#THEY CAN'T KNOW KAZUMA'S ALIVE

[clown-owo]

love thinking about what happened behind the scenes when kazuma was assigned to be barok's apprentice

[vickyvicarious]

Susato not meeting her dad until she was six hurts me... But also, she met Kazuma not long after? So they've basically grown up as siblings together since then. That's super cute and also makes me even madder that she didn't get a hug from him just now.

I wonder if Kazuma was living in London with his father when he was a small child. Also, his whole career being the result of a promise between their fathers? That's... a lot in and of itself.

[weeb-polls-with-pip]

Autistic Anime Boys Prelims - Propaganda Division - Group 2

Propaganda:

Kyouya -

"what's there to say? you know him. you love him. vote kyoya."

Rinnosuke -

"Rinnosuke Morichika lives in an overly-cluttered curio shop, and has a special interest in making magical inventions. Since he doesn’t live in a modern setting— but a pocket dimension slightly disconnected to the outside world— whenever a modern item shows up in his shop via spiriting away, he can obsess over it for extended periods of time. He is quite blunt without realizing it, even to people he cares for. He also has a special ability to generally understand the name and use of any item he touches (though this backfires sometimes, he thought a Gameboy was a doomsday device once)."

Fuuta -

"okay look theres so many fucking signs hes autistic. he cannot tell tone and often doesn't know how to react to stuff which is a major point in his character id say. he was asked if he remembered his victim's name (hes a murderer. oops!) and his response was something along the lines of "Of course I do. I saw it everywhere." because he did not understand that they wanted to know what it was since it wasnt directly stated. im convinced that hoodies are a comfort object of his because i genuinely have not seen him without one except for one time. also hes canonically a chronically online twitter user. also he gets really passionate about his interests. also not really related but everyone in the fandom agrees hes transgender but no one can agree on what way. ive seen every single gender hc for this dude. vote kajiyama fuuta for this sopping wet poor little meow meow of a man."

Hansum -

"He's just a very odd and strange lad, can't remember names well, is an alien (mild spoiler), he's very popular, obsessed with Doritos and becomes their mascot, just refers to everyone as humans which is a mood, and is completely socially oblivious."

Miyuki -

"Relatable neurodivergent-Gifted Child syndromeTM case with all the superiority-inferiority complex that results. A chronic show-off and scheming strategist with a lowkey hopeless romantic dramatic aspect to him, silly cool and pathetic in a very hilarious way. Shirogane has a trademark glare purely thanks to his eyebags as he runs on coffee everyday having to support his family with multiple jobs in addition to class, on top of student council president duties. He's kind and an obsessive perfectionist who fills his entire wall with the weirdest motivational posters. Shirogane is very devoted to his love. He likes penguins (Kaguya and him is peak asd4asd and bi4bi btw)."

Kirito -

"He's autistic and bisexual as hell, and there's a good bit of trans coding in him 🥺

Autism coding: Bro's literally got a sword and swordfighting hyperfixation where, despite playing a game that focuses around guns, he still chooses to use a sword!! We also see him completely missing Asuna's flirting at first (he tells her she could have just checked her friendlist to make sure he was alive, in response to her tracking him down to see him)

Bi coding: Dual wielding swords is literally a euphemism in Japan for bisexuality; and Kirito initially tries to hide the fact he can dual wield out of fear of how the people he's close to will view him (and once he reveals it to them and they accept it, he begins to be more open about it.) Also in the Underworld arc he becomes very close with Eugeo to the point of living with him (and sharing a bed on occasion), and there are several parallels between Eugeo and Asuna, and they're so gay for each other that despite the anime having only a toned down version of it, they're still very affectionate (Also of note is that Eugeo is the only guy in SAO canon to consistently have a 'laying in bed with Kirito' talk CG in the spinoff games) (There's more but it's spoilers and this is a shortened version)

Trans coding: Kirito is very trans coded in the light novel (which shows Kirito's thoughts in much greater detail than the anime) Aincrad arc reveals that Kirito explicitly Does Not Like his real face, and dislikes how feminine it looks (he mentions that its led to him and his cousin being mistaken for sisters) And in Phantom Bullet arc, he's visibly uncomfortable at being mistaken for a girl due to his avatar's appearance, and in response to being misgendered he briefly panics and checks to make sure his chest flat (at least in the anime adaptation) 🏳️‍⚧️"

Shirou -

"Has one goal in life and ignores almost everything in favor of trying to fulfil that goal."

Keith -

"Speaks in a way that is seen as weird and has mannerisms others think is funny. He struggles with not being taken seriously by others because of this and many of the things others say goes over his head. He struggles to connect with other people because of these things. His entire arc in the second film is about him deciding that the people who don't accept him for who he is aren't worth it and that he's going to continue being himself."

