#The epic tales of young gems

[lung-worm2023]

Jessica and Melvin would be menaces if they were friends.

[wooglebear]

I wanted to give Hazel and Cara special designs inspired by the Young Gems AU because i wanna design outfits

Cara has her hair in twintails, giving her sailor moon vibes (without buns).

I wanted to give them more of a white and red/black and blue contrast, bc why not?

I modelled Hazel after the color palette for love: red, white and pink. And gave Cara some coding palette. This version of Cara doesn't have her eye covered by her bangs :)

(Young Gems au: @lung-worm2023)

[bloodied-gems]

Hello. Welcome to my ( @lung-worm2023 ) Side blog for a young gems au. If you don’t know what that is. Go to my main blog or my other side blog @y0ung-g3msv3rs3 .

This au is just another IOTS inspired au. So if you don’t like blood and gore. Turn away.

Also. For lore reasons. They (Most of the main cast of Yg) become demons after they die, because of magic keeping their souls alive.

Master list.

Archer

Harold

George

Ash

Bonus: Survivors

[y0ung-g3ms]

Intro post.

[Last Updated 6/7/2024]

Welcome to the young gems info dump/Answering questions acc.

My main acc is @lung-worm2023 and I like to write fanfiction. My first one was (What eventually became) young gems. :}

Young gems as a fanfic is currently called “The exhilarating adventures of the young gems”, Or “Teaotyg”.

Ask me anything about the main cast, possibly chapters, and just tell me what you like about the AU.

Young gems tags currently are, #Young gems #The exhilarating adventures of the young gems #The epic tales of young gems

That’s all the tags for now. I’ve also made lots of aus and other fanfics. They are:

Young gems,

Silver crystal (Ygau),

Bronze stars (Ygau),

Magic jewels (Ygau),

Guilt ridden au,

Regretful au,

PROJECT.BLUEBIRD [Fanfic],

Guilty bird [PROJECT.BLUEBIRD Au],

Bloodied gems (Ygau),

Young gems next Gen (Yg continuation),

Young gems next Gen: Darkness (Ygng au),

Dream space [A place in the Toby book verse, Au, And (Possible) future fanfic!],

Planet gods au/Immortals [Immortals is the name of the possible fanfic],

Losers au [Future fanfic and au],

Wolf Boy Au[A fanfic and an umbrella term for vampire boy and wolf boys timeline],

The different parent aus [GXM, HXM, And EXGA],

Chaotic duo swap au [Young gems au],

Ancient gems [Yg prequel].

Of course this will change over time but this is what i have rn.

TEAOTYG Fanfic chapter list:

[cooledtured]

Hidden Gems -  Underrated Anime Series That Deserves Your Attention

Certain anime shows stand out from the crowd, captivating audiences all over the world with their engaging stories and magnificent visuals. However, among the spotlight, there are hidden gems, aka underrated anime programs, that go unrecognized but have the same amount of brilliance and inventiveness. These hidden icons of the anime industry are just waiting to be discovered by fans seeking new adventures and experiences.

Natsume Yuujinchou

One such hidden gem is "Natsume Yuujinchou." If you enjoyed the peaceful and otherworldly atmosphere of "Studio Ghibli" Productions, then "Natsume Yuujinchou" is an anime you won't want to miss. This touching tale follows Natsume Takashi, an eleven-year-old who can see spirits with their own stories and struggles. It revolves around Natsume's journey for understanding and acceptance. Despite his ability to talk to spirits, Natsume longs for a sense of belonging in a world where he feels like an outcast. However, he still finds ways to learn valuable lessons about compassion, and the importance of human connections from his spirits. Through its gentle exploration of themes like loneliness and acceptance, "Natsume " offers a deeply enriching viewing experience reminiscent of "Studio Ghibli" shows.

Magi: The Labyrinth of Magic

If you were attracted by "Hunter x Hunter's" advanced world-building and strategic fights, you may find "Magi: The Labyrinth of Magic" to be a compelling alternative to watch for the night. Set in a mythical setting inspired by the stories of "One Thousand and One Nights," "Magi" follows the adventures of Aladdin, Alibaba, and Morgiana as the three unexpected partners go on a quest to uncover the secrets of mysterious dungeons spread across the land and face the evils threatening their world. From epic battles and magical showdowns to intricate schemes and power struggles, "Magi" offers a gripping narrative that keeps audiences on the edge of their seats from start to finish. With its mix of action, magic, and political intrigue, "Magi" tells a captivating story that will leave fans of "Hunter x Hunter" wanting more.

Katekyo Hitman Reborn

If you have been drawn into the world of Naruto, following the journey of a young ninja seeking recognition and acceptance, then "Katekyo Hitman Reborn!" is an anime that will certainly steal your heart as well. This series features Tsunayoshi "Tsuna" Sawada, an ordinary high school student who learns he is the heir of a powerful mafia family. Tsuna grows significantly, similar to Naruto's yearning for belonging, as he learns to become a mafia leader under the direction of his eccentric professor, Reborn. With its mix of action, humor, and heartwarming moments, "Katekyo Hitman Reborn!" provides a thrilling and emotionally resonant experience that will have a lasting effect, just as Naruto's journey did for countless fans.

In conclusion, while successful anime series frequently capture attention, there is an abundance of underappreciated gems waiting to be found by fans. Whether you prefer the tranquil beauty of "Mushi-Shi," or the exciting fights of "Hunter x Hunter," there is an underappreciated anime series out there that will grab your heart and imagination. So, if you like some of the more renowned anime classics, you'll undoubtedly fall in love with these hidden gems waiting to be discovered.

[doomedandstoned]

Wyoming Young and Strong Return with Another Pacific Northwest Gem

~Doomed & Stoned Debuts~

By Billy Goate

I've had my earphones filled with the sounds WYOMING YOUNG AND STRONG this week. The Seattle trio generates a brooding atmosphere on the order of Black Tusk and Kylesa, and similarly shout their lyrics (often in unison). There's something quite fierce, and even a bit joyful, about such a presentation. There are, after all, fantastic tales to be told!

Today, Doomed & Stoned is giving you a first-listen to Wyoming Young & Strong's spirited new single, "Tursulas," from the upcoming concept album, 'Wicked Upon You' (2023). The band has created a whole lore about this song:

"Tursulas" is the first song we wrote and recorded as a three piece. We’re really happy with how much more we can do with as a three piece. This song finds Wyoming right after the Winter War. He’s signed on to a ballista team, on the repurposed war ship that is to return the Tappurien Witches to their home. The Witches had been hired to support his side in the war but alas, even with their help the cause was hopeless.

After days at sea the crew encounters a monstrosity known as the Tursalas. The Tursalas is a tentacled horror that dwarfs the warship. They try in vain to escape but the ship is lost. Wyoming is thrown overboard but the witches manage to open some kind of magical portal, much like the portal that rescued him while he was floating in space after escaping the Shaman of Deimos. They seem to escape through it with a few of his fellow crew members. The song ends with Wyoming adrift and alone.

As the song opens, we are greeted by angsty arpeggios that finally erupt in a full-out riot. Strong bass tones, doomy guitar chords, and furious drumming both ground us and rock our world during the stormy five-and-a-half minute ride. The band crafts episodic moments that stimulate the imagination of the listener, inviting us to wonder. The recording falls easy on the ears, with all the instruments given realistic presence.

Look for Wyoming Young & Strong's Wicked Upon You, the band's second full-length album, on February 9th (pre-order here). Stick it on a playlist with early-Mastodon, Big Business, and Zirakzigil.

Give ear...

