#Shinji does WHAT in the hospital?!?!!

[ifwebefriends]

I want to watch Neon Genesis Evangelion but I also don’t want to be horribly traumatized and depressed ever again do you see my struggle?

[lowkeyremi]

Haikyuu men as fathers pt 2.

Part 1, Part 3, Part 4

Ft. Kuroo, Tendou, Atsumu, and Tsukki.

Decided instead of babies I wanted to do slightly older kids! :)

CW: Indication of pregnancy, relationships, marriage and some angst for tsukki’s

Enjoy lovelies <33

…………….

Kuroo Tetsuro:

“Nap time! If my two munchkins don’t go to take a nap, the nap time monster will come out!” He hears little playful shrieks from his son and daughter.

“But Daddy, I don’t want to!” His daughter whines. A soft smile arose on his face as he bent down to his 6 year old daughter’s level. “Mommy will get mad at me if you little nuggets don’t go lay down.” Kuroo covers his eyes and pretends to cry. His son comes out of nowhere and starts trying to comfort him. “Don’t cry daddy! Umiko and me will go lay down! Come on sissy, we don’t want daddy to cry anymore.” 6 year old Shinji drags his twin sister to their room.

As soon as he’s sure they’ve turned the corner a lopsided grin appears on his face, “works every time.”

He is a dad boss no questions asked

You need a break from the kids? He’ll take them to the park and get all their energy out

For the first couple of months of their lives you would have to drag Kuroo out of their room because his 6’2” ass would get in the crib and sleep with his babies

He DEFINITELY took some time off of work to be there for you and the babies

He always makes corny dad jokes (most likely about science) “Why are chemists excellent for solving problems?” …. “They have all the solutions.”

omg he thinks his jokes are so fucking funny too (his kids learn the hyena laugh 🤦🏽‍♀️)

Whenever you’re away he always sends pictures of what he and the kids are up to.

idgaf abt what you say, that man can COOK

Tendou Satori:

“You can’t tell mom I let you have chocolate before dinner, ‘kay?” He looks into his 9 year old daughter’s eyes waiting for her response.

“It’s our little secret!” She giggles and man is laughing contagious because Tendou starts to laugh too. You were working a little later than usual so Tendou picked up Mayumi even though it wasn’t his day to do so. “What do you want for dinner, May?”

Her eyes widen at the statement. Which tells Tendou a WHOLE lot “Dad’s cooking?!” She asks not because she’s excited but because she’s scared for her life. Tendou may be a chocolatier but this man is not a very good cook unless it’s pasta.

“Nah, we’re gonna stop and get dinner before we go home. Dad’s gotta close shop though, so I thought I’d ask so we can order.”

She hops off the counter and does a cute little dance. I mean.. it’s in her genes. “You’re the best, Dad!”

He shakes his head with a smile, “oh I try!”

SO PROTECTIVE

The second he finds out someone was messing with his baby, he called the teacher and talked things out with her

He is a sucker for spoiling, you often scold him for it but he still does it anyway

He SINGS HIS DAUGHTER TO SLEEP>>>>>

He is the “ouchie” police, his daughter would always giggle but anytime she stubbed her toe on a chair or something he’d start talking to whatever caused his little girl pain and start scolding it (he knows it makes her feel better)

NOT a cook please he will burn the place by accident

Definitely ruined some intimate moments because instead of walking baby girl back to bed he gets dressed and offers to let her cuddle with you guys in the bed (after changing sheets ofc) (he wants his little girl to feel loved)

When she was a baby he’d call you every hour while he was at work to make sure you and the baby are okay

He almost passed out when the school called saying Mayumi broke her leg

He rushed her to the hospital so fast “dw baby, daddy’s here for you.” “I know it hurts princess.”

He went around interrogating the kids in her class thinking one of them pushed her, he was shocked to find out she climbed to the top of the playground and jumped off of it 😭

Definitely got his daughter obsessed with frogs

Miya Atsumu:

“Mama’s gonna kill us! What’s yer last words?” He says in slight shock. His sons start crying thinking that you were actually gonna kill them.

“Not literally boys! Just… this mess- oh jeez.” He looks around bubbles and soap all over the floor.

Atsumu told the twins to ‘be good and color ‘til papa’s done in the shower’ and he came back to this. Dawn dish soap all over the floor and bubbles galore.

The cherry on top had to be that the dog was soaking in mixed berry juice because five year old Kosuke tried to pour himself a cup of juice.

“Alright! C’mon boys, we gotta tidy up before mama gets home!” You would be home in 2 hours…

They cleaned up the bubble mess, after being distracted like 10 times and having a few bubble fights.

Next was giving the twins a bath. Which proved to be harder than it needed to be. Kosuke was mad at Kensuke because he kept showing him his butt. Honestly, Atsumu had to keep himself from laughing.

“That’s enough, Ken. Nobody want to see yer lil butt. Hurry up ‘n wash cuz papa still has to bathe Shoko.” Kensuke’s bad self is splashing water in the tub and it’s getting all over his twin. Kosuke doesn’t like it so he smacks his brother and the latter begins to cry.

“DADDY, K-KO KOSUKE HIT ME, AHHHHHHH.” Atsumu rubs his temple. He all but freezes when he feels a soft hand kneed into his shoulder.

“Seems like you guys had a great time, Shoko’s covered in juice.” He turns his head to look at you.

“it’s not what ya think, hon!” You shake your head at him.

“Ko, don’t hit your brother. When papa is being annoying you don’t see me hitting him, now do you?” He answers honestly, “sometimes you do… you’ll punch papa’s shoulder.”

He got you there lol. “Well that’s more out of love. Apologize to him and you,” you point to your little trouble maker, “don’t provoke your brother, got it?” He nods and goes to rub his eyes. Which is why he started crying for the second time because he got soap in his eyes…

Anyway after their bath and dinner the boys were sent to bed. Shoko was bathed and you and Atsumu were laying in bed.

“I shoulda been watching them..” he admits. You agree. “You live and you learn ‘Tsumu.”

He had no idea what he was doing at first tbh

he can be a bit lazy w the boys sometimes but in the end he pulls it together

The type of dad to make you sit there and say cheese for 500 years while he tries to get the perfect picture

He was mad cuz he thought the twins loved samu more than him

he was sad when they didn’t seem too interested in volleyball “Atsumu, they’re five.” … “Still!”

Impulsively bought a dog cuz his sons wouldn’t stop talking abt having one

In the end he loves his boys very much and would do anything for them

Tsukishima Kei:

“I hate you mom! I really wanted to go!” Your 13 year old daughter slammed her door. She was angry because you didn’t let her go to a dance some kid in her class was hosting. It’s not that she particularly wanted to go, she was just mad that her 17 year old brother got to go out to his friend’s party.

Your husband emerges from his office, he adjusts his glasses and looked at you with curiosity. You sigh hugging him, “Kei.. am I a bad mother?” He squeezes you in the hug, “not in the slightest. We’re doing what’s best for them. What’s got her so upset?”

“She wants to go to this party but I said no because I don’t know any of the parents there. Also, I’m just scared something will happen to her.”

He rubs your back in a comforting way. “I’ll let her go-” you interrupt, “Kei!” He gives you a quick peck to the lips.

“Wasn’t done…” you stayed quiet waiting for him to finish. He clears his throat. “As I was saying… I’ll allow her to go if I chaperone. If she doesn’t like that she won’t go.” He decided and you sigh in relief.

“I’ll go order pizza. Can you talk to her?” He nods, “Supreme.” You roll your eyes at him and smile. “I know what you like dummy.” He playfully flips you off and you laugh in shock at how childish he is even though he’s past his prime years.

He walks over to Hanae’s door and knocks softly. “Go away mom! I don’t like you!” Tsukishima shakes his head. He’s not going to tolerate her disrespecting you, the person who birthed her. He opens the door and she’s on her bed with her headphones on and dried tears on her face.

“Dad…” She already knew what was to come. She knows he doesn’t like when she disrespects you like that. “Don’t say you hate her. She’s your mother, Hanae. It hurts her to hear those words come from your mouth.” She lowers her head and takes her headphones off.

“I didn’t mean it..” her voice is small. Tsukishima handles the situation as he usually would, find the root of the problem (even though he already knew)

“What made you say it?” He sat on her bed and pat a spot next to him basically telling her to come closer. “Um.. I wanted to go to this dance a guy a know is hosting but she said no…” her eyes didn’t meet her father’s.

“Why’d you want to go so bad?” He says bringing her chin up so she looks right into his eyes. He knows she hates it but direct communication is key, even facial expressions can reveal the slightest things.

“W-well. Ugh, why am I crying this is so stupid.” She pauses to wipe her eyes.

“You guys let Akihiko go where ever he wants but I can’t go anywhere! I hate it!” She turns her head away, Tsukki can hear the little sniffles.

“Not true. A lot of stuff that he went to when he was younger, he was chaperoned. We just barely started letting him go out alone so he can get a taste of real life. You can ask him yourself. You’re only thirteen, don’t rush it. Also your mother and I just want to protect you from dangerous situations. Your mom doesn’t know any of the people there which is why she said no.” Tsukki is once again rubbing circles into someone’s back.

“There are so many bad people in the world and we just want to make you a little safer.” She turns back to face him, she scoots closer to her dad so she can hug him.

“I’m sorry.” She says through sniffles. “I’m not the one you need to apologize to.” She nods, “I need a minute.” He strokes her hair as she finishes letting it all out.

“I told your mother you can go if I chaperone you.” He explains after she’s calmed down.

“Dad, you’re gonna embarrass me.” She says with a giggle, tears now drying up.

“Damn right I will. I’ll tell all those hungry little boys that you eat your boogers and you don’t shower for weeks.” He says with a sly grin. She frowns, “dad no!”

He pats her back, “alright kid go apologize if you really mean it.” You and your daughter make up and eat pizza together :3

VERY logical

also super protective

100% the kind of dad who loves his kids but puts his wife first

He’s the bad cop parent while you’re the good cop parent

He loves family cooking night where you guys cook together

he will embarrass both his children in front of their crushes (and thinks it’s the funniest thing ever)

He just seems like the kind of dad to fall asleep and get colored on 😭 they give him a lil mustache and a uni-brow

I feel like he kinda always sides with Hanae for the most part bc he was a little sibling so he knows her pain lmao

he be bragging abt his kids “Akihiko is only six and he’s already reading flawlessly” “Oh, Hanae already did that when she was three”

you wanted to delay the sex talk but like Tsukki was so blunt and just told them 😭

He’s always teasing you “If you don’t be careful Akihiko you might end up with someone as annoying as your mom” you just glare and he snickers

Such a proud dad and has a video of every one of his kids’ firsts

[seireiteihellbutterfly]

Headcanons: Reiatsu Descriptions

We all know that people in Soul Society can figure out who’s who based on their reiatsu but what does each person’s reiatsu feel like?

Jushiro Ukitake:

When calm: It’s like the ocean breeze at night, with the waves washing over you, the scent of the salty air hanging over you like a mist. It’s cool, relaxing, and calming. 

When at battle: Imagine the worst storm you’ve ever seen on the open ocean. Not a single patch of land anywhere. The water is churning mercilessly, the waves 100 feet in height, threatening to swallow up the earth into its depths. You’re trying not to drown, forever lost to the abyss. Dark, desperate, and lost. 

Shuhei Hisagi:

When calm: Rock concert on a summer night. There’s good, happy energy there, the kind that makes people want to gather together and celebrate. Vibrant, positive, cheerful.

When at battle: Abandoned amusement park at night. All the people are gone, and no one has been by in a long time. All the good times have come to an end. Creepy, desolate, with an eerie feeling that something bad is about to happen. 

Kuchiki Byakuya:

When calm: Tea ceremony vibes. A bit of tradition,a bit of indulgence, the tea bringing your senses alive, while the pastries bring about a touch of sweet and savory. Nothing is overdone, it’s all balanced, in harmony. 

When at Battle: World War II trenches. I mean, we’ve seen how pissed this man can get when he was fighting Ichigo. Despair, the smell of blood fills the air. It’s hard to tell if anything is alive. Cold, damp, and dead.  

Kensei Muguruma:

When calm: Summer road trip when the company is good. Non stop conversations, rest stops, seeing unique things, singing in the car, and bonding. Happy, warm, and sentimental. 

When at battle: Army tanks invading an enemy territory. It’s loud, and commanding, crushing anything in its path. Powerful, world crumbling, and terrifying. 

Renji Abarai:

When calm: Beach day. Sunshine, warmth, the strong kind of energy that comes from swimming and laying out on the sand. 

When at battle: Hospital ER after a mass attack. Panic, worry, and a struggle to find order through the chaos. It’s confusing, painful, a fight till his last breath. 

Ichigo Kurosaki:

When calm: This boy feels like home. He’s the place you go to when you’re tired or had a bad day. It’s where all your comfort stuff is and where you can just exist, without having to deal with anyone’s expectations. Welcoming, non judgmental, and friendly.

When at battle: Atomic bomb blast. There’s nothing left. Just blankness. Smoke, ash, and debris.  

Shinji Hirako:

When calm: Carnival! Bright lights everywhere, cotton candy, enjoying yourself on the Ferris wheel. It’s enticing, warm, and full of excitement.

When at battle: Earthquake. Everything rumbles and collapses, threatening to swallow anything it can find. Loud, devastating, and damaging. 

Rose Otoribashi: 

When calm: A ballet theater on opening night. There’s high expectations to see a visual treat, the energy from the dancers and music thrilling you every second. Entertaining, beautiful, and a must have experience.

When at battle: The faint noise of a music box dying. The notes choke out in an unsteady manner, trying it’s best to continue before the mechanism gives out. When it stops…run. Because the music box stopping isn’t the end. It’s the beginning. 

[igorvinyls]

Why I Believe John Lennon is Asuka Langley

Hello everyone! I originally created a thread about this over on Twitter, though I also want to post it here just because. I want to preface this by saying while this is mostly a joke, I still want to point out the similarities between the two. I find that both John and Asuka are very complex people/characters that happen to heavily relate to each other. Obvious spoilers for Neon Genesis Evangelion. TW FOR TOPICS SUCH AS SUICIDE AND DEATH.

CHILDHOOD TRAUMA

Both John and Asuka lost their mothers from a young age, with Asuka losing her mother at 4 and John losing his mother just before his 18th birthday. It’s known that John’s mother wasn’t exactly mentally stable as Mimi, John’s aunt, was given custody of him. Similarly to John’s mother, Asuka’s mom, Kyoko, was also mentally unstable. Kyoko lost her mind after surviving a failed experiment with Evangelion Unit-02. This experiment would also end up taking the life of Yui Ikari, Shinji’s mother (this is important info for later.) Kyoko ultimately committed suicide after losing her mind and her husband in the process. Though it is ambiguous how Asuka’s father felt towards her, he did indeed drive his daughter away by cheating on Kyoko while hospitalized. It’s also known that John’s father wasn’t very involved with him up until the height of Beatlemania. Both John and Asuka were never very close with their parents due to many different factors.

(It can also be argued that John and Asuka were both adopted, but Asuka being adopted was only canon in the manga. For the sake of this post, I’ll only mention canon events from the anime going forward.)

I would also like to bring up this video.

RELATIONSHIPS WITH LOVERS

John and Yoko will probably be the most recognized celebrity couple in the world. It’s also recognized that John had an Oedipus complex which was sometimes discussed. The same can be said for Asuka, considering the fact that she romantically latched onto Kaji, a 30 year old special inspector for NERV. Asuka does this to fill the void of a perfect father figure in her life, as well as filling the role of a lover. John mentions doing this with Yoko numerous times. John and Yoko would even go as far as calling each other mommy and daddy. Moving onto other romantic relationships, I will now discuss Shinji, Asuka, John, and Paul. Shinji and Asuka have this strange dynamic throughout the story of Evangelion. Asuka is secretly in love with Shinji (you can already see which direction this is headed in), though Shinji has a hard time reciprocating his feelings due to his own personal struggles. Asuka’s rudeness and constant bullying also confuses Shinji, leaving him to wonder what Asuka truly feels for him. In this scenario, Paul would be in the same boat as Shinji. Shinji and Paul both lost their mothers at a young age. Paul and John bonded over the loss of their mothers. In a way, this also happens with Shinji and Asuka. It’s easy to tell that Shinji is more drawn towards Asuka after she tells him that her stepmom isn’t her actual mother. John and Paul go on to have a rivalry as they grow older, which also happens to Asuka and Shinji, though their rivalry was highlighted since day one. This rivalry between the two characters progresses all the way to the finale of the series. You can say that Asuka finally accepts Shinji when she lifts her hand up to his cheek while he is brutally strangling her. This act is seen as her accepting him into her heart after everything that they’ve been through. John and Paul also reconcile towards the end of John’s life. In Evangelion, the world is quite literally destroyed at the end of the series when the two finally reconcile. I’m not gonna be cheesy and say the same for John and Paul, but yeah. MOVING ON NOW.

OTHER FACTORS

John and Asuka have a habit of trying to appear more “mature” than they truly are. Asuka constantly boasts about being the best and most mature out of everyone. Same can be said for John. We also see this with his marriage to Cynthia Powell, John’s first wife. In my eyes, John’s first marriage was a rush to maturity considering the fact that he was only 21. I could say the same for John having a child with Cynthia at such a young age as well. John and Asuka, though trying to seem mature, are ultimately vulnerable people who tend to regress. Asuka acts like a young, lovestruck girl with Kaji. John acted in a similar fashion with Yoko. Asuka and John had massive egos. What else is there to say, really?

FINAL SUMMARY AND A FUN FACT

This is gonna be a quick one that basically ties together the points of my threads.

John and Asuka were seriously neglected as children which had a massive impact on their social development, as well as behavior.

Both had large egos, yet low self esteem.

The only fun fact about the two I have is that they both know German and Japanese.

THANKS FOR READING!

[centrally-unplanned]

Never blogged much about the actual Eva manga, but I wrote down some thoughts while reading, so uh lets do that!