Junpei -

"for other fans of this series, I know the more obvious representation here may be Luou, Junpei is So Good. his special interest is ballet and he has so many hangups involving how his family sees him and how other boys his age interpret him to the point that his idea of masculinity is extremely narrow and he enforces social rules on himself to mask and keep people from realizing that he loves something that Isn't Manly. he misinterprets social cues and takes things literally, like assuming that when Miyako asked him to dance with her she meant Right This Minute rather than as a pair in the studio. for some reason the point where he cuts his hair super short to prove his devotion to ballet is also sticking with me, I think maybe it's the combination of the way it's normal for boys/men in Japan to do that, yet Junpei didn't realize that kind of attitude/action didn't suit ballet at all? he wasn't aware that the context was completely different. Junpei also doesn't act or pretend very well, he's gotta put his whole entire ass into his roles, which he then proceeds to get TOO into and cause a lot of trouble, without giving too much away! he's really relatable to me as someone who's socially anxious but very skilled at masking, and seeing him become more comfortable with himself and start to show how he really feels is so inspiring to me."

Kazuma -

"He may be (wildly) misguided but his intentions are good kinda! He’s just the Guy of all time idk how to explain it."

[fairygeek777]

I hate that I'm saying this but... Is Yatori a doomed ship?? I mean Yato is a God and Hiyori is a human. So Hiyori will age and maybe forget Yato at some point. As of right now, Hiyori can't even go back into her body so she may actually die by the end of this arc???

If she dies she may be able to become Yato's shinki. But she won't be able to remember a thing about him because of "God's greatest secret" where remembering any of your past causes you to become an ayakashi. (Starting to think Hafuri are immune to that though with Kazuma and Yukine being seemingly fine now) So there is no happy ending for these two! I would like to think that because Hiyori spent so much time around those of the Far shore while alive, she won't be effected by such things. But I don't know how likely that is.

Yato actually considered the possibility of making Hiyori his shinki when he first met her and saw her abilities. But obviously he couldn't. But now Hiyori actually wishes to be Yato's shinki. She's realized that she's in love with him and wants to be in the world where he and Yukine are.

But I'm wondering if Hiyori is even able to become a shinki. She's half Ayakashi- a species that is basically an enemy of the shinki and spirits of the far shore- So I'm wondering if she'll even end up in the same place or rather state Yukine did when he died. There's another possibility that Yato may die. Because it doesn't look like Trash Dad is done yet which means he's still Yato's lifeline. So if Yato does defeat him, he may cease to exist.

The preferable option is Yato and Hiyori both live, confess their love, start dating and live happily ever after with their son Yukine. But that's looking to be a pipe dream at this point 🥲

[alynnl]

The last part of the trial and the credits were long, but I have fully experienced the finale The Great Ace Attorney Chronicles!

I finally know the truth behind The Professor case that took place ten years before the present day in-game.

Parts of it, I guessed correctly - that Genshin Asogi actually did take someone's life and Mael Stronghart was the true mastermind, but other parts really surprised me - Seishiro Jigoku was involved in the plot that ultimately killed Genshin, and Klint van Zieks was the mass murderer all along.

I also couldn't have predicted the extent of Stronghart's involvement - there was hardly a single person that he didn't blackmail or extort the whole time! Ryunosuke, Susato, Yujin, Sholmes and Iris were all very lucky in that respect.

But Genshin's incredible foresight to hide Klint's will (both a confession and his last words to his surviving family) - was truly what allowed the truth to come to light in the end.

And it was an emotionally devastating truth, both to Kazuma Asogi and Barok van Zieks.

Kazuma, who believed his father was completely blameless and convicted on forged evidence learned that Genshin actually did take Klint's life.

Barok, who idolized his brother and held him up as a paragon of justice found out that Klint took many lives (some under duress from Stronghart, who Barok trusted until now) - and he could only be stopped in a duel to the death with Genshin.

And all of this would have stayed hidden if Ryunosuke hadn't been in Great Britain, growing from an inexperienced nervous student of law to a true attorney who helps his client uncover the truth.

The truth is a guiding light, and that's demonstrated. It doesn't always lead to happiness, but it can lead to closure. And that's exactly what he brought to both Kazuma and Barok, who held onto resentment and darkness for ten long years. And those who stray from that guiding light remain in the darkness, like Stronghart, treating people as mere things to achieve their own version of "peace" and "justice" at so many others' expense.

And while the Herlock Sholmes Deus Ex Machina (the hologram broadcast to the Queen of England!) did happen out of nowhere to stop Stronghart from pulling a whole Karma Houdini, that doesn't take away from the fact that it was Ryunosuke who found the evidence.

Ryunosuke is the one who pieced together the truth that was covered up (or in Genshin Asogi's case, protected until the right time came long.) It was his effort that won the day, and all the characters acknowledge him for this. He grows and the narrative awards him for it! He knows what he's going to do with the rest of his life now - return back home to Japan as a defense lawyer.

And it's because of him that other characters have a future to think about.

Gina wants to keep the Inspector's spirit she saw in her old boss Gregson alive (but without the spying of course) after getting a final letter from him.

