#Volume Analysis Strategies

[signode-blog]

Understanding the Volume Rate of Change (VROC) Indicator: A Powerful Tool for Traders

Introduction to Volume Rate of Change: In the world of financial markets, traders are constantly seeking ways to gain insights into market movements and make informed decisions. Among the plethora of technical indicators available, the Volume Rate of Change (VROC) stands out as a powerful tool for analyzing volume dynamics. In this blog post, we will delve into what the VROC indicator is, how…

[bobauthorman]

One of the less-talked about themes of RWBY is that being a grade-A manipulator does not automatically a brilliant strategist. In various series', the one who can string people along is also a master tactician, able to translate their manipulative ways into making 'flawless' plans that always work out. RWBY, however, doesn't always do that.

Ozpin, whose MO and school system revolves making his students dependent on him, continually makes poor decisions that ruin his cause. To wit;

Forces Pyrrha (She did NOT have a choice, FYI) to become the Fall Maiden, but not only does the emotional burden lead to the Fall of Beacon, they end up leading Cinder to the Maiden chamber herself. Walks his students into an obvious trap at Haven. Brings a Grimm-attracting Relic on a public train that endangers the passenger.

Adam Taurus, who got Blake to abandon her friends and took over the White Fang, ends up shooting himself in the foot by ordering an assassination on Blake's parents, giving the people of Menagerie to fight against his attack on Haven.

Of course, that's not the say all the manipulators are screw-ups. Salem has been successfully stringing people along for centuries and got several followers to help her by playing on their...whatevers (CRWBY has stated that Salem uses different strings for her minions).

Cinder is a mixed bag is that while she's not a bad planner, she has made several poor calls that have backfired on her.

[indextrader]

Importance of chart analysis for equity investments

Image by freepik Chart analysis, or technical analysis, can be quite helpful for equity investment in the Indian stock market. Here are several reasons why it is beneficial: Benefits of Chart Analysis in the Indian Stock Market 1.Trend Identification The Indian stock market, like any other, exhibits trends over time. Chart analysis helps in identifying these trends, allowing investors to ride…

[allaboutforexworld]

Volume Indicators: How to Use Them in Trading

Volume indicators are essential tools for traders seeking to understand market activity and potential price movements. These indicators provide insights into the strength and direction of trends by analyzing trading volume. This article explores how volume indicators work, their benefits, and how traders can effectively use them in their strategies. What Are Volume Indicators? Volume indicators…

[techmarkethunter]

Mastering the Morning Star Pattern: A Step-by-Step Guide

Title: Mastering the Morning Star Pattern: A Step-by-Step Guide Introduction:The world of technical analysis offers traders a plethora of tools to identify potential trend reversals and market opportunities. One such powerful pattern is the Morning Star pattern, a three-candlestick formation that signals a potential bullish reversal after a downtrend. In this step-by-step guide, we will explore…

[bharat059]

Circuit Breaker Market Size to increase at a CAGR Of 6.9% during 2023-2028

The report discusses everything a marketer requires before investing in the global Circuit Breaker Market Size during the forecast period 2023-2028. It provides detailed insight into current trends, market shares, market size, and sales value and volume.

The data used for this report is obtained from reliable industry sources, paid resources, and validated sources. This research works as a systematic guideline for marketers to make well-informed decisions. Key players in the global Circuit Breaker Market are profiled with detailed insights into company profiles, product portfolio, geographical presence, statistical analysis, key developments, and growth strategies. Furthermore, the global Circuit Breaker Market report provides a comprehensive analysis of the COVID-19 pandemic and how it has affected the market in the discussion. The study lays out how the pandemic affected the dynamics of the market and what are the future opportunities for market players.

Get More Info:

Circuit Breaker Market Size Scope:

Circuit Breaker Market

Report Coverage

Details

Base Year:

2022

Forecast Period:

2021 - 2028

Historical Data:

2018 to 2021

Market Size in 2021 :

USD 15.41 billion

Forecast Period 2023 to 2029 CAGR:

6.9%

Market Size in 2028 :

USD 24.59

Circuit Breaker Market Key Highlights:

Global Circuit Breaker Market analysis and forecast, in terms of value.

Comprehensive study and analysis of market drivers, restraints, and opportunities influencing the growth of the Global Circuit Breaker Market

Global Circuit Breaker Market segmentation on the basis of type, source, end-user, and region (country-wise) has been provided.

Global Circuit Breaker Market strategic analysis with respect to individual growth trends, future prospects along with the contribution of various sub-market stakeholders have been considered under the scope of the study.

Global Circuit Breaker Market analysis and forecast for five major regions namely North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, the Middle East & Africa (MEA) and Latin America along with country-wise segmentation.

Profiles of key industry players, their strategic perspective, market positioning, and analysis of core competencies are further profiled.

Competitive developments, investments, strategic expansion, and competitive landscape of the key players operating in the Global Circuit Breaker Market are also profiled.

 The global Circuit Breaker Market report focuses on major six regions namely North America, Latin America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Middle East, and Africa. The report offers detailed insight into new product launches, new technology evolutions, innovative services, and ongoing R&D. The report discusses a qualitative and quantitative analysis of the market including PEST analysis, SWOT analysis, and Porter’s five force analysis. The report also provides fundamental details such as raw material sources, distribution networks, methodologies, production capacities, industry supply chain, and product specifications.

COVID-19 Impact:

The updated report, a free extract available, comes with an option to access premium features that covers extensive past, current, and future data. Other valuable updates to the global Circuit Breaker Market report include a reviewed and refined pricing model for manufacturing and launch prices. The report incorporates new content to help give decision-makers key knowledge about the market and offers up-to-date forecasts accounting for the economic situation and impact of COVID-19.

How the industry is coping with the pandemic?

Slowly and gradually economic activity is up and running now which may help the industry to get back to its feet as soon as possible.

The Key Manufacturers Covered in this Report:

ABB Schneider Electric Siemens Mitsubishi Electric Eaton

Key Player's information includes:

Key Company Profile

Important Market Information

SWOT Analysis

Market Share

Sales, Revenue, Price, and Gross Margin

Segmented into:

By Voltage

Low Voltage

Medium Voltage

High Voltage

By Installation

Indoor

Outdoor

By Rated Voltage

Upto 500V

500V – 1kV

1kV – 15kV

15kV – 50kV

50kV – 70kV

70kV – 150kV

150kV – 300kV

300kV – 600kV

600kV – 800kV

Above 800kV

By End-user

Residential

Commercial

Industrial

Utility

Region-Wise Classification of the Circuit Breaker Market:

North America

South America

Europe

Asia-Pacific

Africa

Middle East

Report Highlights:

Detailed Overview

Market Dynamics

Detailed Market Segmentation

Historical, Current, and Projected Market Size in terms of volume and value

Market Trends and Developments

Competitive Landscape

Strategies of Key Players

Potential and Niche Segments

Key Questions Answered in Circuit Breaker Market Size:

1) What is the market size and CAGR of the global as well as the regional market?

