#i love how each of them get their own special little segment!!

[live-laugh-lenney]

Hey I was wondering if you could write a little something about being on tour with George and Max like how max has Andrew with him no worries if not love your writing x

oh, imagine all the mischief they'd get up to... :'))

george loves it.

he loves waking up and seeing yn in the crew bunk opposite him on the tour bus, wearing an oversized t-shirt from their merch collection, curled up underneath the blanket she'd brought to add to her home comforts on the bus. he loves cosying up with her on the sofa in the made-up living space area, munching on snacks that they would buy from the service stations they stop at on the way to each location, as they watch the world go by on their travels to the next tour location. he loves getting to stay up late with her after each show is finished, talking nonsense and having the bus to themselves as max has his snooze in the bedroom at the end. there's just something relaxing, for him, that helps him wind down after each show with her being right beside him.

she's there during the meet and greets, too.

usually sat in the background or loitering by the set on the stage as she watches the two of them hug or take gifts from those who had brought them something special, and she listens as they say hello to everyone who had paid for tickets to see them before each of the shows. and, every so often, someone would recognise yn and they'd come over and say hello to her and include her in their conversations which she absolutely adores. (and sometimes, they bring gifts just for her and she doesn't know whether to cry on the spot or hug them or do both - which george loves to see happen and he's always standing behind with a massive grin on his face as he watches her interact with his fans).

her and max would be chaos.

they'd constantly 'bicker' over george and during the london show, she would make an appearance on stage with a 'query that she needs help with' and it would simply be about how there's some guy who won't leave her boyfriend alone - much like andrew did at the recent london show at the weekend.

"tonight, we thought we'd welcome a few special guests who have a few issues of their own that we most definitely are qualified to help with," george introduces the next, and final, segment of the london show and it's the time when the audience understands why the two arthur's and herself had been announced as guests for the show, "so, without further ado, can we please welcome onto the stage... our very first guest and my very lovely girlfriend, yn!"

she's met with cheers and blinding lights shining upon her as she steps from behind the wings of the stage and makes herself known to those in the audience. her cheeks heating up, already sweating from the stage lights that were intensely lighting her up, and her legs were like jelly as she with the phone in her hand.

"i'm actually really thankful you guys chose my query," she says into the microphone once the cheers had subsided, "i think it's getting worse and i was in desperate need of some answers."

"and how may we help you, dear yn?"

"you see, my boyfriend is currently on tour with his podcast co-host and i'm pretty certain said co-host has a thing for said boyfriend," she says playfully and max feigns shock, holding his hand to his chest with his mouth gaped open, "he's very forward with advances."

"how forward?" max asks.

"well, i'm currently visiting my boyfriend and there's been times when i come back from the toilet and said co-host is in my place beside him. he likes to cuddle with him a lot, too, which makes me feel very jealous," yn frowns playfully and her brows furrow dramatically and it makes the audience laugh loudly, "i was hoping for some alone time since it's been a while since i've seen him but, i'm scared i'm being replaced unwillingly."

"have you tried anything to stop this?" george asks, trying his best to hold back the laughter that was building up within him, "maybe, we should get our own bus?"

"or, you know, you should just consider the option of a throuple?"

shepherd's bush fills with cheers and claps and george just shakes his head at how max encourages the crowd to go louder with over-the-top hand movements to increase the volume. and yn can't help but giggle as george rolls his eyes.

"a throuple?"

"i'm sure said co-host is happy to share," max looks over at george as george's eyes are trained on yn, smirks on both of their lips, "i mean, if you're happy to share, that is."

"i don't know," yn pretends to think about it, tapping her chin with her finger before she placed both of her hands on her hips, "my boyfriend is very handsome, you see, so i really understand why he's in such demand by this co-host."

"maybe said boyfriend has eyes for his girlfriend and only her?" she hears george say into his microphone as the audience cheers at her previous statement, "have you asked him that? you're very beautiful so maybe he doesn't see what's happening because he's distracted by how you are? maybe he just loves you so much that he can't see what's happening?"

max pretends to gag and yn snickers softly at his actions.

"i don't think my boyfriend would like to hear you say that, george clarke," yn teases and george stands from his seat, walking around the desk he was sat at to stand beside her, "you know what, i think i'm just being silly because the co-host is so gay. unless-"

"nope," george shakes his head and stands beside her, pressing a chaste kiss to her lips as the crowd coos and cheers at what they were witnessing. and away from the microphone, he whispers, "i love you. nothing to worry about," into her ear and it's enough for her to melt under him.

"give it up for yn, ladies and gents," max grins widely and gives her a theatrical applaud himself, standing up to give her a hug, "i feel so accomplished tonight, we've helped so many people."

and when the show finishes, like she does every night, she joins them as they do a mini meet-and-greet with those who were waiting by the stage door in hopes of seeing them after the show. and she happily takes photos with those who asked her and has conversations with those who ask her questions and want to talk to her opposed to max and george.

it's always fun and the two weeks she spends on tour is something she speaks about for ages.

mini tiktok vlogs on her days spent with them, instagram q&a's about what she got up to and what her favourite night was, posting tweets during the shows as little updates for those that never got tickets. it's like a two week holiday for her and she has the best time. xx

#george clarkey #george clarkey imagines #george clarkey fics #george clarkey blurbs #george clarkey headcannons #george clarke #george clarke imagines #george clarke fics #george clarke blurbs #george clarke headcannons

[fatuismooches]

HEHE HAIHAI SMOOCHES ITS ME ANON WHO CANT STOP THINKING ABT FAILURE AND DELTA SEGMENTS SINCE U ASKED SO NICELY U SHALL RECIEVE MORE BRAINROTS thud time a cute little imagine? scenario? (i have no idea hut we roll) with failure segment

Since this segment doesn’t acknowledge anyone other than fragile!reader (and prime i think) i imagine that when the agents are assigned with tasks related to this segment, they feel immense reluctance.. but worry not! fragile!reader to the rescue!

Imagine one of the times where reader is sat on his table, trapped between his arms as he stares at them (this is a regular occurrence atp), an unlucky fatui agent assigned to retrieve something from this segments’ office comes in and asks for said thing, they get ignored as usual, so fragile! reader, being the kind and gentle soul they are take it upon themselves to help them, since theyre the only person this segment would willingly listen to without facing any difficulties.

So the reader repeats the agents’ question but less nervously and in a more softer tone, they stroke his cheeks with their thumbs as he gets lost in the soft glint in their eyes, and almost as if hypnotised, he nods along to the sound of their lovely voice and in a voice so low he answers the reader, then points to the direction of said object the agent was assigned to get. The agent takes it and walks off (almost darts out tbh), and reader just kisses the segment as thank you, i imagine he keeps his half lidded eyes open whenever fragile!reader presses their lips against his, but just for a couple of seconds, i like to think he mainly does this to memorize the feeling of the moment, how soft their lips feel, the way you look so content kissing him, the feeling of your hands on his cheeks (how they’re no longer as cold as he remembers them to be when you were in a comatose state), the feeling of yearning and love in his chest, etc.

And only then does he closes his eyes shut to enjoy the moment even more.

And then when you try to pull away, he doesn’t let you. He lightly places a hand under your chin and a hand on the back of your neck and pulls you back for a peck, a peck turns into two, then he goes in for thirds and fourths and its like he can’t get enough of the sweet taste of your lips (honestly none of the segments nor Dottore himself can get enough). I know it was stated that this segment doesnt initiate physical affection since he’s content with watching you go about your day from afar, but i like to imagine that although occasionally, he sometimes reciprocates double the affection you give him, its like he’s lost control of his own movements and moves in a trance. And then reader can’t take anymore because of how flustered and breathless they feel and immediately bury their face in the crook of his neck, with their arms wrapped tight around him as he sigh in contentment.

Their face burns even more when he absentmindedly murmurs in that voice of his about the feel of their lips as if he was documenting checkup results so close to their ear.

hehe this was fun to write but i did not beta read at sll :3c can i be 🐙 anon pretty pleasr C:

(x) Although being asked to speak to any of the segments is a challenging task for the average person, Zeta is a special case. Each segment is unique in their own way, perhaps loud and crazy, or calm yet intimidating, but at least they can communicate with their underlings. Zeta, on the other hand, has very little contact with the regular Fatuis, only capable of working in solitude considering his state of mind. Most agents are forced to return empty-handed and instead fetch another segment to help. He's not seen very often either - it's either Prime's office, his office, the hallways to and from, and maybe his room. So Zeta certainly isn't a segment one would want to deal with, especially since his ticks and likes are vastly unknown to the general Fatui... (the handbook is severely lacking in this area...)

But despite the air around Zeta, you weren't scared off in the slightest, and of course, found yourself snuggling with him in due time. His general demeanor was far different from the other segments but that wasn't an issue, you found it endearing but also quite sad at how gently he treated you as if you were glass that was just about to break... you wanted to try and show him how you were still stronger than that! (Despite your frail health.)

You didn't expect helping him with his job to be part of spending time with him, but you're not mad. Rather, you find it a bit cute how he's willing to listen and indulge your wishes. (The handbook definitely has a rule like - [Name] 100% has magic powers. Definitely an angel bestowed upon us.) Meanwhile, Zeta has no issue with this, in fact, he finds it reminiscent of all the times you used to ask favors from him, when you used to rely on him for anything and everything. So now that finally you're awake, alive, smiling, he wants you to rely on him again. (Though he does find it a bit annoying how nice you are to these agents, he'd prefer to help you with your own requests...)

You can never really predict when Zeta will have one of those days when he needs to kiss you all over, and although it catches you off guard you will never not reciprocate. You know how long he's had to watch you be motionless, and you need to make up for that time. It's also kind of funny because while all the other segments fluster you on purpose, Zeta doesn't realize it sometimes.

#smooches talks #🐙 anon #fragile reader <3 #dottore love notes <3 #crying sobbing #DELICIOUS 🐙 ANON DELICIOUS.

[smartycvnt]

Love-Hate

Title: Love-Hate Pairing: Matt Jackson x Reader Summary: Matt and Y/n are arguing, Y/n confesses her feelings for Matt, and Matt kisses her. R WC:978

Y/n knew better than to have thought that working with The Elite would go smoothly for her. The guys were nice enough, but Y/n had never really gotten along with them. Truthfully, it was Matt who had always been the instigator. He had something against her, which was unfortunate because that meant Y/n had to keep her feelings about him to herself. She liked Matt, and a part of her always would, no matter how many times he pissed her off. She had just sort of started to avoid him in order to keep the peace, but that didn't seem to be the most foolproof plan. They still managed to butt heads a lot more than normal people would have. That was why their little segment together had quickly dissolved into chaos.

"God, I should have known better than to think you could be professional enough for this to work. I don't see why Adam insists on working with you so often," Matt scoffed. Y/n clenched her jaw as she turned away from him. The words hurt, but she was stronger than the urge to let it show.

"Guys, come on," Nick said in a futile attempt to stop the argument. Kenny pulled him back, well aware that the two of them needed to get this out of their system. The storyline had just begun, and it was one that Tony Khan wanted as Y/n's introduction to the company. She was an acquisition that Tony felt he absolutely had to do something special with. Y/n had originally been one of the wrestler Tony wanted in the very beginning, but the bad blood between her and Matt had stopped that idea in its tracks.

