#very much inspired by fear and hunger termina | Explore Tumblr posts and blogs

terubakudan · 10 days ago

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I made a playlist inspired by Fear & Hunger 2: Termina! This one was quite fun to make and I had a fun time thinking of songs to associate with each Termina contestant.

Fear & Hunger is NOT for the faint-hearted and please wait until you are of mature age to interact with it. I trust you to be responsible with your internet usage.

Longass post and some scary as well as slightly NSFW imagery (and NSFW links) below the cut.

I should stop procrastinating and just play the damn games.

Nemophila - The Trooper (Abella)

Amazing cover of a song by Iron Maiden. Nemophila I feel is a relatively underrated band in the "Girls Metal Band Boom" of Japan, and believe me these ladies are talented. Their vocalist Mayu really impressed me with her screams and growls.

Abella possesses the Caressing Soul, and it really shows in how she puts others before herself, her reason for coming to Prehevil even is look for missing Nameless Liberty Underground(NLU) members, she essentially set herself on a rescue mission.

I feel that this song shows the side of Abella that is strong-willed and tough. She even pursued studies in mechanics and electronics for the sake of protecting her homeland, a real "trooper" if you will. She's both physically and mentally strong, and she uses that strength to protect other people, which makes her such an admirable character to me. If you called her "Best Girl", I have no qualms about that. ♡( ◡‿◡ )

2. DIV - ハラキリメロンソーダ/Harakiri Melon Soda (Henryk)

I was pleasantly surprised by this more recent song of DIV and the music video is a real treat! Melon soda is a type of drink which is extremely popular in Japan, for both its distinctive flavor and visually appealing green color. Despite its name though, it doesn't really taste anything like melon. If anything, it's delicious but artificial.

My personal interpretation of this song is about "on the verge of completely losing one's mind". The harakiri in the title could refer to wanting to destroy yourself due to losing your grip on reality.

And what do you know! The Moon (XVIII) tarot card makes an appearance in the MV, it can symbolize "your imagination getting the best of you".

It could also be about lies and deception in relationships presented as "playfulness", an all-too-neat concept symbolized by melon soda being a "playful" (it being non-alcoholic and very sweet makes it popular with children) and "artificial" drink.

Henryk possesses the Suffocating Soul, while he's a skilled chef, it took him a while to really invest himself in it, prior to that he-out of a need to leave his own mark on the world-dabbled in pretty much every kind of artistic endeavor, but with little success. I guess that made him quite literally "a starving artist".

While he's made a name for himself in the culinary world, he suffers from low self-esteem and often seeks the approval of others. I feel this song is him realizing how fickle fate can be, succumbing to his insecurities (he would seem like a guy who doubts the authenticity of praise from other people) and losing his mind while getting Moonscorched.

3. Pat Benatar - Heartbreaker (Samarie)

I could see Samarie belting out this song in the PRHVL Bop while giving Marina the most meaningful™ glances xD

I mean with a verse like this, I want to make it her unofficial theme song:

Your love has set my soul on fire, burnin' out of control You taught me the ways of desire, now it's takin' its toll You're the right kind of sinner to release my inner fantasy The invincible winner and you know that you were born to be

I find it interesting that Samarie possesses a Radiating Soul. While soul types in the Funger universe don't have a very clear definition, that makes it more open to multiple interpretations, I personally see it as Samarie's life force, she knows she's short on time and like a dying star, "shines brightest before dying", her whole reason for coming to Prehevil is Marina's affection/safety. Marina quite literally "lights up" her life.

4. CR Devil May Cry 4 OST - Devil Moon (Levi)

Ok, Bury the Light is the definitive Vergil theme. But Devil Moon is too!

This is my favorite song off the Devil May Cry 4 pachinko game, one of the more underrated DMC tracks and a perfect theme to the more somber parts of Vergil's character. It's sad, yet ultimately hopeful.

Levi possesses the Solitary Soul, and believe me after reading his character lore I just want to give the poor boy a hug QQ He was a child soldier, and didn't get to enjoy a happy childhood like most kids his age. It's only natural that he lived a solitary life and is hesitant to open himself up to others. But humans by nature crave connection, with kind people like Abella and open people like Marina, Levi is willing to come out of his shell. He's deeply haunted by his past but I feel that he doesn't want to be bound by it, and with proper support can learn to leave it behind.

5. DIR EN GREY - 人間を被る/Ningen wo Kaburu (Caligura)

I love DIR EN GREY but god their songs are difficult to put into playlists with other songs xD They're their own genre of music and thus don't really mesh well with other non-Diru songs, I liken it to them "establishing dominance".