Van Zieks wants to publish the truth about The Professor Case, no matter what it might do to his reputation. He's almost resigned to leave London and the Prosecutor's Office presuming his name will be permanently disgraced, but it's Kazuma who encourages him to stay and continue fighting for the truth in the courtroom.

Kazuma begins to reconcile with Van Zieks, even if he can't truly forgive him for prosecuting his father. He chooses to remain a prosecutor, recognizing that he has to fight his own inner demons and do some personal growth of his own.

Iris has decided to give up the search on finding her "true" father and has acknowledged Sholmes as such, even calling him "The Greatest." But Sholmes has decided that eventually, Iris will know the truth about her parentage.

The minor one or two-case characters also reappear to give some giggles in the post-case credits scenes too.

(My little Benbaro/Harebaro heart was happy to see Albert Harebrayne return since Barok as invited him back to London to go sightseeing. Awww.)

Also the usual British Judge stepping up to declare Barok van Zieks Not Guilty was a nice touch. (I guess I did get my Turnabout Goodbyes parallel after all!)

Overall, I believe The Great Ace Attorney had a nice ending. Was it perfect? No. But did it stick to the overall themes of the story and deliver on those? Absolutely. Was I sold on the Ryunosuke - Kazuma dynamic at the very end? Certainly! Do I want Barok van Zieks to have some relief in what he believes to be a turbulent future ahead? Of course! Is Susato Mikotoba now my favorite assistant of all time? You bet!

I enjoyed the time I spent with this game as I unraveled the mystery of the main story, got to know the characters and really immersed myself in this world. I am glad I picked it up, and I know for sure I will play it again sometime in the future. The game mechanics (old and new) were enjoyable, the music was always on point and the sound effects just added to the bigger picture.

My blind play through was truly a remarkable experience. And one of my favorite Ace Attorney entries, maybe even one of my favorite Nintendo Switch games of all time.

I look forward to the Escapade chapters, which I will look into very soon!

[waythroughtheice]

More thoughts on Geo Wily because I honestly kind of like the idea a lot and may incorporate it somewhere who knows (not me)?

You know the saying great minds think alike? I think itd be funny if Great granpa Wily was a netnavi. He hates it but he can't leave his descendants alone to suffer through possible bullying for their relation to him. He finds out later about Hub/ Saito.

I kind of want Lan/ Netto to also be a netnavi now.

They all were just regularly uploading their minds into a netnavi shell.

Kazuma is stuck with Lan and Hub.

Geo keeps begging his grandpa to deal with his cult. "The cult didn't really listen when I was alive the last few years what do you think I can do?"

Omega-Xis thinks this is hilarious.

Wily is... Oddly supportive of Geo's vigilante habits? Maybe it's because the police don't like him. Maybe it's the irony. Wily is not telling.

Geo has not been entirely isolated before SF1 here. Someone has to control the cult and his Dad is the only ither person they'd kind of listen to.

Lan and Hub are supportive of Kazuma and his crimes, for more teehee shenanigans.

For a while, Kazuma's crimes get blamed on "the hidden Wily descendant" and megaman is blamed on "did the Hikari family commit science crimes again?" Everyone finds this kind of funny. Roleswap.

Geo and Kazuma act like bickering siblings. They should be the only ones allowed to insult each other.

Wily, Lan, and Hub begrudgingly get along (they bicker like siblings too). There are many bets on when they admit to being honorary cousins.

The cops hate all of this chaos.

LOLOLOL--

This is so hilarious, so--

Okay, so Geo never becomes a shut-in, solely because of a) Grandpa Wily really approves of him brooding and Geo doesn't trust that, b) the cult needs a leader (aka someone to stop them from Doing Crime), and c) there's some idiot committing crimes and they're blaming it on him. Cue detective and coding shenanigans between Geo and Kazuma, who don't meet in-person for a couple of years but have a raging code-rivalry over the internet.

Once Omega-Xis comes, however, and all of his issues and the, you know, the war he fled--Geo becomes Mega Man. The name slips out accidentally--he'd just finished a massive report on the Adventures of Megaman.exe for homeschooling (he has a first hand account! Even if said first hand account sulked the entire time, served grandpa right--) and then he's stuck with it. People think he's a Hikari, ewwww. (Listen, he might not like being a Wily but he has some pride. Plus he's pretty sure that his internet rival is a Hikari, so.) Cue Kazuma Hikari, insulted that someone is doing stuff with his family's name, and goes out to find this Mega Man. In doing so, he meets his partner, Zer-Oth, who is coincidentally Omega-Xis's good friend. Once the two meet in person, it's like the rivalry never happened--they hit it off instantly, becoming best friends. They also cause a lot of trouble.....for their enemies.

Wily, Lan, and Hub are.....appalled, but also amused, and concerned because why don't any other adults watch these children--

They're having a time.