"No, obviously Matt obviously has some things that he wants to say, and I'm curious as to what they are," Y/n said as she pulled up a chair and sat down in it. Matt rolled his eyes as he looked down at her. It was the little things that Y/n did that always got on Matt's nerves.

"Everything is a joke to you, isn't it? You've just coasted by because your boyfriend can wrestle and you're attractive enough, right? I mean, what were you really doing before your little stint at the Performance Center? Fuck, I think that Sammy made it further than you when he tried out. I wonder what it feels like to know that people who were never going to be more than jobbers made it further than you at your dream company," Matt said. Y/n had planned on staying calm and collected, but that had pushed her over the edge.

"For your information, I walked out of there on my own. I didn't want to be a jobber at some big company because that's fucking bullshit. You are so goddamn judgmental for someone who bitched out of Impact. Yeah, I dated a few top guys at other places who trained me, but you can go back and ask anyone who was there at the same time as me, I fucking worked my ass off. I took the losses, squash matches, small wins, big wins, and championship runs with the same level of seriousness. I'd hate to break it to you, but I'm going to be here for the next year, so if you can manage to get your pretty little head out of your ass for it, that'd be great. Especially this next month or so while we work together." Y/n had shot up out of her seat and taken a step towards Matt with each of her statements. Her index finger was poking him in the chest as he stood backed up against a table.

"You think I'm pretty?" Matt pouted. Y/n took a step back as she balled up her fists.

"God, you are so infuriating! I can't believe I ever thought I could fucking love you!" Y/n shouted as she stormed off. Matt's face fell as he watched her go.

"I told you so," Kenny muttered as he leaned towards Nick and Adam.

"Go after her man!" Adam yelled at him. Matt didn't need to be told again. He started running towards Y/n, who had gotten surprisingly far for how crowded the backstage area seemed to be.

"Y/n, wait!" Matt called out. Y/n stopped, but kept her back turned towards Matt. "Can I start with I'm sorry, because I really am. I was out of line for what I said, and for a lot of what I've been saying."

"Matt, we don't have anything to say to each other. Thank you for apologizing, but I think it's best if we keep our separate ways," Y/n said.

"I understand that, but I also think that we've been mean to each other for the wrong reasons. I don't hate you, I just wasn't really ever sure where to put my feelings. You said that you loved me earlier, and I want that to mean something," Matt said. Y/n opened herself up to him a little more as they stood alone together backstage. Matt extended his hand towards her, and instead of just taking it, Y/n moved in for a hug. Matt couldn't explain it, but something about that hug felt perfectly for him. "I'd really like to kiss you."

"Then do it," Y/n said. Once again, Matt moved without hesitation. He let his lips press against Y/n's firmly. Matt had always been a man of honest emotion, and this kiss had all of his feelings about Y/n wrapped up nice and neatly. Whether she chose to dig in that deeply was completely up to her. He laid himself out for her to pick apart at her own will with the hopes that she wouldn't just leave him so exposed.

#my writing #one shot #aew x reader #aew #matt jackson x reader #matt jackson

[tcfactory]

Okay smartass how would you fix Bingqiu if you had your way?

If you actually want to know you could do to be less of a rude little shit about it, anon, but all right.

This is not about 'fixing' anything. Bingqiu is a wildly popular ship and a lot of people enjoy the exact kind of delusional insanity these two have about each other and that's honestly great. Love it for them. Not my cup of tea though.

I think the easiest and fastest way to make them sort their shit out and maybe put them in a position where I might actually be interested in what's going on with them is to take the protagonist halo away. Maybe the System short circuits, maybe it just gets automatically turned off after the extras, don't know don't care.

A lot of Shen Qingqiu's self delusions are fueled by his unshakeable belief that Luo Binghe, being The Protagonist, is Perfectly Fine the way he is. Binghe is the Protagonist, so when there are no character development or obligatory angst events going on he is happy and healthy and a slightly charred good boy and Shen Qingqiu is The Happy Wife who dotes on his hubby and Everything Is Right In The World. Endless honeymoon with their responsibilities only coming to bother them every once in a while. And it makes it way too easy for Binghe to cover up that he's still hurt, still unstable and still insecure by what went down because Shen Qingqiu is willing to take him at face value when he presents his insecurities as just being shameless neediness for his husband. Of course he happily indulges Binghe! But that isn't really helping with the core of the problem now, does it?

Like, Binghe takes steps towards ensuring Shen Qingqiu's mental wellbeing even at the cost of his own as soon as Maigu Ridge is over when he takes him back to the sect. Shen Qingqiu tries too, in his own way (the entire segment in the tombs is all about him putting himself in very real danger for Binghe's sake) but at the same time, this is a guy who completely missed the writing on the wall that Bingge was deeply unhappy in PIDW. As long as he can hold onto his internal picture that The Protagonist Suffered A Lot But He Is Fine Now I don't think he can really offer the right kind of emotional support for Binghe to actually heal from what happened to him and move on to a healthier frame of mind.

If you take the protagonist halo away, then first of all Binghe can, you know, suck a little. Or a lot, actually. The world not making excuses for him and him being a little defanged would be good for him. He gets really nothing he actually wants from being the protagonist - Shen Qingqiu will love him anyway. Mobei-jun will still stick around to back him up and help him out, because he's still Shang Qinghua's favorite fictional son and Qinghua is happy to see Binghe happy, just, you know, somewhere way over there where he can't get jealous tsundere over Cucumber bro and maybe murder him about it. Sha Hualing is still going to be his buddy because he's her best source of human trivia and the writing inspiration for her girlfriend. Not having to be demon emperor and getting more time to spend with his husband would be a relief.

But he would have to be more aware of other people because he's not above them anymore. Maybe even forced to make a few new friends to get by. And his mask will fail and Shen Qingqiu will have to see him for what he is: just Luo Binghe, still hurt and still confused half demon, who loves him very much, but can't make sense of him and is afraid that he will be left behind or pushed away without explanation again and that's kinda Shen Qingqiu's own damn fault.

And Shen Qingqiu can't hold onto his delusions about The Protagonist. He can't willfully ignore that things are not fine with Binghe because he's not the Protagonist anymore and the world only allows that special privilege for the Protagonist. Binghe is just a guy now and he has so many heart demons he needs help with. His trauma from the abyss or Xin Mo can't be brushed off with 'oh that's just part of his blackening he's fine now' anymore. And it might need a little bit of adjusting to internalize that these problems have always been here just below the surface, but Shen Qingqiu genuinely loves Binghe and would want to help him become happier and more stable in any way he can.

Binghe becoming part of the world in a way that's one person among many - building a support network! maybe befriending new demons or actually getting to know and making up with the QJ disciples or finding common ground with LQG and becoming sparring buddies - rather than a protagonist in a sea of NPCs is a lot more interesting to me than whatever he has going on at the end of canon. And Shen Qingqiu can be there with him on that journey, because he already started unlearning the sense of unreality the System conditioned into him, but he still has a long way to go.

#i feel like a lot of very real hurt and mental scarring Binghe suffered just get brushed aside as 'oh it's just part of his blackening' #like the aftereffects of Xin Mo alone would deserve a mention but Binghe Has The Love Of His Life Now So Everything Is Fine #also I think people really undersell how hard SQQ can delude himself when he tries #he already had practice in it convincing himself that he's absolutely het and not even a little gay at all #but then the System really fucked up how he sees the world #made him see things structured completely around the arc of a harem and then romance protagonist #and neither of those frameworks ALLOW him to see how mentally scarred LBH is by everything #like he would occasionally get a moment of 'oh LBH might actually need more friends he looks lonely hanging out with just me and NYY' #but then his idiot reader brain reasserts itself and he convinces himself that it's FINE because the protagonist can't be maladjusted #I joke a lot that Binghe is a red flag and that's Shen Yuan's favorite color #but it's more a case of “you say that it's a red flag but I won't see it because the narrative can't allow it to be red” #Shen Yuan's attachment to the source material and the roles he constructs based on it are actively harming both of them #and I don't feel like it really makes things better that by the end he moved himself from the role of the Villain to the role of the Wife #they are still roles that impact how he interacts with reality n still constrict how well he's able to understand or be understood by Bingh #tl;dr.: Shen Yuan needs to become less of a delulu millennial trashfire bc it's holding both of them back from healing #anyway these are my unfiltered Bingqiu thoughts take it or leave it

[rainylana]

Through the window

summary: i’m turning this into a little mini series, if you will. just short segments about this friendship over the years! just something different i’m trying out! 

warnings: brief language and mentions of abuse.

Meredith held her hands over her ears, face snotty with tears as her chest shook with the force of her sobs. The were fighting again, her parents, and the only comfort she had was the bracelet that Eddie had made her on her wrist, made out of guitar strings and a bead with the letter e on it.

Money problems, jealousy, alcoholism. It never really mattered what they fought about. They just fought for something to do. Eddie was really the only joy she got in her life. School was dull and boring. She had trouble making friends. But when she was with Eddie none of that mattered.

Their friendship was special, unique. Meredith was his lifeline at times, and she felt the same way about Eddie. Even only at thirteen years old, the two knew more about each other than most. They hung out almost everyday when they could, had sleepovers as long as they were supervised. Their favorite thing to do was hangout at the treehouse they made together with Wayne’s help, go fishing at lover’s lake and setting off fireworks. It didn’t really matter what they did as long as they were together.

Wayne didn’t have to worry so much about his nephew since Meredith had come along. He was happy he had such a good friend, but the man knew that Eddie was head over heals about this little girl. Puppy love at its finest. He stumbled over his words often, blushed beat red at the mention of her name. He only hoped in the end that the boy wouldn’t get hurt.

Meredith was a good kid and a positive influence on him. She was kind and respectful, positively happy and radiant with the life she was living, despite its negative impact on her. She was a ray of sunshine in Eddie’s life. Her wild red hair reflected her personality, her green eyes, a window to her soul. She had just a little lisp from the gap in her teeth, freckles spread around her cheeks. He called her a southern belle, with her twangy accident that made him laugh.

And she made Eddie’s life better. He’d only been living with Wayne for six months before she moved in, still having getting used to being abandoned by his father. Wayne worried he’d grow up alone, neglected by society. Meredith instilled faith in that hope. And here they were three years later.

However, little Meredith crying over her parents wasn’t something new, and how she yearned to go to Eddie. He made it better. He made everything better. He just knew how to say the right thing. He knew how her parents were, he’d lived with a monster himself. He knew the routine and the games they played, the abuse that was endured. Meredith didn’t deserve that. He wished he could take it all for her.

Of course, Eddie was blind to his feelings for her. He never really wondered why he enjoyed spending his time with a girl so much, it just always felt right, like she was his other half. He felt comfortable and complete when she was around. Like a puzzle finally connecting all together.

A tap at her window made her jump, an exciting chill running down her spine. She knew it was Eddie. Double checking to make sure her door was shut and locked, she flew up the curtains and smiled widely, meeting Eddie’s concerned face through the window. She held up her finger to her lips, signaling to be quiet as she slid it open.

“Hi.” She breathed, tucking back a red curl.