I find Ningen wo Kaburu to be quite a solid single (I recall it doesn't really sit well with the community), it's not their best work nor worst work, and it's honestly quite fun to listen to for me. I very much like the concept though of "wearing human skin" (a literal translation of the song title), whenever I read the most spine-chilling true crime stories it makes me think "Are these people really human? They're simply monsters wearing human skin." It's a very meaningful song and here's a lovely analysis of the symbolism in it here.

Caligura possesses the Decrepit Soul, which speaks for itself. He's a monster "wearing human skin".

I highly recommend Funger fans to listen to DIR EN GREY, hopefully I've opened a new door for you and you can finally understand why even Miro loves them. :D

6. The GazettE - 奈落/Naraku (Daan von Dutch)

Unlike the other songs on this playlist, I immediately knew what I wanted for Daan. xD That man screams "guy with a tragic past who could be a visual kei frontman" energy.

An underrated bonus track off the Auditory Impression edition of the Shiver single. I fell in love with this song when I first heard of it from their Abyss concert. Abyss is probably my absolute favorite live setlist and concert from them, it's simply amazing in its atmosphere.

Daan possesses the Blank Soul, and similarly to Levi didn't exactly have a happy childhood, life was good when he fell in love with Elise von Dutch, the daughter of his benefactor Baron Eihner Von Dutch. But of course fate wasn't kind to them, the Baron pulled a full "Shou Tucker" and Daan, desperate to save his wife, sacrificed his left eye, but it didn't work and of course he was distraught.

This song is actually about a sadomasochistic relationship that doesn't end well, and the title Naraku itself refers to the concept of "hell" in Buddhism. Lyrically it doesn't quite fit but musically? I feel that it decribes Daan's inner turmoil and depression.

And I found out today that the artist of this beautiful Daan fanart is from Taiwan ∑(O_O;) *cough*can't help but feel a little proud*cough* (link leads to the artist who draws a lot of NSFW fanart, browse with discretion). I imagine it to be Daan when he finds out who Stitches and Needles truly are. (it's not quite confirmed but their true identities are heavily implied)

7. Paramore - Pool (Olivia Haas)

I was tempted to give her Deja Vu and call it a day. It's my brother's fault for subjecting me and Mom to Initial D. xD

My favorite song off After Laughter. I love the whole album for being "deceptively happy" but this song especially is underrated and musically it's just gorgeous.

Olivia possesses the Shadowed Soul, she and her twin sister Reila (wth Miro is such a GazettE fan it shows) grew up in a very conservative household. Despite being twins, they couldn't be more different and even have different soul types, Reila has the Radiant Soul and is athletic and outgoing, while Olivia is frail and reserved. Reila being healthy and just as talented as her naturally led to jealousy on Olivia's part, as well as Olivia hating it when people pitied her for her disability.

Despite this, it's evident that Olivia still loves her sister and her whole reason for going to Prehevil is to find out the truth about Reila. (the below photos having a slight similarity might not just be a coincidence?)

I feel that Grudges may be a better fit for Olivia lyrically but I just love Pool way too much, the chorus especially is just so beautiful and life sometimes makes you "feel like drowning" yet "you dive back in". This song is actually about a toxic relationship but I feel it could describe Olivia feeling sick and frustrated yet still having that will to carry on.

8. Jin Hashimoto - Star Platinum (Marcoh)

No words, just ORAORAORAORA.

I'm joking, but Marcoh is a walking JoJo reference xD Though Miro says he's actually more inspired by Rocky.

Marcoh possesses the Tainted Soul, due to him getting involved with some not so savory people in his youth, and eventually getting involved with the notorious Accardo family. It didn't help that his sister's safety was being threatened. And due to this, Marcoh was forced to kill a man in a boxing match, and eventually the Accardo family man who was directly threatening him and his sister. Despite being "tainted", like Abella, Marcoh is actually a very kind-hearted man who cares deeply for his sister and would risk his safety for others. I find his friendship with Olivia and Tanaka especially quite endearing.

This song is Jotaro's image song and with its heroic and determined sound, paints a picture of what Marcoh is like. He's even kind of shy and reserved like Jotaro, who in turn was inspired by Clint Eastwood, known for playing "stoic hero"-type characters.

9. BAND-MAID with The Warning - SHOW THEM (Karin Sauer)

I don't follow Band-Maid but this song is a banger, and the vocals are immaculate.

Karin, like Cahara, possesses the Endless Soul, since childhood she has always had an above-average curiosity and desire to pursue her goals. Her desire to uncover the truth behind Kaiser and what is going down in Prehevil would make Phoenix and Edgeworth proud. xD A dark side however of her profession is how journalists choose to use information, you could see them as "vultures" profiting off the tragedies of others or as "valkyries" who immortalize the stories of others.

I wanted this song to portray Karin's assertiveness and no-nonsense attitude.

10 . ONE OK ROCK - Deeper Deeper (O'saa)

I listen to some ONE OK ROCK and was pleased to find a "heavier" song of theirs. I'm quite partial to heavier rock songs.

