#the art of the manga is really something to behold

[dejwritesarchived]

sculptures, chapter eight.

↠ characters: ran haitani, mentioned in story all the other bonten members.

↠ warning: profanity, smut, slight dc, mentions of gangs & yakuzas,

↠ pairings: ran haitani x [black fem coded] reader, rindou haitani x fem!oc, kakucho hitto x oc, slight oc x reader,

↠ timeline: timeskip, doesn’t really follow anime/manga

↠ chapter summary: it's time to discuss business that could push bonten further into riches. (y/n) and ran spend time together, which ran begins to questions his feelings for her.

↠ a/n: *pats self on back for finally updating after years* but seriously thinking about moving this on ao3, but i'm not sure yet.

[ &. playlist + aesthetic ]

[ &. previous + masterlist + taglist form ]

— tags: @misss-chrisss @indiecursor @maydayaisha @po3ticb3auty @gemimaya @massivelynervousprincess @erentoes @hufflefluffwh0re @todo7roki @littlemochi @xngelsau

RAN EYES STARED AT THE IGNORANT MALE IN FRONT OF HIM. He couldn’t believe he had to sit here and listen to him talk especially considering his words of disrespect a couple of days ago. Shuya Sato stood in front of Bonten members in one of Shao’s mom's restaurants. His eyes going towards Ran gave him the most charming smile that Ran wanted to slap off his face so bad. As he sipped at the brown alcohol in his glass, he loosened the red-colored tie around his neck waiting for the first official meeting with members of Sato yakuza and Bonten to start.

But it was quite different. Shao mentioned to them that they wanted Karma and Kakucho’s fiancé Aisha at the meeting also. Occasionally the two women were dragged into Bonten activities unexpectedly, but never in a planned way.

“I would like to formally introduce myself, I’m Shuya Sato. Shao’s half brother, actual heir of this yakuza.” Shuya respectively bowed in front of his guests before continuing. “Shao has updated me on everything about you guys. I’ve grown to respect the way you handle things.”

It seemed like Shao and Ran had the same puzzled expression on their faces considering that Shuya didn’t say that beforehand.

“Would you cut to the point already, I’m growing bored,” Mikey huffed as his eyes looked at Shuya.

Shuya stared at Mikey before sighing and going to grab the iPads from across the room. He handed each member of Bonten one. Ran’s eyes were beyond confused as he stared at an art museum.

“Stealing artwork isn’t particularly our cup of tea pretty boy,” Sanzu uttered as he toyed with the rings on his fingers.

Shuya's teeth got caught on his lip as he rolled his eyes before speaking. “Who are you guys' biggest enemies right now?”

“We have a lot of enemies,” Kakucho pointed out as he looked at Shao then at Shuya.

“I mean, don’t we all,” Shuya answered. “But there gotta be some competition you’re trying to take out, right?” Shuya questioned.

“Dude, could you just get to the point here,” Shao uttered from the back as he was waiting for his brother to explain the same plan he told to him.

Shuya rolled his eyes. “I wanted to give a dramatic speech but anyway I got caught up with you guys' slightly amateur work.”

“Excuse me?” Mikey asked. His head tilted to the side to glare at Shuya.

Shuya let out another sigh due to him being interrupted once again. His large hands shoved into his nicely tailored slacks before he’s speaking again, “Your work is amateur. If you guys worked smarter, the police wouldn’t constantly be snooping around you guys all the time.” Shuya bluntly admitted. “Now gentlemen and ladies,” he motioned to the group in front of him.

Ran could see the pissed-off looks from every one of his colleagues. Even Karma looked like she wanted to chew the guy’s head off.

“I want to make every one of us in this room rich,” Shuya flashed a smile before picking up an iPad swiping something on it and showing them a picture of a sculpture. “This sculpture right here beholds the whole Yakuma yakuza reserves. I’m talking about funds for drugs, guns, stocks, hush money, and the list goes on,” He explained.

Ran would swipe to the picture of the heart-shaped sculpture that displayed signs of a broken heart syndrome. It was a unique sculpture and he would even say that [Y/N] would be satisfied with it. Perhaps she would be interested in seeing the whole museum.

“It’s quite smart to hide their funds in a museum, but how the hell would their funds be in that fuckin’ thing?” Mochi questioned. “How’d you know it’s in there?”

“Let’s just say, when you’re in between the legs of the daughter of the boss…She tends to kiss and tell,” Shuya winked.

“You’re disgusting,” Aisha says as she was sitting on Kakucho’s lap, her face scrunched up in disgust.

“I know,” Shuya huffs. “To answer your question Mochi, it’s a flash drive carved inside it that has account numbers of each bank account where money is stored.”

“Why should we trust you saying that they left their funds in that silly sculpture?” Ran asked as he leaned forward.

“I’ve been planning this heist for months now, I could have hired a team to do it myself…but here I am telling you guys,” Shuya sighed, staring at him. “Plus, my brother in the back said that this could push all of us to the top of Japan.”

“You called us amateurs and now tell us you want to steal a sculpture that the Yakuma yakuza is going to know is gone. This is going to get too messy and I don’t think it’s right to associate us with this heist,” Mikey confirmed.

The wicked laugh that left Shuya’s mouth made Ran roll his eyes in annoyance.

“I didn’t invite your other subordinates if I didn’t plan this correctly.” Shuya sighed.

He’s pacing back and forth now before he’s back talking, “Karma here is going to be our hacker, assuming that she can make fake security ID cards to get in the museum and hack the security system,” Shuya motioned to the woman who would only shrug her shoulders.

“That’s easy work right there. Of course, I can do that,” She says, letting out a laugh.

“And Mikey, I’m not dumb. I went to NYU,” Shuya affirmed.

“And dropped out,” Shao added.

“Oh shut up Shao,” Shuya said as a knock was heard on the door. Shuya’s lips curled into a smirk and Ran didn’t like the look. He watched as he unlocked the door letting [Y/N] in.

What was she doing here?

As Ran watched as she walked next to Shuya, Ran began to piece the pieces together. His heart quickened in his chest. He tried to push her further away from his Bonten lifestyle. But Shuya and Shao tugged her right into it. He was more upset at Shao than Shuya. It was something to expect from Shuya, but Shao. Why would he agree to this?

“She’s going to create a replica of the sculpture. My lovely friend [Y/N], Shuya's arms wrapped around her shoulders as she nudged them off to take a seat.

“The only problem we’ll have is safely transporting both the real and fake one to be able to make the switch successful,” Shuya says. “And when we do, that’s when you come in,” He points to Aisha. “You own a bank or two, we’re gonna have to transfer every single damn penny in the accounts to different accounts. Bitcoin, fake charities, hiding it in plain sight to cover our tracks,” Shuya explained as he looked at him. “We wait a couple of months before splitting it in half between Bonten and us,” he motioned to him, his brother, and [Y/N].

“And if these plans go to shit?” Mikey questioned.

“We’ll take the full blame for it, Bonten wasn’t involved,” Shuya admits. “However, it’s not going to go to shit because I planned it so well. From having some of my brother and I men working in the museum to even paying some cops under the table.” He adds. “All we need to be sure is to transport the replica to and from the museum safely without getting caught. Which due to us doing it at night, we won’t. [Y/N] has already started the sculptures, but we’re not doing it until two weeks from now.”

“But that’s all for now folks, try not to get in any problems with the Yakuma yakuza,” Shao adds. “Hypothetically if shit hits the fan they’re going to come to us ten times harder,” he sighs.

When the meeting was over and many Bonten members left, Ran stood up and approached Shao who was searching for the keys to the restaurant to lock up the place. When he felt Ran’s presence in front of him, he glanced up. “Before you lecture me about tugging her into this, it wasn’t my idea.”

“You could have talked her out of it or talked your annoying brother out of it. Are you fuckin’ insane?” Ran questioned. Even though his words came out as a whisper to keep the conversation private, his tone was still assertive.

Shao’s eyebrows knitted together in confusion at Ran’s tone. “Firstly, tone it down. Secondly, if you knew (Y/N) as I do, you would know when she puts her mind to something, she’s not going to let it go until it’s done.” He explained. “Stop trying to make it seem like I pulled her into our dangerous world all alone. You knew what you were doing when you accepted to be her model for her project.” Shao answered.

“Excuse me?” Ran questioned as his fist clenched tighter.

Shao’s next words which were going to be very harsh were interrupted by his older brother. Shuya would push the two apart, “Nope. I’m not having you two arguing weeks before this plan. I take full responsibility for asking her if she wants to do it. She could have said no, but she didn’t. Maybe, you should talk to her yourself.” The eldest Sato brother suggested.

“I swear to fuckin’ god if she gets hurt—”

“You’re killing us both, this isn’t the first time we’ve been threatened. Spare us the cliche line and go talk to her.” Shuya interjected.

Ran would push past the two to exit the restaurant, which was just his luck he saw (Y/N) leaning against his car waiting for him. He walked towards her rubbing the bridge of his nose, “I don’t want you involved in this,” Ran sighed as he looked at her.

“It’s not your decision to make,” [Y/N] commented as she looked at him.

“Then enlighten me on why the hell you’re doing this? Is it money? [Y/N] you know I can give you that,” Ran stared at her and he even could feel his hands shake at the words that tumbled out his mouth.

Perhaps he feared something would happen to her.

“I know you would, but it just wouldn’t feel right. You’re already a model for this freakin’ project, I can’t take your money also.” [Y/N] says as she takes a hold of his hand. “But I have my reasons.” She only says.

“And those reasons are?” Ran asked.

“I would rather show you,” She says as she gives him a sly smile. Her eyes lit up with excitement as she looked at him, “Do you know the way to my university from here?” She questioned.

“I believe so,” Ran said as he watch her let go of his hand.

“Let’s go, I reserved the art room for us at my university. I think it’s time you step into my world for once.”

“What?” Ran questioned as she was climbing in the passenger seat of his car.

SCHOOL WASN’T RAN’S THING, THIS ATMOSPHERE WAS EXTREMELY FOREIGN TO HIM. His eyes scanned over the artwork on the walls as they were walking down the halls of the art building, he was in awe at his new surroundings while [Y/N] was dragging him by the sleeve of his shirt. When they got to the art room that she reserved, he watched her unlock the door and motioned for him to step in. When the lights flickered on and Ran saw the replica of the same sculpture they were supposed to steal in two weeks.

“Holy shit,” Ran uttered in amazement. “It looks just the same,” he added as he circled it.

“I know right, it didn’t take that long considering the size. But, I think it’ll be a good stand-in for the original.” [Y/N] says as she lets out a sigh. “I was afraid to move it, so Shao suggested keeping it here.”

“But isn’t someone going to see it?” Ran questioned.

“I reserved this room for a month to do my final project. When the janitors come in here and clean, I just put a Lil blanket over it.” She motions to the closet.

“So, this is the room where we’ll be doing my sculpture of you. I’m sure you won’t have any problems navigating around campus when I tell you to meet me here now,” (Y/N) says as she would grab a hold of one of the aprons and tug it over her head. She reached behind herself to tie a knot with the two strings.

Ran sat on one of the stools watching her walking around the room. His head prompted on his hand as his lilac hues seem to follow her walking back and forth like a lovesick fool. “So, it’s really okay for me to just be naked in this room?” He questioned.

“There aren't any cameras in this room. Plus, technically I’ll be covering your lil friend for the sculpture.” She motioned to his crotch.

“Those silly Greek statues just have it all out though,” Ran pointed out, gaining a chuckle from her.

“You said it yourself that it wasn’t little Ran. I don’t think my professor wants to have your dick plastered in her mind when she sees my sculpture.” (Y/N) says as she grabbed another apron and gave it to him. “Today, you will be my student,” she joked.

“What? I’m not dressed to work with you,” Ran says.

“So? Just take off the jacket.”

Ran stared at her before he took off the suit jacket. He also unbuttoned the vest portion of it, throwing it on the coat rack. He soon rolled up his sleeves to the white button-down shirt he had on. He took the apron out of her hand and put it on quickly. “If the guys see me like this, they’ll probably laugh.” He joked sitting back down on the stool.

“Just wait until they see the sculpture,” She chuckles at his statement before she’s going to the supply closet to pull out stuff. “Originally, we were going to start the sculpture of you. However, I had to order more plasticine.”

“What is that?” Ran questioned. Similar to when she asked questions about Bonten, he was curious to ask questions about her world. After all, he currently is, according to her.

“It’s a type of clay used for sculpting. I mean, I could use other clays, but that’s the preferred one for sculptures.” (Y/N) answered as she tugged containers of stuff. “I’m assuming you never took a pottery class before?”

“Does it look like I took a pottery class before?” Ran asked.

“Fair point, just thought gangstas have other hobbies,” (Y/N) pointed out as she had her back turned to start making clay. “Do you have other hobbies?”

Ran stood up to stand near her, he stared at her as she was mixing the substance. “I don’t know, don’t think I had time to have hobbies growing up. Other than being a delinquent with my brother.” He answered.

“It’s not too late to start you know,” (Y/N) pointed out as she glanced up at him. “My mom was pregnant with me when she got into pottery,” She adds. “She didn’t know anything about art, just thought it would be fun to pick up that hobby.”

“And then she gave birth to an artist,” Ran pointed out, causing her to smile.

“Something like that.” (Y/N) says.

As the two continued to talk and soon the mini pottery lesson started, Ran would listen to (Y/N) explain to him what he had to do. She sat across from him as he was sitting in front of the pottery wheel. “Don’t push your foot down too harshly or you can mess up,” she says. “If you feel the clay drying up, add water.” She adds.

Ran teeth grazed alongside his lip as he was listening. He was nervous that he was going to mess up. But she was sure to remind him that it’ll be okay. Artists mess up all the time.

“I’ll help guide you through,” She gave him a smile that caused his cheeks to grow hot when he looked at him.

“Uhh, okay. I think I understand now,” Ran responded.

When the two started the pottery class, subtle jokes were being made and low laughter was exchanged. Ran found himself staring at (Y/N) once in a while as she was trying to focus on the pottery project in front of her.

“You’re going to mess up if you keep staring,” She pointed out as she met his eye contact.

Ran’s foot eased up on the paddle that increased the speed of the pottery wheel. (Y/N) glanced up at him with a confused look, “What’s wrong, Ran?”

“I appreciate you letting me step into your world.” Ran commented.

“Please, it’s the least I can do now that I’m a part of yours.” (Y/N) answered.

“But why?”

“Why what?”

“Why be a part of my world? It’s dangerous, you can get hurt,” Ran said. “And I would hate for that to happen,” He answered truthfully. “I know you said you wouldn’t accept my money, but I just can’t wrap my head around what would be the reason.”

“I’m moving to Berlin after I graduate.” (Y/N) blurted out. She found herself looking at the mess of a pottery piece they were attempting to do.

“Berlin?” Ran questioned.

“I was offered a position. I just thought this job could help me be set for Berlin and other things I want to do about my art career.” She admitted.

For some reason, Ran felt a dagger puncture his heart. His throat went dry and his words instantly became like mush in his brain. Berlin. She was moving to Berlin. He got so caught up in the moment that he forgot that she only got tugged into his chaotic world due to school in the first place.

“Congratulations.” was the only thing that could stutter out of Ran’s lips.

“Ran, I know. I should have told you before Shao and his brother, but I was just searching for how to tell you.” (Y/N) admitted. “Considering the circumstances of what happened that night when we went out, I already knew that it would hurt you.”

“We kissed and it felt real, a little too real.” (Y/N) answered. “As if it could have happened if alcohol wasn’t involved.” She soon adds.

“Well, would you have wanted it to happen if we weren’t drunk out of our minds?” Ran asked.

Silence overcame the two once again before they could hear someone coming into the room, (Y/N)’s eyes instantly landed behind Ran. Automatically pushing herself out of her seat to clean her hands.

“Professor Jackson, I didn’t know-“

“Here is one of the best students in my class, I had a feeling she would be spending her free time here.” Professor Jackson bragged. She had a young man standing next to her.

