#that was Very interesting to see. doubt it'll come up but when its animation nothing is done just cuz

[justabunchofdragons]

starting arcane! im scaredeys for the lil blue haired girl :(

[strwberri-milk]

Heyyy can I request a diluc x reader fic where diluc's falcon gets injured or sick (like it'll be fine in like, 2 weeks) and so diluc takes it to a veterinary center that specializes in birds of prey or something (idk it's mondstat 😭) and the reader takes care of diluc's falcon and diluc and the reader fall in love ❤️❤️❤️ (sorry if it's too specificcc)

sorry this is shorter/not as devveloped as you might have wanted [sob] my fics are usally just. on the longer side and i'd hate to make you wait like months for me to write it for you ;-;

"I would think the Ragnvindr family would have someone more familiar with their animals look after them, especially with an injury like this," you say to the redhead, almost amused with the grumpy look on his face.

To the untrained eye, it may seem that Diluc is irritated at the injury his bird has sustained but to you it's clear he's very concerned. You've seen many other rich kids coming into your clinic, ones who can afford your services with the level of care you give to exotic pets who are genuinely irritated when their rishboland tiger is depressed that it's no longer in its native habitat.

"Whatever. Just tell me how bad it is and how long it'll take her to feel better," he says curtly, eyes never leaving the bird he's cared for since he was a young child.

"She's just a little ill. I think she sustained an injury that was almost invisible and the signs of infection just haven't manifested until now. I'll run a course of antibiotics and keep her for a couple weeks for a full workup to ensure that it is nothing more serious than that."

He looks skeptical, dark eyes finally lifting from the sleeping bundle of feathers to look at you.

You've never worked with Diluc personally but in this moment you could see why so many people fawned over him. He was handsome in passing sure, but now with his attention solely focused on you you felt that if you weren't working you'd crumple. Thankfully, you're stronger than that.

"You have no reason to doubt me. I know my reputation precedes me. If it didn't you wouldn't have come to me."

He nods begrudgingly, hesitant to actually leave his beloved falcon in what is essentially just a certified stranger. As he remains silent you make one more subtle gesture to soothe him, gently running your hand over the breast of the bird.

"You can come visit whenever you want, provided I'm not performing surgery on her, or any of the other patients. How does that sound?"

You think he almost looks like a pouting child, keeping your laughter to yourself at the sight of his slightly rounded cheeks no longer seeming to suit his overall harder disposition. Looking at him like this you can see the gentle countours that make him look almost pretty, not handsome as you initially thought.

"I'll take you up on that offer. It'll be the only way I'll feel comfortable letting Dawn stay here."

You had no way of knowing just how often he'd actually be coming, thinking he'd just visit once every other day or so. Instead, he comes by a couple times a day when he's free or there's a lull at the bar. He tries to make small talk with you, feeling bad for intruding so often but the way Dawn perks up whenever you walk into the room makes him want to talk to you more about her.

You try not to talk too much, focused on providing him any information that might be new or interesting to him. Subtly, you're also trying to see if he'll try to fill in the gaps with that businessman charisma he's got. You can tell he's got something more on his mind to say, managing to slightly pull it out of him every once in a while.

You two slowly grow a little closer to each other thanks to your efforts, Diluc's heart opening up for what feels like the first time in a long time. He's not sure if it really breaks any rules about doctors not being allowed to date patients considering he wasn't really the patient. He guesses he could consider himself father of the patient, but you seem to beat him to it as he's standing there waiting for you to finish the paperwork to release Dawn.

"Well, I suppose this will be the last time I see you, huh?" you say as you bring Dawn out in her carrier, Diluc listening to her happily coo at the sight of him.

"We both live in Mondstat so I'm sure we'll see each other around," he says almost hopefully, the tint of it not missing your ears.

"I suppose but it'd be easier if I told you to meet me after work in front of Angel's Share, wouldn't it?"

His eyes widen, baffled at your lack of shame. You're confident in asking him and he can't help but find himself drawn to it. Even more so since you're distractedly playing with Dawn as you wait for him to reply.

He clears his throat after a while, averting his gaze after taking the carrier from you.

