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#not to mention that when he has to draw them it's chapters/arcs that show how their relationship is NOT easy at all.
sovamurka · 2 months
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Balor and Yana in Andrey Vasin's style, my beloved <3
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mitsubabunny · 2 years
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TBHK Flower Symbolism Analysis - Mitsuba + Kou
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In Japan the school year starts in April which coincides with the peak cherry blossom season, this is when Mitsuba and Kou meet for the first time.
I think that Mitsuba in a lot of ways is basically the embodiment of cherry blossoms and there’s official art where he literally is a bunch of cherry blossom petals.
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The life span of cherry blossoms is very short, only about two weeks because of this they symbolize the fleeting nature of life and a reminder to appreciate what we have because you never know what might happen. Maybe Mitsuba and Kou could have become friends while Mitsuba was alive if only they had more time, if only Mitsuba’s life wasn’t cut so short but things just didn’t happen that way.
I’d also like to mention that cherry blossoms are also associated with a legend where a samurai sacrificed his life to save a dying cherry blossom tree. I just think it seems kind of similar to Kou trying to sacrifice himself for Mitsuba.
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Morning glories bloom each morning and when the sun sets the flower curls up and takes its rest, similarly in the Mitsuba Arc Mitsuba meets his end on the same day that he befreinds Kou.
Morning glories can symbolize “brief love” or “bond of love” in Japan and its leaves even resemble hearts. I think both these meanings can both fit with Mitsuba and Kou’s relationship. “Brief love” fits well with the Mitsuba Arc and their short amount of time that they got to spend together. While I think that “bond of love” fits their relationship as a whole because no matter how many times they are separated they always seem to find each other again and the bond is still there even if one doesn’t remember the other.
The presence of morning glories also tells us that it’s summer, meaning that the second time Mitsuba and Kou meet is during the summer. I point this out because I feel like Mitsuba and Kou have been associated with seasons a lot. Their first meeting was in the spring, Mitsuba died in the winter, and then they met again in the summer and became friends so now I have to wonder if something will happen in the fall.
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The flowers that appear here in Kou’s dream appear to be kalmia flowers. The most common meaning of this flower is perseverance/persistence so my best guess is that these flowers are meant to represent that this is a recurring dream that won’t go away?
I think that it’s interesting that flowers are even surrounding this panel in the first place considering that this is supposed to be a bad dream.
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When Kou first meets Mitsuba in the fake world Mitsuba is holding roses. Roses are known for being the universal flower for love. Out of context from the rest of the chapter this scene seems very romantic with the roses, Kou dropping his books at the sight of Mitsuba and saying that he “felt like time has stopped”.
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In Japan it’s common to give red carnations to your family or specifically give them to your mother on Mother’s Day so we can assume that the flower is for his mother.
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In Kou’s HOTO AU art we see him holding a red rose. As most people know, red roses are used to mean romantic love and can also mean passion, desire and longing. The rose doesn’t have any purpose in the actual plot of the AU but I do think the meaning of flowers fits well with his character and his relationship with Mitsuba. Most things regarding Kou and Mitsuba’s relationship in the HOTO AU is left up to interpretation so you can draw your own conclusions if you want.
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In this AU Kou is shown holding what seems to be a branch off of a cherry blossom tree. There’s another drawing for this AU that shows Kou attempting to give the flowers to Nene and when that fails he ends up giving them to Mitsuba. We already know that Mitsuba is pretty heavily associated with cherry blossoms and his colour scheme in this AU is even very similar to the colour scheme of the cherry blossoms so maybe they were meant for him all along.
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the-owl-tree · 10 months
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okay
I for some reason have a very strong feeling that I am gonna poke the bear by asking this
and I am very scared to
but
considering you like xenofiction and manga
what are your opinions on Beastars
runs away
you know what that's fair because i had to do a little circle around my chair when you brought up beastars because of how many feelings i have on it.
tldr: beastars first half is an original and immaculate story that grounds its issues in its world before metaphor, but falls so flat on its face for the finale that it essentially doomed its own fate to die with a pitiful whimper
spoilers for beastars
I adore Beastars (the first half at least). It is such a strikingly original world that roots all of its problems IN ITS WORLD - which is my biggest problem with allegorical works of art. Beastars takes every step to show how these issues manifest within its world and how people would respond BEFORE it tries to lean on the metaphor and that's what I think separates it from Zootopia. Beastars is a world before it is a metaphor. I love her artwork and I love the character design, her expressions and the way she draws teeth and claws are my favorite. Paru Itagaki is an amazing artist, she has this very sketchy style reminiscent of Q Hayashida that I adore and much like Q, she knows how to make scenes weighty and bloody and PAINFUL. You will FEEL IT when these characters bit and claw at one another.
Beastars justifies its high school setting because it is specifically about how this world informs the development of its characters. Them being in high school is a great way to show their growth between young people trying to figure out their place, their self in their understanding of their school only for them to change as they grow. It's fantastic! The rich way the characters interact and perceive one another, interweaving both animal urge and emotions is fascinating to read. Paru Itagaki's strength is in her character writing and interactions, I adored the high school romance because I understood WHY these characters did things the way they did and I loved all the care that was put into making sure that every aspect of themselves informed their actions.
Legosi is such a kindly and endearing protagonist. I like that's he's a little weirdo and proud of it, I like that he's consistently making an effort to understand others. His relationship with Haru is my absolute favorite and, well, that's why the second half was such a let down.
In a stunning first half with enjoyable character arcs and fascinating character development, the sudden plummet into shounen battle arcs with the I'm InSaNe Melon was a huge let down. The second half, I firmly believe NEEDED to focus on Haru and Legosi's relationship. It is the ANCHOR of the story, it is the complete heart of both character's and it is so firmly enjoyable because of the dynamic that Itagaki has written. But instead, the finale stumbles on half-baked concepts (they made jojo stands?? and did NOTHING WITH THEM?????), unfinished plot lines (louis was in the mafia and didn't go to jail, his father is still cartoonishly evil and its never resolved), and antagonists so boring and unoriginal that i was begging for the manga to just put me down. Not to mention the whole predator and prey thing is just....resolved? all of a sudden?? not very well explained? Oh yeah! The great whale says we can eat fish now, glad that elaborate building up of the market and its cultural importance in the city can be resolved! What a way to go!
It is such a horrendous finale for such an intriguing and original series. I can only be at peace knowing the final chapter was the date we deserved WAY EARLIER. I loved Legosi working as a delivery guy, I could've had an entire slice of life series around that but nope! Boring pointless battle arc time. Sucks ass.
It sucks because the first half is so so good and I highly recommend it! I don't want this series to go out with such a whimper but goddamn....the ending is soooo bad. If you're interested in it, dip out as soon as Melon appears I mean it. You'll be happier, just go read Beast Complex it's so much better than the finale please just trust me on this.
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jayisabells · 6 months
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Shy anime review (up to ep 5) Spoilers up to most recent unofficial manga translation (around chap 100) and references to untranslated chapters (up to most recent)
I will say I love the anime. Its very cute, I like the style of editing because it keeps the feel of the manga. I will say the style is okay, what I was expecting, I just urge anime-only to at least check out the first volume because I love Bukimi's style of drawing (its so pretty and would be impossible to replicate for animation),
Since the anime is still early on, all I can really say is how much I can think back upon earlier stuff in relation to "reveals" in the later chapters.
For example, when Stardust tells Pepesha that she is too soft on Teru because Teru reminds her of someone. I completely forgot about it in the mange, but now that I remember, I realize he meant Shine/Mei. I don't think Stardust ever mentions anything regarding Mei every again until a possoble scene in the untranslated chapters, in which there is a flashback with him and Pepesha talking (i won't get into details for spoilers sake).
In episode 5, with the old lady (I already forgot her name I'm so sorry) and Teru. Teru mentions going in because she was reminded of the shop when she saw the mountain, and the lady mentions she used to come with Mei when she was younger. The lady also reveals her husband has since passed from them. The lady wishes she could climb the mountain again like she used to with her husband, which urges Teru to seek Lady Black's help. When I first encountered this scene I thought it was partly to show Teru's caring side despite her reserved and introverted nature. She wants to help people. But I feel this also goes Teru's loss of Mei. Essentially both of them lost someone important to them, Teru going into that shop also acted as a way to remind her of Mei, the mountain (while much more of a deeper connection) represents something similar for the lady. Which could possibly be why Teru was willing to go out of her way to get Lady Black's help. Or I am looking too deep into this lol.
(I also feel this could indicate something about Mei. People rarely went to this local stationary shop probably because it was easier to go to a bigger store. Even when Mei is not being a hero she is still helping those around her (supporting the shop).)
I believe maybe next episode has the fever scene, which I think is the first direct mention of Mei. More specifically the lost of Mei 3 years before canon. I don't think its that relevant until the Shinning Six, so not for a while in the anime. But I wonder if they are going to mention that she was the previous Japanese hero now. I mainly think they might because of all the little easter eggs of her (aka the figurines in Teru's room).
The anime is obviously bringing up some of the errors of the early volumes though. Such as the introduction of random side characters that seem they might have later importance, but generally do not. The calligraphy club being one that is essential not brought up again (spoilers) until the latest untranslated official chapters.
Another issues is kinda the rushing of certain character developments. Mainly Stardust and Lady Black. I've seen some say Pepesha too, but since the entire first arc is significant development for her, I would say no. Introducing her and Teru's relationship is a bit rushed, but as the manga later reveals (untranslated chapters/speculation), they've known each other since before Teru became a hero, which is around 6 months before canon if I remember correctly. As in Pepesha helped Teru "official" become Japan's hero after Shine.
Overall, wonderful anime. Beautiful manga. I just read the most recent unofficial translation chapters and I'm screaming. We are entering the Mei backstory sooooonnnn
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thedawningofthehour · 7 months
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for the dvd commentary thing - im not sure if it fits under 500 words or if u can even remember what u were thinking since u wrote it like last year , but the scene in arc 1 chapter 8 where draxum n donnie talk abt sun tzu n mythology n names ?
That is...yes, that's quite a bit longer, about 1300, but lucky for you I'm very narcissist and love talking about my shit. (and nobody else sent one in)
“You’ve read Sun Tzu.” Draxum is just looking at him, with a quirked eyebrow and a small smile on his face. For some reason, Donnie’s face flushes. “Well, yeah.” He looks down. “I’ve always loved reading, and it’s not that long. What, did you know him or something?” “He was a bit before my time.” Okay, he’s actually smiling now. It’s creepy. “But his work is quite illuminating.” “I’m surprised you’ve read it. He was a human, after all. A warring human. Aren’t you against that?” “Only fools believe they have nothing to learn from their opponents.” “So you’ll apply that to a two-thousand-year-old book, but not to modern humans?” Donnie tugs on his cuffs. “You know you missed, like, the entire point Sun Tzu was trying to make, right? His entire philosophy was that using violence is rarely the best way to get what you want and conflicts are better solved diplomatically.” “And he also said that when you do draw your bow, to draw your strongest arrow.” “Yes, but only if-” “Do you not think there have been attempts to address our conflict with the humans diplomatically?” Draxum says shortly. “You think you’ve seen the extent of this war. This has gone on much longer than you. Longer than me, even.”
So that took influence from a podcast I enjoy:
youtube
The whole thing is a fake talk show radio program from a fictional city with sort a sort of surreal-absurdist vibe going on. (one episode depicts a political debate that devolves into an argument over whether the crawdad people would vote for them and one candidate's treatment of the alligator king, for example) Also not the only reference to this podcast in this fic; this is where Tubby Dan's Barbecue and its various trials Bella mentions are from. He actually has a commercial later on in this episode.
