#he just makes Fushimi more of a nerd

[ridiasfangirlings]

munakata also trying to make an asmr video but it either doesnt work because he talks too much while explaining what hes doing or is a huge success

 I feel like it would definitely somehow turn into a success, like the squad are all telling him he’s doing it wrong but then Munakata becomes super popular. Like he found out about that one previous ask where the Homra guys were making asmr videos for Mikoto and decided well, if Homra can do that then surely S4 can as well. Maybe he’s been trying to improve S4’s relationship with the public lately and part of this involves setting up social media accounts for S4 (with Fushimi acting as administrator and most of the day to day postings given to the alphabet squad, especially Enomoto and Doumyouji). Munakata thinks this whole asmr thing sounds right up his alley, he feels his voice is very soothing and wouldn’t a puzzle asmr video be well received. Doumyouji thinks maybe it would be kinda boring and Munakata wilts slightly, Doumyouji quickly adds that nerds would definitely like it though. 

So Munakata sets up a camera and microphone and sits at his desk, all ready to record his first video. Except as he’s doing his puzzle he gets very engrossed in it and starts explaining the image that he chose for this puzzle and how his thought process works when putting together a puzzle, maybe even offering fun ‘puzzle tips’ for those who would enjoy doing their own puzzles. Enomoto is concerned that Munakata wants to post the whole video without edits, like Captain I think this may be too long for a video. Munakata feels it’s important to show the whole process though and Enomoto doesn’t want to question his King so he posts the video. It ends up being really popular and Munakata is so pleased, he decides to make a few more videos in this style since everyone enjoys it so much. The squad decide to just make sure he doesn’t read all the comments where the viewers talk about how this video is the perfect thing to fall asleep to, just listening to Munakata lecture turns out to be the perfect sleep aid.

[playeryumi]

Seiyuu Entry #2

im back with new seiyuu research. this one is much more informative than the last one. tho having too much info is also suffering lol I just realize. so he is an interesting actor. so there is no stable date when will be my next one lol (I wanna to make vids too)

Kumagai Kentaro

Lil nerd info

Started at year 2012 at 18yrs old. From Tokyo Actor's Consumer's Cooperative Society or Haikyo for short. He categorizes as chameleon va since he can have both high cute voice and sexy low voice. (tho sometimes i can detect his voice probably the accent but lol dont trust me)

Seiyuu Project (if ya wanna find the song he is in)

A3! [Autumn Troupe]

A3 is an actor-rising game and surprisingly they also make songs and anime. The game reached global but sadly it cease to operate in 2021 but JP server is going strong. So his character is Omi Fushimi the troupe’s “mom” figure (despite being a guy) he is also an ex-delinquent in the past.

One x One [A3! First AUTUMN EP]

Just for myself [A3! Blooming AUTUMN EP]

Finder Goshi no Kizuna [A3! Blooming AUTUMN EP]

SECOND SHOT [A3! Vivid AUTUMN EP]

Muddy Hero [A3! Bright AUTUMN EP]

Ever Blooming! [A3! Bright AUTUMN EP]

Lone Wolves [A3! Sunny AUTUMN EP]

Sorachika [A3! Mix Seasons LP]

Hungry Neighbors [A3! EVER LASTING LP]

Zero Limit [Autumn Troupe Anime Theme]

ReFlap

I already discuss it in my first entry but its a vr concept idol project. They use vr tech instead sprites to make their idols alive. And they also have voting system among 7 chosen idols to make top. So his character Reiji Kujakuseki is a host. I can't say much about the story. I think it's not updating anymore. The last update is 2021 of September.

https://www.youtube.com/c/ReFlapProjectOfficial

Entertain [ReFlap Startup Song "Entertain"]

Start over [ReFlap End and Beginning【きゃにめ限定】]

Moment [ReFlap Startup Song "Entertain"]

Diamonds [ReFlap Rising RePlayers' Collection]

Spotlight [ReFlap Rising RePlayers' Collection]

Idolmaster [Frame]

Hideo Akuno, Ex-police turned idol from the frame. He is the center and leader of the Frame. Unlike his 2 members, he is also the not-so-buff. He is cute tho lol.

DRIVE A LIVE (all stars)

Beyond The Dream (all stars)

NEXT STAGE! (all stars)

Growing Smiles! (all stars)

Pride Star(all stars)

Reason(all stars)[there's cd of 46 of them singing in 5th anniv]

Heartful Patroller (solo song)

Yuukan Naru Kimi e (Frame)

MISSION is Peaceful! (Frame)

Swing Your Leaves (Frame)

Three Brace (Frame)

Living Eyes Hero (Frame)

Plus 1 Good Day! (Frame)

SOOTHING PLACE (Frame)

Towa Naru Yonjuushi (France ver w/ Suzaku Akai, Amehiko Kuzunoha, and Teru Tendo)

MEET THE WORLD! (France ver w/ Suzaku Akai, Amehiko Kuzunoha, and Teru Tendo)

ALL nOR NOTHING (Best Game 2 ～Meiun o Kakeru Trigger w/ Yukihiro Kamiya, Sora Kitamura, Shoma Hanamura, Natsuki Sakaki, and Nao Okamura)

LIVE in your SMILE (Altessimo, W, FRAME, Sai, Shinsoku Ikkon, S.E.M, THE Kogadou, and Legenders)

Compass Gripper!!! (Frame, Mofumofuen, F-LAGs)

Bet your intuition! (Frame, S.E.M, Legenders)

POKER FAITH (Intelligent Idols)

ANYWHERE (Intelligent Idols)

Handead [ALBA/修羅浄土(Shura Jodo)]

Ok in handead every seiyuu has dual(or 4 for the original 4 seiyuu but kumachan is one of new seiyuu so he got 2) characters and man kumachan uses his deep and bit high energetic voice here. He is both Genjiro Chibana and Shimon Guri. so its about half zombies idols??? And the current “living” are already dead inside because of overwork… so they have to be “half dead” to be creative or something again. Yeah i know weird plot lol. They are just new so there aint much songs here but he is so cool.

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCsf-F8FU21Rm1wmxyfMNs7w

AWAKE

SCREAM [修羅浄土]

Go up [ALBA]

GOALOUS5

So its bit different seiyuu project again lol. Its 5 dark heroes who wanna take the world with their voices? Its mostly yt variety seiyuu show with dummy mic. Ofcourse all of them are singing seiyuus so they have theme songs lol. His charater Goalous Blue Fukami Aoto is… i dunno lol i cant read im sorry but kumachan is so clown i love him lol

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCS-SN6YFilACrIE6CRE8s1w

5 AHEAD！

RosyBeat

GO5！GOALOUS5！

Let's GOALOUS5！

MIRAGE SHOW

Dreaming Time

{i know its all about GOALOUS5 lol}

Idol Fantasy [Brave hearts]

So a dead idol game lol. It might be not much info about the game and can see it as more of an idol raising game. His character Soma Kanon and the odds are he is also the “mother” of the group lol. The group brave hearts has 2 singles (i am not sure if they where released or not)

STORYBOOK FANTASIA

JUSTICE

Technoroid [機関紳士 - (Institutional gentleman)]

One of the new groups along with DMA. they are a group of gentleman. As you know technoid is about android idols and a game. His character is Einsatz a butler-type android.

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCENHXNNJTTQ_ddEQ-YiZBbA

システマティックジェントリィ - Systematic Gentry

Op8♪ [SHINE★彡]

I can't find much about songs here cause it’s a mobile game that runs for around 2 or 3 years? There ain’t much in here so ill just say the bit summary and his character. So it’s an idol raising game that the idols are specialized in a certain instrument. One of them is Reizei Itsuki, his character, from SHINE★彡 and he is the pianist of the group. I can't find songs I’m sorry

GangxRock [ASTRAGALUS]

Yankee theme plot with rock battles. So this is a rough atmosphere. His character Ginjiro Kimura a poor man, formed the band ASTRAGALUS to earn money. He is the bass of the band. About songs, the last release was 2019 but their Twitter keeps updating so it’s pretty much alive?

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC_0fK4O-eqNIE2kEHl37ubg

Bet, the Dead [GANG×ROCK 皇位争奪トーナメント ENTRY03 ASTRAGALUS]

憂刻(Urei koku-Worry) [GANG×ROCK 皇位争奪トーナメント ENTRY03 ASTRAGALUS]

Yoshimaho

It’s mostly situational or drama cd from youtube. The theme "Infant Experience Adult Healing Content" cause “you” the watcher isekaid and become a 5-year-old kid surrounded by nursery teachers. It’s wholesome lol if ya wanna kid again check it out. They also have English sub in yt so ya can understand. So his character is Jun from kogumagumi. He is uhm he has no stars Sensei but he is positive and energetic character. he is also gentle uwu

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCoVjjN--B8_k4rSr_sebN-w

Yoshi Yoshi Magic [Theme song]

Once Upon a “yoshi-yoshi” Time [a singing storytelling mv]

Yarichinbitchibu

I think I overexplain this in my first entry cause I am too excited about this bahaha. So yall know this one is all about smex club. His character Tooru Fujisaki (Jimmy) aint a member of the club but he is yuri’s…. Admirer and stalker. He always breaks down even in his songs…

Touch you [OP]

Mellow Mellow Lily [character song]

Get Up Get Live (i am not sure where to put this lol)

So this one is more of seiyuu acting? It’s about 6 people who aim to be comedians. I think it’s more of a comedy duo or manzai in Japanese. His character Komae Kazuma has cute pink hair. Ngl tho his acting is so good. I can still laugh even tho I cant understand Japanese cause of his actions. lol

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCdSs079eonU76YK2Vg5iPlw

OWARAI BANZAI

Games

Idolmaster SideM: Glowing Stars as Hideo Akuno

Ikemen Revolution: love and magic in wonderland as Zero

A3! As Omi Fushimi (oh yah its a3 en server is dead now)

The Thousand Noble Musketeers: Rhodoknight as Marks (it is still in jp but he is the poster boi so lol)

Hero Cantare as Han Daiwi

Touken Ranbu as Chiganemaru

Caravan Stories as Felix

SD Gundam G Generation Cross Rays as Aston Altland

Grancrest War: QuartetConflict as Theo Cornaro (its a ded game btw tho it has en)

Anime

God of High school as Han Daiwi (MAH GOD HE VOICED MY EXCRUSH!?)