2) What are the key players operating in the global Circuit Breaker Market?

3) What are the drivers, restraints, and growth opportunities of the market?

4) What are key technological trends in the market?

5) What are the various regions and sub-regions with leading contributions in the market?

On-demand Custom Research Report:

This report also offers specific consumer preferences and expectations to gain insights into changing needs and behavior of the consumer. We focus on more usefulness and actionable information specifically tailored to suit your business needs.

Ask For Customization: https://www.fortunebusinessinsights.com/enquiry/100765

About Fortune Business Insights

The cycle of disruption and transformation is imminent for businesses looking to carve out a niche in highly competitive environments. While a few companies are focusing on transformational growth and addressing key challenges of disruptions, several others are simply unaware. At Fortune Business Insights we offer end-to-end solutions beyond flagship research technologies to help senior leaders across enterprises achieve their mission-critical goals. We deliver recommendations enabling growth to help build the organizations of tomorrow.

[allaboutforexworld]

Technical Analysis in a Nutshell

Technical analysis is a method used to evaluate and forecast the price movements of financial instruments, such as stocks, commodities, and currencies, by analyzing historical price data and trading volumes. Unlike fundamental analysis, which focuses on a company’s financial health, technical analysis relies on patterns, trends, and statistical indicators to make trading decisions. This article…

[samcosecurity]

What is Volume in Trading? Understand the Importance of Volume In Trading

What is Volume in Trading? Volume in trading is an essential factor to consider when making any investment. Here, we’ll look at the basics of trading volume and how it can help you achieve your goals.

Read more:

[alltoomaples]

Speed of Science🧬💻💌

I'm dating a STEM girlie and you're not (F1 Edition)

a/n: and im baaaaaacccckkkkk (like anyone even missed me lmao) with the long overdue request! life of a postgrad StEm girlie here and the struggle is really realll af. but besides that, I'm writing this down as a headcanon for the drivers requested on this poll i had posted long back here. I've always wondered how there's soo minimal povs/ocs where they are a scientific researcher, analyst, etc. sooo i dedicate this one to all the STEM F1 girlies out theree <33

alsoo quick shoutout to my girlieee @smoooothoperator for inspiring and motivating me to get back at writing!🥹🫶🏼 check out her lastest ongoing work 'What Was I Made For? ' its amazing and thats a FACT!! do check her works! its absolutely amazing❤️

check out my works: until i found you masterlist | other works

Scientific Art Illustrator - Charles Leclerc

As a Scientific Art Illustrator, you specialize in creating visually captivating and scientifically accurate illustrations that depict complex biological, astronomical, or technological subjects.

Charles first discovered you through your works at an exhibition where their stunning illustrations of Formula 1 cars caught his eye. Impressed by their attention to detail and artistic talent, they struck up a conversation about their mutual love for precision and creativity.

During a peaceful weekend afternoon, Charles suggests a spontaneous visit to a local art supply store. Excitedly exploring aisles stocked with vibrant paints, fine brushes, and specialized papers, the two of you engage in discussions about artistic techniques and innovative tools. Amidst laughter and shared enthusiasm for creativity, you bond over your mutual appreciation for the intricacies of art and science, making the afternoon a cherished memory of their shared passions.

After being away from home during race season, Charles always finds a framed series of sketches by you for the races you couldn't make it, capturing his most memorable racing moments. Each sketch is intricately detailed, depicting not only the speed and intensity of the races but also the emotions and determination etched on Charles' face. Touched by the thoughtful gesture, Charles hangs the sketches in his study, a constant reminder of your support and admiration for his passion.

...

Data Scientist - Lando Norris

A Data Scientist specializes in analyzing large volumes of data using statistical methods and machine learning techniques to extract insights and make data-driven decisions.

You and Lando first connected through a mutual fascination with racing data at a technology symposium focused on sports analytics. Your presentation on advanced predictive modelling in motorsports caught Lando's attention for its innovative approach to enhancing race strategies.

During a cosy evening at home, Lando playfully challenges you to a friendly data analysis competition using real-time telemetry from previous races. Their banter and shared excitement over dissecting racing data create a lighthearted and memorable bonding experience.

You two would watch old races and analyze historical racing data together, playfully debating optimal pit stop strategies and analyzing driver performance trends, their shared passion for racing and data fostering a deep connection and mutual admiration.

...

Oceanographer/Marine Biologist - Oscar Piastri

An Oceanographer or Marine Biologist studies marine life, ecosystems, and ocean processes to understand and protect marine environments and resources.

You and Oscar crossed paths during a research expedition to study coral reefs in a remote location. Your expertise in marine biology and passion for conservation impressed Oscar, sparking their connection.

Amidst the hectic F1 season, Oscar surprises you with a weekend getaway to a coastal retreat, where they explore tide pools and participate in a beach cleanup together, reaffirming their commitment to environmental stewardship.

You gave Oscar a custom-made charm bracelet featuring miniature charms of marine animals they've discussed during their beach walks and conservation talks. Each charm represents a meaningful moment in their relationship, from their first discussion about oceanography to their shared admiration for marine life. Oscar wears the bracelet during race weekends as a reminder of you and all the love and support you give, both on and off the track.

...

Mechanical Engineer - Daniel Riccardo

You are a passionate Mechanical Engineer, specializing in advanced automotive design and performance optimization.

Daniel first encountered you at a technical conference organized by one of the team sponsors where you presented groundbreaking research on aerodynamic innovations that caught his attention.

Often, while you meticulously draft engineering schematics at their home office, he makes sure that you have your "engineering emergency kit" beside your workstation, which is a tray of snacks and their favourite coffee – ensuring they're fueled for their late-night brainstorming sessions. For when he's away for races, he stacks them up with small cute notes.

Before Daniel heads to a crucial race, you surprise him with a meticulously crafted miniature replica of his race car, complete with detailed decals and a personalized message of encouragement engraved on the base. Touched by the thoughtful gesture, Daniel proudly displays it in his motorhome, a reminder of the reader's unwavering support both on and off the track.

...

Statistician - George Russell

A Statistician specializes in collecting, analyzing, and interpreting numerical data to help organizations and individuals make informed decisions.

You and Russell first crossed paths during a university seminar on advanced statistical modeling in sports. Your insightful analysis of Formula 1 race data caught George's attention, sparking a lively discussion that led to mutual admiration for each other's analytical skills and shared passion for racing statistics.

During a particularly demanding race weekend, the reader surprises George with a meticulously prepared statistical analysis report highlighting his strengths and areas for improvement based on recent race data. This thoughtful gesture boosts George's confidence and motivation, showing the reader's support in his pursuit of excellence.

During a weekend getaway, you guys stumble upon a local go-kart track. George, always up for a challenge, suggests they have a friendly race. Knowing George's competitive spirit, you secretly calculate his optimal strategy and surprise him by winning with a perfectly executed last-minute overtaking maneuver. George is impressed by the your strategic thinking and playfulness, and they share a lighthearted and joyous moment celebrating their shared love for racing and friendly competition.

