being Christmas Eve so they get their food at a small Tesco in the town centre. They grab some quick food they can heat up and Dan buys Phil a cake and then they make their way back to the cottage.

They sit in the small dining room and Dan leaves momentarily to grab the gift for Phil. He fishes it out of the bottom of his bag and takes a deep breath as he walks out and sees Phil staring at him.

“Happy Birthday,” Dan says, handing him the plushie. Phil takes it in his hands and squishes it against his chest like a child and it makes Dan smile, “Do you like it?”

Phil nods, “I love it! I love Totoro.”

They’re stood in the living room, and Dan feels like the air around them just changed significantly. Phil sets the plushie on the couch behind him and then says, “When I was younger, I used to fantasize about us over the holidays. I used to think about what we do, what gifts we would exchange. I was always really excited for them…”

“...But they never happened.”

Phil nodded and Dan feels his cheeks heat up.

“I used to do that too,” Dan admits. “I used to do that all the time.”

Phil suddenly moves forward and places his hand on Dan’s jaw and connects their lips in a heated kiss. Dan wraps his arms gently around Phil’s neck and lets himself melt into the kiss. For some reason, his body wasn’t telling him to push Phil away, that he was making a mistake.

Instead, he arched his chest closer to Phil and whimpered into the kiss.

They ended up in the bedroom, Dan making quick work of getting his jeans off and slipping them to the floor. He lays down on the bed and let’s Phil hover over him as Phil reaches between them and slips his hand instead of Dan’s boxers.

It’s been so long since they’ve touched each other and Dan will be lying if he says he hasn’t thought about this, hasn’t reminisced of the sex they had when they were younger. They were so inexperienced, so young and dumb but yet it always felt so good.

Phil fishes his cock out and Dan hisses as the cool air of the room touches his skin. He feels so hot all over, and Phil’s skin feels the same way under his touch. Dan kisses him again, letting himself get back into the kiss again as Phil pulls off his shirt and then tugs at Dan’s. They undress all the way and Dan spreads his legs, letting Phil in between them.

Maybe he’ll regret this tomorrow, he’s not entirely sure. But tonight, he feels nothing but want and need. He needs Phil. He wants nothing more than to feel Phil inside of him again.

Phil gets out the lube and a condom wrapper from his bag next to the bed and Dan waits, his chest heaving. Phil maneuvers back so he can get proper access to Dan and Dan finds himself blushing, feeling a bit self-conscious. But then Phil bends down and kisses just below his belly button and that all washes away.

When Phil entered him, it took Dan’s breath away. Phil was a lot bigger than he remembered, but he filled him so well that he really couldn’t do anything but let out a loud moan and a series of whimpers.

Phil hit him in all the right spots and they both didn’t last long, Dan finishing in pearl streaks over his stomach and Phil staggering a bit and finishing inside the condom. When Phil pulls out, Dan lays on his back and lets himself take hold of the situation. He doesn’t have enough time to really gauge what he’s done because Phil removes the spent condom and then immediately snuggles up to Dan, turning Dan on his back so they can cuddle, Dan being the little spoon.

Right before Dan drifts off, he can feel the kisses littering the back of his neck and he hears the faint sound of Phil saying, “I love you” and Dan feels like his heart is simultaneously filling and breaking.

Because Dan got a call from his estranged fiancee the day before, and he’s going to eventually have to Phil about her. But he can’t after what they just did, and he spends the night worrying about this instead of taking in the moment at hand.

[lisaontheroadagain]

On Tokyo

Everything here seems to function as it was meant to. Trains, traffic, pedestrians. Despite 13 million people inhabiting metropolitan Tokyo, I witness no jay walking, no traffic jams. In five days, I literally hear someone honk their horn once. Everywhere I go people seem patient, waiting in single files lines, for restaurants, for elevators, for buses and trains. When the train arrives, notoriously on time, the train car aligns perfectly with markings on the ground, the commuters quietly stand in two single file lines on the side of the car doors until everyone exiting has deboarded, then enter themselves, quickly, orderly. On the escalators, everyone stands to the left, so those walking more quickly have free passage on the right. On the streets, everyone walks to the left, keeping to their own lane, staying off the raised yellow tile navigation system of lines and dots for the blind, a kind of braille for the feet. The whole of Tokyo seems like a well-oiled machine, each denizen aware they are a cog in a larger system, willing to play their part.

I count five pieces of trash on the ground in five days of walking my way through Tokyo. Despite walls of boarded panels covering up construction, not a single one is grimied with the familiar markings of a graffiti tag. I see no homeless people, except for a small tent city under the train tracks in Shinjuku. Each denizen has a large cardboard box, taped into perfect orderly rectangles and squares of varying sizes with thick blue tape. Pairs of shoes sit neatly outside, even the homeless feeling enough dignity not to sully their makeshift home with dirty shoes.

Every toilet has a bidet. Most have heated seats. Some of them have “privacy” buttons where the sounds of chirping birds or crashing waves will play loudly enough to hide whatever squeeches and pffts want to work their way out of your body. Even in train stations the toilet paper is so often folded into neat triangles, I wonder if it’s an anonymous origami gesture from whoever peed there before. Every seat is clean and dry, the floor of every stall without a single stray piece of ply.

I never see a single Japanese person in yoga pants or casual “comfy” clothes. Everyone looks like they have a stylist. Perfectly manicured and coifed, fashionable, in sync with the latest trends, attention paid to every inch of their look from the tips of their nails to the lace lining on their ankle socks. I feel self-conscious of my messy wave of curls, the stray frizzy hairs out of place, the bra strap occasionally slipping into view. The masses of passerbys – both men and women – create a dizzying scape of haute chic, a magazine spread come to life, each individual worthy of their own page. Some are more alternative, gothic punk, “kawaii” cute, Anime cosplay, Lolita-esque life-sized dolls with contacts to make their irises the size of a cartoon. But everyone – everyone – looks to have thought carefully about their look for the day.

I am astounded by the attention to detail. In the fashion, the interior design, the service, the food. Every plate, every chopstick, every corner of every room, every morsel of every meal, the size of the ice cube, the shape of the cup, the type of flower in the vase. It all seems chosen, intentional. Remarkable, more for what is not there than what is – the finesse is in the editing, the negative space. Everything is an elegant composition. An homage to efficiency. Even the signage in the public bathrooms, perfectly clear instructions in any language, to sit, not squat, to put toilet paper in the toilet and everything else in the trash. The organization of the train station, each car of the subway, each exit of the station, with its own number, so you know where to stand, where to walk, to exit closest to your destination. Someone has thought about this in advance, someone cared deeply about my experience of the bathroom, my experience of the train. In Shinto, the Japanese religion, everything has its own spirit – the trees, the rocks, the leaves – every object meriting respect. I can feel the dignity with which objects are treated here, the care with which they are imbued. It makes me want to slow down and pay more attention to the details in my life, to have fewer, nicer objects, worthy of my care.

We, too, are treated with the same dignity and care. Everywhere we go we are greeted with the utmost courtesy and respect. Everyone wants to please us, to make us feel honored. We are thanked and bowed to so many times entering and exiting an establishment, I feel awkward and embarrassed by the attention. They bow and I bow back and they bow again and I bow again, unsure when we can politely stop. Almost everyone is incredibly kind, helpful. But almost no one is friendly. There is so much respect I feel trapped behind a wall, simultaneously welcomed in and completely shut out.

I get frustrated by the persistent pleasing. When I ask our travel guide for advice on what to do for the day, she doesn’t give me a straight answer. She is shy, uncomfortable giving her opinion, searching for clues of what she thinks I want her to say.

I get exhausted by the intensity of Tokyo. The nonstop onslaught of people, places. The streets show no letting up, no reprieve. Buildings are stacked 9 levels high with businesses, neon signs in foreign symbols piling on top of each other, stretching into the sky. Shops and restaurants upon shops and restaurants, packed with people, ten story fashion malls seemingly on every block, with sprawling basement food halls hawking perfectly curated bento boxes, wildly expensive single pieces of fruit, beautiful pastries, gleaming sushi, slices of marbled wagyu, yakatori skewers, tonkatsu, onigiri, karaage, donburi, mochi, and on and on. More shops and restaurants fill the train stations, floors of underground malls beneath the tracks. Vending machines line every spare inch of street side real estate, a brightly lit convenient store on every corner, all busy inside. The constancy of the commercialism is crushing. I can barely breath.

Until we step inside and off the streets. The whirring of the city in unceasing motion quiets as the door shuts, giving way to an oasis of calm. Inside the restaurant, or teahouse, or bar, with just six seats, maybe twelve, it is jarringly serene. Like the clothes they wear and the food they serve, the design has been flawlessly fashioned. A single flower arranged inside a bud vase to arch perfectly over the bar. A shelf with perfectly arranged sets of cups, liquor bottles placed side by side, an exacting two inches apart. A set of rattan baskets, one arranged neatly by my seat as a receptacle for my purse. I am greeted kindly, in sync, by all of the staff. Then it is quiet, no music, perhaps a few hushed voices, speaking in low conversation. Time stands still inside. Tokyo, outside of this one room, ceases to exist. Here is serenity. I could stay for hours, barely remembering there is anywhere else.

For a while I’m grateful for the respite. To know that whenever I need, there is a nearby establishment I can escape into for a moment of peace. But then even the quiet begins to suffocate. If outside is chaotic order of overwhelming magnitude, inside is delicately crafted, oppressive calm. Though seemingly opposites, they are but versions of the same strive for perfection, two different expressions of the same exquisite restraint, varying functions of the same set of rigid rules. I want to scream. I want to throw my beautiful plate of pea tofu with sea urchin foam and a single curled carrot strip at the walls. I want to claw my way out of the suffocating precision and tear my hair and jump up and down headbanging to Rage Against the Machine. I suddenly think I have insight into the high rates of suicide, the infamous lack of sexual desire, the fascination with violent manga and tentacle rape porn. I think I get the escape into virtual worlds, the otaku obsessionism, the gritty shibari/BDSM scene. After only a few days I need an outlet for my individuality, a place to express my energy, a way to kindle my life force before it quakes beneath the conformity.

In the middle of all this, I find myself eating a 14-course meal at a restaurant called Inua that won best new restaurant of the year. Each dish is spectacular, creative, colorful, beautiful, an homage to the nature from which its components came. One dish – a sort of savory sweet fruit rollup created from local plums, laid like an artwork on a piece of honeycomb inside a wooden frame, baked with edible flowers and a variety of herbs – somehow tastes simultaneously new and familiar, exotic and comforting. It is so beautifully plated, so magical and delightful and whimsical in concept, so confounding in its flavors, it awakens all my senses and reminds me how exciting it can be to exist in a human body that is able to see and smell and hear and touch and – above all, in this moment – to taste. To taste! I am so humbled by the dish and the experience the chef created for me in this bite of food I am moved to tears.