“Are you okay?” He looked at her sticky tears. “I could hear them fighting from across the street.”

She nodded, wiping her tears. “Yeah, it’s fine. I’m used to it.” She chuckled humorlessly. 

“You want to spend the night?” He asked, resting his arms against the windowsill. He’d grown a considerable amount since their first meeting. He was taller, hair was longer and down to his shoulder blades. Black and curly that matched her own waves.

“I probably shouldn’t again.“ She frowned. “Makes Mark angry if I’m gone too long.”

“I don’t like Mark. He’s an asshole.” He cursed, big brown eyes darkening in thought.

“Don’t curse, Eddie,” She said through wet lashes, looking at him like a doll. “Please, don’t be angry. It’s not worth it. Be happy.”

“You always say that.” He scoffed, shaking his head. “Not much to be happy about, if you ask me. You shouldn’t have to deal with them, Meredith.”

“I know,” She nodded, looking out at the night sky behind him. “But fake it till you make it, right? It works for me. Don’t worry about me. I promise it’s okay. I’m not hurt.”

His heart speed up and he reached through the window to grab her hand, giving it a loving pat. “Yeah, whatever you say, kid.”

#lana’s shit post #eddie munson #eddie munson x reader #stranger things #stranger things season four #joseph quinn #eddie munson imagines #eddie munson fluff #eddie munson one shot #eddie munson headcanons #eddie munson drabbles

[shoko-komi]

This special edition of The Komi Report is split into 2 posts. This is Part 1. Click here for Part 2

Hullo!  Welcome to the mildly anticipated 2023 Annual Edition of The Komi report!  What awaits you below the read more mark is the ultimate retrospective on this year in Komi Can't Communicate.  What makes it ultimate?  As far as I'm aware, it's the only one of its kind.  So I win by default. 

I've spent the past week re-reading and ruminating upon the 50 chapters of Komi that came out in 2023, and I've done my very best to boil it all down into the ultimate mega-report!!! It's a long one, so only open it when you're ready for a read!

CONTENTS

1. A Letter from the Editor 

2. 2023 in Review 

3. The Emoi Awards:  (My) Top 5 Chapters of the Year, Most Emoi Moment, Funniest Joke, and Reader’s Choice 

A Letter From the Editor

Dear Reader, 

It's been a long time since I tried to engage in fandom.  People with whom I'm not already acquainted vex, confuse, and frighten me.  So rather than seek out community, I'm inclined to keep to myself and my close inner circle of friends.  You might say that Alice can't... Alice can't com... communi........ 

But I love Komi Can't Communicate so very much.  Getting my little dose of emoi every Wednesday is the best part of my week. So, to extend the fun and keep myself from bursting; I started making reaction posts, called them The Komi Report because I like to play pretend, and here we are now! 

The Komi Report is consistent only so far as it's always unfocused. I get so wrapped up thinking about the things I want to say that I forget to say most of them. I'm scattered, I'm overly harsh, and I'm awkward. However, I amuse myself tremendously. So it's alright in the end. 

I like to imagine this is some big, serious publication with a large readership.  That's far south of true.  But there are a small handful of people who interact with the Report on a regular basis. By my personal standards, that puts me on par with the editor of the New York Times. 

So my hearty thanks to anyone reading this special edition of The Komi Report. I have endeavored, in my silly little way, to stir up a few silly little emotions in your heart. If I succeed at that, then I’m satisfied indeed. 

I wish you happy holidays, and a very happy new year.  

2023 in Review

Alice, 

The Komi Reporter

In my mind I break Komi Can't Communicate down into three major sections based on Komi's three years of high school.  Her first year is the Bronze Age, second is the Golden Age, and third (which is still, of course, ongoing) is the Silver Age.  By this naming scheme I don't mean to imply that one year is better than the other.  Only that each of them represents a distinct period of Komi's narrative and for Tomohito Oda as an artist. Talk to me about that sometime; I'll talk your ear off. 

Here I've attempted to break 2023 down into its major constituents as well.  It's messy, considering the meandering nature of serial fiction like this, but I think I've done a decent job.  How exciting for me. 

‘Kawai’ encompasses both her story arc and chapters wherein she features predominantly.  ‘Kissy Kissy’ and ‘Rumiko’ explain themselves.  ‘Emoi surprise attack’ lumps together Ogiya, Emoyama, Fuki, Yadano, and Michita's story beats because I think they're identical in tone and intent.  And ‘Komi and Hiki Reunite’ gets its own colour because I love Hiki Komorebi.  And I can do whatever I want. 

RIP the younger siblings.  Shosuke, Hitomi, Ai, and Sanjuro-Rokuro appeared only very briefly this year. Fingers crossed they get some good moments in 2024. 

To reflect on 2023 as a whole, I will discuss my general thoughts on each of these segments individually; bar Hiki and the assorted miscellany, for that would require talking too much about individual chapters and would derail everything and plunge us into a lake of fire. 

Kawai

Reddit is a hostile and alien environment to me, but I like to peruse r/komi_san every now and then to see what people are saying.  The Kawai-heavy months were particularly fun, because Ms Rami dominated conversation and polarized the entire subreddit into petty arguments, the likes of which I still chuckle about.  There were Kawai haters, Kawai lovers, Kawai haters who compared her to Yamai, Yamai lovers who tried to turn those comparisons into a positive.  It was chaos. 

(Link)

Me?  I'm a Kawai stan for life.  I'll say it at every opportunity; I love when Komi shows off her passionate side – stubborn as a mule, jealous, competitive, and a little domineering.  The study camp arc brought those parts of her right out.  So, although I didn't find Kawai all that interesting as a character at first, I was enjoying myself. 

An old flame of Tadano's - mentioned for the first time in a passing joke long, long ago - appears unexpectedly.  She's like an evil dimension Komi – down to the way her shining silver hair contrasts with Komi's dark black-purple.  There's no actual risk of her stealing Tadano away, but she undermines Komi's confidence and challenges her openly.  A challenge that's impossible to resist. 

They spar back and forth.  Kawai has the advantage in athleticism and intellect.  But when they come to the final portion of the quiz game, Kawai's self-centered attitude is her downfall yadda yadda etc. etc. 

 Then.... then.... they have that talk on the beach... 

...where she reveals her batshit insane long-term plan to watch over Tadano from afar; become the perfect bride-to-be in secret; then appear when the moment is right, drive away all competition, and sweep him off his feet???  Ice-cold kuudere/yandere bitch queen. Be still, my beating heart 💞.   

But she has the self-awareness to see things clearly – As she talks to Komi she begins to realize how her attitude has steered her wrong.  She sees how Komi and Tadano have something real; how she's been fooling herself all along.  Kawai admits that she was behaving poorly and concedes defeat.  Growth!!! 

I'm going to backflip across the room.  I felt like I had achieved nirvana the first time I read this.

I see in Kawai a girl who's been isolated for so long – stuck in an absurd romantic fantasy as a coping mechanism – that she has no concept of how to engage with people casually.  She was a lonely child, her parents died tragically, and then she was raised by people who didn't know what to do with her. She seeks meaningful connections but has an extreme, intense personality and abides by an overly literal definition of what makes a ‘family’.  Thus, her behavior is overbearing and, at times, inappropriate.  But she means well. 

Also, she's the best new character since Rumiko and she should never change ever.  

One of her lackey's has a big, gay crush on her... 

...and I hope Kawai notices her some day. 

I saw many people who were frustrated with how heavily Kawai featured in the first half of 2023. I for one think we need more of her.  Much, much more of her.  I choose not to address her... interesting relationship with her relatives.  One must turn a blind eye now and then. 

Kissy Kissy

Every romance story faces a serious problem when the lovebirds finally hook up.  How do you retain romantic tension once they're formally together?  Many stories don't.  This is perfectly fine if the story ends at the confession of love, but if the story continues then there needs to be a deeper foundation to the relationship than will-they-won't-they tension (or you can contrive a reason to split them up again).

Komi Can't Communicate has not suffered from loss of romantic tension!!! Wahoo!!!!!

I was stoked back when it became obvious Oda was going to bring Komitano together so soon before the end of the series.  I had no doubt the romance would remain compelling - Komi and Tadano are just plain old nice to see together; whatever they might be doing. 

So to find out they'll be dating for an entire third of the series???  Yes please.  In the english translated tankobon, the love triangle ended in March with the release of volume 23.  So we got Komitano officially dating in print; then a few months later, in the weekly chapters, they kissed for the first time.  What a year!!! 

Tadano is boundlessly patient and thoughtful, and he understands Komi's needs with intuition that crosses the border into mind-reading.  He became her first friend motivated only by an earnest desire to help, and never demonstrated jealousy as she became increasingly independent from him.  He's a pleasant fellow; faithful, gentle, and kind. 

Komi is.... well, she's Shoko Komi 

The build up to it is so sweet.  A festival date with just the two of them~  She's wearing the dress he chose; he's wearing a shirt with buttons on it (a step up for these shonen romance boys). 

Then it goes terribly... and you'd expect these two stress machines to be panicking.  But no, they've grown so much and bonded so deeply.  They laugh it off in the rain and retreat somewhere dry for a smooch or two... 🥰 kyaaaaaa ✿!!!  Emoi!!!  And they're both crazy flustered about kissing... but Komi gets assertive... she's kinda like that asldnalsjdnja 

The romance is alive. And between these moments, I just like seeing them together; no matter what's going on. 

Rumiko

Way back when Rumiko was introduced, she was like a revelation.  Her strong, unique personality and chemistry with the rest of the cast made her an instant series staple.  Introducing a new character for a long and complex love triangle plotline was a tricky proposition, and Oda managed it with a stroke of genius.  Such a stroke of genius that everything before Rumiko's intro feels, in retrospect, like it's missing something.  Which is not to say that pre-Rumiko KCC is bad, or that Rumiko should have entered sooner.  No. Everything about the way she was handled is perfect... 

...up to a certain point.  On a tangential note: if you think Rumitano should have been the outcome of the love triangle (hello!  you know who you are :3) I can't honestly say I disagree.  I don't agree.  But I also don't disagree. 

(Ch. 285)

(I like Rumitano and Komitano equally.  And RumiKomi) But all of this is just lead-up to the matter at hand. 

What's pertinent to this 2023 review is the way Rumiko has been handled post love triangle.  During moments of passion I've blamed it on Wakai monopolizing her time, but that's unfair.  Wakai is just fine.  His will-they-won't-they plot with Rumiko is just fine.  I do enjoy it at times.  What gets on my nerves is how reduced Rumiko feels.  At some point Oda decided she's ‘girl who makes unsightly facial expressions’ and that's so much of what we get of her when we get to see her.  Her personality has been somewhat squashed. 

Couple that with how the focus of her plot with Wakai is primarily on him.  She feels like a side character now, when in the past she was effectively a third protagonist.  It was inevitable that she step down from her peak of prominence as her role as rival-in-love came to an end, but... idk.  She's Komi's best friend (Tadano doesn't count).  She’s the Rumiko Manbagi. 

There are moments where Rumiko's personality still shines.  During her date with Tadano in particular (which was a breath of fresh air).  I also enjoyed her summer festival date with Wakai (Accidentally calling a girl ‘mum’ on the first date?  I'd die).  Those moments are lovely. But feel diluted...

