#yona's rise to power

[madoyarenee]

“YOU THERE! Do YOU like ANY of these Animes? We GOTTA be mutuals IMMEDIATELY! No exceptions!”

That’s roughly the line that people say when they make these repetitive posts. If ya wanna be mutuals then ok. If no then that’s fine.

💖💙💚

[freewilllife]

The Queen of Kouka

Eyes as green as the soul of the dark forest they were currently passing. The carriage was vibrating by the hasty pace of the horses. The sun had risen a couple of hours ago. Golden rays of light pierced through the darkness of the carriage, illuminating the face of the woman whose long black hair was blowing in the wind. Her dark blue eyes were glistening in the light like the waves of the great sea. So lively and yet so distant.

Dreamily she gazed outside the window. Her eyes were focused on a far away point. He stared at her. His eyes were glued to the person that sat opposite to him. Never would he had been able to express what he felt at that moment.

It was a feeling of helplessness. A dark fear that penetrates his every being.

He knew she would not leave him. Lily would not stay behind, even though it woud be less risky.

What would be if….Soo Won was shaking. His hands dug in his trouser. Calm down. He could not risk to lose his nerves. He had to find her…That person that had nearly killed Yona…

He would not allow that to happen…Slowly Soo Won released the breath he had been holding.

Calm down. There was a realistic chance for her having followed them. The attack on Yona had been not successful. That person wished to instil fear in him. She wished to disturb him, hurt him, make him lose his composure. He should shake in fear like a rat. So that she could break his spine as easily as she had done before with her countless enemies. Most likely she considered him only a small obstacle. Her goal was Kouka and therefore she needed to eliminate him. That was right. Yona would have been an ideal aim, since she was the reincarnation of Hiryuu. A fact that had spread far and wide above Kouka´s borders. Another tactic to cause terror inside the hearts of the women and men of Kouka.

But her original aim was him. She needed him to disappear. He also backed his uncle in Kai Empire. With Soo Won gone, it would be a child´s play to get rid of the opposition. Well, at least many of her enemies would be gone. The king of Kai Empire was weak. His brother…her father…wished for the throne. The Princess of Kai Empire. She was the power behind the attack on Yona. Soo Won was sure of it. All the information he had gathered pointed to this interpretation.

And she was here. If she was indeed here, he could catch her. No…He would catch her. All he needed was a skillful trap.

„Soo Won,“ Lily suddenly said,“ the sea is just around the corner.“

Her warm blue eyes were shining brilliantly, when she turned to him. A big smile on her face. Soo Won´s fingers let go of his trousers. Oh how wonderful she looked.

This was her home. How did she feel coming home after such a long time? His heart that had been tight and cold just a moment ago, melted by the mere sight of her expression. She looked as happy as a child. Whatever awaited them would be a dangerous situation- in every case. Soo Won lifted the corners of his mouth and hoped that his smile would be convincing. She did not need to be reminded of the dangers of their journey. At least not now.

„Are you mad?“, she asked, rising one eyebrow. Soo Won continued to smile.

„Not at all. Merely worried,“ he gave his voice a rather reassuring tone. He could feel the corners of his mouth hurt, but he would smile until eternity if it only worked to distract her.  

Lily let herself fall back on her seat. She had a complicated expression on her face.

 „Do you think I am childish that I can grin like a fool when a friend of mine has been attacked just a couple of days ago?“

He shook his head.

 „No. Yona is alright, after all. She wasn´t wounded gravely and we will find the person responsible for this deed,“ Soo Won gave a warm tone to his voice, but inside, he wished to strangle this person for what she had done.

„Do you have a plan?“, she asked and moved unvoluntarily closer to him.

„I do have an idea“, he explained. He did not wish to tell too much. „I will try to search for her, but at the same time, there is another trap needed. If everything goes according to plan, she might be very soon in our hands.“

„And what is your idea?“, asked Lily, tilting her head slightly.

Soo Won smiled: „We will have the assistance of an interesting person.“

„Interesting person?“, Lily blinked.

„You are right,“ said Soo Won suddenly,“ the sea is indeed extraordinary beautiful today.“

The wide blue sea was glittering between the passing houses. A little farther ahead there was a huge mansion, that did appear not quite as enormous as the castle in the Earth Tribe.

 „I have always wondered, why the Water Tribe had a rather modest castle, although it is -as far as I remember - a finely crafted work.“

Soo Won´s blonde hair was caught in the breeze, blowing into his face, when he lifted his head out of the carriage. Lily smirked. He was so concentrated on the castle in front of them, that he did not notice it.

„It was destroyed a hundred years ago,“ mentioned Lily timidly. Her heart was hammering hard in her chest. He was far too near. The way his bangs were standing up in all directions…One of his dark blonde strands were falling in his eyes.

Blue and yet also green eyes that did not strictly adhere to one color. Lily reached out without really thinking about it. And now these stubborn strands were in her hand.

The expression of utter surprise on his face, was so cute. His greenish eyes were as big as the ones of a cat. The mouth half open. Lily closed her eyes and kissed him. It was merely a tender brushing of her lips against his. She could feel her lips throbbing, while his face was quite flushed. A deep red color that was brightly visible on his pale skin.

„I…“, he stammered.

„Sorry,“said Lily wird red ears and an awful hot face,“ I did not mean to startle you. You were just so….“

She could not say…you were just so unbelievably cute…Could she?

„I thought you were adorable“, she told him instead and realized a moment too late, that this wasn´t actually better.

Soo Won laughed.

„Well, thank you,“ he said, „I have never received such a nice compliment.“

„Am I hilarious?“, Lily asked. Right now she wished to sink into the earth and disappear.

„Rather funny and very, very…,“Soo Won´s smile widened. His eyes were glowing like the sparkling water beneath them.

„Very adorable,“ he said. His eyes were so warm that Lily wished to kiss him one time, twice, three times…so many times that she could not count it anymore. Reciprocating that smile, she leaned slightly forward.

Then he suddenly cleared his throat and averted her eyes. The spell was broken.

Had he read her mind? She knew that he had been not too prone to become physical with her…however…maybe since they were both a real couple now…maybe now?

Was he still against it? Lily licked over her lips. That would be quite a pity.

In front of them appeared the castle of her father. Laying on the shore of the sea, the huge building was a pretty new building. When Soo Won looked forward, he caugth the salty taste of the sea in front of him. Up until now, he had been far too preoccupied to notice it.

A salty wind…It reminded him of the last time he had visited this mansion.

He smirked and Lily raised her eyebrow.

„I was just thinking how Mr. Jonghi asked me if I wished to make you my bride,“ he said still smiling broadly.

She stared at him, mouth hanging wide open.

Sometimes this guy could say a thing like this completely nochalantly, without batting an eyelash.

She grinned. Honestly…that guy…

 „They are awaiting us. So you can tell that to my father if you want to…“

With a move of her head, she was pointing to the little crowd beneath the mansion.

„Mr. Judo must have been succesful in securing the neighbourhood,“ commented Soo Won dryly.

Lily nodded.

„My father might be rather passive, but he is thorough as a leader.“

Soo Won half turned to her.

 „Your father is still a warrior. He had to wage war against the other participants of that tournament in order to become their rightful leader. The people of Kouka do not grant this privilege of leadership to a weakling.“

His choice of words clearly startled Lily. After all, the competitions were no fights where the men risked their lives. They were merely a show. Demonstrations of their strength and abilities. There had never been a case where a man had died during these tournaments. Especially during the reign of King Il, but even before…No, Lily did not remember such a case.

However as she watched him, she saw that expression again. His eyes were as cold as ice and had acquired a light blue color. Soo Won´s willpower was shining through. Lily still did not know how she should feel about this side of her husband.

Most of the time he was a kind, understanding man, yet at the same time, there was a cool current in him. Lily called this feature „the ruler“ in these moments. She sensed that Soo Won would do pretty much anything to get what he wanted.

Yet she knew he did not act like this due to selfish reasons. Soo Won believed that he served a greater good. And she knew that this was often the case. In fact, she respected this aspect of his character. Although she also feared these cool eyes and simultaneously she thought it was so…so…very attractive.

Was she nuts?

Then the impression vanished as quickly as he had appeared. As Soo Won gazed into her eyes, there was a complicated expression in them. Rueful, bitter…as if…as if that comment had not been made for another person but…Lily reached out and grabbed his right hand, slighly pressing on it.

„We will get it,“ she said. Now it was Soo Won´s turn to be startled. Her eyes appeared like the one of a soldier before a battle. Blinking several times, Soo Won could not quite believe what he saw. Then he had to laugh about himself. He knew what kind of woman he had married,didn´t he? So why was he surprised? Lily´s courage and pride was enough to amaze even the hardest men.

„What are you smiling about?“, she asked, obviously displeased that he did not let her in his joy.

„Yes, you are right.“ Just slighly he reciprocated her touch. Her hands were so warm. Then he looked in her eyes. Now even Lily had to smile. It was quite contaminous.

„Your Majesty, would you spare us any further delay“, suddenly rang in their ears. The stormy face of Judo appeared in the window of the carriage.

Lily would have nearly jumped. This guy was clearly so near of losing his temper that he barely could hide it. They were most likely saved by the presence of the surrounding crowd from one of Judo´s emotional releases.

„Of course,“ replied Soo Won and gifted Judo with one of his convenient, pleasing smiles. Lily had always been astonished by the various masks of her husband. He shifted so quickly in this persona of the „nice, harmless King Soo Won“ that she could not keep up with it.

„I suggest to step out of the carriage“, Soo Won whispered to Lily,“obviously the period was too long for Mr. Judo and I do not wish to displease our hosts.“

With red ears Lily climbed down the carriage. The people smiled at them, dutifully how one would expect of the servants of her father. Thankfully there were well-known faces among them, but there were also very many new people Lily had not seen before. A smile plastered on her face, she hoped that nobody saw how embarrassed she was.

One hand in Soo Won´s palm, she approached her father and Nene. Good, nice Nene. She smiled so warmly at them. Her father did appear aloof and calm like Lily had seen him on thousand different occasions. However he wore an extravagant coat. Stylish. Not that her father would have ever shown himself in rags, but he was no peacock. This coat seemed far more flamboyant than she would have expected of him. Lily bit on the inside of her cheek in order not to laugh at it. It seems that her father wished to show the king that he was the master here.

„Your Majesty,“ he greeted Soo Won first, before he turned to his daughter.

„General Jonghi,“ said Soo Won, a smile on his lips, however his eyes were serious. Lily smiled at her father. She knew how he was. She could hardly imagine her father being really emotional.

„I hope you had a good journey,“ he added. That was criticism. The way her father pronounced it made it awfully clear. Most likely they were too late for his taste. The state of the sun told her that her father was most likely right. Lily threw a glance at Soo Won. Was he aware of it?

But Soo Won seemed to be oblivious. Lily rolled her eyes. Her father gifted her with a strange look. He seemed to be not mad, rather troubled. Nene shook her head as if to say „Not now“.

„It seems that you may wish to rest before the meal“, proclaimed General Jonghi in a way that made it nearly impossible to refuse his suggestion. And Soo Won complied immediately. Characteristic of him. He was not the type to make a matter worse for other people without a good reason. He-more than anybody else-knew the worth of collaboration. Even if it meant to adjust to the wishes of his father-in-law as long as neither of his plans was in danger.

Lily laughed inwardly at her father, at her husband and at herself, as well. After all, wasn´t she the dutiful spouse who stood beside the king like some puppet at this occasion? Hilarious.

Sometimes it was…so sad…and comical at the same time. The whole situation. This was her home…No, her former home. The one of her childhood. Here she had been living just a couple of years before.

Jonghi accompanied Soo Won who occasionally turned around, looking at her who stayed behind. She nodded at him. Go forward. I wish to think about this absurd situation for a little longer.

Upon entering this white house, one reached immediately a long, dark floor that gave the impression as if one would actually step into a world far beneath the surface. As a little girl, she had imagined this part to be a wonderful cave full of wonders and treasures.

Big vases of a dark blue color, yet shining brightly in the dark atmosphere of the floor. Lily had always assumed that the faint glow came from some secret ingredients. And then here it was…Oh…there „he“ was. Soo Won stood there. His eyes focused on the picture on the wall. His eyes were shimmering brightly. It seemed as if he enjoyed the image greatly. Some strands of his eyes had worked themselves out of the hairtie. Lily liked it. This feature of losing himself so much into something that he became completely absorbed by it.

„Do you like it that much?“, Lily whispered, since she did not wish to disturb him greatly. In fact, she did not really expect an answer.

„I have literally forgotten it,“ he said, his voice barely audible.

„Yeah, but isn´t it really beautiful,“ she said, smiling, content.

„Unbelievable beautiful..,“ he said, his face partly turned to her ,a small smile on his lips. There was a twinkle in his eyes, that told her that he was up to something.

Lily grinned. Right now, she did not care if her father waited or not. She hoped he wouldn´t.

„You won´t find a picture as beautiful in the Sky Tribe. That is for sure! Look at the green of the grass. Does it not seem as if…it is actually real?“

She turned around to the round window behind them, where a certain pattern had been used. The light that hit on the image made it appear as if the grass was moving. As if the leaves of the trees were swaying. The flowers…It was a scene right out of a common garden. But the pattern of the window behind it and the fact that it was partly carved into the wall blew life into this image. A fabulous illusion. A great illusion…illusion…Lily felt tears burning behind her eyelids.

This picture had been a gift from her father to her mother. Her mother used to love the garden and how had she loved this image! But she had died far too soon. And then her father had married Nene, who was far too young to be her step-mother, though she was a good person. Lily liked Nene. There was nothing she could say against this woman. It also seemed that her father liked her very much. So what more could Lily wish for?...Lily looked at the picture and her throat became tight. It was hard to breath for a reason. Slowly she drew the air in and let it out. She could reach it. There was no woman anymore who waited for her husband. There was no mother who hated her daughter. It was all over.

All people have their wishes and commit mistakes. There was no reason to be upset anymore…

„Lily? Are you alright?“ Soo Won had a concerned look in his eyes.

„I think“, she said absentmindly.

Of course he did not believe her. What could he do against it? Open her head and let all that out that bothered her? She knew that she was unfair, difficult. Not very ladylike, but right now she did not care. Maybe she should have not come home after all. Should have not come on this journey. What use had she been all this time? Was she not like this person said she was? She did not understand very much up until now, while Soo Won pretty much handled everything. Committing grave mistakes could be deadly right now. She tried to help him, but after all…And Yona had been attacked‼!

Maybe she should have waited a little longer….But…she looked at him. It was her own decision to accompany him. She could have stayed behind and let him go on his mission. Running away and closing her eyes in front of the difficulties whose were not only his, but had become also hers. If she desired the power to change their situation, she needed to look at it, observe it and learn to make wise decisions.

„Let´s go,“ Lily proclaimed loudly. One foot in front the other. Soo Won had a plan. They could make it. After all…

Her hand lie in his on the way to the great hall. Like she had expected….There stood her father. As if this person had ever left a guest alone. Most likely he had given them a little private time. Of course they both had made a mistake in his eyes. Her father was correct and not a person that forgave easily. However…Nene did mean that this was not the case. Lucky her though…

 „Did father tell you, why he would not explain the picture to you? Why did he let you alone?“

Soo Won appeared to have realized just now, that his host had in fact behaved strangely.

 „I don´t know. Although he did explain it was a picture for his previous wife. I concluded that his feelings might be a little complicated, since your mother died so young.“

Lily nodded.

 „Indeed. Quite complicated. I can understand that he does not wish to see it anymore.“

There was a fine line between his eyebrows.

 „Would it have been not been better to cover this picture?…Even though it would be quite a waste to demolish such a breathtaking picture.“

„True…“ Her throat felt tight.

 „However my father knows that life is not that easy. And that some things can neither be forgiven nor apologized for.“

Her words were sharp, her eyes cold, but hurting…This person was hurting. He knew it, but he did not know how to help. Right now was a bad time…But it might be better if they had a little conversation later. Soo Won knew better than anybody that something could happen to them at any given moment. Would he survive this ordeal? He did not know…but he would make sure that she stayed alive. And he wanted to know…Damn the gods! He wanted to know her better!

At the same moment Lily felt like Soo Won´s grip became firmer. It felt really nice. Her father stared at his widely grinning daughter and an expression of surprise washed over his face…As if he had seen them both completely naked. Not just his daughter beaming with joy…on the hand of her husband who made a face as if he was going into battle.

Most likely this was the reason, why he had no words in order to reprimand them. He merely said:“ I guess it is really better if you can rest in your room for a while.“

One might wonder how he interpreted that scene that he immediately showed them their room.

Soo Won certainly didn´t mind that they could both recover from the long journey. In fact, he was not to prone to travelling long hours in a tiny carriage. Riding was an entirely different matter. However…he really wondered why General Jonghi had nearly forced them to go to their room?

It was not that he had anything against this accommodation. Not at all. The bed was wide and big. A canopy above it. It felt pretty much like the one that stood in his room in Hiryuu Castle. The light blue of the canapy gave them even the impression as if they were engulfed by water. It was a strange feeling. Like floating. Soo Won hated it.

Lily sat beside him on the bed. She was embracing her knees. Her bare feet peeped out of her dress. Usually he would have considered this cute and adorable. However he was well aware that she was in pain. The issue concerned her mother most likely. He did not know the full story. In fact he knew next to nothing about this issue. But it was something he should know. No, he needed to know. Yet he was blissfully unaware. So…how…should he start it?...Would he hurt her more?..But…he could not speak about it, right? Stop…

She had helped him with his problems. Actually talking about it had eased them a little. This issues were still there, so it might be too much if he said they were solved. But…but…it had been like lifting a dead weight from him…just that she had sat beside him and listened.