I find myself at TeamLab: Borderless, an immersive digital art museum filled with wide halls and hidden rooms of moving images. Ceiling to floor digital sunflowers, a parade of traditionally-drawn 6 foot bunnies I can follow across the walls of the entire exhibit, a room filled with lanterns that grow brighter or dimmer based on the proximity of its viewers, fields of digitally lit lily pads, floral tigers and elephants stampeding by, screens of digitally dripping water that change their flow pattern when I interrupt them with my hand. It is a maze of art work that responds to me, knows that I am there, is changed by my presence, allows me to become part of it. I watch a four-minute experience known as the Cave Universe, a dance of birds flying in such dizzying immersive beauty that I feel like I’m doing somersaults, turned inside out, unsure which direction is up. I lose my balance, assure myself I haven’t done any drugs. It is so thrilling, a rollercoaster ride standing still, I watch it at least four more times.

I find myself in the middle of Tokyo’s busy streets, six inches off the ground in a red and yellow go cart, wearing a Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle onesie. It is the most fun way I’ve ever explored a new city, wind in my face, foot on the gas pedal; there is an immediacy to the experience I immediately love. Plus, we are clearly bringing joy to hundreds of pedestrians as we whiz by. They are waving, taking pictures. I feel adored. Like I am famous. I am delighted seeing their demeanors change, serious grimaces and blank stares breaking out into huge smiles, excited eyes, when they see us pass. Hordes of school girls make heart shapes on their heads for us to mimic back, business men in taxis roll down their windows to say konichiwa. It is the first time I feel a bridge to the Japanese people that isn’t completely shrouded in politeness and etiquette.

Thankfully it isn’t the last. We bond with our bartender in the tiny ten seat bar, one of 200 in the Golden Gai. He speaks almost no English, but he pours good Japanese Whiskey, and he smiles and makes charade-style jokes like we’re old friends. The chef at our Michelin starred sushi restaurant stands in front of us and makes us nigiri piece by piece, telling us about a day in his life, waking up at 4am to go to the fish market, living on three hours of sleep per night, smiling and laughing, eating up our experience of his meal like we eat up his fish, clearly devoting his life to the thing he loves. The owner and waitress at the neighborhood soba shop teach us how to slurp soba and ask our help translating a few lines on their menu, giggling at the fact “beefsteak plant” actually means “shiso leaf.” But so far these experiences have been the exception rather than the rule.

The language barrier certainly makes things challenging; not many people speak English well. But it feels like it’s more than that. I have a sneaking suspicion that, like most everything else here, the distance is intentional. We are here, as tourists, as their revered and honored guests, and they our venerable hosts. It is not lip service – service is an art form here, completely genuine, a great source of pride. The formalities, they are the tools of the trade, a signal of how seriously they take their hosting, how important the exchange. And yet, I can’t help feeling the politeness is also obscuring something more. What? Whatever the “real” Tokyo might be? I am not sure. All I feel is the wall. This sense there is something else I can’t yet see, some way I can’t yet connect. It leaves me feeling lonely. Isolated. Hungry for meaningful interaction. Yearning for depth. I am craving authenticity. Personality. Someone more themselves than they are pleasing. Someone who will tell me like it really is. I can’t help but wonder what this city would be like if I had a way in, someone who could show me behind the courtesies…because there must be something behind the courtesies...right?

Perhaps the next time I am here, for I feel fairly certain this won’t be the last. Until then, we board a train for the countryside, leaving Tokyo behind….

[recentanimenews]

Crunchyroll Features' Most-Anticipated Anime of Summer 2019!

2018 is almost over so it's time to forget the past and look forward to the new year (once we're all finished with Anime Awards). Many of Winters biggest shows are doubtless to be the huge continuing titles from Fall, but there are plenty of new anime to be excited about. Our editors have looked forward to the fresh new titles and each picked the 3 they're most looking forward to.

  Peter Fobian

  Most of the biggest shows from Fall are continuing in Winter, and the ones that are finishing up are being replaced by even BIGGER titles, so 2019 is starting off pretty crazy. Winter in particular looks great since one of my favorite manga and favorite anime are seeing new releases!

  The Promised Neverland

    I’d read up to volume 3 of the manga before Shonen Jump made their entire back catalog available then caught up with the ~100 remaining chapters in a single sitting. The Promised Neverland is one of the best manga currently running in Weekly Shonen Jump that’s extremely hard to describe to people without spoilers. Smash Death Note and Coraline together and you start to get an idea of what this series is about. I’m really looking forward to seeing some of the most chilling moments from this series in motion.

  Mob Psycho 100 II

    Mob Psycho 100 was one of my favorite 2016 anime on multiple levels. One���s storytelling and characters are excellent, but BONES really elevated the source material by making the surreal psychic combat of the series an animators playground of sophisticated and obscure animation techniques. The anime is so fun to watch, and I really get the sense that’s because it was fun for the animators to make. Match that with maybe the BEST anime PV I’ve seen in my entire life

  Boogiepop Doesn’t Laugh

    I’ve been meaning to watch Boogiepop Phantom for as long as I can remember, and this series is finally going to make me do it. Supernatural mystery is totally my jam and Boogiepop has maybe one of the biggest reps in the genre, possibly even surpassing Hell Girl. The preview shows off some amazing visuals and has a seriously sinister aura I’m just in love with so… mess me up, Boogiepop.

  Ricky Soberano

After such a whirlwind of a fall season, I’m ready to become a blanket burrito and kick off my New Year’s resolution: Watch anime that will make me feel 100% happy to think about looking forward to it and step outside of my usual shonen safety zone.

Mob Psycho 100 II

    I am super psyched for this new season! Yes to see how Mob’s powers have progressed and how they can look even more aesthetically mind bending but I actually just really want to see his progression as a loveable awkward human. I want to see him challenged on both the psychic and behavioral fronts.  

  The Rising of the Shield Hero

    It appears we have a dark horse. Having seen so many isekai’s in which the hero is essentially awesome all of the time almost from the beginning gets boring pretty quickly for me. However Shield Hero has the odds and the world against him from the very beginning and I’m sadistically here for it. I’m ready to see how the ‘Get shit done by any means necessary’ survivor attitude comes out, how he grows through the underdog struggle, and what this journey will do to his moral compass. Catch me on the flipside watching the anti-hero isekai unfold.

  Saint Seiya: Saintia Sho

Truthfully, I haven’t watched any previous Saint Seiya anime so I’m coming in with the cleanest slate possible and I am hella hyped. This legendary piece of work is gloriously luminous with a gem color palette, follows the goddess, Athena’s personal maidens known as Saintia, and has a fight against one’s predetermined fate.

Nate Ming

One of my Fall favorites (Hinomaru Sumo) is still running this season, but what will fill the Honda-san and Sugimoto-shaped holes in my heart? Ahh, yes… horror never fails me--horror involving children, horror involving ghosts, and just plain ol' body horror. Winter 2019 ain't messin' around!

The Promised Neverland

    One of my favorite new manga is finally getting the anime treatment--I can't wait to see newcomers' reactions to the suspense, twists, and horror that The Promised Neverland never fails to deliver.

Boogiepop Doesn't Laugh

     Boogiepop Phantom was probably one of the best blind buys I made back during the VHS days, so I'm super hyped for more. The original was clever, thoughtful, and creepy--here's hoping for more of the same in the new series.

Dororo

     One of Tezuka's most violent and most badass stories is coming back in 2019, with the ronin Hyakkimaru hunting down 48 demons who stole his body parts (which he's replaced in the meantime with lots and lots of swords). Anybody ever play the PS2 game, Blood Will Tell?

Nicole Mejias

After this last season, I’m somewhat glad that for my tastes Winter seems a bit slim, but there are also so many shows continuing that I’m going to still need to find some time to catch up! That said, there are a few that are just must watch shows for me, including the return of my beloved Mob Psycho!

Mob Psycho 100 II

    This is my biggest anime for the upcoming season. I’m so excited to see more of Mob, Reigen, and the rest of the characters. While others might be looking forward to One Punch Man’s new season, I always preferred One’s more personable and down to earth writing for Mob and the gang. I can’t wait to see what they get up to in this season, and you bet I’m going to check out that special premiere in theaters next week!

The Promised Neverland

    I’ve been wanting to read the manga for this for some time now as I keep hearing from friends about how interesting and creepy it is. I love horror stories, but I just hadn’t had a chance to pick up the manga and see what all the fuss was about, so now I’m glad I can check it out this season! I don’t really know much about it, other than it supposedly gets very tense and creepy, so I’m on board for some good scary drama!

Dimension High School

I’m a big fan of Japanese live action comedy, animated comedy, and frankly just Japanese comedy, so this weird blend of live-action and CG anime featuring some huge voice talents, like Junichi Suwabe (Viktor Nikiforov, Abacchio), Shouta Aoi (Ai Mikaze, Himself in Pop Team Epic), and more, is right up my alley. The series follows 4 boys transported to an animated realm to… solve puzzles at the bidding of a giant Sphinx? The trailer won me over with a very self-aware “Where are my hands?!” joke, so I’m interested to see more of this one.

That's all for this list. Unsurprisingly, the latest Shonen Jump adaptation in The Promised Neverland and the continuation of anime's most beloved child, Mob, in Mob Psycho 100 are topping out everyone's lists! As always, we're looking forward to seeing our predictions pan out and getting pleasantly surprised by some of the new shows we weren't expecting to like.

What's your most anticipated anime of Winter 2019? Sticking with your continuing series or think a dark horse will surprise us all? Let us known in the comments below!

---

Peter Fobian is an Associate Features Editor for Crunchyroll, author of Monthly Mangaka Spotlight, writer for Anime Academy, and contributor at Anime Feminist. You can follow him on Twitter @PeterFobian.

By: news+feed@crunchyroll.com

[chris-hattori]

Miraculous Ladybug Fluff Month

@miraculousfluffmonth

Ao3

Day 28: Unexpected Reveal

Adrien & Marinette (friendship)

Marinette has a ritual, all six months she visited her favorite manga shop, from which no one of her friends know, so why has she to bump into Adrien?

Stopping in front of the Wandārando, Marinette feels her excitement bubbling up in her chest. With the beginning of her first year college and being Ladybug, she didn’t found the time to visit her favorite Anime Shop in a while. It was really time that she get some new books and restock her collection.

Not even Alya knows that she had a soft spot, for the Japanese book art. She is about to open the door, with a jumping heart.

“Hey Marinette” yelping in surprised at the familiar voice, she spins on her heels. Adrien stand grinning behind her.

“Why do you have always to do this!” cries she out. Sheepish Adrien rub the back of his neck, out of the young lanky boy she meet once in school and felt for, became a really handsome young man, which she only has friendly feelings for. Okay not only friendly feelings, but after three years of an unrequited crush she knows that it is time to move on, besides she didn’t have the time for a relationship no matter with whom.

“What are you doing here?” ask Adrien and ignore her squeal

“Me?” ask she nervous and looks between him and the door to her secret Paradise, she can’t tell Adrien why exactly she is here, its to embarrassing she is seventeen after all.

“Uh I... fabric store sale?” Adrien raised his eyebrows at her answer

“I thought that its you hi Marinette, long time not seen” with a red flushed face Marinette turns around to the owner of the Wandārando.

