#that part was called ''i needed to fight so many dream bosses and warriors or whatever to get dream essence'' and now its called ''white

[haemosexuality]

im at a part in hollow knight which is just. i love cheating i think cheating is great cheating is my best friend

[hopeymchope]

Wonder Egg Priority finale thoughts

My Tumblr has a lot of anti-bully content, so it was probably no surprise when I began to watch and enjoy Wonder Egg Project this past spring. The series famously hit production delays that forced them to put out a mid-series recap episode, and that decision in turn forced them to push the final episode until late June. But now that the series (or at least season 1) is out there and complete, I thought I’d talk about how it all shook out in the end as well as the questions it left me sitting with.

For the uninitiated, here’s a bit of the context: Wonder Egg Project deals with four middle-school teen girls who’ve undergone hardships either at home or at school or both. They all lose someone they care about to tragic suicides, and then they discover the titular wonder eggs. They get these eggs from a vending machine and then, when they fall asleep, they enter a dreamworld where these eggs hatch to reveal a young person who recently committed suicide. For that night, it is the duty of the girl who got that egg to fight and defend that suicide victim from monstrous enemies that represent their abusers and oppressors. The girls are told that if they protect enough of these victims over many nights, they will be able to resurrect the specific person they lost to suicide. But of course, if you get injured or killed in the dreamworld, it affects your body in reality as well. 

The squad: Ai, Neiru, Rika, and Momoe.

Obviously, bullying is among the topics most frequently explored here, but we also deal with so many other terrible things that people might experience during childhood and adolescence. Physical, verbal, and sexual abuse are all on the table. Coming to terms with one’s gender identity is raised. It’s a show that manages to tackle a lot of heavy subjects through the lens of what’s essentially magical girl combat. I mean, there are no outfit transformations or any of that stuff, but still.

With THAT out of the way, let me talk about how the series wrapped up.

It’s clear to the viewers that there’s a lot that doesn’t make sense during the show — it’s intentionally very trippy and ethereal at times — and there’s also a lot that raises obvious questions even if you grasp it. Where do the eggs and their connection to the recently deceased come from? How do the psychological traumas of the various egg-children manifest as monsters that can literally kill you? What’s the deal with Acca and Ura-Acca and their freaky dummy bodies? What are they getting out of this whole deal with the eggs and the girls? What do the repeated references to the “temptation of death” mean? How does access to the Egg Garden even work? Is it really possible to resurrect their dead friends? Is Mr. Sawaki a predator or a chill guy or what? Why did Neiru’s sister stab her? And so on. 

The writers could’ve opted to keep things mysterious and hazy and metaphysical for the entire run or they could’ve provided lots of explanations and tried to ground this weird story in some sort of strange logic, but I’m actually pleased that they opted to go down the middle. There are answers for many things, but not for all. And when those answers come, they typically just raise more questions as well as doubts to their validity. 

SPOILERS for the finale/”special episode” below the cut.

So, obviously the answers for Acca and Ura-Acca are centered around Frill. Frill is this interesting fusion between the artificial and the organic; her body can be injured like any regular physical body, but she’s actually an A.I. on the inside. Acca and Ura-Acca are the exact reverse of this — they’re human minds inside of completely artificial bodies. Exactly how Frill started invading girls’ minds to lure them towards suicide is kept incredibly vague, but she serves as the embodiment of the “temptation of death” that was so-often referenced in the show. Frill doesn’t really appreciate life or care about the finality of death, making her a pretty natural foe for the heroes who have spent the entire series learning to appreciate their lives and bemoaning painful losses.

Can you even believe this bitch?

Acca and Ura-Acca also have documents talking about how warriors of Eros need to battle against Thanatos, the embodiment of death, but what’s that all about? We don’t really get into it. Is Frill somehow Thanatos herself? I mean... I guess maybe you could go that route, but I sincerely don’t think that’s meant to be the case. I assume she’s just another player in the game, and she happens to have taken Thanatos’ side in things. Her artificial existence and resentment of her fathers leads her to treat death flippantly. She was programmed to be selfish sometimes, and that selfishness has ultimately manifested itself in the worst possible ways. Intriguingly, we see Acca and Ura-Acca act similarly selfish in how they drive our four heroes to risk their lives just to battle Frill. Acca in particular shows that he’ll risk anyone’s life to get to Frill, who killed both his wife and daughter. But Acca never has to risk his own life. He’s just risking other people. Both sides of the equation are treating human lives like disposable pawns in some kind of war game. 

Y’all are SUPER-SKETCH.

It’s never really clear how these eggs work. We’re told that the Accas created the eggs, and honestly, I could’ve figured as much on my own. But they don’t try to explain how the eggs can contain the souls of suicide victims or how they manifest those people into dreams, and frankly, it’s probably better not to try.

I was really shocked that the girls actually manage to resurrect their dead friends. I was 100% certain that was going to be a scam and the point was going to be about learning to move on and live for the moment and appreciate those bonds while you had them, etc. And there is some of that. Alas, the price of resurrecting those people they care about is that the people in question no longer know them or remember them. That was pretty brutal... having our heroes nearly die over and over in service of people who ultimately will no longer care about them at all. Although they did the impossible and brought someone back to life, they had to lose those people all over again. I suppose this, like much fo the finale, emphasizes that we should appreciate our relationships while they last, because you can lose them for so many reasons. Regardless, I’m not surprised that Momoe just wanted to quit and avoid getting hurt after that. It’s understandable.

There’s a lot of discussion around parallels in the last two episodes. Parallel worlds with alternate versions of the self are raised multiple times, Ai gets an awesome encounter with a parallel version of herself that really brought her emotional journey to a head, and we even have to deal with a doppleganger of Neiru at the end. This leads to the revelation that Neiru looks exactly like her formerly deceased sister... a fact that presumably was part of what drove the sister to attack Neiru in the first place. Given that we’ve already been told that they were both genetically engineered, their identical appearances don’ seem that strange. But then the finale tells us that Neiru’s one dream is “to be human,” and suddenly the characters assume Neiru was an A.I. just like Frill. That... seems like a leap to me. I mean, she was genetically engineered to lead her company and never had a family of her own; no wonder she feels inhuman! So I’m not sure if I should take this at face value.

Neiru real or fake challenge

Another thing that I don’t think we can take at face value is Mr. Sawaki’s explanation of Koito’s death. In episode 12, we meet a parallel version of Ai who actually killed herself. The big boss monster for Ai to fight while protecting Alt-Ai? It’s a dark, abusive version of Sawaki. And our Ai inexplicably assumes this monster was made from her own fears. A very bizarre conclusion to jump to when you remember that every single boss monster has been the abuser of the victim that the girls were defending in that episode. By all available evidence, the Sawaki monster should be a parallel-world Sawaki who is very much exactly the scumbag he appears to be! Notice how Alt-Ai never says a damn word about the Sawaki Monster - never asks who he is or why he’s like this, etc? She’s not even surprised. That just lends further credence to my belief. FOLLOW THE EVIDENCE.

So in the finale, when our version of Mr. Sawaki claims (via a VERY awkwardly inserted voiceover) that Koito’s death was an accident after she tried to ruin his reputation because she fell in love with him, why should I believe any of it?! The previous episode introduced me to Abusive Sawaki! Sure, we don’t have any reason to assume our Sawaki is That Dick, but we JUST learned that he’s certainly capable. Furthermore, how could Koito suddenly be the ONLY accidental death among all of the available suicide victims in the dreamworld? She shouldn’t have even appeared there if it was just an accident! Although I’d like to believe that Sawaki was someone who Ai and the girls were jumping to conclusions about based on nothing... but it sure doesn’t look that way from here. And given how the show ends things, I fear we may have a hard time learning anything else about Sawaki. Ai changes schools and runs away, there is zero comment on what happened to Sawaki’s relationship with her mom... he’s just gone now.

As the final episode winds down, we see Rika and Ai fall back into bad habits, as they all treat Neiru just like they treated the girls they tried so hard to save. Rika acts disgusted by a friend and abandons her, treating Neiru the same way she treated Cheimi. When Neiru finally reaches out to Ai and calls her, Ai ignores the call and throws her phone away, thereby ignoring her friend’s needs in the same way she ignored Koito’s when she failed to record the bullying Koito was experiencing. You might even be able to connect Momoe’s choice to walk away for the sake of self-preservation to her decision to reject Haruka and walk away, honestly. And to compound the bad news that the show gives us near the end, we skip forward months to learn that Ai, Rika and Momoe have all drifted apart. Ai is in a new school, but we don’t see her with any new friends. She’s back where she started the show.

The difference, however, is that she doesn’t seem hopeless and lonely. She seems wistful, sure, but she never seems beaten down. She still treasures the friendships she built even if they wind up fading away. So there’s still a message in here about moving on, because even if you lose a person or a connection, it will forever matter.

*insert engine rev-up noises*

In the final moments, we see Ai preparing to run in the exact same pose she used back in episode 1 when she first stood up to the abusers within the dreamworld. This time, she runs to grab her chance to reunite with a dear friend. She takes charge of her own future and her own self-worth, somehow gets back into the Egg Garden (even though Rika wasn’t even allowed to enter after she rescued her specified victim, so uh... how did Ai get back in exactly... ?), and insists she’s going to use the eggs to see Neiru... even though the eggs only let you see the dead up to this point, so uh, that doesn’t really make any sense either. Consistency, motherfucker — DO YOU USE IT?

Amidst all the uncertainty that the finale left us with, at least we can see Ai find herself in a more confident place. She spends much of the series learning to stop running from her problems in the real world. Even after she gains confidence in the battles of her dreams, she struggles to face reality. It’s a huge step when she returns to school. Yet even in the very last episode, she opts to run away to a new school rather than cope with seeing Koito each day. But at last, she decides to take charge of her reality and try to reunite with her new best friend, Neiru. She’s wavered on her path, but ultimately, she’s grown. Although you could simultaneously argue that she’s failing to learn the lesson that rescuing Koito should’ve taught her...

“Ai Ohto is BACK!”

I don’t think any of us expected this finale to be a cliffhanger coming into it.  And unfortunately, we don’t know if there will ever be another season or a movie or anything. Given how people reacted to this finale with such overt hate, I really don’t expect anything more. And I think that would be a goddamn shame. Even with a finale that doesn’t quite stick the landing, I still found it fascinating and engaging. The series is more than worth the trip for the characters, for the themes and topics it explores, and even for the fluid action scenes and music. And this is a series that was made by first-time writers and a first-time director! Yet I’d easily call it one of the best animes from the past couple of years. For total newcomers, that’s a goddamn TRIUMPH.

So I hope we reunite with these girls again. I hope Ai manages to get the band back together, find out exactly what’s going on with Neiru, and face down Frill. Even if they never wind up in some ultimate battle with Thanatos, I don’t know that that’s the point. All of us are in a battle with Thanatos every single day, after all. They just need to show how they’ve all gotten stronger together and truly overcome the “Temptation of Death” by beating back Frill (and her ridiculously powerful dreamworld bug-people) as a unit. 

But maybe that’s too obvious and simplistic of a message for a show like this one. Maybe this complex ending centered on the main protagonist’s self-actualization and the value of fleeing relationships is more in keeping with the melancholy nature of the series. 

... I still really want to see the more obvious happy ending, though. I think they deserve it.

[msawesomegeek]

Alita battle angel – Movie review

A/N: look at me, watching a movie. Yay. However it might be me thats hungover and procrastinating doing an exam. Anyways. I have a lot of thoughts on this movie.

SERIOUSLY SPOILERS AHEAD, skip the whole first section if you wanna avoid.

Okay, so, Alita battle angel, is a two hour movie that came out last year. It is about Doctor Ido, who in the scrapyard finds a core that's still alive and gives her a body. Alita wakes up and doesn't remember who she is. She learns the ways of this world in Iron city and about the floating city Zalem, and we meet (I'll be honest here, I liked him but I cannot for the life of me remember his name right now so let's call him whatshisface for now.) whatshisface, he is the love interest and he really wants to go to Zalem. We are also introduced to Vektor a rich guy who runs motorball, a popular sport. He is working with Ido's ex wife and she also has a hard on for going back to Zalem. A bunch of stuff happens, Alita finds out she's a marsian warrior, gets in a fight with a bounty hunter after becoming one herself. Enters the motorball tournament to get money to give to whatshisface so he can go to Zalem, action happens. She finds out no one goes there intact only in the creepiest way possible, talks to the person whose been the puppet master all along. Enters the big tournament to become an ultimate champion to go to Zalem. The end.

Mostly spoilerfree zone now.

So. Normally I do not go into that much detail about a movie's plot, but I wanted to do it here to show just how much this movie is just far too complicated. It suffers, sadly like a lot of action movies these days, from sequel syndrome. In which you can tell they wanted to cram a lot of info into this movie but also have a lot of exposition for the sequel, which ends up needlessly complicating and confusing the plot of the movie that you're already watching – think Suicide Squad or Justice League. The worst part of this is you're watching a movie hoping for an ending and then you're not getting it. A movie should be a story told from beginning to end, not beginning and then we reveal that there is a final boss and you just killed the small boss.

Besides that, I also wanted to write out the storypoints to show how weird and confusing it gets. I get wanting to build tensions and conflict, but I honestly felt like it tried to do everything, meaning we didnt really have time to get interested in any of the plot points in depth. (oh my god I just remembered whatshisface's name!). And that way it also feels like you're not watching a cohesive plot but like a sequence of events that are sometimes related. That lack of focus even extends to the characters. Alita spends the first half of the movie really wanting to kill this dude, and then just forgets about it until the end of the movie. Like, what?

And that also brings me to another problem with this plot, *sighs* it suffers from Spiderman 3 disorder – and by that I mean, this movie, has a villain problem. The villains are far too many, and also almost constantly has weird motivations, like there are logical motivations that would make sense for them to become antagonistic, but the movie just opts for the weirdest ones. Like the bounty hunter, wants to kill Hugo (whatshisface), and they spend like 10 minutes on it, and it seems like it is because he wants revenge on Alita from earlier, but then he just does not try to kill her or anything when she shows up! I had to rewatch those scenes, and I still have no god damn clue why he wants to kill Hugo! And that is a problem! AND then, you have Vektor sending all these other bounty hunters to kill, which is, fine. But again, I have no f*cking clue why HE wants to kill her? Why does the evil overlord that controls everyone want to kill her? Like, the fact that there are this many villains is a problem on its own, but then I at least need to know WHY all these villains are there (okay I am gonna do something that is normally illegal on the internet); I mean at least in Spiderman 3 we all knew WHY they wanted to kill Toby Maguire! How, just, how, do you mess up something so fundamental?!

Sadly the next problem is kind of related. Most characters. Look I get that there are some conflicts that are needed. But like, especially Hugo, what?! Like I get his crime thing being wrong and why it would create some conflict, but it seems so forced somehow. And like, when his girlfriend wants to do something really dangerous to make his dream happen, he tells the others he quits. But then why from there not just come clean to Alita, and be like, sorry babe I used to do this because I was in a desperate situation, but now I have learned something. It would have been compelling for his character. Because honestly he has some sweet moments, but otherwise I feel like he is just selfish. And that is fine, but make it compelling selfishness! Also except for the last 10 minutes of the movie, why does the Ido's wife have to be there? It seemed weird. The only antagonist I actually enjoyed was bounty hunter guy because he had just a pinch of a personality sprinkled in there. Alita is fine, maybe a little op, like let her train or something. Ido was good and honestly probably the best character in this movie, but his motivations are so weird sometimes.

So, uhm, what was good? Well, the fight sequences weren't bad, I liked them. The special effects were pretty cool. I loved what they did with those extreme zoom ins on her eyes. The acting was good. Cinematography was pretty good, not noticeable, but also weren't any scenes where I didn't know what was going on. The soundtrack has a very James Cameron vibe to it, which was okay.

Overall, did this movie suck? Yes. For multiple reasons, the story is weirdly paced and put together in a way where it feels like they wanted to cram like three books into one movie (or as I like to call the "opposite Hobbit effect", I'm sorry, I dont know why I have started making weird names for things to amuse myself during this review but here we are I guess.). And a lot of the plot points seemed forced, there are too many villains and all characters need to be tweaked so we actually understand their motivations for things. But visually it was pretty. But I'll be honest, I dont even recommend watching this as a its so bad its good. It is just weird, confusing and bad.

1 out of 10 stars (and that one star is for the actors and the visual teams only.)

So those were my thoughts, tell me what you thought? If you disagree with me and I completely misunderstood your favourite movie! Or if there is any other movie you wanna talk about or want me to watch and review – send me an ask. :)

- Em

[nekojitachan]

Okay, so this is... IDK what this is. I guess this is the bare bones of my take on The Old Guard with the Monsters/AFTG.

Uhm, warning for people dying/violence, not in very nice ways, some of them (Nicky’s is vaguely tied to canon if you think about it).

*******

Somehow, it didn’t come as a big surprise to Anders when he and his twin came back to life after being killed by the raiders who’d stormed their longhouse, along with everyone else. The strangers had sneered at him and Aron, the ‘living’ vessels of their people’s twin gods, then invoked the name of their own unknown god as they shoved their bronze swords repeatedly into their flesh. Anders had a small knife he’d hidden beneath his robes, but he hadn’t been able to put up much of a fight against trained warriors.