A3! As Omi Fushimi

Yarichinbitchibu as Tooru Fujisaki (Jimmy)

Free! As Aoba Usami

Grancrest Senki as Theo Cornaro

Hataraku Saibou as Neutrophil 4989

Hinomaruzumou as Yuuma Gojou

Fugou Keiji: Balance:Unlimited as Shinnosuke Kamei

Get Up! Get Live! #Geragera as Kazuma Komae

Ikebukuro West Gate Park as Makoto Majima

Delicious in Dungeon Laios Touden

They said he is in Super Lovers and SSSS.GRIDMAN but it might just be a minor role

Dub

The Expanding Universe of Ashley Garcia as Stick

Euphoria as Ethan

Abominable as Jin

{he seams new to dub so there ain’t much}

Others

So he collabs with LIVERTINE AGE in a clothing line called “Gray” and models for them (can’t argue with that he’s attractive lol)

There is one interview that he is allergic to alcohol and it is so bad

He has 2 younger brothers

He is also used to be in sports(soccer) when he was younger

So there is a rumor that he can’t cook (i saw a YT clip him cooking ramen so i cant confirm lol)

Kumagai san is a great host he can control the show when he gets the mic. Except in a3’s autumn troupe’s seiyuu events lol with chaotic VA’s like chiharu san, jose and others (what can he do chiharu is the leader lmao)

He might be not that active but he has experience in acting and he was included in a seiyuu movie called k4 company (reminds me of a3 hahha)

Speaking of acting he is in a troupe called Poseidon for Rent

Get up Get live! and GOALOUS5 shows his talent for acting.

His hobbies are Soccer, professional wrestling, watching baseball games, reading, collecting manga (some remind me of omi again hahaha don’t touch me)

https://haikyo.co.jp/profile/profile.php?ActorID=12741

https://www.handthatfeedshq.com/seiyuu-digest-60-kentarou-kumagai/

https://twitter.com/k_kumagaihk

Thanks, wiki (for now)

also while making this I feel a bit sad for dead games I encounter but lol its inevitable I'm just feel things hahaha

[1-lightofjustice]

You feel uncomfortable about Scepter 4 year-end track, is it because you're Reisaru shipper and in that track Fushimi ditched Munakata to chase Misaki? You know that the track was made by Yellow, one of official GoRa's members, right? The track is, sadly for you, canon.

Fushimi ditched Munakata? Oho, I support it fully. Like hell, sometimes on Drama CDs or short stories (especially Gakuen K) Fushimi is so tolerant with Munakata's shenanigans and made me want to scream "just kick him and run away Fushimi!" (Case point : Munakata fishing trip, Munakata got handcuffed, Munakata's King Game, Fushimi became Santa Claus). And for me, the fact that Fushimi can refuse Munakata and willing to do so without any fear or hesitation is the cute and healthy point of Reisaru. He already coldly rejected Munakata many times you know, like when he refused to accompany Munakata on his hobby because it reminded him of the time when he was roped by Totsuka into various activities, he refused to play cheese with Munakata, he refused to see autumn falling leaves together with Munakata on their day off, etc. So yeah, the fact that Fushimi ditched Munakata to chase Misaki didn't bother me at all.

So what made me feel uncomfortable for this track? Just one word, Timeline. The explanation is a bit meta-y so if you don't want read my rambling, the short answer is there's discrepancy with the main canon timeline, and while it's not impossible, the implication made me uncomfortable. Again, not impossible but hella uncomfortable for me. For full explanation....

See, for me, since most of K Drama CDs are mostly gag tracks, the ones that I treat as canon are Drama CDs that I think can be slotted in canon timeline. Drama CDs like Crow's Repayment, Snow White, and Izumo's Room are definitely not canon because there's no way those were happened on main timeline situation. Drama CDs like Everything Sank Except Me and That Guy and Munakata Fish The World is obviously placed after ROK (since Munakata got weakened like he can't pull a tire and Sarumi's improved relationship). Other drama like Munakata-kun's Strap, Elevator, or For Justice can easily be slotted in pre-anime or even post season 1. Window Shopping, Figure Direction, and Private Hero are obviously pre-anime by the casual appearance or mention of Mikoto and Totsuka. There are Drama CD that used as blatant promotion of K Project, like Guys Meeting in The Shower and it's Girl Version counterpart which completely break the fourth-wall by "Hey we are bunch of K boys in K world let's we dip in hot water and talk" which is definitely not gonna happen in canon.

So what category is YEP (Year End Party) Drama CD? It's logical enough to happen on canon. It didn't break any fourth wall. If we assumed that YEP Drama CD is truly happened on canon, on what period it's happened? It's definitely on pre-ROK, and by the casual mention of Mikoto, can it happen on pre-Season 1?

The answer is no. Why? Because unlike other Drama CD who has no mention of time as our foothold, YEP Drama CD has two hints about the specific time it happened. First, it's about year-end party, so the drama CD was happened on the end of December. Second, by the mention of ABCDEFGH as a squad that was expected to come by Munakata, it means that Scepter 4 Special Ops Squad was already formed, since before it ABCD were leaders of 1st-4th platoons and EFGH were ordinary swordsmen of 4th platoon. Is it impossible for them to have casual gathering together? No. Is it impossible for them to get grouped together on formal gathering with their boss? Yes. Because based on Scepter 4 structure, they were not a group yet, they were not even on the same platoon. Like, if EFGH was invited, how about the rest of 1st-3rd platoons? How about the 5th platoon leader and members? (Poor 5th platoon, they didn't get any screen time except a brief mention on Season 1 episode 8). And before Special Squad was formed, Fushimi is just an ordinary rank on Intelligent Division, so why did he come to gathering for Scepter 4 bosses and leaders of Swordsmen platoons, with bunch of troublemakers from 4th platoon? (I mean, yeah he is Munakata's favorite and the King's private soldier, but that was not.... an official title). The Drama CD with the mentioned casts was not logical to happen if Fushimi and ABCDEFGH was not yet grouped under a special group, which is currently named Special Ops Squad.

Now when we established that YEP drama CD happened on late December, before ROK and after Special Ops squad was formed, let's look at the detailed timeline of K :

Special Ops squad was formed on Side Blue, detailed time was on 1st May 2012. Fushimi particularly joined Special Ops Squad and became the third-in-command on 6th June 2012. So the mentioned casts (Special Ops Squad) plus Awashima and Fushimi were expected to have Year End Party together with Munakata, it certainly happened on late December 2012. And what happened on December 2012? Apocalypse well quite almost close to that. On 7th December 2012 Totsuka was dead, and 12 days after, on 19th December 2012 Mikoto was dead, killed by (a very unwilling) Munakata. So if YEP drama CD happened on 23-31 December 2012, more or less a week after the end of Season 1 and Mikoto's death, then...

-Scepter 4 ditched Munakata even thought they were aware that more or less a week before their King killed his friend. If the rest of squad didn't know about Mikorei's relationship, then at least Awashima knew how hard mental blow that was received by Munakata on K Season 1. Yet she still ditched Munakata. I don't know what happened on previous YEP, but would the ever loyal Awashima ditched her King when she knew that Munakata was very possibly on his sad and hurtful period?

-Fushimi taunted Yata with mentioning Mikoto just more or less a week after Mikoto's death. Sure we knew that Fushimi could taunt Yata even after Mikoto's death, but (I hope) he didn't specifically search for Yata and taunt him with how Homra and Mikoto is suck just after Mikoto's death. On canon, after Mikoto's death Fushimi avoided the hell of Yata and Homra, on Missing King Yata called him first, and on ROK, their meeting was coincidental.

-I love Scepter 4 as a whole, and I particularly love Munakata and Fushimi on the same degree. But my love for each of them is a little different. I love both of them to be happy of course, but if Fushimi got flooded with angst, I will feel "oh yeah Fushimi angst, mmm delicious, give me more" but if I stumbled upon Munakata angst I will feel "noooo don't be sad, I don't want him to be sad, please someone fix it!" Yeah sorry Fushimi XD. And that is the reason why I can't enjoy Mikorei after Mikoto's death, because watching Munakata's constant brooding over Mikoto's death is damn uncomfortable for me and I can't even feel sad along with him for Mikoto's death (I don't hate Mikoto, but I am indifferent about him). So yeah, hearing how Munakata sounded genuinely upset when Scepter 4 members ditched him, when Fushimi ditched him, when I heard Munakata's lament that he was alone on the end of video, when more or less a week before he killed his friend, I can't enjoy it. I can't laugh for Munakata's misery, I feel uncomfortable as hell instead.

Please note, just I said, the track is not impossible to be canon. Is it possible for Awashima and the rest of Scepter 4 members to be annoyed enough by Munakata to ditch him even though not long ago Munakata killed his friend and almost died in the process? Yes. Is it possible for Fushimi to taunt Yata with Mikoto after Mikoto’s death? Yes. Is it possible for Munakata to be left alone in a bar? Yes. BUT, as Fushimi, Munakata, Awashima, and overall Scepter 4 fans, that kind of portrayal makes me uncomfortable so much, especially since I valued Scepter 4′s bond so much and don’t care (or you can say quite disliked) about Sarumi’s taunting and fighting, also Munakata angsting over Mikoto. Also if the lack of Yata’s anger and depressed over Mikoto’s death means that the Drama CD happened before Season 1 a.k.a December 2011 (Fushimi joined Scepter 4 on October 2010, so December 2010 would be his first YEP and he shouldn’t know about previous party), then as Scepter 4 nerds I need explanation why only ABCDEFGH, Fushimi, and Awashima that was expected to come when they were not on the same squad before and Fushimi even just an ordinary member of Intelligence Division that rarely associate with Swordsmen Squad as Hidaka pointed out. Compare that to another Scepter 4 annual event like Flower Gazing that included Zenjou, Yayoi, and even we can assumed that there are other Scepter 4 member joined on flower gazing on other places. Also, Flower Gazing as annual event is already mentioned 4 times but there's no mention of Scepter 4 year-end party except on that Drama CD.

Speaking about portrayal, I also don’t like some of jokes on that track. Namely when Munakata said that he installed surveillance camera on Scepter 4 dorm, Awashima’s dorm to be exact. I knew that Munakata is an S and can quite ignore the concept of privacy and personal space, but as a boss and a man, just like Fushimi said, that action is a crime. And not the funny one. Awashima should and must protest for that, no matter how loyal she is to Munakata. And Fushimi as the main advocate of privacy and personal space should not accept that kind of behavior from Munakata and didn’t let Munakata be with just a simple protest. Honestly, if I have a boss who pulled that stint of me, no matter how amazing he is, I will lose my respect on him. And I respect the hell outta Munakata. I will not say that the track is mischarasterized Munakata, since as you said Kabei Yukako (Yellow) is the writer and she wrote an amazing Munakata in LSW and Sand Castle story, but maybe she played with fandom jokes “tyrant Munakata” a little bit too hard.  So yeah, I prefer if that track, especially that particular aspect, is not canon. 

Not that I hate the whole track of course. I like some trivia about Scepter 4, especially the ones that was confirmed canon on other materials like Awashima loves plushies and Benzai has younger sister. I also like when Fushimi can baffle Munakata with his card trick. But still, Scepter 4 YEP Drama CD is uncomfortable for me. 

Also track like Megane of Blue is also written by Gora Orange, it didn’t break the fourth wall or seemed happened on alternate universe, but you don’t actually believe that in canon Munakata truly became crazy if he lost his glasses right? Especially since we already got 2 glasses-less Munakata and he turned out just fine (three if you count Optician Drama CD, which is canon since it was mentioned on Countdown). On drama CD, script writers often exaggerate characters to create a joke, either Gora or non Gora.