“Hi Kevin” murmur she ashamed, to the older man. The brown haired man read immediately the atmosphere between them, his green eyes sparkles with amusement.

“Hi Adrien it's a while too” Adrien raise his hand “ Hey Kevin, how are Alex and the kids doing”

Marinettes yawl drops, Adrien and Kevin knows each other? Maybe Adrien needs one a hiding place, and he stubble over the shop.

“Are you both coming in?” Adrien smirks to them “I will, but Marinette wants to go on a sale at the..” With a huff Marinette pass Kevin and entry her personal heaven.

“How long do you come here?” ask Adrien and follow her around the bookshelf, Marinette grimace Chats bad luck is rubbing off, why else did she bumped into Adrien of all people. The blond looks expectant at her “Since I’m ten” hiss she and try to shake him up. Unimpressed of her doing Adrien follow her to the adventure area “Really? I didn’t take you for an Anime fan” she spin around and bumps almost in his chest, looking up to him she across her arms in front of her chest

“Why because I’m too old to like this stuff” Adrien looks with wide eyes at her

“What No! I’m a hug fan too, and we both are in the smell age” she knitters her eyebrows together, well this explain why he knows Kevin too.

“Really?” ask she still suspect “ What was the last manga you read?”

He smirks “Sword art online ordinal scale and you?”

Marinette ignore his question after all he could read it up online “Yui and Kirito make a cute couple right?” Adrien let out a small laughter “if this is a test, then let me tell you that Yui is a KI and Kiritos adopt daughter, their interactions are really cute, but I think that he and Asuna make a cuter couple” Marinette blinks “She is his wife and Yuis mother” add Adrien grinning. She let out a small sigh

“How long are you coming here?” Adrien laughs gently “since I can go to school, but I’m a way longer a fan” Marinette star at him, form all the things they could have in common is there interesting in Anime not the worst thing.

“Can I know now what your last Manga was?” Marinette looks away to hide her flushed cheeks

“Card Captor Sakura clear card” murmur she Adrien lean smooth against the bookshelf

“Really? I always prefer Sailor Moon in the ‘magical girl’ department” Marinette let out a snort, Sailor Moon? Well that explains a lot.

Adrien hums soft “Oh come on don’t tell me you don’t like Sailor Moon” Marinette looks up to him

“It’s just unrealistic”

Dramatically Adrien grip his chest “Unrealistic? Why because she has a talking black Cat and can transform?” Marinette rolls her eyes

“No, because she doesn’t recognize the love of her life, when he wears a mask. I mean how blind do you need to be? They are both the same boy. Same hair, same voice, same body statue, and the revival in an Elevator not really original. If I have to choose a good reveal I go rather with Kaito Jeanne, then I’m sure I not go to ruff out my hair in frustration”

Adrien shake his head “Ah, Marie that explains a lot” she starches out her tongue at his tease.

“Can this secret stay between us? I mean not even Alya knows about it” ask she shy, Adrien gives her an understanding smile

“My lips are sailed, but only if you give Sailor Moon one more chance” Taking a deep breath Marinette whined “That’s not fair” Adrien shrugs smirking

“Okay, but only because I don’t want to hear how Alya makes fun of me”

A couple of months later Ladybug stars in horror at her partner. Both lock in an Elevator, both forced to reveal their secret identity, Chat let out a nervous giggle “Sailor Moon isn’t now so unrealistic anymore, right Marie?”

“Adrien drop it!”

Note: Wandārando Japanese for wonderland.

Hi, yes I'm full convinced that Adrien likes Sailor Moon 😊

[cullinankatsudon]

Yuri on Ice Episode 6: China’s On! The Grand Prix Series Opening Event!! The Cup of China Short Program

This episode is the one that drew me into the show, so it has an extra special space in my heart, though I love it for its own sake too. It was stills from this ep that caught my eye and made me watch, but it’s a fabulous installment, and this viewing made me see all kinds of new things which I can’t wait to talk about.

There’s of course the opening gambit where Victor admonishes Makka not to eat the buns, which now we’re like, dammit, dog, if you would have listened what kind of score would Yuri have gotten in Russia…but then no airport scene, so okay. I also love that Yuri is the one nagging Victor to get going, to stop trying to order champagne on the flight and let him sleep. But man, that seat they’re in! They’re in the back of the damn plane. I don’t know if this was because it was easier to draw or they liked the image or they were saying no, Yuri really got the shittiest seat in the whole plane because he’s that broke. But I think Victor’s okay with this because it meant he got to snuggle.

I also like how okay Yuri is already with the snuggling. At some point during their summer he became totally okay with Victor’s constant touch. Damn, but I wish we could have seen that. Did you know that end credits scene with them on the beach was meant to be an episode?

*Heavy sigh*

Anyway. I hadn’t paid much attention to the other skaters before, not with any detail, but there’s Otabek in there with Guang Hong and Leo.  And Emil with JJ and Yurio. Yurio is seriously cranky here, which now we know why. I just hadn’t paid much attention to all this before. I love these little details.

I also am still perplexed by the way Victor draws Yuri away from the press interview when they’re asking him about his program. He didn’t interrupt this time, or brag Yuri up, just tried to end it. When this didn’t work, he tried to talk to Yakov, who insulted him, and then he put on his fake smile and grabbed Yuri to go get dinner. Where he got very drunk. I still don’t know why he didn’t want Yuri to talk to the press, why he was being flighty. I wonder if this was the first tells of his own desire to be a skater again?

So now we’re at the now infamous hot pot restaurant, Victor eating everything in sight and Yuri eating barely anything, worrying about how much he shot his mouth off at the press conference. Maybe that was why Victor got him out of there? Victor is trying to get him not to think about it, to just eat, but Yuri won’t, because Yuri is a champion worrier.

Then of course Phichit shows up. And invites Celestino—I love Yuri’s “not really, I don’t really want to see him,” but Phichit invites him anyway. I also love that Yuri switched sides to sit by Victor. Whose idea was that? Victor’s? Yuri’s? I mean there was no reason that had to happen. They just did it.

Now we have Guang Hong getting his crepe, and Leo coming up to him. First of all, they’re so cute together. Also, I really want to know how Leo is supposed to interpret for Phichit. What languages does he know? And then then how Guang Hong is fanboying over Victor. And Georgi is all dismissive of the younglings.

The drunk coaches at the table, though. Celestino with the…drool? The whatever it is out of his mouth, and of course naked Victor hanging on Yuri. And Yuri not drunk but blushing as his coach tries to do him in the booth. And gets entirely naked. In a restaurant. And throws his underwear all over.

And God bless Phichit and his need to post everything on social media.

Yuri worries that everyone will think he was fooling around before the competition…and we’re like, have you been fooling around, actually? I mean, there’s nothing saying the episode seven kiss was their first. We all want it to be, but it might not have been. (I think it was. I’ve decided it was, in my version of the YOI world. But you never know….)

Chris gives Yuri a ribbing about his master keeping him in shape, and Victor shows up, happy to see Chris. Everyone fanboys and fangirls them, hinting that Victor shouldn’t be a coach, should skate, and that his coaching Yuri is a joke. And Yuri hears all this.

Now we finally get to see the programs from the other skaters—and I never get tired of the ones shown at the Cup of China. I love Phichit so much, on and off the ice. Even though “Shall We Skate” gets stuck in my head. Guang Hong is great too. I love how soft and sweet he is. Leo’s skate isn’t my favorite, and Georgi is… Georgi, but I do love seeing them. From this episode on, it’s Grand Prix, and it’s so exciting. I also love how excited these guys get for each other, how they cheer each other on, get excited for each other’s accomplishments.

While Guang Hong skates, though, we get Yuri having his snap moment, where he acknowledges everyone here wishes he hadn’t taken Victor and it doesn’t matter how good he does, that’s who he is, the guy who took Victor. I feel like we keep failing to acknowledge what a trap he steps over here: he could have felt the pressure of that and faltered, but instead he says, oh yeah, then fuck you and decides he’s going to use that pressure to push himself forward. He declares to himself, I want to be hated as the man who took Victor from the whole world! He paces back and forth the whole time before his skate, getting himself psyched up.

Then when it’s his time to skate and Victor gently tries to nudge him off his training wheels, saying he doesn’t need to imagine pork cutlet bowls or his mental script about being a woman to do his routine, he can just be himself—Victor then gives Yuri’s hand a little stroke, like he’s being just a bit daring. Yuri steamrolls over that, lacing his fingers with Victor, saying, no, no little bit daring, I’m going to be clear that I am coming on to you, and then I’m going to press my forehead to yours and look you aggressively in the eye as I claim you and give you a command.

Don’t ever take your eyes off me.

Remember he’s doing this in front of everyone. Everyone sees this—this is part of his plan, claiming Victor in front of everyone before he goes off and skates. I feel like this is why, when I write YOI fanfic, I tend to write an aggressive Yuuri and he leads a pining Victor around—this scene (and the tie-pulling in 8) starts that for me. All Yuri’s skates do that for me: this is where his dominance shines. The two of them together as such an amazing fluid pair, bringing out each other’s strengths, helping each other be stronger and better. I can’t wait to see Yuri help Victor skate too. I am aching for that movie and season two. I’m so glad they’re taking their time and doing it right.

Anyway. Yuri’s going to skate Eros now, and he’s going to kill it dead.

His confidence, his exactness—he’s delivering this to Victor, this skate, and he doesn’t miss. I love Victor’s reaction, his blushes, his joy, his love watching his student and the man he loves skate. There’s just so much here, as always. It’s so great to watch this performance evolve and grow. And Yuri’s so beautiful—also, I love and appreciate so much that Yuri as a character looks so Japanese. Sometimes it’s odd as hell to be watching Japanese characters who don’t look like their nationality because of the way anime characters are drawn. But there are frames in his skate where he is so Japanese looking, and so handsome and incredible. It’s the best. This show is just the best.

I also love how Yuri isn’t ecstatic after this skate. Victor is, and he can’t stop making out with him in the kiss and cry, but Yuri is kind of stunned and awkward about his performance, which he should be excited and proud of. He did what he set out to do, even made Victor excited, but somehow it didn’t seem to give Yuri what he wanted.

Now Georgi. You know, he’s such a weirdo, so intense, but having watched Yuri on Stage and discovering the guy who voices him is so great and is the guy who sings the end credits…I can’t laugh at him as much. Also, the more you watch the show, the more all the characters are like family, and he’s just weird cousin Georgi now. Who you would like to stop being a stalker and to use less eye makeup.

I like Leo a lot, but his skate has never done it for me. I also think I’d feel more for Leo if we saw more of him, but we need more content for that. They just have so many characters and not enough time. We need so many more episodes, man. But I do enjoy that Guang Hong so obviously has a crush on Leo. I’m here for this ship.

Last, we get Chris, Mr. I-Come-On-The-Ice Giacometti. The butt-grab, the super sexy skate…All I can think of now is the guy at Animefest who cosplayed pool Chris, Free Skate Chris, and I think maybe another version of him—he was a great Chris. Also, the voice actor for Chris I swear is Chris. He really is the best wingman for Victor when writing fanfic, though, as good as Phichit is for Yuri. And during Chris's skate we get to watch Victor hug Yuri possessively.

