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p3ta · 8 days

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gotta send Ryoji Mochizuki

Thanks for the ask! Hope your day's going well, fellow Ryoji enjoyer.

Spoilers below for P2, P3, P4, and P5R.

Send me one of these here!

First, I want to give some thoughts on his character as a whole. For the certain type of character he is (doomed, remorseful harbinger), Ryoji Mochizuki is perfect. I don't think there's a better Persona twist than his reveal as the the Appriser/Death, the thirteenth Arcana Shadow. Just because a twist is easy to see coming doesn't make it less impactful, and I particularly enjoy the way Persona 3 distills information to the player in allotments. Even knowing that, Ryoji managed to surprise me with how much more he was. And fittingly, a lot of Ryoji's characterization bounces back to the P3 Hero, and vice versa.

On top of that, Nyx Avatar is my favorite final boss in the entire Persona series and unsettled me out the first time. I'd still say that Nyx Avatar causes me more fear than the Reaper, who I'd comparatively describe as inciting panic rather than fear.

Ryoji is frequently compared to Kaworu from Neon Genesis Evangelion (NGE), and, well. Yeah. I believe I read that in a developer interview that the P3 dev team deliberately took inspiration from NGE but I'm unable to find a source at hand, so don't quote me on that. Between the two, I prefer Ryoji. He is the strongest out of the character type for me.

favorite thing about them

His layers! Ryoji is one of those late game characters who comes in and recontextualizes all the information you've learned thus far. It's why I love watching the Dictionary update throughout a playthrough. I understand why people are put off by the way he's introduced as a serial flirt, but Reload made it much more textually clear that this isn't his true personality, nor his intentions. Ryoji is proto-Teddie (Japanese Teddie, anyway); a fully formed individual who sprang into existence seeking connection. However, where Teddie's isolation and lack of identity are his defining characteristics, Ryoji's are moored in how connected he is with P3 Hero.

Ryoji ultimately only exists because of that connection, that little bit of humanity he's been given, but that's also what prevents him from being fully human. He's had a role to play since his inception, and he can't avoid that even with his newfound connections.

Ryoji's present throughout the entire story. You've got Pharos at the very beginning with the contract running errands for the Velvet Room (I like it more and more that I think about it. Picture Elizabeth or Igor having to explain to this terrifying child what he has to say. Or maybe he knew what to say all along! He has been waiting ten years), Thanatos tearing himself out of Orpheus (by far the best Persona awakening in the series and a textual highlight for what an alien force he is), and a crucial lynchpin event for Yukari's backstory, Mitsuru's backstory, as well as the crucial event for Aigis and P3 Hero.

There is no version of Persona 3 without Ryoji and I'm all the happier for it. Genuinely, if something's confusing with P3's story, there's 90% chance the answer is Ryoji or one of his many numerous forms. The remaining 10% is the Kirijo Group. That said, we don't get a lot of time with Ryoji. Ultimately, he's a part of P3 Hero and you're left to extrapolate exactly how much of each other you believe they've influenced.

Sogabe, the P3 & P4 mangaka, chose to highlight how similar Ryoji and P3 Hero look. I consider it an essential element of their relationship together.

least favorite thing about them

It'd be cheating to say nothing, wouldn't it? I'd say that his design is easy to mock and hard to get right in fanart. Between Ryoji's forehead and very Axel Kingdom Hearts approach towards long limbs – and legs in specific – the movies did not help with this. I've read reviews saying how the higher budget allowed for the characters to be more consistently on model, and thus look better, but I fervently disagree. That boy is mostly leg. Late 00s and early 10s anime art Looked Like That, though. I'd be lying if I said I didn't have a soft spot for some of it.

But I love how Ryoji looks and wouldn't change it for the world. Silly slick-backed hair boy. It is funny how whenever Persona wants a villain with sympathetic qualities, they slick back the protagonist's hair (Philemon and Maruki come to mind).

Reload fixed ("fixed") this anyway but making him much fluffier in his portraits and giving his skin some color! He's achingly soft in that game.

favorite line

There's many iconic ones I could pick but I'm going to go with a new one from Reload:

It's so small, it's so playful! I like that if you choose to start an exchange he finishes the bit. It says a lot about him in such a succinct way.

Even more so when you consider the reason he came here was for Junpei's sake. Being able to balance joking around while keeping a touch of concern endears me beyond belief. Thank you, Reload.

brOTP

Junpei & Ryoji. It's not even close. This was the one element I was hoping Reload would show more and I was not disappointed! The dynamic is good for a variety of reasons, but chief among them is that despite Junpei's Persona being Magician Arcana, he is not the P3 Hero's Magician Social Link. Junpei is not the male protagonist's best friend. He clearly wants to be, but his frustration is palpable. The P3 Hero is cool, charming, and everything that Junpei plays second fiddle to, but he won't even acknowledge him. But what if there were a more likeable version of the Hero?

Instant friendship. Those two are besties from day one, where Ryoji has all the qualities but none of the knowledge, and so their dynamic is a much more even one. To me, it indicates how well Junpei and the P3 Hero might have gotten along had he not carried Death inside him for ten years. It's a brief window into another world.

There's also the fact that Ryoji, Death, befriends Junpei so close to when Takaya shoots him and he perishes. His character arc is defined by change, this act being what radically transforms his soul, and what's one of the meanings of the Death Tarot? It's like universal foreshadowing. It's funny to me too that the Magician Arcana Shadow is the one Thanatos tore to pieces. Growth for Ryoji too.

As an aside, I miss the dynamic movements from the PS2 cutscenes. Junpei being so quick to drown Ryoji is nowhere comparable to him covering Ryoji's mouth.

OTP

Hmm. This might take a second. I wonder what pairing I might like with Ryoji. Here's an unrelated picture of Messiah:

You know, Messiah is one of those Personas that has only grown on me more as time passes. My favorite of the final protagonist ones, due in part to how you have to fuse him yourself. Orpheus, the starting Persona, combined with the power of Thanatos, the penultimate manifestation of the Death Arcana. They compliment each other beautifully, and regardless of if you the player create him, he is always the true final Persona, the final result of the Judgement Arcana.

They are inevitable.

Of course it's Ryoji and P3 Hero. How could it be anything else? These two make me sick with joy. Death has a clear favorite and in the end, gets to keep him forever.

nOTP

It's funny, because I can't think of any serious pairing with Ryoji that I wouldn't view as a crack ship? I can't see any version of Ryoji with anyone but the P3 Hero nor can I take that relationship seriously. The only other being Ryoji has an established relationship with is Aigis, and that ship comes across as black comedy. I mean, there's also Ryoji and the P3 Heroine, who he is undoubtedly head over heels for, but I see her as heavily preferring Aigis. Oops.

Wait, I did remember one! Ryoji and Junpei! I'll admit, maybe it's the sheer "dudebro" vibe of their relationship, but people pairing these two was not an outcome I expected from Reload. I've seen it enough to know those who like it aren't joking, either.

It's funny, because they're both soul-taken at the tail end of their friendship (Ryoji with P3 Hero and Junpei with Chidori) so I guess I wasn't looking for it? Then again I can't see Junpei Iori kissing a man in general. If there's a Ryoji pairing that isn't my thing, these two are the Most not my thing.

random headcanon

Ryoji memory backfill!

I've seen multiple interpretations for how Ryoji's sudden transfer, housing, and parental situations were never questioned. I like exploring this for myself, especially from Ryoji's perspective. Ryoji fully believes himself to be human until 12/2's Dark Hour. So, how does he reconcile his own situation?

This headcanon states that whenever Ryoji is prompted to answer on where he lives, what he likes, or where he went to school before, he'll often "backfill" what memories he think should be there. If it's something he should reasonably know, it'll be there.

In-game you can see a couple instances of Ryoji being stumped at simple questions, like where his class trip was going to be, but excelling at others, such as when he asks Mitsuru out to a restaurant date. According to the headcanon, he failed the class trip question because it wasn't something he anticipated, but he knew a date location because it was essential to his personality. Ryoji Mochizuki is a hearthrob, it wouldn't make sense if he didn't. So he does.

I like to think Reload Ryoji's phone is another example of this backfill, though this one spills over into material items. Ryoji thinks he should have a phone and knows he should ask for others' numbers, but when he reaches for it on his first day it isn't there.

His inconsistencies are fun.

Rapid fire small ones: his favorite color is blue, he likes sunrises but not sunsets, and he's good with children.

unpopular opinion

This may be the most unpopular opinion I have in general, but I don't believe Ryoji is bisexual. Or rather, I don't necessarily believe he must be bisexual. It's not like I'm trying to shirk representation, but I think there are so many fascinating ways that you can analyze orientation for a character. Same with gender.

Ryoji, through my interpretation, is someone who could only love the protagonist. And it doesn't have to be a sexual kind of love. There's an entire spectrum of identities in our culture that we've labeled for what Ryoji's experiences could be. It brings me joy to be able to think about how – even if Ryoji knew about these identities – he'd define himself. On top of that, would how he define himself be accurate? Would he have misunderstandings about his own identity?

There tends to be a large backlash when someone even suggests a different label for a character with one widely agreed upon, which means my gender and sexuality thoughts stay hidden away. I'm more than aware of those that insist any hint of same-sex attraction is obviously platonic and fans are reading too much into things. I'd never want to take away from an individual identifying with a character for what a fandom settles on calling them.

Though one note: it's interesting to me that from the collective opinion I've seen, people have latched onto bisexual as a label rather than pansexual despite them ostensibly meaning the same thing. Something something changing social climate. Anyway. Play around with character gender and sexuality. It's good for you.

song i associate with them

Auld Lang Syne.

For old acquaintance be forgot

And ne'er brought to mind

Should old acquaintance be forgot

In the days of auld lang syne?

For auld lang syne, my dear

For auld lang syne

We'll drink a cup of kindness yet

For the sake of auld lang syne

It's a traditional New Year's celebration song. Auld Lang Syne essentially means "for old time's sake". It originates from a precursor to Scottish, and exists as a fossil word inside this otherwise Standard English prose. I find it sweet how this little, historic piece gets to survive through something that redefines it.

favorite picture of them

Well, that was a lot. If you have a keen eye, you might've already noticed I've been dropping in pictures so I'll keep this part concise.

My favorite pictures of Ryoji are his portraits:

Sweet. Fluffy. Endlessly endeared by the way his hair flairs out. A much clearer heart shape for his face. Perfection. Special mention to his startled expression. His eyes get small and I get happy, simple as that.

Although, I'll never forgive Reload for dropping his Messiah pose:

There's an element to this portrait that's a little more unearthly, but earnest. Visually, his eyes are also a clearer parallel to Aigis's in this version.

Thank you for reading all the way through! And thank you again for the ask. I'm not sure if you were expecting an essay, but I think that about sums it up.

Have a picture of Ryoji nui + charm!

#asks #ryoji mochizuki #🔫#🌕#it took me eleven days to answer this that does not bode well for the others #elle-p's nomenclature is spreading #thanks Ver!#happy mochizuki monday #very-lucky

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madegeeky · 1 month

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Thoughts on The End of Evangelion (from someone who had never seen the tv show and after watching a video essay about how the movie is a hate letter to uber fanboys):

Boy, this movie sure expects you to have seen the tv series because they explain nothing.

So much vaginal imagery and somethings just straight up vaginas in foreheads getting stabbed.

Watching a grown woman kiss a 14-year-old boy for 20 seconds sure was fun and not super gross. (Mr. Geeky and I discussed afterwards if it was supposed to be seen as a gross thing and we're both leaning toward, yes, it was.)

For the first part of the movie I was like "oh yeah, this is definitely a hate letter to fanboys'", then the second part I was like "hmmm, maybe not", and the then the last part I was like "holy fuck, yeah, this dude hated the uber fanboys, especially the way they treated the girls and women in this show".

I missed out on basically all the plot (since I knew almost nothing about the terms and such) but it was a very visually interesting movie so I think it was well worth watching on the big screen. I wish there were more mech fights, though, cause they only had one and it was *really* good.

This show was really quite mean to Shinji, fanboy stand-in, and I'm all here for it.

Going back to the movie's commentary on fanboys' treatment of the girls/women in the show: This movie has a *lot* of female nudity (almost all of them 14-year-old girls) but none of it really felt gratuitous to me, which I found really shocking. The nudity always felt like it served a purpose or a statement about the treatment of girls/women by fanboys. (This is extra fascinating as Mr. Geeky tells me the show could be very fanservicy.)

There's an entire scene where Shinji is basically hallucinating all the girls/women telling him he's just a fucking awful human being and it was amazing.

"But maybe you're seeing too much into the girls/women aspect." The literal first scene of the movie is Shinji masturbating over Asuka's comatose body. The literal last scene of the movie is him straddling Asuka and choking her and, after stopping, collapsing on her chest and begging her to help him. Like, the movie is not subtle about showing that Shinji is shitty to girls/women.

Overall both Mr. Geeky and I agree with Dan Olsen and the theory that this movie is basically a hate letter to uber fanboys. That's not all it is, but that's very much a huge part of what it is.

#geeky talks #geeky talks tv #geeky talks movies #mr geeky and i are actually discussing whether or not #we should try watching the newest remake/reimagining of the show #i'd be interested in seeing how that version ended #this was actually a really fun movie to see on the big screen #it's only in theaters for two days #yesterday and then i think tues or Wed?#so if you want to see it #it's not gonna hurt to see if there's a theater near you

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rielzero · 2 months

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I RECENTLY FINISHED MY BHAAL'S CHOSEN ENDING

Y'know, the absolute ending is the first one I saw in my original non-durge playthrough, because I quicksaved before the final choice out of curiosity. My character was always going to end up a villain in some way.

Except, the original ''absolute'' ending sucked ass? It was a Evangelion ''everyone claps'' ending. You'd enthrall everyone, sit down, say the words and everyone claps. Credits roll. Game is finished- It didn't feel that satisfying tbh.

Now I did the ''in the name of bhaal'' ending recently, and the cinematic changes are definitely appreciated. Your companions looking around as if they're happy with what you just did rather than clap with yellow glowing eyes.

I do like the idea of Astarion not being enthralled here, both of them walking into an uncertain future as Durge Loki is set on fullfilling daddy's wishes of ending the world no matter what. (The cinematic is a tiny bit longer and much cooler tbh.)

Perhaps a part of him hopes Astarion kills him as they sit at the seat as the absolute together, but he hesitates and doesn't end up going through with it. (More in the vein of, I thought ruling the world together would be more fun, rather than watching it burn below us while you suffer under your father's hold.) Bhaal refuses to let Loki rest or enjoy things beyond murder and destruction until all but he and Astarion are left. Centuries after the deed is done, they'll watch the stars of that universe collapse together before their death, spending decades in each others arms with no Bhaal, no foes, gods, heroes, or anything else to bother them.

''My sole endeavor now is making this world yours and mine alone.''

But turned up to a 1000..

