#this is from the introduction about the author himself btw

[brittlebutch]

this section from E. M. Cioran’s “Tears and Saints” is so unbelievably Kristen Applebees-coded

[queer-as-used-by-tolkien]

I have full executive authority to modify my text posts for another audience - to express the exact same sentiment but in words that the new audience will understand. To translate, if you will, from "broad and unknown Tumblr audience" who speak the Tumblr lingo and dialect and who could be literally anybody, to "close family with a humongous bunch of shared experience and similar language to talk about them," who share my worldview and understand what I'm saying without getting offended by a caveat I forgot to include or a specification or detail that I thought was unnecessary. (E.g. on Tumblr I might say "my friend X", but to family I'd just say "X")

Translation from one to the other, and vice versa, is necessary for both clarity and brevity. Different audiences require different approaches.

Tumblr audience might have sentences providing caveats or clarity or introduction to a concept that the family audience already knows or doesn't need. For brevity, I would cut those out, but I might also add sentences to help with transition or to aid in pacing of the ideas, concepts, or story. (This also goes for fic; is the fic for fans only or is it friendly to fandom-blind readers? Same story, told in slightly different words sometimes.)

But they are still my words and all those words remain as true as they were in the original form (assuming I didn't decide to lie to one group). In fact, if somebody had access to both versions (and understood both), they could see more of my mind, heart, and will than otherwise; for example, my willingness to even do such a thing as translating or providing two different versions. A family member who forgot my relation to X might be reassured by the label "friend" when describing her. (It might also mean a lot to the friend, if she read both accounts.) It always helps to see further caveats, examples, side notes, details, or even just different phrasing that I thought would help one group's perspective but wouldn't be too useful for the other unless they were doing a deeper study of my words, for whatever reason.

Now if I DID decide to lie, of course, you can't believe either version (or any new one I came up with), because now I'm a liar and you can't trust anything at all. But assuming I'm not a liar (and nobody has messed with my words, or it's not an outright faked screenshot or deep fake or whatever) - assuming I am truthful and you trust me (and/or my messenger), you can learn a lot from the differences of how I convey the same idea.

Between the two versions I might also do things like update typos or accidental occurrences of misgendering, clarify grammar, institute proper capitalization, and so on.

It makes me think of a post I saw once about the differences between Hunger Games books and movies; how the books tell a story of how awful war is to kids, and how awful the capitol is to make them have a love triangle to survive, and how awful it is for them to sit back and watch it as entertainment. And how the movies have us sit back and be entertained while children have a love triangle and fight each other. It seems like a classic case of "movies butchered the books," but the author was actually involved in and had quite some say in the production of the movie. Looking at them, they both together tell a more powerful story than otherwise. I'll see if I can find that post because it was a JOURNEY.

Anyway. The author has ultimate authority to translate their work to different audiences, with different emphases and details, whether the work is a Tumblr text post or an essay or verbally telling a friend what happened to me today.

Same goes for the Lord Jesus Christ, the word of God (John 1). (For one thing, translating God Himself into human form while preserving his divinity? Major translation skills there.)

The four gospels are an example of this; Matthew, for example, is addressed primarily to the Jews and includes many extra details, adding things like "BTW this was in fulfillment of XYZ prophecy" and including the genealogy through David and all like that. Luke is written by a Gentile to Gentiles, and tells similar stories but often with different details.

Only one gospel mentions that when Jesus fed the five thousand, it was at evening; only one mentions that it was a little boy who had the five loaves and two fishes; when Jesus asks a disciple what they're going to do, only one gospel mentions that Jesus said it "to try him."

John is far more focused on Jesus' divine nature, including many stories not included in the others. Different details, different emphases, different audiences, although ultimately, all four are available to us who have lived after the first century AD.

The gospels also show off another aspect of the author having final authority to translate while still being pure, truthful, and accurate: quotations from the Old Testament.

The OT was written in Hebrew. Jesus reads from a Greek translation and calls it Scripture. (I.e. equally as inspired as the original.) The apostles and writers of the New Testament often do likewise.

The same can be true of other translations as well. Translations into Latin, into German, into French, into Old English, into Early Modern English... God is the master of language. He created it, after all. Jesus is the word. All Scripture is inspired and profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for instruction in righteousness...

But only the author has that authority. If I tell my sister one thing and she tells my friend something in anything other than my own words, it may still be true; but it's slightly less true than my own words. Hopefully, usually the difference is negligible, but in a contest, anything I've ever said or written on the topic is more accurate than what somebody else said.

Hence, if there's something strange about the story my sister tells, my friend would do well to take it with a grain of salt (or more than one, if she knows I have a bad relationship with my sister.) If not, this can pass from one to another like a game of telephone until it devolves into gossip that's wholly untrue, outright malicious, etc.

I and only I retain the right to point to two different versions of my words and say both are equally true. My sister can't say "her words and mine are equal" unless she was there, and even then, any differences would be down to her own different perspective (and level of honesty), not mine.

You never know when somebody might embellish a Bible translation. I hear Satan has quite the interest in perverting God's words (just see Genesis 3). Compare your translation carefully with both itself and others.

On that note, let me share some comparisons to get you started.

One of them has to be wrong. What do you think?

[usergreenpixel]

MALMAISON MEDIA SALON SOIRÉE 17: THE PRINCESS OF NOWHERE (2010)

1. The Introduction

Hello, Dear Neighbors. Thank you for joining the party today. I’m feeling better, fortunately, and I’m ready to analyze media again.

Fittingly, today we’re talking about Pauline Bonaparte, the woman who had a scandalous reputation back in the day and seems like a typical party girl. Since I do like the woman, I’ve always been curious as to what kind of media is out there that tells her story.

Sure, there’s the movie called “Imperial Venus”, but it looks like Pauline is far more obscure than some of her family members (and don’t even get me started on Napoleon). So you can imagine how intrigued I was after stumbling across this particular book, written by a distant descendant of the Borghese family.

I’ll admit that the author’s identity did cause concern for me, mainly due to the potential for slander and negative bias to wriggle their way into the narrative, but the premise about the story being told from the prospective of a character close to Pauline seemed intriguing so I gave the book a shot.

Luckily, it’s available in free PDF form here. And, without spoilers, the read was… interesting.

This review is dedicated to @aminoscribbles .

2. The Summary

This is the story of Pauline Bonaparte and her tumultuous and toxic relationship with Prince Camillo Borghese, told from the point of view of Pauline’s foster daughter and distant cousin, Sophie Leclerc.

(Sophie is an original character btw. )

Sounds like an interesting idea with potential, but let’s keep going.

3. The Story

First of all, due to all the POV switching and the focus on Paulette, you can pretty much forget about Sophie since she fades into the background rather quickly and becomes irrelevant faster than a new fashion trend. Kinda makes me wonder why she was even in the book to begin with.

The plot pacing is also clunky, clumsily intertwined with flashbacks and fictional letters, but apparently the author is writing for the first time so of course it’s not going to be flawless. Still, I do wish he worked a bit more on the story before publication. 

The negative bias also is there but it’s a weird mixed bag and not as bad as I expected - there’s at least an attempt to make Pauline a complex character and tell the story of a toxic yet ultimately loving couple, so points for effort.

Unfortunately, the story speed runs through moments like Pauline joining Napoleon on Elba, moments that could’ve given us more of a glimpse into her character and would definitely be more engaging than the awfully long sex scenes in the book.

4. The Characters

As I said, Sophie becomes irrelevant fairly quickly so I’m not sure what to make of her. She’s a very flat character whose initial admiration for Pauline isn’t properly justified. Nor is her relationship with the woman properly explored. A shame and a waste of potential, really.

Pauline herself isn’t evil like I expected, so it’s a pleasant surprise. However, she’s still capricious, selfish and careless. She does have nice moments like personally nursing Sophie back to health and she does genuinely grieve her husband and later her son.

However, all the nice moments are undermined by the moment when it’s revealed that Pauline poisoned herself and Sophie with arsenic to make Borghese believe that they got sick and send them to France. Err… WTF?!

(Yes, she does that in the book, even though the real Pauline was so sickly that she wouldn’t even NEED poison. As for poisoning a child… can’t imagine her doing so.)

Borghese himself is, naturally, almost a saint (duh), but still makes mistakes here and there, so he’s just flat and we never see a deeper dive into his relationship with Pauline.

To be honest, all characters are flat and underdeveloped so let’s move on.

5. The Setting

Some descriptions are good but, again, underdeveloped.

6. The Writing

The writing style is actually solid and sometimes engaging, but there are a few instances of Pauline being a bit too crass to feel realistic and those sex scenes are boring as hell.

Couple that with flashbacks and letters and yeah… it’s a hit or miss at best.

7. The Conclusion

All in all, definitely not an awful book. I’ve seen MUCH worse. That being said, it’s not a good book either. Just… decent but underbaked.

Check it out if you want, but it’s still biased towards Borghese and doesn’t do Pauline justice, unfortunately. It’s a mixed bag for me though so I will not reread this book.

Anyway, on that note, let us end our tiny soirée. Stay tuned for more reviews, everyone!

Love,

Citizen Green Pixel

[seysei]

Who could touma be talking about here?

From the first time you read it, it's easy to assume that he is referring to Mikuni, because the memory that follows this, is one where touma extends his hands to younger Mikuni with the intention of "helping" him

A scene that we see again in chapter 125, this time showing you a clearer version of when touma first introduced himself to Mikuni, the same image of him smiling, but from Jeje's point of view.

