#without being like blatant fan service

[admiralbrand]

🚨🚨 U.S.S. DEFIANT MENTIONED 🚨🚨

[rosewind2007]

In response to a comment on Murderathin Manifesto which suggested there was fan-baiting*

I don’t think this was baiting:

Baiting would have been, having them kiss at the premiere and Dastmalchian say in interviews that Gurathin is secretly in love with….and then claim “spoilers” and say nothing more. And THEN their relationship be a bit combative but stick to the text with zero subtext to their relationship, no lingering glances and NONE of the above…

What we got instead was fan service!

We got the kiss at the premiere which was funny and actually typical of the actors involved (once I saw Dastmalchian was Gurathin I thought something like that might happen, he likes kissing his costars). But we also got Dastmalchian teasing about Gurathin being in love with…long pause…Mensah which was both true and also a bit of a tease (yay him, yay them—they knew what they were doing there)….

And then, from the first episode we got FAN-SERVICE!

They took the absolutely implied by canon undercurrents of the Murderathin relationship and made them blatant to everyone watching, they dialed up the knob (snigger) on “weirdly kinky without anything remotely sexual going on” to eleven…

And bless them (in a lay manner) for it!

Like Martha Wells (who created these characters) I loved every minute of it!

So yeah, fan service, not fan baiting.

Beautiful service too, straight aces.

🎾

*to be fair the author of the comment went “actually I had forgotten about fan-service!” Which is fair—lots of show-runners seem to forget too

[nikalaeva]

And yet Feyre is the High Lady?

I already wrote - I don't hate Feyre. In ACOTAR she was a little bit silly and smug, but good character.

If you are reading this, you know Prythian's rules. Not me or you or anyone else, but the author wrote it. Wives/mates of the High Lords have a title Lady of the Court.

Now the question is - if Rhysand is a true feminist, why didn't he change laws for his darling Feyre? Then he could have said to Helion: "It is now the LAW of the Night Court that High Lord's wife is his equal." "Because I love her" is not something to reason your political decisions with. And one more question - why should the other High Lords call Feyre High Lady? Rhysand's decision has no legal force even in the Night Court, much less outside of it.

Why does Feyre need to be a High Lady, for SJM Rhysand's pride? What exactly does Feyre want to do that can't be done without "High Lady" title? Does Feyre want to change some laws or introduce new ones? Does she want to change the social hierarchy, democratize society or, maybe, prepare it for an absolute monarchy? She is not interested (and does not understand anything) in politics at all, but the title is important for politics. I doubt very much people would want a ruler who is only interested in art - not finances, not diplomacy, not domestic and foreign trade.

Charity work is not main duty of ruler.

Being able to read and write is not enough to control the Court's tax system and fight poverty. Feyre's fans would probably agree that people with same level of education would plan the country's budget or, idk, calculate their salaries and pays.

Banning service for fairies of the CoN 'cause you don't like them personally is illegal - they are also citizens of the NC.

Refusing to communicate with one of the High Lords 'cause he is your toxic ex is blatant political illiteracy.

Feyre's feelings don't matter on political arena. And the meeting of the High Lords is such a scandal, which proved - Feyre's title is a "mask" of feminism, just a check mark for "girl boss" trope. There is nothing but incompetence under it.

Update: oh yeah, all of Feyre's achievements after getting title are belong to fighting/war. And while we see the High Lords fighting on the front lines, their main job is to govern and support society, the citizens in peacetime, not only fight villains.

[miraculouslbcnreactions]

Hello! What do you think about Natalie, her writing and fandom treatment? I find it fascinating that despite all the evil, she has so many fans, and even those who salt on ML and the Agrestes heavily often portray her as cool and/or sympathetic.

Prior to season five, I had mixed feelings about Nathalie. I like badass female villains, but I don't like women being idiots over men. Those were her two defining traits in season three and four, so my attitude was mostly, "can we please switch her motivation so that I can love her? I really want to love her because, if we remove the romance crap, then she reminds me of Shego and the world needs more Shegos!"

Then season five hit....

I utterly despise Nathalie's season five writing and think it makes her look weak, cruel, and ineffectual. I have no idea why so many people adore her and are excited that she's Adrien's new mom. She is not meaningfully better than Gabriel. In fact, season five Nathalie bothers me more than Gabriel. Why? Because Gabriel is the villain. He's allowed to be villainous. When Nathalie was a villain, the same rules applied. But the show claims that she's good now and yet she does nothing meaningful to stop Gabriel even though she could have.

Nathalie lives in the Agreste mansion, knows all of Gabriel's secrets, and has access to his secret lair. We also see her pin Gabriel to a table, undo his senti commands, and boss him around without any retaliation. He just rolls over and takes it. This is not the setup for a weak willed woman who sits idly by crying woe is me because she has no true power, yet that's basically what Nathalie is in season five. The first part of the final even outright confirms that Nathalie knows Gabriel's ultimate plan:

(A Tsurugi Industries pop-up appears on the screen.) Ad voice: After months of research, Tsurugi Labs have found the antidote– Nathalie: (Swipes the pop-up away.) He's going to finally do it...

So why didn't she find a way to contact the heroes and tell them what was going on? Why did she wait until she was dying to do something? Right after the above line, she grabs her crossbow and goes off to find Gabriel in a moment that made me roll my eyes. It's such blatant pathetic fan service. Only now when Nathalie is too weak to make a difference is she finally allowed to make a token effort to stop the man that she's been babying all season.

If Nathalie was allowed to be the kind of character they wrote her to be, then she would have acted much sooner and to greater effect. For example, imagine if her akumatization was just a ruse to get to the heroes. Once she loses and Gabriel can no longer see what's going on, she calls on the heroes to wait and then tells them everything, offering to help stop Gabriel. That's the kind of shit I'd expect from Nathalie's character.

Instead she just lays around in bed and occasionally pleads with Gabriel to change his mind like in this scene from Intuition:

Nathalie: Gabriel, you may only have a few weeks left like this... and I don't have much more than that. Maybe it's time to stop chasing after the Miraculous and start looking for a solution for Adrien. Make sure he's not alone once we're gone. (Hearing these words, Gabriel's eyes start to fill with sadness. Nathalie places her hands over Gabriel's.) Nathalie: Do it. For Emilie.