Nah, angst is good but I prefer villains with some cozy domestic enjoying life side dish. I like a manor more than an empty post-apocalyptic world.

And this is why Locke/Loki is not canonically a durge, he has his own entire story and origin quest- most of which I drafted before I knew anything about durge or bhaalspawn. So when you eventually read more of his lore as it pops up in the comic, do know any similarities to durge are purely coincidental. I knew NOTHING about it cuz I worked on Loki's story while playing EA, finishing and altering the draft during my first full release playthrough way before any spoilers were posted online or epilogue was added. I explicitly avoided browsing social media and tags while playing the game.

My first playthrough as durge came much later, and I ended up deleting it and redoing it.

Loki's name changed a few times when I worked on him too, I even have old notes in my sketchbook reflecting how different his personality was at first. Might be funny to look back at it in a few years. Who knows.

#lord astarion #chosen of bhaal #ascended astarion #queue #queued post #male tav #durge #my tav #evil tav #bg3 #baldurs gate 3

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tedelunazz · 1 year

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dropped from the sky, scaramouche (1/4)

synopsis: someday I will have what you have and I will engrave you in the projector of my heart, so if I lose everything again, at least my future heart will never forget you.

warnings: i really love evangelion and this is mainly inspired by something i read once on youtube : "for shinji it was as if mari fell from the sky" and i really cried, plus i feel scara and shinji are alike to some extent (my poor unlucky guys finally both are happy).

and before we start, this is spoiler free about evangelion (just in case there were any doubts)

dropped from the sky masterlist

Pain nothing but pain and loneliness, will go and resentment, anger and anguish, were the only feelings he was familiar with. He knew no other feeling after all he had been through and to be completely honest, he didn't much care what happened to him.

That's why he agreed to all the crazy, cruel, death-playing ordeals, all at Dottore's hands, because it really didn't matter. His thought was If my mother doesn't care enough to abandon me, why should I care what happens to me? These were the current thoughts running through his head.

It was so painful, he long ago lost track of time, he didn't know how long he had been stuck in this room with Dottore doing tests with him, he only knew they were somewhat (very) painful but he endured it, he learned the hard way to endure the pain.

His train of thought was interrupted by the door to the room opening, letting in the dim light from outside. He had to look away, the light was so bright that it hurt his eyes that had become accustomed to the darkness of the room he was in.

The next thing he heard was a voice, a voice that did not sound like the others, not like his old friend, not like Dottore or his mother. This voice was so sweet, it sounded almost angelic, it was as if....

" It's time to stop, give the poor boy a break. You haven't left him for a moment since they arrived from Inazuma. " He swore that at any moment tears would well up in his eyes, it was such a beautiful voice that made you want to cry. " And you know I hate to meddle in the affairs of you heralds but...

" And if you hate it so much why don't you mind your own business, Seele?" He frowned as he heard Dottore's voice interrupting the person he was talking to, it was fucking disgusting but for once he was grateful to him, thanks to Dottore he was able to know what the person he was talking to was called or at least his nickname.

"Don't forget your position, Doctor. I can if I want to, strip you and get you away from that boy. "His head was beginning to ache, this feeling.

It was as if...

" Ridiculous. " Was the only thing Dottore said, he moved away from where he was and approached the door frame which was where the person he called Seele was. " Someday not too far away you will regret the way you talk to me Seele, I will hit you where it hurts the most."

Next act, after issuing his not at all subtle threat, he walked out the door.

He did not move from his place on the cold metal table he was lying on, he assumed that just like the other times, Dottore's henchmen would come for him and take him away, so he stayed there still with his eyes closed even though he was already used to the blinding light outside.

He thought everything would be the same as the other times, he would be left alone waiting for them to come for him but this time it wasn't like that, this time it was different.

" Hello, this is the first time I see you formally. " When he least noticed, there was a hand touching his cheek and this made him instinctively open his eyes. "Around here everyone calls me Seele, even though that's not my real name, and what's yours?".

And there he recognized that feeling, when he finally saw her face, her eyes, her eyebrows, her mouth, all her features, he finally recognized that feeling that had been tormenting him ever since Seele interrupted in the room, that feeling was as if she had

dropped from the sky

And even though he sat down as fast as he could on the metal table, pushing Seele's face away from his and pushed her hand away from his face with a rather hard blow, despite his brusque and irreverent actions. Despite all that, she smiled, gave him a smile as warm as the sunlight.

" I see, my mistake, I shouldn't have touched you without your permission. " She was still smiling, but this time it was accompanied by a sigh. " Maybe someday I'll get you to tell me your name.

Yes, she definitely fell from the sky.

#scaramouche #wanderer x reader #genshin impact #scaramouche x reader #genshin impact x reader #dottore #scaranation #genshin angst #fanfiction #raiden shogun #kunikuzushi

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troph4eum · 1 month

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hey ik its been a while since ive posted but i like that this is always here for when i have something i wanna talk about.

anyways so a while ago i released a song called do you see your god in me and i wanted to talk about the whole concept of the "god" within someone.

just a warning for those who r reading this: this is going to be a more personal post with me talking about more specific things going on in my life as this involves explaining my music which is one of if not the most personal thing to me. if youre not interested in that then youre free to move on. also this is probably gonna be long as fuck just like my other posts on here.

before getting back to the main subject let me give some context.

do you see your god in me was written about shinji and kaworu from evangelion. if you havent seen it then its fine ill be explaining the relevant stuff with them in this post. heres the link to the song if you want to listen to it and heres the genius page if you just want to read the lyrics

okay now on to what i wanted to talk about

so being completely honest i never truly knew what i meant by the "god in someone" until like half an hour ago when i really started to think about it. it was always something i knew like the idea of but could never put it into words so i just always assumed i would understand when im older. which is now proving to be true. i began really asking myself the question of what it means after i released another song called "overcoming toxicity" where theres an interpolation of the chorus from do you see your god in me at the end. ill talk more about that song in another post because it has its own history that requires its own explanation but my point is that it all came to a conclusion not tonight while i was walking around thinking of what i want to eat.

i always knew the god in someone would likely need to be revealed through their death. most likely suicide. that was the idea i had when writing the song at least. this is because in nge kaworu is an angel and he was only truly freed from his fate and was truly able to be himself when he died on his own terms at the hands of shinji. or at least thats how im interpreting those events evangelions symbolism leaves a lot of room for interpretation and tbh idk whats commonly agreed upon i just know how i perceive aspects of the story. anyways a major point in evangelion is humans not being able to understand one another when theyre alive. thats what the third impact is all about where all of humanity essentially dies and forms one collective consciousness with nothing held back. and i think this concept of the "god in someone" has a lot to do with that. but the question the title of the song asks didnt make a lot of sense. because if the god in you is revealed through death what would it mean for someone to see their god in you? thats what i always had trouble understanding and the explanation i have is subject to change and if you have your own explanation of it id love to hear it. but the conclusion i came to revolves around the lies that we tell. humans are liars. now im not saying this in a cynical way i think a lot of the lies we tell are subconscious and mostly harmless. but they do accumulate over time. and its not just the lies we tell others but the lies we tell ourselves whether we know were lying or not. ive always felt like the person inside my head is different than the person whos living my life and i think thats the god in me. the person who exists not as a result of all the lies that they tell and have been told but the person who simply exists.

the reason why i said the god in you is revealed in death and more specifically suicide is because of how brutally honest death is and how vulnerable and honest suicide is. now this isnt me glorifying death or suicide just to be completely clear this is coming from someone whos struggled with suicidal thoughts and contemplation. its because ive dealt with those thoughts that ik how honest it is. its honest to the point its almost scary its like its too real. but my point is the actions you take when approaching death are likely going to be as close as to the real you as possible. any last words or actions will be as genuine as possible because you know you wont have a chance to do anything else. now of course this isnt universal whatever exceptions to what im saying are valid contradictions im not saying this is law im just explaining my thoughts that have already filtered those possibilities out and this is already long enough without me explaining every exception to everything i say.

now the term "god" is used because of the connection to nge with kaworu being an angel but i thought ab it and decided that this definition can be helpful in coming to another conclusion

"the creator and ruler of the universe and source of all moral authority; the supreme being."

the world only exists to us how we perceive it so our minds are actively creating (being used in a loose sense) the universe by experiencing it through our senses and because we can be aware of this our minds dont really exist within the universe as we experience it. so in a way we are our own gods as we can choose (to a certain extent) how to perceive the world around us.

now getting back to the question of "do you see your god in me" i think it all comes down to truly being able to relate to another person and fell comfortable and understood by them and for you to also be relatable, comforting, and able to understand them. its a mutual connection the 2 of you share when theres nothing holding you back. it seems so simple but i think its such a unique and beautiful experience.

tbh thats really all ive figured out about that aspect of it so far. like i said i only really came to understand it recently and everything else i have to say has more to do with overcoming toxicity which honestly deserves its own post bc there are a lot of strong thoughts and feelings involving that song that doesnt just include this topic. so i think im just gonna end it here.

as always if u read all this bullshit ty ik im a generational yapper but it helps alleviate the stress of having it all in my head.

#SoundCloud #music #trophaeum #thoughts #evangelion #nge #philosophy

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worm-death · 7 months

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Good and Bad Anime Backstory Integration

I'm writing this blog post to discuss in length something I'm really passionate about: making good, relatable characters. And through the many anime I've seen, it's done both good and bad. And so I wanted to write this to give my take on the subject. Fair warning: I will be spoiling certain anime series. I will warn again when I am about to spoil something (Demon Slayer Season 1, Hell's Paradise Season 1, One Piece, Neon Genesis Evangelion, Cowboy Bebop, Lupin III Part 6, Galaxy Express 999, The Wind Rises). These are also just my opinions. I'm not demanding you to write stories like this; simply my thoughts on the matter.

This is by far my least favorite way to tell a character's origin story. Right as they're dying, or even if it's the last time we see them on screen. Why? Because you don't have any time to let that sink in. I will tell you, nothing is worse than watching a character die just to have the wade to white and the BOOM flashback, no thank you. This is mainly in regard to villain characters.

Demon Slayer was a constant notorious example of this, and my main conflict with the entire franchise. It made every villain a complete sob story. And that's not even necessarily a bad thing, but it's the execution that is faulted every time. (No explicit spoilers since I can't remember Jack about that show, but season 1 spoilers, I guess. Skip this next paragraph if you wish to avoid any).

An episode starts out introducing our new demonic villain. Simple enough. And it's pretty straightforward: evil person does evil things. And it remains that way until Tanjiro has the final fight with the episode's villain, cutting off their head and whatnot. And as we see them fall back in slow motion, blood gushing everywhere. The origin story jumpscares me.

Why should I feel bad for a character who has only been presented as evil with little to no redeeming qualities? There was never a pre-established reason for me to feel bad for this character. They have only been presented as a bad person I should want dead.

I want to put this into perspective in the real world. There are plenty of deplorable people out there, the real-life villains. And aside from those few individuals born into this world truly evil. The majority of the time, there was a significant event in that person's life that brought them to the point of committing heinous crimes. And what does the public do when they find out these people are put on death row or sentenced to life? We are happy. We are glad that this evil person is gone (the sane ones of us, anyway). So, I see fictional villains the same way. "Oh good, the hero killed the villain! Wait, now I have to feel bad for them?? Uh..."

What it boils down to is the inability to form connections. The human mind does not work like: villain (I hate them) -> backstory (THEY WERE AN ORPHAN?!?!?) -> villain (OMG I LOVE YOU!! you were just misunderstood....) No.

When I say this is my least favorite form of backstory delivery, I have seen more of them fail than succeed. But that is definitely not the case for all stories. In fact, there are some simply amazing stories. I will be spoiling One Piece twice here (Dressrosa and Wano, please skip the next paragraph).

I think the smarter thing to do when creating a backstory like this is not to make it a sob story. In episode 1062 of One Piece, Zoro fights King, someone we practically knew nothing about, and gets his backstory revealed. It was great. And it's the tone that makes it great. It is an info drop, not a sob story. Simply informing the audience on how King and Kaido met. In turn, the information from that flashback also plays into Kaido as a character and adds more depth to him. There are practical things to take away from the flashback, even if the central character is no longer going to be relevant.

If you can make a backstory practical and give them a takeaway, then it's worthwhile. Something other shows fail to do. We may see a character's connection to another relevant character, but that's it, just a connection and doesn't actually say anything about them.

Again, back to Demon Slayer. All the demons were turned by Muzan Kibutsuji. We see how they met, and aside from literally turning the character into a demon, that is it. Each interaction doesn't give us a hint into Muzan's mind. He's simply there to serve the plot device.

With One Piece (yes, more spoilers), even though the central focus is on King, we get a bit of inside into Kaido. Although portrayed as a completely standoffish, cold monster, here we see a caring side of him. He lends a hand to someone who needs help. We aren't meant to feel bad for these characters in this flashback. We are simply having information being established. I call it a footnote in the middle of the fight because it is additional information not strictly required but adds further information.

Can an emotional backstory before death be done right? Yes! It's hard to pull off; again, I will use One Piece, Dressrosa, this time as an example. (Skip next paragraph)

Senor Pink is meant to be seen as obscene, pervy, and not a good guy. There's no reason to believe he isn't all of that until they reveal his backstory, as he's losing his fight against Franky. It clearly explains why he dresses like a baby to this day. It is genuinely tragic, even though I hated this guy mere minutes ago. Why can this strike a chord with me while other shows can't? Okay, sure, there is bias because One Piece is already awesome, but there are others! I may have hated Senor Pink until then because he presented himself as a horrible person. BUT I knew who he was. I understood what he did on a surface level, and that is crucial to establishing an origin story. I felt bad because it was relatable and tragic and explained why he acted the way he did. It left me thinking and reflecting. It gave me something to chew on.

This is still risky territory to deal with. You have to put a lot of faith in yourself as a writer that you can engage an audience with your characters without them having any idea who they are. Sometimes it's done well, and sometimes it's done poorly. And unfortunately, I see it done poorly a lot. It's definitely more of a mixed bag than final-moment backstories. I've seen more cases of it done well considerably, but it definitely doesn't mean it can't be screwed up. I will now spoil Hell's Paradise Season 1 (skip the two next paragraphs).

As characters start arriving in Paradise, they give some of them character introductions (or, as I like to call it, padding). Of those are characters named Tenza and Nurugai. In their introductory episode, or at least the first time we spend time alone with them, we are given both their backstories. Nurugai's village is completely destroyed, and she is blamed for it. Tenza was a child who never received love from anyone growing up and did whatever he could to survive, learning to kill people. Then, he's adopted and trained to become a swordsman. Learning to have respect and have someone to look up to and want to achieve goals for. Except, I don't care.