Wicked Upon You by Wyoming Young and Strong

SOME BUZZ

'Wicked Upon You,' Wyoming Young & Strong’s latest release, continues to tell the tale of our fabled hero Wyoming, a man who has journeyed across time and space after being forcibly and unwittingly transported to an unforgiving future. Wyoming has overcome challenges and grown through his adventures, learning about the evolution of humankind and his own magical lineage. His current path ties to his past, as his past ties to his future.

This release finds Wyoming in the midst of realization. Following the events chronicled on the previous Bend the Night 7-inch release, he has been a part of losing battle in the Winter War and is now tasked with returning the witches of Tappurien to their home. En route, their ship is attacked and destroyed by an ancient, gargantuan beast known as the Tursulas.

After floating at sea for days on the wreckage he is captured by the Grey Blade. This horrific submersible also holds other enslaved victims of the gods, and one regales him with the tale of Burned Path, outlining how his world has fallen and why Wyoming must find a way through this new hellish landscape of destruction.

The Grey Blade then delivers him to an old enemy of humankind that can best be described as an omniscient celestial. This being is all powerful, but yet still derives pleasure from tormenting humans. In the final saga Space Wizard, we hear about one of the mighty but delusional Magi that Wyoming previously met. His recollection of this event helps him understand more about how the Magi can at times falter, and what they must do for humankind to ascend.

Wyoming Young and Strong has been singing folk songs dedicated to this epic hero since their inception. Josh, Jason, and Josh have arranged these songs in the tradition of bass, drums, guitar, and vocals. Just like the Triad of the Vision before them, they wind the tales of Wyoming through the lens of stoner and noise rock. Taking inspiration from the Melvins, Shellac and Sleep.

Follow The Band

Get Their Music

[ultraericthered]

KH Canon OCs - How I See Them

Any followers of mine I have on this hellsite are likely aware that I am and remain a Kingdom Hearts fan who personally considers only the core narratives of Birth By Sleep, Kingdom Hearts (1), Chain of Memories, and Kingdom Hearts II (plus some Appendix content from the UX fairy tale, BBS 0.2 and 358/2 Days), all chronologically, to be the canonical narrative of the true and pure Kingdom Hearts, the epic Disney saga before it was all remade in the image of director Tetsuya Nomura’s demented shonen mangaka brain. Or to put it differently, only the first decade of the franchise (the 2002 release of KH1 up to right before the 2012 release of KH3D) matters to me on any deep level (though the second decade up to Sora joining Smash in 2021 has some shining gems of merit to take from even while the rest of it is all hot flaming garbage that’s being doubled down on and continuing going forward and I want absolutely no part of it, bye.)

As such, the KH original characters I would consider canonical to any worthwhile work of Kingdom Hearts are all those introduced in that first decade, with one exception I’ll bring up at the very end. And these characters, like many franchise characters, have been written and portrayed in differing ways between different entries, whether they be games, manga, novels, web original/fanon material, or even just the basic rough draft concepts. So...where does that leave me and how I view these characters? I thought it’d be fun to not only answer that, but to compare with actual officially liscenced depictions of the characters and see which ones best match what I consider the ideal for the “baseline”/”template” these characters ought to follow.

Sora

Sora is a free-spirited, mostly easygoing and cheerful young boy from Destiny Islands who finds himself the chosen wielder of the Keyblade one fateful night when the Heartless invade his home. He’s best friends with Riku and Kairi, and also with Donald and Goofy, his travel companions across the worlds. Generally positive, upbeat, bold to the point of cockiness, and with a steadfast belief in the heart and in his friends that are his power, Sora can also be very deeply contemplative, surprisingly considerate, and prone to becoming moody and melancholic whenever something really gets him down. Despite this his agility, abilities, and willpower are exceedingly strong.

The Sora who best matches this characterization would be...

Somewhere right between both games in the Kingdom Hearts II Final Mix+ package - Re: Chain of Memories and KHII. As great as KH1 Sora is, his character arc, growth and maturity through the course of that game’s story sort of ends at a narrative wall, as it was clearly developed like a standalone with the continuation of the storyline afterwards being uncertain. So Sora’s whole ordeal in Castle Oblivion was designed to break him down and the following story of KHII was likewise designed to build him back up again ‘til he reached Peak Sora, slicing through skyscrapers with his Key and everything. In between these portrayals, if we took the best of Sora from Re:CoM and added it to the best of Sora from KHII, we’d have my Sora.

Kairi

Kairi is the seventh Princess of Heart, a pure-hearted girl who comes from the world of the Radiant Garden Hollow Bastion but now lives on Destiny Islands due to being sent there by Xehanort when she was very young and small. Though appearing scrawny and fragile, Kairi is a spunky, cheeky, outgoing and good-natured tomboy with an endless supply of willpower and inner strength in addition to her athleticism. Unlike her best friend Sora, though, Kairi isn’t exactly carefree and is prone to anxiety and fear of change beyond her control due to her traumatic childhood experiences, and is also very impatient and fidgety, but tries to conceal all this beneath a sunny disposition. But put her in a situation of action and danger, and she will go fucking feral. Over the course of the saga, Kairi matures and grows braver, stronger, more proactive, more aware of all that’s around her, and more accepting of great changes, even temporary separation from her friends. Oh, and she and Sora might be in love.

The Kairi who best matches this characterization would be...

Yeah, you all saw this coming. Shiro Amano’s Kairi from his manga. Admittedly, his KH1 Kairi was not very good in the KH1 manga - the scripting for Kairi’s character in KH1 the game remains superior. Everything else, though, he nails for Kairi. We see more of her 14 year old self in flashbacks, we get her KHII character expanded upon so that her personality and dvelopment arc is better fleshed out and she gets more badass achievements to her name, and even the currently running KHIII manga improved her content. She’s perfect.

Riku

Riku is Sora and Kairi’s best friend from Destiny Islands and was to be the Keyblade’s chosen wielder. Cool, cocky, competitive, a bit aloof and tough on others, and prone to snark and joking around, Riku was also very inquisitive and yearned to explore bigger and better places outside his small backwater home, which paralleled his desire to be mature and regarded like a strong and capable adult. These qualities made him susceptible to giving into the darkness in his heart and calling the Heartless to invade his world, which lost him his claim on the Keyblade. His stint with Disney villains and turn to exploiting the powers of darkness for his purposes set his future course, as even when he realizes his errors and repents, he’s stuck with dark powers and a natural pull towards the Dark Realm. From here, Riku becomes first and foremost the “Good Disney Bad Guy” who uses what he gained from villainy towards the cause of good, to help others rather than himself, and to ultimately turn his Darkness into Light. This is symbolized in how he hangs around with Mickey Mouse, the epitome of a Good Guy. Ultimately Riku matures for real and becomes a watchful guardian with his own “twilight” power.

The Riku who best matches this characterization would be...

Like Sora, the ideal depiction of Riku lies somewhere between two games - his KH1 character and the parts of his story mode in CoM that worked and pushed him towards a unique and special path of redemption and heroism that wouldn’t require he wholly sacrifice his Disney Villain-ish aesthetic and edge that he makes work so well. He should never have become the Vegeta of KH, not when he could’ve been the Piccolo of KH, a role his character fits far more naturally.

