#kazuki working late at night rip

[frostleni]

[formerlyz]

Kazuki Week Day 1

A little hurt/comfort fic for Day One of Kazuki week! Kazuki has a nightmare and Rei and Miri comfort him when he wakes up. (Full fic is under the cut for those who prefer to read on tumblr instead of ao3:)

Warnings: Canon Typical Violence, Canon typical swearing, Character deaths (Rei and Miri are fine don’t worry)

The dim city lights reflected off the wet ground, distorted by the falling rain. 

Shit. Kazuki cursed as he once again missed his target. This shouldn’t have been a tough job, just a clean, quiet, hit. In and out. Except he had slipped up in his charade, and the target had seen right through his disguise and made a break for it. 

So now here he was, his lungs burned as he sprinted after the target, turning down a maze of alleyways and dodging obstacles that were thrown into his path. This was going to be one of his last jobs. Once his baby was born he would go straight, find a respectable job, and leave this life behind. But in the meantime, he had work to do. 

The narrow path of the alley opened up into a street. It was so early in the morning that the sun hadn’t come up, so the road was fairly empty. A red sedan slammed on its brakes and honked as the target ran in front of it. He yanked open the drivers side door and tossed the driver on the ground, taking his place at the wheel. 

“Dammit!” Kazuki stopped running and fired his gun a few times, but it was too late, the car was peeling away. 

The sound of a sniper rifle pierced through the quiet night. The car spun out, and crashed into an oncoming fuel truck. 

On the sidewalk right next to the flaming wreckage was a silhouette. It was a woman holding an umbrella. She was heavily pregnant and familiar. She stared at the wreck in shock for a moment before her eyes turned to Kazuki. His stomach dropped the moment he recognized her. 

“YUZ-“

An incredibly loud boom interrupted Kazuki’s cry. The last thing he saw was Yuzuko’s face, staring at him in disbelief, before she was completely engulfed by the flames. The shockwave sent Kazuki flying backwards. 

When his back hit the wall, he was in a completely different location. A hand was gripping his throat. 

“I’ll deal with you later” Ogino growled. Searing pain ripped through Kazuki’s shoulder. Ogino released his neck, but instead of dropping to the ground Kazuki was stuck to the wall, almost like the bullet in his shoulder was holding him in place. He struggled through the pain, but couldn’t move, couldn’t reach his gun, couldn’t do anything. 

He was forced to watch helplessly as Ogino slid open the partition separating the rooms in Misaki’s small apartment. 

“MIRI!! RUN” Kazuki shouted as loud as he could. 

“Any last words, child?” He heard Ogino say in a voice that almost sounded bored. 

“Where’s my Papa? I want my Papa!” He heard Miri cry. 

“How predictable,” Ogino muttered. Kazuki shut his eyes tight and prayed for a miracle as the sound of Ogino’s gun rang in his ears. 

When he opened them, he was outside once again. Only this time the rain had stopped and he stood in front of the Suwa mansion. The pain in his shoulder had faded to a dull ache, but his right leg was killing him. Rei stumbled out the door, holding his bloodied right arm. He was about halfway down the stairs when Kazuki heard the sickening sound of yet another gunshot. 

Rei froze for a moment before falling forward. Adrenaline overcoming the pain from his injuries, Kazuki dove forward just in time to catch Rei’s head. Blood was quickly seeping out of a hole in Rei’s back, right over his heart. 

“No…no no no no no I can’t lose you too.” Kazuki pleaded. Yuzuko was gone, Miri was gone, Rei was the only one he had left. “Please. Stay with me Rei! Come on” 

Another boom, another bullet, and more pain, this time in Kazuki’s skull just before his vision went black. 

————

The first thing Kazuki heard was his own scream as he snapped awake. His chest was heaving as his eyes struggled to recognize where he was in the darkness. 

“Kazuki!” That voice. He knew that voice. He became aware of warm hands gripping his shoulders, firm but not tight enough to be painful, and something pressing his legs down. 

The first thing Kazuki was able to make out was a pair of blue eyes. Those eyes. He knew those eyes. He had seen the light leave those eyes just a moment ago. Yet now they were shining like sapphires in the moonlight as they looked down at him. 

“You’re at home. You’re safe” Kazuki finally got his bearings. He was in bed at his apartment. Rei was hovering over him, holding onto his shoulders and straddling his legs. He was wearing one of Kazuki’s t shirts and a pair of Morio Kart sweats that Miri had picked out as his Christmas gift. 

“Rei?” Kazuki whispered. The grip on his shoulders loosened a bit.

“Yeah, it’s me.” Rei let go with his right hand and brushed away a tear that was making its way down Kazuki’s cheek. Afraid that his partner would vanish before his eyes again, Kazuki sat up and hugged Rei as tight as he could. He was suddenly overwhelmed by a strange mix of grief, fear, and relief. He began to sob, hard, on Rei’s shoulder. 

Rei wrapped his arms around Kazuki’s neck and his legs around his waist, embracing Kazuki with his whole body. 

“I thought I lost you… I can’t lose you…” Kazuki hiccuped in between sobs. 

“I’m staying right here.” Rei said softly. 

“I can’t go through that again. I can’t—“

“You won’t.” Kazuki buried his face deeper into Rei’s shoulder and nodded. He continued to hold Kazuki like that and let him cry. 

“Papa Kazuki? Are you okay?” Kazuki heard Miri’s sweet voice. He tried to stop crying, it was late, and the last thing he wanted to do was worry her, but tears just kept pouring out. 

“He’s okay Miri. Papa Kazuki just had a bad dream” Rei responded for him. His hand came up to rest on Kazuki’s head to cradle it closer. Through his shuddering breath, Kazuki heard the little pitter patter of Miri’s feet and the subsequent creaking of their mattress as she climbed onto the bed. 

“Scary stuff! Scary stuff! Fly away!” Miri recited. It was a little mantra her mother had taught her that she would say to ‘banish’ bad dreams. Kazuki could feel her climb onto his pillow behind him. She wrapped her small arms around his back as best she could. 

Kazuki closed his eyes and focused on them. He focused on the sound of their breathing and the feel of their body heat warming him up. He focused on the sweet vanilla smell of Rei’s shampoo and Miri’s small hand patting him on the back. He focused on the little kisses Rei planted on the top of his head and Miri telling him “it’s okay Papa” every few minutes. He focused on the fact that the two people he loved most in the world were alive and safe. 

Eventually Kazuki was able to calm down enough to pull himself off Rei. He twisted around to grab Miri and pull her into the embrace. As Kazuki hugged both of them, he began to cry again, but this time it was out of relief and gratitude. It felt like somewhere, somehow, Yuzuko was looking down on him and smiling knowing that he was being taken care of. 

“I love you guys so much.” Kazuki whispered as the tears finally slowed. He pulled back and used the back of his hand to wipe his eyes. 

“Love you too” Rei said as he leaned forward and rested his forehead on Kazuki's.

“Mmhmm! We love you Papa!” Miri said earnestly. She stood on her tiptoes to give him a big kiss on the cheek. “Can I sleep here tonight? I’ll protect you from the nightmares!” Even though Kazuki was emotionally exhausted, he couldn’t help but chuckle at her enthusiasm. 

“Of course you can,” 

The three of them shifted to get comfortable in bed. Kazuki held Miri as Rei spooned him. Miri passed out again almost immediately once they had laid down, Kazuki just watched her sleep and gently stroked her hair. He thought Rei had fallen back asleep too until he spoke. 

“Wanna talk about it?” Kazuki debated for a moment before turning to lay on his back. Miri snuggled up and used his chest as a pillow. Rei scooted closer and rested his chin on Kazuki’s shoulder, draping his top arm over Kazuki’s midriff. 

“It started with the night Yuzuko died but then time kept jumping around and I lost you and Miri too”. Kazuki stared at the ceiling. “The thought of losing you two, of going through that pain again. I—“ he began to feel tears welling in his eyes again. 

Rei leaned forward and gave Kazuki a kiss on the cheek. “Look at me.” Rei said gently as he cupped Kazuki’s face. Once Kazuki let him turn his head, Rei rested their foreheads together again. 

“Miri and I are not going anywhere.” He promised. Rei stroked Kazuki’s cheek. His touch was soft and soothing. He sat up slightly to get his free arm around Rei. 

“I believe you.” Kazuki mumbled as he laid back down. Rei held his face for another moment to give him a tender kiss on the lips before leaning down and resting his head on Kazuki’s shoulder. He turned his head back to face the ceiling as Rei swung his leg over Kazuki’s and pull him closer. As Kazuki drifted off to sleep, he had a feeling that Rei was right. Kazuki had gotten a second chance at a family, and this time they weren’t going anywhere. He might not be able to change the past, but he was in charge of his own future now. And the future looked bright. 

[prism-rush]

King of Prism Road to Shiny Seven Stars 1 Main Story translation

I, Shin Ichijo, am a 1st year in senior high!! I’m going to the entrance ceremony!!!

