a-student-out-of-time

[a-student-out-of-time]

My thoughts on DR Antebellum: Lockdown Chapter 1

//So yesterday, TA and I finally finished Lockdown Chapter 1. It took us a while, I had a lot of other projects (and mental and physical health issues) that slowed it down, but we did it!

//I've previously said that Antebellum was my favorite fangan I'd seen, and I've had some people previously ask me if I think Lockdown is just as good or not. What do I think of it?

//I don't think it's just as good. I think it's everything great about Antebellum made better: the art, the writing, the pacing, the characterization, the situation, etc. Including audience participation that can legitimately alter the course of the story was also a brilliant move IMO.

//I seriously think Rippilie and co. have made a great story even better.

//I really like all the characters and what's been said about them. Rippilie's goal was to move away from the overdone "crazy serial killer" types of characters, and instead focus on a group of heavily flawed, complex and often immoral characters who nevertheless have humanizing and redeeming qualities.

//While I enjoyed Antebellum's OG cast, the characters here feel far less exaggerated and more grounded. They actually feel realistically flawed based on their backgrounds, from Maiko being a shut-in with poor social awareness, to Taka being a corrupt TV personality who nevertheless still has the same feelings and hurts like everyone else, to Zeke being a stand-offish jerk who, while he may have trouble showing it, still cares about others and has a sense of morality.

//They feel like actual heavily flawed people, rather than just repeated character archetypes, which I appreciate a lot.

//The thing about the story that really angers me (in a good, deliberate, investment-derived way) is how much Mononeko and Emilia feel justified in mistreating and dehumanizing them. I personally have a major issue with prisoner abuse and how it perpetuates the cycle of harm, and I think that's another thing about this series that really interests me.

//And the story really pulls no punches in terms of its exploration of morality and corruption. How there's no simple or easy answers when it comes to any of the characters being redeemable or not; nobody is a saint, but they're not completely irredeemable monsters either. That's the whole point.

//I hate the ways that audiences will often overly moralize characters in DR as a whole, from downplaying the actions of some to (more often in my experience) demonizing anyone who does anything bad and dismissing their reasons why. It bothers me especially when the story is trying to make a point about something, and all someone can focus on is "Wow, this killer is a terrible person!"

//So, in a weird way, I'm hopeful that a cast full of deeply flawed people and having audiences actually focus on these elements.

//I also appreciate the shots they've taken at people who only watch for the killings and the executions : P

//Okay, time for actual spoilers.

//Our first murder is also brilliantly done and suitably tragic, especially because it's NOT an overly elaborate plan. All Dracul did was take a rat poison pellet, sprinkle it on Mint's mask when he had a chance, and didn't even think it worked.

//Turns out strychnine poisoning needs a while to kick in, but when it does, it's lethal.

//It was not only a simple and effective plot, it really showcased another thing I've enjoyed seeing in fangans as of late: emphasizing that these are young, inexperienced people.

//They may be ultimates, they may have talents, but that doesn't translate to them being able to put together Rube Goldberg-level death traps to kill people and dispose of the body. And Dracul didn't even have the malicious intent to really escape if it meant sacrificing everyone else.

//He chose Mint, at most, because he didn't like the idea of someone who mistreated their parent being deemed worthy. His flaw there is assuming his experience with a loving family is universal, something Mint's father never demonstrated.

//But while Dracul wanted to see his family and make sure they were safe, he changed his mind as soon as he saw Mint die and learned his escape would require sacrificing everyone else. He was caught between not wanting to die, but also not wanting anyone else to suffer for what he did. It was a no-win scenario for him acting on a whim.

//I really enjoyed Mint's unexpected friendship (historian definition) with Zeke, and how much it actually brought out the latter's more compassionate side. A little bit.

//Fu also demonstrated both his best and worst qualities here, being both self-centered and caring deeply for his daughter's safety. To the point of being willing to kill someone, but also trying to save a life when things go wrong.

