#that and of course the iconic louvre scene

[drink-tang-gang]

(same anon as before)

-PREPARE THIS ONE IS LONG-

Even though we all dislike the ending to some degree, BIA's ending still brings an interesting layer to the their relationship. It's a flaky plot-twist, sure, but we must not forget that:

a) Daffy isn't acting b) Most of Bug's reactions of/for/about Daffy must be genuine ( the inmediate ones at least)

So Daffy does want to leave for good (The stakes for Bugs are real), and Bugs does not believe Daffy is there just to highlight him(the emotional misunderstanding is real). He is actually surprised by this take, but unable to tell him how he feels. He can't go off script on in a meta, literal or personal level.

Uhm some other stuff, when Kate (the human co-star) and Bugs are driving on las Vegas, Bugs recognises Daffy by laugh alone. He looks up as soon as he hears it, Kate only hits the brakes after he is right on front.

They are all doing improv to some level. Daffy really had excellent timing for the joke, so Bugs really is just enamored with the perfect time Daffy came in. And Daffy in general

All in all, if Bugs orcheastated the whole bit, it means he really did all that to get Daffy on the movie, movie in which he praises Daffy constantly and goes far and beyond for…

At the end, the movie is for Daffy. Is Bugs VERY convoluted way of expressing his feelings without being direct or telling him to his face. funnily enough, this just bring back Bugs real issue, he can give the world to Daffy, but is it anything if he doesn't say so? works in meta too, the movie is fun, but the ending brings a lot of people a sour taste. and for some it ruins the experience.

TLDR: Uhhh...Bugs' gay, a menace, deserves the "least probable to open up about his feelings" award.

-👻

The shorts have always been in this weird limbo where it could be things happening to the Tunes in real time, we the audience are just there to witness it, or it’s actually a skit and the tunes exist as actors. sometimes the shorts don’t reveal it’s being filmed until a 4th wall break gag comes along and (kinda) changes the context of the short. I feel that Joe Dante might have risked the movie taking itself too seriously as “this happened to Bugs and Daffy outside filming” if it actually ended with Bugs and Daffy walking off into the sunset (hallway?) and so the ending we have was put in as “this was all a film ordered by execs and Bugs was in on it”. It doesn’t come as a surprise to me now and looking back it seems like a cop-out for the notoriously tumultuous experience of filming it anyways. Like a given up, hands in the air kinda “it was all just a movie. so there, the end”

It’s funny that although everything about the movie wasn’t “real”, the emotional conflict between Bugs and Daffy very much was, and that ends up being like, this entire movie’s saving grace jfkfjdhd

[ripaxed]

I wanna know more about the transmasc heather hc,,, like where did it come from or how would he realise it maybe?

Oh boy!

A have of whole. timeline in my head for this.

So. so the youngest reference we have of Heather is TDDDDI

“I’m guessing either your parents are divorced or you were really fat and pimply once.”

With the video messages from home Island’s final five received showing us Heather’s parents together, it’s the latter that is strongly implied to be true.

Of course, Heather very much does not look like this anymore. While a lot of people do thin up around puberty-

“Of course, only the toothpicky of us is going to fit through that vent. I’m talking model thin. So surely the most athletic of us would want to show off her natural sleekness!”

“For once, I agree with you.”

-I do not consider this to be the case with Heather.

I think of this as a young Heather feeling body dysmorphia and coming to her parents (mainly her mother in my head, as she speaks of her mother far more than her father) for support. However, her mother tells her she feels this because she isn’t thin.

Heather feels miserable, so she listens. She does whatever it takes to look like what others want her to. And eventually, she does.

She still feels miserable. Because it was never about that

The general concept of Heather performing mainline attractiveness for the approval of others extends to World Tour. In Can’t Help Falling in Louvre, Heather is in the line up of girls who wish to be DJ’s model in the tiebreaker. She certainly doesn’t seem to be enjoying herself there, rather seeming very desperate for some form of validation (possibly heightened by the recent loss of her tooth).

Furthermore, we have the idea of femininity being forced on Heather in Brunch of Disgustingness.

“Thanks Heather, but I prefer to keep it natural.”

“Like my mom always says, a lady can always use a little boost in the looks department.”

To me, this scene calls to mind the idea of a younger Heather in Bridgette’s position, not wanting to wear makeup (so to say, not wanting to appear feminine) but having her mother enforce in onto her.

I believe most of Heather’s dynamics with female characters as being drawn from this experience. Lindsay is very outwardly feminine and finds nothing but joy in it, which Heather never did, Gwen rejects a lot of traditional expectations people have of her because they see her as a girl, which Heather was never able to escape. Thus her relationships with them and others are incredibly hostile.

Now, going into World Tour, we have Heather’s antihero arc and her relationship with Alejandro. With both of these things, we see Heather at her happiest.

Now, Heather’s villainy in Island is strongly gendered. Her dynamics with Gwen, Leshawna, Beth and Lindsay, even Trent, are fundamentally written with the idea Heather Is A Girl to the extent you can’t conceptually genderswap Heather and write her dynamics in anyway similar as they are in canon.

In contrast, in my own opinion, WT Heather is not even half as gendered as she was before. You could genderswap Heather and her relationships with Alejandro, Gwen, Courtney, Cody, Sierra, DJ, etc would not change in any particularly notable way. In that sense, Heather as an antihero is strongly opposed to her as a villain.

Regarding her relationship with Alejandro, as it nears its climax we have this moment

Which is an interesting bit of gender non conformity, putting Heather in the traditionally male role while putting Alejandro in the traditionally female role.

Then we have the iconic moment of:

“You mean… I’m the good guy?”

Not only do we a bit more nonconformity with “good guy”, but we also see that Heather’s dynamic with Alejandro puts her as the hero and that she finds joy in that position,

Taking this in addition to how Heather’s villainy is so strongly tied to her status as a women, we can equate the concept of hero vs villain to the concept of male vs female.

As I already said, Heather’s relationship with Alejandro and her antihero arc are where we see Heather at her happiest, which is why I began viewing them, especially the good guy line, as equating to Heather experiencing gender euphoria.

As for when the Gender Thoughts finally hit Heather, I think it would be post TDA but pre-Celebrity Manhunt, when Heather’s hair was growing back.

We never see Heather with short hair, and to me, never had Heather until then. For the first time, Heather saw himself looking “boy-ish” and started to feel some amount of gender euphoria. Though, I don’t think he really understood what he was feeling at the time, and immediately started wearing hair extensions to bury that feeling out of panic.

I think Heather wouldn’t start transitioning until he was into his romantic relationship with Alejandro. Now, I personally hc Alejandro as genderfluid, so being in a relationship with him is what made Heather realize he didn’t have to be a girl if he didn’t want to. I have a similar train of thought regarding his friendship with Harold, who I headcanon as transfem.

So yeah! I think that’s everything. Sorry if you weren’t expecting a answer that long anon fhhsrhvfhjb

[retrieve-the-kraken]

Heartstopper season 2 play-by-play analysis

We’re in Paris! I can’t believe the Paris trip takes up so much of the time of the season. I do love the pacing of the season, and how they distributed events and moments throughout it, making the most of the locations and situations. I know that most interior scenes were filmed back in the UK, but they really squeezed as much as they could from their stay in Paris (and I need all the bts content from that, what we’ve gotten so far is not enough!). Like Trixie Mattel and Katyana said, only two things can shut down the Louvre: Beyonce and Hearstopper, apparently, who would have thought? It felt like such a nice change of scenery, and really gave the show and the characters a whole new dimension.

On with the episode!

EPISODE 4 - CHALLENGE

- The coach is Blue and Yellow™. And of course a lot of green, especially in the form of Charlie’s iconic green Fjällräven backpack and Nick’s hoodie.

- Nick being super sad about not sitting with Charlie, and Charlie trying to be all upbeat about it, and challenging him to not kiss him for two days. I love their banter.

- Tao’s miserable face as he realizes that, not only is Nick sitting with him for the trip, but Elle doesn’t want to sit with him either. And Nick is oblivious to the fact that the date didn’t go well…

- Ben clearly doesn’t realize how indiscreet he is about his fixation with Charlie. Even Isaac notices something strange is up.

- Ugh, I loooove how much we’re slowly inching our way to finding out more about Isaac. I love that he asks Charlie how he knew he liked Nick, and how he’s trying to figure out how this compares to how he feels about James. God, if that hasn’t been my entire life before I realized too…

- If nobody had told me that Kit Connor didn’t speak French before, I would have simply thought “wow, how lucky that they found the perfect Nick Nelson AND he happens to speak French already.” (I really don’t know if it sounds good or not, but it convinced me…) Also Nick’s little excited face when he’s talking to his dad, because he’s still excited about the possibility of seeing his dad, he hasn’t come to the realization that the effort should come from both parts.

- Also Tao’s face when he realizes that Nick is speaking fluent French and he’s not hearing things. And their cute little bonding moment talking about it. Even when Elle looks over at them, they seem to be looking at something (on a phone?) and talking and laughing. Bonding!

- Mr Farouk actually having a little smile on his face when they’re finally in Paris.

- Ugh, seriously, what is up with Ben??? He doesn’t care about even playing it off for Imogen, and she very quickly catches on.

- “I thought you’d find it awkward sharing with Nick. Just standing next to Elle makes me feel like I’m being electrocuted.” I don’t think I’m quite on board with this completely, seeing as in the show Tao already knows about Nick and Charlie… I thought it would have made more sense if he’d been more like “I just want to make sure that there’s no hanky-panky whilst we’re all in the same room,” and then Charlie could get all flustered and go “ugh you sound like my dad, and no, we’re not doing any of that, not yet…”

- But I love that we got the handholding scene across the space between the beds.

- The teachers being so awkward and adorable. Now kyth!

- Tao should have apologized to Elle for what he said, but at least he extended an olive branch in the form of a bottle of apple juice. And she accepted.

- The dynamic between Nick and Charlie has seriously become so perfect and in tune, the way that Joe and Kit riff off each other whilst being perfectly in character is just chef’s kiss.