[lnkedmyheart]

Do you mind if I ask your top 10 favorite characters (can be male or female) from all of the media that you loved (can be anime/manga, books, movies or tv series)? And why do you love them? Thanks....

In no specific order. Did i take this opportunity to post pics of these characters? Yes.

Revy (Black Lagoon)

A dual wielding gunslinger from Roanapur. She is badass and deeply unhinged. A seriously traumatized woman with solid character flaws and a weirdly pseudo romantic relationship with the guy she kidnapped for a ransom and is now desperately trying to protect without realizing that she can't save his innocence, because he was never innocent and pure.

Fredrica Sawyer (Black Lagoon)

A cleaner from Roanapur, uses a chainsaw as her primary weapon, cannot talk due to a severe injury to her larynx and uses a voice synthesizer. An adorable and creepy goth girl who may or may not have in universe ties to the Texas Chainsaw massacre. Which yes, implies that black lagoon is set in the same universe as the TCM movies.

Dazai Osamu (BSD)

Love the depiction of depression and mental health problems with the guy. Love how he is constantly present everywhere and is seen through everyone else's perspective and yet we know so little about him. He is a dork and a brat and so annoying. He is usually aloof and distant but deep down has the capacity to be tender and kind that is only seen in the rare moments of vulnerability. But he is so hopeful and yet completely convinced he deserves nothing.

Chuuya Nakahara (BSD)

He's such a tragic character like his life is one compromise after another as he gets pushed further and further into a bad situation but he will not let that stop him from making the best out of his situation. His compassion and empathy for even those who hurt him is so powerful but his brutality and intelligence is another aspect that makes him stand out against the other characters of his kind. And then you have his incredible loyalty where he will cross all boundaries to protect those he considers his people. Gorgeous characterization honestly.

Yato (Noragami)

Another extremely tragic character and one who is trying so hard to change his fate despite everything. My guy does NOT catch a single break through the centuries he has been alive and he is still so hopeful. Not to mention letting Bishamon despise him for so long just to protect Kazuma, a guy he barely knew at the time. UGH. And his whole thing for Hiyori and his affection for Yukine. Kill me!

Yukine (Noragami)

This was the first time I cried honestly. His backstory had me curled up in my bed unable to eat for an entire day. And his growth from an annoying unlikeable brat to one of the most lovable characters is crazy. Also no, I will never not cry over Yukine calling Yato 'dad'.

Jeremy Pascal (Tales from the Gas Station)

I didnt realize how much I liked him till I thought he died. In that regard I'm like Jack I guess, neither of us realised how much we cared for this adorkable himbo ex cultist. The fact that he is genuinely heartbroken that his suicide cult abandoned him and committed without him is so...oddly endearing and just the energy he adds is charming. He's also such a great friend to Jack, man better start appreciating him more.

Sorey (Tales of Zestiria)

This is my son. And my sun. He is the most precious, sweetest boy to me. Aside from being ridiculously gay about Mikleo, the guy is what you'd think is a typical hero figure in such a setting. Pure, celibate, sweet and even tempered etc. But he is snarky as hell, constantly teases others, is NOT oblivious contrary to popular opinion. He is also irritable. I also love that he is an archaeology nerd.

Irma Lair (W.I.T.C.H)

I dont remember too much about her but I always really liked her. Enough that she is still amongst my absolute favorites. It probably helps that she was made wlw in the tv series and has some shippy moments with Cornelia in particular.

Balalaika (Black lagoon)

Listen, she is an ex military woman, who went MIA with her entire squad of loyal soldiers and now runs the fucking mafia in Roanapur. Woman is gorgeous and has acid burn scars all down her face and body. And she is terrifying. She will break necks with a smile and values loyalty and efficiency above all else. But she is such a deeply damaged woman who deserved better. But see, the people in Roanapur are there cause this is their last stand before they end up dead.

[byooregard]

hehe. okay I read most of these a while ago so I can't say specific things about them but I remember enough to know that they're good

let evening come by abrightgrayworld

Asougi lives as a ghost in a city he has never once stepped foot in.

He shadows Ryuunosuke and Susato on their travels across the city, his absence so strong that it transforms into presence, an aching sort of there-but-not there.

He is everywhere, but nowhere more so than in court. As Ryuunosuke and Susato grapple with truth and belief and forge out the beginnings of their career in British law, Asougi is a bird on their shoulder, a sword in their hands, a swing of a gavel as they eke out win after win.

Asougi is everywhere except the one place he is needed most: by Ryuunosuke and Susato’s sides, in the flesh, laughing and vibrant and alive, alive, alive.

In which theirs is a journey of words unsaid.

To My Learned Friend, by Xachyn

18 August, 1915 hrs

Even though Naruhodo's speech did not seem spectacular, or perhaps, precisely because of that, he delivered it perfectly with clear enunciation and even clarity. I'm somewhat bitter that I've lost to something so plain, but Professor Mikotoba reminded me that there was an elegance to simplicity. There's a validity to his words, but he doesn't know that when I spoke to Naruhodo after the competition, the man actually had the gall to tell me something as ridiculous as "speaking fast is a hobby of mine."