[nikkirecs]

RECS FOR ZEBRA

make an anilist 

there are gonna be things from your ptw just to show what i approve of

Code Geass: Hangyaku no Lelouch - i assume you actually have seen this because you’ve seen the spinoff movies but if not what are you doing

Gekkan Shoujo Nozaki-kun - it’s so funny and the wacky ensamble cast is so loveable

GREAT PRETENDER - sometimes you just want a fun heist show and i want more people to watch my anime of 2020

Hagane no Renkinjutsushi: Fullmetal Alchemist - one of the greatest anime of all time. it’s soul crushing but so good.

Jujutsu Kaisen - i....don’t believe you haven’t seen this because it’s everywhere rn

Kekkai Sensen - i love me a good urban fantasy okay

Koe no Katachi - i cried.  it’s beautiful and most importantly short.

Kuragehime - a sweet sol romance about loving yourself with some really beautiful art

Ouran Koukou Host Club - it’s on your ptw but i’m seconding it.  my comfort show.

Soul Eater - three whole excalibur episodes 

Zankyou no Terror - i’m gonna be honest, i don’t know if it’s your vibe bc it’s kinda dark but i really loved it

Arslan Senki - love me a shounen with a nice simple plot.  it’s just another “good boy tries to reclaim his kingdom” but i love it.

Bleach - i’m not sure i believe you haven’t seen it but i love it lots.

Baccano! - a little gory but a fun time overall.

BURN THE WITCH - honestly i’m only putting this here bc it’s already on your list.  i like it lots but i just wanted you to know you need to read the manga one shot first for it to make any sense.

Dr. STONE - it’s so nerdy and so much fun.

Enen no Shouboutai - it’s already on your ptw. i love it lots but there’s...a lot of “fanservice”

Gin no Saji - it’s just farming.  i love it

Godzilla: Singular Point - cgi isn’t great but the art is fantastic and i love the main characters

Karin - i haven’t reced this to many people but idk why i think you’d appreciate it.  it’s just a cute vampire romance.

Kyoukai no Kanata - spn romances are kinda my thing and it has fantastic art, thanks kyoani.

Magi: The Labyrinth of Magic - it’s already on your ptw but i love it.

Monster - just a really good thriller tbh.  somehow manages to make a  mysterious bad guy even with you knowing who he is for 70 episodes.

Nagi no Asukara - it’s pretty, sweet, and sad

SK∞ - did you not watch this? as you know opinions seem pretty divided but i loved it.

Wotaku ni Koi wa Muzukashii - nerd love

3-gatsu no Lion - depression and shogi

Ballroom e Youkoso - ballroom dancing and a sweet mc. also not explicitly lesbians but they’re definitely lesbians.

Bungou Stray Dogs - it’s so well loved for a reason.

Diamond no Ace - they’re good boys zebra. protect them.

Given - sad gays is my vibe.

Hataraku Maou-sama! - it makes me laugh and honestly i can’t believe i’m saying this but: satan is best boy.

Itai no wa Iya nano de Bougyoryoku ni Kyokufuri Shitai to Omoimasu. - it’s so fun.

K - WATCH THIS BEFORE PRAETER NO KIZU if i’m honest it’s lesser bsd but it came out first and yata misaki and fushimi saruhiko mean the world to me and the art you will either love or hate but i love it.

Kamikaze Kaitou Jeanne - i’m pretty sure you like old ms so i wanted to rec my favorite old ms.  honestly the manga is so much better but the anime was a good time too.

Modao Zushi - i’m mostly including this for han. it’s good though.

Ookiku Furikabutte - anxious sports boys protect them.

Promare - it’s absurd and i love it.

Shadows House - a fun sol mystery.

Ansatsu Kyoushitsu - kids saving the world while engaging in fun school life.

Owari no Seraph - honestly the manga is so much better than the anime but this is what inspired my need to give you a rec list.

[talesofedo]

I almost always order from Amazon Japan in bulk (5 or more books at a time) because that makes shipping significantly cheaper, even if they don't all ship together (!), and two books I ordered in my recent batch are the new book on Saito Hajime (left), which was just published this month, and Iba Hachiro's Kyoto diary (right).

...

The Saito book is really good. I like a book that doesn't just cite references but shows them to you, and this one has photos of original letters and documents throughout to substantiate any claims. For some of the original documents, complete transcripts in modern Japanese are included, which makes them so much more accessible. (For example, I have a hard time with handwriting, never mind cursive, and even most native Japanese speakers have a difficult time understanding old formal letters.)

One of the things I looked for in the book was that note from Dr. Matsumoto's clinic I've previously shared and I was really surprised to learn that even though this was after the battle of Toba-Fushimi, Saito was actually seen for injuries he sustained at Tenma-ya that hadn't healed yet!

For those translating from Japanese to English, this book is well written and the language is not overly academic, making it a fairly easy read!

...

Iba Hachiro's Kyoto diary is just that - the diary he wrote when he came to Kyoto as part of the Shogun's guard. Diary entries are generally brief and the types of things one might find in any kind of diary - places he visited, inns he stayed at, encounters with people, foods he sampled, etc.

Yamamura Tatsuya, who's written a ton on this particular time period and individual historical figures in it, provides explanations and annotations throughout the text, which is helpful to provide context. The annotations are a big part of what makes this a useful resource for history nerds that the diary alone wouldn't necessarily provide.

This one is also not very difficult to read and translate and it's one view of what it would have been like for a samurai from Edo to have a chance to visit Kyoto at the time.

The illustration on the book obi is cute, too. It's Iba Hachiro enjoying a bowl of oshiruko, which is his favorite food.

[ignis-scientia-estrogen-brigade]

~ISEB in Japan: A Photo Journal~

If you’ve been following me on Twitter lately, you’ll know that I’ve been traveling through parts of Japan the last couple of weeks with my Ignis Play Arts Kai figure in tow. I posted a few pictures over there during the duration of my trip, but those barely scratched the surface of everything I got to do while in Japan. So I thought I’d put together a blog post of my journey while it was still fresh in my mind, featuring everyone’s favorite strategist in what I’ve been dubbing my Great Final Fantasy XV Adventure of 2019!

[Image-heavy content + commentary under the cut]

A brief backstory: I’ve wanted to go to Japan my entire adult life. For years, I’ve watched friends make the trek while I’ve been stuck at home with a severe case of FOMO. The only thing that ever stopped me from going was money (or a lack thereof), so I made the decision last summer to buckle down and sock away every dime I made to make it happen. My only concern before hopping on the plane was that I had missed the wave of FFXV popularity by about a year, but I would quickly learn that—other than not getting to eat any of Ignis’ recipes at the Square Enix Cafe—I had little to worry about.

Literally the only reason I brought my Play Arts Kai figure was so I could take this picture of Ignis at the Citadel (a.k.a. the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building), which was the very first place I stopped at on my first full day in Tokyo. The building + the surrounding plaza, while not 100% accurate, is a fairly impressive facsimile of the one in the game. It’s located in Shinjuku, which also boasts a lot of similarities to Insomnia. Having finished Episode Ardyn mere hours before jetting off on my trip, it felt like I had stepped off the plane and right into the game!

There just so happened to be an Animate right near the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building, so I popped in to get a feel for what kind of FFXV merch I’d be able to find two years after the game’s release and a year after its height of popularity. Turns out, there was quite a lot of swag to be found! Truth be told, I’ve never been one to chase down official merchandise (unfortunately my job doesn’t really afford that luxury), but I gave myself special permission while on vacation to buy anything I wanted. So I did! Including everything you see above. ^^;;

The next thing I did was take the train to Ginza to meet Lyle/@landscape-gonna  (@landscape_gonna on Twitter), and I simply cannot say enough nice things about her. If you don’t know who she is, there’s a 99.9% chance you’ve seen at least one of her Ignis costumes, and they are A. M. A. Z. I. N. G. We had chatted a bit previously on Twitter before I went full-on stan mode, asking her if she'd be willing to meet up with me (a total stranger) to have lunch and talk Ignis and Final Fantasy. Not only did she say yes, but she gifted me with copies of her incredible cosplay zines and was not the least embarrassed when I busted out my Play Kai Arts figure in the middle of a busy Japanese dessert restaurant haha.

See? Zero embarrassment here.

We even did Noct’s ultimate pose! In public!

I can’t begin to articulate how special meeting Lyle was for me—being brought together from opposite sides of the world to share in our love for Ignis/FFXV is a memory I will cherish my entire life. So Lyle, if you are reading this: どうもありがとうございます ! ٩( ᐛ )( ᐖ )۶

Lyle wasn't the only friend I had in Japan. Another friend of mine, Asuka (who happens to be well-versed in anime/video game culture), volunteered to be my guide through Ikebukuro/Otome Road the next day. Quick otaku lesson: Kbooks is a chain of stores that specializes in the resale of licensed merchandise. For example, if you missed out on some of the limited availability items from the Movic and the Square Enix Cafe collaborations, you might be able to find them at a Kbooks. Otome Road in particular has something like seven different Kbook shops in a 3-block radius, each one specializing in different products (sports anime, idols, cosplay, etc). I, of course, beelined for the video game shop...

...which is where I found this fucking thing:

I’m not gonna lie, I almost bought it. I just didn’t know what I would do with it besides scare the living daylights out of people when they least expected it lol.

Yoooo Adam I found ya boi in Ikebukuro

We popped into the cosplay Kbooks shop since it was right across the street and I found an Ignis costume for sale! Please enjoy this picture of me pretending to come up with a new recipeh (since this is likely the closest I’ll ever come to cosplaying as Ignis).

One of the things Asuka introduced me to was Hanami (picnic under the cherry blossoms, basically). I had timed my trip to coincide with the blooming of the sakura, and the experience of being in Japan during that time was indescribable. I took a bajillion pictures of the sakura while I was there and unfortunately none of my photos ever quite captured the beauty and magic of them in person, but here’s a lil’ pic of a tree in bloom at Yoyogi Park (with the Movic Ignis charm I bought at Kbooks earlier that day).

Another item on my Japan checklist was to stay at a ryokan (traditional Japanese inn) in Hakone, a town famous for its onsen/hot springs. Nothing in Hakone is cheap (at least, not during peak sakura season), and I had spent an absurd amount of money on a night at one particular ryokan with a private bath (shy husband haha). The private bath could only be reserved in 30-minute increments, and by the time we finally rolled into Hakone the bath we wanted only had one slot available for the rest of the night. So what did I do?

If you said, “Waste the first 15 minutes of your 30-minute, super-expensive onsen experience taking the perfect Ignis-in-a-hot-springs photo” then you would be absolutely correct lol.

I actually wasn’t planning on taking a bunch of photos of my Ignis figure on this trip, but after my husband tucked Ignis into my futon while I was in the bathroom, documenting my trip vicariously through Ignis ended up taking on a life of its own. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

I popped back over to Tokyo after my stay in Hakone, which is when I finally got to make the Great Nerd Pilgrimage™ to the Square Enix Cafe! Had the FFXV collab been going on while I was there, I might’ve forked over the cash to eat at the cafe, but I opted to skip out on lunch so I could spend more money in their shop. They still had a small collection of FFXV merch...

