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#5 seconds of summer visuals
edge-oftheworld · 24 days
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thinking about how michael is an incredible artist (physical drawing, not just music to clarify) and we only know that because he drew a fake tattoo sleeve for calum 10yrs ago. and then ashton's weird symbol thingos he drew for the band in the leadup to calm (brainstorming on his window of all places he could be a cult leader fr) and how michael is the only one who got his as a tattoo (but possibly still doesn't have the tally)
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dailystylesss · 1 year
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Mood for the day
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writersdare · 9 months
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♡ moodboard for Two Gummy Worms | Luke Hemmings ♡
– photos aren’t mine and belong to the rightful owner –
© writersdare | all rights reserved
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bleachswing · 2 years
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is anyone there at all ?
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ghost-of-you · 2 years
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x
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phoneticgrip · 2 years
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So we all know that the No Shame video plays a lot with the ideas of fame, celebrity, and public image.
I feel like intuitively I always knew the visuals were influenced by David LaChapelle, but I think I just had a big brain moment.
I present:
5SOS's No Shame x that one wild photo shoot of Gillian and David of the X Files (and a few others that were clearly also inspiration), all shot by David LaChapelle.
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wiiildflowerrr · 2 years
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Take My Hand Cincinnati, via Adam Quigley
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kedreeva · 3 months
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Actually had mice to take to a reptile expo for the first time in MONTHS (between selling out immediately after listing any mice and taking my end-of-year break, I simply haven't had enough mice to make it worthwhile to bring them since last summer!), and had a blast again. It seems like every time I bring them, there's never a single second where there's not someone at my table.
It's very funny to me that I have to put out a sign that says "these are PETS not feeders" and how often someone starts to walk by, sees the sign, and comes over. I actually have a whole Display Sign that has info about my mice, why they are different, how to handle them, and like a dozen photos of some of the beautiful mice I've had, and I catch people stopping to actually read it, too. The font is pretty big, but it's juuuust small enough they have to come a little closer, close enough I can hold a mouse out to them.
I've also learned that people don't always believe me when I say the mouse won't bite or jump off their hand. I see the tension, I see the anxiety. I tell them, they've been bred for this. I have told people, I will pay you $5 if this mouse bites you, I'm that confident, because I wouldn't bring them if I thought they might. But the only thing that really gets through to some people is to just plain show them. Close my fist around them (gently, but firmly enough I can flip them upside down securely), scrub them up, smoosh my face to them, rub a finger on their cheek/jaw/mouth. Nothing happens. At worst the mouse is lightly inconvenienced for a moment. But the transformation that comes over the people who see it is complete and instant. A visual "oh." moment. They relax completely, which makes their handling experience so much better. People straight terrified to hold a mouse in the first place hold out their hands for one. Small children who said no thank you (which I always respect, I have even told parents no, it's okay if they don't want to hold one, we have to respect their no thank yous too) will often ask if actually, can they can hold one?
I had one little girl who held a mouse that was a little squirmy at first because the girl was holding just a liiiittle too tight, and she was having trouble for a few seconds, but I kept an eye on her in case I needed to intervene, and she quickly figured out to be more gentle, and the mouse quickly figured out she was fine actually, and she ended up flopping down in this girl's hand and getting her face and head rubbed while she bruxed for like twenty minutes. I was surprised she didn't go home with a mouse, but I have a feeling I may see her family again.
I also had some guy ask if I wanted to be on his reptile podcast, for the mice, because he never knew there could be a difference between feeder mice and other mice. So I guess we'll see!
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demifiendrsa · 1 year
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Ghost Trick: Phantom Detective Promotional Video
The HD remaster of Ghost Trick: Phantom Detective will launch for PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Switch, and PC via Steam in Summer 2023
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Title logo
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Key visual
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Character artwork
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Screenshots
Overview
About
Ghost Trick: Phantom Detective is resurrected for a 2023 re-release! Snap back into the spirit world with Sissel, an unsuspecting ghost who is mysteriously stranded in the afterlife on Earth. Decipher puzzles, crack clues, and channel supernatural abilities in this labyrinth of an adventure to find the truth behind Sissel’s death. Launching in summer 2023, Ghost Trick: Phantom Detective will be remastered with a jam-packed collection of brand new features including HD visuals, newly arranged and recorded music, exclusive images, and more!
Key Features
A Revived Story Mode with a Crisp Comeback – Originally released in 2010, Ghost Trick: Phantom Detective is now remastered in higher resolution with crisper and less pixelated visuals adapted for 1080 / 60 frames per second graphic quality.
Adapted for Detectives on Different Devices – Available on PlayStation 4, Switch, Xbox One, and PC via Steam, Sissel’s chilling adventure is optimized for players to be able to play comfortably on both controller and / or touch screens (applicable only for platforms with built-in touch screen functionality).
Three Newly Added Languages – Korean, Simplified Chinese, and Traditional Chinese have now been added to make a total of nine available languages, including English, French, Italian, German, Spanish and Japanese.
New Challenges and Fresh Trophies – Players can train their brains with Ghost Puzzles available in different modes including 3×3, 4×4, and 5×5! By completing different levels of the game, players can also win new trophies!
Improved Menu and System Features – Enjoy the gameplay to your liking! Players can change settings to fit different preferences such as Easy-to-use Sounds, Language, and Auto-Advance Settings.
Reimagined Music Tracks and Unique Illustrations – Yasumasa Kitagawa, the music composer for The Great Ace Attorney Chronicles, has remastered a one-to-one soundtrack for the entire game! Additionally, a never-before-seen collection of Ghost Trick: Phantom Detective illustrations can be unlocked in the Extras menu.
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satoshi-mochida · 4 months
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Some games I hope get a localization announcement in 2024
Due to the new 30 image limit, I had to change the list a bit.
From previous years:
Ciel Nosurge DX /Ar Nosurge DX(Please, Koei Tecmo/Gust)
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Asatsugutori
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Kochira, Haha Naru Hoshi Yori
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Murder Detective: Jack The Ripper
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Buddy Mission: BOND
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AIR for Switch
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Knights in the Nightmare Remaster
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Medabots Classics Plus(it seems there was a weird legal issue about a scam company using the Medarot name for NFT crap that was settled in the actual owner's favor recently)
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Yoru, Tomosu
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Memories Off Historia Vol. 1 and Memories Off Historia Vol. 2
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Death Match Love Comedy!(set in the same world as Raging Loop)
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Yokai Watch 4/4++(Level 5 seems to be hopefully getting a second wind, so maybe this will come over, too)
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Dragon Quest X Offline
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Blue Reflection Sun(I'm mostly interested in this just for the story details from before Blue Reflection: Second Light. I think someone on the Blue Reflection wiki might be translating/summarizing the story, though.)
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Kanon for Switch
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 Mizen Tantei: The Protea Cases
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Gensou Shoujo Wars
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Gizoku Tantei Nosuri
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Kanda Alice mo Suiri Suru.
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New additions.
Fitness Boxing feat. Hatsune Miku: Isshoni Exercise
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Riviera: The Promised Land Remaster
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Xicatrice
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Murder Mystery Paradox: Fifteen Years of Summer
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Yggdra Union 3-in-1 Special Edition
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Natsu-Mon: 20th Century Summer Vacation
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Hayarigami 1-2-3 Pack
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Bar Stella Abyss
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The witch of the Ihanashi
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everlasting flowers
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Suspects Room: Keishichou Monzen Sho Torishirabe Han
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Bonus:
SINce Memories: Off the Starry Sky
Magatsu Barai
Amnesia World for Nintendo Switch
Heaven Burns Red
To All of Mankind(with fixed bug and DLC issues)
Exile Election
Revue Starlight visual novel
Hoping for more information on Fate/Extra Record; there hasn't been any in a while(that I'm aware of).
I put some of Nippon Ichi's VNs from a few years ago on here in the off chance that, after bringing Process of Elimination over, they'd be willing to bring more over, too.
It's nice to see a bunch that were on last year's list actually got brought over or are in the process of coming over.
...seriously, KT, please bring Ciel Nosurge DX/Ar Nosurge DX over.
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spade-riddles · 24 days
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To add on to that anon:
To be fair/honest? *We* knew these stunts were coming when she announced the new album. Plus, almost everyone is talking about the Beyoncé album right now and TTPD drops in about 3 weeks.
I wish she understood(?) she would have even more support if she would just be herself more often. The real Taylor is who we get to see every now during the Eras Tour that’s hilarious, relatable; accidentally swallows bugs. Gets stuck on the folklore house. Has a haunted piano that starts playing by itself because of rain. Lol
Then you have Taylor Swift™️, who we currently see that suppresses herself and her accomplishments to cater to her section of fans who chug the Travis bullshit at the expense of her other fans. Because THAT is what’s going to make *them* buy all the versions of the albums, etc.