- Darcy interrupting the kiss made me think of an ideal world in which Darcy gets adopted by Sara, and the Golden Retriever siblings fight about stupid things all the time, like who’s more in love with their respective partner, and who do they think Nellie loves more, and she continuously barges into Nick’s room when Nick and Charlie are making out and goes “sorry for interrupting the gayness, but I can’t find my phone charger, can I borrow yours? Thank you, my twin. You may proceed with the gayness.”

- “I need a drink. An alcoholic drink.” “We probably shouldn’t drink.” “I need a croissant then”. Number one on the quotes that I’m glad made it right off the comic page.

- “Mischief maker. I’ve influenced you.”

- The I heart Paris hoodie, and Darcy touching the bust’s boobs. Peak Darcy.

- James saying that it’s nice to be with other gay people, and Isaac looking a bit uncomfortable… honey, just because doesn’t seem to respond to people of the opposite sex doesn’t automatically make them gay. Unless he’s using gay as an umbrella term…? Instead of queer…? James knows about Darcy and Tara, and about Charlie, but he doesn’t know about Nick, or presumably Sahar. He’s making assumptions about Isaac.

- Nick not getting why people continue to be fascinated by the fact that he speaks French, or the fact that his dad is French. He’s such an oblivious little pumpkin.

- And that heart to heart between Charlie and Tara. “Me and her were all that mattered.” And Tara being jealous about how Charlie and Nick talk about their feelings.

- The Tao and Elle conversation and whole cutesy montage. And Tao making the French tourists crouch for the photo and everything, figuring out how to talk to them without actually speaking French.

- Peak Ben Hope, seeing Nick waving at Imogen and immediately pulling her toward him, in this horribly possessive manner. Glad that Imogen got fed up with him and bolted. Poor thing has been miserable since arriving at Paris because of Ben, and she at least approaches Nick’s group to ask if she can hang out, which could not have been easy (especially to Nick, with whom she had a disagreement).

- By the way, Imogen in her Paris outfit is giving off major Margot Robbie in Barbie vibes.

- Elle asking Imogen if she even likes Ben, which you can tell that Nick so badly wanted to ask (Elle and Nick even exchange knowing glances), but he didn’t because he knew that he had already tried to warn Imogen about Ben, and maybe she won’t listen to him, but she’ll probably listen to another girl.

- Imogen jumping on the TaoElle ship. “Maybe I don’t have the best track record in relationships (looks knowingly at Nick and he laughs), but I think being honest is better than living with regret”. Yes, Imogen. Like when she took a chance and told Nick that she liked him and then asked him out, and even though he didn’t reciprocate, they still ended up as friends, and he’s so protective of her, and he’s probably the best friend she didn’t know she needed.

- Nick internalizing what Imogen just said too.

- Will Gao is so histrionic, I adore him.

- The whole montage of Mr Farouk arguing (is he arguing? Sorry, but to me French men always sound like their arguing) with the waiter without any subtitles, and then going something about no onions and something else and “I’m serious, big man, I get bloated, it’s not funny, cheers”, made me think for a moment that I want to learn French just so that I can know what he was saying. (The moment has passed).

- The whole Nick and Charlie trying not to sit together all the time majorly backfiring when Ben ends up next to Charlie. The horror. Charlie turns his body toward Tao as much as he can without actually sitting sideways, and Nick is about to throw his whole body across the table.

- Detective Imogen is fully on it now, she’s about to blow this whole case wide open.

- I’ve had escargot and I’m never doing that again. It was fun to try, but yeah, I also felt bad for my terrible decision.

- I may never completely understand the magnitude of Charlie’s eating disorders, because I can’t imagine what that’s like (I used to think that I might have an ED because I’m often so particular about food, because of my anxiety, and at times textures and strong flavors can be overwhelming, but I’ve learned to deal with it, the way I managed to overcome it on my own was kind of similar to the way that Noora from SKAM did, but it was never of the magnitude of Charlie or Noora), but I understand the pressure of “oh shit I ordered this and now I have to eat it because people are watching but I really don’t want to” and fearing making myself sick because of the pressure and the shame and the anxiety of feeling trapped in that situation. Made worse, in Charlie’s case, by Ben sitting next to him and actively looking at him.

- “I haven’t spoken to you in ages”. Sir, that is not a coincidence, there’s a reason for it. Don’t pretend like you don’t know it, SIR.

- I love the panicked look on Nick’s face as Ben starts talking to Charlie. He had seen the seating arrangement and panicked, but then he relaxed for a bit, probably thinking “nah, this asshole wouldn’t dare try to say anything to Charlie in front of everyone, he wouldn’t be so bold”, but then Ben is inexplicable… So Nick nearly rushes off his seat to Charlie’s side to do what? Ask Ben to switch seats with him? Just wedge himself in there until the meal is over? He probably has not a clue what he’ll do but by GOD he will stop this interaction before his boyfriend has to endure it any longer.

- Imagine being Ben (just for a painful second), being so self-centered, being so preoccupied with the paranoia of people watching you all the time and watching your every move and trying to figure you out, that you’d go around being an asshole, especially to the boy that you “like”, to the point where those actions and shitty attitude lose you said boy, only for you to lose all self-awareness when in proximity to said boy, and you’re suddenly staring at him openly, trying to strike up a conversation, and not getting the fucking hint that said boy doesn’t want to talk to you, doesn’t even want to look at you. Imagine those walls crumbling down but you’re absolutely convinced they are still up. Imagine that now people can see right through you and call you out, and you get defensive and start calling them names… Imagine being down so bad for someone (or whatever feelings that you might think you have for said boy) that you’re not even making sense anymore, even later boldly telling said boy’s boyfriend that you want said boy back (even though said boy’s boyfriend is basically twice your size and hates your guts and could probably knock you out with a single punch). Imagine…

- But then imagine being Charlie, a curly-haired human embodiment of sunshine and rainbows, and having to sit next to your ex/assaulter. Period.

- Imogen going off on Ben like we all love to see it, but let’s face it, she was kinder than I expected her to be, by telling him he has issues that he needs to resolve. Go to therapy, Ben! Your energy’s off, Ben! She’s basically telling him what Charlie will repeat in other words later, about him working on himself to be better before he hurts somebody else.

- She calls out Ben for being obsessed with Charlie twice very loudly. Ben would rather chew off his own hand before admitting it, but Imogen hit the nail right in the head. ( kinda want to be given a reason why not one of Charlie's friends jumped up at that, like "wait, what is this about Ben Hope being obsessed with you?" unless they're waiting for Charlie to bring it up himself it at all. But seeing Charlie's reaction, and Nick's horrified face, you'd think they'd be a little curious as to what that is about...)

- And Elle smiling when Imogen says that it’s time she focuses on herself. Yes, Imogen, stop thinking about boys for a while, and focus on what you want.

- I have rewatched everyone’s faces so many times: from the guy over Imogen’s shoulder laughing and trying to look over, to James catching all the tea, to all of Ben’s mates sniggering, but my favorite is that boy between Ben and Harry with the super-expressive eyebrows very dramatically questioning Ben’s whole attitude.

- As everyone’s been saying, when even Harry Greene calls you out, you know you’ve hit a low point.

- Nick and Charlie coming to comfort Imogen, and her questioning if she should have done that so publicly (the answer is Yes, because he very publicly treated you very badly too, so… tit for tat). And her wanted to make sure if maybe something happened between Ben and Charlie, but then saying it doesn’t matter as soon as she sees how uncomfortable it makes him.

- And her saying that it would be easier if she liked girls, which… how many times do women in general say that? Relationships aren’t easy, no matter who you love, but there’s a preoccupying trend if the consensus is that ‘if sexuality was really a choice, the number of women who would choose to be lesbians is very very high’. What does that say about straight cis men, in general?

- Tao finally getting his head out of his own ass long enough to realize that Nick is really trying to bond with him.

- Tao about Elle “she’s everything, I’m just Ken”.

- Nick being adorable telling him that he thinks Tao is also all those things, and telling him that he does like him.

- I thought that Tao’s whole plan was giving Nick and Charlie privacy by dragging Isaac to the vending machin (And Charlie and Nick making the most of that little privacy). But it’s so sad when you realize that it was because Nick said the word “loudly” to describe him, and it made him remember that it was his loudness that outed Charlie last year. Poor baby.

- Seriously, the chemistry this season is off the charts, the intimacy between Nick and Charlie is so beautiful and warm and Kit and Joe are magical. And the way that they’re always checking with each other. “Is this okay?” A very enthusiastic "YEAH”, “we should stop”, “okay.” Love them.

- Isaac falling asleep with the book on his face is so relatable. How many times have I woken up because I fell asleep reading and the book just smacked me in the face? Too many to count.

- Charlie’s little “oh f—” cut to music.

Ceci episode é brought pour vous by CROISSANTS™. (Je n'e parlez pas français).

[mazrealestate]

The Pearl of the Gulf: Unraveling Abu Dhabi's Luxury Real Estate Scene

Abu Dhabi, the capital of the United Arab Emirates, stands as a testament to opulence, blending modernity with tradition against the backdrop of the Arabian Gulf. In this blog, we embark on a journey through Abu Dhabi's luxurious real estate scene, exploring the extravagant properties, high-end neighbourhoods, and the epitome of upscale living that defines this gem of the Gulf.

1. Abu Dhabi's Skyline Extravaganza: Iconic Towers and Skyscraper Residences

Abu Dhabi's skyline is a masterpiece of architectural brilliance. Explore the iconic towers and skyscraper residences that grace the cityscape, offering panoramic views of the Gulf and creating an unparalleled living experience.

2. Exclusive Waterfront Residences: Living by the Azure Corniche

Delve into the allure of waterfront living along the Corniche. These exclusive residences not only provide a serene escape but also offer a front-row seat to Abu Dhabi's captivating sunsets, making them prime real estate for those seeking the epitome of luxury.

3. The Royal Enclave: High-End Neighborhoods and Royal Palaces

Uncover the high-end neighborhoods that house royal palaces and exclusive properties. From Emirates Palace to the opulent Saadiyat Island, explore the enclaves that cater to the elite and discerning residents.

