#reading the four swords manga

[iridescentgleam]

Stopping in to say, I love how this:

Vio, very casually not being a part of this thought,

Became this:

This:

And this:

Like, damn Vio, if you knew you were gay, you could've just said something lmao

[localicecreambiter]

its giving whimsy

[zelda-daily]

If you've read any of the mangas, your favorite character/design?

Day 45: Red Link :)

[spadeprincesss]

Here they are! My headcanon designs for the colors + Shadow! These are set a few years after the events of the manga, early twenties I would say! There’s a lot to this simple AU I’d love to talk about so if anyone is interested lmk!

Was gonna do Zelda but I already love her canon design there’s not much I can add to it to make it better.

[slaingelo]

lmao

[indigos-stardust]

their autism clashes so hard (so do their traumas <3)

[fourswordsannotated]

akira himekawa are unbelievably cool.

soooo here's the thing. i was looking at akira himekawa's website on a whim and found a public blog, with posts that go all the way back to 2009. many hours of google translating later, and i've developed an even stronger admiration of these two women and their exceptional career as manga artists. they share so much in these posts about the creative process, their thoughts on social justice, their connections with nature, and their most major original story, gliding reki, which seems to have always been a passion project in the midst of commercial work.

from what i could gather, reki is unique in that they were determined to do it in full color. and they did it, because after reading about their career, it's clear to me that when these women set their mind to an idea, they make it happen. see also: they just recently produced and distributed their own art book, because no publishers were offering to do it in a way that pleased them.

their stated goals for reki were to make something more adult than their previous children's manga, taking place in a city, involving a lot of mechanical art, and featuring stronger romantic and self-described erotic subtext. good for them. before i get into the four swords-related stuff, i'm sharing what i could find on the internet about reki.

more under the cut, because there's quite a bit to discuss :)

not much that i could find on the blog specifically references four swords, but they have many fascinating insights about nintendo, the zelda fandom, and the franchise as a whole. i can't know for certain because this information was surmised from translated text, but it seems as if their manga with chibi link made them feel a little stifled, which is why they took a long break before returning to do twilight princess. it's not lost on me that even a work like four swords, which they may regard as not their favorite or best, still has inspired and brought together so many passionate, creative, and diverse people. this is especially sweet because it seems as if they met each other, and formed their creative partnership, because of a shared fandom interest of their own.

honda and nagano have shared their thoughts and feelings on this blog for more than a decade, and they have a lot of thoughts and feelings. throughout their entire career they've made commentary on work-life balance, their experiences as women in a male-dominated field, and their desire to create original art while simultaneously enjoying some commercial work as well. they are passionate about social justice, particularly re: women and indigenous people, and offer insights on aspects of culture and history and the state of the world that really could resonate with anyone. and they really seem to appreciate fans of their work, and emphasize repeatedly the care and thought they put into their manga in the hopes it will inspire and bring catharsis to readers. they love animals (especially wolves), being outside in nature, being nerds about art they enjoy, a certain subgenre of romantic manga that appealed to and empowered female readers in the 90's and 2000's, and traveling around the world to partake in activities like horse riding and falconry.

the coolest part is, they're still updating the blog to this day :) in fact they seem to have recently returned to it, reflecting that twitter is not their preferred manner of sharing things online. they seem very familiar with and fond of older-school blogging culture.

there's a lot more i could say here about my findings, some of which do pertain to... certain ships 💜🖤 . but i don't want my genuine appreciation for these authors to be overshadowed by that kind of conversation. in addition to a link to the blog itself, i'm including a few translated posts of interests, which you can interpret and incorporate into your perception of the media however you please. at the end of the day, it's a really cool gift that these artists have chosen to share so much over such a long period of time. by making their personalities, beliefs, and insights more visible to fans of their work, i hope it brings new context to the stories we already love.

a modern-day insight:

re: the zelda mangas. these are from several points throughout their career. please note that they have so many fond things to say about zelda as a franchise and their work on the mangas, especially regarding the way they've affected fans. i encourage you to look for yourself, on their blog and their other socials!

re: gliding reki

re: the creative process (and in the latter two, the fandom that seems to have inspired them!)

re: their two goofyass adorable tiny dogs that they dress up in outfits while also loving wolves like a lot, they love wolves (both domesticated and wild), they really love wolves

re: wolf day (every day is wolf day,)

re: indigenous rights

re: painting serious works on commission vs their manga. i can't know for sure exactly what it means, but it really does kinda hit

re: a fan and manga artist in training bringing them art and a note

and a moment from a twilight princess manga interview i found very sweet :)

okay. you've made it to the end. i know you're wondering. here you go. please remember that this is and always has been a public blog, and these posts are actually from 2009 and 2010. also please remember that the point of this post is not to cause or fuel fandom discourse, but to appreciate these authors and the things that they choose to express.