Nathalie, you have known this man for literal decades. Why do you expect this to work? Wake up and take charge, woman! Tell Adrien yourself! Help the heroes! Right your wrongs! You are literally dying! What do you have to lose? She honestly comes across pretty hypocritically here because, as she pointed out, they are both actively dying, which will leave Adrien alone, and yet Nathalie also does nothing to prepare Adrien for that. She just wrings her hands and hopes that Gabriel will do the right thing for both of them and I just... GAHHHHH!!!

The only semi-meaningful thing that Nathalie does in season five is undo Gabriel's commands, but that's literally just her maintaining the status quo. It's only there so that the writers don't have to deal with the senti stuff having any real consequences beyond delaying the Adrienette kiss a few episodes. Nathalie isn't trying to free Adrien or get his rings into safe hands before her death. She's just withering away and listening to Adrien talk about Marinette while knowing that he will soon lose everything. It's legitimately upsetting to me.

The anger some people feel about Marinette's actions at the end of the final is how I felt about Nathalie for all of season five and Nathalie is a freaking adult who has known everything for years. Matinette only knows the truth in a context where she can tell Adrien for about two on-screen minutes and that's assuming that Marinette figured out that Adrien is a sentimonster from context clues which she may not have! No one ever explicitly told her the truth and she had a lot of things thrown at her in rapid succession. I would not be stunned if season six reveals that she's still in the dark.

Nathalie is not sympathetic. She has had full agency and knowledge throughout the entire show. She has never been forced to do anything. She is the only peacock wielder to wield it knowing that she would die. She willingly supported Gabriel even when it put Adrien at risk. She outed Adrien's identity in Chat Blanc. She snapped away sentiBug! She's a great villain! She is a piss poor maternal figure.

The final annoying thing about her season five writing is that her "changing sides" makes no sense! She has no idea why the time travel plan failed and her own FIRST HAND EXPERIENCE is that Gabriel will put those he loves before defeating Ladybug (see: Ladybug where Gabriel chose Nathalie over winning). It is such a glaring example of bad writing that it infuriates me! This is the exchange I'm talking about:

Nathalie: (on-call) Gabriel, did it work? Gabriel: No, Ladybug tricked me! She stole the Time Miraculous from me! (Nathalie coughs from her sickness.) You have to help me! Come up with a new plan! Ladybug can’t get away with this! Nathalie: (on-call) You had the Time Miraculous. You could’ve chosen to save Emilie! You could’ve chosen to save me! (coughs) But instead, you chose your obsession with Ladybug and Cat Noir. You're insane, Gabriel!

Please remember that Nathalie has been helping him behind the scenes since the start and is fully aware that every plan he's ever made has failed even though she considered many of those dozens-if-not hundreds-of-plans brilliant.

Gabriel: If it were to fail Nathalie, I could never forgive myself. Nathalie: You made a promise to your wife. You've risked so much for the chance to bring her back. (Hands Gabriel her tablet) Lila has been harboring her rage against Ladybug for months, and today wherever she looks, she'll see the object of her hatred, and as predicted, her anger will reach devastating heights. Your plan is perfect, sir. Gabriel: And you're sure you want to do this? Nathalie: I will always be here for you. We will succeed.

Why is she suddenly so sure that this plan was different? What made her go from encouraging Gabriel to take risks to calling him insane? Why is she suddenly convinced that Gabriel can't possibly win and needs to focus on Adrien when she never said a word during the multiple akumas that directly threatened Adrien's life?

The meta reason is that the writers needed her to act as if she'd been watching the episode so that she wouldn't blindly support Gabriel anymore, allowing them to do the senti BS without it being meaningful to the story. The in show reason? I've got nothing. It is jarring to watch this while remembering that season four ended with Nathalie being given ownership of Adrien and willingly accepting that task, even going so far as to issue senti commands to "Adrien" to make him obey, which does not instill confidence in her parenting skills.

It's just so freaking infuriating. It would have been so much better if Nathalie was allowed to die and we got Emilie back. Nathalie did absolutely nothing to deserve a magical healing and I've been curious about Emilie since day one.

[lord-arbiter]

If anyone is interested in seeing someone else's message to HYV customer service in order to use or inspire your own, here is mine:

I used parts of Anilyan's template and personalized it to me!

Upon further advice, it would be best to make messages more succinct and to the point!

Dear Genshin Impact Team,

Regarding the skin color discussion started by the reveal of Natlan characters:

We fans understand that the world of Teyvat is fictional, and that the Nations and characters are informed by different real cultures that end up being mixed to create a fictional setting. But it’s also undeniable that some Nations in the world of Genshin are primarily inspired by some cultures more than others, and that character traits tend to reflect the main countries the Nation they inhabit is based on. Nothing in this world is truly without reference and disconnected from some culture, even if it is conglomerated into a fictional setting. 

We see and appreciate all the hard work that has gone into creating and bringing to life such a robust and beautiful game. Thus, it’s a shame that all that effort is being drowned by the obvious racism and colorism reflected in the Sumeru and Natlan designs. It would make sense to have characters with significantly darker skin tones in Natlan and Sumeru, and many fans hoped for that with the new upcoming region.

It is blatant disrespect to ignore the African, SWANA, Rroma, and Indigenous cultures by stealing many aspects of these cultures, such as landscapes, names, music, clothing and fashion styles, without properly representing the skin color and ethnicities of these peoples. 

Please, significantly darken their skin tones. And please properly correct and respect the words and names of these cultures’ deities.

I have played Genshin Impact every single day since I started in version 1.1, and spent roughly thousands of dollars on characters I love and cherish, all in support of your game which brings many people happiness. Unfortunately, me and countless others are no longer willing to monetarily support and play Genshin Impact and other Hoyoverse games because of the clear lack of respect for proper representation of skin color diversity. 

Hoyoverse has proven capable of changing and adjusting their values over time - we still believe you can recognize your mistake and fix it. You are a company that heavily supports fan and fan works, and who constantly invests in things that have a positive impact in society, which is why many people like to support you, and why this is so disappointing to see.

I know myself and many others are eager to see positive changes, because the Natlan characters designs have so much potential. 

Do not let this taint your legacy. Tech otakus were supposed to change the world, remember? And perpetuating colorism is not how you should do it.

