#xtremely important

[acesw]

The "Storm"

"The 'Storm' brings frequent anomalies. And also more development and field missions. Sadly, combat is not my thing; luckily, data analysis is!" - X, Xtreme Talent

The "Storm" is an intriguing topic to look into in the world of Reverse: 1999, and a lot of people tend to be confused on how it works alongside the functions of the immunity zones. For this post, this'll essentially be a more detailed explanation on it. This post will cover what the "Storm" is, its patterns, and the function of the immunity zones with Asymmetrical Nuclide R. This'll be a really long post, so hold tight. :) [Spoilers for Chapter 5-6]

What is the “Storm” anyway?

The “Storm”—or the "Emanation" to the Islanders—is a supernatural phenomena that is affecting most of the globe. It destroys the current era of society and reconstructs it into a point in the past or in the future. It “reverses” time, with the tendency to regress through eras. This means human technology increasingly deteriorates while arcanum flourishes.

Being a phenomena caused by arcanum, the “Storm” is difficult to be studied. Basic understanding of the "Storm" requires affinity with arcanum.

The “Storm” is unpredictable; Besides the Manus and the Apeiron to some degree, no one knows when the “Storm” happens, but the closer we get to its occurrence, the easier it is to figure it out. Manus activity is shown to accelerate the "Storm", with events beginning to deviate from the historic timeline due to their influence.

As of ‘The Star’ and Chapter 6, we find that Laplace has been keeping track of possible “critical points.” Critical points indicate where the eye of the “Storm” might be. An “eye” tends to be located at places globally significant, where historical events take place. It can be a cultural event, a significant movement, or a major conflict. These events don’t have to directly affect the entire world, per se. They merely have to be significant enough to leave a mark in the world's history.

Right now, 8 “Storms” have passed and we have one that is currently beginning to take place. With the information we have of each one, we find common themes among them:

1. Most of these “Storms” occur at least 1 year after the other. There are 4 exceptions to it: 

1999 (The Progenitor)

1987 (3 years)

1929 (1 day)

1914 (5 months)

2. They’re triggered when the timeline destabilises, or strays from what is the normal ‘course’ of the world’s timeline. (As said by Greta Hofmann)

3. The nature of the “Storm” and the Storm Syndrome are usually based on the themes of the era and the conflict.

A very clear example of this would be the “Storms” of 1966 and 1929. With 1966, we see how the height of the “Storm” deconstructs everything around the critical point with booming bold colours and pop-like art, reminiscent of the UK’s Swinging Sixties (as mentioned by the game itself).

With 1929, we see how the Storm Syndrome affects the mass population of humans, with how they sell food in exchange for gold and money to eat because of how it references the sudden rise in the American stock market. This led to the Wall Street Crash of 1929, and the crash caused an economic recession in the US.

Important notes about the "Storm"

Now we have to keep in mind that there are some things that need to be noted about this phenomenon. For one, the “Storm” doesn’t induce the grandfather paradox, since the survivors of the phenomenon don’t cease to exist whenever they arrive in an era that precedes their lifetime. They don’t encounter the younger versions of themselves either.

Also, since this is an event caused by arcanum, the people who are mainly affected are humans and mixed people who don't have strong arcanum. Pure-blood arcanists tend to be the ones who are the last to be affected by the "Storm," since they only begin to feel the effects once the countdown is approaches near-zero.

The memories of the survivors are quite faded. For example, none of them could remember what happened during 1999 that caused the first “Storm.” Greta and Vertin themselves confirm that they and the Foundation have rather vague memories of that time for reasons yet to be found.

And lastly, as stated before, the “Storm” can be accelerated / triggered early by orchestrating a chain of events that further puts strain on the critical point, and significantly causes disruption in the original timeline. This is the case with 1929 and 1914 right now.

Immunity Zones, Asymmetrical Nuclide R, and Vertin

With these out of the way, there is now space to talk about the points of immunity. For a location to be immune, the area would need a “core” that distributes a high concentration of Asymmetrical Nuclide R.

AN-R is a nuclide that’s present in the “Storm's" rainwater, as well as the fog in Apeiron, the Spinning Wheel, and possibly the Yuān temple in Pei City alongside Uluru in Australia. The nuclide creates a structure that makes it possible to survive the “Storm,” but it is an unstable component that can quickly disappear when isolated from the rain drops.

A more stabilised structure of these nuclides are those found imbued in the Manus Vindictae Mask, and the fog surrounding the cores of the immunity zones. However, when one comes close to said fog, it can affect people’s minds to the point of deep sleep until they’re taken out of the area. Otherwise, time flows normally within the immunity zones, unaffected by the “Storm.”

Meanwhile, as the truth remains unknown (noting that Asymmetrical Protein G is a false biomolecule), Vertin is the only person who is able to cross the “Storm” unharmed. She is able to endure most of its effects such as the fog.

For example: In the fog surrounding the Apeiron and the caves of the Island, she wasn’t afflicted with the deep sleep most of the time until she was fully immersed in it. However, she only needed to be woken up by any sort of disturbance. (i.e. pain caused by the bangle)

Despite this however, she’s unable to perceive and predict the “Storm," needing technology from Laplace to keep track of its countdown.

Anyway, AN-R tends to spread throughout an entire area and creates a range of immunity from the “Storm.” This range becomes theoretically weaker as one strays further from the main source; it's why Vertin’s breakaway group got reversed as they played outside the tower, while Madam Z survived while being barely outside the building. (Chapter 3)

It may also explain why the humans did not survive being in Vertin’s suitcase, since the spinning wheel might not be a strong enough core for the nuclide to resonate really well with humans. But I’m not exactly sure why this is, so this is only an assumption for myself.

For now, this is all the information that I have of the "Storm" and the immunity zones. There are some pieces of information that I also found while looking into it, but I've kept these as footnotes for now to go back to later once things begin to come together.

Many ideas can be thought of on how the phenomenon could affect many other areas, but this is essentially how it works based on what was observed in the story. I hope it answers a lot of questions for some who don't quite understand the "Storm." And if there aren't, feel free to ask me anything. Thanks for reaching the end. :)

[think-a-madjick]

After watching Transformers One after a lot of appropriate time (1 A.K.A. One) I'm granted teh title of Tea Ultra Holy White Mage by myself and thus I'm a very expert cinemaphile (A.K.A. Theater Movin' Image Entusiast) and thus I shall give my Xtremely important ~~opinions~~ objectively correct facts about the film:

Ok, this was expected, like everyone knew this, but like, despite like thiz tihs is a cinematic masterpiece, I'm obviously referring to the 71'76 minutes long hot homersexual secsy secs scene between Optimus Prime and D-16. Whot 'cause this to be what we (Kinopholes) consider Kinoma is teh eggcelent koreagrapy and that D-16 announcement of his homerphobia, this iz a so subtle social commentary about society and that Optimus Prime Optimussy isn't enough to fix him, makin' clear that Optimus Prime isn't OP (as OverPowerwd) and has more to learn while also possibly as a foreshadowing for future character development.

Sentinel Prime's character is a big difference between his previous pothrayls bit that's what makes him such a fine character, here he's clearly a legitimate leader and hero, got rid of the previous theocracy and those old foolish dumb stoopid fools that could only talk about old foolish dumb stoopid foolish things, made peace with the Quintessentions (he's a raceist but not racist!!), created a new fairer society, build roads, gave free operations to everybaby, praise the courageous and have a promotion to Optimus Prime, D-16 and B#dassatron!!!!!!

WHAT A HERO!!!!!

D-16 renaming himself after the nickname he gave Optimus Prime's pener is such an emotional thing!! Much better than naming himself after an incestpus traitor!!

I found bizarre that every time Arcee was showed on screen there was an off-screen cybertronian shouting things like "Mommy Arcee!!" or "Notice me mommy!!", like it's xpecially so uncanny that that unnamed off-screen cybertronian gal sounds exactly like me if I was shouting in a cinema theatree.

It's so heartwarming when Megantron helped Sentinel Prime to do his Jazzz cosplay, the fact that he's deadly allergic to getting snapped in 2 is such an unexpected plot twist!! Thought my complaint is that this weakness kinda is like a reversed deux is machina, like when Sentinel Prime is allergic to that??

Overalls, this is cinema, if cinema was utterly amazing and very toy commercial. Watch this, and yuo will watch this film (which is a masterpiece).

[wildfyrevalkyrie]

one detail that i find neat about max’s room is that it’s filled with x-treme sports stuff (gear, posters, trophies) and one very expensive telescope. seriously, look at the size of that barrel.

its the only astronomy thing in his room (and the whole apartment tbh) and it is so important to him that not only does he keep it between moves, not only does he set it up before he’s even finished unpacking, but unlike everything else, its always by the window.

and the show does nothing with it??? someone please correct me if im wrong bc srsly what the fuck. in a sci-fi show about aliens, including one that has scenes establishing that he actively goes to the roof to stargaze, the telescope in the mc’s bedroom is never mentioned? like im not asking for much, just a scene of it in use or max commenting that it used to be his dad’s (bc jim 100% owned a telescope) and even though max never really got into stargazing all that much, he keeps it nearby bc it makes him feel connected to his dad.

or yknow, let him have this interest and reference it in the show without using the scope. ie max takes a moment to appreciate the night sky at literally any point when he’s away from copper canyon’s light pollution (up to and including one of the times they’re in space), or max and steel are speculating where steel/ultralinks come from, and max mentions/points in the genral direcrion of exoplanets

and, like, the show does this with the sports stuff. the skateboard’s a p perfect example, bc it also got to be in the room before the unpacking was finished, but we see max frequently using it, we see it getting moved about his bedroom bc he doesnt have a specific spot for it aside from generally at the foot of his bed, he connects to other characters over skateboarding.

or even the snowboard. it also goes unused, but its presence establishes that max is actively into and participated in more xtreme sports than skateboarding. it’s also a reminder that max isn’t from copper canyon, since here he is w this nice snowboard sandwiched btwn the coast and a mesa. (it’s also a reference to the 2000s max steel but shh)

tldr: most of the stuff in max’s room is p obviously related to his interests and then there’s this mysterious telescope that i go feral over every time i see it.

