#tsugaru would never

[tsugaruspalate]

More obscure knowledge from me, but the Western image of dorm life does not really work in Japan. Universities are more like apartment style Western ones where you have your own much smaller bedroom space but still. Work or career related dorms however, are very functional. Sterile even.

Communal living spaces obviously exist in the stories and are also a part of career dorm life in Japan in general. But bedrooms are private and often very tiny because you’re not supposed to be hanging out in them, especially not a police one. I’ve seen the dormitories my former-cop friend lived in and on Japanese TV shows. They’re tiny.

It’s a little hard to see here, but this is an example of the Metro police dorms in Tokyo. That little curtained off space, that is your entire room. There can be up to 10 of these per floor. That green tatami flooring in the front there? That’s your living room/communal hang out space. My friend said you’re not allowed to decorate whatsoever, you have your space inspected, and you’re expected to stay out of there unless absolutely necessary.

Here’s a National Police Agency dorm. Instead of a curtain, you have a sliding door and a desk in your room. The fact that the MC could even sneak anyone into her room, given that sound-proofing is garbage in Japanese apartment buildings in general, is astounding. And purely fictional, but still. Yikes.

One of the things that I would change in "Her Love in the Force" is MC living alone in the dorms.

Okay, I understand that this is for romance and in any other way the Instructors won't be able to secretly get into her room.

However, I don't know how many of you lived in dorms. Yet, that's one of the best things that happened to me so far. Imagine the closeness MC could have with Naruko if they were roommates. Imagine the depth of their conversations. Imagine the emotional support.

Half an hour ago, one of my roommates started to talk with me about the meaning of life. I saw that she was crying, but said nothing. Then, after five minutes of silence, she asked me if I feel the will to live every day. Another five minutes of silence followed by us laughing because both of us were crying now. The third roommate woke up, put her glasses, and checked on us, feeling that something was wrong. And that's not the first time things like this happen. I have a lot of heartwarming stories about my roommates.

A roommate for MC would have added so much coziness and warm in her life and in the story.

[crehador]

penultimate night arc is like arsène lupin threw a house party to impress his crush (the phantom of the opera) and provided sick music, ample booze, quality weed, and maybe some e or something but then some postgrads crashed the party and started passing out crystal meth like candy and lupin, despite it being his party, just turned to his crush (the PHANTOM of the OPERA) and was like "hey should we maybe just leave"

[chenziee]

To Love a Geisha

Written for the adorable @opfluffzine!! It's a free digital zine that you can download right here ☁️

ALSO check out the amazing spot art by @beasttrash!! It's so so cute 🤖🌸

[ READ ON AO3 | KO-FI | COMM INFO ]

—————

“Hey, Franosuke, are you married?”

The question didn’t take Franosuke, a carpenter in the Flower Capital of Wano, completely by surprise. After all, a few of his coworkers had just spent the better half of their break complaining about their home lives—how their wives were on their asses about drinking and spending time with geishas instead of helping take care of the kids. Which was entirely in their right to do, in Franosuke’s opinion; a man should take responsibility and help his family, be it wife, kids, siblings, or parents!

But voicing those thoughts would go against his ‘role’, wouldn’t it?

And so, Franosuke simply laughed, shaking his head. “No way, man! I’m free as a super bird!”

“Good for you!” one of the men said, slapping Franosuke’s shoulder.

“Oh, but,” another one noted with a knowing smirk, “I hear you’ve got quite the favourite in old Tsugaru Umi’s teahouse.”

A small choir of ohh immediately followed as all his coworkers turned to look at Franosuke with wide, almost evil grins on their faces. A second later, a barrage of questions followed.

“It’s O-Some, isn’t it?!”

“I bet it’s Kisegawa!”

“The Oiran’s procession is going to be next month, I bet you switch your favourite then! Always happens.”

Honestly, Franosuke had no idea who or what they were talking about… but a happy smile still pulled on his lips as he awkwardly scratched the back of his neck. Because, while his coworkers speculated wildly about who his favourite geisha might or might not be, he couldn’t stop his mind from wandering.

Wandering to the silky black hair, two-coloured blue eyes, and mind so sharp it could destroy a man in a second.

Shaking his head, Franky laughed loudly as he brought himself to the reality where he was surrounded by a bunch of dudes with the smell of wood and sweat in the air. “You’re making me feel super weird now, guys! She’s a super lady. I’m not going to replace her because some pin-up girl walks by!”

His coworkers exchanged a confused glance. “What’s ‘pin-up girl’?”

Oh.

Shit, he shouldn’t have said that.

“A beautiful, sexy woman?” Franosuke tried, wrecking his brain for an excuse. “It’s… a dialect.”

Several doubtful looks and murmurs of, “where is he from again?” were his only response and he felt sweat building on his back, his shirt sticking to his skin uncomfortably. What could he say? How did he change the topic without it sounding forced?

What a super dumb slip of the tongue that was…

“Hey, assholes!! Stop slacking or I’m gonna fire you!”

All the men on the construction site jumped at the angry shout, everyone immediately rushing to pick up their saws and hammers and get to work. Meanwhile… Franosuke was never more grateful for Master Minatomo and his awful personality.

—————

Walking down the familiar streets of the Flower Capital, Franosuke marvelled at how easy finding his way was now. After all, it had only been a few weeks since he had arrived here and at first, the roads felt incredibly confusing. Them all being named 1st Street and 2nd Street and 36th Street wasn’t helping either because… 36th from what?

It made no sense to him. The city he grew up in was huge too but Water 7 had never felt as hard to navigate as this.

Now, though, he could walk these streets blindfolded—at least the parts of the city he knew. Actually… how many times had he walked this route? Even his coworkers had started to notice he visited the place often… Some might even say too often; they might say he was pathetic, hopeless, throwing away money for no reason, for a fake dream.

But it wasn’t fake, a dream, or hopeless to him.

Instead, the sight of the teahouse attached to a certain okiya made him feel happy. Excited.

“Sir Franosuke, we’ve been expecting you.” The teahouse worker bowed deeply in greeting before leading him to his reserved room and bowing again.

Franosuke wondered whether this treatment would ever stop freaking him out; it was like he was a nobility whenever he walked in here, it was super weird. But, he supposed that was what went with exclusive patronage—honestly, it was a miracle he was even allowed in here. Not many were, certainly not people who appeared suddenly out of nowhere with no background and no connections.

Yet another reason to suffer old Minatomo and his tantrums; if it weren’t for his patronage of this place, his recommendation, and friendship with the owner, there was no way for Franosuke to even get a glimpse of the garden, never mind getting to walk through the doors to this small, private room.

Well, no reason to dwell on that. He was here and that was all that mattered!

The moment he sat down at the tiny, low table, the door slid open quietly once more. And when he glanced towards it… a wide smile pulled on his lips. 

Kneeling on the ground just outside the room was a geisha, her head slightly bowed, eyes turned modestly to the ground. She waited a few seconds before she rose to her feet, entered the room and kneeled again to close the door behind herself, then turned to face Franosuke directly for the first time.

“Welcome… my Lord,” she said in a sweet voice before her eyes turned to the side once more. This time, however, it was in a more of a coy way than anything.

The sight nearly made Franosuke start laughing.

“Seeing you act like this, I feel like you’re about to assassinate me every time, Miss O-Robi.”

Now, it was O-Robi’s turn to quickly cover her mouth with her kimono sleeve to hide her chuckle. “I think Luffy wouldn’t be very happy if he came here with Sanji only to find out his shipwright was now in pieces, being sold for metal scrap.”

Franosuke frowned, crossing his large metal arms over his chest. “Hey! Are you doubting my abilities? I’m not so easy to just take apart and sell, lady!” He paused, then added, “You would make a lot of money with me though.”

This time, O-Robi couldn’t hold her quiet giggle back. She didn’t bother hiding it either as she finally joined Franosuke at his table. “I’ll make sure to sell you to the underground. I know people would pay hundreds of millions of beri for that laser beam of yours, Franky,” she said, her voice light with amusement.

“You’d better,” Franky huffed, nodding to himself. “Those people’d appreciate my super armoured body at least!”

Shaking her head with an easy smile still playing on her lips, Robin grabbed the sake bottle off the table, pouring Franky a cup with practised ease. Up until now, Franky had never realised how elegant such a simple action could be; it was like watching art in motion. Robin’s graceful hands were holding the bottle gently, the sake trickling into the cup with precision, not a single drop wasted. She was leaning forward slightly, the collar of her kimono falling low in the back, exposing and accentuating her long, delicate neck.

