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thats-ill-eagle · 4 months

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HELLUVA BOSS DEVIATING FROM ITS ORIGINAL PREMISE FUNDAMENTALLY DESTROYED THE SHOW

So, it has already been discussed many times in HB critical community that HB deviated from its premise after S1 and that anyone with an once of media literacy can tell that you can't describe it in any way other than horrible writing.

Now, I'm going to ask you this for a second - imagine that you haven't seen S1, the pilot or read the premise of Helluva Boss anywhere. Imagine that you watch all (available) episodes of S2 and are asked to write a premise about it on some movie review website. How would you briefly describe what happens in S2?

Oh, you can't or are having major trouble doing it? Don't worry, you are not media illiterate, my friend. That is the case because IT'S LITERALLY IMPOSSIBLE TO TELL WHAT HELLUVA BOSS IS SUPPOSED TO BE ABOUT ANYMORE.

There are many flaws that your writing could possess - inconsistent characterization, too fast/slow pacing and so on. However, they do not automatically derail your work. It is very much possible to recognize those faults, learn from them and do better in the future.

But the premise of your work is its literal BONES. You build up the plot and characters based on it. You just can't expect your show to be good, if you tear out its basis. Of course the pacing, character development and how plot points are wrapped up in HB is horrible - how can anything function without the very thing that holds it all together?

And I MEAN that the premise of HB completely disappears, not shifts or changes. Like, seriously, what the hell is HB supposed to be about now?

Stolitz?

Their interactions indicate zero meaningful development and are tediously spaced out to the point that it's hard to care about their relationship. It is made even worse by the fact that Stolas, just like in S1, still keeps pressuring Blitzo, despite him being clearly uncomfortable.

Blitzo making amends with people he hurt?

Even ignoring S1's nonexistent buildup of this plotline (Blitzo looking at photos on his phone doesn't count, since it's literally the ONLY moment that barely suggests it), there's no buildup in S2 either, when it comes to both Barbie and Fizz. It is certainly not helped by the fact that Barbie just vanishes after Unhappy Campers and Blitzo and Fizz's beef is resolved in a single episode.

Any other plotlines of S2, like Fizz's job, Crimson, Striker, or Stolas and Stella's separation are just too small or insignificant to be considered part of the supposed premise, INCLUDING the assassination business, which arguably takes up the least amount of time of aspects of the show listed.

It's no surprise that Helluva Boss is slowly crumbling. At this point, it's just a paralysed zombie who completely forgot what it once was. And it's damn sad to watch, because the show comforted me during some dark times and, despite Viv being an awful person, I truly hoped for HB to be great.

#vivziepop critical #vivziepop criticism #helluva boss critical #helluva critical #helluva boss criticism #anti helluva boss #helluva critique

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least-carpet · 9 months

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I am curious: how do you think would work realistically a jc and wwx's reconciliation? Have you any meta on them and their relationship?

I'm sorry this took a minute, anon! Work has been frankly chaotic. But I saw an anti-reconciliation post¹ and I have been roused from my post-work stupor.

Unfortunately, you asked me for something I'm incompetent at, which is plotting. (Otherwise I would have already unleashed my ningcheng fic upon the world.) What I can talk about is what I find compelling about potential reconciliation and potential scenarios.

Why do I love a post-canon reconciliation?

Apart from really liking their relationship and finding it compelling—IMO it's the heart of the narrative of the first life—what I actually enjoy about it is what it offers in terms of development for Wei Wuxian.

I read Wei Wuxian as having displaced and projected a lot of his unresolved trauma onto Jiang Cheng. I've talked a little before about my reading of Jiang Cheng as the "bad feelings" sin eater of the Yunmeng Trio—neither Jiang Yanli nor Wei Wuxian feel like they can express deep unhappiness, but Jiang Cheng is bad at hiding his, so in some way it's his job to embody the collective unhappiness of the children of that family system.

But although this makes Wei Wuxian merry and likeable, it's not actually good for anyone, or even sustainable—when he loses control, he really loses control. And his coping skills are extremely self-destructive, as we can see from the post-war downward spiral of drinking and avoidance. I also think his experiences in his childhood (losing his parents and being homeless) plus his wartime experiences gave him some kind of trauma disorder that contributes to his terrible memory, which he's turned into his primary coping mechanism (apart from alcohol). If I Simply Close My Eyes And Run Away, My Bad Feelings Can't Get Me!

But, like, repressing your feelings doesn't work forever. He's compartmentalized his whole first life to function in the second one, but that means giving up on everything and everyone he loved, including the Jiang siblings and Lotus Pier. That's incredibly tragic to me.

Sometimes I think antis are so happy to demonize Jiang Cheng in order to minimize the depth of the loss Wei Wuxian has suffered. If he never loved Jiang Cheng, if they were never close and devoted to one another, if their childhood was an unending misery, then wouldn't Wei Wuxian be much freer in the present?

But what I think has happened is that the loss is so huge that it's completely terrifying and threatening. So are the feelings around killing Jin Zixuan, Jiang Yanli's death, and the death of Wen Qing and the Wen remnants. It's too much, so he blocks it out or, in some cases, projects it onto Jiang Cheng.

Of course, Jiang Cheng will never forgive him, because he irreparably ruined Jiang Yanli's life and then she died trying to save him and Jin Ling became an orphan. It's all his fault; it can't be forgiven; he might as well give up on it...

Jiang Cheng is obviously very angry and upset with him, it's true. But you can see how projecting his guilt and shame over his actions onto Jiang Cheng and then running away from Jiang Cheng is also a way for him to escape his guilt and shame over what happened to Jiang Yanli. (And to escape all the repressed resentment he has for Jiang Cheng because of the core transfer.²)

But there are two tragic elements of this approach. One, that by doing this he yields up any possible relationship with Jiang Cheng, and with the Jiang Sect, because by all means Wei Wuxian must escape him in order to outrun his terrible feelings. Two, that it's another coping mechanism that distorts the reality of the situation, which is that they were all swept up in power games beyond their capacity to manage, and they did their best—the Jiang siblings, the Wen siblings, Jin Zixuan, and Wei Wuxian—and it still went badly for everyone except the Jin Sect.

I don't think he can confront that yet. But I do think that Wei Wuxian feels very safe with Lan Wangji, and sometimes a safe and supportive relationship can provide the resources to do things you didn't think you could do before.

Can you imagine a different conversation, that begins with the bald acknowledgement of failure and wrongdoing³? "I never meant for all of that to happen. I did what I thought was right, but I never thought Jiang Yanli would be harmed, and I didn't intend to kill Jin Zixuan. I am so sorry. I miss her."

GIVE THE CATHARSIS TO ME. GIVE IT HERE.

A Wei Wuxian who has reached a point where he's capable of that accountability and vulnerability is delicious to me. A Wei Wuxian who can get there can return to Lotus Pier and rebuild a relationship with the living sect and his living sect brother.

How could it happen?

The trick is how to get there, 'cause it's like trying to herd cats where one cat is mortally afraid of facing the second and the other one has betrayal trauma and abandonment issues. But the cats love each other! They do!

I don't see Jiang Cheng initiating. I see him as being more open to a reconciliation, now that he knows why Wei Wuxian did what he did, but I see him as being profoundly afraid of trapping people in relationship with him or inflicting himself on people who don't want him around. (Not, like, for politics. In that arena I assume he's unpleasant when necessary to great effect.)

Fortunately, Wei Wuxian can be led if you're cunning enough to do it and you bait the trap with something good (see the plot of MDZS for Nie Huaisang's very successful demonstration of this principle). He also will increase pursuit if you dangle and withdraw the bait.

The question, of course, is what makes good bait for catching Wei Wuxian. Some options:

Option 1: murder mystery. Someone dies in an exciting way that involves Jiang Cheng. (Wei Wuxian will involve himself, dude loves a murder mystery.) It could be in the Jiang Sect or the Jin Sect; if it involves Jin Ling, Jiang Cheng will jump in with a swiftness.

Option 2: Jiang Cheng marriage rumours. Doesn't even have to involve unsavoury rumous about the potential wife; Jiang Cheng getting married without him (like Jiang Yanli) would dredge up some feelings, I think.

