#immortal naofumi

[shieldherostuffs]

Something Naofumi

I just think it would be fun if Naofumi randomly shared these weird and sometimes horrific facts about his life before being summoned, and at some point everyone is trying to piece together his life from off-hand comments and things he mentioned once and never again.

Things they've all gathered:

Naofumi had three husbands and two wives before he was summoned (They have yet to figure out his real age)

All three husbands died under mysterious circumstances (everyone is assuming Naofumi murdered them, but aren't sure of the reason (they're thinking either for inheritance or because the husbands were dicks))

He had platonic relationships with both wives, and got married both times to help his friends

He had two pet snakes and a lazy black cat with orange eyes

He was a florist, tattoo artist, painter, photographer, biologist, pediatrician, teacher, and a chef.

Furthermore, he had a girlfriend who disappeared under mysterious circumstances, but Naofumi made it sound like he knew where she went

He has too much specific knowledge about this one very specific period of ancient history

He has lived in two different cottages in the wood; once high up on a mountain in a pine forest, and once by the shore of a lake in an oak forest

He always has this one locket on his person, with a picture/painting inside, but no one has seen it, and he will never let anyone near it

Somehow inspired by this: "If the men find out that we can shapeshift, they're going to tell the church"

Which, Naofumi probably does this while getting ready for a ball/party/feast with the girls and the ladies, and they're all both confused and confusedly agreeing.

Basically eldritch/horror/witch/widow/immortal/shape-shift (idk which one) Naofumi who's out to confused and annoy everyone, but he doesn't even realize it.

Hell, he could just be normal Naofumi, but intentionally out to confuse everyone (If so, he has a whole notebook to keep track of everything).

Extras by the Discord Server:

Ren probably has a pin-up board with notes of all of Naofumi's comments pinned with string attached to them like some kind of conspiracy theorist.

One of the husbands asked Naofumi to fake his death because he found out a family secret or something big

[i-will-just-nyom-bi]

I did already make a post about RotSH, but man...

I love this anime, it's in my top 3 and the protag is my fav character. Why did they ruin it so fricking much?

The series had so much potential. The 3 heroes could have become better, recognized Naofumi or even died, 3 good tropes. (Also angst. Imagine Naofumi being left alone as the Legendary Hero, and the world doesn't dare to kill him to summon new ones, because at this point killing him is 1. Impossible 2. The dumbest desicion ever. So he collects more daughters (maybe sons even) and spread them across his world to the point when The Shield Gang was waaay better than the 4 Heroes. Man I need to write this).

Naofumi could continue to explore his and other worlds, gaining xp and knowledge, being known as a God across dimensions.

L'arc's world troupe. Their cooperation, Kizuna's and Naofumi's research. Glass's help. Man that was good.

But nooooo, they added like 30 background characters who "play a big role" (I mean really? The tiger girl being Naofumi's "shiled"? Girl he's THE SHIELD HERO. You can't possibly level with him or the shield, go learn archery or something). Ost dying in a few episodes, the Pierro girl....

The other heroes became even more shallow. Motoyase lost his mind, Ren unlocked the Cursed Series after realising after MONTHS that this world is not a game. That troupe could've been way better.

The King's flashbacks and his obsession with the tiger girl.

aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa

Not to mention the ENORMOUS amount of plot twists. A mistical rogue? Ren! A mistical archer-gladiator? Itsuki! Puff! RAPHTALIA IS A FUCKING PRINCESS OF SHE WAS WANTCHED THIS WHOLE TIME.

why

[eli-elien]

Hi my name is Naofumi Iwatani and I have short ebony black hair with Green streaks and dark red tips that reaches my mid neck and bright green eyes like acid and a lot of people tell me I look like sasuke Uchiha (AN: if u don’t know who he is get da hell out of here!). I'm a down to earth guy (that’s how I got my name) I’m not related to Solo king Itachi but I wish I was because he’s a major fucking hottie.am an otaku but my habits are straight and normal. I have pale white skin. I’m also the Shield Hero, and while looking for light novels I was summoned to a this place called Melromarc where I’m supposed to fight monsters (I’m 20). I’m grudge (in case you couldn’t tell) and I wear mostly black and green. I love Erhard's Shop and I buy all my clothes from there. For example today I was wearing a black button up and a dark chestplate that reached above my abdomen and dark green pants with several belts around it tucked into black combat boots. I was wearing black lipstick, white foundation, black eyeliner and green eye shadow. I was walking outside Melromarc's Castle. It was snowing and raining so there was no sun, which I was very happy about. Alot of the other heroes and their parties stared at me. I put up my middle finger at them.