What an odd and infuriating character.

--

In which Kazuma writes about Ryuunosuke in his journal, and Ryuunosuke writes about Kazuma.

and there you are by LWTIS

He remembers Ryunosuke’s pulse rabbiting against his trembling fingers, eyes wide and wild. It was like standing on the docks of Dover all over again - holding out his soul and most precious treasure to a speechless boy. Asking to be safekept.

(What a terrifying, wonderful privilege, to have someone whose hands you’d place your heart in, over and over again.)

Ten years after his glorious defeat in the British courts, Kazuma watches the Tokyo sky bleed red and thinks about legacy.

[this one's one of my favorites]

Under the Weight of Your Ghost by kopael

Ryuunosuke presses his eyes closed and thinks of the dry, stagnant room of the ship cabin, after Kazuma died all those months ago.

His world had been torn raw and reset, shrunk to that tiny room, with one bed, a wardrobe, and nothing else.

[I wrote on my bookmark: Sometimes the ending of a game is very good but also makes you go 'wow I wish these two lawyers would yell at each other and then hug for a little bit to resolve all the emotions that lie unsaid between them'. This is a fic in which they yell at each other and then hug for a little bit. It's very good.]

The Legendary Pair by Meowzy

What were the times of adventure like? Sherlock Holmes's best friend and partner reminisces on days long gone. With one mystery left unsolved after all those years, the World's Greatest Detective must face his greatest failure and his greatest nemesis.

[this one's a classic]

Of Mice and Dragons by StarburstGalexy

Kazuma falls for Ryunosuke Naruhodo, as sudden as a train crash, as soft as a feather.[This is my favorite exploration of Ryu and a very good succinct portrayal of why I am deeply insane about him.]

locked cabinet lawyering by anattemptatalliteration

The staff let you keep the rest of Kazuma's baggage after you explained that he packed for the both of you. Maybe they felt bad with your red handcuff marks still obvious in the bright hallway lights, or maybe you’re a good lawyer already.

There are 40 more days until they arrive at the shores of Great Britain, but there's now a greater distance between Kazuma and them than the ocean can hold. Ryunosuke still tries to cross it.

[hundredblooms]

🍾+🍒+🍩 for whoever you'd like !! 🫶

hehe haiii toby :] how are you it's been a bit 0: im gonna answer these for kazuma because i miss him

🍾- who confessed first, and how did it happen?

maycraft did! it was a very spur of the moment thing since they were overwhelmed by emotion and so scared they'd miss a second chance to tell kazuma how they felt. considering he had um. faked his death already and this was after the big reveal that he was in fact alive that fear was well warranted-

🍒- what is your f/o's love language, and how do they express it with you?

quality time! both maycraft and kazuma are busy with their respective lines of work and don't get to see each other often. so when they do have time together they go out to eat or take a walk or just wind down at baker street together.

🍩 - what are some irl things that remind you of your f/o?

thunder becos i can't listen to thunder anymore without hearing him laugh. the color red since. you know. his headband is red. tongue twisters because he's infamously bad at them (i am too baby it's okay)

[aaobjectionposting-va4]

Ok but can we talk about how out of all the major male characters that Ryunosuke interacts with throughout the story, van Zieks is the ONLY one that isn't hiding something from/lying to him at one point or another?? Sholmes lies about Kazuma being alive, Kazuma hides the fact that he's going to Britain as a hired assassin, Yujin hides details about the Professor killings from him in 2-2, Stronghart lies about... Well, everything really. Like there's so much I could say about him lol. Gregson hides the fact that he helped frame Genshin for the Professor killings, McGilded lies about having been the culprit in the omnibus case, Jigoku lies about having been the one to kill Gregson... Etc etc. I personally can't remember a single point where van Zieks was hiding things from Ryuu or just straight up lying about important things to his face. He's an ass to him at first, sure, but he's ultimately on the side of justice and finding out the truth, even if it means hurting his cases or having his worldview challenged (except maybe in the case of Klint, which I'll get into).

Now one might say, "Oh but didn't he hide the fact that he had a brother from Ryunosuke at first?". And to that I say... So what? From van Zieks' point of view, details about his personal life (and ESPECIALLY about Klint) are hard to talk about and, frankly, Ryuu really had no reason to need that info about him, other than just to be nosy. That's why he's so cagey about the topic in 2-3, and why he's (somewhat) more willing to talk about it with him in 2-4/5, because at that point Ryunosuke absolutely DOES need to know more about Klint (and the Professor killings in general). And as for Ryuu's point of view, he really has no reason to be asking about van Zieks' personal life at first, other than the fact that he's just curious about it.