In episode 2 of Evangelion, Shinji kicks off the episode by getting his ass absolutely handed to him by the Angel Sachiel. Just a full on beat down, he is getting figuratively crucified (the literal crucifixion comes later) in this battle. He is about to die, Misato calls out to him...

...and then match cut transition to Shinji in a hospital bed, complete tranquility:

Throughout the rest of the episode, Misato acclimates Shinji to NERV and generally congratulates him for being a hero, who saved them all with his victory. She does this whole little bit taking him to an observation deck to show him the city, the city he 'protected':

And this whole time you as the audience are meant to be shaking the (CRTV) screen going "girl he protected jack shit, he was about to die!". These scenes are disconcerting, not simply congratulatory, because of the directorial choice to hold back what actually happened in the fight till the end of the episode; that Shinij was possessed by the Eva, transformed into a monster just as terrible as the Angel, and devoured it. He looked like this piloting Unit-01:

In the manga, at least - which is how the first arc of the manga ends. The manga does none of this inverted storytelling, instead telling it all straight, while otherwise not really changing many of the details. The Rebuild films did this too by the way - just got rid of the time swap ordering, told it chronologically.

This really bothers me! Because the edit choice is load-bearing; Misato, in episode 2 of the TV show, is lying to Shinji - she is trying to bolster his ego for a cause she herself is just starting to have some real questions about, doubts she is unwilling to tell Shinji because she needs him to pilot. Its even subtly hinted at in her actual (internal) dialogue:

But she never has any explicit moment where she says this; instead, Kuleshov-style, the edit itself tells you. All of her dialogue is infused with mystery, and then with the reveal the entirety of the episode is recontextualized in your mind. You now question Misato's withholding of the truth, because the truth is at the end of the episode; the edit told you it matters. But since this doesn't happen in the manga, when Misato says stuff like this:

Which is the actual last sequence of Volume I, its telling you this matters; this is the culminating moment and so it is imbued with truth. Which makes Misato less complicated, and the sequence less interesting.

This is a general trend in the manga overall - scene-for-scene it has many good moments, but its wider concept of how to structure and communicate the story is extremely workhorse (like most manga are). Which is sad because a huge chunk of Eva's strength is not just the conceptual themes or philosophical dialogue or w/e, but the more aggressive, auteur approach to the presentation of that material. And that isn't just trippy visuals; it goes right down to the directing. The same dialogue put on two characters sitting in a room just doesn't work. (Hell, someone tried that once and I happened to write about it!) So its always a little sad to me that adaptations don't carry that forward; I was frustrated by the Rebuild's refusal to play with that aspect much, and at this point resigned to the manga's unwillingness. I get it, the manga is intentionally more chipper, aimed at a younger audience; its tonally coherent. Just sad for me.

The manga has a lot of good parts, don't read this the wrong way; its more about how pieces of Evangelion that maybe don't stand out as much as the loud stuff often get lost in the shuffle.

[canapotatoliteraryanalasys]

Something something… that Shinji post… something something…

I have seen many analysts and interpretations on Shinjis character but there is one aspect of his character that I have not seen anyone mention: his raging misogyny

Since the death of his mother Shinji has not had a close relationship with anyone and this shapes the way he views the people around him. He has a somewhat healthy relationship with his male friends but it is clear that he does not really understand his friends or how friendships even works.

Shinjis relationships with the three mane girls, Misato, Rei and Asuka, are very important to the show. These are the characters he most longs to be close with and pushes away the most. Because Shinji grew up without a mother or any other close female family member, he cannot se relationships with women as platonic, he can only se them as what society has conditioned him to se, sexual. It is clear Shinji desires something from these girls, the same thing he desires from everyone to be seen and loved, but his stupid 14 year old boy brain misinterpreted this as sexual desire, both because he doesn’t se women as entirely human but also because being horny is a lot less scary than wanting to be truly loved for who you are. Both Shinji and Asuka project their parental issues both onto each other and onto Misato, Asukas need to prove herself and Shinjis need to be accepted. During the show they do both often act as if romantically interested in each other but I believe they are simply convinced, as most young teens are, that romance is the height of validation. Shinji is also desperate for Reis validation because she reminds him of his mother and his deep jealousy of her for receiving his father’s validation, Shinji is desperate to be seen by his father and maybe if he is acknowledged by someone who is acknowledged by his father then he will be victoriously accepted in some way.

There are two scenes that I feel exemplify this diconance between Shinjis true desires and view of women. The first is when Shinji and eva 1 have been consumed by leliel, we see clips of Misato, Rei, Asuka and Shinjis mother trying to convince him to become one with them. Shinjis mother is obscured in shadow, motherly love is only a concept to him. And the three who Shinji actually knows are very much not like themselves they are all making the same face and saying the same thing in the same tone. This scene also implies that “becoming one” is somewhat sexual. The other is after death of Rei ii when Misato is trying to comfort Shinji. At first viewing I thought Misato was making a sexual advance on him, I believe the scene is purposefully framed for this interpretation, but I don’t believe that this is Misatos intention. This is how Shinji misinterprets this moment because he doesn’t understand human affection.

The dehumanizing of others that comes with oppression always comes with a dehumanization of the self, a threat that if you are not the oppressor you will be the oppressed. Shinji cannot grow as a person because he cannot accept that the woman in his life are just as human as himself. And because he cannot except that not treating them as such makes him a terrible person.

In the show ending of evangelion Shinji internally confronts his fears and weaknesses excepting himself and by extension those around him. In the movie ending of evangelion on the other hand Shinji is forced to confront that what he thinks he desires for Asuka, Misato and Rei is not actually what he desires. Shinji believes that what he desires is sexual gratification, romance and “becoming one”. When Shinji masterbates over Asukas comatosed body in the hospital he receives what he thinks he wants from her, looking at her boobs and beating his meat. And yet when he’s done, both Shinji and the audience are left with a feeling of dread and emptiness, this is not what Shinji wanted from Asuka. Misato kisses Shinji on the mouth in order to bribe him into piloting the eva one last time, i and many other eva fans dislike this because we dislike grown women kissing children. I personally do not believe that Misato would ever kiss Shinji in this way but Shinji cannot grow in the way he does in the movie unless he is confronted with the fact that he does not want this from Misato. But Shinji does also receive something else from Misato, her cross necklace, the one that her father gave her before he died, and just like then this represents a parental sacrifice as this is just before Misato dies. Shinji keeps the cross with him for the rest of the movie because it is what he actually wanted from Misato. And finally Rei causing human instrumentality offers Shinji to become one with her and all of humanity. Being one, without distends between people, without misunderstanding, without pain. This is what both Shinji and his father believed they desire most, and when Shinji finally receives it it is not what he wants. instead of becoming one with Rei he chooses to symbolically make a human connection, taking her hand as two separate beings.

And when Shinji has finally grown and accepted others and himself, he is confronted with Asuka. And for a moment all his growth washes away. He strangles her, maybe he cannot handle the guilt of seeing her after what he has done, maybe he is trying to prove that he knows Asuka, and that she will react the same as (maybe imagine Asuka) when they fought inside human instrumentality.

But instead of reaching like Shinji and the audience has come to expect from Asuka, she gently touches his face and tells him that he is disgusting. Confronting Shinji one final time with the humanity of others and himself.

I don’t believe this interpretation to be intentional at all considering the way this franchise treats its underage female characters

[sugary-cherriboi]