Franky jumped when someone tapped his shoulder right then, breaking him out of his reverie—when he turned to look who it was, however, only a detached hand growing out of his own arm greeted him, before it scattered into flower petals.

“Staring is rude, you know,” Robin said, shooting Franky a teasing look.

The man huffed out a laugh as he leaned forward, pressing his lips to Robin’s cheek, careful of her make-up. “Sorry, Robin. Just admiring how beautiful my super geisha is.”

“A geisha mustn’t be touched, my Lord,” Robin said sternly, but the corners of her mouth twitched, her eyes dancing.

“Kick me out, then.” Franky grinned and, without missing a beat, kissed her again. 

Robin laughed. “You’re impossible.”

Finally, Franky grabbed the sake bottle from her, pouring her own cup for her. With a small thank you, Robin raised her cup to her lips, taking a sip—and then, as if completely letting go of her ‘role’, she leaned into Franky’s side, sighing contently.

For but a second, Franky froze. 

But then, something warm spilled inside of his chest and he raised his arm, pulling her closer to him. He almost forgot how it felt having Robin next to him, how comforting and exciting feeling her body heat seep into his skin—numb and hard with metal right underneath—was. The archeologist was so small next to him. Small and beautiful and oh-so deadly.

Franky knew that if she wanted to, she would be able to kill him in seconds. But she didn’t—wouldn’t. Not anymore. And Franky loved knowing that, loved that she chose every day to be here, with the crew. With him. She had gone through so much pain, but she was willing to open herself up and trust them even so.

He would make super damn sure she never regretted that decision.

Letting his smaller, human-sized hand out of his regular hand, Franky reached out, touching Robin’s cheek softly, making her tilt her head back to look at him. Robin hummed questioningly, but Franky only sighed. “I really wanna kiss you.”

“You did already.”

Franky clicked his tongue. “You know what I mean, Robin.”

“You’ll mess up my make-up,” Robin noted.

“And your teacher will yell at you, I know.” 

With a sigh, Franky retreated his hand; he really didn’t want a repeat of the first time he came here… Robin wasn’t allowed to leave the okiya for days after that, apparently something about proper geisha manners and perceived perfection and innocence. He didn’t really get it but he sure didn’t need a detailed explanation. Definitely not from the tiny old hag. She looked like she would go on forever given the chance.

Quickly covering her mouth with her kimono sleeve, Robin chuckled at Franky’s disappointment.

But then, Franky blinked when one of Robin’s hands came to rest against his shoulder, another on his chest as she rose to her knees with a soft smile on her lips—and a playful twinkle in her eyes. A third and a fourth hand cupped Franky’s face, gently guiding him forward—and a second later, their lips met, moulding together easily as they kissed properly for the first time in weeks.

Franky grinned into the kiss; the smell of the powder on Robin’s skin mixing with her perfume was tickling his nose, her lips soft against his own. The feeling made his heart race as if this was their first time.

It would probably always feel that way to him. With Robin, every day was like their first—especially now. After not seeing her for two whole years, it was as if he couldn’t get enough of her presence, her voice, her touch, her brilliance. 

She was just as beautiful, just as smart, just as perfect as she was when they first met. The only difference was that she was much more herself.

And Franky couldn’t help but love every last bit off her.

When his coworker asked if he was married earlier, Franky wasn’t being entirely honest. But… it wasn’t like he was completely lying either. He did have a wife but they were pirates, after all, and pirate weddings weren’t exactly official. Moreover, they were officiated by the captain. And their captain being Luffy… The whole thing pretty much consisted of Luffy saying ‘Marry you? Yeah, why not. Done.’ and then immediately asking if there was a wedding cake. 

Franky hesitated calling that a wedding. More like a super speed run of one. But—

It was enough for them.

Whether they were an assassin and a dismantler, an archeologist and a shipwright, or a geisha and a carpenter, Franky knew Robin would always be right there, by his side.

And Franky would always be grateful for it, ready to love her exactly the way she was in return.

[shunin-gumis]

Temptation Towards Apoptosis - Track 01

L4mps 1st Feature Event

This chapter is translated by Jelly!

Once upon a time, in a village far far away, a lovely girl with skin as white as the first snow fell in love. The creature that caught her eye was a magnificent steed with lustrous muscles and a manly mane that blew gracefully in the wind. However, her father was against their love. One day, whilst her father was out searching for a better suitor, the two secretly eloped. Upon hearing the news, her father, in a blind fit of rage, killed the horse and hung its corpse onto a tree. The sight of his daughter weeping at the loss of her lover as she clinged onto it only caused the father’s anger to slowly grow further until eventually, he axed off its head in fury. Then, as if to run away together, the horse’s head flew off with the girl in tow and the two were never seen again. And, they lived happily ever after.

…But did they really live happily ever after?

*applause*

*popping sounds*

Location: Aomori - Miroku Yokocho

Chief: Um, so did you do something after that, Nagi-kun?

Nagi: Yeah. I felt bad for coming to Aomori to study while only knowing the bare minimum like how Aomori’s famous for their apples and the Nebuta Festival*, so I thought I should search up a bunch of stuff about it before we came which was why I was on my phone looking things up during break time.

Nagi: But for some reason, I suddenly had no service and when people don’t have any service they usually wave their phones around, and so I thought okay, then I’ll wave my phone around, and so I did, but then my phone slipped out of my hand and next thing I knew, the store’s window…

Daniel: Ooh, looks like he's plastered already.

Ryui: So in the end, you didn’t search shit about Aomori.

Chief: It’s true they are famous for their apples and the Nebuta Festival, though!

Toi: Yeah. I was surprised there was a vending machine for only apple juice at the station!

Chief: The Nebuta Festival only occurs during the summer, but since it’s currently winter, tomorrow we’ll be attending the Lake Towada Winter Story Festival* instead. I hope it doesn’t snow.

Netaro: Winteeeer~, I see~ the days are shorter during the winteeeer~ so humans become all weak and flimsy.

Toi: Weak? In what way?

Netaro: For humans to be strong, they need to intake tryptophan which is a key amino acid found in seryotonwin!

Ryui: Toi, there’s no point in listening to his bullshit.

Nagi: Then what about my story?

Yodaka: Speaking of which, I had a dream earlier.

Yodaka: Within my dream, Shamrock Holmes* said, “The culprit must’ed be among these cuts of tuna.”

Chief: You’re exactly right! I can’t wait to try some Aomori shamorock jidori and tuna caught from the Tsugaru straits.

Daniel: Hey, they have it on the menu. Master, can we get a jidori and tuna?

Yodaka: The culprit, enraged, shouted, “I’ma make-a squid cutlets outta ya fuckers.”

Daniel: We’ll take one ‘o those too.

Toi: Hehehe. Yodaka-san became the menu.

Toi: (This is fun…)

*popping sounds*

Chief: (…Hm? I think I heard something…?)

Chief: Toi-kun, what’s that in your hand…?

Toi: Oh… Sorry. I accidentally took it out…

Toi: It’s called a never-ending popper!

Toi: I got addicted to popping the leftover bubble wrap Ani-sama had for packaging…

Chief: I get that. It feels good to pop the bubbles, but I didn’t know there was a toy like this.

Chief: (Did Ryui-kun bring something fragile with him? Nagi-kun also brought flowers and a flower vase with him this time around… Is everyone on the Night Team used to travelling heavy…?)

Toi: Chief, would you like to try it?

Chief: Sure, I’ll try popping one.

Toi: You can pop two, three, as many as you would like!