"Sure. I'll be waiting."

[seabreezeraincloud]

I'm a big fan of the Tangled series' animation style too! I'll admit by saying that it may not as appealing looking in comparison to shows like Gravity Falls & Owl House, but being a huge fan of the Disney animation studio films, the art style in the series works very well for me. I'm hoping they'll continue to use that art style for their upcoming Tiana & Moana series.

It's ironic that you mention Gravity Falls, because that's a show whose style actually was an acquired taste for me. When I began watching it for the first time, I did not like the art style going in. That's right; I used to be a "bean mouth" hater. Obviously this was like 10 years ago and I grew to like it eventually (and become more open-minded on art in general), but even now I wouldn't say the style is amazing or anything, and I certainly wouldn't say it's better than Tangled's. The animation itself is very high quality, and the backgrounds are gorgeous and really bring out the atmosphere the show is aiming for. It's undeniably a very good-looking show; I just prefer big colored eyes over tiny black dot eyes, I guess.

And like...as much as I now disagree with what I thought of the style back in 2012, I think it's good to remind myself that I did hold that opinion and I almost didn't watch the show because of it. I almost missed out on Gravity Falls because I didn't like how it looked. I'm so glad I gave it a chance anyway because it ended up being an amazing experience that I'll look back on fondly for the rest of my life. It just goes to show that I shouldn't be so quick to dismiss an animated series just for its visual style.

Now, The Owl House definitely has a style that appeals more to my personal tastes. I feel like if it came out 10 years ago, I probably would've been less hesitant to watch it than Gravity Falls. Back in 2019, while the cartoon community was raving over Amphibia - a show I was pretty "meh" on at the time - this was the "Gravity Falls successor" show I was really looking forward to (it's probably my biggest "I liked it before it was cool" flex lol), and I really do think that was not only because of the premise and setting seeming more interesting to me, but because of the art style being a bit more distinct from Gravity Falls'. That's not even to mention how great the animation is in the show. I'd probably rank it right below Tangled in terms of my favorite DTVA visuals.

When it comes to how Tiana and Moana will be animated...eh, I don't know. Part of me would be happy to see them take inspiration from Tangled because it's a style that I love so much, but another part of me likes that it's a style unique to Tangled that gives the series its own identity and doesn't really want it just copy-and-pasted onto other Disney Princess shows. I know Disney Princess properties borrowing heavily from each other's styles is nothing new, but still, they don't have to all look alike, y'know? That said, I certainly can't see myself complaining if they did decide to make them look similar to Tangled. I kind of doubt Tiana will get this treatment since The Princess and the Frog is already a 2D-animated property, but I can see Moana potentially going this route (unless they decide to take the path of "noticeably lower quality 3D", which I would be a bit disappointed by). I guess it partially depends on whether the animation for these shows will be done at WDAS or outsourced to another studio like Mercury, which I haven't seen any confirmation for, but...I'm assuming it will probably be outsourced since that's what Disney usually does for their animated TV shows. I haven't been following the updates that closely though. It'll be easier to form an opinion when they get closer to release, but regardless, I am looking forward to these shows.

Anyway...yup, I am a Tangled series art and animation lover through and through. It was the right call to go for a unique style instead of trying to replicate the movie's or even a more traditional WDAS style. It's so pleasing to look at and I will always be salty that Disney never gave us an art book or at least a physical version of Rapunzel's journal.

[sincerelyasomebody]

Give An Inch || Oscar "Spooky" Diaz

(GIF Credit: @merakiaes)

A/N: Not proofread, apologises. Feel free to point out any mistakes with the Spanish translations. Thanks!

Pairing(s): Spooky x Reader ▪︎ The Core 5 x Reader (platonic relationship) 

Summary: A helping hand is mistaken for something else. 

Warnings: fluff, language, mention of smut (very light), mentions of a baby, sexist comments, 

Word Count: 1815

- ♤ - ♡ - ◇ - ♧ -

"Come on, (Y/N)." Jamal begged, trying to snatch the bag filled with candy, "just one more and I promise I'll stop asking." 

"No, Jamal," she reprimanded the teenager, "you've eaten enough candy as it is."