Hospital Room

Shinjiro x Gn!Reader

~Spoilers for P3~

~~~

October 5th

Akihiko's pov

I was hesitant on entering the hospital room. I couldn't bare to see him after what happened the night before. I knew they were waiting in the room. Placing my hand on the handle, I paused as I prepared myself. Taking a deep breath, I slide open the door to reveal Y/n laying their head beside his body. My own body started to shake. It was hard to believe this was really happening. They haven't moved from their spot since we admitted him last night. I wasn't even sure if they've eaten anything. "Y/n?" I spoke their name softly as I approached them. No response. As I got closer, I realized they fell asleep, with their eyes all red and puffy from crying. Their face beginning to look all pale and sickly. I sighed. They've never been so distraught before. In battle, they've always has a cool head, but now, they're a mess.

I pulled up a chair beside their sleeping body. Shinji asked me to look after them, but I should of known what he meant by that. I should of put it all together sooner, but I guess it was his choice after all. I shook my head as I tried to not think so deep about it.

I looked down at their sleeping form. Their face began to contort into a discomforted look. My eyes widened as I wasn't exactly sure what was happening with them. Are they okay? Their breathing started to get heavy as sweat glistened their forehead. Suddenly, they shot up. "Shinjiro!!" They screamed his name as they were in a panic. Heavily breathing as they looked at Shinji, seemingly check to make sure he was still there. They looked sadly upon him since he was still in a coma. 

"Y-y/n?" I spoke their name softly, hoping to not spook them, but they tensed up a bit so I may have a little bit. Their eyes were so dull and lifeless. 

"Akihiko-san!" They seemed very much surprised that I was here. "How long have you been sitting there?" They asked embarrassingly as they looked away from me. 

"Not for long." I told, hoping they wouldn't be too mad or anything, but instead they just nodded and silently looked back at Shinji. The silence was a bit unbearable, but I wasn't sure on how to interact with them. Their old personality was nowhere to be seen. They've become almost sort of an empty husk. "Maybe we should go out and get some fresh air." I suggested, trying to help in some way. They just shook their head as they continued to stare at Shinjiro. I frowned as they was being quite difficult, but I can understand where's coming from though. They loved him a lot and now he's on the verge of never waking up again. They must be pretty perturbed about him, that fear must be very high for them. 

I placed a hand on their shoulder. "Y/n." I was very stern with them. "Shinji wouldn't want you to just sit around and mope." I started, hoping this would be good words of advice for them. "He's want you to try and continue living and right now, you're not doing that. He's still going to be right here whether you sit there or not." I stood up from my seat as my hand fell off their shoulder. "So I'm heading out to train for Shinji's sake. If you wanna sit around and mope, then so be it. " With a quick turn of my heels, I headed towards the door. I hated being harsh towards them, but I'm hoping it does them some good. I paused as I placed my hand on the handle, waiting to see if they'd react. Nothing, I shook my head and sighed. "Thought you were better than tha-"

"Gyagh!" Something slammed against my back. I held my back as I turned around. The only person who could of done it. The look in their eyes changed. They were filled with something I've never seen from them. I couldn't exactly tell what the look in their eyes were all about, but they were determined at the very least. They were filled with a mixture of emotion, I could tell that, though. 

They crackled their knuckles as they glared at me. It felt like sharp daggers pierced through me. It felt like ages before they finally spoke. "I will destroy every last shadow." They asked, which my eyes widened. This was not the same Y/n from before Shinji was hospitalized. They've became something else. "And I will kill Strega." My heart dropped as my mouth fell agape. This.. Malice over took them. The look in their eyes! Pure hatred. 

My hands moved on their own as I landed a hook against their cheek. As I reeled my hand back, I noticed that they seemed unfazed by what I just did. "Do you even hear yourself!?!" Yelling at them, I gripped onto their shoulder.

They slapped my hand away. Another glare shot pierced me. "Akihiko." They seldom call me Akihiko. This was all wrong. "I cannot stand by and let any more of my loved ones die because of me." Their voice was so aggressive and filled with guilt. This wasn't them. "I must fight on." They took a step past me, towards the door. "I will fight on-"

I gripped onto their shoulder and forced them to face me. "You're being a damn fool!" They needed to be knocked out of this. "Do you really think this is what they wanted!?" Trying to use some logic for them to realize how they were acting. They didn't respond back. "There's no way in hell either of them want you to act like this!!" I furrowed my brows as I softened my grip on their shoulder. "Shinji wanted me to look after you, and that's what I'm going to do!" Still nothing from them. I bit my lip as I began to feel tears well up, looking to the ground. "We lost Miki. We lost Shinji. I know damn well I can't deal with another loss." My voice cracked. 

I glanced up to see their face contorted into tears. They were trying to hold them back, but they soon began to slowly pour out. "Aki." They coughed out as they tried to wipe away the tears, but the tears were persistent. "I-" Their voice cracked. "I can't take this anymore!" A quick outburst. "I have to leave-"

I gently grabbed their hand. I gave them pleading eyes, showing them I didn't want them to leave. "Please don't do anything rash." My voice was soft, trying to get a little promise. "Promise me that you won't put yourself in harm's way." Now I was begging as I pulled them closer to me, wrapping my arms around them. "Please. I don't want to lose you, too." I whispered softly as I buried my hand into their shoulder, squeezing them like they would be gone after I let go. 

Their arms sneaked their way around me. "I'll be careful to not put myself in harm's way." They quickly promised me. "But you have to do that same." I nodded.

"I will." Their arms squeeze me tighter as they dug their head into my shoulder. "We have to live. For them." I added on so there'd be some pressure on us. "They'll never forgive us if we throw our lives away, you got that?"They nodded with a affirmative hum. Pulling away, I kept my hands on their arms. Silence fell upon the room. "Well." I cleared my throat as I removed my hands off them. No words came out of my mouth. The two of us standing there in silence. Our eyes darted around the room. 

"I hope Shinji didn't hear any of that." They mumbled as they rubbed the back of their neck. They were trying to get a much more livelier vibe to the room. 

I crossed my arms. "I know you're just trying to distract yourself." Maybe it wasn't such a bad idea to. I've definitely haven't been the best with dealing with this. 

They sighed. "I know." They grumbled as they crossed their arms. "It's going to be hard for the two of us." I frowned as they weren't wrong. 

There had to be something to help us get through this, even if for a moment. Then an idea popped into my head. "Let's get beef bowls." I tried to put on a smile as my throat lumped up. Great, more tears. 

They put on a small smile as they turned towards the door, placing a hand on the handle. Silenced filled the small gap before they spoke up. "Y-yeah. Like old times." Even though they weren't facing me, I could tell that there was tears forming in their eyes. With a quick wipe using their arm, they got rid of tears and opened the door. I followed behind them as the two of us went to get beef bowls. 

While behind them, I noticed their legs were severely shaking. "Woah! You aren't walking there without some help." I wrapped an arm under theirs. They just rolled their eyes and allowed me to help them walk there. So my suspicion was right; they hadn't ate anything for awhile. I just shook my head as we continued our path.

I smiled down at the floor as we walked. 

I'll bring one back for you, Shinji. 

You, too, Miki.

I'm sure you would of have enjoyed that place as much as we do.

[duhragonball]

Neon Genesis Evangelion 24

All right, this is it, the 17th Angel. Let's see what gonzo powers this one has...

Not quite what I was expecting, but I am impressed.

Uh... So Asuka's completely incapable of piloting her Eva, so I guess she ran away for like a week and she's been living in the bathtub of a wrecked house. The episode opens with a vision of Li'l Asuka running home to tell her mother about how she got accepted into the Eva program or something, and then she finds her mother hanging from a noose. Her dad had died sometime prior to this, I guess.

Later, we see her lying catatonic in a hospital bed, and that's baiscally it for Asuka this episode. Her arc was getting bleak but this is just awful. Let's move on.

Meanwhile, Gendo Ikari questions Ritsuko and asks why she destroyed the Dummy Plug system last time. Ritsuko talks about how her cat recently died, and she hadn't seen it in years, because of her work at NERV. Then she says she's not happy anymore, even when Gendo makes love to her. Oh wow. Well that settles that, then.

Do you think Gendo holds his hands over his mouth while he's doing the deed? Just props his elbows on the head of the bed and stares into the wall pensively while he thrusts his hips? Maybe I should find something else to talk about. Sorry.

Gendo says she's disappointed him, and she says he can't be disappointed, because he never had any expectations of her at all. She's nothing to him and she always was. This does put into perspective all the times Gendo has expressed disappointment in Shinji. Like, it's just a thing he says. Ultimately, it's meaningless.

What about Shinji? Well, he could really use someone to talk to after the startling revelation about Rei. The trouble is that there isn't anyone left. Asuka's... yeah. Misato's off doing her own thing. Suzuhara and Big Rigg Mahoney left town. I didn't realize it at the time, but Tokyo-3 got wrecked in the recent Angel battles. Probably the 13th Angel, mainly.

There is Rei, but Shinji has no idea how to even act around Rei. I mean, it was never easy interacting with Rei, but now it's not even the same Rei? Or something? He can't talk to her is the point.

Then he meets this kid singing to himself amongst the wreckage. He introduces himself as Kaworu Nagisa, the Fifth Child and newest Eva Pilot. He's been recruited to replace Asuka, although it isn't clear if she's been kicked off the team just yet.

Everyone's kind of suspicious of the new kid, probably because he's so damn chipper and he isn't dealing with the trauma of dead parents or whatever. Also they have him do sync tests and his scores are excellent even before they reconfigured Unit 02 for him. He's a little too good to be true, and everyone in NERV seems to know it.

After the tests, the boys take a shower together, and when Shinji says he prefers to stay at the base late because he doesn't like spending time at home anymore, Kaworu invites him to sleep over at his place.

He also flirts a little with Shinji, and Shinji blushes. Today I was looking up what people were so angry about when Neon Genesis Evangelion was added to Netflix, and one of the gripes was that they edited out a scene featuring "a key piece of gay subtext". I wondered what that was, and yeah. I may not be the sharpest knife in the crayon box, but this looks pretty gay to me.

I will admit, this isn't something I usually think about when I watch or read stories, but in Shinji's case it probably never would have occurred to me, because of all the emotional baggage we've seen in the first 23 episodes. But now that we're here, it kind of makes sense. This kid's got so much trouble expressing his emotions and figuring out what he wants that it might have taken him a million years to work out that he's into boys. I mean, he apologizes for things that aren't even remotely his fault, and is desperate for the approval of others. He's not going to come out of the closet if there's even the slightest chance that someone might disapprove.

They don't go any further than that, but they do have a sleepover, and Shinji tells him that he hates his dad, which he's expressed in the past, but never quite so directly and succinctly. Shinji wonders why he would tell Kaworu this, of all people. I think, Shinji's sexuality aside, Kaworu showed up in just the right place and time and made himself available in just the kind of way Shinji needed at that moment. He wanted someone to talk to, and suddenly Kaworu's there to grant his wish. Kaworu just makes Shinji feel at ease, maybe for the first time ever.

Meanwhile, SEELE has resolved to put a stop to Gendo Ikari and his usurpation of NERV. SEELE created NERV to further its own agenda, but they feel Gendo has warped NERV to service his agenda instead.

Meanwhile, Gendo Ikari talks to Eva Unit 01, and addresses it as Yui, his dead wife. According to him, the Lance of Longius was in their way, so he wanted it thrown into outer space, whether SEELE liked that or not. He believes the 17th Angel, the last one, will appear soon, and with its death, he and Yui shall have their wish granted at last. Huh.

Oh, also earlier on, Kaworu introduced himself to Rei and told her that they were alike. She stays up all night wondering why she's still alive, and what Kaworu meant. What is it they have in common?

Meanwhile, Misato does some digging on Kaworu and discovers that he has the ability to increase his synchronization with the Evas at will. Like, he can control it completely if he wants, or he can lower his sync score to make it seem like he's not as good at it. That's supposed to be impossible, so Misato goes to Ritsuko, who I guess is in a NERV detention facility. She asks Ritsuko what Kaworu is, and she speculates that he's the final Angel. I was about to ask why Ritsuko never mentioned this earlier, but I forgot, she's turning against NERV, so her answer would probably be "'Cause fuck'em."

But before Misato can act on this informaiton, Kaworu makes his move. He activates Unit 02 and takes it down to the room where Adam is. Everyone's shocked, mostly because Kaworu doesn't even have to be inside the Eva to control it. He just floats alongside the thing as they head downstairs.

But also, as Admiral Clownshoes points out, SEELE is behind this. They knew what this kid was and they sent him to NERV knowing he would launch an attack.

And just so there's no confusion on this point, we cut to SEELE who talk amongst themselves about how they planned for this to happen. They expect this to be Gendo's final stand, and that he'll use Eva Unit 01 to stop Kaworu. So do they plan on NERV winning this fight? I assumed this showdown with the 17th Angel would happen regardless, so maybe SEELE's play here is to force the confrontation on their terms, so that the outcome is more favorable to them than for Gendo.

Because, the worst case scenario here is that Kaworu wins and destroys the world. Right? I mean, that's what this has been about from the start. Why would SEELE take such a gamble? How did they even arrange this? Did they look up "17th Angel" in the Yellow Pages, call him up and go "Hey, we want to pull a prank on Gendo. You want in on this?"

Maybe they just discovered Kaworu's infiltration and chose to let it play out. This implies that they can detect Angels much more effectively than NERV, which seems kind of backwards. If they have superior intel on the Angels, then why is Gendo the one running NERV?

As SEELE anticipated, Gendo sends Shinji to intercept in Unit 01. At first, Shinji refuses to believe that Kaworu is an Angel, but then he gets furious at Kaworu for betraying him and using his emotions against him. Kaworu's as bad as his father, Shinji says, which is as good a motivation as any.

But Shinji can't attack Kaworu while he's got Unit 02 to back him up. Shinji asks how he can control Unit 02, and Kaworu explains that he and the Eva are both made from the same type of Angelic tissues, from Adam. So it's child's play for him to control the Eva. Shouldn't that mean the other Angels would have had the same ability? I guess it doesn't work when they have pilots inside. Whatever.

As the battle progresses, Misato orders her dude at the controls to initiate a self-destruct on the whole base if Shinji's signal is lost. She reasons that it would be better to destroy the whole facility and die than to allow Kaworu to reach Adam and trigger Third Impact. Wait, is that still the lore? I thought they debunked that a while back?

But as Kaworu draws closer, they detect another powerful AT field, and they think it's another Angel. Well, no, it's just Rei. Your guess is as good as mine.

As Kaworu draws closer to Adam, he waxes philosophic about this. From the way he speaks of it, it's like he's compelled to return to Adam, because he was born from Adam. So maybe this was why all of the Angels headed for Tokyo-3. It's an instinctive compulsion, like salmon swimming upstream. But Kaworu seems to find it tragic that his instinctive compulsion will lead to the destruction of humanity.

Then he gets closer and realizes this isn't Adam at all but... Lilith? Who the hell is Lilith? Apparently this wasn't what Kaworu had in mind. He refers to humans as "Lilim", implying that they're the descendants of Lilith, just as the Angels and Evas are born of Adam, but... I dunno.

And in this moment of confusion, Shinji manages to catch up to Kaworu and grab him. If I understand correctly, Rei's AT field is neutralizing his own? And Shinji managed to overpower Unit 02, so Kaworu is defenseless. He seems more relieved than worried.

Kaworu explains that one one life form can inherit the future, Angels or humans, and he seems to have developed an admiration for humanity, perhaps from the time he spent living among them. Now that he's reached this place, he's content to die here, for life and death are of no great consequence to him. But he warns Shinji that he must kill him, because if Shinji doesn't, humanity will surely be doomed.

It's weird how this is the only Angel who can talk and he's even more cryptic and weird than the rest. I wonder if they all felt this way about it. It was all just a weird routine for them, and they don't particularly care if they win or lose as long as it's over.

Shinji begs him to explain what the fuck he's talking about, but this is all the explanation he's going to get. Either kill Kaworu or the whole world dies. At this, everyone just sort of freezes in place for... maybe two minutes? And then finally Shinji crushes him and his head falls into the Tang pool beneath Adam. Or Lilith. Who cares?