(btw I say "helping" because it's clear Touma had malicious intentions)

However, when it was shown in those memories that touma was being jealous of a certain somebody and said the following-

"... Why? Why him and not me? I should have..

Even though my ability is much greater. Just because he was born in a well to do family...

I'll drag him down."

-Was it really Mikuni he was talking about? It's easy to think so, because those lines are followed by a memory of him extending his hand to a younger Mikuni as I've mentioned earlier, with malicious intentions saying he was just trying to "help" him, moreover Mikuni does fit the description of someone born in a well to do family. However if we put it all together, at that time, I don't recall anything special happening to Mikuni that could have made Touma envious of Him. At that time he introduces himself to Mikuni, whom is around 16 years old, Mikuni had literally just witnessed his mother try to kill herself before she got shot dead by Jeje whom he took as him own servamp. (crazy)

That is why, I think that the memory of touma being envious of someone isn't about Mikuni.

In short, I think that those pages are a bunch of different memories, events, that are fair to say happened far from each other, but in those panels Mahiru explores Touma's mind, they are put together in a way that makes it hard to tell which is linked to which.

(bear with me I'll tell you who I think touma was referring to soon. )

See this image, this memory, im sure it's of shuuhei's father's funeral. It looks exactly the same with what is written on the board and the people walking.

So I doubt that touma whom was at the funeral was jealous, of what? A dead person? (lol) therfore that little panel that you see underneath it where he starts his speech of "why him and not me?" must be at another event, an event unrelated to Mikuni, because time-line wise Mikuni should have been around the age of 5 at that event. (16 - 11)

The event I'm referring to is this.

Iori becoming the Head of his family and therfore getting a high status.

(Don't mind Kiriko, I just didn't wanna cut off her part because she's gorgeous and mesmerising--)

So to put it very simple and skip to the point, I think that this 'born in a well to do family' person, that touma was referring to, isn't Mikuni, but tsukimitsu Iori.

That is at least if my theory is right. So if my theory is right, this memory of Touma's speech "why him and not me?" happened about 11 years ago before he offered his "help" to Mikuni.

My theory is that Touma's envy we see in those memories is related to the event of Iori becoming the Head of the tsukimitsu family at the age of 18. Gaining that high status and authority, that Touma had wanted for himself since forever, making him envious of Iori that was born in a well to do family and this power, high status and authority is in his heritage.

After all, when Touma introduced himself to younger Mikuni as we saw in chapter 125, he didn't really introduce himself with his own name, rather he introduced himself as tsukimitsu Iori's friend. Perhaps believing it would be the appropriate introduction for Mikuni to trust him, since Iori was a man from a respectable and well to do family, became the head of the family at a young age yet those around him trusted him with that responsibility since he was a smart man, easily described as respectable and trustworthy.

Idk.

[avalonmoonshinesstuff]

I just realised Something about a portion of fandom I don't really engage with all that much. Because I don't want to, btw.

In all other shows, movies, books, etc, every single bad person is at least somewhat 'ugly' according to the narrative. The 'problematic' characters rarely get acknowledged because there are so many good looking characters who are good themselves (I remember Annabelle from the first book of Percy Jackson, I think, and there were more ofc).

However, Rowling's main idea about appearances was that it was an illusion. Every single good looking character is either reprehensible or ends up dying (Cedric) in the same book they were introduced*. The story wants to be relatable to how every teen feels, and no matter what, we all have insecurities.

However, they're just teens, and on top of that, at least one or more of our main teens have done something terrible or badwrong (Hermione with skeeter and Marietta). So, they aren't exceptionally beautiful and neither are they exceptionally good. Even the side characters who are popular come across as jerks to some of their family members, making their sibling cry.

This creates a problem for the people who don't have a sense of self yet, or are so scarred they can only look at life through black & white lenses.

The Halo effect playing greatly onto the above, we're presented with another set of teens, two of whom are described as extremely sought after by the opposite sex, one of whom is popular, and the final one who has endeared himself by showing ugly Snivellus his place (via map and the Verbal Sparring). They all, by the end of this introduction, understand that Snivellus is badwrong and doesn't deserve anything good.

'It's clear he's the villain, and has been since forever, see, these people agree with me and they're the Protagonist's parents.' Whether this is believed because of the Halo effect or taking Harry's perspective to mean a God pov, I can't tell. The point being, they are even more convinced.

They want an escape from how difficult it is to sort out their feeling about these people the author keeps throwing at their face so why not attach to the characters who are dead or strongly attached to the protagonist (so they can never be badwrong in later books). A safety blanket of sorts, if you will. And in doing so, they completely ignore the nuances of the scenes presented in the last book. Because they are attached, they'd rather call badwrong Snivellus' love impure than explore what the montage of all his memories implied. That beauty is skin deep.

The thing about people who like such black and white scenarios and people is: they will always fall prey to the Halo Effect. And it's extremely painful to be disillusioned about your favourites. So they may never get disillusioned.

All this to say, sometimes I wonder why that part of the fandom is like 'that'. And it's just that this is the safety net in this series, or this is just how vanilla people outside of fandom coming in can take.

And that's fine (coz I'm crazy for the marauders era as well, just with a slightly wider taste pallet).

TL Dr: The antis are attracted to wholesome ships and since Rowling made it so difficult to find such ships until much later where you are emotionally connected with each character, the antis attached to a bunch of (mostly) dead people who, by association to the Hero of the story, being pretty, popular, and clear on their behaviour with the badwrong confusing character, are all good. They were desperately looking for the safety net in the books and found some. Also, since antis are the way they are, maybe they believe the fictional character being dead means people would not criticise their wholesome ship? Idk.

A/N:

*The only properly handsome man - Bill - barely gets mentioned, marries a beautiful woman, and imo the only reason he doesn't die is because he didn't revel in his handsomeness or popularity (him liking Snape in school is so cute + that disqualifies him from being popular with the antis since he likes the badwrong character). Also, he was literally scarred on his once handsome face to show that his wife actually loved him and didn't just choose him to have beautiful babies. Her being a veela and owning her Frenchness were already flaws (in the narrative's opinion) so all she needed was a scarred husband. Now, they both don't have to die 🤣.

[mxlfoydraco]

Hii! If it's ok can you do a jegulus fics rec?? Your answer about why you liked them made me think of giving them a chance but idk where to start, I'll appreciate some fics that can count as an intro to the ship so as close to canon as possible, when I get into a new ship I like to read them in the canon universe first to get a better idea of them and then get into AUs

Btw happy new year!!

Happy new year!

My re-introduction and quick descend into the ship was prompted by Zeppazariel’s fics and I love each one of them dearly. just lovers (like we were supposed to be) is set in the canon verse without Voldemort.

Choices by MesserMoon is another option that’s more canon compliant. It’s for sure angstier but I was honestly transfixed!

A different approach but The Devils White Knight is a Draco/Harry fic with side James/Regulus and I know it introduced a lot of people to the ship. Canon verse, Harry finds himself in a no Voldemort timeline. For Now You Love Me is from the same author, J/R canon verse and no Voldemort. Shorter canon verse oneshots: The Misty, Tangled Sky, Jegulus collection, Name Like Poetry, All I See is You, You Will be Kissed Again.

I have Let The Light In by Eniaos downloaded but haven’t gotten around to it yet. There are also some WIPs I’m following/reading, I went with completed fics here. I can’t make a better encompassing list like I do with H/D but my enthusiasm for the fics isn’t any different. :)

[booksandwords]

Puzzle Me This by Eli Easton

Read time: 1 Days Rating: 4/5 Stars

The Quote: “Do you always talk this much when you’re falling asleep? You’re practically snoring between words.” “I talk in my sleep too. So it never ends really.” — Alex and Luke

Warnings: Suicide mention and depression. There is an unethical sexual relationship in Alex's past. He wasn't groomed but something is very, very wrong with it.

I actually appreciate many of the plot points in this. Mostly the important use of a counsellor and the use of the disability as the point of anxiety. It was a very natural stressor on the relationship to my eyes it's exploiting inbuilt ableism to a degree though in Lukes's case combines with a horrendous family story. I need to say that I think most humans have a degree of ableism built-in on some kind of base level. I can't judge it but I like that it takes something to get over it. BTW for those new to me, I'm epileptic, and my family did not take it well. It is invisible but it is still a disability, still impacts my day-to-day life, and it is still there. I honestly mean no offence to anyone with my comments.

Main characters Alex and Luke are both likeable enough. Alex feels quite young in his endless optimism playful nature and minimal history. His romantic history is designed to make a reader angry. Luke is what I call a dumb intelligent man, if you have ever been around that kind of man you'll know. They both have scars and compatible interests. Honestly, they are one of the better couples I've read about in a while when it comes to chemistry and compatibility. They have a great meeting and introduction too. One of them is "1 across – Two can play _ _ _ _ 10 down – Made it up _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ 11 across – Axe to grind _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ 20 down – Blue-eyed _____ _ _ _ _ _ 31 across – ___ as a button _ _ _ _ 32 down – Greeting _ _ _ _ _ [game designer woodsman blond cute hello]"

I saw at least one editing error. Though it wasn't just a name it feels like the whole sentence structure and language is wrong for the character it is supposed to be. I do recommend this, it is well written (even with the editing issue) and will ask the reader to think about their own prejudices. It just feels modern in the way it works through its issues and in the ending. It is HEA but that doesn't always feel like a given and I appreciate that.

