#going into year 4 of me reading this manga weekly!!! tell me why ! WHY THIS AIDAIRO

[dropintomanga]

Manga I Enjoyed in 2023

It's been another great year for manga. And I don't think we wouldn't have it any other way, right?

I got to read a bunch of manga, old and new, this year. But these titles stood out to me the the most.

Honorable Mention: Kindergarten WARS by You Chiba - This was something I needed, post-Assassination Classroom. A school filled with rich kids protected by assassins who have nowhere to go fighting against assassins trying to kill the kids. Not only that, the main female lead is desperate for a boyfriend and will date anyone who looks hot. But if they have certain peeves, the bodies will hit the floor. This is a really funny series with fun characters and a lot of action. It also has one of the best gags of the year.

Favorite Ongoing Weekly Manga: Akane-banashi by Yuki Suenaga and Takamase Moue - Akane-banashi continues to impress me every week. I absolutely love how every chapter continues to be impactful. Akane is still a refreshing protagonist and I love how it feels that even though she can win rakugo competitions based on sheer determination, Akane knows that she has a lot to learn. This is a stand-out manga that is excellent for teenagers.

Here's my top 5 manga of the year!

5.) A Home Far Away and The Yakuza's Bias by Teki Yatsuda (tie) - Once I got into K-Pop, I had to check out The Yakuza's Bias. I enjoyed a lot of the humor and the gags are well-done. It's a title that really showcases what it means to take a deep dive into fandom when you're new at it in hilarious fashion. But Yatsuda's debut work about 2 boys on the run is one of the best things I've read all year. It's truly a heartbreaking LGBT romance that will touch a lot of emotions. Also, Yatsuda's art is absolutely gorgeous and I can't wait to see their new work being licensed in the future.

4.) ZOM 100: Bucket List of the Dead by Haro Aso and Kotaro Tanaka - The only zombie manga story I read was Kengo Hanazawa's I Am A Hero, but I gave this title a follow because people were telling me about it due to its messaging. ZOM 100 stands out as an upbeat zombie apocalypse story that speaks to the resilience of people in tough times. I think we all forget that we can do great things in times of adversity if we all get support. There's some great moments in this series worth talking about. I never felt bored reading it. I'm glad I gave this manga a chance because I really think depressed people need to be told that while it's okay to feel the way they feel, they can still try and people shouldn't shame them for it.

3.) Kowloon Generic Romance by Jun Mayuzuki - Hong Kong nostalgia at its finest, in my opinion. This is one of the most fascinating stories of 2023 with regards to finding your identity and reconciling your past with your present. I have this high up because I really like how the central love story is slowly tying into a bigger mystery on why the world in the manga seems very off. People struggle so much with their pasts and I feel that this manga resonates with those folks. Especially me as I find myself longing for past moments that I dearly miss despite having not-so-pleasant experiences I would like to forget.

2.) Chainsaw Man Part II by Tatsuki Fujimoto - I absolutely adore this series. Fujimoto pulls no stops in telling the story he wants to tell. I love the new female characters that have all shown up and the return of a very notable one. I like Denji's development as he really doesn't know what he wants despite being granted a frightening power that continues to be a target to those who want to use him. This is the story of a "hero" who doesn't have the resilience to be an actual hero. It's also a story about people having their emotional needs warped into desires in the worst way.

1.) The Summer Hikaru Died by Mokumokuren - I normally don't read horror manga, but this manga is phenomenal. There was so much hype about the manga being released here in the U.S. and it has delivered in all cylinders. The art is great. The usage of sound effects to convey a sense of dread is top-notch. The interpersonal dynamic between the two main characters is frighteningly realistic. This manga, at its core, about dealing with a relationship that should've ended, but didn't. As much as we talk about needing relationships with people to survive, they have to end sometimes. There's a lot of horror and dread over how to talk about a relationship ending and good god, the manga delivers on displaying that. I also love the subtle reminder that bad relationships have serious consequences for everyone else. In real life, we've seen how abuse and interpersonal trauma trickles down from the victim into other parts of life and other people. All of this makes The Summer Hikaru Died my top manga of 2023.

I hope you all enjoyed my top picks. There's been a lot of fun reads that I probably missed out on, so let me know what you guys enjoyed. 2024 is probably going to be another great year for manga and there's already titles I'm looking forward to.

See you all in 2024!

[marunalu]

Hi, Im wondering if its true that shonen jump will get in trouble with their government if they make it canon? How does the jp audience feel about this whole bakudeku vs izuocha war? Just asking out of curiosity.

So to answer your ask properly I need to explain a little about the censoring of gay representation in japan. I already know, a lot of people will not like what I will write now, so let me tell you I did my research about this topic already a 3-4 years ago and talked with japanese people living in japan, non japanese people, japanese bkdk shippers, non shippers and in generell with people who know a lot about this kind of stuff. And pretty much all of them told me the very same thing: that at least 50 more years need to pass till weekly shonen jump will allow an openly gay mc in their magazine.

In japan the gay censoring is VERY strict. Its not as bad as in many other countrys, but its still not good. Not even gay marriage is allowed and if a gay couple wants to live together, one of them needs to ADOPT the other and gay people also need to fear the possebility that their familys will bann them for their sexuality out of shame - and bringing shame to the family will literally destroy your life. In media gay representation is very strictly handled and watched over by the japanese government. Homosexuality is still seen as something "unpure". Something that is not quite normal. It has become better over the years, but in generell their view still sucks.

Thats why children till a certain age are not allowed to come in contact with everything that is or seems "gay". They want their children to stay "pure". Japan also has a problem with their birthrate, because more and more woman focus on their carriers and if anything they only want one child instead of 3, how it was once the norm. So they want to make sure that at least this children "stay streight" so they will give birth to their own children one day. By their logic: less gay people means more birth of children. Japan may be a very modern country, but when it comes to this topic they are certainly not. A lot of younger people want things to change, but still not much has changed for the better.

The anime and manga industry is one of the things japan makes the most money from, because of its popularity all around the world and because they want to support their artists and their art. But this industry is also very cruel and strict. There is a reason why so many mangakas get sick over the years and suffer from depressions and anime animators are terrible underpaid for all the work they do.

Like I already wrote the censorship of homosexuality in japanese media is very strict and mangakas, animators and puplishers have to go with the rules, otherwise they can lose their jobs or their storys will never see the light of day. Thats why mangas and animes are seperated into genres and age groups so younger children or teenagers dont see things they arent supposed to see till an certain age. Jump for example has a whole magazine series and all of them puplish mangas for a different reader group, age group and genre. For example jump+ is an online magazine, directed at adult female readers and allow gay main characters (blue flag comes to mind), because this online magazine is directed at woman who love gay romance. Other example is the magazine jump square directed to readers from 16 to 21. It also allows open gay representation. For example seraph: the sexuality of the mc is open for interpretation, but the mcs best friend is openly gay and both are attrackted to each other. Now we are comming to the weekly shonen jump magazine which mha is pulished in. This magazine is directed at young boys from the age of 9-13. Yes, a lot of older readers and woman read it too, but it doesnt change the fact that this magazine is directed at younger male readers. And like I wrote earlier, the gay censoring is so strict that children till a certain age are not allowed to come in contact with it. Thats the reason why till to this day, not one of weekly shonen jumps mangas has a confirmed and openly gay mc. Its simply not allowed, so to finally answer your question: yes! Shonen jump would get into trouple if they would allow a mangaka to make his mc gay. If a mangaka wants his mc to be gay, bi etc. his manga automatical would be puplished in one of the other magazines, like jump square, because its for older readers.

What weekly shonen jump allows are hints about homosexuality which would fly over the heads of younger readers and as long as its not the mc. And most of the time gay or trans representation is not portrayed in a positive light, but for comedic relief, the characters are unlikeable or have almost no screentime. Take mha for an example, magne and tiger are both trans. But magne was not only killed off very early in the story but also was a villain - one of the bad guys. Tiger is a hero, but has almost no screentime and doesnt talk much. Has no importance to the story. Toga was confirmted to be bi by hori, but not in the manga itself but in a interview. Togas sexuality would fly over younger childrends heads, because the manga only gives hints. Also just like magne toga is a villain - a girl who killed dotzens of people and loves to drink their blood. Not very good representation of bi people. Other example from bleach: there is an character named yumichika. His sexuality was never confirmed, but its pretty obvious that he is gay. In the beginning yumichka was a very unlikeable person and while he changed for the better, a lot of people still think his beauty fetish makes him very annoying. There are two trans characters (never openly confirmed by the author, but its pretty clear) named charlotte chulhorn who is a villain and a gag character and giselle also a villain who is pretty fucked up in the head. So you see the weekly shonen jump magazine doesnt really offer good representation of gay, bi or trans characters.

So, comming to an conclusion: if horikoshi or any other mangaka would want their mc to be gay, espicially openly gay and represent as a positiv thing, their storys would have been puplished in an other manga magazine and not weekly shonen jump, because the age group this magazine is directed at simply doesnt allow it. So yes, if weekly shonen jump would be a little more open they would get into trouple with the japanese government who watches their media very closely.

To answer your question about how the japanese readers think about the bkdk and izuocha war. Honestly I dont really know, all I know is that izuocha is not as hated as many non japanese bkdk shippers claim it is. It is the most popular hetero ship together with todomomo. Gay ships like bkdk, tododeku, kiribaku are so imcredible popular mainly because of female readers. Male readers dont really care about shipping, its more of an woman thing. But from what I have been told by both japanese bkdk fans and non shippers most of them are very well aware that no gay ship has any kind of chance to end up canon. Only the really hardcore fuyoshi fangirls dont want to accept it. To most japanese shippers its also not really a question about what will be canon and what not. They ship for fun. The japanese fandom takes this whole shipping thing by far not as serious as western countrys do.

At least I want to make clear, that nothing I wrote here is my personal opinion or taste when it comes to japans censoring. Its just from what I found out during my research about the topic. I would love to have more good gay, bi, trans, pan etc. representation in shonen jump, but I just see the things from a more realistic view. The only thing bkdk or shippers in generell can hope for is that all the characters stay single in the end, so hori would let it open for interpretation.

[xian1na]

buncha words 'bout some spring animes #3

Still here, still watching, still writing. Can't believe it's May already. I remember having this weird feeling last time I was watching seasonal anime - that I can't wait for the next episode to come out but once it does, I realise how time flies. It's almost scary! Many of the series that have only just come out are already at the halfway point. ...But let's not think about the inevitablility of time passing and instad talk about them animes. Enjoy!

Hell's Paradise (ep. 5) - After episode 4 I was a bit wary of where Sagiri's plot was going but episode 5 assuaged my worries somewhat. I used to get very annoyed whenever an action show would introduce A Sexist character. Why aren't the female characters just allowed to be badass without anyone putting them down, I was thinking to myself. Why can't I just have a nice escapist fantasy? But somehow I don't mind it here. I'm not sure why - whether it's because I changed or because (so far) Jigokuraku handled this subject better, or at least differently than other series I've watched. We'll see what comes next. As for the rest of the episode, I feel like the series is still at the phase of setting things up and I really hope the plot moves forward next time. Nurugai is Very Good.

Oshi No Ko (ep. 4) - I won't be a stinker this time, I quite liked this episode. We got to see Aqua acting and I got this great idea for battle-shounen like manga about acting, where the main character has to analyse their surroundings and gather data about their fellow actors to know how to rile them in front of the camera, so that they act well. (I'm going to pitch this to President of Anime whenever I get the chance.) I'm curious how will that reality TV show that Aqua got hired to act in go. As for the school plot... I don't watch many idol shows but I recall 'school of idols' is a recurring theme. Will Oshi No Ko subvert it somehow or play it straight? No idea. I'd assume the former if not for plethora of colour-coded female characters we've met already. I appreciate this series' commentary on show-business harsh truths a lot but it somehow doesn't feel grounded in reality because of the visuals, particularly character designs. And I REALLY hope there'll be more male characters in the main cast, although judging by the opening, that might not be the case.

Tengoku-Daimakyou (ep. 5) - We focus more on Maru and Kiruko this time, which is good because They Are Great. By the way, I've been reading a little about this series' production and I was surprised to learn that it's really speeding through the manga - but does it so well that it doesn't feel rushed or anything like that. It doesn't happen often in anime, I think. I'll probably read the manga once the series ends just to see how does the story unfold there (and to see all the quality K&M content that's been cut from anime). Also I absolutely need to cite one sentence from ANN's weekly review of T-D because it was simultaneously the best and the worst sentence I've read in a review in a while: "And while Maru's boner gets in the way of their hug, we can see that it's not getting in the way of their friendship." Absolute perfection.

Skip and Loafer (ep. 5) - I've already written how I appreciate what they do with Egashira in this series and episode 5 fleshes her out even more. I think my favourite moment was after Egashira's and Mitsumi's clash with the third-years in the gym - how Egashira made sure to remember the names of the students who were rude to them, while Mitsumi remembered the name of the one who helped them. It's a very telling character moment for them both. Skip and Loafer is really growing on me, it might even end up as my favourite series of this season. I'm literally feeling happier after watching every episode, it's that powerful.

My Love Story with Yamada-kun ar Lv999! (ep. 5-6) - As I thought, the matter with Runa is solved pretty quickly and she's already Akane's bestie in episode 6. That's pretty good in my opinion. Even if Runa's change of heart may be a bit sudden, I don't think she'd make a compelling long-term antagonist. That 'gamer guy' from episode 5 gave me massive creeps and there was some great direction in that scene in the toilet. I like that even though ultimately nothing bad happened, the guys from the guild immediately went to the rescue because they knew the potential danger. Then episode 6 is back to usual shenanigans and I thought it was very funny. And one important note: Kouki Uchiyama's acting when Yamada was talking to Eita right after waking up was Extremely Good.

And in the backlog section:

The Witch from Mercury (season 1, ep. 7-9) - You know guys... maybe it's because the Internet was screaming about Prospera lately (I didn't catch any spoilers, thankfully) but I'm starting to get a feeling she might be a bad guy! On a serious note, it's very interesting how Prospera is contrasted with Delling and papa Jeturk (whatever his name is, I don't even care). All three of them are shitty parents but whereas Delling and Jeturk are very openly shitty in how demanding, strict and cold they are towards their children, the way Prospera treats Suletta is just chilling. Only three episodes left in season 1, I have no idea what might happen in the finale but I'm definitely looking forward to find out.

Spy x Family (ep. 6-7) - As I knew that The Face was coming, I actually appreciated The Punch more - that was a real good piece of animation. Damian's developing crush on Anya (including the special romanticised version of her in his eyes) and Loid suspecting that Becky obviously must be plotting a political sabotage or something because he just doesn't get kids were hilarious. Also, I totally forgot about Yor's and Anya's time together (or maybe it wasn't in the manga, though I think it was). It was great! I'm not going to be original by saying that Yor often feels a bit secondary in this family, so it was real nice seeing her getting more screentime. Next episode Yuri will show up - I think his visit was the last thing I've read in the manga, so I have no idea what happens next.

Aaand that'd be the end of this week's musings and ramblings. I start a new job on Monday but I think I should be able to keep up with all the shows. At least I must find some time for more Skip and Loafer. Hope you enjoyed reading and see ya!

[miyamorana]

2022 Fic Recs Part 3: Everything Else

Happy New Year everyone! I have once again read a lot of fics in 2022 and want to share my favorites. I’m only reccing complete fics as usual, although I’m reading a lot of amazing WIPs. Maybe at some point I’ll do a special WIPs rec list?

Anyways! This is Part 3, which is for everything other than anime/manga fandoms.

Part 1: BnHA (25 + 2 crossovers (Harry Potter and Star Wars)) Part 2: Other Anime (Haikyuu!! (18), Hunter X Hunter (1), Jujutsu Kaisen (8))

Fandoms: Buffy the Vampire Slayer/Stargate SG-1 crossover (1), Harry Potter (9), Julie and the Phantoms (1), The Legend of Zelda (1), Our Flag Means Death (1), Percy Jackson & Related Fandoms (6), The Sandman (4), The Sandman/Julie and the Phantoms crossover (1), Teen Wolf (5), Voltron: Legendary Defender (2), The Witcher (3)

Fandom: Buffy the Vampire Slayer/Stargate SG-1 Crossover Title: Bridges Author: Tassos Pairing: None Rating: Teen Word Count: 114,456 Series: Part 1 of Bridges 'verse (Words: 140,209 - Works: 4) Summary: After the collapse of Sunnydale, Jack gets a call about a woman he knew over twenty years ago . . . and the son he never knew he had.

Fandom: Harry Potter Title: Azoth Author: zeitgeistic Pairing: Harry Potter/Draco Malfoy Rating: Explicit Word Count: 88,722 Series: Part 1 of Azoth (Words: 90,351 - Works: 2) Summary: Now that Harry is back at Hogwarts with Hermione for eighth year, he realises that something’s missing from his life, and it either has to do with Ron, his boggart, Snape, or Malfoy. Furthermore, what, exactly, does it mean when one’s life is defined by the desire to simultaneously impress and annoy a portrait? Harry has no idea; he’s too busy trying not to be in love with Malfoy to care.

Fandom: Harry Potter Title: Life skills outside the curriculum Author: Endrina Pairing: Harry Potter/Draco Malfoy Rating: Explicit Word Count: 66,238 Summary: It was "Witch Weekly", of all people and organizations, the first to notice and comment on The Boy Who Lived’s absence from the ranks of first years at Hogwarts. The magazine went on to elucubrate that the young hero was studying at a foreign school, possibly Beauxbatons or Holzschuhkäse.

Fandom: Harry Potter Title: The Meaning of Mistletoe Author: Endrina Pairing: Remus Lupin/Severus Snape (Harry Potter/Draco Malfoy in later parts) Rating: Mature (Part 3 is rated Explicit) Word Count: 30,708 Series: Part 1 of The secret language of plants (Words: 373,077 - Works: 4) Summary: “Just… tell me. Tell me what is going on, Snape.”

What was going on was that Severus Snape had no trouble tracking down one Petunia Evans, now Dursley, to a little town in Surrey where he saw how exactly she was treating her nephew. Which somehow led to last night and Severus knocking on Lupin’s door with a toddler half-asleep in his arms.

Fandom: Harry Potter Title: Mental Author: sara_holmes Pairing: Draco Malfoy/Harry Potter Rating: Mature Word Count: 186,678 Summary: Harry has had quite enough of sharing his mind with someone else, thankyouverymuch. A miscast Legilimecy spell says otherwise.

Fandom: Harry Potter Title: Slithering Author: astolat Pairing: Draco Malfoy/Harry Potter Rating: Explicit Word Count: 27,355 Summary: Draco found the nest down in the Manor’s cellars, while he was clearing them out.