...

Astrophysicist - Logan Sargeant

An Astrophysicist studies the physical properties, behavior, and evolution of celestial objects such as stars, planets, galaxies, and the universe as a whole, using principles of physics and astronomy.

Logan and you first crossed paths during an expedition to study a rare astronomical event—a comet passing close to Earth. Both passionate about astrophysics, you found yourselves sharing a telescope at a remote observatory, marveling at the comet's beauty and discussing its celestial significance late into the night. Their shared awe and intellectual connection sparked a mutual admiration that grew into a deep bond over their shared passion for exploring the wonders of the cosmos.

During a quiet evening at home, Logan excitedly shows you a new telescope he acquired for stargazing during race weekends, expressing his eagerness to learn more about the cosmos together and sharing their enthusiasm for both racing and astrophysics in equal measure.

Before a critical race weekend, the reader surprises Logan with a personalized star chart that maps out the night sky above the upcoming race venue during the race weekend. Each star on the chart is marked with a heartfelt message of encouragement, reminding Logan of their unwavering support and belief in his abilities on and off the track. Touched by the thoughtful gesture, Logan treasures the star chart as a symbol of the reader's love and encouragement throughout his racing career.

...

Climate Scientist - Lance Stroll

A Climate Scientist studies climate patterns, environmental changes, and their impacts on Earth's ecosystems, using data analysis and modeling to understand and address global climate challenges.

Lance crossed paths with you at an eco-friendly racing event where Lance was advocating for sustainable practices in motorsport. Being a respected climate scientist, you caught Lance's attention with your insightful presentation on the environmental impact of racing and innovative solutions for reducing carbon footprints in the sport. Their shared passion for sustainability sparked an immediate connection and admiration for each other's dedication to making a positive impact on the environment.

One weekend, Lance surprises you with a homemade dinner featuring sustainably sourced ingredients, proudly showcasing his culinary skills while discussing ways to reduce your carbon footprint. His earnest commitment to sustainability and your shared vision for a healthier planet melts your heart, making this a cherished moment you both treasure.

You, being deeply involved in climate science, often spends late nights analyzing data or writing research papers. One evening, Lance bring him a cozy blanket and a mug of your favorite hot beverage, quietly sitting beside him as he works. You look up from your laptop, touched by his thoughtfulness, and pulls him into a warm embrace, grateful for his unwavering support and understanding of your demanding but vital work.

...

taglist: @lndonrris @thatgirlmj @lwstuff @dannyramirezwife-f1dump @moonypixel tysm for your suggestions! apologies on taking this long to write😅🫶🏼

a/n: hope y'all enjoyed reading this! this was my first time writing a headcanon and for f1 drivers beside charles and lando so hope i did justice to all.

i'm being wanting to read some good domestic bliss, sweet, adorable and lovey dovey blurbs, fics of lando (i talked abt it here) soo maybe i'll work on some drafts at some point cause i'm currently in the middle of project work of my masters degree soo don't know when i'll be posting soo until next time, see yaaa and going back to read mode 👋💓✨️

check out my works: until i found you masterlist | other works

[gremlingottoosilly]

okay feel free to ignore this but i have been thinking about monster!könig WAYYYY too much lately like it has been engraved in my brain.

i wanted to know, what’s the extent that he would let his wifey do human things? like would he ever get her books or like let her watch movies? sorry if this is weird i just can’t stop thinking about it 😵‍💫😵‍💫

i literally love your writing so much. i check your blog everyday 😍

You can do human things if it's not required by other people! Like, he is fine with bringing you books or some stupid hobby shit you can do at your leisure time because he is actually not always around you - he is busy, with the whole overthrowing humanity stuff, and he usually can only spend time with you while mating or sleeping, so when you're left alone, he is giving you things so you won't go depressed from boredom. He didn't, at first - he thought your whole existence is just for him and you could just fuck off and stare at the wall whenever he wasn't looking in your direction, but you have quickly proven him very, very wrong. Even human vet said you need some hobbies, it's like with hamsters and wheels. He doesn't understand the difference between human hobbies at first - he likes action movies and only reads non-fiction books about wars, strategies, and guns - he brought you 12 volumes of the most comprehensive historical analysis of monster's role in WW2 and you started actually eating the book as a snack before he found a small TV and some disks to keep you entertained. Enjoy your privileges of watching "100 romantic comedies" on some pirate disk he had found because he can't be bothered with 12 different streaming services(Netflix survived the monster uprising because evil capitalism is immortal) and he just wants you to be happy and sometimes snuggle to him while watching dumb human movies. He will also allow you to go on a movie "dates" with Horangi's pet and their bunch of kittens, as long as you're begging him cutely enough.

[srbachchan]

DAY 5973

Jalsa, Mumbai June 25/26, 2024 Tue/Wed 2:07 AM

Birthday - EF - Anamika Gupta .. 🙏🌹

Ef Özen Eren Wednesday, 26 June .. and all ur prayers and wishes for this special day for the Ef ..

the Agenda .. an act of predetermined thought and conveyance .. what shall bring attention recognition be the intent .. any express that can remotely be given the spin, and mastered is the guile and expertise of such ..

it is lamentable , ignominious to witness the impotency of content .. to somehow in any which manner , to be able to draw attention in storied form, just so it can be put up and seen or read , in favourable condition to them that devise it ..

devise .. for the right is not needed to be devised ..

pity ..

never ever underestimate the generation that follows , or is about to follow .. they are aware and alive to every situation and knowledged to hold their own in debate or discussion ..

we are enriched by the circumstance that often fall upon us .. and then we find a way .. even when there be none ..

"In today's digital age, the ubiquitous nature of content has paradoxically led to a dilution of its potency. With the democratization of content creation, anyone with an internet connection can produce and distribute information, leading to an oversaturation of the digital landscape. This phenomenon has profound implications, rendering content less impactful and more ephemeral.

First, the sheer volume of content available online has created a paradox of choice. Every minute, hundreds of hours of video are uploaded to platforms like YouTube, thousands of blog posts are published, and millions of social media updates are posted. This relentless flow of information makes it difficult for any single piece of content to stand out. The audience, overwhelmed by options, often resorts to skimming or entirely ignoring vast amounts of content, diminishing its overall impact.

Moreover, the quality of content has become highly variable. While the ease of content creation has empowered many voices, it has also led to an influx of low-quality, poorly researched, and sometimes misleading or false information. This glut of mediocre content competes with high-quality, well-researched pieces, making it challenging for audiences to discern value and trustworthiness. As a result, even content of genuine worth can struggle to achieve the recognition and engagement it deserves.

Another critical factor contributing to the impotency of content is the algorithm-driven nature of content distribution. Social media platforms and search engines prioritize content based on engagement metrics such as likes, shares, and comments rather than the inherent quality or informational value. This prioritization often leads to the virality of sensational, clickbait content at the expense of substantive, insightful work. Consequently, the attention economy favors superficial engagement over deep, meaningful interactions with content.