Some comments and quotes. • What he was sitting in just didn’t seem to matter much to Luke’s body. Or his heart. — This is such a basic quote it feels like it should be obvious but that is part of the point of the book. It isn't always that clear so many of us have inbuilt ableism to contend with. (Luke)

• Alex was so happy he couldn’t sit still. He put on some music and danced his chair in the open spot in his living room, jerking the wheels back and forth like a DJ scrubbing a record, doing tight spins, and banging his head to the music. He was so freaking happy he felt ready to burst out of his skin. — This whole moment made me smile. It's just so freaking adorable. Alex is adorable. (Alex)

• “See, if I put a clue like that in one of my games, I’d be driven from the industry with whips and scourges.” “That’s because video gamers have no patience. Crossword puzzlers love to be stumped. And they like to learn ridiculous things that no one in their right mind would possibly know, just so they have something to say at cocktail parties.” Luke rolled his eyes. “Yeah, the anoa thing would make a hell of a pickup line.” “It would for female buffalos.” Luke laughed. “God, you’re as nerdy as I am.” Alex pretended to be offended. “Oh, hell no, California boy. I’ve got you beat there by a mile.” — (Luke and Alex)

• Seeing those hands at work so competently, Luke had to force himself not to think about what they’d feel like on his body. — Oh, that I get. Competency kink is something more authors need to write. (Luke)

• “It doesn’t suck,” Alex agreed. “Not too humid, thankfully. Though it might rain later.” “Stop! Don’t say rain. Do you have a musical preference for our totally sunny drive today?” — This just reminds me of a quote from The Night Shift about the Q word in the Emergency Room, ditto applies to retail. (Alex and Luke)

• Luke and Alex's sisters are used to effect. One playing the voice of reason and protective older sister. The other is a point of contrast and a safe harbour in a storm.

• “Before you left San Francisco, you told me how important it was to you to find a more meaningful relationship. That was part of why you moved back to Pennsylvania. And it sounds like you found what you were looking for.” Luke leaned forward, head in his hands. “Alex is so great. He’s the best person I’ve ever met. It’s so easy to be with him.” Gordon made a thoughtful noise. “When you talk about Alex, you light up in a way I’ve never seen in you before.” Luke knew that was true. Something deep inside of him just freaking loved Alex. — I need to say that I appreciate the use of a counsellor, Gordon, in sorting out the anxiety involved. It is such a modern and important take on romance. (Gordon and Luke)

• Con people were cool people. And probably horror con people were his people, though Luke was not gonna admit that out loud. — One of the plot points is The Philadelphia Horror Con. All the conversations and moments at the con are reasonable. Certainly enough to indicate Eli has been to them, been surrounded by them and enjoyed them. (Luke)

• I adore Marco. I just didn't expect him. A six-foot-one gay Japanese-American computer programmer.

• This is an August-December romance, with some decent time skips involved.

[elf-osamu]

a THEORY on “the book” in BSD and how the manga could END

— by me !!

note : the end it's confusing af 😭 i'm so sorry, if you have any questions feel free to ask <3

the main plot in bsd, contrary to what is said, it's quite simple: it revolves around this “book”. all organizations want to get hold of it, because this object is a kind of portal to any world. it contains an infinite number of potential, parallel universes; you know the questions like “if i had made another choice at the time, where would i be now?”, “if i had decided to walk a different life path, where would i be?” ? here, in this “book” all these different possibilities are contained. i'll make a practical example to better explain this mechanism: let's take atsushi and two worlds, A and B. world A is the main one, where the events of bsd take place + atsushi is a member of the armed detective agency; world B is “bsd!beast”, a parallel universe, where atsushi is in the port m4fia. B!atsushi has no idea that he's a variation of world A, the main one; and A!atsushi is unaware of the fact that there is a parallel universe, B (if the concept isn't clear, tell me and i'll try to re-explain it).

the characteristic of bsd, however, is that there are many “mini-plots” that overlap the main plot, which is buried under these layers, and consequently the reader's attention is diverted from the “book”, the origin of all conflicts in bsd (and all universes).

after this long introduction, i'll try to get to the point.

the other day i was learning more about this “book”, of which little or nothing is known. it's a book made up of white, blank pages, waiting to be stained by ink to transform these infinite possibilities into reality; the author of this “book” is assumed to be an ability user.

^ going on the wiki page of “the book”, i noticed that on the cover it says the title, “stray dogs”. i immediately went to do research on books called “stray dogs”, but in the end the only relevant ones were the volumes of the bungō stray dogs manga. so i wondered “what if the book everyone would like to have, was bsd itself?” and it would make sense.

i'm going to explain this below.

this “book” is the creator of all things, of all universes, and by writing on it you can alter reality (as it's written in the image above). bungō stray dogs has two universes: the main one (the bsd manga) and bsd!beast, the parallel universe to it (ngl this analysis would be more accurate if i added some information that is revealed in the light novel “beast”).

in bsd, most of the characters are writers and poets of the 19th and 20th centuries (however those introduced in “bsd: gaiden” are inspired by modern authors, who are still alive), while those who are not, are still connected to these authors. the abilities of the characters are connected to the works of these writers and poets. what i'm trying to say is... what if kafka asagiri (the author of bsd) introduces himself into his own manga? his ability would be “bungō stray dogs” and he would be the creator of the “book”, which is called “stray dogs” because it's THE BSD MANGA. consequently, the characters who desire to change the past events (fitzgerald would like to bring his daughter back to life, fyodor would like to reshape the world in such a way that there are no more ability users, etc.), are unwittingly wishing to change the plot of bsd (or, if we want to enlarge more the general picture, the life of the authors who really existed). and if the characters of bsd discover that they are characters (and therefore not real people), belonging to a parallel universe of our real world..... the parallel world would crumble and cease to exist; in other words, the story of bsd would end.

what are your opinions on this?/gen.

btw this is only a theory of mine, take what i wrote with a grain of salt :)

[nejiscorpse]

{A Caged Bird's Fate} Part 1 - Introduction

Neji Survives AU! (y/n) becomes a part of the story in part two ;3

Author's Note: I dropped Shippuden when Neji died lmao so this fanfic is what I think one of the better alternatives to Neji's death was. This probably won't follow the timeline after the war very well, sorry about that.

Plot: During the 4th Shinobi World War, Hiashi Hyuga puts his life down to save Neji. Hiashi spends his last moments in Neji's arms and passes on the position of Hyuga clan leader to Neji, and our boi gets everything he deserves. <3

[ Gekko Hayate, the proctor of the Chunin Exams, said to Neji, "Even a bird who gets caught, once it learns how, will open the lid of its basket with its own beak. He won't give up, for he wants to fly freely in the sky again." ]

[ In Hizashi's letter to Neji, "Overcome your own fate, Neji. Fate is something you work out with your own hands." ]

[ Neji in response to Hizashi's letter, "...father... I have only one goal... I want to become stronger, so I won't lose to anyone." ]

~Enjoy, babes <3 spoken words are italicized btw

●∘◦❀◦∘●∘◦❀◦∘●∘◦❀◦∘●∘◦❀◦∘●∘◦❀◦∘●∘◦❀◦∘●∘◦❀◦∘●∘◦❀◦∘●∘◦❀◦∘●∘◦❀◦∘

You know the scene...

Hinata jumped out in front of Naruto, shielding him from the wooden spears that Obito had sent flying through the air, targeting the boy while he was down. Neji had seen the situation from a distance and prepared to use his Rotation to stop the spears, until Uncle Hiashi had stopped them... with his own body. His bones cracking on impact sounded like thunder, and he violently fell onto the cold, hard ground with a loud thud, leaving the three teens shocked and unable to move as dreadful chaos continued to ensue around them.

The spears had pierced through his chest and torso, giving him only a few precious moments before his life would tragically end. Neji was the first to break free of his shocked state and rushed over to his uncle, kneeling down and placing Hiashi's upper body onto his lap, internally screaming at what had just happened.

"Hiashi sama! Why would you do this?" Neji frantically panted as his eyes scanned his uncle's face. He looked pained but... somehow relieved. "Why?!" Panic settled in as Neji realized that not only had a main family member sacrificed himself to protect a branch family member, but the clan leader himself had just done that, for him. He, who had always been so bitter and angry towards the main family.

Hiashi inhaled a couple shaky, broken breaths before speaking with a rasped voice, "There isn't much that I can do now, but if it is the fate of the branch family to die for the main family, then I want to defy that fate for you, just as my dear brother did for me." Neji listened quietly, eyes wider than ever and body frozen again in disbelief.

"I'm proud of you for making it this far Neji. I'm leaving the clan in your hands. Live, finish this war, and lead the clan. Bring about the changes you've always wanted." He fights the urge to groan in pain and instead smiles at his nephew, feeling inner peace for the first time in years knowing that he's finally repaid Hizashi for saving him on that awful day so long ago.

Hinata rushed over to the two men and kneeled next to her father, opposite to Neji, put one hand on Neji's shoulder and the other holding her father's hand as she lost control over the tears welling in her eyes. Hiashi then held his daughter's hands and told her how much he loved her and her younger sister, and that he's so, so proud of them both. Uttering maybe the sweetest words either of the cousins have heard.

