#(I mean... I mentioned Musica I guess)

[trappedward]

BLOG #05 - KIKUO Red Riding Hood's Wolf // Hanatan & (a little bit of) Ado

WARNING: THIS BLOG WAS MEANT TO BE ABOUT A KIKUO SONG BUT I (ALMOST IMMEDIATELY) MADE IT ABOUT HANATAN INSTEAD SO IF YOU WERE LOOKING FOR KIKUO ANALYSIS THEN I'M SORRY BUT MY THOUGHTS COMPLETELY DERAILED RIGHT AT THE BEGINNING OF WRITING THIS.

I'm sure that if you are a Kikuo fan, you are aware of 'Red Riding Hood's Wolf' or '赤ずきんの狼'. Unlike 'In a Deep, Dark Forest', I'm not going to break down aspects of this song and rather just have a discussion about it.

I'm constantly obsessing over some Kikuo song. I'll obsess over a classic, then over a popular hit, then back to a classic and then to one of his instrumentals, etc. This leads me to my current obsession which is, you guessed it, Red Riding Hood's Wolf. What doesn't help is that Hanatan has covered this song, meaning that this song went from expert tier to GOD tier. Hanatan covers Kikuo songs like it's no big deal. As if they aren't some of the hardest Vocaloid songs to cover. Her vibrato? Amazing. Her intonation? Astounding. Her fucks given? Idk probably none.

So, before I continue, I shall present to you a link just like last time.

When she hits the last note on the tararara tattattaa? I actually die every time. I'm gonna be honest, I will gatekeep the hell out of the things I love, but Hanatan is most definitely underrated! This rant is moving more into Hanatan so I'll just continue down this route for a moment. She's recently covered Ado's song 'New Genesis' that was made for One Piece: Film Red. Her cover? Actually bussin. I love Ado as well, so seeing a Hanatan cover of an Ado song? Legit on the floor dying. Sure, some will probably say that there is no point in covering an Ado song cause she'll always do it better BUT I enjoy both versions! I am simultaneously and Ado fan and a Hanatan fan! Plus, Hanatan's vocals were hitting all the right notes just like Ado so you can't tell me she didn't do well.

Here, have a link to the cover if you haven't heard it.

Hanatan also released a youtube short / TikTok of her covering Tot Musica and that also SENT ME.

I know other people said it in the comments but I WANT A FULL COVER OF THIS SO BAD. If she fully covered it in a stream or anything, please let me know but I watched most of them and didn't find it so as far as I'm aware she has covered it here separately.

Anyway, let my scatter brain move on.

So yes, Hanatan. Hearing her voice just reminds me that in my endeavours to learn how to sing, I will never be like her and that the way she so effortlessly covers songs in her streams will always be a reminder of that. I admire her so much and recently she liked my fanart I posted of her (on seperate social media accounts) so my heart melted.

Hey, hang on a moment. Wasn't this meant to be about Kikuo? Oh that's right - it was!! Did I completely ignore my boy like that? Yes. Whoops. Should I go back to talking about him? IDK, if anyone is interested then I will because I actually did have some thoughts I wanted to mention about his song but I'm very easily distracted. You could probably tell. Is this a very short blog with not a lot of content? Most definitely. This turned from a "discussion about Kikuo" into "let me just gush about hanatan." Doesn't really leave much room for discussing, does it? I apologise.

I will try and get better at writing blogs but until that happens you will have to deal with my BS pacing, sorry.

I can't write anymore or I will explode. Bye!

[just-like-playing-tag]

Look I love Gilda and Don and Musica with everything I've got but if the next chapter is just them with another cliffhanger and no trio confrontation I'm going to flip all the tables

[houseisekai]

House Isekai: A Realm Reborn - Part 1, Old Places and New Faces (1 of 2)

House Isekai ARR Masterlist Here

—

Upon their return to Fodlan, Kazuma, Rean, Towa, and Aigis have found that it has changed drastically. Whether it was for better or worse, was unknown.

All they knew was to find Sitri, who had requested House Isekai's aid...

[Life at Garreg Mach Monastery - Fire Emblem: Three Houses OST]

Kazuma, Towa, Rean, and Aigis walked awkwardly through the crowds of students and guards, trying not to stare at their technology.

(Aigis) "Their devices seem...eerily similar to yours, Rean."

(Rean) "Arcus units and Soldats..."

Rean looked at the bipedal golems with swords and shields walking through the courtyard. It looked like students were trying to use them properly.

(Kazuma) "Soldats? Those things kinda like Valimar?"

(Towa) "Yes, but far easier to produce and a lot less strong, to put it simply."

(Rean) "How did they even get something like this? In our world, they took so many years to develop, alongside orbal technology..."

(Towa) "And their version of arcus units, didn't they look like the crystals from the Zanado tower?"

(Aigis) "Perhaps we should ask these questions to Sitri. Though, I am unsure of how to find her, since we do not have the proper clearance."

(Kazuma) "Hmph. Not to mention we aren't students, I'm pretty sure we're weirding people out just by being here."

Towa turned to where the Cathedral used to be, only to see a massive hangar full of the bipedal golems and guards from all three nations populating it.

(Towa) "The Cathedral was going to be my guess, but I don't think that's an option."

(Rean) "Maybe the listening hall?"

(Kazuma) "Are we even going to be allowed up there?"

(Familliar Woman's voice) "...Oh my goodness! It really is you guys!"

Everyone turned around to the woman's voice and were greeted by an old friend.

(Kazuma) "Merce-! HOLY SHIT!"

Mercedes was accompanied by two of the massive golems, armed with a shield and lance just as big as them.

(Rean) "WOAH!"

(Towa) "EEP!"

(Mercedes) "Haha, oh, I am so sorry! I didn't mean to frighten anyone!"

(Aigis) "It is amazing how that got behind us without anyone hearing them-"

(Rean) "U-Um, it's good to see you again Mercedes!"

(Towa) "AHEM! What are you doing here?"

(Kazuma) "More importantly, why are those golem things following you around?!"

(Mercedes) "I am simply a visitor, just like you four! Sitri thought it best to have bodyguards accompany me. Those bodguards happen to be the form of Knights."

(Towa) "...Knights sure have changed since we last saw them, huh?"

(Aigis) "Speaking of which, do you happen to know where Sitri is?"

(Mercedes) "Indeed I do! Would you like me to take you to her?"

(Rean) "Yes please."

Rean looked at the golems called "Knights" and couldn't help but feel nervous.

Now he knew how it felt to have Valimar follow around the old House Isekai.

(Mercedes) "Please, follow me!"

Everyone nodded and let Mercedes guide the way, the Knights following closely behind.

(Aigis) "It seems Fodlan's technology has greatly improved since we left."

(Mercedes) "It has, my mind is really having trouble keeping up nowadays. It seems every other month some new device for communication is put out!"

(Aigis) "That's a familiar feeling..."

(Kazuma) "So...everything's been fine since House Isekai left?"

Mercedes stopped outside the main hall's entrance and turned to the knights.

(Mercedes) "Worry not, these four protected me during the Five Year War. I will return shortly."

The Knights' heads nodded.

They went up into the building of the main entrance hall, making their way up to the second floor of Garreg Mach. The knights remained outdoors and Mercedes looked around her to make sure they were alone.

(Mercedes) "To be quite honest, it has been a bit...troubling. There's a host of new problems ever since this new partnership between the empire, kingdom, and alliance began. But, that shouldn't be anything you have to worry about! Actually, why are you here?"

(Rean) "We received a call from Sitri, requesting help from us. I guess the four of us were the only ones able to respond."

(Mercedes) "I see. If she requested House Isekai, then I am not sure it is a good thing...Oh? I believe she's speaking to someone inside."

[Arcana Code - Fire Emblem: Three Houses OST]

(Sitri) “Then let’s get started. I have called you five here, because you are the best and brightest Garreg Mach Monastery has to offer."

Sitri put her hand to her chest and closed her eyes.