I would be immensely grateful if my feedback were forwarded to the appropriate departments- I appreciate all of the customer service workers' hard and dedicated work. 

Thank you for your time and consideration,

[the-bar-sinister]

(No need to actually answer this since your blog is more fandom based we just. AGH. Kinda vent-y kinda not?)

-----

SMH we know we say this more rhetorically but how in the hell is Ao3 able to like? Professionalism????

We know the answer and it's because there's a time and place for being polite, and running a non-profit is definitely one of them but like. Kudos (heh) to them anyways, because the reason we often scream "anti-endos are fascist" or "antishippers are fascist" and stuff is like. At BEST you are just using their rhetoric, but we still call someone using nazi rhetoric a nazi right?

So we have as of late been much less polite and would have just been like "get the fuck off of our lawn you stupid shitheads" or something in their shoes. We could never (/exaggerated) run Ao3 or volunteer for it or anything we are much more blatant about how we feel when we are not explicitly at work, probably 'cause most of our jobs have required us to use The Customer Service Voice(tm). 😭😭😭

Ehhhh, I'm gonna go ahead and answer anyway because I really feel you here. 🤝

We in the system very much go back and forth with being able to present a veneer of professionalism when interacting with aggressive anti fans, and it can be really frustrating.

However, honestly AO3 and AO3 admins/volunteers do have the benefit of the distance that being a part of a "faceless organization" puts between you and the people making complaints at you, so I'm sure that helps.

Also, I'm sure that when a particular volunteer is at their limit they can pass it along to someone else. "Here, you answer this, I can't reply without screaming obscenities at them." XD

[wouldntyouliketoknow16]

Fuck the FIA

The FIA, or Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile, has long been the governing body for motorsport, overseeing everything from Formula 1 to rally racing. However, their recent actions have shown a blatant disregard for the very people they are supposed to protect: the drivers. Instead of focusing on crucial safety measures, they seem more concerned with policing language and behavior during races. It's almost laughable how misplaced their priorities are, and it raises serious questions about their integrity and effectiveness.

Let's start with the glaring issue of driver safety. In an era where motorsport has witnessed some of the most horrifying accidents, the FIA's response has often been tepid at best. While they may roll out a new set of rules or regulations, the reality is that many of these changes are reactive rather than proactive. For instance, after high-profile incidents, they might introduce new safety features, but why wait for tragedy to strike? The FIA should be at the forefront of ensuring that all drivers have the safest possible environment, rather than waiting for the next disaster to occur before taking action.

Then there’s the issue of their obsession with language. The FIA has recently made headlines for reprimanding drivers for using “inappropriate language” during races or in interviews. Seriously? In a sport that’s inherently dangerous, where drivers are putting their lives on the line, the focus should be on the race itself, not on whether someone dropped an F-bomb. The absurdity of this focus is staggering. Instead of addressing the real issues that could lead to accidents or injuries, they’re more concerned about maintaining a sanitized image.

Moreover, the FIA seems to have an alarming tendency to prioritize image over substance. They want to project a sense of control and authority, but at what cost? The drivers are the heart and soul of the sport, and their voices should be heard. When drivers express frustration or concern, it should be met with understanding and dialogue, not a slap on the wrist. This heavy-handed approach only alienates the very people who make the sport what it is.

The FIA's lack of transparency further compounds the problem. Decisions often seem arbitrary, with little explanation provided to the public or the drivers themselves. This creates an environment of distrust and frustration. When rules are enforced without clear reasoning, it breeds resentment. The FIA needs to foster an atmosphere where drivers feel safe to express their concerns without fear of punishment. Open communication is key, and it’s something the FIA has sorely failed to implement.

Additionally, there’s a glaring hypocrisy in the FIA’s actions. They preach about safety while allowing certain practices to continue that endanger drivers. For example, the continued use of unsafe tracks or insufficient safety measures during races contradicts their supposed commitment to driver welfare. If the FIA truly cared about safety, they would take a hard stance on these issues rather than just paying lip service to the idea.

In conclusion, the FIA needs a serious wake-up call. Their fixation on trivial matters like language and image is not only pathetic but also dangerous. The focus should be squarely on enhancing driver safety and ensuring that the sport evolves in a way that prioritizes the well-being of its participants. If the FIA continues down this path of misplaced priorities, they risk alienating drivers and fans alike, ultimately jeopardizing the future of motorsport itself. It’s time for the FIA to step up, take responsibility, and put the safety of drivers at the forefront of their agenda.

[dearweirdme]

https://www.tumblr.com/dearweirdme/757449554999296000/i-think-all-of-bts-sometimes-feed-shippers-i

i meant more that jkkrs are more accepted in the fandom, from what I've observed tkkrs are more their own fandom and they have no problem not being associated with armys, of course this isn't everyone, but from what I've seen jkkrs are generally tolerated more, I think it's cus the fandom built up tkkrs as the big bad shippers when realistically as far as shenanigans go jkkrs and tkkrs are pretty matched and there is a lot of people that bias jkk a lot and they excuse a lot of jkkr bullshit

to me fan service is sharing these moments cus fans love them, it doesn't mean to me that they're always faking it and that they secretly hate each other and play it up for the camera, rather that these are moments meant to be shared with armys and other fans that will then enjoy them, I do believe they all do it, I think even yoongi did it a lot on suwchita, a lot of people feel icky about fanservice as a term, I think it's just a term and says nothing about the closeness of the members, I think they all engage in it, sometimes even subconciously and I think some pairings just have better chemistry on camera than others but all of them are friends, it's a part of their job, not some moral failing

for taekook and specifically the hawaii photos, I go back and forth with what I believe, I think it was fanservice, I do think he did feed shippers cus of the timing of it all, but to me with tae if they indeed are dating, it doesn't come as a desire for attention from taekookers, liek clout for his photobook, but rather him wanting to share how close he is to jk, and not just to tkkrs but everyone, maybe feeding shippers isn't the correct term tho idk, either way fanservice and feeding shippers when it comes from idols themselves I don't mind much, it is part of their job and sometimes I do think they do it without even realizing it, and sometimes it's clearly the company either putting them in units the fans want to see and doing content with the ship they usually push and know people like and will want to see, I think the difference tho is when the members do it and when the company pushes narratives, that's when it starts to get icky to me, cus they're always so blatant about it, especially these recent articles

sorry this is a long ass rant again, I feel like I keep repeating myself🙈 anyway imo vminkook are all good friends and they like to show that to armys, and I believe taekook may or may not be together and that they also occasionally do fanservice cus they like to show they're close to armys and now armys and obviously tkkrs will like it

Hi anon!