Whatever happened to the days of actual promo that related to and revolved around the music? She wants the focus to be on the art, right? “It should be about the music and it’s not”….but she shoves the “personal” down our throats and takes the focus off the art and that’s why some people don’t appreciate the art like they should.
Give me a first single and a music video. An actual talk show interview. Not more routine staged pictures of you lying in dirt beside some man with his strategically placed hand on your ass to have something to talk about with his brother on his podcast.
It’s seems like she sometimes “dumbs” herself down to the level of whoever she’s “dating” at the time. Joe was the “love of her life” then they “broke up” last April and 5 seconds later, she was mouthing words to 🐀 on stage until June. Then she was celebrating “single girl summer”. Then she started this CAA promo run with Travis.
I’m not trying to be mean or harsh when I say this, but things like this don’t make her look like the heartbroken victim she seems to want people to think she is. Not when she’s openly associating with people like BM and JM.
It also irks me how some of her “OG” fans (the main ones who mock and harass other fans for *their* interpretations and *their* relatability to her lyrics) claim to know her. She’s their (parasocial) bestie who would never lie to them when they don’t know her at all. She has always said her truth is in her music, yet they don’t hear her screaming to be heard and seen (i.e., Antihero stage visuals).
They don’t notice how every time there’s a moment where Travis is being criticized, here comes an article saying how “Taylor” feels about it?
Like the one about how she “loves” his dad bod. Or the ones about how much money he’s spent on “wooing” her. Or the constant articles about him and how much money he paid for his house that he suddenly was able to close on about two weeks after they became public, even though he was a 2 time SB champ at the time and had been in the NFL over 10 years.
Sorry for the rant, but it’s frustrating because I get it, but then again I don’t. Because she is the most important piece of her brand and she just goes along with these things even when she doesn’t want to. 🤷🏽‍♀️
I can’t stand the guy. But it seems clear that she held off on promoting TTPD until after Beyoncé’s album dropped. There is no reason to crowd the promotion for both albums when they can each have their own spotlight.
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romanstheory · 6 months
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I'm The One a Jey Uso fic pt 5/?
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Last Part
Warnings; Language, Smut, Dirty Talk, Teasing, Visuals
Word count: 1,011
My mind was everywhere….. did he really just kiss me in front of the entire world? “I see you grew some balls uce” Jimmy teases. “I just couldn’t help myself…. Look at her” Jey says eyeing me. We celebrate our win at a local bar where Jey has a shot too many so we all Uber back to the hotel.
A now drunk Jey passes out on our hotel bed. I pull the blanket over him and let him rest. “What was that?” I say sitting next to Jimmy. “Oh he’ll be cool he just did a little too much. He’ll sleep it off” Jimmy says. “No….. the kiss. I mean I enjoyed it but I’m confused” I reply looking at Jey then back and Jimmy. He lifts his head and sighs lightly. “That man is in love with you” he replies “I knew from the second he looked at you when you and Solo became friends. He’s afraid…. he’s been through it all” He pauses for a second “I keep telling him don’t fumble the opportunity and he’s finally listening. He’s crazy about you man. The family…. They already love you. They were ready to disown Solo over you” Jimmy smirks.
Jimmys words echoed through my braid over and over again. “He wasn’t happy in his last relationship, I knew he wasn’t supposed to be with her. But you…. You breathe life into him” Jimmy says. Truth is I’ve always been head over heels for Jey too. He was in a long term relationship when I first met him. “Y’all are going to get married one day….. and when you do if I’m not the best man I’m objecting to the marriage” Jimmy teases. “When he’s not drunk as fuck… talk to him about it”
Jimmy has always had this amazing ability to comfort any and everyone. He’s wise and witty, like the brother I never knew I wanted. I make myself comfortable next to Jey and Jimmy goes back to his room.
Morning comes and Jey groans awake, rolling over to put his arm around me. He wakes me with a forehead kiss. We get dressed and ready for the day when I abruptly ask him about last night. “I’m just a little confused….. what did that mean?” I ask. “I was hoping it would mean we were together now” Jey says with the most hopeful look in his eyes.
“I was hoping the same thing” I reply softly. Jeys eyes light up before he pulls me into a tight hug, planting kisses all over my face. “I talked to Jimmy last night” I begin to say. Jey raises an eyebrow “okay?” He replies. “He told me you’ve always felt this way…. But you were scared”
He sighs deeply “yeah that’s the truth. My ex put me through a lot” he begins “I know you won’t do the same thing but that girl scarred me” I didn’t want to pry or focus on his past, I just wanted to move forward and look into our future together.
My stomach fills with butterflies, like I was 15 again on my first date. Jeys warm hands reach for my face, pulling me into a soft kiss. My body melts into his hands like ice cream on a summer day. We both allow our bodies to fall into the soft hotel room bed. Our tongues tangle and untangle with passion. Oh my god I want him, just the sight of him drives me crazy. His hands squeeze my thick soft ass while I lift one leg over him. I feel his long length growing under me. “I want you to ride me” He groans into my ear squeezing my ass again.
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“Can you handle it?” I tease. "Find out" He snarls, squeezing my ass in his hand and kissing my neck softly. "I don't think you want it enough" I tease again. I grind on him slowly, shaking my hair behind me to get it out of the way. I lean down to kiss and suck on his neck with no regard of how much shit we would get in leaving evidence of our escapades. Jey groans as he squeezes my ass tighter. Our lips lock again, his lips warm and soft. "I'm about to cum right now if you don't quit playing" Jey says.
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I giggle quietly and get off of him. I slowly strip my clothes off, never breaking eye contact with Jey. He kicks his sweatpants off quickly and eagerly. I grab his now rock hard member and guide myself onto it slowly, making him squirm and exhale sharply. "mmhh" He says with his lips slightly parted. My wet vagina guides up and down his length circling around in between. "You love this pussy huh?" I ask lustfully, already intoxicated by him. Jey puckers his lips, blowing warm air out of the center and nods his head slowly. His hand rest on my hips gently. He guides my breasts into his mouth, sucking and licking on my nipple.
Oh my god I think this is the best sex we've ever had. His tongue circled my nipple, making my body warm while I grind on his pulsating penis. His big hand covered the small heart tattoo between my breasts. I throw my head back and close my eyes, picking up speed. Jey begins to moan loudly, I love hearing him it turns me on. "Baby I-" I struggle before I cum..... Loudly and more intensely than I ever have before. He grabs my hips again, guiding me up and down his long length, making me scream and make sounds I didn't think possible. "Fuck" Jey roars "Oh my god fuck!" Jey yells as he reaches his limit, I can feel his member twitching inside of me over and over again.
"Is that what girlfriend sex with you is like?" Jey asks, panting still recovering from his climax. "Mhmm, and it's all yours daddy" I say kissing his neck one more time before getting up to clean myself up. This man does something to me.... Something nobody else has. I like it.... I would almost even say.... I love it.
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battleangel · 5 months
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4 Minutes Is An Eternity
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I am 42 years old.
I was in college 20 years ago in 2003.
In just 20 years, I have noticed a profound shift in society.
I was born in October 1981 so I am considered an older Millennial.
I have noticed a signficant macro difference between Gen X & older Millennials vs younger Gen Z and Generation Alpha (the generation after Gen Z).
What is the one change across society in the past two decades that could account for this change?
The total ubiquitousness of social media.
Whats the change?
The shortening of attention spans and the shortening of the mind.
Songs used to be, on average, approximately four minutes long.
Go back and look at the Billboard 100 in 2003 and look at it today.
Something should immediately jump out at you.
Songs today are much shorter than 20 years ago.
Songs today are typically just under 3 minutes long.
How did we lose a full minute in only 20 years?
Billboard also recently announced they established a TikTok chart to track the success of songs on TikTok, which is the new radio.
You may not know who Flyana Boss is but if I say, "Hello Christ?" if you were on social media at all the past few months, your mind probably automatically filled in the next bar, "I'm bout to sin again".
"You Wish" by Flyana Boss was literally all over TikToks for you page and later Instagram Reels to the tune of over a billion combined views.
They cleverly had their director film them while they ran towards him in public places as the director ran backwards in front of them with a camera on top of his head.
It is an arresting visual and the views racked up as Flyana Boss started to get requests from local businesses in LA begging them to run through their restaurants and stores for the publicity on TikTok.
Flyana Boss are Black female rappers, eclectic and a total callback to 90s rappers like Missy Elliot.
The kawaii aesthetic, elf ears and relatable clever lyrics about life and sex resonated with people.
They provide an alternative to the Ice Spices shaking their ass in a deli.
They also represent the Sexyy Red "Skee Yee" phenomenon.
Sexyy Red was the first artist to top the newly established TikTok Billboard 100 chart (she debuted at number 1).