(He’d repeatedly asked to be taught to fight, but Tilda had just laughed and ignored him, too busy soaking up the attention she garnished as the mother of a god’s vessels. Too busy drinking fermented berries and milk to care about how Knut, the elder, mistreated them.)

No, unlike Aron, Anders considered being unable to die (well, to remain dead) a curse instead of another sign of the twin gods’ favor, proof that the Fates took great pleasure in tormenting them. They didn’t age and they healed no matter how badly they were hurt, yet they weren’t immune to starvation, cold temperatures or other things which made life difficult.

They had no choice but to constantly move on, with no family to take them in and strangers suspicious of them if they remained in one place too long. Aron soon grew bitter when he realized that no woman would want him anymore once she continued to age and he didn’t, and it was much the same for Anders if he felt an attraction for another man.

It went on that way for almost eighty years, the two of them isolated from the rest of the world by some terrible curse, until they were driven from sleep one night by the image of a teenaged boy with long, dark auburn hair and pale blue eyes, beaten and bloodied, being held down by two men while an older man with similar pale eyes and red hair cut close to his scalp grinned as he slit the boy’s throat.

Only the boy didn’t remain dead, because the next image showed him alive (and covered in blood) as he stood by a pyre with a woman’s body on it, then as he scavenged through the ransacked sheep farm for anything useful he could find before he took off running. Anders stared at his twin as the images faded away, at the shock in hazel eyes the same color as his own, and knew they shared the same thought as well as appearance; it wasn’t just a dream, and they were no longer alone.

They set out to find the redhead, but the young man proved as elusive as a dream. Anders took to calling him the rabbit, because it felt as if they were chasing such a creature through a forest during the night, fumbling along like a bunch of clumsy fools while it vanished with ease into the thick foliage. The occasional dreams were of little help, because as soon as they figured out the redhead’s location in the dream, he always was gone by the time they finally got there.

Anders was going to cut his tendons a few dozen times when they finally caught up to the flighty bastard.

So six hundred years later, when they had another dream of a tall youth with black hair and green eyes being killed in battle, they wasted no time tracking him down to the island of the Celts. Caoimhín wasn’t a runner like the rabbit and refused to leave until he (along with Anders and Aron) almost ended up as a solstice sacrifice.

Funny how almost being set on fire while alive motivated one to see the world.

Anders began to regret the whole ‘let’s save a fellow immortal’ thing after a decade or two, when Caoimhín proved to be an annoying know-it-all. If the tall bastard wasn’t so good at fighting… he did come in handy whenever Anders managed to ‘upset’ the locals for interfering whenever the assholes were selling slaves (especially children) or mistreating servants – which was often. Aron yelled at him for having the subtlety of a raging bull, but the Persians got on his nerves, as did the Romans, and the Huns and the Franks, and… well, any bastards who thought because they had a bit of land and enough people with pointy weapons that they could boss everyone around.

(Caoimhín said he had a problem with authority. Aron said he was an asshole.)

And through it all, the rabbit. Kept. Running. And. Running.

They finally ran into another immortal who’d been ‘reborn’ a couple decades before when in Damascus, of all places, as Salah ad-Din fought Europe’s Crusaders, and learned that perhaps there was a reason why the rabbit kept his distance. Riko was a viper in human form, and after he did his best to dismember Caoimhín, Anders ‘killed’ him in front of some of Salah ad-Din’s men, leaving them to believe that the other immortal was a djinn when he ‘came back’ to life.

The three of them had no problem abandoning Riko in Damascus, wrapped in iron chains and sealed in a cave.

They kept wandering and fighting what seemed to be hopeless battles, especially with the rise of the Catholic Church. There were times when Anders (now Andrew) wanted to retreat from the world, to find an isolated, empty island and never leave it, but there was Aron (Aaron) and Caoimhín (Kevin), who weren’t quite ready to give up, and a damn rabbit with the clearest blue eyes he’d (sort of) seen who haunted his dreams and taunted him by always being just out of reach.

Then in the 1600s, the three of them dreamed of a new immortal born in the New World, one beaten and starved to death by monks. Unhappy about the thought of the long voyage, Andrew and his fellow ‘monsters’, as he’d come to think of three of them, headed across the Atlantic. It took them almost four years to find Nico, the son of a native woman and a conquistador, who’d been killed because of his attraction to men. The young immortal broke into tears to finally be with his ‘own’ kind, to be safe at last, and was a cheerful presence.

He was even more annoying than Kevin.

They spent a few years wandering the New World, but were drawn back to chasing the rabbit once again; he’d gone to ground in China, leading Andrew to hope that for once he’d stand out and be easy to find, but the damn bastard had developed an almost inhuman skill for learning the local language and blending in wherever he went. Kevin grumbled about him being a damn chameleon, while Aaron wondered if perhaps he’d truly died and they were hunting a ghost.

For some reason… that thought bothered Andrew.

Things carried on as they had before, only it seemed that every time Andrew turned around, the world had changed in some manner. A new country had formed, an old government had been overthrown, a new religion had been invented, yet another senseless war broke out, someone created an invention that upended things in a startling way…. He still remembered how for so long everyone had used bronze swords until someone had figured out how to smelt iron, how there’d only been longhouses and small farms until all of a sudden towns and then cities began to appear.

Change was inevitable, as was the fact that humans would twist some of those changes into something bad.

Still, he never thought that those changes would lead to things that would enable him and his monsters to travel the world in days (and then hours) instead of months or weeks, that wars would break out that spanned continents and could destroy entire cities in minutes. The four of them saved what they could, but soon it became impossible to keep up, not just because there were so many lives in danger and so much being destroyed, but because they could no longer fade into the shadows with ease with things like digital records and cameras in existence.

They learned as much as they could about modern technology; Nico (Nicky) and Aaron took to social media without any problems, while Andrew and Kevin picked up some hacking skills. They bought the best fake IDs possible and did everything they could to leave no trace online.

Yet they couldn’t stay in one place very long, not when they kept working, when they used the skills they’d honed over centuries to help people in need. Which was why they were traveling from France to England via the Chunnel; Andrew refused to give up his customized Maserati just yet, so they’d take the car with them on the train.

They didn’t expect any issue with their papers, especially since they’d used them a few days ago, so it was a surprise when a customs official in Calais frowned when he scanned Aaron’s while the machine beeped several times. Then the same thing happened with Nicky’s. Andrew tensed and tugged the cap on his head further down as he prepared to fight while Kevin did the same; their weapons were hidden in the special compartment in the Maserati, but they were good at improvising.

However, before they could react more than that, a familiar voice called out in French to the customs officials, one Andrew recognized with ease from his dreams over the last three millennia; the rabbit, dressed in a customs uniform, his dark auburn hair pulled back in a ponytail that trailed just past his shoulders, tapped the official who held Aaron’s documents and said he’d check it out, that there was an issue with the scanners. He purposely didn’t look at any of them as he did something to the scanner then ran the passport again, which beeped once in an ‘all clear’. Then he went to do the same for Nicky’s as the fool gaped at him.

As soon as Andrew was cleared, he stalked after his quarry, who to be fair didn’t try to run (for once). He grabbed the other immortal by the wrist and spun him around, part of him noticing that the rabbit was only a couple inches taller (which was a welcome change, considering how for the last few centuries, everyone towered over him). About to curse the bastard out for leading him on a merry chase for over three. Fucking. Millennia, he found himself stunned silent when the rabbit smiled.

(Maybe he should have considered what would happen when he finally caught the redhead.)

*******

Yes, Andrew, what does happen next???

I’ve never taken the Chunnel, so sorry if I messed something up there (I wrote what I did to fit the story). It’s a bit vague, but the twins are Scandinavian Bronze age, Neil is England Bronze Age (around Middle Bronze Age), Kevin is Ireland @ 600 BC, and Nicky is Mexico @ 1600′s. I debated having Andrew and Aaron separated, until I saw the twin gods thing. They were together, but per Tilda’s crappy parenting, they had a very rough childhood with Andrew protecting Aaron.

Mary raised Neil (Ram) to be cautious/wary of strangers. I’m thinking Nathan was a sea raider and... well, he came back years later and that time, he wiped out the farm. Neil heeded his mother’s lesson a little too well, but over time he finally came to learn that Andrew and the others weren’t all bad and finally stepped in to help them (and in a way, protected his own hide).

[satoshi-mochida]

Rabbit & Bear Studios, a Tokyo-based studio formed by key creators of the Suikoden series, has announced Eiyuden Chronicle: Hundred Heroes, an ambitious new RPG planned for release in fall 2022. A Kickstarter campaign seeking $500,000 USD in funding for a PC release—with a single stretch goal to unlock PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X, and Switch versions (or next-gen Switch, if one is available)—will run from July 27 at 9:00 a.m. PT / 12:00 p.m. ET to August 28. A trailer will also debut when the campaign launches.

Eiyuden Chronicle: Hundred Heroes is led by Suikoden I and II veteran scenario writer Yoshitaka Murayama, alongside series veterans Junko Kawano, Osamu Komuta, and Junichi Murakami. The project marks the first time these four creators have worked on a game together, as well as the first time Murayama and Kawano have collaborated in 25 years.

“The first thing we decided when our members came together was, ‘It’s about time we made a really interesting game that we ourselves want to make,'” project lead Murayama said in a press release. “We chose Kickstarter in order to make an interesting game with the players in mind, hold the rights to the planning, world, and story of the game, all while keeping the fun of the project. Please lend us your support in this new challenge of ours! We promise to create something that heeds the call of your voices.”

Speaking to Gematsu, Murayama shared more information on the game’s similarities to Suikoden and what elements of the series will carry over.

“Eiyuden Chronicle is about war, or more importantly, the intention and feelings of the 100 heroes who fight that war from a variety of perspectives and for a variety of different reasons,” Murayama told Gematsu. “And of course the drama that can only occur when a group of different people from different walks of life come together and must wage a war of life and death.”

Murayama continued, “And the many characters that participate in this war aren’t just pawns added in as ‘war fodder,’ they have a living breathing soul and begrudgingly must fight to protect the things they believe in. Additionally, there are non-combat specialists, researchers, and other ‘heroes’ on the periphery that can help win battles or lose them. Each and every one of them is a living breathing character that the player gives life to through their choices.”

Each character has their own strengths and weaknesses that can be leveraged to help the player form a balanced team.

“Some characters are good are some things and bad at others,” Murayama explained. “But if you combine them with other characters that can strengthen their weaknesses, you can end up with a really balanced team. And based on that delicate balance your team make be more apt at mining or adventuring which will affect the overall game progression loop. One of the core game loops in Eiyuden is to experience the wide variety of different characters and personalities in your 100 person army.

“With each new character your ‘fortress town’ grows in size and ability. It is a key system in the game. As you increase your teammates, some members will be blacksmiths, some chefs and whether on the battlefield or not, each character will play a role in strengthening your resolve as an army. There are guilds that you can join which will largely change the visual make-up of your fortress town and grant different abilities. The more people you recruit, the stronger the snowball effect. As you level up, new trade options appear along with enemies and thieves that randomly attack your town in an effort to impede your progress. You need to make choices whether to strengthen your walls or hasten your progress. Each choice will make every play session feel different and have its own consequences.”

According to Murayama, all of this is “just the tip of the iceberg,” meaning that fans can expect much more to come.

Here is an overview of the game, via Rabbit & Bear Studios:

■ About

Eiyuden Chronicle: Hundred Heroes is an ode to the classic Japanese RPG genre from the PlayStation era that will feature classic Japanese RPG exploration and battles in high-resolution 2.5D graphics, pixel-based characters, a story of war and friendship, a diverse cast of 100 unique heroes to join the protagonist’s endeavor, and a fortress building system to grow their army.

The game will feature a guild system that allows players to change their fortress attributes based on the guild they join. Battles will be turn-based with parties of up to six members and feature dynamic boss battles that change camera angle and rotate depending on the environment.

■ Studio and Staff

Rabbit & Bear Studios

Founded March 26th, 2020 by Yoshitaka Murayama, Rabbit & Bear Studios asks the age old question, what do gamers really want? It’s something we must never forget as creators. To continually focus on giving the fans the experience they really want.

We have created Rabbit & Bear Studios as the first step in realizing that dream and to have the responsibility that comes with it. That’s our core philosophy and we plan to lead by our actions.

Staff

Story: Yoshitaka Murayama (Suikoden, Suikoden II, The Alliance Alive)

Character Design: Junko Kawano (Suikoden, Suikoden IV, Arca Last)

System Design and Direction: Osamu Komuta (Suikoden Tierkreis, Suikoden Tactics, Arca Last)

Art Direction and Production: Junichi Murakami (Castlevania: Aria of Sorrow, OZ)

Composers: Michiko Naruke (Wild Arms series), Motoi Sakuraba (Tales of series), and more.

■ Story

Welcome to the Continent of Allraan

“Our story begins in one corner of Allraan, a tapestry of nations with diverse cultures and values.

By dint of sword, and by way of magical objects known as “rune-lenses,” the land’s history has been shaped by the alliances and aggressions of the humans, beastmen, elves, and desert people who live there.

The Galdean Empire has edged out other nations and discovered a technology that amplifies the rune-lenses’ magic. Now, the Empire is scouring the continent for an artefact that will expand their power even further.

It is on one such expedition that Seign Kesling, a young and gifted imperial officer, and Nowa, a boy from a remote village, meet each other and become friends.

However, a twist of fate will soon drag them into the fires of war, and force them both to reexamine everything they believe to be right and true.”

■ Characters

Nowa (Default Name)

Sex: Male

Age: 17 years old

Home: A remote village in the League of Nations

Favorite Food: Anything with meat in it

“That’s who I am. A meddler. Always will be—just ask Leene. So don’t tell me to do nothing. I may not be able to help them, but I have to at least try.”

When the League of Nations recruits warriors to assist in a joint expedition with the Galdean Empire, our protagonist answers the call and leaves his remote village to test his skills. On the mission, he finds an ancient rune-lens, unaware that the discovery will spark a war between the League and the Empire. After the conflict begins, he joins a unit in the League’s border guard.

The protagonist is the “leap before you look” type. He doesn’t always weigh the pros and cons before springing to action, and while his constant need to involve himself in other people’s problems sometimes creates headaches for his companions, they like him for it and know his heart is in the right place. After all, if they ever got into trouble, he’d be the first person there.

Seign Kesling

Sex: Male

Age: 18 years old

Home: A noble house in the Galdean Empire

Favorite Food: Poached eggs

“I can dream all I want, but it won’t change a thing. The world is not that kind. So if the only way to achieve my ideals is to betray them first, then I will do that—unflinchingly. You have my word.”

The second-born son to House Kesling, a powerful imperial family. His older brother died on the battlefield. Seign is exceptionally gifted; after achieving outstanding grades at military academy, he was placed in command of a company of his peers and sent on the expedition to find the ancient rune-lens. During the mission, he meets the protagonist. The two warm to each other as they overcome adversity, and they learn of one another’s ambitions.

Seign’s strategic mind allows him to analyze things from a broad perspective and make sound decisions. People often confuse his clear mind for a cold heart, but he is guided by strong ideals and a deep passion to fulfill them.

After his brother’s death during a border rebellion, Seign began to think long and hard about what it means to fight.

Marisa

Sex: Female

Age: 16 years old

Profession: One of the Guardians who watches over the forest

Favorite Food: Herbed chicken

“You just leave the forest to me. I know where the water springs, where the rabbits burrow—and most importantly, where your enemies will try to hide.”

A young member of the Guardians, a clan that hallows and protects the forest. Since Marisa was very little, her family has instilled their ways and traditions in her. She has a warm, affable smile—except on the battlefield, where she wears the countenance of a warrior.

Although the Guardians live as one with the forest, they have respect for the outside world’s culture and technology, and they are not against integrating the parts of it that make sense to them. Marisa is particularly forward-thinking in this regard, and loves new things—especially cute things.

Over the generations, the Guardians have developed a unique method of wielding the rune-lenses. For that reason, both the Empire and the protagonist try to win them over to their camp. Whom the Guardians choose will prove to be a major turning point in history.

Melridge

Sex: Male

Age: 27 years old

Profession: A scholar of natural history

Favorite Food: Duck soup

“You should lay down arms and surrender. That’s the quickest way to end this… No? Very well. Then I suppose I’ll provide you with the next best thing: a winning strategy.”

A young scholar who specializes in natural history. He yearns to know of every last thing in the world, and exactly how it got there. He also happens to be a genius tactician, and will be a valuable asset to the protagonist.

That said, he views warfare as the most pointless of all human endeavors, and any personal contributions to it as a complete waste of time.

Garr

Sex: Male

Age: 32 years old

Profession: Warrior in a clan of mercenaries

Favorite Food: Pancakes slathered with whipped cream

“Only a soft-brained leader runs headlong into danger. Anyone who knows what’s good for him will tell you you’ve lost it, kid. But not me. If blaze-of-glory’s your thing, count me in. We all die in the end. Might as well make it interesting.”

A veteran beastman warrior. He and his clan make their living as mercenaries, and their vast experience and sheer brutality put them in high demand. War is all Garr has known, and to him life is one battlefield after the other until you die.

When a conflict breaks out, every army wants as many beastmen as they can afford. Because mercenary contracts are made with individuals and not the entire clan, it is not uncommon for Garr and his fellow beastmen to face each other as enemies in the field.