His hair was long, dyed two colors. Black and blonde, the back of his head were blonde and the rest was jet black. He had the notorious look of a rich boy that was in a band. His long strands were tucked back into a man bun giving the duo a good look at his defining features. His eyes were as dark as a cup of coffee. His plush lips only formed a subtle shy smile. He wore a cream-colored sweater and some light-colored jeans, followed up with a pair of Converses. His fingers were decorated with silver rings and multiple finger tattoos.

“I didn’t know you had a guest with you (Y/N), I should have knocked.” Professor Jackson said.

(Y/N) cleared her throat before motioning to Ran who was washing his hands at the sink. “That’s my model for my final project. I just was letting him get a feel of our world,” She says letting out a nervous giggle.

“Oh, well that’s wonderful.” Professor Jackson replied. “And this is the newest student in the art program Asahi Hasegawa, he’ll be shadowing you for a day or two next week.”

“Shadowing?” (Y/N) asked.

“Yes, he has shadowed every graduate student I have, except for you. He could help with making clay for your lovely sculpture of that very handsome man next to you.”

Ran couldn’t help but smirk, giving the older woman a smile which she returned. His eyes soon went towards Asahi who seemed to be avoiding eye contact with both Ran and (Y/N). Perhaps, he was a bit shy.

“Well, that would work. I can’t wait to work with you Asahi,” (Y/N) says to him to gain his attention.

When he looked at her, he only mumbled a soft you too as his face grew red as a red delicious apple. Professor Jackson pats him on the back before laughing, “Well, I just wanted to show him the private art rooms, please continue what you two were doing.”

Professor Jackson left with Asahi not far behind her like a small puppy following its owner.

“You know it seems like attractive men just stick to you,” Ran jokes as he goes to wash his hands.

“You think?” (Y/N) sarcastically asked.

“Yes. Me, The Sato’s, and now your little student.” He chuckles while drying his hands. “Speaking of the Sato’s, you can trust them, right? It’s just if shit goes left…Bonten will cut off ties with them with a quickness.”

“Of course. Three days ago, I witnessed them fighting.” (Y/N) answered as she was cleaning the mess they had made. “And it wasn’t like bickering or something. They were going to kill each other.”

“And you don’t think Shuya is going to backstab us with this plan?” Ran asked. “Cause’ if he does, I have no choice but to handle him myself and if Shao gets involved, I can always get Sanzu or Rin to handle him..”

He watched as (Y/N) stared at him, her lips parting to question what he just said. “I don’t think he will because right after they fought each other, they headed to another district to collect some money as if they didn’t nearly just kill each other. It’s as if they put their differences aside to make sure their family name isn’t tarnished.” She answered. “I just think their brotherly love is much different than yours and Rin,” she adds.

Now it was time for Ran to be silent. As he leaned against one of the counters staring at the woman in front of him.

“You’re quite close to them now? I would hate for either one of them to steal you away from me,” Ran admitted to her. His bluntness jabbed at (Y/N) harshly.

“I’m not yours.” (Y/N) answered quite quickly.

“Not yet.” Ran add.

[sesskagevents]

SessKag Fandom Appreciation Week - Day 6

Artist interviews - Mama-ino

@mama-ino​ was nominated by Anonymous

What was your first introduction to SessKag?

Hmm, my first introduction. This is going to sound dumb, but it was at an anime convention. I used to be real big into cosplay and if I remember correctly I was cosplaying Ed from Cowboy Bebop and I came across a Sesshomaru. A rouge Sesshomaru has appeared! LoL Well needless to say Baby Ino (and a couple other peeps) wanted to take pictures. But when all was said and snapped, his partner came from the dealers room- AND LOW AND BEHOLD! She was KAGOME! Like I don't know, something about seeing two characters I liked very much walk off sharing a bag of chippies. I was like... please. Please let there be a fandom for them, PLEASE! And of course after the convention (and angry AOL dial up sounds) I searched for this fandom. And I found YoukaiYume's art, I think it was 'Tears she cried." And then I found fanfiction and more art, and there was no turning back for me. That was in 2006...lol.

How long have you been a part of the fandom?

Alas, since Anime Mid Atlantic 2006!!

What is your writing/art process like?

Scattered, tbh. Often times I'll write my ideas come to me and I write/sketch them out on sticky notes or scrap paper. (Bruh, I was not kidding about the 829482 sticky notes.) Sometimes I draw from a few words that would make zero sense to a stranger, but I make something from it. And even then I often time end up with maybe 5 WIPs that will never be finished. However my little ficlets are often times done then and there, don't get me wrong! Like the idea starts the picture, and as I'm drawing and analyzing what I've done- The finished product is what inspires the ficlet. Unless it is to one of the fics I've been writing (unpublished) for gods know how long. Often times if I'm running late on a project, its because I'm criticizing and knit picking at things. But to break that up I usually doodle silly little things, like Sailor Jaken for example. LOL

If you could let your fans know one thing, what would it be?

I'm not nor have I ever considered my works to be anything but baseline (at most). I fangirl many most of the SessKag community. I am very happy to be included in this community as I've found many of you are absolute gems and are equally as astonishing as the works you create (both arts AND fics)! You all are fantastic, and I love your work! I run off of caffeine and sarcasm? I am very VERY SHY and do not know how to take compliments, lol... Or my favorite medium to art in is probably watercolor.

Do you have anything you're working on right now that the fandom can look forward to?

Yes, actually. I'm attempting to draw to a fic I've been writing to for some time in a sort of chapter series. I'm self taught and really haven't master how to do this in a manga style doujinshi as of yet, so I gotta stay small, lol. Those of you whom can are freakin' amazing!

How long have you been drawing for sesskag?

2012 maybe?

Your style is so unique - are there any other artists that inspire your style?

I've always loved Naoko Takeuchi, Yutaka Nanten, Masaru Gotsubo, Rumiko Takahashi, Bengus...I wanted to grow up to be just like Tetsuya Nomura. I've always loved his monster and character designs. So quite a few different artists started my love to do the arts.

What is your favorite thing about the ship?

I dunno, something about Kagome being able to go tit for tat with Sesshomaru. But at the same time with his character growth coming to be a silent watcher over, to her very caring nature. Something about it clicks. Both are able to deal with Inuyasha in their own respective ways, but both are very much trying to prove themselves and grow. Additionally both were nurturing to two children, not their own- but very much became theirs.

What is your favorite thing about the fandom?

Community. Expression of love for other creators. Diversity in how we perceive or ships. But to be honest, most of all is acceptance. Willingness to accept a new art forms, new prompts, new style of writings! Hey you also ship personxperson, okay cool! You like Kagome with blue eyes/grey eyes/brown eyes, yoooo! Awesome sauce. I've never been part of a community so welcoming and diverse. I love it here.

How do you get inspiration for your works?

Overactive imagination usually just takes the wheel, lol. Poems, Nature, scenic walks, looking at photography of mountains and the sky, staring at the moon, listening to thunderstorms, reading. My inspiration is literally comes from all around me, as corny as that sounds. Literally I can be in the coffee shop and see a couple do something cute and be like, awwwww. Sesshomaru and/or Kagome would do that, lol. Or watching a thunderstorm and be hit with an image in my head. Sometimes I'm trying to sleep (keyword trying, Insomnia can we not) and all of a sudden my brains like-parkour!

[adiabolikpastel]

Is it okay if I ask you what you think of the Young Blood manga? I mean, what do you think of the art and story? 👉🏻👈🏻

I think you have some pretty interesting opinions. ^^

Oh sure~ I have a few thoughts regarding it, which I have kind of been waiting for it to come to completion before I really look into it- but- I would never turn away an adoring anon!

Please keep in mind that the following is just my opinions, and they may not align with everyone. That is okay, and I would love to talk about it more with anyone who would like.

Full response is under the cut - due to length. Thank you again Anon for the ask, and I hope my answer give you some food for thought! Oh, also Spoilers are below the cut so read at your own risk.

Artwork

I have enjoyed the art style used for this series! This is a style that they have used a number of times before, mostly with Kanato's manga - and I believe it works for this particular plot. Since the story is about their younger days, I think utilizing a style that can seem childish works really well.

It is also worth noting that there is a clear change when it comes to the children verses the adults. No adults look like a child, which can be something that happens in styles like this.

Story Point I

Ultimately, I don't think that this story has that much to offer. Not to say that I am not invested, I just feel as a whole, it doesn't have that much of a pay off. This is because we know all ready how this is going to end.

This is something that happens a lot in media, or in story telling - take for example the Little Mermaid. We got the first movie, and then a sequel (I.e. Haunted Bridal - Dark Fate - Lost Eden). After those both, for whatever reason, they decided to make a prequel the Little Mermaid Ariel's Beginnings.

While yes, this movie did show us lore, and we got to see Ariel's mom, the plot ultimately did not matter. Spoilers if you have not see that movie? We see a world where Triton does not allow music, cause the mom died - Ariel want's to sing and dance, low and behold, Triton changes his mind and now they can sing and dance.

Timeline wise, it puts us right at the beginning of the Little Mermaid first movie - or perhaps rather the series. Regardless, there was no greater point to that movie. Was it nice, sure, it was cute and I liked seeing more of the sisters and her mom - but really it did nothing.

This is what I feel Young Blood is essentially going to be. It's cute and it's nice, trust I am here for the baby Sakamaki - but ultimately it means nothing. We will see what these boys went through and then they will either get their memories erased, or something will happen, and they wont recall any of it - because none of this is mentioned in the game cannon (after 5+ games), so it cannot be really utilized.

Story Point II

Now... the other thing about this story is that it goes against the timeline we have been told about Diabolik Lovers Lore. At first I thought I was crazy, but then I did some digging. There is a timeline post made by Carlatsukinamistolemyhamsandwhich (that name tho- yes) that points out the order of events, from what I understood after reading the wiki. Most specifically the Millennial War.

The super cheat sheet version is this:

Giesbach the Ancestor King (first blood clan) had his son Carla

the Endzeit disease began

Shin is born

Their mom goes to Karlheinz for help with Giesbach, and sends her sister Menae to him in exchange

Giesbach wages war on Karl and Burai (snake clan)

Endzeit kills more first bloods, and war is won and Karl erases all memories of the first bloods from all but Carla

Menae and Burai have Cordelia

Menae dies, and Karl grooms Cordelia to eventually marry her

Karl takes another wife Beatrix then also Christa is cousin

Shuu is born (official heir)

Reiji is born

Triplets are born

Subaru is born

There are some things with the Mukami as well mixed in- but this isn't about them so we will stop there. Now... according to the latest chapter 7 - all of this is inaccurate! Which is troubling. Spoilers for chapter seven of young blood. In this chapter we see Reiji, Kanato and Laito all speak with Carla - who's father is ALIVE.

If you look at the timeline above, you will see that that man died LONG before any of them were born, as Cordeila was not even alive at the time. So that begs the question... why?

Why are they able to meet with Carla and only have read about First Bloods in books - if in this manga they have been alive? Why do we have these low demon wanting to hurt the boys? Why does this all have to do with a fig tree?!

There are a lot of questions swirling about - and one has to wonder if this is there (a) a mistake and they are just making this manga its own story line, with no actual consideration to the games cannon or (b) this is the truth. Karlheinz has done a lot of things in his life time. Manipulating space, time, memories, these are all things he does on a whim.

Perhaps, what we knew in the game cannon, is not actually the truth. What if this is? What if this is the real events of what happened. Karlheniz just decided to re-write history to better suite his needs. I wouldn't put it past him. However, that then begs the question once more - why?

Why do that? Why write out this cannon for the games and make all of it mean nothing?

Story Point III

This leads to my last big thought about the story. I think that it is preparing for new characters to be introduced. Namely, characters from the Vibora and the Wolf clan. On the wiki page that discusses the war - at the bottom is this information:

Based off of the cannon that the games have provided, both the Vibora and the Wolf clan have new rulers, since the time of the Millennial War. Which line up with when one of the Sakamaki brother's takes the throne from Karlheniz. Allegedly.

Perhaps this manga is a way for the creators to build up to the idea of introducing these two character. I mean, especially now that everything is all messed up from the original cannon. Perhaps the young heirs are also alive during this time, and this is their opportunity for them to have them debt in a new game.

Final Thoughts

All and all, I am enjoying the series. I love seeing the boys act this way - as it shows their brotherly connection. This is also something that happens in Dark Fate - towards the end- you just see them all come together. Here it is so innocent and pure, as it seems none of the animosity as set in.

There is no fire that burned down Edgar's village. There is no molestation and favoritism between siblings. There is no mental abuse. There is just them. I wonder if that too is something that Karlheniz has manipulated.

Regardless, I look forward to seeing how this story plays out. It has been a fun ride so far - and looks to be interesting going forward. I am in love with seeing Karlheinz so much - full disclosure.

[haleigh-sloth]

I'm new to manga and while I'm proficient at analysing other forms of literature, I'm finding it difficult to analyse manga, probably because of the artistic component. Do you have any advice on what to focus on when reading manga in order to analyse it well? If this question is too vague, you can disregard it, I am only asking because I find your analyses to be excellent.

Omg 🥺 It’s not vague! It seems like we’re opposites. I’m not well versed in literature, or writing in general, but I am an artist--which is why I love manga. I’ve been reading manga since I was 11 and I’m 24 now (I’m a nerd), so I’ve gotten pretty decent at knowing which panels the mangaka wants us to pay attention to! I’ll give some of the best examples I can think of off the top of my head. 

So obviously you know by now that manga is all black and white. We do get some colored sheets every now and then that also have meaning (I’ll link to that post later), and I love when the authors give us those, but for the most part it’s all black and white. If you’re going to try to grasp the tones and meanings behind certain scenes in manga, the BEST advice I can give you is to pay extra attention to the shading more than anything else. Let me use the best examples I can think of when it comes to shading.

So look at Hawks here. Hawks is a hero, yes? A good guy, right? 

Well...does he look like a good guy here? I’d say no. This use of shading was absolutely deliberate on Horikoshi’s part. I think we can all agree this was a really dark moment for Hawks (no pun intended). He stooped to a level nobody ever wanted him to, a level Hawks himself never wanted to. This scene being drawn this way tells us that we as readers are NOT supposed to approve of Hawks’s actions here. And NOW, because of the way this scene was drawn for us, all we are left to assume is that something bad is coming for Hawks. Basically, the consequences of his actions have not hit him yet. So even though we haven’t seen those consequences yet (it’s really frustrating waiting ngl), we know that we can expect there to be something dark in Hawks’s future. Many other meta bloggers predict his death, him dying heroically in order to make up for killing Twice. And man, that is very much possible, however I’m still waiting to see what more develops in Hawks’s arc before I make that prediction. Hori hasn’t given me any reason to believe that he’d actually kill off an important hero for the sake of the writing...yet. 

Another example, and probably my favorite panel of Shigaraki so far because it’s gorgeously drawn (and sad as hell):

This panel is supposed to make you feel his despair. He’s surrounded by a black, static background, his figure is drawn with an insane amount of detail. You can tell just by looking at it that Horikoshi put a significant amount of effort into this one panel compared the ones that came right before it:

This is same scene, same chapter as the panel above, but the background and shading is totally different. I’m only showing this panel here to point out how important the panel above it is in comparison. One is a panel that is simply moving the chapter forward, the other is meant to stop you for a moment and make you react to it. Horikoshi made sympathetic villains, and that panel of Shigaraki practically begging people to understand was meant to evoke that sympathy from the readers to prepare them for his redemption. 

There are probably a million examples from BNHA I could use to show you the importance of shading but I’m going to move over to one of my all time favorites: FMA

So this lovely fellow below, Roy Mustang, is a protagonist in Fullmetal Alchemist. Fullmetal Alchemist is a series with similar values to BNHA. It acknowledges the value of the human life. It acknowledges that once someone is dead, you can’t bring them back. It acknowledges that murder is wrong, no matter the reason.