*popping sounds*

Chief: Ahh… This is so relaxing…

Chief: The food and drinks were also delicious. I’m so glad we decided to come to Aomori…

~~~(flashback)

Chief: Now then, it’s time to plan our fourth feature tour!

Kafka: What did you all think about the one the Noon Team held last time?

Ryui: The one Kiro hosted? Wasn’t it pretty good?

Toi: Yup! Kiro-chan was soo cool…!

Netaro: The final plop was amazing! Plop!

Yodaka: They showed us a dazzling chapter of their youth.

Nagi: I’ve only ever graduated from middle school, so it was exciting to go into a high school. It brought back nonexistent memories of me sneaking into school to ride my bike around the field.

Daniel: So, we’re picking from the Night Team this time, right President?

Kafka: Yup. Let’s get right into it… Would anyone like to volunteer to be the main host?

L4mps: …

Chief: H-Huh…?

Kafka: Oh? When did you all become so timid?

Daniel: It’s better to just get these things done and over with.

Nagi: (Mhm, but I don’t think it’s my place to volunteer… None of the other leaders have been a host yet.)

Yodaka: (If someone wants to do it, I shouldn’t rob them of the chance.)

Netaro: (Sounds like a pain~)

Ryui: (…The host gets to decide on the study location, right?)

Ryui: (But…)

Toi: …

Nagi: Then Buchi-san and the chief can be the hosts this time.

Chief & Daniel: What!? Why?

Toi: …Me.

Ryui: !

Netaro: What an enthusiastic hand~!

Chief: Are you volunteering yourself, Toi-kun?

Toi: Yes. If that’s alright.

Toi: Um, the main host gets to decide on the study location, right?

Kafka: Yup. Is there somewhere you want to go?

Toi: I… I want to go to Aomori.

Ryui: …! Toi, you—

~~~~~~(flashback)

Ryui: …Toi, I went to Hakodate to look for a way to exorcise Astaroth from your body. I was looking for the Shiramitsu family’s origins in Aomori…

Ryui: I ended up getting stuck at Hakodate instead.

Toi: The spiritual powers there are strong, so I guess someone with a spiritual constitution like Ani-sama’s is bound to be strongly affected.

Ryui: In the end, I wasn’t able to find anything in my current state. Pathetic, really, considering I went as far as to leave you for it too.

Ryui: But don't worry, this is the one thing I'll never give up on. No matter what, I’ll drag that shitty demon outta your body and fuck it up.

