#the visuals in this video are BREATHTAKING

[jajanvm-imbi]

Just say, please stay

Look my way

Just Look My Way - (Official Video) // Helluva Boss

#Helluva Boss may not be perfect #and Vivziepop may be a little too involved in drama for my liking #but DAMN is her team fucking talented as SHIT #the visuals in this video are BREATHTAKING #Helluva Boss deserves the hype for the visuals alone #say what you want about the writing or Vivzie (ive said them too lol) #but it is undeniable that her team is INSANELY talented #and they deserve the credit #also again Bryce Pinkham has the voice of an ANGEL #smooth as butter rich as cream #helluva boss vivziepop #helluva boss #helluva boss stolas #vivziepop #bryce pinkham #spindlehorse #hb stolas #stolas ars goetia #animation #cartoons

[thexsilentxwordsmith]

Simon "Ghost" Riley x Fem!Reader

Fandom: Call of Duty

Character(s): Simon "Ghost" Riley, Reader

Summary: All the buildup, all the teasing, finally leads to this: Simon is back and ready to act on all those filthy things you two had been teasing each other with. Will you make it home before you both explode? Or will the car have to do to break the tension?

Word Count: 5.1 k

Warnings:

Part 2:

Unsteady hands gripped hard into the steering wheel, knuckles white as you tightly held on while headed straight to the military base. Your heart pounding furiously inside your chest, breath quick and short the closer you got, it was nearly impossible to keep your eyes focused on the road. Christ were you gnawing at the bit to get there and once again see that beast of a man, the one keeping you begging for release for the past three months.

Those breathtaking bits of personalized porn you two had sent each other had done nothing other than made that inconvenient ache into a raging monster that could not be quenched. Hours spent furiously working yourselves, silently begging for a little ease in the constant throbbing had gotten nowhere except to drain the battery life on your phones from the constant re-watching of videos.

…though that last photo he sent you of his abdomen covered in his milky white cum after having watched your little romp into amateur pornography had left you feeling on top of the world for a couple days.

And just as you were on that last leg of desperation, finally the light at the end of the tunnel that led up to you driving where you were today. It had been exactly one week from when you got the text you had been waiting on from Simon:

“I’m coming home, baby. Fucking finally; Christ I thought I was going to rub myself raw. Best not wear anything you want to remain intact, you hear me? Cause the minute I get my paws on you, that's it.”

Thank fuck, the suffering was almost over.

That entire week seemed to drag on endlessly, each day crawling through at a snails pace, but here you were now only a few more minutes away from your destination. Even as you checked in at the entrance to the base, antsy and squirming in the seat of your car, you couldn’t believe that you had actually made it.

You took Simon’s message to heart when you got ready that morning, choosing a simple, flowy dress that he could literally shred off of you and you wouldn’t give a shit. It was just long enough that it could easily conceal the fact that you had done away with the panties today, opting for ease of access over anything else, but low cut enough in the front that he could get a nice eyeful of your full chest; you had no idea what would happen the moment you saw each other again and you weren’t taking any chances.

This reunion was bound to be explosive after all the visual edging you two had been doing lately and having to waste even a second more of time before your bodies could be joined felt like a crime.

You walked through the base, heartbeat rapidly increasing with each step as you got closer to where you knew you'd find that hulking Lieutenant hanging around.

And then you turned a corner and there he was like a specter brought back to life, standing idly beside the outside wall smoking as he watched the privates of his troop find their families and suddenly the wind was knocked from you.

“Simon,” you called out to him and he turned to face you.

That instant connection of your eyes felt like a shock from a live wire; Simon could feel the electricity run through his veins and tingle its way up his spine until the first prickles of sweat dotted across his body as his cigarette slipped from his fingers. It felt like he couldn’t breathe and the closer you got the worse it became; you knew what you were doing wearing that pretty little dress.

Fuck did he want to take a bite of those thick thighs he could see just under the hem that popped out every time you took a step and if his hands didn’t get their fill of your breast spilling out of his grip soon, he might just keel over and die. You were more than tempting, you were a feast sent to make him completely lose his goddamn mind.

His entire body was sent into shock as that ache that he had tried to keep from ripping him apart all day as he waited for your arrival overtook him until his balls pulsed and he had to adjust himself or get caught sporting a stiffy that would instantly tent the crotch of his pants and make it even more painfully obvious to any curious eyes just how gone he fucking was.

Coming to a stop you stood before him, your stomach doing back flips as you struggled to form words that weren’t just pleas for him to just rip the waistband of his pants down and take you right then.

“Hey you,” you said through unsteady breaths, trying to keep calm. “Long time no see, huh?”

Simon nodded. “Too fuckin’ long sweetheart. Ya look...” he had to clear his throat, “incredible.” He had to keep it short, there were still too many people about and even his words would cause him to lose composure.

“Well, it is a special occasion after all,” you chuckled. “Got to remind you what you leave behind every time you go.”

The need to take your hand and give it squeeze, that customary greeting that you both did when in public, made him hesitate. If he touched you right now, any bare part that met skin with skin, he may not be able to stop, not once those weathered and brutish fingers got their fill of all that sweet softness. There as still a little time left that he had to be there and the agony was already eating away at him.

“Believe me, I fuckin’ know,” he said as he shot you a look; I’ve been in hell waitin’ to get back to it, it whispered to you.

Taking a few calming breaths, he risked lacing his broad fingers in between the empty spaces in your own. Simon could feel the rapid thump, thump, thump, of your pulse against his palm; good, you were just as excited for this reunion as he was.

Somehow that made it a bit easier, knowing that the feeling was mutual.

“Can we go?” you asked eagerly, hopeful that you were closer to the end of your joint suffering sooner rather than later.

Simon stroked the back of your hand with his thumb. “Gotta be here just a bit longer,” he muttered dejectedly under his breath. “God, I want ya so bad I can’t see straight.”

You squeezed his hand back. “It’ll go fast,” you assured. “And…I mean… no one’s looking this way if you wanted to touch me a little more. Maybe you’ll find something you’ll like.”

It was dangerous, but he took a chance with even more touch as he released your hand and loosely wrapped his arm around your waist, bring you in to him until your hips were touching. You were warm against him, warmer than the day would suggest, and the curve of your hip that he ran his fingers over delicately to retrace the lines he had dreamed about felt even better than he remembered.

Silently you peaked over at his face, watching as his head faced firmly forward to watch for any prying eyes, but it was clear he hadn’t noticed it yet. Not wanting to spoil the surprise, you kept quiet; he’d figure it out eventually. Those exploring fingers were beginning to stray more towards the back of you to the small dip at the base of your spine.

…and then lower still…

That’s when you felt it; he risked a lingering stroke over the contour of your ass when he noticed it. Where was that distinct seam of your panty line? He had grabbed your backside so many times over the course of your relationship that he knew the feeling of what should have been there. Quickly he ran his hand over the area again and still the same, there was nothing. Christ, you’d really prepared for today, hadn’t you?

Good fuckin’ girl.

His chest began to grow tight with his quickened breathing… along with that engorged appendage down below. He was in fucking trouble now; would he even be able to make it to the car at this point? The moan that desperately tried to escape through his throat he swallowed down, but who knows how long it would stay.

He was in the thick of it now.

Simon leaned down to rest his face against the side of your head, his warm breath still able to be felt against your ear even through the mask. “Fuckin’ hell sweetheart, no panties?” he whispered intrigued. “Christ, how the fuck am I supposed to hang on now?”

You smirked, trying to pick even though you were falling apart at the seams, a wetness gathering between your thighs as you pressed them together. “You complaining? Cause I can head back home and put some on real quick if you want.”

A harsh squeeze along the underside of your ass cheek made you gasp before he removed his hand and gave you your answer. “Don’t you fuckin’ dare,” he warned, a playfully lilt to his tone. “That sweet little pussy is about to be filled and I don’t wanna waste a goddamn second havin’ to rip those fuckin’ things off ya.”

Dear God he was about to fuckin’ explode, say screw it and pin you up against the nearest wall right in front of the entire goddamn squad to plow into your tight, wet cunt with months worth of unrequited need that had built up to this monster of desire churning away inside of him. His teeth bit at the skin of his lower lip, his fists clenching and unclenching as he failed to calm himself while he again checked the time.

The moment that those amber eyes watched the second hand on his watch hit and the minutes change to the millisecond he could be released, his oversized mitt wrapped around your wrist, securing it in his harsh grasp, and quickly he began making his way to your car with you being dragged alongside.

“Where the hell are ya parked?” he questioned in a huff, that gruff voice nothing more than a growl, and you pointed towards the back of the lot in the corner.

You could barely keep up with his intense pace, nearly tripping over your own feet several times to match his long strides. It didn’t help that your heart was pounding furiously, nearly beating out of your chest the closer you got to being in a tight, secluded spot with him; could you even make it back to his apartment?

All signs were pointing to not a fucking chance.

Simon only released you so that you could both get inside, separating at the tail of the vehicle with you headed towards the driver side and him the other. The slam from the car door rung through the interior of the vehicle and before you could even insert the key into the ignition, Simon had moved in silent as a specter to place his large palm against the side of your cheek. The endless ache he had endured over the past months apart had been unbearable as you both edged each other to the brink of insanity and now that he was so close to you again it felt like he was in a dream.

The tension that suddenly filled the car was overwhelmingly electric as Simon closed what little distance there still sat between you both, his hand moving to the back of your head. Those bulky, calloused fingers that had missed having any part of you against them laced themselves through your hair with harsh abandon, pulling your face closer.

He held your head steady and pointedly at his face so that you had to stare into his intense, unwavering gaze; it made your skin tingle with anticipation of what was on the horizon and barreling down fast. Those sparkling brown eyes drew you in to hold your own captive as he drug his thick thumb across the length of your bottom lip as if to test that all this was actually real. His entire hand palmed the back of your head which left you completely at his mercy, not that you were complaining.

After all, you needed him just as badly.

Without warning he wrenched the bottom hem of his balaclava up over the top of his head and off his face before his mouth crashed violently against your own, hungry and greedy to steal kiss after fiery kiss from those soft, supple lips he had been eyeing with a burning desire to ruin since the minute he saw you again. Desperately his tongue parted your lips as he plunged it inside your mouth to reclaim it.

God it felt euphoric to finally be given the very thing you had been aching for for months, feeling as if your body had pined for his for an eternity, as it was finally released from it’s torture. And by the way his tongue was nearly shoved down the back of your throat you knew Simon felt that same kind of relief and it only spurred him on further.

“Fuck,” he groaned against your parted lips, nothing but hot, sticky breath being shared. “Ugh…fuck, baby, I’ve missed you so goddamn much I thought I was gonna fuckin’ die before I could feel ya again.”

Crawling over the small console in the center between the car seats, Simon shoved his body weight into you, making your smaller frame slam against the driver-side door. The raised panelling along the inside dug roughly into the muscles of your back as the backside of your head was shoved harshly into the glass of the window. There was no pause in his assault of your mouth until your lips began to burn from the constant contact and yet even the pain still felt like heaven.

He tasted so strongly of tobacco from the chain of cigarettes he must have smoked to calm his nerves until you arrived, but even through the distinct flavor you still drank every last drop of him down like you would cease to function without him.

Those thick digits of his free hand eagerly pawed at your supple thighs until he was able to divide them so that his hand could slip in between. There was a damp heat gathered near your unclothed sex and it only made him more wild to feel it. His palm cupped around your entire mound and you whimpered directly into his mouth.

“Fuck,” he hissed one of the only words he could recall in that moment as the damp heat filled his palm. “All for me?”

Words, what the hell were they again? You couldn’t remember how speech worked as you were far too busy try to simply breathe through the conquering of your body by him. All you could do was mewl like a kitten as he massaged the petals of your cunt before taking his middle finger and slipping it between them. Your back arched in a jolt as he ran one finger along the length of your cunt, mouth falling agape as Simon gathered as much of your juices on his finger as he could.

Even this small amount of contact already had you dripping and coming apart at the seams; it had been so long since you had felt that familiar touch and pressure against your clit, the one that only he could provide.

Simon couldn’t help himself once he got his first real feel again of how soft and slick you were, goddamn it had been too long that he’d only been able to play with himself, and greedily he drew upon your clit in concise circles with the pad of his rough finger. There was a second where he tried to remain calm, to take his time drawing out your pleasure as he would normally do, but as your back arched and your breathy music filled the silence of the car, he could not hold off from unleashing weeks of pent up need onto you.

Removing his lips from your own, he moved down to the soft skin of your neck with teeth ready to leave the flesh marked with his seal. It burned him alive with desire at the thought that he would be able to see your pretty skin marred by him, that everyone who came in to contact with you in the coming days after today would see it too.

You could not stop the way your body writhed and squirmed as his finger collected a friend to join it and spread your entrance open so they could both slide inside. The heightened tension of the moment with the man you had yearned for only made you more sensitive and the way his fingers filled your tight, aching hole after it had been left empty for too long thrilled you. As natural as breathing, your hips ground down on his fingers, using them as your own living dildo.

God, he wanted nothing more than for you to ride his cock as well as you rode his fingers just now and send him straight to hell. Shit, he couldn’t catch his breath, his need was just too much. “That’s it. Use me; make my fingers yours.”

Both of your hands moved to behind your head and onto the window; you needed more leverage to ground onto him harder, as hard as you could. Nothing compared to him, not your own fingers, not a toy; you could not stop yourself. You could feel the condensation already gathering on the glass as you moved and you had to wipe it away so that you could get better purchase on the surface so you wouldn’t slide.

There was nothing that was going to ruin this.

“Oh god, baby,” you squeaked out as that overwhelming deep warmth of your release gathered in your abdomen.

The corners of his mouth upturned against your neck at the sound of you falling apart because of him. Images conquered in his mind about your moans and cries reaching outside the car so that anyone who walked by would hear them before they caught a glimpse of the show. Why wouldn’t he want to show you off like this? You looked so fucking beautiful falling apart to his ferocity.

Just the way your muscles strained and your cries became more pathetic, Simon knew you were close. “Are ya gonna come for me already, pretty girl?” his gruff voice purred against your collar bone. “Come on then, give it to me. Clench down on my fingers. Let me feel it.”