Xehanort/Ansem, Seeker of Darkness

Xehanort (yeah I know *officially* he’s “Terra-Xehanort”, but that’s not spoken aloud in canon, so he’ll always be “Xehanort” to me) was an amnesiac young man heavily implied to have been a Keyblade wielder who was taken in by Ansem the Wise and made his chief apprentice. Growing envious, arrogant, and apathetic to ethics and emotion, spurred by feelings of inadequacy and his desire to know all that there is to know, Xehanort betrayed his master, banishing him to oblivion and stealing his research, his other followers, and even his name. Allowing the Heartless to overrun his world and sending Kairi adrift in his search for the Keyblade Master, Xehanort became a Heartless himself and masterminded a widespread invasion of the worlds for the purpose of cultivating the Heart Of All Worlds so that he may claim the power of Kingdom Hearts and blanket the universe in everlasting Darkness, which his research had concluded was the true essence of the heart and the stabilizing force of everything. 

The Xehanort/Ansem who best matches this characterization is...

There was never any realistic chance than any other depiction of this character was going to top Billy Zanenort in the original KH game + its Final Mix. Everything about him there was so perfectly realized.

Xemnas

Xemnas is the Nobody of Xehanort who was born after Xehanort became a Heartless, who formed Organization XIII and leads it as its Superior. Devoid of feelings and with a vast emptiness where his sense of self once was due to lacking a heart, and now recognizing how pitiful his old self truly was, Xemnas refuses to sink back into Darkness and be rendered nothing of significance, so he desires to enhance and assert his own non-existence by not only gaining a heart of his own through his own Kingdom Hearts, but by claiming its power for himself, tainting the hearts of all life in the universe with his Nothingness so that everything is reduced to nothing and all hearts be enslaved in the thrall of his own, as the deified ruler of the worlds. Completely cold, calculating, philosophical, utterly ruthless, devoid of pity or mercy and with a grandiose sense of self-importance, Xemnas schemed to make the power of the Keyblade serve his own uses.

The Xemnas who best matches this characterization is...

Much like his Heartless counterpart, Xemnas was never better than he was in his debut game, but particularly KHII:FM, which added so much to his on-screen appearances and role as the overarching villain at the head of the Organization, fully selling how complex, tragic, and frightening a character he is. He was great in the other special edition games (KH1:FM and Re:CoM), but those were simply teases at him. Character-wise, KHII:FM remains his definitive outing.

Namine

The special Nobody of Kairi, born when Kairi’s heart departed the body of someone who was not her (Sora). Due to being a product of the connection between Sora and Kairi’s hearts, Namine posesses mystical powers and abilities to look into the hearts of others and tamper with the chains of their memories, which can create certain effects on their minds. At first Namine was a captive of Organization XIII and exploited in Marluxia’s conspiracy at Castle Oblivion, which she let happen due to her loneliness, fear of being left alone and abandoned, and desire to matter in the hearts of Sora and his pals. Initially timid and withdrawn, Namine grew to be more assertive and proactive thanks to her experience with Sora, which allows her to act with more confidence and let her more rebellious and mischievous sides show more openly. She forms a special bond with Roxas, Sora’s Nobody, and eventually with her own other half, Kairi, who she re-assimilates into so that now she has a home inside her heart.

The Namine who best matches this characterization is...

Yes, technically Namine had her strongest showing in terms of character development and story relevance in CoM/Re:CoM, but as a personality with longer lasting value to the series, KHII, the initial game, the FM edition, and also Shiro Amano’s manga adaptation, had Namine at her most appealing by far. She’s sweet, intelligent, helpful, lively, and as strange and awkward as you’d expect someone of her conditions to be, but I think it’s really all brought together in just that sly grin and pose she does in both that game image above and in her official character model art, and how she now fully embraces herself as a “witch” despite that having been just what others called her to start with. The girl’s a naughty little troll and she knows it.

Marluxia

Number 11 in Organization XIII. Marluxia was made lord of Castle Oblivion and from within it concocted a very diabolical and ellaborate scheme to brainwash Sora and bend him to his will so that he could turn the Keyblade against Xemnas, which would allow Marluxia and his co-conspirators to take over the Organization. While seeming elegant and refined, Marluxia is very authoritarian, cruel and without scruples when looking to claim the power he craves. In combat, Marluxia’s a graceful assassin who fights with a sickle and flowers.

The Marluxia who best matches this characterization is...

For reals, Marluxia’s never been gotten quite perfect in anything to feature him, but he was indisputedly at his best in the Kingdom Hearts II: Final Mix+ package, containing Re:CoM and KHII:FM. Re:CoM made his character a lot cooler and more intimidating than he was in the original GBA game (his confrontation with Axel and the fights with him alone prove as much), and his fight in KHII just really runs with the whole “reaper” aesthetic, making you truly fear him.

Axel

Number 8 within Organization XIII. Axel is quite the complicated character, being primarily an assassin with a mercenary sense of values and who does the work of others within the Organization only when he can be sure that it’ll benefit himself to do so. Despite acting like a snide, aggressive and largely blase punk, Axel is not only charming but very perceptive and good at reading a room, making deeply thought cost-benefit analyses of any situation and having a knack for manipulation of both people and events so that things go his preferred way. Selfish and scheming as he is, Axel also harbors deep vulnerability that only his oldest friend and senior member Saix has seen, and when he comes to value something or someone, he is unwilling to let go no matter what he has to do to keep them around. In combat, Axel is very flexible, and fights with chakrams and fire.

The Axel who best matches this characterization is...

It’s Shiro Amano for the win once again! The one constant for Axel is that his debut showing in CoM, whether on GBA, the PS2 specially remade edition, the novels, or even the manga (he’s literally the sole positive in that entire manga adaptation!), goes great for him. It’s everything that follows that I had to consider when weighing them against each other. Then it became no contest - not only is Axel’s portrayal in the 358/2 Days manga stronger, better written and better handled than the game version, but in the KHII manga I am actually very glad he survived past the prologue and can see the value in his role the whole way through. I have never been able to say that regarding KHII the game and especially the novels, but the manga actually got it right. So Amano’s Axel is the best, got it memorized?

Larxene

Number 12 within Organization XIII. Larxene moreso than other Nobodies is particularly agitated by the emptiness within her, so she seeks to fill the void by amusing herself and has found no better way to do so than to cruelly bring others down and toy with them even to a breaking point without any mercy or misgivings. A prideful sadist who cares little for others, Larxene became Marluxia’s co-conspirator in the Castle Oblivion plot to brainwash/recruit Sora so that they may overthrow Xemnas and take over the Organization, and she got an affinity for teasing both her colleagues and Namine. While normally easygoing, playful and snarky, in combat Larxene shows why she’s called a “savage nymph”, fighting with kunai knives and electricity.

The Larxene who best matches this characterization is...

In both versions of CoM, Larxene is a standout. Re:CoM removed a handful of her dialogue for some reason, but otherwise got to portray her personality in even greater detail, with her sauntering movement, skeevy flirtiness, and irritated gestures adding a lot to how enjoyable she is, her facial animation and voice acting emphasizing her malicious sadism, and even her death feeling sadder than just an abrupt tantrum fadeout. What both versions share in common is how uncompromisingly brutal she is to fight. “Savage Nymph” indeed!

Vexen

Number 4 within Organization XIII. As his human self Even was, Vexen is a very dedicated scientist, looking at everything as an opportunity for research and turning any exploitable situation into an experiment to conduct. Feeling like science lends itself not to heartfelt emotion or compassion, he is ice cold and even cruel in how he pursues his agenda. Vexen is also incredibly pompous and elitist, believing in the seniority that numbers within the Organization give and looking his nose down at those of “limited signifigance”. His claim to fame is the creation of Replicas, beings that duplicate the bodies of others but, much like Nobodies, are incomplete due to having fabricated hearts and minds. In combat, Vexen is meticulous, and fights with a shield and ice powers to match his personality.

