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weebrecs · 5 years

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Recommended Romance Anime Part 2

Hi Everyone, Someone messaged me asking for straight romance anime recommendations. I already made one list here: (https://weebrecs.tumblr.com/post/157666048002/recommended-romance-anime) and I have included more below. The ones with the *** are movies. I hope you enjoy!!

Gekkan Shoujo Nozaki-kun (9/10) Chiyo is the definition of adorable and loveable, at least for everyone except for the person that she likes. Nozaki is oblivious to the world around him and most of all Chiyo’s interest in him. However, Nozaki’s distance is due to him actually being a respectable shoujo mangaka. In her efforts to win his heart Chiyo finds herself acting as Nozaki’s assistant. Together they undergo hilarious situations and act out possible scenarios for Nozaki’s manga. Nozaki asks Chiyo to help him with brainstorming situations for his romance manga and Chiyo swoons just like the protagonist of the manga, and Nozaki starts wondering where the manga ends and true love begins. It is a great show to watch and has interesting character development as Chiyo goes from a girl that has a simple crush to a girl with real reason and purpose. Romance, Comedy, Slice of Life, School Life

Lovely Complex (8/10) If you love height differences then this is the show for you. Meet Koizumi who is much taller than the average girl and Ootani who is much shorter than the average guy. They are known as a Comedy Duo and they are constantly play tricks or making gags at the other’s expense. However, they soon learn that they have more in common then they first realized when their crushes end up falling for each other. Then as soon as they both start to realize that they might be falling for each other too the question of their mismatched heights comes up. Romance, Comedy, Height difference

Ouran High School Host Club (8/10) Haruhi is an insanely bright and gifted girl that just wants some peace and quiet. She sneaks into a music room to get alone and stumbles into the school’s host club. Frantically she tries to remove herself from the situation and shatters an expensive vase. Since she’s a scholarship student without a lot of money she doesn’t know how she’ll pay to replace the vase. However, the host club has an option for her. Join Haruhi as she meets a delight cast of male hosts that slowly find themselves changing due to Haruhi’s influence. Haruhi starts to learn about life outside of books and the boys learn to love someone. I love how relaxed this show is at times and how crazy the characters and situations are. Romance, Comedy, Slice of Life, School Life

Skip Beat (9/10) Kyouko is willing to bend over backwards to help her childhood friend, Shou, in his dreams of becoming famous. Out of the goodness of her heart she helps him basically live his life. She thinks that they are perfect together then everything changes when she over hears him telling someone that Kyouko is like is his servant. Furious Kyouko stops supporting him and decides that if she built him to become a famous celebrity then she could do it for herself too. As she grows she meets someone that can help her not only gain her revenge on Shou but someone that might actually treat her right. This is an encouraging love story that shows that people that love you can bring out the best in you Romance, Comedy, Show Business, Revenge

Akagami no Shirayuki-hime (8/10) This is a modern retelling of Snow White, but this time with a twist: she has red hair. There are two season of this anime and if you love romance animes with a dash of adventure you’ll love this one. Shirayuki is a skilled herbalist who is noticed by a prince. Terrified that she’ll live a kept life she escapes and is rescued by Zen (who is adorable and perfect…goodness I love him!). Zen brings her to his castle and their life begins. Slowly friendship turns into romance. Romance, Adventure

Akatsuki no Yona (9/10) When I first read the synopsis of this I thought it was going to be one of those off animes that wouldn’t win me over, but I was wrong. This show introduces Yona who is the princess of a well off kingdom, but when the King is betrayed by Yona’s cousin Yona must act swiftly. She escapes danger with her bodyguard Hak (I think you mean Hunk—sorry lol). Together they team up to save Yona’s kingdom. Action, Adventure, Reverse Harem, Romance

Ao Haru Ride (8/10) After risking everything for a boy she met in a rain shelter, Futaba is ready to turn her life around in high school. She is determined to have friends and be liked by everyone. Her plan is foolproof until the boy she met returns and so do her feelings for him. However, he is different from the boy that had betrayed Futaba in the past. Together they need to learn more about themselves and each other. This show is emotional and shows the sacrifices we all make for those we love. School Life, Blooming Romance

Fruits Basket (9/10) This show has recently been rebooted and is expecting a second season. It tells the story of Honda who has lost her mother in an accident and goes to live with her grandfather. However, as renovations are being done at her house she lies to her grandfather and tells him that she’s going to live with a friend. When she is actually pitching a tent in the woods. The esteemed Souma family actually owns the woods that Honda hides in and the prince of the school Yuki Souma invites Honda to stay in his house, but the Souma’s have a secret. They are possessed by the Chinese Zodiac spirits, and will turn into their respective animals if they’re hugged by the opposite gender. This series is adorable and super fun to watch. The characters are all special in their own way. Comedy, Zodiac, Mystery, School Life, Supernatural, Romance

***Hotarubi no Mori e (10/10) I love this movie it is so beautiful. Hotaru has been fond of the mysterious tale of the mountain god since she was six and after she loses her way in the mountain forest, she stumbles into a masked spirit named Gin. Together they begin their unlikely friendship. Gin informs Hotaru that they can play together as long as she doesn’t get too close. They start to spend every summer together and Hotaru helps Gin learn what is means to be human and love someone. Soon they find that the distance that they are keeping between them is slowly shrinking. This movie is epically beautiful, romantic, and heart wrenching. Spirit, Supernatural, Romance

Ore Monogatari!! (10/10) Are you sick of the romance animes filled with beautiful girls and handsome princes? Well then it’s time to watch Ore Monogatari staring an unlikely anime pairing: Takeo Gouda and Rinko Yamato. Yamato is the definition of adorable and angelic; while Takeo struggles with love due to his tall and muscular build. Takeo’s appearance might be a little rough, but under it all he has a heart of gold. However, few ever see it since Takeo’s best friend Makoto is the definition of an anime prince. Without trying Makoto is a girl magnet and Takeo finds that people only talk to him to try and get close with Makoto. But when Takeo saves Yamato he instantly falls for her. He worries that she’s only being nice to him to gain Makoto’s love, but in truth she actually like Takeo and not Makoto. I love how this shakes up the romance genre and I love Makoto and Takeo’s friendship. Every time Yamato is on the screen I swoon. She is precious! Comedy, Friendship, Romance, First Love, Dorks

Your Lie in April (10/10) This is one of those romance animes that you hear rumors about. You know it will hurt you, but you have to watch it anyway because it’s a masterpiece. It is a truly enjoyable watch! Plus, the animation is breathtaking. Kousei is a great piano player and under the tutelage of his mother he excels in the competitions. Then his mother dies and Kousei turns from music and his world begins to turn grey. Until his world us turned upside down by Kaori, an outstanding violinist who is anything but traditional. She is free-spirited and challenges Kousei to join her in exploring music once more. Kousei starts to fall in love with music again and also finds himself falling for the girl that added color back into his world. Together they enhance each other’s musical ability and change each other’s lives. Music, Romance, Mystery, Friendship, School Life

***Toki wo Kakeru Shoujo (10/10) The last year is difficult for everyone, but for Makoto it is crazy since she can literally jump through time. She doesn’t really understand this new-found power and must learn how to control it. She fosters old and new relationships and might even fall in love, but with all time travel sacrifices must be made. I really don’t want to say too much because it could ruin the plot, but just trust me—watch it. Mystery, Supernatural, Time Travel, Romance

#anime recommendation #Romance anime #your lie in april #gekkan shoujo nozaki kun #Lovely Complex #ouran high school host club #skip beat #akagami no shirayukihime #Ao Haru Ride #Fruits Basket #Hotarubi no Mori e #ore monogatari #the girl who leapt through time

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auncyen · 3 years

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So a long time ago I wrote a start of a fic where Ryuji gets knocked out from Shido's explosion and is thrown back into the real world, unconscious. Ren brings him to Takemi's clinic and then answers Ryuji's phone when he realizes Mama Sakamoto is calling, attempting to make some kind of cover story for Ryuji not coming home or answering his phone before it becomes apparent she ID'd Ryuji from the video calling card. She's coming over to the clinic, and she wants answers.

AND THAT'S WHERE IT STALLED FOREVER. If anyone would like to take a look at what I have of part 2, where she gets to the clinic:

Ren was in the middle of sending an update to the group chat when the door to the clinic opened. The woman who walked in was short and dark-haired, and Ren had the split-second impulse to ask her if she had a real emergency--god knew he didn't want anything drawing Takemi's attention away from Ryuji right now--before her eyes landed on him with a look of such contempt that Caroline might have asked for tips.

The text for the group chat was forgotten. It would have only been to report that there was nothing to report yet. "Sakamoto-san?" he hazarded, his voice wavering.

"Where," she said flatly, "is my son."

He didn't know why it should have thrown him off so much that her hair wasn't bleached blond--of course it wasn't. But even besides that, she really didn't look like Ryuji at all. Short, somewhat stout, with a wider nose and other differences in the face...when it came to looks, Ryuji must have taken after his father's side.

Ren immediately knew he'd rather eat one of his daggers than say that to either mother or son.

"Sakamoto-san," Takemi said, emerging from the back. "Your son is in here. He suffered a concussion and Amamiya-kun brought him to me for examination." Her tone was a bit more polite than her usual, if still casual, and Ren appreciated that maybe she was trying to pull his fat from the fire.

"I want an explanation for all of this," Sakamoto-san said angrily. "...But I want to see him, first."

Ah. Now Ren saw the family resemblance, both in her expression and her protectiveness.

Takemi nodded, opening the door for Sakamoto-san to go in. Ren started to rise from his seat, wanting to see Ryuji himself, but a flat look from the doctor stopped him cold. She didn't want him following.

Logically, he knew Takemi was simply keeping things orderly and controlled. Ryuji's mother was upset, and Takemi knew she was mad at him already. Better to keep him out of the room if Sakamoto-san might take any of Takemi's news badly.

But the feeling that stirred in his gut was blame and guilt, making him cover his face with his hands after the door had closed. He felt sick.

He couldn't deny his responsibility. It had been his idea to stall in the safe room instead of immediately stealing Shido's treasure after Futaba broadcasted the calling card. If stalling had been the deciding factor in Shido being able to manipulate his own cognition and cause the violent collapse... Then it was completely his fault.

He shouldn't even care about what Ryuji's mother thought of him, anyway. That could wait until after Ryuji had woken up. But the cold way she'd looked at him hurt, pathetically enough. He'd really hoped that she would like him. Mostly because Ryuji was afraid she'd be upset when he came out to her--she'd asked a couple of times about him getting a girlfriend. Ren was hopeful, considering she'd supported her son through thick, thin, and hair bleach, and might only be asking about girlfriends because Ryuji was way more vocal about his interest in cute girls than cute guys, but he understood Ryuji's fear. There was always the chance that it would be the one thing too far. So he'd wanted to make a good impression on her when they met, hoping it'd help her accept it better whenever Ryuji was ready to come out.

But Ren had also just...selfishly wanted Ryuji's mother to like him. He'd wanted to make a good impression on her because Ryuji always lit up when he talked about her, and she sounded like a great mom, and Ren wanted someone like that to look at him and think that he could be a decent match for her son. That he was a good kid.