He huffed, the rest of the group laughing at his misfortune. Oscar shook his head, wrapping his arm around her shoulders, clicking his tongue, "eh, just give him one." 

She looked at him, "and have him throw up on himself? I don't think so." She glanced over at the group and back at him, "besides, he keeps grabbing the (flavour) ones and there's hardly any left." 

With a laugh, he kissed her forehead, "so it's not about his well being? It's 'cause he keeps taking the ones you like?" 

"Shut up," was her response. 

That made him laugh harder, causing the group of teenagers to look back at the couple. Cesar smiled at how carefree his brother looked whereas his friends were still surprised, despite knowing of the couple's marital status. 

They and their families, the Santos and (Y/N)'s family were present at the courthouse, a simple but elegant affair. Despite her mother's protest about a big wedding, (Y/N) was more focused on spending the rest of her life with Oscar and Cesar (they were a packaged deal). She didn't care where they got married. 

It had been months since that court appearance and (Y/N) and Oscar had fallen in love with each other more everyday. Yes, they had their disagreements, but before the sun set apologises were said and a round of cuddles were given. He may have been a tough Santos leader, but Oscar was big on affection. 

A relaxed date night for the pair turned into an eventful group outing. (Y/N) didn't mind, having grown accustomed to having the teenagers around (even Jasmine with her big personality, something she really admired). Oscar was annoyed, but adjusted to having her attention shared. 

The teenagers began to disagree on whether to try their luck with the games or grab a bite to eat. The girls wanted to play some games and the boys wanted to get some more food. (Y/N) decided to make the decision for them, looking at Oscar, "you go with the boys and I'll go with the girls," she laughed, taking note of his unimpressed look, "they're not that bad." 

Right on cue, Jamal and Ruby began arguing about the most problematic person in the 90 Day Fiancé: Before the 90 Days cast. Cesar stood by, saying nothing and somehow got dragged into the debate. (Y/N) shook her head and pecked Oscar's cheek, "good luck." 

And with that, she walked off with the girls in tow. 

The three walked around for quite a bit before deciding on playing Whac-a-Mole; no lines, reasonably priced and the prizes were really good. (Y/N) handed the attendant the money and watched the game light up. 

"How do you plan on winning?" Monse asked, knowing that a bunch of the games were rigged. 

"By imagining something that pisses me off," she replied. Both girls quirked an eyebrow and watched as she hit almost every single mole that popped out of its hole. When the game ended, she glanced over at them, "see?" 

They laughed at her chosen stuffed animal being a wolf, knowing her obsession with dogs, when the attendant asked about her prize. Taking a step back, she allowed the girls to decide if they wanted to play a game. 

Unbeknownst to her, a figure had been watching from afar and decided right at that moment to start up a conversation. 

(Y/N) felt a presence move closer, she smiled thinking they were passing by, but instead stopped right in front of her. Her eyebrows furrowed, as she took in the person; solid build, tall and tanned skin. 

"The name's Damian," he introduced himself.

She nodded, "hello, Damian, I'm (Y/N). Did you need something?" 

Before he could reply a mallet hit the side of his head. She covered her mouth to stifle her laughter, eyes looking at the direction of where it flew to find Monse nodding towards Jasmine, the girl giving a sheepish grin. (Y/N) turned back around to find Damian rubbing his head.

"Well… uh, that was… something," he muttered, picking up the object and holding it out. 

"Sorry," Jasmine apologised, taking it and giving it back to the attendant.

(Y/N) noticed his cheek darkening, "you might need some ice for that," she held up her finger, "follow my finger, please." A couple seconds later, she concluded, "you don't seem to have a concussion, but you should check out the medical tent." 

He smiled, "you in the medical field?" 

"A nurse at the local hospital." 

"Beauty and brains," he complimented

She shook her head, "come on I'll take you," she glanced over her shoulder, "tell the guys where I'm going, okay? I shouldn't be long." 

Monse and Jasmine nodded at her instructions, sharing a look when she walked around the corner, hopefully Spooky wasn't nearby. 

But of course, luck wasn't on their side. 

"You girls win anything?" 