Soo Won let the breath escape that he had been holding. Awfull. Hopefully this would go well…How he hated it…He was not good at all at talking with other people about such difficult topics. Especially with people he did not wish to hurt. Damnation! Gods in heaven, he was not ready fort that task!

Breathing heavily, Soo Won finally turned himself to his spouse. The woman he had married. Lily.

$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$

He did not know that he was shaking heavily. One hand outstretched, he hesitated still for a moment if he should touch her. Then his palm rested on her hand. He wondered for an instant if it felt bad that his hands were that sweaty, yet completely cold.

Lily´s dark blue eyes were looking at him. Damnation! How beautiful she was! How the light pasted soft shadows in the corner of her mouth on the round curve of her chin and cheek. How tender do they feel? Soo Won did not realize either that his hand was reaching higher until the tips of his fingers gently brushed beside her left cheek.

She froze. Her heart was pounding so heavily in her chest that she was afraid it would leap out any moment. He was touching her cheek! He was slighly touching her cheek! Did he…would it now happen! Oh gods in heaven! Yes…oh yes!

At once she wished so much that he would go further, simultaneously she wished to jump forward and press him against her. More. Harder.

Oh please!...

Soo Won did not know that he had committed a grave mistake. That something was strange, he did just realize it when he suddenly felt Lily´s hand on his own cheek. The touch was strangely hot. Maybe it were just his own temperature rising even higher than before. Soo Won felt like he was in a delirium. Was this really happening? His head felt so light and yet it was so hard to concentrate. To think…

Her face was so near. He smelled her perfume…or was it just her own odor? Did it matter? He did not know how or why. Or even what he should do and what not….Suddenly he was embracing her, holding her in his arms. It felt so good. So natural. This was how it was supposed to be…All along.

He pressed her lightly against his throat. She could feel his quick pulse. His heart must be beating as crazily in his chest as it did in hers. He had buried his face in her hair. His long blonde strands were tingling her. There were so soft, letting them slide between her fingers…glittering in her hand like gold. He smelled of herbs, the oil he was most likely using to wash…a faint smell of sweat and…Lily sniffed…She could barely believe it…Wasn´t that the odor of roses? Ah…it finally came off…Lily had slowly loosened the belt on his waist with the other hand. All she needed to do was…pull a little and…Slowly she could expose his chest a little. Then it was her turn to delve into the nook after his collarbone, moving upwards his throat. Suddenly Soo Won screeched, pulling away. Shocked he stared at her. His hairtie was broken or vanished into thin air. His hair was falling as wildly as hers down his shoulders, partly covering his now bare chest. She had been successful into striping him from his overgarment. He was still breathing heavily. His former pale face nearly completely flushed. Even the tips of his ears shone in a bright red tone. He was on his knees just like her.

It seems he was pretty ticklish there.

And now it was her turn. Lily let her dress slide down her chest. Merely on her knees in her undergarment. Soo Won´s eyes grew. In an instant he became very pale.

Then she smiled at him. Her eyes shone brightly. The pain he had just seen a while before had vanished. Instead she was brimming with light in her eyes. Full of life and…She was just so…The small dimple on her cheek when she laughed…Soo Won felt his chest become suddenly very tight. And his face became very hot..Huh…he felt tears swelling up in his eyes. He blinked several times. Why could he not control his emotions anymore?!

But he was so relieved…To see her happy once again…He lifted his arms. He wished to hide his face. Suddenly he felt a warm hand on his cheek.

„You are so adorable“, she said…her eyes were so warm…so sweet…

Lily felt how he leant in her hand. She was so relieved that he did not mind the touch. He had seemed so sad…So hurt…

It pained her seeing him like this.

Then she cuped his face. She waited…Was he alright. Then he opened his eyes. They were blue and green at the same time. Simultaneously from a greenish blue and a bluish green. One color melted in the other. In perfect harmony. Then she felt suddenly his lips on hers. He gave her a light kiss. She leant against him. She as well had the feeling like she would melt against him. A hard throbbing down below. A feeling between pain and something so unbelievably good that every ice in the world would not be enough to outweigh it.

Lily could feel this prickly feeling down to her little toe. He pressed her against her. Stronger, harder than a moment before. Then she was able to get rid of her undergarment. Finally she could feel him on her bare skin. Every mucle on his back. The broad chest directly pressed against her. Then he suddenly pulled away once again.

An expression of utter shock on his face…She saw that he had started to hyperventilate. Breathing so heavily. Lily was suddenly afraid he would die of a heart attack. Then he was gone. Run away…

$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$

Soo Won didn´t know where he was. His sense of orientation completely failed him. Still breathing heavily, he was trying to get air in his lungs…He had the feeling as if he was soon to die…He could not breath…What should he do…What should he do…What had he done…Lily…Breath…Breath…

Suddenly he felt like his face was moved to the side…before he realized. He had been hit…

„Calm down your Majesty!“…Once again there was somebody cuping his face…But the voice was male. Strands of greenish hair…

Soo Won then realized that he faced the Green Dragon Warrior.

[ao3feed-sidlink]

The Son of Eon

The Son of Eon

by Jazitup

"Son of Eon, we bind you!" The Goddess of Wisdom cries, tears rolling down her cheeks stained with the dirt and blood of her children. The beast cries out in pain as golden ropes pull his limbs together, forcing him to fall to the ground.

"Son of Eon, we chain you!" The Goddess of Courage yells, her body trembling with sorrow and regret. Golden chains wrap around the beast’s legs and neck, preventing him from rising once again, even though they know he wouldn’t try. Black eyes meet red, and the Goddess of Power has to look away, her hand that is not raised clenches into a fist.