^^ In this moment I felt like her relationship with Wakai might become really interesting akoakjsndnasd 

I said up above that I think KCC is in its Silver Age. Well, there's a major reason why.  The magic isn't lost, but it's faded ever so slightly without the golden lustre of our favourite gyaru's hair...... 

But who knows what'll happen next?  Oda surprises me constantly, and I think that's one of the things I love so much about this series.  Right when he starts to lose me, Oda reels me back in. A comeback for Rumiko could be right around the corner. 

Emoi Surprise Attack

This is the loosest of my categories.  What can I say?  I'm a loose girl.  No... uh... pretend I didn't say that.  It's true, but this isn't the time or place. 

These stories are related insofar as the last few months of 2023 have been a grab-bag of minor characters receiving surprising and heartfelt little stories.  Ogiya, Emoyama, Fuki, and Yadano were joke characters who never seemed destined for serious attention, but every one of them came out swinging and hit a home run... wiht our hearts............... they sent our hearts into the stands.........

Michita is new, and I hope we see her again soon. 

Anything more I have to say about these chapters would require talking about them individually, which is beyond the scope of this section.  So let's do a lightning round: 

Ogiya – PHENOMINAL 

Emoyama  – PHENOMINAL 

Also, Hello Moromi-san.  Is there a woman in your life? Can we be Mrs. And Mrs. Emoyama? 

Fuki – PHENOMINAL 

Yadano – PHENOMINAL 

Michita – PHENOMINAL 

AAAAAAARRRRRRRGGGGG!!!!!!!!! (cry of Emoi) 

There you have it. 

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

So ends the overview!!  If you're bothered I didn't talk about something in particular, don't worry; the Emoi Awards get more specific.  There's sooooo much that I left out in the pursuit of brevity. 

I want to make a special note of the reveal in Ch. 407 – Interview.  Komi plans to study International Communication in university.  I was anticipating the reveal of her course of study, and I wasn't disappointed.  It could not have been anything else. 

My overall feeling about the series at the moment?  Great!!!!  I complain bitterly at times (I'm a whiny, weeny windbag) and I'm at my harshest when I'm forming first impressions.  But going over 2023 and remembering all the good times brought into perspective how much fun it's been.  It also really put into perspective how much Komi has grown as a person.  She’s so confident now compared to where she started from... 

So... yeah! 

And now the contentious business begins... 

The Emoi Awards

Paam pa du paam!!!!! (that's fanfare) 

Now it's time to get granular.  This is the cream of the crop.  The best of the blessed.  The chapters and moments that had all of us laughing, giggling, chuckling, guffawing, weeping, sobbing, and crying. 

My opinions about Komi Can't Communicate are perfect and definitive, so if you disagree with me about any of this... argue vehemently with me.  I'm not joking.  Don't be mean to me or I'll cry, but do please tell me your opinions! The more you talk to me about Komi, the more powerful I become.  Mweh heh heh heh heh heh 

Here are the categories: 

(My) Top Five Chapters of the Year

(My) Top 5 Chapters of the Year

Most Emoi Moment

Funniest Joke

Reader’s Choice

I did NOT expect this to be so hard.  I had to firmly limit myself to only five choices... and I was tearing my hair out.  This mANGA IS SO GOOD ARRRRGGGGHHHHH!!!!!! 

Listed in order of publication (love has no hierarchy.  Except in kink).

1. Chapter 392 - Kawai is...

Kawai spends the entire study camp being a fierce enemy to Komi, then stays up late and has an emotional heart-to-heart on the beach with her, then runs 20kms all the way home... and by noon the next day she's in Komi's house to propose marriage.  And she's already been to Tadano's to do the same.  Bisexual, polyamorous, and a serious go-getter.  When Kawai wants something, she spares no expense.

My regards to the future prime minister of Japan.  It's a shame Rumiko didn't think of this first.

But seriously, though; I laughed out loud the whole way through this chapter.  I was delighted to no end.  If I ever doubted Tomohito Oda's ability to surprise me, that doubt was erased forever.  Kawai was a good character, in one fell swoop she became legendary.

I love you, Kawai. 

2. Chapter 406 - My Name is Kuro

Maybe I'm biased about Rei Natsukido. Maybe I'm biased because this was the first chapter on which I made a Komi Report. Either way, I'm biased and okay with that. Having Rei and Mira around for a visit all the way from America was so much fun, and we got the return of Komi Can't Communicate's #1 best character – Princess Elizabeth Alexandrine Georgine Jeanne Catherine Christiane. 

I love that Mira acts all cool and distant but can't stop herself from becoming invested. I love how passionate and imaginative Rei is about the game. I love how Komi is just along for the ride and she's having a blast. I love that Komi is playing a boy character. 

(Ch 169 – Playing With Dolls)

And I love their funky plush toys. 

I love you, Rei and Mira. 

3. Chapter 410 - Cicada-rrounded

Hiki Komorebi is yet another S Tier character.  Unrelated to that; her height is so funny to me.  She looks crazy tall next to the other characters - she even has a complex about it - and then you find out she's only 180cm.  Japanese people are short.   

Anyway, 

Cicada-rrounded has this complete twist in the middle where it goes from a heartwarming reunion to a battle for survival against icky bugs.  Komi and Hiki meeting again was built up for so long, and it's a beautiful moment,

and then it gets de-railed immediately in the best and funniest way possible. 

I would go so far as to say this is a perfect chapter of Komi Can't Communicate.  It's equal parts sentiment and comedy, and kills it on both fronts.  If I had to pick a #1 favourite from these 5?  I might maybe possibly be inclined to consider this one. 

I love you, Hiki. Also Akira

4. Chapter 411/412 - A Two Person Summer Festival Stroll/The Second Time

I already gushed about these two in the overview section.  What more is there to say?  Except that it's a little annoying how Tadano remains so timid about romance stuff; but it gives us so many opportunities for assertive Komi to come out, so that's alright. 

Komi is kinda like that... aosjkdoaksdokansdnajiosd.  Get it, girl. 

(Ch. 427 - Cool)

I love you, Komi and Tadano 

(This special edition of The Komi Report continues in Part 2)

#komi can't communicate #komi san wa komyushou desu #komi #komi report #the komi report #komi shoko #shoko komi

[beccalendsahand]

ZuCasino, Yuzuka Rei: October 2022

Long time no translations! It's been a busy year but I finally found the time to finish an interview that I really really love, I hope you are able to understand more about Rei with this sweet Q&A! ZuCasino is a current segment in Takarazuka Graph magazine where prominent otokoyaku get interviewed via a series of casino-style games and questions. October was with Yuzuka Rei. I've tried something a little different this time around where the first time an actress's name is mentioned I link her takawiki page. I've also done translation notes as I go rather than putting them all at the end. Let me know if you find this helpful or just too much. Without further ado, enjoy!

Part 1: Episode Roulette

We challenged Yuzuka Rei to play our Episode Roulette game!

(Rei has been given a roulette wheel, each section has a topic of conversation, whichever she lands on she has to answer)

A Joke That Went Wrong

Episode 1：

Alright so, this is something that happened to me today. Earlier today I went to the quick-change-station* backstage to pick up some hair products for our photo shoot. But then suddenly, our flower troupe musumeyaku from the 100th class* (Oto Kurisu, Hoshikaze Madoka and Itotsuki Yukiha) popped out of nowhere wearing Japanese biker gang outfits!!! I think they had mistaken my footsteps for those of another classmate because they jumped out in sync pulling the same funny faces as if they had known I was coming!  It was so hilarious I couldn’t stop myself from laughing at them! (laughs)

*The "quick-change-station" is an area in the wings at the Takarazuka theatres where the actresses can change between scenes, it has dressing tables and any costumes/props needed for quick changes but it's not part of the actual dressing rooms. *100th class refers to the 100th class of actresses who graduated from the Takarazuka Music School, Takarazuka is based on hierarchy, not just hierarchy within the star system but also hierarchy based on years in the company, so what class people were in at TMS is quite significant, and actresses have a strong bond with those in their troupe who they were at TMS with. When Rei refers to “another classmate” she means another girl from the 100th class. Later on in this interview, Rei will refer to one of her own “classmates”, Rei’s class was the 95th class.

Something you've been thinking about

Episode 2:

My baby nephew has been on my mind a lot! I often get sent videos of him, he’s over a year old now and has started walking and saying things that sound like words, I can’t get over how fast he’s growing. There’s quite a lot of us in the flower troupe who have nieces and nephews around the same age, so I like to know how they are doing too. Even though I haven’t met them in person, because me and the other flower troupe members are always sharing videos with each other, I feel like I’m watching over them. You know how when you were little you would get those adults who would come up to you and say “Ahh look how big you’ve grown!”? Well, I’m pretty sure I’m becoming that person!

A Special (insert here)

Episode3:

When I’m performing, I like to try and use my eyes like a camera and take pictures of everyone's faces to save to my memory. Those of the flower troupe and those of the audience. There are lots of times when I see someone's lovely sparkling smiling face and I think “Ahhh I wish I could share this with someone”. So, I want to create my own “Special SSS Seat View!”* Like, you know how when you go to theme parks you can buy photos of yourselves on the rides? It could be like that, after seeing a show you could go to Quatre Reves* and get the photos straight from my brain.

*In Japanese theatres, seats are divided by B, A, S, and sometimes SS seats too. In the Takarazuka theatres the SS seats are the middle block of the first floor at the front, so what Rei means here is that what she sees standing on stage is an even closer view than that, therefore her view would be called SSS. *Quatre Reves is the Takarazuka merchandise store, you can find them at the theatre as well as in major cities across Japan and online!

Praise someone!

Episode 4

I want to praise everyone on this earth! I think none of us expected this fight (covid) to go on for so long, but even without an end in sight, we have all carried on, one day at a time. There are probably people out there who feel a loss in confidence, and aren’t able to fight on…So I feel like we and the audience are like “comrades” living through this era of great change together. 

There is a lot of pain right now but the fact that everyone keeps going and doing there best is amazing!

Part 2: Card Game

(Rei has been given 2 decks of cards with words written on the back, deck 1 has an adjective, deck 2 has a type of person. She must take one from each deck, name a person that relates and give us an anecdote about them.)

Deck 1: Cute, Passionate, Must-See, Respected, Bizarre

Deck 2: Upperclassmen, Underclassman, Teacher, Classmate, Flower Troupe Member

Passionate Underclassman*

The “Fashionable Empire” Rockettes

When I was watching the rehearsals for the Rockette number I found myself thinking “wow they really are the picture of youth!”. They are all just so energetic and have a high awareness of the space and each other, you can tell they are thinking about how to make the dance the most effective, they are such promising underclassmen. It was a Rockette dance delivered with so much confidence!

*Underclassmen generally refer to actresses who have been in the company 7 years or less.

(Fashionable Empire, 2022) Cute Classmate

Kizuki Yuuma

We were reunited for the first time in forever in the musical “Top Hat”, it was funny though because she’s a senka member now, so everyone was treating her incredibly politely which she seemed quite humbled by (laughs). On stage, she had an immense stage presence in her dandy-style costume, and her character had a high tolerance for people's behavior, but in the wings and in the rehearsal rooms she would bow more than anyone else! I found it very cute how she would suddenly get smaller and smaller and smaller*. Her embarrassment was in huge contrast to how much she helped us throughout the show, in the way she would speak to the underclassmen and the wonderful insight she gave us into her thoughts on the performing arts. It was just so adorable to me, I remember thinking “You don’t have to make yourself so small!!” (laughs).