Anyways. I really do believe that, despite how rocky these two's dynamic is at first, it's been built on honesty and straightforward-ness from the start, and I really appreciate how we have an Ace Attorney prosecutor who's more than willing to not hide the truth from his lawyer rival (even if he's making dunks on Ryunosuke half the time, lol)

[miafeystits]

ace attorney (obv) & let's say run with the wind

wooo thank u!!!

ace attorney: (im gonna focus on the mainline series i think but if tgaa shows up well. that's to be expected considering everything about me.)

Favourite character: for the main series honestly its SO hard to decide, i'm constantly going back and forth between trucy, franziska, edgeworth and mia depending on the day. for tgaa well. obviously it's kazuma lmao.

Funniest character: this is so hard because literally every ace attorney character is so funny in their own way i literally don't know how to choose. i guess ill just use this answer to shout out godot & van zieks who, despite both being characters i'm at best kind of eh on, are redeemed in my eyes on account of being the funniest motherfuckers alive in the courtroom.

Best-looking character: look at my url. who do you fucking think.

3 favourite ships: EXTREMELY boring answer sorry but for the main series wrightworth klapollo & franmaya (lanamia coming in a very close 4th), and for tgaa its asoryuu, [redacted on account of spoilers you don't know yet], and susahao/susarei/whatever we're calling it

Least favourite character: the entire cast of turnabout big top lmao. if we're narrowing it down to just major and/or recurring characters though uhhhhhhhhh. larry probably. he has his moments but i'd be perfectly happy never seeing him in an ace attorney game again.

Least favourite ship: i know some are pretty popular but i honestly don't really like almost any ship including van zieks because i simply do not care about him as a person. also i'm personally not comfortable shipping him with people he's like. actively racist towards for large portions of the game lmao.

Reason why I play it: i love mystery/puzzle games!!!!! and also something about this game series permanently altered my brain chemistry and made it so i can never fucking shut up about these games ever. something about how the characters and their relationships in particular are written just really resonates for me i think and that's why i keep coming back--- so much of these games is deeply, deeply silly but that doesn't stop the characters from feeling very very human, idk.

Why I started playing it: honestly i don't fully remember! i think i played the trilogy + apollo justice on my ds around 18/19 ish, and i was just generally going thru a mystery/puzzle/visual novel ds game phase around this time (i also was playing the zero escape series) but i think i'd probably heard about this game via tumblr. and fast forward years later and i have a whole corner of my brain exclusively devoted to ace attorney trivia, thanks shu takumi

run with the wind:

Favourite character: despite the fact that i am fully obsessed with haiji's whole deal my favorite is probably kakeru tbh!

Funniest character: 100% haiji. mansplain manipulate malewife icon. literally who is doing it like him.

Best-looking character: i can't believe i, a lesbian, and being forced to make this call but also. like obviously it's haiji.

3 favourite ships: kakehai is of COURSE number one on account of being the mostly insanely stupidly in love pair of weirdos ever, and to a much lesser extent i'm also fond of musa/shindou. and for a third one idk if this is a ship exactly but i do really like the idea that fujioka & haiji had a Thing when they were younger and are currently something along the lines of amicable exes

Least favourite character: i dont think there's any character i actively dislike (who i'm not Supposed to dislike) but the twins are kind of annoying sometimes. also. hana honey i'm sorry its not your fault that this show can't write women but her character is really flat :/ but that's sports anime for you i guess

Least favourite ship: akane/kakeru is like. Fine i Guess but i much prefer them as friends and really don't understand the popularity of this pairing. kakehai is literally right there guys.

Reason why I watch it: apart from the normal reasons i get into sports anime, run with the wind really resonated with me because it's about young adulthood & the ups and downs that come along with trying to figure out your life at that age. especially since most of the characters don't have lives entirely centered on running and sports, it makes their stories not only enjoyable & charming but also deeply relatable in a lot of ways, esp when you're around that age yourself. i watched the show as it was coming out during my last year of undergrad, and it really captures the anxieties of that stage in life and sticks with me because of that. ALSO. haiji is there and im obsessed with him.

Why I started watching it: once again i don't fully remember but i think it might have been your fault. we definitely watched the show together as it was airing so this is what i'm choosing to believe

[van-zieksy]

Fun fact on the subject of Thomas Borchert as Baroks singing voice headcanon: he's also in a german version of the Dracula Musical as - surprise - Dracula himself.

He shares a duet with van Helsing where they talk about killing the other and I keep imagining him singing it with Kazuma in an AU.

Good to hear from you! What a pleasant surprise it is. ☺️ I've seen your name a lot on my dash and wanted to send you an ask myself, but unfortunately that doesn't seem to be possible.

Thomas Borchert is such joy to listen to. I'd go see him this year if I actually lived in the München/Munich area. Have you ever gotten the opportunity to see him on stage?

That's a neat fact about Dracula and Van Helsing. I sadly can't comment much on it since I don't know what their duet in this particular German musical entails. I've never seen Barok and Kazuma as wanting to kill each other; it was a one-sided affair from the start (though I would love to hear them sing together in an AU!). I've never seen the German musical you are referring to, unfortunately, so I don't know how it ends.