Translator’s notes: Road to Shiny Seven Stars was a series of events on the Prism Rush game covering the gap in the King of Prism timeline from after Pride the Hero and before the SSS anime. 

So if you read my posts when this event was actually in progress, you may remember some additional stuff happening. Like details of where Taiga was before and after the entrance ceremony, and Louis flirting with Shin at the photo shoot while Leo got jealous, etc. Well that’s because that stuff did happen. But all that and more happened exclusively in the card stories. I will be translating some of the card stories but not all for every event. There will be a link at the end to any card stories I have translated so far.

(On the morning of the Kakyoin Academy Senior High Division entrance ceremony.)

Leo: Shin-kun! Please hurry up! 

Shin: O-okay! Here I come... 

H... How do I look?

Leo: Wooow! The senior high red blazer! It really changes up your image! ♪ Your new uniform looks so good on you! 

Kakeru: Yeah, lookin’ good! Way to go Shin-chawan! 

Yukinojo: Indeed, you do look sharp. ....Excuse me for being rude, but isn’t it a little big?

Minato: He’s still a growing boy, so at this age a little big is actually just right. 

Kakeru: Minatocchi, you sound like someone’s mom.

Shin: Thank you everyone! ....So I’m really a senior high student starting today. I’m kind of nervous. 

Yu: Ahhh I want to wear red already.... 

Yukinojo: No need to rush. You should appreciate the junior high school uniform while you can. 

Kakeru: Yes, yes. Us senior high students couldn’t wear them anymore even if we wanted to. 

Leo: I agree. The green blazer is cool too!

Yu: Y.. Yeah.... that’s right. It will be only two more short years before I’m wearing red! 

Minato: Now that we’ll be in the senior high division together, we’ll be seeing you around a lot more often from now on, Ichijo. 

Shin: Yes! I’ll be looking forward to it. 

Yukinojo: So will we.

Minato: Our school life will be even more fun from now on. 

Kakeru: And as your upperclassman, I’ll teach you lots of secrets about the senior high division ♪

Shin: Secrets...? Like what?

Kakeru: Hmm, let’s see. For example... lend me your ear?

Shin: Oh, okay.... 

Kakeru: The physics teacher, Ms. Takikawa’s.... *whisper whisper*

Shin: Huh? ....HUUUH!? REALLY!? I’ll take a closer look next time! 

Minato: Kazuo! Don’t fill his head with that sort of nonsense! 

Kakeru: Eheh, sorry sorry. ...Hey, wait! By the way, where is our other freshman? 

Yukinojo: Oh. Now that you mention it... 

Minato: Hmmm. Do you think we should go wake him up....? 

Taiga: ...*yawn*.... sle..... py............

Kakeru: Good mornin’ ☆ Speak of the devil! Our delinquent has finally arrived! 

Taiga: What are you so cheerful about this early in the morning... Ahh I’m starving.... 

Minato: Leave that to me. I’ve got everything prepared. Since today’s the morning of your entrance ceremony I went a little overboard. Toast and eggsluts with homemade meat sauce. A morning assortment of vegetable salad, and then minestrone soup! And of course.... it’s got celery in it!

Shin: All right! 

Yu: Hm? Hey, Taiga’s school uniform.... 

Kakeru: Yeah, it’s no different than before. Ah! Could it be... You break-danced too hard in your new school uniform and ripped it to shreds already?

Taiga: You idiot. Of course not. 

Shin: Taiga-kun, you’re going to wear the same uniform to senior high school?

Taiga: .............Argh. 

Shin: Huh??

Yu: ??? What are you so mad about all of a sudden.... 

Yukinojo: I think he’s trying to tell us that something is different. 

Leo: Taiga-kun certainly has his own way of doing things, doesn’t he. 

Yu: ....? So there is something different!?

Taiga: Tsk! 

Kakeru: Heyy.... You don’t need to pout.... We already know that you’re feeling disappointed that we haven’t noticed.

Taiga: Can it, Kazuo! 

Leo: Ah, Taiga-kun... Your necktie is all twisted. 

Taiga: Hm? Oh... 

Leo: I’ll fix it for you.... there you go. You look so handsome! You changed your necktie to red, just like the senior high blazer!

Taiga: ...Yeah! 

Kakeru: Oh?

Shin: ....AH! Now that you mention it, it was green before but it’s red now! 

Kakeru: Oh yeah that’s right! 

Yu: This is like playing spot the difference on a quiz show.... 

Taiga: GAH! 

Leo: The two of you look so dashing in your new senior high uniforms! 

Shin: Thank you! It’s a little embarrassing to hear so many compliments, isn’t it Taiga-kun?

Taiga: ............

Minato: Well, let’s sit down to breakfast. If we don’t get to eating soon we’ll be late. 

Kakeru: That’s right. Yaay, breakfast time! ♪

(Around that time, at the Edel Rose dorm administration office.)

Hijiri: They sure are lively this morning. We can hear their voices from the dining hall all the way up here. 

Yamada: Those boys. Even though they moved up a grade, they never change. 

Hijiri: It’s a good thing. I’d like them to learn to fly with their own wings... Shin and Taiga were able to enter senior high, and the others successfully moved up a grade as well. 

Yamada: ….By the way, how did Taiga’s exams go?

Hijiri: …Ha ha… Well, it’s over now. Let’s not discuss that anymore. 

Yamada: …..I’ll buy you a drink later. 

Hijiri: Anyway, it’s a wonderful morning. A morning of new beginnings. Let’s pray the roads they will embark upon be as sunny as this beautiful day. 

Yamada: Yes, let’s. As long as they can enjoy what they’re doing, that’s all I’d ask for. 

Hijiri: Yes. And thanks to them Edel Rose has made remarkable progress. I have high hopes for their future. 

(A few minutes later.)

Yu: ...Hey Taiga, are you really planning on going to school like that? 

Taiga: What do you mean?

Yu: Well... I guess if that’s what floats your boat, it’s fine with me. It’s just that if only one person is wearing a different uniform at the entrance ceremony, it will stand out, won’t it....

Taiga: Whatever.

Yu: You know what! You need to work on that attitude! Recently, you...

Leo: Settle down, settle down. It will be OK. He’s got Shin-kun with him! 

Shin: Yeah! Leave it to me. 

Kakeru: Yes, yes. And he’s got us as well. ....But even if he did have the same school uniform, he’d probably still cause a scene... 

Yukinojo: Yes. Indeed, it seems like that is destined to happen no matter what. 

Shin: Huh? What do you mean.... 

Kakeru: Well, let’s not get ahead of ourselves. Let’s just get ourselves to school first! 

Shin: W-woah, Kakeru-san you’re pushing me... 

Taiga: Ugh, you’re annoying as always.... 

Yukinojo: Heheh, it’s nice to see everyone lively as usual. 

Minato: Yes, Tachiba--

Shin: ...........!

Kakeru: ..............!!

Leo: What’s going on? Why did you two st--W-WOAH!

Hiro: Hello there! Good morning everyone.

Kouji: Good morning. Did you all sleep well last night?

Kazuki: Morning. It’s really important to get both a good night’s sleep and a good breakfast to build up the strength to start your day off right! 

Shin: Hiro-san! Kouji-san! Kazuki-san!

Minato: What are you all doing here so early in the morning?

Kakeru: And isn’t today your university entrance ceremony...?

Hiro: Yeah. But the starting time for our university entrance ceremony is a bit later.

Kazuki: We all thought, “We want to see our beloved underclassmen off on their fresh new day!” And then BAM! All of a sudden we were wide awake.

Kouji: Eheh. What they said.  

Hiro: So let us say it one more time. Shin, Taiga, congrats on becoming senior high schoolers!

Kazuki: Taiga, your school uniform…

Taiga: *twitch*

Kazuki: I think it’s great! It’s just like you! You’re off to have a straightforward, fired up lifestyle in senior high school too!

Taiga: Yeah… Thanks…. (ALL RIGHT!!!!!!)

Kouji: And you look sharp too, Shin, in your new senior high uniform. 

Hiro: Eheh! Even though we only graduated last month, looking at those uniforms makes me feel nostalgic already. 

Kazuki: Me too. Take good care of those uniforms! This time of your life only comes once!

Kouji: Yu is a junior high 2nd year… and Leo is finally a 3rd year! Leo, you’ll look after Yu, won’t you?

Leo: Leave it to me!

Yu: Don’t leave anything to him! Since when do I need “looking after.”

Hiro: Kakeru, Yukinojo, and Minato are all 2nd years in senior high now too... 

Kakeru: That’s right! We’re all dependable upperclassmen now ♪

Kazuki: It will probably be tough for all the new freshmen. This goes for Taiga and Shin too, but we’ll be leaving all of the Edel Rose underclassmen in your hands! 

Yukinojo: Of course. Understood.

Minato: We’ll make you proud!

Shin: And congratulations to you three too for entering university! 