Option 3: Jiang Cheng tragic illness or curse rumours. You better be sure it was in a past life, cause it looks like this one might be over soon!

Option 4: Forced together time (due to a night hunt or a kidnapping, etc.). It's time for the getting along shirt!

To borrow from SVSSS, you might need a scenario-pusher for it to happen. But the world of MDZS is rife with these opportunities, and cultivators can live a very long time. So there's hope yet!

Footnotes:

1. This is a perfectly reasonable viewpoint to come to by the end of the novel. It's simply one I don't share.

2. See this passage from the confrontation in the Guanyin Temple:

"It wasn’t something he liked to reminisce about. He didn’t want to be reminded again and again of what it felt like when his core was cut out or what price he had to pay. If this were exposed in the past, he’d most likely laugh and comfort Jiang Cheng … But now, he indeed didn’t have the strength left to put up such a confident, nonchalant pretense.

From the bottom of his heart, he knew he wasn’t so indifferent about it after all.

Was it really that easy to move on from such a thing?

Of course not." (Chapter 103, "Hatred," ExR translation)

3. I saw a different post complaining about Wei Wuxian apologizing to Jiang Cheng in reconciliation scenarios, and I just, like, he kicked off a political firestorm that ended in the death of Jiang Yanli and her husband. This is completely separate from the non-consensual surgery and all the lying he was doing about that. He owes him multiple different apologies! And Jiang Cheng should also apologize to him! That's why they apologize to each other in the Temple, because they know they hurt each other! The point of an apology in an intimate relationship is to connect with the person you are apologizing to in order to repair the relationship, and the Temple was not the time, which is why they need a private do-over! It's not humiliation, it's intimacy, connection, and repair. How do y'all live your lives.

3.5 Also, imagine it to be more in-character than that.

#anon asks #jiang cheng #wei wuxian #yunmeng shuangjie #chengxian #yunmeng shuangjie reconciliation #mdzs +#meta #least-carpet thoughts

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mauesartetc · 10 months

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Thoughts on Helluva Boss 205 ("Unhappy Campers")

Wow, this... This one may actually be worse than Murder Family. That's impressive.

Is anyone else noticing a pattern of Helluva Boss episodes going absolutely nowhere? Each one ends without affecting the larger plot in any meaningful way. Season 1's structure was fairly episodic as well, but at least back then there was some sense of progression.

I usually include separate lists of pros and cons in these critiques, but in this case, I have so few compliments to give this thing it's not worth it. I tried my best to find more to like about this episode, but it gave me bupkis to work with. So I'll just present all my notes in chronological order.

Let's get this over with.

-Looks like the rehab facility where Barb used to live is located in Sloth (on account of the floating islands and all the pink in the environment), just like the hospital in this season's previous episode. We've never seen care centers in any other ring, so... Does Hell society's opinion of sick people dictate that they're just lazy? Some clarification on that might be nice.

-"She's got a job now. A life. Don't fuck it up by findin' her." Holy shit, the nurse is the most mature, sympathetic character in this entire episode. Tasing Blitzo in the butthole earns her bonus points in my book. Nurse Pussyface, you are way too good for this show.

-Why is Blitzo even trying to visit his sister if he's been kicked out of the facility several times and knows she hates him? What's the impetus? "Look, I know you hate my guts, but Dad's dead, and he named you in the will." Or maybe he had an experience that reminded him of her and figured he'd drop by to see how she was? Y'know, something.

-By the way, Helluva's animation is usually a highlight, but here there's not much to say about it. It wasn't especially memorable or ambitious; just kinda... passable. Even the climactic fight scene (which I'll get to later) didn't have much to write home about.

-How the hell didn't the client notice the holes in his boat before he rowed it out into deep water? Because I'm pretty sure it would leak when it was still in the shallow end of the lake, unless this is a unique real-life boating phenomenon I'm not aware of. Also, you'd think this guy was a bit too gung-ho to get out on the lake for someone who can't swim. Did someone have a gun to your head, dude?

Fun fact: Did y'all know I was on staff at a summer camp once? We had a pond, canoes, and a boathouse just like the camp in this episode. One thing we had that this camp apparently doesn't, however, is this important rule: No one gets in a canoe without a life jacket. EVER. But, well... We see later that the adults at this camp don't care much about safety, so I guess that's fair enough. (Though I'm curious how they manage to stay open, or what the client's loved ones have to say about his mysterious disappearance.)

-What did the client do to get sent to Hell after he died? Mrs. Mayberry murdered someone, so that's why she's here, but this kid seems pretty chill-? (And don't even try to explain this on Twitter, writers. If it's not in the story itself, it ain't canon.) I also can't help but notice that his design reflects the way he died, but every other sinner's appearance is just random. Consistency? Who needs it!

-Some unintentional hilarity for ya: Here's Millie's face after the client recounted his death.

And she holds this pose for the remainder of the scene. Was there NO direction on how to animate Millie here?! This is a grim situation and she's smiling?! I get that she's a demon, but damn that is cold. It's never been clearer that half her role in this story is just smiling and looking cute, to the point the animators don't know what else to do with her.

-Richard Horvitz's valley girl voice was kinda funny. I dug it. Not sure why Moxxie and Millie had to dress in drag for anything other than cheap laughs, though.

-I know Millie's hurtin' for more development, but this story's conflict would have made SO much more sense from a character standpoint if Moxxie were getting all the praise from the campers. Think about it: He's the one Blitzo always shits on and doesn't believe in. He's the one whose father doesn't love him. He's the one who never gets positive attention from anyone except his wife. Suddenly the conflict is much more compelling: Now that he has approval from these humans, maybe he doesn't need it from Blitzo anymore (not sure why he needed his approval in the first place, but whatever). Maybe he'd realize what he's been missing, and how shitty Blitzo's treatment has been in comparison. Could this be the breaking point that finally gets him to muster some self-respect and quit IMP? We'll never know, because the episode has miscalculated where the most interesting dilemma actually lies.

As far as we can tell, Millie's had zero reason to doubt herself, and we never see her being mistreated like Moxxie has.

Take these lines of dialogue: "And for once I feel like... Like I'm important! Like I'm somebody to be proud of!"

Wouldn't they fit so much better if they came out of Moxxie's mouth?

-I kinda liked how the lyrics of Millie's song were humble while Moxxie's lyrics were egotistical, showing that being down to earth will win you friends while being self-centered will turn people off. But is that really the kind of message we need in an adult show? It's a useful lesson for children, but after you hit the age of this series' target demographic, most people will have the social skills to know better than to pull what Moxxie did at the campfire.

-Speaking of Moxxie being super immature, why does he weep when a bunch of preteens ignores him? They're...They're kids, Mox. They aren't your peers. Literally who cares. This behavior makes no sense outside of (once again) cheap humor. I could understand being bummed out that you're not good with kids if you wanted to have your own someday, but even that doesn't warrant actual tears. And this makes him look like a massive hypocrite later on when he asks Millie why it matters what "these yokels" feel about her. I mean... You seemed to care a lot about how they saw you, Moxxie...

-Moxxie's excuse for why it's so hard for him to get information on the case is that everyone's too busy "swooning over" Millie. Here's a thought: Why doesn't Millie get the info? She's the one everyone likes, so it should be a snap, right? Well, once again, the characters get railroaded because the writers can't entertain any other plot ideas. And of course Moxxie ends up getting blamed for everything as if he's the only one who fucked up here.

-Why the hell would a summer camp show so much favoritism toward a single camper that they set up a friggin' concert for this camper and this camper only? Yeah yeah, "viral sensation" and everything, but 1) The news crew can wait another day or so for camp to end in order to conduct an interview (y'know, something that wouldn't require a huge-ass stage and pyrotechnics that'd cost the camp boatloads of money), and 2) The camp staff thinks Millie is a child. How fucking irresponsible can you get to lavish this much attention on a kid? Think it'll go to her head or something? Psssh nah. Also, you're telling me none of the other campers are the tiniest bit jealous? How do you think they feel, seeing this one kid get treated like a god while they're left in the dust?

Okay, plot-wise, the writers decided they wanted Millie to sing a song so she's occupied during the final showdown with the killer. Easy solution: Camp talent show. That way, the adults treat all the campers equally, and Millie gets her (more believable) moment in the spotlight.