Fandom: Harry Potter Title: The Gift of Kindness Author: hippocrates460 Pairing: Harry Potter/Severus Snape Rating: Explicit Word Count: 107,004 Summary: When Harry arrives at Hogwarts, everything is overwhelming. Luckily he makes some friends, Hagrid who took him to Diagon Alley, Ron who he met on the train, and Severus, who explains why they have to pretend to hate each other. This story spans 7 years, during which Severus and Harry get to know each other and find understanding.

Fandom: Harry Potter Title: A Radical Change in (Self) Perception Author: AnyaElizabeth Pairing: Harry Potter/Severus Snape Rating: Explicit Word Count: 57,117 Summary: Harry should know better than to touch museum exhibits, especially in a magical museum. Now he's in trouble...

Fandom: Harry Potter Title: Things Gained in the Chamber of Secrets Author: Blueseabird2 Pairing: None Rating: Teen Word Count: 21,437 Summary: Harry finds out that the basilisk in the Chamber of Secrets might not be particularly happy to be acting against students. Turns out, a hatred of baby Dark Lords and a tendency towards being over-protective makes an excellent basis for friendship. Harry gains a new mother. She has several opinions on how people are treating her hatchling.

Fandom: Harry Potter Title: Just a Few Changes (will Keep you Safe) Author: Blueseabird2 Pairing: Hermione Granger/Ron Weasley (Background Relationship) Rating: Teen Word Count: 29,841 Summary: It's been over five years since Voldemort's defeat when Harry Potter gets pushed through a portal and falls into the Great Hall of Hogwarts. This wouldn't be a problem, exactly, except it's his parents' Hogwarts instead of his own. Thankfully, Hermione and Ron aren't about to let him face this newest form of trouble by himself. Even more fortunately, Hermione says they're in a different dimension entirely. Harry has a castle full of living ghosts, his best friends by his side, and three to six months to make just a few changes. Starting with a snake.

Fandom: Julie and the Phantoms Title: Touch Me Like a Love Song Author: breakaway71 Pairing: Julie Molina/Reggie Peters Rating: General Word Count: 1,201 Summary: Julie has always kept her deepest feelings locked away in the dream box her mother gave her when she was very young. Reggie, on the other hand, uses a plain old notebook. She swears she didn't mean to read it.

Fandom: The Legend of Zelda (Ocarina of Time, Majora’s Mask and related fandoms) Title: Sands of Time Author: tirsynni Pairing: Ganondorf/Link Rating: Teen Word Count: 103,445 Series: Part 1 of Sands of Time (Words: 118,807 - Works: 8 (some of which are WIPs)) Summary: Link awakens in the desert with no idea how he got there, to encounter his worst enemy...except it was the King of the Gerudo, not the King of Evil, he faced.

Fandom: Our Flag Means Death Title: on the bed of this blue ocean Author: kirkaut Pairing: Blackbeard | Edward Teach/Stede Bonnet Rating: Teen Word Count: 9,684 Series: Part 1 of on a homeward path we go (Words: 25,540 - Works: 2) Summary: Ed’s made up his mind: if he ever lays eyes on Stede fucking Bonnet again, he’s a dead man. Ed’s had six months of Stede-lessness, and six months of thinking about all the terrible things he’d do to him when they saw each other again. Somehow, it never occurred to him to think that they’d never have the chance. [Or: Ed hears about Stede's 'death' and promptly falls apart.]

Fandom: Percy Jackson & Related Fandoms Title: Runaways Author: MermaidMarie Pairing: None Rating: Teen Word Count: 9,697 Summary: “You again,” the kid said. “You again,” Leo replied. - In which Leo and Nico run into each other several times, before they meet on the Argo II.

Fandom: Percy Jackson & Related Fandoms Title: Love, Or Something Like It Author: MermaidMarie Pairing: Nico di Angelo/Jason Grace Rating: Teen Word Count: 15,078 Summary: In which, a year after the prophecy is over, Nico and Jason get sent on a quest where they have another run-in with Cupid. Things go a little differently this time.

Fandom: Percy Jackson & Related Fandoms Title: Those walls I built didn't even put up a fight Author: Aza (sazandorable) Pairing: Nico di Angelo/Will Solace Rating: General Word Count: 14,214 Summary: "Is it morally okay to stab a medic with their own scissors?" Nico asked Cecil. (Not that he usually cared about morally okay, as Octavian might demonstrate.) Nico's three days in the infirmary go by faster than he'd thought, and Will just won't stop flirting.

Fandom: Percy Jackson & Related Fandoms Title: As The Miles Go By Author: Marine_is_Hope Pairing: Nico di Angelo/Jason Grace/Piper McLean Rating: Teen Word Count: 18,130 Summary: What are you supposed to do after you single-handedly win a war? Would you try to stop another, run and hide, or would you try to make something new? Would you go searching for those who had disappeared without a trace? Three months after the battle with Gaea, Nico is running and Jason is searching. Piper is just trying to keep everything together. In the end, it all boils down to one last question: how far would you go to overcome the past? How many miles would you travel to save someone who doesn’t believe that they deserve a new beginning?

Fandom: Percy Jackson & Related Fandoms Title: The Blank Pages at the End of the Atlas Author: Sour_Idealist Pairing: Nico di Angelo/Annabeth Chase/Percy Jackson Rating: Explicit Word Count: 37,360 Summary: Five years after the Gaea War, Percy and Annabeth are at Camp Half-Blood, training the students, treading water. Then a fairly straightforward task - get a vulnerable demigod child to safety - turns up an old friend.

Fandom: Percy Jackson & Related Fandoms Title: Halloween Candy & Crushes Author: MermaidMarie Pairing: Nico di Angelo/Jason Grace Rating: General Word Count: 3,567 Summary: It started with someone casually commenting at dinner one night that Halloween was probably Nico’s favorite holiday. Impassively, Nico had shrugged and picked at his food. “Never really had a Halloween.” Jason had perked up, the way he always did when Nico shared any personal detail about himself. “Me neither,” he offered.

Fandom: The Sandman Title: Building on These Foundations Author: breakaway71 Pairing: Dream of the Endless | Morpheus/Hob Gadling Rating: General Word Count: 2,085 Summary: What happened to Dream's realm when he was captured can never be allowed to happen again. It's time he took precautions to ensure it does not.

Fandom: The Sandman Title: King of Infinite Space Author: Banhus Pairing: Dream of the Endless | Morpheus/Hob Gadling Rating: Mature Word Count: 15,865 Summary: In which Hob has a spate of odd nightmares, a collection of strays, a student with an unusual knack, and a very weird fall semester.

Fandom: The Sandman Title: Inspire in Me, the Desire in Me Author: ElloPoppet Pairing: Dream of the Endless | Morpheus/Hob Gadling Rating: Teen Word Count: 14,850 Series: Part 1 of In Between Days (Words: 20,705 - Works: 2) Summary: It’s the right day, but the year is all wrong, and Dream suspects that there’s something else not quite right even before he finds himself standing in front of the shuttered remains of the White Horse Tavern. Still, he’s chilled in a way he’s not accustomed to feeling, reminiscent of the hopeless, free-falling frost that climbed up his spine and inside his gut the day he was meant to meet Hob when he was imprisoned. And that’s what it is, he realizes, this cold feeling. Hopelessness. Should Dream seek him out, would Hob welcome him as a friend, or turn his shoulder as he would on an intruder? It’s what he would deserve, Dream muses as he’s preparing to turn heel from the tavern’s closed gates, even though as he’s resigning himself to shame he’s also gearing up to make this his next mission, his next purpose: to find Hob Gadling. Alternatively: Dream and Hob find each other in 2021, and see no reason why they have to wait centuries to see each other again. And again.

Fandom: The Sandman Title: more sky comes and more days Author:  Chrome Pairing: Calliope/Dream of the Endless | Morpheus/Hob Gadling Rating: Teen Word Count: 18,537 Summary: In the aftermath of her imprisonment, Calliope is determined to learn to trust humans again, so she finds a roommate and settles in the mortal world. Meanwhile, her former husband has been on another quest that ended in grief, and he seeks her out for solace. What could possibly go wrong? or, “Hey, Zed,” Hob answered. “Something the matter?” “Yes,” she said. “Calliope’s ex showed up and he’s fucking terrifying.”

Fandom: The Sandman/Julie and the Phantoms Crossover Title: Good Dreams, Sweet Prince Author: breakaway71 Pairing: Dream of the Endless | Morpheus/Hob Gadling Rating: General Word Count: 34,015 Summary: When Dream leaves the Burgess estate, he does so without realizing that more was taken from him during his captivity than he ever knew. As the dust settles and his realm begins to heal, Dream is unprepared for Lucienne to tell him of a ghost in the Dreaming. A ghost tethered to the mortal plane, and who can sleep as no ghost should be able to sleep. Meanwhile, after growing up with adoptive parents who hated each other more than they ever loved him, Reggie has always craved a family who wanted him. He died before he ever had the chance to find his birth father, but then, when has a little thing like death stood in the way of Reggie and his dreams?

Fandom: Teen Wolf Title: El Lazo Author: thisgirlsays22 Pairing: Derek Hale/Stile Stilinkski Rating: Explicit Word Count: 50,995 Series: Part 1 of El Lazo (Words: 54,503 - Works: 2) Summary: "Seriously, Derek, level with me here. Is this some kind of werewolf mating ritual?"

"No, Stiles." Derek scowls, shooting him a dirty look.

~

Canon-flavored college AU in which Stiles is a little bit older, Derek's a little bit wiser, and Erica and Boyd still manage to get kidnapped by the Alpha Pack.

Fandom: Teen Wolf Title: Where You Still Remember Dreaming Author: yodasyoyo Pairing: Derek Hale/Stiles Stilinski, Vernon Boyd/Erica Reyes Rating: Explicit Word Count: 95,612 Summary: “What’s your name? I can’t keep calling you Balto.” “What’s yours?” “Stiles.” Derek raises an eyebrow. That isn’t his real name. There’s no way. But now he thinks about it, he has a vague memory of someone, probably Uncle Peter, telling him that with the fae, names have power. “I’m Miguel,” he says. “Lie.” “Are you trying to tell me your real name is Stiles?” Stiles runs his tongue across his teeth and considers Derek carefully. “Fair enough,” he says, “Miguel it is.” Grabbing his groceries and pocketing the change, Derek turns to leave; he’s nearly at the door when Stiles calls out, “By the way, Miguel, if you’re interested, it’s two for one on bags of kibble at the pet store down the street.” Derek doesn’t look back, doesn’t hesitate, just raises a hand and flips him off on the way out.

Fandom: Teen Wolf Title: Blood Pounding in Our Veins Author: minusoneday Pairing: Danny Mahealani/Stiles Stilinski Rating: Mature Word Count: 41,305 Summary: Stiles figured that Mrs. McCall finding out Scott’s secret would change things, but he’s completely unprepared for the very first thing she does, which is to invite Isaac to move in with her and Scott. *** In which Stiles is angry. For some very good reasons.

Fandom: Teen Wolf Title: A Brief Introduction to Live Action Roleplaying Author: wldnst Pairing: Danny Mahealani/Stiles Stilinski Rating: Teen Word Count: 28,171 Summary: Jackson tells Danny he's a werewolf. Danny gets werewolf advice from a stranger on the internet. Things escalate from there.

Fandom: Teen Wolf Title: Don't Call Me Buttercup Author: ElloPoppet Pairing: Derek Hale/Stiles Stilinski Rating: Teen Word Count: 15,825 Summary: Isaac wants to do Secret Santa. Derek is bad at gifts. Stiles helps, and also practices making Derek uncomfortable with awful, cutesy pet names along the way. Derek secretly loves the pet names. Oh, and he loves Stiles as well.

Fandom: Voltron: Legendary Defender Title: The Snow on Mars Author: museaway Pairing: Keith/Shiro Rating: Teen Word Count: 11,243 Summary: This is the reality with a happy ending thanks to the help of a meddling inter-dimensional being and a few Christmas ‘spirits’ sent to show Shiro the past, present, and future.

Fandom: Voltron: Legendary Defender Title: Method Acting Author: YouAreInAComaWakeUp (Nikanaiko) Pairing: Keith/Lance Rating: Teen Word Count: 11,116 Summary: A lot of things can happen in ten years.

Things like a person's citizenship being revoked due to new, xenophobic laws.

But there is...one...loophole.

Fandom: The Witcher Title: Do it Again Author: thisgirlsays22 Pairing: Geralt/Jaskier Rating: Explicit Word Count: 6,771 Summary: By the twentieth time Geralt has gone through the loop, he decides to just throw himself off the cliff’s edge after Borch.

He wakes up to his twenty-first attempt.

“Fuck.”

Fandom: The Witcher Title: Fever Author: breakaway71 Pairing: Geralt of Rivia/Jaskier Rating: General Word Count: 2,158 Summary: Jaskier has all but forgotten he's anything but human.

Fandom: The Witcher Title: Goodbye To All My Darkness (There's Nothing Here But Light) Author: ElloPoppet Pairing: Geralt of Rivia/Jaskier Rating: Explicit Word Count: 9,910 Summary: Geralt of Rivia made his way to Kaer Morhen during the Summer of the 78th year of his life, believing himself ill. * “Some would consider the extraordinarily rare gift of a soulmate something to be grateful for, Geralt. A side effect of your mutation to be celebrated. Although, I can understand why having an empathic bond with a newborn creature might be making you feel a bit bratty.” Minutes of silence stretched between them, interrupted only by the sounds of the wind whipping through the valley outside. Eventually, Geralt lifted his head and stood. “Fuck.” He said after a time, with finality. “Hmm,” Vesemir agreed. * In the 97th year of his life, Geralt met a bard named Jaskier.

[get-shiggy-with-it]

Ch. 2

Shigaraki Birthday Celebration! 18+ MINORS DNI

Pairing: Tomura Shigaraki x fem!reader 

Word Count: 3k

Warnings: reader is marked fem cause Tomura is a little sexist and hates you cause you’re a woman, no pronouns, incel!shiggy, collage au/no quirks, tomura is an asshole, gratuitous swearing, like so much, shiggy has a dirty mouth, mentions of shigs being anxious, brief male masturbation, tags will be added for smut in the next two parts

Ch. 1 | Ch. 2 | Ch. 3 | Ch. 4 | Ch. 5 | Ch. 6

Summary: In which studying is done, unwilling connections are made, and Tomura thinks about the way you smell a totally normal amount. 

AO3 mirror

Taglist: @dillybuggg​ (just shoot me an ask if you want to be tagged!

Tomura hadn’t stopped staring at his phone since he left the apartment. It was second nature by now—head down at a nearly ninety degree angle, hoodie pulled up to hide hair he hadn’t bothered to comb in weeks, and phone out, held just far enough away that he could see the pavement behind the screen. 

He’d found that people tended to naturally avoid him this way and he didn’t have to risk accidentally making eye contact. It was still a bit nerve wracking to venture into buildings he didn’t expressly have to for classes, so he was still hesitant to make the voyage from his apartment to the library.  But he’d made the mistake of mentioning plans to his roommate and the bastard wouldn’t leave him alone about it afterwards until he was practically shoved out with the door locked behind him. 

He was half tempted to make up some excuse last minute and go hide out at the only cafe on campus he could tolerate, but Tomura knew he was just delaying the inevitable. Biting the bullet now would help to not prolong his suffering. 

Your text thread glared up at him in stark white on blue as he pushed past a crowd of students by the library entrance and flashed his ID to the attendant. 

Group Project Bitch:

— hey I got us a room on the third floor, all the way in the back

—text me when you’re here I’ll wave you in, it’s kinda hard to find T-T

                                                                                                     sounds good— 

He shot off a quick text to you that he was hoping on the elevator. The other two guys in the lift may have given him a dirty look for only going up to the third floor, but Tomura sure as hell wasn’t going to risk the physical exertion of stares when just the thought being stuck in a small room alone with you for god knows how long already had him sweating. 

When he stepped out, you were leaned against one of the 90s-green shelves, scrolling aimlessly through your phone. He panicked momentarily, thinking he’d have to get your attention cause just walking up without saying anything would be weird right? 

He wasn’t sure. 

He didn’t do shit like this. 

Thankfully, you looked up at the chime of the lift and waved him over. His red sneakers squeaked as they scuffed the linoleum floors and he already regretted choosing his tighter fitting pair of sweats. The tapered legs that hugged his ankles and thin calves rubbed against his skin and stung the raw patches. 

“Hey, thanks for coming,” you said softly and he nodded, following as you began to weave through the stacks. “Sorry it was short notice, graduation’s coming up so I'm swamped with meetings.”

“It’s fine, I didn’t have anything going on.” 

He cringed internally at the way his voice cracked, trying to keep the usual rasp to a minimum. His roommate said it was from the innumerable hours he spent shouting at his monitor or on discord, which was probably true but to you he was sure he just sounded like a fucking teenager. 

“Cool, I’ve been set up for awhile so feel free to move some stuff,” you talked a bit louder now that you’d both stepped into the study room and shut the door. 

Tomura looked around. You’d snagged one of the nicer ones at least, with the big monitors he could cast his screen onto and those comfy chairs he liked but could never beat anyone too on the lower floors. 

You were right, there was shit all over the big table at the center of the room. Notes and printed out readings with highlights galore and sticky notes littering the pages were scattered all over. What a show off. You probably tossed all this stuff out so he’d think you were actually intelligent or some shit. 

Kicking a pile off of the nearest plush armchair, Tomura took a seat and pulled his laptop out. There was a jack in the middle of the table and you plugged yours in to cast onto the big monitor. 

You made a fucking power point for him. 

This couldn’t be real. 

“So I know I ran some stuff by you in class but essentially I was thinking we make like a simple Twine type thing using the rhetorical argument Swift is making…” 

You started rambling again and Tomura almost immediately tuned you out. His eyes drifted between the rough outline you were flicking through on the board and the laptop you had your nose buried in. 

It was covered in stickers, pretty obviously stereotypical for someone as obsessed with being ‘cool’ as you clearly were. But as he scanned through the various old meme phrases and aesthetic shit, he caught a couple of game references he recognized and a panel cutout from one of his favorite manga. 

He almost fell into your trap for a moment, feeling a rush at the prospect of someone—much less a chick—being into his main hyperfixations. 

But it was quickly crushed under everything his years trolling subreddits had taught him. People like you didn’t actually have interests beyond the attention and dick it got them. Plus that manga was pretty popular anyway, you probably didn’t even read it, just thought the line was funny or made you sound quirky. That had to be why you felt the need to drop it in your first texts. 

“What do you think?” you asked, making good on your new habit of startling the hell out of him. 

