#age of samurai battle for japan

[flicksnfilms]

Age of Samurai: Battle for Japan Miniseries (2021)

Plot premise:   This Canadian-American documentary tells of feudal Japan from 1551 to 1616, during the final phase of the Sengoku period (The Age of Warring States), mainly the Azuchi–Momoyama period. The story is about several powerful daimyo (warlords) who clash to unify Japan.

Network: Netflix Episodes (and episode length): 6 (43 mins) Director: Stephen Scott Cast: Hiro Kanagawa, Haneda Masayoshi, Kosaka Masami, Masao Hayate IMDB | RottenTomatoes

± While the documentary is led by a lot of westerners, a lot of them seem to work in Japan and tell the tales in a straightforward manner, although the most cultural context still come from Japanese local historians. It is an interesting retelling, but there's an aspect of the reenactment that's a little stiff and the letters look hilariously like child drawings for some reason. I didn't know the details of this period of history but from the moment they first mention him i knew it would end with Tokugawa Ieatsu --because of the well known Tokugawa era (in Rurouni Kenshin :))) )

#tv series #Age of Samurai Battle for Japan

[daeva-agas]

... So back when the Netflix samurai thing first released its teasers and trailers, my thought was “Why does Nobunaga look like Vlad Dracula played by an Asian actor”.

I know the Netflix thing is old news by now, and even I feel bad about beating a dead horse, but this has been in my mind for ages and I wanted to get it out of my system.

Dunno why are Nobu and Vlad watching (probably pirated) Netflix episodes on a computer. It just seems like it’d be funny like this... Maybe they’re hanging out in the afterlife I guess. Also Nobu is drinking coffee from a sake cup for some reason.

I still don’t understand the staff’s styling choice for this. Like I get that maybe Haneda-san (the actor) doesn’t want to cut his hair for whatever reason, but, just... why...? This is a documentary, not a Kazuaki Kiriya funky arthouse movie.

He still has his long hair in the other movie/show he’s in, but he can still be dressed and styled more neatly:

#age of samurai #should I tag Vlad #I don't want unsuspecting people to be confused by this #original #kind of #Oda nobunaga #oh fuck it #Vlad Dracula #I debated about giving him his hat or not #and his Christmas Coloured clothes #Wasn't sure if that was ok or not #But he can wear Christmas Coloured clothes if he so want to #I almost turned the green coat yellow #but it feels too Stefan-ish #age of samurai battle of japan

[veronicaphoenix]

THE UNMAKING OF A WARRIOR — PART VII

Pairing: samurai/ronin!noah x fem. reader | Words: 11.5k

Chapter tags & trigger warnings: tiny bit of sexual content at the beginning, fluff, subtle talks of dom/sub dynamic, mentions of bondage, torture, nightmares, anxiety, mentions of underage sexual experiences, blade to throat, death threats, blood, mentions of supernatural forces, mentions of Noah having killed people before (sorry, he's a samurai, after all), mentions of pregnancy, angst, cliffhanger at the end whoops. so many things, i'm taking this fic very seriously no joke

Author's note: okay everybody, i've done a bunch of research for this fic and I love learning about different cultures and expanding my knowledge about the world, but the entire thing is obviously historically inaccurate (not that this is exactly a historical fic but anyway), also I don't think people wore sweatpants in feudal Japan, but I can't picture Noah not wearing them, so here you go, a samurai wearing sweatpants. 🤭 I haven't done a second review to check for any last typos or mistakes, so I apologize for that.

Additional useful info: - Kami: japanese word for a deity, divinity, or spirit. - Yakuza: individual involved in criminal organizations, thought to have descended from gangs of ronin (masterless samurai) - Rei and Ren are two different people in the story. Rei we like, Ren we definitely do not like.

THE UNMAKING OF A WARRIOR 

PART VII

Waking up to Noah’s serene form beside me felt like a blessing. 

         His peaceful slumber was a sight I’d seen many times in the dark, when he slept by my side and I sacrificed my own hours of rest just to watch him, knowing that with the dawn, he would be gone. 

         But this time, watching him held a special tranquility. His young features, usually marked by a furrowed brow, were now softened in repose, free from the burdens of worry that plagued him even in sleep. 

         During the night, his rest had been disturbed, his subconscious grappling with the lingering echoes of the past few days. Despite the idyllic surroundings we found ourselves in, a part of him remained tethered to the fears and uncertainties of our choices. His dreams were plagued with scenarios of what could have happened days ago, before escaping from my father’s estate. At one point, he tossed and turned so fervently in bed that he flung the sheets off his body. A thin layer of sweat covered his forehead, neck, and chest. 

         Now that morning had unfolded, and sunlight streamed into our modest dwelling, I found myself drawn to Noah’s profile, his beautiful lines illuminated by the gentle glow. Even while sleeping, his features exuded a captivating allure, making him look even more handsome than he already was. His shirt had shifted during the night, when he found himself trapped in a nightmare, and a glimpse of his abdomen was now revealed to me alongside the scars that marred his warrior skin. A pang of sadness washed over me at the reminder of the trials he had endured, being born into a family of Samurai where the path of battle was but an unavoidable destiny. 

         My eyes shifted from one ugly scar under his left pectoral to the tattoos adorning his skin. 

         Noah’s fascination with tattoos had always intrigued me, especially considering the strict code of the Samurai that forbade such adornments. Samurai detested tattoos. Yet, Noah had received his first one at the age of eighteen, during a chance encounter with a group of ronin on the outskirts of the estate. I remember him recounting the tale to me with a mix of trepidation and wonder, describing how he had nearly fled at the sight of the masterless samurai. Yet, he found himself drawn to their stories and the reasons why they had decided to break the Bushido code and now lived in the shadows. A ronin had been the one to ink a small dragon onto Noah’s skin, unaware that Noah would become one of them years later. As he showed the tattoo to me and I traced the red and blue lines with my fingertips, I became aware that he would have to keep it hidden. It terrified me to know what my father would do to him if he found out Noah had stained his skin. 

         This morning, my fingers traced the same path, sliding down gently from the head of the dragon to its ferocious tail. Noah stirred slightly beneath my touch, though he remained slightly lost in his sleep. I shot a wary glance at his face, and as soon as I saw his eyes remained closed, I moved my fingers to his navel and down, towards the line of hair that descended and disappeared under the waistband of his pants.

         He whispered my name, a gentle protest.

         “Stop that. It tickles,” he mumbled, his voice coarse.

         His words only triggered me to continue my tracing, which made him open his eyes and, in an instant, he had flipped me onto my back, his grin infectious as he pinned me beneath him.

         The unmistakable hardness of his morning erection didn’t go unnoticed to me as it pressed against my hip.  

         “Good morning,” I said quietly, but even with my sweet voice I couldn’t hide my intentions. Noah narrowed his gaze on me, his fingers moving a few strands of hair from my face. 

         “Good morning,” he replied. “Someone had a good night’s sleep, I see.”

         As soon as he said that, I subtly arched my hips, seeking out some friction. Noah’s eyes darkened. With one hand on my hip, he kept me pinned to the mattress, but I was feeling feisty enough and I slid a hand down and inside his sweatpants, making my way beneath his underwear and wrapping my fingers around his hard, thick length. 

         Locked in a silent exchange of desire, Noah’s eyes bore into mine, a vein beginning to pulse on his neck. Just as I was poised to take things further, to pump him once, laughter from outside shattered the moment, snapping us both back to reality. 

         Noah immediately flipped back to his side of the bed, both slightly breathless and eager for the privacy we had momentarily lost. We turned our attention towards the balcony door, our sanctuary now breached by the intrusion of the outside world. 

         We had no idea what time it was, but suddenly we were very aware of the noise outside, the chatter of voices, the chirping of birds, the occasional deer call, and the distant clucking of chickens. I was momentarily disoriented. 

         As the chaos settled around us, a sense of clarity began to emerge. 

         We were far from home, —or what home had been—. We were nestled in a humble abode offered by a community we had only just discovered. Surrounded by life in all its vibrant forms, if we got lucky enough, Noah and I could dare to hope for a future together in this place. The laughter of children drifting away outside made me wish with all my might that the opportunity came to us and all the dreams I had with Noah became a reality. 

         Despite the realization that we still didn’t have the privacy we would like, I wanted to embrace this new reality. To wake up to the symphony of birdsong, the joyous laughter of children, and the gentle rustle of leaves in the breeze—these simple pleasures whispered promises of a life yet to be lived. 

         After composing ourselves and tending to the necessities of the morning, I ventured out onto the porch, greeted by the sweet fragrance of nearby flowers and the soft caress of the morning breeze. In the distance, I spotted Rika and Milla’s children, their playful antics adding a sweet touch to the warmth of our new community. 

         Near the door, a package caught my eye, it’s presence a tangible reminder of the kindness that surrounded us. Attached to it was a tag bearing Rika’s name. With a grateful smile, I carried the package inside, closing the wooden doors behind me. 

         As Noah caught sight of me, a softness settled over his features. I could tell he was still living in the short moment we had shared in bed as we woke up.

         I carefully read the note attached to the package in my hands,

         “I thought these clothes might be useful for now. I hope they fit you. I used to wear them before I got pregnant with my first child. There are some from my husband that might fit Noah. 

Rika.”

         Surveying the contents of the package, Noah selected a pair of black trousers and a matching tunic, securing his katana at his waist with a belt of the same color as he finished getting dressed. Meanwhile, I found myself staring in awe at the array of dresses Rika had offered, each one an affirmation of her generosity and kindness. 

         After much deliberation, I chose a delicate white summer dress adorned with tiny blue flowers, its charm a contrast to the uncertainty of our circumstances. But as I held it in my hands and examined it, a sense of determination flooded me. I wanted this to work, and as silly as it sounded, I considered that, by wearing a cute dress, I could give it a start. 

         However, as I struggled with the intricate straps at the back of it, a sense of frustration took over me, and I found myself longing for the assistance of the maids back at my father’s estate. 

         Noah appeared behind me. In a heartbeat, his hands covered mine, his touch gentle yet confident. 

         “Let me,” he murmured, his voice a soothing melody in the quiet of the room as I dropped my hands. 

         With practiced ease, he skillfully tightened the straps and tied a knot. I held my breath, acutely aware of the precision in his touch. 

         His proficiency with ropes, honed through years as a samurai, carried with it a weight of history and pain that lingered beneath the surface. 

         I had witnessed the anguish that haunted Noah’s eyes on those nights we spent entwined beneath the covers, grappling with demons of his past. The torment of inflicting pain upon innocent prisoners that had been tied up with ropes in impossible ways weighed heavily upon him, a burden he bore with a heavy heart. And in those moments of darkness, I knew that I had to find a way to replace the agony with something else. I might not be able to make it disappear, but I could help him deal with it in a different way, build a new memory related to that bondage he was meant to perform on those people considered traitors.  

         The first time, many years ago when I asked him to tie me up, his horror at my proposal was obvious, and his refusal resolute and unwavering. He got very upset, and I didn’t insist any further that night. But I refused to be deterred, though, and patiently waited for the opportunity to convey the depth of my intentions and why I believed it could help him. 

         “I’m not asking you to hurt me,” I whispered. “I’m asking you to show me how much you’re capable of loving; to show me that by being completely at your mercy, I’m safe; that beneath the warrior lies a man of compassion and tenderness; that despite everything, you’re a man of good heart.”

         It was a gradual journey, fraught with a lot of uncertainty and hesitation. But as Noah discovered the profound emotional bond that the bindings on my body provided, there was no turning back, and soon I found myself bound and completely subjected to him in bed, feeling every one of his touches more intensely than ever, every kiss he placed on every inch of my body more devoted than the last. 

         The restraints provided by the bindings seemed to ignite the rest of my senses, making my skin tingle and increasing my ability to feel and understand that Noah was mine and I was his. Never, not once, did I fear him. That confidence toppled the last ounce of insecurity that remained in Noah, and since then, we knew that we wouldn’t be able to live without each other. 

         With Noah, I found a sanctuary where submission was a choice made freely. It had nothing to do with the control that defined my life and that I hated. With Noah I could be honest, and I could submit without fear. And Noah, despite not being able to escape the expectations of his samurai heritage, despite not being able to rid himself of that part of him that yearned for control and dominance, he embraced it when I was in his arms. 

         When we were with each other, the dynamic was wonderful, and there was no moment when we felt more united than when I let go, surrendered to his mercy.

         As I turned around and thanked him for tying the straps of the dress, I noticed that his eyes had darkened, and I understood that the same thoughts had been crossing his mind as he tied the ribbons.

         “Beautiful”, he murmured, but more than a sigh, the way he pronounced the word resembled a growl. 

         With a sheepish smile, I tiptoed to kiss him, my hands pressed against his hard stomach, and for a moment I damned that a few more moments alone together, in that comfortable bed that had been offered to us, had been stolen. 

         I’d had Noah inside me a couple of days ago, but still, the ache of missing and wanting him was too potent.  

         Noah parted his lips to kiss me deeper, but a growl from his stomach interrupted us. A hint of embarrassment colored his cheeks as I laughed.  

         “I’m hungry,” he said.   He traced a strand of hair that fell across my face, his fingers falling to my neck and caressing it in a tantalizing caress. “I could eat you.”

         He leaned in to feign a bite at my neck, prompting me to laugh louder. I squirmed under his touch, laughing and letting out little squeals.

It wasn’t as late as we initially thought. When we left the house, traces of dew still lingered on the plants, and some moisture collected on the stone paths. 