//Taka and Asuga had my favorite dynamic in the original, and I like that their connection here has remained, even if it's strained and mostly one-sided. But Asuga saving him from getting stabbed shows that, despite how justified she may be in hating him for his crime, she still cares about him and doesn't want him to die.

//And I appreciate how complicated the ending made me feel about everything. Ismene was so close to just cutting herself off from everyone so she wouldn't feel hurt again, and Shinku and Takiko encouraged her not to do so. To remember Dracul and to be better going forward.

//Then it turns out Takiko uses her online fanbase to attack people who annoy or creep her out.

//She's still my favorite, though. And for similar reasons to Mikan, I like that she has those darker aspects to her character. Does this mean she's actually completely fake or does she have some semi-justifiable reason to act this way? I can't agree with it, whatever it is, but maybe I can understand why it happens. We'll see.

//And Emilia...I still don't know how to feel about her. I don't trust most of what she says, but I'm curious to see if she'll stick to her guns or if there's more going on with her than it seems here.

//Overall, Lockdown is my new contender for favorite fangan. It has so much potential and it's already got my interest to see where things go from here. All its rough edges feel like they've been sanded off and the best elements made even better.

//Genuinely, 9 out of 10 with this one so far.

[a-student-out-of-time]

Bubbles, quick Tetro Pink question. If gay marriage were legal in Japan, would Ojima take Hiroaki’s last name, or vice versa, or would they just hyphenate it?

//That's probably a question better directed at Von than me

[a-student-out-of-time]

We're in this together.. that's for sure :3

You guys go ahead, I'll watch Mom.

I believe we should speak with Ms. Esumi next.

Ah...right.

I'm certain it'll be alright...

Hope so...

*Aika rubs against Hibiki's leg*

Kotoko, can you keep us posted about Mikan, just in case?

Will do!

[a-student-out-of-time]

// Another anon had suggested that the Tetro scientists should be villains in ASOOT—but unfortunately, I think there’s not much that can be done about it for now…

The problem is “lack of evidence” because they haven’t actually *done* anything yet (as far as we know)

In regards to the problems of the Tetro Pink kids’ personal lives—the majority of their issues either haven’t happened yet or not enough proof exists to satisfy the authorities

(E.g. Watari’s younger siblings haven’t been born yet—therefore, no “parentification” has happened yet)

The most that could be done is monitor the situation

That said:

Can Kasugano and his allies do something for Ojima? (abused by his uncle) And Wada? (abused by his parents)

Both their cases happened in really *early* childhood (so they would be *actively* in danger—even in the ASOOT timeline (2012~2013))

They are both in Sendai���so maybe Kasugano can “happen” to do some work there?

((Kotoko, in particular, would want to intervene somehow (she knows what it’s like to be small, scared, and powerless—and Takeshi (at this point in the timeline) would be even smaller and more scared—being abused in same way Kotoko was…))

//Yeah, plus I'd prefer to let Von Babbitt and co. write them as they intend, rather than putting my own spin on it before Tetro is even complete

[a-student-out-of-time]

OK so breakdown what happened in your AU and what is ship and story

//As a very brief summary, Hajime was sent back in time from the end of the Tragedy to just before the start of DR3 Despair Side. He's been trying to fix things over the last year, from saving lives to meeting people to getting involved in all kinds of ongoing situations.

//It's been a lot, which is why I have a summary here too:

//And if you're curious about the ships, we have a whole diagram for that (which really needs to be updated), but you can learn more under the "/ships" tag

[a-student-out-of-time]

“Perfect Me” is the title of Isoda’s song (for TA’s playlist)

Composed by TekSoda (also Okazaki Hanano’s voice actor)

Directed by Von Babbitt (also Hayashi Mai’s voice actor)

Music video by ZSUNA

Vocals by kAT (Isoda Mion’s voice actor)

((kAT also has an English cover version on their YouTube page if you’re interested))

//Awesome ^^

//Yeah, we might check it out next time we react to TDB!