[edwinrocks0811]

Explaining the Paradox Pokemon

I've been debating with myself on should this be a video or analysis on here, but after rewatching my older vids I decided the latter would be better.

Anyways Paradox Pokemon are the weirdo "gimmick" pokemon similar to Ultra Beast, and today I want to go in-depth on them and explain why they're the way they are.

Also before I go I start I just need to get this off my chest: YES THE PAST AND FUTURE PARADOX POKEMON ARE JUST DINOSAURS AND ROBOTS. THAT'S THE POINT. They're very obviously based on pop cultures extremist and fantastical take on what the past was like and future will be. This isn't anything new to A. Pokemon(look at Ultra Beast being sci-fi tropes) and B. Entertainment media

I feel like so many people treat them to literally or miss the point, cause they didn't execute them in the exact way they wanted(basically Galar Fossils 2.0). Whether which one is better or worse is at the end of the day subjective and this bloods/crypts ass discourse is like comparing American Girl to Bratz(their both dolls targeted to kids, but appeal to two vastly different demographics).

The Meaning of Scarlet and Violet

Before we can explain the paradox pokemon I feel like explaining why the games are called this is important for understanding the games theme of past and future(also to explain why their not called Pkmn: Past and Future, cause it's a very upfront and doesn't represent the Paradox Mons entirely).

Let's start of with explaining what is Ultraviolet and Infrared

Light and colors are the visible radiation we can see, so in turn UV and IR are the invisible radiations we can't see. The past and future are nothing more than history and speculation; they ultimately exist in our minds and art. This explains Paradox pokemon mysterious and contradictory lore/origins. Another thing to note is the meaning of Ultra and Infra being Beyond(UV) and Below(IR), which perfectly explains how their based on pre-existing pokemon, but made stronger, and live below the region of Paldea in Area Zero.

This also explains why they're in a region with a gimmick based around types and legendary pokemon with a light motif both themed around crystals. Tera is the visible spectrum of colors, while Paradox pokemon are the invisible spectrum of radiation

Next is explaining Red and Purple(and also warm and cool colors)

Starting off with warm/cool tones are descriptors for two groups of color on the opposite ends of the color spectrum. How does this connect to the Paramons? Well next we'll explain what happens to water when warmed and cool to the extreme.

On the left are ice molecules and right vapor molecules. The ice molecules are aligned in columns and rows and fill out the box in an orderly manner. And I'll let this other image explain the vapor.

This explains the essential themes of the paradox pokemon: Chaos(past) and Order(future)... to the XTREME. And that red and purple being the farthest colors on both ends of warm and cool tones are used to exemplify that.

Before moving on I'd like to point out how on a wheel, despite being far apart red and purple are bridged together. This will be important later

Now let's start off by explaining the Past Paradox

The chaotic ancestors fueled by the scorching sun, Ancient Paramons have: yellow eyes, eye markings, sharp teeth, warm red colors, long/messy hair/feathers/etc., and spikes or tail.

Getting the most obvious details out of the way the teeth, hair, and spikes/tail are all to call back to dinosaurs or cavemen. Common creatures constantly portrayed living in the past.

The eye markings could call to punk/rock makeup with them looking like sharp lashes or mascara.

Also something to notice is that the ancient pokemon have a lot of motifs and all the designs incorporate them in a way that's sorta messy and overdesigned. This exemplifies the overall theme of chaos(if that wasn't obvious).

The use of yellow for their eyes could call to yellow's association with hazard. The use of red is similar to yellow as one of red's symbolic meaning is danger; which exemplifies a key part of paradox pokemon lore.

Add-On: Since I explained the names and shinies of the Future I just state, that the past Paramons shinies reference the og pokemon shinies and their names reference how dinosaur name meanings are upfront on their appearance and behaviors (T-Rex- Tyrant Lizard)

Now onto their gimmick involving the sun weather. The sun is a natural resource that a lot of creatures depend on to live, and can be used to fuel technology. But it's also an energy source that cannot be controlled due to space, weather, climate, etc.; furthermore it can cause drought's or wildfires. This line up with the lore of Ancient pokemon drawing their power from a "primal energy"(the sun) and fits with the chaos theme, but also gives us some hints onto the world they come from. That being a harsh climate that involves strength to survive.

Next is the Future Paradox

The orderly descendants powered by electricity, Future Paramons have: y2k fluid, L.E.D eyes, black sclera, and fully mechanical bodies

The fluid, L.E.D, chrome shinies are Y2K AS FUCK. The fluid could reference lava lamps a 60s decoration that had a resurgence in the 90s(when Y2K started)(and also reference the 2000s 60s influence), the L.E.D eyes could allude to I-Pets. Y2K was an aesthetic that referenced the fearmongering phenomenon of the same name. This exemplifies the pokemon being from the future and makes sense when you take into account Scarvio development cycle lining up with Y2K resurgence and Pokemania.

Black has a lot of symbolism that could apply to to the theme of order and their paradox nature like: restraint, power, occult, mystery, bleakness, fear. But the possible main reason is it gives the an emotionless look which amplifies their inorganic designs that contrast with the Ancient Pokemon.

ADD-ON: Originally I didn't go in depth for the shinies meaning as I thought it was because of the Y2K Aesthetic, but i remembered that the base Future mons y2k fluids are a color of the rainbow(Treads- Red, Moth- Orange, Hands- Yellow, Thorns- Green, Bundle- Blue, Jugulis- Indigo/Purple, Valiant- Pink). And then I remembered also that Miraidon shiny is white the metallic texture just fucks it up, plus looking at the home models. the shinies use either gray or white as a base. Gray's notable meanings as a color are control and compromise, and white's meaning is cleanliness, blankness, coldness, emptiness, simplicity, and minimalism. Basically their orderly asf.

Something to note is how simplistic in executing these motifs the future pokemon do. Obviously like the past pokemon this exemplifies the theme of order, as they're more refined than the pokemon they're based on. This could also reference Technological Singularity a theory that states we'd advanced so far technologically that it'll lead to the end of humanity.

Add-On: To expand upon the Technological Singularity(and the whole rainbow Y2K fluid thang among others) the Future Paramons could reference the Singularity, which is the state or condition of being singular(as one). This could reflect the use of iron, and chrome shinies. It also explains the Y2K rainbow, as they basically emphasize how their parts with distinct roles to a greater mechanism. Compared to the past Paramons who are unique individuals.

Speaking of inorganic the use of electric terrain as the Future mons "primal energy" source could contrast the Sun as a natural, since electricity used for energy is produced through man-made/unnatural means. Similarly to the ancients this could allude to the future they originate from: possibly being one that wanted to have the strength of the ancient world, without the harsh environment of the past. Using technology and electric terrain to achieve this, with control over the world.

Now remember when I talked about the color wheel and how their connected and far apart at the same time...

Well the designs of both paradox pokemon also showcase this. Despite being complete opposites they execute certain motifs similarly. Using ST and IB as examples at a glance Scream Tail has more differences to the mon it's based on compared to Iron Bundle; however Iron Bundle does differ from Delibird through it's functionality(IB bag is a water cannon, it's feet are skies and moves through using it cannon as a propeller, and attacks with it's head and elastic neck piece). Compared to Scream tail which attacks and moves like Jigglypuff.

Basically Past pokemon focuses on physical changes, Future pokemon change focus on functional changes(Unless your Iron Fugulis)

Now circling back to explaining how their similar, both paradox groups: have face motifs that have slight variety, but are generally the same, past pokemon all have red in their palette but have execution variety meanwhile future pokemon fluid all looks the same but with color variety, past mons all have messy "hair"(although with slight variety: Sandy Shocks and Brute Bonnet) while future mons robot gimmick is expressed in a variety of ways(although with slight similarities: Iron Hands and Moth) , all paradox pokemon change physically and functionally in some way(Unless your Iron Fugulis); i.e. Walking Wake or Iron Treads.

ADD-ON: If this sounds like confusing word-vomit well that's because I was struggling to put this thought process to text, but after analyzing the future paradox shinies they perfectly embody what I want to say in a simpler way. All past pokemon have unique discernible shinies, yet all share the warm red motif(Unless your Sandy Shocks and Brute Bonnet then it's yellow). Whereas future mons all share chrome/metallic gray or white shinies with unique discernible colored Y2K fluid(excluding Leaves cause the legendary Paramons got their own things going on)(Unless your Fugulis)

TlDr: Paradox mon are similar as they are polar opposites, and living in a world that represents both themes at ounce is ideal(I.e. a world where rules and freedom exist in harmony. Think of diet Shin Megami Tensei). This explains why they're all threats to the present.

I dunno how to end this, so let me say Iron Jugulis is a godawful pokemon design. Bye

[pale-opal]

A Legitimate Question

You know how in X2, you can go on a sidequest to retrieve Zero's body parts to prevent him from being rebuilt and brainwashed by Sigma & Friends? Well, here's something I don't quite understand about that:

Why is Zero's head detached from his torso?