Later, we see Gendo and Rei watching Unit 01 getting the blood washed off it.

Elsewhere, Shinji talks to Misato and mourns Kaworu's death. He told Shinji he loved him, and he had never heard such kind words before. Shinji thinks Kaworu should have survived, but Misato counters that Kwaoru had given up his will to survive, and thus forfeited his right to live. That's kind of harsh.

Here's my version: Whatever Kaworu was, he seemed to only value his life as far as the time he spent with Shinji. And so if he had won, and Shinji perished with humanity, what would Kaworu have left to live for? That's why he said life and death are equal to him. It didn't matter because in his view, both were the same fate, but at least Shinji and his kind could grow and evolve to find new purpose. So if only one or the other can have the future, then it's only fair that it go to the one that can actually do something with it.

Anyway, the bigger picture here is that we just saw the last Angel die, and yet there's still two more episodes to go. What, does everyone just have a pizza party now? Asuka was despondent about not being an Eva pilot, but what good is being an Eva pilot when there's no more Angels to fight?

There is, of course, the SEELE vs. Gendo conflict to sort out, but it's hard to get invested in that when both sides are assholes, and I have no idea what either of them wanted. For all I know, they both won today.

Also, Shinji won, but he's still not happy. Kid, there's other boys in the world, if that's what's bothering you.

[clanwarrior-tumbly]

Just curiousity if sdra2 is in Pokémon au what Pokémon the sdra2 cast have and their role is? Man i can already imagine syobai and sora be catching legendary Pokémon lmao.

OH I've been waiting for an ask like this for a while so grab a seat!

Note I couldn't think of any for Yoruko, Setsuka, or Syobai sorry--

...

Shinji

Definitely has a Blastoise who can Mega Evolve. Ever since he was a kid and it was a Squirtle, they dreamed of being firefighters.

He'd also have a strong fighting type like Machamp that could help lift debris from ruined buildings and a ground type like Rhyhorn that can pull heavy equipment.

He wouldn't really battle much, instead using his Pokémon for search and rescue operations.

Yuri

He'd have psychic types with space themes (Solrock, Lunatone, Cosmog, Elygem, etc.), and maybe a steel type like Klinklang since he's an inventor.

One of his lifelong dreams is to witness a Deoxys in the wild, which is the main reason why he does space training.

Would always be chivalrous to the Pokecenter nurses and never pass up a battle with a lady if she wishes to have one (even if he loses, he'll praise them).

Yuki

I think it's confirmed that he'd have a Charmander as a starter and evolve an Eevee into Flareon, so definitely lots of fire-types.

He's kinda average at battling, knowing general type strengths and weaknesses.

But he couldn't tell you what's super effective against poison even if his life depended on it.

Oh, and he's not great at setting up Pokémon stats, either. Every time he does, his team gets knocked out anyways.

Shinji keeps encouraging him to get a fighting-type and train with it.

Teruya

His father owned a shiny Klefki who kept the keys to his home, office, and the Otori Mart secured.

Since his passing, Teruya has kept Klefki under his care, having it safeguard security keys for the Kisaragi Foundation.

Had a Meowth and Cubone who helped him with the business, but after DRA's events the latter has evolved into Marowak (due to sympathizing with him over the traumatic losses he experienced and inspiring him to keep going).

Meowth stays the same but is very smart and helps him with financial department stuff.

Hibiki & Kanade

They'd have Pokémon that share themes of duality (ie Doduo and Scovillain) and music-themed ones like the Toxtricity variants or Loudred.

They're best known for hosting concerts where their Pokémon are band members, providing extra music or background vocals that get the audience pumped.

Funny enough, their individual Pokémon teams have natures that match their owners (ie Hibiki's being feisty).

Hibiki's dream is to catch a Meloetta but is forever jealous that Kanade claimed to have seen a shiny one in the wild but failed to catch it.

Hajime

A native to Alola who has a Machoke and Incineroar that both use Fightnium Z crystals in-battle.

As a Machop and Litten, they came to the hospital where he was sick and formed a close bond with him right away when everybody else abandoned him.

After being healed by Divine Luck, Hajime has trained with the duo ever since, winning lots of matches and making a name for himself across many regions.

He dreams of opening his own fighting-type gym.

Emma

Probably owns "cute" Pokémon that pack a punch, like Sylveon, Primarina, and Galarian Rapidash.

Also has a Ditto who helps her in the movie biz by transforming into a stunt double or an extra character if needed. It actually loves being a star alongside her.

Has definitely gone to Hoenn to participate in beauty contests.

Not crazy about battles but if you cross her, her team can and will destroy you.

Nikei

Would most likely be a Pokémon researcher, writing articles on mythical/legendary sightings and theories.

Wants to catch one himself but he feels ill-prepared for the journey.

I can see him owning some Fossil Pokémon (pre-gen 8), and normal types like Furret, Linoone, and Eevee.

If he had to choose a legendary to catch, he'd probably pick Wo-Chein since he learned it has the tablets of ruin, wondering how much history is recorded on it.

Hates Mikado for somehow getting an Ultra Beast and refusing to let him study it.

Iroha

She'd have a Smeargle 100%.

They've been childhood friends and the only Pokémon companion she's ever had, making art together and inspiring each other with their works.

She took a trip to Paldea in the summer, wanting to expand her team to prove she's not a weak trainer.

There, she caught a Tinkatuff and a Shroodle that became a sassy Grafaiai who likes to mess with Smeargle's artwork.

She doesn't have the heart to force them into any battles.

Mikado

Definitely has Meowscarada. It just makes sense.

I can also see him owning a Blacephalon, Murkrow, Delphox, and Alakazam to help him with crime performances.

He just taught all his Pokémon how to be petty thieves, stealing things from the audience when they least expect it.

Is still on the run from the Foundation, but his Pokémon are good at making getaways.

You would think he's a champion, but he doesn't really care to become one.

Kokoro

Owns psychic types who are in tune to people's natures/personalities and can make predictions, such as Indeedee, Espeon, Gardevoir, Xatu, Abra , and/or Hatenna.

Similar to Nikei, she's just a researcher. But she prefers studying the interactions between humans and Pokémon.

Is willing to battle, but only just to observe the kind of bond her opponent shares with their team.

Winning or losing is of no concern to her.

Sora

Owns a single Shiny Eevee who for some reason cannot evolve no matter the time of day, friendship level, or evolution stone given.

She believes that, like herself, it's just struggling to find its identity and purpose.

So the two just go on adventures together, seeking out legendary/mythical Pokémon.

Would probably have a Cinccino on her team as a friend for Eevee.

BONUS:

Utsuro

Would have a team of Pokémon deemed difficult to capture and ones that only evolve with high friendship, succeeding at both thanks to his luck.

Not only that, but his 'mons would have the perfect nature, stats, and IVs.

I can see him owning a Mewtwo, Lucario, Jirachi, Silvally, Clefable (who only knows Metronome, yet always gets the exact moves she needs to win the battle), and an Absol with the ability Super Luck.

He'd rise to the champion ranks really quick, but get bored of it just as fast and pawn it off to someone else.

Even shiny hunting becomes ridiculously easy for him, as he'd trade them away to people just because he can.

[karizard-ao3]

Might I suggest that in the college au, after dropping out and talking to Kaworu, Rei and Asuka, Shinji's journey mounts to the decision of going back to college? Then, he dresses up in his Asuka roller derby shirt and goes to her next match to cheer for her?

Yes, I like that! He considers a bunch of other options but in the end he realizes he does want to finish school. Maybe he changes his major, though, although to what i'm not sure. He still loves music but maybe he decides he wants it to be his hobby and not his career, so he can continue to enjoy it without any pressure to make money off of it? My next thought of career for him would be chef, but he doesn't need to go to college for that. Maybe he studies hospitality? And then opens a peaceful bed and breakfast away from the city.

Anyway, he shows up at the match as if nothing has changed, wearing the Asuka shirt she gave him right before he bounced. He's got a cooler of sports drinks and snacks for her and it's almost like he never even left.

[beevean]

Oh here's an interesting thought experiment:

What if Asuka and Shinji switched genders? :)

(Rei stays the same though)

A male aggressive bully with a tragic past that explains his unsavory behavior and a meek, passive girl with abysmally low self-esteem and perhaps a crush on her bully? That sounds like your average YA romance. And it would surely bring the same amount of discourse, split between people who say that a "weak" female protagonist is inherently offensive against women and people who say that hating the girl in this scenario is offensive against women :)

(of course it would change by the end, where I believe the girl would be praised for strangling her bully :) and at worst, the equivalent of the hospital scene would be seen as titillating, because it's not as bad when a girl does it...)

[the-meghan-m]

Shuffle your “on repeat” and post the first 10 songs

Thank you @agent-troi for the tag, although now you’re all subject to my all-over-the-place music tastes…music was my first great love.

Most of these are from a playlist I made called “partying at the end of the world”

1. “The Cruel Angel’s Thesis” from Neon Genesis Evangelion 💀 aka the best anime OP of all time. I can’t help it, I’m in my Shinji era.

2. “Wake Up” by Ateez. Just insane. Hongjoong’s rap altered my brain chemistry.

3. “Cruel Summer” by Taylor Swift. Because I am just like all of you. I too scream “I don’t wanna keep secrets just to keep you” in the car. I’m only human.

4. “Anywhere” by Madison Cunningham. If you like rock, particularly 70s rock, run, don’t walk, and listen to Madison Cunningham right now. Or watch her TinyDesk concert. She’s unbelievable.

5. “Fast Times” by Sabrina Carpenter. Sabrina Carpenter actually being really good has been my biggest musical surprise of the year so far. This song is sublime. The production is exquisite. She knows what she’s doing.

6. “Outlaw” by Ateez. This song does something to me. I can’t explain it. It’s addicting.

7. “The Seed” by Aurora. I’m always blown away by just how good Aurora’s music sounds. Another person who knows what she’s doing. And this song is for all you environmentalists who need something to scream to.

8. “Hospital” by Madison Cunningham, the song of the summer for me. “Put it in terms I can understand / This wound is all I’ve got / But I can’t disconnect my hand / From the damage that it’s brought” I mean. Come ON.

9. “Jericho” by Iniko. A great TikTok find. Unique vocals and sci-fi vibe. Mulder would jam to this song.

10. “Running Out of Time” by Paramore. Paramore’s latest album is a smash. I was never into them before but if they keep making songs like this I’ll gladly become a fan. “This Is Why” is even better.

Well, there you have it. Feel free to drop your favorites or let’s chat about music! I can’t shut up about it (clearly).

[samasmith23]

Evangelion: You Can (Not) Marathon — (Part 2)

Neon Genesis Evangelion, “Episode 2: Unfamiliar Ceiling/THE BEAST”

Continuing my Evangelion re-watch marathon with NGE, "Episode 2: Unfamiliar Ceiling/THE BEAST"! For my thoughts on the previous episode, click the link to the post below:

With that out of the way, let's dig in!

Lol! I love the way Sachiel picks up Evangelion Unit-01 after Shinji causes the mecha to trip! I bet the Angel is thinking to itself, “What the heck is this thing?! It’s not like those planes, missiles & bombs I dispatched earlier, but it’s clearly a threat! Arm go breaky-breaky and laser beam go through eye socket!”

Joking aside though, this scene further emphasizes my personal frustration with the bad-faith criticisms levied by the "Get in the EVA Shinji" crowd. Like... did people seriously expect Shinji to be perfectly efficent at operating a giant robot he had never even heard of before until literally less than an hour earlier, let alone utilizing it to fight and kill an approximately 40 to 95 meter tall world-destroying alien monstrosity?

The fact that Shinji immediately stumbles and trips during his first attempt to try and simply make the EVA walk, along with him being completely paralyzed with fear as the Angel stares down at him is honestly an incredibly believable reaction on his part! I know I'd certainly react the exact same way Shinji does here!

Also, the injuries that Shinji immediately sustains from Sachiel are definitely uncomfortable to witness as a viewer! Not only does Sachiel snap EVA Unit-01's left arm like a twig (simultaneously breaking Shinji's arm in the process since his nervous system is directly bonded with the EVA's), but the Angel then fires multiple laser blasts directly into Unit-01's right eye sockets, causing twin-streams of blood to shoot-out from both sides of the mecha's head!

Like... YIKES! The fact that Shinji ultimately survives this encounter without suffering permanent brain damage, but just short-term memory loss, is truly an astonishing miracle! Speaking of which...

Full disclosure, I remember being annoyed when I first watched this episode and it suddenly cut to Shinji waking up in the hospital the next day after being knocked out by Sachiel, implying that the entire fight happened off screen. However, after finishing watching this episode for the first time several years ago, I realized just how brilliant this move was on Anno’s part considering what we later learned happened during the fight towards the end of the episode.

Also, Shinji's first words upon waking up are, "An unfamiliar ceiling!" Title drop! Lol!

Oh boy! Our first scene of Gendo meeting with his higher-ups, the Human Instrumentality Committee, aka, our official introduction to the mysterious SEELE organization which oversee’s NERV!

Out of curiousity, I wonder if one of these guys is actually Shinji’s grandfather since his mother, Yui Ikari, later states in the flashbacks from Episode 21 that she’s the daughter of a high-ranking SEELE member, and the Committee is supposed to be SEELE’s inner council.

According to the official "EvaGeeks Wiki" though, while the Human Instrumentailty Committee's leader, Keel Lorenz, is from Germany, the unnamed yellow member is French, the blue guy is Russian, the green guy is American, and the red guy is British.

So does that mean Yui is of mixed-ethnicity? If so, that's cool!

Speaking of Chairman Keel though, here's some interesting behind-the-scenes trivia regarding the name of SEELE's enigmatic leader! In addition to "Keel" being derrived from the literal ship part (specifically the central lower spine of a watercraft's hull), the name "Lorenz" is a reference to the renowned Austrian zoologist and child psychologist Konrad Lorenz, whom in 2015 had his 1973 Nobel Prize in Medicine posthemusly revoked due to his historical affiliations with Nazi Germany (originally, Keel was actually intended to be the real-life Konrad Lorenz in the show itself).

While Hideaki Anno & crew likely chose the name as a subtle reference to the historical figure who popularized the psychological theory of "imprinting" in the field of childhood development (which makes sense considering how integral themes of teenage psychology & motherhood are to EVA's overarching narrative), the fact that Keel Lorenz is also named after an individual with literal Nazi ties is also fitting considering that as antagonists SEELE is a quasi-fascistic doomsday cult.

But I'll discuss more about that when the Human Instrumentality Committee true identity is eventually revealed in Episode 14!

Also, I don’t know why but the yellow French SEELE member always reminded me of the Vulture from Spider-Man. I think it’s the combination of the beak-like nose, the hunched back, and the elderly appearance (minus the hair and glasses of course...). And he’s not the only SEELE member who’s apparently a Marvel Comics cosplayer considering that Keel Lorenz is wearing a similar visor to Cyclops from X-Men. Although the blue Russian member seems to be a DC Comics cosplayer considering he looks an awful lot like the Penguin from Batman.

So basically the members of SEELE are all secretly Marvel & DC comic book fans! Lol!

Dang! The fact that even before the Angel's officially returned with Sachiel's attack on Tokyo-3, Gendo already had enough power and influence within the Japanese government to authorize a media-blackout for the rest of the country and entire world regarding the existence of the Angels is pretty impressive!

Seeing as NERV is a branch of SEELE which has ties to the United Nations, I'm guessing that the Human Instruementality Committee sent the Japanese Prime Minister a pretty convincing letter of reccomendation on Gendo's behalf!

Also, that closing exchange between Keel & Gendo is so FREAKING iconic!

Keel Lorenz: "Ikari, you do know that there can be no turning back." Gendo Ikari: "I know. Mankind has no time left."

Chills! Absolute chills everytime I hear it! Keel & Gendo's respective English VA's, Richard Peeples & Tristan MacAvery, are absolutely on point in this scene!

I really love the white & blue-tinted lighting of the hospital where he encounters an injured Rei again after waking up! It really establishes the ambigous and uncomfortable tone of their initial relationship!

While Misato's comment, "Man, air conditioning's the greatest thing. Man's triumph over nature," is funny on a surface-level, it simultaneously foreshadows another major reoccuring theme interwoven into EVA's narrative: the arrogance and hubris behind humanity's over-reliance on technology!

But I'll discuss those themes more in-depth when they become increasingly notable from Episode 11 onwards!

Lol! Even when being empathetic Ritsuko still can't help but continue being the scientist as usual: "Poor little kid. His cerebelum must have taken a lot of stress."

Double lol! Even Misato recognizes her friend's detatched demeanor: "Cerebellum? Don't you mean his heart?"

I honestly don't think voice actress Sue Ulu is given enough credit for her performance as Ritsuko in the original ADV Dub. She's incredibly effective at conveying Ritsuko's rational & analytical personality!