4. Luxury Beyond Imagination: Five-Star Amenities and Lifestyle

Abu Dhabi's luxury real estate goes beyond brick and mortar; it's a lifestyle. Discover residences that come with five-star amenities, private beaches, golf courses, and spa facilities, offering a life of extravagance and indulgence.

5. Art and Culture Residences: Saadiyat's Cultural District

Saadiyat property for sale Island's Cultural District is a haven for art and culture enthusiasts. Dive into the residences that stand in proximity to the Louvre Abu Dhabi and the upcoming Guggenheim Abu Dhabi, blending luxury living with a rich cultural tapestry.

6. Yas Island: The Playground of the Affluent

Explore Yas Island, Abu Dhabi's entertainment hub, and discover how luxury real estate seamlessly integrates with world-class attractions, including the Yas Marina Circuit, Ferrari World, and the Yas Links Golf Course.

As we unravel buy luxury Villa in fay Al Reeman, it becomes evident that the city is not just a destination; it's a lifestyle. The Pearl of the Gulf, with its iconic skyline, waterfront marvels, high-end neighbourhoods, and cultural districts, epitomizes the pinnacle of luxury living. In Abu Dhabi, every residence is a masterpiece, every view is a panorama, and every home is a testament to a life well-lived.

[gatewayinternationalsblog]

Immerse yourself in French charm and academia: Study in France!

Are you ready for an extraordinary study abroad experience filled with French charm, rich history, and world-class education? Look no further than France – a captivating destination that has been enticing students from all corners of the globe for centuries.

France, known for its exquisite cuisine, romantic ambiance, and iconic landmarks, is also home to some of the most prestigious universities and research institutions in the world. From the bustling streets of Paris to the picturesque countryside, every corner of this beautiful country exudes a sense of cultural richness and intellectual vibrancy.

Key reasons to choose France for your study abroad adventure:

Academic Excellence: France is renowned for its top-notch academic institutions, which offer a wide array of courses across various disciplines. Whether you're interested in arts, sciences, engineering, or business, you'll find a program that caters to your academic pursuits.

Cultural Immersion: Studying in France offers a unique opportunity to immerse yourself in the French way of life. Embrace the language, indulge in the local cuisine, and experience the rich cultural heritage that has influenced the world for centuries.

Research Opportunities: France has a long history of groundbreaking research and innovation. As a student, you'll have access to cutting-edge facilities and the chance to work alongside renowned researchers and scholars.

Iconic Landmarks: From the Eiffel Tower to the Louvre Museum, studying in France means having easy access to world-famous landmarks. Explore the breathtaking architecture and art that has inspired generations.

Multicultural Environment: France is a melting pot of cultures, welcoming students from diverse backgrounds. Engage with students from around the world and broaden your horizons through global connections.

Quality of Life: French cities offer an excellent quality of life, with efficient public transportation, healthcare facilities, and a thriving social scene. Enjoy a perfect balance between academic pursuits and leisure activities.

Travel Opportunities: France's central location in Europe makes it a gateway to exploring other European countries. Weekend getaways to neighboring cities and countries are easily accessible, allowing you to make the most of your study abroad experience.

Language Skills: Study in France offers the chance to learn or improve your French language skills, which can significantly enhance your employability in an increasingly globalized job market.

Art and Culture: As a country known for its contribution to art, literature, and cinema, France provides a nurturing environment for students with a passion for creativity and cultural expression.

Scholarships and Funding: France offers various scholarships and funding opportunities for international students, making it more accessible and affordable to pursue your dream of studying in this enchanting country.

Embark on a transformative journey in France, where academic excellence meets cultural enchantment. Experience the joie de vivre and intellectual stimulation that comes with studying in one of the world's most captivating and revered destinations. France awaits you with open arms, ready to embrace you in its unique blend of charm, academia, and joie de vivre.

[purplezebraproductions]

All of these pics were posted on February of 2020.

The first is a piece of two of my Tales Told OCs, Louvre and Ash. Ash loves Louvre, but Louvre is in a relationship with Ko. This would what would happen in Ash’s dreams.

Ash is someone who, do to issues in her past, has problems with authority, upperclass nobles, and more specifically men. She distrusts most people around her, as one does when they are being hunted as a wanted criminal. She's been mostly unable to meet anyone that she doesn't find fits her own stereotypes and preconceived notions of how they should act, until she meets Louvre. Louvre is considered part of a noble race, he is considered an authority in the fight against Mayfall, and he is also a man; yet he doesn't fit the stereotypes that Ash has in her head for any of those things. He speaks like he is on the same level as everyone else, endearing them to his cause by treating them like they are worth something more. But at the same time he is too kind and trusting, which gets him into trouble when he is unable to defend himself. Having barely ever met a Salamander before, he doesn't know what to think when he comes across Ash and is quite intimidated. But over the course of their time together he begins to understand that while she is brash, she is nothing if not honest with him. Not an honesty that destroys his confidence or demeans his cause, but an honesty that builds him up and let's him see all the aspects of his work that he's been missing.

The next are my three “scene stealer” OCs or the fan favorite OCs for three of my stories. From left to right, Viluy from Ask the Deadman, Sky from The Story of Star Dust, and Blank from Tales Told.

The third was an icon for a discontinued channel. The fourth is a simple headshot of Viluy from Ask the Deadman.

The next are two more YCHs of “Pins and Needles.” The first OC that belongs to Rarnunae on Amino. The second OC is Fleur for Fatedstyles on DA.

The last is an old pair of vent pieces.

[Please do not repost my art!]

[pandoa]

"draw me like one of your french girls"

rook spots you drawing a stunning woman in your sketchbook. now, he has an interesting request for you. will you fulfill it?

~rook hunt x artist!gender neutral reader~ ~based on the iconic line from the movie Titanic~

warnings: reader is a slight tsundere! some suggestive lines but really only because of the reference to that one particular scene in Titanic. other than that, this fic is completely safe for work. thank you~

A woman.

A woman, with a rather sophisticated aura surrounding her, was drawn on the notebook owned by none other than the Ramshackle prefect as they sat underneath a broad apple tree with their good friend Rook observing alongside them. Rook took note of your limitless technique in the arts as he saw how each careful stroke of your pencil served a great purpose to the entirety of your artwork. Simply enchanting, he thought to himself. Though he did wonder who that mysterious lady in your sketchbook was. A friend? Teacher? Family member? Perhaps maybe an idol of yours?

Sensing his questioning look towards your book, you decided to indulge him with his interest in your artwork. 

Turning your attention to him, you asked, “Are you familiar with the Mona Lisa? Leonardo da Vinci? Louvre Museum in Paris?”

Silent, the Pomefiore vice housewarden sitting beside you stared at your form in utter confusion. You resumed gliding your pencil across your sketchbook, sighing at the boy’s cluelessness.

“Who am I kidding, of course you wouldn’t know,” you started, “Well, to fill you in with my knowledge, the Mona Lisa is a well-known painting of a woman in my world. Despite being created by an Italian painter, it is now being kept at a French museum called the Louvre. And I am simply trying to draw a rough sketch of it. But it’s not really going well.” The prefect glared at their lead-covered paper, not entirely satisfied with their work.

Ignoring your own criticisms, however, Rook glanced at you with complete admiration shown on his face. What grand knowledge you have on artistic history! As expected, your beauty does not halt on your physical features, but goes on to your intelligent mind and beyond!

Feigning ignorance to his gawking, though, you pretended to focus on a small portion of your paper, slightly flustered under his innocent look. 

“So, with that being said, I recommend you say whatever you came here to say before I carry on with my drawing. I want to focus and this may take awhile,” you regrettably muttered.

“I do have one request, if I may do so, ma chérie/mon chéri.” An idea struck Rook as he stepped closer, peering deep into your eyes, entrancing you with his gaze. Curious, you urged the unreadable boy in front of you to continue.

“(Y/n), I want you to draw me like one of your French girls.” 

“I told you the Mona Lisa isn’t actually French—”

 “Wearing this,” he interrupted, gesturing to the elegant hat resting on his head.

“...Um, alright, I guess,” you hesitantly replied.

“Wearing only thi— OUCH!”

A resonating smack was then heard throughout the courtyard of Night Raven College.

“Ew, no! What do you take me for, a perv?!”

“Ah~ Mon amour! I jest, I jest!” the dramatic hunter cried, but not visibly hurt, holding his pristine cheek, “However, why do you deny me so?” Surely you would not reject his flourishing love for you so easily, oui? Rook then proceeded to theatrically collapse into the prefect’s unaware arms, fanning himself with the palm of his hand as if he was on the brink of losing consciousness.

“While rejection in itself has its own, incomparable beauty, I do not wish to fall for its trap as I have already fallen weak for your affections instead,” the hunter declared. Seeing as you were caught off guard by his flirtatious stunts, Rook then saw it as a chance to adjust his posture and circle his arms around your waist, effectively pulling you closer to his proximity. 

“Truly, you see it too, correct?”

“Rook Hunt, I suggest you refrain from your unnecessary comments if you really do wish for me to sketch you. In a modest setting, of course.” Your flushed face turned away, brushing off the hunter’s confession in embarrassment. Rook quickly took notice of the red tint in your cheeks, though. Did you really think you could hide from a huntsman such as himself?

“Oh, so your trained eyes deem my looks as gorgeous enough to capture on paper?” he teased with a subtle smirk to his lips.

“No, I did not say that! Like I would ever compliment you, you overbearing hunter!” 

Your words fell deaf to Rook's ears as he chuckled at your dishonest rambling.

“Well, not that I think you're not pretty or whatever— ROOK I SWEAR TO THE GREAT SEVEN, STOP UNTYING YOUR UNIFORM—”

a/n: idk what this is i had an idea and just went with it

[kit-herondale-blackthorn]

just rereading volume 3 so here’s a list of small and/or underrated scenes and dialogues i *need* to see in heartstopper season 2, in chronological order:

- coach singh walking in on charlie and nick kissing

- coach singh showing nick the picture of her and her wife

- mr farouk shutting up the whole student body by yelling “quiet” + mr ajayi’s stunned reaction, on multiple occasions

- darcy’s “oh. you’re being gay. good job, carry on”

- tao getting flustered over elle seeing him in his pyjamas

- the teachers’ “i need a drink. an alcoholic drink” “we probably shouldn’t drink alcohol” “a croissant then”

- darcy getting a “i <3 paris” hoodie

- “oh, my dad is french” “since when?!” “since… his birth?”