I can see Kazuma and Barok as sharing a duet about how their stories are intertwined and how one wants to see the other dead, but in the end they realise they should put their differences to rest and instead focus on what makes them similar. Canon Kazuma will have to come to terms with his misguided feelings and wrong assumptions, but Barok is very chill about and weirdly understanding of everything.

But of course, Dracula is usually the "bad guy", which Barok is not, so that wouldn't work. Van Helsing wants to hunt Dracula. Kazuma wanted to hunt Barok but realised he made a mistake and that there was more to the situation than he previously assumed. Sometimes Dracula is a sympathetic villain, which Barok isn't either, as Barok definitely isn't a villain. Of course, depending on which iteration of Dracula we refer to, their designs are similar, as well as their wine loving side and the fact that they both have noble titles. Some Draculas lost everything due to a big breach of trust and started to resent the world for it, but overall Dracula and Barok are vastly different characters. As much as I like to joke about Barok as Dracula, he's really not Dracula as a person at all.

I absolutely do want to see Barok and Kazuma perform a duet now. What a great idea you have come up with. I love it! A duet about how their shared history can bring them together. How they won't allow their respective long gone family members define who they are, both as individuals as well as in their relationship as professionals and someday friends. A reminiscing of some sorts and promises for the future.

But most importantly: Barok and Kazuma as a duo of vampire hunters. Barok may look like a vampire lord, but don't let that fool you! My Barok x Castlevania brainrot just kicked in again. Oh no. :) Kazuma initially hunts and tries to kill Barok because he had heard stories about this mysterious vampiresque Count/Earl who lives in an old mansion in the middle of nowhere. Kazuma confronts Barok, who is trying to get Kazuma to understand that what he believes in is not true. Kazuma doesn't care to listen and attacks. They end up having their showdown. Barok bests Kazuma. Kazuma mentally prepares himself to die and is aware he may even end up as a vampire himself, becoming one of the very creatures he despises so much. But to his surprise, Count/Earl Barok van Zieks spares him. It transpires that van Zieks is not a vampire at all. Instead, he has been trying to locate the vampire (Lord Stronghart) that killed his beloved brother, Klimt, for a while now. Thankful to still be alive, Kazuma realises he can profit from Barok's prowess, skills and access to resources. He asks Barok to join him in his mission and in turn promises him that they will find the vampire who killed Klint. Vampires of Great Britain, beware, a new fearsome duo just emerged. Might make for an interesting musical with two splendid actors.

If you ever create an AU with Kazuma and Barok singing together, please let me know! Thank you so much for taking the time to reach out and sharing this wonderful idea with me. Enjoy the rest of your day/evening. 😊

[nine-fingered-entity]

as i head into the final case, the resolve of ryunosuke naruhodo: we are going into the fire. all will be revealed. the horrors unveiled. it's time. answers at any cost.

but first: brain vomit

i spent a lot of time theorizing on who the final defendant would be, only for it to just be the same trial. marginally disappointing but it's probably for the best. not sure if my heart could take more people dying

that being said: Herlock as a defendant (my top contender) would have been interesting. deeply.

the case title worries me. to be fair, everything about the setup here worries me. i suspect it will be unpleasant, if cathartic

i've been thinking this from practically the moment we met, but i strongly believe Stronghart will be the final baddie/final witness. it feels so obvious. almost too obvious. which is why i'm now second-guessing myself. i dont have a backup theory though. so.

i'm not sure i buy Gregson as the Reaper. it makes sense, but i have a nagging doubt. what about Gina? he told us that he was taking Gina to France to protect her. and that could be a lie, but. i don't know.

or actually. hang on. having a thought. He was the Reaper-or involved-and never felt doubt about his involvement until Gina. knows that the Reaper can't act outside of Britain (esp with Shinn dead) and so plans to flee with Gina. this gets him killed by the one in charge of the whole Reaper thing?

i honestly don't know. but there's more to it than what Zieks thinks. than what we all think.

Vigil is either lying to us or not all of his memories have returned. i swear he has Genshin's ring, from the Barok flashback. how would he have it?

on a similar note: the governor of the prison is not telling us everything.

i'm fairly convinced Genshin is not the Professor, at this point. Or at least that there's more going on there. He saved Barok. He wrote some weird papers (which are not the ones we were given, no way), he still doesn't really have a motive. The whole giant dog aspect of the case. The Baskervilles. There's more to this.

terrible thought i had: Dr. John H. Wilson. he was even a professor!

or Stronghart. again. i don't know.

i'm still waiting to see if Van Zieks and Stronghart are related. they have the same crest. it. worries me.

speaking of Van Zieks. god. the scene after the trial where he's his usual terrible self and then Ryunosuke is like "is that any way to talk to your lawyer" and then van Zieks apologized? so satisfying. you tell him, Ryunosuke.

i just like it when Ryunosuke gets a bit snippy. see: every time he called van Zieks his "learned friend" like go off. get him.

also i cannot believe Kazuma kept calling Ryunosuke his 'learned friend' during the trial what is Wrong With Him.

i miss my sword. obs it is good that Kazuma is alive and gets his sword back, but i miss the sword. its so fun.

at least Kazuma finally talked to Ryunosuke. like. way later that he could have but at least he did. thank you. i appreciate someone being honest with me. its so rare.

okay. Iris' dad possibilities time:

Mikotoba: unlikely. its possible, but it feels unlikely. gut instinct. i want to not be disappointed in him.

