#this makes no sense if you haven't read the manga (-> please do though it's really very good. stan a.gott)

[ddollfface]

Can I please request a Yandere Hanayama Kaoru head canon?

𝐀 𝐒𝐥𝐞𝐞𝐩𝐥𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐃𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐦

𝙆𝙖𝙤𝙧𝙪 𝙃𝙖𝙣𝙖𝙮𝙖𝙢𝙖 𝙔𝙖𝙣𝙙𝙚𝙧𝙚 𝙃𝙚𝙖𝙙𝙘𝙖𝙣𝙤𝙣

Warnings; reader is afab/described a girl, yandere behaviors, stalking, I talk a lot, lots of ramblings, probably doesn't make any sense, bad writing, more stalking, Tumblr is trying to silence me, ngl Hanayama is growing on me... If I missed anything, then please let me know ♡ Bro, I'm so sorry that this is super rushed, seeing as I hit the word limit??? I'm super confused because I barely wrote anything, but whatever. A lot of my headcanons are based around @yandere-writer-momo. Also, sorry for being offline for so long lol, kinda forgot I had Tumblr ngl :/

Okay, to start this off, I think that realistically, it'd be very, very, very hard to get Hanayama's attention. He's shown to be stoic and stone-faced, only showing respect and warmth toward specific people (Baki and Shiba included). And I think it's important to mention that the people he does respect is due to their fighting spirit and/or strength, that or they were there during his childhood (like Kizaki and his mama).

And that's just for him to show basic affection toward them, not even accounting for being loving. For you to catch his attention, I think that you'd have to be either a really strong fighter (meaning having impressive skills of some sort) or have a strong will, either one will work. (Though, a lot of the time, both go hand-in-hand).

When I say a strong will, I don't mean you get up after being punched over and over, instead, it can just be standing up for others. Similar to Katsumi, I can see Hanayama being attracted to a person who's selfless, in the sense that they're brave. Someone who's willing to push through their fear and do it, whatever it is. Now, that catches his attention.

There's a never-ending list of cowards who'll run with their tails between their legs at the sight of discomfort, willing to abandon everything just for their own gain, and Hanayama encounters these men all the time. Let's just say that it gets boring, annoying even. So when you see someone who's spitfire, ready to jump into danger for themselves or others. Now, that's impressive.

Whether or not they can actually carry through doesn't matter too much, it's the fact that they got back up, not letting their dignity lay to rest. Personally, I find that Hanayama would be far more interested in someone who's genuinely acting selfless in this way, acting from the heart.

Going more into his childhood, I think this type is rooted in Hanayma's relationship with his mother. Though I haven't read the manga, from the wiki, I've gained that he was close to his mother, loving her very much. We don't know much about her. Hell, we don't even know her name, but we do know that she was kind.

That's the only information we're given, but even from that, I can make an analysis. From this, I know that Hanayama was likely a Mama's boy, though still being trained to be a Yakuta. I don't mean Mama's boy in the traditional sense, I mean it in the way that she was his peace, his way out of the Yukuta world, his destiny. Being raised in a gangster lifestyle isn't easy, nor is it soft, so just imagine the damage that type of environment can put on a child's brain?

Horrible, huh? So I like to think that Hanayama's mama, before she passed, was far softer to him, giving him some sense of security. this is possibly why he felt such sorrow after she passed, discarding the natural pain we feel when our mama dies (seeing as there's a primal connection we have with our mama, but that doesn't matter too much at the moment).

Hanayama is a very monotone kind of guy, who, I imagine, doesn't like people with some type of alternate motive. Like, y'know how politicians or businessmen talk? Like they're hiding something from you? Yeah, Hanayama loathes those kinds of people, especially if they're trying to pursue him. I belive that he wants someone who'll keep his life steady; be his calm, if you will.

He wants someone who will be upfront, express themselves clearly, and won't keep what they're thinking from you. To him, this is a breath of fresh air. Hanayama is constantly surrounded by lackeys trying to kiss up to him, speaking with a hidden motive (which isn't really hidden in retrospect). If they're not trying to appease them, then they're quacking in their boots, ready to piss themselves.

But you're not like that, no, not at all. You're different. Hanayama can tell, you aren't some coward, instead, you're someone to respect. He can imagine you sitting next to him, all pretty as a Yakuza's wife. Yeah, he likes the sound of that. Well, the only problem is that you don't know who he is, not yet at least.

I imagine that you wouldn't know who Hanayama is, at first, seeing as he never spoke to you. He likely witnessed you acting selfless in some type of way, expressing your kindness by helping a grandma get across the street, something like that.

You didn't notice him, but he sure noticed you. At first, it wasn't anything too special. Hanayama just found you interesting, wanting to see what you'd do next, so he had one or two of his men keep a tab on you--nothing serious. It continues like that for quite a while, and Hanayama learns more and more about you. He knows that you like to sing when you cook, tapping your feet to the beat, and swaying side-to-side. It's cute, he thinks. And Hanayama feels closer to you, as if you know each other, like you're friends.

But then one of his men reports that you're not at home, not following your usual schedule. Instead, you were at some dingy cafe, drinking crappy coffee with another man, some slumbag who looked like he hadn't showered in a hot second. For some reason, which Hanayama doesn't know, he gets ticked off.

Someone as sweet, kind, and damn pretty as you shouldn't associate with someone like him, someone so gross.

He doesn't do anything, no, no yet. It'd be too brash, and too stupid. And Hanayama isn't stupid. No, Hanayama can keep himself composed, now knowing that he needs to get your attention. Afterall, he can't have you running around with other men, not when he's right here! Well... you don't know that, yet.

Few weeks pass, and you've completely forgotten the trashy date you had gone on, but Hanayama hasn't. You begin to notice new outfits appearing in your closet, clothing you certainly didn't have previously. They're far too expensive, too revealing for you to own.

You'll be confused, especially when these dresses, heels, and coats are no longer just appearing, but instead, being presented. Now, instead of being hung up or nicely folded in your closet, they're being laid out on your bed, accompanied by a pretty, black leather box with silk insides. A little note is stuck on top of the shimmering dress, causing you to gulp, looking around as a shiver racks through your body.

Who the hell is buying you a dress? (though, it looks far more like lingerie, seeing as you'd never be able to wear it out in public). You don't know, but you can't help but feel the heat rise to your cheeks as you lift the velvet cloth, feeling the lace slip through your fingers. Once you tried it on, listen, you couldn't help but feel curious, you gawked at how it fit you like a glove, hugging your curves, and accentuating your hips and bust.

It's fucking creepy, that's all you can think, but it gets worse, way worse. Throughout the weeks, you notice more and more gifts show up at your doorstep. The dresses get severely revealing, much to your discomfort. So do the notes. They get too detailed and too accurate to your day-to-day. By now, it's clear that you have a stalker, a rich one at that.

I'd have to say that this is the worst part of being with Hanayama: the courting. It's hella weird! You'll never feel alone, always having someone watching you, mostly Hanayama. He doesn't have his lackeys watching you anymore, seeing as he's far too jealous for that. He doesn't want someone as low at them to see you in such an innocent, vulnerable state. No, that's only for him to see.

Don't be surprised when he shows up at your door, your last hookup's head in hand and a bundle of roses in the other. After all, it's time for you to come home, no?

[littleplantfreak]

Valentine's and White Day with (some) Wind Breaker boys

Starring: Sakura, Suzuri, and Kaji!

(Don't read Suzuri's if ya haven't read him from the manga unless ya don't care about spoilers though there's no actual serious detail in there)

I wasn't into wind breaker in februrary or march which is a bummer because I loveeee doing headcanons about that but I do recall getting some really good discount stuff the week after Valentine's day.

Sakura Haruka

Receiving chocolates from the person he likes has him tomato red and sputtering but he makes sure to thank you regardless of how long it takes to get the words out. (Did you guys see the official art of him getting chocolate from someone? He was so smug/pleased he just was staring at it smiling) Sakura doesn't care what kind of chocolate it is, he's eating it no matter what and if someone comments on it even if it's not teasing he holds it away from them like they're gonna take it away.

---

He's unsure of what exactly to do for White Day since he's never had to reciprocate before. Nirei is hellbent on helping Sakura in his romantic endeavors and Suo is there for funsies and (not so) moral support. It gets out in the groupchat that he's having trouble picking what to get and EVERYONE wants to help him out and give advice. He's quite literally running away when someone mentions it at this point. Tsubaki tackles him and drags him, Nirei, and Suo to a few places that are known for their good quality candy and gifts.

By the end, really this has turned into a group gift because it has a little bit of everyone in it. Nirei found out their favorite candy, Tsubaki found the best place to buy it, Suo helps with presentation and Sakura spends two hours figuring out which stuffed animal he thinks you'd like best to go with it. He ends up getting two because he found one that reminds him of you and one Nirei said looks like him but Sakura just doesn't see it (it does look like him though.) He makes it seem like it was no big deal but you can tell just how much effort he put into it.

Suzuri Shuhei

(I don't see enough Suzuri stuff and I know it's because he's further in the manga but he's so cute to me yknow after all the other stuff happens)

He's received some obligatory chocolates from the girls at the restaurant but was surprised you gave him an actual homemade dessert. Asks if you wanna eat it with him because it just feels right to share it with you. He'll also kinda grill you on what your recipe is because he'd definitely like to try making desserts himself. Suzuri'll ask if you can bake some stuff together which has you wondering if that's considered a date. If you ask him he takes a sec to think and confirms that yeah as long as you're comfortable with it, he'd very much like to consider it one.

---

When it comes time for him to get you something for White Day, he's already sure of your likes and dislikes for most foods. He watches a few youtube videos and the chocolates he made turn out so well you'd think they were made by a professional. He makes them in the shape of little cats and has given them the names of the ones he feeds in the alley which is not only cute but makes you ask if he'll take you to see the real ones.

Kaji Ren

You give him a bouquet of lollipops because it just makes sense ig? Kaji ends up saying something like "You really didn't have to get me anything" which makes it sound like he doesn't care but if you try and take it back he's like No???? They're mine you gave them to me what are you even thinking. No one other than Hiragi or his vice captains can tell but when he has one of the ones you gave him, he's in a better mood than normal. If he sees you in passing he'll use one to wave at you to show you he's still got them.

---

On White day he'll drag you to the arcade and tells you to pick whichever stuffed animal from the machines you want. Doesn't matter the game, he's so good at them he gets it after the first few tries. You end up spending the rest of the time playing games with him (he won't go easy on you even if you pout, and actually he thinks it's cute when you do) He also gives you a bag of your favorite candies while he's walking you home after.

[sukunasweetheart]

//just me venting about sukuna haters sorry

Not me seeing so much discourse about whether sukuna is a well written villain or not... he essentially has no backstory shown as of yet and we barely know anything about him but he is still one of the most naturally interesting and compelling characters in the whole damn series bro 💀 buckle up bc its about to get lengthy (im just glazing sukuna in this post ngl so 🧎‍♀️)

so many whiny ass mfs are weeping about how he "doesn't have any personal goals or a proper reason to be a villain" when that is the whole point???? He lives on his own desires and satisfactions and does whatever he wants to, because he is capable enough to do that. Mfs want "real villains" but cant even handle sukuna 💀 ive seen too many shit ass threads and poorly articulated "critiques" on his character that dont make any valid points. If you can't even separate your personal dislike of a character from your analysis of their writing, dont even bother posting that shit please 😭😭😭 the fact that we haven't even gotten any information about his background yet and people are jumping the gun about him being "poorly written" is already saying a lot 🤨

The fact that yall are so bitter and angry about him that you can write 500+ words about how oh-so-terrible of a villain he is kinda proves that he's doing his job well tbh 💁‍♀️

What also bothers me to no END is how people compare him with villains of other series, who had compelling sob stories that made people empathise with them. Thats nice and all but why should all villains have grand ideals and be subject to feelings of empathy/sympathy from their audience?

Part of what makes sukuna so interesting is how he's not tied down by morals, rules or long term goals in life. He doesn't limit himself, which is what makes him an unpredictable character. He's completely left behind what it means to be human in many ways, and he's clearly not a character written to be empathised with. He is very purposefully inhumane and distant from everyone else, and that feeling transcends from within the series to real life as well. There is a clear lack of understanding bc most of us can't comprehend what its like to just live without being goal-oriented.

Sukuna is a true anomaly in the sense that he doesnt really fit in any kind of box within the series. He's born from man, but its clear that he separates himself from humans (and nobody else considers him human, either). He's not a cursed spirit. He hovers between life and death. The narrator referred to him as the honoured one, whilst angel referred to him as the disgraced one.

These little contradictions in his character make him all the more complicated and interesting to think about. And even recently, he's been shown to waver a little bit momentarily in the manga, questioning his own irritation at yuuji. He's capable of self reflection, and though sukuna does whatever he wants for the most part, he doesn't blindly go into things without some thought first, he's a constant thinker and analyser, and an intelligent one at that.