Well. He'd fucked that up already. He pressed his fingers against his closed eyes, forcing a deep breath as he tried to press the tears back. This wasn't the time for being weak and selfish. He had to worry about Ryuji waking up first. Then he could worry about making sure Ryuji wasn't grounded forever, and that he wasn't strangled for endangering Ryuji.

Except that still left him with nothing he could do for the time being.

He felt so useless. He wished he could have taken Ryuji to Shibuya station. If he could have just gotten him to the entrance of Mementos with Morgana, the two of them might have been able to heal Ryuji. But they hadn't been sure if cognitive healing would help when someone was plain knocked out cold in the real world; bringing him to the clinic had seemed the safer bet. But now...

Ren groaned. First he'd left Akechi behind a solid wall of metal on a ship that was now sunk. And now, Ryuji...

Takemi was speaking to Ryuji's mother in the room at length, and Ren rested his head against the wall, hoping to hear through it. Good news? Bad news? He could only hear her tone, calm and level. Takemi wasn't the type to sugarcoat, but she still highlighted better outcomes when they were possibilities to her patients. She'd said once that people often had improved outcomes if they were given attentive care and thought they should get better. She called it a placebo effect. Morgana called it the power of cognition.

But since Ryuji wasn't conscious, he didn't know he was being treated by one of the best doctors in Tokyo. That he should get better and just please wake up.

Ryuji's mother didn't seem any happier when Takemi opened the door for her to step back out into the waiting room. Ren felt his whole body stiffen when Takemi closed the door again, half-expecting to be screamed at, but Ryuji's mother just stared him down. When she spoke, her voice was tightly controlled. "So you're the leader of the Phantom Thieves. What must your parents think?"

"My parents?" he echoed.

She laughed, but it sounded more disbelieving than genuine. "You think they don't know? I recognized Ryuji plain as day under that weird skull-mask. Yours shows even more of your face. Do they actually approve of all this?"

That was a question he hadn't even considered recently, and he weighed what honest answer he could give her that didn't sound self-pitying. No, he didn't think they knew at all. They didn't have reason to look at the calling card too closely. Didn't have any suspicions about his after school activities, or any clue that he wasn't even in school for the time being. Ryuji's phone had several voicemails from his mother tonight alone. Ren's phone hadn't rang once tonight, and it had been a while since he had gotten a message from either his father or mother.

He was taking too long to answer; something in Sakamoto's expression shifted. "I don't have their approval," he said quickly, before she could get further upset. "I act for my own sense of justice."

"An' you dragged Ryuji right along into it," Sakamoto said.

That wasn't quite accurate, but Ren nodded anyway. "...Yes." It had a grain of truth to it: Igor had given the app to him. Ryuji would never have been thrown into the metaverse if he hadn't run into Ren. And it would be better to just get this over with. Take her anger and her blame. It was his fault she was upset.

Ryuji's mother took a long, deep breath. "What happened?"

"It's...hard to explain."

"Sure, you steal hearts and desires and whatnot. I still want an explanation," she pressed.

...He had no idea if she'd be patient enough for an explanation of the Metaverse. He'd bet on not. So he described the situation in broad strokes: "The group was in trouble. Ryuji took a risk to get us out safe. And he pulled it off. We could have all ended up dead if it wasn't for him." Futaba didn't know how to swim. Even for the rest of them, the waters had been turbulent enough that Ren didn't think their odds would have been good, not when they'd also had to navigate to their entrance point in the dark of night, already exhausted from a grueling fight. Perhaps some of them would have made it out...he doubted it would have been all of them. "But he got hurt. I'm--I'm sorry. It's my fault we were in that position."

"Why?"

"I...made the group wait before we changed Shido's heart. I was hoping..." Ren's voice shook, and the rest of the words failed to come.

He'd been hoping Akechi would show up. If Akechi had been alive, no matter if he was hiding somewhere in the Palace or trying to stay under the radar in Tokyo, as soon as they'd took over the airwaves with their calling card and set the Palace's security to high alert, Akechi would know. He would know they were taking Shido's heart. He would know that they would be in the Palace.

He could have joined them. So Ren had asked everyone to wait for an hour in one safe room as he warped between all of them and entrance, checking to see if Akechi would manage to drag himself in. Ann and Ryuji had both volunteered to help, and he'd been grateful, but he figured it was better if everyone else stayed together so they weren't split up between several different locations. When he hadn't spotted Akechi in the hour, he'd come back to the group and asked Futaba if she could do a scan for him--a last-ditch request, since she had every right to refuse to help.

Futaba had looked absolutely miserable. She'd already tried multiple scans. There was nothing. Ren had made everyone wait for nothing. He should have known it was too much to hope after Akechi had closed himself off behind the door. He'd only given Shido more time to counter.

"We were missing one," Ren said finally. Maybe Akechi would have objected to being counted as one of the group, but it was the simplest way to explain now. And he...wasn't going to object, anyway. "I made the group wait, but they never showed."

"They in some kind of trouble?"

The question surprised him a little, but this wasn't a subject he wanted to dwell on any longer. "Nothing I can help with," Ren said.

-and that's it so far.

And I'm just kind of......unsure where to go from there. Which makes me wonder if I should have started the dialogue differently or change something else earlier or...what.

#persona 5 #writing #I am stumped

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toku-explained · 3 years

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The Immortal Swordsman Reborn

SSSS.DYNAZENON: Fuuma explains that Kano had a.ways been cheerful, but she became more withdrawn prior to her death, which is believed to be due to someone called Futaba, Yume never heard of him, he had been club vice president and started dating Kano, and after her song was picked she may have been bullied by other girls, and agrees to share some other videos from the time with Yume. She tells the team she wants to learn more about Kano. Juugabis now willing to kill the team in Order to get Gauma back, Mujina has no opinion of her own and Sizumu is against killing them, believing Dynazenon is the reason kaiju keep appearing. Koyomi meets again with Inamoto-san, recalling him running away after she showed him a hidden bag she'd found, before their table is joined by Arata, her husband, and spend several hours talking, Ararat keeps getting his surname wrong. In Koyomi's room, Chise finds a white seed. Koyomi by chance runs into Mujina. Yomogi and his mother dine with Kamijo again, trying to ignore the conversation. At a bar, Mujina apparently paying, Koyomi moans about Inamoto-san leading him on with her complaints about marriage but then inviting Arata, Mujina says she herself has no wants for herself, which Koyomi relates to, at home Chise continues to brood. Yume gets sent a link for a video of a questionable prank on Kano, arguably bullying, which Kanae was the ringleader of. As Koyomi continues stewing, Mujina spots DynaStriker next to him. Yume thinks in class while watching Ranka and Kaneishi tease Yomogi. Chise decides to train in place of a hungover, who realises he's lost DynaStriker, Gauma is naturally furious, and Koyomi realises Mujina took it. Onija wants to use it to rampage, Juuga wants it to bargain with Gauma, Sizumu wants to return it, asking what Mujina wants. Gauma is able to use DynaDiver to track it, Yume rejects help from Yomogi, and the argument continues to Mujina's annoyance as Gauma and Koyomi arrive, Chise sneakily followed. Koyomi charges in and tackles Mujina, enabling Gauma to grab DynaStriker, his attack attempt fails. Sizumu asks if Yume is okay, then passes Yomogi as he leaves, the pair soon get called. The current Kaiju, Bullbind is not responding to Onija's attempts to Instance Domination, Sizumu convinces Mujina it needs her, and she awakens the enormous quadraped, shared with Onija. Gauma is bothered by the whole team seeming depressed before they jump into action. Dynazenon is helpless against Bullbind's gravity manipulation, and as Mujjna asks if that's all they've got even Onija notices a character change in her. The pilots sans Gauma are also crushed under the weight of their worries, but Gauma is able to pull through and switch to DynaRex, but even then it's hopeless against Bullbind. As Sizumu senses something, from the sky appears a purple giant. I definitely expected a guest appearance from at least somebody from SSSS.GRIDMAN before the end, we know that Gridman, and now the Assist Weapons can appear in various worlds. But the fact that it's GridKnight appearing, maybe we're in Akane's world after all?

Heroes' Odyssey: Z joins Zero while Haruki is asleep, and tells him about Ultroid Zero, and the reaction of Kaiju to it, the 3 way battle between Z, Juggler and Celebro, Ultroid Zero's rampage, it's evolution into Destrudos and defeat of Z, followed by the beginning of STORAGE's operation against it.

Saber: The Northern Base members regroup. Kento notes that minor details of the future are changing, but the end remains the same, this time there's a vision of Sophia seemingly deliberately taking Luna's place in the spell tight before the world is unmade. Master Logos orders the Shindais to watch Touma and capture Luna should she appear, and hints he may release Bacht, which Ryoga is against. As soon as the siblings leave he releases Bacht, refusing to give him the Book of Ruin, but offering him the chance for revenge on the Swordsmen, Bacht is intrigued by how different he is from past Masters. Saber and Saikou duel, Touma hoping to recreate the conditions to see Luna, but while Rekka glows, Wonder Story doesn't react. Bacgt arrives, Yuri stating his intent to seal him again. Saber and Falchion fight, Reika watching at a distance, when Touma's books, Rekka and Wonder Story all react Falchion takes note and stops, intrigued that Touma is the chosen one. The void opens again, but again vanishes before Touma or Reika can do anything. Rintaro, Ogami and Daishinji look for Ren. Yuri explains that he, Bacht and another were Swordsmen, until one day in a battle against Megiddo, one of their own killed Bacht's family, causing him to lose himself, believing humans would always betray one another and so sought to end the world, leading Yuri to wield Saikou and Kurayami against him. Ryoga confronts Rintaro, who is able to use his new abilities to counter Kaiji's time ability, when Falchion arrives, initially fighting Durandal until he flees, he then survives Blades to backstab, preparing to kill as Touma, Mei, Yuri arrive. Bacht tells Touma he'll become more powerful and destroy everything, something Kento affirms on arrival, Yuri admonishes his lack of faith in Touma, leading Bacht to call him a hypocrite, Yuri acknowledging he had not had faith in humanity before meeting Touma. Jaou Dragon battles Eternal Phoenix, soon joined by X Swordman and Elemental Dragon, Saikou asks Caliber to help seal Bacht, but he refuses, and a finisher from Caliber and Falchion strikes Saikou, who expresses his envy of Kento for the faith Touma has in him before vanishing, leaving Saikou and his books. Caliber does prevent Falchion from attacking Saber, but in the confusion Reika manages to steal Saikou, Kin no Buki, Gin no Buki and X Swordman. As Saber and Caliber face Falchion, Touma's emotions flair, causing the reaction of his books again, and as they defeat Falchion, Luna appears behind the Swordsmen, returned at last.