[sorrinslays]

Would anyone be interested in a rewriting of the Shield Hero where Naofumi is an immortal guy who has lived for millennia (think a mix of Zhongli and Alhaitham from Genshin)?

I've been entertaining the idea for quite a while in my head but I'd like to know the thoughts of others on the matter as well, which is why I'm sharing the idea.

I've been thinking that it would be really interesting to do a re-write/fix-up of the anime/manga/light novel where there's:

No underlining pedophilia because that's just disgusting and creepy

Naofumi acts a lot like a miserable mentor figure who just wishes for the sweet embrace of death

The other heroes actually develop and their beliefs and morals are challenged

MOTOYASU IS NOT A CREEPY GUY LUSTING OVER A MONSTER CHILD

Myne and The King face actual consequences for their actions appropriate for the setting and time period

It's more of a dark fantasy/ subversion of the isekai trope (how it was supposed to be from the start in my opinion)

Explores such things as growing too fast and becoming a child soldier, immortality and how it affects someone, keeping promises to the dead, accepting your death as well as obsessing over the idea of death and similar topics

If anyone has any questions/suggestions feel free to ask me!

[bluelovestoship]

Rotsh brain rot

Centaur pregnant femfumi wearing a covering to hide everything but when the trial happens, her cloth tears showing her swollen breast, round belly looking ready to pop having a divine glow to her

Gasps were heard from everyone as some of the knights had a lustful look due to seeing her swollen pussy but knew not to touch since she could kick them hard

Idk how to add onto this but Naofumi has the powers of a goddess in her world since she was absent the source that gives them the powers and immortality since birth

[cryptid-called-ash]

Welp, I said I’d explain the merchant arc overhaul later and it’s damn near midnight. So I guess that counts as later.

First thing’s first, naofumi gains the ability to communicate with Kieka very early on. And quickly gains some additional skills because of this. (Also more spells in general, but shh details)

One of those new skills is mask visage. This basically lets him change his physical appearance at will (not true shapeshifting. At least not yet anyways)

So when the shield family kick off their merchant business, Nao doesn’t just hang tight in the cart, he’s the one doing the selling.

Everyone, meet Skaan, the saint with the bird god carriage. A fair skinned man with strawberry blonde hair and a Scottish accent. He’s cheerful and absolutely loves his adoptive daughters. But don’t let that fool you, he’s a real businessman. And yet, there’s an air of tragedy to him, a deep sorrow in those oh so familiar emerald green eyes.

So yea, naofumi has a separate personality for his merchant trade.

Raphtalia also uses her illusion magick to disguise herself and Filo. They’re aliases to be decided, but I want Raph to have a white bob cut and similarly white fox traits (white ears and tail, with her hands and feet darkening to black like a fox’s). Filo is more or less the same looking but her queen form has blue highlights with the illusion, rather than the normal pink.

*leans in and whispers* this is the arc Ren gets adopted in.

This arc also earns naofumi the ironic nickname of Sunny with the people who know Skaan’s real identity. He’s less than thrilled.

Kieka is kept in bracelet form when Mask visage is used and Nao doubles down with a false rapier (ie. basically Raph’s magick sword minus the magick.) it’s purely for show so Kieka doesn’t react. (Although they negotiate to a point where Nao is allowed exactly 6 daggers and a hitting stick, the hitting stick is for Motoyasu only)

Speaking of the frat boy, he actually buys an exquisite necklace off Skaan to gift to Myne. So when the wave rolls around and Naofumi notices she wearing one of his own creations over her regular jewellery, he and Kieka can’t help but laugh. The only comment Nao gives is a sarcastic “nice necklace”

Motoyasu subsequently became a a regular buyer and a very easy person to scam. Naofumi simply charges him double to usual price. “If I’m selling to a hero, im gonna guarantee quality, o’course that’ll cost ye a wee bit extra.” As Skaan put it.

Ren rides with the shield family a few times before he learns to communicate with Orkian. It’s actually Orkian who points out that Skaan and Naofumi are the same person. Ren is a little embarrassed at being so easily fool. To which Orkian simply states “oh that’s not even the half of what you’ve fallen for. Good to finally be able to correct that. Now for the love of the star spirits, go apologize to Kieka’s champion!”