And honestly, he is always such a joy to watch and read, his personality is so flavourful, and the way he carries himself is very attractive. He's not afraid to get messy or of getting hurt, theres so much chaos in the way he does things and yet he also has a huge element of gracefulness to him, which shines through the poetic way he speaks. Its undeniable that sukuna simply oozes charisma...

And this isnt talked about enough but this man is genuinely so effortlessly funny (in a kind of sinister way i guess?) Like yes he is an old ass man having real beef with one FIFTEEN YEAR OLD for very little reason, he accidentally healed yuujis arm and somehow expected him to be grateful for it despite how he literally ripped his heart out afterwards, then he proceeded to sit on him after kicking him down likeeee 😭 what kind of behaviour is this sir

His facial expressions at yorozus yapping 💀 THE WAY HE COMPARED YUUJIS FACE OF DESPAIR TO THE HARIMA STATUE 😭😭😭💀😭💀💀😭 omg that was so foul but i was fucking losing it ngl

How he randomly compared gojo to a fish and started talking abt his scales... thats a very unique and descriptive comparison, isnt it? Even in the recent leaks, he was 100% ready and squaring up to a literal child talking abt "youre starting to get annoying" LIKE HELPPP 😭 HE FR SAID "fuck them kids and fuck you too"

I saw someone saying that sukuna has no passion, like are we talking about the same character....? This man is a literal jujutsu NERD 💀💀 he truly recognises talented sorcerers and the only time hes seen to be having genuine fun is when hes fighting a mf... is that not passion? This is literally sukuna when it comes to jujutsu: 🤓

Anyway im done here now, im pretty sure i missed a lot of things i couldve talked about as well but ive done enough yapping

[mirawritesstuff]

In Another Life

Pairing: Obanai Iguro x Mitsuri Kanroji A/N: I know I haven't really dabbled in fanfiction on this account, but, I finished watching Demon Slayer and am impatiently waiting for the Infinity Castle Arc. Obanai is my favorite and him and Mitsuri are so cute together. I haven't read the manga but I know what happens to them and was inspired by the whole reincarnation thing. I know they get reincarnated and get married and have kids, but I wanted to write about how they may have gotten together in this life. How they met, and how they fell in love. In this they're both in their early 20s, and I headcanon that the restaurant they run together when they're married was Mitsuri's parents restaurant before and her and Obanai took it over when they retired. This is not proofread. I kinda just started writing and went with it.

Tags: ObaMitsu, fluff, romance, love at first site, reincarnation, soulmates

It was another chilly winter day, snowflakes gently falling from the cloud covered sky. The weather made for great business at the Kanroji family restaurant. People were drawn to the warm and welcoming atmosphere, Mitsuri being the highlight of it all. She took orders and ran the food as her parents worked in the kitchen, and everyone came for her just as much as they came for the food. Her bubbly personality drawing in waves of customers, especially during these harsh winter months. The warmth of the food as well as the welcoming presence of the eldest daughter of the Kanroji family made for a pleasant dining experience.

Though, while she was popular with the customers, Mitsuri always had trouble making real connections with people. Whenever she tries to make deeper connections, whether that be platonic or otherwise, people brush her off, often calling her too weird and eccentric. But she tried to keep going. She tried not to let it get to her. She tried to remain positive. Her family loved her for who she was. But, she still longed for just one other person. At least one other person outside of her parents and brother who loved everything about her.

“Welcome in! I’ll be with you in just a moment!” Mitsuri called as she heard the bell of the door go off, though she was a little preoccupied with running orders so she hadn’t had a chance to look over at the new customer.

Obanai, though, had his eyes locked on her. A soft flush of his cheeks peaking from above his white mask. All he was expecting when he walked into the little restaurant was a place to get away from the cold. And maybe a small meal. But instead he found her. She seemed so familiar, yet he had never seen her before. He quickly looks away as she walks over to him.

“Sorry about that! Are you dining in or taking your food to go?” Mitsuri asked with a vibrant smile that seemed to melt Obanai’s heart.

“Here..” Obanai said, tugging his mask up a little bit higher on his face to try and hide the creeping flush.

“Follow me, then!” She said, leading him to an empty table. Unbeknownst to him, Mitsuri was trying to keep calm herself. While she could only see half of his face, he still took her breath away, especially those mistmatched eyes. She sets a menu down on the table as he sits down. “Do you need a moment to look over the menu?” She asked, watching him.

Obanai reaches up to scratch his cheek as he looks over the menu. “Yes please.” He stated, his voice monotone. He needed to catch his breath. “Okay! Just let me know when you’re ready to order!” She said before scurying off to run some orders that were ready.

His stay was a short one. Once he got his food, he ate quickly and left, which made Mitsuri a little sad. She was hoping to get to know him a little more. She didn’t know why but she was drawn to him. She didn’t know if it was his eyes, the cold persona he was putting up, or maybe even that strange sense of comfort she got when near him. Nevertheless, she found herself hoping he would come back. Obanai, on the other hand, could hardly handle being near her. Her sweet smile, her soft voice. It was too much for him. She made him feel like his heart was about to explode.

But even still, he came back the next day. And the next. And the next.

He became a regular of the little restaurant, and his stays slowly got longer, which made Mitsuri happy. Whenever she had a little bit of free time on her shifts, she would talk to him. Sometimes about her day, sometimes about her cat. Sometimes just about random things. And he would just sit and listen, hardly ever talking himself. But he wouldn’t have it any other way. He loved the sound of her voice. He loved everything about her. The more time he spent with her, the deeper he fell. But would she even want him?

She enjoyed their time together too. She wanted him to open up a little more, but she wouldn’t push it. Everyone goes at their own pace. She talked about everything in hopes that maybe her opening up would get him to open up, and besides, she wasn’t the reserved type. She was open and honest. Well… except for when it came to her feelings. She adored him. Anytime he did speak, it was always to ask about her. If she slept well, if she had eaten yet, how her day had been. He’s so concerned for me, how sweet! She often found herself thinking as a rosy flush creeped its way onto her cheeks. She never knew how to bring up her feelings though. What if finds her too eccentric? Or too weird. Just like every man before him. Would he even want her?

“If we’re reborn…. can I be your bride?”

Those faint words woke Obanai up from his dream in a cold sweat. Hell, it was more like a nightmare. He couldn’t even remember what it was about now that he was awake, but he remembered those words. That was her voice, but she never said that before. Even still, he knew what his response would be. “Of course, if you’ll have me.” He didn’t know where these words came from, but he felt like it was a sign. This time, when he went to the restaurant for his daily visit, he was going to tell her how he felt.

“Welcome- Oh! Iguro-kun~! You’re here!” Mitsuri cheered happily when she saw him, her smile as radiant as usual.

“Kanroji-san…” He muttered softly, his cheeks flushing slightly as he watches her. “Before I sit down, I had something I wanted to ask you.” He said. God she made him nervous.

“Of course! Is something wrong?” She asked, her brows furrowed as she watched him. She always worried about him. He was so reserved.

“Everything is fine. I just… wanted to ask you out on a date…” He said, looking away, the flush barely peaking above his mask turning a darker red.

Mitsuri blinks for a moment as her eyes widen in shock. “You wanna take me on a date?” She asked, her own cheeks turning a light pink. She watches as he gives a small nod, averting his eyes. Once she realizes he was serious, a bright smile makes its way onto her face as she’s filled with unbridled joy. “I would love to go on a date with you, Iguro-kun!” She cheered.

Obanai looks down at her, blinking in surprise. “Really…?” He asked. “Of course!” She replied, practically bursting at the seems with joy. He rubs the back of his neck sheepishly. “Wanna go to that cat cafe that just opened up a few streets over..?” He asked, knowing she had been wanting to go but hasn’t had the time.

“That sounds lovely!”

He didn’t know what he did to deserve someone like her, but he knew that from here on out, everything he did would be to make her happy.

[glamour-quartz]

Sex Not Violence [ch 1]

[Buggy x Reader]

Summary: You are a valued member of Buggy's crew, but your mind isn't entirely there all the time. Buggy decides to help the best way he knows how!

Warnings: Nothing really for this chapter

A/N: I haven't written in a long while and this is my first Buggy fic. I am also a new OP fan, I have only seen the live action and read less than 20 manga chapters, so also please keep that in mind if this is terribly OOC for Buggy. No use of y/n, gender-neutral reader.

Word Count: 1.2k

Your chest heaves as you try to catch your breath, standing in the center ring with arms outstretched for your adoring audience. A few moments pass as you soak up the forced cheers and applause and you close your eyes, imagining for just a moment what it would be like if they had come to see the circus of their own accord. And why hadn’t they? Captain Buggy, generous as he is, had given the townsfolk ample time to come to their senses.

In the end, though, it was the same as every other small town you visited. You and your fellow freaks set up the tents, practice heavily, ready yourselves for your fans… only to be met with empty seats. Day in, day out, empty fucking seats until Captain Buggy gives the order to gather the crowd. A slight twinge in your cheek knocks you out of your thoughts and you take one final bow before exiting the stage.

The Captain is waiting for you at the entrance to the green room, arms crossed over his chest, lips drawn into a frown behind the red painted smile. Your heart nearly leaps in fear as you think back over your performance, running through the steps of the routine. Sure you had deviated a bit, but hadn’t it gone perfectly ? You smile at him and find that your fear dissipates quickly.

“Captain, sir!” Your voice is light as you come to a stop before him.

“Your set ran longer than it should have,” he growls, barely audible as the crowd behind you erupts in forced cheer. Cabaji has taken the stage.

Your eye twitches and your thoughts begin to wander, but the sudden feeling of a hand closing around your neck knocks you back into the present. Buggy’s rage is clear on his face.

“When I am speaking to you, I expect you to pay attention .” His voice is calm and demanding.

“S-sorry, sir.” 

“Why did your set run long?”

“I- I had an idea I wanted to test, that’s all.”

“Oh, an idea to test? That’s all?” The giggle that escapes him is nothing short of unhinged and the hand —disembodied, you manage to notice— tightens at the sides of your throat. “Who gave you permission?”

“I didn’t th-”

“Who!?”

“... No one, sir.”

“Oh, so you just took it upon yourself? Thought you might steal the spotlight?”

“No, I-”

“SHUT UP!”

You bite down on your lip and swallow what you had been about to say. 

Buggy watches you carefully and allows a full ten seconds to pass in agonizing silence, before his mouth splits into a grin.

“Good, you can still listen to orders. We do not make decisions on our own, do we?” He waits for your nod and loosens his grip ever-so-slightly. “We do not try to steal the spotlight, do we?” He waits again, loosens his grip a bit more. “We ask permission , isn’t that right?” At your final nod, his hand releases you and reattaches to his arm.

You dare not move. You had wanted to impress him and you had failed. Fuck . You knew the rules as good as anyone else on the crew, why hadn’t you followed them? Stupid, stupid, stupid . It’s almost a surprise when you feel the sting of tears at the corner of your eye. You manage to hold it together, though, long enough to notice that Buggy is still standing in front of you, staring. Waiting for something?

His voice is much softer when he speaks again, so soft that you can’t quite make out what he says over the background noise. The crowd behind you suddenly seems to be making quite a rhythmic fuss. Are you hearing the ocean waves, right now? Oh no , that is your heart pounding so hard you’d swear everyone within a mile could hear it. Buggy’s hand, you realize, is cupping your cheek and his face is much closer to yours than it had been a moment ago.

You are used to his angry outbursts, his violence, the rage that never quite seems to go away. You can handle it all, because you handle your own demons —you like to think so, anyway— but this? What in the ever-loving shit is happening right now?

“- eautiful, in the end.”

A shiver runs up your spine as you come to focus, his breath hot on your ear. While you lost yourself to your thoughts, he continued to close the distance between you. And he is now, for lack of a better word, embracing you. One gloved hand is still on your cheek, thumb rubbing out a soft circle. The other hand is planted quite firmly on the small of your back, pulling you closer.

Fear is clearly the only emotion that fits this situation. This is an entirely new level of rage and you are absolutely about to be murdered. You are going to cease to exist, because you had the audacity to add some flourishes to your performance. And yet, fear does not rear its ugly head. Nor does anger, or that sadness that had started to seep into your heart.

“Are you listening to me?”

You force yourself back into focus once more and nod.

“Good,” he smiles, and it almost seems genuine. The hand at your back pulls away and his posture straightens. “I expect you won’t be late.”

You nod again, dumbly. His departure is swift and your brain reels. What have you agreed to? You furrow your brows and continue into the green room, to sit at the vanity. This happens, sometimes. You get stuck inside your head and completely blank on the outside world. Most of the time you are able to recall enough bits and pieces to understand what you missed, though, so you aren’t entirely worried.

You raise your eyes to the mirror and notice, immediately, a smudge of red grease paint at the corner of your mouth. Red is not in your color palette and you frown, lean forward to scrutinize your reflection. Your painted decorations are crisp, clean, and —perhaps most importantly— blue and yellow. 

Your fingers dance over the red smudge and you focus . You know the memory is there. It literally just happened. You take a deep breath and close your eyes as it floods in.