Ryui: Then, you can finally be free from this damn house.

~~~~~~(end flashback)

Yodaka: If Toi is the main host, then…

Toi: Ani-sama, do you want to do it together?

Ryui: Yeah, of course.

Toi: I love you, Ani-sama!

Ryui: I love you too, Toi.

Toi: In that case I looooooove you even more!

Ryui: Then I lovelovelovelovelovelovelovelove…

Daniel: Okay okay, we get it.

Nagi: Great, then it’s decided. A round of applause.

*applause*

Kafka: So the main host will be Toi and the sub-host will be Ryui. I’m looking forward to your tour.

Ryui: I’ll make this 1800% successful for Toi.

Ryui: And, this time…

Toi: …

Toi: (Ani-sama probably wants to find a way to separate me from A-chama.)

Toi: (A-chama might be a precious friend to me, but Ani-sama will always be more important.)

Chief: If we’ve decided on Aomori then the next step is to research! Daniel-san, do you mind lending me some of your time after?

Daniel: Ahh, my bad I have a date with the smoke room, so…

Netaro: I’m going puff puff with Daa too~.

Yodaka: In that case, may I be the one to accompany you, Chief? I’d like to know about some nice bars in the area.

Toi: (…I want to know too.)

Toi: (I want to find out if there’s a way for me to remain a good boy…)

Notes:

The story at the start of the chapter is the myth of a tutelary deity for the Tohoku region known as "Oshira-sama." Oshira-sama is considered the deity of silkworms, horses, and agriculture.

Miroku Yokocho is the food stall village located in the city of Hachinohe that serves the local cuisine of Aomori.

Aomori apples are also known as "the world's best apples" with the intensive and extensive care put into growing them. They are said to be very delicious. For more information: https://aomori-tourism.com/en/feature/detail_70.html

Nebuta Festival is one of the most famous summer festivals of Japan. The main attraction of this festival is the large colorful floats that parade through the streets of Aomori. For more information: https://www.nebuta.jp/foreign/english.html

The Winter Story Festival is an annual winter snow sculpture festival held in Lake Towada, Aomori. For more information: https://www.japan.travel/en/sports/snow/snow-travel/lake-towada-winter-story-festival/

Shamrock Holmes is both a play on Sherlock Holmes and a famous izakaya spot/restaurant in Aomori also called Shamrock Holmes. Yodaka mixes the two things together making a mystery story based on food.

The Shamrock chicken (jidori), or the Emperor's chicken, is a high quality breed of chicken in Aomori. For more info: https://visithachinohe.com/en/shopping/syamorock/

Tsugaru strait refers to a strait between honshu (the main island of the Japanese archipelago) and Hokkaido.

Event Masterpost

Next track

[sterkeyra]

We might finally get a CG for Momose if he does well enough in the election! OMG

But also the plot being that you fall in love with Momose instead of Tsugaru. The angst. What about his girlfriend ahhhhh. Would he never meet her but MC instead? Also they have so many backlog special stories they could localize. There's even one where MC and Momo accidentally kiss and Tsugaru sees it. They are trolling us.

[spinningwebsandtales]

Imagine Tsugaru Making You Feel Accepted

Tsugaru Shinuchi X Kitsune FemReader

Rating: None

Warnings: Reader is self-conscious, mentions of death

Word Count: 663

Requested by @kawaistrawberry21

(A/N:) Thank you for your patience as I have been working on this! I hope you enjoy the fruits of your request as I enjoyed writing it! I love writing for Tsugaru as there's not much when it comes to him and it's a shame! I hope this is everything you wanted and more! Thank you for your request as I like to write things that my readers want to see! Until next time happy reading! ~Countess

The day was beautiful in the meadow you and Tsugaru found yourselves in. You hadn't seen him in so long and you wanted to enjoy every moment when he was around. His head was nestled in your lap as the sunshine played across his features. A gentle breeze tussling his hair, tickling his nose. He grunted itching at the tip of his nose when you began to thread your fingers through his dark locks. He moaned as you itched his scalp and lulling him back into peaceful slumber. While he was known as the Oni Killer he had never mistreated you for a moment. As a Kitsune and one of the last of your kind, you had taken to hiding your features from everyone.

You remember the moment vividly as Tsugaru had came across you in a weakened state when you first met. Your ears and tails on show for everyone to see. Normally monsters such as yourself were either hunted down or used to make money in a side show. You trembled to know that you were facing the man who was notorious for destroying beings like you. But instead of a killing blow he had offered you a hand. He had hid you, long enough for you to regain your strength to glamour yourself.

Your relationship had begun there and you had no regrets on finding such a man as Tsugaru. He gripped your wrist, pulling you from your thoughts as a butterfly flitted by.

"You're thinking about something again, instead of paying attention to me," Tsugaru pouted.

"Can a girl daydream about other things than the man she loves," you retorted kissing his forehead.

"Not when he's around," he winked. "He might get jealous."

"Like anyone besides you would want a Kitsune."

Tsugaru knew well how much it bothered you being different. He knew you feared humans and what they would do to you if they found out you were Kitsune. While he hunted creatures of your kind, it grew old and being part Oni made him realize that everything was more complicated than the populace lead on. Your sadness bothered him and he didn't want you to feel this way. Especially when he was around, though he understood that you needed comfort from him. He set up from your lap, turning around so he could face you. The grass swaying around you both, he plucked a flower and placed it in your hair.

"You don't have to glamour yourself when I'm around," he cooed.

You looked down releasing the spell, your fox ears and tails coming back into existence. One tail twitched in nervousness while your eyes darted around for anyone close by. Tsugaru cupped your chin, making you look at him. He stroked at your soft ear admiring the colors.

"You never have to glamour yourself when I'm around."

"I know," you mumbled. "I'm just used to it."

"I know," he nodded. "I hope one day it'll be where you don't have to worry about others seeing you. But until then you're always safe with me. You are perfect the way you are and don't believe any less."

You nodded, tears pricking your eyes. Tsugaru leaned in kissing you gently causing your breath to hitch. He pulled away, licking his lips before plopping his head back down in your lap. He closed his eyes grinning widely before placing your hand back on top of his head.

"You can pet me some more now," he purred.

"I'm beginning to wonder which of us is the true Kitsune," you snorted but went back to petting his head. This time you sat there in your true form letting the sunshine warm you. You would have no fear when Tsugaru was here accepting you. It made you feel safe and seen. He was everything you could ever dream and more as he made you feel like no other man could. As long as you had him, you felt like you had everything.

[fumiko-matsubara]

Matsuoka Isami - OC Profile

Finally, a finished profile for my pretty boy~ The last one I made was more of a brief overview of Isami because he was still very new and I haven't thought much about him that time.

Now that I think about it, he might actually be my first post-canon OC (which is wild). So there isn't much of canon that I can take from, but I do get to do whatever I want with him. Hence, this post is bound to get edited every once in a while.

Matsuoka Isami (松岡 勇) ー selfish and unfiltered; he moves to the beat of his own drum!

"I don't like being indebted to anyone. Come with me after school, I'm getting you coffee as thanks."

Description

His father was the owner of the cafe Tsuchiya Kaho used to love going to. Due to alleged food poisoning, they have lost a valuable regular customer since. He's been awkwardly trying to bring her back but was constantly rejected.

Isami is all about fairness. He never does favours without getting something in return. At the same time, he never asks something from someone without doing something for them in return.

He's very observant and has no filter. He notices details that most people would miss and will point them out regardless of how others would feel about it.

Nickname: Milady/Princess (Eiji's idea)

Fukiyose Eiji thought he was being funny when he first called the selfish bastard a princess, but much to his chargin, Isami proudly carried that nickname with glee.

Birthday: April 12th

Height: 176 cm

Weight: 63 kg

Blood Type: B

MBTI Type: ISTP-A

Favourite Subject: Social Studies

Least Favourite Subject: Maths

Interests and special skills: Watching bad movies and brutally criticising them, playing the tsugaru shamisen

Past Club: Soccer club

Treasured Item(s): A cikarkarpe * embroidered by his grandmother that was given to him on his 15th birthday

Favourite Food: Iced Americano

Bento or snacks: Snacks

(*) Cikarkarpe/チカルカルペ - Ainu robes made of cotton and fabric obtained through trade with Japanese merchants, not similar to Attus/アットゥㇱ, which are made of fibers harvested from elm tree barks.

Character Relationships

- Chiba Ryuunosuke (addressed as Ryuuchi) -

He sits in front of Chiba in class. They are similar in personality but are complete opposites in their behaviour. In which Chiba swallows his own concerns in consideration of other people's feelings, Isami couldn't careless of how others would feel as long as he gets his point across. Where Chiba would do things for others unconditionally, Isami seeks fairness when it comes to acts of service. But because they hang out a lot in school and outside of school, they slowly began to influence and learn from each other as time passes.

If it were any other contrasting person, Isami would have clashed heads with them constantly. But because Chiba is very empathetic and willing to understand Isami's side of things, they can always find a good compromise whenever disagreements were made.

Upon learning that they will be enrolling to the same university, Isami and Chiba began making plans of sharing an apartment in advance.

- Tsuchiya Kaho (addressed as Tsucchi) -

They never really interacted until high school but they have known of each other for almost three years since their fathers were friends.

Their relationship started off quite rocky in the beginning of the school year. But because they're both close to Chiba, they are always in close proximity and thus, naturally grew close to each other as the months go by. They bonded over watching horror movies.