Okay, that’s all I gots for now. May add more later when I get to writing the chapter(s) concerning this arc.

Tagging ⤵️

@shieldherostuffs @rosesinbloom7love @bluelovestoship @eli-elien @maloteddy @ideas-of-immortality

{Thoughts and prayers for my sleep schedule, gosh the things I do for you all}

[serpenttailedangel]

i wanna know the reasons that the other three heros tried to kill naofumi even though they thought they were all immortal cause it sounds so funny but i cant find it in the manga :(

Thinking back, I can’t recall having seen it in the manga. My first memory of getting a kick out of it was from the LNs. Now I’m sad the manga left it out too :(

Here’s the key parts of the convo establishing that they think they’re immortal and Naofumi calling them out on the whole “but you still tried to kill me?” thing. (It’s from the same scene where Naofumi learns about teleport skills and the power up methods.)

[moonlightkitsune]

Naofumi will occansionally go back to Asgard with the Help of Erhard, a famous Dwarf, and play pranks on the other gods. As Motoyasu and his Guards, Ren and Itsuki, finds Naofumi and L'Arc again, he is kicked out of their house and the Police is called in the end. Motoyasu, Itsuki, and Ren uses their powers to get free and Naofumi shouts "Who's attacking Midgard now?!" before slamming the door shut. The two are then left in peace to live their immortal lives together.

Lovers~!

[that-spider-witch]

Crunchyroll Anime Awards 2020 Predictions (...kinda.)

I’m going to be completely honest here: This year was a big slumber for me and I probably couldn’t tell you which or how many good or bad anime debuted this year. It’s not that this was a bad year for anime, it’s that I was focused on other stuff and I didn’t watch almost any current anime this year, so I can’t honestly tell which anime came up this year or in 2018 or in the Year of the Pear. I’m dissociating hard even as I write this.

Then again, Crunchyroll don’t seems to give much of a flying fuck with their nominations, so I might actually be in the right state of mind to be making predictions about their selections. Whatever.

Those in bold letters are the ones that I feel are 100% going to be nominated, and anything in italic latters are the ones I wish would get nominated and my own personal taste. Also this list is NOT one of personal opinion, but one I could see Crunchyroll and their judges coming up with, so... Not a very good one, to be honest.

No predictions for the Best Director and Best Fight Scene, as I don’t have any. I also didn’t had any for Best Couple, so I just put there the canon or near canon couples that came to mind. I do hope that Ikuni gets a Best Director nomination for Sarazanmai, tho.

BEST PROTAGONIST

- Senku Ishigami (Dr. Stone)

- Naofumi Iwatani (The Rising of The Shield Hero)

- Emma (The Promised Neverland)

- Hyakkimaru (Dororo)

- Thorfinn (Vinland Saga)

BEST ANTAGONIST

- Askeladd (Vinland Saga)

- Muzan Kibutsuji (Demon Slayer)

- Kai Chisaki/Overhaul (My Hero Academia)

- Tsukasa (Dr. Stone)

- Isabella (The Promised Neverland)

BEST BOY

- Tanjirou Kamado (Demon Slayer)

- Mirio Togata (My Hero Academia)

- Legoshi (Beastars)

- Shinra Kusakabe (Fire Force)

- Eugeo (Sword Art Online: Alicization)

BEST GIRL

- Raphtalia (The Rising of The Shield Hero)

- Nezuko Kamado (Demon Slayer)

- Chika Fujiwara (Kaguya-sama: Love is War)

- Kohaku (Dr. Stone)

- Tamaki Kotatsu (Fire Force)

BEST ANIMATION

- Demon Slayer

- Vinland Saga

- Mob Psycho 100 Season II

- Blade of the Immortal

- Promare (As unfair as it is to put a movie alongside TV shows, Crunchyroll has already done it in the past and they might throw Promare in here and into some other categories as well to soften the blow that they won’t bring back the “Best Movie” category this year.)