“I did like it.” He places a hand on your cheek and he’s smiling. His features are… soft. Almost caring. He’s stepping closer. His painted lips are pressing to the corner of your mouth, so brief that it could be an accident. He’s moving in, pulling you against him so he can whisper in your ear. “You were beautiful, in the end.” The hand at your back squeezes and you think if he pulls on you any harder, you might just melt into him entirely. “I wouldn’t mind a private show. Tonight. Are you listening to me?”

You nod blankly, answering the memory as it dissipates. Oh. The Captain just wants to see you in his quarters. For a private show. That’s it. Nothing at all.. to be.. worried… about. The butterflies in your stomach come to frantic life and you feel as though they might just carry you away.

[thoughtfullyrainynightmare]

*waddles in* Hiya Lauraaaa!! For your trick or treat event, may I be incredibly greedy and ask for both a trick *and* treat 👀?

If so, may I ask for a Lollipop and “Whatever Comes to Mind” HC for Yuno please 🥺💕? Thank you, and congrats on passing your mid term 🥳🥳~!

Hiya Lyra!

Special tumblr wife privileges say: YES

Lollipop Treat with Yuno Grinberryal

My, perhaps unpopular, romantic headcanon with Yuno is that he is very awkward with romance. As in, he doesn't really get what's the deal with things like flowers and chocolates and little stuffed teddy bears with "I love you" hearts. Because they're just so ... generic? Tacky? If he was to give the same kind of a teddy every time he wants to do something "romantic", there would end up being so much clutter. Which is why he deems himself bad with romance, but... his love, and the romance, is in him suggesting trips you could make. Making plans for the two of you, and when he does give a gift, it comes from the heart and is something he genuinely thinks you would enjoy. Reciting poems is also something he wouldn't do, or be overtly expressive in his words of affection, but, rest assured, when he tells you that he likes something about you, he very much means it. His romance is very honest, down to earth, and domestic. It doesn't try to be anything more than it is

Trick with Yuno

Tumblr wife special

Yuno is just a strange character to me. But not in the way how he is characterized; his personality or the rivalry thematic or such. I'm mainly thinking about how, back in the earlier days of my fandom journey, I read about how "Yuno was meant to be die early in the manga, but Tabata kept him around because he was popular". Obviously this take came from a very unofficial source, but for some reason it stuck with me. Maybe because there was mentions about how Yuno feels so... out of place? In the plot. Like he is in the Golden Dawn, where people hate him for his placement in the society, but also don't because he's strong. He is a prince, but also kinda not. He wants to be the Wizard King, of another nation. He is the (vice)captain of a squad, in a another nation, while knowing that he is a prince of Spade. Plus the power level ups that he seems to just... get, despite saying that he has always felt inferior to Asta (this feels just like words, because we haven't really seen this kind of a development from Yuno; which could be just about having so many characters in the story to play with) Like the way his personal story arc is constructed is ... in a lot of places? It almost feels like Tabata doesn't know what to do with him.

I don't know what to do with him in terms of the overall plot either. Because... to me the vision is that he eventually becomes the King of Spade, but that's... almost like ripping him away from what has been built for him thus far? If it makes sense? Though with the "you're ahead of me and have always been" statement could be a kind of easing into "you're the WK Asta, and I'll be King of Spade" decision. And would probably enable their rivalry to continue, in a manner of speaking.

I think the reason why he feels so strange to me, is that, considering how he is such a central character, there has been very little love for him in canon. Like I don't feel like Yuno has received love in the way he is built as a character. While there is so much more potential in him. Personally I like fanon Yuno a lot better than canon Yuno, because... fanon has actually tried to develop him, and characterize him.

[honeycreammilkshake]

hello again honey please don't rush to answer if you're busy ♡

With the last chapter of jjk coming up I've kinda been trying to avoid thinking too much about it because I'm expecting to be disappointed but sadly I'm still thinking about it. Have you seen the dream theory? I read it and some things, like Yuji's domain being connected to Kenjakus powers make sense to me, same to how we're following megumi around as if he's the mc and hes the only one "awake" even though I don't think if this was Yuji's work he'd do it for Megumis sake as that post implied. I'm actually very frustrated with how even at the end we don't focus at all on Yuji, Megumi gets closure for his dad, gojo, his sister, even hana, but we don't know anything about what Yuji is feeling???? Nothing about his family is addressed, he doesn't say anything about Sukuna, nothing about his guilt, nothing about "living a life I won't regret" is he regretting anything?? Is he happy?? Let alone how unsatisfying and anticlimactic Sukuna's "death" was, every character that died has gotten a flashback, a moment to self reflect, some sort of peace in the end but we got nothing from him same exact way we're not getting anything with Yuji its insane to me. I'd rather this all be a dream conjured up by Yuji but as some people say it's a cope because genuinely this is the worst Yuji has been treated as a character and if the last chapter is wasted on introducing some new mc for jujutsu kaisen 2 then I don't even know what to say. But also the dream theory doesn't fully hold up imo, there's some things that are too specific or complicated for Yuji to have come up with if it was his domain. What are your thoughts? Any other theories? Atp I just want this manga to be over so I can focus on writing something for these two characters that their author seems to hate writing so much even though the whole story falls apart and feels so bad when we're not focusing on them because they're the damn main characters 😭

hi, jenjen!! it's great to hear from you and i'll do my best to answer this ask in full.

i've also been thinking about the last chapter still and i've had some more ideas about it. i read the dream theory and though a lot of it makes sense, i'm personally hoping that this chapter was in fact telling us that takaba is behind the "cursed fiancee" subplot because, as another user pointed out to me, it seems like something he would do. if that's the case, maybe kenjaku really is alive and we can finally get some meaningful conversation and focus on yuuji's strange family situation and maybe even learn how he felt about sukuna's death.

I'm actually very frustrated with how even at the end we don't focus at all on Yuji, Megumi gets closure for his dad, gojo, his sister, even hana, but we don't know anything about what Yuji is feeling???? Nothing about his family is addressed, he doesn't say anything about Sukuna, nothing about his guilt, nothing about "living a life I won't regret" is he regretting anything?? Is he happy??

i really feel you on this one, jenjen. not only is gege still (deliberately) putting more focus on literally almost everyone other than yuuji, but there's still no explanation about yuuji's family or how he's feeling after all this.

i have this delusional wish theory that the reason why we haven't gotten yuuji and his thoughts alone yet is because there's still a chance that he's hiding that sukuna is actually alive. i still find it really suspicious that yuuji hasn't been focused on ever since that final scene of him with sukuna, and while i think this is mostly because of gege's inability to maintain yuuji's mc status, i also question if yuuji really might have saved sukuna regardless.

i think he does regret the way his last moment with sukuna went. it's clear to me that his expression was one of disappointment and even despair that sukuna chose to die over come back to yuuji and live with him. but since we haven't gotten to see his feelings on it, and because yuuji still hasn't openly talked about sukuna's death with the others, i'm thinking it's because there's more we're not seeing yet here.

his happiness seems a little bit forced and not entirely honest, so i have to say i don't really think he's "living without regret" right now, but whether or not we'll finally get a confirmation on his true feelings is up to whatever comes with the last chapter.

Let alone how unsatisfying and anticlimactic Sukuna's "death" was, every character that died has gotten a flashback, a moment to self reflect, some sort of peace in the end but we got nothing from him same exact way we're not getting anything with Yuji its insane to me.

i can't lie, i've been seething about that, too. though i accept most of that final interaction between them and find it was completely in character, i still don't like how rushed it was. though i have some hope that sukuna did in fact have a moment of self-reflection because i do believe in the original japanese he referred to himself as a "curse" with quotation marks, which is the closest he's gotten to saying he's not fully inhuman. since yuuji has been treating sukuna more like a real person than anyone else in the last few chapters, i'd like to think it did touch sukuna in a way, which is why he not only called yuuji by his full name but also called himself a curse despite the fact that he technically isn't.

it's kind of like admitting he lost to both yuuji and his ideals because he has no other ground to stand on but remaining to the monster till the very end. and i feel like yuuji's disappointment with this decision is because he knows sukuna is still shutting out any possibility of fulfillment just because it doesn't suit his "nature."

I'd rather this all be a dream conjured up by Yuji but as some people say it's a cope because genuinely this is the worst Yuji has been treated as a character and if the last chapter is wasted on introducing some new mc for jujutsu kaisen 2 then I don't even know what to say. But also the dream theory doesn't fully hold up imo, there's some things that are too specific or complicated for Yuji to have come up with if it was his domain.

my worst fear is also that this last chapter is simply a way to introduce someone new who will take up the sequel series, and i'd be disappointed in that infinitely more than i was when gege kept inserting so much yuuta worship and focus into everything.

though i also feel like the dream theory did explain why yuuji isn't being focused on, i personally feel a bit unsettled by it because not only does it not quite line up yuuji's abilities or all of the plot given to us so far, but it also makes yuuji's story so much more tragic and, depending on how far back this "dream" started, it could have also potentially erased that last interaction between sukuna and yuuji. perhaps this is because i didn't read it fully enough, but i don't believe that the dream theory explains when exactly yuuji's fantasy might have started.

i personally think it would be more interesting if takaba was behind this latest development, since it seems comical and harmless enough to be his style. if that's true then it might also indicate that kenjaku is alive and wants to speak to yuuji, would could help provide a little more closure about yuuji's family and his feelings. meanwhile the dream ending would only be more tragic and potentially ruin any positive ending for yuuji, who i feel deserves something happier more than anyone.

but this is just my personal belief/theory.

Atp I just want this manga to be over so I can focus on writing something for these two characters that their author seems to hate writing so much even though the whole story falls apart and feels so bad when we're not focusing on them because they're the damn main characters

as for this, i also want to everything to be over so i can just go back to the parts that i did like or come up with my own headcanons for fun. (if you do end up writing, i'd love to read it please!)

i think my biggest problem with the current chapters of jjk is that they have been so rushed (mostly not gege's fault) and that the sukuna/yuuji interaction we've been getting has been so sidelined or out of focus that it doesn't really explore what is really going on between each character. we hear so little of yuuji's thoughts or reasons for suddenly wanting to extend mercy to sukuna when before he hated sukuna with all his heart and thought that "these guys will always be curses." i have so many theories about it but i feel like i've been ranting enough lately, but i just can't accept that those interactions meant nothing deeper to either of them than most fans are making it out to be.

i really hope the last chapter doesn't disappoint either of us again. tysm for the ask and take care <3

[animeyanderelover]

Hello! I really liked your Happy Death Day posts and I've wanted more of them so I have two request with that concept. 1) Happy Death Day with dazai, ranpo, fyodor, atsushi, akutagawa, chuyaa (and if you have read the manga) teruko, saigiku, tetchou, sigma. if you haven't read the manga then you can write for the first 6 mentioned with gin, kenji, yosano, and kunikida instead. 2) Happy Death Day with chiba, karma, asano gakushu, itona, isogai, nagisa, kaede, maehara, and human koro sensei.

All with gn reader please! Take your time with this request, there's no need to rush Take care :D

So, I already did this concept with Karma and Koro a while ago so they won't be included in here. Also, those Hc's won't be as long as the ones I've written for the Bungo Stray Dogs cast since I've spent approximately 10 hours+ on those due to the storm of inspiration. Hope you forgive me for that...

Tw: Yandere themes, unhealthy mindset, unhealthy relationship, possessive behavior, obsession, stalking, protective behavior, manipulation, blackmailing, sabotage, mentions of abduction, isolation, paranoia, violence, death

Happy Death Day

Shiota Nagisa

🐍Nagisa is the type who latches quite onto his darling, might just be a bit dependent on them due to his insecurities. So finding out that they died and he wasn't even able to do the bare minimum of protecting them shatters the poor boy. He holds back the tears stinging his eyes until he's alone though where he lets them freely cascade down his cheeks, sobbing silently. He goes through extreme withdrawal for the rest of the day as he locks himself up in the room you two used to share, doesn't eat and barely drinks something as he just stays in bed. There's still the scent of his cherished s/o clinging onto the pillow and it serves to only push him further down his agony. You won't come back tonight after all. There will be no warmth next to him when he falls asleep and wakes up, no sweet words of affection nor your arms holding him close to you. With you gone now, he feels terribly vulnerable as you were almost his comfort blanket who soothed him and calmed him. If you're gone, what's left for him?

🐍You're still somewhat sleepy, even after that agonizing dream of yours, when you're shaken gently and are able to make out Nagisa's soft and shaky voice calling you gently. It's still very dark and you're only able to make out his figure sitting in the bed. You don't need to see though as your hearing is sufficient enough to tell you about his condition. Uneven and slightly erratic breath and the occasional choked back sob tell you that he isn't in a good state right now. Asking him what's wrong is fruitless though, the only thing he wants to do is clinging onto you, listening to the steady beat of your heart. So you do the only thing you seem to be able to do in that moment, embracing him and trying to soothe whatever nightmare caused him to be so desperate. You hear him mumbling after some time where he was able to at least calm down a bit that he's sorry for waking you like that to which you reply that it's all fine. Your own dreamworld wasn't that nice to you either after all...