I also have not been able to find the exact quote he uses. This guy might just be trolling me. But I figured, Donnie's fifteen, even if it is a fake quote that's the kind of mistake a fifteen-year-old would make.
“I’m just saying-” “No, you will listen to me on this occasion. Look around you, boy. Think of where we are, think of who we are.” “We’re a turtle and a goat-man in your lab. I can’t really look at much else.” The slap takes him by surprise. It doesn’t particularly hurt, but he feels quite confident by now in how far he can push Draxum before he uses physical force, and he hadn’t reached that point. “The Hidden City is under New York City,” Draxum says quietly. “You have more experience with the world above than I do, so let me ask. Does it feel like New York City?” Donnie shakes his head, his cheek still stinging. “Why do you think that is?” “I assumed it was because the Hidden City is a lot older? New York is only about three hundred years old, and almost everything up there was built in the last century,”
(noooo a typo)
(I literally just went back and edited a nearly year-old chapter right now, it's all fixed dw)
But for real, New York is an infant of a city. I know the Hidden City is under New York because the turtles live in New York, they've always lived in New York-but I wanted it to make sense why.
So my idea was that the Hidden City isn't so much under New York, but that New York was built on top of the Hidden City. They weren't even hidden at first-they just fucking lived there, cohabitating with the indigenous Lenape people, (or at the very least they left each other alone) and adapted when Europeans started their colonizing bullshit, gradually moving underground as more humans showed up and clashed with the Yokai, not understanding what they were. (The Lenape and the original colonizers didn't really know either, but there was an understanding of bro just don't ask questions that was gradually lost as more and more people settled there) Part of the reason it became 'gestures to all of New York' is because of the presence of the Yokai and all their nonsense. So basically-the chicken came before the egg, and the Hidden City is that chicken. Or one of them. You can decide whether they did the fucking or laid the egg.
“You are…correct in that observation, yes. The Hidden City is much older.” Draxum glances off to the side. “But think of what is here. Think of where it came from.” “Well, yes, the culture here is heavily East Asian. Even the name Yokai originated in Japan.” “Think about that. Why are so many Yokai from that area? New York is on the other side of this continent. It is not a simple journey.” “I assumed there was some portal.” “There was, but by design. Why did they come here?” “I’ve met Yokai that are definitely European.” “Very few. Think about why that is.” Donnie glances up. “Fewer Yokai in other parts of the world.” “We were actually more widespread in some areas. Why do you think you do not see our brothers and sisters from the Horn of Africa? The Maghreb? From the islands of the great Pacific? They existed, my boy. Ask me why they are not here.” Donnie is silent. Draxum looks over him, his eyes narrowed and cold. “The Hidden City is the last of its kind. There are no other communities like this elsewhere in the world, not anymore. So I will ask you again, boy. Why are there so many Yokai here from Asia? And why are the Yokai of the rest of the world not here?” Donnie remains silent. “Answer me, boy.” “I understand.” “I want you to say it.” “Humans killed them.” Donnie focuses on the ceiling. 
Another one of those 'try to make the lore of the fucking ninja turtles show realistic' decisions. I know the reason they're called Yokai and why there's so much East Asian influence is because they are Ninja and this is a show about Ninjas and the writers wanted to harp on that, but it doesn't really make sense from a lore perspective.
I mean, think of where New York is. Pre flying, pre Panama Canal, the Far East and New York couldn't have really been more far apart. To get from Japan to New York by ship, you had to sail across the Pacific, down the west coast of both north and south America, around Cape Horn, back up the east coast all the way from Argentina to the fucking northeastern tip of the United States. Or land in Washington and cross the entire continent on foot. (I know they have portals but that's not the point, okay?) Like, unless there was a really big, heavy traffic natural portal from the Hidden City to Japan it just doesn't make sense for that to be the primarily culture. Especially considering the Crying Titan, canonical father of all Yokai, is under New York. If there was going to be a higher concentration of Yokai in any peoples, it would be the native people of North America. Because that's where the goddamn empyrean is flowing.
But we see pretty much no obvious First Nations influence. We get some East Asian and some European, all under a heavily Americanized umbrella. I mean, yes, they did this because this is a show marketed to American children and that's what's recognizable to them, but still. I needed it to make sense.
And it gave me the perfect frame to hang a blood-soaked backdrop.
“So you do understand.” Donnie presses his lips together. “I don’t think all humans deserve to die for it.” “I don’t think so either.” He must look surprised, because Draxum looks down at him, amused. “What? Deserve is a rather heavy word. I’m not speaking of deserving. I’m speaking of survival. Humans and Yokai cannot coexist. One of us will destroy the other. I do not intend to allow my people to languish in the dark while the humans choke us out.”
This is really the cornerstone of Draxum's beliefs. Yes, he's acting out of hatred and anger, but I didn't want that to be his whole thing. That's not as compelling, and Draxum's intelligent enough to need a concrete reason. And I mean...from his perspective, relations with humans have always gone sour eventually. And his people end up paying the price for that in blood.
“What makes you so sure?” “It has been foretold.” “What, like a prophecy?” “Exactly. There is a prophecy that predicts-” “You haven’t read much Greek literature, have you?” Donnie shifts in his binds. “Oedipus? Cronos? Or are those guys too old for you too? Let’s see, we have the Mahabharata. Macbeth. Sun, Moon, and Talia. Have you read Harry Potter?” “What-” Draxum closes his eyes. “Child, what in the world are you talking about?” “Those are all stories of self-fulfilling prophecies. In every one of those stories, the actions taken to avoid the prophecy cause it to come to fruition. Cronos eats his kids because he was told one of them would overthrow him, but that just makes his kid angry enough to do it. Talia is foretold to be killed by a splinter of flax, so her father bans flax from the house. The first time she sees someone spinning flax, she doesn’t know what it is and pricks her finger due to her curiosity and inexperience.” “...Why would a splinter of flax kill her?” “I always assumed there was some context lost in the translation, because that part never really made sense. Anyway, the point is that trying to prevent the prophecy just made things worse. It likely never would have come true, if people had simply done nothing.”
I'd like to call back to Draxum's speech to the Shredder in the finale. He does his big dramatic betrayal because he realizes that the prophecy foretelling the destruction of the Yokai was not the humans, but Shredder himself.
But he conveniently leaves out his own role in that. Draxum brought the Shredder back. Even before factoring in the orb he gave Big Mama, pulling Karai from her hell dimension, even without the work he did recovering the cursed metal-like, even if the Foot got every piece of armor the could get their hands on without him, they still wouldn't have finished it because Splinter had the last piece. And there's no way Splinter would have allowed it to be taken. Even Draxum couldn't defeat him in combat. The only reason Splinter gave it up was to save his sons-the sons that were shown kicking the Foot's ass all episode. If it was just them, they couldn't have captured the turtles. No Draxum, no Shredder.
Which makes the entirety of Rise a self-fulfilling prophecy in itself. In trying to destroy what he thought was the greatest threat to his people, Draxum created the very thing that could end them.
“No, it would have been a regular prophecy, like Cassandra predicting the fall of Troy.” “So you do know your Greek literature!” Donnie almost smiles at that. “Potentially. But far more likely that the prophecy simply doesn’t come to pass, like the thousands of other prophecies that are forgotten. We only hear about the ones that come true, after all. And from a simply mathematical standpoint, some of them must come true.” “I understand what you’re trying to do, and I understand your point. But you are a child playing at war.”
Yeah, he doesn't have a good answer here. So he just dismisses Donnie's point. Reminds me of my own dad!
“Well, maybe you need a child’s point of view,” Donnie huffs, rolling his eyes. “Have you ever thought maybe you’re too far into this to see what you’re doing?” He expects Draxum to call him names again, but he’s quiet for an uncharacteristic amount of time. Donnie turns his head, seeing Draxum leaning against his desk, a very far-away look in his eyes. “I know I was,” he finally says, so softly Donnie almost doesn’t hear him. “But I realized my mistake. I pulled out of it before it was too late.” He turns back to Donnie. “That’s why you’re here.”
A callback to Cass telling Draxum that the armor would kill him. Because really, Draxum's plan was stupid. He barely knew anything about this armor, the Foot, why they were so willing to give him this power. Yet he didn't ask questions. He didn't do any research. He trusted the Foot-humans, who had no love for his people and no reason to help him. Yet he plunged in. He was so enamored with the dark armor's power, so obsessed and blinded by bloodlust that he didn't stop to think about any of this. Not until Cass basically slapped him across the face and told him to snap out of.
And then he realized. He'd almost died-and died horribly, feeding a leashless monster. That was how lost he was in his bid for power. He had a whole-ass personal crisis before deciding to take up kidnapping as a hobby.
Donnie raises an eyebrow. “Kidnapping me was the less extreme option.” “Correct.” “I mean, yes, kidnapping one turtle isn’t as bad as unleashing a literal demon, but like…you couldn’t have found some middle ground?” “You’re my strongest arrow,” he replies simply. And it feels like someone’s dumped ice water over him. “Don’t be angry. I tried to compromise with you. I would have let you keep your name and your family, but you’re the one who refused to meet me in the middle.” Donnie just looks off to the side. “Think about it.” Draxum approaches his table, reaching out and grasping Donnie’s shackled hand, fingers curling around him like a claw. “You’re going to help me protect Yokai and mutants alike. We will do great work together, and when I lead my people into the sun with you by my side, your name will go down in history.” He does a little smile at that, like it’s a pleasant thought. “You just have to tell me what you want that name to be.”
I was kind of hoping someone would catch onto this. At this point, Draxum is still considering Donnie (or rather, his fantasy son who doesn't have a name yet) to be an accessory to his power. Like yeah, he wants him to be revered and rewarded after the fighting is done, but when the history books are written he'd be a chapter in Draxum's book. The next time he mentions the whole 'lead our people into the sun' thing, he says they'll do it 'side-by-side' because he now considers Galois an equal, and as time goes on he will eventually see himself as the person meant to help Galois on his path and set him up as the true savior of the Yokai.
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sherylhooper · 7 months
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Hi since Gojo's arc doesnt feel finished and underwhelming do you have any theories on Gojo bouncing back in a new way or in any form since he was smiling when Sukuna praised him even after he got bisected and also from that whole North South talk in the afterlife.Im kind of doubtful as Gojo said that he doesn't have any regrets but he should go in either direction and the plane is waiting to depart.
Hiii!
I actually have no idea what Gege could be thinking and that terrifies me to no end.
I love the idea of Gojo getting another enlightening just like with Toji, when he became "the strongest one alone" and that talk with North and South could very well be in his own mind, not afterlife. (Why I think that everything is happening in his mind is because you can see Tojo's silluete behing Riko in the "afterlife").
He reverted back to his teenage self? Why? Is this because that's when he lost everyone? Obviously Riko and Haibara died when they were teens, but he also lost Nanami after Haibara's death, and he lost Geto after Riko's death (people don't have to die for you to lose them), only one who seems to be the same is Yaga (and Toji's silluete (what's up with that, anyway?)). Is this because of his sentiment? Was this because he had to make a choice, got enlightened, to become a new human when he was teen?
I actually have no idea.
Also him "having fun" and feeling "sorry" for Sukuna is just bullshit, end of story. Who the fuck is this man, cuz I don't know him!
