tekitourants

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進撃の巨人// AoT Review:

Yes, took me awhile to finally dive into this cult fav. Finally did and I just have a lot to say so here’s a critical review that no one asked for.

“過去に囚われ、未来に誘導され”

ようこそ、残酷な希望なき世界へ。

Shingeki no Kyojin isn't afraid to get dark. It’s a brutal world where the lines between good and evil are constantly blurred. That's why I have to give credit to Hajime-sensei for tackling such mature themes. The exploration of the sins of the past and their impact on the present is undeniably powerful. The concept of self-punishment and generational burden in an enclosed world setting, while perhaps under-developed, draws a critical parallel to real-world historical cycles of violence.

But here's where the narrative falters for me: AoT focus on Eren narrows the scope of the story. We never truly see the world through other characters' eyes. The series elevates Titans to a near-mythological status solely based on bloodlines, neglecting the potential for a more nuanced exploration of political conflict. Imagine delving into the motivations and societal structures of Marley, or witnessing a more potent internal struggles for power within Paradis' government. It had potential but focusing on Eren essentially shuts this exploration.

What truly frustrates me is Eren's character development.

Eren Yeager's descent into villainy, while undeniably dramatic, felt like a missed opportunity. His motivations as an "angsty teen with future memories" lacked nuance, and his solution – the Rumbling – was a self-justified descent into violence. The world of AoT is meticulously crafted, rife with complex political machinations. Surely, with the power of the Founding Titan, Eren could have explored more strategic, (and to stick with dark fantasy theme) anti-heroic options. Negotiations, leveraging Paradis' hidden tech, or even the ethically dubious path of Zeke's euthanasia plan – all presented potentially more interesting narratives than the world-ending Rumbling. Perhaps, I was just… frustrated by the narrowness of everyone’s mind, each one a slave to their own problems.

Eren's journey, while tragic, felt like a downer ending to a series brimming with potential. The story does an excellent job of making you uncomfortable and angry, which is a testament to Isayama's storytelling. The setting, the world-making, and the themes are all incredible. But for me, the series falters by failing to break the cycle of violence through its protagonist. Letting the fans think is great, but with Eren's arc, there's a lingering sense of hopelessness that just doesn't resonate with me personally. Accepting the extreme choices that Eren made, that the Yaegerists fell into, and all the darkness and misery feels like a validation I refuse to give to real-life bad decisions made under the pressure of やむを得ない//“there’s no better way”.

Eren's character arc feels like a self-directed (自作自演) tragedy. His motivations are heavily influenced by his own premonitions, which limits his agency and makes him a pawn of his own fate. This deterministic approach to character development, while thought-provoking, ultimately feels unsatisfying.

Anyways, my opinion is my own and I admit that AoT successfully made me a critical fan and I appreciate the experience but as an avid, veteran anime-watcher, I just find it hard to fall in love with the series because I just can’t vibe with the characters 🥴🔫

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About to breakdown in the train & I have zero persons to talk to 🙂

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Yall know the trend where “my 15 y/o would be shocked to see me now” going around on ig n tiktok?

Yeah, my 15y/o would be shocked too…

To know that i’m still alive n kicking.

🙃

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When a guy accidentally refer to himself by his name when talking to you 🤭🌝

Doesn’t usually work with English-speaking people, prolly more of an Asian ting but wtv it is, idk what it is it’s the opp of pet peeve, i think it’s lovable 🫣🤍

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I pity my normie friends when I drop my depression and anxiety bombs when they least expect them and had to sit through with me awkwardly and trying to be nice and shit 🙃

Yall are nice people, thank you. But nobody ever offered a hug or stops the car to listen so I guess that’s it, huh?

When people ask why I don’t talk to others abt my demons, this is THE reason 🌝

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I am so scared of feeling comfortable, especially with another person. Scares me so much I got depressed after a good day with new acquaintances outside 🫣🫠

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Asphyxiated by my own sufferings — depression is so much harder when you have nothing to blame on except for your own ungratefulness 🙃

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YALLLLLL I MISSED BIG TIMEEEE WAS SO BUSY WTH AND LIKE…

MASHIMA-SENSEI ashdfghhjkl !!!

I h8 u cause i want my NaLu but awwwwwww what’s with this soft Gray???! The illusion he saw in Elentir must have made him miss Juvia (even moreeee 🤪) look at him genuinely happy upon seeing her aww my heart 🥺🥺🥺💜💜💜

Andddd mi lord save my heart OMG double dose of happiness because straightforward Erza? YESS PLEASE?! And like Jellal, what do u even need to think over anyway you are already pseudo-fairytail member babe 😂😂😂 please come join FT and just freaking marry her already 😭😮‍💨💗

Anyways, Chapter 90: Return - thank you Mashima-sensei. Please, for the love of God, just start a NaLu arc please. Thank you 😮‍💨😌

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And in my book, we call this

G R O W T H 🤌🏻✨

Not exactly BNHA fanatic, but I just so happened to read all Shounen Jump’s series’ latest chapters on Jump+ and these latest BNHA chapters are 🥺💗🤧

Bakugou is a good boi afterall 👀💗

Now, Ochako’s next!

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SAMURAI JAPAN WON!!!

Being able to witness this history-making momentous moment is just so precious, even from behind a screen, and I… 😭😭😭😭💗💗💗💗

2-0 against USA, talk about tight defense!

And like momma, gold after last best - Atlanta 1996, silver- is just 😭😭😭 superb job Samurai!! お見事でした！

The fact that the game is won in a very Japanese way is vital, telling everyone and future baseball players that Japanese Baseball is also world-class 🤌🏻✨

お疲れ様でした、みんな❣️

I am so freaking happy 💗🔥

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The satisfaction when Kai hits sayonara timely and i 😭😭😭✊🏻✊🏻✨✨✨🔥🔥🔥🔥

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Basically 80% rooting for them because they are one of two of my favourite teams (the other being Brazil) and the other 20% just me starstrucked by their forms because man, they literally hop, step, jump and F-L-Y 🔥✊🏻🥺🤍

Welcoming

龍神NIPPON

to the series!!

So I couldn’t decide on one person so I just went with several of them in action and I am actually very satisified with this piece (even if it is not the best because my wrist was screaming STAHPp hahaha)

Needless to say I support them wholeheartedly, regardless of the results because yes, competitive sports is about winning medals but that’s not the entire point. Speaking from experience, albeit on a very modest scale, once you feel burdened to win, once you start losing joy out of sports, you won’t be able to perform your best and that sucks worse than losing games.

頑張れ日本🇯🇵！

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I did say I might turn this into an Olympic blog for a while 😂🤪

When you in the Olympic mood, we start a series. And we start with -

Osaka Naomi ✨🔥

Her hair is so fly I just had to draw her 🤌🏻🤍

She lost against Czech player today but issokay because Osaka is still our queen 🤍🤍🤍

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Might turn this into Olympic commentary blog for a bit but Ryujin Nippon won against Venezuela today!!

Was an okay game, lots of errors from both sides and short rallies too.

But Ishikawa [Jersey #14, Japan’s Ace] really outshined everyone 😆 he literally

Attacks,

Blocks,

Saves…

Like boi…

Ace Supremacy🤭🥺✨✊🏻

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Tokyo Olympic 2020

Drone choreography be giving me isekai vibe and i love it 😭🤌🏻✨

How I wish I could be there now 🥲

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No Justice, No Peace.  Quote from Emiliano Zapata

Art by Liberal Jane