Hiro: Thank you!

Shin: Going to school in regular clothes seems so cool. 

Kazuki: Since we have only known what it’s like going in uniform it’s a little strange. 

Kouji: I feel as though the more time passes, the more it will probably sink in that we really are university students now. 

Leo: Since everyone was able to successfully move up a grade and/or get into their new school, wouldn’t it be great to have a party to celebrate the new school year?

Shin: Oh wow! That would be great! 

Leo: We could eat dinner and snacks in the dining hall and all share our goals for the semester! 

Shin: Yeah! Yeah that sounds fun! 

Minato: Eheh. In that case I’ll take care of the catering. 

Kouji: I’ll help too, Minato. Two sets of hands in the kitchen would be better than one, right?

Minato: But you should be one of our guests of honor to celebrate your entrance into university. I’ll be alright on my own this time...

Hiro: Oh come on. We may be starting university, but all of you are starting new years in school as well. It’s like we’re all moving onto a “new stage” together. So I think we should celebrate equally, no?

Kouji: Hiro is right. Everyone is a guest of honor this time. How about that?

Kazuki: A new stage... It sounds so exciting when you put it that way! 

Leo: All right ♪ This is gonna be so super fun! 

Yukinojo: Indeed. I agree as well. However....

Kakeru: Yeah. I don’t want to be a wet blanket here, but I think I know what Yuki-chan’s about to say...

Taiga: Huh?

Yukinojo: The idea of getting never mind just us Edel Rose students, but all of us together at the same time seems kind of daunting... doesn’t it?

Shin: ...Ah, that’s right!

Hiro: Yeah, that’s a good point... We’re booked with jobs both solo as and Over the Rainbow for a while... 

Kouji: Yeah.... And now that you mention it, you are all busy too aren’t you? If I’m remembering correctly, later today--

Kazuki: Yeah, and you guys have a TV appearance lined up as well.

Hiro: Oh I heard. You’re going to be guests on the “Let’s Play With Naru-chan New School Year Special”?

Shin: Oh! Yes! We are! Leo-kun, Yu-kun, Taiga-kun, and myself. The four of us are going to be on the show together. Aaah, and before that we have a photo shoot… Ohhh I’m so nervous.... 

Taiga: It’s no use getting yourself all worked up now. Calm down already.

Kakeru: You say that, but you’re excited too, aren’t Taiga-kyun? I know you’ve been recording episodes of “Let’s Play With Naru-chan” and studying them…

Taiga: You…! I… I’m not… Goddamit, Kazuo…..!

Leo: But this really is like a dream come true! To think we’re really going to be on that program! 

Yu: “Let’s Play with Naru-chan” is super popular.

Hiro: It’s not just popular. It’s also a really high quality program. 

Kouji: With Naru-chan as the main host it’s in good hands. 

Kazuki: That’s right. Have fun, you guys. Even if you’re feeling down, being on that show will take care of that! 

Shin: Okay! We’ll be sure to make the most of it!

Kakeru: Mmm... but you know, with Over the Rainbow so busy, and you four with your TV gig... In the end, we can’t have that party can we?

Shin: I guess we can’t.... 

Yukinojo: Yes, it seems like that is the case. We may be able to work around your schedules, but... 

Minato: We should probably wait until things have settled down to have a party though. Kouji and the others will be busy with getting settled in to university for a while.

Kazuki: I guess you’re right. We have to go through an orientation program and pick out our classes and stuff... 

Kouji: For the first two weeks they really press a lot of stuff on us. 

Shin: I see.... that’s rough....

Hiro: Well, just that’s how life is. All of you will go through changes little by little as well.

Shin: Things will… change….

Hiro: Yes. However, change isn’t always a bad thing. 

I think it’s necessary for things to change in order for us to grow. You’re all starting a new chapter of your lives. For example, from now on you’ll get all sorts of new job offers… But as you embrace these changes, I think you’ll find so much potential for good things is waiting for you.

Kouji: Hiro is right. And the more things do change, I think you’ll also be able to see how much certain things will stay the same.

Hiro: Exactly. For example… No matter what happens, what will never change is that Edel Rose here will always be our “home”!

Shin: Hiro-san.... You’re right! Thinking about all these changes still makes me a little sad... but change is a good thing, isn’t it?

Hiro: Of course! 

Kazuki: There will still be lots of chances for us all to get together. As long as we want to make it happen, it will! Right now what we should be doing is encouraging each other to challenge new things! 

Shin: Kazuki-san... Okay! 

Hiro: Oh! I think it’s just about time for us to get going, isn’t it?

Kouji: Wow, it’s already this late? You’re right. Take care getting to school, everyone. 

Kazuki: See you! We’ll be back again soon enough! 

Shin: Right! Thank you for stopping by! 

Leo: Safe travels everyone and have a good day!

Yu: ….Aw crap! Hey Leo! We have to get going too!

Leo: Huh? Ahh you’re right! Well then! Shin-kun, Taiga-kun, do your best at the entrance ceremony!

Taiga: I don’t even know what that means. All we’re going to do is listen to a bunch of boring speeches.

Kakeru: Our little bright eyed freshmen are dragging their feet as well. Are you guys going to be OK?

Yukinojo: Indeed. The new students are supposed to arrive earlier than the rest of the school if I recall correctly... 

Shin: AHHH! Oh yeah that’s right! Taiga-kun, we have to get going!

Taiga: I don’t see any reason to rush. Even if we’re late I don’t really ca–

Shin: Nope, that’s no good! It’s your entrance ceremony! We’re going right now!!

Taiga: Okay, okay I heard you! I’m going already so stop pulling me so hard….

Kakeru: ...... Hey Yuki-chan, Minatocchi. You don’t think Taiga-kyun would actually skip his entrance ceremony.... do you?

Yukinojo: ....Surely he wouldn’t. Not after Kazuki-san gave him such hearty encouragement.... 

Minato: Everyone, Kougami is a senior high school student now. Surely we have nothing to worry about. Now, we should get going too. 

(At Kakyoin Academy, in the gym)

Principal: And.... so... as I was saying, as all of you gradually begin to embody our school traditions.....

Shin:  (Ahhh… As I thought, the atmosphere is totally different in the senior high division…. 

All the upperclassmen look so mature…. ! Well, from now on I am a senior high school student. I have to work harder than ever before!)

*murmur*

Shin: (Huh? There’s some sort of commotion going on over by the door...?)

Male student 1: …Hey, that guy is Kougami, isn’t he?

Male student 2: He’s late for his own entrance ceremony… He really is a rebel, just like the rumors said.

Shin: (Huh… Taiga-kun?!)

Taiga: ……

Shin: (It really is him! But how? We left the dorm at the same time… Even though we got separated at some point, we weren’t all that far from the school the last time I saw him.)

Teacher: So you’re Kougami, huh!? So this is how you’re starting off the school year... I’ve heard all about you! 

Taiga: ....*sigh*..... 

Teacher: Don’t you get an attitude with me!

Shin: (Ahh! Ahh! And he’s on the teacher’s bad side already! W.. What should I do… Should I step in and try to help him out….)

Taiga: I told you! I don’t need a reason to be late!

Teacher: To have the audacity to show up to your own entrance ceremony with no reason! Who do you think you are.... 

Taiga: ...If I don’t have a reason I don’t have one... 

Shin: (Huh? Is… is something poking out of Taiga-kun’s stomach?)…What is that?

(And so, an annoyed Taiga begrudgingly sat in his seat and began to sing the school song for the end of the ceremony.)

Shin: (I was really worried for a while. But I’m glad Taiga-kun and I both get to be at our entrance ceremony together.)

♪~ ♪~

Taiga: ….Ow! 

Shin: (Ow?)

Taiga: Ah, hey! Stop you idiots! Settle down… AH…! 

Cat: Meow! 

Shin: C… Cats?! Cats are coming out of Taiga’s shirt!? 

Teacher: K... Kougami! What is going on here! 

Taiga: ....Ugh. 

Cat: Meow.... 

Female student: Huh--cats?! So cute!

Male student: WHAAAA! What are a bunch of cats doing here!?

Shin: (Oh no, this is turning into a panic!) Ahh well um… Here kitty! Here kitty, kitty! It’s alright… Phew, well I got two of them. Now where is Taiga-kun… Oh, there you are! Taiga-kun!

Taiga: Huh? Oh, Shin… You caught them for me? Thanks.

Shin: Well…. You don’t need to thank me, if you could just tell me why you have so many cats?

Taiga: Uhh… Well. Y’know. Okay, 1, 2, 3…. 

All right! I got all seven of them back!

Shin: S… Seven?! You had SEVEN cats in your shirt?!

Taiga: Yeah. They were keeping calm in there but I guess the school song woke ‘em up. Well anyway, thanks for the help. I’ll be going.

Shin: Huh?! Taiga-kun, wait! The entrance ceremony isn’t over yet…

Taiga: I don’t have time for that when I have these guys to look after.