And then we have the end of the episode, where we find out that Yuri is in the top spot and we get that incredible shot of Victor and Yuri standing beside each other looking soft as hell together.

We all know what episode is next. I’d start it today if I didn’t have so many other things to do. Tomorrow, no question, man.

Rafflecopter link for the giveway accompanying this set of reviews/recaps. (Full explanation post, pic link as reminder of stuff on offer.) I’ll add another blog link which will hopefully help you leave comments.

A single stroke can change your world.

Xander Fairchild can’t stand people in general and frat boys in particular, so when he’s forced to spend his summer working on his senior project with Skylar Stone, a silver-tongued Delta Sig with a trust fund who wants to make Xander over into a shiny new image, Xander is determined to resist. He came to idyllic, Japanese culture-soaked Benten College to hide and make manga, not to be transformed into a corporate clone in the eleventh hour.

Skylar’s life has been laid out for him since before he was born, but all it takes is one look at Xander’s artwork, and the veneer around him begins to crack. Xander himself does plenty of damage too. There’s something about the antisocial artist’s refusal to yield that forces Skylar to acknowledge how much his own orchestrated future is killing him slowly…as is the truth about his gray-spectrum sexuality, which he hasn’t dared to speak aloud, even to himself.

Through a summer of art and friendship, Xander and Skylar learn more about each other, themselves, and their feelings for one another. But as their senior year begins, they must decide if they will part ways and return to the dull futures they had planned, or if they will take a risk and leap into a brightly colored future—together.

Buy links

Heidi Cullinan has always enjoyed a good love story, provided it has a happy ending. Proud to be from the first Midwestern state with full marriage equality, Heidi is a vocal advocate for LGBT rights. She writes positive-outcome romances for LGBT characters struggling against insurmountable odds because she believes there’s no such thing as too much happy ever after. When Heidi isn't writing, she enjoys playing with new recipes, reading romance and manga, playing with her cats, and watching too much anime. Find out more about Heidi at heidicullinan.com.

[cardcaptorcoconut]

Sakura Fest 2017

I went to Sakura Fest 2017 in Tokyo today!  It was a really amazing event and has already left both the Japanese and International fandoms buzzing!

Perhaps the biggest and BEST surprise was the reveal of the trailer for the Original Animation DVD coming out with the Special Edition of Volume 3 in September.

You can watch the trailer for the OAD here.

The rest of my rundown is below the cut. :) Most of it was posted on Discord earlier tonight in #ccs-general as well, so if you missed it and are curious, please have a look.  I added in a few extra details as they came back to me.

I got to Rune Kodaira Hall just after 12:00. The goods stand was open to the general public at that point, so I did my shopping early before sitting down in the entrance lobby where fans were slowly gathering to wait. I was very lucky to make a friend there too!  (Thanks so much for sharing the day with me @brienneoftarth!!)

Around 14:00pm the staff had us line up and we waited for doors to open until about 14:40 or so (they were running a bit behind schedule). After doors were opened, they handed out our “participants’ gifts” which included a flyer for the June Ichiban Kuji, the September 3rd Volume Special Edition, and a pink light up baton wand.

The hallways were really quite crowded!  Also, all of the main companies involved with CCS (including Nakayoshi) had arranged for celebratory flower arrangements in honor of Sakura’s birthday.  We were allowed inside the concert hall itself at this point, but the performance was still a bit delayed.

Then suddenly, Aya Hisakawa in Kero’s voice addressed the audience, saying Kero’s typical “Konanachiwa!” Kero made sure to scold the audience for not having a bigger reaction at first, but was satisfied after a minute or two.  Then Sakura Tange as Sakura started speaking, followed by Junko Iwao as Tomoyo. Tomoyo asked Sakura to read her greeting and allow her to record it. Sakura read a greeting thanking everyone for joining and coming to her birthday party. Megumi Ogata and Motoko Kumai joined in at this point as Yukito and Syaoran respectively.

Then the curtain went up and all five seiyuu appeared. The MC came and she and the VAs greeted the audience.  They told us to wave our light batons when anything happened that made us really happy or excited. After this, they proceeded to do a panel for us. The panel was introduced in about 4 parts total, each part being relevant to a certain Clow Card:

#1) The Return #2) The Voice #3) The Song #4) The Release (An unexpected one from the audience since it’s not a card).

The Return:

Fitting the theme of the card, the VA’s reminisced about the beginning of their work on the series as a timeline was displayed on the TV monitor behind them. From memory, the points that stood out to me the most were:

Sakura Tange said she hadn't read it when the serialization started in Nakayoshi, but rather started reading the series when the first tankobon came out. She doesn’t follow the series month by month as many of us do, but prefers to purchase the manga volumes. Incidentally, she’s doing this with Clear Card Arc too and had not yet read Volume 2 yet today.

In terms of their auditions, Aya Hisakawa said she found out the roles and wanted to try for Kero, as she had been doing Ami from Sailor Moon before then. But when she spoke with her manager and said "This is the role I want to do" he reacted baffled and replied "What? Can you do this role??" as she often used Kanto dialect in her roles but is originally from Kansai and can speak that dialect fluently.

Ogata-san's was the funniest recollection: She said she'd been in all sorts of darker roles up until that point and said it was the first time she was in a world where all the characters were "in a happy world."  She was worried that Yukito was eventually going to betray or back stab somebody because that's the type of character she usually got cast as.

Then they talked about their auditions and Sakura Tange said she had some memory of having to do the dubbing several times.  It took her about 4 rounds of tweaking to finally pinpoint Sakura’s voice.

At some point during the recording sessions, the cast had to come to Nagoya on business and were supposed to be greeted on the platform by someone from Shueisha.  They weren’t sure who to would be picking them up, but as the train pulled into the platform, they looked out the windo and saw a very fashionable looking man standing with Kero somehow (I unfortunately didn't catch if it was a plushy or a mascot he had, but probably the former?).  The cast got excited and were pointed out the window saying "That's the guy! that's the guy!"  Aya Hisakawa said that all the kids on the train were also pointing at the escort because they knew who Kero was.  Hisakawa-san said that’s a memory she’ll never forget.

Ogata-san was the complete opposite of Yukito/Yue and was very animated and lively. Kumai-san, on the other hand, was very much like Syaoran and was quite shy.

The cast also discussed certain scenes and clips from the anime.  Motoko Kumai reflected on how she had to learn Kansai dialect for the scene from The Change card episode from Aya Hisakawa.

Motoko Kumai confessed that as a result of her voice work for Syaoran, there were several times where she mistakenly went to the men's restroom at work because she was so absorbed with the character. 

Kumai-san also said that Syaoran was at an age where his voice would be changing and she was wondering if she would be okay for the role.  At that moment, Ogata-san deepened her voice and said “Well then how about me?"  It gave everyone a good laugh.

The Voice:

After “The Return” session finished, the next card introduced was The Voice card.  The cast did a live voice over of various scenes from the original anime.  The scenes were:

#1) When Sakura originally accepts the sealing wand from Kero #2) When Tomoyo finds out about Sakura's secret and meets Kero for the first time #3) When Syaoran tried to take the Clow Cards from Sakura, almost fought with Touya, and met Yukito for the first time #4) The final judgement scene where Mizuki-sensei gives Sakura her second chance and the wand transforms #5) The infamous elevator scene where Syaoran yells Sakura’s name for the first time #6) And finally the opening scene from episode 70 where Sakura is spaced out in the classroom before Syaoran comes in and says good morning to both her and Tomoyo

The best part of it being a live dub over was that the cast ad-libbed several times!  In #1) Hisakawa-san shouted "Kero-chan CHEEECK!!!" instead of what the original line was.  Everyone laughed and Sakura Tange decided to roll with it and adapted her lines too.

It became a running joke through the rest of the live dub scenes as the characters kept referring to the “Kero-chan Check.”

In #3) when Yukito appears and breaks up the potential fight between Syaoran and Touya, instead of the original line Megumi Ogata started listing off all the different kinds of buns Yukito had bought. It went something like "Let's see... I've got pizza buns, curry buns, meat buns... enough for everyone!”  In the original scene, Yukito goes to hand one to Syaoran and he gets shy and backs away, but instead Motoko Kumai ad-libbed and said "No way, I want a pork bun!" making that the reason why Syaoran ran away.

The elevator scene was done very seriously and was lovely to see live.

The Song

After the live dubs, The Song card was introduced next and the audience was told that we would hear two live performances by Sakura Tange and Junko Iwao.

Sakura Tange sang the third OP song “Platinum” for us and Junko Iwao sang one of Tomoyo’s character songs from the anime - “Yoru no Uta.”

After this, a buzzer went off and we were told there would be a special guest joining us!  My heart stopped because I thought for a brief, foolish moment that it might be Nanase Ogawa, but instead the cast was joined on stage by both Kero and Suppie life-sized mascots!  Then a birthday cake was brought out and we were asked to sing Happy Birthday to Sakura. I think this is the point where the live feed on Animate’s website started for those of you who were able to watch.

The audience joined in and sang to Sakura, and Sakura Tange responded in Sakura’s voice.

The Release:

When the Birthday Song was over, the cast started to discuss the new Clear Card arc. The discussion wasn’t too in depth because they wanted to avoid spoilers for those who haven’t read the series yet.  However, this was the point the introduced the trailer for the 3rd Volume Special Edition’s OAD.

The hall got very quiet and everyone turned off their batons.  The trailer shows that they will be redoing the finale of the original anime to fit the original adaptation in the manga.  Syaoran’s confession at the park and Sakura’s gradual realization of her feelings and making of the bear for Syaoran are being animated for the first time.

Sakura Tange confirmed after the trailer finished that they literally just did the voice work for this about 5 days ago, so it was a very well kept secret!!

At this point I think the cast began to wind down the evening and gave us each their special thanks.  They all seem very happy and excited to be back and working on Cardcaptor Sakura again.  Sakura Tange said she had been hoping to do a live dub at most, but never dreamed it would actually happen.

For the finale, Sakura spoke her invincible spell saying “It will definitely be alright!” and asked the audience to shout “RELEASE” after reciting the spell to unleash her key. She chanted the spell and at the end the audience chimed in and shook the light batons as the curtain closed on the event.  The cast waved until the very.

Upon leaving, each member of the audience got a special copy of the Sakura Newspaper announcing the anime.  Also, as a bonus, @brienneoftarth (who had separate assigned seating from me) said that the row in front of her had been reserved for the member of Madhouse!  They came to see the performance with press passes of sorts and she overheard them saying “Wow there’s a great turn out for this... I didn’t think it would be so popular!”

Honestly, I think this was one of the best events I’ve ever been to and I’m so glad we are getting what we are with the anime. This year and next year, we have a lot to look forward to guys! :D  Until next time, take care!

[haikyuu-imagines-and-others]

Admin Asahi’s Application

(Do you like my alliteration ;) ?)