(Sitri) "We live in troubled times, as you can no doubt see for yourselves. Even with the advancement of our technology ever since the calamity two years ago, tensions between our nations remain at an all time high."

The students looked at each other, not sure of where this speech was going.

(Sitri) "Garreg Mach Monastery was created to represent the very best our nations had to offer, and pave a way for our youth to shape our world. That is why you all are here.

Of our three Houses, you have been chosen for an experimental class, and will be leading from example."

(Stefan) "E-Experimental how?"

(Sitri) "Surely you have heard of House Isekai?"

(Helena) "Think I remember hearing rumors about them with my old mercenary group."

(Astrid) "Those group of weirdos and undead!?"

(Kazuma's Voice) "Who are they calling weir-"

(Towa's Voice) "K-Kazuma! They'll hear us!"

(Kairos) "I only know from what I read from reports. They were the fourth house of Garreg Mach, right?"

Sitri nodded.

(Sitri) "They were a group of people that came from beyond our world, all with different histories and personalities. The reason I bring them up is because they worked with all three classes before the Five Year War began. And they were the ones who stopped the calamity from destroying our world."

(Elizabeth) ...?! "Hold a moment, Lady Sitri! Have we been called to work with these off worlders?! They have no place in meddling in the affairs of Fodlan!"

(Kairos) "Hmph. For once I agree with her, this matter should be left to us-"

Sitri raised a hand and interrupted them.

(Sitri) "These "off-worlders" had the opportunity to leave us to our fates when the calamity was at its worst. Instead, they chose to stay and fight for our sake. I trust them with my life. And so do your nations' leaders."

(Everyone) "..."

(Sitri) "Prepare yourselves to travel out, grab any essential gear and report back. We will continue the briefing once you are more situated."

[Musica Universalis - Final Fantasy XIV: Shadowbringers OST]

The students quietly left the room, keeping their thoughts to themselves.

They were too preoccupied to notice that they had walked by Kazuma, Rean, Aigis, and Towa.

(Mercedes) "I have my own business to attend to unfortunately, so I will see you all later!"

Mercedes bowed while everyone else waved goodbye, and she followed the students down.

Once they went downstairs, Rean was the first to enter the room.

Sitri took a deep breath and smiled when she saw them.

(Sitri) "Hello, everyone. I hope that speech I gave was alright."

(Towa) "I like to think so, but I can definitely see why the kids are so confused."

(Aigis) "You do not seem shocked that we are here."

(Sitri) "Well, I did have someone looking out the door for me."

She motioned behind her, Sothis materializing in front of everyone and waving.

(Sothis) "Besides, with how loud Kazuma is, I don't think it was too hard guessing who it was."

Kazuma rolled his eyes.

(Kazuma) "Yeah yeah, whatever."

(Rean) "I see you've been keeping yourself busy!"

Sitri sighed again, though sounding far more tired.

(Sitri) "You have NO idea...I hadn't realized how exhausting being a professor is, not to mention leading the reconstruction effort."

(Towa) "Oh, so that's why Garreg Mach is active again! You're doing such a good job!"

(Sitri) "Thank you, Towa. There's far more that needs to be done, but we've been getting by."

(Kazuma) "So, what exactly did you need us here for? We got your message."

(Sothis) "Well, a number of things really, but we should get to the most troubling news first."

(Sitri) "Right. We'll have time to catch up later. It's about the Zanado Tower."

Everyone straightened their backs and frowned.

[Spider Web - Fire Emblem: Three Houses OST]

(Sothis) "We've been getting reports from the guards that...strange creatures are emerging from it."

(Kazuma) "That's descriptive. What makes them strange?"

(Sitri) "They seem to have intelligence but...they're nothing like we've ever seen before. Claude is in charge of the area around Zanado, so he ordered his men to just keep observing. These creatures never get too far, on account that they are killed by an unknown group."

(Aigis) "Do we have any visual references for any of these?"

Sitri nodded, and pulled out a crystal-like device.

It appeared similar to a tablet, but the information was displayed floating above it, which Sitri began swiping at it, making it show a picture of the creature.

(Rean) "What in the...?"

(Aigis) "It does not appear to be a Shadow."

(Kazuma) "Hmph. Nothing I've seen in my world."

(Sothis) "To be honest, we were hoping at least one from every group showed up to confirm this or not, but for the time being we can only guess it's from a world none of us are familiar with."

(Towa) "But, I thought we stopped the Tower from continuing to rip apart other worlds?"

(Sitri) "We did. And that's why we're concerned."

(Sothis) "It doesn't seem like it's having any overall negative effects on Fodlan, but this only showed up recently."

(Sitri) "I put the message out a week ago, and if you all only now received it..."

(Rean) "Then we shouldn't waste any time. We need to investigate immediately."

(Sothis) "Our thoughts exactly. Which is why..."

Sothis turned to the door and disappeared, the students of Garreg Mach arriving back in the room, each carrying a small bag with them.

The students realized that there were more people in the room now.

(Astrid) "Wow, they look weird."

(Elizabeth) "Astrid! Where are your manners?!"

(Stefan) "Sorry about tha-...Wait a second..."

(Helena) "Hmph, maybe that's why. Are you guys from House Isekai?"

(Kairos) "Wait, these are supposed to be the people who saved us?"

(Rean) "Well, obviously we're not the full class but we were the core members. I'm Rean Schwarzer of Class VII."

(Kazuma) "Kazuma."

(Towa) "I'm Towa Herschel, it's a pleasure to meet the new generation of Garreg Mach's finest!"

(Aigis) "Aigis of S.E.E.S. Hello."

(Astrid) "Huh. Don't look like much to me."

(Stefan) "Well, we are pleased to meet House Isekai in the flesh after all the stories we've heard!"

Helena looked to the others. Astrid was frowning while Kairos and Elizabeth looked mutually revolted.

(Helena) "Least two of us are. Good job on getting those two to agree on something, though."

(Towa) "I-I'm sorry?"

(Kairos) "Lady Sitri, with all due respect, this is something that WE need to do ourselves. Getting outside help-"

(Sitri) "-Is necessary, considering what we're going up against. We all will be visiting the Zanado Tower in order to investigate the strange creatures coming out of it."

While Sitri recounted what she told House Isekai, the members of the old House looked at each other.

(Kazuma) "The hell do they got against us?"

(Aigis) "I am unsure. Did we do something wrong?"

(Towa) "Rean..."

(Rean) "I know, Towa. Well, I kind of have a suspicion."

(Aigis/Kazuma) ?

(Rean) "When my country occupied another, we were seen as meddling outsiders who had no business interfering in their affairs, causing all sorts of grief for every citizen involved..."

(Kazuma) "But it's not like our Houses have been taking over the territories here-"

(Towa) "True, but it's not like we had zero impact on the world either. I mean, just look at their technology! I think it's safe to say without us, they would not have progressed so fast."

(Aigis) "That is...a fair point."

Rean took another look at the students.

(Rean) "They remind me a little of my own class. And if that's taught me anything, is that they'll come around eventually. It's not like we all got along straight away either."

(Sitri) "...Now, without any futher delay.-"

Sitri closed her eyes for a moment as a portal slowly began to open behind them.

(Sitri) "I will take the lead for now. Everyone, please follow me."

They nodded and Sitri and the old members of House Isekai went in first.

(Elizabeth) "Ugh, this will NOT go well..."

(Kairos) "It's not like we can say no to Lady Sitri. We'll have to follow along for now."

(Astrid) "I mean, I don't think they seem that bad, just weird."

(Stefan) "We have to give them a chance at least!"

(Helena) "Fodlan's been through worse anyway. What's the worst that could happen?"

...

Meanwhile, inside the Zanado Tower...

Class VII stepped through the portal and found themselves in a completely alien environment.

(Juna) "Woah..."

(Kurt) "What in the...?!"

(Altina) "Hm...The structure does not match any known signatures from our world."

(Ash) "Think that much is obvious."

(Musse) "Where's Instructor Rean?"