Neji didn't know what to say, his thoughts raced as he sat in silence and stared dumbfoundedly at the person experiencing their last moments in his arms. His uncle had just sacrificed his life for him and wants him to take over leadership of the clan? That's impossible. Why? Why go this far for him? His uncle was never close with him like that, and yet he did this... for him.

As if reading Neji's mind, Hiashi spoke to him again, "Neji, your father taught me... to defy my fate... to protect my family. I knew what I was doing, and know that it is right." He smiled again as he felt himself start to lose consciousness, lungs stuttering in an attempt to get one more sentence out. "You know what to do. Take the fate of the branch family into your own hands, end the suffering, Neji." Hinata continued to cry and begged for him not to go while holding Hiashi's hands.

Neji finally spoke, "I will, Hiashi-sama." Neji felt that he should say more but nothing else would come out. Never in his life had he felt so vulnerable and helpless. Soon after, Hiashi took his last breaths while looking lovingly into Hinata's eyes and smiling at her, almost like he was saying, "It's going to be okay."

Hinata cried out as she held her now dead father's hands, feeling them going limp and watching his eyes become lifeless. She leaned down and hugged him one last time while Neji still held his corpse. He too, lost control over his emotions and sobbed alongside his cousin. They now shared a new bond, a very painful, memorable one.

"I'm sorry Hinata, I was too slow to act... I was supposed to protect you." He gasped for air as he tried to contain himself. "I'm sorry, I'm sorry...." Neji knew why Hiashi had put his life down for them, but he couldn't help the guilt that washed over him. This war was already so traumatizing but it was a slow process, Hiashi's sacrifice was completely uncalled for and left a different kind of emotional scar, especially considering that Neji had been trained to be prepared to die for others not the other way around. He never saw this coming.

Naruto had remained where he was sitting, still trying to process everything, but hearing the two Hyugas suddenly break out into loud sobs made him snap out of it and eventually stand back up. He slowly walked over to the scene, looking at the corpse of Hiashi and taking in what had just happened. He crouched down next to Hinata, carefully put his hands on her shoulders and softly muttered genuine words of comfort and encouragement to her despite still being slightly out of it.

It was in a split second that the realization of how much Hinata had cared about him dawned on him. She cared about him enough to die for him when he was idle and useless in the middle of a world war. He held back tears as he also realized that he reciprocated that care, but he couldn't get emotional when his comrades were in such distress. He owed them his life, and a new bond with his friends had been formed.

Hinata had just lost her father, and Neji his uncle. Naruto didn't overhear their conversation, but he understood the impact that this had on them both. He glanced over at Neji and moved over to be between the two cousins, placing a hand on each of their shoulders. He was eternally grateful to all three of the Hyugas, and their actions moved him beyond words. He felt like he could never do enough to make up for the events that unfolded on this grim day.

~see you in part two! this is my first time actually posting a fanfic so go easy on me :(

[five-rivers]

@lucifer-is-a-bag-of-dicks came up with this op!Danny/Marvel AU!

BTW I need help naming this newest proof that I can't keep anything to a short little one-shot.

.

Loki was not, and never had been, a good man. For that matter, whether or not he’d ever been a good boy was debatable. His mother would argue that he had, but she would very likely be the only one. Well, except for Thor, perhaps, but that was because he was an idiot who could drown in three inches of nostalgia. Like he didn’t remember every time Loki had humiliated him. Maybe he didn’t, for all that he kept falling for the same trick over and over again.

It made Loki’s late nights studying the arts of illusion, misdirection, and lying seem redundant. Almost. Not everyone was as dense as his big brother.

No. Loki had never been a good man. He had, however, been a free man.

Free to run or hide. Free to explore the nooks and crannies of Asgard, to uncover her secrets in ways few cared to do. Free to walk hidden paths between the Nine Realms and even farther flung territories, where his people did not and had never ruled, to play games, make deals, have adventures, take risks. To be. To exist as his own creature.

He had been free. He had.

But on one of those little secret excursions, he had discovered something that had made even his flippant, slippery heart clench with fear. A ravening plague, spreading across the stars. The death of half of everything on the horizon.

Loki was not a good man. What cause did he have to care for all the sundry others in the universe? There were too many. It was too much to ask.

But Asgard—His home, even though the had long ago realized the blood in his veins originated on very different soil. That was different.

Asgard, he could help. Asgard could survive.

But it had to be strong. It had to have strong allies. None of this barely-held peace, this enemy eternally at their gates. It needed strong leadership. Not his brother’s simplistic view and longing for the glory of war.

Loki was not a good man. But he was one who could get things done.

Before he knew it, he had burned all his bridges behind him. In one case, a literal bridge that was literally broken.

And he fell.

And he fell.

And he fell right into the hands of the one he had feared enough to do this. Broken enough for poison to drip into the cracks. No one knew where he was, no one could know where he was, except, perhaps, Heimdal, and Loki sincerely doubted Heimdal cared. No one was coming for him. No one was looking for him. No rescue was forthcoming.

He was alone.

Asgardians were considered gods for a reason. Their bodies and minds were much more resilient than the average mortal’s. But Thanos’s people had been titans, and there was a reason for that, too.

Thanos enjoyed breaking him.

And Loki turned his lies on himself. A skilled master of games always had one gifted opponent, even alone. Hadn’t he wanted to rule? To command? To see a world, any world, prostrate at his feet? To be given the recognition and praise of which he was so worth?

To pull something, anything, out of the fire?

(If he had spent less time learning how to spin lies and more on how to see the truth, he might not have believed it. A better, wiser, man would have. But Loki was not a good man. And he was very skilled in his craft.)

So, his new master put a weapon in his hands, and he went off to conquer a world.

.

Danny was used to rude awakenings. He was used to those rude awakenings being full body chills and ghosts, not someone knocking on his door.

Blearily, he pulled himself out from under the blankets. Quasi-military government facility or not, the beds were comfortable. Maybe Mom or Dad had gotten themselves locked out of their room? Or Jazz—No, not Jazz, she hadn’t come with them. She was at college, not being flown places by Mom and Dad’s suspiciously generous new consulting job.

At least it wasn’t the GIW.

He stood on tiptoe (curse his perpetually short body) to peer out the peephole. His parents’ buff, one-eyed, and incredibly imposing new boss stood in front of the door, hands on his hips, slightly sweeping back his long dark coat. If Danny listened carefully, he could hear two other people near the door, and… was that an alarm? Yes. Faint, but present, was a warning klaxon.

Okay. Danny would bet his right arm that something had gone horribly wrong with whatever his parents were consulting on. Didn’t explain why the boss was in front of his door.

Unless they’d gotten the rooms mixed up, somehow?

Ugh. Danny wasn’t paid enough to deal with this.

He opened the door. “What-?”

“Phantom,” intoned eyepatch guy with great solemnity.

Danny immediately tried to close the door. The guy stuck his foot in the jamb, and, sure, Danny could have crushed it, but that would be a jerk move. He didn’t think this guy was going for a pirate look, after all.

“We need your help.”

.

“I’m not sure what you think I can help you with,” yelled Danny over the beating of the helicopter blades. He’d remained stubbornly in human form. “My parents are the scientists. This sounds like a science thing. Not a punching-people thing.”

“We spoke to them earlier,” said Fury, “and we have plenty of scientists working on the theories they brought up. You’re the one with practical experience.”

“Practical experience in what?”

“Interdimensional portals,” said the woman, who had yet to introduce herself.

As if this whole thing wasn’t already giving him a bad feeling. “My parents built an interdimensional portal. Again, you should be talking to them. They’re the ones you’re paying.”

“We could pay you, too,” said Fury, “but we assumed you would want to avoid letting your parents know about this, as you’re still a minor and they have control of your bank accounts.”

Danny stared flatly. “This is blackmail.”

“We aren’t threatening you,” pointed out the woman.

“Emotional blackmail,” said Danny, glaring, daring her to challenge him on whether or not he actually knew what blackmail was.

In the meantime, the helicopter landed. Danny unbuckled and hopped out, trailing slightly awkwardly behind Fury and the woman. He didn’t want to stand out, but he suspected that, being the only kid here and being in the general vicinity of Fury, who radiated authority, that was a lost cause.

“This is Agent Coulson. Coulson, this is Phantom.”

Danny’s mouth went dry(er) at how casual the introduction was. His eyes went nervously to all the other people running around the field. With all the noise, it was unlikely anyone had heard, but still…

“Can you not? Secret identity and all? Unless you’ve told everyone herealready, which, rude.”

Fury sighed. “How bad is it?” he asked Coulson.

“We’re not sure,” said Coulson. “That’s the problem. Big fan of your work, by the way,” he added as an aside to Danny. He glanced at the woman. “Agent Hill.”

“Background?” asked Fury as he led the way into the building.

“The first energy surge was four hours ago. Dr. Selvig’s equipment picked it up – He’s the head scientist on this project.”

“Dr. Selvig isn’t authorized to test,” said Fury. “We wanted to run his plans by the Fentons.”

“He wasn’t testing. He wasn’t even in the room. He called it ‘spontaneous advancement.’”

“It turned itself on?”

“What are the energy levels?” asked Fury before Hill’s question could be answered.

“Climbing,” said Coulson.

“Mr. Fenton,” said Fury, “any comments?”

“Look, I don’t even know what this thing that you built looks like or what it’s a door to.” Danny frowned as a thought occurred to him. “You’re not expecting me to fight whatever comes out of it, are you? Because, unless you’ve got a ghost portal down there, I can’t make guarantees.”