Dr. John H. Wilson: it could still be him, but i doubt it. he apparently didn't seem to have a family?

Herlock: plausible. unfort. will explode him with my mind if so. could not fathom a reason why he'd lie to Iris if so. although im sure one would exist

one of the nobles (Klint) killed by the Professor: spitballing. the og hound of the baskervilles had something to do with killing heirs. i don't know. concerned.

Gregson. highly unlikely but also. i don't know.

Mycroft: my crack theory. we dont even know if there Is a Mycroft.

i have more thoughts (incoherent yelling) but idk

if herlock does not have a good explanation for everything i will flip my lid. kazuma. iris wilson. the professor. the baskervilles. why was he even on the SS Burya? he has much to answer for.

[fabiansociety]

i can't decide if i'm annoyed or relieved that the game didn't actually kill kiyomi? i mean, it's cool that she's alive, but the whole "the gun was loaded with blanks!" post-credits reveal is egregious nonsense and it doesn't really undo the earlier scene? it's a way to have your sexist cake and eat it too? i feel like a better story would have just, you know, not pulled that particular rancid card in the first place

also people were right, the reveal that this letter scene ends with the reveal that kiryu is writing this heartfelt letter about the bond beyond parent and child to DAIGO instead of haruka is insane. she's in the room right behind him?? you've barely spoken to daigo in years?? you are ten years older than him?? KIRYU KAZUMA, WHAT THE CHRIST

"i considered you my son" why???

this honestly makes more sense as a coded love letter than anything, but even then that's frankly bananas. "instead of cherishing our time together, i threw it all away. rejected our bond." on the list of men who plausibly had a crush on daigo in this series, kiryu wouldn't even crack the top ten. daigo's total appearances in the entire series were

a middle schooler in Y0

absent entirely in Y1

a surly delinquent in Y2 that kiryu browbeats into joining the tojo (their most interaction!)

comatose and on another island in Y3

offscreen for almost all of Y4 until kiryu beats him up at the end of the game

a passenger in kiryu's cab in Y5 who then vanishes and comes back only to get shot

they barely interact! daigo is a minor character in this series! this letter would make more sense if kiryu wrote it to friggin' date! what the hell

[clutterfile]

Voice Actors... Shunsuke Takeuchi and Horie Kazuma....

Wait a second-

that's-

.....Impossible O.O

how come I only notice this NOW XD I feel so stupid 🤦🏻‍♀️

I mean they even have similiar color schemes and all??

....and now I suddenly feel like downloading Destined to Love again ʘ‿ʘ

(It really is a shame though... that they never added the voice(line)s in the english version... ._.)

[nightowlqueen]

Great Ace Attorney is proving to be utterly fascinating for the variety in it's cases and how they go down.

Like the first case is, of course, murder and we do catch the real murderer, but they can't be tried for it in Japan due to Consular Jurisdiction and will supposedly be tried in Britain. Without anyone from Japan to testify.

The second case looks like murder at first, but then is revealed to have been an unintentional tragedy committed by a frightened young girl who wasn't thinking clearly at all.

The third case is really interesting because it steadily becomes blatantly obvious that your client is guilty, but due to his sneaky evidence tampering the trial cannot conclude on a verdict one way or the other and he gets away. And it was complicated by the fact that the Lord Chief Justice tasked you with securing that Not Guilty verdict if you wanted the study tour to continue.

Then the accused of case three is immediately murdered after the trial under mysterious circumstances!

We then go to case four which IS NOT a murder trial as the victim is still alive, but currently in a coma. And it all turns out that there actually is no guilty party as the stabbing ended up being the result of an unfortunate series of events that no one could have foreseen.

Now I'm at the start of case five which is now looping back around to case 3 and what happened 2 months ago with new questions being raised all over the place.

Why did McGilded actually kill Mason? What is the significance of the music box disks?

How does Susato know the name of Iris's unpublished manuscript if no one but Herlock and Iris have seen it?

Why did Lord van Zieks stop appearing in court five years ago, only to conveniently return as soon as the Japanese Study Tour began, why did he only attend the two cases Ryunosuke was in before retiring again?

What was Kazuma's actual "Mission" in Britain supposed to be?

This game's got me at the edge of my seat and I love it!