No, seriously. Why is that? When he self-destructs back in X1, his head and torso are still connected:

This is the case in Maverick Hunter X as well:

Now that we've established that Zero's head was originally still attached, we need to figure out why on Earth the Three Stooges X-Hunters would change that. For what I can tell, there are two potential reasons:

Something Happened to Zero's Head, Meaning That it Had to Be Repaired Separately This is definitely a possibility. Homeboy was not doing well after self-destructing. He couldn't even open his eyes, he was in so much pain. And by the looks of it, his self-repair systems were pulling an X5 and not responding. If you told me that he concussed himself, or damaged some important part of his brain, I'd believe it. ...but at the same time, he literally blew his legs and one of his arms off. It is far more likely that the amount of pain he's in, as well as his self-repair systems not functioning, is a result of his extensive damage instead, much like what happened in X5. Not only that, but his head could've been repaired while still remaining connected to his torso. There's also the possibility that Zero's control chip would have to be inserted between his head and torso, hence why the head is removed. But if that's the case, why does X need all three of Zero's parts? Why not stop at the head and torso, if that's all that's needed? Couldn't Dr. Cain just cobble together some new legs? He's a smart man. I believe in him. So that leaves us with reason number two:

They're Screwing With X Think about it for a second. We know that the X-Hunters wanted to use Zero's parts as bait, so that they would have a chance to fight X and potentially stop him from getting any further in taking out the mavericks. However, they could've easily done this with his arm parts instead of his head if they wanted to, right? But here's the thing: Serges is a mad scientist. Agile is a spy and strategist. Violen is... a regular jerk, I guess (I have no idea what his role on the team is). But the point is that these people know that X beating them is a possibility, and they are going to go out of their way to make it as hard as possible, simply because of who they are. They aren't dueling him for who gets custody rights over Zero out of the nonexistent kindness in their hearts, or in the name of fairness. Think of it like this: if you were an X-Hunter, what would be the easiest way to mess with the guy that's ruining all your plans, while also making his potential victory over you as painful as possible? The answer is simple. Give him the severed head of his best friend before running away. Not only could he not kill you, but he also gets a gruesome reminder of just how dead his bestie is. Oh, and be sure to tell him that this isn't the last he'll be seeing of you:

So, what can we gather from all this? What's the big takeaway? Here's what I think: Dr. Light may have built X to be a peacekeeper, but that doesn't mean he's a pushover. He's got some serious mental fortitude on him. Sure, he retires in between X6 and X7. But honestly? If it were me, I would've hit the bricks a while ago. As a matter of fact, I wouldn't have even gone out to the highway back in X1. I would've been trying to figure out how to get out of the country as fast as possible, just so I wouldn't have to deal with whatever the mavericks were up to that week. But X? He takes those mavericks out, no questions asked. He fights the same dude eight times (ten, if we count Sigma's appearances in the Xtreme titles). He even comes out of retirement, just because he gets inspired by how much Zero and the random kid he brought home care about helping people. And he does all this despite hating fighting more than anything else. And you know what? I can respect that. (This essay was partially inspired by this post.)

[angstics]

this post about lesbian divas rlly delighted me. it's fun to see this niche topic talked about and expanded on with lots of examples. soooo i compiled all the responses as of 21/09/23 10:30pm EST and put them in a spreadsheet. then ranked them by how much of a diva i consider them lol

first off, the general list. i found 152 unique responses in the replies, tags, and comments. some were only first names so i didnt bother researching into who the poster was talking about. images for ease of viewing:

second... what is a diva?? clarifying where im coming from is important to understand my upcoming opinions. i should make clear that im talking about DIVAS as in DIVA WORSHIP as in LIZA MINNELLI-BARBRA STREISAND-BETTE DAVIS-LADY GAGA etcetera. dykes can see these female celebs as divas as well, but what the original post touches on is the male diva.

this rthko ask explains the diva well. you should also take a look at scholarly articles and books -- divas have been a part of recorded gay culture and esp gay male culture and drag queen culture forever -- the term isnt concrete. rthko says that "there's no real formula" but lists these typical features of a diva:

larger than life -- glam, humor, charisma? would a drag queen impersonate them?

theatrical / proximity to theatre

sexy / horny -- rthko notes here that these arent requirements, citing liza's lack of sexual overtness

strength

niche -- can be popular but not a general crowd-pleaser

gay rights supporter -- before it was cool

now rthko is talking about female divas, even noting the blind spot for bi/lesbian fans and artists. i say you can apply the same features to male celebrities to identify the male divas dykes idolize. i should note that some of the ppl on the list are women or genderqueer. so the list is not entirely male.

another note: im putting so much emphasis on DIVAHOOD because it's SUCH a specific term. not all icons, "weird little guys", "blorbos" are divas. one thing rthko doesn't touch on is how a diva often has a strong sense of self that the devotee can identify and want to emulate -- at the xtreme, leads to drag art. if they dont inspire and amaze, then are they a diva?

lets get into part 3: which of these 152 people / concepts / groups are honest to god divas? you can argue they're all Icons to some extent (the bare minimum being having a lesbian fanbase) but do they have what rthko and i (and gay culture researchers) consider to be the features of a diva?

first thing i did identify those i both recognized and "saw divahood within". ended up with 44:

then i shrunk down the list even further to 18 (again, pure opinion):

then i ranked the 44 more methodically by mapping out the 7 features of the diva:

several important notes:

this ranking is not definite -- though i tried to be fair, considering the limits to what i know, it is subjective

i dont know the histories of some of these people, so i may be missing some things. an inverse example: i know far too much about gerard way, so i had a good idea of how he fit into each feature

some of these i couldnt decide whether i should check or not. al pacino i was esp worried about... couldnt justify checking those boxes the way i can for other people

either way, my findings yielded interesting results! 3 of the most commonly talked about singer-songwriters (bruce, bob, johnny) ranked low. this may indicate that there's other features to the male diva that arent specified or dont apply to females divas / gay male devotees. perhaps defined gender expression, or “voice for lesbians”, or something else.

all of the people with a score of 4 or more can be emulated. "sex" (meaning overt sexuality) is the least common feature, after "theatrical".

though anyone can be a diva to anyone, there's a certain "canon" of who is a diva in gay circles. liza barbra bette gaga. this messy qualitative approach is an attempt to figure that out for dyke divas. i would love to talk about it more.

[maxiesweetzieluvzie]

ALTERHUMANZ PLZ SHARE UR OPINIONZ AND/OR HELP!!!!!

So I just literally rn found out what Alterhumanz are, n after reading up n finding out some stuff... I'm like.... extremely sure am an Alterhuman... specifically a Polymorph.... but I hab sum qvestionz 2 ask straight from Alterhumanz instead of just googlin!!!!!!!! Just 2 make sure, cuz I rlly dont wanna b disrespektful....

4 contxt: For a long while I've been identifyin as a Genderfluid male-leaning femboy who was an Xtreme kinner (as like a public identity!!!), but some yearz ago I also found out I rlly feel like more than dat!!! So by myself, where no one else saw, I would identify n act in a Godly manner cuz it felt so right 2 identify as a God!!! But then othr dayz I felt more like animalistic, most frequentz I can only describe as like a bunny ghost (timid yet curious lil guy!!), reaper dog (aka like an anthro dog who's mostly void n fluid, very dark n gloomy, so I came 2 call them da reaper dog!) And some form of magical fox!!! There's lotsa othrz as well, but those r da most frequent animalz alongside sum otherz... then therez also sentient objectz, fictional charactrz, THERE'S SO MUCH!!!!!! But somehow Godliness/Xtreme power/supernaturality in sum form is always present as well, Xcept 4 a veri few formz... Long story short, I feel like a buncha different beingz AND NONE OF EM FEEL HUMAN!!!!! N IT FEELZ GOOD!!!!!!! IT FEELZ SO RIGHT!!!!!! Earlier I just thought 2 myself "I'm just an actor, so I like 2 get in2 specific rolez", but now dat I know the terming n I know itz a thing it just rlly feelz right,,,,,,

SO HERE R MY ACTUAL QVESTIONZ, plz I rlly wanna know from actual Alterhumanz on what y'all think/know as individualz!!!!

1. Can an Alterhuman be a single person, as in one being rather than multiple people in one body? So the one person is all the different identities and not different people?

2. Is there a limit to Alterhuman (specifially Polymorph) identities? Can they be anything that feels right? ARE they everything that feels right?

3. How do people who aren't Alterhuman react to Alterhumans? And are you in particular Alterhuman privately or publically? I'd love to hear some experiences, if you'd be comfortable.

4. If I am a Polymorph, how accepting is the community online? I'd love to hear experiences on this as well.

5. How do Alterhumans with, for example, the same identity / multiple same identities get along? This is mostly to kind of clear it up for me!

6. Is it normal to illustrate your own different identities, tag posts depending on what identity posted it, list your identities on your profile, ect?

7. What is it like communicating with people when Alterhuman? (again, specifically Polymorph or otherwise multiple identities!)

8. What are some things I should know about Alterhumans before I am 100% ready to start being open about it? Because currently I am 100% sure I'm a Polymorph, but I just want to know just in case.

9. Is it normal to have a 'public identity' for real life stuff if you're not ready to or don't want to make that stuff public in real life for reason or another?

10. If being a single person Polymorph is possible, do you remain aware of each different identity's/form's actions once they change as a Polymorph?

11. Are there things that are frowned upon/hated in the community, other than the very basic things everyone should shun? (Racism, sexism, ect.) And are there things that are encouraged/loved more than usual in the community?

Last, and most important...

12. Will y'all have me in the community?

TYSM 4 readin thiz post.... plz answer any qvestionz u have answrz 2, I rlly would luv 2 hear it all n neex 2 hear it 4 reassurance as well... plz have a wonderful day, and thank u again!!!!!!!

At da end of da day my identity is mine alone, but I just dunt wanna disrespekt any1!!!!! So thiz is all 4 dat... tysm!!!!