Also, similar to how BNHA punishes the villains for their quest for revenge over and over again, FMA also portrays to readers the dangers of following the paths of revenge. There are two characters in FMA that show us that danger, one of which is Roy.

 This is a big moment for Roy because he just discovered the person responsible for his best friend’s death. And now he’s out for blood. But this panel above tells you that this is a BAD IDEA. Shrouding him in darkness, not showing his entire face, hiding him in the shadows--it tells you that he’s on a dark path now. 

Look here, this is kind of similar to how Hawks was portrayed above. Roy is standing over someone who he clearly has power over, someone he is about to kill out of revenge. Envy is a major antagonist in FMA right until his death, but simply because of the way Roy is drawn here, devoid of human emotion because again, you can’t see his face, Envy is almost sympathetic when he finally does die. (BTW, he does not die at Roy’s hand). Roy is a protagonist in this series, but here he’s drawn looking incredibly evil and scary--for a reason. You’re not supposed to approve of his actions. Roy set out for revenge and his narrative consequences came not too long after this chapter. So basically, just like with any other story: 

character does something we know is supposed to be bad-----> something bad happens to character as a result

I’ll give one more example from a story that is not similar to BNHA or FMA in the slightest, but still uses that dark shroud in the same manner.

Say hi to Shigure from Fruits Basket. Shigure is kind of...an anti hero? He’s a real asshole. Now Fruits Basket is shojo and the stakes aren’t near as high or dramatic as BNHA so the tone is a bit different. But even with one panel here of this guy’s face, you get that dark, cynical vibe from him. And well, he is dark and cynical. If you read the story from the beginning up until here you can tell that he’s a shady dude (no pun intended again I’m so sorry), and low and behold he is one of the more questionable characters in this series. But this one darkly shaded panel is the introduction to that dark side of him as a character.

Basically in manga shading is tell all for how you’re supposed to interpret a situation. But aside from shading, the SIZE of the panels are also important. Those Hawks panels above took up entire pages. That Shigaraki panel took up an entire page. Those panels of Roy took up an entire page. Obviously the author wants you to pay attention to the story those panels are trying to tell. The words of the characters matter too, but sometimes you have characters whose words you can’t take at face value (*cough cough* Dabi *cough*) so you sometimes have to go off of the artwork alone. 

Aside from the manga itself, mangakas also release colored prints along with their series. A lot of times these prints don’t have much to do with the events within the story, but sometimes they do. And I talked here about how Horikoshi really correlated all of his art of Shigaraki with the current place in his arc, and about how now that Shigaraki’s redemption is underway, he’s drawing Shigaraki in such a way that shows him growing closer to his hero counterpart who is currently on his way to save him, and also just portraying him in a less villainous manner than before. This isn’t always the case though. But Horikoshi did it and when that last color spread came out I got so excited I kind of just rambled with excitement lol. 

SO I know it wasn’t much to go on but I really hope this helps you a bit more and what you were looking for! Shading is the most important since it’s all black and white, and then panel size is important too. 

I hope you read more manga and join us in this hell! Lol 

[silhouettica]

Disclaimer: image shown above is not mine; source is linked to the image.

____________

It’s been a long time since I’ve written an anime review, but this one is too well-deserved to pass up.

I tend to have a love-hate relationship with the sports-shounen genre in the manga industry. On one hand, good quality stories have great characters, undeniably well-drawn images, and okay storylines... but--- technique-wise, there was just too much suspension-of-disbelief required to go on reading.

Take for instance, Kuroko no Basuke and the legendary Phantom Sixth Man who is capable of magically disappearing in court; or, there’s Prince of Tennis and the gravity-defying non-arc path that their tennis balls traverse -- OR do not traverse, as do those which avoid the Tezuka zone. Basically, most popular and long-running sports genre mangas have a tendency to go borderline fantasy in many elements, or otherwise tend to sport some rarely-seen-in-a-thousand-years genius to spice up the story, which is understandably unrealistic (after all, this is fiction we’re reading). But perhaps, after almost two decades of watching anime and reading manga, my personal preference is now leaning towards the comfort provided by the slice-of-life genre, and against typical expectations, there’s that lingering desire to taste the slice of life in a sports manga...

Enter: Haikyuu.

Haikyuu was already a famous anime when I heard that it revolved around volleyball. When I heard that, the first question that occurred to me was, How much plot can be formed around such a sport as volleyball? Don’t get me wrong -- I’ve only ever been involved in two fields of sports: one is track and field, and the other is volleyball, so I at least like the sport. But since we’re used to being exposed to mangas centering around basketball or some martial arts, a story revolving around volleyball was foreign territory. But it was already famous, and with fame comes expectations --- thus, for fear of suffering from failed expectations, I deferred, or more like skipped out on Haikyuu.

But, well, with FB Watch capable of being a demonic source of temptation, Haikyuu showed up in my Watch Feed, and poof! - I was hooked. Manga was finished in less than a few weeks, and episodes repeatedly watched on FB (still ongoing, haha). In my personal list of top mangas, it has far surpassed even One Piece. It’s that good.

What’s so attractive about Haikyuu is that above being refreshing character and plot-wise, it was also obviously painstakingly created with so much attention to detail, in terms of the technical aspects of volleyball. I mean, just watch the videos contrasting Haikyuu to real-life volleyball matches - there’s almost no difference to be seen. The accuracy is admirable. In this regard, suspension of disbelief is very minimized --- well, except for the repeated overtime in matches; but if they stuck to the usual 15 or 25pt matches, we wouldn’t have much screentime to make a viable story, now, would we? So it’s an understandable adjustment to accommodate for the sake of cultivating the story.

Beyond this, Haikyuu boasts of a roster of interesting and complex characters littered throughout the storyline. Honestly, I can’t hate any single one of them. Your heart would go out to every character in every team. It’s amazing how the mangaka depicted each character differently, with all their bias and flaws, besides their refreshingly non-OP strengths, all combined to portray each individual’s humanity. And gah, when they’re made to mix together - the rapport between and amongst such variety of personalities is just fascinating to behold. And then comes character development - whoosh. How one person’s evolution affects the quality of a team’s mixture is another feast to behold. So much respect for this mangaka for bringing to life such abundance of quality complex characters. Seriously. Shounen x Sports x Slice of life + epic ups and downs + epic ending arc (MOST SATISFYING ENDING TO SPORTS GENRE EVER).

This is plain epic.

At first glance, any reader/follower would be drawn to the main characters - there’s Kageyama, Hinata, Ushijima, Oikawa, etc., all those OP-level players (or at least potentially so, for Hinata). 

Well, Hinata is the main character, as the story is dominantly affected by his actions and skill development. Watching his character growth is a treat, in and of itself. Seriously. Hinata may be boke at times, but isn’t really stupid. He’s just less-skilled than others (understandably so, given his lack of experience), but he more than makes up for it with his bottomless enthusiasm. And that innocence... Kawaii~. His love for the game is just contagious. Freakin’ want to buy a volleyball just to start playing on my own.

Kageyama may be called a genius setter, but really, he’s far from being the complete package. And he’s one of the more complex characters that really steals your heart. Like Hinata, he just overflows with love for the game, but his innocence is of a different level. After being shown his blindspot, he tempers his snobbishness, and literally BEGS for help --- I mean, look how he bows to Tsukishima for help in acads, or towards his senior Oikawa, in order to improve in volleyball. He’s mostly snobbish only towards those who don’t do their best (besides being just plain socially awkward). But he’s a very good kouhai, and it’s especially touching how he and Hinata paved the way for Asahi’s attack against Date Tech. I appreciate that he’s not so OP-level that he didn’t need anyone to improve -- he was helped by their coach, he was helped by Oikawa, there’s his senpais guiding him somewhat, etc. He’s not the Echizen-type who can learn on his own. He has so many blindspots, but he listens and asks for help once he’s shown that they exist.

There are a wealth of other characters worth mentioning, but recently, when I think of relating to the characters, what I easiest to resonate with are Yamaguchi and Ennoshita. Tsukki is another runner-up, being one who’s overly phlegmatic, with a defeating inferiority complex, but with a taste for vengeance... Bokuto’s answer to his existential question on why they play volleyball was very insigtful --- you don’t enjoy volleyball probably because you suck in it. HAHAHA. Isn’t that true for all of us - how we superficially hate some things when actually it’s because we just aren’t good at them. But at the very least, Tsukishimi Kei has so many qualities that puts him above others, it’s hard to compare oneself to him. On the other hand, there’s Yamaguchi the one-trick pony and Ennoshita the returning quitter. Sometimes I think of quitting when the academic “training” gets tough, but coming to think of Yama, I’m reminded that this is my one sword. The only reason he enters the court is as a pinch server - apart from that, there’s nothing else. So if he gets cold feet and settles for an easy serve, he forfeits the right to enter the court. If he lets go of the jump float serve, he has nothing else. Similarly, there’s Ennoshita who actually quit the team, but returned because the comfort became uncomfortable... I dunno if I’m the only one who’se quit in at least one point of my life, and took an easy way out or through something, but Ennoshita’s lesson is true for all of us - we’d regret quitting. Quitting is a no-go.

Anyway, I can’t describe all the other characters, else, this would be too long. But it’s just so amazing how Haruichi Furudate was able to create so many complex characters, each with their own backstories (okay, unrealistically, no sob stories here since this isn’t a drama) and no antagonist to hate, but the story was was just so complete and wholesome. I mean, take the Nekoma team, for one - they’re supposed to be Karasuno’s biggest rival, but they’re the ones who gave them a fighting chance to improve. Sportsmanship really dwells high on this one. Bokutooo, that once-spoiled ace... Oikawa, that snobbish great king who only recognized Kageyama as his junior when talking to Ushijima... The side characters who made up each respective team’s coaching, managerial, and cheer squad... There’s just so many personalities to admire and be thankful to the author for.

Haikyuu is truly a story about volleyball --- it’s not a story about inter-high, it’s not a story about high school; rather it’s a story that explores the different aspects surrounding volleyball - from childhood, as between friends, to high school and inter-high competitions, to the coaches and managers and trainings behind the scenes, to (SPOILER ALERT! SPOILER ALERT!) in-house vs. beach volleyball, to a professional career and international competitions. It’s really volleyball in different seasons of lives of a variety of people.

One poignant fact is that for most people, playing sports would be limited to high school. After inter-high, teammates would separate and a new team will be formed, year after year. That’s why it’s so precious how (SPOILER ALERT! SPOILER ALERT!) the manga showed the fanatic-highchoolers-turned-professional players being watched by their previous volleyball teammates and competitiors --- something I’ve never seen in other sports mangas (which mostly had to do with players getting some injury, going to rehab and recuperating, and so). Previous teammates faced each other as competition, and previous rivals became comrades. It’s just. so. epic.

Anyway, thank you,  Haruichi Furudate-san. May the anime remain top-notch in quality. Viva Haikyuu!!

[smokeybrand]

Love, Death, and Isekai

The isekai train just doesn’t stop! In celebration of Banished from the Hero's Party, I Decided to Live a Quiet Life in the Countryside getting an anime adaption, i wanted to highlight a manga which i think deserves one sooner than later. It is an isekai, if you’re part of the fandom, you’re not getting away from these things, but it’s got a completely different spin than most of it’s genre brother. I stumbled across this gem last year and immediately fell in love with the thing. It’s incredibly hilarious, very deadpan most of the time, but has a real heart to the narrative. Of course, it has the spirited away tropes we’ve come to love-hate but this book has a lot of fun with all of those. Isekai Shikkaku is absolutely amazing and i am so glad i opted to check it out.

Shikkaku, Disqualified from Otherworldliness for my fellow yanks, is a manga about an author from Showa era Japan, Osamu Daza, who committed double suicide with his love, Shizuko Oota. Instead of passing on like he wished, they were both transferred to a brand new world where Heroes are given blessings and charged with defeating the Demon Lord. Osamu arrives at a church cathedral where an elf attendant, Annette, greeted him. She was surprised to find out that Osamu had no blessing, was constantly poisoned, and still yearned for death. This man was no hero Annette had ever seen and it sparked something deep within her. After a back and forth, Osamu leaves, trudging headlong into the dangers of the world seeking the death of which he was robbed. He was immediately called out to by a catgirl in distress, “Tama”. She was being attacked by a Death Tree and, much to her chagrin, Osamu became a victim, himself. But, in a twist, the poison which saturates his body, killed the Death tree, freeing them both. In the aftermath of his first “battle” Osamu figured that if he was in this world, then the same truck-kun may have transported his love to this world as well. Opting to find his lost love so they could successfully complete their suicide pact, Osamu, Annette, and Tama set out on a journey with many twists and turns.

I am loving my time with this book. The narrative crafted by Noda Hiroshi is very unique and, even if it is an isekai, tries to do something different with the template. Our protagonist is no hero but even the heroes aren’t really “heroes.” It’s an interesting take, especially considering the current trajectory of Isekai narratives. All this “kicked out of the party” and “Betrayed hero” sh*t comes across as a little pathetic. I mean, this genre is the purest form of power fantasy so deciding that your protagonist starts off as a victim, is a little much for me. It’s a breath of fresh air that Noda made sure Osamu didn’t fall into this trap. The writing is incredibly strong, with some of the best character work and world building I've come across, but a manga is nothing without it’s art. This book has some of the best I've seen in a long while. The detail Wakamatsu Takahiro packs into every scene is really something to behold. The line work has this very delicate yet powerful feel to them. The art is, unabashedly, beautiful. It makes sense that Noda partners with Wakamatsu on all his works. Indeed, everything Noda has written (Love After World Domination, The Mermaid Princess’s Guilty Meal, and  Isekai Shikkaku) are all penciled by Wakamatsu and they’re all stronger for it.

The draw for me is this world. It’s so rich and vibrant, just absolutely lousy with lore. It’s trickled to you in an organic manner, only one chapter can be considered a dense exposition dump but, even then, i was enthralled by the meticulous nature put into the politics and pathos of this world. I’m a sucker for solid world building so i ate this sh*t up. More than that, i adore this character work. Osamu is unlike any protagonist I've read in an isekai. Part satire, part OP protagonist, all deadpan indifference, this cat really appeals to the Virgo in me. Not the suicidal part but most of the rest. I’m a sucker for a catgirl, always have been, so of course i adore “Tama”, whose real name is Matilda. She is in the running for best girl. She’s not, I'll get to who is in a minute, but she’s closing that gap. Annette is a fun character to watch grow but i can’t say i count her among my favorites and Neal, a young warrior-in-training and newest member of the party, has potential but it’s too early for judgment on him. He’s only been around for a handful of chapters so he hasn’t done much to stand out just yet. Speaking of stand-out, my current favorite character, and best girl, is definitely Odelia, Daughter of the Demon lord of Fury. Ma is an absolute powerhouse, has a pet dragon named Luca, and is just plain adorable. She’s only made a few appearances so far but she’s stolen every one of her scenes. Noda is foreshadowing a lot about Odelia’s character so that mystique is definitely playing a part in my endearment toward her. It’s just so fantastic to have a such a solid main cast because that doesn’t happen as nearly as you’d think.

Isekai Shikkaku is an amazing book and i feel like it should have more of a presence in the community discourse. In a world where sh*t like Interspecies Reviewers and Redo of Healer are popular enough to get anime adaptions, the fact no one is talking about Shikkaku is a f*cking crime. Both of those narratives are inferior to this one in every way and don’t even get me started on the art. Like, i get it; smut and violence, but come on? Can we at least get some quality in the smut? Isekai Shikkaku has nothing in common with those titles and is, quite seriously, head-and-shoulders above them in quality. It deserves so much more praise, so much more attention, so much more visibility. The isekai genre is growing stale and we need titles like Shikkaku to keep it fresh. So far, there are only sixteen chapters available but they are chock full of solid plot. It’s still early in it’s sun, so getting into Isekai Shikkaku should be more than easy and i highly suggest giving it a shot. You won’t be disappointed.