Lian

Sex: Female

Age: 16 years old

Home: A martial arts dojo

Favorite Food: Super-spicy ramen

“Uhh, maybe I’m dumbing this down a little, but—like—if a bunch of arrogant swine strut into YOUR home and started acting like they owned the place, what would YOU do? ‘Cause there’s your answer.”

After the Empire’s forces invade League lands, Lian is infuriated and runs away from home…without even the slightest semblance of a plan. She decides the first thing to do is hoof it to the biggest town she can find, and luckily that’s where she meets the protagonist and his companions.

Lian was born in a dojo, and her father wasted no time in teaching her. She was doing roundhouse kicks before she even learned to walk properly.

Mio

Sex: Female

Age: 27 years old

Home: The Far East

Favorite Food: Bamboo-wrapped sasa dumplings

“The road you walk is one, and yet its endpoints are myriad. You can still choose where the road takes you.”

A swordswoman who is journeying to perfect the way of the blade. She has a stoic personality and rarely speaks, unless it’s to challenge someone she views as a worthy opponent.

When she does open her mouth to say something, it’s straight to the point and usually dripping with wisdom, so the people around her have taken to calling her “sensei.” However, even the greatest of senseis do have the occasional brain fart…

■ World

The Waterstead of Quinja

The Seaside Cavern

Watch a gameplay teaser video below. View the first screenshots and artwork at the gallery.

[violetsystems]

#personal

I was invited the other day to join a community as a Creative Advisor from a survey I filled out for Adobe.  I made the choice last November to purchase Creative Cloud for an entire year at a discount.  When I worked at an art school I had all those applications free.  Anybody in the arts community will tell you that software is expensive.  I don’t necessarily feel too connected to the local arts community these days.  But being a Creative Advisor basically means I participate in focus groups and offer my opinions in writing.  It’s a not a bad way to stay active as a creator.  I bought a drone basically so I had 4k footage to mess around with in Premiere.  I am a YouTube Creator by definition.  Yesterday after posting a video of the stream there was another survey in the right hand corner.  I cautiously opened it and read through it.  It was an inclusion survey.  YouTube wanted information to help with their community.  The first question was what race I identify as.  I can’t really argue I’m not white.  The next question was if I identified as part of the LGBTQ community.  I don’t so I answered no.  The third question was what gender I identified as.  I said male because I’m cis.  I completed the survey and went on about my business.  A few minutes later another popup asked me how satisfied I was with the YouTube community after all this.  I answered Very Satisfied and closed the window.  I’m also part of a larger community here in Chicago.  This can be drilled down so far that you can find yourself standing in a lonely circle with a thousand fingers pointed back at you.  My immediate neighbors identify.  I wouldn’t know what specifically or why so I don’t ever really pry.  I live on a pretty diverse property when it comes to tenants.  That expands into a pretty diverse neighborhood with a pretty diverse set of issues when it comes to power sharing.  I live the mad max sort of mentality these days.  Think more Fury Road than Road Warrior.  Where he helps out then silently fades away to focus on his own car wreck of a life.  One winter while shoveling snow I discovered somebody had written something in front of one of my neighbor’s doorstep.  It said “gay people live here.”  I processed it, shrugged and shoveled it away.  I couldn’t tell if my landlord was supposed to discover it, if my neighbors actually wrote it, or if it was somebody being hateful.  I made a judgement call on the account of safety and made a mental note of it then made it disappear.  I cared enough to think about it no matter how much this entire process exhausts me.  People join communities for connection.  People seek out authentic communities for safety, pride and respect.  And people in America should be able to do this freely without being exploited, judged, watched, or compared.  Communities overlap and the geopolitics therein get a little tricky.  When you live in a city with so many different influences, cultures, and hang ups the fog of the ideological war muddles up everyone’s intentions.  I think we retreat to the sanctity of our own communities because they understand the narrative and context best.  I’ve been welcomed into many communities that aren’t my own.  But my circle is pretty small these days.  Mostly because for all the care and attention I apply to the concept of community, I’m often left out to fend for myself here in my bachelor Castle of Doom.  Communities do consolidate power for better or for worse.  Just like rich people hoard money and dodge taxes.  Communities have their own cultural queues and signifiers.  Communities in America have increasingly become more like tribes in the economic desert.  Impenetrable communes at war with myopic definitions and hidden rules that are meant to keep people out for resource sake.  So much so that the Road Warrior doesn’t seem like science fiction to me from personal experience.  

It was the great poet Lord Humungus who may have set it best.  Just walk away.  Safe passage in the wasteland they said.  Be your own boss.  Own your sexuality and answer for your horny crimes.  Shit, I don’t even know where to begin when it comes to where I belong in all of this.  For me things have become equally obfuscated and easy to understand at the same time.  I’m more of an anarchist these days than I would like to admit.  I don’t really want to be on Tucker Carlson’s radar.  Simply because everyone is looking for something to label you as so they can pass an easier judgement on you.  People want you to identify so they can fit you into whatever conversational hole they wish to project at you.  I run into my neighbors all the time.  I treat people like people.  Simply because I’ve been treated enough like shit to know I don’t want anyone else to experience that.  I don’t really want revenge.  I want all this nonsense to stop getting in the way of my pursuit of life, liberty and happiness.  And the constant arguing and debate team every step of the way is troubling.  It’s people with a beaten down sense of self confidence proving themselves in the arena of mob rule.  For all the chest beating online on twitter or facebook people are kind of shook in the streets.  It is a winner take all mentality.  And even the more valid sides of the fight have taken to dirty tactics leaving some of us in the middle of an absolute shit show.  Par for the course if you ask me.  There are plenty of opportunities to be the hero these days.  Not many to be acknowledged as one.  You can be you and still support people that think differently.  I had a dream about guns last night.  I don’t own a gun.  That’s not the right choice for a person like me.  It doesn’t mean I can make a sweeping generalization for the rest of America.  Neither do I actually care to.  I’m cis.  I don’t spend my time psychoanalyzing or judging gender or sexuality other than my own biases towards it.  This is to treat people better and learn respectful communication.  Communication is a two way street.  And some communication is blocked, obfuscated or hidden for it’s own protection.  It can also be self serving.  Some of my closest friends are behind infinite onion layers of identities.  Layers of firewalls that I pirouette through like a whirling dervish just to show I still care deeply.  We take the time to show love.  We take the time to understand the obstacles.  And we have patience to understand that we have to sacrifice things sometimes for the sake of change.  Make no mistake the way I see things on my own is fucked.  I am part of a community here on Tumblr.  A much wider community.  There are times when I don’t fit in.  When it’s not about me or you or whoever behind the screen.  It’s what we connect to and how we learn to respect each other as human beings first.  Not as names.  Or fame.  Who we really are behind all of this doesn’t really matter as much as the content and ideas we share.  Community has it’s own memory and it’s own duty to hold things sacred.  Some larger communities do a totally shitty job of understanding the needs of their ideological neighbors.  And passion, pride, and lack of patience can burn bridges more quickly than building them.  There are times when you realize you are part of a community that doesn’t honor your identity at the core.  Sometimes it’s worse.  You find you aren’t welcome in a community for whatever reason.  If you are an abuser this is a safety issue and not really up for argument or discussion.  But sometimes its far less deserving.  And it’s a game of musical chairs to understand where you fit in and where you aren’t welcome.  For me I’m part Swedish and also a minimalist in nature.  Just look at Ikea and my habit of rearranging furniture.  I grew more inward this year in terms of who I trust.  Now it’s just me and a small percentage of screen names that might be owned by the same person or people.  I identify them as my closest friends.  

The thing about community I’ve learned over the years is that it can always be infiltrated.  Trust can always be broken.  We find we don’t belong to the bigger picture because motives are out of place.  We long to just be normal and accepted for that.  It’s exhausting to have to identify every time you walk out the door.  I identify as human.  Mostly I identify as Tim.  Freedom in America is best summed up by a quote by my favorite person in the world.  She’s from China.  She said once she loved New York because it was the only place where she felt free to cry in public without anybody prying into why.  I’m paraphrasing.  But that shit has stuck with me like a knife for years.  That isn’t what America is about right now.  It’s almost like it’s looking for victims.  Looking for signs of weakness to trick into a confidence game.  It’s a setup on every corner.  A prank waiting to happen.  A constant obstacle to your main quest.  And this isn’t what America is about.  At least not the way I live it.  I don’t think I solve the situation with more policing.  I don’t think I solve it by doing anything other than continuing to live free. The challenge here in America is constantly evolving as it is around the world.  America’s idea of free isn’t always well thought out.  It’s riddled with paradoxes.  And yet this is all I really have.  I’ve seen enough people stalking me in the streets with shirts emblazoned with messages.  Freedom isn’t free.  Penetrate the world.  Blue lives matter.  Make seven up yours.  I’ve made statements too and found myself more and more alone.  And then I’ve started to realize geographically what’s worth fighting for.  I’m tied to an address.  That’s the address where the government sends my ballots and rejects my state taxes at.  That’s the address where the utilities are in my name and I pay my rent on time.  Sometimes even a month ahead.  I’m fiscally responsible for once in my life.  I’ve conquered years of societal glue that held me to mediocre and half assed standards.  I’m a diamond in the rough except I’m not really all the rough.  I’ve stood up for people who aren’t like me so much that I feel more isolated and weird every day.  And I learn that sometimes it’s better to shy away from places where you aren’t welcome than to make a scene.  I am stuck in my little hole here.  If the answer were getting out there and networking, I’d ask people to look at my passport.  It’s not good enough for the state to acknowledge as proof of my identity.  But I spent a lot of money going back and forth to Asia trying to do just that.  And I paid off all that debt awhile ago.  I know the world is bigger than me.  And I believe sometimes people think they’ve travelled the world in their computer.  They’re the authority on everything.  And here is the problem with freedom in America.  The authority isn’t always right.  This is why we seek out communities.  For democracy.  For peer review.  To have our narrative understood and respected.  And we need communities to be more about democracy and less about autocratic reactions to a zero sum game.  I think it’s okay to not be part of something you don’t belong.  And I also think it’s okay to respect people’s wishes to seek out where they do.  But we have to learn to live together in America despite of this.  And well this would require us as Americans to really look the beast in the eye.  And doing that alone is scary.  I should know.  I do it every day.  So much so that I’m literally not fucking around with much of anything other than what’s easy enough to read.  Even when it’s easy to read it doesn’t mean it’s done in earnest.  I can only really worry about the things I hold intimate and secret.  The creative culture I’ve salvaged with my bare hands.  I really don’t care if you don’t get who I am.  But I want you to know I care about the world being free.  At least for the people I care about.  If you ever catch yourself crying in public just remember I’m right there over your shoulder cheering you on.  I’ll fight for your right to cry about it and scare off anybody who interferes.  That’s just who I am and nobody will know or even acknowledge me by name.  Sometimes I do feel like a ghost.  I’m not trying to walk through walls people set up for protection.  But I will break down the barriers people put up to keep us from living together.  <3 Tim

[thenixart]

Unedited dorohedoro fic- Chapter 1 part 2

A/N: Characters will get names when I come up with names. I am open to suggestions.

When Ton wakes he’s warm and comfortable and kinda hungry. The horror of the last day felt almost like a bad dream. He turns over ready to go back to sleep and maybe have a better dream when he sees it and the dam bursts. On his bed stand is a photo of people he’d half forgotten and a calendar date that he still very clearly remembered. 

Today was the day that his father died. Today is the day his family was shattered.

What a cruel place to dump him. 

Forcing himself to leave the lovely warmth of his covers he grabbed the framed photo. It was his family… his first one that is. He’s at the center of the picture sitting in his father’s lap and his father is in turn sitting on the ground and leaning on his pet hog. His mother behind them looking proud. On their left was Ushishimada being picked up by his mom and mighty devils was it weird to see him with hair again. And flanking them their many aunties and uncles and the other kids. Not blood but family all the same.

His eyes burned and tears fell onto the glass of the picture frame. After some hesitation Ton takes the photo and gently folds it before putting it into his pajama pocket. Real or not he wanted to keep it with him this time.

He doesn’t want to get out of bed. His inner child offers up the suggestion that maybe nothing bad will happen if he’s not there to witness it. But Ton knows better than that.

Ton slinks out of bed and is immediately thrown by how different his body is. So small and soft and unmarred by the stresses of homlessness and starvation that are waiting in his future. He really is just seven years old again.

He sees his childhood home on the day of the end with the eyes of a battle hardened warrior and not an already grieving child. The entire farm is tense with the quiet before a battle. A siege is what it looks like as he sees from the window uncle [Animal transformation magic] setting traps on the perimeter. His auntie [temperature control magic]’s forge putting out tons of Smoke as she pushed herself much harder than usual while Ushishimada raced back and forth from the forge to the field carrying pieces of armor to auntie [animal control magic] fitted the bigger animals with it. 

As Ton passes rooms that would normally be crammed with the sounds of people he notices the emptiness. People’s things are packed up and there’s barely any humans or magicless mages left on the premises. Humans… What was his family’s dealings with humans? The answer didn’t come readily to his mind, only that there’d been humans and others without magic who came and went for reasons he was never really told. Ushishimada had been older, maybe he knew?

He left the children’s house to cross the yard to the main house. Ton noted the absence of the chickens which would normally be crowing at this time or running around begging for treats. The sows and cows were gone too. One of the hunting dogs clad in pointy, scribbled on armor greeted him enthusiastically before being called back over to auntie [animal control magic]’s side. Her door, there was no mistaking the elegantly carved wood with the hand painted looking singing animals covering it, was steadily dissolving by the door. Unbidden a chuckle came to him at the mental image of a bunch of farm animals getting dumped in the Hole for their safety. Hmm well, certainly whoever the enemy was they probably wouldn’t be able tell the difference between their humans and sorcerers who couldn’t do magic amongst so many like them.

The main house (damn his family really had some money and he never noticed before) was a house in mourning. Ushishimada’s mom was on the couch in the sitting room with his cousin [tiger mask human cousin] and her human friend, Akane. [Ushi’s mom] was putting the finishing touches on some masks for them, a black tiger and red hen respectively. It was as equally clear that she’d been crying recently as it was that the older kids were very much pretending that nothing was wrong. And from the hatchets strapped to the woman’s armor it was also clear that she expected fighting to start soon.

They greeted him warmly if concerningly affectionate. Like they may never see him again… and well... he never did see them again did he?

He heads towards his parents’ room slowly. Something about the hush making him want to tread quietly. And he wants to put this off as much as possible.

At the almost closed door he overhears a private conversation.

“At least I’ll see the bastard in Hell,” A voice like a walking mountain rumbles. Quietly Ton brushes away the tears that started falling fresh. From the richness of the baritone and the subtle clacking of tusks on tusks there was no mistaking his father’s voice for anyone else. The man’s breathing sounds labored even from a distance.

A woman’s voice… his mother’s voice responded. Low and thick and sharp like molasses. “That may be what happens, but that’s not remotely fair. And damn the devils for it.”

“You know, you can go to jail for saying such things,” His father half chuckled and half wheezed. “And Hell’s no place for a sweet thing like you.”

She snorted incredulously and playfully swatted his arm, “Really? Flirting at a time like this? What a pig.”

“Wild boar, thank you very much.” He retorted. It was a routine clearly familiar to them. Ton saw through the crack in the door their fingers intertwining. His father’s pale chubby ones slotted into his mother’s dark work roughened ones looking almost like a piano.

His mother leaned in conspiratorially and asked in a tone he strained to hear, “Your magic… could you…?”

His father’s magic? To be honest Ton couldn’t remember what kind of magic his father had at all. Nor his mother’s for that matter.

“Hmmm no,” his father answered after some thought. “That mushroom bastard killed Kokuo. Without a proper anchor… I wouldn’t be able to stay myself. I’d only end up causing more harm than good.” He sighed wistfully, “Besides, with this kind of magic… it’s best to go when your time’s up.”

“I suppose that’s true.”

“Tell me again… what happens to humans when you die?”

You? Was his mother…?

“Well, now, unlike you sorcerers none of us has the power to revive the dead.So no one really knows for certain. Lots of folks think that if you are an evil person you go to a hell for a while and if you are a good you get to be reborn as something or someone else. There’s also the heavens, where good people go for like, eternal rewards of some boring shit like that. Some of the monks think that if you’re like, holy enough you stop being reborn and simply cease to be? Spiritually? Or something?”

“Oh?”

“I don’t really get the appeal. Of just ceasing. Why not just live different lives for all of eternity?”

“That does sound nice. Far more lenient than our fate.”

“Course there’s always stuff like ghosts and limbo and all that.”

“Limbo?”

“It's a kinda state the dead enter sometimes before they move on. A nowhere place where ghosts are born. Angry souls that refuse to rest or simply folks that have some business to finish before they do. No one ever really makes happy stories about it. ...I wish I could meet you again in my next life.” 

His father hummed, “That would be lovely.”

Before he could catch himself Ton sniffled.