...including this acrylic Ignis stand that I wanted but thought I would never own after failing to find it at Kbooks earlier in the week. Huzzah!

Also, I just feel the need to let everyone know that this is what the outside of the Square Enix Cafe in Tokyo looks like lmao.

Our next stop was Kyoto, which we arrived in on Gladio’s birthday (April 2nd). Unfortunately I didn’t have time to draw anything for his b-day, but we did stop for a Nissin Cup Noodle in honor of Gladio!

One of the most memorable moments of my trip was when this boating incident happened, and it requires a little bit of backstory. On my first full day in Kyoto, I attempted to field two of the most popular tourist destinations in Kyoto: the bamboo forest in Arashiyama, and the Fushimi Inari Shrine. Both places have their beauty and historical significance, and I suspect during the off-season are inspiring sites to behold. In my case, both places were absolutely swarming with tourists, which really put a damper on my enjoyment of them. Defeated, I followed a local canal back toward my hotel, which is where I spotted a miniature boat enthusiast controlling a boat that looked eerily similar to the Royal Vessel. I pulled my Ignis figure out with the intention of simply taking a photo of the boat in the background; when the man saw me holding my figure and fumbling with my phone, he flagged me over and gestured for me to put Ignis in the boat. I wish I had documented how it all went down a little better, but as I was literally wheezing with laughter, the above was the best I could capture.

One of the more off-the-cuff decision I made was to dress in kimono for a day while in Gion (Kyoto). As the cherry blossoms were at their height during my stay there, you couldn’t sneeze without hitting someone who was dressed traditionally for the numerous festivals that were taking place throughout the city. As a white foreigner, I initially had reservations about wearing a kimono (for fear of cultural appropriation), but I did everything I could to be as respectful and reverent whilst wearing the garb (and the rental shop was certainly happy for the patronage). It was an amazing experience and I would definitely do it again!

Speaking of being respectful, I made it a point not to take pictures of Ignis while visiting any shrines (because nothing screams ‘douchey American’ quite like whipping out an action figure on sacred grounds), hence why I don’t have pictures of any of the major shrines we visited in this post. I did, however, spot this miniature shrine arch in an alleyway, and thought it would be okay for my equally miniature strategist to pay his respects.

Literally, a tiny shrine in an alleyway. I suppose even alleys have their deities!

Osaka is about 20 minutes away from Kyoto by train, and since I had already traveled all the way out to Kyoto, I went the extra few miles to stop by the Square Enix Cafe in Osaka. They actually had a smaller selection of FFXV merch than the one in Tokyo and I didn’t end up buying anything, but I would’ve never stopped wondering if I had missed out on something if I hadn’t gone and seen it for myself!

My last day in Kyoto was a week into my trip, and I still had five days left to go. After walking ~10 miles every day (no joke, I have the GPS screenshots to prove it!), I was really starting to feel the grind. I’m sure Ignis was also desperate for an Ebony after being lugged around in the bottom of my purse for a week lol.

Back on the Shinkansen (bullet train) to Tokyo!

Weeeeeee (ﾉ^ヮ^)ﾉ*:・ﾟ✧

Said hi to Fuji-san!

Stopped for a delicious matcha parfait! (Shout-out to my husband who never once got annoyed with me whenever I busted out my figure in public spaces lol)

This was without a doubt the craziest and most unexpected find of any of my merch runs. I had gone to the video game Kbooks in Ikebukuro earlier in the week and had sifted through all their Ignis merch with a fine-toothed comb. This particular Movic charm was one I had been on the lookout for, but it was a rare pull even when they were readily available a year ago, and the only Ignis charm I came across in my first trip to Kbooks was the normal Ignis one (see my Hanami pic). I had no real reason to return to Ikebukuro after I got back from Kyoto, but on a whim I went one last time and BAM—this guy was hanging out there in his lil’ baggie, just waiting for me to get my grubby little hands on him. Jackpot!

All in all, I spent way too much money and I couldn’t be happier for it. The only thing I couldn’t find for the life of me was the Ignis cologne by Movic, but after searching through several Animates and Kbooks, I began to suspect it might be an online-exclusive item that wasn’t available in stores. (Which was probably a good thing for me cause I was already stretching my budget to the limit by this point haha.)

On my last night in Japan, I went back to the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building—only this time I went at night when it was all lit up! I also went up to the observation deck on the 45th floor (something I didn’t know you could do the first time I was there) and enjoyed a fantastic view of nighttime Insomnia Tokyo. It was the perfect bookend to a perfect trip, and my heart is absolutely overflowing right now with love for both Japan and Final Fantasy XV!

[eatsomebuttercups]

Y’know as much as I don’t wanna seem like a nerd (Sky!), I do love history.

I love Japan’s history the most, I think. It’s a criminally short chapter at school so i’m gonna write about it here (this is medieval Japan).

Medieval Japan was mostly a Shogunate/warrior society. Japan becoming a warrior society meant wealthy women lost the right to own land and what little freedom they had to marry who they pleased. Poorer women had a greater say in marriage, but could never own land in the first place.

Japan being a warrior society meant the age of shoguns, daimyos, and samurai were upon it. The shogun was the military leader of all Japan-while the emperor was more of a symbolic position, being the shogun meant you more or less had all the power. The shogun would often behead his enemies. (We’ll come back to shoguns later.)

Daimyos were military lords who headed small territories-while the shogun owned all land, the daimyo ruled over a portion of it. The shogun would assemble all the daimyo in Edo-modern day Tokyo-every five or so years to keep an eye on them and make sure they weren’t starting any rebellions.

The relationship between a daimyo and his samurai-or the bond between a lord and his vassal-is feudalism. “Warrior society” Japan could also be known as feudalist Japan, and often is.

Samurai were warriors who followed the Bushido, or way of the warrior. They served the daimyo, their masters, and were skilled in horseback riding and swordsmanship. They were expected to be brave, honorable, courageous, and fearless. Oftentimes, samurai were zen Buddhists, as this form of religion allowed samurai to strengthen their body and mind through meditation and martial arts. Samurai bore leather strapped armor, helmets that would be molded to look much like a beetle’s horns and head, and two swords; one long and the other short. Samurai were expected also to fight until the very last breath, and if they could not win, to commit seppuku, a form of suicide in which the samurai would stab themselves in their gut and have their fiend behead them with their long sword. (I might revisit this later-remember also, that there were female samurai!)

Only about 20% of Japan was/is farmable, so the Japanese turned to the sea for food. The sea was a huge part of life in Japan-it provided protection, food, and isolated them from much of the world. Many Japanese dishes involve fish, crab, shrimp, or other forms of sea life because of their many fishing communities and small amount of farm land. The land that could be farmed was used to feed livestock or for rice and wheat.

Women in Japan often were mothers, farmers, craftsmen, or served as geishas, especially in the Edo Period. While these were the main roles of women, many were also successful poets, warriors, and even leaders. Murasaki Shikibu was a famous female writer in Japan who wrote The Tale of Genji-sound familiar?

The Edo Period was HUGE for Japan. It was an advancement in culture, food, lifestyle, and just-in general, the country evolved. Why? People-middle class people-craftsmen, farmers, etc.-needed things to do! Kabuki theater became huge, though the Tokugawa forbid women to act in Kabuki. Geishas-serving women who dressed in fine silk kimonos and played the samisen or flute for male travelers, often in the floating world, would perform and became more popular. Like I said-Japan evolved!

With industrial revolution, comes the need to read! Now-printing is a big big thing! For China, it was a nightmare. There were over 40,000 characters, so the movable type printing everyone nowadays is so used to is a nightmare. Japan borrowed everything from China-including government, religion, and printing. Japan used woodblock printing, which is exactly how it sounds. It took a lot of skill to carve the block, apply the colour, and let it dry, but the middle class loved it. They bought up printed paintings, woodblocks, everything-because they were affordable and nice.

This is an example of a very detailed woodblock print! This is Under the Wave off Kanagawa (The Great Wave) by Katsushika Hokusai as part of the “Thirty-six views of Mount Fuji” collection!

The Japanese were closed off to the world because of the Tokugawa Shogunate, who cut off connections to the outside world, banned trading with Europe, and banned Kirishitans. However, in the 1880s-1920s, Japan opened up more. Europeans came to Japan and were inspired and delighted. They were dazzled by the women who wore white face paint and the Kabuki theater actors who were talented in what they performed. They were amazed by the art and the paper umbrellas and they brought it back to France, England, everywhere they could-and some Japanese people did. Not. Like. It.

There were multiple Shogunates. The Tokugawa just so happened to cut Japan off and made a huge difference in the economy. Among these different periods with the Kamakura shogunate period. The Kamakura period was started by the Minamoto clan. Shoguns exist because the emperor was afraid of the Minamoto clan seizing power from him and overthrowing the throne. (The Minamoto clan won the Genpei war between them and the Taira clan.)

The Mongols attempted to invade Japan twice. Both times, their boats were flooded due to winds flipping them over. The Japanese believed these winds were caused by kami, spirits, and thus called them “kamikaze” winds. Pilots in world war two that dove down and went on suicide missions were named after the kamikaze winds.

Shinto and Buddhism were the two main religions in Japan, and you didn’t have to choose between them. Shinto was a native Japanese religion that followed animism, the belief all natural things have spirits. They called these spirits “kami”. To worship Shinto, they want to shrines, where a holy gate called a torii stood. Often, people went to these shrines to give money or other Earthly possessions or to pray to the sun goddess, Amaterasu. Shinto involved daily life for the Japanese. Buddhism came from China and Korea after it was spread to them from India itself. The Japanese were fond of Buddhism because of Prince Shotoku, who built monasteries and encouraged Buddhist worship and beliefs. Buddhism involved life after death, or preparing for the life to come.

This is a torii! This happens to be in Kyoto-which used to be the capital. This is in Fushimi Inari Taisha, a district in Kyoto known for its Shinto shrines.

The Yayoi were the first people in Japan. They came to Japan from a land bridge, since Japan was not always disconnected from the main continent of Asia. They introduced farming in rice paddies, metalworking, and pottery to Japan. One of the branches or clans of the Yayoi, the Yamato, believed they were descended from Amaterasu, the sun goddess, and therefore had divine powers, and deserved to be emperor. The first emperor of Japan was a man named Jimmu. The emperor of Japan now has Yamato blood running through his veins.

Prince Shotoku is said to be a main influencer of Japan, though this has been put up to debate many times. It is said he took power from his aunt out of her own will and used it to make Japan more like China. He copied their government, beliefs-he sent scholars to China who studied their art, medicine, and philosophy. He is said to have written Japan’s first official constitution, though it has not been completely confirmed that he did.

Another large part of Japanese history in the medieval ages was poetry. The first form of Japanese poetry was tanka, unrhymed, short poems. Later on, another popular form of poetry-even now-was/is haikus! Samurai were expected to be good poets, too-don’t ask me why.