The Vexen who best matches this characterization is...

As great as Vexen always was in CoM, Re:CoM made him just a teensy bit even better. Part of it is due to the voice acting, which is spot on in both languages. Part of it is due to him coming off as less of a dirty coward than before, thus easier to feel for. And finally, a big part of it is how he dies, a death far more grisly than in the original!

Lexaeus

Number 5 within Organization XIII. The Nobody of Alaeus, one of Ansem’s royal guards and scientific assistants, Lexaeus is the brute force within the Organization who doubles as one of the deepest thinkers of the bunch. Well composed, taciturn, and with a sense of honor, Lexaeus channels his mind through his muscle and is a force to be reckoned with as a result. In Castle Oblivion, he worked in the basement level along with Zexion and Vexen. In combat Lexaeus fights with a tomahawk and earth powers, and can also raise his chi so that he becomes a nigh-unstoppable rampaging monstrosity!

The Lexaeus who best matches this characterization is...

In CoM/Re:CoM he was a bland, forgettable, ultimately throwaway character who is laughably easy to beat despite his professed strength, and in KHII:FM, he’s is much less a character than he is a boss fight (though at least a really strong and difficult opponent now!). 358/2 Days got him down just right, with him being calm, gracious, and intelligent while also being brutal (poor Roxas!) and one of the strongest characters to play as. The only thing missing is his fondness for mind games and puzzles, I think Shiro Amano actually did that really well and it added to his character, but oh well.

Zexion/Ienzo

Number 6 within Organization XIII. The Nobody of Ienzo, youngest of Ansem’s apprentices, Zexion is an analyst and a tactician by nature, always observing, always thinking, and always deciding to act on what he believes to be the best recourse for disadvantaging his foes. Very deadpan, smug and assertive with others, Zexion owes the Organization a great deal and wishes to succeed Xemnas as its leader one day. But as he’s still young and impetuous, he’s not the successful schemer he’d like to be and cracks under pressure. In Castle Oblivion, he worked in the basement level along with Vexen and Lexaeus. In combat Zexion’s not the best physical fighter, so he prefers to cast illusions and mental tricks using a magic spellbook.

The Zexion who best matches this characterization is...

Re:CoM is the best Zexion is going to get in terms of character and combat, and I quite like Ienzo whenever he appears in later games. He’s the only counterpart to an Organization member other than Xehanort and Braig who feels like he warrants the expansion.

Riku Replica (Repliku)

A replica of Riku created by Vexen in Castle Oblivion, designed to reflect Riku’s full dark potential. Was brainwashed by Namine into being obsessed with protecting her and fighting off Sora, but he eventually regained knowledge of what he really was and it got him grappling with his sense of identity all the way to his tragic demise.

The Repliku who best matches that characterization is...

I mean, he’s pretty much the same in Re:CoM as he is in CoM, but with two added benefits: voice acting to actually sell his comically inflated intensity, and not being so ridiculously too difficult to fight.

Ansem the Wise/DiZ

The ruler of the Radiant Garden with an affinity for science and the aquisition of knowledge and wisdom. In trying to better understand the heart, Ansem ended up drawing beings born of the heart’s darkness to his world, and his efforts to keep them at bay were thwarted when his apprentice Xehanort betrayed him and banished him to the Realm of Nothingness. Consumed by dark thoughts, negative emotions and a desire for vengeance, Ansem went by the identity of “DiZ” (Darkness in Zero) as he sought a way to strike back at the Heartless and the Nobodies, the latter whom he particularly despised due to their very non-being serving as a reminder of his failures and the traumatic tragedy he’d been made to endure. While proud, callous, disdainful and patronizing to others, sometimes even downright cruel, Ansem has a wry sense of humor, enjoys peculiar interests such as computer games and ice cream, and can be civil when need be. He recognizes deep in his heart what’s right and wrong, but stubbornly refuses to heed his heart in favor of his mind. Suffice to say, this man’s story doesn’t have a very happy ending.

The Ansem/DiZ who best fits this characterization is...

When you get down to it, Ansem is really not that terribly interesting or invaluable a character in anything other than KHII. It’s the story with the role he was literally made to play, and in it we don’t only get his Ansem Reports and legendarily great voice acting by the late Sir Christopher Lee, but Final Mix even adds the one scene from 358/2 Days featuring him that was best fit to be shown in this story.

Roxas

Roxas is the Nobody of Sora, born when Sora’s heart left his body and he became a Heartless. Made the 13th member of Organization XIII, the solemn, moody and ill-tempered Roxas grew dissatisfied and at odds with himself, beginning to question his purpose and his very identity, which led to him leaving the Organization. He was then captured and mind-wiped by DiZ, who placed him in a simulation of Twilight Town where Roxas developed another identity, a bright, kind, considerate, humble and skeptical “boy scout” type who hung out with Hayner, Pence, and Olette. During this time his memories were scanned and extracted by Namine, and one identity crisis and fight to the death with his former friend Axel later, Roxas was made to re-assimilate back into Sora’s heart, where over the course of Sora’s next journey Roxas made peace with himself and his new home.

The Roxas who best fits this characterization is...

For a third time, Shiro Amano pulls through on not just doing justice to but actually perfecting a character from the games. While his Organization XIII persona in 358/2 Days still isn’t quite what I’d imagined, Amano’s writing for Roxas makes him so engaging the whole time that I barely care, and in the KHII manga he steals the show from Sora in a way Roxas in the game never could. I really like him - he’s way better than the black-coated turd of the later entries.

Hayner, Pence, and Olette

Three friends who live in Twilight Town and who were Roxas’ best friends in the simulation. Hayner is brash and energetic with a take charge attitude. Pence is chipper, laid back and good humored, and has an interest in stuff like machinery and truth-seeking. And Olette is sociable, willful, a bit bossy and snarky, and a shopaholic.

The Hayner, Pence, and Olette who best fit this characterization is...

Yeah, they’re pretty much the same in every single work they appear in, making it impossible to choose (though in Olette’s case I have to give her manga incarnation as shout out for the spiked baseball bat!)

Xaldin

Number 3 within Organization XIII. The Nobody of Dilan, one of Ansem’s guards and scholars, Xaldin is a naturally gifted warrior in the fields of both strength and strategic thinking. Viewing himself and his fellow Nobodies as abominations devoid of feelings, Xaldin views the Beast of Beast’s Castle with contempt and jealousy over him being a literal monster who possesses a heart, feelings, and humanity to reclaim, so Xaldin makes it his priorty to gradually take the Beast’s life apart and utterly break him in both body and spirit so that he may become a Heartless and create a Nobody that Xaldin may then enslave. Moreso than his colleagues, Xaldin is spiteful, malicious, verbally abusive to others, and devoid of any civility or decency, as it’s “not in his nature to hold back.” In combat, Xaldin is relentless, wielding six deadly lances and the power of wind.

The Xaldin who best fits this characterization is...

You really can’t do Xaldin any better than KHII:FM.

Demyx

Number 9 within Organization XIII. Demyx is a lazy, undisciplined, largely apathetic wastrel and a coward who prefers not to fight or apply himself to any tough situations. He likes lounging around, playing music, gaming with his colleagues, and generally taking advantage of others. Though he seems scatter-brained, silly, and even quite friendly at times, Demyx’s empty self makes him insecure about his place in the World, and when that button is pushed, he will throw caution and the pretense of feeling anything to the wind as he becomes a ferocious assailant, fighting with water and his sitar.

The Demyx who best fits this characterization is...

