#hina can't read and it shows

[4-nomalie]

The twins are on snacks run in the middle of the night. Had to wear masks tho so fans wouldn't noticed them

And ofc, hina is being hina...

[tokyo-daaaamn-ji-gang]

Have you ever done head-cannons on what characters would be like if they had a big crush on you but it was before the point of confessions or dating? I've been craving content like that lately and if you could make some like that it'd make my day especially right now as I'm feeling quite poorly right now.

My favourite boys are Mikey, Chifuyu, Mitsuya, Baji and Angry.

Ok here's some of them in the crushing stage!

Mikey-

Suddenly starts hanging around you a lot more, he seems to be everywhere and keeps popping up.

Clamours for you attention, calling your name and asking for your opinions on things, he wants to hang out with you a lot.

He'll be in the middle of telling you about the latest gang he's beaten up before suddenly dropping a "your eyes are so beautiful" then goes back to talking about the gang. You have no idea if you heard him correctly or not. 

Will make Draken carry your bag or anything else that your holding

He'll also be very touchy and affectionate with you. Casually holding your hand to lead you somewhere and resting his head on your lap to sleep. 

It's like he's already in the relationship but hesitates to ask you. 

Would bring you along to a "double date" with Takemichi and Hina but say it's just a casual hang out.

Also warns the rest of the gang/ friend group to back off. 

Eventually confesses after taking you for a drive on his bike (it helps him to relax)

Chifuyu-

He's suddenly a nervous wreck around you, blushing everytime he even talks to you, he tries to play it cool but when you look at him he's just overwhelmed by his crush.

Fidgets a lot too and has a hard time being around you for long.

Eventually turns to manga to help him out, this involves him coming up with several complicated plans with never work.

Leaves anonymous notes for you, saying how cool he thinks you are, along with little gifts. He becomes your secret admirer. 

Is very observant and has a good memory of what you've said you like and dislike 

All his friends are aware of his crush and tease him over it a lot.

He also reads a lot more manga while crushing on you for "research"

Daydreams about you a lot

He ends up confessing after his friends set him up with you and is beyond thrilled when you say yes.

Mitsuya-

Smiles a lot more at you, sure he always smiled before but there's something different about these smiles. They're more warm and his eyes seem to light up more. 

He actually fights with his feelings for you for awhile, he considers confessing but thinks you deserve someone better then him so he stays quiet. But still his feelings don't go away

You inspire a lot of his creativity with his handcrafts

Yasuda and any of the other girls he works with in the future end up rooting for the two of you. You're not sure why they seem to smile so much whenever you and Mitsuya are talking. 

He goes out of his way to "defend" you from the gang/ friend group (they're only teasing like you do the same back to them but that doesn't stop Mitsuya from sticking up for you)

Hugs you a lot, both when the two of you meet up and then say goodbye. The hugs always last longer then you would expect

Spends a lot of time working on something special whenever it's your birthday 

Eventually he can't not tell you anymore so spills everything and is surprised to find out you feel the same way.

Baji-

Spends an extra long time on his appearance and hair before he sees you.

His mother actually realises he's crushing on someone before he does.

He talks about you so often, he doesn't even realise he's doing it. Kazutora and Chifuyu always give a knowing look to each other when he brings you up.

Loves hearing the sound of your laugh, when he's the one to make you laugh he gets very happy about it.

Throws his arm around you a lot, although he did do this before his crush, he does it a lot more after.

He's actually a bit embarrassed when it's brought up though, like he will blush if someone mistakes the two of you as being in a relationship.

Tries to show off in front of you a bit, will beat guys up in front of you.

Confesses in a rush one day, he talks very quickly, so much that you almost miss whay he's trying to say. He's just nervous but relaxes after you kiss him on the cheek and say yes.

Angry- 

His kindness is turned up to 100 once he has a crush on you, he was always nice before but now he's overly nice, always willing to help you with everything.

He also tries to take care of any injuries you may have. He figures it's something he's done for the others before so it must be an easy way of getting closer to you. But he quickly realises it's actually very hard to concentrate when he's getting to touch and care for you. He fumbles the bandages a few times and can't look you in the eyes while being so close.

Tries to talk to you as often as possible 

Also gives you free restaurant food a lot

Smiley calls the two of you "lovebirds" which makes Angry blush

Writes a few songs about you that his band end up playing 

Ends up confessing to you late one night when it's just the two of you in the restaurant. 

[theamityelf]

Crazy ai idea makoto is his entire classes soulmate au imagine the chaos and the weird tsundere alliance Byakuya and Celeste would have as well as the possibility that junko would quickly figure out her and Mukuro share a soulmate

Not for nothing, there is a fanfiction similar to this (at least the "Makoto is his entire class's soulmate" aspect) called "You Can Do It, Togami," which I read recently on AO3. (I haven't finished it, but it's cool!)

I'm not sure whether this is more fun if it's all one kind of soulmate (Like, everyone occasionally sees through his eyes and he occasionally sees through theirs, etc.) or if it's all different kinds. He's got soulmate marks, he's seeing visions, he's seeing in color, there's a timer on his skin, just everything.

(And that's if it's reciprocated. It could be that they get the symptoms and he doesn't.)

Some fun possible scenarios include but are not limited to:

His classmates all have different soulmate marks, but they all represent him. Sayaka has the crane, Kyoko maybe has a bunny rabbit, Taka has a clover, Mukuro has a teddy bear, etc. (These are just examples, except Sayaka's; that one's definitely it.) They each realize that he's the one represented by their soulmate marks at different times (except Sayaka, who knew it since middle school). Meanwhile, he's got marks for all of them, and it's pretty obvious who his marks represent, so much so that he's embarrassed to show pretty much any skin because he knows it looks kind of pathetic for the Ultimate Lucky Student to show up to school with soulmate marks for all his talented classmates.

Everything that marks your soulmate marks you, and vice versa. Everyone who has Makoto for a soulmate keeps getting skinned knees, stubbed toes, bumped heads, etc. Meanwhile, Makoto is getting the works all the time: Hina twisted her ankle and now he needs a cast, Mondo got in a fight and now Makoto has all kinds of bruises and cuts, Kyoko's hands?!?! (Presumably frequent migraines and a scar on his head from Kamukura.) He shows up to Hope's Peak with gloves like Kyoko (but not leather; something comfortable), a knee brace like Hina, just various band-aids. His pain tolerance is incredible. He'll just raise his hand in the middle of class, like, "I think I need to go to the nurse again," and blood is running down his face because his forehead scar reopened again. (He doesn't get the internal affects of the Kamukura Project.)

Vision-sharing. Kind of like I mentioned. He occasionally sees through everyone individually, everyone individually occasionally sees through him. Maybe including dream sharing. This could basically mean that everyone kind of grew up with Makoto, in a way. Characters like Byakuya and Kyoko get a glimpse of a normal life. Everyone in his class kind of knows Komaru from glances and out-of-context scenes. Everyone knows Makoto's handwriting (or has the opportunity to know it; some of them might not be that observant), from watching him do schoolwork. Meanwhile, Makoto going through his childhood seeing through all of them at different times would definitely earn a reputation as a daydreamer, and no one believes him when he says how many different soulmates he seems to have. Plus it means that later on, once he actually meets all of them in person, there's a high probability that any personal time he spends with one of his soulmates will be seen by a different one.

Unreciprocated would also be fun! Makoto is just living his life like normal and everyone else is having their varied reactions to him. Maybe he has no marks or symptoms, or maybe he only has one or two. Whatever the case, it doesn't mean he can't come to reciprocate their feelings; there's still hope for them yet.

I realize this post covered more ground than it delved into anything in detail, so feel free to send another ask regarding a particular scenario you want to explore, lol.

(Next post)

[spooky-bunnys]

I have this idea for a request

The reader is secretly sneaking out of the house to go on a date with taiju and the reasoning for sneaking out is quite obvious mikey and Shinichiro don’t like taiju and our quite protective of the reader after his last relationship was bad and from what happened between taiju and his siblings. But the reader loves taiju and their relationship is beautiful pure innocent love. The reader and taiju head to a nice restaurant and after that they head to a beautiful flower garden where they plan on having their first kiss but they get interrupted by what appears to be motorcycle noises and it’s of mikey, Shinichiro and the rest of toman (the reader would be like a mom/father figure to the toman members and toman doesn’t want to see the reader get hurt) and Mikey saying stuff like “get your Christian hands off my brother” and Shinichiro is saying “our brother is too good for in fact he’s too good for anyone” and they can attack taiju and drag the reader back to the house they are being held back by grandpa sano, izana sano and Emma sano and they tell everyone to go back and let their brother and taiju have their romantic moment and kiss but not before Shinichiro spewing threats saying how he isn’t afraid to go to jail if taiju so much as leaves a micro scar on their brother

And the reader would probably get grounded for sneaking out after the date and kiss

Listen. I know Taiju is made out to be a bad guy. But Taiju is one of my favorite characters in Tokyo Revengers. He's also extremely attractive in my opinion. Also I changed it up a bit. Hope that was okay. Enjoy!

First Kiss

Taiju x Male Reader

(Name) smiled brightly at his phone. Quickly replying and giggles quietly. Emma smiles watching her brother be so happy especially after what he stupid ex did to him. Therapy could only do so much. But now he luckily had a very loving family. Unfortunately two of the three brothers are too loving now a days. Speak of them and they shall appear.

"(Name)! Who ya texting?" "Yeah who? Is it anyone we know?" Mikey and Shinichiro tried reading over (Name)'s shoulders until their grandfather slammed the paper onto the table getting everyone's attention. "Shinichiro. Manjiro. What have I said about reading something that doesn't involve you?" The two flinched as Izana laughed at them. "Yeah~"

They glared at Izana who shrugged them off. "So Aniki have you had time you check my bike?" Shinichiro confused stared at him. "What?" Izana looked at Shinichiro in disbelief. "I asked you to check my bike out like a week ago because I can't get my breaks to work. I almost crashed remember?" Shinichiro froze trying when he asked. He shook his head coming up with nothing.

Izana glared at Shinichiro before marching off and Shinichiro quickly went behind him. Probably to figure out what exactly was going on with their brothers bike. Emma took a quick Glace at Mikey. "Hey Mikey?" Mikey turned to Emma with a hum. "Aren't you late for a meeting?" Mikey confused looked down at his phone. "No we don't have a meeting until tonight."

Emma pulled her phone out showing him the messages between her and Hina. "Really? Cause Hina told me that Takemichi told her that Chifyuu told that Draken told him you guys were having an early meeting due to our date tonight." Mikey froze staring at Emma. "You do remember scheduling the meeting early for our triple date right? Me and Draken, Takemichi and Hina, and Senju and you?" (JUST A WARNING I DO NOT SHIP THESE CHARACTERS)

Mikey paled. Did he seriously forget that? Mikey quickly ran out of the house. Emma followed throwing a wink towards (Name) who smiled. (Name) took a peak at his grandfather who gave a short nod. (Name) grinned and quickly grabbed a jacket before kissing his grandfather's cheek and raced off to the restaurant where he boyfriend of almost 4 months was waiting.

When (Name) saw the restaurant he was surprised at how nice it was. He suddenly felt very under dressed. As he made his way to the entrance he was stopped by a hand on his shoulder making him jump. He quickly looked over his shoulder seeing his boyfriend smiling softly at him. (Name) smiles and kisses his cheek giggling. "Taiju!"

Taiju wrapped his arms around (Name) pulling him close and sighs happily. "So how'd you get out this time?" (Name) excitedly started talking about how Emma is distracting Mikey and Izana is doing the same to Shinichiro. Taiju led (Name) through the restaurant until they arrived in the private room he booked. "Then grandpa gave me signal and I came straight here!"

When (Name) finished he realized they were already settled in a back room. "Oh..." He blushed embarrassingly. "I guess I was so busy talking I didn't notice we arrived to the room..." Taiju let out a laugh pulling out (Name)'s chair then pushing it in. Then joining on the other side. "Well I'm glad you made it on time. Our reservation wasn't missed this time." He sent a playful look towards (Name).

(Name) blushed more covering his face. "I said sorry!" They had to cancel their last dinner date due to (Name) not being able to sneak away from his brothers on time. (Name) suddenly sighed sadly and slowly grabbed Taiju's hand. "Tai?" Taiju let out a soft hum telling (Name) he was listening while he gripped (Name)'s hand gently. (Name) nervously played with Taiju's fingers.

"Aniki and Mikey are getting suspicious..." Taiju frowned. (Name) held Taiju's hand tighter looked sad and scared. "I think we should tell them soon. I mean I already told our grandfather, Emma, and well Izana was accidentally told....but he's keeping it a secret for now. But I think we should tell the others soon." Taiju sighed looking away.

He hadn't told either of his siblings. He knows how they'll react to their oldest brother dating "The Angel Sano". While his brothers all had dangerous nicknames in th delinquent world (Name)'s wasn't so much dangerous. It's more cute now that Taiju thought about it. It definitely suit him. Though (Name) has become more then am Angel to him. (Name) had become his god.

Taiju kissed they're combined hands. "Alright Angel. If that's what you think is best. We'll let them know. But right now let's focus on our date. I was thinking after this we could go to the flower garden. The one with all the Cherry Blossoms." (Name) nodded excitedly. Throughout dinner Taiju got (Name) to forget his worries. Only relaxing and laughing.

After finishing the desert which (Name) will absolutely have to find the recipe for. Taiju tangled his fingers with (Name) pulling him towards (Name)'s favorite spot. The flower garden where they first met. Cherry Blossoms surrounded them and (Name) stared at the view of the blossoms in awe. While Taiju stared at him. The look of awe on his face made Taiju's expression soften.

It was all thanks to (Name) that he changed so much. He used to be so violent and angry. But now? Taiju cleared his throat gaining (Name)'s attention who smiled brightly at Taiju. The duo were so immersed in themselves that they didn't notice another person there. A look of shock and horror covered they're face.

At the shrine Mikey was waiting for everyone to show up. Chatting with Draken about what different gangs have been up to. If any of them are a threat to toman and what not. "Oi ken-chin. (Name) has been suspicious recently." Emma who was beside them slightly froze lisstening in to the conversation. "Hah? What do you mean?"

Mikey goes on to explain how (Name) has been more smiling and happy. Then he mentions how he's always on his phone then disappearing. Draken shrugs. "Maybe he's got a new boyfriend." The look of confusion on Mikey's face slowly turned to a look of disbelief. "(NAME) HAS A BOYFRIEND?!" His yelling had caught everyone's attention. "Wait what! Are you serious?!" Everyone turned to Hakki.

Whose face was extremely pale. "Please tell me your kidding." Confused Mitsuya quickly asked Hakki what was going on. "Wait Yaz let me put you on speaker." Hakki quickly put his sister on speaker Everyone quiet. Trying to Hear what was being said. Her voice filled the shrine. Clear panic in her voice. "Taiju is here at the Cherry Blossom garden with (Name)!" The air turned cold as everyone froze.

She continued. "They look like their on a date!" Mikey quickly ran towards Hakki snatching the phone. "Yazuha can you repeat that?" His voice cold and serious. "Okay so I came to the Cherry Blossom garden with some friends. Well, I was looking for the bathroom when I heard (Name)'s voice. Which confused me because when I asked him to come with us he said he was busy. But I saw him holding hands and laughing with Taiju!"

(Name) is on a date with Taiju? Mikey gripped the phone tighter. "Are you sure it's them?" "Yeah! Wait hang on something is happening." Everyone was quiet and on edge. "Wait are they about to kiss?" That's all Mikey needed before he closed the phone throwing back towards Hakki making his way to his bike.

When he got oh his bike and flipped open his phone. He quickly found Shinichiro's number. It was silent before the voice of the oldest Sano filled the now cold and quiet air. "Mikey what do you need? I'm busy fixing Izana's bike right now so it better be important." "(Name) is out on a date with Taiju." "Wait Shiba Taiju? The guys Inupi was talking about the other day! Oh hell no!"