Shin: Wha… whaaaaat?! ….He left.

Teacher: Hey, WAIT! KOUGAMI!!! ....What a piece of work we’ve got in the freshman class this year.... 

Shin: (Eek! The teacher is furious... and the entrance ceremony was almost over too.... Well I guess I’ll go back to my seat.... ) 

Male student 1: Taiga Kougami…. he’s that street style guy, right?

Male student 2: …Hey, and isn’t that the same Shin Ichijo who was in the Prism King Cup?

Shin: (Huh? Were they just talking about me?)

Female student: Eee! To think we’re going to be so close to real prism stars! Kakyoin Academy is the real deal ♪

Shin: (Huh? Huuuh? Why is everyone talking about Taiga-kun and me? And I feel like everyone is looking this way too… W-What’s going on?)

(Later.)

Yu: ...WHAT. He did WHAT at the entrance ceremony? Taiga, that guy.... 

Leo: I’m sure he just wanted to help those kitty-cats. Taiga-kun is really kind. 

Yu: That’s not the problem.... Rumors are spreading about Edel Rose already as it is. 

Shin: Ah! Yeah that’s right! There were people who already knew Taiga-kun and I at the ceremony! A lot of them too! I wonder why?

Yu: Why, you say.... Well, I guess it was spring break so you didn’t hear the news. You may not have noticed, but we’re really starting to get more and more well known. 

Shin: HUH!? REALLY!?

Yu: Of course! You were in the Prism King Cup! And it’s not just you and Taiga, either. Alec and Joji from Schwartz Rose are suddenly the talk of the town as well. 

Shin: Oh really.. I had no idea..... 

Yu: But this is all only just the beginning! From here on out is our is our real chance to make things happen! The more everyone knows us, the more jobs we’ll get! Let’s keep on goin’ until Edel Rose is a household name! 

Shin: Yeah! All of a sudden I’m all excited! 

Leo: Let’s all do our best together! But first things first, we have a job to do today!

Yu: Yeah! .....Oh, and what happened to Taiga after all that anyway?

Shin: Well... After the entrance ceremony ended I asked Kakeru-san and the others if they had seen him, but nobody has. 

Yu: WHAT!? Where did he run off to... He’s not going to miss our photo shoot, is he....

Leo: I’m sure he won’t. We can count on Taiga-kun.

Yu: You think so....?

Taiga: What are you talking about? 

Yu: Woah! Speak of the devil! Taiga, where the heck were you?

Taiga: ....Nowhere special. 

Shin: Ah, Taiga-kun! Are the cats OK?

Taiga: Yeah. You don’t need to worry about it. 

Leo: Ah! Since we’re all together, let’s head over to our job! It’s getting to be almost time! 

Shin: Ah, you’re right! We should get going....! 

Leo: Oh yeah, and I heard there will be other prism stars there too... I wonder who it will be? 

(Inside the studio.)

Shin: Wow so this is what a magazine photo shoot is like... I’m so nervous...! 

Yu: Since they will be doing a feature on prism stars, they found a photo studio you can actually do a prism show in!

Shin: Huh? We’re going to do a prism show here!?

Leo: I think it just means they want to take photos where it looks like we’re doing prism shows, right? 

Shin: I see... This is so exciting.... 

Louis: Hello. 

Shin: Louis!?

Louis: You’ve got a new school uniform. 

Shin: Yeah! And you too! 

Alexander: ......Oh?

Taiga: .......Oh. 

Leo: So the other prism stars to be joining us are you guys from Schwarz Rose I see ♪

Louis: Shin, are you doing a photo shoot here now?

Shin: Yeah! And you guys?

Louis: Yup. (....A job together with Shin.)

Shin: Wow.... So this is what the Schwarz Rose school uniforms look like.... They’re really cool.....

Louis: Eheh. And the red blazer looks good on you too, Shin. 

Shin: Eheh... thank you!

Yu: Well aren’t these two buddy-buddy. Wish I could say the same for our street-style friends....

Taiga: ........

Alexander: ........

Taiga: What are YOU doing here!?

Alexander: Oh shut your hole! I don’t have time to fry a small fish like you!

Taiga: WHAT WAS THAT!

Yu: Alec, Taiga! Cut it out, you two! We’re on a job. If we cause any troubl–

Alexander: Stay out of this, short stuff!

Yu: WHAAA?! I’m not “short stuff”, I’m ZEUS!

Shin: Um Yu… now you’re the one that needs to calm down….

Taiga: Well this is good timing anyway. I was just thinking I felt like kicking your ass! Let’s finish what we started at the Prism King Cup!

Alexander: It’s payback time!

Yu: Hey, Shin! Kisaragi! Help me stop them!

Shin: U.. um… yeah! Fighting is… not good! Right, Louis?

Louis: Right. No good.

Yu: You guys…. 

HEY! Hands off!

Alexander: What is your problem anyway...! 

Taiga: My problem is your face!!

Alexander: Took the words right out of my mouth! 

Taiga: You wanna go!? 

Alexander: You’re asking for it!

Yu: Hey hey, if you pull any harder on your clothes they are going to---

*rip*

*clink*

Leo: Ah! Oh no! Taiga-kun’s necktie and Yamato-san’s buttons are.... 

Taiga: Ack! 

Alexander: Dammit! 

Yu: You guys... We have a photo shoot from now.... I tried to warn you..... 

Shin: Taiga-kun’s necktie is ripped….

Louis: And Alexander-kun’s jacket buttons have all popped off…

Taiga: ……

Alexander: …….

Leo: What do you two think you’re doing?! I won’t stand for any violence!!

Alexander: Oh… S… Sor…

Taiga: We’re really sorry!!

Leo: I can’t believe you! Ruining your school uniforms like that! Don’t you have any respect for the people who make clothes at all?!

Alexander: …The people…. who make clothes….

Leo: WHAT. WAS. THAT.

Alexander: N… nothing…

Leo: AUGH! WELL I’M GONNA FIX ‘EM SO TAKE OFF YOUR CLOTHES RIGHT NOW!

Taiga: .....My bad.....

Shin: Leo-kun, that was amazing…! They both settled down immediately. 

Leo: Now, you two be good and wait patiently! ♡

Taiga&Alec: …..Yes……….

(As Leo got to work fixing Taiga and Alexander’s clothes, Shin began his photo shoot.) 

(And then....) 

Leo: Okay, all fixed! 

Taiga: Sorry for the trouble... 

Alexander: Appreciate it...

Leo: Taiga-kun, hold still while I straighten out your necktie.... Now, Yamato-san, here is your jacket. Lift up your arms! 

Alexander: Uh, I can put it on myself---

Leo: Okay, right side first ♪

Alexander: Gah.......

Leo: *gulp* ….You have such amazing muscles. 

Alexander: Huh? …Hey, cut it out! 

Leo: Woah! And here too! It’s so thick! But… it’s a bit softer than I thought it would be… 

Alexander: H.. Hey! Don’t just start touching me like that….! 

Leo: You’re just so cool! Ah, your muscles over here are impressive too! They are so toned….

Alexander: ?!?!?!?! 

Yu: Ohhh? Leo is like a fearless animal trainer taming a wild beast....

(And so, thanks to Leo Alexander and Taiga’s clothing was fixed.)

Cameraman: Next up is Taiga Kougami and Alexander Yamato! The two street-style stars. I’ll be taking your photos today! 

Yu: Well, somehow it looks like things are gonna turn out alright. (To think those two would actually calm down. Leo is really something else.)

Leo: Taiga-kun and Yamato-san look so intense when they are together! They are so cool! ♪

Yu: You’re pretty intense yourself, Leo. 

Shin: Taiga-kun and Alexander-kun really do look so cool! They can really strike a pose.... I hope I can look that cool someday! 

Louis: I don’t know about that. 

Shin: *thump* O... Oh.... I guess you’re right....

Louis: Eheh I was just joking. 

I like you just the way you are. 

Cameraman: Okay! That’s it! You got it! Alright, next I’d like you to look off into the distance, could you give it a try? Yeah, that’s right! Alright, keep it up! I think we’ve really captured the passion of the street! Good stuff! Keep it coming! 

Yu: Passion, he says.... It looks more like they could explode at any moment....

Camerman: Ah, so cool! This is the best! Next, can you make eye contact with each other?

Alexander: .....Ugh! 

Taiga: ....Hmph!

Leo: *INTENSE STARE*

Alexander: .....

Taiga: .....

Yu: .... (Leo, thanks a bunch.)

Leo: Ehehe. They’re getting along so well. ♪

Cameraman: Next, how about you pose as if you’re doing a prism jump?

Taiga&Alec: !?

Taiga: A prism... jump....

Alexander: Heh heh. Now that’s more like it.... 

Taiga: Yeah... But.... do you know what posing like you’re doing a prism jump is supposed to mean...? 

Alexander: ....No, no idea. Why don’t we just do it for real then? How about it, Taiga Kougami?