This selfishnes of his strangelly seems like exactly how he was when he was a teen, unlike Geto, he didn't give a fuck about protecting non-sorcerers at that time. It was only after Riko's death that he seemed to value people and their lives.
Gege wants to say that Sstoru doing that 0.2 second Unlimited Void in Shibuya Arc, specifically for non-sorcerers to not become vegitables and brain dead, meant absulutely nothing cuz in Haibara's words "you never cared about keeping sorcery going, or protecting people" <— what the fuck is this???
Satoru wanted his students to surpass him, he wanted to kill Higher Ups for killing Yuuji, for calling for Yuuta and Yuuji's executions and now he never gave a fuck about these children?? His almost son, Megumi? Who he raised for 10 years?
What is this whole chapter, a fever dream?
Also what is this Nanami's "Curses can bring people back to life. The way sorcery can". This two sentence seems out of contest, cuz what follows is exactly that south and north talk — Go north = become new person, go south =stay the same — which is directly followed by Satoru calling out of Yaga about how Yaga thought no sorcerer died without regrets, implying that he himself died with no regrets, so why show the plane then? Why is it departing if everything is decided, okay, sunshine and rainbows? Where is that plane departing, north or south? Why is Gojo hoping that this is not a dream?
(Also Gege drawing Toji in every possible panel is just ridiculous. Why would Toji even be near Satoru and his people?)
I kinda believe that he could awaken again, but would this awaking go? Cuz if he gets awaken he HAS to get even stronger!! Many people seem to hang up on Geto's question "Are you the strongest because you are Gojo Satoru or are you Gojo Satoru cuz you are the strongest?" Which basically means, does your strenght define who you are as a person? (people actually want him to be nerfed!)
To answer that question, yes! Gojo Satoru and the strongest are the same thing and this is why: he was born a Gojo, which means he got both Six Eyes and Infinity in like the last 400 years. There has been Gojos who got both powers at the same time but where they the strongest tho? If they were, someone would have mentioned that! The fact that he is SATORU is what makes him the strongest, his way to think, to adapt, to learn, to push himself to the point where he could use Red, Blue, Purple in the instant, where he could make out a difference between subjects for his infinity to react on instinctual level...
Why do people think that has even been a problem to Satoru? Just because he could never get a good fight because he was strongest? That's why he feels "sorry for Sukuna because he also knows what being strongest is?" — I don't know, does Sukuna seem to have existential crisis on how strong he is? Sukuna praised Jogo for his powers! Jogo, who Gojo dominated in every battle! That guy knows he is strong, the king of curses, and he went and got even stronger ON HIS OWN! HE SPECIFICALLY WENT AND GOT MEGUMI'S BODY AND HIS ABILITIES. Where does he seem to feel sorry for himself?
Why should Gojo Satoru lose his abilities to become Gojo Satoru, I seriously don't get it.
And at the end of the manga Kashimo is "dashing towards near-certain death". How lovely 🤷‍♀️
P.S. Madara cut Tsunade down in half and she attached her lower part body to her upper one (she couldn't regrow the lost limbs tho, unlike Gojo (she made Naruto the new arm from Hashirama's cells)) — is Gege telling me, Gojo "the prodigy who can master absulutely anything if he tries" Satoru can't heal himself???
If Hakari can have his RCT running outside of his body for like 5 minutes or whatever and is practically immortal, doesn't that imply that he CAN heal EVERY possible demage to himself, including getting cut in half?
P.P.S. I'm so sorry. I don't think I even answered your question at all and just used your question to rant again, I'm sorry 😭
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makima-s-most-smile · 8 months
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Trigun Maximum 9.2
And the second part...
Trigun Ultimate: 1.1, 1.2, 2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 2.4
Trigun Maximum: 1.1, 1.2, 2.1, 2.2, 3.1, 3.2, 4.1, 4.2, 5.1, 5.2, 6.1, 6.2, 7.1, 7.2, 8.1, 8.2, 8.3, 9.1, You are here!
04: At the verge of death
Again, complex feelings. Wolfwood spared the bandits, but not Livio? No way. Wolfwood expects Livio to heal with the vials after he killed Chapel.
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And here, Chapel goes Speedwagon for us readers and explains what modifications Livio went through.
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I… just how Nightow draws the blood splatter on the wall, makes Wolfwood’s wounds feel so much more real. And I have to be honest, that started with the last fight on the ark, it is like NIghtow’s drawing had a level up.
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Willpower against Willpower.
Midvalley was right that Wolfwood is a God of War.
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This panel… Damn. The dynamic poses, the lighting especially on Wolfwood and the way his face is drawn... Wow.
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And this sounds so incredibly desperate. Wolfwood pleads for Livio’s life. Wolfwood’s desperation feels so real. I don’t remember reading Wolfwood begging before. Even on the arc, Wolfwood was somewhat kept together, his doubts and pain expressed internally only when he thought he would die. Here he shows his fear and care for Livio openly to Livio. Wolfwood loves Livio. Livio cannot die. If he dies, I do not trust that Wolfwood could go on.
Wolfwood is an incredibly brilliant fighter, but if Chapel is right then Livio is physically better than him. Wolfwood has only a set amount of chances until Livio would overpower him in the end, so he has to take desperate measures.
05: Demon
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Is Wolfwood the demon the chapter title mentions? He went beyond Chapel’s expectations and overpowered Livio. Like Midvalley he stands corrected.
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I mean… he was trained by you and then he had to run after Vash for like nearly three years. You learn a trick or two from that.
But that is not the only thing, yes, Livio has physical buffs shoved up his arse til kingdom comes, but Wolfwood has for one much more experience on the field and with Vash, too, and, while he is a massive derp in human interactions, he knows how to read people. He just does not know what to do with it.
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Does… Does Wolfwood do the weird killing aura plant stuff now, too?!?!?
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First time reading, this confused me. There are only 9 of these important weapons! You get the tenth. Now I know it means that Wolfwood is good enough in his… uh… craft that he deserved to get his own made. But, question, is it only ten Punishers? Or ten of these cross weapons as a whole with each having their own name? Because Chapel has one, I do not count Livio’s two and Razlo’s three, since he got under Chapel after Wolfwood, so after this flashback.
The Eye of Michael was founded around 5-10 years after the Great Fall. This is a flashback to TeenWolf, so he should be 6-10 years younger than the current timeline Wolfwood. Sects and such tend to sprout out of the ground like conspiracy theories when times are hard and what is harder than the Great Fall? I’d like to know more about its foundation time. Knives and Vash were walking around together then, so I would be surprised if Knives helped it along. Did he corrupt them later and they started out as something hopeful?
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I love the flashback and what it points to. The name of the Punisher is sacred. Wolfwood does it justice by bringing Punishment not to Livio, not to humanity, but to the abuser Chapel.
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This will be important later. I always interpreted this as that there is a finite amount of vials your body can process. Like everyone has a limit. Additionally, the vials heal by fast aging the body to heal it up. So every vial is a few years off, but if you go beyond that limit, you die, because you are beyond your maximum time. But Stampede makes me wonder, is it how many vials you can take at the same time or over your whole life? Because I thought the latter, but at the rate StampedeWolfy seems to throw them back… Another thought to my former idea, if you take more than one, it’s effect does not add to another but gets multiplied for the better AND worse. But those are headcannons, since we do not get much about the vials.
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We, the readers, get an additional visual hint by Nightow drawing Razlo’s expression from the masked side. This is Razlo.
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Did he hide the third arm in his body? I thought it was somehow weirdly placed on his back, wait no, that is the fabric ripping. Still, the third arm makes me laugh so hard. It… just looks so derpy. And off balance, too! Yeah, give him a full additional iron arm on one side! That will teach him.
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The chapter starts out with Wolfwood presented as the demon, but it ends with a picture of Razlo in diablo mode. Razlo is the demon. I know Tri-P stands for Tri-Punisher, but the Trip of Death sounds, well, like a trip in itself.
06. Fortitude
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Razlo may be stronger, but he is so much more naive… Why would he even think that the Eye of Michael would be friendlier? I get that they trick kids, but that is really… Dunno.
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Razlo IS Livio’s fortitude. But is this chapter truly about Razlo’s or will it circle back to Wolfwood’s fortitude?
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Uh… that’s a way to appreciate your servants… Again, Razlo does not care about others. Razlo exists because he is there to protect Livio’s life at all cost. But this introduction makes it difficult to feel empathy for him. The way he treats others and life in general is revolting.
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Wonderful fight scene and the way Wolfwood crashes into the surroundings makes it just feel so much more visceral.
Again… Does Chapel want Wolfwood to die? I… Razlo boasts about his fighting prowess and Chapel puts him down, commenting on how Wolfwood did not fight with his true power, that he held back for Razlo. And… It does not read as Chapel being on Razlo’s side, but Chapel wanting Wolfwood to let go of his chosen path and return to his true “assassin” form and that Razlo is the thing that will make Wolfwood do that… Razlo reads as the unaware sacrifice for that specific goal.
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And Chapel’s anger comes from Wolfwood staying true to his chosen path. His pride is hurt from Wolfwood rebelling against his order. And now, after he tried the last time to return Wolfwood, he prefers to kill him for his transgressions.
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Is he? Wolfwood started his path to change before meeting Vash. He tried to kill Chapel beforehand for the orphanage. Yes, the way Wolfwood comfortably stays against killing if it is not needed, is thanks to Vash. But he was on the path to that decision long before meeting Vash. 
Additionally, isn’t cursing Vash kinda against Chapel’s belief system? Vash is an independent plant, he should be at least on the same level of reverence like Knives, even if he has no authority over them.
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I do not get this sentence. May be because English is not my mother tongue. Does Wolfwood think this fight, his fight is stupid?
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But… Vash can die. He learned that from Luida. Vash does not bleed like humans, he heals easily, right, that adds to his ignorance and arrogance when he judges people who kill to survive or even for others. (But the reason is not Vash’ immortality, the reason is that Vash does not understand community, because he is just that unbound by it.)
And Wolfwood does not follow Vash completely. Wolfwood is still ready to kill Chapel. I… don’t think Wolfwood has truly a No-Kill-Conviction, but he knows his skills. The bandits from before were outmatched, so why should Wolfwood go the easy way and just kill them if he has the ability to not do that? That’s mercy.
“Killing is a sin but also a path to redemption. Do you understand?” No, do you? This is a contradiction in itself. Fitting for Christianity, truly. You build up guilt and guilt and guilt, by all these rules that are partly so complicated and changed through translations and intention that you cannot hold up every last one. If you feel guilty, you will keep your head down and follow the head mocho. This only leads to suffering and easily exploitable followers.
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I do not like that it reads a bit like the only way to survive is by killing or you die by trying to find a way out. 
The one part where Wolfwood was right in the past is that sooner or later Vash will be forced to decide. And making no decision is also a decision. 
So much about Vash is avoiding, avoiding connection, avoiding rejection, even avoiding real responsibility by feeling responsible for everything. But if he acts, he stands by it. And Wolfwood respects him for that, he respects Vash for that with him he was able to live a softer life, a life where he didn’t always have to kill, where he had another option, even if Wolfwood was in the position of the preacher, warning Vash about his fallacies and getting him out of shitty situations. 