Mikey put away his phone. Looking up meeting the eyes of Toman. "Toman let's go resuce (Name)!" Toman yelled taking off towards their bikes when Mikey met his sisters eyes. He noticed the panic look on here face. He thought she was worried about (Name). "Don't worry Emma. I'm gonna get (Name) and come straight home. Ken-chin take her home and tell the old man what's going on."

While Toman was headed towards the Cherry Blossom garden, Shinichiro was on the phone with Takeomi explaining what Mikey told him. Takeomi explained everything he knew about the oldest Shiba. "Shin I'm telling you this guy is not a good one. He doesn't need to be around someone like (Name) especially. Who knows what kind of harm he'll do to him." Shinichiro paled. (Name) already has enough trauma from his last relationship. He doesn't need more.

Shinichiro told Takeomi to get to his house while he was gonna wait for Mikey to bring (Name) home. When Draken dropped Emma home she immediately made her way to her grandfather telling him what happened. When Izana walked in she too told him what happened. "I thought we were being careful enough!" Emma cried.

She was nervous of how her older brothers were gonna react. She just hopes it won't start a war or anything like that. Besides she knows how much (Name) means to Taiju. It wasn't that long when they eard Mikey's bike and arguing? The Sano's made there way outside where a teary eyed (Name) was and an angry Mikey. "(Name) you don't understand how dangerous he is!"

(Name) just shook his head and stomped into the house. Pushing passed a frantic Shinichiro and a worried Emma. When Izana saw the broken look on his face he snapped. "Mikey what the fuck did you do?!" Mikey looked up in disbelief. "What do you mean? (Name) was out and about with Taiju! Remember what happened at Christmas?!"

Emma frowned glaring hatefully at herbrother. "That doesn't explain why (Name) looked so upset! Manjiro what did you do?" Emma never calls him by his actual name. Mikey looked her in the eyes and glared back. "I saved our brother from making a mistake! Toman is taking care of him right now." Shinichiro nodded proudly. "Good job Jiro." He patted Mikey on the head.

What they weren't expecting was the glares the two got when they looked at their family. "What?" They both asked. That's when they were yelled at. Hell even Izana was yelling at his brothers. They stopped when Takeomi came in breaking the yelling. "Hey Shin 'm here. Also Taiju is outside and (Name) is climbing out his window." Everyone quickly made there way outside where a beat up Taiju was hugging a sobbing (Name).

Mikey and Shinichiro immediately started yelling at he taller male. "Oi! Get your Christian hands off (Name)!" "Yeah! My baby brother is too good for you. In fact nobody is good enough for him!" When they went to stomp over to them. They were grabbed by the back of their shirts. Their grandfather glaring at them. With Emma and Izana standing in front of them.

"What are you guys doing?! We need to save (Name)!" The duo were slapped on the back of their heads. Hard. The trio then began to explain how Taiju had proved that he truly loved an cared for (Name). How Taiju had saved (Name) from not only rival gangs that wanted to hurt the Sano delinquents. But also how he saved (Name) from is ex a few months ago.

"Don't you two see? (Name) changed Taiju to his best self. Taiju loves (Name) for that. And I'm extremely disappointed in you two for breaking up such an important date! You two should be ashamed for how you reacted." The two Sano boys were being lectured by the other three Sano members. "Now. You are going to let them finish their date AND FINALLY HAVE THEIR FIRST KISS!"

Shinichiro jumped to his feet. "Listen here Christian boy! If I see any injuries on him I swear to any and EVERY God I'll kill you. I don't care about going to jail for it!" Takeomi started dragging him away into the house. Izana and Emma doing the same to Mikey. The oldest Sano turned to the two and smiled. "I deeply apologize for that. (Name) why don't you stay with Taiju tonight. Just don't have too much fun."

(Name) blushed and hid his face in Taiju's chest. Which was rumbling in laughter. "I'm sorry about my brother's. Are you hurt anywhere?" (Name) started frantically searching Taiju. He was stopped when Taiju pulled him close and gently held his face. Staring in his eyes. They slowly started leaning in. "HEY! ABSOLUTELY NOT! ACK-." They turned seeing Shinichiro on the ground with Izana ontop of him.

"Sorry about him continue please." They watched as Izana quite literally dragged Shinichiro into the house. (Name) nervously looked at Taiju. "C-Can we try that again?" They started leaning forward again. This time their lips met with no interruptions. It was like fireworks were let off inside them. It was magical and gull of nothing but pure and undoubtedly love.

They both pulled away, slightly panting and Taiju rested his head on (Name)'s shoulder. (Name) giggled and played with his hair. "I love you Tai." "I love you Angel."

[keviniiryuu]

okay like last time, I will compile my reaction/thoughts for ep13 and gbc as a whole :D (i don't do this often bc I can't write well... but..)

I knew it.... I don't like Hina HAHA. Like, I get her, but you really left Nina just like that huh?

Go tell her off! Maybe people will say that Nina is having a hero complex or sticking her nose in to other people's business, but I think it's very brave of her.

Also, ngl, I didn't expect for this to be the reason why she was bullied...

Momoka no......

Miura-san is a goat for this one and why does Subaru looks like she's saying "God, why did it end up being me explaining it to you"

Seriously having this truck right by their agency is a huge slap to the face

Nina Fang (also Nina stop reading the negative comments...)

"I was wrong and Hina was right all long." You know what? Fuck you, Hina. I know at present it's like Hina lowkey pushing Nina and motivating her, but I can't appreciate it that much lmao.

I love the moments where Momoka gets all serious/mature mode

Momoka apologizing.... seeing everyone getting shocked about it.... Honestly, this one broke my heart a bit. Momoka, who had lost all self-confidence, had rebuilt it very slowly because of Nina's and everyone else's trust in her.

So, seeing the song that was made by her with the members in mind not doing well must be a blow to that fragile confidence yet again. She was guilty that she let everyone down.

you're not wrong, nina. i promise you.

Everyone is tired (affectionate) of Nina's outbursts while Momoka looks awestruck... Of course, we will add this to the album of the Momoka Gayze (tm) but I think this is also related to her self-confidence.

I just said that Momoka felt guilty and like how Momoka blew Nina away in Ep. 1, Nina's outburst blew her away in a way that no, no one was blaming Momoka for their failure and the person that she is closest to still believes and trusts in her.

That awestruck gaze, admiring Nina's confidence and unwavering belief for her and the group. To the song. To their decision and that they weren't wrong. Maybe I'm just overthinking it, but let me be lmao.

ugh the softness in her gayze.... i can't...

SHUT THE FUCK UP HINA. Nina is brave enough to do the things no one would normally do!!

bro whoever that was, it's on sight. also momoka, subaru. fight em

tomo no...

sigh... i love togetoge

let them drink!!!

Momoka gayze again

You love this city (and Momoka) and met friends (and a girlfriend) right Nina?

Ngl, I did like the touch that no miracle happened. Like, oh wow, a sudden burst of tickets selling! It is what it is.

First time when i'm sad we didn't get a training arc for Nina playing guitar

I love them

idiot (affectionate)

ngl. the song is not for me HAHAHA but welp. I will take this camera angle. thanks.

Okay, now for GBC as a whole: I adore this show so fucking much. I didn't expect to fall in love with the show when I started watching it, but man. I am so glad that I didn't wait for this to finish and got to wait each week for a new episode with everyone.

Personally, the ending was okay. It feels like it's just the beginning, so it didn't feel like an ending ending. Idk how to explain it. It just.... it's like not everything has been concluded.

Regarding momonina: I am not surprised that nothing happened on camera. But with all the subtext and hints, I will take it. Sure, I wished they addressed the confession more openly, but you can't win it all.

Overall, this is my anime of the season, possibly anime of the year, and definitely one of my all time favorites. Maybe I'll make a post about the ED (since it's an epilogue), about momonina, or my fave moments throughout the season but we'll see haha.

"I wasn't wrong, was I?"

"To fall in love with Girls Band Cry."

[a-oct0]

My personal versions of the Squidbeak Splatoon Agents! More info on each Agent below the cut-

Captain

Current leader of the Agents (Marie is his second in command)

His actual name is Adam

He's got a twin sister and younger sister (Agent 4)

Everyone besides Agent 4 calls him Captain, 4 calls him 3.

Due to the events down in the deepsea metro he suffers from sanitization scars all down the right side of his body, while generally they don't bother him they can flare up and hurt quite badly. So he doesn't go on many missions anymore.

While he is quite strong and battle smart, he's also incredible dense- and a bit dumb- high intelligence, low wisdom is the best way to put it.

Agent 4

Self proclaimed "Best Agent"

Her actual name is Camri

She has an older sister and older brother (Captain)

Roommates with Agent 8

Doesn't proclaim that title for nothing, she's the most skilled with multiple weapon types out of the four agents.

Wears shades to hide her sunken in eyes, claims it's cause "Sleep is for the weak" however she stays up late playing video games/reading because of nightmares she doesn't want to deal with.

Incredibly egotistical, sarcastic and all around snarky. She isn't mean no matter how rude she seems. She won't just insult someone for no reason.

She also during her time in Octo Canyon she picked up how to understand Octarian (loosely she isn't fluent or anything)

Agent 8

Originally from Octo Valley

His actual name is Octavius

He's the youngest of eight, however due to the amnesia he doesn't fully remember all his older siblings (some have made it to the surface, some haven't)

Roommates with Agent 4

Still suffers from nightmares due to his time down the the deepsea metro.

He's quite cocky and very proud but to the extent that he physically cannot bring himself to show vulnerability around others.

Which has cause him to spend the last 5 years silently but not very subtly pinning for Captain (who's too dumb to realise) because he can't bring himself to be open and confess.

Agent 3

Also commonly referred to as just Neo

Their actual name is Hina

They have a twin brother who they live with in Splatsville where they're from.

They have a pet smallfry whos nicknamed lil Buddy

The red markings under their eyes and on their hands are inkmarks (or inkfish birthmarks)

They are the most calm and collected of the group (ironically). They also tend to be quite blunt, not realising what they say is slightly hurtful.

Probably the least traumatised from their time as an agent, however they can't look at Judd or lil Judd the same way again- anything furry or fuzzy makes them very uncomfortable.

[asaka-lucy-dr-rc]

English version DR:THH Gameplay Log #4

⚠️ Note that this Gameplay Log contains many spoilers, not only for THH but also for the entire Danganronpa franchise.

[Previous #3]

---

In the original, the way he speaks is fairly normal, but in the EN text, some bluntness(?) seems to have been added, perhaps to make his biker gang style more obvious.

---

(I failed to take a screenshot of the EN version. Sorry!) When Makoto looked him up online, he said that gangs love him, but it seems that they translated it appropriately here. (The original texts are almost exactly the same, though.)

---

hehe, the original text makes it sound like Makoto is very hesitant to talk to him. Yeah, I know it can't be helped, because the overuse of the "..." pause is weird in English.

---

It is interesting to see the word "よろしく" translated in various ways in the English version. If they had not made any special effort, I think her line would have been translated as "Hi, I'm Junko Enoshima. Nice to meet ya!" or something like that. But actually her "よろしく" is translated as "Charmed, I'm sure!". I wonder if this translation was done based on the fact that they will be talking about her appearance later.

---

Oh, I was surprised to see the word "photoshopped" used, since photoshop is the name of a specific software, and such words tend to be avoided in stories produced in Japan. I was a little surprised to see the word "photoshopped" used so openly. By the way, the word "盛ってる" is used in the original text. This is a slang used mainly by girls, and the act of making oneself look pretty in general, whether the image is edited or not, is called "盛る". ("盛ってる" is the form with -ing added to "盛る" if I were to compare it to English).

---

Huh, is it because her name is Junko that she uses the word "junk" so much??? 😂 If so, it is an interesting idea.

---

This is also the case the "…" in the original text was difficult to translate, but the original has a bit more of a sense of Kyoko's confusion about her lack of memory, but I feel the EN text makes Kyoko seem simply cold. (I'm pretty sure Kyoko is cold in the original as well, though.)

---

Oh, yeah, I finally got to see Chihiro called by "she".

ehehe, the original uses the word "小動物 (little animal)", but the English version is a bit more specific, saying "little bunny". Awww, I like the fact that Chihiro is compared to a bunny, because when I think of a bunny, I think of Usami and Chiaki. An image of Chihiro and Chiaki wearing bunny ears comes to mind. ( ᵕ̤ᴗᵕ̤ ).。o♡

---

Ah, I remember that Hina as well as Taka was one of the names that confused me when I saw them in English fandom. When I first saw it, I was like "Hina? .........Who is Hina?" Is this also because Aoi is hard to pronounce?

---

haha, in the original, Makoto shows no hesitation in saying the word "プロポーション (proportions)," but in the English version, he seems a little reluctant to say it, which is cute! <3 Perhaps the English Makoto is kinder than the original.

---

Uh, this is the part that gets weird when translated into English. In the original she does not know how to write Naegi's Nae in kanji and asks him about it, but in the English version the statement is that she does not know how to spell it. In reality, when Japanese people introduce themselves to each other, it is very common for them to ask each other what kind of kanji their partner's name uses. However, the kanji "苗 (Nae)" is quite simple and should be easy to understand since there are almost no other kanji with the same reading. So, it is a conversation that shows that she is quite stupid... well, I guess it is good enough that she doesn't know how to spell "Naegi", because it also shows that she is stupid.

[Next #5]

[shockersalvage]

Danganronpa 3: Future Arc Rewrite (Part 1: DISTRUST Life)

Now this has been something that's been about years in development. Okay, for this Rewrite in particular, it would probably be about a year and half, but since 2016 I've always wanted to try my hand at a rewrite to DR3. For me, while it is not the worst in Danganronpa's entries (that honor goes to Killer Killer) it is still not exactly my favorite for a variety of reasons. Personally, while it does have some good moments in there, overall I do not really believe that it ends the Hope's Peak story on a satisfying note to really end things on. That isn't to say anyone else can't like it, it's just some of the writing decisions it made just didn't land home for me. Throughout the rewrite, I'll be gradually going about each decision when I feel it's a good time to discuss it and why I changed things the way I did.

This is rewrite is essentially how I would go about things, with a pretty big one just off the bat. In this version, instead of alternating between a Future and Despair Arc, it's just simply a 24 'episode' outline that covers Future Arc with Despair Arc elements acting the new 'main story' of DR3.

I've done it this way because I believe that, while it was an interesting decision, the current format of DR3 lead to both sides characters, story and concepts being underdeveloped as it bounced between a killing game and trying to give the full-ish story of the Tragedy. So I thought it was best to give each their own section, with Despair Arc being its own thing for a separate date.

Regardless, I hope, at the very least, this becomes a nice read for you all! Happy New Years!

Distrust Life 1-12

(Episode 1)

Now this starts off with the first major change being Asahina being promoted to Director of the 13th Division. Now one of the issues, on the minor scale, was the 13th Director never showing up and being seemingly forgotten. Nowhere in media concerning DR3 do they ever appear. So off the bat, we’re rectifying this by just having Hina be the Director upfront, with the explanation that its a recent promotion.

As for the former Director, who I will call ‘Yoshiko Yoshino’ (who is the old PE. Teacher shown briefly in DR3 - who got blown up by Junko. Here its the other PE Teacher, yes there were 2, that gets blown up instead)  she had been heavily injured in an attack prior to Hina coming onto the Division. Yoshiko is retiring after chronic pain still persisted. She compliments Hina for her efforts that have been non-stop since she arrived and how she genuinely feels she can leave the Division to her hands.

We get a flashback to Hina watching over the reunion of her friend's loved ones who were Targets in the Demon Hunting Game (except Komaru whose still in Towa). Though upon learning that her brother, Yuta, didn’t make it out of it, she smiles and wishes them all the best before eventually slinking off. Tears down her face, and blaming Junko’s forces for it. With an urge to do more surging through her veins, she tranfers over to the 13th Division to deliver supplies to areas still incredibily afflicted by Despair's wrath. Through a montage, we see Hina going about wrecked areas of Japan dutifully giving supplies, fighting off foes and being kind to those who need all. All while keeping the image of her brother in mind. In the present, by the time she leaves her office, nervous yet determined to give a speech to her new underlings, she is instead greeted by Togami and she gets the news that Naegi has been arrested.