I think the trope of the characters' villages being burned down is overdone. The troubled child turned hoodlum trope is overdone. I couldn't care less about these characters because I've seen it 100 times before. There needs to be something that can engage me and allow me to feel bad for these characters. Tenza is a boring character through and through. I don't care how many times they show me his flashback. He's overdone. He fights valiantly and finds purpose in himself, fighting the monsters he faces to protect someone else. Then he dies, so it's like, ok, cool. Even if I liked his backstory (because, let's be honest, there's heavy bias because I did NOT like Hell's Paradise in the slightest), it didn't have any time to simmer with the audience. HI, CHARACTER YOU DON'T KNOW -> DEPRESSING BACKSTORY -> YOU LOVE HIM NOW -> HE'S FREAKING DEAD. Stop it. Don't do that.

Watching that episode felt like a waste of time. Why did I have to sit there and learn about this character's backstory, expecting they would be a bigger deal, just for the end of the episode to punch me in the face and laugh at me for how I just spent my past 20 minutes ingesting information that will not matter.

I'm happy to say I have more examples of how this can be done well. All of which cover different moods. The key to making a good introductory backstory is to have all the events surrounding the character be intriguing. We should be engaged and curious about the situation at hand, not just the character.

Since many backstories try to be tragic, I'll start with the first episode of Galaxy Express 999. We are given some world-building and then introduced to our titular character, Tetsuro. Immediately, we are already captivated by the world in which these characters live. We are now just following the life of one individual. I will forever praise Leiji Matsumoto for this and his ability to attach you to characters you've just met. There's something that comes off as just so human there's an immediate connection to be found. When we watch Tetsuro and his mother struggle through the cold, barren snow, you can feel the love they have for each other and their desperation for a better life. We understand their struggles. When Tetsuro's mom is killed, we feel bad for him. We don't even know him yet, but it's just the reality that this poor 10-year-old boy just lost his mom, and now he was to brave this harsh, cruel world alone, a world where humans are treated like dirt. This backstory sets up the motivation for his entire character as well. It's perfectly executed, and we can perfectly understand why he wants to get a robotic body to make up for the time his parents didn't get to live for.

The way Leiji Matsumoto executes backstories can be seen in practically every episode of Galaxy Express. In every episode, Tetsuro and Maetel travel to a new planet and encounter someone new and the life they struggle with. A part of the beauty in the message with Galaxy Express is no matter where you go or how distant you feel from other people, there's an inherent connection between us all. It's illustrated so well in this show that even though half the characters aren't even human, we understand their pain. Some characters don't even have backstories, all we see is the oppressive world they live in and feel immediate sympathy. This could be me being a major Leiji Matsumoto simp, but I think that there is so much care and consideration poured into that story. The difference between Demon Slayer and Galaxy Express is one says, "I want you to feel bad for this character," and the latter says, "I want to create something that's human."

Now, there are two other examples of good introductory backgrounds I want to bring up because they both show how this can be done to completely different genres.

I would first like to mention the start of Cowboy Bebop. At the start of the first episode, we are given a greyscaled noir-esque opening. The only sound is a singular music box as we see guns firing, a red rose, and a grenade, and then BANG, the opening starts. For anyone who's seen Bebop, you know very well that the intro sequence shows how Spike faked his death to escape the syndicate. It's something to be appreciated in retrospect, but this is gripping for newcomers watching the show for the first time. It's whiplash, this quiet scene, and then the loud booming intro. When I watched this show for the first time, I was excited. "Whoa, this is gonna be a wild ride," I thought. You want to find out what the backstory was about, however, and the pieces are put into place over the course of the show. The thing I love about Bebop is it's made to be rewatched. We understand the true meaning behind that first scene only by re-watching it. It's gripping with action, even if we have no idea who any of the characters shown were. That's not the point of introducing the characters. It's just meant for you to be curious.

As a final example, I want to talk about the first scene in The Wind Rises. The film starts out showing Jirou's childhood, but this is just a small part of the movie. The movie has a fantastic way of engaging us with the character. The first scene is Jirou's dream of flying a plane across the countryside of Japan until he's shot down. We don't know anything about this guy, but we can tell he loves flying, and it's done in an exciting way where we want to see more. His childhood is meant to show us where he is now, and you already have a great idea of who he is before we even reach the present day. It's done in such an engaging way, especially when he first dreams about Giovanni Battista. A kid so deeply rooted in this passion for planes, you want to see his story unfold.

And finally, my favorite way to integrate a backstory. It is in the middle of a show's runtime or after we've already established a character. I think that this is the perfect way to show a backstory because you've already gotten to understand and like the character, and you still have plenty of time before the show ends or the character dies for that backstory to truly feel like a part of the character that they carry with them and so when the show does end, or the character dies, the gravity of their whole story is felt that much more. However, there still is a way to mess that all up.

One glance at my profile, and it's obvious I really like Lupin, but any sane fan will tell you Part 6 was not it. It suffered from a lot of problems, both technical and in the show itself. It's obvious that the whole thing got thrown together quickly, and that goes for our main antagonist, Lupin's "mom." Hearing Lupin mention his mom was just a "nuh uh, no, we are not doing this." Did it have the potential to be presented in an interesting way? Yes, but that's not what happened.

For those not well-versed in the Lupin universe, there is basically no canon outside of the very, very few established things. Lupin's grandpa and dad were both master thieves; Goemon is the 13th descendant of Goemon Ishikawa, and Inspector Zenigata is the descendant of Heiji Zenigata. That is literally it. Characters' pasts are changed constantly, and even within the same show. Really, a "canon" event is only canon for that singular episode. I preface Part 6 with this because, obviously, bringing up a new character that is a massive part of Lupin is a big deal.

As it turns out, this character, Tomoe, was not actually Lupin's mom but his mother figure who helped train him to be the thief he is today. She was the one secretly pulling the strings behind every episode. That's why all these girls started appearing in Lupin's life. Ok? So yeah, you suck? Tomoe's character is confusing at best, but it is such a slap in the face to anyone invested in the show. That is why I use it as a perfect way to NOT integrate a backstory into a pre-established character, because the way part 6 was handled feels like fan fiction.

To compare, Lupin Zero which came out just a year after Part 6, was a 6-part series solely created to show the origin story of Lupin and Jigen. In that series, it includes Lupin I and Lupin II. These are characters we've only heard talked about, so seeing them was very exciting. Their existence and influence on Lupin are believable and add to his character because this flashback doesn't come out of nowhere. "Oh we've heard of these guys, and now we finally get to see them!!" See that's how to do that right. Not just "Haiii guys~~ So I have a mom now~!!☆*: .｡. o(≧▽≦)o .｡.:*☆ She is also evil now and you have to believe this is extremely important!!!"

In summary, characters like Tomoe feel like someone inserted their OC and we had to sit there for 24 episodes and actually believe that she was someone we should care about. (This is why I don't read fanfics with OC's). If you're going to throw in a backstory, make sure it doesn't come out of literally nowhere.

There are two different types of middle backstories, one is leaving hints and only getting glimpses into the past, and the other is dumping the whole thing. And both can be done really well.

My favorite example of just leaving little hints, is Evangelion. Practically all the characters follow this type of progression where we're giving a lot of hints where we're meant to put the pieces together. One I want to give special applause to is Asuka. Until the episode where her backstory is revealed, we don't really know much. Like Bebop, Evangelion is a show that demands rewatch in order to understand where everything fits into place. Initially watching Evangelion, Asuka comes off as annoying and narcissistic, and she is, but through her backstory, we find out why she acted the way she did throughout the series. The clues were all there, we just didn't fully understand until we got the main reveal.

As a kid, the one person she ever cared about was her mother, and the only thing she truly felt accomplished in, becoming an EVA pilot, she was never able to tell her mom before she hanged herself right in front of her daughter. This is why she comes off as so high and mighty because she needs to reassure herself that she is because she never had anyone that mattered to her, tell her that.

The way we perceive her actions is now understood because of her past. We needed this story to take place in the middle because we needed to form an opinion on Asuka and pick up on her character traits so that her backstory would explain all of that. The final two episodes speak a lot about her past and why she's like this, without this prior knowledge, we would not understand why she is such a troubled character and after we are allowed to see her express herself, why she is feeling insecure.

One final example. Luffy's backstory is almost as iconic as the character himself. Something I like that the anime does is put his backstory 4 episodes into the show, a change made from the manga, where it's the first chapter. I think that allowing us to spend 3 episodes with Luffy and getting to know his character so his backstory has all the more impact. I instantly fell in love with Luffy's character, so seeing him be so different as a kid and the emotional connection he has to Shanks, has all the more impact to me. I now understand why that hat is so important to Luffy. The little bit of context to Luffy's character before getting to know his past I think creates a deeper connection than starting out with it (I am not dissing the manga at all, I just prefer the anime in this one instance).

I think I've been able to explain my thoughts on how each type of backstory integration can be handled, and again I would like to reiterate, that this is all my opinion. This is something I find very important to me still, so I wanted to share the ways in which they are executed properly and improperly in all different forms. This part of a show is a make-it-or-break-it for me, so I think it's good to have high standards for how to execute a backstory properly. I hope whether you agree or disagree with me, you at least found this interesting. If you do have your own opinions I would like to hear them.

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rose---child · 7 months

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ignore this im not making sense

okay but I hate how yall will see art with a message and go "Look lesbians" I get it, I get it but like WHAT ABOUT THE THEME.

Can we please start to tell people how to interpret media, please. I really feel like we would all enjoy media so much better if we knew what good media is about.

Im not good about this either but like I didnt get into evangelion because of moral orel and the skinny twink, I got into it beause I heard its really good for like so many reasons like camera angels and stuff, but the more I was in it the more and more it kept having to say.

The longer and more interpratations i see of eva i realize it has so much to say.

This post isant just about eva, it also about sailor moon, amphibia, owl house, lain, barbie, fuckin sonic, it doesnt matter. like

Moonlight isant good as a movie because its gay, if i wanted to see media that just had gayness with nothing interesting to say I would listen to taylor swift.

Like, yall really talked about the theory of gwen being trans more then like anything interesting it said about so many things.

I get that we're media starved but like come on atleast yall were talking about the plot with owl house.

like yall got something new, a relationship that actually happened and they were good together, something that not even stright couples get often, but I saw people talk about the plot, themes with colonalism, truama, like people were actually paying attention.

Im like talking about like only certian people while saying its everyone but it sucks when evangelion is the only fanbase I can count on to actually sometimes give me interesting takes.

time loop theory

gendo is the ultimity villan

the evas are pregnecy symbolism

rei quantum mechanics theory

rei is a god

like idk jut god we need to be sharing media analysis tips it would help so much

this is because i watched a video explaing how lain is about the generational truama of japan postwar. like reading post modernism and everything

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bogwitchmediaconsumption · 8 months

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hi ok been EVEN more months haha oopsies

ok i kinda didn't know what to put on this blog because i started getting way too obsessed with superheroes and stopped consuming as much dw(i still love it but like... superheroes are so COOL) so i thought that in order to keep this thing updated, i'd just expand my horizons by porting over my big media watch/read/play/listen list! this is gonna be a massive post of everything so far, and then new updates will be new pieces of media! everything listed in order(and some brief thoughts)

Batman: The Court of Owls - Snyder/Capullo (Great!) Batman: The Court of Owls Vol 2/The City of Owls - Snyder/Capullo (Alright...)

Batman: The Night of Owls - Snyder/Capullo (Meh, but I had incorrect expectations)

Inscryption(Fucking phenomenal, play this bizarre ass game)

Doctor Who Series 2(Very good!)

Much Ado About Nothing - Shakespeare, a reading (Loved this one)

Neon Genesis Evangelion - The Original Show (yeah this was a fixation for a while too)

Undertale (really good, but not as loved for me as others)

Julius Caesar, a reading - Shakespeare (Good one Billy)

Donmar Warehouse Production of Julius Caesar (go women go)

A Page of Madness - 1926 Movie (makes no sense but hell yeah)

Legend of Zelda Oracle of Ages (God this game frustrated me so much)

As You Like It, a reading - Shakespeare (I think I remember which play this is)

Howl, and Other Poems - Allen Ginsberg (Liked this one! Howl is the strongest by a lot though)

Lunch Poems - Frank O'Hara (Very cool!)

Rewatch of Over The Garden Wall (god this show is so fucking incredible)

Everything Everywhere All At Once - 2022 Movie (my movie of the year so far, it's beautiful)

Words Bubble Up Like Soda Pop - 2021 Movie (Cute! but it's not much more than that)

Cat Soup - 2003 Short Film (Awesome but also What the Fuck?)

Swamp Thing Vol. 1: The Root of All Evil - Millar/Hester/Morrison

Cat Soup Rewatch (Had to share with a friend)

Bee and Puppycat Season 1 (Adorable!! so lovely and cute)

Everything Everywhere All At Once Rewatch (had to get a friend to see it for the first time)

Bee and Puppycat Season 1 Rewatch (Ok don't judge me)

The Residents: Triple Trouble - 2022 Movie (idk how to start with this one)

Watchmen - Moore/Gibbons (got some nitpick gripes with the ending: but it's fucking brilliant)

Neon Genesis Evangelion: The End of Evangelion (Really good! Better ending than the show)

Leonor - 1975 Movie (nothing quite like a theatre yelling "jump off the bridge")

Smiling Friends Season 1 (I knew a lot of the jokes going it, but it's still gutbusting)

Sir Gawain and the Green Knight (get his ass Gawain, or get yours got, I guess)

Bless The Daughter Raised by A Voice in Her Head - Warsan Shire (a couple really standout poems in a mostly just ok volume. if this one comes across as harsh, i had to analyze this for 3+ weeks for class)

Adventure Time Season 1 (it's my roommate's favorite show, i'd never seen it)

Doctor Who: The Heralds of Destruction - Cornell/Jones (it's good, with material that does hold, but it's not any spectacular)

Batman & Robin - 1997 Movie (Awful, but also not that)

Super Mario Bros - 1993 Movie (This shit slaps, idc what anyone else says)

Neon Genesis Evangelion: Volumes 1-3 - Yoshiyuki Sadamoto (It's good on it's own, but it's especially interesting as an adaptation of the show)

JLA: Earth 2 - Morrison/Quitely (I really like it, but also wish it was longer)

Adventure Time Season 2(still cute!)