🐍Your senses are slightly on edge thanks to the unplesant nightmare as it is so you're more aware of what's happening around you than you'd normally be. Even your heightened state of awareness can't beat Nagisa though. The guy is already so exceptionally observant and vigilant of everything around him on normal days, thanks to the nightmare he only turns more cautious and wary though. Even smallest things like the songs in the radio or the people passing by the window are noted down in his mind. So when you start feeling creeped out by the uncanny similarities in your dream and your reality, Nagisa is already silently freaking out. Are you going to die today? No, you won't. Because this time he knows better. This time he knows what he has to do. The potential of you dying today switches something inside the normally shy, insecure and friendly boy you love. You already feel his gaze intensely drilling into you, flinch when you see the changed look in his eyes.

🐍Nagisa is capable of things you didn't think he'd do when the danger of you losing your life is dangling above his head and messes with his head. Don't forget though, darling, that this is still the same Nagisa you're seeing here. What you witness right now is merely a side to him you've never seen before simply because he had no reason to show this part of him to you. Sure, there might be guilt knocking on his mind when he forcefully locks you away in the bedroom and you hit the door and beg him to let you go but the burning desire to protect you outweights that guilt for now. You hear him muttering through the door that he's sorry but has to do this for your safety before he leaves, the aura around him predatory and hiding his bloodlust. In such a state he's truly someone to fear, even if he isn't the tallest nor the most outspoken person. He has his target locked already, they can't run for they're already trapped and can only wait for the assassin to show his true colors.

Kayano Kaede

🟩You two have known each other since her days in Class E and even if Kaede is only an alias she used to conceal herself with to join the class in the first place. You still use that name as some sort of nickname for her though. Honestly, those last few years have been just wonderful for her though. She finally learned to let go of her vengeful side, she got new friends and she got you as her endearing lover. The fact that she even saw you this morning makes it hard for her to comprehend that you're truly gone when she receives the news. Maybe she's just trying desperately to reject what will inevitably break her. They're lying! You two were just together this morning! She refuses to listen although the truth slowly sinks in, makes her more frantic and and anxious. When her last wall of delusional rejection breaks, she's just staring into space with wide eyes, hands covering her ears before she starts wailing her heart out. Why? Why does she have to lose someone precious to her again?

🟩You sit up as soon as you wake up, deeply disturbed by whatever that dream just was, one of your hands going to the space next to you to feel Kaede's warmth. Only that you notice than that it's empty although the warmth of her body still lingers. You're slightly panicked, wipe your head back and forth in search for her until you notice the light burning in the bathroom, hear the water from the tap upon closer listening and something that sounds like sobs. When you open the door to the bathroom gently, you see your girlfriend relentlessly splashing water in her face, trying to wipe away all the tears and to regain her composure. When she sees you standing in the door frame, she quickly puts a unsuspecting look on her face and tells you that you should go back and that she'll come soon after. Only when you step closer with a serious look on your face and ask her if she's alright, eyes staring straight into hers, does she break a bit and pulls you closer to her in a tight embrace.

🟩Initially Kayano doesn't wish to concern you with her dream so she is quick to act like her normal cheerful and kind self again around you, something quite easy for her thanks to her career as an actress. Neither you nor her are oblivious though and can't ignore what is going on around you. You certainly find yourself more frightened as the hours pass by. Kaede at this point acts pretty much to be able to still appear like you're used to know her but inside she's everything but cheerfel and calm. She's terrified of the murder happening at this point just like in the dream she had. What unnerves her even more are your reactions. She knows you since such a long time, is additionally really observant and obsessive so she takes notice of the little habits you have when you're anxious and nervous. She can deduce far enough to suspect that you know something too which makes everything only more ominous. However, Kaede is quite skilled to adapt to situations, something especially needed now.

🟩She rarely lies to you but right now she deems it to be the right thing to do and if only to help your tension to leave you. She's very tenacious in convincing you to change locations with a believable excuse she comes quickly up with, keeps up the facade of her cheerful and sweet personality. You can't help but think that something is definitely off with her when she insists on you to stay inside this room and wait for her as she has something to deal with, according to her it regards her work. You discover to your shock that she locked you inside when you try to open the door. Back in Class E Kaede has always taken the role of the passive and supportive classmate. Some of the bloodlust she thought she let go off all those years ago returns to her though as she envisions how you might have been killed today. Something definitely has to be done today about that person and if there's one fearsome trait on Kaede, it's her tenacity. Don't underestimate her.

Isogai Yuma

🟤It feels like someone just brutally knocked out all the air in his lungs when he sees you lying motionlessly on the ground, blood staining your clothes. His heart drops and he instantly falls down next to you, numb to the way he scrapes his knees as he immediately starts checking for your pulse, noticing with growing nausea that your blood is already cold. You're already dead though as you're neither breathing nor have a pulse. When he realizes that, he slumps down in shock, blood seeping through the fabric of his trousers as all he can do for a few seconds is glue his eyes to your twisted face, indicating the horror and pain you went through. Why wasn't he with you? He could have protected you. It feels like he has simultanously no yet a thousand thoughts in his head, a weird sensation that threatens to overwhelm him as he starts gasping for air. Tears start to blur his vision. You've always called him perfect but especially in this moment Isogai feels like that's the furthest thing from the truth.

🟤He wakes up with a sheath of sweat covering his skin, clasps his hands over his mouth to lower the sound of him slightly hyperventilating in order to not disturb your sleep. There's a feeling of restlessness washing over him so slowly leaves your shared bed to head to the bathroom where he just stares in the mirror for a while. Tears are still blurring his vision and he quickly wipes them away, stands there for a few moments to take deep breaths to collect himself again before going back to bed. The moment he steps back into the bathroom though, he notices how you've started to toss around in the sheets, slight whimpers leaving your lips. He's quickly by your side, shakes you gently to wake you up from your nightmare. You're clearly out of it when you initially wake up, frightened until you see him and nearly throw yourself at him. He winds up comforting you and holding you close to him until both of you manage to fall back to sleep.

🟤The following day, Isogai appears to have recovered for the most part from the nightmare he had. You on the other hand can't seem to get over the dream you had, the rough hand wrapped around your throat and the knife being plunged over and over again into your abdomen. You cling to your boyfriend more than normally for that reason but he doesn't mind, instead notices that you still seem to be scared. He tries to reassure you as good as he can, offers you to listen to what you dreamed about so you don't have to torment yourself alone with it anymore. You hesitate due to the sheer brutality of the dream, know how reliable and trustworthy Yuma is and that's why you tell him. Something about the way he tenses up tells you that something is wrong though. Suddenly he seems more on alert than before and surely he starts noting soon things he's seen before in the dream he had. A dream so vivid that it almost feels like it was something more than that.

🟤He isn't the only one who notices such things. You, with your senses on high alert, are bound to realize the connection between your dream and the reality you're currently in. You've known Isogai long enough to notice that something has disturbed him to his core too even if he might be able to hide it better than you do. The final push to your anxiety is the moment he ask you in a pleading tone to not go out today, to just stay at home with him even if you have an important meeting. Why is he asking this of you? The look in your quivering eyes cuts him straight in his heart and instead of answering you at first, he just gives you a tight hug and asks the same question again, this time in a far more pleading tone. This reeks suspicious to you and you confront him about it, ask if it has anything to do with the nightmare you told him about. He hesitates shortly but you already know so much so he tells you the truth about his dream too, something that leads you to staying in his arms for the whole day.

Maehara Hiroto

🔶His s/o at times still feels a bit iffy about him and considering Maehara's reputation during his Class E days, he can't exactly blame them. He's been doing his best to prove his commitment to you though, has stopped flirting with women around him. Honestly, he's someone with the philosophy to live in the moment so he's never given the thought of death, especially your death, much thought. Both of you are still young after all. Maybe it's that attitude and the lack of preparation about the topic of it all that results in his strong reaction, triggered when he finds your dead body. He bursts out in tears, storms to your side and tries to stop the bleeding. A part of him is logical, knows that you're already dead and that it's too late. The other half of him refuses to accept the truth as he tries to perform CPR on you in desperate hopes that you'll open your eyes again. Minutes of uselessly trying to get your heart to beat again finally is the last dagger to pierce his heart with the realization that you're gone.

🔶You awake partially because of the hideous nightmare you just had but also because of the increasing movement next to you. Next to you, Maehara doesn't seem to dream anything more serene than you did just a few minutes ago. He's tossing and turning around, breath heavy and erratic and when your hand smooths through his hair, you also notice that he's sweating. So you wake him up to free him from whatever haunts him in his dreams. His eyes open abruptly and his hand tightens around your wrist, startled from suddenly waking up after what he just saw. You flinch a bit due to the tight grip on your wrist, know that he doesn't mean to hurt you though. You gently remove his hand from your wrist and ask him if he's alright now. Maehara stares at you as if not believing that you're sitting in front of him before a choked noise leaves his throat and in the next moment he's pulling you down to hold you, arms wrapped around you as if you might not be real after all.

🔶You know that your boyfriend tends to be more clingy as a way to prove his loyalty and also to express his spilling fondness and adoration for you. Today there seems to be something more distraught behind all the hugs he gives and the kisses he presses against your temple and your lips. Whatver has set him off in his dream remains a secret though as he never gives you and answer when you ask him about what's causing him his fear. His whole attitude is a bit overbearing though as he constantly wants you where he can see you and always wants you to be in his arms. As the hours of the day pass by, you start feeling queasy as the events in your dream happen in reality too. It unsettles and unnerves you but you swallow it all down. Hiroto on the other hand feels like he's losing a piece of his mind because of this which serves to fuel his paranoia even more. He grows even worse and when you're about to leave the house late in the evening, he blocks the door.

🔶He doesn't budge even when you start to feel clearly angry, merely shakes his head and tells you in a frantic voice that you can't leave now. You're clearly irked right now but there's also something that slowly dawns on you. You compose yourself a bit before you ask him if he perhaps had a dream about you dying on your way outside. There's a visible tremor going through his entire body as his eyes widen and he asks you shocked how you knew about that. You reply with a grim expression that you had the same dream. Your answer exasperates him as he asks you in a slightly raised voice how you can still insist to go out even if you know that this...this will end in your death. You answer that nothing is guaranteed just yet, even with everything that happened today, and that you can just take a different path. He stares at you aghast before his face hardens and in the next moment he's pushing you back, despite your protests. Forgive him but if you won't take this seriously, then he will.

Chiba Ryunosuke

🔫Chiba has been always someone very adult-like even during his days in Class E and has kept that attitude throughout the years. He's certainly more stoic and not the most talkative but his s/o knows from the small and thoughtful gestures he does for them that he cherishes them a lot. Because of his more impassive demeanor there is no very visible reaction from him when he finds his darling. He's just eerily silent when he searches for their pulse, slaps their cheeks gently in an attempt to wake them up. He's not one to kid himself though so when he realizes that you're dead, he stops everything. He's just kneeling over your corpse, bangs covering his hair as he stares at your face. Your dull eyes unsettle him deeply, pierce his soul, so he closes them, his hand only slightly trembling as he does so. Chiba just sits like this for a while, aware that this is the last time he'll see you until his death. Eventually he stands up and finally calls the police, his hair covering the wet film over his eyes.

🔫Something soft tickles your face when you come to your senses and when you open your eyes, you let out a short shriek. Having Ryunosuke's face leaning directly over yours, strands of his hair falling into your face, is bound to startle you, especially after the dream you just had. When you manage to stumble out what he's doing, he just replies that you've been acting fidgety in your sleep and looked like you had a bad dream. You assure him in the end that all is fine but even if the darkness is keeping you from properly seeing you, you still feel his eyes lingering on you. You try to ignore it though but you keep on sensing his movement when he turns his head to look at you. Until eventually you feel how he shuffles closer to you and wraps one of his arms loosely around you. Normally he isn't that clingy so you question if there's something worrying him. He doesn't answer you for a few moments until he eventually mutters out that he didn't have the best sleep either.

🔫When morning arrives, you really notice how true that statement was. He's slightly flustered when you lean in the morning close to his face, lift his bangs up and notice the dark rings under his eyes. Apparently he didn't fall asleep anymore after waking up in the middle of the night. You're concerned but he brushes it off, reassures you that one night without much sleep won't kill him. You decide to believe him. Chiba is known to notice smaller details about the people around him and his surroundings though and especially since everything about his dream is still so fresh is he able to notice so many unusual things. Your own behavior included, especially when you start glancing around you in paranoia. Instead of saying anything though, he just analyzes and watches at first before confirming anything. It isn't until everything that happened so far this day goes exactly like in the dream that he surprises you by telling you that he won't go to work today nor let you leave the house.