“Hey pigglet! Come give yer daddy a hug!” His father boomed like his lungs weren’t failing him. Ton pushed open the door to see his mother helping to prop up his father so that the big man’s back was against the headboard. Right, somehow his mind impressed the date of his father’s death but the method had slipped into the sands of time. There was something extremely unnerving seeing a good portion of the man’s chest just… crumbling. Large portions of it were bendaged as best as possible but the web of cracks extended past the edges, the affected skin dry irritated and flakey. Bits fell off when his father breathed just a bit too deeply, creating what Ton could imagine was just the worst bed experience of crumbs in your sheets but grosser. In the places where the magic had completely eaten through the skin he could see shiny white pockets of fat crisscrossed with fungal hyphae. There is no shortage to the horror that settles into Ton’s gut that his father would have likely died days ago if he were a leaner man.

It also doesn’t escape him that his mother is dressed for war. Combat boots and sections of scale armor over her hunting clothes. The vital bits of course, the major organs of the torso and places with large arteries like the neck, upper arms and thighs. Her crossbow, and a full quiver of arrows, her hunting knife (a beautiful knife he needed to commission someone to make him a copy at some point it was fucking watered steel!), and a pair of pistols… emergency weapons. 

Ton had nothing against guns, he was a damn good shot himself but he’d hunted with his mother. Guns were noisy and dulled your ability to hear after using them. And the smell of gunsmoke dulls the nose (not that you could actually smell anything but the boss when fighting at his side). His mother was fond of saying that any of your senses could provide you with life saving information so it was best to avoid impairing them unless you had no other choice. 

And it looked like his mother was expecting the worst.

At her hip was her mask that looked like she’d given the black leather a fresh shine. The snarling panther maw was a thing of beauty, something his father thought as well as his tattoo of it still shone proudly on his father’s remaining properly intact shoulder. Mask...human. Huh. Actually if his mother was human then so was his cousin [tiger mask] and her friend Akane too. Ton supposed having masks in this world were useful to humans, they’d be mistaken for mages and less likely to be attacked or sold. But why wear it to a fight? It wasn’t a helmet like Tetsujo’s mask, it didn’t offer up much protection.

His mother kissed him softly on the forehead and the gleam of her necklace caught his eye. Speaking of things that weren’t very helpful on the battlefield… the necklace was more like thick twine dyed black with colorful beads, fine enough. But then there was the claw hanging from it that had to be about as long as a uni-bear claw and curved like a cat’s. Ton didn’t know if it was real, it kinda looked like it was made of stone of some kind, but it certainly looked sharp. Sometimes Ton’s brain liked to throw the image of her accidentally getting stabbed or cut by that claw because sometimes brains are assholes like that. It never did as far as he could recall, according to her it was a good luck charm. She’d once told him that it saved her life.

A frown crosses his face. Ton had no idea if his mother survived this day or not.

His father gave him an affectionate side hug that looked like it clearly caused him pain but the man was grinning through it. 

“Dad… you’re dying aren’t you?” Ton hates how the voice that comes out of his mouth sounds like a child. He hates that he feels like a child. Hates that he’s in the body of a child who can’t join the coming fight or steal some healing smoke to save anyone. He hates that they look at him like he’s a child even if he technically is at the moment. 

He hates what’s coming next.

One thing he is thankful for is that his parents never lied to him. That he’d forgotten that his mother was human or what they’d done for a living was on him not asking that many questions. His parents didn’t sugarcoat it when they confirmed that yes his father was dying. That everyone dies eventually. That his mother may die fighting the bastards who hexed his father. That some of his aunts and uncles may face the same fate.

Of course Ton knows that death isn’t anything to fear so long as you’ve got a cause worth dying for.

“Do you want to die?” Asked Death as she stood on the other side of his parent’s bed waiting for his father to kick the bucket. Instead of the terrifying gas masked firefighter skeleton soldier was a black-skinned woman, not Black as in brown like his mother but black as in a crisp winter night during a blackout. Her clothing was also black but more like the black of black jeans washed at the wrong temperature and looked rather cozy. 

Natsuki was not with her.

“Your Partner is safe.” Death said like she heard his thoughts. “This is not a place for her. I ask again, do you want to die?”

Did he? He looked at his parents and his younger self frozen in time. Ton hadn’t died gloriously in an ultimately futile battle against powerful sorcerers trying to change the world or even protect something important to him. (And suddenly he feels like he failed his parents at that thought.) He’d been killed like an annoyance by someone he admired. Betrayed. And gotten his comrades killed by the grief that his death caused.

...and Tetsujo was still alive the last he’d seen. It was still up in the air if Dokuga was still kicking or if the bo--if Kai’d eaten him as well. If Tetsujo was still alive he’d certainly try to save Ushishimada and Saji’s heads to revive them. Ton knew for a fact that his own corpse was unsalvageable, the massive chunk taken out of his temple certainly contained his devil tumor and without it… he didn’t really know how one would go about reviving without it. And…

So long as some of his loved ones were still alive… isn’t that something worth staying around for?

“I don’t want to die,”Ton said and knew for certain. As sure as the worry slithering in his gut. “If I can help my comrades in any way that’s what I want to do.”

“So that is your choice?” 

“Yes.”

Reality blacked out again.

[sparky-is-spiders]

The Hollyleaf Favoritism AU (Again)

This is my last HFAU post for now, although I will absolutely answer any asks I recieve about it. I wanna go over the Dark Forest Plan, talk about what happened to Onestar, and who the fourth cat is.

I’ma start with th fourth cat thing because there isn’’t much to say about it and I’m lazy.

Also: Part 1 Part 2

The Fourth Cat: The truth is, there is no fourth cat. It doesn’t really fit with the AU and it’s not like it was executed brilliantly in the main series books either. I can’t find any cat who could really qualify that way and I don’t wanna add any (more) contradictions to this AU. The Three save the day with the help of all the other cats. Insert some theme about all cats from all clans, no matter who they are or whether or not they’ve been the subject of any prophecies, being important and invaluable. If I ever writes a fic based on this AU, I really want background characters to shine in it. Not all the heroes are gonna be heroes because of powers or a prophecy, which is the point of both Lionblaze and Ivypools arcs.

Onestar: Onestar sucks. If you like Onestar, this is not the AU for you because he does not have a happy ending here. At all.

Onestar hates the way the other clans see WindClan. He thinks that everybody thinks that WindClan is ThunderClan’s pet and it makes him so angry. It is a rage that he feels in his soul, and he severs his friendship with Firestar because of it.

Onestar is, at the very core of his being, arrogant and egotistical. He is also, however, very scared. He never expected to be leader. He never wanted it and when Tallstar dumps leadership on him he kinda panics. He wants to lean on ThunderClan at first, but when he hears how the other clans mock him for it he swings desperately the other way. He tries to seperate WindClan from ThunderClan influence entirely. He is determined to be the best leader of WIndClan ever but he has no idea how to do that. He is desperate and floundering and it is not going well. His fear, his determination, and his pride are a dangerous combination, and they will be his downfall.

Onestar isn’t a great leader. He encourages his warriors to provoke and antagonize ThunderClan cats. During the first few moons of his leadership, he goes on patrols himself just to bother ThunderClan cats. He’s mean to his warriors and unwilling to listen to them.

“No, we don’t need to ask ThunderClan for herbs, we have plenty.”

“But we’re out of-“

“No.”

During a particularly bad winter (several moons before the return of Hollyleaf/storm), illness sweeps through WindClan. Several warriors die, and everybody is furious with Idiotstar. Because sure, he could have asked ThunderClan (the only clan with a large enough herb supply to trade some away) for help, but that might have hurt his precious ego.

Onestar is, in truth, torn over his decision. He does want to help, but he doesn’t want to appear weak. Going to ThunderClan for help, no matter the reason, seems like weakness to him. And weakness is an invitation for the other clans to attack. His warriors keep pushing him to do so, but that only makes it worse. His determination has bred stubborness, and he digs his claws in. He refuses to be bossed around by cats that should follow his orders. Even Ashfoot can’t get him to listen to her. She’s furious that he would put the lives of his clanmates in danger for the sake of his stupid pride. She confronts him aggressivly, and he refuses to listen. Too late, she realizes that aggression, although justified, was the wrong response, and he won’t listen to her even after she tries to be gentler about it. (She hates being gentle about it. It’s like her leader is a stupid kit who throws temper tantrums when he doesn’t get his way.) Several WindClanners end up dead, and this is when the Dark Forest manages gets a firm clawhold in WindClan.

When Hollyleaf shows up moons later, looking for a place in WindClan, Onestar is quick to accept her. Firestar’s granddaughter, his former apprentice. A cat with powers involved in a special prophecy who can spy on the other clans for WindClan, and she’s here. More than that, she wants to stay, to “help WindClan and Onestar” with “whatever problems they may have”. Nobody wants Hollyleaf there, but Onestar is so excited for this excuse to one-up his old friend. He changes her name, too, as if to say “in your face Firestar! She’s a WindClan cat now.”

Hollystorm doesn’t like Onestar, but she’s very good at faking it. It helps that he has a sort of blind faith in her. She’s a chosen one. She’s a good cat, and good cats support Onestar. He doesn’t question her real motives, and he doesn’t notice that her spying on the other clans doesn’t tell him anything big and/or useful.

He feels so betrayed when he hears that Ashfoot has talked to ThunderClan, and is furious when he hears about the Dark Forest cats visiting WindClanners in their dreams. He exiles them all (roughly three quarters of WindClan’s warriors, including Ashfoot, Hollyleaf, and Breezepelt), but they don’t listen. The exiles all turn on him, and they drive him out. The young cats who had been rebelling against Onestar since the Dark Forest first visited them in their dreams win. Breezepelt becomes their new leader, Antpelt becomes their new medicine cat, and anyone who refuses to swear fealty to Breezepelt and the Dark Forest is kicked out.

Onestar leaves with Hollystorm and Ashfoot, but is enraged when he hears that they plan to seek aid from ThunderClan. He has spent so long fighting to get out of Firestar and ThunderClan’s shadow. He refuses to disrupt that, and he abandons them along with about three other WindClan warriors. He leaves to rebuild WindClan on his own.

He mostly mopes on a small hill somewhere outside of clan territories until a patrol comes to collect him many moons later. They planned to ambush WindClan last new moon. They don’t know how it went, but they hope that he can return to lead WindClan again.

They lost, Onestar finds when he returns. He’s furious but there isn’t much he and his three warriors can do about it now. He begrudgingly agrees to stay in ThunderClan camp, but only because everybody else is doing it.

During the final battle, he faces off against Breezestar. For all his faults, Onestar is a good fighter, and he has Breezestar pinned. He’s about to deliver the killing blow, but several of Breezestar’s new rogue WindClan warriors pounce. They drag Onestar off Breezestar and tear him to shreds.

When he reaches StarClan, Tallstar tells Onestar that he is very dissappointed in him.

The Dark Forest PlanTM: The Dark Forest has a much different plan in this AU. They want to take over the clans, sure, but they’re smart, they can wait...

Many of them want to be leaders of their old clans. Some just want revenge. Either way, they are ready to make their move. They plan to divide the clans, weakening them. Eventually, the clan will snap, a civil war will start, and the Dark Forest can move in. They’ll choose a loyal follower to be leader, another to be a medicine cat, and a another to be deputy. These cats will be puppets, of course, but they will think that they are in charge, which is really all that matters.

WindClan is easy. Onestar is crappy, and tensions are already high. Some dark forest cats are deployed to train the older warriors who believe in the Warrior Code too much to want to overthrow a leader. The others visit the dreams of the young and rebellious. They are pleased to witness the fall of WindClan.

RiverClan is a little harder, but they crack the code eventually. RiverClan has a lot of outsiders and half-clan, and some of warriors still hold on to antiquated views on cats who aren’t 100% RiverClan. Some Dark Forest cats plant doubts in the minds of cats that those who aren’t born in RiverClan to a set of RiverClan cats aren’t loyal. They train to defend themselves against these “disloyal” warriors. Mistystar and Mothwing start to expirience mounting hatred and insubordination. Those who want to stand by Mistystar and Mothwing, their noble leader and trusted medicine cat, also get visited by Dark Forest cats too, building tensions even higher. Before civil war can break out, however, the emergency gathering is called. After witnessing what happened to WindClan and hearing about the Dark Forest cats’ scheming, RiverClan tentativly patches itself back together to face a common enemy. It doesn’t go perfectly, and many wounds are still raw, but things do improve.

The Dark Forest cats don’t make much headway in ShadowClan, but the arrival of Sol helps. The cats need somebody to listen to them, to guide them through these tough times. Isn’t it nice that all these Dark Forest are there to help? A few careful digs at Blackstar here, a few warnings about rebellious cats who aren’t happy with Blackstar’s decisions there, and boom! A civil war looms on the horizen. Firestar’s dark forest warning and the aftermath of Breezestar’s coup help ShadowClanner’s realize that they’ve been played against each other like puppets. Fury at this indignity helps them patch things together.

ThunderClan is the hardest. Some of the cats are receptive to dire warnings about how Jayfeaher, Lionblaze, and Hollyleaf/storm are half-clan monsters, but most grew up with Firestar and Graystripe, an outsider and a respected senior warrior who fathered two kits with a RiverClan cat. Feathertail is half-ThunderClan, and she’s a hero. And anyway, the three are still Firestar’s kin. That has to count for something, right? The Dark Forest never manages to get a clawhold in ThunderClan and plans to kill most of them.

When their careful machinations and manipulations are blown, they manage to cobble together a new plan. So what if most of the clans have banded against them? WindClan is on their side and the rogues Breezestar readily welcomes into the clan have made it large and powerful. They’ll send WindClan cats to attack patrols and hunt prey from the other clan’s territories. They’ll slowly pick off cats and lower food supplies until all the clans are weak enough for WindClan to overpower them. When they learn of the planned WindClan ambush, the Dark Forest cats are ecstatic. A force powerful enough to be a threat, but not big enough to be a serious danger, that can be lead straight into a trap. It’s perfect. They warn Antpelt, who warns Breezestar, and WindClan makes their plans. They turn the ambushers into the ambushees.

If it wasn’t for Jayfeather’s frantic warning, the fate of the clans would have been sealed when WindClan attacks the force sent to ambush them. As it is, several cats from the other clans lie dead, and most are seriously injured. It’s a major blow to the clans, and they slink away to lick their wounds.

It’s the perfect time for an attack. The Dark Forest gives WindClan a few days to repair and prepare, and they attack. The final battle happens at night. It is long and harsh and many cats are killed. At the end of it, Firestar and Tigerstar stand against each other. They fight for a long time, until both die of their wounds underneath the rising sun. The Dark Forest has lost, and the clans are victorious.

Some Extra Stuff:

-Breezepelt never gets his nine lives. Witnissing the brutal death of Onestar leaves him feeling awful and shaken. He and Nightcloud return to the clans in time for Crowfeather’s trial.

-As much as I like the idea of Hollystar, her character arc is all about accepting that she can be important and do good as a regular warrior. But I really really want Hollystar. Maybe if Harespring dies...

-Ashfur goes to the Dark Forest. Just as he deserves...

-The three don’t lose their powers, but their powers do get weaker. Jayfeather’s crazy visions ease up, Hollystorm’s senses dull a little, and Dovedream has to really focus to do her dreamwalking thing and her emotion reading becomes weaker and a little less precise.

[surlyalpaca]

Excerpts from a Diary of a Loyal(ish) Retainer, Part 2

Part One here. (With the next round of Ishgard ranking nearly upon us, pour one out for all the long suffering retainers of Omnicrafter WoLs)

***

1. So I don't recall exactly how it happened. I was having the Limsa dream again (this time this Bismarck waitress was wearing pink!) and suddenly I hear the boss shouting in my dream. It was, I swear: WASSHOI WE'RE REBUILDING ISHGARD. I mean I know she pays well but maybe let me sleep in on the weekend? And maybe not throw glitter all over for some reason? I try to show some compassion because she's taken one too many hits in the head from primals but normal people don't have pockets full of confetti to throw around like that. I'm still half asleep and if I was more awake I probably wouldn't have done it but I told her to either clean up her mess or piss off. And that was my morning, being treated to the sight of the Warrior of Light on all fours, ass up in the air, cleaning glitter up from my bedroom floor.

2. Boss has temp relocated my home point from Ul'dah to Ishgard. At least she gave me a coat. Surly Retainer was for once not so surly and pointed out that Boss had crafted the coat herself. It made me feel good until I saw her emerge from the Adders' barracks with a whole chocobo saddlebag full of venture coins. "I'm going to need them," she had the gall to say. I'm not going to get the next few weekends off.

3. Newsflash: Ishgard is fucking cold.

4. Crazy here. The Firmament announcements seems to have shaken up Eorzea and all the weirdos have fallen here. I swear there are dozens of crafters here. And they're all scuttling about delivering stuff so I actually can't get a proper headcount. The airships are constantly ferrying people back and forth to some place called the Diadem. I asked the Boss if she wanted me to go there for her, but she claimed she'd do it herself when she needed a break. She's laughing a bit much. Too many coffee biscuits. I told her to eat something proper and she downed a whole bowl of bouillabaisse like it was a whiskey shot. And then she went right back to crafting. Someone is cooking quiche on top of one of the tents.

4. How much Doman Iron ore does one need?

5. Oh Gods, she hired another one. It was hilarious, actually. Surly asked me if that is him. Do all Elezen men look the same to her? I was about to tell her no when I saw the Boss handing the new one some venture coins. We exchanged that Look that we do when we need support from someone when the Boss is being her hyperactive self. Anyways he's some young botanist she's training up. He looks too eager. Its a bit disconcerting. Poor fellow probably has no clue what he's gotten himself into.