BEST CARACTER DESIGN

- Demon Slayer

- Sarazanmai

- Dr. Stone

- No Guns Life

- Beastars

BEST SCORE

- Demon Slayer

- Carole and Tuesday

- Sarazanmai

- given

- Beastars

BEST COUPLE 

- Miyuki and Kaguya (Kaguya-sama: Love is War)

- Legoshi and Haru (Beastars)

- Tohru and Kyo (Fruits Basket 2019)

- Mafuyu and Uenoyama (given)

ANIME OF THE YEAR

- Demon Slayer

- Vinland Saga

- Beastars

- Dororo

- The Promised Neverland

- Boogiepop and Others

And that’s it! Please feel free to make your own prediction lists before the actual nominations get announced, it should be more entertaining than the Anime Awards themselves.

[rot-shield-hero]

Vampire AU

Shoutout to @2pvincent for this idea.

In the days of old, there were stories which speak of Four Cardinal Heroes. A world in danger which calls for four people in other worlds to save them. These four heroes are immortal vampiric like beings—they are not heroes. The Four Vampire Lords, or, to some, The Four Horsemen. These four individuals wreck havoc and bring the world to its knees each time they are resurrected.

The vampires have numerous weaknesses. In the old stories, it has been said that they can be killed via sunlight exposure or other certain methods, such as a stake to the heart (but who doesn’t die by being impaled with a sharp object through a vital organ), and a poison specifically made for vampires which is a mixture of holy water and petals from the Wild Dogroses. These four chosen leaders can be brought back every certain number of years with a specific ceremony when the stars align a certain way according to who will be summoned. It is a similar process to reincarnation.

Vampires often feed on blood—but there are some who feed on the health or even the life force of humans (although, this is to be controlled or everyone’s life force will be fed on and the feeder will combust).

Everything always goes as planned.

Until one night, it doesn’t. A vampire is summoned wrongly. This one mishap changes the course of a repetition of history, especially for the vampire whose name is Iwatani Naofumi.

Our story begins on a night with the blood red moon shining. It bathes the earth with its ruby hue. It crosses over the stones and tips of trees, reaching the sacrifices for the lords and their followers. They have no idea that the resurrection of Death will go wrong.

An eight-year-old demihuman is chained to the ground with heavy iron shackles, weighing her down and keeping her from attempting to escape. Her raccoon ears press against her head, eyes wide and tearful, watching the cloaked figures. She is cold, she is weak.

From her lying position, she listens to the white-cloaked figures chant. They are mixing something in the goblet they hold. Blood from the sacrifices.

Coffins—four of them—lay in a certain pattern. They make the cardinal shape, representing each direction (north, east, west, south), and each holds a symbol of their related position in the world. Death, Famine, Pestilence, War.

She lies on the stone, red blooming under her. She grows colder, trepidation sending a shiver down her spine. She is the sacrifice for Death. Trembling, she curls into herself and she questions why?

Why are they doing this?

Why are they bringing devastation to this world?

How can these people do this?

The girl is barely alive now.

They have forgotten about her.

The banging on the lids of the coffins arouse trepidation, the blood moon shining like a ruby and bathing them in a darker red. She watches with weak eyes through blurry and darkening vision, relying more on her ears than anything.

Cheers. They’re cheering.

Do they know nothing? Nothing of what they have done or of what they are bringing to this world?

They’re in hell. I’m in hell. I’m going to die! I don’t want to die!

A shudder rips through her almost lifeless body at the clattering of the lids which crash onto the ground. With the lids on the ground, the pale figures arise. They’re here! But something is wrong.

Red eyes meet one-by-one until they meet a pair of green. Green. Not red.

A vampire with green eyes.

The vampires hold uncertainty, unsure of what is wrong with Death.

Even the summoners appear repulsed and nervous.

How can this be?

A vampire with green eyes instead of red?

What is the meaning of this?

A small squeak rings from the crowd—the squeak was released due to horror and realization. A newbie summoner. This had been their first time. They are the reason for this! They messed up! It is all their fault! Oh, please! Please, have mercy on their soul!

The green-eyed vampire, Death, turns to face the owner of the small noise. Rage shines brighter than the moon itself. “You! What have you done?” he hisses, fangs glittering and threatening. “What have you done to me?” His voice rises with anger, echoing through the night and being carried by the wind. He makes his way to the offender. HOW DARE THEY? What have they done to him? How could they mess something like this up? He feeds on the life force belonging to the humans, yet he has no thirst for their life!