Pumping his fingers in and out of you, keeping the pace as steady as he could, he felt those velvety walls flutter around his digits as he rocked his upper body with you to simulate the movements he’d soon be doing when he was really inside you. The air was so thick with moisture it almost felt hard to breathe right, the windows filmed with the stuff as with a few more strokes at your clit you came hard and fast, shaking as he continued to work you until ever single ounce of your orgasm had been spent.

Simon was gone then, replaced by a feral beast fueled by his ability to make you come… and wanting to do it again, but this time with his cock.

He pulled those thick fingers out of you, glistening with the wetness of your cum and brought them to his lips. You watched wide eyed as he stuck them in his mouth and licked them good and clean; goddamn you tasted just as delicious as he remembered. Could you blame the man? You had kept him starving since your video popped up on his phone and he had to get a bit of it all.

“I need more of ya,” he groaned in whispers as he leaned back into you, desperate hands pawing at your breast still sadly inside your dress as he kissed you again, now with the taste of you on his breath.

“We need to move, someone’s bound to come see what all the noise is about,” you said, able to think a little more clearly now that you had come once, but Simon was still gone and there was only one thing that would bring him back.

“Don’t care, can’t wait. Get in the back. Now.”

The primal growl in his gruff voice was enough to make you comply without another word; once was not enough anyway, not after how you had suffered. You needed to be filled with more than his fingers. With a nod you immediately began climbing over the cushions towards the backseat of the car as he got out and moved into the back with you. You leaned back into the front long enough to shove the seats forward all the way to give you more space.

Simon needed room to work.

Scooting over, he planted himself directly in the middle of the back seat and pulled you over top of his lap to straddle him, shins digging into the edge of the cushion. Shit, he as so hard you couldn’t properly sit over top of him without leaving a wet spot right where his cock tented the fabric.

Clothes could be washed, as if he would care at all if anything got on him right now. Pushing your hips down, he made you grind your overstimulated clit hard on that throbbing shaft and you mewled into his face. A devilish grin spread from ear to ear as he rocked your hips to dry hump him.

“Someone ‘ere begged to be bred and that’s what she’s gonna fuckin’ get,” he hissed, sucking in the air harshly between his teeth at the feeling of you on top of him. “Can’t take it back now, luv. I have been fuckin’ dreamin’ of doin’ this, ever since you sent me that goddamn video and I ‘eard you say those sweet fuckin’ words. Been fuckin’ gnawin’ at the bit to stuff you full.”

Taking both of his hands, he pulled at the low neckline of your dress until your breasts came spilling out of the top. Angling his face in, he placed his nose right between the two to suffocate himself within them. There was a hint of your perfume still lingering there, that scent he had bought you for your birthday last year, the one that occasionally lingered on his clothes and had done for the first couple weeks of his mission.

The flesh was so enticing that he sucked in the supple top of one breast before he bit down, not enough to break the skin, but enough that it would definitely leave a nice red outline of his teeth; more signaturea that you could both admire.

“Simon,” you moaned his name.

Your own hands roamed up under his shirt, pushing the fabric up until you reached his chest and you could run your hands over the sparse bit of hair you adored; it would be so nice to get to nuzzle against it again. As your fingers ran between his pectorals you could feel the moment his breath hitched.

“Please, Simon,” you begged. “I need it.”

Those breasts he would get back to later, your words brought him back and his need to fuck you senseless slammed into him full force.

Rushed, he laid you back over the console between the seats as he sat up and forward, undoing his belt before ripping his pants down enough that he could pull his cock out of his boxers. The angle was slightly awkward, but as he aligned the leaking head of his phallus with your entrance and gave that first thrust to fully enter you, everything else fell away.

“Oh fuck…fuck… oh fuck,” that deep agonized whimper echoed through the car as Simon’s hands bore down his grip on the top of the seat cushions. “Goddammit, luv…s-shit…ah…”

Nothing, absolutely nothing in this fucking world could ever compare to the way your body felt wrapped around his cock: how silky and warm and tight it was. There was no way with his limited brain function could he accurately describe how mind-numblingly amazing it was to be inside you again. Those restless nights where he just couldn’t seem to stay satisfied, the pictures and video that made it worse, the dreams that woke him to stained boxers, it was all undone in that moment as your soft walls held him snugly.

Your head flew back over the lip of the console as he filled you completely to the hilt, stretching you out to your limit. It was almost too much after so much time apart, but goddamn was it exactly as you had wanted. You swallowed the saliva gathering in your mouth, wanting to say the words you had first brought to life in your video, but in person this time.

“Breed me, please Simon. I need you to fucking breed me.”

Never had a more beautiful sentence ever been spoken to him in all his years than to hear your desperate and depraved voice telling him to claim you in the most ultimate way; it was even more beautiful in person than it was that first time he heard it. His fingernails nearly tore holes in the seat as gripped with all this strength to stop himself from coming too fast from all the excitement.

The car began to shake forward and back as Simon snapped his hips into you with a feverish intensity. Even within the first few minutes he was already pussy drunk, slamming into you with a feral roughness that left his rhythm scattered for a bit as his brain only had one objective now: to come.

Your legs were absolutely burning and shaking from the intensity as you had to spread them wide so that he could fit in between, but it didn’t matter; you would have done anything to have him reclaim your cunt as his own again.

The scent of sex was heavy in the air of that enclosed space, the wet slapping sounds of two bodies connecting in that most erotic way keeping the beat.

Yet there was still one more thing he wanted, one more thing that he had been daydreaming about all by his lonesome. Even in this cramped space, he was determined to make it happen- for both of you. His hands were on your legs and before you knew what was happening, he had pulled out of you so that he could situate your calves up on his broad shoulders.

As he thrust back in, the new position helped him reach even deeper until he completely bottomed out. Goddamn it was like you could feel him in your stomach, so full with him that you were completely one being.

“F-fuck…” you stammered out the cry, choking on your words as you writhed uncontrollably. It was almost too much.

“There ya go baby,” he groaned as he started rocking his hips again, unable to contain himself at this consuming euphoria. “Gotta make good on my fuckin’ promise.”

He took you even rougher now, gripping into your hips hard enough to leave purple fingerprints where his hands rested as he pounded into you furiously, your body contorted and at his mercy. The windows of the car were completely fogged over now, the condensation not letting any clear visuals in or out as the axel squeaked with the force of Simon’s thrusts. The console you were still laid on scraped across your back to make it burn as your body was rocked, but the angle was so perfect that the stimulation made your brain blank to anything that wasn’t your second release creeping up on you quick.

There were no more words that could be said as you both devolved into beings hell bent on pleasure alone, just the depraved sounds of grunting and moans filling up the interior to capacity; that growing warmth in your belly nearly reaching its peak

Goddammit, he was closer than he thought due to all the pent up desire he'd been unable to sait for weeks, but he had to be sure you were almost there again too. "Are ya close?" he asked as more of a plea than a question, hips snapping desperately with a shudder as he was losing the battle to his orgasm.

"Yes," you groaned back. "Don't stop, please."

He closed his eyes tight, working to stay from blowing until he felt your thighs twitch and clamp down around him, keeping him locked in. A few more sloppy thrusts slipping through the cum covering your cunt, a few more bumps against your swollen clit, and that was it. The warmth shot through your limbs, coursing like electricity as you came once more.

"Yes, yes, yes!" you cried out and finally he let go and fuck did he come with a roar that stung your ears.

Simon's body convulsed, the muscles in his abdomen tensing and straining as he released weeks and weeks of need. You took it all riding out your orgasms in tandem until you both lay still a moment, simply breathing after such an explosive ending.

He moved back into the seat exhausted, pulling your body along with him as you stayed connected. Lightly he pushed up your dress to press his raw lips to your stomach to kiss down the lower half of your body. Each embrace was another silent praise he gave while he took deep breaths through the high of his ecstasy until his rapidly pounding slowed and he could final re-wet his dry mouth to speak.

“Fuck, I think we both needed that one,” he said against your skin, his warm breath wafting over the fine spread of moisture along your torso, making you tingle as he kept his cock buried inside. “Ya did so good for me sweetheart.”

You reached a hand out to him and he helped you to sit up and into his lap. Wrapping your arm around his neck you pulled him into a deep kiss, letting your mouths linger together with eyes closed for a few moments as you both finished coming down.

“I’m glad your back,” you whispered as your lips parted.

He cupped your cheek with his palm, staring back into your eyes as he smiled. “I’m glad to be back too,” he returned. "And I'm gonna make sure that I make up for all that lost time."

Tag list: @sillylittlereader @babygirl-riley @jarfullofjizz @jamieelol

#simon ghost riley #simon riley #call of duty #ghost cod #ghost x reader #simon riley x reader #ghost mw2 #cod mw2 #simon riley smut #simon ghost riley smut #simin ghost riley #simon smut #ghost simon riley #simon ghost riley x reader #simon riley x you #simon ghost x reader #simon ghost x you #ghost cod smut #cod ghost

[hezuart]

Thoughts on the “Look my Way” music video? For context if you don’t know, this is a fan song that’s just animated. Paranoid DJ had written this song awhile back, though Viv did take out some lyrics and switch them up a bit. What I personally don’t like is that there’s a line in the original where Stolas mentions the “impish play thing” line, as well as acknowledges that Octavia is hurting, and Viv cut that out. The song itself also doesn’t help for the show narratively really regarding the ship of Stolitz.

OMYGOD Okay so much to talk about here. It's a BEAUTIFUL song, amazing song, and I even loved the original of it. The animation for this AMV is breathtaking, everyone did an AMAZING job on it. This is what Helluva Boss songs should sound like. I was annoyed with that one scene, albeit very pretty where Stolas and Blitz have a string attached to the pinky finger, which is an indication of soulmates. This bothers me because a soulmate is either A. someone you have been reincarnated with over the years to love or B. Someone you click with- someone who completes you. You meet in every lifetime or they are the perfect person for you. This does not fit Stolas X Blitz AT ALL. They are not perfect for each other, they are complete opposites and the entire appeal and beauty of their relationship was the fact that they were fuckbuddies! They weren't even friends! They were tied up in manipulations, classism, and power imbalances. Their relationship required a lot of growth, a lot of work, and a LOT of learning on what love actually was, how to maintain it, and how to right their wrongs like-They needed to actively explore and learn what love means. They needed to find a real connection that would actually give them chemistry. Being soulmates is a complete cop-out. (Soulmates don't rely on reincarnation, but some do- and reincarnation is not a thing for demons???) You could say I'm overthinking it and being nitpicky with this visual, but this is exactly what it is! That is a soulmate string!!! He even says "I'll grant you this mercy, this bind on our souls-" LIKE BRUH wHAT !!! I'm so mad about what their relationship has become. They were toxic but not doomed. Now they're nothing Anyway..... still very beautiful and pretty