Another flashback shows that once Makoto, Togami and Kyoko has arrived back to FF mainland, Kyosuke had arranged to have Makoto taken away in handcuffs and taken to Division 6th Detention centre. Kyosuke, Juzo and Chisa were there in person to greet the trio on the docks. Kyosuke and Juzo, naturally, were both furious concerning the whole ‘Makoto taking the Remnants’ incident and were it not for Makoto’s popularity, would have killed him on the spot. Instead, the Ultimate Hope is being confined.

Concerning Kyoko and Togami, given their positions as both Director and Vice Director of the 14th Divison, as well as being celebrities for going against Junko, they can’t just fire them outright. Instead Kyoko is temporarily suspended from her duties and kept under watch by the 5th Branch, for questioning and to keep a close eye on her well. Since only one ‘Director’ is needed present with the 14 Division, Togami is sent back but is a close eye is being kept by Kyosuke’s forces.

Thus, the only one who can realistically visit Makoto to help him is Hina (Hagakure got kicked out due to both not being a Director and because the prison staff is sick of dealing with him & his antics normally). Though at the moment, despite being a Director, she is barred from the facility given her connection with Makoto. Now Asahina has been thoroughly out of the loop for a while now, so Togami catches her up to speed with the basic summary of the Havoc Crew, barring her, Toko and Hagakure (though the latter two got to know, eventually during the operation itself), having initiated a plan meant to rehabilitate the Remnants. The results of which are shaky at best (to Togami anyways). She’s shocked and a bit hurt given such a secret was kept from her, but tries to push that down. She needs to check up on Makoto. But, the only way she is getting into the facility is with permissions from seven other Directors of the Foundation, which came from the prison staff themselves when she visited in an attempt to try to sway them.

Thus leading to the scene where storms out and runs smack dab into a drinking Koichi Kizakura to end the first episode.

(Episode 2)

Now this stretch is what I like to call the ‘Directors of the Week’ episodes! Where each episode we get to learn a deal about the Directors, ideally that being two an episode. In this case, Koichi is our handy-dandy support that shall assist Hina in her (mis)adventures. Truth be told, she’s kind of weary of him wanting to pal around with her for a time since she knows since back from her HPA days he’s kind of a weak alcoholic. He wins her over with him dangling his knowledge of the the Directors in her face and his promise to hand over his recommendation from the get-go. It’s also him that suggests meeting the others in person since the Directors would likely be on their feet or busy with personal matters more often than would be sitting back reading emails a whole lot. Koichi had been in the area getting a drink from the nearby pub, but running into Hina like this, he believes it must be fate working its hand.

In terms of dynamics, the idea behind Asahina and Koichi being together, is for Koichi to be essentially the enabling drinker and bit a of cheeky teaser, with a touch of a manipulative side, to Hina’s impulsive, hot-blooded and cheerful attitude. That said, this is a Hina that has matured since her DR1 days and will have no problem snipping back at Koichi’s intentions and being more aware of the seedier side of humanity.

First stop Great Gozu at the 12th Branch via helicopter. Now with Gozu, his focus would concern fleshing out a bit of a peculiarity that the original DR3 didn’t go into. Namely, how come a Wrestler is in charge of public restoration efforts. In addition, despite revealing he’s been with the Foundation since it was first established, why is he apart of the 12th one? Well, in this case, he notes his status as Director of 12th Branch is more because of his ‘image’ than anything. During the heyday of the Tragedy, any attempts at restoration was stopped by criminals, from petty thugs to Remnants seeking to keep chaos. It was believed that Gozu, who got into more than his fair share of fights against the Remnants and criminals, being named a Director could essentially work to scare off such threats, thus allowing his men to work in peace. Of course, both Gozu and an armed security detail are always deployed as well - just in case scaring off people doesn't work. To prove a point, the episode would show Gozu suplexing some poor troublemakers trying to cause havoc at a youth centre Restoration site.

This episode would also address something that was never brought up in the anime: His relationship with Tengan and his backstory. During his talk, he explains how he was a rising star of a professional wrestler back during his youth and Tengan happened to be watching his shows. As such, he got scouted by for Hope’s Peak. He became Tengan’s bodyguard as a means of repaying such a debt, and is a bit worried about the old guy since taking up the Director mantle since he can't do his old job as much. Concerning the Makoto debacle, while he's doing hold some reservations given that it was the Remnants being taken, he decides to trust in Makoto since he likes his attitude and sees him as being a worthy Symbol of the Future Foundation - as its Ultimate Hope. Thus, he’s willing to give support to Hina by handing her a Rec Letter. He also decides to come with her to meet with the Director of the 11th Branch.

The next part is Daisaku Bandai focused…yeah. Now, in the original, he’s sadly the most forgettable ‘just there for the body count’ participant ever, lasting one episode and a few minutes. So what can we do with him? Well, in the relationship charts, Bandai is listed as being apart of two neutrals in the Foundation, alongside Miaya. So, this version has said neutrality and mediator nature be more pronounced. If Gozu is the friendly giant that’s willing to fight you for his ideals, Bandai’s the gentle giant whose going to want both of you to sit by the fire and talk things out. In addition, as for his sayings, his intent with them is to say their meaning is for something you have to figure out yourself (better than him just saying they're meaningless).

As for why he’s in charge of the 11th Branch despite also being with the Foundation from the start, originally Bandai didn’t want to be caught up in the drama concerning politics that comes with being an official Director, and even then Junko’s forces made getting a formal Branch set up for his duties a pain. Following her death, and the mass suicide of good chunk of her followers, that chance of peace had him finally cave to the higher-ups requests and establish a formal branch. In general, he sees the Foundation’s inner turmoil as being a thorn he very much wanted nothing to do with, especially since he prefers everyone elected to bury the hatchet and be good comrades working for the goal of Restoration.

His meeting with Hina has him hug it out with Gozu and both just really enjoying each other’s company, with Gozu trying and failing a bit to figure out Bandai’s sayings and Bandai agreeing to wrestle with him during their off days (what kind of wrestling will leave that to one’s disclosure). His meeting Hina has all four in his branch's personal garden rest area that he always tends to, full of fruits, water and, in general, just having a refreshing atmosphere anyone (even the most uptight of people) could enjoy. When it came to getting his Rec Letter, he’s pretty willing to give it to Hina no strings attached. Though its with him, we get his view on the matter.

On one hand, he also wants to give trust to Makoto since he doubts someone who would stand up and stop Junko Enoshima of all people could do something nefarious. That being said, he also fully recognizes why other Directors might be angry - bringing up the Remnants status as wanted criminals that did hurt the world. It’s then that Bandai brings up a question to Hina: What does she think of her friends trying to rehabilitate the Remnants? 

Hina, try as she might, struggles to even open her mouth as the question brings conflict to her mind. Flashes of her dearest friends, no, her only family…and the thought of her dead brother dying because of them. Ultimately, Bandai hands over the letter and tells her that, by the time they do meet again, she should take a step back to clear her head and form her own opinion on the matter. Not as a Director or even a friend of Makoto, but as Aoi Asahina. Taking in such advice, both Hina and Koichi wave off the burly Dads as they head to the 10th branch.

(Episode 3)

Ryota Mitarai is the Director of this branch and we see that he spends most of his time cooped up in his personal office. Blinds closed and hunched over drawing his weary eyes out only for him to yawn, look back and see a perky athletic woman and a semi-drunk wingman looking at what he was doing from behind his shoulder. Needless to say, he freaks out. Now, in this episode, while Mitarai isn’t trying to be difficult about it, if they’re needing to get that letter first things first is ensuring Mitarai takes care of himself. After some coaxing, they get him to at least lay back a bit while they get him some proper food. 

He’s extremely grateful for the food and introduces himself, though a thing sticks out in Hina's mind. Namely, that Mitarai was a part of the 77th batch of Hope’s Peak students. While no one blatantly says anything, he is aware of the stigma of being a survivor of the bunch since he knows almost all students in said batch besides him were murdered during their tenure at Hope’s Peak or had defected to Junko Enoshima’s side. There have been some odd rumors from others and even within his own branch of his own loyalties. Something that clearly gets to him as he showcases his desperation of trying to do better and show he can help fix the world just as much as the others.

Hina comforts him and begins trying to uplift his spirits, showcasing more of a big sisterly attitude with him (even though she’s younger, but hey, some people have that energy to them). It’s then, after Mitarai hands over his Rec Letter and is asked about his thoughts, does he get a bit nervous. Truth be told, he doesn’t really want to get involved too deep with the whole affair with Makoto and Kyosuke. So while he gives up the letter, he even requests not to involve him in that, though upon Koichi reminding him of the upcoming trial with the other Directors, he flinches. Hina presses both for more and Koichi spills the details that Hina never gotten. (Mostly since she never read the email, but that’s neither here or there...)

At the end of the month, Makoto is to be put on a secret trial with the other Directors. Depending on the majority vote, it could mean Makoto might walk free or more than likely get convicted of treason, thus leading to him either being imprisoned, executed, or altogether exiled from Japan. Depends on how things’ll play out. This just makes Hina anxious more about getting to Makoto quickly before that happens. Anyways, Mitarai goes to head out, but upon it dawning on Mitarai that they’ll be going out and about for the other Directors, he asks if he could come too. Chances are that they’ll meet someone he has business with and it’ll probably save him time tagging along with them. Eager, Hina takes her new friend by the arm and goes about running along to their next venture.

Sonosuke Izayoi, in this version, his strong silent type attitude takes prominence. Mostly since I feel a non-verbal attitude, strangely enough does work better for him being remembered than when he speaks occasionally. It just needs to be presented in a way that he doesn’t fade in the background. For example, he can be very visibly expressive, with his features becoming colder or even cartoony depending on the situation.  In Team Hina’s talk with him, he’s slow to anger, but has his limits. Limits that Hina completely breaks because she keeps bugging him for his letter as he tries to do his job. Koichi, being the dutiful scout that he is (and mostly to give Hina some insight) explains that Sonosuke Izayoi was from the 76th batch and came from a long lineage of blacksmiths that was pretty cushy with the former government and potentially underworld for their forges.

When he became Director, he reestablished the ties that remained to put them to usage for Future Foundation weapon development. Eventually, after being annoyed to the brink, he goes to kick them out, but is stopped after Hina pulls out a donut to eat.  His sweet tooth wins out, and he begrudgingly joins the team for a quick snack break. In truth, following a donut, he does seem more friendly and approachable, even muttering his iconic ‘dewicious’ here. 

However, he refuses to part with his letter at least, not until they win favor with his lover. At least, that’s what Mitarai guesses, which Izayoi gives a thumbs up in response. Hina tilts her head in confusion. Lover? But, it was the truth and that was someone they had to deal with next. As she’s the Director for the 8th Branch. 

(Episode 4)

Ruruka Ando rules over the 8th Branch with a surprisingly large amount of popularity. Izayoi tags along and the crew greet Ruruka at the doors to her branch. She immediately and lovingly embraces him. As Team Hina follow the couple, they witness just how pleasant and friendly her subordinates are to her, even going ecstatic over just being in her presence (something that gets Mitarai somewhat jealous). Hina is astounded by her popularity, though Koichi is scratching his chin at the sight of so many people liking their boss. Or, rather, worshipping her.

Eventually, all four reach into her office and Ruruka begins trying to get Hina to eat some of her sweets. In addition, she also happily explains her past as apart of the 76th batch of HPA students, though claims that was small potatoes to her famous bakery that was even known worldwide. However, Hina is quite reluctant about accepting the food since she just had her donuts, up until Ruruka offers one of her own. Hina happily accepts it, but Koichi reminds her of her mission. Hina asks about getting a Rec Letter from her, but she flat out refuses. At once, the bubbly, friendly woman from before is now narrow eyed and looking pretty stern herself.

She speaks for both herself and Izayoi in that she sees Makoto as absolute scum for trying to help the Remnants and probably would have executed him on the spot had she been in charge of the Foundation, his status as Ultimate Hope be damned.

“Dealing with one rotten traitor is bad enough…but several leading the divisions? Rotten food needs to be tossed out.” Hina is confused over the first traitor spiel, but Ruruka had made her stance clear and orders both to get out and takes Hina’s donut from her! Concerning Izayoi, in this version, he looks conflicted on refusing the matter with Hina and Koichi, but sighs and continues to back up Ruruka.

With that failure, the duo heads towards the 7th branch office - directed by Miaya Gekkogahara. Now given her involvement in making the Neo World Program that was used by the Havoc cast, by the time the trio arrive she is understandably both stressed and frazzled. She had been interrogated pretty intensely after they found out the Havoc Crew were using her technology like that. Were it not for Miaya’s role - finding ways to negate despair among one of them - and her contributions to FF, there was a high chance she’d be arrested as well. Likewise, running into one of Makoto’s friends puts her back on edge, though she still tries to be friendly after a bit. It helps that Koichi is there, which she is grateful for and a bit exasperated with at the same time. She’s speaking through her high-tech wheelchair and using her Usami Vtuber avatar to speak. She has a hereditary disease that affects her legs, making them rather weaker than usual, so she uses her wheelchair to compensate. 

Concerning her story, back during Hope’s Peak, Miaya was the school’s guidance counselor - in name. In practice, as much as she wanted to help, she was swamped with work from the late Steering Committee and didn’t have much time to really help people as much as she'd like. Especially since, well, its an old wound. She laments being unable to really help the Reserve Course from rioting and taking their lives. Any attempts at counseling or trying to pacify those students were blocked or ignored. Koichi reveals that she’s from the 65th Batch of Hope’s Peak Academy students (putting an end to the weird plot detail of no one knowing what class is supposed to be in, and her counselor explaining how she could still go about her NWP activity with Chihiro and Yasuke). He tries to raise her spirits, though that only gets her exasperated since his alcoholic breath gets on her face. 

As she gives the duo a tour, a familiar face pops up during so - Alter Ego. Hina eagerly greets her friend who had helped her during the Killing School Life. He is also happy to see her again, though is apologetic to Hina after hearing how Makoto was arrested. AE informs her of his role in the rehab plot and how ashamed he was to let the Junko AI takeover.  Both Miaya and Hina try to comfort him, but it gets Hina thinking on why he’s with Miaya now. 

Here we learn of Chihiro’s involvement with Miaya with the Neo World Program, and how both were co-workers to help create it. With her friend and protege dead, Miaya ‘took in AE’ so to speak, being the one to salvage him from HPA after they rescued the Havoc Crew and receiving him once FF apprehended Makoto. Hina pushes on to ask the obvious: Why create the Neo World Program?

Well, for Miaya - her life’s goal is to find a way to rehabilitate anyone. She wanted to help people so badly from their own issues that drove to the pits of despair and vileness, but while she can help anyone with a large degree of success, there were the sort that just were too far gone. The NWP was made to ensure even the worst of the worst or the most badly hurt of them all could have a second chance. It being a concept thought up way back when she attended HPA. However, while she got the resources over the years and even approval from FF to initially put that dream to reality it soon became clear that the consensus was that criminals, especially the Remnants were to be put down instead of saved. That such a high-cost procedure was both too long and too ‘inefficient’. Thus, her project and JW Island was left abandoned and she was forced to back to square one….

Up until she had gotten into contact with Makoto who learned about the project from a list of scrapped projects that the Future Foundation organized. He was really interested in it and he shined with so much determination and genuine optimism for the future that Miaya disclosed its location to him and even gave him the reigns to the facilities that the Havoc cast would use. It was risky, but she could just feel she could trust him. As such, she gives Hina a Rec Letter, believing she could bet on the swimmer too. That being said, she also advises against bringing her into the conflict during the trial since, yeah. That’s way too scary for her heart to take!!!