Oh boy... even though Shinji suffered short-term memory loss from Sachiel's laser blasts, he still has lingering subconcious memories of the injuries he sustained slowly bubbling back towards the surface, as demonstrated by him staring at his now-healed left arm with confusion & fear...

More effective mood-lighting on display when Misato' meets Shinji alone in the waiting room of NERV's infirmary, as both the characters and enviornment are completely obscured in shadows caused by the contrasting sunlight of the room's large exterior windows. It effectively symbolizes both Shinji & Misato wandering into the unknown as the two become more closely aquainted with each other!

Man oh man, the scene where Shinji & Misato accidentally encounter Gendo while trying to get on the elevator is absolutely brilliant in how so much information is conveyed here through facial expressions instead of dialogue! Shinji expects praise from his father for defeating the Angel.

Even though Shinji’s memory of how exactly it happened is foggy, he thinks he was still of some use to his father like he always wanted. And yet... Gendo has absolutely nothing to say to him, just staring coldly and blankly, further feeding into Shinji’s sense of isolation & self-loathing!

So many emotions are conveyed in such a short space of screentime without any dialogue whatsoever!

And all Misato can do is watch & grow increasingly concerned for Shinji’s well being. I do also love how quickly Misato catches onto Shinji’s struggles, as she deals with the exact same crap despite being more outgoing and carefree personality-wise than him. Which is part of why she decides to let him live at her apartment instead of alone where he can wallow in self-loathing.

Still, we also get some insight into Misato’s complicated struggles with sexuality versus motherhood derived from her Elektra Complex through her offhanded joke, “It’s not like I’m going to be making any ‘passes’ at [Shinji],” which absolutely enrages Ritsuko over the phone.

I love how when Shinji can’t help but feel further distressed after hearing random bystanders at the grocery store talk about Tokyo-3 being turned into a battle ground without even once mentioning Shinji's name or acknowledging his involvement, Misato takes Shinji to witness Tokyo-3’s skyscrapers rising up from below the GeoFront to show him the city he helped protect in an effort to validate his usefulness and worth as an EVA pilot.

As gorgeous as this scene is though, considering the sheer amount of Freudian symbolism that’s littered all throughout NGE, when I see those skyscrapers rising upward I can’t help but wonder if this was meant to be yet another example of psychosexual imagery.

Spike Spencer does a great job at capturing Shinji's feelings of awkward hesitance and unsure relief as he takes his first step into Misato's apartment and says, "I'm home," to which an overly cheery Misato replies, "Welcome home."

Also, keep this exchange in the back of your minds since it will later become thematically relevant in Episode 4!

Lol! It’s such a wild contrast seeing just how professional and composed Misato is while working at NERV, as opposed to how wild & messy her home life is. In addition to her apartment floors being littered with garbage bags, dirty dishes, and mountains of used & unused Yebisu beer cans (which is apparently a real-life Japanese alcohol brand...), Misato essentially acts like an immature college student within the privacy of her home, wearning nothing but tank-tops and short-shorts while drinking gallons of alcohol & having insta-ramen for dinner!

Yeesh... I just came to an uncomfortable realization here! Misato's home life is basically just like how I personally used to live back in college! Albiet... I never wore short-shorts nor drank beer (seriously, I think all alcohol tastes TERRIBLE!)...

That's honestly one of the more powerful elements of EVA's characters. They are disturbingly relatable and force you to interrogate aspects of yourself that you're sometimes uncomfortable acknowledging. Even during light-hearted and comedic scenes like Shinji & Misato's ramen & beer dinner conversation, NGE's maintains its well-deserved status as a phenomenal treatise on the human condition!

Lol! I always laugh so hard when an annoyed Misato snaps at Shinji's shyness: "WHAT?! ARE YOU FINICKY?!"

God bless Allison Keith! Her performance as Misato is an absolute treasure!

Also, some of the first indications of Shinji's struggles with his developing sexuality as he can't help but stare at Misato's breasts when she leans over the table and gets directly in his face during her aforementioned outburst!

Aww... poor Shinji really got the short end of the stick by being relegated to daily chores for 5 to 6 days of the week after losing several rounds of rock-paper-scissors with Misato.

Also, I once again find myself uncomfortably relating to Misato here since I too can unfortunately be incredibly lazy when it comes to household chores...

Also also, we get some more allusions to Misato's Elektra Complex with her joking, “This is your home, so feel free to take advantage of everything you want, except of course me that is!”

We’ll learn later in the series that due to her traumatic past as a survivor of Second Impact and her strained relationship with her deceased father, Misato spent her entire adolescence catatonic and began actively pursuing sexual relationships during college in order to fill in that empty void in her heart. In particular, men who subconsciously remind her of her late father such as her ex-boyfriend Ryoji Kaji...

In essence, Misato is a person who greatly struggles with developing meaningful relationships with others due to the ghosts of her past, and relies primarily on physical connections and innuendos in order to communicate her true feelings, while also subconsciously wanting to drive others away from her due to her internalized self-loathing.

We also see more of Misato's character flaws as she continues to belittle Shinji's anxiety by angrily grabbing his hair and shouting, "Yes, yes yes. Is that all you can say? It's getting on my nerves! You're a boy! Act like one!"

Yeah... similar to how Shinji has deep-seated issues with women and sexuality, Misato has some toxic and borderline patriarchal expectations concerning the behavior of men. Misato truly is just an older version of Shinji!

On the subject of Shinji's issues with women, we see his obvious discomfort at the sight of Misato's bras & panties hanging on the clothes chandeliers as he prepares to take a bath before panicking at the sight of a literal penguin inside the bathroom. This especially feels like subtle groundwork being laid for Shinji's more overtly misogynistic attitudes in The End of Evangelion?

Speaking of that penguin inside the bathroom though...

Lol! The introduction to Evangleion's official mascot, Pen Pen, accompanied by the classic gag of a terrified & naked Shinji running back to Misato where she has a strategically placed beer can in front of a smaller toothpick jar on the kitchen table to censor his crotch!

Even after all these years, this gag NEVER... EVER ever gets old! I think the reason why this joke is so famous and fondly remembered by EVA fans is because aside from the obvious absurdity of a literal penguin inside an apartment building as well as the strategically placed objects, Shinji's reaction is incredibly realistic & relatable (I know I'd probably have a very similar reaction if I saw a random wild animal in of my shower). Plus, Shinji's embarassed realization to Misato asksing, "Umm... why don't you cover up," with his face turning red and him awkwardly shuffling back to the bathtub further sells the relatablility of the gag!

Studio Khara would repeat this joke in the Evangelion Rebuild 2.22, but instead replaced Shinji with Asuka. Consequently, the scene in the Rebuild feels a lot more like uncomfortable male-gazey fan-service (rather than the slap-sticky humorous tone of the original scene with Shinji), especially since Shinji's also in the room with Misato when Asuka panics at the sight of Pen Pen, thereby leading to him getting kicked in the face by Asuka while the camera has her butt visible in the frame during said-kick.

Yeah... based on everything I've seen and heard, gratuitous and "comedic" fan-service is a major flaw with the Rebuild movies, whereas the original NGE either avoided or actively subverted typical anime fan-service tropes in order to further flesh out its characters.

Also, I love that subdued head-tilt Pen Pen gives Shinji as he walks into his personal automated refrigerator! Pen Pen be like: "What's the matter kid? Ain't ya never seen a warm-water penguin before?"

Also also, as you might have noticed in the upper-right image above, it's here that I feel is an appropriate time to introduce everyone to the official "Pen Pen Censor" sticker, which will definitely be appearing A LOT throughout this marathon (in order to meet Tumblr community guidelines) due to EVA's extensive coverage of themes regarding sex & sexuality.

On the subject of Pen Pen himself, however, while its never outright confirmed in the anime exactly Misato how got her hands on a unique species of "hot-springs penguin" as a household pet, but in the official manga adaptation written & illustrated by the series' lead character designer, Yoshiyuki Sadamoto, it's eventually revealed that Pen Pen was actually an experimental lab animal from a company Misato was originally employed by before joining NERV. Feeling lonely and isolated in her home life, Misato took sympathy on Pen Pen and brought him home with her before he could be euthanized.

While the absence of Pen Pen's backstory's doesn't negatively impact the anime's quality at all, there is a part of me that does still wish it had been included since it further conveys the inherently selfish desires underlying Misato's desicion to invite Shinji to be her roommate. Just like Pen Pen, while she related to and sympathized with the "useless, greedy [bird's]" situation, Misato was also simply seeking companionship to help fill the void in her own heart.

The fact that Misato did not adopt Shinji for purely altruistic reasons serves as a major thematic element of her characterization, and invites the viewer to question whether or not Misato legitimately views Shinji as the son/brother that she never had, or merely perceives him like a pet to be coddled & objectified just like Pen Pen.

So... that "Shinji's lovely suite" sign that Misato taped onto Shinji's bedroom door. This defintiely seems to lean into the argument of Misato treating Shinji more like a pet than a roommate.

I know that all the infamous budget issues with Episodes 25 & 26 were totally unplanned, but the fact that the music tracks Shinji is repeatedly listening to on his radio are tracks 25 & 26 feels like it should not be a coincidence! It’s giving me some serious Grant Morrison vibes of back when they had the issue focusing on an older Damian Wayne fighting the satanic Third Ghost of Batman take place in Batman (1940) #666!

While Ritsuko seemed pretty cold in contrast to Misato back during Episode 1, I love how when she’s alone with Gendo here discussing the progress of Rei's recovery from the failed EVA Unit-00 activation test, she can’t help but express her own concerns about forcing literal 14-year-olds to pilot giant robots and fight alien gods.

Also... more EPIC FORESHADOWING with the panning shot of a half-frozen inactive EVA Unit-00 punching the window of a disused control room! This not only effectively builds-up towards the flashback later in Episode 5 concerning Rei's injuries, but is also thematically relevant to this episode's climatic flashback with EVA Unit-01 vs. Sachiel as well!

I love the intentional contrasting of Misato's earlier words about "Bathing [cleaning] the mind and soul," against her feeling guilty for "thinking of Shinji as a tool" in both her work & home lives while bathing.

I guess Shinji's thoughts, "Bad memories always [seeming] to find [him] in the bath," also apply to Misato...

Returning to Shinji though, this shot of him staring up at "another unfamiliar ceiling" while wearing his headphones as a form of escapism to ease his feelings of anxiety is so FREAKING iconic!

Honestly, as an autistic person who struggles with obsessive-compulsive disorder & anxiety who spends an awful lot of time wearing headphones to listen to YouTube and distract myself from both external and internal pressures of the world, I totally relate to Shinji here!

Furthermore, we get the return of the titular "unfamiliar ceiling" motif that Shinji referenced earlier in the episode when he first woke up in the NERV infirmary. The website Wrong Every Time did a far better job at explaining the significance behind that title & imagery in their review of Episode 2 than I possibly ever could! Specifically, they argue that unfamiliar ceilings serve as a physical manifestation of Shinji's "sense of displacement" at NERV HQ and Misato's apartment, symbolizing to the viewer that from Shinji's perspective, "[these places are not] his home. [From the] shots of the room’s disarray [to] Shinji’s physical entrapment [emphasizing] his discomfort, as he seems to bury himself away in the space between two repeating cassette tracks."

Like… dang! Wrong Every Time absolutely nailed it in their assessment of this scene! Or as Rei’s English voice actress Amanda Winn Lee infamously described in the audio commentary track to the original End of Evangelion DVD collection, “Nailed it like an Amish barn!” Lol!

The return of the unfamiliar ceiling as Shinji reminesces alone in his new bedroom about full events of the fight with Sachiel functions as a perfect transition to discussing the meanings of episode's secondary title... "THE BEAST!"

So... remember how I said earlier that I was initially really annoyed when I first watched this episode and it suddenly cut away from the Angel knocking Shinji unconscious to him instantly waking up in the hospital the next morning? Well it was during this flashback to the full fight from earlier right here that all my previous annoyance suddenly disappeared and I understood fully why this cut was necessary!

Not only does Anno's decision to have Sachiel’s defeat intially occur off-screen help pique viewer interest in exactly how Shinji defeated the Angel. Not only does it gradually build up the feelings of hollow victory and faint praise that Shinji & Misato couldn’t help but ponder throughout the rest of the episode. But it also effectively makes the ultimate reveal of EVA Unit-01 going berserk for the first time ever all the more shocking & horrifying!

No joke, when I first saw EVA Unit-01 suddenly open it’s mouth & roar I was legitimately FREAKING terrified! I just had so many questions swirling around in my head all at once since I initially thought that Unit-01 was simply just a robot. But this plot twist signified to me that not only are the Evangelions something far more mysterious & disturbing than mere robots, but that they’re also potentially even more dangerous monsters than the Angels!

Plus, the fact that Unit-01's berserker rampage was also foreshadowed back in Episode 1 with the EVA suddenly activating itself to protect Shinji from falling debris (as well as the "0-9 System" controlling it being a reference to Oni from Japanese demonology) makes this plot twist even more impactful!

For the sake of craps & giggles though, I bet the soul of Yui dwelling inside of Unit-01 was thinking to herself at that exact moment: “You will NOT kill my son!”

Also, this I love Misato & Ritsuko's contrasting reactions to Unit-01 going berserk! While, Misato is completely taken aback by this revelation, Ritsuko seems fearfully aware with the events transpiring when she whispers to herself, "Berserker!"

In essence, Misato acts as an audience-surrogate in this scene since just like her we're now completely frightened & suspicious about the Evangelion's true nature, while Ritsuko along with Gendo & Fuyutsuki have access to knowledge that the viewers are currently in the dark about!

Honestly in hindsight, the character's various reactions on display here significantly contributed to my desire to want to learn more about what exactly caused EVA Unit-01 enter a violent animalistic rampage!

As scary as the sight of Unit-01 going on a berseker rampage against Sachiel is though, HOLY CRAP is the sound-design & animation for this fight scene FREAKING phenomenal! In addition to Unit-01's blood-chilling roar heavily indicating the presence of organic vocal cords being suppressed by layers of electronic sirens, the shots of the EVA crouching down before flipping itself high into the air and pouncing onto Sachiel are so FREAKING iconic! Same goes for the 360° panning shot of Unit-01 turning around to face Sachiel again after shrugging off its inital counter-attack!

So wait... how exactly is Unit-01 able to regenerate its armored plating when healing its broken left arm? Is it liquid metal like the T-1000 or something?

Also, we get some more foreshadowing of both the EVA's being cloned from the Angel's progenitor Adam, as well as Unit-01's unique status as a clone of humanity's progenitor Lilith since not only does Unit-01 easily create its own A.T. Field to counter the frequency of Sachiel's, but it easily rips through the Angel's A.T. Field like it was tissue paper!

The animalistic brutality on display as Unit-01 simultaneously crushes both of Sachiel's arms before ripping apart the Angel's own bony chest-protrusions (spilling blue blood in the process) to stab its core is absolutely breathtaking to witness!

As uniquely awesome and uncanny the animation of Sachiel shape-shifting itself into a fluid orb around Unit-01's head is, I'm curious to know exactly how Misato realized that this was a self-destruct maneuver. Especially since the last time she personally witnessed an Angel's abilities was when she was still a teenager 15-years-ago during Second Impact...

Holy crap! The massive cross-shaped explosion that Sachiel generates when it self-destructs is not only breathtaking gorgeous, but it simultaneously adds further intrigue into whether or not the Angels are merely extraterrestrials or literal divine entities!

The feelings of sheer terror that this scene instilled within me were only further cemented by the aftermath of the battle, as Shinji briefly regains consciousness only to scream in horror at the building-side reflection of Unit-01’s head armor falling off and exposing its true fleshy face along with an eyeball that is absolutely in no way whatsoever is meant to resemble traditionally feminine anatomy (H.R. Geiger would eat his heart out over Unit-01’s eyeball here)!

Plus, I only just noticed this, but the front of EVA Unit-01's exposed forehead bears a striking resemblance to the masks on Sachiel's face, further hinting that the Evangelions and the Angels are biologically connected!