6. Catch the new guy as I'm porting back in from Doma (fourth time today, Gods, I hate teleportation). He's a chatty one. I'm trying not to be rude but I do have an unholy amount of Doman ore in my backpack and I can't wait to off load it. He said it looked heavy. Well. Yes. So I ask him what he's collecting for her. "Crystals for her crafting!" he opens his bag. 30 -- 30! -- Fire Shards. SHARDS. 30. A WHOLE 30 SHARDS. "I'm so happy to be helping," he says and I swear by Nophica's tits I couldn't detect a single ounce of sarcasm in his voice. Does he not understand how many crystals she goes through in a single hour? Didn't tell him that though. I don't go around kicking puppies, after all.

7. Boss is napping in the bushes near the new fountain, so Surly and I took a much needed break. Surly doesn't get why she's doing this. The Boss is a one woman army who has broken gods. She has notches on her gun showing the number of Imperial Legions she's personally wrecked. Surly said if she stopped doing all this useless stuff Garlemald would be brought to heel by now. And I'm not sure? Maybe? Now that her Scion friends are back she could probably. Eventually. But I think she does stuff like this to stay sane. She sure as hell seems happier when she's chugging craftman's syrup and making yet another piece of furniture for the Firmament needy than she does when she's preparing to go fight whatever villain of the week she's fighting.

8. OK. I may have overreacted a bit today. Surly tried keeping it from me but the Boss has been using all the ore I've collected for her to make into ingots that she then sells to other crafters. I'm trying to figure out why that is bothering me? Maybe because I thought in my own way I was helping the people of Ishgard and not lining her pockets with gil? And honestly as long as she pays me (in advance!) it shouldn't even concern me. It didn't help though that I've been getting migraines from all this aetheryte travel. And I was going through a bad one when the New Guy mentioned the whole ingot business. (Surly's face though when he did! Priceless.) Anyways, I wasn't thinking when I chased the Boss up the lamppost. It was the confetti thing all over again, sometimes you just can't expect to be subtle and get your opinion across to that woman. My mother would be mortified but I caused quite the scene. Some black-haired woman with these nice red eyes shows up during this kerfuffle and asks if there is a problem. (Understatement). Apparently she could hear me all the way across the Firmament? I wasn't paying close attention to what she said. Boss was yelling to her for help but Surly explains the situation. The woman nods and tells the Boss she had this coming. And leaves! Surly talked me down at one point. All the other Firmament weirdos were laughing at the Boss as she climbed down from the lamppost. New Guy looked like he wanted to go hide somewhere and forget this happened. Just another normal day as a retainer to the Warrior of Light.

9. Boss approached me today. She was acting all weird, not really looking at me and shifting around a bit before running off. Just before she did that she forced a bunch of venture coins in my hand and told me she needed double my body weight in raw garnet but no rush back. Checked my logs after. Best place for raw garnet is a stone throw away from Costa del Sol. Sometimes the Gods do listen.

[bonesgadh]

Melisandre and her Messiah.

Some Biblical stuff coming right up:

Regarding the prophecy of The Prince That Was Promised I honestly don’t give two fucks; I’m only interested in the facts and they say Arya was the one that ended the long night by defeating the Night King and that’s the tea. To me she is a Goddess and from now on I’ll forever address her as Arya Stark of Winterfell, The Princess That Was Promised, Slayer of the Night King and Savior of Westeros.

However, I’m a little pissed because there’s some people out there who are saying there’s no way Arya can be The Prince That Was Promised because she doesn’t fit the criteria. Now I may be wrong about this but I don’t remember the show being that specific about the requirements to be TPTWP, the only thing Melisandre says is it is meant to destroy darkness (if I remember correctly the only additional thing said by other red priestess while advocating for Daenerys being TPTWP was that she was reborn from the fire to remake the world). I know the books give more details about the prophecy but I think it’s pretty clear the show has long drifted away from them.

Anyway, for this post I’m sticking to what the show has been telling us all these years (specifically the Battle of Winterfell episode), and I put a special focus on why I’m convinced my girl is TPTWP based on Melisandre’s scenes.

I was raised Catholic (although I’ve lapsed a bit I still consider myself to be a believer), so I notice some similarities between the faith of R'hllor, The Lord of the Light and Catholicism. TPTWP is seen as some sort of Messiah for the Red Priests, just like Jesus for Catholics and Christians. This almost mythical figure, the reincarnation of a legendary warrior (Azor Ahai) will destroy darkness and end with the treat of The Long Night for good. We have known for quite some time The Long Night = the Night King and the White Walkers, so it was safe to assume whoever destroyed them would automatically be revealed as TPTWP.

Melisandre, the most famous Red Priestess in Game of Thrones is the one in charge of telling us about this prophecy. What I find interesting about Melisandre is her backstory: her life was terrible, she was a slave and then, at her lowest point, she met The Lord of the Light and became her most loyal servant. When we first meet Melisandre it’s pretty obvious she is a bit obsessed with the whole TPTWP. My guess is a good part of her whole belief system (and her life for all that matters) revolves around this prophecy, to the point she is pretty much a fanatical. I can bet you Melisandre dreamed of being the one to find this Messiah and to see firsthand the destruction of darkness. She even has that necklace that has kept her alive for longer than usual.

Do I think Melisandre knew Arya would kill the Night King back in 3x06? No, I don’t. Why do I think so? Well, obviously because by the time they met Melisandre was utterly convinced Stannis was TPTWP (Lol), but also because prophecies and visions aren’t that straight forward. There’s a lot of hidden meaning involved and symbolisms, so the only thing Melisandre saw in Arya’s eyes was what she told her: that there was darkness and the whole brown, green and blue eyes she would shout forever, and that they would meet again. I even dare to say Melisandre didn’t even remember the young girl until they saw each other at Winterfell.

After this encounter a lot of things happened to Melisandre, but one thing that shaped her character for the rest of her storyline was Shireen’s sacrifice. Melisandre wasn’t scared of sacrificing others in the name of the Lord of the Light and she truly believed Stannis to be her Messiah; but seeing him fail the way he did –and the fact that Shireen’s sacrifice wasn’t even worth it– is what shattered her completely. She began doubting her faith and became Buzz Lightyear when he gets drunk on tea.

However, Jon’s miraculous resurrection is what gives her back her faith and trust in her Lord. Now she believes him to be TPTWP because he returned from the dead and he must have a greater purpose to fulfill. Again her desire to be the one to find the world’s savior kicks in, and I dare to say it’s stronger than ever.

After she gets vanished from the North and she meets Daenerys, she tells her the following words:

“The Long Night is coming. Only the prince that was promised can bring the dawn.”

After saying these words Daenerys asks Melisandre if she thinks she is that prince, to which Melisandre answers prophecies are dangerous but she does believe she has a part to play in the upcoming war, just like Jon Snow. Melisandre even mentions Jon’s role in all this, he is the one who united the North against the imminent treat of the darkness (it’s worth mentioning Arya decides to return to Winterfell in the same episode). When Jon goes to meet Daenerys, Melisandre says she has brought fire and ice together and that it’s time to go –albeit for a while– but warns Varys that she will return to die in Westeros.

Now, what does Melisandre do during the time she goes to Volantis? My guess is she keeps doing her stuff. You know, watching things in the flames and having visions. Why does she decide to return to Winterfell right before the battle begins? My guess is she saw something, some sort of message from R'hllor and she interpreted as the sign she needed to return to the North. Maybe she didn’t know what was waiting for her, but she knew it would be her last night alive.

Now let’s fast forward to the moment Arya and Melisandre see each other in Winterfell. Arya looked at her and I’m certain the first thing that crossed her mind was: “that red bitch raped my beau, if I make it through this I’m gonna slice her throat.” But from the moment they locked eyes Melisandre knew this was it. This was the reason why she was meant to return to the North.

I mean, look at Melisandre’s face:

She’s like: “Oooohhh, it is her!” But they don’t get to interact because, you know, an army of 100,000 zombies is thriller-ing it’s way to Winterfell.

Moving forward to the next time they see each other. Arya, The Hound and Beric are escaping from some wights and Beric saves Arya’s life, but looses his flaming sword in the process and is left without a way to protect himself, so he is fatally wounded by the wights. When they find shelter in the great hall Beric finally dies, and Melisandre appears having seen the whole thing.

“The Lord brought him back for a purpose, now that purpose has been served.”

I want to believe, in my heart, that Beric knew it in the end. Right when Arya was hopelessly looking at him die, pure sadness in her eyes, he finally understood why his God had been bringing him back all these years: to save this girl. That’s why he smiles at her, because he knows he accomplished his mission and is ready to die for good.

Melisandre and Arya reminisce about the last time they saw each other, when the priestess told her about the many eyes she would shut forever. Then Melisandre hints at the “blue eyes” being those of the Night King, and Arya doesn’t hesitate. I was seriously expecting a “no, it can’t be me” moment but I’m glad it didn’t happen. When Melisandre repeated her previous words Arya immediately knew what she had to do and embraced her fate. Girl understood the lives of the whole world depended on her and she responded like a boss (you know, like Jesus during his Passion). We all know what happened next: Arya went all savior of the world on the Night King’s ass and our heroes lived to fight another day.

Here’s where a certain Biblical story kicks in:

When Jesus was born there was a man in Jerusalem called Simeon, and it had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before he had seen the Messiah (a.k.a. Jesus himself). When Joseph and Mary took Jesus to the temple courts to introduce him to God, Simeon was there and he took the baby in his arms and claimed he could now die in piece as he had seen the world’s savior.

Does it remind you of something?

Melisandre is Simeon, she wasn’t willing to die before finding TPTWP and she died right after she did.

Now what about Lightbringer, the mythical sword Azor Ahai was said to clasp and use to destroy darkness? What if Azor Ahai wielding Lightbringer is not a literal but a metaphorical statement? Beric used a flaming sword and he gave his life for Arya; it was the reason why the Lord of the Light kept bringing him back. He was “used” by Arya to survive, he even threw the damn sword at the wight that was about to kill her and was left defenseless afterwards. If he hadn’t thrown his sword Arya would’ve died and the Night King wouldn’t have been killed.

What are House Stark’s words? “Winter is Coming”. A warning of the impending darkness. If there’s one family in Westeros that knows the White Walkers and the Night King will return and that they will bring the long night with them, that is the Stark family. The fact that the person destined to end it comes from the same house that has been warning the rest of the world about the apocalypse is poetic.

Another clue in case you think I’m crazy and only wrote this shit down because I’m a crazy Arya stan (which I am but that’s not the point): at the beginning of the episode, Melisandre tells Davos there’s no need for him to kill her because she will be dead before the dawn. The dawn. The prophecy said The Prince That Was Promised would BRING THE DAWN. Arya kills the Night King and then, surprise! A few moments later the dawn comes and, as she had foreseen, Melisandre dies before seeing it, but knowing Arya has ended the Long Night and the prophecy is fulfilled. She has completed her mission and is finally ready to die.

[theultimateegghead-blog]

100 FOLLOWER MEGA SPECIAL AWESOME 10 PART EVENT TOP 100 ENEMIES                                    PART 4

Woo! Part 4! We are almost halfway there, so buckle up and get ready for some more cool enemies! Sorry for the delay, it’s the holiday season after all.

Reaper Conduit – InFamous

Enemy Status – Superhuman member of the Reaper Gang.

The Reaper gang is the first criminal organization that Cole butts heads with. Among these hooded goons exist a hierarchy and chain of command. The highest ranking and most dangerous member of this group is the Reaper conduit. Stylized by their white hoodie and tall stature, the Reaper conduit is a dangerous foe. They can war around, create shockwaves and are fairly proficient with a gun. They tend to lead other Reapers into combat and should be the top priority target when engaging a group. Due to their cool design, powers and decent threat level they win a spot on this list.

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Knight Knight – Undertale

Enemy Status – Sleepy Mercenary.

Knight Knight is a powerful mercenary hired by Mettaton to defeat the protagonist. She is armed with her morning star, aptly called the “good morning star”. Her design has somewhat odd avian features and she can be a somewhat challenging foe. She does not speak much, often only talking in one or two word sentences. She appears to be very tired and can be easily put to sleep with some singing. I find this rater adorable really. According to the good ending, she stops being a mercenary, takes a job in retail and also gets the sleep she deserves. A happy ending for her, and thus, she wins a spot on the list.

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Liquid Samurai - Shovel Knight

Enemy Status – Gelatinous warrior.

The liquid samurai is a high ranking minion of the enchantress and is charged with defending her tower. These enemies, true to their name, are samurais made out of some sort of liquid. They come in three forms. The red one specializes in swordplay, the green uses and bow and the blue one uses both, making them the most dangerous. These guys look cool, I mean, whats not to like? These Samurai warriors find themselves on the list because of their appearance and their rank.

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Sniper Joe - Mega Man Series

Enemy Status – Foot soldiers of Wily’s robot army.

These guys are one of the most common foes in Mega Man. They appear in some shape or form in almost ever game. They range from foot soldiers, pilots and even bruisers. Their appearance is pretty cool, and they can be somewhat challenging to fight as the basic foot soldier has a shield. They may not be the deadliest foes, but they are among the most present. These classic baddies win a spot on the list!

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Marksmen - The Suffering

Enemy Status – Living embodiment of a firing squad execution.

One of the most brutal methods of execution was the firing squad. This form was often reserved for war criminals, such as those who committed treason. In the suffering, all the monsters represent some form of execution, and this one is a tough one. A large bruising brute that has a weird growth on his back that has several rifles sticking out of it. This creature is one of the more dangerous foes in the early game and can be somewhat scary to go up against. While the monster design for this game is superb, these guys stood out the most for me, so they win a spot.

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Thugs - Rathcet and Clank Going Commando

Enemy Status – Brute mercenaries.

The thug is a hired goon and serves as a major antagonist force in the second Ratchet and Clank gang. These reptilian brutes are armed to the teeth with various weapons and have one goal in mind, destroy the lombax and his robot friend. When not tormenting heroes, they have company picnics and battle arena fights. I’m including them all because they are just cool and kind of intimidating, the glowing eyes and sharp teeth do a good job. Possibly the hardest part of the game is the mission where you raid their home world, they have an army waiting for you!

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Waddle Dee – Kirby

Enemy Status – Denizen of dream land.

Yep, the legendary nemesis of Kirby. The almighty divine king of war and carnage, the waddle dee. These guys just trot along at a leisurely pace, some are armed with umbrellas. These guys post almost no threat whatsoever and are even sometimes on Kirby’s side. They have appeared in almost every Kirby game as well. There isn’t much to say, they are just so cute and iconic that they make the list.

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Giant Spider - Emperor's New Groove

Enemy status – Nocturnal jungle predator.

Ok, for those of you who are new, this game was a childhood classic of mine but for the longest time I could never get past the night jungle stage. Mainly because of the boss. But we are not talking about that, we are talking about the giant spiders! These dangerous creatures only appear in the night stage and need two hits to take down, this immediately makes them a tougher foe. They can crawl around or swing from their webs. Sometimes they can be even made into a makeshift platform. I know there are a plethora of other giant spiders in video games, but these ones stand out to me due to the sheer nostalgia. So, they find a spot on the list.

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Buzz Bombers – Sonic

Enemy Status – Aerial robotic minion.

One of the first enemies Sonic has ever faced. The Buzz Bomber is a staple badnik in Robotnik’s army. They fly above sonic and try to shoot him with energy balls. They sometimes appear in groups as well. They are not the most deadly of foes, but they can still sometimes blindside the blue blur. They have had many appearances in the series and are among one of the most common enemies. There isn’t anything inherently special about its design or fighting style, but it is iconic enough to win a spot on this list.

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Dividers - Dead Space

Enemy Status – Grotesque alien parasite.

The necromorphs, macabre alien parasites that infect and mutate other species, their dead bodies serving as a host. The necromorphs come in many shapes and sizes, but one of the most frightening versions is the deadly divider. This tall menacing creature walks slow and emits eerie noises. It’s very presence is enough to send people into a panic. That’s not the worst part either. The worst part is the fact that, true to its name, it can divide into pieces and each piece has a mind of its own. The most dangerous piece is perhaps its head. This frightening monster wins a spot on this list and a place in our nightmares!

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Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays, Happy New Year, whatever saying floats your boat. Sorry, this season is busy. See you guys next time!

[dietaku]

Amazing Quest 1: Chapter 1

An older project I was part of. This isn’t going to replace Photon Breaker Zechs; just something else for you all to enjoy. This is an Infrequently Asked Questions; a walk-through for a game which doesn’t exist.

Cast:

Hiro D. Protagonist

Class: Pudding Warrior

Element: Light

Weapons: Swords/Shields

The hero of the story, he has the ability to transform into the powerful Pudding form. He also is something of an idealist and romantic; something both his party-members and enemies capitalize on (read: rib on endlessly).

Ozma Zorus Toruble

Class: Martial Princess

Element: Fire

Weapons: Knuckles

The princess of the Toruble kingdom, and practitioner of the ancient fighting art of Tsien-Do. She has many detractors (Waaa, waaaaa, MUH MOE PRINCESS) but her head-exploding effectiveness cannot be denied.