So I thought it would be fun to show you guys my application for the admin position! I’m really proud of this piece so it’d be a shame not to share it with you all, right? And this is an opportunity for you to get to know me a little better too! Here you go!

Admin Name: Tsukishima’s bitch Admin Asahi, if that’s okay! Age: 18 Why you wanna do this to yourself: I seriously need more people to talk to about Haikyuu! None of my friends IRL watch it so I’m alone in my anime feels. It is my favorite anime and I love writing so I know I would enjoy doing this. Characters: I am caught up on the anime and the manga, so I’m comfortable writing for all characters! Kinks: I don’t write any of the hardcore things like bdsm. I’m comfortable with more light-hearted smut.  Writing sample:  PROMPT: Soulmate AU for Ukai Jr. where whenever something is written on your skin, it shows up on your soulmate’s skin as well. (Sorry I got a little carried away!) (2202 words)

Every day for 20 years you woke up and inspected your skin. While most girls looked for blemishes or stretch marks, you searched for any sign that your soulmate was out there. Every day for 20 years you watched with envy as the girls in your class and even some of the guys proudly show off the words inscribed in their skin; from the simple “hello’s” to the heart-felt confessions of love. Every day for 20 years you suffered alone. Then you turned 21 and you stopped caring. You had more important things – like college – to worry about than some stupid guy.

It was winter and you were headed home after your mid-terms. You hadn’t had enough money to visit your family since you started college, but with the help of a paid internship at the nearby hospital, you were able to go home for a while. You wrapped your arms around your body as you walked down the familiar streets. Torono Town was colder than you remembered. You stopped in front of your house and drank in the feeling of comfort and homliness before stomping up to the front door and knocking. You heard feet shuffling and then the front door opened, revealing your little brother. He was also taller than you remembered, and the baby fat from his face was gone. He had certainly grown up while you were gone. He gave you a big grin and stepped aside to let you in. “_____! I’m so happy to see you!” “You too, Daichi.” Once you were inside he embraced you. “You’ve missed so much! There’s so much I have to tell you!” “Well don’t leave me hanging. What’s been going on?” His eyes searched yours for a moment. He was clearly anxious to tell you something, but something was holding him back. You rolled your eyes. “Spit it out. What’s so exciting?” “I… I found my soulmate.” Daichi watched the jealousy flicker in your eyes for a brief moment before you masked your feelings again. “Oh really? That’s nice. How’d you meet?” “She’s the captain of the girls’ volleyball team. We would discuss tactics using our skin, but it actually took us a really long time to figure out it was each other.” “Well, I’m happy for you. Really, I am.” You gave your brother a genuine smile, which he returned. “Thanks, _____. I’m actually headed off to volleyball practice soon. Do you want to come with me? There’s a lot of people I want you to meet.” “Sorry, Daichi, but I’m really tired. Maybe next time, okay?” “Yeah, sure.” You turned away from your brother and started shrugging off all your layers of clothes until you were down to just your jeans and a tank top. You heard your brother’s strangled gasp behind you, which he quickly covered with a cough. You turned and gave him a concerned look. “Everything okay?” “Ye- yeah. I just… I need to go. I’ll see you soon.” He rushed past you and out the door, leaving you confused and alone. You shrugged and carried your luggage into your old room. Everything was just as you left it. You collapsed on your bed, thankful to finally sit down. In mere moments, you had fallen asleep.  

You woke up to the sound of your phone’s ringtone blasting through the quiet room. You groaned and blindly reached out for it. “Hello?” you said sleepily into the speaker. “_____? Thank goodness you answered,” the sound of your brother’s voice rang in your ear, “One of the players sprained his ankle and we’re out of ice packs. I know you’re tired and I feel really bad making you do this, but could you get some more ice packs for us and bring it to the second gym at the school?” “Sure, sure. I’ll get there as soon as I can.” “I owe you!” “Yeah you do.” You hung up and stretched. Looks like you were going out after all. You threw your hair up in a messy bun and pulled an over-sized hoodie on over your tank top. You grabbed your wallet and braved the frigid air to walk to the nearest store and buy some ice packs. Then you practically ran to your old high school. You brushed some stray strands of hair out of your face before opening the door to the gym and walking inside. It was nice and warm inside the gym. You blinked at the bright lights and glanced around. You saw a large group of boys – the volleyball team, you guessed – huddled around another boy sitting on the ground and holding his ankle. You rushed over and pushed your way through the crowd and sat down next to the boy. “Hi, I’m Sawamura _____. What’s your name?” “Yamaguchi… Tadashi,” was the boy’s timid answer. “Okay, Tadashi. Let me see your ankle.” Yamaguchi’s hands didn’t move from his ankle. “But it hurts…” he whispered. “I know it does, but I promise it’ll feel a lot better once I help you. I’m a pre-med student, so I know what I’m doing.” You gently pried his hands away from his ankle and inspected it. It wasn’t as bad as you thought it was going to be. You felt around until Yamaguchi yelped in pain. You nodded to yourself. “Just as I thought…” you mumbled, “Can someone get me a washcloth or something?” Your brother handed you a white washcloth. You took it and used it to tie the ice pack to Yamaguchi’s ankle. “Okay, Tadashi, can you stand up? You shouldn’t walk on it for a while, but we can’t have you sitting in the middle of the court either,” you teased lightly. He nodded and, with your help, slowly got to his feet. You helped him hop over to the sidelines and then helped him sit back down. “Wait here a moment,” you told him before walking back to the large group of guys. “Is he going to be okay?” Daichi asked. “He’ll be fine. I’d give it a week to heal at most. Does anyone have anything soft we can use to elevate his foot?” The other players exchanged looks and shook their heads. “Here, you can use this.” You turned to look at who spoke. He was certainly not in high school. He had dyed blond hair, ear piercings, a serious look on his face… and he was shirtless. He was holding out his shirt to you. You accepted it and avoided looking at the well-toned body in front of you. “Thanks. If I use this along with my hoodie, it should be fine.” “Let me help you,” the blond man said. You nodded and led him to the whimpering boy. You crouched in front of him, rolled up the shirt and laid it under his foot. The blond man crouched next to you. You glanced over at him. You noticed some writing on the back of his shoulder. It said: “is there anyone out there?” “Excuse me,” you began nervously, “I don’t mean to pry, but why is there writing on your shoulder that says ‘is there anyone out there?’” “Oh,” Ukai said sheepishly while rubbing the back of his neck, “you see, I’m 26 years old and I still haven’t found my soulmate. I’m the coach of these boys, so they decided to help me out by writing that with hopes that my soulmate would see it. She hasn’t responded, so she either hasn’t seen it or doesn’t care.” You frowned. “I’m sorry to hear that. I’m kind of in the same boat as you, so I know how sucky it feels.” You gave him a small smile before you turned your attention back to Yamaguchi, who had been watching your exchange with curious yet uncomfortable eyes. “Is that shirt enough, Tadashi, or do you want your foot more elevated?” “More elevated… if that’s okay.” “No problem.” You grabbed the hem of your hoodie and tugged it off, leaving you in just your tank top again. You folded it and placed it under the shirt. “How’s that?” “Much better, thank you.” All of a sudden, you heard excited yells and shouts behind you. You whirled around quickly to look at the boys were screaming and pointing at you. “What the hell has gotten into all of you?” you asked. You turned to the coach for help, but he was determinedly avoiding your gaze with a bright blush on his cheeks. You stood up and marched over to the high school boys. “Someone better tell me what is going on or I swear I will kick all your puny asses.” You felt a large hand land on your shoulder. You looked up at Ukai, who was hovering right behind you. “Uh, _____, have you… um…” “_____,” your brother interrupted, “when was the last time you looked at your back in the mirror?” “How am I supposed to know? I don’t keep track of what’s on my skin anymore, you know that.” There was a pregnant pause. Everyone’s eyes were on nothing but you. You huffed and began walking away. “Well if that’s how you’re going to be, I’ll just go hang out somewhere else until it’s time for you to leave.” “Wait, _____,” Ukai grabbed your hand to stop you. You gave him an expectant look. He shifted on his feet, glanced at the high school boys watching you two closely, and started leading you out of the gym. You protested and tried to pry your hand out of his strong hold, but he didn’t relent. He led you outside and to the mens’ bathroom. He glanced inside to make sure the coast was clear before dragging you in behind him. “What kind of bullshit are you-” “Stand here,” he abruptly interrupted you. You moved to stand where he was pointing to: in front of one of the sinks. You leaned back against the sink and crossed your arms. “This better be good,” you quipped. He smirked at your comment and pulled out a hand-held mirror from his pocket. “You’re a girl, I assume you know how to use this,” he teased. You snatched the mirror and held it up in front of you. You moved it around until you could see your back. You gasped when you finally saw it. There, scrawled across your back in the same messy handwriting that marked the man standing in front of you, were the words “is there anyone out there?” Your eyes slowly moved up to look at the blond. He moved in closer and rested his hands on the edge of the sink, caging you in his arms. You gulped. “You’re… we’re… I- I didn’t think you existed.” Ukai nodded. “I felt the same way.” Your eyes darted between his and his lips. He caught on to your silent plea and leaned in slowly. One moment there was nothing. Then everything happened at once. His lips met yours and your hands reached up to tangle in his hair. Your first kiss with your soulmate was everything you dreamed it would be. It was full of passion and love suppressed for far too long.You moaned into his mouth. His hands wandered down to rest comfortably on your hips. You arched your back and pressed up against him sensuously. “I still don’t know your name,” you murmured against his lips. “Keishin. You can call me Keishin.” His fingers played with the hem of your tank top as your hands trailed down his broad and well-sculpted chest. You were so lost in the heated moment that you didn’t hear the bathroom door open. You did hear the wolf whistles though. “I told you they’d be making out!” You pulled away from the coach to look at the volleyball team, who had even grabbed Yamaguchi to follow you two. They all stood huddled in the doorway. Daichi was in front, a look of disbelief and horror on his face. You pushed Ukai off of you and stormed over to your brother. “You knew, you little shit! That’s why you had a heart attack earlier tonight! Why didn’t you tell me?” “I figured you would want to find out for yourself!” “Is that why you called me down here? So I would meet your coach? Did you even need me to bring more ice packs?” Your brother shifted under your penetrating glare, giving you the answer you needed. “You sneaky bastard.” Daichi looked up at the sound of your affectionate tone. You gave him a small smile and mouthed the words “thank you.” Then you turned to Yamaguchi. “Tadashi, you shouldn’t be up. Come on, I’ll take you back to the gym.” You walked away with Yamaguchi hopping beside you. Once you were out of hearing range, Daichi turned to Ukai. “I never want to see that again.” Ukai shrugged sheepishly. “It’s not my fault your sister is a total babe.” Daichi winced. “I’m going to pretend you didn’t just say that. All right, boys, back to practice.” Daichi ushered the excited team back to the gym, leaving Ukai in a flustered mess. Once practice was over, he was determined to pick up where you two left off.

[mikkalaia]

SLU PSYCHOLOGY CLASS OF 2015; BATCH PROPHECY (SIDEDISH NOT INCLUDED)

SLU Psychology Class of 2015 Batch Prophecy

PS special side dish not included. To be served on your majestic mint condition YearBook copy. So be excited humans!