Zenkaiger: As part of his promise, Zox is making the others pay for things, he spots Mahiru World and chases, a squad of Kudakks holding the Zenkaigers save Zyuran and Kaito. When Mahiru World takes a hostage, Zox doesn't care, Kaito arriving uses Megaranger to Cyber Slider in to save the hostage. An annoyed Kaito chases Zox onto CrocoDaiOh, demanding explanations until a frustrated Flint shows a picture of the Goldtsuikar family, with Riki and Katana as humans. Flint was able to reverse engineer Tojitendo tech so they could travel between worlds, and while they were in SDtopia the brothers got trapped in their current forms, and they can't get back to undo it because SStopia is now a Tojiru Gear, and they can't get into Kikaitopia to steal the gear, Kaito brings up his parents. Boccowaus is annoyed about Twokaiser still being a threat, Gefe trying to calm him, Barashitara believes an alliance is possible. The team discusses things, Zyuran and Magine don't know if they're worth worrying about. It's then people start noticing it's still noon, and start feeling the effects, still working well past they would normally, but the team doesn't realise anything is actually wrong until seeing a news report from Brazil, where it's also noon. Being in space, the Goldtsuikar's have been unaffected, but there are many lights in the sky. Zox hunts down Mahiru World, and fights him as Twokaiser, there being plenty of collateral damage as the Zenkaigers arrive, saving civilians from rubble. Zox thinks this risk of life is stupid, risking never finding his family. As Twokaiser uses Shinken Form, the Zenkaigers change, taking deflected bullets, but still defend the crowd. Switching to Ohren Form, he uses he Choriki Star Knuckle to finish Mahiru World, restoring night. Dai Mahiru World summons way more suns, now the light is blinding, Magine flips out and has ZenkaiOh VrooMagine form, Kaito at the control is barely awake, they darken the sky briefly, but sun viewing glasses do the thing, allowing them to finish things. Everyone falls asleep, Zox fells Flint to leave them as long as they don't get in the way.

Dogengers Nice Buddy: Maid Shitsuji wakes Tanaka up, and shows that Yamashiron and Fukuokaliber have gone to a Great Z show, Ohgaman grabs various items for a day out and drags Tanaka off, nobody noticing he's left his changer. The show is pretty formulaic, Great Z fighting some Karamis, until right as Great Z is meant to get his heroic wind there's the sudden arrival of Yamashiron Kugakusei Mode, inserting himself in the role of the Villain. Aoiron and Daidairon give advice or rebuke, causing I believe Yamashiron to mentally apologise to Midoiron, and then Fukuokaliber appears to highjack the hero spot. Tanaka and the disguised Ohgaman are confused on arrival, Fukuokaliber making a point about heroism to Yamashiron, using the crowd to do so. Gulf appears via Affect System, evidently mid attack on Kitaqman, and is shot by Fukuokaliber. The pair leap into battle, Yamashiron demonstrating his specially modified Nice Buddy gun, Gallia attends to his brother, wondering how they got there. In flashback, immediately after they were teleported away, Great Z admonished El Brave and Kitaqman's heroics while beating them, after knocking down El Brave he gives Kitaqman the chance to fight, expecting him to run, Kitaqman instead relates El Brave's backstory. Great Z gives El Brave some acknowledgment, and an emboldened El Brave fights with all his might, grabbing El Brave, Kitaqman shoots and destroys a drone, thanks to switching with El Brave. Great Z is about to fight harder when he gets a call, and warps all 3 of them. Kitaqman and El Brave appear right next to Fukuokaliber and Yamashiron, while Great Z appeared nearby, next to the Great Z onstage, who he turns to face.

#toku explained #kikai sentai zenkaiger #kamen rider saber #dogengers #ssss.dynazenon

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magicalgirlelsa · 4 years

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Notes and Excerpts from “YoRHa Ver. 1.05″ Novelization

I took notes so I could refer back to them myself as I write fics, but I could never find as much information as I wanted about the stage play prior to reading this, so I thought I’d share for those who may not be able to read it. If you are able to get a copy, I really encourage you to do so! The story is in NieR: Automata: Short Story Long (in Japanese, NieR: Automata: A Short Story.)

I took notes on things like android physiology and psychology, A2′s personality before these events took place, a vague outline of what happened, and more. There are some spoilers for the stage play, but if you’re familiar with her backstory from the game and the “Beasts of Slaughter” audio drama, you already know the gist of them.

[canonicity]

The novelization sees to be from 2017, which means that the version of the stage play it would be adapting is 1.1 (which I believe was released in 2015). This would presumably then be the first time the stage play was updated after the release of the game, despite the novelization being called 1.05. The 1.2 stage play (the most recent, from 2018) came about a year after this novelization.

[plot]

The Pearl Harbor Descent Mission is their first mission. Guided by their operators, Futaba and Yotsuba, and under orders from Commander, 16 units are deployed.

While approaching the ground, they come under fire. No. 2, No. 4, No. 16, and No. 21 are the sole survivors from the squadron. No. 2 becomes the leader now that No. 1 has been killed, but feels unable to lead

They request that Commander abort the mission, as they were not supposed to proceed if they lost more than 4 units, but have lost 12. Command refused, ordering them to proceed and cutting the transmission. No. 2 tries many times to contact Command, recognizing this mission is certain to get them killed, but is ignored by her. Later successes at contacting Command are met only with reiteration that they are ordered to continue the mission.

During an intense battle with the Machines, the 4 YoRHa units encounter members of the Resistance.

Lily (one of the Resistance members) is infected with the logic virus. Until this time, the Resistance (who seem not to have any units capable of hacking) thought the only way to respond was to kill someone as there was no hope of saving them, but No. 21 (a Scanner) is able to cure her of the virus.

The group makes their way to the location of the server room. The Machines have evolved again, and they don’t know how to fight them. Lily, who has become able to use their attacks after being infected with the logic virus, uses a gravity wave to stop the Machines, but she isn’t able to move while keeping the Machines in place. Dahlia, Margaret, and No. 16 stay behind with her. Everyone is aware that the 4 are certain to die. Later, No. 16 detonates her Black Box, taking them out along with the Machines.

No. 21 makes an excuse (perhaps true) about needing to stay behind to hack the elevator to get it to run. The truth is that in addition to this, she is infected with a logic virus that is resistant to hacking. The rest of the group realizes this, and Anemone stays with her to provide a mercy kill. After this, Anemone runs out into the battlefield in the hopes of getting killed by the Machines.

Rose, Erica, Gerbara, Sonia, Shion, No. 2, and No. 4 arrive at the server room alone, where they encounter the Red Girls. The Red Girls inform No. 2 and No. 4 that they were created and sent to Earth to die, that Commander knew the conditions would be worse than she told them, and that abandoning them to this fate was the plan all along.

They have bombs attached to their Black Boxes, which are set to go off if they die in the server room. The real purpose of their mission was to collect data for use in creating future models; it was intended all along that the entire squadron would die.

A strong and unpredictable Machine attacks them. Soon, No. 2 and No. 4 are the only ones left. The Red Girls want to kill No. 4 in front of No. 2 just to see how she reacts, but No. 4 survives and sacrifices herself to save No. 2.

[the resistance]

The Resistance members seen are said to be the sole survivors of a 160 person troop from the Eighth Descent Mission, 200 years ago. (Perhaps they didn’t know Jackass survived, or perhaps she is an android from somewhere else and joined the Resistance at a later time?)

In the timeline, this event can be found in the year 11732. This is 7,543 years after the collapse of Project Gestalt, exactly 200 years before the manufacture of YoRHa units was approved, and 205 years before the first YoRHa unit was operational.

Despite being created before Project YoRHa (and thus the Council of Humanity) was in the picture, they seem to actually believe in there being humans on the moon. They have tried to contact them and believe themselves to have been abandoned by the humans due to not having heard back.

The Resistance named themselves so as to feel more like a family and individuals, as android units don’t typically get individual names.

[android physiology and psychology]

Androids have “artificial muscles” which can become “tight from nerves,” just as humans tense up. They can also experience many other physiological indications of emotions, such as a heavy body, muscle weakness, difficulty breathing, and stomach pain.

Causes of death for androids include battle injuries, accidents, damage to their chassis (body/physical framework), cognitive malfunction, and logic viruses. (This isn’t necessarily a comprehensive list.)

Androids are, at least up to this squadron, hard-coded to fear their own destruction “to promote higher chances of survival.” Despite this, they are still capable of suicidal thoughts and self-sacrifice.

It seems androids are capable of dissociation and being paralyzed with fear.

Androids can sustain cuts, bruises, and scars. If they can bruise, we can potentially assume that the blood they have is a “layer” between their artificial skin and the machinery covering below it.

For an android, their Command’s orders are absolute. They are also “manipulated” into not questioning fishy things. Even if they notice suspicious things like a recon squad who found the server room and never returned, they won’t falter in following Command’s order to go there.

It’s not supposed to be possible for an android to get lost, due to having location data.

It appears that androids can have symptoms similar to PTSD (such as hypervigilance, nightmares, “people who struggle constantly from the terrible memories they were given”), whether a result of real memories or the simulated memories they are given.

[simulated memories]

All androids (at least between the Resistance members and the YoRHa squadron) are given “simulated memories” to “be like humans.”

“Everyone was aware that simulated memories were not real. But to the individual, they all seemed real. Simulated memories were just as vivid as, if not more vivid than, the real memories they had.” But they still value their real memories more.

These memories can be of happy lives, or cruel experiences. Either way, it seems that these memories influence who they are.

No. 2′s memories are of living alone with her grandmother in the countryside after losing her parents at a young age. No. 4′s were of being a happy, sociable high school girl. Rose’s memory is of being a little boy with a military father. One remembers being bullied. A couple of Resistance members imply their memories are of being child soldiers.

There is no indication as to whether the practice of implementing simulated memories continued or was discontinued after this mission.

[logic viruses]

There are predictable stages of the logic virus infection progressing. The first outward sign seems to be jerky movements, as the virus causes them to slowly lose control of their bodies. When their eyes are shining red like a Machine’s, it’s in the terminal phase.

Machines were already weaponizing logic viruses prior to the Pearl Harbor Descent mission.

“The logic virus that the Machines spread could all of a sudden overwrite data in an android’s cyberbrain. Then it would destroy the android’s consciousness and take over their body.”

There may be different types of logic viruses. When Lily is infected and is saved through hacking, she realizes she is able to use enemy attacks such as gravity wave. They are unsure whether this is a different type of virus, which copies its own attacks into an infected unit, or whether the virus adapted in this way because Lily lacked attack power.

Even after sustaining injuries that would be impossible to survive, a dead android can be infected and “animated” by a machine to attack their comrades.

The logic viruses are also capable of evolution, as No. 21 becomes infected with a logic virus that she is not able to hack out.

[changes between generations]

Rather than having one Operator per field unit, they have Futaba and Yotsuba fulfilling this role for the entire squadron. (Based on the names, there may be two or more other operators who do not appear, but that’s only speculation. In the context of counters, ‘futa’ is two and ‘yotsu’ four, but it might be coincidence; and we don’t know if the first and third, or any others, are even operational if it is true.)

“When Rose and her companions had been manufactured, there had been rumors and stories about humans. No. 2 felt a bit of a generation gap. A difference of two hundred years was no small amount of time. No. 2 rarely heard stories of humans.”

In No. 2′s generation, single-digit numbered models are Attackers, 1x (i.e., 10-19) are Gunners, and 2x are Scanners.

No. 2 is surprised to hear that there is a weapons merchant among the Resistance, noting, “Currency economics had existed a long time ago. She remembered hearing that the occupation of merchant disappeared along with the collapse of the system...”

Unlike the Resistance members, the YoRHa squadron have shields to the logic virus, however these shields are clearly not impervious to being rendered ineffective by the virus’ evolution.

The Resistance members don’t seem to be familiar with Scanner-types or hacking.

