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zgvlt · 2 years

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twst & tsumtsum collab scenarios part 1, ft. leona, cater, epel, sebek x reader (separate)

author's note: Based on the JP TWST Event. I might be a little late to the Tsum trend so hopefully no one’s written out these exact plots lol, and if someone has, i apologize! part 2 with riddle, floyd, jack... maybe, if people want it lol

general tags: gender neutral reader, sfw, fluff, attempt at humor, not beta read

edited: july 31, 2022

LEONA KINGSCHOLAR

Maybe people expected him to be jealous, but it was too small to be a threat (or, you have nap time with your boyfriend… and the sentient plushie creature that looks like your boyfriend)

wc: 840+ words

specific tags: established relationship

“You act all disinterested, but a certain herbivore comes up and suddenly you’re all interested, are you?”

The tsums couldn’t exactly speak so it wasn’t like it could reply, but the way it turned away from him (even more than it already was) to fully look at you was enough of a response, a testament to just how right he was.

“Seriously, you can pretend all you want, but you’re not fooling anyone.”

It wasn’t that the being was particularly obvious or anything, it just so happened that Leona was not only the observant sort, but he had more than enough information to make deductions over what the creature was probably feeling.

If he was right about his assumption that the tsums came from an alternate universe, one where a tsum of Ruggie, or the remaining dorm leaders, or even you existed, then this tsum was essentially a version of him—a little caricaturized, some personality differences, an extreme size difference, but him nonetheless. Thus, it was an easy deduction to make that the tsum was probably attached to you because he happened to be dating you.

The tsum turned around to stare at him. He stared back.

Was he really that bored out of his mind that he decided it would be a good idea to talk to something that can’t talk back?

Well, no, he didn’t think it was necessarily a good idea, but he just impulsively did it anyway. It was mildly entertaining seeing the little punk stay in denial while blatantly staring at his partner.

It could have been asleep right now, just as he could have been asleep right now, but it was too busy doing the same thing as him—waiting for you to join him on the bed for a quick, hasty, several hour nap.

“Hah, look at you—on the verge of falling asleep but forcing yourself to stay up. How cute. If you really can’t stay up any longer, you should just give up, you know?”

The tsum wouldn’t look at him anymore, although it did decide to lean its body against him. Well, whatever, he was getting tired of talking anyway.

“Leona, are you bullying the tsum again?”

Speak of the devil.

“Bullying? Me? Like I would stoop that low, to bully something so much smaller than me.” As if a representation of him would allow itself to get bullied anyway, even if it was by him. “Just having a friendly chat is all.”

“Right. Leona Kingscholar, fearsome leader of Savanaclaw, having a friendly and wholesome chat with a plushie. I’m certainly convinced,” you said, neither sounding nor looking very convinced. “Just what would the two of you be discussing anyway?”

“A common point of interest.”

“And that is?”

“You, obviously,” he replied without an ounce of hesitation or shame. Why would he be? You liked him, he liked you, what was there to be flustered about?

You seemed to agree with the sentiment—you didn’t give much of a reaction, you probably anticipated that as a possible answer or eavesdropped at some point—but the tsum…

“Huh, isn’t that kind of cute?”

It was intent on looking at you pretty much most of the time just a minute ago, and now it suddenly wouldn’t look at you.

“Yeah. It’s so… baby?” you replied, sitting down on the bed next to him—and by proximity, sitting close to the tsum as well. “That kind of attitude… that reminds me of the time, you know, before we started dating and–”

“Alright, that’s enough chit-chat. We didn’t skip class to talk all afternoon,” he interjected, pulling you to lie down next to him.

He looked at the tsum. You looked at the tsum. The tsum wouldn’t look at anyone. Then, the two of you looked at each other.

“It’s going to get squished in the middle. I don’t know if it can get hurt, but no risks. It’ll be troublesome if anything happens.”

“It’ll just have to stay on my free side then. I’ll leave enough space between us so it doesn’t get flattened while we’re napping.” Leona had to laugh at that one. He was sure the little one was going to cuddle up to you one way or another. Really, it should just give up all shame (like he had, some time too long ago).

Maybe his nature or reputation, perhaps simply his beastman instincts, would have people expecting him to be jealous of every being and thing that came close to his partner, including some odd creature that descended from the sky, but it was too small to be a threat.

Hardly even a threat, considering it was not only infatuated by you, it was in fierce denial of it too.

Plus, it looked like him, and you were easily the most overjoyed about a tiny Leona Kingscholar you can carry at the palm of your hand, going on and on about how you can finally say you can have the whole world in your hands so he supposed he didn’t mind the creature hanging around much. As long as it makes you happy.

CATER DIAMOND

Cater didn’t think it would be a big deal letting the tsum scroll through MagiCam (or, Cater Tsum spends too much time looking at photos of you, and Cater suddenly has some explaining to do)

wc: 790+ words

Cater Diamond might have, just possibly, severely underestimated the power, skill, ability that tsums seemed to possess. Rather, he thought it would stop at Cay-Tsum simply being good at throwing punches, being photogenic, and having a really good eye at photography and editing.

That was why he didn’t think it would be a bad thing for it to scroll through his phone while he was in class.

One, it would give the tsum something to do while he was in class, something to keep it from being bored and what was a better time-waster than a phone? Plus, it already showed before that it could scroll through a phone with its entire body, which was kind of fun to watch.

Two, because the tsum could do that task on its own, Cater would not be required for the activity, which was fortunate because three, he really should be paying attention to this one class just so he does good enough to not fail the upcoming exam. Having his phone occupied by the tsum was a good way to keep it out of reach.

So really, Cater thought it would be fine to leave the tsum to its own devices. What was the worst it could do? Switch apps to take timered selfies of itself? Start posting said selfies on his MagiCam?

Well, it apparently found your MagiCam.

Maybe it found you aesthetically-pleasing, or maybe you reminded it of another tsum from back home, but whatever it was had Cay-Tsum scrolling through all your photos. Well, that was fine—he himself wasn’t immune to stalking all his friends’ accounts, and what was a tsum with a harmless crush (that it probably inherited from him, oops) going to do anyway?

Besides, he’s already liked all your photos, almost always as soon as you post them, so there was no risk of being caught mass-liking your posts and having you calling him out for something the tsum did.

It would be safe to let the Tsum just do what it wanted while he worked on an activity, and maybe it’ll eventually move on to someone else’s page, or go watch those videos on his feed about the latest trends.

Well, he was wrong.

Of all times he had a substantial amount of self-restraint in touching his phone during class, it just had to be when he allowed Cay-Tsum to have full control over it? Should he have turned on parental controls? Put on a baby sensory video instead?

“Cater…”

“Just so you know, totally wasn’t my fault!” Partially. Maybe he shouldn’t have left his phone unattended. “This little guy did it!”

You looked at the tsum sitting at the palm of his hands, and the tsum looked back at you. If the little plushie had a tail Cater was certain it would start wagging, which was honestly just embarrassing. Can the tsum not expose him like this?

Expose him more than it already had, that is.

“You’re saying… the little plushie knows how to use MagiCam?” It sounded really silly now that you were putting it into words, but he swears up and down that Cay-Tsum, or perhaps all the tsums, were more capable than they might seem from the surface.

“Hehe~ Well, I knew it could take photos, but I didn’t realize it knew how to use a keyboard to comment on posts!” Well, more like using its body to spam heart emojis… wait, was that what it was doing jumping on his phone for, what, five minutes straight? “I should probably go delete those–”

“Nope! You don’t need to do that!” Was it just him, or did you suddenly look a tad more mischievous? “So the DMs… that was your doing, too?”

There were DMs?!

“Ehh~! What did it say!? Does it actually know how our common language works?”

“Oh! You know, this and that… I mean, I didn’t know it wasn’t you who sent it, so those heartfelt things I said… should I take it all back?”

Cater Diamond, NRC’s resident phone addict, was going to throw his phone on the ground and smash it into bits and pieces, until all that was left of it was dust and ash scattered to the wind, of which he would disintegrate with it.

“Cay-Tsum, you’re getting grounded from using my phone for the rest of the day, ‘kay~?”

He knew the tsum would have punched him if you weren’t holding the wriggling plushie back from doing so.

“Wait, Cater, I was joking! We just spammed each other with stickers?”

“Oh! You were? Who knew you were so good at playing around with people~ You’re so hard to read, never expected that from you! Well, then don’t mind me, Cay-Tsum! I was totes just kidding ♪”

EPEL FELMIER

Tsum Epel craves chaos. Epel enlists you, the Ramshackle prefect, to help him watch over it (or, in which Epel Tsum has a favorite first year, and it’s not Epel)

wc: 1.0k+ words

specific tags: ramshackle prefect! reader, references to epel and reader as "parents" (of the tsum)

Epel didn’t particularly enjoy having to beg or request for help, but it was absolutely needed at this point! The tsum was going haywire in Pomefiore’s lounge, and any more mud or dirt found by Vil would render Epel having to clean up after the creature again.

Sure, Vil thought cleaning was good for strengthening his arms (and he agreed, he did want a bit more muscle), but he was getting real tired of having to keep the little one in line. Was it because he was an only child that he couldn’t quite get used to looking after it from dusk till dawn?

The cluelessness on how to reel in the chaos, as well as his desire to keep sleeping in his dorm room and not in a cold classroom or bench outside, was his primary motivation to finally seek help from you.

He had briefly thought about asking the other tsum guardians, but they all seemed terribly busy with their own lookalikes or having more trouble than him (a certain redhead, one that was his senior, came to mind), so he doubted they could be much help. Obviously, the best person to approach was you. You already take care of Grim on the daily, who was half a pet and half a little brother anyway, so you could probably help him out, right?

Well, yeah, you did, but he wasn’t sure if it was gonna be that effective—did it listen to you? Oh, sure, even with the language barrier it liked you enough to listen to you, but that was the thing, wasn’t it? It only listened to you, so what was he gonna do when you weren’t around? It’s not like he can just say, “ah, yeah, make sure to be a good tsum or else the prefect is gonna be real upset with ya” or anything of the sort. Like, he’d try it but it wouldn’t even understand!

Or maybe it actually understood him and it was just being a bit of a rascal? That was always possible… oh hell, was that how his dorm leader perceived him? Bit embarrassing now that he was actually forced to take care of a heightened version of him.

Regardless, the situation was clear to him—Epel tsum behaved when you were around, and because of his job from the headmaster he had to be around you as well to look after the tsum before anyone had a way to get them back to where they came from.

So yeah, cool, he liked getting to hang out with you and Grim (and other first year friends, including Jack and Sebek who had their own tsums to chase after and shout at respectively), but getting teased about it was really not good for his temper.

“Epel… this is kinda sad.” Oh he knew what Deuce was talking about—not that he was gonna acknowledge it to his face, but he knew. “The prefect, your tsum… doesn’t it look like you’re a third wheeler?”

“The hell… it’s a sentient stuffed toy!” he whispered back, not hiding that he was beginning to be ticked off. At the first years? Partially. At the plush? Also partially. At you? Honestly, a little bit.

Like yes, you’re helping him, but do you really have to call the tsum literally every compliment under the sun except cute? He even heard a manly once, which was ridiculous considering you’ve never said that to him despite how much he’s wanted to hear it from you, yet you were gonna say that to some ball of fluff first? No wonder it liked you so much!

Why… Why did it like you, actually? Was there a prefect tsum too back in their world, or do tsums experience love at first sight or something? Kinda weird to think about.

“Your child is literally getting more affection from the prefect in two days than you have in, what, two weeks? Definition of sad. No wonder I got more experience in romance than you.”

“That’s literally not my child.” Honestly, when did people (note: Ace and Deuce) start seeing Epel Tsum as a child instead of a pet or strange unknown species or cute toy. Like, sure, he’d also referred to it as a child, in the kid brother kind of sense, but ain’t it weird to call a plushie a son or daughter or anything of the sort?

Also, no. He was, in fact, making steady progress with you. Obviously your feelings towards his tsum and his tsum’s appearance translated into possible affections for him… probably.

He wasn’t joking about his temper either. The joke was funny for a bit but then it actually hit him, and he really did not want Rook somehow finding out about him getting into a minor scuffle, then have Vil pop a vessel and lecture him about having the decency to at least keep a tussle out of the public eye.

Maybe the dorm leader would let it slide with extra chores on window cleaning or something if he passed it off as some playful roughhousing with the bros (specifically, Ace and Deuce. Ortho was too nice, and Jack and Sebek were admittedly too out of his league body ratio wise).

Actually, no. Epel had a much more brilliant idea.

“Tsum,” he murmured beside you, and though Epel Tsum was previously occupied with you he did jump upwards slightly to meet his eye. Okay, that was good, he just had to properly convey what he wanted.

“What’d you say about pickin’ a fight with Ace and Deuce over there, yeah? The ones without a tsum, you know the ones, don’t you?”

Besides, if the little guy really was like him, then he’d go for it, wouldn’t he? Sure, he’d get in trouble later for not restraining the tsum, but one, he’d get to sic a plush on two of his friends, which would be funny; two, he could watch what Jack and Sebek’s tsums would do, which would be a whole show at this point; three, he could finally spend some time with you again without the tsum, if just for a few minutes.

“Oh, you’re going for it! What a good tsum! Finally listenin’ to me, are ya?”

So maybe the two of them didn’t have that much of a language barrier after all.

SEBEK ZIGVOLT

To Sebek’s delight, Tsum Sebek finally leaves his young master alone. To his dismay, it’s to pester you instead (or, Sebek Tsum's thought process: you > Malleus > Sebek > everyone else)

wc: 1.0k+ words

Tsums were a particularly troublesome species of creatures. Not human or fae or mer, despite them seemingly sharing surface level similarities with people belonging to one of either three categories, but not exactly a beast like the prefect's charge either.

The tsum who, allegedly but certainly not verifiably, shared most similarity to him was particularly pesky for the sheer reason that it kept sticking beside his young master's side, the side that should have been reserved for him.

Even with being scolded it seemed to be resolved with wanting to stay by the Malleus Draconia's side—he understood those feelings perfectly, but it didn't mean he had to like it.

Today was another one of those days—Sebek wishing for the creatures to simply go back to their homes, wherever exactly home was for them, so he could properly do his duties and watch over the prince without a, as he had caught some of his dorm members calling it, mini-Sebek hopping around nearby.

(And even when the tsum wasn't next to the young master, it seemed to like sticking next to him, which was just as troublesome. Why was the creature constantly watching him? He would do research if he could, but the apparent lack of information, as well as Epel’s failed efforts to find information about their biology, held him back from filtering through library books.)

The tsum also liked to bask in the sun, hiding in his blazer when a particularly cold breeze swept the outdoors, which he could admit was quite similar to him, and it would sometimes zoom quickly (as quick as it could, that is) to wherever the young lord was, helping him and Silver with the near-impossible task of locating the presence of their liege.

Alright, so maybe the tsum wasn't too bad a presence, but he would much prefer it if the being separated from his young master for a little bit to bother someone, anyone else.

Maybe Sebek should have been more specific though. He didn't mean you.

Your presence was expected in Diasomnia's dorm lounge for the reason that you were his partner for an assignment, but what was not expected was the tsum to leave his dorm leader's side to quite literally throw itself against you.