🔫The way he says that in such a serious tone whilst blocking your way frightens you. What's wrong with him today? He shoots the question right back at you, points out that you've been acting skittish the whole day as if fearing that something would happen. In the moment of tension you let it slip that you've dreamed about being murdered today and that the whole day has been weird, realize what you've said instantly after and start spilling out reassurances that it's all fine though. You pause when you see the tension in Chiba's muscles and the intense stare of his. In the next moment he's storming in one of his rooms and you hear him searching for something. Your heart drops when he returns with a gun in his head. Since when did he have a gun? You ask him terrified what he's planning to do with that gun when he gives you two choices. Either both of you stay inside or he will come with you. If someone tries to attack you though, he will shoot and he certainly won't miss.

Horibe Itona

◽️Itona isn't one to be overly emotional either although his darling certainly knows that he can be rather clingy as he's somewhat fascinated with them and the emotions they cause inside of him. You're closest to his heart, Itona sees you almost as his heart that beats outside his chest. He feels his blood running cold and his body freezing in it's position when he discovers you one day, stained in blood and inanimate eyes staring into the empty space. Fear is pulsing through his veins as he eventually steps slowly towards you, kneels down and takes you in his arms. You're so cold, a piercing contrast against his own raising blood pressure. He shakes you a few times, tries to find your pulse before putting his head against your chest, the lack of your heartbeat resonating painfully in his whole chest that feels like someone just punched a hole inside of it. He feels too hollow and numb to move for a while, head pressed against your chest. What should he do now with his live when you're not here?

◽️You abruptly sit up from the mattress as soon as your consciousness has escaped a very gruesome dream. You attempt to take a few long and deep breaths to calm down, don't want to wake up your very sensitive boyfriend. When you turn around though, you almost jump out of your skin when you see Itona sitting in bed too, golden orbs glowing in the darkness and staring straight through your soul. How long has he been sitting like that and given you that look? God, he scared you just now. Is everything alright? He blinks, doesn't answer your question and just continues to look at you with such intense eyes, something that might just creep you out a bit. Then he just crawls over to you, pushes you down and lays on you, ear pressed right against your heartbeat. You try to push him down since he minimizes your ability to move properly but he just tightens his grip on you, refuses to budge. You give up after a while, know how intractable Itona can be.

◽️From the moment you leave your bed, Horibe behaves like a duckling. He follows you everywhere in the house, almost walked into the bathroom with you when you wanted to use the toilet and even without having to turn around, you can sense his eyes staying glued to your form. Really, what is wrong with him today? He slightly annoys you with his behavior but doesn't listen when you ask him to stop it. Your annoyance is soon replaced with a lingering feeling of fear and queasiness as the day progresses and you see how things evolve around you. You've heard those news before, have heard those song playing in the radio already. All because you've experienced it already in your dream. Something feels fundamentally wrong with the way this day shapes to be but also Itona gives off weird vibes which only get worse with each passing hour. He's a really observant individual too, you know? He'll also notice everything you've noticed, probably even mundane things you've missed.

◽️You have a problem with him the moment he hinders you from going to work. Honestly, you don't want to either but what choice do you have? You're not someone who believes in supernatural things either so there's also this stubbornness to prove to yourself that you're unnecessarily worried. All your angry words fall on deaf ears though until you finally snap and ask Itona what the heck has gotten into him. It better be a good explanation too! Golden orbs pierce through yours for a while before he tells you everything in his typically very direct and brutally honest fashion. Your anger fades away then, replaced by anxiety and dread. How likely is it that both of you have had the same dream about today? The change of attitude is noted by your boyfriend, you're acting weird now that you've heard his story. When you still decide to go, he knocks you out and catches you before you collapse on the ground. He's sure that you won't like what he did but he's delusional enough to believe that he's in the right.

Asano Gakushu

🟠Gakushu is someone who has a lot of influence and money and is on top of that willing to resort to low methods such as manipulation, bribery and blackmailing. A life with him is not one where you have too much freedom as he's someone who likes to have control and monitor what you're doing throughout the day. So how ironic it must be that he still miscalculated something, doesn't know about your murder until he's informed. He's a prideful individual who isn't prone to admitting too often that he's at fault so at first he lashes out at all the staff working in the household for not looking out for you, trembling in anger and also grief. Even the police doesn't get better treatment as he low-key threatens them to better prioritize finding the killer or else he will find a way to make them lose their job. The moment he has no one to get angry at besides himself anymore, his facade crumbles as he starts to hyperventilate slightly, your death shaking him to his very core.

🟠Upon waking up, you're surprised to find Gakushu sitting on the edge of the bed, face buried in his hands as he takes deep and shuddering breaths as if attempting to prevent himself from overreacting. When he notices that you're awake and look at him, he instantly puts on a facade though to hide any sign of emotional weakness from his side. He tells you to just go back to sleep and upon your question what he was doing just now and if he's fine, he shuts you down by telling you to not worry. His tone indicates that he doesn't want you to dig deeper so you let it be. You know better after all. He doesn't talk with you afterwards and you feel too awkward to start a conversation again. So you just lay next to him awkwardly, unable to fall asleep because of your dream though. Not like Gakushu is in any better position than you are. When he notices that both of you aren't able to fall asleep, he orders someone from the staff to prepare some tea in hopes that at least you will fall asleep again.

🟠It's not like he's going to admit it if someone were to point it out to him but Gakushu's patience seems strained today, not to mention that he's more sensitive. The staff adjusts instantly since no one wants to get on the nerves of Asano Gakushu and become the target of his displeasure. To your great sadness you also notice that he seems more keen to keep you confined in his house for the day, tells his staff to keep an better eye on you. You express your unahppiness and ask him why he's doing this since you can't recall doing anything to displease him. You don't get an answer out of him though as you're left in the darkness, stuck in his house. Gakushu is normally not an irrational person and by all means not someone who believes in preternatural things but this dream left him with a deep sense of disturbance. Not to mention that he has noticed from the very early morning already things he recognizes from his dream which leaves him with tension and unease.

🟠He's taking merely some precautions just in case this all means more than he'd like to admit. He can't help but be curious and find out whether his dream really was some otherwordly phenomenon so he informs the police about his suspicion that someone might try to attack people in the location where you were murdered in his dream. For the rest of the day he tries to put his troubled emotions back in order to focus on work although he calls you twice that day just to check on you. It isn't until later that day that he also receives a call, from the police this time. They tell him that his information apparently was right since someone was indeed attacked by a person in the location he told them about, luckily survived since the police arrived in time. The criminal was arrested too. Gakushu represses the shock that pulsates through him when he hears that his dream was actually right. As soon as he ends the call, he drops down his chair in shock. He wonders if you perhaps know something too...

[nataliaphantomhivesblog]

What are your current fandoms??

OH MY GOD!!! I WAS WAITING FOR SOMEONE TO ASK ME THIS!! LETS GOOOO🥳🥳🥳

1. Black Butler<3

It would've been incredibly distasteful to not put this beauty on top of my list. I have been a fan of this one since 5th grade, the literal backbone of my insanity.

I may complain monthly over the agnoizingly short chapters, but the narrative and storytelling in this manga is one of my favorites ever.

Although you didn't ask, I have the need to mention: Ciel Phantomhive is my child!!

And yes, I am still awaiting Prince Soma's return.

DISCLAIMER: I am not a sebaciel wierdo and my space doesn't welcome the romanticization of pedophila. "waah waah but it's fiction!" okay?? my account is dedicated on fictional stories and characters and I don't want your wacky shit here. Thank you in advance.

2. Bungou Stray Dogs!!!

What a crime it would've been if I didn't mention the reason my account grew in the first place!!

BSD has such a special place in my heart. Tbh bsd saved me during the downfall that was 2021.

I think people who aren't new to my blog know I'm a sucker for Soukoku. I've made extensive analysis on their relationships for 3 years now. When will this brainrot end!?!?

And oh, of course I am forever greatful to the lovely @ryuuaka713 for collaborating with me on various post, I couldn't have done it without her!! Hope life treats you well! You got a tumblr friend always rooting for ya<3

ALSO: If any of you ever want to ask me anything regarding bsd that isn't Soukoku, please do! I love bsd as a whole and would be happy to answer<3

3. Berserk

Let me make one thing clear!!! I am NOT a berserk reddit fanboy who completely ignores and neglects the narrative of this story in order to fill whatever inner void that needs to be filled.

I am suuuper passionate about the Golden Age Arc and the Pre Eclipse era of Berserk, it would be impossible to shut me up about it.

I could go on billion rants about Griffith's character and his actual complexities throughout the narrative. (no, he isn't emotionless, that would destory the whole point of the story lol)

Also I want to give a not-so-subtle shoutout to @bthump for validating every single thought I had while reading Berserk and always providing textual evidence. Thank you for being the light in the darkness of this fandom!

4. Death Note

sighs yes I am still in the fandom of an anime that has only one season and ended so poetically that it makes perfect sense that it doesn't have a continuation yet my brain screams for content when obviously it will never happen.

Before anyone asks, I am not team Light or team L, both of them are selfish people and used others lives in order to beat one another.

I am a constant defender of the fact that the Death Note consumed Light. Not only is it textually stated; but it's visually stated

(Light's eyes get wider and more innocent looking for a reason when he forgets the death note guys!!!)

Anyways, this story is absolutely awesome and I think most people can agree with that.

I don't rewatch this anime often, but when I do I get shooked by the big brain plans and big brain confrontations lmao.

5. Moral Orel

"MORAL OREL SHOULDN'T HAVE BEEN CANCELLED!! FOOLISH PEOPLE FEARED IT SPOKE TOO MUCH FACTS" I scream into a void, tears fill my eyes as losing my religion by R.E.M plays in the background.

Seriously though, I love this show; a literal masterpiece. I don't think theres any show that made me incredibly concious of how my own family's dynamic worked as this one did.

Has amazing takes of the human condition and contains life long lessons.

I once made a long post about the generational abuse of moral orel if you want to check it out!

Anyways, if you haven't had the glorious chance to watch this masterpiece. PLEASE DO!! I BEG!!! The whole series is out on youtube!

we don't talk about the first 3 episodes!!!

6. Sonic!!!!

I never post anything sonic related on my blog, but I adore Sonic! Not only my childhood, but it continues to pump off amazing content and games.

Fun fact: I have a cute mini sonic keychain my friend gifted me, I take it with me everywhere!!

DID YOU KNOW THAT KELLIN QUINN FROM SLEEPING WITH SIRENS WAS INVOLVED WITH THE SONIC FRONTIERS SOUNDTRACK!?!?!? AAAAAAA I LOVE SONIC GAMES MUSIC AND ITS DIVERSITY

Nobody asked, but my favorie character is Knuckles and Shadow for anyone who wants to know! (No one wants to know but I HAVE THE NEED TO SAY IT.)

anyways yes, I love Sonic, I am at arms-lenght with the fandom since i'm... well... not much into the furry stuff that goes on. But theres lots of fanmade content out there that is super cool!

IN CONCLUSION!?!?!?

I have lots and lots of other fandoms im in but i fear i will go on forever if I keep on talking.

Thank you so much for reading all the way through and please, don't ever hesitate to ask me anything related to any of these fandoms above. Hyper analizing stuff is my speciality after all:D

[neonscandal]

Hello, how are you? I love your blog, thanks so much for sharing you post, Neon (sorry, can I call you that?)

I found your blog cause your BakuDeku and SatoSugu posts, and I was surprised when found out, you also a fan of Banana Fish, Fushigi Yuugi, AoT and Sk8.

Last week was my birthday, and one of the best present for me is founding your blog.

Can I ask your fav characters and moments each from Banana Fish and AoT? Sorry if maybe you've already posted this before.

Happy belated birthday! 🎉✨

I hope you enjoyed yourself 💛 IDK how old you turned but here's to another year around the sun. I don't really do new years' resolutions, but, on my birthday each year, I think about how I want to spend the next year of my life. I hope your next year is extra special.

I haven't quite answered this so please see below!

⚠️ Spoiler warning for Banana Fish anime and Attack on Titan through series end.

CHARACTERS

Aslan Jade Callenreese - Because of COURSE he is. Plenty of places to read about why that is but just know, he is precious and I know he deserved better.

Shorter Wong - Just a funny lil guy. But to know the walls that would have divided Ash and Shorter which they would have broken down to have such trust and peace between them makes everything that happened that much more devastating.

Eiji Okumura - To paint Eiji as some harmless little cinnamon roll does his character such an injustice. He was gentle but he was fearless and could be fierce and had such a teasing sense of humor. I adore him for who he was to Ash but also because he could be sassy and obstinate.

Jessica Randy - Bad bitch with a gun. Adore her for being just as mean as Ash and not treating him like glass but also being sympathetic in those moments where they really connect.

MOMENTS

Admittedly, I wound up having to stop watching Banana Fish part way through because it was so devastating and I was triggered. ✨ Took a month long break before I finished it and I have not watched it since. It just haunts me. I thought I'd read the manga but haven't brought myself to though I did buy Vol. 19 so I could get some closure.

Ash and Eiji's immediate gravitation toward one another from him just giving Eiji his gun?? and from the way he watched with awe how Eiji pole vaulted over fence and effectively saving them. Such a funny way to set up such an unlikely but perfect pair.