Additionally, the fast-paced consumption habits of modern audiences further erode the potency of content. The average attention span has dwindled in the face of constant digital distractions. People increasingly consume content in bite-sized formats, such as tweets or short videos, which limits their exposure to in-depth analysis or comprehensive narratives. This shift towards brevity undermines the ability of content to foster nuanced understanding or sustained engagement.

The commercialization of content also plays a significant role in its diminishing impact. Content marketing has become a dominant strategy for businesses, leading to a proliferation of branded content. While this can provide value, it also contributes to the noise and can sometimes prioritize promotional messages over genuine, informative content. The blending of editorial and advertising content can lead to skepticism and diminished trust among audiences, further reducing the impact of the content they encounter.

Lastly, the fleeting nature of digital content means that it often has a very short lifespan. Unlike traditional media, which could have a lasting presence, digital content is quickly buried under the avalanche of new information. This ephemeral existence means that even impactful content can be forgotten rapidly as attention shifts to the next trending topic.

In conclusion, the impotency of content in today's times is a multifaceted issue stemming from the overwhelming volume of information, variable quality, algorithm-driven distribution, changing consumption habits, commercialization, and the ephemeral nature of digital content. To reclaim the potency of content, creators and platforms must prioritize quality, foster trust, and find ways to engage audiences meaningfully and sustainably amidst the cacophony of the digital age."

Love and more ..

Amitabh Bachchan

[danceofthephilos]

SK8 Cast Image Colors, and the Super Sentai Roots of Character Color Coding

Unlike my post about hanakotoba, where only a few examples can be confirmed to be intentionally meaningful choices, image colors are an aspect of SK8's visual symbolism that has been explicitly assigned by the creators to each of the eight main cast members. From design elements to official art and merchandise (such as the art and the Infinity Week logo above) to shots in the show itself, these image colors are a consistent aspect of the series' visual language, and colors, like flowers, have meanings and associations that can provide interesting insight into why these colors were chosen for these characters. Color-coded casts are also strongly historically rooted in the super sentai subgenre of tokusatsu series, a genre that has had massive impact on Japanese pop culture, especially battle anime like SK8, in part, is, so I'll also examine the archetypes associated with their colors in super sentai (and, in Adam's case, another important piece of anime history.)

As color associations can vary by culture, I made sure to use Japanese sources - I mainly started with the dictionary on TC Color Therapy for basic color meanings but frequently checked other sources. My primary source on colors in super sentai is a paper on color theory in tokusatsu by Misako Takahashi, along with fan wikis such as Pixiv Dictionary and other Japanese blogs analyzing the subject. I also supplemented with quotes from SK8's staff when relevant.

All the image colors come from the official character guide included in volume 4 of the Blu-rays.

Reki Kyan - Yellow

Despite his red hair, Reki's image color is yellow, the color of the signature hoodie he always wears at S. Yellow is associated with brightness, cheerfulness, fun and excitement - all things that Reki embodies at his best, and are very important parts of his character arc and what he represents to the people around him. In Utsumi's instructions to colorist Yukari Gotou, as shown in SK8 Design Works, she requested Reki's design have "so many bright and colorful primary colors it's tiring" in order to draw the eye, fitting of a bright and energetic protagonist. Yellow is a common color for team members in sentai anime, being the third most common after red and blue and appearing in the majority of series, and are often bright and cheerful "life of the party" type characters as well. This is a trend dating back to Himitsu Sentai Gorenger, the very first long-running super sentai series (beginning in 1975,) whose color coding has persisted for decades. Kirenger, the yellow member in Gorenger, was even a big eater with a signature favorite food (a trait more commonly attributed to Langa, but Reki's love for ramen and all things salty - even toothpaste - is a recurring bit in SK8 as well) and a big family.

In Takahashi's paper, she quotes another academic, Asako Yoshida's, analysis of another core aspect of yellow sentai characters, where she describes them as "an intelligent type who gathers information and forms strategies before taking action", and "rather than fighting on the front, they're a tactician who uses their wits and comes up with strategies," traits that Reki also shows frequently, especially in his biggest triumph in episode 11.

Like many of the image colors, it's also used in the show (both in the opening - highlighting his yellow-orange eyes - and in episode 11.)

~

Langa Hasegawa - Blue

Langa's image color is blue, selected along with white from the beginning to fit his snow theme. Blue is associated with positive meanings like calmness and intelligence, but also more negative ones like coldness, sadness and loneliness, fitting of both Langa's calm exterior and the grief that's central to his storyline. Blue sentai members are classically considered "cool" characters, an association that remains strong even as actual characters of that type have grown somewhat rarer over time, with newer series sometimes deliberately subverting expectations. Like yellow, the association of blue with the cool member of a team also dates back to Gorenger, with Aorenger (the blue member) being a cool, stoic character who came from a snowy region. Takahashi quotes Yoshida's description of blue heroes as "the calm, composed and cool second in command type," a character who "doesn't worry about what's in front of him, never seems to get worked up and deals with things calmly," which certainly describes the impression Langa gives off at first - and belies what SK8's producer Kyoko Uryuu described (when comparing him to a petit gâteau) as his "surprisingly passionate" interior.

Like with Reki, Langa's color is shown off in the opening and in the show itself - notably as his "aura" when he's in the Zone with Adam.

~

Miya Chinen - Light Green

Miya's image color is light green, usually shown as a yellowish lime green. I'll get to green as a whole for Kojiro, but yellow-green specifically is associated with youthfulness, beginnings and hope, as it's the color of newly budding plants - and it can also be associated with immaturity, all meanings fitting of a very young character like Miya. While his costume is meant to be an in-universe game character, his bright green hood could also be seen as vaguely evoking Link from the Legend of Zelda series.

Green sentai characters have more varied archetypes, but were historically often the youngest member of the team, while more recently it's been a trend for them to be the oldest member of the team - fitting for the youngest and oldest members of the six characters making up SK8's main "team." The idea of a green member being the youngest also dates back to Gorenger, with Midorenger (the green member) being an innocent younger boy compared to the rest of the team, who was treated like a "mascot" of sorts and even shared Miya's affinity for animals. It's also become a trend for green characters to have close relationships with the yellow members, and to be in conflict with the red members.

Like with most of the other characters, Miya's color is highlighted in the opening.

~

Hiromi Higa - Purple

Hiromi's image color is purple, the color of his lipstick and the inside of his cape. Purple is associated with mystery, rarity, luxury and nobility, and in Japan in particular it's frequently associated with horror (from urban legends like the purple mirror to the common use of purple miasma to show disgusting/horrific food in anime.) Purple sentai members are incredibly rare, and at the time of Takahashi's paper the few that existed were usually mentor figures, but several since have been "dark heroes" or antiheroes - as "Shadow-sama" (fitting of the link to nobility) calls himself, as the self-proclaimed Antihero of the S community. With how he becomes a close friend (and even somewhat of a mentor) to the boys despite his very antagonistic first appearance, he certainly fits the "enemy-turned-ally" archetype, and while he's not actually the much older mentor early purple members were, Reki constantly calling him "old man" does evoke that trope too.