Newer models have better resistance to Machines’ gravity attacks, recover faster, and are more durable.

Machine cores appeared to thermal sensors as an unusually cool spot in their bodies, which allows androids to locate their core (which is their weak spot). However, Machines evolved to put heat-insulating material around their core to disguise it. This makes the Resistance members and squadron units unable to defeat them, so presumably weaponry has changed by Automata.

This is said in an interview with Yoko rather than the stage play, but it feels relevant to note that this mission was almost certainly before (and, in fact, a big part of the reason) the “emotions are prohibited” rule was implemented.

[relationships]

“being with No. 4 made No. 2 feel more at home.”

The Resistance works to cleanse the Earth of Machines not for humans, but for each other.

The Resistance see one another as family. No. 2 reflects that she doesn’t understand the concept of a family, but there are a number of parallels between how she acts with her comrades and how the Resistance members act with one another, so the accuracy of this is perhaps debatable.

No. 2 is prone to brooding. No. 4 seems good at picking up on when this is happening, and tries to comfort or distract her.

[Seed]

Seed is noted to be old, both through her memories and the deterioration of her body.

Seed is said to be a celebrated warrior, and says that she “lived with humans, shared experiences, and stormed the battlefield with them.” (Note that this would put her at around 10,000 years old, but since Popola and Devola are that old, it’s not out of the question.) She says she has been to Earth 3 times to fight Machines, and her first mission was in the desert.

Currently, she is an experimental unit whose purpose is to test new prototype equipment and participate in simulations with it, even though the experiments are known to be hard on her body.

Seed either genuinely believes there are humans on the moon, or is lying to No. 2 about it.

She begins to question whether her memories of fighting among the humans are real or artificial. Perhaps it is not a coincidence then that she is soon killed in the process of testing “magnetic field-resistant skin.”

Seed’s death occurred quite close to the Pearl Harbor Descent Mission. No. 2 later speculates that it may be because she was too sympathetic to the YoRHa soldiers, if she knew they were doomed.

At the time of Seed’s death, No. 2 doesn’t understand why, even though Seed should have been backed up and able to be moved to a new body, Commander refuses. She is simply told, “This is already a decided matter.”

[A2/No. 2]

Before and during these events, No. 2 is loyal, naive, and emotional. She gets scared easily and is often on the verge of tears. Her comrades are more important to her than anything else, including her own life.

Granted, given that two or three separate people tell her to find a reason to live, she may not particularly value her own life.

She tries to stay optimistic so long as there is the “potential” for success, no matter how slim.

No. 2 thinks little of sacrificing herself, at one point reflecting, “If she couldn’t become as strong as No. 1, then at least she could become a shield for her comrades.”

Even though it shouldn’t be possible, No. 2 seems to have an abysmal sense of direction. She gets lost in the small Resistance camp. She gets lost in “this small orbiting base” (presumably the Bunker?). It’s acknowledged that this is very odd -- “How the hell could an android get lost? She thought she would be suspected as a defective model.” -- but never explained.

The Commander describes No. 2 as a “mediocre specimen lacking extraordinary qualities.” When faced with this statement, No. 2 apologizes, reflecting that “Just as the commander had said, she was average in every way and had nothing she was exceptionally good at. No. 2 knew it too well.” She also describes herself as a “boring, unexceptional model.”

The word “potential” has significant meaning to her, after Seed told her that “being average means she has the potential to improve in every way.”

“She understood how Lily felt, because she also had an inferiority complex of feeling like useless baggage.”

No. 2 has always hated fighting and wishes she didn’t have to.

“Not wanting to bother her comrades. Not wanting to be a burden to her comrades. That was how No. 2 had fought, in training and on the battlefield. Everything she did was for the sake of her comrades, but her comrades kept dying.”

No. 2 blames herself for the Resistance members dying, since she was the one to convince them to cooperate.

When having to kill her zombified, infected former comrades: “No. 2 felt something die inside of her.”

When No. 2 comes to after the explosion, her first thought is that someone stronger should have survived instead.

She only learned recently (to Automata’s “present day”) that Anemone had survived. Until that time, she had thought herself the sole survivor of the entire mission.

In present day, she continues to have frequent, recurring nightmares of that mission.

[misc]

The androids predating them created YoRHa to spur android evolution, because with the Machines evolving, the androids were struggling in the war.

When a unit has “made significant contributions on the battlefield,” they may fill out a request form to receive a name, which then must go to the board (Council of Humanity?) for approval. This may or may not be the case for Futaba and Yotsuba (since they have potentially numeric names), but is said to be true of Seed. (Whether this is actually true of Seed or was implemented as part of a cover story is, of course, unknown.)

The Resistance wants to give No. 2 a name, but she feels she has “no right to have a name, not without having produced any results.” She asks that they wait until after the mission, but really she is against it without going through the proper channels.

The Bunker(?) has different rooms that simulate different situations, such as one in which location data is not available. However, this does not seem to be where the current units’ battle simulations take place, as Seed remarks that units don’t go there unless they are “experimental subjects or staff.”

excerpts

“What should I do... I can’t be a captain.”

She [No. 2] couldn’t. Why me, she thought. Why did she survive, and not No. 1?

Anemone was speechless. No. 21′s eyes were both blood red. It was a symptom from the terminal stages of infection. It was a miracle she was operating the terminal in this state. It wouldn’t have been surprising if she had gone rampant minutes ago. She must have held it together via sheer willpower, to get No. 2 and the group to the server room.

“Please. While I’m still myself.”

Anemone leveled the gun at No. 21. She struggled to keep her hands steady.

“Any last words?”

No. 21′s mouth distorted into a smile. Or rather, she tried to smile.

“Who would you pass them on to, even if I had any?”

“I’ll hear you out. Even if I die right after this.”

“I’m glad I met you. These memories are real. Thank you.”

[When No. 2 asks Seed why she takes part in the dangerous and painful experiments:]

“Well, I should be retired by now, after all.”

Seed’s chassis was covered in scars. Perhaps they had stopped production of her original parts; much of her body used parts that were obviously not of her original design.

“I left everything on the battlefield. Do you understand?” she asked, to which No. 2 shook her head. She had never even been in a battle, so she couldn’t imagine a battlefield either.

“Anger, sadness, fear, and even happiness. I have none of it now. There’s nothing in this empty head of mine.” Seed looked down at her hands. “But when I’m holding a weapon, I forget all of that. Even if this is a simulated battlefield.”

[Seed’s message to No. 2]

“If you’re seeing this message, then that means I’m no longer a part of this world.”

She stopped breathing. She thought her heart would stop beating too.

“Unlike humans, we’re told that androids have no souls. This message is the closest thing to a soul that I can leave you with.”

“No...” Her voice sounded far away.

Why couldn’t they upload her [Seed’s] data to a spare chassis? Technologically speaking, avoiding death was possible. Yet.

“Why? I can’t accept that!”

The commander had already disappeared.

“I can’t... accept that...”

Her shoulders involuntarily shook. Pain rose from the bottom of her throat. No. 2 cried alone in a deserted hallway.

The night before--after Lily had told No. 2 that “Rose is my only captain!”--No. 2 had curled up in a fetal position at the edge of camp. No. 2 had felt unreasonably dejected until No. 21 came up to her to explain the situation.

What determined who lived was not power or intelligence. It was sheer luck. Even so, she was chosen to live. A fate chosen on a whim. Then, she had to do whatever being a survivor entailed.

Destroy the Machines. Destroy everything. Nobody would get in her way. She would kill anybody who tried. Whoever that person would be. [...]

First, she had to escape this shitty place. After she repaired her chassis, she would go massacre the Machines. She would ruin them, one by one. That was her reason to live...

She had died during that battle. Her old self was buried under the rubble with her comrades.

That’s why even if she knew Anemone was alive, she didn’t go out of her way to contact her. She didn’t know what to do if she met her. But now she had a perfect excuse, in the form of a fuel filter, to go talk to her.

She peered toward the direction the box specified. She could see some high-rise structures beyond the sandstorms.

“Guess I’ll go.”

She walked, kicking sand as she went. She called out her comrades’ names in her head. But she felt nothing.

She was empty inside.

#nier automata #yorha stage play #a2 #nier series #nier: automata #nier #yokoverse #yokoverse meta

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jira-chii · 5 years

Text

AF Alice Rank

In the AF Alice rank, Sakura (who plays Alice) tries to revive her theatre group using a magic key.

This post also includes an unnecessarily long analysis of the theatre group series in general.

Shichirin (I really hope I am pronouncing this right), was a famous theatre group, renowned for doing plays of popular fairy tales, whose members all turned into tamashii when Lost happened. Sakura seeks out Chihiro, hoping she will lend her an artefact (AF) that will help her find the missing members.

As it so happens, the Magic Key was recently completed. This powerful AF has the ability to transport its user anywhere they can visualise, by bending the space around them and creating a “door” which is basically a teleportation portal. However it requires a tremendous amount of willpower to control, and, as a tamashii has never used an AF until now, Chihiro has justifiable concerns.

But a Magic Key sounds perfect for a girl who plays Alice, and Sakura assures her she will be able to control it.

Ofc she doesn't, as Takuya and Yuki find out when they are asked to investigate a tamashii that has gone berserk.

Throughout the quest, we see various flashbacks of Alice with the rest of Shichirin, emphasizing how much she loves being in the group, and everyone in it. First, Kanzou (who plays Captain Hook), remarks that she will probably be good enough to replace him as the face of the theatre group soon. Then, Sakura stays back after normal hours to practise more after receiving some advice she got from Kuroe (who plays Tinkerbell). Her enthusiasm cause the other members to also stay back: Yoshiki (Playing Card) and Chizu (Queen of Hearts).

It's very obvious Alice loves the group and that's why she wants to revive them. But just the act of wanting isn't enough. As Chihiro explains when she catches up to us, Sakura’s image of where she wants to go is not strong enough; to make the key obey, Sakura needs to think about not just the act of reviving the group, but also what she wants to do afterward (seems very similar to the predicament of another character in main story). Essentially, the key needs her to have a clear vision of the future in order to behave.

Chihiro also informs us Sakura was close to another actress named Kaede, and apparently they made a promise just before Lost happened. It’s likely to be a clue to making the key behave, but it looks like Sakura has forgotten about the promise after the shock of turning into a tamashii.

We actually did see Kaede in one of the flashbacks. Kanzou didn't want Sakura practising when she should have been taking a break like the others, but he also wanted to acknowledge the work she was putting into her role. So he gives her tickets to see a different production of Alice in Wonderland, by a theatre group called Futaba.

Kaede is the actress of this other Alice. She sees Sakura practising late at night and decides to join her. Sakura praises her for her performance, but Kaede has doubts about her acting, something Sakura can relate to. They decide to practice together.

One day Kaede asks Sakura what she would do if her group hypothetically dissolves. Unlike Shichirin, Futaba is a small theatre group and so such a possibility is always looming over them. After some thinking, Alice replies with “I’ll revive them”, and Kaede agrees she would have given a similar answer. To both Alices, their theatre groups are like family: warm, fun and full of the people they love.

Kaede remarks that every time Sakura talks about Shichirin her eyes light up.

Kaede then says she’d like to see Sakura’s ultimate performance of Alice some day. Sakura makes a promise then and there that she will show Kaede her best Alice performance, as well as her beloved theatre family.