Ash shooting from atop the truck and everyone retreating into the Manhattan? river.. THE WAY SHORTER INSTINCTIVELY GRABBED EIJI?

Ash showing Eiji how to shoot in Connecticut, the way he softened up like they were just kids playing but then immediately had to retreat back to being Ash Lynx when he noticed other people watching.

How, even in his betrayal, Shorter did what he could to protect Eiji while in the mansion.

When they busted Ash out of the mansion, that moment of clarity when he realized Eiji was there for him.

Jack-o-Lanterns.

Every single father son moment Ash had with Max.

The moment Max burned Ash's photos. I could actually bawl right now thinking about it?

Yut Lung's revenge on his brothers.

Ash's triumph over Rick Fox.

CHARACTERS (have a funny way of not making it to the end of the series, huh?)

Levi Ackerman - I think I just like people who are burdened and damned.

Hange Zoe - Their personality did not fit the confines of life behind the walls and yet.. there they were. Brilliant, quirky, compassionate and curious. But eventually carried the weight of the whole world which blotted out their smile.

Sasha Braus, Connie Springer, Jean Kirstein - My favorite trio. From Jean's artistry, to Connie's horrible comedic timing and Sasha's insatiable hunger. Just a recipe for hilarity.

Mikasa Ackerman - Admittedly, she lost her edge and appeal later in the series which is such a shame. I mean, they brought it back for the ending but just feel like her being this OP bad ass could have had a personality consistently to match.

MOMENTS

Attack on Titan had such exquisite exposition. This is definitely a series I always wish I could watch and read for the first time again. From the world building to the fact that, just when you get settled into understanding everything, your perspective on that world is completely rearranged. Now as a veteran watcher, crazy to find all the easter eggs that were hidden in plain sight.

The reveal at Utgard tower + their success in the box - As their first line of defense is fighting against dwindling stamina and dulling blades. Offset by the impossible odds of the newbie squads' success. Devastating.

Flegel Reeves' takes on the MP's - THE REVEAL. Also, what a way to emphasize their corruption in front of those shitty run down buildings. It was such a heart swelling moment.

Levi vs. Kenny in the city - their backstory and the animation of him flitting around and dodging bullets.

Battle at Shinganshina - From Erwin's incredible speech, Connie's awful joke and the difficult decision Levi had to make. SO MUCH. Such a phenomenal succession of chaos, honestly.

THE MARLEYAN REVEAL. Bro, are you kidding me??? With a whole new understanding of oppression and classism within the world.

The scouts experiencing life outside of the walls - Especially the clowns, the cars and the ice cream.

Massacre in Marley - The chaos of the attack on Willy Tybur's play to recapture Eren but also showcase the growth of the Scouts in Paradis and the fact that their freedom still came at the cost of other people who also weren't free.

Sasha Braus' Murderer's reveal - Gabi and Falco finding their way to the Braus' was one thing. But to be turned upon by someone who wanted to help them get back home and the only Maryleyan they met because of Sasha while being spared by her father? What a turning point.

Ymir's origin story and how that devolved into the world her descendants suffer in now.

FINDING OUT EREN WAS BEHIND EVERYTHING!? Even the death of his own mother and the slaughter of the royal family perpetrated by his father. All to engineer a future where he, too, knowingly would be killed. Knowing this and rewatching it just... it was there all along.

ALSO Levi Ackerman's back story from the OVA - man has been suffering since birth.

Recalling all of this makes me want to rewatch AOT again, TBH.

[iwritenarrativesandstuff]

what's the best manga that you would absolutely recommend to anyone?

also any tips on productivity/life in general

Hello again!

You know, I'm going to be honest, I actually haven't read that much manga at all. I'm planning to read more, but I'm probably not the best person to go to for manga recs atm, as what I've read is very limited.

Having said that, I am genuinely and shamelessly going to plug Trigun and Trigun Maximum. Please read the manga. I'm in love with the way the author writes and uses the art in incredible ways to tell the story. I'm enamoured with the characters and their struggles. I have had my heart broken and glued back together and I will never be the same.

I am also the wrong person to ask for productivity/life advice, sorry lol <- notoriously bad at doing things in general, even basic tasks.

A few points I can give are:

Make lists that you can check items off of when completing tasks. Break up large tasks into smaller ones so you can check more off! Also add even small things, like "make tea/coffee" or "eat breakfast" or "brush teeth". <- Even when I have very little energy and feel like I've done nothing, I can check a few basic things off and see that I'm at least still doing something, even if it's just the minimum to keep myself going (and there's nothing wrong with that!)

Drink water. I'm serious, please. I can't tell you how many times I've gotten lightheaded from forgetting to drink water. Don't be like me.

Find at least one thing that makes you feel simultaneously freer and in control of yourself. Autonomy really helps. You gotta find something that offers you at least a little. For me, it's writing, both fiction and analysis. A lot of artists feel this way, because art is fundamentally about expression. People always say "find a hobby", and I guess that's really what this is but... it's more like. You're going to hit points (at least) where everything around you is kind of out of your control. You need to find something you love and make it your anchor when things get rough. Work at it, master it - but remember, you don't have to be "good". It's not about "good", it's about enjoyment, and yes, a bit of self-discipline. It's about taking control of some small part of your life, even when the rest is uncontrollable. Does that make sense? Idk.

As for life advice, umm... I think it's really important to listen and keep learning, constantly. In science, you never truly prove hypotheses right. You can only prove them wrong. Hypotheses are accepted only because they do the best job of explaining the observations you see - if your observations no longer fit the explanation, then you need a new explanation. I adopt this when constructing my own views of right and wrong, and the way I see the world. Idk if that makes sense either. I hope so though.

[icarianarts]

More about me under the cut! ;P

Icarian • he/they/she (no preference) • transsexual • 21 y/o

I'm a Graphic Design Major ^_^

A running joke about me is a lot of my points of interest reflect that of a cishet boy but I promise I am normal about everything I get into. I may talk about some things more than others because I get embarrassed with what I like easily, but here's a general list!

General Movies + TV Shows

• Seinfeld

• The Birdcage

• The Yellow Submarine

• The Muppets

• The Shrek series (Unironically, whenever I talk about Shrek it is never for the meme, but for my love of the movies and characters.)

Various Adam Sandler movies + things that are so bad they're good, if that makes any sense. I love regularly watching tacky things that were poorly produced and/or written. Pretty much anything I can commentate on easily with my friends and complain about lightly LOL

Anime + Manga

• Jojo's Bizarre Adventure (Parts 1 + 3 + 6 are usually my areas of focus, but I have read all of it up to 9, which I've yet to really dive into.)

• Dragon Ball (Childhood interest of mine, I haven't watched the series regularly or have drawn fanart regularly since I was 14 or so. Hilariously, I still find myself to this day getting into conversations surrounding it so I might as well include it!)

• Berserk (I LOVE PUCK ^_^)

• Devilman (Obligatory post-Berserk catch up read so I could see the elements Miura was inspired by.)

Video Games

• Pretty much most Nintendo games, I have a baseline knowledge of everything under that company's label. (Focus on Pokémon + Mario + Kid Icarus + etc. it'll be glaringly obvious what my favorites are just by checking my old smash bros ultimate tags...)

• Mega Man Classic

• Second Life + VR Chat (If you ever consider wanting to play any of these games, feel free to shoot me an ask or DM if you'd like an insider's explanation on what the scene is like on them! I can go into great detail the amount of stories I have accumulated from my excursions, all the good and the bad LMAO)

• Genshin Impact (I do not engage with the fanbase, and find a lot of the fans genuinely exhausting to be around. While it is no worse than The Legend of Zelda with its issues, the fans remarkably make it so much more agonizing to talk about.)

• Ball Gay 3

Miscellaneous

• I love the Abrahamic Faiths and sometimes post about my experiences struggling in queer spaces predominantly ran by culturally christian white atheists who choose to say all organized faith is inherently bad and perpetuate the "queer vs. religion" issue.

• I went to a Japanese immersion school from the ages 5 through 11 and have been casually keeping up with the language since!

• I love classic country and folk rock. When I say I like country, I specifically mean the genre and general scene behind country that predates the 9/11 shift in music. I also (embarrassingly) know a shit ton of Beatles trivia. John Denver is my favorite music artist.

...and much more I am probably forgetting to list out! I am critical of all my interests, so please do not be presumptuous. Ultimately, I consider a lot of "Fandom DNI" things to be hypocritical and performative in the sense that it eliminates any nuance.

Simply put, I will just block you if you are someone who refuses to have any critical thinking skills...that being said, given how tumblrinas seem to be incapable of figuring out what that means, here is a brief rundown of what I that tends to encapsulate. LMAOOOOOO

No stupid discourse No creeps No "it's just fictional!" No whatever I deem to be genuinely sickening I know "DNI" pages are performative and areas for people to flaunt their basic morality but lately I have had to block so many people I feel as though I need to put a typical warning up so. You Know. Gestures Vaguely. For Genshin Fans specifically coming to my blog know I do not put up with any ship remotely creepy. I see a good portion of the "short" character model characters as children, and genuinely cannot "unsee" it. This is not something to argue in my asks about. Just leave me alone, I do not participate in the fandom for a reason.

[robsterskellington]

Hi....If you don't mind, can I ask, what are your top 10 (or top 7) favorite media (can be books/ manga/ anime/movies/tv series)? Why do you love them? Sorry if you've answered this question before......Thanks....

Oh, boy. Okay, this will take a hot minute, but thank you, I appreciate the question. None of these are in order, they're just my favourites.

1. Bungou Stray Dogs- Confession: I grew up hating manga and anime because in high school, I had friends obsessed with them, and they tried forcing me to watch them and read them, then they got angry when I had no interest. But with BSD, my younger cousin just needed someone to talk to about it, and I wasn't about to be rude, especially when he made it sound so interesting! I got Covid and had to take some time off work, so I gave it a shot- the characters were interesting, the dialogue was hilarious and the story kept me on the edge of my seat the entire time. I caught up with the manga, and thankfully got into the franchise in time to watch seasons 4 and 5. I'm also working on a couple BSD fanfics with my cousin, they're just taking a while lol

2. Hollow Knight- I don't take recommendations for anything, like if someone tells me "You should watch ****", or "I recommend ****", my mind goes "Well, I know what I'm avoiding for the next several years!" Hollow Knight was a little different because my best friend spoke highly of it, and said that it would definitely be my kinda game. He was absolutely right, I have well over 550 hours on it, and I'm really good at the game. Still haven't beaten the Pantheon of Hallownest, though. The art is beautiful, the music is phenomenal, and I love the challenging Boss fights.

3. Sonic the Hedgehog- while I'm absolutely aware that a lot of the games are trash, the comics can be a bit of a mess, and the shows are... actually no, the shows are pretty good and I LOVED the movies, really looking forward to the third one. I binge watched Sonic Prime yesterday and loved it. But Sonic is what got me through high school, I love the fast paced gameplay, the stories were always interesting to me, and the characters were always able to make me smile, even on the worst days. Admittedly, though, I tend to like the games that people hated most: Sonic Unleashed would be my favourite Sonic game, because I loved the fast day stages, and I loved beating the everloving life out of enemies at nighttime. I enjoyed all the stupid glitches in 06, and I actually really liked playing as Silver because I had a better grip on his controls. Because I grew up playing on my DS the most, Rush, Rush Adventure, Colours DS and Chronicles were the Sonic games I played most, and Chronicles was easily my favourite, I liked the RPG style and the larger cast of characters to use.

4. Mario and Luigi/Paper Mario- since both of these are in the same franchise, I'll stick these two together, especially since I like them for near enough the same reasons. Each new villain that the games brought out always made me grin, I have a soft spot for both Fawful and Dimentio, though I love Antasma as well. The stories were really good, like Super Paper Mario made me cry quite a bit. I loved the RPG gameplay that most of these games had, I've always been great with my timing unless it's a Boss, in which case I always screw up somehow. The music is amazing, the stories are incredible and I love the humour. For both, my favourites would be Bowser's Inside Story and Super Paper Mario.

5. The Case Study of Vanitas- okay, so while BSD is absolutely my favourite anime, it wasn't the first one my cousin got me invested in, that would go to this one. The story was fascinating to me, I loved all the characters (except Moreau, he can die painfully, please), and it inspired another fic that my cousin and I wrote together. I enjoyed the character interactions and how much each of them grew in their own ways, as well as just how they all know how to do things while trusting each other. Does that make sense? Probably not, I'm ill and I'm rambling lol

6. The Nightmare Before Christmas- I never watched this movie until I was in college, and I only knew the basic premise because of Kingdom Hearts, but when an ex-friend of mine lent me her DVD of the movie, I was in love. The story was simple, but interesting. If I'd watched it as a child, Oogie Boogie would have absolutely scared the living daylights out of me, I still have a bit of a phobia of bugs and I can't understand why when they're relatively harmless where I live. This was the only Disney movie where I had actively learned to sing ALL of the songs. I haven't watched the movie in a while, so I should get back on that. Oh, and if anyone asks "Do you watch it on Halloween or Christmas?" The answer is both: it is both a Halloween and Christmas movie, though you could also watch it on Easter if you wanted to, just use the excuse that the Easter Bunny makes a brief cameo, making it an Easter movie for a few moments.

