one of the best things about Pokemon cards is that some of the illustrators have been at it so long that you can actively see their art improve and progress over time
for example, all of these cards were illustrated by Mitsuhiro Arita, just years apart (1999, 2005, 2017, and 2022, respectively)
I hate it that we need to celebrate every country or place that legalizes gay marriage, authorizes gender affirming care, decriminalizes queerness. No! You did the bare minimum, and should be penalized for not doing it sooner.
But, we don't live in that world. We live in a world where the queer community has to praise governments for making that move, and fight for others to stop killing us.
I want to live to see the day where a place that we can't live openly is so alienated by the international community, and its own people, that it changes. A world that the idea that someone's queerness can put them in danger is a painful memory. I want to live to see us free.
listening to Gravity Falls episode commentaries is great. Alex Hirsch nearly worked himself to death constantly. Grunkle Stan was nearly voiced by Matt Chapman of Homestar Runner. Literally nothing aside from the twist about Stan having a twin was planned more than a few episodes in advance. The zodiac wheel meant nothing and consisted of random symbols from the first 7 episodes because the intro was animated after those were done. Alex came up with the term “search for the blind eye” to be an extra bit for the between-season shorts before deciding to actually have a payoff for that setup and writing Society of the Blind Eye. Bill was meant to be a joke character and when Alex suggested that he be a real villain Michael Rianda responded “You, my friend, have lost the plot.” Bill getting one episode in the spotlight was basically chance and he only became the main villain of season 2 because he was so popular with the fans. The reveal of the portal at the end of season 1 was suggested by Mike without thinking it through and he left before the next season and the other writers were SO ANNOYED after that went through because they somehow had to keep that plot going for the 10 episodes it’d take to actually pay off. I am genuinely astonished that this show came together as well as it did at all.
ok the way gender is treated in the tlt books is fucking revolutionary all around and i could probably make one of these posts for each of the characters individually, but i've always found coronabeth's gender presentation in particular to be oddly compelling. like, it's subtle, but it's absolutely there.
she's blonde and leggy and curvy and the way she appeals to people is on the face of it very feminine. she is arguably one of the most femme characters in the series. but also. she strides into the room like a lion. she looks like a king. she's tall and toned and commanding and she looks damn good in cargo pants. one of the primary descriptors nona uses for her is big. that is the true appeal of coronabeth, isn't it? she commands attention, she commands respect, she takes up space. that is a very traditionally masculine way to interact with people and it's only ever noted with admiration bordering on awe.
and isn't that kind of incredible? arguably the most femininely attracive character in the series is appealing the way statues of goddesses are appealing. she's gallant and confident and bossy and big.