*In Japanese culture it's common to lower yourself when speaking in order to show respect for someone higher in age or status than you. So what Rei means here by Kizuki getting smaller and smaller is that she was probably bowing her head and bowing with her whole body so often to everyone that she was getting smaller and smaller, which is quite a funny image when you consider how she usually towers above every other actress. Kizuki recently transferred from the Moon Troupe to Senka (a troupe made up of superior members who guest star in different troupes) so there's no need for her to be lowering herself when she is actually higher ranked than everyone else, but she's not quite used to all the politeness and respectful language the actresses are giving to her yet, so she still feels a little embarrassed and finds herself doing it back to them. 

(Top Hat, 2022) (from left to right: Minami Maito, Kizuki Yuuma, Yuzuka Rei) Must-See Flower Troupe Member

Mikaze Maira

She's been Kumicho (Troupe Leader) * for half a year now and she looks after us all by giving us positive encouragement and strengthening the troupe morale. I think she makes it easy for us to all unite and move towards the same goal together by guiding us, not only in the arts but in our emotions as well. Please pay attention to our Kumicho who is full of charm and positivity! *The Kumicho (Troupe Leader) is the oldest member of the troupe, it is her duty to support the troupe and basically make sure everyone is okay, she is usually the first port of call when an actress is struggling with things like stage fright or other worries. Mikaze transferred to Flower Troupe from the Cosmos Troupe with current Flower Troupe Top Musumeyaku Hoshikaze Madoka in 2021, and took over from Takashou Mizuki as Kumicho in 2022

(The Fascination, 2022)

Part 3: Dice Game

(Rei has been given a white dice and a black dice, similar to the last game, whatever number she lands on has an assigned word, white dice adjectives, black dice nouns, the difference this time is whatever she gets she has to perform!)

White dice: 1. Cool 2. Sexy 3. Powerful 4. Flirty 5. Sweet 6. Dynamic

Black dice: 1. Face 2. Flying kiss 3. Wink 4. Pose 5. Back pose 6. Kabe-don

Part 4: Big wins at the Zucasino Question Corner

1. If you are already doing well would you place another bet? I think I usually stop myself when I start thinking about going all in on something. So rather than taking another big bet, I’m the type of person who quits while they are ahead.

2. Are you daring? Or cautious? Tenma Michiru once surprised me by saying “I used to think you were a cautious person, but actually you don’t care at all!”, her idea of the difference between daring and cautious people sounded quite black and white to me. It’s true though that I do just go for it when making decisions. For example, after deciding to move house I moved the next week, and the time between me discovering Takarazuka and enrolling at the Music School was very short.  Timing and chance of course had a lot to do with it, but I do think that when it comes down to those life-changing decisions I get this feeling of intuition to just go with my gut, maybe that's when I become daring.

3. How do you spend big money? For the last 3 years, we haven’t been able to do any trips or go out for any meals together as a troupe, so I’d like to hold a big event where the current troupe members and those who have left the troupe from 2020 onwards all go on a gorgeous trip to Hawaii together! There are so many places I want to go explore so maybe it could be a 3-4 day long trip where we can do our own thing, and then we could plan some kind of special event to do all together during our stay! The girls who have only been in Takarazuka for 1 to 3 years and those who have joined the flower troupe from other troupes like Hitoko-chan (Towaki Sea) have not experienced our dinner entertainment tradition yet, and many of the upperclassmen are itching to perform again so, I think we should put on a banquet and have a good time! Other things I’d like to spend big money on would be buying a holiday home for my parents and maybe starting my own business. Maybe something to do with children's education, something that mothers would appreciate….But I need to know how to spend money wisely first, time to study up!

4. Are you lucky? Or unlucky? I think I’m a lucky person, I’m very happy! Every now and again there are moments where I look at my life and think how happy I am that I am able to make art with the people I love. I may not be lucky enough to win in raffles or lotteries (laughs), but I’m overwhelmingly blessed to live a life surrounded by the many things that I love.

5. What is the luckiest moment you’ve experienced in your life? Entering Takarazuka was a big moment for me, both a lucky and a happy moment (laughs). Not only did I get to be a part of something I love but I met so many lovely people and learnt all sorts of things! Takarazuka has taught me so much, not just about the performing arts, but about being a person as well, I think if I hadn’t joined Takarazuka I would be completely different to who I am today.

6. A moment you’ve betted on In the early stages of joining the Takarazuka Music School you have to make the decision of whether to become an otokoyaku or a musumeyaku. But at the time I was still getting used to it all, I was kind of drowning, overwhelmed by everything, and so I completely forgot that I needed to decide…And before I knew it, we were all lined up about to make our decision! Everyone in turn saying “musumeyaku!” or “otokoyaku!” down the line! My height at the time meant that I was on the threshold between musumeyaku and otokoyaku, and so I was worrying and worrying like “Ahh which do I choose?!”. But then I heard the person before me say “Otokoyaku!” and in a spur of the moment decision I went “Yeah!” and said I wanted to be an otokoyaku. I guess you could say that was a bet? I wonder what would have happened if I had chosen to be a musumeyaku instead. I would have had to use completely different muscles, so my shoulders probably wouldn’t have broadened like they have now…Choosing to be an otokoyaku was a big turning point in my life.

7. A moment that was a close shave! The time when I was still a junior in the company and decided to climb Mt.Rokko by myself on my day off. It was a nice day despite it being winter, and so after enjoying the mountain to my heart's content I strolled back to the bus stop, only to discover the buses had already finished for the day! Looking around frantically I realised there was not a single soul to be seen, I was all alone, it was getting cold and windy and the sun was starting to set… After standing around in the cold for about 20 minutes, just as I started to worry for my life, a cyclist came speeding down the road towards me. But he passed by so fast there was nothing I could do to get his attention, but then he came back and gave me a ride to the cable car! I was one step away from ending up being a news story. I hope that man is doing well…

8. Something you want to protect with all your life The number one thing i want to protect is everyone's smiles. Maybe it's unrealistic to ask for, but I don’t want anyone's smiles to be clouded by anything, not those of the troupe, not those of the audience, or anyone I meet. Everyone is working so hard every day, the people who look after the company so that we are able to perform, the people who come to the theatre, the doctors and nurses who continue to fight to save lives, everyone, so their smiles must be protected. We are forced to endure a lot which can make our hearts feel heavy, but it's for that very reason that I want to be able to capture the smiles of the audience with my “Yuzuka Camera Lense”! No matter your birth, upbringing, age, or gender, people from all walks of life come to the theatre, lose themselves in the story being told and laugh and cry together in that shared space. How amazing is that? I’m so grateful to get to have that experience and so I want to continue to protect it.

Part 5: My Treasure

Illustrations from manga artists I have been fortunate enough to get to be a part of several plays based on famous manga, and have been gifted original illustrations from their creators. Yamato Waki who made “Haikara-san: Here Comes Miss Modern”, Hagio Moto who made “The Poe Clan” and Kamio Yoko who made “Hana Yori Dango/Boys Over Flowers” . Even now whenever I look at the pictures they drew for me I have a deep feeling of amazement of just how great their work is.

My beloved dog, Noir He’s so intelligent that it’s like he’s a human trapped inside a dogs body and at any moment he’s going to start talking to me. He is in tune to so many things and keeps at juuuust the right distance from me, all traits that would make me want to marry him if I could, he’s so cute!

Letters I’ve received from flower troupe members There is a custom in Takarazuka where you give “Pre-Raku Cards”* to those who have looked after you during the performance. I’ve kept all the ones I have received so far. It just makes me so happy that in these letters the actresses get to share with me thoughts and feelings that they don’t normally get to say to me. 

*Senshuuraku is japanese theatre speak for the final performance of a show, it is usually shortened to “Raku” by both fans and actors. “Pre-Raku Cards” or “Maeraku Cards” is a short hand for “Mae Senshuuraku cards” or “The night before closing night cards”. Celebratory messages from fans My album full of birthday cards, top star anniversary messages and other milestones is my number one most precious treasure. “No matter how far the distance may be, my heart will be your side…” This is a line from the song “An oath made on the wind” from “Haikara-san: Here Comes Miss Modern”. During the initial period of the pandemic, these words would often come to mind and they became a phrase which is now very close to my heart. The underclassmen who couldn’t perform the show quoted this line in a video they made during the theatre shutdown, it really cheered me up at that time.

Videos and photos from the flower troupe During the last performance cancellations, I was sent many videos of things like funny little updates, and people singing whilst playing the ukulele. Performance cancellations are so hard, but if we hadn’t of had them then these exchanges would never have happened..

Video title: “I will become the wind” Misora Maru Ukulele Version Picture: Flower Troupe Love Picture Caption: “Flower Troupe Love” Will never end!

Behind the Scenes!

Thank you for reading! For more Takarazuka translations click here

#takarazuka #takarazuka revue #yuzuka rei #translations #my translations #becca translates #theatre #japan #宝塚 #柚香光 #花組 #hanagumi #flower troupe

[pinkjacketorangetie]

hi, could you do a romantic x reader headcanon about spending christmas 🎄 with Daisuke jigen 😍 (Headcanons like: Decorating a Christmas Tree, Going to a Christmas Parade, Secretly getting gifts for each other, Making Christmas Cookies & Christmas Fudge candy, Sharing a kiss under the Mistletoe, Going to a Christmas light Festival, Watching both the Yule Log and A Christmas Story, Jigen surprising the reader with a romantic Christmas breakfast and also a Christmas Dinner)

hi anon! i would be so happy to write these! i will probably write multiple little segments for these and here is the first little batch :)

decorating a tree

jigen was asking you if he could put up a tree since the day after halloween. you held him off as long as you could (about a week) before he cooped you two up in the fiat and drove to a farm.

you insisted on helping him but the cold was already strong enough to nip at any uncovered skin this season. every few minutes, jigen’s worried eyes would take you in and he repeated that you could wait in the car if you needed.

you wanted to help, and after a few cold hours, you had a tree tied to the top of the fiat.

once it was up in your little apartment, you cuddled up on the couch as you watched jigen prepare all the decorations.

you didn’t know where they came from — if he just had acquired them or if he had them for years — but the feet of vintage tinsel and frosty glass ornaments amazed you.

jigen noticed and explained the origin and significance of each trinket to you, gently pulling you into his lap by the fire.

you two alternated between decorating and cuddly story time, probably taking a few more hours than expected to finish the tree, but none of you minded.

jigen could reach the top to put the star on easily, but instead of making it sit pretty, he passed it gently into your hands.