His color appears in the opening as well as featuring heavily in his S costume.

~

Kaoru Sakurayashiki - Pink

True to his surname and aesthetic, Kaoru's image color is pink, the color of cherry blossoms. Pink is associated with beauty, grace, luxury and love. Just like in the west, it's considered a very feminine color - also shown in the fact that pink sentai members are almost exclusively women, and typically particularly feminine and glamorous when on teams with other female members. This is a case where Cherry is in large part a departure from the classic color coding just because of his gender; SK8's colorist, Yukari Gotou, even expressed in Skater's Backstage that she was a bit worried about having a male character with pink hair, but Utsumi described him as a "pink ninja" from the get-go in her coloring notes.

And even Kaoru isn't completely immune to hitting the sentai archetypes either, with his noted beauty and a concern for his looks that Kojiro mocks as effeminate in the series; the contrast between the feminine characteristics he has and his masculine voice and personality are a core part of how his character was designed. He even has a surprising connection with Momorenger (Gorenger's pink member, and only woman) in his affinity for kicks. (As of 2022, there's also finally been a male character properly featuring as the pink member in a sentai series in Avataro Sentai Donbrothers.)

Of course, on top of featuring so heavily in his design, Cherry's color is also used in the opening.

~

Kojiro Nanjo - Green

Rather than Miya's light green, Kojiro's image color is a regular green. Green is associated with calmness, stability, growth and nature, fitting for a very calming and stable mentor character who just "goes with his feelings" like Kojiro - but like light green, it can also signify immaturity, which also suits a character who proudly proclaims to be a "kid" when he's on vacation. Where Miya fits the "youngest member" trope for green sentai members, Kojiro fits the "oldest member" trope, and he also fits the recently trendy close relationship with yellow and conflict with red. In Takahashi's paper, she quotes Yoshida describing green characters as a whole as "a caring type who's always concerned if things are peaceful" (also fitting of Miya, who's always the most concerned for Reki and Langa,) "a soothing person who makes you feel warm and comforted just by being next to them" and as someone who "loves their friends, and 'being together with everyone' is important to them," and in Utsumi's color notes in SK8 Design Works, she described Kojiro as "A calming, mature green. Comforting."

And like with the others, on top of being his hair color, Kojiro's color is also shown in the opening.

~

Ainosuke Shindo - Red

Naturally for the "Matador of Love", Adam's image color is red, a color associated with love, passion and excitement, but also danger and anger, covering both sides of the duality of Adam's connection with love and romance and his violent skating. Utsumi's color notes in SK8 Design Works describe it as "the color of love and blood", and described Adam himself as "a guy who stole a main character's color" - fitting of the fact that in sentai series (and many anime influenced by them,) the red member is almost always the main protagonist and leader. (And perhaps a cheeky reference to Reki, though it seems Adam's color was decided on much earlier on.) Between red and blue being tied for their inclusion in sentai series and yellow in a close second place, the three primary colors form a core trio of characters in sentai series that's also reflected by Reki, Langa and Adam as the three most central characters in SK8.

While many works follow Gorenger's lead with the red protagonist being a hot-headed, passionate natural leader (a role that Adam does command at S as a whole, at least at first,) it's covered such a wide spectrum of protagonists over the course of the genre's history that red's biggest association is simply "being the main character," superseding a single specific character archetype. To momentarily dip into the history of anime itself rather than tokusatsu's influence, I'd be remiss not to mention that thanks to the influence of Mobile Suit Gundam (a franchise that both writer Okouchi and character designer Chiba have history with and mentioned in interviews on Febri as inspiring their interest in anime) it does have a memetic association with speed (and rival characters,) as Gundam's frequently-imitated masked antagonist Char Aznable's custom red mecha is notoriously "three times faster" than any other. (Adam's voice actor, Takehito Koyasu, has even played two "Char Clones" himself.)

As with the other characters, Adam's color appears in the opening but it also surrounds him frequently in the show even from his first appearance, including a red glowing aura to mirror Langa's blue when they're in the Zone (even in the finale when the red is gone from his costume.)

~

Tadashi Kikuchi - Gray

(Tadashi never got an official Twitter icon like the other characters, so I used a different piece of merch.)

Lastly, Tadashi's image color is gray, which is mostly known for being... a bit of a non-color, though it can be associated with gloom, ambiguity or uneasiness. It's mostly seen as a color that blends in and doesn't stand out by itself, which was the purpose behind Tadashi's color scheme, as Utsumi described in her notes as wanting his coloring to "make the main character stand out", given that he was designed from the beginning to appear alongside Adam, who has the "main character's color." Gray is an incredibly rare theme color in sentai series, to the point that there aren't specific character archetypes either; in 2014, at the time of Takahashi's paper, the only gray character she noted was a literal ghost. Even Tadashi's image color is alienated from the other skaters'...

While there are comparatively few (and less obvious) examples of Tadashi's image color appearing in the show, his last emotional scene with Ainosuke takes place in an almost entirely gray room.

It'll be interesting to see how these associations might continue to be used in the future.

[spaceintruderdetector]

This collection of essays has been assembled and developed from papers given at the Ambient@40 International Conference held in February 2018 at the University of Huddersfield. The original premise of the conference was not merely to celebrate Eno’s work and the landmark release of Music for Airports in 1978, but to consider the development of the genre, how it has permeated our wider musical culture, and what the role of such music is today given the societal changes that have occurred since the release of that album. In the context of the conference, ambient was considered from the perspectives of aesthetic, influence, appropriation, process, strategy and activity. A detailed consideration of each of these topics could fill many volumes. With that in mind, this book does not seek to provide an in-depth analysis of each of these topics or a comprehensive history of the last 40 years of ambient music. Rather it provides a series of provocations, observations and reflections that each open up seams for further discussion. As such, this book should be read as a starting point for future research, one that seeks to critically interrogate the very meaning of ‘ambient’, how it creates its effect, and how the genre can remain vital and relevant in twenty-first century music-making.

Music beyond Airports - Appraising ambient music : Free Download, Borrow, and Streaming : Internet Archive

[allaboutforexworld]

Volume Trading: Forex Trading Strategy Explained

In the world of Forex trading, understanding market movements is crucial. One such method to gain insights into market behavior is through Volume Trading. This strategy involves analyzing the volume of trades to make informed decisions about buying or selling currency pairs. In this article, we will explore the concept of Volume Trading, its benefits, and how it can be effectively used in Forex…

[zodiactalks]

STRONGEST Zodiac Women Ranked

From the beginning of time, the world has had this wrong misconception of women being weak. But with all the revolution around feminism and women standing up for themselves, the strength of said women has been a subject of discussion for some time now.

Women are definitely some of the strongest individuals, able to accomplish whatever they put their minds to. But, how does their sign influence this?