(Juna) "Uh, I think the better question is how do we even leave?"

(Kurt) "There appears to be a doorway ahead. Perhaps we can take that?"

(Ash) "Beats standing around."

Ash and Kurt moved first, with the rest of Class VII following..."

...

Through the scope of a sniper, a helmeted soldier slowly watched Class VII exit and wander the facility.

He was accompanied by three other soldiers, all wearing the same helmet and suit, with slight variations on their armor making them distinct from one another.

They were extremely high up on the platforms as they continued to fly past them, yet they still made an effort to remain out of sight.

(Buck) "What do you see Romeo?"

(Romeo) "Five kids. All wearing the same uniform, humans from the looks of it. Carrying some weird lookin weapons too."

Dutch lowered his weapon and sighed.

(Dutch) "Finally, some good news."

(Mickey) "Is it? How the heck did they even get here?"

(Buck) "One thing at a time. Right now, we go and get those kids to follow us, before whatever the hell those things were finds them first."

(Romeo) "Or, we could just find the exit instead."

(Mickey) "And leave them to die?"

(Dutch) "Really?"

(Buck) "..."

(Romeo) "Jeez, tough crowd."

(Buck) "Just shut up, Romeo. Let's get moving."

Everyone picked up their equipment and followed after Class VII.

(Romeo) "Besides, the weapons on them were-"

(Buck) "Romeo. Remember when I told you to shut up?"

(Romeo) "Yeah?"

(Buck) "Consider that a standing order."

...

(Amber) "Hm..."

Amber dusted off some of the crates around her and found food inside.

Although they packaging was covered in dust, they appeared to be fresh.

(Venti) "Ugh, finally food! I'm starving!"

Duvalie walked past Venti and her face scrunched up seeing how fast he stuffed it down his throat.

(Duvalie) "Tch, don't let that dust stop you from inhaling the food."

(Jean) "I suppose if it tastes alright...?"

(Kaeya) "No need to see if it's centuries old or poisonous, just go 'head and eat it."

(Lisa) "Perhaps we should worry about this food situation later? I do believe I saw another Abyss Mage run this direction."

(Diluc) "Then we have no time to waste."

Diluc grabbed his sword and moved the direction Lisa pointed.

(Duvalie) "Right!"

She drew her sword and shield and tagged along right beside him.

Even though they had found Duvalie by herself in this strange tower, she was already feeling like a part of the group.

Though Diluc didn't want to admit that. He already saw how ecstatic she was seeing Jean and himself fight. Though, a part of him wondered where she came from. She certainly wasn't from their world...

...

Outside the Zanado Tower...

Sitri stepped through the portal first, and the former members of House Isekai, and the Garreg Mach students came in right behind.

Drawing the Sword of the Creator, she took a deep breath before turning to the group.

(Sitri) "Students of Garreg Mach, begin the mission!"

[To be Continued]

[okimargarvez]

First I want to say I love your stories. I noticed you cheer a lot for Garvez. How did all this start?

Hey, Anon, thanks for asking and for your words. Writing is the thing that makes me happier, even more than rambling about garvez and not only. 😂 I wish to became a real writer, one day... Anyway, I don't know if you mean how I started to write about garvez or to be so obsessed with them. But both started in the same time, so...

I begun to ship them even before watching a single scene, just knowing that Adam would play Luke role. I remember I read an article about Adam joining the BAU, and something on a dog and that was enough. I totally imagined Pen acting with him in a new and unexplored way. I have to say, if you don't know, that I'm Italian and, I joined Tumblr during season 13. I was so alone with my feelings for them. I was about to become really out of my mind. In Italy, sadly, we (not me, and not @veronicafiore88 and @myrxellabaratheon, sorry for the mention) are stuck in S11. Really, almost all aren't able to go ahead. I was Morcia, even if I did not ship them harder as garvez. It was a process, I needed a period of transition (and for that I written a fic with exactly this title), even if I fell in love with Luke suddenly.

In the same period I started to study for my second degree. It's important because it was a degree in Music and Entertainment (Musica e Spettacolo), it's very difficult translating it! But, anyway, I was more for the spectacular courses, but still I had to study also for music ones. And one was about music instruments, especially old and ancient. But it was so technical that I was afraid I would be not able to pass that exam. For make you understand, one of my music professors, said that that course was 'like anatomy for med school). If you are still reading, thank you, I promise that there is a reason if I'm telling this. Because the same day that I watched 12x1, i.e. the first episode with garvez, at University we talked about... FINGERING TECHNIQUES. Really. It was a coincidence? I don't believe it. I was so stupid about music theory, before this course (If you want to know, it's Organology, but they told us that in Anglo-American world it's called like History and Technology of music instruments), and I'm sure I would haven't laugh so much, if I didn't follow this course (I have to confess that wasn't required but the alternative seemed even worst).

Then I spent almost an year just falling more and more in love with them, but alone. I searched on Google, I read all the garvez stories that existed, and I found this place. Reading the stories of one of the most good garvez writers (I don't mention her because I don't know if she would like to, but sure most will guess who is she), I decided to try to write too something more, because I had already few stories (less than 10, it seemed impossible now to believe🤦‍♀️). My first totally garvez was New Year without crime, I written it during the winter pause for S12. My really first garvez was Abyss, but it's also Morcia. I written it before seeing Adam playing Luke. But I lost my mind with writing garvez fics (I mean, now I written more than 200 stories about them, almost 2000 words in total) when I started the Garvez collection. One shot for each song of my favorite Italian songwriter, Tiziano Ferro.

Months after this I decided to try to join Tumblr, even if I wasn't so sure about writing/talking in English... But life it's about risk, isn't it? So, I did it. And now I have to thank @theshamelessmanatee (sorry sis for the mention XD). She knows why. I will never regret that decision. Because I met wonderful people that live around the world (@thinitta and right yesterday @fandomsleaveuemotionallyscarred) with whom talking about garvez. My parents and boyfriend say thanks to all of you. 😂

I have to add something... Even if I'm aware I have exaggerated as always. Studying cinematographic and narrative theories for University made me write the rant or rambling that maybe you have read. I thought, why I shouldn't use them even for fun?

But the rants and the stories matched arm in arm, because when I'm rambling, almost always, it comes to my mind a new idea for a story. 🤦‍♀️

And here we are. 😊

Hope that I did not bother you, and that I did not sound self-centered... and I'm sorry for the length.

[couldnt-think-of-a-better-name]

Mujika is demon!Jesus & other possible Bible references in TPN

It’s time people to get ready to have your minds blown again, my newest crazy theory post is here!

Disclaimer: This post contains manga spoilers up to and including chapter 127. Also, I don’t mean to offend anyone’s religion, I’m just making comparisons out of interest, and I am getting most of my info from wikipedia. Chapter 127 full fan translation dropped, and not just for me, but for others as well it has instantly stuck out like a sore thumb how much Mujika’s story parallelled Jesus from the New Testament

The facts: 1) Musica’s very existence is an unexplained miracle, as she is able to do things no other demons can (keep her form without eating humans), and none knows where she came from (she is most likely of common birth).

2) She can and have been performing straight up miracles of “curing” demons of their hunger, and saving them from devolving into unintelligence.

3) What’s more, she has been passing her power to her followers and supporters, who can spread her “cure”, and teachings of the need to not eat humans in order to save even more demons from starvation and devolving.

4) Her blood taking away the demons’ hunger is basically a literal take on these Bible verses with illustration added as well:

5) She was persecuted and ordered to be killed by the rulers out of no fault of her own.

6) If you are still not convinced, she was LITERALLY called the demon MESSIAH by Norman, and I honestly don’t know if I could make it clearer...

It may seem a bit random at first, but I have already mentioned Bible references in TPN in my Mujika is Medusa theory post, so this isn’t really out of the blue. As a bit of a reminder, or if you haven’t seen that post here are the possible references:

1) Minerva’s mythology book has a snake and apple just like the story in Genesis.