7. Five Nights at Freddy's- this was something a lot of my high school "friends" tried forcing me to like by making me play it without giving me any context, but I ended up liking on my own by watching YouTube videos in my own time away from them. I understand that the timeline is so convoluted that even MatPat seems to be struggling to make it all fit, but I've always found the overall mystery fascinating and the character designs are really cool. Springtrap used to make me more nervous than any of the Nightmare Animatronics, although that could just be the knowledge that the Nightmares are an illusion while Springtrap had a rotten corpse inside it. Obviously I know that the newer games are a bit more broken, but I still love them. After all, without Security Breach, we wouldn't have Sunny and Moon, and I'd argue that a few people on Tumblr's lives have gotten better from their existence alone.

8. Bendy and the Ink Machine/Bendy and the Dark Revival- this is the only series of horror games I can play without having a full on panic attack, so that gives it a few points. I'll ignore whatever nonsense is going on with the books and a will remain unnamed co-creator, because I am the sort of person who will separate a creation from creator. I won't let someone ruin something I love for any reason. Anyway, I always found that the premise was interesting, I liked the artstyle and loved the characters. The voice acting, character models and the little combat we had were all excellent. I do like how Dark Revival took the story, but I admit that I haven't played that yet, because I'm hoping it'll come out on the Switch eventually, since that's what I played Ink Machine on. Oh, and I'll be honest when I say that when the pandemic first started, I read a lot of the fanfics people created on this franchise, and it was because of them that I got this Tumblr account in the first place.

9. Kingdom Hearts- this was actually the first game I ever played on a console that wasn't handheld; my older half-brother came to stay with us when I was really young and he wanted to bond with me, so we played Kingdom Hearts together. I sorta remembered the game in college and watched all the games on YouTube before buying a PS4 with my first work paycheck and then buying the Final Mix games. Again, convoluted story, but I don't care. I love the characters, all the different worlds you can explore, how different the battle system is. I never played or watched any of the Final Fantasy games, so I don't know much about their characters, but Cloud has always interested me for some reason? Anyway, I loved the bond that Sora, Donald and Goofy (in that order), have together, and being able to watch them grow as friends and as a team, saving all the Disney worlds makes me feel like a child again.

10. Spy X Family- this anime, I actually did watch on my own, purely because I saw an ad for it and thought "This looks cute, let's see if it actually is!" And yes, it was. My cousin was so happy that I watched it because he wasn't sure if I'd like something relatively soft, compared to BSD, and I unintentionally got my best friend to watch it, when I talked to him about it. Now we're all looking forward to the new movie and new season! The characters are all quirky in their own ways, the story doesn't take itself too seriously while also fitting in dramatic moments and even some emotional ones. Anya is a precious cinnamon roll and literally everyone should protect her.

TL;DR, if I had to pick a top 10 things I like, in no particular order, it's Bungou Stray Dogs, Hollow Knight, Sonic the Hedgehog, Mario and Luigi/Paper Mario, The Case Study of Vanitas, The Nightmare Before Christmas, Five Nights at Freddy's, Bendy and the Ink Machine/Bendy and the Dark Revival, Kingdom Hearts, and Spy X Family.

Okay, thank you for that question and I'm so sorry if you regret asking because I have no idea how to shut up when I start lol

[rinion-b]

Bocchi the Rock! is a work of art.

Obviously, it's animation, and animation is art. But I mean more than that. BtR as a piece of media is the coalescence of so many art forms and things that I enjoy about creation and media into one coherent work.

And this is from a 4koma manga series.

Read more below the Read More, this is mostly free of spoilers. Mostly.

CHAPTER 1 (yes this has chapters)

Okay, let's set the scene.

The year is...well, let's say just before the 2010s drop. As a kid who still doesn't know much about anime, you stumble across two anime series. The first one in this example is K-On! It's a CGDCT/slice of life (whichever term you prefer) about a girl learning the joy of playing music and making friends...for a rough summary.

It's a really good anime, and for someone who had a pretty poor experience with learning instruments in school (personally, acoustic guitar and piano) it definitely planted the seeds of "guitar is pretty cool" and "making music is pretty cool" in my mind.

...But it's not perfect at doing that. It has the growth across the series, but that growth is streamlined, I'd argue even idealized (though forgiven due to what genre this show is), and it lacks the specific type of impact that I've always been partial to in music.

The other show had that impact.

The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya is one of my all-time favorite series, and for more than one reason. Today, as you might expect, I'm here to talk about specifically the band scenes of God Knows and Lost My Music.

Fucking Legendary.

This scene has Impact. I can hear this, watch the scene, and it makes me both want to pick up my own guitar or just sing along as if I'm in the crowd. Every time. The genre of the song being to my tastes helps, but on a technical level the delivery and setup is extremely well done.

What this show doesn't have for guitar, though, is the growth. Obviously. If you've seen Haruhi, you know why, and if you haven't, please go watch it? Please? Do it for Nagato. Then watch the movie.

...Anyway.

I'm not a connoisseur of anime. I've honestly barely watched much anime since halfway through college, so I'm sure someone out there has other good examples of a music-focused anime that achieves both that sense of Growth and Impact at the same time.

Good on you. Hopefully you agree that Bocchi the Rock! fucking slaps.

BtR comes out of the gate swinging, and it left me with a concussion. Social recluse discovers the appeal of guitar, and then they timeskip 3 whole years to her being good at the instrument. A reasonable human timeframe is terrifying. I'm not even joking here.

Then they address the issue of learning to play with Other People. This isn't even just applicable to Bocchi, this is about band and group music settings in general. You can be cracked at solo performances, but if you aren't used to even being around someone else, it's going to take time to get used to playing or singing or acting around them comfortably.

ALSO CAN I JUST SAY HERE BEFORE ANYTHING ELSE THAT KESSOKU BAND'S SONGS GO HARD??? NOT JUST THE AUDIO THE MVS ARE ALSO KINDA INSANE what the fuck i am looping them so much ok back to the essay

The depiction of learning and growth doesn't end there by any means. Episode 8 is maybe the hardest I've been hit by watching something in the past couple years, and I live in terror because of the thought they'll get me again with something in the finale.

From the next GIF (Kita) to the one after that (Bocchi playing a guitar), I am going to talk about the details of that episode. Your one spoiler warning.

Ok. I am now going to nerd out about how specifically Bocchi the Rock! is not something that can properly be captured in a static panel format after the events of Episode 8. You with me?

As a music anime, obviously having music to go with the band elevates the anime above the manga by default. It's sort of a staple of the genre and leaving it out would result in this weird state the Pokemon titles are currently in where they need that crucial audio to sell the delivery. Anyway sound good.

But the vast majority of performances are either deliberately bad for the sake of showing a beginner status, or essentially flawless. BtR does not fucking do this. Their audition run was really solid, and you as the viewer are primed to expect that same thing from the band because if they've hit it once, they can hit it twice right?

lmao

Guitar, Loneliness, and Blue Planet feels almost painful to listen to here. Bocchi narrates internally the issues she's seeing, but even without that you can fucking FEEL the dissonance. The vocalist tripping over her lines, the lead not being in charge of the pace of the song, a general buildup of nerves and lack of experience that you can feel and see and hear and that burrows into your skull as the performance comes to a close. S l o w l y. They do not skip over this. You are in the audience watching this band stumble on their first performance. It hurts.

AND THEN BOCCHI FUCKING FLOORS IT. (see the GIF marking the end of this spoiler section)

By taking charge of the room with a solo, she's able to drag everyone out of that auditory funk they were just dragged through. Herself, the audience, the viewer, her bandmates. They pull out their new song, That Band, and it is taking all of my willpower to keep this paragraph from devolving into a keymash and incoherent rambling about how much I love this scene and this song and this series.

It's really good. It's really fucking good.

This scene capitalizes on both the ability to put the viewer in that uncomfortable situation in the first place and then drag them out, and ALSO by hiding the full contents of the original songs before the first time they're performed live in full (Guitar, Loneliness, and Blue Planet was used at their audition in a similar way, you knew essentially nothing about it going into that scene). These things together with the commitment to sitting through the entire scuffed first song before the intense shift into overdrive as Bocchi shreds both her guitar and the awkward silence and they go into a second equally impressive original song makes this scene by far my favorite in the anime, and the only thing that would top this is if they outdo themselves in the final episode.

Spoilers over! Welcome back.

Between the commitment to bringing out Bocchi's character even further in the original songs, the technical details of the songs themselves, and the attention to detail in the actual performances during the show, there is an incredible level of passion poured into making this show that is honestly up there with the people who made the movie Redline. (Go watch that one if you have the time, it's a banger too but that's a different topic).

AND THAT'S JUST OFF THE AUDIO AND STORY STRUCTURE BABY, BUCKLE UP HERE WE GO AGAIN

CHAPTER 2: the rest

Now comes time to talk about the fact that this music series that can and will get you emotionally involved in it IS A COMEDY AS WELL.

There is no comedy in the actual performances, and that also contributes to why they hit so hard when you see them play out. BtR manages to walk two tightropes at the same time, delivering immensely high-quality musical performances and a solid cast right alongside genius visual gags, surreal visuals, references to a ton of other media, and fun and engaging personalities throughout the roster.

Bocchi's ability to deform and warp reality is a tangible and recognizable thing to the cast, and the amount of different styles and dimensions and framerates and methods of delivery and length of the gag vary from episode to episode, as well as within each episode. It almost feels like a class presentation session at times, with new styles and references popping in as a guest before cutting back to the regular depiction of the characters in their normal state.

They also??? Do 3D really well??? Like yeah you can tell what parts of some performances are using 3D but it isn't intrusive. It's implemented in a way that it complements the rest of the scene instead of detracting from it (I should clarify this also applies to the more esoteric 3D scenes but for different reasons than the ones used in performances).

Reading through an translation of an interview done with some of the staff (link here, highly recommend reading it) reveals that the animation crew is indeed just full sending into a gag and pulling out all the stops to deliver a punchline without breaking the coherence of the series as a whole.

I love them. I love this show.

CHAPTER 3???? CLOSING WORDS I GUESS

There is more I could say about this series, about the things that I love so much about the show, about the characters and my personal favorite gags and other moments I love.

But hopefully you understand now why I hold BtR in such high regard. A music anime produced to the highest degree, a legendary combination of music, audio, writing, visual media variance, and character designs.

It no doubt stands on its predecessors. But to compare it to K-On! in a way does both of them a disservice. This is as much a passion product as it is a production, and the entire staff and cast have my deepest thanks for delivering so well on this series.

I am not ready for the final episode.

Help.

[kakusu-shipping]

1, 2, 4, 11, and 18 for the end of year asks? :0

Aaah thankyou Echo!!! This post might be long, please forgive me!

1. Did you add any F/Os to your list this year? Were they from new media or just a newly discovered love?

Here's every romantic F/O added to the list this year, or at least that I can remember adding this year. Years are long and my sense of time is very warped so it may not be fully accurate.

Most are from new media, or just new parts of media, like the end of the Owl House and the New Pokemon Games. The ones that are new loves from re-visits are Heracross, Smeargle, and Keckleon from Monster Mind, Mario and Luigi from Super Mario, Makarov from Fairy Tail, and Jill from The Wayward Children series.

Though Mario and Luigi are also what I consider my first F/Os, they weren't officially on the list until the movie came out, so I'm counting them in the 2023 yearly wrap.

2. Did you reconsume any of your F/Os’ source media this year? How did you feel about the rewatch/listen/read/etc?

I rewatch Assassination Classroom every year in March and it makes me cry every time. I also replay Hatoful Boyfriend and Holiday Star every December for Kazuaki and Hitori, watch Baka and Test sometime around late Summer most years to ease my seasonal depression, and rewatch Mushishi at least once a year.

Other than that, nothing super meaningful. I rewatched a few LPs of Mario games, replayed through Paper Mario myself, watched Romantic Killer again, Reread Manly Appetites every other month or so, watched The Cat Returns once or twice, played more Pokemon, Restarted Monster Mind (still haven't finished it), and skimmed the Ouran Manga at the library while waiting for them to replace the volume they're missing.

HOWever, this latest reread of Down Among the Sticks and Bones is what got me to finally put Jill on the F/O list, so that feels worth mentioning. I love that book <3

4. Was there anything on your blog that you were particularly proud of this year?

No, not really. My drawings were all very incomplete and sketchy this year with long gaps between them, and my writing really flaked off suddenly, I haven't written more than a paragraph at all this year.

I wouldn't say I'm particularly proud of them, but I did really enjoy making moodboards last month and am kind of waiting for my health to settle so I can get back to them. Making stuff for other self shippers is a lot more fun than writing/drawing for myself atm.