I think in broad terms fanservice is the things they do to excite army. It’s stuff that has entertainment value.That can be several things, like engaging in funny behavior during a show, posting group pics, posting pics with members, mentioning each other, taping certain content, honestly a really long list of things. As you mentioned, I also think fanservice is aimed around army as a whole.

The existence of fanservice does not however mean that they never do or say things that are for themselves though. They are human, they want to share certain things because they want us to know or understand a certain part of them. I mean, they talk about hard stuff at times and share how that makes them feel.. that’s hardly fanservice, so if we accept that their negative emotions are a factor in what they share, why is it hard to accept that their positive emotions can also be shared because of a wish to be honest. I think sometimes something is fanservice and other times it is not 🤷🏻‍♀️. That does mean there’s always gonna be fandom discussion about which moments are and which aren’t though ���.

Yes absolutely, Vminkook are the best of friends! No but seriously.. that Vmin hug when Jin got released healed parts of my heart I did not know were broken. These men have gone through a lifetime of memories together. I think it is very possible they agreed to not let shippers come between them.

[anthonybialy]

No Confusion Over Who Runs Biden White House

Divided sects are split under Joe Biden.  Making fractions even smaller is his specialty.  You already knew such if you’ve checked your bank account and grocery receipt.

It’s not just the country as a whole that’s feuding.  Fighting within a party is particularly amusing for the allegedly peace-loving one in question.  The inability to find consensus is one way to flaunt diversity.

Democrats argue amongst themselves about whether Joe Biden is too addled to pass their agenda.  Who wins?  The nation.  The only time the incumbent embarrassed himself more than during his present bout with clarity was when he was thinking at his fullest.

The Jill Biden/Barack Obama presidency seeks its first full faux term after their semi-victory.  If this seems shady, you’re familiar with their work.  Two all-time manipulators head a shady cast of bumbling interdictors who see the befuddled patriarch’s sad condition as an opportunity.  Remember: they’re the selfless ones.

The same signature-forgers who cornered Joe in the Oval Office early after his election want to selflessly serve as head of state while their addled potato holds the titled.  Their marionette skills have grown more blatant.  The strings become more visible as they get more practice.  Choosing between fibbing to conceal their intentions and being forced to admit their putzing schemes makes them perfect Democrats.

Trying to remove Biden because he wouldn’t be able to pass their agenda shows how much Democrats care.  It’s not about a person.  Telling everyone else what to do even though they’re demonstrably awful at it is their guiding passion.  Elder abuse isn’t a qualm nagging at designers of a new country and humanity who simply need office access.  Class warfare bullies figure heartless tycoons are just as amorally calculating.  The lack of empathy is thorough.

This presidency growing even faker would at least keeping them from inflicting more claptrap.  The political power his faction craves disappears alongside memories of what his name is.

What fortunes could escape squandering thanks to an executive who can’t muster authority on account of still wearing his bathrobe?  Without a quasi-coherent Biden, college enrollees might have to pay for what they use, which is the most important lesson they can learn.  Discovering billing for services is way more useful than whatever’s presented in sociology classes.

An uncivil civil war features lots of hair-pulling.  The cause is as funny as the action.  Conflict originated in debating if their leader is too torpid to screw up the economy more.  Intramural anger at least keeps them from focusing on their ultimate daft goal.

Facing a propped-up established failure seems like the easiest election to win.  But you underestimate the ability of Republicans to embarrass clowns with comparisons that go too far against relatively dignified circuses.  A foe that’s forgotten what conservatism is advocates for equality by not nominating someone who’d embarrass the incumbent with a certain win.  You must want a competitive election unless you loathe democracy.

Longterm benefits come accidentally when the two options fight to lose.  Republicans would end up in better shape than after another Trump presidency.  We just have to endure another term dedicated to a slightly different kind of suffering.  Anyone realistic enough to know that’s what life’s about is already braced for woe unlike liberals who inflict it unnecessarily and excessively by striving to eliminate it.

An unfathomable re-election would be like hurricane preparation for the nation.  Stormy conditions have been so constant that homeowners can put up plywood via muscle memory.  Wiser Supreme Court justices holding on through the gusts would prove their resilience on top of constitutional fidelity.  Liberty fans hate to make the same calculation about valuing people based on how useful they are politically.  But Democrats surely respect others playing their game.

Ditching Biden is a bipartisan dream.  Entrenched fossilization keeps everyone in the current era from happiness.  Saddling themselves with an extinct dodo is the closest Democrats come to restraining government.  Dodging implementation is based in their ineptness, so everything works out.

Anyone looking at the current president who says they want him serving into 2029 can’t credibly claim anything they believe works.  Biden’s minions are trying to commit insurance fraud regarding a policy they took out on America.  The grasshopper grifters of the sensei grow increasingly less convincing that they’re out to help.

Grandpa refusing to switch the locks shows the benefits of limiting how much of an influence people like him have in our lives.  His sole worthwhile contribution takes the form of a bad example, which doesn’t surprise anyone who heard him speak decades ago.

It took a tremendous amount of agony to learn why getting rich without working makes everyone poor.  Everyone promise to remember this time.  We’ve endured obvious scams for a couple centuries.  The present White House is limited by more than painful actuality.  

The promise of fecklessness from idiots is ironically their best chance of winning besides running against a Trump.  A Silver Alert for Biden while he’s standing right there shows the joy of absence.  I’d feel guilty if his friends and family cared.  Not having government invade your life to make it even worse is the upside of a president who no longer possesses the vigor to annoy.

Biden is a bad idea because of his bad ideas.  The crafty elder is limited by his inability to read sentences a sentient human wrote for him, much less form them on his own.  The presidential office is without the president, who is busy with his slot car tournament.  He’s the only entrant.  The best hope for everyone not competing is that he’s too feeble to ruin other races.  Refusing to let him sit on a porch and try to chase birds could save the republic.