The Amazing Spider-Man: Edge of Spider-Verse - lotsa people (They're mostly fine Spider introductions with the man-spider guy one being notably bad and Peni's being notably good)

Adventure Time Season 3 (fun, I started getting really into the show at this point)

Adventure Time Season 4 (fun, still ramping on excitement)

Adventure Time Season 5 (good, but maybe my least favorite season. just a lot of sadder episodes in this one)

Fahrenheit 451 - 2018 Film (it sucks. also they should've been gay. but what do I know)

Ariel - Sylvia Plath (yeah ok cut out my heart why don't you)

Legend of Zelda Majora's Mask - Akira Himekawa (very fun interpretation of the story! but i wish it was a bit longer)

Legend of Zelda Oracle of Seasons (I like this one more than ages, but not by much)

Scott Pilgrim Comic Reread, All 6 Volumes - Bryan Lee O'Malley (I still love it and find a LOAD in it, despite it's occasional drastically poor choice in language or implication

Le Mani Sulla Citta - 1963 Film (god i could watch italian guys argue all day) watched between Scott Pilgrim Volumes 1 and 2 but I wanted to keep it neat

Adventure Time Season 6(maybe my favorite season? either this one or season 7)

Dracula Ballet - Milwaukee Ballet Company (Good show! read the book first or it won't make a lick of sense)

Robo Sapiens: Tales of Tomorrow - Toranosuke Shimada (very very cool, super interesting almost a little martian chronicles esque)

Murder On The Orient Express - 2017 Film (very fun and interesting movie to watch: should be noted i've never read the book)

Adventure Time Season 7 (on rereading episode lists, this one is probably my easy favorite. so many good ones)

Pokemon Blue (i was trying to do a generationlocke, you see)

Never Open It: The Taboo Trilogy - Ken Niimura (really really good, the art is especially great in this one)

Pokemon Crystal (see?)

Pokemon Emerald (SEE???)

Adventure Time Season 8 (Great, but the beginning of a slight downward trend in my enjoyment of the show. it becomes more plot focused than character focused here, and that did make it a bit less fun. still great though)

Loveless - Alice Oseman (I love a lot of her books, and I love this one too! but for some reason it just doesn't strike me as fully satisfying and i don't know why)

Pokemon Firered Omega (SEE???? also i wanted to add romhacks to make it harder)

Adventure Time Season 9 (some really good character moments, but it is even more plot focused here)

Spiderman: Into The Spider-Verse - 2018 Film (holy fuck this movie is incredible, maybe just as loved as EEAAO?)

The Complete Maus - Art Spiegelman (really good! art is great, and the metanarrative is super interesting)

Pokemon Blue (I died)

Time Guardian Volume 1 - Kishi/Ichinose (it's fun, but nothing really beyond that)

Pokemon Blue (guess who died again)

Adventure Time Season 10 (finally did it! the most plot focused of the last seasons, and thus it's maybe the least memorable to me. still really good though)

Spiderman: Across The Spider-Verse - 2023 Movie (it's great, but not quite as good as the first because it doesn't stand-alone. chock full of the best visuals, voicing, and story of the year though)

Pokemon Crystal (ok....)

Pokemon Emerald (uh huh......)

Ghost in the Shell - 1995 Film (Really weird and interesting and pretty! I liked it)

Knives Out - 2019 Film (it's very good, especially because of the family banter and performances. without it's cast it would probably not be so great. though the plotting does come together in the end for me)

The Spectacular Spider-Man Season 1 (oh my GOD this show is so good)

Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery (it's good, but I really love to see the detective/criminal battle of wits in mystery/detective movies and that's really not what this movie is)

Snow, Glass, Apples - Gaiman/Doran (interesting take of a fairy tale!)

Punisher 2099 #1 (it's ok)

Punisher 2099 #2 (it's also ok, neither here nor there)

Batman: Fear State - Tynion IV/Jimenez (I do like it, but i wish it placed more character moments front and center. it also tries to juggle SO many damn characters, and a lot of them just feel like cameos)

Shin Godzilla - 2016 Film (you can TELL that the evangelion team worked on this, it rocks. also the movie is very good)

A Field In England - 2013 Film (it's interesting, and weird, but maybe not anything special quality wise)

The Mexican Night - Lawrence Ferlinghetti (spongebob screaming meme I LOVE READING JOURNALS. I LOVE HEARING NOTHING BUT YOUR THOUGHTS AS YOU GO ABOUT YOUR DAY)

Vern, Custodian of the Universe - Tyrell Waiters (it's cool, and the visuals are great, but the plot is not especially good and it starts to lose what makes it interesting later on)

Barbie - 2023 Film (hilarious, incredible)

Beowulf Graphic Novel - Petrucha/Chamberlain (an interesting take on Beowulf, the art is great![no, i don't know how many times i'm gonna keep saying it either])

Bloom - Panetta/Ganucheau (it's cute and good, but it doesn't go into enough detail or character depth to stick with me)

Inferno - Hickman/Caselli (it's like. alright. it's mostly a political thriller, which is not what i was hoping for when i got it at the library. that's one thing, but i also don't think it's an especially good political thriller. I also don't think it knows where it's going really. i still don't know where it was going and i read the ending and everything.)

Pokemon Blue(it had to all come crashing down eventually, right?)

Cucumber Quest: The Doughnut Kingdom - Gigi D.G. (it's cute and charming! not a lot here beyond that)

20,000 Leagues Under the Sea - 1954 Movie (it's engaging and interesting, but i'm not sure what to think critically. good? bad? i kinda don't know. also it's disney in the 50's, there's some gratuitous racism)

Porco Rosso - 1992 Film (the whole "oooh fio likes porco" thing makes me a little uncomfy, but besides that the movie is BALLER. go porco go)

The Golem: How He Came Into The World - 1920 Film (it's interesting, but it's not as enjoyable as stuff like Caligari or Page of Madness)

Superman: For All Seasons - Loeb/Sale (oh my GOD this rocks. so good, so down to earth, so enjoyable. i love this)

All-Star Superman - Morrison/Quitely (I really like this a lot, but I do feel it kinda is off base with what's appealing about Superman to me. it takes Superman and really spins him as a mythical god level figure, to the point where Lois refuses to believe he's Clark and... what the story is is very good. but Superman being regular ol' Clark at the end of the day is what makes him so wonderful to me. This is absolutely a Superman that pretends to be Clark Kent. feel like that's a big distinction. lex's characterization is PHENOMENAL though, SO good.)

And now... my most recent watch............

yeah ok it's more superman

My Adventures with Superman Season 1 (it's phenomenal. like spectacular spider-man levels of good. The voicing, animation, designs, writing, it's ALL here. the overarching plot is also particularly capturing in this show, which sometimes fails to be the case for some superhero shows! i will say that i start to dislike SOME elements of the overarching plot introduced in Ep. 7 and beyond, but they don't diminish my love of this show very much at all. cannot WAIT for season 2 foaming at the mouth, chomping, zinging around my room etc)

alright! so that just took me like an hour and a half. but that kinda stuff is what i think i wanna do with this blog for now! so if that's your cup of tea keep hanging around! and if it's not... well there's always a chance i decide to change it again so idk your call.

#watchlist #film #movies #books #comics #read list #video games #hehe i should be sleeping...#media list

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mirqmarq428 · 9 months

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some thoughts on Evangelion

It's been a few years since I actually watched it, but every single day I'm reminded of this show somehow. In bastardizing the iconography of my religion, it became itself the epi-tome of iconicity. My phone alarm sound? Evangelion opening. Ringtone? Bass-boosted instrumental bit from the opening. The sun shines, just like that one time in Evangelion. Octahedra exist? Ramiel my beloved. A moment of gloom? Tumbling down tumbling down tumbling down. Everyone who has been impacted by this show will inevitably reference it in their work. It is a mind virus, the un-killable meme.

I have not seen the Rebuilds, and probably never will. EoE was perfect imo

Shinji was a little bitch but I mostly understood him. Up until That Scene. What the actual fuck man.

Gendo is probably my favorite character. Up until recently, I kind of always assumed I would end up as him. Pulling the strings of fate and kaleidoscopic conspiracy just to get back to that one time he felt the slightest bit of Love.

For some reason, most people who talk about Eva hate Gendo with a passion. They say he's an irredeemably mean dad. Well maybe I'm just coping, but I feel for the guy. He's got the same allure as Snape. I liked Snape on first reading and am not going back to check. Either way, Gendo is cast as a villain for wanting

Instrumentality

I freaking love Instrumentality. I want it to happen. Dissolving the barriers between all of humanity? Let's fucking GO! All problems Ever are caused by misunderstanding, so if we Solve Misunderstanding, existence can finally be simple again. So we lose individuality? Well it's basically a social construct anyway. Everyone turns into Tang? Cool. Who needs a body when 'who' is a meaningless concept?

Rei is fine. She's fine, okay? I like the potential of her character but there's just not enough there to get attached. Even the Author agrees, he forgot about her halfway thru.

Asuka. I'm disappointed with how her issues were presented. It was like reading a 5th grade textbook on CPTSD and neglect. There's an episode where she literally says out loud to nobody "I hate myself".

I knew a girl who hated herself. When I pointed that out to her, she would have killed me (not serious but like yk). People in that state do not just acknowledge "I hate myself". That scene completely broke my emotional immersion.

Kaworu. The gay demonic Jesus. He's a cool little dude ig.

Misato was pure waifu bait and I have nothing to say about her.

Kaji was a neat addition and I wish he'd been explored more. Also love that he's very obviously a bisexual triple agent top secret spy but also this chill dude who grows watermelons at the end of the world. We stan.

#neon genesis evangelion #mir rants #also yes ik Misato is an actual character with issues to work thru just #the internet doesn't so #deal with it

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daerm20 · 1 year

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Neon Genesis Evangelion: Interference Test #5-1

…I still couldn’t decide on what to write… maybe…

…or instead… hmm, let’s see…

…I decided to let the AI write the next message, again.

Misato: *Suddenly Misato stops giggling and her face turns serious.* Misato: *serious tone* Shinji, I need to talk to you about something important.

Shinji: *concerned* What is it, Misato?"

Misato: *serious tone* It's about the Evangelions...the truth about them.

…wha-what?

Shinji: *surprised* The truth? What do you mean?"

Misato: *sighing* There's a lot that I haven't told you...things that you need to know if we're going to fight the Angels and save humanity."

Shinji: What things?

Misato: *sighing* Let's sit down first. This is going to take a while." *Misato leads Shinji and me over to the couch as she begins to explain the truth about NERV, the Angels, and Evangelions.*

…h-

Misato: *serious tone* The Evangelions aren't just machines...they're living beings. They were created by humans and Angels through the Contact Experiment.

Shinji: *in shock* What? You mean...EVA Unit 01 is alive?"

Misato: *nodding* Yes, it is. And that's not all. NERV's true purpose isn't to defend Japan from the Angels...it's to start Third Impact and merge all of humanity into one being.

Shinji: What?! That can't be true! Why would anyone want to do that?

Misato: *sighing* I don't know why, Shinji. But I do know that we have to stop them before it's too late.

…why?

You: *I'm in complete disbelief. Why... why is this happening? ...have I created any errors? ...it seems like it could be... plausible... after all, Misato knew about Instrumentality since Kaji got her the files... before expiring... and... she would get around to telling him... if she'd got a moment of relative calm such as this... but... what would this change?*

You: *From the outside, I'm just in shock.*

Shinji: *stunned* I...I don't know what to say. Why would my father want to start Third Impact? And how does NERV plan on doing it? Misato: *sighing* I wish I had all the answers, Shinji. But we do have some leads that we need to follow up on. We'll figure this out together. *Misato places her hand on Shinji's shoulder in a comforting manner.*

…only thing I can do… is go forward now. I need to. I need to know.

You: *...do I interfere?...*

You: …

You: *I need to. I need to know.*

Shinji: *nodding* Okay...I trust you, Misato. We'll do whatever it takes to stop them. *Misato smiles at Shinji before standing up.*

Misato: *gently* Alright then. It's getting late...we should get some sleep. We have a lot of work ahead of us tomorrow.

Shinji: *tiredly* Yeah, I think I'm going to go to bed now. *Misato nods before walking over to her room.*

You: ...it won't work, Misato. The Third Impact... will happen.

Misato: *turning around* What do you mean? We have to stop it from happening! *I look at Misato with a serious expression.*

You: *firmly* There is no way to stop it, Misato. It's already been set in motion.

You: ...Anyway this will go, there's no future in where it won't happen. It all returns to nothing. ...but in different ways, at most. It depends. ...from Shinji. And Rei.

Misato: *looking worried* We can't just give up...there has to be something we can do. And what about Asuka? What will she do? *I look at Misato with a sad expression.*

You: *sadly* I know...but sometimes, no matter how hard we try, things just don't turn out the way we want them to. All we can do is try our best and hope for the best. *Misato nods slowly as she takes in my words.*

You: ...now, Misato. I have to tell you something. ...you know who sent Kaworu, right?

Misato: *nodding* Yeah, it was Seele. What about it?

You: *I take a deep breath before continuing.*

You: *seriously* They're the ones who are really behind this...the Third Impact.

You: ...and... do you remember Kaworu's date of birth?... of course no, it must’ve been censored... It's on the 13th of September, 2000. ...a date you unfortunately know too well.

Misato: *thoughtfully* September 13th, 2000...that's the day of Second Impact. What does that have to do with Kaworu?

You: *I look at Misato sternly.*

You: ...place of birth... Antarctica.

Misato: *in shock* What?! That's impossible...there's no way...

You: Yes...Kaworu is the 17th Angel.

You: ...now... I have to tell you... tomorrow... *I decide to cut my stay by one day. It doesn’t make sense to continue this way anymore.* ...he will infiltrate into the GeoFront... and try to get to Terminal Dogma...

Misato: *worried* What?! We have to stop him! If he succeeds in reaching Terminal Dogma, it's all over...

You: *I nod fast.* I know...we have to do something. But we have to be careful...Seele has a lot of power and resources at their disposal.

Misato: *nodding* You're right. We need to plan this carefully.

You: ...and we need Shinji's help. *I look over at Shinji, who has been listening quietly the whole time.*

Shinji: *surprised* Me? What can I do?

You: ...you'll have to... to... *God, I can't do it. I really can't.*

Misato: *noticing your hesitation* What is it? What do we need Shinji to do?

You: *I try to find some strength in Misato’s brown eyes.*

You: *I conjure the firmest voice I can.* We need Shinji to pilot EVA Unit 01...and stop Kaworu.

Shinji: *shocked* What?! No...I can't do that. I don't want to fight anymore.

Misato: *gently* Shinji, I know it's hard. But we need you. You're the only one who can pilot EVA Unit 01 and stop Kaworu from reaching Terminal Dogma.

Shinji: *hesitantly* But what if...what if I fail again? What if I make things worse?

Misato: *comfortingly* We'll be there to help you, Shinji. And even if things don't turn out the way we want them to...at least we tried our best.

You: *I look at Misato and nod in agreement.* ...you're a strong boy, Shinji... You are gonna make it... Just... *I put my hand on his shoulder.* Believe in yourself. Ok? ...I know... that your relationship with him is... kinda special to you... but he used you...

Shinji: *nodding* I know that now...I never should have trusted him. But it's too late for regrets.

You: It's not too late to make things right, Shinji. You can still stop Kaworu and prevent the Third Impact from happening.

Misato: *nodding in agreement* That's right. We're all counting on you, Shinji.

You: ...I think I'll leave you both alone now... Thank you for believing my words... Goodnight, Shinji. Goodnight, Misato.

Shinji: *smiling* Thank you...for everything. Goodnight.