Whats the Skee Yee phenomenon?
Its never about the actual song anymore.
You've probably heard "Skee Yee" by now.
Or maybe you saw Sexyy Red in the MetLife VIP area meeting the Jets owner with a stack of 100s held up to her ear.
The truth is, despite literally billions of views on TikTok and Instagram, almost noone has heard the full songs for "You Wish" by Flyana Boss and "Skee Yee" by Sexyy Red.
Because of TikTok, all you need today as a music artist is a catchy 5 to 7 second jingle, verse, hook, chorus or bar and if you can film viral content to it that people either imitate or watch, you can launch yourself into music superstardom.
Flyana Boss has already toured with Janelle Monae.
They were virtual unknowns prior to Summer 2023 with a few hundred views on their respective Soundcloud profiles.
Sexyy Red released her first mixtape, "Ah Thousand Jugs", in 2018.
The Hood Hottest Princess had been grinding away for the past five years on mixtape releases and trying to go viral on Triller.
"Dogg Pound Town" blew Sexyy Red up earlier this year.
Its the song about her toes and ass being ate while she eats Popeye chicken.
She has fire engine red hair and facial tattoos.
If you have a TikTok or Instagram, there is literally no way you havent scrolled past Sexyy Red at this point.
This is the new way to make it in the music industry.
We see Lay Banks, a 19 year old female rapper, utilize this formula to great success with "Ick".
Lay hired the same director that Flyana Boss used for "You Wish".
Instead of running in public places, Lay was filmed rapping "Ick" at a gas station.
"Ick" is about a guy with a foot fetish and bad credit who kills Lay's lady boner and gives her the "Ick".
The hook at the beginning of the viral clip is "Lady boner gone".
Lay is an extremely high energy rapper with hard hitting beats, a sick flow and clever and humorous lyrics complaining about men being in their soft girl era with their credit cards declining.
Its the updated 2023 Missy Elliot "I dont want no one minute man".
Lay is also strikingly beautiful, young and knew that "lady boner gone" waa a viral TikTok catchphrase that would catch on and go viral.
She also cleverly asked female viewers to film themselves rapping the lyrics to "Ick" if any guys had ever given them the "Ick" and then she reshared hundreds of these Youtube Shorts, TikToks and Reels to her personal social media profiles.
Lay has already charted on the TikTok Billboard 100 chart and she has millions of combined views.
This is clearly the new path to musical success as Billboard has recognized by establishing the TikTok Billboard 100 chart.
What have we lost in the process?
To be very clear, I love all three songs and all four rappers (Flyana Boss is a rap duo), especially Lay Banks "Ick".
That doesnt mean that this is a good change for society as a whole.
We, to speak on a macro universal level, dont listen to full songs anymore.
Everything became a sound bite, a viral clip on the for you page before you scroll on to the next video.
TikTok replaced radio.
New music is now discovered on TikTok.
But only in 5 to 7 second snippets curated to blow up on the for you page.
What happens to the Radioheads, Slipknots and Deftones in this brave new world?
What happens to us on a macro level when our attention spans have been so shortened by social media we cant even be assed to sit through a four minute song?
Social media, including messaging apps, is constant and ubiquitous.
It is a pervasive and constant distractiveness and mindlessness.
Its constant scrolling, constant notifications for discord servers & Whatsapp group chats, likes on Instagram & TikTok, trending hashtags on Twitter, new uploads on Youtube.
Constant validation, constant distraction.
Doom scrolling, scrolling for likes, scrolling for vanity, scrolling for boredom, scrolling for depression, scrolling for jealousy and envy, scrolling to endlessly compare.
When TikTok surpassed Google as the number 1 website in the world last year per number of visits, Google removed the pages in their results and made their results pages endless just like TikTok's for you page.
Googles results page was the new limitless rabbit hole of Youtube Suggested Videos -- it never ends.
No more iconic "Gooooooogle" at the bottom of the search results with a different colored "o" above each individual page number.
Nothing ever ends anymore.
Coupled with nearly limitless options to binge watch on streaming services where all episodes are released instantaneously and noone ever has to wait for anything, there are no weekly episodes anymore, no mid-season hiatuses, there are no repeats, season finales that are breathlessly anticipated...
Everything is immediately and constantly at your fingertips.
Its a total closing and shortening of the mind.
It is the evisceration of our collective attention spans.
Multiple screens at all times -- flat screen TV, smartphone, tablet, laptop, Nintendo Switch, Xbox Live, Playstation Network.
Multiple inputs -- music on Spotify, podcasts on Youtube, streams on Twitch, sports games, competition shows and reality TV on regular cable, streaming shows on Netflix/Disney+/Hulu, multiplayer online games on Xbox, Playstation & Nintendo, group messaging chats on discord, Whatsapp, iPhone, Facebook Messenger & Instagram.
Everything is always on, especially you.
Theres always a buzz, theres always a noti, theres always an active discord server, theres always something to check, theres always something happening, theres always something to distract your mind.
Do not disturb is only for when you're asleep.
We were not designed for these constant notifications and interruptions.
They are short circuiting us as a species by design.
Everything became bingeable, nothing ever has to be waited for.
Once the show is released to Disney+ & Netflix, I can binge to my hearts content.
It is a relic of the old days to have to wait a week for new episodes of a favorite show and to have to wait months for a highly anticipated season finale.
Everything is bingeable, including you.
Everything is easily consumed and passed through like the ephemera it is, including you.
There is no permanence, there is no gravitas.
Everything is trending, everything is the now.
Everything is forgotten in 24 hours.
What genocide in Palestine?
There are people trapped on the Gaza Strip?
Emergency medical supplies, food, fuel , water and electricity are being cut off to the Gaza Strip?
Did Travis and Taylor already break up?
Its the shortening of collective memory, the evisceration of our attention spans and the shortening of the mind.
Everyone has already forgotten that Sexyy Red supported Trump on a podcast and posted a sex video of herself on her Instagram stories (right after the Trump story broke so no I dont believe Sexyy was hacked) -- both of these things happened last month.
Does anyone remember Biden brazenly, unapologetically and inhumanely telling reporters on video, Aviators firmly in place, that he guarantees "there will be no ceasefire" between Israel & Palestine despite 13k+ Palestinian civilians being murdered by the Israeli Defense Force over the past two months in one of the worst instances of ethnic cleansing this century?
That literally happened this month and its already been collectively forgotten.
Theres always a new Skims ad for undergarments that give you the perfect nipples.
Taylor Swift was being discussed on NFL broadcasts more than Patrick Mahomes while dating Travis Kelce -- now she has been disappeared from all NFL broadcasts as if she had never been endlessly discussed to begin with.
We are no longer being shown Taylor sitting by Kelces mom and Mahomes' wife and daughter.
But there has been no corresponding commentary at least making a joke about a breakup and a possible Taylor Swift song about same.
The NFL literally had Taylor Swift as their header on Twitter and now she is gone and they are acting like the above never happened.
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I get it, the NFL wants female Gen Z to tune into their games but they literally had a slow mo of Taylor walking into Arrowhead Stadium.
Thats not drumming up female viewership, that is patently insane.
They were slow mo'ing Taylor high fiveing Kelces mom when Kelce scored a touchdown.
That is just downright bizarre and is not about increasing the young female demographic that watches NFL games.
It was creepy in how over the top it was.
Taylor was now the big topic of discussion during pre-game analysis of the Chiefs instead of Mahomes, Kelce, MVS, Pacheco, Chris Jones, Andy Reid.
It was an all out blitz for a month that went so far as Kelce being described as "Taylors boyfriend" instead of as a 3-time Super Bowl champion and star tight end of the Kansas City Chiefs.
Kelce was always the new Gronk, the current poster child party boy of the NFL.
But the slew of commercials, brand sponsorships and SNL hosting gig didnt come until Taylor.
Predictably, young female NFL viewership went up over 300%, Kelce gained hundreds of thousands of Swiftie social media followers then Kelce stopped attending Eras tour shows, Taylor stopped attending NFL games, the NFL dropped it like it never happened and switched their header to Vikings QB Dobbs.
Back to your regularly scheduled programming.
Movies are going to head in the same direction.
2 hours will no longer be the default film duration.
These conversations are already happening within the film industry as studios are pushing a "crowdsourced film by committee", a Choose Your Own Adventure clusterfuck where multiple endings are filmed for each movie and each individual movie theater audience decides the ending in real time as they watch.
Everything is instantaneous, everything capricious, everything fickle, any demand can be met.
What happens to a directors vision if the audience can just decide everything?
And bet that studio analysts and executives will be closely monitoring what audiences vote for and will change future films to align with those votes.
What happens to A Clockwork Orange?
What happens to the Stanley Kubricks, George Romeros & Quentin Tarantinos?
What happens to taking risks?
Will there never be another cult classic?