[regarding-stories]

The Dangers in my Heart

A few months ago I got a manga promotion for "The Dangers in my Heart", the series going on sale in anticipation of the upcoming anime adaptation. I tried a sample and was put off and didn't look any further.

You see, the series starts out with a weird setup. Kyotaro Ichikawa is a middle school kid and loner entertaining delusional revenge fantasies, something very similar to the so-called "8th grade syndrome" where kids of that age indulge in fantasies of being powerful like their anime and manga heroes. Except Ichikawa conjures up images of murdering popular kids and keeps his books in wrappers with titles like "Murder Encyclopedia".

Anticipating that this series would involve more cringe and delve deeper into that mindset than it actually does, I did not dig further.

What really happens is that the rather short Kyotaru actually keeps having run-ins with the popular Anna - who is nothing like what he imagined her to be. Even late in the series he imagines her to be making fun of him, when in reality she is mostly a ditz that obsesses about food and has a kind disposition.

(Anna) Yamada is modeling as a part-time job and is already a head taller than Ichikawa. Her 172 cm height and mature figure certainly make her the focus of attention of most male classmates, and the school's "pickup artist" keeps pressuring her for her LINE contact.

Ichikawa, however, gets to know the real Yamada. A girl who hides in the library to be by herself and snack to her heart's content. Who never had a boyfriend and lets her best friend ward off guys pursuing her. And in spite of Kyotaro's paranoid expectations, she doesn't really judge anyone or behave like a snob, but is kind and also quite naive.

As these shows go, the both of them fall in love, but the setup guarantees some complications. Kyotaro has to gradually realize that he thinks about her so often not out of "taking her down" but that he is actually crushing on her. But even when he does, he completely dismisses any and all of the plentiful hints that she is interested in him. Unsurprisingly he has an inferiority complex.

What makes the series work are the wonderful main characters and how the story unfolds. Kyotaro is actually quite bashful but right from the start tries to channel his feelings into keeping Yamada from being put into a bad spot, playing the white knight while jumping through mental hoops in his own logic. Yamada figures out her interest in Ichikawa quite early and becomes a driving force, and her advances are sweet and ensure that the story goes forward.

What the story does without is people randomly falling on each other or on each other's face. If there are "getting close incidents" they are carefully manufactured out of the characters' actions, and often quite charming - like walking home hand in hand.

Yes, there will be some pubescent boy stuff, but most of the time it's adding realism - a growing up boy's mind is a strange place - instead of trying to do blatant fan service. And our protagonist at least tries to keep his motives pure - which makes him the sole boy doing so appearing on screen.

While sometimes naive, Anna is not an idiot. She knows what she wants and goes for it, the author doesn't resort to creating stand-off conditions that will go on and on. Instead there is a steady and well-executed pacing, and also a lot of humor in the story, and the cringe is kept to a necessary minimum. Love it!

[curseofpower]

im just going to send this as an ask to u instead its own post, but i definitely believe nintendo just does not like ganondorf like...in the slightest. not a conspiracy theorist i swear but from how they added him last minute to ssb and copy pasted another characters moveset to him and then added him last minute AGAIN to tp for fan service (totk also but...more blatant) they dont like him but they really like using him to boost sales... 😐😐 i feel like his characterization is far too...out of nintendos scope of writing and they dont know how to proceed without going too dark. sorry for the long ask 🫥

I'm not entirely sure that's the case, since there was clearly SOMEONE on the team who loved Ganondorf. We already knew that from the start. I'm sure there are others. I just think the whole 'we NEED the player to HATE this guy' took precedence over… literally everything else in the end at least in totk's case. I'm not entirely sure about ssb when it comes to its meta or anything, though, I've heard he's a hard character to play but people still do main him and win. It's a good way to put people in their place. lol. As a fan, I don't think I'd mind too much if they kept fan servicing me. I just hope they're less blatant on the in-world hate next time around. It … really made me sad. :/

Like making the gerudo people literally repent for his existence was a bit… much. I get it… he became a demon because he succumbed to the corruption of the gloom/malice from the depths (either from having gone down there to investigate himself or from the water supply being poisoned, either option can be a certainty since the gerudo were the only race in ancient times to investigate the Zonai's mining operations that were otherwise covered up by said race before they fucked off)... but god damn, who was he before that? We know he couldn't have been a bad leader or even a bad guy necessarily. None of that is mentioned, but I'm sure it was written. Just cut out and I'm pretty sure we the fans weren't the only ones kinda bummed about that. If the trailer was anything to go by.

It's easy to lose hope when you're surrounded by haters. It's why I don't use twitter. The algorithm literally wants you to see that shit. (The shit you disagree with I mean) because it generates engagement. And really, idiots are easy to ignore when you limit your social media and curate your own experiences. I write Ganondorf as sympathetic and know other people do as well, and really that's all we as fans can do to help the situation. Just keep making the content you want to see and you'll notice just how many other people want it, too.

[cipher-fresh]

[ID: Tags reading "#sorry but prev tags#i love ethan peck spock but he doesnt feel like spock#they are trying to have character development for a character that doesnt develop for another 10 years#like you cant have a character try to accept their emotions when that character 12 years later#is ashamed to feel friendship#also i love tpring as much as the next dyke#but spock is supposed to be neutral about her#what he likes about her is the conformity" and "#star trek#star trek original series#SNW is a prequel that HATES being a prequel#that's one of its main problems#it hates having to lead up to TOS#which like I can understand if people don't like TOS#they're wrong but I get it and it's fine#but the SNW writers want to use the nostalgia and environment of TOS without having to acknowledge where they're going#SNW would be 1000% better if they just didn't make it a prequel to TOS#we don't need clunky hands turning Spock into their white straight white wish fulfillment puppet#and I wouldn't be so mad at the blatant disregard for lore and themes and all the good star trek stuff if it wasn't a story with characters#that have been around for 60 years! Like I know these dudes everyone knows these dudes why are doing this to them#It's a TOS prequel written by people who haven't watched TOS in 20 years and are uninterested in anything TOS can give them writing wise#other than cheap fan service and the ability to graft good character onto their new versions#WHATEVER#I'm normal it's fine" /End ID]

star trek writers need to accept that they are Never beating the gay spock allegations

[theromanticscrooge]

Note: This is an unfinished draft that’s been slightly edited and sitting in my Drafts for months. I’m sharing what I have so far because I feel like it.

