#like i always see this take about yuko who is a character i do like to elaborate on and it's like

[nowhere302]

I'm sorry but I don't get people being like "this character only exists as backstory/development/ect. for this other character they're written badly!!!" like? that's literally just the purpose of some characters lmfao

[brisquad-unit-4402]

hello i’ve got some thoughts and updates for this blog.

i’ve been on a bit of burnout for a while, including life outside of writing. naturally the termination has sped up that burnout. i’m exhausted and struggling to be graceful about it, but that’s to be expected. i’m not one to sit on my feelings even though i’ve lacked the energy to write. which really bites because that’s my number-one passion really.

however i’ve taken some time to relax by diverting my attention away from social media and niji streams. i’ve relearned an old hobby and splurged a little too much on a new one, and i kind of can’t believe how much i missed drawing on real paper with a real pen and pencil. and thank god the love and deepspace sponsorship wrapped up before the termination, because that game has me in not just a chokehold but like one of those umbilical cords from astral projection. the silver cord? that

i’ve been watching other vtubers lately as well. i’ve always considered adding holostars en to my list but hesitated because everything else on my blog was niji-related.

consider this confirmation that i will be adding holostars’ tempus hq, vanguard and armis, and first stage productions’ avallum to my list of characters i will write for. i admit i’m not as familiar with armis, but i’ll be paying closer attention in the near future as i branch out from strictly watching niji only.

(might also be adding idol corp’s e-sekai? maybe? i watch them once every few months and i haven’t seen pochi or yuko stream since they debuted 💀 no clue on their gen 2 either)

i’ll be overhauling my masterpost for organization soon. so apologies for the horrors about to come… to be clear i will not delete any of my writing so don’t worry!

i’m unsure how much niji i’ll write in the future. give me some time to think as the situation hopefully cools down. i appreciate your patience.

and who knows maybe i’ll write for non-vtuber fandoms too

i think it’s about time i clean my inbox out soon too. i‘ll answer what asks i can and delete the remaining ones. i’ve had a few requests sitting in my inbox for nearly a year now and i’ve recently realized how stressed i was over them and learned about some boundaries i didn’t know i had beforehand, among other things, so so it’s about time i face them head-on. i apologize if i never got to your request! please don’t take it personally if i don’t answer your request. but above all else thank you for being patient, understanding, and kind enough to send in a request. even though i tend to bite off more than i can chew i always get so happy whenever i see a notif in my inbox and i appreciate your time for a little unit 4402.

even though i’m not watching niji streams atm i’m hesitant to stop writing for them because, like, i keep thinking of this clip of doppio saying he feels like he’s allowed to buy healthy/organic food because of fan support and donations, and among other reasons... it’s very easy to make conclusions on people you only know through a screen and i just can’t bring myself to cut them out so abruptly, even if i’m a fan creator on a site none of them use.

idk when i’ll post next and it feels nice to say that. i usually try to post once every 2 weeks, but considering how i’m trying not to think about niji right now and am instead embracing other parts of my life, i dunno. it’s nice. this blog is a major source of joy for me and it feels like i’m preserving what makes it so special for me instead of turning it into a chore. hopefully with time and rest i’ll have a clearer idea of where to go from here.

that’s pretty much everything on my mind, i think? thank you for bearing with me and my yapping. i hope to return soon and that the next time you see me, my blog will be cleaner, more expansive, and with a fresh mindset. take care of yourselves and don’t get immersed in toxicity. don’t forget to do what you love 💛

[linalavender]

[Spoilers for Chainsawman Part 2] Fami and her Earrings!

Ever since her introduction, Fami has been depicted always Tilting her head to the left. Why? Is it just a weird quirk Fujimoto put in? No, I think its very important to the story, and her as a character.

So since I am a well adjusted individual and noticed that Fami is Tilting her head in the other direction for the first time lets analyse what this could mean

Fami represents Famine, The Third Horseman of the Apocalypse in Revelation

(As with any religious text of course there's many other interpretations but Conquest, War, Famine, Death in that order is the Popular interpretation)

When He broke the third seal, I heard the third living creature saying, "Come." I looked, and behold, a black horse; and he who sat on it had a pair of scales in his hand. And I heard something like a voice in the center of the four living creatures saying, "A quart of wheat for a denarius, and three quarts of barley for a denarius; but do not damage the oil and the wine." — Revelation 6:5–6

The line I wanna bring your attention to is the Scales in his hand, Because Fami has some Scales of her own, Her Earrings.

She is almost always depicted Tilting her Head to her Left, meaning that if we interpret her Earrings as Scales, The left side weighs more on her than the other.

But this isn't true anymore, In the recent chapter, when both recalling Falling to Hell, and talking to Nayuta, Her Head is tilting to her Right.

Interestingly enough, this is the First time we've seen her actively taking a stance on the Prophecy, she proclaims herself to be on the side of Humanity. When Talking to Yoshida (Always tilting her head to the Left btw) She merely mentions that she summoned the Falling devil (Not ofcourse mentioning that shes responsible, just that Falling Came out of Hell to Earth just now.) and that the 7 criminals died in this incident.

(side note I wanted to mention there is one other time you can see her tilting her head to the Right, When revealing herself to Asa after her fight with Yuko, I think this isn't relevant but I wanted to mention it at least)

So you might be thinking, Ok thats all well and good Lina, But what the hell does that mean?

Well Ofcourse this entirely up for interpretation, but what I'm thinking it means What side she is leaning towards. (literally in some sense lol)

What side means which is interesting, Is she only now leaning towards the side of Humanity? Is she only now Leaning in favor of the devils? Is she interpeting it as who will win in this war for the prophecy?

Who knows. Id actually love to hear other peoples Opinions on this as Im not entirely convinced about what the Scales represent but I thought id atleast present this to people, its something ive been thinking about since the Aquarium

[pepsiiwho]

What's your opinion on the moon socal link in Persona3?

Oo great question… I’m of two minds

(Spoilers under the cut)

Oh one hand, I like nozomi. He isn’t as immediately compelling as some of the other students in the school (Keisuke, miyamoto, Yuko, Bebe, etc etc) but his inferiority complex and obvious grief in relation to his twin brother soften his otherwise bossy and difficult nature. He’s a coward both in how he views the world and in how he interacts with others. He sees someone strong and, seemingly, confident in themselves and resents MC for it as much as he regales him. It’s a shakey balance.

I think he’s just a really hurt kid who lost someone important to him too soon and hasn’t healed from that and hasn’t been given the right space to heal from that— so the wound hasn’t even scabbed. He eats to get past the failure he feels in relation to his brothers death and past the fact he isn’t good enough. Yet, he’s all that’s left.

There’s a lot of interesting things to point at with his social link and a lot of different ways to go about it.

The game, unsurprisingly, chose none of them.

Nozomi (Nozo) as he is in the game has this insidious secondary plot that begins to take center stage when we find out he is a recruiter for a religious cult trying to bring in the hopeless for salvation and eternal paradise— for a small continuous fee. While playing, it’s difficult to tell if nozo actively believes the dogma the cult is dropping and is recruiting people out of the goodness of his heart or if he understands that it’s ruining lives, his own included. At first I assumed he did understand and was doing that willingly because he needed to feel like he was finally good at something (top earning recruiter of the year idk idk) but as the link continued it gets more vague if he’s a grifter or if he honestly believes in what he’s selling (when he sold me paradise it started to dawn that he might actually be subscribing to this notion and I was a bit confused).

On the other hand…his story seems… muddled about what It wants to be.

I think the cult isn’t a bad vehicle to explore, especially in a game so heavily focused on grief and accepting the reality of death— and considering there aren’t really any other characters who are seemingly terrified of this he could’ve been a great vehicle to explode that very real (very debilitating) fear many people carry with them.

In an ideal version of his story I imagine Nozo being this good critic who has lots of followers and fans who are actively glad to see him when he goes to restaurants and waits on his every word. He’s proud of this fact as well, and flaunts it to you at every chance, and because you follow him so diligently and just listen he allows you into his flock as his right hand (religious imagery of sheep and Shepard here to tie back to the cult). You join him, thins progress as usual and he slowly opens up about the fact he had a twin brother who passed a few years back, relatively recently. He doesn’t say it plainly, but you hear some contempt for the brother there (as you do in canon). Constantly comparing MC and his brother for their good looks and athletics and general vibe. Maybe Nozo, more openly hurting here, says he’s glad his brother is gone. He just didn’t understand anything.

The father and his cronies continue to come for Nozo and he gradually lets more and more of his anxieties out. What if I never get fit in this life? What if I never become good at anything? What if I’m an unknown nobody everyone hates? What if I’m never better than the brother who died at 10? Life is so short and so fleeting! His perfect brother was taken young; having done nothing wrong and he remains. The fuck up. The nobody. He’s all that’s left of his brother— them sharing the same face… it’s almost like a ghosting is haunting Nozo and reminding him of his impending doom at every mirror flash.

(Thought I can’t fit anywhere else, the eating disorder could be because Nozo was always on the heavier side or maybe he’s just always loved food period but I’d prefer if his thought process was “eating is for the living! If I’m alive I should eat” because it’s something the dead have no use for. Maybe his brother was more a foodie and this is another way to remember him and one up him… dealers choice)

This leads into the truth about the cult and he really believes in it here just because he’s so afraid of the concept of “nothing” coming next. His perfect brother’s thread cut too soon and all he got was… nothing? The idea terrifies him unlike anything else. He must believe in paradise. The other option is too much to handle.

Things continue on as they would and then we find out that his “fans” are all people who have been fully indoctrinated into the cult and just support him out of necessity. He’s the best highest grossing recruiter in this prefect and that’s why he has even a modicum of success— it’s all fabricated. And he knows this, but it’s better than believing the harsh truth (trying in with the themes of inescapable truth/ mortality).

Things basically end the same way? Uhh (checks notes) confesses, admits he’s terrified and still leaves the cult and promises to do better and live a life he’ll be proud of— that his brother can be proud of as well.

(Coughs) man I didn’t mean to do an entire think piece but— I like this guy. I like everyone really. P3 is eating me alive.

Thank you for the ask love u ❤️⭐️… everyone talk to me about p3 forever

[nbmahoushoujo]

Characters you should vote for according to me and my objectively correct opinion:

Bea

I literally got Hero Hours Contract days ago after receiving a single submission for the main character, and it’s so cute and charming I added her in! Bea is a magical girl who fights zombies, but is also on strike against the magical creatures that employ magical girls. She has no chance in the polls I'm sure, but a vote for her would be nice anyway!

Kokoro / Heartful Punch

I was surprised by how many submissions she got, amazingly the same amount as Doremi who she's up against. Y'know, THE Doremi. Some things to know about Kokoro:

She punches monsters

She's dating the main character Undine and they're peak awkward teenagers trying to figure out their feelings together

She has a pet cat called Kicks

She has good life advice

Momo Chiyoda

No one ever talks about this anime it's so good why does no one ever talk about it I have to tell you about it-

Machikado Mazoku is an anime about a girl called yuko who wakes up one day to learn that she is a demon, descended from a line of demons, when she sees she suddenly has horns and a tail. Her mom tells her that their family is cursed and to break the curse she needs the blood of a magical girl. Luckily there just so happens to be a magical girl who goes to her school, Momo. Unluckily, Yuko is incredibly weak (physically and magically), has no clue what she's doing, and couldn't hurt a fly. Additionally, Momo is inhumanly strong and offers to help Yuko train out of pity, with no real fear that she'll ever be an actual threat. Naturally they're very in love and every episode of the 2 seasons that are out it gets more and more obvious. It’s one of the best comedy anime I’ve ever seen!

Momo is a stoic girl who really cares about protecting other people but doesn't always take care of herself properly. She's been a magical girl for years and is tired of the whole acting cute thing, usually trying to resolve conflicts without transforming where possible.

Some things I love about Momo:

She’s obsessed with her city’s mascot character and can be bribed into anything with merch for it.

She gets embarrassed about transforming and saying her attack names and stuff. Not in a way that would imply the show is making fun of magical girls as a concept, but more like regular teenage embarrassment at your younger self in a magical girl context.

Her cats is essentially a retired magical companion who used to be able to talk but now just occasionally says the phrase “the time hath come” for no particular reason.

She literally turns to the dark side to save Yuko from an upsetting few days stuck in a magic nightmare. Not like mortal danger, just that she’d be unhappy for a bit and then wake up. Momo wouldn’t let that happen and literally turned to the dark side for a while to get her out.

She’s so bad at cooking she just like me for real.

Momoko / Hyper Blossom

Powerpuff Girls Z feels like a fever dream from my childhood. I totally forgot about it for a while because just the existence of an actual Powerpuff Girls magical girl anime is so funny. But I remember really enjoying it and it’s genuinely so cute!

[maybetomoko]

Yuji Itadori (Jjk Official Fanbook)

“I have already decided how my life will end.”

Age: 15 years old

Birthday: 20 march 

Birth place: Miyagi 

Method of enrollment: scouting 

Technique: none 

Ability: divergent punch, he can use black lightning 

Hobby/Particular capacity: karaoke, watching the TV, imitations 

Favourite food: any kind of rice bowl with something on it, noodles 

Food he doesn't like: none 

Source of stress: scientific subjects (he failed molecular sciences)

His type: Jennifer Lawrence (tall girls with big butts)

Q: What is the originin of the his name? 

A: The surname comes from a medicinal herb, Reynoutria Japonica, while I took the name from a classmate of mine. I tried to make the names as realistic as possible. 

Q: His hair are dyed?

A: No, his hair are naturals. 

Q: Does he usually talk to Sukuna? 

A: I wouldn't say. The two of them don't get along at all.

Q: Seems that Sukuna talks frequently when he is alone. Can he sleep at night? 

A: Yes, he has no problem. Itadori can sleep comfortably also on the asphalt of the Tomei Expressway (which connects Tokyo to Nagoya).

Q: What would happen if Itadori, who has a strong resistance to curses, ate an cursed uterus Kusozu?

A: In the case that he ingested a Kusozu instead of Sukuna, the consciousness of the cursed womb would disappear and become evil energy inside of Itadori. If on the other hand, he ingested it now that he had already assimilated Sukuna, the Kusozu would be erased from the curse.

Q: Itadori practices martial arts? 

A: No, none in particular. He learned some karate from his grandfather. Even the "manji-geri" we see in volume 14 was merely the best move he could think of using at that time. 

Q: Which are the movies that Itadori saw during his training with Gojo?

A: I don’t remember well… I think was Léon, The Descent, The Host, Yuki yukite shingun. The film that Gojo anticipates is Deep Blue. 

Q: Is there something that Itadori can’t absolutely tolerate? 

A: A disgusting wickedness.

Q: Does Itadori have friends other than those at the Occult Arts Institute? Does he still in contact with his friends from middle school or his hometown? 

A: He had friends like everyone else but since he only started having a cell phone after he got to the institute, you can imagine how it continued. 

Q: Which type of job would make Itadori do if he had not become a sorcerer? 

A: He probably would have become a firefighter. 

Q: Does he have a favourite tv show or a preferred genre? 

A: I imagine him like a omnivore, one who leaves the TV on and he watches it continually. 

Q: Is he the type who always does homework for school is vacation homework? 

A: He is the type that does his homework the day before. Anyway, even if he does his homework at the last minute, he always turns it in. 

Q: What event in his hometown caused him to be called "the tiger of the Nishi School?"

A: I never thought about it. Maybe some students had tried to pick a fight with him thinking they would win and he beat them up, or he routed thugs to save someone and then people started talking. 

Q: If Itadori and Todo were not sorcerers but went to the same middle school, would they have become good friends? 

A: Yes, I think they would have both felt sympathy one way or another. 

Q: How did Itadori feel when Yuko Ozawa asked him to take a picture together at the graduation ceremony? 

A: “Ah, a photo, eh? Okay!”

Q: Itadori seems to have many hoodies. Is this a part of his character design that he particularly cares about? 

A: I wouldn't say, it is just that I am used to drawing him with a hood. 

Q: You once said that you don't like Itadori very much. Why choose as the main character a character with whom you have difficulty? 

A: It's not that I don't like him, it's just that I'm not good at handling him and I'm trying to improve in that respect. Incidentally, given the trend, I'm well on my way to giving him a bad end. 

(this translation is from italian to english, so there might be some grammatical mistakes (or maybe not). anyway i decided to start translating some pages of jjk's official fanbook because i love jjk and i would like to improve my english. you can reblog my translations no problem; it actually makes me happy to know that someone finds what i translate interesting. anyway if you decide to reblog, i would like you to use the hashtag i use, so: tomokotranslates or tomoko's translations or even both, as you prefer)

[theadusa]

All Dramas I watched in 2022

This is all the dramas I watched this year. I actually watched so many, more than I typically do. I wasn’t really going out a lot so I just watched dramas to spend my time. My goal next your is to not watch as many, lol. There were alot of good dramas this year, and I hope you enjoy my thoughts on all that I watched. Also as a warning I try to  put spoiler warnings as much as possible.

Spring is  Green at a Distance ( 2021, Ko Yeon-soo) 

Main leads: Bae In-hyuk, Kang Min-ah, Park Ji-hoon 

Episodes: 12, 60 min

Thoughts: I had high expectations for this drama. I have only heard good things, and how heartbreaking this drama was. I put it off, for this reason, in February I thought I was in the right emotional space for it. Due to all the hype, I was underwhelmed but I do still suggest it. Nam Soo Hyun (Bea In-hyuk) is the heart of the show and is such a fun character. Kim So-bin (Kang Min-ah) is the most relatable female character I have seen in a while, her anxiety is actually debilitating and not just played to make her seem cute. It is a heavy show, but it has light-hearted moments sprinkled throughout. Rating: It is pretty good, just be careful of building expectations.

All of Us are Dead (2022, Chun Sung-il)

Main leads: Park Ji-hu, Yoon Chan-young

Episodes: 12, 53 to 72 min

Thoughts: This one weirdly took me by surprise. I typically don’t like horror/gore stories, but I love zombies as a metaphor. And when going into the themes of the show it is heartbreaking. When understanding how young they are, the people who they are taught to rely on become neglectful when they need them the most. This is a story about the tragedy of a Government that does not serve the people, both young and old. And the human desire to survive. I do highly recommend this show, however, I am not looking forward to season 2. Rating: a Zombie metaphor done right.