(also, this is the column they were referring to in image 1. it's FASCINATING. give it a read if you'd like!)

the dots are there. you're welcome to connect them.

thank you for your beautiful work and insights, honda and nagano. please never change.

[moons-now-seperate-art-blog]

Art of Chapter 3 from @adel-memes fic, Elixirs, Remedies, and Redemption! I mainly just wanted an excuse to draw some glowy stuff lol

(ooooooooooooo you wanna go read it so bad oooooooooooo)

[lunavagans]

Made some fanart for Elixiers, Remedies and Redemption by @adel-memes!! First one‘s a little thing based on the very first moment of the fic because I love the mental image. My rendition of it not so much but that‘s my skill issue.

And this one‘s some lineart practice (that you can‘t see in the final product because of the background :/) with different versions because I was playing around with the opacity of the shading and unsure what colour the gratitude crystal should glow in

[vio-starzz]

Ao3 Link!!

—-

They stare blankly to the sky, the sun setting in the distance as they breathe in the heavy air around.

Or, it was heavy, but it seems to get lighter as their body relaxes against the soft grass. Flowers brushing gently along their skin and leaves swaying into one another peacefully from the trees nearby.

The world around was a lot more calming when the sun sets. As the stray animals find a place to rest, and the night creatures begin to creep back within the safety of shadows… Having no clouds in the sky however tonight, would be delightful.

The sun doesn’t stay in the sky much longer, fully sinking beyond an empty horizon as they softly sigh in peace. Things felt serene, no clouds to block the moon as it reveled in being seen full and true for a night.

Full and true… It’s beauty unmatched as even the stars alongside sparkled and even shot past in soft white streaks against the night fallen sky.

Fuck, Vio loves the night so much.

Just as they begin to watch intently, they feel the shadows increase around, right before two arms wrap around their waist from behind and a familiar form nuzzles into their neck.

“Hiya Vi~”

Shadow says cheerfully, clearly having been looking— and finally actually finding— Vio again. Though, Goddesses forbid Shadow can be absolutely a dork even when clearly looking for chaos.

“Hello to you as well, Shadow”

That gets a groan out of their shadowy friend, as they move from behind, to in-front of Vio in a swift reaction of shadow to form… Bonking heads instantly with them.

“Hey-!”

Vio jumps a bit at the affectionate contact, not expecting that almost instantly from Shadow, but, hey. At least it wasn’t too hard..

“Stop being so boooooooring! What are you even doing!?”

Vio only chuckles, watching as Shadow moves to their side, cuddling up softly and leaning his head up against Vio… Sighing in content as it’s always nice to receive touch from a trusted person.

“Watching the stars, they’re.. Beautiful…”

Shadow smiles at that response, looking into Vio’s eyes and just seeing how the moon softly glows on them… Making them… Absolutely beautiful under the night… He didn’t exactly want this moment to end, and he certainly wanted to stay with Vi longer…

“Could you tell me about the stars?”

Vio’s eyes widen—

“U-uh.. Are.. Are you sure?”

“Yeah!”

Vio’s eyes light up, as they look back up to the sky… The chance to rant and ramble and info dump is one of Vio’s favorite things..

“Ah! Okay— So: Stars—“

…If Vio noticed the rest of the night, how Shadow never looked to the stars.. Instead maintaining a look towards Vi and his eyes, his body: Never the sky…

The didn’t say a thing.

Hell, they both know whatever the fuck they are.. It’s a lot more than normal friends.

[iridescentgleam]

First of all:

I love the expressions and the poses in these panels with all of me. Vio plays the part of the villain quite well. Were I not, unfortunately, already exposed to almost every major spoiler in this book, he'd have me convinced.

I'd like to focus on this panel a little bit too. Shadow's dialogue is obviously meant to taunt Red, Blue, and Green and make them hurt over Vio's betrayal by pinning the blame on them. I'm curious, though, if his words come from his own observations or from what lies Vio's fed to him.

I just added this one because I thought Blue blaming books, of all things, for Vio's betrayal was hilarious lmao. Wtf are you on about, Blue? You sound like a strict Christian Mom trying to limit what media her kids can consume lmao.

This look has me WEAK, omg. Vio casting one last look over his shoulder at the rest of the colors before he has to go back and pretend to be on the evil side... 💜

I know I added a similar image in my last post, but like... Someone needs to tell me what they have going on and, like, now please,,,

[localicecreambiter]

none of then know why he came. he hates the beach

[thorntopieces]

@fourswordsannotated hello there.