Will there never be another Rocky Horror Picture Show?
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Would these future audiences have changed the iconic twists in classics like Empire Strikes Back and Sixth Sense?
Will all the sharp edges go away and will we be left with a frictionless existence?
Wheres the space for a nearly six minute operatic genre defying theatrical dramatic essence of drag singular revelation like Bohemian Rhapsody?
Will everything be safe, sanitized and sterilized?
What happens to horror movies that take risks and confront their audiences and skillfully mix gore, humor, satire, societal critique, snark, comedy, slapstick, survivalism, political commentary, dystopia, sci-fi and parody?
Will every rough edge be sanded away?
Do we want an existence like that where our art mediums no longer challenge, repel, confront, repulse, enlighten, elucidate and force us to take a look at ourselves?
Do we no longer want art that takes the piss out of us as an audience?
Do we just want all of the art and media that we consume to be like the Netflix algorithm, endlessly adjusting to our every whim and preference, tirelessly trying to please us in every way, never offending?
Do we never want to be shocked or angered by our art again?
Isnt that what art was supposed to be?
Do we always want to be perfectly happy and satisfied with everything we see?
What will happen to movies that are so bad they're good?
What will happen to guilty pleasures?
Will everything be bland and vanilla, too dull to offend or tittilate, instantly consumed and forgotten with all of the other endless media we are constantly bingeing?
Our existences have been Doordash'd & InstaCart'd.
Everything can be done for us, delivered to us, driven to us, picked up by us, ordered for us, shopped for us, cooked for us, prepared for us, written for us, applied to for us.
Theres an app for almost everything.
The age of inconvenience and frustration is over.
Everything is frictionless -- even our art and entertainment.
What happens to quirky oddities?
Random ideas and concepts?
Harebrained notions and acid dreams?
Paranoid androids and visions?
Night terrors and daydreams?
All of the above have led to crazy innovative mindfucky scripts, films, songs, album concepts, music videos and movie shorts.
Where is the space for body horror films and Takashi Miike?
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When do songs become 2 minutes vs the current 3 minute average?
When do songs become 1 minute?
When do songs cease to exist and people just start to record the chorus or the catchy part for TikTok virality since thats all anyones listening to anymore anyway?
When do 2 hour movies become 1 hour?
When do 1 hour movies become 30 minute shorts?
When do movies in general just become instantaneously streamable shorts that are a few minutes long available simultaneously on every platform?
When will the concept of a full length movie that anyone would have the actual patience and attention span to sit through become anachronistic?
When do single player video games go away because noone has the patience to sit through a solo adventure and play through the game for the plot, storyline, twists and turns and all anyone wants to do is get online and just play against each other?
When do we lose our humanity?
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yyh4ever · 1 year
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Review of Yoshihiro Togashi Exhibition -PUZZLE-
I would like to make a summary of Togashi's Exhibition that is currently taking place at the Mori Arts Center Gallery located on the 52nd floor of Roppongi Hills Mori Tower, in Tokyo, from October 28, 2022 to January 9, 2023. After that, it will head to Osaka in Summer 2023 and to Fukuoka from Autumn 2023 to Winter 2024.
Since photos are not allowed in the venue, I will be using photos from the press and from the official catalog to illustrate my review. I focused more on the Yu Yu Hakusho Area.
The press had access to the exhibition one day before the official opening to the public. Even though photos are forbidden, you can buy the exhibition catalog at the official store. It contains the manuscripts, storyboards, original illustrations, and other exclusive materials displayed at Puzzle.
If you type "富樫義博展" (Yoshihiro Togashi Exhibition) on YouTube, you will also find good coverage from the media that will provide you with a general view of the place.
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Before entering the exhibition, you can rent for 700 yen a 30-min audio guide voiced by the comedian Bakarhythm and voice actor Daisuke Namikawa (Hisoka and Prince Baka VA).
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Bakarhythm is the navigator, and Daisuke is the commentary narrator. The guide includes a quiz, if you solve it correctly, you will hear a message from Hisoka.
The Exhibition consists of more than 350 original drawings distributed in 6 different spaces, plus an official shop.
Prologue
Area 01. Yu Yu Hakusho
Area 02. Level E
Area 03. HunterxHunter
Area 04. World of Strange Creatures
Area 05. Yoshihiro Togashi
Shop
This little map that comes with the audio guide may help you visualize the exhibition layout. The numbers 1 to 14 are also the spots where you can hear Bakarhythm or Daisuke Namikawa talk.
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The areas have information panels with explanatory text and english translation. As english is not available in the official catalog, I tried to take notes and copy some of the explanations.
"Prologue"
This space is basically a hallway to welcome the visitors. It introduces the author and the concept of the exhibition: "Puzzle". Several characters from all his works are displayed as puzzle pieces in the walls and hanging from the ceiling, inviting everyone to join the wonderful world of Yoshihiro Togashi.
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As soon as you enter the Prologue area, there is a black panel with a greeting from the organizers and Togashi's basic profile:
Profile
Yoshihiro Togashi was born in Shinjo, Yamagata in 1966. In 1987, his one-shot story Tonda Birthday Present was published in the Weekly Shounen Jump Special Edition Winter Special. In 1989, he made his debut as a serial manga artist with Ten de Showaru Cupid, which was published in Weekly Shounen Jump. Following the huge success of his second series, Yu Yu Hakusho (1990-1994), he became one of Weekly Shounen Jump's leading manga artists and went on to publish Level E (1995-1996) and HunterxHunter (1998-present) in Weekly Shounen Jump. Fans of all ages praises his captivating, skillful artwork.
There's also a handwritten greeting from the author himself. Photos are not allowed, but luckily, his greeting is included in the official catalog (scan by: @Vishkujo)
Greeting
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Expression of Gratitude I would like to sincerely thank you for visiting the Yoshihiro Togashi Exhibition -PUZZLE-. I hope everyone enjoys the various displays and information that are only available here. My progress is slow due to health reasons, but I intend to continue leaving new footprints.
Next to his dog avatar, there's a haiku poetry. I tried to follow the haiku syllable rule of 5-7-5 for each line.
Tip of my dip pen When it severs the sound is like That of my lower back - Yoshihiro Togashi
And next to Togashi's hips, there's the onomatopoeia "guki" (グキッ), which is the cracking sound of the joints. *crack*
Still in the "Prologue", right before reaching the YYH area, there's an explanation about the "Exhibition Concept".
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Togashi's works stand out in terms of "character," "setting," "depiction," and "story," all important elements in the creation of a manga. So, in order to gain a deeper understand of the charm of his series (YYH, Level E and HxH), the exhibition is focused on these 4 points:
Character
Story
Setting
Depiction
Each series also has a fifth point called "special piece", a singularity that is particular to each one. I'll talk more about them later, but they are called:
Yu Yu Hakusho: Punch Line
Level E: An Unexpected Development
Hunter x Hunter: Nen
The handwritten manuscripts are undoubtedly a piece of the puzzle that Togashi-sensei continues to create. The idea is that you appreciate all the precious original drawings, while having in mind the five points and the thought process that goes into the completion of each piece.
After you leave the "Prologue", you will arrive at Area 01 dedicated to "Yu Yu Hakusho".
The 3 main areas "Yu Yu Hakusho", "Level E" and "HxH" begin with general information, including: serialization period in the Weekly Shounen Jump, number of chapters, copies sold, and Togashi's first comment in the Table of Contents.
Area 01. "Yu Yu Hakusho"
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Serialization Period: November 20, 1990 (Weekly Shounen Jump 51, 1990) to July 12, 1994 (Weekly Shounen Jump32, 1994). 175 chapters in total.
Series cumulative circulation (including digital editions): more than 50 million (as of September 2022)
Comment at the start of the series: "I went back to the basics and started drawing. I aim to create a story that I myself am satisfied with. I'm hoping for you support." (Yoshihiro)
If you are interested in Togashi's comments from all the 175 chapters, please have a look on my translations: Togashi’s Comments from the Table of Contents (1990-1994)
As introduced in the Prologue, Yu Yu Hakusho is explained and detailed in four topics: Character, Setting, Story and Depiction.
There is also an Introduction section that shows a synopsis of YYH, some colored manuscripts, the cover of the WSJ#51 1990, and an explanation about the production background and how Togashi came up with the name "Yu Yu Hakusho". Actually, it's the same explanation found in the volume 6 of HxH, end of chapter 46.
Synopsis "One day, a delinquent junior high school student named Yusuke Urameshi dies saving a child from a traffic accident. It was an unplanned event in the Spirit World. The Spirit World gives Yusuke a test, and after he passes it, they bring him back to life as a special exception. Then, after becoming a Spirit Detective by order of Great King Emma's son, Koenma, Yusuke joins powerful companions and begins a life of fierce battles with demons."