"Oh!" you exclaimed in surprise, looking down at the being who seemed to be everywhere and nowhere all at once—not knowing where to position itself as it moved from your lap to the top of your head to atop to finally sitting itself above the palm of your hand. "I didn't know your tsum was so excitable, Sebek!"

"Yes, he's more than just a handful," literally, thought Sebek, and then inwardly groaning at such poor humor he had surely caught like a virus from one first year or the other, but confusion brewed at the back of his mind. He had so much difficulty getting the tsum out of his young master's hair, but it had chosen to leave just like that? To greet you?

"So cute…” Well, it seemed to like the attention (when did the tsum not like receiving attention?) based on how it decided to remain by your side instead of returning to him or the young master, but was the creature really that cute?

Well, it did remind him a little bit of the toys his father kept around his dental clinic to keep children occupied and calm while getting their teeth checked, and maybe once upon a time he played with those as well so he supposed he saw the appeal... but he’s seen better—the stuffed animals from Harveston*… never mind.

“You seriously think it’s cute?” You threw him a look as if to question if he was seriously asking that, but honestly Sebek was more caught up with the fact that you had only looked at him at that moment, too busy looking at the creature otherwise.

Wonderful. First it tries to steal his spot beside the young master, then it tries to steal your attention away from him… of which was important for him to keep because he was your partner—partner for an assignment, that is. Your attention on him was by extension attention on the assignment, on education and the task at hand. The tsum was distracting you from academics, clearly.

Is Sebek seething? A little bit (a feeling he’d rather not admit), but not quite enough to do anything about it, just enough to have his eyebrows furrow in impatience and irritation.

“Sebek, that’s a silly question. Of course it’s cute.” The tsum jumped off as you crossed your arms, clearly preening and perhaps even smug at the praise coming from you. Now who did this creature take after, because he certainly wouldn’t react that way if he were to receive–

“I mean, come on, a marketable plushie of a handsome man? Sure, it’s kinda weird that it moves by its own will and has a personality, but it’s cute!”

And then you brought your attention back to the tsum.

In any other situation, Sebek would be completely distracted by you implying that you found him handsome, and at some time between doing the assignment with you and preparing for bed the implications would eventually dawn on him and render him an incomprehensible screaming mess, but right now he was just frustrated, a frustration he cannot stomach at all.

“Excuse me for a moment.” He stood up from his chair to walk towards you. He looked at the creature who resided atop your hand again, and Sebek allowed it maybe a second or two of freedom as he stared it down. Then, he trapped it between both of his hands, pulling it far away from you.

Sebek was many things, and reasonable was not exactly one of them.

“If you really think I’m handsome, then don’t you dare take your eyes off of me!”

There were also many things Sebek had planned on saying instead, mostly having to do with finally starting that damned assignment, but because of the tsum and because of you, his words had gotten all mixed up—so you better not call him out when you have no one but yourself (and the tsum) to blame!

masterlist

*Harveston: Epel's homeland. The line is referencing the Kelkkarotu event from the JP server

i lose a year of my lifespan with every "tsum" i type, but i desperately needed to get the tsum brainrot out of my head so i can write other stuff without thinking of them lol

#twst x reader #leona kingscholar x reader #epel felmier x reader #cater diamond x reader #sebek zigvolt x reader #twisted wonderland x reader #nathya twst writing #twst imagines #leona kingscholar #epel felmier #cater diamond #sebek zigvolt

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hyenahunt · 1 month

Text

Obbligato: Epilogue - 4 (END)

Writer: Akira

Season: Winter

Characters: Hiyori, Jun, Tatsumi, Nagisa, HiMERU

Proofreading: Remi + 310mc (JP) & Skyress (ENG)

Translation: Peace & hyenahunt

Tatsumi: Amen.

[Read on my blog for the best viewing experience with Oi~ssu ♪]

Hiyori: Haha. Yes, do continue to lavish your praise upon our Jun-kun!

...Honestly, when I was first shown around Reimei Academy, I found myself feeling as though we'd gotten the short end of the stick.

At that time, we had nowhere else that we could go, so we'd no choice but to resign ourselves to it. That before we could escape from Hell, we'd continue to be trapped in its depths for a while longer still.

Hiyori: But you see, as I walked along preoccupied with such melancholy thoughts, I happened to look out the window, and there I saw Jun-kun, dutifully practicing in silence all on his own.

The atmosphere of Reimei Academy at the time was truly dreadful — everyone seemed either dead inside, or they glared at each other with pure resentment.

Jun-kun was the only one with none of that air about him — instead he aspired only to improve himself.

Hiyori: And what a beautiful sight he was... Of course, telling him that to his face would be too embarrassing — it'd go to his head and he'd never let me hear the end of it.

It was while watching this boy that I found it in myself to believe my decision hadn't been made in vain. That if there was even one person like him here, then perhaps it wasn't all so bad.

And so that's why I made the decision to enroll at Reimei Academy, with Jun-kun as my goal. Honestly, I was there initially to scope out Shuuetsu Academy, a school made up of nothing but Special Student elites.

But I found myself believing that I should start all over again at rock bottom and covered with mud, just like Jun-kun.

After all, when you're up somewhere so lofty and high, you'll fail to see what's truly important.

Jun: And just what have you been so cheerfully badmouthing me 'bout, huh~?

Hiyori: Goodness, I wasn't badmouthing you. You're simply being paranoid.

Jun: You swear?

Tatsumi: That's right. I believe that you're rather important to Tomoe-san, Jun-san.

Hiyori: It's true! You rank right after my family, namely Nagisa-kun and Mary!

Jun: I rank below a dog, huh?

Hiyori: If that bothers you so much, then climb your way up! Come now, put your all into it and work ever harder for my love!

Jun: Shut it... It's not like I'm working hard for the sake of your love, y'know~?

I'm working hard so that I can be a better version of myself. Maybe my life looks all kinds of unfortunate and pitiful besides yours, but...

That's precisely why I wanna become the best and strongest idol, so that someday I can declare that's who I am, loud and proud.

It's then that the hard work of my past self will finally all be worth it.

So I'm gonna work hard, right now. I'm gonna give it everything I've got — 'cause giving it all that I've got is all I can do.

Tatsumi: That's right. Fufu, you truly do have no need for God's divine protection.

Jun: You got that right. I don't need no God to save me — 'cause I'm gonna be the one who'll save myself.

Tatsumi: .......♪

Nagisa: ... Shall we stop this idle chatter and begin recording, everyone?

... Though we could simply just rehearse today, and leave the actual filming for another day…

... We don’t have another day to spare, do we?

HiMERU: HiMERU agrees. There is no time to be looking back on days gone by.

We must look towards the future instead, and live earnestly.

So long as we are allowed to do so.

HiMERU: (Kaname. My poor, pitiable little brother. I shall take your place, at least for now.)

(I hope that one day, when you are able to walk once more, you will be able to live a little happier than before.)

(I'll arrange an environment in which you can, and secure a place for you in it as well.)

HiMERU: (I am your older brother, after all.)

HiMERU: (When you awake, when you're able to walk once more…)

(I won't fail this time. I'll make your wish come true.)

(Long have I lived alone, void of any dream at all — and now what was yours has since become my own.)

Tatsumi: (... Ah, even though this is the same place as then, the same Reimei Academy…)

(It feels different. Right now, I feel so refreshed and full of energy.)

(Are you the one I should thank for that, God?)

Tatsumi: (Our Father who art in heaven, you have always guided my life with your hand.)

(Dear fate, dear faith, I thank you for leading me to where I stand today.)

(We have faced much sorrow, despair, and tragedy.)

(Nonetheless, I stand enveloped in the warmth I had always craved. If this is reward for my piety, O God, then I truly could never detest you.)

Tatsumi: (Even if it happens that God does not exist, and this is nothing but a series of coincidences…)

(Then I shall call those coincidences miracles, rewards, and love you all the more.)

(Amen.)

(Fufu. I shall do as Tomoe-san did and use Jun-san, whom he loves so much, as an example; I'll begin at the very bottom, crawling my way through the mud.)

Tatsumi: (No matter how often he gets knocked down, how often he collapses, he still stands right back up.)

(I am forever grateful for that. Not only do I have God on my side, but friends as well.)

(Such invaluable friends who support one another…)

(Who share their warmth, and move forward with happiness in their hearts.)

(We shall walk together on this road, step by step.)

Tatsumi: ♪～♪～♪

[ ☆ ]

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#ensemble stars #enstars #enstars translation #hyenahunttl #tatsumi kazehaya #hiyori tomoe #nagisa ran #jun sazanami #himeru #s: obbligato

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retracexcviii · 8 months

Text

About the raws

How time flies. I was going to make a post about this last chapter and have passed 2 months already XD My bad.

I decided not to post the raw scans here anymore.

I will still buy the new vnc chapters from the Gangan Joker because I like to have it, but I don't want to use my time creating a drive for it when MangaUp! has the new chapter available in english at the same time that Gangan Joker magazine has it in japanese.

EDIT: It seems like MangaUp! doesn't upload extra chapters in their app at the same time as Japan. So, from now, I'll only share the raws of these extras since the english version won't be available at the same time.

To use 30-60 mins to create 1 drive and another 30-60 mins to create the other it's pretty useless and a waste of time that I don't have.

Very few people here understand japanese. My main reason to make the drive in the past was that the magazine version was available +1 day before the official english version. So, even if you don't understand, you can see what happens in the chapter.

Right now we have both, english and japanese versions, at the same time. So there is no need to post the jp one because again, few people can enjoy it.

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meimi-haneoka · 1 year

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Cardcaptor Sakura Clear Card Chapter 73: Comments + JP-ENG translation differences

Welcome back everyone! We're here once again for another chapter of Cardcaptor Sakura Clear Card, one more that's guiding us towards the grand finale! In this chapter we finally get more things coming full circle, one in particular that I've seen many wondering about (and also many ready to dismiss as a plot hole 😅give them time, people, give them time). To be honest, I needed some time to brainstorm and ponder if I had understood certain parts of this chapter correctly 😅, since the content is quite complex, and each language decided to translate certain pivotal parts in different ways, adding to the confusion (because there doesn't seem to be a version everyone is agreeing on). In one specific case, that's normal (at the very end of the chapter) because the lack in the Japanese text of specific words (subject) to lead the interpretation in one direction or the other allows to get the translation in either way (as we'll see ahead). In other cases, it's just translation mistakes and omissions that make things a bit confusing. We also have to consider that it might totally be normal if we don't seem to get a clear, well connected answer in this chapter, because maybe the rest of the puzzle pieces will be in the following one: in this case we don't have to fret and just have faith that everything will be connected properly and be answered in due time. It's normal, this is a serialization, we should always look at the big picture and not at the single chapters, because in the future the whole story divided in volumes readily available will be all that the future readers will get. The "confusion" that we feel as lasting for a month or more, for future readers will last only some minutes, maybe one hour, the time needed to get to read the right chapter where everything gets solved. Sorry for this long introduction but in light of this chapter that made me sit down and reconsider multiple times how I understood things, I felt like it was worth mentioning it even here. Maybe, who knows, that will help sedate someone's frustrations. Alright, before diving into the chapter, as usual, the gif of the month! This time it's dedicated to Sakura 😂

Let's see what happened this month and if there are translation differences to point out! (spoiler, there are)

The Color Page

AAAAATTTT LAAAASTTTT!! FINALLY! After appearing with her back facing us, and then on the background with her eyes closed, we finally have a nice close up of our dear Lilie! With her eyes open!!! 😆 Predictable as it may sound, her eyes are indeed blue like her daughter! But....wait a second....her hair color changed or what??? 😂

After being consistently drawn with a mix of blonde and grey/dark blonde color for the darker parts of her hair, this time around we have a more uniform coloring that's veering more towards taupe! If I have to be honest, this color looks more similar to the shade they chose for Akiho in the anime! But....I like the ash blonde better ☹️ also it bothers me quite a lot that Mokona sensei changed the color at the end of the manga, after consistently drawing her blonde for 2 color pages, first because it's hard to get used to (at first glance my first thought was "WHO'S THIS? O_O), and then because my fanart is incorrect now 😂 But as you know, I always have to find the positive side to everything so I have to say that, while it'll take a while for me to get used to this change (should we consider it a permanent change or sensei just ran out of yellow copic?? 😂 *winks at her friends on a certain discord server*), I also appreciate it because it helps differentiating Lilie from her daughter even better 😊 especially considering they both have blue eyes now. They really would've looked like one another's clone (UGH O_O) if they kept it like that.... (Unless they want to change AGAIN Akiho's hair color too but then I'll riot). Lilie appears here in all her glory and beauty, with a heavily decorated dress as per CLAMP's tradition, she looks like a goddess 🥹 The color scheme is similar to that of her clan robe: white-light blue-golden. And no wings. Maybe this is from a time when she was still alive (she's got wings in the double spread with Nadeshiko). Sooo finally the mystery of the color of her eyes is solved 😆 (I wonder why they dragged it so long?) The JP text of the color page is simply the last thing she said to Sakura in last chapter before disappearing together with the dream: "I believe...in the two Alice". We also get a big text informing everyone of the decision to produce a sequel to the Clear Card anime! A bit late, but the news finally came for the magazine readers too! 😊

You're Unique

The chapter starts with Sakura going back home from school, in the afternoon of the same day we left her off in chapter 72. Kero and Suppi hear her from her room (are those Nintendo Switch Lite consoles? 😂) and they notice how she goes straight to Akiho's room today, without passing by her own room to drop her stuff first. From Kero and Suppi's words it's easy to infer that Sakura got a very close relationship with Akiho, and she often goes to talk to her after school. It's understandable, after all, they're convinced they have spent many years of their lives apart, and it's like they're really starting to know one another only now, so there's a special attachment between them. Attachment which Kero and Suppi don't miss to comment on, reiterating the "sister complex" comment that's honestly become the recurring joke of this series 😆 This also serves as an opportunity for Kero to comment on Touya, another Kinomoto sibling "plagued" with sister complex. 😆 Our elusive big brother seems to be staying at Yukito's today, and that's really not a weird thing in itself, but the fact that we couldn't see him ever since the forbidden spell was activated and we had the time skip, to see his reaction and whether he noticed something or not, is certainly suspicious. Suppi comments that even Nakuru is still staying at Yukito's home, and argues that it should be really time for them to go back home in England (he's had enough, poor Suppi 😂). Kero tells him that they can always come back as tourists in the future, and he will be their guide - Suppi agrees on one condition: that next time he must take them to a place where he doesn't need to pretend to be a plushie anymore 😆 So this apparently useless comedy skit actually manages to give us two interesting info: that Touya is at Yukito's place, apparently still eluding us (and Akiho??), but also that the forbidden spell didn't change the fact that Nakuru and Suppi came in Tomoeda, it's just that the memory change made them believe they simply came for tourism (of course, without Sakura's powers going berserk and failing to "feed" her creatures correctly, there wouldn't be any other need for them to come). In the meantime, Sakura knocks on Akiho's door and she goes inside, school bag and coat still in her arms. She asks Akiho if she came back early, and she confirms that today there wasn't any choir practice (so confirming also that Akiho is still part of the choir at school - told you, everything is still the same as before!). As soon as she enters, Sakura can't help but point out aloud how this room's plan is exactly the same as hers, but you can tell right away this is Akiho's room: it filled my heart with joy to see how the forbidden spell didn't change anything of Akiho's interests, she's still very much in love with books and got a tall bookcase full of them, and....my heart literally jumped when I saw a moon-shaped lamp on her nightstand!! CLAMP, are you toying with my heart? 😭🥹 Sakura remarks that despite everyone telling them they look very much alike, Akiho is actually her own distinct person.