Louis: ....... Those two are really good friends, aren’t they?

Shin: U... Um.... 

Yu: Hey. You guys.....

Leo: Whawhaaa!? They aren’t really gonna--

Yu: H-hey. You aren’t really thinking of performing a prism show right here, are you!?

Taiga: Well, we might as well. They told us to pose like we’re doing prism jumps after all. 

Yu: It’s not supposed to be for real---

Cameraman: Nah, that would be amazing! The best! To think I’ll get to see a passionate street battle right before my own eyes! As soon as you hear the sound of the camera shutter don’t hold anything back! 

Taiga: ...You see. 

Alexander: You’re happy now but you’re going to be crying in a minute! 

Taiga: Oh shut up! Let’s get this started already! 

Shin: Wow, here they go!

Leo: Since this is a studio where you can perform prism shows they even have a scoring system installed. 

Yu: D... Do you think the studio will hold up...? 

Alexander: IT’S ON NOW! HUAH!

Sonic Spiral! 

Taiga: Here I go! HUAAAH!

Full Speed Spiral! 

Yu: It... It’s a full on battle...

Camera man: Amazing! Amazing! This is the best! 

Leo: Their auras are clashing together! They are gonna send each other flying...! 

Shin: Taiga-kun and Alexander-kun have both leveled up their jumps since the Prism King Cup! 

Louis: Wow... You can really feel their passion....

Taiga: TAKE THIIIIS!

Alexander: HUAAAAH! 

Yu: And the score is...

Shin: It’s a draw!

Taiga: *panting* ...Hmph....

Alexander: *panting* ... I guess you... aren’t a total loser...... Ugh! Well, I’ll let you off easy this time.

Taiga: What? That’s my line. 

Taiga&Alec: HMPH!

Leo: H.... hey wait you two! We still have a TV program to film after this.... 

Louis: They left. 

Cameraman: Amazing! Amazing! This is the best! These photos will be leaping off the pages! This raw energy! Passion! The fire of the prism show burns in my artistry! In my 40 years as a photographer I never thought the day would come when I would capture photos like these....! 

Yu: ....That guy’s really into it. 

Leo: Well, it seems like they did a pretty god job after all.

Shin: .......

(After filming, the Edel Rose students minus Taiga headed to the next studio.)

Leo: Phew.... the photo shoot is finally behind us!

Yu: Everything worked out in the end, I guess... Well! Finally it’s time for the “Let’s Play With Naru-chan New School Year Special” recording! Okay guys, remember “Let’s Play with Naru-chan” is Naru’s pet project that she works really hard on. If you can’t keep it together, you’ll never hear the end of it from me. 

Shin: Don’t worry, we’ll do our best!

Leo: Leave it to us! We’ll make it the best show ever! 

Yu: That’s the spirit! (Ehehe. Just you watch. I get to show off how much I’ve grown.)

Shin:  ….. (Taiga-kun and Alexander-kun have really leveled up since the Prism King cup… And it hasn’t even been a month yet! I wonder if I can ever catch up to them…)

(At the recording of the “Let’s Play With Naru-chan New School Year Special.)

Leo: Huh? Taiga-kun and Yamato-san, you’re already here?

Alexander: .......

Taiga: .....Hmph. Why do I have to deal with you again......

Kazuki: Hey! It looks like you’re all here! Let’s all have fun today!

Alexander: Kazuki Nishina!? What are you doing here....

Louis: He wasn’t at the photo shoot, but he’ll be doing the show with us?

Shin: Ah, Kazuki-san is--

Taiga: Kazuki-san is a regular on this show!

Leo: He’s super popular as the “Dancing Uncle”!

Louis: Oh really…

Alexander: Hey, Kazuki Nishina! Let’s have a showdown!

Kazuki: Yeah! Let’s do it up together! I’m counting on you to make this a great show today, Alec!

Alexander: Dammit! You’re not listening!

Kazuki: Hey everyone, let’s just relax and have a good time today! I’ll do my best to help you guys out in any way I can!

Taiga: Right on! And I’ll do my best not to hold you back!

Alexander: …Ug…

Shin: (Kazuki-san is so cool.... But I’m a senior high school student now. So I’ve got to step up my game like him!)

Kazuki: Oh yeah, and last on the program for today Shin’s going to do a prism show, right?

Shin: Ah, yeah…

Leo: Whaaaa?

Louis: Oh really!

Yu: Since when?!

Alexander: What are you talking about!

Taiga: Kazuki-san, why Shin….?

Kazuki: Hm? Oh... We did a survey a little while back called “Which prism star do you want to see do a show the most?” and Shin was number 1! So the producer gave him the offer.  

Everyone: (When did that happen....!)

Taiga: (I wanted to perform on Kazuki-san’s show too...)

Alexander: (That damn Shin Ichijo! That damn Kazuki Nishina!)

Yu: (To think he actually gets to perform a prism show on Naru’s program...)

Shin: Wha... why is everyone looking at me like that....

Louis: I can’t wait to see your prism show, Shin!

Leo: Me neither! Shin, do you best! 

Shin: Y-Yeah. I will. Thank you.

Kazuki: It’s Shin’s turn this time. But you never know, one of you guys may get an offer next time. As long as you’re up for the challenge, many other chances will be waiting for you! Now do your best everyone! I’ll be rooting for you. Of course I’ll be putting my best performance out there too, though. 

Taiga: Okay! I’ll give it all I got!! 

(As so filming continued without a hitch and they finally reached the last segment...)

Children: When’s the prism show? I can’t wait! I’m so excited! 

Shin: Oh gosh oh gosh oh gosh calm down deep breaths.... *gasp* 

(Okay! Let’s do this....!)

Kazuki: Okay everyone! Now for the moment you’ve all been waiting for! It’s time for the prism show! Today big brother Shin’s gonna show all you guys a shining, shimmering show! 

Children: Yaaaay! Big brother Shin! 

Kazuki: Well, here we go! You all know this one, don’t you? “Heart Iro Tori Dream”! Make sure you all sing along and have fun, OK!

Children: Yaaaaay! Happy-Naru! 

Shin: (Alright... here goes nothing!) Shin Ichijo, here I go! 

♪~ ♪~

Leo: Oh, this is a song that Kouji wrote, right? It’s such a great song….

Yu: …..

Children: Happy Happy Happy Naru….  ♪

Shin: (Wo… Woah..! When I am dancing to this song, I feel like I’m floating on air! And the children are smiling more and more!) And on top of that, this song… feels like it’s just overflowing with so many dreams…

Alexander: .....!

Louis: ........

Shin:  (To think my show can make everyone smile this much… Oh yeah, I remember now. The whole reason I started liking prism shows in the first place is because they can make people smile. From now on I want to keep doing more and more prism shows that can make everyone smile!)

(Shin’s show was a great success! The recording ended with everyone in very high spirits.)

Shin: Thank you so much!

Louis: Shin.

Shin: Ah, Louis!

Louis: That was such a wonderful show.... It made me feel so Happy-Naru!

Shin: Eheh. Thank you!

Louis: No problem.... And thank you too.

Shin: (Something seems different about Louis for some reason....?)

Louis: ......

Shin: (He enjoyed my show didn’t he? Hehe, that makes me happy.)

Kazuki: Great work, Shin! That prism show just now... it was so passionate! Becoming a senior high student really made you level up your charm even more, didn’t it?

Shin: Really .... !? All right.... !!

Yu: ...... (Well, I guess admitting the strength of your rival is an important part of growing up too.) I’m a bit jealous, but I think your show was really great. I’ll be the one performing next time, though!

Leo: Shin-kun, great work! While you were doing your show, it looked like you were shining so brightly!

Taiga: ...... Yeah, it wasn’t half bad.

Shin: Everyone......! Thank you!! 

(I wonder if I’ve grown as much as everyone else has....! I have to keep on doing my best!)

(And so, when the boys returned to the dorm....)

Hiro: Good work, guys! Welcome home!

Shin: Whaaa! Hiro-san!? And Kouji-san too!? What are you doing here....?

Kouji: It’s just like we all talked about this morning. We want to celebrate with everyone. So we all prepared in secret. Well, Minato was the real driving force though. Right, Minato?

Minato: Umm... well... I just wanted to make sure we properly celebrated everyone starting the new school year is all.... Eheh...

Kakeru: Oh Minatocchi! You did such a nice thing! Take the compliment!

Hiro: Eheh. We all prepared a meal and waited for you to get home. Now, it’s time for all the guests of honor to take their seats!

Kakeru: And now that we’re all together.... Shin-chawan, how about you make the toast?

Shin: Wha-whaaa!? Umm umm well.... 

A toast! To everyone’s new beginning! Kanpai!

Everyone: Kanpai!

Read more: Waking Up Louis On Your Mark Taiga

Next event: Road to SSS Event 2 Main Story

[recentanimenews]

The Best Anime of the 2010s

Here it is, the third and final installment in our Best of the 2010s series! We’ve gotten manga and video games out of the way, so it’s time for anime.