2) Mujika herself is later associated with an apple on a cover.

3) The Promised Neverland may be a reference to the Promised Land from Exodus, as well as to Neverland from Peter Pan. This isn’t just a similarity in name, since their demon god is responsible for the PROMISE that we know ensures the NEVERLAND where no human child gets to grow up (since they get eaten). Right, that’s it, TPN is a mashup of Peter Pan and the Bible.

There we go, I have made my crazy and outlandish claim just like before, but can I give any even remotely believeable evidence for it?

Well, for the Peter Pan part, I have already made a huge post on the list of possible references, so please head to my Theory Directory where you can find a link. If that doesn’t work for you, I will also reblog this post with a link.

As for the Bible part, well, is there any evidence beyond Mujika? Ok, how about we play a small game. Try pronouncing Son-ju and then St. John. Hear any similarity? Am I messing with you? Well, yes and no. How about you take a look at the wiki info on St John, Jesus’ apostole (not to be confused with John the baptist).

Sooo, wasn’t Son-ju the only follower of Mujika left alive? What a strange coincidence... Then didn’t Son-ju also wear a fish shaped cloak pin? I thought it signified that they were underwater, but St. John was a fisherman... 

Oh yeah, and isn’t it funny how we have James, Peter and Andrew all feature in St. John’s description? Weren’t there some characters in TPN also called these names...?

What’s even more interesting is John and James having been brothers, but John surviving James for a long time. I find that interesting because I recently discussed a theory by @fyria-hans  that Sonju may have been the one wearing the Minerva cape and sending that morse coded message to the kids to stay put where they were.

Since it was morse code, they didn’t hear a voice, and in those panels the wide shouldered frame and those shoes really looked like Sonju’s. We know he had justification for wanting the cattle children to survive “in the wild”, and he also most likely had the skill to create fake tracks to throw off Andrew. So it is a possibility that he had been James’ supporter... The other interesting fact was that both St. James and James Ratri died first out of the cast. Btw, fun fact about St. Peter: he holds the keys to heaven. Isn’t that a bit like how Peter Ratri has control over the access to the human world, which would be pretty much heaven to the cattlechildren?

Oh btw, did you know that there were two apostoles called James? So the other one was known as the Lesser James? Hm, isn’t Norman kind of a smaller, younger version of James Ratri right now? Oh yeah, and did you know that St. Andrew was the brother of St. Peter? And he is also a patron of fishermen, farmers, miners and butchers?

Hmmm, sooo we he a small number of coincidences, surely there won’t be more! Right...? RIGHT?!

Well, you might know that St. Matthew is associated with an angel

Hmm, but where did we see angels in TPN?

Ah riiight, in Minerva’s famous mythology book! And isn’t it funny how there is a CUP next to that angel... Didn’t we just have MUJIKA associated with a CUP (of blood she offered) this chapter?!

Hmm, and wasn’t there a character who had a strange connection to Mujika we didn’t understand? That she showed up in his “DYING” MEMORIES? Here is another fun fact.

LEUVIS?! But didn’t I say in my Peter Pan theory that Leuvis was associated with the Lost Boy Curly? Am I contradicting myself? Well, lucky for me, we also have this:

So the authors have confirmed that their characters can hold multiple references, and my guess is that I may have just managed to find 2 out of 3 for Leuvis ;D (It’s funny how Shirai-san wanted to be so secretive about the references, right?) Similarly, I don’t think there is any problem going through the other characters and finding references to them. So let’s dive in further!

So there is another Apostole who is called JUDE (Thaddeus). That name bears perhaps a passing resemblance to LUCE, or not? How about the things associated with this apostole?

Wasn’t Luce a bit of a LOST CAUSE? And didn’t his servants weild CLUBS? Also, what about the time Emma threw an AXE at him? Hah, these coincidences sure are getting trippy, right?

While we are on the topic of Luce, I would like to point out that before he died he made this little comment:

Huuh, so his dad is some important mofo? But we sure haven’t seen or heard anything of him ever since... right? Well, how about you compare these panels for me?

This dude who murdered Mujika’s followers suuuure bears a passing resemblance to Luce, except he looks much more buff and badass... and older...

But lets not get sidetracked! We were looking at apostles, so how about I bring up the wiki info on another one?

Funny, didn’t I associate NOUMA (isn’t that slightly close to THOMA?) and NOUS with the Twins in my Peter Pan analysis? Btw, do you know that St. Thomas died by the spear, so he is associated with it? I Thought Nouma and Nous had spears... But there is a Thoma among the kids as well! Huh, but isn’t he always with Lani? Acting as if they were something like twins... huh... Weird, but let’s look at another apostole!

So Bartholomew doesn’t sound much like Bayon, except they both start with “Ba”, but did you know that St. Bartholomew, among other things is a patron of butchers and TRAPPERS. Huh, didn’t Bayon kinda enable the trapping and hunting of cattlechildren like wild animals at Goldy Pond...?

Also, yeah, we have a Nat among the kids again, and we also have a Phil... Did you know that we have a Mark as well? While Mark wasn’t an apostole, he has some written passages in the Bible...

But lets not get hung up on a couple of names that are similar sounding! Although I can’t help but wonder what could be the name of the demon king who ordered the death of Mujika... and if it sounds anything like PONTIUS PILATE who ordered the death of Jesus? It’s a shame we don’t have his name :(

But do you know a funny fact about Pilate? He was a ROMAN prefect. Huh, didn’t we have a handful of roman references in TPN? Like mirrored LATIN, or MINERVA, a ROMAN GODDESS?!

Hmm, you know what is a funny thought though? If Mujika is demon!Jesus, and we know that we have a demon!God (the one with the demon gylph written name, called just HIM in the anime), then I wonder if the analogy extends further. You know, God has sent Jesus to the human world to be the saviour of humankind, but then the humans in charge chose to persecute and kill him... although Jesus didn’t die permanently. So I can’t help but wonder if it wasn’t demon!God who sent Mujika as demon!Jesus to be the saviour of demonkind, only to find that the demons in charge had the bright idea of persecuting and trying to kill her... but luckily she isn’t dead even though everyone thought she died! Well, if that’s the case, I bet demon!God is facepalming right now. And if that analogy holds, it may also stand that the demons are an analogy for the jews (who had their PROMISED LAND from God, while demons have their PROMISED NEVERLAND from demon!God (which also fits with my idea that demon!God used their powers to literally create the demon world below the deep sea... you can read more on this in another post of mine)) whereas the cattlechildren are an analogy for the gentiles (non-jew). If you think I’m done and ready to finish this post on that crazy thought, then you are WRONG. Some of you may have read my post on my thoughts that Mujika may be a Medusa reference. If you haven’t, just look it up either in my Theory Directory, or in the links I will put in a reblog to this post. I was anxiously awaiting this chapters to see if it would disprove that theory or confirm it. And I will be honest, I was at first disappointed with this chapter, ‘cause like a damned fool, I was expecting to see snakes, or something about petrifying gaze, BUT then I looked further into the Medusa lore, and felt like an idiot and slapping myself. Why?

Medusa had 2 sisters in the myths, together they were known as the Gorgon sisters. But Medusa was different to the other two, and her name meant ruler/queen. Hmmm, doesn’t this panel look kiiinda like 3 sisters?

Also, just in case you missed it, I have circled a jar there that looks eerily similar to the golden water jar that the kids have. Tsk, all these coincidences that I keep spotting!

So the other thing about Medusa is that in all of the myths the goddess MINERVA wants to kill her out of no fault of Medusa. Didn’t we kinda have someone in TPN right now with a MINERVA alias say something similar?

Oh hello there Norman. Funny that you would say that... In the myth Minerva doesn’t kill Medusa herself, but aids the hero Perseus who cuts off Medusa’s head, which ends up on Minerva’s famous shield the Aegis. In many sources it is said that the shield is used to petrify Minerva’s enemies. But Medusa had one more funny quality about her that had the interest of Minerva in the mythology:

“ The character of Medusa can also be seen to come along with some qualities that emerge after her tale of origin. For example, one half of Medusa’s BLOOD is HEALING – and so, along with her petrifying ability, she could also heal. Blood taken from the veins on her LEFT was POISONOUS, while blood taken from her RIGHT could RESTORE THE DEAD TO LIFE.”

