#Chapter 49 has always easily been my favorite chapter in the whole manga‚ no room for discussion.

[kyouka-supremacy]

More thoughts about Kyouka and Akutagawa since I have. A Lot. Most of this was initially rambles that were to go in the tags but got too long to fit

In the end Akutagawa likes Kyouka so much and is fond of her because he subconsciously admires how she found the courage to get out of the environment that was severely hurting her and actually call out her abusive mentor for the pain he inflicted her, whereas Akutagawa is aware that he never was and never will be able to do the same. It's only subconscious, because Akutagawa couldn't ever stand admitting it to himself- because to him that would mean admitting being in pain is his fault too, as well as second guessing every single choice he's ever made. But the admiration is still there. Akutagawa is always complimenting Kyouka, and it's kind of heartwarming‚ kind of heartbreaking when you take in that that's just what he always wanted his own mentor to do to him. Akutagawa's character is so tragic...

Also, in my opinion Kyouka never really feared Akutagawa the way Akutagawa fears Dazai. She feared being hurt as long as she stayed in an hostile enviroment, in great disadvantage and with no chance to get out on her own, but as soon as her chains were broken she really... Doesn't falter in front of Akutagawa. She threatens him with a gun the day after having left the pm- and she doesn't falter, doesn't hesitate; she almost blows him up seconds later; she's not afraid of him as they fight during the cannibalism arc; in Dead Apple, she isn't troubled by the idea of being left alone with him, because she's confident in her abilities and knows she can perfectly stand up for herself. None of this could be said for Akutagawa and Dazai. Partially because Akutagawa was much more vulnerable than Kyouka when Dazai picked him up (despite them being the same age; but Kyouka was raised lovingly and had a perception of what being treated with dignity was like, while Akutagawa lacked that), partially because Dazai is way better at manipulating people than Akutagawa could ever be, who really sucks at it. Akutagawa is terrified of Dazai and still very much subject to him: God, he didn't hesitate one second to throw himself from a balcony just to catch a repetitor for a slight chance to talk to him. He begged him to allow him to prove his power although he was beaten and exhausted and every muscle in his body hurt like hell. He didn't object to being teamed up with the person he hates the most in the whole world just because it was Dazai who asked. After four years after having been abandoned, Dazai called, and Akutagawa immediately ran to him- with that desperate look in his eyes. But the list is so long, I could go on forever; every single thing Akutagawa does (or, almost every single... ), he does for Dazai. Kyouka would never do ANY of this for Akutagawa (thank goodness). Akutagawa fears Dazai, Kyouka doesn't fear Akutagawa.

It's also sorta fun how Kyouka didn't particularly try to hide her dislike for Akutagawa even while she was still in the pm. Seriously, Kyouka is so fearless and brave. I wholly believe her being so blunt about her animosity towards him contributes to Akutagawa having a liking for her, be it self-loathing, be it having the courage to do what he himself could never. (And it's also fun to remember how Akutagawa has it in him to hate Dazai. There's a whole alternative universe where he deeply loathes him from the first to the last page).

Really, Kyouka and Akutagawa are some of my favorite foils and I'll never get tired of them. Both of them are kind of ruthless. Both have a deep bond with their siblings, who bring out the best of them. For both joining their respective organizations is seen as salvation. The way they're both very pragmatic and oftentimes even cynical. The way they were perfectly on the same page in Dead Apple, to the point Kyouka deemed it the best choice in that moment to go with Akutagawa rather than stay with Atushi. The real difference lays in how Kyouka found it in herself to rebel where Akutagawa couldn't. But that's not really a difference by itself as much as it was consequence of the environment they grew up in: Kyouka was raised in early childhood with love and support, and was able to tell that what was being done to her in the pm was wrong. Akutagawa, on the other hand, never knew what love is, so he couldn't perceive the lack of thereof.

[dialoversotaka]

50 questions about me

Rules: fill this out and tag at least one person you’d like to know more about! Or just fill it out! Or don’t! Answer only some of them! Make up your own questions! “What kind of requirement is that”, you ask? A reasonable one! Who am I to tell you what to do? Anything goes!