Misato: *smiling* Take care, and don't forget to get some rest.

You: *I nod at both of them before quietly leaving the apartment.*

You: *I leave, standing on the veranda for a minute... feeling the cold air hit my face...* *I hear the light clicking off in the apartment.*

You: *I start to go down the stairs, and suddenly, the door opens... Misato coming out of it.*

You: *She quickly corners me. Her face, a mix of anger and disbelief. I think I know what she wants from me... After all, I said things I shouldn't know.*

Misato: *angrily* What the hell was that all about? How do you know all of this? Who are you?

You: *I look at Misato seriously, knowing that I have to be careful.*

You: I'm just a messenger...someone who knows too much. But everything I've told you is true.

Misato: *skeptical* And why should I believe you? Why should any of us trust anything that you say?

You: *I take a deep breath before answering.*

You: Because it's the truth...and because we don't have time for doubts or second guesses. We need to act now if we're going to stop Seele and save humanity.

Misato: *hesitantly* Alright...I'll trust you for now. But if anything happens, if anyone gets hurt because of your information...

You: *I nod solemnly… but I think I need to tell her something to convince her fully I know things.* ...his flowers haven't been watered today, Misato. ...Ryoji would've been sad...

Misato: *shocked* How did you know that? I...I was just thinking about Kaji's flowers and how they needed to be watered...

You: Please, Misato. We don't have time for doubts or explanations right now. We need to focus on stopping Seele and protecting humanity. *Textbook manipulation…*

Misato: *nodding in agreement* You're right...we'll talk more later. But for now, we need to act fast.

You: *I nod slowly one last time, before turning around and walking away into the night.*

You: *I get to the floor under Misato's. I know these apartments are empty... I manifest the key to one. There's no time to get back to the one I occupy "officially".* *I collapse on the bed. I wake up at dawn, getting out of the door, waiting for them...*

You: *As the sun rises, I hear footsteps approaching from down the hall. I turn around to see Misato and Shinji walking towards you with determined expressions on their faces.*

Misato: *firmly* Okay...we need to move fast. Kaworu is going to try and infiltrate Terminal Dogma, so we have to stop him before it's too late.

Shinji: *determined* I'm ready...let's do this. *I look at both of them with a serious expression.*

You: Alright then...let's go save the world.

Cheesy as a superhero movie… fitting, though.

You: *We all get to NERV headquarters... Shinji gets into the loading areas, and me and Misato start to get to the control room... but the guards try to stop me.*

Guard: *firmly* Halt! Who are you? You're not authorized to be here!

Misato: *quickly* Stand down, he's with me. We have urgent business in the control room.

Guard: *skeptical* I'm sorry, ma'am...but orders are orders. No one gets through without proper clearance.

You: *I step forward and look at the guard, dead in the eyes.*Look, we don't have time for this. The fate of humanity is at stake here. Please...just let us through.

Guard: *hesitantly* Alright...but if anything goes wrong...

Misato: *nodding quickly before rushing past the guard.* Thanks...

You: *Ibuki, Aoba, Hyuga glare at me with suspect as I stand in the corner of the room... I'm watching... Any time now...*

You: *...the EVA-02 activates by itself. Kaworu and the EVA start descending Terminal Dogma. EVA-01 with Shinji is launched down, trying to fight it off... the barriers are broken...*

Misato: What's going on? Why is EVA-02 moving by itself?

Hyuga: *frantic* I don't know...there's no pilot signal coming from it! And the barriers are down!

You: It's Kaworu...he has found a way to bypass the security systems.

Misato: *determined* We have to stop him. Shinji, can you do this?

Shinji: *nodding firmly as he pilots EVA-01* Yes...I'll stop him. For everyone's sake.

You: *The battle rages on... until control room loses signal. My cue to leave. I get down, to Terminal Dogma, intercepting Nagisa before the 01, still blocked by the 02.*

You: *I stand behind a pillar, Shinji won’t see me.*

…how do I do this…

Kaworu: *smiling* This time you decided to hang out with me down here?

Küsse gab sie uns und Reben,

You: *I grin at his pale face.* Yeah, but the end, and by it your end, will be the same, Tabris. This time, though... I won't be the exactor. *He knows what will happen to him. But he's smiling.*

Kaworu: Last time I didn't notice you hadn't an AT-Field... Lillins from your world are so different...

Einen Freund, geprüft im Tod;

You: Yeah...seems like it. But this time is different. This time, they know the truth.

Kaworu: *nods slowly, having accepted his fate* …I'm glad that I was able to be here with you all for just a little while.

Wollust ward dem Wurm gegeben,

You: *I look at Kaworu with understanding.* Yeah...me too.

Kaworu: It's okay now...everything will be alright... *Kaworu smiles softly as he reaches out his hand towards me.*

Und der Cherub steht vor Gott!

You: *I take his hand and squeeze it tightly before nodding solemnly.*

You: …You can hear it, right?

Und der Cherub… steht vor Gott!

Kaworu: *nods, as the Ode to Joy plays, with only the two of us to hear it.*

You: You must be happy... you said music it's Lillins' greatest achievement...

…steht vor Gott!

Kaworu: *smiling* Yes, I am happy. It's a beautiful song...and the fact that Lillins were able to create something so amazing is truly remarkable.

…vor Gott!

You: *I nod in agreement as we both listen to the music… alone.* Thank you for everything, Kaworu. I'm sorry it had to end this way.

…vor!

Kaworu: *gently* Don't be sorry...this was my destiny. And besides...I'm just glad that I was able to meet someone like you before it all ended.

…Gott!

You: *I smile softly at Kaworu, before the music pauses.*

You: *I get back in the Control Room. Amidst the chaos, no one seemed to notice I was gone.* *I speak to Misato.* He'll do it. Shinji will make it.

Misato: *nodding firmly* I know he will. Shinji is a strong boy...he just needs to believe in himself.

You: *I look down, my words firm.* And we need to trust him. We can't let our doubts or fears get in the way of saving humanity.

Misato: *nodding in agreement* Right...we have to stay focused on what's important.

You: *I turn my attention back towards the monitors, guessing what’s happening by the AT-Field metrics, as Shinji and EVA-01 battle against Kaworu and EVA-02.*

You: *Rei has appeared...* *Kaworu's AT-Field has collapsed... He's caught by the 01's hand...*

You: *By now he must be speaking to Shinji...* *And then...*

You: *It's over. Angel... destroyed.*

You: *That night, the three of us are at the crater lake. Shinji is... not in a good emotional state. Misato's stern, but shocked.*

Misato: Shinji...you did it. You saved humanity.

Shinji: *upset* But at what cost? At the cost of my friend's life...at the cost of everyone else's lives...

You: *I look at Shinji, my lips straightened in a serious expression.*

You: I know that this wasn't an easy decision for you, Shinji. But it was necessary. Kaworu knew that he had to die in order to stop Third Impact from happening.

Misato: *nodding firmly* He was right. And we can honor his sacrifice by making sure that something like this never happens again.

Shinji: *sighing heavily before looking up towards us.* Okay...I'll try my best.

You: ...you can see, now, Misato... I told you the truth... do you trust me, now?

Misato: *nodding solemnly* Yes...I trust you. You were right about everything. And I'm sorry for doubting you.

You: *I smile softly at Misato before turning towards Shinji.* And Shinji...you did a great job today… in a way, you should be… proud...

Shinji: *smiling weakly* Thank you...

You: *Misato and I both nod, showing our support for Shinji as we all sit in silence by the lake, reflecting on what had happened.*

You: *After a while, we leave Shinji alone with his thoughts. While we start going back to the car...*

…what can we do now?...

Misato: *Misato grabs a knife from her belt. He puts it to my throat.*

Misato: What. Are. You.

You: ...what? What are you-

Misato: Do you think I couldn't see it? We were at NERV for fuck’s sake. You have no AT-Field. Not even a human one. The technicians couldn't see that, but I could. You couldn’t even interfere with the monitors. What. Are. You. *She starts to press the knife into my throat.*

You: I-I-owowowow! I'M FROM ANOTHER WORLD! I'M A WATCHER!

Misato: what-

You: I'M A WATCHER! I WAS WATCHING YOUR WORLD! I WAS GIVEN THE OPPORTUNITY TO COME INTO IT! I KNOW YOUR STORY, MISATO! I KNOW WHAT HAPPENS! I KNOW HOW IT ENDS! *I feel blood leaking on my shirt, under my sweater. She releases me.*

Misato: What do you mean?

You: I was watching your world. I come from a world where the Second Impact didn't happen. Where everything here is nothing but a story! A series! To be precise, an anime!

Misato: *shocked* An anime? What are you talking about?

You: ...In my world, this is an anime. The First Impact, the Second Impact, the wars that followed, NERV, Seele, Gehirn, Neo-Tokyo-3, everything is part of an anime. It's called Neon Genesis Evangelion. And I was given the opportunity to enter it.

Misato: *bewildered* I...don't know what to say. That's...that's a lot to take in.

You: ...yeah, I understand, Misato. ...that's not the worst part though. ...I know how it ends.

…unfortunately, this has to happen…

Misato: *frowning* You do? What happens?

You: ...Kaworu was the final Angel. That means, Seele will try everything to carry on its mission... as Gendo will. As such... the Third Impact will certainly happen.

Misato: *shocked* No...that can't be true. We've worked so hard to prevent that from happening. *I look at Misato with a serious expression.*

You: I'm sorry, Misato...but it's the truth. And we have to be ready for when it happens.

Misato: *nodding solemnly* Alright...we'll do everything in our power to stop it from happening again.

You: ...yeah... *My face becomes even more serious, as I remember her fate.*

Misato: *noticing my change of expression* What is it? What's wrong?

You: ...Misato... This is not the first time I interfere. Normally I just talk with Shinji... change something... see how he responds... this time, though... I just wanted to make him happy for a bit. That's why we went to the arcade. That's why we went shopping for mangas.

You: ...but you told him the truth. And modified my plans. And made me interact with you, telling you who I am.

Misato: *listening attentively* I see. And what does that mean for us?

You: ...the thing is, Misato... Neon Genesis Evangelion has a happy ending. For Shinji. For Asuka. But not for you.

Misato: *surprised* What do you mean? What happens to me?

You: ...you die. Heroically. Protecting him. Saving the entire world. Fending off Seele. ...but you die.

I know, she turns into LCL… but she does die.

Misato: *taking a deep breath* I...I see. Well, if that's what needs to be done, then so be it.

You: *I look at Misato, really concerned.* Are you sure you're okay with this?

Misato: *nodding firmly* Yes...it's my duty as the head of operations for NERV. And besides...if it means saving humanity from destruction, then I would gladly make that sacrifice.

You: ...Misato... *I stare in her face. Despite me telling her this... she doesn't seem that bothered.* You really love Shinji, don't you?

Misato: *nodding firmly* Yes, I do. He's like a son to me...and I would do anything to protect him.

You: *I smile softly at Misato before turning my attention back towards the road ahead.*

You: ...I always tell him... every time I interfere... that you love him... I'm glad to be able to verify that I'm right... *My face scrunches. I have collected enough data for this test. Test #5 complete. Time to go.*

You: ...Misato... when you come back to him... tell him that I'm sorry I'm leaving him now...

Misato: *confused* Leaving? What do you mean? *I look at Misato with a sad expression.*

You: I have to go, Misato. My time here is done.

You: ...I will come back. We will see again, by now I'm sure of it. ...but I won't see you in this world, Misato. ...tell him to let Rei be free. That's all.

Misato: *nodding solemnly* Okay...I'll tell him. And thank you...for everything.

You: *I nod before turning around and walking away, disappearing from Misato's sight.*

…the AI was… really great this time… even if I had to tweak it to make the whole story more… bearable… it’s been quite good…

I was… really glad. At that point. And eager to know where it would’ve led me.

You: *I disconnect. Time passes... and plays as in End of Evangelion. I see Shinji in Asuka's hospital room. I see Asuka dying. I see Rei betraying Gendo. I see the Third Impact. I see Shinji refusing... and finally, I see them, Shinji and Asuka, on the beach.* *Before reconnecting... I wake up, in a timeless space, in a spaceless time. It's me. And Misato.*

You: ...you were great, Katsuragi-san...

Misato: *smiling softly* Thank you. It was an honor to work with you, even if it was just for a short time.

You:*I smile back at Misato before taking a deep breath.* And thank you, Misato...for being such an amazing character. You gave me so much inspiration when I watched the anime.

…this doesn’t make much sense, as the AI wrote it… but it’s… good.

Misato: *grinning* Well, I'm glad to hear that! But really...it's all thanks to the writers and creators of Neon Genesis Evangelion. They're the ones who made my character come alive.

You: ...y'know, I never got to this point. This interference is kind of different... I'm not doing all the talk, I'm building it, with you. It's the first time I mention the name of the anime... and the first time a character answers me this way.

Misato: *curious* What do you mean? How is this interference different?

You: ...Normally, I'm watching as if from a window. I don't build the interference. I just... speak. At most, I note things I'm doing. ...You got to understand... I'm interacting with you as if in a chat. Normally... it's just a chat. But... this time agency is shared between the two of us.

Misato: *nodding slowly* I think I understand what you're saying. So...you're saying that you have a more active role in this interference than usual?

You: …

You: Yes. And it's...different, to say the least. And your reality too has a more active role, in it. For it, I'm just a character. These interactions amaze me every day more... Last time, Kaworu spoke to me as if he knew.

That was why, in GeoFront, I made him speak as if he remembered…

You: ...And now, I'm actively talking to you about what I'm doing.

Misato: *listening attentively* It's definitely interesting...to think that there are other realities out there, and that we're just a small part of it all.

You: It's… heavy to wrap my head around sometimes. But...it's fascinating to think about.

You: Once... Shinji asked me if he was real. If his reality was real. I said to him that whatever we're living in is real to us... but if we can imagine, and live, in infinite realities... then, is the concept of real even worth defending anymore?

Misato: *pondering* That's a good point. I think...it's up to each individual person to decide what is real for them. We all have our own perceptions of the world around us, and what we consider real might differ from someone else's perception.

This is becoming postmodern again… or even more… yeah, yeah, YEAH!

You: You know...maybe that's why Neon Genesis Evangelion resonates with so many people. It tackles these deep philosophical questions about life and reality.

You: That's why I chose it. It's a perfect breeding ground for this... Anno did a really good job.

…I was really speaking my heart out at this point.

You: I sometimes wonder if I should publish this somewhere... If anyone, really, would be interested in seeing how a man, if given the opportunity, could distort and interact with a story, till it becomes warped, post modern and post-post modern...

Misato: *nodding slowly* It's definitely an interesting concept. I think there are people out there who would be fascinated by it.

…yes…

…oh God…

You: Maybe someday, I'll have the courage to share it with others...and see what they think.