They turned around and found Cesar walking ahead of the group, a grin plastered across his face holding up a teddy bear and handing it over to Monse. Jamal and Ruby holding a slushie and a churro in their hands. Spooky took notice of the missing figure, his eyes staring at the pair, "where's (Y/N)?" 

Jasmine piped up, "at the medical tent," when she noticed their concerned faces she quickly added, "don't worry, she's not hurt. She took a guy there 'cause I hit him in the head with a mallet." 

"You hit him with a mallet?" questioned Ruby, taking a sip of his slushie. 

"Sí, pero no propósito," she gestured to the truck, "I was using it for the game, they really need to tape that shit down."  

Jamal's eyebrows scrunched together, "aren't those things attached?" 

"Yeah, they are," Monse replied, "well.. one used to be." 

As the group got on the subject of other carnival games, they didn't notice Spooky slipping away to find (Y/N). Always being down to help whoever with whatever, it didn't come as a surprise to him hearing she had walked the guy over to the medical tent. It was a trait he loved about her, but of course it had setbacks. 

With a heart as big as hers, there were some people who liked to take advantage of her goodwill. 

If the guy fell into that category, then he was in for a rude awakening.

He walked around the corner, avoiding a bunch of kids running with their parents trying to keep up with them. Passing by several tents he found the one he was looking for. It wasn't that hard as an ambulance, cots and paramedics stuck out among the food trucks and carnival games. 

His eyes focused on her, her hands clutching a stuffed animal, a smile crossed his face taking note of it being a wolf. She let out a laugh and continued talking to the person next to her. He moved towards them, his pace picking up when he noticed her twiddling her thumbs, a subtle sign that showed she was beginning to feel uncomfortable. 

"Cariño." He called out. 

Her head turned in his direction, a big smile on her face as she rose to her feet. When he was close enough, she wrapped her arms around his waist, resting her head on his chest. When she released her hold, she pecked his lips. 

Quickly bending down to pick up the wolf plushie.  

After shaking it, she held it up to his face, "say hello to the new love of my life." 

He kissed his teeth, "new love? The only new love of your life is gonna be the baby I put in you, esta noche." 

She gasped and hit his chest, laughing when he pulled her in and kissed the top of her head. 

"Uh… you're taken?" 

The couple turned to the figure holding the ice pack to his cheek. (Y/N) nodded, "yep, happily taken." Holding up her left hand to reveal just how taken she was.

Damian shook his head, "you're married and walking around as if you're single? Wow, aren't you a great catch." 

Her eyebrows furrowed, at the switch in his tone, "excuse you?" 

"You led me on."

"Led you on?" She scoffed, "how?" 

He gestured to the tent, "you brought me here." 

"Yeah, I brought you here to make sure you were okay," she replied, "and before you say anything about me staying with you, I thought I'd keep you company before your friends arrived." 

"You have to train her better," Damian shifted his focus to Oscar, "can't have your wife leading men on like some bitch in heat." 

Before (Y/N) could blink, Oscar gripped the front of Damian's shirt and pulled him close their nose centimetres apart, "don't fucking talk to her like that, understand me?" Damian just blinked, causing Oscar to give him a shake, "I asked you a question." 

He nodded, "yeah, I won't. Ever again." 

Oscar loosened his grip, nodding towards the bruising on the side of his head, "next time it'll be a bullet," at the scared look he received, he smirked, "now, apologise to my wife, pendejo." 

"I'm sorry." 

"She has a name." 

"I'm sorry, (Y/N)." 

"What are you sorry for?" 

"I'm sorry, (Y/N) for calling you a bitch and assuming that you were interested." Damian apologised. 

She nodded, "thank you." 

"When a woman is interested, she'll make it clear that she's interested." Oscar explained, "if she isn't interested, back off." 

"Right, got it." 

"But with your obscured view on women, I doubt they'd be interested," (Y/N) snickered, "all that muscle on you and you're nothing but a punk ass bitch." 

Oscar held her hand in his, giving the back of it a kiss, "come on," when they were about a metre away, (Y/N) called out, "enjoy the rest of your night, Damian. You sexist pig." 