These aren't one-to-one translation but capture the mood (DISCLAIMER: German is my third language. While I am fluent I sometimes make interpretation mistakes - feel free to correct them)

Shadow: "We're both (so) similar, don't you think (so)?" (tone reads as suggestive)

Shadow: "Why did you sink so low/why do you bother hanging around these amateurs?"

Vio: "..."

Shadow: "Follow me into the world of shadows. A throne is waiting there for you, one that you're worthy of" (manner of writing suggests that going back to the other colours are not worthy, while the turn to the dark side (=the throne) is)

Vio: "L... Let me go..."

Also an interesting note: Shadow in at least the german edition has a completely different font to the other characters. It might be that way in the English pretty Edition too (I've got the box set of the mangas in English, and there is no font distinction there)

Comparison to the English text:

Shadow: "I want to know what you think. I'll listen.

Shadow: "Those others don't want to think at all, just fight."

Vio: "..."

Shadow: "Tell me everything. I want to hear it all. We're so similar, you and I."

Vio: "L... Let go."

[indigos-stardust]

Violet and Blue Bruises: Catfight

part 1 / part 2/ part 3/ part 4

Expectation:

(used a base found online made by AlexBaxtheDarkness on DeviantArt)

Reality:

Click for higher quality^^ Reblogs appreciated <3

The Tea:

The second that the two made contact, any hope of a somewhat peaceful resolution was lost. Blue immediately tackled Vio.

It was no duel. There's only nasty scraps, pushing, hard hits, and a pathetic scramble for leverage over the other, each barely managing to shift the tides before the other makes another move.

The bruises blossom, painting their skin with every forceful hit against furniture, floor, and bone. Fingers dig into soft skin, deep and piercing. Not as piercing as their f*cking screeching though. Shadow's been a bit bored recently just, sitting there being a shadow, so this? This is glorious.

He isn't quite rooting for Blue even though he still sees Vio as the traitor he is (okay, he understands why Vio betrayed him but still!! it hurt a lot okay?!), but honestly? He was gonna reevaluate all his feelings, because this? This was beautiful.

Sure, the losers spent several minutes practically rolling around like pigs trying to get any easy marks they could, but the second Blue got the upper ground (literally, Blue took a lot better care of himself than Vio and his strength definitely showed it, with how he was able to pin Vio down despite Vio's erratic squirming and clawing) - Oh man, Vio seemed trapped. How nice.

Blah blah blah, " What pissed you?!" blah blah blah garbage from Vio about, "Just giving what's due you dull headed-" and more blah blah blah something about, "YOU"RE SUCH A GREEDY COWARD, you aren't and never were there when we needed you!"

Honestly, where was the real drama? No ironic wordplays?

Blue clearly wanted to get this situation under control. So, he decided to very calmly and reasonably inquire, "WHAT 'S YOUR DAMN PROBLEM YOU STUPID *SS PIECE OF NERD?"

Honestly, Shadow hadn't ever known Blue could be so eloquent! It would be upsetting though if the fight ended this early, so for the first time he offered a small prayer to Hylia. Perhaps she could influence and spur on her pathetic little light worlders to keep the scrap going? And oh did she answer his prayers-

Like poetry in motion, Vio practically pierced Blue's shoulder with a fierce and rapid bite. A perfect twist of the head, just the perfect amount of force- and at the most perfect spot to induce the most pain without any real injury! Shadow had taught him that... He remembered.

F*ck Blue, Vio might suck but this was the most beautiful thing he's ever seen!

Of course, now they were both standing again! And in a new bigger territory! THE LIVING ROOM!!! Shadow hadn't been this thrilled since he died!!

A whirling heavy book smashing against Vio's skull followed a war cry of, "MAYBE THIS"LL TEACH YOU A LESSON ON HOW TO NOT BE A TOTAL D*CK!??" Pure poetry, if Shadow had a mortal form, he'd be wiping tears! Though he doesn't know if it be from laughter or pure joy!

OOH PERFECT THEY SMASHED RED'S NEW MUG? Ohohoho more dangers on the battlefield~~~(not to mention it could spur on another fight for whose fault it was later! this was like what? Red's third "new favorite best mug!" because all his favorite mugs always break?)

Shadow was just enjoying the show, excited for the grand finale- Someone was going to throw a chair!! He had to see how this would end-

The front door slams open. Green busts in, eyes panicked, face flushed. Red anxiously trying to look inside behind the frozen Green.

They freeze.

Oh.

Oh no.

lmso I might make part 4 later today or tomorrow lol

[cervideity]

messin around