I have friends who actually know this guy and work closely with him. Apparently, Viv was the one who asked to change the lyrics of the song because it didn't "fit her story"???????? The lyrics changed: OG: "Come now, my little impish plaything, we both made our choice" Viv: "But dearest, I know better now I must give you this choice" It makes sense why she would want this changed since this song is about Stolas actually finally being in love. But it's still very sus because we still have not addressed Stolas's classism problem that seems to fluctuate episode to episode. OG: "Is this how she'd feel? Abandoned, all alone and left to fend For herself, for some semblance of happiness that doesn't have to end?" Viv: "Is this what you feel? Scorned by a realm that cannot comprehend, What you are, so I'll grant you this mercy this bind- on our souls needs to end" Again I can understand this change because we are going off-topic with Octavia here. However, I do find these changes very suspicious, especially if she wanted the song to better "fit her story". Because these circumstances are things that I have accused Viv of retconning before. Where Stolas wasn't actually in love with Blitz from the start and only saw him as a shiny toy, an "impish little plaything". Where Stolas was actually shady in cheating on his wife and not being there for his daughter nor really understanding her. "Home doesn't feel like home anymore. You ruined it." I can understand in the context of the song why these lines would be removed, but in the context of the overall story, I'm very suspicious of it, because those are very important contexts that people try to insist are "just people's headcanons" when they literally aren't. This could be considered active proof of Vivziepop retconning her story, but I will go with the latter and stick to my logical explanations for why the lyrics were changed- gonna try to have some faith here.

~~~~

Apparently, Cherri and Angel's AMV Addict was also a fan song. In THAT video, this is the description. Fully acknowledging it was a fan song, and giving clear credit to the person who made the song.

THIS. IS THE DESCRIPTION FOR "JUST LOOK MY WAY"

NO acknowledging this is a fan-made song. NO credit for Paranoid DJ. No thank you, no praise for the original, no links to the original song- He is at least in the credits, but not the description! This is insanely shady! I don't know if this was just a mistake or not, but this is really uncool. Again, he's at least in the ending credits, but... the description would make it more obvious. Vivziepop has a history of not crediting people for their work- I don't know if she was the one who made this mistake nor not.... this is not the worst it could have been, but at the very least whoever runs the youtube should fix the description out of respect.

#vivziepop critical #helluva boss critical #ask #long post #text post #just look my way

[cool-fancier]

Playful Jealousy

Requested by anonymous, had this for a while so I hope you like it.

Synopsis: Bebe's live stream of your music video showed Bada's playful jealousy, sparking fan excitement. Amidst the banter, a deeper bond between you and Bada emerged, revealing genuine care and affection within the crew.

Word count:1.7K

The late-afternoon sun poured through the Bebe studio's windows, giving a warm glow over the lively atmosphere.  You, a popular K-pop idol and proud member of the of Bebe the Street Woman Fighter-winning crew, sat with your fellow members, surrounded by an atmosphere of friendship and excitement.

Bada, Bebe's lively leader, assembled everyone for a live session, allowing fans to see and respond to your recently released music video. The members' excitement was evident as they settled in, eager to support and celebrate your artistic efforts.

The screen came alive with brilliant colours and mesmerising sights as the song video began. Members exchanged eager glances, their faces a mix of delight and appreciation for your performance.

"Wow, look at Y/N unnie go!" Lusher shouted, her gaze fixed on the screen. "You're killing it!"

Tatter enthusiastically nodded. "She's really breathtaking. Such presence and grace."

The screen displayed your dance movements, each step precisely synchronised to the beats of the music, capturing the viewers' attention. Both the group and the viewers watching the live session praised the sophisticated choreography and the artistry of the images.

"Y/N is a true artist," Kyma said, her voice full of adoration. "Her talent is unmatched."

CheChe chimed in with a smile. "And look how lovely she is in each frame!" "What a visual treat."

The members nodded in accord, lavishing you with compliments, unaware to Bada's tiny change in mood. As the conversation turned to your appearance, Bada's eyes flashed with playful jealousy—a barely noticeable twist of the lips, a clear sign of her teasing nature.

Fans, who pay close attention to every detail, observed Bada's reaction and began reacting eagerly in the live chat.

EnvyEyes123: Bada's jealous tongue thingy is iconic! It's the cutest thing ever! 🤣😍

JealousyQueen456: Bada's reaction to Y/N is EVERYTHING! So adorable! 😂❤️

TiedFanatic: Bada's playful jealousy is making my day! It's the best thing I've seen! 😜

Adorably345: Bada, your reaction to Y/N is too cute! We see you, girl! 😄💕

PlayfulLeader789: Bada's jealous moments are priceless! We love this playful side! 🤭😂

JealousyIsCute321: Bada, your jealousy is the cutest! It's giving us all the feels! 😊❤️

TwistFan: Bada's tongue thingy when Y/N's on screen is adorable! We stan! 🤣

PlayfulTease567: Bada's reaction is making us laugh! You're too cute, girl! 😂🥰

CheekyJealousy654: Bada's playfulness is everything! Her jealous moments are too funny! 😂😜

TongueOutVibes: Bada's playful jealousy is making the live session so much fun! 😂

EnviousCharm123: Bada's jealousy is a whole mood! You're adorable, leader-nim! 😄❤️

CutenessOverload789: Bada's reactions are stealing the show! So cute! 😂🙌

The comments flooded the screen, drawing attention to Bada's playful jealousy. Meanwhile, the members continued their praises, unaware of the attention drawn to Bada's reaction.

"Sowoen, what do you think?" asked Bada, turning to the youngest member, who had been silently observing the music video.

Sowoen, startled by the sudden attention, blushed slightly. "Oh, um, Y/N unnie looks amazing, as always. The dance moves are just...wow."

As the music video continued, the live session became a dynamic exchange of compliments and reactions. The studio echoed with laughter, camaraderie, and the genuine support shared among the Bebe members.

MusicVideoLover123: Y/N's music video is a work of art! The choreography, visuals, everything is on point! 🌟🎶

DanceFloorVibes: Y/N's dance moves are mind-blowing! The music video is a visual treat. Bebe's reactions make it even better! 🙌

DreamDancer22: I can't stop watching Y/N's music video! The aesthetics, the choreo, it's all so captivating! 💃✨

KpopFangirl365: Y/N's music video is pure artistry! The dancing, the styling, it's perfection! Bebe's reactions are making me love it even more. 💖

RhythmicHeartbeat: Y/N's visuals are breathtaking! The music video is a masterpiece, and Bebe's support adds an extra layer of joy! 🎵✨

DanceTilIDrop: Y/N's video is legendary! The dance sequences, the vibe, it's fire! Bebe's reactions are giving me life! 🔥💃

DreamingOfDance: Y/N's music video is mesmerizing! The grace, the energy, it's incredible! Bebe's support amplifies the awesomeness! 🌟🎶

KpopLoveFever: Y/N's video is a cinematic marvel! The visuals are stunning, and Bebe's live reactions make it even more fun! 📽️🌟

StarlightDreamer: Y/N's music video is a whole mood! The talent, the visuals, it's an experience! Bebe's reactions are making it even more enjoyable! 🌈🎶

DanceWithLove789: Y/N's video is a masterpiece! The dance, the storytelling, it's breathtaking! Bebe's reactions are so wholesome! 🌟👏

RhythmRuler: Y/N's music video is top-tier! The choreo, the aesthetics, it's genius! Bebe's reactions add so much fun to the watch! 💯🕺

StarlightSpectator: Y/N's music video is ICONIC! The choreography is mind-blowing! Bebe's reactions are priceless! 🌟💃

When you, the star of the music video, joined the live stream, the lighthearted moment got much more delightful. The members applauded your arrival, and the screen split to show your live reaction alongside theirs.

"Hey, Y/N unnie ! You were incredible!" exclaimed Minah, greeting you with enthusiasm.

Tatter agreed with a nod. "Absolutely! Your performance is incredible."

You smiled appreciatively, grateful for the support of your fellow crew members. "Thank you, girls! It means a lot coming from all of you."

CheChe joined in, her excitement palpable. "And can we talk about how stunning you look in every frame? It's unfair!"

The members laughed, their admiration for you evident in every word. Unbeknownst to them, the fans noticed Bada's playful reaction during the discussion about your visuals. The live chat buzzed with playful comments and emojis, capturing the attention of both fans and the Bebe crew.

JealousLeaderFan123: Bada's jealousy is the cutest thing ever! It's a whole mood! 😂❤️

MightyBada345: Bada's reaction to Y/N is making my day! So playful and adorable! 😊👅

CheerfulJ67: Bada, your jealousy is giving us life! Keep being playful, we love it! 🤭😂

EnvyOnScreen789: Bada's jealous moments are the highlight of the live! Too cute! 😍👀

Play56: Bada's reactions are priceless! Her jealousy is so endearing! 😂❤️

AdorableFan678: Bada's playful jealousy is making us all smile! You're too cute! 😄👅

Cheeky23: Bada's playful side is shining! Her jealousy is so lovable! 😊❤️

OutJoy456: Bada's reactions are making this session even better! Love the playful jealousy! 😂👅

Charm789: Bada's jealousy is hilarious and adorable! Loving the playful vibes! 🤣❤️

PlayfulTease567: Bada's reactions are the best part! Her playful jealousy is a gem! 😂🙌

EnviousLaughs123: Bada's jealousy is too funny! Her playful side is so entertaining! 😄👀

Fan456: Bada's playful reactions are gold! So cute and funny! 😂👅

BadaEnvyAdmirer789: Bada's jealousy is too precious! Such a playful moment! 😊❤️

As the live session progressed, you and your teammates engaged in spirited conversation, sharing experiences from the music video shoot and thanking the fans for their constant support. Bebe's humorous dynamics were on full display, demonstrating a crew that not only excelled on the dance floor but also enjoyed a true friendship that went beyond the stage.

The members turned to you with grins and cheers as the screen went dark, signalling the end of the live session. Bada, ever the charismatic leader, summed up the crew's feelings.

"We're so proud of you, Y/N. Your skill knows no bounds, and Bebe is lucky to have you."

— — — — — — — —

In the aftermath of the live session, the teasing continued as the members affectionately poked fun at Bada's playful jealousy. CheChe leaned in with a wicked grin, conspiratorially whispered, "Bada, you're like a big baby when it comes to Y/N!"

Bada rolled her eyes, yet a faint smile pulled at the corners of her mouth. "Please, please. I was just...protecting my precious Y/N!"

Lusher chuckled, playfully nudging Bada. "Admit it, you were totally jealous because you know Y/N is stunning!"

Bada crossed her arms, feigning offense. "Me? Jealous? I was merely...concerned about our team's image, okay?"

The playful banter continued, each member joining in the good-natured teasing. However, amidst the laughter and teasing, a genuine warmth radiated through the studio—a camaraderie that formed the backbone of Bebe's dynamic.

"You know," Tatter chimed in, her tone gentle, "it's kind of cute when Bada gets protective. Shows how much she cares about Y/N."

The teasing softened into affectionate understanding. Bada, although maintaining her facade of indifference, couldn't hide the slight blush that crept onto her cheeks. "I just want the best for us," she mumbled, trying to downplay her affectionate concern.

Sowoen, the ever-observant youngest member, interjected with a smile. "You know, Bada unnie, you're like a big sister to us. Always looking out for everyone, especially your lovely Y/N."

Bada's demeanor softened at the heartfelt words. She straightened up, trying to regain her composed façade. "Well, someone's got to make sure everyone stays in line around here."

The group erupted into laughter, reveling in the sweet banter between you and Bada. Despite her attempts to maintain a cool facade, Bada's affection for you shone through in every teasing glance and playful retort.

Minah, noticing the adorable dynamic between you two, chimed in with a grin, "I've never seen Bada so protective! You two are like the cutest pair ever!"

Kyma nodded enthusiastically. "Yes! Bada unnie is like a guardian angel to Y/N. It's heart-melting!"

Bada, her cheeks slightly flushed from the teasing, shot a quick glance your way, her eyes softening. "I just... I just really care about Y/N, you know?"

Your heart swelled with affection, and you couldn't help but smile back at her. "I know, Bada. And I appreciate it. You mean the world to me."

The studio resonated with the warmth of the Bebe family's playful interactions and genuine affection. In the midst of laughter and teasing, the bond between you and Bada shone brightly—a unique blend of friendship, love, and playful banter that defined your relationship.

As the day drew to a close and the members prepared to leave, Bada pulled you aside for a moment. "You know, Y/N, I might have been a little jealous during the live session, but it's only because I'm crazy about you."

Your heart skipped a beat at her words. Wrapping your arms around her, you replied, "And I'm crazy about you, too, Bada."

Feeling the warmth of the Bebe family enveloping you. "Besides I wouldn't have it any other way, Bada. You're everything to me."

With a nod and a knowing smile, Bada wrapped an arm around your shoulders, the playful teasing giving way to a genuine camaraderie. As the studio emptied, the bond between the Bebe crew remained—a blend of playful dynamics and the depth of affection that united them, both on and off the stage.

#bada lee x reader #swf2 #swf2 x reader #bada lee #street woman fighter 2 #bebe #bada lee fanfic #bada lee x oc #bada lee x y/n #bada lee imagine #bada #lee bada #team bebe

[mosaickiwi]

Helloo!! I hope you're good <3 I wannted to ask for (REDACTED) where the MC have a realy big upcoming exam but cannot be motivated and diciplined. I cant realy tell a specific scenario unfortunatly but i realy need motivation to stay focused so i wanted to ask about it.

Hi hi I am well~ hope you are too <3 one serving of [REDACTED] for motivation

14 Days With You is an 18+ Yandere Visual Novel. MINORS DNI

~Low Motivation Angel~

Still slightly damp from the shower, you finally felt somewhat ready to study. You meant to do it earlier, really. But so many things had gotten in the way: a new update on a mobile game, leaks of the next Attack on Giants episode, a cat you saw in the lobby.

You weren't procrastinating! It'd get done eventually—just as soon as you watched a video Moth had sent. You eagerly pressed the play button on your phone, bright eyed as you walked into the living room.

A bowl of water and peas was placed on the bare ground in front of a pair of hungry ducks running towards the camera. Before they could descend in a frenzy on the food, your screen froze, then turned dark.

One pale, scarred hand grabbed the phone from your grasp. “Hey!” you complained and turned towards the offender. You didn’t think to wonder how they shut off your phone before even touching it.

[REDACTED] stared down at you with a pointed look, the device held high above your head. “Didn't y’say you were going to study after your shower? Exam’s in a few days.” He nodded towards your textbook on the coffee table, practically collecting dust.

You huffed and reached up in an attempt to grab it. “I've got time! Just give it back.” The phone was quickly placed in your outstretched hand before you knew it. “Oh. Thank you.” 

As you turned it back on and plopped down on the couch, the dark-haired hacker was mentally kicking himself. They really needed to figure out how to say no to you. It was a long standing habit that would only be a hindrance now. He knew how upset you’d be if you didn’t do well on your exam.

He took a seat next to you. “Please, Angel,” they tried again, gently pulling you closer to get your attention. “Even if it’s only for an hour, y’need to study.” The sudden pleading frown on your face had him fighting his instincts that were desperate to give in. Not to mention the abandoned puppy vibes you gave off with your wet hair. He managed to tear his gaze away, though his resolve was already crumbled into nothing. 

In fact, now that he reconsidered it, you didn't need to study. They'd just hack your exam score in the system. Or make the whole thing simply go away. Bribe the professor, find where they live and—

“I guess you’re right,” you sighed, unaware of what was going through his mind. All the scheming grinded to a halt the moment he heard your breathtaking voice. “But it's so hard to get anything done. I'm not sure if I'll be able to stay on track by myself.” You worriedly glanced at the intimidating cover of your textbook.

Your boyfriend was eager to help, but just as eager to jump at the chance of being in your presence for longer. Immediately, he offered an idea. “I could stay with you. Keep y’focused on work ‘n all that.” 