-Oh hey, we finally see Asmodean crystals in action. And of course the first one we see is a butt plug.

SuCh a MAturE shOw, GUys! (Sorry, I'm still laughing my head off at that.)

So, a bit of backstory for those who aren't familiar: We first learned of Asmodean crystals in the Season 2 premiere, when Stolas opened the grimoire to reveal Norse runes on its pages. Someone on the internet was kind enough to translate:

Now here's the deal: Blitzo tells the lust demon to open the portal with his crystal (even threatening him at gunpoint), leading me to believe only non-imps could use Asmodean crystals and that's why he needed the grimoire to get to the human world.

But guess what happens later:

Blitzo's sister Barb, another imp, uses a crystal on her bracelet to open a portal back to Hell. So what exactly was the point of stealing the grimoire from Stolas??

BLITZO. YOU. DENSE. MOTHERFUCKER.

Okay, maybe I'll be generous and acknowledge that there might be another explanation, like Blitzo getting banned from using Asmodean crystals because he's misused them in the past. (Maybe there's a spell that causes the crystals to burn him every time he tries to hold one. Something of that nature.) But at this point I don't trust these writers to fill in their plot holes. Or plot portals, as the case may be.

-The portals themselves are kinda pretty, though. I can appreciate that they look different from the portals created by the grimoire.

-Moxxie calls Blitzo "sir" in this episode despite Blitzo telling him to use his first name in Truth Seekers. Moxxie then uses it in "Ozzie's" (if I remember correctly), but now he's back to "sir" for unexplained reasons-? Coupled with how their relationship has reverted back to square one with Blitzo learning nothing (as well as no one bringing up the agents or what they can do to stop them leaking the proof that demons exist), do the writers just want us to forget that episode or what?

-Blitzo chastises Moxxie for dragging the case out for a week, but it took him a week to track down Barb. This hypocrisy is never addressed.

-At the boathouse, Blitzo tells Moxxie he's looking for his sister, then kicks down the door, revealing Barb inside. Moxxie asks, "Do you know her?" "Do I know her? That's my sister, fuckface!" That's... oddly repetitive, writers. I get that Moxxie wouldn't immediately make the connection since Barb's disguised as a human, but there's a more graceful way to handle that in the dialogue. Something like, "Is this her?" "Oh, now you're on the ball!"

-In an earlier post I expressed concern that these writers wouldn't handle Barb's addiction well, and I'm somewhat relieved they didn't go into it. But I also predicted she'd amount to a genderbent Blitzo instead of having her own personality, and... well...

Overindulges in addictive substances? Check. Runs a business that requires travel to the human world? Check. Pottymouth? Check. Uses sexuality as leverage? Check.

It would've been nice to at least get a hint about what Blitzo did to make her hate him so much (and perhaps confronting that would make him rethink how he treats Moxxie-?), but I guess we'll have to find out when she comes back in seven episodes or so. Yaaaaay.

-Barb says she picked this particular human as her supplier because teenagers are easy to manipulate, but she really had no way to accomplish that other than flashing her panties at him? Assuming Barb and Blitzo are the same age, she's in her 30s, and... it's just a tad creepy and uncalled for, even if this kid's legal. That's a pretty big age (and power) gap regardless. This is one of those times when it looks a lot more predatory when you switch the genders, but, importantly, women can be predators too. Bad optics, y'all.

-The climactic fight scenes in prior episodes were snappy and exciting, but this one's pacing felt really sluggish. I get that the song in the background had a slower tempo than we're used to in these action scenes, but would it have been so hard to double-time the animation? Also, previous fight scenes were notable for their creative choreography, but Barb wrapped her tail around Moxxie twice in a row. Having trouble coming up with new fight moves, guys? Like damn, she's an acrobat. She could do so much more.

-In another edition of "characters being idiots because plot", Moxxie and Millie make out in front of everyone who thinks they're related. They couldn't have run off to somewhere more private?? Apparently no; this needed to happen so Millie's internet fame would be dashed... or, here's another option: Show how the internet popularity cycle is so damn short that everyone's already moved on to the next sensation. You could have made that funny if you actually put in some effort. Like... The faux-incest was just so unnecessary.

-Much like Murder Family, another unfunny ending where Moxxie's dreams are crushed. Blitzo gets his hopes up only to call him a "fuckin' disgrace". But remember, guys: He'S HArd oN hiM BEcauSE hE CAreS! (Fuck it, I think I'll just edit a supercut of every time Blitzo has berated Moxxie, pre- and post-Truth Seekers.)

Oh and look, Millie's glaring at Blitzo, which is totally the same as opening her mouth to tell him off like he deserves, right?

She'll take on a whole gang of mobsters out of love for Moxxie, but standing up to Blitzo? Whoa, that's a step too far. Y'know, because he's the writers' favorite and he shouldn't have to experience any complications from his behavior. Same old story as it's been for a season and a half.

This ending would've been a million times better if it left off on a cliffhanger. Maybe this could have been Moxxie's final breaking point. After Blitzo calls him a disgrace, Moxxie could take a deep breath and...

MOXXIE: (flatly) I quit.

Then he walks out of the room. Everyone looks after him, stunned. When he closes the door, the screen cuts to black and the credits roll.

Oh shit, what's going to happen next? How will Blitzo deal with this? How will it affect Moxxie and Millie's home life? What kind of new job will Moxxie find to keep food on the table? Will he ever come back to IMP, or will Blitzo find a replacement? I know these writers aren't too interested in serialization or any sense of continuity outside of the stupid romance subplot (or hell, inside it), but good god, it would give viewers some exciting possibilities to look forward to.

This episode had so much potential and followed through on none of it. "Unhappy Campers" turned out to be a more fitting title than expected, as that's exactly what I was while watching this.

(Also this show needs a continuity coordinator like yesterday.)

#helluva boss #helluva critical #critique #criticism #review #writing #long post

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gartenofbanny · 6 months

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So here's a quick review of the latest Helluva Boss episode. It's meh if I'm being honest.

I don't know if it's because the episode itself is uninteresting or if it's because I'm just losing interest in Helluva Boss overall.

I predicted that the episode would be the Queen Bee of Season 2 and I wasn't completely wrong, but I wasn't completely right either.

Not much happened in this episode, with the only major thing happening being that Fizzarolli finally stands up to Mammon and quits his occupation as Mammon's merch boy.

The Fizzmodeus ship throughout the episode was another highlight that I found entertaining, but everything else was just meh to me.

I still have no idea why Blitzo was there because he had no reason to be there. I'm pretty sure Asmodeus would've killed that creepy stalker dude either way.

My main issues with this episode are Mammon and Fizzarolli's relationship having no actual build-up, Fizzarolli being insecure of himself, and Fizzmodeus no longer being a secret but everyone just already knew anyway.

So, starting off with the first issue: Mammon and Fizzarolli's relationship was barely hinted on throughout the series mainly because Fizzarolli never had much screentime. As a result, his entire confrontation with Mammon feels very rushed. Similar to his and Blitzo's development.

Fizzarolli being insecure about himself is tiring. Because there are a lot of characters in Helluva Boss who are just insecure about themselves, and they all keep getting the same resolutions. That being, they just talk with another character and end up getting a self-confidence boost. It happens too many times throughout the series, and I'm just very tired of it.

Lastly, the Fizzmodeus ship actually being known. We don't know what the repercussions are if there are any, why Stella had an issue with it if A. She didn't care about it, and B. Two of the Seven Deadly Sins are also actively engaging in it, and what was even the point of having a conflict about it when there are no negatives.

That entire plot line just feels like a waste of time, and that's honestly what most of the overall episode felt like, a waste of time. At least it wasn't to the extent of Unhappy Campers. I didn't care for the Panty and Stocking parodies, I don't even remember their names lmao.

Mammon was..eh too. I'm glad that there's finally a Sin that's actually mean and stuff, but even then, he's not all that menacing. Not to mention his full Demon form is VERY underwhelming. He literally just turns big, has bug legs, and has more eyes.

Anyway, the episode gets a meh/10, thank you all for reading and I hope you all have a good one.