We walked to the main dining hall, warmly greeting the people who recognized us from the previous day, exchanging good mornings with a wave of the hand or a polite nod. In the dining hall, much like the night before, there weren’t many people, but the same woman who served me dinner the previous night was there, delighted to see me in good spirits and well accompanied.     Noah and I had breakfast in silence, occasionally glancing around, absorbing the details of the place and familiarizing ourselves with the community’s routine. The woman serving the food assured us we could eat as much as we wanted, gesturing with her arms to indicate the abundance of fresh fruit baskets, cereals, and other hot delicacies piled up on a long table at the opposite end of the hall. 

I was finishing a cup of hot tea when an elderly couple, around eighty, perhaps,, approached us very slowly, delicate smiles on their wrinkled faces. I exchanged a cautious glance with Noah, unsure how to greet them, whether we should stand up, or if we should stop eating. As soon as Noah made a move to rise from the bench, the woman gestured with her hand and shook her head, then gave him a couple of gentle pats on the shoulder. The encounter didn’t go beyond that.     

Not long after, when Rika appeared on the porch leading to the dining hall, she informed us that they were the oldest couple in the community, residing at the top of the hill at the back end of the village, just behind the temple we had seen upon our arrival the day before. They were very quiet and reserved people, and being older, their community tasks had already ceased, and now they spent their time strolling around the village, helping just in whatever way they could and warding off evil spirits. 

“They are very wise people,” Rika told us. “If you ever need advice or help, you’ll likely find them at the temple. They take care of keeping it clean and orderly, and often perform rituals for the well-being of the community.”

We were leaning on the veranda of the porch when Rei, the man who’d led us into the village the day before, approached. He greeted Noah warmly and apologized to me for not including me in his tour yesterday, to which I replied that it hadn’t mattered and that I appreciated their concern for me and letting me rest. 

I hadn’t finished talking when a gentle brush against my thigh through the porch bars drew my attention, and as I turned around, I was met with the sight of a curious deer lingering near the porch. Its innocent gaze and delicate features captivated me instantly, and unable to resist it, I walked off the porch and onto the stone path, approaching the creature with a mixture of fascination and wonder.

As if sensing my presence, the deer remained still, showing a genuine trust toward me that warmed my heart. Noah, Rei, and Rika observed from the porch.

“They’re quite friendly,” Rika said, her voice carrying a sense of tranquility that matched the peaceful surroundings. “The children love playing with them.”

Indeed, as soon as a group of children noticed me petting the deer, they joined in, their laughter filling the air as they frolicked alongside the gentle creature. It was a scene of pure joy and innocence, a stark contrast to the hardships Noah and I had faced in recent days. It was hard to believe two days ago we had been sleeping in an abandoned and ruined cottage in the middle of nowhere, with barely any food nor water. 

As the children gathered around, their eyes wide with wonder, I knelt down beside them, the soft breeze carrying the scent of pine and earth.

“Did you know that deer shed their antlers every year?” I began to explain, my voice soft yet animated. “They use them for protection and to attract mates.”

The children listened intently, their fascination evident as they hung onto my every word. I had always been fascinated by animals, my knowledge about them being nurtured by years of education and exploration. Close to my father’s estate there was a deer sanctuary, a haven where Noah and I met each other on numerous occasions, allowing the creatures to bear witness to the blossoming of our love. “Really?” one of the children exclaimed, their curiosity piqued. He must have been four or five. His cheeks were full and his eyes a sweet light brown. “So, does that mean they have new antlers every year?”

I nodded, delighted by their enthusiasm to learn. “That’s right! In the spring, new antlers start to grow, covered in a soft, fuzzy layer called velvet. And as they grow, they become stronger and more durable.”

The children exchanged excited whispers among themselves, their eyes shining. 

Rika watched from the porch, her eyes twinkling with pride at the scene unfolding before her. 

“You’re wonderful with children,” she noticed. 

I glanced up at her, and just uttered a simple “thank you”, not knowing what else to say to that. When my eyes diverted to Noah, I caught his gaze fixed on me with a newfound intensity. It was as if a sudden realization had dawned on him, a silent acknowledgment of the future we might share together.

Before he said anything, Rei interjected, “It’s very hard to keep them still these days. The children, I mean. All they want to do is run around,” he said. “You seem to have a knack for handling them,” he remarked, his tone gentle yet inquisitive, and then, “Noah told me you’re very skilled at archery.”

“A little,” I replied, somewhat confused at the change of topics. 

“She’s very good,” Noah corrected, emphasizing his words with a nod of his head, his words flooding my mind with images from the time I showed Noah my skills and he had been shockingly impressed. I had been sixteen at the time, and I had been able to shoot a 25lb light bow straight into my aiming point at a distance of ten yards. 

“My father wanted me to train in the art of archery from a young age,” I explained, with a hint of bitterness in my voice. Talking about my father would always put me on edge after the events that had just transpired. 

“You could continue your training here, or if you prefer, you could teach the children,” Rei suggested as the deer at my side fed on some grass growing between the stones. “It would be nice to have someone else to instruct them. The current instructor is getting too old for it.”

“Oh. Um—I don’t know,” I was not expecting such proposal less than twenty-four hours since we’d set foot on this place. “I’d have to think about it. I don’t think I’m good enough for that.”

But Noah’s raised eyebrow told me I didn’t have to be so modest.

Rei continued, “I think they would benefit greatly from your experience and guidance.”

“It would be great,” Rika added. “My husband has always wanted our son to learn how to use the bow.”

Rei insisted, his voice soft but filled with conviction, “the children of our community are always eager to learn new skills. I can’t help but think that, if you’re as good as Noah says, your expertise in archery would be a valuable asset to them, honestly.”

His words sparked a flicker of excitement within me, “You really think so?” I asked, apprehensive.

“Absolutely,” he affirmed, his voice steady and sure. “If you have a gift, the children would be lucky to learn from you.”

But alongside the thrill of possibility, a wave of self-doubt came my way, threatening to extinguish the flame of enthusiasm. What if I wasn’t good enough? What if I failed to inspire the children, or worse, disappointed them? I had never really spent that much time around children, much less teaching them something. Archery was a challenge, far from a simple task. It demanded perseverance through frustration, disappointments, and physical exhaustion. 

But as I looked up at Noah again, I saw his unwavering faith in me reflected in the depths of his brown eyes. I found the courage to push aside my doubts and embrace the opportunity before me. With a determined nod, I made up my mind to seize the moment and trust in the strength of my own abilities.

The idea was certainly appealing, and teaching archery to the children would not only allow me to share my skills but also contribute to the community in a meaningful way, something totally different from the future that had waited for me at Ren’s estate if I had married him…

“Well, I... think I would like that,” I concluded.

As we continued our conversation, Rei proceeded to explain in detail how the community worked to sustain itself. Each member contributed in their own way, whether it was teaching skills like archery, gardening, tending to the harvest, fishing, construction, preparing food, or other subjects more related to history, mathematics, and literature. It was a system built on mutual support and cooperation, where everyone played a vital role in ensuring the community thrived.

Rika, sensing her duties calling, excused herself with a warm smile, suggesting that Noah and I explore the town market later. “It’s a lovely place and not far from here,” she added before walking away towards the northwest side of the village. “You can buy anything you need there.”

Following Rei’s lead, we made our way to the Samurai training grounds, where he proudly showed us the disciplined regimen of the warriors just as he had showed to Noah the day before. The purpose of teaching combat wasn’t the same as the one imposed to those born into a Samurai lineage like Noah. While Noah and his kin were bound by duty to bow to authority and dedicate their lives to the service of war, the kids and youngsters that engaged in combat training here at this place did it with the aim of cultivating their physical strength, honing mental discipline, and equipping themselves with skills needed for self-defense, should the need arise. It was a practice rooted in self-reliance and empowerment, rather than obligation and allegiance. 

Next to the training grounds, the archery training fields awaited. 

Arriving there, I was met with a breathtaking panorama of lush greenery stretching out before me, the distant mountains standing sentinel against the azure sky. 

 A its center, there was a row of sturdy wooden targets, each with rings painted in red. Along the periphery, racks of polished bows stood in neat rows, the curves catching the sunlight, and nearby, quivers waited with arrows arranged next to them.

It was truly a wonderful place, even though my momentary admiration was broken by Rei’s next words.

“Why don’t you show us what you can do?”

I frowned.

“What?” Immediately, I shook my head. “No. No, I don’t—I don’t think I’m dressed appropriately,” I confessed, feeling a pang of self-consciousness as I looked down at my dress.

“I’ve seen you shoot while dressed in much less appropriate attire,” Noah teased gently, his eyes twinkling.

It took him less than a sentence to convince me to do anything. 

Taking a deep breath, I stepped forward, my eyes fixed on the bows. I examined them until I choose one that seemed the most appropriate for my height and the length of my arms. My fingers trembled slightly as they closed around the familiar weight of the bow. For a moment, time seemed to stand still, the world around me fading into insignificance as I prepared myself and focused all my attention on one of the targets ahead.

With a silent prayer on my lips, I drew back the bowstring, feeling the tension build in my muscles with eachsecond. And then, with a swift release, I let the arrow fly, watching with bated breath as it soared through the air with deadly accuracy.

The moment seemed to stretch into eternity, the world holding its breath as the arrow found its mark with a satisfying thud. A rush of exhilaration surged through me, filling every fiber of my being with a sense of triumph and accomplishment.

Turning to face Rei and Noah, I was met with looks of awe and admiration, Noah’s eyes shining with pride as Rei’s watched me with respect. Not even my mother had ever shown so much pride and gratefulness in her daughter. 

“Noah was right. You do possess a remarkable talent,” Rei acknowledged. “The children will undoubtedly benefit greatly from the opportunity to learn from you.”

“I would be honored to teach them,” I replied, my voice filled with determination and a new sense of purpose. 

As the soft hues of a sunny morning painted shadows around us, Noah and I set out on our journey towards the nearby town, hand in hand, our footsteps light upon the forest path. The air was alive with the symphony of nature, the gentle rustle of leaves and the sweet delicacy of a birdsong.

It was the first time we walked with my hand clutched in his as two people who were free, although a part of me still felt reluctant. I was so used to the ingrained fear that holding Noah’s hand was a crime that even after deciding to go against all the rules of our society, I couldn’t entirely erase the lingering apprehension. I couldn’t shake the feeling that at some point someone would show up, point us out, and make us pay for the “crime” of falling in love. 

I was aware that Noah was also grappling with similar anxieties, although he had always been more adept at concealing his fears and worries, of course. 

My thoughts were confirmed when, instead of reveling in the liberation of the moment, he diverted our attention to something he had forgotten to mention the night before. 

In the backpack my grandmother had given us, at the bottom of it, Noah had found another packet containing a handful of coins and bills. Enough money to get us out of harm’s way for a while longer. 

With everything that had happened to us in the last three days, I hadn’t even stopped to think about money. For me, it had never been a problem, but by deciding to run away with Noah, I had also decided to forsake a life of luxury in the castles of the royal families, the fortune that would fall into my hands just for being the daughter of a Shogun, or the inheritance that would be left in my name once my parents were no longer here. Noah and I had nothing. No coins to our name, no possessions but the clothes on our backs. It was a cold reminder of the consequences of our impulsive actions —a samurai and a princess reduced to fugitives, stripped of all the wealth and status that had once defined us. 

That just showed how little I cared about money. Still, Noah managed to alleviate some of my unease with the news that at least we had something on our hands, which led me to realize that, in the excitement of setting out to explore the town, I hadn’t thought to take my grandfather’s katana. When I mentioned it to Noah, telling him that I suddenly felt vulnerable and exposed considering we were still being searched for by my father’s army, he made us stop and forced me to look deep into his eyes as he held my face in his calloused hands. 

“I don’t want you to feel like you have to carry a weapon with you at all times,” he said. “Maybe you should have taken it today, in case you were going out alone, but you’re not. You’re with me. Nothing is going to happen, and I’ll make sure that from now on, you won’t feel the need to be armed whenever you decide to go somewhere.”

That was sweet, the way he implied that he would give me a life of freedom and absent of fear, but they didn’t entirely dispel my anxiety.   

“I’ve got mine,” he said as he noted my angst not subsiding, his thumbs caressing the curve of my cheeks. “I’ll keep us safe, don’t worry.”

Attempting to reassure him more than myself, I nodded, forcing a small smile. 

As I started to resume our walk, Noah’s hand clasped my wrist, halting me in place. When I looked up at him, I noticed a special glint in his eyes.  

“What is it?” I asked. 

“I’m aware I told you how beautiful you are mere hours ago,” he began, his voice a quiet whisper in the forest. The way he was looking at me was tender and adoring, the touch of his touch around my wrist a soothing, honeyed sensation. “But there’s something…” he cleared his throat. “I’ve always wanted to tell you how pretty you look in these dresses,” he continued, more confidence in his voice this time. “Whenever I saw you around your father’s gardens, I was… mesmerized. But I couldn’t say anything.” For obvious reasons. “You look pretty. I just wanted you to know.”

I blushed, but despite the embarrassment I was able to stand on my tiptoes and give him a soft kiss, cupping his cheek in one of my hands.

In about twenty minutes, we caught sight of the first houses that comprised the town. Nestled in the center of the picturesque valley, the town was flanked by towering mountains and crisscrossed by a river, likely the same one Noah and I had followed on our journey. 

At the entrance to the town, a stone structure welcomed us, shaped by two vertical pillar and two horizontal crossbeams.

Venturing further, excitement flowing through me as I held tightly onto Noah’s hand, we found ourselves amidst a bustling scene. The narrow main street bustled with activity as locals and visitors alike moved briskly, carrying bags of provisions and exchanging lively greetings.