Tagged by @shadyraisincookie

1. What kind of food can’t you stand? Spicy food, it’s rlly bad for me

2. If you could choose one minor inconvenience to never have to deal with again, what would you pick? There are so many things i don’t even know where to start…

3. Have you got any useless talents? I know how to roll my tongue into a 3 leaf clover

4. If you were really really good at one thing, what would it be? Knowing ppl’s true feelings/ thoughts (I’m so DENSE when it comes to ppl’s true thoughts/ feelings, if they don’t tell me what they feel/think or show it explicitly i’ll never know)

5. Name a few people you think are extremely good-looking: Ian Somerhalder, Tommy Karevik, Jared Leto (it’s a big list so i’ll stop here)

6. What was your favorite way to pass the time as a kid? Reading books (i get so lazy to do it nowadays)

7. What is something you’re proud of? I can summarize rlly long things and i can develop rlly big stories from one phrase

8. What’s one character flaw in people that you just can’t tolerate? Ppl who hide their true personalities

9. Do you consider yourself to be more of a leader or a follower? It rlly depends on the situation I’m in, sometimes i like to be the leader, but if there’s someone who’s way better than me to do it then i don’t mind staying as a follower

10. What kind of student are/were you? I’m the kind of student who doesn’t study and gets good grades (if it’s maths though, i’ll have to cram the day before if i want to pass)

11. Butterfly effect question! Has there ever been a seemingly minor decision you’ve made (at the time) that ended up having a profound influence on your life? Starting to watch subbed movies (i mean, my english was always good, but it improved a lot when i started to watch them in their original language)

12. Name your most irrational fear/ aversion: Losing a member of my family (i get so paranoid about it, you have no idea)

13. Are there any fictional characters you find especially relatable? I always get related to so many characters, it’s rlly hard to mention a specific one

14. If you drink, what kind of drunk are you? Alternatively, what sort of person are you at parties? I don’t like to drink and i’m the kind of person who sits with my cellphone till the party’s over (i’m not a sociable person soo…)

15. Do you fall in love easily? Or does it usually take a long time for you to trust someone? I develop some kind of interest, but to rlly come to love someone other than my family takes at least a year or 2

16. Would you rather have one close friend or 100 casual friends? I think i already have both?

17. Do you consider yourself to be more of a slob or a neat-freak? When it’s my own room i’m kind of a slob, but if i’m in a school trip i’ll probably be the neatest in the whole school

18. Describe a place (imaginary or real) that you would find incredibly cozy: Any house in a state called Teresópolis (It’s in Rio de Janeiro), every house there is so CUTE, idk why but I feel so cozy just by looking at them

19. Do you have kids? If not, do you want them someday? I want to have kids someday

20. What was your favorite book as a child? It was (and still is) ‘’The Lord of the Rings’‘

21. Name one thing you just don’t get what all the hype is about: Fidget spinners, they’re like meh

22. Name one thing that you think is tragically underrated: The Versus Song ‘’Die is Cast’’, it’s so AWESOME but not many ppl know it

23. If you had to be glued to a person for a month, real or fictional (who you have never met), who would you choose? I wouldn’t choose anyone, i don’t like meeting new ppl so much, so being glued to her for 1 month is impossible (but when i get to know the person, i get very flexible)

24. What’s something you’d like the chance to do someday: Go to Japan! 

25. Do you typically speak your mind when you have a controversial opinion? Or do generally prefer to not rock the boat? i don’t generally hold back, so I speak my mind without being afraid of what ppl will think

26. What’s the dumbest fad you’ve been caught up in? Getting overly excited to see that my favorite manga ‘’Devils Line’’ was being translated again (I cried out of happiness… i know it’s too much, but it’s such a great manga and it had so few chapters translated, i thought i’d never read it again, but then a miracle happened, i thank God every day for it)

27. What’s something you thought was cool as a kid/adolescent, but now cringe at yourself for? Speaking rlly formally and using difficult words when i was 7 years old (i had to stop cuz ppl didn’t understand me well…)

28. What’s a trait you consider to be very admirable? Ppl who admit their mistakes and are willing to fix them

29. Is there a particular kind of item people always tend to give you as gifts? I can’t think of anything…

30. Do you speak multiple languages? Which ones? In order of fluency: portuguese, english and still learning hebrew and japanese (i don’ wanna brag, but what can i do if it’s true?)