“It’s called the Tesseract,” said Coulson. “It’s supposed to be a connection to the other side of space. A source of unlimited energy. At least,” there was a note of humor in his voice despite the evacuation taking place around them, “that’s what the scientists say.”

“A door to space?” asked Danny, firmly shoving down his excitement at the prospect. “Like, a Stargate?” It was no good, he could practically feel himself sparkling. He took a firm grip of his core and reminded himself he might need to fight before the end of the day.

“Well, no,” said Coulson. “It’s this little… cube… thing.” He made a shape with his hands.

“Oh,” said Danny, mind still whirring. “You know, if it’s really a tesseract, it isn’t a cube in just three dimensions, so bigger things could come out of it than you’d think.” He’d seen some weird portals in the Ghost Zone.

“Well, right now, we’re just getting energy.” They entered a large room with an extremely sci-fi setup. It looked like they were planning to shoot some kind of laser across the room onto a platform surrounded by strange-looking panels. There were men with guns scattered around in what was probably a well thought out formation Danny couldn’t see. There was also a dude with a bow sitting up in the rafters. He frowned down at Danny as he noticed Danny noticing him.

“Dr. Selvig!”

“Director!”

“What do we know?”

Danny allowed himself to be distracted by the centerpiece of the room, a piece of machinery built around what was indeed a little cube thing. He tilted his head and approached, trying to get a better view of it around the people in lab coats and protective gear currently swarming it. He caught mention of radiation a grimaced.

It was unlikely to kill him, but, really, everyone here should probably be wearing more PPE. You never knew what was going to come out of an interdimensional portal, after all. Except trouble. Trouble was a pretty safe bet.

It was pretty. Blue. Reminded him a little of a blue raspberry ice pop. Part of him wanted to lick it. Which was stupid. He didn’t want to wind up half what-ever-lived-on-the-other-side on top of his regular ghost nonsense.

“Mr. Fenton?”

Danny jumped and turned, refocusing on the adults, who had multiplied while he’d been daydreaming. The guy with the bow had joined them.

“Mr. Fenton? Like the Doctors Fenton I spoke to earlier?” asked Selvig.

“Yeah, it’s—”

This, of course, was when everything decided to explode. Sort of.

The blue cube shot out a beam of energy that had more than a little in common with the Fenton Bazooka’s portal setting. The beam terminated on the platform, a portal rapidly forming.

Danny slid into a fighting stance, and barely even noticed as blue energy washed over the room, throwing many less-prepared people back.

Something shaped like a man stepped through the portal.

Danny did not break his stance. Still. “An alien,” he whispered, eyes wide. If they were friendly, maybe they’d answer his questions about space. If they weren’t friendly, maybe they’d answer his questions about space after Danny beat them up.

(Danny did not go ghost. Did not even think about going ghost. There were too many people here, and the space was too open.)

Fury attempted to negotiate. Danny approved. Not everything that came through an interdimensional portal was necessarily evil.

Except this guy apparently was. Go figure. He could also deflect bullets and was very good with throwing knives, which led to Danny having to pull several of the gun guys out of their own line of fire as well as the alien’s line of knife. Who would have thought an alien’s weapon of choice would be throwing knives? The energy-blasting spear was much more in line with his expectations.

The bow guy proved to be more competent than the gun guys. This didn’t really surprise Danny. Bow guy sort of had to be competent. Otherwise, no way would they let him go around with a bow. Like, seriously. A bow.

Even so, bow guy was fighting an alien and—

“You have heart,” said the alien, raising the spear.

Danny pushed bow guy out of the way, and his mind fuzzed out.

(The human part of it, anyway.)

.

Loki didn’t know what a child was doing here, and he didn’t particularly care. The boy would do for a hostage, at least. He had a mission he had to fulfil, or else…

Or else.

“Please don’t,” he said turning with a shadow of his usual lazy affect, vaguely insulted that the human thought he could be sneaker that him, “I still need that.”

The human went on and on, apparently burdened with the delusion that he was on the same level as Loki.

Loki was burdened with other things. A glorious purpose. Glad tidings. Freedom. What could be better than freedom?

“A world free from what?” asked the human.

“From freedom,” said Loki, and wasn’t that what he believed, now? Wasn’t that what he’d been shown? “Freedom is life’s great lie.” He would know. He was an excellent liar. “Once you accept that, in your heart—” He batted away an arrow and tsked. “Shield me, boy,” he demanded. Had Thanos misrepresented the scepter’s powers? Or was the boy merely—

A dome of green surrounded him and the boy, thrumming with magic the likes of which he had only seen once, in a tome thrice forbidden.

“Oh,” said Loki, almost purring. “You are interesting. What are you?”

“Half human, half ghost,” replied the boy, tersely.

Loki had never heard of such a creature. No matter. He’d be sure to make good use of him.

“Grab the scientist,” he said, nodding at the balding man who had been with his brother when he’d fought the Destroyer in the desert.

Loki wanted the archer. He seemed interesting. Useful.

.

Fenton was under thrall. Phantom knew what that felt like. A hundred feet under red water, trying not to drown, whispers everywhere. Pulling. Pushing. Prodding.

This was different, but the principle was the same.

Neither half of him could truly ‘fight’ the other. Fenton and Phantom were a single entity. Not two in lockstep. Even so.

Fenton grabbed onto Dr. Selvig, as ordered. Phantom made sure that was all they did.

“What are you doing, boy?” snapped Loki. “Follow me! Bring the scientist.”

And so, they followed.

.

Loki breathed. Acquiring Barton had been the right choice. The boy was powerful, but, perhaps because of his unique biology, did not have Barton’s presence of mind, and couldn’t have led him to such wonderful allies.

Allies.

These weren’t truly his allies. Nor were they subjects. They were…

Loki forced himself to breathe. He just had to follow the mission. Follow the mission, let Thanos’s army through. He’d been promised this world. He would have this world.

And then he could be… His mind stuttered over the next word, and he shook his head, trying to drive out the painful buzz of Thanos’s herald and mouthpiece trying to contact him.

He looked up at the drones bustling around, all according to his will. Except the boy, who stared at him, somehow managing to be both utterly blank and challenging at the same time.

He was alone, here.

He was alone.

But what did it matter? Bad men always wound up alone, and Loki… Loki could never be a good man.

[sitp-recs]

Nightcall by Femme and noeon

Harry/Draco (2015, Explicit, 116k)

A hideously mauled corpse is found sprawled across the paving stones of Brick Lane in the East End of London. Inspector Harry Potter--widely believed to be the lead candidate for next Deputy Head Auror--is called in to investigate a possible magical crime. To make matters worse, his occasional lover and former school-nemesis, Viscount Draco Malfoy, now billing himself as a consulting criminologist, shows up at the crime scene to aid in the investigation of the suspicious death.

If there's one thing he and Potter both excel at, it's fucking. They may drive each other mad outside of bed, but here, with the sheets tangled beneath them, they fit perfectly, their bodies moving in just the right ways to bring them both to the brink of the little death.

I planned to post at least three more single recs this year but things have been so crazy at work I’m not sure if I’ll manage that. I almost didn’t write this one - mainly because I’m feeling a bit rusty, but also because Femme doesn’t need any introductions. I always feel a bit dull reccing a popular author because chances are everyone already knows their entire catalogue, right? But I don’t see this fic recced often and since I think it’s a perfect Christmassy read without being about Christmas (like, at all 😂) I thought I’d share my thoughts about it in case this sensual and unique Edwardian AU flew under your radar - and you, like me, gravitate towards darker and mysterious plots at this time of the year. I’m not particularly into creature fics but every now and then I revisit my favorites and this one is a must read for me simply because I can’t get enough of Femme’s storytelling! Each one of their fics presses my buttons just right, combining compelling characters, intriguing plot and rich, immersive world building - not to mention the trademark sinful smut, my god 🔥

Here’s a delicious 116k murder mystery tale with perfect historical vibes and an addictive fuck buddies to lovers dynamics. What a feast! Every little 1900s AU detail is brilliantly executed from the unique setting / language to the dark and sexy atmosphere, the complicated subversive Drarry romance, the central werewolf drama and its political implications, and fascinating side characters as a treat - btw this has one of the best Harry & Severus relationships I’ve ever seen in fic. The narrative is intriguing, spicy, intense and full of emotion, all characters breathing so much personality it’s impossible not to relate, fall in love and cheer for them. I love how human and flawed they are. Stories that give them room to be petty, stubborn and egotistical but keeps their hearts in the right place are my jam, and these authors always deliver that nuanced complexity in a deeply satisfying way.

This is ultimately a love story and a gorgeous one at that, told from different POVs with lots of vivid grit and suspense. It’s also a fascinating exposé of a conservative and frightened society that will stay with you through its vibrant cast, rich historical details and deliciously turbulent romance. Go ahead and enjoy!!

Read on AO3

[dojae-huh]

MITH 232-233

The two episodes have two famous actors as guests - Jung Woo Sung and Lee Jung Jae (this one is from Squid Game). (I watch MITH here) The episodes are interesting because Doyoung: 1) met two very famous actors, A list, 2) the actors are shipped in the industry and on the show, 3) they talked about acting, 4) he taught them how to take selcas.

When Doyoung greeted the guests with a handshake and a bow, none of them paid him much attention. Both quickly looked at other hosts, while still shaking his hand. Especially wasn't interested Lee Jung Jae (in pink).