Again, KHII:FM got Demyx down the best. While 358/2 Days and even its manga adaptation fleshed him out a bit more, it lacks the spectacle of his boss fight that has made Demyx such a legend.

Luxord

Number 10 within Organization XIII. Luxord is a gentleman first, a gambler second, and an Organization agent last, so he’s not always the most effective when on a mission. However, he is also shrewd of mind, nefarious in means, and utterly fearless in face of a challenge. He generally gets along with his colleagues, respects a worthy opponent, relishes a good game, and prides himself on being keen and seeing through to the end anything he takes on, and he gets rather frustrated when things fail to match up with his perceptions and risk/reward analysis. In combat, Luxord fights with cards and dice, the gambler’s arsenal, and utilizes the power of time itself.

The Luxord who best fits this characterization is...

Fourth hit for Shiro Amano. While Luxord as an Organization operative in the Caribbean is enjoyable in KHII and even KHIII, Luxord as a character was better realized in the manga, which made him so much fun and notably goofier, meaning he has a much better chance to avoid the utterly asinine bullshit Nomura is now set on.

Saix

Number 7 within Organization XIII. Saix is a Nobody who both fully embraces being a Nobody and curses his fate as a Nobody, yearning for a heart of his own. He is so cold, so efficient, so faithful to the cause, and so uncompromising in his cruelty that he got himself the role of Xemnas’ second-in-command. Normally very deadpan and detached from any semblence of emotion, Saix always hides an undercurrent of intense rage, displeasure, venom and instability that only comes out when a full moon drives him into utter lunacy. He’s been friends with Axel since the start, as their human counterparts were friends too, but lately the two have drifted apart. In combat, Saix wields a broadsword and powers of moon, stars, and space.

The Saix who best fits this characterization is...

358/2 Days just gives Saix all the character focus, meaty role in the plot, and truly villainous deeds that you could ask for. He’s great in Shiro Amano’s manga adaptation too, but his darker presence and actual fighting in the game gives that portrayal of him the edge here.

Xigbar/Braig

Number 2 within Organization XIII, and the Nobody of Braig, one of Ansem’s guards and apprentices who always had a greed for higher status and power that could elevate his self worth. Wanting to wield a Keyblade of his own, Braig gladly accepted Master Xehanort’s offer to collude with him in his scheme to set off a new Keyblade War, and ended up exploiting Xehanort’s trajectory when he became Ansem’s apprentice. Becoming the founding member of Organization XIII along with Xemnas, Xigbar retains Braig’s laid back, gruff, rude and talkative personality and seemingly flighty and unserious attitude, but actually knows many secrets and holds many cards close to his chest, always thinking opportunistically about what can gain him the best advantages and put him several more steps ahead of others he disdains. In combat, Xigbar fights with sniper rfiles and gravity power.

The Xigbar/Braig who best fits this characterization is...

To put it plainly, Xigbar was initially one of the weakest characters in the Organization, and everything about his character in KHII:FM and 358/2 Days only works with the context given with Braig in BBS. (Also, he’s not Luxu. If Luxu were to exist, he’d not be this character.)

Xion

The suddenly added Number 14 of Organization XIII and the centerpiece of much of what happened in the time gap between CoM and KHII. She turns out to be an imperfect Sora replica made by Vexen who absorbed the memories of Sora that Roxas could not recall, leading to the puppet taking on an appearance and personality reminiscent of Kairi. But wheareas Kairi is sweet (albeit sassy and teasing), light-hearted and acts like she’s got her shit together, Xion has no such chill - she’s manic, edgy, feisty, stubborn to a fault, quite prone to angst or anxiety-inducing emotional turmoil, and very open about her insecurities. Despite this, she is fiercely dedicated to being a hard worker and applying herself on missions, giving it her all to earn her keep and putting on her best brave face for her friends  ‘cause she loves them so deeply. Even when her screws come more loose and she has her very identity and continued existence in question, her desire to do right and look out for what’s best for her friends wins through. Due to her connection to Sora and Roxas, Xion too can wield the Keyblade. Was ultimately wiped from all memory.

The Xion who best fits this characterization is....

To the surprise of no one, Xion from Shiro Amano’s 358/2 Days manga adaptation IS the character for me and many others - in fact, she’s probably Amano’s crowning achievement, fully realizing the potential in such a bizarre and fanficcy character concept that was thought up by Tomoco Kanemaki and screwed with by Nomura.

Terra

The young Keyblade wielder who, years ago, fell prey to the darkness in his own heart and from Master Xehanort, becoming Xehanort’s vessel and a crucial component of who Xehaort was as Ansem’s apprentice. Having a soured relationship with his mentor and father figure, Master Eraqus, Terra’s heart burned with the desire to prove himself strong and to be a hero to others in need. While rather overconfident, willful, dense, brooding, short-sighted and with a fixation on power, Terra was also good natured, compassionate and vulnerable, wanting to see the best in others and so convicted to ideals of heroism and moral values that his will to do good and protect what mattered most to him outlived him and his own failings.

The Terra who best fits this description is...

Say what you will about Terra in BBS, good and bad, but he was easily the most fully realized character with the fullest realized story arc out of the leads in the game, plus his combat style holds up best.

Aqua

The young Keyblade wielder who, years ago, played a key (pun intended) part in saving the worlds from a plot by Master Xehanort to lay waste to everything, even sacrificing her physical existence to the Darkness in order to give her two friends, Terra and Ventus, their best shot at survival. Aqua was kind-hearted, keen and insightful, strong-willed, stubborn, and hyper-focused on her tasks due to the seriousness of her position and the ideals of peacekeeping and justice that Master Eraqus instilled in her. Having shown the Mark of Mastery, she was also a bit showy, standoffish, and judgmental, wanting to believe she knew best and that her heart wouldn’t lead her astray only to constantly second-guess herself and expose her more awkward side. She cherishes light and is constantly pushing back against the darkness in others and in herself. Above all else, Aqua values her friends as family and will do anything to help them.

The Aqua who most fits this characterization is...

The reason I hold a deep appreciation for what we got in BBS:FM’s bonus episode and in BBS 0.2 even when I don’t like either of those as products is that their contents helped really define who Aqua is and needs to be as not merely a strong heroine, but as a character who stands on her own apart from her two male friends. Shiro Amano’s recent adapting of the material did it one better by restoring Aqua’s adorkable side from BBS to give us bits of levity here and there. Plus, she’s just beautiful and such a damn badass in Keyblade combat, making Nomura’s ever sexist treatment of her in KHIII afterwards a legit crime of bad writing and character assasination.

Ventus

The young Keyblade wielder who, years ago, played a key (pun intended) part in saving the worlds from a plot by Master Xehanort to lay waste to everything, even sacrificing his very heart to vanquish the threat of the Unversed. Initially brought into the secret Keyblade Master order by Master Xehanort, while not of age to become a Master, Ven trained hard and looked up to his older friends/surrogate siblings, Terra and Aqua. A positive, confident, good natured, helpful and spirited youth, but one prone to uncertainty, melancholy, and impertinence when faced with conflict he found himself ill equipped to deal with. While not too strong or magically gifted, he was very agile.

The Ventus who most fits this characterization is...

Yes, just the basic concept of Ventus. He was never too well realized in any officially liscened work, and was most effective when asleep.

Master Eraqus

The old master of Terra, Aqua, and Ven, who in his own younger days was a colleague of Yen Sid and Xehanort in their Keyblade training. He meant well, but was overly strict with his surrogate children and zealous about safeguarding the light by stamping out darkness whereever, whenever, believing in absolutes such as the need to ultimately erase darkness from all hearts in existence and guide the worlds to a new age of prosperity in secret. He was struck down by Xehanort, the man he’d looked to as an elder brother.