That’s really it! Honestly, I hope this helps SOMEONE with their history test! I’m learning Japanese now-it’s a bit difficult, but learning a language improves memory and other skills, so. Thanks for reading and please point out any misinformation/spelling mistakes so I can fix it! Also, feel free to add on/ask questions!

[kuroh-is-my-queen]

Sarumi maybe?

Okay here it goes!

Who said “I love you” first Yata? I feel like they’ve been friends for so long (even though their friendship was a lot more like a relationship) That at first ‘I love you’, would be a really weird thing to just say, especially on Fushimi’s side. So I believe it would be Yata and then he’d continue just saying in casually and Fushimi would get in the habit of saying it back.  

Who would have the other’s picture as their phone background           Both of those nerds. It would start with Yata bragging to Fushimi that he set his phone background and him, then Fushimi would call him a idiot for it but then proceed to change his to Misaki. (The scepter 4 boys would shit when they go behind Fushimi while he was on his phone and witness that Fushimi’s wallpaper was no other than a picture of his boyfriend. What a nerd.)

Who leaves notes written in fog on the bathroom mirror                       Fushimi would do it, but not in a romantic way, just in a way of saying “Make sure not to leave a puddle on the the floor again.” Because Fushimi’s socks got wet last time and he’s a fragile boy and can’t live with wet socks.          

Who buys the other cheesy gifts                                                       Yata! Fushimi is someone who has everything he wants because if he wants it, then he buys it. Easy as that. The things he’d truly wants are things he can’t buy. So Yata on Birthday or Holidays would end up getting him a bunch of dumb cheesy things that remind him of Saruhiko, but end up buying just miscellaneous things that just go on shelves to decorate their house with, making it their home, something Fushimi wants more than anything but can’t buy.

Who initiated the first kiss                                                                          It would come naturally, but Fushimi would connect the two. 

Who kisses the other awake in the morning                                             Yata! It’s a toss up if Fushimi would be happy with being awaken by affection or grumpy that he was even woken up. 

Who starts tickle fights                                                                               Both would! I think Fushimi would be more of the ticklish type though so Yata would win. 

Who asks who if they can join the other in the shower                           Yata would ask if Fushimi wants to join him! Fushimi would laugh at him and then realize he was being serious. They’d end up taking a bath though. It would be awkward at first. 

Who surprises the other in the middle of the day at work with lunch    Yata, Fushimi would be glad because Yata’s food is the only food that doesn’t taste like trash. 

Who was nervous and shy on the first date                                              Both, but Yata would be outwardly shy, mean while Fushimi would be trying to act aloof and cool as always but inside be asking what the hell he was thinking agreeing on going on a actual date. 

Who kills/takes out the spiders                                                                  Fushimi. He grew up with Nikki the bug man, No spiders scare him. He picks those suckers up with his bare hands and lets them outside (He used to kill them but then Yata figured out he has no fear of touching bugs so he might as well let them outside instead of killing them)

Who loudly proclaims their love when they’re drunk                       Yata, right in front of the whole Homra bar. Kusunagi would just have to say ‘We know Yata-chan, sit down. “ and stop him from interrupting his guests night out any further. 

Well! Those are my answers! I hope you like them!! 

[devintrinidad]

10 GIFs of Anime that You Love, Then Tag 10 People

Just got tagged by @chemicalflashes.

Durarara

One of the first few anime I watched. I adored how the intricate stories were intertwined with others; how a bystander in one scene could be a hero or a villain in another. A choice that one makes can easily have devestaring consequences. And of course, the mastermind himself: Orihara Izaya.

Death Note

Oldie, yes. Overrated, probably. Completely worth watching and still able to discuss a decade after completion? Along with a few movies, musical adaptations, and a live action remake? Oh, yes!

Favorite characters are Near and Misa. The former for his cool nature that resembles L’s, but ultimately serves as a better allegory for Justice because he doesn’t find Kira for fun. No, he captures and probably would have him imprisoned for life because it’s his duty as L’s successor. He’s also heavily under-appreciated by the fandom. The latter for her adaptability and unpredictability in situations. Did you guys watch the Yorsuba arc? The girl was calculating how cute she was going to be. Plus, she’s not mentally well (her parents were murdered in front of her), but she still managed to handle herself SO WELL during her time as a prisoner under L’s inhuman methods to seek out the Second Kira. Again, she’s under-appreciated.

Death Parade

Brilliant idea. Has a possible tie in to Death Note. The opening was laughably so misleading!

There are some flaws, like plot holes and unfinished storylines, but it held up pretty well. We learned about the characters through how they interact with one another—especially when put under pressure. The Arbiters are amazing in that they can’t question the system, and yet, in the end, Decim tries to understand and formulate how Chiyuki is going to be finally put to rest.

If nothing else, just watch for the skating scene and the opening sequence.

Cells at Work (Hataraku Saibou)

How could I not add this show??? I’m not that great science, but I have been intimately acquainted with how the body works (I’m frankly disappointed no one has called 1146 a granulocyte yet and we haven’t seen any neurons in the manga 😞). Also...3803 is basically me: I’m terrible at directions, I’m continuously learning new things because I moved away, and the way she met 1146...is kind of how I met my best friend, hehehe.

That said, I’m really in love with this anime/manga fandom and hope to continue writing for it. (Insert self promotion: please read my fanfics on my main platform which is ffnet!)

Another reason why I love CAW...

The neutrophil squad.

...and wbc x rbc...and by that, I mean any or all of those wbc squad can get paired with 3803. Because I have a soft spot for reverse harems. *cough Ouran High School Host Club*

Hetalia: Axis Powers

This show made me love geography and my country so much. It’s funny, it’s hilarious, and it’s so heartwarming how the fandom likes to make all sorts of fanmade stuff to expand on what Hima-papa gives us. (YES, IN THE YEAR OF OUR LORD 2018, I SHALL REFER TO HIMARYU-SENSEI AS HIMA-PAPA. FIGHT ME.)

Is Hetalia dead? I don’t know, but the fandom and one particular FanFiction by @cultureandseptember really helped me out a few years back.

Bungou Stray Dogs

I love literature, good looking animation, and smarmy little know-it-alls who like to play the fool. Hehehe, I’m planning on reading No Longer Human when I get the time. Does that mean Osamu Dazai is my favorite character? Well...

Can you blame me if I said yes? He’s so charming and enigmatic that you can’t help but love him. However, I think I really love him because I struggle with dark thoughts and suicidal ideation from time to time. I haven’t actively sought it out quite like he has in the past, but well... hehehe! I can also relate because he’s kind of like an outsider in the Agency due to his past—he’s different because he can’t actively cancel out your abilities, which always makes him a threat.

Anywhoozles, I’m still waiting to see the movie...Le sigh.

K Project

This. This is not the best anime out there. Seriously.

The animation gets wonky here and there, they do the women in here a huge disservice, and they put too much emphasis on how great Mikoto Suoh. Like, he’s great and all, but the dude has no effect on the story except for the last season.

With that said, I think the main selling point here isn’t the anime, but the side materials like the manga/novels. You get to appreciate the backstories of so many of the characters and you get to feel for them because some of them have suffered so much! (Read: Fushimi Saruhiko).

I think you can get the same amount of enjoyment if you stick to the novels/manga.

Favorite characters: Scepter 4 Alphabet Squad. They are the best boys. Also, Lieutenant Awashima Seri. And Fushimi Saruhiko. You know what? Just put down Blue Clan here. They’re all nerds and they enjoy it.

Also: Domyoiji Andy reminds me of U-4989 from CAW. So...

Violet Evergarden

Remember how I said that I liked literature? This entire anime is about the power of not only the written word, but of also the act of writing, sending, and receiving those words. The anime may be episodic in nature, but you can really connect with the character through her terrible backstory and really feel for her when she realizes that she needs to face her past. PTSD is real and I think the anime really handled the post war aspect of this torn down world really well.

I’m also a sucker for typewriters, steam punk, and characters that don’t really know how to function in society (but learn over the course of the story).

Watch this if you want feels...and get ready for episode ten.

Samurai Champloo

This takes place in feudal era Japan.

But there’s rapping.

And breakdancing.

And guys spraying paint everywhere.

Also, there’s a sunflower samurai we gotta look for???

Hahahah, while episodic in nature, this was a joy to watch. You never get to know the characters really well and when we reach our mission’s end, it seems to fall short, but it’s not about that. The journey is what makes this anime worth it simply because the characters interactions are rife with hilarity and all three mains balance each other out. There’s a fanfic out there that describes them in detail, but in a succinct manner that had me melting. (https://m.fanfiction.net/s/2351750/1/The-Order-of-Things) check it out when you have the time.

Anyway, for those of you who have watched it, I sincerely hope that they meet again in the future.

(But, let’s be real. They probably didn’t).

Tokyo Mew Mew

Guys.

This isn’t a joke.

I have a soft spot for this anime because this was my first ever anime I watched where I realized that this was anime. This was like my gateway anime. Not Sailor Moon. Not Naruto.

This.

Looking back on this, it wasn’t the best—it’s your typical monster of the week deal with some environmental activism involved but for what it’s worth...it’s good??? Like, even the 4Kids dub (DONT CRUCIFY ME) even added some songs that were really great??? Bree Sharp’s Don’t Wake Me Up was my jam??? It fit better than the original Japanese counterpart???

TMM also introduced me to shipping, FanFiction, and amvs. That’s right, without this little gem, I would be writing/writing/thinking about FanFiction. I probably wouldn’t have been an anime watcher without this magical girl anime from the early 2000s.

So, yeah. This anime will always have a place in my heart because without it, I probably wouldn’t have become the person I am today. Thank you, Tokyo Mew Mew.

(This was also the birth of my first OTP before I knew what OTPs were: Kisshu/Ichigo...although nowadays, people are calling them Quiche/Strawberry? Hehehe, there’s so many things wrong here, I only like interactions, not the implications. That’s why I’m completely okay with Aoyama/Ichigo being endgame—and they’re actually really cute in the sequel manga???)

Honorable mentions (because I only thought of these now after I wrote analyses and gifs):

Five Centimeters Per Second

Ouran High School Host Club

Kimi no Nawa

Wolf Children

Psycho Pass

Trigun

(There’s like a dozen more, but nah. I’m good).

Aaaaaaaaaand that’s a wrap!!!

I’m tagging everyone who reads this! MWUAJAHAHAH!

I’m kidding; I don’t have that many friends here (if any) who are into anime so, umm...try it!

Thanks to @chemicalflashes for this amazing opportunity to find out why I love anime so much!

[crimsonblackrose]

So many thoughts on that Chozen pretends to be a Kyoto sensei episode. I was going to put all my thoughts in one massive read more post but then realized I had way too much to say specifically about these few things so uhhh I guess I’ll do this and then make comments on the other things later as I go. (I’m still not very far in the show yet. 😅) Fushimi Inari Shrine, the place Terry mentions as a spot he loves in Kyoto.