"Is Reigen sexy?" starts arguments. It's a question that enters Poe's Law territory.

Reigen has a “just a guy” character design that veers towards ugly or grotesque for comedic effect in the manga. Most of ONE’s characters could be considered average-looking, everyday people. There’s few exceptions and these characters are usually described as attractive by other characters or through dialogue and context clues. Serizawa has a thought bubble about Reigen being popular with lady clients. Going off of that line, Reigen could be considered physically attractive. Or perhaps his charisma bumps him up a little higher than he would be considered otherwise? Another argument in favor of “Reigen is sexy” is the idea his looks would win him more clients and jobs than he might get otherwise. The counter is that he charges bargain-bin rates, has a weird array of “jack of all trades” skills, and grade A salesman skills. There’s a laundry list of reasons for Reigen’s success that have nothing to do with looks. In short, there’s no direct confirmation in the manga that Reigen is attractive.

Before the anime adaptation came out, a joke in the manga expressed Reigen's desire to be seen as an attractive, bishounen-esque character in the anime adaptation. Studio Bones' response is that Reigen has scenes where the camera full-on ogles and objectifies him. He wipes sweat out of his face with the effortless grace of a L'oreal model. When he pulls off his clothes and takes a shower, his neck, back, and overall movement are choreographed in a very specific, carefully curated, fan service-y manner. It's set up like stereotypical shots in other anime that draw attention to jiggling boobs, six pack abs, skirts moving just so around the thighs. It's both a subversion on and deliberate recreation of the pandering male gaze shots that litter so many other anime.

The L’oreal model scenes are complemented by how often Reigen looks gross or ghoulish. Look at the burger-devouring scene right before Reigen delivers the iconic “You are the protagonist of your own life” line. Reigen is getting crumbs everywhere and his mouth stretches as wide as the animators can manage. Another fantastic example is the sequence where Reigen insists to Dimple he’s doing fine without Mob and describes Mob as a “snot-nosed middle schooler.” 

There’s a frantic desperation in his movements; an extra dimension of obnoxiousness and snark than usual. In most scenes, his face, mannerisms, gestures, and all get extra flourishes and exaggeration. He only looks as good as the framing and context of a scene dictate. He gets special treatment the same way Bugs Bunny gets a win by cartoon logic. If Studio Bones wants sexy Reigen or ghoulish Reigen, the visuals will morph and warp to that specific vision as much as they need to.

Arguably, most characters that get so openly objectified have at least one blatant sex appeal quality to them. For example, and probably the closest relevant one, look at Satoru Gojo from Jujutsu Kaisen. In Gojo’s case, he has an attractive design in both the manga and anime. He has an air of mystery and angst to him. The mangaka has openly advised against picking Gojo as a romantic partner due to his flippant attitude towards romantic relationships. But that still makes Gojo appealing in that “unavailable asshole” way. I’m not condoning that behavior; more acknowledging that it’s a thing some people find appealing. In short, Gojo’s design and character make him an obvious, albeit unconventional, choice for getting objectified.

[superduperkas]

It's so funny to me, the reasoning people have for straight up hating on The Legend of Korra because none of it really makes any sense to me:

"She's a Mary Sue/she loses all the time" First, pick a lane. Second, she can't be Mary Sue because she's literally the Avatar. Third, in general, even the most skilled people in their area lose and lose a lot. Importantly, she always gets back up even when she's had her ass beat. There is truly no such thing as an overnight sensation.

"Aang would've..." KORRA. IS. NOT. AANG. Which is the point of following her journey (a different person) and not his

"Korra's personality and personability are awful" All of these reasons are super reductive and wreak of misogyny but this does the most. She was literally raised in captivity by soldiers and without others her age until she was almost an adult and had figure everything out for herself once she was in the general populace. As for her being brash and hard headed, sorry to inform you but lots of women like this exist. Just because Aang was chill and patient guy doesn't mean all the Avatars are gonna be like him. Actually, it's canonically almost the opposite. The one who was closest to him in personality died in his 30s

"They ruined ATLA characters" They did not ruin them, they further developed them into their adult selves. Their adults selves wouldn't be the same as their pre-teen and teenage selves. A lot of growth and change happened with them before Korra was Avatar. And on that topic...

"Aang wouldn't have been a bad father" Y'all jumped to this conclusion yourselves based upon small aspects of how his kids viewed him. He wasn't a bad father, he was just a father. All parents are people and therefore flawed and fallible. Aang isn't immune to this just because he's him; he's still human

"Korrasami is fan service" Sigh. The signs are there throughout Seasons 3 & 4. Of course they aren't blatant because it's a queer relationship on a network for children and the show had already been pulled from airing on live TV for mature themes

I could say more but I'll leave it at this, ATLA and TLOK were made by the same visionaries wanting to tell different stories set in the same universe, just because their vision doesn't align with what your headcanon is doesn't make it trash.

If you don't like it, you could just be quiet.

[strangersinwinter]

All the love to Severitus fans but personally I always took Harry and Snape’s relationship to be more like brothers than that of a child and parent. Two brothers caught up in the machinations of their well respected but undoubtedly eccentric father. 

Snape complaining to Dumbledore about how he trusts Harry and not him even though he is the one who has been working his tail off for him, begrudging how heavily Dumbledore relies on him when he repays him by being stingy with the truth and refusing him comfort when he needs it just screams older sibling to me. He’s almost jealous of how Dumbledore pays special attention to Harry, how he trusts Harry with information that he does not trust with Severus and this is so like an eldest brother who suffered through his father’s rough handling as a child only to see how those hands have turned soft when it comes to the younger brother. Where was all this emotional intelligence and competence when I was a kid, old man? Look how easily affectionate words roll off the tongue when it comes to Harry: he tells Harry that he loves him, he apologises when he has wronged him, he comforts Harry when he is experiencing emotional upheaval. Yet he treats Severus with a cold contempt, taking his service for granted while dismissing him when he is practically pleading for reassurance or validation.