Kimyawa

Class: Ninja Elite

Element: Wind

Weapons: Shuriken

A buxom kunoichi that Hiro and Ozma rescues from the Dark Puddings, she is a cheerful young woman and also a complete glass cannon. Her toss ability, combined with her insane speed and high attack makes her popular with offensively-minded players.

Loyroll

Class: The Loyroll

Element: N/A

Weapons: Swords

Loyroll. Just Loyroll. There's really no other way to describe Kimaywa's brother. Well, alright, I'll try. Imagine Elton John and Oscar Wilde. Those two fused into one being combined with every Kurosawa hero, that's Loyroll. He fights the Dark Puddings, but only between his true calling: fighting Dinosaurs. Can you match his tempo?

Mancala

Class: Happy Merchant Mermaid

Element: Water

Weapons: Abacus

A ruthless capitalist mermaid who seeks to further her own ends, no matter the cost. This means she'll stoop to no low to keep her investments in the black. Good thing for Hiro, she's on his side, lest his life would be a living hell. Wait....

Moore

Class: Miner

Element: Earth

Weapons: Shovels

An unlucky miner who is trapped by Modt of the Dark Pudding's Heavenly Kings. If you rescue him, you gain a robust, steadfast companion, unfazed by the weirdness that Hiro seems to attract. Not that it makes the World of Dreams any more tolerable. :\

Deima

Class: Furry (Nyuck-Nyuck)

Element: N/A

Weapons: Staves

A powerful Chimera sorceress that assisted ancient Puddings seal Halst away. Her powerful magic makes her a potent ally, as does her adamant refusal to wear pants. She adds a.....unique air to Hiro's party.

Emilia the Sword God

Class: Dark Pudding Slayer

Element: N/A

Weapons: Emilia's Saber

If you manage to acquire Emilia's saber then you gain Hiro's brusque older sister as an ally. Her powerful Pease Pudding form makes her a much-needed relief to the unrelenting late-game. A shame, then, that she cannot use any weapons save her own saber.

Walk-through:

Chapter 1: From one Fire to....Another Fire!

(It is an Age of Myth. The Great Clan of Pudding has always sought to slay Evil and pursue Justice. To this end, they threw down the evil goddess Halst and sealed her in her Higher Realms. To keep her there, they made five Talismans of Power. However, in recent years, a legend of a goddess who can grant any wish if all Talismans are gathered has been circulating. Because of this, half of the Puddings have turned on their brethren. These Dark Puddings seek to dominate the world, and only their embattled cousins, the Light Puddings, can stop them....

It is an Age of Myth, and War. This is the Amazing Quest.)

(A group of people are in a house, as one runs in)

Man: The Dark Puddings are attacking!

You then take control of one of the people, the teenaged Hiro. Talk to the older looking woman In the corner with the green cloak and the blue hair.

Woman: Ah, Hiro, you're here. Those Dark Pudding bastards have arrived. I want you to get to the cellar. You're our last hope!

Hiro: But, Emilia! The Dark Puddings! They'll--

Emilia: Leave it to me! My P-Centage is the highest of our family!

(Emilia then leaves out of the door to the right)

You then take control of Emilia. Make your way outside, and you'll see the village is on fire. To the northeast is a series of turbaned soldiers and a single redheaded woman in a fez.

Fez Woman: Ah, Emilia the Sword God makes her appearance. Soldier! What is her P-Centage?

Soldier:(Fiddling with a handheld screen) It's....It's over--

Fez Woman: I swear to Lulz, if you continue down this road, you'll be sorry!

Soldier: Yes, Lady Jaydea! Her P-Centage is just short of Four Thousand.

Jaydea: Heh, I didn't think the Sword God was so weak. Soldiers! Dispose of her!

(Five soldiers surround Emilia)

Emilia: I'm getting way too elegant for this shit.

You're then thrust into a battle with five D. Pudding Soldiers. This isn't even a challenge. Merely engage Pudding Form, and use the Steam Breath attack to kill them all. Something that always gets me, though, is Emilia's arm shaking idle-motion, as if she's pleasuring her energy saber. How very phallic, Jeffcom.

Jaydea: ….Interesting...But there's one thing you did not calculate.

Emilia: That you're a punk-ass bitch?

Jaydea: You insolent little cur!

You're then thrust into battle with Jaydea. However, there's nothing you can do. After three turns, she'll engage her Pudding form, and it's over. However, for funniness' sake, use Emilia's “Choice Words” skill to make Jaydea freak out at your sick burns.

Jaydea: (Standing over Emilia's smoldering body) I think we're done here. Men! Move out!

You then take control of Hiro, and can move freely about. The Dark Puddings are no longer there, but the village, or Firstown, as the store owner tells you, is in ruins.

Pudding Elder: Hiro! You survived!

Hiro: I know, it was crazy!

Pudding Elder: I am sorry to say, your sister has passed away--

Hiro: Emilia?! NOOOOOOOOOOO

Pudding Elder: Let me finish! She and that Jaydea woman passed away over the Far Bridge, past Ddimel Nowhere! If you hurry, you can get to her! Hiro, you are the product of a breeding program to counter the Dark Puddings. Now is your chance to prove your worth!

Hiro: Wow, um, I'll do my best!

Pudding Elder: Yeah, no pressure or anything, but we're all depending on you.

Hiro: Erm, thanks.

The first thing to do after the elder tells you this is to go onto the Overworld, and grind until you reach level 5, when you get the Rice Pudding form. After you do so, make your way to the east, to a tower there. The sign calls it the Fog Tower, but its actual name in Japanese was “Toad Fortress,” so good going, translation team!

--Fog Tower--

The first thing you'll note, is that the humidity of the Tower lowers your speed significantly. Also, the tower has much tougher enemies than outside, with such lovelies as the Smooch Toad, the Friendly Frog, and the Sweaty Fly all tougher than the munchkins outside. However, you can easily get up to levels 8-9 thanks to them, so search around. The tower is pretty straightforward, and the healing fountains make it even easier. You'll find a buckler, several dengakus, and a Frog Diadem helmet.  After you get all of these items, head to the northwest, where you'll find a dog dressed in a frog costume.

Frog-Dog: Woofwoofwoof! Now, we frogs will take over the region, all thanks to those Dark Puddings!

Hiro: Um, hello! Can I go through?

Frog-Dog: Woofwoofwoof! You! And that birthmark in the shape of a submarine! You must be the one Lady Jaydea told me of! We Frogs will not stand for this!

Hiro: Um, excuse me? I'm pretty sure you're a dog, not a frog.

Dog: That is impossible! I have smooth skin and a long tongue!

Hiro: That's a costume, and you're panting.

Dog: What of my regal bearing and webbed feet?

Hiro: What about your wagging tail?

Dog: I'll smash you to Kibbles and WOOF!

--Boss Battle!--

Frog-Dog King x1

LP: 1000

MP: 250

The Frog-Dog King  is tough, unless you try Rice Pudding. Once you do, the sheer force of your awesome, stupendous...pathetically weak Pudding Form causes the King to double over with laughter, rendering him unable to act for the rest of the battle. Then, simply revert and assault him with normal attacks. If not, then prepare for “Sticky Tongue” and Water-1 to smack you to pieces. Not hard in either case, but still...

--Boss Battle!--

Frog-Dog King: WOOFWOOFWOOF! SO FUNNY! (Explodes)

Hiro: I'm the product of Pudding Eugenics, and I'm STILL this weak? What happened?

(At this, the air in the Tower cleared as the Frog-Dog's panting ceased)

At this, head outside, to find a grateful king and his entourage.

King: Ah, great Hero! You saved my castle from those detestable frogs!

Hiro: You too? It was a dog!

King: Now that the evil Frog King has been slain, we of Dimopint will happily assist against the Dark Puddings!

(At this point, the earth shakes and tosses everyone to the ground. The Fog Tower then collapses right in front of you)

King: Great God, the Dark Puddings must have [Quake Control]!

Hiro: How'd you do that?

King: Eh?

Hiro: Make something seem all important?

King: Oh, It's something that comes with the [Plot], now Hero, since you possess the [Holy Birthmark] you ought to take care of the Dark Puddings and their earthquakes! They have a camp to the southeast. Please avenge our home!

Hiro: (Grumbles)

You then need to proceed to the southeast, as directed, which will lead you to a city on the coast. You need to wait until it's night before you continue on, though, as the Dark Pudding soldiers will capture you, and therefore cause a Game Over. Once it's night, though, half of the Dark Puddings are asleep, allowing you to sneak by. Beware, though, those strange guns that they're carrying hurt, and if you alert them, they'll call more to compensate any you manage to defeat. Once you reach the middle of the city, there's a small building labeled “ Headquarters” enter there to find another dungeon, the Dark Pudding Underground.

--Dark Pudding Underground--

The Dark Pudding Underground is an interesting place. Apparently, the Dark Puddings either drilled directly into Hell or somehow managed to safely harness lava for their own purposes. Anyways, the path is straightforward, with few dead ends. I recommend leveling to 10 here before proceeding on to the end. You'll see why. After you find a rope bridge going north, be warned, a boss awaits you.

(Hiro walks across a bridge to see Jaydea conversing with a gigantic man wearing a metal helmet and another turbaned soldier)

Jaydea: The Light Puddings are no more, save for that so-called “God of Swords”

Man: We'll find a use for her soon enough. What of the search for the Talismans?

Soldier: (Pulls a silk sheet off a podium, revealing a gleaming brown jewel) My Lord, Zoddon, we have found it! The Earth Talisman!

Zoddon: Excellent, with this, our ambition is almost within our grasp.

Hiro: Hey! What are you doing? Where's Emilia?

Zoddon: Who is this?

Jaydea: Some pipsqueak of the Light Puddings. With the Sword God in our possession they have no notable fighters left.

Zoddon: Is that so? Boy, I'll say this for your own sake. Go back. This world...is corrupt. We of the Dark Puddings need to execute this ambition, for your sake, ours' and the entire World.

Hiro: And you burned down my village and kidnapped my sister for....what exactly?

Zoddon: I tire of this. Jaydea, dispose of him...

Jaydea: Torzus, dispose of him.

Torzus: (The soldier from earlier) Yes, my lady!

Zoddon: If you manage to survive this era, then come to see me again. I will be in the city of Gemadne on the Far Continent.

Hiro: You'll see!

(Jaydea and Zoddon step on a blue circle to the right and warp off)

Torzus: Don't forget about me, fool!

--Boss Battle!--

Torzus x1

Vulcan Machine x1

Torzus Stats

LP: 2000

MP: 300

Vulcan Machine Stats

LP: 1000

MP: 0

Torzus is difficult not because of himself, but because of the machine behind him. Every so often, he'll use the “Torzus fiddled with the Vulcan Machine” action, and you'll take 40+ damage due to seismic activity. The trick is to focus on the Vulcan Machine, until it dies, which will kill Torzus.

--Boss Battle!--

Torzus: Ugh, my brothers will avenge me!

(Torzus shifts the range dial to “Entire Continent” and smashes the ignition, as the machine hums and sparks dangerously)

Torzus: (Salutes) LIFE AND PROSPERITY TO EMPEROR ZODDON! (Explodes)

Hiro: Again with the exploding. I hope I don't do that.

Quickly, interact with the machine, which describes the “Massive energy flowing out of the machine.” It then asks if you'd like to remove the Earth Talisman. Do so, and then walk over to the blue circle where Zoddon and Jaydea warped out of. There's actually a hidden timer here, and if thirty seconds pass without you getting the Earth Talisman and walking over to the circle, then you'll get a Game Over, as the city explodes, and you get the message that “The Era of War never Ended”

However, if you DO...

Hiro: WARP!

(Nothing happens and the shaking grows stronger)

Hiro: Uh....WARP! WARP! WARP! PLEASE!

(The circle begins to spark)

Hiro: Oh, Cra--

(The entire Dark Pudding Camp explodes violently, collapsing into the earth, as Hiro is launched violently into the sky)

(Meanwhile, in nearby Toruble, a Pyrophobics Anonymous picnic is taking place, as a flaming star descends on it)

Hiro: -AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAP!

(The Picnic is then consumed by the impact, leaving a smoldering crater, which a large, muscle-bound woman looks into)

[themasterofcider]

Reasons to Ship Markus & North (Marth/Norkus) 03.1

They're Attached at the Hip

Almost from the moment Markus arrives at Jericho he and North seem to gravitate to each other. While it's true he shows affiliations and bonds with all his advisors/generals (North, Simon, Josh, and Lucy respectively), he and North share a special relationship. They spend the most time together regardless of which route you take (Pacifist, Violent, or Neutral), and almost never leave each other's side. This could be for many reasons. Such as them being selfless, natural born (made?) leaders, driven, unapologetically devoted to rights for their people, innate comfort or trust, or just plain physical attraction. Some of these I've already discussed (others I plan to), so let's delve into the moments of them together. (AKA: Strap in y'all cause this is gonna be a long one)

Let's begin at the raid on the Cyberlife warehouse, shall we? While they're running towards the building we hear North calling Markus over to her. I'm not quite sure why she wants this newcomer at her side, but she does. Of course, the player doesn't have to follow her. The fact that she insists we do says something about her want for him to be near her. We also see that she protects him from detection using her arm as a block. The devs could have easily given that role to Simon or Josh, but they did not. Proof that even then they're sowing the seeds of a relationship. Jumping ahead a bit we get to Markus having the option to steal a key to get a truckload of biocomponents and blue blood. If you choose to go through with the plan, North eagerly volunteers to join him. When he succeeds she even rides shotgun with him. Again we see this dynamic very early of them wanting to be beside each other all the time. It's interesting and pretty sweet. I do wonder why North wants to be around him this soon. Perhaps it's admiration or that she lowkey liked him already.

Next is the Stratford Tower broadcast. When Markus hatches a plan Simon and Josh hesitate, North doesn't. She's ready to roll with him whenever. Markus just needs to give the word. This goes briefly back to my last point of her probably already being into or at least in awe of him. During their break in (probably not the right word, but "heist" and "invasion" don't fit either) the first one Markus meets up with is North. He made this plan, so he could've chosen anyone else, but he wanted to work most closely with her. Even the game confirms this should you delve into the extras menu. It says Markus knew "there was only one woman for the job." He likely picks her for these reasons: she's down to ride for the sake of her people regardless of the consequences, she's another leader (see my Reasons to Ship 02 post), and maybe he admires her and likes her in the same way I think she does to him. I mean he checks on her after they scale the building before anything else, and if you as a player make any lapse in judgment she picks up the slack immediately, but I digress.

There's also the scene where they liberate androids from the Detroit Cyberlife stores. We learn from Markus that he's divided the groups into teams to get the job done. Guess who he picks to go with him? North. As the boss he could choose anyone he wants, and he wants her. During the mission they stick together like glue with North providing much needed backup. She even remarks "What would you do without me?" It's a good question. What would he do without her? Probably be lonelier and lose the person who's essentially his partner in crime. We also see North riding shotgun once again when he steals the truck to break through the glass. I'm starting to think she likes it when he drives, but that's just me. Once the androids are freed we have an option to vandalize the park. Should you be more violent there are some nice Marth/Norkus moments in here. If you choose to destroy the bus stop, Markus struggles a bit until North strolls up from nowhere and chucks a cinderblock through it with a little smirk on her face. There's them working together to push or knock over cars. We also have them scaling the wall to put the revolution symbol on the side of the building. Its a moment that I really enjoy, because I think it fits their characters and their relationship ridiculously well. The two are standing above everyone, watching their dreams of freedom come to reality. It's like they're basking in the moment. They do this mostly in silence as too, which is pretty cool. The king and queen of the revolution staring down at their subjects is a powerful image in my opinion. When all of that is done the cops show up, and the androids flee. Marth/Norkus have a brief dialogue until she leaves him to catch up with the others. Upon hearing gunshots Markus runs to see what happened. There are the bodies of his people lying on the ground, but he hardly glances at those. He makes a beeline right for North. He doesn't check on the fallen, doesn't go to the mass of where the rest of the androids are. North appears to be his first priority. Pretty impressive, since this is one of the few times Markus puts his own emotional needs first. If this doesn't validate North's statement I don't know what will. He'd be lost without his right hand woman.

We then have their iconic rooftop scene. This moment probably doesn't need much more explanation, but we're here to overanalyze (and it's precious af, how can we not spaz?) Markus clearly went there to be alone and gather his thoughts, but North shows up. She admits she was looking for him. It's really cute, especially since they've only known each other for a day or two. She likes him so much she can't stand to have him out of her sight even for a moment. I know you can be more distant with her, but I don't believe you can directly push her away (correct me if I'm wrong.) This in itself is extremely telling from a writing perspective as well. Based on everything else we've seen, you're meant to be in the camp of this couple and  totally on board with their relationship. Anyhow, Markus allows North into his space, and the two open up to one another. Markus reveals his reservations or confidence about the android rights movement and his past with Carl. We also learn that he kept his past quiet from everyone, and North is the first person he tells. It's a pretty important step, since he does so with minimal hesitation. An even bigger deal is North talking about what happened to bring her to Jericho. It's obvious from the way she talks that she's kept her previous life as well as how it affected her buried. How can anyone blame her? The woman was a sex slave who had her memories wiped every two hours until she had an epiphany that led her to kill a man. I can't pretend to know what victims of sexual assault go through, but I understand it's agonizing. The fact that she trusted Markus enough to tell him something she'd not told anyone else is huge. Especially when it's clear how hard it was for her. North is in tears and is ready to close herself off again the memories were so painful. Before I go on, let me say that if you're a victim of sexual assault, you don't have to tell anyone what happened to you to prove you trust them. You're valid in wanting to keep that part of your life secret or even regretting telling someone about it. Cope however you need to. In the context of the game I'm just saying it's a big deal in terms of North's character. Not for everyone in real life. After this, Markus goes on to comfort her by connecting their palms in a way that allows them to share memories. This is a huge moment. Imagine being comfortable enough with someone to let them see every memory you've ever had. That opens so much room not only for intimacy but to be taken advantage of. North knows this, which is why she flees after the fact.