Thank you, Ohkawa-sensei, for putting these words in Sakura's mouth. Thank you for clarifying to the whole fandom (who worried and in some cases complained about this so much) that no matter how much these two are told by other people how similar they are, each of them still retains their own unique personality, their hobbies, their interests, their dreams. You can really feel that their vibe is different. Not even magic can change that. No two human beings are the same, CLAMP was very adamant on that concept even when they talked about clones in Tsubasa Reservoir Chronicles. This is because our soul is unique across the universe(s). And these two are no exception. I always found so wholesome how none of them tries to "imitate" or "wish to have" something the other has. There's no need for jealousy. This is particularly true for Akiho whom, before the forbidden magic was activated, had experienced so much pain in her past and wasn't blessed with many things Sakura had instead. We haven't caught her envying Sakura, not even once, but actually admiring (it's different!) her friend for being able to do the things she didn't think she was capable of doing (remember her comment "Being able to do things by yourself without depending on others is amazing" ?), taking inspiration and even being brave enough to ask for help to improve in those aspects. That's not imitating, that's taking inspiration and strength from your loved ones to become a better person. This crucial theme will be reiterated in just a few pages.

The Pocket Watch

Akiho replies that the same goes for Sakura, she's also unique (JP, lit.: "There's just one Sakura-san in the world!") (I agree very much!) and Sakura bashfully laughs at that, when something catches her eye......a pocket watch, resting on a handkerchief on Akiho's desk, surrounded by certain tools. Kaito's pocket watch. The watch case is still broken, but the glass seem to have been repaired. So, for those who thought that the watch had been inside Akiho due to the exchange with the artifact book, this actually clarifies the doubt at once, and I think it makes perfectly sense. A book inside Akiho -> a book inside Kaito, and a pocket watch in Kaito's hands -> a pocket watch in Akiho's hands. The exchange is even. Sakura seems surprised at the sight of it, and it's apparent it's the first time she sees it ever since Akiho came living with them. Akiho explains that she found the watch back at Masaki's home, and no one knew how old this watch was or whom it belonged to. And yet, it seems Akiho had the urge to have it repaired, she says they tried to bring it to many watch repair shops to make it work again, without any success.

Sakura asks Akiho if she's actually trying to repair it herself (since the tools on the desk seem to suggest she'd been trying to do so), and Akiho replies something that made my heart melt at once:

Akiho, JP: "I don't know why, but the moment I met (this watch), I thought I had to make it work again" Akiho, JP: "Because I had the feeling it was very, very important (to me)"

Go on, CLAMP, keep stabbing my heart! 😭Gaaaah!! OF COURSE! Of course she would be getting that feeling!! Whatever function that watch will have in the finale, it's always been strictly correlated to Kaito, it seems there's a deep connection to him as the weaker he got, the more damage the watch took (randomly breaking on its own at different points of the story). It's as if Kaito literally left a part of him with her, consciously or not. And Akiho saying that is a testament to the strong bond between those two. A bond that not even a powerful, forbidden magic can erase. She might not remember now, but as soon as she found that "part of Kaito", her instinct told her to try to have it repaired at all costs, and in front of the failures of normal watch repair shops, she realized she had to try to make it work on her own. I'd like to think that it's because deep down she felt she was the only one capable to (this is actually what the French translation says, and although it's technically incorrect, it's a nice way to put it).

Akiho excuses herself for saying something weird (she didn't change even in that!), but as usual Sakura is super supportive of her and she tells her that she's absolutely sure she'll manage to make it work again. Foretelling powers, Sakura? 😏😆😆😆 This gives so much courage to Akiho, of course. And taking the chance of "weird talks", Sakura decides it's time for another kind of strange talk.....she finally decides to tell everything to Akiho about her magic and what happened in the years they spent apart, just like she announced in chapter 71!! We skip directly all the details we know all too well and get directly to Akiho's reaction, which is speechless at first (with Sakura fussing and apologizing that she blurted it all out on her and overwhelmed her 😂) but then excitedly thanks her sister for telling her about this, she's delighted because it feels just like a story coming out of one of the books she usually reads, and actually wants to hear more (complete with her usual 'excited flowers' like I usually call them 😂)!! Aaaah, it was so nice to see her reaction because it was exactly what I've been expecting from her. Akiho adds something really, really important: Akiho, JP: I just thought, 'We're twins, and yet so different, and that makes me so happy'. Akiho, JP: I can't use magic, but... If there's something you can't do and I happen to be good at it, then I might be able to help you out, precisely because we're different. The wording the ENG version uses is also very good, I liked how they specified (even if not present in the original text) "It's good we're different". Because it's very important.

And then, in the very next panel, a surprise: Akiho (involuntarily) quotes her own young mother Lilie in chapter 72, expressing herself with the same words, gesture and all, saying "It's what I can do...and what I can't...that makes me who I am". As you can see above, Akiho and Lilie are almost identical, save for Akiho's cowlick and the length of the hair. Little trivia: the line both girls are saying uses the very same words, except for the pronoun 私 / わたし, which is assigned appropriately basing on how it's usually written when the two characters are speaking - 私 for Lilie, and わたし for Akiho. I absolutely loved this line in last chapter and I felt it had even more significance now, coming from Akiho's mouth, in fact it's so important that it's Akiho speaking in this whole scene (and not Sakura). Because ever since she appeared in chapter 7, she's been considered as someone very similar to Sakura, and sometimes perceived by the readers as someone who wanted to steal her spot, her friends, her capabilities, long story short, to steal her identity. But nothing could be farther from the truth. You can be told you're similar to someone else how much you want, but you'll always going to be your own person in the end. Even freaking twins aren't the same person, after all. Each one of us is unique, with our qualities, good sides, bad sides, peculiarities, quirks, personal baggage, no one can take our place in the world. Our identity is the most precious thing we have and it's important we try to do our best to know ourselves the best that we can (heard that, Kaito???), so we don't end up doing just that, trying to live someone else's life, which is always going to be a lie anyway. As I was saying before, Akiho never tried to live Sakura's life and is well aware of her qualities and limits, and is accepting that.

The Magic I've been Preparing

Luckily, this involuntary reenactment of Lilie's scene of last chaper gives the spark to Sakura to remember she had heard those same words before. "The same words...?" "And the same feelings (they gave to me)". And right after that, Sakura also remembers that she has to find the important magic she had been preparing. Akiho says that if this is about magic, she probably won't be able to see it, but Sakura answers that she can't see it either, and wonders why....so, what to do? Akiho thinks. She looks at her books. And they give her an idea. She tells Sakura that she's read a book once where a magician hid his familiar from other magicians so they couldn't find it, and this familiar would show itself only when its magician called its name. Sakura starts having the realization this could be the right track. And here we have our first real translation difference of this chapter, although not particularly serious like the ones that will follow: Akiho, ENG: I'm sure to you, this magic is very important...but to me it'd be like....something out of a book.

Akiho, JP: I'm sure this is a very important magic to you...just like a book would be for me.

As you can see, the meaning is different, quite the opposite actually. Akiho isn't dismissing Sakura's magic as something like a fictional story out of a book, but actually she's telling her she understands that this magic must be very important to her, just like books are to Akiho. And "books" is all Sakura needs to hear to get more recollections of something she heard before, this time even from the facts of Clockland itself! (This is huge! Because it's coming from their life before the forbidden magic was activated! She's defeating the magic that's trying to keep her memories changed, she is JUST THAT AMAZING OKAY) "Books are people's memories...they're RECORDS"

See why it was so important to keep the word "records" in the past chapter, whenever the word 記録 came up in the Japanese text? Because 記録 is also the kanji spelling of a Clear Card we were all waiting to see, in fact....Sakura utters "RECORD"!

The Record Card appears out of nowhere, responding to the call, surprising the two girls when it starts displaying a recorded scene: from what we can see in the blurry "screen" (we can see the couch and the door of Syaoran's living room), this really looks like a scene (that we didn't see depicted in the manga) coming straight after Sakura captured the Dreaming Card and confessed to Syaoran about her recurring dreams in chapter 46. In that occasion, Sakura used the Record Card to show him what she saw, but apparently after that Syaoran proposed to keep the Record Card perpetually turned on to record whatever happened, since Sakura sometimes created Cards without having knowledge of how she did it, and couldn't shake the feeling that someone was making her forget things. In this way, they would've been able to check what happened in case they were made to forget again. From the "video", we see Sakura apologizing to Record and asking to the Card to stay hidden till she would've called the Card's name again. Which is exactly what happened now. Sakura is surprised because she understands that this is a new Card that she's been making on her own. But then, the "video" changes to another scene, that happened later on the story and we probably remember well because it often comes up in the fandom's questions about the unresolved mysteries of this story: the scene of chapter 59, when Momo visited the Kinomoto home, unbeknownst to Kaito. Finally we get to see what happened afterwards.

Momo knows the Record Card is present in the room, so she asks to the Card to be recorded, and addresses Sakura directly. Much to both Sakura and Akiho's surprise, she introduces herself once again as Momo, guardian of a "certain book", telling Sakura that this isn't the first time she meets her in this form, but since time had been rewound, she must have forgotten about it.

With a very painful expression (that made my heart squeeze, I'm weak against Momo's suffering), Momo says that she knows what's going to happen, and she cannot stop it. She also explains why, indirectly addressing other questions from the fandom as to why she never interfered more, if she didn't want Kaito to go on with his plan:

Momo, JP: A guardian cannot show bias towards "white" or "black". We must always stay impartial. So I cannot tell you, nor Akiho, about the core of this matter.

The ENG version is also good, but they translated "white" as "light" and "black" as "darkness" and while I can see why they did that and it could also work well, it ends up hiding the reference to her personal color scheme: on her outfit, but also in the Clockland world that she created on Kaito's request. Everything is black and white. An indication that she's always, constantly reminded of her duty as an impartial guardian, to never lean towards one or the other side (this is something that even Kaito reminded her of precisely in Clockland, becoming irritated that she was giving "hints" to Sakura). And therefore, she's got her hands more tied than ever, unable to tell anything not only to Sakura, but to Akiho too. How many problems we could've avoided if she was able to tell Akiho the truth about this? This is also probably the reason why she had to hide from her and take the guise of a bunny plushie: she needed to protect her, but at the same time she couldn't interact with her. It would've probably been impossible to stay neutral, with Akiho. If Momo's situation wasn't already unfortunate to begin with, having a contract with a boy she ended up caring about, who's literally risked his life to protect his most important person, we also get told to what extent she wasn't allowed to interfere, and get a glimpse of how painful that must be. To be honest, when this will be over, I really hope the Time Book gets destroyed and Momo freed from her duty over it, so she can finally have a normal life, free to interact with her beloved kids as much as she wants.

"The Boy"

Akiho hears Momo calling her name, though she doesn't seem to have any recollection of her beloved plushie (a bit sad for me). It's kinda "ironic" that she gets to "meet" the true form of the one creature who stayed by her side the most in her "old life", and she doesn't even realize it, nor remembers about who this creature is. How could she, her memories not only have been messed up with, but she also just knew her as a plushie, after all!

Momo shows that she isn't stupid. She says that she knows "the boy" is hiding something concerning the "forbidden magic" he wants to activate, but she's sure he won't ever tell her anything about it... So Momo knew Kaito was lying about something (the exchange of the two artifacts), but still wouldn't have had any way to know exactly the details of it.

Upon hearing the word "the boy", Akiho literally lights up, wondering "...The boy?". Her soul responds to it, as if knowing exactly whom Momo is talking about (loved it!! this is the kind of reactions I was waiting for, from her! ❤️). As usual, Kaito gets called "the boy", and when I was checking the Spanish translation I was a bit sad to see that they removed any reference to that word, making Akiho ask "who?" instead. Of course Momo can't mention his name, not even his fake one, because she's bound by a contract.

Momo explains that once the forbidden spell will get activated, the Record Card would disappear too (just like the other Clear Cards).

And here we have one of the biggest translation mistakes of this chapter, of course when there's a major scene!! Momo slowly removes her crown, and with magic she brings it back to its original state: the ring Lilie gave to her long time ago.

Remember? Lilie said she was going to make a request to Momo, and we saw a flashback of her removing the ring her fiancé gave her (a ring enchanted with a protection spell) to put it on the ear of Momo's plushie form. While Momo shrinks it back to its ring form, she says:

Momo, ENG: So that he'll never find you...and so that you'll never go away, no matter what happens...I'm going to cast a spell.

Momo, JP: So, in order to never let him find it (note: the Record Card), and so that it'll stay (note: survive even after the forbidden magic) no matter what happens...I'm going to cast a spell.

As you can see, in the ENG version Momo is saying "you", as if she's talking directly to Sakura, and so, as if she were going to cast a spell to hide her (?) from Kaito, and so that she'll never go away (??). Honestly, you can see by yourself that it doesn't make sense. Maybe with that "you" she was talking directly to the Record Card, in the translator's head? Well, very counterintuitive to translate it like that, of course it's gonna cause confusion because here Momo is addressing Sakura directly. No, the correct interpretation is that Momo is talking about the Record Card, while explaining to Sakura what she's about to do.

And, unfortunately, I'm not done complaining about this month's translation yet (god, they were doing so okay in the first part!).

Momo, ENG: I have held what I need to cast it...since long before I entered into my contract...with the boy.

Momo, JP: And I've already received the price needed to do that, long before I entered into my contract with that boy.

The ENG translation makes it sound like the ring Record is showing was somehow necessary to Momo in order to cast the spell. It isn't exactly like that. The ring was seemingly THE PRICE Lilie paid in advance, in order to make a wish to Momo and have it granted.

Yes, exactly like the customers do with Yuuko. But also what Yukito had to do to obtain the powers from the divinity of the Tsukimine Shrine. Basically it's safe to say that if you have a wish in any CLAMP series, you'll always have to pay something of equal value in exchange. And removing the word price from here, wording it in that misleading way, is honestly really annoying. We're reading a CLAMP manga, we love to see keywords and references to common CLAMP tropes and thematics present in other works too, when they've been put there on purpose by CLAMP. Can you please keep them, K-USA?? Note that here, we shouldn't give 100% for granted that the ring was exactly the price Lilie paid. It could be that, but also something related to the ring, something not physical. Like the fact that Lilie remained unprotected after giving the ring away (for a further purpose in the future). Some people gave away their time, freedom, luck as a price, in other works. Maybe it's something along those lines, and the ring gets to be passed over to those who need it the most now. Or maybe it was really the ring all along, I'm just pointing out that there are multiple options here to take into consideration.