The air was alive with the aromas of freshly baked bread and simmering rice, wafting from tiny eateries just beginning to open their doors. Though being daytime, lanterns overhead cast a warm glow and added illumination to the cobblestone path below our feet. 

As we strolled along, I was captivated by the sights and sounds that surrounded us. Quaint tea houses adorned with cherry blossoms stood alongside market stalls offering an array of treasures. 

I pulled Noah to a stop when we came across a group of street performers. 

Dressed in elegant kimonos and covered in vibrant colors, a pair of dancers performed a kabuki-inspired dance, bringing to life ancient tales of heroism and love while a skilled percussionist put on display a performance of taiko drumming on massive drums. The music filled the street with thunderous rhythms that reverberated through the crowd. We watched, enthralled. By the time they reached the heart of their act, Noah’s arms had slid around my waist from behind, and I swayed a little with my back pressed against his chest, my hands resting on top of his over my stomach.And as the final notes of music faded into the air, we were left with a profound desire to belong to this place.  

Even when the crowd started to dissipate, I remained tucked in Noah’s arms, feeling a bittersweet feeling inside of me. I could like it here. I could love it. I was already mesmerized by it all, but the reminder that this what at the cost of my parents put a heaviness in my chest that every once in a while made it difficult to breath. 

As always, so perceptive, Noah pressed a kiss to my hair, prompting me to close my eyes and relish the feeling of being there with him, surrounded by people that accepted our love, that allowed us to be. 

Thankfully, the crowd surrounding me serves as a reminder to keep me anchored in the present moment. My life didn’t belong to my parents, and life was not meant to be perfect, either. I could have paradise at a certain cost, and I would take it. I would take this which was standing in front of me, around me, right now. 

With Noah encouraging us to keep exploring, we stumbled upon a small gathering of locals��at a fork in the street, huddled together in animated conversation. They were whispering legends that seemed to dance upon the breeze and that kept children and adults spellbounded by the narratives. 

An old man, his face weathered by years of wisdom, was regaling locals and visitors with tales of ancient warriors and mythical beasts, his voice rising and falling like the ebb and flow of a tide. As he spoke, Noah and I listened and exchanged knowing glances. These tales had been our companions in the quiet of bedtime as children and had accompanied us through our teenage years, intertwined with the poetry and literature of our respective educations. 

As the day wore on and the rumble of hunger coming from my stomach elicited a playful comment from Noah this time, we sought out the nearest food stall, its colorful banners and fragrant spices alluring us closer. We approached the stall with hunger, our mouths watering at the tantalizing aroma that wafted through the air.

Noah’s eyes danced with excitement as he perused the selection of dishes on display, his adventurous spirit evident as he selected a variety of savory skewers and steaming dumplings. 

“What would you like to have?” he asked.

“There’s so much to choose from,” I replied, my eyes darting from one plate to another. “Everything looks delicious.” 

 Noah engaged the vendor, asking about a few specific delicacies before making our selections. 

“Would you like to try these? They’ve just been made and are still warm,” the vendor offered, gesturing to a plate of unfamiliar bites. 

“Sure,” I agreed, accepting the bite from Noah’s fingers. His act of feeding me felt intimate and sweet, and elicited a smile I couldn’t shake as I chewed, my gaze locked on his until his laughter broke the spell. 

“What?” I asked, my mouth still full.

“You look like a hamster,” he teased, his eyes alight with amusement. When he attempted to pinch my cheeks, I punched him playfully on the shoulder before covering my mouth with my hand.

But as I swallowed and tried to avoid his excited expression, I was overwhelmed by a sense of completeness. I had never seen Noah like this, so carefree, so happy. I wanted him like this forever. I would take the good and the bad, but I didn’t want anyone to take this happiness from him. 

I vowed to protect this happiness at all costs. 

As the taste settled in, an unexpected sharp sting spread across my tongue. 

“Gods, this is so spicy!” I exclaimed, feeling the heat intensify. 

The vendor let out a little laugh at my reaction. Noah observed my cheeks tinging red, and without letting his amusement fade, he asked the vendor for a glass of water, which the man quickly offered to me.

After my tongue found some relief and I insisted on avoiding further adventurous bites, Noah and I retreated to a quiet corner to enjoy our meal. Our conversation was light-hearted, focused on the scene unfolding around us and the animate characters populating the market street. We didn’t discuss the situation we were still in for we didn’t want to break the spell of this merry morning. 

A while later, hand in hand and with contented stomachs, we continued to wander through the streets, our hearts buoyant and our spirits lifted by the vibrant energy around. We marveled at the myriad of wonders on display. I couldn’t resist stealing a glance at the elegant dresses adorning one of the stalls, which caught the sunlight and seemed to be calling out to me. 

Ever so attentive to my desires, Noah noticed my gaze and suggested we take a closer look. I was initially hesitant, for the notion of indulging in something as frivolous as a dress seemed quite selfish from my part. But Noah gently took my hand in his and told me that it was perfectly acceptable to indulge in a little luxury now and then, that I deserved it, and that seeing me happy was all he desired.

Already feeling content simply walking beside him, hand in hand and basking in his love, I relented, allowing myself to be swept away by the beauty of the exquisite garments on display. I explored the racks of dresses with Noah following my steps. Each dress was more enchanting than the last, and Noah offered his candid opinion and commented on which colors seemed to complement me best, which I found quite adorable. Who would have thought that a Samurai could be so dept at navigating the world of fashion?

Lost in the array of fabrics and colors, my moment of indulgence was suddenly interrupted by the unexpected appearance of Kenzo, Rika’s husband. Spotting us from a distance, he called out our names, drawing our attention away from the dresses and back to the street. 

With a friendly salute, Kenzo greeted us, mentioning that he had just finished selling some rice to the vendors from the nearby stalls while his brother remained in the fields. Curious about our impressions of the town, he inquired about our experience so far, prompting me to gush with cheerful comments about the warmth of the people and the beauty of the place. 

Everything felt so delightful. Such mundane tasks as shopping for food and clothes were luxuries that I had seldom enjoyed during my time at my father’s estate, which made this experience all the more special for me.

“I can’t help but notice that my clothes fit you well,” he pointed out, looking at Noah’s outfit. 

“Yeah, thank you. I’ll make sure to get something else today so that we don’t have to keep borrowing clothes,” Noah replied humbly. No hint of embarrassment. I guess he didn’t care, truly. 

“Do not worry too much about it. The dress looks good on you, too,” he said to me. “I hadn’t seen Rika wearing that dress since she got pregnant.” At the mention, his eyes showed a glimpse of a fond memory, maybe his wife, round with their child in her tummy. “It’s nice to see that we can still give use to things we don’t need anymore.” 

“All the dresses were so pretty,” I said, running my fingers over the delicate fabric of the skirt, admiring its design.  

“She’s got another lot from when she was pregnant. We’re not considering having another baby for a while now, but if you do, do not hesitate to ask her. I’m sure she’ll be elated to borrow you some clothes if you like them. Otherwise, there is a shop down the street, on the left, that only sells clothes for pregnant women.”

While his offer was undoubtedly kind, his remarks about pregnancy and babies only served to exacerbate my internal turmoil. The prospect of starting a family with Noah had crossed my mind on occasion, the image of Noah holding our tiny baby in his long arms, tucking him or her against his chest… I had entertained the thought a few times, but it was a topic I wasn’t ready to confront fully yet. It felt daunting considering the tumultuous world we were living in at the moment. Motherhood could wait for a more opportune moment, when our hearts and minds were truly ready. 

Just as Kenzo was pointing towards the location of said maternity shop, the three of us realized the air was crackling with tension nearby. A commotion was growing, the voices of angry merchants rising in protest over some disputed deal. Noah exchanged a concerned glance with me, then touched Kenzo’s shoulder.

“That doesn’t sound good,” Noah said. 

“Not at all,” Kenzo agreed. 

“Mind if we go and see if we can help defuse the situation?” Noah suggested before starting to leave the clothing stall. 

“No, sure. Let’s go, see if we can be of any help,” was Kenzo’s answer. 

“You stay here,” Noah said to me, extending his arm to grab my hand and give it a gentle squeeze while he smiled a little. “Get a dress you like. I’ll be back in a moment.” 

“Okay, just be safe,” I told him. 

“I will,” he nodded. 

With my heart a little heavy, I released his hand reluctantly and let Noah fade into the crowd, followed by Kenzo. They hurried off towards the source of disturbance, to which I didn’t really pay much attention. I had enough to worry about, and I knew that whatever was going on, would get settled soon, with Noah and Kenzo’s help. 

I let myself be dragged on by the energy of the other people around me, also checking clothes and buying food in the nearby stalls. 

As I stood amidst the colorful dresses, I tried to push aside the worry gnawing at my insides and immerse myself in the moment. I touched the fabrics, marveled at the craftsmanship and attention poured to the details in the designs. Each garment was a work of art in its own right. 

The vendor, a kindly old woman with a warm smile and twinkling eyes, noticed my interest and approached with a gentle curiosity. With a nod of greeting, she began to share stories of the dresses – their origins, the traditions behind their designs, and the meaning woven into every stitch. Her words were like music to my ears, soothing my troubled mind and drawing me deeper into the enchanting world of the shop.

But just as I began to relax into the moment, a strange presence abruptly stopped just behind me, and a chill swept over me, sending shivers down my spine. 

Instinctively, I tensed, my senses on high alert. 

A body pressed against mine threateningly. 

The heat pressing against my back lacked the comforting warmth I felt when Noah was near. My heart raced, and I found myself frozen for a few seconds, staring straight ahead, eyes wide open, my hand still gripping the side of the dress I had contemplated buying.

Around me, people bustled about, occupied with their tasks, chatting with their neighbors and friends as they held shopping bags and carried boxes of produce. As my eyes scanned the crowd panickily, I couldn’t spot Noah. The commotion at the end of the street seemed to have magnified and I couldn’t get a glimpse of his tall frame. 

Even amidst the busy street, fear enveloped me. 

I had no weapons with me, and Noah didn’t know I was in danger. There was no possible way I could tell him that he was, too. 

I was on the verge of screaming when the voice behind me said, “Dare to utter a sound, and I assure you the blade of the knife I’m holding against your side will pierce your skin, deep enough to stain the pretty dress you’re wearing. No one will be able to do anything to stop it, not even Noah. So listen to me: turn around and walk to the alley on the right, and keep going until the end. Don’t stop, and don’t even think about running or screaming for your hapless Ronin to come to your rescue. Understood?”

I didn’t reply, my blood turning cold as my thoughts raced. If I could just be quick enough to grab something sharp from the stall and turn around to attack him first…

The tip of his blade pressed against my side, and a twinge of pain shot through me. I knew the dress was torn, just as I knew there was nothing I could do. 

The lovely vendor that had entertained me minutes ago was now engrossed in serving with another customer, her back turned to me. A lump formed in my throat as I swallowed, my breaths coming in ragged gasps. 

Behind me, the voice sliced through the air as it uttered my name, a dangerous warning dripping from his tone. His wasn’t a familiar voice, but I knew it well enough to know who it belonged to. 

“Understood?” He demanded. 

“Understood,” I replied in a low voice, barely audible over the clamor of the shopping street.  

“Good. Move.”

I turned around, the figure behind me following the same steps, not letting me see his face just yet. 

I turned the corner of the first alley and walked with the tip of the blade pressed to my side, still threatening to slice through my skin. The sounds of the crowd faded away. It wasn’t until we reached a secluded corner, the damp stones beneath our feet and the sun struggling to penetrate the narrow passageway, that the tension seemed to ease if only just a little. 

I cautiously took two steps away from the figure behind me, and then, I turned to face him. 

“Ren,” I said, my voice steady despite the unease that gnawed at me. 

Ren looked just as he had three days ago, when my father had expected Noah to take his own life. Ren wore the same attire, only now it was marred by mud and grime. Fatigue etched lines on his face, and beneath the weariness, simmered an unmistakable anger. 

“Look at you,” he sneered. “All dolled up and parading through the streets as if you hadn’t tarnished your family’s name and fled with a man who’s lost his honor.”  

I ignored his comment. I focused on maintaining my composure, swallowing down my fear. If I could keep Ren talking, perhaps Noah would find me before any harm befell me. 

“How did you find us?” I inquired, my gaze steady. 

“Did you truly think I would grant you the same courtesy as your father and allow you a twenty-four-hour head start to run away with that wretch of a man?” His words cut through the air like a blade, each one laced with venomous resentment.

“Don’t talk like that about Noah,” I shot back, my voice trembling now with defiance.

“I do because that’s what he is—if anything. He took you away from your parents, from your duty as the daughter of the Shogun. From me,” he retorted bitterly.  

“He didn’t take me away,” much less from you, I wanted to say. “It was my choice,” I countered with a rough edge in my voice that betrayed my growing anxiety. “I left because I was not happy with the future that had been decided for me.”

Ren scoffed. “No one is happy with their future, but we take it nonetheless and fulfill our duties.”

“And you don’t think that maybe things should change? That people should be allowed to choose their fate?”

“This is not a fantasy tale,” he retorted, mentioning my name at the end, and piercing me with his cold gaze. “You had responsibilities in your hands, and you dropped them the moment that pathetic excuse of a man got between your legs. Am I wrong?”

I contained the urge to slap him as my cheeks burned. 

“You are wrong,” I said sharply, my chest raising. I wouldn’t let him see my vulnerability. “But entertain me” I continued. “According to me, my responsibilities were that I made sure to choose wisely so that I could secure a future built on happiness, love, and power. Isn’t that what all those tales they tell us as kids say? If you are so sure I did wrong, tell me what my responsibilities were. Tell me how I should have done things.”