Huh, didn’t we just learn that Mujika’s blood is SPECIAL? That it can “CURE” the demons from their hunger of humans, but it is also DANGEROUS for  the demons in charge and for the humans in case the “cured” demons decided to still eat humans? Btw, isn’t it funny how Mujika draws blood from her right in this panel when healing those villagers?

Maybe I didn’t need to be so worried about my Mujika Medusa theory after all...

[ficticiousdelicious]

!!HEY SPOILERS!!

Volume Twelve of the Rave Master manga’s front and back cover and my favorite images and panels out of this book.

[top left panel] Reina kicks the crap out of Musica, he lets her because he thinks she’s justifiably upset for her life being ruined, until he has the thought that perhaps his late teacher Rize actually did want to steal the Silver Ray but someone else had stolen it first. So we now get Musica’s side of the story on Rize and the Silver Ray weapon-ship which is a very sensible one and it’s an interesting twist that someone else is involved - things are more than they seem in searching for this epic weapon-ship. This is a very interesting and well-balanced subplot development. Unfortunately for Musica, Reina has weakened him to the point of being vulnerable; he was too much of a gentleman! He loses the fight and the Oracion Seis seem a step closer to their goals.

[top right image] At the sight of Griff, their blob friend (a perv but he’s lovable) being cut in half by Julius, Elie’s emotions get the better of her and Etherion starts to run amok as he blows up an area around herself in distress. I would push a guess as to exactly why Griff sacrificed himself and it’s got two anchors: one, Elie broke her arm to keep from falling on him during this fight, and two, he does care about her a lot otherwise! Then Elie cries out for the Oracion Seis to back off from her friends, all of whom she can see have been hurt, just before Etherion pulses again. It’s made clear later to be the case but she still doesn’t have control of Etherion. It’s really wild that if she gets too upset the power surfaces anyway. Fortunately for Elie, Griff isn’t actually dead because he’s a weird jelly creature! I love how Elie’s mighty power isn’t overused but it is made known.

[middle panel and image] Sieg drops in unexpectedly and this time he is fighting for our heroes, claiming that he is doing this primarily to protect Elie as a way to make up for hurting her to save the planet before. He’s defected from the Oracion Seis. It is very commendable that Sieg is noble and sensible enough to realize that the planet isn’t in such danger that he has to just destroy anything remotely threatening and has sense to make amends - that’s not what most mages would do. We find out that Sieghart has a heart…and that he’s dang formidable. He uses a huge, intricate spell to hammer his point to the Oracion Seis members and they do back off of the heroes. Haja of the Oracion Seis refers to Sieg as an ‘archmage’ which basically means Sieg is in the top tier of magic users. Sieg is an epic character of his own right in this story and he just becomes more and more likeable the more we get to see of him. (Julius also seems to have a man-crush on Sieg and Elie and Reina don’t mind looking at Sieg either…it’s obvious that he’s intended to be a desirable character and I find that entertaining.)

[bottom image] I wasn’t going to include this image but Lucia, who will be a main villain, appearing was pretty significant and I think this is the best shot of him currently at a point where his presence is really starting to make a huge difference. I also haven’t mentioned him yet! Lucia has just broken into and lashed some discipline around Demon Card’s headquarters; the Oracion Seis seem off-put until they find out who he is. Lucia is given father’s weapon, Decalogue, in addition to having Sinclaire (the mother of Dark Bring, a Dark Bring itself). ‘The Blond Demon’ or Lucia Raregroove is the only child of King (Gale Raregroove) but Lucia in contrast is corrupt and worse than King ever was even when his father was at his worst. Lucia is Haru’s natural enemy, the Master of all Dark Bring. They already met and dislike each other as of volume eleven. I think their dislikes of each other are justifiable. Now it won’t be just Demon Card that Lucia revives and dominates, it’s the Raregroove legacy that he brings back which says that an infamous blood-feud between major territories Symphonia and Raregroove (that we learn about periodically through direct storytelling and hints about war) unfortunately didn’t die by the Gales’ sacrifices - they gave their lives to try and stop it. If sons picking up where their fathers left off isn’t an epic setup for what promises to be a really cool story about good versus evil I don’t know what is! (If you’ll notice where Lucia’s scars are on his face versus the image of him being knocked down as a child you’ll find they’re exactly accurate - a testament to how detailed this series can be.)

Rave Master; Elie; Hamrio Musica; Reina; Griffon Kato; Sieghart/Sieg Hart Caeser; Julius Rayfield; Lucia Raregroove; King/Gale Raregroove; Rize; Haja; Haru Glory; Gale Glory © Hiro Mashima

[tsuki-sennin]

EarthBound – Episode 27: Evil Salesman

Spoilers, I guess...

>Well, hope I didn’t alienate you by talking about Adam Taurus’s character short for RWBY Volume 6, because we now return to our... somewhat regularly scheduled programming!

>Even if we get no directions, it’s always worth it to see a Runaway Five concert!

>According to Google, boffo, as a noun, means success... is this to commemorate the Runaway getting out of debt for the second time?

>The Department Store is a wretched hive of scum and villainy. Like that Kame Yu place that opened up in Morioh-cho back in the 90s. Apparently there was some killer guy there?

>2 dollars for a ketchup packet is still stupid, by the way.

>”Food” is a great food stall. Not as great as the burger joint “Burger”, but it’s pretty good whenever I’m in the mood.

>Beware the recharge on that Hyper Beam Jeff!

>”Shop” sucks. Go to “Tool” instead.

>I heard that everything in Summers is crazy expensive dude. Even if you got there, what can you do without committing crimes?

>This kid wants to be a programmer, Emile! Don’t crap on his dream!

>And then Emile was stuck in Florida for several years. A fate worse than death, truly.

>Oh shit, Paula got kidnapped again. Looks like Ness and Jeff are on their own for now.

>SMAAAASHING records! Take that, “Be Here Now” by Oasis! (I seem to crap on that album a lot, don’t I? I can’t help it. It actually hurts my ears.)

>Musica, on the other hand, is a bit easier to deal with.

>”I don’t claim to know that guy Emile perfectly, but I think I know him pretty well.” -Emile, 2018.

> Alright, partner... Keep on rollin', baby... You know what time it is...

>I can’t believe I actually referenced that song un-ironically.

>Again, the 1/128 items are worthless to me.

>WH-WHAT?! FIRST TIME MENTIONING IT, AND YOU GET IT!?

>Well, you’ll go to heaven.

>Ness and Jeff smash the Dept. Store Spook into... not heaven, I guess.

>He transformed Paula! That bastard!

>Thank you, Tracy. We will be needing it soon!

[patricksilvrrozartistry]

Current Music Obsessions: March 1 - 15, 2017

It's that time again! I have A LOT of honorable mentions this time around since I still have a bit of songs in my watch later playlist, which probably will never change. Anyways, here they are.

Aeranea - Any Other Way Endless - Destroy My Life Aura's Seers - O Pastor (Madredeus) Divergent - Outsider Shadowrise - Atlantis Walk in Darkness - A Way to the Stars Chaostar - Tazama Jua Purest of Pain - The Solipsist Ayreon - Everybody Dies (live) Grigori 3 - Awakening Last Days of Eden - Fallin in the Deep Hardcore Anal Hydrogen - Jean-Pierre Omega Diatribe - Spinal Cord Fusion Visions of Atlantis - Book of Nature Rivers of Nihil - A Home 7 Days in Alaska - Lost at Sea The Atlas Moth - Galactic Brain Dream Ocean - The Last Dance Dream Ocean - Somewhere Untouched Qveen Herby - That Bih Melted Space - The Dawn of Man (I'm Alive) Hydra - The Last Swan feat. Zuberoa Aznarez (Diabulus in Musica, Tragul) Ihsahn - Arcana Imperii Temperance - Of Jupiter and Moons

And here are the wonderful main obsessions.