The summoner shakes their head, begging and apologizing. They didn’t know! They are sorry! They are—

Death, irritant with the squabbling, snaps their neck and throws the body at War. The light brown haired male with red eyes, short in stature. The vampire who drinks from the blood. Death is supposed to feed off the life force of humans! He can’t feel any of it! The other summoners murmur to themesleves, gearing for their lives. Death scowls, emeralds shining with rage. “Leave us.” He watches and stares. “I said leave us!” With no further prodding, the summoners scatter. They are fearful and wish to not meet the same fate at the young summoner.

Now alone, the Vampire Lords all turn to each other. They are all dressed in lavish silk, their fangs poking out a little from their mouth, and red eyes surveying the angry Death. Pale. Their skin is pale—Death resembles a ghost more. They are all barefoot and each have their own rings.

Famine—the tallest one of the group, blond, and appeared to be the oldest—wears a gray tunic with black trousers.

War—light brown-haired and shortest one of all four—wears a red tunic with matching red pants.

Pestilence—black hair and appeared to be the youngest—wears a light blue tunic with white trousers.

Death—the tallest raven-haired—wears all white. Even with the snapping of the summoner’s neck, not a drop of blood had landed on the pristine clothing.

The horseman’s abnormal eyes ran over the others. A whimper reaches their ears and he sees the child. His sacrifice is an innocent child. How could these people? Humans—despicable and pathetic. The vampire kneels beside the demihuman and turns her over.

Naofumi notices that he does not have the lust to feed off her life force. It’s not there. Damn those humans! But, even so, the girl is a child. A child! Had those humans no mercy?

The vampire scowls and picks the child up. “I am leaving, do as you’re to do,” he says. He wraps the dying girl in his cloak, walking off with no other words. He leaves the other Vampire Lords to their thoughts. He is an anomaly to them now. He is not the same Death from a long time ago. Where he walks, the grass dies. He doesn’t think much of it.

The man makes it to his home—the home which has yet to fall or be taken over. As he holds the child, he does not realize the pair of brown eyes on him.

(To be Continued)

[king-of-swords-57]

What if Motoyasu and Naofumi has a child together? The child born from two powerful Legendary Heroes could potentially become powerful themselves espially their magic. I can imagine that Motoyasu and Naofumi would love their child and want them to be happy.

Oh darling, Mpreg, you have lovely thoughts

I have some scenarios for this, let's put them all

1)

there is a duo of legendary heroes, the saviors of the people

they are unstoppable in the fight, because they protect each other, one is the spear and the other the shield, both as the yin and yang of the world

they came from another world and now they love this one because it gave them the opportunity to be together

Motoyasu loves his husband, warm and loving, spreading for him when they make love

He loves Naofumi with such intensity, with such sweetness, that it is almost impossible that this worship does not take physical form

One day he returns home and finds his husband curled up in bed, humming a lullaby, inside a translucent almost golden bubble, it is a shield that seems so soft and could stop a missile at the same time.

and Motoyasu ... he knows, it can't be anything other than his beloved, amazing husband who gives him another miracle, so he rushes towards the nest (it can't be anything else with so many pillows) and after be accepted in the barrier with a little pop, stretches his arms to hug the barely noticeable belly where his mutual love rests

A girl is born with excellent health after, with brown hair ,a wavy hair like Motoyasu and emerald green eyes of Naofumi, with an innocent, brave and altruistic character

she is his princess, his miracle, and for the word she is the heroine, the star above all

2)

Motoyasu worships, with total devotion his father-in-law, his master, he would do anything for him, he would bring sacrifices still bleeding, he would lay down and let his master stain him with all beautiful marks of possession

He was a hero once, but now he is better, Motoyasu may not carry any seal, but he is the most obedient and loving slave to his father-in-law

Accept the desire, the hot passion, the frustration of his beloved master is so easy, tears of bliss and pleasure only spill from his eyes

and then something moves in his belly

Motoyasu is terribly scared

how could father want this thing that grows in him? oh, but it's a part of the master and Motoyasu just because of that loves already this creature that grows inside him, he could never allow his master to erase this lovechild

But it is impossible to hide, the belly grows so round and beautiful, heavy and full, the master returns from his conquest expedition to find his beloved slave right where he left him, well cared , fed, bathed in essences and oils, wrapped in red, green and black silks, chained to his bed, a gold chain that runs through all the rooms and a belly that perversely reminds him of an iron ball

oh but this is better than an iron ball, better to keep his love from running, just in case of caution