We see Momo holding the ring between two fingers, and on the other side of the screen, Sakura's hand takes the same pose, with some "magic sparkles" around it: did Momo indeed pass the ring to her, magically? It's pretty unclear but it's legit to imagine so. Momo continues saying that there are other Cards that haven't disappeared yet (beware, the Spanish version here seems to be implying that ALL of Sakura's Clear Cards haven't disappeared, but from how it's phrased that's not what the JP text is saying here, and the ENG translation is actually right - wtf is happening, hahahah), and they're waiting for Sakura to call them. Yes, just like she did with Record. Then, Momo finally tells her "(please,) Remember" (and not "find them" like in the ENG version!), and Record turns into a magic crystal, the same that appeared everytime Sakura captured a Clear Card, magically going through Sakura's chest. Yes. Should we say "stabbing" her? 😂😂Good lord was this imagery really necessary?? Moreover, people are also being reminded of how the feathers used to enter Sakura's body in Tsubasa exactly like this 😂😂😂it's a continuous reference-fest, with Tsubasa.... Sooo, as you have guessed, Sakura starts recovering all the memories of her life before the forbidden magic was activated: in this beautiful display of countless film strips we can see many scenes coming from the most disparate chapters, mostly related to Sakura (shots from the Two Alice play are included, but NOT futher than that, so I don't know what's the situation for what concerns what happened in Clockland). We can see many characters in those strips, Momo included (so she recovered also her memories that were erased by the time rewindings - I knew she would!! ) but....there's still one major absentee in those memories: Kaito.

And yet. Sakura opens her eyes, after processing all the memories that came back to her. And her eyes are filled with tears, tears and extreme sadness. Akiho, of course, gets immediately anxious when she sees her like that. Sakura runs to the one whom she probably knows by now is not really her sister, to hug her tight. This is a scene that's very reminiscent of when she hugged Akiho in chapter 35 after witnessing Akiho's past on her skin. She didn't know how or why, but her intuition and empathy told her that she had witnessed something related to Akiho. And that's exactly what's happening here too.

I'm not sure if Sakura saw Kaito, in those memories (while not being shown to us). But I'm fairly sure that what's making her cry, thanks to her awesome intuition and empathy, is the blind awareness that they lost someone along the way. Someone very, very important to Akiho, hence why she runs to hug her tight. And that can't help but breaking Sakura's heart too, because she loves Akiho and she would never want to see her "sister" suffer a loss of that magnitude. She knows what it feels like, she had to scold Syaoran before for that same risk. Therefore, with one of the most determined faces I've ever seen her making, she utters:

Sakura, JP: Let's get it back. The thing/the person you didn't want to lose.

There's a lot to say about this last line of the chapter. First of all, the interpretation: the international translations have interpreted in different ways this line, because there isn't a subject or a clear specification of what they're talking about. Some translations made Sakura say something like "I've got to take back what we should've never have lost", like the ENG and BR-PT versions did, making Kaito's disappearance her matter too... Some others decided to translate in a way that's more personal to Akiho, like "Let's get back what you never wanted to lose", like the FR and ESP did. This is possible because this line uses the word もの, which can both mean "thing" but also the hiragana reading of 者, "person" (as usual, a clever way from Ohkawa to not disclose who she's talking about yet, even though we all know). At the same time, it also doesn't specify who is the subject of the verb "didn't want to lose": it could be Akiho, or Sakura and Akiho together, just as each translation decided to infer. Therefore I'm not inclined to indicate one or the other as the correct one, though I have to say that the idea of Sakura making it a personal matter too despite knowing Kaito very little, just because she's that much empathetic, kind and genuine, is quite endearing. Kaito made Akiho feel loved, the happiest, and that alone is enough for Sakura to put up her warrior queen face (seriously, it's so heartbreaking but also beautiful) and declare war to whatever is keeping him away from them, trying to get him back. Ohkawa did say it, in one of the last Twitter Spaces where she talked about the upcoming events of the finale: "Sakura will take care of it in her own way". One last thing, this line is also a reference to what Touya told Sakura in chapter 58, that night when he prepared the honey milk to her, after his sister asked him "What do you do when you don't know what's true and what's not?" and he told her...."I choose what I don't want to loose".

And that's exactly what Sakura is doing right now. We knew this advice sooner or later would've come useful. Sakura chose to bring back what they shouldn't lose. A precious existence that deserves a second chance. Sakura made her choice. She's on board with this. Will Akiho make the same choice? (don't you dare, it's a rhetoric question!! 😂)

Surprisingly enough, for this chapter we have an editorial text in vertical, on the right side of the last page, which translates to: "A wish entrusted from the past, (what will) Sakura (do)...?"

Aaaaand here we are, we reached the end of the chapter. 31 pages...we're back to longer chapters, as expected from those very close to the grand finale! We're currently 79 pages in for volume 15. It is interesting to note that, as I'm writing this post, no notice of "2 chapters to the end" or anything like that was printed on the Japanese color page (but there still could be something in the usual color ads page - I'd need to check the actual Nakayoshi magazine for that). Aside from the things I have already mentioned in the post above, I have to say I really loved to see Sakura and Akiho collaborating (and so immediately after Sakura revealed everything connected to magic to her sister!), effectively putting at work Akiho's extensive knowledge thanks to all the books she reads! Her suggestion of "calling" the magic Sakura was looking for, because it was hiding, was super useful and put into practice something she just had mentioned a few pages before: if you need me for something I happen to be good at, I'll always help you. That's what's good in us being different. Talking with an user on a Discord server, it was mentioned something that I personally really agree with and I would like to talk more extensively in a separate post (maybe someone can send an ask about it so I have the excuse? 😂), which is the fact that in this chapter Sakura talked honestly and clearly with an open heart to Akiho, trusting her reaction to be strong and positive enough, and that lead to a quick resolution of an immediate problem they had, as opposed to the other characters of the cast (Syaoran, Eriol, Kaito etc) who did things on their own, hiding - and even lying in some cases - to protect their loved ones, leading to unforeseen or terrible consequences (Kaito is the extreme example). I think there's definitely a fil rouge here connecting these situations.

Well, this post unfortunately already turned too long so I guess I'll have to stop here, but I'll be glad to answer to asks, if you want to discuss something else (or get more clarifications!). If you found this post useful, if it helped you clarifying some things, please share it - I'm always told of people being so confused by this finale and if I can help in any way I'd be only happy about that, but my posts need to reach those people first.

Chapter 74 is slated to be released on May 31st on CLAMP's Youtube channel (digital), and on June 2nd on Nakayoshi (digital and paper). The next Nakayoshi magazine will come with Sakura on the cover, the chapter being at the very beginning of the magazine (so it's probably going to be a double color page) and even a furoku - a pretty SyaoSaku foldable fan! I'm not sure how things will be with the release of the new K-Manga app, so for now I'm not gonna include it here.

See you next time!!

#card captor sakura #cardcaptor sakura #ccsakura #clear card arc #ccs spoilers #sakura card captor #kinomoto sakura #akiho shinomoto #chapter 73 #translation differences

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teecupangel · 11 months

Note

kinda late on the weekly schedule but, what do you think about the latest chapter?

My thoughts on Chapters 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8 (one of these days, I should really just make a tag for them like '#teecup analyze and reacts to acft webtoon' or something XD)

Official English translation (the free chapters anyway) here

Hahaha, it’s fine. I was pretty busy with the moving and unpacking anyway so I only got to read to the latest chapter yesterday XD.

Jennifer gets another mention which is nice.

This part is an important one as it does show what the Assassin Brotherhood is fighting for.

Free will and the right for everyone to decide their own fate, not be bound by the plans of dead ‘gods’.

We’ll get back to Edward’s speech later because I have a few things to say about that but, for now, the way this is presented:

The close-up of the Shimazu Clan’s crest would imply that the Shimazu Clan (or ‘Shimazu’ Sei) has a beef with the Assassins personally that ended in destroying their vision of order or something but, while I’m not all that familiar with how rich and powerful the Shimazu clan is today, they seem to still hold some power even if they are no longer a ruling family from what I can read.

I am unsure if she’s talking about the Constitution of Japan which rendered titles meaningless (which would have weakened the Shimazu Clan in general) or the destruction of the order kept by the Shimazu Clan in connection to the ‘results’ of the Battle of Sekigahara because that’s one of the main information that we have on the Japanese Brotherhood. They put their lot with Ieyasu Tokugawa while the Shimazu Clan (and, I suppose in AC lore, the Templars) placed their lot with Ishida Mitsunari. Tokugawa’s forces ended up victorious but Tokugawa didn’t really punish the Shimazu Clan and let them keep their lands and titles so… I won’t be surprised if these Japanese ‘pirates’ supposedly under the Shimazu Clan had gone rogue from the clan itself, disgruntled members of the clan who didn’t want to bow down to Tokugawa although that’s a bit sorta ‘???’ because the Battle of Sekigahara happened in 1600 and Edward’s parts are set in 1725. I mean, grudges can go on for a very long time so not that “???!!!” but still a “???”

(I will have to point out that my JP history is spotty at best and my familiarity with the Shimazu Clan is even spottier and wiki doesn’t even have a separate page for Shigehide Shimazu who should have been the lord of Satsuma and head of the Shimazu Clan during 1725 so, yeah, maybe something big did happen to the Shimazu Clan that would explain why ‘Shimazu’s Sei’s line of ‘destroying order’ is set in a panel showing the Shimazu Clan's crest)

Webtoon is a stealth promotion and prologue to AC Red Theory: The Assassin that we will play in AC Red is a rogue Shimazu shinobi (we already know that AC’s Shimazu Clan employs shinobis thanks to this webtoon) and they’re the Japanese ancestor of Noa Kim. ‘Shimazu’ Sei’s line of ‘destroying order’ is a reference to how this Shimazu assassin had destroyed the Shimazu Clan’s order in some way.

Anyway!

I guess this is confirmation that Edward has already married Tessa by this time.

Sidebar: not important to the plot (maybe) but Edward, if you’re hunting crocs, that means we can finally see you use a rope dart, riiigghhhttt???

With that out of the way...

Alright, let’s talk about Edward’s speech more.

First of all, this line:

Not an analysis but more of a comment. I would have gone with “gold and glory” instead of “glory and treasures” even if “glory and treasure” could have been a more accurate translation of the Korean version because “gold and glory” is a phrase most commonly associated with pirates which could have been used as a reference to Edward’s past as a pirate.

Now for the sadder analysis, there is something tragic about this line:

Edward is talking about this in reference to why he had become and stayed as an Assassin, even going as far as touching his hidden blade.

If you look closely, you’ll notice that he is touching the Assassin’s insignia with two of his fingers while his pinky is touching the pirate symbol. This is most probably to show that he remembers and learned from his past as a pirate and how being an Assassin is both his present and his future. More importantly:

“If you decide for yourself what’s right and do everything in your power to uphold that idea… Even mortals like us can overcome fate and leave behind something meaningful.”

That entire speech is meant to represent Edward’s loyalty to the Creed and believing he is doing the right thing and wishing to leave something meaningful behind.

The tragedy comes when you remember that there is one Kenway who did ‘decide for himself what’s right’ and ‘did everything in his power to uphold that idea’

Edward Kenway's own son and a Grand Master of the Templar Order: Haytham Kenway

Even if he was indoctrinated by the man who ordered the death of his father, he still stayed with the Order after learning the truth and even went as far as trying to kill his own son to keep the hold of the Order in the colonies although, yeah, an argument could be made that Haytham was planning to die by his own son’s hands during that final battle but that does not change the fact that Haytham remained loyal to the Order even after knowing the Order is the reason why his father died.

Not only that but Edward’s death and Haytham’s indoctrination were fated. The Isus needed Ratonhnhaké:ton to take the key from Haytham and hide it for Desmond to find when the time comes so Edward's life and death had been fated to happen so that Haytham may become a Templar and travel to the colonies.

In the end, Edward Kenway didn’t overcome fate, he became just another cog in the machine called the ‘Calculations’.

But…

His vision of what it means to defy fate? His thoughts of upholding the Creed which became what he believed to be ‘right’?

It was inherited by his grandson: Ratonhnhaké:ton.

Even if they never met… Ratonhnhaké:ton embodied what Edward wanted to leave behind. And Ratonhnhaké:ton’s life wasn’t dictated by the fates the moment he had buried the key for Desmond to find.

He wasn’t like Altaïr whose dying breath had been to give a final message to the prophet for Desmond to hear.

He wasn’t like Ezio who only finally stepped out of his role as Desmond's prophet after leaving the Brotherhood and having a family of his own when he was already in his 50s.

Ratonhnhaké:ton built his own future after he buried the key. The past of the American Brotherhood was built upon the choices Ratonhnhaké:ton made of his own free will.

To leave something meaningful behind.

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jewwyfeesh · 8 months

Text

Vampire Siblings

Writer: 日日日 (Akira)

Character(s): Isara Mao, Sakuma Rei, Sakuma Ritsu, Anzu

Translated by: jewwyfeesh

Disclaimer: I translated this story from the CN version of the game, which means that it has been double translated (JP > CN > EN).

Rei: Oooh!! Ritsu!! GOOD~ MORNING~ ☆

Season: Autumn Location: Track and Field

Mao: Mmm~ The feeling of fulfillment after a good prac! It’s really amazing~ ☆

Oh, thankies. Is this isotonic drink for me, Anzu? You’re becoming more and more ‘Producer’-like with every passing day~

Seems like you’ve been running after lots of other units besides us Trickstar lately.

There there, you’ve worked really hard ♪

But yeah… even though I’m one to talk, I still think you should take care of your body and your schedule. I’d feel really guilty if you pushed yourself too hard and something happened to you.

Never mind. Let’s go home, Anzu. Today’s my turn to ‘send you home’, so I’ll make sure that you get home safe and sound.

Though… lately, it seems like I’m always the one sending you home…? To the point where I’ve even gotten to know your family fairly well.

Sometimes I’d even stay for dinner…

But I’m not complaining. My family’s the kind to do whatever they want. As such, we don’t really spend a lot of time together. So… It’s nice being with your family.

I wonder if it’s because I can do things like household chores all by myself?

Everyone tends to think, “Oh it’s fine if we leave Isara Mao alone, nothing will happen to him”, but my younger sister has always been coddled and spoiled by our parents…

Hmph, would it be better if I tried to act a little more spoiled? But the second I come back to my senses, I’m back to taking care of others again. I feel old.

You’re also someone like this, so please be careful. You can also lean on me sometimes, you know~?

Eh… I’m meddling in other people’s business again…

It’s about to become a bad habit of mine, forget it, forget it… It’s pretty good to be relied on by others, but I’ve been ‘like this’ since I was young.

It’s because of Ritchan, my childhood friend~ If I leave him to his devices, that guy literally won’t lift a finger to do anything. When it got to a point where I couldn’t stand it anymore, I could only go and help… I’d help and help and help till I became ‘a meddler and a half’ ♪

You know Ritchan, right? Knights’…

Ahh, so you’ve also taken care of him before. He’s always so lazy, you literally can’t ignore him~

…Eh? You’re saying Ritchan’s over there?

Ah, call for the cat and he shall appear… where is he~?

Ah! Goodness! This guy, sleeping outside without a single shred of protection!

One day you’re gonna get pickpocketed, what are you gonna do then…? I reckon he fell asleep after lunch, and slept ‘all the way’ till now~

HEEEEY— Ritchan!! Don’t go sleeping in places like these, you’ll catch a cold ya know~?