I knew. He didn’t have to say. He didn’t have to enumerate them. 

I knew them fucking well. 

But I needed time. I wasn’t certain what Ren was capable of, but the recent threat he imposed on me had sounded all too genuine, and I had a feeling that he would dare to hurt me if as a result he could take me back to my father, even if it was by force.

“Your family is one of the most powerful ones of the province. You are the only daughter of the Shogun, the only heiress to his position and inheritance. You had to respect the order of things, follow your parents’ steps, and marry me.”

I never really like Ren. It wasn’t merely his current presence that fueled my distaste, but rather his embodiment of the quintessential royal archetype—obedient to tradition, entitled, and expecting the world to kneel at his feed and fulfill him with whatever need he had. Ren’s life had been scripted from birth, with every detail set up prior to his arrival. He’d had nothing to worry about. I supposed he had already assumed that I would be his wife one day, merging our families’ legacies to consolidate power across the peninsula. Yet, all those presumptions shattered when I confronted my father and threatened him with his own sword in front of his army while also forcing Ren to return Noah his katana. I had put him to shame in front of the entire province, veneering him of any privilege and igniting a flame of resentment inside of him that he wouldn’t let go. 

I had never found him interesting, either. The times we were forced to meet in my father’s estate or in his, there had never been any connection, not even one that would give way to friendship. It’s also to be considered that by the time I met him for the first time, I was already head over heels in love with Noah. In fact, the first time Ren and I were introduced to each other had been the day after Noah and I had had one of our first sexual experiences. We were still teenagers. We hadn’t slept together, but we had touched each other, our hands exploring those unfamiliar nooks and crannies of the opposite anatomy, attentive to the little noises the other made and the expressions of pleasure that crossed our faces each time we caressed a special place. I had almost died of embarrassment when Ren greeted me, looking at me with that expression that said, “I’ll be the first”, having no idea that he no longer had anything to do. I was still a virgin, but Noah had already touched me, and I wouldn’t let any man other than Noah get his hands on me. Noah would be the first, and the last.

And I was going to keep it that way. 

I felt sorry for Ren, truly, but this was a battle he couldn’t hope to win. I’d sooner face death than live without Noah. It was a truth I’d held steadfast in my mind and heart for as long as I could remember. I would be with Noah, or I just wouldn’t be. I would marry him, or no one else. I would give birth to children that bore the same eye-shape as his and his smile, or I wouldn’t have any. 

“We would have never been happy together,” I said, keeping it simple and practical. I didn’t hold much hope for Ren to understand. Perhaps he believed that happiness was a collective responsibility, one that could be achieved with work and effort, one that could be built the same way you build a house. Or maybe he simply believed that women were not worthy of finding happiness the way I did, by crossing paths with a soldier in her father’s gardens when we were just kids. Of course Ren would have been happy with me, or at least pleased in a way. But I would definitely not have been. Would he have cared? I would never know. 

“Happiness can be attained if you work for it,” was his reply, affirming my suspicions. His ideas aligned with the conventional wisdom: first, you get married, then you toil tirelessly in pursuit of happiness, with no guarantee of success.   

“I don’t believe that’s how happiness is supposed to work,” I replied firmly. “I found happiness without searching for it, I seized it and held on tight,” I told him, referring to Noah. I didn’t have to specify because he already knew. 

“You cannot be referring to that miserable ronin. Do you truly think someone like him is capable of providing happiness?”

“Why wouldn’t he?” I maintained my composure, refusing to be rattled by Ren’s palpable disdain for Noah. “Just because he was born and raised as a Samurai, meant to serve a master, does not mean he lacks the capacity to feel or to please others as he served my father for years, earning his trust as his finest swordsman. You have a misguided perception, Ren, and you’re making a mistake by being here. Noah will notice my absence. He will find us, and I don’t want to witness what he will do to you when he does.”

His eyes widened as the weight of my warning sank in.  

“No,” he retorted, brandishing the dagger and closing the distance between us. His katana was secured at his waist, and I could see his other hand hovering close in case he needed it. “You have made a terrible mistake. You’ve forsaken your life as the Shogun’s daughter for someone who is way below your status. Your future was already written, and you decided to burn down the vellum. What does he have to offer you? He had nothing, and now he isnothing. He’s abandoned the Bushido Code. He’s a ronin now, and he might end up joining the Yakuza. If he betrayed the kingdom, he could betray you.” 

“He won’t,” I said as a matter of fact. “Noah did not choose me for what I had or for my status. He chose me for the things I decided to give him myself—my heart. That’s the only thing I have to offer to him now. I am no longer a princess. I have no wealth in my hands. I only have uncertainty about my future. And yet, Noah still wants me. I know this is difficult for you to accept, Ren, and it was never truly my intention to hurt you, but I’ve been in love with Noah since I was a little girl. He was my first love, and he will be my last.” 

Rage was pouring from him now. It was evident on his eyes, in his expression, in the taut muscles of his body and the veins pulsating in his neck and forehead. His black hair was in disarray from the days he must have endured away from his family’s estate, too. 

In one single step, he bridged the gap that separated us. His hand tangled in my hair, wrenching my head back sharply, eliciting a gasp from me as the blade’s edge pressed against my neck, stinging. 

“Do not speak another word. Whatever he’s done to you, whatever lies he’s spun to persuade you, you are wrong, and someone needs to bring you back down to earth, princess.”

“Ren…” I began to plead, but he cut me off forcefully.

“No! He’s doomed but you still have a chance. Return with me to the Shogun’s castle. Marry me, bear my children, and give an heir to secure the future of your father’s dynasty.”

The realization of his intentions suddenly terrified me. I had always known, deep down, that this was the expectation placed upon royal women. It was the destiny that had been laid out for me. The same one it would be laid out for my daughter. But hearing it articulated so callously, reducing me to a mere vessel for producing heirs, filled me with dread, chilling me to the bone. 

“Ren, you’re hurting me,” I managed to say. Both physically and emotionally. Fear coursed through me. If Noah didn’t find me soon, I would start screaming, consequences be damned. 

“And you think you didn’t hurt me? Or your parents? You think you’re the only one entitled to your pain?” His grip tightened. “You might have run away with that disgraceful man, but you still have a princess complex inside of you. You’re greedy and selfish, and if that bastard hasn’t realized it yet, he will soon.”

“I hope so, because she fucking deserves to be selfish.” 

Noah’s voice cut through the tension like a lifeline, an antidote to cure the poison in my body.

And then, everything happened in a blur. 

Ren was forcefully yanked away from me, the blade grazing my skin as Noah’s strength pulled him back with such intensity that he stumbled, gasping for air. Noah’s grip on Ren’s tunic tightened around his neck, momentarily choking him. 

Ren had clearly underestimated Noah. He had foolishly believed that Noah wouldn’t notice I was gone, that he wouldn’t panic the moment he couldn’t find me among the stalls, wouldn’t suspect that something had gone wrong. 

But Noah wasn’t a fucking prince with a misguided sense of superiority. He was a Samurai—resourceful, cunning, and relentless. He would stop at nothing to find me, no matter where I was. 

Ren was just wrong about Noah in every possible way.

And now he was going to pay for it. 

In a second, Noah had unsheathed his katana, the gleaming blade immediately touching Ren’s throat. Reflexively, Ren extended his own sword towards Noah, the dagger now discarded on the ground. 

“Drop it,” Noah commanded, not an ounce concerned about having another sword pointed at him, “before I slit your throat and drag you to the forest so that the wolves can feast on you.”

“I’m not afraid of you, ronin,” Ren retorted, but the fear in his eyes betrayed his bravado. I could see it just the same as Noah. 

This was not even a battle, and yet, Ren had already lost. 

“You will be when I start cutting every finger that has touched her. I won’t repeat myself. Drop your fucking weapon.”

It took only seconds. My hands had stopped trembling the moment Noah appeared. Now, it was Ren’s hands that shook as he released his katana, his shoulders sagging in resignation as the sound of the blade meeting the ground reverberated in the air. I watched as he struggled to maintain his composure, suppressing the indignation of once again having to bow to a Samurai’s—or rather, a ronin’s— will.  

“If she’s harmed in any physical way, you will pay with your own flesh. If she’s not, you will pay either way.”

After his threat, there was a heavy pause. None of us said anything until Noah, never once averting his gaze from Ren, called my name. 

“Are you hurt?” 

Perhaps Ren didn’t catch it, or perhaps he lacked the ability to decipher the nuances in Noah’s voice as I did. But I heard it—the subtle tremor, the fear. 

Noah was scared. 

Bringing my fingers to my neck, I located the spot where Ren’s blade had pressed, and my breath caught when I felt the dampness coating my fingertips. Looking down, I found them stained with blood. Not much, but enough to awaken the beast within Noah. 

“I’m bleeding.”

In an instant, Noah’s movements blurred with precision and controlled fury. The punishing blow to Ren’s liver landed with the force of a sledgehammer, delivered by the heel of Noah’s boot. With resolve, Noah maintained his grip on his katana, his muscles coiled with a lethal combination of strength and determination. 

The impact reverberated through Ren’s body like a thunderclap, sending shockwaves of agony coursing through every fiber of his being. Gasping for breath, he crumpled to the ground as pain engulfed him in its merciless embrace. 

Through the haze of agony, Ren could barely make out Noah’s figure looming over him, his eyes ablaze with a fierce intensity. In that moment, Ren realized the extent of Noah’s determination to protect me.

I had warned him, but he didn’t listen. 

With trembling hands, Ren reached out in a feeble attempt to plead for mercy, but his words dissolved into a choked gasp as Noah’s steely gaze bore down on him. There would be no forgiveness. 

In the aftermath of the brutal blow, a heavy silence descended upon the scene, broken only by the ragged sound of Ren’s labored breathing and the distant echo of Noah’s heartbeat and mine. And as Ren lay sprawled on the ground, his body wracked with pain, he knew that he had awoken the wrath of a man whose love knew no bounds, and whose fury was as unyielding as the steel of his blade.

“I won’t give you the chance to touch her again, but if you even conceive the idea of doing so, I will make sure you don’t recover from this pain,” Noah declared. He knelt down briefly, bringing himself to eye level with Ren, whose face was red and contorted with agony, hands clutching his own body. “I was once a Samurai. I killed men in battle. But I am a ronin now. I will not hesitate to kill anything, or anyone, that is a threat to her. May this serve you as a reminder that I follow no code anymore.” 

Though Noah’s words should have chilled me, they didn’t. 

As Ren lay writhing on the ground, noah slowly turned to me, his features softening instantly. 

I extended a hand to him, the one free of bloodstains. 

The fear I saw in his eyes disarmed me. 

His fingers gently lifted my chin to examine the cut on my neck. It wasn’t deep, but it would leave a scar. 

Before I could reassure Noah, he slid one arm around my shoulder and pulled me into his embrace, enveloping me in a cocoon of safety. I wrapped my arms around his torso, pressing my face against his chest, feeling the rapid thud of his heartbeat beneath his skin. 

We turned to face Ren. 

“This isn’t over,” Ren managed to say, one hand on the floor now, the other one still on his stomach. 

“It is for you,” Noah replied firmly. 

Ren’s gaze shifted to me, ignoring him.

“Your father is not far. When he finds you, he will show no mercy to him. Or to you.” 

I swallowed, but I kept my chin held high. 

“Leave, Ren,” I asserted. “There is nothing for you here. I chose Noah. I will marry him. I will bear his children. I’m here today because I have chosen my future. Me. No one did it for me. There’s nothing here for you to fight for.”

Ren spat on the ground; the action tinted with blood. Noah stood his ground. Eventually, Ren managed to retrieve his katana and rise. I doubted he would be able to bend down again to retrieve the dagger, but I didn’t care. 

“You don’t deserve her,” Ren sneered at Noah. 

“I’m aware,” Noah admitted, “but I’ll spend the rest of my days trying my damnest hard to make myself worthy of her.”

Those were our final words to Ren. 

That would be the last time we ever saw Ren. I didn’t know at that time, and didn’t even conceive the thought because a part of me was actually terrified of what could happen in the upcoming days, in the upcoming hours —but we would never cross paths again.

Back in the bustling street, tucked against Noah’s side and still reeling from the shock, we searched for Kenzo, Noah calling out to him without drawing undue attention from the locals. 

When Kenzo arrived and saw the blood staining my neck, he was poised to rally the community’s trained warriors, but I stopped him. Noah told him what happened and urged him to get someone who could tend to my wound. 

Kenzo led us to a nearby house, just a stone’s throw away. Noah never once released his grip on me.

Ascending wooden stairs to the first floor of the modest house, after a couple of polite knocks, the door creaked open, revealing a diminutive, kindly-faced old woman. Upon Kenzo’s introduction and a plea for assistance, she ushered us inside. 

She asked no questions, directing me to recline on a bed in what appeared to be a makeshift nurse’s room. Instructing me to tilt my neck for examination, she diligently tended to my wound, cleansing and dressing it with practiced care. 

Noah stood never too far, a silent sentinel with arms crossed tightly over his chest, his expression taut with worry. Kenzo attempted to engage him in conversation, but Noah remained reticent, his attention fixated on the street below as he stood by the window, peering out through parted curtains. 

In that moment, it was as though the samurai had taken the place of my lover, and I didn’t know when I was going to get him back. 

“Should we consider returning to the community as soon as possible?” Kenzo asked, casting a concerned glance in my direction, a consideration he had after noting Noah’s suddenly silent demeanor. 

“Yes,” I said softly, aching to reach out to Noah but held back by the old woman’s ministrations as she applied a strange liquid-soaked cotton pad to my neck. “If my father is nearby, they should be informed. I wouldn’t want anything to happen to your com—.” 