-oh beautiful pet, it was time for you to give me an heir, good job my queen-

and a perfect heir is, wild blond hair and a pair of ruby ​​and jade by eyes, with an obedient personality to his beloved parents in the castle and a fierce and ruthless warrior in the kingdom, they call him the son of the angel and the devil

And in the future , his lovechild is the perfect powerful emperor

3)

Motoyasu is terribly grateful for this second chance to do things right, to be next to Naofumi, he can't understand like everyone else, like him before, how everyone could be so blind

Naofumi just needs a little care, someone who believes in him, someone who is there to walk by his side and then he can let out all his strength

and if the strength of Motoyasu is like a hurricane swallowing everything, Naofumi is like the flow of the river carving roads over the earth, soft, almost tender but still unstoppable

and as opposite sides, they can't help falling in love

they decide to live their life together, the road is long but they can always trust their love, but more than anything there is something they want but can't have

a baby, a child

the impossibility of a situation has never been able to stop, they search everywhere, Naofumi starts experimenting with magic, Motoyasu searches for rare artifacts

the answer comes from a more unexpected place...they meet a witch, who gives them an egg, a big petrified egg of what appears to be a dragon

-I have heard of your search and since a long time ago you saved my life, I would like to give you this, you just have to put your blood on this and if you are compatible it will hatch -

oh they are more than compatible

the egg cracks, letting out two creatures, almost wrapped in each other, a blue feathers and ice scales, green eyes like aurora borealis, another red feathers and obsidian scales, golden eyes like a hidden treasure

a god for ice and another for fire, one destined for heaven and another for earth, guardian deities in the future, immortalizing the blood, the soul, the love of the pair of heroes

later two children run around a country house, one black hair with aqua green eyes and another reddish blond with ruby ​​eyes, their parents call them in for dinner

if the neighbors see feathers and scales distort the space in front of their morning glory they just smile, children's things

there are destinations that live to repeat themselves ,man created god and god in his thanks created him back, and so, a blond man bumps into a black-haired man in the street and asks

-have we met before?-

[shieldherostuffs]

Older Naofumi AU

I like the idea of Older!Naofumi (think maybe mid-40s, and i wanna say he's got multiple tattoos and piercings, after getting his own life away from his parents) who's finally gotten his life stable, and then gets summoned, so now he's just done with everyone's shit.

This also means he has more life experience (+game and manga/anime/all-that-stuff knowledge.)

Naofumi, at the trial: "I'm abstinent, you dumb fucks! Have been for years, and I'm not gonna break it for a girl who looks half my age. I have standards."

He somehow ends up parenting the other Heroes as well, because they're all young and in an unfamiliar world, thinking they're immortal, two of them aren't even legal adults yet and Motoyasu acts like he never got attention as a child. They need parental guiding and support, and a reality check.

When the Queen comes back, Naofumi gives both her and her husband a lesson in parenting, despite the fact that he's only been doing it for a few months (technically most of his life because he basically raised his little brother as well), and they've got a whole teen with parental and self-issues and child who was forced to mature too quickly. But let's be honest, he's already doing better than the two of them.

At some point, during cal Mira, Naofumi waltzes into the room where the other three are chatting, and proudly announces "I am proud to announce that I am no longer abstinent." for the sole reason of embarrassing them.

Motoyasu: Was it Therese? Itsuki: Or was it L'Arc? We're having a bet and we wanna know. Naofumi: Yes. Ren: Fuck yeah. I win. >:)

[ghostfriendly5]

‘See how strong my Wife is!’

‘Strong, submissive women’? (slightly disturbing content)

“...a woman who would faint at the sight of blood, yet die with a smile on her lips...”

-The Screwtape Letters, C.S. Lewis (being astonishingly romantic, but very un-feminist)

My post (link) on a misogynistic Goblin Slayer fan had an unexpected strong response, thanks to everyone who liked it. I wanted to talk a little about a slightly irritating quality of anime that this Tumblr transmuted into something rather disturbing. This fellow who posts sexualized photos of beaten girls and promulgates a serious ‘handmaiden’s tale’ -like rule list for a woman’s whole-life submission to her ‘man’. considers himself a fan of ‘strong, feminine’ women, such as Rem from Re:Zero. In short, I suspect he likes a lot of the same characters as me.