Chozen scoffing at this freaked me out a little. Because his recommendation wasn’t an apples to apples comparison. Yes Fushimi Inari Shrine is a big touristy spot but it’s a Shinto Shrine and the pathway that goes up the mountain covered in Torii gates is open 24 hours so it is totally feasible to go when it’s empty. I went at night there was maybe 2 other people I saw on the entirety of my walk. The actual shrines weren’t open but you could still walk through and pray or cleanse. And really the big tourist draw is that it’s essentially hiking. You get to the top of the mountain and watch the sunrise or sunset. The friend I was with got creeped out because it was night and there’s a lot of final resting spots along the way and there were foxes calling out so we didn’t go all the way to the top. But for tourists that’s the draw right? A hike. What Chozen recommends is Nanzen-ji temple. Notice that little tiny word difference there. Shrine and temple. Nanzen-ji is a zen Buddhist temple. Chozen, hon, you’re applying for a strike first no mercy position and you just told a really rich nerd that instead of doing some badass hiking to go to a zen Buddhist temple with pretty stone gardens.

Old, pretty, nice view, all are great. But it’s like all peaceful gardens and what not. And monks. I got so scared that Chozen just immediately told on himself.

Hamo is the food that Terry served Chozen And omg. Let’s talk about trying to make someone feel at home while also showing off. Daggertooth pike conger, aka a sea eel teeth (symbolism much?) is what Terry served up. A website offering to sell me some says it’s at least $60 for 1 lb not including whatever nightmare shipping to the states is. But that’s not what makes it special.

It’s full of tiny tiny tiny bones so preparing it properly is a TASK. Like Terry had to hire a professional who knew how to cut this eel for this Kyoto summer specialty which I don’t think would be all to easy to accomplish because it’s really only popular in Kyoto.

And Chozen, dear darling old man, did not even have a bite. 😂 Like the skipped straight to the Suntory. Which is technically from Osaka but Osaka and Kyoto are pretty close so I’ll let Terry slide on that one.

Oh and then the swords. Terry you nerd. "Dragon of Echigo“ is Uesugi Kenshin. Like that whole part is just symbolism. I got worried but it’s general and not specific to Kyoto or something from Okinawa which is what I worried he’d have been drawn to. But essentially the guy was called the god of war and known for his strategy and a rise of industry and trade. So like I get why they picked him....or her? There’s a theory that Uesugi Kenshin might’ve been a woman. So maybe the sword will be talked about again when the new sensei arrives?

And to think the tell was exactly what I thought it was. Not Kanpai! But Karii! An Okinawan cheers instead of Japanese. I can’t believe he slipped up like that. Let alone that that was all Terry needed to find out exactly who Chozen was and his relationship to Daniel. You’d wonder of course if he’d think oh this guy tried to kill Daniel so maybe....but no. That didn’t even come up really at all which is fascinating because it’s an angle Chozen could’ve played up and didn’t.

[ridiasfangirlings]

sarumi having a date but yata is desperately trying to please saruhiko

Say this is their first real date, like sure they’ve gone out drinking as friends and they used to hang out all the time in middle school but this is the first time it’s explicitly intended to be romantic. Yata’s already confessed his feelings and Fushimi responded, maybe not so much by admitting his own feelings but at least accepting Yata’s. Yata is a little nervous about that part but he also knows that emotions are hard for Fushimi and Yata just needs to give him time, and in the meantime show him what an awesome boyfriend Yata can be. Yata’s really excited to take Fushimi out on a date but he also knows how picky Fushimi can be and he’s like determined that this is going to be the best date ever, even Fushimi won’t be able to complain. 

Of course the minute Yata shows up at S4 to pick Fushimi up and they step outside Fushimi’s like ‘it’s too cold out.’ Yata says they won’t be outside for long, they just gotta walk to the train station, but Fushimi’s already looking annoyed and shivering. Yata’s like okay time to be cool, taking off his own jacket and putting it around Fushimi’s shoulders. He’s rewarded by Fushimi’s slight blush, and it’s almost enough to keep him from thinking about how cold he is in now (sure he could use his Red power to warm himself up but he’s worried Fushimi would notice and the reminder of Homra would put him in a bad mood, so Yata decides he’ll just have to deal with the cold for a while). The train is crowded but Yata sits so that Fushimi can be in the corner seat away from everyone, and Yata has to sit by the big smelly guy who keeps trying to use Yata’s shoulders as an elbow rest.

When they get off the train Yata suggests they get something to eat, trying to be smooth because he actually made reservations at a nice cafe. Except Fushimi complains he doesn’t want anything heavy and let’s just get a coffee at the train station. Yata’s like if that’s what you want, buying a candy bar and ignoring his hunger pangs while hoping he doesn’t have to pay a fee for not showing up for the reservation. Say Yata decided to take Fushimi to like a nice museum or something, thinking that Saruhiko’s a nerd he probably wants to go on a cultural date, but Fushimi complains about how crowded it is and spends a lot of time sitting playing on his PDA instead of looking at the exhibits so Yata decides well why don’t we go to a movie, you pick. He’s surprised that Fushimi picks some action movie, halfway through though Fushimi seems to be falling asleep and Yata ends up letting him rest his head on Yata’s arm even though now he can’t really feel his arm anymore. 

When they finally get back home imagine poor Yata is exhausted, thinking Fushimi hated every moment of that date. He’s surprised then when Fushimi sighs and mutters that as expected, Yata didn’t enjoy himself. Yata’s all ‘huh?’ and imagine him realizing that while he was bending over backwards to make Fushimi happy Fushimi was quietly trying to make Yata happy, like he thought Yata wouldn’t want to spend too much money on food so he suggested they eat at the station, he didn’t think Yata liked museums so he was looking on his PDA for something more exciting they could do, he chose the action movie because he thought Yata would like it. Yata has to laugh at that, like we’re both not very good at this I guess. Fushimi shrugs, still looking dissatisfied, and Yata decides to do something else he thinks Fushimi would like, leaning up and giving him a kiss on the lips. Fushimi freezes and Yata grins, saying he can let Fushimi choose the next date then.

[brynne-lagaao]

(Raw Doujinshi) ABC

Title: ABC

Circle: Lilium Rating: R18 Pairing: Sarumi Notes: This is a really cute doujinshi! Basically sarumi have just started dating, but it seems like the pattern is that Fushimi will set up a date and then sit there on his phone the whole time and then leave early. Yata gets tired of it and confronts him. Fushimi says something typical like “then don’t come”, which only makes Yata angrier. Then Fushimi suggests they break up, to which Yata is basically like “are you fucking kidding me?”, and he says he’ll prove how serious he is. So he drags Fushimi to a love hotel. Fushimi is slightly perturbed by this because he wasn’t properly prepared (he’s trying to sort out his internet research in his head) and meanwhile Yata’s like “oh hey they have games and you can order food, sweet, let’s do that”. Later on, they get a call stating their time is up and Fushimi declines to extend it, but Yata surprises him by saying “wait, aren’t we gonna do it?” and he calls back to extend it after all. Then they have the most awkward sex ever. It’s the best, seriously. First of all, they’re sitting on opposite sides of the couch and Fushimi is trying to decide what order his internet research told him to do things in. Yata asks for a kiss and he GETS PISSY BECAUSE NO YOU CAN’T KISS FIRST IT MAKES YOU LOOK TOO EAGER. Yata’s like “so what’s first then?” and Fushimi is like “leave it to me” but then he decides they should embrace first and Yata is not close enough so he just WAVES HIS ARMS AROUND LIKE A NERD. Just move closer OMG. Luckily Yata gets it, but SERIOUSLY. Okay, anyway, then they start kissing and actually have sex. There’s a lot more awkward moments, but that one was my favorite. In the end, Fushimi remembers that there was a step he missed, but he decides it’s okay to do it at the end (you’ll see). Super cute!

Translation: Let me know if you want to do it Download: Livejournal | Dreamwidth (membership required - please check the rules on LJ or DW)

[words-are-like-colors]

Title: Tattooed To Misaki {2} “Whoa, Saru. You’re in JUNGLE?”

Originally Posted On: July 22, 2016

Word count: 2837

Rating: M

Relationship: M/M

Parts: 2/11

Tags: Fushimi Saruhiko/Yata Misaki, Suoh Mikoto/Totsuka Tatara, Fushimi Saruhiko, Yata Misaki, Mikoto Suoh, Tatara Totsuka, Tenkei Iwafune, Nagare Hisui, Tattoo, Saruhiko is a tattoo artist, AU, Misaki is part of Homra gang, Jungle, Fluff, Cathedral, Slowish Build

Summary for Chapter 2: YAY! Chapter 2 is out. Thank you for the comments. Comments make me so happy. Ok so here we go: Saru and Misaki meet again but today is Sunday which means no tattoos today. Oh well. But Misaki has something else planed. Misaki wants Saruhiko to check out his gang hangout, Homra Bar.

Once again, congratulations on reaching 5th place in JUNGLE. Prizes include: $2,000, access to: test new games, VIP lobby/chat room, making of new missions,  and all expenses will be payed when doing missions/monthly JUNGLE parties.

Fushimi sighed and nibbled a little on his shirt collar, bored. He looked through the other notifications in his inbox and clicked on the “unread.”

JUNGLE monthly party.

Sunday, November 6th.

…

The rest of the message was just times and information on attire and events, but one thing stuck out.

Bring a date.

A date, huh? Not happening. He frowned at the message, not really interested… Although, he thought, it could actually be a good change for once. The artist stood up from his bed and walked into the kitchen, dropping his laptop onto the counter and grabbing an energy bar to curb his hunger for a little bit--but when he went to grab the bar, he just grabbed empty air. Shit. I have to get more.

He frowned again and shuffled into his room to put his knife harness and jacket on before he left.

Fushimi never left the house without his knives, ever since he had left school. Apparently it's pretty easy to jump a skinny nerd like him, so every other week a gang decided to take advantage of this. Hikawa was a small gang, but ruthless to people who opposed them; when Fushimi was walking home one night, a few gang members were hiding in an alleyway to jump him. The artist was pinned to the wall, and one of the gang members managed to empty his wallet. The others were beating Fushimi up when a bright light suddenly shined down on them. It was amazing. The air prickled with sparks as a man walked up, his red hair glowing despite the darkness of the night. In a short flash, all of the Hikawa members ran off, leaving just Fushimi and the man still standing in the alley. The man just chuckled. “Wow. They ran off quick.” The artist stared at the man for a second more before running away.

The man was Mikoto Suoh.

Ding!

The doors slid shut behind Fushimi, the plastic bag in his hand rustling as the boxes of energy bars jostled around in it. Bright midday light blinded him for a moment before he started down the sidewalk, sticking to the shadowy side of the street. A cyclist on his phone zoomed past, nearly hitting him. Fushimi clicked his tongue and glared after the biker.

“Saruhiko?”

Fushimi glanced up to see the redhead from yesterday. Misaki was wearing a great big smile. “Saru! We were just going to go to the shop to see you.” Misaki bounced up to Fushimi, his hand wrapped around some stranger.

He raised his eyebrow. “Who's this?” Fushimi glanced at the guy.