- the deep conversation between tara and charlie while everyone else goes to get ice cream

- charlie getting ice cream on his nose

- charlie and nick’s “hi” “hi” while play fighting / making out

- nick freaking out about giving charlie a hickey and charlie’s “i fell in the shower”

- everyone DYING from taking the stairs up the eiffel tower + darcy asking tara to carry her

- tao’s “i look like an egg”

- elle wearing a beret like the style icon she is

- tao and elle’s kiss in the louvre of course

- tara and darcy’s “i passed out once when wearing a beanie in 30-degree heat” “of course you wore a beanie in 30-degree heat” “[…] i fell into a swimming pool” “why were you wearing a beanie at a swimming pool??”

- nick flirting and teasing charlie in french

- mr ajayi and mr farouk catching nick and charlie in the alcove next to the vending machine

- the teachers’ whole conversation right after that, about mr farouk not having a queer romance like that in his teenage years (especially given how many heartstopper fans have been melancholic and saying that about themselves!)

- darcy in a party hat at tara’s birthday party

- charlie walking in on tao and elle kissing in the bathroom (although it would be peak comedy if they gave this scene to isaac ngl)

- charlie to nick “i’m not a human heater like you”

- and finally charlie’s rant to harry “what do you want from us? forgiveness? ‘well done’? you said all that homophobic stuff but it’s okay because you’re sorry? i’m glad you realised the error of your ways but it’s not my job to give you a gold star.”

[infinitelytheheartexpands]

Un ballo in maschera (Met, 2012, second liveblog): Reactions, Part I

Almost eleven months after my initial liveblog of this during the Met’s Verdi week, we return to this to mark the end of the Met streaming. :’)

here we go!!!

such a pretty show curtain (isn’t this painting like on the ceiling of a room in the Louvre or something? I’d love to go see it IRL)

the nice thing about being king is that you get dressing gowns like that

this is so atmospheric I adore it

steal my heart

oh poor Oscar

again, a king has to look sharp

Oscar’s just walking around like he owns the place

every leader should learn this

this will cause exactly zero (0) problems, of course *sarcasm*

and so will I

this is such a bop and Marcelo is GREAT at this

DIMAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA (also featuring A Suit Precisely Made To Make People Yearn)

annnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnd there it is

this scene is so funny I laugh so hard every time

Area Tenor Watched La clemenza di Tito Before This

SIR

meanwhile, Kathleen Kim is just Vibing

totally not foreshadowing

it should be illegal how amazing everyone in this production is

it’s a lovely morning in the Swedish royal palace, and you are a horrible (in the best way possible) page bound and determined to mess with bureaucratic officials

“I’m not gonna get any work done, am I”

“nnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnNOPE!”

absolute perfection

that’s...not exactly helping the case

my last two brain cells

this bops SO HARD

fun fun FUN

I want to be in this production

this is the only correct way to stage this moment let’s be real here

she has Materialized

bam! bam! BAM! Dramatic Closeup Perfectly Achieved

QUEEN also I LOVE this prelude

seriously she is just ICONIC

he’s just so full of joy :)

a lot of operas could probably be solved if we told tenors this more

she’s just so amazing HOW

cool lighting

“I’m...actually starting to regret my life choices a little bit”

“the King? nope not here I AM A TURTLE”

anyway

“this chair is magical it makes me INVISIBLE!!!”

SONDRAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA (looking FABULOUS, ma’am)

my last two brain cells, ten minutes after the previous mention of them

“I...am regretting my life choices”

I love this trio so much

why does Sondra get perhaps the best single set of costumes for any performer recently at the Met it’s not fair

I love them

it’s rather ironic you say that

“do you know how much I want to stab you right now, Gustavo”

“sir, I did not sign up for this”

“YOU ARE GETTING A BOPTASTIC DELETED NUMBER FROM SINGIN’ IN THE RAIN WHETHER YOU LIKE IT OR NOT”

(yes, I realize that is anachronistic but I do not care)

Marcelo Alvarez’s palpable joy just makes me grin ear to ear

NEVER mess with a Powerhouse Verdi Mezzo Or Contralto

annnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnd there it is (again)

“wtf this was supposed to be fun and that just completely killed the mood”

oh buddy

this ensemble is pure brilliance

Handshake of Doom TM

*insert Undercover Boss joke here*

awwwwwwwwwwwwwwww

I love how Stephanie Blythe and David Alden are playing Ulrica very sympathetically and showing how she really does care; for all her theatrics, it’s more than a business transaction in this interpretation and I love it

this is such a bop

what could possibly go wrong?

[pilferingapples]

alicedraws-kostyalevin replied: 

wait the polytech students had a uniform???

They sure did! It was a prominent feature in some paintings of the time!  Especially paintings and art of barricades (the Polytechnique students were famously pro-uprising, which is just amazing)

Attaque d'une barricade commandée par un élève de l'école de polytechnique

Scene of the 1830 Revolution at the Louvre, by Jean Louis Bezard, Musee de la Ville de Paris (at least according to the jacket credit for Paris Between Empires):

see the sharply-dressed guy with the sword  and the flag pointing right to him?

they were sort of popular Revolutionary Icons for propaganda, partly bc they were of course somewhat sympathetic to the bourgeois audience many wanted to sway , and partly, let’s be real, because those uniforms , very nice visuals XD

[ahmeddocuments-blog]

Day 4, (Paris: Downtown; Châtelet, Notre-Dame, Louvre, Champs-Élysées, Trocadéro), 28-9-2019

Written by Ahmed Hassan, edited and corrected by Aya Ashraf.

After a well deserved sleep, I woke up later than usual. Finally I’m having a full downtown day! Showered and got myself ready, started my trip by going to Montmartre to meet Mohamed near his hostel.

I had to pass through Gare du Nord where I usually change for a metro, but for a change I took a bus to have a different experience. I arrived and Mohamed wasn’t ready. He had had breakfast already, so I went to a nearby Carrefour market to get breakfast. For anyone who’s travelling on budget, supermarkets are a big deal when it comes to saving money. I always go there and pay less than 5 euros for a baguette, cheese or luncheon meat, water and drink.

We Later met and began our tour from Châtelet. We passed by an old church which is called Église Saint-Eustache. I wanted to visit this since 2018 as I didn’t have the time back then.

Everything inside looked absolutely flawless, and it did remind me of Notre Dame as it was sharing the same Gothic style of interior and exterior architecture. The thing I can’t describe about churches is how quiet it feels inside, as normal street noises can never get inside and hinder worshipers from their religious routines.

It also had very beautiful statues and very detailed objects inside, which is what Gothic churches is all about.

This is where mass is being held, and it looked stunning as well.

Last but not least, the pipe organ.

We exited to find ourselves in what looked like a street festival with loud music, the streets were totally blocked for cars and only pedestrians were allowed. We had our share from that by having two free Red Bull drinks. We continued walking till we’re right behind the Louvre and getting closer to the Seine.

We were crossing the Seine when we were stopped by one of the beautiful scenes you can always see around Paris; a couple having a wedding photo shoot.

Passing through the island to the other bank, we took a d-tour to pass by the City Palace and see Paris’s oldest public clock. The clock was part of Palais de la Cité, which during the French Revolution served as a courthouse and prison, where Marie Antoinette and other prisoners were held by the revolutionists.

And of course, the famous golden gate for Palais de Justice de Paris.

We continued walking the same street and crossed Pont Saint-Michel, that’s when Mohamed had his first look at Notre Dame Cathedral. I remember the mixed feelings he had seeing it as he was excited seeing it like nothing has happened, yet sad for not being able to have the full experience of appreciating the building from inside.

Then we passed by Fountain Saint Michel in our way to the Latin Quarter.

We continued walking down the Boulevard Saint-Michel, and we were stopped by this scene that reminded me of what it feels to be single in Paris :(

Later we passed by the Pantheon, which is one of the places I strongly remember from my past trip.

Later I received a call from a friend in Paris to meet for a drink near Châtelet. Both me and Mohamed had plans to go inside Le Jardin du Luxembourg, but I left Mohamed to discover it himself and discover such a beautiful place on his own as a solo traveler.

I took the Metro to Châtelet to meet Ahmed, had a drink together in a very beautiful place called Chez Gladines Halles. We later had a walk in around Châtelet listening to his experience about what it mean to be an Egyptian living in Paris.

We passed by Centre Pompidou, a significantly known modern European art venue and museum.

The neighborhood also was near Le Marais, which is known for being both a Jewish and an LGBT district. A very Important part of my trips is to observe and compare every cultural difference.

We later split our ways near Hôtel de Ville, and the building still looks as fine as it looked in the first night.

I gotta say that one of the perks of Paris, and Europe, is that you can have multiple experiences with buildings at different parts of the day. Weather variety is also a plus for making that happen easily. Sunny, cloudy, rainy or even just at night with normal building lighting, it's always a treat for the eyes and the camera capturing it.

That being said, here are some close and clear photos of Notre Dame Cathedral from multiple angles, showing of course the status of the restoration works I found back then.

And as always, I was glad it was standing still looking all beautiful in the heart of city, drawing a very important role to the skyline of Paris.

I was supposed to get back to Mohamed, but he moved to the Louvre. That’s when a good idea popped up in my head about using another mean of transportation: Lime. Lime is a service that allows you to transport via scooters all around the city via a per-second rate that you’re paying using your credit card. Installing the app and finding a scooter with a good battery was easy, started driving and had a funny and fun experience for multiple reasons:

- The scooter’s wheels were small with no suspensions, which made the ride shakier because the vehicle accordingly picked up all the vibrations from the road, specially on Paris’s non-asphalt-paved roads.

- I didn’t have any idea where to drive! Some streets have bike lanes and some streets don’t have it. That’s when another inquiry hit me up: Can I drive that on sidewalks?