If you’re just tuning in, here’s how it works: our three contributors (Evan Minto, Ink, and David Estrella) each ranked their top anime series and movies released between 2010 and 2019. We scored them all based on their positions in the three lists, and came up with a single combined list of 10, which you’ll find below. We haven’t seen every anime out there, so there may be some conspicuous omissions, but of all of our lists, this is the one we’re most confident in. That’s mainly because the contributors covered over 120 titles between the three of them! The full lists for anime, manga, and games, including our individual rankings, are now available on the Ani-Gamers Patreon.

Below you’ll find everything from lo-fi comedies to tragic war stories. And befitting the many ways anime is produced and distributed, our list contains TV series, net animations, short films, big-budget feature films, rotoscope animation, and more. It’s been a great decade for anime, and we hope you find something new (er, more like old) to add to your watch list. Enjoy, and feel free to chime in with your own picks in the comments!

10. Tantei Opera Milky Holmes: Act 2 (2012)

David Estrella: No one believes me when I say that Milky Holmes II is an essential anime and frankly, I don’t have the wherewithal to argue with close-minded idiots that have had the bulk of the 2010s to listen to me for once. If you have to ask, it’s already too late for you but in case you’re 14 and your first anime was a post-Bleach shonen thing, Milky Holmes is a comedy that begins as a mildly amusing goofy slapstick magical girl detective cartoon and soon spirals out into an insane spectacle that completely incinerates all the other half-way passable, middle-of-the-road multimedia schlock that used to made before it all became indistinguishable idol gacha crap. Someone went highly off-script on this production and every Milky Holmes afterwards is not even worth mentioning next to these first two seasons. Between this, gdgd Fairies, and Teekyu, the last breaths of creative expression in TV anime were all concentrated in 2012, and before we knew it, it was gone.

9. Flowers of Evil (2013)

Ink: As far as manga adaptations go, hell, as far as film goes, Flowers of Evil is nothing short of a masterwork. Layering animation atop live action (rotoscoping) to emulate the basic premise behind the poetic movement so treasured by the “tortured” protagonist … not to mention actually including relevant, inspirational poems, Director Hiroshi Nagahama takes great risks – from pacing to form and even content – and sticks the landing with technical and emotional force to improve upon the source material (even though the anime only adapts half the manga). It’s an anime that reveals how beautiful ugliness can be and vice-versa.

8. Kill la Kill (2013–2014)

Evan Minto: There’s nothing quite as enjoyable as watching Hiroyuki Imaishi and Kazuki Nakashima go to town on an anime TV series. Kill la Kill is a bonkers ride from start to finish. It’s got superpowered talking school uniforms, nudist secret societies, fanservice so obnoxious it somehow becomes cool, and a never-ending parade of shocking heel-turns. There’s something in there about fascism and the fashion industry and maybe if you squint hard enough you can argue it’s feminist, but the most important F word when it comes to Kill la Kill is “fun.”

7. Kizumonogatari (2016–2017)

David Estrella: I don’t think I’ll ever fly to Japan for the sake of seeing an anime film on opening day again, and fortunately Kizumonogatari was such a peak for cinema that I’m perfectly fine with that. Kizumonogatari left me fulfilled in a way that people with weaker immune systems would pass on to the hereafter upon leaving the theater. It’s not a coincidence that my interest in anime tanked severely once the Kizu trilogy wrapped up since, with a few rare exceptions, very little anime possesses the same ambitious spirit as I found in Kizumonogatari. While Makoto Shinkai is busy making extended Apple commercials under the guise of magical realist teen romance films, I’m really finding it easier and easier to call the anime medium completely and totally solved as early as 2017.

6. From the New World (2012–2013)

David Estrella: Due to circumstances outside of my control, From the New World appears higher on the list over the definitive best anime of the decade and I’m stuck writing about it. I’ll play along if only because From the New World is a great show that deserves another look to appreciate how much it was doing within the boundaries of weekly 24-minute episodes. Adapted from a science-fiction novel that will never be translated and published into English, it’s the rare sort of anime TV show that gets its hooks in early and continues sinking them in until the thought of taking a break before reaching the resolution is unbearable.

5. JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure (2012–present)

David Estrella: The loudest JoJo people say that Stardust Crusaders is the best JoJo, then two camps split between Diamond is Unbreakable and Golden Wind say their JoJo is the best JoJo, and then I’m the obnoxious voice in the back that hoots and hollers anytime someone says the phrase “Battle Tendency”. All the other JoJo’s are technically more sophisticated than the first couple of parts, but none of them really match the sheer power of that initial hit, those two amazing openings, and the actual best JoJo, Joseph Joestar, voiced by Tomokazu Sugita giving the performance of a lifetime. At the very least, we will all be haunted by Roundabout memes for as long as JoJo remains relevant.

4. Endless Night (2015)

Ink: Storytelling that relies solely on visuals is seemingly rare in anime these days, and even though Sayo Yamamoto’s Animator Expo figure skating short (which led to the more verbose Yuri!!! on Ice) is backed by a perfectly expressive song by Hiroshi Nakamura, the latter is made superfluous thanks to emotionally soaked movements and settings, laudably implemented surreality, seamless flow, minimalist color palette, and evocative texturing. Seven minutes (if that) lays out, engrossingly, a complete story of inspiration, infatuation, and (ultimately) realization. Ignore the East German judge; the passion and implementation is a 10/10.

3. Inferno Cop (2012–2013)

Evan Minto: “Best of” lists like this one have a tendency toward “high” art, toward stories about Big Ideas and Important Subjects. Inferno Cop is the lowest art of all: a series of nonsensical, lo-fi cutout animated shorts written with the reckless abandon of children playing with action figures. It’s also one of the funniest anime series in a very long time, and certainly one of the best comedies of the decade. It’s only fitting that it served as the world’s introduction to Studio Trigger, who closed out the 2010s with their smash-hit feature film Promare.

2. The Tale of Princess Kaguya (2013)

Ink: The recently late and perpetually bereaved Isao Takahata was, ironically, given the work about which this blurb is written, a realist compared to Ghibli co-founder’s (Miyazaki) escapist tendencies. Why, then, is this retelling of a very familiar folktale in The Tale of Princess Kaguya so powerful? Because the characterizations are as palpable as the animation is expressive; there are few scenes in the all of anime that draw breath like those of the MC’s dashing sequences. The art itself is simultaneously emulative of both a child’s picture book and a depiction of time as age sets in. Fairy tales are forever. RIP and thank you, Takahata.

1. In This Corner of the World (2016)

Evan Minto: This movie handily snagged the #1 spot in our ranking, and it’s not hard to see why. It’s a story about the hardships of World War II told not through combat, but through the grueling travails of civilian life. In This Corner of the World’s gut-wrenching tragedy is tempered and amplified by the currents of love and big-hearted, true-to-life comedy that run through it. The film is a beautiful tribute to the innocent souls trampled by war, comparable and even — dare I say — superior to the classic Grave of the Fireflies.

Check out our list of the Best Manga and the Best Video Games of the 2010s!

The Best Anime of the 2010s originally appeared on Ani-Gamers on February 21, 2020 at 8:43 PM.

By: David Estrella

[neko-shinigxmi]

.: NatsuShio: The OC/Canon Ship That Ruined My Life :.

(In the Best Way)

@supernatural-cat98, get buckled in.

   Let’s start with how I started. An Okami OC.

   Her name is Shiori, but her full name is Shiorigami, a brush kami OC for the game Okami. Once an adoptable from DeviantArt, I made her into a fully-fleshed out character fit for the game. Sure, she’s an usual hybrid (nekotori; cat body, but with tail feathers like a small peacock), but she’s the kami of Poems and Literature. She’s got social anxiety and a thinly veiled reference to autism, as she is stunted to everyone, including her extensive family...but writing is where she blooms.

   Fiction, biographies, history, poems of all kinds... If it’s writing, she’s happy. It protects her and makes her happy, even when she fears she isn’t a good enough brush kami. Even if her powers are an inky echo of her mother’s.

   She once had short hair. She once loved a Lunarian named Kazuki... A scholar of the Moon Tribe, during a period of tension and war between his people and the Celestials... Shiori’s people. Despite it all, they truly did love each other, despite never admitting it out loud. He was gifted a scroll of poems he inspired her to write. He gave her a golden necklace- almost collar-like- with the symbol of the Moon Tribe engraved on the back.

   ...He would end up dying in a slaughter done by the evil the Moon Tribe had summoned. Those who fled to the mortal world to escape the war becoming the only survivors. Kazuki was gone...and left Shiori not only with a deep depression, but also with a fear to care for anyone who was mortal.

   Who could die and be ripped from her grasp, just like Kazuki had.