Next up is someone all three are dreading as they arrive to his branch: Former Hope’s Peak security guard, Ultimate Boxer and real pain in the ass for most - Juzo was running Division 6.                                                                                                                    

(Episode 5)

Now, when Hina arrives, she’s combing all over the building, but Juzo is nowhere to be found. During her search, she meets several of his underlings: Ikue Dogami, Mekuru Katsuragi and the Ultimate Make-Up Artist. They explain that Juzo tends to be out and about often, but thanks to Mekuru, they direct Hina to wait towards the main lobby for him. It should be noted that, aside from those three, most of his other employees seem nervous or on edge when he’s mentioned. 

When Hina finally meets Juzo, naturally, he’s aggressive and has no patience for her. Likewise, he refuses to hand over a Rec Letter to Hina since he is an avid supporter of Kyosuke’s ideals and is enraged over Makoto’s actions. Now, Hina actually does remember Juzo a bit - where we now get a flashback of him acting as HPA’s most aggressive security guard.  She had witnessed him being rough concerning students relating to the Reserve Course, so she isn’t surprised he’s being a hardass now. Being reminded of the discourse concerning that time, Juzo is getting more pissed off and looks ready to throw down before an idea occurs to him. Of course, this being Juzo, he decides to give her a ‘chance’ to prove herself. In the ring. 

So Hina takes on Juzo in a five-minute exhibition match. If she manages to last until the time limit, Juzo will hand over the Rec Letter. If she fails than, well, nighty night! Hina, determined and unwilling to backdown, opts for it. Koichi, naturally, is concerned by this move, but she reasons that she wants to get to Makoto as soon as possible. If she can just last five minutes, she’ll be able to do that faster (not trying to think about the setback she would make if she would fail).

Juzo is confident he’ll win and toys with her early on, allowing to go for some strikes, effortlessly dodges them and proceeds to wail on her with jabs. Enough to knock her down and he thinks she’ll quit, but she gets up. A bit annoyed he tries to do the same thing, but Hina has found her rhythm. She has had multiple experience dodging attacks from scattered Remnants and criminals as a member of the 13th Divison. Thus, she’s now found a footing where she can stay, if barely, ahead of Juzo. She even manages to get in a solid hit or two!! Things are looking up and there’s a few seconds left on the clock.

Enraged, Juzo is trying his damndest to score a hit, but nothing seems to be working. A crowd has gathered, cheering for Hina and Juzo, eager to see who will win. For a moment, Hina remembers both Sakura and Yuta, strengthening her more to see things through to the end and prove herself useful - that can she be of aid to someone she calls family!! But, it also distracts for a split second, and in that moment Juzo scores a devastating haymaker. Hina is knocked down and eventually falls unconscious. Juzo is the victor. Koichi and Mitarai goes to Hina, trying to rouse her whilst Juzo walks off, not feeling particularly good about this win.

In the meantime, scene shifts to Kyoko working in her office when she meets Chisa again. Considering what she knows about Juzo and Kyosuke, Kyoko is naturally on guard against Chisa who is trying to be friendly with her and have some tea. We also get a bit of insight concerning Kyoko’s situation: armed guards all around her and she also voices her good guess of the room itself being bugged. Naturally, the only thing she can really do is read and try to prep Makoto’s case from inside her ‘cell’. Namely, getting knowledge of the prior incidents of the Remnants, rehabilitation efforts with the Neo World Program and others that were scrapped, and in general just learning more about the other Directors. Anything to give her side the edge concerning the trial.

Speaking of which, she does ask where the trial will take place. Now, given the severity and whose life is at stake, Chisa reveals that it’ll be on an island meant originally to be the new international Hope’s Peak branch. However, with the Tragedy causing HPA to close down, it was instead refurbished into a private separate office of sorts—meant only for high profile usage. Like a trial for treason! Kyoko asks, if only for confirmation, given Chisa’s closeness to Kyosuke as being one of the first Directors of FF and his former classmate, if she herself also holds intense hatred of Despair.

Now to this, Chisa is quick to differ. She loves Kyosuke and goes along with him because she trusts his judgement and heart - that he makes decisions trying to fully bring peace to all afflicted by the Tragedy. Thus, she goes along with the decision and believes in that Hope. However, even if she goes along with it, she does hold a different stance concerning the Remnants…

How she can’t help but still hold love for her dear students.

(Episode 6)

Hina wakes up, finding herself in an infirmary. Koichi informs her of her loss and who managed to treat her - Seiko Kimura. Now Seiko is constantly fretting and checking up on Hina given the situation concerning her knockout. Thanks to her drugs, any concussions should be healed up pretty quick, and Hina is pretty grateful for the support. Seiko happened to be in the 6th Division’s office by chance, so Hina should be lucky she was on site to help ensure she didn’t get put into a worse position without her fast action.

Once Koichi reminds her that Seiko was a Director, we get a formal introduction of her, including her class. We also learn that Seiko was the daughter of the head of Kimura Pharmaceuticals prior to the Tragedy, though she notes that was water under the bridge now.  Hina, remembering that the 76th class also had Ruruka and Izayoi, asks both were her classmates. Instantly, Seiko’s face darkened and she glared at Hina. She asks her not to mention their names. Ever. Hina gulps and takes the hint.

Trying to move the conversation along, Hina brings up the topic of getting a Rec Letter for her, thinking Seiko was so nice she would agree to it. However, after a bit of conflicting thought, Seiko firmly refuses. Her loyalty lies solely with Kyosuke and she knows for a fact that he wants them dead. For good reason too, and she has personal stake in seeing the Remnants dead given how long she’s spent trying to treat their victims and seeing some die. She apologizes, but her mind is made up, and she personally shouldn’t expect much from her concerning Makoto’s trial.

She leaves, though outside waiting is Juzo, who was overhearing the conversation. She informs him of Hina’s condition. How it’s going to be stable though is curious why he still stuck around. Annoyed, Juzo pokes at her forehead in like a mean big bro-esque way, much to her chagrin, telling her to mind her business before prodding off. Still, with yet another Director refusing to hand over a Rec Letter, Hina is getting desperate and runs off to the 5th Division - Chisa’s workplace.

At said workplace, Kyoko is a bit shocked after hearing about Chisa’s ties to the Remnants. Well, Chisa quickly clarifies it was really only for about just some months and she could really be described more along the lines of their Advisor. You see, the Remnants of Despair back when they were in Hope’s Peak gained a bit of a reputation for being ‘delinquents’, whether intentionally acting out or not, and so these teens from various parts of the 77th batch were assigned to attend a ‘mandatory’ Student Correction Program (was not quite a fan of the series having Class 77 all be Remnants from the exact same class. The change, in addition to other plot developments in the future, is to get the group together, while having them be scattered across the 77th Batch).

The program was meant to at least get them to mellow out and not either wreck the school or harm others. She looks back fondly over the time with the fifteen of them…hm? Fifteen? Kyoko is wondering about her current connections and if anyone else knows about it. Chisa is quick to assuage her concerns. Her connection with HPA is well known by every other Director, though following her dismissal with the Remnants, she was assigned to the Reserve Course, which clearly didn’t end well for the other students there. Something shown by how upset she looked concerning their collective suicides. Chisa tries to quickly perk herself back up. 

Anyway, she explains, while she doesn’t quite understand why Makoto really decided to risk his neck this much to help pretty much the worst of the worst, but given how such a procedure could have given her students back, she was at least grateful for the attempt. While she won’t ever betray Kyosuke, she might be willing to offer a hand to at least get him to see a bit more reason. Though, Chisa is curious.

Why is Kyoko, logical woman incarnate, siding with Makoto in saving the Remnants? Surely someone like her would have wanted to see them dead, right? Well, for Kyoko, her decision was based on logic. The world, while its making steady efforts, is still struggling quite a deal both internationally and even locally. From pollution, to food management, to the obvious  factor of stray Remnants and criminals wreaking havoc. While the spearheads of Ultimate Despair may be gone, it would take decades before the world could ever hope to get back to how it was pre-Tragedy. If they could reform the Remnants with the Neo World Program, even just the mooks of them, they can add to the Restoration efforts to get the world back faster. The fact that the initial Remnants they gathered happened to be Ultimate were a solid coincidental bonus. Luck…though given what nearly had happened, it couldn’t really be called good luck, right?

Chisa nods her head and seems to accept this…though has to wonder how much of it just trying to honor Makoto’s wishes. After all, she wasn’t that different from Chisa in that they were trying to support the Hope of their lives and not just in terms of being the Ultimate Hope. But Hope to their own respective groups as well - Makoto was the glue that helped keep them together after all. In that same vein, Kyosuke was the glue that kept Future Foundation and his own core group stable as well. She recollects a time before she got to know him. In order to raise money for her sick single mother,  a teenage Chisa Yukizome became a housekeeper and was hired by the Munakata Family. A wealthy family that was notorious for raising leaders in almost every industry of the world, their mansion was quite the chaotic mess of people at each other’s throats and too busy to ever really care for an insignificant girl that was tidying up behind them.

Yet, Kyosuke was different. He aided her when everyone else ignored her or treated poorly because she was ‘the help’. He went out of his way to lighten her load and even work to see her smile. It was his assistance that allowed her to truly want to shine as a housekeeper and got her scouted. He was literally her Hope back in those horrible days. It’s why even now she’s that devoted to him.

Kyoko asks her to get to the point.

“Everyone is chasing that Hope - that reason to keep on going. But it’s also good to be aware of who represents that Hope as well. A lesson all of us can learn ,hm?” She glances to the door and it turns out Team Hina was there, eavesdropping. Chisa welcomes them in and doesn’t hesitate to give Hina a Rec Letter. Even if she’ll go wholeheartedly with Kyosuke’s choice, she figures its nots a bad idea to at least let one of Makoto’s friends check in on him.

From there, Hina goes to see if Kyoko was okay, but the detective waves her off. She’ll always be fine, what’s vital is bouncing info off each other. So they get each other up to speed with what’s happening, with Hina’s Quest and the upcoming trial. Kyoko is more than aware that their case seems pretty hopeless given whose in charge and the influence he holds. Hina is a bit more optimistic since she feels its an even split, except its not. Kyoko reminds her its more of 6 against a number of neutrals who could easily be pressured to go with the other side if an argument is weak enough or the enemy is convincing enough. The other half’s loyalty is not guaranteed. It’s then that Hina glances at the two allies she had befriended so far. Mitarai is looking as shy as ever but Koichi, after a swig, shrugs and merely says they’ll have to see. Though if it’s anything to what he would have wanted, well, he’ll do his best to get an outcome that Kyoko would find favorable. Complete with a friendly smile, though Kyoko tries her best to ignore him. 

In any case, Kyoko says its best for Hina to get the last letters as quickly as possible but just before Hina leaves, Kyoko does stop her briefly. Her wounds from fighting Juzo is clearly visible and even Kyoko could obviously see how winded the swimmer was. In her own way, she’s concerned and does apologize to Hina for putting her through all of this. But Hina quickly brushes it off. Their friends, well, more than friends!! Family even!! The Havoc Crew looking out for each other is a no-brainer!! It doesn’t bother her! With a deal of optimism, Team Hina leaves, leaving Kyoko in her thoughts once more.

“Huh, didn’t know you could lie like that.” Koichi said and Ryota gives a concerned look to Hina. She’s leading the charge, but the camera never points to her face. Her voice, though, is shaky. ��I don’t know what you mean…it’s time for the next stop.”

Episode 7

The next destination for Team Hina? Why it was Koichi’s branch! The atmosphere for his place was rather casual, with many people at least on goods terms with him enough to even tease him a little about his drinking habits. Koichi allows both Ryota and Hina into his office, which resembles more of a host lounge than anything. Bottles of alcohol was scattered everywhere, there was a large couch off to the side, and large amounts of paperwork lay on his desk.

Both Hina and Ryota criticize Koichi for his messy office, but he waves it off as him being busy with meetings with Jack Daniels and Gin!~ Hina rolled her eyes and gives glances towards all about his office as Koichi fishes to make a Rec Letter. During this time, Hina finds something. A photo of Koichi with Jin and a little Kyoko.

Koichi confirms at this point that, yes, he was best friends with Jin and wouldn’t have minded being considered an ‘uncle’ to Kyoko prior to her getting raised by Fuhito Kirigiri, her grandfather. When asked more about Kyoko’s family, Koichi just waves dismissively. It’s a long story full of drama that he himself isn’t fit to tell.

He does go into detail of him meeting Jin back when they were kids and still keeping in touch when Koichi went to HPA...eh? Koichi was an Ultimate? Turns out he was the Ex-Ultimate Talent Scout, though is dismissive of such things. He himself doesn’t feel like its anything special and requests that they just refer to him as a regular talent scout. Honestly, he himself only agreed to be a talent scout because his best friend, Jin, really requested him when he began working with HPA in earnest. Throughout it all, Hina can see Koichi give a melancholic smile and relates to his quiet pain with her own losses. She reaches over to put a hand on his shoulder, but he smiles and waves it off.

Well, no use dwelling on the past. Koichi hands over his Rec Letter and waves at them goodbye for now.  He advises that if the options are just Tengan or Kyosuke left, then yeaaaaah, its best to try and win Tengan’s favor. He’s a lot more reasonable than Kyosuke…or, rather? 

He’s more coolheaded? He wants to be alone for a bit. Getting the hint, Hina nods and they begin to walk out. However, not before Hina stalls at the door, asking if he’ll support Makoto at the trial. Koichi informs her that he can’t make any solid promises, but is willing to hear him out. Once Ryota and Hina leave, he leans back in his chair. Thinking about Jin, he vows he’ll protect ‘her’.

Now down to a duo, Team Asahina starts wondering about Koichi, whether he’ll truly be alright. Hina is concerned, but Ryota says its best if they just leave him be to focus on Tengan. Now, its here that Ryota reveals his connection with the Chairman - namely how Tengan personally saved and recruited him back when the Tragedy was rampaging. Right when he was about to be killed by some Remannts, Tengan appeared on scene to fight them off. Hina is very impressed since she knows Tengan is kind of old, though Ryota mutters how he can be strong and frightening when he wants to. Anyways, he’s been working closely with him and believes that there’s a solid chance. Though he does warn Hina to watch what she says.

When they arrive, they noticed the hallway of Tengan lined up and down with various people in visors. Ryota introduces them as being the best of the Ultimate Elite Taskforce. As their names suggests, they are the very best gathered from the remnants of Hope’s Peak alumni’s that serve as The Special Forces needed for only the most intense or important assignments. Each of them are more than strong enough to give anyone, even an Ultimate Remnant, a run for their money.

Granted, with the 77th Batch of Despairs seemingly gone, these days all they really seem to do is just guard Tengan in Gozu’s absence. A fact that gets them to give Ryota a bit of a dirty or hurt look before he frantically starts waving his hands, trying to say he didn’t mean it. Tengan allows the two to enter and he pretty much gets right to the point. He’s received news of Asahina going about the other Directors trying to get their Rec Letters and from both sides he’s received calls to let her have one or to not give her one.

With that in mind, he’s willing to hear from the source concerning her motivations. Taking a deep breath, Asahina explains she’s worried about her friend and is really trying her hardest to make sure he’s alright. She knows that charges against Makoto are heavy, but she expresses her faith that everything he does is only to help everyone, not hurt. He’s not a traitor! By the end, she’s looking quite desperate, pleading with Tengan to give her the time of day.

When he speaks, Tengan murmurs about personally witnessing this fire of Hina for those she holds dear resurfacing. He says for her to simmer down and that, by now, he’s already thought this situation through to the best of his abilities. Offering Hina butterscotch, he explains that, yes, what Makoto has done is shocking and, at the moment, he can’t blame anyone for being angry or thinking he might be a traitor…

But he also states his belief in the Ultimate Hope that blossomed during that sixth trial. That optimism that he showcased and used to beat back Junko Enoshima and helped spurn the world in its current Restoration efforts. Yes, Tengan does believe that Makoto isn’t trying to be malicious and knows that he ‘is going with what he believes will be the right move’.  He goes on to ramble a bit about Makoto coming along ways from tangoing with a petty thief to humanity’s Symbol. Something that confuses Asahina, but Tengan brushes it off.