The worry on your face melted away, replaced with a smile of relief. “That'd be a huge help.” You looked down at the phone still in your hand before sheepishly holding it out to them. “Maybe you should hold onto this, though. Just in case?”

Without a word he took it to hide in the confines of his pocket. As you picked up the textbook and suddenly curled up at their side to get comfortable, the familiar scent of your shampoo wafted up to their nose. [REDACTED] had to remind himself to stay focused. Nothing would get done if he turned into a distraction.

#14 days with you #14dwy redacted #momo reqs #animals eating things my biggest distraction #and then it's 4 hour video essays... #i hope this motivates u friend <3

[carnal-lnstinct]

May I please request wedding day (and possibly wedding night) hcs with the Saiyans?

Let’s do Bardock, Goku, and Gohan.

WEDDING DAY HEADCANONS

☆☆ Content: ( au, female reader, wedding day / night headcanons, fluff ) ☆☆ Warning: ( implied marital sex )

☆☆ A/N: Went with FoG!Bardock for this one! And an au version of that since it's an earth-style wedding

GOKU —

Knowing what to expect after all the planning and rehearsal dinner, he has no worries and is looking forward to today

Goku most likely visited his grandfather’s old home/shrine early in the morning or even to watch the sunrise as he “spoke” to his grandfather about how excited he was for today, hoping to make him proud going into this stage in his life.

His best man Krillin, along with his other friends, are somewhat babysitting him to make sure he doesn’t ruin his suit trying to help out where he really shouldn’t.

He wants to help make sure everything is in place for the way you all practiced it, but he does sorta want an excuse to take off his suit jacket and tie for a bit. It was tailor-made specifically to account for his muscles, but he still fidgets in the fabric.

His friends and some of yours are filling him with all sorts of marital advice for your future life together. Goku’s not sure how to keep it all in his head as fast as it’s coming at him. It’s appreciated, just too much all at once. But keeping you safe and happy is his priority.

He stood at the altar pretty stiffly when it started, trying to look his best. When you finally come down the aisle and he sees you, his demeanor relaxes entirely. His bright beam toward you is visually no different than his usual big smile. But meeting his eyes as you approach and are given away to him, you can feel it in your heart that his is racing at the moment. Goku can’t seem to stop grinning looking at you, being in your presence. He wasn’t prepared for how breathtaking your beauty was going to be when you appeared in your dress and adornments.

It’s definitely captured on video and in your pictures how he missed his cue to start speaking his vows because he couldn’t stop staring at you.

You repeat the traditional vows to each other and then finish the ceremony with a warm, loving kiss and (if you decided to include it) a traditional custom of your heritage as well.

Night

Keeping it traditional, Goku carries you over the threshold into your honeymoon suite or your now-shared home.

The next thing he does is remove his shoes, his tie and his suit jacket removed long after the food was served at the reception. He couldn’t wait to get out of his formal clothes.

The excitement for the day might not have worn off, but your body sure felt exhausted from it all. With help, you switched to a more comfortable pair of shoes at some point during the reception, but due to your dress had issues reaching your feet to get them off. 

When Goku noticed he knelt down in front of you and carefully held your leg up to help you out of your shoes. He was very careful loosening the straps and removed them, but his touch lingered on your leg.

He reminds you again how beautiful you looked today and kisses your shin up to the top of your knee in appreciation for your love and beauty, and that you pledged to share with him. He vowed to honor that and do what he can to take care of you until the day he leaves this world.

It was when the innocent act of helping you out of your wedding dress did his touch become more frequent and slow on your exposed skin, leading you to consummate your first night as husband and wife. 

GOHAN —

He’s been excited about today since he asked you to marry him, or maybe when you both grew comfortable after moving in together. But now he’s just as nervous and keeps pacing around to triple-check that everything is as it should be.

Gohan’s been with you through every step of preparing for your wedding like a true teammate. Except for your bachelorette party if you had one. Hell, he completely overlooked his own bachelor party not wanting a single thing out of place for the big day.

Since it was her firstborn’s wedding, Chi Chi was also very present and helpful. It brought you and her closer, though most of her advice was a little too orthodox for the life you and Gohan planned together.

Regardless of his age, Goten was Gohan’s original choice for his best man but the responsibility of it was just not what his mother would allow for him to take up. His little brother was still present and supporting Gohan as his best man through every step except for the bachelor party, however. 

The groom’s section for the seating arrangements consists mostly of Gohan’s parents, his grandfather, and their friends, but also Gohan’s friends from school and Earth’s own guardian, Dende. If Piccolo wasn’t defaulted to be the Best Man, then he’s definitely in the section as well or is a groomsman with Goten.

There was no doubt Gohan was thrilled to officially become your husband, but the wedding was also important to him because it was the first time in years his entire family was together. He’s filled with so many happy emotions about his own father being here to witness him become a husband as well. His family grows with you being added to it, and eventually (if you both agree on it) he’ll have his own family and he can’t wait for that.

Seeing you come down the aisle left Gohan fighting through his emotions to try and keep himself presentable. 

You were a beautiful vision unlike he’s ever seen before, and by some luck, you’re offering to share all that you are with him for the rest of your life. And you accepted everything he was. His glasses smudge trying to hold back his tears and clean his face before you were given away to him. 

Gohan knew he’d be too nervous to exchange his own vows out loud to you, so you both wrote them in letters and read each other’s out loud instead. Instilling everyone around you with emotional tears and romance. Except Vegeta and Piccolo.

Your own traditional wedding customs are included as well.

Night

Even when you're alone, you and Gohan share another slow dance with each other as husband and wife. Driven by your official love song that currently only played in your minds, but rang clear in your hums and the warmth of his arms. Maybe you’re holding each other up at this point as well, neither of you is exactly sober or filled with the same high energy you started today with, but pulling apart now feels impossible. 

He eventually helps you to the bed where you could finally get off your feet. You sat in front of him and pressed your forehead into his abs behind his shirt, your arms around him waist. Cherishing the highlights of your day with him, the pure expression of his love for you, and this amazing body you get to have forever. 

It’s not like the two of you exactly waited for your wedding night to explore each other’s bodies for the first time. But Gohan was very particular about taking his time with you. As if being married now made it your first time all over again.

BARDOCK ( FoG ) —

Your wedding with Bardock isn’t particularly a large one, mostly due to the fact the guest list consists of mostly your friends and family. Marriage by human customs isn't that different from saiyans: a little ceremony, plenty of food, and congratulations from those that attend. You agreed to be his wife and now he’s making good on his word to honor your devotion.

The majority of the planning is handled by you simply because of the more notable differences. And Bardock expected to at least be married to you the very next day after you accepted his proposal.

He’s slightly embarrassed by the attire on the day of the wedding. But any stiff or formal clothing usually made him uncomfortable. Bardock likes to be able to move freely and he can’t really do that the way he wants in a tailored suit.

Bardock won’t wear his red bandana on his head for the wedding. He made the decision himself and wore it around his left arm instead, similar to Tora. 

While getting ready, he is comforted by imagining the business his friends would give him seeing him dressed like this, and poke fun at how a “dog” like him could end up with a human like you. 

That being said, if he has his red bandana then that means none of his teammates or anyone from his past are at the wedding. But he keeps their memory and his oath alive by keeping the bandana on his person. 

Being able to keep moving forward and commit himself to another living being, to love and be vulnerable with you, reminds him that he is capable of living a life outside of the obsolete way he was conditioned to be. He still wants his revenge, but he finally sees a future beyond that for you and him.

There is one person from his past that is able to be there. Bardock’s youngest does show up to the wedding, however, they get mistaken for each other a lot. The benefit of aging slower than humans makes them look like they could be twins. It happened enough that Bardock is almost replaced by him at the altar when the wedding begins. And he does make a fuss about it.

Not that he has to fight anyone to marry you, but he’ll find a reason to get his hands dirty if he feels disrespected. Since he promised you not to, he’s gonna glare and growl at people he doesn’t want in his face or keep mistaking his son for him. As if the scar on his cheek and tail didn’t make it clear who was who. Bardock then wears his bandana on the outside of his suit to help him stand out. 

The natural harsh look on his face lightens when you finally come down the aisle toward him and he seems entranced by the sight of you. It’s very much the woman he is entrusting his heart to, but somehow you look different to him. As if you yourself were from a different world and you had revealed your true, superb self to him for the first time. You can see his tail slowly slip from around his waist as he stares at you approaching him.

Similar to Goku, you exchange traditional vows and complete the wedding custom of your heritage to complete the ceremony itself.

When you share your first dance as husband and wife, Bardock does seem more stiff than usual with everyone waiting to watch him dance with you. But you’ve practiced with him leading up to this moment and he just keeps his eyes on you as you go.

The sense of community and praise celebrating the two of you left him in higher spirits for the rest of the reception.

Night

Bardock may be a bit on the reserved side of showing his affection for you in front of others, but he’s not shy about claiming you as his. Especially now that, by human customs, you’re married. You belong to each other. 

Once you were alone again, very few words were exchanged between you. You spoke to each other through your kisses and touch. The way you helped him out of his suit and fondly stroke the arm that hugged you close to his bare skin. You don't think you have ever seen his gaze so soft for you. 

He helped you loosen your dress, but he didn't wait for you to slip out of it before he claimed you for the night as his cherished wife 

#My writing #goku x reader #bardock x reader #gohan x reader #goku imagine #gohan imagine #bardock imagine #dbz imagine #♚ ;; [ requests ]

[scatterpatter]

I REALIZED I NEVER POSTED ABT THE ECLIPSE

Holy SHIT you guys it was absolutely INSANE. Like being in totality was an EXPERIENCE like it was SO DIFFERENT than just getting the partial eclipse (I remember only seeing the partial one in 2017 so I wanted to drive out to totality for this one LOL)

Leading up to the eclipse is crazy cuz like. It started to get dark, but in a way I never experienced darkness before. The best way I can describe it is like... the world felt like it was getting slightly less saturated. Like a gray filter was slowly being cast over the world. Thats honestly the best way I can describe it and no pictures could do it justice because it just looks like a normal ass slightly-desaturated picture

(It was also wild since i frequently struggle with derealization so its normal for me to feel reality is skewed, but I can always visually confirm reality is normal- whereas this was the opposite. I felt grounded, but reality visually looked skewed. It was wild LMAO)

And as the shadow of the moon approached, you could see the dark on the horizon! It looked super similar to like- the darkness you'd see on an approaching thunderstorm, that sort of darkness in the skies

Also crazy how bright it still is with even a sliver of sun remaining!

And then totality hit and my god... Pictures dont do it justice... Absolutley BREATHTAKING!!! It almost had a blueish hue to it unlike the yellowish hue the sun normally has!!!

Also have this video that really captured the vibe of the eclipse in general!!! AS A NOTE I GOT ONE THING WRONG- I THOUGHT WE WERE ABLE TO SEE JUPITER, THATS VENUS. I DID AN OOPSIE THINKING IT WAS JUP.

But yeah it got cold! Like not freezing but nighttime cold! And it was dark like sunset dark! We were on the very edge of totality so we only got it for like a minute or so but WOW!!!

And then we hung out with my cousin for way too long because he's cool or whatever... and then got home at like 3AM. And then I had work the next morning. Needless to say I was a LITTLE dead, but soooooo worth it!!!

#my pics #my video #solar eclipse #2024 eclipse #sorry that the video is shaky- i was literally shaking NDBSJSJSMFNSK

[minggukieology]

Jungkook and Jimin's recent cute and funny interactions leading up to Jimin's first release: a write-up ✍️

Happy Jimin solo debut day, everyone!! 🎉

As Jungkook said to anticipate something "amazing beyond words" (he used satoori version of 기가 막히다 which is best translated as amazing, beyond words, breathtaking) he for sure wasn't exaggerating and Jimin delivered!! Anticipating the full album even more now 🔥

In the past few days we got to once again peak into the familiar banter between Jimin and Jungkook, something so typical yet warming at the heart each time we get to see it

Here's a few instances with my commentary:

1. When Jimin tuned in during Jungkook's 2nd live he first left this comment:

"Ja-kke* whatever you do is okay"

*He purposely misspelled Ja(y)-Ke(y)

Note: I've seen some accounts translating this as "you look good whatever you do" but Jimin didn't use words specifically implicating a comment on Jungkook's visual appearance (although some might assume he commented as a reference to that), but I still wouldn't go with that translation to avoid misunderstandings.

2. Jimin followed it up with further comments and in the meantime Jungkook noticed him and reacted with "Oh Jimin!" (again with that joking accent, not using hyung) And then quickly went on explaining that: "Hyung, this is now the 2nd part, 2nd one" and went on to explain his outfit change (this was all polite speech).

As Jimin laughingly commented "술방" which is an abbreviation of "술을 마시는 방송" a drinking broadcast, Jungkook went on to describe what previously went down in their group chat:

"Ahh *sh* (*scoffing sound) Jiminie hyung said the other day in the group chat... not to do a drinking broadcast...not to drink..."

"I watched a video of Jimin hyung when Unholy came on, he just cut off all the songs!"* (here Jungkook uses 꺼버리다 which gives the verb 끄다 (turn off) a more emotional undertone-as if he was disapproving of the decision to turn off/cut off the music in that situation)

"I saw it too"

(changes tone as if scolding and talking directly to Jimin in informal way) "Aaa, (we're) all big grown-ups, what are you doing tss" (starts laughing)

"I know/I'm aware! I'm aware too! " (said informally, here he was obviously speaking to Jimin and referring to his advice to be cautious about drinking in front of an audience)

Note: I saw some translations making it seem like Jungkook said he was watching Jimin's live in real time. Here again it is better to stay true to what words he actually used: he mentions a "video" that "he saw/watched"; therefore to avoid misconceptions it is better to say video instead of live, broadcast etc.

Jimin then informally responded with:

"Noo Ja-kke do whatever you want to do"

3. Jungkook continuing to talk to Jimin informally

(asking the audience) "Did Jiminie hyung come and go?"

(after seeing Jimin's "I didn't leave" response) Jimiiin! If you haven't left, come here! (starts laughing because he knows he is being a little brat 🤭)

Keeping this tone Jungkook uses to jokingly reply to Jimin in front of fans informally in mind, you can then basically also read the reply he left on Jimin's comment in the latest Weverse exchange in the same manner:

Jimin reacted to Jungkook's early morning recipe with "Arriving to Korea, I will have to go to your home"

To me it appeared that Jungkook first didn't notice the reply and only after leaving another comment under his post, he read Jimin's and responded jokingly in satoori: "oh, what !!!!" obviously in an informal friendly banter 😂

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