31. Would you rather live in the big city or the countryside? I can’t choose, i like both!

32. Has there ever been something you were certain you’d hate, but ended up loving? Starting my high school in Israel. I thought everyone would hate me in there and it would be awful, but the girls in my school are so nice, the mood is light and everyone gets along well, i rlly like it

33. Do you mind being the center of attention, or do you prefer the spotlight to be on someone else? I don’t like being in the center, i get too nervous if everyone suddenly starts noticing me

34. Favorite holiday? Hanukkah (not joking, i’m jew)

35. Are you a more go-with-the-flow type of person, or do you need to have things planned meticulously? If it’s on a competition or a risky situation, i do my best so nothing goes wrong, but most of the times i just go like ‘’que ser��, será’’ (what will be, will be)

36. Is there something you loved so much you wish you could forget it and experience it all over again? Going to Disneyland

37. What hobbies do you have? Mostly drawing, singing and analizing situations (like pretending to be a detective haha)

38. If you could have a superpower, but it was only mildly useful, what ability would you want to have? I’d want to be able to fly, it would be super useful

39. Something people are always surprised to learn about you: That i get rlly scary when i’m angry bcz i’m cute and it doesn’t seem like i’d explode so easily (altough depending on the situation i cool down rlly fast)

40. Something that took you way too long to figure out: Finding out the order of the DL games (I was rlly struggling to know it back then, but now i feel dumb about it…)

41. Worst injury you’ve had? When i was 8 i crashed my bike in the corner of a pillar in my playground and i opened a medium ‘’V’’ scar in my left knee (i screamed so loud it seemed like the world had stopped) and it hurt so much, my parents got rlly worried (although it hurt more when the doc put the anesthesia than when he sewed it…)

42. Any morbid fascinations? Any horror movies/ games (specially Corpse Party or The Evil Within)

43. Describe your sense of humor: It’s one of the traits ppl know me for, so  it’s very good 

44. If you had to be born in another era/place, which would you choose? I’m fine with this era, thank you very much

45. Something you are irredeemably bad at: Always judging ppl for bad

46. Something that sucked but you’re glad you went through: That misunderstanding that happened about my HDB translation posts, but we always have something to learn from everything that happens

47. Would you rather have a really godawful ugly tattoo in a place that is only slightly inconvenient to conceal with clothing (upper arm, thigh, etc.), or the coolest, most beautiful tattoo ever in the middle of your face? I don’t like tattoos, so neither of them

48. Are you more of an optimist or a pessimist? I’m more of a realist, but between those 2 i’d say pessimist

49. What would be the most flattering compliment someone could give you? That I’m as smart as Kira haha

50. Something you feel people often misunderstand about you: Ppl think I’m like Ayato, but in reality i’m a Reiji at heart

My tag goes to @vampiretsuki. That’s it guys! Hope you found it interesting! See ya~!

[theperfectladiesman]

Saiyuki meme part 2

34) What character do you think is least like yourself?

~Probably Ukoku. I’m not a psychopath or sociopath looking to snuff out life and light. And he’s super cunning and manipulative. 

35) What is a shipping you’re not on board with? (Be respectful!)

~I pretty much ship nearly everything under the sun for the most part. Or can at least understand or respect a ship. I ship I wouldn’t really be on board with though would be Li Touten x Nataku. Or Dokugakuji’s mom x Doku/Gojyo. Just not my thing.

36 ) Which Saiyuki character do you think could easily adjust to modern times?

~I’d say nearly all the main cast. I think they’ve all been through so much & they’ve learned to get really good with adapting and rolling with the punches. But if I had to narrow it down, perhaps Goku. Followed closely by Gojyo. They seem the most easy going & quickly accepting & adaptable. Likewise, I think Kougaiji would be one of the ones who would struggle the most perhaps. 

37) What is your favorite quote?

~There’s A LOT of good ones. Seeing as I have the opposite of a photographic memory... I can’t remember what my fav would be. A really good, memorable one though is where Kou overcame Ukoku’s mind control & gave him the whole speech where he wont be controlled again & his friends helped him to the light. Idk, something to that effect. Maybe I’ll come back to this question later after I find the exact lines.

38) Do you binge read the entire series or read selected chapters?

~Usually when I binge read or binge watch, it’s from start to finish on the entire series. If I just want to research something or remember a specific thing, it’s selected chapters.

39) Are you more a fan of Gensomaden Saiyuki or Saiyuki Reload/Gunlock?

~With the anime, Gensomaden. With the manga, its definitely Reload. 

40) Your favorite character became a mythical beast. What would they be?

~This.... is a tough one. If I wanted to take the easy option, I’d say it would be Kougaiji and he’d totally be a dragon. Or if I wanted to be funny, saying Gojyo being a kappa. I could see Hakkai being the male form of a Dryad. But I think my favorite is Sanzo... and the only thing I can think of to liken him to is the Phoenix. Sanzo’s “like the sun” and Phoenix is a sun bird. Phoenix’s rise from the ashes and Sanzo got burned by Kou’s fire and still rose to his feet. 