Seunggi, the main host of the show, was leading the introduction and the conversation with the guests at the beginning. Doyoung, however, attracted attention to himself by asking if the guests knew him perhaps. LJJ didn't know and called him (you are from) "boy group" (as an English loaned term), which was turned into a prolonged joke by the hosts. At the end Doyoung said he is from NCT.

Doyoung got a first row ticket to the spectacle of two seasoned actors navigating around jokes about their bromance maybe actually being romance. Valuable experience. He also used shipping jokes himself.

Aside from asking if the guests knew him, Doyoung didn't joke in the first part of the show (other hosts did a lot). He didn't look intimidated though (his posture), just smiled, observed and gave reactions when needed.

Part2: acting class. Unfortunately, it isn't clear how Doyoung got a spot near JWS. Was it planned or the other two hosts sat further away on purpose, to be more at ease? JWS stood up and waited untill everyone sat down. LJJ wasn't as attentive to the younger celebs. The two actors are of the same age, so it's difference in manners.

When attention was brought to the stairs behind, Doyoung silently moved his chair and touched them. Lol, he was sitting beside a mega star and absentmindedly moved his chair. Well, it was partly due to awkwardnesness and stress (he had nothing to do and he didn't know his neighbour, he was in unfamiliar waters), but he wasn't so nervous as to be frozen on the spot. Doyoung really doesn't have authorities, he respects higher ups, but doesn't get starstruck for real. Maybe he would in the past? But nowadays he is friends with a lot of stars from the field that matters to him (singers). He was more awed by the circumstances of crossing paths with such big names so quickly. Do focused on the talk in a bit and controlled his sitting pose properly.

JWS knew that one of the hosts came to the hair&make up salon where the actors prepared for the show. So looks like he gathered info about the hosts of the show to know what to say and how to joke.

Young JWS resembles Gongmyung somewhat. Heh, both of the Kims can be casted as his sons then.

Despite keeping himself in check Doyoung still shook his leg for a brief period at one point. Tics are hard to supress.

Lol, I like Seunggi's reaction when LJJ called him by a wrong name. "That was offensive!". He did a whole show out of it, punishing the guest for the slip up. LJJ said during the introduction that he watches the show and Seunggi is the main host (since ep 1). To not know his name is disrespectful.

Doyoung never interrupted with a joke during the whole of ep 232, he only gave various reactions. However, when everyone gathered around foor during a break, Do didn't hesitate to say "we can share" (noodles). He didn't know what joke would be appropriate, so he left the entertainment to the more experienced comics. Btw, Donghyun (the athlete) knew Do acted. News get around.

Doyoung got tired of being out of the circle and forcefully broke the ice with "Never in my life I expected to eat with you two". The second time he brought attention to himself. When Donghyun offered Doyoung as a candidate for acting out the staircase scene, his candidate was silently ignored. Judging by Do's tone during the outburst, he needed a release. To stop be in ambigious state of being present but not knowing how to act (because of the huge gap between their status and age, there was no familiarity and no common ground, he wasn't paid any attention either, so all he could do is to be polite). I think the scene was followed by JWS asking Seunggi about acting (looking at who ate what). JWS did small talk, involving one after another. He really asked to give him some briefing about every host before coming to the show. He gave Doyoung an opening (to say more) with "Acting on stage and for a drama is different, right?".

After the break Doyoung (and Donghyun) was a little bit more bold with inserting his comments. He wasn't hesitant to play alone, physically "stop" LJJ and take away the paper, when LJJ tried to snatch it from Seunggi's hands. Which shows that Do's inaction was not out of fear/awe before/of famous actors, but because he was at the bottom of hierarchy. He wasn't even a comic (the profession of the short guy), i.e. a Jokester/Fool for whom it is permitted to make jabs at kings. He was just a young idol and the guests didn't even know his group's name. Even when he "stopped" LJJ, he didn't actually grab or push him, just put an arm before him. Seunggi's hand he grabbed, however, they are close enough now.

JWS really looks like Gongmyung though...

Thankfully, the writers created a corner for Doyoung, the selca-doctor. Given a role with some authority to play, Do finally could get attention on himself and speak up, joke and tease without fear of overstepping (his role protected him, allowing for sassiness).

I'm really grateful to the staff for opening Do's selca row with this one. It is the furthest look from his MITH image or pretty idol image.

When Do was guiding LJJ with taking a selca, he, at first, tried to take the actor by the elbow, heh. He soon corrected his hold onto the wrist. There was a struggle between habitual and mindfulness.

The funniest thing that came out of Do's task is that he wanted to teach a trendy pose to the second actor and used a pose only he himself does.

Do's fans like his puffy cheeks so they ask him to reenact the pose often, they even came up with a name for it (baby butt bread pose). Doyoung made an A-star actor do his own signature pose, lol. What an introduction and a thing to be remembered by.

Doyoung in 30 years.

Good job, Doyoung, made a celebrity embarassed.

Doyoung finally managed to get a reaction from LJJ with a timely insertion of a joke about selcas. This was the first time LJJ genuinely noticed him.

The second half was cut a lot to measure the flow and the mood. THe hosts were discussing the running joke of JWS boasting about his handsomeness and agreeing with interviewers' compliments. JWS tried to explain his conduct with wanting to help the interviewers move along to the next question. The attempt at humliness made Doyoung get bold with a compliment "You are not just handsome, you are really handsome". There was sincerety in the phrase, which you can hear in the tone and affirmative "h-mm" nod. The compliment wasn't said for the sake of commentary, Do meant it and had to release his awe abouf JWS's looks. So yes, I agree, Doyoung proved once again he is a sucker for good looks, lol.

Doyoung managed to catch up and play along to JWS's joke (he sent a heart gun) very quickly. Experience shows. And LJJ at this point actually "saw" Do, when he was looking at him. As in, an idol got a name and a personality.

The short comic asked JWS: "Why do you keep seducing men?". So it wasn't said to Doyoung as I previously thought from TW comments.

I wonder if Do lost the game on purpose or not. Probably not, there were still two JWS's bottle caps on the board. But guests should win in games like these.

Do got a jacket LJJ wore in a movie because he fit it best.

It be interesting to see if Do ever crosses paths with either of the actors.

This episode was mainly carried by two butlers, which demonstrated to me the benefit of having many hosts. Each has some strenght that he can demonstrate with different type of guests.

[thosch3i]

Hi hi! So the lost tombs and chronology all super confuse me. So tlt2 ended on a cliffhanger that was not resolved by tlt3 which is ultimate note, but now there is another tlt3 that I am guessing is made by the same studio as tlt2 (but not UN) that actually follows tlt2? And it has the same WPZ as tlt2 (but sadly different WX, ZQL though I’m sure these guys are great). You seem to know what you’re talking about so I’m hoping you can help!

UN also ended on a cliff hanger so I’m wondering if they’ll get a sequel from their studio that comes before tomb of the sea.

ahhh hello anon! yes ahaha the dmbj dramas are certainly very confusing--because they keep switching the screenwriters/entire production team between dramas. huanrui did tlt1 (2015), tlt2 (2019), and the sequel to tlt2 (2021). they're also technically the production company for un (2020), but linghe did like all the directing/casting/writing so its significantly different in tone and quality from the other dramas huanrui produced. npss (dmbj author) did sha hai (2018) and tltr (2020), with sha hai being in collab with linghe, so you can see lots of parallels with un and shared cast. (gonna add that i dont know much about the m9 because that’s not what im personally interested in, so i’m only going by stories with wu xie & the iron triangle.)

unfortunately, the dramas pretty have no continuity as a result of all the weird shit and multiple studios doing different dramas and messy stuff going on behind the scenes. the author's production company currently has all the rights back for filming future dramas, which is......imo, a good thing for book fans who love the author but a 😬 thing for book fans who like the original story more than what the author is now doing with it. I'll uh avoid saying too much opinion stuff though so no more on that 😅

that aside! yes 云顶天宫 “explore with the note” part 2......is the direct sequel to tlt2 and done by the same studio. unfortunately the writers are different and im not sure how much of the production team is the same either. idk how much you know about the novels so brief summary here--for the chinese version, the main story has 9 parts split among 8 books (though the official eng tls have each part being a different book) with some important content being as follows:

official eng title “cavern of blood zombies” (first time wx goes into a tomb, first t3j meeting)

official eng title “angry sea, hidden sands” (xisha seabed tomb, introduce a-ning)

official eng title “bronze tree of death” (bronze tree in qinling, wx & lao yang solo adventure)

official eng title “palace of doom” (heavenly palace on the clouds, introduce bronze gate)

official eng title “deadly desert winds” (golmud, introduce hei xiazi, desert, rainforest, tamutuo)

official eng title “graveyard of a queen” (the rest of that arc, wu sanxing & xie lianhuan reveal, jade meteorite, amnesiac xiaoge and escape, sanshu vanishes for good--also i think the official eng tl covers a couple chapters of the beginning of the next part too)

阴山古楼 (searching for xiaoge’s memories in banai, miluotuo cave, i think introduction of wu erbai)

邛笼石影 (auction/hotel iron triangle fight, introduce xiao hua & xiuxiu, wx & xh on the mountains alone while pz & xg go with granny huo)

finale (rescue from zhang family mansion, changbai mountain goodbye, 10 years promise)

after the main story are the main sequels:

zang hai hua (tibetan sea flower; unfinished & abandoned) covers wu xie a few years after xiaoge has entered the gate, searching to understand xiaoge’s past

sha hai (tomb of the sea; unfinished & abandoned) covers wu xie’s plan to wipe out the wang family, after zhh

chongqi (reunion: the sound of the providence) covers wu xie’s lung disease and how he recovers from that, set after they pick up xiaoge again from the bronze gate. thunder city and everything.