“An iron bell is tollin’ inside my head… Or at least one should be... I can’t seem to hear it now…” 
I was confused about the meaning, but in the first chapter of the volumes they are already mentioned as a sign of warning. Wolfwood is saying that he will do something dangerous, that he will go against his better senses, against his survival instincts. If that isn’t an omen, I do not know what is. :) 
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monkeydluffy19920 · 8 months
Note
Hi! So interesting question! Since luffy has gear 5 already, what will he look like if he had a gear 6? Don’t you think that’s awesome!?
And another question!
What’s your opinion of zoluffy, sanjzoro, or lulaw?
I don’t ship these btw but I respect your opinions!
Hiya @superson1cspeed!
Oda let Luffy unleash the Gear 5th in Wano and this revealed a bunch of stuff. I like this whole concept a lot and there are a few reasons:
In chapter 1044 is said: "The user is said to become the "Warrior of Liberation", bringing joy and freedom to those around them, and this fruit's power being described as "the most ridiculous power in the world". So, this form was literally made for Luffy because he is pretty much the definition of "seeking freedom" and he indeed brings joy for his close ones (except when his shenanigans are too much for his crew mates and they punch him *laughs*). It's a fact that Luffy has saved pretty much each of his crewmember from a bigger turmoil and made them see the good in bad so he truly deserve to become one of the strongest in OP universe.
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Then the foreshadowing around this gear is amazing. Skypiea became even more important storywise since there are the first mentions of the Sun God (and other important stuff too such as Robin deciphering poneglyph). But on top of that it's that little silly panel where Luffy dances like there is no tomorrow like he always does and then his little silhouette drawing alongside the bonfire and not only that, also Usopp drumming next to him (just like his heart beats in Gear 5) that was perhaps the biggest hint of this new form which didn't seem to be big but became very crucial. Not only that bur already back in Arlong Park arc as well, we could also ponder whether Luffy rising from the dark and collapsed building while the sun shines on him was intentionally foreshadowing (probably yes because Oda-sensei is the master of hiding hints).
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During the Gear 5 the animation/drawing style is nice in general. It seems that this was inspired from the old hand drawn cartoons (such as Tom&Jerry etc.), which is great since in general One Piece has become more and more serious. Of course not all the time, because there are still running gags but compared to the Pre-timeskip time much less. It's not necessarily a bad thing, it just tells that there is so much in the plot that Oda needs to pinch on some stuff. People 'been craving for pre-timeskip shenanigans and this brought back the glimpse of silliness this storywise heavy arc truly needed
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What comes to the Gear 6 speculation, it is truly hard to say how Luffy will look like when he masters it but at least it is possible that this will be revealed in the final arc, perhaps in the final battle. My guess is that he'll face something incredibly strong (probably Blackbeard since they met in Jaya and Blackbeard has been active part of the plot but Oda-sensei can surprise us though). Perhaps the battle will push the whole crew to it physical and mental limits (just like Ace's death pushed Luffy to the edge) and therefore it awakens. Let's hope Oda keeps this drawing style in future too.
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What comes to the second question, I'm not shipping Luffy with anyone currently. More thoughts written in following posts: Random ponders about Luffy and romance and Who do you ship Luffy with (ask) but although I do enjoy him interacting with his friends, I can't imagine him falling in love in canon.
I actually did ship Luffy and Vivi short time during Alabasta and still think they could have at least a little potential but in general, I think Luffy views his nakamaships very platonically and he seems to treat his crew mates pretty equally (showing physical affection such as hugging openly and driving them crazy at times with his randomness). No idea how much he has heard about birds and bees when he was a kid (well he spent time with grown up pirates so maybe some) but it seems he doesn't show much open interest to those stuff in general (in my opinion).
Well, there has been times such as in Alabasta when Nami tossed the Shiawase Punch and the guys reacted and then again he didn't turn into stone when Hancock used Mero Mero Mellow. Oda gave us the answer in SBS volume 54 and replied pretty simply: reacting alone and going nosebleed and stuff would be out of character for Luffy and earlier when he saw Nami's bare body, he was accompanied by Usopp and took probably influence from him (just like in anime Chopper also had a nosebleed or other reactions seeing it all despite him being the most innocent character in One Piece [x]).
So, it's pretty hard to say who would Luffy fall in love with since his potential crush could be also someone not inside the crew (such as Vivi, Hancock or after the Film Red Uta). What's even more ironical, that Luffy has pretty much gathered a "harem of princesses" although he hasn't even tried to charm her. They just like his charm and get well along with him. Oda even drew Reiju sucking poison out of him and that's probably most "intimate" and close he has ever been to opposite sex so far.
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Like written previously, I think it's Luffy's carefree nature and hunger for adventure what makes me think of why he'd enjoy being "single and free", One Piece is after all all about chasing dreams and especially for Luffy, finding the ultimate freedom. Well relationship doesn't necessarily mean he'd have to give up on everything but it would sure mean to do some compromises. So in conclusion: Luffy might find the love of his life later or he will enjoy being single.
What comes comes to ZoSan/SanZo, I kinda see them as well more as good friends than lovers but this opinion might be heavily influenced on me being shipping Sanji x Nami and Zoro x Robin ever since the pre-timeskip-time. Since shipping is all about liking two character's chemistries and searching for clues in the story that could support it, I think we all readers can look for our preferences.
Although I don't ship Luffy with anyone (except meat, because MeatLoaf is life *laughs*) I don't honestly have anything against anyone shipping any character with someone as long as the shipping stays respectful (not bashing others and intentionally bullying others, that's toxic :s ). Also, even if the story didn't end up the way we wanted, there is always a possibility to imagine the ending one wants, that's why we fans are able to make stuff, for fellow fans to enjoy whatever they like ;)
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captnjacksparrow · 2 years
Note
Why there was no sasuke when naruto sasuke & all of the shinobi tried to pull the bijuu out from obito together? Manga on ep/ch 652 i mean this part (look pic)
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Note: i also wanna ask another tumblr acc, bcz maybe you'll have different opinion & i already tried to think the answer but nothing came to my mind😭✌
I guess this has to do with others' perception about Naruto and his Comrades (???). And Comrades as in... People who stands and fight with Naruto showing their full support.
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"Both the people of the Village and Sasuke betrayed you..."
Here, Obito was questioning about Naruto's purpose for fighting in this war. And he didn't fail to mention about Sasuke's betrayal too. I think this is the extent of his understanding about the bond between Sasuke and Naruto.
Remember he said he would make Sasuke to fight him in the Kage Summit Arc???
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He also said, "Naruto is just a pawn to stimulate Sasuke"
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So, Obito's perception about their friendship is that Naruto was the one who was willing to chase and save Sasuke whereas Sasuke would not even hesitate to kill Naruto if he needs to.
Perhaps he saw Sasuke as someone who never thought Naruto as his very close friend.... a person who could never stand with Naruto and support him just like other people on the Battlefield.
Isn't it funny???
Obito reflects a part of the Fandom which claims SNS bond is one sided because Sasuke never loved Naruto because he tried to kill him multiple times. So, What Obito saw in that Chakra plane was probably How he assumed the bond between Naruto and Sasuke to be.
And this is the same with Kakashi as well.
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In this scene, Kakashi clearly knew that N and S are fighting together. He even wondered about it.... And yet he never put Sasuke's face inside the mini-panels... Whereas Sakura was not even in this Konoha Power Up thing, she was with Tsunade and helping out other shinobis. But she was inserted here as Naruto's 'Friends'..... Again, this is Kakashi's perspective about Naruto's comrades who would stand with him and help him out.
Kakashi knew Sasuke injured Naruto after VoTE1...
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"Knowing you... You really gave it your all... Didn't you?"
Well, he already knew that Sasuke was the aggressor in that Hospital Rooftop Fight.... He knew Naruto trained so hard for Sasuke to save him from Orochimaru... He knew Naruto begged infront of Raikage to take back the Execution Order...
But he never knew anything about Sasuke's POV... Well, even we, as Readers, got to know his POV in only Chapter 698...
This doesn't mean that I blame them or anything, It's just that other characters has limited exposure to Sasuke's POV and they draw conclusion on what they had observed so far... To them, Sasuke is someone who is not on Naruto's side. So, that's why in that attached Obito panel, Sasuke was not there because he (as well as Kakashi) are very aware of Naruto's POV.
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haleigh-sloth · 2 years
Note
Deku has never solo fight the entirety of the series why do people make that up then call him a mc-sama like an insult even when he made his grand entrance and fault muscular again he thanks shindo cause shindo quirk help the only solo fight is gentle and that not really a fight even in the movies he had help too like lying with there whole chest
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Whooaaaa guys- take a step back. So, you know, a lot of the bnha blogs follow each other lol. That being said, no we won't aways have the same complaints, and that's fine. Just be mindful lol.
Okay--on the Deku entrance:
I mean, I wasn't expecting it yet but it's here, so we have it. I'm excited for what's to come. I'm concerned about him seeing Bakugo because that was really a nightmare scenario for me, because god forbid Bakugo develop without Deku going rage mode over him. Which quite frankly has no impact on me by now. But instead of talking about something that hasn't even happened yet, I'll mention other things that have:
I think by now it's obvious that this fight clearly existed just to develop Shigaraki. That's the only thing that's come out of it. Bakugo's death developed Shigaraki, Mirio's challenge about his friends developed him, this current chapter developed him a tiny bit and showed us that Midoriya arriving brought his eye back to Tomura. Cool stuff, I love it and will never complain about it.
NOW rant time. I'm gonna talk on some common complaints---I care about the villains and the kids associated with them, mostly in this manga. I had the luxury of only picking this manga up in 2020 and reading straight through and not having to wait for a long time to find out what's going to be important and what's not. SO:
Personally, for me, it became pretty obvious once we got MVA that the 1A kids, as a class, will not be the focus of this manga. But that's a hefty amount of arcs and chapters into the manga to change that up, especially because right before that the awful JTA just happened. But, once I saw how important Toga and Shigaraki were going to be later on, I mean, I figured spending time on the class wasn't worth it. And so far...I was right to make that assumption. But, that's the perspective of someone who had the luxury of not waiting. There is no doubt--the 1A kids are the main draw for so many people. So I can't say I blame people for being upset about them being sidelined. Honestly--given that the first 200 chapters focused on them.
Unfortunately, imo this is one of Horikoshi's flaws. He puts weird focus on characters who previously never had it or needed it. Lifts up hopes and expectations, and then doesn't follow through. Basically, he uses certain characters to fill up time when it's convenient, then moves back on to the main cast he clearly intends to focus on. Kirishima? He's the biggest, and most unfortunate example of this, I gotta say. He's gonna get a tad bit of focus in this final arc, but look at the importance his fight is getting right now (*cricket noises*......). So, yeah.
On the pro heroes and side characters, specifically the Big 3:
For me personally, this specific subgroup of characters are what slow this manga down. Badly. Yes I like that there are pro heroes. Fun designs, powers, fights, etc. We need the adult characters to work in tandem with the kids. What I don't like is random pro heroes like Edgeshot, Best Jeanist, and Mirko getting so MUCH focus they never, ever, ever, needed to have (Mirko is another conversation). As I said above, the kid characters in this manga have always been the biggest draw for the series and franchise itself. The big cast (even if not utilized well) is what drew people in. So--these past few chapters, despite the amazing Shigaraki moments, imo have been a real drag. Again--not because of my fav (I'm biased, yes) but because this fight could have reached it's ending point (ending as in time to switch to a new POV) SO. MUCH. QUICKER. if we hadn't wasted time on the pros and Big 3. I'm sorry but the Big 3 have never lived up to their "hype" as characters. Neijire is basically just *there*, Tamaki has anxiety, cool, and Mirio is high school senior version of Deku except less interesting. Not everybody feels that way about them though, which is fine.