This received a few stares from those surrounding the other tents but the couple kept walking as if nothing had happened. (Y/N) allowed Oscar to lead them back to wherever the group of teenagers were. When she spotted them, she stopped her movement, causing Oscar to halt in his.

"What's wrong?" 

She smirked and moved in close, fingers fiddling with the button of his shirt, "do you wanna get started?'

His eyebrow arched, "get started on what?" 

"On putting that baby in me…. Unless, you've changed your mind and -" 

She laughed when he gripped her hand and dragged her in the direction of the car, throwing a comment about texting Cesar that she wasn't feeling well and to stay the night at Monse's when she asked about the group noticing their disappearance. 

- ♤ - ♡ - ◇ - ♧ - 

Spanish Translation(s): 

Sí, pero no propósito - yeah, but not on purpose

Cariño - dear or darling 

Esta noche - tonight 

Pendejo - asshole or bastard

[theangrypokemaniac]

There's a sneering attitude that the dub is inherently inferior solely for being a dub, and when I say 'dub' I mean the American one. No one attacks the South American interpretation, funnily enough, or the variety that exist globally.

Why not if foreign languages are so abhorrent?  Do you think it's kewl to hate America?

That's so original you know.

If the moan centres on the dub changing certain things, well that's a pointless stance, because it's impossible to do otherwise.

What's accepted in one country is not always permitted elsewhere, so either you make those alterations or it's never shown. I'd prefer seeing a slightly toned down version rather than have it never reach the West at all.

This is without considering the technical obstacles that a direct translation brings. The words do have to fit the mouth movements, and if they don't, truncation must follow.

America and Japan are different; the population of the former are not going to comprehend the references to the latter's history and culture, which necessitates some divergence from the original to give it mass appeal.

Anime is a branch of entertainment. It has to attract the public's good will to stay in business. If impenetrable, it'll fail, with all the resulting unemployment and finacial losses that brings.

Those in charge of dubbing understandably think they're on safer ground promoting familiarity rather than the strange, but that's not to say Pokémon was stripped of its identity. On the contrary, it was like nothing I'd ever encountered before.

I may have watched Western cartoons then, but the idea of doing so now is silly. I won't give time to any modern animation unless it's Japanese. Growing up on the dub has not produced an ephemeral fan less serious or 'true'.

The 4Kids dub had wit, humour, deep emotion, suggestive comments and flights of fancy. The voices fitted the characters well.

Unlike the current one, where everyone sounds on the verge of vomiting, but then they're clearly working with substandard material on a miserly budget. You can't make a silk purse out of a sow's ear after all.

Dubs can be bad, but the very state of being a dub doesn't confer worthlessness automatically. Considering the work gone into them, attempting to gain your favour, it seems rude not to appreciate the time and energy spent in production.

Knowing a little about history, sub-only fanatics remind me of the kind of folk who opposed an English Bible, because it was too good for the oiks to read the word of God.

Of course it was alright for them, rich enough to be taught Latin, but not so much the ordinary man.

It amuses me how dozens dismiss the dub, but see no hypocrisy in using its evidence to further their ship or anti-ship arguments, so it can't be that revolting.

It's also bizarre that so many hold sacred the sub of a series currently in a frenzy to shed every aspect of its anime and Japanese origins, leaving a vague, rootless ghost, supposedly making it easier to slip down the gullet of the masses.

Pokémon I've seen referred to as a 'gateway drug', as in the anime that introduced a generation to the entire concept. This means the dub. You would not have got enough kids in the late Nineties to read a screen rather than watch it, and even today most would lose interest rapidly.

Where would you be without that dub? Unless you're Japanese, your first experience of Pokémon will have been a dub, and if not the American, the one where you live, which was only made because there was the funds available.

You may have then progressed to watching the sub, but only because that dub stirred love in your soul.

Where would the franchise be without that dub? You think Pokémon would've grown to be a world-wide obsession raking in billions by itself? No, it'd still be a solely Japanese phenomena, and most likely never lasted this long.

Its decades of supremacy rests on the quality of that dub. It sold games and merchandise to kids by the ton, giving an incentive to keep the series going. If you're not a fan from the first wave, then your favourite era would have never existed had it not been financially attractive carrying on.