Sakura remembers the promise after some prompting from Yuki.

"That’s right, I made a promise! I can’t stop here!"

She gets the key to work, and awakens it by using it on us. Then she heads off to revive Shichirin.

"After I revive Shichirin, you guys should come watch our performance too!"

In the epilogue Chihiro apologises to Kirihiko. She had no idea the key would go crazy like that, although Kirihiko says Sakura’s will was actually quite powerful and she was able to contain the chaos very well.

Also, we get a hint that Kirihiko might know something more about the Shichirin tamashii?

"So, it’s the Shichirin theatre group. As expected of a member of the workshop I scouted out myself, you’ve selected a great tamashii."

Much Thinking about Nothing

On the topic of this quest, I’d like to take this chance to talk a bit (sorry I actually mean, a lot) about the theatre group in general, which is something I’ve been wanting to do for a while now. Because I feel these series of quests subtly shows just how clever the writers of this game are.

The theatre group Shichirin, comprised of a bunch of actors and actresses in costume, is one of the more distinguishable set of characters in Shoumetsu Toshi. They were a famous group, reknowned for their engaging plays. But they were bought out by the circus group Anglermain (sorry if I spelt that wrong) and were involved in Lost shortly after that.

Prior to this rank, the only way you would know anything about them is through their advents (a rotating set of quests that are available to almost all players. There are two types: ones that give evolution materials, and ones that give you the tamashii. Shichirin advents are the latter).

Overall the main gist of the series is: Yuki and Takuya are investigating the theatre members to figure out what their last performance was going to be on before Lost. Was it Peter Pan? Or was it Alice in Wonderland? (who really cares tbh. Also they never find out.)

The Shichirin advents have a unique structure:

Sakura has a weird conversation with one of the NPC characters (like Geek or Researcher). She is actually just reciting her lines as Alice but they think she is actually talking to them for real.

Gameplay bit. Takuya and Yuki search for one of the members of Shichirin, and then fight them.

After defeating them, we see a flashback of them talking to Sakura off-stage. It hints at internal politics but as it’s “adult’s business” they tend to leave Sakura out of it.

I’m gonna give my thoughts on each of these, and then relate what we know back to the ranking.

1. Sakura’s convos as Alice are meta af

As mentioned, Shichirin advents begin with NPCs like Geek and Headhunter mistaking Sakura reciting her lines as Alice for actual conversation. The surreal miscommunication can insult, intrigue, confuse and bring new perspectives to them, highlighting the bizarre meta nature of storytelling, dialogue and words in general. Are Alice’s lines just gibberish? Or do they contain a more profound hidden meaning?

The interaction is multilayered, and can be viewed in many ways. First is the interaction between a “child” and an “adult”. For example, Scientist/Eiji dismisses her as a child for who a great scientist like him has no time for. But then she poses the question (or rather, recites her line): How is a dog and table similar? Scientist has something like an epiphany: “Wow I had never considered a perspective like that.” Then ironically when Sakura leaves he wants to chase after her to spend more time probing deeper into her mind.

The other example I like is Headhunter interpreting her words as accusing him of being greedy, which is really more a reflection about how he thinks of himself than anything else. Here we see a parallel between the “innocent” child who knows nothing of the real world, and the jaded adult who knows he is flawed, but also knows there is nothing he can do about it. In fact, Sakura’s innocence is also a key theme in the story of the theatre group, but I’ll come back to that.

Sakura is just an actress, so her lines actually don’t mean anything. But to her audience, they can get many different interpretations depending on their own personal context. It’s very similar to the nature of theatre and storytelling in general. Anyway, it’s all incredibly meta which is why I love it so much (for those who care, my favourite Shakespeare play is Hamlet for the same reason).

The other little thing I appreciate about this beginning section of each of quest is how Sakura’s lines suggest a nickname for everyone. E.g. Geek is Humpty Dumpty and Researcher/Yumiko is Caterpillar (for which she takes huuuge offense). There is probably a deeper meaning to these too, but again, different people will have different interpretations. That’s just the beauty of theatre.

Speaking of different nicknames, let’s talk about the actual tamashii themselves.

2. Every cast member has two names

Shichirin tamashii take on the name of their role (e.g. Tinkerbell, Queen of Hearts, Captain Hook. This also applies to Sakura/Alice, who isn’t even an advent tamashii). The first time we meet them in the advents, they are in costume and behaving just like the character they are acting as. It really is just like interacting with the actual character from the fairytale. It is also a good indication of how passionate they are toward acting, to have their tamashii show forms like that.

So it feels like a very abrupt change when, in the flashbacks at the end of the quest, we see them using their real names (which, until now, we've never seen used anywhere else). Sometimes their personality completely changes too (just like real actors). Thus, there is a clear distinction between what happens “on-stage”, and “off-stage”.

This ranking quest capitalises on that by almost exclusively using everyone’s real names. And this really highlights that these are actual people with authentic interactions. Maybe it is because they behave so differently from when they are on-stage, that their relationships seem so genuine. It gives the feeling of watching a “behind-the-scenes” of a movie or something. And by only seeing things through Sakura’s viewpoint, we get the sense that this is a very close-knit family, without even seeing any of their faces.

3. Something foul is at play within Shichirin

Sakura’s feelings for her fellow cast members, her family, are definitely genuine. However there is a lot she doesn’t know about the happenings off-stage, hinted at in the advents. The overly positive way she announces she will “revive Shichirin” at the end of the ranking also does not bode well.

In the advents, Sakura is treated like an innocent child who knows nothing about the true world of adults. Which I guess by proxy means we don’t really know what’s going on either. There’s something about “taking sides” (Alice in Wonderland vs Peter Pan?), the possible dissolution of the group, and, by far the most interesting, the eventual sale of the group to the circus group (and front for the organisation) Anglermain.

Kirihiko’s words at the end of rank seem to be foreshadowing that we may learn more about Shichirin in the future.

Lastly, can I just say I’m really glad they finally explained Kaede, because having two tamashii called Alice had me confused for so long.

#Shoumetsu Toshi #af #alice #analysis

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p5youllneverseeitcoming · 6 years

Note

Imagine the Phantom Theives with an S/O who also becomes a Phantom theif...

Omg this is like everyone’s ultimate dream!… I want to be a Phantom Thief T_T

Phantom Thieves with a S/O who becomes a Phantom Thief

Akira Kurusu:

> He always knew there was something special about you

> It’s just he never expected that to be the power to awaken to a Persona

> He watched as you ripped the mask off of your face and then effortlessly defeating the Shadows that surrounded you

> You pant heavily before falling to your knees

> “You okay?” He asks quickly running towards you and offering his gloved hand

> “When did I…” You begin as you take a quick look at your new outfit

> “I’ll explain everything in a bit, let’s just get out of here first okay?”