But as I said above, I think it's obvious this fight was to develop Shigaraki--who is quite frankly given the best treatment within this manga by the author. He's clearly got the most attention from Horikoshi, so I'm not surprised that all these side characters are being used to develop him. I don't necessarily have a complaint about that, more so I have a complaint about how long it's taking and how unnecessary some of it is. I don't need a Neijire backstory at this point. I don't need the Edgeshot/ Best Jeanist bff backstory when they've literally never been relevant before this. Just develop the characters you wanna develop, quickly, and move this manga forward. Please.
"The story of how we all became heroes."
I think it's too early to say this is being ignored. There is still a final final showdown that we haven't even gotten to yet. Yes the battles are split up, but that was necessary to address the members of the League. I think it's too early to say this hasn't been followed up on yet--because one of the long term things i've always expected was an all-hands-on-deck battle at the end, League and other minor villains included, with the UA kids and pros. And given the developments with the spies at the shelter where all the FAMILIES ARE? I'm still pretty confident in the manga going that direction. So yes, I think "how we all became heroes" is still the direction we're going. Right now, certain main characters have to play their role.
No, I don't think Deku is going to solo this fight and wipe the floor with Shigaraki. IF Midoriya gains the upper hand, I would hope that it would be because of some emotional circumstances messing Shigaraki up on his end, like it has been in past fights, and this entire fight? It would make sense as it's been happening this whole time. Midoriya vs. Shigaraki isn't a power up contest. Maybe it'll be treated like it at times to please the fight lovers, but it's not at its core. There is an emotional component to it that I think will obviously take precedent over the power up side of things. So I'm not worried there. I'm really excited actually. People who don't vibe with their stuff aren't gonna like it and there's nothing to be done about that.
The second ask:
Yeah. This take actually does annoy me. Look--I've had my reserves about Midoriya's writing. I have. I haven't hidden them or acted like there aren't issues. Compare his character now to the character we had from chapter 1 up to Kamino, there's quite a big difference. He was more thoughtful and reflective. After Kamino his inner world became so focused on the OFA lore that Horikoshi forgot to develop him and make him think about things. I absolutely hated the Rogue Arc but I will say at the very least, we saw the inside of his head for a bit and there was some reflection going on there. However, notice that currently it's been quite some time since we saw what he was thinking. His conversation with Ochacko was the most insight we'd gotten in a while, and we've gotten nothing since. I suspect that will change starting with this fight, because it literally has to. I'm not concerned about it--I think he's going to be thinking, wondering what to do, what to say, how to go about this with Shigaraki etc. But I can't deny that Midoriya hasn't been as thoughtful as he was initially characterized in the beginning.
WITH THAT BEING SAID---
I'm sorry but Shouto and Ochacko didn't earn their right to save their villains any better than Midoriya did. I mean, call it easy or streamlined or whatever but Midoriya can literally repeat the same line from chapter 1 toward Bakugo and say it toward Shigaraki. That shows that, hm, the idea he will save people who need it--REGARDLESS of who they are (Bakugo being a real piece of shit at the time)--has been ingrained in his character for a hot minute.
Shouto would NOT give two shits about Dabi if he wasn't his brother. I mean ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ there is nothing to suggest otherwise. SO--how that is more deserved or earned than Midoriya making the conscious choice to change gears, despite having no ties to Shigaraki or obligation to do so, is beyond me. Same with Ochacko.
All the kids needed a MOMENT to be like "Oh shit" with their villains. That doesn't make it undeserved. It had to happen. If they started this manga with a perfect world view that everyone should be saved, even the ones who hurt others and threaten their way of life for (seemingly) no reason, then we wouldn't have a narrative challenge in this final arc.
The challenge is changing their thinking, and applying their dedication to save innocent people in the streets, to saving people who won't be so easy to save. Even if they want it (which, the League does, badly) it won't be easy.
So no, while I have my reserves about some of Midoriya's writing, I certainly don't think his desire to save Shigaraki is undeserved. I think all 3 of the kids needed that wake up and smell the roses moment with their villains before they could do anything. They got those moments, and now they're moving forward based off of that.
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belokhvostikova · 10 months
Note
Right. Well. I hope you're ready for this because I have a lot to talk about for yearbook 🤣
Firstly, I loved the structure of this chapter. A day in the life of Eddie, centered around his session. How Ms Kelly has had to draw him out over a few days. Because yea, he's made it there in the first place, but it doesn't automatically mean he's gonna be a model of open conversation and spilling his guts straight away. Felt very real that, like 'well I've shown up, what more do you want from me?'
Him just having a minute and sitting observing everyone from his van. Like his little moment of calm. It actually was like a scene from a movie, it reminded me of the first episode of season 4, as Robin is getting out of Steve's car and we're dipping in and out of everyone's conversations and goings on. Loved this.
Then his view of R coming into school, how he held back but still gave her that sign of solidarity with the thumbs up. He's so precious, I can't cope. And she needed that so much, her thinking about it later on to get her through the shitty parts of her day was perfect.
R's dad telling her that she basically deserves anything awful that happens to her, just for being a good person. Urgh that guy has some serious issues. Of all the people that need some therapy...
Then Chrissy! She made so many smart choices in this chapter. You've characterised her really well in this. Like she's presented as this really sweet and kind person in the show, but would she have stayed true to that when it mattered in a difficult situation with an audience? I love that you have her do that. Their lunch scene with Dustin was hilarious. Eddie's 'WHAT?!' After the marriage talk 🤣 pal, you would have her in a hot minute.
Really enjoyed the coaches comedy relief after the Jason/Eddie confrontation, and that R and Eddie had more conversation. Especially when it's flirting, could read them like this all day 😍
Honourable mention to Wayne again, for basically being a solid parent and showing Eddie what 'stable' looks like. I hope R meets him at some point and thinks 'oh shit, this is what a dad's supposed to look like'
Strange note for me to end on but I love how you full name everyone when they're not in direct conversation with each other, I've noticed it the past few chapters and it feels very 'Morgan Freeman doing a narrator voice over' and I'm here for it. Can't wait to see what happens next! 🖤🖤
Yes! I've been waiting for you. *in ominous voice*
Let me tell you, when I first began writing this chapter, I just completely free-balled it, I had no clue what was going to happen. I began writing the first couple of paragraphs, when it hit me. This story should totally revolve around Eddie's session AH- I felt like a fucking genius!
I honestly loved that added detail of him just observing. When I write I feel the need to just insert the most meaningless details, but I think it does a good job with just setting the mood around the story. If anyone is every struggling with writing, truthfully, adding specific details can really help!
And the little thumbs up 😭 everyone needs a little thumbs up from Eddie Munson! Especially after that sick interaction with her father, ugh 🤮
Our Chrissy Cunningham redemption arc has been completed! 🩷 I loved how sweet her character was in the show, and I definitely wanted to stick by that, but of course, I wanted to emulate a changing relationship between her and Jason, one where the other person is just someone who's not who they used to be. And given that it's implied that her mother is taking quite some control over her life, I really wanted to be able give her the opportunity to do what she wanted.
And we loved their little "girl talk" with a clueless Dustin.
And I love the idea of Reader meeting Wayne. Especially since we already got extremely intimate moments in her bedroom, I can definitely add some raw moments in his house.
And I think I've said this before, but I FUCKING RAGE OVER USING CHARACTER'S FULL NAME!!!!! Makes me feel like an actual fucking author with merit, lol. And I'm falling onto my knees knowing you get that feeling, too, and you noticed it in the first place! 😩
Thank you so much for your support! 🥹❤️
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Biweekly Media Roundup
- Trigun (Anime) - The current trend in the fandom is to draw Knives as a McDonalds worker to “Make his desire to kill all of humanity reasonable as a customer service employee” which. Hilarious, I love people.
- Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom (Video Game) - Obviously I’ve been having a blast with this, I love exploring the sky islands and caves, the Zonai and new monster designs are awesome, and the memes of messing with the Koroks and creating batshit machines have been wonderful. My main complaint so far is how they handle the NPCs memory of Link, I’d be fine with the main ones remembering him and the rest having a Tony Hawk-esque knowledge of Link without realizing he was in front of them, but it’s kind of sad to run into NPCs that Link definitely helped in the first game only to have them forget him - Like the people of Tarry Town and Hateno village. Ganon’s design is incredible though, amazing job there.
- Monster High (Cartoon) - Finished up the Monster High TV series and while it’s definitely aimed at a pretty young age group, I thought it was cute enough. I like a lot of the new designs with their differing heights and body types, I like how the characters hang out with multiple friend groups and seem to generally get a along with the whole class, and I like the LGBTQA+ and Autism representation being handled well in a show aimed towards children. 
- SSS Class Revival Hunter (Webcomic) - I was really craving more S-Class adjacent content and was led to pick up the next few series since I could get through the chapters in a couple days. This one was okay? I liked the time travel by death mechanic and the brain roommate force ghost, but the series lost quite a bit of momentum in the recent arc with it’s protagonist purposely dying of starvation to learn fighting techniques so that two groups of people could go back to happily murdering each other which. hmm. yeah I’m not feeling it homie, I basically disagree with all of your philosophies here. I might pick it back up after a few months of updates as I do appreciate the larger cast of largely unsexualized women, but ehhh It might just not be for me.
- When the Third Wheel Strikes Back (Webcomic) - I picked this up for the same reason as the previous series, and while there's very few chapters out I am enjoying it as an opener. As tropey as it is the world does at least seem interesting with several mysteries and complicated intrapersonal relationships mixing with political ones, which is fun. I also like the protagonist is a confessional Priest as that’s a pretty fun way to have him hear interesting lore and meet oddballs, so that’s cool. Honestly I’m biased because I always appreciate the “love triangle but the axis is not who you think” dynamic., but I’m looking forward to updates.
- Trash of the Count’s Family (Webcomic) - Reread this as it’s the Holy Trinity series I’m least familiar with. I do still like it quite a bit, and Cale in particular is a fun protagonist, but so far the rest of the characters are cute but a bit flat. Obviously that could change as the story goes on, and it’s possible they are more fleshed out in the novel, but for now I’ll still rank this as the least interesting of the trifecta, if not still an enjoyable series on it’s own. There’s also some great fanfic out there if you’re looking for wholesome found family stuff.
- The Locked Tomb Series (Books) - Harrow is really going through it huh. I miss Gideon.
- Crazy Ex Girlfriend (TV) - As I mentioned before, this series is turning out to be way better than I thought it would be, and honestly that it has any right to be considering it aired on the CW. I’ve been listening to the songs on loop, I love all the different styles, the rhythms, and the humor. 
- The S Classes That I Raised (Webcomic) - Still having a great time.
Listening to: A bunch of Crazy Ex Girlfriend songs, including I’m a Good Person, After Everything You Made Me Do, Nothing Is Ever Anyone’s Fault, and The End of the Movie, The Herse Song by Rusty Cage, Hey I Don’t Work Here by Tom Cardy, Jet Lag by Simple Plan, All Things End by Hozier, Lent by Autoheart, The Sound of Silence cover by Disturbed, and Holy Water by Michael Ray.