“I’ll take care of him”, Noah interjected suddenly, his tone conveying a sense of determination that unsettled me.  

However, it was Kenzo who responded to Noah’s declaration. 

“No,” he said. “Firstly, this community is not just ours, it’s yours now, too. Our sanctuary transcends royalty and government jurisdiction. There’s a higher power at play here, one that protects us. Besides, we’re well-equipped to handle such situations. Many of us come from similar backgrounds. We’re accustomed to defending our own, and you two are now part of our community.”

Noah was not expecting that, and neither was I. 

“You will be all right,” the old lady assured me, redirecting my focus away from the conversation. Her gentle pat on my shoulder offered solace. I was about to reach for my neck, but she shook her head, advising against it. “It will heal just fine but avoid touching it. Keep it clean throughout the day, and it will soon fade away”. 

A soft “thank you” escaped my lips, overwhelmed by the kindness and care we were receiving. Tears threatened to spill from my eyes as I sat up on the bed, seeking out Noah’s attention with a silent plea. 

Finally, he noticed my distress and approached me. His arm enveloped my shoulders once more, while his other hand gently cradled the back of my head. As I wrapped my arms around him, he pressed me to his chest, planting a tender kiss on my hair as I struggled to contain my tears. 

We journeyed back to the sanctuary on horseback, a magnificent creature provided by a local resident keen on making our trip back quicker. Kenzo rode at the front on his own horse. I rode together with Noah, seated in front of him, feeling the tension emanating from his body envelop me. I could sense his restraint in his muscles, on his chest pressed against my back. I could see it at the way his grip tightened on the horse leash, his knuckles whitening. 

Upon crossing the southwest gate, Noah dismounted first, reaching out to lift me down from the horse. As my feet touched the ground, a fleeting sense of relief washed over me, grateful to be within the safety of the community once more. 

However, my respite was short-lived.  

After we secured the horses and made our way toward the main square, an eerie silence hung in the air, contrasting the usual bustle of activity we had found the day before. There were no deer grazing nearby, no children’s laughter echoing through the streets. 

I noticed Rei, Maura, and two others approaching us, their expressions somber, katanas sheathed at their waists. 

“The Shogun is here,” Maura announced. 

The moment the news reached me, I spotted my father approaching us, coming down from the main stone path, his battle armor on, weapons ready, surrounded by an army of at least eight Samurai, flanking him from each side. His stride was determined, and the look on his eyes fierce. 

My heart clenched.

No. I won’t let him get near Noah again. 

I seized hold of Noah’s katana, drawing it from its sheath, ready to fight my father one more time. 

The last time. 

Author's note: I just want to say thank you to each of you that has shown love in any way for this fic. I started it as a oneshot from a random idea i got after seeing a picture of Noah with a katana, and here we are now. I have spent hours writing these chapters and doing research and trying to make my writing as good as it can get, considering the historical aspect of this fic. It means a lot to me to know that you're following Noah's and his princess' journey. I can't wait to share with you the next part very soon and then, the epilogue.

All my love <3

Readers tagged: @thescarlettvvitch | @girlfromrussia-universe | @kankuurohs | @somebodyels3 | @missduffsblog | @respectfulrebel | @badomensls | @darling-millicent-aubrey | (let me know if you want to be tagged in the next part and the epilogue <3:)

#the unmaking of a warrior #noah sebastian x reader #noah sebastian x ofc #noah sebastian x you #bad omens #bad omens cult #bad omens fanfic #noah sebastian fanfic #noah sebastian fic #thank you all for giving this fic so much love #it means a lot #samurai!noah

[bidisastersanji]

The Old Guard x One piece AU got my brain going brrr and i'm gonna make it your problem now. Center of the matter is I want Zoro and Sanji to meet kind of like Nicki and Joe did (discovering their immortality by fighting on opposite sides and killing each other over and over and then becoming eternal lovers) so I went and did some research for the entire Straw hat crew. Main thing is I wanted to link them to historical events that will give them the right motivations and backgrounds! so here we GOOO

Sanji and Zoro: Because Japan has an isolationist past, the only battle I could find that would work is the Cagayan battles of 1582 in Jakarta between Spanish-Philippine forces vs Japanese pirates (a.k.a Wokou, which are basically pirate ronin) Sanji would thus be a reluctant "Rodelero" sent to South East Asia by his noble family (jokes on them he loves being in the middle of the spice trade and he hates being part of a noble family funding the conquistadores) who one day finds himself fighting a mysterious Wokou samurai Zoro. They're partly isolated from their respective camps when they first kill each other, and again, and again, until they realise they should by all means be dead but they keep healing. After a couple decades of -against all odds- running into each other everywhere, they reluctantly decide to try and figure out what the heck's happened to them together- struggling to communicate at first, then learning each others' language over the following decade, then falling in love and becoming inseparable. This makes Zoro and Sanji both over 400 years old, and they are the same age. Zoro learns about so many sword techniques and Sanji about different cuisines/ leg-centric fighting styles during this time.

all the other straw hats and their historical periods under the cut!

Robin as an Egyptian scholar who died during the burning of the Library of Alexandria in 48 BC/ was killed for researching something forbidden during the declining years of the Roman Period (early 200s) and found out she was immortal this way, making her around 2 millennia old. She spends her time recording history and traveling the world and encountering new cultures. Her long time enemy is religious obscurantism, and the Catholic church spends a lot of resources trying to kill her. (they have conspiracy boards about this immortal witch in the Vatican)

Brook: so ancient he doesn't remember much, other that he came from Kerma culture (2500 BC), loved music, and that his entire village had died from an illness, but he came back. His memory isn't great but if there's one thing he's loved in his Millennia of existence is discovering and learning how to play all the instruments that he could find. He mostly hangs in Vienna nowadays as a music teacher.

Jinbei is a Samoan chieftain from around 1000 BC who one day died during a battle with a Fijian chieftain. When he came back from death he assumed Tagaloa chose him. He loves navigating, sailing, exploring and going on voyages with his people. In more recent times (post european contact) he was forced to ally with the US Navy to protect his people.

Nami: Irish lass from around 800 who's coastal, tiny village was about to be raided by Vikings from Sweden. She made a deal with their chieftain Arlong to go with them and map out the British isles for them to help their raids be more effective and targeted, in exchange for not killing people in her village, and that she would make back the plunder they did not get from this town for them. She started to join their raids to try and make this money, but she died in battle. She came back and they believed her to be some kind of Valkyrie or Einherjer brought back to midgard. She took over the raider's leadership- also Norsemen always had women handle money, which works great here. During her time as an immortal she travels, seeks treasure, double crosses people etc.

Usopp a young double agent/CIA spy from the Cold War who died on a mission. He tragically could not return to his love Kaya because he was afraid of putting her in danger by revealing he was alive to the spies that killed him. He relocates and starts anew constantly, his entire life a web of lies. He's a great marksman/sniper.

Chopper died young of the Bubonic plague in medieval Europe. He resuscitated, tragically his father is infected as well and he's unable to save him- motivating him to get to the bottom of this disease, he decides to become a doctor. Looking like a 15 year old for centuries doesn't make this task easy and he has to hide a lot.

Franky is an American veteran of WWI who was heavily disfigured first, and died later (which is why he's not fully healed and needs prosthetics). He's heavily anti-government from having been sent to fight in such a meaningless war that sacrificed young men like cannon fodder. He learned to fix himself up and make prosthetics and masks for veterans, got into making tech stuff

Luffy is a modern, 21st century 20 something year old from Brazil's favelas. He dies in a gun violence incident (maybe linked to a drug war/gang war where he's been trying to protect his neighbourhood) and comes back, experiencing visions of others like him. He's resolute to find them and make a crew, thinking that with all of them together, maybe they can help liberate the world from opressors and inequality

#it's one am #but i couldnt stop #did all the research i could to match each straw hat with a nice historic period #one piece au #zosan au #zosan fic idea #one piece fic idea #zoro x sanji #i just want the star crossed immortal lovers with lots of lore and cool adventures as #new immortal luffy just goes around collecting these people who have no idea there's others like them #and them going around liberating people #like the scariest undying ten people army that they are #the old guard one piece au #the old guard au #immortal straw hats #straw hat crew #zosan

[iron-embers]

The Iron Hashira

Name: Isane KuraTetsu

Age: 20

Height: 5’7

Sword style Hyoho niten Ichi- Ryu, a form of kenjutsu associated with battle techniques used by samurai during combat in feudal Japan. It focuses on the use of two blades

Translated as the school of strategy of two heavens as one

Family

Mother: Suzume Kuratetsu (Igarashi)

Age: 42

Father: Ryujin Kuratetsu

Age: 46

Twin brothers: Jin and Raiho Kuratetsu

Age: 14

Second Cousin: Saigo Mazashi

@bloodbladesanddemons

Relationships

Gyomei- Mentor/Friend/Looks up to him

Sanemi- Tentative acquaintances

Obanai- Respectful acquaintances

Giyuu- Distant acquaintances

Tengen- Friendly

Mitsuri- Friend

Muichiro- Cloud watching buddies

Shinobu- Friend

Kyojuro- Close friend(Romantic)

Kagaya- Respects him like the others. He was the first to fully have faith in her besides her parents about her voluntary choice to become a demon slayer

Main Weapon

Hybrid Ko Katana

Secondary

Wakizashi

Personality traits

. Stubborn/Hard headed

. Determined

. Quick witted

. Honest

. Observant

. Attentive

. Decisive

. Adaptive

. Strong willed

. Compassionate

Fun facts

. While not freakishly overpowered in the sheer strength department, she has a strong pair of legs. Meaning any defensive stance she takes doesn’t falter as she trained with Gyomei to build up her core foundation. Also to be on the receiving end of one of her kicks can prove fatal, as she has trained them to the point of shattering bones and an opponents defense.

. Loves spicy or rich food. Has been related to having an iron stomach, and she doesn’t get queasy easily

. Her style is made to defend and combat multiple attacks at once.

. Has a hard time wearing traditional kimonos, her thighs and wider hips feel restricted and hates the lack of motion. Long baggy sleeves make her uncomfortable as it gets in the way.

. Will find creative ways to solve disputes or situations. Some would say unconventional

. Is down to meet any challenge as she has a desire to better herself

. Creeped out by snakes more than demons

. She became a hashira by killing 50+ demons as a kinoe. She has been one for a full 2 years now

. Despite being the iron hashira, she is very open to hearing new ideas and perspectives, in a way to challenge hers so it can temper her mind and comprehension of the world.

. Her Father Ryu was the one to teach her the dual sword style

. Before her current nichirin blade set, she had another pair gifted by her father, but it broke after a great deal of wear and tear. She had one more simpler pair that broke when she was rank Kinoe, but Her mother made her the new one right before she became a Hashira.

Statistics

Openness

75-79 or 80

Strength

Below Giyuu, she is not freakishly strong where she can lift extremely heavy things, but you give her something to carry, she will carry it for a long time. Her stamina and durability outlast many of her peers when it comes to taking hits and holding her stance for freakishly long periods of time.

Speed

Below Kyojuro when it comes to running, but her reflexes are quick considering she wields two swords.

Breathing style and forms

Iron breathing style

Subsect of mainly stone breath, She mainly learned under Gyomei as his tsuguko, but when she realizes that defense for her frame cannot be kept forever despite her above average strength. And so she finds another style to help compensate with more dexterity. Flame breathing showed promise, and she learned the techniques and building stamina since she and Kyojuro were close friends/frequent sparring partners. Later she realized while flame breathing techniques compensate for the immovable defense of stone breathing, with her dual style it did not feel complete. Now that defense and dexterity was covered, she felt like it could be improved upon with more fluid movements. Isane trained to have the strength to take the hit, but if something stronger hit her, she could not only defend herself, but use their power against them. She didn’t want to constantly use up her stamina and energy, she studied water breathing with Urokodaki so she would have the ability to transfer energy back to the opponent without expense to her physical capability. Basically kind of made up her own subsect using some aspects of two style while based mainly on the defensive stone breathing. In all essence a three way hybrid

Iron breathing has 8 forms she developed

First form(Stone)-Full defense (Unyielding Will)

Second form(Flame)-Dexterous offensive (Piercing Temperance)

Third form(Stone+flame)- Defense and offense dexterity counter (Honed Double edge)

Fourth form(Water)- Full dodge with swirling dual blades to deflect and gain better ground (Steel Maelstrom)

Fifth form(Stone+water)- Mix of powerful grounded attacks with upward and downward slashes (Corrosive force)

Sixth form(Water+flame)- Agile offense with fluid redirection, bunch of flips and avoiding while flowing to find an opening, simultaneously redirecting their attacks to use up their stamina (Metallic Blitz)

Seventh form(True Iron)- A move set where she swings both blades in synch with another for devastating offensive attacks, like a large singular blade (Behemoth blades)

Eighth form- (True iron)- (Valiant Iron Guardian)

Overall Outlook

Because she did not experience an inordinate amount of trauma like many of her other hashira, similar to Mitsuri she brings a new perspective to them as to what it means to not let their actions be dictated by this extreme of loss and weakness. If things get heated and words exchanged, she brings up advice and perspectives to challenge their somewhat jaded views. They often say. “It is easy for you to say.” But Isane is more than willing to help them see how they can achieve it in their own way so to help them heal and be more understanding. In all essence, she knows the toll of demon slaying, that it is training your body and mental state to exceed human boundaries so to better protect others from demons, but what good will that be if it self sacrificing and you can’t be human when it matters most. She reminds them of the importance of their humanity and compassion. Though in some aspects, she is a little naive.