灯海寻尸&万山极夜 (still updating on wechat) don’t worry about this one since it’s still a WIP lol

btw between sha hai and chongqi there’s also ten years later (a short story) that covers how wu xie and pangzi pick up xiaoge from the bronze gate and take him home

the dramas Do Not Connect To Each Other At All, which the exception of tlt2 & tlt2 pt2 somewhat, but they go in this order:

盗墓笔记 / the lost tomb 1 (2015): covers part 1 but with major OCs and filler, and includes the auction scene from part 8 for some reason, so introduces xiao hua early.

怒海潜沙&秦岭神树 / the lost tomb 2 (2019) technically “explore with the note”: covers parts 2 & 3 but with major OCs and filler, introduces xiao hua & xiuxiu (and hei xiazi briefly) early. last couple episodes also cover the beginning of part 4. not a direct sequel to tlt1 despite being done by the same studio.

云顶天宫 / heavenly palace on the clouds (2021) technically also “explore with the note”: covers part 4 with major OCs and filler (and the same changes carrying over from tlt2). some episodes are identical to the last couple episodes of tlt2. works as a direct sequel only if you ignore the last couple episodes of tlt2 that take place in the snowy mountains. (those episodes of tlt2 were filmed after this drama was filmed, and im still not sure why they dragged the wu xie and xiaoge from tlt2 back to changbai mountain to film those episodes.)

终极笔记 / ultimate note (2020): covers parts 5-8 with minor OCs and minimal filler, also introduces xiao hua & xiuxiu early. the only adaptation that resembles its source material most of the time.

沙海 / tomb of the sea (2018): covers the second sequel with major OCs and filler. includes some bits from zhh and the short story “three days of silence”.

重启之极海听雷 / the lost tomb reboot (2020): covers third sequel with major OCs and filler.

in addition there is the prequel series mystic nine (2016) and side movies for the dramas that the author produced. there is also a single standalone movie--time raiders (2016) that is....well it’s. very strange. it’s fully subbed on youtube if you’re interested?

the best way to watch the dramas is to assume each one is its own self-contained AU set along different points of the dmbj timeline because even the dramas the author himself worked on don’t have continuity LOL (and with the exception of ultimate note & sha hai most of the time, also assume most characters are pretty OOC from the novels).

i uh regret to inform you though, that ultimate note will not be getting a sequel unless the author magically decides to not care about making money anymore and sells the rights to film the finale to linghe or something ^^;;;; it’s....unfortunate bc un is the most highly-rated dmbj adaptation on douban by A Lot, but it’s an adaptation that the author had literally nothing to do with whatsoever.

more information on some of the side movies/stage plays/manhua/donghua here.

summaries of the main novel stories (currently through zhh) here.

edited mtl (some of which has apparently been looked over by native cn speakers) of the novels following where official eng tls end here. (there are many scattered extras as well.)

you can get the official eng tl books/ebooks on amazon or elsewhere(?), but if you have problems purchasing them or like you just dont wanna support amazon or something, dm me off anon. (also i dont want to be mean but frankly the official tls are kinda bad too ^^;;;)

a rough timeline (spoilers galore) for the dmbj novels here. (fair warning im not 100% sure how accurate all of this is--they put three days of silence as 1991 but looking at the info in zhh, it seems like it should have been before the 1950s...but it’s more than fine as a general overview.)

anyway i hope that was helpful in some way? dmbj is a Very Confusing thing to get into ahahaha, one of my twitter mutuals has made a few carrds if you think they might be helpful: book, dramas (slightly out of date bc it says heavenly palace hasn’t aired yet), ultimate note (got its own carrd by virtue of being the only adaptation aside from sha hai sometimes that most og book fans acknowledge lol ^^;;;)

also anon if anything wasn’t clear or if you had more questions feel free to ask again sorry ahahaha im kinda tired rn @.@ 

[transpat]

I have seen someone say that we as a fandom kind of ignored korn harassing wai which is tbh not true cause we just appreciate him for being a better friend also another thing about patpran relationship is that doesn't matter how much they are whipped for each other they recognise the others mistake like that time when pat watched korn bully wai, though he didn't do anything but when confronted he did his best to help and redem like they don't let the others flaw get overlooked cause that's a part of being in love anyways pat best boy lol

wow no actually i remember most ppl being uncomfortable w korn and pat and the extent to which they took the rivalry bc the introduction made it seem like bullying. in fact, till ep 6 it didn't sit right w me it when we see korn planning to gang up on pat i realized 'oh this is really smth they just do'

thou tbh after ep 8 onwards, every time i watch wai getting rightfully bullied i think deserve or wish they went harder. pat was onto smth when he picked wai to beat up

yep that thing about pranpat !! and it's such a wholesome thing to do to call out someone you love and reprimand them gently while teaching them what they've done wrong and it's equally important to open ur mind and listen to that person it has to be reciprocal and what are pranpat if not that.

thou while pran was pointing out that what pat did was hardly different from being the bully himself, i don't think that was correcting pat in that context. i mean given how pran too expected his friends to go beat pat up, even back then he must have known that this is just their faculty thing there's nothing he can do. like remember the first ep? didn't it seem absurd back then that even pran seemed to shut up when pat said the thing about his dignity? bc he knew that's what this is about, its not bullying its carrying on their faculty legacy like they've carried their parents' and pat was the leader, being insulted like that he would strike back and pran understood that's why he stopped arguing and instead offer to get wai to apologize.

here, they hadn't been caught by authorities and didn't single-handedly suffer punishment when they weren't the ones that started stuff. later, when pran is mad, its bc his friends are being unfairly prosecuted while the engineering guys who started this roam carefree. and pat keeps trying to defend himself bc really he held back, he stopped actively taking part in this faculty nonsense for pran, but the boys did go too far, and pran's right in being mad. except for the rest of the faculty what pat did was expected, even pran knows that like what is pat supposed to do? fight his friends for wai?? pran refusing to talk to him is more like him sulking tbh like he's disappointed bc pat's the one person in his life he keeps any expectations from and pat's let him down and he knows rationally that its not pat but he needs to take it out on someone and pat's the person closest to him, the only person that would be bothered by pran's hurt and anger, the only person he feels safe enough around to express it at all.

pran wasn't really mad at pat he was just v annoyed and under so much pressure and he needed someone to know but didn't have anyone by pat to express it to so he does, and if pat didn't try so hard tbh once this was done they'd return to normal w a few fights in btw bc that's what he expected his fake rival! pat to do but pat wanted to play loverboy so we got pran falling in love deeper

one thing here thou, but i think the distance in the past 3 years did have an impact on pran's feelings, bc its impossible for it to not. like in the first few eps pran interacts w pat much easier, he's much more closed off but relaxed around pat bc his feelings here have mellowed they don't gush up and suffocate him every time pat comes closer, nor do they fill him w temptations of letting pat close at all so its easier for him to shove pat out of his room and life constantly.

but then pat butts his nose into this and pran falling in love all over again. he's reminded why he fell in the first place, but it's so much worse now bc pat's so close and pat's more nosy and caring than he's ever been and pat wants to spend time w him and pat kept his guitar and lend him his earphones and told him he smells nice and you can see it thru out ep 3 pran feels doomed. that's why we have so many shots of lovestruck pran in ep 3 when we hardly had much before, bc we're literally watching pran fall all over again a second time, helplessly, inevitably, like every time he's thrust into pat's orbit this is the trajectory his feelings will take.

there's a diff in pat too. hs pat would have never gone this far, hs pat would have tried, given it a shot, but hs pat would have given up easily bc he understands there isn't a lot he can be doing in such a situation. hs pat was nosy and in love w pran too, that's why he'd try at all. but hs pat never had pran snatched from him, never had stare across at an empty balcony, an empty room, never woke up in a world where pran was as good as gone. but this pat's experienced it all. that hell of three years that were depressingly lonely despite being what should have been the first time he was allowed to breathe. excepted he wanted pran more than he wanted air and now that pran's finally back beside him again he can't afford losing him.

so ofc he'd go to crazy lengths to keep pran in his life this time. but pran's changed. where pran was happy to play friends w him before he keeps him at an arm's length now. where he was shy before he's clammed shut now. where pran would extend him warmth before he'd turned cold now. and we know already that pat never considered their parents as much of an obstacle, much less in an environment where they were removed. which made his only problem pran. his only difficulty his only fear was pran. if anything happened that would make pran hate him, he'd lose him forever. if pran ever got a solid excuse to keep away from him, pran would slip from his fingers. if pran ever got so busy he refused to see him, soon he'd be erased from pran's life and memories. bc what importance did he have anyway to pran? he refused to even be friends w him.

so it makes perfect sense that pat would go that far he's desperate. that's why he unintentionally acts out romantically more than once. he's going too fast to stop and consider why it is that he can't lose pran but he knows he can't afford to lose him again so he plows on, baffles the heck out of pran. ink's introduction in his life gives him space, time to think about smth that isn't pran. but bc he's given that distance his thoughts fall back on his own behavior w pran and it finally hits him but his previous behavior has always been romantic already so from pran's pov not much changes (and nothing did except pat's slow brain caught up at last) so that leads to the rooftop confrontation.