#vivziepop critical #helluva boss #vivziepop #helluva boss critical #helluva boss criticism #vivziepop criticism #helluva boss critique #vivienne medrano #helluva critical

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trancylovecraft · 6 months

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What do you think of the new episode of Helluva?

amazing timing! I just got off a discord call about this topic

And jeez.. this is gonna be a rant, prolly not what you were expecting from an ask about the new episode but.. yk.. I'm sorry this wasn't more positive than you probably wanted, But I don't want to lie and I have a lot to get off my chest

If you enjoy Helluva boss then please, You do what you do and enjoy what you want to. And I'm happy it can bring you joy, Don't let me prevent you from loving something you love <3

...

So first of all, I bloody hate Helluva boss. I know I've written for it and still write for it but OMG I just don't like it at all and the direction its gone.

Like season one is good, I like it. Its amazing season to start off a seemingly good show with a lot of potential.

The villains are threatening and are set up to become major plot points. Verosika, Striker, The cherubs (which admittedly were the weakest out of the trio, But hey, you can't be perfect)

The conflicts are being set, Aka stolas and Blitzo's toxic relationship and it's struggles. It's got potential for a lot of nuance and oppertunities to explore gay relationships in a more abusive light and I can appreciate that a lot.

Characters arcs have been put into motion with Moxxies inferiority, Blitzo's need for validation and the star prophecy going on with stolas and his daughter.

The animation, The music and the voice acting are all on point with such high profile actors. Ahem ahem.. INVADER ZIM AND BEETLEJUICE!!

It was amazing, A major accomplishment for indie animation and the trailblazer that aet off the youtube animation reinessance.

But then season two comes along.

Right off the bat with the circus its suddenly revealed that stolas and blitzo knew each other from childhood.

This is confusing. Stolas and blitzo knowing each other starts to change their relationship from the toxic transactional it was suppose to explore into a more

This episode could've been great, If it was stella and not blitz. This episode could've explored the begginings of their relationship (platonic)

It was stated by octavia that they at one point liked each other then degraded. This episode couldve shown that and given stella some actual development.

Now throughout the season more issues become prevelant..

The villains that were threatening before have become nothing more than cannon fodder. A monster of the week, If you will. Striker and crimson (we're not gonna get into that episode) were easily defeated by blitz and fizzaroli (ILL GET ONTO HIM) making fun of them and removing all their threatening aura.

Verosika is gone, She might return, Idk tho. The cherubs we'e heard nothing from either. And do NOT get me started on the new villains. (The agents, Crimson, Andrealphus)

The women in helluva are EXTREMELY underdeveloped. There are no girls that stand on their own, Just another limb for the male characters to further their own arcs (Millie is just Moxxies concious, Octavia is just Stolas' reason for staying and Loona is just there tobexplore Blitzo's abandonment issues

Millie especially. The only episode she got out of two seasons is unhappy campers. And even then she had to be a boy to get the praise, It feels like the writers were self aware at that poimt.

Her only personality is violence and moxxie, Thats it.

(I have a lot more to say about Helluva boss, Such as the awful story. The woobification of stolas and Blitzo. The humour. The gay overglorification. Fizzaroli and Asmodeus. The rushed pacing and the non-existant set up)

The newest episode I genuinley disliked, One of my least favourite in the season.

I feel like this was the writers grasping at straws. To make a story and an arc, You've got to set it up.

We had no idea that Fizzaroli was connected to Mammon in any way, We had no hints or suggestion that he was. Nor did we have any hints of his underlying arc about wanting to be free.

For instance this can be done through dialogue or the characters body language. We got none of this and instead this was just pulled out of the writers asses.

I dont care for fizzaroli, I hate him apart from his voice actor. To me, He's boring and just a recoloured blitz.

The whole episode was the setup and the solution. This should not of been the case, This was rushed and this episode should of been the solution of the hinted issue in previous episodes like the one where they got kidnapped.

(That was a great chance to talk about being free, Since yk, They were in a cage and it would of prompted a deeper conversation)

It feels like a reheated angel dust and valentino but platonic im ngl. Besides, Fizz and ozzie's relationship is just not good.

Its too sickly sweet. Im not saying it has to all be angst but a spat or an arguement to prompt the episode wouldve been good you know? All healthy relationships have their rocky parts and it wouldve been nice to see here.

Asmodeus and Mammon just dont seem threatening for demon kings? They take insults and jabs that really degrade their intimidation for the audience yk?

The whole episode boils down to "clown twink gets abused by capitalism"

Overall I ranted too long about this animated show. The episode was not good and the future for this series is looking bleak.

This was a really shallow examination of helluva boss. Im writing this in bed so i dont have time to go deeper into the story structure and concepts portrayed in there

I fucking love mammon tho, He's my husband, Please request him.

-Trancy M. Lovecraft

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tetrakys · 1 year

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I'm sorry it's been a hot minute since I interacted with the fandom but what is happening with Eldarya??? Also what is call of the dragon?? 👀

Oh boy anon... where to start?!

Let me try to draw a timeline...

1. The company decided to cut Eldarya in two seasons, move Lance's introduction as LI to season 2, remove other LIs and give the game to another creator since around episode 22 of TO. Since then Chino has stopped working on Eldarya and, this is my personal opinion, the person who took over had no interest in romance because since then the only romantic interactions we've had in Eldarya have been a few random sex scenes. No deep dialogues, no dates, no cuddling, not even kissing except maybe one or two exceptions and this has continued all the way through season 2.

2. In March 2021 the company hosting Beemoov's servers in Europe caught fire. Beemoov's servers were destroyed, fortunately most backups were in another building so all their games and accounts were saved except for... you guess it, Eldarya. All European language accounts were lost and the american and brazillian servers were the only ones who got spared. We all lost our accounts and the company had to come up with a way to bring people back to the game. They created a new free currency for TO and opened a shop for a few months. This led to the first season becoming completely unprofitable, plus lots of people never came back since then. Mostly old players who used to spend money on their collections.

3. New games started to be developped, Uncoven and Henri's Secret season 2. The "new" Eldarya creator went off to write Uncoven at the same time as still being theoretically in charge of Eldarya. The company started to recycle events mechanics both in MCL and Eldarya so everyone has been unhappy with events in both games because they are extremely repetitive since basically two years.

4. ANE's writing has gone more and more downhill. It'd started decently but because the writer was new and had no idea what happened in TO nor what were Chino's characters backhrounds and history, the story is full of plot holes, contraddicting things all the time and all the characters' personalities have changed. It reads like a different game.

5. Lots of people have left, very few are playing the game at this point, and even less are spending money on it, so it's very very obvious that the company is just letting it die, the game is often bugged and the art quality is a hit or miss. Only 2 episodes are left at this point. Fans who still cling to it are angry. Fans who abandoned are sad. No one wants to play ANE anymore but lots of people wish there was a revamp of the game once ANE ends, with good writing and art. However, because the game isn't making money right now the company won't invest in something that is not profitable.

This is it I think 🤔

About your last question, Eldarya: the Dragon's Call is a story I'm writing and publishing on my AO3. The main plot is Chinomiko's and we brainstorm together all events and characters' backgrounds and personalities. This is the story of Lance's route and Valkyon’s routes if she were to make Alternate Eldarya games. Because at the moment this isn't planned I asked her if I could write it and share it with people and she kidly said yes. If the company ever decides to make Alternate Eldarya games I will delete it. If you want to read this story, links are in the pinned post in my blog, I've released 4 chapters so far and the 5th is coming this weekend ☺️

#eldarya #eldarya rambling #edc

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gofancyninjaworld · 1 year

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Tbh, sometimes you're way too hardpressed on intradiagetic explanations in opm that you don't much factor in extradiagetic explanations.

Murata puts emphasis on detail yes, but I'm pretty sure there are just instances where he draws something doesn't have a deeper explanation behind. Like, idk, maybe Murata just got better at drawing leather, not bc Saitama got gifted better boots by Genos to replace his "plastic" ones. Tatsumaki doesn't wear pants isn't bc she's stupid, it's bc Murata is kind of a pervert.

Or like how Fubuki's boobs got bigger over the course of the manga, what, you're gonna tell us she got a boob job in between? :/

True, all analyses devolve into absurdity when followed too far. However, I hope I can justify my approach in this specific instance beyond 'it's fun', which is a sufficient answer to all things fannish.