Ritsu: ……Mmhhghhh? Huh… Maa~kun…? Wh… don’t wake me up…

Mao: Of course I need to wake you up. The school gates are gonna close soon, and if we don’t get moving we’ll be locked in. Our school has always been particularly ‘strict’ about these kinds of things.

Ritsu: Eh~ …Well, whatever. I could just continue sleeping here and save myself the trouble of having to come to school tomorrow. The more I think about it, the better of an idea it seems~

I’m really sleepy, so just leave me be. No matter how much I sleep, it’s never enough…

Mao: You… you haven’t changed one bit…

Hm? Eh? What are you hugging? It’s not a bolster… right? A tree stump? No, that seems to be a person…?

Ritsu: What?

Rei: Huu… snzz… ♪

Kekeke… Little baby~ Be good~ ♪ Go sleep~ ♪ Uuuu ♪

Mao: Ahh~ Taking a closer look… isn’t this Ritchan’s older brother? Why are the both of you snoozing together? Seems like you have a really good relationship~

When I got to know Ritchan, this person was always overseas, so I didn’t get to know him very well.

To be exact… I only found out he existed after I enrolled in Yumenosaki Academy. Ritchan doesn’t talk about his brother very often, so I got a little worried…

Who knew that the both of them were actually so close ♪

Ritsu: …Maa~kun, do you have anything sharp? I think staking him in the heart would definitely kill him.

Mao: N-no, you can’t just go around killing people. Eh? Do both of you have bad blood? In that case, why are you sleeping next to each other?

Ritsu: I don’t know what this thing was thinking, nor do I have any interest in finding out…

More than anything, I want to bury this thing six feet below and wipe my hands of it ‘as though nothing happened’. Now. Immediately. The faster the better.

Rei: E-eh? What happened, is it already time to say “good morning”? Ah? Where am I?

Ritsu: Yo. Why are you sleeping next to me, huh? You reek of mould, so stay further away from me. What happened, how are you still alive?

Rei: Mmmhh… My mind’s all fuzzy just after waking up… don’t ask so many questions at one go…

What’s there to rush, hm…? Re-rest a little… yawwwwn… ♪

Ritsu: No. No sleeping. I’ll kill you.

Rei: This tone… one that shows no mercy, even to one’s own blood brother…

Oooh!! Ritsu!! GOOD~ MORNING~ ☆

Ritsu: Don’t hug me! You’re so annoying!

Okay but spit it out. Why were you sleeping by my side? Depending on your answer, you could be demoted from “someone who seemed to have been a brother previously” to “stupid bug”.

Rei: Even if you don’t demote me, it’s a bit much, don’t you think?

Nothing much… It’s just that when I was leaving for home, I happened to see Ritsu sleeping. I was worried that you’d catch a cold, so I used my body warmth to warm you up. This is a big brother’s love ♪

Ritsu: Is that so? I understand, you don’t need to say anymore. Complete waste of Earth’s oxygen.

Maa~kun, could you help me get some cement from the warehouse? I want to solidify this thing in there and let it sink to the bottom of the ocean.

Rei: We’ve just woken up, and yet Ritsu’s already trying to get rid of me!?

Mm~ Anywho! The elderly aren’t quite suited for outdoor camping… My whole body’s sore and stiff…

Ritsu~ could you help massage my shoulders please ♪

Ritsu: Didn’t I tell you to shut up? You stupid bug.

Mao: Okay okay… as brothers, you guys should try to get along well. Though, let’s leave the fighting and the shoulder massage aside, yeah? We’re really about to be locked in school.

Rei: Oooh, you’re from Trickstar… It’s already this late… Thank you for waking me up. Ritsu~ it’s been a long time since we brothers walked home together hm~?

Ritsu: Brother? I don’t have a brother, though?

Rei: Don’t deny your brother’s existence with such a deadpan expression… That’s a bit much, even for a younger brother, don’t you think? I’ll start crying…

Ahh, I can’t… My tear ducts are getting weaker as I age… Uuuuuu~

Mao: Ahaha, I think I kinda understand your relationship, Sakuma-senpai.

Ritchan, the more you talk, the more others are gonna think “oh he’s just in his rebellious phase”, so maybe it’s better to not talk altogether?

Ritsu: Damn it… That isn’t the case at all. I had only wanted to throw this annoying ass thing into the trash bin. Whatever, it doesn’t matter anymore.

Maa~kun, you want to send them… send the Transfer Student home, right? Hurry up and go, don’t worry about us.

Rei: Mhm, please be careful on your way back. Who knows what kind of demons will be roaming at this hour – for example, vampires… and the like… ♪

Mao: Yep. I’ll be careful. The both of you too; no more fighting, okay? Hurry up and go home~

Rei:

Mm, I’ve always been praying that I’ll have a close relationship with Ritsu! We’re brothers after all ♪

…Ah, Ritsu? Where did you go? Hey— Ritsuuuu~

Ah, he dashed off at the speed of light. He really does hate me, huh? Hehehe ♪

Wait a minute, I am also more active at night! Well, when it comes to hide and seek, I’m not about to lose to a ‘novice’ ♪

Aaah… Running around like this under the night sky, it really reminds me of our childhood ♪

Ritsu: D-don’t chase after me!! Didn’t I already say you’re annoying!? Did it completely fly over your head, you infuriating Anija!?

Rei: Excellent, excellent… he’s finally willing to acknowledge me as his brother. Anyways, we take the same path back home, my super duper adorable little brother…

Translator's notes: [1] The original CN term here is 「菜鸡」, slang for "complete, total noob". I translated it to novice, a synonym. Personally don't think Rei would call Ritsu a "noob".

#enstars translation #! era sub/idol story #sakuma rei #sakuma ritsu #isara mao

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sirenjose · 4 months

Note

Sorry to bug you again but when reading one of your theories, the one with Lady 13 and Sparrow, it highlights an aspect of Norton's personality that I don't think is covered often. When someone treats him kindly and respectfully, he's loyal to them to a tee.

I know there is Benny, and whether it's bias from some of my old theories from my 1st Norton analysis, I've always viewed Benny as primarily focused on/obsessed with finding gold to escape the "dumb" that is hospice. Mostly due to the language Benny uses in Norton's 1st letter (not to mention even before Norton's father died, based on Norton's 4th letter he was still thinking about finding gold back then too). It just feels a bit like Benny might be more concerned with himself than Norton (the language used in Norton's 1st and 4th letters could back this up). Losing his son Colin likely didn't help his personality either. Not saying Benny didn't care about Norton at all, but I think it might've not been enough, that maybe he didn't prioritize Norton enough.

Even Norton's live action backstory trailer that came with AoM2 didn't really change my opinion or suspicions/questions.

(I mean, how much did Benny help or provide for Norton after Norton lost his father? He still looks pretty lonely and having to be self-sufficient. And Benny still seemed focused on roping Norton into his gold scheme. But like I said, maybe I'm too suspicious due to a lack of info and thinking too hard on language.)

Honestly, I don't quite know how to phrase my thoughts right now, so apologies if this is nonsensical.

The issue with Norton is there are very few if any that have treated him kindly. Not with the environment and poverty he grew up in, and not after the mine incident, which gave him scars that scare off a good number of people, not to mention how it caused his mental state to further deteriorate and/or worsened his depression. Then there's how someone's hounding him with questions about the incident (and it's still possible Norton doesn't even remember everything that happened, but that's a separate theory). And now he's in a game competing for money that could help him escape poverty, but the other participants are all rich or better off than him, which only frustrates him further.

Another time Norton was actually loyal and trusted someone else like Sparrow to Lady Thirteen, is Ronald to Mr. Inference and Smarty Pants. Smarty Pants being the person who helped prove his father's innocence, even though he died before that could happen. And Mr. Inference is someone who he knew and grew close to due to both of them being in the military at the same time. Issue with that last one is we have very little information about what happened during their time in the military. Just that Ronald trusts him enough to say "If there's one good person left in town, it's either Smarty Pants or you", while Inference in other versions of Atropos' Ropes (not the English version) describes their friendship as "valuable" (he apparently says something along the lines of "But I guess I should thank you for a valuable friendship" in the JP version).

The only other time I can think of is in COA 4. Highway Cavalier starts selfish, but later changes, to the point as we see in the COA 4 trailer he tries to save his friends even though it gets him killed in a number of loops. And they were loyal to him back, as we know Reflective Mirror trusts him after he saves her (based on the COA package it says she fell off a cliff but he saves her from Molten Hound), potentially sharing her secret knowledge of the shortcuts in the race, while Pumping Tires actually sacrifices himself for Highway Cavalier to be able to defeat Molten Hound.

(And I still think COA 4's story is a hint towards what will happen with Norton in the main story, with Melly and Alice, to go against Orpheus/Nightmare)

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pianostarinwonderland · 2 years

Text

Chapter 6 Thoughts

Finally finished chapter 6 after a busy weekend 😩 I'm planning to make a more well-thought out post regarding certain aspects of ch6 later, but for now, I want to list down everything I love about this update and probably the whole chapter overall. It also serves to answer a few asks in my inbox all at once HAHAHAHA This post is gonna be very messy, just to let you know, but I’ll write something more comprehensive eventually.

EN players and JP players who have yet to pass the time gates, I advise you to scroll past this post or read at your own discretion. This contains spoilers for Chapter 6 and alludes to other events not released in the EN version.

Firstly, about the gameplay, I may be in the minority for saying this, but I really like that they limit your cards and leave you without a support for 6-66 and 67. Main story was always easy on the battles, so learning about buddies, stats, etc about the different cards was always seen as a tests/exams thing with the only rewards there being madol/thaumarks and exam coins, so most people didn’t super care about it. As someone who really levels up the cards to get higher scores in the tests, it was really gratifying to see all that hard work finally paying off in main story. Lowkey gave me a power trip on everyone else struggling to bypass the battles 😂

Ngl at first, I thought we were supposed to clear all the points 😭 so I didn’t care about getting the right box until I clicked a box that cleared the chapter before I cleared the other points. I wish I didn’t know about it because it definitely made clicking on boxes less irritating hfhjhjsghkhjkgsdg

I absolutely love how we get to see character development of the OB boys?? It's something that I was really hoping for in ch6 since the boys are taken to an unfamiliar place.

Regarding that, I do like how NRC boys could just . talk about other things while in dangerous situations HAHAHA it was like this too in Halloween 2 😭 when there's nothing happening, they somehow get into conversations, like,, how LMAO most media would have their characters talk something about the situation or remain quiet. But these boys are really chatty and talk like the world is not about to get reseted or something

Starting with Pomefiore, the revelation about Rook being from Savanaclaw originally was a bomb I didn't expect but wasn't surprised about. I think it was more common to hear about it in 2020, but a lot of people were curious about Rook and Leona's relationship with each other. They mainly noted that Rook pursues Leona and the latter expresses much disdain for him. Then there was also the fact that Rook and Leona (and Ruggie) hailed from the same country. While country doesn't necessarily determine what dorm you'll be sorted in (see: all Shaftlands/Pyroxene boys in three different dorms), it did make people curious back then. So I do like that TWST (unintentionally) answered those speculations

AND LONG HAIRED FIRST YEAR ROOK IS ACTUALLY CANON,,, all long haired Rook artists and lovers rejoice for your headcanons and wishes are now canon. Now we wait for Lilia /hj

I do like though that Rook in his first year was kinda meh about his own appearance mostly because I was the same when I was around 15-16. Like, why do I have to care about the clothes I wear as long as I'm comfy in them? 🤡 Maybe the shirt looks kiddy but I mean, it shouldn't matter so much 😭 But it really is worth beautifying your wardrobe and learning to value your own beauty just as much as you value others. It makes me happy to see a bit of myself in Rook.

Vil seems a lot more expressive now than he was in chapter 5 🥺 I think it might be because he has to keep up the image of being a leader figure in VDC, but he feels much more approachable with how he doesn't seem to care as much about looking professional.

There was one part where Vil and Rook would tell Epel to stand back, and obvs Epel at first took this as “are you saying I’m weak?” But then Vil and Rook said it’s because they trust him to have their backs, and it’s like 😭 FUCK THAT’S SO CUTE,,,, THE WAY THAT THIS SHOWS EPEL’S GROWTH BECAUSE NOW HE CAN BE RELIED ON BY HIS SENIORS........ I think this is also a cute allusion to Dorm Vil’s and Dorm Rook’s buddies, specifically the fact that they both have Epel as a buddy— Dorm Vil has Epel giving him an ATK M boost, while Dorm Rook has Epel giving him a HP M boost. Notice how it’s an M (medium) boost and not an S (small) boost 😭 they really can trust Epel by that much,,,

Now for Leona and Jamil, hooooo boy, I really like this one and do wish to discuss this in depth in another post because Leona essentially humbled Jamil brutally. Jamil was trying to protect Leona because he’s a prince and all, but at some point, he got pissed off at Jamil for getting in the way. I love how Leona pretty much compared Jamil to Riddle and Azul, saying that the latter two are in a much different league than Jamil. Riddle has book smarts and amazing magical power, not to mention a killer UM, and Azul is quick on his feet and works really hard to get to where he is now, but Jamil just goes "if only I could use my full potential" while blaming others for his setbacks. He even points out that Kalim has something that Jamil doesn’t, which is money (much to Jamil’s surprise). Sure, he isn’t the smartest, but he’s generous, and he’s going to inherit a very successful business

Then he points out that Ruggie and Jack know when to listen to him to survive. Ruggie obvs follows Leona because it’s his best chance at surviving in NRC, and Jack, while strong, is young so he knows when to listen to older people such as Leona

I just like that the overall lesson he’s telling Jamil is that he isn’t the strongest person, and he needs to know when he isn’t the strongest, and he shouldn’t blame others for his setbacks. It’s essential for Jamil’s growth, but it also shows Leona’s own growth, considering that what Lilia said to Leona back in ch2 that triggered his overblot was also along the lines of Leona being slothful but blaming others for everything wrong that happens.

While it gets annoying to get the wrong box in 6-66 (and 6-67), I found the boxes where Leona just opens all of a sudden and Jamil going “what the FUCK are you DOING LEONA” really really funny like 😂

Now hoooo boy I LOVE AZUL AND RIDDLE'S INTERACTIONS SO MUCH;;;;;; I'm biased because I tunnel vision for Azul and Riddle is top 2 for me, but the way that both of them were written in this chapter is so chef’s kisses

I really like the way Riddle was written. He still has that sort of “I’m right, so you need to follow me” mindset and I like that because it shows that while he is making the effort to change, his personality at his core is solid enough that it’s not going to change that much. While his lacking knowledge regarding social cues is already a bit obvious when inferring from his upbringing, it’s really emphasized in 6-66, particularly when Azul was angry about being told to ‘stand back’ and said something like “hey I know someone like me who shifts from 2nd to 10th place in rankings can’t be seen as a rival b u t” and he wanted to be seen as equals but Riddle took that literally,, , and then he’s like “oh so you’re trying to compete with me?!”