These days, Kaho had been trying to get him into various overseas boy groups. They've become like tight-knitted gossip buddies. They are always seen together even when Chiba is not around.

- Fukiyose Eiji (addressed as Fukiyose) -

After 'stealing' his spot as Chiba's best friend 'by the process of elimination' (Isami: "whatever that's supposed to mean"), Eiji had claimed him as his archnemesis... although it's one-sided on his part.

But sometimes when he feels like it, Isami likes to push Eiji's buttons because he finds his explosive reactions amusing.

- Maehara Hiroto (addressed as Tardy Boyfriend) -

In his second year of junior high, Isami's school had once arranged a practice game with Kunugigaoka's soccer team. They actually never spoke, but Maehara left quite an impression on Isami when he came in very late to the game... only because he got distracted with his girlfriend at the time.

Fashion Check

From his hair to how he wears his clothes, Isami is very high maintenance and cares so much of his appearance. Because of his high waist, he keeps his school blazer open and wears a cardigan underneath to make his torso look longer.

In the summer, he barely keeps his shirt tucked in.

Street clothes

From the beginning, Isami favours clothing made of wool fabric, with turtlenecks and sweaters being among his most frequent wears. Pairing them with loose dress pants and the berets he likes to wear sometimes gives him a very typical academia style, which is quite fitting given his love for consuming creative works.

Hair

His current hairstyle is a result of blowdrying his curly hair into loose waves. He typically keeps it tucked behind his ears. But when he dresses up, he sometimes ties it into loose braids or in a high ponytail. He only wears his hair natural during the weekends and holidays.

Isami has very broad shoulders, but the volume of his hair when he lets it down makes it less obvious.

Members of the Matsuoka family

Father: Cafe shop owner - Matsuoka Hayato (松岡 早人)

Mother: Interior Designer - Hirame Chisa (平目 チサ)

Siblings: 4 older brothers - Utano (侑多乃), Asaya (亜紗弥), Otoha (乙葉), Emu (笑夢)

His father's cafe is Isami's favourite hang out place. There's a spot inside the shop where he's typically stationed during his free time so he could watch movies in peace. He spends so much of his time there that sometimes, he ends up dealing with misbehaving customers himself when he sees the employees becoming overwhelmed.

Isami and Utano are 10 years apart:

Utano is already married and with a daughter of his own.

‌Asaya lives with his girlfriend in Shinjuku.

‌Otoha switched from competitive dance to choreography after recovering from a career-ending injury (pelvic fracture) in high school.

‌Emu moved back to Hokkaido and entered university. He is aiming to become a curator at an ainu cultural museum in Asahikawa.

A hidden side of Matsuoka Isami

⇑ Every once in a while, Isami would be so invested in a movie or a show, he'll grow emotionally attached to its characters, to a point that any slight convenience will result to him bursting into tears.

Throughout the years:

Kawadate High School

Togyō Institute of Technology ※ He opened his YouTube channel while enrolled in university and works part-time at his father's shop.

Togyō Institute of Technology Graduate School ※ He had been conflicted about moving back to Hokkaido for so long that he ended up not knowing what to do with his supposed civil engineering career now that he obtained his academic degree. He is currently considering pulling himself from the post-graduate program.

Content creating gradually became his full-time job ※ He used to borrow Chiba's recording equipment to make videos, until he had earned enough to buy his own.

Throughout high school, Isami had a following on social media where he takes in movie requests, whether it's good or bad, and writes a review for them after watching. This soon sparked his interest for making video essays and movie commentarys, where he gets to critique and express his thoughts on selected creative works in great detail.

Fumiko's Behind the scenes data

Both his parents were from different parts of Hokkaido, but met and wedded in Tokyo. Isami, as well as his brothers, are of Ainu descent from their mother ー and that fact alone led to complications in their parents' marriage due to issues with their father's family in Sapporo, resulting in their father cutting ties with his family, their mother not adopting the Matsuoka surname, and them making the effort to connect with her family in Asahikawa instead during the holidays

Isami was born prematurely during their visit to Asahikawa in the spring. He and his mother had to be confined in the hospital for months and thus couldn't return to Tokyo with the rest. Only his older brother of three years, Emu, gets to stay with them as he's the only one not having to attend school or kindergarten. However, their confinement took too long that Emu started kindergarten in Asahikawa and refuses to leave. Hence, Isami was already four years old when he saw Tokyo for the first time.

He's a long time superfan of Wagakki Band and has attended every single one of their new year's concerts since becoming a fan in 2013.

‌He's quite popular with both men and women. He used to receive a handful of gifts during valentines despite previously attending an all-boys school.

He doesn't have any subject he's particularly bad at. But because he finds their Math teacher's handwriting very difficult to read, Isami gradually began to hate the subject.

He once got blasted on social media for saying he dislikes the live action movies of the popular Sonic Ninja franchise.

[nijigasakilove]

YOOO SHIZUKU YURI SCENE?

Damn a village full of hot werewolf waifus? Sign me tf up.

Really good episode as usual. it’s cool to see Shizuku on her own having to plan out and navigate a tricky situation. With the kidnapping and murder situation it’s understandable that the village is apprehensive about any human presence, but this all but confirms that it’s someone deliberately instigating conflict between the two villages.

Human girls are also being found murdered. What’s the end goal? A war between the two? Who wins in that case? It can’t be banquet since they don’t know where the village is. Maybe retaliation for that original flashback?

Like how Shizuku and the girls bonded over some tea. Putting those maid abilities to good use lol. Such a contrast between how confident and bold she is with Aya and Tsugaru vs how she interacts with others.

I don’t quite get why Nora got upset after Shizuku asked her that question though. Did she think Shizuku was insinuating they weren’t trying hard or that there was foul play? Sucks that decision led to her death. If they all stayed together she’d still be alive.

Figured there’d probably be some complication with getting Shizuku out the village, but damn didn’t expect it would be because of someone being clumsy and titling the carriage causing the hay to fall out lol.

Regi being suspicious of any human visitor is understandable. Especially when they told her that Shizuku had a gun 🤦🏽‍♂️ fear motivates people to do irrational things and putting on the scaffolding is a perfect example of that. No matter what she said they were never going to believe her. Nora’s murder probably saved her life tbf.

Damn Banquet would come at the worst possible moment 🤦🏽‍♂️ can’t get any more inconvenient than climbing the edge of a cliff. Literal cliffhanger ending to the episode. Can’t wait for next week!

[animehouse-moe]

Undead Girl Murder Farce Episode 6: The Phantom Thief and The Detective

Forget aging like fine wine, Undead Girl Murder Farce is evolving right in front of our eyes. With each step, each frame it changes shape and form, molding itself into what it desires in that exact moment. Transitioning from comedy to cunning, creativity to combat at the drop of a hat and making it an effortless transformation at that. An endlessly impressive feat that only grows in ability and nature as time marches onward. I absolutely can't get enough of it.

I mean, they start the episode with Tsugaru and Shizuku misplacing Aya's head. The detective that's supposed to go toe-to-toe with the greats of France and England respectively is accidentally replaced by a parrot of all things. I feel like I have to scream from the rooftops how much I love this idea.

First and foremost, this is a farce.

It is a failure, a comically dumb mistake. And it's an expert idea. It embodies the nature of the characters, the fact that they're meant to be silly and weird and that they could never measure up to Holmes or Lupin in a battle (whether it be of brain, or brawn like we see later in the episode). I just love it. Aosaki completely sells out his characters in the mockery that he so desires. I'll say it one more time, I just love it. It's not cunning that brings the Cage User into contact with the Phantom Thief and Phantom of The Opera, it is pure chance due to the severity of their slipup. It's just so good.

Anyways, to Holmes and Lupin first. I loved this a lot as well, quite a lot, really. The idea of the two minds challenging one another so brazenly is such a fun idea, and I love how they do it.

Even better than that is that they don't hide anything from viewers. Right away (well on the first close up), you can see that "Sherlock's" eyes are a different color and feature a different style of pupil. Rather than the blue with rings that he usually sports, it's the plain yellow irises that denote Lupin's that are in his place.

Such a great and simple detail that I'm sure many could have easily missed. Another great piece was Watson's comment on the security of Fogg's mansion, which Lupin downplays. Sherlock made a disparate comment prior to that, which Lupin wouldn't have known about, so Watson is momentarily confused before Lupin steers the conversation away from it.

Also, super cool that Mycroft Holmes makes an appearance in the episode to immediately draw the curtain on Lupin's disguise. While he states it's the fingernails of Holmes (which are different than the prior episode, and are in line with Lupin's fingernails), I feel like another giveaway would be how Lupin refers to Mycroft. Though it's not like we have any way of confirming.

Moving on, this line in particular was an amazing tipoff to viewers as to what it was that Lupin was doing with his visit to Holmes.

Allow me to explain. There's two specific things that Lupin did during his visit that are fundamental to how both he and Sherlock Holmes approach this burglary.

One: The disguise. Lupin asserts the fact that he is a master of disguise, someone that can effortlessly mimic the presence and character of another person, that he can blend in with those around him.

Two: The lock. He shows to Holmes how easily he can open and intrude on the safety that a lock is meant to provide. That he can effortlessly access anything that is designed to keep him out.