Tomura blinked, gaze instinctively turning to you but the blatant way you stared made his mouth turn to sand paper, so he looked resolutely back at the color-coded bullet points on the screen. 

“Look’s fine,” he mumbled. 

The more he glanced over it, the more it actually did look fine. A bit more than fine, really, which pissed him off even more. The little choose-your-own debate style story was not a terrible way to make fucking Whatever Swift interesting and it kinda looked like you’d bothered to google some simple coding which gave him a better idea of what you were looking for. 

It was...good. 

And that so fucking annoying. 

Well, he wasn’t sure if annoying was the right word for it, but the proposal coupled with your apparent lack of disgust at working with him made his face hot and that only ever happened otherwise when his roommate left the dishes out for weeks or when some newb on his server fucked up their raids. 

Then, you had the audacity to plop down in the chair next to him and— 

“You can tell me to fuck off if you want,” you began, shuffling in the chair to cross your legs on the cushion, “but I was hoping you’d be willing to show me how you do some of the coding stuff? I tried on my own, but I have literally no clue what I’m doing.” 

He could smell you again, like the whole fucking health and beauty aisle at the grocery store. When he turned his head a bit to look at you around the curtain of his hair, you were crooked—back against the armrest and facing him. 

“Why do you want to know?” he asked, sounding a bit less rude than he would have liked to. 

You just fucking stared right at him though, didn’t wrinkle your nose at how greasy his roots were or how he was wearing the same hoodies as yesterday. 

“I’ve always been interested in it, but my program is kinda stressful and I don’t have much free time so I never learned,” you offered and for once Tomura found he didn’t feel his skin crawl under your unwavering gaze. 

The dry, cracked area around his eyes burned though as sweat beaded on his forehead and he quickly wiped at his face with a loose sweatshirt sleeve. The garment hung off his shoulders, bought a size too big that he never ended up growing into. 

“What’s your major?” 

He found the words slipped easily from him. It was the quintessential question you asked of anyone in college when you met, but he’d never been interested in the answer before. 

You babbled a bit about your specific area of study and your voice was surprisingly not as infuriating as he remembered it being before. It was softer, he thought, than when you were soapboxing in class about the sexist implications of old as fuck poetry—it had a less grating quality and was almost pleasing to the ear. 

Or Tomura would have said that if he thought you deserved the compliment. 

But, obviously you didn’t. 

So he didn’t. 

He just pretended to care about what you were saying and didn’t hang onto every word at all. Actually he was more enraptured in the way your lips moved when you talked. You used your hands a lot too, but his eyes were ensnared on the way your mouth quirked and dipped, at the occasional flash of your tongue between strong teeth. When he leaned in a bit, he could smell your breath too: fruity gum and the remnants of whatever you were always drinking in that loud as fuck cup. He wondered now what exactly it was, so he could buy it and get a better idea of what you mouth might taste—

Nope. 

No, see this was exactly what he wasn’t supposed to be thinking about. How were you doing this to him? What a fucking slut. 

Tomura steeled his nerves as you started explaining the extracurriculars you did on the side. 

“My roommate freshman year actually started a gaming club and so I’ve gotten more into that over the years,” you explained, pointing at the stickers on your laptop case. 

“Are you talking about The League?” 

“Yeah, I didn’t know if you’d heard of it,” you shrugged.  

He knew of the gaming club on campus. He’d thought about joining when he enrolled but the allure of anonymity online gaming provided was too strong. Plus his discord server didn’t have annoying weekly meetings. 

The thought of you, up late and illuminated by the blue light of a tv screen, tucked away in one of the basement rooms in the media building was...strange. It also prompted an array of new images—you in those fucking cat ear headsets, seated in his lap as he trashed you in Mario Kart which was even stranger. 

Tomura had to physically shake his head to dislodge the thought. 

“Uh, we should probably work on this right?” he cringed at the way his voice cracked compared to your own, smooth tone. 

You should narrate those fucking sleepy time mediation things. His roommate used to hide wireless speakers in his room and blast those when Tomura stayed up too late. It was annoying as shit then, but if it was you talking, he probably wouldn’t have minded so much. 

Or no, no he would definitely mind. 

Yes. It would have been worse if anything. 

“Oh shit, you right. It’s been like two hours.” 

He glanced down at his laptop and saw that it had, indeed, been two hours since he got there. He’d willingly spoken to you for two goddamn hours. It felt like no time had passed at all, but the sun was definitely setting, the overhead fluorescent bulbs taking over as the main light source in the room. 

Weird. 

So you settled back in your chair, typing away like you always did, but the sound wasn’t nearly as frustrating as before. Occasionally, you’d glance over his shoulder and ask questions about what he was working on, but mostly the two of you settled into a comfortable silence. 

This pattern continued for the next few weeks. As the weather warmed, you began to show a bit more skin. He never worked up the nerve to comment on the thick expanse of bare thigh that tapered off nicely into your calf, or the curve of your arms not hidden behind knit sweaters—hell even your fucking shoulders were hard not to look at. 

Maybe all those high school dress codes weren’t actually so full of shit after all. Cause he was definitely distracted by the way your neck swooped into the exposed skin of your shoulder and down your back on more than one occasion.

Did all girls know that? Was it some kind of massive conspiracy to crumble the patriarchy or some crap to go flashing bare shoulders everywhere? 

Regardless if you really were trying to hypnotize him into liking you, Tomura stayed resolutely in his monochrome, long sleeved attire, and if you noticed the behavior you never said a word. 

Never said a word about his allergy ridden skin, peeling lips or scarred throat. Never commented on his terrible posture or said his eyes were creepy. Even when he’d occasionally toss a negative remark your way, you never retaliated maliciously. Just brushed him off with a jovial ‘don’t be a dick’ and a playful, but hard slap to his chest or the back of his head. 

The two of you always met in the same, secluded room on the third floor. You’d talk with him in class sometimes or shoot him texts about random bits of inspiration or a late night game memes, but for the most part, your conversations were confined to that room. He found he preferred the study room ‘you’ best. You weren’t as stiff. There was more of a solidity to you, like he’d seen when you told off that Kai bastard. 

It...grew on him. 

He was irrationally anxious that there would be a time when you couldn’t secure this particular room—with it’s big monitor and comfy chairs and less annoying ‘you’—but he’d been reassured after your third work session. 

Someone had knocked softly at the thick, wooden door and a head of wild, bright pink hair peaked around the crack. 

“Sup bro,” the intruder quipped, as they stepped fully into the room. 

“Hey, Spinner,” you mumbled back, looking up momentarily from the essay portion of your presentation before going back to typing. 

Spinner had seemed to notice him at that point and offered a small wave in his direction. “Oh hey, sorry, thought you were alone,” he said quickly. 

“Nah, this is Tomura,” you said, glancing up again and jerking your thumb in his direction. 

Tomura nodded and tugged at his hoodie strings to stop from scratching under the newcomer’s gaze. He’d gotten used to you, but other people still made him a bit nervous. 

“Nice to meet you,” Spinner had a nice smile, bright and flashy when he spoke. He leaned against the door and crossed his arms, looking around the room. “You got the nice one, huh. How’d you manage that?” he asked. 

“Yeah,” you half closed your laptop and stretched a bit. “Jin was working the front desk, so I’ve just been bribing him with vending machine snacks.” 

“He hasn’t gotten himself fired yet?” Spinner laughed incredulously, but not unkindly. 

“Surprisingly not, but he’s completely corrupt now,” you were picking at the cuticle of your thumb and Tomura fixated on the way the skin split off at the nail. Just like his. “A couple packs of chips and a Monster and I get the most bitchin study room whenever I want.” 

“Damn,” Spinner chuckled again and Tomura really wished that he’d leave already. He was beginning to feel himself fading into the upholstery as the conversation left him in the dust. The divergence of your attention away from him or the project was even more annoying that you were. “Well, are you coming to The League meeting tonight? We’re busting out a Smash tournament.” 

“That’s tonight?” you asked, eyes perking up but sliding subtly in Tomura’s direction. “Sorry, I think Tomura and I are gonna be working on this project for a while longer and I’m kinda burnt out. But next time, yeah?”

Spinner rolled his eyes but nodded and kicked off the wall. “That’s not very sexy of you,” he chided and waved a hand in parting. “Gonna work yourself directly into the fucking grave.” 

“Jokes on you, I welcome death.” 

You buried yourself in the screen again and Tomura actually felt a bit grateful for you ending the conversation before he got too painfully awkward. 

But Spinner stopped before he left, looking Tomura up and down from the frayed strings of his black hoodie to the tips of his worn red sneakers. 

“Nice to meet you, man,” he said with a wide grin. “Feel free to tag along next time if you want, we always need more players.” 

The door clicked softly shut behind him and Tomura relaxed back into the silence.

He did end up tagging along—though he spent most of the time hanging off your heels like a lost puppy—to the next meeting of your gaming club and the one after that. Frustratingly enough, he learned that your interests did also extend into skills as you almost bested him in a few rounds Smash. Your profile, lit only by the flashing screen lights, was even more striking outside of his imagined imitations. 

So much so that it found its way into his head late at night when he was too tired to log onto his server. So much so that it had his cock growing firm and tenting his grey sweats without even the visual aid of his go to porn clips. So much so that sometimes, he felt inclined to do something about the throbbing between his legs. So much so that he thought about the way you picked the skin by your fingers. How it looked like his. How your hand might feel like his but softer. Smoother around the edges. With your sweet voice whispering in his ear, making him whine and pant and spill white ropes of release onto his stomach. 

But it was only because you were hot. 

And you were practically begging for him to jack off to the thought of you with those outfits and liking all the shit he liked and noticing when he shrunk away from conversations or including him in them when he started to feel that awful sense of fading into the background. 

Yeah. 

Everybody jerks it sometimes to their group project partners if their ass is nice enough. 

Right?

[milktyama]

— ☕︎ CALL CALL CALL

synopsis: sometimes a call can make miles seem like meters

a/n: omg why did this take me so long to finish i literally had 20% of the fic left and i left it in my drafts for a little over 3 months now 💀💀 anyways it's here now !!

pairing: iwaizumi hajime x reader

genre: ldr, fluffyyy, very little angst if you squint hard enough

wc: 1.5k

❥︎ mild manga spoilers but nothing too big, slight swearing

The nights in California are much more suffocating than you would think. The air is stuffy while angry neighbours bicker loudly at well past hours. Do they even know the meaning of manners? Iwaizumi Hajime, currently studying abroad from Japan to pursue his passion in sports medicine. The education system in America was vastly different from the one in Japan, though studying here is a much better option for getting connections in the industry. 

His major is not a particularly easy one. It is part of the medical field after all. Though in times of stress, he missed everything he had back in his home country. All the friends he had, his family, and most certainly you, his beloved partner. You and Iwaizumi have been dating at the start of your third year together. After parting ways in high school to pursue different careers, you two have decided to take the challenge of a long distance relationship, your feelings for each other being as strong as ever.

However, he never considered how hard it really was. With a shockingly 17 hour time zone difference, when one was awake the other was usually asleep. The two of you tried very hard two fit in at least one call a week and constantly text the other with room of expectation that the other would reply in a couple of hours. It was very rough at first but together you both have found a pace that worked and kept your relationship intact.

The biggest obstacle for Iwaizumi was definitely during exam season, when all his focus has been shifted into studying and reviewing all the heavy content he’s been looking at for the past semester. As much as he hated this time of the year due to multiple reasons, he had just come to accept it. Unfortunately, your daily texts have stretched into weeks and your weekly calls have stretched into months. With minimal communication, Iwaizumi was bound to feel the stress power down on him. His worries for his studies combined with the ones about your relationship has certainly shoved him into a corner of burn out. 

Furious at himself for his limited mental capacity, Iwaizumi threw his notebook to the desk in front of him and sighed in annoyance, running his hands through his face and his hair. Tilting his head upwards, he stared at the ceiling blankly. His gaze automatically drifted to his phone that was placed facing down across this room to avoid any distractions. He made his way towards his phone and picked it up. He immediately opened your contact and stared at the picture in your profile. It was a picture that was taken a few weeks before he left Japan when the two of you went on a picnic date and as predicted, his best friends crashed into it, their fleeting figures visible in the background of the picture.

He chuckled at the memory. How he missed all of them. Clicking on the messaging icon, he had an internal debate if he should text you. Glancing at the clock, it read 4:48pm meaning for you it must be morning. Hesitantly, he started typing out a message that was out of character even for him, but what can he do, he really craved your presence. 

Iwaizumi: I miss you. I really wish you could hold me in your arms and kiss away all of my stress.

Hitting send, his eyes widen at the small letters at the bottom that indicate that you have read his message. A few seconds later, there was a reply. His heart started to beat faster as his eyes scanned the digital letters displayed on his screen.

Y/n: Hi Hajime! I miss you lots too baby. I will be sending you virtual hugs if that helps?

He couldn’t hide his smile anymore. His lips pulled up on his face as his eyes lit up at your very sweet message. He immediately replied to your message, trying to elongate this moment as much as he can due to its rarity that the both of you were up at the same time.

Iwaizumi: You’re up earlier than usual today

Y/n: Yeah I recently switched one of the electives and they only had a morning slot available. Late morning but still, morning lectures suck :(

Iwaizumi: Don’t push yourself too hard. Make sure to sleep earlier now and eat a full breakfast ok?

Y/n: Iwa-chan are you my mom?

A small vein popped on Iwaizumi’s forehead, the nostalgic yet annoying memory of Oikawa using that exact phrase on him.

Iwaizumi: Ha ha very funny honey.

Y/n: I’m kidding~! Thank you for worrying about me. I love you ok? *sends a heart reaction meme*

Iwaizumi: Yeah yeah I love you too.

Iwaizumi could feel the conversion coming to an end. He really didn’t want that. Although he had to get back to do some studying soon, and he knew that you had to get to class. But he tried to push his luck a little further, praying to the universe to not be against him today.

Iwaizumi: Hey, are you free to call for a bit? 

Y/n: Hmm yeah I should be able to, I still have time for my class and I don’t live too far from my campus.

And with that, Iwaizumi felt that the universe had finally blessed him for the first time since he had come to America. Clicking on the phone icon, he brought his phone up to ear and waited on the rings until you picked up.

“Hi Hajime~” you cooed at your boyfriend. Oh how he missed that phrase coming from your lips. Your conversation flowed like always, however this time you could tell that both of your words were laced with longing for the other. 

The seconds stretched to minutes, a small giggle here and there, and suddenly time had lost its meaning. Both yours and his love were timeless. Unconditional love. The type of love that you two don’t expect anything in return from the other. Yet both of you continue to care for the other as if you were to let go, it would be gone forever. 

After a small joke being cracked from your side of the line, there was a small pause, slight tension building, unclear if that tension was positive or not. Maybe it was slightly suffocating, but with the other on the line, everything felt ok.

“Hey… I love you, you know that right?” Iwaizumi mumbled. Being in a long distance relationship really affected him. You let out a small sigh, imagining the small pout on his face when he gets a little antsy from the lack of your presence. 

“Mhm, I sure do know baby. I love you too,” you hummed to him. The two of you sat in silence once again. But this time, the silence was comfortable, almost as if the two of you were in the same room together. Warmth radiating onto each other as your fingertips made contact with his. Coming back to reality, you looked at the clocks and sadly, your short time with him has ended for now.

“Fine… Don’t forget to eat properly and sleep well. Text me when you’re done with your lectures, I’ll respond to them as fast as I can.”

“I have to go now Hajime, or I’ll be late for class. You need to get back into studying too.” You could hear the small grunts of disappointment from the other end of the line. He was just too cute for you. A side of the Iwaizumi Hajime that only you got to see and no one else. 

“Will do!! Call again when exams are over?” 

“Mhm. I love you.”

“Pft, you said that so much today, is this really my boyfriend I’m talking to?”

“Hey don’t be rude. I just really miss you and I really can’t wait for the break after exams. I’ll be coming back to Japan this time.”

“Yup! And we’ll reunite with the rest of the Seijoh alumni!”

“Ehh, I'd rather just spend my time with you.”

“I don’t think Tooru would like that Haji.”

“Let him. I just want to be with you.”

“You are such a romantic.”

“Only for you.”

You giggled.

“I love you~”

“And I will love you more, forever and always.”

“Babe it’s too early to be this cheesy for me.” 

“It’s literally almost 11am there.”

“OH SHIT. I GOTTA GO. I LOVE YOU AGAIN BABY MWAH TEXT YA LATER!”

And then you abruptly hung up. Sliding his phone off from his ear, Iwaizumi scrolled at your pictures and your messages for a few minutes, thinking to himself how lucky he is to have you in his life. 

Who would have known that one call, from 17 hours into the “future” would have such an effect on a man like Iwaizumi Hajime. Well there is only one type of call that can do that. And that is yours. 

And he knows that even in the toughest times of long distance, you are just one call away. And that one call, can make miles upon miles, feel like meters.

[fourangers]

Hi Fourangers,

First of all, I love your blog so much. It's like going through a history back when Naruto Manga chapters were released weekly and your reviews were so Golden, Hilarious and spot-on. Am a new fan though (especially an SNS fan), I just got into this fandom only this year. I don't know if you'll answer my ask, but I just wanted to try and ask you few questions and I pray that you might answer me....

1. Since you've written in a post that you were active in the eastern part of the fandom, How was chapter 698 received in Japan? Because this is the chapter I inherently realized they both love each other. Yeah, I was too late but somehow whenever they interact with each other in previous chapters I always find them to be 'Weird' for just to be friends. Chapter 698 is just blatantly obvious that they love each other. Considering Homophobia and Shounen genre, I have no idea how it was perceived over there back then in 2014.

2. Which scene made you to ship SNS?

3. As an SNS'er how do you feel about the ending, where everyone was married off when they were just 19 just to make some shitty sequel??? As a new fan, I felt betrayed and It would've been perfect if they had stopped at chapter 699, leaving an open ending.

4. How do you face with the accusation about Naruto and Sasuke as brothers and we, SNS'ers are Incest shippers??? I don't care about that Indra and Ashura thing. But Naruto himself told he considers Sasuke as his Brother couple of times. And in Chapter 699, Sasuke acknowledged, 'He finally understood what it meant'.... It's the only thing that confuses me and I don't even have an answer!!! Plus, Kishi himself gave an interview that he based Sasuke on his Brother... I really wonder how he gave such an interview when he literally made them wear necklaces with each other's faces.

5. How was Naruto and Sasuke's sexuality perceived in the fandom back then??? Man!! Kishimoto just made lot of comic reliefs on their sexuality by making Sasuke on Sai jutsu, Naruto not interested in Icha Icha but making Reverse Harem no Jutsu, Naruto was angry when Konohamaru made Boy on Boy jutsu whereas he had no problem with him doing it. LOL. And all those homoerotic posters. What do you think about their sexuality, personally??