Do the best you can to help the people affected is her mentality

She can make an impact in the world by helping people come out of their ignorance. Change is inevitable, iron used to be for swords, and now it is for Trains and cars. Isane is the embodiment experiencing and embracing change, and so her journey is basically learning to become more malleable while also tempering her understanding and acceptance of cahnge

Finally finished the reference sheet for my first Demon slayer Oc, Isane KuraTetsu. I have a lot more info that will be posted later, but if you guys have any questions or interactions you wanna see feel free to ask! Hope ya like and stay tuned

#demon slayer blog #kyojuro rengoku #rengoku kyojuro #kyojuro #demon slayer #demon slayer oc #demon slayer original character #original character #female oc #demon slayer hashira #hashira #hashira oc #iron hashira #demon slayer Isane #demon slayer isane kuratetsu #Isane #Isane kuratetsu #kimetsu no yaiba rengoku #kimetsu no yaiba #kimetsu no yaiba oc #Kimetsu no yaiba original character #demon slayer hashira oc #kyojuro x oc #reference sheet

[incorrectsmashbrosquotes]

Just saw Prey on Hulu.

Holy shit. Holy SHIT!

This is the best Predator movie since the original with Arnie! I love it to death and it has instantly become one of my favorite action/horror movies.

And now, some more ideas for historical Predator movies.

-

Predator: For Honor

Taking place in Sengoku era Japan, the year 1500 to be precise, our hero is a young Samurai warrior named Akira. When a battle ends with their enemy commanders being slaughtered and butchered by an unknown enemy, Akira learns of a terrible and dark legend of his homeland.

Every one-hundred years, when heat and conflict are at their highest, a demon descends from the heavens and seeks the mightiest warriors to hunt and slay. The last time it came, it was slain by Akira’s ancestor who fashioned it's mask into the helmet for his family armor. Now, one hundred years later, that demon’s son is here to wipe out Akira’s clan and restore it’s honor.

As people close to Akira begin dying, he must cast aside his fear and self-doubt and force a final confrontation between him and the creature. A duel, from which only one warrior will emerge victorious.

-

Alien vs Predator: Gevaudan

It is the late 1760′s, and a monster hunts the woods around the French village of Gevaudan. It hunts at night, and kills at will, and none have been able to even so much as see the beast and live to tell the tale. The people live in fear of the woods, cut off from the rest of the world.

However, innkeeper and farmer Jean Chastel soon discovers the truth. It is no wolf who hunts the woods of Gevaudan, it is a demon of the night, a scaly thing of pure black that emerged from a fallen star.

Jean tries and fails to slay the beast and narrowly escapes with his life, thanks to the intervention of a mysterious monster. A two-legged lizard creature, just as alien as the Beast, but perhaps a bit more human.

Jean and the hunter from the stars must join forces in order to slay the Black Demon: the Beast of Gevaudan.

-

Predator: Black Flag

Taking place during the Golden Age of Piracy, our main character is Louise Poulneax, an escaped slave who has joined the pirate crew of Captain Avery “Blacksmith” Gordon, a former British Captain who led a mutiny and took up piracy when he was ordered to move slaves by his commander. Now he terrorizes the Atlantic and Carribean in his ship: The Artemis.

After raiding a Spanish Galleon, Louise finds a mysterious weapon, a spear-like thing that can collapse in on itself. Louise takes it, thinking it just another prize, but soon the pirate crew are being hunted in every port, butchered and hung up to dry like deer and rabbits.

Soon Louise and Captain Gordon must prepare to face the demon hunting their crew for daring to hold onto it’s technology. The pirates will need all their will to survive against a demon such as this.

#incorrect super smash bros #super smash bros #Predator #Prey 2022 #Prey #Alien #Alien vs Predator #Gevaudan #Sengoku Japan #Samurai #Pirate #Pirates #idea #ideas #thoughts #film idea

[kishigunpla]

Let's Read: A Requiem for Char: The Red Comet of My Youth - Chapter 1

by Shūichi Ikeda

This post will be an overview of the first chapter, Steps to Becoming an Actor.

Please note this isn't a full summary by any means, just a highlight of parts I found interesting. Very long post under the cut!

Shūichi Ikeda was born on December 2, 1949 in Numabukuro in Nakano Ward, Tokyo. Growing up in the years after World War II, Ikeda recalls that although the scars of the war still remained here and there, the entire country was filled with an upwards surging momentum that could be described as "hope after a long period of suffering".

In 1958, he was invited by a friend to join Komadori Theater Company (劇団こまどり). Founded in 1948, it was a prestigious children's theater company that later produced many famous actors, including familiar names like Maaya Sakamoto, Daisuke Namikawa, and Ikeda's wife, Sakiko Tamagawa. He passed the entrance exam and started his career as an actor at only eight years old.

Along with movies, radio had a large presence in popular entertainment in those days. The first experience that Ikeda and the other child actors had was with radio dramas, broadcast on NHK radio. In elementary school, it was his daily routine to go to the NHK studio after school. There he co-starred with popular talents of the time.

In a funny side note, Ikeda recalls fond memories of the bento lunches they had at the studio. The rank of the bento changed depending on the rank of the actor with whom he was working. One particular instance he noted was how when the famous Musei Tokugawa starred in a lead role, lunch was eel bento, a rare delicacy back then.

As time went on, TV dramas became more popular, and Ikeda was offered his first role on television only three months after he joined Komadori. It was a simple role - a child crying in the corner in the background of a shot - but he remembers it fondly as a memorable first step into the world of acting.

In his junior high days, Ikeda starred in Gashintare (がしんたれ), a TV adaptation of the autobiography of playwright Kazuo Kikuta, and the movie Robō no Ishi (路傍の石, "Roadside Stone"), two works that made him seriously consider the job of "actor" for the first time.

In this chapter, Ikeda also talks about his relationship with famed Japanese film actor Yūjirō Ishihara. The two met as co-stars on the TV drama Shi no Hakubutsushi - Chīsaki Tatakai (死の博物誌 – 小さき闘い, The Natural History of Death – A Small Battle). Ikeda says he was immediately struck by his aura the moment he entered the rehearsal room.

Ikeda recalls how on set, Ishihara jokingly addressed him as “Shū-sensei”, as a nod to the fact Ikeda was much more experienced with TV dramas, despite being much younger. 

“Shū-sensei, you're a junior high school student, but you’re more senior than me as a TV actor, aren't you?”

In response, Ikeda replied,

“Well then, I'll call you Yu-sensei. On TV, I may be the sensei, but if I appear in a movie with you, please be the sensei.”

Ikeda fondly remembers him as a star that never faded no matter how much time had passed. Sadly, Ishihara passed away July 17th, 1985, and he never got the chance to film on a movie set with him.

In his words, “Even now, I keep in mind the way of life as an actor that Yujiro-san taught me. And I still call out to him...as Yu-sensei.”

In the spring of 1964, Ikeda began his role as the star of Jiro Monogatari (次郎物語), a TV drama based on the novel of the same name. The story depicts Japan in the early Shōwa period as seen from the perspective of Jiro Honda, a boy of a former samurai family.

The show was a hit among viewers of all ages, and ended up running as a nationally broadcast drama for two years. However, due to the popularity, from that point forward in his childhood acting career, Ikeda was typecast as a similar character - or as he refers to it, the image of “Jiro Shonen”, “a boy in a kasuri kimono”.

Ikeda was around 24 or 25 years old when Kohei Miyauchi asked him if he would be interested in doing voice-over work. The role was in a one-shot overseas drama for NHK about a group of three train robbers. Ikeda remembers struggling to adjust, thinking it might not be the best fit after all.

Soon after he was offered a role in André Cayatte's Mourir d'aimer as the dub voice for Bruno Pradal. At first he was hesitant, but accepted after finding out he would be alongside Tomoko Naraoka (dubbing Annie Girardot), whom he had worked with earlier in his career during his time as a child actor.

Ikeda recalls how this experience helped change his perspective on voice over work.

"Rather than trying to match the voice of the actor on the screen or strictly matching the actual lip-syncing, I felt how the actor and director put together the character, and translated that atmosphere into Japanese-style acting."

After appearing as a voice actor in other overseas dramas, a new opportunity arose. The person who approached him was Kazuya Tatekabe, of Doraemon fame. The two became friends and often went drinking with their fellow co-stars after work.

It was Tatekabe who introduced Ikeda to Noriyoshi Matsuura, who worked as an editor and sound director on various anime. Through some gentle persuading, he convinced Ikeda to give anime a try (while drunk, he admits), specifically the character Radik in Invincible Steel Man Daitarn 3.

However, Ikeda found the speed of the process and inability to preview the material beforehand (like he was used to with film voice overs) overwhelming. He remembers thinking, "this is my first and last anime".

Despite this, Matsuura convinced him to give one more audition a try, with the promise they could go for drinks afterwards. Ikeda agreed, though wasn't enthusiastic about it.

...That audition was for the role of Amuro Ray in the upcoming anime Mobile Suit Gundam.

~

That's all for Chapter 1! I'll continue with these posts for each chapter as I go. Of course I recommend checking out the book for yourself if possible as I've left out a lot of content here for brevity.

#shuichi ikeda #char aznable #kishi reads

[itsmarjudgelove]

Shimazu Tadatsune, Daimyo of Satsuma was born on this day,

November 27, 1576

One of the most affluent and powerful lords of the early Edo Period With a stipend of 605,000 koku, Shimazu Tadatsune was born in 1576, Tadatsune was named heir to the Shimazu (Also written as Shimadzu) clan just prior to the Battle of Sekigahara, where his father had fought on the losing side. His uncle, Yoshihisa, was first in line to succeed the head of the Shimazu clan, but at the time was heirless. His other uncle, Hisakazu had fallen ill and had died in Korea, and so Tadatsune was named successor. He took control in 1602, however, his father held the bulk of power until his death in 1619.

The Shimazu clan were respected for their prowess on the battlefield, and Tadatsune was also known for his bravery. During Hideyoshi’s Korean Campaign, he and his father headed an 8,000 samurai army, and drove off a Chinese Ming army of 100,000 soldiers.

In 1602, two years after the Battle of Sekigahara, Tadatsune formally submitted to Tokugawa Ieyasu as a sign of loyalty, and in doing so was awarded the name of Matsudaira Iehisa. This was seen as a great honor, as Matsudaira was Ieyasu’s original family name, and the Matsudaira were a branch of the Tokugawa clan. Tadatsune also accepted the first part of Ieyasu’s name in receiving Iehisa as a given name, an even greater honor.

Tadatsune worked hard to secure the Shimazu clan’s future. As head of the clan, Tadatsune also weeded out corruption and disloyalty among his retainers.

He had annexed the Ryukyu (Okinawan) Islands in mid 1609, but allowed them to remain semi independent so as to be able to trade with China, who believed the islands were still in their control. This kept the Shimazu clan economically strong, and important for Japans’ trade.

Tadatsune died April 7, 1638, aged 62

[deathmetalunicorn1]

The Strength of Love: Prologue

Hello my loves! I have another original story idea here! This is going to be another poly Hindu gods x OC! Your feedback would be appreciated! 

The inspiration came from a character I had seen drawn by the talented @speedl00ver and art by talented twitter artist tenpurara8. 

-Seki Usagi, a name that translates to ‘barrier rabbit’, or given the western way, her name meant ‘rabbit barrier’, was a strong woman, born and raised in Feudal Japan, in a small farming village.

-Her parents, seeing her strength when she was only a toddler, raised her to be a warrior, one meant to serve their local lord, one that could keep their little village safe.

-By the time Usagi was 10 she stood at eye level with most grown men, and by the time she was eighteen, she was 6’2.

-Long flowing black hair that was usually pulled into a ponytail, braid or a bun, and bright green eyes adorned her features, while hard earned muscles sculpted her body. It you were to look at her as a woman, you could see the curves of her body, from her large chest, a H-cup (92cm) to her slimmer waist and nice hips with a toned but round rear, she was all woman, if you saw her as one.

-In comparison to normal women, if she was only 5’5 and had no muscles, she would be an average sized woman, with a mid C-cup size chest, thin waist and rounded hips; but due to her size, everything was bigger on her.

-Many were intimidated by her height and her strength, as she was easily the strongest in the village, if not the region she lived in, rumors had quickly spread of this powerful battle maiden.

-Usagi was trained by her father, an expert warrior in his own right, in judo, and she was taught by her local lord himself, who was a master in karate.

-She quickly dominated anyone who came to challenge her, as their pride couldn’t handle hearing about a woman being stronger, and Usagi dealt with each of them with easy, proving herself to some of the strongest warriors in the land.

-However, her strength came at a price, as she soon found herself with no one to challenge, as none could handle her strength, and if she wanted to fight, she had to hold back.

-Her strength came with another price, unlike other maidens her own age, none approached her parents to ask for her hand, and if her parents were to approach others, they would refuse, too intimidated with Usagi’s size and strength.

 -Usagi was given no chance to lament her bad luck with men, as war broke out and many in her village perished, including her local lord.

-The enemy, seeing her strength as Usagi had taken out many of his men, offered her a spot in his army, in exchange for the safety of the remaining villagers, including her parents.

-Unable to refuse, Usagi agreed and became a warrior, donning a full set of samurai armor, complete with a kabuto helmet with a full-face mask, turning her into a fearsome looking monster, meant to instill fear in the hearts of others.

-She was forced to fight for this cruel man, who treated her like a tool, but her legend spread that she was forced to do this to protect her loved ones.

-When she was forced to face some of her old opponents, as they battled with her, they encouraged Usagi to fight back, she was strong enough to do so.