Move to Heaven (2021, Yoon Ji-ryeon)

Main leads: Lee Je-hoon, Tang Jun-sang

Episodes: 10, 42 to 62 min

Thoughts: Like the last two, this show was very much hyped. It was a sweet slice-of-life show about the process of grieving. I lost someone recently so it was comforting seeing people mourn in different ways. Lee Je Hoon was incredible in this as always and gave a moving performance. It isn’t my favorite show I watched this year but definitely worth a watch. Rating: Grieving takes time.

Familiar Wife (2018, Yang Hee-sung)

Main leads: Ji Sung, Han Ji-min

Episodes: 16, 60 min

Thoughts: This drama is definitely under a man’s rom-com genre. Which is essentially a man taking a rough lesson in learning that he actually needs to be a decent person to his wife. You hate Cha Joo-hyuk (Ji Sung) for the first half of this drama, well at least I did, he was selfish, greedy, and couldn’t understand that he was the problem. I was shocked to see that people actually didn’t like Seo Woo-jin (Han Ji-min), like, she was ballsy and trying her best given the circumstances. This drama is definitely a cute show to put in the background or a fun pick-me-up. I wouldn’t put it on a must-watch list, but I wouldn’t discourage anyone from watching it. Rating: If you could change your fate… would ya?

Secret Royal Inspector and Joy (2021, Lee Jae-Yoon)

Main leads: Ok Taec-yeon, Kim Hye-Yoon

Episodes: 16, 60 min

Thoughts: I originally watched this as it was coming out. I am a big fan of Kim Hye Yoon, and I was just done with Vincenzo. I however dropped it for a period, and finally picked it back up in February. This drama is funny and has found family vibes. The romance between the two main characters is also cute. It does drag a bit in the middle but it isn’t so bad. Rating: Guy Ferri in Josen 

Coffee and Vanilla (2019,  Shimoda Yuko)

Main leads: Fukuhara Haruka, Sakurada Dori

Episodes: 10, 23 min

Thoughts: Let me save you some time and don’t watch this show. I think this might have been the worst show I watched all year. The ML is awful, he is literally a walking red flag and not in a fun way. The FL is just stupid. I don’t have much to say except I hated every second I watched it, also just too many semi-sexy scenes with such a manipulative undertone, so it can be a bit triggering. Rating: Speed run on every toxic troupe

Dali and the Cocky Prince (2021, Son Eun-hye, Park Se-eun)

Main leads: Kim Min-jae, Park Gyu-young

Episodes: 16, 70 min

Thoughts: This drama was sweet, and definitely picked me up from the last drama I watched. I like both actors and have been watching Kim Min-jae for a while now. The show is sweet and cute. It is a typical opposite attraction and focuses on when passion meets love. It has found family, a sweet and supportive couple, grief, and growth. Also, the relationship between the ML and the SML is actually so funny. It is just a heartwarming show that is easy to watch. Rating: Don’t watch hungry

Into the Ring (2020, Moon Hyun-kyung)

Main leads: Nana, Park Sung-hoon

Episodes: 16, 70 min

Thoughts: This show is probably my favorite show I have seen all year, if not my favorite of all time. I love the cinematography of this drama and all the shot setups. It is quirky and fun. Se-ra (Nana) is such a fun and lovely character, who is truly interested in her community. I love political comedies, especially those that focus on small-level government. I also love Seo Gong-myung (Park Sung-hoon), he is unironically my dream man. It's cute, fun, and heartwarming, and everyone should watch it. rating: 10 out of 10 would watch it again

Marriage not dating (2014, Joo Hwa-mi)

Main leads: Yeon Woo-jin, Han Groo

Episodes: 16, 60 to 65 min

Thoughts: This show is typically the most recommended in terms of contract marriage, which I get, it definitely hits all your marks. Two people who despise each other are forced to have a marriage contract in the most contrived way possible. It is definitely a drama that was made in 2014 and has all the problems of that time. The man is just a little too toxic and the woman is a little too stupid. But you just can’t turn away. This show is also an example of why not all assembly drama characters need to be friends, that’s all I am going to say about that. Rating: The best part of this drama is the grandma.

The One and Only (2021-2022, ​​Moon Jung-min)

Main leads: Ahn Eun-jin, Kim Kyung-Nam

Episodes: 16, 70 min

Thoughts: This was a disappointing drama. I typically like underrated slow-paced dramas, and they have a strong theme of female friendship. The friendship was great, the romance was meh, and the plot was all over the place. Like it is an interesting concept to have a dying girl kill somebody, and an assassin as the witness, but I don’t know I was so underwhelmed by the whole thing. Rating: could be less underwhelming, and less simple  

I Remember You (2015, Kwon Ki-young) 

Main leads: Seo In-guk, Jang Nara

Episodes: 16, 70 min

Thoughts: Fun fact about me, for some reason I made a goal to watch everything in Seo In-guk’s filmography and this one was up next. This drama is also known as Hello Monster, and it is one of those dramas that gets recommended. It is definitely before the 2016 era, in terms of how this drama feels. It is interesting, and I surprisingly liked it despite the appearance of Park Bo Gum. And I just really liked Seo In-guk being all moody and snarky in this tbh. Rating: A contrived drama is exactly what I signed up for.

King’s Affection (2021, Han Hee-Jung)

Main leads: Park Eun-bin, Rowoon

Episodes: 20, 70 min

Thoughts: Rowoon is in his chaotic bisexual era, and I think that is great. But this show is similar to Mr. Queen, in the fact it is so gay but it also refutes its gayness. But the first 10 or so episodes are so good. I love seeing Rowoon being a love fool and just the politics of it all. But then it got boring, and I got busy so I dropped it. I then picked it up again, cause I just needed to watch the last 4 episodes, and my god. They were a drag to get through. I do think the ending is fine. I don’t highly recommend it to anyone, but if you want to watch I won’t stop you. Rating: Identity crisis and bisexual panic the drama. 

Something in the Rain (2018, Kim Eun)

Main leads: Son Ye-jin, Jung Hae-in

Episodes: 16, 70 min

Thoughts: This drama, no joke, took me several years to finish. Years. I started it back in 2018, I remember waiting for it to finish so I could start it. And I loved it! Son Ye-jin is such a good actress, and Jung Hae-in is able to keep up. They felt so real, and I loved the moments when the camera would let them have a private moment. If you love any Meg Ryan rom coms you would like this. It does get kind of triggering in the middle, just with the whole family situation. And Son Ye-jin’s character is so complicated, circa women from 90s romcom complicated, and I just appreciate how sometimes she is sometimes wrong but isn’t vilified. Just this drama was so real. Rating: it is just like the month of November. 

Love Rain (2012, Oh Soo-yeon) 

Main leads: Im Yoon-ah, Jang Geun-suk

Episodes: 20, 60 min

Thoughts:I actually tried to watch this when I first got into dramas in 2016, and I found the flashback episodes boring (I still do). I am trying to watch every single thing in Seo In-guk’s filmography so I gave this another try. It gets a little more entertaining once you go to modern day. However, it isn’t the most interesting or good drama that you can watch. Rating: Sometimes bitchiness lasts a lifetime…

Find Me in your Memory (2020, Kim Yoon-joo, Yoon Ji-hyun)

Main leads: Kim Dong-wook, Moon Ga-young

Episodes: 16, 35 min

Thoughts: This show was decent, it was interesting to see how the two leads connect. I loved the atmosphere. I really like dramas that are set between winter and spring. It is such a pretty time. The romance between the leads started out rough but I grew to really like them. I think it is a sweet, definitely melodrama, and I do think it is worth a watch. Rating: Once upon a memory…

Sell Your Haunted House (2021, Ha Soo-jin, Jung Yeon-seo, Lee Young-hwa)

Main leads: Jang Na-ra, Jung Yong-hwa

Episodes: 16, 70 min

Thoughts:  I first watched this show in 2021 when it was coming out, and I quickly became obsessed. I, however, dropped the show around episode 12 for personal reasons. I eventually picked it up again, and I still really liked it. It is perfect for any spooky occasion, but at its core, it is a show about grief, and how to let go of that grief. This is something that I had to deal a lot with, and this show deals with it in an interesting way. However, if you are looking for romance, you will only find a vague silhouette of it here. Rating: watch out for the ghost. 

Twenty Five Twenty One (2022, Kwon Do-eun)

Main leads: Kim Tae-ri, Nam Joo-hyuk

Episodes: 16, 70 to 75 min

Thoughts: We all heard of this show, we all sob to it, and we know it all too well. This was an absolute masterpiece. Na Hee Do (Kim Tae-ri) is an optimistic girl with mommy issues, and Beak Yi-jin (Nam Joo-hyuk) is a down-on-his-luck boy coming into adulthood at the fall of his family. They in turn start to rely on and comfort each other, as they navigate the turn of the century with all its uncertainties. SPOILERS: These two characters are magical to see on screen, their love for each other is so great no distance can stop it til it does. This show was so good, but the ending seemed to have shoved me off a cliff, not only with the breakup but how everyone ended up. There were so many ways to get the ending they wanted that felt more deserved. Have the entire group fall out of touch or idk. The most devastating was where Yi-jin ended up, he was the most relatable for me. I also had to give up my entire future due to my family and seeing him and his depression was like looking in the mirror. And we never fully see him recover, he was just given more pain and trauma. END. But I do like this drama and highly recommend it but be warned of the tears to come. Rating: What I thought would forever be Twenty five, twenty-one… comes to an end on 9/11

Forecasting Love and Weather (2022, Seon Yeong)

Main leads: Park Min-young, Song Kang

Episodes: 16, 70 min

Thoughts: I am a Park Min-young stan first and a human second. That’s why I even finished this drama, also I used it as an emotional rebound off of 2521 so I ended up baring this drama. Anyways it was incredibly boring. I almost fell asleep for half of it. TBH, I would skip this one. It has a bad case of the annoying second leads taking up so much of the screen time that it feels almost forced. Rating: I think we all knew that a show about the weather would be this boring

You are my Spring (2021, Lee Mi-na)

Main leads: Seo Hyun-jin, Kim Dong-wook

Episodes: 16, 70 min

Thoughts: This is another show which I started when it was airing but dropped, cause I was busy with work. I liked it a lot, it differently had good winter/spring vibes, and I really like Seo Hyun-jin. I did go into it expecting a depressing story where the leads lean on each other and heal. And I wasn’t wrong, you also got an added plot of intrigue which does get boring after a while then picks up a bit at the end. I did like it, and probably most of its disjointed parts probably because I had such a long break between the start and finishing the series. Rating: the Balck cat will guide you.

Business Proposal (2022, Han Seol-hee, Hong Bo-hee)

Main leads: Ahn Hyo-seop, Kim Se-jeong 

Episodes: 12, 60 min

Thoughts: Now this is my true pick-up after 2521. I actually never read the webtoon, I just started it cause I heard so much hype around it. It is so good, it's cheesy and it knows it. The chemistry between the entire cast is off the charts. And you care about every single character. Also, Kim Se-jeong is literally born to be on screen. This show was such a pick-me-up, and I highly recommend it to anyone. Rating: This is one Business proposal you can’t refuse. 

Our Beloved Summer (2021-2022, Lee Na-eun)

Main leads: Choi Woo-shik, Kim Da-mi

Episodes: 16, 60 to 70 min

Thoughts: This drama is so good. I watched it as it came out but I did drop it around the 9nth episode for similar reasons to the others. But this one is so slow-paced and so nice to watch. This one also had a love triangle that I didn’t mind too much cause I really liked all the characters. And without it being said, Choi woo-shik and Kim Da-mi’s chemistry is out of this world. The fact that Choi Woo-shik joined the project ‘cause Kim Da-mi was in it, is literally everything. I just really love this drama so much! Rating: My beloved comfort show <3 

Private Lives (2020, Yoo Sung-yeol)

Main leads: Seohyun, Go Kyung-pyo

Episodes: 16, 70 min

Thoughts: If you can’t tell I was in the mood to finish what I started in terms of dramas. I also started this when it came and loved it. I love Go Kyung-pyo for those that don’t know. I dropped this as always cause I was going through a rough period in my life, but I thought I would pick it up again. This drama is super interesting and refreshing, however like most dramas that rely heavily on intrigue it kind of wobbles near the end. Rating: I would do anything to just see Go Kyung-Pyo….

A Man Defies the World of BL season 2 (2022, Izumi Kawasaki)

Main leads: Atsuhiro Inukai

Episodes: 3, 24 to 29 min

Thoughts: This was a hoot to watch. Which was expected. I watched the first season and loved it and now I finally got to see the second one. Where the protagonist semi-gets a love interest. It is such a fun and easy watch. Worth like the 2 hours you spend on it. Rating: How can an opening song be so fun?

Youth of May (2021, Lee Kang)

Main leads: Lee Do-Hyun, Go Min-si

Episodes: 12, 70 min

Thoughts: Pain is the word to describe this show. The chemistry between Lee Do-Hyun and Go Min-si is off the charts, and their budding romance is sweet. Do be warned it is a tragic tale. A tale of the Gwangju uprising in 1980, I would highly recommend doing research on this uprising and the devastating massacre caused by the dictatorship government at the time. The show is devastating and heartbreaking, there are tedious parts in the middle, with Kim Myung-hee’s friend but it is definitely worth the watch. Rating: Will stick with you forever. 

My Girlfriend (2019, Hu Xiaoshuai, Wei Xiaobao)

Main leads: Xu Weizhou, Qiao Xin

Episodes: 28, 37 to 42 min

Thoughts: This show was cute and predictable, and I really enjoyed myself while watching it. However, I actually can’t remember anything about it to actually form an opinion. It is a good watch when you want something in the background, nice and easy. Rating: I too am cursed by the love gods

Save Me (2017, Jung Shin-kyoo)

Main leads: Ok Taec-yeon, Seo Ye-ji, Jo Sung-ha, Woo Do-hwan

Episodes: 16, 60 min

Thoughts: This show has been on my watch list since 2017, Netflix took it off their service and I had to go watch it somewhere else. I finally had the gumption to do so recently. The reason I wanted to watch it in the first place is because of Woo Do-hwan. I really liked him as an actor, and still do. This show is such a good thriller, your heart breaks for the people involved, and tbh I have a fear that I would accidentally get recruited into a cult so this applies to me. Definitely worth the watch, though it does get slow in the middle. Rating: Beware the cult…

Full House (2004, Min Hyo-Jung)

Main leads: Song Hye-Kyo, Rain

Episodes: 16, 60 min

Thoughts: This is one of the shows when you start getting into kdramas it is constantly recommended. I actually never watched it, I did my time with Boys Over Flowers and Playful Kiss. However, after finishing 2521 I urged myself to watch it because they mention the manga so often. Anyways it was so bad like they were just arguing all the time. I didn’t understand why we the audience should root for them. They more often than not felt like petulant children. How can a show be so recommended, but so actually awful? Anyways save yourself and just watch anything else. Rating: How is the most romantic thing the 3 bears???

Clean With Passion for Now (2018, Han Hee-Jung)

Main leads: Kim Yoo-jung, Yoon Kyun-sang

Episodes: 16, 70 min

Thoughts: This show is just boring. I did not care about any of the characters. Like it was good somewhat for the first like 5 episodes, and then it felt like pulling nails. The romance was cute, however, I just wasn’t interested. Rating: snooze town, population me.

Crazy Love (2022, Kim Bo-gyeom)

Main leads: Kim Jae-Wook, Krystal Jung

Episodes: 16, 70 min

Thoughts: Now this is what enemies to lovers should be. These two characters literally commit war crimes against each other, but it evens out and they turn into the sweetest lovers. This is such a fun show! Kim Jae-Wook and Krystal Jung have such amazing chemistry. It does slow down a bit in the middle but the cast of kooky characters keeps this show exciting and eventful at every watch. The romance is fun, the characters are simultaneously awful and delightful. The show is great and such a great pick-up during an April slump. Rating: I too enact physical and psychological warfare with my boss

Devilish Joy (2018, Choi Ji-Yeon)

Main leads: Choi Jin-hyuk, Song Ha-Yoon

Episodes: 16, 60 min

Thoughts: This is such a refreshing drama. It harkens back to the times of Ye old kdrama Melos that we all dearly love. It does have an Amnesia plot, but it actually adds value to the story. It's such a fun drama, and I actually really liked the romance so much. It is so good and heartbreaking, just like any old-fashioned melodrama needs to be. Rating: Will you remember me?

Falling into your Smile (2021, Jia Chang)

Main leads: Xu Kai, Cheng Xiao

Episodes: 31, 45 min

Thoughts: This show was okay. I mainly put it on as background noise, but I found it pretty boring overall. It has cute moments here and there, but sometimes I found the ML so annoying. If you want something that is easy to watch and low stakes this is the drama for you. Rating: Welcome to the boring world of Esports

Tomorrow (2022, Park Ran-i, Park Ja-Kyung, Kim Yu-jin)

Main leads: Kim Hee-sun, Rowoon, Lee Soo-hyuk, Yoon Ji-on

Episodes: 16, 70 min

Thoughts: This show similar to Move to Heaven has a death of a week storyline or heartbreak (my heart) of the week storyline. It does deal with heavy topics of death, so if you are sensitive to that I would skip this one. It was really well done, and because of its sad setup, it has lighthearted moments which help not to bog down the show. It is well worth the watch. It also has the afterlife bureaucracy that I think kdramas do so well, which is great! Rating: I will love you in every life

Who Rules The World (2022, Yin Tao, Yu Yonggang, Shi Zhanli)

Main leads: Yang Yang, Zhao Lusi

Episodes: 40, 45 min 

Thoughts: This is a material arts and romance drama. I watched it while it was coming out so the 40 episodes weren’t as daunting, and I had time to forget a lot of the plot holes. It is decent, I liked this because of Zhao Lusi. The romance was a little more developed, and the martial arts were fun, albeit with a lot of CGI toward the end. I wouldn’t highly recommend this drama. It was alright. Rating: The politics weren’t actually too bad in this.

My Liberation Notes (2022, Park Hae-young) 

Main leads: Lee Min-ki, Kim Ji-won, Son Seok-Koo, Lee El

Episodes: 16, 64 to 80 min

Thoughts: This is probably my favorite drama of this year if not of all time. It is so good, the cinematography, the story, the writing everything. It is so special. I just love the soft-spoken moments, how people are so flawed but they just want to live peacefully. Son Seok-Koo and Kim Ji-won were such a delight on screen. Yeom Mi-Jeong (Kim Ji-won) is one of the most relatable characters in my entire life, all of them were. This show deeply understood me like no other media ever could. Rating: What if we Worshiped each other?

