themapleler

[themapleler]

I spent a day or two digging through BKMN for analysis, and I’ve got some interesting stuff to share! 

CWs: referenced sexual assault, murder, pregnancy

I'm writing this so that anyone could read it and have some understanding of it, even if they haven't read BKMN. This isn’t a formal essay and there isn’t one specific point that I’m getting at, but I’d argue that the central theme of the story is desire vs coercion.

WEGG

Wegg is the protagonist of BKMN and the symbolism around his storyline isn’t particularly subtle. It’s about finding acceptance as a man, especially following loss of bodily autonomy in sexual assault (unfortunately tends to be viewed as feminine). Following debatably consensual sex with the Swans, Wegg is cursed to die every month, a pretty clear parallel to menstruation, and then he “gives birth” to Calum. The connections from the assault to these things, very dysphoria-inducing for many transmascs, and his need to find meaning and masculinity of his own, I think exemplify the central theme of the book.

His desire for  masculinity and acceptance are very present through the entire book. Even his mannerisms and speech seem very intentionally masculinized, especially in contrast with mild-mannered Neighbor. I’d be surprised if this wasn’t purposeful on his part! In a symbolic sense, he finds acceptance and recognition with Neighbor, another trans person, when he explains his need to die each month and Neighbor takes it in stride. Despite the loss of autonomy he experienced and how it continues to affect him, he finds a place for himself among other trans people. Moreover, he’s homeless - lacking acceptance and community - until he moves in with Neighbor, and when he says that he doesn’t typically eat enough, from then on we see Neighbor cook or buy him food constantly. The symbolism here is pretty strong I think! Wegg feels that he is only accepted or loved when performing a femininity that he hates (as victim/messiah for the Swans and also demonstrated in the flashbacks to his past) until he finds others like him. 

NEIGHBOR

Neighbor is a super interesting way to write a trans character and weave transness into their storyline, in my opinion. It’s established from the first few pages of the book that he kills people, but specifically people who he perceives as harmful to others. Despite filling a classic “violent cis man” niche, a serial killer, he’s aware of his situation and power differentials around him and directs his necessary killing towards at least a less harmful route. Even the very first person we see Neighbor kill, in the opening of the book, is heavily implied to be the target because he committed sexual assault against his partner. He also doesn’t kill out of a desire to do so, and the moment Wegg offers his own blood, giving Neighbor a way out from the murders, Neighbor jumps at the opportunity. Compare this with Rarold, who I’d argue is a foil to Neighbor. They’re both relative outsiders in the community, they both butt heads with Tillman in one way or another, and they both kill people - but Rarold kills only because he wants to, he has no need to do so like Neighbor, and he is exclusively seen targeting young women. Rarold represents the sexist violence typically found in the stories of real-life serial killers, and in doing so makes it clear that Neighbor is not that kind of person.

Neighbor’s position in the town is also interesting, especially in comparison to Wegg’s. Neighbor is a member of the Baths community, arguably due to the services he provides for its members, but he’s still an outsider; no one knows him that well, he has no friends until he meets Wegg, and Tillman gets a bad vibe from him. In the context of this narrative about transmasculinity, there’s a lot there - Neighbor passes as a man thanks to his deal with Trudy, and he pays dearly for it with the murders he enacts. He asks Tillman not to disclose his first name, a name he never uses, to anyone following their trip to the Trudy temple “for safety purposes,” a mirror to the way any stealth trans person might talk about a legal name they never changed. Neighbor is accepted as a man in this pillar of the community, traditionally masculine provider role that he’s built for himself, but he’s still an outsider, and knows that he would risk losing the support of those around him were he open about his transness. To maintain his personal safety he trades openness regarding his identity, close relationships with those around him, and his conception of his own morality (he says multiple times that he doesn’t consider himself a good person due to the murders he has to commit). Even so, despite his lack of close ties to the cisgender people in the community and his idea of himself as a bad person, he tries to direct his killing to reduce the harm he’s doing, he helps Tillman find Trudy, houses Wegg, and does chores for, like, half the town of Baths. Despite his position, he clearly cares about the people around him and wants to be a positive influence.

As a note, there’s a bit of Biblical symbolism connected to Neighbor, but it’s not consistent. I couldn’t find a properly reliable source for it, but the internet says that the name Adie was originally a diminutive of Adam. He built his own body, making him his own God, and was cast out from Eden (became an outsider in the community) in the process. His original body was also burned on a cross following his deal with Trudy!

THE GODS

I think the conflict of the story is most concisely exemplified in the conflict between Trudy and Calum. Trudy represents desire itself, as the book very explicitly tells us. She’s the snake in Eden of Neighbor’s symbolism, and her devotees follow her very willingly. Trudy’s religion is decidedly voluntary, she grants her followers’ desires and only takes what they’re willing to give. She requires Neighbor kill people because it’s within his capacity, but Tillman isn’t required to harm others at all - dealing with Trudy is morally neutral and never seems to be forced. Calum, on the other hand, was forced onto Wegg, and represents a loss of autonomy for the power of others. The followers of the two gods are juxtaposed, especially in the ways Wegg and Tillman are treated as new followers of Calum and Trudy respectively. The fight scene between the two gods in the climax of the book is symbolic of the central themes of desire and consent.