First of all, it is true that a lot of the changes in the characters' appearances derives from Murata making stylistic changes. In particular, when he started drawing One-Punch Man, he was very keen to break out of the expressions and visual shorthands he'd developed during Eyeshield 21 (see volume 1 of One-Bukoru for more on that). It would seem that in time, he's developed an OPM visual shorthand that still leaves him scope to present the characters semi-realistically when the story demands it.

Let us stay outside the story a little while longer. It would make no sense to consider an intradiegetic explanation for Saitama's clothing in the webcomic. ONE draws clothes on his characters because they normally need some sort of clothing -- once he gets a look for them, that's it. Except where the choice of clothing is plot-relevant (like Teru choosing a terrible t-shirt for Mob), 'clothes were provided' is all that one need to say about it. Murata is very different in this regard. Outside of his art, he has a lot of interest in clothes: for example, he regularly promotes his uncle's kimono store on his Twitter. He spends considerable time referencing outfits for characters (and it's a fun sport for fans to find -- and price up -- those references). He spends a lot of time agonizing what a chracer's outfit says about them. See, for example, this titbit from his 11 June 2018 stream on King's clothing. His awareness of how clothing is an expression of a character's personality and the social signalling it provides has made it explicitly into the text, where Saitama asks Genos if his clothes make him look poor.

Therefore, let us get the first thing straight: the state and type of clothing has meaning within the context of the OPM manga, much more so than it does in the webcomic.

Let us consider the second party in this. Within the manga, it is canonical that Genos is well dressed -- and has been becoming more fashionable with time. Conflict between himself and the shoddily-dressed Saitama would seem likely. Let us consider what we see, therefore.

It is canonical that Genos cleans and repairs Saitama's clothing, including his precious hero uniform. He even goes so far as to have it professionally tended to on occasion (complete with dismay when Saitama gives it away...). He is very invested in Saitama looking his best.

Building on this, Saitama's cheaply-sourced outfits are disliked by Genos. When Saitama asked about looking poor, Genos changed the subject as he wasn't comfortable with telling Saitama bluntly that yes, he does look *that* poor. Genos being unhappy with Saitama's appearance extends to that hero uniform, which Genos has offered to replace as a gift (see 'Road to Hero').

So, we have in place, without an ounce of speculation, a man who dresses cheaply and badly. We have his closest associate, his disciple, being well dressed and distressed on occasion at his master's appearance. It is also well established that his disciple actively tries to improve things for said man.

Given that Genos's care extends to repairing Saitama's clothing, it is not unreasonable to impute that at least some of the improved fit and appearance of Saitama's wardrobe in the story is due to Genos's efforts.

Onto the other side of Saitama fitting his clothes better: food. It is established both within the text and supplemenatary to the text (ONE's interview in the Hero Encyclopedia) that Saitama had difficulty on consistently affording enough to eat before he met Genos. At times, he was even glad for food handouts from grateful people.

Since Genos's arrival, Saitama eats three good meals a day (eating three times a day is non-optional according to Saitama, what is optional is how much to eat: a banana will do if there is no other food available), both because Genos cooks and because pro-hero employment has meant a steady paycheck. It is not plausible that two months of eating well after being undernourished should have no effect whatsoever on how he bulks out.

Notwithstanding changes in Murata's art, it is unreasonable to presume that all the changes in Saitama's appearance can only be due to the art changes. I agree that one should not be overly speculative in one's analyses, but where there is good grounding for inferences, failing to make them is poor reading (1).

Then and now

If you're looking for extradiegetic readings of OPM, I can't recommend better than the Youtuber keatsta https://www.youtube.com/@keatsta2928/videos A long time fan of One-Punch Man, he's unfortunately not been reading the manga since chapter 165, but is still reviewing the webcomic. He's always got something interesting and insightful to say.

As I hope you're able to tell, I do consider the context and authorial intent in deciding how heavily to lean into an intradiegetic reading. Extradiegetic readings often carry the air of objectivity, but that is not necessarily justifiable or even the point. I'll give an example from my own life. Back when I was a snarky teenager, I attended one of my grandfather's art exhibitions. At the reception, I happened to overhear an art critic explaining to someone the signficance of of my grandfather's use of yellows in a painting. I thought (but thankfully did not say) 'how silly -- Grandpa just happened to have a lot of yellow paints to use up at the time.' I knew this to be so because I'd been around at the time he'd painted that picture. My grandfather has been gone for getting on a decade now, and I have no idea where the painting is hanging but I hope that its bold, yet nuanced use of yellows is stil speaking powerfully to someone.

Aside

(1) The inference that Genos has had a hand in improving Saitama's appearance would be 100% uncontroversial if he were a woman and Saitama's girlfriend. It is a deliberately jarring element of One-Punch Man that Genos has the concern for Saitama's appearance and well-being more normally reserved for romantic partners. Without necessarily being romantic.

Like I was saying, beware false objectivity. It often conceals a bias.

#OPM #asks #Genos #Saitama #extradiegesis and its abuse #yes for sure it's damn annoying when people try to use their headcanon as fact #but refusing to make good inferences is also illogical

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murachinchi · 2 months

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Kimegaku Aizetsu x Tanjiro but they got together cause Aizetsu wanna make Genya jelly but Aizetsu end up falling for Tanjiro fr lol

sorry AiGen lovers :c

SOME WARNING Before reading, this is not a fanfic.. just a plot line lmao. Also the endgame will be Aizetsu x Tanjiro. I try to not antagonize Genya in this story but if you feel like i did it i'm so sorry :c. I could have use a random mob but i'm not vibing with it lmao.

The purpose of this story is not to bash the AiGen ship.. but to make me feel sad :c Again if u feel like it was leaning towards that i'm sorry orz. I'm not into poly ships so pls don't come after me with those "aizetsu have 2 hands he can hold both of them" idc. the only polycule ship i like is Hantengu x Tanjiro lmao other than that not my cup of tea sorry :c Again i write this for me, so i'm sorry if the characters are OOC :c i share it here thinking that maybe some of my followers would like it, if you do thank you! :D

Now to the stories...

the idea is Aizetsu and Genya like each other since mid school but they never go steady and keep their relationship a secret. Aizetsu wanna make it official and be public but Genya is not ready cause he's scared of what his brother gonna say.

Sanemi and Genya doesn't have a bad relationship but Genya doesn't want to dissapoint his brother cause he thinks to much about what his brother would say. And Aizetsu doesn't exactly have a good reputation at school plus his brother is a teacher there.. so it's complicated.

i made Aizetsu an orphan here and the other clones doesn't exist here sorry :c he lives in the school dorms since he start middle school. HANCHAN EXIST THO HAHAHA HE'S TANJIRO'S HALF BALD CAT HEHE. I've thought the scenario when Aizetsu first met Hanchan. Aizetsu find the cat so ugly and was about to tell Tanjiro how ugly his cat is but Tanjiro said "omg this is the first time Hanchan greet a visitor 🥺🥺 he usually hides until the guest are gone" so he keep his mouth shut.

Aizetsu was patient but it's their third year of highschool and Genya still doesn't say anything which worries Aizetsu.. and here comes Tanjiro :>

Tanjiro is a year younger than Aizetsu and Genya but has interact with Aizetsu.. They met when Tanjiro starts highschool.. He was lost looking for a classroom he was suppose to be and met Aizetsu who's skipping class and help him show the way to said classroom. Tanjiro developed a silly crush on him. They exchange "hi" everytime they met but that's it lol. Genya like to tease Aizetsu about him but Genya thinks Tanjiro is too kind to be true so he try to avoid him lol

one day Aizetsu got a love letter from someone and was asked to meet him afterschool.. he thought it was from Genya and was very happy that they'll be official.

turns out it was from Tanjiro :c. He was dared by his friends to confess his feelings to his crush. Tanjiro was hopeful but looking at Aizetsu's visible disappointment he knew he'll be rejected.. But dare is a dare and Tanjiro never back down. Aizetsu was sad but decided to use this opportunity to make Genya jelly.

Tanjiro was both surprised and happy by this so they become boyfriends :). Since then Aizetsu start avoiding Genya and hang around Tanjiro more. He still talk to Genya but nothing more like before and always brag about him going to hangout with his boyfriend. Genya was unhappy but he can't really say anything since they are not official so he just let him be but still keep an eye on them..