Again My Life (2022, J, Kim Yu)

Main leads: Lee Joon-gi

Episodes:16,  60 to 75 min 

Thoughts: A little-known fact about me is that I will literally watch anything with Lee Joon-gi in it. This proves this point. This show was obviously not made for me. I thought the plot was too predictable, the male lead a little too perfect, and the woman a little too into him. This show sometimes made me stop and ask did a man write this? It is okay, just not my cup of tea. Rating: Apparently they want to make a season 2?

Radiant (2019, Lee Nam-kyu, Kim Soo-jin)

Main leads: Han Ji-min, im Hye-ja, Nam Joo-hyuk

Episodes: 12, 60 min

Thoughts: This show is actually one of the most original kdramas out there. The themes and plot are both heartfelt and new. I loved every moment I watched this. While it was incredibly devastating to me personally. I would argue this is one of Nam Joo-hyuk’s best performances. I would say for the others but I haven’t watched that many of either actress's back catalog. But Im Hye-ja was such a marvelous lead, and I wished there were more older leads in shows. It is so good. It is great. Rating: Makes me cry like a baby.

Best Lover (Kim Sang Rea Yoo Chul Yong, 2016)

Main leads: Lee Da Hae and Zhou Mi

Episodes: 12, 40 Min

Thoughts: I hate this drama so much. I wanted to watch this as a cute little drama as background noise for finals. It was a contract marriage, which I always like, and Lee Da Hae isn’t a terrible actress so I gave it a go. Also one note it is a Korean-Chinese drama so the characters will be talking in two different languages and no one mentions it. You will get used to it, anyways…Oh boy, where do I start? I’ll start with the FL Choi Hwan Yeong (Lee Da Hae), she was actually the highlight of the drama. She went through the most emotional growth and seemed to have actual importance to the plot. My problem starts with the ML Xie Cheng (Zhou Mi). First off Zhou Mi is a terrible actor- at least here I don’t know him very well- which I can forgive, but the character was also awful. So he was terrifyingly lifeless, and his smile started to creep me out a bit. He often berates the FL for being selfish and messy while being the most selfish and messy. And he never acknowledges any wrongdoing, and worse the narrative never acknowledges any wrongdoing on his part. I was done when [SPOILER] after she witnessed him kiss her stylist that looks like his first love, she runs away. He tracks her down and then berates her telling her that she is embarrassing him and she is entirely selfish, which makes no sense when he is playing with two girls outside his relationship with the FL. Also, any moves he made on anyone were also borderline non-consensual. Like she was hitting him to get him to stop kissing her [END]. But overall The FL is fun, but the ML is trash and doesn't deserve her. I just think I need two things from the ML, 1. Groveling at the FL’s feet, 2. Just an apology for once would be nice. Anyways save your time and watch Crazy Love (2022) now that ML knows how to grovel. Also, I didn’t go into the weird plot and editing choices, and just sound mixing cause my god we can be here all day. Rating: Best Lover? More like Worst Lover, am I right?

Love All Play (2022, Heo Sung-hye)

Main leads: Park Ju-Hyun, Chae Jong-hyeop

Episodes: 16, 70 min

Thoughts: The style of the show is great, it reminded me a lot of Into the Ring which I love. The fishbowl straight-on viewpoint gives the show a nice stylistic cinematography. The story, however, I go back and forth on. I actually really like the characters even Park Tea-yang ( Park Ju-Hyun) whom many didn’t like. I found her relatable and very human, however frustrating that is. I did find Park Tae-Joon’s (Chae Jong-hyeop) mother to be annoying. And the relationship is kinda immature at times albeit cute. Rating: the park twins for the win.

Dear My Friends (2016, Noh Hee-Kyung)

Main leads: Go Hyun-Jung, Kim Hye-ja, Na Moon-hee, Go Doo-shim, Park Won-sook, Youn Yuh-jung, Joo Hyun, Kim Young-ok, Shin Goo

Episodes: 16, 60 min

Thoughts: Noh Hee-Kyung is a known writer for writing very realistic people. This show definitely falls under this. The show has an assembly cast of older people and their lives. I love how you can see a generational divide, and how the main focus is between mothers and daughters. This relationship is at the core of this drama. I just have so many feelings about this drama, and I hope everyone watches it. Rating: I hope to keep those dear to me.

Our Blues (2022, Noh Hee-Kyung)

Main leads: Lee Byung-hun, Shin Min-a, Cha Seung-won, Lee Jung-eun, Uhm Jung-Hwa, Han Ji-min, Kim Woo-bin, Bae Hyun-sung, Roh Yoon-seo

Episodes: 20, 60 min

Thoughts: This show had several weaving storylines about the residents of Jeju. Some of the storylines and characters you liked better than others. It is complicated and kinda messy but overall I had a really fun time watching this drama. It was nice watching every week and seeing what people were saying. The drama has a very slice-of-life, lowkey vibe to it. I also just really like kdramas set in the countryside. A note about the teen pregnancy storyline made me so anxious. Fun fact about me: I am terrified of teen pregnancy despite not being a teen. Rating: Fish market rivalries for the win

From Now On, Showtime (2022, Ha Yoon-ah)  

Main leads: Park Hae-jin, Jin Ki-Joo

Episodes: 16, 60 min

Thoughts: I could not tell you why I watched this show? I don’t even like Park Hae-jin, I didn’t think he was that enjoyable here either. Jin Ki-Joo was great, and the ghosts had good comic timing. The story was so-so. Idk. Watch it if you have nothing better to do but there are better kdramas out there. Rating: I keep thinking the title is the Show Must Go on, but it is not.                                          

Melo is My Nature (2019, ​​Lee Byeong-Heon, Kim Young-young)

Main leads: Chun Woo-hee, Jeon Yeo-been, Han Ji-eun

Episodes: 16, 70 min

Thoughts: She is the moment. This show is everything to me, the first episode alone will build you up and break you down better than most feature films do. There are many scenes that I can’t get out of my head. I originally watched this back in 2019, but I had to stop because at one point it got too emotionally intense for me. So take care while watching this. But this is one of the most beautifully written dramas about womanhood, and female friendships I have ever seen. It touched something deep inside me, and I loved every moment. Rating: I also love the subplot with the actress and her manager 

My Mister (2018, ​​Park Hae-young)

Main leads: Lee Sun-Kyun, Lee Ji-eun

Episodes: 16, 90 min

Thoughts:  I have been recommended this show so many times throughout the years, but due to how sad it is I avoided it. Which, yeah. It does have a hopeful note letter on it. And I love how the focus isn’t romantic but platonic And it is about two souls meeting during a rough period, it is just completely beautiful. I love Park Hae-young’s writing. I am sad I put this show off so much. Rating: if you have daddy issues you might really like this. 

Kiss Sixth Sense (2022, Jeon Yu-ri)

Main leads: Yoon Kye-sang, Seo Ji-hye

Episodes: 12, 60 to 75 min

Thoughts: This show is literally the most childish show I have ever watched, but it is most definitely for adults. I was actually looking forward to watching this ‘cause the concept seemed so fun but, it was kind of eh. It is only 12 episodes but there are better shows out there to watch, and I found the love triangle/ rectangle exhausting and just immature. Rating: If you can change your fate… Would ya?

Rooftop Prince (2012, Lee Hee-myung)

Main leads: Park Yuchun, Han Ji-min

Episodes: 20, 70 min

Thoughts: I have to be honest I had covid while I was watching this. I remember enjoying it. I also remember I had to do squats while watching it for some reason. But The cast is fun, I did find the ML to be lacking in comparison to the other assemble but it is a fun and easy watch. Rating: apparently Choi Woo-shik is in this???

Beautiful Gong Shim (2016, Lee Hee-myung)

Main leads: Namkoong Min, Bang Min-ah

Episodes: 20, 70 min

Thoughts: Let it be known most media I watched in July I had covid so, that is the vibe of this. I remember hating the sister, thinking the love/hate relationship between the leads were cute. That’s about it. I don’t see many people talk about this drama, I think it is definitely worth a watch, but don’t go in with too high expectations. Rating: How many squats can I do?

Night of Love with You (2022, An Ji Er)

Main leads: Liu Xie Ning, Guan Yue

Episodes: 24, 9 min

Thoughts: Love, Love, Love! This show is disappointingly short, yes is it messy. Yes is there so many plot holes, but the potential is enough. The concept is fun and it takes the concepts of the Villainess Mawha’s into a webshow format, which is so fun. I highly recommend this show for quick and light watching experience. Rating: Sometimes the unexpected is expected, and the expected is unexpected. 

Link: Eat, Love, Kill (2022, Kwon Yi-young, Kwon Do-hwan)

Main leads: Yeo Jin-goo, Moon Ga-young

Episodes: 16, 72 min

Thoughts: This show was such a vibe. Literally the cinematography, and the aesthetics as a whole is so nice. The acting is great, Yeo Jin-goo and Moon Ga-young always deliver and they did not disappoint not one bit. There was the weird sister thing at first, but once that was gone it was so sweet. I highly recommend this show to anyone and everyone, especially if you have mommy issues. Also I just love when kdramas have three generations of women I feel like there is something so relatable with that for me. Anyways great show, great aesthetics, great acting, gets a little bogged in the middle but keep going.  Rating:The Korean take on the 2010 film Eat, Pray, Love, Jk. 

Jinxed at First Sight (2022, Jang Yoon-mi)

Main leads: Seohyun, Na In-woo

Episodes:16, 61 to 63 min 

Thoughts: I was actually super excited about watching this, I really liked the first like 4 episodes. It just went down hill from there. The fantasy element was super interesting, and the set up for the world, but they never quite follow through. I was confused on a couple like- familial relations- that they kinda answered later. It was just messy overall plotting, the acting was subpar (sorry), and its just a bad script. I wished it was so much better than it was. Rating: I wrote a separate post praising this drama, and it literally turned out like this.

The Producers (2015, Park Ji-eun, Kim Ji-sun)

Main leads: Cha Tae-hyun, Gong Hyo-jin, Kim Soo-hyun, Lee Ji-eun

Episodes: 12, 80 min

Thoughts: This one actually shocked me with how much I really liked it. Kim Soo-hyun’s dumbass looks literally is everything to me. I just loved every second. SPOILER I just wished the romance between Cindy (Lee Ji-eun) and Baek Seung-chan (Kim Soo-Hyun) came to full fruitution but it didn’t really… while kind of END. Cindy was by fair my favorite character, I just love a bitch with a heart of gold. Ye-jin (Gong Hyo-jin) lowkey kind of annoyed me, I found her to be a bit of a pick me. I especially hated the relationship between Ye-jin and Seung-chan. Rating: surprisingly Funny…

Better a Lie than a Truth (2022)

Main leads: Niu Yu Kun, Simon Chen

Episodes: 7 + Bonus, 26 to 30 min

Thoughts: This troupe was made for me. I love contract relationships/marriages, I could watch them all the time. I think because it is a web drama there were some contrived and confusing plot and timeline issues, but overall I still liked it. It was nothing groundbreaking and could have been easily toxic but I loved it still. I like the FL, I thought she was charming, and I liked the fact she did not hesitate to beat a bitch. The ML was pathetic and head over heels for the FL which is great, though he definitely needs therapy. Rating: contract marriage for the win

Cafe Minamdang (2022, Park Hae-jin)

Main leads: Seo In-guk, Oh Yeon-seo

Episodes: 18, 70 min

Thoughts: This was such a fun drama to watch. Seo In-guk was charming and funny as always. Oh Yeon-seo’s character was such a fun character also. If you are a fan of the American sitcom  Psych then you would love this show. It has shenanigans, mystery, and a lovely fond family. The cast was energetic and played off each other well. The mystery was fun and interesting. I would highly recommend this show. Rating: The most handsome Shaman I have ever seen

Today’s Webtoon (2022, Cho Ye-rang, Lee Jae-eun)

Main leads: Kim Se-jeong, Choi Daniel, Nam Yoon-su

Episodes: 16, 62 to 70 min

Thoughts: Do not watch this for romance there is no romance in this just very good chemistry. I think I have already said this but I will say this again Kim Se-jeong is a delight to watch on screen. She just has this energy that you want to continue to watch. However this felt pretty disappointing mainly because I started watching cause I thought it was a romcom it is infact nothing of the sorts, so with a change of genre reference I think I would have enjoyed this more. It does bog a bit in the middle but It picks back up in the end. Rating: I was really expecting a kiss…

Once Upon a Small Town (2022, Baek Eun-kyeong)

Main leads: Park Soo-young, Choo Young-woo

Episodes: 12, 30 to 40 min

Thoughts: This one is cute and sweet. There is nothing much to it except for that. The romance felt kind of childish, but there is an innocent charm in that. There is a lot of comparison to Hometown Cha Cha Cha mainly do to its setting of the Korean country side but it is far less melodramatic. Rating: Shockingly the love triangle isnt that bad. 

Never Twice (2019-2020, ​​Goo Hyun-sook)

Main leads: Park Se-wan, Kwak Dong-yeon, Youn Yuh-jung, Oh Ji-ho, Ye Ji-won, Park Ah-in, Song Won-seok

Episodes: 72, 35 min

Thoughts: This is an assemble sitcom with main focus on Park-ha (Park Se-Wan) and Hae-jun (Kwak Dong-yeon) romance. It is adorable and funny, and it has a cute child in the mix. At times it can be devausting but thats the heart of any good comedy. This show I feel like is underrated so definitely show this one some love. Rating: Rich man and poor woman, but this time murder is involved. 

Jugglers  (2017, Jo Yong-hae)

Main leads: Baek Jin-hee, Choi Daniel

Episodes: 16, 60 min

Thoughts: It's a cute and quick workplace drama, and unlike a lot of workplace dramas it isn’t that toxic. The ML never really throws around his power over the FL, and they try to even it out by making her his landlady, which is definitely a power dynamic. I quickly devoured this drama, ‘cause I did homework while watching, so I didn’t really get the full experience of this drama. I do highly recommend this drama, I liked the characters, and especially the main couple. Rating: Don’t f*** your coworkers, but this is the only exception.

Arang and The Magistrate (2012, Kim Jin-man)

Main leads: Shin Min-a, Lee Joon-gi

Episodes: 16, 60 min

Thoughts: This has been on my list since like 2017, and I have made attempts but nothing stuck. I have been trying to go back into the back catalog of kdramas and it is October so I thought, “Why not?” The show was okay, I feel like the cast was great but the story lacked or maybe I am just not used to a 2012 kdrama budget. I thought it was enjoyable, and I am glad I got to watch it. It has your typical magic/ghosts which is always fun for this time of the season. I also really liked the ending. I thought it was cute, even if those types of endings are frustrating.  Rating: This was honestly a double win for me cause both Shin Min-a and Lee Joon-gi were in this drama.

The Witch’s Diner (2021, Lee Young-sook)

Main leads: Song Ji-hyo, Nam Ji-hyun, Chae Jong-hyeop

Episodes: 8, 40 to 55 min

Thoughts: This show is pretty quick and isn’t anything too special. I enjoyed sort of, and I do really likes its aesthetics. I just don’t think I payed enough attention to the story overall to fully enjoy it. It is pretty quick, and if you have the time this isn’t a bad watch. Rating: Be careful of what you wish for… 

Little Women (2022, Chung Seo-kyung)

Main leads: Kim Go-eun, Nam Ji-hyun, Park Ji-hu

Episodes: 12, 77 min

Thoughts: I am still collecting my thoughts. I truly enjoyed every part of the show. I loved the usage of the Little Women archetypes in a thriller setting. It was new and it was fresh. I loved the complicated relationship between all three siblings and their fight for their survival. Kim Go Eun as In-ju was absolutely stunning as always. Also, her chemistry with Wi Ha-Joon is off the absolute charts. This was such a good woman running the show, and we just need more of these, TBH. I would highly recommend this show to anyone and everyone. Rating: Don’t let the poison sting you on your way out.

Black (2017, Choi Ran)

Main leads: Song Seung-heon, Go Ara

Episodes: 18, 85 min

Thoughts: I want to say honestly this has been on my list since it came out in 2017, but I had very little desire to watch. But remember it is the time of year when I will be watching all things spooky, so I thought I will give it a whirl. And before I give my opinion, I have two confessions: one, I have watched this through a rough period of homework, and two, I am not the biggest fan of Go Ara. The plot was confusing ( probably ‘cause I was doing homework). But I think I just didn’t have the best overall experience due to the setup, and just how long each episode is. Rating: 90 minutes for each episode of Grim reapers messing around.

 Possessed (2019, Park Hee-kang)

Main leads: Song Sae-byeok, Go Joon-hee

Episodes: 16, 60 min

Thoughts: SPOILER: For a comedy, the ending was very sad. And I for one have mixed feelings about it. END. I have been trying to watch halloweenie shows throughout the month of October, and tbh I don’t enjoy many thrillers in drama format. I tend to really vibe with character-driven shows. But this one starts off strong, and if you can get through the midway boredom, it isn’t too bad of a show. The characters are charming and have a lot of chemistry together. Take my opinion with a grain of salt, I have also been studying while watching. Rating: Maybe the true killer was the friends we made along the way…

Scum’s Wish (2017, Yoshihiro Izumi)

Main leads: Miyu Yoshimoto, Dori Sakurada

Episodes: 12, 24 min

Thoughts: I couldn’t tell you why I started this drama. This drama hurt in an unexpecting way, this drama haunts my inner soul. It reveals something about oneself, something you never want to admit. Hanabi (Miyu Yoshimoto) is a relatable character, in fact, she is actively desperate for love. And she is so lonely she is willing to take comfort in any warm body. Mugi and Hanabi are just using each other, but because of this awareness, they are able to create a deep relationship. Don’t get me wrong, this drama disturbed me. I think it will haunt me for a long time. These characters are children being manipulated by adults for sexual pleasure, and it's sad and heartbreaking. These characters are awful all around, they use each other and throw each other away. But I was 17, maybe 3 or 4 (?) years ago, and I could see my younger self in some of the teenage characters. I don’t think they handled the topic they were dealing with fully, but it was definitely an interesting perspective. I would never recommend this drama, and if SA (particularly with teenagers and adults) please keep away. This show was a visceral horror to watch. And I had to binge it quickly because they were taking it off of Viki, but this drama is to be consumed slowly and in small chunks. I feel disgusted now that I have seen it. I am now planning on doing a spiral cleaning while watching a nice movie. Rating: It’s complicated…also jail for that one teacher.