"Son of Eon..." Red eyes squeeze shut as the golden light around the beast flares to life, "We cage you." A single tear slides down the young woman's face and the world explodes in a blast of golden light.

~~~

When an ancient beast awakens, followed by the return of malice and corruption, will Link be able to save Hyrule once again? At least this time he knows where Zelda is.

Words: 2360, Chapters: 1/?, Language: English

Fandoms: The Legend of Zelda & Related Fandoms, The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild/Tears of the Kingdom

Rating: Mature

Warnings: Graphic Depictions Of Violence

Categories: F/F, F/M, M/M, Multi

Characters: Link (Legend of Zelda), Zelda (Legend of Zelda), Purah (Legend of Zelda), Impa (Legend of Zelda), Sidon (Legend of Zelda), Yona (Legend of Zelda), Riju (Legend of Zelda), Yunobo (Legend of Zelda), Tulin (Legend of Zelda), Original Legend of Zelda Character(s), Original Male Character(s), Demise (Legend of Zelda), Hylia (Legend of Zelda)

Relationships: Link/Zelda (Legend of Zelda), Link/Sidon (Legend of Zelda), Link/Original Male Character

Additional Tags: Canon-Typical Violence, Alternate Canon, Original Character(s), Post-Canon, Slow Burn Link/Zelda, Minor Link/Sidon (Legend of Zelda), Past Link/Sidon, slow burn Link/Original Male Character, Other Additional Tags to Be Added, Spoilers for totk, spoilers for BOTW, TW at the beginning of every chapter, Spoiler warning at the beginning of every chapter, Smut to come but it will be a long while and will be tag, No Beta, We die like the Champions

From https://ift.tt/zJNBFnX https://archiveofourown.org/works/48745096

[engshoujosei]

Yona of the Dawn

38 volumes (in English as of 4/16/2023, ongoing)

Licensed by Viz Media

A red-haired princess loses her family and her kingdom… Now she must rise and fight for her throne! Princess Yona lives an ideal life as the only princess of her kingdom. Doted on by her father, the king, and protected by her faithful guard Hak, she cherishes the time spent with the man she loves, Su-won. But everything changes on her 16th birthday when tragedy strikes her family! Yona reels from the shock of witnessing a loved one’s murder and having to fight for her life. With Hak’s help, she flees the palace and struggles to survive while evading her enemy’s forces. But where will this displaced princess go when all the paths before her are uncertain?

Anime Start/End Chapter 

Starts at Vol.1, Ch.1 [S1] Ends at Vol.8, Ch.47 [S1]; Vol.12, Ch.70.5 [OVA]; Vol.18, Ch.102-105 [Zeno Arc OVA]

Related Series 

Akatsuki no Yona (Novel) (Spin-Off, not licensed)

Status in Country of Origin 

40 Volumes (Ongoing)

Tags:

Adapted to Anime

Adapted to Novel

Adopted Child/ren

Alliance/s

Alternating POV

Ancient War

Antagonist's POV

Appearance Different from Actual Age

Appearance Different from Personality

Archery

Art Evolution

Assassination/s

Attempted Drugging

Attempted Kidnapping

Attempted Murder

Badass Male Lead

Beautiful Artwork

Betrayal

Bickering Love

Bodyguard-Boss Relationship

Broken Promise/s

Character Deaths

Character Growth

Child Death

Childhood Friends Become Lovers

Chosen One

Comedic Moments in a Serious Manga

Conflicting Loyalties

Corruption

Coup d'etat

Death of Loved One/s

Deceptively Weak-Looking Protagonist

Depression

Destructive Power/s

Different Culture/s

Disease

Divination

Dragon/s

Drug Trafficking

Elaborate Art Style

Emotionally Strong Female Lead

Empire/s

Enemies Become Friends

Escape/s

Fate

Fear of Harming Others

Female Fighter/s

Feminism

Friends Become Enemies

Friendship

Fugitive/s

Hatred

Herbs/Herbalist

Historical Fantasy

Huge Cast of Characters

Human Trafficking

Hunted Protagonist

Immortality

Important Non-Romantic Relationship/s

Important Secondary Character/s

Influential Antagonist/s

Inhuman Power

Kidnapping/s

Love Interest Change

Love Triangle/s

Loyalty

Male Lead Falls in Love First

Multiple POVs

Mutual Unrequited Love

Origin Story/ies

Ostracized Character/s

Overcoming the Past

Painful First Love

Parental Abandonment

Past Plays a Big Role

Personality Change/s

Philosophical Moments

Politics

Politics Involving Religion

Politics Involving Royalty

Poverty

Quest/s

Rebellion

Restrained Love

Revenge

Rich to Poor

Rivalry

Slow Romance

Social Hierarchy

Strategic Battles

Strong-Willed Female Lead

Swordsman

Swordswoman

Traitor/s

Travel

Treason

War/s

Warrior/s

Weak to Strong

[gemtvusa]

The Best Upcoming Movies on 2024 Netflix

THE BUZZING LINE-UP OF 2024 MOVIES From epic action sequels to superhero phenomena, animated adventures for all ages, and beyond – here’s why 2024 is shaping up to be a cinematic thrill ride! The movie realm is ever-evolving. The shadow of a global pandemic, the burgeoning domain of streaming platforms, the rise in franchise-centric blockbusters, and the challenge for theaters have stirred numerous questions about cinema's trajectory. Yet, as we inch closer to 2024, the cinematic horizon gleams with promise. We're set to be graced with high-voltage superhero sagas, a musical interpretation we can't wait for, George Miller's fresh take on Mad Max, another dive into the world of Avatar, and a plethora of other delights. Dive in to discover the gems 2024 has in store, and keep an eye out for constant updates to our line-up!

The Best Upcoming Movies on 2024 Netflix JANUARY

El Muerto (2024)

- Director: Jonás Cuarón - Star Power: Bad Bunny - Release Date: January 12, 2024 Though initially Sony had slated Madame Web for an early 2024 release, they’ve now shifted gears to ‘El Muerto.’ The limelight focuses on the musical maestro, Bad Bunny, as he takes on a lesser-known Spidey comrade's role. While production details remain under wraps, we’re keeping our fingers crossed for the January launch. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_tTwPQKY6vc

The Best Upcoming Movies on 2024 Netflix FEBRUARY

Madame Web (-1)

- Director: S.J. Clarkson - Featuring: Dakota Johnson, Sydney Sweeney, Celeste O’Connor, Isabela Merced, Tahar Rahim, Emma Roberts, Mike Epps, Adam Scott, Zosia Mamet - Release Date: February 14, 2024 Sony’s Spider-Man universe (minus Spider-Man, ironically) has seen peaks with ‘Venom’ and troughs with ‘Morbius.’ Now, Madame Web is on the horizon, with Dakota Johnson leading the way as the mysterious, clairvoyant Spider-ally. With a cast that boasts Sydney Sweeney, Adam Scott, and Zosia Mamet, it’s already piquing interest. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MTU-h-unzBk

The Best Upcoming Movies on 2024 Netflix MARCH

Elio (2024)

- Director: Adrian Molina - Featuring: America Ferrera, Yonas Kibreab - Release Date: March 1, 2024 Revealed in 2022, Pixar's next masterpiece comes after 2023's 'Elemental.' This intergalactic tale revolves around Elio, an 11-year-old Earthling, who finds himself mistakenly thrust into space, deemed Earth’s representative on a foreign planet. Director Adrian Molina, known for his stellar work on Coco, Toy Story 4, and Luca, makes his directing debut here. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2w_K3CB8PuE The Fall Guy (2024)

- Director: David Leitch - Lead Stars: Ryan Gosling, Emily Blunt - Release Date: March 1, 2024 When it comes to pulse-pounding action, David Leitch has made quite the mark with movies like John Wick, Atomic Blonde, and Deadpool 2. He's now reviving an 80s TV classic – a tale of a stuntman with a double life as a bounty hunter. With Ryan Gosling and Emily Blunt leading the charge, this is set to be an adrenaline-packed ride. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Id0PrIwhPn0 Kung Fu Panda 4 (2024)

- Director: Mike Mitchell - Lead Cast: Jack Black, Angelina Jolie, Jackie Chan, Seth Rogen, Lucy Liu, Dustin Hoffman, David Cross - Release Date: March 8, 2024 The acclaimed "Kung Fu Panda" franchise by DreamWorks Animation is a masterclass in storytelling, transcending a comical concept (a lovable panda voiced by Jack Black mastering kung fu) into an epic tale packed with humor, emotions, and breathtaking action sequences. The recent CinemaCon 2023 announcement revealed Mike Mitchell, renowned for "Trolls" and "The LEGO Movie 2: The Second Part", as the director. The upcoming sequel promises an intriguing journey where our hero Po confronts a chameleon antagonist and embarks on a quest to find the next Dragon Warrior. https://www.youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&v=dR1LjDVXQtg A Quiet Place: Day One (2024)

- Director: Michael Sarnoski - Starring: Lupita Nyong’o, Joseph Quinn, Alex Wolff, Djimon Hounsou, Denis O’Hare - Release Date: March 8, 2024 The "A Quiet Place" series has predominantly centered around a post-apocalyptic world, dominated by lethal extraterrestrial creatures with hypersensitive hearing abilities. But as hinted by its name, this third installment offers audiences a rewind, diving deep into the terrifying initial days of the alien onslaught. The narrative unfolds at a time when humanity remains clueless about the impending doom or the capabilities of these alien beings. Directed by Michael Sarnoski, celebrated for directing Nicolas Cage in the acclaimed 2021 movie "Pig," this installment is set to be an exhilarating experience. While the ensemble features fresh faces, fans will be delighted to see Djimon Hounsou reprising his role from the second film. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G9If0ZPaCHU Dune: The Next Chapter (2024)

- Director: Denis Villeneuve - Starring: Timothée Chalamet, Zendaya, Rebecca Ferguson, Javier Bardem, Josh Brolin, Stellan Skarsgård - Release Date: March 15, 2024 The resounding success of the initial Dune adaptation paves the way for this enthralling sequel. With esteemed director Denis Villeneuve at the helm, the next chapter promises to be a captivating continuation of Frank Herbert's monumental science fiction saga. A stellar ensemble including Florence Pugh, Léa Seydoux, Austin Butler, and the legendary Christopher Walken join the existing cast. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Way9Dexny3w The Return of Snow White (2024)

- Director: Marc Webb - Starring: Rachel Zegler, Gal Gadot, Andrew Burnap - Release Date: March 22, 2024 Disney's iconic fairy tale returns, decades after its original animated debut in 1937. This time, the retelling features West Side Story's sensation Rachel Zegler as Snow White and the iconic Gal Gadot stepping into the shoes of the menacing Evil Queen. https://www.youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&v=IEYZNZF4-pA Ghostbusters: Legacy Continues (2024)

- Director: Gil Kenan - Starring: Carrie Coon, Paul Rudd, McKenna Grace, Finn Wolfhard, Kumail Nanjiani, Patton Oswalt - Release Date: March 29, 2024 Under the fresh direction of Gil Kenan, this sequel promises to stay rooted in the original's legacy while charting a new course. The ensemble is spearheaded by Carrie Coon, Paul Rudd, and others, with an exciting backdrop set in New York. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k52DmOaVXk8 Mickey 17: The Odyssey (2024)

- Director: Bong Joon-ho - Starring: Robert Pattinson, Naomi Ackie, Toni Collette, Mark Ruffalo, Steven Yeun - Release Date: March 29, 2024 From the visionary mind of Bong Joon-ho comes another gripping tale. Inspired by Edward Ashton's novel, this cinematic journey depicts the life of a recyclable worker, portrayed by Robert Pattinson, as he undertakes a mission in outer space. https://www.youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&v=-iY5l9JcOWY

The Best Upcoming Movies on 2024 Netflix APRIL

Godzilla x Kong: Rise of the Titans (2024)

- Director: Adam Wingard - Starring: Dan Stevens, Rebecca Hall, Brian Tyree Henry, Kaylee Hottle, Fala Chen, Alex Ferns, Rachel House - Release Date: April 12, 2024 The titanic monsters, Godzilla and Kong, return for another monumental showdown. This sequel promises unforeseen twists and turns, hinting at a possible alliance against an emerging global threat. With Dan Stevens leading the human cast and Adam Wingard ensuring an epic direction, this is one not to miss. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gJEpl4ty4Sw Challengers: Love & Tennis (2024)

- Director: Luca Guadagnino - Starring: Zendaya, Josh O’Connor, Mike Faist - Release Date: April 26, 2024 Zendaya takes center stage in Luca Guadagnino's intricate narrative that blends tennis, passion, and intricate relationships. The tale revolves around a prodigious tennis coach (Zendaya), her once-champion husband (Mike Faist), and his former close friend (Josh O’Connor), who shares a complex past with her. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MDnVk5jIJr0 MAY FILM ROSTER Deadpool Returns (2024)

- Director: Shawn Levy - Starring: Ryan Reynolds, Hugh Jackman, Leslie Uggams - Release Date: May 3, 2024 Deadpool, the iconic and irreverent anti-hero, makes a spectacular comeback. With the surprising reintroduction of Hugh Jackman as Wolverine, fans are buzzing with excitement. Given Deadpool's trademark adult humor, how it will synergize with Disney's more family-friendly Marvel Universe is eagerly awaited. Jackman's return, especially after his unforgettable performance in Logan, only heightens the anticipation. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pqa3wjsBN_0 Furiosa's Origin (2024)

- Director: George Miller - Starring: Anya Taylor-Joy, Chris Hemsworth, Tom Burke, Nathan Jones, Angus Sampson - Release Date: May 24, 2024 Delve deep into the world of Furiosa before the events of Mad Max: Fury Road. This gripping prequel unveils the journey of a young Furiosa, played by Anya Taylor-Joy. Directed by the maestro, George Miller, and co-starring Chris Hemsworth, this narrative explores Furiosa's tumultuous past and her ascension in Immortan Joe's dominion. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sm9xMNZSuDc The Legendary Garfield (2024)

- Director: Mark Dindal - Starring: Chris Pratt, Samuel L. Jackson, Nicholas Hoult, Cecily Strong, Hannah Waddingham, Ving Rhames - Release Date: May 24, 2024 Chris Pratt lends his voice to the iconic, lasagna-craving, Monday-averse feline, Garfield, in this delightful reimagining of the classic comic. With a surprising twist, Samuel L. Jackson brings Garfield's father, Vic, to life. An animated treat awaits! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MXWvmPGjVXI The World of IF (2024)

- Director: John Krasinski - Starring: Ryan Reynolds, John Krasinski, Fiona Shaw, Cailey Fleming, Phoebe Waller-Bridge, Steve Carell, Matt Damon, Emily Blunt, Maya Rudolph, Awkwafina - Release Date: May 24, 2024 In this enchanting fantasy comedy created by dynamic duo John Krasinski and Ryan Reynolds, the narrative revolves around a young girl's discovery of her unique power – perceiving forsaken Imaginary Friends. With Krasinski penning the script, the tale is brought to life by a constellation of stars voicing these fantastical companions. MAY'S CINEMATIC LINEUP Planet of the Apes: The New Era (2024)

- Director: Wes Ball - Starring: Owen Teague, Freya Allan, Peter Macon, Eka Darville, Kevin Durand - Release Date: May 24, 2024 After Caesar's iconic leadership came to an end in "War for the Planet of the Apes", the saga continues. Directed by Wes Ball of the Maze Runner fame, this installment advances the storyline to the future, post the events of the last war. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HimhSuITJdY

The Best Movies on 2024 JUNE

Ballet of Vengeance (2024)

- Director: Len Wiseman - Starring: Ana de Armas, Keanu Reeves, Ian McShane, Lance Reddick, Norman Reedus, Anjelica Huston, Gabriel Byrne - Release Date: June 7, 2024 Ana de Armas headlines this gripping tale set in the John Wick universe. As a trained assassin under the watchful guidance of the mysterious "Director", she embarks on a whirlwind journey of revenge. The timeline offers insights into events that transpired between the third and fourth John Wick chapters. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3njg62ni8lE Bad Boys: The Final Ride (2024)

- Director: Adil El Arbi, Bilall Fallah - Starring: Will Smith, Martin Lawrence - Release Date: June 14, 2024 Will Smith and Martin Lawrence reunite for an electrifying adventure, further fueling the legacy of the Bad Boys series. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nnmig3tXeiQ Emotions Rekindled: Inside Out 2 (2024)

- Director: Kelsey Mann - Starring: Amy Poehler, Phyllis Smith, Lewis Black - Release Date: June 14, 2024 Venture into the intricate labyrinth of a college-bound Riley's emotions. As she navigates this new chapter, the sequel promises a fresh array of feelings, introducing new emotional avatars to accompany the beloved originals. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HuFVmdIgkiQ Mission: Impossible - Dead Reckoning's Echo (2024)

- Director: Christopher McQuarrie - Starring: Tom Cruise, Ving Rhames, Henry Czerny, Simon Pegg, Rebecca Ferguson, Vanessa Kirby, Hayley Atwell, Shea Whigham, Esai Morales, Pom Klementieff - Release Date: June 28, 2024 Tom Cruise returns with death-defying stunts and thrilling espionage in the newest Mission: Impossible film, which picks up where 2023’s Dead Reckoning Part One left off. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MDRHI24zrzw

The Best Movies on 2024 Netflix JULY

Despicable Tales: Minion Mayhem (2024)

- Director: Chris Renaud, Patrick Delage - Starring: Steve Carell, Kristen Wiig, Miranda Cosgrove, Steve Coogan - Release Date: July 3, 2024 The Minions are back with their lovable mischief alongside the iconic Gru. This chapter promises more chaos, humor, and heartwarming moments. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OYaZlsoxTHo Mufasa: Rise of the King (2024)

- Director: Barry Jenkins - Starring: Aaron Pierre, Kevin Harrison Jr., Seth Rogen, Billy Eichner, John Kani - Release Date: July 5, 2024 Delve into the origins of Mufasa, the regal lion before he became king, in this immersive prequel to the "Lion King". Experience his early adventures and the bonds that shaped him. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aY2yo7H2XUo Symbiotic Struggles: Venom 3 (2024)

- Director: Kelly Marcel - Starring: Tom Hardy, Juno Temple, Chiwetel Ejiofor - Release Date: July 12, 2024 Tom Hardy returns as Eddie Brock, wrestling with the alien entity, Venom. While the narrative remains shrouded in mystery, expect thrilling confrontations and unexpected alliances. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w2GVcQbmryE Tornado Tales: Twisters (2024)

- Director: Lee Isaac Chung - Starring: Daisy Edgar-Jones, Glen Powell, Anthony Ramos, Brandon Perea, Maura Tierney - Release Date: July 19, 2024 More than a sequel to the iconic 1996 film "Twister", this "new chapter" promises high-octane action as tornadoes wreak havoc, with a fresh ensemble cast ready to face nature's fury. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U7pXSgIxe2U Captain America: New Frontiers (2024)

- Director: Julius Onah - Starring: Anthony Mackie, Tim Blake Nelson, Harrison Ford, Carl Lumbly, Danny Ramirez, Shira Haas - Release Date: August 26, 2024 Sam Wilson, once known as The Falcon, steps into the spotlight, wielding Captain America's shield against new threats and age-old enemies. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dvb97m_gCUY

The Best Upcoming Movies on 2024 Netflix AUGUST

Borderlands: Galaxy's Edge (2024)

- Director: Eli Roth - Starring: Cate Blanchett, Kevin Hart, Jack Black, Ariana Greenblatt, Jamie Lee Curtis, Edgar Ramirez, Haley Bennett, Florian Munteanu - Release Date: August 9, 2024 Journey to the outer reaches of space in this adaptation of the hit video game series. As chaos ensues on an alien planet, a group of unlikely heroes forms an alliance to seek untold treasures and battle formidable foes. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gAs6cyCfIAQ Read the full article