“this is your time to shine, doll”

he held your waist and lifted you straight up with ease, like how the cavalier would lift his sugar plum princess. you couldn’t help but giggle at you placed the star on top and gifted jigen with sweet kisses on the way back down.

christmas market

lupin was generous enough to give everyone the holiday off, meaning you had jigen all to yourself this holiday season.

jigen was obsessed with making this special, so instead of spending december in a typical location, like any hometown, he rented an apartment in Scandinavia to whisk you away to.

after a few days of exploring the town and experiencing about the environment you were in, you learned of a christmas market that was open every day before christmas

naturally, you and jigen bundled up and attended, trying to mix in with the locals as much as you could.

at the market, everyone was welcoming and warm — offering hugs and warm mugs of mulled wine everywhere you turned.

jigen always kept one hand firm on your hip or the small of your back, just to let everyone know what was his, as if it wasn’t obvious already.

his eyes were glazed over with all the love in his body whenever he saw you, snow sticking to your hair and eyelashes and christmas lights shining off your skin.

christmas parade

the year lupin and jigen spent christmas fishing in panama, jigen invited you to come along.

he was too timid to ask you out but asking you to come along on their vacation was no issue for him.

after sun bathing and watching the boys fish all day, lupin thought it would be fun to take in a local christmas parade.

pretty soon after you all arrived, however, lupin vanished. mysteriously and mischievously.

you wandered the streets with jigen, pretty aware of lupin’s little power play and not as worried about the gentleman thief. he left to go chase his own tail in hopes that jigen would get a little on his own.

that was a crude way to put it, but it was hard for lupin to be subtle.

as the sidewalks and roads filled with more hustle and bustle, jigen gingerly slipped his hand into yours, just to keep you close to him.

you looked up at him as you felt his fingers snake down your palm. his cheeks were red and he looked straight ahead, his lips pressed into a line.

with a little giggle, you stood up on your tip toes and kissed his cheek softly.

“thank you.”

jigen looked down at you, his expression lighter now, and he couldn’t help but chuckle. “you’re welcome.”

it was like you were talking to a new man — confident, flirty and so unserious now that the ice was broken between you two.

he pulled you through the crowd to make it to the front row to watch the parade go by. lupin had swindled his way onto a float, and he cheered when he saw you and jigen hand in hand on the sidewalk.

#jigen #jigen daisuke #jigen daisuke x reader #lupin the third #jigen lupin the third #jigen my beloved #jigen x reader #jigen headcannons #christmas jigen #fluffy jigen

[owlyflufff]

Hay~

I was wondering what drew you to this ship specifically? Like it's an amazing ship and my personal favorite, but I wanted to know if you had a special reason for loving it so much! :)

Anyway be sure to have an AMAZING day! You 100% deserve it!!!

Hallo anon <33!

Oh! Interesting question and to be honest I'd have to pull up a 99+ slide because I love them so much- but to sorta squeeze in all my thoughts ><!

Interestingly enough, I didn't exactly ship anyone nor was I drawn to any of the pairs in Haikyu after watching Season 1 up to Season 4 Part 1 (second half with the Inarizaki match was not airing/ hadn't been announced yet even during this time). I acknowledged a lot that the ships existed like kagehina, iwaoi, etc but it was more of "yep I see them as a duo both romantically or platonically, and I'm okie with both or either" + liked fanart and bokuaka was given that same perspective from me before. They had a cute and funny dynamic but granted, I didn't perceive them to be a ship that I would make as my favorite and just casually acknowledge the ship's existence + appreciate the fanart.

However, that changed when I read the manga.

A good number of people loved and shipped bokuaka wholeheartedly from the start while some after reading the manga and I was one of the those people because WOW DID THE FUKURODANI VS. MUJINAZAKA CHANGE THE TRAJECTORY OF MY LIFE-

Much like some bokuaka shippers, this segment of the Nationals arc definitely either fueled their love for this dynamic or help them appreciate and be endeared even by this ship, most especially me.

On a more personal note, the one that really started it all, gave me a little push into loving them dearly when I was already at the tipping point was a certain piece of fanart.

Out of all the wholesome, genuinely lovely art I've seen, this has always been my favorite bokuaka art and the one that help started it all, made by the amazing @/pistachiolan <33.

Neither of them are speaking nor can you see the expression on their faces, but it's a beautiful summary of Bokuaka's dynamic.

And that's the thing, the reason why I was drawn so much to Bokuaka is because:

They're not childhood friends like Iwaizumi and Oikawa or Kenma and Kuroo.

They're not even in the same year level like Hinata and Kageyama or Ushiwaka and Tendou.

Yet, they have a bond that is built on so much trust, support and care for each other in such a short span of time. Almost like they've been there for each other for a lifetime.

It's not a one sided dynamic where one constantly gives and the other gets and doesn't return becase Akaashi gave Bokuto everything he needed so that his star could shine for the world to see (him and Fukurodani gave him the company Bokuto never particularly had) in the same sense that Bokuto didn't want to shine alone or be left in an empty galaxy, he wanted Akaashi to shine just as much whether they were or weren't teammates anymore and gave him words such as "giving 120%" and a generally more positive mindset that outbests any logic Akaashi could have put down ("It's not impossible, just very hard!"), that became something Akaashi carried with him and even became a driving force for his profession as Udai's manga editor.

And seeing them in the timeskip, those happy smiles Akaashi gives to Bokuto when he sees how brightly Bokuto shines on the court, the excitement Bokuto has when he sees Akaashi shining just as much in his own profession when he gets to talk to them after the Jackals Adlers match and how immediately he asks to spend time with him, their same silly odd language that no one can understand but them and how they've seemingly never changed.

To see that bond full of trust, support and care never once waver throughout the years, you can't help but ask: what isn't there to love about Bokuaka?

#AND I RAMBLED- #m so sorry I went a little on and on about Bokuaka TvT #but thank you for the ask anon <33! #I hope you have JUST AS AN AMAZING DAY cause you deserve it too >:33! #to add to this as well: in the official character guidebook certain characters have a list of people that influenced them the most #or inspired them #and bokuaka have each other and only each other :'>> #which means that canonically Akaashi is the one person who changed and inspired Bokuto the most #in the same way that Bokuto is one person who and changed and inspired Akaashi the most #and if that isn't so beautiful and wholesome :'>> #bokuaka #Eli rambles #Hoots

[donuts4evry1]

slides into your inbox with soup and a blanket. do you have any fun jellyfacts on your mind rn?

omg thank you fluther, im going to devour them 🙏🙏🙏

the next ramble might be a little lengthy so I'll just put it under the cut

hmm... fun jellyfish facts, you say?.... Well I suppose I can talk about strobilation, since it's a topic that has interested me recently lol (ie. I was watching ponyo with a friend and we saw the beginning sequence together)

At first, when I heard the idea that jellyfish reproduce asexually and sexually, I thought "No duh, almost everything does" (because when you think about it, what are zygotes if not little balls of asexually reproducing cells?), but jellyfish don't just do that.

I'll mostly be talking about scyphozoan reproduction (since I don't know much about hydrozoan reproduction and box jellyfish reproduction could really be a post all on its own)

First, it all starts with fertilization. Most jellyfish are broadcast spawners, so they'll release eggs and sperm into the water indiscriminately. These will then develop into planula (rice shaped little guys that move with cilia). Generally, these eggs will be left alone, but the C. hysocella, or compass jellyfish, differs from this. The females are known to brood eggs under their bells until they develop into planula, which is pretty cool :). Brown banded moon jellies also have a brooding behaviour, btw! Researchers have seen them brooding planula in a special brooding organ lol.

Afterwards, planula look for adequately hard surfaces to attach to. This could be rocky substrate, a pier, a boat (this is how jellyfish become invasive around the world, generally, I think), or even a piece of floating trash.

They then develop into polyps- which are called scyphistoma. These duplicate themselves by budding (a form of asexual reproduction). Actually, thanks to this post I got curious as to what exactly induces budding so I just downloaded a cool research paper ab it. I'll read it when I'm able to focus again lol).

OOOk, so now at this point we've got a polyp.... what now? I'm glad you asked-

nothing.

Well- ok, that's not entirely true. Polyps need the perfect conditions to become strobila- or strobilate. This change can be caused by temperature, salinity, stuff like that. Indoles (a type of chemical compound) can also induce strobilation- though only for Rhizostomid, Scyphozoan, and Cubozoan jellyfish (sorry Coronate jellyfish, you will be missed).

Once they become strobila, the fun really begins !

The polyp changes colour, eventually segmenting itself into what is described a "stack of coins" in the process known as strobilation. On another note, the only organisms that are known to do this are a special type of worm. Hehe.

I used to equate this process to human birthing, but it really is quite different. In the end, it's just a polyp reproducing itself by cutting its body into individual segments and having them develop separately.

Anyways, once they are finally finished developing, each segment will break off the strobila in a horrifying, yet oddly satisfying manner. I love it. You can see this beautiful process in the opening of Ponyo, but they simplify it a lot and also make it less terrifying by showing the liberated ephyra simply "popping off" the strobila. Like. Ephyra have to struggle to get into this world. It's not easy. It's honestly a little criminal when I think about it. But the moon jellyfish aren't entirely accurate in the movie either, so I suppose I shouldn't be mad haha.

Um. Yeah.

I mentioned it in a post earlier, but polyps can strobilate multiple times throughout their lifetimes (which is why scyphozoan polyps generally leave behind residue after they strobilate lol, as opposed to cubozoan polyps)

um gosh i didn't mean to ramble so much about general jellyfish stuff but boy do I have an appreciation for strobilation

// (ngl, i haven't focused much of my energy on jellyfish for a while. I think i am tired and on a mairuma high. dw though, i'll be back with my bs soon hehe)

#jellyfish #mun rambles #ask #i'll probably use the information in that scientific article i downloaded to figure out how to make jellyfish family size a reasonable size #lol #i don't want clones to be running around everywhere. Sighh. ;-; #anyways thanks for hoppin in my ask box jestie this was fun :>>

[raincitygirl76]

So, the CBC posted a rather poorly written article about the archived video you can play at the link below. But they also posted a news segment from the CBC Vancouver TV station in 1993. As in, thirty years ago. All about the trendy new (in 1993) craze for cappuccino rather than ordinary coffee. A craze that was then sweeping North America, including Vancouver.

The 1993-era manager at Bridges (an iconic Vancouver restaurant that was open from 1980 to 2021) is interviewed by the reporter. He reveals they sell many cappuccinos since they installed their espresso machine, and sell them for $2.75 a pop. The way the restaurant manager says “$2.75” makes it clear he knows most viewers of the 6 o’clock news will think that’s a crazy amount of money for anyone to spend on a beverage.

There’s been a lot of inflation between 1993 and 2023. $2.75 CAD could probably get you an ordinary drip coffee at Starbucks in 2023. But a fancy drink with espresso, steamed milk, etc would probably run you closer to $6 CAD with tax. Maybe more, if you want a big size.

The segment also shows the Robson Street intersection in downtown Vancouver that, in 1993, had the highest coffee consumption in North America. Mainly because the street-level businesses on 3 of the 4 sides of that intersection were all fancy coffee shops selling espresso-based beverages.

No idea if they still have 3 coffee bars at that intersection. I know for a long time there were 2 Starbucks kitty corner across from each other at that intersection. Don’t know if it’s still true, as I haven’t been to Robson in years. Robson Street is chock-a-block full of tourists any time of year.