This song is "perseverance" made into a song and is about going deeper into oneself and facing challenges head-on, which describes O'saa's determination and his attitude towards the pursuit of knowledge and improving himself. The downside of this "never giving up" attitude though is "what if you get yourself into something too deep?", like O'saa becoming a Termina contestant.

O'saa, like Enki, possesses the Enlightened Soul, ever since leaving his homeland, he kept pursuing greater education and knowledge in spiritualism and religion. He eventually joined the Yellow Mages and became an apprentice of Nas'hrah. Like Karin, he's determined in the pursuit of his goals and tends to be distrustful of others. I find this analysis of his character to be extremely well-written and if you have quite some time to spare (it seems longer than this post xD), do give it a read. It's quite interesting that despite his bravado and talent in the occult, he's human and has fears like the rest of us.

11. Watanabe Kazuhiro - Break the Chains (Kida Tanaka)

An underrated song from the Togainu no Chi True Blood (no not the HBO vampires) OST. Nitro+Chiral OSTs have so many bangers and hidden bangers such as this one. Honestly even if you dislike BL, you're missing out on lots of amazing bangers especially from BL games.

But this isn't about BL games!! This is about how I think this song describes the latent potential in Tanaka's character, what with him possessing the Latent Soul, and Miro possibly fleshing out his character more in future updates of Termina. Considering his background and the Japanese tendency to not say what they really mean, as well as Needles' unexplained(?) grudge towards Tanaka, I think he could become even more interesting than he already is.

I find it adorable that he's my brother's favorite :D And I can see why, he's got that really admirable "underdog" energy to him.

12. Cö shu Nie feat. HYDE - Maisie (Marina Domek)

The hypnotic opening to the Emerald Witch Arc of the Black Butler anime. The moment I spotted HYDE's name attached I knew it was going to be great. (Mugen for instance is amazing)

So "Maisie" is a girl name of Scottish origin, meaning "pearl". It sounds like a very dainty and cute name, which betrays the dark undertones of this song.

Marina possessing the Changeling soul, is kind of like this song having a cute title that hides its darker qualities, Marina in actuality is quite skilled in occultism and despite being born a boy, was raised as a girl due to her mother wanting to protect her from the Dark Priest life. I feel this "secret" of Marina is at least inspired by changeling lore.

On a tinyyyy note Marina is just adorable. (≧◡≦) ♡ And all the Samarina and MariLevi art too

13. Hades OST - In The Blood (August)

The hauntingly beautiful ending credits song to Hades. This song, as the title says, I believe describes how some things are just a part of you, be it your values, your lineage and if I were stretching things your destiny even.

August, like Ragnvaldr, possesses the Tormented Soul. He's knowledgeable of his family history and has great survival skills. However, it's also because of his family history that he has a grudge toward Kaiser and seeks revenge, especially for what Kaiser did pre-events of the first Fear & Hunger game. This verse especially fits with his nomadic lifestyle:

Home

Is not where you live

But who cares when you're gone

It's not explicitly confirmed but it's heavily implied that Ragnvaldr is his ancestor, what with Moonless being his companion, him using a bow, him being from Oldegard, his hatred towards Kaiser etc. He's a man heavily tied to his heritage, it's "in his blood" after all.

14. Survive Said The Prophet - Red (Pavel Yudin)

ED2 to the Banana Fish anime. I'm not overly familiar with Survive Said The Prophet's discography but I've yet to find a song I dislike from them.

This song is grand, the instrumentation is swooping, and Yosh's screams are cathartic.

It's chaotic, like Pav with the Chaotic Soul, I find this song to be like his consciousness kicking and screaming. Like Levi, he's had a rough life. Like August, he hates Kaiser with good reason, Kaiser was the one who destroyed his hometown and massacred his family. He's a man who, for the sake of revenge, enlisted in the Bremen Army just for a chance to get close to Kaiser. Becoming a monster to destroy a monster, if you will. He, like many other characters, had their lives destroyed by Kaiser.

I feel that, unlike Levi though, Pav is already too far gone in his quest for revenge and will resort to anything for a chance to destroy Kaiser. Levi on the other hand, while also traumatized by war, wouldn't go purposely hurt people. Pav is a broken soul consumed by rage and revenge.

If you made it to the end, thank you so much for reading! It means a lot to me when you've found something that you like or resonate with.

Special thanks to the Fear & Hunger wiki for their detailed character descriptions and lore, I wouldn't have been able to write this without them. While I have watched numerous analysis and lore videos of Funger, people who have actually played the game are ultimately more familiar with what makes the story and characters tick, especially when they've actually read the character dialogues and interactions in-game.

The fact that such a cruel, punishing, and disturbing game has its own community (and a very wholesome one at that!) is a testament to Miro's talent as a creator.

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