-The real question, however, was she brave enough to fight back and go through with her betrayal.

-Her answer came when her cowardly lord struck one of her opponents in the back in a sneak attack, not giving him an honorable death.

-Usagi’s punch that took her lord’s head clean off, complete with his helmet, was rumored to be heard in the heavens above, stunning everyone to stop fighting.

-She removed her helmet and shouted at those who were loyal to their lord she just killed, “If you wanna fight me! Come on then!”

-Her enemies, now her allies as she turned the tides, were quick to cheer her on, joining her at her side and she led them to victory, her two hundred warriors vs a thousand.

-For her actions she was labeled a hero and given honors by the Emperor of Japan at that time, and she became a warrior for the Japanese Imperial Army, commanding her own squadron.

-Her family and the remaining members of her village had their homes rebuilt, and grew into a thriving town, one she visited often.

-However, in all her years as a proud warrior, a diligent protector, Usagi was still alone, seeing her men with wives and families of their own.

-She was heavily respected and got along easily with everyone she came across, except enemies, but none approached to court her.

-No volunteers came forward when even the emperor offered to assist her, and she refused to have someone forcibly married to her, Usagi wanted someone to love her, for her.

-She grew to accept her lonely life, accepting that no one would love a woman like her, burying her own emotions and desires.

-Usagi’s life was cut short when she was thirty-three, taking a rain of arrows after using her body as a shield to protect the emperor whom she was protecting on the battlefield.

-She was honored with full rights and hailed as a hero, becoming a symbol to rise up and fight back against attackers.

 -Usagi was welcomed into Valhalla, reunited with old friends and rivals, being pulled in at the time of her prime, her strongest, at age 20, when she rebelled against her abusive lord, the age she would remain for the rest of eternity.

-Valhalla was filled with strong warriors, ones who were like her, who had no one to challenge as they were too strong.

-The fights were deemed legendary and brutal but the smile on Usagi’s face and the smile on her opponents seemed to light up the heavens as they got to go all out.

-Valhalla became a place where Usagi got to train herself each day, training alone or sparring with others, reuniting with her original village lord who became a teacher in Valhalla, teaching gods and humans alike in the art of karate.

-He was so proud to see her so strong and instantly accepted her back as a student, letting her train to her heart’s content.

-She also got to meet her paternal great grandfather, Seki Tarokichi, better known as Tameemon Raiden, the Peerless Rikishi, who adored seeing that his granddaughter was so strong, inheriting his beef gene, and the two bonded over brutal but enjoyable fights.

-However, after centuries in Valhalla, becoming even stronger, earning new battle scars and wearing them proudly as respect to those who earned them, Usagi was still alone.

-She had friends and allies, those she could trust and rely on, but she had no one to call her own, a partner, a lover.

 -Usagi watched the Ragnarok fights from the Japanese pantheon, the place she now called home, watching with great interest, seeing some of the men she fought against fighting themselves, and many passing.

-When Raiden disappeared, she broke down in harsh sobs, seeing him die, calling out for her grandfather, not wanting to lose the one family member she was able to find here.

-In the end, humanity prevailed and those who had been killed were returned to life, the gods and humans deciding to live in harmony in Valhalla.

-Usagi had nearly mowed down her grandfather when he returned to the pantheon, laughing loudly at her enthusiasm, but hugged her firmly, reassuring her that he was back, as he was her only real family member, she didn’t want to lose him.

-Usagi wanted to apply to the next Ragnarok tournament, as it had been so popular that so many warriors, humans and gods who didn’t get a chance to fight, wanting to prove themselves too.

-She couldn’t wait!

Here is the photo by @speedl00ver that I fell in love with, along with all their other art!

As for tenpurara8, they do not like their art being reposted, so I have respected their wishes in not doing so.

#record of ragnorak #ror x oc #ror shiva #ror raiden

[dailyadventureprompts]

Hello, I love your adventure prompts and I am using them as inspiration for my own game (still in the planning stages). How would you write an adventure about Ninjas? I want to have a village of Ninjas hidden deep in the wooded hills but I am having trouble getting specifics in place. Do you have any advice?

Footnotes on Foes: Ninjas

So the funny thing about ninjas is that they've been a pop culture thing longer than the modern world, with the "idea" of ninjas as they exist today with secret techniques and unique weapons largely being a conceit of 1800s Japanese theater filtered through the 1970s-80s post war cultural mingling.

If we're going back to their historic roots, you need to understand ninja/shinobi in contrast to The Samurai, a social caste of warriors that originally started out as mercenaries but evolved into a powerful political block that ruled Japan on and off throughout its history, evolving into a largely bureaucratic class as time went on.

Just like any warrior nobility, the Samurai preferred it when war was conducted on their terms, at first because that was how they got paid, and later because that was how they retained their grip on power (see the several points throughout history where Japan actively outlawed firearms not because they were dangerous, but because they posed a danger to the sword-wielding noble classes), which meant large open battles with lots of horses and foot soldiers, a style of warfare that favors the landowning class.

Ninjas then were anyone who conducted violence "dishonorably" or more accurately " in a way that didn't let the samurai use money or privilege to buy themselves the victory".

Samurai's got himself an expensive set of swords and armor that make him immune to most footsoldier weapons? Poison

Samurai can field a large number of troops to bully the pesants into compliance? Sneak in at night and stab him in his sleep.

Samurai has enough wealth to devote time to training blade skills and conditioning their body while the peasants starve? Dress up as a peasant and murder him with whatever you happen to have on you when he least expects it. 

Over time though, Ninjas started to take on mystical quality, largely due to their role as a stock character in fiction and especially theater where their stealthy abilities where blended with 18th century special effects to make them seem almost superhuman in their capabilities. There’s a (possibly apocryphal) story that I’m fond of that explains that the head to toe black we associate with ninjas is actually the uniform of stage hands, people that are meant to be ignored by the audience as they move sets and props around. Having one of these “invisible” people pull out a sword and try to stab our hero is a jumpscare for the ages, playing with the audience’s expectations and perfectly simulating the tension of a sudden assassination attempt.  Like everything else about the ninja, this gimmick eventually got folded into the “Legendary”  version of ninjas which became near superhuman practicitoners of various kinds of magic that bore little resemblance to who they were in real life.

As for writing adventures about those “legendary” ninjas, you’re going to have to read below the cut, because I’ve got IDEAS.

Setting: So if you’re going to write adventures about Ninjas (or any other codified assassin group), your setting is going to need a powerful warrior nobility that they can be contrasted against, one that’s divided enough that there’s lots of competition between different ranks and clans, but powerful enough that outright warfare between them would spell disaster for the lands they rule.

This is where ninjas come in, slipping through the gridlock of honor culture and mutually assured destruction to do the political will of those they serve. Some ninja/shinobi organizations might be sworn to a particular clan, while others might work as freelancers for whoever pays them the most.  If there’s a central power like an emperor/shogun/prime minister, the best ninjas are going to work for them, as if it’s one thing lawful governments love it’s having secret death squads they can send out to ensure their rule goes unquestioned.

It’s in this later case, where the ninjas are kept on retainer by another group that you get “ninja villages”, as just like any other fighting force, a group of ninjas will need people to do the work of raising food/making tools/keeping life in order for them so they can concentrate on training to become better assassins. These villages are likely only considered “secret” because their inhabitants don’t know that they’re supporting the ninja garrison rather than your average lord, because you wouldn’t want the peasants leaking the fact that you’re training assassins to your neighbors. To that end, a village that did support ninjas would likely have a small-fry noble figurehead to divert attention.

As for actual ADVENTURES with ninjas: if you’re going to use them as a focus you’re going to want to set up a court intrigue in the surrounding lands, involving some tenuously stable situation that’s holding on by a thread and keeping whatever fiefdom/territory/province your adventure takes place in from dissolving into open bloodshed.  (Be sure to scale this looming conflict in line with what sort of adventure you’d like your party to face next, be it a simple blood feud or open warfare between families/territories)

the adventure is set in place when the party witnesses this thread being cut (by a ninja) and is then about figuring out who sent the ninja/who benefits from the chaos while trying not to fall victim to the chaos themselves. This turns the ninja into a thread the party can follow into the knot of local politics, while the ninja themselves try to off the party to hold onto their secret.  Here’s some examples:

After rescuing the survivors of a diplomatic caravan attacked by a rampaging monster and slaying the beast, the party are shocked to discover that one of survivors is the betrothed of the local duchess who was traveling in secret before their wedding. Having suddenly earned themselves an in, the heroes are invited as guests of honor to the celebrations, only to bear witness to the duchess’s assassination at the hand of masked assailants bearing the betrothed’s clan colors. The celebration erupts into chaos, leaving the party as bewildered potential suspects. Who sent the assassin? An ally of the betrothed? Their disapproving family? Someone who didn’t want the marriage alliance to take place?

while stopping in at an out of the way roadhouse, the party is joined in their drinking by a rakish stranger with tales to tell and a bottle to share. He’s charming, a bit of a flirt, and he might have work for them once his current mission is complete, which makes it such a shame when a poison dart plants itself in his neck and he collapses into their shared table frothing at the mouth. Ninjas attack, looking to claim something on the stranger’s body, leaving the party to decide whether to tussle with these assassins or stay out of it.   If they stand to protect the stranger, he’ll pass over a sealed scrollcase into their possession, and with his dying breath tell them to seek out his lord, and that the fate of the kingdom may depend on it.

One of the partymembers has a history with a masked assailant who left them for dead after killing someone close to them, with their only lead being the shape of the mask and the distinctive marking worked into the blade that they were stabbed with which they still carry to this day. Asking those in the know eventually leads them to the discovery that this blade belonged to a band of feared shinobi that were thought dead and dispersed for generations after their liege was killed off during a rebellion.

Art

#footnotes on foes #ninjas #prompt postage #Assassin #intrigue #rescue mission #nobility #noble #tavern

[paladin-of-nerd-fandom65]

I'm shaking things up. Imagine if Jon, Chris, Conner and Kara went on a little super family/siblings adventure together:

1: what adventure would they be on?

2: how would it be after a while?

3: what sort of sibling chaos with those four get up to?

4: how much metaphorical and literal trouble with they get into?

5: what roles would each of them play (and to clarify like who's responsible older sibling who plays the voice of reason those type of things. But but like who would play What role on their little adventure)

6: after their adventure do they go back to the farmhouse or another place?

OOOOOOOOOOO

1. I see the four on patrol across Metropolis and/or National City when they suddenly spot long time mad scientist Ultra Humanite up to no good. In this case, he reverse engineers one of Luthor’s old Time Machines and his plans for its use to, you guess it, take over the world. Usually, this’ll be something they have to wait until Clark gets involved, but the four Supers have no time to wait for the Big Blue Boy Scout so they charge in to stop Humanite, successfully derailing his plans but inevitable getting zapped all across back in time. Kara ends up in the trenches of the First World War, Conner in the Old Wild West, Chris in Sengoku Jidai Era Japan, and Jon in the Far future of the 31 at Century where he meets up accidentally with the Legion of Superheroes

2. While the Four are off unintentionally in their grand scale adventure, Clark arrives at the scene too late to find them, only finding a defeated Ultra Humanite. He calls up the rest of the Justice League to aid him in finding his family across space and time.

3. The four in their respective time periods try to adapt and blend in best as they can, without invoking too many drastic changes in the space time continuum lest they risk seeing an unfamiliar present day back home. Kara secretly uses his powers as a medic which saves many lives in the battlefield; Conner defends a small town from some outlaws and a corrupt sherif who are empowered by advanced almost futuristic tech with a bit of help from Jonah Hex; Chris becomes an assistant and aide to an at first cold blooded and apathetic samurai warrior, whom over the course of their adventure thanks to Chris’ kindness and compassion, manages to reform the warrior into a more noble one, just as they work together in a climatic grand battle against a cruel daimyo; and Jon aids the Legion in taking down long standing enemy the Time Trapper which also involves meeting other Superboys across space and time, among them being not just a future version of himself but also the Silver Age teenager version of Clark.

4. Once they do finally get back home after their respective adventures, Kara helps vouch to explain what happened and why they rushed in instead of waiting for Clark. Though Clark this time let’s them all go for the most part since what does matter in this case is all of them being safe and sound.

5. I can see Kara be the one curious about the time period she is since she is not that familiar with Earth in the 1910s but is responsible enough to keep her suit’s colors and powers mostly secret as she works to save as many wounded lives as possible in the war torn battlefields of Europe; Conner while blending in via a cowboy outfit that matches his usual colors, he would be the type that would try to smooth talk or flaunt his aura of charisma with the outlaws, resorting to his powers if need be; Chris would be very much be reluctant type, sticking to the shadows and distant from everyone in the time period best as he can try ouch once under the tutelage and service of that samurai warrior, he quickly learns Japanese to be dutiful and helpful best as he can without revealing his powers. It serves to take his mind off how much he misses his family. Then there’s Jon who’s free to fly around and be very openly friendly with his Dad’s friends from back in the day. He’s very curious and adventurous about the time period he finds himself in

6. Most likely they regroup at the Kent Farm to explain their respective adventures to Lois, Clark, Martha and Pa

@we-cross-universe-king-relate @spider-jaysart @theredheaded-stuff @camo-wolf

#kara zor el #connor kent #chris kent #jonathan samuel kent #clark kent

[simplicius-simplicissimus]

Nancy Sinatra - You Only Live Twice

You only live twice, or so it seems

One life for yourself, and one for your dreams

You drift through the years and life seems tame

Till one dream appears and love is its name

Comment: The song „You Only Live Twice“ was composed by 5 times Oscar winner John Barry. He somehow had the ability to capture the mood of a scenery in music. It’s like “seeing and feeling through hearing.”