It’s also cool because it talks about Commercial Drive, which was (kinda sorta still is) Vancouver’s Little Italy.* My apartment building is 2 blocks from Commercial Drive. Below I’ve posted the Instagram profile and Yelp page for Caffe Calabria, Vancouver’s oldest continually operating coffee bar. Which I believe may still be family owned. Caffe Calabria is 4 blocks from me, and the decor inside is wild! Hence me linking to both Yelp and Insta, so you can check out the photos.

In my opinion, the coffee itself is actually better across the street at Continental Coffee (another longtime Commercial Drive standby, and also Italian, despite the bland name). But Calabria also does lovely grilled paninis, desserts and gelato, and has more space. Continental Coffee I go there strictly for the espresso-based beverages, not for a meal and a look at all the (mostly full-sized) reproductions of famous Italian statues. Those line the walls at Caffe Calabria, and it’s fun.

https://instagram.com/caffe.calabria?igshid=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ==

I found these photos from Café Calabria that you should check out https://yelp.to/t8NRz9frW4

Weird thinking that until probably the mid-to-late late 1980s, Commercial Drive was the only place in Vancouver you could buy espresso-based beverages. I’m a bit fuzzy as to when exactly the fancy coffee craze took off, as I was only born in 1976. Judging by the CBC News segment, it was well underway by 1993. I can’t really remember a time when fancy coffee bars weren’t around, although I admit they were not as ubiquitous when I was a teenager as they are now. But I don’t think I drank coffee of any kind, ever, until I was at least 16. And I didn’t turn 16 until October 1992.

* Commercial Drive is still called LIttle Italy, and it certainly still has an unusually high proportion of Italian coffee bars, restaurants, delis, and places where you can buy fresh (not dried) pasta and other Italian food. But nowadays you can’t throw a rock on Commercial without also hitting restaurants serving Ethiopian, Japanese, Indian, Jamaican, Lebanese, Vietnamese, Salvadorean cuisine, etc.

And the population of the surrounding houses and apartment buildings hasn’t been primarily Italian for a very long time. I moved to the area in 2002, and it was already extremely multicultural, multiracial, and multilingual. Every continent represented except Antarctica!

But every time the Italy men’s football soccer in Canada and the US) team is playing in either the World Cup or the Euros, the Italian-Canadian diaspora (normally scattered all over the Greater Vancouver area) converges on Commercial Drive. They watch the games on the big TVs in the Italian restaurants and coffee houses here, and whenever Italy wins a match, they spill out onto the street and stop the traffic, waving little Italian flags. Or sometimes big Italian flags. Even though most of them are third or fourth generation Canadian by now and no longer speak the language.

I think that happens partly because Canada’s men’s national soccer team was always dreadful until only 2 or 3 years ago. Canada was never playing in the World Cup or the Euros, because it never qualified. So people cheered for the countries their grandparents or great grandparents immigrated from instead. Which, for people of Italian descent, meant trips to Commercial Drive.

The same situation does not happen whenever the Women’s World Cup is held. But Canada has an excellent national team in women’s football/soccer (or was, until very recently), and it’s usually a contender. Its unforeseen, humiliating, and headline-generating early departure from the 2023 Women’s World Cup notwithstanding. Italy’s national women’s team has a much less distinguished history. In my experience, most Italian-Canadians, like most human beings, want to cheer on the country they think will have at least a chance at winning the tournament (Canada), not the country that rarely even qualifies for said tournament (Italy).

It’s the same reason Italian-Canadians usually cheer for Italy rather than Canada in the men’s World Cup and Euros. At the men’s World Cup in 2022, Canada qualified for the first time since 1986. While Italy shocked the world by not qualifying. All the Italian restaurants and coffee bars that usually fly Italian flag bunting quickly switched to maple leaf bunting in 2022 to bring in World Cup customers. Many fewer than usual, because the Italian diaspora had no need to descend on Commercial Drive from the suburbs, with Italy missing the tournament.

[zaftikat]

State of the Kat – March 2023

It's probably time for a game design update since I've not talked much about it lately. I've got 4 major projects in the air right now, each progressing at different rates. I was close to having two of them become playable skeletons, but… game design burnout hit me hard in February (and that's ok)! My output between October and January was unsustainable, and Feb was the right time for a break. I took some time off of game design.

I spent that time getting much better at fighting games (much better does not mean good). There is a lot to the gameplay loop and act of practice in fighting games, and so much of it is fine-tuned to work really well. In particular, I was practising a lot of Them's Fightin' Herds. I fell in love with how the magic system works. Learning from that, I churned those crunchy bits of design around in my head, and nervously pecked at some ideas like a chicken on her first day at a farm sanctuary. So let's talk about the game that got me back to design (and the state of the other 3 projects) after the cut.

Noora Rose of Monkeys Paw Games tweeted

Tabletop role-playing games would be much better if, instead of the G standing for "games," it stood for Gamera.

and I was like, "fuck yeah, what if it did stand for Gamera?" Then, something clicked. With @efangamez's (sorry for the tag) Trans Destruction Jam going on, the idea for a game where trans people can turn into kaiju and get to destroy the mansion of a certain bigoted children's author was formed. As I tried to figure out how that would work mechanically, the hours of fighting games I had saturated my brain with said "remember Godzilla Destroy All Monster Melee?" and a PVE fighter sprung forth.

What was originally supposed to have been a cathartic lyric game started to shape itself into a game with combo decay, and super meter. As this morphed further into an increasingly crunch focused fighter, I realized it had to be GM-ful, and for sure needed a segment of play for downtime/RP. So what was supposed to be a straight forward romp had turned into a complex design project.

I'm happy to say that over the last 2 weeks, this game has taken shape into some of my absolute best mechanical design work. Instead of HP and Stats, you have a shared pool of invested resource points that are spent across multiple game actions, with an eye for risk/reward balance. Normals combo together in a really satisfying way, and lead into specials and supers just like the kind of combo loop you would expect from a 2d fighter. Beam attacks (a kaiju essential) work almost exactly like the Magic system in Them's Fightin' Herds. It all feels really satisfying as a gameplay loop. I'm looking forward to this game finally being in a state for playtesting, because hitting a perfect combo feels like you just flattened a city block (which you very well may have).

But that's not all i've been working on recently. I've also got 2 different sitcom games in the works. One is based on Letterkenny, and uses the firebrands framework. The other is based on Frasier and uses a failure first resolution system that I'm tentatively calling Crane. Crane will eventually be an SRD for anyone and everyone to use with credit. The idea was that all games using the system would be called "Crane Games" as a little silly play on words :3. Hello, I'm Listening is a game set in 90s Seattle that pits players against their characters own foibles in a quest for their happily ever after. This game is currently fully playable apart from the engine I'm working on to create "sets" which borrows some ideas from the Wanderhome location generation system to actualize locations where our characters can get into devastatingly embarrassing situations. The Letterkenny inspired Firebrands hack called Kenmare, Ontario uses the faction system to put Hicks, Skids, and Hockey Players into the messy and romantic situations you'd expect from Firebrands games. I currently have 3 mini-games designed for this, with more on the way as the inspiration comes to me. But, that's not all. I've also included what I consider to be the most comprehensive guide to developing a hockey nickname ever included in a TTRPG. When this hits shelves (and by that I mean itch) you're gonna have a blast solving small town problems, ferda. I mentioned a 4th game in the introduction, but this is running kinda long already, so I'll keep that short. I've got another trans TTRPG in the works where you play as magical girls. It's got procedurally generated dungeons where you take on a Madoka Magica-esque unreality maze, and at the centre save the soul of someone tormented by despair. It melds tarot card story games with crunchy dungeon crawls to give you a really rad experience, but I'm gonna be honest, this game is ambitious and is probably years away. I'll update you on this one if anything changes.

#indie ttrpgs #ttrpg #ttrpg design #game design #kaiju #letterkenny #frasier #fighting games

[thealmightyemprex]

Disney Month :WAlt Disney Presents I Captured the King of The Leprechauns

For the 9th installment of Disney Month.....We are looking at something weird:I Captured The King of the Leprechauns

So this 1959 episode of Walt Disney Presents.....Ya know I usually go right into the plot but Imma have to give context

FIrst off Walt Disney Presents,has had various incarnations also known as the Disney Anthology Series, Wonderful World of Color ,etc.The basic premise of the show was it was hosted by Walt Disney,and he introduce whatever the topic of the week is.The show ranged from specials and miniseries (DAvy Crockett first aired on the series ) ,to collections of shorts ,to actually occasionally showing films like Alice in Wonderland and Dumbo,to promoting his theme park Disneyland or behind the scenes for his latest films.This is where most people got to know Walt as personality,or rather his Uncle Walt persona ,as week you traveled to a diffrent part of Disneyland:FRontierland,Adventureland ,Tomorrowland or Fantasyland

Now I have watched a few of these this month but havent reviewed them because....Well the ones I watched while awesome to hardcore Disney fans like myself and I imagine were also awesome at the time to people who didnt know much about behind the scenes stuff I just didnt have anything to say ,the pilot episode which just promoted what he was doing at that time(The making of Davy Crocket with Fess Parker singing the song for Frontierland , the making of a few True Life Adventure documentaries for Adventureland, Ward Kimble talking about a short for Tomorrowland ,a animated segment from Song of the South for Fantasyland, early look at Disneyland and some behind the scenes footage of Sleeping Beauty and 20000 Leagues Under the Sea) and Operation Undersea which is just a behind the scenes look at 20000 Leagues Under The Sea .So I initially watched this one purely for my own enjoyment ...Boy do I have things to talk about

See this was a promotion for Darby O Gill and the Little People,a personal favorite of mine ,and I thought it was just going to be like Operation Undersea,a behind the scenes look at the film.....That is not waht this is,in fact this is kind of a companion movie

Sooooo the premise is Walt Disney is trying to make a film about Ireland ,and with nudging from Irish actor Pat O Brian ....DECIDES TO USE ACTUAL LEPRECHAUNS ,and meets DArby O Gill (Albert Sharpe ) and the king of leprechauns King Brian (Jimmy O'Dea) who in this film are REAL ,and is so taken by their bickering he decides to make the film about their life story and cast them as the leads

OK so I am not too shocked ,I have seen behind the scene where they try to act like th efictional character is real,but not to this degree,this is basically a companion film for Darby O Gill and The Little People and I like that , It is so fun to see more of the bickering between Darby and King Brian(Warmed my heart when they call eachother friends...Also laughed out loud with why they agreed to be in the film ).You also get some Banshee and leprechaun lore (I dont know if its accurate,but Leprechauns being fallen angels who cowered out of fighting the war against Satan is a good backstory ) .The weirdest part is you see WAlt Disney....Acting ,like he is giving a legit engaging performance here .Now I shouldnt be surprised ,at this point he had several years worth of experience hosting television , was an experienced voice actor,being the voice of Mickey Mouse as well as a few other characters and everyone has talked about how good of a storyteller he was,acting out each character ,but it is just so surreal with it being live action and acting in an actual narrative ,combined with the Darby characters it is odd but it is also so fun ,I kind of love it

My only complaint is I think they spoil too much of the film....But then I rememebered .....Spoilers are only very recent,back in the day ,people didnt seem to care about giving away the ending as long as you didnt give away everything

Overall this is a fun curiosity and worth a watch if you like Darby O Gill ,which I do

@ariel-seagull-wings @marquisedemasque @goodanswerfoxmonster @princesssarisa @the-blue-fairie @angelixgutz @amalthea9 @themousefromfantasyland @filmcityworld1

[basedkikuenjoyer]

2022 was certainly a year, and will always be for me a year I occupied some of my free time with an odd little obsessive journey. Taking a closer look at every panel of Okiku in One Piece. Idea being...she does a lot of fun subtle stuff. We’ve talked about folklore, world lit, connections with the rest of Wano and broader series, and all kinds of fun little references. We’ve come back from the from the brink of death together, saved a nation, lost a brother, and taken a nice relaxing bath before blowing off that battle people who are about to leave need to stay away from. I sure hope we see more Okikus along the way, but for the time being these are the 10 y’all liked best. 