   Her hair grew out over the years (faceclaim: Suiren Shibazeki from Hibi Chouchou), protected by her mother to ease her pain of the death of the one she loved most...and in the years after the events of Okami, would stay either in her room on the Celestial Plain or occasionally live on the mortal world, in a small house to herself among a forest not too far from Ryoshima Coast.

   And so. It would be this starting point for a fateful meeting...

   Natsu Dragneel. Specifically, burningheartdragneel, my roleplay partner. (To my Shio, @goddessof-poems.) He met Amaterasu first, having somehow...gotten himself a little universe-lost. Befriending her was easy; both liking to fight, both loving to eat... It was easy for them.

   Yet he poses an interesting challenge for sweet, quiet Shiori. Little bookworm, easily forgets to eat at all, and isn’t much one for the adventuring scene, like her mother or Natsu.

   ...However, it’s because of her Natsu learns the joys of reading; specifically, an adventurous story of fiction Shiori had written some time before. He makes a small, but decent meal for the forgetful Shiori, ensuring she eats...and even motivates her to get out of her home, taking him to show off Ryoshima Coast and her own Water Tablet that Amaterasu gifted her.

   It’s our current roleplay and a still on-going one, but we came up with so much more as we talked over Discord. They will slow burn their way, but us? We know how the path goes....and we ended up falling in love with a pairing of our own creation.

ExoticGeneral: Ah gods I love this! Especially since Shiori isn't the kind to stop her work to eat or anything Natsu would at some point bring snacks with him and probably feed her (and he hardly likes sharing either) because somebodies is gonna have to be watching over her. But if he woke up with her all beside him, he'd be pretty flustered about it. Plus as an added bonus he always oddly warm, which makes for good cuddling in the winter/chilly days. :3c Yeah, he'd probably be more careful with her because even if she is a brush good she's just so fragile. He'd probably bond with her relatively easy though since he's always been a cat kinda guy? But yeah, demon hunting would be a big no-no while she was around. No need to try and scare her away. But I thought about that heat headcanon thing would be funny cause I can't see either making the first move ever! xD

Aki: Oh gosh, yeah. Shiori's the type for "skinny love" situations, where it's almost painfully obvious she loves the person, but if nobody acts on it, then it's this firm stalemate. Tbh, she'd likely only "confess" if he got really hurt and she was scared for him....but even then, it's confusing for the oblivious bc-?? Was that a confession? What if it wasn't????

ExoticGeneral: But god a confession like that would be hilarious cause it might just go over his head! He'd probably just grin like an idiot, being all like 'Thanks that means a lot' and playing it off as completely platonic possibly. He may be bold in everything else, but love is something he's actually insecure about considering his first girlfriend died, his mom, like three of his dads and his brother wants to murder him.

Aki: Ommmmggggg. She'd probably laugh a little and keep trying to tell herself it's better this way, bc like...... (And this is what kills me) She'd rather have a friend in him than nothing at all bc of rejection so she'd start spiraling down and try to keep upbeat even though she keeps thinking about it and getting guilty bc what if he only wants them to be friends???? What if he didn't like romance at all?? She doesn't want to push him away from her..... She'd rather suffer years of not having him love her back then lose him. (And re-reading this..... Ouch on the death of the first girlfriend. Shiori knows that pain.... Except slightly more painful that she also never confessed to the guy and lost him to the slaughter of the Moon Tribe.)

ExoticGeneral: AKI DONT They'd both end up suffering because they're shy potatoes who can't convey their feelings properly for the life of them! It wouldn't even get better cause she'd only start going down hill after a while and he'd more than likely notice but not realize he's the problem in a way and FUUUUUUCCCKKKK

Aki: HAHAHAHAHAA, YOU'RE TOO LATE; MY POWERS HAVE BEEN REALIZED She'd actually manage pretty well for awhile, being oblivious, but then the feelings would start and that very emotion would be her downfall. Because then what are you supposed to do when you want to hug your "friend" for no apparent reason and just...stay there? That you wouldn't mind if he stayed over all the time and got to sleep with him, because that's when the nightmares kept away from her? (And even if they did show up, he was there to comfort her...) She's an absolutely wreck after awhile and keeps spacing out and begins to screw up and she's like a black hole collapsing in on itself and it hurts so bad to watch

ExoticGeneral: STAHP YOURE HURTING MY SHIPPER HEART BEFORE THE SHIP ACTUALLY EXISTS That blackhole though, like how do you even fix that??? Because the closer you get to her the more it's probably hurting her and you could confess but getting closer is what caused it to progress. HOW DO YOU PROTECT YOUR SHIT WHEN YOU'RE THE PROBLEM!?!? Your making me emotional and it's only like 8 in the morning, I don't want to start my day sad already!

Aki: Shiori finally breaking down in front of Natsu though. Like, it was a little trip over a tree root or something and she says, "O-oh, n-no, I'm fine...." But Natsu's just-??? No you're not, you're crying. Why are you crying? What hurts?? And from there she starts bawling and Natsu is awkward but tries his best. He also has little to no idea what she's saying pass those sobs of hers, but oUCH PAIN EVERYWHERE. Then- awhoop- right out of that sobbing mess comes a pretty clear confession, whoo boy--

ExoticGeneral: But HOLY SHIT when a confession happens he'd get flustered. To the point of constant figgeting and just a permanent blush would cover his face. He'd probably end up staying silent, then just start crying and fuck me up. The first confession of his life??? hE WAS NOT READY FOR THIS BUT IS TOTALLY ACCEPTING OF THIS! She'd get to see an entirely new spectrum of him though when he gets all soft-hearted and actually reveals his romantic side???

Aki: Shiori's equally as flustered and waiting to please just collapse in on herself and cease existance....and then once she realized she didn't fuck things up, she's crying with him and so much affection????? Oh no, the cutes. Cutes everywhere. Also Shiori is a huge sap and she's going to love that. But now he has to deal with his cute new goddess gf blushing whenever he smooches even just her cheek. Or holds her hand. Or snuggles up to her..... When he breathes LMAO, Jk...~

ExoticGeneral: THem crying together. THat thought just gives me life cause they're just two mushy emotional destroyed people atm. Just I don't even know who would actually recover first at that point, maybe Natsu, and just give her the longest most affectionate hug he's got in him. This relationship ain't gonna last long, give it like a week and he'll probably die from a cute overload. He'd try to pamper her a bit (though he wouldn't know how really) and just take her out to star gaze and do some silly things. But holding hands??? Like that's really lewd ya know.

Aki: Yeeeaaaahhh, he probably would. Shiori's trying to calm down, but those silly tears won't stop~ But she'll still snuggle close when he hugs her and hug him back. AH. AAAAAAHHHHHH. Natsu coming back to her place after that little event and suddenly, her new greeting is, "Welcome home," with a bright smile. Natsu kneels tf over bc cHRIST DID HE JUST HAVE A HEARTATTACK?!?!?!??

   Oh yes. We had a LENGTHY talk about their confession... But is that all? Of course not!! We’ve also had conversations about...

   Sleeping habits:

Aki: Oh man, and if she woke up to that racing heart of his.... All sleepy and concerned and it's right out of a romance novel and someone help Natsu bc death is rapidly approaching

ExoticGeneral: And the thing is that's one of his quirks. Like his way of saying 'I think I like you' IS sleeping at there house a lot more often. TO the point where it's just an everyday exerpeince and it's only weird if he DOESN'T show up one night.

Aki: !!!! Natsu being late one night and he's surprised bc it's late as fuck but there's Shiori, obviously tired and ready for bed, but unable to sleep because she'd gotten used to sleeping with Natsu and his warmth. (He has to pull confidence and fake cheer before he's allowed to start dying in the darkness of her room; that was so fuckin' cute and she was holding onto that little cat plush and she looked so lonely jfc whAT THE FUCK that level of cute is illegal in all the states and all of the worlds and timelines, bYE)

ExoticGeneral: But I can totally see that! He just kinda pushes open her door and it's like 2 in the fucking morning. The conflicted feelings he must have though knowing that when he walks in there he's gonna suffer for a few hours or more but is like 'fuck ing worth it.'  (She needs to tone it down because if the guy who lives to fight wants to SNUGGLE then there's a problem. No one man, goddess or not, should be allowed to have so much power!)

Aki: She's just more than happy to see him bc dang it, she couldn't sleep without him...and the second she's comfy and curled up against him? Boop. Out like a light. (Plot twist: her real power is being cute as hell. Her cuteness so strong, who needs weaponry?? Flutter those lashes, tilt her head... If she has the ears and feather tails out? B y e. You're dead now. Sorry, don't make the rules.)

ExoticGeneral: JEEz THOUGH! Not being able to sleep without him! Now all of a sudden he becomes like a necessity for a proper nights sleep, or any at all really. (But that's one way to competely get to him. Sexy? Pfffft, he can ignore that most of the time. Cute, fucking slay him okay? Just 'Here lies Natsu, rest in pieces' and fuck she's a cutie!)