11. Was there new media for any of your F/Os this year? If so, what was your opinion on it?

Yes FNaF Help Wanted 2 came out and gave us New Sun Content and I LOVED IT!!!!! He's such a bitch!!!! A shit!!! A snobby theater kid!!! He's so controlling and harsh I LOVE him <3 So happy to know more about him honestly and that he's not all UwU Caregiver that the fandom made him. I like soft characters, but he's a HORROR character he needs to be a little fucked up!!

18. Did you have a favorite trend in the selfship community from the past year?

I'll be honest, I don't pay much attention to what other people in the selfship community are doing. I follow the tags but if there's like a popular trend thing going around, I miss it every time.

My LEAST favorite right now though is the whole "Stolen from an Anti" thing. I have no qualms about stealing posts it's whatever, but I hate when it's says that in text at the bottom of the post. Just tag it as such so I can filter it please

[kimbapisnotsushi]

Hi....Do you mind if I ask your top 10 favorite anime (can be series or movies) or top 10 favorite manga? And why do you love them? Also, what are your top 5 (or top 7) favorite moments from any anime (can be series or movies) or manga that you loved?

Sorry if I ask too much, feel free if you want to answer both of my questions or just pick either one......Thanks....

aaaahh no i'm so honored to be asked something like this!! these are REALLY hard questions tho LMAO like holy shit i STRUGGLED. i ended up choosing the series/moments that left me with the greatest emotional impact or were really formative during my younger years. this turned into a really long and wordy post so uhhh sorry about that, I would have added more pics but they couldn't all be the same size so i gave up LMAO. Anyways let's get into it!!

TOP 10 ANIMANGA SERIES/MOVIES (in no particular order)

I. HAIKYUU!!

I wouldn't be much of a Haikyuu!! fan if this wasn't number one on the list (even though I said they were in no particular order, haha). With how the anime adaptation is coming along, I do absolutely recommend reading the manga. Aside from the fact that the art is just gorgeous, I love how Furudate puts so much care into the characters and story. The symbolism and poetic one-liners that have no business being in a sports manga are fucking fantastic, the development is great, everyone gets a happy and fulfilling ending, and it all wraps up like an emotional sucker punch to the stomach. I also LOVE that there's so much canon material for fans to play around with, and that there's so much left to the imagination. Haikyuu!! really is just a master class in storytelling and a total dream to analyze.

II. THE NIGHT BEYOND THE TRICORNERED WINDOW

Okay, I lied earlier. I just HAD to put this one second. (I swear after this the order doesn't matter!) It has an anime series and live-action movie adaptation, which I haven't watched, but I've heard that they don't really do the manga justice. Now, I wouldn't really recommend this one to kids, which I guess can be pretty broad or specific based on your definition? Strictly speaking there aren't any NSFW explicit scenes - nobody even gets naked at any point nor is it the hated ecchi style with random underwear/breast shots or whatever - but the two main characters are pretty euphemistic in, say, the first quarter or so of the series.

(Hiyakawa borrows power from Mikado and when that happens the feelings mirror the pleasure of intercourse, to put it bluntly, but that's not something that actually ever happens. Mostly we, the audience, just see Mikado get red and flustered, although Hiyakawa says/does shit to go along with it sometimes. It gets milder -> nonexistent as the plot progresses because that's not really the focus of the story.

Also, if you're sensitive to dubious consent then this probably isn't for you, since a big part of Hiyakawa's arc is learning how to be less fucked-up than he is and he often uses Mikado's power while Mikado tells him to wait or slow down - not because he wants to hurt Mikado or make him suffer, but because Hiyakawa just genuinely doesn't know that it's the wrong thing to do due to his upbringing. I won't go into why for spoiler reasons, but it becomes really clear by the end of the story. For those of you who are willing to look, I'm going to show a couple pics of this in action down below - otherwise, please skip over it and just scroll down to the parenthesis.

I wasn't really expecting to to go as in-depth as I did about this, and I do love this series, but I also want to give fair warning since the way the dialogue and Mikado's expressions are depicted give off a very real sense of urgency that I would hate for anyone to be caught off guard/be triggered by. I'd love to talk more about it if anyone wants to ask, but I've already diverged enough from the original question.

I don't want you thinking that they have an imbalanced toxic relationship in which Hiyakawa has all the power and Mikado is subservient to him, though, because that's not what it is either. Mikado has always been his own person, and Hiyakawa never tries to control him in any way besides from his own misunderstanding of consent. They help each other on equal grounds, but apparently the anime does a terrible job of showing that.

END )

So, why do I love this series? Well, it's modern paranormal/supernatural, which I'm a HUGE fan of. Apparently Gege Akutami (Jujutsu Kaisen author) named it as one of their own favorites, and once you read it you can really see a LOT of similarities. There's a character just like Okkotsu in that they've done REALLY shitty things and don't know whether they deserve to live or not. There's also a lot of learning how to be brave when you've been running scared your entire life and taking back your own control/power through it. And, other than the heavy stuff, it's actually quite funny. There was one moment I wasn't expecting where I actually laughed out loud.

Also, the characters are really compelling! Aside from everything I said about Hiyakawa earlier, he's one of those nonsensical types who says the most ridiculous things with the utmost sincerity and with a straight face. Mikado acts as his opposite - he easily freaks out and is very expressive. Also, the villain? Like holy SHIT. I could go on about them forever. Like. Holy fucking shit. Top-tier how they handled the boss battle because hoooolyyyyyy shiiiiiiit. But I don't want to spoil, so I'll leave it at that.

Also, the background stories for the characters - once you get to them - will break your heart. Yamashita draws really simply, sure, but they have such a powerful way with storytelling that the emotions just hit you like a brick through the window.

Mostly, though, it is a story about healing, and I'm a sucker when a bunch of people who need to heal in different ways because of the same thing all come together and help each other. I can also guarantee a happy ending, so look forward to that!

III. SNOW WHITE WITH THE RED HAIR

Oh, how I love this series. I know the anime hasn't adapted to its current point, so I def encourage you to read the manga even though it's not complete yet either (and I started in like middle school LMAO). Shirayuki was honestly such a huge role model for me growing up - she was smart and pretty and determined and, even when she wasn't so sure of herself, she always wanted to do the right thing. All the characters in the main squad are so lovely and feel like a real family altogether, and I adore every single one of them. It's sweet and romantic and nails nonmagical fantasy worlds right on the head, and I'd LOVE for more people to get on board with it.

(If you need more convincing, there's pirates and festivals and assassins and a character to love for every single person out there. I know Kiki and Mitsuhide are enough to cause a crisis.)

IV. BOYS RUN THE RIOT

OKAY Y'ALL. LISTEN UP. YOU WANT MORE LOUD AND PROUD QUEER REP IN MANGA?? HERE'S YOUR QUEER REP COME AND GET IT.

It doesn't have an anime adaptation so you can't really watch anything and be done with it, but there's only four volumes so it's easy to collect. it's a story about a transgender teenage boy named Ryo who expresses himself through fashion and GOD I love everything about this series. Jin is the BEST ally. It feels like such a warm hug to see something so proudly represented in manga. ALSO Boys Run the Riot started as a prototype one-shot that the author entered into a contest, and in THAT one of the first characters prototype-Ryo comes out to actually reveals to him that he's Korean!! He kept it hidden and changed his name to protect his identity!! Do you know how fucking REAL Keito Gaku was for that!! Like there is a whoooole conversation to be had about that topic but that is not for now!!

Anyways yes Boys Run the Riot makes you want to cheer and scream when everything comes together in the end because it felt like an uphill battle you were holding your breath through the entire time and I LOVE that they get a hopeful ending. Give it a try, I'm BEGGING.

V. CARDCAPTOR SAKURA

Okay, I'm going to be honest: this is pretty much the only series that has a manga AND an anime in which I've only ever seen the anime. I hear it does a pretty good job of adapting, though, so I'm not too concerned about it. (I do plan on reading the manga to catch up to the Clear Card arc.) I'll also admit upfront that since CCS is a kids' series, there were quite a few problems in it that I didn't realize until I was much older and went back to it.

I like that Sakura feels like a very real protagonist. She was scared and wimpy quite often, and as a kid it was really empowering to watch her develop into someone confident of herself and her abilities. She's got such a great supporting crew behind her, too! I especially loved that CLAMP brought in Syaoran and Meilin from Hong Kong - even nowadays, a lot of non-Japanese foreigner animanga characters fall into the American or European category.

Also, Yuki and Touya. Just do it for them. Seriously. You can watch CCS for them and ignore everything else.

Mostly CCS, for me, was fun and magical and a great escape for a little kid who wanted to get lost in a world not too far from their own. Also, it's got that 90s-drawn aesthetic we all know and love.

VI. PLAY IT COOL, GUYS!

Honestly, I love all of Kokone Nata's works so far. She's one of the more modern authors who got picked up on Pixiv, and I'm really looking forward to seeing where she's going. Play It Cool, Guys! is one of my favorites. It's actually a manga in color, and Kokone Nata utilizes it beautifully. She has so many fun characters and makes normal, everyday life seem so bright and fun. And not to sound like a main character, but I'm also a very clumsy, accident-prone person, so it's really nice to be able to see the crew do everything that I do and do their best to overcome them.

I also love how naturally their relationships develop. Like, seriously - how would a high school kid, two entirely separate and totally opposite college students, a late-20s office employee, and a semi-famous author all fall in together?? Everything is up to fate but Kokone Nata has a way of never making it feel forced. It's not at all unreasonable to bump into each other at the bookstore or in the park - especially when we see that they actually DO interact as strangers first who all happen to hang out/live near each other, and they just drift closer when they finally recognize each other. It's so subtle but so amazing to watch in action.

Also, it's very soothing and fluffy and healing and you absolutely do not have to put the amount of analysis I do into it LMAO, so if you ever need a pick-me-up I absolutely encourage this series or any of Kokone Nata's works!

VII. POKÉMON

Yeah, yeah I know. But I couldn't not include another childhood fave!! It was one of the very first I watched and Ash is honestly such a great protagonist and role model for younger kids. Sure, he can be an annoying brat in the ten-year-old way, but he takes losing like a champ and he always tries to do what's right. He was incredibly selfless, kind, and considerate for a character of that age and growing up alongside that really taught me a lot about what I wanted to put out into the world. Watching any episode just makes me feel comforted and like I'm paying an old friend a visit and it will always be in my favorites list. Plus the dub actually has some HILARIOUS lines LMAO.

Also, the Special Adventures manga series by Hidenori Kusaka is a total gem and was my first introduction to fandom, so if you're a Pokémon fan who hasn't read it then I really encourage you to check it out!

(I would like to make a note that I got stuck after this and was kind of fishing around in my head for the last three LMAO)

VII. HIBI CHOUCHOU

This one is one of my favorite high school romance series - it's sweet and fluffy and might be a little cheesy, but the characters are all so lovely and you can't help but want to cheer them on! The plot is kind of ridiculous when you first start it - "all guys instantly fall in love with the super pretty MC who hates the attention and has been declared 'unattainable' because of her distant attitude towards them and ends up falling for the one guy who didn't act crazy-in-love with her from the start" - but it's really heartwarming to see the growth Suiren and Taichi go through. I also really love Taichi because he feels so different and refreshing from a lot of high school romance manga male lead/love interests that I've seen. (Maybe because of the glasses? I can't name any other male lead/love interest with glasses LMAO.) It's such a gentle series and feels like a warm hug, and watching two quiet people find their way together really did wonders for shy high school me.

IX. FADED FIRST LOVE

Oh gosh, this one is SUCH a gem! You know how sometimes people want representation as a sweet story that's not about an identity crisis but just having fun and in love? That's what Faded First Love feels like. It's genuinely funny and sweet, and while Aoki DOES encounter a couple homophobic problems here and there, it's mostly lighthearted and nothing he can't handle with the help of his friends. He and Iida are both learning and doing their best, and it's one of the series I go back to whenever I want a pick-me-up.

X. JUJUTSU KAISEN

I did say before that I was a huge fan of mixing paranormal phenomena with modern settings, and Jujutsu Kaisen is a great example of that. It's crazy how much thought was put into the technical aspects of that world - every time I think about Gojo explaining to Itadori how to channel cursed energy, it makes my head hurt. The monster designs are so creative and the characters are all such a great bunch. I tear up whenever I remember Miwa listening to Mechamaru's voice recording on the plane. What really nailed it as a Top 10 for me was JJK Volume 0, because hooolyyy shiiiit. Okkotsu's growth was FANTASTIC to watch and I LOVE how confident he is now and how he follows the philosophy of "the people I care about care about you" when it comes to Itadori.

So that's it!! God, that was hard. I hope you enjoyed, and for anyone else reading it I hope this encourages you to pick up one or the other!!

Honorary mentions to: Promare, Kimi ni Todoke, From Up on Poppy Hill, Our Not-So-Lonely Planet Travel Guide, Gekkan Shoujo Nozaki-kun, and tbh I'd list more but that would take forever LMAO

This is already a really long post so I'll reblog or make a part two with my fave moments, I'll let you know!

thanks all <333