Under the cut I figured I’d go back and reflect, but first...I’ve had a lot of fun with this. Been an anime fan for like, 20 years now but never had my own little fandom project. Kiku’s special for me; already felt Robin was such a good personal tie but my god does something about a melodramatic prim and proper lady who somehow ended up like that despite a childhood keeping up with a bunch of brother figures resonate.

I love that my favorite is still #1. Spear tackling Kin is just...everything. Especially since we really do not see Kiku lose her composure that often in any circumstance. That was such a clean little early twist too. Just when you think the weird new girl’s going to bow out for a bit she pops back in making herself way more interesting. It’s also a great start to this running theme for her; the first time we see her with another Akazaya she’s putting that childish side on full display. It is kinda odd at the time, right? We’re used to Kin’emon being a major goof and before this Kiku’s been bubbly but incredibly mature. If each Act is a kishotenketsu plot, this right here is the biggest ten, or Yama. 

Then in second is the other big one. Rising from a brutal injury. Think this one got a boost from the observation about Kin/Izo’s faces, it being the only time any of them use her full name. But you know...talking faces always kicked myself a little for not mentioning Kiku’s. Girl’s coming off pretty cocky during this segment! 

Then...gonna be honest I’ve always been a little shocked about the one of Tsuru throttling Tama ending up #3. Early installment bonus helps and it seems like being a Kiku fan trends with stanning Tsuru. But it’s the early one people really dig. Don’t get me wrong, it’s hilarious. Here’s a thought I had later; initially I said how many times has Kiku seen this type of behavior out of Tsuru? No no no...Kiku’s probably been in Tama’s position getting throttled for being too humble and refusing food hasn’t she? Think a younger Tsuru ever dual wielded the siblings?

Thought it was cute to have a four-way tie for fourth. The three in red and the one of Izo’s grand entrance. Couple of weird ones, the innocuous Law one probably up here for being #100. Sanji, good memorable Akazaya panels. Seems we really enjoy ripping on Sanji here. So with Izo...was he like, perched up there waiting for Usopp to finish his speech? We’ve established these siblings understand the value of dramatic timing. 

“DAIMYO!!” Is a classic Akazaya moment, though I like the procession more. And of course...the bath. Like, I’d be upset with y’all if the bath wasn’t on here. 1052 was a highlight of Wano for me. Didn’t really think about this as much before, but it’s interesting to see that shame motif quietly work it’s way in. We know that’s a pretty serious feeling to this group. 

#one piece #okiku #every okiku

[nevermelting]

Triangle Strategy: a review (kind of, I still haven't gotten all the endings)

The plot: I am a big lover of political strategy games ala FE (especially Three Houses) and I admit I was playing this game to scratch the itch for this type of game. I will tell you right away that despite all the good things going for TS, the plot still ISN'T on the level of Three Houses, but still delivers quite a lot of drama, especially on your first, blind playthrough.

There are also things that the game does better. One of them is a more realistic, detailed world where even small characters matter and familiar issues like corruption and political opportunism are present. It is a stark contrast to FE world, which is ruled mostly by 'abstract' ideals, no matter how well-written or compelling. You rarely see results of your actions in FE but here making decisions and them affecting the world is basically what the game is about. For me personally, it was a refreshing change.

However, I must admit that the idea that everything always depends on your actions can sometimes get in the way of believability in other ways. While in FE the lords can get too detached, here your fictional aristocrats sometimes get their hands dirty too much, serving at times as detectives, spies, assassins and diplomats in one, filling roles that realistically should be used by someone below their station. There is one annoying point in the game (I won't spoil which one) where the gameplay becomes basically a point-and-click adventure with really strict rules (if you click in the wrong order, it's game over) which made me stop playing for a bit. It wasn't dramatic or well-designed. It was blatantly frustrating and detracted from the overall interesting plot point.

A lot can be said about the overall gameplay system. While TS advertised itself as a strategy with important decisions that change the story, a fair amount of time is spent in 'exploratory' segments where you gather data, clues, objects, hints and arguments to use in convincing teammates in seeing your point. These segments, as I said before, feel too much like point-and-click adventures and aren't really an exciting way to spend one's time. At times I felt like making the protagonists aristocrats actually detracted from the overall story because aristocrats, who live mostly in their heads, are more fitting for more detached FE style gameplay. If you'd play a spy or some kind of advisor who would inform these aristocrats of correct decisions, it would be a much more logical choice. (I am even half convinced Benedict was intended to be a protagonist at some point because if you think a little, you'll see that this focus on investigation and logic fits him more than Serenoa).

But, overall, it is still a nice experience, especially if you are patient and love exploring all the side character stories which was kind of the case for me.

The battle system, for me personally, is better than that of Fire Emblem. I am not a big fan of constantly transmuting characters between classes which is often (not always) the case in FE. Here, things are more fixed and each character is essentially unique, with their own class and their own special abilities, some of which are surprising. When each new character joins you, you may be shocked at what they can do and it's neat and kind of realistic because in real life people can be surprising like that. In FE you already know class progression beforehand so it may make things slightly more rigid and chess-like. The battles are also harder, but mostly fair in your first playthrough. Game plus battles, though, can be strangely unforgiving. The balance can be slightly off in them.

Graphics: A lot of people love 2.5 D feel of the game but for me personally, lack of character portraits during dramatic cutscenes slightly diminished the overall enjoyment of the game. I often stopped and imagined how much better the game would look in full 3D, with beautifully designed environments which are...more immersive. I am not saying that all games should be 3D but this world in particular felt like it could actually benefit from being more breathing and livable.

Overall grade: 4/5

#traingle strategy #serenoa #game review #srpg #jrpg #strategy games #review

[changeneedle90]

Colson Whitehead's 'Underground Railroad' Is A Literal Train - An Overview

A truly special achievement that are going to be assessed and covered for years to come, Barry Jenkins’ “The Underground Railroad” is a lot more than a record course. It has been a tale that goes back years. It begins in a little city in the south-west section of Chicago and carries on for a couple of generations—until finally, in the 1950s, it operated right into the Pacific Railroad and came to be part of its body of high-speed, intercity train rides. It avoids the traps of duration dramas in unexpected means, rotating lyrical movements of magical realism along with ruthless tips of the wounds delivered by the past of restraint. The tale includes a child elevated through his lengthy loved ones and her moms and dads who may have been slaves, and a younger widow who additionally is the daughter of a servant, while at opportunities she makes an effort to get away the fortune of her household by moving to London, helping make for an extraordinary quest out of London. It is harrowing, attractive, moving, frightening, and in some way both deeply genuine and metrical at the exact same opportunity. In this, he writes regarding a person in his twenties who is performing effectively right now, yet lives in the past times, along with no need to be good once more. Why? Because he has altered. Perhaps because currently is a far better time to be in, and he desires a really good lifestyle, and his life is much better, he has now chosen to take his medicine. Learn More Here of Jenkins’ very most remarkable presents, an ability to find the poise and the poems in the sensible, mixturing the two in his craft. What I discovered was that he had a distinct way of putting together pictures. Often, it is necessary to carry out a wonderful deal of work on a single point, to produce an general appeal for the customer. Jenkins is constantly working on brand new factors, to offer an fascinating target matter to include to the impression on screen. After “Moonlight” and “If Beale Street Can Chat,” he has taken on his most difficult creation however and supplied a primary event in the record of tv, something that will definitelyn’t be an easy timepiece for Amazon Prime subscribers this summer months but require to be admired and examined. When talking concerning Night of the Ring, Koei Tecmo is all concerning action and world construction at its leading edge. Located on the 2016 Pulitzer Prize-winning novel through Colson Whitehead, “The Underground Railroad” is a account separated into ten chapters, but not in a typical segmented fashion. In the 3rd one-half of the book observes a group of travelers with the goal of uncovering a prize within a rainforest. Unfortunately, it turns out that when the travelers are found and the explorer gets away from, their escape is quickly complied with by a short journey of damage along the means. Some of the sections are almost feature-length, and can be evaluated and enjoyed on their own, not unlike something like “The Dekalog” or “Little Axe.” Jenkins has been given full independence in conditions of structure along with episodes operating as long as 77 mins and the fastest happening in only under 20 mins, additional than fifty percent of which has no conversation. Many of the personalities are knowledgeable and seem to be familiar, such as the Dekolans. The exact structure of “The Underground Railroad” communicates to Jenkins’ aspiration, one that somehow really feels both anecdotal in that any of the ten sections can be deconstructed on their personal and commonly have standalone tales but the project get its stamina when found as a complete whole. The title track itself is an epic journey into how it experiences to be a character in background, checking out what it suggests to definitely belong. Having stated that, I would not suggest customers to binge see this collection in a weekend and assume Amazon would have been smarter to launch episodes every week, allowing each of them to be soaked up in a means that binging doesn’t perform. Amazon has regularly pointed out that it is doing business along with Amazon, but while that is definitely true, it hasn't constantly been a really good service design. It has consistently been a niche market business, with a specific objective of driving buyer investing. This is an take in that need ton't be rushed. I want to give this one a go because this is one of those activities that helps make me participate in harder and the video game that doesn't take the additional mins I typically need to have and get rid of all the waste out there certainly. Video game 1 and 2 This one are going to virtually never appear as vital as you strongly believe it to be in terms of producing an encounter that is fun and awesome for you and giving the player a opportunity to believe regarding the video game.

“The Underground Railroad” is the tale of Cora (Thuso Mbedu), a slave on a Georgia orchard in the mid-1800s who gets away along with yet another slave named Caesar (Aaron Pierre) and locates her means to the Underground Railroad, reimagined below as an true rail device complete with conductors, developers, and learns. Cora's journey is mainly done by means of the Underground Railroad through a group of survivors who have got away. In the opened, Cora is said to that she will see America as she looks out the window of the train, and the arc of the set meets that in a sense as she's taken across the nation, first to a area that seems more secure but harbors black tricks and by means of the heartland of the nation in a method that helps make her deal with her past times and future. A vicious servant catcher called Ridgeway (Joel Edgerton) tracks her, but “The Underground Railroad” is more than a simple hunt tale. The real account goes beyond simply the tracks. Over the previous 25 years, musicians have been taking their job to other spot, like Canada, and working together with various artisans around the nation on a large number of remarkable and distinct developments. Afterwards, you'll see Ridgeway on the Underground Railroad all over North America in action.

#the underground railroad #the truth about the underground railroad