[sindirimba]

a bit ago @nevermindirah and i had a very serious scholarly discussion about who among kiki and matthias' film roles should kiss. it's kind of difficult because both of them have played a lot of people who truly Went Through It in a way not conducive to frivolous nonsense, but we gave it our best try. i made a chart:

now it's true that kiki has not yet played storm and matthias escaped playing batman, but if you believe you can do anything, imagination is the key etc.

we don't know dandelion (dandelion) yet but the music connection makes kissing paul (a bigger splash) obvious. he seems loyal(ish, author is dead etc) and he cries, what more could she ask for

nile & booker is obvious and inarguable. i can't remember why there's a (2) there. comics booker? dirah help.

we went with margaret (don't worry darling) and peter (brothers by blood) because he's large and there'd be some interesting class stuff to explore. probably.

ellie (chip n dale) and gene (our souls at night) are some of the more normal of this group (even accepting the chipmunks), we envisioned them watching tv together and presumably making out on the couch. jane fonda probably approves.

meeka (coming 2 america) and vincent (disorder) is obvious. lots of sexually tense brawling and pinning down and such. the physicality is compelling. highly erotic.

bessie (native son) and gabriel (far from the madding crowd) is wholly a 'who can we give to bessie to give her a nice pleasant time. gabriel as the soft sheep boy seemed like the clear option. now there is some culture/chronology clash but they can work it out i think. note the sheep which is a highly important aspect. also less sensical but we decided to have bessie and roman (the mustang) be besties because i'm not sure i remember why. but i think it's cute. bessie needs hugs and in this fanciful little universe roman is capable of giving slightly horse-scented hugs.

tish (if beale street could talk) and olivia (veracity) are out of the equation here due to being happily partnered and into women respectively but they are on this chart anyway because. just because. gigi (le fidèle) is here for similar reasons, being an Xtreme Wife Guy.

matthias has a more extensive filmography than kiki sadly so we kind of went a little off the deep end at this point. django (django) and andré (a little chaos) are NOT from the same time period but are nevertheless paired because they fit into generically historical wig time, and they'd both benefit from some sweaty weird clone sex. probably. don't question it. it's true that andre is also happily partnered but something something libertine free love french hedonism something something. idk.

roman and ali (rust and bone) form a fight club due to being remarkable examples of meat and who (would) benefit from throwing their bodies at other men. it doesn't need to be sexual but can be if desired. jacky (bullhead) needs an incredible amount of care so why not let him hang out with a literal saint, st peter (the way of the wind). neither dirah or i know much about this topic but we went on the assumption that a literal heavenly being might be able to help the tragically in need of help jacky. the second peter is there for humorous name reasons but also he's had a lot of family related trauma so he and jacky could maybe bond somehow. not really romantic but if they want to i'm not going to judge.

[lord-squiggletits]

Salty Ask List: 1, 5, 14, 22 ?

1.What OTPs in your fandom(s) do you just not get?

Dr/atc/het 100000%... I just don't understand what their chemistry is supposed to be together. It's partially ruined for me by Drift in MTMTE being an absolute mess of a character who got most of his planned plotlines cut or changed, and partially ruined by the fact Drift spends most of MTMTE straight up absent from the story, and then he and Ratchet meet up in Empire of Stone and come back during Dying of the Light and are just...together romantically now? I don't understand how they have any chemistry at all much less romantic lskdjflkds

I know a big one people talk about is "Ratchet saved Drift's life and then told him he believed in him" but... the way their meeting was written didn't come off as particularly romantic to me? Ratchet saved Drift the same way he's saved countless other addicts in the Dead End and then his parting words to Drift were to tell him to go to the Functionists so they could get him a job. Very "pull yourself up by the bootstraps" kind of advice that clearly didn't work since Drift stayed impoverished, his friend got killed by police brutality, he went into the underworld to be a hitman, etc etc. Like yeah in theory it's very romantic for an OTP's first meeting to be one of them saving the other's life and treating the impoverished person kindly for possibly the first time in their life. It's just that that moment in canon doesn't have romantic vibes to me at all, it's just a doctor-patient encounter in which Ratchet is nice to Drift like he's nice to everyone, except it's also kind of condescending/ignorant bc Ratchet basically tells Drift "oh just get a job and get clean and you'll be fine" as if it's that easy to stop being a homeless/jobless drug addict?? If an ER doctor did that shit to me I'd be more likely to see him as an asshole than to admire or like him at all sdklfjsd.

Then Drift was a Decepticon for millions of years, then he joined the Autobots on Earth and like... he and Ratchet sure existed on the same team together dlkfjldsjlkds there were zero interactions of worth b/t them in phase 1, their ship dynamic came entirely from JRO's writing and even then I feel like it's an informed romance more than an organic and believable one.

5. Has fandom ever ruined a pairing for you?

I actually used to like O/Pli/ta when I first came here, but as I stayed longer it became evident that the overwhelming majority of the fan content of it reeks of "we are very sorry for having a heterosexual ship, let us compensate for it by making the woman a Girlboss Xtreme and the man a weak simp so that you can be sure the woman isn't being Oppressed and Stereotyped by being in a heterosexual romantic relationship" which is one of my most detested types of fan content, so now I have the ship tag blocked sldkfjlsdkdskl. Literally it's just the same "the woman is a TOTALLY COMPETENT AND COOL ACTION HERO and her man is a TOTAL SIMP FOR HER" that's interchangeable with most het ships in other fandoms, where there's no actual personality or chemistry for them and instead it's just the same Fandom Approved Heterosexual Relationship Dynamic.

That and a significant amount of content I see for it is just like blatantly ripped off from Me/go/p dslkfjsdfsjl or like, taking the main MOP dynamic and just swapping OP and Elita's places so now Elita is the cool action hero who's rival to Megatron and OP just Exists as an emotional support husband I guess. Or like Elita is made into a daring action hero while Optimus is reduced to a meek little wallflower who's no one of any real importance and just follows in her wake. It reeks of insecurity and unoriginality, as if the fanbase is cripplingly aware that Elita was made to be the Token Girlfriend and instead of just making her a better character and making the romance she's a part of more equal and compelling for both characters, they have to violently overcompensate by having Elita steal OP's role and everything interesting about him. 😂Like I'm begging people to just be normal about hetero ships. You can ship a man and a woman together without having to diminish the man and girlbossify the woman to prove you're a Real Feminist.

14. Unpopular opinion about your fandom?

Continuity soup is boring and for the most parts creates purely fanon plots/ideas/characterizations that have tenuous relationships to actual canon. It's nice that people have the creativity to make their own AUs, but I also want to read about the actual continuity in question and not someone's mishmash of it.

Like UGH when I read a fic tagged IDW1 I want to see cop Orion not archivist or dockworker Orion. When I read a fic tagged IDW1 I want to read about the Senate led by Proteus and the reigns of Nova/Nominus/Sentinel/Zeta, not about the Council from TFP. When I read a fic tagged IDW1 MegOP I want Orion being a simp for Megatron after reading his stuff/meeting him one (1) time sdkflsdkf not yet another iteration of the tired "one day an archivist and a gladiator became great friends! then they broke up."

It's not hate for other continuities, I'm just tired of the fact that continuity soup is so prevalent that even when I'm specifically filtering for content of the one continuity I want to read about, the fics I find keep having random shit from other continuities interjected into it. I think each continuity has really interesting takes on lore that have potential to be wholly unique for each one, so it's really frustrating when the average fic I can find is just a random mishmash of continuity elements, or more often than not just an IDW knockoff taking place in a separate continuity. Like guys, I'm an IDW stan myself, but wouldn't it be cool if we got more fics that explored ideas that only happen in G1, or only happen in Animated, or Aligned, etc?

Doesn't help that when I AM looking specifically for IDW stuff, most of the content I look at (MOP) does continuity soup for the sake of replacing IDW OP with some sort of aligned/g1 lite OP which makes me salty as hell

22. Popular character you hate?

Drift for sure sdklfsdlk. I mean when I first read about him in the comics (the Drift miniseries) I was like, he's fine I guess he's an action hero whatever. But then literally the more of the comics I read the more his personality and story were just incredibly corny, stereotypical, or boring as hell no matter what writer was controlling him. And he got bounced around between writers a lot, and then even the "main author" people know Drift from (JRO) kept changing his plans for what Drift was supposed to be (and cutting plots related to him) so any hints towards a storyline went nowhere. And then Drift spent basically all of MTMTE gone elsewhere on some exile-adventure, and then during LL he just kind of. Is there, existing.

So like, honestly Drift is a victim of getting bounced back and forth and having his writing changed so often he doesn't reach his full potential, which isn't really "his fault" as a character. It just so happens that I also think the bits of his character that exist are either boring or overhyped or in one case (portrayal of his religion/religious worldbuilding in general) outright offensive. He's basically written like some hippie stereotype with vaguely Asian/Japanese flavoring (the extent of which is basically his name + fighting style) and then he barely like... does anything in the plot? I think he's supposed to be like, ~mysterious and shifty~ but then all of the plotlines that involved him being a secret traitor got cut, so Drift basically just became Weirdly Suspicious For No Reason and his genuine personality/motivations felt indistinguishable from what he was faking and what plots got cut from him. Absolute mess of a character that got almost no payoff for any of the things planned for him, and all that's left is some kooky hippie personality of "hee hoo I believe in auras and mystical vibes and magical colors, also I'm dating an atheist who's openly dismissive of most of my religious beliefs (that I do or don't actually believe in depending on what part of the story I'm in) and this somehow doesn't get in the way of our personal/romantic chemistry

But then the fanbase are basically making him some kind of Gary Stue, obsessed with making headcanons like "Deadlock wrote/edited Megatron's speeches for him too!" and "Drift defected from the Decepticons to try and make a point to Megatron!" and generally trying to make him the Decepticons' Specialest Boy Ever and it's just. Ugh I get that he was under-written in canon, but every bit of fanon I've encountered doesn't make him interesting either. They just kind of make Drift the center of the world where he's actually the coolest, most talented and interesting person ever where other characters owe their accomplishments partially to his influence and I'm just. I don't get it, I don't understand the appeal of fanon and I don't even understand the appeal of canon either. I think part of it is for representation reasons (e.g. Asian, lower class, former drug addict) and it's nice that people can pull something meaningful out of the mess that is canon. It's just for me, canon Drift is so mediocre I don't get why anyone would even WANT him as representation sdlkfjsdlkf. I guess fixing what the writers failed to explore the potential of is an understandable motivation though.

[cookieblobber]

what the fuck | Y Pokémon Legends Z-A is an Xtremely Important Game

how

HOWWWWWW

EVERYONE THOUGHT THIS WASN'T EVER GONNA HAPPEN...THE FRANCHISE MOVED ON SO QUICKLY FROM GEN 6, XZ AND YZ WAS ALLEGEDLY CANNED WHEN 3 YEARS PASSED, ZYGARDE WAS SO HAPHAZARDLY FORCED INTO SUN AND MOON

WHAT DO YOU MEAN POKEMON Z IS A REAL TITLE????? IT WAS SUPPOSED TO BE JUST A LEGEND (haha see what i did there), A PLAYGROUND RUMOR, LIKE POKEMON WATERBLUE, POKEMON GRAY, POKEMON DELTA EMERALD....ARE WE NOW GETTING SUPER MARIO 64 2 WITH A PLAYABLE LUIGI???? IS SONIC AVAILABLE IN SMASH MELEE NOW??????? IS MEW ABLE TO BE FOUND UNDER THE TRUCK???????