Aki: I mean.... He could be a mean little one and let her pass out once it becomes too much, but there's also the huge implication that Natsu actually sorta gets her on a sleep schedule?? Something she usually doesn't have at all???? When Natsu's getting snuggled up in the futon, it basically becomes a sign of, "Oh, time to stop for today and sleep." Reverse alarm clock, Natsu is. Getting a certain poetry goddess to bed rather than waking her up (or keeping her up, as is). (Shiori perfected the cute ability. Cute traits that'd be passed down for generations. Flirting-but-not-flirting, the ultimate technique. How will poor Natsu ever survive?!?)

   Dinners with Mom Amaterasu:

Aki: Meet the parents? More like, "Forget that formal stuff! Let's go out and eat dessert before dinner!!!!" Because Ammy doesn't really do formal anymore and why not just....use the time for the better?? Like eating???? Not to mention, then she can embarrass the two like, "Now you gotta feed each other. Do it, do it, do it~!!" Ammy is a gr8 mom, as you can tell

ExoticGeneral: Well I don't think it could happen. I think Ammy and natsu met because he tried pelting her with water ballons. There is no need to be formal after that! But I can see Ammy rigging everything somehow. Just like ordering milkshakes for all three but 'accidentally' forgets one so she gets a whole one while Natsu and shiori share. with coincidentally two staws.

Aki: "Hmmmm, would you look at that.... Strange." Casually drinks at her own like NBD--  And that's true!!! No formality exists here; there's only the two dorks and the shy poet, who's more than happy to be the little side-line cheerleader for their antics. (Unless they're questionable. Then she's worried and trying to get them off of the idea. Probably crit. hits Natsu by being cute.)

  The time I almost wrote in our RP that Shiori was gonna kiss his cheek....and they’re not even CLOSE to dating, oh boy:

Aki: .....It suddenly occurs to me that I want an aesthetic made of NatsuShio.............

ExoticGeneral: I'm laughing. This isn't a pairing (Yet) and you're like grabby hands

Aki: Hey. Hey. Compare this to the time I almost wrote in Shio kissing Natsu's cheek waaaaaaaaaaaaaaayyyyyy too early, and a little aesthetic ain't that bad~

ExoticGeneral: You know if you had wrote that slip up I would have went along with it too. It would have been a hilarious mess.

Aki: LMAO. Even Shiori would be confused like, "......I have never before in my LIFE ever done that.... Why did I do that now?!?" This is the Sims and I am the tru god and their lives are my pLAYTHINGS

ExoticGeneral: He would have stopped everything for a solid 5 minutes then continue like it didn't happen. If you don't react it's like it never happened, right? I mean that's how we do it anyways. We make them suffer cause it's fun

Aki: Plot twist, though...... Isn't even freezing considered a reaction?! So by freezing he thinks he didn't react, but the act of freezing up is a reaction in itself......!! YOU'VE BEEN PLAYED, NATSU!!! They aren't suffering yet, buuuuut..... All in due time

   Memes, of course:

ExoticGeneral: Ammy: So do you and Shio call each other pet names? Natsu: Pfffft! No! Of course not! Ammy: What do bees make then? Natsu:....Honey? Shio, from the other room: Yeah, sweetie? Ammy: Don't you ever lie to my face again.

Aki: tHIS WOULD HAPPEN, F U CK-- I AM LOSING IT

   And the moment we acknowledged how we know this ship was The One; our OTP forever and always: (featuring the best rant I’ve ever written for this ship)

ExoticGeneral: It's literally freaking insane how you just start having ten billions of ideas running through you're head! Like okay time to put then through some angst hell, then recovery fluff, little slice of life, smooches and some bonding/ development??? Like Im getting way too far ahead of myself here??? But the ideas/drabbles keep on rolling anyway. This is how you know this is the one.

Aki: Yes!!! And like.... Honestly, I pride myself on doing "realistic" stuff? Having my characters contradict themselves sometimes, do something that would hurt....cause humans are like that. Hell, it's why I also brazenly went for Shiori's emotional breakdown when she heard the news that all Lunarians had died..... Including her dear Kazuki.  Being able to imagine and know how that breakdown went in my head, where nothing she tried worked, until she went crawling back to her mother to grant her wish to not exist...take the pain away......  Boi. B o i. When it comes to big time storywriting, I get hELLA AMPED. I'm ready to show them every corner of the world, good or bad. Perfection or deep flaws. Give me that angst where they will realize that it hurts, but having someone to hurt with makes the pain ease a little. It doesn't fix everything, but having those assuring words and someone who cares deeply makes it harder to be upset. Let them have those slice of life days where Shiori wakes up in bed for once, stomach not aching or feeling like a void, and ready to start a new day. Have him drag her out to explore and shake up her old, rigid life. Let them, in the future, kiss and hug and wonder why....but know that if waiting so long meant finding love and getting it this right, then it was worth the wait. Let them develop so much, that we look back to where we started and cackle with joy, cause they friggen made it. Wow, a sappy rant from me, yEEHAW

ExoticGeneral: Damn right sister! Preach it! Like sometimes I just sit there with some bsckground music on and its so fitting that you just throw out 20 paragraphs like no problem. I just need those days with them where they argue over something little and it gets so blown out of proprtion and convoluted that they just forget what is was about? Just random nights of stargazing then falling asleep? Or literally doing nothing and either of them thinks of their s/o and gets super flustered for no reason? The day they actually become a couple but still trains his tush off and shio doesnt ask how he got strong, but why he did cause heckie is that gonna be one wild ride of a story. But the simple, final answer is to  protect her. Not because she's the daughter of Ammy, but because he failed to do so with his dad and elder brother and doesn't want to lose her too. Like I want weakness that comes with trust? Fear that comes with love? But also the fulfilling satisfaction of contentness. That you wouldn't trade this for anything else, its a unique feeling that only they can deliver. Ya feel?

Aki: Right??? Good heavens, mention music and now I need to go look up Shio's number one mood music........ Can't think Shio romance (especially where it's "skinny love") without remembering the song, sO-- Right?? Well, more likely her trying to fight back but she angry cries and just gets frustrated and shuts down. Won't talk. Won't feed the flames anymore with replies, but doesn't seek peace, either. It's a night where it alternates between dead silence in the home once more or quiet, strained sobs of someone who's already used to being hurt; she's just finding it harder to keep that pain quiet.    But it's..... It's home. More than it's ever been. From a family she couldn't quite connect with some days, to her own home all to herself... A place her own and where her life fit.    Last thing she would've ever expected is to find- in many ways- her opposite....and yet someone she'd find herself falling for all the same. Where it's funny to imagine her home used to be quiet and peaceful. Now there's some training dummies outside and even if he strays from home, she can hear him making noises out not too far away. There's footsteps of another person in her home now. This home....it's his home, too.    Something they're both happy to have. Company, understanding, and just.... An imbalance that makes it a balance by not being perfect.    She slows him down. He speeds her up.    They learn something from each other.    It hurts sometimes. His life will likely be long....but to what length? Will it end? Does she want to know? Should she ask?    And understanding what her mother saw in mortals from that.... Just because they cannot match in eternal age, doesn't make it all any less. The memories shared? Still memories made. Love was still had and wasn't it sweet? To love someone so completely, to have fought and made up, loved and lost...    It's scarier when it's you who can be hurt; this isn't watching someone's life play out like a movie. This is her life now and his and theirs together and it breaks her heart to know she could potentially lose him, but..... He's going to teach her so much. And she would understand what her mother does.    He'll be loved all the more for it.

ExoticGeneral: I literally have absolutely no words for this. I cant believe you would make me cry like this at midnight. This was the most hurtful, true, heartfelt yet heartbreaking thing I've read. I freaking forgot you did poetry is you spare time like holy.

   ...They just. Work together. It’s the perfect “opposites attract” relationship while still maintaining a balance between who they are alone and what their relationship is. The bolster of inspiration and motivation that they get from each other... He motivates her to leave the house more (often with him on a little adventure) and gives her that experience. As said, she slows him down and gets him to read more. Even try writing for himself, writing Shiori a small poem that he [slams down onto her desk and runs off in a hurry] gives her.

   Broadening their horizons with each other. The support and pure affection and how they do their best in their own ways to support each other... It’s perfect. Made a home in our hearts. And we sure wouldn’t want it any other way.

   As a final note... Have one more silly little meme we came up with:

Aki: So I'm re-reading our chat [again] and I just thought of this...... Natsu: I live to fight, so Imma take you down!!! Shiori, in her sleepy-whiny voice: Natsuuuu...... I wanna cuddle.... Natsu, already leaving: .......Someone else lives to fight and will take you down!!!

ExoticGeneral: You know that old saying goes, he who runs away lives to fight another day I'm glad I'm the only who just goes back and re-reads this entire message board of gross romance and heartbreak

   So yes, ship NatsuShio. Your heart will thank you...after it dies for 2 hours because of the angst that tails this ship in bittersweet flavors.