6. Why did Kishi had to develop their bond as Soulmates with some unintentional or intentional romantic undertones, if he was eventually going to pair them up with girls??? He easily could've gave many such romantic tropes to other girls and keep the bond between N and S as purely friendship or brothers. It still would've made sense.

7. Final one, Was Naruto really Nosebleeding when Kurama made a joke about Sasuke's kiss in Chapter 572???? We had a lot of heated discussion with other shippers where they claim that it was just a splotch of snot.

Sorry for the lengthy ask....... I am so eager to know your answers and I don't want to spam your ask box by sending multiple asks.

Thanks 😊😊😊

Hey yo! Welcome new SNS fan! I'm so glad that you joined us and I'll try to answer as best as I can. I'm not very active here on tumblr (except browsing lol) but your ask was such a delight to read.

1. I honestly don't remember. I think I didn't follow the japanese boards until the eventual 699-700 disaster. People were craving for reactions and I was curious about it too lol. And well...it's been years, I doubt I'll be able to find the reactions from that time. Imo, most readers don't care much about pairings, they just wanted to read about power-ups and abilities and the basic Naruto Vs Sasuke. Though there are some backhanded jokes about how gay Naruto is for Sasuke.

2. Hah. It's going to be very anti-climatic but it was when Naruto and Sakura were eating in Ichiraku Ramen. Naruto just used Rasenshuriken against Kakuzu and he busted his arm. Sakura was healing his arm and her attention was focused on Naruto. I used to be a NaruSaku shipper so I thought "Oh hey! This is the moment that Naruto would have a candid romantic moment!" But nope. He talked about Sasuke. And I was already getting suspicious about Sasuke's feelings towards Naruto ya know? And the whole "SASUKE IS MIINEEEEEE" in Orochimaru's lair. It was that moment I thought "you only have Sasuke in your head don't you, Naruto?" and started shipping SNS.

3. Hooo boy was I surprised when it was suddenly revealed that they had the basic heteronormative, boring marriage with bunch of clones of themselves. Everyone thought that it was almost like a bad fanfiction come true and some thought that it was fake. It was a pandemonium lolololol. I also thought that it was too lame to be true and lo and behold, when it came true I was floored. And then whenever Kishimoto threw new material, I got insanely pissed off because S*arada and B*ruto becoming pairing material is ok because they are a girl and a boy, and then they paralleled with Naruto and Sasuke which are only FRIENDS because they are both men. ARGH. Open ending was what Kishimoto planned from the very beginning but wrote a sequel to earn more money.

In that aspect, I made peace with it because of the whole anime/manga industry. I learned that, as a mangaka, you don't earn a lot of money with selling books, but rather with merchandise and profiting with sales right. And that guy have a family to raise, have two kids (which is hilarious about how B*ruto movie is his self-insert story), he needs a steady income. Also, I read reports about how anime studios are so poor and animators don't receive a decent income not to mention they are overstaffed and tired, and B*ruto is a good money cow for them to earn money so they can invest later on other anime they have more passion about it. So even though I hate this story with a strength of thousands suns, they are putting meal on people's tables and making them pay rents. I'm ok.

4. Lemme roll my eyes because in the Last movie they said that Hinata is related to Kaguya and so is the Uzumaki and Uchiha clan so they are all related woo hoo. But in the aspect of brothers because reincarnations bla bla bla, didn't Naruto himself said that he's no longer that brother, he's himself? Hmm...I gotta re-read it. One day. Maybe. lol. But I'm sure that he said "Sasuke is not my brother but I'm sure we'll understand well as friends" so there. Honestly, there are a lot of interviews out there and a lot of them are fake, so I'd always take the interviews with a grain of salt lololol. I do know from artbooks that Kishimoto wanted to create Sasuke as a rival-esque character and that was it. As he was developing Sasuke and Naruto's relationship, since he liked the whole yin-yang concept, whenever he wrote Naruto's story, Sasuke's was developed at the same time as his shadow.

5. I can tell from Naruto Forums (I used to participate back in that day) MOST of the non-shippers thought it was gay as hell, but you know...it was a relic of that time. While they thought it was gay, they didn't put too much thought about you know? Because it was shounen, and we knew that it was a joke that it couldn't be taken seriously. Of course, in the SNS fandom, we did make more analysis and there were a lot of instance when Naruto and Sasuke's sexuality was questioned. Some other non-shippers also thought that Naruto was totes gay for Sasuke (including a IRL friend).

Imo, Naruto is definitely bisexual in my view. Sasuke I think he's asexual or gay. He's attracted to Naruto, but mostly because of his connection to him, not because of his physical attributes, so yeah...asexual. Or Pansexual. Sasuke is more complicated lmao. Imo, Naruto could be pansexual too, come to think about it. Yeah, I guess both being pansexual can be valid.

6. He developed Naruto and Sasuke being soulmates from the very beginning, that was proven in his comments in artbooks and in the manga. He probably created with the intention of making it purely platonic, going beyond physical ties. Then he shot himself on the foot by drawing Naruto thinking about Sasuke on bed, talking about how Sasuke is cool, meanwhile Sasuke waxing poetic about how Naruto saved him. What gives? Lol. Yeah, I think he got too enamored writing their relationship that he didn't have time to write romantic ones. What I noticed that Sakura's popularity never was really high, so I could see some editors putting their fingers all over it and making her less relevant. Also, Kishimoto didn't know how to handle her, so when she got her time to shine was the whole fake confession disaster. Coupled with Kishimoto sexism and, in his words (Kurenai's flashback), women are useful to spout more babies, women was never really relevant in his story, unfortunately. Even Kaguya who was technically the big bad boss, was never really fleshed out in comparison to Madara. So the null het romantic moments it's not because he wanted to elevate SNS moments, it's more about how he's incompetent about it. It's either Hinata slowly elevating to a relevant status because forced interaction (Pain's sacrifice and Neji's death) or Sakura being obligated to be pining over Sasuke because she's a girl. It's even more painful to see that, if we ignore B*ruto, both girls are shown to be just talking with their kids and dusting shelves, basically being housewives, even though thorough the story (especially Sakura) it was implied that both of them have much more potential than being their husband accessories.

7. It was a splotch of snot. I can confirm myself lol. Whenever the chapter is out and fans would scan it to scanlate it, the editor usually would amp up contrast to max. So usually the lines get much more thicker than usual, when you read the official release which gets straight from the source, you can notice how the lines are more delicate.

Oh lol...but then we also have a lot of controversy about translating style. THAT one is a whole new can of worms to open.

Man I had fun answering your questions! Please send more :P

[thefinalcinderella]

Kaze ga Tsuyoku Fuiteiru Chapter 4 - The Track Meet (Part 4)

Merry Christmas guys

Full list of translations here

Translation Notes

1. Not really a translation note but King calls Kakeru a “hentai” as in pervert here

Previous | Next

At the second TSU meet at the end of June, Prince finally got a time of 16:58:14. All of the members of Chikusei-sou had at last earned the right to participate in the Hakone Ekiden qualifiers.

After the race was over, the residents joined hands in a corner of the field and rejoiced. They danced in a circle with their hands still joined as their happiness intensified. They continued to turn around in their ring formation, which looked like a ceremony to summon a UFO, until a totally exhausted Prince sank down to the ground.

Kakeru didn’t join the circle, instead watching the residents from a short distance away. He did feel happy and relieved that they were able to participate in the qualifiers now, but he thought that it was too early to be that happy.

Seeing the excited members of Chikusei-sou, the runners from other universities started murmuring to each other.

“I heard that they can join the qualifiers now. That’s pretty good.”

“But there’s no way they’re going to pass the qualifiers, no matter how you look at it.”

“Well, it’ll be a nice memory, so isn’t it fine?”

They talked among themselves, laughing slightly. Kakeru could keenly sense the various implications in those laughs.

Spotting Kakeru standing a short distance away from the circle, TSU’s Sakaki approached him.

“I heard you guys are aiming for Hakone. Make sure not to embarrass yourselves at the qualifiers.”

Kakeru glared at him. He was frustrated, but couldn’t say anything back.

“Kakeru.”

Kiyose waved him over, and he left Sakaki to walk over to the circle.

“You all did a great job,” Kiyose said, showing his appreciation simply. “We’re a step closer to Hakone. From now on, we’ll train to increase our distances. But first, we’ll have a grand party tonight; after our evening jog, gather in the twins’ room.”

“Woohoo!” the twins cheered. Kakeru hid cool feelings beneath his smile. We have parties all the time, don’t we?

He called to mind each member’s best official records at this point in time.

Kakeru   14:09:95

Haiji                 14:20:24

Musa      14:49:46

Jouji                15:03:08

Jouta      15:04:58

Yuki        15:36:45

Shindou  15:39:23

Nico-chan       15:59:49

King                16:03:83

Prince             16:58:14

They were now able to participate in the qualifiers, but rather than being set free from his impatience, Kakeru’s mind was becoming increasingly filled with frustration. That was why the alcohol didn’t taste good at all even during the party in the twins’ room. Unable to join in with the rowdy atmosphere, Kakeru sat by the window.

Kiyose’s home cooking was almost entirely eaten up, and after taking a rest, the residents all began to praise Prince.

“I was afraid of what might happen, but Prince pulled through,” King said.

“Today’s last spurt was amazing. You made it to the finish line in just under seventeen minutes,” Shindou said.

“Yes. Prince’s gallant figure brought a few tears to my eyes,” Musa said.

As a reward for Prince, the twins presented him with the weekly manga magazine that had gone on sale early, which they had gone to buy from the shopping district. He immediately put aside his drink and started reading it at rapid speed. Nico-chan and Yuki laughed as they watched him.

Irritated, Kakeru muttered, “Is it that great?”

Startle gazes gathered and fell on Kakeru. Unable to stop now, he spoke again.

“Prince-san’s time is not something to be proud of.”

“Well, yeah, that’s true,” Prince agreed, nodding without lifting his eyes from his magazine.

“What do you mean by that, Kakeru?” Jouta stormed, turning on him. Even Jouji, who was always cheerful, protested with a forceful tone.

“Prince-san shortened his time a lot in three months, you know? If he keeps going at this rate, he’ll be able to run five-thousand meters in an instant by the time the qualifiers come around!”

“I highly doubt that,” Yuki quipped. Kakeru ignored him and turned to Prince again.

“Do you understand, Prince-san? This is no time to be reading manga.”

“Not at all.” Prince paid him no mind, but the twins stood up angrily.

“Stop it, Kakeru! You’ve been weird lately. It’s kinda scary.”

“He’s right. Quit blaming Prince-san. If you have something to say, say it to all of us!”

“I will!” Kakeru put down his cup and stood up, too. “We’ll never make it to Hakone if you guys keep running at a snail’s pace like this! Never! So I have no idea how you guys can drink so carefreely!”

“Kakeru, Kakeru. You’ve been drinking a lot too, haven’t you?” Shindou frantically gripped Kakeru’s ankle. “You’re drunk. Right? Just sit down.”

Musa tried to calm the twins as he held them back under his arms. However, the three first-years of Chikusei-sou shook off their seniors’ restraints and started grappling with each other.

“Don’t talk so high and mighty just ‘cause you can run a bit faster!”

“You told me to talk, so I did!”

“There’s things you can and can’t say, you know! Not everyone can run as easily as you!”

“You can say those kinds of things after you practice more! But it might be pointless no matter how much you practice!”

“That’s too far, Kakeru.” Nico-chan tried to sit up.

“Don’t get too full of yourself, you asshole!” King tried springing at Kakeru faster than the twins, but he didn’t make it.

Kiyose, who had been quiet until that point, ran up to Kakeru with a leopard-like agility and ferocity and grabbed him by the collar. “You idiot!” he yelled. “Wake the hell up! Why won’t you acknowledge that Prince and everyone else are trying their best! Why are you denying their sincere running! Is it because their times are slower than yours? Is speed the only thing you value? If that’s the case, then there’s no point in running. Ride the train! Take an airplane! Those are faster!”

“Haiji-san…”

Not just Kakeru, but everyone in the room was shocked still by Kiyose’s furious look.

“Know this, Kakeru. You can’t only pursue speed; that’s empty and pointless. You can figure that out by looking at me, right? It’ll be too much someday…”

Kiyose’s words were suddenly cut off. He staggered as the strength went out of his hands, which had been grabbing Kakeru’s shirt.

“Haiji-san!” Kakeru panicked, supporting Kiyose’s body. “Haiji-san, what’s wrong!”

Kiyose was pale, his eyes closing languidly.

“Hey, Haiji-san! Stay with me!”

He didn’t react even when Kakeru slapped his cheek.

“What do I do, he’s not conscious!”

“What!”

The room fell into panic. Yuki immediately took Kiyose’s wrist and checked his pulse.

“Twins, lay out a futon! Someone call an ambulance. Actually no, it’s faster to call a doctor. Tell the landlord to ask for a house call right away!”

Jouta and Jouji took out a futon from the closet, sobbing, “Haiji-san, don’t die!”

Shindou and Musa leaned out of the window and shouted towards the main house, “Sir, we need your help!”

A flustered Prince went down to the first floor to get water, and King, disconcerted, just wandered around aimlessly.

Kakeru, along with Nico-chan, laid Kiyose down on the futon. Even though Yuki told him not to worry so much, Kakeru refused to leave his bedside. Until the neighborhood family physician the landlord called arrived, Kakeru stayed next to Kiyose, his head hanging down.

Consultation hours had finished long ago, but the old physician was an acquaintance and immediately came running. The doctor pushed his way through the residents gathered around the futon and approached Kiyose. He checked under his eyelids, pressed a stethoscope against him, and checked for the presence of heat in his palms. Finally, he looked around at everyone and spoke a single word: “Overwork.”

“He seems to have anemia, but right now he’s more asleep than unconscious.”

“He’s…sleeping?”

The residents shifted their gazes from the doctor to Kiyose all at once. Certainly, Kiyose’s chest was peacefully rising and falling with regular breathing. It was good that he wasn’t seriously ill, but they felt drained, wondering why there was so much fuss over calling a doctor.

“I’d say he’s been accumulating fatigue from lack of sleep.” The doctor searched through his black bag and quickly prepared a syringe. “I’ll give him an injection with some nutrients. Let him rest tonight. If anything happens, you can call me again. Now, take care. Don’t let him work too hard.”

“Thank you very much.”

All of them said their thanks, and Yuki and Shindou accompanied the doctor to the front door. Kiyose had continued to sleep, even as he was being pricked with a needle, and the twins put the blanket over him again.

“It’s my fault. I made Haiji-san worry…”

Kakeru hung his head, watching Kiyose’s sleeping face. He felt frustrated and pathetic. Even Rokudou’s Fujioka had perceived that Kiyose was not in good shape, but Kakeru hadn’t noticed anything; he was so focused on running that he couldn’t even see the people he was living together with.

Prince, who was sitting across from him on the futon, weakly shook his head. “That’s not true. It’s my fault that I can’t run fast.”

Like the forest animals after learning of the Buddha’s death, Kakeru and the others solemnly gathered around the futon. Yuki and Shindou, who had returned from seeing off the doctor, recoiled at the wake-like atmosphere before they sat down on the tatami.

“If you think about it, we have been leaving everything up to Haiji-san,” Musa said.

“Yeah.” King crossed his arms. “Haiji was doing the administrative stuff like applying to meets and even cooking all the meals.”

“He worked like a coach-slash-manager-slash-dorm parent,” Jouta said.

“It’s partly because we’ve been so busy training and training, but we’ve been putting too much pressure on Haiji-san.” Shindou seemed to be chewing on bitter thoughts.

Jouji made a proposition with a purposely bright tone. “From now on, let’s at least take turns cooking. Let’s all work together.”

Sounds of agreement rose up here and there.

“If that’s the case, let’s make up,” Nico-chan said as he looked between Kakeru and Prince.

“Yes.” They both nodded, Prince readily and Kakeru timidly, embarrassed by his childish attitude.

“The twins should forgive Kakeru too,” Yuki said, and Jouji and Jouta glanced at Kakeru embarrassedly.

“Of course,” they said in unison.

“Come on, let’s all get along.” Nico-chan took the lead. “Don’t let Haiji’s dying wish go to waste. Let’s go to Hakone as one.”

“Yeah!”

The residents of Chikusei-sou gripped each other’s hands tightly over the futon where Kiyose was sleeping.

“I don’t remember being dead. I hope I’m not.”

Surprised, Kakeru looked at the pillow. Kiyose’s eyes were opening.

“Good grief, what’s all this?” He moved the residents’ arms that were complicatedly tangled over his stomach out of the way and tried to sit up.

“Please sleep!” Kakeru hurriedly pushed Kiyose’s shoulders and made him lie back down on the futon. “Haiji-san, you collapsed. The doctor said you got anemic from overwork.”

“I see. Sorry I caused trouble.” Kiyose looked up at Kakeru’s face, who was peering down at him. “But it looks like the fight is over—that’s good to see.”

Kakeru shifted to intentionally sit in seiza. “I’m sorry,” he said with his head bowed. “I’ve been so on edge and impatient for a long time.”

“Was it because the music coming from Yuki’s room is too loud?” Nico-chan said, a sympathetic look in his eyes that said, “I feel you.”

“If you ask me, it’s the creaking in the ceiling.”

Yuki’s words scared Prince, who felt guilty.

“No, that’s not it,” Kakeru hurriedly said. “I’ve felt that way since before I came to Aotake. I was just running and didn’t see much of what was around me.”

He still didn’t actually know what he should do; Kakeru still hadn’t figured out what he should be running for, other than speed. “But,” Kakeru started, lifting his face up. “From now on, I will also aim for the Hakone Ekiden seriously.”

 “What!?”

The twins’ room shook with astonishment.

“’From now on?’ What were you doing until now?” Jouji looked like he was about to jump down his throat.

“No, I just thought I would play along with it somehow,” Kakeru said honestly. “I thought everyone would get bored and quit soon anyways. I’m sorry.”

“You can train that much, even though your motivation was so low.” Shindou was deeply impressed.

“I’m not good at anything other than running, after all,” Kakeru said seriously.

Yuki shook his head with a “Good grief,” and a stunned King said, “You really are a weirdo, Kakeru.” (1)

“You’re incredible, Kakeru. You’re so incredible it’s funny.” Jouji stifled his laughter. A bit angrily, Kakeru wondered what was so funny, but then he saw that even Kiyose was nodding and decided not to object.

“I can’t stop reading manga, but I’ll work even harder too,” Prince declared, raising his face.

It wasn’t that there weren’t any ill feelings, but it was the first time that the desire to aim for the same thing had budded equally in all their hearts.