1) Glasya - Heaven's Demise

Randomly found this song on YT one day and holy tits is it powerful. I'm pretty sure this is their first single, and if that's the case, they sure know how to make a bold first impression. These guys seem very promising, so I'm definitely gonna keep an eye on them.

2) Masqued - The Light in the Dark

Learned about this band thanks to FemME mentioning that they're on this year's roster for the festival. They're a pretty great band from the States. They're a bit power metally, but I can't be for certain since this is the first song I've ever heard from them. Their front woman has really powerful and unique voice. Definitely gonna look more into them.

3) Seven - Until the Light Takes Us

This is one of the stand outs off their latest album. It has more of an experimental feel to it than their typical progressive metal sound and I love it. It packs such a powerful punch for something that seems so simple. This is what amazing mixing can do.

4) Marshmello x Lil Peep - Spotlight

EDM isn't my thing, but when I saw that this was a collaboration with Lil Peep, I had to check it out. I'm still a noob when it comes to his music, but everything I've heard I've really enjoyed. This is no exception. It hit me right in the feels when I saw this too, knowing that he passed away just a few months ago. Anyways, this song is great and the video is a great piece of art. I'm a huge fan of the colors and the saturation.

5) Graveshadow - Widow and the Raven

This is their first single off their upcoming album and I'm so excited for it. I learned about them shortly after Heather parted ways with Helion Prime and found out that she uses way more of her vocal talents with them. Homegirl's got some impressive growls and has such a great range with her cleans. This song is so great and I can't wait to hear more.

6) Aura's Seers - Meu Medo

This is hands down my favorite song that they've released so far. And the video is absolutely STUNNING. Sienna Sally's voice is absolutely wonderful and you can hear a lot of her range on this track. I just LOVE the blending of prog rock and trip hop with their sound. I hope to make music very similar to this one day. Who knows, maybe her and I might collaborate one day. One could only dream.

7) Oceans of Slumber - No Color, No Light feat. Tom Englund (Evergrey)

Of all the songs that they dropped prior to the album's release (which I already listened to and it's fucking amazing), this one stands out the most. Not just because it's a duet, but the atmosphere of the song is so different and we get to hear a different side of Cammie's voice. Something soft and pretty. It's such a simple touch, but it's so moving. And Tom's voice here on this track adds to its beauty. Such a beautiful and haunting track.

8) Shadowside - Alive

I can't remember how I came across this song, but I found the video and the song blew me away. This is such a powerful symphonic-ish power metal track. Their front woman has such a strong voice that it caught me offguard when the chorus hit. It has such a great vibe to it and is wonderful to jam to. Definitely am gonna look more into these guys.

9) The Eden House - Misery

Rekindled my love for this song after listening to their latest album. It's such a pretty track with their newest singer, Louise, takes the lead on. Such a great way to introduce her. I love how ambient their music is, it's so pretty. With the lyrics being rather dark, it adds a really nice contrast. Highly recommend this track.

10) Spiritbox - The Mara Effect, Pt. 3

I was so fucking floored when I found out that iwrestledabearonce broke up. I looked across their social media and found nothing about them breaking up, they just seemed to have disappeared. But I found out that Courtney and another member started this band. I think this was the direction that they started taking IWABO, but figured that it'd be better to start a new project instead of transforming a band's iconic sound. This is some djenty prog right here and I need more of it. It's so fucking good.

11) Dimmu Borgir - Interdimensional Summit

There are so many mixed feelings about this track. Dimmu are making their comeback and this is the song they dropped. It's not their best and is completely different from what they've done in the past, but I love it anyways. It has a symphonic power metal kind of vibe to it that I'm really digging, but that's why a lot of people don't like it at all. It's nothing like they've done before and is a bit cheesy, but I like extra cheese on my pizza. To each their own, but I really dig this. BUT I am hoping they release a ballbuster soon.

12) Hallatar - Dreams Burn Down feat. Aleah Stanbridge (Trees of Eternity)

This song is absolutely gorgeous and a great one to end the album. For those who don't know, this band is a tribute to the late Aleah Stanbridge. I'm guessing this was meant to be a ToE song, but wasn't able to be completed, so Hallatar came in and gave it the life it needed. This song is so heartbreakingly beautiful. I cried the first time I heard it. We miss you so much, Aleah.

13) Sin Deadly Sin - Your Heaven

I rekindled my love for this track. It's such a great gothic metal track. I really need to hear more from them with this being the only song I know by them. It's so haunting, especially the last minute of it. It's so entrancing and just sends so many feelings through you.

14) Sarasvati - Released to Aion

This is their latest single and it's amazing. I wonder if this means an album is coming soon. Anyways, if you enjoy progressive doom metal, definitely listen to this. Chela's haunting, low voice and Joe's blend so beautifully together. I can't wait to hear more from them. I haven't heard a dud from the yet.

15) In Flames - When the World Explodes feat. Emilia Feldt (live)

Another song I rekindled my love for. I'm not too familiar with In Flames, but if they have more songs like this that feature a soprano, I need to hear them. Their voices blend so beautifully together. And don't get me started on the last minute or so. Emilia fucking killed it. Such a gorgeous song.

16) Persefone - Aathma part IV. Many of One feat. Merethe Soltvedt

Aathma was a pretty cool album, but this and Living Waves stand out the most to me. This song is so simple, but simplicity can make an absolutely gorgeous track. Merethe has such a pretty voice and fills this song with so much emotion. A perfect way to close an album. I also love that it's about a soul returning to the stars. Love songs like this.

That's it for the first half of March! Let's hope I can keep up with staying below 20 main obsessions for a while.

[natsubeatsrock]

Interesting Details from HERO’S

As a big fan of almost all of Mashima’s works, (I’ll get to Monster Hunter Orage), Hero’s was one of the most fun I had all of last year. There were plenty of fun things that I’m not sure a lot of people got. To celebrate Mashima’s 43rd birthday, I wanted to keep my word and talk about some of the more fun connections between HERO’S, the series each character comes from, and a few other works that Mashima’s responsible for.

As a bit of a warning, there are mild spoilers for each of the series. I’ll do my best not to spoil too much crazy stuff from any of the series. However, I absolutely expect you to have read HERO’S before coming into this post as I talk about every chapter in great detail, including the special bonus chapter.

Chapter 1

Let’s get the obvious one out of the way. The series is called HERO’S because... Hiro Mashima. Not everyone will be like this.

Gray formed the habit of uncontrollably stripping during his time training to be an Ice Make Wizard. It was help him get over cold temperatures. And yes, this is only a Gray thing.

The necklace around Rebecca’s neck is her B-Cubing device. As a B-Cuber, she wants to do her best not to miss a good video opportunity, as we’ll see in Chapter 10.

Pino is particularly interested in magic abilities. While meeting Fairy Tail mages does much to satisfy that desire here, it’s not as if that thirst isn’t satiated in her own series.

While Mashima has gone on record to say Edens Zero exists in a separate universe from Fairy Tail (pun not intended), this explanation does a great job in showing how the series could have been made to work together.

I, along with others, have made the joke a few times that Homura is the love child of Kagura from the wizard guild Mermaid Heel, and Erza. Glad to see Mashima nodding off Kagura in ths series.

Shiki’s hilariously eager to make friends with people he’s cool with. Natsu’s also fairly amicable, but Shiki’s more interested in making a ton of friends in his series.

The “fireworks“ Lord Mashyre creates bear a resemblance to Nakajima, a house plant in Haru’s house and technical co-star of the extra seiies “Rave 0077″. We later learn there’s a whole island of creatures like him, and even meet his parents.

If the name Musica sounds familiar, it’s because Panther Lily’s sword is called the Musica Sword. (Note the similar note on it and Haru’s base sword.) In Rave Master, Musica learns to do a bit of sword crafting of his own.