Aizetsu was happy that his plan worked and he can see Genya seething when he sees them together. Aizetsu is counting the days til Genya came back to him.

Months pass by and Genya still doesn't show any sign to get back together.. Meanwhile Tanjiro was being the good boyfriend he is. making bento for Aizetsu, pick him up to school every morning and walk him back home (it's funny cause he lives in a dorm nearby lol). Sometimes Aizetsu stay the night at Tanjiro's house when he's bored.

Tanjiro lives alone since his family went back to their hometown when his father's health keep getting worse. They were told by their doctor that it's better for him to live in a place with fresh air than here in the city. Tanjiro stays to finish his schooling and planned to go back home when he graduates.

Aizetsu still focus on Genya but he did find Tanjiro endearing in some occasions.. Aizetsu doesn't blatantly ignores Tanjiro but he doesn't put much effort in their relationship either.

come graduation, Aizetsu thinks that the planned failed cause Genya still doesn't say anything so he decided to break up with Tanjiro after the graduation. It was nice while it last but he's not that invested and he'll be out of school anyway so they won't have time to meet now that he have to go to work.

Tanjiro was devastated when Aizetsu break up with him. He begged him to stay but Aizetsu told him that he's just a rebound and it's nothing serious. But then Tanjiro told him that he knew from the start that Azetsu was just using him to make Genya jealous. But he ignores it and try to make Aizetsu fell for him. He might not realized it but Tanjiro notice that he start to reciprocate his feelings. but Aizetsu told him that he's just projecting and he is just lonely cause his family is not here. Then Tanjiro asked if he still has feelings for Genya. Aizetsu can't answer it and told him that it's none of his business and that they are done.

Tanjiro still plead to give their relationship more chance.. He asked if they can try again just until he graduates next year, if Aizetsu still feel the same then he won't bother him anymore and will be out of his life for good.

Aizetsu said that he'll think about it and to give him some time alone. He told Tanjiro to stop contacting him til he said so and he agrees. Aizetsu did a little self reflection and think back about their time together. He did felt something toward Tanjiro on some occassions and enjoys his company but try to ignore it cause his goal was to be back with Genya. But now that he's given up on Genya, guess he coud try again this time focusing only on Tanjiro.

He accept Tanjiro's offer and they start going out. But now that Aizetsu is out of school and has found work he could only have time on weekends but he'll spare some time to walk him home from school. This goes on for months and he start to enjoy this. But one day when he was waiting for Tanjiro at school he met Genya.

Genya asked if they can get back together. Aizetsu is annoyed and ask why now, Genya said that he finally find the courage and talked to his brother. His brother told him that he thinks too much and that he's happy as long as he's happy no matter what. Now Aizetsu is conflicted. If this happen a few months ago he would gladly accept but now..

so Aizetsu told him that he needs to think about this and asked Tanjiro what he should do. Tanjiro was of course annoyed cause its unfair to ask him about this. It's up to Aizetsu to decide not him. Though he advice Aizetsu to hang out with Genya as friends. if he still have those feelings then he's free to leave and get back with Genya. Beside they are still on their "trial" so Tanjiro have no right to decide anything. Aizetsu did take his advice and start hanging out with Genya again. It was awkward at first but it didn't take long for them to go back like they used to be. But Aizetsu start to notice while he's back on a friendly term with Genya, he doesn't have any more lingering feelings towards Genya. He keep thinking about Tanjiro.

One day Genya told him that he misses Aizetsu. He asked if they can do "it" no string attached. Aizetsu is very conflicted about this but said yes. In his mind maybe this can proof if he's still into him or not. And it won't be cheating since he's technically still single. But when Genya touch him, he shoved Genya away and ran.

He run to Tanjiro's house, and keep apologizing for cheating on him. Tanjiro was confused but try to console him. After he calms down, Tanjiro asked what happened and was explained about the incident. Then Tanjiro burst into tears which made Aizetsu panics and start apologizing again and told him that he'll do anything to make up for his mistake. then Tanjiro told him to shut up that he's just relieved that Aizetsu finaly reciprocate his feelings and willing to forget whatever happened in the past and have a fresh start with their relationship.. and they live happily ever after (?) thank you for reading :) i wanna think about something sad so i made this AU lmao maybe i'll draw something for this story but im not sure lol

#kny #hantengu clones #aizetsu #kamado tanjiro #aizetsu x tanjiro

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sunshineofmoon · 1 year

Text

my random and lost ideas of Encanto fanfics:

(still no name defined) Bruno Madrigal x Fem! Reader

"What do you mean I'm not going to marry Alvaro, but with you, and we're going to have three children?!"

In which, with just a few days to go before your wedding to Alvaro Guzman, you decide to consult the well-known and controversial seer of the Madrigal family, Bruno.

However, the responses and perceptions you received were quite different from what you expected; with the man envisioning nothing more than her marriage, not to her current fiancé, but to Bruno himself.

— the plot is already pretty clear, but I'll add a few more things; takes place well before the events of the film, at the time when Bruno, Pepa and Juliet were teenagers (around eighteen/nineteen). And Reader's marriage to Alvaro Guzman (Mariano's uncle) has been arranged, she is unhappy about it but knows she can't do anything to stop it. Therefore, he decides to consult with Bruno Madrigal, even with his family's warnings about his predictions being, hm...Complex. We'll have a time skip and the rest of the fanfic takes place in the current times of the movie (1950's) and the rest... Maybe someday I'll write.

still no name defined (Camilo Madrigal x Fem!Depressed! Reader

Living in such a happy and colorful place as the village of Encanto, it was not at all expected that you would develop illnesses like depression and, shocking everyone, even try to take your own life; however, it had already happened, and being extremely worried about the direction the case could take and how it would affect the whole city, Alma Madrigal decides to send Camilo, her only grandson with the same age as you, to keep you company and even keep an eye on you and your behaviors. What, in the beginning, seemed totally unnecessary and even irritating, ended up being her salvation and drastically changing her life; and, suddenly, Camilo Madrigal's constant presence in her life didn't seem so bad anymore.

— the synopsis was horrible, but I don't care. It was a first draft just so you guys have an idea of how the fanfic will be. But she's the story I'm most fond of and most likely to write first, so treat my baby well.

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dragonologist-phd · 3 months

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Oooh can you tell us a little about Witch of the Northern Moors? 👀

@big-cheesy-productions @camelliagwerm

ha this one was popular!! thank you everyone for asking!

This one is my backstory fic for Naia, my BG3 Tav! I've been writing some stuff for her that takes place during the game, and I've been wanting to do something for who she was before the game. The fic would go through her unhappy childhood in Baldur's Gate, her studies in necromancy, her eventual estrangement from her family, and her decision to move out of the city and basically become a witch/hermit out in the moors (earning her the titular nickname!)

i'm also considering extending the fic through the game to briefly show her character arc in parallel with her developing necromantic abilities, just because there were so many instances where quests and plot points lined up really well with my own headcanons for her character (she was my first Tav and i went in pretty blind, i cannot tell you how pleased i was at all the necromancer content in the game!)

The plans are still a bit rough and i don't have anything written yet, but i've become very fond of Naia it's got a solid spot on my to-do list!

WIP Game

#thanks for the ask!#wip game

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chierafied · 6 months

Text

20 Questions

Tagged by the super lovely @practicecourts, thanks so much!! 😘

1. How many works do you have on AO3?

342

2. What's your total AO3 words count?

1,371,916

3. What fandoms do you write for?

SessKag (Inuyasha), Jily (HP) and rarely IchiRuki (Bleach)

4. What are your top 5 fics by kudos?

Since all my top 5 fics would be SessKag, I'm gonna not do the top 5 overall but top 2 SessKag, top 2 Jily and top 1 IchiRuki.

Life After Loss (SessKag) Post Canon. Slow burn. Hurt/Comfort. Chapter fic. Rated M. Stranger Than Fiction (SessKag) Canon divergence. Modern era reunion. One Shot. Rated T.

#Jily (Jily) Modern AU, celebrity AU, Fake dating. One shot. Rated G. Much Tweeting About Crushing (Jily) Modern AU. Neighbours. Social Media AU. One shot. Rated T.