I absolutely adore the final moments of the episode where Misato continues to give Shinji faint praise even when she now realizes that it won’t help him. It simultaneously suggests that Misato still wants to do whatever she can to ease Shinji’s pain, while also desperately trying to find some way to justify Unit-01’s berserker rampage against Sachiel “being worth it” despite the traumatic toll the experience has inflicted upon Shinji’s psyche!

What an absolutely perfect way to end the episode! Allison Keith once again perfectly sells this scene through the way her voice so subtly cracks while trying to feign said-empty reassurance!

This concluding exchange also thematically ties the episode's corresponding titles, "Unfamiliar Ceiling" & "THE BEAST," so neatly together! In addition Shinji & Misato being haunted by memories of the literal beast in the form of EVA Unit-01, they're simultaneously confronted with metaphorical beasts as they struggle to process and adapt to unfamiliar enviornments and relationships!

I love it whenever titles convey multiple meanings like that!

Overall though, NGE, "Episode 2: Unfamiliar Ceiling/THE BEAST" still holds up incredibly dang well! Even better than I remember!

Heck, whenever I try to introduce other people to EVA for the first time, I always recommend that they watch Episodes 1 & 2 immediately back-to-back so that they can get a good idea of how this anime functions, since honestly both episodes work incredibly well as an hour-long pilot when watched together!

Now onto Episode 3!

[redux-pain]

chapter 12: Hospital conversation

あっ、いらっしゃい！

あ、ミカ、良かった元気そうで。

Ｗｅｌｃｏｍｅ！

Ｙｏｕ　ｌｏｏｋ　ｇｏｏｄ，　Ｍｉｋａ．

[MIKA:] Oh, hi, guys!

[YAYOI:] I'm glad to see you looking well, Mika.

----

はい、これ。

わっ！　ゼリーだ！

Ｈｅｒｅ　ｙｏｕ　ａｒｅ．

Ｙａｙ！　Ｊｅｌｌｙ！

[YAYOI:] Here you are.

[MIKA:] Wow! Jelly!

[NOTE: This is more jelly/gummy candy than jar jelly.]

----

ありがと～、すごく嬉しいよ～。

元気そうじゃん。

Ｔｈａｎｋ　ｙｏｕ！　Ｉ’ｍ　ｓｏ　ｈａｐｐｙ．

Ｌｏｏｋｉｎｇ　ｈｅａｌｔｈｙ．

[MIKA:] Thanks! I'm so happy.

[RUI:] You look healthy.

----

あたりまえでしょ～？ なにせ不死身のミカ様よ？

暴漢ごときに、そう簡単に やられるわけないでしょう！

Ｏｆ　ｃｏｕｒｓｅ！　 Ｉ’ｍ　ｔｈｅ　ｉｎｖｕｌｎｅｒａｂｌｅ　Ｍｉｋａ！

Ｙｏｕ　ｃａｎ’ｔ　ｓｔｏｐ　ａ　ｔｏｕｇｈ ｇｉｒｌ　ｌｉｋｅ　ｍｅ　ｔｈａｔ　ｅａｓｉｌｙ！

[MIKA:] Of course! Don't you know I'm the invulnerable Mika-sama?

Some hoodlum isn't gonna take me down that easy.

----

うん、安心した。

でさでさ　ルイのお土産は？

Ｔｈａｔ　ｍａｋｅｓ　ｍｅ　ｆｅｅｌ　ｂｅｔｔｅｒ．

Ｓｏ，　ｗｈａｔ’ｄ　ｙｏｕ　ｂｒｉｎｇ　ｍｅ？

[RUI:] I can see that.

[MIKA:] So? What'd you bring me?

[NOTE: "That makes me feel better" is more literally correct in this case, but I didn't find it completely natural in the English conversation flow.]

-----

シュークリームそれとも和菓子？

それともそれとも、クッキーなんか だったりする？

Ｃｒｅａｍ　ｐｕｆｆｓ　ａｎｄ　ｓｗｅｅｔｓ？

Ｗｅｌｌ　ｔｈｅｎ，　ｓｈａｌｌ　ｗｅ　ｈａｖｅ ｓｏｍｅ　ｃｏｏｋｉｅｓ　ａｎｄ　ｍｉｌｋ？

[MIKA:] Creampuffs? Ooh, or traditional sweets, maybe?

Ooh, ooh, or maybe cookies or something?

----

ミカ、あんた…入院しているの？ それとも食べに来ているの？

まあ、ミカらしいというか 何というか……。

Ｍｉｋａ，　ａｒｅ　ｙｏｕ　ｈｏｓｐｉｔａｌｉｚｅｄ， ｏｒ　ｊｕｓｔ　ｈｅｒｅ　ｆｏｒ　ｔｈｅ　ｆｏｏｄ？

Ｔｈａｔ’ｓ　ｊｕｓｔ　ｌｉｋｅ　ｙｏｕ，　 ｈｏｗ　ｓｈｏｕｌｄ　Ｉ　ｓａｙ．．．

[RUI:] Mika... are you hospitalized, or did you come here to eat?

Although I guess this is a classic Mika moment...

[NOTE: The second line does not play in my version of the game.]

----

で？　なによお土産は？

もったいぶらないで、さっさと 出しなさいよ。

Ｙｅｓ？　Ｓｏ　ｗｈｅｒｅ’ｓ　ｙｏｕｒ　ｇｉｆｔ？

Ｑｕｉｔ　ｗａｓｔｉｎｇ　ｔｉｍｅ　ａｎｄ　ｌｅｔ ｍｅ　ｈａｖｅ　ｉｔ．

[MIKA:] So? What did you bring?

Quit beating around the bush and hand it over.

----

……ない。

はあ？　……ない？

．．．Ｉ　ｄｉｄｎ’ｔ　ｂｒｉｎｇ　ｏｎｅ．

Ｗｈａｔ？　．．．ｎｏｔｈｉｎｇ？

[RUI:] ...I don't have one.

[MIKA:] Huh? ...Don't have one?

----

ちょっとバタバタしてて、 忘れちゃったんだよね。

ええ～～～！！！

Ｉ　ｗａｓ　ｒｅａｌｌｙ　ｂｕｓｙ　ａｎｄ　ｊｕｓｔ ｐｌａｉｎ　ｆｏｒｇｏｔ　ｉｔ．

Ｎｏ　ｗａｙ！

[RUI:] I was in kind of a rush, and I forgot.

[MIKA:] No waaaaaayyy!!!

----

ちょ、ちょっとミカ。 ここ病院よ、静かに。

うっ……。

Ｍｉｋａ，　ｃａｌｍ　ｄｏｗｎ． Ｔｈｉｓ　ｉｓ　ａ　ｈｏｓｐｉｔａｌ．

Ｈｍｐｈ．．．．．．．．．

[YAYOI:] M-Mika, please calm down. This is a hospital.

[MIKA:] Ugh....

----

ふふっ、それじゃゼリー 開けるから、２人とも食べる？

もちろん！

Ｉ’ｍ　ｏｐｅｎｉｎｇ　ｔｈｅ　ｊｅｌｌｙ． Ｄｏ　ｙｏｕ　ｔｗｏ　ｗａｎｔ　ｓｏｍｅ？

Ｍｏｓｔ　ｄｅｆｉｎｉｔｅｌｙ！

[YAYOI:] Heh heh... I'm about to open the jellies. Do you two want some?

[MIKA:] Of course!

----

ありがとう、ヤヨイ。

ミカごめんね？ 今度埋め合わせするからさ。

Ｔｈａｎｋｓ，　Ｙａｙｏｉ．

Ｉ’ｍ　ｓｏｒｒｙ，　Ｍｉｋａ．　Ｉ’ｌｌ　ｍａｋｅ ｕｐ　ｆｏｒ　ｉｔ　ｎｅｘｔ　ｔｉｍｅ，　ｏｋ？

[RUI:] Thanks, Yayoi.

Sorry, Mika. I'll make it up to you next time.

----

美味しいものよ、わかった？

はいはい、もうこの ワガママっ子め！

Ｉｔ　ｂｅｔｔｅｒ　ｂｅ　ｄｅｌｉｃｉｏｕｓ！

Ｏｋ！　ＯＫ！　Ｙｏｕ’ｒｅ　ｓｕｃｈ　ａ ｓｐｏｉｌｅｄ　ｌｉｔｔｌｅ　ｂｒａｔ．

[MIKA:] It better be something delicious, got it?

[RUI:] Okay, okay! You're such a spoiled little brat.

-----

はい、２人とも。

ありがと。

Ｈｅｒｅ　ｙｏｕ　ａｒｅ，　ｙｏｕ　ｔｗｏ．

Ｔｈａｎｋｓ．

[YAYOI:] Here you are, you two.

[MIKA:] Thanks.

----

それと西条さんゼリー お嫌いじゃないですよね？

よければ食べて見て下さい、 どうぞ。

Ｓａｉｊｏ，　ｙｏｕ　ｄｏｎ’ｔ　ｌｉｋｅ　ｊｅｌｌｙ ｔｈａｔ　ｍｕｃｈ，　ｒｉｇｈｔ？

Ｔｒｙ　ｓｏｍｅ　ｉｆ　ｙｏｕ　ｌｉｋｅ． Ｈｅｒｅ　ｙｏｕ　ｇｏ．

[YAYOI:] Saijou-san, you don't mind jelly, do you?

Try some if you'd like. Here you go.

====

よう、みんな来てくれたのか。

やあ、元気そうだね。

Ｈｅｙ　ｇｕｙｓ．

Ｌｏｏｋｉｎｇ　ｇｏｏｄ，　ｍａｎ！

[AKIRA:] Hey, you all showed up, huh?

[RYOU:] Hey. You look well.

----

はい、これ。果物の盛り合わせ。 後で野崎さんと一緒に食べてくれ。

サンキュ。

Ｉ　ｇｏｔ　ｙｏｕ　ａ　ｆｒｕｉｔ　ｐｌａｔｔｅｒ． Ｅａｔ　ｉｔ　ｗｉｔｈ　Ｍｉｋａ　ｌａｔｅｒ．

Ｔｈａｎｋｓ．

[RYOU:] Here you go. It's a fruit platter. Eat it with Nozaki-san later.

[AKIRA:] Thanks.

[NOTE: Technically he didn't "get" the fruit platter, but that got lost because this scene was translated completely separately from the earlier scene where Iida makes him take it. Except for that it's a reasonable way to rephrase it in English.]

----

んで？　何でシンジはそんなに 暗い顔しているんだ？

ちょっとね……。

Ｗｈａｔ’ｓ　ｗｒｏｎｇ　ｗｉｔｈ　Ｓｈｉｎｊｉ？　 Ｗｈｙ　ｔｈｅ　ｌｏｎｇ　ｆａｃｅ？

Ｗｅｌｌ，　ｙｏｕ　ｓｅｅ．．．

[AKIRA:] So, what's up with Shinji? Why the long face?

[Shinji:] Well, see...

----

さっきモラルの無い発言をして、 山瀬さんに殴られたんだ。

ちょっと、何勝手にバラして るんだよ！

Ｈｅ　ｓａｉｄ　ｓｏｍｅｔｈｉｎｇ　ｒｕｄｅ　ｔｏ Ｙａｍａｓｅ　ａｎｄ　ｓｈｅ　ｈｉｔ’ｉｍ．

Ｗｈｙ’ｄ　ｙｏｕ　ｊｕｓｔ　ｇｏ　ａｎｄ　 ｔｅｌｌ　ｈｉｍ　ｌｉｋｅ　ｔｈａｔ？

[RYOU:] Just now he said something morally reprehensible and Yamase-san clobbered him.

[SHINJI:] Hey! Why'd you just go and tell him?!

----

ぶっ……あはははっ！

そうか、朝から最高な眠気 覚ましだな。

Ｈａｈａｈａｈａ！

Ｔｈｉｓ　ｉｓ　ｔｈｅ　ｂｅｓｔ　ｗａｙ ｔｏ　ｗａｋｅ　ｕｐ．

[AKIRA:] Pfft... Ahahaha!

I see. That's a great way to wake him up.

----

ぼくは失礼なことは言ってない つもりなんだけどね……

朝からというものルイの奴に、 どつかれたり、蹴られたりさ……

Ｉｔ’ｓ　ｎｏｔ　ｌｉｋｅ　Ｉ　ｗａｓ　ｒｕｄｅ ｔｏ　ｈｅｒ　ｏｎ　ｐｕｒｐｏｓｅ．．．

Ｉ’ｖｅ　ｂｅｅｎ　ｂｅｉｎｇ　ｂｕｌｌｉｅｄ　ｂｙ Ｒｕｉ　ｓｉｎｃｅ　ｔｈｉｓ　ｍｏｒｎｉｎｇ．．．

[SHINJI:] I wasn't even trying to be rude.

She's been hitting and kicking me all morning...

----

あいつ乱暴すぎるよマジで。

ルイって子供の頃からそうだったの？

Ｓｈｅ’ｓ　ｗａｙ　ｔｏｏ　ｖｉｏｌｅｎｔ．

Ｗａｓ　ｓｈｅ　ａｌｗａｙｓ　ｌｉｋｅ　ｔｈａｔ？

[SHINJI:] Seriously, she's way too violent.

Was she always like that?

----

まだマシなほうだ……。

そうだな昔のこと思えば、 ずいぶんとおとなしくなったよな。

Ｓｈｅ　ｗａｓ　ｗｏｒｓｅ　ａｓ　ａ　ｋｉｄ．．．

Ｃｏｍｐａｒｅｄ　ｔｏ　ｂａｃｋ　ｔｈｅｎ， ｓｈｅ’ｓ　ｃａｌｍｅｄ　ｄｏｗｎ　ａ　ｌｏｔ．

[RYOU:] She was even worse.

[AKIRA:] Yeah, she's really calmed down compared to back then.

----

げっ…うそっ…あれで……。

そうだぜ、なんて言ったって 子供の頃いちばん強かったんだからな。

俺なんかいつも泣かされていた。

Ｙｏｕ　ｃａｎ’ｔ　ｂｅ　ｓｅｒｉｏｕｓ．．．

Ｉｔ’ｓ　ｔｒｕｅ．　Ｓｈｅ　ｗａｓ　ｓｔｒｏｎｇｅｒ ｔｈａｎ　ｅｖｅｒｙｏｎｅ　ｂａｃｋ　ｔｈｅｎ．

Ａｌｗａｙｓ　ｍａｋｉｎｇ　ｍｅ　ｃｒｙ．．．

[SHINJI:] Gah... You can't be serious...

[AKIRA:] Yep. She was definitely the strongest one when we were kids.

She made me cry all the time...

----

うんそうだ、女王様だったな……

ぼくがダメだダメだって言うのに、 店の中で花火されたこともある……。

Ｙｅｐ，　”Ｑｕｅｅｎ　Ｒｕｉ”．．．

Ｏｎｅ　ｔｉｍｅ　ｓｈｅ　ｓｈｏｔ　ｏｆｆ ｆｉｒｅｗｏｒｋｓ　ｉｎｓｉｄｅ　ａ　ｓｈｏｐ．．．

[RYOU:] Yep, "Queen Rui"...

There was one time when she set off fireworks inside the store even though I told her not to...

-----

火事になりかけたんだろ？

ああ、それで後でおじいちゃんに どれだけ怒られたことか……。

Ｄｉｄｎ’ｔ　ｉｔ　ｓｔａｒｔ　ａ　ｆｉｒｅ？

Ｙｅａｈ，　ｔｈｅ　ｏｌｄ　ｍａｎ　ｗａｓ ｓｏ　ｐｉｓｓｅｄ　ｏｆｆ　ａｔ　ｕｓ．．．

[AKIRA:] Didn't it start a fire?

[RYOU:] Yeah, and my grandfather was absolutely furious later...

----

あれもあったよな、花びら事件。 あいつ映画で見たんだったっけ？

花びらを敷き詰めたベッドを作れって、 電波塔の花を全部取りに行かされたな。

Ａｎｄ　ｔｈｅ　ｆｌｏｗｅｒ　ｐｅｔａｌ　ｔｈｉｎｇ． Ｓｈｅ　ｇｏｔ　ｔｈａｔ　ｆｒｏｍ　ａ　ｍｏｖｉｅ？

Ｓｈｅ　ｍａｄｅ　ｍｅ　ｓｃｏｕｒ　ｔｈｅ　ｐａｒｋ ｆｏｒ　ｆｌｏｗｅｒｓ　ｔｏ　ｍａｋｅ　ａ　ｂｅｄ．

[AKIRA:] And then there was the flower petal thing too. I think she saw it in a movie or something?

She sent us off to pick all the flowers around the radio tower so she could scatter the petals all over her bed.

[NOTE: In Japanese, the words for "fireworks" and "flower petal" are hanabi and hanabira, so these two incidents also sound similar.]

----

ああ、そうだった……

その後、ぼくたち二人は警察と親から こっぴどく叱られたね。

それにあいつの前では、 眼鏡はかけられなかったんだよ。

Ｏｈ　ｙｅａｈ．．．

Ｗｅ　ｇｏｔ　ｓｃｏｌｄｅｄ　ｓｏ　ｂａｄ　ｂｙ ｔｈｅ　ｐｏｌｉｃｅ　ａｎｄ　ｏｕｒ　ｐａｒｅｎｔｓ．

Ａｎｄ　Ｉ　ｃｏｕｌｄ　ｎｅｖｅｒ　ｗｅａｒ ｇｌａｓｓｅｓ　ａｒｏｕｎｄ　ｈｅｒ．

[RYOU:] That's right...

And it was the two of us who got scolded horribly by the police and our parents.

And I could never wear my glasses around her.

----

似合わないんだから、って何度も 眼鏡にラクガキされたんだ……。

コンサートの準備させられたことも あったよな？

Ｓｈｅ　ｓａｉｄ　ｔｈｅｙ　ｗｅｒｅ　ｕｇｌｙ　ａｎｄ ｗｒｏｔｅ　ａｌｌ　ｏｖｅｒ　ｔｈｅｍ．．．

Ｄｉｄｎ’ｔ　ｓｈｅ　ｍａｋｅ　ｙｏｕ　ｄｏ　ａｌｌ ｔｈｅ　ｐｒｅｐ　ｆｏｒ　ｔｈｅ　ｃｏｎｃｅｒｔ？

[RYOU:] She would call them ugly and scribble all over them...

[AKIRA:] And then that time she made us do all the prep work for a concert.

----

あ、あはは、あれね。夕陽丘の住宅 公園でだろ？

ビールのケースを山ほど集めさせられ たよな。垂れ幕も作らされたし……。

Ｏｈ　ｙｅａｈ，　ｔｈａｔ． Ａｔ　Ｙｕｓｈｉｇａｏｋａ　Ｐａｒｋ，　ｒｉｇｈｔ？

Ｓｈｅ　ｍａｄｅ　ｍｅ　ｃｌｉｍｂ　ｕｐ　ａ ｍｏｕｎｔａｉｎ　ｏｆ　ｂｅｅｒ　ｃａｓｅｓ．．．

[RYOU:] Oh, that, ha ha. You mean the one at Yuuhigaoka Park?

[AKIRA:] I had to collect a whole huge load of beer crates. And make a banner too...

[NOTE: "Yushigaoka" is an actual typo within the game, not Tumblr messing up.]

----

ぼくは、嫌がる同級生たちを、誘いに 行かされたのが辛かったよ。

す、すげ～、超級のガキ大将じゃん。

Ａｎｄ　ｓｈｅ　ｍａｄｅ　ｍｅ　ｉｎｖｉｔｅ ａｌｌ　ｔｈｅ　ｋｉｄｓ　ｗｈｏ　ｈａｔｅｄ　ｍｅ．

Ｗｈｏａ！　ｔｈｅ　ｂｒａｔ　ｇｅｎｅｒａｌ！

[RYOU:] And she sent me around with invitations for all our classmates who didn't want to go. That was tough.

[SHINJI:] Wow! She was bullying way above her grade level.

-----

う～ん、どうだろ。ガキ大将っていう よりも暴君だね。

うん、暴君だな。

Ｎｏ．　Ｉ’ｄ　ｓａｙ　ｓｈｅ　ｗａｓ　ｍｏｒｅ ｌｉｋｅ　ｔｈｅ　ｂｒａｔ　ｔｅｒｒｏｒ．

Ｙｅａｈ，　ａ　ｔｅｒｒｏｒ　ｉｎｄｅｅｄ．

[RYOU:] Hm... no, I wouldn't say bully. More like tyrant.

[AKIRA:] Exactly. A tyrant.

=====

となりの部屋、 なんか盛り上がってるじゃん。

美味しいものでも食べているん じゃないの？

Ｔｈｅｙ’ｒｅ　ｐｒｅｔｔｙ　ｌｏｕｄ　ｉｎ　ｔｈｅ ｎｅｘｔ　ｒｏｏｍ，　ｈｕｈ．

Ｔｈｅｙ’ｒｅ　ｐｒｏｂａｂｌｙ　ｊｕｓｔ ｅａｔｉｎｇ　ｓｏｍｅｔｈｉｎｇ　ｄｅｌｉｃｉｏｕｓ．

[MIKA:] They're sure getting loud in the next room.

[RUI:] They're probably just eating something delicious.

----

確かリョウが果物持ってきていた みたいだけどね。

果物はパス！

Ｉ　ｔｈｉｎｋ　Ｒｙｏ　ｂｒｏｕｇｈｔ　ａ　ｆｒｕｉｔ ｐｌａｔｅ　ｏｒ　ｓｏｍｅｔｈｉｎｇ．

Ｆｒｕｉｔ？　Ｉ’ｌｌ　ｐａｓｓ！

[RUI:] I think Ryou brought a fruit plate or something.

[MIKA:] Fruit? I'll pass!

----

私も好きじゃないし、確かアキラも 好きじゃなかったはず。

ほんとリョウは昔からそうよね。

Ｉｆ　Ｉ　ｄｏｎ’ｔ　ｌｉｋｅ　ｉｔ，　Ａｋｉｒａ ｐｒｏｂａｂｌｙ　ｄｏｅｓｎ’ｔ　ｅｉｔｈｅｒ．

Ｒｙｏ’ｓ　ａｌｗａｙｓ　ｂｅｅｎ　ｄｈａｔ　ｗａｙ．

[MIKA:] I don't like fruit, and I'm pretty sure Akira doesn't either.

[RUI:] Yeah, Ryou's always been like that.

----

古い付き合いなのに、私たちの 好きなもの覚えてないんだもんね。

というか覚える気無し……。

Ｈｅ’ｓ　ｋｎｏｗｎ　ｕｓ　ｆｏｒｅｖｅｒ，　ｂｕｔ ｃａｎ’ｔ　ｒｅ��ｅｍｂｅｒ　ｏｕｒ　ｔａｓｔｅｓ．

Ｏｒ　ｈｅ　ｄｏｅｓｎ’ｔ　ｗａｎｔ　ｔｏ．．．

[RUI:] He's known us forever, but he can't remember what we like.

Or rather, he doesn't even try...

----

そうなの、すごく繊細な人に 私は思っていたんだけど……。

あはは、どうかな……。

Ｒｅａｌｌｙ？　Ｉ　ａｌｗａｙｓ　ｔｈｏｕｇｈｔ ｈｅ　ｗａｓ　ｖｅｒｙ　ｓｅｎｓｉｔｉｖｅ．．．

Ｈａｈａ，　ｙｅａｈ　ｒｉｇｈｔ．．．

[YAYOI:] Really? He always seemed very sensitive to me.

[MIKA:] Ahaha, I don't know about that...

----

だけど小学生の私の誕生日に、 英語のウサギの絵本を贈る奴だからね。

マザー・グースでしょ？

Ｈｅ　ｄｉｄ　ｓｅｎｄ　ｍｅ　ａ　ｃｕｔｅ ｂｏｏｋ　ｏｎ　ｍｙ　１０ｔｈ　ｂ－ｄａｙ．

Ｍｏｔｈｅｒ　Ｇｏｏｓｅ，　ｒｉｇｈｔ？

[MIKA:] When we were in grade school, he's the one who gave me that English picture book with the rabbits in it.

[RUI:] Mother Goose, right?

-----

ああ、そうそう、そのグースって本。

小学生なんだから、英語なんて 読めないっていうの。

Ｙｅａｈ，　ｙｅａｈ．　 Ｔｈａｔ　ｇｏｏｓｅ　ｂｏｏｋ．

Ｂｕｔ　ｉｔ　ｗａｓ　ｉｎ　Ｆｒｅｎｃｈ， ｓｏ　Ｉ　ｃｏｕｌｄｎ’ｔ　ｒｅａｄ　ｉｔ．

[MIKA:] Yeah, yeah, that goose book.

Except I was in grade school, so I couldn't read English.

----

アキラはアキラで 誕生日におにぎり贈るバカだし。

そう、なんでも御父さんの真似して ケーキ作ろうとしたけど失敗……。

Ａｎｄ　Ａｋｉｒａ，　ｔｈｅ　ｆｏｏｌ， ｇｉｖｉｎｇ　ｐｅｏｐｌｅ　ｒｉｃｅ　ｂａｌｌｓ．

Ｏｈ　ｙｅａｈ，　ｈｅ　ｔｒｉｅｄ　ｔｏ　ｍａｋｅ ａ　ｃａｋｅ，　ｂｕｔ　ｆａｉｌｅｄ．．．

[MIKA:] And then Akira is the idiot who gives you rice balls for your birthday.

[RUI:] Oh, yeah, he tried to make a cake like his dad and failed...

----

こっぴどく叱られたから、仕方なしに おにぎりを作ったって話だけど、

そんなの聞いたことある？ 誕生日におにぎり持ってくる奴。

Ｈｅ　ｇｏｔ　ｓｃｏｌｄｅｄ　ｒｅａｌ　ｂａｄ， ｓｏ　ｈｅ　ｍａｄｅ　ａ　ｒｉｃｅ　ｂａｌｌ，

Ｈａｖｅ　ｙｏｕ　ｈｅａｒｄ　ｏｆ　ｇｉｖｉｎｇ　ａ ｒｉｃｅ　ｂａｌｌ　ｏｎ　ｂｉｒｔｈｄａｙｓ？

[RUI:] Apparently he got scolded so bad he had no choice but to make rice balls instead...

...but have you ever heard of that? Someone bringing you rice balls on your birthday?

----

江戸時代か、って言うの、ほんと。

仕方ないからケーキ食べながら、 おにぎり食べたけど。

Ｉｔ’ｓ　ｆｒｏｍ　ｔｈｅ　Ｅｄｏ　ｐｅｒｉｏｄ．

Ｉｔ　ｃａｎ’ｔ　ｂｅ　ｈｅｌｐｅｄ．　Ｉ　ａｔｅ ｔｈｅ　ｒｉｃｅ　ｂａｌｌ　ｗｉｔｈ　ｃａｋｅ．

[RUI:] Like, seriously, is this the Edo period?

So what could I do? I ate the rice balls with my cake.

----

だけどうらやましいな～ いまも仲の良い幼なじみって。

私も居ないことはないんだけど、 こんなに仲良くないもの。

Ｉ’ｍ　ａｃｔｕａｌｌｙ　ｅｎｖｉｏｕｓ．　Ｙｏｕ ｈａｖｅ　ｂｅｅｎ　ｆｒｉｅｎｄｓ　ｓｏ　ｌｏｎｇ．

Ｉｔ’ｓ　ｎｏｔ　ｌｉｋｅ　Ｉ’ｍ　ｎｏｔ　ｈｅｒｅ， ｂｕｔ　Ｉ　ｄｏｎ’ｔ　ｆｅｅｌ　ａｓ　ｃｌｏｓｅ．

[YAYOI:] I'm actually envious. You're all longtime friends who still get along today.

I'm right here too, but I'm nowhere near as close.

----

だからミカが危なくなった時に、 飛び出していけるんだね。

命の危険をかえりみずに助ける なんて、いまの時代じゃ珍しいよ。

Ｔｈａｔ’ｓ　ｗｈｙ　ｗｈｅｎ　Ｍｉｋａ　ｗａｓ ｉｎ　ｄａｎｇｅｒ，　ｈｅ　ｒａｎ　ｔｏ　ｈｅｌｐ．

Ｉｇｎｏｒｉｎｇ　ｄａｎｇｅｒ　ｔｏ　ｓａｖｅ　ａ ｌｉｆｅ　ｉｓ　ｒａｒｅ　ｔｈｅｓｅ　ｄａｙｓ．

[YAYOI:] That's why he ran to save Mika when she was in danger.

It's rare these days for a person to risk their own life to save someone else.

----

そうね～、良い奴だし、 いちばん信用できるのもそう。

もし逆の立場だったら私も アキラと同じことをする。

Ｙｅａｈ，　ｈｅ　ｉｓ　ａ　ｇｏｏｄ　ｇｕｙ，　ａｎｄ Ｉ　ｋｎｏｗ　Ｉ　ｃａｎ　ｔｒｕｓｔ　ｈｉｍ．

Ｉｆ　ｉｔ　ｗｅｒｅ　ｍｅ，　Ｉ　ｗｏｕｌｄ　ｈａｖｅ ｄｏｎｅ　ｔｈｅ　ｃｏｍｐｌｅｔｅ　ｏｐｐｏｓｉｔｅ．

[MIKA:] Yeah, he's a great guy and he's completely trustworthy.

And I'd do the same thing if he was in trouble.

----

だけどいまじゃ、ヤヨイ。 あんたも私たちの仲間なんだからね。

そうそう、もう幼くはないけど、 高校から始まった幼なじみ。

Ｂｕｔ，　Ｙａｙｏｉ．　 Ｙｏｕ’ｒｅ　ｏｕｒ　ｆｒｉｅｎｄ　ｎｏｗ．

Ｗｅ　ａｒｅｎ’ｔ　ｃｈｉｌｄｈｏｏｄ　ｂｕｄｓ， ｂｕｔ　ｓｉｎｃｅ　ｆｒｅｓｈｍａｎ　ｙｅａｒ．

[MIKA:] But you're one of our friends now too, Yayoi.

[RUI:] That's right. It hasn't been a long long time, but you've been our longtime friend since freshman year.

----

だから何か心配事や悩みなんかあれば、 どんどん、言わなきゃダメよ。

それに西条君もそうだよ。 無口でクールなのはわかるけど、

もうみんな友達なんだからね。

Ｉｆ　ｙｏｕ　ｈａｖｅ　ａｎｙ　ｗｏｒｒｉｅｓ　ｏｒ ｐｒｏｂｌｅｍｓ，　ｙｏｕ　ｃａｎ　ｔｅｌｌ　ｕｓ．

Ａｎｄ　Ｓａｉｊｏ，　ａｌｓｏ．　Ｉ　ｋｎｏｗ ｈｅ’ｓ　ｒｅａｌ　ｃａｌｍ　ａｎｄ　ｑｕｉｅｔ，　

ｂｕｔ　ｗｅ’ｒｅ　ａｌｌ　ｆｒｉｅｎｄｓ．

[RUI:] So come right to us if you ever have any worries or problems.

And you too, Saijou-kun. I know you're the strong, silent type...

...but we're all friends now.

----

うん、ありがとう！

Ｔｈａｎｋｓ　ｓｏ　ｍｕｃｈ！

[YAYOI:] Thank you so much!

[foolshoujo]

@sentofight & akihiko asked:

Aigis was on her usual maintenance schedule at the Kirijo's facilities had it not for that, she would've made a scene about Arisato not waking up on her usual time. Akihiko went down the stairs to see Kuromaru whining up and going in circles then barked at him and ran up the stairs. "W-whoa--boy, what's wrong? .. Follow you? Alright," and the golden boy does follow the loyal canine. "W-whoa whoa that's the girls' lounge, you want me dead, Kuro-chan?" but Kuromaru is whimpering at Arisato's door, pawing at the door. " ... Er, look buddy, let me ask Mitsuru to check on her instead." wait, Mitsuru is already out. Dang it. Alright, if miss execution is out then perhaps he can venture a little bit closer. Akihiko walked to Arisato's door, then knocked, "Hey, Arisato. Are you alright? Kuro is worried about you." there was a groan and then a thud noise. "What's that?" he knocked a couple more, "Arisato. Arisato! Are you alright?" Kuro pawed at the door, too. He tried to open the door. Closed. Tsk! "Arisato, say something!" and after a couple more knocks, she finally opens the door and lo and behold, miss leader is not as sanguine as she always looks. If you minus the red cheeks, runny nose, shivering body...yeah... "You're sick! We've told you to take care of yourself! ...sigh... to your bed, leader. Come on, no butts." he hovers a hand over her back as she turns around and with the other hand he digs up his phone and texts Mitsuru [Leader is sick. She's not coming to school. I'll be late for a bit to make sure she's alright. Send help.] "School can wait," he waited for her to lay back in bed and tucked her in. He might have ...stared a for a minute at her. Heh... Miki ... he remembered how he used to take care of her (despite that shinji did take care of them both haha) "Stay put, understood? I'll go fix you something warm. Hm? Nah, don't worry about it. I texted Mitsuru, she's going to send someone to stay with you soon. Meanwhile, you need to listen to your senpai, alright? Kuro, watch over here, okay? If she moves, do what you must do. Haha, no puppy eyes look, Arisato." and he leaves to fix something warm for her.

XXII ███ THE TWINS HAD A POOR habit of neglecting both themselves & telling others about themselves. from wants or needs, to sickness & worries. the two tending to take care of each other as siblings do. after all; for so long it had been just the two of them. even while they lived separately from foster to foster they relied solely on each other forgetting that there were others that would care for them. especially now within that old dorm filled with their dearest friends, brought together from circumstances under a red banner upon their arms every night once the clock struck.

however, minako despite her poor health had a worse habit of not even informing her brother when she felt even the slightest bit ill. not wanting the fuss of medicine, of doctors, of hospital visits. how she had spent so much of her younger years trapped within those white halls & restless nights. && while her mirror knew all too well of her health issues, such was completely neglected as even a passing mention to her friends & dorm mates. sans aigis who had a habit of mentioning in quasi-private moments about her health & to take care of it( reminding her of her poor immune system a little too often. another talk about boundaries was on the horizon she could feel it. ) & mitsuru, considering minako's hospital stays were all either kirijo corp related or funded. or at least minako had assumed the latter. speaking with mitsuru one on one about anything was daunting, much less about matters on her past.

&& so with that all aside it was no use wondering why she'd gotten so sick without care. she'd been taking some medicine here & there, but what good does it do when she's getting not even a few hours of sleep at night & pushing herself to run at full speed. school, exercising, clubs, committees, dates with friends, work, & the midnight ventures within a time & space of which actively & aggressively tears down one's body. oh, how she knew better ! despite the shivers the chills, she's warm to the touch. her breaths heavy & skin clammy. she'd been standing at her sink for an hour, shaky hands clenching the porcelain as her arms are willed to hold the strength to keep her upright by sheer determination alone. hadn't even put her hair up yet, hadn't even changed out of her pajamas. the idea had been to try & wash her face, to try to just take it slow.

unfortunately for her, that was not what was going to happen. as she started to feel her consciousness fade; the sound of nails upon wood, soft whines & little barks fill her ears--- && the sound of someone's voice she struggled to recognize with her head throbbing, feeling only the pressure about her crown & sinuses. with the biggest sigh she can muster, she pushes away from the sink & slowly makes it to the door to see akihiko & koromaru immediately. a ' tch ' leaves her as she backs up, holding the knob as she does so to allow room for the two to enter. caught. she knows how she looks. paler than normal, dark circles, sullen cheeks. the sink has a mirror after all. unable to put up any fight( && used to giving up any time her brother would chide her the moment she was sick ) minako instead just trudges back to her bed, flopping face first with a groan. koromaru jumping up with her & tugging at her shirt for her to roll over, to which she does before pulling the covers up. ＂ .... senpai.＂ a small, small weak tremble of a voice leaves her, ＂ you don't need to... tell kirijo-san.... or stay....＂