In the 1970s, repeats of old Bond films were shown regularly in German cinemas - especially before a new Bond film was released. I watched all the Bond films in cinema - on big screen. My first new Bond film was “The Spy Who Loved Me” in 1977. My first Bond film ever was “You Only Live Twice” - which a former classmate raved about. Bond is an arrogant macho and certainly not a role model in terms of character - but perhaps that's necessary in order to survive in a deadly business. Essentially the stories repeat themselves again and again - in the age-old game of good versus evil. What made these films so appealing to me back then? I think it was „virtual“ traveling - which only slowly became normality for average people at that time. I traveled with Bond to all these exotic, foreign lands. Sometimes you find yourself wanting to visit things or destinations because a Bond film was playing there: e.g. the Hagia Sophia in Istanbul or Cortina d'Ampezzo or Japan.

Then in the 80s, “Shogun” was shown as a TV series - based on James Clavell's novel of the same name. The story is based on the life of William Adams, probably the first European to receive the title of samurai. The historical model for Toranaga and part of the plot is the life of Tokugawa Ieyasu, who - after a long civil war and many power intrigues, seized power in Japan with the Battle of Sekigahara in 1600 and founded the Tokugawa shogunate, which lasted until the middle of the 19th century. Another book that immersed me in Japanese culture was the novel “Musashi” by Eiji Yoshikawa. It fictionally describes the life of the famous samurai Miyamoto Musashi - although many of the events mentioned actually took place. Musashi was not only a warrior, but also an artist and philosopher. The “Book of Five Rings” is attributed to him - a treatise on the nature of combat.

I was in Japan for the first time in 2002. We conducted a product test in Saitama (a suburb of Tokyo) to demonstrate the suitability of our product for our Japanese customer's project. There I was able to meet my Korean pen pal again after 6 years (now married to a charming Thai woman), who completed his studies with a few semesters at Waseda University in Tokyo. Right after this business trip, I met my wife face to face for the first time. Today, through a company takeover, I am an employee of this Japanese company - one of the biggest in the world. Next week my wife and I will visit Japan together. Somehow a circle closes. Life is a long and winding road - and some of the turns are somehow strange, almost seem predetermined. What stories or adventures might be lurking around the next bend?

-Simplicius Simplicissimus

#music #musik #nancy sinatra #you only live twice #movies #filme #james bond #japan #books #bücher #shogun #james clavell #musashi #eiji yoshikawa #miyamoto musashi #simplicius simplicissimus #Youtube

[daeva-agas]

I’m sorry I’m ragging on old news, but there’s a video of the dude playing Hideyoshi in the Netflix samurai thing (actor name: Kosaka Masami 小坂正三) that popped up in my Youtube feed somehow and I just... 

Only in Netflix where you can find a Hideyoshi that is randomly more handsome than Nobunaga. 

It would probably not happen in Japan, unless it’s something that’s purposely trying to troll the audience or subvert expectations. Wow. 

^ Me being like “This is Hideyoshi??? Are you sure??? O__O??”

Like, the actor who played Nobunaga is actually fine (actor name: Haneda Masayoshi 羽田昌義). They just ruined him by giving him that really strange hairstyle and generally unkempt appearance. He does look much better when they make him look neat.

I used to think it’s a wig, but he actually still had that long hair even when they’re all in casual clothes, not in costume/makeup, so maybe that’s his real hair?? But WHY do they have to make it look so messy???

This is what he looks like in another movie, still with the same long hair, but actually styled neat:

He looks so much more dignified like this. I don’t know if that’s the staff’s bias showing, or if it’s just a very strange creative decision.

Also Hideyoshi in that costume LMAO. That’s literally what the Tenka/SLBP Nobunaga wears, why. Even the “I need no sleeves” draped haori...

#age of samurai #age of samurai battle of japan

[towritecomicsonherarms]

TEN NEW COMICS YOU SHOULD CHECK OUT BECAUSE MY RECOMMENDATIONS ARE FUCKING WIZARD!

Click the links for more info!

Starhenge: The Dragon and the Boar - “A future Merlin travels to 5th-century Britain to prevent monstrous time-traveling killer robots from robbing the universe of magic.” You ever read a synposis and go ‘um yes fucking please!’

Public Domain - “This fun and heartfelt series written and illustrated by Eisner winner CHIP ZDARSKY (SEX CRIMINALS, Daredevil) explores a WILD ALTERNATE WORLD where comic book creators aren't properly acknowledged or compensated for their creations!! Crazy, I know!!”

Sins of the Black Flamingo - “ OCCULT NOIR. MIAMI SLEAZE. Sebastian Harlow is the Black Flamingo, a flamboyant and narcissistic thief who gets his kicks stealing mystic artifacts from the wealthy and corrupt of Miami's occult underground. When his latest job leads him to his biggest score so far, the hedonistic outlaw discovers something he wasn't looking for-something to believe in.”

Do a Powerbomb - “Lona Steelrose wants to be a pro wrestler, but she's living under the shadow of her mother, the best to ever do it. Everything changes when a wrestling-obsessed necromancer asks her to join the grandest pro wrestling tournament of all time, which is also the most dangerous! It's The Wrestler meets Dragonball Z in a tale where the competitors get more than they ever bargained for!”

Seven Sons - “JAE LEE returns to creator-owned comics with his first new title since 1994, a seven-issue limited series. SEVEN SONS is The Fugitive meets the Book of Revelation. Delph, a young man who may be the Second Coming of Christ, runs for his life as he attempts to learn the truth behind his existence.”

Samurai Sonja - “ An ALL-NEW SONJA! The Sengoku period of Japan: A time of near-constant civil war. Sonja, daughter of a slain samurai, is eager to prove herself worthy of her family's glorious history. But in a desperate moment, Sonja will make an awful deal with a dreaded sea goddess: She will be gifted magical armor and weapons capable of slaying mythical beasts! But if she falls in battle, her bloodline will be erased, her family's name no more. “

The Closet - “ A tale of existential familial horror by JAMES TYNION IV (THE DEPARTMENT OF TRUTH, RAZORBLADES) and GAVIN FULLERTON (BOG BODIES, Bags). Thom is moving cross-country with his family and dragging the past along with them. His son, Jamie, is seeing monsters in the bedroom closet and will not let them go.“

The Ward - “From the writer of Star Wars: The High Republic comes an intense medical drama brimming with fairies, trolls, and real human pathos. St. Lilith's is a secret hospital for supernatural creatures. The personnel are overworked and the facility is underfunded. It's a place, and a life, Dr. Nat Reeves thought she left behind. Until a wounded woman (with a tail) appears on her doorstep.”

The Lonesome Hunters -  “An old and out-of-practice monster hunter in hiding crosses paths with a young girl that forces him to confront these chaotic creatures. As the beasts invade their tenement, they set off on a supernatural road trip to stop these ancient evils in a story that explores the ways that youth informs adulthood and how early traumas can haunt us of in old age."

Mindset - “When an introverted tech geek accidentally discovers mind control, he and his friends do something unexpected - they put the science into an app to help users break their technology addiction. But as their Mindset app achieves a dangerous cult following, lies, conspiracies, and murder come to light. Are they helping people or controlling them?”

=============================

Image Comics killing it as usual.

#starhenge #public domain #sins of the black flamingo #do a powerbomb #seven sons #samurai sonja #the closet #the ward #the lonesome hunters #mindset #comics #image comics #vault comics #dark horse comics #recs #rec

[badschmitt24071994]

Shizumaru Hisame - samurai shodown

Shizumaru is a young boy who has no memory of his past, and the main protagonist of Samurai Shodown 3. He doesn't even remember his name, so he named himself after his sword. Because he was deemed a "demon's child" since childhood, he lives and survives alone. The only thing Shizumaru remembers is the vision of a demon and a red field of vision. In order to find out what happened, he travels around Japan searching for the demon. He eventually finds Zankuro and kills the demon. But after he slays Zankuro, he realizes the demon within himself. Soon after, he senses the spirit of Zankuro again in the Amakusa castle. To slay Zankuro for good, he heads for Amakusa castle.

During the events of Samurai Shodown V, he was taken in as a servant by a noble young couple. The husband leaves to fight in the war at Hinowa, leaving his wife, Hakana, under Shizumaru's protection. Pregnant, Hakana wants to return to her father (who Shizumaru doesn't know is Youkai Kusaregedo) for shelter. Shizumaru, assured she is safe, feels obligated to help in the war. When the battles are over, he is rewarded a hefty sum of gold for his efforts. He leaves for home but is stopped by a man who calls him Yaiba. Despite Shizumaru's denial, the man insists that he is Yaiba and that "his family" misses him. Shizumaru chooses to stay with his master and flees. Unfortunately, his master dies in the war and Hakana is eaten by her father. Due to the trauma he has suffered, he labels anything malicious, be it person or mannerisms, as a "demon".

He respects Haohmaru, who inspires him and teaches him the philosophy of the sword at an early age. Shizumaru seeks to defeat Zankuro and supposedly avenge his family's death. He and Haohmaru slay Zankuro. After the events of Samurai Shodown IV, he confuses the remaining blood lust within him as a "rampaging demon". However, he comes to accept his "demon" as a natural part of himself and makes peace with his past. Shizumaru was originally believed to be loosely based off of Himura Kenshin from the manga Rurouni Kenshin, but the creators stated that his visual model was Kurama from Yu Yu Hakusho.

#samurai shodown #samurai spirits #video game characters #retro game #gif #fight games #retro #90s #video games #classic games #gif game #fighter #fight #sprite #pixel animation #pixel graphics #pixel gif #sprite animation #Shizumaru Hisame #umbrella

[transformers-mosaic]

Transformers: Mosaic #328 - "Shogun"

Originally posted on January 12th, 2009

Story, Art - Iván Mas

deviantART | Seibertron | TFW2005 | BotTalk

wada sez: A Bludgeon-focused strip set in an alternate version of IDW's continuity—sort of along the lines of Evolutions. Mas offered his own commentary on the strip on his deviantART; I’ve mirrored it and some behind-the-scenes material below, along with an entirely separate strip in a similar vein written by Enric Farguell that was apparently rejected by the Mosaic editors on the basis that it wasn’t “sequential art”. I decided to reach out to my friend Sam to get an independent view on the strip’s cultural background:

Sam sez: So Sekigahara was one of the last big battles of the warring states period. The narrator is a Toyotomi loyalist, while the Tokugawa he is talking about is Ieyasu Tokugawa, who will win the battle, establish the Tokugawa shogunate and his territory of Edo will become capital and eventually modern day Tokyo. It’s basically standard tonal samurai stuff, all “my death brings honour to my family” and that. A bit orientalist in tone here for sure, but there’s an element of truth to be had. The thing is there’s an official Transformers thing from Japan that is exactly this—not exactly, in that Bludgeon isn’t there, but there was a Warring States/Transformers crossover thing during the Age of Extinction windup. [wada sez: Sam was thinking of a collaboration between TakaraTomy and a company that made actual armor/swords inspired by Sengoku period factions, and also wanted to mention that one time the protagonist of Sengoku Basara showed up on Q-Transformers.] The thing about Japan is that this is all happening 500 years ago so it’s about far out enough for this to be easily mined for fantasy stories. Lots of fiction about what if there were literally demons on both sides and such.

Well, I think it's one of the mosaics I've made that I like the most.

I think it is quite complete in many aspects, we have on the one hand a small historical study of documentation.

It is one of the most famous battles in the history of Japan, Sekigahara, which ended up deciding the Tokugawa Shogunate with Oda Nobunaga, for the next 300 years and which was one of the bloodiest in memory.

So... somehow I link what is the IDW transformers universe with real facts, as we know, in the IDW universe some important politicians or military leaders are under decepticon influence, in Infiltration, but... because they couldn't start said infiltration from Japan?

It could have been, and that is what I wanted to propose, so whoever was Shogun won this battle thanks to some decepticons infiltrating their ranks, commanded by a Bludgeon, something that seems obvious to me since its samurai-style design always amazes me. It seemed a bit unjustifiable.

However, the story is told by a general in the ranks of Toyotomi. Trying to follow the samurai spirit a bit, it follows that this samurai is going to die. I took this image from a statue in Japan and it served me very well both for its pose and its shape to convey what I wanted, also, we can say that... it is another nod to something existing.

I know that maybe it is a bit complicated to read, but I was interested, since the story is told by a guy, that the typography was more calligraphic, so to speak.

The last balloon surely costs more, the one in Bludgeon, but it is intentional, as you can see, its appearance is very unpleasant, and I wanted the test globe to convey the same thing, that it be dirty, illegible, aesthetically ugly, unpleasant, in order to help give the personality of Bludgeon, who by the way, already gives a clue about the Infiltration that we said before.

Even so, I think that on the mosaics page there are problems with the resolution, a pity.

If you look closely, my signature appears with Japanese characters at the bottom left, and the whole frame has a great job, the blood stains are evident why I have put them, and if we look at the page as it progresses, it acquires that reddish tone, giving to understand that the battle hardens.

Another detail is the Mosaic logo, which... if we look closely, I decided to put a "What if..." implying that it was a kind of separate universe. In addition, in the header, we have the signs of the two banners, if you search a bit, as a curiosity you will see that the one on the left is the Tokugawa sign, mixed with the decep symbol.

And a little more.... I did the page in pencil with gradients, it is a very grateful technique but somewhat slow and tiring, however, it turned out well.

#Transformers #Transformers Mosaic #Maccadam #IDW Transformers #Iván Mas #Bludgeon