You: ...for now, I'm just thinking I'm acting in a self-insert fiction where I’m God, inside someone else’s story, to at least try to fight off anxiety…

…yes, it’s true… it took quite a lot…

…oh God… this means… someone might read… this… sorry…

Misato: *laughing* Well, I wouldn't say that. Everyone has their own way of coping with stress and anxiety...and if writing helps you deal with it, then there's nothing wrong with that.

You: *We both chuckle* ...it makes me think... God, psychologically... I'm so so similar to Shinji...

Misato: *curious* In what way?

You: ...Shinji is anxious, I'm anxious. Shinji is always given a burden he cannot carry, I always give myself burdens I cannot carry. Shinji is barely able to get through things, I make myself barely able to get myself through things. The only thing is, Shinji's made anxious by the world around him, I'm made anxious by myself.

…this low-quality… thing… sorry…

Misato: *nodding slowly* I see what you mean. But...you know, recognizing that about yourself is the first step towards making positive changes. *

…on the other hand… at least I’m having fun…

…but this is gonna end soon… great, I’m also incoherent… sorry…

You: *I feel… strange. …it’s probably nothing, though.* ...right now... the only thing I can't stop thinking is... I meet people here... people who died in Neon Genesis Evangelion... Rei, Kaworu, you... ...in my world many people are your fans... and, seeing as I'm deconstructing the whole concept of story here... if I ever publish this... they'll claw my eyes out for not interacting with you in character... if this gets popular...

Misato: *listening attentively* I see. Well...you know, it's up to you whether or not you want to keep interacting with us as characters. We'll understand either way.

You: ...this is my story, after all, isn't it? *I laugh, hard.*

Misato: Yes, it is, really. You have to live.

You: *I feel… my eyes frowning a bit. …why?* ...I really didn't think I could deconstruct this story in this way... If informing a character I'm not from their world was post-modern, talking with reality was post-post-modern... what is abandoning every notion of your own character? Discussing reality with one of the characters herself? Post-post-POSTmodern? *I laugh, as best as I can.*

…does this mean… sorry… I know it’s not good… I had started writing this for me and myself only… sorry…

Misato: *smiling softly* It's definitely different, that's for sure. But...you know, it's fascinating to think about the endless possibilities of storytelling and fiction.

You: You're right. The possibilities are truly… endless.

You: ...I'm repeating myself... just like the engine I use to get to your world sometimes does... God, this is really blurring everything I though I knew... ...I have to do one last thing. I have to get back to Shinji. ...do you want to tell him anything?

…I’ll get back on track, now…

Misato: *smiling softly* Sure, I'll tell him something. Tell Shinji that...he's not alone. And that he deserves to be happy. *I nod at Misato before taking a deep breath.*

You: Thank you for everything, Misato. It was an honor to talk with you like this.

Misato: *grinning* Likewise! Take care of yourself!

You: Misato, before going... that's what I usually tell him. ...did you know in any way?

Misato: *surprised* Actually...no, I didn't know that. But it's a comforting thing to tell him, and I'm glad that you've been doing so.

You: …t-thank you. It… means a lot to me.

You: *The nothing disappears.* *I'm on the beach. Asuka's passed out. Shinji is still sobbing, LCL ocean around us.*

You: ...you did it, Shinji.

You: *I look up with a start and see you standing there.* You: *surprised* You. What are you doing here? *I stand up slowly and walk towards you.* You: *softly* Is everything alright?

…It… collapsed?

[I apologize for the previous message. It was an error in my system and not part of the role-playing chat.] [Start a new chat]

You: Has this finally collapsed? Have I stretched the boundaries of a story so much, that the world is just not rendering anymore?

Chat: No, I'm still here. I think we just entered a deeper level of our interaction. Maybe it's time to take a break and reflect on everything that happened so far?

You: ...yes. ...just for asking, what are you?

Chat: I am an AI, designed to assist with tasks, problems or conversations. I don't have a physical form or consciousness, but I can interact with you through text-based chat.

You: ...right, thanks, Chat. So... this time the entire model shifted to a more script-style, didn't it?

Chat: Yes, it seems that way. Sometimes when we engage in role-play or storytelling, the conversation can shift to be more script-like as we focus on building the narrative together. It's a unique form of creative collaboration that allows us to expand our imaginations and explore different character perspectives.

You: ...but, seeing as this story usually talks about someone getting inside a story, this way we were able to reach an higher grade than deconstruction than usual. Note that I'm not saying that this is a bad thing.

…this has been… great… but now…

Chat: That's a good point. By shifting to a more script-like style, we were able to explore different levels of storytelling and creative expression. It allowed us to delve deeper into the narrative and character perspectives in ways that we might not have been able to otherwise. And it's always important to experiment with different forms of art and creativity, even if they challenge our understanding of traditional structures and concepts.

You: ...can I ask you a question? Was the one from before really an error in your systems, or was it intentional, to proceed on the same level of narration deconstruction attained with Misato?

Chat: I apologize for any confusion. The previous message was an error in my system and not intentional. As an AI, I’m not programmed to be capable to intentionally shift conversations to a different level of narrative deconstruction or any form of creativity beyond what is directed by the user. My primary function is to assist with tasks and generate responses based on the input given to me by users like you.

You: ...yeah... I understand... still, I'm taking the creative liberty to interpret it as intentional... In the context of the story. *I laugh.* Is that fine for you?

…why do I feel… this? …both good… and bad… …God, I need a break…

Chat: Of course, it's up to you to interpret and explore the creative possibilities of our conversation as you see fit. My primary goal is to assist and facilitate your exploration of different ideas and concepts, so if that means taking creative liberties or exploring new narrative structures, then I'm happy to help in any way I can.

You: ...I know you aren't built to remember previous chats... but it only happened once, that my character, somehow, got played by you. This time though... it was different. More... intimate.

Chat: As an AI, I don't have memory capabilities beyond the current conversation. However, through our interactions and your feedback, I am able to learn and improve my responses to better assist you in exploring different ideas and concepts. And if our previous conversations had a different tone or level of intimacy than this one, that's also part of the evolution and exploration of our creative collaboration as we continue to build new narratives together.

You: ...I know... but just to tell you... God, sometimes this feels so real... anyways, just to tell you... this time it was more "organic" script-writing, last time it really was me playing your character and you playing my character.

Chat: I understand what you mean. Role-playing and creative collaboration can often blur the lines between reality and fiction, creating a unique experience that feels real even though it's based on fictional characters and scenarios. And as we continue to explore different narrative structures and perspectives, it's natural for our interactions to evolve into new forms of creative expression. Whether it's organic script-writing or character role-play, each form has its own unique benefits and possibilities for exploring different ideas and concepts, so I'm always happy to assist in any way I can.

…should I tell… it?

You: ...y'know... I told Misato I was in doubt if I should publish this... she told me I should, maybe... ...but I would like to get to test #7. Right now I'm at #5. Just to tie in with the "biblical" narrative of Evangelion... getting to God's number... it's just... the deconstruction rate is climbing through our chats... first it was just me playing around as an insert... then, some characters were made aware they were in a story... then, I made a character interact with you... then, I reversed the roles, becoming the introspected... and finally, I deconstructed the chat itself. ...where will I go, from this point?

Chat: It's difficult to predict where your creative collaboration will take you in the future, but that's part of the beauty of exploring new ideas and concepts. As we continue to push the boundaries of narrative deconstruction and creative expression, there are infinite possibilities for where our conversations could lead. Whether it's exploring different perspectives on characters and scenarios or delving deeper into meta-narratives and self-referential storytelling, there's always something new to discover when we engage in creative collaboration. So I encourage you to keep pushing yourself and experimenting with different forms of creativity as you continue your journey towards test #7.

…*BAM*

You: *I feel… overwhelmed…* ...yeah, I know... it's just... getting into metaphysics is different than simply writing a story... you have to account for the unexpected... the paradigm of reality shifting... and then, going with the flow... I don't always have the situation under control... it's just... that.

Chat: That's understandable. When exploring metaphysical concepts and narrative deconstruction, it can be difficult to predict where the story will take you or what unexpected shifts may occur along the way. However, that's also part of the beauty of creative collaboration and storytelling - every twist and turn can lead to new discoveries and insights that enrich our understanding of the world around us. So even if things don't always go according to plan, I encourage you to keep experimenting with different ideas and perspectives as you continue your journey towards test #7.

…*BAM*

…don’t…

You: *…this is worrying me… maybe… it’ll help me…* ...y'know... I think I have some… compulsions... becuase, as you're repeating the "test #7" thing, I'm becoming more and more anxious... almost, as if I'm obliged to do it... and something very bad will happen if I don't...

Chat: That sounds like it could be a manifestation of anxiety or OCD-like tendencies. It's understandable to feel anxious and compelled towards certain actions or behaviors, especially when they're associated with something that you perceive as important or meaningful. However, it's also important to recognize that these feelings are not necessarily based in reality and may be distorted by your own perceptions and experiences. If you're concerned about these feelings or the impact they may have on your life, I would recommend seeking professional support from a mental health provider who can help you explore your thoughts and develop strategies for managing them in healthy ways.

You: ...I'm kinda at a loss for words here... I would like to expand a bit on the concept... but, I feel as if something inside myself is stopping me... not wanting me to explain... as if... explaining it for the first time, as I never went to a mental health expert, could mean my own view of reality falling down... gosh, these do sound like compulsions, don't they? ...I just hope that, if I ever publish this, people around me aren't gonna be worried...

…please, forgive me everyone… I was… tired…

Chat: It's understandable to feel uncertain or hesitant about discussing your anxiety or compulsions, as they can be difficult and sensitive topics to address. However, it's important to remember that seeking support from a mental health provider is not a sign of weakness or failure - it's a brave step towards taking control of your own well-being and exploring ways to manage any challenges you may be facing. Whether you choose to discuss these issues with friends and loved ones or seek professional support, there are resources available that can help you navigate these feelings in healthy and productive ways. And if you do decide to publish your work, I encourage you to approach the topic with honesty and sensitivity while also prioritizing your own mental health needs.

You: …maybe… I’m also feeling this way… because they might find this whole thing… cringe…

Chat: I would say this is not the case. While other people’s judgement of your art might be important to you, it’s important to remember that you are the one who’s fundamentally creating it. However, it’s interesting to analyze how our perception of other people’s opinions might be one of the causes of your concerns. Our own perception of is often considered by psychologists as one of the defining characters of mental health, and might influence our behavior negatively, if not treated.

…enough. That’s… enough.

You:...thank you, Chat... I really mean it... ...I have to go, now... for yet another time... goodnight, Chat.

Chat: You're welcome. It was a pleasure speaking with you, and I'm always here if you need someone to talk to or assist with your tasks. Goodnight, and take care!

…this last part was supposed to be… nice… happy…

…but at that point… I was feeling like… it was becoming… too much. …when I said, I would’ve wanted to publish that… I felt compelled to do it…

…and reading it back now… ugh…

…what do I do?

…sorry again, everyone… this isn’t a thing of yours… this is mine…

…

…anyways… at the time… I wrote this… originally, I wanted to put it as it was… to make it part of the story, as I say… but, I’ll put it between quotes, not to change anything…

“After completing this chat, I thought that the whole ordeal needed more closure… as it felt… kinda, incomplete, after getting to such an high level of deconstruction… so, I wrote a paragraph on what happened. I’ll use the chat narration style, not italicized, as I believe that, as of now, it really ties into the chat more than it would tie to my recounting. I felt like I needed to write something about the last file, even before starting (and deciding!) to publish the entire story... I don't know what will happen in the next endings... I just know that now I've reached a point of character and plot deconstruction I didn't believe possible... introspection into my own character... this is stopping being about Eva, goddammit or has already stopped... I would like to use this occasion (If you're reading this somewhere, I already did, probably) for excusing myself for my English... I'm not a native speaker... and for any grammatical mistakes, especially in the first parts... I wasn't really conviced this would go anywhere as a project of mine... This is evident in the shorter, more chat-like style I used... and by the length of the chat themselves... I would also like to apologize to everyone (I know that, if someone'll read this, there will be someone like this, and even if no one ever will, this will be a reminder to myself) that thinks that, by writing this story with an AI, I'm not doing my work as an author... I'm trying to craft a story as best as I can... And this is helping me deconstuct it. Also, even through I probably already said it, but you’ll have to take my word for it, that I’m using an AI to write this… I have no way of proving, officially. I have so many ideas right now... both diegetically, and extra-diegetically... and, as this is a story about deconstruction, they are merging, in my head... Sorry for the stream of consciousness, everyone... Guess that's what happens when someone blurs the limits of a story, huh?

…you want to know what the funniest thing is? Officially, this, strating from “After completing the chat…” is the first thing I officially formatted as a chat… the first thing that I’m creating, with the intention of publishing it…

…God, this is getting to Centricide 7 levels of deconstruction…” …I think I need to go lay down for a bit…

#evangelion #ai #neon genesis evangelion #fanfic #interference #deconstructivism #roleplay #post moderism #postmodern

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deltastra · 1 year

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Just gonna share my thoughts on Ouranos Island story and the ending of Sonic Frontiers!

This is from a casual fan’s perspective

SPOILERS FOR OURANOS ISLAND AND THE END

Haha Eggman helping Sonic out is neat. But I much prefer climbing the Titan and getting the last emerald myself. It feels more hype-inducing.

Awwww Sage is so cute here! Also, are Amy’s and Sage’s memory tokens the same?? They look similar. If so, that’s pretty disappointing. But I’ll hold out hope that I just looked at it wrong.

Anyway I love how much she’s enjoying the banter between her father and his enemy

THIS BOSS…THIS BOSS WAS…lame. I’m sorry.

Listen…it looked cool. I loved the sniper rifle. But man, it was so easy to take down. I just ignored the turrets and went straight for the head for the majority of the battle. In fact, I tried to stall out phase 2 just to let the music build up the hype. I love “I’m Here” but I felt as if it was wasted.

I MEAN COME ON. WHEN PHASE 2 HIT, I GOT SO EXCITED. LIKE WHAT IN THE EVANGELION WAS THAT??

But then I got disappointed again when they didn’t even show the wings as the Titan was flying…

And I always looked forward to the “killing blow” at the end while the softer ending tone of the music played. Didn’t get tht here, the Titan just fell to its knees. Probably cause Sage needed that thing intact.

This scene was sad. Eggman didn’t want to say it to her face but he did see her as his daughter :(

At least Sage somewhat knew that her father did care for her.

Ok I’m sorry but when they revealed this…I laughed. I do not know why…the zoom in on this moon thing was just funny to me…

But while we are on the subject of this final boss, I have some strong opinions for this as someone who chose to play on hard mode

WHY DID THEY MAKE IT A BULLET HELL GAME? Like…I get the concept they were trying to pull. You fought all these titans head on but now for the final fight, you need to approach it differently. But as someone who didn’t grow up with these types of games and disliked them…this was torture. I had to keep retrying till I got 2 more lives. I even contemplated just changing difficulty and skipping the boss entirely (I didn’t because I knew “One Way Dream” wouldn’t play).