An interesting panel also talks about his influences.
Influenced Works "When interviewed in 2003, he said that he was influenced by H. R. Giger, who designed the alien in the 1979 movie Alien (directed by Ridley Scott). He has also stated in the first volume of Ten de Shouwaru Cupid that if he were to choose just one manga work as his favorite, he would pick The Drifting Classroom by Umezu Kazuo."
Then, we learn more about the characters, setting, story and depiction.
An informative panel introduces the characters:
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Character "There's the delinquent but hot-blooded Yusuke, the chivalrous Kuwabara, the clever Kurama, and the always cool-headed Hiei. With these four at the center, even the enemies have attracted zealous fans, and their popularity has spread to readers of all walks of life around the world. The characters' ranges are broadened by the dissonance between facial expressions that are drawn with a dramatic touch despite their caricature-like look, as well as the dissonance created by words and actions that occasionally provide comic relief in the midst of serious developments, which have heightened the appeal of the work."
There's a colored manuscript of Yusuke facing Toguro after Kuwabara's "death", and an explanatory text:
Yusuke Urameshi "Until this point, Yusuke had been enjoying fighting to some degree. That's when Younger Toguro takes Kuwabara's life (his death is actually temporary) in order to draw out Yusuke's power at the Dark Tournament. Unable to forgive himself, the soft, clear eyes of Yusuke as he stands up are enough to convey to the reader a change in his Spirit Energy and a sudden strengthening of his power."
Then, following this "Character" wall, we learn more about the other main characters of YYH. Kuwabara's highlight is the storyboard of chapter 36 (Byakko's Battle Roar!!) when he fights Byakko's beasts.
The Storyboard for Chapter 36 "The storyboard of an early work that was specially provided for this exhibition as a valuable material of the time. Chapter 36 depicts Kuwabara's battle strategy of using his Spirit Sword to skewer the beasts unleashed by Byakko, which is shocking even for Hiei."
I like that the explanatory texts also include some Togashi's comments taken from interviews and the "Yu Yu Hakusho Official Characters Book".
For example, they mentioned that Hiei wasn't supposed to become an ally, like Kurama, but it was Togashi's editor at the time who suggested it (Togashi mentioned that in a interview with Kishimoto to JUMP GIGA, 2016). A colored manuscript of the second popularity poll is also displayed with a note saying that Hiei won first place twice during the serialization. It's not mentioned, but after the serialization, there was a third poll in WSJ, and Hiei got first place again.
Character Popularity Poll "Hiei topped the character popularity polls conducted twice during the series. Initially, Kurama was drawn with a conscious effort to create a popular character, and Hiei was not even planned to be a part of the group. Hiei was only put in the group after an editor pointed out that he should be, but he eventually grew to become a beloved character with top-ranking popularity."
Other interesting comments taken from the official databook (2005) and "Yoshirin de Pon!" (1994) also appear. Kurama and Hiei weren't named after the mountains in Kyoto, but Togashi came up with their names by himself. Shuuichi's family name "Minamino" comes from celebrity Youko Minamino, and Hiei's model is Skunky from "Patalliro!". If you're interested, I made a post once of Togashi's comments about Hiei and Kurama.
Another example is the text about Toguro in the "Story" section:
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Story "The powerful enemies in the story are not necessarily absolutely evil, and the story's ending is not defined by the duality of right and wrong. The reason why Younger Toguro stopped being human, and the reason why Sensui lost faith in humanity was because they were only humans. What awaits beyond the fierce battles are questions posed to the readers by these very human characters." Younger Toguro "In the series, Koenma speculates that Younger Toguro's relentless pursuit of strength was based on his anger at his former powerlessness and his need to redeem himself for his friends. However, Mr. Togashi tell us that Younger Toguro has no remorse for his actions and all his decisions were his own to make."
The last part about Togashi's commentary on Toguro is actually an excerpt from the databook.
The "Story" section also brings a brief synopsis about Sensui, the former spirit detective.
Sensui "Sensui was a Spirit Detective before Yusuke. The dark side of humanity that he encountered during his mission changed him. Sensui, who feels that human existence itself is evil, aspires to join the demons and eventually opens the entrance to the Demon World. Sensui goes to the demon world out of contempt for humanity, and Yusuke is a demon who tries to protect humans. Although they are both Spirit Detectives, we realize that their paths were completely opposite."
I don't know if it was a matter of space, but I wish they also had talked about Yomi and the 3 Kings Arc arc in this section.
I like that on the "Setting" wall, they included a panel of Kurama VS Kaito.
Setting "Yu Yu Hakusho features a number of battle styles, including one-to-ones, battle royale, and tournaments. Yusuke and his companions are often involved in some kind of disturbance or test, whether it is against humans or demons. On the other hand, the battle settings themselves are also wide-ranging, from strength battles to brain battles to videos games, such as the Knife Edge Death Match, a head to head battle; Taboo, a battle of words without physical attacks; and Game Master, a gaming match. Each battle has a betrayal in a good sense, and the satisfying betrayal makes the reader feel even more expectations for the story."
VS Kaito "A prime example of a "brain battle" in this brilliant battle manga is the famous game between Kurama and Kaito. Kurama proposed an unusual rule: every minute, one letter of the alphabet is banned from being spoken. Something not commonly seen before, this battle of intellect highlights Kurama's cognitive capabilities and gave birth to a new type of "battle scene" that was more than a simple clash of power and strength, what's profoundly impacted the manga world."
It is said that Togashi has been inspired by many works, and the "territory" from this chapter was based off a Yasutaka Tsutsui's novel. He actually mentioned that information in an interview with Kishimoto, from Naruto's fanbook.
Yu Yu Hakusho gradually develops to a typical battle shounen, but in the Sensui Saga, it turns into a battle of wits.
The "Depiction" is a small section with some battle manuscripts from the Dark Tournament of Yusuke VS Jin and VS Younger Toguro. It talks about the impressive fights, spreads, and Togashi's skillfulness to guide the viewers between stillness and movement.
Depiction "There are many famous scenes in the series, but the battle scenes are especially impressive. The effective use of the spread, the skillful segmentation of the frame to guide the viewer's gaze, the contrast between stillness and movement that seems to stop time for the reader, and the occasional deliberately clear background are all designed to make the movement look spectacular."
After going through the introduction, and the explanations and manuscripts dedicated to the four points - Character, Setting, Story and Depiction - of the Yu Yu Hakusho series, we reach the fifth point.
When it comes to the "special piece" mentioned in the Prologue, the Yu Yu Hakusho Area has a special section called "Punch Line". The walls are decorated with the characters famous quotes, and there are also many selected manuscripts with famous lines.
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Punch Line
"Words are powerful in Yu Yu Hakusho. The work captivates the readers with monologues and explanatory text that are sometimes even more convincing than the illustrations. Famous lines includes, "I'm going to kill you with a double-page spread," "Don't underestimate the power of the evil eye," and "You don't even deserve the death." Togashi says his favorite part of the creative process is by far the making of storyboards. He says the peak of enjoyment is when he is thinking of what to draw just before starting the storyboard. Many of his hard-hitting punchlines are likely to have been created during the storyboard creative process."
I really like this special segment. Yu Yu Hakusho's lines and words have marked a whole generation and continue to attract new fans. I guess we all use some of the characters quotes in our daily lives.
One of my favorite quotes is Kurama's "You don't even deserve death" to Elder Toguro.
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After gaining a better understanding of Yu Yu Hakusho, we arrive at a bigger hall, it's finally time to appreciate the original drawings and color illustrations. They are displayed in chronological order, following the arcs of the "Spirit Detective", "Dark Tournament", "Black Chapter" (Door to Makai) and "Three Kings" (Makai Tournament). The walls are also painted and decorated with many scenes from the manga.
The cool thing about the manuscripts is that some words are actually different from the ones published, and we can even see some fine details such as Mukuro's nipples, that were erased afterwards in the comics. You can also buy copies of the manuscripts of the last two chapters in the shop.
In the center of the Yu Yu Hakusho Area, there are those big panels of Yusuke, Kuwabara, Hiei and Kurama. Behind them, there are original manuscripts called "Battle Scene Selection".
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I thought we could take photos of this central area, but they are forbidden. It's understandable, otherwise the fans would form a huge queue and obstruct the flow of people. Be aware to not step on those white/black lines. The staff called me out many times (lol).
This is an example of the carefully selected battle scenes that are behind the central panels. The double spreads of Hiei VS Seiryuu and VS Shigure are my favorite.
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The battle scenes of the quartet include manuscripts of:
Yusuke: VS Suzaku; VS Jin; VS Younger Toguro; the famous scene of Yusuke knocking every one of his opponents off of the platform, in the preliminary matches of the Makai Tournament.
Kuwabara: VS Rinku; VS Rishou; VS Elder Toguro; VS Mitarai (seaman).