So, what's the purpose of showing his hand? To provide misdirection. Lupin was never the one that was going to steal the Penultimate Night, it was Erik. Erik, who can blend into a crowd without a disguise. Erik, who is far more flexible and fluid than Lupin and can expose other ways to enter the Chamber of Additional Crimes. It's an incredible setup on a one-two punch that sees Lupin use the blistering intellect of Holmes against himself, and I think it's an incredibly good piece.

Arguably even better than that though is our trio coming into contact with them. As I said earlier, it was sheer chance, but they immediately use it to their benefit by encouraging a response from Lupin that gets him to expose his nature to Tsugaru in a fight. It's really, really, really great that they play Lupin exactly as Lupin played Holmes. Such an interesting relationship. Anyways, here's the fight with impressive choreography, color, conversation, and combat. Just entirely impeccable work that provides a style decidedly different (might I also add once more here) to all of our fight scenes to date.

And the icing on the cake? The sound of the Kabuki clappers, alongside the toll of Big Ben. The signal that tonight's farce has begun. I love the inclusion of this idea. Such a great auditory addition.

Oh, and I forgot to mention, Mycroft mentions Baritsu by name??? As in, the form of martial arts that was created by Sherlock Holmes in an Arthur Conan Doyle novel?? Incredibly cool to see how much detail Aosaki's put into the lives of infamous characters like these.

Of course, a story featuring Holmes and Watson and that whole entourage would feel imbalanced if Lupin didn't have his "buddy" appear as well. That is, the inspector Ganimard who is as close to Lupin's nemesis as you may reach. I should also add that the existence of Ganimard in this story makes the question of what it is that Lupin stole from the box even more interesting.

Anyways, the night begins, the detectives take their place in the Chamber of Additional Crimes. Aside from our trio of Aya, Shizuku, and Tsugaru. An interesting exclusion, but immediately we understand why.

An intruder appears from the North building, putting everyone on red alert. Holmes, of course, knows this is simply part of the play that Lupin's enacted, so he takes the necessary steps to ensure the curtains fall early on his performance. By shooting shut the doors.

From one chance meeting, and a single sentence relayed to the chamber, Lupin is able to trap his prey effortlessly. And from there, it's a race against time as water floods the chamber.

This episode seriously went by in the blink of an eye. The story and characters played their roles so perfectly that I was hardly paying attention to storyboarding or direction. It all meshed so effortlessly that it's near impossible to isolate one from the other. The storyboarding is influenced by the content of the episode, and is a reflection of that. They're two halves of a whole that are incomplete without one another, missing details and information that render our farce a failure instead.

I absolutely cannot wait to see what happens with the next episode as Lupin faces off against the "insurance" agency and our cage user. Insanely curious to see if he bares his fangs towards either, and if we get any confirmation of Erik's true nature (if there is one). Time and time again, Undead Girl Murder Farce delivers the episode of the week as if it was simply another Wednesday.

[kaurwreck]

January 2, 2024 [1:04 AM]

below is a transcript of dms i sent while reading the final chapter of Return to Tsugaru by Osamu Dazai

What's worse, that I can't be sure any of this chapter is or that he would write this at all is the only truth that really matters.

Did he find his father in his father's place of birth, or did he just wish he had. Did he see his father in his eldest brother or only the rejection he imagined receiving from his father had he'd ever worked up the courage to ask anything of him.

Was he recieved liked he belonged there or did he just think he should have been so that's what ought to have happened had the narrative been satisfying instead of what it was, which was lonely and othering.

Was he brave enough to even see how he'd be received at all, or did he keep walking, so that he could decide what would have happened had he not cowered.

Everywhere he has never been, he is of the people, their blood is his, he is as native to the locale as the flora and fauna. But where he has history, where his family live and lived, he is a wandering vagabond, a mere passerby, an outsider. "I can't help feeling that this area is not really Tsugaru," he says, as if to reconcile who he is now with the man who declared himself to be a peasant among peasants "There is nothing here of Tsugaru's luckless karma; the clumsy tactlessness so typical of Tsuguru is absent. Just looking at the landscape, you can sense it— it is knowing, cultured, as it were. Its heart contains no mulish pride." Or does it just look like the place where your father lived, and you can't see yourself in anything he's known because he never bothered to know you.

Dazai, have you once written about Tsugaru, or has it been you all along.

Oh, but then he DOES find himself in his fatherland. The worst parts of himself, the parts he despises the most. The pretense and lack of confidence and the naked fear: "The people of the Tsuguru heartland really lack confidence in their own history. They haven't a trace of it. That's why they end up assuming that posture of arrogance, why they square their shoulders and accuse others of being 'base.' It's the basis of the obstinacy, the stubbornness, and the complexity of the Tsugaru people, and ultimately the cause of their sad destiny of isolation and loneliness."

Aren't you like me? He says to his father and brother. Isn't it just that you've forgotten? Isn't it just that you've resigned yourself? Aren't you just as timid, only you're too stubborn to admit it?

Dazai doesn't hate pretense, he's afraid of the loneliness it promises. He's afraid of resigning himself to never being known.

But he also doesn't know if he can survive being known either, if anyone like him as ever survived it.

"Since the start of my journey, I had always been treated by others, but suddenly, the unedifying thought occurred to me that tonight for once, I might try to get drunk all by myself."

...

"I realized that after all, I could not do a single thing by myself, and this made the delicate taste of the entrails even more memorable."

We don't do anything on our own, love.

[voltageapps]

LEADING MAN AWARDS 2023 -The King Returns-

Until 10/24 23:59 JST!

Show your support and get the wallpapers with votes!

What the nominees say (click the names for the tweets)

Seiji Goto: "I'm so grateful and so excited about the love you've given me. I'm going to do my best to grow and thrive till the end, all so that I'm worthy of it."

Takaomi Tsugaru: "I'm in the mood to spoil you, but you don't have to spoil me back. I'm not used to that kinda thing."

Sentaro Kyogoku: "You told me you loved me, so I'm gonna make it through this and find you on the other side. Once we get home, I'm never letting you go again."

Ryoichi Hirose: "It's such a luxury to hear you say you love me day after day. When this is all over with, we're going to have to celebrate as husband and wife."

Kaede Ekuni: "You showed me that you love me lots, so I'm gonna show you too. It makes me all toasty inside when you love me. Let's be toasty together?"

Kota Igarashi: "I thought I'd have to work hard enough for everybody, but now that you're around, I've got nothing to worry about. You make me way too strong. Thanks."

Ayumu Shinonome: "Do whatever you want. My heart's not going to change. How you interpret that's up to you, I guess?"

Kei Soejima: "You feel so strongly about me... Have I made it to Eden? It's hard to imagine something more wonderful than this, but maybe I can make it there with you at my side."

Shu Hasunuma: "What man could stay calm after his wife tells him she loves him that much? I almost forgot how to breathe!"

Kunihiro Kasai: "Thank you for telling me you love me. I'm not gonna hold back either, so I hope you're ready for me?"

Subaru Ichiyanagi: "You've done well to make it this far. There's a bit left to go, but don't force it. You're at your best when you're healthy and happy."

Boss (Seiichi Setoyanagi): "I thought I knew how reliable you could be, but you've outdone yourself... I'm proud to have someone like you as my girlfriend."

Riki Yanase: "Thanks for going to such lengths for my sake. I'm gonna return what you've given me several times over. Just be patient a little longer."

Takane Momochi: "All I need is your smile. If you go showering me in this much love, I'll get a little, you know... embarrassed."

Hideki Ishigami: "I hear what's in your heart. I do, so don't worry... There's nothing else I need right now."

Rei Rindoh: "I can't begin to describe how happy I am to be the recipient of your feelings. We're almost there, so don't give up on me just yet."

Kazuomi Shido: "Well, this is a problem. Didn't think watching you go this far for me would get me hot under the collar... Don't get angry. It's just biology."

Hibiki Shiina: "You always take off chasing after new dreams, but don't forget that you have me by your side."

Tetsuya Hosho: "Would that I could take you home and make out with you right now, lamb. Come closer, at least, so that I can pamper you?"

Toru Kurosawa: "I can't believe all you've done for me... You're so cute. Are you okay? Shall I burn this image into my retinas? I think so!"

Kaisei Kuon: "I'll run alongside you until we reach the finish line! You'll be safe in my arms in the final leg, so leave everything to me!"

Tadanobu Nomura: "Not only is my heart yours, but you're so sweet that you've got an unbreakable hold on it. Thank you."

Shusuke Soma: "Is it foolish to crave the sight of your gentle smile as much as I do? Especially in a competition like this? Well, I don't mind either way."

Eisuke Ichinomiya: "You have done well thus far. Your dreams are my dreams. Your aspirations my aspirations. And until the final moment, you're forbidden from leaving my side."

Tsumugu Kido: "Once this is all over, let's have a wrap up party with sukiyaki. Stay strong! Don't lose heart, 'kay?"

Yukihisa Maki: "This is the last hurdle. Why don't I offer you an enchanted kiss to keep you going?"

[kamyru]

My top 10 Voltage Guys. Ordered as favorites and as most likely to get along with in real life (2023 Version)

Now that so many stories I have been waiting for are out, I can continue my tradition with this top. I can't believe it took me so long to do it. Yet, I had a hunch Togo Daimon would be a bias wrecker. So, yes. Here we are again.