I love Hyuuga Hinata, for all her un-feminist qualities. She gave up her career to be a devoted housewife to the man who has been the centre of her world from day one. When SPOILER Toneri brainwashes Hinata into marrying him and fighting Naruto in the Last movie he boasts ‘look how strong my wife is’, which I suspect is exactly the kind of strength that chauvinists want ‘their women’ to have. Submitted, devoted, a testament to the ‘dominance’ of the degenerated man that holds them in thrall, with beatings if he so desires. The basic Yamato Nadeshiko ideal of a Samurai woman who can protect her home while completely submitting to the patriarchy is essentially this. 

Of course, Hinata is a better character than this; believe it. She chooses a boy her father would never have chosen for her, fights to protect him and get through to her troubled cousin herself, and of course kicks ‘her man’ out of the house for the evening when he gets too noisy. Her devotion accords with her personal temperament and will; it isn’t imposed on her by a man’s list of rules...only the writer.

Mikasa Ackerman. Mikoto Mikasa. Haruka Shitow from Rahxephon. Tsukuyo. Lucy. Hestia. Raphtalia (may her slavery-preferring ears rot off and infect Naofumi with the plague). A distressing number of excellent 'strong anime heroine’ are neutralised by their excessive devotion to a male hero. Even Riza Hawkeye, who always has a quip to fire back at Roy Mustang over his ‘impotence’ has been thus criticised. Rather a lot of undisputedly strong women such as Kino, Mother Sarah, Alita, and the immortal Lady Oscar only hold independent strength by sacrificing their love lives to a great extent. Some of the women with the most feminist relationships in popular anime that I can think of, Fee Carmichael in Planetes, Victorique in Gosick, have very minor series or roles. Self-willed career woman and mother Winry Rockbell, aside from wrench-whacking, is pretty amazing as well. Possibly FMA is just the greatest shounen ever written, there’s an idea?

Of course anime is far from perfect because society isn’t perfect and relationships are difficult. As well as appreciating the combination of snarky self-will and heroic devotion shown by popular heroines like Riza Hawkeye, if any more there be. I would also consider that the aforementioned rules are so particularly toxic since they corrupt the truth. Submission and devotion are beautiful aspects of a relationship, harmony and mutual support are usually more important than getting ones own way. Easy to say, tragically easy not to practice, hence worth a mention. The prisoner's dilemma suggests the difficulty of sacrifice that risks being exploited; but hopefully a couple can have more trust between them that two jailed cons? The little I can usefully say about this is that a woman and a man in a relationship who BOTH think of how to make their partner happy, much more than one-sided rights or imposed duties, would really seem to have love between them.  

[zu-mangaka]

Manga Recommendation #Unlikely Hero

Tate no Yuusha no Nariagari (The Rising of the Shield Hero)

Iwatani Naofumi gets summoned into another world as one of the four legendary heroes, the Shield Hero, to help save the world from destruction. However, this cliche-like story takes a turn for the worse when the supposed Shield Hero gets falsely accused and robbed of any trust and respect he should have received. Fueled with hatred and resentment towards the people of the country who have wronged him, Naofumi plays out his role as the unlikely hero nobody acknowledges yet selfishly all rely on.

Sweet Home

Having lost all hope in the society we live in, Hyun Cha, now a shut-in high school student, distances himself from everything he once held dear, causing discord in his family. After an accident which leaves Hyun with no family or savings whatsoever, he is forced to start from scratch, although all that means nothing due to Hyun’s decision to commit suicide. The tides turn, however, when a phenomenon known as “monsterification” starts spreading, turning humans into merciless monsters. Despite his lack of hope for the greedy world and the disgusting nature humans begin showing out of desperation, not to mention their lack of hesitation to sacrifice and use him, Hyun takes on the role of the unlikely hero, determined to stay alive for the first time.

I would also recommend Bastard by the same author(s).

Inuyashiki

Having a family that couldn’t care less about him on top of finding out he only has 3 months left to live was the normal daily life of Inuyashiki. However, after he dies in a crash landing by aliens, Inuyashiki is given a second chance after being rebuilt and modified by the aliens themselves, keeping his human exterior. Now blessed with extraordinary, almost god-like abilities, Inuyashiki keeps showing off his self-indulgent sense of justice, contrasting Shishigami Hiro, who uses his power for plays and laughs. But which one of them is really the unlikely hero in this story?