[sportyconnect]

RANS PIK Basketball is an expert basketball crew based in Tangerang, Banten, Indonesia. The group was established in 2021 by RANS Leisure, a media and leisure firm Raffi Ahmad and Nagita Slavina owned. RANS PIK Basketball competes within the Indonesian Basketball League (IBL), Indonesia's high-skilled basketball league. The crew's house environment is Jakarta's Gelora Bung Karno Basketball Corridor. The crew's head coach is Asrul Sani. The crew's roster contains a mixture of Indonesian and overseas gamers. RANS PIK Basketball is a comparatively new crew, but it has already considerably impacted the IBL. In its debut season in 2021-22, the team completed third place in the regular season. RANS PIK Basketball reached the playoffs' semifinals, the place it misplaced to the Bogor Siliwangi. The crew's success in its debut season has generated numerous pleasure amongst basketball followers in Indonesia. RANS PIK Basketball is seen as a rising power within the IBL, and the crew is predicted to be a contender for the championship in future years. Historical past RANS PIK Basketball was based in 2021 by RANS Leisure, a media and leisure firm Raffi Ahmad and Nagita Slavina owned. The crew's identity is a mixture of the initials of the corporate's place and the identity of the crew's house environment, the Gelora Bung Karno Basketball Corridor. The crew's first season within the IBL was in 2021-22. The team completed in third place within the standard season with a report of 16-8. RANS PIK Basketball reached the playoffs' semifinals, the place it misplaced to the Bogor Siliwangi. Notable gamers The crew's roster contains a mixture of Indonesian and overseas gamers. A few of the crew's most notable gamers embody: Brandon Jawato: A 6-foot-8 ahead from America, Jawato is the crew's leading scorer. He averaged 17.4 factors per sport within the 2021-22 season. Mario Wuysang: A 6-foot-7 ahead from Indonesia, Wuysang is the crew's leading rebounder. He averaged 8.2 rebounds per sport within the 2021-22 season. Kevin Yonas: A 6-foot-5 guard from Indonesia, Yonas is the crew's leading passer. He averaged 5.3 assists per sport within the 2021-22 season. Future RANS PIK Basketball is a comparatively new crew, but it has already considerably impacted the IBL. The crew is seen as a rising power within the league and is predicted to be a contender for the championship in the coming years. The crew's success is partly due to its possession by RANS Leisure. The corporate has a big following on social media, and it has used its platform to advertise the crew and generate pleasure amongst basketball followers in Indonesia. RANS PIK Basketball can benefit from the expansion of basketball in Indonesia. The game is becoming increasingly common within the nation, and the IBL is seeing an increase in attendance and tv viewership. The crew's future is bright. With its sturdy possession, talented roster, and rising fan base, RANS PIK Basketball is poised to be a power within the IBL for years to come back. FAQs What's the crew's motto? The crew's motto is "By no means Give Up." What's the crew's official hashtag? The crew's official hashtag is #RANSuntukIndonesia. What's the crew's greatest rivalry? The crew's most significant rivalry is with the Bogor Siliwangi. What's the crew's most well-known fan? The crew's most well-known fan is Raffi Ahmad, the proprietor of RANS Leisure. What's the crew's purpose in the long run? In the long run, the crew aims to win the IBL championship. #SportyConnect

[junikshanasar]

Yona’s Cult of Personality

idk dude, I have world history and it’s remarkably helpful in understanding our society and politics, and also amazing in understanding world-building. Like, does anyone read Spy x Family? More people should read Spy x Family, it’s absolute gold, but anyway the conflict between the fake countries that serves as background to the story is so obviously based on WW2 and the Cold War. I actually got super excited, and it made the manga 10x more fun.

But this post is not about Spy x Family, it is about Akatsuki no Yona (Yona of the Dawn). BEWARE OF SPOILERS AHEAD.

I know it’s like, one of the ‘big shoujo’, that a lot of people like, but I tend to procrastinate on reading more famous and mainstream manga for... absolutely no reason actually. But whatever, procrastination doesn’t need a reason.

Anyway I kept seeing it recommended everywhere, even my mom really liked it (we used to read manga in the library during my brother’s hockey practice - before covid ofc). So I finally read Yona of the Dawn two months ago, and absolutely loved it.

I feel like I say that for a lot of manga, but my tastes are all over the place, so. (it’s what happens when you’ve read manga from practically every genre)

Anyway I loved it, loved the characters, loved Yona. I tried so hard to make Yoon and/or Kija my favourite, but they came second to Soo Won no matter how much I liked them. Like rip, the guy everyone hates is my favourite. But it’s whatever, he’s a very good character, and my heart aches whenever I think of what he, Hak, and Yona could’ve been. I adore this author’s story-telling (so freaking funny), and I was pleasantly surprised to find they were the same author of some short works I enjoyed reading awhile back, so I’m glad I finally tried this series.

Right so while I was reading Yona, we were talking about the famous/infamous (depends on where you’re from) former Cuban leader Fidel Castro, and like, bro.

This guy’s whole rise to power story sounds straight outta a novel. Or manga.

For real though, like he has comrades that help him, a bunch of which die in dramatic ways. Like, this one guy, Abel Santamaria, was a leader along with Fidel Castro and his brother Raul Castro, for the Moncada Barracks Attack that basically jumpstarted Castro’s revolution. They all got arrested by the government afterwards, and like Santamaria was tortured and killed. Apparently his hands were sent on a tray to his sister? She was also a member of the revolution, but like the tragedy of her bro’s death and the death of her boyfriend led her to commit suicide.

But yeah, after being released and chilling in Mexico for a bit to stay on the down low, Castro comes back with Che Guevara and begins the fight against current government run by Fulgencio Batista, who everyone lowkey hated cause he was corrupt and mean. 

So Castro starts from gaining the support of the people. He promises change and like actually does stuff to prove it, like asking for shelter and food from the peasants, and then paying them back through labour. He and his men treated them respectfully, and kindly, even going as far as to teach people how to read and stuff. His revolution was known as the 26th of July Movement, named after the day of the Moncada Barracks Attack that was the spark for all this, but they had a super funny nickname, Los Barbudos, which basically means ‘the Bearded Ones’, to describe what most of them revolutionaries looked like lol.

They were infinitely popular amongst the poor as a result, and through garnering public support and fighting against Batista’s army with guerilla tactics, the revolution overthrew the government and Castro eventually rose as leader of Cuba.

You’re probably wondering why I gave you a super brief history lesson (I omitted a lot of stuff), but consider this:

Who else comes back to their nation with a bunch of new allies, after staying on the down low? Who else aids the poor people in their country and treats them with kindness and respect, spreading their popularity throughout the public? Who else has a super funny nickname for their group?

Yona does. Guys, I was painfully reminded of the Dark Dragon and the Happy Hungry Bunch while doing the reading on Castro’s rise to power. There are so many parallels it felt like an epiphany. Yona is Fidel Castro.

Jokes aside, I felt like I finally understood the politics going on in the manga, and what exactly adviser Kye-Sook was so scared of when he found out about Yona’s spreading reputation. I thought it was a little weird, especially since in the eyes of the people, Soo Won was a much better king than Emperor Il (Yona’s dad). He was afraid of Yona’s innocent creation of a cult. 

The term ‘cult of personality’ usually refers to when people adore a figure almost religiously, which is why most dictators you read about in history, like Castro, ensure they build up appeal within the public so they can rise to power (once they’re finally in charge, efforts to maintain this ‘cult’ often dip into something more fear-based). For Castro, he promoted himself as the ‘saviour’, who would save and protect the Cuban people from Batista, and then later from the USA. Of course there’s more as to the why and how and what, that I’m itching to type up, but it’s not relevant to this post.

If you recall, in the manga, the story of the ‘red dragon’ is one that is a legend of their land, and the ‘red dragon king’ is someone who was and is revered (especially in the Fire Tribe). Yona becomes associated with this legend, which only makes sense as she is his reincarnation and has collected the four dragon vassals from the legend. Due to this, she becomes immensely popular amongst the people in addition to her reputation of helping the poor, particularly in the Fire Tribe, and solving issues around the nation such as the human trafficking in the Earth Tribe town, Awa, and the drug issues in the Water Tribe’s town, Nadai.

She becomes someone who actually does something for the people, similar to Castro. So all in all, Yona builds a name for herself, and somewhat unintentionally creates a cult of personality wherein the people adore her. I thought this was a super fun comparison that shows how exactly Yona’s rise to power is happening. Personally I think she’ll be an amazing Queen when the time comes (I hope it does), especially after witnessing all her character growth. As much as I like Soo Won and believe he is a remarkable King, he lacks that empathy he’s locked away, something Yona has that allows her to help the people that much quicker and more effectively, as well as come to more peaceful and efficient conclusions (i.e. the resolution of tensions with Xing Kingdom).

Anyway, I can’t believe I only recently figured out that the best world-building works off lessons and events from history (like, it’s pretty much common sense, huh?).

But, now that I know, history class is a little more exciting! ~\(≧▽≦)/~

[midnight-in-town]

About the current (last?) arc of AnY and going full circle

Sorry if some fans already mentioned those ideas but I’ve been rereading the current arc, because it’s been quite long and the pace has its flaws sometimes, so I wanted to broaden my perspective on the story. 

First of all, as an introduction can I just say that I’m, as always, impressed by Hak’s character. He had so much cliché and shallow potential when the story started (I really used to roll my eyes at him), but he became one of my absolute favorite by how deep and strong-hearted he actually is, once he allows people behind the walls he built around him. Anyway, my love for his character & development knows no boundary. I had to say this, ok. I’ll explain why later in the post. Moving on. 

A conflict of generation

If there is one thing I love about Kusanagi-sensei, it’s the feminine touch she adds to her writing. For example, when she naturally addressed periods during the Xing arc and it fit perfectly, because that’s just how her writing goes. In this arc, it shows through the initial bold move to tell us readers about the past through the thoughts and words of a character we’ve never met, that is to say, Yonhi, Yuhon’s wife and Suwon’s mother. 

And yet, it made absolute sense, because Yonhi was the reason behind the cataclysm that eventually led to Yuhon killing priests, as well as the falling-out between him and his younger brother, Il. All along, Yonhi was the silent but pained witness to this feud, watching as the ego of two brothers destroyed everything when none of the two backed down, leading to first Kashi’s death, then Yuhon’s murder and finally Suwon’s coup. 

So, in a way, even if I think Suwon makes a far better king than Yuhon or Il, his circumstances kinda precede the logical decision to get Il out of the picture before he completely annihilated his own kingdom in poverty and war, because there is too much resentment and hatred that fueled Suwon while growing up, even if we readers know that his motivations are primarily about saving Kouka from war against the Kai Empire.

Don’t get me wrong, I absolutely despise both Yuhon and Il but, unfortunately for Suwon, Yona growing up sheltered and mostly unaware of the horrible truth highlights her own decisions throughout the series to be completely selfless and wanting to own up to her father’s misjudgement, rather than trying to get back at Suwon, effectively breaking the cycle of hatred amongst the royal family. 

Why the Wind Tribe kept on supporting Il when everyone else could notice that he was betting on his daughter as the reincarnation of King Hiryuu to save his country is beyond me (Mundok plz explain). Not that Yuhon was better, preaching wars, and I’m glad that Il eventually reconciled with Yonhi, telling him that he would accept Suwon’s judgement but...

...I can’t forgive him for his words. 

Like Yonhi, I’d rather he would have hoped that his conflict with his brother did not reach his children than entertaining it the way he did.

Hopefully though, now that Yona read Yonhi’s memoirs, she will work towards achieving that goal. Not that I have any doubt, since she never really managed to hate Suwon. 

Speaking of the past generation, reading the latest chapters I couldn’t help but wonder about Yona's sad dream... could it be that she inherited Kashi’s gift? Kashi did say that she had these prophetic visions since very young which doesn’t seem to be Yona’s case, but I’ll keep the idea in mind, because it’s interesting. I mean, from Yonhi’s memoirs, it seems that Kashi envisioned that the child she would have would be Hiryuu’s reincarnation (whoever the father was going to be), so Yona inheriting the same prophetic gift from her mother would make sense. 

What an ironic parallel to Suwon inheriting the Crimson Illness from Yonhi if that’s the case, am I right? 

Yona as Kouka’s next Queen

And by that I do not mean Keishuk’s plan to marry her to Suwon, because of her popularity with Kouka’s people. Obviously, the story always was to conclude in Yona getting her throne back and that’s even easier to imagine with Suwon’s disabling illness, but becoming a ruler is tough work and Yona had no real experience acting as a leader for an entire country. 

She didn’t know much before her father’s murder and, even after she became a runaway with Hak and the rest of the HHB, she finely dealt with crises affecting some parts of the kingdom but never the whole kingdom at once, like it’s doomed to happen with the war against the Kai Empire. 

So I really appreciated her stepping up when Suwon couldn’t, because that’s definitely good training and we see the results in the latest chapters:

To be fair, I always thought that Keishuk would be the biggest thorn in Yona’s side during this arc but, as many characters have said in this arc, he’s rather clever and honest about what he intends to achieve, which is why it’s not in his interests to get in the way of Yona if they share a similar goal. 

Looking forward to her facing even greater challenges. Good luck, Yona. <3

War against the Kai Empire: there is strength in unity

The Kai Empire has been depicted as the story’s big bad for a long while now and the common goal for which Yona’s faction and Suwon’s allies could unite, but I’m glad to get more specifics and new characters to explore that part of the plot.

Namely, Mei and Vall. With Chagol, they seem like the perfect foil trio to Suwon, Yona and Hak, except that Chagol seems like a real thorn in the other two’s backs, when a strong bond still ties our main trio in spite of the sad circumstances of the beginning. I particularly love the mirroring reflection between Mei and Yona...

&

...except that Mei is not at odds with one kingdom but with two and that she also deals with the Crimson Illness. :/

Now that war has started, the big threat that South Kai represents will obviously be dealt with, but Kouka kingdom will need more than its five tribes to win this. That’s where I’m sure we all expect to see old “enemies” come back, namely Xing Kingdom, since Kouren signed a military agreement with Suwon, thanks to Yona and Tao. I would bet that this won’t be enough either, but Xing are the only known allies that Kouka kingdom has. 

There is another “enemy” we know from the previous arc though, who have strong feelings against the Kai Empire, specifically about rulers treating their women badly and they are...

...Ying Kuelbo and the Tully tribe. 

The big difference between Xing Kingdom and the Tully tribe is that Suwon never met or dealt directly with Kuelbo the way he did with Kouren and Tao. The Tully tribe lost and Kuelbo ran away, betrayed and having to find a new way to take on the Kai Empire. That’s why I think the Tully tribe would eventually make for a good ally in this war: it showed good promises when Yuran and Yona got along and I think Yona understood where Kuelbo was coming from, especially now that Mei is with them and can probably tell them in details about Chagol.

Not saying this will happen soon, but since there is someone who met and fought against Kuelbo, probably gaining his respect, if this person was to seek the Tully tribe to make them Kouka Kingdom’s ally on Yona’s guidance, I think Kuelbo would give it a thought. That’s right, I’m talking about Hak, who’s currently on his way with Yoon to the Earth Tribe to fetch a drug that will not be able to save neither Suwon nor Mei, thanks Zeno for spoiling us. 

That’s what I meant when I said that Hak slowly became one of my favorite characters throughout the story. While the Sky Tribe seems to be taking bets on who between Yona and Suwon will eventually sit for good on that throne, there is a good chance that Hak will be one of the key players when it comes to winning that war against South Kai. Not that we should expect any less from the Thunder Beast. <3

To be very honest though, I expected this arc to be very tough for his character, because the truth behind Il’s death and Suwon’s coup would never be easily understandable to him (Yona’s own words, not mine): 

Yet, surprisingly he was able to at least listen and, no matter if he will ever understand Suwon’s choice or not, he decided to trust in Yona’s decision to back Suwon in the rising political issues.  

In general, I love how Hak is the least bound by the past before Suwon’s coup. He did respect Il as his king, but he did not protect Yona in the beginning for anyone else’s sake but her own. Just like Kashi once asked him to always protect Yona (which is sweet since she could see the future) but, considering he never even thought about her words once in the story, it’s likely he doesn’t remember that at all, making the choice to be by Yona’s side defined as solely his own. 

It’s this strength of his that eventually led him to say recently that he would go fetch that drug with Yoon, knowing that it was for Suwon’s sake (surprising Suwon himself), just like he will definitely fight for Kouka Kingdom, not because Yona wants him to but because it’s clearly his own desire (see ch211 where he let Yun go alone so that he could help the Earth Tribe fight):