The Eraqus who most fits this characterization is....

Once again, a character is never executed too well beyond his rough draft concept and design. And what a cool concept and design, too!

Vanitas

A being of pure darkness who spawned the Unversed years ago and who may have had some influence in the darklings’ evolution into Heartless. Vanitas trained under Master Xehanort as his secret apprentice and wielded his own dark Keyblade. He relished being cruel and channeling the pain of his own negative emotions into the pleasure of hurting others, and he was also very arrogant, viewing himself as the most supreme warrior who could even usurp and outlive Xehanort himself. While seemingly destroyed by Ventus, Vanitas never fully went away - we see traces of him in Riku’s dark mode and soul-eater, and in Sora’s own positivty turning to negativity and obsessive desire during his trek through Castle Oblivion. So long as darkness holds great power, Vanitas will linger as its embodiment.

The Vanitas who most fits this characterization is...

This was bar none the biggest shock to me. I didn’t think KHIII would get anywhere here beyond a shout out to Ienzo, but Vanitas in that game is honestly even better than in BBS, and for mainly one reason - he redefined what I thought of the character and his potential.  ‘Cause beforehand I wasn’t sure I even wanted to see Vanitas again since he seemed to have no lasting value beyond that dumb ying-yang X-Blade plot with Ventus. KHIII showed he didn’t need to be just that. He could be his own brand of menace, the “Darkness” he chose to be. He didn’t even need to go around looking or sounding much like Sora - he could have far stronger “repeatedly comes back taking on a different shape and form” potential than Xehanort! And naturally, I don’t care one bit about whatever Nomura might have in mind for Vanitas and tying him to 12 other “Darknesses”, that’s BS. Leave me with my proud, gleefully evil solitary Darkness Incarnate!

Master Xehanort

The old Keyblade Master who set in motion the events that led to the story of Kingdom Hearts and whose heart became the canvas for the creation of the story’s overarching villain, Terra-Xehanort. Hailing from a small, constraining world before being chosen by the Keyblade, Xehanort finally got to explore the larger World only to, like Ego from Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2, find it so... disappointing. Being a naturally born sociopath with an inquisitive soul who always sought knowledge and yearned for the answers to all his heart’s most burning questions, Xehanort researched deeply into the old Keyblade War legends all while arrogantly intaking and exploiting Darkness in hopes of chanelling it as power. His ambition became to initiate another Keyblade War-sparked apocalypse where Darkness would ravage the World and he could then set foot inside Kingdom Hearts to harness its light and recreate the World anew in his own image, partially out of sheer curiosity to see the results such a grand cosmic experiement would yield and partly out of a desire to trascend his own humanity and play God. By the time he got around to it, Master Xehanort was little more than a self-interested, callous, maniacal old crackpot who did evil for evil’s sake and shamelessly reveled in it. Even after he, from inside Terra’s body, got amnesia and faded from consciousness, his dark legacy lived on in Terranort and his Nobody.

The Master Xehanort who most fits this characterization is...

OBVIOUSLY. In both Birth By Sleep the secret ending FMV and Birth By Sleep the game story, Master Xehanort was easily the most interesting, enjoyable, and best realized character, particularly when his on-screen portrayal firmly followed the Watanabe vision for him. A fantastic villain even with a dumb plan and incoherent motivations; were only those issues fixed, we’d have the ideal Master Xehanort who’d be by leaps and bounds superior to Nomura’s pet Villain Sue.

And last, and unfortunately least, we have....

Strelitzia & the Chirithy

Strelitiza is a girl who lived in the same world and village as Lauriam and Elrena, to whom she was a blood-related sister and surrogate sister respectively. The three of them belonged to a guild inspired by folk legends of the Keyblade, though they were not wielders of the fabled blade themselves. She was a rather quiet and shy girl who looked to others to give her courage and resolve, holding the highest opinion of her brother and best friend while undervaluing herself. Met with an unknown tragic fate, which effected Lauriam and Elrena deeply. The Chirithy, meanwhile, were local critters who were said to have been around since ancient times and could gague a hearts connection to the Keyblade. Chirithy also exists in the Final World.

The Strelitzia & Chirithy who most fit this characterization is....

As with Ventus and Eraqus, the basic concept and design outdoes the actual implementation of the character we got in the series. Don’t care to see these characters anywhere outside of my headcanon.

[richardsondavis]

I have been trying to make a long post for the past few days but I wasn't very great at it but now, now I can fucking do so.

So SCP, those who were fans of the creepypasta phase of the internet in the early tens would be familiar with them. They were the goat of these kinds of stories. So fucking fantastic and magical. Very epic.

I remember when I was still young, I used to go to this store that sold vending machine hot chocolate. I go there and buy me a cup and I would read SCP articles. I loved those days. I essentially memorized the designations and nicknames of the first series of SCPs, SCP Series 1.

I kinda fell out of SCP for a while when I started reading manga and webtoons when I got to college. I always still loved it very much. It's just that the newer series wasn't very interesting to me anymore. Even Series 3, which was being built up when I first found out about SCP was also trash. Some gems but not really grand.

Then I heard about the rewrite of 049. I've memorized 049 and oh boy the rewrite was something... something great. It was a nice discovery. It added more to 049 than what I could bargain for. Although I questioned it in later years, as why couldn't they just make a tale to explain 049. They made him human.

I wasn't really reading SCPs by then, I've outgrown them essentially but they still had a place in my heart. I listened to TheExploringSeries or TheVolgun do some SCP stuff.

I decided one day to listen to SCP-847. I remember what it was, it was this mannequin that attacked women and did things to them. Creepy stuff. Fantastic horror.

And to my horror, it was rewritten. By this point I've been redpilled. Was made aware of what woke was and what feminism truly is, the works.

The rewrite, was fucking atrocious. It was the most self-serving bullshit I have ever heard. I was in so much disbelief after I finished listening to that article.

They butchered the SCP to shoehorn a men's expectations of women agenda. It was awful pandering bullshit. I still feel nauseous about it because it just really was shocking and appalling. I loved SCPs.

To think it became like that man, fuck. I don't know what to think of it anymore but the rewriter can go fuck themselves.

Fucking feminazi bullshit.

I looked up what 4chan had to say about this travesty and I found a comment I wholeheartedly agree with.

This person was able to explain my discomfort and fucking hatred for that article. It was just bullshit. Pure bullshit.

049 was rewritten by it's OG author so it's good. But 847 was rewritten by some dude who doesn't even understand the charm of 847. Fucking bastard.

I just can't man. Just can't.