Girl From Nowhere (2018, Kongdej Jaturanrasamee, Aticha Tanthanawigrai, Tinnapat Banyatpiyapoj)

Main leads: Chicha Amatayakul

Episodes: 13, 37 to 50 min

Thoughts: This show has been on my list since 2018 when it came out. I am actually a big fan of Thai filmmaking, and oftentimes it gets overshadowed by more East Asian films. This show absolutely doesn’t disappoint, the horror isn’t in Nano (Chicha Amattayakul), a seemingly immortal being here to punish the wrongdoings, but the horror is within those she punishes. And at the core of being human, we have the ability to be cruel, if it means we can survive. I highly recommend it, even though Netflix will take the show by the end of October. Rating: Hi, it’s me. I am the problem, it’s me. 

Girl From Nowhere 2 (2021, Kongdej Jaturanrasamee, Aticha Tanthanawigrai, Tinnapat Banyatpiyapoj)

Main leads: Chicha Amatayakul, Chanya McClory 

Episodes: 13, 37 to 50 min

Thoughts: The second season kept up the same chaotic energy as the first. Starting off strong with Mpreg. This season we are given more characters besides Nanno, we are introduced to Yuri, a girl turned immortal who is more revenge focused than Nanno. It is such a good show, and I loved the ending. I am curious if that is the end completely ( which is fine cause it is a solid ending, but they left it open-ended enough for another season). This show is so good and I highly recommend it. Also note, please listen to any trigger warnings.  Rating: Double the trouble…

Mr. Bad (2022, Lee Ching Jung)

Main leads: Chen Zhe Yuan, Shen Yue

Episodes: 24, 45 min

Thoughts: Was this drama contrived? Yes. Was it cliche? Yes. Do I fully enjoy it? Absolutely. This one kinda breaks my month-of-a-horror vibe, but I will make it up by watching another horror-themed show in November. But this show is cute and light-hearted. The main couple has nice bickering moments. And except for the main leads' occasional jealousy (TBH it was actually decently tame compared to others I have seen), their relationship is really cute and healthy. For dramas like this don’t expect much, cause like always it does get kinda contrived in the end. But overall it was a fun and cute drama to put on in the background. Rating: It was the Fairy all along…

Inspector Koo ( 2021, Sung Cho-y)

Main leads: Lee Young-ae, Kim Hye-jun

Episodes: 12, 70 min

Thoughts: This has been on my list for a while, and is my last spooky drama for the month of October. I am going to watch at least one more thriller/horror drama to make up for Mr. Bad in November but I am going to be watching romance to settle my bones after such a spooky month. This drama is good, I like the characters. It was very Killing Eve-esque. And TBH a theater major would be a serial killer. Also, the OST was so good. Like it had me jamming through this entire series, and it is only 12 episodes so it doesn’t really bog down. Rating: I love dysfunctional women. 

My Girlfriend is a Gumiho (2010, Hong Sisters)

Main leads: Lee Seung-gi, Shin Min-ah

Episodes: 16, 60 min

Thoughts: This show looks and reads like a Hong sisters drama from the early 2010s. It is exactly what you would expect. Shin Min-ah is very fun in this and doing her goddamn best. It is fun and cheesy and I could not tell you the plot point of this show if you asked me. Rating: I watched it physically, I didn’t watch it emotionally.

Gaus Electronic (2022, Kang Go-eun, Seo Han-na)

Main leads: Kwak Dong-yeon, Ko Sung-hee, Bae Hyun-sung, Kang Min-ah

Episodes: 12, 45 to 48 min 

Thoughts: This one picked up like 4 days before the final episodes came out. And man the way that I went through the episodes. It is literally so funny, and I love sitcoms so this was right up my alley. I love all the cast chemistry, and I love how they played off each other's dumbassery. I also loved the women in the drama, they were all individuals and were allowed to be just as ridiculous as the men. I also loved the Beak Ma-tan (Bae Hyun-sung) and Geon Kang-mi (Kang Min-ah) storyline. It had all the trappings of the poor girl and rich man romance narrative but they subverted it beautifully. And Beak Ma-tan is so funny. I love it when a character doesn’t understand what genre they are in, it is such A funny thing to witness. Rating: It is so funny

 My Secret Romance  (2017, Kim Ha-na, Kim Young-yoon)

Main leads: Sung Hoon, Song Ji-Eun

Episodes: 14, 45 min

Thoughts: I actually started this way back in 2017, I actually remember when it came out. I ended up dropping it, for an excellent reason. Reason: It sucks. After Business Proposal aired people were suggesting it as a similar drama. They are not wrong, it has the same makings. Weird Boss- employee relationship, cheesy, long-term friend second lead shorter than most kdramas. However, Business Proposal is definitely the better of the two. The ML is so pushy and obsessive, and the FL doesn’t actually have any desire whatsoever. TBH I didn’t even know when or why she started liking the ML; he was suddenly kissing her. Not great, the only reason I got through it was because I was writing an outline. Rating: Just watch Business Proposal again or there are so many other rich man, poor woman boss-employee kdramas out there… Jugglers come to mind… So many…

The Killers Shopping List (2022, Han Ji-wan)

Main leads: Lee Kwang-soo, Kim Seol-Hyun, Jin Hee-Kyung

Episodes: 8, 60 min

Thoughts: This show is super interesting and new if you are tired of romance or sad or serious thrillers this might be a good change of pace. It is a whodunit-style drama, following a group of local groceries trying to solve a serial murder case, that uses their store to deliver things to their victims. The mystery wasn’t that shocking, you can guess it pretty early on, but it is fun enough. I do recommend it just not that highly. Rating: I think there should be more whodunits in the world… I mean in media

Kingdom 1 (2019, Kim Eun-hee)

Main leads: Ju Ji-hoon, Ryu Seung-ryong, Bae Doo-na

Episodes: 6, 45 to 57 min

Thoughts: This show is gory so be aware before going in. It is so good though. I watched The first episode back in 2019 and loved it. However I am a big romance fiend, and this has none so I dropped it. But it is good and very prevalent in today’s culture. I love Bae Doo-na's character Seo-bi. It is just such a good performance. I highly recommend this drama to anyone that likes Korean thrillers. Rating: Koreans know how to do a zombie metaphor, they really do

Midnight Diner s1 (2009, Yarô Abe & Takurô Oikawa)

Main leads: Kaoru Kobayashi

Episodes: 10, 25 min

Thoughts: I decided to watch one episode anytime I was up at midnight for whatever reason. And it was nice, this drama is an anthology of many different characters' lives, and we are just getting little peaks of those who are up at such a late hour. Who would eat at a bar at Midnight? A lot of people. A gangster, a businessman, a stripper, two young lovers, and I guess us ourselves. The people it follows aren’t always the greatest people but at the end of the day, they are human. And human beings are one of the most complicated things on this planet. And this show allows for that complication. Rating: a nice meal on a rainy evening…

 Love in Contract (2022, Ha Goo-dam)

Main leads: Park Min-young, Go Kyung-pyo

Episodes: 16, 60 min

Thoughts: This was my most anticipated show of the year. There are three things I love: Park Min-young, Go Kyung-Pyo, and contract marriages. This show has all three, and it should have been great, it had the recipe for success and blew it. The script was messy and didn't trust the leads. They just didn’t have faith in Go Kyung-pyo to lead for some reason, so they kept insisting on the second lead Kang Hae-jin (Kim Jae-young) unnecessary plot and air time. He was so bad as a second lead, and he fulfilled the real antagonist of the show. They retconned a lot of things. It was overwhelmingly disappointing. They had great things going for it, like the chemistry between Go Kyung-pyo and Park Min-young; Kang Hyung-Seok as Woo Kwang-Nam is such a fun character. Also, I so wanted Woo Kwang-Nam to get with the manager, and finish his arch. I’m just sad and disappointed about this show. I can not recommend it in good faith. Rating: I am Sang-eun and Jiho Shipper first, a Hea-jin hater second, and a Kwang-Nam and manager truther third… obviously a human being fifth 

 Kingdom 2 (2020, Kim Eun-hee)

Main leads: Ju Ji-hoon, Ryu Seung-ryong, Bae Doo-na

Episodes: 6, 45 to 57 min

Thoughts: So good, this is the continuation from the first season starting where we left off. It is such an exciting show and keeps your attention. It is action so things do move fast. I typically don’t like shows like this but it is worth the watch. I also wonder if there will be a season 3? Cause they set it up for one but I haven’t heard any news. Rating: Just as good as the first part.

 Shadow Beauty (2021, Bang Soo-In)

Main leads: Shim Dal-Gi, Choi Bo-Min, Lee Na-Gyung

Episodes: 13, 19 to 25 min

Thoughts: This show has been on my to-watch list for a while now, but I could never bring myself to watch. I heard it was good but the plot never quite interested me. It is an engrossing plot about a girl who isn’t considered beautiful but pretends to be beautiful online. It talks about beauty standards and the cruelty of people. No one in this show is that great of a person. But that is okay. It wasn’t my favorite show, but it isn’t bad and is so short. Rating: may the real Genie please stand up…

Psychopath’s Diary (2019-2020, Choe Sung-jun, Kim Hwan-chae, Ryu Yong-jae)

Main leads: Yoon Shi-yoon, Jung In-sun, Park Sung-hoon

Episodes: 16, 60 min

Thoughts: I dropped this show a while back, but I decided to pick up again. It was fun, quirky, and decently thrilling. Yoon Shi-Yoon is hilarious as a pushover down on his luck Yook Dong-Sik. Also, he had immense chemistry with Park Sung-hoon. Another thriller in the book with unexplainable romantic tension between the killer and the protagonist. It is worth the watch, the 16th episode is kinda pointless. They wrap up everything in the first 20 minutes, so they are just filling the last 40 with whatever. Rating: This could have been gay…

Triad Princess (2019, Neal Wu, Emma Chen, Cheng Han-wen, Huang Shi-ting)

Main leads: Jasper Liu, Eugenie Liu

Episodes: 6, 35 to 47 min

Thoughts: This show is a 2019 Taiwanese Netflix short drama with only 6 quick episodes. This show follows a Gangster’s daughter who is a fan of a celebrity, and she becomes his bodyguard. Lo and behold he is also obsessed with gangsters, so obviously they fall in love. I actually watched this show up til episode 4 before dropping it back in 2019 to now finally finish it, so do with that information as you will. It is okay overall nothing to write home about. Rating: I don’t have enough of an opinion to write a witty one-liner. 

Welcome to the Show (2011, Choi Moon-Kyung, Woo Chul-won)

Main leads: Im Seulong, Sulli Choi, Nichkhun

Episodes: 1, 80 min

Thoughts: So apparently this was supposed to be a series, around the fictional lives of actual kpop idols set at an award show that they have. Sorta like an unfinished  The Producers, it even has IU. It was okay, I had a hard time finding it and ended up watching without subs, but I got the gist of it. Rating: I understand why it was canceled.

A Love so Beautiful (2020-2021, Choi Yoo-jung, Jang Yoo-yeon)

Main leads: Kim Yo-han, So Joo-Yeon

Episodes: 24, 21 to 25 min

Thoughts: I watched the original Chinese drama back in 2018, and I really liked that so I thought why not give this one a go. I would just watch the original, the cast had far more chemistry. Even though this followed the plot of the original to a t, it seemed more kiddish, somehow. It might have been because the male lead is much younger  (and looks like it) than everyone who worked in the school days, but once a fast-forward seemed comical. Anyways it is short and sweet and you can probably watch it in a day or two if you have nothing going on. Rating: The original is always better. 

Sound of Your Heart (2016, Lee Byung-hoon)

Main leads: Lee Kwang-soo, Kim Dae-Myung, Jung So-min, Kim Byeong-ok, Kim Mi-Kyung 

Episodes: 20, 15 min

Thoughts: This show was such a fun show to watch. It was funny and light-hearted. I never realized that Jung Somin has such good comedic timing. It is such a good show for a quick pickup, and I highly recommend it. I also believe that Netflix has a season 2 that I might check out. Rating: Sometimes life is ridiculous..

Goedam (2020, Hong Won Gi)

Main leads: Various cast

Episodes: 8, 10 min

Thoughts: This show is an anthology of a spirit haunting different people. It is so short you can watch the entire thing in under an hour. If you want a quick spooky show this will do the trick. Rating: Is it a metaphor for our modern surveillance culture?

Soundtrack #1 (2022,  Ahn Sae-bom)

Main leads: Park Hyung-Sik, Han So-hee

Episodes: 4, 36 to 57 min

Thoughts: I wanted something that had wintery vibes and this is definitely it. It is such a cute drama with such good vibes. You also have Park Hyung-Sik in his most natural environment, pining. And man does he put his heart and soul into it. It is such a good winter drama, everyone should watch it to get cozy. Rating: This is a puppy dog and a black cat couple.

Queen of the Ring ( 2017, Kim Ah-Jung)

Main leads: Kim Seul-gi, Ahn Hyo-seop

Episodes: 6, 30 min

Thoughts: This show is interesting in concept, but at the same time kinda uncomfy. This show is labeled as a fantasy cause we are pretending that Kim Seul-gi isn’t pretty. I do think that the main couple despite the lying and deception is kinda cute. However, the ending comes about in a very unnatural way. I think the writers didn’t know how to achieve their desired ending. Rating: I am glad they didn’t villanies Mi-Joo.

Revenge Note 2 (2018, Han Sang-im, Kim Jong-seon, Shim Min-sun)

Main leads: Ahn Seo-hyun, Samuel

Episodes: 16, 60 min

Thoughts: It was okay. If you are like a young teen, you would probably enjoy this a lot more. Tbh the first one was better, I realize why I dropped this years ago. Also, it has a weird ethical question about the leads and revenge. Rating: eh…

Glitch (2022, Gin Han-sai)

Main leads: Jeon Yeo-been, Nana

Episodes: 10, 60 min

Thoughts: Jeon Yeo-been never misses. If she is in a project you absolutely know it will be well acted. This story is so new and interesting, and the mixture of mystery and sci-fi is just marvelous. It is a pretty short drama, so you can probably watch it in a couple of days or so. It is definitely one of the better dramas I have seen recently, I highly recommend it to everyone. Also, this is another one where it is so gay, but it never fulfills itself. Rating: is it Aliens or a cult or both…..

Nightmare Teacher (2016, Hyun Moon-Sub)

Main leads: Kim So Hyun, Lee Min Hyuk, Uhm Ki Joon

Episodes: 12, 15 min

Thoughts: This was actually surprisingly good. I had little expectations for this show with how short it is. It is a pretty interesting watch, with psychological horror missed into. Kim So Hyun is always a good watch, I really have no complaints. If you just want to watch a quick horror, this would be your guy. Rating: The teacher is an ick

Midnight Diner 2 (2011, Yarô Abe & Takurô Oikawa)

Main leads: Kaoru Kobayashi

Episodes: 10, 25 min

Thoughts: With my continuation with the series I am still watching when I am up at midnight. This show is such a comforting watch, and it is a reminder of the human condition. It shows every side of a person which can only be revealed in the late hours. I just love how people’s stories are weaved through one another. I highly recommend for just a comforting watch. Rating: What keeps you up at Midnight. 

Welcome to Waikiki (2018, Kim Ki-ho)

Main leads: Kim Jung-hyun, Lee Yi-kyung, Son Seung-won , Jung In-sun , Ko Won-hee , Lee Joo-woo

Episodes: 20, 70 min

Thoughts: I watched this up to the 10th episode way back, but I kept seeing tiktok edits to this show that I decided to pick it up again. This show is more of sitcom style with an assemble cast, so if you like sitcoms you would love this show. It is funny, and relatable. All the characters are stupid but in an enduring way. Rating: I actually love when babies are in dramas ‘cause I think they are cute. 

The Great Shaman Ga Doo Shim (2021, Joo Brothers)

Main leads: Kim Sae-ron, Nam Da-reum

Episodes: 12, 20 min

Thoughts: This show is quick and simple, it also has the kid who is the younger version of everyone in it. It is actually pretty good for a quick webdrama. I don’t think it is a must see and you are missing out if you don’t watch, but it is pretty good. The cast is strong for how young they are, the script is okay, and it does keep you interest for the time it has it. Rating: Catch that ghost: Highschool edition

 Meow the Secret Boy (2020, Joo Hwa-mi

Main leads: Kim Myung-soo, Shin Ye-eun

Episodes: 24, 28 to 38 min

Thoughts: This show from concept is incredibly strange. Don’t get me wrong I like cats, but the FL falls in love with the cat she rescued. And even weirder they meet when he was a kitten/boy and she was grown. I know cats age faster, it was just weird, and people took a human cat much better than I ever would. Anyways it is kind of cute, but it is incredibly weird in its inception. Rating: I actually liked the SML in this one. 

True Beauty (2020-2021, ​​Lee Si-eun)

Main leads: Moon Ga-young, Cha Eun-woo

Episodes: 16, 73 min

Thoughts: I watched it while it was coming out, but I just had to drop it. I don’t like love tringules, and the entire focus of this show is the triangle. I know this is an unpopular opinion, I actually like Suho and Ju-kyung as a couple. I wasn’t head over heels over the SML, but I did like his character. I just really wanted this show to be gay, like I know the Webcomics it is far from it, but come on. Park Yoo-na (Kang Su-ji) and Moon Ga-young chemistry is good, also I think at one point Ju-kyung calls Su-ji the ideal boyfriend. And then they had to make Su-ji the typical jealous SFL which is so annoying. Rating: Please just recommend me Lesbian dramas

Lovestruck in the City (2020, Jung Hyun-jung, Jung Da-yun)

Main leads: Ji Chang-wook, Kim Ji-won, Kim Min-seok, Han Ji-eun, Ryu Kyung-soo, So Joo-yeon

Episodes: 17, 28 to 40 min

Thoughts: This show is in a style of a documentary, though they have out of documentary moments, that follow several young people and their relationships to one another. Somehow everyone knows everyone, and they are all dating one another to a certain degree. I liked it to a certain extent, however I found Ji Chang-wook’s character to be annoying and a crybaby. Like I understand his heart was broken but he was obsessive. I did like Kim Ji-won in it but I always like her. Rating: Its short and okay. 