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starlit-dreaming · 2 years
Text
[20] in the back of my mind
Fandom: WMMAP Rating: G Ship: Eventual Lucathy, Felily, Calena, and more Note: the Twin Sibling AU that i tried so hard not to write, but i DID, so naturally i have to call myself out for writing it. will be cross-posted on ao3 and wattpad under the same title
A/N: I made a mistake in earlier chapters regarding the ages. To fix this, I'm making the clarification that Ferdinand is 8 y/o while Charlotte's 9-10 y/o. I'll make the proper edits when I'm able to.
This chapter's a bonus of being almost 4k words as opposed to my usual 3k. I highly recommend reading this fic on ao3 instead of on Tumblr (under the same title and username) because the formatting's always a pain to deal with and doesn't accurately reflect how I want the story to be read.
Also, I'm thinking of making character profiles for everyone. I'll be posting them on my Tumblr, and there will be a spoiler and spoiler-free version of the profiles (information including sexuality, names of love interests, backstory on their history in "Toska", and whether or not they will end up in a romantic relationship with Athanase at one point (as in, actually having a courtship, but no mentions of being his endgame))
The spoiler-free version will simply say if the character has appeared yet, which chapter they show up in or will be expected to appear in (which isn’t very accurate as it varies on how the story progresses during the writing process), and basic information like their full name and age.
Granted, this will take a long time for me to even get started on, even if I don’t draw the characters (I’m thinking of maybe commissioning someone if I get too lazy to draw).
——————————
Arc 1: Beginning of the End 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8
Arc 2: Of Princes and Villainesses 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | [20] | 21 | 22
Side Story: maybe, i’m afraid (verena/athanasios) 1 | 2
Summary:
He was pretty sure he transmigrated into a fanfic of [The Lovely Princess] — after all, he would’ve remembered if Princess Athanasia had a younger twin who died.
// A retelling of WMMAP with a vital difference — Athanasia has a younger twin brother.
——————————
20. no one believes in me except for you
——————————
Of all the people that had to be standing in on a personal conversation between Athan and Ver—Autumn, it just had to be Felix. If it was anyone else, Athan was confident that they'd be able to sell it as an inside joke with Autumn that helps him calm down from his overactive imagination, that it was just childish nonsense.
But Felix took part in being his caretaker for the past two years, and for him to be reliant on Autumn would be pretty suspicious. Autumn only entered his life a few months ago, and that wouldn't have been enough time for her to know how to help him in such a panicked state.
Granted, they could explain that it was a side effect from her saving him, but that sounds like a bad case of dependence.
If Athan didn't do anything, Felix might even suspect Autumn of manipulating him.
After all, it was suspicious that a little girl was capable of saving him from suffering the same way as his sister despite the fact that he was far away from the castle with his whereabouts unknown for hours. Even if Lucas was the one who did it, Autumn was considered his saviour.
He glances over to Autumn, who remains seated in a chair at his bedside. She was adamant in keeping her gaze down, and he knew better than anyone that her mind was racing with possible ideas.
A quick glance around the room was more than enough to know that it was only the three of them in the room and no one else. This place was vaguely familiar, and yet he knows that he's never seen this room before—
Wait, this room...
.
(It was very... bright, he thought with an inward grimace, gaze drawn to the windows that stretched from the ceiling to the floor, with its pink curtains drawn back with careless regard. Everything was very colourful, when he glances out the window and catches sight of the swaying field of flowers and the fluttering grass.)
.
He remembered parts of his dream with startling clarity, recalling the figure of a young maiden hidden by the white gauze curtains with blurred determination. The windows reached from nearly the top to bottom like his dream, but the curtains were a pale orange like the colour of a zinnia flower — a delicate flow and a gentle sight. It wasn't pink like his dream, and he didn't see any gaudy and overbearing sight of flowers...
.
("Truly, your [brother] indeed cares about your wellbeing, but there is a limit to his naïvety and wilful ignorance," he dryly comments, taking slow strides over to the armchair at the girl's bedside.
It was cold, as if no one had dared to sit and keep the bedridden lady company.)
.
And yet he was absolutely certain that this was the same room. A gaudy armchair was in the room, at the bedside and currently used by Autumn.
This was a room that was meant to be long forgotten.
...but for whom?
.
("For the day I [part] from this world, you will never truly forget me — you cannot, nor will I ever let you—")
.
"Where are we?"
The question brings a strange sort of dawning realization that he can't quite place, as if it were a word on the tip of his tongue. It was an inkling of who the maiden was — a young noble he must've met at the garden party his father hosted.
A lot of ladies approached his older sister while the opposite was true for himself, but only a small handful of girls had spoken to him directly from what he could remember. He couldn't think of anyone else.
They were also the only notable girls that the Original Athanasios interacted with.
Autumn, Charlotte "Lottie" Milford, and Irene "Iris" Nightingale.
So that was the question, really.
Between the three, who was the girl in his most recent memory?
Maybe it was because he noticed his impatience, Felix had answered promptly, "We arrived at Marquess Milford's Estate."
Really? It couldn't be that easy, could it? Charlotte was the girl he promised his love to? Well, it didn't seem too farfetched, did it? With Verena and Charlotte being against one another, it must've been an easy decision to be made once the Original Verena started showing her true colours. Charlotte had been the only girl who was willing to outright oppose her. Maybe the OG prince fell in love with Lottie's fierce personality?
It was very... strange how the memory of someone he once knew affected him like this.
.
(But then... what about Ijekiel?)
.
Felix was frowning, with his eyes slightly narrowed at Autumn just in a mere glance as he calmly and respectfully spoke to Athanase. "It was the closest place for Your Highness to rest after collapsing."
Ah, right...
It'd be nice if Felix would just accept that Autumn wasn't up to anything suspicious, but that would probably be a bit much, wouldn't it?
With how he kept shifting hesitant yet wary glances at Autumn, he definitely wasn't going to drop it...
And to make it worse, Athan collapsed.
. . .
Why the fuck did he even collapse in the first place?
"It's a relief that Your Highness, the Crown Prince, has woken up," Autumn stated in a gentle tone of voice, closing her eyes as she tilted her head low in a small bow as a sign of respect. 'You probably remembered something, but I really didn't think that this whole temporary amnesia trope would be this dramatic,' if she was frustrated by the inconvenience, she didn't let it show as she remained still with closed eyes. 'If anyone was supposed to get smacked dab with a temp amnesia trope, it would've been Ferdie for the divergence of surviving the Hunting Comp...'
'Well damn, thanks for the easy explanation, author,' he blinked, jewelled blue eyes staring at Felix. 'Autumn?'
'Yeah?'
'How much trust would you place in Felix?'
'Unless I became a supporter of former Emperor Anastasius, I trust him with my life. A full twelve on a scale of ten on being both trustworthy and hot. Trust-hottie, if you will. Duke Robain is a DILF, so naturally his son is also S-rank. I haven't worked out my tier lists for S, double S, and triple S-rank, but I'd say the Duke's a triple while His Majesty is a solo 'cause child neglect ain't sexy, and Sir Felix being a double S because he stepped up to the plate of being a caretaker when he didn't have to.'
And it was then that Athan deeply regretted his decision in asking Autumn for her opinion. It didn't matter that her confirming Felix's trustworthiness — among other things — was the solution to solving a landslide of their problems.
Like, really. How difficult is it for Autumn to stop bringing up DILFs when he never even asked about it to begin with?
'Why do you ask?' Autumn finally looked at him, a frown on her lips as she stared at him.
What aren't you telling me? That was the question written on Autumn's face as sharp blue eyes looked at him.
His hands trembled, clutching the bedsheets. He thought of the young maiden — er, well, Charlotte, he supposes — and how she sat still as though she were a corpse. It didn't help that her hands were cold, and she had pale skin, but he couldn't shake that image away from his mind. The feeling of her knuckles, her fingers, and the warmth she sapped from him still remained.
That was real, he knows this without a shred of doubt. While he knows nothing of what happened to lead up to that interaction, nor does he know the aftermath, but it was very clear what had happened.
She was dying from an incurable illness, and he could only sit by her side, keeping her company until the day she died.
He wasn't sure how he was going to save Charlotte.
'I'm gonna tell him.'
Autumn never mentioned anything about Charlotte dying, either. Maybe he was wrong about the maiden being Charlotte? What if the dying maiden was an adopted daughter — maybe even an illegitimate daughter? Wait, that was crazy talk. Was he actually accusing Marquess Milford of infidelity when he loathed his birth father for the same reason?
Still, even though he was pretty damn confident that it might've been Charlotte at this point, there just wasn't any guarantee.
So... maybe Felix would be able to help give him a little more room to work with.
'Hold the fuck up — you're gonna tell him that I think he's a trust-hottie?!'
Athan ignored his friend's moment ruining panicked thoughts and looked at Felix dead in the eyes:
"This isn't my first life."
Silence immediately followed after the statement was made. His heart pounds, his stomach churns — he feels... he feels nauseous, to say the least.
Everything felt... unpleasant.
.
("Well, maybe he should've kept his mouth shut," she grumbles.
He laughs, "You think so, too?"
. . .
He gets the impression that she smiles at him, and his cheeks burn and his heart flutters.
'Oh,' he thinks. 'Oh.')
.
Autumn was — well, she wasn't angry or horrified, but he heard absolutely nothing from her. She was frozen in place, dark pale — purple? No, it was definitely blue — eyes staring at him in stunned silence. Her lips paled, an indication that she was biting her bottom lip as her eyes anxiously flicker to Felix.
He could feel that the reveal to Felix had left her unsettled and upset.
.
(Or maybe it was him projecting onto her.)
.
Honestly, he understood her view of confiding in somebody else. There wasn't any reason for her to think that Felix would trust them. Hilise Inoaden from The Solitary Lady was a prime example of being considered a lunatic when she confided in her family regarding her time loops, and frankly that wasn't what he wanted as an end result. Unlike Hilise, Felix genuinely cared about him. On top of that, even though Athanase didn't necessarily want to die, but rather, he wanted to live comfortably and content.
In order for Felix to believe his words, he needed undeniable proof to show that he wasn't crazy.
And that proof was the existence of Jennette de Alger Obelia.
He opens his mouth, intent on saying her name, only to lose his voice as the image of the original Athanasia flashes through his mind, face red with tears staining a wretched face. It was an unsettling image, an older version of when Athy had cried when she woke up for a few minutes during her brush against death a few weeks back.
.
("I'm your daughter too, father.")
.
No, he couldn't. If he introduced Jennette, then wouldn't everything worsen? After all, that would only mean that he and his sister would be more likely to die early. Maybe Countess Rosalia would even try to frame him or his sister for poisoning Jennette before they're fifteen...
Everything was already changing, but Athan wasn't ready for that sort of problem in particular. Jennette entering their lives early would only alter the chain of events.
That would ruin everything and he knows it.
"I don't actually want to be at the Arlantan Hunting Competition. Frankly, it sounds like more trouble than it's worth to even go, even if I think learning how to wield a sword is pretty cool. You can dismiss it as a child's overactive imagination, or just me overthinking things, but I want to prevent a war between Arlanta and Obelia."
Felix stared at him with wide eyes. He was dumbfounded and speechless, which wasn't very surprising. How does anyone react when a little kid tells them that a war was going to happen?
'What are you doing?' He wasn't sure how, but Autumn managed to maintain a blank facial expression. 'He's never going to believe that.'
"Marquess Milford's true history, from living as a commoner to the actual reasons for the deaths of his sisters," he states. Felix jolts upon hearing that, his eyes snapping back to Athan. "The Countess Nightingale and the purpose of her family and the role they play for the imperial family despite providing nothing more than ambiance music. I even know the truth of why His Majesty's engagement to Lady Penelope Judith, the younger sister of Countess Rosalia Judith, was broken off."