Kurama: VS Touya; VS Karasu; VS Kaito; VS Elder Toguro.
Hiei: VS Seiryuu; VS Zeru; VS Shigure.
The Yu Yu Hakusho Area ends with the last chapter Act 175. "And so...". Notice the big illustration of the guys, drawn exclusive for the the Yu Yu Hakusho Artbook (2005), decorating the wall.
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Now, we head to Area 02 - Level E.
Area 02. "Level E"
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Serialization Period: September 19, 1995 (Weekly Shounen Jump 42, 1995) to December 21, 1996 (Weekly Shounen Jump Double Issue 3/4, 1997). 16 chapters in total.
Cumulative circulation (including digital editions): 2,6 million (as of September 2022)
Comment at the start of the series: "I wanted to do everything myself, so I decided to make a monthly series. Each successive chapter will appear when you've already forgotten the last one. Please feel free to read it." (Yoshihiro)
To get a better understanding of the Level E series, there is an introductory panel with a synopsis:
Synopsis "Hundreds of alien species come and go, living their lives on Earth. The only people unaware of this fact are the earthlings living on the planet. One day, Yukitaka Tsuisui, an ordinary high school student, meets a young man who calls himself an alien, and his daily life is disrupted without warning. This science fiction story depicts the strange lives of various aliens through Prince Baka, the first prince of the planet Dogra, who has both the brain of a genius and a devilish personality, and gets everyone else involved in his mischievous escapades with irreversible results."
Production Background "The production of Level E began with the unthinkable idea of creating a work that would not receive votes in a reader survey. As if to say he had drawn enough orthodox manga for his preview work, Yu Yu Hakusho, Mr. Togashi made the most of all the tools in his drawers and wrote it in an omnibus style, drawing what he liked in a monthly serialization."
Then, another panel that merges the 4 themes (Character, Setting, Story and Depiction) into a single explanation called "An Unexpected Development" (想定の斜め上).
The japanese expression "斜め上" literally means "diagonally above", and it means going up at a 45-degree angle (diagonally above) from one's imagination; to describe things that are unexpected or in a way different from what was expected. Because of its relatively widespread use since the 90s, this expression recently got into the japanese dictionary. It is said to be first used by Togashi in the Level E manga, a quote from Captain Kraft. Togashi-sensei is really a genius!
An Unexpected Development "In a sense, the lines of malicious dialogue by Kraft, a character in the work, most accurately express the essence of the work Level E. The series provides fresh surprise and excitement by always taking the least expect turns. As the fifth special piece to showcase the appeal, we have chosen one of these unexpected developments."
Initially, Level E was planned to be a self-contained series that does not need prior viewing of any other chapter to understand. However, Prince Baka was so well received by the readers, that he became the main character of Level E. It was really an unexpected development.
In this area, selected manuscripts from all 16 chapters are distributed in an 8-episode exhibition.
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In Japan, Level E is known for its 8 small episodes or arcs:
Episode 1. バカ王子・地球襲来編
Prince Baka: Invasion of Earth Arc (Chapters 01 to 03)
Episode 2. 食人鬼編
Cannibal Demon Arc (Chapters 04 to 05)
Episode 3. 原色戦隊カラーレンジャー編
Genshoku Sentai Color Rangers Arc (Chapters 06 to 09)
Episode 4. マクバク族サキ王女・ムコ探し編
Princess Saki of the Macbac Kingdom: Searching for a Husband Arc (Chapters 10 to 11)
Episode 5. 高校野球地区予選編
High School Baseball District Qualifiers Arc (Chapters 12 to 13)
On their way to the regional preliminary site for Koshien, the entire bus containing the Kisaragi High School baseball team members gets lost in a mysterious space. The baseball team tries to solve the mystery of supernatural phenomena caused by the subconscious mind, and the readers have as much fun guessing the "culprit" as the characters do.
Episode 6. 原色戦隊カラーレンジャー・人魚編
Genshoku Sentai Color Rangers: Mermaid Arc (Chapter 14)
Episode 7. バカ王子・結婚編
Prince Baka: Marriage Arc (Chapter 15)
In this chapter, Prince Baka proposes to Princess Luna. It's said that Togashi got the idea from Goku and Chichi's sudden marriage, from Dragon Ball.
Episode 8. バカ王・ハネムーン編
Prince Baka: Honeymoon Arc (Chapter 16)
This area is the smallest of the 3 series, but it feels like you're in a science fiction movie. Prince Baka's decoration is also too cute.
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Area 03. "Hunter x Hunter"
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Serialization Period: March 3, 1998 (Weekly Shounen Jump 14, 1998) to present.
Series cumulative circulation (including digital editions): more than 84 million (as of September 2022)
Comment at the start of the series: "Nice to meet you! My name is Togashi Yoshihiro, and I am excited to be able to create my dream Jump series. Please address your letters to "Toga P." (Yoshihiro)
It begins with an Introduction section:
Synopsis Gon Freecss, who aspires to become a hunter in order to find his father, Ging, passes the Hunter Exam, which is said to be extremely difficult, with the help of the friends he meets, and obtain a Hunter License. He then train as a hunter during his journey to find Ging, maturing as he overcomes various challenges. The storyline is unpredictable, and the novel Nen battles, which features both physical and intellectual combat, are just one of the elements that keep readers engaged in the adventurous action.
As explained in the Prologue, and similar to the "Yu Yu Hakusho" Area, the HxH work is also detailed in four points - Character, Setting, Story and Depiction.
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I copied the english explanations from the "Character" and "Depiction" sections:
Character "The story centers around Gon, Killua, Kurapika and Leorio. However, in some chapters, characters other than the four are depicted as the focus of the story, and the individual characters have a strong presence that contributes to the distinctive appeal of the work."
Hyskoa "Hyskoa is a magician that Gon meets in the Hunter Exam. He is a combat enthusiast who takes great pleasure in fighting and winning against strong opponents. Mr. Togashi also describes him as a popular character whose next action is always unexpected. He is a master trickster who acts only to satisfy his own desires and becomes both an enemy and ally of Gon and his companions."
Meeleem "Meeleem is born as the king of the Chimera Ants. He is portrayed as the strongest enemy of mankind, who believes violence to be true virtue. However, his encounter with a human girl named Komugi gradually changed his mind, and he appears to grow as a statesman. The conclusion of the emotional exchange between a tyrant and a weak girl becomes a shocking scene that remains one of the most famous in manga history."
Depiciton "Mr. Togashi says that one of the most important aspects of manga portrayal is whether or not what the character is trying to do in that moment is conveyed. Evident in the depicition in HunterxHunter is a sense of confidence in the ability to make the reader understand what is going on without relying on explanatory lines or stage directions."
When it comes to the 5th point, instead of a punch line section, there is a special section called "NEN".
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This special exhibition also shows some Togashi's unpublished notes about "nen". It is called Togashi Memo's "Nen Ability Setting Material" (冨樫メモの「念能力の設定資料」). If you're interested, you can see scans of this material and translations on reddit.
My personal opinion: this is probably early notes from when Togashi was still creating and developing the nen system. It doesn't mean you have to follow those memos to the letter. I believe Togashi is still improving his ideas, and making changes over the years.
After immersing yourself in the world of HxH, we arrive at the main exhibition room. The original manuscripts follow a chronological order, beginning with Gon meeting his friends to the current arc. They are divided in 7 parts:
Hunter Exam Arc (ハンター試験編)
Heavens Arena Arc (天空闘技場編)
Yorkshin Arc (ヨークシン編)
Greed Island Arc (グリードアイランド編)
Chimera Ant Arc (キメラ=アント編)
Election Arc (選挙編)
Succession to the Throne Arc (王位継承編)
In the last arc, there is like this huge chart with all the characters that appear in the succession war. It is explained that Togashi challenged himself by asking, "How many characters can one have in one chapter of the manga?". His goal for the Succession Arc is to surpass the number of characters in Captain Tsubasa's Jr. Youth Arc (excerpt from Jump Ryu interview, 2016). They also added that counting from chapter 340, when the Kakin Kingdom was introduced, over 200 characters have already appeared in 50 chapters.
In the exhibition, the manuscripts are displayed in frames, but when you buy the official catalog or copies of Hunter x Hunter manuscripts, you realize that many of them don't use the standard HxH manuscript paper with the "Yoshihiro Togashi POT" logo, but instead, it's Naoko Takeuchi's manuscript paper. What a cute couple!
In the center of the HxH area, there's the mizumi-shiki glass (water divination glass).
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Unfortunately, we can't neither take pictures nor do the test :P
Adjacent to the HxH Area, there's a weird area with manuscripts of bizarre creatures, it's Area 04.