June 25, 2025

5:47 AM — Tahiti Time. As the sun radiates through the curtain lace. I woke up to the buzzing and throbbing in my head, and I’m still in the red dress I wore from last night. What did happen that night? I turned to my side table and saw a newly published book entitled “A Nomadic Entrepreneur’s Travels and Lifestyle” by Mikka Alaia Nalupa and a half filled glass of wine -still I’ve manage to stand up, and take a deep breathe and have one last look at the mile-long stretch of powder-white sand sloping gently into a shallow emerald lagoon of Bora Bora before I go back to the Philippines for our Class Gala on the 27th -exactly ten years ago from marching out of our college lives and into our own realities and fantasies. My flight’s four hours away, and I’ll be flying for thirteen hours more or less. And my bag’s already packed with the things I need for my wandering life.

8: 23 AM — It was still early. I decided to grab a cup of earl grey on my way out to the airport -while waiting for my tea I took a copy of their company pamphlet, upon reading I discovered that Minie Dimag Bagyan owns this café and she has been expanding her coffee business worldwide. After I got my tea, I walked a few blocks to hail a cab. And on my ride to the airport, I heard Mary Helen Tupong anchoring the morning news on an international radio station. The news was on; Karol Manalo‘s life as a time traveler and on her recent time travel to have tea with Queen Elizabeth II, Daniel Andrada on being the first Filipino muggle born to ever catch the flying snitch in the newest edition of the Nimbus broomstick at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, and Ulysses Dalog for being the first psychologist to transcend his consciousness to the digital world. After the morning news the driver changed the radio station, a rap song started playing and it was Lesley Christopher Bautista dropping rhymes on the radio until I arrive at the airport.

9:19 AM — Still early for my flight. I took the liberty of roaming around the airport looking for a magazine stand to get something to read while I’m on my 13hr flight. While browsing through all the foreign magazines a familiar face caught my sight on a cover of a well known magazine –Michelle Viray along side Jane Lennie Basco and Jaffey Mherca Cantor who are all wearing the latest ready to wear clothing line by Araceli Ronquillo. I was becoming a lot more curious about the magazine, so I flipped through the first few pages and I came across Ashley Gail Taron‘s name as the Senior Chief Editor of the magazine. I decided to grab a copy for myself. 10:13 AM— I was comfortably seated in the business class carriage of a Luxury Jet Plane owned by Adrianne Jane Amboni and piloted by Mary Chile Pasquin. The plane started to smoothly rise above the ground and glide through the gentle wind and clouds. I put my glasses on and started flipping through the magazine. Upon reading I found out that a lot of my batch mates were featured in this month’s issue; Nina Sarah Sarmiento a now renowned interior designer has been styling homes and mansions for the rich and famous, namely, Terence Fender Bania-ao, Zarah May Laroya, Rachel Lopez, Marjorie Madlon, Riza Cha-i Padcayan, and Ariane Joy Patacsil.  

During the flight, they showed a film that claims to be the top-grosser for the 2025 Cannes Film Festival. It was a pleasant surprise to discover that the leading stars were Kasmir Dumpit a now Broadway artist and Ben Jan Rusby Nativadad a big time Theater Actor. It was no surprise that the film was conducted by an up-and-coming indie filmmaker and director Rafael Handiong Kapuno. During the credit, the OST was sang by Roland Milan a Broadway singer/actor and an Executive Finance Manager. It was nice to see all my performing batch mates in one project doing what they do best.

The trip was tedious and had to stopover in Osaka for a connecting flight to Hong Kong. I was feeling a bit bored in the airport so I held my phone out to check my Facebook Feeds. I saw that Gino Daniel Abalos‘s just checked-in in Indonesia for the 38th SEA Games. Albertino Miguel Dimasupil just posted a group picture with Jenina Marie Manalo and Mary Ann Masliyan fresh from the Euro NASCAR Circuit. Sheila Natalie Juyag just changed her display picture of her riding a giraffe in the Africa. Annie Timbangan just shared an Instagram picture from her shopping spree in Europe. And I just received an event invite from Jazel Robert Ramos‘ Christian Rock Concert Tour in Malaysia for next month I accepted the invite right away.

While boarding on, I came across Ferry Anne Aquino, Camille Anne Arizo, Marriel Bautista, Sunshine Kristine Ray Lopez, Pamela Singh Cudhail, Arlene Caasi and Charina Caluwag who are boarding to their last stop from their grand Asian tour. I was able to catch up with them for a little while and told me tales about our other batch mates I missed while I was away. I learned that Donne Patrick Valbuena is currently building his mini basketball league with his kids. They also showed me a new volume of a manga comic about Karen Sarvito‘s anime travels, which Myne Bullan illustrated here in Japan. They also told me that Marinette Andal, Kyla Pauline Babon, Nove Kathleen Corsino and Divine Grace Ullalim are now registered physicians in a private hospital working along side with Leandra Edano, Divimae Lumaguey, Chelsea Claudine Mendoza who pursued Psychiatric Care, Jezreetila Wayasen and Maureen Mae Aro as the hospital’s certified Psychologist. We bid our goodbyes for now and promised to catch up some more and went on to our separate flights.

While heading to my seat I noticed some familiar faces, It was April Grace Bandonil working on her computer, and was on the phone scheduling a business meeting with Aiza Pearl Balingao also a business tycoon in the field of science. A few seats behind her was Beatrice Erica Popa a now Literary Archeologist who was studying two old copies of manuscripts. And three seats from the rear of the business class carriage was Mark Onia flipping through a magazine on “mysterious places to go to” he seems to have just arrived from a tomb raiding spree based on his “Indiana-Jones-like” get up. I carried on to my seat and thought to myself that I could catch up with them on the reunion itself. -Feeling nostalgic about coming together and hearing a lot of stories, and catching up, I put on my earphones and listened to my most recent favorite songs composed by Murphy Liswid, performed by Lemuel Botiwey on the drums, John Paulo Aguas on the lead guitar, Tyrone Dan Rullan on the back vocals and bass, and Mainne Vhe Jamison as the lead vocals. I was asleep for the whole flight and when I woke up I was already in Bangkok.

I’m on my last connect flight to the Philippines. The trip was sort of long, so I dilly dallied at the airport lobby. I saw Shirley Lingaling and Jarlene Parraexchanging stories of how exciting was bungee jumping and sky diving at Macau. I went to find a seat and grabbed an international newspaper. For the international headline news, Linda Tokyas together with Maria Jonah Catacutan, Marjorie Donato, Alyssa Gabot, Karina Magno, Julianne Tabanand Guillian Venturozo are the first group of female astronauts sent by NASA to set foot on the moon and take flight across the Milky Way. While flipping through the travel and lifestyle section I found out that Marwin Teniosodedicated his traveling in conquering mountain tops. And Rubie Borbon was also featured on the same page, talking about his latest travel to Milan for the Fashion Week. In the entertainment section, I came across a large print of Clarize Deewaii Balutoc and Dickson Ray Kimmakim holding an Oscar Best Actor award from a motion picture they both starred in. And on the business section, Sheena Marie Tayaban a now shareholder of all the biggest companies in the world. Heading on to my last flight, I saw Jan Vincent Angeles and his fiancé, Nicole Gerome Arellano and Lenny Catiyan who are traveling with their families, and Ruth Micah Celi with her cute kids and dashing husband boarding on the same fight back home. They all came from a holiday vacation and are all heading back just as I am.

June 26,2025 3:18 AM — Manila Time. I finally arrived at NAIA with 2 connect flights. I was fatigued, but I was used to the jet lag, I made my way to the Information Center and I was delighted to see Michelle Anne Basilio who also just arrived from her stay in Paris, France. We said our goodbyes for now and saved all the catching up for tomorrow’s big event. My driver picked me up in a luxurious car hired by my company. It was the newest model manufactured by Mei Arra Roberta Rosuello‘s Automotive company. She was not only able to buy her family cars, but owned a company as well. Upon arriving, I checked into the grandest 5 star Luxury Resort Hotel Casino in the capital owned by a big time business savvy Justine Ross Bañares and two grand lottery winners Jayson Rodel Javier and Rhemielyn Belen.

On my way to the penthouse, I stood in the lift for a long while since it was located on the top level. I enjoyed the elevator music which was an instrumental of strings played and composed by Christopher Evangelista. I settled my bag on the carpeted floor and I launched myself into bed, I turned the TV on -A rerun of Bryan Stephen Briones and Abigail Irang hosting their own food and travel show, for this special segment they traveled to an island owned by no other but Chiara Angelica Castro, featuring Clay Glaiza Idos‘s beach resort that serves Jolibee Fast Food. And for the next show, It was Precious Sharizz Bautista‘s food tasting show and for this episode she is going take a bite of one of Chef Gordon Ramsay’s gourmet dish. Finally feeling rested and relaxed I fell asleep right away. 9:48 AM —I woke up to the morning news. Charissa Jose, now on her 2nd term as the president of the Philippines honored the countries top secret service agents Chelsea Anne Gabriel and Rebecca Galvan for capturing an international terrorist. Suddenly Feeling famish about the news I got ready to get breakfast down at the Hotel’s in-house restaurant. I requested for the chef’s special and the restaurant’s executive chef, Caryl Aloida Retuta, personally served my meal. After I ate and chatted with Carly. I decided to go for a walk, after a few blocks away, I looked up and there I saw a billboard of Dave Jeremy Tan, Patricia Nicole Alcaraz, Moranda Black, Myleen Epie, Lyra Anne Lopez, Jessica Valerie Julian and Shanine Denice Sison who are now members of the United Nations doing humanitarian works and their campaign to end poverty. I then grabbed a cab to visit one of the largest library in the world. Surprisingly, it was owned by Jeane Caridad Supnet. Upon entering at the receiving lounge, there was a book promotion and reading of Novy Galletes and Mary Rose Garcia they authored and I can hear Novy reading an excerpt from her new novel. Not wanting to disturb her reading I went straight to the classic section and found Patricia May Alcarazstanding by the book shelves reading.

Everywhere I look was already a reunion waiting to happen. I was unintentionally surrounded by the outstanding works and dreams of my former batch mates. I decided to grab a cup of tea to calm myself from all the excitement. Upon ordering, April Alyssa Alarin who took a sabbatical leave from her high-paying profession to work as a cashier for fun, took my order. We took the chance to exchange stories about our male batch mate while no one was ordering yet. She told me that Brandon Capuyan, Mark Kevin Damasco Ty, Jan Michael Vincent Escosio, Franiel Lamadrid, Kevin Massagan and Rafael Alvin Tugade who are now living the dream of having a lavish, contented and happy life, and as being well respected professionals. She also showed me on her Instagram feed a picture of Darren Jedrick Mejiaand Mark Anthony Gabriel captioned “Finally graduating in flying colors with their 3rd Bachelors Degree Course” and she double tapped that picture. A new costumer was heading the counter and it was a pleasure to see Sarah Faith Bannay a now guidance counselor at one of the largest universities in the country together with Zarah Jane De Gollo a well respected lawyer in a prestigious law firm are simply dropping by to grab a cup of coffee before heading back to their workplaces. I gave out a faint smile as I made my way out of the coffee shop, I was in a state of ecstasy as my batch mates shared our lives and experiences, and I too have learned a thing or two not just about living a successful life but also living an ecstatic one.