More than Blue: The Series (2021, Hermes Lu, Emma Chen, Fei Kung-yii, Tsai Fang-yun)

Main leads: Gingle Wang Fandy Fan

Episodes: 10, 42 to 50 min

Thoughts: I have watched neither films that this show is based on, so my only input on the story comes from this series. It is incredibly sad. I knew this going in, I genuinely thought it would be the cold of winter sad, but it is not it is the heat of the summer sad. I find that more devastating. The back-and-forth storyline confused me at first, but it does add a sense of mystery that can be enjoyable for the viewer. Overall it is a sweet, and sad love story. Rating: Forever isn’t enough.

That Winter, the Wind Blows (2013, Noh Hee-Kyung)

Main leads: Jo In-sung, Song Hye-Kyo

Episodes: 16, 60 min

Thoughts: Oh, wow. I have so many thoughts, and they are all over the place. First off, it's really good from a genre perspective. This is a classic Melo, it has everything you want. Because of this, it is refreshing, cause you just don’t get Korean melodramas like this anymore. And honestly, I am not a big fan of Song Hye-Kyo’s acting, but I thought she did alright. But oh man this show, um, the romance is technically not incest which is a bad start. Like it is a family melodrama, but oh boy was it painful to watch someone fall in love with someone they thought was their own brother. Like a fair warning to all. Rating: It was a melodrama.

Midnight Diner 3 (2014, Yarô Abe & Takurô Oikawa)

Main leads: Kaoru Kobayashi

Episodes: 10, 25 min

Thoughts: The show is still quiet and sentimental throughout its run, however, I feel like this season we spend much more time outside the cafe, which is interesting. And you build up the cast of outside characters more. I do thoroughly enjoy the continued soft-spoken moments and the aesthetics of quite the nightlife of the show. I do think this show is best seen at night. Rating: a little midnight treat.

Seonam Girls High School Detectives (2014 to 2015, Shin Kwang-ho)

Main leads: Jin Ji-hee, Kang Min-ah, Lee Hye-ri, Lee Min-ji, Stephanie Lee

Episodes: 14, 60 min

Thoughts: This show was definitely made with a younger demographic than me in mind, however, it does show someone jumping off a roof. It has Lee Hye-Ri doing what she does best, and the rest of the cast trying their best with the script they had. It was definitely fun to see bigger stars, back when they were picking up whatever role they were offered to them. The show itself is a boring mystery, and the script has the inability to create tension throughout the whole. If I wasn’t in the midst of school where I need background noise to function I would have dropped this. Rating: It is a win for the lesbians, sort of… not really

Fanletter, Please (2022, Park Tae-yang)

Main leads: Choi Soo-young, Yoon Park

Episodes: 4, 60 min

Thoughts: This drama is decently cute and simple. It is very fluffy, and weirdly enough good for a quick pick-me-up. It easily could have been so devastating because kids with cancer are incredibly sad, but they easily balanced the sweetness with the devastating circumstance. The show is short, sweet, and actually decently acted. The setup is wild but we don’t question anything in dramaland anymore. Rating: Lies always lead to the most extreme possible outcome ever. 

Will it Snow For Christmas? (2009-2010, Lee Kyung-hee)

Main leads: Go Soo, Han Ye-Seul

Episodes: 16, 65 min

Thoughts: If you ever want a slow burn you got it in this drama. It is definitely fun to see a young Kim Soo-hyun, but this drama is the definition of melo. It is also kind of hard to follow especially after the time skip but its interesting, and has a good slow burn. Rating: Will it snow I don’t know

Behind Every Star (2022, Park So-young, Lee Chan)

Main leads: Lee Seo-jin, Kwak Sun-young, Seo Hyun-woo, Joo Hyun-young 

Episodes: 12, 60 to 76 min

Thoughts: Apparently this is based off of a French drama, which I can definitely see elements of it. I go back and forth on this drama. I thought it fun seeing actors cameos on this show, and I really liked the main couple. But it can be kind of boring and overall unmemorable. Rating: I would react the same way if I find a man in my bathtub. 

Midnight Diner: Tokyo Stories (2016, Yarô Abe)

Main leads: Kaoru Kobayashi

Episodes: 10, 25 min

Thoughts: This is like the revamped version of the original. It is definitely interesting seein the quality changes over the several seasons. This season has more emphasis on the food I feel like- ending each episode with a recipe, a slight call back to season 2. The vibes are usual contentness and loneliness felt only at midnight. Rating: I think writing in my journal while writing this is great.

The Crowned Clown (2019, Kim Seon-deok, Shin Ha-eun)

Main leads: Yeo Jin-goo, Lee Se-young

Episodes: 16, 70 to 80 min

Thoughts: This show is such a vibe visually, and I think for me that is the most notable thing. Yeo Jin-goo does such a good job at portraying the two princes. And the story is interesting enough. I think I would recommend this drama to those that are interested in Korean historical dramas but haven’t fully taken the plunge. It has a nice balance of politics and romance, and the politics don’t completely take over the narrative. Rating: a solid mad clown. 

Revenge of Others (2022, Lee Hee-myung)

Main leads: Shin Ye-eun, Park Solomon

Episodes: 12, 60 min

Thoughts:This show is definitely the thriller of the year, right behind Reborn Rich. The cast is great, and the characters felt so alive. There was a decent size cast and we understand and felt the motives of all the characters. It was heartbreaking in its set up, and fulfilling in its revenge plot. Also, Shin Ye-eun and Park Solomon’s chemistry is off the charts. Rating: if you are going to listen to me about anything, it should be watching this drama.  

May I Help You? (2022, Lee Sun-hye)

Main leads: Lee Hye-ri, Lee Jun-young

Episodes: 16, 70 min

Thoughts: I Really enjoyed watching this drama week by week. It has a nice mellow vibe, with an underlying grief. This show can be really sweet at times or really devastating, and it balances these two emotions well. The main couple is sweet, and you are rooting for them from day 1. Overall I am really satisfied with this drama and how it ended. Rating: May I help you… find a good drama. 

Midnight Diner: Tokyo Stories 2 (2019, Yarô Abe)

Main leads: Kaoru Kobayashi

Episodes: 10, 25 min

Thoughts:  This is the last season of this series. I will miss the midnights I spent with the show. The people in the show are all questionable, but they feel real. We are kept up at night for multiple reasons. Despite our negative qualites we all deserve warm company and good food. Rating: There are more people than you would think.

Reborn Rich (2022, Kim Tae-hee, Jang Eun-jae)

Main leads: Song Joong-ki, Lee Sung-min, Shin Hyun-been

Episodes: 16, 70 to 80 min

Thoughts: Man Song Joong-ki the past couple of years really said, I am sick of capitalism. This is probably the thriller of the year. It is so good an interesting. I think this is a must watch, and if you are new to kdramas this is probably a good one to watch. It had similar vibes to Again My Life but this one actually stuck the landing. Rating: The ending did confuse me, so I had to rewatch the last episode… ooops. 

Alice in Borderland (2020, Yoshiki Watabe, Yasuko Kuramitsu, & Shinsuke Sato)

Main leads: Kento Yamazaki, Tao Tsuchiya

Episodes: 8, 41 to 80 min

Thoughts: This show is so good. I have been putting it off, but with the new season coming out I just had to watch it. The characters are almost all incredibly flawed, but you are endured to them anyway. Arisu an awkward game-obsessed outcast becomes a hero alongside Usagi in the most deadly game ever. This show does have a graphic SA scene in the later half of the series which I wasn’t warned for, so just be warned. I do think it is worth a watch, but there is a lot of graphic violence. Rating: We built this city….

Summer Strike (2022, Hong Moon-pyo, Lee Yoon-jung)

Main leads: Kim Seol-hyun, Im Si-wa

Episodes: 12, 43 to 52 min

Thoughts: I actually didn’t see much promotion for this serious. But I love introverted couples, plus Im Si-wa plays the soft boy character very well. The couples in this are cute, and the vibes are immaculate, however the story is lacking somewhat. In the last 3 or so episodes it turns into a thriller, though viki does label it as such and there are hints of it in the beginning, it just feels out of place with the hometown vibes. Rating: If I had a nickel for every time a chill hometown vibe drama turns into a thriller I would have like 3 nickels which isn’t very much but it is weird it happened thrice. 

Alchemy of Souls (2022, The Hong Sisters)

Main leads: Lee Jae-wook, Jung So-min

Episodes: 20, 60 to 70 min

Thoughts: Wowza, I understand why it is considered the drama of the Summer. It was actually so good. I wish I was able to see it when it was coming out, but now I don’t have to wait after that ending. It was so good, and I’m so excited to start the second part. Jung So-min doesn’t disappoint, plus her chemistry with Lee Jae-wook. It will definitely be different without her. The story and worldbuilding is also so interesting with very little complaints from me. Rating: a Wolf in Sheep's clothing.

Alice in Borderland 2 (2022, Yoshiki Watabe, Yasuko Kuramitsu, & Shinsuke Sato)

Main leads: Kento Yamazaki, Tao Tsuchiya

Episodes: 8, 41 to 80 min

Thoughts: Man what a ride. This season is arguably better than the first. It was such an interesting watch. I was so confused for a while at the ending but it all worked out. I just think this is such a good show, and if you have the stomach for it, you should watch. Rating: Alice, the white rabbit, and the queen of Hearts… 

I am currently watching Alchemy of Souls: Light and Shadow. If there any shows that you think I should watch in the upcoming year please feel free to recommend me some. I hope you have a wonderful New Year!

[eternal-servants-of-old]

No lurking anymore. Just a full on brake:

I have been lurking for the majority of these past 2 years. There is a reason behind it, that I didn’t want to talk about since it made me feel silly for thinking this way, but as this kept happening with some people I have to express why I just had enough and taking a brake between; 5/2-5/5 This is me talking about it, and how I am at my limit over it.

No matter what I do I am always told how to do things for a RP. Now friends like Yuko, Hananah (If I spelled your name wrong forgive me.), Sir, a group I am in, and friends I don’t talk to anymore like, Draco, and others You have been nothing more then a blast to get to know, and I am glad to have even a fraction of knowing or getting to know you.

But these great people do not come all the time. I know I am followed or given a brand that I have to work with. What is my brand you may ask? This;

“You are there to write development for ME and MY character, and NONE for yours. And even if I agree to do it with your character getting development, then know my character is taking the spotlight for the whole thing.”

So background character. As well as this. Something I never wanted to talk about was this. I put in some traits in my characters. OC wise not canon. God me being like Gilgamesh. Cursed! Dimitri is my Full of positive vibes, my ace-ness, and ‘i’m the dad’ that stepped up vibes. Quinn is trying to do better, was delt a bad hand in life, learning how to be his own person, and trans. I get it. Dimitri is better by a lot of people’s eyes, and I do not blame people for not wanting anything with baggage...Then again I know also Dimitri is also picked because he is hot. That’s just with OCs sure, but you think if that dose not go with Canon characters, then you are so wrong.

‘I want Gilgamesh!‘ ‘Hey I see you RP Gilgamesh! Can we ship him with my character/OC?‘ ‘Gilgamesh is so hot and no one will want to ship with me, but I was wondering if you could?‘

I get these so much with this man. Now I am getting them with Cu alter, and I am just like, “We could do it where Cu or any other servant could help your character’s depressed ass, but no. You want to do smut, shipping, and use the fact that I might be the only person who will write this with you. BITCH I AM ACE! I am not someone who cares for smut 24/7. Better know this right now!“ Same with Yan. He gets this too.  And oh my god I didn’t want to talk about this but Shipping. Shipping is the biggest problem I have had thought out the years. Like I do like the ships I have with my friends. Going down the list.

Draco: Bros for life, Quinn and his brother are my favorite thing and all the positive vibes I could ever ask for.

???: Hate I forgot your name right now. But Quinn and his sis! All three of them Draco being a part of that has been one of my favorite parts of all three of us in the FGO fandom!

Hananah: We made so many verses like holy crap how do I know some things and you is so chaotic I love it. Also I almost gave up so many times in the past, but since you where the only person I knew who gave me CanonxMy OC. I kept going showing you where one of the many lights on this hell sight.

Yuko: Thank you for liking my ships for your character. She is King magnet, and I love it doesn't mean romantically, but just her being worthy of such great people. I adore it. Adore! Plus love all your ocs. Love your babies so much!

Sir: You have gotten me thought the worst of times, hell you found me at my lowest, and you got me into a great community in a rp group of Sun rising. We made the best bro ships ever and my god I am nothing with out your greatness, and getting me to such hard times with some people. Hate I have to go on brake cause of being overwhelmed.

Murry: The only person who gave me the rare ship I never could get in my life time, CanonxOc. I mean it. I rp’ed for over 7 years now and Murry (along with some rare others) is the only few people who has given me this ship. Showing Most people just fucking suck.

And many more. I have sadly forgotten, due to just waking up from crying last night. Yes I cried last night over people telling me how to do things, and just remembering it all of it in one go like some type of psychic damage. The thoughts just happened at the worst time too. I was on VC, and when I saw some writing mistakes I did by the group leader in a different tap with my friends in said group, and I just remembered being told to do things for others, and never things for myself all through out the years I just cried and had to go on mute so no one can know what happened. Nothing caused it, it really just happened. I couldn’t calm down and left with out saying a word, worried I might say something in the moment I would have regret with my emotions being all over the place.

As I was crying my brain was just remembering any time I wanted to write a certain ship or story set up. Any time I tried to explain myself or what I want I am always cut off and said no. Now let me make this clear. If you are not feeling a ship. You can say no. That’s not the issue. The issue is that I gave people so many ships that the rare times I wanted a ship on the top of my list I am rejected cause that said person wants that ship! And the only other time I am given it, it’s just to give someone something they want for later on. And when my RP partner will get the ship with me writing said character, and be happy about it, and I am like, “Oh great. Glad you like the ship.” when really I am like, “Oh...guess I better fuck off then, since you wanted it for yourself. Can’t have anything really.” I mean it. I have made ships I can’t even say why I want them shipped, cause every time I do it’s always goes back to my RP partner.  In fact there was one time. ONE TIME in the past years ago I thought it would be different. I was going to get the ship I wanted more then anything. It had symbolism, connections, and so much more. I was so excited to write it down, but it was dropped before we could really get the shipping to happen to go back to my rp partner’s wants and other story line. Saying I was disappointed was a understatement. I was destroyed over what happened that I knew if I talked about it, then it would be me just being too demanding. So I dropped ever bring it up, and we never went back to it or my rp partner. Who also never brought it back up again, since it was clear they never wanted to do it in the first place and did it to be on my good side. And I know they didn’t care, cause you know when you have a good RP partner they remember every ship, funny moment, and things like, “I can’t believe your character got pushed into a lake.” But no. This person couldn’t even do that cause they always brought up there character never mind. Showing my worth to be used by them, and to give them what they want since no one else was.

I am sick of it. I am so mad I can’t have the ships I want, being told no so many times. Never getting a damn chance of MY character/OC getting a fucking main story that I would like to write once in my fucking life! So that’s why I am taking this brake. I am too overwhelmed with these thoughts that I need a brake of people telling me no and ‘my character time not yours’ that it really has gotten too much for me. I’ll be back on the 5th of this mouth. Sorry again. But I do really need a brake online.

[twinvictim]

hello!! i want to hear EVERYTHING about this!! aus with Nishiki usually go for a "happier" route, so making his situation worse is... an interesting take to say the least lmao. i need to know: is yuko still alive in all this or does she die and Nishiki just. doesn't hear about it until he gets out of jail??

Oh you have activated my Bullshit TM hehe. Don't get me wrong I love making things better for him, and even this au eventually would do that but not before it gets Way worse, sort or just expanding on all the implications of Nishiki serving those ten years. Truthfully it's like the worst option of the three outcomes of the situation. Forgive me if this is incoherent it's like 3 am right after work and also forgive me for shelling my various theories like "nishiki makes so much more sense if he has feelings for Kiryu" and "trans masc swag" readmore bc I can't shut up

To answer the first question, as much as I really want Yuko to be there as a character bc i feel like she could add some interesting dynamics and really a potential voice of reason based on me making shit up about her, I feel for this au it makes more sense that she still passes away. Possibly earlier this time as Nishiki obviously isn't around to try and save her as fervently. But I still feel like she would have an impact in a way, at least with how Nishiki sees the world and the people around him. Also for reasons I can't explain I feel like she was the only one of the 4 of them that just. Didn't really like Kazama, and Nishiki was the only one she would say this too, added doubt and such, added guilt for fighting with her about it bc he was so certain that Kazama did love him. (And also...does he though? Hmm)

Also a point I'll make, nobody even once tries to contact Nishiki while he's in jail except to expel him from the clan, and unlike Kiryu he doesn't even get the "Oh yumi is missing but we're looking for her!" Thing from Shinji. He just kinda, stops existing to everyone.

Also unlike Kiryu, he isn't some weirdo who just stares at the wall for ten years, I think despite it generally being very difficult and horrible he has a way of making some allies here and there, at least having friendly acquaintances kinda like Saejima in y5, he's personable and while it's not like he isn't really lonely it's definitely better than nothing. Also think he's generally smart enough to not let people know he killed Dojima bc it's rough enough already. Playing into the fact that everyone thinks he's a huge pussy (insert 10 years in the joint line here)

The first thing he does after getting out of jail natrually is trying to track down everyone important to him, it's not hard to find Reina and she is one of the few people that hasn't changed In some way, she's definitely sadder for sure, but she's still here and still cares about him. In the time away she hasn't seen Yumi at all, but the handful of times Kiryu has shown up he says she's okay. She doesn't really know much more than that but considering Nishiki is homeless and out of a job she does just kinda force him to sleep there so she can attempt to help him, Serena Hideout as usual.