All that makes Hak the wildest card of every agency in the plot, not simply because he’s strong and reliable and the biggest worry of the Sky Tribe, but because...

...Yona and the four dragons will never give him up.

Through Hak, Yona will be able to assert her political weight and he will be there for her, like he always was, making it impossible for their little group to lose. What a power move, I love it. 

I think I should stop there because I already rambled so much. Looking forward to the rest of the arc, it’s going to be a wild ride!! 

[angrypaperearthquake-tbbb-main]

Yona of the Dawn: Chapter 35 ~ My Favorite Bits (SPOILERS)

Sprains are no joke. Those things hurttttt

I really like how they did this scene in the anime. It was wayyy funnier dialogue

This is the moment where she knew she was going to kill him. Right. There.

Okay, hear me out on this. Maybe it’s just a translation issue, but if Awa was always like this, I feel like Jae-Ha would have done, well, more. I mean his whole shtick is that he values freedom (and beautiful women) over everything else. Following that vain, a bunch of beautiful women literally being sold into slavery (most likely sexual in nature), would go against all of his convictions. He wouldn’t let that go, right?

I say this to people all of the time: if you are in a situation that you don’t like, YOU have to be the one to fight for change. Once one person rises up, the rest are likely to follow. Be that ONE person!

I love this. The princess is surrounded by extremely powerful, almost supernatural, people (Hak and the four dragons). However, King Hiryuu was a mere human. He had no dragon powers like his brothers that came to protect him. He had to live his life with the ordinary strength of a human. It’s very easy to take given-power for granted, but it is more virtuous to find power in oneself.

Keep being your crazy self Kija, we love you just the way you are <3

Shin-Ah sneak attack!!!

There are (3) completely different reactions to Jae-Ha’s masochistic expression and I am loving it.

Hak: “Don’t be weird, you disgusting pervert.”

Kija: *oblivious* OMG, you were lying!

Shin-Ah: *stares in awe and wonder*

Had to throw this in for comedic affect. No context required lol

[notchesandbullets]

Trouble in the Tavern (Jealous!Shin-ah x Reader)

[Slight spoilers for manga chp 65]

He's jealous, so it gets steamy towards the end. If that's not for you, probably don't read this one. Next one will be more lighthearted.

Words: 2.1k

The Happy Hungry Bunch had stopped in a nearby town just outside of the Kai Empire. Yona had performed her dance and you badly wanted to tease Hak about how he couldn't take his eyes off of her.

Instead, you were drinking away your sorrows because of a certain blue dragon. You wished he would look at you how Hak looked at Yona, but you supposed you couldn't win it all. The others had set up camp outside of the town so as to not draw any unwanted attention, and you had missed the way Shin-ah's eyes followed you as you left for the tavern.

You took another swing of the bottle in front of you, mind wandering aimlessly.

Shin-ah was a force to be reckoned with.

He had grown so much since the start of your journey, and you wished that he would allow you to be there for him as much as he was there for you. He had a habit of watching from the sidelines in silence until intervention was needed, usually between a bickering Jae-ha and Hak.

The booth that you were settled in was red leather, mimicking Yona's hair. You took another sip of the alcohol, wincing as it burned down your throat. Your head knocked back, banging against the dirty wooden wall behind you.

Time to dance.

There was faint music that wasn't very loud, but you just felt like dancing. There were already some present on the floor, and judging by their movements, they were pretty intoxicated. You took your place alongside them, in an empty space and began to sway your hips to the music. Your eyes closed as you let the beats flow over you.

Foreign hands settled on your hips, and you felt a body behind you. Your eyes shot open, immediately going to slap their hands off of your body, but they held you there, making you unable to turn around.

Your lips curled back in a snarl, desperately trying to break free of their grasp. Someone else stepped in front of you, and you looked up, meeting the gaze of an unfamiliar man.

"Eh... What do you think, man?" The voice, you didn't recognize it.

"She'll do. She's quite a beauty after all..." He leered at you, face going to sniff your hair.

You cringed away from him, but your movements were sloppy.

Dang it.

You've had too much to drink.

You felt panic rise in your chest, tightening your throat as they dragged you away. Normally, you'd be able to take them on, no problem, but this time they had caught you off guard. There was no way for you to fight them off.

I shouldn't have drank so much.

His grip has transferred from your hips to your arms, and you could feel the bruises forming underneath his fingertips.

But as the fear set in, their disgusting hands were wrenched from your body. You watched in awe as familiar white fur flooded your vision. Shin-ah let out a low growl at the sight of the bruises on your skin and continued to beat up the men now laying on the ground before you.

He still had his sword strapped to his back, but the swordsman didn't need it. He kept punching them until blood poured from their mouths.

By now, everyone was looking. You faintly heard someone screaming and others were cheering him on, but your gaze was trained on the normally reserved Seiryuu.

He drew back, standing menacingly above them, chest heaving. His body was practically vibrating in fury, and he barely held himself back from taking away their ability to breathe. The two barely conscious men cowered in fear at the sight of the fearsome masked man before them.

"Don't ever touch her again." Shin-ah snarled, baring his teeth threateningly.

How he longed to kill them and unleash the power of his eyes so that could feel excruciating pain before they left this world for good, but he had another priority.

He turned his attention back towards you, cupping your chin tenderly, inspecting you for injuries.

"Are you alright?" His soft voice reached your ears and your head spun at the contrast between the sweet Shin-ah in front of you compared to the raging dragon that he was a few seconds ago.

You shakily nodded your head, and he frowned, not at all liking how terrified they managed to make you in such a short span of time. He took your hand gently in his, leading you away from them and back to camp. He kept you close to his side the whole way there, you were practically tucked in his side, away from anyone's prying eyes.

Before you knew it, you were standing before three bewildered dragons, a very confused Hak, a concerned Yona and a scolding Yoon.

"We weren't supposed to attract any attention!!" Yoon shouted at the two of you, and you hid behind Shin-ah, his broad back shielding you from view and the pretty boy's vicious reprimanding.

Shin-ah dipped his head in apology, and Yoon huffed, eyes suddenly becoming curious. "What did you do anyways?"

He wordlessly held up his hands and gasps of shock could be heard from all around.

"Shin-ah!"

"That looks bad..."

"Oh no, what happened?!"

You peeked around him, jaw dropping in shock at the blood that crusted his knuckles.

Your wide eyes trained on him, filled with guilt. You sobered up fast. As Yoon moved to treat them, you reached out your hand, silently asking to do it instead. He handed them to you a little bit reluctantly, unsure if you'd be able to properly treat them in your drunken state, but your eyes were clear so he took a chance.

As you led him away from the campsite and into the forest, you couldn't stop the rising shame. He had to come save you, again. This wasn't the first time it had happened, and you couldn't help but feel bad that he was always looking out for you.

It's like I'm a kid that needs to be looked after... You thought venomously to yourself.

Shin-ah tilted his head, wondering why you looked angry. He hoped it wasn't aimed at him. He knew that he acted a bit out of character, but he never wanted to see that terror on your face again. It didn't belong there.

You gestured for him to take a seat at the base of the tree so that you could tend to his injuries, but he refused.

"Shin-ah, let me look at them." You insisted, going to swipe the ointment Yoon palmed him out of his hands.

You frowned when he sidestepped you, huffing and placing your hands on your hips.

"Stay still!!"

Lunging for him again, you lost your footing as your intoxicated mind miscalculated the distance between you two and you crashed straight into his chest. A blush bloomed across your cheeks, and you vaguely registered how he stiffened underneath you. You pulled back, apologizing profusely for making him uncomfortable, all while kicking yourself internally.

Idiot. We've been over this.

Holding out your hand for the medicine, he reluctantly caved and gave it to you. As you cleaned his cuts in silence, your bottom lip wobbled dangerously as the events of the night finally started to catch up with you.

Fingers that didn't belong to you gently brushed away the tears you hadn't realized were rolling down your face and you sniffled, wiping your eyes furiously.

He didn't say anything, but his nostrils flared as he saw the discolored skin on your upper arms and wrists. Outstretching his hand, his fingers barely brushed against the bruises, recoiling as he heard your breath hitch.

You caught his wrist before he could pull away, shaking your head furiously. "No, Shin-ah. Please don't leave."

He had no intentions of doing anything of the sort and his mouth set in a hard line at how insecure you were at the moment as a direct result of what those men had done to you. The corner of his lip curled back in disgust as he remembered what could have happened if he had arrived a minute later.

Your gaze lowered, mistaking his silence for another thing entirely. "I'm really sorry, please don't be angry at me."

His head snapped up in shock at your quiet whimper and he moved before he knew what he was doing.

Your eyes shot open as you were crushed in a tight hug, tears pricking at the corners of your eyes for another reason now.

"I'm not... angry at you." He told you quietly.

After you didn't say anything, he sighed, admitting softly, "I'm sorry... I should have... been there sooner."

You pulled back to look him in the eye, disbelief swimming in the depths of your gaze. "Shin-ah, there's no way this is in any way, your fault. I should have at least gotten Jae-ha to come with me so that this sort of thing didn't happen, but I figured he earned the time off."

His body tensed next to yours at the mention of the green dragon's name and you shuffled out of his arms sheepishly.

"Ah... it was stupid of me. I'll make sure to ask him next time, okay? So then you won't have to come looking for me anymore." Hugging your arms close to your body, you suppressed a shiver as his eyes locked on yours.

"No."

You tilted your head, confused. "Shin-ah?"

"No." The blue dragon ground out through clenched teeth. First the men, and now Jae-ha. He had waited too long. "I will go with you next time."

Lifting an eyebrow in astonishment, you hastily tried to repair the damage you thought you had done. "You really don't have to, I don't want to be a bother—"

The low growl that emitted from the back of his throat had you freezing.

"You're not." He nearly spat, beyond upset that you still believed you were bothering them with the most minor of things. He didn't blame you, fully aware of what happened to you to make you think like that, but he couldn't stand thinking that the girl he loved thought that she wasn't even worth the attention or effort from her friends. "I'm coming with you."

You were thick-headed, dense and in denial. "Shin-ah, you really don't have to—"

He groaned in frustration, surging forward and smashing his lips onto yours. The rage he had felt earlier when he saw those men touch you without your permission coupled with the jealousy coursing through his veins when you mentioned the seductive green dragon had become too much for him to restrain himself.

You squeaked in surprise at the forwardness of his kiss, caught off-guard by how fervently he was moving his lips against yours. Breaking out of your trance that this was really happening, you responded with vigor, sighing blissfully as he detached himself from your soft lips and began trailing kisses and bites along your jaw and neck.

"Shin-ah..." Your eyes rolled in the back of your head as he found your pulse point, curses flying from your mouth when he sucked on it harshly.

It was so unlike him that it had you practically purring for more. Even when he was worked up, he was just as gentle as ever, if not a little passionate.

His hands started to roam over your body, sliding underneath your thighs to hoist you onto his lap, not once pulling away from your intoxicatingly soft skin. Neck bared for him and only for him, he panted heavily, pressing his lips back to yours insistently.

Your mind had grown so hazy with the overwhelming flood of sensations that you barely heard him talking to you.

"What?"

The low chuckle made you bite your lip shyly.

"I said..." Shin-ah repeated, pecking your forehead sweetly. "You're mine."

A playful smile tugged on the corner of your lips and your eyes sparkled with mischief. "Oh?"

He nodded firmly and you giggled.

"Do I get a say in this?"

You saw him flush deeply and laughed out loud, knowing that if it were any other time, that would've been the first thing he would've asked you. You took a gander at what you thought spurred this out-of-character streak.

"Shin-ah, were you jealous?"

"Yes." He didn't even blink.

Moaning softly as he worked over the column of your throat, he asked timidly, so unlike the bravery he had displayed before. "... Be mine?"

And in the night of your solitude, you found solstice in the blue dragon. Eyes softening, you captured his lips tenderly with yours. "Shin-ah, I would be most honored."

[m34gs]

I saw you reblog some of my merlin posts, do you have any recs 👀

Recs you say?...Recs....hmmm, recs indeed. I have recs. For what? A whole plethora of things. So I'll give you a few of each:

(This'll be long, and potential spoilers for things so I will put the rest under a cut here!)

First up, the fanfics! This is the reason I took so long to answer...it's been a long time and I first read Merlin fics when I was new to AO3, so I didn't know how to bookmark yet. I had to hunt through my history for these:

1. Connecting the Dots by Rona23: this is a funny crack fic where the knights of Camelot speculate about Merlin and all the goings on around Camelot, and what really might be happening. It's fun, lighthearted, and full of situational irony. Makes me grin just thinking about it.

2. Lost in Forever by Camelittle: A cute sort-of fix-it fic. Takes place after the big battle in Season 5. Arthur is alive and at the castle recovering with his knights. Merlin is nowhere to be found, but a crotchety old sorcerer is giving Arthur grief as he goes on a quest to find his manservant. Very endearing, I highly enjoyed this.

3. how to knight (orphan_account): this one follows some original characters who are new knights of Camelot. They are given a secret set of instructions by the older knights, mostly pertaining to Merlin and Arthur and what to Never Do. Very cute. Only 2 chapters, but I enjoyed it very much.

Alright, let's move on! Recs for books that have some similar aspects! Let's goooo:

1. The Faithful and the Fallen series by John Gwynne, a fantasy series set in a medieval time period. This is a series about a prophecy involving the Champions of two gods fighting to determine which god would win and rule the land. The fun thing here is that there is a prophecy, but it is very open to interpretation which allows everyone to have their own motives and drives. There is a variety of characters and I really enjoyed this series. The first book is titled "Malice". There may not be dragons, but there are giants, magic, spirits, wolves, and other fun aspects!

2. The Ranger's Apprentice series by John Flanagan. Medieval fantasy? Yup. Variety of characters? Yup. Underdog as the main character? Yes indeed. Enemies-to-friends(to potentially lovers if you wanna stray from canon)? YES. Will is an orphan, brought up with other orphans, and when he comes of age to start apprenticing for work, he is chosen to be a Ranger. One of his meanest bullies goes to train as a knight. Do they go through character development? YES! Do they end up fighting in multiple wars together? YES! Do they end up travelling to solve conflicts all around the country, sometimes with and sometimes without one another? YESSSS! Are there kick-ass women in this story, like princesses who know how to use their power to bargain and diplomats who are quick-witted enough to give even the oldest scholars a run for their money? Hell yesssss! So, while it may seem a bit geared toward younger audiences (as in young teens) I adore this series and highly recommend it. There are many books, and there are even spin-off series that take place in the same universe but follow a different set of characters! Very fun!

Let's talk about anime and manga! I do have a few that I think you would like based on the fact you enjoy Merlin.

1. Moribito: Guardian of the Spirit. I will never skip on an opportunity to share this title. It is set back in time, when a young prince must run from his uncle who wishes to kill him. A spear-wielding woman is hired to act as his bodyguard. They end up developing a very familial mother-son dynamic as they evade and run from everyone sent to kill the prince. To be honest, the parts of this I find most similar to Merlin is the found family aspect, magic being considered a thing to be feared, and the ending being rather bittersweet.

2. The Rising of the Shield Hero. This is an anime, and also a light novel series by Aneko Yusagi. Do you like isekai shows where the main character actually isn't immediately liked by the people in the other universe? And has to work his way from the bottom using every skill and ounce of self-preservation he has? Who is pretty much discriminated against by the king because of his power, even though he works time and time again to save the world he was transported to? Do you enjoy CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT?!!!! AND REALISTIC STRUGGLES????? Then this would be something I recommend. Again, there is plenty of magic, lots of fighting, and some very interesting storytelling as four heroes summoned from different worlds fight to save a world none of them realized existed until now.

3. Wise Man's Grandchild, another anime and light novel series, written by Tsuyoshi Yoshioka. This one is an isekai anime that relates to the story of King Arthur. In this story, Shin is a young boy in a medieval world where magic exists, whose soul was reincarnated there from our modern world, where he was an adult. Shin retains much of his knowledge from our world, and he applies this extensive knowledge of science to his innate magic abilities, making him very powerful. He is taught and raised by an old wizard named Merlin (the wise man who pretty much adopts him as his grandson). He goes to a school where other students are learning to master magic or the sword and gains a group of friends to learn more magic with in order to protect their king and country. Very fun, a short anime, easy to binge-watch.