Eventually he clarified in 6-67 as to why he doesn’t want Azul to get hurt which,,, IS HONESTLY SO CUTE ?? ?/ LIKE ,, SURE IT’S BECAUSE HE’D END UP PROBABLY BREAKING THE LAW TO GIVE TREATMENT TO AZUL BUT HE STILL CARES 😭 not to mention that Riddle even pointed out that he WOULD break the law to help Azul, like it was out of the question that he’d leave him behind to go ahead, he WOULD make sure Azul is ok 😭 besties it hurts because AzuRido was one of my first Twst ships and it’s still a cute ship till now. But this also really shows that Riddle still needs to learn a lot about social cues + proper communication xD he didn’t think that it could be taken the wrong way

THE PART WHERE AZUL GOT ANGRY AT RIDDLE ,,, bitch that hurt a lot. Like, Riddle going “if you didn’t waste time on Mostro Lounge, helping out other students, etc, you’d have a chance at first”, bestie Riddle I love you but what the fuck? I kinda felt the sting because at the time I was reading that, I was mulling over how I hadn’t been trying hard enough in the things that I do or want to pursue so I end up being the kind of person that I’m not content with. But it also just,, really fucking hurts to be told that your passion is a waste of time, and we all know how much Azul works so hard in everything he does 😭 his insecurities coming out when he got angry really tugged me badly. It was 2am when I read that part and I wanted to cry lmao

WHEN HE LAUGHED THOUGH . when he laughed .. oaoghuooHOHOFAHOHSGOSAOHAOGHOASH WHEN HE LAUGHED AND SOUNDED SO MIRTHFUL AND AND AND AND . .... passes the fuck away

I do love the lore dump about Ariel and transformation potions! Ariel went to the Sunshine Lands, so she set up the mermaid boot camp facility there. Transformation potions also now last from a week to 10 days, and the mermaid boot camp facility provides them,,, for free, ,, , , like shit dude, that’s a big ass steal.

GOD WHEN AZUL MIMICKED FLOYD’S VOICE THOUGH ,,,, , the fucking DROLL???? God I’m not your strongest soldier I am down on the ground

Azul started magic at 8 yrs old 👁 Riddle started his studies at 3,,, , yummy yummy yummy

AND WHEN AZUL FELL ASLEEP ON RIDDLE’S SHOULDER;;;; LIKE BYE I ALWAYS IDNULGED MYSELF WITH THE IDEA OF AZUL SLEEPING ON MY SHOULDER OUT OF EXHAUSTION but fuck,, they made Azul sleeping on someone’s shoulder canon, not caring about who it is,,,,,, God send help

idk man, this whole part really just made Azul feel more relatable. Ch3 and even ch4 to an extent, he was mostly scheming and smarmy and smirky and that’s hot shit sure but HIM BEING SO,,, LIKE, GETTING ANGRY OVER A REMARK THAT MADE YOU FEEL INSECURE, LAUGHING GENUINELY, SLEEPING ON SOMEONE’S SHOULDER...... besties I feasted so much this chapter, I am so fucking FULL

I actually really like Idia’s OB design!! He seems to have designed it himself given that he’s willingly doing it, which is really interesting to learn 👁 some people were saying that they don’t like it because he doesn’t look like Hades but .. none of the OBs were meant to look like their villain counterparts?? nKSNKDGKSNG and not to mention that Idia’s face resembled Hades a lot. If we’re talking about outfits, though, again, OB designs would more likely shape themselves according to the person overblotting rather than think about the villain inspiration. If anything, Ortho’s the one wearing Hades’ toga.

I JUST HAVE TO SAY THIS,,,, IDIA’S UM CHANT IS THE BEST ONE SO FAR ??? “Game, set, match, Gate to Underworld” that is so sexy like ??? the alliteration of game and gate, and there was this musicality to those words, like you’re saying a poem out loud. It sounds so badass too. Like a final boss line (which knowing Idia, he’d definitely do that)

Shoutout to Riddle and Azul for being the funniest duo on earth: “You drive this chariot, I don’t have a license” “BITCH I DON’T HAVE A LICENSE EITHER ????” “I should have enrolled into driving school if I knew this was gonna happen” “IS THIS THE TIME TO THINK ABOUT THAT NOW ??????”

Also “wtf why are you taking the risky option??” “well you know this is the best option anyway” “ok yeah you’re right, if anything happens to us, our seniors are there anyway 🥰”

Anyway I still can’t believe Azul actually drove a chariot (and successfully too)

It was a good thing too that he was driving because Riddle fainted from using all his power and being exposed briefly to the underworld 😔 it’s so funny of Azul to just think “ok this guy’s gonna use all his power, so I’m just gonna hold back a bit because it’s gonna be enough <3″ and it turned out to be a really good decision or we’d be finding two old people

Riddle with white hair was really cute. It reminded me of the white rabbit, and with how he nearly fell into the underworld (kinda like falling into a hole), the allusion seems stronger. I also saw some tweets on Twitter suggesting that it could symbolize Riddle starting out with a blank slate to become his own person and not just someone following his mom, which is pretty interesting 👁👄👁 kinda matches well with the white rabbit idea since it’s “falling to wonderland” or “heading to an unknown place”

I find it funny how Leona and Jamil just . took the time to analyze why Azul was able to not faint/fall to the underworld from fighting Ortho. but hey it worked for them, they didn’t put too much power into it and they came out well

I love how Vil was just like “I need Idia to come out alive so that he can close this damn gate and fix everything” and then said that he Will make Idia do all of that NRC style, aka “the weak must obey the strong”

VIL FINALLY GOT TO BE THE HERO THAT HE WANTED TO BE 😭 GO QUEEN, SLAYYYYYY. You may not have been casted as a hero in a movie, but you saved the world in real time, and I think that’s even better

I really just like how even in OB, Idia was still talking about the idea of who’s hero and who’s villain while Vil was just like “we’re just classmates fighting and for the record, I’M standing till the end”

When Vil jumped to pull Idia, Ortho, and Grim out of the underworld, idk, something about that just made me go 👁👄👁 there’s something mesmerizing about someone catching someone else as they fall from a very tall height. Even if it’s to make sure Idia’s alive to close the gate, Vil really just,, that was so noble of him

IDIA JUMPING TO GO WITH ORTHO THOUGH 😭 like holy fucking fuck, I don’t know what to say... I think that moment speaks for itself.

Vil being Hercules and Idia being Megara... damn, it kinda makes sense. Vil-Hercules for the hero thing, and Idia-Megara for the reason that they’re trapped by the underworld to an extent

THE FLASHBACK HONESTLY . it was expected, but it did hurt 😭 being a witness to someone’s death was one thing, but being the indirect cause of someone’s death is just,,, Idia was just a child then. That shit would be traumatizing

Whoever voiced child Idia’s cries, good job but also fuck you. When he was showing off AI Ortho and then going from laughter to crying ?? I think that’s where my heart truly broke. That was genuinely so painful to listen to.

Maybe I’m being delusional, but the way Idia broke down over losing Ortho reminded me of how Azul broke down when his contracts were dusted. There was that plea from them going “give it all back” (give Ortho back; give Azul’s power back). And then they reassure themselves that they could fix their problems.

I... I really like how the overall problem for Idia and Ortho was that they just wanted to live like everyone else, but because they were born into the Shroud family, they, Idia in particular, had their lives planned out for them at the start. I think Hades in the myths was like that??

The part where real Ortho’s soul talks to Idia..... his face being fully revealed, when he said “please continue to live, make our dream of going on an adventure come true”, when Idia was shouting for Ortho’s name at the end........ wow thank goodness that I can’t understand anything or I’d be crying onions

The way Idia was saying that with all the damages he has to fix, he’d have to drop out possibly, but literally None of them letting him go xDD true NRC students

When he revived Ortho again,,, and he had a heart this time,,,,,, I really like how he was resurrected and not at the same time. Like real Ortho will be gone no matter what, but his soul will still live on through his robot self. Kokoro was also playing in my head during that scene 😂

OLD MAN VIL “I’M 18″ SCHOENHEIT IS SO FUNNY. Best content is seeing him cry for 3 hours straight about how he wanted to be casted as a middle aged man someday then calming down only to cry again when Jack went “wait who’s this old man”

Vil’s kyaaaa when Malleus managed to turn him back to his 18-year old self was so pure. 😭 I’m so happy for him

RAMSHACKLE UPGRADE KINDA 💅 we are now material gworls

I find it funny how they couldn’t upgrade our room bskbdgjsndgksd like it’s still the same even after how much Charon trashed it?? At least Vil was kind enough to give us projection mapping to make it look pretty HAHHAHHA

ORTHO BABY,,,, ORTHO BABY IS NOW A FIRST YEAR !!!!!!! I’M SO HAPPY THAT HE FINALLY GETS TO STUDY IN SCHOOL LSGJSDLGSDKGLSJLSJSK YES ORTHO YOU’RE A REAL BOY ENJOY NRC LIFE UEUEUEUEUEUEUEUEUEUE BABYBABYBABYBABYBABY I CAN FINALLY SAY I HAVE A FAVORITE FIRST YEAR AND IT’S ORTHO 😭

AND HE HAS A NEW UNIFORM CARDDDDD uwehhhhh his lines are so cute, and his story !!! him choosing a club !!!! and and and his profile change!!!! He chose Vil’s club 😭 Vil made that much of an impact in his life. I heard that the story seems to be longer than some SSRs though, which is . well d a m n

Chapter 7 seems to be really spicy 👁👄👁 from Lilia talking about how people are weak but they intertwine together and create a strong presence in history, Malleus mulling over those words, to Mickey saying that he saw “a mysterious silver-haired boy” on his side of the mirror (not his room, though), which implies that it’s Silver and bringing up the possibility of him traveling to people’s dreams or him being from the same world as we are since Grim can’t see Mickey and vice versa....... oooooonga boonga ch7 is gonna serve us so well

Overall, I think chapter 6 had the excellent pacing and writing that ch3 and 4 had. They wrote every character so well, and the wait for Idia and Ortho was absolutely worth it. This might be the new fan favorite chapter actually, and it sets the bar very high for Diasomnia. Good job Twst. Thank you for serving us a very good story.

#twisted wonderland #twst #twst jp #twst spoilers

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lucifersincentivetosleep · 1 year

Text

Okay but like, does anyone know what's going on with the official eng translation of the Obey Me! Manga that MangaPlaza is supposedly doing? And I say supposedly because the last chapter they released was in like, June 2022 and that was literally only the fifth chapter. They're all the way up to volume 2(chapter 12 with the next chapter scheduled for december) in Japanese right now, which no, isn't a large gap(assuming they're waiting for a certain amount of the jp comic to be done before committing to a release schedule)but if thats the case then you'd think they'd hold off on announcing the english release.

I also saw a comment from someone who said they contacted support to ask for a release schedule and was basically told they don't have one and will translate it when they get around to it. Which is.... honestly not an encouraging thing to hear from the only place thats been given license to translate it.

I know the official Japanese version has a disclaimer at the end of it's chapters asking us not to make fan translations and just read the official english but... I mean at this point we can either learn to read Japanese, give up on the eng manga, or just do fan translations because it really doesn't seem like they care enough to translate it officially.

And I know translating is a time consuming thing that translators really aren't paid a fair wage or given fair working hours for(generalizing, I know some companies are better about it)but you'd still expect at least some transparency about what all is going on that we just haven't been given.

This is all over the place and doesn't really go anywhere but thats what happens when you try and think about things with a migraine at 1am. Sorry for not making sense, you can ignore me.

#screaming into my personal void #obey me one master to rule them all #Obey Me! comic #obey me swd #I feel like that cane off as whiny but like #tell us whats going on please #the other thing is they could probably cut a deal with crunchyroll to translate the manga because cruncyroll hosts manga as well and they #are already doing the anime #I want to support the manga legally as much as the next person but at this point it dosn't feel worth it

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terraxcloud · 2 years

Text

It’s Weirdly Quiet~

I find it odd that we got the FF7 25th Anniversary over a month ago then nothing, nada.

There was quite a bit of related DFFOO stuff right before the 25th Anniversary event when FF7 Rebirth and CC: Reunion were shown (specifically Zack’s BT, Act 3 Chapters 7 & 11, Terra (w/ Laguna), Sherlotta, Rydia).

This appears to be happening again, but we’re not suspecting anything as of now. There’s something about every character that’s getting updates right now that remind me of that pre-25th Anniversary April-May timeframe. Mog, Sherlotta (JP and soon to be GL), Serah, Terra, Zack, Squall, Tifa, Ursula(?), Vivi (”puppet”) and more (like some FR summons) in a short period in both versions.

Is JP just releasing in tandem with Terra & Sherlotta in Global this month? Or is something actually gonna happen? Guess there’s no way of knowing for sure. JP is the only one that’s releasing new content, but Global can have weird release schedules and different-looking banners than JP (Zack/Sherlotta banner only showed a full-sized Sherlotta with a firework background in JP seven months prior. Also, Zack never appeared with any character related to Terra before that period, so something is definitely up here if it just happened many times in less than half an year in Global alone).

I never noticed this type of banner hint stuff in years prior. Certain banners sure, but not a whole series of them!

It’s very hard to tell if anything is up outside of DFFOO. I’ve tried, but it seems like a waste of time. The FF7R interview stuff almost feels like a minor distraction...

Edit: I took a look at DFFOO JP twitter for the exact time of when the recent banners of Terra, Zack, and Sherlotta occurred.

Turns out that in JP, the Zack/Laguna/Ciaran banner came 10 days after Sherlotta. It did not release with Terra’s banner like it did in Global, instead Terra’s FR banner came 6 days after Zack (right after Lunafreya).

Zack and Terra’s banners in Global are connected to a single event called “Red Comet”. This makes both of their banners share a desert background. Below are the Global banners compared with the Japanese ones.

This may mean that the event itself could be a hint. You can see what the event looks like in this tweet. The area looks similar to the desert around the Gold Saucer, so there is a possibility that they tied Terra and Zack’s banners together in Global to show this. The “Red Comet” event DOES NOT EXIST IN JP. Peculiar name too...Terra’s FR summon is Kuja after all and the word “comet” is very FF7-esque...

When Sherlotta’s LD released in Global, I found it really weird that she’d get her BT & FR weapons just 4 months after it. I remember the same feeling when she got it in JP. Now she’ll appear in Global after both Zack & Terra (almost makes me feel like Global is the more important one to follow).

Terra will again appear in the Garnet Bahamut raid (which happened last month in JP). Sherlotta in JP just appeared with Serah. Does this mean that Zack’s FR will appear soon in Japan? It could look rather different in 7 months...

Taking a look back there was a bunch of similarly named events in April.

Cloudy with a Chance of Squall (Cloud & Squall banner)

Cloudy with a Chance of Feathers (Zack & Rydia banner)

Cloudy with a Chance of Meteor (Zack & Sherlotta banner)

Cloudy with a Chance of B00M (Laguna & Terra banners)

Irvine “Intercepting Wills” called “Our Memories” came after them.

Ciaran & General Leo banner...Ciaran’s BT skill is “Power of Memories”

Then Act 3 Chapter 7 Part 1, which was probably the main reason there was this sequence of events in April. Part 2 is about memories.

After a bit of consideration, Laguna COULD be a symbol for Zack, kinda like Rinoa & Terra, Cloud & Squall. One last thing - Squall just appeared with Mog (well, alone, since he “works alone”). Mog summons Krile from his FR weapon and Squall summons Noctis from his. I tied Noctis to Zack back when talking about that “Terra Wars” DLC. Krile appears a lot in this stuff.