Thing is Yumi isn't missing, not really, supposedly she runs a bar just outside Kamurocho, but Reina's been entirely unable to find it, Kiryu's been exactly no help, it seems like they don't talk much if at all anymore and that Yumi mostly just wants to be left alone. (Bc Kazama doesn't feel like he should hide her from Kiryu like he did with Nishiki, since she didn't accociate Kiryu with all the trauma, and thus isnt scared of him, she's just sort of left to her own devices. I like the haircut and tattoo tho so I always keep it with her) I think Yumi is just weary, she can't forgive the clan as a whole for what it did to both her, and two people she cared about, and there's alot of complicated feelings about being raised into it with no choice in the matter. Feelings I think she's always had but tried not to think about, and now she has to contend with them in some way, or she should but doesn't. Bc she's still deathly afraid, unable to fully come to terms with her parents as well as the second shooting and it was better for her health for a long time to simply pretend Nishiki didn't exist. Kind of a default now bc the last thing she remembers of him is so traumatic its sort of inadvertently triggering to think about even the good things. The only thing she is sure of is she wants none of that for her daughter and if that means she has to miss the people she cares about than that's what it means.

Everyone still speaks highly of Kiryu of course, and natrually he does have his own family. He doesn't decend into any kind of violent spiral because genuinely people look up to and respect him, Kazama wasn't stacking the deck against him either bc why would he do that to his favorite child. really the problem is everything is kind of too easy and he doesn't see a point in it. Surrounded by yes men and people who see him as something he doesn't really want to be, and it's like he doesn't have to try. Mostly I think he's depressed bc he saw what being to close to the yakuza does to innocent people so he's cut himself off from his friends outside the circle, and everyone inside the circle is the same as theyve always been, and he just doesn't see a point in it all but keeps doing it because thats what he promised he'd do. Maybe he resents Nishiki a little bit for encouraging their shared dream, maybe he just hates that everyone forgot about him, and it just feels like something is always missing. He still can't seem to handle seeing Nishiki again though, possibly ashamed or scared. Maybe he doesn't feel like he earned the right to invite him into something that wasn't built with any kind of effort. And in the end he still failed to cross that line with him and maybe he's never forgiven himself for that.

But it's not like Nishiki or really anybody knows all that. So doesn't it just seem like yet another person abounded him. And this time it's the most important one.

Kashiwagi is interesting and stuck in a tight spot himself bc of the two pseudo parental figures they have he's the one that does genuinely equally care about them. But being that he is Kazama's right hand man, if Kazama doesn't want him to have anything to do with Nishiki than there isn't much he can do. It's not like Nishiki doesn't know or understand that, and it's not like Kashiwagi doesn't try, but he can really only do so much and it still isn't a good roll of the dice for Nishikis health either.

Haruka in this is kind of fun to speculate on. Natrually being that the (kinda dumb ngl) plot point about her father being Jingu cannot really happen or rather I don't think it adds anything, that only leaves us with Dojima being her biological father, and the only real change I'd that she's a couple months older honestly, so go with that. So being that Yumi is a working, single parent who's also horribly depressed and lonely as she no longer has a support system of friends, Haruka does end up in that Weirdly Mature for her age situation where she can to some degree take care of herself and spends time wandering town bc she's bad at making friends her own age. She's met Kiryu once or twice by 2005 but doesn't remember him much, (same goes for Kashiwagi who has tried but was met with Yumi telling him to let them be for their safety, which he understood even if he wouldve liked to know Haruka better). And due to the aforementioned Trauma Shit she's just never heard of Nishiki and doesn't know who the hell he is when she happens across him. Nishiki obviously doesn't know who she is either, just that she reminds him of someone, and while he's not really thrilled about some random fucking kid following him around bc she's bored it's not like he has many options as far as friends and she's kinda funny anyway, though it doesn't look great for a convicted murderer to just kinda hang out with somr kid thats not his but Date doesn't like him at fucking all anyway and the feeling is mutual so he and Haruka just duck around the detective when he's trying to bug Nishiki. He probably just has some amount of fun with her and she won't leave him alone anyway, and he gets the sense she's kinda lonely too.

And bc I'm crazy, Majima :). I think their dynamic could be fun, mostly I think that when they don't have a mediator or they're both doing Very Bad mental health wise it's some kind of vauge self recognition through the other turned what if we did alot of coke, turned what if we just fuck and hit eachother with chairs. Majima everywhere 2! But not bc he wants to test his resolve or something but bc he finds that irritating Nishiki is really goddamn funny, and I think a part of him is really curious about why he did what he did, bc while people had speculations neither Nishiki nor Kiryu ever confirmed what exactly happened for Yumis sake. I think Majima also just finds him interesting in the 'nothing means anything" kinda way. At some point after being abandoned, snubbed, spit on, beat up, and even sort of erased out of both families he had, Nishiki reaches a similar 'I don't fucking care' scenario and Majima is an enabler, fully willing and able to help him indulge in life being pointless and nobody needing or wanting you around. But Nishiki also despretly wants to connect with someone in a genuine way and I think he's good enough at being just every so slightly manipulative and pushy in the right ways to sort of open Majima up too and that's a whole fucking thing bc Majima hates that. He's also unpredictable and does not want to be open or vulnerable in any way, so Majima also snubs him at times, blows him off or is outwardly mean. Not someone you wanna stake any bets on.

And finally as far as main characters that would play a role, there's Kazama. And boy howdy. Kazama for reasons I cannot get into now, I think feels mostly guilty when it comes to Nishiki (and to an extent Yuko) that he doesn't quite get from his other kids which definitely skews his favoritism. I think that Kiryu was so young, a baby of very young toddler, that Kazama was happy to easily mold him for a long time (until Kiryu watches him kill two people that is, bc I think that really sent some genuine doubts that he'd never had before into motion bur I digress) he Kay as well have found Kiryu on the road. And I think due to her directly witnessing the violence, Yumi cannot really remember much without panicking except that Kazama was there and she needed him. For various reasons I think there was something about Nishiki that told Kazama that he not only ruined this child's life (in my own hc about what happened very nearly killed him and yuko also) but that Nishiki still didn't need him to be successful or happy or whatever and that really rubs Kazama the wrong way, both bc he can't calm any of his guilt and bc it hurts his pride. So to him, Nishiki going away to jail and simply not existing other than a name uttered with scorn or mockery was fitting. He wouldn't say that for sure, he'd never admit that his pride and sense of usefulness was hurt, but it was. Still I think there is something in him that cares about Nishiki, despite their contrasting personalities and the more cold additude he always gave him compared to the other kids, he does to some extent love Nishiki and he doesn't really like that. Flies in the face of him being in control of everything. Nishiki comes back and he doesn't try to go out of his way to harass him at first, or make his life harder, but he doesn't really stop anyone from trying to attack him, nor does he ignore when Nishiki inadvertently gets somewhat involved in the clan drama or when he tries to find Kiryu or Yumi again. Only really speaking to him to tell him they'd be better off if he stayed away from them.

I realize this isn't much actual plot and just general Vibes of what I'm going for, as well as needless character analysis but I hope it's enjoyable anyway. I personally like it when things get really really bad for a character and then through sheer force of continuing to fight even if it seems pointless things get, just that little bit better bc they didn't give up and nobody refuses to give up completely quite like Nishiki. I can't say I didn't think of this as an excise to make Nishiki break down in tears again repeatedly but what can you I love when men cry. I'm sure I have more ideas for this but it is now. 4:30 am so! Another time! But I love fish boy I love to hurt him and then make him better.

[ecargmura]

Dog Signal Episode 13 Review - An Insight To Dog Grooming

Dog Signal returns after a week break. I thought it would be continuing Yuko’s story, but I guess this story doesn’t do three-part stories. There’s always one episode or a two-part episode for each case. But, they’re still really good. This episode focuses on an aspect of dog training that you might not expect it to be training: grooming. That’s right. Ritsuka gets a focus episode!

Ritsuka has always been used as the supportive childhood friend of Niwa’s who has a fiery personality and the mom friend of the cast as she becomes Miyu’s unofficial adopted mother. She, like Niwa and Miyu, have a low tolerance for incompetent dog owners like Yuko. While she’s good at her job, she doesn’t discriminate with patients and even kicks Yuko out when she was being rude to Shikishima as she was wheezing over her dog Shizu’s stench.

The dog of this episode’s case is Shizu, a Shih-tzu, who hates getting trimmed and bites people if touched during grooming sessions. This is why she has been rejected by almost all dog salons save for Fonte, Ritsuka’s salon. I honestly really liked this episode because one wouldn’t think dog grooming requires little training for dogs, but it does! Dogs have to learn to get used to the grooming table and tools. Groomers aren’t trainers, so that means it’s up to Niwa to solve the problem. I really love the fact that the anime goes over five different issues on why a dog would bite during grooming sessions. They then try the methods to see what Shizu’s issues are. Eventually, they figure out that she hates being touched on the butt due to anal sacculitis. She eventually gets a fur cut and then Shikishima is taken to Dr. Kubo’s pet clinic for Shizu’s anal issues. 

I also like Shikishima as a character! She’s old, but adopted her dog from a shelter. While Shizu is her second dog, she never really knew anything about dog care until she stumbled upon Ritsuka who then introduced her to Niwa, Miyu and then Dr. Kubo. The kindness they gave to her really instilled trust into her. That’s the most important thing about training and grooming—getting dog owners to trust these specialists to handle their dogs. Ritsuka didn’t give up on her, so that is why she chose to trust her and in Niwa and Miyu; she then trusts Dr. Kubo with Shizu’s treatment. I loved that Shikishima is a testament that it’s never too late to learn more. She learned so much and wants to help Shizu no matter what. The scene where she decides to trust these people really moved my heart. Speaking of which, her voice actress is Fumi Hirano! She’s a renowned veteran voice actress who was the original voice of Lum from Urusei Yatsura, but now voices Lum’s mother in the remaster version. Shizu, the dog, is voiced by Anna Nagase, who has voiced young Ritsuka back in Episode 6! It’s amazing how this anime gets famous voice actors and actresses as supporting characters!

I love that Miyu is learning new things every single time. He’s too inexperienced to help out with this case, so he just takes notes and be Shikishima’s moral support. He’s not grossed out by Shizu’s stench and just cuddles and is affectionate towards her. His attitude is totally different from Yuko’s. It shows how much he takes his job seriously and how much he admires the people around him.

I really like the little educational segments on dog training for each episode that comes with chibi version of the main cast. I love it when they give dogs voices to voice out their thoughts in certain situations. In this episode, almost all the example dogs have been given voices and the choices were so cute! The little chibi post-credit skits are cute too!

I cannot deny that this is my comfort anime for now. This anime really just hit the feels at times. It’s also really educational too. The part where Niwa uses the back of the brush to help Shizu get used to the brush is something I should try with my poodle as he hates being brushed! I’ll let you know if it works out! What are your thoughts on this episode?

[lilac-melody]

Okay so I was reminded about this and since I made a Yujiro trauma post already going over why he always blames himself for everything (so in essence diving into his trauma) I’m gonna go over why the anime sucked at expressing Aizou’s trauma.

Spoilers for the anime + the lipxlip movie + other novels

Okay, wow where do I begin...

The anime, I guess.

So the only time we really dived into Aizou’s trauma was in episode 4, but even then, all the anime did was scratch the surface. Is it true that Ken and Yuko dating around got him all stiffy and annoyed with his family? Yes.

But that isn’t his trauma.

When Aizou was young, he lived a normal life. Caring parents, older brother he sometimes fought, sometimes got along with, and just...generally a normal life.

But then, one day, his father cheated on his mother, which, according to Ken and Arisa’s novels, as well as the Romeo and Kono Sekai no Tanoshimikata novels, led to their parents fighting almost all hours of the day, everyday.

Ken would come home from school to find Aizou, who is starving and miserable thanks to his parents being too busy screaming at each other for hours at a time. They’d be so busy fighting that they would barely remember to even buy groceries.

So Aizou experienced severe neglect as a child. From not being fed, to not even being looked at by his parents, to having to rely on his brother, who’s only a year older than him, to feed him carbonara.

And when his parents divorced, his mother started to seriously drink, and it got to the point where even if Aizou was simply doing a thing he loved- like singing, his mother would throw alcohol cans- some still filled with alcohol, at him and scream at him to stop singing.

And that’s how his life was. It grew worse when Ken got to middle school and started dating around, because now Aizou was completely alone.

He says in the Romeo novel:

“It was the day that Kuro arrived that Aizou had the first conversation with his brother in a long time. He had been surprised seeing the kitten and talked to him. It was probably because of Kuro being there that it made it less painful to go home.”

He was completely alone, and the silence of the apartment hurt him about as much as all the screaming.

And, continuing on, throughout the years, Aizou lost contact with his dad and he ended up having to take care of his mother often. Even out in public, he’d find her drunk in the streets and, despite barely being in middle school, he had to help her a lot.

Another thing to note is that whenever she was drunk, she would hit him often. Shibasaki Yuko is a drunk mother who abandoned her kids and was verbally and physically abusive to Aizou.

And surely, it all gets better? After all, she was at his Yappa Saikyou concert, right?

Yeah no one knows where the fuck she came from.

Before Aizou enters high school, before his and Yujiro’s first live show, Yuko meets a French man, and the two decide to marry. She tries to force Aizou and Ken to agree to go to France with her, which they both refuse.

She does eventually come around, but she went to France and abandoned her kids in Japan, on the night of Aizou’s debut live.

The fact that they’re at his concert now, anime-onlys, is a huge deal, given Aizou had torn up the tickets meant for Yuko and Ken, and Yujiro had only invited his mother and she ended up not going because Koichiro was in the hospital.

So while yes, things are slowly getting better- not just for Aizou, but for Yujiro as well, they were still abused to hell and back growing up.

Both of them had to grow up way too fast.

Aizou had to learn at a young age how to take care of himself, and Yujiro abandoned everything to focus on a kabuki career. (Another grievance I have with Yujiro is when he gave Koichiro his ticket, Koichiro mentions not having time for friends and Yujiro only says “I know, I’ve always been watching you” but the entire point of his character arc in the Romeo novel/the movie is him not having had any friends before Aizou!! Yujiro had the same childhood as Koichiro but they totally brushed it off!)

I really wish the anime didn’t downplay their trauma.

And circling back to the anime, Aizou being uncomfortable around women is because of his mother, mostly. So the whole “compare Aizou’s trauma to dislike of food!” is actually very insensitive and honestly it downplays his trauma so much.

This is why Aizou and Yujiro find so much comfort in each other- because they’re the only ones who know and understand each other. They don’t undermine each other’s trauma and they help each other through it, no matter what.

Yujiro has seen Aizou’s mother hit him while being drunk, and Aizou has seen how stern and awful Yujiro’s father is.

And since their family is evidently getting better, there’s nothing to tell Hiyori or anyone else. Because there’s no point in saying “yeah I used to be abused”. It’s the healthiest for them to be able to get help without having to relive everything by dragging someone else into it. So they are both literally the only ones they can go to when their trauma is affecting them.

I gave the anime the benefit of doubt back when ep 4 aired, but there’s honestly no excuse at this point to glaze over their trauma like this.

[cryingcow]

Character Story - Nishikiyama (Junior High Student) [RGGO]

Wow, 3 stories in 1 week, I’m on a roll! But I’m slowing down now, cuz the Daigo one’s pretty long, and I need to get back to studying to make up for the oral revalida I bombed XD

Anyway now it’s time for Baby Koi Boi, the partner card to Baby Dragon! I’ve always loved Nishiki, but I think I love him even more now because of this, he’s just so much more emotional and passionate than anyone else in the series <3

Also! According to this, Junior High spans from 13 to 16 years of age (cuz its 1984). Sooo it’s slightly less weird to imagine 16-year-old-pornstached Kazama buying a porn mag in Kiryu’s story XD

Story: Yuko, who STILL doesn’t get a character sprite even in RGGO, tells her big brother that she has a boyfriend. Nishiki freaks out.

Nishiki, beating up a poor civilian: “That’s for dating my sister!!!!”

Innocent civilian, getting beaten up by an angry teen: “I don’t even know who you are!!!!”

Note: In Chapter 3, the term “jealous of jealousy” or ヤキモチを妬く is used. Based on this article that took me ages to search, it means something along the lines of “gaining a crush on someone you’re jealous of” (kinda like tsunderes in anime I think) or “having a crush on someone who has a crush on someone else” or “wanting someone all to yourself”, with a hint of “love is blind”. But all of those are phrases MUCH too loaded for me to be including in here on the shaky basis of one google-translated article, so I’m leaving it as is. (But if someone who knows Japanese can confirm or deny it, please tell me so I can edit and put in the right term!)

.

CHAPTER 1

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|One day in 1984. When Nishikiyama Akira and Kiryu Kazuma were still in junior high school . . . |

[Theater Square]

Junior high school girl A: “Ah, Nishikiyama-kun! Yoo-hoo!”

Nishikiyama: “Hey.”

Junior high school girl B: “We’re all heading to the arcade. Come join us, Nishikiyama-kun!”

Nishikiyama: “No, I can’t. I have somewhere to go today.”

Junior high school girl B: “Ehh~! . . . Oh, that’s right. Sorry for disturbing you.”

Nishikiyama: “I’m sorry, please invite me again some other time.”

Junior high school girl A: “Yeah, see you next time!”

{Nishiki leaves.}

Junior high school girl B: “. . . That’s right, Nishikiyama-kun is visiting his younger sister today.”

Junior high school girl A: “Nishikiyama-kun really cares about his sister. I’m a little jealous~.”

----

[Hospital]

Nishikiyama: “Yo.”

Yuko: “Onii-chan.”

Nishikiyama: “How are you doing?”

Yuko: “Same as usual. Onii-chan, won’t you be in trouble with Kazama-san?”

Nishikiyama: “That’s nothing to concern yourself about.”

Yuko: “Is that so. Good luck-”

Nishikiyama: “Easy, easy. Just lie down.”

Yuko: “But . . .”

Nishikiyama: “I just dropped by to see you. I’ll go home soon.”

Yuko: “. . . I really worry for my Onii-chan.”

Nishikiyama: “Shut up, it’s not like that.  . . . Hm? Yuko, what’s with those live flowers?”

Yuko: “Oh, these? They’re called Phalaenopsis orchids. Aren’t they beautiful?”

Nishikiyama: “Yeah, they look really extravagant.”

Yuko: “Yup.  . . . Y-You know what?”

Nishikiyama: “Hm?”

Yuko: “Th-This is . . . a gift from my lover.”

Nishikiyama: “. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .”

Yuko: “A-Ahaha. What do you think, Onii-chan-”

Nishikiyama: “. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .”

Yuko: “. . . Onii-chan? You’re suddenly quiet, is everything okay?”

Nishikiyama: “. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .”