- An embarrassing moment: When I was finally reaching the Louvre, I made the mistake of my life by driving against a one-way-street on the Seine, right opposite of the Louvre.  I don’t know how in my mind that made sense that it’s okay doing that, but an alarming sound of a police vehicle coming right in front of me alarmed the hell out of me. A policeman was literally waving at me, and when the car got near: he opened the window and shouted really loud in french, with what I believe was a swear word. I felt embarrassed and ended the trip right there to cross the street and meet Mohamed in front of the glass pyramid.

We took some photos there, that’s when Mohamed started telling me about his experience of sitting in a park in Europe. He started by illustrating how people can wear a suite or be absolutely ready to make their day just by sitting on a bench and having a drink or a sandwich. He was talking when we were literally walking towards Jardin des Tuileries. He pointed out that parks allow the city to breathe because you see less buildings, and more nature and people. Jardin des Tuileries was centered by a big fountain, and contains a lot of beautiful statues and trees.

The park also faces the Egyptian obelisk of Place de la Concorde, which is one of Paris’s iconic landmarks. Concorde is one of Paris’s oldest squares, with a lot of beautiful architectural light poles and sculptures, making it an important asset of the Parisian scene.

Concorde is also at the head of Paris’s most famous street, Avenue des Champs-Élysées. We took some time visiting stores and had our first meal together in years! I didn’t take a lot of pictures because I honestly think Champs-Élysées is overrated.

We later d-toured to side streets leading to Trocadéro, to surprise Mohamed with that stunning Eiffel Tower view at night. He stood there in awe and couldn’t believe he’s alive and seeing one of the most famous landmarks on earth! By the way, that night I took my most beautiful picture ever of Eiffel tower!

What I really like about the ending of each day are those minutes in the metro or RER that I start editing and posting the daily photos and stories of my day. I might spam most of my friend’s timelines, but at least I’m documenting a day-by-day memory for myself to preserve it. I’m keeping myself away from social media most of the day and using my mobile only for photos.

So yeah, I’m back home resting, preparing for another day of my beloved Paris, appreciating the sky through the roof’s window till my eyes are shut.

As someone who’s writing that with 85 days passed of quarantining in 2020, It fills me with both happiness and sorrow. I was there, carelessly enjoying moments and taking photos while the future me is stuck at home having no clue how the future is gonna look like. Hoping for the best took a while and a series of repetitive days, but do we have a choice?

[hellyeahomeland]

“Catch and Release” | Directed by Lesli Linka Glatter, Cinematography by David Klein

A lot of Homeland, especially in the last few seasons with its focus on American politics, is about power: who has it, who wants it, and who can take it away. In many scenes, we can interpret the power balance based on how characters are filmed or placed relative to each other (for example, President Keane was often shot from below, as if she was towering over us). 

Likewise, the show devoted a lot of exposition to the fact that Carrie and G’ulom had a good working relationship based on similar goals back when she was the Kabul station chief. We can see the visual evidence of it here. They sit opposite each other, on equal ground. They’re even in similar positions, leaning forward, elbows on knees. The framing here is actually ironic given that, as Carrie says later, G’ulom basically laughs her out of his office. But given what transpires between them later, we think the visual cues this framing offers are intended more to establish the dynamic of this relationship for the remainder of the season. 

The production of season eight was split between Morocco and Los Angeles. The scenes of Max and his Marine buddies were all shot in LA. The filter here--sort of blueish grey--is incredibly distracting and very odd. The lighting on Max here is also interesting: he’s half in the light, half in the dark.

That said, we can get past it for this scene alone, where, one by one, each of the soldiers pat him on the head (for luck, seemingly) and call him “Maxie.”  

We have another shot from behind Saul’s shoulder, the background out of focus. Again, we’re not sure what this means yet. It could be a visual motif Lesli Linka Glatter chose to string throughout her first two episodes of the season, or it could be something more symbolic, as we suggested last week: Saul is aging, out of touch, relegated to a role as observer. In the past he’s had a bigger plan at play, sometimes one that neither the audience nor Carrie was aware of. Now, he seems to be losing at his own game. By the end of the episode, his glasses are gone and his Plan A may be as well.

This scene and the slow procession of prisoners from out of the airplane is eerily reminiscent of the prisoner exchange in season four, down to all wearing the exact same color and cut of orange jumpsuit.

This time, of course, the exchange goes exactly to plan. The choice to conduct the exchange under cover of darkness, while Tasneem remains figuratively in the dark as well (temporarily at least), suggests Saul and Co. have learned from past mistakes.

Sara loves Carrie’s scenes with Jenna for all the reasons we’ve already stated, but in particular for this moment. Whatever this facial expression is, it feels strangely new. After seven seasons, it feels like we’ve seen every range and type of emotion Carrie has. But this! This actually does look like something we’ve never seen before, and it’s exciting to see Claire render that. As for what the emotion is, we’re going for “I don’t trust you but I’m trying to decide how much to let on that I don’t trust you.” 

IJLTP. 

Gail has actual analysis: Tasneem was shot at a similar distance in the last episode while smoking, and it’s interesting to see that same shot applied here to Samira. Samira is looking down, somehow somber. Meanwhile Tasneem was calm (wearing blue), calculating, and looking powerfully into medium distance. Both women hold an incredible amount of power: one who weaponizes it and one who is trying to learn how.

The color palette of Jenna’s and Samira’s outfits here is identical, which seems very intentional. What that means, we’re not sure, but it does look like Samira may be in a few more episodes this season, so we’ll see how/if thekr relationship evolves.

We need to note as well that Jenna is dressed almost exactly like Carrie was the day before, but with a red top instead of blue. Is Jenna mirroring Carrie or is this just the female CIA officer’s default uniform? (Your guess is as good as ours.)

The shot of Carrie from outside the car window comes earlier in the episode but we chose to feature it by a nearly identical one of Saul here. Last week we discussed how a similar image represented a trapped, cornered Carrie. This week, the purpose instead seems to be to draw a line between Carrie and Saul, mirrors of each other. Carrie is on the left beside Jenna, Saul on the right beside Haqqani’s cousin. Both are forced to work with people they don’t trust to complete a mission. 

Saul actually steps into Carrie’s shoes by arranging the meeting with Haqqani, dangerously entering the field for what feels like the first time in many years. The contrast in their expression is notable, too. Saul looks hopefully upward. Carrie stares straight ahead, tense, focused, stewing in her initial failure with G’ulom.  

The producers have talked at length about how the final season is about completing the story of Carrie and Saul’s relationship, so we anticipate more imagery in this vein as the season progresses. 

IJLTP.

Saul waiting alone on the rooftop in Peshawar reminded us heavily of the rooftop scenes in “Beirut Is Back.” Again, more Carrie mirroring.  

Tasneem looks like a fuckin’ B O S S. Everything here is amazing. We have to stan. 

This image of Saul waiting on the rooftop was particularly provocative. He waits and watches, surrounded by garbage and other discarded objects. 

We actually didn’t notice this Max potato head at first. Give the props department an Emmy and put this in the Louvre.

We loved this sequence of the Peshawar street growing gradually quieter as Saul realized what was about to happen (Sean Callery’s score only adds to the eeriness). Some of the most iconic Homeland scenes are about dread and some looming, inevitable tragedy. In this case, the build-up is more excruciating than the moment where the shots are actually fired. 

The shift in Carrie’s demeanor after she successfully leverages G’ulom is palpable. She’s stomping through the Kabul streets like she absolutely owns the place. This sequence gives us shades of The Drone Queen (the person and the episode) and even calls back to the beginning of the season four premiere, when she’s also flanked by two guards while walking through Kabul. 

Costa Ronin is a tall man, but this shot from Carrie’s perspective shows Yevgeny looming large over her, nearly taking up the entire screen, all she sees. 

On a less serious note, we will never stop wondering how Costa Ronin became so hot. We remain convinced that he is being framed as a romantic lead. This little smirky thing? What is this????

IJLTP.

Admittedly, this is a fantastic ending (Sara: “how could Saul getting hit in the face not be?”), and Saul’s disbelieving, relieved smile harkens back to his at the end of “The Choice.” Then, he was thanking God that Carrie was alive. Now, it’s the leader of the Taliban. Perspective is everything. But my, how the mighty have fallen. 

[artificialqueens]

You won a seven nights stay in Paris, ch 2 (Branjie) - Evelyn Bubbles

Ehy there! It’s your girl Ev back on the beat, so happy for all the love on the first chapter, this is a slow burn so stay tuned you won’t regret it. I want to gradually build some tension and in this chapter we’ll see some. Enjoy! Also just wanted to add that this fanfiction doesn’t take in consideration canon, so take this as they never had a thing on the show and they’re falling in love just now.

Waking up alone in Paris is one thing, waking up besides a handsome man in a beautiful bed in an even more beautiful apartment in the best part of the city is another. Brooke yawned, lazily turning off the alarm set for 8 am, and gradually lifted Vanessa’s arm from her waist. “Please mom, five more minutes…”. “I’m not your mom, Vanjielina… and you’re heavy”, Brooke giggled sitting on the bed and gently running her fingers through her friend’s messy hair. She wasn’t much of a touchy-feely type, except for her cats, which she loved to cuddle with, but Vanessa had that warm and welcoming aura to her, she couldn’t help but relax and open up. The day before they had just walked to Notre Dame (a quite long walk actually), got an ice cream, took some nice pictures on one of the bridges, hanging out like life long friends. Then, they had come back to their apartment, quite wasted from the crazy jet lag, and they had fallen asleep almost immediately; Vanessa still had her t-shirt on. Brooke thanked her for forgetting to take that off: she didn’t know what she would’ve done seeing her toned chest naked, with that amber skin exposed and flushed. Brooke went to the bathroom, grabbing a pair of comfy jeans and a t-shirt, and took a nice shower, casually leaving the door open. She didn’t know what she meant with that: was it an invitation? Was it just because they were close enough at that point? They had in fact spent so many weeks shoulder to shoulder, but the atmosphere during Drag Race filming was radically different from the relaxing vacation they were having. That many men all together, cut off from the rest of the world, it was hard to resist. It was then when Brooke had started to look at Vanessa differently. But when they came home she thought that it had been just a consequence of the situation, a casualty. Instead, as the words of the iconic song said, the cause had been removed… but the symptom stayed. She immediately switched the water temperature from hot to cold. She needed it.