[thedreadvampy]

on a related note to the whole "drawing Asian people" thing (and to that post I made a while ago about people only using one or two shades of brown skin across the board!) - this is from an Art perspective rather than a Representation perspective (and, as ever, from a White Person perspective so grain of salt grain of salt) BUT

I think as an artist it's a pretty good exercise to work on diversifying your character art in ways other than skin colour and trappings like clothes and hairstyles. like. I very often see art that's like "this person is Indian" but lineart wise they're like. indistinguishable from a white person, they've just been like. coloured in brown and put in a sari. and to me that's dodgy bc a light-skinned Indian person is still Indian (think of someone like Aishwarya Rai and especially how many Indian celebrities are photoshopped to be as light as possible but they're still visibly Indian) and an Indian person wearing a t-shirt and jeans doesn't magically become Not Indian because they aren't wearing a sari and bindi and have hair to their waist. like ethnicity isn't a costume or a colour.

and that's not to say Draw Hyperexaggerated Stereotypically Racialised Features. that's definitely.......not good, and something a lot of people of colour have complained about particularly as regards art of Black, Indigenous and East Asian characters. and nor is it to drift into "BEHOLD, THE SKULL OF THE CAUCASOID EXHIBITS A PRONOUNCED BROW RIDGE" eugenicist bullshit, because no, there isn't A Singular Way that every member of a specific ethnic group looks, nor are there hard divisions between ethnicities.

Idk I've just found it helpful in my art to think about what my lines are conveying before I add colour or clothing or hairstyles. Originally this was about more broadly tracking the same face syndrome which is really easy to fall into when you're a mediocre manga artist in your teens (as I was) and really undermines visual storytelling, but then I realised while I was getting good at visually distinct faces, I was still only getting across that someone was Tamil or Jamaican or whatever by shading, which doesn't...at all work. it kind of just looks like you've drawn a white person doing brownface 9 times out of 10 if you are, effectively, just drawing a white person then Making Them Brown. So I had to work on that, and I'm still a long way off perfect, but imo it comes down to reference broadly (don't just Google 'Black woman' and base all your assumptions about how you'd draw Black facial features from the first page of results), think critically about what you're assuming are the "important" features (for example: do all Black people have thick lips and broad noises? really? when you look at reference photos are you looking at what's actually there or at what you expect to be there?), and listen to what people of colour are saying about how people of their race are depicted. but like. idk. I think it's a thorny topic but it's worth appreciating that as white artists we do have to actively teach ourselves to draw characters who are visibly non-white, because the Western art establishment in general and art teaching in specific tends to work from the assumption of white-as-default-ideal.

yk we learn to draw double-creased eyes as standard. we learn that a profile has a highly defined straight brow and nose, a minimally defined mouth, and a protruding chin. we learn that the upper and lower lip are about the same size and cupids-bowed. most art teaching and most how to draw books are based on the Classical Ideal which is a product of white supremacist idealism and the way a lot of books teach art is there is the Standard Figure (white, slim and cis male), the Standard Female Figure (white, slim, curvaceous and sexualised) and then you paste Diversity on top. and that requires in my opinion active unlearning. we should endeavour to get out of a place where we see white faces as the baseline and everything else as Adding Stuff On Top. idk. it's difficult to talk about our explore without falling into absolutist, highly racialised ways of thinking. and we absolutely will fuck up and the fact that we're trying doesn't make that ok! and when we do fuck up and draw something harmful we need to be humble and willing to accept criticism even when the urge is there to get very defensive.

[recentanimenews]

ESSAY: Berserk's Journey of Acceptance Over 30 Years of Fandom

  My descent into anime fandom began in the '90s, and just as watching Neon Genesis Evangelion caused my first revelation that cartoons could be art, reading Berserk gave me the same realization about comics. The news of Kentaro Miura’s death, who passed on May 6, has been emotionally complicated for me, as it's the first time a celebrity's death has hit truly close to home. In addition to being the lynchpin for several important personal revelations, Berserk is one of the longest-lasting works I’ve followed and that I must suddenly bid farewell to after existing alongside it for two-thirds of my life.

  Berserk is a monolith not only for anime and manga, but also fantasy literature, video games, you name it. It might be one of the single most influential works of the ‘80s — on a level similar to Blade Runner — to a degree where it’s difficult to imagine what the world might look like without it, and the generations of creators the series inspired.

  Although not the first, Guts is the prototypical large sword anime boy: Final Fantasy VII's Cloud Strife, Siegfried/Nightmare from Soulcalibur, and Black Clover's Asta are all links in the same chain, with other series like Dark Souls and Claymore taking clear inspiration from Berserk. But even deeper than that, the three-character dynamic between Guts, Griffith, and Casca, the monster designs, the grotesque violence, Miura’s image of hell — all of them can be spotted in countless pieces of media across the globe.

  Despite this, it just doesn’t seem like people talk about it very much. For over 20 years, Berserk has stood among the critical pantheon for both anime and manga, but it doesn’t spur conversations in the same way as Neon Genesis Evangelion, Akira, or Dragon Ball Z still do today. Its graphic depictions certainly represent a barrier to entry much higher than even the aforementioned company. 

    Seeing the internet exude sympathy and fond reminiscing about Berserk was immensely validating and has been my single most therapeutic experience online. Moreso, it reminded me that the fans have always been there. And even looking into it, Berserk is the single best-selling property in the 35-year history of Dark Horse. My feeling is that Berserk just has something about it that reaches deep into you and gets stuck there.

  I recall introducing one of my housemates to Berserk a few years ago — a person with all the intelligence and personal drive to both work on cancer research at Stanford while pursuing his own MD and maintaining a level of physical fitness that was frankly unreasonable for the hours that he kept. He was NOT in any way analytical about the media he consumed, but watching him sitting on the floor turning all his considerable willpower and intellect toward delivering an off-the-cuff treatise on how Berserk had so deeply touched him was a sight in itself to behold. His thoughts on the series' portrayal of sex as fundamentally violent leading up to Guts and Casca’s first moment of intimacy in the Golden Age movies was one of the most beautiful sentiments I’d ever heard in reaction to a piece of fiction.

  I don’t think I’d ever heard him provide anything but a surface-level take on a piece of media before or since. He was a pretty forthright guy, but the way he just cut into himself and let his feelings pour out onto the floor left me awestruck. The process of reading Berserk can strike emotional chords within you that are tough to untangle. I’ve been writing analysis and experiential pieces related to anime and manga for almost ten years — and interacting with Berserk’s world for almost 30 years — and writing may just be yet another attempt for me to pull my own twisted-up feelings about it apart. 

  Berserk is one of the most deeply personal works I’ve ever read, both for myself and in my perception of Miura's works. The series' transformation in the past 30 years artistically and thematically is so singular it's difficult to find another work that comes close. The author of Hajime no Ippo, who was among the first to see Berserk as Miura presented him with some early drafts working as his assistant, claimed that the design for Guts and Puck had come from a mess of ideas Miura had been working on since his early school days.

  写真は三浦建太郎君が寄稿してくれた鷹村です。 今かなり感傷的になっています。 思い出話をさせて下さい。 僕が初めての週刊連載でスタッフが一人もいなくて困っていたら手伝いにきてくれました。 彼が18で僕が19です。 某大学の芸術学部の学生で講義明けにスケッチブックを片手に来てくれました。 pic.twitter.com/hT1JCWBTKu

— 森川ジョージ (@WANPOWANWAN) May 20, 2021

  Miura claimed two of his big influences were Go Nagai’s Violence Jack and Tetsuo Hara and Buronson’s Fist of the North Star. Miura wears these influences on his sleeve, discovering the early concepts that had percolated in his mind just felt right. The beginning of Berserk, despite its amazing visual power, feels like it sprang from a very juvenile concept: Guts is a hypermasculine lone traveler breaking his body against nightmarish creatures in his single-minded pursuit of revenge, rigidly independent and distrustful of others due to his dark past.

  Uncompromising, rugged, independent, a really big sword ... Guts is a romantic ideal of masculinity on a quest to personally serve justice against the one who wronged him. Almost nefarious in the manner in which his character checked these boxes, especially when it came to his grim stoicism, unblinkingly facing his struggle against literal cosmic forces. Never doubting himself, never trusting others, never weeping for what he had lost.

    Miura said he sketched out most of the backstory when the manga began publication, so I have to assume the larger strokes of the Golden Arc were pretty well figured out from the outset, but I’m less sure if he had fully realized where he wanted to take the story to where we are now. After the introductory mini-arcs of demon-slaying, Berserk encounters Griffith and the story draws us back to a massive flashback arc. We see the same Guts living as a lone mercenary who Griffith persuades to join the Band of the Hawk to help realize his ambitions of rising above the circumstances of his birth to join the nobility.

  We discover the horrific abuses of Guts’ adoptive father and eventually learn that Guts, Griffith, and Casca are all victims of sexual violence. The story develops into a sprawling semi-historical epic featuring politics and war, but the real narrative is in the growing companionship between Guts and the members of the band. Directionless and traumatized by his childhood, Guts slowly finds a purpose helping Griffith realize his dream and the courage to allow others to grow close to him. 

  Miura mentioned that many Band of the Hawk members were based on his early friend groups. Although he was always sparse with details about his personal life, he has spoken about how many of them referred to themselves as aspiring manga authors and how he felt an intense sense of competition, admitting that among them he may have been the only one seriously working toward that goal, desperately keeping ahead in his perceived race against them. It’s intriguing thinking about how much of this angst may have made it to the pages, as it's almost impossible not to imagine Miura put quite a bit of himself in Guts. 

  Perhaps this is why it feels so real and makes The Eclipse — the quintessential anime betrayal at the hands of Griffith — all the more heartbreaking. The raw violence and macabre imagery certainly helped. While Miura owed Hellraiser’s Cenobites much in the designs of the God Hand, his macabre portrayal of the Band of the Hawk’s eradication within the literal bowels of hell, the massive hand, the black sun, the Skull Knight, and even Miura’s page compositions have been endlessly referenced, copied, and outright plagiarized since.

    The events were tragic in any context and I have heard many deeply personal experiences others drew from The Eclipse sympathizing with Guts, Casca, or even Griffith’s spiral driven by his perceived rejection by Guts. Mine were most closely aligned with the tragedy of Guts having overcome such painful circumstances to not only reject his own self enforced solitude, but to fearlessly express his affection for his loved ones. 

  The Golden Age was a methodical destruction of Guts’ self-destructive methods of preservation ruined in a single selfish act by his most trusted friend, leaving him once again alone and afraid of growing close to those around him. It ripped the romance of Guts’ mission and eventually took the story down a course I never expected. Berserk wasn’t a story of revenge but one of recovery.

  Guess that’s enough beating around the bush, as I should talk about how this shift affected me personally. When I was young, when I began reading Berserk I found Guts’ unflagging stoicism to be really cool, not just aesthetically but in how I understood guys were supposed to be. I was slow to make friends during school and my rapidly gentrifying neighborhood had my friends' parents moving away faster than I could find new ones. At some point I think I became too afraid of putting myself out there anymore, risking rejection when even acceptance was so fleeting. It began to feel easier just to resign myself to solitude and pretend my circumstances were beyond my own power to correct.

  Unfortunately, I became the stereotypical kid who ate alone during lunch break. Under the invisible expectations demanding I not display weakness, my loneliness was compounded by shame for feeling loneliness. My only recourse was to reveal none of those feelings and pretend the whole thing didn't bother me at all. Needless to say my attempts to cope probably fooled no one and only made things even worse, but I really didn’t know of any better way to handle my situation. I felt bad, I felt even worse about feeling bad and had been provided with zero tools to cope, much less even admit that I had a problem at all.

  The arcs following the Golden Age completely changed my perspective. Guts had tragically, yet understandably, cut himself off from others to save himself from experiencing that trauma again and, in effect, denied himself any opportunity to allow himself to be happy again. As he began to meet other characters that attached themselves to him, between Rickert and Erica spending months waiting worried for his return, and even the slimmest hope to rescuing Casca began to seed itself into the story, I could only see Guts as a fool pursuing a grim and hopeless task rather than appreciating everything that he had managed to hold onto. 

  The same attributes that made Guts so compelling in the opening chapters were revealed as his true enemy. Griffith had committed an unforgivable act but Guts’ journey for revenge was one of self-inflicted pain and fear. The romanticism was gone.

  Farnese’s inclusion in the Conviction arc was a revelation. Among the many brilliant aspects of her character, I identified with her simply for how she acted as a stand-in for myself as the reader: Plagued by self-doubt and fear, desperate to maintain her own stoic and uncompromising image, and resentful of her place in the world. She sees Guts’ fearlessness in the face of cosmic horror and believes she might be able to learn his confidence.

    But in following Guts, Farnese instead finds a teacher in Casca. In taking care of her, Farnese develops a connection and is able to experience genuine sympathy that develops into a sense of responsibility. Caring for Casca allows Farnese to develop the courage she was lacking not out of reckless self-abandon but compassion.

  I can’t exactly credit Berserk with turning my life around, but I feel that it genuinely helped crystallize within me a sense of growing doubts about my maladjusted high school days. My growing awareness of Guts' undeniable role in his own suffering forced me to admit my own role in mine and created a determination to take action to fix it rather than pretending enough stoicism might actually result in some sort of solution.

  I visited the Berserk subreddit from time to time and always enjoyed the group's penchant for referring to all the members of the board as “fellow strugglers,” owing both to Skull Knight’s label for Guts and their own tongue-in-cheek humor at waiting through extended hiatuses. Only in retrospect did it feel truly fitting to me. Trying to avoid the pitfalls of Guts’ path is a constant struggle. Today I’m blessed with many good friends but still feel primal pangs of fear holding me back nearly every time I meet someone, the idea of telling others how much they mean to me or even sharing my thoughts and feelings about something I care about deeply as if each action will expose me to attack.

  It’s taken time to pull myself away from the behaviors that were so deeply ingrained and it’s a journey where I’m not sure the work will ever be truly done, but witnessing Guts’ own slow progress has been a constant source of reassurance. My sense of admiration for Miura’s epic tale of a man allowing himself to let go after suffering such devastating circumstances brought my own humble problems and their way out into focus.

    Over the years I, and many others, have been forced to come to terms with the fact that Berserk would likely never finish. The pattern of long, unexplained hiatuses and the solemn recognition that any of them could be the last is a familiar one. The double-edged sword of manga largely being works created by a single individual is that there is rarely anyone in a position to pick up the torch when the creator calls it quits. Takehiko Inoue’s Vagabond, Ai Yazawa’s Nana, and likely Yoshihiro Togashi’s Hunter X Hunter all frozen in indefinite hiatus, the publishers respectfully holding the door open should the creators ever decide to return, leaving it in a liminal space with no sense of conclusion for the fans except what we can make for ourselves.

  The reason for Miura’s hiatuses was unclear. Fans liked to joke that he would take long breaks to play The Idolmaster, but Miura was also infamous for taking “breaks” spent minutely illustrating panels to his exacting artistic standard, creating a tumultuous release schedule during the wars featuring thousands of tiny soldiers all dressed in period-appropriate armor. If his health was becoming an issue, it’s uncommon that news would be shared with fans for most authors, much less one as private as Miura.

  Even without delays, the story Miura was building just seemed to be getting too big. The scale continued to grow, his narrative ambition swelling even faster after 20 years of publication, the depth and breadth of his universe constantly expanding. The fan-dubbed “Millennium Falcon Arc” was massive, changing the landscape of Berserk from a low fantasy plagued by roaming demons to a high fantasy where godlike beings of sanity-defying size battled for control of the world. How could Guts even meet Griffith again? What might Casca want to do when her sanity returned? What are the origins of the Skull Knight? And would he do battle with the God Hand? There was too much left to happen and Miura’s art only grew more and more elaborate. It would take decades to resolve all this.