ALL THE RECENT RUMORS DEBATED ON GEN 2 OR GEN 5 REMAKES HAPPENING, SV DLC HINTED AT GEN 5, THE PRESENTATION THAT HAPPENED TODAY HINTED AT GEN 2, HOW WAS THIS NOT LEAKED PRIOR?!?!???!!?!?!?!!?!? AND IT'S A LEGENDS ENTRY!?!?!??!!?!?!?!??!?!?!?

----------------------------------------

The fabled Pokémon Z

Backstory: After BW2 was made, Game Freak had to start working on X and Y. X and Y was the first mainline Pokémon games to fully be in 3D, but it also came with the cost of a potential "definitive version" not being possible. Now, I'm not too familiar with what Pokemon would do after Gen 4 (not cuz I wasn't interested, I just never had the money to keep up with this franchise fully), but from my knowledge over the years (and watching a bit of DYKG), there were plans for a "definitive version" being like Black and White's, where it's not just only an expansion of the two games, but it changes the story and characters so much that it's practically a sequel to the story that was already made.

They wanted to do similar with X and Y for this fabled "Z Version" possibly titled Pokemon XZ and YZ. Of course though, it never happened. What remains are the fact the anime calls itself “Pokémon XYZ” and having episodes involving Zygarde, the fact Zygarde and it’s whole ordeal got shifted into Sun and Moon, and two random new X and Y games hidden in the source code of X and Y. They would eventually get to do it again with Sun and Moon ala Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon, the DLCs for SWSH and SV would serve more as epilogues of the stories that came along (less full experiences worthy of being sequels and more so add-ons to the initial games), and that’s about it. X and Y…left in the dust, no expansion or anything….until now.

———————————————

Pokémon Legends - Awkward Position

Pokémon Legends was introduced with Pokémon Legends Arceus, and it looked to be the massive change up the franchise was desperately needing after how lackluster SWSH felt, showing that Game Freak does want to actually do greater things and take advantage of this new hardware (contrary to a lot of popular belief). Many agreed it was a little rough in some areas but, that barely mattered when the game just felt so refreshing and fun to play. A lot of worries still were afoot with this franchise, mainly if it will truly pave the wave for a new way to enjoy Pokémon.

Legends Arceus released on January, a month after the Diamond and Pearl remakes, which those games were clearly saved for holiday releases (and we all know holiday releases mean easy money from parents wanting to get gifts), so theoretically a lot of people into Pokémon or wanting to get a new Pokémon game for their child probably would’ve spent some money already on BDSP in time for Christmas. The game would also then…basically be forgotten as it would receive its last update next month and on top of that, the new generation of Pokémon was revealed for this holiday year (not to mention since both games were huge projects developed by Game Freak and BDSP was from ILCA, it only put the quality of SV into question).

You can guess after the release of SV, it made many skeptical about what’s next for the franchise. While SV offered some great ideas, Legends Arceus felt like it was truly a brand new foundation to look into for the franchise going forward, and it seemed like it did really well for what it was. As of right now it’s reached 14M sales, to put that into perspective: SWSH made 25M, theoretically both versions making around 12.5 each, so Legends Arceus may have made just as much, if not more, sales than a version exclusive title, which really shows how hyped people were to see what this game had to offer. So suddenly having the franchise move on from it, almost as if they weren’t confident in the game to begin with, it seemed a bit worrying.

Until now

————————————————

Pokémon Legends FUCKING Z-A

this is a real title. It is insane they pulled a Metroid and just revived a well known canceled name to make something completely new out of. I think what’s most wild is how not a single rumor or alleged insider ever hinted at this being a possibility, it was either claims of Gen 2 remakes ala Let’s Go style, or Gen 5 remakes because obligatory remakes of games from half of whatever generations we have now ago. I mean Gen 9 hinted at constant relations with Unova, especially in the game’s DLC iirc. And as we all saw, they kept teasing constant Gen 2 Pokémon and events in the Pokémon Presents, all to just throw a massive curve ball and introduce Gen 6. All those jokes about Paldea being based of Spain, being near France (which Kalos is based on) implying Gen 6 remakes were coming were just suddenly true I guess??? It’s almost as if within the team behind all this they made up the idea of Gen 2/5 remakes just to mess with potential leakers.

Now, confession: …I have yet to still play Legends Arceus. Again, not because I don’t want to, I just don’t have the money, so take some knowledge on gameplay and the like with a grain of salt if brought up 🥲. However, I am certain there’s still plenty of other stuff to bring up in other ways, starting with: What kinda game is this?

Many assumed if Legends was ever going to be a series, it was supposed to involve exploring past of a region. Many people making their “Legends Celebi” or “Legends Kyreum” mock-ups would believe it would give us an interesting look in what Johto/Unova respectively used to look like back then. Makes sense since speaking of legends as a word usually involves the past, what was widely believed long ago and the like. However, nothing about the trailer of Z seemed to imply this is supposed to be the ye olden days of Kalos, it all looks more like our times.

I think Tahko put it the best

They’re essentially remixing these games old themes in a fascinating new way. Usually when we see the inevitable Pokémon remakes every 2 generations, they’re obviously made with the intention to port an old almost barely accessible game to modern consoles (When Gen 3 came out, you couldn’t trade Gen 1/2 Pokémon. When Gen 4 came out, you couldn’t play GameBoy games in DS so you couldn’t migrate Pokémon with the GBA slot. When Gen 6 came out, GBA Pokémon games were not playable on 3DS). They have their own merits and reason to exist, they’re usually sorta reimaginings of these older experiences with a modern take on them with new features and such, and honestly that’s all they need to be: familiar, yet still new enough to be worth experiencing all over again.

These Legends games on the other hand seem to be attempts at revisiting these old regions and themes but put them in a completely new perspective/world and having a bigger focus on a possible legendary Pokémon that didn’t get enough time to shine. The reason why Pokémon Legends Arceus was all about time travel and the past wasn’t because “Legends means past,” rather Gen 4 had themes of time and space, so ofc it makes sense for this game based on Gen 4’s region to have a plot line involving well, time and space. Similar to how Pokémon Mystery Dungeon Explorers, the PMD games that came out in Gen 4, were about time traveling and saving the future and the fabric of space and shit, Legends Arceus follows suite and is supposed to be viewed as if it’s an entry to the Gen 4 titles. Honestly, this is a really great thing, as while it’s nice to explore the lore or history of these different locations, it could get a little boring and possibility limiting if every Legends games was solely about Pokémon history and the like. It’s a concept worth revisiting sometimes, but not as the defining identity of the Legends series.

————————————————

The themes of Gen 6 seem to have a focus on Life and Death. It’s not easy right now to determine how exactly these concepts will be involved for Z, but seeing how this game will take place entirely within a massive more in-depth version of Lumiose City, the best I can assume is how there will be more focus in the lives of Pokémon in a more domesticated setting ala Ryme City from the Detective Pikachu series; the polar opposite to being out in the wild and seeing how feral and savage Pokémon can act towards humans back in Legends Arceus. The death side…is unknown, maybe I need to play the X and Y games to get a better idea 💀

Ah yes, I forgot, it was announced the main setting will be Lumiose City

And as shown in the trailer…it is definitely way larger than what X and Y initially had.

I’ve seen some people feel a little worried that this game will take place solely in this one city, as Pokémon is well known for having to travel setting to setting, and being stuck in one city could maybe make things feel boring with little variety in environment. But, if games like GTA and Yakuza can be city games so well beloved by many, I don’t think it’d be hard to pull off making a really compelling environment with just one city for Pokémon, it just needs to have interesting and varied landmarks, which shouldn’t be any different from practically any other Pokémon game ever, it’s just making a whole new region but surrounded constantly under this one city.

Again look at Detective Pikachu, specifically the movie, it’s whole setting was based on this one city, a lot of the plot was able to take off by exploring this city, and the climax and final battle took place in the city. I feel like they can really pull it off if they play their cards right and just make Lumiose this wonderful bustling town, and plus I’m sure there will be some parts of the region that will still offer open wild areas to find Pokémon and the like. Hell, the Pokémon themselves might carry everything if they make some really adorable or fun interactions, seeing them just living a calm lives with their trainers/human partners.

Again, a lot of this is still hard to discuss since we’re going off of simple city and title reveals, so we’ll have to further wait and see what else is planned here.

———————————————

There’s been claims too that they’re completely skipping over Gen 5 in the remake department, since again it seemed like it made the most sense to make Gen 5 remakes now due to SV hinting connections with it, but…….nah bro 💀. Everyone was out here sighing relief that they’re not gonna have ILCA butcher the Gen 5 games when, they’re probably just being saved for Gen 10 since again, this happens every 2 generations (minus the Gen 1 remakes).

To be honest though, even if ILCA is brought back for it or they once again don’t really attempt to make these Gen 5 remakes take advantage of new console hardware, like they don’t turn Unova into an entirely different region with open world setting and want to stay as close as possible to the original game’s layout and all…personally I wouldn’t mind it. Ever since the jump to home console, expectations and products of the mainline games have evolved significantly, they’re WAYYYY different from what Pokémon games actually looked like. At least back on the 3DS, games were still relatively linear, so being able to remake RSE in the way it is with the XY engine didn’t seem to out of place, it didn’t risk a whole lot. We now have more focus on open zone/world and shit, while something like Diamond and Pearl was more tile/grid based and really limiting; imo trying to remake DPPT in this sorta open zone type deal that the SWSH engine offered would’ve possibly compromised part of DPPT’s identity, some might argue that DPPT being compact and linear is what makes it enjoyable. Now, this isn’t to say BDSP was a massively faithful remake, it’s considered to be worse than the original games in many ways and a lot of it felt like they went way too far in trying to be “faithful” to the source material, they could’ve easily just made the game akin to Let’s Go Pikachu and Eevee. But again, some fans would’ve still been disappointed that it doesn’t seem like Gen 4 is getting some proper treatment in using the hardware and play style that the recent title now had to offer.