Dive into our analysis as we rate women from strongest to weakest according to their Zodiac sign, 1 being the strongest and 12 the weakest.

#1. Aries

Aries identifies with the figure of a warrior, of courage and heroic action. As such, they are the strongest sign and top of our list. Aries women are determined and ambitious, often compared to the Amazons in their strength, but also their impulsiveness.

Being impulsive can sometimes work against them, but it’s also a positive trait that means they will jump in without a second thought to pursue their wants. Nothing can get in the way of an Aries woman getting what she wants, because she will fight her way to it till the end.

This fire sign won’t give up easily, and they will make it to the top each time, even on this list!

#2. Cancer

This sensitive sign will surprise you with its strength. It corresponds to the Chariot in the Tarot. Cancer women are fierce about protecting those they care about. This makes them one of the strongest signs, comparable to a mother bear looking after their cubs, as they will be unstoppable when trying to protect what they care about.

Cancer women are also masters of healthy boundaries and managing their emotions in a very healthy way that gives them a lot of energy, not only to look after themselves but others.

#3. Scorpio

Another sign associated with warriors but, in this case, with strategy. Scorpio women are amazing strategists with strong desires. When these women want something, they will go for it and attain it no matter the consequences, no matter the effort.

Unlike Aries women, Scorpios won’t just jump into it, they will weave a careful plan and execute it till they are successful. This sign might seem impulsive at a first glance, but it’s only because they’ve been silently plotting for months! Trust me, if they want to win, nothing will stop them.

#4. Capricorn

Capricorn women also go after their desires without thinking about it twice. They are hard workers that rarely make up excuses, giving their best to the tasks at hand and working relentlessly for what they desire.

Capricorns are also practical. Their practicality makes them some of the strongest women. They will endure whatever life throws at them. However, they concentrate too much of their energy on their work, often forgetting to put themselves first.

#5. Leo

Still on the top 5, Leo is a sign that knows their values. They have a strong sense of themselves and of how much they are worth, which speaks volumes of their strength. Leo women will defend their beliefs with tooth and nail.

They’re also great at setting boundaries and putting limits, which allows them to spend more time pursuing their wants and fighting for what they believe in.

Being often portrayed as arrogant, Leos will be taken down by self-doubt from time to time, having to work to regain their strength and confidence. This instability is what has pushed them almost to the middle of this list.

#6. Pisces

Pisces are known for how sensitive they are, but this doesn't mean they’re a weak sign. Their strength lies in their empathy and their emotions, in how caring they can be and how passionately they will fight for what they want.

They can be very temperamental, but they’ll defend those they care about almost as no other sign will. They’d fight for you and die for you. Pisces have a strong sense of self. But, on the other hand, Pisces can also have a victim mentality, which can seriously set them back.

#7. Virgo

If you’re in a crisis, then find yourself a Virgo woman. They are the best in these situations and will know how to act, how to concentrate on what matters and how to focus. Knowing their priorities is a strength on its own because these women will know how to implement their force and not waste it on the inconsequential.

On the other hand, having such high standards, Virgo women can be over judgmental and critical even towards themselves, making them a weaker sign that goes through a lot of ups and downs.

#8. Sagittarius

Same as Leos, Sagittarius women know their own worth. But the difference is that rather than being self-sufficient to the point of recklessness, these women know when it’s time to ask for help.

They won’t be scared of appearing weak, because they understand it is not a weakness to need people around them to support them in moments of need. They might not be the strongest on their own, but they certainly know how to make up for it when resourcing external help.

#9. Aquarius

These Water women are on the top three for overthinking signs. These women will think about everything so much that they will start doubting themselves, unsure of how to proceed and having trouble picking sides.

This will take a lot of energy away from them. On the positive side, Aquarius women can remain calm in times of crisis, which can make them the strongest person in a room for a brief time when chaos erupts.

#10. Taurus

Taurus women are sensible and stable. They like things a particular way and don’t deal well with change. In a life of luxury and routine, Taurus will flourish. But they like this “good life” too much and won’t know how to live without the luxuries.

This makes Taurus women one of the weakest, becoming unstable under pressure and not knowing how to get out of their lows when life hits them with unexpected events.

#11. Gemini

These multi-faced women are the queens of overthinking. If there are a thousand angles to go about something, Gemini women will find each of them.

They often lack emotional resources and struggle to recognize their own value too, which takes them almost to the bottom of this list. They have very sharp minds, which is usually an amazing quality, but it can also play against them a lot of the time, turning them into self-doubt and even self-loathing.

#12. Libra

Libra women will always put themselves second. All their strength will be employed in pleasing others and caring for them, so they struggle to stand up for themselves and draw strength when needed.

Also, have you ever asked a Libra woman to pick a movie to watch on a date night? Libras are unable to make up their minds even on the smallest things, which plays against them all the time and has them coming last on this list.

We hope you enjoyed our take on women’s strengths and weaknesses!

Do you agree with this order?

Did you identify with your sign’s description or from people you’re close with?

Let us know in the comments below, we’ll love to hear your thoughts!

[chuuyadelune]

Sigma, The Key To Winning Meursault? Dazai, unpredictability, and the value of choice (BSD 106.5 spoilers)

it’s been a while since i last wrote any sort of analysis on the BSD manga, but this recent chapter gave me so many thoughts which i dumped on a friend (hi yush), so! i decided to flesh them out a bit more. as in the title, i think that sigma is who is going to be the deciding factor as to who wins meursault.

well, okay. maybe not the tipping point (there’s a lot to consider, after all), but he’ll be very instrumental. because not only does it makes sense for his character arc, but also — i think that he serves a very interesting thematic purpose in relation to the ideas dazai’s put forward during the prison arc as a whole.

before anything else, i do wanna say that i agree that this feels like a set-up for sigma’s entrance exam, as several people have suggested. the conditions are perfect: dazai implicitly giving him the choice to help or flee feels like a very fitting dilemma to test the kind of qualities the ADA seeks. 

but more than that, i think this concept of “choice” is ultimately what will decide who comes out victorious in meursault. to sum up the main point of this analysis: i think that sigma’s purpose, on a meta level, is to represent two important factors of dazai’s driving philosophies, and two things that separate him from fyodor: the power of unpredictability, and choice.