a burden; that was what she was being at this moment. having to put people's lives on pause because she neglected to care for herself. perhaps she didn't notice the cough or the small fevers, or perhaps she did & simply thought it would go away. didn't matter. all there was now was the guilt. the guilt & the fear. that mitsuru would send her to the hospital, that minato once he found out would demand it & then be angry with her giving her another one of his lectures. it's not as if she didn't care for herself ! truly ! it's just there was so more that held importance. higher priorities. another sigh as she winces at her throat's scratchiness. koromaru taking the chance to curl up at her feet, a worried whine as he looks to her & then looks to akihiko. a even weaker groan than the prior one leaves her & she sinks deeper into her bed her voice a croak, ＂ s...enpai.... i'll be okay----- ah.＂

fallen on absent ears, for the boxer was already gone.

[a-student-out-of-time]

ASOOT Timeline: January 2013 (Affluent Artistry, Actually)

So I decided to get ahead of the game and finish the rest of January now, as I don’t know when I’ll be done timelining this arc. I hope this is enough to tide y'all over until I get caught up.–Timeline Anon

January 18:

During a Quantum Crew meeting at the Void Warehouse, 2030’s Mikako explains that the 2030 crew has been helping Sayaka and her group with their own missions as well. However, they’ve had to be careful to avoid the Basilisk, so they can only call one group at a time. Sayaka has had assistance from not just Kyoko, but from her bandmates (who also know about the future) and Asami.

Asami tells the group about the Nijiue charity event and what will happen there if nothing is done. It will run from January 31 to February 2, and Akemi will be found dead at 6:10 on the evening of February 2. They’ll initially rule it a suicide, but her injuries will be more consistant with a strangulation than a hanging, and that won’t be figured out until years later…and Emina will have already fled the country by then. What’s more, the charity event will be attended by Masa, her father Akira Esumi, and three people from Class 49, but no one else in the class or on the Quantum Crew. Now, Sayaka and her band are already confirmed to be there, and the current goal is to make sure that more people from both the Quantum Crew and Class 49 will be on the scene as well, acting as character witnesses and increasing the chances of saving Akemi. 

In addition to convincing the rest of Class 49 to come to the charity event, the group decides to tell Makoto and Shinji about the future.

Iroha has learned that Ui is doing much better in 2030; she spent three years in the hospital, eventually went back to making art, and even reconciled with Jataro. A grown-up Jataro from 2030 also stops by to say hi to his Big Sis.

The 2030 crew don’t have many details about what will lead to the fatal confrontation between Akemi and Emina; the only ones close enough to tell them are Hitaru and Jiro, who they still can’t get in touch with. The Quantum Crew does, however, get help from a grown-up version of Chinatsu (now Chinatsu Oowada), who tells them that Akemi will probably be using the event as part of a plan to escape and expose the Nijiue parents, which will cause the argument and her subsequent death. Iroha decides to meet up with her siblings and try to coordinate this plan together. It’s mentioned that as long as the group doesn’t make their presence too obvious, the Basilisk will probably overlook it, as it’s still too busy attacking 2030. Everyone rallies behind Iroha and commits themselves to saving the Nijiue siblings.

2030’s Mikako’s precog powers have evolved beyond those of her 2013 counterpart, allowing her to see much farther into the future with minimal headaches and no nosebleeds. Not only has she used this to avoid a few disasters for the Quantum Crew, but she’s also seen as far ahead as August 2070. That’s how she knows that the Holy Salvation Society will recruit Masa’s granddaughter Maki…and kill the rest of her family in order to do so. Nikei is shocked, since although he was jealous of Masa, he never wanted her dead, and he agrees to investigate the cult. It’s also revealed that Kaede Akamatsu is Sayuri’s daughter and Hajime and Hibiki’s granddaughter, Kirumi Tojo is Nikei and Akane’s granddaughter, Kaito Momota is Kaori’s son and Sunako’s grandson, and Shuichi Saihara and Angie Yonaga are the grandchildren of Class 49 members Yuka Kurosaki and Mio Yonaga respectively. If Tsumugi isn’t stopped, she’ll do serious harm to them and others.

As the 2030 group signs off, Harumi hopes that this mission can be a chance to see Sakura Sakura again, while Nikei plans to get in touch with the Class 49 members who wouldn’t be coming otherwise. Iroha pulls Nikei aside and asks him (and the other Voids) not to go with her to the actual charity event, as this is something she needs to do on her own. She doesn’t think he can put his personal feelings aside, and she wants to not just bring her parents to justice, but also make up for her own mistakes. He grumbles a bit, but admits that she’s right and agrees not to go. But he’ll still help with the investigation, and he’ll be there if she needs him.

Iroha calls Hitaru to tell her of the plan and arrange a meeting with her, the rest of the group sets out to find Class 49, and the mission to save the Nijiue siblings officially begins.

January 20:

Iroha and Emma go to the Ginza District to meet up with Hitaru at a sushi place called Shimada’s. Hitaru treats the girls to sushi. She’s been busy with lots of work to get ready for the charity event; her parents are basically making her do all the preparations in order to teach her “responsibility” for once she finds a husband and takes over the family (not that Hitaru is interested in marrying, but there have been talks of an arranged marriage). It seems that the Nijiues want to improve their public image with this event. Iroha tells Hitaru about the plan to get Class 49 to come and back them up at the event, and she tells them about what said class is like as well. An excited Hitaru agrees to invite all the ones who weren’t already invited.

It’s confirmed by Hitaru that Sayaka convinced the Nijiues to let her perform at the charity event in exchange for a huge donation. Furthermore, the fact that all invitees to the charity event can bring a plus-one was Akemi’s idea.

Hitaru feels guilty for not doing enough to save her siblings, and Iroha feels guilty for leaving her siblings behind and not even considering them until recently. Emma tells them both that they should stop beating themselves up over their past mistakes and focus on what they can do in the here and now. The sisters apologize to each other and share a hug.

After Hitaru fills the girls in on what the charity event will be like and the kind of people who will be there, she mentions that most of the guests will be staying at the Grand Nikko Tokyo Daiba hotel, including the Nijiue siblings and Sayaka and her band. Hitaru will let Iroha borrow her key card to coordinate with everyone, although it’s agreed that she should wear a disguise. With that settled, they all have a nice meal together.

Later, after saying an emotional goodbye to Hitaru, Iroha cries to Emma that Hitaru should’ve gotten Divine Luck instead of her. She’s also worried about how she’s going to tell the truth to Makoto and whether or not she would actually make a good mother so soon. All she wants is for her family to be okay. Emma assures her that she’s doing her best to fix things now, that it’s best to ease Makoto into the news, and that Makoto won’t hate her for not telling him the truth as soon as she could’ve. She also tells her that she’s glad she got Divine Luck and that she loves and forgives her for everything. They hug and then go get ice cream.

January 21:

Nikei, Mahiru, and Harumi go to the Red Ribbon Fashion Building in Harajuku to speak with Sakura Fushimi (hereinafter referred to as Fushimi). It seems that Fushimi has been doing well for herself (she’s the founder and CEO of the Red Ribbon fashion company) and regrets the way she used to be; she happily reunites with Harumi, offers fashion advice to Nikei, and catches up on Hitoshi’s condition from Mahiru. When they tell her about Emina’s crimes, she agrees to come to the charity event and make her old nemesis pay. She’ll even make a disguise for Iroha.

Fushimi mentions that Harumi used to be a junior forensic investigator, and a highly skilled one at that, even getting the nickname “The Greyhound” from the police. She thinks Hope’s Peak should’ve let her into the Main Course, but Harumi brushes it off.

As it turns out, Fushimi knows Sakura Sakura’s location, and although the latter no longer goes by that name, she’s doing much better now. Fushimi will talk to her on the group’s behalf and ask for her help. The group also gets Fushimi’s phone number for future coordination.

Privately, Nikei tells Mahiru that he thinks it’s fishy that Harumi was apparently such a good forensic investigator and yet was never an Ultimate. The two of them decide to look further into it.

In the evening, Iroha goes over to the Naegis’ house. The Naegis are doing all right, although Komaru spilled a ton of soda in the kitchen because she was mad at Makoto for drinking it. Iroha pulls Makoto aside once he’s done studying and tells him the truth about time travel, the Tragedy, and so on. Even after taking a moment to process it, Makoto can’t believe that he really saved the world and became the Ultimate Hope, but Iroha assures him that he had friends to help him. She apologizes for not telling him sooner, and she admits that she was a criminal in the Tragedy timeline. Makoto easily forgives her and agrees to help her. In return, she tells him that they’re married in the good 2030 future and that she fell in love with him because of who he is now, not who he is in the future. She spends the night at his house.

January 22:

At the Void Warehouse, Nekomaru, Kazuichi, and Nikei overhear Kenji and Erina having a flirtatious conversation. The boys speculate on whether or not they might end up in a relationship, and Nekomaru and Nikei give Kazuichi advice regarding his own problems with Ayumi. Kazuichi doesn’t initially think his dad will get into another relationship after his terrible marriage with his stalker-turned-wife-turned-ex, but he is quickly proven wrong when Kenji and Erina agree to go on a date. Much congratulations and hugging ensue.

Nikei admits to Erina that he’s stressed out about the situation with the Nijiues, worried about whether he might lose Iroha when she goes back to her siblings, and also a bit jealous that he doesn’t have a family of his own. Erina assures her that she and Nekomaru will be there for him. Nikei thinks that Erina’s what a mom should be like, and Erina even offers to adopt him, although he says he’s got stuff he needs to work out first.

Kazuichi advises Kenji not to “do something stupid” and jump straight into things with Erina, but to get to know her first. Kenji apologizes to Kazuichi for the times when he was too hard on him, but Kazuichi says he’s over it and that it all seems petty compared to the possible end of the world.

Emma, curious about her future family, walks in on Kyoji talking to 2030’s Mikako. She asks if she will ever get married or have kids in the future. Mikako tells her that she will marry an up-and-coming actor named Steve Young, and while the marriage won’t last, they will have a child together: Whitley Young, aka Whit, who is 3 years old in 2030. Emma also asks about Maku and is reassured to hear that (although he’s had stints in the hospital thanks to long-term complications) he’s doing better in the future and is still close with the other Voids and their families. He’s even had optic surgery to improve his vision. Emma cries of happiness and thanks Mikako profusely, but Mikako just considers it payback after what they did to help her in 2012.

Mikako tells Kyoji and Emma about Trans-Time Identities (TTIs), which are when the same person exists in multiple timelines, but with different times, different identities, and different roles. Through this, Kyoji has found out that Himari’s position in time is the same throughout multiple timelines, and it’s subsequently revealed that she is Peko’s birth mother, who gave baby Peko away to protect her from the Holy Salvation Society. Peko’s birth father is the now-deceased politician Masayoshi Fujimura. Kyoji wants to repay Himari for what she did for him by reuniting her with her daughter and saving them both from the Holy Salvation Society. Mikako advises them to not tell Peko and Fuyuhiko about this yet, out of concern that Toshiro might interfere, but apparently there will be a “change in leadership” in the Kuzuryu Clan soon that will clear the way.

The group continues to prepare for the charity event. Mikako mentions that Sayaka and her allies will want to collaborate with the Quantum Crew, and that it’s best if they all work together.

Nikei, Mahiru, and Harumi go to Asunaro High to find Sakura Arima (hereinafter referred to as Arima) in the gym alongside her daughter Ayumi and her star athlete, one Aoi Asahina. Arima recognizes Harumi and is happy to see her again. Introductions are had, and everyone goes to Arima’s office to discuss the charity event. Arima has already heard the details from Fushimi and eagerly agrees to help. (She also tells Nikei that he should exercise more often.) Ayumi will also help out, and Nikei and Mahiru advise her to clear things up with Kazuichi when she sees him again.

Arima tells Nikei and Mahiru about the time that Harumi single-handedly solved their middle school teacher’s murder. Harumi doesn’t really want to talk about it, as she doesn’t think she was good enough for Hope’s Peak, and when Nikei presses further into the suspicious circumstances, she tells him to drop it.

Aoi mentions that Sayaka, who is her friend, will be at the event; she knows several people from Class 78, and it’s all but stated that she knows the future and is part of Sayaka’s group to change it.

Privately, Arima tells Nikei that she thinks the fact that Harumi didn’t get into the Main Course to be extremely fishy, especially since she saw Hope’s Peak scouts talking to Harumi a few times. She suggests that Nikei talk to Harumi’s mother about it. Nikei, now more suspicious than ever, relays this information to Mahiru, who mentions that Hitoshi never really felt accepted at Hope’s Peak and only got his acceptance letter a month before Class 49 actually started. All this, combined with the fact that Emina got in the Main Course despite her lackluster skills and erased all traces of her past, leads Nikei and Mahiru to believe a conspiracy is afoot regarding Class 49. 

January 23:

Iroha, Maku, and Setsuka go to Shinji’s house to meet up with a few members of Class 49 and ask for their help. They meet Shinji first, and it doesn’t take long for him and Maku to hit it off (again). Also present at the meeting are Kyoka, Yuka Saihara, Goro Hirabayashi, Ichiro Kashiki, Mio Yonaga, and Biju Hadoka. 

Although Kyoka has already told her classmates the important details, it ultimately falls to Iroha to make a plea for everyone’s assistance. She talks about the way her parents treated her and her siblings, and begs for Class 49’s help to save her siblings and expose her parents once and for all. Upon hearing that their old classmate has sunk so low as to be capable of killing her own children, everyone from Class 49 agrees to bring her down. Everyone goes off to make calls, while a proud (if slightly sad) Maku tells Iroha that he’ll always be there for her if she needs him.

January 24:

After getting the news from Maku that Emina’s former classmates are on board to defeat her, Nikei, still hot on the trail of the Class 49 conspiracy, goes with Mahiru to Hajime’s house to ask where Harumi’s mother lives. Fortunately, Hiroshi knows that she lives only a few blocks away, and so he and Hajime go with Nikei and Mahiru to her house. When they get there, they meet Harumi’s mother, Hitomi Nanami, just in time to witness her kill a spider with a makeshift flamethrower. Hitomi, herself the former Ultimate Teacher of Class 22 and a former member of the Ministry of Education at Hope’s Peak (although she was not allowed to be on the Steering Committee due to her gender), tells the group that Harumi was involved in 150 investigations in only 3 years and that her rejection from the Main Course was no accident. The school itself transitioned from a publicly-funded institution to a privately-funded one shortly after Class 49’s graduation, coinciding with Japan’s economic rise and fall. As for Emina, no one could find anything about her past, and she couldn’t keep her story straight, but any records on why she got a spot in the Main Course and Harumi didn’t are likely long gone. Hitomi also tells the group about the Reserve Course’s origins and the Quiet Revolt of 1991, while Hiroshi offers to help her dig up old records to figure out this mystery.

Hajime asks Hitomi about her relationship with Chiaki, and Hitomi admits to being worried about her granddaughter’s issues regulating her emotions and communicating with people. She advises Hajime to make sure Chiaki fully understands all this so she can see things from others’ perspectives.

After their visit with Hitomi, the group decides that the next thing to do is to get the aforementioned records. Mahiru suggests getting Masa’s help, as well as that of the Nijiue siblings, and tells Nikei that he might’ve exposed a decades-old conspiracy and thus shouldn’t be so insecure about this.

That evening, at the Void Warehouse, the Quantum Crew updates the 2030 gang on what’s going on. Asami is shocked and immediately informs her father, 2030’s Tsurugi, about this. Meanwhile, Mizuki shows up, and after Nikei meets his future daughter, she tells the group that it’s possible that all the criminals the Quantum Crew have had to deal with are an unintentional consequence of the Hitaru-Emina conspiracy. Tsurugi elaborates on this, saying that the police force in the Quantum Crew’s time is not as technologically advanced as they should be, and that this stagnation is why it couldn’t handle many of the cases that have come up. Had Harumi been accepted to Hope’s Peak, she could’ve brought much-needed reform to the force.

Iroha decides to break into her family’s house in order to get the records they need to figure out the truth about Harumi, Emina, and Hope’s Peak. She’s also willing to recruit Makoto and Masa to help her with said break-in. Nikei, who still has issues with Masa, asks Sunako why she believes in the 76 Squad so much, and Sunako promises to explain once the charity event is over. All she reveals at this time is that Masa helped her family when they needed it most.