The man managed to wriggle his wrist out of the skater’s grasp. “I thought we were going to that tattoo shop you were talking about,” he mumbled to Misaki, not answering Fushimi’s question. The man wore his hoodie so that you couldn't see his eyes, only the long strands of blond hair framing his face.

Misaki glanced at Fushimi, then sighed. “This is Fushimi Saruhiko, the tattoo artist.” He smiled again. “This is Eric Solt. We were wondering if you could do the tattoo for him.”

“The shop is closed on Sunday. Don't you know most businesses are closed Mi~Sa~Ki? It says it on the window.” Fushimi smirked and leaned down to tease the skater.

Misaki gave him a glare. “I forgot. Okay? I was going to ask to get an appointment this time.”

“Tsk. Of course you were.” He straightened up and looked at Eric, who had slipped his PDA out of his pocket.

He glanced at Fushimi and put it away. “Am I going to get it now, or not?”

“No, not today. Tuesday afternoon.” Fushimi moved his bag to the other hand. “Are we done here?” He desperately wanted to be home, not standing in the middle of a sunny sidewalk.

Misaki frowned. “I guess…” He looked like he wanted to say something else, so Fushimi prompted with a small nod. “Could we go to a cafe or something?” His face lit up red like Christmas lights as the question slipped from his lips.

Fushimi stared at him for a moment, confused as to why he would invite him, of all people. “Why?” he deadpanned.

Eric had walked off a little, but both of them ignored that as Misaki answered hesitantly. “I-I well….. I wanted to talk to you more… so I could get to know you more….” He tried and failed to hide his embarrassment behind his beanie, which he pulled down over his face a little.

The artist looked at him in surprise. Nobody ever wanted to know anything about him. Someone wants to get to know me? If this is a prank or dare, I'm fucking stabbing him in the face. “Okay? So?”

Misaki didn't meet his eyes. “So whatever. Nevermind. It's not like you would care about me anyways.” He bit his lip hard and turned to go back to his friend when Fushimi put his hand on his shoulder.

“Fine. We can go talk somewhere.”

Misaki’s eyes lit up and a smile returned to his lips. “Ok! I'll tell Eric.” The skater went over to his blond friend.

Fushimi watched as Eric nodded to Misaki and waved goodbye to Fushimi. Misaki came back over. “Where do you want to go?”

“Home,” he mumbled and started to walk. “Just don't make this a waste of time for me.”

“I won't.” Misaki walked beside Fushimi back home.

Saruhiko placed his shopping bag on the counter and faced Yata.

Yata blushed slightly, realizing that they were in his house. He glanced around. “Your apartment is so…. bland.”

Saruhiko glared at him a little, pulling off his jacket. Yata watched him. Saru let the jacket slip off of his shoulders, revealing a knife harness that framed his body perfectly. Yata trailed after the artist as he walked into the bedroom and opened the closet. Saru undid the harness and put in it’s case. The skater sat down on the bed and watched him.

The artist glanced at him, then snapped, “I didn't invite you in here.”

Yata’s eyes went wide. “I-I'm sorry. I'll just go into the living room then….” He went to get up when Saruhiko just waved his hand, motioning him to stay. “O-okay?”

Saruhiko grabbed a v-neck from the closet and shut the doors. Yata watched as Saru retreated into the bathroom.

Once the bathroom door closed, Yata jumped up. He glanced around the room. There was nothing, except for a bed, nightstand and closet. Wow. This guy seems to have no interests. His room was pretty much the opposite. Yata’s room was covered in posters, old skateboards, video games and clothes. Chu, what does he do all day? Stare at the wall?

The skater spotted a notebook on the night stand. “I'll just leave my number…. I doubt he will ask me for it,” Yata muttered under his breath, and he picked up the pen and flipped to the back page so as not to see anything that was inside. He quickly scrawled his number and name.

The door opened and Yata squeaked in surprise; he fell back onto the bed.

“Klutz,” the man sighed. Yata didn't hear his next words as he stared up at him. Saruhiko was wearing a black v-neck that fitted perfectly to his body. His skinny hips could be clearly seen beneath the fabric, which made a blush rise up Yata’s neck. Saru’s sleeves were rolled up to reveal dark reddish-purple wristbands.

“You don't have tattoos,” Yata blurted out before thinking.

Saruhiko just raised an eyebrow. “That wasn't the answer to my question.”

“What was your question……?”

“You wanted to go somewhere to talk. Where do you want to go?” Saruhiko clicked his tongue in annoyance.

Yata itched the back of his neck and stood up. “Do you have a laptop or something? I forgot the address.”

Saruhiko walked out of the bedroom for a moment then came back with the laptop. “Here.” He dropped it in Yata’s lap. “Don't mess with or delete anything. Just look up what you have to look up.”

“Okay.” Yata nodded and opened the laptop. A green box was right in the middle of the screen, as if Saruhiko had forgotten to close out of the program.

JUNGLE monthly party.

…

Bring a date.

“Whoa, Saru. You're in JUNGLE?” The skater’s eyes widened. Saru went to say something, but Yata cut him off. “That's so cool!”

“Uh….” Saruhiko was taken aback about the comment. “Yeah. I am. Fifth place, to be exact.”

Yata’s eyes sparkled and his smile widened. “That’s awesome, Saru! You must be really smart to get that high up.” He seemed to completely forget about looking up the address. “It says here that you can go to a party. Who are you bringing?”

Saruhiko shrugged. “Might not even go.”

“So you don't have a date? Bring me!”

“What?!” The artist took a step back, not expecting the question.

Yata beamed up at him, unaware that the word date usually meant a couple’s date, not just two guys hanging out somewhere.

“No. You're not going.” Saruhiko shook his head and snached up his laptop. He quickly closed out of the program and opened a search engine. “Look up when you need to.”

Yata scowled at him, but he had walked out of the room. Fine. If you wanna be that way. Yata quickly looked up the place and wrote the address down before closing the laptop and heading out into the living room.

He walked in on Saru eating an energy bar. As if this was a personal offense to the skater, he walked up and took it from him. “What are you doing?” Saruhiko raised an eyebrow.

“You should eat something better than this.” Yata glared up at him.

“You don't have to scold me. You aren't my boyfriend or whatever.” Saruhiko took it back from him and finished it.

Yata blushed slightly and tried not to show it. “Here.” He pushed the address into his hand and grabbed his skateboard.

Saruhiko rolled his eyes and opened the door once he got his boots on. “I have a car.”

The skater nodded and walked out, spotting the car. He hopped over and got in once Saru opened the door.

“This place?” Fushimi stared at the building.

“Yep!” Misaki nodded. “Come on. We don't bite.”

“Mikoto might,” Fushimi said under his breath as Misaki opened the front door of Homra Bar.

Right when Fushimi walked in, he was assaulted with the smell of ash and alcohol. A shiny polished bar sat across the back wall of the room. A few people sat there, and one person made Fushimi freeze. Mikoto Suoh.

“Saru? What's wrong?” Misaki was looking up at him.

Fushimi pushed in his glasses and shook his head. “Nothing. So…. This is where your gang meets?”

“Yep!” he piped up. “But it's a bar, so anyone can come in here.”

Fushimi nodded and gazed at the rest of the room. The blond man from earlier, Eric, was on a black couch with some redhead fussing over him. A bartender stood at the bar. He waved at Fushimi and called across the room, “Oi! You must be Fushimi-kun. Yata told us about you.”

“Of course he did.” Fushimi sighed and walked forward. He glanced at Mikoto before sitting down, leaving a seat between them.

The bartender must’ve noticed and let out a laugh. “Don't look so worried. Mikoto is all bark and no bite.”

“I wouldn't guarantee that.” Mikoto took a drag from his cigarette.

The bartender just shook his head and grabbed a couple of glasses from behind the counter. “I'm Kusanagi Izumo.”

Misaki was sitting on Fushimi’s other side. “So this is Homra! Mikoto is our king.”

Fushimi nodded but kept his gaze on the bar top, so as not to look at the king. He only looked up when two glasses were set down, one in front of him and the other in front of Misaki. “The usual for Yata and a surprise for Fushimi.” The bartender smiled. “Enjoy!”

The artist muttered a thank you and took a sip of the blue drink he received. It wasn't that bad.

“Oh. You're awake, Anna?” Fushimi glanced over to see a little lion standing in the doorway leading to the back room. “Did we wake you?” Kusanagi asked.

The lion shook her head and walked over to the bar. She hopped up onto the stool between Mikoto and Fushimi. Her hood fell off to reveal a little girl with pure white hair. “Hello.” She looked at Fushimi. “You’re Misaki’s friend.”

Fushimi didn't know what to say at first, other than to ask why there was a little girl in a gang. “Uh… We're not friends.”

Anna took a sip from the juice Kusanagi had put on the counter. “The way he talked about you made it look that way.” She put the drink down.

“What did you tell her, Misaki?” Fushimi looked at the redhead.

Misaki blushed a little. “Nothing much. Just that you did my tattoo for me and stuff…”

“Nothing much?” The blond who was sitting on the couch scoffed. “We had to force you to go home and sleep or you would’ve been talking about him all night. And when you got here this morning you still just kept talking about him--” he made his voice higher to mock Misaki’s voice-- “‘He's so cool!’ ‘I want to see him again!’ ‘We should invite him over!’ The only thing that shut you up was King asking if he was your boyfriend.”

“Really?” Fushimi directed his attention to the scarlet-faced skater next to him, who was currently downing his drink. “And what was your answer to your king?”

“Shut up.” Misaki mumbled into his hand as he wiped his lips off.

The artist smirked, finally feeling relaxed enough here to tease him. “What was your answer, Mi~Sa~Ki?” He let each syllable draw out.

Misaki didn't say anything, and the deep rumble of Mikoto’s voice answered instead, “‘He isn't my boyfriend. That would be pretty sweet if he was though.’”

Fushimi actually blushed slightly at this and looked at the one in the middle of this conversation. Misaki had pulled his beanie completely over his face. A few words could be heard, but it sounded more like muttering. Kusanagi laughed slightly before speaking. “Yata, go make something for us to eat.” Misaki took his advice and ran out of the room to go hide in the kitchen, leaving Fushimi stranded with the gang members.

“So… Fushimi-kun. You look a little uncomfortable.” The bartender leaned against the counter.

“I'm not.”

“You're lying,” Anna said.

“No I'm no--” Fushimi glanced down at her and stopped. Anna was holding a red marble in front of her eye and was staring at the artist through it; it would’ve looked more serious if she wasn't wearing a lion sleeping onesie-thing.

Anna spoke again. “I noticed it when I came down here.” Her voice was light, but it held the kind of wisdom that usually comes with age.

“I was just curious about your powers.” Okay. That wasn't a lie, but it wasn't the main thing concerning him.

Anna didn't seem to notice that he wasn't giving a complete explanation--or she just decided to let him go. Kusanagi took a cigarette out of the box and flicked his fingers in front of it, lighting the stick. “I am too, actually. The power seems to travel down the gang members in Homra. I couldn't find anything when I tried to look it up, but I stopped trying once my search had reached Scepter 4, an spy and programming agency that works for the government. I wouldn't mess with Scepter 4, unless I wanted to be under the command of…. What's his name?”