Kiyose, who was watching the scene, called out, “Kakeru.” Still in seiza, Kakeru shifted a bit closer to Kiyose, whose head was resting on the pillow.

“Do you know what’s the best compliment for a long-distance runner?”

“Is it ‘fast’?”

“Nope. It’s ‘strong,’” Kiyose said. “It’s not enough to be fast to finish a long-distance race. The weather, the course, the development of the race, your physical condition, your own state of mind... Runners calmly analyze those various factors and persist in moving their body forward even in difficult situations. What long-distance runners need is strength in the true sense of the word. We run everyday for the honor of being called ‘strong.’”

Kakeru, as well as the other residents, listened intently to what Kiyose was saying.

“As I watched you run these three months, I became more and more convinced,” Kiyose continued. “You have talent and aptitude. That’s why, Kakeru, believe in yourself more. There’s no need to be impatient—it takes time to become strong. You could say that there is no end; just as there are people who jog and do marathons even into old age, long-distance is a sport that is worth tackling for life.”

 Kakeru’s passion towards running had always been an ambiguous emotion, making his mind waver unsteadily. But Kiyose’s words skillfully cut through Kakeru’s murky and wavering inner world; they were a light that flashed into his heart and flooded it, illuminating him.

However, Kakeru rebutted, partly due to embarrassment. “But the elderly can’t set new world records.”

“That came out of nowhere,” Nico-chan teased. Kiyose smiled, as if to say there was no helping it.

“I thought that way too. Until I got injured,” Kiyose said gently. “But it’s the older runners who are more likely to be ‘stronger’ than you, Kakeru. That’s what’s profound about long-distance.”

Kiyose’s words were aimed not just at Kakeru, but at everyone present. Perhaps tired, he stopped talking and lowered his eyelids.

“Haiji-san, you can’t sleep here!” Jouji and Jouta shook Kiyose.

“Shut up. You’re dismissed,” Kiyose mumbled.

Everyone quietly took their leave of the twins’ room.

Kakeru was the last to go into the hallway. As he closed the door, he turned around and saw the twins squeezing into another futon from the closet.

What is that strong running Haiji-san talked about? Kakeru was pondering it. He knew it wasn’t about arm strength or leg strength. But, it didn’t seem like he was referring to just mental strength, either.

Kakeru suddenly recalled the snow-covered field he had seen when he was little. When he had got up early and gone to the field in his neighborhood, the snow that had accumulated during the night had completely changed the familiar landscape. Kakeru had run on the white field where no one had left any footprints. He had run as his heart desired in order to draw beautiful patterns. That was his very first memory of thinking that running was fun.

Maybe strength was something beautiful built upon a delicate balance—like the patterns he had drawn in the snow back then.

While thinking that, Kakeru quietly went down the stairs, careful not to make too much noise.

The next day, the skies were clear for the first time in a long while. When Kakeru returned after his early morning jog, Kiyose was feeding Nira in Chikusei-sou’s yard.

“Welcome home,” Kiyose said when he saw him.

“I’m back,” Kakeru responded.

The morning light was shining clearly. It was the beginning of a usual, new day.

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[yokelish]

kay kay lemme phrase it this way

1. what's an overhyped anime plotwise?

1.5. What is an underrated anime plotwise that you think more people should watch?

2. What's an anime that you were interested in because of the concept, but once you actually watched it, it turned out to be a shitshow?

3. I already know this one, but why did bsd go to shit/start with shit

ur good at phrasing things so i wanna hear it in ur words

4. Have you ever watched an anime purely because of the art style? If yes, which one?

Nothing makes me adore a person but a hyperspecific question.

1. Attack on Titan. Cause sometimes it's like people never read a history book or ASOIAF-like high fantasy, I swear.

I also have to stay the standards for a good manga and a good book are very different, I know. Those are similar mediums but aren't the same medium. Still, AoT is overrated.

1.5 I'll tell you when it comes to me. Maybe OddTaxi? Or even Link Click? I haven't watched much this season. It's both overwhelming with the number of titles and underwhelming because like 70% of it is isekai or a continuation of titles I was never interested in to begin with.

2. Wonder Egg Priority. I watched three episodes and something in my head went "it's gonna go bad". And I decided to listen to that voice more often now, it saves time and emotional investment. Guess what.

3. Because Aasgiri tweeted once about checking air quality in his office, which turned out to be horrible, and then he got an air filter and according to him it improved his mood and productivity. That's why. Take away his air filter. Let him be depressed but sane.

The manga had problems from the beginning, but instead of improving it slowly snowballed into a massive fucking ball of issues. In reality, BSD isn't the first victim of this phenomenon I call "the burn out of weekly and monthly publishing industry". It's fucking hard, okay? I get it. Many popular mangakas take years between arcs to finish a series. Asagiri probably didn't have that luxury when he finished his first arc.

For one, well, Asagiri is a very young writer. For two, he did admit in one of the omake that he just blurted out the idea for BSD in a pitch room, and everyone was like "maybe we can work with this". And then there's a very obvious problem is that Asagiri has written Atsushi's arc, but when it was done, he was probably confronted with the fact he had to continue to write the series that got popular. And he needed to do it like right-the-fuck-now, this isn't One Piece. But ideas need time and polishing, and manga publishing is merciless.

There's also a bit of a very common problem with all writers, in all genres and mediums, that I call "The Moffatt problem". You touch on too many concepts and ideas where you don't really have the time and space to let them develop. Okay, I needed to rewatch fifteen recently, and here's a moment I will recount as an example of "you want too much too fast."

Chuuya: Oh no, Rimbo, I believe you. Gods exist. Anyway, deathmatch now.

Excuse me? Gods exist? Do you care to talk a little bit more about it? It seems like a big concept for an urban supernatural seinen . And it just doesn't. It moves right the fuck on, without blinking or pausing. Really, it just goes into deathmatch, then Dazai's bullshittery, Rimabaud'd death and touchy-touchy words, and then another deathmatch Chuuya vs. Sheep. Do whatever you fucking want with this information. Stay tuned if you want to know if what we had just implied will mean any-fucking-thing in this universe.

Asagiri also said he takes inspiration from Jojo, which is totally good-for-him, I just think he took it a bit too literally.

So, in the end, it's like pieces of different cakes carved out and put together to make a new cake, but the whole product now looks ugly and probably tastes bad too. Because Asagiri isn't a bad writer, he is an immature writer. He can write decent self-contained stories outside Dead Apple, we don't take about Dead Apple Anything that didn't include Odasaku was bad about Dead Apple. Someone just needs to steady Asagiri's fucking hand in time.

Do you know the rule of cutting about 30% of the script after it's done? It's so the writer re-evaluates what is important and what is self-indulgent bullshittery? YEAH.

And Asagiri has other works now that play with pretty much same concepts BSD touches, but because they are more separate and self-contained stories, it kinda works better. Those works are still...umm....just....ughhh...okay tho.

4. I don't really care that much for the art style. If something looks whacky, it won't necessarily stop me from watching it. Wonder Egg was pretty as heck, and, look, it didn't make me stay either. BSD manga art style is what made me watch the anime, I still like the art style but in the first volumes where Dazai had an obnoxiously long chin, smaller eyes, greasier hair, and his clothes were three sizes too big. Where Chuuya's face looked like a weird mix of a sixteen-and-twenty-two-year-old. He obviously had slightly chubby cheeks at certain angles. As manga continued, though, Dazai turned..ughhhh....prettier.

I'm currently watching Sonny boy and while it's hard to call it a pretty art style, it's closer to the classic anime look and it's certainly wild.

[makeste]

BnHA Chapter 266: Sad Naruto Flute Music

Previously on BnHA: Tamaki ate a horse; Dark Shadow punched Re-Destro through a wall; Gigantomachia didn’t want to wake up from his nap; Tokoyami climbed inside of Fatgum’s stomach like a little emo joey and mused about Hawks; Hawks was all “am I evil or no? history shall decide!” and sort of kind of maybe tried to kill Twice; and then Dabi showed up and set the two of them on fire before you could say “stop, drop, and roll.” All of this was a real chapter that really happened. Anyway but then Hawks saved Twice by pulling him out of the fire, which I totally didn’t notice during my first readthrough last week, so that’s nice. But then Dabi stepped on Hawks’s face and used his quirk again. So that was not so nice. We’re really having ourselves an arc, here.

Today on BnHA: Well you know the old saying. Save a man from burning and you feed him for a day, stab him while he’s running away and you feed him for life. Oh, the chapter? Right. Well Hawks is perfectly fine aside from getting a sexy scar for his troubles, which I’ll have you know I did predict. Twice however is not so fine, which, fun fact, I did not predict. If you’re just joining us. Yeah. I boofed it. Anyway so Hawks escapes Dabi using the power of mysterious main character logic, and then he stabs Twice, and Twice dies, very slowly and sadly and in Toga’s arms. That’s it that’s the chapter. You’ll love it. It’s full of feels. And death. Lol I’m in a mood right now I’m sorry guys. I’m gonna go write some healing Bakugou essays.

so as mentioned on the “previously” section above, Hawks saved Twice’s life! meanwhile Dabi apparently arrived in time to listen to Hawks’s “here I go... time to kill you... really gonna do it... here it comes...” speech for at least several seconds before he finally decided to make his grand entrance, as evidenced by him quoting Hawks’s “sentiment” line right back in his face before setting him on fire. so basically Hawks is still okay and villains gonna villain. this is my conclusion and 4 out of 5 dentists approve but you can form your own judgements as well and that’s fine!

(ETA: this is all your fault fifth dentist.)

anyway so before we begin, full disclosure, I was warned this chapter would make me cry. so that ominous pronouncement is gonna be weighing on my mind while we embark upon our weekly manga journey today, but alas such is life! at least life in March 2020. did we really expect any good news at this point. I want a refund on this whole year but apparently I should get in line

so here we go. someone is narrating and it’s not quite clear who

but the “you’ve just been unlucky” part is a reference to what Hawks was telling Twice in chapter 264, so unless Dabi was listening in on that part too, I would think this would have to be Twice? even though Dabi’s the one whose face is so prominent here, all handsome and crazy

omg Hawks is holding on to his feather and using his tk to blast away while holding Twice

what a fucking thing to do. is the fucking feather still on fire. and somehow he hasn’t instinctively let go of it?? THIS BOY I SWEAR TO GOD

and so he’s definitely going to have a scar there now it looks like! pretty sure this makes him an honorary Todoroki. aww

and also Twice seems to possibly be unconscious, so I guess that was Dabi’s narration?? you mean to tell me Dabi was basically sitting outside for like a full five minutes. were you fixing your hair. getting ready to livestream?? “hey there villain nation it’s me ya boi, so I’m here in the Hilton Gunga Heights and omg like a shitton of heroes have attacked us out of fucking nowhere, and now the number two hero is getting ready to fucking murder my bro Twice, and he hasn’t even noticed I’m here yet. shit is totally crazy, anyways before we go on just a reminder to click on the link below to check out our official league merch, and if you haven’t already, click on the button to like and subscribe, it really helps us out.” and then boom, just in time to save Twice from Mr. To Stab or Not to Stab

(ETA: now that we know it’s actually Twice what am I gonna do with all these Dabi social media jokes. huh?! Horikoshi you ruined everything!!)

oh this chapter is apparently called “Happy Life.” that’s fun I’m sure we’re going to have a really fun time here

(ETA: so fun the funnest.)

Dabi doesn’t really seem fazed though

yeah he’s fucked we know don’t have to rub it in ffff

(ETA: Dabi. we underestimated him, Dabi.)

so Hawks is all “you nearly murdered your bro just fyi” and Dabi is all “smirk it’s fine cuz I knew you were going to save him cuz ~that’s ~what ~heroes ~do” wow you guys. I just realized that between Dabi and Hawks, this has the potential to be the single snarkiest fight we’ve ever had in this manga. my hype for this chapter just went up 10x

also even though I just summarized these last few panels I’m also going to post them so we can all shamelessly admire hot wounded Hawks

hot damn. you were right, AFO. wounded heroes are the sexiest. I may be paraphrasing a bit

also two things, (1) looks like he called some of his feathers back (so then WHERE WERE THEY??), but it’s not much. and (2) he was wearing gloves this whole time that’s right I forgot. so maybe his hands are okay?? the hell are those made of, damn

oh my freaking lord

this is one attractive chapter I’ll give it that. also raise your hand if you’re surprised that Dabi never actually trusted Hawks. yeah that’s what I thought

well shit looks like we’re finally getting some Hawks thoughts! unsurprisingly, they are all “I’m fucked”

please note that while talking!Hawks is continuing to be all sassy, thinking!Hawks is busy tallying up Jin’s injuries. this is a good sign, maybe. I hope. lol

anyway but speaking of Jin, what is going on

oh lol he’s making a break for it

this is so bad you guys. this is so so bad. if Twice lives that’s all well and good, but if he escapes, Hawks is 100% right about how dangerous he is. they could literally capture 90% of PLF in this raid and it would hardly even matter. also in the meantime the #2 hero is about to be roasted alive so that’s also not great for the hero side all things considered

ohhhhhhhhhhhhh no. I don’t like this. no no no

why did we suddenly cut to outside and someone’s screaming (?) echoing from offscreen. I’m trying to think of not-terrible explanations for this and coming up short. uh

now we’re back to Hawks/Twice/Dabi, only I don’t see Hawks yet. but Twice is just barely dodging the flame blast, and meanwhile Dabi is all

is he talking to Twice?

yep he’s talking to Twice

that’s fine. that’s all I need. for Twice to “go wild” while my nine-year-old son is outside with his batteries all fried and innocently waiting for someone to lead him back to where his other child soldier friends are waiting for him. like. say what you will about Hawks and betrayal, but there was a fucking reason he was trying to take Twice out first

hmm but we’re getting this slow-motion panel now and FUCK ME I SWEAR TO GOD IF A FEATHER PIERCES HIS HEART OUT OF NOWHERE I’M GONNA LOSE IT

WAIT WHAT

EXCUSE ME BUT

? ??????????

well you sure have been made to look the fool now, Dabi. thought you’d won just because you had Hawks cornered in a narrow room and you set him on fire while standing in between him and the only exit. rookie fucking mistake. you scrub. you clod. you halfwit. how could you let this happen. wow I can’t believe Dabi let Hawks escape unscathed except for a sexy scar and that’s the end of the chapter

LMAO

oh my god. well good news everyone this chapter did indeed make me cry

(ETA: listen. I’m going to hell, I know. but it’s still funny as fuck.)

“he went outside with the blast... and flanked me?!” ...sure. sure let’s just go with that. seems reasonable

actually no, sorry, I literally went back two chapters to see if there was another way out of this room, and nope

by the way that last panel is apparently from Dabi’s POV if I’m understanding this right. just standing behind Hawks waiting for youtube live to connect

but anyway. so no exit. meaning Dabi apparently torched a hole right through the wall and Hawks just sat there and was all “okay this hurts like a mother but if I wait it out a few more seconds I think I can... there we go!” you know, logic

so now there is a ton of action happening which I can’t quite understand, but also Dabi is shouting Hawks’s real name for some reason

why do I feel like this is definitely the last page before somebody definitely fucking dies. shit. shit

oh thank god so far so good. and also, lol

BECAUSE HE READ THE DATABOOK, HAWKS. that’s probably how he figured out you were a spy too. we’ve been had

oh snap?!

don’t do this to me Horikoshi. don’t give me hope. don’t act like you’re gonna actually address this topic sometime before the heat death of the universe

AND HE’S OUT

MY BABY OFF TO DESTROY PEOPLE. ;_; shitttt hahaha nervous laughter Ralph Wiggum sitting on the bus etc.

GODDAMN IT HORIKOSHI

I don’t want Twice to kill anyone but it doesn’t mean I want him to die either! just!! can’t I have it both ways?? please stop with this I can’t take it also what is Spinner doing. and also YAY GIRAN SIGHTING hot damn the sex appeal of this chapter is fast approaching critical levels

GOD FUCKING DAMMIT FUCK

fuck me. [eyes post from last week] the real announcer jinx was the metas we made along the way

well we’re cutting away again!! because of course we are!! Horikoshi won’t show violence unless it’s a dog exploding or a little boy accidentally murdering his entire family

[taps megaphone] this thing on. all right then. [clears throat] NO ONE WANTS THIS

FOR FUCK’S SAKE

“I KNOW YOU’RE ALL DYING TO SEE WHAT’S GOING TO HAPPEN, SO HERE, LET’S CUT TO A RANDOM PAGE OF TOGA AND COMPRESS BEING CAPTURED BY A MAN WITH HUNGRY HUNGRY HIPPO ARMS”

oh damn but are they really captured though??

forgive me for being skeptical. not to doubt you, Hungry Hungry Hippo Man. I’m sure you’re absolutely right and your sentence cut off at the end there because you remembered that they changed their name to Pliff, and not because you’re being stabbed or burned or impaled or whatever the fuck

!!!

HE LIVED BITCH

yes he totally lived and this definitely isn’t so that he can get one final scene with Toga before he suddenly keels over and dies. shit. at this point it’s fucking inevitable. you had to go and drag his girlfriend into this. I’m so sad you guys I can’t even deal with these emotions I’m just gonna stubbornly joke about stupid shit until I figure out what the fuck else to do

OH MY GOD!!!!???

HE DIED BITCH!?!??

he’s already dead he’s already fucking dead fucking shit

ohhhhhh it’s pouring down sads now

my bird son really went and fucking killed the sweetest little dumpling in the manga. I wrote like 5 thousands essays defending you, Hawks. we gonna have to get you a damn good lawyer now

why is sad flute music from the Naruto OST playing

he’s not gonna need it where he’s going Toga. because they already have plenty of handkerchiefs on the farm. and lots of room for him to run around and play with other villains too

lmao fuck

I really did this to myself, why did I actually start playing Sadness and Sorrow fuck my life. real actual tears

and it SEEMS TO ME, YOU LIVED YOUR LIFE, LIKE A CANDLE IN THE WIND~~~

[sad makeste noises]

AND I WOULD HAVE LIKED TO KNOW YOU

BUT I WAS JUST A KID~~

...

your candle burned out long before

your legend ever did.

[mellow keyboard tones]

welp. ... 2020 ladies and gentlemen

[takayatweets]

Under the cut is a translation of a now archived interview on Anireko TV about Fruits Basket 2nd Season that aired on the 25th of May 2020. The episode was retweeted by Takaya-sensei here. The special guests are Umehara Yuuichirou (the voice of Kureno Sohma) and Ishida Ayumi (member of girl group Morning Musume ‘20 and Fruits Basket fan)!

I have condensed it down but this interview is still a little long, so for those who are only interested in Umehara-san and Ishida-sans’ parts, you will find the beginning of their sections highlighted in bold.