The team who wrote the first film actually preferred the dub, moved to tears by its emotive use of music, therefore they aren't so precious as the fans.

Where would anime be without that dub? Pokémon brought it to the West. A handful slipped through previously, but made minor impression.

To those who would dismiss Pokémon entirely in favour of more 'worthy' output such as Studio Ghibli, I would say that Pokémon, first the games, then the programme they inspired, must have an integral quality to have caught on in Japan, which isn't exactly short on similar concepts.

To have gained popularity in a crowded market, and so fervently a dub became an option, can only have come about because it held a certain magic.

It was the dub that smashed a hole in the cultural barrier, setting free the tidal wave to engulf the world. In Pokémon's trail followed Digimon, Cardcaptors, Monster Rancher, Yu-Gi-Oh! et cetera.

Without Pokémon, I doubt they'd have been translated, and definitely never broadcast on mainstream television. That came about as channels desperately hunted down anything Japanese to serve as the next craze.

I really appreciated the effort made by 4Kids in converting every aspect of the series to suit American tastes, including changing text on signs, letters and books into English. I assumed this was standard practice until I watched others.

I could never be as involved in them as I was Pokémon because of that block. It was like being denied access to the deeper waters, fenced into the shallows, and implied a rushed dub, with little care shown but to chase the same crowd and money.

If personified, the dub 'n' sub wouldn't be one human being, but rather identical twins: the same to a casual observer, but easy to tell apart by the more attentive.

It's like the games: Red and Blue are versions of a single adventure, but not totally one. Take the dub and the sub the same way. They are parallel dimensions running on separate rails, and beyond reconciliation, and that's before we consider that, sub and dub alike, each generation has only a faint relation to its predecessor, working on its own whims.

Everyone has a favourite, or can like both, and there's nothing wrong in that, but so many are proud of the fact they hate the dub, as if it conveys a revered status of supremacy.

When Disney films are shown abroad, they too are translated, and I'm sure references and jokes are redesigned to make sense to the locals. It's no use selling yourself as a comedy then being surprised when the audience refuses to laugh, having no idea what you mean.

If people prefer that one, for being what introduced them to Disney as a whole, or as a fond memory of childhood, then so what?

I don't mind if their view of a character is minutely at odds with mine, having seen the original, because what they think is canon to their version, so can't be wrong.

I don't go round declaring every Disney dub to be pathetic by its nature, that viewers of them are of a lesser breed of fan for preferring their own tongue, even though more of the world's population understand English than they do Japanese.

If you enjoy one tailored to your country there's no crime in it, just as I like one at least comprehensible to mine. It's not even my culture, but I pick it up mostly.

The choice must be made on which to follow, and this blog runs on dub canon, as that has a claim on my heart. Just because I don't acknowledge what takes place in the sub doesn't mean I'm unaware of it, but it has no bearing on what I write.

The idea that the dub alters things willy-nilly without rhyme nor reason is also mistaken. Often it does it because the original does not make sense.

In the sub, I know Nanny and Pop-Pop are just a couple of old duffers taken at random and dropped in to a castle, supposedly as James's far away nannies.

Oh yeah, that's a cushy position. You doing a lot of child care from miles off?

Mind you, it used to describe 'em as 'caretakers' on Bulbapædia, as if Nan serves as housekeeper whilst Pop tends to the garden.

That's right. Ma and Pa finally got some work out of this pair of freeloaders.

They're not related, remember? No, no, absolutely not, no way. Of course their style reflects that. They just gave Pop a 'tache, thick eyebrows and a bigger nose, and Nan got a bun and lines in her hair, but there's certainly no connection. Oh no. Such a thing is ridiculous.

They're NOT family. No. Yet Hoenn James still panics they might learn he's joined Team Rocket, spending the whole episode trying to hide the truth.

Why? Who are servants to criticise the son of their employers? Why should their opinion be of any consequence to Hoenn James, especially when his parents, fiancée and butler are cognizant of reality?

Children of aristocrats are usually brought up by governesses, thus develop a stronger attachment to these figures rather than their parents, but that isn't the case here.