“Munakata Reisi,” Mikoto informed.

“Yes. Him. I've heard stories about the people he deals with. They might be fake. Who knows?” Kusanagi finished.

Fushimi nodded and finished off his drink. “I'll guess I'll find Misaki. Thank you.” The artist got out of his seat and quickly went into the kitchen.

[ridiasfangirlings]

https://vm.tiktok.com/ZMMoqBGT3/ this with sarumi except the twist is Saruhiko is the writer and Yata the serial killer (I just don't think Yata would prefer writing over killing for some reason .. and comedic purposes)

Imagine Yata as a vaguely incompetent serial killer who’s only gotten away with it so far out of dumb luck, until he meets crime writer Fushimi who starts inadvertently telling him how to do it properly. I have trouble seeing Yata as someone who would be killing for the fun of it though so maybe he’s more like a ‘vigilante’ style serial killer, he kills people who think they’re above the law or who get light sentences for horrible crimes. When he was a kid his mom and stepdad were murdered by his bio-dad who managed to get off scott free on a technicality and it soured Yata on the whole justice system. Years later he managed to kill his dad himself, the body wasn’t found for years and Yata wasn’t a suspect because they’d had no contact since he was a kid. This makes Yata feel like maybe he can make a difference by getting rid of anyone he thinks the world would he better off without (oh and maybe he even kills Niki and Kisa, and the cops don’t catch him because Fushimi gets to the crime scene first and hides some crucial evidence since the killer did him such a favor after all). 

Yata works day jobs as a butcher in grocery store Homra run by Kusanagi and imagine he’s been feeling a little nervous lately because he almost got caught on his last kill. The Homra guys don’t know Yata’s a serial killer and just assume he’s feeling down because Kamamoto just got engaged and here Yata’s never been on a date with anyone. They decide to set Yata up with this dating app, Yata isn’t aware until it’s already installed that it matches you with others based on your search history and now he’s on high alert because his search history is…bad. He ends up matching with this guy Fushimi Saruhiko though and Yata decides why not, he may as well go on a date so he can get the guys off his back. 

When he first meets Fushimi they don’t seem to get along well at all, Yata can’t believe he matched with this gloomy nerd guy who looks like he never leaves the house. Fushimi grumbles that his annoying publisher made him a profile on the app without his consent and Yata’s like wait a publisher do you write. It turns out Fushimi is a really popular crime fiction/mystery author who writes under a pseudonym, Yata’s like oh I think I read some of one of your books before. Without thinking he adds that he thought the way the killer cleaned up the crime scene was unrealistic. Yata realizes what he just said and has an ‘oh shit’ moment, thinking he gave himself away, but Fushimi just clicks his tongue and adjusts his glasses as he says it wasn’t unrealistic at all, explaining the best way to clean up a crime scene without getting caught. Yata’s never really been good at the cleanup and starts taking mental notes. Eventually imagine Fushimi mentions he’s working on a short story right now but he’s stuck on the best way to stab someone so they’ll bleed out in just the right time frame, Yata’s like oh hey I know that one. Soon they’re just back and forth chatting about murder without a care in the world.

Thanks to Fushimi Yata is now an even better killer, he starts following Fushimi’s advice and suddenly his kills are much harder for the police detectives to deal with, imagine the detectives assigned to his cases had thought they were close to a breakthrough but now they aren’t even sure if this killer is the same guy. At the same time Yata likes to hang out with Fushimi while he’s writing, answering questions about how much blood is in the human body and could you really get blood out of bed sheets with this specific cleaner. Whenever Fushimi asks how Yata knows this kind of thing Yata laughs nervously and says he’s a butcher. Fushimi accepts that with a click of his tongue and doesn’t ask again, though imagine Yata is feeling a bit guilty because isn’t this like him using Fushimi and what if he gets Fushimi in trouble because Yata’s crimes are too similar to ones in Fushimi’s books. Eventually he comes to visit Fushimi one day as a police detective is leaving, Yata worriedly asks what happened and Fushimi says just people being idiots, thinking fiction is reality. Yata decides he has to confess but imagine Fushimi’s just like ‘I know,’ Yata’s all wait how the fuck did you know and Fushimi scoffs as he says for a serial killer Yata’s a terrible liar (also he hopes Yata enjoyed the free advice, Fushimi figures he owes Yata one for killing his parents which is, after all, the most romantic thing anyone has ever done for him).

[ridiasfangirlings]

Yata got in a fight with someone and now that guy wants revenge. He plans to make Yata suffer and so has to find out Yata's weakness. He was able to kidnap one of Yata's part-time job co-worker and also Fushimi who was also there and got distracted trying to save the other guy. The co-worker just wants to leave and tries to provide what little info he has of Yata. Fushimi is struggling not to say anything cause he knows the other co-worker is wrong about the things he's saying about Misaki.

Imagine Yata’s coworker keeps giving up all this information while Fushimi is quietly sitting there with a running monologue in his head: “Wrong. Wrong. Wrong. I can’t believe this idiot doesn’t even know Misaki’s height to the nearest centimeter. Wrong.” Imagine this post-ROK and some random Strain is trying to get revenge on Homra for defeating their gang. Yata was the point person for that particular mission and so the guy has focused all their attention on him, but at the same time the Strain isn’t that strong and wouldn’t be able to defeat someone like Yata on his own. The guy gets the idea to try and “find out Yata Misaki’s weakness,” like if he gathers enough information surely he can get his revenge. 

He decides to kidnap one of Yata’s coworkers, figuring he can get a lot of information that way. He waits until Yata’s gone on lunch and then attacks the place. As it happens Fushimi was supposed to meet Yata for lunch but got delayed by a S4 incident and he was coming to look for Yata at the store, so he’s present when this attack happens. Fushimi also happens to be off for the rest of the day, so he’s in casual clothes. Of course normally Fushimi could take the Strain down easily but say Yata’s coworker sees him and thinks like oh no that skinny nerd is in danger I need to get him out of the store, getting in Fushimi’s way when Fushimi tries to draw a knife. As a consequence the Strain is able to capture them both, taking Fushimi more as a ‘can’t leave any witnesses behind’ bonus.

Fushimi and Yata’s coworker are taken to some warehouse and imagine the poor innocent coworker is freaking out because why did he get kidnapped by some guy asking about Yata Misaki, is Yata really in the yakuza or something. The Strain basically ignores Fushimi, who is busily pulling a knife from his sleeve and quietly cutting through the ropes tying him to a chair. The Strain starts questioning the coworker, like I need to know all about Yata Misaki. First the Strain decides to try and focus on any relationship Yata might have, like maybe he has a girlfriend that can be exploited. The coworker says Yata’s always stuttering and running away whenever a woman walks in so he’s probably got a girlfriend he’s really devoted to, Fushimi rolls his eyes and thinks ‘no that’s just because he’s a huge virgin.’

The Strain keeps asking, like okay does he go out on a lot of dates. The coworker says Yata leaves early sometimes and says he’s going to a bar so maybe Yata’s into bar hopping (Fushimi thinks ‘that’s just when he’s going to Homra or meeting me’). When asked if Yata has any family the coworker says he’s seen Yata with a little girl with white hair, maybe she’s his illegitimate child (Fushimi almost breaks his cover laughing, thinking the Strain has a death wish if he decides to go after Anna). Also the guy once saw Yata talking to a blonde with huge boobs but he looked too freaked out by her to be dating her, maybe an older sister (Fushimi quietly clicks his tongue, Awashima must have been looking for him). The guy says he doesn’t think Yata has many friends, since he’s so loud and kinda annoying (Fushimi’s fingers twitch on the knife, his brain moving a mile a minute as he’s like Misaki has so many friends he’s uselessly friendly it’s so ridiculous, he only needs me but he smiles at everyone so everyone likes him, how stupid are you not to notice how many friends he has). 

This is about the time Fushimi cuts through his bonds and throws a few knives at the Strain just as Yata suddenly breaks into the room all worried because how dare this guy kidnap Saruhiko and also his coworker. As it turns out Fushimi also alerted S4 after being captured and they tracked his PDA, Awashima let Yata know so he insisted on going in first to help Saruhiko and that other guy too. The Strain sees Yata mostly ignoring his coworker in order to check on Fushimi and wonders where his plan all went wrong, like wait did I just kidnap some stranger and that skinny guy was Yata’s actual coworker, is that it.

[ridiasfangirlings]

Fushimi getting some formal swordsman’s training? because wtf was that?! 🤣💀

Fushimi can’t help that his swordsmanship style is….special. Maybe post-ROK he needs some additional training because everyone’s powers are becoming more unstable and work best when channeled through the sword. At the same time the weakening powers have made clansmen less ‘sturdy,’ so to speak, like everyone’s bodies are reverting more towards their actual physical condition without any additional stamina or strength. Obviously Fushimi is one of the people most strongly affected by this, since he’s a skinny unhealthy nerd, and on top of this his knives aren’t as effective as they used to be. He starts getting injured more often while going after Strains and finally Munakata decides that for Fushimi’s own safety and security it would be best to have him take some more formal swordsmanship training in order to improve his skills.

Fushimi is as expected not pleased about this, he’s long skipped out on training with everyone else and has basically just been doing whatever he wanted with his sword since he joined S4. Even with wanting Fushimi to improve I imagine Munakata wouldn’t make him attend training with everyone else, instead he would arrange things so that Fushimi can have more one-on-one instruction. Oh maybe Fushimi shows up at the dojo all expecting to have Awashima there to instruct him and instead Munakata is there waiting with Zenjoh. Munakata decided that since Fushimi’s style is unique it might be best to have him train with someone who is less regimented than Awashima, and therefore he decided putting Fushimi with Zenjoh would be the best course of action. 

I imagine neither Fushimi nor Zenjoh is terribly thrilled with this arrangement but Zenjoh did agree to it so he intends to teach Fushimi as best he can. When he has Fushimi spar just to test his skills I imagine Fushimi being somewhat defensive of his own abilities, expecting to be scolded or looked down upon for the style he decided upon himself because it isn’t ‘the right way’ of doing things. Instead Zenjoh just notes that it’s interesting, Munakata asks if Zenjoh can work with this and Zenjoh says he thinks so. Fushimi is surprised when it’s explained to him that Munakata doesn’t intend for Fushimi to mimic the normal S4 style, even now — the plan is that Zenjoh will help refine Fushimi’s existing style into a stronger form of swordsmanship, so that Fushimi can continue to do his duties without worry. Fushimi clicks his tongue and mutters that Munakata is the only one worrying but really he’s a bit more relaxed now, knowing that he isn’t going to have to adapt to an entirely new fighting style (he’s less relaxed after a few weeks of constant training, because it’s tiring and annoying and Zenjoh keeps encouraging him to drink water and Munakata is bringing him healthy snacks and he just wants to keep being unhealthy and spending all his time in his room thanks).