Area 04. "World of Strange Creatures"
This small area is a special exhibition dedicated to the bizarre creatures that appear in Togashi's works. I was happy to see Helen from Yu Yu Hakusho.
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World of Strange Creatures "The creatures (?) with bizarre designs that occasionally appear in Togashi's works leave a powerful impression. This special exhibition area features a collection of all the strange and lovable beings depicted in each work. They are an interesting bunch of designs that offer a glimpse into the creativity and tastes of the artist."
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Finally, we reach the last area.
Area 05. Yoshihiro Togashi
As the name suggests, this area is dedicated to the author.
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It begins with a timeline of his life, from his birth in 1966, the first submission to the Weekly Shounen Jump in 1986, manuscripts from his early works (one-shots and his first series "Ten de wa Showaru Cupid"), to the present day.
"Sensee wa Toshishita" was a finalist of the 20th H☆S Award in 1986. Togashi won a cash prize and got a call from Toshimasa Takahashi who became his first editor, the same who proposed to Togashi that Hiei should become a main character.
Togashi's first submission is displayed in his timeline and printed in the catalog. He used a pen name at the time, Toritome Yomoya.
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It was hard to tell the correct reading of his pen name (鳥留 夜母屋), because the furigana (reading of the chinese character) was not printed in the WSJ magazine. But, now, thanks to the exhibition, we know it reads as Toritome Yomoya.
In Yuusuke Murata's book, Hetappi Manga Laboratory Returns, Togashi mentioned that in his first submission he asked for sharp criticism that would kill his enthusiasm of a beginner. The late editor Mr. Takahashi had also mentioned that this particular line caught his attention.
It's funny that Togashi thought that someone else was in charge of creating the titles for the covers. That also crossed my mind. Yu Yu Hakusho, for example, has such a beautiful logo with stars (幽☆遊☆白書).
In the back wall of this area, there are color illustrations of all his works, and in the opposite wall from his timeline, a corner called "Creators Messages".
Creators Messages
To congratulate Togashi for his exhibition, there are a total of 9 messages and illustrations from other manga artists and celebrities.
Messages and illustrations from other mangaka
(to see HD scans, follow @Vishkujo thread on Twitter)
Yusuke Urameshi by Hirohiko Araki (JoJo's Bizarre Adventure)
Gon Freecss, Monkey D. Luffy, and Tony Tony Chopper by Eiichiro Oda (One Piece)
Pakunoda and Hisoka Morow by Gege Akutami (Jujutsu Kaisen)
Machi Komacine and Shizuku Murasaki by Koyoharu Gotouge (Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba)
Yusuke Urameshi, Kazuma Kuwabara, Hiei, Kurama, Gon Freecss, Killua Zoldyck, Hisoka Morow, Chrollo Lucilfer, Prince Baka, and Kraft by Sui Ishida (Tokyo Ghoul)
Translated messages by #hxhsource:
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Messages from celebrities
(check original scans on @Vishku)
I translated the messages from:
Film director Chloé Zhao
Togashi-sensei, congratulations on your exhibition! "Yu Yu Hakusho" had a great artistic influence on me when I was young, and it continues to inspire my work to this day. I can't forget the emotion I felt when I first read the scene where Toguro bids farewell to Genkai on the bridge of the Spirit World. When he took off his glasses, smiled at her and uttered his last words, I was 14 years old, and cried my eyes out in a crowded bus! Toguro's last words still bring me to tears. I re-read all the volumes every year, but when I see the photo of Yusuke, Kuwabara, Kurama, and Hiei on the last page, it always brings a lump to my throat. The beautiful and complex human nature of the heroes and villains depicted by Togashi-sensei has set the standard for me to tell amazing stories. Thank you, Togashi-sensei!
Actor Kento Kaku
Yoshihiro Togashi-sensei, nice to meet you. My name is Kento Kaku, and I am an actor. I am fully aware that it is very rude for someone like me to have the privilege to comment on sensei's great day. However, allow me to inform you. When I saw sensei's work for the first time, was deeply impressed. By the story, the characters, the development, the structure, everything. Once I came across it, my criteria for "amusing" became sensei's work. I was at a loss. I was no longer excited by other stories. How many times did I practice the Black Dragon Wave (kokuryuuha), in my youthful days? (I also tried to feel like Bui). Why can't become a demon fox (Youko)? Why can't I put out 120% of my power? Sometimes, I spent half a day practicing "ten" (纏) (I also practiced "ten" (点) like I'm supposed to). I also imagined the flow of "gyo". In my Water Divination, the leaf do not move at all. There must be people throughout the world who have had the same experiences. That's how much we're obsessed with sensei's work. Sensei, thank you very much for giving us such exciting emotions. I would like to continue enjoying sensei's work.
T/N:
纏 (Ten): "Envelop"/"Shroud", the first of the Four Major Principles of Nen.
点 (Ten): "Point", the first exercise of the "Nen of the Flame".
TV Producer Nobuyuki Sakuma
Togashi-sensei has been in a different league, since I was a teenager 30 years ago. "This manga is so interesting to me now, but will I find it even more interesting when I'm older? I still don't understand it at all, do I?". With this thought in mind, I put it back on the bookshelf and read it again from time to time. It's entertainment, it's art, a guide, but in the end it's an extremely interesting manga. I'm glad I was born in the world line where Togashi-sensei was born and is drawing manga. Thank you very much.
Writer Yumeaki Hirayama
Despite the position Togashi-sensei holds in the current manga industry, isn't his writing style itself unusual? And yet, even though he sticks to it, there is no sign the reader's enthusiasm will drop at all. This is surely rare, and I have never heard of such a thing. According to his passionate believers, one of the charms of Togashi's work is the basso continuo (severe realism) that lies in his shounen manga style. Sometimes it looks splendidly cruel, sometimes even grotesque. However, I guess it is the outstanding grasp of reality that makes his work so appealing. I believe this is the reason why it has become a bible for modern youth. For me personally, it is as if you're being challenged to play a long, long tens of thousands-moves "tsume shogi". It is always a frightening work where there is no correct answer other than the checkmate. When I think about how much trial and error goes into producing the next frame, I can only shudder and gaze at his work in wonderment. I'm praying from the lowest seat that you may continue to wield a powerful pen for many years to come.
Togashi Yoshihiro Amusement Land
In the center of Togashi Area there's the only spot where photos are allowed, the "Togashi Yoshihiro Amusement Land".
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There are big covers of the first volumes of "Yu Yu Hakusho", "Hunter x Hunter" and "Level E". Hanging from the ceiling: Botan & Puu (Yu Yu Hakusho); Color Ranger's Golden Hammer crushing Prince Baka (Level E); and Knuckle's Potclean (HxH).
New illustrations
Behind the big covers of the photo area, the beautiful frame "ALL☆STAR in the PUZZLE", with the exhibition visual key, is strategically placed. So, it's impossible to take any photo. I'm glad the media shared this one. This frame is absolutely amazing, I want it in my living room.
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Finally, when you are leaving area 5, there's a message from Togashi, "Thank you very much for visiting us", and one more big surprise:
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A totally new illustration of Gon and Yusuke (check HD scan on @Vishkujo)!
Some people have been complaining that Yusuke is red, but Togashi color-coded him red many times during the YYH serialization in the 90s. I guess we all have this strong green image of him from the anime.
Official Shop
Of course, before you exit, don't forget to visit the Official Shop. Depending on the day or time you visit it, you may face a queue to get in. I recommend purchasing the Exhibition Official Catalog. It's just a pity that they didn't include the english text displayed at the exhibition in there.
Moreover, check the official site to see the current status of the merchandise. Many products are out of stock or being back-ordered. They have also changed the limit purchase of some items. And, if you're buying from resellers, take a look at the original price on the site first. Some products are being sold on sites like Mericari for three times more the retail price.
The goods will also be sold after the exhibition ends. So, probably only in 2024, after the Fukuoka tour. Details will be announced on the official site.
Pieces Cafe
On the 52rd floor, next to the venue, there's also the Pieces Cafe. Contrary to the shop, you don't need to have bought a ticket and visited the exhibition to enter the cafe.
I only had time for the Quartet Eternal Bond Tapioca milk/tea drink. The photo of the quartet is precious, I could hardly eat it.
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Next time, I want to try the Kurama x Hiei "TWO SHOTS" curry and the Toguro Brothers dessert.
I didn't have much time in Tokyo, so I hope I can spend more time and take down more notes when the exhibition comes to Osaka. I could only stay a few hours, but I would recommend at least four to five hours if you wanna check all the details and properly enjoy the shop and the cafe.
That's all. I want to write more, but this post is already too long and Tumblr only allows 30 photos per post. Maybe, I'll do a second post, talking more about the manuscripts and catalog. It's hard to explain everything without showing photos or videos of the place, so if there's any confusing information, let me know.