Athan could tell that just from three sentences, Felix was unsettled by the fact that he knew more information about the things that no longer mattered to noble society or was the best kept secret within the imperial court. There was no way for Athan to know, and under normal circumstances, he wouldn't have known.
But, Athan had reread those 12 chapters Autumn had written for Toska countless times. Over and over again, to the point that he memorized the sequence of events and even remembered the names of side characters — including the ones mentioned only one time and the chapters they were brought up in.
He read the character sheets, the additional background, the side stories that had no direct involvement with the canon characters.
So Athan knew more than enough to convince him.
"Let's speak of Marquess Milford, as his story is less personal to the two of us. He grew up as a commoner until the deaths of his parents, in which his birth father had decided to lie and cover up the truth of his parentage in order to officially give him the Milford Family Name. He was never meant to inherit the noble title, as he had an older sister who was executed for angering the former tyrannical Emperor. It was an informal setting, given that he had killed her during a ball in the hallways. She had worn a dress and was unarmed, but if she fought back in any way, she would've been given a charge for treason and therefore get everyone in her family executed."
Nobody was supposed to know how the eldest of the Milfords had actually died. It was covered up as an assassination attempt against the former Emperor, and the former Milford Heiress had gotten caught in the crossfire...
Except, the youngest Milford had been a witness to the murder of her sister. She saw her sister die and was left traumatized.
.
(Like Ferdie, the youngest Milford, witnessing the death of Autumn's parents.
And just like his aunt, he lived to tell of it...
Not for long, of course.)
.
"So, the former Heiress was murdered, and the younger sister saw enough to be traumatized in the end, but she told her family before she died. It's the only reason why you and father trust Marquess Milford more than Countess Nightingale. You both ensured his loyalty by getting rid of the former Emperor."
Felix's mouth remained shut, his eyes trained on Athan with a sense of seriousness that he's never seen before in either lifetimes, and that included all the posts tagged with "Lovely Princess Felix" — not a single piece of fanart of a handsome and serious man.
Nevertheless, it was clear that Felix didn't know what to say, or perhaps he didn't know where to start.
Should he have started from the beginning? Or perhaps he should've given Felix some time to digest the information...
But if he didn't do things like this, then Felix would've dismissed it as a child repeating the things that he's heard before. After all, Marquess Milford's history could easily be found out by asking the right questions to the right people.
Would Countess Nightingale's history be enough to prove his words?
"How did Marquess Milford's younger sister die?"
That was the only thing Felix had asked for.
If he answered this wrong, Felix might assume that someone with a grudge against the Marquess had spilled all of this information.
But fortunately for him, he knew the answer.
"People say she killed herself," he tells him without missing a beat. "In actuality, she screamed the supposed "accusations" at one of the nobles' meetings, barging in there in place of her brother who had to leave for the Arlantan Hunting Competition as his family regularly attended as one of Obelia's Diplomats. She was thrown into a jail cell until the Marquess returned and was deemed to be mad from the grief of her sister's death. The family was pardoned, and she was found dead by hanging, but the Marquess believed that it was the former Emperor's scheme of painting his sister as crazy."
If anything, Felix didn't seem to be reassured by his answer.
"I believe you, Your Highness."
"You do?" Autumn blurts out, gasping out a squeak as she covers her mouth with her hand as if she had yet to say anything. "I beg your pardon, Sir Felix, but is it true?"
Felix nodded, frowning. "Everyone in noble society now thinks that Lady Lizbeth killed herself due to grief of Lady Ariella's death and was unable to bear with the knowledge that nobody believed her. While he isn't happy, Marquess Milford is happy that his younger sister is no longer considered a shame to the family name and that she's no longer seen as a madwoman. Seeing how close His Highness, Prince Athanasios, is with Marquess Milford, I'd imagine that it's possible they would have an honest conversation about such a thing years from now, given that it's still a sensitive topic for him."
Huh. That really was convenient. Well, it is a story that came to life, so it was only natural for the world to fill in the gaps.
Still, Felix believed that pretty easily...
Not that he's complaining.
"Father doesn't know, of course," he shifts, awkwardly adding to the conversation. "Autumn remembers too, and she would know more than me because she lived longer than me."
'Don't throw me under the bus!' she screeched in his mind. "You give me too much credit, Your Highness. I didn't live for nearly as long as you believe," Autumn shook her head, giving him a pointed stare. The switch between her mind and actuality were as jarring as ever. 'Verena died in the same year as Athanasios. Usually execution, other times suicide.'
"...Autumn?" Felix looked at Autumn curiously.
"Shit," he thought. 'Was that supposed to be a secret?'
"Well shit," Autumn sighed. 'I wanted to keep that a secret.'
Out of everything he's heard tonight, hearing two "children" swear had startled Felix the most.
——————————
Since he successfully convinced Felix, they were free to speak more openly around him. Of course, they had to wait until they returned to the castle since they would be staying at the estate for a few days until he regained his strength — Athan also didn't want a repeat of someone overhearing a conversation between him and Autumn, especially when he wasn't in his right mind...
Even though it would be better to share the information with Autumn, his dream was very personal.
.
("If this love is a curse, then I would gladly be scorned and burned in hell.")
.
Recalling his own words, he knew he had lived that very moment. He had felt anguish for his dying lover that it had brought him to physical tears when he awoke. He felt warmth in his heart, a fluttering warmth when she smiled just for him and him alone.
Athan knew a love between friends, a love so strong that they were family. He knew of a toxic love between two romantic partners — he's seen and read of it, he's lived through it even if he remembers nothing.
But he's never been in love, he was sure of it until now.
Love, he learns, is both a beautiful and ugly thing. It's painfully heart wrenching, it's rough around the edges, and it's filled with complications. But it's also delightful elation, it's easier to fall than expected, and it's... it's simple.
Athanase was in love with this girl at one point in his life, and now he's left with vague memories. It was as simple as that.
But why? Wasn't he curious? How did they fall in love? What made him fall to begin with?
.
("Would you leave me... if you saw the real me?"
. . .
"I don't know.")
.
He doesn't want to know.
.
(Oh, but he does.)
——————————
"Autumn was really surprised that you believed me," he admits into the quiet of the guest room, with Felix sitting in the armchair at his side. It was just the two of them this time. "She didn't think anyone else would — apart from her — and that's only because we both lived the same experience."
Felix stared at him for a moment, his gaze softening as his frown became more neutral. It wasn't quite a smile, but it could've been.
"You're not the type to lie for no reason, Your Highness," Felix stated. "And it does explain the close relationship Your Highness has with Lady Verena — Autumn. A lot of nobles believed that you are both infatuated with one another."
Athan immediately wrinkled his nose at the thought. "She's like a sister to me."
Felix hadn't responded to that right away, as if he were contemplating on whether or not he ought to say something.
"Pardon my asking, but when did Lady Autumn regain her... memories?"
"On the day of my collapse."
"I see..."
"We were both engaged and she wasn't a Saintess. Father didn't care about my sister and I, so he let us do as we pleased as long as we didn't bother him. From what I can remember, Lady Verena's love became a form of obsession which worsened our relationship. Now that we both... remember the past, that will no longer be an issue. She had a somewhat poor relationship with our peers in the past. It's why she wants to be called Autumn, and why she wants to show me that she's not the same person she used to be."
"Is that so?" Felix frowned. "That's... a bit concerning, Your Highness."
"I know, but Lady Verena is no longer the same person she once was," Athan stated. "After losing me, Autumn's trying to atone for the past."
It wasn't the most inaccurate lie he's ever said. Autumn was distraught and regretful after he died, and even now he could see traces of how desperate she wanted him to confide in her. Clearly, she thinks that it was her fault for not being there for him when he died, and so explains the reason why she's trying to make up for it.
"Does Her Highness, your sister, know about this?" Felix hesitated.
"Partially," he shook his head. "She knows about me, but not about Lady Verena."
"That certainly explains a bit. Perhaps you should talk to Crown Princess Athanasia? It seems that she doesn't wish to speak to Lady Autumn at all..."
"I can't force them to get along," he shook his head. "And she avoids me left and right for no good reason."
Felix is silent for a long moment, his face pale as if a horrid thought had come to mind.
"Please reconsider."
"What?" Athanase blinked, looking at Felix.
"Your Highness, please reconsider mending your relationship with Her Highness."
"Why are you suddenly insistent on this?" Athan blinked.
"I don't want history to repeat itself," Felix quietly stated. "Especially with Emperor Claude and Lady Diana's children."
'Oh,' he thinks. 'Oh.'
Felix didn't want a repeat of Anastasius and Claude.
Maybe that was the possible reason why Athanase died in Toska? He doesn't know how he died in his first life. Maybe Athanasia was the catalyst.
He had mixed feelings about that thought, in all honesty.
Maybe he'll talk to Autumn first...
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Text
The September Dock
The summer is winding down and fall is creeping itself upon us. On my commute to work, I noticed that some leaves had already turned orange, but it was still hot like any other summer day. And midnight will close out August and begin September. With that, we gotta talk about…
The journey thus far…
Since I started this herculean task back in late June I have watched 17 episodes of One Piece. I enjoyed watching every episode of the show, despite how goofy it is, the show’s silliness is charming as an adult. Honestly, I think I am enjoying One Piece more now than when I was a younger anime enthusiast who listened to the opinions of various anime critics. That might be a topic for another time. I have identified two favorite characters so far Roronoa Zoro and Usopp, the former because he is an attractive character and the former because I can see myself a lot in him. Of course, I’m only one-sixth into the East Blue Arc and haven’t even cracked the grand narrative of One Piece. This will now lead to how I feel I performed for this blog and well… I definitely bit off more than I could chew. I had to come to grips that I am someone that is slow to adapt to new routines along with being terrible at not overworking myself to a quick burn-out. This has been a consistent problem, but I believe I have identified an effective solution I have played around with in August.
The journey going forward…
It is not too late to turn things around, I can continue this blog, but I also have to address, at least to myself, some serious hurdles. The main hurdle is I am increasing my workload where I will begin to work for about 55-60 hours a week. That increase in work will mean I will be able to be financially secure and will hopefully be less stressed about finances. Of course, this means a sacrifice in my hobbies, but we will get to the specifics of that in a bit. The secondary hurdle is that I want to return to my hobbies of writing and drawing again, I already have something big planned for September 6th (despite me botching it ;-;). It has always been a passion for me, but the hurdle comes from juggling those hobbies with working on this blog. Now let’s discuss that.
The goal of the journey…
The goal of this particular blog has always been to finish One Piece and with the latest developments in the story it is safe to say that One Piece will end “soon”. That means we can get a tangible number to complete One Piece which is a lot more reassuring than unknown. Some of my own personal goals are to create and maintain a routine and schedule as well as return to enjoying my hobbies.
Planning out the journey…
Scheduling
As I have mentioned in my August update, for peace of mind I have chosen not to work on the blog or any hobbies when I have two appointments allotted for the day. With my workload increasing soon for the sake of my mental health this will be the case going forward. I can speculate if things go to plan I will be able to update the blog 2-3 times a week.
Reading and Writing
I like to read! I also like to write! Like most people. But seriously I want to get back into reading and writing, as both activities are fun for me. It’s fun to write down ideas and have my partner question my sanity after they read my stories. Also, reading is just good and fun to do and helps me become a better writer. Currently, my goal is to read Grady Hendrix’s entire fiction bibliography, I own all his books, and now is the time to read them. To tackle this, my idea is to write for 15 minutes every day and to read a chapter of a book before writing and after drawing.