Continuing on there's the march. From the moment the four Jericho leaders enter the scene we're greeted by Markus and North standing side by side. It makes sense, as by this point they're official. I still find it adorably amusing that they are so compelled to be beside each other. When confronted by the police they end up being next to each other again. This is the point where I'm sure I'll deviate from some of you, because anytime I play this scene I choose to fight. So if I'm missing anything from the stand your ground option or if you had a different experience, I apologize in advance. Markus leads the charge with his advisors running with him. The battle is harsh and a lot of androids fall, but guess who doesn't? North. She's right with him almost every step of the way. They're covering each other, standing back to back with guns drawn determinedly pushing back their foes until their side is victorious. I could be wrong, but Markus doesn't have this perfectly in sync battle with anyone else. Simon and John can die for him, but as far as I know they don't get a grand scene with him like North does. As a side note, I really screwed this fight up the first time, so North and Markus didn't get the chance to work together like the above. When I saw it on my most recent playthrough the energy was high. Even if you don't ship them how can you not get excited with two warrior friends fighting side by side, perfectly connected for a noble cause? While not a very eloquent way to put it, that scene is so damn cool. It's heart pounding, and we want them to succeed.

I'm sorry this is so big. I wrote an essay, and I'm sorry. That's why I'm cutting it in half. There's so much to talk about. Way more than I planned, and I don't wanna make it a pain to scroll through the tag. The other part will be out in a few days.

[friendlyunclej]

In Need of a Home

Prologue

     A war rages over the head of three lost souls who fled the carnage of steel and magic into a sewer system beneath one of the most powerful cities in all of Baicia. These three vagrants were part of a clan close to a hundred and fifty strong when they sieged the city of Tyriok. Scouts of their clan took the identities of normal bystanders and homeless folk, making them suspiciously disappear to replace them. Even from what information they could gather, they were sorely under prepared for the hellfire they brought upon themselves. The three who escaped into the sewer systems were the smart ones, intelligent enough to know that they were facing a losing battle. However, they weren’t fast enough to prevent one of their own from catching an arrow in his hip.

     Limping with the help of his two closest allies, the man said, “The sewers are like a labyrinth. We can find easy shelter in there until we figure out our next steps.”

     The man holding up his left side asked, “By ‘next steps’, I’m assuming you mean ‘regrouping with the rest of the clan to plan a counterattack’?”

     The woman holding up the wounded man’s right side responded, “Don’t be such a fool, darling. What survivors remain from the clan will never be willing to attack Tyriok again. They’ll all go back to the smaller towns and villages to take an easier life.”

     Setting their wounded friend down after almost a hundred yards of distance between them and the entrance to the sewers, he said, “She’s right. The rest of the clan don’t share the same vision as we do. None of them will be willing to fight alongside us again.”

     Keeping an eye on the crack in the stonework they used as an entrance, his male friend said, “In such a case, we can’t risk a direct attack anymore with it only being us three. We’ll need to dismantle them from the inside then we can bring the others-”

     “Screw the others!” the woman shouted, seething in fury, “If they’re too weak to stand with us, they’re too weak to join us in this city.”

     “If that’s so, we’ll need a new family,” the man still staring at their entrance retorted, “Despite how powerful you are in the mystic arts, darling, we’ll need more numbers to ensure our survival. I know I may be strong and our leader may be cunning, but we’ll need more than just the three of us from now on.”

     Their leader, jerking the arrow from his hip, exclaimed, “Then we turn the city into our family. They’re stronger than we could imagine. We become one of them, we gain their knowledge and training.”

     Stepping closer to the crack in stone where they entered, the other man whispered to them, “We’ll need new skins, then. Skins they haven’t seen much of. Skins we could turn into our own.”

     “Preferably, good looking ones for me and the stalker over there,” the woman said, wrapping a torn piece of cloth she scavenged from one of the warriors she killed around her leader’s wound, “Sorry, boss, but you’ll need something a bit more ‘homely’, if you get what I’m talking about.”

     Wincing at the pain as she tightens the wrap around his body, the leader said, “A less attractive skin would be ideal for me. Noone expects the ugly duckling to be the one pulling the strings.”

     Leering through the crack in the wall, the ‘stalker’ responded under his breath, “We’ll get just that chance. They’ve parted into searching parties and I see the perfect three skins. A handsome sword dancer for me. A ravishing spell caster for you, Darling. A rather rotund, gray-haired scroll carrier for you, boss.”

     “Good, get their attention as you’ve done a thousand times before. Approach-” their leader began to say just as the stalker interrupted.

     “ ‘Wounded and scared to lower their swords and pique their interest,’ yeah, yeah. It’ll only take a moment,” he finished, transforming his normally featureless pale blue body into the guise of a wounded soldier he himself killed during the battle.

Old Problems with New Lives

     Weeks after the failed siege of Tyriok, all the surviving doppelgangers fled back to the lives they had stolen for themselves before being talked into trying to take Tyriok. All except for the three who took new skins to live in Tyriok. In the three weeks that past, reparations were quickly made to the crack in the stonework of the sewer system and life for the citizens of Tyriok returned to normal.       The ruler of the city, King Sigfried, was still a sour and surly son of a bitch. He was once a revered leader of the city, loved by every citizen under his rule and described as the most “caring and gentle” king they had for decades. However, the years were not kind as they stole from him the only two things he kept the crown for: his first wife and his only daughter.       His first wife was taken from him when a botched assassination attempt made the poison in his goblet slip between his wife’s lips instead of his own. Many attempts on his life had been made before, and each would-be Kingslayer was dealt with utilizing precision and tact. This was the first assassin that Sigfried himself hunted down without the aid of any guards. It was also the first criminal that was made an example of by being brought to the pristine, cut stone steps of the House on the Hill, or his Castle as some would describe it. The man’s throat was slit by a blade Sigfried himself dulled in front of the entire city whom he made an audience of.      His daughter was stolen from him due to an unfortunate accident involving the massive cliffside the House on the Hill resided on. At least, that’s what Sigfried told the citizens after his beloved daughter committed suicide a few weeks after her mother’s assassin’s execution. After her mother’s death, her father neglected her to hunt down the man. For years, she blamed herself for her mother’s death, having grabbed at her father’s goblet to taste it while he wasn’t looking. Her mother drank it so that she wouldn’t and died because of it. That didn’t truly push her over the edge. What did was seeing her father treat a man so brutally when all her mother did was speak of forgiveness and compassion, even in the worst of times. Believing herself to be the true culprit behind her mother’s demise and seeing her own father become a monster she could barely recognize, she couldn’t stomach what had become of her life anymore. With tears streaming from her eyes, she watched as the sharp rocks at the base of the cliff rushed to meet her, taking the only comfort she had in years from the wind rushing through her hair.      Now, I tell you all this, and currently break my usual narration, so as to help illustrate that there was good in King Sigfried. Good which had all been erased by the time he took his second wife, which was against her will but still rightfully deserved.      Within Tyriok City, those who ruled must first be proven the most intelligent in the city. Kings and queens would go through a competition against any person who would challenge their crown. Starting from the simplest equations that needed to be solved to the demand for the creation of a unique machine to solve a city’s problem, it would be a week long stressing of the mind to prove who had the better intellect. The one to prove that would be a woman named Beatrice, the lover of King Sigfried’s most valued guard and greatest soldier. That fact didn’t hesitate the king from making her the new queen. Even hearing his own trusted guard and friend, Sebastian, practically beg him to not take her for his own, Sigfried made for certain that his old friend’s voice fell on deaf ears, the same old friend who consulted on every wartime strategy to make certain that every man who could comeback alive did.      At his most vulnerable and most unstable, it was no wonder that King Sigfried would be so easily persuaded to take on a new group of overseers after a month or so.

     “So, how do you like your new skin, Boss?” asks his right hand man, sat across from him at a table at the local tavern.

     Sipping a cup of tea as he jotted notes on to a group of nearby scrolls, the leader answered, “Call me ‘Karlffson’ or ‘Karl’ from now on, that’s this skin’s proper name. Although I hadn’t perceived the odd benefits that would come with being so rotund, I will admit that it is rather enjoyable to be able to balance a full plate of food on my stomach while I sit back on a rocking chair to take notes. How about you two?”

     The woman, stretching and guiding her hands seductively down her own body, responded, “I’ve been in love with this skin since I morphed into it. I couldn’t dream of a better one than ‘Hildin’ here. What makes it better is that she had an extensive knowledge of magic and potions so I can actually improve my own skills-”

     Guiding his hand down around her side, the right hand man adds in, “While I improve mine as well, both on and off the battlefield as good old ‘Roland’ here. His reflexes are sharp, his tongue is even sharper, and he knows his way around a blade just as well as he does-”

     “A woman’s body. Yes, I know. You two have kept me up a number of nights already. Despite how thick these stone walls are, you two moaning and groaning still somehow make it to my room,” Karl told them, visibly disturbed by the thought of it.

     “C’mon, Karl,” Roland said, leaning back in contempt, “We’ve been here for almost a month now. How long until we take this place as our own?”

     “Soon,” Karl responds, sipping tea and writing more on his scrolls.

     “How soon?” Hildin asks, jamming a fork into her breakfast sausage, “This place is prone to attacks. There’s already been sightings of orcs nearing the city walls.”

     Taking a bite from his biscuit, Karl tells her, “Which will only aid in our future endeavors. The king will need help soon, desperate for guidance after he reduced his best adviser to a simple bartender. All he needs is the proper push and an impending Orcish siege will be perfect, especially if a few get through the walls.”

     Rubbing his chin and smiling with a new idea, Roland added in, “Which we can ensure if they simply get some help from fate.”

     “See, Roland is getting it,” Karl stated, turning his scrolls over to reveal his etchings, “And, if this isn’t enough, a little plague scare with a few missing citizens helps get the citizens to push him even further.”

     Holding a vial of dark ichor, Hildin provided, “Couple that with a slight sickness we could turn into a bedridden existence, we’ll be running the whole city soon after.”

     “That’s correct,” Karl said, slowly rolling his scrolls up to return them to his satchel, “Now, the Orcs need to attack soon, so helping them will be our immediate concern. Additionally, we’re already in the beginning of fall, which means fogs will begin to become prevalent in the region. We use that to kidnap a few people and spread rumors of a plague.being responsible for not only those disappearances, but the King’s sudden sickness.”

     “What about the unforeseen issues?” Roland adds in, “What if we actually have someone who can suss out a real plague from a false one?”

     “That won’t matter if the entire populace of the city believes it’s a plague,” Karl answered with confidence, “If the entire city believes it’s a plague too terrifying to walk outside uncovered, they won’t even dare to challenge the possibility of the plague being fake until told otherwise.”

     “I can even cast some magic to make some corpses look more decrepit to match a previous plague from the city’s history,” Hildin supports.

     “See,” Karl states, leaning back with a pleasant smile on his face, “All angles are covered. Now, we just wait for the right time.”

     “And hope none of the wild myths about the city’s sewers are true, or else we’ll be facing an army of Beholders pretty soon,” Roland added in, barely holding back a chuckle while the others followed suit.

Epilogue

     The three doppelgangers were able to enjoy their new lives for a while as everything went according to plan for a few months.      Orcs began their siege just a week after receiving some more explosive help, courtesy of some dumbfounded miners. At that same time, King Sigfried started to show sign of illness, which many citizens put to his age. Being only human and almost eighty, every citizen of every race thought he had a foot in the grave. Everyone, including the king himself, panicked when the rumors of an actual plague began to get around the city. Believing that the sickness could actually be a plague, King Sigfried quarantined himself to a tower still in construction, hoping to keep the sickness as far as from his people as possible. In the case he would die, he even had plans for his own “family”.      None would be more pleased about his death than his then-wife, Queen Beatrice, and her still secret lover, Sebastian. However, their young daughter still referred to the king as her “father” and the king still believed her, so he had them sent away at first dawn.      As they were sent away, Sebastian stayed and quelled the more volatile emotions within the city, proving himself to be the rightful leader of the city. At least, he did to the majority of the city. The three advisers who were hand picked by the King, now being called “The Tribunal”, never cared much for Sebastian no matter how loved he was by the city.      It also helped that the King seemed to have barred himself in his own castle and never left, leaving the citizens to believe that either the plague got him or he had turned so malevolent that he had left his own people to face it alone.      With everything going so well for them, the three doppelgangers finally felt at home in a city that would never accept their true faces. They didn’t care, though. They had new lives and everything they could have hoped for soon to be in their grasp. 

     If there was something to break their stride, it would have to be ridiculously cunning...or ridiculously unpredictable.

[recentanimenews]

Is That Another JoJo Reference?! JoJo's Bizarre Adventure References in Non-Anime Media!

In our previous article, we took a look at the many ways that various anime have paid homage to JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure, from small sight-gags to extended visual parodies, the amount of creators who felt some love for the series was easy to find! But what about in non-anime media? It isn’t always easy to make a JoJo pose seem tonally correct in your video game, music video, live action  TV show, comic, or other media after all, but these creators we found had more creative and interesting ways of paying homage back to Hirohiko Araki and his amazing series. Much like our first article, we’ll be keeping these reference sightings up to Part 5 only to avoid spoiling any of the future fun, and do be warned that some of these references might be spoilers for past JoJo seasons. Overall, the range of these references varies from minor cameos and callbacks to characters and situations being developed with JoJo characters in mind, so let’s get right into it and take a look at the various non-anime JoJo references we’ve found!

It probably comes as no surprise, but musicians and JoJo go together pretty well. Many of the original names and influences for the series come from Araki’s love of various types of musical genres and artists, and it seems that they love him right back! Numerous singers and even idol groups in Japan have given the nod to their favorite JoJo poses and characters, with some even going as far as reaching out to meet Araki as superfans themselves. Hello! Project’s ANGERME and Iikubo Haruna have done various JoJo inspired poses in their blogs and choreography, even recreating the infamous “Go Go Go” SFX with their arms! The iconic Kyary Pamyu Pamyu is a huge fan of the JoJo series, often making JoJo poses in her own videos, such as in "PONPONPON," and even wearing JoJo themed merchandise, going so far as to even name one of her pet dogs JoJo.

Perhaps one of the most famous idols, Shoko Nakagawa (AKA Shokotan) is a notoriously huge fan of the JoJo series, busting out JoJo poses so often that she even injured herself doing Narancia’s pose on stage, breaking her tailbone! Her devotion has paid off, however, as Shokotan got to meet Araki to interview him! Shoko’s interview even lead to Araki making a special stand, Love Note, with an interesting origin involving... Shokotan and Jotaro’s child?! Outside of Japan, the group Starbomb included Giorno’s “I have a dream” pose in their video for “SMASH!,” with Luigi of all characters striking the iconic pose!

  Some of the most interesting homages to JoJo pop up in various video games, with some being blatantly obvious, and others needing developers to pull back the curtain and reveal their true intentions! Given the nature of JoJo’s storyline of vampires and supernatural powers, it might not be surprising at all to learn that the Castlevania series has featured numerous nods to the JoJo series throughout its legendary run. Castlevania Symphony of the Night features a Stone Mask, and it makes another appearance in Curse of Darkness. There are a few “Ora ora ora” references laced throughout various Castlevania equipments and attacks, and Dawn of Sorrow features a fight at a clock tower against an enemy named Zephyr who can stop time and throws knives… Now, where have we heard of someone like that before?

    Speaking of stopped time, the DOTA 2 hero Faceless Void seems to have some JoJo influenced nods to everyone’s favorite vampire. His ultimate ability, Chronosphere, stops time for anyone caught in it but himself for a few seconds, sure seems coincidental, but his model also adopts a similar pose to DIO’s classic WRYYYYYY! pose while casting it. In a recent update to the game, Phantom Assassin got a new splash image featuring her in Jonathan’s pose for her unique cosmetic set, the Bloodroot Guard. In Persona 5, the main character is given a choice to answer the question “What is the name of the phenomenon where the second hand looks like it stops moving?,” with one of the choices being “The World.” And in the fighting game Skullgirls, DIO is referenced numerous times between characters Valentine, Peacock, and Eliza. Valentine can stop time, Peacock drops a steamroller on her foes, and Eliza features an obvious color palette reference to DIO’s classic Part 3 outfit! The game also features Big Band, a character who has a move where he shouts “Tuba Tuba Tuba,” similar to “ora ora ora” or “muda muda muda,” depending on how you hear that in your head. Night Warriors: Darkstalker’s Revenge has a few nods to DIO as well, with a design sketch of Donovan by Takenori Kimoto posing like DIO in one of the art books; more interesting, Donovan, known for his ability to summon various spirits to aid him in battle, also has a sketch where he summons Abbachio’s Moody Jazz!