A few short side notes from me: Jungkook's exchange with Namjoon was also very adorable and loving; he is obviously a person with a heart full of love for his hyungs and fans which also explains why he got so emotional. When I was discussing this with my old army friend who was getting kinda worried I tried to explain to her that Jungkook is an extremely emotionally intelligent person with a vast and very deeply emotional inner world. He feels touched by all the support he gets and all the love fans express towards him in the comments. I'm sure he misses performing and feels like the distance is therefore bigger between him and those who he has devoted his whole life to... But watching him in those moments I understood why Jimin babies him and tries to protect him so much :(((

Lastly, in contrast to e.g. very casual comments addressed to Jungkook in front of us, Jimin left two beautiful and polite messages on Weverse. Whenever he tries to show his earnest love, appreciation and gratitude towards ARMY he uses a formal language which makes it seem very sincere and polite.

I am proud of our Jimin 🫶 and I am proud of our Jungkook too, as Jimin said: whatever he does is okay 🫶

#jikook #jimin #jungkook #weverse live #weverse update #민꾸기

[sunflwryu]

warning: yandere | not requested

change

soobin was scared when he first saw you.

you were way too beautiful to be real, like the most beloved video game character brought to life, dreaminess and everything he’s ever imagined all in one package. you made him feel what he had never felt before, and that scared him so much, the way his heart thumped fast and loud in his ears as you elegantly walked by, the way his body started to quiver from just being in your breathtaking presence alone, the way his voice trembled the times he talked to you, the way he lay awake at night thinking about you and that stunningly gorgeous smile of yours, the sinking realization crushing him eventually when he realized how hopeless it would be to have you to himself. you’re so perfect, why would you want a loser nerd like him? you’d never even look at him if it weren’t for the fact that you two were customer and barista at the café, always being the last ones to leave two hours after midnight.

he strokes your face gently with his large hands, admiring your visuals, all the perfect imperfections he so greatly fantasized about viewing from up close. everything is set in place; the special garments of silk he custom ordered fit you perfectly just as he knew it would, and the priest waits patiently at the front pew, the fat wad of cash tucked safely into the left pocket of his robes, the bible in the other.

you’ll certainly be scared when you wake up, feeling everything different around you, just like he had way back then, opening his eyes to your smile, your eyes, your everything when you handed him an iced americano.

but like he did, you’ll change and accept the new person you’ll become — his spouse.

note: part of my cleaning-out-my-drafts spree. short and hopefully sweet. :)

txt masterlist | main masterlist | by @sunflwryu

#yandere txt #txt yandere #soobin #yandere soobin #choi soobin #txt #tomorrow x together #txt soobin #txt choi soobin #txt fanfiction #txt fanfic #txt imagines #yandere kpop

[embraceyourdestiny]

HOLY FUCK (slay the princess spoilers!!)

The Narrator explains that the more you walk away from the cabin the more paths appear that lead to the cabin until its all laid out before you that everywhere you go leads to the cabin its impossible to not get to the cabin (at least as far as you know...) and this visual representation of the meta presence of every possible branching path in slay the princess drawn so clearly is BLOWING MY MIND!!!!

usually with meta it stays purely of the mind in video games its kind of hard to portray the eldritch horror of a consciousness of the "rules" of this universe, everything to do with being 'unchained' in kh, the matrix, the good place does this, cartoons like adventure time do this, a wrinkle in time does this, a game that i can think of that actually does do this is life is strange the ability to time travel and realm jump and if i remember correctly seeing the butterfly itself is showing tangible proof of the butterfly effect and it truly is almost some like deific being exacting these events and forming a connection with max (god that reminds me life is strange is so good i was OBSESSED with it) but with video games its not usually tangible its not a place you can go and see and live in because of modeling and this shows how much being 2d really helps slay the princess in portraying the multiverse the multiselves theuniverse shattering reality bending stuff that is going on and it is SO WELL DONE every piece of art is so beautiful and breathtaking god i love this GAME!!!! (kh has also done this with 2d they established it in khux and worked it out in kh3/the dlc!! 2d rules theres so many anime movies that are "trippy" but its this god i love meta so so much it makes my mind feel good mmm i love stp so much

#og #stp #slay the princess #slay the princess spoilers

[eliluminado7]

x (formerly twitter):

(video post of some guy spitting on homeless person)

blue checkmark: @‎explainthisbob

blue checkmark: I know homeless people can be annoying but this is just wrong

blue checkmark: "Such an engaging and informative post! I learned so much from this, thank you!"

blue checkmark: Wow, this article on finding happiness is just what I needed! Time to start living my best life and forget the laundry! 😄

blue checkmark: (unrelated video) This homeless man celebrates his dogs birthday 🥰❤️

blue checkmark:

blue checkmark: Wow, look at this beautiful landscape in Switzerland 😍😍

blue checkmark replying to blue checkmark: Wow, this video of the Swiss landscape is absolutely breathtaking! Truly a visual feast for the soul! 🏞️✨ #SwissBeauty #NatureAtItsFinest

꧁༺ 𝓼𝓮𝔁𝔂 𝓪𝓶𝓪𝓷𝓭𝓪 ༻꧂: 【N】【U】【D】【E】 【B】【O】【O】【B】【S】 【I】【N】 【B】【I】【O】

[pazzesco]

Kehinde Wiley - The Young Tarentine (Mamadou Gueye), after Alexandre Schoenewerk, 1871, 2021, bronze

Kehinde Wiley - Femme Piquée par un Serpent (Mamadou Gueye), 2022.

Kehinde Wiley - The Death of Hyacinth (Ndey Buri Mboup), 2022

Kehinde Wiley - "Morpheus (Ndeye Fatou Mbaye)", 2022.

Kehinde Wiley - An Archaeology of Silence

An Archaeology of Silence is the namesake of this piece, arguably the most breathtaking of the collection. For whiteness in general and white America specifically, the piece is a mirror, an entanglement of glory and suffering, discovery and erasure, settlement and displacement. For Indigenous and Black America it is a symbol of futures that allow us to look to the past to move forward. It is a relic of our origin story, an artifact of our epistemology, and where should it live if not in museums? Where else could our suffering be looked upon with honor and quiet reflection, with reverence and respect?

Kehinde Wiley - Ariadne Asleep on the Island of Naxos, 2021, after John Vanderlyn, 1825

John Vanderlyn - Ariadne Asleep on the Island of Naxos, 1825

Kehinde Wiley (b. 1977, Los Angeles) is an American artist best known for his portraits that render people of color in the traditional settings of European Old Master paintings. Wiley’s work brings art history face-to-face with contemporary culture, using the visual rhetoric of the heroic, the powerful, the majestic and the sublime to celebrate Black and Brown people the artist has met throughout the world. Working in the mediums of painting, sculpture, and video, Wiley’s portraits challenge and reorient art-historical narratives, awakening complex issues that many would prefer to remain muted.

n 2018, Wiley became the first African American artist to paint an official US presidential portrait for the Smithsonian National Portrait Gallery after former US president Barack Obama selected Wiley for this honor. In 2019 Wiley founded Black Rock Senegal, a multidisciplinary artist-in-residence program that invites artists from around the world to live and create work in Dakar, Senegal.

Kehinde Wiley

Kehinde Wiley - The Three Graces, 2005

#art #sculpture #paintings #kehinde wiley #Black Rock Senegal #Archaeology of Silence #morpheus #Death of Hyacinth #Mamadou Gueye #John Vanderlyn #barack obama #Ariadne Asleep #Ndeye Fatou Mbaye #Ndey Buri Mboup #artists #three graces

[joyce-stick]

Suzume Isn't Gay, But We Liked It Anyway

Despite not being as gay as Shinkai might have tried to make it during its development, Suzume is still quite a good film which we enjoyed immensely on account of its characters, compelling narrative, visual beauty, thought-provoking themes, and the improvements observed over Shinkai's previous two films. So this an essay about Suzume, about why it's good, what its themes are, and our glowing recommendation.

Transcript under the cut.

Previous video essay/transcript: Audrey's Best Girls Winter 2023

If you're on desktop, you may find this more comfy to read directly on our Tumblr site.

If you enjoy this essay, please consider following us here or on any other platforms, and/or donating to support future works via our Patreon or Ko-fi.

Patreon • Ko-fi • YouTube • Twitter • Cohost • Tumblr • Mastodon

Citations!

Baron, Reuben. “Director Makoto Shinkai on the Anime Artistry of Suzume - Exclusive Interview.” Looper, Static Media, 12 Apr. 2023, https://www.looper.com/1254434/director-makoto-shinkai-anime-artistry-suzume-exclusive-interview/.

Brzeski, Patrick. “Makoto Shinkai on How Anime Blockbuster 'Suzume' Reflects the Current State of Japan: ‘the Most Honest Expression I Could Put on Screen.’” The Hollywood Reporter, Penske Media Corporation, 7 Mar. 2023, https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-features/makoto-shinkai-interview-suzume-anime-berlin-2023-1235329404/.

Pulliam-Moore, Charles. “Makoto Shinkai Wants Suzume to Build a Bridge of Memory between Generations.” The Verge, Vox Media, 15 Apr. 2023, https://www.theverge.com/2023/4/15/23678724/makoto-shinkai-suzume-interview.

Jackson, Destiny. “Director Makoto Shinkai on the Tender Resonance and Maturity of Making 'Suzume': ‘I Think about How to Dig Deeper so I Can Emotionally Move People in My Vicinity.’” Deadline, Penske Media Corporation, 15 Apr. 2023, https://deadline.com/2023/04/suzume-makoto-shinkai-japanese-anime-weathering-with-you-your-name-1235325691/.

https://twitter.com/ao8l22/status/1513116464210919425

https://twitter.com/moogy0/status/1592346490315640836

I had a few good reasons to assume I would hate Suzume.

We've seen three of Shinkai’s films. Yes, those three. We liked Your Name quite a bit when we saw it in theaters, but its flaws became apparent on a rewatch a few years later. We did not like Weathering With You, which made its flaws apparent to us rather immediately. Never watched it since watching it the first time, but, I don't know, maybe we'll go back to it.Still, thinking about that film had us pissed off for a little while, although we're less pissed off now, for reasons we might get to later. So, when we went to watch Suzume, I was reasonably expecting to hate it, or, even worse, enjoy it, while seeing some intractable flaw in it that ticked me off immensely about it.

And… I found none! I mean, maybe I'll think of one later, but my current opinion of Suzume, as I write this hours after having seen it, (and speak it, 'bout a couple days after having written this) is that it was a pretty good film with a lot of breathtaking visuals, funny moments, some emotional bits, and no real huge flaws to speak of. In fact, not only does this film lack the biggest flaws of its predecessors, it's also got a few things about it that I appreciate more.

First thing I liked immediately: Girl. I mean, her name, is the title. It's no secret that we of the joystick system appreciate beautiful anime girls, and this particular such beautiful anime girl is good, both as the protagonist of the film who does all the proactive things to save the guy, which is different from the last two movies where the guy did all the stuff. I'm not gonna pretend like Shinkai is suddenly some kind of feminist icon now for correctly giving a female character some goddamn agency, but: it's a nice touch for us personally, given that… we like girls. It helps that Suzume is emotional and interesting and funny and has a pretty good arc through the movie and her voice actress does a good job- no, we did not watch the dub. I'll probably talk a bit more about her later, but I think she's good.

I think it's important to mention with regards to this girl, that she was, apparently, supposed to be gay. This information came to light in the English speaking anime community after a Japanese entertainment journalist tweeted a tweet sayin’ as much, and then professional translator Moogy went and tweeted about it in turn, citing this journalist as a source. I can’t find that this chain goes back any further than that, although I tried to out of personal interest, because, if I had, then I would’ve been able to write that into the Wikipedia page- which, I DID CHECK, and it briefly mentions that -

Okay, so, since writing that, another, Wikipedia-admissible, source, in the English language, emerged, in which Shinkai is interviewed, and confirms this to be true. So as such, I added that information to the article, with that source. Look. There it is! And it’s still there, probably, unless someone removed it while I was making the video.

In this interview, the interviewer asks Shinkai directly about this, and he says, “I’m surprised you know it! I’ve only told Japanese interviewers about it!” Clearly Shinkai is unaware of the power of Moogy. So, he goes onto say, that, yes, it was his initial idea for a companion, and that the theoretical character who Souta replaced would’ve been Suzume’s onee-san crush; that’s how I’m taking this whole ‘sisterhood romance’ thing. He thought he’d done enough with the boy meets girl thing, and he wanted to try doing something else.

His producer rejected it, because, in Shinkai’s translated words, “You may be tired of these romantic stories, but your audience loves it,” which, I believe, is a polite way of saying “I don’t think a gay film will sell.” The chair thing was chosen to “not make it too much of a romance”.

Shinkai further says— and this part kinda gets me— that he doesn’t think the story would’ve changed if it had been gay, or if Suzume had been a boy or non-binary or whatever. Quote:

“It's not necessarily the context of male/female; it's about a human overcoming something. In my future films as well, I want to focus on that human story as opposed to too much commentary on gender or sex.”

So, my reading of this response, and, take this with a grain of salt because it’s only my personal interpretation, is that while Shinkai was interested in making a gay film as a change of pace, he did not consider it important enough to insist on. There were other things he wanted to make the movie about, and he didn’t want to die on the gay hill.

And, y’know, that’s a shame, but I think it’s fair enough. I would have liked to see the alternate timeline where no one stopped him from making the film gay, but if it wasn’t already clear, I like the film that we got, and I don’t fault Shinkai for having other priorities as a director, like, for instance, getting his film funded and keeping his job. And honestly, I can halfway see the merit in not making it a gay film, because then it’d be a lot harder to, y’know, address the themes, without addressing whatever gay discourse there’d be that overshadows the themes.

I don’t say this to be like, “ooh, the film would’ve just been gay and that would’ve been bad,” it would’ve been good for the film to be gay, I just mean that a lot of the time people are more concerned about there being representation rather than the quality of the story in which the representation exists and it becomes the gay thing, rather than, the thing that happens to be gay, and that’s not always great. I mean, I guess we are getting a little bit of that just off of the knowledge that the film could have been gay, but at least I don’t have to think about talking about it too much past this point, because it’s, y’know, not actually in the film.

Shinkai said other stuff, too, I guess, about the animation and how the characters have different color palettes for daytime and evening and night scenes, which explains the very convincingly presented amusement park scene, that happens at night! So that was interesting.

Anyway, that’s the addendum I have about that, I’m gonna go back to the rest of this:

I have no idea if this would've been good for the film or not, but we have a different video being written about gay pandering, so, let’s move on then I guess!

The second thing that we liked was the film's opening minutes. And to explain why this is, I need to give a bit of context, I think. So, in short, after the 2011 nuclear meltdown and earthquake that irreversibly forever changed Japan and the life of all the people living there (and also delayed Madoka Magica's finale), Shinkai apparently decided that he wanted to make a bunch of films about it. About three so far, to be exact. Which, y'know, is not a bad motivation for making films. It's certainly a better motivation than I had to write this video

So, as such, his last three films are a novel fusion of wacky comedy, coming of age romantic melodrama, and disaster film. Your Name and Weathering With You had really slow buildups to the disaster part of the disaster film, to the point that mentioning it is almost a spoiler, but I'm going to assume it isn't because everyone has now seen those films. So they have a whole first half where it's just kind of weird supernatural romantic comedy slice of life hijinks but then it abruptly tone shifts in the second half.