41) If you HAD to choose a character to die, who would it be?

~Well, this doesn’t say -MAIN- character. I wish I could say Ukoku... that would spare everyone so much misery... but I like the psycho bastard. So...Gyokumen Koushu. Then maybe Kou would get his mom back & he could team up with Sanzo!

42) Would you rather: Have all characters die or Have only one survive

~The question is.... would it be like Goku? Have them forget & then be reunited with the reincarnations? On one hand, it would be nice to have one survive to carry on the memory of everyone who died. But....I feel like there’s something incredibly unfair & cruel about having only one survive... so I guess I’d rather them all die. 

43) If [character] got into a fight with [character] who would win?

~Lol its hard to do these ones when I’m just answering them myself. 

44) What does Gojyo’s marking look like to you?

~I answered this one already, basically, a tribal flame

45) If Sanzo became a demon, what kind of marking do you think he’d have?

~I kinda wanna say something like the youkai Suika. Something small & round on his forehead in place of the chakra. Or it would probably be somewhere more discrete like his back or upper arm, a red color instead of black...idk the shape/design.

46) If [character] died, what do you think they’d be reborn as?

~I think Zakuro would love to be reborn in the golden age (Elizabethanera) cuz that’s when theatre, music, poetry & literature flourished. Perhaps Kougaiji/Hazel in the Victorian age and Ukoku in the Edwardian era... I know that’s not what the questions asking, but it is interesting to think diff era’s you’d put them in. 

47) After the journey, what do you think [character] will be doing?

~Hmm... I’ll just stick with Gojyo for this one. Assuming he’s still alive after the journey. I think he’d stick with Hakkai. (grudingly)Helping out around the shop if Hakkai worked/owned a shop. I could see Gojyo maybe being a bar tender or an escort/host... or whatever those equivalents are in the Saiyuki era, or just keeps raking in money with his gambling while being domestic with Hakkai.

48) If [character] had a tumblr, what would they reblog?

~This one’s a fun question. I think if Gojyo had a tumblr, the majority would reflect the 3 things he likes most- women, booze, and smokes. Probably sprinkle in some selfies of himself being all sexy, cheesy pick up lines and puns, maybe some crude jokes, more scantily clad women, and gambling tips. Then there’s probably some stuff he’d reblog for the sake of Sanzo,Hakkai, and Goku if they had tumblr as well. Monkey posts to tease Goku, life hacks for Hakkai, & random stuff that would piss off Sanzo. Probably jokes about cranky old men or something. 

49) What is your favorite animated scene?

~umm.... idk... all of Gaiden?

50) [Character]; Boxers, briefs, or commando?

~I feel like Gojyo would have an occasion for all three. Briefs when he’s planning to get with a lady or impress. Boxers when he’s lounging with the boys. And sometimes commando, mainly when sleeping if he has his own room. 

51) What 3 or more tropes fits your favorite character?

~ummm.... running gag, ship tease, and funny moments. (gojyo)

52) What are 3 tropes that describe [character]?

~fiery redhead, the alcoholic, and jerk with a heart of gold (gojyo)

53) If Saiyuki got a 4th series, what would it be called?

~Well now that there is a 4th season coming out... Saiyuki Reload Blast XD (now we just need an Ibun OVA!!!)

54) If your favorite character could control an element, what would it be?

~Fav charater’s always been between Sanzo and Kougaiji... though recently I often wonder if it’s not Hazel now. I think Lightning suits Sanzo. Fire for Kou. And Ice for Hazel. Earth for Goku & Hakkai. Wind for Yaone.

55) Was there a character you used to love but no longer do?

~I dont think so actually. I think everyone I love I still do and everyone I hate I still do. 

56) What has been the saddest moment for you in the series?

~Yakumo’s death. Yakumo’s whole chapter arc.  And the end of Gaiden.

57) What is your favorite anime/manga genre?

~Psychological thriller/horror (but I also like romance & action & drama)

58) Name 5 other characters you like along with your fav Saiyuki character.

~Spike Spiegel, Axel, Seto Kaiba, Zelos Wilder, Alvin Svent, and Snow Villiers

59) Do you prefer subbed or dubbed anime?

~Dubbed. But most of the time subbed is 100 x’s better... obviously.