> You nod as you take his hand

~~~

> You sip your coffee as Akira explains to you the basis of the Metaverse

> “And… That’s pretty much it.”

> “Right…”

> “You sound confused.”

> “Well, not confused more like… Overwhelmed? It’s quite a lot to take in you know.”

> He chuckles

> “Yeah I suppose so… For a newbie.”

> “Oh I see how it is Leader, I’m sorry not everyone is a Phantom Thief as long as you.” You tease.

> “He was as confused as you, don’t worry F/n.”

> “Gah! Your cat just spoke to me!”

> “Oh yeah, I forgot about that.”

> You tilt your head at Morgana

> “Come to think of it… I did see a fluffy cat-like creature with you.”

> “I’M NOT A CAT!”

> “Ah! My apologies… Mona.” You say as you reach out to pet his head

> Akira smiles at that before shifting his gaze so your eyes meet

> “So, now that you’re up to date about how things work around here… What will your code name be?”

> “Code name?”

> “We don’t know the effects of using our real names in the Metaverse so we all have our code names.” Morgana explains as he rubs his head against your palm “For example, I’m Mona and Akira is Joker.”

> “I see…” You tap your chin with your free hand

> “Ah, I got it! I’d like to be [Insert code name here]!”

> Akira nods at the name

> “I’m looking forward to working with you, [Code name].” He says as he raises his own cup of coffee

> “Likewise, Joker.” You say as you clink your cups together

Ann Takamaki:

> She had a problem

> As in you

> You just looked so perfect all the time

> And your Thief outfit wasn’t exactly helping either

> Why did it have to be skintight?!

> “Hm? Is everything alright Panther?” You ask tilting your head at her

> Stop that. It makes you look adorable.

> “Oh yeah sorry! I was… Daydreaming.”

> “Oh? Was it about me?” You ask, a grin forming on your lips

> She just rolls her eyes as a response which causes you to giggle

> “Anyways, we should probably just head back to the meeting place, it looks like there’s nothing here but dust.” You say, taking one last look around the room you were in

> “Right. Hopefully the others were able to find something.”

> You nod as you turn and walk towards the door

> … Only to spin round to face Panther last second

> “Ack! What the-” Before she can finish you quickly wrap your arms around one of hers

> “Well I wouldn’t want a Shadow to get the jump on you whilst you daydream so I decided that we will stick extra close from now on!” You say as you start to walk and drag Panther out of the room

> “Haha, stop acting like a knight in shining armour.” She says as she quickly falls in step with you

> “Ehh? That’s mean, you know I’d happily die for you!”

> “You better not, we’re out of revival items.”

> “Wh- That’s not what I-”

> This time you’re the one that doesn’t get to finish, mainly because soft lips are now pressed against your own

Ryuji Sakamoto:

> Honestly he was so happy

> It was so fun running through the halls of distorted palaces and fighting Shadows with you

> You two have so much fun in fact, that you often got scolded by Queen for acting rather recklessly

> “Sorry…” You both say in unison, staring at the ground

> “Honestly, you two are such children at times.” Queen says shaking her head

> “Well, I can’t really argue with you, but you have to admit that it’s totally awesome to go to places like pyramids and space stations, I mean… I never even dreamed of seeing places like that up close!” You say excitedly rocking back and forth

> “You’re such a nerd [Code name], haha.” Skull laughs as he pats your shoulder

> “Wh- No I’m not! I just, uh, appreciate… The aesthetic?” You say, voice sounding far from confident

> “Please stop. One Fox is more than enough.” Skull mumbles, looking at Fox

> He is a bit concerned something could happen to you of course

> But that’s exactly why he willingly runs in front of you or pushes you out of the way if he sees a Shadow preparing a powerful attack

> You appreciate that, you really do

> But you still scold him for it whenever you tend to his wounds

> He of course makes it seem like no big deal though

> “Eh I’ll be fine! Hey, how about we go get ramen after we’re done?”

> “Uh, sure but, how can you think of ramen at a time like this?!”

> “Dude, when do I not think of ramen.”

> “… Good point.”

> He laughs happily at that and you can’t help but smile yourself

Makoto Niijima:

> She would be low-key concerned all the time

> But she would do her best not to let it show

> Whenever you suffer a major hit, she would instantly heal you with her strongest healing spell

> “Haha, thank you Queen!” You say cheerfully as you pick yourself up from the ground

> “Are you sure you’re okay? Maybe you should switch with someone?”

> “Nah, it’s just a scratch, no big deal.” You say, wiping dust off of your costume

> “… Okay…”

> “Hey,” You say walking up to her and taking hold of her gloved hands “Don’t worry about me, you know I’d do anything to protect my Queen.” You add with a wink

> This causes her to laugh quietly

> “It’s just a code name.”

> “I disagree, you’re my one and only Queen.”

> You notice a faint blush forming on her cheeks, barely visible from beneath her mask

> “That’s… Cheesy.”

> You roll your eyes at that before leaning in and giving her cheek a kiss

> “I know.”

> Ever since that encounter she stopped worrying as much and simply admired your strength and determination

> Although she still scolded you occasionally when you missed a chance to deal a critical hit due to silly mistakes

Yusuke Kitagawa:

> You often found him busily sketching something in his art book instead of looking for clues

> “Uh, Fox?” You say tapping him lightly on his shoulder

> “Oh, my apologies, I spaced out again.” He replies still sketching.

> You press your lips together before standing on your toes and peering over his shoulder

> Unsurprisingly, you find your Phantom mask in the middle of the page along with roses climbing on each side of the paper

> “Awww…” You whisper right next to his ear

> “Please stop that [Code name] I’m nowhere near finished, it looks rather bad at the moment.”

> “Fox it looks amazing, and it’s only a sketch!”

> He chuckles as he places the pencil down and turns his face towards you

> “You compliment me too much.”

> “Well of course, your art is amazing.”

> “… The only thing I ever draw is you.”

> “Wh- Um, r-really?… No it’s not… You drew flowers not long ago…”

> “Ah you mean the flowers we saw in the park? Indeed, but only because you said they looked beautiful.”

> “H-Huh? Is that why… You made me that flower crown?”

> He only smiles in response which causes your cheeks to become pink

> “Oi, lovebirds! If you’re done flirting with each other can we just get going?!” Skull shouts.

> Fox sighs before putting his art supplies away

> “Shall we?” He asks, turning to face you and offering his gloved hand

> You nod as you happily take it and make your way towards your team

Futaba Sakura:

> She’d be absolutely thrilled, often pulling you aside just to take a selfie because you just ‘looked so cool’

> But you can bet that she will protect you the most

> “Navi!” Joker shouts

> “Leave it to me!” Navi shouts as she swipes for an attack boost spell

> After the fight is over, you notice the Necronomicon hovering above you

> “Is everyone okay?” She asks

> “Yeah we are, thanks to you.” You say looking up and smiling

> “Actually [Code name] I have one more thing for you!”

> “Hu-”

> “CATCH!”

> Before you can fully comprehend what’s going on, you stick out your arms and second later you found that the thing you caught was Navi herself

> She giggles as she shifts so that she now has her arms wrapped around your neck

> “Um?”

> “Well, I noticed that you got hurt the most during the last fight so I came to heal you!”

> “Don’t you… Need your Persona for that?”

> “Nope!”

> You want to question her more but before you can do that you feel her lips press against yours

> You blink for a second before responding to her until she pulls away with a massive grin on her face

> “This is by far the best healing spell anyone has ever used on me.” You say as a smile forms on your lips

> “Just don’t go around getting hurt on purpose so I can heal you like this all the time.”

> “Who do you take me for? A noob?”

> “Only sometimes.” She teases

Haru Okumura:

> She was really glad you were a Phantom Thief too, that way she could spend more time with you!

> Seeing as she joined rather late, she often relied on you to show her how things work

> At first, you’d often have to help her up and heal her after she got knocked down

> “Thank you so much [Code name], you’re so reliable and strong!” She complimented you as you pulled her to her feet

> But of course, as soon as she understood, she was unstoppable

> “N-Noir took out five enemies with a single grenade…” You say, gripping your weapon tightly

> As you say this, Noir quickly spins to face you and jumps up with excitment

> “[Code name]! Joker! Did I do good?” She asked with an innocent smile on her face

> Joker simply nods

> “Of course you did Noir! You’re amazing!” You say

> She giggles at that and holy heck that’s the cutest thing you’ve ever heard

> “I’m really glad! Shall we move on then?” She asks as she adjusts her hat

> Why is your girlfriend so fluffy yet so deadly

> “Yeah, of course.” You answer

> You find that the two of you mostly discuss things such as the best type or tea and coffee but then somehow end up discussing who’s weapon is more deadlier

> Noir of course claims that her axe would win anytime against anyone/anything and you find that this is most likely true considering she keeps reminding Shadows that they ‘shouldn’t annoy a girl with an axe’

> “Okay different question.” You say smiling

> She tilts her head to the side slightly implying you’ve got her attention

> “Who do you love more, me or your axe.”

> “…”

> For a solid minute she taps her finger against her lips, deep in thought

> “W-Wait seriously?”

> She giggles at that

> “Haha, I tricked you [Code name]! You already know the answer…”

> “Aw-”

> “It’s the axe.”

> “Hey!”

> Before you can say anything else she presses a kiss to your cheek and you know she’s just joking

> … You hope.

211 notes · View notes

badlydrawndrawnings · 6 years

Text

Rewriting Goro

While Trying to Incorporate the Canon Parts (because I been wondering how the game could have kept Goro as in Canon while fixing the character/whole thing better).

Goro doesn’t think of his ‘didn’t think this plan out well’ plan of working with Shido in order to take him down and inadvertently becoming a supernatural hitman. Goro didn’t plan on killing him in canon, so it’s the same here. Since no one is taking down Shido and all the others rotten people, he’s going to do it. Goro still decides to become a teen detective. I headcanon Shido gave Goro some help with some influence and connections (Goro couldn’t get that famous with just faking a few cases + real work at times), and since Goro isn’t working with Shido in this rewrite, Goro is just a plain wannabe teen detective. However, he isn’t that bad, and while not on the levels of Naoto, he gets a new nickname different from canon: The Black and White Detective of the Law.

Goro sees the world as black and white: those that are guilty criminals, and the innocent people hurt by them. Goro is set on getting the guilty no matter wait. At the beginning, Goro arrest real criminals that escape their crimes. However, in some cases, Goro make a few known criminals psychotic, as the law fail to put them behind bars the first time around, meaning the second time is a 100% guarantee (arrest for new crimes people). Goro keeps an eye on Shido, who is slowly gaining power and influence. Eventually, Goro learns of Wakaba Isshiki, and due to a terrible mistake, is under the idea she’s willingly working with Shido (quite the opposite though, as she’s trying to stop him from getting her research). While trying to get her to be psychotic, Goro inadvertently injures Shadow!Wakaba, causing a much late mental shutdown. Ergo, Wakaba’s death still happen, and Goro has no idea he’s related to it.

Now, Shido been keeping an eye on rivals and allies, and he learns of Goro’s existence after Wakaba’s sudden death (Shido added the note for the sake of it). Shido has no idea Goro is his kid until some investigation, and he realize there’s no way he can get Goro to work with him. Not voluntary of course. Being the smart man that he is, Shido, with lots of help to make sure it won’t be trace back to himself, gets Goro to do his dirty work. Goro now takes down associates of criminals, believing them to be guilty, not knowing half the people he arrests are framed by Shido, since they’re (admitting guilty of very minor crimes) rivals/innocent people getting in the way. This is how Ohya’s partner ends up in her state: it’s in a similar way to Wakaba. Unknown to Shido, Goro manged to learn about Madarame, Kaneshiro, and Okumura, and Goro plans on taking the them all down, as they have some connection to Shido (Goro is now trying to exposure Shido the good old fashion way).

Of course, Goro’s plan get derail by the Phantom Thieves, as he plan on taking down Kamoshida. Goro doesn’t take their arrival of his world so great. 2.5 years down the drain, and they think changing their hearts will fix everything. To Goro, while the PT get the confess to their crimes, it’s not a true confession. Has it been truly justice, the criminals would be face with the reality of their crimes without any outside help to help them (Goro is totally ignoring he makes people go psychotic cuz he in denial). Goro first meets the PT in Madarame’s Palace, just when it collapses (because honestly the game did Black Mask’s threat level poorly; if you got someone like that, actually show him a few times to and maybe let them interact). Goro/Black Mask and Joker fight, and Black Mask swears he’ll take down Joker if it’s the last thing he’ll do (”I’ll won’t have some criminal trash get in the way of true Justice”, something like that). Now the PT is out looking for the Black Mask. With this rivalry/hatred in the Metaverse, Goro and the Phantom Thieves in the real world get along great...kind of.