This is actually, I think, the source of both of these films' major issues. It's kinda cool to watch them the first time and then see the story's tone shift when the mid movie plot twist happens, introducing the big disaster scenario aspect of the story along with it, but the drawback to that approach is that you have, in essence, a movie whose plot twist is that it becomes a different movie. This both contributes to the odd tonal whiplash and also means that the supernatural disaster part of the film is weaker and not as well fleshed out as it could be.

Suzume, on the other hand, smartly introduces the main conflict of the story in the first act of the movie. This choice is good. The serious existential threat to Japan stuff that the film is about is the immediate focus of the film. This allows for a more balanced tone, as then the movie can comfortably use its comedic parts to add levity to its treatment of that harrowing topic, rather than the existential stuff comin' in like a sledgehammer to break a previously comfortable tone- which, I should say, IS a thing you can do, and IS a valid choice to tell a story, I just don’t think it was necessarily a choice that Shinkai handled well before. The pacing is much improved, as the supernatural aspects of the film are more evenly developed and the story has more time to explain itself. Mostly. There's like one scene I don't get. I’ll get to it?

Anyway, the end result of this choice is that Suzume feels like a much more focused and complete film, rather than two halves of different films. Aaaaaand, I appreciate this! A lot. I can see this choice maybe maybe maybe making the movie less interesting to some people, because it's paced more like a normal movie than Shinkai's other previous two romantic comedy disaster movies, but, hey, I think it's nice that Shinkai seems to be growing as an artist and a writer and a filmmaker, who made a normal movie that didn’t leave us confused, and disoriented, and confused, about what it’s about

Other things I like… I like the visuals. The animations and backgrounds and visual effects and the CG are all pretty fire. Suzume is generally a really beautiful film! We all knew this, but, really, it's really good. I like the chair thing. I like the way that the chair is animated. Apparently the animation of the chair was inspired by Luxo Jr., y’know, the Pixar short that became the origin of the Pixar lamp, and… yeah, I can see it. It definitely does have that old Pixar vibe of “inanimate object moving like a very real human inanimate object” that that has. I just like the way the legs move, and the way it emotes so convincingly with these subtle but credible motions.

There’s one scene involving a roller coaster that- that scene is incredible, that’s definitely one of the most visually novel sequences in all of Shinkai’s films that we’ve seen. I like the character design of the guy, Souta, also? When he’s not a chair, I mean. I dunno. The last two guy characters in the last Shinkai films looked like generic anime boys, but this guy looks like the kind of guy who I can believe a woman would find attractive. I like the look of his hair, I like how grizzled he is, I like his long gray coat, I like that you can look at this tired hunk of a man and immediately see that he’s been places and that he’s carrying some shit with him. Bonus points for that he looks like one of the Monogatari exorcists.

As for Suzume! Well, her design is maybe a bit generic, but… she’s a girl. It’s not like our standards are too high for girls. She’s supposed to be an ordinary girl, and, y’know, in this movie contrasting with this dude and then this chair, that works out well. And also, I appreciate that she rotates her outfits throughout the movie. My headmates and I love to see a woman change her clothes, not necessarily directly. I’m just saying, that denim jacket thing she had going on in Kobe, and when she lost her shoes in Tokyo and then borrowed Souta’s boots? Specifically borrowing the boots, because, the only pair of shoes that we own looks like this:

It’s a small thing, but like, Shinkai couldn’t make Suzume gay. Widespread trans representation in anime is a bit far off. I might well be eating off the floor conjuring table scraps pointing at a woman in a man’s shoes and saying “oi, isn’t it gender?” But like, 1, it’s a woman wearing a man’s shoes, and 2, yes, it is gender. And we like the gender. You cannot stop us! We did get to see the movie a second time with a friend, (thank you for seeing the movie with us, and reviewing our script!) and she insisted that the boots are femme coded, and, we disagree, unfortunately. I’m sorry, we cannot see these boots as anything but gender.

However! It is Shinkai’s fault that Onimai exists. That scene in Onimai is definitely influenced by that scene in Your Name. We know this because Nekotofu said so in interviews. Onimai is very good and based and funny, and this is a fact upon which I, and all of my headmates, equally quite agree. It’s nice to agree on something with all of yourself. SPEAKING, of the opening scene in Your Name:

Shinkai did not sexualize Suzume. So, if you hated that scene of Your Name, there’s none of that! There’s no chair peeping on Suzume or anything like that. So, if that knowledge helps you somehow, now you know.

Long story short. Should you watch Suzume. Well, yes obviously. By the time this video comes out, or, by the time you're seeing it, its theatrical run might be over, but like, if it’s not, then, yes, I recommend going and seeing it, like, today. And if it is, then remember to see it whenever it’s on blu-ray or streaming services or your local cat-themed anime distributor. Shinkai made a normal movie. I hope he makes an abnormally good movie next time. I believe in this man. Again. Somewhat. It’s not like it really matters what I say or think, but I do also hope that his next movie is just gay. I won’t matter, to me, or, to us, if his next movie is just a carbon copy of Suzume, but gay. I mean, he got away with making a heterosexual Your Name once after making the heterosexual Your Name. There is nothing stopping him. Except for the pigheaded businessmen who he may have to argue with.

Anyways, that’s that, I guess I’m going to talk more specifically about the plot now, so, if you didn’t see the movie, then, leave, now, if you care. If you did see the movie, or do not plan to see the movie, then, uh, don’t leave. Please. I’m going to put the Patreon credits here. It is not the end of the video. Please do not leave.

Intermission for extra thoughts and Patreon credits!

Hello everyone. This is Audrey, of the joystick system. The name of the brain that I’m the lead woman of. We’re still a plural system, as I’ve not forgotten, thanks to Luci and all my headmates.

As I already think I said, we saw Suzume a second time with a friend. As of this speaking, it continues to play in movie theaters, at least where we are, although it’s not showing nearly as often and probably not in as many places. Nonetheless, if it’s still playing in your area, I obviously very much recommend it. If you have the time and money to see it a second time after seeing it the first time, I think you should see it a second time. Because it’s good!

One thing I’d really like to change about this video, overall, is the tone of it. I think it came off way too much as “oh yeah, Suzume’s actually pretty good”, because I walked in with muted expectations, and then walked out feeling like it was pretty good but also kind of waiting for it to hit me that it’s actually bad… And, no, no, it’s an absolutely fantastic film and I imagine is probably going to line up with our top 5 movies of the year. Although, it’s not like we watch a lot of movies, so it probably won’t have too stiff of a competition. A different friend of ours saw it, and they absolutely loved it and had a lot of really good things to say that just made us like it more- so, yeah, no, Suzume is fantastic. Please watch Suzume. If you can.

I think I also should say, I disagree pretty strongly with the assertion that Suzume is “the same film” as Your Name and Weathering With You. As I’ve already said, the structure is much more cohesive in how it introduces the plot without the plot becoming the plot twist of the plot, and also there’s just a lot of improvements on writing and characterization and storytelling and the film is generally much more tonally consistent than either Your Name or Weathering With You. Sure, it’s a similar overall plot to both of those films, but I think there’s just as much merit in iterating on old ideas as there is in introducing new ones, and Suzume does a healthy amount of both. Maybe it’s a remake of the same movie, but if that’s so, Suzume is definitely the best version of that movie, and I think the growth Shinkai went through as a director and writer to get there is crystal clear.

And as I hope I’m about to make clear, the thematic weight of the film is much stronger as well. The decreased focus on the romance subplot helped a whole lot in that regard, I think, to bring the themes into greater focus, and like, gosh, is the film REALLY THEMATICALLY GOOD on top of being so well structured and written and visually spectacular. I walked into Suzume expecting it to be bad, I spent like two weeks while writing the script and making the video trying to think of flaws in this movie, and I can really only think of like two, which are one, that it’s not gay, and two, that some minor plot details are maybe a small bit inscrutable.

But neither of those things actively bring the film down! It’s just great! And, if we had the time to watch the film a third time and then do a complete rewrite of the script, I’d probably change the tone I took with it, but y’know what, I gotta say a thing, I’ve left people waiting long enough, this movie won’t be in theaters forever, so, it’s good enough, and good enough is perfectly good enough.

Also. The music was really good. It was a lot less intrusive than in Your Name and Weathering With You. Those two films really love going all ham on their mid-movie insert song sequences? In Suzume, the music is, the musical score, which is really really good and is used really extremely effectively in, specifically the chair chase scene, and the amusement park scene, and the opening of the film, and the big Tokyo scene, and really the whole film. It was just really very good.

And, other than that, I think I mentioned everything I wanted to mention in the script, so, uh yeah, that's that!

So, before we get back to the video, channel housekeeping. I don’t think we’re going to be able to keep doing videos, at least not regularly, as things are going. If you’re not already aware of the disaster life we lead, we’ve been aimlessly floating around quasi-homeless and unemployed, for about our entire adult life, and spent around three years crashing at a friend’s place, for longer than we should’ve been because of executive dysfunction, burnout, and general mental illness. And also money.

Most of the stuff we’ve been making our videos with, including our desktop PC, was stuff we got before we were quasi-disowned by our parents, almost, uh, six (note: four or five) years ago? and the rest of it is stuff we have, very not hyperbolically, emptied our bank account for because we kinda needed it. So, if that stuff breaks, and it’s going to eventually, we’ll be on even more hiatus until further notice. Obviously this is pretty untenable, so, we’re going to have to try to get a job, and I don’t see great odds of that working out for our transgender neurodivergent failwomanchild self, and it’s obviously going to mean we have less time to make videos and write things. Naturally the stress of our unstable situation has already been doing that job, but. Y’know.

So, if you want to help even our odds: Ko-fi or Patreon. That is currently our only steady source of income, and even a little bit extra would make a pretty big difference for us day-to-day. You can send us monthly donations through either, although, they take a smaller cut on Ko-fi, so, there’s that. Ko-fi is also the place for giving us money one time as opposed to regularly.

As for what you get out of this, well, besides the obvious your name here and access to our discord, you will earn our gratitude and also we will feel indebted to you, which will lead us to try our best to keep making things. And also if you ever encounter us in person, we’ll give you a hug, if you want one, as long as you’re not, like, creepy about it.

Is that everything? Um. Yeah. That is everything. Here's all the names of all the important people who...

Thanks to our generous Patreon backers:

Ada. Just Ada • Andrew P • Anime Omelette • ASabitsukiFlow • Brea • ColorfulCast • dameDiadora • deeso • Dorian Newlin • Duskpixie • Elvenoob • Emma • Femboy Bebop • Gwen Starlight • hikari no yume • Katherine Ullman • Kaylee Smerbeck • Korin • L Tantivy • Lilly • M • Mira Yeuden • Nichtschwert • Nik Gothic • Pigeon • R2Walker • RukaCollie • Sally • Saoirse Russell • Scimitar • SimplyAero • SleepySlug • Spiderrebelnews • Thijs • Trucy • Vile Lasagna

And, that’s that. Thanks to all of you, named onscreen and vocally, and also those of you not named but who’ve been watching, or encouraging us personally, for your support. Now, back to the normal part of the video. Spoilers for Suzume from here on, obviously.

Intermission over!!!

Okay, so, spoilers.

Plot of this movie! I’m just gonna steal bits of the Wikipedia summary, because I don’t want to write a plot summary myself and get waylaid.

Suzume Iwato is a 17-year-old high school girl who lives with her maternal aunt in Kyushu. One night, she dreams of searching for her mother (who, it's inferred later, died in a tsunami) as a child in a ruined neighborhood. The next morning, while headed for school, Suzume encounters a young man searching for abandoned areas with doors. He then is cursed to turn into a chair by a kitty cat who desires love and she runs away from home with him, and he explains that these doors in all these abandoned places are doors to an alternate dimension that occasionally let out supernatural beings called worms that do earthquakes, and they need to do the right rituals to close the door properly. So their journey across Japan to prevent the earthquakes and also get Souta back out of being a chair, thusly begins.

First of all, I think that Shinkai did an excellent job conveying the pain of losing one’s mother. I say this, because, uh, we have also lost our mother, and grieved her loss. She’s not dead, in case you’re wondering, she’s just a worthless piece of human garbage. So, I guess it’s a little perverse to compare our being estranged from our shitty nuclear family as a result of the events of our entire life up until we were twenty to Suzume losing her single mom in a natural disaster when she was four, but I can’t pretend that the former experience did not lend itself to us empathizing with her, in general. Like, we did definitely cry. That’s a thing that we did.

I also like how cleanly the movie conveys this information within a few minutes. Like, you get the opening sequence of the small Suzume searching for her mother in the Ever After, and then she wakes up a seventeen year old, and you hear her address the woman who is her guardian by that woman’s first name, and it immediately clicks, "ohhhh… orphan, got it, got it, got it," and yeah. In contrast to the previous two films where Shinkai took half the damn movie establishing what these characters’ lives and their relationships with their friends and relatives were like, this kind of storytelling efficiency (which, is present throughout the film, in establishing Souta's relationships as well) is impressive.

And like I said, I like the immediacy with which the plot begins, with Suzume meeting Souta, being asked about the ruins, and then going to check them out herself. I like that there's not a whole album of insert songs in this movie, no fancy opening cinematic, no big deal montage, just a smash cut to the opening title card while Souta and Suzume are trying to close the door in the old bathhouse. It's clean. It's real good.

So, then Suzume tries to patch Souta up when he gets injured, and then he gets cursed by this cat to become a chair, and then the movie gets further good! Suzume runs away from home to help Chair Souta capture this important cat that's supposed to be keeping the earthquakes from happening. And this greatly aggrieves her aunt Tamaki, who's just been trying her best her whole life and everything and I will say, um-

I'm going to get to that!

So, one thing I have to say specifically- I had not read any details about Suzume's plot or interviews from Shinkai before seeing it, and I kind of got the whole deal immediately with everywhere that an earthquake comes out of being an abandoned place of gathering. A closed bathhouse, school, amusement park. This all feels very harrowing to see onscreen- as an American! even though it's clearly intended as commentary on Japan's population decline, because, uh, have you heard of dead malls

If they ever do an American live action version of Suzume, it'll be about them visiting abandoned shopping malls, probably. please do not do that