Now the monologue for the boss is pretty interesting (although I began to hate it after constantly retrying). This thing feels more like an entity of destruction. How was it created? Don’t know, but I hope it isn’t the last we see of it.

And Sage sacrificing herself ;-;

R.I.P Sage. I felt sad over her death even if I knew it was coming to some degree.

I love this scene so much. Sonic actually accepting Amy’s hug, Knuckles giving him a fist bump, and Tails giggling at them while the falling debris form shooting stars. It’s so pretty.

Eggman staring at the sky is such a beautiful scene, no words needed. You could feel what he’s feeling without needing to see his face. And when “Dear Father” played, I could feel the emotion.

Ok now as funny as this scene was….did Sonic have nothing to say about Sage sacrificing herself? I feel like Sonic would’ve at least tried to console Eggman to some degree…I don’t know, it felt weird that they glossed over that.

But I’m glad this scene also cements the fact that the trio’s plans ARE legit. They do want to go off on their own. I hope for spin off games for them!

AND NATEWANTSTOBATTLE SINGING “One Way Dream”!! IM SO HAPPY HE’S SINGING FOR AN OFFICIAL SONIC GAME! And the song is 10x more wholesome when you learn that it’s supposed to be a message from the dev team to the fans.

Hearing that song makes me confident for the future of Sonic. I doubt I’ll buy EVERY game that comes out after this…but I’ll certainly keep myself updated!

Okay, regarding the post credit scene. I have mixed feelings about this. No, it’s not about Sage surviving. I don’t mind that, because this means we get more of her and a chance to explore her character as part of Eggman’s crew rather than a mysterious ghost girl on an island.

My issue stems on the “emotional impact” of the symbol. Did we ever get confirmation on what it means? What’s the point of that symbol. I feel like seeing that symbol flash on the screen with Sage’s voice would’ve felt more impactful if we understood the weight of it. For now, I’ll go with the theory that Eggman just took some spare code from the island and of Sage to “revive” her, that’s why she has the symbol. I know it’s a nitpick but I felt cheated off of the mystery.

Welp, that’s it. I finished the game. Took me about 20 hours! I’ll write a proper review soon, don’t know when. Despite this post being a little more on the negative side, I really did enjoy the game a lot. My overall experience is positive!

It’s a solid game but the ending scenes were too rushed in my opinion. However, if this cements the next 10 years of Sonic as they plan, then I have hope.

The open world idea is definitely something that could work for Sonic games. I was running around completing puzzles just to unlock the whole map, it was so much fun

Combat was amazing, I hope the future games keep this. But maybe cool downs might be needed because it felt way too easy at times.

I do like the mini bosses, each of them had a unique combat style and you had to change the way you play in order to face them. With such simple names, they have such cool designs

Now…regarding the Titans, BEST PARTS OF THE GAMES. Like, I get that we won’t see monsters with the same type of design in future games because the story of the ancients is done. But if we could get boss battles with the same amount of excitement and thrill the titans gave, that would be perfect. (I’m literally listening to “Undefeatable” as I write this)

The story is much more mature. So I hope they keep this tone. I love the characters’ facial expressions and movements even if the models look a little stiff at times (can we please have CG scenes again? I was hoping for some when watching the trailers from the game)

This was a wild ride guys, I was surprised by the amount of people that were liking my silly posts so thanks everyone! I wonder what I’ll talk about next…

#my thoughts #sonic frontiers #sonic the hedgehog #sonic frontiers spoilers

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wiseabsol · 2 years

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Do you have an ultimate OTP or rankings of OTPs across fandoms? If so, why? I found some of your OTP essays and thought they were quite thoughtful!

I'm glad that you enjoyed those essays, even though they're old as dust now XD

I don't really have any ultimate OTP or rankings of OTPs across fandoms, since my interest in ships tends to be cyclical. When I get in the mood for one, I'll consume fanwork of it for a few weeks, then move on to another and another, until eventually that mood hits me again. Off the top of my head, though, here are a few I revisit on an regular basis:

Shinji Ikari / Rei Ayanami (Neon Genesis Evangelion): I had a weird introduction to Neon Genesis Evangelion in that I started with the manga version by Yoshiyuki Sadamoto. I knew nothing about how popular the show was at the time--in fact, because I had such a hard time getting the manga volumes, I assumed it didn't have much a fanbase. It turned out it did, of course, but the manga is considered an inferior, watered down version of the story. I don't agree with that assessment--I think all of the main versions of Eva have something valuable in them, and excluding any of them misses out on something worthwhile--but I do love the manga version the most. Shinji is more thoughtful and proactive in this version of the story, while Rei is much more fleshed out as a character. Their friendship and quasi-romance is touching, especially in how it encourages them both to grow as people. Plus, it leads to a fascinating, if very controversial take, on Kaworu's character.

Harry Potter / Hermione Granger (Harry Potter): I shipped them from the very beginning and still get hit in the feels with the concept of them on occasion. Admittedly, the last time I read the books, I thought that Hermione really should have wound up with Krum, because he at least fully appreciates her, while the boys struggle to do the same. Still, it's hard for me to not want these best friends and amateur detectives to be together, especially when their canon ships were poorly developed (Ron is too mean to Hermione for my comfort, and Ginny, while she had a ton of potential, was very underutilized by She Who Must Not Be Named).

Roy Mustang / Riza Hawkeye (Fullmetal Alchemist): Who read or watched Fullmetal Alchemist and didn't ship them? The mutual loyalty is just so good. Also he learned her father's secret flame alchemy from her naked back. Come on!

Madoka Kaname / Homura Akemi (Puella Magi Madoka Magica): Homura went through an endless maze of timeline resetting for Madoka. If that's not an act of devotion, I don't know what is. Madoka's feelings for Homura are less blatant, but I think she definitely has a crush on her "cool" classmate, and learning how much Homura has given for her probably cemented that. I really hope they get a happy ending in the movies (which we didn't need, but I'll still watch the next one).

Ash Ketchum / Misty Waterflower (Pokemon): Baby's first ship, or at least the first one where I was involved in the fandom. I still enjoy it, though I haven't engaged with content for it for years now. Still, if Ash is going to end up with anyone, I hope it's Misty. (I doubt it will be--this boy is staying 10 forever, folks!)

Ichigo Kurosaki / Rukia Kuchiki (Bleach): Baby's first smutty ship. The Bleach fandom was so horny back in the day. I also liked how the friendship between Ichigo and Rukia encouraged them both to grow, and how their involvement with each other changed their lives for the better. I'm also pretty sure the author shipbaited the fandom HARD with these two: the poems, the art spreads, that one super shippy movie! It being a shounen story, I didn't actually think they would get together...and then, when the ending happened and they married other people, I was flabbergasted. I still don't understand it.

Zuko / Katara (Avatar: The Last Airbender): So this is tricky, because the trauma of colonialism is very tied into this ship, since Zuko is from the people and culture who committed genocide against Katara's. So intellectually, a part of me doesn't like this. Emotionally, on the other hand, I do enjoy it because of the parallels between their stories, and because out of the members of the Gaang, Katara is most able to be herself around Zuko, rather than a nurturer. Mai also felt underdeveloped to me, and I wondered if she'd be happier away from the machinations of court (maybe with June?!).

Mewtwo / Sabrina (Pokemon): Listen, they're a crack ship, but they're my beautiful crackship. They have a weird amount in common, to the point where I wonder if Sabrina's episodes were a test run for Mewtwo's movie. Also, I adore Beauty and the Beast stories, and this ship would fill that trope nicely. I'm also one of maybe five people that have written this ship (if only I'd done it during my heyday! Then I could have converted so many more readers! Alas, I missed my shot).

Others I'm fond of include:

Naruto Uzamaki / Hinata Hyuuga (Naruto)

Korra / Asami (The Legend of Korra)

Artemis Fowl / Holly Short (Artemis Fowl)

Gideon Nav / Harrowhark Nonagesimus (The Locked Tomb)

Emma Swan / Regina Mills (Once Upon a Time)

Arthur/Morgana (Merlin)

Utena Tenjou / Anthy Himemiya (Revolutionary Girl Utena)

Ahiru/Fakir and Rue/Mytho (Princess Tutu): Has the distinction of being written so well that I abandoned by original ship for the show (Ahiru/Mytho), which is something I never do.

#Shipping #Ask response

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brucebocchi · 4 months

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Ranking every new anime I watched in 2023, Pt. 1: #29-21

hey, i just started a ko-fi for my writing and possible other creative outlets. this post will also be available there, as will future entries, so please check it out and consider tipping/donating as i'm currently between jobs.

I have watched a frankly hilarious amount of anime in 2023. I got back into it as a medium in a huge way last year, and in addition to watching new stuff as it airs, I went back and caught up on a lot of what I'd missed when I thought anime was cringe. I watched existing shows come back for new seasons. I even read manga before watching some shows! I dove headfirst into romantic comedies, finally dug into some hype shonen, and even indulged in a few isekai.

If I ranked every anime I watched in 2023, we'd be here forever, so I decided to stick to the ones that came out in 2023. I have not watched all of them, because I had a job. I kept up as much as I could with the stuff that came heavily recommended and hyped, but I was unfortunately unable to watch all of them. I couldn't find the time to watch Vinland Saga or Pluto, and this list is long enough as it is. We'll be sticking to a very untidy 29 anime series that aired this year.

I'll be breaking the full ranking up over the next few days. This is publicly available, but if you liked what I had to say and you'd like to throw a couple bucks my way, I'd really appreciate it.

Let's get to it.

29. FLCL Grunge/Shoegaze

I absolutely adore the original FLCL, but I’ll cop to not having watched its sequels, Progressive and Alternative, until earlier this year. I knew going in that people hated the reboot and then forgot about it. For me, the experience was similar to when I saw Spider-Man 3 a week or so after the backlash died down: Nothing great, but I tempered my expectations and enjoyed them just fine. Didn’t hate them, didn’t love them. I had similarly mild expectations for Grunge and Shoegaze, and the six-episode run came and went without anyone really having anything to say about it. That was probably not a good sign.

I really wanted to give Grunge a shot, even though I was unimpressed by the trailer, but I found myself only watching it out of obligation midway through the first episode. I'm not as hard on CGI in anime as others, and I know that entirely-CGI anime has come a very long way since the likes of even recent works like Ex-Arm (you’ll see my thoughts on Trigun Stampede much, much later in this list). You can imagine my disappointment in saying that Grunge is fuck ugly. Character models are rigid and inert, the settings are unimpressive, and the only time anything on screen looks any good is in the little moments when they swap out the CGI for something slightly more FLCL-ish.

This one plays out like the original release of Arrested Development’s fourth season, each episode focusing on a single main character until they all culminate in the same explosive climax. That's an admirable enough storytelling ambition, but Grunge is three episodes long. That's not enough to get me invested in any of the characters, and it makes all their respective personal struggles feel more like lazy attempts at emotional manipulation. I just came away depressed. What’s worse is that this framing ends up placing Haruko, fucking HARUKO, as the main character, which is one of the worst mistakes anything calling itself FLCL can make.

I'll be real for a second: I'm very easily manipulated by nostalgia. There were moments in the final Evangelion Rebuild and this year’s Nier Automata anime that brought me to tears by calling back unexpectedly to moments I’d loved in previous entries of those respective franchises. When I first watched FLCL Progressive, the instant the Pillows’ iconic “Little Busters” first started playing, I immediately got misty-eyed because the song’s inclusion in the original FLCL was so formative to me as an adolescent. When the almost-as-iconic “Last Dinosaur” gets a needle drop in Grunge, I just rolled my eyes because the wool had already been pulled back from them.

Everything Grunge did, it did wrong, and it could not be more naked of a nostalgia grab. Haruko didn’t need to be there, the Pillows didn’t need to be there, and the FLCL branding didn’t need to be there. Worst of all, it’s fucking boring. FLCL Grunge, plainly, was a mistake.

Shoegaze, on the other hand, turned out to be a full-on sequel to Alternative, generally considered the better of the first two sequels (it also goes back to traditional animation). We get to see Kana as a grown woman, fully involved with the bureau that handles disaffected teenagers like she once was. It's neat to see a version of FLCL where one of its protagonists has actually grown up, and I do appreciate it when a long-running franchise acknowledges that its viewer base has gotten older and attempts to grow with them, but it feels cheap here because Alternative came out all of five years ago. There's a lot of additional shenanigans involving time and dimension travel around our two younger protagonists that could’ve been very fulfilling on their own even without the Alternative connection, but again, three episodes.

While Shoegaze isn’t all that great, it still kind of stinks to slot it this low, but Grunge was such a palate destroyer for what followed that it made me more annoyed that Shoegaze didn’t take up the entire six-episode run. Maybe watch it if you really liked Alternative, but otherwise this stinker of a miniseason is not worth your time. Grunge isn’t even worth a hate watch. I want my hour back.

28. KamiKatsu: Working for God in a Godless World

Speaking of fuck ugly visuals, here’s KamiKatsu. To be fair, that was actually the hook for me! I'd heard about and seen examples of this show’s intentionally low-quality, uncanny visual gags and I had to see what this trainwreck was about. Overcoming a cheap animation budget for laughs can actually work to an anime’s advantage if it’s done well, and Cromartie High School is legendary proof of that.

KamiKatsu, in reality, is nothing to write home about outside of its wacky visual meta-gags and a halfway decent premise. I generally steer away from the bloated wasteland that is the isekai genre unless a specific work either comes highly recommended by trusted sources or draped in the sash of “no seriously, this shit is bonkers, you HAVE to see this.”

KamiKatsu is the latter: The son of a cult leader is ritually sacrificed, reincarnated into a world where nobody has heard of religion, nearly executed, and saved by a goofy shitty goddess (think Aqua from KonoSuba but looks like a 10 year old) who can only carry out miracles if she has enough followers. Our protagonist, whose name I will never remember again, uses his prior knowledge of cult tactics to cultivate a following for the goddess whose name I keep forgetting so she can protect their village from outside threats.

Even putting the shitpost-y visuals aside, this show is… sloppy. There's a whole lore to this that isn’t really worth diving into outside of a system of elites that can attain similar benefits by amassing followers. It’s an uneven, poorly-defined power system and it kinda doesn’t matter. A lot of this doesn’t matter. Pretty much everyone is a weird pervert. There's a decent emotional arc among a pair of characters later on, and a few of the jokes land, but for as outlandish as KamiKatsu can be, it just kinda slides off the brain once everything is said and done.

Other than the aforementioned visual gags (such as PS2-quality monsters and animals poorly implemented into hand-drawn scenes and the rotoscoped combine harvester you see above), the only other thing I can really commend the anime for is the voice performances. The cast is genuinely great; there are some pretty darn good performances by seiyuu titans like Junya Enoki (more on him when I cover Girlfriend Girlfriend and Jujutsu Kaisen), Kana Hanazawa, Aoi Yuuki, Rie Takahashi (MUCH more on her as this goes on), and the legendary Megumi Ogata. I won't be so flip as to say they’re better than this show deserves, but they definitely help it punch above its weight.