Goro befriended Joker after learning about Shido’s drunken night and the ‘attack’ of the teenage delinquent (Goro sees Joker as innocent as mention above). Goro finds him at Cafe LeBlanc, and Joker starts the Confidant/Co-Op earlier. At this point, no one know Goro’s reputation, so the rest of the PT at this point (Ryuji and Anne, granted she does say Goro is familiar), are okay. It’s only after Madareme’s change of heart does it change at the TV Station. Goro calls them criminals, stating what they’re doing is wrong. It sours things, but Joker is still dead set on being Goro’s friend because he think Goro can change his black and white views. The rest of the PT (even those that join later) go ‘FINE”, and they use Goro as a mean to learn info about the problems of the police. In this world, Goro is just working with just the police, having no relationship with Sae (he knows of her, but they never talk as he’s at the bottom of the ladder). As such, Makoto’s issue/joining is still the same, sans Goro (Goro doesn’t know Sae, so he can’t really say much to Makoto).

It’s after Futaba’s Palace does the PT suspect Black Mask involved in Wakaba’s death. However, they know Black Mask isn’t working with the Conspiracy, as Shadow!Madarame and Shadow!Kaneshiro assumed the PT were allies with him. Thinking back to what he said about “Justice”, they realize the Black Mask’s justice became so skewered, he may have help caused Wakaba’s death, allowing the Conspiracy to play him. Maybe. Everyone is split. They don’t know if they’re being play, if their original assumption is right, or they should just ignore him because he’s actually not their priority at the moment since they haven’t seen or heard any trace of him in a while (they assumed he backed off). The fight of Ryuji and Morgana is more about what they’re going to do with Black Mask, as those two have the biggest different views: Ryuji and rest of PT are on team ignore him and Morgana on team being play. With being ‘abandon’ and his feeling less useful since no one is taking his word, Morgana leaves, trying to prove them wrong (so canon stuff here) in both ways.

Things go out of hand when it’s time to change Okumura’s Change of Heart, both the real and Metaverse world. In the real world, Goro confronts the PT earlier, showing the photo of them entering Okumura’s Palace. He’s upset with all of them, especially Joker, calling them out for befriending him just to get intel, and he runs away, ignoring Joker’s call. They’re scared that Goro, in his anger and ‘betrayal’ (from Goro’s POV), will turn the photo in. However, they still have to worry about Okumura, so they’re extra cautious if Goro accidentally turns them in on the day of the change of heart. While it goes as plan, the PT are soon met with the Black Mask, trying to make Okumura go psychotic. They have a brief fight, ending with Black Mask getting shot by one of the PT (I say Haru, grabbing Makoto’s gun to save her father), and Black Mask shoots Shadow!Okumura, killing him. Everyone FREAK OUT, including Black Mask. As the PT run away, Black Mask lingering behind, realizing what he had done.

So the PT is now worried about Goro turning them in, the Black Mask wanting to get them for shooting him, and the fact Black Mask did something that could affect the change of heart process. Like Canon, Okumura dies, and they figure the Black Mask has no idea this was even a thing (remember, everyone freaked out). They almost get hearts attacks when Goro meets them at the school festival, telling them he won’t turn them in..if they can prove him wrong. At the cafe, at the proper meeting, Goro tells them about how he be investigation a politician, and that he may be behind everything going on for the last few years, telling them there’s word of Sae being in his pocket, unwittingly at least. If they get a change of heart on Sae, he’ll deleted the photo,and he’ll give the name of the politician so they can change his heart. As they bring up the Black Mask, Goro tells them he saw them, and that he certain the person had no idea shooting Shadow!Okumura would lead to his death, and swears he’ll capture the criminal, turning him in when they save Sae.

Everyone does learn Goro is going to betray them to the Police (not the Conspiracy; they know he has a beef with it, especially with the politician leader. Their theories are wacky, with Ryuji having the wackiest of all: Goro is related to the guy) so he can reclaim his title (everyone see how ironic it is). So the plan is alter a bit: Get Sae’s Palace to sneak out the real Joker, distracting everyone with a fake (and Sae to be their ally). Also, the PT is bit nicer here canon since Goro isn’t trying to kill Joker, but it’s still an act. Joker is upset by this because he thinks he can get Goro to spot what’s he doing and let him (and the others) go free. On the day of the canon heist, they start things off as plan, but unknown to them, Shido deep’s pocket are with the police, and they plan on framing Goro for murdering Joker. However, luck is on the PT and Goro’s side...sort of. The PT are fed lies that Goro, aka Black Mask is working with the Conspiracy, and that he killed Joker, so everyone is angry at Goro for his ‘hypocrisy’. In truth, Goro manged to catch wind of the PT plan, and rescued Joker from getting a headshot, and the two have a heart to heart chat. Goro is upset this is the second time they the PT lied to him. Joker brings up how Goro did set a trap though, and Goro explain he was hoping to convince Sae to get Joker a light sentence, as Goro was going to give up all the info he has of the Conspiracy as well so the two can go to jail together in a rewritten rank eight:

Goro tells Joker about being Black Mask, how the Conspiracy -before it even became it- ruined his life, and the guilt for getting played by Conspiracy into killing, hurting,and arresting innocent people. He tells Joker to get the PT stand down. At this point, the news break out Joker is dead, so Goro suspects he’s being frame. Goro wants to take down the Conspiracy by himself, saying the PT brand of justice isn’t going to work in this case. So they part ways, and everyone is shock to see Joker alive. As Joker tells them what Goro told him, the mood is a bit sour, since they still think Goro is playing them. However, since their leader is alive, it’s a real 50/50 split. Excluding Joker, Anne, Yusuke, and Haru -she truly thinks now it was in accident, like Wakaba- believe Goro. Makoto, Morgana, and Futaba for not believing -she angry for what happened in her life after her mother’s death anf don’t believe it. Ryuji of all people is in the middle, as while he hates Goro, the story they hear doesn’t make too much so...if anything, he wants to hear it from Goro himself. Everyone can agree to take Shido’s heart (they figure it out) before Goro does his plan...whatever it is.

Everything follow canon, with a few differences. The Cleaner is more of Shido’s second hand here, and he doesn’t back down easy as the PT get the letters. He does a bad number on the PT, and they barely won. To make things worse, while trying to escape. they run into Goro . He complains to Joker for not telling the PT to stand down, since they’re going to ruin everything, and that he’s going to turn them in. The not believing Goro team call him out for ‘working’ with Shido and that he should turn himself in. Goro is upset at this accusation, telling everyone how he can he work for such a scumbag of a father. So everyone is going ‘wtf’, and Goro tells them how he’s the bastard child of Shido, and how he ruined his family life to where his mom killed herself (Ryuji feels vindicated).

Everyone is now more or less on the same team, and they try to get Goro to rejoin the team to change Shido’s heart, since they didn’t actually kept their word to Goro. If they do that, Goro turns himself for the things he did as Black Mask. Goro doesn’t want too. Since at this point his black and white view is turning grey, he’s was hoping to maybe cling onto whatever he has left of his reputation. He doesn’t want to give into society’s view of his status of a bastard criminal, and they fight. The PT win the first time, and they try to get Goro to change his mind still, bringing up all of their misfortunes on how society tries to paint them the wrong way too. They’ll say they are willing to stand by his side, knowing how he was with no one for a long time It almost works, but Loki convinces Goro that it’s another trick like all the others, decides to summons Loki and becomes Black Mask, finally ‘accepting’ who he truly is.

Of course the PT beat his ass, and they still try to get Goro to rejoin them. Back to his senses, Goro does agrees, though he doesn’t look too convince it’s going to work out easy. As they all start to leave, freaking Cleaner comes back, with reinforcement. Goro, being the closest, tries to pull the stunt he does in canon (doesn’t help the Cleaner is actually targeting Goro) but the PT decide to help and they escape back to the real world. Goro is grateful and thanks them...and also ask for them to call Sae. He realize he’s more useful as a witness than taking down Shido, and that a change of heart, Shido will have supporters/allies to keep his plan up. So Goro is secretly arrested by the police, and he gives up all the information he has of Shido and the Conspiracy.

So Goro is out, leaving the boss fight as it is with Shido. As the PT confronts Shadow!Shido after finally defeating him, telling them about how Goro is his own son, and that how it’s his own flesh and blood that’s going to help take him down. As the Palace does his collapse, Shadow!Shido gets the last laugh, telling them that Goro is already dead the second he turned himself in, and that they’ll be joining him soon (cue cutscene of Goro getting a visitor). The PT escape the Palace (no one beats on Ryuji since everyone has important things to worry about, and it’s Ryuji who brings up after they meet up again). They contact Sae, and she’s upset, as it turns out Goro ‘killed’ himself, but all signs points to a murder. However, since Goro’s evidence he collect is still good, they can use it in Shido’s trial (it sucks that there’s no witness though to back the evidence up). Goro did left something behind for Joker, ranking up the Confidant/Co-op from the dead (idk the item. Thinking cuff links or the tie).

So everyone mourns Goro, and get the shock of their live when Shido admits to his crimes...including Goro, telling the world about his son and how manipulated from afar. So the PT has some hope justice will be done, but of course, there’s still the issue with Mementos and Yabadadoo. Speaking of which, learning the truth of that gets a stronger reaction, as everyone is upset Joker and Goro (and in some ways, everyone else), were pawns. For Goro, they realize he died believing everything will turn out fine (when it isn’t). Everything is the same as canon, and Joker turns himself in, more for Goro since died almost for nothing. And like canon, Joker gets out. Everything ends the same way like the game.

It’s honestly not the best rewrite, and the tweaks of the Confidant/Co-Op make no sense at times. However, Goro’s character is still the ‘same’ like canon, being the traitor while getting his story flesh out to be believable and make him more understandable. And he gets a solid conclusion. It’s not a great one, but it’s better than the AWOL Schrodinger Cat situation the game did.

#persona 5 #goro akechi #akechi goro #this is a text post #character rewrite #plot rewrite

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ask-the-phan-site · 5 years

Text

Phan Cam: Top Three (Dream FES Finale [for the year])

WARNING: This post may be a bit long.

>Saturday.

GOOD EVENING, TOKYO! It’s the last day of Dream FES! It’s the moment you’ve all been waiting for. The competition to see which Rookie Idol’s dream of becoming True Idols and making their CD debut come true! If any of our Rookie Idol’s make it in the Top Three, they will become True Idols. If they come in 3rd, that’s okay, they’ll still become a True Idol. It’s only if they make it in 1st or 2nd that they will get their CD debut. However, 2nd place will got you only some song recorded. But in 1st, you’ll record even more. Also, we have a grand finale is store for you. The collaborated song with DearDream, KUROFUNE, and ANSwer!

>The crowd cheered. Then, Haruto Mikami gets on stage.

So, are you all ready for the show?

>The crowd cheered again. Then, the Rookie Idols come on stage

Our goal is the Dream Festival! Dream FES is about to start!

Rookie Idols: Enjoy the show!

>In the backstage dressing room, as the Rookie Idols perform on stage, Skull waited for his turn with the others. The idol next time him, let’s call him Guren Ike (since using his real name would expose our true identities), spoke to him. Guren is an upbeat kind of guy, always looking on the bright side of things.

Guren: Are you as excited as I am, Sakamoto kun?

Skull: Well, maybe I’m a little nervous. But my friends and family are watchin’, so I guess it should be okay. What about you, Guren kun?

Guren: My dad and little sister are in the audience, too. My mom can’t make it because of her job. I think some of my friends from school are there, too.

Skull: I see. Good for you, then.

Guren: You, too, Sakamoto kun.

???: Oh, please, the only reason Sakamoto made it this far is because some of those friends are Spider-Man and Harry Osborn. Not to mention you’re already a member of KUROFUNE.

>They quickly turn to see another Rookie Idol had come to them. Let’s call him, Kumokuro Kazebaggu. He a bit more stuck up and is only an idol to emerge from the overwhelming success of his parents.