Nishikiyama: “. . . Ha! Y-Yeah. I was spacing out a little. Okay, okay. I’m perfectly fine. 100 percent. Perfect. Yup. Everything’s fine. There’s no problem at all. Onii-chan’s not going home yet, I just remembered a little errand I have to do.”

{Nishiki runs out.}

Yuko: “Eh?! A little- Onii-chan!”

----

[Pink Street]

Nishikiyama: (A lover? To Yuko? Yuko and a lover? A lover and Yuko? Lover? Lover? Lover? She has a lover???? She’s still a kid? But she has a lover? A lover? I can’t believe it. I can’t believe it . . .)

High school girl: “Kyaa! Please stop!”

Hooligan A: “You want me to do something good to you, don’t you?”

Hooligan B: “Yeah yeah, come feel good with us!”

High school girl: “I hate you! Let go!”

Nishikiyama: “A lover . . . to Yuko . . . mumble.”

{Nishiki distractedly walks into the hooligans.}

Hooligan A: “Hey! Watch where you’re going!!”

Nishikiyama: “mumble . . . mumble . . .”

Hooligan B: “Hey, bro. You can’t just bump into someone and then ignore them-“

{Nishiki swings around to throw his fist into the guy’s face.}

Hooligan B: “Hgugh?!“

Nishikiyama: “Shut up!!!! I’m dealing with something right now!!!!”

Hooligan A: “Huh?! Th-Th-This bastard . . . don’t think you’ll scare us off by yelling!!”

Hooligan B: “Punching me out of nowhere . . . I’ll kill you!!”

{Nishiki beats the crap out of the hooligans and sends them running.}

High school girl: “U-Um, thank you very much!”

Nishikiyama: “. . . mumble.”

High school girl: “U-um . . . ?”

Nishikiyama: “No but, Yuko with a lover . . . she never said anything about it and then suddenly . . .”

{Nishiki wanders off, still mumbling to himself.}

High school girl: “I-I wonder what’s up with that person . . .”

----

Nishikiyama: “. . . Damn it. I can’t get my head straight. Calm down. I need to calm down . . . ! Inhale~. Exhale~. Inhale~. Exhale~. Okay, taking a deep breath to calm down. I’m perfectly calm now. Now that I’m thinking with a calm head, I can clearly see what I must do. Yuko’s lover . . .”

Nishikiyama: “I’m going to find that guy and kick his ass!!!!”

.

-END-

.

CHAPTER 2

.

Nishikiyama: (Yuko’s lover . . . what an arrogant bastard with a bouquet . . . Well, it was Phalaenopsis orchids. The flowers look expensive. Maybe he’s a criminal whose modus is a bouquet of flowers! Wait, I can use the bouquet as a clue-)

Drunk A: “So? What happened to the woman in question?”

Drunk B: “It’s perfect! Women are simple after all . . . it was easy!”

Drunk A: “Seriously? But I feel sorry for the woman though. Doesn’t she know you have a second?”

Drunk B: “Idiot, it’s not just two, I have five! It’s my technique so I can drop a woman anytime!”

Drunk A: “Five?! You’re the worst! Gyahahaha!”

Drunk B: “Hehe, I even gave one of the women a bouquet! That’s right-“

{Nishiki suddenly punches the five-timing drunk.}

Drunk B: “Bgyagh?!“

Nishikiyama: “You gave the bouquet . . . ? So you’re the culprit!!!!”

Drunk A: “Eh? Eh . . . ?”

Nishikiyama: “Playing with Yuko’s heart is a sin . . . I’ll make you regret it!!!!”

{Nishiki beats up the drunks.}

Drunk A: “O-Oi! Of your five women, are any of them this guy’s little sister?”

Drunk B: “No way! All five of them are older than me . . . !!”

Nishikiyama: “Oi . . .”

Drunks: “Yes?!”

Nishikiyama: “Didn’t you deliver that bouquet to Yuko’s hospital room?”

Drunk B: “W-W-W-W-Wrong! I gave that bouquet to Machiko, a cabaret girl!!”

Nishikiyama: “. . . I see. Don’t be so misleading next time. Jeez.”

Drunks: “We’re sorry!!!!”

Nishikiyama: (Damn it. If I don’t do anything, the culprit won’t be revealed. How do I figure out the criminal . . . )

Nishikiyama: “No, wait a minute. There IS a clue . . . !”

Drunks: “Yes?”

Nishikiyama: “You bought a luxurious bouquet to give to a woman, where did you buy it?”

----

[West Shichifuku Street]

Nishikiyama: “It should be in this area. Here . . .”

Nishikiyama: (According to the drunkard, there’s a flower shop in this place. I have no idea who Yuko’s lover is, but maybe if I find out where he bought the bouquet that he gave her . . .)

Nishikiyama: “What was the flower again . . . a Phalaenopsis orchid? I suppose I should ask who bought them.”

Flower Seller: “Welcome! Oh? . . . I have a lot of cute customers today.”

Nishikiyama: “. . . Do you mean me?”

Flower Seller: “Ah, sorry for saying that out of nowhere. Earlier today a boy in a school uniform around your age came to the store.”

Nishikiyama: “Hey . . . is that unusual? A customer of my age . . .”

Flower Seller: “Yeah. Unless it’s Mother’s Day, a child your age has no reason to come to a flower shop, isn’t that right?”

Nishikiyama: “Definitely . . . if you ask me, then yeah. I wanted to know, did anyone come by today to buy Phalaenopsis orchids?”

Flower Seller: “Phalaenopsis orchids? I think that boy I mentioned just now bought some?”

Nishikiyama: “! I-Is that true?! What kind of guy is he?! Do you remember his name or what he looked like?!”

Flower Seller: “He’s just like you, a strong-looking kid who seems like he gets into fights. His name was . . . ah, right.”

Flower Seller: “It was Kiryu-san.”

Nishikiyama: “. . . ha?”

.

-END-

.

CHAPTER 3

.

[Champion District - Empty Lot]

Nishikiyama: “Yo, Kiryu. I’ve been waiting for you.”

Kiryu: “Nishiki . . . why did you call me out here all of a sudden?”

Nishikiyama: “Kiryu . . . do you have something to tell me?”

Kiryu: “Something to tell you . . . ? No, nothing in particular . . .”

Nishikiyama: “Is that right . . .”

Kiryu: “What are you angry about? Does it have something to do with what you want me to say?”

Nishikiyama: “Kiryu . . . earlier today, did you deliver a bouquet to Yuko?”

Kiryu: “!”

Nishikiyama: “. . . the look on your face tells me I’m right. Since when did you start sneaking around?”

Kiryu: “I wasn’t sneaking around . . . it started the day before yesterday.”

Nishikiyama: “What, that’s quite recent.”

Kiryu: “Yeah.”

Nishikiyama: “. . . Was it your idea?”

Kiryu: “No, it was originally Oyassan’s idea.”

Nishikiyama: “O-Oyassan?!”

Kiryu: “Yeah. He said he was sure it’ll make you and Yuko happy.”

Nishikiyama: “Why . . . did you keep quiet about this?”

Kiryu: “I was . . . going to surprise you.”

Nishikiyama: “I see . . . certainly, I was surprised to death . . .”

Kiryu: “Then what are you angry about? Did Yuko not like the bouquet?”

Nishikiyama: “No, she was very happy with it. Did you choose those flowers yourself?”

Kiryu: “That was also Oyassan’s idea. Phalaenopsis orchids mean ‘happiness soars’, apparently.”

Nishikiyama: “Tch! You keep saying Oyassan this, Oyassan that . . . Kiryu, what are YOUR feelings on this matter? You aren’t saying that’s ‘Oyassan’s idea’ too, are you?”

Kiryu: “It’s not like that. I followed Oyassan’s suggestion because it aligned with my feelings.”

Nishikiyama: “Is that right . . . so it really was you . . . to think I thought you were a good guy . . . damn you . . .”

Kiryu: “Nishiki, what on earth are you so angry about?”

Nishikiyama: “. . . Don’t you know?”

Kiryu: “I don’t know, I’m drawing a blank.  . . . Could it be? Are you jealous of your jealousy for me?”

Nishikiyama: “Yeah, that’s right. I’m jealous. I’m burning you with my jealousy, Kiryu!”

Kiryu: “So you’re jealous . . . because the other party is your sister?”

Nishikiyama: “Yes because she’s my sister! And my sister is important to me, so that’s why I’m angry with you!”

Kiryu: “I see . . . I get it now. Yuko is your dear sister, so I should have consulted you properly about this. My bad . . . the line is different in matters like this, and I crossed it. How can I make it up to you?”

Nishikiyama: “Duel with me, Kiryu . . . !! A no-holds-barred, one-on-one battle!! I’ll use my fists to make you pay for this . . . !!”

Kiryu: “Okay, I understand. If this will make you feel better, then I’ll accept your challenge with my whole power!!”

Nishikiyama: “Let’s go! Kiryu!!!!”

{Nishiki and Kiryu duke it out in the lot.}

Nishikiyama: “Jeez, as usual you’re still stupidly strong . . . Oww . . .”

Kiryu: “Haa . . . haa . . . So, are you done . . . Nishiki?”

Nishikiyama: “Yeah . . . thanks. It’s regrettable, but I have to admit . . . you being Yuko’s guy, she really does have a discerning eye for people!! To be her lover . . . no one would be more suitable than you!”

Nishikiyama: “I’ll accept it!! You and Yuko . . . dating!! . . . I’ll have to ask Yuko about this matter . . . kyoudai? From now on, call me Onii-san.”

Kiryu: “. . . Nishiki. What are you talking about?”

Nishikiyama: “Huh? Oi, oi. Yuko’s bouquet of flowers in the hospital room, that was given by you. Isn’t that true?”

Kiryu: “Yeah, that’s right.”

Nishikiyama: “So that means you’re Yuko’s boyfriend.  . . . Am I wrong?”

Kiryu: “Why would that make it so?”

Nishikiyama: “Aren’t you Yuko’s lover?”

Kiryu: “L-Lover . . . ?! Oi, what are you saying?!”

Nishikiyama: “. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .”

Nishikiyama: “. . . I’m sorry, could you give me a minute, Kiryu? I’m going to make a phone call.”

Kiryu: “Y-Yeah. Go ahead.”

----

[Phone Booth]

Yuko: “Hello, Onii-chan?”

Nishikiyama: “Hey, Yuko. About that lover you mentioned earlier-“

Yuko: “. . . I’m sorry. Onii-chan, that was all a lie.”

Nishikiyama: “! S-So that’s all it was . . . But- But why did you . . .”

Yuko: “I’m really sorry.  . . . I was reading a book.”

Nishikiyama: “A book . . . ?”

Yuko: “Yup. A story of a sick girl like me getting a bouquet from a dreamy boy and falling in love with them . . . When I read that, I got jealous . . . I’m a fool. There’s no way something like that will happen to me. I lied so that even for a brief moment, I could be like that girl in the book. You were so shocked. I’m really sorry . . .”

Nishikiyama: “. . . So it was all a lie?”

Yuko: “Um-hm . . .”

Nishikiyama: “. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .”

Nishikiyama: “Haaaaaaa~~~!! I’m so relieved~~~~~~~~!!!!”

Yuko: “Eh?!”

Nishikiyama: “My hair was turning white already . . . No, what you did was bad and it’s good that you told me, but . . . Anyway, can you make things clearer next time? And if you do meet a really good guy . . . tell me first, okay?”

Yuko: “Okay . . . Onii-chan, thank you.”

Nishikiyama: “Oh! I’ll come see you tomorrow.”

Yuko: “Okay, see you tomorrow.”

Nishikiyama: (Haa~. I got absolutely played by my sister’s cute lie . . . )

Kiryu: “Nishiki, you’ve been gone for a long time. Are you alright?”

Nishikiyama: “. . . K-Kiryu.”

Kiryu: “Hm?”

Nishikiyama: “Kill me~~~~!!!! I’m sooo embarrassed~~!!!!”

Kiryu: “???? What is it, Nishiki . . . ? Ah, no, I mean Onii-san . . .”

.

-END-

 Masterlist

[klm-zoflorr]

So made some character sheets for my Yuko babies ocs! I love them, it was so much fun. I really like designing clothes... Plus it helped me flesh them out a little more. Long-deserved characterisation and versions of drawings under the cut because it got way too long :)

So, Yaosa (first pannel) is the one who is raised in the Fire Nation with Zuko. You can check a little bit of backstory there. Lueni (second pannel) is the one who grew up at the North Pole with Yue. You can check her orginal post there, an outfit variation there and a potential grown-up version of her there, or just scroll her tag on my blog.

I have decided/changed it so Yaosa is nonbinary! Idk I was getting those vibes. He uses all pronouns, but mostly he/they. Full disclaimer that I am not trans, and so might be insensitive with my headcanons. Don't hesitate to tell me if that's the case! But we should be fine.

Also I am still not gonna make transphobia a thing in the avatarverse because I just don't like that stuff.

He knows how to chi block, their fighting style is very fast and agile. Ty lee taught them, she is kind of a mother/aunt figure to them. Firelord (!!) Azula kinda is too tbh, Yaosa was sorta raised by a village ahah

I think he's a firebender? I'm not sure if I'm gonna make it canon or not. On one hand it would be fun to have a nonbending royal, on the other I want to show the differences between typical fire nation values and Yaosa's in other ways. And I'm not even sure they'd keep him if he was a nonbender? One thing that's certain is that he isn't a waterbender, or he would get his ass yeeted off the palace in less than 30 seconds

Lueni is a firebender for sure tho, which causes... Problems. If they were both firebenders, she would be the most powerful. She probably has some training in weapons, sword maybe? Knives at least. Idk her shoulder plate would make sense with a sword.

Lueni is definitely the more hotheaded of the two, and the most likely to get into a fight. Doesn't mean she fights everyone she sees, tho, she just has a more headstrong and willful persona, and wouldn't stay silent if you say something that bothers her. Words are her first weapon of choice, she can be pretty commanding (and sometimes acts too much like she's the boss of you and is always right, which can piss people off) and is good at convincing people, althought she hates lying and wouldn't consciously manipulate someone. On the other hand, Yaosa often prefers to watch from a distance and calculate things. He is honest too, but doesn't have as strong a sense of justice (which is only natural given where he was raised). He can use either words or strenght on people, depending which is more likely to work.

So, now that we're done with the headcanons let's talk about the drawings. You can see that I drew variations of clothing for both of them. They depend on their stories (which I haven't quite fleshed out yet) and personalities a little bit too. Like:

Lueni's first two outfits is for when she's still at the North Pole with her mom. The first one is more of an outer wear, second one is a more relaxed/chill/inside kind of clothing. Yes, her arms are exposed! She doesn't get cold very easily, I wonder why...

Her last two outfits are for when she leaves the North Pole (it happens at some point in the story. Idk when and idk why). Since she is from the poles, she has trouble handling high temperatures, and if you add to that all the fire play going on... You can see I added a belt and knee + shoulder reinforcment. I just thought that was a realistic touch for someone travelling around and getting into fights.

You can see her style of clothing is a little bit fancy, but definitely not unpractical (especially the last one) She likes being able to move around, and wouldn't be able to do so as easily with clothes like Yue's princess outfit (and her big skirt). Add to that the fact while she is technically a princess, she's not that legitimate. So she is allowed to not be as proper as she should be, which she is very happy about.

She very rarely lets her hair down, prefering to keep it in a practical ponytail. Plus, she can keep her hair thingie/crown visible this way (she is proud of being apart of her family and royalty, even if there are some points she dislikes). I gave her a bone necklace bc i thought it looked cool.

Yaosa doesn't have different weather outfits since their story happens mostly at the same place, aka in the fire nation/earth kingdom.

However, his style of clothing changed depending on whether he has to act like the Fire Nation prince or if they're left to chill on a boat. I imagined when the story takes place he is on their own Avatar search? Everyone in the family gets a part in this, ahah. Anyway, he doesn't like formality when he doesn't have to be formal, and so doesn't wear armor at all times (or... Ever, tbh. They're kind of a pacifist, fight avoidant too)

So, the first outfit is the typical fire nation armor, of course. Second one is a long, thin cotton coat that I thought fit them pretty well. The short sleeves are maybe more suited for hotter temperatures. He keeps the usual fire nation boots for this outfit. I also added some random bandages on his arm, it doesn't mean anything particular.

The last two are the same outfit, with different poses. I don't have anything particular to say about it, apart from the fact I fcking love it.

I think he has kind of a hermit/wise vibe to him. I really like it, think it fits his think-before-you-fight vibe. Think about a kind of Zuko but without the anger issues. Oh, and he usually braids his hair because this way they don't get hair in their face while fighting, but can also sport a top knot or just hair down (althought less often because he thinks the braid makes him look cool and nice). They have a blue decoration to tie at the end of the braid, it's from Yue, Zuko gave it to them. He always has it on him.

Well, I think we're done. I had a lot of things to say :3 If you ever redraw any of those (don't forget to give credit of course) don't hesitate about harrassing me on every social media so I'll see it xD (my instagram is @/he.artane). And as always, feel free to ask any questions!

[bi-naesala]

Failure

Fandom: Yakuza

Rating: T

Warnings: Major Character Death

Relationships: Kiryu Kazuma & Nishikiyama Akira, Kiryu Kazuma & Nishikiyama Yuko

Characters: Nishikiyama Akira, Kiryu Kazuma

Additional Tags: Hurt No Comfort, Bad Ending, Suicide, Angst, Yuko isn't directly present but she gets mentioned, Kashiwagi also appears, Alternate Universe - Canon Divergence

Summary:

What if Matsushige hadn't shown up when Nishiki was about to kill himself?

(Also on AO3)

Fic under the cut

It’s raining outside, a perfect match for how Nishiki’s feeling.

His eyes are fixed to the small shrine on the table in front of him, on the name that has been engraved on it: Yuko.

 He still can’t believe she’s not in this world anymore. To think that he was so hopeful about this surgery…

It’s his fault that she couldn’t make it: if he hadn’t fucked up, the doctor wouldn’t have skipped town. All because of his incompetence.

 Mistakes must be punished, this is what he thinks as he reaches for the knife that he’s been keeping beside him. It’s almost like it’s calling to him, a siren chant that Nishiki can’t resist.

He unsheathes the knife, observing his sad reflection on the blade. Eh, he can almost hear Kiryu teasing him about how bad he looks…

 Kiryu.

His thoughts go to him, who’s wasting away in a cell because of him. It should be the other way around.