60) Did you watch the anime first or read the manga?

~Gensomaden anime came first.

61) Do you seek out spoilers or avoid at all cost?

~I avoid them at all cost, most of the time. Unless it’s something I’m not planning to watch or read.

62) Do you write fan fics or draw fan art? If so, link!

~I do, on both accounts. I don’t have any Saiyuki fanfics though. If anyone really want links, I’ll send them privately in IM’s. My Saiyuki fanart can all be found on my blog. Other fan art of diff fandoms is on DA. I only have a couple of completed fanfics on fanfiction.net... most of my work isn’t finished so that’s not really worth linking, I wouldn’t think.

63) What was the most pointless filler in the anime?

~I can’t really think of anything... maybe the sauna one where Goku thinks Sanzo turns into a demon. Or the kitty one. Don’t get me wrong, I loved both those episodes... but in regards to the plot, they don’t contribute a thing. 

64) How do you describe Saiyuki to a friend who has never heard of it?

~Four guys travel west to stop the resurrection of a demon lord. Um... there’s lots of humor and action. It’s amazing. It’s.... kinda gay without actually being gay.

65) If you RP what is your favorite thing to Roleplay?

~answered this one~

66) What is your favorite Saiyuki Opening or Ending for the animes?

~The opening for Gaiden is very gorgeous, perhaps that one <3

67) What’s something you think would improve the series?

~HAVING MORE MANGA TRANSLATED AND PUBLISHED HERE IN AMERICA! And bring back some minor characters, that’d be cool to see.

68) Who, in your opinion, has the most tragic backstory?

~Geez... that’s like comparing a life time of stomach issues to someone who has a life time of mental illness... both are equally tragic. If I HAD to pick.... Yakumo.... I’m just gonna go with Yakumo. Technically, it’s not really a backstory but what’s he was presently doing. Having such a kind, soft heart... wanting nothing more but to save, shelter, and raise youkai kids... and choosing to kill them when they go berserk, perhaps with the whole mentality of ‘kill a few to save the whole’. It’s so tragic. Other than that, I can’t choose 1 over the other for tragic back stories cuz everyone has it equally bad in some way. 

I guess I can say the tie would be between Gojyo, Sanzo, Hakkai, Goku, Dokugakuji, Hazel, and Nataku.

69) Who would be best at pleasing their lover?

~It kinda depends on what said lover wants most our of their partner and if it’s true love or a fling. If they both knew what they were doing, Goku & Kou would be very thorough, patient, and thoughtful lovers. Gojyo would be best at bringing the skill/pleasure in a pure sexual aspect. Hakkai’s difficult to pin down. He’d be gentle with the same qualities I listed for Gok/Kou.... but he’d have this wall up at the same time. Sanzo... just probably wouldn’t be the best, if he got intimate at all to begin with. Hazel’s so... antagonistic. I’ll just go with Gojyo or Dokugakuji. 

70) What do you think Saiyuki would be like if Kougaiji and co were the main protagonists? Do you think you’d still enjoy it? 

~A lot less humor and more dark because it would be more from the “villains” POV. Kou’s kinda angsty. I don’t think Saiyuki would be as well recieved and loved from Kougaiji’s & co’s pov... and there’s several characters we might have missed out on.... but I think it’s something I would still really enjoy. If its written by Kazuya Minekura, she’d make it amazing regardless. 

71) What minor character had a significant impact on the plot?

~I think that would have to be Hazel Grouse.

72) On a scale from 1 - 10, 1 being not much and 10 being too much, how much does Saiyuki Gaiden hurt you?

~TEN

73) What character is still a mystery to you?

~Perhaps Koumyou or Ukoku (maybe even Yaone in the sense that we kinda know next to nothing about her... that I can recall). But with Koumyou especially, both of them are just so complex & different than I am that they’re difficult for me to understand. 

74) What is the funniest moment in the series?

~It really says something about how much a perv I really am if the very first scene that pops into my mind after thinking about what my fav moment could be is.... Gojyo & Goku wrestling & arguing on the bed and that lady walks in & thinks they’re doing, or about to do, something naughty. Oddly, I Really like the scene where Gojyo mimics Sanzo too. 

75) Who is your favorite minor character?

~Hazel or Banri or Zenon ...... Yakumo & Zakuro are p great too

76) Which character has had the most growth?

~I think that would have to be Goku

77) Which character needs more development?

~hmmmm........Lirin maybe?