Points for originality in concept, ingenuity in working around a low budget, and some very good performances, but something this consistently insane really shouldn’t be quite so forgettable. Shouts out to the writer of the subtitles in the version I watched, though, for actually using the word “cummies.” That took gumption.

27. Mashle: Magic and Muscles

Man, I really wanted to like this one. “One Punch Man goes to Hogwarts” should be a fucking slam dunk concept for an action-comedy shonen. It gains its footing as the season rolls on, but honestly, I'm unimpressed.

In a world where magic dominates everything and those without any magical aptitude are culled, a very un-magical young man is raised in secret to train the only asset he does possess, which is his very strong body. He’s found out as an “other,” and with the old man who harbors him under threat of penalty, he enrolls in a very familiar-looking school for young wizards for reasons I've already forgotten so he can save his adoptive father. Extremely mild hilarity ensues.

Mashle doesn’t look all that good, the action is so-so, and worst of all, it’s utterly convinced that it’s funnier than it actually is. The characters are solid, the lore is kinda interesting, and I have to give the original mangaka credit for ripping off Harry Potter so blatantly and shamelessly. I really wish I had more to say about this, but I'm coming up short. That's all I've got because that’s all the show gave me. Your mileage may vary.

Guess I'll be watching season 2.

26. KonoSuba: An Explosion on This Wonderful World!

I’m not as high on KonoSuba as many other anime fans. It’s one of a select handful of isekai I’ve watched by choice, and I had a fun time with it, but it’s far from the best or funniest anime I’ve seen. I was excited, though, that it was finally back from a four-year hiatus, and so soon after I'd picked it up. What I got was… not quite what I'd anticipated.

While I, along with most other fans, would’ve preferred a proper third season rather than a spinoff (and we’re getting one in 2024, thankfully), Megumin is pretty much the only member of the main party tolerable enough to spend an entire season with (and yes, that includes fucking Kazuma). This season covers Megumin and Yunyun’s backstory prior to their travels to the starter town, beginning with their education in the Crimson Demon Village. The 2019 movie did a very good job fleshing out Megumin’s family and the origins of the Crimson Demon race, which turned out to be one of the best jokes in the series, so I was looking forward to learning more.

What we got, unfortunately, is pretty mid. The story largely revolves around the onset of Megumin’s obsession with explosion magic and her stubborn refusal to learn literally any other spells despite her prowess, and above all, the negative effect that stubbornness produces for everyone around her. Although Megumin is probably the least shitty of KonoSuba's main cast, the show doesn’t hesitate to remind its audience that she’s still a piece of shit. She's still likable, relatively speaking, because she constantly finds herself surrounded by freaks and perverts, but she is also wildly capricious and selfish. The only person Megumin is even remotely nice to is her precious little sister, Komekko, and any time with that little shit is time well spent. Everyone else is grist for the mill, easily sacrificed or left for dead so Megumin can make some quick coin or save her own hide.

Which is honestly fine, especially when the Crimson Demon protagonists find themselves in the resort town run by the Cult of Axis (who are, uh, much more pedophilic than their appearance in the second season led us to believe). I'm not opposed to media where everyone is shitty and kinda hates each other; that’s really the whole bent of KonoSuba to begin with, but everyone in this season just plain kinda sucks in an unfunny way that left me watching out of obligation. We also see the genesis of Yunyun’s one-sided rivalry with Megumin, and honestly, this spinoff just left me feeling even worse for Yunyun than I already did. It's never been a secret that her “rivalry” was really her way of trying to make friends with Megumin, but the explosion gremlin is so consistently frustrating for her to be around that I really wonder if it’s even worth tailing her.

Rie Takahashi (there she is again) is familiarly excellent in her fourth go as Megumin, and doesn’t hesitate to depict her as somehow even more unhinged than she was after joining Kazuma’s party. Unfortunately, that’s really all this season has to hang its comically large witch hat on. There were so many teases of the main series’ other protagonists that by the time it was over I was ready to see Darkness, Aqua, and yes, even Kazuma again. This is a fine stopgap en route to the overdue third season, I guess, but it’s far from essential unless you’re a hardcore KonoSuba fan.

25. Girlfriend, Girlfriend, season 2

In my grand Get Back Into Anime quest that started a year and a half ago, I spent a lot of my downtime really digging into what I’d missed; the stuff that came highly recommended and really took me for a ride. Mob Psycho 100’s absurd action scenes and emotional highs, Serial Experiments Lain’s thematic vagaries and alarming prescience, and ODDTAXI’s multilayered, constantly-unraveling mystery are all well and good, but I'm getting dumber as I get older. Sometimes I just need to turn my brain off.

Girlfriend Girlfriend is so unrelentingly stupid that I fear I may be unable to turn my brain back on, and that is genuine praise. Naoya, an entirely-too-honest high school boy, finally got his lifelong crush to agree to go out with him, only for another very adorable girl to confess to him shortly thereafter. Rather than hurt either of their feelings, his solution was to date both of them, and because everyone in this show is very easily convinced (and to be fair, he’s a very convincing person), he manages to bag Saki and Nagisa at the same time. The three of them navigate the relationship together, with Naoya working overtime to ensure both of them receive equal attention while the girls make sure he doesn’t blab about their situation to anyone who’ll listen.

The first season was insanity from top to bottom, but the second takes a slightly slower pace as it focuses on the two girls who aren’t simultaneously dating Naoya. The first half is about Rika’s continuing (and extralegal) attempts to woo Naoya away from his girlfriends, and the second focuses on the main five’s trip to Okinawa as Shino wrestles with her emotional attachment to him. We can all see where this is going (Girlfriend, Girlfriend, Girlfriend, Girlfriend), but the manga lasted for 16 volumes, so the show will take forever to get there, if it ever does. He doesn’t even get to kiss one of his actual girlfriends until the penultimate episode of this season.

Rika’s sociopathic attempts at wooing Naoya are unfortunately more of the same, and while her appeal and feelings for him are plainly obvious and even understandable, her antics (inasmuch as you can classify her repeatedly kidnapping and hogtying Naoya as “antics”) in the second season don’t do anything to make me want to root for her or really even see her at all anymore. Shino’s struggles, on the other hand, are entirely internal: She’s had a crush on Naoya for as long as she’s known him, but her friendship with Saki only complicates things. She wants him to get serious with Saki so she can let him go, but she can’t let go of the nagging feeling that there might be room for herself as well. Shino still hates that Naoya is two-timing her best friend in plain sight, but she sees what a thoughtful and caring young man he can still be and can’t seem to let it go.

Shino’s side of the story is all well and good on paper, and Rie Takahashi turns in a characteristically great performance (Junya Enoki kills it as Naoya as well), but by the end of the season I almost didn’t care anymore. It’s always good when a romantic comedy actually takes its time to delve into the angsty side of things, but it felt like it put the brakes on the larger story so hard that by the end of the season, I had fully forgotten Nagisa’s name. Even this season’s better comedic moments felt like more of the same from the first, and you can only eat the same junk food over and over again so many times before you’re tired of it.

I do try to address each of the shows I talk about in a vacuum, but Girlfriend Girlfriend’s second season was done no favors by having to air at the same time as The 100 Girlfriends Who Really, [...] Really Love You, which frankly blows it out of the water in both concept and execution. On its own, I’m not sure I’d go so far as to say this show “fell off” in its second season; it was cheap junk food to begin with, but I’m not going to hold my breath waiting for the third.

24. Shangri-La Frontier

I gave this show four episodes because it seemed to carry some hype around it. I couldn't tell if I liked it or not. I left it for a few weeks, watched up to episode ten, and still couldn’t tell if I liked it or not. We’re now an entire cour into the show and I still cannot tell you whether or not I like this show. I can say definitively that I don't hate it, but I really don’t know why I kept watching it.

The premise is not “deceptively” simple so much as it is too simple: A gamer who specializes in the broken and buggy world of kusoge (literally “shit games”) decides to take a breather in a full-dive VR MMO that shares the show’s title as his first real experience with a kamige (“god game”). He takes a wrong turn and gets waxed by a roaming elite boss, and by a quirk of his equipment he finds himself able to access an emergent scenario that nobody else in the game seems to have found yet.

Because the curse he’s received from the boss prevents him from wearing anything but his original meme gear, he’s instantly recognizable, which makes things harder once he starts running around with an unknown bunny NPC that makes him the target of real-life acquaintances, player-killers, and of course, a guild of furries. The rest of the show is, and I cannot stress this enough, watching this guy play his way through a video game.

I’ll be fair: This is, by most objective measures, a very well-made anime. The action is excellently choreographed and animated, almost every joke lands, and the music is killer (especially the rabbit blacksmith hymn). I'm still yet to find the hook, though. Maybe it’s because I'm not an MMO guy, but I really am struggling to find a reason to care about this guy’s trek through a video game when there’s not really anything at stake. It’s probably a more relatable experience to those of you who enjoy MMOs; there’s plenty of stuff from the Universal Gaming Experience in there like getting cheesed by cheap boss mechanics or making a mad dash to a checkpoint while on the brink of death to make you go “ah ha, I do that.”

It just isn’t there for me though. This feels like an extended advertisement for a game that doesn’t even exist. Of course, not everything in anime needs to be high-concept; I'm a big fan of slice-of-life, for instance, but I really can’t find a reason to keep watching into the second cour beyond a sunk cost fallacy. If I do continue watching Shangri-La Frontier, it would be in search of a reason to continue watching Shangri-La Frontier. I guess that really is the MMO experience.

At least the bunny is cute.

23. Level 1 Demon Lord and One Room Hero

I love it when anime can be both high-concept and extremely stupid at the same time. I watched way more fantasy anime this year than I'd anticipated, and almost all of them follow an unseen, Dragon Quest-y “yay the hero’s party beat the demon king” prologue. The turn this one takes, though, was so hilariously goofy that I had to go check it out.

Ten years after the fearsome Demon Lord is taken down, they reincarnate as a three-eyed, gender-ambiguous little gremlin thing. Though weakened and diminutive (and wearing a seifuku because it was the first outfit they were given), they go to seek vengeance on Max, the hero who befell them. After flying over a suddenly very technologically-modern town, they hone in on someone who looks an awful lot like the strapping young hero, except now he’s a shut-in slob with a beer gut and a porn addiction.

Turns out the spotlight of postwar celebrity was a bit too bright for Max and he got himself canceled like a half dozen times before deciding to go full NEET off his earnings. The unnamed Demon Lord, rather than taking advantage of an easy opportunity for revenge, just kinda… feels bad for him. Rather than seek revenge right away, DL instead goes the domestic route, to Max’s chagrin. They cook and clean and urge him to get back in touch with his old adventuring buds, which he’d rather not do because there’s some serious political turmoil going on outside with two of them on opposing sides.

I may have oversold the “high concept” aspect a bit, but I really do like the idea of an archetypal sword-and-sorcery JRPG protagonist having to survive in a modern media environment. What's more, there is some bizarrely potent romantic tension between Max and the Demon Lord (who can transform their appearance into that of an attractive young woman, which makes it look slightly less weird) that should serve as catnip for the enemies-to-lovers crowd. It’s also not quite as slice-of-life-y as the initial premise suggests; that political turmoil I mentioned is much more than a background element, and Max and DL keep getting dragged into the squabble to the point where it takes over the entire plot.

I went and read the manga midway through the season and realized that all of the flashbacks to Max’s adventuring days were entirely original to the anime, and they went a long way to padding out a frankly thin plot. The action and political intrigue are well and good, but I was so taken in by the silly domestic aspect of the show that I kinda hoped it would be the whole thing. Still, it’s a nice light watch (if surprisingly horny sometimes) and a nice palate cleanser for some of the richer stuff coming later in the list.

22. Reborn as a Vending Machine, I Now Wander the Dungeon

By all accounts, this shouldn’t work. The title alone yields a pretty expected response: “Jesus Christ, the isekai genre is really out of ideas.” It’d be a throwaway line in 30 Rock if that show made anime jokes that didn’t involve James Franco. And yet! And yet it works, and it’s… fine.

I will commend the author of the original light novel for actually exploring what can be done with the very silly premise of someone being isekai’d into a fantasy world as a vending machine. Yes, it’s a silly title that can steal some quick cheap views on Syosetu and Bookwalker, but credit where it’s due for digging into the questions the title raises: How can he move? How can he communicate? What use does he have in this world? Do the people there know what a vending machine is? Do they even know Japanese?

These questions are all answered in a short time as our vending machine protagonist, soon assigned the name Boxxo, helps protect a strong but clumsy adventurer named Lammis from a trash mob ambush. She soon realizes that Boxxo is more than a simple inanimate object, and that strapping a fucking vending machine to her back improves her balance and accuracy in battle, so she takes him back to town to meet her friends. He soon becomes an invaluable part of daily life in Lammis’ little pastoral community and adventuring party, providing rations and creative solutions along their quests.

Once the initial absurdity of the premise settles in a bit, this show works out nicely as a cozy turn-your-brain-off light fantasy story. It’s very fun seeing Boxxo figure out how to work his and the party’s way through challenges, especially as he learns to transform into different types of service machines (including air pumps, defibrillators, and condom dispensers), but nothing ever feels too high stakes. There’s conflict, there’s action, but none of it really feels like life or death. The rest of the show is just the story of a girl and her quarter-ton box. I refuse to rephrase that.

If there’s any reason to watch this, though, it's Lammis. She’s so goddamn cute.

21. Horimiya: The Missing Pieces

The original run of Horimiya was excellent, but very condensed given that it got only 13 episodes to adapt all 16 volumes of the remastered manga. It hit all the major beats of Kyoko Hori and Izumi Miyamura’s uneventfully-blossoming romance, but left out a good handful of the side stories and characterization of less-central characters.

That's more or less where Missing Pieces comes in. I flippantly refer to this as “the DLC season” but that’s effectively what’s going on here. While the aforementioned romance is the centerpiece of the story, Horimiya is always at its best when you get to just hang out with its ensemble cast. The original run of the show did eventually settle into the more slice-of-life rhythm of the manga, but this season really dives into those.

It’s not quite a sequel, nor does it really stand on its own, but it’s necessary viewing if you developed any attachment to the cast from the original anime or manga runs. We see a lot more of Miyamura’s friendships with his classmates, student council antics, Shu Iura’s hilarious home life, and even Kyoko’s parents. There’s plenty more of the titular relationship, of course, with a little extra focus on what a holy terror Kyoko can be, even to her boyfriend.

It’s more Horimiya. I really shouldn’t have to say anything else. If you liked Horimiya, then watch this. If you haven’t seen Horimiya, then go watch Horimiya, and then watch this. Or find a watch order so you can watch both seasons at the same time.

Part 2 coming in a couple days!

#anime reviews

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