Chapter 2

Elie’s pajamas have a similar sign as Erza’s base armor as Heart Kreuz is a company that exist across all three universes. Lucy’s pajamas has the Aquarius mark across the top of the chest. Rebecca’s pajamas have cats across them as she’s a huge fan of cats.

Speaking of cats, the Edens Zero version of Happy, who shows up later, has more than a few similarities and differences between the two of them. A notable one is that EZ’s Happy is only partially a cat.

Similarly, Elsie Crimson looks very similar to Erza. She’s an infamous galactic pirate who is responsible for gifting Shiki and his friends the titular Edens Zero.

In a chapter published after HERO”S, Pino compares herself to a rabbit.

Homura going to the desert is likely a part of her training against heat. This will matter later on.

The prison guards have M’s on their face. Use your best guess as to who that’s for. In Fairy Tail, an evil guild left their prisoners in equal or worse states of dress, depending on your version of Fairy Tail.

Fans of Fairy Tail’s anime will likely remember Rave Master’s Jiggle Butt Gang. In Rave, they were train robbers who made infrequent appearances after becoming less evil.

Haru’s sword, the Ten Commandments, has the ability to change into one of ten different swords. Fans of Fairy Tail may recognize the names and abilities as similar to the spear Erza Knightwalker used.

As a silver claimer, Musica’s able to manipulate the shape of his necklace into a weapon. Silver Ray is a ship Musica was looking to destroy. About halfway through the series, he finds and destroys it. It later becomes his most powerful weapon and unbreakable spear. It means a lot to him.

Griff’s cartography makes him an important member of the Rave Warriors. However, he’s fairly annoying because of his more pervy tendencies. Weird to see a mesh of that in this chapter.

Much of Rave involves the Rave Warriors fighting enemies using Dark Brings. Rave Master gets its in-series name from the five Rave Stones and the Rave Masters are considered wielders of the Holy Stones.

Chapter 3

Most of the other characters on this cover are in this series and I’ve talked about Griff and Nakajima. But Ruby the penguin isn’t. Before joining the Rave Warriors, he was the owner of a casino and tied in unknowingly tied to less than good affairs.

Let and Julia are members of Rave Master’s Dragon Race. Unlike dragon slayers, they’re closer to dragons. At 20, they look like hybrids between dragons and humans. After a year of training, they go through a special ritual. If they suceed, they’ll look more human; if they fail, they’ll look more like dragons.

Being corrupted by evil desires turns a man who wants to use the powers of creativity for himself into a lookalike of one of Mashima’s most copied off characters. Touche.

For those who don’t know, Rave Master, Fairy Tail, and Edens Zero all have characters who bear a resemblance to Sieghart. Though we’ll get to that soon enough.

Chapter 4

Before releasing HERO’S, Mashima tweeted out a rough sketch of the cover picture with Weisz, Musica, and Gray.

Rebecca uses a few different types of guns. However, Edens Zero Happy is able to transform into a pair of blasters. As he’s currently on the Edens Zero, we get this line.

Part of Rebecca’s B-Cubing life revolves around playing video games. Tome Rider would no doubt be one of them.

Ichiya does break into his more muscular form every now and then in Fairy Tail.

Mosco was also held as a prisoner in Edens Zero, though he was held under much better conditions than he likely was here. Unfortunately, he didn’t get the best introduction to the EZ Crew.

“Greck” is a curse used in Rave Master. Depending on how you read Rave, you’ll see other curse words used...

Haru and Elie have a closest relationship than the hero and heroine couples of the three series. We get a glimpse of that in this chapter, calling back to a number of moments in Rave.

Note the “HK” on the arrow sling. These are Erza’s weapons and she has a bit of a contract with Heart Kreuz.

Pino does have the ability to disable electronic devices. While this is particularly helpful throughout Edens Zero, it’s of no use against these monsters.

If it wasn’t clear already, Natsu and Shiki not recognizing each other confirms that this works outside of a similar crossover Mashima did between Fairy Tail and Rave Master.

Chapter 5

Mashima does have an Aki and a Fuyu. Aki is a member of the Black Airs in Mashima’s Monster Soul and Mafuyu is the main character of Mashima’s one shot Combo Squad Mixture.

Incidentally, Mashima has two Shiki's. Before Edens Zero, he gave the name Shiki to the main character of Monster Hunter Orage. He’s also mentioned naming a character named Seison, which is French for seasons in an interview.

Plue exists across Mashima’s various universes in different forms, as early as Mashima’s first one-shot. In Fairy Tail, he’s one of Lucy’s minor spirits. In Edens Zero, Nikora is a species of dog that serve food at a restaurant. Mashima’s even joked about one being his own personal pet.

In Rave Master, Sieghart was a powerful magician that was important in understanding Elie’s abilites and backstories. He was one of Mashima’s favorite characters and he wasn’t happy with how he ended up in the series. He said that me might show up in another series.

Enter Jellal. He became a part of Fairy Tail’s magic council under the alias Siegrain. He went from villain to vigilante across the span of the series, even now as the sequel is running.

While they haven’t met, Shiki is likely aware of a character in his own universe named Justice who is part of the Interstellar Union Army. One of his prime targets is Elsie.

This chapter represents one of the missed opportunities of the Fairy Tail x Rave OVA. Let and Julia don’t know that Wendy and Natsu received their Dragon Slaying powers from actual dragons. They’re less apt to kill real dragons than others might be.

Chapter 6

Speaking of Dragon Slayers, Gajeel the Iron Dragon Slayer is shown playing chess. He’s accompanied by Levy McGarden and Panther Lily. Note the chess pieces have Plue icons on them and that Gajeel seems to be winning.

This is the clearest example of something I’ve said a number of times before: Mashima’s series aren’t interchangable. Haru’s goal is destroying the Dark Bring. Natsu’s goal is beating a powerful enemy. Shiki’s goal is finding his friend. Each of these goals makes sense given their characters and respective series universe.

As contentious as this was at the time it was released, it’s hard to say that Lucy is stronger than Wendy past the halfway point of the series. I wouldn’t compare her to Natsu, Gray, or especially Erza.

Elie has lower INT points than Mashima’s later female leads.

Gray and Musica’s meeting represents the most disappointing omission from the OVA for Fairy Tail x Rave. In that meeting, Musica notes the similarity between Gray’s necklace and one of the Rave stones. This was a nod to a plan Mashima had to make Gray a Rave Master in Fairy Tail.

As an Exceed, Carla has the ability to transform into a more human form. Of the Exceeds in the Fairy Tail guild, Happy is the only one unable to do this.

The Fairy Tail guild is used to fights in their guild hall. On a couple of occasions, the enemies have come to their guild hall for the fight.

I don’t want to talk about the many guild members in Fairy Tail in too much detail, but I’ll list the ones I’ve yet to talk about. 

Panel 1: Max Alors, Warren Rocko, Nab Lazaro

Panel 2: Mirajane, Lisanna, and Elfman Strauss

Panel 3: Juvia Lockser and Cana Alberona

Panel 4: Including the trio from the cover, Jet and Droy

Panel 5: Laki Olietta, Wakaba Mine, Romeo and Macao Conbolt, Laxus Dreyar, Freed Justine, Bickslow, Evergreen, Alzack, Bisca, and Asuka Connel, Reedus Jonah

Panel 6: Makarov Dreyar

Fairy Tail’s Eighth Guild Master, Makarov Dreyar’s appearance suggests that this series takes place closer to the end of the series.

Shuda and Belnika are characters that join the Rave Warriors past the halfway point of the series. Shuda started out as a member of Rave Master’s Oracion Six, but later reforms and joins the Rave Warriors. Belnika is a mage who has the ability to use healing magic.

Chapter 7

Belnika and Wendy share a cover with Hermit from Rave Master. While Mashima has drawn a Twitter sketch of Hermit and Wendy together, the more interesting connection is between Wendy and Belnika. In addition to both being primarily support mages, Wendy buys a Belnika doll in the Fairy Tail x Rave OVA.