I don’t know...the only notable thing related to Terra “soon” is Aerith’s Intercepting Wills in October, so there’s less of a reason for this uptick right now in Global...

EDIT 2: I believe this may all be due to Act 3 Chapter 9 thanks to the characters used in them, and since Part 1 is about to release I’d rather wait for it. If the schedule was more like JP, it would release before Sherlotta’s BT/FR (if she’s replacing JP Terra in the schedule).

#Clerra

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hakuoyuki · 2 years

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I love hearing about people’s theories and was wondering if you’d share yours regarding the recent ask 👀

Absolutely 👀

Do note that these are simply my theories based on what's revealed about Sariel and Rio thus far before the official start of Act 2 and Sariel's route release. Once those are out, it may confirm or invalidate my assumptions.

Disclaimer: All info are based on the JP Version of the app. I do not know if ENG changed or may change any of the following event details / specific word choices (because they often do).

Everything will be under the cut due to both direct and indirect spoilers (both minor and major plot related events) from the following:

・Chevalier’s Route

・Nokto's Route

・Licht's Route

・My Knight is a Beast (Licht Route Release) Collection Event 〜 Rio's Story

・Sariel's 1st Birthday Story (His POV)

・Jin's Route

・Rio's 1st Birthday Story (His POV)

・Luke's Route

・Luke's 1st Birthday Story (both Normal and His POV)

・1st Anniversary Story Event 〜 Sariel's Route

・1st Anniversary Story Event 〜 Clavis' Route

・1st Anniversary Story Event 〜 Rio's Route

・Beast Knight Collection Event 〜 Sariel's Story

・Clavis' Route

ーーーー

Theory on Sariel's Background - What Sariel’s previous occupation before becoming the court’s minister could possibly be

Various reveals alludes to Sariel, a man now in his 40s youngest, being a potential ex-child assassin (from Obsidian) who was after the Previous King’s life but had converted and been following the Previous King’s under his command as his attendant ever since the two formed a “contract” together.

The beginning of Sariel’s “reveal” began in Sariel's 1st Birthday Story (His POV).

It was late January, inside the castle which had became very cold since it snowed during day time sat Sariel alone at the desk in his office. He didn't lit up any candle to warm up the room as he looked through the documents on his hand with the moonlight that shone into the room as he drank from the glass of ale in his other hand. The moon outside was very beautiful tonight, and on a night like this.... a memory always came back to him.

???: “Be it you, or Iーーwere we born in the wrong place?”

Sariel kept thinking about “that person” who told him that.

He thought to himself how he always work while drinking cold ale like this but he never got drunk from it.

Sariel: Even “that person”....

But at the time where people would be asleep, no one else showed up in the room. It was only Sariel alone.

In the end Sariel didn't sleep at all. By the time it's morning, Sariel thought to himself how that doesn't really matter. Because.... ever since he was a child, it's not like he ever got any decent sleep anyway.

Later Sariel went to do some... “clean ups”. What this meant was to go around crushing the bases of those who are trying to bring harm to the palace. Literally, singlehandedly. Get physical and beat them up.

Unlike a court bureaucrat, he seems like someone who's familiar with weapons.

On his birthday, at one of the bases, Sariel found MC tied up, blindfolded and unconscious. The men had kidnapped her to be a hostage. Sariel was glad MC is unconscious although he noticed she's waking up and is able to hear what's going on. But at least MC’s vision is still obstructed so Sariel is glad for that.

Because this way she won't see him beating these men up with his whip.

Sariel grabbed a guy who had collapsed down onto the grown after getting whipped up their chin by his whip. He had grabbed the man by his hair, pulling his head up to meet his own at eye level.

The man was all teary eyed as Sariel spoke up

Sariel: At the meeting two days from now, let's hear about the “circumstances” in front of everyone. Don't go running away or hiding now alright?

Sariel: Because if you don't listen to what the devil says, this timeーー you know what will happen right?

After finishing with the “clean up”, Sariel walked over to MC and told her he's glad she got her eyes blindfolded because he think the devil's work is quite too extreme for her.

Sariel: But I didn't think I'll be meeting you at a place like this, Belle

Then he told her to keep it a secret that the two of them were at this place.

ー

In addition, Sariel have said multiple times (specifically in Beast Knight Collection Event and Clavis’ Route) that unlike the princes, he wasn't raised well and good like the princes were.

In Clavis’ route, it was even revealed that The Person who taught Clavis how lock pick was... Sariel Noir.

After MC asked Sariel if he’s good at picking locks like Clavis is while Sariel was picking the lock to Clavis’ bedroom... this was his reply

Sariel: Please don't lump me in with him. .......The one who taught Prince Clavis how to do it was me.

Sariel: Long time ago, there was some happenings, I ended up being seen picking a lock by young Prince Clavis

Sariel: and he cheekily threatened me that “if you don't want me to tell anyone then teach me how to do it”

Sariel: That's why I'm the one who's better at lock picking

It was here that he once again emphasized how he wasn't raised well and good like the princes were... that's why he's good at “these sort of things”

ー

In “1st Anniversary Story Event 〜 Sariel's Route” Sariel is thinking about “that person” again. But this time we got more insights on him.

As Sariel gaze at the scenery of the country, he remembered how “that person” was the one who appointed Sariel, with his appearance not suited for this beautiful country of roses, as his closest aide.

Who exactly is Sariel an attendant of? Luke route has mentions of how Sariel has been the Previous King's attendant ever since he was young.

“That person” Sariel kept thinking of... is heavily implied to be the Previous King, the father of all the 8 Rhodolite Princes.

Jin’s route also mentioned how 6 years old Jin learnt of “the Palace’s Tragedy” (about his father, the Previous King, and his mother, the Previous Belle) from “the King’s close attendant”. Considering how Luke’s route revealed that Sariel was the Previous King’s attendant ever since he was young.... plus the fact that Sariel had known Clavis’ and Luke’s mother personally as well ever since before they gave birth to the princes because they were palace worker colleagues... It was confirmed (during Sariel might very well be in his 40s.

Sariel: (.........But a “contract” is a contract. This devil shall see through the promise to the end.)

Later on in the event common route, Clavis released mice in the castle (again). Sariel hates mice but now he has to go around catching them because they're all over the kitchen too. Yves and Luke were in the kitchen as the mice ran around, some of them jumping on Yves much to his horror. As Sariel was trying to handle the kitchen, the maids outside were also screaming because of the mice.

Sariel: Anyone who sees Prince Clavis please capture him like you do with the mice

Sariel: Ah, not just capture him but if you're able to exterminate him too that would be so great..... Oops, I accidentally spoke my mind

Rio & the Knights: ...............

After the thing with the mice was over, Sariel was thinking to himself how this time it's “mice” but even with “human” what he does is the same.

As he thought that, Sariel also thought how he doesn't want MC to know about that side of him. Because given his “dark past” he's not in the position to reach out to “that kind of thing” (which was later revealed to be “someone with a beautiful heart like Belle”).

Later on toward the the end of the common route, a knight brought a bouquet of roses to Sariel's office and told him how someone sent them for MC. But immediately after looking at the flowers... Both Sariel and Rio were able to tell right away that it's poisoned. (More on this in the theory on Rio below).

ー

In Rio's Sweet End from “1st Anniversary Story Event 〜 Rio’s Route”... Rio was trying to figure out why Sariel chose MC to become Belle since Sariel seems to have another reason for it that he didn't told anyone about. However, at the same time, Sariel was also trying to figure out who on earth is Rio because no matter how much he tried to investigate and dig up despite his skills (he was able to dig up Luke’s birthday when the birthday boy himself doesn’t even know when he was born or how old he actually is), nothing on Rio “exists” as if he's a man who “doesn't exist”. (More on this in the theory on Rio below).

Rio doubts “her slap” was the reason Sariel chose MC as Belle. He invited Sariel out to drink with him and tried to get Sariel tipsy so he would reveal some deeds to him but Sariel got no openings. What Rio hypothesized though, was that Sariel had been investigating MC “For A While” and “For Some Specific Reasons” had his eyes on her but what that reason is...... is still unknown.

Sariel: For example, what kind of reasons?

Rio, started off seriously but ended it jokingly: You've been doing background check and investigating MC... and turns out she actually have some relations to the royal family!

Sariel, holding himself back from bursting out laughing: That's some development right out of a romance novel right there

Rio changed his plans and tried to ask Sariel what he was doing before coming to the palace, where, and how he lived instead.

Sariel: ......If you tell me where you were raised I'll answer that

Rio: (Huh.......?)

Rio: Could it be that you don't know my identity too?

Sariel: ..........

Rio: (I'm right on the mark)

Rio told Sariel how he seems like the type who can get his hand on any info and is able to do anything so this was pretty unexpected.

Sariel responded with how he too find it strange that he's unable to find out the identity of someone who ought to be a commoner....

Sariel, with an evil smile: That's why I want to meet the one who turned you into a non-existent being too you see?

Rio suddenly tensed up

Rio: .........

Sariel, with a gentle smile: My apologies, it's possible that you just grew up somewhere remote

Rio, winking: You mean raised by an animal? That also sounds like a plot out of a story

Rio: Anyway, if you find out anything about me please let me know alright!

Sariel: Of course

ー

Back to why I mentioned Sariel’s “possible connection to Obsidian” at the very start, there’s actually a few points I would like to highlight regarding this matter.

By this point I think you can see why Sariel is most likely an “ex-child assassin”： his “dark past”, his “lack sleep ever since he was a child”, how he “wasn't raised well and good like the princes were... that's why he's good at “these sort of things” (lock picking, identifying poisons, violence, his “clean ups”)”

But why Obsidian? “With his appearance not suited for this beautiful country of roses”, the other country which Sariel’s appearance seems most suited for is... obviously Obsidian here. His outfit isn’t really making this subtle at all. This combined with the fact that Sariel knows Jin and Clavis are both spies for Obsidian. With Clavis, Sariel knows but he couldn’t find concrete evidence for it. However, with Jin... the two of them has been cooperating. Sariel knows, and he’s been supporting Jin as a double agent. Sariel also got contact with back alley doctors to come treat Jin whenever his life gets endangered due to his status as “an Obsidian spy” and how there are those who suspect Jin of being so. Furthermore, Obsidian is known for child labor. Especially to use them as soldier / for war.

ー

Whether this theory end up becoming completely true / only true to certain extent / or completely off the mark... We shall find out with Sariel’s route that most likely going to be here by Dec 2021 👀

But one thing for sure is, by the end of Act 1, neither we, nor any of the princes themselves, know exactly how old Sariel is nor where he was from despite how a majority of them grew up with Sariel being around ever since they were born...

ーーーー

Theory on Rio's Background - Who exactly is Rio and where is he from? Is he really amnesiac or...?

Various reveals alludes to Rio being a “someone not ordinary” perhaps an (ex-)assassin or royalty/nobility from Benitoite.

While Chevalier’s True Love (Romantic) End reveals Rio to know a “foreign lullaby”...

The first time we got proper some insight on Rio was from Nokto’s Route Chapter 7. Despite having followed Nokto and MC to Benitoite, Rio “lied” about Sariel telling him to remain in the carriage to wait. It was actually Rio’s own decision to, for some reason, avoid being seen by people in Benitoite. Nokto noticed this, but Rio insisted that he has no idea what Nokto is on to and that he has no memory from before 3 years ago.

I’ll get back to the bit about Benitoite later to focus on Rio’s and his “assassin-like” skills first. But through out Act 1, Rio keep avoiding Benitoite like a plague.

Moving onto Rio’s “assassin-like” skills... this also first made its cameo in Nokto’s Route Chapter 7. Rio “accidentally” dropped his trays on Nokto as they walked passed each other and almost “accidentally” threw a knife at Nokto's face, missing it just by his hair.

Rio: Oops. My hand slipped, I'm so sorry.

Nokto saw through that. That neither was the tray dropping nor the knife almost hitting him was “an accident”. After asking Rio what it was that he actually wanted to talk to him about, Rio told Nokto that this is a warning from him. A warning not to hurt his precious, most important girl, or he won't forgive Nokto even if he's a prince.

ー

Later on in Nokto’s Chapter 12, Rio together with MC and Luke were tailing behind Licht into a building.

First of all, it was Rio who noticed the footprints and figured out which direction to go. As the three were eavesdropping from a room nearby, Rio was able to tell how many people were in the other room with Nokto through the eavesdropping through the wall.

ー

Soon after in Licht’s Route Chapter 13, Rio's “assassin-like” senses were triggered here as well. While MC, Licht, and Rio were on the carriage together, Licht and Rio noticed they were surrounded.

In Licht’s His POV story for this chapter, upon realizing that Rio too, noticed the same thing he did... Licht thought how he heard Rio is “just a commoner like MC” but that totally doesn't seem to be the case here.

Because “an ordinary commoner shouldn't be able to notice that”.

ー

Now let me just share “My Knight is a Beast (Licht Route Release) Collection Event 〜 Rio's Story” because this story literally explains itself.

The story started off with Rio rushing to the scene and tackling down the guy who was grabbing onto MC's arm and as they both tumbled down onto the ground...

Rio: Ouchhhhh that hurtsssssss

From everyone's point of view, Rio seems like he clumsily dashed in and fell on that man.

But the man who was tackled down by Rio.... his face became deathly pale.

Man 1: Hey. What's wrong?

Man 2, who got tackled down: Let's go.

Man 1: What?

Man 2: Don't ask, let's leave!!

Just like that, the men ran off like a startled hare. As she saw that, MC wondered what got into them all of a sudden.

Rio: They probably suddenly remembered they have something important they had to do. But more importantly, I'm glad you're safe

MC thought the men were acting strangely but whatever since nothing happened, all is good. She thanked Rio for saving her and asked if he followed her along. Rio told her he did, because he had a bad feeling something might happen and he's so worried he couldn't sit still if that really were the case. Rio told MC to use a safer street to head back or else..... he backed her against the wall. A beast might assault her like this. Backing away from her, Rio told her to get on the carriage that he came on before him. MC asked Rio what about him but he said he got something to do a bit first and he will promptly follow her.

Immediately after, the scene cut to a random house nearby.

Man 1: Hey, why did you run away

Man 2: .....That guy is bad news. If we go against him, the one that's not going to end well is us

Man 1: Haa??

Man 2: Did you not noticed!? That guy when he tackled me down.... He had a knife against my neck!!!

Man 2: It won't be strange to be kill by him!!!

As the man was screaming out his demise, a shadow approached them

???: It's alright. Because I can't do something so cruel like that in front of that girl

The Men: !?

Man 2: I-it's you.......!

They asked Rio who suddenly showed up if he chased them here and Rio said, with a friendly smile on his face as he slowly approached them, that there's simply something he forgot to tell these men who dare put their hand on his MC.

In the next moment, Rio's gaze turned sharp and the men felt chill running down their spine

Rio: There shall be no second time. Bear that in mind.

The unbearable pleasure they felt from Rio made the men tremble in fear like wild rabbits cornered by a beast as they replied “we will never do it again”.

Satisfied with the reply, Rio smiled and left.

As Rio came back into the alley and walked toward the carriage MC was waiting for him in....

Rio: I'll certainly protect you

Rio: No matter with what means I have to use

ーーEnd of “My Knight is a Beast (Licht Route Release) Collection Event 〜 Rio's Story”ーー

As you can see above, the story explained itself here. Those are... not ordinary skills.