4. Yona of the Dawn, an anime, and a manga series by Mizuho Kusanagi. A princess who has to flee for her life with a loyal servant, and needs to find the other human incarnations of the different-coloured dragons. Very fun and beautiful, I really liked this anime. Unfortunately, I have not read the manga (yet) but I found the anime very fun!

These are just a few of what's out there! Feel free to ask me for more, as I am always collecting new anime/manga/books/fics that I would more than love to share with others!!!! Enjoy :D

[jabbers-wild-world]

;; Don’t mind this post, guys. Just keeping track of my muse count below the cut, lol

Aaarrrghh (Tales of Arcadia)

Aaravos (The Dragon Prince)

Ace (Kuni no Alice)

Adam (RWBY)

Adam (OC, Blossoms of the Heart)

Aden (OC, Blossoms of the Heart)

Adrien (Miraculous)

Ahanu (OC, The Untamed Wilds series)

Aizawa (Boku no Hero/My Hero Academia)

Ajali (OC, The Lion King*)

Ajax (OC, Ascension**)

Akabane (GetBackers)

Akei Okami (OC, Wolf Song)

Akira (Persona 5)

Akiru (OC, The Cat Returns)

Akisu (OC, Harry Potter)

Aladi (OC, Blossoms of the Heart)

Alekai (OC, Blossoms of the Heart)

Alexios (Assassin’s Creed)

Aljunn (OC, Poison Daggers)

Altair (Assassin’s Creed)

Amani (OC, The Lion King)

Amon (OC, Solomon’s Key)

Anchor (Finding Nemo)

Angus (OC, untitled novel)

Anik (OC, Portal Skip)

Anubis (OC/mythological figure, untitled novel)

Apollo (Olympos)

Aramis (OC, untitled novel)

Archer (OC, Blossoms of the Heart)

Archibald (Tales of Arcadia)

Archimedes (OC, Secret of NIMH)

Argent (OC, The Edovin Trilogy)

Argo (OC, untitled novel)

Argus (OC, untitled novel)

Ari (OC, untitled novel)

Arius (OC, The Edovin Trilogy)

Arno (Assassin’s Creed)

Arqaedyn (OC, Overreach)

Arrow (OC, Neverland Fairies)

Arsene (Code:Realize)

Arsene Lupin (OC, The Mysterious Cases of Arsene Lupin)

Arten (OC, Blossoms of the Heart)

Artimaes (OC, The Horseman Series)

Artix (AdventureQuest/DragonFable)

Aspen (OC, Neverland Fairies)

Asra (The Arcana)

Asra (OC, Black Souls Rising)

Asra Fisher (OC, Harry Potter)

Asta (OC, Ascension)

Astaroth (OC, Solomon’s Key)

Aurelio (OC, Seas of Stormfall)

Auren (OC, Neverland Fairies)

Avel (OC, The Faded Legends saga)

Averin (OC, Firestone)

Avis (OC, Blossoms of the Heart)

Avos (OC, Shinzo/Mushrambo)

Aym (OC, Solomon’s Key)

Azir (OC, Shinzo/Mushrambo)

Azkhal (OC, untitled novel)

Azra-Khal (OC, untitled novel)

Azriel (OC, Crossover)

Bael (OC, Solomon’s Key)

Bagheera (The Jungle Book)

Bakugou (Boku no Hero/My Hero Academia)

Balthasar (OC, Down the Rabbit Hole)

Balthazar (OC, Blossoms of the Heart)

Balto (Balto)

Ban (GetBackers)

Banjo (Banjo-Kazooie)

Banzai (The Lion King)

Barik (Nora: The Last Chronicle of Devildom)

Baron (The Cat Returns)

Barrel (OC, Pokemon)

Bartleby (OC, Down the Rabbit Hole)

Bartleby (OC, Blossoms of the Heart)

Batty (FernGully)

Beast (Beauty and the Beast)

Bear (OC, Neverland Fairies)

Beetle (Kubo and the Two Strings)

Beta (OC, Viral Infection)

Black Jack (OC, The Untamed Wilds series)

Black Joker (Kuni no Alice)

Blaine (OC, Blossoms of the Heart)

Blitz (OC, How to Train Your Dragon)

Blood (Kuni no Alice)

Boomer (OC, Neverland Fairies)

Boris (Kuni no Alice)

Bow (She-Ra and the Princesses of Power)

Bowser (Mario)

Branch (Trolls)

Break (Pandora Hearts)

Briggs (OC, Finding Nemo/Finding Dory)

Buer (OC, Solomon’s Key)

Bunnymund (Rise of the Guardians)

Caine (OC, Blossoms of the Heart)

Cal (OC, untitled novel)

Cale (OC, Blossoms of the Heart)

Callum (The Dragon Prince)

Camber (OC, untitled novel)

Campbell (Camp Camp)

Canterbury (Black Butler)

Capper (My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic)

Cassius (OC, Brightwire)

Caster (OC, Neverland Fairies)

Catra (She-Ra and the Princesses of Power)

Chardonnay (Sweet Beginnings***)

Charlie (Monsterkind)

Cherry (Sweet Beginnings)

Chester (Tales of Phantasia)

Chouza (Itsuwaribito)

Chris Blackford (OC, Crossover)

Chrono (Chrono Crusade)

Chuuya (Bungou Stray Dogs)

Colte (OC, Viral Infection)

Conn (OC, The Arcanum Chronicles)

Connor (Assassin’s Creed)

Connwaer (named by me, with permission from crimson-chains)

Cornelius (Thumbelina)

Cranberry Lemon (Sweet Beginnings)

Creek (Trolls)

Cress (Tales of Phantasia)

Crosjando (OC, Blossoms of the Heart)

Crow (OC, Neverland Fairies)

Crowley (Oz+)

Cryptic (OC, My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic)

Cysero (AdventureQuest/DragonFable)

Dabi (My Hero/Boku no Hero Academia)

Dagan (OC, untitled novel)

Daisuke (D.N.Angel)

Daniel (Camp Camp)

Dantalion (OC, Blossoms of the Heart)

Dante (Devil May Cry)

Dante Ignatius (OC, untitled novel)

Dante Kronos (OC, Down the Rabbit Hole)

Dante Rhodes (OC, Harry Potter)

Darien (OC, Misplaced Magic)

Dark (D.N.Angel)

Dark Law (OC, My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic)

Dark Pit (Kid Icarus)

Darrow (OC, untitled novel)

Dastan (OC, Silence Lost)

Data (OC, Viral Infection)

David (Camp Camp)

Dazai (Bungou Stray Dogs)

Deaikil (OC, Ascension)

Decim (Death Parade)

Delta (OC, Viral Infection)

Devil (Sweet Beginnings)

Devon (OC, Blossoms of the Heart)

Devon (OC, The Camp Mythos series)

Dezimir (OC, Blossoms of the Heart)

Dhambi (OC, The Lion King)

Digit (OC, Viral Infection)

Docks (OC, untitled novel)

Dodger (OC, Down the Rabbit Hole)

Dodger (OC, Secret of NIMH)

Don Karnage (Talespin)

Double Trouble (She-Ra and the Princesses of Power)

Dr. Facilier (The Princess and the Frog)

Drake (OC, Black Souls Rising)

Drossel (Black Butler)

Duststorm (OC, My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic)

E (AdventureQuest/DragonFable)

Ed (The Lion King)

Eivan (OC, Blossoms of the Heart)

Elias (OC, The Pariah Chronicles)

Elias (OC, Blossoms of the Heart)

Elijah (OC, The Edovin Trilogy)

Elliot (Kuni no Alice)

Elliott (OC, Blossoms of the Heart)

Elliot Redmond (OC, Seas of Stormfall)

Emmett (OC, Down the Rabbit Hole)

Envy (Full Metal Alchemist)

Envy (OC, The Intentions series)

Eravi (OC, untitled novel)

Etienne (OC, untitled novel)

Euro (OC, Neverland Fairies)

Ezio (Assassin’s Creed)

Ezra (OC, Star Wars)

Fai (Tsubasa Reservoir Chronicles)

Falkor (The Neverending Story)

Fallon (Sirius the Jaeger)

Fangtooth (OC, My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic)

Farren (Lego Elves)

Felix (Satan and Me)

Felix Agreste (Miraculous Ladybug)

Fengari (OC, RWBY)

Fenris (Dragon Age)

Ferio (Magic Knight Rayearth)

Ferran (OC, GrimmalWar)

Ferrin (OC, Blossoms of the Heart)

Ferris (OC, Blossoms of the Heart)

Festus (OC, Shinzo/Mushrambo)

Finn (OC, Brightwire)

Fisk (OC, Neverland Fairies)

Fox (RWBY)

Gadget (OC, Neverland Fairies)

Gage (OC, The Edovin Trilogy)

Gajeel (Fairy Tail)

Gale (OC, Neverland Fairies)

Galvyn (OC, untitled novel)

Ganta (Deadman Wonderland)

Gareki (Karneval)

Garrett (Quest for Camelot)

Garrick (OC, Blossoms of the Heart)

Garry (Ib)

Gavin (OC, Seventh Shard)

Gawl (Generator Gawl)

Geilver (OC, Blossoms of the Heart)

Gideon (Seven Princes of the Thousand-Year Labyrinth)

Gil (Pandora Hearts)

Gilvein (OC, Shinzo/Mushrambo)

Gin (OC, My Hero/Boku no Hero Academia)

Ginji (GetBackers)

Ginko (Mushishi)

Ginti (Death Parade)

Gintoki (Gintama)

Gintoki (OC, Blossoms of the Heart)

Giza (OC, The Lion King)

Gizmo (OC, Neverland Fairies)

Gizmo (OC, Beyond the Rainbow)

Glitch (OC, Viral Infection)

Gojyo (Saiyuki)

Goku (Saiyuki)

Gourry (The Slayers)

Gowland (Kuni no Alice)

Graham (OC, Assassin’s Creed, Harry Potter, Outlander)

Gray (Fairy Tail)

Gray Ringmarc (Kuni no Alice)

Griffin (Quest for Camelot)

Grillby (Undertale)

Guy (The Croods)

Guy Cecil (Tales of the Abyss)

Guy Diamond (Trolls)

Hades (Olympos)

Hagane (OC, untitled novel)

Hak (Akatsuki no Yona/Yona of the Dawn)

Hans (OC, Shinzo/Mushrambo)

Hapsun (OC, Magi: The Labyrinth of Magic)

Harper (OC, The Moonlight Ring)

Harrison (OC, Blossoms of the Heart)

Harrow (OC, Neverland Fairies)

Haru (OC, Blossoms of the Heart)

Haruka (Tactics)

Hatari (OC, The Lion King)

Hatch (OC, untitled novel)

Hatchet (OC, Neverland Fairies)

Hatsuharu (Fruits Basket)

Hawke (OC, Beyond the Rainbow)

Hector “Striker” Marques (OC, The Edge of Dawn)

Hibiki (OC, Boku no Hero/My Hero Academia)

Hikae (Itsuwaribito)

Hiraishi (OC, untitled novel)

Hiro (Big Hero 6)

Hiruko (Itsuwaribito)

Hiruko (Nightmare Inspector)

Hisago (Itsuwaribito)

Hisirdoux “Douxie” Casperan (Tales of Arcadia)

Hook (Okashi na Shima no Peter Pan/Sweet Neverland)

Hunk (Voltron Legendary Defender)

Ibal (OC, untitled novel)

Ifari (OC, Blossoms of the Heart)

Ikuto (Shugo Chara)

Impey (Code:Realize)

Indigo “Indie” Tyrian (OC, Among the Stars)

Indivar (OC, Seventh Shard)

Inosuke (Demon Slayer)

Inuyasha (Inuyasha)

Isaac (OC, The Stormfront Chronicles)

Isaac Vivre (OC, Camp Camp)

Isaiah (OC, Evermore)

Isandro (OC, Black Souls Rising)

Izark Kia Tarj (From Far Away)

Izaya (Durarara!!)

Izmael (OC, Dead Man’s Day)

Izo (OC, untitled novel)

Izrael (OC, Cantor Descending)

Jabber Quill (OC, My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic)

Jace (OC, Down the Rabbit Hole)

Jacquimo (Thumbelina)

Jack (Rise of the Guardians)

Jade Moonfeather (OC, My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic)

Jael (OC, untitled novel)

James (Pokemon)

Jasper (OC, The Moonlight Ring)

Jasper Taigan (OC, The Sand Skulls Series)

Jax (OC, Misplaced Magic)

Jay (OC, Camp Camp)

Jellal (Fairy Tail)

Jericho (Kuni no Alice)

Jester Ring (OC, My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic)

Jinx (OC, Neverland Fairies)

Johnny (Sing)

Joker (OC, Down the Rabbit Hole)

Judal (Magi: The Labyrinth of Magic)

Julius (Kuni no Alice)

Jumba (Lilo and Stitch)

Justin (OC, Camp Camp)

Jyugo (Nanbaka)

Kade (OC, Plague)

Kaelan (OC, The Wild Warriors series)

Kagura (Demon Love Spell)

Kai (OC, untitled novel)

Kal (OC, untitled novel)

Kale (OC, Animorphs)

Kaminari (Boku no Hero/My Hero Academia)

Kanda (D. Gray-Man)

Karimu (OC, The Lion King)

Karkat (Homestuck)

Karma (Assassination Classroom)

Kasi (OC, The Lion King)

Kaspar (OC, The Tangled Series)

Katsuo (OC, Persona 4)

Kaushal (OC, Desert Sands)

Kavit (OC, Shinzo/Mushrambo)

Kazuki Fuuchouin (GetBackers)

Kazuki Muto (Busou Renkin)

Keidynn (OC, Shinzo/Mushrambo)

Keith (Voltron Legendary Defender)

Kestrel (OC, Neverland Fairies)

Keturi (OC, Shinzo/Mushrambo)

Khazroq (OC, untitled novel)

Khireus (OC, untitled novel)

Ki (OC, untitled novel)

Kifo (OC, The Lion King)

Kin (OC, Blossoms of the Heart)

Kirishima (Boku no Hero/My Hero Academia)

Kizami (Corpse Party)

Klarth (Tales of Phantasia)

Klein (OC, Down the Rabbit Hole)

Korand (OC, The Edovin Trilogy)

Koro-sensei (Assassination Classroom)

Krampus (OC, untitled novel)

Kratos (Tales of Symphonia)

Krin (OC, Ascension)

Kuhani (OC, The Lion King)

Kuiba (OC, The Lion King)

Kuro (Servamp)

Kurogane (Tsubasa Reservoir Chronicles)

Kutal (Shinzo/Mushrambo)

Kweli (OC, The Lion King)

Kyle (OC, Desert Sands)

Kyo (Fruits Basket)

Lark (OC, Neverland Fairies)

Lavi (D. Gray-Man)

Law/Lawrence (OC, Plague)

Lawrence (Seven Princes of the Thousand-Year Labyrinth)

Lawson (OC, The Untamed Wilds series)

Leif (OC, Neverland Fairies)

Leon (OC, Beyond the Rainbow)

Leonardo (Oz+)

Leraje (OC, Solomon’s Key)

Levi (OC, untitled novel)

Li (CardCaptors)

Lily (Servamp)

Lincoln (OC, untitled novel)

Link (Breath of the Wild)

Lion-O (Thundercats 2011)

Lionheart (OC, My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic)

Locien Kei (OC, untitled novel)

Lock (OC, Pokemon)

Lock (OC, Neverland Fairies)

Loki (Kamigami no Asobi)

Lokus (OC, The White Game)

Lotus (OC, Neverland Fairies)

Lowell (OC, Blossoms of the Heart)

Lucas DuSauvage (OC, Crossover)

Lucian (OC, Catching Smoke)

Lucian (OC, untitled novel)

Lucien (OC, Shinzo/Mushrambo)

Luka (Miraculous)

Luke Ainsworth (Sacred Blacksmith)

Luke fon Fabre (Tales of the Abyss)

Lune (The Cat Returns)

Lux (OC, Neverland Fairies)

Lyric (OC, Second Moon)

Lyric (OC, Blossoms of the Heart)

Mad King (X-Ray and Vav)

Mael (OC, untitled novel)

Majestic (OC, My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic)

Makoto (Free!)

Marco (Animorphs)

Marius (OC, Blossoms of the Heart)

Marius (OC, Down the Rabbit Hole)

Markos (OC, untitled novel)

Marquis (OC, Brightwire)

Marshall Lee (Adventure Time)

Mason (OC, untitled novel)

Masquerade (OC, My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic)

Mauti (OC, The Lion King)

Maverick (OC, untitled novel)

Max (Camp Camp)

Maximus (Tangled/The Tangled Series)

Mercury (RWBY)

Merlot (Sweet Beginnings)

Merrick (OC, untitled novel)

Messiah (Seven Princes of the Thousand-Year Labyrinth)

Micah (OC, Micah’s Guidebooks series)

Michal (OC, Neverland Fairies)

Midnight Star (OC, My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic)

Mifune (Soul Eater)

Migs (OC, The Camp Mythos series)

Mikasi (OC, Shinzo/Mushrambo)

Mikhael (OC, Fall of the Titans)

Mikhael (OC, Blossoms of the Heart)

Milori (Neverland Fairies)

Mist Flare (OC, My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic)

Mitsuhide (Akagami no Shirayuki/Snow White with the Red Hair)

Mitsuru (Nanbaka)

Mizani (OC, The Lion King)

Mkali (OC, The Lion King)

Mogar (X-Ray and Vav)

Momotaro (Free!)

Montague (OC, Blossoms of the Heart)

Monty (OC, Pokemon)

Morgan (OC, untitled novel)

Morgana (Persona 5)

Musashi (Nanbaka)

Mushra (Shinzo/Mushrambo)

Muta (The Cat Returns)

Myles (OC, Rewrite)

Mzungu (OC, The Lion King)

N (Pokemon)

Nagi (Deadman Wonderland)

Naro (OC, Shinzo/Mushrambo)

Nathan (OC, Blossoms of the Heart)

Nathaniel (Miraculous)

Natsu (Fairy Tail)

Nephr (OC, The Edovin Trilogy)

Nero (OC, Neverland Fairies)

Nguvu (OC, The Lion King)

Nico (Nanbaka)

Nico (OC, Black Souls Rising)

Nicolae (OC, untitled novel)

Nicu (OC, untitled novel)

Nightdream (OC, My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic)

Niklaus (OC, Blossoms of the Heart)

Nikolae (OC, D. Gray-Man)

Nils (OC, The Edovin Trilogy)

Nirav (OC, Desert Sands)

Nix (OC, untitled novel)

Njozi (OC, The Lion King)

Noah (OC, Beast in the Bottle)

Nod (Epic)

Noir (OC, The Cat Returns)

Nora (OC, Blossoms of the Heart)

Nora (Nora: The Last Chronicle of Devildom)

Obi (Akagami no Shirayuki/Snow White with the Red Hair)

Oga (Beelzebub)

Ojiro (Boku no Hero/My Hero Academia)

Oleander (OC, Neverland Fairies)

Oriander (OC, Shinzo/Mushrambo)

Orion (OC, untitled novel)

Orpheus (OC, Edge of Legend)

Orson (OC, The Stormfront Chronicles)

Orson (OC, Blossoms of the Heart)

Orson Gibbs (OC, Plague)

Oseru (Nora: The Last Chronicle of Devildom)

Ouro (OC, Neverland Fairies)

Oz (Oz+)

Oz Diggs (OC, Beyond the Rainbow)

Ozpin (RWBY)

Pallum (OC, Blossoms of the Heart)

Pax (Satan and Me)

Peter Pan (Okashi na Shima no Peter Pan/Sweet Neverland)

Peter White (Kuni no Alice)

Phalanx (OC, Shinzo/Mushrambo)

Philip (Sirius the Jaeger)

Pips (FernGully)

Piras (Awaken)

Pit (Kid Icarus)

Pteryn (OC, Blossoms of the Heart)

Qivral (OC, Ascension)

Quinn (OC, untitled novel)

Quirin (The Tangled Series)

Qwan (Qwan)

Rafiki (The Lion King)

Rai (OC, Shinzo/Mushrambo)

Rai (OC, Blossoms of the Heart)

Raimundo (Xiaolin Showdown)

Raito (OC, The Cat Returns)

Raitou (OC, Boku no Hero/My Hero Academia)

Raja (OC, untitled novel)

Rajan (OC, Desert Sands)

Rama Anin (OC, untitled novel)

Rampo (Bungou Stray Dogs)

Ratchet (OC, Neverland Fairies)

Ravenblade (OC, My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic)

Reik (OC, untitled novel)

Reiss (OC, Blossoms of the Heart)

Remus (Harry Potter, Marauders’ Era specifically)

Remy (X-Men, personal adaptation)

Ren (RWBY)

Rhett (OC, Finding Nemo/Finding Dory)

Rick O’Connell (The Mummy)

Ridge (OC, Neverland Fairies)

Rin (Free!)

Rin Okumura (Blue Exorcist)

Rishi (OC, Desert Sands)

Rivan (Nora: The Last Chronicle of Devildom)

Rivaren (OC, The Kingship Quartet)

River (OC, Neverland Fairies)

Roane (OC, untitled novel)

Robin (Disney’s Robin Hood)

Rock (Nanbaka)

Rocky (Chicken Run)

Roman (RWBY)

Rome (OC, Neverland Fairies)

Ronin (OC, Neverland Fairies)

Rowain (OC, Blossoms of the Heart)

Roux (OC, Neverland Fairies)

Roy (Full Metal Alchemist)

Roy G. Biv (Monsterkind)

Rukh (OC, Blossoms of the Heart)

Runaan (The Dragon Prince)

Rush (OC, Neverland Fairies)

Russell (OC, untitled novel)

Russell “Rusty” Carmine (OC, Among the Stars)

Rusty (OC, Blackwater)

Ryo (OC, Crossover)

Ryuji (Persona 5)

Ryuma (Shinzo/Mushrambo)

Ryuu (OC, Boku no Hero/My Hero Academia)

Sabito (Demon Slayer)

Sadir (OC, Blossoms of the Heart)

Sage (OC, The Kingship Quartet)

Sago (Shinzo/Mushrambo)

Sahar (OC, Neverland Fairies)

Sahari (OC, untitled novel)

Saiqeit (OC, untitled novel)

Samhain Shade (OC, Among the Stars)

Samon (Nanbaka)

Sanji (OC, Shinzo/Mushrambo)

Saru (OC, Shinzo/Mushrambo)

Sasha (OC, Pokemon)

Satan (Satan and Me)

Scar (The Lion King)

Scissor (Okashi na Shima no Peter Pan/Sweet Neverland)

Senji (Deadman Wonderland)

Sesshomaru (Inuyasha)

Shade (OC, Neverland Fairies)

Shahad (OC, The Edovin Trilogy)

Sharrkan (Magi: The Labyrinth of Magic)

Shere Khan (The Jungle Book)

Shetani (OC, The Lion King)

Shin-Ah (Akatsuki no Yona/Yona of the Dawn)

Shiro (Voltron Legendary Defender)

Shirou (Brand New Animal)

Shizuo (Durarara!!)

Shock (OC, Pokemon)

Shockwave (OC, My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic)

Shuseki (OC, My Hero/Boku no Hero Academia)

Sigma (OC, Viral Infection)

Silence (OC, The Intentions series)

Silver LeBlanc (OC, Among the Stars)

Sindar (OC, Blossoms of the Heart)

Skek (OC, DnD, untitled novel)

SkekMal (The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance)

Soren (The Dragon Prince)

Soul (Soul Eater)

Spark (OC, Neverland Fairies)

Staz (Blood Lad)

Steele (Balto)

Stein (Soul Eater)

Sting (Fairy Tail)

Stormblade (OC, My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic)

Strix (OC, Neverland Fairies)

Styx (OC, Neverland Fairies)

Sugino (Tactics)

Sumu (OC, The Lion King)

Sun (RWBY)

Sun (OC, Blossoms of the Heart)

Sunny Pine (OC, My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic)

Surefire Arrow (OC, My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic)

Sval (OC, untitled novel)

Swift (OC, Neverland Fairies)

Syaoran (Tsubasa Reservoir Chronicles)

Syuro (OC, untitled novel)

Taavi (OC, untitled novel)

Taeval (OC, Blossoms of the Heart)

Taigus (OC, untitled novel)

Takhal (OC, Blossoms of the Heart)

Tamani (OC, The Lion King)

Tanjiro (Demon Slayer)

Tatizo (OC, The Lion King)

Tempest (OC, My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic)

Terra (OC, untitled novel)

Terra (Kingdom Hearts)

Terence (Neverland Fairies)

Thomas O’Malley (Aristocats)

Thompson (Black Butler)

Thor (Kamigami no Asobi)

Tick (OC, Neverland Fairies)

Timber (Black Butler)

Tink (Okashi na Shima no Peter Pan/Sweet Neverland)

Titan (OC, Dragonmist)

Titian (OC, Blossoms of the Heart)

Titus (Seven Princes of the Thousand-Year Labyrinth)

Tjarron (OC, Brightwire)

Tobias (Animorphs)

Todoroki (Boku no Hero/My Hero Academia)

Tokiya (Time Guardian)

Tokoyami (Boku no Hero/My Hero Academia)

Toris (OC, Blossoms of the Heart)

Torren (OC, Neverland Fairies)

Train (Black Cat)

Travis (OC, Camp Camp)

Tyr (OC, Neverland Fairies)

Tyrian (OC, The Edovin Trilogy)

Tzekhal (OC, untitled novel)

Tzuriel (OC, untitled novel)

U-1146/White Blood Cell (Cells at Work)

Ueki (Law of Ueki)

Umbra (OC, Neverland Fairies)

Undertaker (Black Butler)

Uno (Nanbaka)

Uno (OC, Shinzo/Mushrambo)

Uriel (Satan and Me)

Utsuho (Itsuwaribito)

Vafa (Arabian Dreams)

Valiance (OC, The Stormfront Chronicles)

Varian (The Tangled Series)

Vasha (OC, Blossoms of the Heart)

Venn (OC, Neverland Fairies)

Venture (OC, My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic)

Vheildar (OC, Ascension)

Vince (OC, Blossoms of the Heart)

Viper (OC, Neverland Fairies)