  But it didn’t need to. I imagine we’ll never get a precise picture of the final years of Miura’s life leading up to his tragic passing. In the final chapters he released, it felt as if he had directed the story to some conclusion. The unfinished Fantasia arc finds Guts and his newfound band finding a way to finally restore Casca’s sanity and — although there is still unmistakably a boundary separating them — both seem resolute in finding a way to mend their shared wounds together.

  One of the final chapters features Guts drinking around the campfire with the two other men of his group, Serpico and Roderick, as he entrusts the recovery of Casca to Schierke and Farnese. It's a scene that, in the original Band of the Hawk, would have found Guts brooding as his fellows engage in bluster. The tone of this conversation, however, is completely different. The three commiserate over how much has changed and the strength each has found in the companionship of the others. After everything that has happened, Guts declares that he is grateful. 

  The suicidal dedication to his quest for vengeance and dispassionate pragmatism that defined Guts in the earliest chapters is gone. Although they first appeared to be a source of strength as the Black Swordsman, he has learned that they rose from the fear of losing his friends again, from letting others close enough to harm him, and from having no other purpose without others. Whether or not Guts and Griffith were to ever meet again, Guts has rediscovered the strength to no longer carry his burdens alone. 

  All that has happened is all there will ever be. We too must be grateful.

      Peter Fobian is an Associate Manager of Social Video at Crunchyroll, writer for Anime Academy and Anime in America, and an editor at Anime Feminist. You can follow him on Twitter @PeterFobian.

By: Peter Fobian

[ranma-rewatch]

Episode 25: The Abduction of P-Chan

Y’all, it has finally COME. The arc I have been wanting to rewatch for ages. One of my favorite arcs in the series. It’s time for figure skating, I’m pretty sure I remember this arc very well, and I look forward to seeing if I still love it as much as I used to.

Oh, but before I do that, I just want to go over something. I already talked about this during Season 1, but some of you might be confused why I’ve waited so long to cover this arc. It’s because the original broadcast order and the production order are different, and Hulu has things in the production order. I wanted to cover the series by broadcast date, so even though this takes place right before the original Shampoo arc, we’re not watching it until, well, now. But anyway, that done, let’s watch the episode!

I am not disappointed.

The episode starts at an ice-skating rink, where Akane is there with a few unnamed friends who want her to join the skating club, because she’s genuinely that good. However, she brought P-Chan with her and left him on the ice. Before she can get back to our transformed lost boy, someone else finds him and takes him away, calling him ‘Charlotte’.

From there, we cut to a ramen shop where Ranma is getting grilled by his friends Hiroshi and Daisuke, who want to date ‘the other Ranma’. That request goes as well as you can expect (though I do have to wonder, since it’s unclear if they think the ‘other Ranma’ is Ranma’s girlfriend or his sister, and they both want to date her, if this would be an actual polycule), but just as Ranma starts walking away, insulting Akane because his friends brought her up, she appears, looking upset.

Ranma immediately regrets that and starts backpedaling, only to realize she doesn’t care about that, she wants his help finding her pet. Luckily, that won’t be too hard, because the thief enters the same shop they’re in, carrying Ryoga around with her. Akane tries taking him back, but the girl resists.

That’s when someone shows up to help Akane, a tall attractive young man who acts like the ultimate pretty boy romance option. He apologizes, explaining his friend has a bad habit of taking things she finds cute and naming them. That just sets the girl off though, whining more and more about the matter until she challenges Akane to a figure skating match.

It’s then that we learn who these two are: Mikado Sanzenin and Azusa Shiratore from Kolholtz High School. Together, they’re a figure skating duo known as the Golden Pair, and they’ve won 950 matches with no losses. Despite this, Akane is ready to fight.

Mikado starts putting the moves on her, causing Ranma to flick some food at him. The figure skater takes that as a challenge, so it’ll be a doubles match of Ranma and Akane versus Mikado and Azusa, and it’ll be in one week.

That night at dinner, Ranma and Ryoga argue over who gets to skate with Akane, each bragging over what they can do...the only issue there is that neither can actually skate at all. Akane starts helping Ranma after he goes into the bathroom and activates his and Ryoga’s curses, since he feels like failing so badly at skating looks worse when he’s masculine.

The Golden Pair return, with Azusa snatching P-Chan to put a new collar on him, one only she can unlock, and Mikado now trying to flirt with Ranma. It’s revealed that they’re both masters of Martial Arts Figure Skating, and that’s what the match really is, as they train by defeating a hundred opponents in just nine seconds. Things get worse when he actually steals a kiss from Ranma, causing Ranma to go use hot water to turn himself back and enter the ice rink ready to fight. He punches the ice so hard that he leaves an enormous crack in it, and he claims it’s the first time in his life he’s been really mad.

That’s where the episode leaves us! But wow, I still feel like a lot happened in this one. There’s a heck of a lot for me to cover, but let’s just start with, well, all the Ranma/Akane. I’m sorry! I can’t help myself!! There was just so much of it! Whether it be Ranma worrying about making Akane mad from another “she’s not cute” kind of thing and being ready to take it back, to how annoyed he gets from Mikado flirting with her, to how after being kissed by Mikado one of the first things he worries about is that it was in front of Akane.

It was adorable!

I also think it’s remarkable how this story is just carried by the personalities of its characters. This isn’t some plot that happens to have the Golden Pair in it. The conflict is driven by Azusa’s strange kleptomania and my Mikado’s predatory behavior. Compared to some other storylines I can think of, this approach makes this one feel much more focused, as well as emphasizing the antagonists of the arc.

I’m going to give each of them their own Character Spotlight in coming weeks, but I did want to say here that I think it’s really interesting how Mikado is frequently animated to make his possessive behavior clear just through visuals, like how he holds Ranma’s arms while carrying him, to keep him from resisting his advances.

The comedy felt strong in this episode, as did the action. I wasn’t laughing the whole time or anything, but I was entertained throughout, and that’s not something I can say for a lot of episodes, sadly. It’s a strong start to this arc, and it just gets better from here...or at least that’s what the opinions I formed in high school tell me, from across the vast distance of time.

Instead of doing a Character Spotlight, I’m going to FINALLY talk about Season 2’s Opening! Since, for some reason, this is the first episode to have it...when due to broadcast order versus production order a lot of places don’t even have it in Season 1!

This song is called “Little Date”, performed by the band Ribbon. It’s a very cute little song, with elements of lighter and sillier moments but also of more emotional ones. I like it a lot more than the first opening’s song, and while I’m not sure if it’s my favorite opening, it’s one of the ones I love going back to listen to the most.

The visuals are...okay. The first half is pretty meh, a combination of original art, images from the manga, and overall less animated stuff. It’s also kind of infamous for showing Ranma’s cursed form topless, right at the start. The second half is better, and I especially love Shampoo’s introduction. The way she and the music fit together is really good, and the fact it’s at the bubbliest part of the song works really well.

On the whole, even with some more lackluster visuals, I’d still put it above the first seasons’s OP.

If it isn’t obvious, I’m very happy to be starting the Martial Arts Figure Skating Arc. I don’t know how popular it is in the larger Ranma fandom, but I know I’ve always been a big fan of it, and this time around it’s still good, at least so far. Honestly? I’m actually going to put this as the second best episode so far, I liked it that much.

Episode 7: Enter Ryoga, the Eternal ‘Lost Boy’  

Episode 25: The Abduction of P-Chan

Episode 12: A Woman's Love is War! The Martial Arts Rhythmic Gymnastics Challenge!

Episode 15: Enter Shampoo, the Gung-Ho Girl! I Put My Life in Your Hands

Episode 9: True Confessions! A Girl's Hair is Her Life!

Episode 2: School is No Place for Horsing Around

Episode 19: Clash of the Delivery Girls! The Martial Arts Takeout Race

Episode 6: Akane's Lost Love... These Things Happen, You Know

Episode 13: A Tear in a Girl-Delinquent's Eye? The End of the Martial Arts Rhythmic Gymnastics Challenge!

Episode 23: Enter Mousse! The Fist of the White Swan

Episode 17: I Love You, Ranma! Please Don’t Say Goodbye

Episode 20: You Really Do Hate Cats!

Episode 16: Shampoo's Revenge! The Shiatsu Technique That Steals Heart and Soul

Episode 8: School is a Battlefield! Ranma vs. Ryoga

Episode 11: Ranma Meets Love Head-On! Enter the Delinquent Juvenile Gymnast!

Episode 4: Ranma and...Ranma? If It’s Not One Thing, It’s Another

Episode 5: Love Me to the Bone! The Compound Fracture of Akane's Heart

Episode 1: Here’s Ranma

Episode 22: Behold! The 'Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire' Technique

Episode 3: A Sudden Storm of Love

Episode 21: This Ol' Gal's the Leader of the Amazon Tribe!

Episode 10: P-P-P-Chan! He's Good For Nothin'

Episode 14: Pelvic Fortune-Telling? Ranma is the No. One Bride in Japan

Episode 18: I Am a Man! Ranma's Going Back to China!?

Episode 24: Cool Runnings! The Race of the Snowmen

This arc continues next week, and if I’m being honest, I think it’s going to top this. But maybe I’m wrong! We’ll see with “Close Call! The Dance of Death... On Ice!”. Can it be as good as Reptaur on Ice? I doubt it.

[zabbaninja]

Updated Ranking- 2020 Anime Year In Review

Punch Line- Completely unexpected, possibly the greatest anime of all time. The animation is good and the music is great, but the characters and story is what made me really love this show. It’s also very misleading holy crap they work hard to cover up the real meat of the show. 

HaNaYaMaTa- A gorgeous anime with a bunch of great music and dancing.

Promare- 2d CGI hybrid with an amazing soundtrack and inspiring characters. (Still not as good as Kill la Kill though.)

The Helpful Fox Senko-San- Really really cute, probably the most feel-good anime ever made. 

Laid Back-Camp- Absolutely incredible.

Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba- Way exceeded my expectations.

No Game No Life Zero- No comment, it’s better if you go in with nothing.

Spirited Away- What did you expect?

Parasyte- Outstanding visuals and the best transformation of a character I have ever seen in any anime.

The Disastrous Life of Saiki K- The best comedy anime I saw this year, the animation is a little stiff, but the characters make up for it.

Komi Can’t Communicate (Manga)- A very good read that I don’t think would work well as an anime imo. 

No Game No Life- The greatest fictional world I have ever seen in anything ever. I couldn't imagine half the things the anime does.

Squid-Girl- Made me like squids.

Lupin III: The First- SEE! CGI IS COOL!

Hi Score Girl (Season 2)- Season one was pretty good, but a little underwhelming. Season 2 on the other hand is completely insane and is one of the best anime you can watch on Netflix right now holy crap.

BNA- Trigger has done it again, though some aspects hold it down for me. 

Gargantia on the verdurous planet- Amazing Sci-Fi anime, Ledo is hot.

Miss Kobayashi’s Dragon Maid- Really recommend this one.

Blue Exorcist (Kyoto Saga)- What a grand return!

Kohana Kitan- A beautiful anime with a whole lot of charm.

Jojo’s Bizarre Adventure Part 5: Golden Wind- This… Is Requiem.

Dragon Quest: Your Story- Best video game movie, fight me.

Star vs. The Forces of Evil- Really good, had a lot of unexpected moments.

The Disastrous Life of Saiki K: Reawakened- Not as good as original, though still pretty solid.

Steven Universe- Really good.

Steven Universe The Movie- Also really good.

HERO- What an outstanding film. The closest we will get to anime fighting in live-action.

House of Flying Daggers- Why isn't it house of “The” flying daggers? What the heck?

The Last Samurai- I didn't know that it was Tom Cruise until the very end.

In This Corner of the World- Really really incredible movie, highly recommended, will probably make you cry and feel sad though, so watch at your one risk.

Eromanga Sensei- Really really fun anime.

Gourmet Girl Graffiti- If you like food and cute girls, this is the anime for you. (Update after watching again, this was way better than I remember. I would probably put it much higher now) 

Nichijou: My Ordinary Life- This anime is a sight to behold.

Jojo’s Bizarre Adventure Part 3.5: Battle in Egypt- There was only one reason you lost.

Jojo’s Bizarre Adventure Part 4: Diamond is Unbreakable- My name is Yoshikage Kira. I'm 33 years old. 

Kabaneri of the Iron Fortress: The Battle of Unato- Way better than I was expecting, really solid. 

Sword Art Online Alicization: War of Underworld- Some of the best animation you can watch right now, with some stupid garbage mixed in.

Lupin The 3rd, Part 5- Pretty good, though not outstanding.

Avatar: The Last Airbender- I’m sorry, It’s just not really for me.

Anima Yell!- Very cute, though some other anime do this style a lot better.

Sword Art Online Alicization- This is literally the textbook example of Awful Taste but Great Execution.

Recovery of an MMO Junkie- It’s good, but it doesn't really feel that unique or memorable compared to other slice of life anime. (That opening though… Now that is incredible.)

Monthly Girls’ Nozaki Kun- WHERE IS THE PLOT? WHY DOES IT END THE SAME WAY IT BEGAN? NOTHING HAPPENED!!

Sonic the Hedgehog- “Gotta go fast.”

Nezha- Really good, I liked the story a lot.

LEGO Ninjago- The spiritual successor to the original series, while nowhere near as good, is something I can say is 90% better than everything else on Cartoon Network right now.

Pop Team Epic- Was not really for me.

Scissor Seven (Season 2)- I liked this a lot, I cannot wait to see what happens in season 3.

Infinity Train- Good, though not as outstanding as something like Gravity Falls (Which this show is compared to a lot).

Modest Heroes- First part is okay, Second part is alright, Third part is a must watch.

NinoKuni- The most predictable movie I have ever watched. 

Oblivion- The song was really good.

Scissor Seven (Season 1)- A mixed bag, full of boring episodes and some that truly amazed me. 

Randy Cunningham: 9th Grade Ninja- Good for what it is.

WATATEN!: an Angel Flew Down to Me- Ehh… Really pretty animation- too bad nothing happens.

BAKI- WHY WOULD YOU JUST SWITCH TO CGI IN THE MIDDLE OF A FIGHT SCENE?

Fireworks- Most boring anime I watched this year, a complete waste of time.

Devilman Crybaby- The worst anime I have ever seen in my life, pissed me off and made me never want to watch anime again. I am glad other people like it though, I wish I could too… But I just can’t.

[sunel0]

Don't mind me using my second coffee break to come and ask you questions! 😂 Okay, so, I wanna know: 1, 4, 20, and 40!

Ahaha, I see your priorities are in order:'DD

1. What was the first fandom you got involved in?

Depending on what involved means. I started reading HP fics when I was 12 or 11, but the first fandom I created stuff for was Shugo Chara! (it's a shojo manga and anime) when I was something like 14 or 15, I wrote some bad Fanni that is now mostly lost to the void of the internet, except for one piece that I have on a Russian fic posting site, everything else is somewhere in VK communities:'DD

4. Do you regret getting involved in any fandoms?

No, I don't think so. So far it has been going great, probably because I'm not doing anything and have a very chill attitude toward art pieces being dissapointing<3

20. Any ships which you surprised yourself by liking?

I have a very certain type of a favorite character and ships for them to the point where I have been predicting who my fave will be before getting anywhere near the media piece since I was uhhh 16, and I've been only sort of mistaken once (some things changes as I got deeper into the fandom, but generally I was right), so there's never actually anything surprising about these things for me, I'm sometimes more surprised at pairings I don't like

But!