Yes, at this point, he’s more than just a little aware of the younger generation following their ambition and deciding that what they believe is right for all. Chairman or not, he has come to terms that he can’t match the passion of the others and is more than willing to take a backseat to give their ways a chance. After all, that’s essentially what he has been doing with Kyosuke. At this point it probably won’t be too long until he figures Kyosuke will organize an ‘intervention’ to pressure Tengan into stepping down. He already has the support of the public and agents all across the branches for his decisive attitude and on-hands efforts that Tengan had to retire from.

Oh! He apologizes for rambling and hands over the needed Rec Letter to Asahina. With that, she’ll be able to visit Makoto. Tengan wishes him the best of luck. Now, while he did order for the guards not to harm Makoto, if a Director decided to do something, well, he urges her to check in with him at her earliest convenience.  Asahina nods and thanks Tengan for handing over the Rec Letter. She asks if Ryota was coming as well but he declines. With a hug of support, Hina leaves. Still in the office, Tengan chuckles and asks if Ryota was finally getting out there, much to the animator’s blushing dismissal! Hina’s just a friend!! To this, Tengan merely chuckles in amusement. Before the scene ends, he questions if Ryota  has made a decision of sorts for the future. Ryota opens his mouth…and the episode ends.

(Episode 8)

The episode, and next day, opens at the prison Makoto is being held at. He has bandages and scratches on his face, looking a bit down on his luck as he recalls what happened to get him to this state.We get a flashback back to when he was initially arrested and seperated from Togami and Kyoko. He get’s thrown into his cell and has to deal with the brunt of a beatdown from a very angry Juzo. Kyosuke stops him before he could ever really go too far on Makoto but it is brutal. From there the scene switches to Makoto, patched up and at a table. Kyosuke is at the other side, looking coldly at Makoto.

Kyosuke, half-heartedly, apologizes for the actions of Juzo, though he does cut off Makoto when the lucky student tries to tell him its no big deal. Instead he asks: Why? Why help the Remnants of Despair? Why not just turn them in so the world can be done with them? Straight to the point. 

From Makoto’s point of view we get flashbacks briefly to what had occurred concerning him finding Izuru, learning of the Remnants identities and him firmly choosing his resolve when Kyoko and Togami await an answer for him. Back to the present day, he states that he understands everyone being angry and that, if he were in their shoes, he’d be furious as well. But, his decision has to go back towards faith. The potential to save others from the awful influence that gripped them in the past.

A flashback shows the Havoc Crew walking throughout their new branch with Kyosuke and Tengan giving a tour of the place. Tengan gives the background that, with reports of UD members killing themselves, they wanted a Branch that can effectively reach and focus on spreading FF’s message of hope. And who better to lead that than the survivors who inspired loads to carry on and beat back Despair’s effects. 

Togami is a bit miffed over essentially being the public relations branch, and that Kyoko was their leader, but she notes such power is really just a formality between the two of them. Plus, it might have to do with their ‘performance’ during the killing game. Hiro, Asahina and Togami have proven to be ‘problematic’ and Toko is only really allowed as an intern for being Genocider Syo. While some might want Makoto in charge given his role in the final class trial, he truly didn’t want the power/isn’t quite suited for leadership of an entire division. Hence Kyoko winning by default. 

While Togami begrudgingly admits defeat, both Hiro, Toko, Makoto and Asahina are astounded over their new headquarters. Makoto in particular is quick to bring them back together, speaking on his confidence that, with all six of them together, they can really help make a difference. One that clearly resonates with his friends and is noticed by the FF leaders. As both Tengan and Kyosuke leave, Tengan smiles as he notes that Makoto really reminded him of Kyosuke back in the day and that the Foundation is lucky Makoto is with them. Kyosuke quietly clenches his fist, and gives a brief look back at Makoto. The lucky student notices, but is dragged away by his pals long enough for Kyosuke to leave. 

A montage shows off Makoto and others helping out in the communities under Future Foundation’s protection, all clearly trying their best when, in the last shot, Makoto is suddenly pounced upon. It’s a Remnant of Despair, and by that I mean just a regular one that seems to have had better days. Makoto’s guards easily are able to pin down the Remnant and even remove his mask. As he’s being taken away, Makoto asks why he’s still trying to hurt others. Junko’s dead so what gives? It’s then that gets a good look at this Remnant - or rather his expression. Miserable, frustrated, utterly sad, and, well, hopeless. “Because there’s no point in trying to rebuild for someone with no future...” 

These words haunt Makoto and he’s gets to thinking. Is there a way to rehabilitate even the Remnants? He goes through files and asks around concerning Future Foundation rehab techniques and finds the plans for the Neo World Program. Delighted, he goes to Kyoko and Togami to get their opinion on trying to rehabilitate the Remnants? Their answer? 

“You’re an absolute buffoon.”

“This…is certainly a plan, I suppose?”

Yeah, he isn’t too surprised Togami is more harsh with his rebukes, but Kyoko also isn’t holding back with her criticism. The Remnants are dangerous criminals that put them through the Hell in the Mutual Killing Game. Why bother trying to save them? 

To this, Makoto asks this in a quiet voice: If they had connected more with Mukuro or Junko back then, would they have stopped both from destroying the world? He says its silly, but he can’t stop thinking about it. The friends they lost, would they still be alive if he bothered to spend more time trying to get to know both to get them help? Noticed Junko’s warped mental state beforehand? Get Mukuro to reconsider going along with Junko’s plan? The soldier didn’t seem completely convinced during their free talks during their killing game. Anything at all? 

This had both fall silent for a deal before Kyoko gives her thoughts. Personally, she believes that both Junko and Mukuro were too far deep by the time they met them. When she had the time, she looked into a bit of their background, finding evidence of the twins causing atrocities, like a massacre of a junior high school. That was covered up from either corrupt police or some other shady means. She believes that if there was to be some way to help the Despair Sisters, it would have to have been years before they even reached Hope’s Peak. She goes on to say he shouldn’t be harsh on himself for the horrible actions of other people, nor feel responsibility for why they turned out that way.

Yet, Makoto just can’t seem to let the thought go. His mind flashes back to his talk with Mukuro during her days as Junkuro. How she admitted she wasn’t sure that the path she was on was right. It’s a thought like those that gets Makoto in being unable to fully write off the Remnants that were still around. If one of the leading figures of the end was still having seconds thoughts, maybe the others could be as well, deep down. And, if the Neo World Program works as intended, they could be potentially rehabilitated into becoming allies to fix what their wrongs! It’s this optimistic outlook that ignites Makoto’s passion. While reluctant, both Kyoko and Togami eventually concede to at least try Makoto’s idea.

Makoto is happy and the next scene shows him heading to the site of the destroyed New Hope’s Peak Academy building. Apparently the 12th Branch was going to begin its plans for its demolition? Well, if that’s the case, he thought it would be best to leave ten flowers for those he lost and explore it one last time. What was left of it anyway.

Only to see Izuru Kamukura standing in a classroom with his own flower in some ruined classroom.

(Episode 9)

In this episode, we see Makoto, Kyoko and Togami looking after about fifteen ‘survivors’ sitting around in their offices. They were dirty, covered in either old cloaks and bandages, and looking around with intense gazes. Some of whom looked to be in quite the awful conditions, being either malnourished or very sickly. Yet they were all intent on refusing medical treatment from any staff offered.

It had only been a few days after Makoto met Izuru - or rather? Hajime Hinata - that’s what Izuru told them instead of his actual name at that point? Allegedly he was a survivor affiliated with Hope’s Peak that had just come back into town to pay respects to the dead. Following that, he explained that he was apart of a group of survivors who had been traveling the wastelands and it just so happens these survivors were upperclassmen of the 78th class. Students that came from various parts of the 77th batch that barely manage to escape the destruction of the Main Course building, but circumstances had them flee into the unknown as much as possible because of the riots. Given what they’ve experienced, they are very weary against even help from the FF and its prone to having them on edge.

Makoto is actually ecstatic to run into survivors of that incident, since he knew many of the 77th batch perished or went missing.  However, Kyoko and Togami are rather suspicious of the situation. In particular, seeing these fifteen for an extended period of time has her leave to check out some files.

Concerning the Remnants themselves, the more Makoto interacts with them, either by trying to give them supplies or wanting to know them better, he’s either ignored or given cold blank stares. Just like that one Remnant from before. Maybe…

Still there is one that acts friendly to him, Nagito who usually kept one of his hands wrapped. He’s appreciative of the Ultimate Hope and grateful for his efforts, glad someone ‘insignificant as him’ could be in Makoto’s presence. Makoto, being the humble guy, denies ever being that important and that he just wants to help others. He believes everyone is indispensable and tries to get Nagito to see more of himself in a brighter light. Though, similar to the others, the despair Nagito is in is quite evident and he believes that a guy like Makoto should really not bank his hopes too much on the fallen. As Makoto goes to pull him back as he leaves, he notices some of Nagito’s bandages are slipping…and, hm? Was…was his nails painted under there?

As they separate, he runs into Kyoko who takes him to Togami’s office. Kyoko shows Makoto a database of ‘suspect Remnants’. A nurse wearing a surgical mask, a group of masked Monomafia lead by masked people with similar hair styles to Fuyuhiko and Peko. A concert with a thin singer in a gas mask taking spotlight. In Novoselic, a Monokuma controlled country, forces were being lead by a masked figure in a cloak, but a few locks of golden hair could briefly be seen. Evidence upon evidence…

They didn’t just take in survivors - they took in the Remants of Despair. It wouldn’t be long until the higher-ups, who were informed of such survivors existence, would realize this as well. Yet, would it be fast enough to arrive to intercept fifteen dangerous criminals?  As it stands the Remnants doesn’t seem aware that they knew their cover was blown. If they were going to act, they needed to do this quickly. Togami suggests getting their security forces to immediately apprehend and put the remnants in holding cells of their division, but Kyoko notes the possibility of good number of forces being killed in this attack given how notorious the Remnants were when it came to fighting against even the Directors. Togami then suggests that maybe drugging their food could work best and the others seem on-board with this idea.

It’s then that Makoto suggests his own idea that, once they were all knocked out they don’t put them in cells. Rather, they put them on the boat intended to take them to Jabberwock Island. Togami really asks if Makoto is serious about having these Remnants - Ultimate Remnants - be the ones that they opt to save, but Makoto is dead serious about it. After all the NWP is supposed to be capable of saving even the worst of the worst. What better way to prove to everyone that it works and that it is viable if not by saving the literal worst of the worst. Both Kyoko and Togami are hesitant, but eventually both opt to go with Makoto’s plan. After all time is of the essence still.

The scene transitions to the boat, where the Remnants have been place in cells containing two each (or three in Mahiru, Ibuki and Hiyoko’s case). Their cloaks and bandages have been stripped away and we've got to see what a few had of Junko’s body, classic like Fuyuhiko getting Junko’s eye and whatnot. Over an intercom, Makoto announces his Foundation’s intent to take them to Jabberwock to put them in the NWP…

“Just like what the intelligence said…” Kamukura mutters to himself as the scene transitions to show of the Remants being worked into their pods and of brief flashes to the Island Killing Game, where Makoto is horrified over seeing history repeat itself, but flashes to determination  from both him, Kyoko and Togami. As the screen flashes to them entering the simulation we cut back to Kyosuke.

“In short…” said Vice Chairman. “You went on an operation, risking it all for criminals that should be executed on the spot…and came back with nothing.” Makoto refutes this saying he believes it worked out from what he saw of the survivors. But Kyosuke is pretty adamant about this position. How can Makoto be sure they were not faking or they’ll revert back to who they were? How can they be trusted to not go down that dark path again?

In truth? Makoto admits he can never be 100% sure, but he has faith they won’t go back. How they resolved to keep moving forward – he was sure that was going to still be a reality. Kyosuke shook his head, looking disappointed. 

“To think people ever had high hopes for you. A naive foolishness like that can never be called Hope.” Standing up, he announces, he doesn’t want to even look at Makoto again until the trial to decide his fate. And may mercy be shown upon this blind soul. All while Makoto looked at Kyosuke with his own frustration, but even sadness. Is there no way for them to reconcile or come to an understanding?

The flashback ends when we see the present Makoto shoot up from a knock at his door. It’s Asahina, who came in the very next day, who quickly goes to glomp her poor buddy whose been through a lot. Asking him how he’s been and growing angry over the fact the guards had taken to hurting him. As they both catch up on what’s been going on - Hina finally asks that’s been flowing through her mind:

“How come you all didn’t trust me?” she asked, referring to the fact that half of Crew went off to do their own thing while leaving the others in the dark to carry out the Remants rehab. Makoto, looking super remorseful, apologizes. He, Kyoko and Togami didn’t want to put the others at risk, especially if this operation failed. Concerning the operation, Hina goes to ask Makoto why he bothered to help the Remnants, when an explosion gets out.

A loud alarm blares through the building.

“People are raiding the prison!! All personnel on deck! Stop the prisoners from going free!”

(Episode 10)

This is a chaotic battle that has invaders, mooks of the Remnant forces, all rush through the building, attacking anyone with bats, pipes, even a few guns so to speak, as they pushed through. Throughout the facility, electromagnetic locks on the cells are disabled and prisoners rush to join in on the riots. The main attackers were also incredibly organized, ordering about the freed prisoners to help free more them and ordering more of their forces to go in deeper. “They’re in there!! Get them at any cost!! Don’t waste our chance!”

Hearing this, Makoto wants to help, but Hina remind him that 1. He is also a prisoner and 2. People would really be gunning for him at the moment given his status, so its best that he stay put in the cell where he would be safe. Makoto wishes her luck as Hina dashes out. Outside of Makoto’s cell there are four other occupied cells in his block: The maximum security block. Luckily, once Hina leaves it’ll be placed on lockdown that only a Director could have access to with their key card. Grabbing a baton, Hina rushes out and saves a guard from being killed by a prisoner before joining in the fray. 

Bodies are flying and more people are being released.  Hina is holding her own but the number of people able to handle this is dwindling: until a cry of pain is heard and a prisoner can be seen tossed into a wall. There is the Great Gozu, Juzo and Kyosuke backed by reinforcements. Tengan is at the furthest back watching the proceedings. Kyosuke leads the forces into subduing the prisoners and invaders, eventually getting it all under control. Though during this chaos, Kyosuke can’t help but wonder about the odds of a jailbreak occurring on the day when Makoto gets a visitor and four other Directors wanted to visit it. “Luck tends to be perplexing…” Tengan says.

By the end of it, most of the prisoners have been suppressed, but when they head into the max block, the prisoners from there have escaped, except for Makoto. Juzo and Gozu are ordering the staff about, sending out red alert for all units to be on the lookout for the escaped. The ones who escaped are known as the Four Sinners in Future Foundation and represent the Four Horsemen. They were previous Ultimates that graduated from Hope’s Peak but had gone rogue  during the Tragedy.

Plaguebearer - Former Ultimate Exterminator: Jun Ueda/Pestilence(Gas Mask Man)

Immovable Force - Former Ultimate Sumo: Daisuke Tomioka/War (Sumo Wrestler Design)

Dead Walker - Former Ultimate Lab Assistant: Harue Yuki/Famine(Zombie Girl)

Spawn of Malice - Former Ultimate Criminal: Shiori Hikari/Death (Ultimate Criminal beta)

With everything over, Asahina checks in on Makoto who was unharmed. Kyosuke arrives and announces that, given how this prison is clearly compromised, Makoto will be moved to another location effective immediately and has Juzo escort him out. Hina wants to talk to him, but the other Directors refuse to hear her out, with Makoto only reassuring her that things will be fine.

The news of the attack is relayed to Togami, & Hiro, the heir already suspicious of the whole affair. He finds it way too unlikely that this was just a random attack on dates where both Asahina and the other Directors were supposed to arrive. This was planned, but by whom and what do they gain from freeing the Four Sinners other than general unrest?

Kyoko hears the news as well and, in private, and theorizes that, yes, this was definitely planned. But there was so many oddities. Why attack on the same day that high-ranking, strong Directors were arriving there? Wouldn’t have it been safer to do so when it was just the regular guards to deal with?