Translation begins from 0:47 of the video.

Miyama Karen (host): Todays line-up will be this: “Fruits Basket 2nd Season 30 minute special!” The first guest we will talk to live over the phone is Umehara Yuuichirou-san. The second guest will be Morning Musume ‘20′s Ishida Ayumi-san!

Inoue Yuusuke (host): We’re very grateful for their participation.

Miyama: Yes! 

Interview proceeds to 1:53

Miyama: So Inoue-san! Today we will be doing a big feature on Fruits Basket 2nd Season - a show aired weekly on Mondays at 1:30am!

Inoue: It’s an anime full of drama, isn’t it.

Miyama: Yeah *laughing*. Without further ado, let’s get straight into our chat about the story so far!

Inoue: Ok!

Miyama: The protagonist is Tohru Honda - a girl who has been living in the Sohma house for one year at the beginning of Season 2. The secret of the Sohma clan is that if they are hugged by someone of the opposite gender they are cursed to transform into the animals from the Chinese zodiac. Tohru encounters many members of the Sohma family who are carrying various worries and hardships, deepening her bond with them. Living under the same roof, how will Yuki, Tohru and Kyo face this curse?

Inoue: They are moving towards their goals with conviction, aren’t they!

Miyama: Yes! Towards the curse!

Umehara (narrating): What’s more, we will introduce three new characters who arrive in the 2nd season! First of all, vice-president of the student council Manabe Kakeru. His personality is very friendly and he acts freely and uncontrollably.  He is constantly causing trouble for the school council president, Yuki. Next is the school council treasurer, Kuragi Machi, a girl who finds it extremely difficult to deal with things that are organised perfectly.

Miyama: Whats more, another character who is going to greatly push the story forward in Fruits Basket - Kureno Sohma - has finally appeared! He is very popular among fans of the original manga and appears during the ‘vacation house’ arc!

(a montage of scenes from the vacation arc episodes play)

Umehara (narrating): Summer vacation. Tohru and the members of the Sohma Clan have headed over to the family owned vacation house to spread their wings. However, the head of the family, Akito, appears whilst they are enjoying their trip. Akito calls Yuki and the other members of the Zodiac to a separated room from the vacation house in an attempt to isolate Tohru.

(montage footage ends)

Inoue: I see.

Miyama: Finally Akito-san has appeared.

Inoue: It makes you wonder what will happen next, doesn’t it.

Miyama: It makes you anxious, right?

Inoue: Fruits Basket has lots of fluffy, carefree moments, but now it is getting a little heavier, isn’t it.

Miyama: You’re right. I wonder if Tohru-chan will be all right? I’m worried.

First Guest: Umehara Yuuichirou (Kureno Sohma)　Time - 4:40

Miyama: And the man who will be playing Kureno Sohma is none other than our own narrator for Anireko TV, Umehara Yuuichirou-san! Today we will be having a discussion with him over the phone! Hello, Ume-san?

Umehara: Yes, this is Umehara, hello.

Inoue: Hold on a second..... Karen-chan, you just called him ‘Ume-san’ didn’t you? Eeeeeeh?

Miyama: *laughing* I’m sorry!! I got too friendly all of a sudden, please excuse me. Umehara-san!

Inoue: Thanks for always doing the narrations for this show!

Umehara: No, thank you - it's very fun.

Miyama: Well then, let’s start to find out what kind of man Kureno -  the chararacter that Umehara-san is voicing - is. Please tell us!

Umehara: All right. You may be able to tell already, but Kureno is a man surrounded by mystery. What we do know so far is that Kureno is a fairly kind man, and he is the type of man who cannot simply leave a certain person alone. You’ll find out more about Kureno in coming episodes.

Inoue: How do you feel about playing Kureno? Were there any hardships in becoming his character?

Umehara: Well, I was told that he should not have too many lines when speaking to other people.

Inoue and Miyama: Oooh?!

Inoue: He does participate in conversations, however he is quite an air-head and spaces out frequently; he gives off the feeling of being quite alienated.

Inoue: So Kureno doesn’t always speak about his feelings out loud?

Umehara: Yes, I think he is not an easy character to understand at first and he may feel out of place among the other characters.

Inoue: I see.

Umehara (narrating): Hello everyone! I’m the narrator Umehara who also plays Kureno Sohma! I have prepared a short clip of Kureno, take a look!

(A clip of Arisa and Kureno speaking to each other is played)

Inoue: How did you feel watching that, Ume-chan?

Umehara: Well.......... it was pretty cool.

(they laugh)

Umehara: It makes me embarrassed, listening to my own voice.

Miyama: Doesn’t it.

Inoue: But after this point Kureno will begin to open his heart a little more, won’t he?

Umehara: He will.

Inoue: When he does, we will find out what kind of past he is carrying, and who he will foster feelings for, I assume?

Umehara: Yes, the next time Kureno makes an appearance after Episode 5 he has a completely different aura about him.

Inoue: Really?!

Umehara: If you watch Episode 5 again after the most recent episodes, I think you will understand.

Inoue: Is that so! That’s really got me interested. Ume-chan!

Umehara: Yes?

Inoue: TELL ME EVERYTHING!

(they laugh)

Inoue: I want to find out about what Kureno will do in future episodes.

Umehara: Please expect good things.

Inoue: Well, you’ve given us a great insight.

Miyama: With that being said, please give us a quick summary of Kureno to wrap things up!

Umehara: Ok. Well, anime-only fans still don’t know what kind of man Kureno is going to be, but little by little his story will progress! Please look forward to seeing Kureno, as well as Fruits Basket!

Inoue: Will do!

Miyama: Thank you very much! 

(short advertisement for Fruits Basket products and new releases)

Second Guest: Ishida Asumi (Morning Musume ‘20): Time - 10:12

Umehara (narrating): Coming up, let’s hear from a famous Fruits Basket fan!

Miyama: So Inoue-san! Next up we’re going to hear from a guest who is a die-hard fan of Fruits Basket!

Inoue: Die-hard, huh?

Miyama: So, the person who is going to speak to us and is connected to us via phone call right now is none other than Morning Musume ‘20′s Ishida Ayumi-san!

Ishida: Nice to meet you, I’m Ishida Ayumi - member of Morning Musume ‘20! Please take care of me~

Miyama: We were told that you love Fruits Basket, so-

Ishida: Yes, yes!

Inoue: You love Fruits Basket and came onto this show to tell us something?

Ishida: Well, my plan as a Fruits Basket fan is to come here and convey just how much I love the show!

Miyama: Our staff sent out an invite to you after they heard that you like Fruits Basket, but to think we were actually able to get you to say OK to coming on the show...

Ishida: I was thinking that there is no better platform to show how much I love Fruits Basket, so I gave the OK. My life is pretty much a Fruits Basket textbook at this point!

Umehara (narrating): Yes! Ishida-san has been uploading her Fruits Basket pictures onto social media and her blog, to share her love of Fruits Basket with her fans!

Inoue: Ah, can you tell us when exactly you became interested in Fruits Basket?

Ishida: The first time I ever saw Fruits Basket was about 1 year ago from now.

Inoue: I guess your textbook was made pretty recently then!

Ishida: Hahah, yes! However, in order to find out things about Fruits Basket that I didn’t already know, I decided to read the manga, and I did a lot of looking into into how other people are reacting to various scenes. It’s really fun.

Inoue: You said you had something to say about this, go ahead.

Ishida: Ok, I’ll give you the title of my objective here! ‘My Goal! Fruits Basket Recognition. I want to become a FuruMusu~!!’

(they clap)

Inoue: What does that mean?

Ishida: You see, I want to prove myself useful to all Fruits Basket fans and show that I will do anything for Fruits Basket, so I will become a Fruits Basket Musume - FuruMusu.

*FuruMusu is a play on Fruits Basket and Morning Musume ‘20, the girl group that she is a member of.

Inoue: But to become FuruMusu-

Ishida: Yes.

Inoue: Does that mean you’re ok to quit Morning Musume?

Ishida: WHY WOULD YOU SAY THAT?!

(they laugh)

Ishida: Please let me be both at once.

Inoue: You can’t be the Musume (daughter) of two groups at once, can you?

Ishida: No no no no, I have been two Musume at once, in the past. In Minimoni and Morning Musume.

(they laugh)

Ishida: So it’s fine!

Umehara (narration): With that said, we have asked Ishida-san to provide us with the best scenes to get people hooked on Fruits Basket! The two genres we have prepared are as follows: A scene to make your heart skip a beat, and a scene to wreck your tear ducts. What scenes has she chosen?

Ishida: I will first introduce you to the scene that will make your heart skip a beat. It is from the First Season in Episode 12. Please pay attention to Kyo-kun when Tohru becomes entangled with some male students!

(a clip is played from Episode 12 where Kyo scares off two boys talking about Tohru)

Ishida: There you have it!

Inoue: What is it that you like so much about this scene?

Ishida: When Kyo-kun says “it’s ok to space out when you’re around me”, he is basically saying “I will protect you”. I JUST CAN’T HANDLE IT!

(they laugh)

Inoue: Ishida-san, so you are a Kyo-kun stan?

Ishida: Sorry, yes I am a Kyo-kun stan.

Inoue: Ok then, so how would you react if Kyo-kun were to do the same sort of Kabedon to you?

*Kabedon is when someone (usually a male) forcefully puts their hands onto a wall to trap or shield the object of their affection (usually a female), just as Kyo-kun does in episode 12. In recent years it has been a big trend in Japan.

Ishida: I’m very sorry. I would not be able to survive something like that.

(they laugh)

Umehara (narrating): Moving on to the next scene - this one will wreck your tear ducts. What is Kyo-stan Ishida’s best scene for this?

Ishida: This scene is where Kyo-kun shows his true form, and bears all the burdens he is carrying to Tohru. I am not able to watch it without crying! Take a look!

(A montage plays of Kyo’s transformation into the cats' true form and flashback scenes of Kyo’s parents)

Umehara (narrating over the montage): Kyo-kuns' true form. That is, the zodiac cats' alternate form that is disgraced and shunned by the Sohma family. Kyo’s birth mother is frightened of him, and his birth father rejects him completely. Kyo, who was born with the cat spirit, has to live a life all by himself, unable to be accepted by others. Tohru, who sees Kyo in this state, chases after him.

(The scene of Tohru comforting Kyo, and Kyo embracing Tohru, plays)

Inoue: How did you feel watching that, Ishida-san?

Ishida: Thank you very much....

Inoue: What are you saying thank you for?

Ishida: Thank you for letting me say such a wonderful scene again.

Inoue: Ishida-san, you are the one who selected the clip!

(they laugh)

Ishida: No matter how many times I see this scene it grasps at my heart. To see the size of the burdens that Kyo-kun is forced to carry, and to then see the moment where his heart is eased of that pain makes us fans feel as if we have also been healed, too. That is the appeal of that scene.

Inoue: This is becoming very philosophical, isn’t it!

Miyama: Amazing!

Inoue: By the way Ishida-san, did you know that when this scene between Kyo and Tohru was recorded, the voice actress for Tohru, Iwami-san, really cried as she said the lines? She told us this when she came on as a guest on our show.

Ishida: I knew that! The first time I watched that scene I cried, but once I watched it again knowing that Iwami-san had cried it made me cry even more!

Inoue: How did you find out about that?

Ishida: Uh, I guess, well it was circling around and-

Inoue: YOU’RE SUPPOSED TO SAY FROM OUR SHOW!

(they laugh)

Inoue: No matter how you look at it, your answer should have been Anireko TV!

Ishida: I’m sorry! I’ll correct my answer.

(they laugh)

Inoue: Ok, I hope that the next time we meet we will be able to meet inside our studio rather than over the phone!

Ishida: I would like that!

Inoue: By that time we will have even more stuff to talk about, won’t we.

Ishida: I’ll probably end up talking my mouth off again, but by all means please invite me round again to liven things up.

Inoue: Today you said you were going to be Fruits Basket Musume, but you really just came as a Kyo fan!

Ishida: Hah, don’t say that! After all I was only able to select 2 clips!

Inoue: And if there were 3 clips? What would you pick?

Ishida: Well that... it would be another Kyo-kun scene.

Inoue: That’s enough!!

Ishida: No!!!

Inoue: You are only talking about Kyo, so you should really be KyoMusu instead of FuruMusu!

Ishida: Well, I’d be pretty happy about that.

(they laugh)

Miyama: With that said, our second guest was Ishida Ayumi from Morning Musume ‘20! Thank you very much!

Ishida: Thanks for having me!

(advertisements for various shows and a short skit, skip to 23:32)

Miyama: And so today show comes to an end! It was really an celebration of Umehara and a celebration of Fruits Basket, wasn’t it.

Inoue: But, like Ishida-san, there are probably a lot of people in the entertainment industry who like Fruits Basket, aren’t there?

Miyama: You’re right, I bet there are a lot!

Inoue: We should really gather all these people together and have a round table discussion about Fruits Basket.

Miyama: Sounds great.

Inoue: I want to hear from fans why their favorite character is so great.

Miyama: That would become quite the heated discussion.

Inoue: Karen-chan, who is your favorite?

Miyama: Yuki-kun!

Inoue: So you think that Yuki has a lot of good sides to him?

Miyama: I do.

Inoue: So then if you create a ‘best of’ clip selection just like Ishida-san did, would Yuki be in it?

Miyama: Yes. Of course.

(they laugh)

-End-

[orbit-intl]

210129 KStyle Vol. 1 ― ORβIT, the 7 members are finally together. “The short time we can be together... We are enjoying it with lots of laughs.”

Vol. 1 ― ORβIT, the 7 members are finally together. “The short time we can be together... We are enjoying it with lots of laughs.”

ORβIT is a Japanese-Korean group composed of 7 unique members. They released their long-awaited debut album in November last year, to which many fans responded with enthusiastic support. 

It has almost been a year since ORβIT was formed and announced on February 9, 2020. We asked them about the steps that led to the decision of forming the group and about the reason for their career choices as an artist.

ENG TRANSLATION BY ORBIT_INTL  Source: KStyle News DO NOT RE-USE, REUPLOAD OR RE-TRANSLATE WITHOUT PERMISSION 

― The 7 of you are finally together for the first time in a long time, but how are you spending your time together? 

HEECHO: We spend our private time just relaxing together. Watching movies late at night, having deep talks. 

YOUNGHOON: We watched the movie “Midnight Runners”, it was interesting. We watch movies where we need to hold in our laughter.

YOONDONG: We watch Netflix together, but just simply being together is fun.

HEECHO: It’s been a long time since we’ve spent time together, so we try to have a fun time together. We can’t be together for a long time, so we are enjoying it with lots of laughs. 

TOMO: We made grilled chicken skewers with a special grill for it. Heecheon-san and I were the ones in charge of the grill (laughs). Other than that, Jun and I read manga often. 

JUNE: As for “Jujutsu Kaisen” and “Demon Slayer”, we even went to watch the movie and cried together. I also liked “Chainsaw Man”, which Tomo introduced me to. 

TOMO: I like the “Weekly Shonen Jump” (weekly manga anthology) type of manga, and my all-time favorite one is “Hokuto no Ken”. I’ve been re-reading it lately, and my inner child is getting excited. My favorite move is “Hokuto Shichishi Seiten” (Seven Star Points of Death). Even the sounds when the enemy loses are funny, like the famous ones “abeshi” or “hidebu”, but there’s also minor ones like “nani wo para~” (the word “what” followed gibberish), it’s the funniest. (laughs)

― You spoke at the last interview that you wanted to eat Yoondong-san’s cooking, but did that come true? 

SHUNYA: Yes, we ate it! It was so good~!

YOONDONG: I made them kimchi fried rice.

HEECHO: Wait, when? I didn’t eat any (laughs).

YOUNGHOON: When everyone left for BUGVEL’s recording, Shunya, Yoondong and I ate together.

HEECHO: We were eating takoyaki that time at the studio. I love takoyaki.

― There were some comments from overseas fans on the last interview, but are any of you studying any foreign languages? What word did you learn lately?

SHUNYA: I read Korean vocabulary books sometimes, but I watch a lot of Korean drama and I’ve been starting to understand some words that are said a lot in drama. 

HEECHO: My hands are already full from learning Japanese and I haven’t been able to learn other languages. I still need to work on my Japanese…

TOMO: But all 3 Korean members have been naturally studying Japanese, so they are very good in Japanese.

HEECHO: All the Japanese words that the members have taught me were all bad words… (laughs). 

TOMO: Hey, that’s the other way around! (laughs) I ask them to teach me Korean, but they always teach me bad words. 

HEECHO: (laughs). The world out there is dangerous these days, you need to know some strong words (laughs). 

TOMO: Other than bad words, they taught me how to say 삼겹살 주세요, which means “can I have pork belly?”

SHUNYA: (Heecho whispers something in his ear.) Just now, I learned how to say 그렇게 하면 죽도 밥도 안돼, which means “it’s going to be half-baked if you continue like this”.

TOMO: This is the type of thing they teach us (laughs). 

YUGO: 멋있지？I look cool, right? (laughs)

Everyone: Yugo is so cute~!

JUNE: The word I learned lately is “kaibyaku”. It means the beginning of the world, of time. I found it while searching for a more complicated word during the lyric writing process because the expression felt off and I thought there was another way to say it. 

HEECHO: For me, it’s “mugi to kome no nimousaku” (double cropping of rice and wheat). I learned it while studying a kanji practice book for Japanese grade school students and it left a strong impression on me. 

YOONDONG: I learned the word “kyakuashi” (customer traffic). The meaning was different from what I intended to say, but I learned the word. Is it a bad word?

TOMO: No, you can use it as “customer traffic increased, or decreased”. It’s not a bad word. 

YOUNGHOON: For me, it’s “waruagaki wo suru” (futile resistance). I resist fate in a futile way. I learned it while writing lyrics. 

What about the debut date? “I felt emotional at the CD shop… It didn’t feel real.”

― You debuted on November 11, but how does it feel like to have debuted?

HEECHO: Nothing much changed just because we debuted, but we got here as a result of pursuing what we wanted to do. That is why there wasn’t any big change, but I hope we can continue with the same mindset.

YOUNGHOON: After releasing our debut album and seeing everyone’s reactions, I thought a lot about our situation and our responsibilities and it made me feel like we need to make even better songs and show an even better version of ourselves in the future. We are preparing for our next release with utmost effort. 

― For Heecho-san, Younghoon-san, and Yoondong-san, this is your second debut. Did you give any advice to the 4 others?

HEECHO: I think it’s just a number, and there isn’t much to mind about just because it’s our second time, but there are things we can say because we have experience debuting once previously. It is the first time (for the Japanese members), so I’d like to teach them what I know. 