P.S. In the “Most likely to get along with me in real life”, the first brackets are the comparison with the results from the last year. The second bracket shows how the characters changed places compared to their rank in my favorites.

P.S.S. You can request fics with all characters on this list. 

2021 Version; 2022 Version

My Favorite Voltage Inc Guys

Dropped out from the last year: Taro Akuchi, Takaomi Tsugaru, Toshiki Kasumi

10. Mikoto Amamitsu (New Entry)

9. Jun Araki (-6)

8. Sui Claude Saigu (New Entry)

7. Suzumu Mado (-1)

6. Kuranosuke Kiba (+2)

5. Hyogo Kaga (+5)

4. Hideki Ishigami (-2)

3. Munechika Takado (+4)

2. Toshiaki Kijima (-1)

Togo Daimon (New Entry)

My favorite Voltage Inc. guys ordered as I’m most likely to date/get along in real life:

10. Hyogo Kaga (=)(-5)

Don't get me wrong, I do love him a lot, especially in his newest seasons. I think he has the biggest character development out of all the characters I have read their stories for. However, he is working well with MC. He would work awful with me. I'm stubborn, independent, and bratty to rely on someone else as he wants his love to do. 

9. Sui Claude Saigu (New Entry)(-1)

This one is strange. If you ask me about his main story, I will struggle to answer. All I know is that I loved him the most out of all PLUST members, which was unexpected because I didn't even want to read his story. But from what I remember, he is empathetic and hard-working, with a secret soft side. However, we both are too stubborn to work well together. 

8. Jun Araki (-4)(+1)

Wanna laugh? When I started doing these tops in 2021, he was in this place. I won't change my words from last year about us two having a similar approach to work. Yet, the others are too good for this alone to make him higher. Plus, his sex-centered characteristics scare the shit out of me, considering that I don't like touches from men. 

7. Toshiaki Kijima (+2)(-5)

Toshiaki is the love of my life, and I adore him to death. Recently, I don't even remember in which story, he said something along the lines that he can also be naughty and full of surprises. And this is what made me put him higher this year. I am the biggest homebody in all my groups of friends. However, I'm that crazy friend who is up for nearly everything. So, discovering his naughty side made me want to "corrupt" him a little. 

6. Mikoto Amamitsu (New Entry)(+4)

He is one of the characters I have the most in common. I'll say something strange, but after reading the first three MSs for PLUST (I haven't read Wataru's yet), I headcanon that all PLUST members are introverts. And here is Mikoto, the center, the flirt, the favorite. Damn, this man reminds me of myself due to how many random skills and knowledge he has. Also, his love for literature is gold. Plus, he's super empathetic, smart, ambitious, and ready to help everyone. Can I marry him? He is one of the characters I want to be most like. 

5. Suzumu Mado (-2)(+2)

I will never stop yelling from every hill that this man has one of the healthiest ideas about love and relationships I have seen. Okay, maybe only in my opinion. If I were his girlfriend, we would be a couple of lazy cats, randomly helping our friends while pretending we don't care. Can you see the pattern? If not, wait for Kuranosuke where I explain it. 

4. Kuranosuke Kiba (+2)(+2)

It's pretty strange how Kuranosuke with his dominant nature is higher than Suzumu & Mikoto, who are more carefree than him. At least they don't show everyone how much they worry. And taking into consideration my personality that dislikes to listen to others' rules, it doesn't make sense, does it? Yes, because we have the same family dynamic, and both are family-orientated (in a way). That's the thing that overturned Suzumu & Mikoto. Also, the reason why these three are so high is that they are a lot like me. I can understand how they are working, their ideas, and their plans. But this also means that we have similar cons and even traumas. We would work well together, but not the best. 

3. Hideki Ishigami (-1)(+1)

Is someone surprised? Not me! During every top, he was pretty high on this list. As always, his only problem is he has a dangerous job while I'm a worrywart. But his humor, hidden kindness, and attitude towards MC = gold. Love him till death.

2. Munechika Takado (-1)(+1)

This is where you have to be surprised because for two years he was the first. He is everything I want in a man: kind, smart, funny, stoic but soft with you, serious about his relationship, supportive, and caring. Plus, Takado is taller than me and a doctor! If I met a doctor like him, I would fall for him more than definitely. Poor thing he is fictional. But you know what thing makes him fall from his 1st spot? The fact that the next one isn't as harsh with words. And my "words of affirmation"-craving heart made its choice. 

Togo Daimon (New Entry)(=)

For the first time in three years, my favorite is also the first in this top. Don't even dare to tell me that the man who loves you from the start, protects you, is a feminist (at least considering his actions), can do everything for you, can take care of the house, is cute, isn't afraid to admit his relationship in front of others, isn't perfect! But why do I think that we can work well together besides the fact that he is already perfect when I'm more than definitely not? We were the youngest kids who cared for the rest of the family while bottling up their feelings. He is more in control of this trauma than me. He may be the perfect boyfriend, and I may not be the perfect girlfriend. Yet, I'm the perfect boyfriend, too (according to all my friends). There would be a war of who takes better care of each that would be even worse than in his story due to me being a lot more stubborn than MC. Plus, I have a carefree, yet responsible attitude towards life that he sometimes lacks. 

[rndyounghowze]

Review 532: Tsugaru Lacquer Girl

Written By:

Kensaku Kojima, Miyuki Takamori, Keiko Tsuruoka

Directed By:

Keiko Tsuruoka

Presented By: Japan Society

@jsfilmnyc tinyurl.com/JS-Family-Flux-Tix

Ricky’s grandfather used to pour concrete. There wasn’t a driveway in their small town or a sidewalk at their university that didn’t have his fingerprints on it. He had intense pride in his work and he never left a job without making sure that it was perfect. It was that same look of serenity when he was doing a job that Ricky and Dana saw in the main characters of this film. The serenity of a job that brings you joy and connects you to a community.

Keiko Tsuruoka

This is a film that had a deep respect for the craft that it was showing, Tsugaru lacquer work. You could tell that Tsuruoka had taken the time to get to know every step in the process. She also wasn’t afraid to let the imagery take center stage. There are several sequences where we are watching the characters work without dialogue. Yet we can still feel the story through how they use a brush, how they watch each other work, or how tired they look when they finish a piece. The camera doesn’t skimp on these details just as they wouldn’t skimp on their craft.

We love that this is a love story between an artisan and her craft. The piano is a perfect expression of this love story. This is the instrument that her mother never let her learn to play and the art form that her father never thought that she would be able to master. The piano becomes an intersection of passion and her history. It’s her statement to the world that she will live her life by her own rules.

This is a film that relies heavily on location. The cramped environment of the workshop with her Dad Seishiro or the widespread yet desolate nature of the neighborhood. Each place feels closed off and Miyako feels like a visitor in her hometown. Sadly very many of us could say the same. We latch onto Miyako’s story because we all hope to one day find something that will fulfill us as much as her art did for her. All of us crave acceptance, expression, and a sense of belonging. Miyako’s story reminds us that sometimes we have to listen to that inner voice that tells us to keep trying even when the world doesn’t understand.

[todayisafridaynight]

OKOKOK EP TWO AND THREE CLEARED. Keisuke is unbeatable I Am Positive I kept fucking pausing to GIF this and that and I swear I've never had this many GIFs on the hard drive 😭😭I need to hunt him for sport [AFFECTIONATE] Pleeeease drop the Cutest Tsutsumi Characters list... I must know...

DON'T REMIND ME OF TSUTSUMI'S POSSIBLE RETIREMENT I'LL MISS HIM SO BAD 😭😭😭😭😭that aside :] he's a nice man I respect him :] To Say The Least... OH BUT he did some dialect work in Kagerou Touge [only as the transgender chicken he plays not his actual character], Bali Big Brother, Tonbi, First Penguin, and uhhhh Jo's Singular Line LMAO [not all Kansai exactly IIRC but more Kansai-adjacent than Kanto]. Kagerou and First Penguin are my faves though methinks

DEFINITELY CHECKING OUT THE MOVIE WHEN I GET THE CHANCE... very intrigued about how it does things differently and of course the Snap Seal Of Approval means a great deal to me...

Kase is SUCH a bitch in the anime and manga perhaps especially Because he did have potential as a voice of reason but he's just being a hypocrite and abusing his knowledge of the situation; he's able to justify it only because he's Not Forty-Five Which Would Be Creepy But Twenty-One Is Fine Dude Trust Me which... is pretty real NGL guys like that do exist... in the same vein, on one hand I do want him to face some sort of consequence, but on the other hand I guess it's also pretty real for him to be able to get away with it. I Guess.

If nothing else I do really appreciate that episode for the contrasts between how Kase and Kondo act on [basically] the same "date," and how Akira reacts. Like OBVIOUS what the message of the ep is given Akira's thing with the pamphlets but let me cook... 'Cause Kase is conventionally attractive, he's not [as far] out of her age range [although he's still DECIDEDLY out of it], and a lot of girls who don't know any better would be thrilled to be pursued by a "cool mature guy" like him, but Akira cannot stand any of it. But with Kondo, the complete opposite, who is totally unattainable, she feels safe and comfortable.

Even so, she re-enacts Kase's behaviors on her "date" with Kondo, because that's what she knows and kids mimic the adults in their lives whether they know it or not, and it's largely by her own self-restraint that she doesn't go in for that kiss at the end and things don't end as badly as they could... MANY thoughts... head full...

BUT YEAH. NO. YEAH. The last couple eps go SO hard and for WHATTTTT 😭😭😭😭😭Haruka and Akira got me so fucked up... Haruka winning that black cat for her coinciding with Akira starting to back off from Kondo and rekindle things with Haruka instead... the rumor WAS real... uuuuugggggghhhhhhhhhhh