(chapter 77, official yen press translation)

 what’s driving the world... are those in the storm of accidental events who scream... run... and spill blood.

this jailbreak mini-arc is the culmination of everything that they have discussed during their time in meursault: philosophy, world view, strategy, everything. and this conversation from chapter 77 in particular forms a very important part of what makes fyodor and dazai fundamentally different from each other. i would even go so far as to point to it as being the main conflict of the meursault jailbreak. 

and sigma, effectively, is caught in the middle of these two. as someone who worked closely with fyodor as a member of the decay, he’s been exposed to a lot of his thinking. it’s evident in the way that he speaks about “ordinary” versus “superhumans”, for example. and in the prison, dazai’s been showing him to methods and ways of thinking other than those of fyodor’s, like showing him that there is no difference between “superhuman” or “ordinary” men. 

following this, then, i think we can consider sigma to be at a crossroads of sorts. now that dazai is out of the picture (for now), the decision that he makes — whether to save dazai, flee on his own to save himself, or something else, a return to fyodor’s methods, or if nikolai appears again — will be a very important one in deciding the outcome of meursault. in fact, i’d go so far to say that it’s the ultimate decision of the jailbreak arc.

what i want to focus on here is the mere fact that sigma’s been left this choice at all. because i think it speaks volumes as to what sigma’s role is for the rest of the prison break. and it’s also important for showing dazai’s own way of thinking, and what role chuuya may take. a full explanation under the cut; warning for light storm bringer spoilers too!

Chapter 77: The Potential Of Unpredictability

going back to the chapter 77 conversation, dazai points out that despite all their intellect and cunning, both he and fyodor both wound up in a prison, isolated from everyone else. they, in the most physical sense, are now powerless. sure, they can plan and scheme, but are they the ones making the moves? no. all of this is on the people on the outside, who just act. the true power lies with them; their decisions, rational or not, according to plan or not, are the ones who really move things forward. and where fyodor simply views humans as tools, as boring, below him — dazai knows that this is where true strength lies. if the world were left to the devices of people like fyodor, things just would remain at a standstill. unpredictability, fighting and people thinking up new ways of doing things is how progress is made.

and similarly, meursault thus far has just been a consistent back-and-forth between dazai and fyodor as to who one-ups the other. dazai chooses sigma as an ally; not even moments later, fyodor whips out chuuya as his own card. dazai tries drowning fyodor? fyodor does the exact same to dazai with the elevator (with a bonus of fire, just for fun, you know). 

time and time again during this arc, unpredictability — the power of people’s actions beyond scheming — is what has allowed the agency to keep fighting. things like tachihara breaking the confines of the page, choosing to side with the mafia over the hunting dogs; ranpo convincing half of yokohama’s police force to think with their souls and getting them on side with the agency’s innocence; heck, even just ranpo hijacking kamui’s execution plan as a whole and getting the ADA (minus dazai) back together. and i believe it will be a similar case here, in the prison. unpredictability feeds progress. and this is how dazai will prevail.

sigma absolutely has the power to catch fyodor off guard. with the very act of “leaving the rest” to sigma, one of the many who “spills blood”, while dazai himself hurtles downwards in an falling elevator, a scenario is created where the only choice is for sigma to do something. and i’d argue that this is the kind of situation — one where sigma needs to act — is something that dazai’s been aiming for from the start. because he fully understands that this unpredictability is the only way for the stalemate between him and fyodor to be broken. otherwise, things would just remain a consistent back-and-forth as their past exchanges have been. anything dazai does, or thinks up, fyodor counters.

something that’s really interesting to me is how dazai has been gently nudging sigma into a position/mindset to take the role of a more active player from the start of the jailbreak. dazai’s been encouraging sigma to think more for himself (ex. trying to figure out his method of communication from chapter 101, or deducing his rock-paper-scissors trick in 105). and he’s encouraged sigma to look beyond the status of “superhuman” and “ordinary man” that he is so fixated on. all of this is giving a sense of agency back to sigma, who is someone who’s been used all of his (short) life.

(translation via @/buraihatranslations on tumblr)

- but now you understand.

- what?

- it’s all a play of hands. i’m not a superhuman beyond the limits of human wisdom. in this world, there’s no such thing as a superhuman nor an average human.

now, i personally don’t think dazai set up the falling elevator, but rather simply knew it was a possibility, and acted accordingly — if the act of checking the mechanism a couple of chapters ago was anything to go by. this meant that in such a scenario, he had a means of getting at least one of them out. and he deliberately chose to save sigma: both because of the promise he made to get sigma out alive, but also because he knows sigma’s unpredictability has the potential to throw fyodor off. like, i’m fairly sure fyodor wasn't able to predict just how exactly tachihara would break the confines of the page. similarly, sigma has the potential to defy expectations, to see things that fyodor doesn’t. and dazai knows this.

because i mean, you would think, in a jailbreak scenario where you’re playing against your most detested rival with poison (allegedly!) pumping through your veins, the first priority would be to try and save your own ass. because otherwise, what’s the point? especially when your friends on the outside are depending on you to crush the root of the problem (ranpo, in chapter 95, says that dazai is the only one who could defeat fyodor). and i have no doubts that fyodor would have done something along those lines — he’ll likely discard chuuya as soon as he’s done serving his purpose, as he did with previous pawns (i mean, he literally left pushkin to get jumped by both the agency and mafia after the cannibalism arc, LMAO). 

this shows a marked difference in fyodor and dazai’s marked attitudes to humanity. fyodor simply sees humans as tools, beings simply manipulated by a ‘god’ (ch.77), and so, nothing really worth... fighting for. but dazai instead sees their value and autonomy. this isn’t the first time that dazai’s put himself in grave danger for the sake of the agency either — he let himself be captured by the mafia for the sake of intel on atsushi’s tiger bounty; in chapter 46 he let himself get shot for the sake of finding out fyodor’s goals. and fyodor doesn’t really understand this. why would he go so far? it doesn’t make sense. and i’d imagine it’d be a similar thing here in the jailbreak. why would dazai sacrifice himself, especially in a life or death scenario when the end-goal is literally to defeat the other person to stay alive?

The Right To Make Choices

dazai’s view of humanity as autonomous beings with the right to make their own decisions is arguably the biggest advantage he has over fyodor. fyodor’s unwillingness to look past humans as being boring and thus incapable of amounting to much on their own is a massive blind spot. as i discussed above; the unpredictability that comes with ordinary folk making their own decisions is exactly what has enabled the agency to keep going. 

and you know, it’s all well and good that dazai’s put sigma in a situation where he has to do something. but i’d argue that it doesn’t mean anything if sigma doesn’t have a say in it. something i really want to emphasise is that sigma doesn’t have to save dazai. ultimately, it is a situation where he has to make a decision, but what that decision is? that’s still very much up to his own discretion. dazai leaving him with a very vague, “i leave the rest to you” isn’t so much a, “hey, please save me,” but it feels more like a — “you’ve got this. whatever you do, you can do it.” this expression isn’t exactly one that’s desperate, after all.