[loriostansell]

Princess Moanas Epic Adventure: The Legend of the Ocean Star | Gabby and Mercy | kids stories

Join Princess Moana on her thrilling quest to restore the heart of Te Fiti! Dive into the depths of the ocean, encounter mythical creatures, and sing along to catchy tunes. Don’t miss this enchanting Disney adventure! #Moana #OceanStar #DisneyPrincess Princess Moana’s Epic Adventure: The Legend of the Ocean Star | Gabby and Mercy | Kids Stories Ahoy, young adventurers! Get ready to set sail on an unforgettable journey with Princess Moana and her fearless friends, Gabby and Mercy! In this enchanting tale, our beloved heroine embarks on a quest to uncover the secrets of the Ocean Star—a mystical gem said to hold the power of the tides and the spirit of the sea. Join Moana as she navigates through breathtaking islands, encounters magical creatures, and learns valuable lessons about courage, friendship, and believing in oneself. With stunning animation and captivating storytelling, this video is perfect for kids who love adventure and fantasy! What to Expect: – A thrilling storyline filled with excitement and wonder – Beautifully crafted visuals that bring the ocean to life – Heartwarming moments that teach important life lessons – Engaging characters that will inspire your little ones Whether your child is a fan of Moana or simply loves a good story, this epic adventure promises to entertain and inspire! So grab your popcorn, gather around, and let’s dive into the magical world of Princess Moana! Don’t forget to subscribe for more amazing kids’ stories! Join our community of young explorers by clicking here: [Subscribe](https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCde68JxF6O9SG00Ll3IE6vg?sub_confirmation=1) Let’s embark on this adventure together! #Moana #KidsStories #GabbyAndMercy #OceanStar #Adventure #Animation #FamilyFun #SubscribeNow https://gabbyandmercy.wordpress.com/2024/09/25/%f0%9f%8c%8a-princess-moanas-epic-adventure-the-legend-of-the-ocean-star-%f0%9f%8c%8a-gabby-and-mercy-kids-stories/

[josepheconnell]

Princess Moanas Epic Adventure: The Legend of the Ocean Star | Gabby and Mercy | kids stories

Join Princess Moana on her thrilling quest to restore the heart of Te Fiti! Dive into the depths of the ocean, encounter mythical creatures, and sing along to catchy tunes. Don’t miss this enchanting Disney adventure! #Moana #OceanStar #DisneyPrincess Princess Moana’s Epic Adventure: The Legend of the Ocean Star | Gabby and Mercy | Kids Stories Ahoy, young adventurers! Get ready to set sail on an unforgettable journey with Princess Moana and her fearless friends, Gabby and Mercy! In this enchanting tale, our beloved heroine embarks on a quest to uncover the secrets of the Ocean Star—a mystical gem said to hold the power of the tides and the spirit of the sea. Join Moana as she navigates through breathtaking islands, encounters magical creatures, and learns valuable lessons about courage, friendship, and believing in oneself. With stunning animation and captivating storytelling, this video is perfect for kids who love adventure and fantasy! What to Expect: – A thrilling storyline filled with excitement and wonder – Beautifully crafted visuals that bring the ocean to life – Heartwarming moments that teach important life lessons – Engaging characters that will inspire your little ones Whether your child is a fan of Moana or simply loves a good story, this epic adventure promises to entertain and inspire! So grab your popcorn, gather around, and let’s dive into the magical world of Princess Moana! Don’t forget to subscribe for more amazing kids’ stories! Join our community of young explorers by clicking here: [Subscribe](https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCde68JxF6O9SG00Ll3IE6vg?sub_confirmation=1) Let’s embark on this adventure together! #Moana #KidsStories #GabbyAndMercy #OceanStar #Adventure #Animation #FamilyFun #SubscribeNow https://gabbyandmercy.wordpress.com/2024/09/25/%f0%9f%8c%8a-princess-moanas-epic-adventure-the-legend-of-the-ocean-star-%f0%9f%8c%8a-gabby-and-mercy-kids-stories/

[gabbyandmercy]

Princess Moana's Epic Adventure: The Legend of the Ocean Star | Gabby and Mercy | kids stories

Join Princess Moana on her thrilling quest to restore the heart of Te Fiti! Dive into the depths of the ocean, encounter mythical creatures, and sing along to catchy tunes. Don't miss this enchanting Disney adventure! #Moana #OceanStar #DisneyPrincess 🌊 Princess Moana's Epic Adventure: The Legend of the Ocean Star 🌊 | Gabby and Mercy | Kids Stories Ahoy, young adventurers! 🌟 Get ready to set sail on an unforgettable journey with Princess Moana and her fearless friends, Gabby and Mercy! In this enchanting tale, our beloved heroine embarks on a quest to uncover the secrets of the Ocean Star—a mystical gem said to hold the power of the tides and the spirit of the sea. Join Moana as she navigates through breathtaking islands, encounters magical creatures, and learns valuable lessons about courage, friendship, and believing in oneself. With stunning animation and captivating storytelling, this video is perfect for kids who love adventure and fantasy! ✨ What to Expect: - A thrilling storyline filled with excitement and wonder - Beautifully crafted visuals that bring the ocean to life - Heartwarming moments that teach important life lessons - Engaging characters that will inspire your little ones Whether your child is a fan of Moana or simply loves a good story, this epic adventure promises to entertain and inspire! So grab your popcorn, gather around, and let’s dive into the magical world of Princess Moana! 🔔 Don’t forget to subscribe for more amazing kids' stories! Join our community of young explorers by clicking here: [Subscribe](https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCde68JxF6O9SG00Ll3IE6vg?sub_confirmation=1) 🌊 Let’s embark on this adventure together! 🌊 #Moana #KidsStories #GabbyAndMercy #OceanStar #Adventure #Animation #FamilyFun #SubscribeNow

[lung-worm2023]

I redrew an old drawing from October 2023!

The old one:

And the new one:

I love redrawing my old art :3

Took almost two hours :3

[themovieblogonline]

Mufasa – The Lion King’s Untold Story

When Disney announces a prequel to The Lion King, you know it's not just another stroll through the Pride Lands. Enter Mufasa: The Lion King—an origin story set to tug at your heartstrings, dazzle your eyes, and maybe even make you chuckle at a meerkat's antics. This cinematic gem is already causing waves, and Disney fans got a royal sneak peek at D23 Expo, which is basically Comic-Con for mouse-eared aficionados. Mufasa will take us back to the early days of The Lion King, exploring the untold story of Simba’s father. This prequel will delve into the trials and tribulations that shaped Mufasa into the wise and noble king we know and love. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o17MF9vnabg So, what’s the scoop on this new film? Directed by Barry Jenkins, the Oscar-winning director of Moonlight, Mufasa: The Lion King promises to explore the lesser-known, yet deeply fascinating rise of one of Disney's most beloved monarchs. Before he was the majestic king with a voice that could shake the savannah, Mufasa was just a cub—an orphaned one at that. This prequel dives into his journey from a lost lion cub to the ruler of Pride Rock, featuring a host of new characters and some familiar faces that are sure to add a fresh layer to the iconic tale. A Tale as Old as Time… With a Twist In a story narrated by none other than Rafiki, we’re introduced to a young Mufasa, whose early life wasn’t all hakuna matata. Far from it. Orphaned and alone, Mufasa’s fate changes when he meets Taka, a lion of royal lineage. If you thought Scar was the only dramatic sibling in the Pride Lands, think again. The story of Taka and Mufasa promises intrigue, adventure, and those epic life lessons Disney is so good at dishing out. But it’s not all solemnity and seriousness. Timon and Pumbaa return to bring their signature humor and philosophy (you know, the whole no worries thing). The banter between these two characters should be enough to keep you chuckling as you munch on your popcorn. Star-Studded Voices and Musical Magic Of course, a Lion King movie wouldn’t be complete without a powerhouse cast. Barry Jenkins didn’t hold back, bringing in talents like Aaron Pierre, Kelvin Harrison Jr., and Anika Noni Rose, alongside veterans like Seth Rogen and Billy Eichner, who reprise their roles as Pumbaa and Timon. And just when you thought the star power couldn't get any brighter, Beyoncé and Donald Glover are rumored to make appearances, because why not? And then there's the music. If you thought the original soundtrack was legendary, wait until you hear what Lin-Manuel Miranda, the lyrical genius behind Hamilton, has cooked up. Expect a blend of the classic and the contemporary, with tracks that will have you singing along—or at least trying to. The new song "Ngomso" by Lebo M. was performed live at D23, giving fans a taste of the auditory feast to come. More Than Just a Prequel This isn't just a cash grab riding on the coattails of the original Lion King. Mufasa dives deep into themes of destiny, loyalty, and the bonds that shape us, making it more than just another Disney movie. It’s a story about resilience and rising above circumstances—messages that resonate just as strongly in our world as they do in the Pride Lands. The film is set to hit theaters on December 20, 2024, so mark your calendars. Whether you’re a die-hard Disney fan or just someone who appreciates a good origin story, Mufasa: The Lion King promises to be an epic addition to the Disney canon. (Source: D23) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EzoeudnoXDo

[bloodied-gems]

TW: Blood, gore, disturbing imagery.