Conclusion that she and, soon even Kyosuke (at another location) reaches: The Mastermind behind it wanted it to be known that there was someone orchestrating this. Furthermore, from reports from the guards, the attackers were highly organized and mentioned something about ‘someone’ giving them a ‘chance’. “But why?” asked Juzo (He, Kyosuke, Chisa and Seiko were gathered together) What do they gain out of this risky mission? Could it be….

“Fear…” Tengan muttered alone in his office. An irrational emotion made to throw people off as the Trial for Makoto’s fate draws nearer. Regardless if the attackers succeeded or failed, the fear and paranoia they would leave behind would be irrefutable but of what kind of fear…

Simply put…a Traitor amongst the Directors. Someone had to give the attackers an access card to open the max cell block, after all. A conclusion all leaders of Future Foundation seem to reach as it flashes by to all fourteen of them.

In a dark location, the Four Sinners are standing in line looking at a large monitor that shows Monokuma’s head looking at them. A garbled voice announces the need for the Blights services.

After all, the next game is soon to begin!

(Episode 11)

A traitor…

A word like that hangs heavy as Togami meets with Asahina and Hiro, in Hiro’s room (because why would anyone bother with Hagakure). It’s one thing for a mole to be in something like a killing game, but a Director possibly going rogue? It could lead to disaster for not just the other Directors but the entire world. Asahina shudders, though wonders about the possibility of it being a Sakura situation: where her family was threatened. But Togami is quick to shut it down. No use in pondering the motivations of a possible Traitor when they still haven’t caught them yet. He stops Hiro from just barging out to ‘investigate’ and reminds Hiro that he can’t just go out and do whatever he wants. If he tries to grill the Directors, chances are he’ll just get thrown in the slammer for being a nuisance and just worsen the situation.

Instead, Togami has informed both he’s sent some of his own private personnel on the case. While any Directors or the Havoc Crew would be on clear suspicion and be monitored, would anyone bother keeping tabs on Togami’s butler or his eyepatch wearing secretary? Not likely. So he’ll leave it to them.

Asahina asks about Makoto, and what they should do for him given the incident. Togami believes at this point they should forget about seeing him until the Trial. Makoto has been taken to a private holding cell in the 2nd Division Branch. With the max cell compromised, he’s staying there under Kyosuke’s watchful eye. Until then, its best to focus on other matters. For example, if this incident comes up during the trial, it would be best to gain some sort of evidence to be on even footing during it. But, all knew if they tried, chances are Kyosuke might get his goons to chase them away. But, Asahina realized that, even if they couldn’t she could probably get someone to not only help them out, but even inform Kyoko. 

The scene shifts to Kyoko’s room and there its revealed Koichi was the one to help out, handing over a good deal of evidence from the crime to her. ‘A gift from that charming swimming lady’ Koichi mentioned, though Kyoko is as stoic as ever. Koichi tries to get closer with Kyoko more, showing more of his concerned side from her (and even a brief scene of him seeing Jin die during the KG), Kyoko brushes him off. If he really wants to help her, he needs to support Makoto’s side. Koichi chuckles. Kyoko’s as blunt as ever. He walks off, claiming he’ll think about it over a drink or two!

For Team Munakata, Juzo and his branch are investigating the scene of the crime, looking pissed about what happened still. While they had managed to suppress the truth of the incident, there was no telling what could be leaked. Seiko responds that, despite using the truth serum on the surviving invaders, they couldn’t tell much about who was organizing them to do this. They can only say that they were ordered by someone in a cloak who was connected with the former Remnants. Who warned them that their actions will spurn on the Third. “The third killing game…what nonsense.” Kyosuke orders Seiko, Chisa and Juzo not to spread this info out to anyone for the time being. Doing so without all the facts would just lead to chaos brewing. When he asks for further details about where the escapees could be, Chisa informs that they have all unist on the lookout for them, but there has been no signs of where they went. One of the transport vehicles is missing so its likely they took that to make their getaway, but the footage for that period is missing due to the attackers managing to get inside the security office. How convenient. But nevertheless Kyosuke is confident that they can defeat whatever plans Despair has for them. “Security measures will be increased tenfold and for the Trial…we’ll invoke the usage of the Elite Taskforce. No matter what - judgement will reign on those who stray from the path…” His crew nod alongside him, albeit to varying degrees (Juzo is smirking and pounding his fists together, Seiko is a bit nervous but hurriedly agrees with him and Chisa looks rather solemn before she nods as well).

We get some brief cuts to what some other Directors are doing. For Ruruka and Izayoi, she feeds him a macaron, with her (and by extension his) minds made up: Makoto is clearly guilty in her eyes and sooner they axe a traitor the better. Miaya is talking with Alter Ego, the latter wanting to do something to help Makoto. He can’t let someone he saved get hurt or sentenced to die, right? Miaya tries to reassure him that things will turn out okay, and that AE did enough already for Togami recently, but hears a knock at the door before she could really finish. Bandai is at his office seeing a text from Gozu on how the wrestler would be coming back a bit late given he’s with the Chairman. As for Ryota he’s nervously going between his phone and the e-mail. Obviously conflicted on something.

We finally shift to Makoto in his cell, unable to to do anything. Can’t investigate, can’t be with his friends. All he can do is wait...huh? Entering his cell is Tengan with Gozu accompanying him. Due to Tengan’s status as the Chairman, he’s able to gain clearance and visit Makoto. 

He comments on the misfortune brought about Makoto recently, and laments that the trial has to happen at all. Makoto asserts his innocence, that everything he’s done was truly meant to help people. That is something Tengan has no doubts on and even finds it a commendable dream to work towards. Even at his old age, his reason for joining FF is to bring the most aid to humanity as possible. He was just the same when he was younger and laments that Makoto is in such a position now. Being stuck trying to follow your heart and being obstructed by others is a frustrating balance to tow.

Tengan remarks on what Makoto plans to do at the trial. Given the severity of his crimes, there isn’t much hope that he’ll be freed. If Tengan is to be frank, were it not for Makoto’s Ultimate Hope status, anyone else would have been prosecuted immediately and likely executed. What’s Makoto endgoal?

For Makoto, he responds earnestly: his goal is always the same as its been. He’s nothing special, he just wants to help people that need it. He completely understands why people want to kill the Remnants, why those who are in the know thinks he's being foolish or even traitorous. But if there's a chance that even the worst of the worst can be rehabilitated and gain a second chance to make things better, then shouldn't they at least try to take it?

Tengan chuckles. Yeah, the same Makoto as he saw back during the sixth trial of Danganronpa 1. Even Gozu seems impressed with his resolve. Both leave the room, Tengan mentioning that when the trial comes: while he can't make any promises, he'll at least try to ensure Makoto has a sporting chance. Makoto sighs as he leans back in his cell. A chance is all that he’d ever want.

Back to Asahina, she’s left brooding in her room. There wasn’t much else she can do now, except wait and try to prepare her own defense for Makoto. The trial. Hina’s recalls Bandai’s words and the statements from all the Directors, friends and foes, come back to her. What does she think of this entire thing? 

She was left out of the loop and is now trying to catch up to a story that’s she’s never really been apart of. Having to risk it all for the sake of the Remnants? Who ended up getting her brother killed? Can she really do it? No doubt Makoto and the others hearts are in the right place, but could she truthfully still say she has no misgiving about it?

If only Sakura were here, she’d know the answer…

After the credits, time skips to the day of the trial. The scene is in a shadow room and there is a figure typing on a computer screen, sending messages out.

‘The pieces are in place. Let the third mutual killing game…begin.”

(Ep 12)

Now this episode is somewhat sort of the same as Future Arc ep 1, with a few twists. For example, the Ultimate Task Force is littered around the headquarters, watching for potential threats. Hagakure is actually let inside (and not on the helicopter pad awkwardly) for instance. Well, at first anyway! He’s not allowed in the meeting room so is just wandering about the rest of the building.

Asahina is looking between Kyoko and Makoto, words from Bandai still echoing in her head. How does she feel about this. She wants to support her friends - her family - through thick and thin. But, these guys helped get Yuta killed and is the reason their class is now down to six in the first place. Can she really vouch while so conflicted? Both Makoto and Kyoko grow aware of her looking so down, but can’t really be afforded the time to help her as they are called into the meeting room.

Kyosuke calls the meeting to order: This is the secret trial to determine the fate of Makoto Naegi - member of the 14th Division of Future Foundation - who is accused of treason and harboring dangerous criminals: the Remnants of Despair. This is the first time we now get to see the Jabberwock Crew in their Despair forms, unobstructed, with Kyosuke explaining that such intel was scrounged up and provided during the DR2 killing game, after FF realized they were the Remnants. A fact that Kyosuke is rather bitter about, but presses on with the matter at hand:

“Makoto Naegi - how do you plead?”

With a Not Guilty verdict in hand, the trial shifts, metaphorically, to be reminiscent of a Class Trial. Together with Kyoko and Hina, Makoto is doing his best to shoot down incorrect or slanderous claims about his situation. For example, claiming he had something to do with the jailbreak, which he couldn’t go given his confined state at the time. For Team Naegi, they’re arguing the Remnants can be saved and, for those that were awake, they deserve at least a fair shot at proving that they were rehabilitated. For Team Munakata, they’re arguing that no matter what form the Remnants take, they are still a danger to others and need to be eliminated. Both sides are at an impasse, and the others begin to chime in their thoughts as well.

Gozu, Miaya, Bandai, Tengan and Koichi do at least want to give testing the Remnants a shot. In Koichi’s case, when its mentioned that he did scout out the Remnants, its in the vein that he should have a grasp on the DR2 crew in spades. While he’s confident that, if given another shot, they’d be alright, he also admits he may or may not have been a biiiit too drunk that day and maybe can’t remember approving a good chunk of them? (Hina sighs and calls him out for being so irresponsible). Yet, there was still those like Ruruka or Izayoi who were adamant that the Remnants couldn’t be saved, and Ryota was too meek to say where he stood.

Eventually, a vote would commence. Kyoko and Makoto aren’t allowed to vote given their involvement in the matter, but Hina is allowed since she was away during the debacle and, at least to Tengan, she should at least be given the benefit of the doubt. A majority of seven would decide Makoto’s fate. Each Director gives their vote until its a split between Guilty (Kyosuke, Juzo, Seiko, Ruruka, Sonosuke and Chisa) and Not Guilty (Koichi, Tengan, Ryota, Bandai, Gozu and Miaya)

The only person left to vote is Hina and she’s feeling happy. She’s the tiebreaker and can save her friend’s life! She can help him! She can get him out of this situation! They’ve won! But, Kyosuke wasn’t done just yet. He chuckles and remarks that Hina must really be a strong woman. After all: she’s sparing the left of someone who saved those who got her brother killed.

Hina freezes and the room falls silent, except for Kyosuke. He gets into Hina’s head, reminding her of all the damage that the Remnants done. Because of Ultimate Despair, millions of people are dead and the world was brought to ruin. Because of them, her little brother, Yuta Asahina, will never come back. He’s another casualty; a victim who has never received justice for the crime brought to him! To Kyosuke, he’s not trying to be the bad guy - he doesn’t want to do this, especially to the ‘Ultimate Hope’ who helped stopped the Mastermind behind that terrorist organization. But what else can he do when the last major executives of the worst organization in human history were prevented from their just punishment for their actions? And doesn’t Hina want that? Want them to pay for blowing up her brother, whose remains are still at the bottom of the ocean? Does she really want to them off the hook for someone who values the lives of 15 murderers than her own flesh and blood?!

At the end of it, Hina is in tears and her conflicted mindset comes to a boil. She can’t think straight and has broken down, overwhelmed with such an awful choice to make. Both of her friends rush to her to try to get her to calm down, but as soon as Makoto touches her arm, she shirks away from them and runs out of the room. Something that causes Kyosuke to call for a temporary recess. Makoto is stopped from leaving by Juzo, but Kyoko is permitted to go after the swimmer. The rest of the Directors shuffle off, though Tengan wonders out loud if Kyosuke truly had to bring up the deceased just to sway the vote. For Kyosuke? He remarks that it’s better for Hina to truly understand her choices. Lest she makes one that she’ll live to regret. As for Makoto, he’s carted off to a nearby room to be treated by Chisa after Juzo handled him a bit too roughly. It’s there we get her revealing her past to Makoto as well, a condensed version of it, and her beliefs right to the luckster. Of both Kyosuke and Makoto coming together to create even bigger Hope for the world. If Kyosuke was the Hope of Justice- one that promises punishment to sinners who wronged others, then Makoto was the Hope of Faith - that promises that there was respite even in the worst of times. She encourages him to see Kyosuke’s point of view and meet somewhere in the middle with him.

Kyoko would go on to find Hina, sobbing bitterly in the girl’s bathroom. Hina apologizes for her actions. After all, Makoto’s life is on the life. She should have just ignored Kyosuke and voted for her friend’s safety! But, Kyoko shakes her head and tells Hina not to be sorry. After all, what was done to Hina can be considered a genuine betrayal given what UD have done to Yuta and what half of her friends did in spite of that. None of the others ever contacted her about it, nor even discussed it with Hina. They let their friend remain hurt for so long…and for that, Kyoko, kneels down and can only offer her humblest of apologies - even offering Hina to hit her if necessary if it means getting everything out of her systems and making amends.

But Hina doesn’t want that. She gets out of the stall, and just hugs Kyoko, crying into her shoulder. A while pasts, and Hina calms down, now willing to head back to the trial. They head out, only for Kyoko to notice something. The door to the supply closet wasn’t fully closed. Hina went to shut it, but finds the security guards of the place murdered. She freaks out and that’s when chaos ensues.

By now we get to see the Elite Task Force luring away guards, and quietly murdering them.  During this process, Hagakure, is strolling on by lost, getting back from the men’s restroom when he opens the wrong door and sees some operatives stuffing the dead into body bags.

Hagakure ends up running away, which leads him to escaping the building right before the shutters close on the roof of Future Foundation. During this time, the scenes cuts to Togami whose in a meeting with his secretary and Aloysius. They have a flash drive containing some secret information concerning some hidden email they managed to dredge up with help from a special program A.E. gave to Togami some time ago. Secretly, they planted a special virus in each of the 14 Branches meant to automatically track any suspicious emails or files and send it straight to Team Togami. The fruits of their labor lies in that drive. Taking it and placing it into his laptop, Togami begins rummaging through all suspicious files and his eyes hardened considerably:

“...The third mutual killing game…and…a nation wide att-!!!” he gets up and orders both to make preparations. The scenes shifts throughout the various branches which are facing attacks from various agents of destructions, from rogue Remnants, to criminals/hitmen to even the likes of various operatives in the division going rogue out of nowhere and killing their own. It was complete chaos and no one can reach the Directors.

Back at Future Foundation HQ, the main cast are in a state of panic as they find themselves trapped in and reports of the guards being dead come to surface. Like in the original show, they are knocked out by sleeping gas. When they wake up, however, they find themselves in a rather demonic, yet regal looking area with monitors all over. The monitors come to life with Monokuma alongside four other mascots. He announces that these five are the MonoKast - hosts of the third mutual killing game!

Monokowl - a white and grey owl in a cowl and a graduation hat. Vice Headmaster of the MonoKast

Monokan - a white and orange kangaroo wearing a black apron. The teacher that helps runs the ‘school’.

Monokrown - A white and purple bee with a tiny crown. The security guard that keeps things safe.

Monokrony - A black and dark brown vampire bat with a gold star. A teacher’s assistant that helps out. Or tries to help out at least.

But if the Directors refuse to believe that they’ll kill each other, Monokuma is proud to announced that this killing game has already started. Everyone is confused, but it suddenly clicks to Kyosuke. Where is Chisa? The cast look up and see her murdered on the chandelier before it crashes, leaving Kyosuke just as distraught as he was before in the original.

DISTRUST LIFE - END

---

This ends the first part of the rewrite!! I'm open to questions concerning it if needed and hope anyone that read this got some enjoyment from this rendition! Who know when the next part will be up, but will try to make it for at least this year!