But yeah, like, we live in Portland, Oregon, and compared to having grown up in pre-covid Philadelphia most of our life, post-covid Portland feels like a ghost town. Like, it's not actually, there's obviously still people who live here, and I don't mean that derogatorily because we love Portland and we'd like to keep living here, if possible, not the least because we get easy access to HRT. But like, there's a lot of closed and abandoned places in Portland, so many empty areas and business that have been boarded up and closed to the point that at times, wandering through downtown Portland almost feels like living in an open world video game where most of the buildings don't have designed interiors.

Places that all clearly closed within the last three or four years, with their signage up and everything. Places that are left in stasis to lie disused or else be reclaimed by the homeless until the homeless get chased out by the cops. It's all just really… eughf. It makes us sad to see this place, this whole country really, be stuck in this kind of disgusting degradation while our government fails to provide for us, let alone adapt to the challenges ahead of us, just leaves all these places where people lived, where people are living, now, to stagnate and stand like zombies of a past we can't go back to

There’s a scene in Heathers, one of our favorite movies of all time, where the main antagonist J.D. has a whole emotional reflection on how the stability of this franchised commercial convenience store enterprise has kept him feeling like there’s continuity in his life, and like, yeah, that’s kind of a feeling.

[Video ID: J.D. (played by Christian Slater), a black haired edgy looking teenage boy of about 16-17 wearing a long black jacket, paces about the convenience store "Snappy Snack Shack", speaking in an affected hard to place accent, to Veronica Sawyer (played by Winona Ryder), a brown-haired teenage girl of around the same age, who is wearing a grey dress that exposes her shoulders accompanied by a blue flower brooch on her chest, and black overalls)]

Veronica: I see you know your convenience speak pretty well.

J.D.: Yeah, well, uh, I've been moved around all my life. Dallas. Baton Rouge, Vegas... Sherwood, Ohio. There's always been a Snappy Snack Shack. Any town, any time, pop a ham and cheese in the microwave and feast on a Turbo Dog. Keeps me sane.

Veronica: Really?

Like, it’s eugh, because, obviously as an anticapitalist, we kinda dislike these sorts of places, the shopping centers, the strip malls, the gas stations, we're against all of this bullshit on principle these places are all kind of intensely hostile to… life, in general.

But also, these places are a part of the world we live in, and they are stable! Relatively. They are kind of the only way we've known the world to be. And it’s sad to see that stability be ever so more greatly upset by the pandemic and the… everything, with nothing on the horizon to replace it. And if and when we see this kind of stability disappear completely, it’ll be sad, even if it’s replaced by something better. We’ll probably miss something about wandering these gross, heavily commercialized disgustingly homogenized nightmare places that’ve been cannibalizing our communities this whole time. Yeah, we hate it, but... it’s where we live, and we’re not immune to nostalgia.

Nostalgia is just a nicer word for grief

And this same very such eughf feeling is very much echoed in Suzume. There’s this deep and palpable grief for these places and the people who used to live here felt in this film, and inherent in expressing that grief is Shinkai’s expression of the, y’know, important stage of grief, i.e., acceptance. Because, to close the doors, Suzume and Souta have to not just, close it, but also think of all the feelings and experiences of the people who used to live in these places, and then… let go.

When the amusement park scene happens, the ferris wheel starts moving, and Suzume is drawn in by the image of the ghosts of the people who once rode it, Souta starts yelling for her to stop, to not go in- not the least because she can’t see what she’s doing and is putting herself in danger, but also because she cannot go back. Those people who used to sit in that ferris wheel, laughing, crying, living, in this place, cannot come back. Suzume can’t go back. This past can’t be gone back to.

Okay, so, one thing I missed when I saw the film the second time. When Suzume was drawn into the Ever After through the ferris wheel door, she was seeing herself of the future in there, and that, was foreshadowing the end of the film. I’m keeping this part anyway because the emotional impact of that scene was still as described even if this plot foreshadowing bit was something I missed the first time seeing the film.

I read a few English language interview articles with Shinkai talking about Suzume right after seeing the film, both because I wanted clarification before I ran my mouth on two things. 1, I wanted clarification on what the cat wanted. I’ll get to him. 2, I wanted to be sure my interpretation of the doors thing was on point, which it was. Shinkai talks in one of these interviews about how when covid was happening and Japan was still trying to have the Olympics happen, it felt really irresponsible and bad, and he did not agree with this. He says, and I quote,

“You were opening this new door and not sure of what’s on the other side without bringing closure or understanding or coming to terms with what’s behind you. I want to say a lot of the Japanese population felt the same way. There was this kind of awkward air about us, and it really wasn’t time to open new doors without first reflecting on what came before us.”

And like, yeah, I agree. I just really, really agree with this. It is indeed what I took away from the film before I read this interview. Suzume spends this entire movie reflecting on the past and trying to grow beyond that and ultimately the one door that she opens, on purpose, is the one that she decides to open intentionally after reflecting on what brought her to this point and deciding what she needs to do and

Eugghhhh

I’m just saying, it worked. It really did work. For us, at least.

Now, to be clear: Japan and the United States are two different countries, and, while there are similarities in how the pandemic left our societies, they're ultimately two different societies, and I don't really know jack shit about Japanese society- I'm just relating, my feelings, of my experience, uh, our experience, as an American, to the feelings that we took away from Suzume.

And... even if I understand this all right. If the people who need to see this sort of message saw it, or, like, took that away, or acted on it when it did... that’d be nice, but ultimately I don’t think that Suzume will move any politician or other person in power making these decisions in Japan, or any country, enough, or in the right ways, to have any impact on policy. But y’know, Shinkai’s just a guy making movies, and I’m just one of the various split personalities of a deranged F-list anime YouTuber, so whatever. Such is life. It’s at least a nice sentiment.

So, the other things, in no particular order. I did cry a bit when Daijin, the cat, got sucked up back into the keystone. He’s hard to like at the start of the film, for, y’know, the reasons why he is, but ultimately when you consider that like… he’s been trapped that way, the same way as Souta spends trapped as a chair, for years? Centuries, for all we goddamn know? Once that clicks, it’s really hard to not empathize with him. And yeah, he might be a god now, I guess, but who knows if he was a person before, or, what even, and just, I think, I think if you spend god knows how long as a sacred relic keeping Japan from being destroyed by earthquakes, you at least, at least, maybe, maybe deserve, if nothing else, a little pet.

[pets microphone]

that was your little pet.

In one of the other interviews Shinkai did, he talked about how Souta becoming a chair, and also a Keystone sealing away the earthquakes, is intended as a metaphor for the experience of pandemic lockdown. It’s not a directly equivalent analogy, but, like, it does make sense! Souta is being forced into a position of being confined, to keep this dangerous and virtually uncontrollable force of nature under control, for the greater good and long-term preservation of society. And when you consider that Daijin was in the same position for gosh knows how the hell long, it makes it a lot easier to empathize with him! He wasn’t being malicious, exactly, not, willfully anyway, he knew that vacating his position was putting everyone else at risk, but, he did it anyway cause he just kinda snapped, like, fuck this, I want to go outside! That does make a lot of sense! Also it sticks out, also, when Suzume screams at Daijin, because that’s, y’know. It’s a whole scene. I feel like I want to say something about this! But I can't really land on anything to say about it? But yeah.

I think the whole thing with Suzume needing to sacrifice Souta midway through the movie is really well done. It’s extremely funny to me that Shinkai apparently thought to stress this point of the movie as how important it is for her to make this difficult choice because of how people criticized Weathering With You for not really being meaningfully critical of the consequence of Hodaka un-sacrificing Hina? And also that Hina never really gets a choice in being un-sacrificed, far as I remember, so... [whispers] that’s a little unintentionally sexist,

but whatever. I’d have to watch the film again, and I don’t feel like doing that right now

Suzume’s aunt, Tamaki. I do like her. She’s a pretty level-headed guardian, as guardians go. I like that when she finds Suzume and Serizawa in the car, and sees that going to this door is important to Suzume, she’s not immediately like, “fuck your feelings, we’re going home”? She’s curious about the child under her care. She’s concerned in a way that she’s willing to not only go all the way to Tokyo, but also to follow Suzume the rest of the way to see what's up because she clearly understands, logically, that even if she doesn’t know what it is that’s compelled Suzume to go this distance, it must be something that she needs to sort the fuck out in order to move on with her life, and that’s kinda good?

Although I should note that while she clearly sees the pragmatic value in not fighting Suzume on this, she’s also pretty reluctant to. She has a line where she’s like to Serizawa while Suzume is asleep, let’s turn the fuck around and go back, she’ll give up. So, y’know, Tamaki’s at least more open-minded than our mom was!

Speaking of that. There’s this one scene in the film, where Tamaki loses her shit at Suzume. Goes on screaming on about how she hates Suzume and wants her life back, and then she runs off to Serizawa being all like “I think I’m losing it,” and it’s a whole thing. On our first viewing, this scene felt a little out of nowhere. It was a whole sudden shock to have this intense scene happen and then also its pivot back into the magical realism aspects of the film with the black cat’s appearance, which confused us a bit cause I don’t think that was really explained at all.

But, watching the film a second time, and seeing the arc of Tamaki’s frustration reaching its peak with the benefit of hindsight, it made more sense that she’d come to a rope’s end and flip out like this. She’s been chasing her niece all across Japan, she’s ridden for several hours in a busted convertible in the rain, she doesn’t even have a proper explanation, her coworker has raised to her that this might be a kidnapping scheme- I get it. It’s a scene that I get.

I still do not understand the role of the large black cat though. Our friend agreed that that part didn’t make a whole lot of sense. So, that didn’t change.

I think the reason why it felt out of nowhere to us the first time is because it was entirely too familiar to our real life experience. In the middle of Tamaki’s rant, Suzume responds by saying, “but you said, ‘you’re my daughter,’” referring to when Tamaki first took her in, and said that. And Tamaki snaps back, “I never said that.” Our mother also did this exact thing, vehemently denying that she said and did things that we definitely remembered her saying and doing. (There's a word for this, it's... it's called gaslighting!) Living with someone who denies you this much, who makes you question your memory and your sanity and your general perception of the world this much, by forcing their own grief onto you like this, is just… really, simply, awful.

Throughout our childhood, we heard our mom say similar shit to us numerous times. That we were a horrible incorrigible child, that she hated us for ruining her family, that she wished she’d aborted us— all those sorts of things. The tone of Tamaki’s unadulterated rage in this dialogue was all too familiar to those memories. So, yeah, on both viewings, we were, very uncomfortable. Even knowing it was coming the second time around, it kinda caused us to actively recoil in our seat, to the point that our friend who we were seeing it with noticed our reaction and held out a stuffed animal she’d brought with her for us to pet.

So, um, yeah, that specific scene may or may not have triggered the PTSD that we may or may not have.

Tamaki does apologize for this later!

And she also, debatably, gets a bit of a pass for this since she’s not Suzume’s mother, and thus cannot reasonably wish that she had aborted Suzume, but can instead wish that she’d not done the unambiguously good deed of keeping Suzume out of the Japanese child welfare system, which, I can’t imagine is a good experience for a child. I don’t imagine any country’s child welfare system under capitalism to be a good experience for a child, but, y’know.  Well, we’re also kind of entirely opposed to the traditional family structure and the basic premise of parents in general, because giving only one or two people total power over a vulnerable young human life is not an ethical tradition to have in any case, but… eugh. That’s something for some other video.

In an interview with Deadline, Shinkai talks about this scene, specifically quoting the “give me back my life” part, and he says that on some level, all parents feel that way to their kids. And that while he acknowledges that it isn’t by any means acceptable to ever say that kind of stuff to a child, it is, y’know, a feeling that is there that he poured into it, and that he wanted to be there, for the parents in the audience who ever felt that way and regretted it. This is how we found out that Makoto Shinkai is apparently not single and does in fact have a child.

He also says, in this other interview with the Verge, that, he wanted the film to provide for an opportunity for people of different generations to emotionally connect with each other. So, in that context, I really understand why this scene is here. It’s serving the purpose of setting up that emotional bridge, that door between Suzume and Tamaki, these characters of two different generations who ultimately come to understand one another, with the hope that audiences in a similar emotional position might come away from the film having felt some sense of healing by way of, y’know, getting that. And also Shinkai talks about how the idealized nuclear family structure is not a thing that’s tenable or possible for a lot of families in Japanese society, and, it’s not very tenable for a lot of people in American society either!

So I recognize the intent of this scene. I think it’s commendable, even. If there is a parent and child out there who saw Suzume together on whom this had the intended impact, I think that that’s wonderful. I sincerely hope that they exist!

Even still… we, were a child, who regularly had this sort of thing said to our face by our real life mother, and tried, in good faith, many times over the years, to repair our increasingly fraught relationship with her, and failed. I am deeply, regrettably cynical about familial relationships because of our traumatic experience with our own family. Our mother is not the sort of person who would come to meaningfully empathize with us through seeing this film.

And we really fucking hate her, so… yeah, this scene is difficult to watch. It’s difficult for us personally to feel any sympathy for Tamaki when she’s saying that kind of stuff to Suzume, and once it was over I could only really kind of feel glad that it was over.

But! It’s not like it’s the film’s fault that our parents were bad. I don’t think our reaction was intended. It just happened! It just happens sometimes that different people other than who the thing was written for react to things differently. That doesn’t make the scene bad, or any less valuable to include. And I do think that Tamaki’s relationship with Suzume is portrayed pretty well and with a surprising degree of nuance! It’s good! Tamaki is a good character and she means well! And I do like what Shinkai said in that Verge interview about wanting to portray other family structures.

However I think that their relationship would work better if she was gay, because honestly, that entire “get out of my life” speech would hit a lot more and probably work a lot better in the context of being directed at a gay teenager rather than an assumed heterosexual one. But, hey, we thought we were heterosexual for most of our life, so, who’s to say much of anything!

Was there anything else I forgot to talk about? Um…

We cried at the end of the film, both times we saw it!