June 27, 2015 6: 13 PM— The night of the Class Gala. I don’t know why, or what but I was both feeling extremely nervous and excited, and it was a feeling that was both familiar and distant. Only I cannot hide my wide smile. I made my way up to the Ballroom where the big event will be held, I was able to share the lift with Angelica Figuero, Kimberly Joyce Langagan, Jocel Ivy Peña, Ma. Cristina Peralta, and Rowena Sibaya who are in the middle of their chats about their South American travel, showing pictures on their phone to each other and giving tips and recommendations on the go-to places to see. I also had the privilege to walk alongside Monica Margarette Molina, who just recently opened her private dental firm, Marion Nicole Rodillas a now modern Mother Theresa, Aleli Langgaman an American citizen living in NY with her family, Ferleen Caluza a famous dancer/choreographer who has been working with international artist, and Lea Sibaya a now chief police officer, heading the same direction.

As I entered the Ballroom I was surprised to suddenly see Jemima Sawey and Briverlyn Jane Atuan who casually apparated their way in. The night took off in a whirlwind of warm hi’s, hello’s and how are you’s. I was overwhelmed to see everyone in one place after 10 years, I decided to grab a drink at the bar. There I saw a group of well dressed ladies hold in their cocktails are Xhachelle Ruiz, Marleen Ilagan, Marjyl Patacsil, Candice De Castro, Florence Raiza Gonzales and Charmaine Jimday Tan sharing stories about their lavish world tours and are planning to travel all together. I pave my way to the a far end table and sitting were, Brian Nicole Ruaro who were sharing his experience with the divine, Kurvin Kindipan & Allan Dave Tacay on their journey to awesomeness, Jose Nicolo Genilo‘s life and day as a superhero, Donna May Baliton talking about living her dreams, Denice Mae Cordero sharing her thoughts on happiness, Kenny Hanna Damaslog about hearing songs from the people’s heart, Joanne Legiralde sharing her search for meaning and actually finding it, Evamarish Dyquianco speaking how it would be really nice to give God a hi-five when you reached heaven and Jara Eunice Hernandez‘s on her finally discovering her ultimate dream. Overhearing them talk about something abstract and insuperable as if it was within reach and something feasible made me giggle inside. I was glad to know that it was possible to attain your dreams into your reality.

Before serving our well plated dinner, Elaine Fatima Simon a Nobel Peace Prize winner for her unique method of bringing people together through her witty inspirational talks, gives out one of her famous motivational speeches to the whole Batch. After the dinner, the mingling continued. Phoebe Eguiaand Prynces Fae Valdez are now neighbors and living in a mansion and owning luxurious cars. I caught Shanesse Avery Garcia and Niña Rica Valeroso still eating and chatting since they’ve always been a lover of food. On the table to the right front was Denise De Padua sharing how happy she is with her stable life, Desiree Gonzales a now successful professional in her chosen field, Michelle Hafalla a family woman with a stable career and a happy family, Ma. Cristina Tamio a now boss of her own business establishment and happily living with her own family.

And on the table farther to the left side of the stage was Eloise Amor Culimay, Karleen Depolio, Larysa Malecdan, Jenny Grace Mercado, Eloiza Kaye Payap-a, Harnice Joyce Santos and Zenith Faye Litac showing each other pictures of their continental travels around the world from Europe, North and South America, Africa, Australia and Asia, they’ve gone to them all leaving their mark an collecting souvenir on every country they go to. A few tables back are a group of lovely ladies that seems to be talking about something deep that includes existential themes, which sits, Emee Lize Mamuyac sharing her achievements to the people who sits on the same table, Jovelle Kaye Navarrete showing pictures of her fangirling moments with her favorite artist, Wendy Paragas shares her dreams and has been working on it to bring forth in her reality, Marian Reiko Rimando already found what she has been longing for and Klaudyne Rose Yango is now living a happy life that God has planned for her.

11: 53 PM — The night flew by so effortlessly and quickly as my batch mates reached their dreams and fantasies. We reminisced about our college years and compared ourselves back then to who we were and who are now. Exchanges of stories of success, struggles and getting back up for that fall. I can’t believe that the night was finally over and it will be another 10 years or so to have another gathering like this. the night ended with goodbyes and swapping of contacts and what not. Each promised to keep in touch via email, call, sms, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn, you name it they got it. As I close the door to my hotel room I could help but feel blessed to be surrounded by passionate and eager dream catchers. as I close my eyes I whisper a little thank you my alma mater, for harboring our Christian spirit, competence, creativity and social involvement.

June 28,2015

6:15 — Amsterdam time. Finally back to living our dreams in reality. —the end—

PS all information are credited to the graduates’ ultimate dreams. No pun intended.

Inspired by my High School Batch Prophecy 

[paradisobound]

World’s Greatest First Love: The Case of Daniel Howell- Chapter 1

Summary: Dan Howell wanted a clean break from his father’s publishing company. It was why he applied for a different company in London: to stop the ridicule of his coworkers for riding on his ‘daddy’s coat tails’. But he wasn’t expecting to suddenly be going from a literature editor, to a graphic novel editor. And he certainly wasn't expecting to come face first with his first love who broke his heart from when he was a teenager: who just happens to be his new editor-in-chief. 

Based on the Anime and Manga “The World’s Greatest First Love: The Case of Ritsu Onodera” aka Sekai-Ichi Hatsukoi 

Rating: Mature (For Now) 

Word Count: 3.7k (this chapter) 

Warnings: None for this chapter 

Updates Every Saturday at 1pm EST 

Read on Ao3 | Read on Wattpad 

A/n: Hi everyone! Welcome to my new chaptered fic which is based on my favorite anime! I got into this anime back in December and it took over my life and I really wanted to share the love for it by creating a Dan and Phil version for it in fic form! I changed it up to make it make sense with Dan and Phil and I hope it works! You don’t need to watch or be familiar with the anime to understand the fic because I’ve provided enough context inside of the fic for that. But if you have any questions, don’t hesitate to ask me and I’ll provide details! Anyway, thanks for reading! 

“Welcome to Onyx Publishing Company!”

Dan looked up from his feet long enough to see the perky brunette greening him in the doorway of the building. Her hair is pushed behind her ears that are glittering with pearls and diamonds. Dan found it hard to look around long enough to hear what she was saying.

“We always get very excited when we hear that we have a new editor joining our team!” She continued on. “We are always looking for more help so this will benefit us greatly.”

Dan just nodded his head in an unspoken gesture as she motioned him to follow her to a short corridor with a set of elevators waiting in the wings. “Our office, specifically the Sapphire branch, is located on the 3rd floor.”

“Oh, I wasn’t aware we were put into branches?” Dan says, flickering his eyes between the wall and the elevator door in front of him where he could see the numbers ticking down on.

“The companies owner wanted each division to be its own branch so because we’re in the graphic novel branch of editing, we are known as Sapphires.”

Graphic novel branch? That wasn’t what he was coming to this company for!

“I’m…”

“My name is Vicki,” She says, extending her hand out after the elevator door closes in front of them and she presses the 3 button. “I don’t do any of the editing but I’m the assistant to the editors so if anyone needs any last minute help, that’s me.”

“You said sapphire branch was graphic novels,” Dan says finally just as the elevator begins to rise, “but I was told I was going to be a literature editor.”

Vicki turned slightly and a smile danced on her lips for a moment, “Oh, you must be mistaken,” She says and Dan feels the color drain from his skin, “No one is ever hired at our company into the literature department. You have to make your way up the ladder for that.”

Dan feels like arguing, feels like pulling the plug on this new job. He didn’t want to be an editor for graphic novels. He wanted to be a literature editor, and he thought that was what he had come here to do. He thought that he was hired here to do that but…

The doors to the elevators open and Dan’s mouth drops open at the sight in front of him. There are people running around everything, while others are passed out on their desks, mugs of coffee split across the papers. People literally lay on the floor, papers strewn all around them.

Dan’s never seen something so chaotic before in his life.

“Oh my!” Vicky squeals, stopping in her tracks as Dan runs into the back of her and they stumble forward a few steps.

“What is going on here?” Dan asks, a bit out of breath and bit flabbergasted at everything he sees in front of him. He wasn’t sure where to even begin.

“Oh, they must be in the final processes for their manuscripts before it goes into printing,” She says with a cocked head. “Although I’ve never seen it this bad.”

She hurried him away from the elevator and past the employees to a desk sitting in the back of the room, occupied by stacks and stacks of books and various other papers. “Mr. Lester?” She asks, a head of dark hair rises up, glasses slightly askew and creases indented in his cheek from laying on the desk. “This is your new employee, Daniel.”

Mr. Lester sat up straighter and adjusted his glasses back on his nose and smoothed out the skin of his face as he forced out a smile and shoved a hand out. “Nice to meet you,” He says. “Showed up at a bad time though. We’re finishing up this latest print and are at the end of this cycle. We need to get the finished product to the printer by 5.”

“The printer?” Dan asks and Mr. Lester waves his hand.

“You’ll learn all about the printer later on.”

Dan’s lips curl up a bit. He’s not even sure what’s going on anymore. Everything seems like a mess and he’s starting to very much regret coming to work at this new company.

“Are you able to show him around?” Vicky asks. “I have to go back downstairs.”

Mr. Lester’s eyes close momentarily as he lets out a sigh and Dan stands back. He didn’t want to upset someone on his first day.

“Okay, fine,” Mr. Lester finally says as he stands up from his desk. The books shift around just enough for Dan to see that the name tag on his desk says ‘Philip M. Lester: Editor in Chief’ and he nearly has a heart attack.

This was his editor in chief and he was already being a burden? Even when he didn’t meant to be one? He felt like he could pass out.

Mr. Lester walked around the other side of the desk and looked at Dan, “So, this is the Sapphire branch,” He says, gesturing to all of the desks and cubicles around them. “We mainly edit graphic novels but we also work with authors and the printers to make sure everything is going smoothly. We do this in what we call cycles.”

Dan nods, “I worked a bit in editing at my previous job,” Dan says softly. “I worked in editing literature though.”

Mr. Lester turned his head to look at him and his brows furrowed. “So you know some of this then?”

Dan wants to nod because yeah, he does know it a bit. But the truth was that, he had other reasons why he knew editing but he wasn’t going to admit any of that at his new company. It was why he left his old one.

“A bit but we outsourced our printing so I have no idea what it’s like to have a printer right in the building.”

Mr. Lester motioned him to follow him so Dan did and they walked further into the office space. He pointed at a door on the left and said, “This is the break room although we typically don’t have time to use it.”

Dan swallowed.