The last big thing in my fandom life was PJO, thanks to certain someone, and I really hoped that my favorite character will end up being Will Solace, but of course I had to love the character (I wasn't aware of his existence before) who is as cookie cutter as they get, he's literally a baby Captain America, it wasn't surprising at all, I just really hoped that for once I'll fall for something more original. And I didn't really think I shipped anything that actively in there, but then I let everything set in, and, lo and behold, I'm shipping what is basically a PJO version of Stony with A LOT of bro... undertones. I'm not surprised, I'm Annoyed and sort of Disappointed, there are so many good options in there

Also, there are of course pairings that came at me out of nowhere, like Cordia (which I can understand) or Charlie Weasley/Draco (with only explanation being dragonfucker Charlie, like what is this...) or that one super random Skins pairing for which I've seen maybe 3 fics ever. I generally get more confused about these things than surprised

40. What do you struggle the most with in your writing?

With everything apparently, that's why I barely ever do it. Generally my issues are actual plot and it's implementation, relationship development (esp romantic, hard to write something you hardly understand), and being nervous about not writing something accurately enough. Also, of course, sitting down and actually writing<3

Thank you for the questions:33

[kazamastar]

Welcome to 2021

Ver. 2.1 - Ok. February but still, here we are. “Behold it’s me” as Logic would say. [...] I’m sorry I’m a bit shook because I started to write at 10:01AM, and it’s precisely 12:07AM, I was progressing pretty well in the process of writting and then I made a bad move and lost everything I wrote. I’m kinda mad. Really, I was this 👌 close to give up on writting it, and you can notice that the pixels are touching. But I guess the “I said I’d do it, so I’m going to do it” mentality is taking me places, once again. Even if I have to start again (that's called mental strength, take notes). And I said I’d write it baked so here I am, baked and hella motivated to do it. So, W shouldn’t help me reminding me what I wrote in the first version but nevermind. So I guess I'll put the most things I remember. I can tell there were good ideas ! I'll take this occasion to remind everyone the concept of these posts but first we will recap numbers of this year (well, more or less accurate for 2020 as I'm writting one month late) (and I'll fucking stop writting on the tumblr site and switch to OpenOffice so my next words are not lost again). 637 Nakamas (thank y'all for being here, even if I post 12847 times in a row. You're the best). 3609 posts and 23 376 likes. (109 drafts : lol it's less than a few weeks ago)

Pic : Plot twist 2. No more smile, but the return of the bowtie. (aka « The 4 days late suit » aka « I'm old enough to know better »)

The choice of this picture was so simple. Or maybe I should have chosen the one with the mustache only I took during lockdown ? Ahah. But … this picture could almost resume the year on its own. If I'd describe it in depth and explain the context, I could review 70% of the events that happened this year (and I think I'll go for that later, interesting exercise).

So. First let me explain the goal of these sums up. Each « Welcome to XXXX » is a resume, a sum up of the year XXXX-1. I write these for me, it's a funny way to keep track of all these years. I try to describe more or less precisely what happened during the year. I allow myself to be more or less precise because I firstly write these for me. And sometimes these posts tend to be long. Especially this one. It's gonna be sooo long. Like, idk maybe highlight this line and take a few seconds to scroll down and see how looooong it is. Kinda discouraging isn't it ? Lucky you it won't go on forever though as today, as I'm writting that it's 12:23PM and I'll have to be gone at 4 or 5PM. But I think contraints make art, even if I don't like to write under any kind of pressure. But I'm determined to do it in one take. So in these posts I also write about the TV Shows, manga, anime, movies I've seen/read. Even books, as I finally had the chance to read « Le Petit Prince » this year. We all know we had time this year, don't we ? And at the end, I post a 12 songs playlist (+ songs that I discovered this year that also are going to remind me of the year). We can roughly say it's « 1 song/1 month » but it's not always true. These songs are songs I like a lot, like really (but not necessarily my favorite) but above all, they remind me of the year I'm resuming (it can also be older songs). I also post my top 3 albums of the year. I'm thinking also of detailing my choices of playlist. Maybe not explaining all of them but a few. [12:36PM. And I'm already hungry.] On the 1st try I remember I talked about the TV shows I saw. I forgot to mention it but I write in English for a few reasons. First is : it helps me exercising my English. For me, it's the most beautiful langage to talk and it's a good occasion to do so. And then I actually enjoy writting in English. And it prevents unwanted people who don't master English to read all that (as it is pretty intimate). But joke's on me, I'm conscious the people I'd like to keep away from reading this all master English, and even better than me for some of them. (It surely is the case for 27 at least, even though we all know she still won't read this lol). Yes, I never drop names in these sum ups. Or at least, some names are blacklisted. I always chose a number to nominate them they would normally recognize themselves. So, talking about English, I've seen « Emily in Paris » on Netflix. It may surprize you but I'm very interested in dubbing. French dubbing is amazing. For example I bought « Spiderman » on PS4 this year and the french voice is the same voice actor as in the « Amazing Spider-Man » (yes the one with Andrew Garfield). (UNPOPULAR OPINION : Andrew Garfield actually is the best spiderman. Or at least the one I prefer and by far). Emily in Paris is funny because I watched it in English and it kinda disturbed me that it took place in Paris but everybody spoke English. On the other hand, if you watch it in French, langages people are talking become logical (French people speak french) but you'll have to deal with the DEADLY ANNOYING French voice of Emily. And her accent. I think I just watched 1 or 2 episodes like that, I couldn't take more ?. If you have time you should take 5 seconds to listen to what I'm talking about. But it was quite a good show. It was so fun to see these streets I've been visiting for so long in a Netflix show. By the way, I think it's easy to say that I'm missing Paris so much. But not only for the tourism, but most and foremost for the competitions. Before being a tourist I was a competitor there. So, I'm missing Paris but I'm also missing karate competitions. And also just karate. I haven't stepped on a tatami for 3 weeks and it still seems like it won't get better, and we all know why. I'm curious if I could talk about this year without mentioning a very famous virus but I think it's just impossible. But this virus gave me a lot of time in March and April. Maybe less in November tho. I could finally finish The Walking Dead, which last seasons were surprisingly good. And it was so fun to watch the reactions of people on Youtube [#]. Talking about karate competitions, I also watched Cobra Kai ! What an amazing job they did there. Adding more depth to the first movie, it's funny to change perspective and see that the Daniel we were rooting for wasn't that much of a « perfect good guy » we saw (I'm not talking about the kick in the face etc). It's also funny to notice I kinda went fro Daniel to Johnny lol. But having a Netflix show talking about martial arts and value they teach to their students ? It was perfect, even more when you see that some of my students also saw it so when we were training I was refering to it they almost all got it. And it's also funny to see that it's not as Manichean as the 1st movie was. It's a 9/10 for me. If I read the last sum up right, I said : « This year 2020 I really need to watch Kimetsu no yaiba, Jojo, Violet evergarden, Gintama and i have to keep ready 7 deadly sins. » So : Kimetsu no Yaiba was dope. The anime was beautiful and the manga was very entertaining. Not a top tier manga but definitively a good one. Jojo's anime was cool but too long. I stopped after season 2 or 3 I guess ? Violet Evergarden was TRASH (and very bad for a date, if you ask me) and I didn't take time to explore the 2 others. I also saw : Assassination classroom (5/10, i couldn't finish it so i skipped directly to the last episode, was as moving as people said), Validé (8/10, with an insane final episode), No Game No Life (8,5/10, i loved it), Freaks and Geeks (7,5 but i didn't finish it, I really like the old school vibe), Code geass (7/10, great anime and great opening). I finally discovered Community and it was worth it. What a funny show. And what a pleasure to see Mr Donald Glover on screen. Makes me think that I need to watch Atlanta again. The problem with Community is the last seasons broke the 4th wall too much for me, it became painful to watch. But the 3 or 4 seasons are crazy. Another show that was even more funny : IT Crowd. I finally had the chance to see the episode of « I came here to drink milk and kick ass, and I just finished my milk ». This show is a 9,25/10. Grand Army was also a great show of 2020. Dom is an amazing character (but I already said it). Kengan Ashura was also so cool ! I think it's what Baki would have liked to become. This year I also started to watch « American horror Story » again (alone and not alone). These last seasons were awesome. I also converted Elodi to «my hero academia », it was so cool to share that. Other things I saw : SAO S4 (AMAZING, SO BEAUTIFUL), Erased, SNK Last season) ; The Mandalorian, 24's 9th season.« Queen's gambit » have been one of the greatest show I've seen this year. And I really want to say that I played chess before the show came out (add me on Lichess if you want to play with me. Same username. I'm not strong -about 1000 ELO I guess- but I'm always happy to play and learn). If you want a precise idea of my level, on the chess.com app, I can beat Emir 🇹🇷 (1000 ELO) often but I didn't win once against Sven 🇸🇰 (who is ~1100 ELO). I'm so happy talking about all these lengthen the post even more. Kinda satisfying. But I could also talk about Tekken and chess this year. I think I have a thing with dueling sports. I'm a Karate competitor, I love Tekken and I like chess. I guess someone has something to prove haha. But come on, chess is incredible. For the 1st lockdown, I was just playing (not alone) but I wanted to make progress just by practicing. And that's how I got BB 5 or 7 (yes, it means Beat By = my number of loss in a row). But at the end of the 2nd lockdown I finally allowed myself to study a little more, thanks to Youtube (once again). This is SO INTERESTING. Like the strategies, the top players. French content creators are fun but I like american ones more. Eric Rosen is my favourite. He's always calm, he often finds solutions. GothamChess is also very entertaining. You can say by how he talks he has been a teacher. He's great. So, once again on some shonen shit, I started studying more. Mid December, a kid beat me 2 times in a row. He's a smart kid, I like him. He didn't brag or anything. And then, during Christmas Holidays I spent 2 or 3 hours a day watching chess videos. I guess he hasn't been able to beat me since then haha. By the way I should play with him later on today. Playing chess is a way for me to make sure my brain doesn't let me down, like gym for the brain. At least, it's what I thought when I started but I quickly discovered that it's a game of patterns recognizing, so memory is really challenged here. I mean, in the middlegame you have to be smart to get by but at the beginning and ending … you have to know your openings. I have also thought of joining a club but I don't know if chess communities are benevolent. I also noticed that high ranked players seem to have strong personalities. And then for Tekken (yes, 3 years and a half later I'm still on this game) I'm still making progress. In March, someone made me want to play Heihachi. What a funny character. Not top tier, but fun. Leroy Smith is also fun to play. There was no offline tournament but I won one, the 1st organized by Tekken Toulouse and finished 5th at the second. It's funny to live that level of stress straight from my bed. Usually, that kind of stress making my whole body trembling is usually found nearby tatamis of Karate competitons. (Yes, these Tekken tournaments make me stressful and that's the reason I can't play Jin in tournaments). But Eddy is still a sure value. Still progressing in movement, and whiff punishing. Mishimas are getting more consistent on electrics but it's not perfect. By the way, if you love fighting games and Bruce Lee, there's a video you need to see (whoever you are) : [#]. If you're really interested in these topics, you should appreciate this video as much as I did [2:10 PM. I have eaten, but now I have the feeling that I'm late.] Btw I don't skip line to add some « length » effect. Once again I'm sorry if making it until here was painful to read, but I need to make this paragraph the least attractive I can. This line I'm writting is almost on the 3rd page of OpenOffice. And I try to avoid using emojis, so there's just text. Tout dans le fond, pas de forme. Also, congratulations for making it until here, you must be very motivated. I'm writting slowly because it's the 1st time I write this by daytime, and I swear at the begining people were harassing me ahah. It's fun because the sum up of 2019 was so short. Just with its form, you can tell how 2019 have been peaceful. I don't remember if I talked about it already but a disaster could have happened in September/October 2019. But karate kept my mind busy so the worst have been avoided. Time spent on the tatamis kept me away from overthinking about my problems. And that was a good strategy indeed. Because in 2020 it wasn't the same. If we count right. Dojos were opened in January, February, 1st half of march, reopened in September and october, closed on november and opened in December (Mon Dieu quel … CASSE-TEX hahaha merci c'est tout pour moi). It was a weird karate year. Today is the 1 year anniversary of my last competition. During the 1st lockdown, I had litteraly no desire to train. Some of you know why. But let's talk a bit more about COVID and lockdowns. The most important thing is that I didn't spent the 1st lonely. This was the most challenging time of my life, but I can say that I made it thanks to 0808 so I'm eternally grateful for that. So, if we recap months by months : January was a funny month. One thing that I thought a miracle happened (until I found out months later what a real miracle was). I also almost went into a brawl. I guess this weird ass month set the tone for the 11 months to follow. February … was one of the calmest month. I had an awesome dojo session in Balma with 0808 in February. I think there were a lot of beautiful sunsets this month. Guess our weather power was at its peak. These 3 1st months of 2020 had a lot of trainings, even if I was injured due to kumite. March and April are kinda the same for me. I won't talking long about these but I'd simply say that I'm glad that I hadn't to write to 27. So, the Miracle happened by mid April. Mid april to mid may, it was cool. We were at home but … the weather was nice, I was doing sport everyday (but no real karate trainings) and I could keep this rythm of exercising until … Half July, which is good. It's the first time in my life I'm that consistent in doing sports at home. From mid may, I started to train with Coach O. on a weekly basis. It was incredible. These days were still bliss in my mind. I was there, no « real problems » in mind, I wasn't alone, I was making progress physically … It was really great. And from mi may to end of July, it kept getting better.Indeed, I fell in love again in January and it was getting stronger by the months. It's been a while I haven't fell this hard for someone. But she gave it back to me nicely. And then … Mala suerte 3.0. This point of the sum up is funny because I do remember when I talked about mala suerte in the other sum ups. I do realize how it's always the same thing when I write those : « 1st part of the year is cool, then not cool, then cool again but in a weird way because I have insane difficulties to repair broken parts of me » but hey. This time it's not my fault. It makes me realize how cyclic all this is. So, August, September and October have been terrible and chaotic months. A level of sadness rarely reached until there. Maybe comparable to September 2018. A high level of anger also. But still, with rare occasions to train, so no occasions to let go off steam. In fact, let's talk a bit about this anger. I've always took a lot of pride in the fact that I could most of the time remain calm in a lot of situations. Plus, being patient isn't something natural but … I learned to be through the years. I was so surprised to notice how angry I became … It simply wasn't me. But the reason is simple : I really think karate brings me balance in life, on a lot of levels (and it concerns me a lot for when I'll stop competing one day …). But I realized it so I'm working on it. In 2020, I led a lot of fights, sometimes I won and often I lost, but I also avoided a lot of them. One of the reasons I think I'm not ready to be a good partner is first I think I'm too angry. I don't think I could be mean to my partner but … I think I could be annoying to deal with. But mainly, I'm not ready to better myself now. To find the good partner, you need to become a good partner first, and this is precisely what I'm not ready to become. Despite being not perfect, I'm fine that way and I know how far from perfect I'm right now. But nevermind. This is the kind of state of mind you can't afford when you're in a relationship. I'm not saying you need to change to fit your partner's ideals. But if you notice something's wrong in your behaviour/habits and don't want to correct it, you might be a bad partner (but I could be wrong, I'm not a couple therapist lol).