And CHIHIRO MY FRIEND CHIHIRO good god spending the whole fucking show thinking Kondo was just reminded of his wife or some girl-who-got-away by Akira... and then he picks up the book and It's No Help because Chihiro is a gender neutral name... AND THEN TURNS OUT IT'S HIS BOY BEST FRIEND REPRESENTING HIS YOUTH AND HIS PASSIONS AND IT'S ALL IN PARALLEL TO HARUKA AND AKIRA UUUUUGGGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH

OK that is enough for now I promise I will actually send in something RGG-related at <3 Some Point <3 SORRY to anyone having to scroll past these last couple of asks lmao

THATS WHAT IM SAYING literally my number one selling point for this show at this point is Keisuke Is The Cutest Old Man In Media Ever Please Witness Him. on the subject of Cute Men though the Cute Tsutsumi Chara list is relatively small since most of his roles evidently has him p serious or. Heinous. so like. top five's like:

1.) Keisuke (Tsuma, Shogakusei ni Naru) 2.) Saenai (Super Salaryman) 3.) Nobata (Not Quite Dead Yet) 4.) Ikegami (Why Don't You Play in Hell) 5.) Tsugaru (Hero SP)

a very hard list for me to make considering i think he has plenty of cute roles (if not just cute moments) in one way or another but..... thems the ones that had me going (´◡`ʃ♡ƪ) the most..

BUT WHAT DO YOU MEAAAN NOT TO REMIND YOU YOU TOLD ME ABOUT IT FIRST (;´༎ຶД༎ຶ`)(;´༎ຶД༎ຶ`) an important thing to remember anyhow.. maybe in the future he can direct movies that feature other cute middle-aged men (❁´◡`❁) greatly doubt any others will ever compete with The Paragon Of Middle-Aged Dudes but they can try...

you had me at Trnsgender Chicken huh. OH BUT YEAH i figured hiroshi was kansai-esque with his mannerisms/speech. bali big brother was one of the movies on my To-Watch list so i know what to look into this week now (. ❛ ᴗ ❛.)

OH BUT I THOUGHT YOU SAW THE MOVIE i watched it ahead of time because of that ☠️☠️ BUT i look forward to you checkin it out !! again its p different tonally in some parts, esp with the vibe to haruka and tachibana's relationship (tho of course the underlying issue of their rocky friendship still exists, its just not as evident as it was in the anime).

AH BUT YEAH i appreciate kase for what he does as a narrative device and as a character in THAT regard i really like him: serving as a cautionary reality for people like tachibana who could be taken advantage of if around the wrong people while he simultaneously acts as though he knows what's best for her (and again, he has a point in her and kondo's age difference being egregious, but he's not exactly sailing on smooth waters either). with that in mind i appreciate that aspect of him didn't overstay it's welcome (for multiple reasons of course LMAO)

NOOO BUT HARUKA AND TACHIBANA'S RELATIONSHIP MENDING BY THE END THAT'S EXACTLY WHAT I WAS THINKING TOO especially when they showed off haruka had her lil cat bro hanging on her bag.. and it was that hot-pink color to balance out the black one tachibana had (very kuromi/melody core if you ask me).... it really was super sweet that kondo and haruka got to mend their past relationships by the end of the anime like AAA it was SOOO good the build up and execution and eveything.. and i LOVE how the anime ends with the implication kondo and tachibana will start to really work on their aspirations- i always like those endings more than the ones where we see them already succeeding (❁´◡`❁)

AND YEYEYE THAT'S WHAT I THOUGHT THE BUSINESS WITH CHIHIRO WAS GONNA BE TOO !!!!! IT WAS DEFINITELY INTENTIONAL ME THINKS LIKE ugh... AtR is masterful as all hell for everything it does i truly loved it a lot...

[quiet-heroes]

So i finally figured out Tsugaru’s backstory, but i can’t put it in my theme cause it’s busted or outdated or something that’s irritating the shit out of me :’)))) for now i’ll put it under this readmore, until i figure out wtf to do with my theme

Name: Tsugaru Heiwajima Gender: He/Him Age: 24-27 Birthday: 2nd of February Sexuality: Gay Height: 190 cm Weight: 100 kg Siblings: None Nationality: Japanese Occupation: Temple guardian

Personality: At first, second and third glance Tsugaru is a very calm and quiet individual. He’s not cold but not exactly warm, more like a perfect polite stranger that wishes you well. Upon further inspection Tsugaru comes off as rather secretive and stubborn, a hardened man with a troubled glint in his eyes if one looked too long. Tsugaru will always strive to be kind, patient and respectful, but if pushed too far he can be stern and even manipulative. 

Past: Tsugaru was born into a deeply religious and spiritual family in a small rural town in Japan. His family was old-fashioned, bound to traditions and had close relations to the local temple where Tsugaru spent most of his childhood in. Tsugaru was a bright and smiling child who would actively participate in the temple’s daily activities and community social work. The temple was very beloved and respected in his town.

Tsugaru discovered his strength at a young age when he was alone in the temple one evening, and witnessed a corrupt, local politician stealing donated money from the temple. Tsugaru was discovered by the politician, who responded in panic by attempting to stab Tsugaru with a knife. Tsugaru, with newfound adrenaline in his blood, ended up defending himself by ripping off a piece of the temple’s architecture, using the piece to bludgeon the politician’s head in, killing them shortly. Tsugaru himself had aimed to only knock them out cold, but severely underestimated his own powers.

The temple guardians arrived along with his family, who concluded that this could not reach the rest of their community. They burned the corpse and manipulated a story that explained the politician’s disappearance. His family instructed him to never talk of this incident ever again. But the damage was already done, as Tsugaru’s parents expressed a great fear for their son, believing him to be possessed by a demon and was afraid he would hurt them too. The temple guardians on the other hand, was not afraid of Tsugaru, which made Tsugaru basically move into the temple at some point in his childhood.

Their community eventually got to know about Tsugaru’s strength, but never the murder that occurred in the temple. The community responded fairly well with Tsugaru’s strength, enjoying the protection and extra labour help it provided, but they also viewed Tsugaru as a freak possessed by a demon, always making sure to never to alone with him. At some point Tsugaru started to think he indeed was possessed by a demon, whether it was whatever granted him his strength, or maybe it was the troubled ghost of the person he murdered. This only solidified when traumatic nightmares of the episode started to occur. This motivated Tsugaru to seek and practice inner peace and tranquility on a daily basis. Everything to escape the visions that keeps haunting him from that day.

When he reached adulthood he realized there was no love left for him in his community, and Tsugaru ended up moving as far away as he could and settled in a temple near Ikebukuro, in hope to further practice his inner peace.

[sterkeyra]

Baked Bunny & Chibi Tsugaru Keychain Story Tsugaru's PoV

"It's a boyfriends privilege to buy matching gifts."

We were on our way back from a work trip to the countryside.

As I was driving, I stopped at a service area on the highway.

MC "Service areas these days are like little shopping malls, aren't they?"

Takaomi Tsugaru "It's so convenient to be able to buy all kinds of souvenirs in one place."

MC "What should I get? Everyone always give me a lot of..."

Takaomi Tsugaru "Are they also feeding you?"

MC "I've received souvenirs, but I'm not being fed."

Little Hare pressed her lips together to a pout in front of the stacked boxes of sweets.

(She was already cute before, but now...)

Lips that make you want to kiss her.

(Even though I don't see any familiar faces, I don't want to make out with her in this place. In the car... no, this is Little Hare we're talking about. She'll say, "It's a business trip until we get home!" I'm sure she'll say something like that.)

(So I can do whatever I want when we get home? Didn't you say before, that I can do whatever I want, as long as we're not at work?)

Takaomi Tsugaru "..."

MC "Tsugaru-san."

(Get a grip! Don't get all worked up hoping for a kiss. I'm her boyfriend in both name and reality. She's my girlfriend in name and in reality. I'm rushing things here, when we still have plenty of time)

Takaomi Tsugaru "........"

MC "Tsugaru-san!"

Takaomi Tsugaru "Eh, what?"

MC ""What..." is my line. What's wrong with you? Are you okay? You've suddenly gone silent."

Takaomi Tsugaru "...Do you really think you're not being fed?"

(I still cannot convey my true feelings. But you don't have to know them yet, on the contrary it would be problematic if you knew.)

Little Hare started to think about "getting fed" and was getting bewildered.

(...So cute. It's because you care so much about me, right?)

Takaomi Tsugaru "Of course you wouldn't think about that. Little Hares are only fed by their boyfriends, right?"

MC "That's how it is for now..." Little Hares ears were bright red and she looked so cute, so I reached out to pet her head. But just when I reached out my hand...

MC "Ah!"

Takaomi Tsugaru "!!!"

My hand grasped nothing but air, as Little Hare dashed to the side.

(You're pretty good at leaving me hanging, aren't you?)

MC "A Baked Bunny! I've never seen a Baked Bunny keychain before!"

Takaomi Tsugaru "Oh, come to think about it, do you like it? After all, it's the namesake of Little Hare."

MC "... You remembered?"

Takaomi Tsugaru "They are Little Hare's precious parents. How could I forget them?"

MC "I don't know, if that's the right way to put it."

Little Hare smiles happily.

(I never would have thought that a random Little Hare would become such an important Little Hare to me.)

Takaomi Tsugaru "Are you going to buy it?"

MC "Yes!"

Takaomi Tsugaru "Two?"

MC "Do you want to keep one too?"

Tsugaru Takaomi "Don't you know the concept of matching items?"

(Haha, I'm just kidding.)

MC "I'll get matching ones!!"

Takaomi Tsugaru "Eh..."

(Wait what? Seriously?!)

MC "Since I'm buying it, please make sure you wear it too, Tsugaru-san!"

Takaomi Tsugaru "Uh, yeah..."

(Where are you going to put it? Where am I going to put it? It's probably not good, if it can be seen in the office. It's not that I couldn't just wear it on a whim, but it would probably get Little Hare to fidget..)

Tsugaru Takaomi "Oh wait! I'll buy it for you."

(It's a privilege of boyfriends to give matching gifts to their loved ones after all!)

However, when I see her cheeks relax into a smile as she pairs the Baked Bunnies together, I realized that the place where to attach it to, is just a small matter.

MC "Thank you very much! I'm so happy!"

Takaomi Tsugaru "Hmm. Me too.

(Aaaah, she's so cute...)

I almost wished to switch places with the keychain, so I'd be able to stay with my Little Hare 24/7.