Miscalculation (IchiRuki) Modern AU Fake dating one shot. Rated T.

5. Do you respond to comments? Why or why not?

I try to, most of the time. As long as I feel there's something to reply to. It's the least that I can do, though sometimes when comments pile up in the inbox it can also feel a bit overwhelming. And sometimes I let them sit there for too long at which point I feel weird answering at all.

6. What's the fic you wrote with the angstiest ending?

I'm very much a happily ever after type of a writer but I do have two SessKag one shots that have unhappy endings. Foil (M) and Vagary (M).

7. What's the fic you wrote with the happiest ending?

Super hard to say, since I'm all for happy endings. I'm restricting my choices to Jily fics since I was tagged for this question thing by my jily fam so... I guess Fall Fluff! It's a 500 word ficlet but the ending is especially sweet. 😉

8. Do you get hate on fics?

Hardly ever. There's annoying comments here and there, sure. I've got anon hate once from someone anti that particular ship. And I did have a popular chapter fic with a plot twist that became somewhat controversial. Hate is a strong word, but I got enough upset comments on it that though it's been a decade, I sometimes still cringe a little if I see a comment notification on that fic.

9. Do you write smut. If so what kind?

No. I have only one fic that's rated E on AO3. Some of my M rated fics might have sex scenes, particularly the chapter fics. But I don't write smut, I don't even like the word smut and its connotation. Because I like to write sex scenes that are tasteful, that are a balancing act of giving just enough detail and description. I like to focus on the feelings and the relationship development and I don't like naming body parts.

10. Do you write crossovers? What's the craziest one you've written?

I've only ever written one proper crossover, where characters from different series interact (though even that took place in AU setting so it wasn't a crossover in the purest form) but it's never been published. I have done multiple fusion type crossovers, though, in which I take characters from one franchise (Jily) and insert them into the world of another established franchise (The Office). I'd say my Jily The Office AU fusion (In the Dumps, Rated T) and my SessKag Star Wars AU fusion (A Leap of Faith, Rated G) are the craziest, in that I've never watched The Office nor been a Star Wars fan lol

11. Have you ever had a fic stolen?

Once, that I know of. My popular SessKag fic Chain of Love (M) was posted without my knowledge on Wattpad. After a reader alerted me, I tried contacting the thief. When they never responded, I contacted Wattpad and it was promptly taken down.

12. Have you ever had a fic translated?

I have. Some of them are pre-AO3, though, so they're not linked with the translated work function. But the one that does show properly on AO3, is a Chinese translation for my SessKag one shot Cold (G).

13. Have you ever cowritten a fic before?

I've made a few efforts with an IRL friend of mine, but they've both fizzled out sooner or later. I'm not sure I'm the co-writer type, honestly. 😅 I used to brainstorm a lot with my friends when I first started writing fic so that was co-writing of sorts, I guess.

14. What's your all-time favourite ship?

Since I've been writing them for half my life now, I guess I have to say SessKag lol

15. What's a WIP you want to finish, but doubt you ever will?

Their Halcyon Days (M), my Jily chapter fic. There's plenty other Jily fics I like the ideas of, but will never likely finish. Shoot Me Straight to the Top (T) and the Bodyguard AU (M), for example.

16. What are your writing strengths?

Brevity lol. I like my one shots and I've been told I'm good at creating a whole story or scene in very few words. I'd say I'm also good at writing dialogue and conveying emotion. I also like semi-open endings, so I have a knack at ending my one shots at a point where it would be easy to imagine a continuation for them.

17. What are your writing weaknesses?

Inconsistency. When I don't have a writing routine established, such as now, I will only bother writing anything when I feel like it. And generally I feel like it once every other month, at most. If I don't have a writing routine going, I can happily go for months without writing a single word. I really should work on getting a routine going one of these years. Also I can't stand editing. I don't do first drafts. Or any drafts, really. I want to just write it once and then post it. Which is what I tend to do. I do proofread and do line editing, but I don't tend to do any deeper edits and have little patience to go make bigger adjustments to the story afterwards because in my mind it's finished and I've already moved on from it.

18. Thoughts on writing dialogue in another language for a fic?

I don't hate it, I guess, but I don't see the point of it? Having terminology of another language in a fic is fine, imo. Cultural concepts like kimono or samurai don't really have good enough translations. Also I think using Japanese honorifics in dialogue serves a purpose. You could replace some with Mr and Miss, sure, but when you get to the nitty gritty, there are hierarchy levels and whatnot that English equivalents do not convey. But having entire lines of dialogue be in another language seems a bit unnecessary to me, 90% of the time.

19. First fandom you wrote for?

I've since deleted the fic since I was never going to continue it, but the first fic I ever published was a next gen fic for my favourite book series growing up: David Eddings' The Belgariad and the Malloreon.

20. Favourite fic you've ever written?

I can't pick just one out of 300+ fics, so I won't. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

Tagging @gryffindormischief, @siriuslychessi, @kaoruhana08 & @jafndaegur

#long post #sesskag #jily #jily fam #writing meme #meme tag #fic meme #chie is tagged

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pinkandpurple360 · 6 months

Note

Hey. So, after I saw your post in regards to the leaks for Helluva Boss's "Ghostfuckers" episode, it made me think of something mentioned in the HB pitch bible, specifically the premise page. Click here to see the premise in the HB Pitch Bible.

While hiding a secret obsession to take out the one target who managed to survive him during his prime and keep him from a 100% success record.

And then I came up with an idea (one that I may or may not use in my Helluva Boss rewrite): what if Ronaldo (the villain from the leaked episode storyboards) was "the one target" the pitch bible premise mentioned Blitz is obsessed with trying to take out? And what if the "Ghostfuckers" plot was about Blitz encountering Ronaldo again (with build up from previous episodes, of course, so that it doesn't feel like it came out of nowhere) and their history with each other (I was thinking maybe Ronaldo came around before Blitz even started I.M.P. in the first place), rather than Millie attempting to off herself over being a big dumb brute and a bad wife who's holding Moxxie back the leaked episode is going for?

It's an idea I recently came up with that has yet to have depth to it at this point in time. But I feel like this would be an interesting idea, especially since I agree with some HB fans who found out about it from the premise in the pitch bible that it's a very interesting idea and wishes that it was integrated into the actual show. Aside from that, I'd also redesign Ronaldo because from the storyboards his design looks like Striker but very gross with a silly bandit mask on, as well as possibly change his species and/or powers. I'd still keep his swift movement, though, as I thought it looked cool in the storyboards (especially with his fight against Blitz), at least in my opinion. Oh, and his telepathy as well, but have it been used differently and not just to read people's deepest insecurities or trying to get people to off themselves.

In regards to the "Ghostfuckers" leaks, I honestly and desperately hope that the leaks aren't true, as not only is it a massive disservice to Millie herself (since her insecurity in this episode involves her marriage to Moxxie), but, while not the first time HB has played suicide for laughs (they did it throughout "C.H.E.R.U.B." and in a brief "joke" in "Unhappy Campers"), but the way that they portray it here is so disgusting and distasteful (like Family Guy levels of distastefulness, given FG's history of playing suicide for laughs), especially since it's just for the sake of drama and "spicy character development". If they were going to have an episode tackling the topic of suicide, they either should've treated it with seriousness, dignity, and care (plus have it be for a character that it would actually work for, like Blitz or Moxxie). Or they shouldn't've bothered tackling the topic at all if all their going to do is play it for laughs or use it for the sake of drama (especially since it's very triggering and sensitive). Also, not sure why they didn't use the "Millie wanting to feel important" route that was in "Unhappy Campers", as I feel like if they went that route instead of the "Millie feels like she's a bad wife who's holding Moxxie back" route that the boards went with, as it would've given more context as to why she feels this way (ex. she is only viewed as a killer and nothing more than that by other people, she's too reckless and violent, etc).