Nishiki wanted to carve some space for himself so that he could welcome him with open arms; for once, he would’ve been the one depending on him, and not the other way around.

 Not even that he was able to do right.

He’s pathetic.

 What does he have left? Why should he keep wasting space and resources?

Yuko, Yumi, Kiryu… They all deserve so much more than what they’ve got. They should be in his place, while he’s dead on the ground.

Well, he’ll soon put some remedy to that at least.

 In his final moment, he thinks about Kiryu, of how much he’s letting him down.

He’s in prison for a crime that he committed, and he’s not even able to make sure that he’ll be welcomed back with open arms; and yet, a malignant voice whispers to him, won’t he be welcomed back no matter what? Because Kiryu is Kiryu, while Nishiki is…

If he were the one in prison, it wouldn’t matter, because he’s not Kiryu. He doesn’t matter. For all they care, he could die without making a difference.

 It’s not right…

 Realizing what he’s thinking, all Nishiki can feel are guilt and shame.

Kiryu has sacrificed his freedom for him, and all he can do to repay him is to think badly of him for something that, he knows, god Nishiki knows, isn’t his fault.

Envy has always been something he’s had to deal with since the first time he and Kiryu met, but to think that after all this time he still hasn’t managed to control it, that sometimes - no, more than that - it still manages to get under his skin…

Truly shameful, and ain’t that another good reason why he shouldn’t be here anymore?

 His hands are trembling as they hold the blade that will do the deed, but soon they still as a weird sense of absolute calm washes over Nishiki.

It’s like a sort of enlightenment, something that he’s never experienced until this very moment. Now, he can only lament that his mind has never been this clear before; it would’ve certainly helped way before now, but he supposes that he can’t control this kind of stuff, can’t he?

 At least he knows what he has to do now, and he’ll do it, without hesitation.

  It hurts way less than he thought it would. Actually, it almost feels good, because he knows he’s doing the right thing.

As his strength abandons him, he can’t help a sad smile from appearing on his face. He almost feels like crying; whether it’s from happiness or sadness, that much is unclear for his hazy mind.

There’s only one thing he can think, only a few words that ring loud enough for him to still hear them.

“Bro… Kiryu… I’m sorry…”

  Kiryu betrays no emotion as he walks inside the graveyard.

Of all the things he expected to find out after being released from jail, Yuko and Nishiki having died was the last of them.

No, Nishiki didn’t just die, he committed seppuku. Those are two very different things…

Kiryu still hasn’t processed it. In prison, life was like in slow motion for him, stuck in a miserable routine, so now he’s unused to this speed.

 When he got released, Kashiwagi-san came personally to greet him, saying that Kazama-san was waiting for him. It was him, while driving him to the Kazama family office, that broke him the news of Nishiki’s death. It felt like a stab in the heart.

Kiryu was so cold as Kashiwagi-san kept talking, voice low, almost apologetic. There were so many things that he wanted to ask: how could it have happened? How could they have let it happen? And yet, he said nothing, knowing that if he tried to speak, he would’ve just screamed, and that wasn’t something he wanted to do at the moment.

 He did make one request though: to stop by Nishiki’s grave before going to Kazama-san. He’s sure the old man has something important to tell him, but… He needs to do this first.

Kashiwagi-san looked about to try to dissuade him, but something - maybe guilt, who knows? - made him change his mind.

“Alright Kiryu, as you wish.”

  Nishiki’s grave is right beside Yuko’s. At least they haven’t been separated after death, although the knowledge is little to no consolation.

As Kiryu kneels down on the ground, uncaring that he’s going to get his suit dirty, he imagines Nishiki and Yuko - a healthy Yuko - walking together, hand in hand, laughing and joking around like nothing’s wrong. Ah, what he’d give to see this…

He closes his eyes, narrowing his brow, lips quivering. He wants to say something, but he has no idea about what. What would even be appropriate in this situation? Would saying “I’m sorry” be enough?

 Yes, Kiryu is sorry, so very sorry: he feels like he’s abandoned Nishiki, left him to fend alone for himself.

Had he been there with him, would things be different? Would he be alive? Would Yuko be alive? He still doesn’t know exactly how she died…

In the end, despite how much he wants to, he can’t change the past. Besides, if he hadn’t been the one going to prison, Nishiki would’ve, and who knows how that would’ve gone, not to mention that Yuko would’ve been left alone… Well, not alone, because Kiryu would’ve stuck with her of course, but he doubts the news of her brother going to jail would’ve done wonders to her health.

No matter what happened, it feels like someone would’ve been lost either way, but is it really? Was this destined to happen? Were Nishiki and Yuko to die, without any chance of changing things for themselves?

… It’s useless to wonder about these things. After all, it’s not like Kiryu can change the course of fate.

 When he opens his eyes, he almost expects - hopes - to wake up, to find out that this is only a nightmare, but unfortunately that’s not the case.

It’s real. All this is real, and there’s nothing he can do to make it better.

 He gets up, going first to Yuko’s grave, stretching a hand to touch the stone surface, brushing his fingers against where her name has been inscribed.

He can’t hold back a frown when he notices how dusty - and generally dirty - her grave is. He’ll bring that up to Kashiwagi-san and Kazama-san, because he finds it unacceptable.

“I’m sorry, Yuko…” he murmurs, as if the grave can hear him.

After a moment, he turns to Nishiki’s grave, managing to move the necessary steps to get closer to it. Uh, there’s dust on here too…

Is there anybody tasked to keep them clean? Apparently, no. Kiryu tries his best to remove some dust with his hand, though there’s still so much even after he’s done; he makes a mental note to bring some cleaning supplies next time he visits; if nobody wants to do it, he will.

He gently rests his forehead against the cold stone; for a moment he imagines it’s Nishiki and not just a grave.

“Nishiki… I’m…”

He’s managed to hold back until now, but he can’t anymore. He’s silent in the way he cries, mourning the loss of someone that has always been so dear to him, his friend, his bro…

“I shouldn’t have abandoned you,” he mutters, opening his eyes, staring at the stone surface. “I’m so sorry…”

 The wind begins to pick up, a gentle breeze that almost caresses Kiryu’s body, making him wonder if it’s Nishiki doing this, if it’s his way to talk to him, now that he can’t anymore. Is it forgiveness, or is there something else he’s trying to tell him?

 For a vain moment, he hopes that, once he opens his eyes, he’ll be greeted by Nishiki telling him this was all just a joke - a tasteless one, but a joke nonetheless.

Unfortunately - though he expected it - when he does it, he’s met by the same grave from before.

“I promise you, I’ll raise to the top,” he vows, then, brushing a hand against the stone, remembering what he and Nishiki had promised each other - it feels so long ago. “I’ll make you proud, Nishiki. I’ll do it…”

 There’s nothing else for him to say, or at least there’s nothing else that he can bring himself to say, not with all the thoughts swimming inside his head. Keeping up with them is proving to be a harder task that he thought.

As he takes a few steps behind, Kiryu feels lightheaded, a very similar feeling to when he’s drunk, even though he’s sober - for now, because later he plans to get as smashed as he can. He shakes his head, trying to get it together, and he manages to succeed, at least from an outside perspective.

 He feels bad about abandoning Nishiki and Yuko again, but Kiryu needs to go. He knows this was just a detour, and that he can’t stay here for too long, not when he knows there’s something Kazama-san needs to tell him.

This doesn’t mean though that he feels good as he begins to walk away, towards the parking lot where Kashiwagi-san is waiting for him.

Now that he’s seen Yuko and Nishiki’s graves, a heavy burden has settled upon his shoulders, but with it, also comes conviction.

 Yes, he’ll raise to the top, just like he and Nishiki had promised to each other so long ago.

He’ll do it for them.

[jumukus]

A3! Translation: Muku Sakisaka’s SR [Mankai Playback] - The Consequences of Being a Natural Air-Head

translation under the cut.

Summer Troupe: Happy birthday!!

Muku: Whoa…! Thank you!

Kazunari: Yeaay! Let's have a total blast at Mukkun's birthday party~!

Misumi: Muku, happy birthday! Here's a sparkling triangle for you~! Let's go play with the cats again someday~.

Kumon: I'm so happy to be able to be in the same troupe and Muku and perform together! I have so much fun! Let's keep working together, 'kay!

Tenma: Your acting is poised now, you have improved. I'll keep you company when you want to do independent training or perform a street act.

Kazunari: Chatting with you is so much fun, Mukkun! It relaxes me. You're the best roommate I could ever ask! Thanks for everything, man!

Yuki: Since you've grown taller lately, why don't you try wearing clothes that you usually don't wear? Lemme pick some that will look good on you.

Izumi: Happy birthday, Muku-kun. Thank you for always being considerate and helping us out.

Just like what Tenma-kun said, your acting has improved so much. Let's keep doing our best together.

Muku: Director-san… Guys…

Oh no, I'm so happy I feel like crying. Thank you very much!

To think that you even prepare this much of gifts…

...Huh? Don't tell me the bunny character in this box is…

Kazunari: Oh, you noticed? It's the mascot character from your favorite shoujo manga!

Yuki: Kazunari showed me the character, and I made that.

Muku: Whoa, it's so cute! That's Yuki-kun for you…! I'm so happy, you see, I really like this story!

Misumi: What kind of story is it~?

Muku: It's a romance/adventure story set in a fantasy world. The story is really touching!

There's a part where the hero and heroine get separated, but from that point onwards, the flow becomes really better--.

This mascot character played a major part in helping them reunite. It was so tear-jerking and beautiful…!

Kazunari: Yep, I totally get you…! Even Furuche-san said the story in that volume was good!

Yuki: That money-grubbing yakuza read it too? Oh wow.

Tenma: He's a member of the shoujo manga appreciation club, after all.

OPTION 1: You're good at explaining, Muku-kun.

Izumi: You're good at explaining, Muku-kun.

Kumon: Right! I got super curious of the manga after listening to Muku’s talk!

Kazunari: It makes you want to read it, right!? Muku's really good at explaining the characters and synopsis!

Misumi: I'm having fun seeing Muku talk so happily like that~. I wanna read the manga together~.

Tenma: Now that I think about it, you often explain the highlights and synopsis of our play whenever we distribute flyers.

Yuki: Though there are also times when you get too passionate you can’t stop talking.

Izumi: Ahaha. I think that is also one of Muku-kun's good sides.

I think I'm gonna read that manga too. I'm also curious.

Muku: Do read it! It makes me so happy that you gain interest in it! Let me lend you all the volumes!

OPTION 2: Shoujo manga appreciation club seemed to be so much fun.

Izumi: The shoujo manga appreciation club seemed to be so much fun.

Muku: Yes! It's really fun!

Tenma: Do you do things like holding a tea party and lending shoujo mangas?

Kumon: I was super shocked when I knew Sakyo-san is one of the members!

Yuko: Even though he looks like that, that money-grubbing yakuza reads everything regardless of the genre.

Misumi: The three of you discussed manga in the balcony the other day, right~?

Kazunari: Since both Mukkun and Furuche-san read a lot of mangas, they're so knowledgeable about it! From classics to new works, they know everything!

Muku: Kazu-kun usually tells me right away whenever there's any info about release date or adaptation. Thank you for everything.

Talking about your favorite works with someone is so fun, indeed. It makes you love the story more and more.

***

Muku: Come to think of it, back when I was still in the track-and-field club, there were some members who also loved this manga. We used to talk about it.

Misumi: Oh, right~! You used to be in the track-and-field club, right, Muku~.

Kazunari: I wanna know about the Mukkun in track and field club! How were you like!?

Muku: I was pretty much the same back then!

Kumon: It must be really fun to have Muku as your senior in the club~!

Izumi: Members of the track and field club came to watch our show before, and you said your team was a good team, right?

Muku: Yup! Since all of us were close, we often talked about a lot of things.

We helped each other practice and gave advice about forms and the likes.

***

Muku: If you change the way you run like this, I think you won't be much affected by the wind.

Junior: Like this?

Muku: Yep, that's right!

Junior: Thank you, Sakisaka-senpai! It was so easy to understand.

Okay… I'm going to run once again. Can you watch me?

Muku: Sure. Good luck!

Junior: ...Umm, senpai! If you're not troubled by it…!

If I manage to surpass my own record… Can we go home together??

Muku: Together?

Sure, okay.

Junior: Huh… S-Seriously!? I'll do my best!

Muku: (Hm? I wonder what happened.)

(Ah! Do, Don't tell me she's going to stay and practice until late if she doesn't surpass her own record…!?)

(It's a good thing that she has enthusiasm in practice, but as her senior, I have to watch over her so that she won't push herself too hard!)

***

Junior: My time… I, I did it! It's my personal best!

Muku: Whoa, congrats!

Junior: Thank you, Sakisaka-senpai!

Muku: Well then, shall we go home together once practice is over?

Junior: Ye…Yes!

Muku: After I taught her how to run faster, she broke her personal record and she was happy about it.

Kazunari: Hang on, hold up, OMG Mukkun!? That's not the case!

Muku: Huh?

Yuki: Doubt that junior even thought about staying late to practice.

Muku: I-Is that so…?

Kumon: So, so…! Did you go home with that girl in the end!?

Muku: Yup. We talked about shoujo mangas and club activities on our way home.

Oh, but come to think of it…

Misumi: Hm? What happened~?

Muku: There's something that got me a little bit curious…

Tenma: Curious?

Kazunari: Oh, oh, what is it~?

***

Muku: (The tournament is fast approaching… Everyone is in good shape, so I hope we can get good timing.)

Junior: ...Sa-Sakisaka-senpai!

Muku: Huh? What's the matter?

Junior: Once the tournament is over… there's something I want to tell you.

Muku: Something you want to tell me?

Is it something that you're worried about…? In that case, don’t hesitate and tell me before the tournament.

Junior: It's, It's not! It's pointless if it's not after the tournament…!

I… I'll be taking my leave, then!

***

Kumon: Don't, Don't tell me that is..!

Izumi: Did she manage to tell you what it is?

Muku: No, I got injured right after that… I couldn't enter the tournament.

Without listening to what she wanted to say, I left the club…

I wonder what did she want to talk about…?

Kazunari: Mukkun, that is…

Izumi: Ye, yeah.

Muku: She said it wasn't something she was worried about…

Oh! Could it be something about this manga? The release date for this manga was near the tournament day.

Even if she wanted to talk about it, it'd be hard to do it before the competition. We'd end up practicing until late if we did.

Misumi: Muku is so kind~!

Yuki: Nah, that's totally not it.

Kazunari: Mukkun, why do you think she'd be willing to wait until the end of the tournament just to talk about that…!

Tenma: I feel bad for that junior…

Muku: Huh? Huh?

Kumon: Did, Did anything happen after that?

Muku: I barely met her at school… I once bumped into her at the supermarket, though.

But for some reason she left in a hurry when I tried to call her…

Izumi: Huh? I wonder why.

Kazunari: BTW, were you alone at the time?

Muku: No, I was with Director-san.

Izumi: Huh? Me?

Kumon: Oh my… I'm sure she thought Director was Muku's girlfriend…

Tenma: Having misunderstood that, she couldn't say anything…

Kazunari: Ssst!

Muku: ???

Oh! But the next time I met her, she said she's gotten so into track and field. It looks like she won the regional tournament too.

I hope the things that I taught her were helpful…

Kazunari: It's totes hopeful, I'm sure!

Misumi: Yep, yep!

Yuki: ...So instead of giving up on love, she poured all of it into track and field.

[bearpillowmonster]

Whisper of the Heart Review

It's not always "what" they do, it's how they do it. There's a scene where Shizuku and her sister are talking but they're in a bunk bed with her sister on top and her on bottom. So Shizuku is just looking up at the top of a moving bunk bed as the voice of her sister. I know it sounds like a small thing but the angles in this movie are really nice, nice cinematography, it makes this world feel lived in. Not to mention they nail the slice of life stuff, they make it feel so real by adding these little details that you wouldn't normally see in a movie, and it makes sure to account for the empty space as well.

Normally that's a bad thing for a movie but this uses it to its advantage. She runs down the street and a dog barks "Can you bark a little louder?" they give a peek at the old man's life before the movie, Yuko says she's not speaking to her father, the mom taking college classes, stuff like that, that isn't essential or contributing to the plot but the world building, the character building. I always hear that kind of stuff about Spirited Away and how the world feels like an actual world you would want to go live in, I just must not have caught it back then so I might need to see it again.

To expand upon that, the shading in this thing is gorgeous, the animation is so nice, it doesn't have that bubbly crying like more recent Ghibli movies have but I consider that a good thing, this is definitely one of my favorite Ghibli movies so far, right under Spirited Away. Also, is it a norm for Ghibli movies to have so many references? I caught quite a few, Porco Rosso, Kiki, Castle in the Sky, a scene very reminiscent of Howl, that's cool that they allude to them, not to mention The Cat Returns is a spinoff of this based on a sequence. I hate seeing that cat, he's not really a full character in this but seeing who he is actually made me reconsider whether I want to see more of him.

One minute they're fighting and the next minute they're buddy-buddy, that's one thing I know about Ghibli, they do that with their characters quite a few times and in a way it's funny.

This is only a bit of a spoiler but the bike scene is easily the best, it takes up the visual representation that he's trying to learn to make violins in order to support them both so he's climbing up this hill with her on the back of his bike and Shizuku isn't having any of that, she doesn't want to be a burden. That's another thing about Ghibli, they normally have strong female characters, Shizuku is no exception, she gets off and starts pushing the bike, helping, she wants to support too by writing to her heart's content.

Speaking of, some of the stuff she says about writing (though little) seems pretty accurate, when her parents are sitting her down, I know exactly what she's going through and how she feels, I'm a writer, I know she is itching to go back and that she feels like her parents are just dragging her away from her goal but that's not even the best of it. So during that sit down conversation, the unexpected happened, they basically say they trust her. I had to pause the movie and look in awe "Did I hear that right? They're letting her go on about it? No contest? No obstacle?" Especially after they introduce the idea that they don't push her to study hard enough towards the beginning, I was shocked they didn't try to play the "We're going to be more authoritative." card. I love it, I really love it, they support her, even though she doesn't want to even tell her parents that she's writing (I get that feeling, I literally do that, I don't show my parents my current projects) that's part of the whole reason I started watching this movie in the first place, the concept sounded really cool, kind of creepy in American standards but still very relatable and the character's drives are inspiring.