And also, while this film couldn’t have improved our relationship with our mother, it did serve as a very good bonding experience with our friend. I’m really glad we took her to see it. She really liked the scenes where Suzume sits and steps on Souta as a chair, that that was clever, that they took the opportunity to get away with that with him as a chair. And she also agreed that the chair in general was really well portrayed visually. She also cried! at the end. the heterosexual chair film made a lesbian cry. uh, two lesbians, cry. I’m not going to say anything more than that.

Thank you to everyone who watched this entire video. I have an excuse to do a bad job editing it now because there’s not that much footage of Suzume available and it’s all gonna get me copyright striked anyway

To summarize, Suzume Good. Suzume. Watch Suzume. I’ve been Audrey of the joystick system, and I did not hate Suzume. Thank you. Goodnight

#suzume #suzume no tojimari #suzume spoilers #video essay #youtube #joyce-stick #joystick system #your name #weathering with you

[brokehorrorfan]

The Mummy Trilogy will be reissued on 4K Ultra HD (with Blu-ray and Digital) on June 6 via Universal. The set collects the 1999's The Mummy, 2001's The Mummy Returns, and 2008's The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor.

Based on the classic 1932 Universal monster movie, The Mummy and The Mummy Returns are written and directed by Stephen Sommers (Van Helsing), while Tomb of the Dragon Emperor is directed by Rob Cohen (The Fast and the Furious) and written by Wednesday creators Alfred Gough and Miles Millar,

Brendan Fraser stars in the trilogy alongside Rachel Weisz, John Hannah, Arnold Vosloo, Kevin J. O'Connor, Jonathan Hyde, Oded Fehr, Patricia Velásquez, Freddie Boath, Alun Armstrong, Dwayne Johnson, Jet Li, Maria Bello, Michelle Yeoh, Russell Wong, Liam Cunningham, Luke Ford, and Isabella Leong.

The 4K UHDs are presented with High Dynamic Range. Special features for the six-disc set are listed below.

Disc 1 - The Mummy 4K UHD:

Audio commentary by writer-director Stephen Sommers and executive producer/editor Bob Ducsay

Audio commentary by actor Brendan Fraser

Audio commentary by actors Oded Fehr, Kevin J. O'Connor and Arnold Vosloo

Disc 2 - The Mummy Blu-ray:

Audio commentary by writer-director Stephen Sommers and executive producer/editor Bob Ducsay

Audio commentary by actor Brendan Fraser

Audio commentary by actors Oded Fehr, Kevin J. O'Connor, and Arnold Vosloo

An Army to Rule the World Part 1

Visual and Special Effects Formation

Unraveling the Legacy of The Mummy

Building a Better Mummy

Deleted Scenes

Storyboard to Final Film Comparison

Photograph Montage

The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor Sneak Peek

Disc 3 - The Mummy Returns 4K UHD:

Audio commentary by writer-director Stephen Sommers and executive producer/editor Bob Ducsay

Disc 4 - The Mummy Returns Blu-ray:

Audio commentary by writer-director Stephen Sommers and executive producer/editor Bob Ducsay

An Army to Rule the World Part 2

Unraveling the Legacy of The Mummy

Visual and Special Effects Formation

A Conversation with The Rock

Spotlight On Location

Outtakes

Storyboard to Final Film Comparison

Live "Forever May Not Be Long Enough" Music Video

Disc 5 - The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor 4K UHD:

Audio commentary by director Rob Cohen

Disc 6 - The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor Blu-ray:

Audio commentary by director Rob Cohen

The Making of The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor

From City to Desert

Legacy of the Terra Cotta

Deleted and Extended Scenes

Embark on the ultimate action adventure that spans continents and explores ancient history with The Mummy Trilogy. Follow the exhilarating journeys and exploits of daring explorer Rick O'Connell (Brendan Fraser) and his family as they combat the evil undead from the dusty tombs of Egypt to the hidden catacombs of China. Filled with amazing special effects and breathtaking battles, it's a passport to spellbinding entertainment you can watch again and again!

Pre-order The Mummy Trilogy.

#the mummy #the mummy returns #tomb of the dragon emperor #brendan fraser #rachel weisz #dvd #gift #90s movies #1990s movies #jet li #michelle yeoh #the rock #dwayne johnson #arnold vosloo #john hannah

[arimiadev]

Visual Novel Developer Interview – Scene Direction in Of Sense and Soul

Hi everyone! For this month's visual novel dev article I thought we’d try something different. I typically write articles based on my own experiences and research, but I want to include more commentary and experiences from other developers.

So today I’ll be interviewing another visual novel developer!

ingthing is a visual novel developer and friend of mine who is currently developing Of Sense and Soul, a queer Victorian romance visual novel following a pair of men after a misconstrued newspaper ad.

Of Sense and Soul (@ofsenseandsoul) is a highly detailed, lovingly crafted visual novel that showcases how we can elevate indie visual novels to new heights. Its attention to visuals is something that can be felt throughout every store page and screenshot for the game but is even more breathtaking once you actually play it.

Today I’ll be interviewing the lead developer, ingthing! You may have seen her previously talk on this at Visual;Conference, an annual online visual novel developer conference.

find the archived version of this interview on my blog.

Note: ingthing will be referred to as “Ing” and Of Sense and Soul will be shortened to “OSAS”.

Arimia: Hiya Ing! So to get us started, can you introduce yourself and tell people how you got into visual novel development?

Ing: I’m Ing, I’m an artist and designer who had a gay webcomic idea with her friend one day and then two years later we decided it should become a visual novel instead! Now I lead my own little studio and we’re making a Whole Thing out of OSAS. [Of Sense and Soul]

Arimia: Cinematography is such a large aspect of OSAS. What made you want to focus so much on cinematography for it?

Ing: In the beginning we actually didn’t consider cinematography so much—our original Demo was very static and was a simpler affair of putting sprites on a background. 

It was really when I was designing the user interface that I began to think about it, starting with a NVL style screen that displayed a letter that the main character was reading. I had the idea of placing the main character sprite on the left of the letter in order to display their emotions while reading the letter as a close-up—and that meant I started the framing of the scene, and how the “camera” could affect the player’s experience of the game.

LEFT: An earlier draft of the Letter Reading Screen in OSAS. RIGHT: A screenshot of the same scene as shown in the Extended Demo.

What really solidified my pursuit of cinematography in OSAS was the prologue sequence—I knew immediately I wanted to use the art for it with a camera pan down the long, vertical image. I watched Visual Novel Design (Vimilikesart’s) YouTube video Ren’Py Images and Action Editor Tutorial and decided to use Action Editor to achieve this, and once I learned how to use the tool the rest was history!

Once I knew what the possibilities of the Ren’Py in-game camera were, I quickly learned more about its Animation and Transformation Language (ATL) through manipulating it, and started adding cinematography to the entire Of Sense and Soul demo.

Arimia: Why do you think this is important in visual novels?

Ing: As an experience, visual novels are unique in that they are a time-based interactive medium. You’re asking your audience for their attention for a significant chunk of their time, the same way a movie or TV series would—and that’s a lot of hours spent in front of a screen if it stays fundamentally unmoving. 

Dialogue and narration are also commonly shown in a text box at the bottom of the screen, and the text content itself is what tells most of the story. In my opinion, having a static screen that only changes when images are being switched in or out discourages players from paying attention to the visuals, and more of their focus might turn to the text alone—which would not only make their playing experience more monotonous but also impact their enjoyment of your hard work.

I think every visual novel developer or player is familiar with the imagery that makes up a scene—namely, sprites and backgrounds—and these are very important to get right, as they offer a visual to connect with stories and characters. Most backgrounds and sprites offer variation for appropriate times of day or facial expressions, or even props, poses, and outfits if they’re fancy—but I would say their possibilities as image assets alone are finite. You can match a scene to a narrative and match a character to their description, but their effectiveness in conveying a scene is entirely dependent on when, where, how, and why you display them, which is one major element you have control over when scripting a VN. 

With Of Sense and Soul‘s demo, I’ve had the joy of watching in real time as streamers and players respond to my cinematography—and the level of investment in the story they develop when given engaging visuals cannot be overstated! It was clear the action happening on screen through the main character’s eyes was connecting with them. Sudden angled zooms on shocked characters’ expressions earned a gasp or laugh, while thudding heartbeat effects and pans across a character’s face with their eyes concealed drew concerned looks or “Oh no”s from players without fail, every time the scene was intended to elicit those reactions. It’s one thing to show a character’s emotions on their face or describe how they’re feeling—it’s another entirely to tell it through the audience’s visual instincts.

…the level of investment in the story [streamers and players] develop when given engaging visuals cannot be overstated!

(As an aside, I’ve been told that when they arrive at the voiced segments of OSAS, some players begin to feel like they’re watching a movie instead of reading a visual novel—which in my eyes means the cinematography was successful!)

Utilizing cinematography in your visual novels can not only help you keep your audience’s attention by creating a better visual narrative and keeping them eager to see what comes next, but also allows you to maximize the image assets you do have—which, for many visual novel developers, is limited. I think that’s pretty important, and a win for everyone all around!

Arimia: I think using what limited assets you have is definitely key. What are some ways you think other devs can make better use of their limited assets, from what you’ve seen in other games?

Ing: I think prime examples of devs making creative use of their assets can be seen in a lot of games made for the O2A2 game jam in which each game can only have one of any asset. Some ways devs have used their backgrounds, for example, with added motion or repetition, like in lastrain by usarin in which a background is looped to give the appearance of a moving train, or in Fleeting Confession by xxmissarichanxx where the foreground confession booth screen is used both in front of the sprite and in the back, but blurred and semi-transparent for the latter.

A more simple and commonly used way to better utilise image assets is just by changing the parts shown of them—many visual novels will zoom into a background or sprite to show off specific details, especially if events described in the story itself are taking place in, say, a table in the corner of the room.

I think what most devs who do play with camerawork and presentation have set up, though, is they’ve already planned their assets ahead for those uses—devs who do full-body sprites will have more flexibility than half-body sprites, and backgrounds that are larger than the final game window offer better quality when zoomed into.

Some devs also play around with “comic book” style cut-ins, like the prologue for Tomorrow Will be Dying by Team Robo and actually, your game, Lost Lune! Even in the screenshots you can see some fun silhouetting of sprites and comic frames being used to bring drama to scenes.

Arimia: These are all great ideas for VN devs! Personally I love playing around with camera stuff and trying new things to make scenes more dynamic—there’s so many ways you can frame scenes. Is there any technique or method you’d like to add to OSAS that you haven’t been able to yet or plan on?

Ing: I do actually want to do some cut-in style frames and potentially use a vignette effect for flashbacks. I tend not to plan a ton for scene direction, but I see what other devs are doing and go “this looks so cool” and hoard it in my brain like a squirrel preparing for hibernation.

Arimia: Yeah, definitely. I was playing Mahoyo recently and it took me forever to finish it because I’d get so inspired by the scene direction!

How do you mix the visual scene direction with other aspects, like audio? I’ve never delved into voice acting for my games but I know voice acting is a large part of the charm for OSAS.

Ing: Definitely relate to just staring at sequences for ages and rolling back and forth to examine how cinematics work!

Honestly the weirdest part with voice acting for OSAS is we never originally thought it would be part of the game. Because the game has a very “paper-like” feel and was intended to be more grounded in words, VA wasn’t something we felt would be necessary.

What really changed that was the addition of scene direction. Once cinematics were in and we knew what the sprites and settings could do to tell the story, voicing was a natural next step because the game was suddenly so lively!

The audio absolutely plays a big part in how scenes are directed and sequenced—to an extent we follow the emotionality of the soundtracks playing in the background to reflect the emotions of the scene. A more melancholic track might be accompanied with more sluggish-feeling pans across the scene, where a lively track might have quicker pans between sprites to reflect the dynamic of the conversation!

One of my favorite audio-led camera effects is the heartbeat effect used in Seamus’ demo segments; when the heartbeat is pounding in Seamus’ (and the player’s) ears, the camera zooms in/out and blurs along with the sound effect, creating a much more impactful effect than if we were to just add the audio.

Arimia: Yeah, the heartbeat effect is something that just sticks with you—I’ve never seen anything like it in other VNs. Parts like that really draw you in (literally and figuratively).

Okay, my final question is- share a cool trick in Ren’Py!

Ing: I’ll share two!

The first is boring, but…

You can actually define your color hex codes in your files and apply them wherever you need them (like your GUI styles)! And then when you need to change the color itself you won’t have to find all instances of that hex code and change them individually, you can just do it from your main definition.

If you’re in the Ren’Py developer console (Shift+O) you can change your save file name using $ save_name = "filename" for your personal testing needs and it won’t affect your save_name for the game itself.

And that way you can keep your save files for testing named and also make yourself laugh with them!

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

And there you have it! I hope this interview with ing on scene direction was helpful, inspiring or at least interesting. Cinematography in VNs has been something I’ve been really interested in this year and I hope to see more visually unique VNs in the future.

You can find Of Sense and Soul’s demo on itch.io and Steam via their website. There’s so many super inspired segments, I really recommend you to check it out! The game is also currently on Kickstarter—if you’re planning to host your own, I fully recommend checking out the page for it. The attention to detail on the Kickstarter page is a league of its own.

You can also follow them on Tumblr @ofsenseandsoul!

#visual novel #indie game dev #game dev #visual novel development #vn dev #vn development #indie game development #my articles #visual novels #gay games #Youtube

[demifiendrsa]

DRAGON BALL: Sparking! ZERO Announcement Trailer

Japanese version

Dragon Ball: Sparking! ZERO is currently in development for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC via Steam. A release date was not announced.

Screenshots

Overview

About Taking the legendary gameplay of the Budokai Tenkaichi series and raising it to whole new levels. Unleash the fighting spirit within you and take the fight to arenas that crumble and react to your power as the battle rages on. Shake the earth. Break the heavens. Make yours the destructive power of the strongest fighters ever to appear in Dragon Ball! Breathtaking 3D Fights Engage in heart-pounding, high-speed 3D battles that stay true to the anime and video game series, with breathtaking visuals and authentic combat moves like beam clashes, rush attacks, movements too quick for the eyes to see, and planet-razing ultimate attacks. The Ground Will Shake Step into an arena that reacts to your every action. As you transform or unleash your most devastating attacks, watch the environment respond with stunning realism. Leave a trail of destruction in your wake as you battle to your heart’s content.

#Dragon Ball Sparking! ZERO #Dragon Ball Sparking Zero #DBSZ #Dragon Ball Z Budokai Tenkaichi #Budokai Tenkaichi #Dragon Ball Z Sparking #Dragon Ball Z Sparking! #Dragon Ball Z #Dragon Ball #Bandai Namco #video game #PS5 #Xbox Series #Xbox Series X #Xbox Series S #PC #Steam #Dragon Ball Z Budokai Tenkaichi 4 #Budokai Tenkaichi 4 #TGA 2023 #The Game Awards #Youtube