Oh. And that's the moment I can describe my photo to tell the story differently. So this shot was taken precisely on Sunday, 4th of October. 1302 got confirmed so we had to go to the Temple du Salin. I went there with my father and he decided to rock a bowtie so I wanted to match him. It was so fun. That was the first time we stepped in a church after « all these events ». It was a strong moment for me. So, this picture (taken by me, thank you tripod) was taken 4 days after I « took a gamble ». I took a lot of gambles this year. One memorable gamble that lead to beautiful pictures of Toulouse was on August 27th (lol). This was after our breakup. I gave her an adress and an hour, and I hopped she would come. She never came so this was a lost gamble. (So I had a great time watching « Back to the future » outdoors, on a big movie screen, but I was alone). But this time was different. I did suppose she would be at one place on a certain day at the end of September. And I gambled right because she was there. And even if the context was so particular, I can tell we had a great time. I was so ready that I put on my best white shirt, because I knew she kinda liked it. I was there to win her back but I simply failed. Guess the shirt wasn't enough. So it was funny to wear the full suit 4 days later, I was like « Dude, nice effort but it's too late  lol» (plus the Temple du Salin is on the other side of the closest bridge from her home) but I still hopped to cross her road on that day. Oh and as we're analyzing this picture, I really like the bokeh on the autmun-colored leaves. I had the luck to have a very sweet light when I took these pictures. And the post processing was really funny. I have a lot of versions of this picture indeed. But all these colors in the background always make me think of a quote I love :  « Autumn shows us how beautiful it is to let things go » and this quote is so damn right. I discovered this year that I have difficulties to let things go. The thing is I hate injustice. I hate to see things that litteraly belong to me, things I deserve, simply run away from me. Sometimes I'm telling myself it's just my karma making me pay for all the شيطان I've done in the past. But other times I just try to convince myself to let go. It's been the 2nd most challenging thing this year. These levels of depression have never been reached before. But still, here I am. But not stronger than before. I had this conversation a few weeks ago about « what doesn't kill you makes you stronger ». To support this idea, some people might evoke the principle of « Kintsugi » as an example. But I strongly disagree about the first statement. I'm not a goddamn bowl. I take the example of my lower belly scar : it didn't kill me but it didn't get stronger either. That's the exact opposite indeed. Sometimes it still hurts even though it's been done 12 years ago (the last time it hurt was this night, almost stopping me from finding sleep). It's a personal opinion but what didn't kill me made me weaker. And I'm not just talking about physical injuries. Losing the ability to trust after all these events isn't what I'd call « getting stronger », even though « I didn't do anything wrong ». That's an expensive price. Bref. I think you can overcompensate with something else but the damaged parts may stay weak after. [3:03 PM. So I have about 1 hour to finish it. Easy.] There's one thing I wanted to talk about in this sum up, related to the fact of « being strong ». I read Blach again (you can tell by my december posts) and I started with the lost agent arc, followed by the TYBW arc. There's 2 things about it : its poetry, through the words and the drawings will always amaze me (it amazed me even if it’s the 2nd time I’me reading it), and the 2nd thing : I love how Ichigo become stronger. He lost his Shinigami powers but then found his Fullbring powers. And that is very important because he becomes strong again, but it's a different kind of strong and I LOVE THIS. It's like in real life. I was very strong in June 2012 (videos as proof), but it's not the same strong as in July 2017 or April/November 2018. June and July 2020 have been a different kind of strong. Not that I gained 10 kgs in 2 months (unfortunately) but I was exercising daily. I was getting my body ready for the supposed heavenly month of August that was awaiting me (us). Unfortunately there was no videos of karate at this period (but I made some in september!) but I was feeling great physically. In fact. This May/June/July 2020 period could be considered as “bliss” for me. Of course there was some background problems but ... Mentally I was getting back on my feet, I was deeply in love, physically pretty feeling myself. Plus on the 1st half of July i could go back to the tatamis ... I swear this level of peace and life appreciation have rarely been reached before. Well, this concept of getting stronger differently is almost obsessing me for a simple reason : I'm feeling like I'm getting older. 27 is a weird age for competing in karate. If I look back, I realize I'm older than William when he stopped (it's his birthday tomorrow!!). Also older than Zak, Teddy and so on. I guess I'll never be physically like 10 or 5 years ago but I'm really asking myself if I can be better. But as seen as the pains I go through after the trainings … It's going to be complicated. Plus I did my body wrong this year. There was pain in mars, april, august, september, october, november and december. I tried a lot of things to make it go. I tried to smoke it, i tried to sleep it, i tried to drink it also. I tried to fuck it of course but none of these things worked. But can we consider I won if only my cock still works ? Compared to 2018 : yes it is a win. And at least when I'm with someone, that makes less time crying and overthinking shit. Anyway, I also tried to smoke it really hard. And that's an habit I'll have trouble to let go but nvmd. Still, one of my 2021 resolutions is to smoke less. Also, I took a funny resolution that is : « I'm not accepting defeat this year ». And I realized only a few days after taking it how hard it will be. I'm not dumb, when defeat is unavoidable, I'll just take it. But I decided to be a real Scorpio and be more stubborn than ever. We can say it's above all pride. Same pride as Vegeta, Bakugo or even Endeavour. Really touched me when Bakugo talked about « Absolute victory ». Sometimes I find myself too soft. I'm not going to become an awful person (or at least, not more awful than I am right now). I'll still be kind … But I'll go get the victories I deserve a little harder. Talking about my age, I'm a bit deceived I have no close old friends to share the memories. Every one is kinda gone. Sometimes it's my fault, and sometimes it's just people who are shit but life's like this. Also, every year I try to think of my best encounter of the year. It's kinda hard because sometimes, you meet someone a few years earlier but you really get to know each other later etc … So I'm not clear if this should count only people met this year or simply the people I've spent the best times with. Because I received a curious message this summer and my God. What a luck she took the chance to write me. We realized a few days ago we were in the same class in 10th grade (2nde) (we saw the class picture, what a laughter we had). We get along so well. And it's the proof that 2nd chances deserve to be given. I swear that I also lost some important people this year. But I'm not fighting to get people back anymore. I've done it too much and I'm simply done. People need to realize it's a luck to be in my life. I have my ways but you'll hardly find a friend that's patient and kind as I am. But nevermind, it always makes more time and attention for the people who are here, who really care for my hapiness. Focusing on the people who are here was one of the main concern this year, for a lot of reasons. I thought I was good for selecting the good people in my life but looks like I still can improve. So I'm still letting people go off my life. [3:36PM. Guess I said mostly what I had to say. Maybe 5 pages is enough, but maybe not.] Oh I can still tell the rest of the year. November have been one peaceful month. Away from all the obsessions. Focused on me. No karate but still courses by videoconference. The weather was very sweet even tho it was November. This second lockdown was not that funny but we've seen worst. And December … had it's ups and downs. It was cool to meet my kids 1 month after all these video courses. They clearly got stronger, it was cool. I could also talk about my experience as a sensei this year because there's a lot to say. At the beginning of February, it was my last competition but also for my kids. We litteraly took the competition by storm. On était TROP CHAUDS. But then the Covid stopped us. We kinda were ready for Occitanie championship, if you forget that I was sick the week before the competition. I'd have loved so much to see how far their training would have taken them on this competition. But thank God they cancelled it, guess He didn't want to see me lose ahah. So, I've seen a lot of kids getting better. What a pleasure. Later on this year I told them that I wanted to see them become stronger than me. Seems cliché, but I'm happy they took it seriously. Of course I'm dead serious. We also talked about I will be waiting for them in Senior. Hope they'll continue until then. And above all I hope I will still be competing. I really want to have a positive impact on these kids, competitors or not. And I guess it's working. (Btw I'll surely do a post about Whitebeard soon, just to show him love). So. What lessons can we draw from this chaotic year ? Always treat your high school comrades well. Be picky about who you let in your life. Before engaging in a relationship, ask why her previous relationship ended. Trust no B. (And BBW's are heaven sent). Now it's 3:50PM and I guess I'm done. But I keep myself the possibility to add things if I think of things to add. It's 6 pages long (Arial, 12) but if I can make it longer I will.

[Friday. 00:55AM] Edit : Ok. The story is funny. I really wanted to finish that in one day. So I wrote the previous lines between 10 AM and 4 PM Wednesday knowing I would need more time, just to check and to add a few more details. And one of those Lonely Wednesday Night would have been perfect just to finish the job. So I planned to finish it on wednesday night but the fact is I forgot my computer home …. So here I am one day later. Still baked, so still in the right state of mind to do it. It gave me time to proofread myself (?) and most importantly, it gave me time to read again some of my previous sum ups. It was interesting to compare how they're all different, and also how my writting evolved. Tbh I think I'm becoming more comfortable with my English. Or maybe the more I express myself, the more I look at ease with the langage. This sum up is the longest I've ever written. But still, I'll add things because I still haven't told everything. For example, I haven't spoken about the fact that all the Kazamastar adventure might be closer to the end than the beginning. Like, I'm not immediatly done with all that. I'm still having a lot of fun here. Anon visitors are also part of the game, but it's still all fun. It also keeps my « photograph eye » opened. This makes me think of the quote «I want to be so awfully happy that I never need to write poetry again. » [#] and more precisely I'm thinking about : do I post more when I'm happy or sad ? But I noticed this tumblr kinda works like therapy for me. (And especially, this post is a therapy by itself. Wednesday I woke up feeling bad, lower belly aching and making this post really helped me going through the day.) I post a lot when I'm sad but it really allows me to get all of these negative feelings out of me. I do stylize things but I know I'm not a poet or anything. But can you imagine being so happy that you don't write again ? Would be an amazing feeling. (Indeed, I've already done it once [#]. I've ended a blog on a perfect happiness and yes it felt amazing. ) Imagine if I do it here. After all the trials and tribulations I went through, it would be a perfect way to finish this tumblr. But as I'm speaking, I think there's like … less than 5% chance that it ends happily. If it does, it could be in a long time. I have a few ideas of when and how it could end, but Imma have to keep these selfishly for myself. You'll see when we'll get there.:) Also, I'm realizing right now the things I'm adding to the text make the timestamps through the text a bit less accurate but that's just a detail. [2:37 AM] Earlier I talked about this blog being a therapy for me. But it’s not only this tumblr. This year I proudly finished another tumblr (yes you can guess I was proud as I posted about that 17325 times already and pinned a post). This was such a relief to end it after letting it still for litteraly 2 years. Well that’s it for tonight !

No transition : let's go for the explanations of my choices for the playlist followed by the playlist itself. It's kinda easy to understand why « la mienne » is here, for the first month. This “I can’t touch you I’m not allowed to” really made me think of someone and this someone came back. Incredible. The next song with a Boogie is perfect for February. Very peaceful month, really full of very good moments (in the backseat of a certain car for example). The 2 next songs are for March. These are kinda « lockdown anthems » as The Weeknd album came out right at that time and so did Laylow's. Plus « Escape from LA » have the vibe I really love from Abel. 2 next songs are for April. Dsvn really smashed when he put that « A muse in her feelings » album. (and the « Amusing her feelings » is even better but that won't happen before January 2021). The sequence between « Outlandish – Keep it going - flawless » was one of the best thing I heard musically this year. But keep it going is insane. « Meilleurs » from Oboy is … special. And so are the 2 following songs. Meilleurs is now blacklisted but it's still one good song. But I can't listen to it anymore. Maybe that's exactly because it reminds me June and July. Count me in reminds me precisely of August 8th. Btw what a funny day, very far from all expectations we built up through the years (let's remind that the countdown started with more that 400 days, but I guess patience and loyalty is not always rewarded). I might digress from the playlist one second, but on this day we were in Treilles with the guys, and thank God I had them in this moment ... That’s when I drank to heal, with “count on me” for soundtrack. For September, I hesitated between « DEUX TOILES DE MER » or « MEVTR » (which means « Meilleur d'Entre Vous Tous Reunis », the 1st stage name of Damso). Damso’s flow on MEVTR is huge. He makes a whole verse rhyme and on but … 2 toiles is more iconic. Talking about iconic, « Bande organisée » wasn't a masterpiece but a force to be reckoned with (i find this expression funny ahah). I mean, in hip hop nowadays we don't see often rappers teaming up with big groups like that. Plus on this song particularly some of them have interesing flows and a lot of energy. And you can tell it comes from the South. Not of them are goods, some are excellent but this makes a very decent track. « Route 66 » was cool, even tough it's for November (so 2nd lockdown) it gave me really lovely vibes. And I take this occasion talking about November 2020 to remind it was the 10th anniversary of Kanye West's MBDTF and I celebrated it the right way héhé. Finally, this featuring is really ending the year well. Dinos dropped an insane album, his best since a long time and Tayc also (respectively « Stamina, » and « Fleur froide »). So having them on the same track was risky but it paid very well, incredible vibe from those two combined. They could have been in the top 3 albums but some people made better than them. Trinity is my top 1 one 2020. The concept, the musics … it was INSANE. QALF was also great. It's insane to see Damso get rid of « artistic barriers » to focus only on sound and music. No communication etc … Just music. And Eternal Atake from Lil Uzi Vert because it was long awaited but also because it was perfect, also a 1st lockdown album so it helped me forget my loneliness but so much good tracks ! And finally we have the very special songs that I coudn't tell why I like them. I just love their vibes. So now is 4:15 PM and I'm offically finished but I still have to tweak it. Know I won't hesitate to add things that are related to 2020 and that come to my mind :) Thanks for reading me. Have a lovely day, or night.

2020 Playlist

Tayc – La mienne (Accoustic)

A Boogie – Reply feat Lil Uzi Vert

The Weeknd – Escape for LA

Laylow – Nakré

dvsn – Keep it goin ✨

PartyNextDoor – Believe it feat Rihanna

Trippie Redd & Russ – The Way

OBOY - Meilleurs

Kehlani - Serial Lover

Juice WRLD & Marshmello - Come and go

THEY. - Count me in

Damso - Deux toiles de mer

13 Organisé - Bande organisée

Joe Dwet File - Route 66

Dinos & Tayc - Je wanda

Spécial : Lil Tecca - Last Call  YNW Melly  - City girls

Jessame - Times we had ~ Dennis Lloyd - Never go back ~  Elliot Trent - computer love

3 top albums de 2020 : 

Trinity de Laylow - Qalf de Damso - Eternal atake de Lil Uzi vert

[leanneangelsajonia]

Paris 

Paris, city and capital of France, located along the Seine River, in the north-central part  of the country. This city is deemed as the City of Love, famous for it’s rich culture, and  its famous structures like the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre and the Notre Dame. A very beautiful city with perfect settings for any kind of romantic getaway, with charming  cafes, romantic views, wonderful historic monuments and of course it’s exceptional 

cuisine, just a complete package for couples, and even just those looking for a relaxing  vacation. 

Although Paris is popular as a romantic city, I am more fixated in the Catacombs of  Paris, the darkness that lies beneath the city of lights. These are underground vaults in  Paris which holds the remains of more than six million people in a small part of a tunnel  network built to strengthen Paris’ ancient stone quarries. Ever since watching the movie  “As Above, So Below”, this place has really piqued my interest. I want to be able to go  down the catacombs myself and try to see what was actually in there, although most of  the tunnel is actually not open to the public. 

Keukenhof Tulip Garden 

Keukenhof Tulip Garden, also known as the Garden of Europe, situated in the town of  Lisse, in the Netherlands, is one of the world’s largest flower gardens. This park covers  an area of 32 hectares and approximately 7 million flower bulbs are planted and grown  annually. Now, incase you haven’t noticed in the introduction, I love flowers, and, my  favorite flowers are tulips! Which the Keukenhof garden is widely known for, but it also  features other flowers such as lilies, roses, daffodils, carnations, irises and hyacinths. But of course, this park isn’t always open all year round for the public. Keukenhof is only  open to the public for a limited amount of time. According to the official website, the tulip  gardens are open from March 20 till May 9, 2021 and only a limited number of people are admitted to the park due to the corona pandemic. 

Japan

Japan, an island country in East Asia located in the northwest Pacific Ocean. Japan, for  me, is a paradise. It has such a rich culture, huge variety of delicious food and not to  mention the beautiful places in the country. One of the places I’d want to visit in Japan  is Akihabara. 

Akihabara in central Tokyo is famous for its stores ideal for anime and game lovers,  which is referring to me, a very enthusiastic anime lover. I want to visit the stores that  sells anime costumes, so I can try cosplaying while walking around Japan, and I want to  buy official mangas that is sold there, and I really want to meet cosplayers and maybe  even mangakas (author/manga creators) in Japan. It’s really a paradise for people like  me who loves gaming and anime, and even those who aren’t that interested in such  things, can also have fun with the different themed cafes in the area. It’s really an  experience that I promise I’d be willing to get out of my comfort zone for, and try to get  over my being asocial, just to interact with the people in there. 

Another part of Japan’s culture I want to try is their food. For Japanese people, food  isn’t just something that fills you up, food is basically an art for them. If you’ve seen  documentaries or even anime’s that talks about Japanese food, you can see how they  carefully and beautifully prepares them, and each towns and cities in Japan has their  own specialty dish. And just like most countries in Asia, rice is a must in every meal. 