////

“Where we going today sis?”, Vanessa asked as soon as they stepped out of the house. “The Musée d’Orsay. There are a lot of beautiful sculptures and paintings there, even some Van Goghs. I planned this trip hoping to go with my best friend, and he’s kinda into arts, so I hope you don’t get too bored”, Brooke said slightly worried. Classic Canadian courtesy. Vanessa smiled and patted her arm: “Don’t worry sis it’s all good. I love arts. Plus, you could explain some shit to me. You’re giving me this cultured vibe”. “I’m really not, but thank you. In the museums I usually try to listen to a guide who’s telling stuff to a group of tourists, and I grab some info from them. We could do the same thing”. “Yeah, I love mooching culture. Agreed. Let’s go”. “I wouldn’t call it mooching”. “How would you call it”. “Oh, we’re just there… casually listening”. “Why don’t you get an audio guide then”. Brooke smirked: “I’d rather listen to your weird comments about the paitings and sculptures. You can be really funny Vanj". “Maybe that’s the best compliment you’ve ever given me. But how can I blame y'all, it’s true”. “Don’t flatter yourself too much. Now let’s get on this subway, it’s damn late”.

////

Vanessa was completely silent, staring at one of the biggest paintings in the whole museum, “L'école de Platon”. She bit her lip and got closer to the painting. Brooke found her like that, eyes scanning every single inch of the painting with an inquisitive stare. “Hey Vanjielina”, she asked, “What are you looking at?”. “This painting. I know no French but apparently it’s like a lesson or something. Plato is teaching. Beautiful, isn’t it”. Brooke approached her to look at the painting, but Vanessa grabbed her by the arm and brought them a few feet back. “Here. You have to watch it from afar first, and then you can get closer. Just like with another person”, she said, unusually soft. Then, she went back to her previous spot, standing perfectly still, captivated. So, Brooke let her eyes admire the stunning painting from the perspective Vanessa had chose for her: the scene depicted was a garden in Ancient Greece, where many beautiful young men, barely clothed, were listening to the philosopher talk. Brooke got one step closer, and as she walked towards the painting she started noticing more and more details: the veins of the leaves, the single strands of hair, the lights and shadows of the boys’ muscles. Vanessa became part of the painting herself: the curve of her back, her hand on her hip, the tight fabric of the jeans agains her legs, her short, dark hair hidden under her hat, they all seemed to fuse with the painting, as if she was listening to Plato as well, covered in only a piece of pastel fabric, with laurel leaves on her head. Brooke walked right besides her, and stood still as she examined the lines of her nose, lips and chin from just a few inches away. “Have you noticed?”. “What?”, Brooke asked. “All the details. Amazing”. Vanessa had never sounded more serious. Brooke nodded: “Were they all this gay in Ancient Greece?”, she asked jokingly, referring to the boys’ naked bodies all so close to each other. Vanessa chuckled: “If so, gimme a damn time machine girl because this looks like literal heaven. I mean, look at their abs and thighs. Fuck. Perfection. Look, they even have a goddamn white peacock there. It can’t get any gayer than this”. “Trust me, we can find a gayer painting”. Vanessa smirked: “Wanna bet?”. They shook hands: “Bet”.

////

Vanessa and Brooke spent two hours total, almost running all around the Musee D'Orsay, trying to find a gayer painting, failing miserably. They found each other again in front of which was probably the biggest work of art in the whole museum, called “Les Romains de la Décadence”, a scene of daily life in the Roman era, at the baths. “Found anything?”. “Nope”, Vanessa shook her head. “Well, that ecol of something something was pretty gay. I doubt we’ll find anything better in the whole damn vacation”. “So you give up, mh”. “I’m not giving up, I’m just saying it’s fucking hard. And also I’m hungry, I wanna eat. Let’s get out of here”. “Agreed”. They turnt around, going towards the entrance, when Vanessa stopped suddenly and pointed at the big painting. “Wait, Brooke, sis!”, she laughed, “This lady looks like you in drag”. Brooke followed Vanessa’s finger as she was guided to a beautiful woman wrapped in white clothes, laying in the centre of the painting. She looked slightly bored, but beautiful indeed, and she has a long nose and big lips. “She only kinda looks like me”, Brooke said, “But thanks, it means you find me as beautiful as a work of art”. Vanessa’s big brown eyes were all over her. Then, she said simply: “Yes”.

////

They had lunch at a local café, sitting alone at a table eating pan au chocolat, a classical french sweet with bread and dark chocolate, and got coffees. T hey weren’t in the mood for an actual lunch, they would’ve had plenty of occasions for that in the next few days. “It’s so fucking good”, Vanessa said biting into her pan au chocolat. “I know right? We don’t have this in Canada. Or at least not this good”. “I’m a slut for good chocolate”. “You’re a slut in general”. “Excuse me, I’m a respectable young lady!”. Brooke laughed and took a sip of her coffee. “What’s up next then?”, Vanessa asked after a couple of seconds of silence. Brooke looked at her notes app: “Mont Martre tonight, and I’ve also found the best crepes place in all Paris at the bottom of the hill. You like cheese, right?”. “Bitch have you seen me? I ain’t got this thick eating fruits and shits. I love cheese”. Brooke chuckled: “Happy to hear that, because they do excellent cheese crepes. And also sweet ones, like with nuts and strawberries and whatever you want. It should be super good”. Vanessa smiled widely: “You got me excited now, fuck! You’ve really planned this mh?”. “Yeah I did, even though it’s a plan shaped around Steve and me, so like… do you wanna go to the Louvre some time?”. “That’s where the Mona Lisa is, right? Of course I wanna go, I wanna see what’s the buzz all about. Like, is she really that special? Miss Thing thinks she’s a legend but they haven’t seen my portrait yet”. “Do you have a portrait?”. Vanessa hesitated for a second: “Well, no, I don’t, but I’ll have one”. “Where?”. “In the painter place. Isn’t it in Mont Martre?”. Brooke smiled, suprised: “Oh, so you know about it”. “I do know shit bitch! I’m very eloquent”, says Vanessa taking another sip. They didn’t get up until the sun had started setting in the beautiful Parisian sky.

[craveanimeblog-blog]

JoJo's Bizarre Adventure Fan Favorite Character Lives the Bizarre New Fashion Style

JoJo's Bizarre Adventure: Golden Wind is the fifth part of Hirohiko Araki's series, and follows Giorno Giovanna, the son of former series villain Dio Brando, as he joins the mafia group Passione in order to change and reform them into reputable thieves and crooks from the inside. The anime adaptation premiered last October, and can be currently found streaming on Crunchyroll.

JoJo's Bizarre Adventure was originally created by Hirohiko Araki for Shueisha's Weekly Shonen Jump in 1987. Currently the second longest running series in the magazine with over 100 volumes collected, the series tells the story of the Joestar family, who are each entwined in a destiny battling outrageous foes. The series has been split up into eight parts, with each part following a different generation of the Joestar family.

Manga authors all have their own art styles, but there are few as distinctive and iconic as Hirohiko Araki's illustrations for JoJo's Bizarre Adventure. Over the course of his nearly 40 years as a manga artist, Araki has created some of the most recognizable characters, poses, and scenes in the history of the medium – in fact, so many other series pay homage to him that spotting JoJo references is practically a sport at this point.

But where did Araki's wild designs come from? How did he get the idea for Jonathan's dramatic hand pose, part 5's avant-garde outfits, or all of those stylish chapter covers? ...From museums and fashion magazines, of course! Today, we're here to shed some light on how classical art and fashion illustrations inspired the unique look of JoJo's Bizarre Adventure, and how JoJo's cultural impact eventually led to collaborations with the likes of Gucci and the Louvre. Strike your favorite pose and join us!

While some characters in the fifth season of JoJo's Bizarre Adventure: Golden Wind didn't make it to the finish line, others capped off the series in fates worse than death! Diavolo got stuck in a "death loop" wherein he will never stop dying for eternity thanks to the new power of Golden Wind Requiem, and poor fan favorite Polnareff may have suffered an even worse fate! Losing his body thanks to the powers of King Crimson, Polnareff found his mind now trapped inside the turtle that harbored Giorno and company for so long.

As we saw from the last few episodes of season five, Polnareff managed to still be a much needed asset to Giorno, Bucciarati, and the rest of the Stand users as they attempted to put an end to Diavolo and take over the Passione gang themselves. Unfortunately, Silver Chariot was affected by the arrow that granted folks the ability to wield Stands and went berserk, with both heroes, and Diavolo, attempting a mad dash to get the arrow.

In the finale, it was revealed that the supporting character of Stardust Crusaders was no longer able to return to his now defunct body and decided to have his "ghost" reside within the turtle for as long as he could. Cue the post credit scene of Golden Wind where we see a stoic Polnareff watching over Giorno receiving "tribute" from other mafiosos, all while still in the body of said amphibian. Whether or not Polnareff will eventually return to a human form is still up in the air for anime fans, but we certainly wouldn't mind seeing a "bizarre" reunion between Polnareff and Jotaro in the future.

What did you think of the final status of Polnareff in the finale of JoJo's Bizarre Adventure: Golden Wind? Do you see him making another appearance down the line within the franchise, for those watching the anime? 

[destinyhixon-blog]

Going for 2 days in Paris? Popularly known as the ‘City of Lights’, Paris is a great metropolitan area within France and the wider Europe as a whole. You can never afford to overlook it in your visit to mainland Europe.

Given the expensive nature of the city, you want to make the most of your visit to the area. We have lined up for you some itinerary of the most critical and ‘must-visit’ places in a typical two-day visit.

If you have 5 or 7 days for Paris then read more of our posts from here and here.

France has some fantastic places to visit, especially South France, the famous Côte d’Azur. Do read for our trips through: Le Mont Saint Michel, Lyon, Eze, Avignon, Saint Tropez, Provence and Strasbourg. 