TOMO: I think they do have a certain emotional leeway. There were hardships until we reached our debut, but there were a lot of moments the 3 helped and cheered us up. 

YOUNGHOON: If we could do more activities, I think there is more I can teach them, but there isn’t much we can do amidst the pandemic situation… Later, when we will be able to do more, I’d like to relay more of our experience. 

― How did you spend your debut date?

YUGO: Nothing much different, we just practiced as usual.

TOMO: I think we were doing voice training.

HEECHO: The Korean members were learning choreography and practicing dance. 

YOUNGHOON: Yoondong was buying pyjamas that day (laughs).

JUNE: We were just doing lessons as usual even though it was debut date, so although I was internally excited like “today is debut date!”, I was a little bit sad that the lesson menu was hard as usual (laughs). 

SHUNYA: The Japan members had the chance to go to CD shops for greetings. I was surprised seeing that the store decorations were, very, big? It made me really happy. It didn’t feel real. 

YOUNGHOON: I saw the pictures too and it made me really happy that the shop staff wrote descriptions of our songs in so much detail. If we have the chance, I want to cook for the shop staff (laughs). 

Everyone (laughs). 

YOUNGHOON: I also read the messages from EαRTHs in the notebooks placed at the CD shops. There were a lot of messages written in hiragana so that we understand too, it made me happy. EαRTHs are really nice. 

Struggles experienced especially because they are self-produced. “Thankful for all the support from many”

― The album “00” was definitely a challenging work, like you spoke about it in the previous interview. A lot of comments from fans were sent to Kstyle too. How were the reactions from fans after the release?

Everyone: Ohh~! (Clapping)

YOUNGHOON: We’re very grateful and happy. Every song was made with a lot of attention to details, so I hope EαRTHs listen to them a lot and enjoy it.

YOONDONG: My wanting to make something better and to perfect our performances got stronger, especially because we debuted. 

― Last time, we asked you about the recording process. How were the parts separated within the songs, and how were the solo songs and unit song “Mizutamari.” (written by Yugo-kun) chosen?

HEECHO: First, we all sing equal parts and then we adjust as we sing because some members suit some parts better. I chose the parts, but nobody complained. 

SHUNYA: ORβIT’s absolute leader (laughs). Heecheon-san knows everyone’s uniqueness and attributed the parts, so it turned out really nice naturally. 

HEECHO: For me, the part I thought over the most while making the album was attributing the parts. As for the solo song and unit songs, we just went with whoever wanted to do it. 

YUGO: I thought “Mizutamari.” could be the three of us (Yoondong, Shunya, Yugo) who don’t sing chorus parts often. I attributed the parts as the writer as well. It was my first time writing lyrics and I had never thought of doing it before, but after becoming part of ORβIT, I’ve been wanting to try new things such as piano as well. It’s a memorable song for which I challenged lyric writing for the first time. The track was composed first, onto which I wrote lyrics. 

― In Younghoon-san’s song “MOONCRYSTALPOWER”, the sole Japanese part amongst the Korean lyrics was also a hot topic. Many said that it’s a very “Younghoon-san like” song. 

YOUNGHOON: I always get the comment that the phrase “yuusha no sakebi” (a hero’s scream) is very “funny”, but I meant it in a serious way (laughs). At the time, there was a manga I liked a lot and I also thought of the word “boukensha” (explorer, adventurer), but it became this in the end. The lyrics are about a hero parting ways with his friends and waiting until they come altogether, but it felt like ORβIT and EαRTHs. I thought that maybe fans will understand if I put it like this, so I wrote the lyrics like that. 

HEECHO: It’s Younghoon’s scream, in the end (laughs). 

JUNE: When Younghoon-san asked me about the lyrics, I listened to him and gave advice. Every time people tell him that the lyrics are funny, he blames it on me and says “Jun said they’re nice!” (laughs). 

YOUNGHOON: It was all good as a result! (Younghoon and Jun exchange a hard handshake)

―You released from an independent label and even produced your goods on your own, but was there anything hard during the production process?

HEECHO: There were a lot of hard things, but we don’t want to make excuses about it because it’s something we chose to do. It was hard, but I think this was a good way to do it. It’s something we were able to achieve because of the members and staff we have now. 

TOMO: We separated the tasks between the 7 of us, and Shunya thought a lot about the goods and the CD jacket art. 

SHUNYA: There are many things I was able to learn because we are self-produced. For example, there’s a lot of scheduling in order to meet deadlines for production and other small tasks too. It has made me realize that making music isn’t just about singing, but there are a lot of people behind it who support it. I am glad I was able to realize this by releasing from an independent label. 

JUNE: The 7 of us are the ones on stage, but there are a lot of people behind it that you cannot see… Our work can only be done with the support of many, so we are very grateful.

ENG TRANSLATION BY ORBIT_INTL Source: KStyle News DO NOT RE-USE, REUPLOAD OR RE-TRANSLATE WITHOUT PERMISSION

[buggie-hagen]

The space asks - do them all!

oh my goodness. okay, will do:

constellations: personality

ursa major: what are the character traits that define you the most? Both quiet and loud, sad and joyful, hardworking and lazy. paradox defines me.

ursa minor: do you have hobbies or interests that no one knows about? an interest that no one knows about is anime and manga.

draco: what is the thing you like least about yourself? my weight.

lacerta: what is the thing you like most about yourself? my smile.

cepheus: do you vibe more with the term idiot, asshole or dumbass? asshole.

hercules: how are you with people? who is your favourite person? it’s interesting because part of me is social shy, but generally i am warm and friendly with people. my favorite person is two rock people who live in a mountain.

lepus: what is your biggest flaw? my self-hatred.

corvus: what are 5 things you appreciate about yourself? 1. my reading 2. my theology 3. my seelsorger stuff 4. my mild interest in Japanese culture 5. that i don’t think politically like others

orion: what element would you like to be able to bend? fire.

hydra: are you the villain? i’m my own worst villain.

cassiopeia: take a random personality quiz on the internet and give us your result. the more obnoxious the better. no.

centaurus: if you could fist fight one historical figure, which one would it be and how hard would you punch them? no.

gemini: which character (fictional or not) is your spirit animal? Jughead played by Cole Sprouse.

lupus: which one do you identify more with: thoughtful idiot or thoughtless brains? thoughtful idiot. i guess.

scutum: you acquire a death note. what are you going to do with it? my understanding of death note comes from the anime of that name. so, if i found such a notebook, i would burn it so it would not be used to harm people.

Do you side more with the idea of Deontological Ethics or Utilitarianism? I don’t know these very well. I would guess I would have issues with both of them.

stars: interests

aldebaran: what is your most obnoxious interest? David Archuleta.

algol: favourite planet? favourite space object? I like earth because it has water. I like the moon.

61 cygni: favourite time period? probably medieval Europe.

castor: favourite band/artist? Currently, Winter Aid.

pollux: draw the art cover of your favourite album/song. Not right now.

riegel: put your music on shuffle and give us the first five songs.

“Have I Told You” by Matthew Mole

“A Song About Love” by Jake Bugg

“Waiting” by Jake Bugg

“How Soon the Dawn” by Jake Bugg

“Take Yours, I’ll Take Mine” by Matthew Mole

betelgeuse: which video games gives you nostalgia for a place you have never been to? n/a

agena: what is your favourite moment from a game? n/a

deneb: you can turn one book into a movie,tv show or video game. which one are you picking? The Name of the Rose by Umberto Eco

atair: why is your favourite book, well, your favourite? do you have a favourite quote from it? Right now I don’t think I have a favorite book.

prokyon: grab the nearest book, to to page 145 and give us the first sentence. i am not around my books at this moment.

acrux: where and when do you like to read the most? I like to read at coffee shops, and ideally the morning, but usually the afternoon.

spica: when do you consider a movie “good”? When it can make me cry.

antares: think of a movie which means a lot to you, now describe the first scene that comes into your mind! That scene from Love, Simon where Simon’s mom says, “You get to exhale now, Simon.” https://youtu.be/1QUzRn7yH6I

proxima centauri: if you would have the chance to travel the world, which places or countries would you like to see? Scotland, Ireland, Norway, New Zealand, Japan, China, Germany, Israel. Kazakhstan. Mongolia.

algol: you have to assassinate someone. which weapon do you choose? i don’t want to answer this questin.

mimosa: what do you associate with your favourite colour? the ocean.

sirius a/b: what’s your favourite sound and smell? favorite sound is trombone. favorite smell is fresh baked bread.

space objects: experiences

quasar: do you feel alone? absolutely alone.

pulsar: when do you feel truly alive? when i’m laughing.

wormhole: what is the shadiest/most illegal thing you have ever done? date a guy who grew mushrooms in his basement. (back in my college days).

black hole: what has hurt you in the past that you don’t want others to go through? my stepfather’s alcoholism. 

white dwarf: post a picture or video from your favourite trip! no.

nebula: what is an experience you would rather forget about? growing up. 

star cluster: what is something you have gained, something you have lost and something you let go of during the past year? in the past year i have gained some more confidence, i have lost any high anthropology that lingered within me, and i have let go of the idea that someone i love would fall in love with me.

planet: have you ever lost something important, such as your passport, keys or a phone? all. the. time.

moon: “A man is made of memories. It is all we are.“ (Lawrence) what do you think this means? Do you agree? I think it means that who we are is shaped by our past experiences. I agree, with the exception of how faith can shape you and that comes from outside oneself and not from the memories. 

comet: you have the chance to undo one thing or decision in your life, would you take it? If you are comfortable sharing: what did you change? I wish I had did my undergrad in geography. 

asteroid: have you ever lost a friend? do you wish you would still be friends? yes and yes/no

meteor: have you ever eaten dirt? if yes: on a scale from 0 to 10 would you do it again? no.

rocketry: academia

saturn v: what are you currently studying/what do you wish to study? currently am studying theology. i always am. i wish i could study geology.

delta iv heavy: what is your favourite thing about your degree course? well my last degree I completed as Mastery of Divinity in May 2019. I frickin’ love theology.

heavy falcon: what is a subject you are highly interested in but you would never study yourself? astronomy, just don’t have the time.

sea dragon: if money, admissions and other factors would not be a problem, where and what would you like to study? In the past, I would have liked to study abroad. either in Scotland or Germany.

atlas v: favourite theorem or concept? communicatio idiomatum

soyuz: language(s) you would like to learn? Spanish, Irish, Norwegian, Japanese. 

MECO: how do you take notes? Whatever my brain tells me to write down. I’m so good at it now I don’t know how I got here. I think I’m just good at distinguishing between what’s important and what’s not important.

SECO: what are your essentials for studying and note taking? coffee. excitement for the topic.

RCS: how do you stay focused and productive? coffee. when i can lower my anxiety levels i can focus better and be productive. basically, when i am successfully focused and productive i am methodical and categorical.

RP-1: favourite classes or subjects you took or are taking? music, Lutheran confessions, church history, geography, earth science. 

gas-generator cycle: what are the topics you like learning about the most? Lutheran theology. Biblical languages (though very painful). 

partial-flow staged combustion cycle: what are the topics that interest you the least? Math. Social justice ghouls.

full-flow staged combustion cycle: your biggest student-sin? as in something you feel guilty about? Back when I was in college I took a music class called Aural Skills and NEVER practiced my aural skills. I would do it now. 

RS-25: what do you carry in your backpack? books, weekly planner, laptop, pens, headphones, omeprazole.

RD-270: Do you need silence to study? or do you like to listen to music? if so, what is your go-to study-playlist? both. one of my favorites to listen to is the YouTube station “Homework Radio”

Merlin: what does your study-space look like? usually a coffee shop these days. also my office where i have access to my desk and my library. back in seminary, I LOVED studying in the Regenstein Library of the University of Chicago. So many cool places there to study.

Raptor: do you study at home or do you prefer to study at the library/in cafés? library/cafes. i never study and hardly ever read at home.

F-1: this is a free one. ask any question you’d like. what question do you have, dear one?

[kenkamishiro]

Ishida’s Q&A comments from YJ compilation, Part 8

Once again Ishida continuing to give answers that don’t actually answer the questions at all lol.

For anyone who doesn’t know about the relevant Questions to Ishida contest, please read here. You can start from Part 1 here.

The recent set of zakki:re and interview translations take a lot of time and effort, so if you enjoyed it please reblog or leave a like. Thank you!

2016

No. 1

Still 1 month left of this year! What’s something you still have left to do for 2015?

The storyboard.

Good luck.

No. 2

Sensei, please share with us a piece of news that was important to you in 2015!

I forget.

I wasn’t feeling so great in 2015.

No. 3

December 17 is Airplane Day! Now then, please share with us a memory you have that is related to airplanes!

I like the window seats.

Probably that time on the plane to head to the New Years party, when the staff was forced to stop because of me...

[T/N: Referring to his New Year’s party escapades in the volume 6 omake.]

No. 4-5

December 24 is Christmas Eve! Now then, please share with us a present that you want now as an adult!

I don’t need one since I’m an adult.

Even adults want presents too, you know!

No. 6-7

When you think of New Year’s Day...you think of New Year’s money!! Please share with us one way you spent the money you received from New Year’s when you were a child!

On games.

I was jealous of other people’s families since I didn’t have a lot of relatives.

No. 8

Sensei, please tell us your philosophy when it comes to food!

I think of meals as work.

I consider meals as work when I’m eating alone. When I go with people I eat whatever I like.

No. 9

January 28 is the birthday of the late Komatsu Sakyou! Now then, please share with us one of your favourite sci-fi works!

Gantz.

It’s not Star Wars...

No. 10

Please share with us one aspect or behaviour of the opposite sex that you unconsciously care about!

Their face.

How they use social media.

No. 11

Please share with us a Twitter account that you’re most interested in now!

Inagawa Junji-san’s for his ghost story tweets.

I find that accounts of artists are helpful for studying.

No. 12

Please share with us one of your favourite genres/videos that you end up watching on video streaming sites.

I got Netflix so I could watch Terrace House.

I still use it.

No. 13

If you were to ever film a Taiga drama who would you pick as the main character?

Siebold.

But why?

[T/N: A Taiga drama is a type of long-running TV drama period piece, often produced by NHK.]

No. 14

Graduation season is in full bloom! Now then, please share with us one of your favourite graduation songs!

“Lion” by Amano Tsuki.

Uh-huh, yup.

[T/N: "Lion” was one of the songs included in Ishida’s Spotify playlist.]

No. 15

Sensei, if you could decide the design of the 10,000 yen bill, who would it be a portrait of?

A cat.

A cat...?

No. 16

Today is Weekly Manga Day! Please tell us your number one favourite manga that is released weekly!!

I’m curious about what Ooima Yoshitoki-san will draw for her next manga.

Just how much do you care?

No. 17

Sensei, please share with us one thing that makes you go, “Man, I wanna go see this,” now?

Commentary on demonstration boards for shogi.

I went to one! Man, was it interesting.

No. 18

The final day of March is...Orchestra Day! Now then Sensei, please share with us a memory you have that’s related to musical instruments!

I bought a piano recently, and I’ve been playing it almost every day.

And I still play it.

No. 19

Entrance ceremony season has arrived! Now then, please tell us about a schoolteacher who’s left the biggest impression on you!

Some student hacked the school server and the teacher intercepted the culprit.

That’s the kind of school I attended.

No. 20

New dramas are starting one after another! Now then, please share with us a series that’s left the biggest impression on you among all the dramas that you’ve seen recently!

Right now I’m currently watching Mad Men.

I watched all of Mad Men. I can’t believe what happened at the end of “Meditations”...

[T/N: Not entirely sure what Ishida meant by that last line, but I think “Meditations” refers to the last episode of the second season, titled “Meditations in an Emergency”.]

No. 21

Sensei, please share with us one game that’s popular in your circle!

The staff and I often play Mafia a lot together.

Recently we’ve been playing table RPGs.

No. 22-23

Today is the day in which the elephant was first introduced to Japan! Now then, please share with us a person/thing/culture from overseas that you would like to come to Japan!

David Downton-san.

I don’t think that.

No. 24

It’s that time of year where it’s getting warmer even at night! Now then, please share with us something about hanging out at night that you still remember!

That time I went drinking at a bar in the outskirts of Tokyo with Takahashi Kunimitsu-kun.

I don’t want to go there again.

[T/N: Referring to that time in April 2016 where Ishida and Takahashi were at a bar and a middle-aged woman started hitting on Takahashi for 3 hours lol.]

No. 25

May 19 is Boxing Day! Now then Sensei, please share with us what you thought was the best match ever!

I like the match with David Haye.

Clearly it’s Darth Maul vs. Obi-Wan.

No. 26

Please share with us a story about a debacle that you or someone else caused at a drinking party!

The first time I met Nakayama Atsushi-sensei, I made so much of a fool of myself.

I was so piss-drunk that I fell asleep in the bathroom I think.

No. 27

When you think of June you think of June Bride! Now then Sensei, please share with us a story that you remember that has to do with weddings!

I drew the welcome board for my friend’s wedding.

That time I left early since I didn’t want to be late for my senpai’s wedding, but the flight ended up being delayed by over an hour...

No. 28

Sensei, please share with us one of your favourite literary works for children!

Ringing Bell by Yanase Takashi.

Stormy Night.

[T/N: Ringing Bell (Chirin no Suzu) was referenced in :re by Kaneki during Arima’s death scene. You can read about it here. Stormy Night also seems to have influenced :re.]

No. 29

June 16 is Wagashi Day! Now then Sensei, please share with us a confectionary that you like!

It’s not available in Fukuoka, but sweet mochi cake.

I want some now.

[T/N: Wagashi is traditional Japanese confectionaries.]

No. 30

June 23 is Olympics Day! Now then Sensei, please share with us a competition from the Olympics that you still remember to this day!

Uchimura Kouhei’s horizontal bar performance at the London Olympics.

I don’t really watch TV much, so questions like these are tough for me to answer.

No. 31

Please share with us your slogan for the latter half of 2016!

I won’t be late. I wasn’t able to keep that promise for the first half of the year.

Good luck with that.

No. 32

Sensei, please secretly tell us about one shop that you think is the King of Restaurants!

The Chinese restaurant by my previous workplace.

The stir-fried oyster with lettuce was perfection.

No. 33

Summer has arrived! Now then Sensei, what do you think of as “summer food”?

The spicy Mexican crispy noodle salad from Family Mart.

Ah that, that was so good. But I don’t see them sold anywhere now...

No. 34

If you could see exactly one historical event or incident live in person, what would you want to see?

I want to see Tezuka Osamu-sensei’s workplace.

The Perry Expedition.

[T/N: Tezuka is the “father of manga”, having drawn iconic manga like Astro Boy, Black Jack, and the currently airing anime Dororo.]

No. 35

When  you think of summer, you think of the ocean! If you could raise just one sea creature as a pet what would you choose?