Drawing
I want to draw! I just bought these colored pencils and it is so much fun playing with them. The feeling of adding life to line drawings is so satisfying. I have created this weird “learning” list of things to draw or do based on art YouTubers I follow. While it is slow I am in the process of learning anatomy and possibly being able to draw illustrations again. I also want to add art to this blog, but that will be a task for another time.
The journey resumes……………………………………………………
Currently, I have watched episode 17 of One Piece, however, I have to finish writing the blog for 16, but I am just about to leave the Syrup village! Let’s see what September has to offer.
Thank you for your patience.
Written by @exdbonanote
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anewp0tat0 · 2 years
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chapter 184
this may end up being a long post. my bad.
so I want to talk about the topic that has circulated the current chapters and then get into the nice things because I'm really glad we have those again.
chapter 182 had a very one sided portrayal of Native Americans, an already marginalized group of people which have these stereotypes up to modern day. chapter 183 was much worse. I explained my specific issue and why exactly I thought yana's artistic portrayal was harmful in the past post under #kuroshitsuji 182
and now in chapter 183, we have bard showing us that in present day he understands how the world wasn't peachy and giving for everyone.
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we have the panel going over the suffering of the natives, but under that are 3 much bigger and more emphasized panels. those panels are meant to be where the reader draws their attention and sympathy towards. not towards the natives, but to Bard's grief, and his family who were killed by natives.
It would be unnecisary story wise to put so much attention on the natives when the main focus is Bard sure(though may be they simple shouldn't have been in the arc to begin with)-
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but this panel also demonstrated how yana did a poor job at showing equal levels of sympathy. on the right you see bard fighting a native who is struggling, fighting back, impaled his chest with a knife(wow??? bard never mentions that I guess). it's obviously a tough fight against a vicious foe, but bard prevails as the victor. it seems.
on the left panel, we see bard mourning over a dead soldier who also killed the natives, killed by natives. in this panel we see bard in grief, so we sympathise for the two soldiers. to any unaware reader, the picture painted from these two panels is "natives were savage and killed many soldiers, even almost killed bard, but bard managed to win". I hope it's understandable why this is not a good message to give to people when they don't know American history.
one good thing that this pair of panels does though is show that the cycle of violence and death is equal and endless, regardless of where it started(though, actually the colonists had guns. it was a gun and a knife fight. so maybe not that equal. anyway).
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this is where i feel the imrpovement in narative is because it shows bard admitting that his siege of violence against the natives was in blind rage. mostly. at the very least, he acknowledges too that Ada is the better of the two of them for her heart of gold.
I want to clarify in case it wasn't clear before that my problem is not exactly with the events of the flashback because those things did happen, to both colonists and natives, and I am sad for that small child and loving wife. my concern is with people who do not know anything about Natives Americans and what they are facing now, because again- these people are not plot devices or mythical demons. so it's a shame that yana decided to use them as such.
look maybe I am overthinking about this, I just want to get comfortable with being able to criticize media while still very much enjoying it(the other parts I mean).
now then. I hope that I won't need to touch on this again on any more chapter reviews. I think I'm gonna go with my original plan of ignoring that mini arc. most people seem to be ignoring the servant arcs anyway 👁
so if I may continue on what I very much enjoyed:
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sebastians face just reaked of "how long is this story". maybe I'm biased idc.
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this is unrelated to the whole post but I find this a tad funny, cause if I'm not wrong that's the exact pose(or panel) used the last time he asked this question. the way I interpret this is that Sebastian, in his early human impersonation days, doesn't have enough motor skills to come up with new poses and actions in recycled situations so simple recycles the poses as well.
that or he's just trying to be cute.
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this is a chilling statement. though, i gotta ask, genuinely because I think i missed this; does meyrin really not fear death? I'm asking because I remember that after she had failed to kill the earl, she ran away knowing that an assassin would come for her and she now had to try to survive on her own. this seems like the fear of death. especially since meyrin then later tried to assassinate the earl again with a knife, in the hope she still had a chance to return to the den. I'm wondering then what development took place, or if I'm forgetting a detail about meyrin.
also. Finny. look at
this
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I'm happy for him. he was always a survivor but I think this point may be where he moves on. which would explain why he never mentioned his past at all.
I'm glad this chapter was able to remind me why I like this series after the bit of annoyance I had with the last one. but before I conclude I have to end with another popular sentiment going around with this chapter...
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fear
yea I'm worried. about what ronald's doing. I'm not quite ready to let go of bard yet- I mean I can't imagine what type of toll it would take on the other servants, or the grand mission. and Ada- I mean, it wouldn't hurt the story too much, barely effect it even. though of course it's a shame that the good ones always seem to get it 😐.
but i gotta say i really am wondering what Ronald is doing there. what is so urgent that he has to roam around in the middle of the night(when he could be sleeping) stalking their conversation and checking his death list? in fact, we already saw him check his death list quite suspiciously when he was around Ada and Bard once before, so why do it again? is stuff gonna go down now??? who else could be roaming around the sanitorium about to cause something catastrophic. oh god where did lau go I can't even remember it's been like half a year.
unfortunetly I'm leading towards Ada dying. while some people point to Bard's fear of dying as a reason for him to be the one that perishes, I think the line "you're the "miracle healer"" might signify something upcoming, and it's undeniable that if something we're to put the patients of the sanitorium in danger Ada would stay behind to help. Ada has been established as the giver of life and Bard the taker. if bard came to the sanitorium, caused a mess that would lead to death, and Ada saved him only to meet a tragic end, well... uh. I don't even know.
sorry for the long post and ranting, hope everyone's had a good day!
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class1akids · 3 years
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BNHA 320 - Thoughts
How do you have a fight between people who don’t want to hurt each other? 
The answer is to turn it into a giant Catch-a-Deku and shower him with a plus ultra dose of friendship. 
Kacchan proves right at the bat that they’ve predicted Deku’s likely course of action. He had a move ready to counter smoke-screen, which does not surprise me at all. I bet he’s been thinking up ways to match / counter Deku’s new quirks as soon as he laid eyes on All Might’s notebook. 
Also, all the discussion from last week can be laid to rest on whether Kacchan told the others that he was part of team OFA - he obviously prepared them - they all recognized Smokescreen. 
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What is even more interesting is that he calls out Deku (and by implication his younger self) about how once someone is able to do everything alone, everyone else starts to look like extras. That it’s easy to lose perspective. I guess Kacchan is saying that from experience, knowing how screwed up that is. 
Deku doesn’t want to hear this, so he bolt.  Then the action is rather cool - we get Kouda sending in a flock of pigeons, a Sero-Midoriya spiderman vs spiderman tug of war, Jirou having a totally new move (let my girl fight, she looks badass), 
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Ojirou catching Deku with his tail, Dark Shadow pushing Deku into Momo’s sleep machine. So I guess with was Plan A (probably the Momo-plan). It would also make a pretty cool theme park ride if anyone would ever want to make one. 
They are not trying to hurt Deku, only get him in Momo’s sleepy-time machine, which Deku resists like an angry toddler, all the while talking about their bonding moments - Jirou about Deku helping her to organize her notes, Ojirou about how Deku got angry on his behalf.
They all appreciate Deku for just normal friends stuff - nothing to do with Deku’s quirk or his self-sacrifices, but simply his caring, decent nature. For things that are totally unrelated to OFA or breaking himself for the sake of others. 
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Satou is going for the jugular mentioning Eri and her candied apples. And it’s so heart-breaking that even at the mention of Eri, Deku thinks that she would be all right with anyone. (Deku, you total dumbass). He also asks his classmates not to care about him anymore (hahahaha) as he breaks the sleep-machine. Love Dark Shadow’s little exasperated look. 
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..only to be caught by Kaminari giving him a bro-hug, telling him that even if they never interacted that much, he thinks of Deku as his pal. I adore Kaminari - he doesn’t even use his quirk, he uses his superpower as official whisperer of all the beasts of class A. 
Shoji is next in restraining Deku and reminding him back when Deku thought that Shoji, Tokoyami, Shouto, Bakugou and himself were awesome enough to go up against All Might even. I love this reminder, not only how much his classmates also been through and handled, but that back before OFA-Sixquirks, Deku used to see them differently. And it’s not like they’ve become any weaker since then - rather the opposite...
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Tokoyami is back with Ragnarok - Womb that looks like a pretty awesome cocoon - I adore the design and all of Tokoyami’s moves, putting Kaminari in there with him, who finally says the most important thing to Deku.
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Yes. Please. For the love of All Might, go, take a shower, Deku.  Shoji at the same time asking him if he only sees them as people to protect now - and it’s a very pertinent question - hits very hard - it’s something I’ve been asking since the beginning of the arc, and I’m glad someone asked him that. Even if Deku doesn’t think like that, it’s important he understands what it FEELS like to his friends.
Deku breaks out from the cocoon, but finally the mask falls and he’s holding back tears now, gritting his teeth, saying yet again, how he’s fine. Sure Deku, you look “just fine”. I guess it’s another one for the list... 
He also notes how Danger Sense didn’t activate this whole time (which the scanlation totally mistranslated btw), because the class has no ill intent. Cue my UA traitor theory. 
So as Deku breaks free, he yeets himself head-first into a Heaven Piercing Ice Wall - nice throwback to the first Kamino rescue - and damn, Shouto made it go straight up in an instant, and you can see how high it is. 
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But even more devastating is Shouto’s deeply disappointed face, as he questions if Deku can even cry anymore - a nice throwback to their heroes cry too conversation. 
Deku’s resolve is really weakening now and Tsuyu still comes to give her two cents - about comic-book heroes and turning fiction into reality, and why does she talk like AFO suddenly.  
Interestingly, there is a car approaching - it’s either Hercules or Jeanist Mobile, so we may have an interruption soon. I hope it’s All Might - he should really say something about this lone pillar thing. 
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We’ll know in two weeks, but other than some of the big guns in terms of closeness to Deku - Iida, Uraraka and of course, Professor Kacchan, with a PhD in Dekulogy - we still have some of the less significant and mid-tier characters who haven’t spoken: Aoyama, Hagakure, Mina and Kirishima.  I’m guessing the UA traitor will be one of them and may end up pinging Danger Sense. 
I guess Iida and Uraraka will be the real heart-breakers, and Kacchan (if we’ll segue now into DvK3) will be the nuclear explosion in the end. 
Or maybe Deku gets his bath before that happens. 
In any case, so far - I think the “fight” is handled in a balanced way. Nobody tries to hurt the other, the class is showing some new moves, a bit of clever combos, Deku can show off his growth to them, but ultimately it’s a fight for his heart. They are talking to him like to a friend - they are not putting him on All Might’s pedestal, but try to draw out the human side of him and try to get it through to him that he’s appreciated exactly for that. 
The class is not approaching Deku, the hero, they try to get through to their dumbass friend who is hurting and is in need of help. They are breaking him with friendship and the no-jutsu has more punch when it’s stuff that’s been built for a long time. 
It also shows that the more gut-wrenching moments are the ones with classmates who he has a longer or closer history with. So I’m getting my tissue box ready for 321. 
Also, check out the trivia in HK’s author comment about the origin of Deku’s name. It’s pretty cool. 
All the dude-bros frothing at the mouth about how Deku didn’t get to beat class A to a pulp makes this chapter extra delicious.
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