This is where the Legends series comes in, where one series of games can continue being considered faithful to what they’re based on, while the other can just do whatever the fuck they want with old material while also using what current hardware is capable of. BDSP and Legends Arceus were a great showcase of this sorta decision making, do you want the game that you easily recognize the moment you boot up (something more simple in power)? Or do you want the game that uses stuff you remember in whole new ways that it’s practically a completely new game (something that takes advantage of what kinds of games are possible now)? The same sorta deal might happen with the Gen 5 remakes.

Plus, I don’t think Black and White’s whole look can even be ruined, like I really think it’s impossible. BW aged pretty well due to its usage of 3D environments and camera angles and the like, so if this next faithful remake were just basically port the game and upscale the graphics and all, it would still look really great, if not better upon getting to see these 3D environments in HD. With the game already look great visually form the get-go, people won’t really have much problem with how the game looks as a lot of the 3D world environment would already be done for them. Does that make sense?

As for Gen 2 remakes ala Let’s Go Pichu and Togepi or whatever……………nah……nah that shit ain’t happening 💀

Let’s Go was made as a way for new fans from Pokémon GO (which came out a year prior and was widely successful) to be able to get into the rest of the franchise, with the Switch finally being out, it was a brand new beginning for a lot of fans. And ofc, it used Kanto cuz that’s what most people remember Pokémon for. I’m not sure what the point of Gen 2 remakes of the same style would be for, and as far as I know there isn’t much reason for Gen 2 to be relevant at the moment outside of certain Johto Pokémon making a somewhat noticeable appearance in the recent SV games. Sure, it could be argued it’s just like what I said earlier, it’s done to make these games that are not at all playable on a current console more available, but the usual remakes just seem like tradition at this point, Let’s Go remakes is still unknown if they’re necessary. Especially since yk…we have that one new feature of the Switch that allows us to play old retro games, and they’ve been allowing GB/GBC/GBA games to be playable as well……I’m just saying they could easily just work on there instead…

—————————————————————————

With all that being said, why Gen 6? Besides I guess Kalos being next to Paldea according to their real world counterparts, there hasn’t been much brought up about Gen 6 lately. Just like Gen 2, it hasn’t had much relevance, and it’s not the next generation that needs a remake compared to Gen 5.

How I see it, I think it’s less about monetary business reasons/series synergy or tradition or whatever, and more of a symbolic reason.

Gen 6 felt like a missed opportunity according to many people. Now, sure you could say that for a lot of recent Pokémon games, but like I said earlier, at least they had their opportunities to expand their stories and lore and such. Gen 6…did not get that special treatment. It was the first 3D Pokémon game and it set some stuff up for possible expansion in the usual third version or sequel games, only for time constraints to get in the way. Hell, some people consider Gen 6 to be where Pokémon started to have its downfall, the whole “[franchise] had a rough transition into 3D”, due to the game lacking features and the like that Gen 5 had in spades, or being the start of showing how flawed the franchise is and how it’s starting to fumble trying to manage itself. Having to make brand new games with a whole new region, new set of designs, new gimmicks, everything that will be the identity of the franchise for the next 3 years, until they start over again? This plan was not started to seem viable anymore, especially when Gen 8 rolled around. And as of lately you see people stupidly suggesting Pokémon needs to return to 2D and only stay as a 2D franchise, cuz that’s totally a great mindset for a franchise.

To me, this is Game Freak feeling confident that they can manage this, they have more experience in how they want to create these titles with this new home console hardware and massive expectations. Gen 6 was the game that started a new era for Pokémon, it only makes sense to use that era defining title to prove this new formula of Pokémon is indeed a new series to dive into now, one that shows off what they’re capable of now that they’re not held back by being on portable consoles for another 20 years. This is them giving a game that deserved more attention a new look and the expansion it deserved, possibly a way bigger one than any other generations that came after.

Seeing how this game is being saved for 2025 (presumably for the Switch 2 or whatever), if this truly is being worked on for another year and a half, being saved for the next holiday season maybe, then I think this means the franchise is finally starting to slow down and take it’s time. However, only time will tell what’s in store for the franchise.

[siphersaysstuff]

so I was musing in chat about the silliness of the BAH GAWD THAT'S STEVE AUSTIN'S MUSIC gimmick in pro wrassling, how the mechanics of it make zero sense (are they sending text messages to the sound booth? Are there people paid simply to see if a wrassler is approaching the ring and they text the sound booth? Do the wrasslers just manifest music all on their own?) and yet, and yet, it is such a fucking great gimmick and an unbelievable hype-producer that it took me until... today to even realize how little "real world" sense it made, that it slid right into the absurd hyper-reality of kayfabe so neatly, so cleanly, that not only did I never question it, I NEVER WANT IT EXPLAINED. That would be the one of the worst things wrassling could self-inflict on itself.

And then I was introduced to possibly one of the best examples of this fantastic stupidity and amazingly wonderful unreality... AEW's "Timeless" Toni Storm.

motha

fuckin

silent film star character gimmick

in 20fuckin23

I ain't gonna pretend pro wrasslin' hasn't been... problematic, to put it way too politely, the 90s were especially dire, XTREMEly dire, really vile shit, but like

When it lets loose, when it doesn't get all self-important and up its own testosterone-tightened ass, when it embraces the unreality and plays to those strengths to just have fun of these cartoon characters of human beings walloping each other in this bizarre pocket universe where our laws, be they scientific or societal, do not apply...

Wrasslin' can be really good.

[colonelcrusto]

Ring of Horror: Rosemary

Hailing from the Valley of Shadows (Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada) is Holly Letkeman. Better known today by the monstrous moniker of Rosemary. Okay, maybe it's not the most menacing or imposing of names, but Rosemary herself is both those things and more. Plus, Rosemary's Baby—A classic horror flick directed by convicted statutory rapist Roman Polanski so there's a spooky connection to the name. Getting her start in the business in 2008, Letkenman was trained by three Canadian greats, Johnny Divine, Tyson Dux, and Coach Scott D'Amore. She'd work her first match on January 30th, 2008, at a Prime Time Wrestling event in Belleville, Michigan, featuring heavy cross-promotion with the Insane Clown Pose's wrestling promotion, Juggalo Championship Wrestling.

In March, Letkeman took the ring name PJ Tyler, inspired by Aerosmith frontman Steven Tyler and possibly Aerosmith guitarist Joe Perry, and began performing across the Canadian Indies, frequently appearing for Scott D'Amore's Border City Wrestling. By her second year, PJ Tyler could be regularly seen on Pro Wrestling Xtreme and Great Canadian Wrestling shows.—It was in the latter promotion that Tyler picked up her first championship, winning the GCW WILD Champion in a tournament. PJ Tyler's run lasted 117 days before dropping it to some random dude named Anthony Darko. Info on the title change and Darko's run with the belt is .—And not really all that important. Near the end of 2010, Tyler switched up her ring name, dropping the PJ and the Tyler in favor of a Courtney and a Rush.

Courtney Rush didn't slow down, working feverishly across various indies North of the border and somewhat dipping her toe into the United States indie scene, mainly for SHIMMER Women Athletes' taping in Chicago, Il. She'd end up signed to Impact Wrestling in 2016. But before that, Courtney Rush dominated Canadian wrestling, amassing quite a collection of championships, including an 833-day regin with the Acclaim Pro Wrestling Woman's championship, among other not-as-lengthy but still pretty lengthy title runs.

On her own, Courtney Rush was bound to make it. She had all the tools needed to succeed in the industry. It was just a matter of time before Courtney Rush was signed with someone. Unfortunately or fortunately—depending on your perspective—Courtney Rush went, and doggone got herself possessed. Possessed by a demon assassin. Rosemary.

Track 10 off Marilyn Manson's fourth studio album, Holy Wood (In the Shadow of the Valley of Death), filled the Impact Zone on January 26th as Rosemary took the stage. Painted up like some kinda demonic, demented haunted house performer, smudges and smears specked her arms and legs, not a look wrestling fans were accustomed to. She delivered a terrible, nonsensical promo to the Wolves (Eddie Edwards and Davey Richards), who stood in the ring. Fellow Canadian Crazy Steve and fellow monster Abyss joined Rosemary on stage, officially coming together as Decay. The trio attacked the Wolves—Stealing their Tag Team titles in the process. Decay would legitimately hold the titles in March after defeating Beer Money Inc. (Bobby Roode and James Storm) at Sacrifice.—Early in the same show, Rosemary scored a shenanigans-filled win over wrestling legend Gail Gim. In October, Rosemary would get some gold of her own. Winning the vacant TNA Knockouts World Championship in a Six-Sides of Steel match against Jade.

A respectable 266 days with the strap ended with Rosemary dropping the belt in a title vs. title unification match with Global Force Wrestling Women's Champions Sienna (Allysin Kay) at Slammiversary XV. In the weeks leading up to the event, Rosemary turned Face, claiming The Hive had sent her to protect Allie, first saving her from a beatdown from Sienna and Laurel Van Ness. What The Hive exactly is is not entirely clear. It seems to be more of an idea. Or perhaps it's an ageless being from beyond the stars that is psychically and spiritually linked to the being known as Rosemary.

A feud with the debuting Taya Valkyrie would end before it started, thanks to personal issues on Valkyrie's part. Rosemary reentered the title hunt, failing to regain the yet-again vacant Knockouts title in a tournament. The feud with Taya Valkyrie picked right back up once Valkyrie returned. Their short-lived angle concluded in a fancily named hardcore match (A Demon's Dance Match.) No longer preoccupied with the title or Taya, Rosemary could again focus on protecting her pal Allie.