Did Dumbledore ever apologise to Severus? He was certainly entitled to an apology, many times I’d say, over the course of their relationship. Obviously the series is from Harry’s point of view so we will never get the full story but judging from the frosty tone of their conversations I somehow doubt that he has ever been as tender to Severus as he is to Harry. Some of that has to do with age I suppose, Harry is a child after all and should be treated delicately as such. But Severus was once a child too. Do you think Dumbledore would have treated Harry the way he did Severus when he was a child? Would he have covered for Harry’s bullies the way he did Severus’s? Would he have silenced Harry from speaking out against them when he nearly lost his life because of their cruelty and his indifference the way he silenced Severus? You can’t tell me that event didn’t galvanise Severus into turning away from Dumbledore and his side so it’s laughable to me that he dares to judge Severus for his mistakes. He uses Severus’s past as a leash to control and sedate him (You owe me) without so much as a thought to the part he played in pushing him toward the wrong direction. Seems awfully familiar, neglectful parent throws their son’s mistakes in his face to guilt him into helping them out without acknowledging how their own failings had a hand in him making those mistakes. 

And the way Severus damn near begs for Dumbledore’s affection/validation at times makes me cringe. You trust him and not me? What of my soul, mine? You haven’t forgotten how he tried to kill me, have you? He’s practically screaming at him look at me! What about me! I’m a person too! I’m important too! And to see him denied every single time is just too much. The extent of Dumbledore’s validation to Severus is affirming his usefulness: You’ve done well, Severus. I’m fortunate to have you, Severus. Thank you, Severus. The fact that he is stricken by a throwaway comment that perhaps they Sort too soon is just blatant evidence of how starved for affection this poor bastard is. 

Maybe a part of the reason he hated Harry so much stemmed from being envious of how easily he received love and validation from Dumbledore when he had to earn his with blood. Harry begins to see how similar they are toward the end of DH, how they were on parallel journeys, how he sat where Snape sat, stood where Snape stood and vice versa. Perhaps if Snape had lived they could have reconciled as siblings often do once they have spent sufficient years away from the childhood home and memories. But we’ll never really know for sure. 

[fuckzachariah]

Zach, momentarily disengaged from his surroundings, stared at the food on his fork for a reluctant second. He pushed the prongs between his teeth, pulling the noodles from the utensil, letting the cooling pasta sit flat on his tongue as he decided whether or not to commit to the bite. Breathing through his nose, he swallowed mostly without chewing, then blinked into the present. Okay, he thought, I can do that a couple more times. As was his routine in situations he felt uprooted within, he found it difficult to eat anything; flavors he otherwise found delicious tested bland upon his tongue, textures became too aggressive, temperatures too off-putting. His appetite would visit him much later, like a haunting in the night - he knew his routine by now. He would be roused from sleep with a hunger-incited stomach cramp and be forced to traverse the darkened hotel so as not to wake his sleeping girlfriend, then pick through their lunch leftovers in the fridge, maybe even whisper his 24 hour room service order into the phone. The thought of Alex’s phone in his pocket kept peace safely at bay. His attention was then wrangled by Andrew, promising his time was on the horizon. Zach raised his eyebrows, the corners of his lips struggling not to upturn. This, he thought, was obvious. His ego was a confusing cocktail of over-inflated and permanently destroyed; but, when it came to his career, Zach felt almost untouchable. His fanbase not only seemed to survive through his scandals and long stretches of absence, but exponentially grow. For some reason, the more elusive and distant he became, the more the public seemed to reel and yearn for his return. Even if he tried to fade into obscurity, it would be a difficult task to keep him there. Not when the fans' hunger for him was insatiable. He suspected this was why Kylie was accepted so eagerly by them, despite his former management’s reluctance to allow him a public relationship. She offered them glimpses of him, she brought him out of the house and in front of cameras. So she was welcomed. “Fretting rescinded,” he answered, a little wry.

Kylie was reliably chatty; this trait frequently allowed him to slink unnoticed into silence, and he was usually happy there. Without the drugs, he found his penchant for being central to a groups’ attention had waned almost entirely. Observant by nature, he was far more content as a watcher, only piping up when called upon. Kylie happily afforded him this luxury, understanding intuitively when he did and didn’t want to be involved. However, his attention was piqued as she harped upon a conversation between herself and Alex he had not been present for. He turned to look at Alex, her brutally exquisite face tilted just-so. He chewed on the inside of his cheek, chest inflating. Her dancing; it had waned when she was with him, her time and energy consumed by his unpredictability, by his violent demands to love and be loved. Though he felt guilty for this, he was pleased that his suspicion had been correct; the smooth carving of her thighs, arms, the cut of her waist. They were different, tailored into a new shape by her dancing. He blinked, looking away, willing himself not to imagine what differences he might find under her clothes. In his aversion, he caught Kylie’s face, which for a moment flickered at the mention of dancing. He remembered vaguely indicating to her that his ex had been a dancer. He swallowed, stabbing at another mouthful of pasta to appear busy. As he chewed slowly, he devised a new lie; if she were to ask, Alice would be a professionally working contemporary dancer. Never seen a pointe shoe in her life. Zach smiled to himself, happy for Alex. 

Andrew indicated he had tried to bring Alex onboard the Label. Zach looked at her, deducing in a second that her reasons for declining were blatant; not only would she be actively avoiding himself and Kylie, but he couldn’t imagine working for her partner for a second time was something she’d like to repeat, after the cataclysmic failure of the first. She had never taken her father up on his job offers, never enjoyed being under the thumb of anyone she was personally involved with; not even a gentle, loving thumb, such as Andrew’s. He could not fend off his vague smirk upon hearing Andrew’s assurance he would convince her in the end. Of course he couldn’t. Still, it didn’t mean Zach wouldn’t like to toy with the idea. Kylie preened. “Teaching classes is impressive in and of itself. You can’t teach if you’re no good,” she touted her fork in Alex’s direction. “What kind of dancing, anyway? I know you told Andrew no-” Andrew politely interrupted. “Drew,” he reminded her. She nodded, laughing. “Right. Drew. Sorry. But I had this idea for a music video with ballet dancers - you don’t have to be in it, obviously, even though I’d love for you to. But we would need a choreographer.” Drew politely shook his head, laughing it off as a passing comment, and Kylie took the hint. “Let’s record the song first, Kylie,” he reigned her in. Zach eyed him, not particularly fond of his parental tone or verbiage. He sat up a little straighter, pushing his champagne flute away. “She recorded it already. At my home studio. So if it’s recording rights you’re worried about, don’t,” he flashed a smile, “it’s only me.” Leaning his elbows onto the table, he turned his sharklike attention to Alex, aglow in her emitted wash of pearlescent light. “Do you do ballet, Alex?”