[foryoumyheroes]

I love the Otaku todoroki and Bakugou hc's! Maybe part 2 where they meet the characters voice actor and they look EXACTLY like the character and the bois are like 😳😳😳 HAVE I BEGGED GOD ENOUGH FOR HIM TO TURN MY ANIME CRUSH REAL and maybe the voice actor asks them out on a date sksksk— lol love your writing! (you don't have to do this btw, just a suggestion! 💕)

My first thought was the webtoon True Beauty 😳😳 I don't know if you guys know it, but it’s a great story (and free to read online!) and the author is kinda infamous for looking exactly like her MC!! Though Iida’s VA, Kaito Ishikawa, 👀 👀 looks exactly like his character IMO!! 

A/N:

The headcanons in question are here, and since the character is already referred to as [Name], I’ll be referring to the voice actor as [V/A] only, but it’s still the reader 😊😊.

“Shitty Half-and-half.” 

“Bakugou,” Todoroki replied, turning fully to face his former classmate. Several years had passed since they both confronted each other over Todoroki’s [Name] acrylic charm, and even now, both Pro-Heroes deep into their careers, their love for the anime character never waned. 

The series had finished up during their last year at U.A., leaving both boys a mess while Aizawa could only wish that he was able to nurse his headache with half a bottle of ibuprofen. Todoroki mourned the fact that they were able to defeat the last arc’s antagonist at the cost of [Name]’s powers leading to their ultimate retirement and Bakugou raged from the ambiguous epilogue where [Name] was seen laying their head on the protagonist’s shoulder while looking out into the sunset.  

“Don’t play dumb with me, you damned trust fund kid,” Bakugou spat, pushing himself off the spot where he leaned against the wall and striding over to the taller male. He had filled out in the past several years, nothing but toned biceps and broad shoulders. “You’re thinking exactly what I’m thinking.” 

“What?” Todoroki asked innocently. His time with Uraraka had paid off, but the cutesy look would only let him get so far. Bakugou was eye-to-eye with his “eternal” rival. Todoroki had only gotten taller recently. Still slender and toned, he was nearly his father’s height and had already surpassed Natsuo. 

“Might Con.” Bakugou really had grown from the way he didn’t rage from Todoroki’s feigned ignorance. “You’re going to be there aren’t you?” 

Todoroki froze. 

The blond smirked at his expression. “I know for a damned fact that your manager scheduled your panel at the exact same time my panel is held —” 

“We’re hosting the panel together with Midoriya, Bakugou —” Todoroki tried to say.   

“At the exact same time as [Name]’s fucking seiyuu’s autograph session, huh?” 

At Bakugou’s words, both boys were at a standstill. 

Due to the popularity of the anime, the voice actors were going to have their schedules jam-packed the entire con with panels, interviews, and meet-and-greets, but due to scheduling conflicts, every voice actor was allowed only one autograph session at a time. Bakugou didn’t care about any of those other shitty extras. He only wanted to meet [Name]’s seiyuu. 

The voice actor was infamous for hiding their face during the anime’s run, only doing radio shows or paper interviews. They cited that since they were still a minor by the time the anime came out, they wanted to preserve their privacy, but now that they were of age, they were going to reveal their face at the con for the first time. 

But they couldn’t make it. Their entire Pro-Hero career was stabbing itself in the back. 

He held a hand out. 

“If one of us can’t see [Name]’s voice actor the other can’t.”

It was otaku solidarity.  

After a pause Todoroki reached out and shook it once. “Fine.” The two boys dropped their hands as fast as it came. 

Yeah. 

Not. 

Todoroki Shoto: 

Tries to go incognito, but he sucks at it. 

He’s wearing shades indoors to hide his heterochromia and his scar, a bucket hat to hide his half-and-half hair, and he’s wearing regular, but not so inconspicuous clothes. 

Once he gets to the front of the line, he nearly drops his gigantic load of [Name] merch. If it weren’t for the fact that he’s a Pro, he would’ve needed a wagon to carry the entire thing. 

His face immediately flushes. 

You’re wearing glasses and a large sweater while smiling and waving happily at the last fan that walked away. His mind is seeing every equation. You look exactly like the High School spin-off your mangaka made after the protagonist wished that everyone was able to live normal lives.   

He stutters out, “C-Cosplay...?” softly the moment he gets to your table. 

This dude is blushing so hard his face is as red as his hair. 

Were you a secret love child, perhaps? 

You brighten up and laugh. “Oh, wow — you have a lot of merch,” you laugh and he nearly swoons. “And oh, no! I just look like this normally.” 

He mentally thanks his mom for giving birth to him. 

You compliment him on his casual Idol!Shoto cosplay and he’s so embarrassed that he nearly lets go of the left side of his Quirk. 

“Yeah! You make such a handsome Shoto!” You use your [Name] voice to say, “I love you, Shoto-kun!” and he nearly dies right there. 

He uncharacteristically even puts his face into his hands ;; and just screams internally. 

You hold up your pen and look at him with such wide eyes and ;;; YOU’RE SO FUCKING CUTE!! 

None of the fanfictions have ever prepared him for this. 

[“So who should I put these out to?” 

He inhales once and quickly goes, “Todoroki, please. Written with the character for ‘a roaring fire.’ I have admired [Name] since their character introduction arc and felt a bond from [Name]’s tragic history and my own. I hated my father for the longest time and wanted to forage my own path similar to [Name] and they gave me strength —”] 

You fight to keep the largest grin off your face, but then the door busts open and in walks Ground Zero. The security are all scrambling to stop him, but he barrels through them like dominoes. 

[”HALF-AND-HALF!!” 

“Oh, Bakugou —” 

“I FUCKING KNEW THAT YOU WOULD BE HERE WHEN YOU DIDN’T SHOW UP TO YOUR OWN DAMNED PANEL!!” 

Bakugou takes him by the collar and his shades and hat falls and everyone’s immediately fangirl shrieking as Bakugou forcefully drags him away. 

“Wait, Bakugou — ! My dakimakura — !“ 

“Fuck that!”] 

After his panel, he’s smugly going through all of the merch you were able to autograph with Bakugou sulking in the corner because he managed to go and Bakugou didn’t and he nearly drops his figurine when he realizes what you wrote in the corner of the box. 

“You seem pretty cute, handsome stranger! ;) XXX-XXXX-XXXX” 

He discharges his Quirk and Bakugou could be heard shouting, “WHAT THE HELL, HALF-AND-HALF!” in the background. 

Bakugou Katsuki: 

He doesn’t even bother hiding the fact that he’s there. Everyone’s so stunned by the fact that the Ground Zero is just storming through the autograph session that the autograph line splits like the Red Sea and he goes right up to you. 

When he sees your face he just stops in his place and he does the face above for like five whole seconds. 

Did he die and go to heaven? 

WAS THAT NOT T H E [SURNAME] [NAME] SITTING IN FRONT OF HIM???

AND YOU LOOK SO SOFT!! Who gave you the motherfucking right to look so cute??? You look exactly like the panel in volume twenty-one, page 105 where [Name] were first seen wearing glasses. (Yes, ofc he remembers the exact page and volume. What was he, a fake fan?)

He didn’t have a thing for megane 😳😳😳 until [Name].

[“You...You fucking look exactly like [Name],” he manages to stutter out. 

You blink out of your stupor at the Ground Zero at your autograph session because your manager just elbows you at your side and you nod quickly like an idiot. 

“Y-Yeah!” You laugh nervously. “Hahaha, I guess that’s why they chose me to be the voice actor, you know because the voice matches the face — or-or is it the face matches the voice??” The two of you have matching red faces. “I-I even have a Quirk like their’s!” You hold up your hand and activate your Quirk slightly and he goes still.] 

H-His wifu/husbando... in the flesh... 

All those years of reading metas and watching analysis videos and calculating the compatibility of your Quirks are coming into fuCKING FRUITION!! 

And he just grabs your hand out of nowhere, running on pure instinct, wrapping his hand around yours in a vice grip like a claw game and the both of you freeze. 

”S-So what would you like me to sign??” you say quickly because he’s holding up the line, but everyone else is watching his go down like a soap opera. 

He asks you to sign the manga. The first volume, the volume where you’re introduced, and the last volume. 

[“They fucking did [Name] dirty in the series finale,” he says while you sign the manga for him. “They don’t belong with the pissy protagonist.” 

“Yeah?” you ask, looking up at him. You gesture for him to lean closer and he does while you whisper in his ear. “Between you and me I don’t ship them either.” You lean back in your chair. “I don’t think the mangaka developed their relationship enough for me to root for them. Personally, I think that that they should just settle down with someone who’s going to make them happy and protect them — “ 

“I can do that.” 

“What,” you blurt out. 

“What,” he replies.] 

He’s in such a daze that when Deku and Shoto barge into the autograph signing and drag him away he doesn’t even fight back. 

HE WANTED SENPAI TO NOTICE HIM BUT NOT LIKE THIS!! 

Even through his panel that he nearly missed btw he’s so confused. Equations are spinning around his head. 

When he finally has free time and looks at the manga you signed, it read, “Ground Zero, you’re my favorite Hero! Glad you liked the anime! Wanna talk about it some more? XXX-XXXX-XXXX” 

[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