[lisxdumbr]

lis please do rant!! i cant get my thoughts on the story sound coherent at all and i would love to hear what you think since this was so????? but good lord that was a lot huh. literally never getting a break in anyway as a 2winkP

-🌟

After god knows how much time I tried to get my thoughts compiled ! I apologize it this doesn't make sense but I am still very unwell, I just !! I figured I'd share

JESUS CHRIST WHAT IS GOING ON IN THE 2WINK CLIMAX

I do have to say, the story started in an extremely bitter way for me. Perhaps it was about my expectations for their climax being really opposite for the first half of it, but at the end everything came together and it ended up being a much more enjoyable experience than I imagined.

Akira is still a man that no matter how much I try, I can't predict.

The story starting with them communicating almost telepathically and Yuta feeling down was an entire throwback to many moments before. Setsubun. Volcano Island.. it's always that moment in which after a lot of stress you open your eyes and see everything in slow motion happening right before you. I think Yuta was hit with this realization and that's why everything started being a burden. The lights, the audience, just the thought of him and his surroundings.

I expected Ibara to have a more important appearance in the story, however I understand he was really busy with Double Face at the same time, I still respect the figure he represents to 2wink though, I think half of this story wouldn't have gone the way it did without that little push he gave them.

I think it started stressing me out when the Anzu plot came on board. Please don't get me wrong, I love Hinaan, I think everyone should read Daybreak Heliolite. "Anzu-san, you're smiling just now..." the comfort Hinata is able to give Anzu is incomparable to any other member of the cast.

However, Anzu is mad? Anzu is angry? Why hadn't this showed before? Why weren't there signals? That repayment fes mention really dizzed me out because. after skimming through it again, wasn't Hinata just meaning to grow and prove Anzu that they were not going to be under anyone's shadow ever again? Something, something felt so bitter to me about it. Hinata's reaction was not good either, everything felt so uncomfortable, you could smell the arson between them and I guess that's what made me so. so mad.

On the other hand, you have Yuta relying on Shinobu for everything, once again, as they have always been that close. Didn't this feel like climbing a stair? Yuushino climbs one side while hinaan climbs the other, why did it feel like a competence?

I felt conflicted and stressed about their attitude, why are they doing this and what is going on? I couldn't puzzle it together until the realization suddenly hit me and everything made sense.

Hinata is growing lonely. And at the same time Yuta is drifting away to try and search for his own self, the timing couldn't be better.

We feel loneliness when we feel that there's no one near us that we can rely on. Hinata was surrounded by many, many people, but none of them understood, none of them knew how it was and how it felt.

I think I got everything when the street kids kidnapped him to make him see reality, it was their way of saying "we're like you. the same way you're like us". Hina may have fame and money now, but his heart is as dirty and as fragile as those kids'. It was not a matter of dragging him to the shadows but rather to take the blindfold out of him by screaming "please help us".

Anzu and Hinata then notice how similar they are. Yuta said it since ! era, "so Anzu, you're a big sis too, right? I'll just give you an advice, never underestimate us little brothers". See that part where Hinata says Yuta is projecting his since onto him like a mirror? I think that's what Hina was doing with Anzu. "You sacrifice yourself for everyone and that's why I cannot stand you, because you're like me.. but better".

That's the moment when Hinata realized everything and discovered he didn't have to bear the world on his shoulders, that not everything had to be pain but that there's rather another answer and that being alone is also ok. Hinata is starting that path to find out his true happiness without relying on anyone but himself.

This is what I said once about Yuta wanting to change by separating himself from Hinata, but Hinata needing to stick towards Yuta's side not to fall into the abyss.

Hinata finally understood that's not true, he finally understood he's able to live by himself and that that is ok. And that's where everything started kicking in for me.

Hinata choosing kindness and love is the perfect ending for me. That part of the story moved me so much you can't even understand. I think if I had to put this into a performance I would put a rising sun being quietly observed by the calming moon. A relationship that will always be held so close despite it never touching.

And then of course, the epilogue that drove me to tears of incommensurable joy

Yuta loves Hinata. Yuta has always and will always love Hinata like he loves anyone in this world. He's also not talking to whoever here. He's talking to us. He's asking us to please watch them become what they have always dreamed of.

Do you remember that part on Love Letter where Yuta tried so hard to unveil Hinata's 'evil' side to help him? I think he actually did.. but instead of finding an evil, twisted person in it's core, he found a gentle and healing being. Like the ying-yang, they're the perfect balance for each other.

Forever in a sweet memory, that's what 2wink is and will always be.

[taperwolf]

Huh, realized something sad about My Dress Up Darling — specifically from the third episode of the anime — that I hadn't seen anybody else talking about. (So probably either I'm grasping at straws or everybody thought this went without saying, but there you go.) Details follow:

Basically, the conclusion is that the events outlined in Gojou's dream/flashback that opens the first episode formed such an outsized impact on his psyche because he was still recovering from his parents' untimely demise.

This conclusion comes from many things, but primarily comes from the episode 3 scene — corresponding to chapter 7 of the manga — where Gojou is talking about why he doesn't use the word "beautiful" lightly. He talks about, and we see, briefly, when he was first introduced to Hina dolls; it's part of the same sequence we see part of at the start of the first episode, and in more detail in episode eight when he's reflecting on his grandfather's happiness then when talking to Juju. But something about this time strikes me as important.

"I'm an only child," he says, "so the first time I saw a Hina doll was at my Grandpa's place."

Now, later, other family members, like his cousin Miori and her mother, are mentioned as working in the family business (ch. 74), but it's obvious that Gojou's father didn't. We don't know why, nor do we ever really hear why Gojou hadn't been to his grandfather's before that time. And we don't know exactly how old he is, though it was young enough that he hadn't really had potential friends before the trauma he went through with Non-chan.

The conclusion I can't help but come to is that that scene — where the solemn little boy is led into the Hina doll shop and imprints so strongly on their beauty — happens when he's arriving at his grandpa's place, because that's where he'll be living now. It's very, very soon after his parents' deaths. Grandpa just wanted to connect with his grandson, show him what he does, and was surprised and gratified when Gojou really fell for the dolls, and found a real passion.

And it's that very vulnerable little boy, hurt and lonely and trying to reach out and share the beauty he's found, who's harshly rejected, because a boy liking girls' dolls is "creepy".

(I'm still uncertain whether Gojou's father and grandpa had a falling out, or if the dad just wanted to do something else and lived far away; this reading feels more like an estrangement, because you'd think he'd have been to visit his grandpa earlier if there wasn't something preventing it. Miori's mom is mentioned as the doll factory's hairstyling expert, but her dad's role, if any, isn't mentioned; I'm guessing that Miori's mom was Gojou's dad's older sister from her family resemblance to Grandpa, and that her dad does something else, but I don't have any solid evidence.)

[hinatastinygiant]

20 | Смрт

Pairing: Uzui x Fem!Reader

The Emptiness You Left

UZUI'S P.O.V.

Suma runs towards Hinatsuru and me with Y/N by her side, dragging behind with a blank expression on her face.

"Shit, what did I tell you, Hina? She's a liability," I whisper before stepping forward. "What's going on?!"

"We saw a demon," Suma tells me, a bit out of breath. I look over at Y/N who refuses to meet my gaze and instead glares down at the ground as if she's silently cursing it. Suma then nudges Y/N in the arm and I look her over to make sure she's not hurt. Thankfully, she isn't.

"Yeah, and?" Hinatsuru replies as I try to get a reading off Y/N's face.

"Y/N did... nothing," Suma gulps. Hinatsuru and I are both taken aback by this statement. I knew she wasn't ready for this and knew it was a possibility to happen, but I am surprised to know she really did freeze in front of a demon.

"What?" I say, trying to stay calm.

"The demon was coming straight at her," Suma says nervously, afraid of getting Y/N in trouble. "She- she didn't do anything at all. She didn't fight."

Still, Y/N doesn't say anything. Hinatsuru rushes to Y/N's side and puts her hands on Y/N's face. She attempts to force Y/N's gaze to meet hers, but she still looks off into the distance. However, now we can see her red eyes are filled with water.

"Are you okay?" Hinatsuru whispers softly to Y/N.

"Yeah," she finally replies as she pulls out of Hinatsuru's grasp. "Yeah, I'm fine. Sorry for not helping, Suma."

"It's okay, Y/N," Hinatsuru tries to say empathetically. "Everyone reacts differently to seeing a demon. Have you seen a demon since Master Tengen started training you?"

Y/N shakes her head and I can nearly feel the rage burning through Hinatsuru's veins.

"Well, it's okay, Y/N. You'll be okay," Hinatsuru tries to encourage her, and I watch the way she clings onto Hinatsuru's words as if they were a lifeline.

"Lord Tengen," Hinatsuru then grumbles as she turns around to face me. "How is she supposed to know what to do in the face of a demon if you don't show her a real one? She's been training for months, and you haven't once exposed her to an actual demon?"

"She hasn't been ready," I defend myself. "She's barely able to handle my techniques."

"I see," Hinatsuru replies. "Then we'll just have to do it like this from now on. Y/N, when we come across another demon, you are to attack immediately. No hesitation."

Y/N's head perks up at this, and she finally meets Hinatsuru's gaze.

"I disagree," I shake my head. "I don't think that's a good idea. Maybe we should take her home."

"What's a good idea?" I hear Makio's voice call out. She's approaching us from right behind Y/N and I hadn't noticed her making her way over until just now.

"We're going to take Y/N into a real battle. With demons," Suma tells her.

"That's a good idea! I'll join in on the action," Makio smiles. "She needs the practice!"

Y/N ignores them and flashes me a look. She can instantly tell I'm still not on board and takes a step away from the girls. "I don't want to go home," she addresses me. "I have to try again."

"Not today," I shake my head.

"But Lord Tengen-" Hinatsuru says before he cuts her off.

"That's enough. I don't have time for your insubordination," I snap at them, causing Y/N's eyes to widen.

After that, the four of us begin to walk back in silence. The four women follow behind me, refusing to stand at my side. As we leave the village, I can hear them whisper comforting words to Y/N, but my mind is too busy racing to listen in on what they're saying. I can't stop thinking about what happened. Was it a mistake to accept Y/N as my student? She's not ready. But, the last thing I want is for her to get killed. I just wish she wasn't so...

I sigh and try my best to shake the thoughts out of my head, but it seems rather impossible. However, thankfully Makio eventually comes up on my side after awhile. "You know," she hums, and I can already see where this is going. "Y/N stood her ground back there. She only froze because she didn't know what to do."

I scoff. If that was some kind of dig on my teaching style, Makio really needs to rethink her words. "She doesn't know what to do because she hasn't been training properly," I grumble.

"You should have told her what to do," she says, crossing her arms in front of her chest. "She needs to get used to being in combat situations."

"I shouldn't have to," I shake my head. "She should apply what I've taught her. I already told you, she isn't training properly."

Makio rolls her eyes. "That's not true, she's constantly fighting and she has the resolve. She was doing well. She just froze when the demon showed up. If she would have attacked, she would have been fine."

I don't know what to tell her. I don't want to argue with her, but "This is going to become a big problem for us."

"You're damn right," she scoffs. "If Y/N freezes up again, then she could be killed. So we have no other choice," Makio continues. "Y/N needs to be trained more so she can get used to it. In combat situations, Master Tengen."

"Makio-"

"I mean it," she growls. "If Y/N freezes like that again, there might not be anyone around to save her."

"What about me?" I say defensively.

"Do you think you'll be able to save her every time? You weren't even around this time. If Suma and I hadn't been there, she would have been dead."

"So, you want me to expose her to the demons again," I state. "Is that it? Even though she could freeze up?"

"Yes," she nods her head. "As long as she has someone with her."

I shake my head. Why can't Y/N just wish to not fight demons? Why can't she just stay where she's safe and allow me to get her brother and bring him back? I could do it in the blink of an eye, but instead, she has to insist on training and fighting the demons herself.

"We'll figure it out, okay?" Makio places a hand on my shoulder, causing me to relax.

"I don't think this is a good idea," I shake my head. "But, if you think that's what Y/N needs to survive, then fine. But, I'm going to be there with her every step of the way, got it?"

"Yeah," Makio sighs. "That's kind of the point."

The Emptiness You Left

[tokyo-daaaamn-ji-gang]

Whilst I'm at it, if the cast decided to write fanfiction, would they write, what tropes would they be fond of and who would be writing the filthiest and freakiest of smut you can think of.

Ok so assuming everyone had to write one and they couldn't say no this is what I came up with

Takemichi- superhero fic, very cliche, follows pretty much every trope. It's dedicated to Hina too (she loved reading it). It's probably got something to do with a 4 leaf clover in the name.

Mikey- Writes fic about Taiyaki kun being the hero, probably a long adventure type story, taiyaki kun rides a motorbike at one point, it's a wild read.

Draken- He'd likely be very big on the found family trope, you just know his fic would be about some rag tag group coming together and bonding to the point of becoming family (the villian is probably based on Hanma).

Hina- oh definitely romance, the hero saves the girl, the girl saves the hero. She just writes the perfect couple and then overcoming any obstacles together in their way.

Emma- Romance #2, she writes the cutest fluff you can think of.

Naoto- Probably a horror mystery with plenty of occult themes and references. He looks key really enjoys writing it so it's probably a long multiple chapter fic, with a bunch of people following it.

Kisaki- Story about the hero however with a major plot twist towards the end showing the hero was actually the bad guy. It's actually very well done and clever despite how cliche it may sound.

Hanma- ok I see two possible ones here, either he takes it seriously and writes one of the most interesting fics ever (hey he knows whats exciting and what makes a good story) or he absolutely does not take this seriously and writes the smuttiest smut to have ever smutted and attempts to annoy the others with it.

Kazutora- i think he might do something a bit different and write it in letter format, as in character's sending letter's to each other. Letter's probably mean a lot to him and he's likely the most comfortable writing in that format so he uses it in his fics.

Baji- Cat story!!!!! There's definitely some kind of big cat fight scene (baji can't resist) but ultimately it's a happy story. He probably also makes a few spelling errors but it's ok since Chifuyu helps him correct anything. 

Chifuyu- Was tempted by Baji's cat story but settles on a person romance instead. It is full of manga references and the girl eventually kisses the guy after he gave her a polkadot based surprise. Probably a soul mate au.

Mitsuya- very detailed fic, like expect everything to have every last detail described (especially people's clothes).

Hakkai- space story! Probably a self insert about him going to space and being a hero (when he comes back mitsuya is incredibly proud of him).

Pah & Peh- They do everything together including fic writing. Definitely a story about two friends (them two), is a happy story about these two friends vs the world.

Smiley- fights, fights and more fights, everyone just wants to beef each other here.

Angry- I think he would write am interactive type fic, like the type where people comment and choose what they want to happen next, I just think he'd enjoy the interactions with people.

Mucho- coffee shop/ bakery au! Actually probably writes about his friends working there, izana is the manager, kakucho the assistant manager, sanzu is a loyal customer, mucho himself prepares the cakes, the Haitani brother's face the customers, mochi handles the drive thru and shion is the dishwasher who keeps breaking things. 

Sanzu- definitely a royalty au about a king and his loyal soldier. 

Inui- probably heavily use the miscommunication causes the main issue trope, he's seen it irl and knows it really can cause a bunch of problems.

Koko- probably a fix it fic, writes about a fire but this time no one dies, the girl gets saved and ends up happily living with her rescuer. This is probably actually something he uses to work through his regrets.

Yuzuha- a cute fic about a sister protecting her brother, she probably beats all the bad guys easily (and the brother's phone lockscreen is of the sister)

Izana & Kakucho- they work together to make another royalty au but this one focusing on the king and his kingdom, the story of this king creating his new world.

Ran- oh definitely a very obvious self insert story. The main character? Flawless hair, everyone loves him, has a little brother who adores him, dresses famously, treated like a celebrity. The guys name is probably like nar or something. Just basically his perfect life, tries to make it very poetic too.

Rindou- probably actually a song fic, the type with lyrics to match the mood. He just expresses himself a lot through music so brings it into his writing too.