Mr. Lester walked further down and they came to another set of elevators, “These are the staff only elevators. You would take them to go to the printer or to meetings. Meetings are always on the 4th floor, printing is on the 5th. If you need to go to another branch, you can read on the buttons which are which. We’re the Sapphire branch as I said but we have three other branches in here too.”

Dan was taking in all of the information, trying his best to keep everything straight as Phil explained each part of the office step by step.

Here is the printer. Here is the door to the hallway. Here is the window that everyone wants to jump out of. Dan’s head was spinning.

By the end of the short tour, Dan was rerouted back to an empty small desk where Mr. Lester pointed down and said, “This will be your workstation. I’ll be back in just a moment with your assignment.”

Dan set down his bag that he had forgotten he was still carrying with his laptop and other supplies and was just about to sit down when he suddenly had a thought. What was he supposed to be doing here?

“Mr. Lester…”

“I don’t go by that.”

Dan turned around and came face to face with Mr. Lester’s, “What?”

“I don’t go by ‘Mr. Lester’.” He said with a slight snarl to his tone. “I go by Phil.”

“Oh-okay,” Dan says, biting his lip. “Um…I was just wondering what my job here is going to be?”

Phil smiled at him turned on his heels, walking away. Dan was left standing there by his empty cubicle, unsure of what he was doing anymore. He watched as Phil walked to his desk and filed through some papers before he pulled out a large folder and came back to Dan.

He set the folder on the desk and motioned to it, “This is the new manuscript that came in three days ago that needs to be edited. Go through it, mark anything you think stands out. Your deadline is in two weeks with printing in four so make sure if anything is unclear, you contact the author.”

Dan’s mouth opened and closed, “Two weeks to edit? That’s all I have?”

Phil’s lips curled into a smile and he nodded, “Good luck, newbie.”

And he walked away.

***

“Hey, newbie. Come over here!”

Dan looks up from his desk, his eyes are going a bit cross eyed as he’s looking over page after page of the manuscript that Phil had given him. He still doesn’t know how he’s going to get any of this done but he’s trying his best.

Phil is sat at his desk, his feet resting on the edge as he balances himself in his chair, a stack of papers resting on his chest as he tips back a little bit further.

“Where did you work before you came here?” Phil tips forward and places the papers back onto his messy desk. “Didn’t you say you came from another publishing company? Well, obviously you did. I wasn’t available to do your interview but I did read a bit of your resume.”

Dan nods his head, “I came from Howell publishing.”

“Howell publishing?” Phil asks, shuffling through his papers just as his phone buzzes loudly on his desk. He stops the conversation in its track to pick it up and read the message he had just gotten.

“Yes,” Dan says, “as I’ve said, I was a literature editor.”

Phil turns his head, “What brought you to graphic novels then?”

“Well, you see…”

A voice over Dan’s shoulder interrupts them and they both turn towards the dark haired male standing behind them, “Phil, did you get the text? Marmon’s manuscripts just came over the fax and she’s here for the meeting with them.”

Phil nodded and took off his glasses to squeeze the bridge of his nose. He pushed them back on and let out a sigh as he pushed his chair back with a loud screech of the feet against the tile of the office floor and he smiled at Dan, “Let’s do a quiz then. Ever heard of sub mats?”

Dan furrowed his brows, “You mean the substitute pages you can add into a graphic novel with an author doesn’t have enough?”

Phil nods his head and starts walking towards the side of the office where the fax machine has a stack of paper waiting for Phil to grab.

“Aren’t sub mats kind of pointless?” Dan asks, following Phil around the office to the elevator as Phil clicks the ‘up’ button. “Because if you need more work from the author, can’t you just ask them to provide more work?”

Phil turned to him and shook his head, “Are you an idiot?” He asked, his voice laced with seriousness. “When you’re on a time constraint and your author isn’t giving you what you need, you need to be able to fill the dead space. Without sub mats, your work will never sell and you and your author are out of a job.”

The elevator dings and he and Phil both get on. Dan’s not even sure if he should be getting on the elevator too. Was he supposed to be following Phil? Does it look bad if he’s following Phil to a meeting with his author?

Shit, was he already fucking this up?

They only go up one floor and they’re stepping off in an empty meeting area with a poised brunette sitting at an empty table, her hair pulled into a messy bun and her clothing a bit wrinkled. Dan knows the stress of editing so he doesn’t question it.

Phil walks over to the table and shakes her hand and she shakes it back and Dan sits down beside them both as Phil shuffles through the manuscript and looks at each page. “Do you happen to have your tools with you?” Phil asks.

The girl nods her head and reaches down in her bag to pull out a pencil and an eraser.

“This part isn’t realistic,” Phil says, pointing to a drawing of a man standing with a female counterpart. Dan peaks over the paper and sees that it looks like the man and woman are about to kiss but something does seem off about the proportions, “People don’t kiss like that.”

The girl’s eyes go wide and she immediately scratches out the drawing and begins to draw a new version of that scene on the back of the manuscript page. She works furiously, redrawing the characters but Phil immediately stops her, “No...that’s not...have you even been kissed before?”

The girl looks up and her eyes are still doe-like and Dan feels kind of bad because isn’t that a personal question? He guesses that it’s a valid one given the nature of that comic but he still feels a bit bad for her.

“Well, with all due respect, Mr. Lester, but you normally have your eyes closed while you kiss so I’m not aware that I would have adequate knowledge of what I look like when I do kiss someone.”

Her answer is sure and strong and Dan gives her props because he knows if someone asked him that, he would want to melt into the floor and never reform.

Phil doesn’t seem pleased with her answer though because he suddenly runs his hand through his hair and then stands up, “You need to see a sample.”

Dan adamantly agrees, because yes, showing her a sample photo is probably a really good idea. And he may not know hardly anything about editing graphic novels but he can agree that seems like a smart move.

Except, Phil is suddenly grabbing his arm and yanking him up and he’s tilting his head to the side. Dan’s heart speeds up in his chest and his hands lift up instinctively to push Phil away and just as Phil’s mouth is closing in on his and their noses are touching, Phil pulls back and turns his head to the young writer, “Did you get that? Draw exactly what you just saw, just change one of us to your female character.”

The girl furiously began to draw and sketch out what she had just seen and Dan was left standing there with a knot in his stomach and his jaw dropped to the floor because what the ever-loving fuck was that? Does this mean that the editing team is also the models for graphic novel comics because he definitely didn’t sign up for that part. Not like he signed up for this at all...he still wants to be a literature editor.

The girl is still finishing up and Phil is still instructing her but Dan needs some air so he quickly leaves the room and hops on the elevator back to the office.

He makes his way into the breakroom and finds a coffee machine and he pours himself a cup. He pours a little bit of sugar into the cup and stirs it with a straw and takes a seat. His stomach is still in a knot and his mind is reeling.

He should really look into quitting this job. He feels like he’s not going to fit in here at all. This isn’t what he wants to do. He wanted to be a literature editor like he was at his other job…

His other job.

Dan didn’t want to leave his other job. He loved being there. Despite his connections to the company, he still did really well and loved what he did. He even got to work with a top author for a while and even though the meetings and the editing took a long time, he still loved every second of it. He just couldn’t take the constant ridicule.

Dan’s dad owned Howell Publishing. His last name was slathered all over the company so of course people knew who he was. But that made people dislike him more. He hated walking into the breakroom to get a snack from the vending machine and hear people talking about him.

I’ve been here for four years and I still get low selling authors. Dan has been here for one month and he’s beating us all.

It’s such bullshit. Dan should be getting the scraps and I should be getting his authors.

Dan shouldn’t be here.

Dan knew that their words shouldn’t get to him, but they did and it hurt. It cut deep into him because that profession was something he wanted nothing more to do but he felt like he couldn’t do it. And he one too many sobbing breakdowns in the office bathrooms to keep up the charade of being there and being happy. He wasn’t happy anymore if no one else was happy with his success.

So he left despite being the heir to the company and he decided to apply to other companies around London and somehow made his way here. But now this job is serving to be no better and he knows he should quit.

“Do you know anything about editing graphic novels?”

Dan picks up his head and sees Phil standing beside him.

“No, not really.”

“Do you have the motivation to do this?” Phil asks. “Because if you have no motivation to edit any of these novels, then there is no need for you to be here.”

The words feel like bullets against Dan’s skin. It’s one thing for him to be thinking about this in his own head but to hear someone else tell him to quit cuts deep into his core. He doesn’t like it.

“I want to try editing them,” Dan says. “I’ll do my best to make sure that I edit the ones I’m assigned to the best of my abilities.”

“But you still want to be a literature editor?” Phil asks. “You’re not being subtle about it.”

Dan shrugs, “I just like being a literature editor.”

Phil pulls the seat out next to Dan on the end of the table and turns it backwards so he can straddle it and rest his arms on the back, “How many people do you genuinely hear of doing the job that they love?” Phil asks, “Seriously, how many people do you hear say that they want to go to work because they’re doing a job they seriously love doing?”

Dan knows that Phil’s right but he still doesn’t like that.

“Do your research, and try your best. You can always ask for help if you need to,” Phil says standing up. “But here is a list of the graphic novels our team has published and I recommend you take a look at the few on this list.”

Phil pulls a folded up list from his pocket.

Dan nods at him and forces out a smile as Phil just nods back and gets up from the chair and walks out of the room.

When Dan finally feels better and like he can actually continue with his work, he leaves the breakroom and goes scrounging around the office for the copies of the books on the list Phil gave him. He finds a bunch of them and piles them on his desk, determined to read every one.

***

Dan walks into work the next day with sore eyes and a fatigued body. He read over 50 graphic novels the night before he left to go home and his eyes hurt and he feels exhausted. He also doesn’t feel like he wants to go into the mess of an office after seeing the state of it the day before.

He gets off from the elevator and rubs at his stomach that is already knotting at the thoughts of it.

He rounds the corner of the office and starts to speak up before he stops in his tracks and his jaw drops open. The office is completely spotless and the other editors are all sitting at their desks looking fine. No one looks like they’re passed out or about to and Dan is completely grateful for that.

The dark haired male turns his chair and faces Dan, “Good morning!”

Dan walks in slowly and sets down his stuff on his desk, “Morning?” Dan shakes his head, “Sorry but this office was a mess yesterday and now it looks spotless?”

The man laughs and smiles, “Oh that’s because we were all trying to get the manuscript in for a major graphic novel and we were running behind on sleep. I hadn’t slept for three days. But that’s all over with now so we have time to clean up.”

“How did you live?” Dan asks, his voice high-pitched with seriousness.

The man shrugged, “Technically didn’t. Probably did die a few times. But I couldn’t afford to die for real because I had to finish the manuscript.”

Dan looked at him incredulously, “You’re being serious?”

The man just laughs, “Did we properly meet at all yesterday?” He puts his hand out, “I’m Mitch.”

Dan shakes his hand, “I’m pretty sure we did but you were passed out, so you probably don’t remember. I’m Dan.”

“Did Phil tell you some of the stuff you should know?”

Dan nods his head but asks Mitch to tell him some tips anyway and as he sits at his desk with a smile on his face, he feels like maybe this won’t be so bad afterall.