(translation by ranpoedgw on twitter)

i’ll leave the rest to you.

because the thing is, dazai has always valued people choosing their own actions for their own reasons. we saw it with chuuya in storm bringer; atsushi still could have said no to joining the agency, or even no to coming back (after the events of chapter 5/episode 4, when the black lizards attack the ADA office). even in “happy group counselling hour” (chapter 64/season 4 episode 8), the advice he gives to fyodor — acting lazy and letting his subordinates be until they decide to do something — still very much involves choice and agency; in contrast, fyodor’s advice eliminates that entirely. chuuya’s a vampire without autonomy as far as we know. he has no other option but to follow fyodor.

and for sigma as a character, the concept of being given a choice is so important. for most of his life, he feels like he’s had no other option but to follow the wishes of people he’s being used by, because he has nothing else to lose or nowhere else to go. so him being given the ability to choose, wherever possible, is significant.

like, i’m fully aware that fyodor told him not to fight the hunting dogs and he chose not to listen to that advice. but the thing is, i would argue that sigma felt he really didn’t have much choice at all in that situation. he was cornered, about to lose the only place that allowed him to form some sense of identity.

so essentially, this single choice here is the most important decision of the meursault jailbreak, but also for sigma as a whole thus far. which is why i think that it’s so vital that this is all on him. with this, he moves beyond the expectations that fyodor has for him, breaks the stalemate, and proves dazai’s philosophy about human choice right. which, i feel, is a more damning defeat for fyodor on a thematic level. and this is, i think; the role that sigma is meant to play in this jailbreak arc. 

Human Connection: Chuuya

so, now i’ve talked about sigma, i also want to talk a bit about chuuya, because autonomy and agency is also quite an important part of his character. and i still do think that he’ll be an important part of the jailbreak. just... perhaps in a slightly different way to what i first assumed it would be, and not as soon as i personally was anticipating.

in the same way that sigma’s role is to represent dazai’s philosophies as i discussed earlier, chuuya, as he is here, in the jailbreak arc, can be considered very much to be exemplifying fyodor’s. where dazai chose sigma; fyodor simply sat and ‘prayed’ (if you can even call it that), before chuuya arrived on the scene. his state as a mindless vampire reflects both fyodor’s view of humans as being manipulated by god, therefore choice is irrelevant, and his method of making sure that the only choice chuuya has is to follow his orders, as outlined in chapter 64. but i’m not convinced that this is all there is to it. it doesn’t make sense, not with his character, not with the rest of the story. and not with dazai around. this puts chuuya in a bit of a unique position.

see, the difference between fyodor and sigma and dazai and chuuya is — well, they did know each other for a similar amount of time, 3 years or so (assuming fyodor was there when sigma came into existence). but where fyodor really just used sigma — dazai and chuuya were equals. partners. and this highlights yet another key difference between dazai and fyodor: human connection.

i said earlier that fyodor’s dismissal of human autonomy was a blind spot for him. and i think that’s definitely very relevant when it comes to chuuya, as well; and also why dazai repeatedly puts himself in danger for the sake of the ADA as i mentioned above. i don’t think fyodor was entirely serious when he called their seven-year bond ‘shallow’, and he was just trying to provoke dazai (basically, get on his nerves). but it still highlights their difference in how they view and connect with others. and i still think that this is a set-up for him to be humbled spectacularly in the future, because irony and all that. 

something that i think is an interesting possibility is fyodor specifically choosing chuuya because of his prior connection to dazai. he did steal those port mafia files after the confrontation with ace back in season 3; he also saw them end the dragonhead conflict when SKK were 16. going back to fyodor’s view of humans — i think it’s a possibility that he just simply doesn't understand how someone like him can form deep human connections, and using chuuya is both a way of interrogating that and getting one-up on dazai, with the added bonus of chuuya being an extra-strong ability user, of course. (this provides an interesting path for fyodor’s character development, i think, which is pretty overdue!)

whatever the case is, i think one thing that has defined chuuya’s character from age 15 up until now is a rejection of philosophy. not to say that he doesn’t think. but he’s someone who doesn’t exactly see too much value in motivations or thought processes, like we saw in storm bringer — he just does what he thinks is best, and that’s kind of just how he’s always operated. he dismissed verlaine’s way of thinking; he rejected dazai as well. and in a similar way, he would for sure have taken issue with fyodor as his normal self. and i think this provides an interesting point of comparison between sigma and chuuya. 

sigma is someone who doesn’t really have all that much life experience. all he knows is what it’s like to be used; but has just been swept along, accepting that he is just an ‘outsider’. because he doesn’t know anything else. chuuya, on the other hand, is someone who has also been used and exploited; but still, has always made his own choices no matter what other people said. even if it lost him the sheep, he went after his own origins. he swore allegiance to mori at the end of fifteen out of his own volition. he continues to put his life on the line for the sake of the mafia until now.

but this is why i personally think it’s important that sigma’s the first to make a choice to break the stalemate, for the sake of his character development. he needs to build the kind of trust in himself that chuuya has. and i think that it’s equally important that chuuya, whenever he acts, moves independently of both dazai and fyodor. because it speaks to his character’s core values, and links with the wider themes of dazai’s thinking. 

i really don’t think, actually, that dazai anticipated chuuya being in the prison. but this is what’ll give chuuya’s actions, whatever he does, more weight. SKK plan or not, i’d argue that dazai still implicitly trusts chuuya to do what is best, and believes in his capacity to make choices as he does with sigma. we saw it in dead apple. and it wouldn’t be any different now. where fyodor sees chuuya as a useful tool because of his gravity manipulation, dazai trusts him as a human. and this trust is what will prevail over fyodor’s shallow reading of human nature. it doesn’t have to be an SKK strategy or plan at all. all that matters is proving that connection. and that’s what i think chuuya is there to show, in a thematic and narrative sense. i think it would be much more satisfying this way.

Conclusion

so, to sum it up: i think that sigma will move first and breaks the stalemate, which, in my view, is very important both for his character and disproving fyodor’s ideas about autonomy and predictability. chuuya will likely follow at some point in the future. whatever decision sigma makes now will be instrumental in deciding the outcome of meursault; as i said in the intro, it’s potentially the most important one of this entire mini-arc. the balance of the game all hinges on him.

regardless, though, even if sigma doesn’t break the stalemate, and that falls on chuuya or even nikolai instead — it’s clear to me that the outcome of the prison break, for several reasons, does not lie with dazai or fyodor at all. which still falls in line with dazai’s way of thinking. and as i said, that feels like a more significant victory over fyodor than a physical one, because of its thematic implications.

from a more concrete, story-plot perspective, i can’t really say what’s going to happen next; if dazai has more allies who can help him, or what. if the situation in meursault is meant to mirror that of the airport (which, considering that we keep alternating perspectives, this is probably happening simultaneously), then i do think that it’ll get worse for our side before it begins to get better (and even at the airport, i still can’t say we’ve hit rock bottom yet.) 

in the end, though, i think that the ADA has to prevail. they have to pull through. i’d like to think so, at least. and dazai will survive; i haven’t even entertained the idea of him being dead. he’s definitely not going to let an elevator take him out; like the man’s literally died three times in canon. and he just... has a long ways to go still (and he’s already come a long way!). anyway, i digress.

sigma’s choice represents important things both for dazai’s thinking, but also himself as a character. and that’s ultimately the main reason i think that he is going to be who decides meursault. unpredictably leads to progress — but progress cannot be made without respecting human autonomy and the right to make choices, which come about by really connecting with others.

thanks for reading!