    In a series already filled with lots of crazy references and homages to other anime and video games, it probably comes as no surprise that the Danganronpa series has numerous JoJo references throughout its titles. Some of these appear in both the games and anime, such as Junko posing as DIO and her penchant for quoting “Muda muda muda,” while others are specific to the games, such as Super Danganronpa 2’s Hanamura saying he can taste if people are lying, Monokuma using a Heaven’s Door like ability, and there’s even a reference to the Bow & Arrow, called the Meteorite Arrowhead. Some other fun references include Mondo, whose hairstyle (and attitude regarding it) seem like they might be related to Josuke, a reference cemented in place when players learn that his biker gang is called Crazy Diamond! These JoJo references likely don’t come as much surprise, considering Naegi’s initial introductory comments about not having a Stand, but the dedication to weaving them into the various games, and in somewhat natural ways, is pretty impressive!

    Speaking of Polnareff, video game designers must have loved him, because aside from poses and thematic references, Polnareff’s mere existence may have had the most influence on game design of the entire JoJo series! Katsuhiro Harada, the director of the Tekken series, directly cites Polnareff as inspiration for series mainstay Paul Phoenix’s iconic hairstyle and first name. Tekken features a few other nods to JoJo, with Jin and Kazuya having gloves similar to Star Platinum’s, and Tekken 7’s newcomer Claudio not only poses like DIO, but can even equip an “Ancient Mask.” In the King of Fighters series, Benimaru Nikaido is another clear homage to Polnareff, again sporting a unique and reminscient hair style and style of dress, and in fact, Benimaru looks so much like Polnareff that developers of the game referred to him internally as “Polnareff!”

    A few other references pop up in King of Fighters, with Leona Heidern’s Earring Bomb 2: Heart Attack special move is an homage to Yoshikage Kira’s Heart Attack. Leona can either wait for the bomb to explode, or detonate it on her own, much like Kira’s Deadly Queen, and Leona’s voice line upon detonation, “You’ve lost in the end,” is similar Kira’s “You’ve lost in death” line. Another King of Fighter character, Mian, has an attack called Rangurenbu that has her shouting “Ariariariariari,” just like Bucciarati! Finally, Street Fighter’s Guile owes his creation to Polnareff, who started as the base model for the character, according to producer Noritaka Funamizu. Ironically, a dev decided to play with Guile’s sprite, and his hair spread to look a bit more like Stroeheim’s, which stuck! The name “Guile” is even a reference to “J. Geil,” Polnareff’s archenemy! Street Fighter has quite a few obvious nods, most notably Rose, who wears a nearly identical outfit to Lisa Lisa, who also hails from Venice.

    There are many more one-off references to be found in various games. Persona Q has a quick segment where the Persona 4 cast pose as various JoJo characters. The original Ninja Gaiden game decorates a stage with Stone Masks and Pillar Men, while Senran Kagura 2 has a few clothing options for Mirai that directly reference Star Platinum and The World. Shin Megami Tensei: Strange Journey has a reference to the Sword of Anubis with the equipment Cursed Sarai, stating that it is the “Sword of Anubis that drives victims mad,” and an attack ability called Bites the Dust, which inflicts Bomb status on a target who then explodes during their next activation!

  The Touhou Project games have numerous soft references to JoJo sprinkled throughout, with characters such as Remilia and Yuugi making a few references to the series, but the most obvious is Sakuya Izayoi. Sakuya has the ability to stop time, and throw knives! Other references might be quick and hard to miss, such as Yakuza 0’s quick and cheeky nod to the JoJo series: During a fight with a secret boss whose first name is simply “Jo,” Goro Majima (the best boy in Yakuza, by the way), thinks to himself afterwards what that “Jo” guy’s deal was and what a “bizarre adventure” it was to fight him.

  When you move away from video games and music, it’s interesting to see where JoJo references might pop up; after all, many of these mentioned were still developed by Japanese teams and artists, meaning that JoJo likely played a big part in entertaining them growing up or while they worked. But if you were to look towards American comics, you might find some odd homages! Now, one of the most infamous is a comic known as Diesel, which isn’t so much an homage as it was an adaptation (for lack of a better term; it really just takes the entire plot and renames and Americanized people and locations) of the Fool and Iggy storylines of Part 3. The comic was pretty obscure, but got attention in 2016 when the Stardust Crusaders anime hit, and became a source of some odd laughs and memes.

  For an actual homage, X-Man Annual has a page where the Hulk gains some very unique yellow armor, making him look like The World! In the Archie Comics’ Sonic the Hedgehog comics, quite a few little references found their way into the Off Panel section in the back of the book. In issue 270, Sonic and Knuckles face off (with Sonic as Kenshiro and Knuckles dressed as Jotaro) in “manliest anime” challenge, and in the first issue of Sonic Boom’s spin off comic, another Off Panel segment features Knuckles posing like Joseph, complete with a green scarf!

  Western television and web shows have also made a few nods to the series. Adult Swim’s anime inspired Ballmasterz:9009 character Chimpendale strikes Jonathan’s pose at one point. One of the most overt and direct references to the series happens in NBC’s Heroes, with Hiro Nakamura writing in his blog that he wants to “Be like JoJo and go on adventures,” with Part 3 being his favorite. Beyond a few mentions to other JoJo characters in his blog throughout the series run, Hiro’s superpower shares quite a few similarities to that of DIO and Jotaro, as Hiro is able to stop time! Even the grim, dark future of the 41st Millenium of Warhammer 40,000 isn’t safe from JoJo references, as the popular parody series If the Emperor Had a Text to Speech Device by Bruva Alfabusa on Youtube features three characters called the “The Fabulous Custodes,” who look suspiciously like a few half-naked superhumans!

    It seems that JoJo fever is worldwide, with creators from all over the world, in various media and genres, have all worked in ways to pay respect to Hirohiko Araki’s unique and wonderful series. As JoJo's Bizarre Adventure continue through Part 5 and gain more and more followers, we can only assume that these fun nods to Araki’s world will continue; we even left a few off because they’d spoil some of the fun of Part 5, so consider this just a small taste of the influence Araki has had. So while you’re enjoying the new season of JoJo, keep your eyes peeled for other references in shows you’re watching, games you’re playing, and even music you’re listening to; you never know where a JoJo reference might pop-up!

Know any other JoJo references you flipped for? Let us know in the comments!

----

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

[osmw1]

Poison-Wielding Fugitive   Chapter 1

Unngghhh…

As I tap away at the keyboard, programming to the specs of the project, a zombie-like groan escapes from my mouth. How many all-nighters in a row has it been already? They call it a death march, but this is beyond that.

A few days ago, a guy in the next section over jumped in front of a train. The memory is still fresh in my mind. Will it be me tomorrow? Today? The thought keeps crossing my mind. God damn it. And I thought slavery had already been abolished. Yet I’m basically a slave to this company. When we had a moment of silence for the guy who died, the president was even spouting bullshit like how the company wouldn’t be profitable if not for unpaid overtime. If the company is at that level already, unpaid overtime won’t suddenly make it viable! I hope you guys go bankrupt after I find a new job!

Why did I even choose this place… I’m at wit’s end already. My name is Kogure Yukihisa. I’m 26-years old and a productive member of society for over four years. I work as a software engineer at a sweatshop of a company. Well, I knew there were a lot of jobs like this from the start. But still, when I was being interviewed as a university student, every last one of these companies seemed to be as shitty as each other.

According to my friend from school who gave me a referral to this job, everywhere else is just as bad. The world is just full of these fuckin’ sweatshops. Fuck those clients who change everything at the last minute. Fuck the bosses who dump all the work on us grunts and leave on time every day. Fuck the temp workers who sometimes get paid better than us full-timers. Fuck the part-timers too. Fuck everyone! If you’re gonna change the specifications, pay us for the work we’ve already done! Dipshits! You’re all just brainless sheep! With my urge to kill rising, I slam down on the enter key for the last time, wrapping up this project.

Wheeew.

Completely exhausted, I hang my head down in front of my computer and let out a sigh. There are a lot of coworkers on a death march much like me. They all have their own work to do and can’t spare the time looking at other people. Another guy in my department is slumped over his desk, looking like as if he were dead.

“All dooone?” “All dooone.”

There wasn’t any strength left in our words. I gently lift my head to check the clock. Ugh… it’s already five in the morning. I don’t even have time to go home. They take no excuses from grunts like me who have to be here by eight o’clock sharp.

At any rate, even though we’re done with this project, I think we’ll have to be on stand-by for the next one. Just thinking about it makes my blood boil. The next deadline draws nearer. How much fuller are you gonna cram this schedule, you bastards?

Gotta calm down. My body is already tattered. I can’t risk burning out and dropping out. I wish I knew some kind of magic to somehow escape from this hellhole. Otherwise I’m just gonna die here like this.

“…”

There’s only three hours left. Out from under my desk, I take out my sleeping bag and slip into it. How lucky I am to get three hours of sleep. I’ll change and take my dirty clothes to a coin laundry at lunch. Then, some time in the evening, I’ll hit up a bathhouse nearby. I get to do that once every three days or so.

Speaking of which, how long has it been since I’ve gone home? With the time I could spend thinking about that, I use it to sleep instead. With the groans of zombies and clacking of keyboards in the background, I fall asleep like a warrior after an arduous fight. Ah. Lying down feels so good. I could sleep forever.

“I’ve found you, dragon!” “… you lot sure are persistent.”

The foolish human soldiers shouted at me, a dragon flying in the sky. Humans are but easy prey to me. However, I have no such interest in destroying them. If not for them being such an annoyance, like flies in my face, I would not even try to involve myself with them. Yet, these humans fly through the sky, plotting something nefarious. The magical barrier erected is nought but a hindrance to me. … killing them now would be too heavy-handed. I shall scare them away and destroy their barrier.

Truly, humans are pests to wherever they propagate. What do they stand to gain by defeating me? I stop beating my wings to land in front of the leader of these humans. A battle of magic begins.

They put down magic circles after magic circles. Almost all of them are protective spells to prevent human casualties. … what a bothersome way to fight.

However, there will be no casualties in a battle with me. Though troublesome, humans are tenacious. If I were to such carelessly kill one of them, it would be a spark for a war involving all of mankind. Even with multiple copies of me, it would still cost considerable time to fight off all humans. I shall cast my mighty Flame of Megiddo and incinerate their armor.

With a mighty roar, I breathe out a scorching blaze.

I cause the vanguard major damage. The smell of burning flesh permeates the air. With fine control, my flames dealt most of the damage to the ones wearing armor, narrowly avoiding causing deaths amongst the humans.

“Villainous dragon!”

The leader charges to the frontlines. In a set of pure white armor, this warrior—a representative of the humans—brandishes a sword enchanted with anti-magic properties. He cuts through my magic, defending himself. However, seeing his ally behind him taking full brunt of the attack, the warrior shouts in a rageful voice. How does he ignore the fact that he was the one instigating this fight? Not only that, but he has the nerve to victimize himself… This generation is all talk. No matter what, they have to feign being just.

I have a life of my own to live. I wish not to perish. Humans do not seem to understand that fact. In any case, I would prefer to quickly escape from this predicament. If threats will not work, then I shall bring down Heavenly Thunder to smite their sorcerers conjuring the barrier. Know thy place! I am merely holding back on you lot!

“From the moment you were imprisoned within our barricade, you had no chance of victory. Take this!”

The warrior raised his sword towards me. For a dragon like me, a hero’s sword is needed to cut through. Wielding even a sword made of dragon scales would be a fruitless endeavor. However, not only is the warrior’s sword not one of a hero’s, a hero’s sword has to choose to slay a dragon. I am brimming with confidence that I am not the dragon chosen by that sword.

I need not to defend against his attack. I shall take the warrior’s attack straight on. The enemy is the one behind him—the sorcerers. I shall start charging to cast Heavenly Thunder. The warrior’s sword bounces off my scales and sets off sparks.

“It connected!”

What?! The warrior’s sword snaps and something like a glimmering crystal appears from within. Curses—recently, my comrades have fallen to this magic without leaving a mark on the humans.

“This is the end for you, dragon!”

With a howl, I unleash my magic to counter their spell.

… what the hell kind of dream was that?

It wasn’t remotely realistic, but total fantasy. That was great. Way better than dreaming about being shitty at my job. Dreaming makes time seem to pass by slower too. Being half-awake and feeling like you’ve dreamt for a week is even better than a relaxing sleep. Anyway… maybe it’s not such a good thing that my dream was from the dragon’s point of view. I’d like to pretend as if they were all the assholes from work and just let loose on them.

Their spell eroded through my defensive magic and then coursed through my body.

“Don’t underestimate mankind! Now die!” Gyahhh!

I fire off all the power I have left. Seemingly as a response to it, great lines of red run through my body and into the earth.

“W-what?!”

… huh? What the hell? It feels as if I’m floating in the air, but gravity is pulling me back down. Like this is some sort of hallucination. Right, it’s the same feeling like riding a roller coaster. I’m… the dragon and wrapped in light. I soar above to space, red light shoots out from my body, and I drop like a meteor back down to Earth. Whoaaaaaaa?!

“B-Blast! Dragon! I won’t let you escape us! Wherever you go, we shall come hunting you do—"

Before the light fills my vision and I soar into space, I hear my opponent run his mouth. And then… my consciousness completely fades.

Blub… blub. An unnerving noise. But at the same time, this feels really, really nice. Ah. It’s just like as if I’m soaking in an onsen. It feels as great as that. Something making a big splash is coming towards me.

“Are you alright?!”

Mm… I’m not fully awake yet. Rather than half-asleep, it’s more like my fatigue is giving me sleep paralysis. Then I remember the feeling of someone pulling on me.

Who is it? Or rather, what is it? Can’t you let me sleep for a little longer…? What, did I get assigned a new guy at work and he’s trying to wake me up? There are so many noises going on at once. I can’t see anything in the office, but I can at least hear it. Thanks a lot, but this is complete unnecessary. Let me sleep more.

“You’re going to be fine! Cough!”

It sounds like I’ve been dragged out of the bath.

“Hello?! Are you awake?!” “Mm… I don’t wanna wake up…”

I am definitely not going to wake up for you. My body isn’t even able to move anyway, so I sleep! After displaying my willpower, I fall back asleep. It feels like as if the sounds are getting quieter.

Zzz…

Has it been a while? I wake up with a weird feeling and open my eyes.

“Ahh… that was a good nap. Huh?” “Ah.”

I wake up and scan my surroundings. I see an unfamiliar girl looking at me. In her hands is… a mortar and pestle. It seems as if she’s concocting some sort of medicine.

“Have you finally woken up? I’m so glad that you’re alright.”

Ignoring the worried girl, my head’s a complete mess. I mean, I was sleeping under my desk at work. I look down and, as expected, I’m wearing my dress shirt and trousers. Let me take a look at my surroundings.

I’m at the bank of some kind of purplish swamp with a bonfire burning, with ominous-looking trees and a slight haze in the air surrounding us. It feels like some sort of weird place deep in the mountains. Oh. Are we at some sort of campground?

Is this a dream? Or is this some kind of prank? I’ll try asking this girl in front of me to sort things out.

“I was about to feed you an antidote and a potion, but I’m glad you have awakened.”

… huh? What’s with this girl? The words coming out of her mouth sound kinda weird. I understand what she’s saying, but her pronunciation is kinda off? At least I can tell that she’s not speaking Japanese.

“Umm… this is a little sudden, but where are we?”

Am I speaking in some other language too? Maybe I’m just imagining it.

“… is your memory a little hazy?”

The girl speaks in a worried tone. How should I explain? Do I speak frankly? Or is this some kind of prank? Or perhaps even that I’m still dreaming. They say if you pinch your cheek while you’re dreaming, it’d still hurt like normal, so you wouldn’t be able to tell from that. To be honest, I’ve had dreams like that before too.

“Well, it’s a mess in my head all of a sudden…” “Oh, that’s right, isn’t it? I mean, after all, you did fall in a poisonous swamp… and you were breathing in that toxic gas too, so it really isn’t all that strange.”

A poisonous swamp? Ah, you mean swamps that have poisonous gasses bubbling through? Are there still places like that in Japan? Shit, don’t tell me that this fuckin’ company didn’t want to pay me, so they went and got their hands dirty.

Considering how easy it would be, they’ve done quite the sloppy job. For this cutie to have found me and your plans to come to nothing… Hmm? Aren’t her facial features really well-defined for a Japanese girl? Her eyes aren’t black either… it’s some sort of purplish-blue, you could say. No, that’s not it, but her whole appearance isn’t very Japanese-like.

Her dress isn’t fully Western, but it’s all frilly and cute. And around her neck is a scarf. Very stylish. Mm. This has got to be some high-level cosplay. And her age… a high school student perhaps? Oof, I’ve caught glimpses of a schoolgirl in cosplay. Nice. It looks fantastic on her.

Seems like she was also carrying a large basket, the one placed down nearby. While I eye her up and down, the girl places a hand on her chest and smiles.

“I believe we have yet to introduce ourselves. My name is Arleaf. I’m an apothecary.”

Arleaf, eh? She doesn’t seem like your average herbalist though.

“My name’s Kogure, Yukihisa…” “Mr. Cohgray, is it?”

Why are you pronouncing my name so weirdly? But Cohgray, huh…? Kinda fantasy sounding. Still kinda irks me though.

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