And help, Allie needed. Su Yung had her sights set on ending Allie. On the April 26th, 2018, edition of Impact, Yung, along with a legion of Undead Bridesmaids, attacked Allie, attempting to put her in a coffin.—An attempt stopped by Rosemary. If you're a fan of horror and wrestling, then this is the feud for you. The demonic Rosemary protecting the sweet, innocent Allie from the evil undead bride Su Yung—Chef's kiss. Big, sloppy, chef's kiss. An injury Rosemary sustained at an indie show facilitated her needing to be written off TV a week after the start of the angle. The May 3rd Impact featured a match between Rosemary and Su Yung. At least it was meant to. Before the bell, the women broke into a brawl on the ramp. Yung summed her Undead Bridesmaids, who with them brought a casket. Allie was there too, trying to assist her best friend, Rosemary. It didn't go so well. Allie was forced to watch as Su Yung dumped Rosemary into the casket, sealing her inside.

A lot happened while Rosemary healed up. Allie went, and doggone got herself possessed, turning Heel and aligning with former rival Su Yung. Allie (now going by Dark Allie) and Su Yung teamed up to defeat Jordynne Grace and Kiera Hogan (No relation to former singer/reality star Brooke Hogan) at the January 2019 Homecoming. Rosemary returned that night, saving Kira Hogan from a post-match beatdown and reigniting the storyline with Allie and Su Yung. Rosemary worked to free Allie from the demonic hold that had taken over her. Along with Kira Hogan, at March's Against All Odds event, Rosemary dragged Allie with her into the Undead Realm in hopes of retrieving her friend's soul. -- Rosemary failed to save the soul of Allie, losing her friend forever.

Rosemary's revenge came in May when she laid out Su Yung in a Demon Collar Match (Dog Collar Match) where the ladies worked smart rather than hard. It's not a terrible match. But it does lack the violence and aggression you'd want from such a heated blood feud between two unholy hell beings. Instead of using the chain to brutalize one another, they find creative ways to incorporate its use. Choking spots. Tripping and tangling each other up. Dragging and pulling each other around the ring. It all works. Just would've worked better in a different match with different wrestlers. These two should've been trying to kill each other. They should have bled and broke to finish off this feud. Though Rosemary did take Su Yung prisoner.

Rosemary kept her captive close, having Su Yung accompany her to the ring over the next few weeks until Father James Mitchell had Havok free Yung while attacking Rosemary during a non-title match with Taya Valkyrie. Rosemary continued her unsuccessful pursuit of the Knockouts Title while simultaneously battling James Mitchell, Havok, and Su Yung. The entire saga came to a head with James Mitchell banishing Havok and Yung to the Undead Wasteland and Rosemary rescuing them.

TNA/Impact Wrestling has always been a wee bit silly. But Wrestle House was the undisputed peak of Impact/TNA buffoonery. A goofy Big Brother/Real World-style reality show, except with a vaguely supernatural twist. They can't leave the house, possibly due to a curse from Rosemary. The whole thing was madness. Ridiculous fun to be enjoyed by all but a few wrestling fans with a penchant for brightly colored suits, Southern idioms, and tennis rackets. It might not have been "Real Wrestling," but it was stupid, creative, and different, which is always appreciated. Her time in Wrestle House led Rosemary to form a brief team with former enemy Taya Valkyrie.

The team of Rosemary and Valkyrie competed in a tournament for the Impact Knockouts Tag Team Titles. They lost and stopped teaming after. She wasn't single long. Disbanding her team with Valkyrie in December and getting back with one of her exes by January. Ex-partner, that is, and it was Crazy Steve whom she got back together, reforming Decay—Sans Aybss; in his sted, the group added Luchador Black Taurus and former Rosemary foe-turned-friend Havok. When it comes to the story of Rosemary, it is hard not to be reminded of the famous quote: "Do I not destroy my enemies by making them my friends?" Time after time, rivals become allies.

With Havoc, Rosemary would have her first run with the Impact Knockouts Tag Team Championship. The iconic team of The IInspiration (Cassie Lee and Jessica McKay) took the belts from Decay after 98 days. Rosemary floated around the Knockout Tag and Knockout Women's Championship scenes for a few months with no success. Havok abandoned Rosemary in June, leaving her without a partner to face the Knockouts Tag Team Champions—No longer The IInspiration but now The Influence (Madison Rayne & Tenille Dashwood). However, as fate would have it, an old frenemy was back to get Rosemary's back. Taya Valkyrie. Valkyrie partnered with Rosemary for a title match at Slammiversary. That night, Rosemary became a two-time Impact Knockouts Tag Team Champion. In addition to aiding Rosemary in getting back the belts, Valkyrie joined Rosemary in her quest to find and bring back Havoc.

In the Undead Realm, Rosemary and Valkyrie found a different… Maybe unpossessed Havoc, going by the name Jessicka. Eventually, the trio took the name the Death Dollz, defending the belts under the Freebird Rule.—A rule allowing any two members of a larger team to defend the belts. Possibly made most famous by supergroup, the Spirit Squad, a quintet of male cheerleaders made up of five young men who at one time had dreams of being "serious" pro wrestlers but ultimately just got drenched in poo.

Between 2022 and 2023, the Death Dollz held the belts twice. Losing their titles first to VXT (Chelsea Green & Deonna Purrazzo) before getting them back 56 days later. The Coven (KiLynn King & Taylor Wilde) ended reign two for the Dollz. -- In the wake of this loss, Rosemary returned to the Undead Realm to retrieve her former partner, leaving her current partner, Jessicka, to wait. Rosemary wouldn't return.

At the Under Siege pre-show from London, not that one, the Ontario, Canada one, The Coven faced the Death Dollz in a non-title match. Jessicka's partner was a surprise return. Not Rosemary, but rather, for the first time in some seven years, Courtney Rush—Free of Rosemary's demonic possession. Rush and Jessicka carried on as the Death Dollz until the demise of Impact Wrestling at the end of 2023.

A brief history of TNA/Impact Wrestling. Founded by J, E, double F, J, A, double R, E, double T, and his father, Jerry Jarrett, in the long, long ago of 2002. That same year, Panda Energy International purchased a controlling share of the promotion, appointing Dixie Carter (the daughter of the company's owner) president. Smashing Pumpkin's frontman and full-grown man-baby, Billy Corgan, thought he bought the company. He didn't. In 2017, Anthem Sports & Entertainment acquired TNA Wrestling, rebranding the promotion as Impact Wrestling. Anthem rebranded again in 2024, reverting to TNA Wrestling. Rebranverting? (That's a word, right?—If you use your imagination.)

The Rebranverting didn't stop with the promotion's name. The Death Dollz also got an all-new-old look. Rosemary was back with Havoc by her side as Decay, returning to become TNA Knockouts World Tag Team Champions at the rebrandverted TNA relaunch event, Hard To Kill. And for the most part, that's the road so far. There's so much more to the Rosemary story. Years of television, interwinding character arks, and continuity rarely seen in the weird, wacky, and wild world of wrestling make it something special and worth the time.

Holly Letkeman and everything she's created within TNA/Impact/TNA (Again) has continuously been a diamond in the rough. Horror or humor, she delivers. Rosemary and her host vessel, Courtney Rush, deserve to be known. Their story to be heard. You could say it's a shame Rosemary has had to spend so much time trapped in the endless purgatory of TNA/Impact.—On the other hand, WWE never would've leaned into the spooky absurdity of Rosemary's world. More people would've seen her and her story. But it wouldn't have been as good. It wouldn't have been nearly as good. No, Rosemary is right where she should be. And it's on us to find her. To join The Hive.

[c4lance]

Underrated Beyblade X Combo: Wizard Rod 1-60 Gear Needle

This innovative Wizard Rod 1-60 Gear Needle build is a fantastic example of finding synergy in unconventional setups within Beyblade X's competitive scene. Here’s a breakdown of why this unique combination works so well:

Key Components of the Build

Blade: Wizard Rod

Strengths: Known for its high weight and stamina, Wizard Rod is one of the most durable and stable options available. Its circular, five-sided design with slight bumps enhances its defensive and stamina qualities, making it resistant to bursts and KOs.

Attack VS Attack (AVA) Performance: Outlasts opponents by leveraging its weight and stamina, especially on parts like Rush, Point, and Taper.

Stamina and Defense: On defensive setups, Wizard Rod becomes even harder to KO. While it may be vulnerable on Ball setups, it shines with the Hexa bit and strong tilt launches, making it a reliable pick for stamina victories in most battles.

Ratchet: 1-60

Low Height: As one of the lowest Ratchets available, it allows for an aggressive stance, ideal for attack setups.

Single Contact Point: The 1-60 Ratchet’s design enables a single impactful hit, adding to its effectiveness in attack-focused builds. This ratchet is perfect for players looking to maintain a strong offensive edge while resisting KOs in high-intensity scenarios.

Bit: Gear Needle

Counter Movement and Xtreme Dash: Gear Needle’s design excels in counterattacks, using its gear shape to stabilize while navigating the Xtreme Line. When launched correctly, it uses the Xtreme Dash to gain speed and create counter-movements, destabilizing opponents.

Stability: Although it has low burst resistance, Gear Needle’s unique shape and Xtreme Dash capability allow for better control and stamina against aggressive opponents, and its resistance to wobbling makes it stand out from options like Needle or High Needle.

Risk of KO: The shape of Gear Needle does increase KO susceptibility, making it important to master precise launching techniques to prevent knockouts.

Build Synergy and Game Plan

The Wizard Rod 1-60 Gear Needle combination provides remarkable balance:

Stamina and Defense: Wizard Rod’s weight and the low height of the 1-60 Ratchet provide stability, while Gear Needle’s unique movement pattern destabilizes opponents, making it well-rounded against stamina and attack types alike.

Burst Resistance: The weight distribution of Wizard Rod and the tight single-contact-point Ratchet in 1-60 minimize self-KO and burst risks, effectively countering the lower burst resistance of Gear Needle.

Optimal Launch Strategy: Use a strong, hard launch with a slight tilt angle to maximize Gear Needle’s counter movements, aiming for consistent Xtreme Dashes to outmaneuver and wear down opponents. This setup benefits from angled and aggressive launches, taking advantage of both stability and speed to secure stadium control.

Conclusion

This Wizard Rod 1-60 Gear Needle setup is a powerhouse in the current Beyblade X meta, offering a unique blend of stamina, burst resistance, and counterattacks. With its ability to perform well across both stamina and attack strategies, this build has proven itself as tournament-ready, and its unexpected combination of parts makes it a surprise weapon that can outlast and counter many popular setups.