2 Days in Paris, France

Generally speaking, we do recommend that you visit this city in the summer which runs from the end of May through to the end of August. It is at that time that the weather is forgiving and the city is also lively with visitors.

Expect to spend quite some money to move around. Paris, being a first world city, is naturally very expensive. To add insult to injury, the city is also unfriendly to bikes and as such, you will mostly find yourself hiring taxis.

2 Days in Paris, France: Day 1

On your first day of the trip, we do recommend that you visit the most popular and globally-renowned landmarks. This is just in case you are unable to proceed with the rest of the tour. Luckily, most of these landmarks are located within close proximity to one another.

As such, you will not have to walk longer to be able to access them. This means limited inconvenience and greatly reduced costs of transportation. Here are some of the places to start with:

Louvre Museum at the Right Bank of the Seine

Le Louvre

Louvre Museum is yet another well-known of Paris building structures and facilities. It is also a landmark art museum which has a vast collection of artwork of all kinds. The facility once served as a historic palace.

It houses huge art collections, mostly from the Roman sculptures to da Vinci’s “Mona Lisa.” Its strategic and central location means limited hassles to access and fairer degree of convenience as well.

Skip the line with this.

Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Paris

Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Paris is an iconic Gothic church which is located at the heart of Paris. It traces its origins way back to the 13th-century and has some flying buttresses and gargoyles. The cathedral has played some significant roles in the spiritual and political life of France.

You need not necessarily be a Catholic or a Christian for that matter to be able to make some good out of this building. Its breathtaking appearance coupled with nice architecture is both great for sightseeing and photography.

(Note: In April 2019, Notre-Dame, was largely damaged by fire. You need to check if you can visit).

Arc de Triomphe at the Champs-Élysées

France was at one time a ‘strong man’ in the affairs and history of Europe. During the Napoleonic era (1799-1815), it dominated Europe militarily, politically, and diplomatically. No other structure reminisces these accomplishments better than this Arc de Triomphe.

This iconic triumphal arch and a national monument commemorate Napoleon’s victories. It also has an observation deck for you to get to and gaze the breathtaking beauty of Paris metropolis. Arm yourself with a camera to capture these and many more images.

Eiffel Tower at Champ de Mars

Eiffel Tower at Champ de Mars

Needless to say, the Eiffel Tower should top the list of your tourism destinations. This is a world-renown tower in Paris, France. The landmark measures 324 mt high and was constructed in the 19th-century tower. It contains steps and elevators which lead you to some observation decks high up.

Other than photography and sightseeing, your visit here may and should indeed entail climbing the elevators to capture some panorama of the Paris skyline.

Book ahead; lines are long.

Champs-Élysées 

Definitely, you cannot visit Paris and leave without eating or buying anything. Perhaps no other shopping district grants you the opportunities to do these better than this Champs-Élysées. It is an iconic site of landmarks, dining, and shops.

As you walk through these streets, you will come across some fine restaurants, shops, and other great dining facilities. Food and merchandise cost a lot here in Paris. Be prepared to dig deeper in your pocket to be able to afford them.

Sacré-Cœur at Barre

Sacré-Cœur Basilica

France and indeed much of Western Europe played a vital role in the proselytization of Christianity. This Sacré-Cœur is yet another silent reminder of Europe’s great Christian past. It is basically a landmark hilltop white basilica.

Apart from the core role of serving as a place of worship, the facility in and of itself is also breathtaking to behold. It does have some interior mosaics, stained-glass windows, and a crypt, all of which are great for photography and sightseeing.

You can book a Sacré-Coeur and Montmartre Tour.

Palace of Versailles at Yvelines of Île-de-France

As part of your study of the glorious past of France, you want to spend some time here at the Palace of Versailles. This structure served as the official residence of King Louis XIV. It is gilded and adorned with great gardens.

Access to the facility is restricted to those who hail from outside the European Union. If you do happen to gain access, you will be taken through some guided tours of its gilded apartments, chandeliered Hall of Mirrors and fountain show.

Book the palace tickets early.

Musée d’Orsay on the Left Bank of the Seine

Are you a lover of art? Well, you have this Musée d’Orsay museum for your visit. The museum contains a collection of several masterpieces of 19th- & 20th-century art. These including photography, furniture, sculptures, and paintings.

Entry is free to children who are citizens. Others can be charged up to €14. Though huge, the benefits you stand to accrue far outweigh this small investment. Do purpose to spare a bit of your time and spend it here.

Book your entry.

Montmartre in Paris’s 18th arrondissement

Montmartre

Montmartre is a large hill which is located right at the heart of Paris. At the hill are a basilica, vineyard, and a museum that is dedicated to the celebrated Dutch painter, Vincent van Gogh. A stay here lets you hit three birds with one stone.

You get to access the basilica, take some tour of the vineyard and even visit the museum for a deeper understanding of the life and times of the Dutch painter. Being free of any congestions, it is also a place to detach and relax.

Luxembourg Gardens in the 6th arrondissement of Paris

Luxembourg Gardens

Your final venue on your first day of the tour should be these Luxembourg Gardens. It is basically a park which has a couple of manicured lawns and statues. The trees provide the shade whereas the breeze from the winding Seine River cools the atmosphere for your lively stay.

This is a place to detach and relax from the congested lifestyles of the rest of the city. Being breathtaking, it also provides you some great photography opportunities. What’s more? You will also get to socialize with others from around the world!

2 Days in Paris, France: Day 2

Having exhausted the most crucial landmarks and places of interest in your first leg of the tour, it is now in order to go deeper into those other facilities which are located farther afield. These places are located far apart and will hence require longer commute time and transport expenses.

Taxis are the best means to move around. They are flexible enough to accord you the convenience you require. Be prepared though to spend a lot as transport costs are too high.

Tuileries Garden near Place de la Concorde

Tuileries Garden

This garden is an expansive, 17th-century formal garden in Paris. It is dotted with a couple of statues such as the 18 bronzes by Maillol. The garden is public in nature; meaning that you are not charged any amount to access it.

This is a good place to retreat to as you prepare to venture out to your visit. The ambiance is cool and breathtaking. You will get to unwind and even make friends with other like-minded persons of your kind in the area.

Moulin Rouge

Are you a lover of nightlife? Well, this Moulin Rouge is a nice place to retire to at the end of your visit to the city. It is basically a Cabaret in Paris, France. Inside the facility are some dinner, dancers, and Belle Epoque décor.

The dancers adorn themselves in elaborate costumes which add some life to the air. You will get to have some fun after a long and hectic day running your errands.

Book for the show.

Disneyland Paris

If you choose to travel with your junior, you must divert and spend a bit of your time here. This is a theme park in Marne-la-Vallée, France. It comes in the form of an iconic amusement park that offers some themed rides.

Other than that, it also provides some family-friendly shows and costumed characters, as well as a dozen hotels. It is located some 32 km away from downtown Paris and is hence not so convenient to access.

Get your 1-day ticket.

The Centre Pompidou in the Beaubourg area

Center Pompidou

Paris has in store for anyone an opportunity to quench his literary and musical thirst. This Avant-garde multicultural complex serves that particular role just fine. It houses a music center, library, and a modern art museum.

Being a one-stop-shop facility, you will get to enjoy all your interests and issues ‘under one roof.’ For this reason, you will spend less of your time and money yet gain so much more in return.

Place de la Concorde

France did interact with the mighty Egyptian Empire for quite some time. In the course of this, they did amass some artifacts and devote some relics to commemorate the now fallen empire. This Place de la Concorde Plaza in Paris, France is a venue dedicated to those issues.

At the 18th-century plaza are an Egyptian obelisk, a major public square, a number of the scene of executions, fountain decorations, and statues of Egyptian Pharaohs.

Le Marais  in the 4th arrondissement, aka SoMa (South Marais)

Do you cherish matters fashion and dressing? Purpose to spend some of your time here at the Le Marais. It is a segment of Paris that is devoted to matters hip boutiques and also contains gay bars, galleries, and a Jewish quarter.

French boutique and designer attire are ordinarily expensive. Be prepared yet again to spend a lot of your cash. The quality and the prestige are nevertheless impeccable, a fact that guarantees your long-term value for your money.

Sainte-Chapelle on the Île de la Cité in the River Seine

As has already been noted, France and indeed much of Europe played a crucial role in promoting Christianity. This chapel in Paris, France is yet another silent reminder of this glorious past. It is a gothic chapel which has stained-glass windows.

Its interior contains some ornate, 13th-century relics and notable stained-glass windows of the various biblical scenes. It is a nice place to just walk around and gaze the beauty over and above taking some photographs.

Les Invalides in the 7th arrondissement

Les Invalides

Apart from the Arc de Triomphe, this Les Invalides is yet another facility that is dedicated to the past military successes of France. It is a building complex in Paris, France which serves as a military museum and the remains of the interred war heroes.

The complex also contains a church and the tomb of Napoleon Bonaparte. You have to visit the facility if you are a lover of history or matters past events.

Book for the Napoleon Tomb.

Latin Quarter is an area in the 5th and the 6th arrondissements

Just in case you happen to be a student, you have to visit this Latin Quarter. It is home to the reputable Sorbonne University and is lined with numerous cafes and bookshops. A visit here will let you mingle with several scholars from all walks of life.

While here, do take some time to visit the Jardin des Plantes botanical gardens, the stately Panthéon building, and the National Museum of Natural History. You will get to see the remains of notable persons like Voltaire and Marie Curie.

Catacombs of Paris

One last significant yet oft-overlooked place of interest is the Catacombs of Paris. This is a complex of cemeteries and tunnels which houses a whopping 6 million skeletons. The skeletons were dug and relocated from the various cemeteries which exist in and around the city of Paris.

The interior of the catacombs is sufficiently illuminated to enhance your visibility. The scenes do appear scary. You are advised to stay away from here if your heart is not ‘made of steel.

Where to Stay for 2 Days in Paris?

Here is a selection of hotels for your itinerary.