Elie learns to shoot magic bullets out her tonfa blasters very late in the series.

Fact: this isn’t the first time Natsu’s used his hands to cover Lucy’s naked boobs. Unfortunately, this wasn’t his last.

Shiki is deathly afraid of bugs. It gets bad at times.

Elie has been shown to be an especially skilled dancer, even winning an in-series dance contest. Though, it’s hard to call her a “nude dancer”.

While I’ve mentioned the out-of-series reason for the series name. In-series, it’s worth recognizing that HEROS allows all three series protagonists reach their goals.

This broadcast is coming from the Edens Zero. On board, we see Edens Zero’s version of Happy along with three of the Demon King’s Four Shining Stars: Hermit, “the Mind of Edens”, Witch, “the Shield of Edens”, and Sister Irvy, “the Life of Edens”.

Witch calls Shiki the Demon King. He inherited the title from his adoptive grandfather, along with his Ether Gear powers.

Chapter 8

This is an interesting cover with series baddies. Lucia Raregroove ended up being the final villain of Rave Master. Zeref is responsible for much of the mischief in Fairy Tail. Ziggy is the former Demon King from Edens Zero. We haven’t seen enough of Ziggy for me to say that he truly belongs in the same company as these guys, but I doubt “Demon King” was a nice title.

Remember what I said about Elie’s INT points? When Let joined the Rave Warriors, she called him “Mr. Alligator” as he was in his half-dragonized form.

Natsu’s a much bigger fan of fighting people than Shiki or Haru. His personal preference is tests of skill as opposed to battles to the death.

Weisz is fairly pervy in his own right. It wouldn’t be wrong to say he is like Griff in those regards.

Dual Explosions is part of a techinque where Haru combines the abilities of his swords together. Here, the properties of Blue Crimson and Explosion are combined.

It’s worth recognizing that Genesis is obviously corrupted by magic and coming up with spells that come from other series. Sema is one of Jellal’s spells.

Elie doesn’t have as much qualms about being “the weak one“ as Lucy and Rebecca do. In fact, one big issue she has with her friends is that they seem to want to protect her, as opposed to wanting her to help them.

Chapter 9

Very funny, Mashima. Here’s the order: top left is Genesis, top right is Jellal Fernandez from Fairy Tail, bottom left is Sieghart Caesar from Rave, and bottom right is Justice from Edens Zero.

A bit of perspective is worth recognizing. Rebecca is from x492 and the guild she’s apart of is 50 years old. Fairy Tail ends at x793 and a good amount of the set up for the series events takes place about 400 years before the series starts. The Rave Master timeline starts with the birth of a character named Resha Valentine who was born about 70 years before the series starts.

I’ll admit I didn’t know this on my own. The gods refer to other mangakas in Monthly Shonen Magazine. George Morikawa writes Hajime no Ippo, Yuuji Terajima writes Ace of Diamond, Seo Kouji writes Fuuka, and Kei Sagusa writes Domestic Girlfriend.

Note the difference in the descriptions of stories: Rave’s focus is on finding the Rave Stones, Fairy Tail’s focus is on the guild, and Edens Zero’s is on the journey through space.

Being a mangaka is notoriously difficult work. We see that manifested in a bit of Lord Mashmyre’s history.

Much of Elie’s personal quest in Rave Master is regaining her own memories. That’s all I’m going to say on that.

It’s worth mentioning that the Edens Zero’s secret weapon is called Etherion. Unfortunately, they can’t use it now as there are only three of the Four Shining Stars currently on the Edens Zero.

We’ll get to Rave Master’s Etherion, but in Fairy Tail, Etherion was a special weapon used by the Magic Council capable of destroying entire countries.

“Ducky” is another series specific saying, this time from Rebecca. She’s the only one that says it.

My favorite moment of the series is Plue being thrown to destroy Oasis. In Rave Master, Plue’s nose is well known for destroying Dark Bring.

While Lucy and Elie are both adept magic users, Rebecca is just starting to get the hang of her Ether Gear power. However, Ether Gear works very similar to magic in other series, hence her ability to help in this situation.

Grand Chariot is a spell shared by both Siegrain and Jellal.

Chapter 10

Shuda has a bit of personal interest in the safety of Haru, as the person responsible for his changing to the light. Among other reasons...

As I’ve previously mentioned, Haru and Elie are the only one of the main duos to become an official couple, as of the time I’m writing this. (Fans of Fairy Tail may notice my self-restraint.)

I should mention that Let and Julia are also lovers in Rave Master.

Juvia’s had a number of perceived threats to a romantic relationship with Gray starting the same chapter they first met. While Pino might seem like a weird rival, she’s also considered another Exceed named Frosch to be a love rival.

Erza’s bunny costume makes yet another appearance in a crossover between Fairy Tail and Rave. Yeah, this was a thing there as well.

Speaking of that crossover, Elie considered Happy to be a bug when she first saw him then. In her defense, she also thought Plue was a bug the first time she saw him. Wait...

Gray’s master is Ur Milkovich, one of the strongest Ice Wizards. Homura’s master is Valkyrie Yura, a member of the Demon King’s Shining Stars, the Sword of Edens.

Weisz is a fan of bunny girl outfits. As part of a wager, he got Homura to wear a bunny girl outfit.

I’ve yet to talk about the various types of swords that the Ten Commandments turns into in this series.

Eisenmeteor - base sword.

Explosion - sword that causes explosions

Silfarion - speed-enhancing sword

Runsave - sword that cuts through intangible objects

Melforce - pushes enemies away

Blue Crimson -fire sword and ice sword

Gravity Core - sword with gravity abilites

Shiki’s quite an ugly crier. He has plenty good reason to cry about friends, given his own series.

Note how Mashymre’s final words correpsond with the series: talk of worlds for Edens Zero, talk of people for Fairy Tail, and talk of tasks for Rave Master.

Lucy is also an author. Fans of Edens Zero might have noticed her breakout hit novel “Iris Adventure” as an easter egg in a chapter.

Bonus Chapter

Along with Symphonia in the last chapter, Song Continent displays how the names in Rave Master were based around music theme

Weirdly enough, both the time Lucy and Elie were naked are tied to spoilery events. Suffice it to say, these actually happened and neither case was of their own will.

Remember when I said heat training would matter later? Homura sees being in the spa as “part of her training”.

Etherion is Elie’s special magic in Rave Master. Incidentally, the number 3173 is important to understanding both. Even as it’s not the Etherion Hermit or Irvy know, it’s likely as potent.

Lucy joins the ranks of Edens Zero Happy and Homura as people who have completed the “Mind Numbing Torture and Pleasure Massage” and live.

Lucy has poor luck when it comes to setting traps for people in Fairy Tail.

Rebecca is shown to be as big of an eater as Shiki in Edens Zero. Being drawn by the smell of food makes sense for her.

This wouldn’t be the first time Elie has been accidentally seen bathing by Haru.

The shot of Haru and Elie holding hands is a call back to a moment in the manga where they fall asleep holding hands. Mashima also drew a similar moment with Natsu and Lucy as part of a cover, but without the hand holding.

Xiaomei serves as the narrator for Edens Zero and Mavis Vermillion was the first guild master for Fairy Tail.

While we’ve seen most of the men in this final page, Lazenby the White Demon makes an appearance from Rave Master. He also appeared in the OVA version of Fairy Tail x Rave.

This was supposed to be only 43 fun details to celebrate his birthday. I got carried away.

Hopefully I can talk about HERO’S more in the future. I talk a lot about Fairy Tail on this blog and have done chapter reviews of Edens Zero on charlierejouis. I do plan on talking about Rave in the future, as I’m currently collecting the physical volumes of the series (against my better judgement).

Mashima’s managed to make a number of amazing worlds across his career as a mangaka and I’m excited to see what he does next. Here’s to more years of health and happines!