Anyways, I hope you enjoyed my idea here. Feel free to give any kind and constructive feedback, as I'm always looking for improvement. I'd love to share more of my HB Rewrite/Reimagine/Rework/AU, but I'd have to get my thoughts together first beforehand, as whenever I write without any planning, I feel like my words are all over the place and disorganized. I was thinking about sharing my HB OCs with you, two of which serve as new main characters. That is, if you're okay with it. Thank you and have a wonderful day/afternoon/night. 🤗💕❤️🧡💛💚💙💜💖💕🤗

Hi ^_^ thank u 💕❣️

First of all Love the idea. You are free to share any ideas with me you like I’d love to discuss them with you cause I’m also a big writing dork ♥️ As for why they don’t use any of Millie’s established traits and character…sigh…it’s because they need to take some ‘role of women in literature’ classes honestly

Your idea has it all

Respects the gravity of a subject and it’s message and how it will effect the audience

Is consistent with the established characters and develops them further without tarnishing that

Incorporates original ideas and premise into a new concept

Doesn’t use mental health for blink and you miss it shock value purposes

It doesn’t diminish the female characters to only be moral pets or moral scapegoats of the main male characters—and their motivations just being good enough girls/women to keep the men’s constant love

You didn’t somehow make it about gay ships which I appreciate. Sometimes two men know each other without them being father/son or boss or sexual

Sigh. It’s everything the current writing needs to be but isn’t.

For me there is no excuse to break the lore enough to include a spooky reverse therapist ghost. The only reasoning I’d accept is if he is a sinner who developed those powers after entering hell, in fact maybe even one that Blitz killed as a human who he never forgot about. That would be very cool without breaking consistency and lore. Sinners can be anything, they even manifest as their death. And I feel like we need to know about the IMP past before Moxie when it was just Blitz and Millie, I love moxie but his insecure emotions are just parasitic on the story. And no transferring them to Millie doesn’t work. I thought he was Striker too because he is striker just smoky and uglier…plus ‘Ronaldo’ seriously…

People are going to lose their shit at this episode, all of them probably because they all look awful and mock women’s emotions as unjustified melodrama against men who did nothing wrong. It shits all over the established characters and it uses completely ridiculous silly plot devices clashing with a serious message. And it really shows that they don’t know how to give a character focus without it being intense trauma death mental destruction and pain. Yeah let’s give the one confident and shining light on the team suicidal thoughts and a gravity of self esteem issues she has never once had about being a good enough woman for a man. It makes me so sad to say it but Millie x Moxie will become toxic if they do this. Almost as bad as what will happen to Via :(

#helluva boss #fanfic ideas #writing ideas #triggering content #mentions of sh #mentions of death #mental illness

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wordwiilderness · 4 months

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Finished Iron Flame by Rebecca Yarros, here are some thoughts...

Overall, I thought Iron Flame was slightly better than Fourth Wing, which was surprising because often sequels that come after big reveals that suddenly expand the world our story is in can make the story feel unfamiliar and disorienting.

I was also open about how unhappy I was at the end of Fourth Wing when Xaden was portrayed as the wrongful party for keeping the rebellion a secret from the daughter of the general who a) was a leader of the kingdom they were rebelling against and b) executed his and many other children's parents from rebelling before them :/ But please, explain to me why your less-than-a-year-long relationship trumps all that.

Iron Flame did a little better by letting Xaden stand up for himself and giving Violet better reasons to feel betrayed (i.e. not wanting to be lied to about things that put her in danger rather than just wanting full disclosure because they're dating).

I enjoyed how the rebellion plot played out. I won't say much about it to avoid spoilers, but lots of new information is revealed! It felt well planned out, and it was interesting to see how each of the characters reacted to learning the empire and their friends' secrets.

My biggest criticism in terms of plot and worldbuilding for both Fourth Wing and Iron Flame is that the Venin are not at all compelling villains. I really don't have anything good to say about them. The conflict that makes this series interesting is the political corruption within the empire.

We also learn more about dragons and their governing system in this book, which I was especially excited about. Lots of the information we got left me with more questions than answers, so I'm very excited to see what comes next. In the third book, I'm hoping we get to see the Empyrean in action and get to meet more of the dragon elders.

I felt that this second book focused more on the plot than the first book, which I think was a good choice for this series. I can't help but compare Rebecca Yarros's writing to Sarah J. Maas's fantasy romances because they're very similar in my mind. With Maas's writing, I always see her series decline after the main couple gets together and there's not enough plot and worldbuilding to carry the series. I was worried Yarros would follow the same script, but it seems like now that Violet and Xaden have agreed they're in love, we're seeing more focus turn to other parts of the story. It's not that the romance part of the story has completely been abandoned, but that the author doesn't have to fill the entire book with smut and relationship drama to make up for a terrible plot.

In the third book, I would like to see more focus on Violet's other relationships and even more development of plot and worldbuilding. I think this book's biggest weakness is that we didn't get to see much development of Violet's friendships and most disappointingly, her long-lost brother that she recently reunited with.

Overall, this is still a fun series! I'm excited to see what the third book brings to the table!

#this was supposed to be a quick review lol #Iron Flame #the empyrean #book review #silly thoughts with peyton

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zeldaseyebrows · 6 months

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20 Questions for Fic Writers

Thank you to my talented friend @linksthoughtbrambles for the tag!!

1. How many works do you have on AO3?

Five. I write sloooow

2. What's your total AO3 word count?

182,205

3. What fandoms do you write for?

The Legend of Zelda

4. What are your top 5 fics by kudos?

The Calamity of Link's Cargo Shorts

Sacrilege and Sororities

The Mushroom Risotto Incident

Cross My Heart

In the Blood

5. Do you respond to comments? Why or why not?

Always. People take the time to comment, so I will always take the time to respond. I sincerely appreciate people taking the time to comment, since it makes my day and fuels my fic writing.

6. What's the fic you wrote with the angstiest ending?

I'm allergic to unhappy endings, so I'll never end anything truly sad. In the Blood is the angstiest one so far (that will have a happy ending), but I also have a Hylink fic in the works that will probably be the most sad (but will still have a good ending imo).

7. What's the fic you wrote with the happiest ending?

Cross My Heart. They go get hitched in "West Hyrule"/California and live happily ever after.

8. Do you get hate on fics?

Thankfully not yet. Everyone has been very kind so far.

9. Do you write smut? If so, what kind.

All of my fics on AO3 are rated E, so... Yep. But I don't write it without plot. I have to have the plot and character development.

10. Do you write crossovers? What's the craziest one you've written?

No, but I'd love to do some silly ones. I did draw a lotr crossover that would be fun. And HTTYD. And Star Trek!

11. Have you ever had a fic stolen?

Yes. I was not happy about it.

12. Have you ever had a fic translated?

I have not, but I'd be honored if that ever happened!

13. Have you ever co-written a fic before?

No, not officially, but I am writing a fic that my friend Newt and I came up with together. Selkie AU let's goooo

14. What's your all-time favorite ship?

Ooof I would have to say zelink/hylink, but I am also BIG into Xena/Gabrielle, Kirk/Spock, Mako/Raleigh, Rauru/Sonia, Jon/Martin, and Achilles/Patroklos (from the Iliad solely and specifically!).

15. What's a WIP you want to finish but doubt you ever will?

I have way too much faith in myself that I'll finish fics. But I was thinking of writing a silly ice skating/blades of glory AU that I will probably not get around to.

16. What are your writing strengths?

Humor and emotional resonance I think? That's what people seem to enjoy and what I try to convey too.

17. What are your writing weaknesses?

I'm terrible at setting the scene. Description is noooot my thing at all. I try to work on being better at it though, especially with more atmospheric writing like in my zombie apocalypse AU.

18. Thoughts on writing dialogue in another language for a fic?

I'm not sure if I understand this question correctly. Like lotr style making up an entire new language, or contemporary writing using a different modern language and not translating it? I don't foresee needing to do either with any fic for loz, since it's not like I'm going to have Link or Zelda bust out some untranslated Elvish etc for funsies (since that wouldn't be fun for anyone). If I was writing something and wanted to specify it was in another language, I'd probably keep it in English and italicize it so the reader knows, like I did in Cross My Heart.

19. First fandom you wrote for?

I think I wrote some Grade A Absolute Crap fanfic that never saw the light of day for star trek. A simpler, still very embarrassing time.

20. Favorite fic you've ever written?

Cross My Heart. I liked the plot, the weird structure, and the revenge narrative. It's near and dear to my own heart

#i'm horrible at tagging so please consider yourself tagged if you'd like to do this one!!#the brows speak #my writing #zelda fanfiction

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