An octopus.

So I can eat it.

No. 36

Sensei, please share with us the most nerve-wracking moment you’ve ever experienced in your life!

That time when I had to address a speech to over a hundred people for the launch of the anime.

Finishing the manuscript before the deadline of the final chapter.

No. 37-38

Sensei, please share with us a word or phrase that’s been stuck in your head recently!

“Pandas exploding in the wild.”

It’s from group_inou.

No. 39

Sensei, please share with us a small luxury that you use in your everyday life!

On days I stay up all night I buy carbonated drinks.

Feels kinda pathetic huh.

No. 40

The disbanding of idol groups nationwide is hot news, but please tell us about an experience that you’re still reluctant to part ways with.

A little while ago, I bought a copy of Jump every week for several months.

It was so I could read Hunter x Hunter.

[T/N: Question is most likely talking about the disbanding of the top male idol group SMAP which was announced around this time of the year.]

No. 41

Sensei, what item makes you think, “whoever invented this is a genius”?

The PC.

Amazon.

No. 42

What was the most interesting reception you’ve received up until now that has made you the happiest?

I got a shikishi from the staff to commemorate 100 chapters of being serialized. Though no one from that time is left anymore...

I also got a shikishi from the current staff. I was happy.

No. 43

Sensei, please share with us a moment that’s made you feel the generation gap the most!

Encountering people who were born in the 2000′s.

Sha-Mail.

No. 44

It’s Reader Autumn! Please tell us what you consider as your bible!

Recently it’s “Speak Aloud and Rhyme”.

Now it’s “Drawing the Morphological Human Body with Boxes and Cylinders”.

No. 45

Sensei, please tell us about a manga/anime/novel that you’d like to see as a movie!

I’m looking forward to “Satoshi: A Move for Tomorrow” being released this fall.

I missed the chance to watch it.

No. 46

Sensei, what were you most enthusiastic about playing with when you were in school?

Smash Bros.

Games that are updated periodically.

No. 47

Sensei, please tell us about something that you’ve used for many years and have been unable to throw away!!

I throw things away when I need to.

My Cintiq 22HD (DTK-2000/K1) LCD tablet. The size and responsiveness of it matches it better than the latest model.

No. 48

Sensei, when was the moment you felt you became independent?

If I’m living.

What? Probably when I got my pay cheque.

No. 49

November 2 is Family Culture Day! Sensei, please tell us about a rule that’s only found in your household!

Playing no more than 1 hour of games a day.

That’s proper.

No. 50

Sensei, please share with us any furniture/interior work that you want to replace right now!

The bookshelf.

Same.

No. 51

Sensei, please share with us the first CD you’ve ever bought!

Morishita Reika’s “Your Wind is Blowing” (most likely).

Most likely, yeah.

No. 52

This year has had various movies become blockbuster hits, but in your opinion what work do you consider as a hit?

It’s actually a drama, but Game of Thrones.

I recommend it.

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[mirios-eyes-are-beautiful]

aa So I just woke up to this?

I’m just.. speechless? I can’t believe this actually happened, so thank you all for the last few months, for every like, reblog and comment. It’s been such a pleasure to interact with you and scream about Mirio and The Big Three<3 I hope 2019 won’t bring us too many tears (spoiler: it will.) and we can all laugh about their shenanigans again (spoiler: we won’t.). This blog came alive with crazy good fanart, hilarious memes and sweet headcanons, sprinkled with my neverending affection towards Mirio, so kudos go out to the amazing artists and writers that create the content we love<3 Thank you for over 1k followers and I hope to see the family of mirihoes grow in the progressing year! I’ve received a lot of questions for my milestone special and I only picked out a few, but if you want more of these, let me know! Now let’s dive right into the Q&A!

Heey~ I’m a huge Bnha fan and I love this blog, keep up the great work!! \(^-^)/ I’d love to know how old you are, if that’s not too personal of a question?

Not at all! I’m actually 20 y/o and my Birthday is in June, also my zodiac is Gemini👭

What do you do for a living?

I’m a university student in my second year! I’m majoring in Linguistics and my minor is English Literature and Culture. Though before, I did a year of Environmental Sciences, but it just wasn’t my cup of tea so I quit🤷‍♀️ I’m also part timing at a boutique.

Hello! I check your blog everyday and I can’t with all your reactions, they’re almost always the same as mine:D Which state (USA) are you from and what languages do you speak?

Lol, do I really sound American?:D I’m actually from Germany, so German is my mother tongue! Other than that, I consider myself pretty fluent in English (your assumption of me being a native speaker flatters me so much, you have no idea) and I guess my French is decent. I can order food and ask for directions in Spanish (ayyyy) and studied Hindi for two semesters at Uni. Also I’m currently learning Japanese for my degree in Linguistics.

Do you have a favorite anime show? Other than My hero academia of course!

My all time favorite anime is definitely Arslan Senki! Besides that, I also love Fullmetal Alchemist Brotherhood, Assassination Classroom, Durarara, Hunter x Hunter and pretty much every existing sports anime (Haikyuu, Kuroko no Basuke, Daiya no Ace, Free!, Yowapedal, Yuri on Ice, Prince of Tennis,.. although Haikyuu is my favorite) I enjoy most genres as long as the plot and characters appeal to me.

Do you read any manga? (also LOVE YOUR BLOG!!<3)

Yeah! I really love manga and I’ve read tons of shoujo when I was younger (I bingeread every night in middle school tbh) Nowadays though, not so much anymore.. It’s not that I came to hate it, I just don’t have as much time unfortunately-.-’ I do read the new Bnha and Haikyuu chapters on a weekly basis, but I can’t manage more than that. I also read yaoi/shounen-ai manga and doujinshi from time to time, but it’s not as much of an obsession as it was a few years ago. However, I own a couple of manga series (Bnha, Haikyuu, Arslan Senki), which I love to reread in my free time😊

hey, we share a love for mirio, so do you maybe have a few anime recommendations, or any good anime you’re watching now?

uhuhuhu birds of a feather flock together;))) Of course I can dish out some recommendations, but I’ll start with what I’m watching atm. I started rewatching Daiya no Ace not so long ago (due to the announcement of Season 4) so I sometimes watch a few episodes of that when I find the time. Also, and this is a recommendation as well, there’s this new track and field anime called Kaze ga Tsuyoku Fuiteiru (Run with the Wind) coming out every Friday and it’s hilarious. If you like sports anime, you should definitely give it a go! The last anime I’m rewatching right now is Sukitte Ii na yo (Say I love you), cause I’ve been in a shoujo mood lately and after several years I still can’t deal with the cuteness of this show. Now for recs.. this is hard, since everyone has a different taste in series, but other than the shows I’ve named in the “Favorite anime” question, I’d recommend Wotakoi (Wotaku ga Koi no Muzukashii). It’s a very sweet anime about the love stories of otakus, so if you like a good laugh and lots of fluff, this show is for you (11eps). Same goes for Gekkan Shoujo Nozaki-kun (12eps + 6 short specials). Shounen-wise I enjoyed for example Noragami, Bleach, Katekyo Hitman Reborn and Magi. Shoujo-wise I can always rewatch Toradora, Kimi ni Todoke and Itazura na Kiss. Sorry for rambling, there are just too many!😅

What pronouns do you use? And what’s you sexual orientation? If the latter question is too personal, just ignore it(/ω＼)

No worries! I use she/her pronouns and I’m pan, slightly favoring men. Probably due to the fact that I’ve only had hetero relationships so far. Though, I really don’t care about my partner’s gender🤷‍♀️

hi, i’ve been going through a rough time lately and your reblogs and memes never fail to make my day. how so you stay positive when things are going downhill? (sorry for the weird ask..)

Your question isn’t weird at all! I’m sorry to hear that you don’t feel well lately and I’m glad my posts are able to cheer you up a bit<3 I, for my part, am a very optimistic person and always try to concentrate on the positive things in my life, but I cannot deny that due to my personal problems I’ve spent many nights sleepless as well. Unfortunately, there’s no recipe for happiness, but here are some things you should always keep in mind should you feel down: Don’t surround yourself with toxic people. Don’t let them in your life and if they already are, either ignore them or cut them off. The latter won’t always work, since the world of adulthood is a cruel place, but try to develop a thick skin and don’t let them abuse the power over you that they don’t actually have. Try to talk with people. I can tell from experience that talking about your problems will almost always make you feel better, or at least lighter afterwards. Think positive. There’s never only black and white, so even if everything seems hopeless or bland, you should never cease to search for the good aspects. An example from me: Uni fucks me up real bad atm. I have six exams and one term paper to write this semester and I’m seriously afraid of failing. I’ve always had insane expectations of myself, because when I was a toddler, my parents found out that I was highly talented and that has been a as much of a curse as it is a blessing throughout my entire life. Whenever something gets too much for me and I end up in a slump, I think about how grateful I am to have so many wonderful friends. I think of all the things I plan to do with the money I earn, such as travelling, buying manga, movies, clothes,.. and even if that might not seem like a trivial matter for some people, I think of all the amazing anime coming out this year: Ice Adolescence, One Punch Man Season 2, Attack on Titan Season 3, Fruits Basket remake, Bnha Season 4, Haikyuu Season 4, Daiya no Ace Season 3.. Why am I naming these? Because they keep me going. They give me something to look forward to. They make me realize that I’m extremely grateful to be alive, because I get to experience these works. I get to discuss my favorite shows with people, who share my interests! I get to scream about Mirio’s bara arms with you guys! If that isn’t something to be cheerful about, I don’t know what is<3

And since I don’t want to end this on a solemn note, here’s a personal favorite of mine:

On a scale from 1-10, how much do you love Mirio?^^

1.000.000 (A million, you get it? wink wonk) Thanks for sticking around! Hope this gave you a little insight on who I am and I’d love to spend 2019 with you as well<3

[writer-and-artist27]

@langwrites

Happy 25th birthday, Lang. :) I promised you a manga a while back, so here it is. A 4-koma/panel chibi manga up until page 3, but nonetheless. Please read it from left to right.

A song for the occasion and a snippet from the pianist herself when going about things here, under the cut:

It was difficult initially, trying to hide something from my reincarnation buddy. More so when she’s a Tokebetsu Jounin and one of the best chakra sensors out there. And my own open, heart-on-my-sleeve demeanor.

Aaaand I know what you’re thinking. No, no, it’s not a world-shattering secret or anything that I was trying to keep under wraps, since keeping quiet about Kaguya was ridiculously hard enough.

Just…no on the aliens or any Plot-related reasons. No.  

It was a lot simpler than that.  

I was just trying to appreciate Kei’s birthday. Not her actual birthday, by the way, since July 15th already had a birthday party in place almost every year to celebrate my ninja friend’s presence, and that was plenty of time to show my appreciation.

This specific birthday was different. Very different.

This birthday was on November 20th.

I know you’re scratching your head right about now, and I wouldn’t blame you. But this was special.

Considering our shared reincarnation status, Kei and I essentially had two birthdays. I…just didn’t count myself that much since my birthday as Tomoko coincidentally fell on the same day Vy came to be — September 24th.

The person I got to know as Kei…well, Gekkō Keisuke, the ninja, came to be on July 15th. The person she was before then, the one with all the memories and sarcasm, the “shut-in” as Kei put it — she started her life on November 20th.

Kei had told me the date offhandedly one day, when we were together catching up before October Tenth in the Narutoverse. I’m still not sure why she went about saying it, but it was still something I marked down in my calendar.

Even with…even with everything that happened since then, that wasn’t going to stop me from bringing what I called, “Appreciate Kei Day,” to fruition.

It started with telling everyone I knew first. Mama, Papa, Sakumo-jichan, Wataru-jichan, Hayate, Genma-san, Raido-san, Jim-san, Yamaguchi-sensei, Kakashi, Obito, Rin, Gai, Minato-san, Kushina-nee, even little Naruto. Sure, I didn’t let them know of the true reason why I had this day in mind because reincarnation was weird and I didn’t want to give my loved ones the biggest mind-f ever after October Tenth. That was another can of worms.

I just told them honestly, “Hey, could you all play along with something for me on the 20th?” Before proceeding to give them a verbal list of ideas for possible presents to give to Kei.

Kei didn’t realize it, probably never did at that point, but there were a lot of people that appreciated her. Cared for her. Loved her even, if Kakashi’s budding feelings and my own familial bond with her were anything to say about it. And October Tenth was hard on everyone. This was my way of mending the wounds, in a sense.

But at the same time, I couldn’t erase the feeling that if not for Kei taking the chance to tell Team Minato, Jiraiya-sama, and Kushina-nee about her “visions” beforehand, I wouldn’t have done the same, and there would’ve been so many more lost.

If not for Kei, I don’t know if Obito would’ve still been here. If Rin, Minato-san, Kushina-nee, or — hell, even me — would’ve been either. I just didn’t know, because the future was weird like that, but even then.

I couldn’t let go of the simple fact that if not for Kei, I wouldn’t have hung on in the ninja world for as long as I did so far.

Kei was — is my best friend. The greatest friend I’ve ever known as Tomoko. Rivaling Josh and Leo even, to Vy.  

So, the only way I could show her that, aside from the obvious tackle-hugs that she was getting better at averting (darn), was through this.

And hey. “Appreciate Kei Day” somehow caught on with it being kinda catchy in title.

The concept was simple enough. Since this year had November 20th fall on Kei’s usual weekly visit to the cafe, I “conveniently” asked Mama and Papa to close Nagareboshi, whisking me farther than what I hoped was the limit of Kei’s sensing range, just for the little search to begin.

…Maybe it was a bad idea to use myself as the finish line/goal post for the day, considering how twitchy Kei could be when it came to any harm on my or any others’ parts, but I wanted to save the best present for last and my ninja friends were plenty distracting.

At least, I was hoping so, considering how protective Kei could get.

October Tenth was the first time in a while I saw her get so mad.  

Well, back to the present, I’m not fully sure on how things went along on her end. All I did say to my ninja friends and loved ones was, “Try to distract Kei with warm thoughts and gifts when she’s trying to look for me!”

Just so that they could show their appreciation on the aptly named “Appreciate Kei Day,” and just because I don’t think she’s appreciated enough.

Call me overbearing or selfless or even strange, I don’t mind either way, but everyone needs a day where they can see how much others can care for them. So, if it was through gift-giving, so be it.

Needless to say, by the time I stumbled upon her that afternoon, she was stuffing a new fuinjutsu scroll into the pocket of her Jounin blue pants with a long sigh. Whether to contain all the presents she received today or something else, I wasn’t sure.

Heck, I couldn’t even stop the happy squee leaving my lips when she turned to face me, effectively blowing my cover for all that it was worth, and her black eyes narrowed.

“Tomoko,” she said simply. “Where were you?”

Uh-oh.

I immediately hid the present I was holding behind my back as I tried not to fidget, plastering a smile on my face. “Well, um, hi? You found me?”

“Tomo-chan…” Kei paused, her voice caught between her usual sarcasm and fond exasperation that I had come to expect from knowing her for so long. “What’s going on? Are you the cause behind…” she paused again, waving a hand in the air for emphasis. “Behind all the gifts I’ve been getting? Because everyone was really intent on keeping me from finding you.”

Busted. My smile became a bit shakier. “W-Was it that obvious?”

Kei raised an eyebrow at me, pursuing her lip.

I found myself laughing sheepishly, raising a hand to the back of my head. “Well, you caught me. And…welp, found me. Ahahaha…”

Kei sighed before striding forward, and I closed my eyes instinctively, expecting something. A retort, a yell, anything considering how frustration could be—

The last thing I was thinking of was a hand landing on my head.

“I’m not mad, Tomo-chan, just worried.” I looked up, and Kei grinned crookedly, ruffling my hair for a mere moment before taking her hand away. “The last time you did a disappearing act was…was…” she paused before looking away.

Shit. I already was shaking my head, reaching over with my free hand to grab hers. At this point, all plans went right out the window as the heart resurfaced on my metaphorical sleeve. “I’m sorry, Kei, I didn’t mean to make you worry again. Today was supposed to be…well,” I laughed again, drier this time. “I-I had kinda dubbed it, “Appreciate Kei Day,” in my head, just to not tune anyone in on this but us.”

My reincarnation buddy had turned back to gawking at me now, clear surprise in her black eyes as her hand hung limp in my grip. “Huh?” she said dully. “What the hell?”

Okay then. Reference is a miss.

I let go of her hand, took a breath while stepping back, and then brought the bright present out from behind my back and into full view with the happiest smile I could muster.

“For you, Kei,” I said softly. “For your past self being born today and for your current self…well, uh, this sounded a whole lot better in my head,” I scratched my cheek sheepishly while still offering the gift. “For you being you.”

Her eyes widened to the size of saucers.

“Happy Birthday, Kei,” I finished. “Or…would Lang be better? Since it’s your past self’s birthday?”

If I didn’t know any better, it was as if someone had hit my best friend over the head with a baseball bat, because her frozen stature wasn’t giving me the best of signs. I inclined my head to get a better look while blinking. “Um…Kei?”

“…”

I lowered the present in my hands so that I could take a step closer. “Kei?”

Next thing I knew, my sandals weren’t even touching the ground as my waist was squeezed tightly. It took all I had to not squeal from the surprise, but then again, seeing the top of my best friend’s head was one thing on top of a bunch of other things.

“K-Kei?!”

Kei laughed almost heartily as the grip on me tightened. It wasn’t enough to be uncomfortable, but how long had it been since she…

And then Kei had the audacity to start spinning. I didn’t even have the time to ponder the whole situation because laughter was already leaving my lips from the whole thing, my world swirling until all I could make out were blurs of flower petals and Kei’s black hair.

“K-Kei — hahaha — heeeeey!”

I couldn’t even feel the paper wrapping of the present in my hands anymore because it took all I had to just hang on and hug Kei back for dear life. And for not flopping around like a ragdoll.

But Kei was laughing. She was actually, dear goodness gosh, laughing.

I never thought I would say this, but I never wanted to unhear this moment ever again.

Why couldn’t it last forever? Kei needed some happiness in her life.

Once the spinning had stopped, I had to blink the swirls away from my vision, only to jump again as soon as I was set back on the ground and arms encircled me in yet another hug.

I took a huffing breath in an attempt to calm the adrenaline. “K-Kei-chan?”

“Thank you, Tomoko-chan,” was the soft, breathy murmur into my hair. “Thank you.”

Immediately I found myself smiling and wrapping my arms around Kei’s middle, tucking my nose in the crook between her neck and shoulder while snuggling her.

“Of course. Happy Birthday, Lang.”

Kei made a soft noise caught between a laugh and a hiccup before pulling away to grin.

“Thank you, Vy.”

My best friend was happy and appreciated. My job was done.