But one of the things that fascinates me the most are the traditional houses and temples  in Japan. There are many places in Japan that has kept their traditional design of  houses, which are characterized by tatami mat flooring, sliding doors and wooden  engawa verandas. These are very simple yet beautiful designs that makes the houses  look historical yet comfy. Japanese temples are also a sight to behold, with columns  and lintels supporting a large and gently curled roof that impressively often makes up  half the size of the temple itself, and the sculptures of Buddha, or the deities and spirits  that stands in the shrines and temples are amazing. Japan has always been a dream  travel of mine, I’ve always dreamed of traveling there to see the cherry blossoms  blooming, see the different tourist spots, try out different foods, and just all in all  experience the culture and hospitality of the country and its people.

And that concludes the list of places I want to travel to! These here are just a few of the  places I want to explore, but I’m positive the more places I read about or discover, the  list will just get longer. But of course, before I even manage to explore even the nearest  beach or cavern in our city, I’ll still have to earn money, so before I even think about  going to any of these places, I’ll have to finish school first and look for a job. So if you  guys are also students, like me, then we better work hard to graduate and get a stable source of income to fulfill our travel plans. For now, let’s just keep making the list longer  and longer until we can finally cross them off one by one. Remember, nothing is  impossible if you want to make it possible! 

[aforrestofstuff]

Have you have caught up on the webcomic?

Not really lol. I left off at around where we are in the manga. I have had it all spoiled to me though, and I am aware that some new chapters came out containing funky stuff about Amai.

That’s a good idea, though. I should totally get back to it. ONE’s style has really progressed a ton over the years and his art is truly something to behold in some scenes.

[translationandbetrayals]

Tokyo Ghoul: How aesthetics and music can save an anime adaptation

All of us, anime lovers, sing to the top of our lungs when we hear the distinct “Oshiete oshiete yo sono shikumi wo…”.  However, most people who have read the Tokyo Ghoul manga and watched the anime adaptation will not be as adamant to talk about the story when it comes to whether Pierrot did a good job on it or not. Most common answer: They did a terrible job on the story, nevertheless, aesthetics and music are a marvel to behold.

Ishida Sui, the mangaka, is an undoubted genius. He combined really simple drawings (no shadows nor intricate details) for peaceful scenes, with total chaos for battles (sometimes we can’t even figure out what is happening due to all the movement lines). And to top it off, he delivered his art in the form of an obscure story. A world at war with a different species that looks exactly like humans, the only difference is they eat human flesh, these are the ghouls. If we look only at the manga, it is considered to be a wonderful creation. Dark story, monsters that look like humans, death, blood and physical and psychological changes. It has everything a great seinen can be accounted for.

So, why is it that the anime is not as loved as the manga it was based on? First, Pierrot changed relevant parts of the story. Deleted scenes and added others that do not help us contextualise nor understand what is happening and why. Second, characters appear from nowhere. There is no introduction for them. This story is known for having lots and lots of characters, but in the manga, they are gradually inducted into the story and we know their purpose and how they fit into the greater scheme. The anime just throws them in in hopes we get why they are there. They could have done a better adaptation without just shoving in a lot of characters that have no introduction to the story in the anime. Third, the censure. This is a gore; it has blood and heads rolling. The anime outright skips the heads rolling and reduces the amounts of blood, sometimes covering it with perfect pieces of clothing right where the character was stabbed and/or bitten and has had their clothes ripped apart.

Pierrot tried, and failed, to reduce a 14 volume (144 chapters) story into two 12 episode anime. Way too short to do it. Nevertheless, there was something they did do right. Music and aesthetics. For music they took a series of soft tunes. Mostly classical instruments and even choruses that sound like the ones you’ll hear at church. Then you’ll be faced with seriously synthesized music. This selection is amazing and accompanies the story in an endearing way. After you have watched the anime you might want to sit and listen to the music and just feel. Scenes will be evoked. You’ll get goose bumps. And it will be even better if you have read the manga. As for aesthetics. Something amazing happens here. Ishida Sui gave his own colour palette to the story. He not only drew and made up the story for the whole manga but single-handedly produced hundreds of colour sketches for gift cards, events, magazine covers, etc. Therefore, he was the one to give gore those bright colours. It just makes an impact as one is used to seeing a variety of greys and other dark, gloomy colours for these kind of stories. He gave his story blues, reds, purples, and more. And guess what? They are all bright. And they all contribute to make his story unique and have an even more intense feeling of darkness. And if you don’t believe this, just go to the last two episodes of the first season and look at Kaneki’s (the main character) transformation. It is beautifully made. The contrast of colours is impossibly impactful. The use of Lycoris Radiata, otherwise known as hell flower, represents the dead. In old Japan it was said that the Japanese christian martyr’s graves from medieval times were marked by this flower. For aesthetics purposes the flowers are initially white roses and in this transformation scene they turn into Lycoris Radiata. Right after this we get the image of Kaneki over a red background as his dark hair turns white. This is a scene that I, personally, could watch over and over again. 

To conclude, it is possible to say Tokyo Ghoul as only a manga is a masterpiece. It is a full on Metamorphosis meets gore. If we could get a fully colour version of the manga that came with music it would be fantastic as the story would not suffer from external corruption. However, I do encourage anyone who wants to watch the anime, but with the clear warning that it is not story wise amazing. The music and beautiful colouring on Ishida’s creation makes it pleasurable to eyes and ears.

P.S. Whatever you do, do not watch the English dub. I watched some clips of it while writing this piece and it was terrible. Voice acting was below average at best.

  Thank you for reading!

  Alejandra Donoso

[jeidafei]

D.Gray-Man Vol.26: Komui’s Lounge (Extended) 4/5

>> Part 1 <<

>> Part 2 <<

>> Part 3 <<

Question 20: How many types of headphones does Marie have? And do they function differently?

Marie: Now I only have the latest model the Science Division developed for me. I keep it on at all times except when I go to bed.

Bak: I’ve contributed to the design as well. (ahem)

Marie: Did you? Thank you, Supervisor. 

Lavi: But you’ll hear countless noises and voices from a considerable range all the time, right? Isn’t that exhausting? 

Wisely: What!? You’re able to hear that much!? Where’s the respect for privacy?

Allen: Shut up about privacy, you.

Marie: Well, it was rough before I got used to it. I trained myself to listen for only important sounds from among countless noises. I’ve come to the point where everyday noises from people doing their chores and talking mostly just flow right by me, and since then I haven’t been “listening in” on anyone. 

Link: Aha. You really are a true man of character, Noise Marie. You’d better take notes, Walker.

Allen: How did this come to me?

Link: Don’t tell me you’ve forgotten how you threatened me with Timcanpy’s recordings.

(T/N: I don’t remember where the omake in which this happened is, but it was the recording of Link when Timothy possessed him on the Louvre’s roof and made all those funny faces and slobbering in the Phantom Thief G arc.)

Question 21: I’m curious about the length of time Krory can maintain his enhanced capabilities and the amount of Akuma blood needed. And also whether it is possible to extend his activation time by training, etc.

Bak: As of now he can drink blood from Akuma up to Level Three, and can stay activated for 10 minutes with 250ml of blood. Looks like he’s also experimenting to extend that time with support from the Science Division. 

Lavi: Wouldn’t drinking more blood extend the activation time?

Bak: No, it wouldn’t. On the other hand, drinking less than 250ml will shorten the activation time to around 3 minutes.

Marie: When you said he can drink blood from Akuma up to Level Three, is it because he hasn’t experimented with blood from a Level Four yet?

Bak: Well, since obtaining blood from a Level Four is next to impossible...

Wisely: Ho ho ho. Indeed, indeed ♪.

Allen: Seeing Krory enjoying Akuma blood that much really does make you wonder whether it really is delicious, after all.

Link: Don’t try it out, Walker.

Question 22: Does Miranda always carry sweets with her while on a mission? And does she have a favorite flavor?

Link: I’ve heard that since her Innocence requires stamina, she’s come to carrying sweets at all times to supplement her calories, but about the flavor...

Marie: Miranda said she likes minty flavors.

Allen: Are you sure? Miss Miranda always gives me sweets whenever my stomach starts growling, and they’re always fruity flavors like strawberry or pineapple.

Lavi: That’s just coz you like fruit-flavored candies, isn’t it, Allen?

Marie: Haha. So she’s packing fruity candies just for you as well, huh.

Allen: Eh!? Is that so!?

Bak: By the way, whenever Lou Fa learns you’re coming to our branch, she’d always prepare Mitarashi dumplings, Walker.

Allen: Eh!? Now that you mention it, there really did seem to be Mitarashi dumplings around whenever I go to the Asian Branch.

Wisely: What!? If you really loved eating that much, then why didn’t you accept Tikky’s invitation to feast back then?

Allen: It’s not feasting that I have a problem with; it’s that Curly-Head. He’s the very man who tore a hole in my heart, have you forgotten? Do you expect me to enjoy a meal with such a groping pervert?

(T/N: Er, Allen...I think your point is a little off here...)

Link: So you won’t let your appetite win in that case, Walker?

Allen: Yes?

Link: Nothing. That’s a relief. 

Question 23: So before Lavi became an Exorcist, he fought with a dagger?

Lavi: Eh? What’s this?

Wisely: They’re probably talking about that time back in the Ark. When you were in Road’s dream, remember?

Lavi: Ohhhh, so that was it. Wait, how come you know about that?

Wisely: La-de-dah♪

Marie: Lavi’s an all-rounder, like Bookman, right?

Allen: What on earth is that?

Marie: Those who can make use of any weapon depending on the situation.

Lavi: That’s because as Bookmen, virtually all our logs are of war zones. So Gramps trained me to be capable of handling any situation, and that training also includes martial arts.

Link: What are you most skilled with?

Lavi: Hmmmm. I like cudgels best, I guess.

Allen: You’re always fooling about whenever we duel-train, Lavi, and I’ve been thinking perhaps you’re no good. Kanda beats you in a blink, you see. 

Lavi: Aaaawwww. Come on! It’s such a pain to fight seriously!

Bak: But back then, when you were dueling with Fō, you seemed quite serious, though.

Lavi: I wouldn’t call that a duel; Fō was coming at me like she’s dying to kill me, damn her. How could I not take it seriously!?

Allen: Yeah, Fō does mean it when she fights, doesn’t she. 

Bak: She’s more a berserker than a guardian deity, that one.

Link: I see. You will not get serious unless it poses a certain level of threat to your life. 

Question 24: Are Nea and the 14th the same individual?

Wisely: My my. Is this reader mistaking something here? “The 14th” is just the alias the previous generation of Noah bestowed upon Nea. There is only one Nea. 

Link: Though Nea himself doesn’t seem fond of it; he’s said it is “a nickname given out of distaste”. Guess I’d have to be careful from now...

Allen: Huh? Careful of what?

Link: Would you like some mango juice, Walker?

Allen: WEE-HEE!

Bak: I’ve been wondering. Why isn’t he called “The 14th disciple” like the other Noahs but simply “The 14th”?

Wisely: Perhaps that is the distaste Nea was talking about. As has already been revealed in the Gray Log Fanbook, Nea has no Noah Memory, and for that very reason, the other Noahs may have treated him as the black sheep of the family. Well, I guess I’ll leave you here with a cliffhanger until the boy uncovers Nea’s secrets in the main narrative. 

Marie: He has no Noah Memory, so he couldn’t reincarnate like the other Noahs, and that is why he implanted his memories within Allen?

Link: Exactly when did he implant them within you? Do you really have no idea, Walker?

Allen: Told you; I really don’t know! It’s said to be around 35 years ago! I’m sixteen, remember? I didn’t even exist then!

Wisely: ..............

Lavi: What the heck are you grinning about, Three-Eyes?

Wisely: Nuffink.

(T/N: OMG OMG OMG OMG OH MY FREAKING GAWD WISELY DID YOU JUST FREAKING CONFIRM THE PAST!ALLEN THEORY WITHOUT SAYING A SINGLE WORD???!!!)

Question 25: Allen’s left eye should have become able to project the image of the Akuma souls to others, but it seems nobody apart from Lavi has seen it. Is it deciding itself whether to let other people see the souls within the Akuma?

Lavi: Ah, that...Just remembering it still gives me the creeps even now.

Allen: Back then when Lavi and Krory said they could see the Akuma’s soul, at first I was definitely sure the curse has strengthened in power, and from now people other than me will be able to see the souls, too. But after that, nobody ever saw it again. Looks like it’s just a one-time thing, after all.

Lavi: It was right after your damaged eye resurrected with the curse’s power, right? With your eye being in an unusual state like that, anything can happen. Me and Krorykins were just unfortunately caught up in the curse’s rampage. 

Allen: Well, it’s a relief, anyway. After all, it’s not a pleasant sight to behold. If it ends with you not having to see it anymore, I’d say it’s for the best.

Bak: I’m interested, though. As part of the Science Division, we welcome any information on the Akuma.

Wisely: So am I. For even my Demon Eye cannot see souls. In what state are they, the souls within Akuma?

Link: How could you say these things like it doesn’t concern you when you’re on the very side creating Akuma?

Marie: Must have been hard getting used to seeing those souls, huh, Allen?

Allen: When I first saw one, I was so scared I couldn’t even bear to look. But Master was patientーWell, for him. “Those things aren’t scary”, he’d scold me; they were once living humans just like us, and they’re just screaming for me to save them, after all. It took a long time, but just like that, little by little I became able to look at them. 

Question 26: What do Kanda, Allen, Lenalee and Lavi smell of? Lenalee would probably smell very nice. Well, she’s a girl after all; she’s definitely using perfume and the like, right?

Marie: Hmmmm. Kanda’s scent? Soap is the closest bet, I’d say.

(T/N: Sensei, considering the general negative image of D.Gray-Man as a Yaoi manga may I say this is not a wise move? *laffs*)

Allen: And me, Marie? What about me?

Marie: You usually have a sugary smell about you, Allen. Like dessert.

Lavi: Because there’s always crumbs all over your clothes, Allen.

Allen: Lavi’s eyepatch gives out whiffs of Fabreeze.

(T/N: the popular Japanese brand of air-freshener/deodorant spray.)

Lavi: Oi! Don’t say stuff from the old Instagram page! Some readers won’t get it!

(T/N: In Hoshino’s old Instagram there’s a drawing of Allen spraying Fabreeze at Lavi’s face for some reason. I don’t remember the caption. She’s also reposted it on her new Instagram just to clarify this joke. Maybe it’s just that he never/rarely takes off his eyepatch for cleaning and it’s moldy and sweaty...?)

Marie: Hmmmm...as for Lavi...he smells of tobacco a bit. 

Allen: Yeah! Just like Master’s scent.

Lavi: Ah, Gramps’ cigarettes, huh? I’m aware of that. 

Wisely: Bookman is a heavy smoker as ever. A wonder his lungs are still holding out even at his age.

Marie: I think Lenalee usually has a flowery scent, though.

Bak: Yes, she does! Lenalee-san smells like sweet flowers!

Allen: Bak-san, keep your voice down! If Komui-san hears you, we’d be in for big trouble!

Lavi: Lenalee doesn’t use perfume, and still she smells so nice.

Allen: There’s this thing she uses. You see, a while back I was talking to Lenalee about having more scars or something, and she said; “This works wonders, you know.” and gave me some of this thingーkinda like Body Oil? Could it have been that oil’s scent? The scars would fade if you keep rubbing this oil on them, from the looks of it. It smells wonderful when she’s putting it on me.

Bak: SHE WAS PUTTING IT ON YOU, WALKEEEEEEER!? (snaps)

(T/N: Trust me I had a really hard time keeping this one from becoming Fifty Shades of (D.) Gray or Silence of the Lambs for that matter...)

Allen: NO ULTERIOR MOTIVE! REALLY!

Lavi: Body oil, huh...ah, my heart’s gettin’ all weird just hearing that.

Link: What’s with that dirty look on your face, Bookman Jr?

>> Part 5 <<