[a-student-out-of-time]

// I picture a Gundham + Sonia child growing up to be kinda like Ogura Noriko (Chuunibyou!)

//Quite likely, yeah : P

[a-student-out-of-time]

08/24 is the date of birth of “The Patron God Of Women Across The Entire Second Dimension” [[a.k.a. Ogura Noriko]]

Think you can do a stream on her birthday? (There might be enough videos to react to by then?)

//It's on a Sunday, so possibly!

[a-student-out-of-time]

Cultural Notes:

Belgium has French speakers in the south (Wallonia), Dutch speakers in the north (Flanders (the part that borders The Netherlands)), and a smaller German-speaking area in the east

There is a HUGE rivalry between the Walloons and the Flemish (do NOT mix them up—otherwise they will yell and scold you)

The reason they don’t separate, is because the Capital (Brussels) CANNOT be divided (they are very bilingual in the Capital)— and since neither side wants to give up Brussels— the country of Belgium stays unified

//Oh yeah, I'm aware. Belgium has a fascinating history behind it

[a-student-out-of-time]

// I have a bad feeling that Tsukigata will be in danger because of language issues…

In the “Let the Dogs Out” arc of ASOOT— Hiroshima Kinu had been in danger because in one version of reality, she happened to stumble upon the “Copycat Killer” and she was killed because even when she tried to call for help, nobody understood what she was saying— since Kinu was Australian and Japanese wasn’t her first language

What if Tsukigata runs into trouble— and he can’t get the others to take him seriously, because he can’t describe what’s wrong?

//Yeah, I worry about the same thing ^^;

[a-student-out-of-time]

//Let's talk a little about TDB today!

[a-student-out-of-time]

// Who is your favorite Tetro BLUE character?

((It’s early on, but just your initial impressions so far))

Many people like Ninomiya because he is interesting and because he was Okazaki’s former roommate

Isoda has fans because of that AWESOME music video

A lot of fans like Tei because he is SO relatable (anyone in retail or customer service work would understand why…)

//I would actually like to talk about all this today on stream!

//There's a lot of things for us to cover even before we head into TDB proper, so if you'd like to come discuss them with me, we'll be starting at our usual time!

[a-student-out-of-time]

//Despite some tech issues, today we began our foray into Tetro Danganronpa Blue!

//And I have to say, once again @vonbabbitt & the rest of the team?

//You guys absolutely deliver quality. I haven't laughed that much in weeks, and I'm already super invested in our cast! Can't wait to see the rest of Chapter 1 ^^

[a-student-out-of-time]

//IT'S TIME!

//Well, everyone...

//Today's the day. Today's the day we start our new venture into Tetro Danganronpa Blue

//Hope to see you there

[a-student-out-of-time]

//Well, everyone...

//Today's the day. Today's the day we start our new venture into Tetro Danganronpa Blue

//Hope to see you there

[a-student-out-of-time]

List every student in tetro blue because I saw you wanted one!

First name and then their ultimate!

Ouno: ultimate contortionist

Ninomiya: ultimate violinist

Kumada: ultimate dekochari leader

Ikeda: ultimate art forger

Denden: ultimate ice scultor

Tsukigata: ultimate dressage rider

Yokoi: ultimate spelling bee champion

Yaitabashi: ultimate terrarium artist

Maekawa: ultimate robot fighting champion

Hirose: ultimate surgeon

Ogura: ultimate itasha painter

Shishikura: ultimate yukigassen player

Isoda: ultimate utaite

Tei: ultimate part timer

Nishiguchi: ultimate pizza chef

Akiba: ultimate archer

//Thank you kindly for this, I appreciate it ^^

[a-student-out-of-time]

// Episode 25 of Tetro Blue was posted in the wrong order—so you would have to click on the video manually

((But this early on, the exact order doesn’t matter as much—it’s up to you how you want to view it))

//Thanks for the heads up!