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revols-headcanons · 1 year
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dipper and mabel: piedmont life
also this is borderline a fanfic but i have no motivation or peer pressure to actually write one. also warning there are OC’s in this post. this is potentially part 1 of a series?
both of them are autistic but in different ways. dipper is a “i am so insecure of my place in the world that I can immediately notice when there’s a dip in a conversation because of me” who would rather be alone then face social rejection. mabel is a “i think im really good with people because i am so unaware of social cues that i think everyone is being nice to me” who learned how to tell fake vs true niceness.
neither of them were diagnosed as kids, and how they both figured out was due to mabel helping the disabled classroom at her school and noticing similar habits and thought process from them. then dipper did research and they were like “oh okay that makes sense.”
in their sophomore year of high school, they both had identity crisis’ but in different ways: dipper became an overly cocky ‘too cool for anyone’ loner while mabel had a raging emo phase. both of them became deeply embarrassed of those phases the second they got out of them.
in their 8th grade english class, they did a duo project where they explained their entire summer (the prompt was to tell a fantasy three act story). dipper did the reading while mabel did the visuals (aka one of those pop up books but bigger and with her sound effects). their teacher asked them where their vivid imaginations came from and they told some excuse about being bored all summer.
their parents (who i am naming ingrid and robert) are (rightfully) pissed and confused when their kids start showing major symptoms of ptsd and depression. stan has literally no excuse for it and the twins keep dodging the questions.
ingrid is a anxious, stuck up mother who prioritizes education while robert is the relaxed father who expects the world but refuses to give help or support. let’s just say the twins don’t stay home as much. especially after the disaster the first week at home was when the twins brought waddles home.
after the summer, mabel gets into the trivia club and also tries out the science/engineering/robotics club (she also plays soccer, golf, and volleyball). her arts and crafts skills become incredibly useful when making a wooden structure with the purpose of finding the exact angle and falling distance for a marble. meanwhile dipper decides to try out for both track and football (he’s also in photography club and the school newspaper). dipper is the weakest member on the football team, but he’s the quickest runningback they’ve ever had, so the team doesn’t bully him too much for it. he’s consistently in the top 5 for his school during track.
mabel’s first high school friend is a black girl in her robotics club named aubrey. aubrey has adhd and has basically the same hobbies as mabel (i.e: karaoke, shopping, dancing, art). her second friend she meets at theater auditions (for the school musical, into the woods) where mabel watches her do a 10/10 audition performance and compliments her. she is south asian and named kamini, and her interests consist of theater, soccer, and english. her third friend ends up being the emo loner boy that she talks to on the first day. he’s latino and his name is dante. his hobbies consist of skateboarding, karaoke, and video games.
dipper’s first friend ends up being the younger brother of the football team captain, which is what makes the team stop bullying him. his friend is this kind of egotistical, yet himbo nerd of a dude named ethan— who’s a white boy with blond hair and freckles. ethan is interested in soccer and track as well as trivia, and they met during orientation week when they were the only two kids being ignored for the track club. dipper’s second friend comes from his ap english class, where he watched them cuss out someone for trying to harass a girl in the class. they’re asian and non binary and they go by paine. they like chess, english, and dnd, which is why dipper gets along with them so well.
dipper is able to convince ethan and paine to start a dnd session together, with dipper as dungeon master.
mabel eventually forces dipper into joining the program and dipper agrees to be backstage crew. it works out fine until they realize that their play has an unusually low tryout for men so mabel begs him to tryout for a lead role. he gets it because the programs desperate. he ends up playing either percy or grover in the lightning thief, and mabel gets casted as clarisse/katie/etc.
mabel loves taylor swift (specifically red, 1989, and lover) and also doja cat. she dabbles in ariana grande and marina from time to time as well. dipper has nightmares when he hears mabel, aubrey, and dante singing karaoke for first time.
dipper listens to cavetown and mitski mainly before paine and ethan lightly bully him into listening to the arctic monkeys and gorillaz. he creates aesthetic playlists for when he’s monster/creature hunting. neither of his friends believe him when he describes super natural things until (on two separate occasions) he shows them videos of gravity falls shenanigans and when they run into anomalies in piedmont.
mabel ends up getting a crush on ethan and then dipper has that tragic disaster to deal with.
dipper gets a minor crush on kamini before he learns that she views him as this cute little thing to watch but not dateable.
due to dipper’s boost in confidence, girls notice him and try to ask him out. he gets really flustered and confused, especially when girls who bullied him suddenly want to be with him. he rejects them all.
mabel realizes she’s bisexual when she gets a crush on aubrey and has a mental breakdown about it. she confesses, aubrey says that she doesn’t like the concept of dating at all, mabel takes the rejection decently, and they continue being the best of friends.
mabel gets jokingly asked out by a football boy and then dipper gets so pissed off he punches the dude in the face (mabel had no time to react, because if she did, she would’ve also joined the fight). a fist fight ensues, they both get suspended, and no one messes with mabel ever again.
mabel ends up befriending nearly everyone due to how kind and considerate she is. even girls who hated her from middle school soften because of her. she is a god.
most people are neutral towards dipper due to how he doesn’t really initiate social interactions, but that’s how he likes it.
dipper is an avid buzzfeed unsolved fan while mabel watches danny gonzales, drew goodman, etc.
dipper is trans. he realized he was trans when he was like 8, and he’s been a boy since. he was mainly bullied for being trans, but ever since he got confident, learned how to kick ass, and started taking testosterone, people have left him alone. also his name ‘mason,’ he specifically chose to appease his parents (who wanted two twins with ‘m’ starting names that had 5 letters each), but he goes by dipper because that’s the name he would’ve actually chosen.
the twins have separate rooms at their parents house, but they keep accidentally passing out on each other’s floors (or on mabel’s beanbag, or at dipper’s desk). their parents ask why all of a sudden and the twins say they just got closer over the summer. they would never admit it’s because sleeping in the same room as someone who experienced the same trauma is relieving.
mabel constantly calls grenda and candy, reassuring them that while she also loves aubrey and kamini, that her gravity falls friends will always be her favorites.
robert’s favorite child is mabel because, although he has unfair expectations of them, he gives mabel excuses because she’s more art and people focused, while he’s overly harsh on dipper. ingrid’s favorite is dipper because he also likes puzzles, board games, and higher education, while she looks down upon mabel for being childish and irresponsible.
dipper refuses to give any explanation for having wendy’s hat instead of a normal cap. theories range from ‘he has a girlfriend’ to ‘he murdered a man for it.’ he also cried when a bully threw it in the trash once.
the twins have a bet for whoever becomes the tallest by the time they enter the mystery shack the next summer: whoever’s taller gets to pawn their summer chores off onto the other one for the whole summer. mabel gets at least 8 hours of sleep a night to help herself (though her diet is wack) while dipper eats a lot of height-growing food items to help himself (though he’s never had a consistent sleep schedule in his life).
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mind-or-matter · 10 months
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Mind or Matter: Mini-Comic 2 - Self Expression and Self Exhaustion (PLUS ANNOUNCEMENT)
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The second style test/mini comic for MiOrMa is here! This time around I wanted to do a longer test than the previous one, and try plotting out a sustained conversation between two characters with more minimal backgrounds than style test 1, focusing on screen direction, keeping dialogue scenes visually interesting, and efficiency in less complex scenes! I'd say considering how fast I speedran this, that it was a success!
This mini-comic takes place somewhere around arcs 4-5, after some character development has happened for one Jackie Verumie. I haven't put a lot of post-development content for them on this blog yet, as I wanna maintain an air of surprise and investment in reading the comic proper, even if you know where the character ends up, the journey is more important than specific detail spoilers!
Honestly this was kind of the perfect comic to round out pride month with, it's an incredibly queer narrative (hence my extensive use of genderfluid lighting), and I think despite this comic being filled with queer characters, Jackie is the one that fundamentally hits queer themes the most. Happy pride month!!
Be sure to follow the blog, reblog, and spread the word for more Mind or Matter! Every bit of support before the comic proper starts is super appreciated!!!
AAAND for the little bit of an announcement!
Unfortunately, concept work on MiOrMa will be slightly delayed. In the immediate future, I'm going on vacation for the next week! And, when I get back, I'm starting a new job for the summer! Additionally, for the month of July, I'm going to be doing Artfight! My username is Anatthema, if you'd like to follow me, I have almost all of the MiOrMa characters that actually belong to me on there! (I'm working on adding the rest of mine soon) All of this combined means that the projected estimate for the comic starting at the end of the summer is likely incorrect, as I still have a large amount of concept art to do, and my next month is going to be pretty loaded, but hopefully since I have a very light courseload first semester in school, my goal is to get the ball rolling some time in my first semester! (Gunning for October since it's the anniversary of me starting pre-production! I will keep yall updated on that one based on estimated post-artfight)
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