Victim three: George.

Oh George. You think he’d be fine because of his amazing hearing. But you’d be wrong. Poor thing was distracted. And the killer cut off his ears before George even had the chance to scream. That was it though. He killed the last one quickly. He wanted to watch George die slowly. Poor George. He didn’t deserve that. Just because he took Melvin’s bow tie. Poor thing. Poor, poor thing.

Notes: Just Like with Harold, the eyes are a reference to the “Hyper realistic blood eyes” in creepypastas. And what’s in Georges hand is a kidney, as a nod to eyeless Jack. Theres also a pencil in Georges war hole. Does he write with it? Yes. Also this wasn’t on purpose but his mouth kinda looks like it’s from the Walton files-

Bye 👋

[pagebypagereviews]

Top 25 Novels for Book Clubs Book clubs offer a unique opportunity for readers to come together, share their thoughts, and deepen their understanding of literature. The key to a successful book club meeting lies in choosing the right book. It should be engaging, thought-provoking, and open to interpretation, allowing for rich discussion and diverse viewpoints. Here, we present a curated list of the top 25 novels that promise to spark lively debates, foster a deeper appreciation for literature, and perhaps even change the way you see the world. Classics That Never Age Classics are timeless for a reason. They explore themes and emotions that are as relevant today as they were when they were written. Here are some classics that continue to inspire readers and book clubs around the globe: To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee - A powerful exploration of racial injustice in the American South, seen through the eyes of a child. Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen - A witty and romantic novel that delves into issues of marriage, class, and social expectations. 1984 by George Orwell - A dystopian novel that examines the dangers of totalitarianism, mass surveillance, and public manipulation. The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald - A critical look at the American Dream through the lens of the Jazz Age’s opulence and despair. Frankenstein by Mary Shelley - A groundbreaking work that raises questions about scientific responsibility, ethics, and the nature of humanity. Modern Masterpieces In recent years, many novels have emerged that are destined to become classics. These contemporary works tackle current issues and offer fresh perspectives: The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern - A magical story about a mysterious circus and a duel between two young magicians. The Goldfinch by Donna Tartt - A sweeping tale of art, loss, and obsession, spanning several years and crossing continents. A Little Life by Hanya Yanagihara - An emotionally wrenching story that explores the bounds of friendship and the aftermath of trauma. The Underground Railroad by Colson Whitehead - A harrowing and imaginative take on the historical Underground Railroad, blending fact with fiction. Normal People by Sally Rooney - A nuanced look at the complexities of love, friendship, and social class in contemporary Ireland. Diverse Voices and Perspectives Exploring novels from diverse voices and perspectives can enrich discussions and broaden horizons. Here are some standout works that bring different cultures, experiences, and viewpoints to the forefront: Americanah by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie - A powerful tale of love, race, and identity, spanning Nigeria and the United States. The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini - A moving story of friendship, betrayal, and redemption set against the backdrop of Afghanistan’s recent history. Homegoing by Yaa Gyasi - An epic narrative tracing the lineage of two sisters and their descendants across continents and through centuries. There There by Tommy Orange - A groundbreaking novel that delves into the lives of urban Native Americans, exploring their struggles and connections. Exit West by Mohsin Hamid - A poignant tale of love and migration, imagining a world where doors can transport people to faraway lands. Genre-Bending Gems For clubs looking to explore beyond traditional literary fiction, these genre-bending novels offer a mix of elements from science fiction, fantasy, mystery, and more, while still providing deep themes ripe for discussion: The Seven Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle by Stuart Turton - A unique blend of murder mystery, time loop, and body-swap. Station Eleven by Emily St. John Mandel - A post-apocalyptic novel that explores art, memory, and connection after a global pandemic. The City We Became by N.K. Jemisin - An urban fantasy that personifies New York City’s boroughs into individual characters fighting a mysterious evil. Piranesi by Susanna Clarke - A surreal, atmospheric novel set in a limitless, labyrinthine house filled with statues and an ocean locked within its walls.

The Shadow of the Wind by Carlos Ruiz Zafón - A gothic tale that combines elements of romance, mystery, and historical fiction, centered around a mysterious book. Books That Spark Joy and Reflection Some novels have the unique ability to uplift, inspire, and provoke reflection on one's life and choices. These selections promise to leave book club members with a sense of joy, wonder, and introspection: The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho - A philosophical book that encourages readers to pursue their dreams by following the story of a young shepherd. Educated by Tara Westover - A memoir that tells the story of a woman's quest for knowledge, leading her from a survivalist family to earning a PhD from Cambridge University. The Book Thief by Markus Zusak - A touching novel narrated by Death, following a young girl’s relationship with her foster parents, the other residents of their neighborhood, and a Jewish fist-fighter in Nazi Germany. A Man Called Ove by Fredrik Backman - A heartwarming tale of an old curmudgeon whose life changes when a new family moves in next door. The Art of Racing in the Rain by Garth Stein - A novel from the perspective of a wise and philosophical dog, exploring the complexities of human emotions and relationships. Conclusion Choosing the right book for your book club can transform an ordinary meeting into an unforgettable journey. The novels listed above, with their rich narratives, complex characters, and thought-provoking themes, are guaranteed to spark lively discussions, foster a deeper connection among members, and perhaps even inspire personal growth. Whether your club prefers classic literature, modern masterpieces, diverse voices, genre-bending tales, or stories that spark joy and reflection, there’s something on this list for every reader. Happy reading!

[seriessociety]

Book To Movie Adaptations

Book-to-movie adaptations have a unique way of bringing readers and cinephiles together, allowing fans to see their favorite stories come to life on screen. From timeless classics like “Pride and Prejudice” and “To Kill a Mockingbird” to modern hits like “The Hunger Games” and “Gone Girl,” these adaptations continue to captivate audiences with their faithful and innovative approaches. Whether it’s the charm of Elizabeth Bennet and Mr. Darcy or the intensity of Katniss Everdeen’s fight for survival, these films bring beloved novels to a wider audience, adding new dimensions to the original tales.

But it’s not just the big blockbusters that shine. Lesser-known adaptations such as “The Perks of Being a Wallflower” and “Room” offer emotional and unique viewing experiences that often fly under the radar. These hidden gems capture the nuances of adolescence and the strength of the human spirit, proving that great stories don’t always need massive budgets to make an impact. Meanwhile, young adult adaptations like “Love, Simon” and “The Hate U Give” address important social issues, sparking conversations and helping young viewers see themselves reflected on screen.

What makes these adaptations special is their ability to stay true to the heart of the original story while adding cinematic flair. Great casting, stunning visuals, and a deep respect for the source material all contribute to their success. From the epic adventures of “The Lord of the Rings” to the intimate drama of “Brooklyn,” each adaptation captures the essence of its novel in a unique way.