Shion- another one with a self insert fic, this one really does go over the top though. Writes himself to practically conquer the world, winning every fight he gets into. 

Senju- Probably a fun adventure fic, I think she would also be pretty big on it being a family adventure/ a found family adventure. 

Wakasa- ok idk exactly why but he gives me those text fic vibes, where two characters are texting each other. I feel like he'd actually kinda unexpectedly enjoying making it too. 

Benkei- Another fic very high on the action, a lot of fights, the characters are likely based on the 1st gen Black dragons.

Shinichiro- Say's he's going to write smut but then gets too embarrassed and ends up with fluff instead. 

South- ok I think he'd also write a kinda lyric fic but instead of lyrics he'd just straight up put musical notes down. He's just so passionate about it and doesn't really care if others don't understand what those mean (he'd passionately explain it to anyone who asked though)

[best-underrated-anime]

Best Underrated Anime Group E Round 1: #E2 vs #E7

#E2: Psychic girl is adopted by Yakuza. Hijinks ensue.

While reveling in the successful clinching of a prized vase for his collection, Yoshifumi Nitta, a yakuza member, is rudely interrupted when a large, peculiar capsule suddenly materializes and falls on his head. He opens the capsule to reveal a young, blue-haired girl, who doesn't divulge anything about herself but her name—Hina—and the fact that she possesses immense powers. As if things couldn't get any worse, she loses control and unleashes an explosion if her powers remain unused. Faced with no other choice, Nitta finds himself becoming her caregiver.

#E7: Teenage boys use empathy to solve problems for youkai.

Without realizing it, a high schooler named Ashiya Hanae shows kindness to a youkai and is subsequently possessed by it on the first day of class. The spirit clings to his shoulder, making him progressively sicker each day. After a week of collapsing on his way into school, Ashiya notices a “Help Wanted” flyer for an exorcism service in the nurse’s office. Desperate, he calls the service, only to find that it is run by his grumpy classmate.

Abeno Haruitsuki prefers youkai to humans, sleeps through class, and is the master of a sentient tea room called the Mononokean, where youkai come for help with their problems. It turns out that they’re mostly benign, and exorcising them to the Underworld is safer for them. Ashiya convinces Abeno to exorcise the spirit possessing him, but Abeno demands he work part-time for the Mononokean as repayment. Abeno’s intimate knowledge of the spirit world and Ashiya’s empathetic nature form a great contrast as they work together.

Titles, propagandas, trailers, and poll under the cut!

#E2: Hinamatsuri

Propaganda 1:

Hinamatsuri is about…

Hina, who is a psychic metaphor for autism ala Mob but imo better. She’s not only a weirdgirl who’s friends are almost all other strange girls, but she’s also into stuff that is just so either unfitting for her age or she’s just really intense about.

Nitta, who deserves all the fangirls and husbando-ing that every other random guy in anime gets. He’s a bachelor who loves pottery and can cook so well that Hina convinces her friends they have a gourmet chef working for them. He’s also a yakuza and is beloved by the aniki for being incredibly tough and scary. (He is gentle as hell with Hina.)

A bunch of other weird girls (Admin: this part of the propaganda has been cut due to possible spoilers)

Propaganda 2:

Hinamatsuri is an absolutely hilarious anime with some of the best comic timing I’ve ever seen. It’s so funny, the various girls are such nonsense.

Hina starts as a violent blank slate and develops into a lazy greedy horrible little gremlin. Anzu starts as a prideful edgy rival but eventually becomes a wholesome overly grateful insecure mess. Hitomi is forced to become more and more competent, independent, and adult because she can't stand up for herself and say no to people asking her for favors.

Nitta is a fantastic viewpoint character because he outwardly takes so much in stride that it’s easy to forget how annoyed and stressed everything makes him until he snaps.

Trigger Warnings: There is child nudity, but only for a Terminator reference. There is some comedic child neglect and slapstick. There is a child who is homeless, but it’s treated very sensitively.

#E7: The Morose Mononokean (Fukigen na Mononokean)

[Admin: Submitter had linked the season 2 trailer—which also happens to be blocked in my country. I’m replacing it with the s1 trailer, but it sadly does not have any subs. But if you’ve read the summary, then the trailer is easy to understand.]

Propaganda:

The Morose Mononokean is a beautifully written and animated coming-of-age story— with youkai, which can only ever make a piece of media better. The characters, both human and youkai, are fully three-dimensional, and although there isn’t much of an overarching plot in the first season/early manga chapters, the episodic stories contribute to the growth of both Ashiya and Abeno; their juxtaposed methods of problem-solving, and the way they affect and learn from each other’s perspectives as they become closer, are very satisfying both to analyze and to experience on an emotional level. Beyond the writing, the art is outstanding as well. The designs for the youkai characters are frequently adorable, occasionally terrifying, and always quite original, brilliantly incorporating characteristics of existing creatures in novel ways. The occasional visits to the Underworld are always a visual treat, with vibrant colors and a unique animation style painting the backdrop. Both the art and the characters are delightful and moving, and the OP is a banger. As a connoisseur of urban fantasy, Fukigen na Mononokean’s focus on emotion over action has made it my all-time favorite anime in the genre.

Trigger Warnings: None.

If you’re reblogging and adding your own propaganda, please tag me @best-underrated-anime so that I’ll be sure to see it.

[khattikeri]

would kinda like to see you toss a set of dr ships on that diagram just out of curiosity

I ended up having so many ships that I split it into three different charts LOL

dr 1 2 and v3 ships below! i did not bother with udg or the dr3 anime but just know that i care quite little for any ships in those latter two titles

starting off with DR1 - I hold naegiri (& their respective ships with ikusaba + poly) in highest regard personally, and if i had to choose a least favorite pairing it'd be togami/naegi. just. doesn't pass my personal vibe check lol

i don't talk about it a lot but i am compelled by kirigiri/junko and naegi/junko, but only in very specific ways... the rival dynamic with kyouko and especially the dynamic with naegi as enemies who hold a certain level of fear or unease for the other. nobody ever really writes this dynamic though, so i have to content myself with my own imagination...

moving onto dr2...

this one is interesting because i just... cannot bring myself to ship most of the cast with anyone. i just don't see it. forget making sense, almost none of it compels me. i didn't even bother listing more common het pairings (think akane/nidai) bc it just doesn't even register to me. those two are beards at best.

probably the most interesting ones to note here are kuzu/hina (compels me bc of their FTEs) and komanami (which i love a lot in a qpr way, placed in "doesn't make sense" based off my perception that neither of them view each other in a romantic or sexual way, they just... are both Kinda Weird.

and finally v3! i find this cast most shippable personally... big fan of ou/mota in particular (or anything in the ou-sai-mota triangle). i like tenko/angie way more than tenko/himiko... personally don't like sai/matsu.

i'm not a fan of pregame in general. hoshi and kirumi don't even show up once on this list bc i just... don't really ship anything that strongly with them? oof

i read amami as sex and romance repulsed aroace and you can't change my mind, any ships with him are just a massive squick to me LOL

tsumugi/anyone is mostly a joke, but i am very compelled by messed up complicated (platonic, but if i'm in the mood for Very messed up stuff romantic works too) relationships involving her and others-- especially the ch 1 and ch 6 folks!

and finally: my most special ship hot take is that people largely ship ou//.meno because she's the only girl in the cast who's shorter than him, and even without them having any actual meaningful interactions outside of ouma occasionally being snide or rude to her, Girl Shorter Than Boy is enough for some people /shrug

[regarding-stories]

Hilarious, well-researched, dragging its feet: "My Dress-Up Darling"

When I picked this one off my watch list, I was a bit concerned. This was due to the vague synopsis Crunchyroll had provided - I couldn't tell whether this would be a romantic story or something of a fetish thing or what. Would it be overly dramatic, funny, light-hearted, no idea? Welp, no better way to know than diving in and finding out.

Wakana Gojou is a high-school first-year living with his grandfather, apprenticing with him to make hina dolls. He became deeply fascinated with the beauty of this work as a young boy and dedicates serious effort in learning the craft. An incident in his youth made him think that all the other children will think of him as weird for adoring dolls so much. He doesn't have any friends and spends lots of time honing his skills.

All of this changes when Marin Kitagawa comes into his life - a trendy beauty from his class. She finds out what he kept hidden so well from everybody else and her reaction is... pure delight! Because Marin wants to be a cosplayer and make her own costumes, but she lacks the skills, so she calls on Wakana to make her a costume to truly embody her favorite character.

(After this point I will drop spoilers, but I think all of that above was fair game because it's in episode 1.)

The lively and sociable Marin is of course the perfect counterpoint to the reclusive, devoted Wakana. She's bursting with so much genki and passion that she struggles with keeping the serious faces and poses needed for taking good cosplay in-character pictures because she's so damn happy about it. It's quite infectious.

The tongue is deep in the cheek

Wakana gets drawn into the cosplay world and begins to develop his own utter infatuation with it - with how to make a perfect outfit down to the smallest details, or how to do makeup. When he goes into creator mode, Marin becomes the canvas on which he projects art. At the same time he's also dealing with the fact that he's suddenly all the time involved with a lively, good-looking girl that isn't the least bit shy. It's a great setup.

One of the hilarious aspects of the story is the light it shines on many parts of otaku culture by being just a tad over the top with them. Her first outfit choice is based on a hypersexualized computer game named Saint ♡ Slippery's Academy for Girls - The Young Ladies of the Humiliation Club: Debauched Miracle Life 2, a game apparently featuring girls as BDSM subs just as a starting point. Adults overhearing the casual conversations the characters have about the game are deeply shocked, given that the intro scene features a character who can't stop ejaculating or a major plot arc in this "high school" game is the Spurts Festival.

Or take the light novel they draw a character from: It has a title spanning several lines, putting everything about the main plot/setup into the title. This shines a spotlight that even good Japanese works might have lousy or at least completely on-the-nose titles. (Seriously, even German movie titles have nothing on it!) After all, right now I'm reading the wonderful Higehiro: After Being Rejected, I Shaved and Took in a High School Runaway and have in the past talked about Cautious Hero: The Hero is Overpowered but Overly Cautious...

Where there is absolutely no tongue in-cheek is the absolutely wonderful depiction of the world of cosplay - the relation to the fans, the effort that goes into costumes, the growing industry behind it, the techniques and tricks, the resources, people who "crossplay" to a different gender... all is handled with great respect. I don't know much about cosplay, and I found this aspect of the anime and manga quite unique, and in many ways, educational.

It's actually a teenage love story?

Remember the title above this article? There's a reason why I said this show and manga drag their feet. I watched all of the wonderful season 1 and dove right into the manga after. And boy, is it indeed dragging its feet on the love story. And love it is!

Yes, Marin and Wakana become friends. Fast friends, people that spend lots and lots of time together. Marin is not in the least shy about her body around Wakana (we learn later that she also models as a part-time job)... until she realizes she has a crush on him. This is actually played funnily and wonderfully, and I find it very enjoyable.

This part of the story seems at least "on track" until the anime finishes, with things escalating in a love hotel that Marin booked as their "studio" backdrop mostly by accident. A rather believable series of events lead almost to a kiss as they are both dropped into a situation that gets all their hormones going, and yet it completely lacks the contrivance of "boys falling on girls" and similar anime tropes usually employed to bridge the physical distance. I loved it.

What I don't love is how season 1 leaves us hanging. I then read the next three translated manga volumes (all there is until July). And I'm getting annoyed that there hasn't been any development since. It's as if that incident didn't happen - almost. The story is back in the jail the author designed to prevent things from happening. I guess if the cat was out of the bag too soon, this would remove a lot of tension from it. But come on - Wakana is so utterly clueless, there would be plenty of things to put after a first kiss or a confession for these two to navigate.

But so far, nothing happened.

Fridge Logic that cools down the love story

You know what fridge logic is? It's those gaps in the logic behind a story that you notice only after you disengage with a medium - like on your way from the couch to the fridge after watching a movie. And boy, this show has its fair share!

The basic setup between Wakana and Marin is that he is shy, has been raised by his grandfather (and therefore might have outdated standards on what is "inappropriate"), he definitely was sheltered and had no link to youth culture, his age peers, or even events in his area (come on, he never went to the local fireworks festival!!). Marin may be all genki, lively, sexy, but we seem to catch her in the time of her life - remember first year of high school, I think it's mentioned she's 15 - before dating entered her life for real. But that's only part of the setup.

The trauma of feeling ostracized about his passion for dolls and doll-making - and it not being what a boy "should" do - and his lack of friends has left Wakana with low self-esteem. In spite of how he feels about Marin, he cannot imagine that she would want him. Whenever people mention that they look good together or assume he's her boyfriend or ask if they are dating - after all, they have an awesome energy together - he goes into denial mode. Because Wakana thinks it would bother Marin. He can't even see that she actually wants him to consider the possibility.

Both of them are not helping. Wakana's denials are taken quite literally by Marin who thinks Wakana might not reciprocate her feelings. Marin in turn tries to flirt with and tease Wakana, but she always escapes into "just kidding" the moment it has even a chance to get serious. (She cannot own the boldness or the tease she puts forth, which is actually quite adorable as well.) This locks both of them into a stalemate because neither of them can make a move - either not contemplate it or not pull through with it.

After having finished Volume 8 I have to say this has become frustrating. Because the fridge logic is so apparent! Yes, Wakana essentially has nobody to talk about this, but Marin has friends. Friends that know about Wakana. Friends with an increasingly good impression of Wakana. Friends who think they actually would make a cute couple! There's nobody trying to get in between them out of jealousy. Nobody trying to mislead them.

All it would take for this to move forward is for Marin to confess her crush on Wakana to a friend because she cannot keep it in anymore, and that friend would set her head straight and say: "I think you need to make the first move. Wakana is too shy. He probably cannot even imagine that you want him. Have you any idea how out of his reach you must seem?" And things would go from there. There's no way a 15 year old girl can not spill the beans on this to a friend. (As long as she has friends, mkay.)

Missed opportunities

The other disappointing thing is that the story never makes use of or make explicit the other possible hindrance. His low self-esteem hinders Wakana. So does his childhood trauma. But he never seems to speak these out loud so anybody can engage him on them. Marin never gets a chance to say "Hey, you're wrong." Nor does his grandfather.

Even worse, it never makes use of a potential dramatic setup that the show naturally created. Marin is Wakana's only real friend, the channel for his passion. Can he actually risk all of that for the potential to be more to her? It's never even addressed or spoken out loud that risking losing Marin might seem losing everything he loves in one go. Now that's a high bar to clear, but I didn't find a hint of this rather natural development in the manga.

He learns valuable lessons - that there are people who will not think less of him because of his passions. That it can actually be cool to be skilled when most teenagers have barely any actual skills or all trained to acquire the same ones. He learns to lean on others, to not burn himself out or take on too much - and I appreciate his growth arc in this regard.

But if you make a damn romantic anime/manga, you need to get things moving at this point. And you can't act like both of them are utterly braindead. They both know they almost kissed. How can months pass after that without anything happening? That feels like The Simpsons continuity where everything resets after the episode ends. And I don't like that.

So, I'm bummed out having to wait until July and October to know how the story continues. I hope the show will get more episodes, it was a lot of fun. And I wouldn't be bummed out if I hadn't enjoyed it to begin with.

Now throw us a damn bone!

[dcndrohime]

Not too long ago, she had gotten a read on a small note, a message left behind at the Inn, specifically the room she paid for. The words on it had been pretty vague but given whomst had penned it, Hinamori had no reason to not follow throught.

Many times, had the woman actually roamed the area known to be Qingyun Peak but never had she ventured any higher than she felt appropriate.

When she got there, the canine lady found herself alone, under starry night. Silently, Hina choose to wait by taking in the sight, & if perhaps, see if she can spot a certain yaksha.

So far, there was nothing, not a single soul but she can't aid but notice an archon statue on some opposing peak.

Huh, had this one always been here?. Mayhaps she needed to explore a little more than just the spots she had circled out onto that map of hers.

Amidst these thoughts, was her wondering why the small message told her to show up here.

@grislyintentions