Warren (OC, Blossoms of the Heart)

Watanuki (xxxHolic)

Wesley (Oz+)

Weston (OC, Beyond the Rainbow)

White (Love Among Us)

White Joker (Kuni no Alice)

Willow (OC, Neverland Fairies)

Wisp (OC, Neverland Fairies)

Wit (OC, Beast in the Bottle)

Wizardmon (Digimon)

Wolf (OC, Neverland Fairies)

Xander (OC, The Faded Legends Saga)

Xavier (The Tangled Series)

Xelloss (The Slayers)

Yamato (Nanbaka)

Yarrow (OC, Neverland Fairies)

Yasuo (OC, untitled novel)

Yildun (Star Crossed)

Yogi (Karneval)

Yosuke (Persona 4)

Yudar (OC, the Edovin Trilogy)

Yukito (OC, Blossoms of the Heart)

Yukito (OC, The Cat Returns)

Yuliy (Sirius the Jaeger)

Yuri (OC, Blossoms of the Heart)

Yuri Plisetsky (Yuri on Ice)

Zack (OC, Camp Camp)

Zeig (OC, The Edovin Trilogy)

Zeik (OC, Shinzo/Mushrambo)

Zelgadiss (The Slayers)

Zen (Akagami no Shirayuki/Snow White with the Red Hair)

Zera (OC, Blossoms of the Heart)

Zevran (Dragon Age)

Zigisu (OC, untitled novel)

Zoroaster (OC, Blossoms of the Heart)

Zuko (Avatar: The Last Airbender)

Zwei (OC, Shinzo/Mushrambo)

[a-writing-trickster-angel]

Sacrifice - Akayona Week

This story is for the Akatsuki no Yona week. The prompt I used was Favorite Scene and for that, I have two. In chapter 83, after Yona is injured, she dreams about the dragons being upset that they couldn’t protect her. In chapter 146, the dragons all use a power to project themselves to Yona to protect her from a hail of arrows, and weaken themselves doing so. This focuses on the aftermath of that, while also incorporating elements from the scene in chapter 83. Since Yona was more concerned about Hak’s fiancee after this event, this is a canon divergence focusing more on the dragons’ sacrifice. Obviously, spoilers for the above listed chapters.

Now that that’s out of the way, please enjoy. :)

It was dark. Yona couldn’t see anything at all. This place seemed familiar but of course she didn't recognize the darkness. Her heart was beating fast. She felt like she’d done something wrong. She had to find out what. 

She put her hands out in front of her, but she couldn’t even see them. Her only choice was to blindly stumble onward, and hope there was nothing there to stop her.

So Yona took a few tentative steps and felt nothing. She walked forward a little more and something clattered against her foot. She lifted it up and saw broken arrows. Her foot was bleeding, dripping red on the gleaming metal. 

She looked up again and saw four dragons before her: one white, one blue, one green, and one yellow. They were lying down, arrow shafts sticking out of them. They lay in massive pools of blood. 

Yona couldn’t stop the fear rising in her. 

She rushed forward. “No. Please don't be dead.” She knelt down next to the closest dragon. The white dragon. Kija.

“Kija. Please, wake up.” The white dragon had an injury to his shoulder, as well as the arrows. He didn't respond to her.

“Shin-ah.” He was lying next to Kija. She tried shaking him awake. “Shin-ah, please.” The only movement she saw was the one she was causing.

She hurried to Jae-ha's side. There was so much blood on him. He had a head wound. “Jae-ha. Jae-ha, you have to wake up.” His scales were cold to the touch. He didn't stir.

“Zeno.” She moved to the last dragon. Yona grabbed one of the arrows and pulled. It came free with a sickening squelch. Blood trickled down his back but he didn’t react. “Zeno. Heal yourself.” He didn’t.

“Please, everyone, wake up.” They didn’t.

Tears started to pour from Yona’s eyes. “Kija! Shin-ah! Jae-ha! Zeno! Wake up!”

-

Yona blinked her eyes, feeling tears rush down her face. The tent was above her. Yun was pressed against her side, still asleep. The night air was cool but she wasn’t uncomfortable. There was a light just outside the tent, reflecting the shadows of the outside world.

Yona blinked again.

Another tear fell. The shadows danced across the tent, same as before. Whatever she’d seen, it wasn’t real.

But her heart raced, as quickly as when those arrows were flying towards her. When the dragons protected her.

Yona threw off the blanket covering her. It was a dream. She knew it had been a dream. But she couldn’t convince herself not to leave her tent. She couldn’t stop herself from rushing to her friends’ sides. And she didn’t hesitate to pull the blankets off Kija and Jae-ha and press a hand on their chests.

Yona sighed in relief. She could feel the steady beat of their hearts beneath her hands. They were here and alive. She still pulled the blankets off Shin-ah and Zeno too, and did the same to them. She got the same result, the thump of their hearts, the rise and fall of their breaths. They were alive. They all were. 

Yona sat back and took a breath. She placed a hand over her beating heart, trying to will herself to calm down. It had all been a dream. They weren’t dead, pierced by arrows. They were right here, safe.

Sort of. The tears fell anew as Yona recalled everything that had happened to them. Between Jae-ha and Kija being injured, everyone being thrown in jail and being held hostage, being kidnapped again, and finally, using that power to save her, they’d been through so much recently. Too much.

Even now, she could see the deep purple bruises around Jae-ha, Shin-ah, and Kija’s necks. 

She was so grateful for them keeping her safe but it broke her heart that it came at such a cost. None of them could move after overworking their bodies. They were exhausted, as they hadn't stirred when Yona touched them. And they may have even shortened their lifespans. She'd told them not to do it again but they'd all willingly done it already. Was she really so special that they'd all unhesitatingly make that sacrifice?

Would they do it again?

Yona got back to her feet. If she was going to cry, she didn't want to disturb the others. She didn't go far, just on the edge of the firelight. But she felt safe to let everything out. 

Being separated from her family, negotiating with Su-Won, it was all so much. And now this. Her family was hurt again, because of her.

So Yona cried. She cried from the stress of being separated. She cried from being blackmailed. She cried from being unsure of her feelings, of watching her friends being taken again, from watching the struggle of getting them back. She cried for the hatred she'd seen, the pain that was carried. She cried until her eyes were dry, crying all they could bear. 

And Yona felt calmer. It had been painful but it was all in the past. Her family was with her again. Their injuries would heal. There was going to be peace. This was the most she could hope for. And they would continue on, together again.

[keyofjetwolf]

Pitch Me your thing!

HELLO HELLO MY SUNBEAMS. For most every category, there was an impressive turn-out for pitches, so I thought we’d utilize the weirdness of this year’s GIFTENING to give something new a try. The popular vote winner for each category will happen on the first day, but on the second, the winner will be chosen from YOUR PITCHES. Mostly those pitches will be to me. The exception is in Miscellaneous, where you’ll be pitching to my family, because what I want to do and what is most entertaining isn’t necessarily the same thing.

So! How will we do this thing? GLAD YOU ASKED. I’ll link you to a form in a minute with space for one pitch. Once you fill it out, you’ll be asked if you want to do another. There’s no limit to the number of pitches you can send in! But remember that if you submit multiple entries for the same category, you’ll basically be competing against yourself.

NOW WE’VE GOT SOME RULES FOR DOING THIS (which I mostly stole from Holligay, because I have no creativity this year). Please read them carefully! I’ll toss pitches that break any of these, and I’d rather your hard work not go to waste.

Pitch Me is open for your submissions from RIGHT NOW (22 December) through the very last day of this hellyear (31 December) at 11:59pm MT.

The thing you pitch must have come from what was nominated for THE GIFTENING 2020. (Full list of those nominations in every category below the cut on this post.)

Entries must be unsigned! I’m looking to chose based on the pitch alone, regardless of who submitted it.

The pitch itself must be 100 words or less. HAVE PITY ON ME I CAN ONLY CONSUME SO MUCH.

If you’d like to get some help, ideas, feedback, all that good stuff, the Discord is a FANTASTIC resource I encourage you to use.

HERE IS YOUR PITCH SUBMISSION LINK

And, as promised, below the cut you’ll find the list of all the nominees in every category you guys sent in this year. IT’S A LONG LIST HAVE FUN WITH THAT

Anime

A Place Further Than The Universe/Sora Yori mo Toi Basho Ace Attorney (Gyakuten Saiban) Action Heroine Cheer Fruits Aggretsuko Aho Girl Air Master Akuma No Riddle Alien Nine Angel Beats! Angelic Layer Appare-Ranman Aria Aria the Animation Arrietty/ The Secret World of Arrietty (Ghibli film) Ascendance of a Bookworm Azumamga Daioh Baccano! Beastars Black Cat Blood + (the series) Bloom Into You Blue Drop/Tenshitachino Gikyoku Bodacious Space Pirates (starting right where you left off) BOFURI: I Don't Want to Get Hurt, so I'll Max Out My Defense Boku no hero academia Bubblegum Crisis Card Captor Sakura: Clear Card Cardcaptor Sakura Castlevania the Animated Series Cells at Work Chaos; Head Chihayafuru Code Geass cowboy Bebop Cyborg 009 Death Note Death Parade Deca-Dence Demon Girl Next Door Demon Slayer (Kimetsu no Yaiba) Diebuster: Aim For the Top 2 Dog Days dorohedoro Dot Hack//SIGN Dr. Stone Elfen Lied Erased (Boku Dake Ga Inai Machi) Escaflowne Excel Saga Fantastic Children Fate/Zero Flip Flappers Fresh Precure Fruits Basket 2019 Full Metal Alchemist Brotherhood Ga rei Zero GaoGaiGar gekkan shoujo nozaki-kun Ghost in the Shell: Standalone Complex Ghost Stories (dubbed) Girls' Last Tour Great Pretender Hoseki no Kuni/ Land of the Lustrous House of Five Leaves/ Saraiya Goyou Inari konkon koi iroha Interviews with Monster Girls Inuyasha Isekai Izakaya "Nobu" Jellyfish Princess/ Kuragehime JoJo's Bizarre Adventure Part 4: Diamond is Unbreakable Kaguya-sama Love Is War Kaleido Star Kannazuki no Miko Keep Your Hands Off Eizouken! Kemono Friends Kiki's Delivery Service Kimi ni Todoke: From Me To You Kino's Journey/Kino no Tabi (2003) Land of the Lustrous (Houseki no Kuni) Little Witch Academia Lord El-Melloi II's Case Files EP0 {"A Grave Keeper") Love is Hard for an Otaku Love Live! Sunshine!! lupin the 3rd part 4 Madoka: The Rebellion Movie Magic knight rayearth Magical Girl Lyrical Nanoha March Comes in Like a Lion Mardock Scramble Master of Martial Hearts Mawaru Penguindrum Megalobox Miss Kobayashi's Dragon Maid Mob Psycho 100 Mobile Suit Gundam (1979) Monster Mushishi My Bride is a Mermaid (Seto No Hanayome) My Love Story!!! My Neighbor Totoro My Next Life As A Villainess: All Routes Lead to Doom My Roommate is a Cat NANA Naruto Natsume’s Book of Friends Neon Genesis Evangelion (hateblog) New Cutey Honey Nichijou Ōban Star-Racers One Piece Ouran High school Host club Outlaw Star Paranoia Agent Perfect Blue Please Save My Earth Pop Team Epic Pretty Cure Fresh Princess Jellyfish/ Kuragehime Princess Mononoke Princess Principal Princess Tutu Project A-Ko promised neverland (/yakusoku no neverland) Psycho-Pass Ranma 1/2 Re: Cutie Honey Re:Creators Read or Die (OAV) Red Garden relife Revolutionalry Girl Utena Rose of Versailles Ruroni Kenshin Sailor Moon Sailor Moon (viz dub) Samurai Champloo (english dub) Sarazanmai School Days School-Live! Scum's Wish Senki Zesshou Symphogear (listed as just "Symphogear" on Crunchyroll.) Serei no Moribito (Guardian of the Spirit) Shin Sekai Yori (From The New World) Shirobako Shoujo Kageki Revue Starlight Showa Genroku Rakugo Shinju Sleepy Princess in the Demon Castle Smile Pretty Cure (Japanese original)/ Glitter Force (english adaptation) Snow White with the Red Hair Sound Euphonium Strawberry Panic (yuri) Sweetness and Lightning The Devil is a Part-timer The Devil Lady The disasterous life of saiki k (saiki kusuo no Sai Nan) The End of Evangelion (movie) the Promised Neverland The Twelve Kingdoms Tiger & Bunny Tokimeki Tonight ToraDora Tsubasa Chronicle Umineko When They Cry Valkyrie Drive: Mermaid Vinland Saga Violet Evergarden Whispered Words (Sasameki Koto) With a Dog AND a Cat, Every Day is Fun Yona of the Dawn Yu Yu Hakusho Yugioh Duel Monster Yuki Yuna is a Hero Yuri Kuma Arashi Yuri On Ice!!! Zoids: Chaotic Century Zombie Land Saga

Non-Anime Animated

Adventure Time Amphibia Animainiacs (Original) Animaniacs (Reboot) Archie's Weird Mysteries As Told By Ginger Barbie Life in The Dreamhouse Batman the Animated Series Big Guy and Rusty the Boy Robot Big Mouth Bob's Burgers Bojack Horseman Bravest Warriors Captain N: the Game Master Carmen Sandiego (1994) Carmen Sandiego (2019) Castlevania (Netflix) Cats Don't Dance Coco Courage the Cowardly Dog Craig of the Creek Cyber Six Daria Darkwing Duck Dragon Booster Dragons: Riders of Berk DuckTales (2017) Exo-Squad Fern Gully Fillmore! Foster's Home for Imaginary Friends Futurama Gargoyles Glitch Techs Godzilla: The Animated Series Green Lantern the Animated Series Hedgehog in the Fog (Ёжик в тумане) Hey Arnold Hilda Infinity Train Iron Giant JEM Kim Possible Kipo and the Age of the Wonderbeasts Legend of Zelda animated series (1989) Legion of Super-Heroes Liberty Kids Magical Girl Friendship Squad Mao Mao: Heroes of Pure Heart The Legend of Korra Moominvalley Motorcity My Little Pony (Classic, NOT FiM) My Little Pony: Equestria Girls: Rainbow Rocks Onyx Equinox Over the Garden Wall Over the Moon (2020 film) Owl House Primal Rapunzel's Tangled Adventure Redwall Rise of the TMNT Roco's Modern Life Rugrats RWBY Samurai Jack Seis Manos She-Ra (1985) She-Ra and the Princesses of Power (2018) Sonic Boom Spartakus and the Sun Beneath the Sea Spiderman: Into the Spiderverse Star vs. the Forces of Evil Strange Magic Super Mario Brothers Super Show Superman: The Animated Series Teen Titans The 13 Ghosts of Scooby Doo The Animals of Farthing Wood The Dragon Prince The Hollow The Legend of Tarzan (TV series) The Magic School Bus (1994) The Mysterious Cities of Gold The Pirate Fairy (Disney Fairies) The Powerpuff Girls (1998) The Real Ghostbusters Thundercats (1985) Thundercats (2011) Transformers: Prime Tuca and Bertie Twelve Forever Undone Venture Bros Wakko's Wish Wakfu Wander Over Yonder We Bare Bears (TV) Winx Club Wreck-It Ralph (2012) X-Men Evolution X-Men: The Animated Series Xiaolin Showdown

Live Action

20,000 Leagues Under the Sea 28 Days Later 3rd Rock from the Sun A Series of Unfortunate Events American Horror Story: Asylum Babysitter's Club (2020) Batman (the old Adam West version) Better Call Saul Black Mirror Blackbeard's Ghost (Peter Ustinov) Boston Legal Boy Meets World Boys Over Flowers Bromance (Taiwanese tv series) Brooklyn 99 Buffy the Vampire Slayer Cadfael Cagney and Lacey Charmed (2018) Chopped Cleopatra 2525 Cloak and Dagger Clue (1985) Community Crazy Ex-Girlfriend Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance Dead Like Me Dead To Me Deadwood Death Note (Netflix) Derry Girls Dimension 20 - The Unsleeping City Doctor Who (New) Doom Patrol Dracula's Daughter (1936) Escape to the Chateau Farscape Fingersmith Galavant Godzilla (2014) Gokushufudo (2020 Japanese TV drama) Golden Girls Good Omens H20: Just Add Water (somewhere in seasons 1-2) Happy New Year Harley Quinn movie Hateblog a REALLY STRAIGHT soap opera. Haunting of Bly Manor His Dark Materials (HBO series) Holes Hot Fuzz House Inception Inside No. 9 Iron Chef America Joan of Arcadia Julie and the Phantoms Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle Kamen Rider Build Kamen Rider Ex-Aid Kamen Rider Fourze Killing Eve Knives Out Letterkenny Leverage Little Women (2019) Lucifer Matlock Majisuka Gakuen MASH Merlin Mission Impossible Ghost Protocol Money Talks (1997 film) Motherland: Fort Salem Murder She Wrote Mythbusters Nailed It! Never Have I Ever Once Upon a Time Orphan Black Pen 15 PGSM Pi (1998) Picnic at Hanging Rock (2018) Pride and Prejudice: A New Musical Puppy Bowl Pushing Daisies Rome (hateblog) Russian Doll Sabrina Sense8 Sera Myu: Un Nouveau Voyage Shameless Sierra Burgess Smallville So Weird Star Trek: TOS (or their films) Star Trek: The Next Generation Star Trek: Deep Space Nine Star Trek: Voyager Stargate Atlantis Suckerpunch Supernatural (out of context speedrun the last three episodes) Sweetheart Switched at Birth Tall Girl Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles The Addams Family (1964) The Big Flower Fight The Booth at the End The Bride With White Hair The Crown The Fresh Prince of Bel Air The Good Place The Kissing Booth The L Word The Librarians The Magicians The Muppet Show The Pregnancy Pact The Room The Steve Harvey Show The Stranded The Untamed The Witcher The Wolfman (1941) Torchwood Twilight Zone (original) Twin Peaks Ultraman Nexus Umbrella Academy Van Helsing Warehouse 13 Warrior Nun What We Do In The Shadows (tv show) Will & Grace Wynonna Earp X-Men 2: X-Men United Xena: Warrior Princess

Miscellaneous

Alpha Flight #41-62 Anime music dance party, the logistics of which are to be determined! Ask Hot Pocket and/or Mina-pup AskSharknado: Giftening Edition Attempt to make French macaroons Commentary on old Goggles Critical Role Crowdsourced: A Black Mirror-style day where Jetty has to ask what her choices are of the audience for everything! I give you a menu, you decide what she has for dinner? What does she wear? Does she walk on the track or do the eliptical? Does she go to a movie with Doc or play a video game with Mike? Can be done alongside other stuff. Doodle Day Dramatic readings of fan fiction! Drunk History (or whatever your favorite subject would be) with Jet Wolf! Drunk Sailor Moon Exorcising Closet Ghost Fic Prompts Day Figuarts Day! (Not specifically freeing anyone, just various fun poses and such) Guess the plot of a show based on its opening Her Shim-Cheong (manhwa) House of X/Powers of X Hubby's Choice IDW Jem comics liveblog Intros Only (watch show openings, give commentary, guess what show is about, etc.) Jackbox Games Jet Wolf paints along with Bob Ross Jet and Doc go to Heaven/Hell, respectively: Jet gets to write reams of words about the awesomeness of Rei Hino and Doc has to read all of them and say ONLY NICE THINGS. Jet does Tiktok dances Jet Liveblogs Holligay: A Nature Documentary Jet Ranks Sailor Moon Image Songs Jet Reads Goosebumps Jet Reads Legion of Super-Heroes Jet redesigns the Wolf and Gay offices! Jet shows off her knitting Jet Wolf attempts to recreate scenes from Sailor Moon with Mina and Hot Pocket and/or whatever is in the house Jet Wolf reacts to Sailor Moon tiktoks (in blog form) Jet Wolf reads Love and Rockets. Jet Wolf reads the Jem comics by IDW Jet Wolf reviews her old top 100 Sailor Moon moments list Jet Wolf talks about Archie Comics Jet Wolf talks about each cel she owns and why they are so awesome. Jet Wolf writes Poetry Jet Wolf's Top 5's Jet, Hubby and/or family play board games Jetty Rants and Raves Jet Wolf tries to crack the Gravity Falls Codes Kiwi Blitz on Hiveworks Let's Play on Webtoon Liveblog: Favorite X-Men comic book arcs Livestream Pathfinder one-shot LOONA (Collection of music videos with an ongoing story/universe about GIRLS who are FRIENDS and SAVE THE UNIVERSE) Lore Olympus on Webtoon Mike regales us with "the story of your love" while you get increasingly embarrassed Mina and Hot Pocket day - liveblog like a nature documentary Mister Tsukino Does His Taxes and the Household Budget (Sailor Moon fan comic by Shadowjack) Nancy Drew: Ghost Dogs of Moon Lake Not So Shoujo Love Story on Webtoon Pitch Mishaps for Untitled Senshi Game (it is a lovely day in Juuban, and you are a Horrible Minako.) Pitching hubby's favorite media at (readers/holligay/jill/momigay) Playing with dolls (because how could 3 women not have any dolls between them) Re-Take By Studio Kimigabuchi (All Ages Version) Real or Fake Anime (people submit descriptions of anime you guess if it is an anime that actually exists or not) Reviewing succulents Scavenger hunt! Not entirely sure how it would work, maybe folks could send in asks for you to show things like your favorite Rei Hino object, or the thing that's been with you the longest, etc. sewing/knitting/baking tutorial Share or rant about a Roman history topic Sleepless Domain on Hiveworks Talking to Docholligay 2: Doc Harder (basically you talking to Doc's future womb evictee while still in there and telling them stuff like say the greatness of Rei Hino) The Monster Duchess and Contract Princess (manhwa) The Polar Bear Plunge--I take Jetty to our finest Lake Elmo in January, and she jumps in! Note: THIS IS NOT DANGEROUS, WORRYWARTS. I'll bring a life preserver, I've done it before, and I would do it with her if I weren't pregnant. The Senshi Helpline--The Senshi, taking your advice questions, here and now! The World of Moral Reversal Virtual knitting/crafting circle! Let us craft and chat with you! What-If #24 Gwen Stacy Lived Worm the web serial Write an explanation for a drawing we send you! Yuri Hell's Kitchen