Skull: (a little upset) You wish, Kazebaggu. They just gave me a push. The rest came from me.

And what about you? Scared Mommy and Daddy’s money won’t save you this time?

Kumokuro: (more upset) We’ll see about that you-

???: Both of you, please.

>It was another Rookie Idol. Let’s call him Unakarui Kurume, Kuru for short. Apart from being an idol, he also plays Duel Monsters and hopes one day to meet the King of Games himself. He’s also the calm type and is in the same unit as Guren.

Kuru: I know you both just want to get to the Top Three, but remember, you have to be fair to your opponents. Even they deserve a little kindness.

>They just stared in silence.

Guren: Uh, Kuru, buddy, this isn’t a duel, you know?

Kuru: ... It’s not? Well, same difference.

You sure are... Unique.

Worker: RosyRosy, you’re up!

RosyRosy Leader: Guren, Kuru, we’re needed!

Guren: Coming, senpai! See you soon, Sakamoto kun.

Skull: (happy) You go well tonight. See ya.

>With that, RosyRosy leaves for the stage... Then, me, Fox, Crow, Peter, and Harry come in.

Hey, how are you?

Skull: Fine.

Really? Aren’t you even a little nervous.

Skull: Okay, I’m a little nervous. Like...

Is this actually happenin’? Or, am I just dreamin’?

Kumokuro: If you are, then it’s time to wake up and leave.

We weren’t talking to you.

Ryuji, you are here. This is really happening.

Don’t start doubting yourself. That just wouldn’t be beautiful.

You just need to believe in yourself. Or, are you thinking of quitting?

Hell no! I ain’t done yet! Not at all!

Now there’s the Ryuji Sakamoto we all know and love.

Right. You never gave up on me, so I ain’t givin’ up on you!

>Suddenly, Skull felt something in his heart and looked inside.

WARNING: Some Persona 5: Royal spoilers.

That is right, Ryuji Sakamoto. You will not give up. You have come so far.

Yes. You would not back away if this did not mean anything to you. Would you?

>Then, Captain Kidd and Seiten Taisei come together in a burst of light...

Now the time has come. Are you ready?

You bet, William... In fact...

>Skull turns to Crow.

Skull: Akechi, did you bring your notebook with you?

Crow: Yes. You never know when a mystery will strike. Why do you ask?

You’ll see.

Kumokuro: You mean a new song? I doubt that’s going to work.

You might be surprised.

>RosyRosy comes back in with the worker.

Worker: Kumokuro Kazebaggu, you’re on!

Kumokuro: (stuck up again) Now to show you how a True Idol works.

>With that, he leaves.

Such arrogance. You better defeat him, Ryuji.

Skull: That’s the plan.

Harry: Good luck.

Peter: Knock ‘em dead out there.

>With that we leave. Skull takes the notebook and begins writing away.

>Back on stage, Kumokuro had just finished his song.

MC: And that was Kumokuro Kazebaggu, ladies and gentlemen!

>The crowded applauded... Somewhat.

MC: Next up, he’s a bleached boy who once ran for his school and is now taking his magic legs to the stage. He just joined KUROFUNE as a part time member, but hopes to become a True Idol. I hear he has a huge fan club in the audience tonight.

>We all cheer louder than the rest of the crowd.

MC: Alright, ladies and gentlemen, here he is, the Pirate of the Track, the Full Sail Athlete... Ryuji Sakamoto!

>With that, Skull runs on stage and the audience cheers loudly.

Skull: Yo, Tokyo!

>The crowd cheers again.

Skull: At the last minute, I wrote a new song. This song talks about how far I’ve come in the idol world. But I couldn’t have done it alone. My friends and family helped me along the way. Ren, Ann, Yusuke, Makoto, Futaba, Haru, Akechi, my mom, Harry, Peter, and all the others who we hold dear to our hearts, thank you.

Hmm?

Yeah, you, too, Diego.

Diego: (quietly) Thank you.

Skull: This is a song about dreams and how we hold them dearly in our hearts. And before you know it, you will also be realizin’ just how important it is to believe.

Now to show you how to KEEP RUNNIN’ DREAM!

Dorkia Time!

Catch Your Cheers!

Skull: Let the race begin!

>Skull changes clothes.

Cheerful Jam Series! Complete!

(Just want to remind you that J-pop is one of my weakest points.)

(Beat box opening) Dreams They come true everyday Dreams Helping make you way Dreams They help you speed on And in the end your future you have won

Keep running dream To your future ahead Don't stop until you are dead Through the sunlit beam Go on and on To the day is done Keep running dream Keep running dream Keep running dream!

>After the song, everyone cheered and applauded wildly. I guess this song actually reached out to everyone... Way to go, brother.

MC: Epic! Really Epic! I couldn’t think of anything other than the words of that song!

Thanks! And thanks, everyone!

>Everyone cheered loudly. Especially us.

>Back in the dressing room, we, including Stark and the Future Avengers, come to congratulate Skull for his performance.

That was really great, Ryuji senpai!

Yeah, that was amazing.

You did real great tonight.

Skull: I have you guys to thank. You gave me the courage that touched my heart.

That’s true. Only a True Idol can sing from the heart. And the heart has many connections to others.

Don’t I know it.

I say you pretty much leveled up in my game.

That’s pretty much Futaba’s way of saying that you showed real talent.

What’s this? The great Sojiro Sakura actually praising someone?

Joker: Actually, he’s done it before with me.

Now cut that out.

Either way, the was a pretty neat show.

That’s my Ryu kun. He really knows how to put on a show.

I know I normally prefer heroes, but man, you really blasted us there.

Same here. Still, this was good too. (By the way, this is my anime form.)

True. It’s nothing I’ve ever seen before.

Skull: I’m glad you guys liked it.

We actually loved it. You’re sure to at least land the Top Three.

Keigo: He’s right. If you can at least make it into the Top Three, you'll become a True Idol. But if you make it in the Top Two, you’ll record a CD.

Skull: I hope you’re right.

You’ll make it. We promise.

Besides, I’ve have a betting pool with Michael right now. If you end up in the Top Three, he’ll have to pay Japan another visit to kiss your feet.

And if he doesn’t.

Toshi: I go over to his place and kiss his feet.

I guess that sound fair... I think.

A chance to see a world class chef and author get humiliated like that? I’d love to see it.

Is your idea of fine like that?

Alistaire: Maybe.

Maybe?

(whisper) Sicko.

The point is, Sakamoto, we know you’ll make it.

Skull: You think?

If not, I can always pull a few strings.

Harry: You probably shouldn’t.

Skull: That’s right. What happens now, I want to show everyone I can do this without havin’ to rely heavily on those with a lot of power. But I’ll still need you guys in my life.

That’s true. Though you want to stand on your own, but that doesn’t you have to be alone... Isn’t that right?

Pretty much.

It’s the same with me.

Grady: And me. Don’t be afraid to rely on others.

Yeah, we’re here for you, Ryuji san.

Thank you , everyone.

You’re welcome, brother.

>I look at everyone who is now happy for Skull... Especially Makoto who seems the most happiest for him. Although Bruno is trying to hit his own smile.

Worker: Hey, they’re about to announce the winners. You better hurry.

We better get going.

Good luck out there, Sakamoto... Or is it break a leg?

I’ll explain later.

See you soon.

We’re rooting for you.

>Later on the stage, the MC, the Rookie Idols, DearDream, KUROFUNE, and ANSwer were ready for the announcement.

MC: The time has come, time to announce which Rookie Idols’ dream is about to come true.

We wish only you young idols the best.

If you can make it in the Top Three, you will become a True Idol.

If you come in 3rd, you won’t be getting a CD deal, but you will still become a True Idol, and you will be eligible to start your own Idol Unit with D-Four Productions.

If you come in 2nd, you will get a CD deal, though, the number of song will be limited.

And if you come in 1st, you will get a CD deal and record as many songs as you desire. Just don’t forget to include other songs from other idols.

Yuto: And the rest who didn’t make it will be given a consolation prize of your choosing.

Keigo: And you’ll be able to perform for a chance at being in the Top Three again at next year’s Dream Festival.

And you can keep going as many times as you desire.

Or at least until your contract with D-Four expires.

Yes. Now, let's begin.

MC: When I call out your name or the name of the Unit you are in, come forward. Now, in 3rd Place...

Ryuji Sakamoto!

FOR REAL!?

Keigo: (whisper) Well, go on!

>Skull comes forward.

MC: So, Ryuji san, how does it feel to know that even though you won’t get a CD, you’re still a True Idol?

Skull: It’s... It’s actually pretty sweat. No one thought I could do it. I almost believed them. But my friends and family supported me and I kept at it.

Thanks, everyone! I love you all!

>The crowd cheered. We love you, too, Ryuji.

>After the other winners were called (Kumokuro came in 2nd and RosyRosy came in 1st), it was time for the grand finale.

Kanade: Now it’s time for our last song of the night and the end of another Dream Festival.

Keigo: But don’t worry. This will all happen again next year. And we will look forward to seeing you again.

Akiomi: So, from all of us, we hope that your own dreams will come try just as dreams did tonight.

KUROFUNE, DearDream, and ANSwer: ENJOY THE SHOW!

>The crowd cheered.

Keigo: Ryuji san, care to join us?

You bet!

>We’ll skip this part because... Words just can’t describe it.

WARNING: Spoilers for Persona 5: Royal ahead.

>Kichijoji. Stark reserved Penguin Sniper for us so we wouldn’t be bothered, especially by reporters... Well, except maybe one.

Thanks for pulling a few strings and letting me in here.

Joker: It’s no trouble. I’m sure Mr. Stark wouldn’t mind.

Stark: (coming to us) I would... But I’ll make an acceptation since she’s so cute.

Ohya: You say that to all the female reporters.

Stark: True. You’re not the first female reporter to fall for my charm... I really should pay Nanami a visit the next time I’m here.

Ohya: Anyway, I’m not here to interview you. I’m here for KUROFUNE. I want to get in a word before tomorrow when Blondie and the Detective Prince leave.

Keigo: Alright, but make it quick. I’m about to own Flash kun in darts.

Flash: Yeah right!

>With that, KUROFUNE go to get interviewed by Ohya. I return to my billiards game with Diego, Crow, Mikoto, and Bruno.

Mikoto: So it’s actually happening to him.

Joker: It is. And he’s even thinking of returning to the tack team to get into a good college.

Diego: Can he?

Crow: Ryuji is pretty much famous now. I’m they’ll make an acceptation.

Mikoto: But I thought he wasn’t going back.

It’s still up for debate.

Crow: By the way... Why did the Future Avengers come to Dream FES? Makoto san, you said that you are a distant relative of Ryuji....

I really don’t buy it.

Makoto: (sweating) Umm... Well...

Bruno: (quick and stern) Makoto will tell you everything you need to know when he’s good and ready. Let’s just leave it at that.

Okay, okay. I won’t question anymore for now.

Bruno: Forgive me. I know as a detective, you can’t help but feel a little suspicious.

Crow: True. That’s just how it is. However, Ryuji and his mother trust you. So does Tony Stark. So I’ll be fine for now.

Makoto: (whisper to Bruno) Thanks. (normal speech) Anyway, we trust you just as much. So don’t worry.

Joker: Just make sure Ryuji and Akechi will be okay there in New York.

Makoto: (smiling) You can count on me and the Future Avengers, Ren!

Thank you, Makoto.

>I know I can trust this Future Avenger. I can sense he has a tight connection with Skull just like he has with Harry... Now I can sense one with us, as well.

I am thou, thou art I… Thou hast acquired a new vow.

It shall become the wings of rebellion that breaketh thy chains of captivity.

With the birth of Chance Persona, I have obtained the winds of blessing that shall lead to freedom and new power…

Confidant: Hurricane

Arcana: Chance (This Arcana is made up for this Confidant.)

Rank: 1

Ability: Type 5: Speed

Automatic Masukukaja at the start of battle during Cloudy weather.

Harry: Hey, don’t forget me and Pete!

Joker: Don’t worry, I haven’t forgotten you guys, either.

Peter: Good. But don’t worry, we also know the Future Avengers and we’ll help, too.

Makoto: You bet, Spider-Man! I mean, Peter. I forget, I’m suppose to call you by your real name when you don’t have the mask on.

Peter: It’s okay. So, Ren, it’s your shot now.

Okay. Watch and learn.

>I take the cue stick to the billiard table.

Adi: (surprised) Is he really going to play like that?

Diego: Believe it.

>With one hit, I knock one of the balls into one of the holes.

Peter: Score!

Joker: Now...

It’s your move.

>I hand the cue stick... to Adi.

Adi: (surprised) Me!?

Makoto: C’mon, give it a try!

Adi: ... Alright.

>Adi takes the cue stick. He pauses for a moment and then... He goes into the same position I was in.

Diego: (surprised) Wow! He’s gonna do it!

>Adi then hits the whit ball... And knocks the eight ball into a hole.

Bruno: How did you learn to do that?

Adi: I... I don’t know. When I saw Ren do it, I couldn’t help but want to do it myself.

Joker: Well, it is a stylish way to play. I could show you a little more.

Adi You would? ... Thank you.

?????: Well, he did learn from the best.

>We quickly turn to see who just arrived. It was Panther’s mother, Kathrine.

Panther: Mom, you’re here.

Well, I would have arrived sooner, but I ran into an old friend.

>The person who came with her comes forward... I can’t believe who it is.

Well, I can’t help it if my own son spends more time here than he does at home.

I see. Sorry I made you feel that way... Dad.

>With that, everyone’s jaws drop.

#phantom thieves cam #dream festival #dream fes

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