The Basilisk is still causing trouble in 2030. Just in case it shows up in 2013 again, Kazuichi has used what he learned from the Sunny Days cloaking devices to give Sora thermal vision. Maku tests it out by using a cloaking device to turn invisible, and Sora can see him the entire time. She’s even got a cloaking device of her own. Also, her legal details are now in order, so her status as Sora Taira is official.

Other than the upcoming break-in, the preparations for the charity event are complete. Asami will notify Sayaka’s group as soon as she can. Mizuki is also planning to go find 2030’s Hitaru and Jiro and convince them to come to the Kisaragi Foundation. With that, the 2030 crew signs off, and the Quantum Crew goes their separate ways.

Chiaki, determined to help her mother and still kicking herself for not knowing her as well as she thought she did, tries to talk with Harumi about the Class 49 conspiracy, but Harumi asks Chiaki to drop the topic. Not only is she upset that Chiaki never seemed interested in her life until now, she’d also rather not talk about something that only makes her feel inadequate. Chiaki then goes to Tenmei, who is far more interested in figuring out why his wife did not become an Ultimate, especially since that rejection took such a dent out of her self-esteem. He suggests that Hanami Watanabe could help them get dirt on Emina, and so the two of them decide to take a trip tomorrow to see her. Chiaki also decides to talk to Hanami about her life and learn more about her once this is all over.

January 25:

Hitaru, Jiro, and Akemi take breakfast with their parents, Emina and Ayato Nijiue, although they are only allowed to eat for 22 minutes exactly, and it’s a very light breakfast at that (Emina believes that too much filling food before an event is unhealthy). Emina is also planning to possibly set Hitaru up with a well-known artist by the name of Kota Hashimoto; today, they’ll be meeting with him, alongside other prominent artists and representatives from the Tokyo Museum of Art. She considers her children as nothing more than assets.

Hitaru gets a call from Iroha, who asks for help with the break-in, and Hitaru tells her all about the updates to the Nijiue security system that have occurred since Iroha left. When Iroha says that she can do the break-in tonight, Hitaru says that she’ll keep the family out of the house for as long as she can.

Hitaru feigns enthusiasm for the networking sessions in front of her parents, then privately tells Jiro and Akemi about Iroha’s planned break-in. Akemi, meanwhile, asks if they’ll meet with Sayaka and her band at some point, which prompts some disparaging remarks about idols from the parents, but Hitaru gets them to agree to let Akemi meet with the band in place of Emina. Although Hitaru has a moment of doubt where she worries that Iroha’s plan might not work, she ultimately decides to take a stand against her parents and believe in her sister.

Iroha goes to see Masa (whose address she got from Mikan), tells her about her family problems, and asks for her help with the break-in. It turns out that Masa is also suspicious of Emina’s history, so she’s very much down to help. She will also get Iroha everything she needs to pull this off.

Next, Iroha visits Makoto at his house; she finds him pet-sitting his neighbor’s cat with Tamami. After a brief chat with her about their future in Class 78-A and seeing Sayaka again, Makoto goes off with Iroha to privately discuss the break-in plan, which he readily agrees to. They will go around midnight. Tamami, who doesn’t know what they’re doing but trusts them anyway, agrees to stay at Makoto’s house and watch the cat.

It’s mentioned that Komaru is currently seeing a college student named Kohei Matsudaira. Makoto has some concerns about it, but Komaru has repeatedly insisted she’ll be okay.

Chiaki and Tenmei take a train to Miyagi to see Hanami Sato (formerly Watanabe). She serves them tea and tells them that back in the 1980s, the culture of Hope’s Peak was a lot more demanding, competitive, and cutthroat than it is now. Ultimates were under pressure to not only represent their fields, but also their families, and arranged marriages such as the short-lived engagement between Tenmei and Hanami were part of that. This makes Emina’s tight-lipness regarding her past even stranger in hindsight. Harumi speculates that Emina getting in over Harumi might’ve been the result of a business deal, but she can’t say for sure, nor does she know why Harumi was still able to attend the Reserve Course despite all this. Also, Chiaki’s great-grandmother was the first ever female Ultimate, and Tenmei once worked with the U.S. government. Chiaki is awed to learn so much about her family’s accomplishments. Tenmei thanks her for doing so much to help her mother and reminds her not to beat herself up over not reaching out sooner.

January 26:

At midnight, Makoto and Iroha sneak out, take the late-night bus to Azabu Gardens (with Sora in tow over AI), and meet the 76 Squad at the Nijiue house. Estu distracts the guards by faking a heart attack (Kanata is in the know and sends help for her when called, and said help includes Kyoji in his efforts to make things right with Estu), allowing Iroha, Makoto, and Masa to sneak into the house via climbing a tree and then ziplining through the window with a makeshift zipline Mayumi creates out of a metallic chord and an arrow. Once inside, they disguise themselves with masks (Makoto’s is a frog mask) while Sora hacks the cameras and motion sensors. The group lockpicks their way into Ayato and Emina’s room, find their safe hidden behind a painting, and discover many counterfeits of paintings painted by the Nijiue siblings. It turns out that Ayato and Emina are planning to sell the counterfeits. Iroha has a breakdown, blaming herself for leaving her siblings behind and resenting them for being allowed to go outside, and calls herself a shitty sister. Masa and Makoto point out that if Iroha hadn’t left, she wouldn’t be in a position to save her siblings and learn everything she now knows about her parents. This makes Iroha feel better.

Iroha and Makoto check the closet, and after much searching and a lucky hunch from Makoto, they find the documents they need: the Class 49 student registry, along with two more pages of additional notes. Masa takes pictures of the documents, and the trio begins to make their escape…only to be interrupted by an incoming call from Emina on the wall phone. Makoto impulsively answers the phone and pretends to be a guard, which somehow works. It seems that Hitaru’s delays have paid off, and the Nijiues won’t be home till about an hour before dawn. The group, blessed by such a lucky break, quickly leaves the Nijiue house the same way they came in.

At the hospital, Kyoji and Estu talk, and Estu admits that it’s good to see him again. She also requests that he look into therapy.

Masa drives Makoto and Iroha back home. They thank her, Makoto kisses Iroha goodbye and promises to be there for her tomorrow, and Masa tells Iroha that she will take the document pictures back to her place to see what they say. She asks if she has Iroha’s permission to share whatever information she finds with the staff of Hope’s Peak (minus the Steering Committee). Iroha tells her that Yoruko and Kokoro can be trusted with the information. After Masa leaves, Sora encourages Iroha, telling her that she’s grown up a lot.

January 28:

Nikei, after grilling Iroha about whether or not she and her group were careful during the break-in, admits that he’s still not comfortable with their decision to work with the 76 Squad and hates the idea of Masa having the information. He wants to know why Sunako trusts Masa so much and plans to ask her after the event. Iroha assures him that Masa didn’t ask any favors of the group and that there are no signs she’ll sell them out; she also points out that if not for him, none of this would’ve been possible in the first place. 

Kyoji tells everyone about his talk with Estu, and they all agree that he does, in fact, need therapy.

Yoruko reads the Class 49 registry (courtesy of Masa) and reveals its contents to the rest of the Quantum Crew: Ayato was supposed to be the Ultimate Artist, but chose not to attend, and donated money to the school so that Emina (then Emina Sato) could be the Ultimate Artist instead. As a result, Hiroshi was added to the class as the Ultimate Construction Worker at the last minute, and Harumi’s place in the class as the Ultimate Forensic Scientist was denied to her, all because of the Nijiues. The Quantum Crew is absolutely furious to hear this, and Iroha vows to make her parents pay.

Upon hearing the news, Chiaki and Mahiru are angry and sad, and Chiaki punches a dumpster for five minutes straight. Mahiru also feels bad about how she viewed her father in the past. They agree that their parents and Class 49 needs to know about this as soon as possible. Sora, however, points out that if they go public with this now, they’ll get hit with dozens of lawsuits, and the Steering Committee will work to make sure it all stays under wraps. Nikei suggests that as they expose the Nijiues at the event, they have Sora leak all the data, put it on everyone’s phones, and credit Kasugano for it. Sora’s unsure at first, but after a pep talk and a kiss from Yoruko, she decides to do it.

January 29:

At Ibuki’s house, Class 49 is informed of the awful truth about the Nijiues, Harumi, and Hitoshi. They are all just as angry as the Quantum Crew, if not more so. Harumi and Hitoshi show up late, and at first, Harumi is angry at Chiaki, Nikei, and the rest of the Quantum Crew for rooting around in her past after she asked them not to. But once she finds out the truth, she is shocked, angry, and also somewhat relieved to learn she wasn’t “not good enough” like she thought. She vows revenge on the Nijiues and leaps on board the plan to take them down.

The plan the Quantum Crew and Class 49 come up with is as follows:

Harumi calls Fushimi to let her know what happened and that she’s in. Fushimi then updates Arima.

Tenmei calls Emina, claiming that Harumi can’t come to the charity event and that he’s bringing Chiaki instead. Emina says that’s fine.

On the day of the charity event, Chiaki and Mahiru will go with Tenmei and Hitoshi respectively. Then, Harumi will go with Shinji as a surprise for Emina. Fushimi will also bring Sakura Sakura.

While she distracts her, Iroha and Makoto will meet up with Sayaka and her bandmates, and they’ll all get in close so that they can help Iroha’s siblings. Their goal is to get Emina to confess in front of everyone.

January 31:

The morning of the charity event, Makoto gets dressed in a suit provided to him by Fushimi, and Tamami, who’s staying with Komaru to keep pet-sitting, blushes and compliments him on how nice he looks. Komaru’s a bit sour because Kohei Matsudaira stood her up and canceled on her, but other than that, everyone’s excited. Iroha arrives, has a nosebleed over Makoto’s outfit, and goes to change into her disguise while Makoto fills Komaru and Tamami in on the basics of their mission to stop the criminal Nijiue parents. Iroha’s outfit proves to look amazing on her; she’s going by the fake name “Seiko Kujo” for the event, while Makoto is going by “Sadao Naegi.”

Iroha and Makoto arrive at Tokyo Big Sight at 11:55, as do Chiaki and Tenmei. As Iroha and Makoto sneak in through the back, Makoto wonders why he’s so important to the future, as he doesn’t see himself as anything special. Iroha herself doesn’t know why she got Divine Luck instead of her siblings, who she feels deserve it more, but she tells Makoto that what matters is that they’re here and ready to make the necessary changes. Meanwhile, Chiaki and Tenmei sign in via Hitaru, meet Emina, and promptly get an earful from her about their life choices. She even openly speculates that Chiaki is actually the result of Tenmei cheating on Harumi with Hanami, a theory which the Nanamis shut down. Fortunately, Tenmei manages to convince Emina to let Hitaru have a break from signing people in, and he and Chiaki privately assure Hitaru that they have a plan. 

At the VIP table, Chiaki and Tenmei meet up with Ichiro and his daughter Suzuko Kashiki, Yuka and her nephew Taro, and the Miodas. Nearby, Akemi regales her fans with stories. Hitaru pulls her aside and asks about Sayaka and her bandmates, and it turns out that Akemi had Jiro carry their bags and placed the band’s hotel rooms not far from theirs so that they can coordinate with them. She’s also really hit it off with Rumi Shinabe, one of the band members.

Goro and Hanami arrive along with his daughter and her husband. While greeting them, Emina mentions that she wants to discuss something with Hanami, who immediately figures out that it’s about Chiaki. She and Tenmei are both prepared.

As time goes by more guests arrive: Mio, Biju, and Hitoshi along with Mahiru. Hitoshi immediately starts sassing back at Emina’s attempts to be rude to him, just like old times. After him, Arima and Ayumi arrive, and Arima’s presence pisses Emina off slightly further. 

Shinji and Fushimi show up, and initially Emina is so angry that she doesn’t even want to let Fushimi in, but Fushimi secures her place at the event with a donation of 150 million yen. Then, as Emina starts loudly badmouthing Harumi, she is shocked to see that very same Harumi is here as Shinji’s guest. Harumi immediately puts a furious Emina in her place and shows the DNA test that proves that Chiaki is her child. Emina can’t even yell back at her because of Akira Esumi’s presence. Finally, the last guest makes her entrance, one Sakura Sakura…or, as she now calls herself, Kasumi Ouma. She’s spent the last thirty years improving herself, and now, she’s ready to catch up with everyone. Emina is so spooked that has to step outside in order to get some air.

Akira and Masa interview everyone in Class 49 at the VIP table. It seems that Kasumi’s parents disowned her after her expulsion, and she had a wake-up call and, thanks to Fushimi, decided to turn her life around. She has since earned two master’s degrees in psychology and counseling, and now she’s a therapist who aspires to help other Hope’s Peak graduates and drop-outs who need it. Also, she’s married and has a 19-year-old son of her own, named Hirota. She and the other Sakuras apologize to their old classmates for how they treated them at school, and everyone accepts their apology, even a reluctant Emina.

After Kasumi reveals that she’s bisexual and once dated a girl, Emina responds with her story of how she and Ayato met: she used to paint in a field with a large pond, and while she was painting there one day, he stopped by and told her she had magnificent brushwork. They were engaged not long after. Emina also claims that she’s putting on this event to raise 5 million yen for charity. She personally believes that adversity and competition is the key to growth, and follows Hegelian Dialectics.

When Emina leaves to take care of business, Hitaru breaks down and begs everyone to save her and her siblings. They hug her and assure her that it’s not her fault and that they are here to help. Masa and Akira agree to interview her about what she’s been through. Hitaru suddenly faints from overwork, and Hibito takes care of her while everyone else gets to work.

Chiaki, Masa, and Mahiru find Iroha and Makoto, who have successfully infiltrated the event after finding the maintenance door already unlocked. As Mahiru goes looking for Jiro, the rest of the group discusses Emina’s awfulness, Masa is convinced that the story of how the Nijiues met is definitely fake, and Makoto thinks about how this will be the first time he’s seen Sayaka since middle school. Jiro arrives with Ayato, and Iroha is so nervous that she’s visibly shaking, but Makoto covers for her by saying that she’s shy. Ayato feels like he’s seen her before, and thankfully, Biju and Fushimi tell him that Iroha is Fushimi’s star model and Biju’s plus-one, which explains it for him. Everyone is relieved, although Jiro takes a second to realize that “Seiko Kujo” is Iroha.

Sayaka and her bandmates finally arrive on the scene, and after a brief introduction by Akemi, they declare that they’re available for requests. While Rumi and Akemi sit together, the Quantum Crew (plus a very nervous Makoto) finally meets Sayaka and her friends. They exchange pleasantries, Makoto and Sayaka hit it off just like old times, and a meeting is arranged for 7 PM at Sayaka’s hotel room.

At 6:55 PM, the first day of the charity event ends, and the Quantum Crew splits up. Chiaki goes to see Masa, Mahiru goes to talk to her dad, and Makoto and Sayaka go to see Sayaka. Rumi, Ayaka Haneyama, and Minami Fujita ask Makoto if he holds grudges, and he says no. Upon hearing this, Sayaka breaks down, hugs Makoto, and apologizes profusely for what she did to him in the Tragedy timeline. Once Makoto calms her down enough to speak coherently, she tells the story of their killing game, of how she was so worried for her career and her band’s safety that she betrayed Makoto, tried to kill Leon, and was herself killed in the process. She knows that she made a terrible, awful decision and insists that she never wanted to hurt Makoto; she truly did care for him and wanted to get to know him better. Makoto, who’s never experienced any of this but understands that it’s still real to Sayaka, isn’t mad and forgives her easily.

Sayaka and her bandmates have wanted to contact the Quantum Crew for a while, but haven’t done it before now because of scheduling issues. The reason Sayaka’s signal kept going back and forth was because of the drive between her house and their practice/recording sessions. However, they have accomplished their own missions while the world was focused on Kasugano, including saving Daiya and trying to get rid of weapons with acid (only to break the bathtub in the process). They have help from Kyoko, Aoi, and Byakuya (the latter’s help they got with the help of 2 billion yen) and even hired someone to drive a submarine during the Sunny Days incident. Their advice for the Quantum Crew is to pace themselves and take breaks when they need to. The group breaks for the night, and Makoto and Sayaka agree to talk more tomorrow.

Iroha briefly worries to Makoto about what might happen legally after her siblings are saved, but Makoto assures her that he and everyone else will support her no matter what.

Elsewhere, Masa and Akira tell the Nanamis that the story of how Emina met Ayato can’t possibly be true. They also mention that when Ayato was 14, his father was murdered by a burglar, and Harumi investigated and solved the case. It’s speculated that this might have something to do with why the Nijiues stole Harumi’s spot. Harumi wants to talk to Emina tomorrow to see if she can get anything out of her, while Masa and Akira will do the same with Ayato, and Chiaki will rally her classmates and peers to help.

//We have a new summary, now of January!