[doa-restoration]

I miss DOA. Do you?

Dead or Alive turns 27 today.

Unfortunately, only Xtreme: Venus Vacation is keeping the franchise alive (Ninja Gaiden doesn't count as that series is on ice, too), as Team Ninja currently doesn't have the courage to keep things going in the public eye. This is because while the combat has always been solid, the other half of the DOA experience - the fanservice - is impossible to represent faithfully in today's social climate.

Or at least, it feels that way. Why? Because people are afraid of breasts, and afraid of other people knowing they like breasts alongside combos, counters, juggling, counters, footsies, interactive stages transitions, counters, dramatic stories, and anime tropes.

Did I mention counters? Because that's the core feature that helped DOA stand out from the crowd. Alongside, of course, the fanservice.

It's frickin' Dead or Alive. A solid, cleverly made, SEXY AF fighting game. You can't have the combat without the fanservice. Nerfing one to focus on the other just doesn't work, as DOA 6 tragically proved.

The greed that plagued the last two games certainly didn't help matters, either.

It would be quite simple (so to speak) to bring the series back with a seventh game. As far as the gameplay goes, just expand on what worked with DOA 1 - 5, figure out what didn't work with 6, and evolve things from there.

However, the other, just as important half of DOA is a trickier beast. How would Team Ninja handle the fanservice in this modern society of degenerate prudes, social justice whiners, cancel culture, and DEI ESG BS? For years DOA was fine blazing its own trail, but when e-sports (which ISN'T sports, btw) became mainstream, Tecmo Koei wanted that money and tried to force DOA to conform after being shamed by the mainstream FGC, hypocrites that they are. The end result is DOA 6 tanking and the franchise being treated like some dirty little secret.

Suffice to say, we need Dead or Alive back, but not only does it need to be allowed to be Dead or Alive, people need to be willing to let it be Dead or Alive. And while yes, I have advocated to giving the fanservice a break, I should clarify that I was referring to the marketing. DOA should remain spicy as ever, but the main attraction should be the Fighting Entertainment. Come for the fisticuffs, stay for the hotness, you know? If the normies have a problem with that, they can piss off back to the rest of the genre that is allowed to be as spicy as it wants for one reason or another.

DOA should prioritize, but play it safe? NEVER. Again, though, people have to be willing to welcome it back, and show that fact to Team Ninja.

~Ryan Brown

[airbrushfather]

having now watched the teaser and currently watching silkstone talk through it, i have more to say.

the concept they keep playing on of 'fear and his disciples' is... fine. it's not particularly compelling to me personally, but it's a good way of ka linking their campaigns together. the locksmith and fear had very similar looks, and this year's 'disciple', the toymaker, is a very strong departure from that. i don't dislike the vibe, in fact i love the idea of the toys as the new maze theme and i'm very excited to see what they come up with.

the new maze is massive. the space outside cantina is a very large and very important one for tpfn, always has been, and the marquee that has been constructed is, without question, huge. let me speculate first about what this new maze is going to be like, then we'll talk about the teaser a little more. i can't see the tp team going with 2/3 mazes being free flow, and since it would be insane for survival games not to return (both from a logistics and a marketing standpoint, because survival games is bloody amazing, and a huge investment which i predict will live longer than most mazes due to the redo factor it has - because of that free flow element) this maze will (likely) not follow that structure. however, because this space is absolutely huge, this calls into question: how long will this maze actually be? and moreover - how will it actually be structured? a combination of hallways and rooms would make sense to fill this space, similar to the structure of trailers, but since trailers does follow this structure, i wonder if they will do this again? thorpe themselves just said - literally as i was writing this - that this maze will be 'very different' to survival games. so in my mind, that rules out the idea of free flow. i imagine, knowing thorpe and their maze style, that you as the one experiencing the maze, the story will be something like this: the toymaker turns people into toys in a variety of fucked up ways, i assume you'll probably see these in the beginning of the maze, and then the vibe will be - and you're next! oh no! better get out! this does lend itself very well to the idea of the 'rooms and hallways' style of maze, as opposed to the 'lots of hallways and tight and spaces' type of maze. in case you're confused about the difference, i'd call trailers at tpfn 'rooms and hallways', and ash hell penitentiary from xtreme scream is more of a 'corridor maze' - not that either are bad, but the vibe i'm expecting from the toymaker maze is more room and hallway. were they hoping to save budget, potentially they could just do a series of rooms with not much tight space connecting them. however, this seems lazy of thorpe, and I can't imagine it.

now we've touched on the maze, let's talk teasers. if you read my last post, tpr have now confirmed there are 7 teasers launching over the next 7 days - meaning there's either: a) no roaming team, b) no show, or c) only two scare zones. i could see a case for option a or option c, but removing birthday bash this year with the toymaker theme tying so heavily into it seems like a folly that tp would not make. i suspected they were going to go down the one a day route since, yknow, it's literally almost september, and as we've established, they have other things to do. im suspecting that tomorrow will be doors or birthday bash, then whichever doesn't get announced tomorrow will be saturday, then crows, trailers, survival games, and then we hit new ground. i can only imagine the final teaser will be for the new maze, but what do i know? they could drop it tomorrow and then weave the rest of the announcements in, since they've gone more specific with their overarching theme this year.

if i may get even more specific - let's dive into the toymaker teaser itself. 'howell's toy emporium' is showing up immediately, and this isn't a character i've ever heard of in my (substantial) tp lore research. so this puts me off the idea that whoever is in charge of this twisted toy factory is someone we already know. this is nice, but a bit of a shame to see them departing from the characters we already know. as much as i love KA and their work, i have noticed that, under their command, the intricacies of tpr lore seem to have faded a little, and standalone stories are much more common. this may also be due to steph leaving the creative direction team, or maybe i'm just reading too much into things. tp have done this a lot before and it's something you have to do if you want to keep your events interesting, but lots of stories from the past at least have some link to the island. though, i suppose, there's an argument that this just enriches the scape of the island further - there is industry here beyond the lumber trade and the one-off businesses we already know, like the cinema (trailers) and the ghost tour business (platform 15).

i'm interested to see how 'mr clappy' ties into all this. the bear makes lots of appearances in the trailer, and, being the carnival teaser, he must be important somehow, though i'm drawing a complete blank on how the bear itself could actually play a big part in the maze. there's a 100% possibility that i'm wrong about the story direction, but that's the vibe i'm getting based off this teaser alone and my preexisting knowledge about how thorpe make mazes.

i'm excited to see how they pan this out - and how they balance this with oktoberfest marketing - and i'm sure updates will come as the teasers do. ka are great at dropping hints, though with things like trailers and the crows, it might prove difficult to give much insight into the new things. as another aside - i've lost all hope for the buckwheats returning this year. i knew it was a strong possibility, but i had some small hope for unchained to return this year just to give us an insight into how they'd feel about their home actually being destroyed now exodus construction has started.

this is all just my speculation, so feel free to disagree with me in the replies, but that's what i think. see you tomorrow at 7 for more - if there is any more to say.

[merlumina]

hi there, tumblr

So after quitting all other social media (twitter, instagram, facebook), I found myself 1) pretty lonely tbh and 2) at a loss for how to keep myself creatively motivated and inspired with nowhere to share my work. I'd heard from several people that tumblr is way more chill these days, and while I hesitated at first, I finally decided to give it a try. After a few weeks of waiting from tech support to regain access to my account (pro tip: don't sign up for anything important with your college email address), I regained access yesterday and spent some time doing some tidying up (i. e. deleting most of my old posts and likes).

So...hi! Feels weird to be back. Life has changed so much in the past seven years. It was interesting going back through old posts to relive those times. Since I was last here, this is what I've been up to:

hollowforest and I got married in 2020. While he was unfortunately not able to propose to me at MAGFest after a particularly victorious round of Gundam Xtreme VS, which would have been rad, we settled for eloping at county jail, which is also a cool story.

Ringo, my cat, is still with us! But now we also have a dog, Haru (named after Persona 5 Haru). Yeah I like dogs now. I like pitt bulls now. 2012 me would never.

After years of self-doubt and self-loathing about my life choices, I actually became what I wanted to be when I grew up - a software developer! In late 2020 I took the plunge to do a coding bootcamp and got really lucky being hired into an apprenticeship program before I'd even graduated. Now I'm making those big coding $$$ working from home, literally living the dream and still kind of in awe.

I joined the Diagnosed with ADHD in My 30s club! (Also, I'm in my 30s now)

We bought a house in October, 2022! I did not think it would be possible for the longest time, but due to the big job upgrade we were finally able to afford it.

I've played a lot of video games, but not beaten that many.

I picked up game dev as a hobby and have made a few small games during game jams.

My mental health is overall a lot better now! Part of that is from therapy, part of that is from self reflection, part of that is maybe just growing up. See also: quitting aforementioned social medias.

Improved mental health aside, my hangups about my artistic abilities and creative capacity still haven't improved any in the past 10 years. It's one of my biggest personal insecurities, but also one of the reasons I'm trying Tumblr again! I wanted somewhere to post my practice routine to keep myself accountable, as well as a place to get inspiration from other artists.

I'm going to make a concerted effort to keep this blog focused on art and personal things that make me happy. After I left Tumblr in 2016 I started working on myself and trying to focus on bringing more empathy into my interactions with others. Whether or not I've been successful at that is another matter, but in general it has helped me be a happier person. I am not interested in participating in Discourse. I don't think you can judge the "goodness" of a human based on a handful of things they've said/done online, and I won't be made to cast judgment on anyone. I think we should spend less time tearing down people in our own communities and more time asking why it's so easy for the people in power to trick us into fighting each other. In general, the overall vibe that everyone's social media account is a personal soapbox where they can make declarations about what is Right and what people Should be doing makes me uncomfortable. So I'm going to try not to do any more of that here. I do like still having those discussions sometimes, but I prefer a more personal venue, where I feel like I'm talking with people rather than at them.

Let's be cool to each other! -Liz / merlumina