Best for Luxury: Shangri-La – Four Seasons George V

Best for Mid-range price: Hotel Emile

Best Cheap Hotel: Generator Paris – Hotel Chopin

Best Boutique Hotel: Relais Christine – Grand Hôtel Du Palais Royal

Best hotels for families: Four Seasons Hotel George V, Shangri-La Hotel, Relais Christine, Mandarin Oriental Paris, Le Royal Monceau-Raffles, The Peninsula, Hotel Le Bristol

In Marais: Pavillon de la Reine, Hotel Emile Paris, Hotel du Petit Moulin, Hotel Jules & Jim, Hotel Les Bains

In Saint Germain: Relais Christine, L’Hotel, Hotel Bel-Ami, Hotel Baume, La Villa Madame

In South Pigalle: Maison Souquet, Le Grand Pigalle, Le Grey Hotel, La Villa Royale

In the Latin Quarter: Les Dames du Pantheon, Hotel Le Petit, Parc Saint Severin Hotel, Melia Paris, Hotel La Lanterne

In the 7th arrondissement: Le Cinq Codet, Hotel le Bellechasse, Hotel Montalembert, Hotel Thoumieux, Hotel Pont Royal

Having now known that Paris is a wonderful and breathtaking destination for any would-be visitor, why not purpose in your heart to visit it at least once in a lifetime?

Accessing the city is pretty simple and convenient from just about any other location in the world. If you can’t be there for more, then just book only 2 days in Paris or a long weekend. You won’t regret it.

The bustling Charles de Gaulle International Airport provides the convenience necessary for smooth entry and exit into and out of the city. When should we expect you here? Let us know in the comment section!

The post How to Have Amazing 2 Days in Paris, France appeared first on AGreekAdventure World Travel Blog.

[recentanimenews]

The 10 Most Stylish Anime Fashion Collaborations You Should Be Wearing!

Some say beauty is in the eye of the beholder. Well, I'm the beholder and have arranged the most chic selection of the most ambitious crossovers in recent history, anime and fashion!

  The following list will be based on the single most important aspect of fashion, how well each collaboration brings out the inner charm of the anime it's representing. From handbags to shirts to socks to skateboards, this list will give you some great fashion inspiration to really anime up your wardrobe, or simply take a look at some interesting ways in which the world of anime has been brought to life in fashion!

10.  Super Groupies x Puella Magi Madoka Magica

Shoes are an interesting item for a collaboration, and we’ll take a look at a few more sneaker collaborations later in the list, but this one starts us off with simplistic and elegant designs fit for Puella Magi Madoka Magica! This collection from Super Groupies features every Puella Magi Madoka Magica character represented in shoe form, with their respective colors, emblems, and other little touches for the main cast. Super Groupies even continued the collaboration to include the movies, creating renditions of their Homura and Madoka shoes to reflect the changes each girl goes through during the course of the films. The shoes all feature a unique, soul gem-esque heel, color coded to the girls they represent as well! One of the nicest things about them is that the shoes are also quite beautiful and would easily fit into almost any wardrobe that’s in need of some magical footwear! 

9.  Bait x Diadora x Astro Boy

When picking collaborations, it’s pretty hard to pass up on one that features one of the most iconic anime characters of all time! Astro Boy is a world famous character, and Bait teamed up with Diadora to create a memorable and stylish collection of clothing to celebrate him. The collection features sneakers, hats, socks, jackets, and more, allowing you to really kit yourself out in full style! While it doesn’t give you rocket boots or a butt machine gun, it will give you lots of street cred with the subtle mixture of cute and stylish fashion!

  8. Anna Sui x 7 Manga

We first reported on this collaboration happening in 2015, and the collection really turned out to be outstanding! Each of the unique items made for the collaboration worked to create something fashionable and stylish, ranging from purses, handbags, shirts, and more! Plus, it was an amazing collaboration featuring beloved series like Unico, Paradise Kiss, Patalliro!, Rose of Versailles, Princess Jellyfish, Princess Knight and Urusei Yatsura. You would be hard pressed to find a collection of titles that great represented in one place, and Anna Sui made sure that each design held the essence of their originating series!

7. Air Jordan x Slam Dunk

Where the Astro Boy collaboration went for a slightly minimal style and homage to its designated series, the Air Jordan 6 Retro Slam Dunk shoes go for a much more in your face design. The sneakers feature a stark red and white color mixture to invoke the jerseys of Shohoku high, and are emblazoned with the number 10, worn by series protagonist Sakuragi Hanamichi! Not only do the shoes feature the colors and numbers of the manga, they’re also designed with panels of the manga printed onto the shoe itself, using red and white coloring to make them stand out. Like most Jordans, this one is a great collectible piece of fashion, but the attention to specific details really make this collaboration a slam dunk! (...Sorry, I couldn't help myself there!)

6. Gucci x Hirohiko Araki

If you’re a fan of Hirohiko Araki’s JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure, you’re probably not going to find this collaboration very surprising: two artists known for extremely stylish and evocative designs, united under one roof! The most intriguing thing about this collaboration was the timing, starting when Araki was about to celebrate his 30th anniversary, and Gucci their 90th! Araki has had other collaborations in the past, such as his manga devoted to the Louvre, featuring Diamond is Unbreakable’s Rohan Kishibe. For this Gucci commission, Araki took existing Gucci designs and worked them into his art, styling characters in the brand’s designs from head to toe, and accessorizing with iconic Gucci handbags. He even created a special manga that ran in SPUR magazine, once again featuring Rohan as the starring character, visiting Gucci headquarters!

5. Skechers x One Piece

When you’re trying to become Pirate King, style may not be high on your mind, but the Straw Hat Pirates have always had some stylish looks, and you can join them with these cool kicks from Skechers! The series of D’Lites features shoes emblazoned with One Piece characters like Luffy, Zoro, Sanji, and Chopper, with more designs on the way, including Law and Doflamingo! Each shoe is color coded to the character and features small touches that help tie the design together: Luffy’s shoe has the classic red, blue, and white design, and the Straw Hat Pirates logo on the tongue. Meanwhile, Chopper’s shoe features his iconic mixture of blue and pink sakura petals. Each shoe’s tongue has a special Jolly Roger design, with Luffy sporting the famous Strawhat Pirates logo, while other characters have unique designs of their own!

  4. Primitive x Dragon Ball Z

For anime fans of a certain age, you might remember the 90s trend of mixing skate culture with anime, notably in the form of a brand known as Hook-Ups, featuring scantily clad anime girls on their designs. In 2018, skate brand Primitive teamed up with the iconic Dragon Ball Z franchise to produce a line of skate decks, wheels, clothing, mugs, and more! Primitive’s line is colorful and stylish, with the most iconic characters front and center in their designs, even featuring Shenron! Primitive’s line gives you a great way to show off your love for your favorite Dragon Ball Z characters while also looking stylish while you grind, or you could simply collect each of the decks for display on your wall! Either way, this colorful collaboration really takes advantage of the bright visual styles of Dragon Ball Z’s characters to create some memorable clothing and accessories. And, speaking of Dragon Ball Z, that brings us to our next item...

3. Adidas x Dragon Ball Z

2018 has certainly been quite a year for Dragon Ball, with the ending of Dragon Ball Super capturing global attention, the release of Dragon Ball FighterZ, the Dragon Ball Z x Primitive collab, the announcement of the new Broly movie, and to cap things off, an official Adidas collaboration! Adidas will be working with Dragon Ball Z, moving from saga to saga to create special shoes evocative of many of the iconic characters and battles in the series. The first set are a pair of shoes for Goku and Frieza, with Vegeta, Gohan, Cell, Majin Buu, and Shenron on the way later this year. The most intriguing thing about this collaboration is the way in which Adidas has chosen each character’s design to be represented by a different shoe type, allowing each one to really bring out the colors and even character of their namesakes, from Goku’s rougher, simpler design to Frieza’s alien, rounded aesthetic! The first set will be out later this month, so if you want to get in on this collaboration, keep your eyes peeled!

2. Punyus x Sailor Moon

We first reported on this collaboration last year, and it remains one of our absolute favorites! Plus-sized model and comedienne Naomi Watanabe launched Punyus to create designs that would be charming and unique, but most importantly, able for any size to wear. This collaboration brought a whole line of rompers, tops, bags, and of course, sailor themed dresses and skirts for fans of the iconic magical girl anime! Sailor Moon is a series about friendship, love, and overcoming any hardship with team work, and Punyus is a brand about making fashionable and colorful clothing available to everyone, so this collaboration was a no-brainer for inclusion in our list!

  1. Uniqlo x Shonen Jump

For our number 1 spot, we chose the recent 50th Anniversary collaboration between Shonen Jump and Uniqlo! This mixup saw a slew of unique Jump inspired shirts, each one a stylish and colorful homage to Jump series past and present. Where many collaborations focus on a single, popular title, the Uniqlo Jump collaboration spanned the 50 years of Jump’s library, featuring shirts for obvious modern favorites like Naruto, One Piece, Yu-Gi-Oh!, and Hunter x Hunter, historical titles like Kochi Kame, Hell Teacher Nube, and Rookies, and even obscure, lesser known globally titles like Pyuu to Fuku! Jaguar. These shirts attempted to cover the entire library of Jump titles, but they also ensured they did so in various fashions: iconic scenes like the Straw Hat Pirates raising their arms, Killua’s killing intent unleashed, and of course, Yamcha’s death! Speaking from personal experience, there are so many great designs that you might not have enough closet space for them all! Many of these shirts sold out almost immediately, but if you’re lucky, you might be able to still find some for sale online or in a local Uniqlo store!

As anime and manga become even more popular globally, and with many more iconic anniversaries on the way, it seems like we’ll be in for a lot more cool fashion collaborations, and while our wallets may cry, at least we’ll look fashionable while repping our favorite anime in style!

Know any other anime or manga fashion collaborations that you’d like to see walk our runway? Let us know in the comments!

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Nicole is a features and a social video script writer for Crunchyroll. Known to profess her love of otome games over at her blog, Figuratively Speaking. When she has the time, she also streams some games. Follow her on Twitter: @ellyberries 

By: news+feed@crunchyroll.com