Kylie’s voice resonated with a delicate sweetness, much like the gentle touch of fingers grazing against the neck. At first glance, she appeared as charming as a doll, yet Alex could not shake the suspicion that hidden beneath her pleasant façade were a set of concealed talons. This arose the moment she assertively intertwined her fingers with Zach’s, dragging him through the tour of Andrew’s luxe penthouse apartment. Kylie, seemingly perturbed and watchful of her boyfriend’s wandering gaze, was determined not to leave them alone. Initially interpreted as a display of possessiveness for her, Alex now wondered if it were instead a subtle warning to Zach. To the best of her knowledge, he had never betrayed her by being unfaithful. While their relationship had seen its share of trust issues, those instances occurred during different phases but never when they were actively together. Yet, she couldn’t ignore the fact that she had only known him in the context of their relationship. Considering his unwavering commitment to self-improvement, as he suggested, it seemed unlikely that he would jeopardize it by engaging in any form of infidelity. The principle of being a better person and straying from one’s partner seemed incompatible. So, why was she allowing her insecurities to overshadow her trust in him? Alex’s connection with Andrew was solid, and she thought their actions communicated as much. Was there something that might have given her the impression that Alex was interested in reciprocating?

Regardless, Kylie seemed content with the offered apology. Whatever weight she carried on her shoulders appeared to have been momentarily lifted. Perhaps this was an opportunity to start fresh. Alex’s laughter bubbled into her glass of champagne at Kylie’s admission, finding it cute the importance placed on her meeting with Andrew. However, Alex could not personally relate to such sentiments. She had always been aware of her own value, a quality that seemed to attract those seeking her affection. Confident in who she was and what she brought to the table, the question was never about her worthiness to someone else. They either embraced her as she was or let their sordid fantasies about her fade away. The shade of pink Kylie wore wouldn’t have mattered to Andrew; he had never expressed any interest or concern in her appearance, acknowledging only the obvious fact that she was as beautiful as her voice. This sparked curiosity in Alex about her potential longevity in the industry and her relationship with Zach. Both endeavors demanded confidence. Alex considered that Kylie might have only known Zach in his retired state and pondered how things might change once he reentered the limelight. He would undoubtedly garner attention, and the challenges from admirers might be more relentless than anything Alex was capable of. If Kylie aimed to make it, she would need to toughen up quickly. Andrew’s plans for Zach were rapidly taking shape, and it was only a matter of time being he embarked on a massive sweep of the industry.

Alex interjected, “You were worried about him? He’s the gentlest soul you’ll ever meet. Don’t let the title fool you.” She playfully nudged Andrew, who responded by raising his champagne glass toward his lips. His brow arched as he took a sip, “Sure, sure,” he admitted. He was well aware of his amiable demeanor, but also understood the art of switching gears, easily transitioning into a determined force when navigating more challenging situations. Like a shark in deep water, he knew when to reveal his more assertive side and when to gracefully retreat into his softer nature, adapting to the needs of his audience. Kylie continued, expressing her gratitude for their willingness to accommodate Zach’s preference for non-alcoholic beverages. Even without Kylie finishing her statement, she understood the underlying implication. It did strike her as odd that Andrew was in such a hurry for more champagne earlier, especially with an abundance of bottles around. The realization dawned her only now that Zach’s need for something different was the reason for this urgency. Her lips pressed together, contemplating this change. It could either signify his triumphant journey toward sobriety after years’ long struggles, or perhaps Kylie was attempting to steer him towards healthier choices, hoping he would embrace a positive change in his lifestyle. In either case, she found herself feeling proud of him for accomplishing something he desperately needed.

Zach’s footsteps echoed behind her, and she stole a brief glance over her shoulder at him. A lingering gaze would only add to the awkwardness, a lesson she had just learned through experience. As he circled around the table, it was evident that he had picked on the fact that they had been discussing him, or at least someone had been. Kylie quickly shifted, immersing herself once again in the effusive praise that Andrew lavished upon her. He nodded in agreement, playing along with Kylie’s taunts directed toward Zach. It was clear that Andrew possessed a keen sense of navigating these situations. He made sure not to make Kylie uncomfortable, especially in meetings tailored for her. Maybe he understood the potential for animosity between the two stars, despite their underlying love for each other. What intrigued her even more was the recent change in Andrew’s focus, talking about Zach more than Kylie now. Though he was eager to get Zach alone to discuss the revamping of his career, he remained respectful, striking a balance between his ambitions and consideration for Kylie. He chuckled at Zach’s response, offering a reassuring reminder, “Your time is coming Zach. No need to fret,” though he was certain Zach was not overly concerned.

Alex continued to nurse her champagne, tapping her manicured nails gently against the glass. She was surprised to hear Kylie address her again, sensing a newfound ease in their interaction. She turned toward her, her brow arching with intrigue as Kylie probed for more information about her. “Dance recitals. I started teaching this past year at a studio here. That’s usually what I’m doing with my free time these days if I’m not chasing him around the world.” Andrew cleared his throat, adjusting in his chair to playfully correct her, “I could be the one chasing you if you would consider taking it more seriously, but you don’t want to work for the Label. I get it. I hear their CEO is a real pain in the ass anyways.” Her eyes rolled softly, delicate dimples appearing at the corners of her lips as she smiled, “Yeah, he is. And he gives me way too much credit.” He shrugged his shoulders, savoring the last sip of his champagne with a smack of his lips, “One day I’ll get you. I always do,” he asserted confidently. Despite his assurance, there was no way she would agree now. Even with his most tempting offer, the prospect of working regularly and intimately with either Zach or Kylie made it an immediate decline out of fear. Alex shook her head dismissing the topic, “Anyways. It’s a new thing. I haven’t been this active since I was like…sixteen. It’s not as impressive as he’s make it seem.”