[themapleler]

The amount of emotion that Jax showed in this episode is crazy. So I wanted to showcase some of it

When his friend got brought up he looks so angry

He gets really annoyed with Ragatha and then follows it up with dumb insults and his regular expression

Also with the friend in the animation you can see him hesitant as he reaches for the door knob

During the scene where all the characters are talking about their backstory he is the only one who doesn’t mention anything and looks to be uncomfortable when he realizes everyone else is having fun and chatting about their lives. He also deflects with pointing out Kingers lack of a past to which Pomni reveals.

When they put him in the maid outfit he looks genuinely upset and embarrassed. He even gets the squiggly eyes

Jax seems to think that the other members of the digital circus don’t take his “bullying” seriously or hes doing it so he won’t get close to another person. Which doesn't seem to be working since he gets close with Pomni who starts to see through his act.

also some things to add is how horrified Jax looks to see he is without his tail. Which he did most likely have. Also the look he gets when trying to figure out how Cain turned him into a vegan. Like he's starting to realize Cain is more powerful then he let on

[themapleler]

I appreciate how kind Pomni’s character is, I just really like empathetic and compassionate characters. It’s so easy for everyone else to write off Jax because he is a grade A asshole, but Pomni genuinely wants to understand why he’s like it.

Also I just love the way Ragatha looks upset at Pomni and Jax getting along

MMM I JUST LOVE NUANCED CHARACTERS AND THEIR DYNAMICS

[themapleler]

THE AMAZING DIGITAL CIRCUS - OVA 5 (1992)

[themapleler]

I like that pomni voted against putting jax in the maid dress bc of the various bonding moments she had with jax earlier in the episode

he can actually be a decent person 0.000000001% percent of the time he just. Doesn’t do that

[themapleler]

Thanks to the new president Pomni, the world will be safe

[themapleler]

Hi! I have every disease! Do you want one?

How about you follow me to this special room

[themapleler]

Jax collection one

[themapleler]

[themapleler]

Hi everyone!

This is an urgent situation regarding @z0mbieparty

Zombie is currently in need of money and would appreciate it if you could make any possible donation if you can. This would really help them with the current situation they are in, as they are very close to being evicted from their home. Zombie is a very dear friend to me and I want them to be safe.

If you are unable to donate, please consider sharing this post around to help Zombie!!

vvv

[themapleler]

May I ask what the uniform situation was when the bizzyboys got started? Was Capo’s uniform always the dark one or did he used to have a red one, and Inspekta a dark one before becoming one of the gods? Just something I’ve been thinking about; adore the game and character dynamics.

Always been dark green I'd say, always been Hector/Inspekta's right hand man. Probably had a bit of a different outfit style at the beginning though, since Vibiano designed the current Bizzyboy uniforms. In the beginning it was just Hector and Capochin. I never designed it though, maybe that would be something fun for people to try their hand at

[themapleler]

⚠️ IMPORTANT! ⚠️

Hi neighbors, I really hate to do this- but my family and I are facing eviction, and we desperately need help.

We're struggling to keep food in the house, and while I’ve been doing everything I can to get back on my feet after losing my job, it hasn’t been enough. The place I worked at was sold to a massive church and everyone was let go- the severance pay was almost nothing. I'm currently waiting for my license in the mail so I can begin a new job, but it’s taking time.

My parents aren’t contributing financially. My mom relies on her Etsy shop, and while I support her art, it hasn’t been sustainable. My dad has been focused on crypto and AI art, but hasn’t had a stable income either- and I’m not in a position to confront him due to a difficult and traumatic relationship. Our roommate doesn’t help with rent, and my brother only contributes when it benefits him.

At the same time, I’ve been trying to look after my 10-year-old sister. She and I have been neglected for most of our lives- homeschooled without real structure, no consistent health care, and very limited social interaction. It breaks my heart. I want to get her into school, make sure she’s healthy, and give her the support she deserves.

If I end up needing to move out of state, I may seek legal guardianship so I can take her with me and build a better life for both of us.

I’ve closed commissions for now until we’re in a more stable place, but I’m humbly asking for any help you can give- whether it’s a donation or simply sharing this around. I don’t have a GoFundMe (I don't have a bank account), but I do have a Ko-fi if you'd like to help that way.

This is truly my last resort. I’ve never liked asking for help, but I don’t know what else to do. Thank you for reading this and for caring. https://ko-fi.com/zombieparty

[themapleler]

[themapleler]

[themapleler]

the terrible beast casts its wretched gaze upon you (closeup in read more)

[themapleler]

Down on one knee for you

[themapleler]

the man behind the mask