[theuniverseisforgetting]

Anime Recommendation List

My Little Monster

Genre: Romantic Comedy

Episodes: 13 + OVA

Information: My Little Monster focuses on the relationship between Shizuku Mizutani, who has absolutely no interests except in studying and her plans for the future, and a boy named Haru Yoshida, who sits next to Shizuku in class but rarely attends school.

Devilman Crybaby

Genre: Dark Fantasy

Episodes: 10

Information: Akira's best friend tells him that ancient demons have returned to take back the world from humans and suggests that he unite with a demon. Akira successfully does that, transforming into Devilman, a being with a demon's powers but who retains the soul of a human. This sends Akira into a brutal, degenerate war against evil. With fear of demons gripping the world, humanity devolves into paranoia and violence and Akira sets out to save other demon-human hybrids like himself.

Yano Of The Dawn

Genre: Adventure, Fantasy, Romance

Episodes: 24 + 3 OVA

Information: This story follows the redemption of Yona, the sole princess to the Kingdom of Kouka. Yona lives the carefree life of a princess in Hiryuu Castle, being sheltered by her pacifistic father, King Il, and protected by her bodyguard and childhood friend Hak.

Hyouka

Genre: Mystery, Slice of Life

Episodes: 22 + OVA

Information: At the request of his older sister, student Hotaro Oreki joins Kamiyama High School's Classic Literature Club to stop it from being abolished. They begin to solve various mysteries, both to help with their club and at Eru's requests.

Carole & Tuesday

Genre: Music

Episodes: 24

Information: Tuesday Simmons runs away from her affluent lifestyle as the daughter of a politician and makes her way to Alba City where she crosses paths with Carole Stanley and the two decide to team up as a singer-songwriter duo under the name Carole & Tuesday.

Golden Boy

Genre: Comedy

Episodes: 6

Information: Golden Boy depicts the life of Kintaro Oe, a free spirit, roaming Japan from town to town, job to job. During his travels, Kintaro meets several women whose lives he dramatically changes, despite poor first impressions.

Kill La Kill

Genre: Action, Comedy, Magical Girl

Episodes: 24

Information: follows vagrant schoolgirl Ryuko Matoi on her search for her father's killer, which brings her into violent conflict with Satsuki Kiryuin, the iron-willed student council president of Honnouji Academy, and her mother's fashion empire.

Is It Wrong To Pick Up Girls In A Dungeon

Genre: Fantasy

Episodes: 25 + 2OVA

Information: The story follows the exploits of Bell Cranel, a 14-year-old solo adventurer under the goddess Hestia. As the only member of the Hestia Familia, he works hard every day in the dungeon to make ends meet while seeking to improve himself.

No.6

Genre: Dystopia, Science Fiction

Episodes: 11

Information: Shion, a boy raised in the elite and privileged environment of his home, gives shelter to another boy, who only gives his name as "Nezumi" (or "Rat") on the former's twelfth birthday. What Shion soon discovers is how drastically life will change after meeting with the mysterious Nezumi, with whom he had shared one unforgettable, stormy night.

The Devil Is A Part Timer

Genre: Comedy, Fantasy

Episodes: 13

Information: The story is about a demon king named Sadao Maou seeking to conquer the world of Ente Isla, but when confronted by the Hero Emilia, he is forced to retreat through a gate that transports him to modern day Tokyo, Japan. To survive and find a way to return to Ente Isla, Satan gains part-time employment at a fast food restaurant called MgRonald.

Neon Genesis Evangelion

Genre: Apocalyptic, Mecha, Psychological Drama

Episodes: 26

Information: Evangelion is set fifteen years after a worldwide cataclysm, particularly in the futuristic fortified city of Tokyo-3. The protagonist is Shinji, a teenage boy who was recruited by his father Gendo to the shadowy organization Nerv to pilot a giant bio-machine mecha called an "Evangelion" into combat with alien beings called "Angels".

Fooly Cooly

Genre: Comedy, Science Fiction

Episodes: 6

Information: A boy's humdrum life turns upside-down when he encounters a maniacal girl who causes strange things to grow out of his forehead and draws him into conflict with a mysterious, otherworldly organization.

My Hero Academia

Genre: Adventure, Fantasy, Superhero

Episodes: 88

Information: The story follows Izuku's entrance into U.A. High School, a school for training the next generation of superheroes. Izuku and his new friends try to balance their Hero training with ordinary school duties. However, the League of Villains, an evil organization established by All Might's archenemy All For One, has plans to destroy all Heroes and take control of society.

One Piece

Genre: Adventure, Fantasy

Episodes: 917

Information: The story follows the adventures of Monkey D. Luffy, a boy whose body gained the properties of rubber after unintentionally eating a Devil Fruit. With his crew of pirates, named the Straw Hat Pirates, Luffy explores the Grand Line in search of the world's ultimate treasure known as "One Piece" in order to become the next King of the Pirates.

Snow White With The Red Hair

Genre: Fantasy, Romance

Episodes: 24 + OVA

Information: Shirayuki is a herbalist with red hair. However, her hair gets noticed by Prince Raj, who wishes for her to wed him. Refusing his orders, she escapes to the neighboring kingdom of Clarines, where she meets and befriends Prince Zen and his two aides Mitsuhide and Kiki, who turn her life around. Shirayuki passes an exam for a position to train in the palace as a herbalist.

Relife

Genre: High School Drama, Slice of Life, Romance

Episodes: 13 + 4 OVA

Information: One day, a mysterious man named Ryō Yoake offers 27-year-old Arata Kaizaki, who has been unemployed for several years, a job opportunity; but first, Kaizaki needs to become a tester for ReLife: a scientific experiment to make him appear 10 years younger and send him back to high school as a student.

Seven Deadly Sins

Genre: Adventure, Fantasy

Episodes: 24 + 2 OVA

Information: Follows the adventures of a princess in the Kingdom of Liones as she sets out to find the seven deadly knights to save her empire from their repression.

Terrorist In Resonance

Genre: Psychological, Thriller

Episodes: 11

Information: In an alternative iteration of the present, Tokyo has been hit by a terrorist attack that has devastated the city. The only evidence of the culprits is a cryptic video uploaded to the Internet, which sparks paranoia across Japan.

Parasyte

Genre: Body Horror, Horror, Science Fiction

Episodes: 24

Information: Teenager Shinichi Izumi is a high-school student who lives in a quiet Tokyo neighborhood with his parents. His life changes when wormlike creatures, called Parasites, appear on Earth, bent on taking over the brains of human hosts by entering their ears or noses.

Free!

Genre: Sports, Swimming

Episodes: 37 + 2 OVA

Information: Free is set in the town of Iwatobi, Japan. The story is centered on high school student Haruka Nanase, a gifted swimmer. After encountering his childhood rival, Rin Matsuoka from Samezuka Academy, he and his friends revitalize Iwatobi High School's swim team.

Yuri On Ice!!!

Genre: Sports, Figure Skating

Episodes: 12

Information: Yuri Katsuki makes his way to the Grand Prix ice skating competition as Japan’s top representative with his eyes on the prize. However, instead of celebrating, Yuri walks away defeated and ready to retire for good. But a run-in with champion Viktor Nikiforov and rising star Yuri Plisetsky ignites a new fire within him. With the two of them close by his side, Yuri will take to the ice once more.

Charlotte

Genre: Comedy, Drama, Supernatural

Episodes: 13

Information: In a very small number of young boys and girls, the onset of puberty brings with it special abilities beyond mortal ken. Yu Otosaka has one such ability and he uses his power to live a fairly normal, average school life. Suddenly in front of Yu a girl named Nao Tomori appeared and due to this chance meeting the fate of special power-users will be exposed.

Fruits Basket (2001)

Genre: Comedy, Drama

Episodes: 26

Information: The Sohma family has been cursed for generations. When a member of the clan is embraced by a person of the opposite sex, they transform into an animal from the Chinese Zodiac! After keeping their secret hidden for years, their unusual household is turned upside down when young Tohru stumbles into their life. She must promise to keep their secret as one of her own—or face the consequences!

Assassination Classroom

Genre: Action, Comedy, School, Sci-Fi, Offbeat

Episodes: 47

Information: A powerful creature claims that within a year, Earth will be destroyed by him, but he offers mankind a chance by becoming a homeroom teacher where he teaches his students about how to kill him. An assassination classroom begins!

Attack On Titan

Genre: Action, Drama, Fantasy, Horror

Episodes: 59

Information: After his hometown is destroyed and his mother is killed, young Eren Yeager vows to cleanse the earth of the giant humanoid Titans that have brought humanity to the brink of extinction.

Banana Fish

Genre:  Action, Drama, Mystery

Episodes:

Information: Nature made Ash Lynx beautiful; nurture made him a cold ruthless killer. A runaway brought up as the adopted heir and sex toy of "Papa" Dino Golzine, Ash, now at the rebellious age of seventeen, forsakes the kingdom held out by the devil who raised him. But the hideous secret that drove Ash's older brother mad in Vietnam has suddenly fallen into Papa's insatiably ambitious hands--and it's exactly the wrong time for Eiji Okamura, a pure-hearted young photographer from Japan, to make Ash Lynx's acquaintance

Junji Ito Collection

Genre: Horror

Episodes: 14

Information: A collection of animated horror stories based on the works of Japanese artist Junji Ito.

Bungo Stray Dogs

Genre: Action, Mystery, Supernatural

Episodes: 36 + OVA

Information: After young man Atsushi Nakajima saves a man from his wish of suicide, he and his friends join the "Arms Detective Company," a league of literary figures that also harness special powers.

Kamisama Kiss

Genre: Comedy, Romance, Slice Of Life, Kids

Episodes: 25

Information: Nanami Momozono is alone and homeless after her dad skips town to evade his gambling debts and the debt collectors kick her out of her apartment. So when a man she's just saved from a dog offers her his home, she jumps at the opportunity. But it turns out that his place is a shrine, and Nanami has unwittingly taken over his job as a local deity!

How NOT To Summon A Demon Lord

Genre: Action, Adventure, Comedy, Fantasy

Episodes: 12

Information: Takuma Sakamoto is famously known as Diablo throughout the MMORPG Cross Reverie. And although he’s a magical prodigy in-game, in reality, he’s a total social outcast. One day, in his video game body, Takuma is summoned to another world by two girls seeking to control him.

Toilet-Bound Hanako-Kun

Genre: Comedy, Supernatural, Romance

Episodes: 12

Information: It is said that "Hanako-san" lives in the girl's toilet on the 3rd floor in the old school building and will grant anyone a wish for a price. Yashiro Nene goes looking for "Hanako-san" in the hopes for a successful love encounter, but the one that she meets is completely different from what she imagined.

Puella Magi Madoka Magica

Genre: Action, Drama, Magical Girl, School

Episodes: 12

Information: In this world, there exists strange creatures who have the power to grant one wish to a chosen girl. However, in exchange, that girl must then become a magical girl and use her powers to fight against witches, evil creatures born from darkness that are responsible for murders and suicides. Madoka Kaname is one such candidate. Will she choose the path to become a magical girl? This is her story.

Stars Align

Genre: School, Sports

Episodes: 12

Information: The teen adolescence story revolves around the coming-of-age of boys in a junior high school's soft tennis club, which is on the verge of shutting down. Touma Shinjou asks Maki Katsuragi to join the team for his vaunted abilities, and mentions a summer competition. Katsuragi asks for money in return for joining the team.

Case File No 221: Kabukicho

Genre: Action, Mystery

Episodes: 24

Information: Shinjuku ward east side... The center of the street with most chaos, There's a Kabukicho full of neon lights. When the light is stronger, the shadow is deeper. The story begins when certain bizarre murder happens one night!

22/7

Genre: Drama, Slice Of Life

Episodes: 12

Information:

Miu Takigawa is a shy, introverted girl who one day receives an invitation from a talent agency. What doors might this invitation open for Miu?

The Hentai Prince and the Stony Cat

Genre: Comedy, Harem, Romance, Super Power, School

Episodes: 12

Information: It is said that a stony cat standing in a hill can make our dream come true. Asking for their wishes, the protagonists come to a hill and ask for their wishes to the cat. Then, for some reason or other, a high school boy loses the face he wears in public and his nickname becomes a pervert prince. A cute girl is deprived of her true feelings... The cat makes mischief to their relationship better and worse. What will become of them?

Shimoneta: A Boring World Where the Concept of Dirty Jokes Doesn’t Exist

Genre: Comedy, Fan Service, Harem, School, Off Beat

Episodes: 12

Information: It's 16 years since the "Law for Public Order and Morals in Healthy Child-Raising" banned coarse language in the country. When Tanukichi Okuma enrolls in the country's leading elite public morals school he is soon "invited" (see - blackmailed) into the Anti-Societal Organization (SOX) by its founder, Ayame Kajo. As a result Tanukichi is forced into taking part in obscene acts of terrorism against the talented student council president (AKA - the girl he has a major crush on).

Haikyuu!!!

Genre: Sports, Volleyball, School, Comedy

Episodes: 85 + 4 OVA

Information: Inspired by a small-statured pro volleyball player, Hinata creates a volleyball team in his last year of middle school. Unfortunately the team is matched up against the "King of the Court" Tobio Kageyama's team in their first tournament and inevitably lose. After the crushing defeat, Hinata vows to surpass Kageyama after entering high school, Hinata joins the volleyball team only to find that Tobio has also joined.

The Promised Neverland

Genre: Drama, Horror, Mystery

Episodes: 12

Information:  Emma, Norman, and Ray are the three most brilliant children the Grace Field House has produced in decades. Unlike in a typical orphanage, they, and their fellow children, eat well and are given an intensive education. However, despite living in a peaceful environment with fun games and a caring mother, there's something not quite right. When six year old Connie is "adopted" by foster parents, she forgets her favorite stuffed rabbit, and Emma and Norman sneak out to return it to her. When they arrive at the scene, the two realize exactly why they had always been isolated from the outside world.

Gamers!

Genre: Comedy, Romance

Episodes: 12

Information:  Keita Amano is a lonely young man who loves video games; Karen Tendō is the beautiful president of the video game club; Chiaki Hoshinomori constantly fights with Keita; and Tasuku Uehara puts on a facade of being satisfied with his life in the real world, but he in truth loves video games.

Kiznaiver

Genre: Comedy, Drama, Psychological, Romance, Science Fiction

Episodes: 12

Information:  The fictional Japanese city named Sugomori City is built on reclaimed land. But as the years go by, the city's population is decreasing. One day, Sonosaki tells her classmate Katsuhira: "You have been selected to be a Kiznaiver." The Kizuna System, which allows Katsuhira to share his wounds, connects him to the classmates whose lives and personalities completely differ from his. The Kizuna System is an incomplete system for the implementation of world peace that connects people through wounds. All those who are connected to this system are called Kiznaivers. When one Kiznaiver is wounded, the system divides and transmits the wound among the other Kiznaivers.

[bloodtroth]

Grindeldore Soulmate Zine Fic Teaser

@grindeldoresoulmatezine

well since @musicalmskitty posted hers, I might as well post mine. 

----

Your earliest memory is of your mother. She is threading her fingers through your hair, softly singing a Cherokee lullaby under her breath. Her voice rises and falls in rhythm, her tongue artfully twining around the foreign syllables. Usdi yona, usdi yona, osta clegy, osta clegy. It is her mother tongue, her cherished memory of the land she came from. Your tiny fingers tug at her ash-black hair, and she smiles at you, her face gentle and warm as only loving things can be. Your palm lays on the brown Phoenix decorating her tanned neck, your fascinated fingers tracing the lines that disappear beneath her gown.

What does it mean, Etsi?

It means, little bird, that my soul was made for your father, and his soul was made for me. There are many stories of how that came to be, and this is the one your father told me. You see, usdi, once, a long time ago, all humans had four limbs. We were creatures of two heads, four hands and four feet. We were strong and powerful, so powerful in fact that the gods themselves began to fear us. To weaken us, the gods split humans in half, dooming us to forever search for our other halves. But when they saw how desperately we longed to be together again, the gods took pity on us, and to assist humans in their search, they marked all halves with a sign that when matched with its partner sang up to the heavens, signifying their perfect match had been found.

Do I have another half too?

Your mother slips down the edge of your nightgown and caresses the small black dragon nesting against your collarbone.

Yes, you do, little bird. And you know what?

What?

A hand comes to lie on your mother's shoulder. Your father places a kiss on your mother's hair and winks at you. You giggle. Your mother smiles, and everything feels warm and happy.

They will love you forever and ever and ever, she whispers and presses a lingering kiss on your skin.

----

A/N: In DH Harry mentions that Albus’ mother looked Native American. Etsi is ‘mother’ in Cherokee and usdi means either ‘baby’ or ‘little’.