James lived with Ma and Pa, not the codgers minding the castle. He would have very little contact with distant employees compared to those who waited on him daily, so why seek out their approval?

Hoenn James apparently was permitted visits to Nan 'n' Pop, which is strange considering they're not relatives. Why them and not any other house-stters?

That's right, Ma and Pa sent their son to one of their properties without them, entrusting him to the care of two shrivelled pensioners of his size that he barely knew, and who could keel over at any minute. There are no other servants present. Apparently Nan and Pop clean an entire castle by themselves.

Oh, and they run a makeshift Pokémon sanctuary, but since it's not their home it has to be done with Ma and Pa's blessing, who also have to pay for it, but they're eevul aren't they?

The idea that somehow Nanny and Pop-Pop have not cottoned on to James's occupation by now is risible.

Servants gossip about their masters. I bet the entire household of his home know, and so in turn does the county. That Nan and Pop remain oblivious proves how isolated they are, for no one's thought to inform them.

When it came to dubbing it, they were made his grandparents, removing all the above nonsense. Of course he visits his nan and granddad, it's their gaff and their money funding the place, and it is likely his mother or father would keep James's job a secret, for fear the shock would finish 'em off.

It should do really. If they're not bothered by it that's a sign of where his rapscallion ways were inherited.

They aren't facially akin to Ma and Pa, but display the same additions, so if staff it's bloody lazy, as if nannies have to resemble your parents, but inventing a blood link excuses the slothful characterisation.

Every reference I've seen on Tumblr relating to the coffin-dodgers calls them Nanny and Pop-Pop. Apparently the dub decision is met with universal approval. It does have redeeming aspects then.

Now the sub writers, rather than ignore this development, took to it too. They aren't exactly bursting with ideas these days and are probably grateful for the lifelines offered.

Remembering James had parents, they forced a likeness between them and Nanny and Pop-Pop. How else do you explain the inexplicable ageing, even when Sinnoh Ma and Sinnoh Pa are younger than Ma and Pa?

I've also known for years that the sub has this woman as Jessie's foster mother, not Ma Jess, but that's stupid.

I can grasp the idea that Jessie and Ma might have endured extreme deprivation, considering that's what Team Rocket has brought to Jessie anyway, and that they may have lived at the bottom of Mew's mountain prior to Ma's death.

What I find difficult to take in is that social services (or as they're known where I live, the S.S.), however notoriously awful they are, would give a child to a mad bitch in a shack with no running water.

Come on, they have to at least pretend to be concerned for Jessie's welfare.

As Jessie is very young, bereavement can't have befallen her in the distant past, so how can she be happy this soon after becoming an orphan? How could the grieving period be a cherished memory?

If that woman's creaming off the money, why hasn't she fixed the place up by now? Where do the payments go, sniffing glue?

Then there's the depiction. If this is just some daft bint never to be mentioned again, why do they conceal her face? Who cares what she looks like when she's unimportant?

Here's another figure from Jessie's past. She isn't disguised, and why not when she too briefly appears and is then forgotten?

Who was she?

The only sort of characters they tended to hide were other members of Team Rocket:

During the early scenes featuring Giovanni, he was enveloped in shadow, adding both intrigue and a sense of menace.

Madame Boss also got this treatment, even though there was probably no intention to ever feature her in the anime. What's the use in keeping an appearance a mystery if it'll remain masked?

With that pattern, it implies this woman is in the same category, like Ma Jess.

When it came to animation, it definitely was intended to be a foster mother. Not her real one. No.

What did they do?

They gave her Jessie's skin tone and purple hair hanging down her back!

You know, like Ma Jess?

Any colour would've done. Any at all, and being anime I do mean any colour, but no. The choice was made to give her the looks of the exact person she's not meant to be!

Is it that surprising the dub simplified things?

I don't mind if you like the dub, sub, both, or any from around the world, but I'm tired of the smug condescension, as if we all agree the sub is the only one that counts, and that dub fans are grunting troglodytes, or not 'proper' aficionados.

None of us would be here were it not for the dub. Pokémon would not be here. I think it deserves some respect for how much of a difference it made, to my life and to yours.