ー

In Rio 1st Birthday story, it was revealed that April 13 is not Rio’s birthday. April 13, 3 years ago, was the day he and MC first met.

In His POV, Rio can't remember his birthday so MC suggested he set a date as his birthday so they can celebrate it. As rio agreed... the first date that came up to his mind was “that day” ....the day he first met MC.

Rio felt so happy to be able to spend his birthday with mc but that's also why a certain thought kept repeating itself in his head. If his memories returned, he wonder if he'll be able to remain here unchangingly. He wonder if he can still stay by MC’s side.

Rio: The more happy I feel, the more afraid I become of the future.....

From this story, it seems Rio’s amnesia is “real”. But does he truly not remember “everything” or does he have partial memory of things is something to ponder about. Considering how soon after Rio said the line above to himself, he heard footsteps and he remember the sound of this footsteps belongs to MC’s.

There’s also the fact that Rio been avoiding Benitoite back in Nokto’s route. This also came up again in Luke’s Passionate Love (Dramatic) End.

ー

A quick back tracing to Licht’s route first since Licht’s Chapter 12 also had another key point regarding “Rio and Benitoite”.

After Sariel told MC and Rio how a duke from Benitoite will be visiting Rhodolite as Benitoite’s goodwill ambassador since every year around this time Rhodolite and Benitoite would be exchanging relations and stuff...

Rio: .......A duke from Benitoite you say?

MC saw the smile disappeared from Rio's face so she asks him what's wrong. But his reaction was...

Rio: Ah, sorry. It's nothing.

....If this isn’t shady then what is this.

ー

Then at the very end of Luke’s Passionate Love (Dramatic) End when MC was about to follow Luke to Benitoite...

At the bookstore in the capital city of Rhodolite, despite how much he wants to be with MC, Rio unexpectedly decided to remain behind and not even go with her to Benitoite, letting Cyril be the one to accompany MC on her travel instead. Before MC left, Rio was all sad and worried over her. In which MC, in an attempt to put Rio at ease, told him “benitoite isn't a dangerous country”

Rio: ..........I wonder about that

MC: ??

Rio, do you truly have “no memory of anything before 3 years ago” for you to be avoiding Benitoite to such degree? Are you perhaps related to Silvio in some way?

ー

In “1st Anniversary Story Event 〜 Clavis' Route”, we got another emphasize on Rio being “someone not ordinary”.

After Rio told Clavis he noticed Clavis been snooping around but he don't know what Clavis is trying to do, he asked him if he would tell him what he’s up to. Being asked that, Clavis thought to himself how usually Rio seems like a dog wagging his tail for his master but.... he knows how to bare his fangs at his enemies. He's good at socialization and you could even say he's like someone powerful enough to quarrel with royalties.

Clavis thought how at the very least, Rio is totally not someone ordinary. Because of this reason, he's going to do some digging on his background.

Clavis: That's right. You're my *wife's butler...... I'll at least let you in on the secret, but not now.

Note: This story is a direct continuation of “(IF Event) Royal Wedding～The Prince and the Fake Bride～Part.2 ～ Clavis’ Route″ where in the story, MC and Clavis “got married” (Rio and Luke crashed the wedding though). This premise of Clavis’ MC being Clavis’ “wife” (pre-Clavis route release) continued on even to the story event after this, in “Midsummer's Heat 〜The Drench Beast Wants to Indulge〜 Clavis’ Route”

Rio: I told you she's not your wife but.....

Rio: If you don't tell me, I won't let you meet MC no matter what

Clavis: Oh, that's troubling. If I can't play with my wife I would want to lay traps all over the castle

Rio: But you're not a person with that much free time to pull it off

Rio was smiling but his eyes were sharp like that of a mad dog.

Clavis: (Jeez, if mc really is keeping this much of a mad dog around her then.....)

ー

Then through out the common route of “1st Anniversary Story Event 〜 Sariel's Route”, Sariel also kept thinking about how Rio, despite the front he's showing, seems to have “another side”

At the end of the common route, after a knight brought a bouquet of roses to Sariel's office and told him how someone sent them for MC. But immediately after looking at the flowers... Both Sariel and Rio were able to tell right away that it's poisoned...

Sariel was thinking once again how Rio really is no ordinary person.

And we got a flashback scene to the first time Sariel met Rio at the bookstore. The scene which happened off-screen during the prologue.

Having entered the bookstore MC was supposed to be working at, Sariel met Rio who was directing killing intent at him.

In the end, Sariel decided to take Rio along with him to the palace too because...

1) Rio is troublesome to handle due to his sharpness and how he clearly is showing that he won't let Sariel off without a fight

2) Rio's killing intent is even giving Sariel the chills

3) Sariel don't know the reason, but it seems this man (Rio) really “needs” MC (the word he use is she's necessary to him for some reason)

So he took Rio with him too since there's no reason not to let Rio stay by MC

Now, considering the above theory of Sariel being a potential ex-child assassin... if even Rio’s killing intent can give Sariel the chills... that’s certainly something.

ー

Sariel: For example, what kind of reasons?

Rio, started off seriously but ended it jokingly: You've been doing background check and investigating MC... and turns out she actually have some relations to the royal family!

Sariel, holding himself back from bursting out laughing: That's some development right out of a romance novel right there

Rio changed his plans and tried to ask Sariel what he was doing before coming to the palace, where, and how he lived instead.

Sariel: ......If you tell me where you were raised I'll answer that

Rio: (Huh.......?)

Rio: Could it be that you don't know my identity too?

Sariel: ..........

Rio: (I'm right on the mark)

Rio told Sariel how he seems like the type who can get his hand on any info and is able to do anything so this was pretty unexpected.

Sariel responded with how he too find it strange that he's unable to find out the identity of someone who ought to be a commoner....

Sariel, with an evil smile: That's why I want to meet the one who turned you into a non-existent being too you see?

Rio suddenly tensed up

Rio: .........

Sariel, with a gentle smile: My apologies, it's possible that you just grew up somewhere remote

Rio, winking: You mean raised by an animal? That also sounds like a plot out of a story

Rio: Anyway, if you find out anything about me please let me know alright!

Sariel: Of course

The bit above here was also shared in Sariel’s theory section but I copied it over and highlighted the bit that focuses more on Rio.

In summary, Rio is most certainly from Benitoite. But regarding his background...

Rio, we know you are no ordinary person but... just who exactly are you??

#asks #ikepri #ikemen prince #イケメン王子 #cybird ikemen series #cybird #ikemen series #ikepri spoilers #ikepri jp spoilers #sariel noir #ikepri sariel #rio ortiz #ikepri rio #long post

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emblemxeno · 3 years

Text

JP vs. Localization in Fire Emblem Fates: Revelation

(Okay, for real this time lol)

Again, here’s a link to my sources post.

Fortunately, this route follows suit in terms of good localization quality after Conquest. It’s the shortest out of all the posts, since I don’t really have a lot to talk about. Mostly subtle line changes, references and a few key points of information that were cut out. I also went through Hidden Truths and Heirs of Fate to see if I could add stuff from those on here, but there were no big problems that I found.

Once again, the main part of this post will all be put under the cut. If a chapter isn’t covered, it means I didn’t think there were any differences worth talking about.

I’ll use localized names for characters and locations, unless I feel the need to do otherwise.

I’ll be using she/her when referring to Corrin in this post. (I flipped a coin to decide the gender lol)

Also, note that after Chapter 14, the translation of this route on Fateswartable ends, so I mostly relied on the English patch done by Serenes at that point forward. (I also used PegasusKnight.com as a reference to fall back on if I needed it)

Chapter 7

-A minor gripe I have with localization. The JP version compares Touma (Valla) to hell constantly. To jump ahead a bit, I believe in the JP versions of the End of All Sky/Land/Below tracks are even called The End of All Roads Heaven/Earth/Hell. The Vallites are also often called demons in the JP version, and Anankos himself is known as the ‘Invisible Demon Dragon’.

Another cool thing I just thought of too, is a connection to a popular Japanese short story. Zelda fans might be familiar with the story, “The Spider’s Thread”, which inspired the Ancient Cistern dungeon in Skyward Sword.

The beginning of the story has Buddha walking through paradise (heaven), before coming across a pond. The pond is filled with crystal clear water, and covered with water lilies/lotuses. As Buddha gazes further into the pond, he begins to see the depths of hell.

Sound familiar? “Azura is walking through Hoshido, before coming across a lake. The lake is filled with crystal clear water, and when she gazes into the lake she sees the fallen kingdom of her birth. Valla, the kingdom associated with water lilies/lotuses in the game, has been turned into hell itself.”

This association loses its meaning a bit when the comparisons to hell are a bit toned down, as well as when the Buddhist inspirations were kind of supplanted in favor of Greek renames. It’s not supremely important to the plot as a whole, but it’s something interesting I wanted to bring up.

-In the JP version, while explaining what happened in Valla, Azura eventually says “Using the art of manipulating people’s souls, he (Hydra/Anankos) made the people kill each other.” This bit of the people killing each other was cut in localization.

Chapter 12

-In the JP version, when Corrin asks Flora if she knows anything about dragons, Flora says “Sorry, I don’t know…The ancestral dragon of the Ice Clan has already perished and isn’t part of the legend. I don’t know what role it plays, sorry…” Localization makes her response “I'm sorry, but I can't think of anything... They've been gone so long that we don't even have tales of dragons in the Ice Tribe. I'm sorry I couldn't be of more assistance...”

So, the JP version explicitly says the Ice Dragon is dead (I believe Fates’ second artbook mentioned this as well), whereas the localization only says the First Dragons have been gone for a long time.

Chapter 16

-There’s not really much of a problem that I have with what Ryoma says about Corrin “having leadership qualities at a young age” but I wanted to do comparisons regardless cuz the word choice might lead one to different conclusions. In localization, Ryoma says this:

Ryoma: Huh... So she told us the same thing... I don't think it's in Corrin's nature to lie. And there's a leadership quality about her that just attracts followers. I remember being jealous of her as a child, in fact. Even at such a young age, she displayed the characteristics of a ruler. Silly to be jealous of her, right?

In the JP version, Ryoma says this:

Ryoma: Oh... So, she told you the same thing. …Corrin isn’t one to tell lies. She’s been like that since childhood. She’s always genuine and honest... She has this mysterious appeal that draws people to her. Seeing my younger sister with the qualities of being a ruler... Honestly, it makes me feel envious. …What a ridiculous thing to say, right?

Again, I don’t necessarily have a problem with how it was localized, but some might. The localization version might have people think that Corrin somehow was a fantastic leader at such a young age, but JP is more clear that it was about the qualities she had at a young age that would be valuable as a leader.

Chapter 19

-A minor gripe. In the localization, Azura says that Anankos uses his magic to send Vallites to Nohr and Hoshido to stir up conflict. In the JP version, she says he uses magic, along with the help of a body of water. That’s why whenever you fight Vallites outside of Valla proper, there’s a body of water nearby; Hoshido’s lake (and the ponds shown in Hinoka’s CQ battle which are in the capital) for Chapter 5, the sea for BR chapter 11, the burning falls for BR chapter 21, and the city for Rev chapter 13. Similarly, the consequences of being a victim to the curse are described as “turning into sea foam” in the JP version. Localization as a whole kind of toned down how much water has an influence on the story.

Chapter 23

-Probably the pettiest gripe I have lol. As Arete is fading away from Azura’s arms, Azura has a different reaction in localization and Japanese. In localization, Azura says “Mother? Mother!” while a voice clip of her in-battle pain cries plays. In the JP, she says “*Sob... Sob*…! Mother... Mother...!”, while a voice clip of her crying plays. Her crying voice clip I don’t recall hearing anywhere else.

This is one of the few times in the you get to see Azura express a heavy and heartfelt emotion, since her rough childhood caused her to remain guarded and stoic around everyone. The equivalents to this scene in other routes is her death scene in Birthright, and her crying with Corrin over Ryoma’s death in Conquest; a normally unflinching and aloof character breaking down is a rarity, and indicates that the cause of it is something to take note of for the character as a whole. Localization softened this aspect, and I take issue with it, despite it probably seeming trivial to most other people.

Chapter 24

-When Corrin is questioning the phantom Mikoto, an exchange happens. In localization, part of it goes like this:

Corrin: But this can't be... Are you truly my mother?

Mikoto: I am. Even as a puppet of Anankos, my spirit at least remains my own.

Corrin: I... I believe you.

In the JP version, it goes like this:

Corrin: It can’t be... …Are you really my mother?

Mikoto: Yes... I became an Invisible servant, controlled by the Invisible King... Even so, I am your mother.

Corrin: …………

Again, a minor thing that I don’t personally have issue with, but replacing Corrin’s silence with an admittance of belief could make some believe she has “reverted” back to being too naïve.

Chapter 26

-While Gunter is relaying his past, an exchange happens. In localization, it goes like this:

Gunter: I ask myself that, every day. I cannot understand the minds of royals. To you all, we commoners are little more than pawns in your schemes... Or weeds to be killed on a whim.

Corrin: That's not true...

Xander: Is that how people view the royalty?

Ryoma: Such an impression would easily breed powerful resentment...

In the JP version, Corrin, Xander and Ryoma don’t say anything. They just remain silent.

Endgame

-Not a major problem so much as a general thing about the game, but I can think of like... at least three memes that Treehouse inserted into the localization. Now I like memes, but there is no better way to date your media nowadays. One of them was Kana’s “That’s dragon for I love you” which tbh, is kind of cute and isn’t the most well known meme so I guess I can let it slide. Another is Felicia saying “I had one job!” when she messes up in the dining hall, which isn’t that big of a deal since the dining hall is very optional.

The last one I can think of is why I put this specific grievance here, and it’s during Corrin’s speech before facing Anankos.

Corrin: We won't back down! This is my... This is our destiny! Ready your weapons! Fight for your friends! With the Seal of Flames... With the Fire Emblem on our side! We fight for our world!!

Yeah, she says “Fight for your friends” which is everyone’s favorite Ike line from Brawl. Now, this isn’t even a totally inaccurate translation either, but it kind of just... makes the moment funny for the player when it’s supposed to be commanding and serious I guess.

But yeah, not the most important issue by far, but something I’d thought to mention. Hell, it’s not even that bad compared to how they made Peri’s, Effie’s and Hisame’s quirks into exaggerated and tired jokes. And the Beruka-Saizo support. Never forget.

-When Azura and Corrin are by the lake and discuss the latter’s plans to rule, Corrin says this in localization:

Corrin: I'm going to make Valla a wonderful place! In honor of the true last king and for Queen Arete. And everyone who fought... I promise to make them all proud.

In the JP version, she says this:

Corrin: I’ll make the Invisible Kingdom (Valla) into a great land. For the previous monarch, Queen Shenmei (Arete)… And for all of my allies who fought beside me. I promise.

So, JP version only mentions Arete as the reigning monarch of Valla. Which makes sense, cuz unless there was some wild “keeping the bloodline pure” shenanigans in Valla, Arete being the Queen keeps in line with what we know about the rest of Valla’s history. Arete was royalty from birth, as was her sister Mikoto. Arete is the one who passed down Lost in Thoughts and the pendant to Azura.

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