I would also recommend Gantz by the same author(s).

Kurosagi

After his family was swindled out of all their money, Kurosaki's family was destroyed. His father, after killing his wife and daughter, committed suicide, leaving Kurosaki to fend for himself. Years later, Kurosaki becomes a professional swindler, a so-called black swindler who cons other swindlers. Despite helping other victims and preventing more people from suffering due to being conned, Kurosaki is mainly driven by his desire to find the person who ruined his family and exact revenge on them.

Ajin

Kei Nagai is an apathetic high school student who only wishes to live a normal life and become a doctor for appearance’s sake. However, his life changes after he suddenly gets into a deadly traffic accident which reveals him to be an Ajin, an immortal being hunted by the government for experimentation. Kei starts to live his life on the run and fights for survival, revealing his real personality of hating everyone and everything along the way. This, however, doesn’t seem to fend off most of the people who drag Kei into a battle against a fellow Ajin and terrorist Satou. Forced to stand on the side of the government lest he wants to be an experimental lamb, Kei takes on the role of the unlikely hero and brain in the battle against Satou.

[sorrinslays]

The Saint Of The Feather

Chapter 1: Naofumi Iwatani, The Shield Hero

(This is a retelling of the Shield Hero (season 1) with the change that Naofumi is immortal. The story follows the cannon with some differences. It can be enjoyed without any prior knowledge of the cannon)

Naofumi is a simple immortal man who keeps to himself, trying to achieve his goal without his true nature getting found out. So what happens when he gets transported into a medieval fantasy world where he, along with three other "heroes", is prothesized to change the world for the better? Is he finally allowed to fulfil his dream? Will death finally accept his soul? Will he experience true freedom?

!Warning! This work will focus on rather grim topics as mentioned in the tags, while they won't be the main focus of the story they will take up a significant amount of it. Reader caution is adviced

[cryptid-called-ash]

Rereading the fight in the spirit tortoise, but make it Shield dad. (So basically spoilers, but not really, but also kinda)

Ren fighting beside Naofumi (adopted during the merchant arc overhaul), blood cursed Naofumi, both Kieka and Orkian are active, meaning both heroes are much more powerful. All the good shit.

I wrote a thing, despite having no notebook and using sticky notes. If you want a further explanation on additional skills, attributes, or something, let me know. I love talking about the incoherent thoughts bumbling around my brain. (Rip formatting, I’m on mobile)

“Champion,” Kieka’s voice rang out in my head. I kept my focus on the fight, but hummed in response. “Might I suggest using Iron Bonds on the crystals and bringing Thrysnian and Brionac into the fray? Weak as their champions are, Orkian and I are only as powerful as your endurance allows. And mortals have their limits.”

I gritted my teeth, blocking a familiar’s attack. They had a point. This fight wasn’t ending anytime soon and we were starting to tire. I still had shield of wrath to fall back on, but it definitely wasn’t something I wanted to use if I could help it.

“Alright.” I said aloud. I could feel my ears pin back as I focused. Tentatively I raised my right hand to rest at the top of my shield, forming the gesture Kieka had taught me.

Open palm, index and middle fingers together, thumb, ring finger and pinky spread as wide as possible. A symbol of divine blessing.

I focused on the crystals holding Itsuki and Motoyasu, readying the command, when Ren stopped me.

“You need to be able to cast healing. Besides, I’m the offence guy.” I nodded and cast Astral Barrier instead, a more powerful version of Shooting Star Shield. As the translucent galaxy-like force field surrounded us, Ren began casting his own skill. Kyo laughed, calling us cowards for hiding behind the shell, and I bit back the urge to tell him he was doing the same. But my focus remained on maintaining the barrier, I couldn’t afford to get distracted.

Raising his sword and rest his forehead against the blade, Ren closed his eyes and spoke softly.

“As Champion of the Warrior spirit residing in the cardinal sword, I command the very thread of creation. Sunder this fabric and weave it anew.” His voice built in volume as he continued to chant, the sapphire in the sword’s hilt began pulsing with light. “Blades of ice to shatter the prison and restore our truest balance.” Ren’s eyes snapped open, glowing as bright as the jewel on the sword. He leveled the blade at the crystals.

“Cardinal Sword Orkain, Legendary Action; Ice Rain!”

@shieldherostuffs @eli-elien @ideas-of-immortality @bluelovestoship